Welcome to my first fanfiction in a very long time. This story wouldn't leave me alone so I had to write for my own sake. The story should be in two parts. I will update the second part next week. So I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think.
Spoilers and extracts from the episode Failsafe. Lyrics and title is from the song 'Losing Your Memory' by Ryan Star. Neither of which I own.
Enjoy.
"Sixteen seconds and counting. Manhunter take Miss Martian and go!"
"No we won't leave you."
"That's an order. We will follow as soon as we blow those doors." They fade and disappear. I can only hope they followed my order. It is my last order as leader. I glance down at the counter on my wrist. Ten seconds appear in white numbers surrounded by blue, a nice change in the red that surrounds us now.
Ten
I look up into Kid Flash's eyes. He is very intelligent even if he doesn't always show it and people don't always see it. He probably knew from the second I laid down the explosives that I was sentencing him, us, to death. His eyes are steady, afraid but eerily calm. We have been trained for this. We have grown up to except these situations. But still, I had not expected it to end like this.
Nine
The heat in the corridor makes a bead of sweat drip down my face. I would have never guessed when I met Kid Flash for the first time, that we would be in this situation. That would die together. I close my eyes for just a second. The first time I met Kid Flash... well he wasn't Kid Flash, he was Wally, just Wally. Not some hero that I had sentenced to die. Not my best friend. He was just a kid with a gift and more importantly a kid with a future.
All the best of what we've done is yet to come...
Gotham City
June 5,23:24 EDT
"So a kid who just so happens to be related to Flash, visits the exact same Lab and the exact same completely freak 'accident' happens in the same type of straightforward experiment. And the exact same reaction is experienced". The disbelief is evident in my voice as I balanced on the old chimney blocks of a building in Lower Downtown Gotham.
"That's extremely statistically unlikely, heavy on the un" I finished as I causally flipped up into the air and landed back on the blocks. Batman nodded silently beside me.
"Flash has assured me that he is a good kid. But this does warrant very close investigation".
"Yeah we don't want a world full of super fast chemical scientists. Or do we?" I asked. It would be interesting to have an entire population of super fast people. But then since everybody would be fast, nobody would be.
"No, we wouldn't", Batman clarified, interrupting my wonderings. "We don't want this knowledge falling into the wrong hands. Also he is not directly related to Flash and he is older then you so calling him kid is not appropriate".
"So what do I call him? Flash Junior?" I answered back slightly irritated. I hated it when people reminded me that I was still only ten.
"His name is Wally West. Flash is currently training him to control his new powers and maybe as a future 'Flash Junior' as you put it." I could hear the wiry humour in Batman's voice. "He has expressed an interest in meeting you. Of course he will know you as Robin and Robin only. Understood."
I nodded even though I knew it wasn't a question.
The air shifted suddenly to my right and in an instant we were joined by Flash. A second later a soft thud rocked me slightly on my perch.
"Dude, why are we always late? I wanted to be on time for this", Wally groaned. Flash just smiled brightly as he turned to face us.
"Batman, Robin, I would like you to met my nephew, Wally West," said Flash grandly gesturing to the ginger kid beside him dressed in a small but still slightly loose Flash custom.
"Dudes, I mean Mr. Batman, sir and Robin. God, it's like so cool to meet you," said Wally smiling broadly. I laughed as I jumped from my perch and landed close to this pint-sized hero. Wally's eyes went huge as I jumped further then he obviously thought I could.
"So how's it going in the newly super powered world of yours?" I asked giving my trademark boyish smile.
"Pretty cool", he nodded. "At least it's a lot cooler with Uncle Bar- em em" Wally panicked. "I mean with Flash and with like ... em other peoples. Ya know". Wally's face almost matched his hair. I frowned slightly and nodded. I wondered why he said Uncle Barry, before Flash. There was obviously more to this story. Maybe training with the Flash wasn't the only big change Wally was experiencing, thanks to his new situation. I flashed Batman a look. He was looking over at us. Yes, I thought, undeniably something else going on here. Heavy on the un. I suppose everybody has a back story even kids. I should know.
"Relax kid, I already know Flash's identity. He introduced you by name and as his nephew, remember?" Wally tilted his head slightly and I could feel Batman's glare on the back of my neck.
"Opps, sorry. I didn't mean to call you kid in an offensive way. It was totally ensive." I should not be allowed to talk to people, I told myself.
"Nah it's cool. You can call me kid. I was thinking of cool hero names and Kid Flash was on the table," said Wally smiling.
"Kid Flash" I tested it out. Wally smiled instantly. "Yeah I like it. So I guess that means you want to be a hero then?"
Wally broke into another grin.
"It's all I ever think about. I mean, think how many people I can help. Like, even if I save one person it will be worth it. Think of all the things they will get to do in the future because I saved them. And if I saved tones of people, there would be tons of people with kids, families and happy homes because of me. I think I could do that. Make things better, ya know". Wally went bright red and scratched his head nervously. He was obviously embarrassed after sharing so much with a practical stranger.
"I couldn't have said it better myself, Kid Flash". We both smiled together. "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship".
Eight
I nodded at Kid Flash as I turned, my hand filled with explosives. Wally nodded back.
"Make things better", he agreed and as one we jumped out of our hiding place to face the alien invaders.
Seven
The red lasers on top of the alien's mechanic bodies took a second to power up and then at least twenty laser bursts shot towards me and Kid Flash. He sped away as I threw myself into a skid towards the aliens. I threw the timed explosives. All but one was embedded into the mechanic bodies. There was a pause then the explosives blew two aliens apart. Kid flash skidded into two more which fell and knocked into a third.
Six
We both knew we were delaying the evitable. We were going to die here. I would never go home to Wayne Manor, the cave or school. I would never see my friends again even the ones who were still alive.
Barbara! I would never see her again. I would never see any of my civilian friends. I hope they are still alive. I'll never know and I never got to say goodbye.
Five
Time was running out. My heat skipped a beat. The same thing happened on the first day of school in Mr Regald's class. Funny what you think about in the last few seconds of your life.
Call all your friends and tell them you're never coming back...
Gotham City
September 2,12:47 EDT
I walked quietly down the corridor after Ms Pitsfall, the secretary of Gotham's Academy Elementary School. I still didn't quite understand why I had to go to school. I had survived seven years without it. I huffed quietly to myself. I don't see why things had to change so much now that I lived with Bruce. I told this to Bruce quite a few times over the past few days. My parents had taught me most of the important stuff and Alfred and Bruce could just continue where they left off. It would be the easiest solution. I reasoned that the regularity and conformity of school would hinder my training and eventual patrolling as Robin, Batman's partner.
Bruce had other ideas. He said that the experience of shared learning with fellows my age would be fun and worthwhile. I had asked how you could share learning. He answered that I would find out at school.
So here I was.
Bruce told me that the school wasn't sure what grade I should be in. I said that I doubted that implying the school had an independent though process was instructive in convincing me to go. Bruce laughed and patted my head. He said that's why individuals at the school weren't sure what grade I would be in.
So here I was, after three and a half hours of tests, a short interview and only a tiny break. Ms Pitsfall assured me that the test results would be emailed to Bruce along with a recommendation by the end of the day. For the time being they would put me in grade 2 and I quote "See how you settle in".
Ms Pitsfall banged on the door with 'Mr Regald' printed in black over the window that was too high for me to see into. A shadow fell across the glass and the door was sharply opened. The man who opened the door, who I assumed was Mr Regald, was a tall thin man with wire-framed glasses balancing on the tip of his nose.
"Hello Mr Regald. I have a new student for you. This is Richard Grayson and he will be joining you for the time being". I shifted uncomfortably at the strange almost harsh tone Ms Pitsfall used while talking to the teacher.
"AH Richard Crayson, I have heard a lot about you recently. As has most of Gotham I would think". Mr Regald had a strange way of pronouncing his Gs making them sound more like a Cs. I noted with a wry smile.
"And may I ask why Mr Crayson is so late. The day is practically over," Mr Regald continued. I wasn't sure should I answer or not as he was staring directly at me as he spoke. Ms Pitsfall answered anyway.
"He has spent the morning doing curriculum exams to see what grade he is best suited for".
"Ah that was probably a wise choice, I wouldn't think much learnin' was achieved on the road with the Romani." I scowled at the remark. I wasn't sure if he was purposely insulting the Romani or not. Obviously neither was Ms Pitsfall because she didn't comment on it. However I could hear the offence in her voice as she informed him of the actually reason behind the exams. I was a bit embarrassed at having my differences pointed out in front of the class. However I was glad that Mr Regald finally seemed to be happy enough to allow me enter his class.
"Sit at the front so I can see you," said Mr Regald. Bruce told me that I need to take notes on what the teacher said so when I sat down I took out the notebook that Alfred had given me this morning and started to write.
"Stop fid-fid-fid movin' and keep you hands where I can see them," yelled Mr Regald causing my heart to skip a beat. I jumped and laid my hands flat on my desk. I flushed pink as the rest of the class giggled softly. School I decided was so not for me.
The bell rang loudly a few minutes later. The class begin packing up and moving away as Mr Regald continued to try to talk over the noise.
"And Mr Crayson, I would like to speak with you privately," was barely audible over the noise. I looked at the door and was very tempted to make a run for it. But Bruce never runs away and neither should I.
"Yes Mr Regald?" I asked as I approached his desk.
"Mr Crayson, I would like to set some cround rules and install some personal manners that you will follow. I know that you would have had none of these in your previous situation but you will follow them now if you want to get out of the second crade". I am sure if this had not been my first day at school and had I not had to endure hours of exams, I would have not lost my cool. Too bad that this was not the case and I did in fact lose my cool.
"Mr Regald," I huffed. "I am not sure whether you mean to imply that my family and friends have no rules or manners or didn't have your specific rules and manners but either way I would greatly appreciate you not taking about them as if you know anything about them or me! Also it is pronounced ground not cround, grade not crade and Grayson not Crayson. The Romani taught me that". I flinched backwards as the teacher made a threatening step towards me. He stopped and seemed to collect himself.
"You do not talk to a teacher like that you little shit". My eyes widened at the language. "Please," said Mr Regald, in response. "I can think of a lot harsher yet more accurate words to describe you. I should have known that Mr Wayne would not adopt an idiot. A pretty orphan boy with no family to care or ask questions, yes I can easily see the appeal. He is using you don't you see".
I scowled slightly in confusion. "Never mind it appears he would adopt an idiot".
"Shu," I begin angrily feeling on the brink of treasonous tears but was interrupted by a female voice by the door.
"Mr Regald, Mr Wayne has been waiting at the gate for Richard for a while now. Can I accompany him out now or are you not done insulting him and Mr Wayne?" said a pretty red haired girl by the door.
My hands were shaking and I felt like I had swallowed one of Alfred hard candy sweets whole. I ran towards the door and past the girl before Mr Regald could open his mouth. I kept running down the corridor and turned right at the end of it. I felt the imaginary sweet move up my throat and I gasped softly as my eyes prickled.
The girl was right behind me. She stopped in front of me as I slid to the ground.
"School really sucks," I stated as I wiped at my face furiously trying to hide my betraying tears.
"It's not that bad," said the girl who I notice was a more then a little older then me. "It's just that teacher who sucks. You got serious bad luck that you got him on your first day".
"Yeah, unlucky, heavy on the un. Story of my life," I sniffed slightly, my face angry but thankfully dry. She smiled sadly at the words.
"My name is Barbara Gordon". She extended her hand and I shook it. She tightened her grip and pulled me up. "Let's get you back to Bruce, eh? So you can complain and get Mr Regald fired".
I shrugged and followed her.
"I won't do that I can fight my own battles and just so you know, Bruce... he is not using me. Or at least I don't think so," I finished lamely.
"He's not," said Barbara. "I have known him for a few years and I can already tell he cares about you. Besides with the way you stood up to Mr Regaldin there, I doubt you would let Bruce use you. But still he would want to know if somebody is bothering you." She gave me a nice smile and I smiled back straight away. I already felt a bit better.
"I wish I had the courage to stand up to Mr Regald like that when I was in second Grade. He bullies a lot of kids, basically anybody who is a bit different".
"I'm glad then," I said smiling slightly.
"Glad?" she asked her face creasing in confusion.
"I am glad that I stood up to him, not only for my own sake but for all the other kids he bullied". She smiled at me again. "What grade are you in, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Fifth," she answered. "Why?"
"No reason just curious," I smiled.
We finally reached the gates. I saw Bruce's Mercedes and made a dash to it. I was very eager to get home.
"Later Babs", I called back to Barbara. "And thanks". She smiled and waved back.
I hopped in the car and grinned at Bruce as his eyes scanned his computer screen. He closing it with a click and looked at me.
"So how was school?" he asked.
"Full of aw," I answered. At his slightly exasperated look I clarified. "Awful".
"Any reason?"
"Do I have to be in second grade?" I asked hopefully. Bruce smiled slightly and I saw him glance out the window as Barbara Gordon placed a police issue helmet over her red hair before hopping on the squad bike.
"No as a matter of fact you don't. And what grade would you like to be in?" asked Bruce.
"Fifth," I said smiling.
"I thought you would say that".
Four
The final part of this story should be up in less then a week. I hope you enjoyed it. In the next chapter Robin's timer runs out but not before he remembers two very important events and people in his life.