This takes place before "Happy New Year" and before Kid Flash, Artemis, and Aqua Lad leave the team.
Chapter 1: Robin to Nightwing
It was the first day in his own place. A nice apartment by college. It was also close to a Zeta-tube to transport him to Mount Justice. Very convenient, especially since being a full-time student and a part-time crime fighter wasn't easy to handle at times... or maybe they were switched around. It did seem like he worked more then go to school. It was kind of hard getting his other life together when his duties get in the way. Which has caused himself to be unsure as to what he'd be studying, so general education at the moment will suffice.
First day with a new identity too. He was 9 when he first became the Boy Wonder. It stayed that way for almost 10 years, that is except for today. Even though he was no longer Batman's sidekick he did appreciate everything that he has done for him. But it was time to get out on his own here in Gotham.
Bruce... or Batman was too set in his ways and Dick didn't want to end up like him. Not anymore that is. And after seeing him take in Barbara he couldn't stay there anymore to watch him train her to be like... well either of them.
He's known Barbara for years and her becoming Batgirl was a little hard for him to handle. She deserved a life like all other girls her age. Go to school, hang out with friends, and to do whatever she pleased on her free time. But it would seem that her free time was spent hiding in alley ways, waiting on roof tops picking off thugs, and her friends were kept waiting, not hearing from Barbara days at a time. He did notice that she didn't call or see him that much anymore. He thought maybe she was dating someone.
It was a surprise to see that she was the new vigilante that was rumored around town looking like a feminine Batman.
He was sent to do an investigation on who this person was and if they seemed to be a threat to Gotham. But when he spotted her jumping into her apartment and removing her mask a mixture of emotions came to him all at once. After seeing all this his feet took off having a mind of their own and before he knew it he had leapt down and swung into her window. Scolding her seemed to be his first reaction when coming face to face with her, but in his frustration and his concern for her well being he had forgotten himself and by mistake had given away his secret... as well as Batman's. It only took two and two to put it together.
He still remembered Bruce's face when Barbara decided to stop by the Manor unannounced confronting them that she knew who they were. He was pretty pissed. But not as pissed as he had been when finding out that they both worked something out between them and he started to train her. What made him even angrier was that Bruce didn't even bother to talk to him about it. He had worked side by side with him for years and he still kept him in the dark on certain situations, but this was going too far. This whole situation was just unsettling for him.
He would still work with his team at Mount Justice and he would listen to orders given to him from Batman when it was a league ordeal but as far as him and Batman go... working together in Gotham was over.
That day Robin was gone and Nightwing was born.
"Who the heck is this guy?" asked Wally West upon seeing Dick come into the kitchen in his new attire.
"It's Robin you idiot. Can't you tell?" stated Artemis slapping his arm.
Wally circled around Nightwing looking at his costume. Same black mask but his uniform was much different. It was darker that his last one which was bright red on his chest and yellow on his belt and underneath his cape. This one was pretty much all black with some shades of gray. The only bit of color was the blue bird stretched across his chest. And there were new weapons that hung on his utility belt. A pair of escrima sticks.
"Dude, whats with the new getup?"
"I've retired as Batman's protégé. It's Nightwing as of today."
"Nightwing? Where on earth did you even come up with that? Well anyways you're still on the team right? I mean why else would you be here?" Wally paused still looking confused. "Unless you've come to tell us you're going all rogue now."
Nightwing ran a hand threw his hair and laught,"Nah, we're cool. Still a team."
"Sweeeeeeet!" he said, giving Nightwing a high five.
"Welcome... Nightwing was it?" Kaldur asked walking in on their conversation. "It will take some getting used to but we will adapt." Giving him a pat on the shoulder.
A couple of months have past since his departure from Wayne Manor and he still finds himself wondering how things have been over there. I wonder how Alfred has been? I feel kind of bad that I haven't spoken to him since I left. In fact he hadn't talked to Bruce or Barbara for that matter either. I'm sure Barbara is pissed. Bruce, he's fine.
Batman had stopped by quite a few times to tell them about some missions but as far as them talking goes it was all work related. But that was nothing new. He was always like that when he came to Mount Justice and saw the team. Work, work, work. It was understandable, there's not really much time to chitchat when there were criminals at large.
He continued to study his class notes. He had been home most of the day studying, there was a test coming up. And right when he started to get his mind off of other matters and focus on his work his communicator went off. Speak of the devil.
"Nightwing here."
"I would like you to drop by the Batcave this evening. I have a request."
"Which is?"
"We'll talk later." Was all that Batman said before ending their call.
Typical.
It was close to midnight when Dick decided to jump on his bike and head over to Wayne Manor. He thought that now would be the best time since Batman tends to go out as soon as the sun goes down, so he figured he would give it awhile before making it over.
He pulled up to the front gate and typed in his code. I doubt he had it changed after I left. The gate opened. Nope, still good.
As soon as he walked up the stairs the door was already opened and was happily greeted by Alfred.
Alfred bowed,"Hello Master Grayson. How nice to see you."
"You too Alfred." pulling him into a hug.
It was weird for Dick not seeing Alfred in awhile. He had missed him. He's always liked teasing him and watching Alfred get upset when he would do stuff around the house like wash his clothes, clean his dishes and make his own food. It was very humorous. Alfred always wanted to do everything for him and Bruce, but he never did like to be waited on hand and foot
"Master Wayne has been expecting you for sometime now." he said while straightening out his suit. "I'm sure you know where to find him."
"Thanks Alfred."
Dick headed down the hallway toward Bruce's study. The room was filled with multiple bookshelves with various kinds of books as well as a few pictures and vases. He also has his work desk in here, he would spend countless hours there finishing up work from Wayne Enterprise.
Dick finally made his way over to the grandfather clock. He turned the clock hands to 10:48, opening a secret door with stairs leading to the Batcave.
The stairs were dimly lit, it was always hard to see going down them but he's done it so many times before he didn't have to watch his step to know where they were. They always seemed like they lasted forever too.
When he finally made it to the bottom the first thing he seemed to notice was the uniforms displays. Some were old and others he knew Batman still wore. He still had his original Robin suit. He would probably never admit it but he could tell Bruce was sentimental about such things.
After tearing his eyes away from the old uniforms he noticed the blue glow of the main computer and there he saw Batman sitting right in front
of it. Dick walked closer, examining what was on the monitor. It looked as if he's doing some kind of a DNA analysis. Probably found some blood or fingerprints on a recent crime he was investigating.
"I know I didn't give a time frame to be here but I figured you would have stopped by sooner." Batman said not turning away from his work.
"For you I thought this would have been early. I was expecting to be waiting for you to come back from patrol."
"I was, but I came back leaving Batgirl to keep an eye out."
He could feel himself tense up after that last sentence. Just shake it off, Dick. Don't let it get to you. So he decided to change the subject. "So what was it that you wanted to talk about?"
At this Batman turned to face him but still sat in his chair. "Before I get to that I have another thing I wanted to talk to you about." He paused looking like he was trying to find the words before he spoke them. "I rescued a young boy last night. While I proceeded to take him to a safe location he then told me that he knew of both mine and your identity."
"So I'm guessing you think I might have something to do with this. I'll admit that Barbara knowing was my fault but I had nothing to do with this one."
"He said that he saw you when he was younger at Haly's circus and was a fan of yours. After seeing Robin he said that he figured out that Robin was Dick Grayson by his aerial moves."
There was a long silence.
"Okay, so it's somewhat my fault but there's not really much I can do about that. I'm not really sure what you would like me to do."
"I'm not asking you to do anything. I just thought you would like to know."
Unsure of what he should say he thought he would just ask the typical question in a time like this, "Um, so what are we going to do about this?"
"I'll come up with something." he said in almost a strict tone.
"Alright. What was the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?" trying to get straight to the point.
"I'm putting Batgirl on your team."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm putting Batgirl on your team. She's been doing well with her training and I want her to start training with you and your team. I believe some teamwork exercises would be good for her."
"Absolutely not." Dick spat. "How could you even ask me that?"
"I'm not asking, I'm telling you." he said in a calm matter. "I just thought I would tell you before she joins."
"I can't believe you, Bruce. How can you be okay putting her in danger like that? Hell, you don't even seem to care about my feelings in the matter either." he said angrily, clinching his fist.
"It's not like..."
"We're done here." he cut him off.
Dick made his way for the stairs. He needed to get out of there. The anger was building up inside of him, he could feel it getting worse and worse.
But before his foot hit the first step he heard,"I said no to her at first you know."
Dick stopped.
Batman turned back around in his seat and just stared at his monitors as he talked. "I didn't want her to do this either." He paused for a few seconds before continuing. "For you it was different. I wanted to help you bring down Zucco. I didn't want you to grow up the way I did."
"Then why did you change your mind?" he said looking back at Batman.
"You should know out of all people how stubborn she is."
Yeah she was pretty stubborn. Very hard headed. And somewhat temperamental at times.
Batman stood up from his chair and started walking towards Dick. His back still turned away from him like he could walk to the Manor at any moment. When Batman finally reached him he put both of his hands on his shoulders.
"She was going to do this regardless if anyone helped her or not. By me training her and giving her the proper tools she would be safer from harm."
Dick sighed, "This maybe true, but I still don't like it."
"Maybe not but it seems like the better choice."
Dick hated to admit it but he was right. He hated it when he was right sometimes... well all the time. He couldn't help but feel a little foolish not realizing it sooner. Him and Batman always seemed to be on the same wavelength until just recently. He guessed that it was because he was too stubborn himself. All he thought about before was all the risks that were involved. But he was right, she would have done this without anyone's help. I guess this is the safest route.
"I know you'll train her well, Dick."
To be continued...
Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own Young Justice or any of these characters :(
Note: I was very nervous to put this up. It's the first time I posted a story so please feel free to give me some feed back.