Authors Note
So this took a while to pump out, but at least it's done now! :D Reviews and stuff are appreciated guys.
Also, Young Justice: Outsiders is AMAZING.
Young Justice Enlightenment
Robins First Mission
1x2
August 17th, 2014
Mount Justice
August 17th, 1100 UTC
Robin. B13.
Batgirl. B16.
Artemis. B07.
"-didn't stand a chance!" Robin exclaimed, punching the air enthusiastically.
"If I hadn't shown up, I think you'd be spending today in the hospital instead of on a mission." Artemis replied coolly, shaking her head.
"Nah, I had it." Robin smirked as the three of them headed towards the mission briefing area where Batman had asked them to meet.
"What made you think you could just go after Killer Croc alone?" Batgirl's tone was one of annoyance. "He literally could have had you for lunch."
"I was luring him out is all." Robin replied, smirk intact.
"Oh, so you lying on the ground with a terrified look on your face was all an act?" Artemis raised an eyebrow, sharing a laugh with Batgirl. "Okay, I believe you."
"Psh, whatever." Robin rolled his eyes behind the domino mask, leading the three to stand before Batman, Lagoon Boy and Miss Martian. "Sup guys."
"Robin." Batman had disapproval written all over him as he glared at his protegee before nodding to the girls. "Batgirl. Artemis."
"How are you all feeling today?" Miss Martian asked with a bright smile.
"Oh, we're fine." Artemis gestured at herself and Batgirl, before jabbing her thumb at Robin. "This guy was almost a snack though."
"What?" Batmans eyes snapped to Robin. "Explain."
"I uh..." Robin shifted from one foot to the other. "I kind of responded to an alert for one of the Arkham breakouts."
"..." The Batglare said it all.
"It was fine!" Robin raised his hands defensively. "The cops were there, and Croc was-"
"You went after Jones ALONE?" The whole room seemed to darken and Miss Martian visibly shivered.
"W-" Robin started, but was cut off by a curt shake of his mentors head.
"We'll discuss this later." Before Robin could speak again, Batman waved his hand and brought up a holographic screen. "This is Shelia Haywood, a relief worker who spends her timee building houses for those in need, among other things." Pictures flashed on the screen of a red haired woman working, doing things like create wells, build houses and pass out food. "Six weeks ago she arrived in Ethiopia to help build several hostels to assist with housing refugees from the armed crisis in Bialya. Unfortunately, that crisis has followed the refugees and bandits have been raiding the work site for the past fortnight." More pictures, this time of terrified people and supplies being burned. "She has personally reached out to the U.N for intervention. While they deliberate, I have decided to send in a squad to solve this issue. Miss Martian will take you to the site where you will have twenty four hours to take down the bandits."
"Only twenty four hours?" Robin raised an eyebrow. "What if they don't attack?"
"They will." Batman's voice was a low growl. "We cannot legally interfere with matters that fall under the direct jurisdiction of the U.N, which is why I'm sending you four as a covert squad."
"Are we allowed to directly interact with the refugees and relief workers?" La'gann asked.
"Preferably not, but do what you need to." Batman replied, bringing up a new screen with a picture of a male in a purple and black suit with a spider logo on his mask. "This is Eric Needham a.k.a Black Spider. He's been spotted in the vicinity for reasons unknown. His presence makes it clear that whatever's going on there is related directly to the League of Shadows. Artemis, I want you to restrain him if encountered and discover what Ra's wants in Ethiopia."
"Should be easy enough." Artemis replied with a smirk.
"Good. Then if there's no more questions?" Batman waited several moments before nodding. "Dismissed."
Somewhere Above Africa
August 17th, 1214 UTC
"This blows." Robin moaned, throwing himself back down into his chair on the Bioship. He'd changed into his civilian clothes, comprised of a three quarter sleeved yellow shirt, black shinny jeans and red converse. There was also a red zip up hoodie discarded on the ground beside him. Lastly, he had a pair of thick rimmed black glasses over his eyes, Batmans idea of conserving his identity. "Why do me and Batgirl have to go undercover while you guys get to go hunting?"
"Because La'gann isn't the most inconspicuous Atlantean and I have seniority." Artemis chuckled. "Besides, you guys are the most suited to blending in right?"
"I guess..." Robin folded his arms in protest. "Just don't wanna miss the action."
"If I was able to blend in with the surface worlders, I would relish in the opportunity to help." La'gann spoke up, disapproval in his tone. "You should never look for a fight."
"Gee, you sound just like a handbook on 'Being a perfect sidekick 101." Robin scoffed, sarcasm dripping from every word.
"What is that supposed to mean?" La'gann narrowed his red eyes slowly.
"It means that nothing that just came outta your mouth sounds genuine." Robin turned his head to lock eyes with the other boy. The two stared one another down for a few moments before barriers suddenly came up and blocked them from eachothers view.
"You guy's are a team." Miss Martian scolded with a slight frown. "There's no need for you to antagonize him Robin."
"Maybe not, but it passes the time." Robin shrugged.
"Apologies, Miss Martian." La'gann stated moments later.
"So back to the game plan," Artemis cut in, bringing the conversation back to it's initial topic. "While you guy's investigate the work site and get in contact with Shelia Haywood, La'gann and I will head for the bandits last known location based on their trajectory after their most recent attack. With any luck, we'll have this mission crossed off by dinner."
"Approaching the work site now. Entering stealth mode." Miss Martian informed them as they came down from the clouds.
Work Site
August 17th, 1231 UTC
Robin shrugged on the backpack carrying his uniform and utility belt, heading through the tree's towards the work site as the Bioship quietly zoomed away. Batgirl wasnt far behind, also wearing civilian clothes, being a white and black jump suit. They looked like quite the pair, completely out of place. Their cover was simple, that they had been sent ahead of the official U.N team as undercover security. Since both of them looked older than they actually were, Robin figured the cover would hold long enough for them to complete the mission.
As they cleared the treeline and the work site came into view, Robins mouth dropped open in shock. The pictures they'd seen had shown some progress, but what stood before him was little more than the workers tents, scattered supplies and the remains of what appeared to be the beginnings of a hostel. Continuing their approach, the pair began to get several looks and by the time they reached the outer ring of tents, a woman had arrived to meet them. Studying her, Robin confirmed her identity as Shelia Haywood.
"Hi there." Shelia greeted them, giving the teenagers the once over. "What are you guys doing out here alone?"
"My name is Peter Davis." Robin replied smoothly, putting a little more bass into his voice to sell the act. "This is Tamara Keen. We're with the U.N."
"Oh really?" Shelia eyed them again. "You guys look a little young if I'm being honest."
"We get that all the time ma'am." Batgirl spoke up. "We were nearby and have been reassigned to act as an extra layer of security until the U.N's relief forces arrive."
"An extra layer huh? Make that the only layer, since only a handful of soldiers have survived the attacks." Shelia looked as if she was about to say something else, but sighed instead. "I just don't understand how people can do this to innocent refugees."
"They won't be for much longer." Robin stated with conviction, before gesturing to the camp site. "Would you mind giving us a tour of the premises?"
"Of course." Shelia smiled, turning to lead them into the site. "This way please."
Abandoned Camp Site
August 17th, 1250 UTC
Artemis knelt down, inspecting the remains of a camp fire. All around her, there were signs of a recent and vigorous party, or something similar. To her, it meant that they had only just missed the bandits that they were after, which was rather annoying. Sighing, she stood up and looked over to La'gann who was inspecting the tire trakcs which led away from the camp site.
"Find something?" She inquired.
"What? Oh, no." La'gann rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm just looking at these tracks. They are... well everything is very different from my home."
"Have you never been up to the surface before?" Artemis asked, stepping towards the young member of the Team.
"A handful of times. Only once in an authorized capacity." La'gann chuckled nervously, as if he was worried that Artemis would tell Aquaman about his secret trips to the surface.
"Oh." Artemis raised an eyebrow, resting a hand on her hip. "Aquaman didn't think it would be important for you to be used to the surface world before your first mission?"
"King Orin believes that we are one world, despite the big differences between the surface and the depths." La'gann explained, gesturing around him. "I disagree. There is nothing like this in Atlantis."
"You don't have trees?" Artemis frowned.
"Not in the way that you see them." La'gann pointed to the fire. "We also cannot summon flame at a whim like you can."
"I guess that makes sense." She was silent for a moment before settling her attention on the tire tracks. "These are still pretty fresh. We might be able to follow them right to the bandits."
"It's times like this that I wish I'd focused more on traditional Atlantean sorcery." La'gann replied, following the blonde off in the direction that the tracks led.
The Watchtower
August 17th, 1300 UTC
Nightwing. B01.
The aforementioned vigilante walked through the Zeta beams, looking around the Watchtowers war room silently at those gathered. There were six other heroes waiting for him, serious expressions on all of their faces. Batman had his back to them all, scrolling through several pictures on the holographic screens. Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Aquaman, Zatanna and Aqualad all stood behind him, with latter smiling at the sight of his friend.
"I see that you have settled on a new identity." Aqualand greeted, shaking hands with the O.G Team member. "Where did you come up with the name of Nightwing?"
"Superman." Nightwing replied, equally as happy to see his friend again. "He's been there for me a lot lately."
There was a brief, but intense silence. Wonder Woman and Black Canary exchanged looks, while Zatanna bit her lip and glanced in the direction of the Bat, whose back remained to the ground. It was no secret what had gone down between the two, and the fact that a new Robin had been assigned to the Team a mere day before was not lost on anybody.
"We're glad everybody could come today." Wonder Woman was the one to break the silence. "There have been a series of events recently that lead us to believe that The Light is working towards something big."
"The mass breakout at Arkham Asylum last night." Batman spoke for the first time, bringing up a screen showing videos of GCPD officers and the Bat Family restraining various, well known criminals. "Ocean Masters attack on the city of Poseidonis yesterday." Another screen popped up, showing pictures of the aforementioned attack. "Various criminals carrying out systematic crimes daily for the past month in Metropolis." The faces of criminals such as Metallo, Livewire and King Shark showed up on another screen. "The recent explosion at S.T.A.R Labs that killed five University students and left another in a coma." The faces of the deceased showed up, as well as a live feed to the coma patients room, with the relevant life signs. "It's obvious that The Light is behind these events. They are trying to distract us from whatever they are plotting."
"According to Doctor Fate, Klarion has been causing trouble across the various dimensions but nothing that is outside of his ability to counter, which is strange." Zatanna spoke next. "He believes that Klarion is just trying to keep him busy and unfocused on Earth."
"Why?" Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "In the past, The Light have always worked covertly, not overtly."
"I'm not sure." Batman finally turned around, regarding Nightwing with a cool gaze before continuing. "It's possible that they have found an ally." He waved his hand and another screen popped up, this one showing a handful of tech that was foreign to Earth. "Though, they could simply be involved in the intergalactic arms trade."
"We need to consult one of the members then." Nightwing punched his palm. "Lets pick up Lex. Or talk to Ocean Master."
"Orm is not going to give up their plans." Aquaman sighed. "And I will not export my brother into the hands of Surface Worlders, not even you."
"The truth is, we need to implant a spy within their ranks." Batman cut in, bringing up a picture of Artemis. "Artemis has agreed to help me with this."
"They will never let Artemis anywhere near them!" Nightwing intervened, with Zatanna and Aqualad nodding fervently in agreement.
"Artemis is not the one that I have assigned this mission to. She will however, be watching over the spy." Each word from the Bat was cold and calculated, free of any emotion whatsoever. Solely about the mission. "A recent development in Ethiopia has given us the perfect opportunity to infiltrate their ranks."
"The mission regarding the relief workers?" Aqualad questioned, his mind clearly racing. "Both Batgirl and the second Robin are on that mission."
"Bruce, you wouldn't!" Wonder Woman spun on the Bat, every bodies eyes widening at the forgoing of code name. "They are just children!"
"Comparatively, so was Red Arrow when The Light used him as a mole within the Team." Came his monotonous response.
"Which one is it?" Nightwing growled, taking a step towards his former mentor. The tension between them was suffocating. "Barbara isn't ready for that kind of mission."
"No, she isn't." Batmans response caused gasps to come from everybody in the room before it exploded into a deafening argument.
Work Site
August 17th, 1341 UTC
Robin slipped into a tent, quickly changing into his robin outfit sans mask, cape and gloves, before pulling his civvies over the costume and stuffing his mask and gloves into his pocked. As he zipped up his bag, he felt movement in the room behind him and turned to see Batgirl regarding him with suspicion.
"What are you doing Jason?" She asked, letting their code names drop since they were alone.
"Just being prepared Babs." Robin replied with a confident smile, slinging his backpack over his shoulder once again. "You never know when the bandits are going to attack."
"We're not supposed to change into those until it's absolutely necessary. The risk of being exposed is too high." Batgirl sighed. "You're worse than Dick."
"You mean better." Jason replied with a smirk before his communicator started to beep. He pressed the button. "Sup?"
"I hope that you guys are ready, because the bandits are heading your way!" Came Artemis' voice, slightly haggard with heavy breathing. "Their tracks initially led away from the work site, but they doubled back. They will be there in minutes!"
"We've got this Artemis." Robin stated confidently.
"Don't underestimate them Jason. If you see Black Spider, wa-" The communicator suddenly died out and screams could be heard from outside the tent, alongside the sound of approaching vehicles.
"Told ya." Robin chuckled, shrugging back out of his civvies and completing his costume. "It pays to be ready for anything."