Chapter 1: The Patrol
"So if I go to bed, all of you crazy kids will be okay?"
Damien Wayne, the current Robin and as moody and unpredictable as any other almost-fifteen-year-old, rolled his eyes.
Tim Drake, known by the world as Red Robin, shook his head as he replied into the comlink, "We'll be fine, Oracle. The city's criminals are still recovering from that big bust we did three weeks ago."
"I'm just saying, they're historically more active on Friday nights."
"Go to bed, Oracle," said Robin with a smirk. "You're getting old and need your beauty sleep."
"Demon brat," she replied. But both boys could hear the fondness in her voice. "Okay, take care. Oracle, out." She cut the comlink.
Robin leaned back against the radio antenna on tonight's skyscraper-perch, savoring the rare warmth in the summer night breeze.
Red Robin has his specially modified smart-phone tuned to the radio scanner. He was listening to it with an amused look on his face, as one of the new officers was being quite the fanboy about Batman. He was also flipping through Justice League alerts on his smart-watch, double checking that the League could go another night without support from anyone on Team Batman.
"Think they'll ever invite us to Mars?" Robin asked conversationally.
Red Robin shrugged. "Maybe; Batman and Nightwing usually get those gigs."
"But someday they'll retire," pointed out Robin. "Who do you think they'll pick then?"
"Not Red Hood," said Red Robin instantly.
Robin laughed. It had taken him a long time to learn to laugh, and sometimes it sounded more like a cackle and sent a shiver of pure fear down the spines of those around him. But tonight it could almost be called bright.
Red Robin hid his smile.
Then sat up straight as someone on the police radio reported, "We have a bank robbery on K and 12th. Repeat, K and 12th."
Robin and Red exchanged looks and were about to launch themselves off the roof when that young police officer who really liked Batman reported, "Second robbery on C and 22nd! C and 22nd!...ugh...what do I do?"
Robin snorted. "Amateur."
"We each take one, radio each other when we finish?" Suggested Red Robin.
Robin smirked. "Yeah, I'll come help you once I'm done."
Red Robin shook his head and said, "I'll help out the amateur. We want his impression of the family to be a good one." He launched himself off the roof before Robin could protest, engaging the glider-wings on his suit.
Robin was about to protest anyway but concluded that said amateur would only get in the way and took off for the first location.
"Let's go!" One bank-thief yelled at the other. "If we stay here too long we'll get caught by the Batman..."
"Batman doesn't think you're important enough to come get you personally," a young voice said from the darkened ceiling.
A shape somewhat like a ninja star came spiraling threw the air and the worried bank thief found himself pinned to the wall by a weird bat-shaped object. Before he had time to do more but wonder what the hell was going on, the canister of gas on it exploded with a small pop and dosed the surprised criminal in sleeping gas.
The man who had been supposed to be keeping a look-out was found unconscious out front, a nasty bruise blossoming on his chin. The two men who had gone for the vault were found tied to chairs, one significantly more unconscious than the other. The man who had been worried about Batman was snoring peacefully which was, Robin decided, probably the most undignified of the positions. The money was found neatly stacked in the shape of a bat.
Robin had helped himself to one of those lollipops in the lobby on the way out and was enjoying it on the roof as the police observed his handiwork.
Robin checked his watch. "Not too terrible," he muttered, twirling the lollipop stick in his fingers. "Their response time is getting better."
Then he spun around with a baterang in each hand. "Show yourself!" He snarled, his eyes glinting dangerously.
Ra's al Ghul came out from the shadows, applauding. "Your skills have improved," Ra's said approvingly. "There was a time that I could watch you for hours without you noticing me in the shadows."
"Hello, Grandfather," said Robin, stowing his weapons. "What brings you here?" His tone was even. No malice. But no real kindness either.
"It's time for you to come home," said Ra's.
Robin narrowed his eyes. "I am home."
Ra's scowled but quickly covered it so quickly with a kind smile that Robin wondered if he'd imagined it.
"Home is where you were born, my grandson," said Ra's. "And to the legacy that you have inherited. It cannot be altered or erased. For too long have you forgotten the blood from your mother. The blood you got from me." Ra's suddenly looked old and sad.
Robin squirmed internally. Yet... "I have my father's blood, too," he said stubbornly.
"And you have done it great credit," agreed Ra's. "But you are needed back home. I have decided it is time for the League of Shadows to face the facts; we are part of the past. Relics of history. It is time for us to change."
"You mean," asked Robin slowly. "You're considering disbanding the League?"
"Disbanding?" Ra's frowned. "I prefer the word...re-organizing. But, yes, it is time for a drastic change. And I would like you to be a part of it."
"Me?"
"Of course," Ra's smiled warmly. "Who else but my grandson is worthy of the honor?"
Robin felt his chest puff up with pride. Be part of the reorganization of the League of Shadows? He imagined using those dangerous assassins as agents for good. Taking out evil dictators and power-hungry business men and corrupt politicians. Scaring people like Lex Luther and Queen Bee into silence. Individuals who could take that final step and permanently silence those who would seek to silence others. Damien felt almost giddy.
Imagine how proud father would be if I was able to change one of our greatest opponents into a powerful ally?
"How long would I be gone?" Damien asked. Already "Robin" had been set aside, neatly folded away into a different part of his mind.
"That would depend upon you," replied Ra's.
Damien nodded. He reached into his utility belt and pulled out his phone.
"What is that?" asked Ra's.
"A precaution," replied Damien. He disabled his tracker and put his radio on Do Not Disturb.
"I'm ready," he said, looking up.
"Excellent," Ra's led the way into the shadows. "My helicopter is not far."
Soon the only thing left on that roof was the bright yellow lollipop that Damien had flung to the side when he realized he was being watched. A single ant followed the sweet scent of artificial dyes and sugar. Then another. And another. Until then bright yellow was consumed by a writhing mass of black.
By the time that Red Robin appeared, annoyed that Robin hadn't checked in and wondering where the younger boy had gone, there was no trace that Damien had ever been there.
They'd even taken the stick.
