Dick slept for the entirety of the next day and only woke up the morning afterwards. For once he did not dream at all. He slowly, painfully, woke up, dreadfully trying to remember how he had gotten so beaten up. Taking a few minutes, he just laid and felt his body, tensing muscles going up his body one by one. He felt a general soreness from his legs but his chest gave him the most pain. Every time he breathed in it felt like fire was flowing into his lungs rather than oxygen. Ahhh, broken ribs. Never got old. He remembered the first time he broke ribs as Robin. It was a miscalculated jump, he thought he could leap over the bars but they caught him by the ribs and hard. Batman quickly took him home to the Batcave and there was so many tears. He smiled at the memory, then cackled at how it was a stupid memory to smile at. And then wince in the pain of moving his chest.

He carefully, slowly, sat up and swung his legs over the edge of his bed, every moment jarring his injuries. Continuing with the momentum he stood, swayed and walked to his bathroom and unraveled his bandages as he went. It was only once he saw the boot shaped dent in his chest in the mirror that the memories came back to him.

Hall of Justice… Cadmus… Superboy clone…Blockbuster.

Now that he remembered, he wanted to know how long he had be out of it. Surely it wasn't that long otherwise he would be in the hospital. Grabbing a clean set of bandages, he rewound it around his ribs and went downstairs to ask.

He stumbled out of his room and reached the stairs. The stairs were painful. He eventually reached the bottom. Eventually. It took many breaks to breathe and hold back tears but finally got to the hallway.

"But they're too young." He heard his father sighed heavily from a room away.

"They are obviously not too young to be fighting crime." Alfred countered and Dick could almost feel the mocking eyebrow raise.

"Too young to not have an adult with them."

"I thought that Aqualad was an adult."

Dick decided that would be his cue. He stumbled out, nearly tripping over the oversized pjs he had been put in, as his dad groaned loudly at Alfred's comment. Dick smirking knowing that his dad had been ranting to Alfred the entire time he was out cold.

Bruce straighten up once he saw his ward, "We need to talk…" Dick sighed heavily. Kicking a man while he is down hey? Such a Batman thing to do. Dick looked down at his feet. "once you're feeling better," Bruce added. And then with a small smile, 'Until then I have an extremely bored young speedster at the foyer asking for you. Something to do with Lilo and Stitch." Dick grinned up at his dad and rushed- well, slowly walked- over to pick up his speedster, completely forgetting about asking how long he had been out for. Obviously it wasn't anything too extreme otherwise there would be bigger reactions.

Wally was inspecting a blue and white vase, obvious confused. Robin smirked at his bewilderment. That particular blue and white vase had been the one that they had accidentally smashed in Wally's last visit. Luckily Alfred found an exact knock off copy online.

Dick cackled and Wally spun around and grinned, "Dickie Boy! How you holding up?" Dick raised his massive shirt up to reveal layers of bandages and wrappings. Wally hissed in sympathy, "Well there goes my plan of taking you out to the new water park."

Dick rolled his eyes as Wally cackled to himself. Then they walked to the theatre room together, Wally rambling about how he has to get superspeed even if he only used it to heal faster. Also because it apparently brought in the hot chicks. Dick didn't believe him.

They spent the remainder of the day watching Disney movies, making bets about certain quotes, promising things they could not.

"No, no, no!" Wally claimed through mouthfuls of cookies, "it's 'once you love someone, they stay in your heart forever', and I'll bet my lucky boots it is."

"Those are your only boots," Dick snorted, then coughed. "But, now you'll have none because you're wrong because it's actually, 'once you love someone, they stay with you forever,' and you can have my lucky cape on it."

"…once you love someone, they stay in your heart forever…"

"NOOOOOOOO!"

"YESSSSSSSSSS!"

By the end of the day, and several movie bets later, they had nearly collected the whole of each other's uniforms.

It was three days later of healing and waiting and movie marathons later that the Justice League requested a meeting with the sidekicks. Robin sat proud next to Batman, basting in the attention that he was receiving from the League.

What? He was a performer. Robin's bandages chaffed against the padding of his uniform but he smiled through the pain. They were finally going somewhere. They met at the Hall of Justice but this time with a new purpose. No paparazzi this time. This time was serious.

Once they had all been seated in a meeting room out of sight from the public, Batman stood up and addressed the League. The entire League. Okay, maybe not the entire League. But a strong majority of it. Some were in civvies, some in costume. Hawkman and Green Lantern were bleeding, obviously just coming from a fight.

"This meeting today between the Justice League and their partners is being called because their partners are no longer willing to only fight alongside their mentors but band together and fight as a team. In this meeting they will pitch what their idea to fight as a team is and how they are going to approach doing so. Then they will leave us to consider their cause."

Batman nodded to the head of the table and Robin stood up with Aqualad, Kid Flash and… where was Superboy?

"I'm afraid, we cannot speak as a team, if we are missing one member." Aqualad announced calmly, yet firmly, "Where is Superboy?"

His voice rang through the meeting room and the Justice League shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Some looked over to Superman but he was stubbornly looking down at his lap. No one said a word.

After a moment of shuffles and awkward coughs Batman revealed, "He is still being tested on his abilities and…limits."

"Then we cannot speak as a team. We must rearrange this meeting."

Batman nodded slowly, before rising once more. "If that is how you feel, we will consider your pitch without your input. You may leave."

Robin wanted to argue but he realized they were stronger as a team. With a small shock Robin realized he was part of this team now. It hadn't really hit until now. Until he was walking out with his teammates. He was part of something bigger than Batman and Gotham. But that didn't mean he would leave being Batman and Robin. Kid Flash and Aqualad walked towards the door but Robin walked back towards his seat. However after Batman gave him a look, he sighed heavily and walked towards Aqualad and Kid Flash, muttering under his breath, "Not like I'm not going to hack the cameras anyways."

The three boys sat on the couch crowded around Robin's arm computer, him having hacked into the cameras to watch the meeting in process. Aqualad sat on the edge, probably questioning his morals if he should watch in or not. Kid Flash, however, did not have this moral debate and sat nearly on top of Robin, munching loudly on a muesli bar but hushed once Superman asked.

"Are we really going to allow this?" Batman raised his eyebrows as the big blue scout continued, "They are just kids!"

" I believe this is why we are going to allow this." Wonder Woman, being no stranger to children fighting, having seen the worst of the Second World War, confidently said, "The reason they want to band together and be a team is because they are too young to join the Justice League."

"Yes, but-" Superman tried.

"Would you like them to join the Justice League, Clark? For them to be at the forefront of every battle?" Hawkgirl asked curiously. Yes! They had Batman (after Robin whined about it all during his healing process time), Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl on their side!

Superman said nothing.

"Which begs the question, what sort of missions would they go on?" Green Arrow asked. "Will they be crowd control and do the little but important jobs whilst we fight the main bad guy?"

"We could definitely use more help with crowd control. Maybe someone to guard the Watchtower?" Green Lantern thought out loud, "Definitely backup when we need it."

There was a mummer of agreement before a silence fell.

"I think they should not even fight with us." Black Canary spoke up. Her comment shocked the League.

"You mean, to not even have our support to fall back on-" Multiple Leaguers started angrily.

"No, no, not like that," She replied. "I think this team should remain a secret to society. Plus, I do not think they would take well to being only crowd control," She winked up at the camera. Next to Robin, Kid Flash lowly wolf whistled.

"What do you think they should be then?" Green Arrow called out.

"Well they would feel controlled if we had them on missions with the Justice League, so I believe they should be backup should we ever need it or if we fail. I think this team should be our spies. God knows how many times a mission would have been so much easier if we were less well known."

A mumble of agreeance was heard.

"A recon team, only needing to use action when absolutely necessary. Sounds like the perfect about of action this team deserves." The Flash stated. "How will they get their missions? These kids still go to school." He looked up, "Or at least, most of them do. Will this team be a weekends and emergencies only team? And what about patrolling with their actual mentors? I still don't think they should be without an adult."

"We all have other responsibilities Flash." Batman spoke up. "They will have to learn how to handle their separate lives or they do not deserve to be part of this team. As for the HQ, we have multiple places for them to meet for missions. And they will always be able to ask for help should they need it."

"Will they have a constant League presence or we they be completely left alone unless being given missions? Who will be trusted with missions?" The second Green Lantern asked.

Arguments broke out across the table. Eventually they all died down (also caused by the efforts of the Bat-glare), and Robin realized just how much effort will go into this team. It had to be perfect. For the future of young heroes, they could not mess this up.

A silence took over the room. There was much more to discuss but that was only if it was voted that there should be a team. It they did not vote yes, then straightening out the details would be a waste of time.

"So as it stands if we agreed to allow them to be a team and this team will be a stepping stone that leads to becoming a Justice League Member. This team is recon only and will have a separate base to the Watchtower. Am I correct." Everyone nodded to Wonder Woman's words. "Then we are in agreeance. We may figure out the rest after a break. And I think a little monkey should stop spying on us." She looked up at the camera and Robin smirked.

He turned the camera off as the members started getting up from their chairs.

"Does that mean…" Kid Flash asked.

"We are a team." Aqualad confirmed. Kid Flash gets up and starts doing a ridiculous victory dance that Robin would have joined in, if not for his tightly wound bandages. And the fact that the League had to vote yet. They may not be a team yet. But Robin was confident.

Members started pouring out of the little meeting room, stretching out their limbs or eating. But most were talking. Every now and again someone would cast a look towards the boys before muttering again. Flash walked up towards the boys, "Yeah, um, this may take a while longer. You boys are free to walk about and we will call you in once we are ready. And stay off the camera."

That's how an hour later Dick watched Wally attempting to climb a rock wall at a nearby street parade they had found. The boys had changed out of their clothes and decided to go for a walk. "To bond," as Black Canary put it. Dick had been forced to leave his arm computer behind so they could not spy anymore. It didn't matter really because he was getting his entertainment worth out of Wally on this children's rock wall. Wally was failing and Dick began to question what he had gotten himself into. Kadur approached him from the side, bewildered at the sugar treats he held in each hand, that Wally had requested. Dick and Kadur took what Black Canary said to heart and tried talking about their interests, only to find that none of them were the same. Kadur loved the ocean and all things aqua based and Dick would personally not like to be reminded of all the times he had nearly drown. Dick however loves the air and all things acrobatic and Kadur would not like to be reminded on the times he has almost died of dehydration. As such, an awkward silence ensured. Kadur loved his studies in magic but Dick hated things he could not control. Robin often broke rules and direct orders while Aqualad obeyed every order received from his King. While Kadur had already gone most of his teenaged years, Dick was only just starting.

Dick sighed. It was so much easier on the field when you do not get to talk that much.

"Cotton candy!" Wally yelped, once he saw Kadur and jumped off the rock wall, desperately trying to get out of his harness. He tripped three times, forgot his shoes but was happy with half the stick of cotton candy already melted in his mouth.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Wally said to no one in particular. Kadur took a fearful bite with his teeth and Dick winced along with him, than cackled as he handed his stick over to Wally. Dick took a bite out of him, a small smile beginning on his lips. It was not as sweet as the one from Haley Circus but the taste was still nice.

Wally finished his and Kadur's cotton candy, his eyes already straying to the mass of barely clothed bodies from the heat of the day. Something caught Dick's eye and he grinned and pointed it out to Kadur. Kadur grinned back down at Dick. From the heat of the day, the mass of hot bodies surrounded water cannons, to be sprayed at by random paying strangers. Dick watched as Wally's eyes start straying towards the bikini clad girls, getting sprayed and he winked at Dick before strutting over, sticky cotton candy substance still on the corners of his mouth, obviously going to flirt. Dick and Kadur pushed behind the water cannons, their target obvious. Wally was so blinded by hormones he didn't even think to reason why these girls would possibly be wet. Dick put a few bills in for Kadur and himself and then they aimed…

Turns out they did shared some interests after all. Kadur had a childish side, especially when it came to pranks.

Half an hour later they got called back into the Hall of Justice, stopping in a nearby toilet to change into their uniforms. Despite getting changed, Kid Flash's hair was still soaked and his cheeks still red. Of course, it didn't help that Kadur had control over water. Dick was sure their water cannons had been stronger than they were supposed to be. He was pretty sure they were not supposed to knock certain people over with the force of it. Robin cackled as Kid Flash looked dismal while they entered into the meeting room of the Hall of Justice to find…

"Supey!" Kid Flash called out, but not daring to go any closer, "How's life been? You know, outside of a pod?" Robin smirked and the subtle fear in his voice.

Superboy looked confused, "We have figured out I have most of Superman's powers except for flight, heat vision and ice breath. And I was shown the footage of what happened in Cadmus," He looked down in… shame? Anger? "I am sorry Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad."

Robin winced but Aqualad went over and held out his hand, "We will forgive you if you join our team."

Superboy looked up, a small smile beginning at the corners of his mouth, "I will." He said shaking the hand.

"Now that that's out of the way." Batman stated, bringing the attention back to himself, "We have made a decision. Our decision is that you will become a team. Further meetings will be held and the details sorted. Until then, you are welcome to use the Hall of Justice to bond and we will meet at your new HQ in two days' time. Dismissed."

Robin grabbed Superboy's arm on the way out, the clone looking confused and annoyed at being given orders. They all walked out to the kitchen before Kid Flash whooped and started doing the victory dance from before. Robin grinned up at the boy. He felt the same way.

They were a team.

"This calls to celebrate," Kid Flash said with a twinkle in his eyes before dramatically throwing open the fridge doors to find… nothing.

"No one uses the Hall of Justice as the actual HQ." Aqualad reasoned.

"This calls for takeaway." Kid Flash tried to work up the hype again and then he was gone. So was Robin's wallet. The three boys snorted and sat down at the countertop. Awkward silence ensured, only finished when Aqualad curiously asked where Superboy had been for the past five days.

Superboy spoke in a surgical tone on how Batman and Flash did some medical tests, DNA and such, to prove he was Superman's clone. Then how they pulled up Superman's stats and tested him against that.

"It made more sense for Superman to come and help me test his limits but he had an emergency." Superboy gritted out, a flicker of emotion entering his voice.

Robin nodded along and was wondering if they had done any mental scans with Martian Manhunter. Surely Batman would have ensured they did that. But before he could ask Kid Flash returned with a massive pile of plastic containers.

"We have to show Superboy the culinary world!" Was his response to the enquiring glances. With a gush of air that sent the many receipts flying, Robin found his significantly lighter wallet back in his pocket and the food was all set out. In classic Kid Flash style, there was no pattern to the food, having tubs of ice cream with salad wraps, burgers and cupcakes. Robin picked up a bag of freshly made almond croissants- Dick's new favourite food- judging from the smell, he deduced it actually came from France itself and he grinned up at Kid Flash.

In an effort for Black Canary, he held one out to Aqualad and Superboy each. Curiously, they took it, sniffed it and whatnot. Robin decided to offer some information along with the olive branch, "The almond croissant is my favorite food currently. Try it." He smiled.

Aqualad said something about it reminding him of some food in Atlantis while Superboy scrunched up his nose. Robin barely paid attention. His ribs were throbbing and he felt tired, an effect of the pain meds. It had been a long day and usually he would have had a nap by this time in the day.

They spent the afternoon that way, Kid Flash shoving his mouth while Robin make recommendations of certain food to Superboy and Aqualad which resulted in either a nod of the head and compliment or a shake of the head and in the worst case (snails) Superboy vomiting. Seems like almond croissants were not the only thing Kid Flash brought back from France.

Superboy, in anger and embarrassment, stormed off, with Aqualad guiding him to the gym to let out his anger on the punching bags rather than innocent walls. Meanwhile Kid Flash was looking for Robin. Robin had chugged an unhealthy amount of non-drowsy medicine and now had disappeared. Kid Flash cautiously walked into the library, "Robin?" He called out.

Robin on pain meds was scary. There was no telling how he was acting. One time he kidnapped Kid Flash in a pillow fort. Another time he solved a 10 year old 'unsolvable' case. Usually he liked being up off the ground but KF had already checked the gym and he was not there.

Kid Flash looked up as he heard a scattering in the roof, in fright. Could be rats? But the Hall was only a month old and this wasn't Gotham where rats had as many rights as humans did. Therefore it wasn't just rats. It was a big, drugged, crazy rat Robin. He followed the scattering in the vents, leading him out into the corridor and through the kitchen. True to his loyalty to his best friend, he did not stop for a snack, being more concerned with where his friend was going to fall out. The noise started speeding up and getting further away so Kid Flash starting a brisk walk to catch up. That's exactly how he ended up in the gym, smacking right into Superboy who was mercilessly punching a bag. Without thinking- as Kid Flash complained about later- Superboy picked up Kid Flash and threw him up and away from him. His leg got hooked up on some ropes and as Aqualad tried calming down Superboy, KF noticed Robin hanging off an open vent, obviously judging the distance between him and the ground. Which- by the way- was a killable distance.

Robin dropped, as Kid Flash tried vibrating out of the rope, while Aqualad was holding Superboy against the wall. Kid Flash could do nothing as his best friend fell… and fell… and fell.

And landed on a type of pink foam. "You sure they should become a team?" Green Arrow questioned, lowering his bow. Wally knew they looked like a mess. He was upside, hanging from the roof, blood covering his nose from a nose bleed, Aqualad and Superboy were looking shocked and puffed, and Robin… had disappeared again. How?

Batman looked disappointed but didn't say anything as he reached out into the shadows and pulled out Robin out of nowhere. HOW?

It is hard to look disappointed whilst having Robin piggyback riding you but Batman did it effortlessly as he spun and walked out. Green Arrow gestured for Superboy to come with him and Aquaman came up from behind him and picked up Aqualad.

"Um, is anyone gonna help me down?" Kid Flash asked no one. He sighed, knowing that his mentor would probably be talking to League members and would be for a while, so he might as well work on is vibrating practice. He was bleeding already anyways.

Robin looked around at the Mountain. Green Lantern and Captain Atom were trying to repair the security systems and getting the computers all back on board had been Robin's homework since his was at home resting. It was looking really good- at least better than what it did when Batman brought him a couple of days ago. But this was the first time for the rest of the boys.

His teammates.

He was still bristling with the idea. He was important. The Justice League did trust them enough to form a group. Kid Flash had been gob smacked ever since they entered the mountain and Aqualad was trailing water and Superboy looked indifferent. It was a start.

"The cave was the original sanctuary of the Justice League." Robin didn't know that. He looked up questioningly at his mentor. "We're calling it into service again. Since you four are determined to stay together and fight the good fight good fight you'll do it on League terms."

The four boys had been hanging out a lot after the Drugged Robin incident. It had been awkward at first and very difficult, especially training together because Robin could not do much with his injuries, Superboy had never trained before in his life and didn't think he needed to, Aqualad had only trained underwater and Kid Flash had way too much energy. Nevertheless there had been many more angry storm offs and exhausted collapsing. Robin wished he could say they were bonded like brother now but they would have to do a lot more training before they could even go out as a team. He was ready to teach the boys a few lessons himself mostly about stealth but they needed to settle in first. There was so much to do.

"Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary is in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions.:

"Real mission?" Robin spoke up. Having his own mentor as a main part of his organization made him feel both relived and annoyed. Definitely not surprised though. Batman had manipulated people in the past before and as much as Robin would prefer not to think that Batman would do it to him, he had to be truthful. Batman could bedazzle them with small, unimportant missions and the League took the big cases as before. But Robin was not anyone's sidekick anymore. He tried putting all of this in his expression.

Batman must of seen it despite the sunglasses, "Yes but covert." He confirmed. Robin let out a small smile, nodding his head as a thank you.

"The League will still handle the obvious stuff." Flash spoke up from behind Kid Flash, "There's a reason we have these targets on our chests."

Robin wanted to pointed out that each of the boys also had a symbol on their uniform but bit his tongue.

"But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly." Aquaman added, seeming completely fine with the idea of the team, now that Aqualad's small uprising against him to form it was in the past.

"The five of you will be that team." Batman agreed.

"Cool!" Robin exclaimed, feeling better than he had in days. Hold on, "Wait…five?"

Batman looks over Robin's shoulder and he cursed himself for not feeling the presence of the newcomers. He spun around, prompting Aqualad, Superboy and Kid Flash to do the same. Matian Manhunter stood out from the shadows and next to him- was that another Matian. She was young, clearly female, and bright green. A shade lighter than Martain Manhunter but still obviously Martian.

"This is the Martian Manhunter's niece, Miss Martian." Batman finished his speech and walked over to Flash.

Miss Martain raised her hand in a wave, "Hi."

She sounded like every shy girl in a teenage drama movie ever. Robin didn't let him consider this and instead was thinking about adding new members. He didn't even consider having more than just the four of them. They could invite Speedy!

Kid Flash caught Robin's attention with a smirk, and Robin wondered if they were thinking the same thing. Instead Kid Flash said, "Liking this gig more every minute."

Robin sighed mentally. Why would he think that Kid Flash would think of anything logical when there was a teenaged girl in front of them. Kid Flash started the introductions and Robin responded to his name with the Rock n Roll sign. It had been what he had been listening to these last few days. Back to the topic on his mind, he felt bad for forgetting Speedy. It had been an eventful couple of days but as soon as the team was available they should invite him. And probably find him first.

"… it's cool if you forget their names." Kid Flash finished.

Miss Martian clapped her hands together like a cheerleader and Robin faintly wondered if it was a traditional movement from Martian culture, "I'm honored to be included." She spoke.

Robin followed Aqualad and Kid Flash as they went over to meet her up close, and he felt that Superboy didn't follow. As they were now a team it was important they did things together, such as meeting new members.

"Hey Superboy, come meet Miss M!" He tried using his friendliest voice. It seemed to work because Superboy approached. As Superboy approached, Miss M's shirt part of her uniform changed from white and red to black and red, imitating his uniform. Did she even realize-

"I like your shirt." She blushed and stuttered out. Superboy looked and did something amazing. A small smile curled at the edges of his mouth. That was the first time Robin had seen him do any expression except for indifference, anger and rage. He gave the big guy a smirk and nudge in the ribs. Robin smiled too. All the issues with training and becoming a team could wait because-

"Today is the day." Aqualad stated proudly.

And Robin could not agree more.