You Only Live Once

Chapter 3: The Tiny Bird Boy

A/N: Its what you've all been waiting for guys, yes, Robin is finally here, but Kori is still the main character. If Robin seems a bit OOC its because a LOT has happened in his life and he isn't a super hero so he doesn't hide his feelings as much.

The team shivered as they neared the Gotham Air Temple, it wasn't cold out or anything, but the winds were incredibly fast and ferocious. The group stared at the Temple in awe, it was massive! It was five times bigger then there own temple back home, making it as big as a city from far away even, probably bigger. Garfield laughed as he used rocks to practically glue himself to the top of the saddles roof so that he could see everything up close, he nearly got hit by a huge wind as he ducked the blast, he looked up as he watched a much younger boy fly by on an air glider thats flaps were painted and shaped like bat wings.

"Whoa, do you guys think that that kid was Bruce Wayne's apprentice?" Garfield asked as he undid the rocks and climbed back into the shelter.

"Probably." Vince answered. "Apparently the kids name is Richard, but most people call him Robin for some reason."

Rachel nodded her head in agreement as she closed her book and stretched a bit. "We should be landing in a few minutes, be ready to land." She cautioned.

After the designated minutes were up, Silkie landed with a soft thump. Young and old Air benders watched the dragon curiously as some even came up to the dragon to touch its scales. "Um, why is everyone freaking out over Silkie?" Vince asked.

"Oh, well, we don't get many dragons in these parts." A young Air bender answered matter-of-factually.

Kori smiled as she petted Silkie softly. "Dearest Silkie, I will return shortly." Kori whispered to the dragon, who nodded in agreement.

A few of the Air benders followed the team as they searched for Bruce Wayne's quarters. "Excuse us, but, where is the monk known as Bruce Wayne?" Rachel asked a monk as he walked by.

The monk shivered as he drew back a bit. "I'm sorry my girl, but, Bruce Wayne is dead. He died three weeks ago from a horrible accident. If you want any more information on him, it would be best to ask Richard, he and Bruce were very close."

The group grew quiet for a moment as it all sunk in. "Do you know where Richard is?" Garfield asked as he stepped forward.

"No, well, he usually keeps to himself, even before Bruce was murdered. He can usually be found asleep in a tree or something, I must go." The monk answered, he quickly walked away from them as he headed down a narrow path.

"Okay, did any of y'all notice how hurried he was?" Vince asked as they watched the monk practically run from them.

Kori shrugged as she started to walk towards a tree. "Fear not team, this is only a small set back for are quest. We will find Richard and have him join are group to teach we the ways of Air bending, we should split up to find him faster."

The group nodded in agreement as they all ran off to find the mysterious boy. After a few hours, they came up with nothing, not even a single sign. The monks were kind enough to invite them to dinner that night, as they ate, there hope slowly seemed to drain for finding the bird boy.

"So... why is Richard avoiding us?" Garfield finally asked, he was usually the one to break the silence.

A young girl with brown eyes and blonde hair perked up. "Oh! You mean Dick! Yeah, he likes to stay away from outsiders because he's afraid of Fire benders!" She seemed really excited by it.

"Why would he be afraid of Fire benders?" Kori asked.

A boy who looked about eighteen with orange hair and green eyes answered. "His mother and father were killed right in front of him by one. They were a well known group of acrobats before some fire bender wanted them out of the way, so while they were performing he shot a fire ball at a trapeze rope to make it snap. They didn't use a net, so they died right in front of Dick."

"That's awful!" Rachel exclaimed.

A few Air benders laughed at this. "Well they WERE circus freaks, so good riddance. That circus freak Richard is nothing but a freak show, I don't even know why Bruce Wayne would want that charity case?" a girl imputed.

"He's just an outcast, a street rat." a boy added.

The team had had enough of this, Kori glared at the bullies. "How could you say such things? He is only an orphan!"

"Yeah, pick on someone your own size!" Garfield yelled.

The bullies looked at one another for a second. "Your right... he'll never be tall enough to get even CLOSE to our height!" A girl yelled, causing the bullies to laugh evilly.

The team simply got up and left the room, but not before Vince flicked them off. Rachel sighed as they left. "It seems there are bullies everywhere."

The group nodded in agreement, with that, they searched even harder for Richard, they were certain that the boy would love to get away from here as soon as possible. After an hour, Garfield finally found the tiny Air bender, the only way he knew it was him was because he was sleeping in a tree and his air glider laid on the ground with his name engraved in the base. Garfield peered up at the boy as he seemed quite sad.

"Hey up there! Are you Dick Grayson?" Garfield yelled up to the boy, causing him to wake up and stare at the green child curiously.

"Why are you green?" Dick asked him.

Garfield shrugged it off as he climbed into the tree, but he stopped near the top, he would break the branches if he climbed any higher. "How the fuck did you get up here, kid?"

"First of all, I'm not a kid, I'm eleven! Plus, I am Dick Grayson, whats it to you?" Richard asked as he climbed down to sit next to Garfield.

"Well, we need an Air bender to teach my friend the Avatar how to Air bend, we were going to ask your... dad." Garfield said.

Richard stared at Garfield for a few second before bursting out laughing. "Who? Bruce? God no, he isn't even a bender!"

"W-what... but... he's supposed to be the best Air bender ever." Garfield whispered, completely dumbfounded.

"No no no! You see, that was me, Bruce was so worried about people finding out that I was such a great bender that we both pretended that HE was the great Air bender. It doesn't mean I'm THAT great yet, but rumors have a way of building themselves up and evolving into really big lies. But I plan on becoming the best Air bender to ever live very soon! Well, as soon as i can get out of here. So... I'd be happy to come with you guys!" Richard explained.

With that, Richard would leave in the morning to help them in there search for Slade.

A/N: So here you go, i brought Robin into the picture. I plan on bringing Terra and other characters in soon so sit tight, but for now, we have the main five! Yeah, the next chapter with probably have some more action in it. Please R&R, I really love it when people review!

~Supercasey.