This chapter has some parts I don't like very much. But.. It is the start of a turning point in the theme of the story. It also explains why Robin is listed as one of the main characters.
Enjoy!
Wayne Manor was very different from Fowl Manor. Artemis soon realized this when he entered the building, and was greeted with a brightly lit entrance hall, which was very different form the slightly dark Fowl entrance.
Another difference was soon obvious when Dick kicked his shoes off by the door, and started running up the stairs, only turning around to signal Artemis to follow him. Artemis walked after the boy, in a nearby closet. Artemis would never have just left his shoes on the floor, expecting someone else to pick them up.
Then the reason for this oddity hot Artemis. Dick was much more a normal teenager than Artemis ever could be. Dick was still rather different, but much more average than Artemis.
The boy genius followed Dick into a room on the second floor. The room was soon very obviously Dick's own.
A twin poster bed with red bedding was in the corner of the room, next to a nightstand with a matching red lamp. On one wall was bookshelf, filled to the brim with action novels, action movies, and rock CDs. On the far wall, there was a window with a view of the skyline of Gotham, and many posters. Looking at said posters, Artemis saw one for the Gotham Knights, the town's baseball team, a few rock band posters, and what looked like a collage of newspaper and magazine articles.
Looking closer at this collage, Artemis saw they were about a man dressed in black, and a boy in red, green, and yellow.
So this was Batman and Robin.
If the collage was any sign, Dick hero-worshipped these people. That would explain his annoyance at Artemis for the questioning of the skill of his heroes. And, Artemis realized when looking around the room again, the other boy's favorite seemed to be Robin. Along with the red bedding and lamp, the walls were a pale green, and the furniture was painted yellow.
So, the mystery of why Dick was defensive for Robin was solved.
Though, this answer seemed by far too simple. Dick's defense seemed that of more than just a fanboy. In fact, it seemed as if he knew this Robin. And not just that, but knew him well.
These thoughts were interrupted by the cutting sound of Dick's voice.
"Well, this is my room. Your room is next door," the younger boy than walked out of his bedroom, and opened the door to a room directly next to it.
When Artemis walked inside, he immediately noticed it was much less decorated and personalized than Dick's room. The walls were a light shade of brown, and the bed was made of a dark wood. In the corner was a matching desk. There was a black lamp in the corner, with light spewing into the room from it. There was also a window, currently covered by dark brown curtains.
"It's a bit dull, but Bruce likes to keep guest rooms neutral."
Artemis looked up, surprised, when Dick spoke. The younger boy was looking around the room critically, as if it was not colorful enough for him. Based off the boy's own room, it probably wasn't.
After dropping his suitcase off in the room, Artemis soon found himself following Dick back down the grand staircase. At the bottom of the stairs, Dick looked at a metal watch he was wearing, at the door, and back at the watch. A look of annoyance was etched on his face.
A moment later, the look melted off Dick's face as the door opened to reveal a full grown man in a suit. As Dick ran towards said man, Artemis took in his physical appearance, and soon recognized him.
The man was Bruce Wayne.
Later that night, Artemis was eating dinner at a small, yet very elegant dining table.
To his left Butler sat stiffly, not comfortable in the unfamiliar surroundings. To his right, Dick sat very relaxed, having some sort of conversation with Mr. Wayne.
Artemis himself was just, simply put, sitting there, wondering what exactly he should be doing. He had just decided to attempt to enter Dick and Mr. Wayne's conversation when Alfred came out of the kitchen, holding a tray with four covered plates. The platters were placed in front of the seated people, and the meal was revealed to be a steaming parmesan chicken dish.
As the men (and boys) started eating, a conversation was hesitantly started by Mr. Wayne.
"So… Artemis, how do you like Wayne Manor?"
"It's… pleasant. Though, it is quite different from Fowl Manor."
"How so?"
"Well, it has a brighter feel than Fowl Manor. Also, it is less old-fashioned. Also… I don't think there are any rooms as… colorful as Dick's room in Fowl Manor. Based off the colors, they appear to be that of that Robin boy. A fan I presume?"
Mr. Wayne gave Dick a look that yelled 'I told you so', and the boy looked a bit annoyed. His voice showed his annoyance when he spoke, by the end of the sentence sounding smug.
"Well, Robin is way cooler than Batman."
Mr. Wayne now looked annoyed.
"Well, Robin would still be a normal kid if Batman hadn't trained him."
"Yeah, but he's almost as good a fighter, and still a teen!"
"Batman's been fighting longer."
"Robin's younger."
"Batman's cape billows."
"Robin's cape is fireproof."
"So is Batman's!"
"Robin rides a motorcycle!"
"Batman has the Batmobile."
"Robin's mask is cooler."
"But it is only a mask. Batman wears a cowl."
Artemis watched as back and forth, Dick and Mr. Wayne argued about which was better, Batman or Robin. From the way it started, it looked like this was a common subject.
"Batman has batarangs."
"Robin has birdarangs."
"… Mr. Wayne?"
The man instantly turned to Artemis.
"Call me Bruce."
"Okay… Bruce. What exactly are you doing?"
Bruce suddenly looked a bit flustered.
"Well, Dick and I have this ongoing… debate about which of our town's heroes are better. You just witnessed the newest debate."
"WHICH I WON!"
Bruce looked at Dick questioningly after this sudden outburst.
"Wait, how did you win?"
You didn't go against my last point. Therefore, I WON!"
Bruce looked down at his now-cold chicken sadly.
"Maybe you win this time, but I shall prevail next time, my son."
"Yeah right, Bruce. You always get distracted. This allows me to WIN!"
Bruce glared weakly at Dick, than gave up and continued eating his meal. Dick also ate, but he had a huge smile plastered on his face.
Artemis decided it was time for a subject change.
"So… what is it like in Gotham?"
This started a much more sane conversation about safety tips for Gotham. The main one was 'don't go out at night'.
After what sounded like a planned lecture from Bruce, Alfred came in, and tapped the man on the shoulder. Whispering something in Bruce's ear, Alfred looked rather tense.
Bruce suddenly stood up.
"Dick, we have to go. Artemis, we have some business to attend to. We'll see you in the morning."
With that, Bruce and Dick left the room without another word.
Only minutes later, Batman and Robin were leaving the Batcave. The Batsignal shining brightly above, the Batmobile raced through Gotham towards the Second Bank of Gotham.
When they arrived, they rushed inside o find the Joker holding a large bag of money, and about to leave through a side door. When he saw the Dynamic Duo, his grin only grew.
"Batsy! Bird Boy! How nice of you to come! Unfortunately, I have to leave. Catch me if you can, Bats!"
With that, the Joker ran off, cackling psychotically. Batman raced after him, Robin right behind.
After about ten minutes of chasing the Joker, the duo finally had him cornered in an alley.
Yet, the Joker didn't seem discouraged at all.
The reason he was not at all worried was revealed when he pulled a knife from his purple suit and slashed at the first thing he could reach. This happened to be Robin's face.
The Boy Wonder had not expected this, and cried out in pain when the knife cut through the skin of his cheek. His green gloves immediately went up to try to stop the blood gushing from his face, and the red liquid stained the colorful gloves.
"Robin!" the Dark Knight called out, stepping towards his partner. A moment later, he had to leave the injured boy to chase after the escaped Joker.
Unfortunately, the Clown Prince of Crime had such a head start that he soon lost Batman.
When Batman returned to the bleeding Robin, he helped the Boy Wonder back to the Batmobile. Defeat felt heavy in the air.
Later that night, in the Joker's lair, the man was holding the knife he had used mere hours before. It was still wet with Robin's deep red blood. The Joker looked at it critically, an annoyed look set in his red eyes. After a few moments, he set the knife down on the table, and sighed, annoyed.
"I slashed at Bird Boy, but all I managed to do was cut his cheek. If I had aimed jut a teensy bit lower, I could have killed the little brat!"
After a moment, his annoyed turned completely around, into a look of glee.
"Well, there will be plenty of time for that later! Anyway, I don't want the Boy Blunder to miss out on all the fun because of me! I would feel so guilty he didn't get to join the party! Also, Bats would never leave me alone if I killed his brat. I need a little privacy if I want to be able to set my little trap. Anyway, Bats is so close to Bird Boy! They should die together!"
A sudden look of inspiration dawned in the Joker's eyes.
"Wait… If the rich kid isn't enough… Maybe… Yes! If I manage to trap both little Arty and the Bat Brat, bats will definitely come to my little party! If not to save the little genius, than to save the Boy Blunder! I wouldn't be surprised if that kid was his son!"
Now completely content, the Joker laid back in his chair, giggling insanely, the noise echoing in the otherwise empty room.
Have a very merry Christmas!
