Part 4 – Wings of Robin

Dick ran across the rooftops, leaping from one building to the next; silently thanking Bruce for teaching him Parkour. As raced toward his dirt bike, the sounds of police sirens, gunshots, and shouting dimmed. When Dick got to the ally where he hid his bike, he looked around for any witnesses. Nothing, I could have sworn somebody was following, thought Dick. He then leaped down to the ground. Hidden under bags of trash was Dick's all black KTM 450 SX-F. One of the fastest street legal dirt bikes. After strapping on his helmet Dick shot off, zig-zagging through the streets of Gotham before heading back to Wayne Manor. Taking the long way to avoid the chance of leading someone to Wayne Manor.

Certain that nobody followed him, Dick turned off the motor the beginning of the manor's driveway. After running the bike to the garage, Dick quietly climbed up the wall to his bedroom on the second follower. After slipping through the window without a sound, Dick let out a sigh of relief. Alfred didn't notice I was gone, Dick thought. Then the light turned on and sitting at the end of his bed was Bruce looking pissed.

"Oh shit," muttered Dick.

"Mind telling me what the hell you were doing at that dog fight?" asked Bruce scowling.

"You saw me?" asked Dick.

"Answer me," ordered Bruce.

"Looking into the murder of Tulio Velasquez," explained Dick as he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other under the weight of Bruce's glare. "It was supposed to be a recon mission."

"How did you find the place?" asked Bruce.

"I trailed Detective Bullock and overheard him talking with his CI. I check the place out, got a picture of the Dog Pound Boyz's leader, and set free one of the fighting dogs," explained Dick.

"Did you learn who killed Velasquez?" asked Bruce. Dick shook his head. "I figured that much. You almost get yourself killed, almost get yourself caught by the police, and learned nothing."

"Sorry, Bruce. Did GCPD arrest Hellhound?" asked Dick.

"No, he got away. If he was caught, we could have stopped a gang war," explained Bruce. "He evaded police capture and I couldn't go after him because I was following you to make sure you didn't get caught." Dick looked down at his feet guiltily. Bruce sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"What the hell were you thinking Dick? Going in half-ass like that, without any plan or weapons."

"I wanted justice Bruce for Velasquez," explained Dick holding his head high and looking Bruce in the eye. Bruce let out another sigh. Alfred was right, he thought. Dick would go out on his own, looking for trouble.

"Dick, you and I will talk more about this later. Right now go to bed," ordered Bruce as he got up and left. Dick headed for the shower wondering if he blew his chance of ever becoming Batman's partner.


Bruce sat at the Rose Cafe waiting for Selina, she claimed that she had some useful intel for him. As Bruce sipped his tea he thought about whether he made a mistake by training Dick. Though he hid it under jokes and sarcasm, Dick had that same intense desire for vengeance as Brue had at Dick's age. Bruce recognized it and thought he could channel that into training Dick into becoming a warrior. After all, it worked for him, but now Bruce couldn't help but think that he was wrong for taking Dick down that path.

"I thought you only brood in the dark," a sultry voice whispered in Bruce as a pair of hands with purple nail polish wrapped around his neck from behind.

"Hello Selina," Bruce said with a smirk. Bruce got up to look at Selina. Standing five foot seven, Selina looked like a Puerto Rican version of a young Kim Novak. Her black hair was cut short and stylized, and her eyes were green as a cat's. She was dressed to kill in a purple dress and heels. Selina brought Bruce's face close for a kiss

"Mmmm," Selina purred then she looked into his blue eyes and frowned. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Bruce replied.

"Bullshit," Selina snorted. "Bruce, you and I have always been honest with each other when came to the things that mattered most to us. Don't hide from me now because if you do, I'll call Alfred and find out and have him kick your ass." Bruce let out a sad chuckle then told Selina about Dick solo investigation.

"He's going to get himself killed," sighed Bruce. "I told him he wasn't ready yet. If he had listened, I could watch him out in the field and keep him safe."

"I don't know why you're so upset," Selina replied. "If I remember correctly, you went out on your own to play detective when you were his age. You nearly got yourself killed by Sony."

"I was investigating my parents' murder," explained Bruce, then a quieter voice muttered, "Plus I did knock Sonny out."

"After he beat the shit out of you; you looked like a horror movie victim after that fight," Selina reminded. "You didn't have much training, except a few boxing lessons from Alfred. Plus, unlike Dick, you got caught. Several times, in fact, you would have a criminal record if Alfred hadn't bribed the right person."

"Your point Selina?" asked Bruce irritably.

"He without sin," countered Selina. Bruce scowled and looked away out the window. Selina sighed and place a hand over Bruce's. "Bruce whether you like it or not, Dick is a lot like you. I know you want to keep him safe, but putting him in a cage isn't the way. You got to let the kid spread his wings, but that doesn't mean you can't watch his six."

"I see your point," muttered Bruce. "You're right, I should let Dick make his own mistakes and make sure he doesn't repeat my own."

"Of course, I'm right," Selina purred as her finger drew circles on Bruce's hand. "I'm always right, I would have thought you would realize that by now."

"But are right about the intel you promised me," Bruce asked.

"You really know how to kill the mood," sighed Selina. "Alright, you heard about the robbery at the Museum of Antiquities?"

"Yes," replied Bruce.

"Well, the crew that robbed it are a new group led by another costumed freak trying to make a name for himself," explained Selina. "Goes by the name Hellhound, and he leads a group called the Dog Pound Boyz."

"I heard of them, they've been feuding with the Lords over the dope trade," said Bruce. "That could explain why they would rob the museum, for money to pay for their supplier. Any idea who their supplier is and who is their fence?"

"Do you really think I hang out with drug lords?" Selina scowled. "Really Bruce, what type of girl do you think I am? I have standards you know. But as for who's the DPB's fence, it's no other than Ozzie."

Bruce sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Of course, it had to be the Penguin."

"Personally, I try not to use Oswald if I can help it, he's such a cheapskate. Not to mention, he's always leering at me and making passes at me," said Selina with a shudder. "Ilk! Like I said, I have standards."

"Unfortunately, very few people can live up to them," replied Bruce with a hint of a smirk. "What about this new guy, Hellhound? What do you know about him?"

"Not much, I heard he used to go by the street name Kai," replied Selina. "He used to be in the same line of work, but not nearly as good as moi. Disappeared for a while and when he resurfaced, began starting up fight clubs and dog fights."

"Fight clubs and dog fights," muttered Bruce. "Thank you, Selina, as always you've been very helpful, but one more thing? Where were you when the museum was being robbed?"

"Giving blood. Oh wait, no, volunteering," replied Selina with mock sincerity. "Why do you ask?"

"There was a hole in the skyline window above a very valuable statue of the cat goddess Bast," explained Bruce. "If memory serves right, that's the sort of item you go for."

"Just because an item was stolen that happened to fit my M.O., you think moi had anything to do with it?" asked Selina with fake outrage which turned seductive. "Search me as thoroughly as you like. You won't find the statue but you may find something you like."

"Don't tempt me," Bruce smirked. "You know I will if I have to."

"And you call me a tease," purred Selina. "You always say you will but you never do. You can't leave a girl hanging like that Bruce. But now, let's talk about my payment for the intel."

"If you mean your usual 'payment', you'll have to wait until after I deal with Hellhound," said Bruce with a smile. Selina sighed, though she was pleased that Bruce had given her a genuine smile.

"Alright, but consider paying for lunch as a down payment."


Dick had been miserable all day at school, Barbara tried to talk to him about why he was so blue, but Dick just claimed it was just the weather or the fact the school was serving purple gunk that was supposed to be meatloaf.

"Bullshit, Richard," said Barbara. "You haven't made one stupid joke or dumb wisecrack all day. Something's up."

"Jesus Babs, just let it go," groaned Dick as the two of them walked out of school for the day. Dick spotted Alfred waiting outside with the limo. "Got to go Babs, see you tomorrow." Barbara sighed and said goodbye, as Dick marched toward Alfred like a man heading to the gallows. Instead of his usual demeanor of a grandfatherly English gentleman, Alfred stood with the seriousness that reminded Dick that the old butler was a former member of the British SAS.

"Master Bruce has requested you meet him at Wayne Tower," explained Alfred as he opened the limo door. "In you go, Master Grayson."

"Yes Alfred," muttered Dick as he climbed into the limo. The ride to Wayne Tower was without conversation and the only sound was the radio station that Alfred liked that played music from the 60's. When they got there, they took the elevator to the top floor where Bruce's office was. When they got out they were greeted by Bruce's secretary, Clara Saberton.

Clara smiled in greeting, "Good afternoon Alfred, Dick. Mr. Wayne is meeting with Mr. Fox; I'll tell him you two are here." Clara stood up and walked into the office. While Alfred at military rest, Dick rocked back and forth on his heels wondering what the hell was going on. A minute later Clara open the doors and bid them enter.

"Alfred! Dick! How are you?" Greeted Lucius Fox. Wayne Enterprises' CEO was in his mid-forties, stood six foot two and weighed 200 pounds with a Dad Bod. Black hair with graying temples and glasses over extremely intelligent brown eyes; most people looked at Lucius and assumed him to be just a regular, hardworking, white collar dad. Not the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, but that was one of the many strengths that Bruce saw when he hired Lucius.

Wayne Enterprises' owner stood out looking the window, and without turning told Clare to please leave them while Alfred and Lucius made small talk. Dick looked around the room feeling slightly uncomfortable and curious to why he had been summoned. So he just decided to ask. "So why am I here?"

"Dick, you screwed up when you went out on your own. We had agreed that I would train you and you would join me in this war when I believed you to be ready. However," explained Bruce as he turned around and gave Alfred a look. "I was reminded that I too have made similar mistakes when I younger. In fact, I was reminded of that several times in fact. By several people. Therefore, if you're going out in the field… you better be equipped, Lucius."

Lucius gave Dick a massive smile, and went to the keyboard and typed out a command. A scanner popped out of the desk which Lucius placed his hand on. Next came a retinal scan, and the computer said, "Voice ID required."

"Hephaestus," said Lucius, and a Batpod came up out of the floor. It open and Dick grinned from ear to ear. Inside was a Robin suit. "The suit is a Kevlar and titanium weave; it can stop a bullet but as you can see by the space between the plates, it's really built for speed and flexibility," Lucius explain pointing to the red torso, then to the mask. "While I'm not sure about domino mask, but it is linked to the computer in the Batcave. You know how to access Detective vision?"

"Yes," replied Dick. "Touch the left side to turn it on and off. Touch the right side to zoom in and out, and hold to scan."

"Correct," Lucius said with a smile. He then pointed the black and gold cape. "Now the cape is of memory fabric, once it comes in contact with the gloves; you will be able to glide. Also, the tips weighed so it can be used as an offensive weapon." Lucius touched the cape with one of the gloves, making it look like bird wings.

"Nice touch," Dick commented.

"Now for the belt," continued Lucius. "It has the standard gadgets, grapple gun with Batclaws, smoke pellet, explosive gel, and a remote hacking device. Now instead of Batarangs, I made you shuriken. Smaller than Batarangs, but you can still get the job done and you can store more of them. Also, comes in the remote control variety." Lucius gave Dick a shuriken to examine. "As for the gadgets I made just for you. We have a snap-flash, a small non-lethal explosive that can knock a person out or at least on his ass. It can be detonated by remote or by a timer. Next, is your new bo staff." Lucius held up a metal rod about a foot and a half. It had a yellow circle in the middle with a black R in the center.

"Kind of short Lucius," Dick noted. Lucius slightly twisted on end and the staff quadrupled in length. He then tossed it to Dick.

"It's telescopic and collapsible. You can open it up, close it, or open on only one side, depending on how you twist it," explained Lucius. "Hit that button on the back." Dick did and it turned into a shield.

"Holy shit," muttered Dick.

"Light weight but strong. Like the riot shields used by the GCPD but collapsible," explained Lucius. "The perfect arsenal for… what were you going to call yourself again?"

"Robin," replied Dick. "My name will be Robin."

"However Robin won't fly until he knows his suit and weapons like the back of his hand," said Alfred. "Understood."

"Understood," replied Dick.

"Once you do, you will be able to go out," said Bruce, then turned to Lucius. "Pack up the suit Lucius. Alfred takes Dick home so he can practice in his suit. I have to visit an old friend at Arkham."