A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I'm glad everyone has been enjoying this. Now... onto the next part of the story!
Just how will Batman save Robin's Christmas?
Dick is 8, Wally is 10, Roy is 13.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything
"Uh… what?"
"We're going to save Dick's Christmas." Batman repeated.
Everyone just stared at him. Of all the things they were expecting, that was not one of them. Actually, they had never thought they'd hear Batman- The Batman- say "Christmas", much less that they were going to save it.
Green Lantern was the first to break from the shock. "How exactly are we going to do that?" He questioned curiously.
Batman's eyes narrowed and honed in on Aquaman. "Dick is devastated." He stated slowly. "He doesn't think Santa exists anymore. We are going to change that."
Superman coughed nervously. "I hate to break it to you Bruce… but he doesn't."
"Dick doesn't need to know that." He snapped. "He's already been through so much. He doesn't need heartbreak over this."
The League nodded sadly. The boy was so young. After his parent's death at age six Dick hadn't gotten to have a normal childhood. Bruce was trying, but he should at least deserve to restore his belief in Santa. He shouldn't have to be upset about that. The boy already had enough sadness and heartbreak in his life.
"Understood." J'onn said. "What do you want us to do?"
Batman handed out folders to all the members. "Here are your assignments."
"No way!" Wally exclaimed loudly. "You're wrong, Dick. Santa is too real!"
"But he isn't! Red Tornado can't lie and he told me!"
"He just doesn't know any better. He's a robot, what would he know?"
"Aquaman told me too!"
"He lives under the sea. I bet they don't even have a Santa down there."
"But it's true!"
Roy watched silently at the two boys battled it out. Wally was protesting vehemently against Dick, arguing that Santa had to be real. Dick, although he wanted desperately to agree with Wally, was tired of being lied to and confused. He knew Santa wasn't real now and he couldn't seem to get Wally to understand. The two had been arguing for about fifteen minutes. Both of them looked close to tears.
"Roy!" Wally exclaimed. For the first time they turned to the older boy. "You know the truth, right?"
"And you can't lie." Dick added.
Roy looked at the two and sighed. "You two are idiots." He said. He reached over, grabbing them both in a bear hug. "Of course Santa is real."
He didn't believe anymore. Ollie had told him the truth two years ago. But he sure as heck wasn't going to tell his little brothers that.
"But Red Tornado and Aquaman said-"
"Dickey, hush." Roy ordered. He wacked the boy on the head so he would stop protesting. "What did Batman and Alfred tell you?"
"They said he was real." Dick said softly.
"And what did Superman and Flash say?"
"They said he was real."
"And what about Wally and me?"
"You guys believe too." Dick said dejectedly.
Roy nodded. "So, I'm pretty sure we outnumber the robot. Now stop arguing about it or he'll give you coal in your stocking."
Dick's lip trembled. He looked down at the ground. "I'm confused."
"Well stop being confused!" Wally said irately. "He is real. He brought me that toy train last year that I know we couldn't afford."
"And he always eats the cookies I leave out." Roy added. "I make sure to put ones that Ollie is allergic to, so I know its Santa."
Dick nodded slightly. He really wanted to believe, he just wasn't sure what to do anymore.
Roy sighed. Great. Now both of his friends were upset. There was only one thing left to do.
Tickle them.
Martian Manhunter was sitting in front of the TV. He was on his fifth Christmas movie. A pad of paper sat before him and every so often he'd jot down a note or two. Beside him sat Black Canary, sketching a picture of the costume. On his other side was Flash. He was pointing out different things.
"See how he laughed?" Flash said, "He used his diaphragm. That's why is sounded so real. Kids have to have a good laugh or they won't believe."
The maritan nodded, writing it down.
"And there, he already knew their name and age and everything. You have to do that."
"Batman has given me a file on each of the boys to learn as well as a list of potential questions."
"Good." Flash grinned and quickly pointed out another aspect of being Santa.
He already had a list of 'training programs' to go over with J'onn. This wasn't just about Dick anymore. Bruce had readily agreed that Wally and Roy could come. Barry was excited that his nephew would have a chance to meet Santa. He wanted to make sure he got the best experience ever.
"This is going to be amazing." Hal Jordan said to his fellow Green Lantern.
John whistled in awe. "I would have killed to see something like this when I was a kid."
The Two Green Lanterns were currently watching as the North Pole was being built. It wasn't far from Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Everyone was decked out in their snow suits, but with the new backdrop they didn't blend in.
A giant pole had been erected with the sign "North Pole." Below it was another sign that read "Santa's Workshop". Batman was saying that the workshop would be hidden underground and that no one was allowed to see it, so they didn't need to build that part.
They were however making a nice cottage. Batman had flown in all the supplies as well as a partially built cottage. This was supposed to be Santa's house when he wanted to get away. That would be where he would meet the kids. They were decorating the inside with a toasty fireplace, all the Christmas decorations they could get, and even a thing of warm furniture.
Besides for Santa's home the League was decorating a plethora of Christmas trees. The heroes were each decorating one with whatever they felt like. Some were done all in blues or reds or golds, others had ornaments of all types over them. They were lovely and were going to provide the 'forest' background. There were giant lit candy canes littered about as well as lights hung from everything.
"This is a great idea." Wonder Woman said cheerfully as she and Hawkgirl flew over to the Green Lanterns. The two women were in charge of the trees while the lanterns were in charge of the cottage. "I can't imagine the looks on their faces!"
"The boys will be excited." Hawkgirl agreed.
"Don't you think this is a bit excessive?" John asked. "Its only two boys."
Hawkgirl gave a short laugh. "This is Batman weren't talking about. Besides, I think it's a great idea."
"If it works well," Hal added. "we're already planning on doing it next year and brining up orphans and other underprivileged kids."
Wonder Woman nodded eagerly. "This is just a test run. It'll be wonderful if we can continue it."
"A Justice League Christmas!" Hal Jordan said extravagantly.
"Roy, help us lift this!" Dick yelled.
Roy had managed to get the two little boys out of their moping. After their long tickle fight they'd run outside. They'd had a snowball fight and played snow tag. Now they were on to building a snowman. Dick and Wally were attempting to beat the world record for the largest snow man. Roy doubted they'd do it with five inches of snow on the ground, but he'd agreed to the plan anyway.
The archer rushed over to where Dick and Wally were struggling to get the middle ball onto the Snowman. Roy laughed as he helped them roll it into place. "You guys are too short." He teased. "How are you going to put his head on?"
"We'll get a ladder." Dick said simply. He smiled cheerfully and began to pat down the snowman while Wally rolled the second ball together.
"I'm not short, Roy." Wally added. "That's Dickey."
"Hey!"
A ball of snow hit the redhead. Roy just laughed. "Yea, yea. You guys keep working. I'll get the sticks for his arms."
Roy walked to the garden, trying to find some nice long sticks. Once he was out of sight he pulled out his phone and called Bruce.
"How are they?" Bruce demanded immediately.
"Fine. I got their minds off of it."
"Good." Bruce sounded relieved.
"We're building a snowman right now."
"Barry will be by to take you to the Watch Tower in a few hours."
"Right. I've got to go. I need to find some arms." With that Roy hung up on the vigilante. He smiled to himself, happy to get back to playing with his best friends.
By the time Roy had located the arms and some woodchips for the snowman's mouth Wally and Dick were finished rolling the head. "Need help shorties?" He called.
"We're not shorties!" Both boys shouted back at him.
The archer just grinned and lifted the snowman's head into place. "Alright. Here are his eyes and arms. Wally, you can go get a scarf, hat, and nose."
"On it!" The speedster yelled.
Roy picked Dick up. "Ok, Robbie, what type of face does our Snowman have?"
"He is going to be happy." Dick said.
Roy held the child up so he could decorate the face with the woodchips and place them along his stomach for buttons. A few moments later Wally appeared with a carrot for his nose.
"Wally!" Dick cried. A bit had been taken off the end of it. He put it on the snowman anyway.
The boys stepped back to look at their handiwork. The snowman was almost six feet tall. And, they thought, it was the best Snowman in the world.
Wally's stomach growled and the speedster grinned. "Hot chocolate time!"
"Oh, that's good." Flash said excitedly.
He and Plastic Man were grinning as J'onn transformed into Santa. He was a mix of all the different Santas they'd watched in the movies. Black Canary had sketched what he should look like and he looked the most real out of any Santa. They couldn't believe it.
"Lets practice the laugh." Flash ordered.
"Ho Ho Ho!" J'onn- or rather Santa- bellowed.
Plastic Man shook his head. "No, no. It has to come more from within. Heartier."
"Ho Ho Ho!" J'onn tried again.
Flash nodded. "Now that was a laugh."
"Santa has a jolly twinkle in his eye." Plastic Man said, reading from the list he and Flash had compiled about being the perfect Santa.
A moment later there was a sparkle in the martian's eyes, transformed. "Nice." Plastic Man said.
"Alright, we'll test some questions now." Flash said. He cleared his throat. When he spoke next it was in a little high pitched sound which was supposed to be that of a kid. "Santa, how do you get into a house with no chimney?"
"Why, I have a magic key which allows me into any house so I can deliver presents."
"Santa, I asked for a toy last year but I didn't get it. Why?"
"Sometimes I know what would be an even better present for you than what you may think."
"How do you build all the toys that we get at toy stores?"
"I have a contract with the different companies. They let me build any of their products as long as I use their wrapping. My elves are very skilled workers."
"How do the reindeer fly?"
"Magic."
"How do you land on a house that doesn't have any snow?"
"My sleigh has wheels that come down to land on the roof of those houses."
Flash stopped for a moment and grinned. "You're good, Santa."
"Do we have to go to the Watch Tower?" Dick complained. Bruce had picked him up from Barry's. A change in the plans had made working with 'santa' take too long. The plan had to be pushed back another hour.
"Yes. I have work to do." Batman said. He helped Robin into his winter outfit.
"Why do I have to wear this?" Robin complained. "Why can't I wear my other outfit?"
"Remember? Superman told you he'd take you to see his Fortress of Solitude. It's cold there."
Robin nodded. A sudden smile filled his face as he remembered Superman's promise. He'd called to ask if Robin wanted to go up this morning and Robin had been more than eager to agree. Of course, Dick knew the reason he'd called was because he felt bad about Santa. When Superman felt he did something wrong he'd try to make it up later without really addressing why he was doing the nice things all of a sudden. Right now Dick didn't mind though. It would be nice to not think about Santa.
"Come on now." Batman said, "Finish getting ready." The boy fussed as Batman pulled the hood of the costume over his head.
"I don't like having my hair covered." Dick complained. "It's itchy."
"It'll keep you warm. Stop complaining." Bruce ordered. He gave up though when the boy twisted in his grasp. "You're going to freeze." He warned. Dick pouted. "Fine. But you have to wear earmuffs."
"Ok." Dick agreed.
After Bruce finally had his son decked out in his white winter wear it was time to go. He swept the boy into his arms and they were beamed up to the Watch Tower.
"Roy! Wally!" Dick exclaimed happily as they walked into the Monitor Womb. "What are you doing here?"
Both boys were in their white snowsuits as well. "Ollie had to come up and sent up here too." Roy said with a shrug.
"Aunt Iris had work so Uncle Barry said I could go to Superman's Fortress with you." Wally said excitedly. Bruce put his son down with the other boys and walked over to the rest of the League members.
"Is everything ready?" he asked softly.
"Everything is in place. Superman will call in five."
A moment later Robin was at his side, tugging at his cape. "Where is he?" Robin asked. "Uncle Clark was supposed to be here."
"He said he spotted an energy signal not far from the Fortress." Wonder Woman spoke up. "He was going to investigate. He'll call in soon."
Robin nodded. "Was it a bad energy signal or a good one?"
"We don't know."
"I hope he's ok." Robin said softly.
Batman picked the boy up. "He'll be fine, Robin." Bruce frowned. The boy seemed sad. "What's the matter?"
Robin cuddled into his arms. "Nothing. I just…" he trailed off. "I wish Santa was real." He whispered.
Batman said nothing and just pressed a kiss to the boy's forehead. Soon Wally and Roy had come over. Kid Flash hung off of his mentor's leg, complaining that he was bored and that they needed to leave soon. Roy just waited impatiently, ready for the big surprise.
Everyone's conversations were forced. No one could wait for the big surprise. It was only a matter of time. They couldn't wait to see the boys' faces.
Suddenly the screen lit up. Superman's face filled the screen, a happy and excited grin on his face. The background was snowy and white.
"I found the energy signal." Superman said.
"What is it?" Green Lantern asked with barely repressed excitement.
"You'll never believe me." Superman shook his head.
"What is it?" Batman asked, pretending to be worried.
Superman just grinned. "See for yourself." He turned the camera.
"No way." Kid Flash breathed.
Robin's eyes widened. "Santa."
A/N: Thank you very much for reading! I'm very pleased with how this chapter turned out.
Up Next: The children meet with Santa, but will the plan fall through? Will Dick's Christmas be saved?
Please leave me a review!
