So, this is what you get when you put a bored Icey-Authoress in front of her computer, listening to music while her brain flatlines… An off day for me…and I feel terrible! Oh, and Speedy and Robin talk about Speedy leaving in the first episode…
.._~_
Roy placed a chipped cup of chocolate milk in front Dick. After Richard had seen his parents' portrait defaced the way it was, he clicked his jaw shut, stood up, and marched downstairs. Roy had tried to hand back the bird-toy, but the boy had rejected it without a word. He was now donning his sunglasses again, and his lips were pulled in a thin, thoughtful line.
Roy had quietly followed Richard at a safe distance. Dick led the archer to the kitchen where the younger one sat on an unbroken stool while Roy looked around in the broken fridge for something to try and brighten the Boy Wonder; not that anything could cheer the child.
So far, a monster – an unknown, but very suspicious monster – had ripped the two most precious items from Richard: the only physical memory of his parents, and his adopted-father; not to mention the fact that they couldn't find Alfred. Roy clenched his fists and pulled out an open carton of chocolate milk. He searched the messy floor for an unbroken cup, and miraculously found one. Pouring the dark liquid in the clear glass, he placed it in front of the brooding boy.
Dick stared at the substance for a few moments, before slowly sipping the drink. The tips of his mouth curved upwards a little, but then he looked around at his surroundings, and the thin lips and creased brows were back. Roy frowned and swallowed some milk straight from the carton. Dick leaned forward and folded his arms on the counter.
"You know, if Alfred saw you doing that he would yell at you and give you housecleaning for a week…"
Roy grinned. At least the kid wasn't totally focused on his loss…
But his thoughts weren't true. Dick's brow furrowed and he gave Roy a look that was definitely learned from Batman: a now-I'm-serious-and-we-need-to-talk look. Roy frowned, but put the milk aside and leaned forward, devoting his whole attention to the thirteen-year-old.
"Speedy, I need to find Batman and Alfred; before it's too late." Dick had used 'Speedy'; not 'Roy' – 'SPEEDY'! He was dead serious…He wasn't Dick, helpless, fatherless Dick – he was back to Robin. And he was angry.
Speedy swallowed. "Robby, are you sure you should be doing this? I mean, a day after finding out about Batman?"
Robin's eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "Batman's been missing for a little under a week, and I just learned about it last night; I think it's actually a little late to be helping in any way, but I'm game. Don't get me wrong, I believe in Batman more than anyone; but it's who he's up against that's got me worried…"
Speedy frowned more – if that's even possible. "Who, Robin? Who has you worried and ready to charge into an unknown abyss? Who scares you and Batman so much that you couldn't even breathe at your parents' portrait upstairs? I know it wasn't just the fact that it was your parents; something else is going on behind those masked eyes and I need to know what!"
Robin glared at him. "Why do you need to know? It doesn't concern you…"
"It concerns you and that's plenty to get me involved!"
Robin's face fell. They sat in silence for a while before the Boy Wonder spoke up again. "But you left…" His voice was low, almost a whisper.
Speedy let out a deep breath. "I did, and I'm sorry…"
Robin nodded. "Why did you leave us…me?"
Speedy pulled himself up on the counter and faced Robin. "I didn't want to leave you; if anything, I wanted you to see your potential and follow me. I wanted you to become something greater!"
Robin frowned and tipped his head to the side. "I couldn't leave; can't leave… Speedy, Batman is more than just my mentor, he's my father; the only family I have left. He took me in when no one else would; I couldn't, and I won't ever, turn my back on him."
It was Speedy's turn to nod. "I understand that, Robin… I felt like Green Arrow was more than just a mentor to me, too. Like an uncle that I never had {1}. I never wanted you to do what was wrong, but I also wanted you to have a chance…"
Robin straightened his head and looked at Speedy with a questioning glance. "Why did you leave? 'Cause all you've been saying is stuff about me; but why did you leave?"
Speedy paused for what felt like eternity. "I left because I was angry at the League; they didn't trust us!" Speedy got off the counter and Robin could tell he was angry by his body language: clenched fists, straight back, tensed muscles, rigid shoulders. But Speedy relaxed and turned back around.
"But what I really wanted, more than to spite the League, was for you – and Kid Flash - to recognize what you were capable of. And you did! You actually stood up to your mentors and told them you wanted a team. You finally understood that you could stand away from your mentor's shadow, but within arm's reach; in a safety zone where you could make your own decisions! And I have never been more proud of you for that…"
Robin gaped, but quickly regained his composure to one of hurt. "Then why haven't you come back to join us?"
"Because my potential isn't with you and Young Justice."
"But, we can always do with an archer! Whether you have greater experience than any of us!"
Speedy chuckled. "Robin, you have the most experience, being the one who was a sidekick the longest."
"But-"
"No, Robin! Don't you get it? You've spread your wings and are flying! You're flying! I can't stand too close to you without making you fall…"
Robin shook his head and stood from the stool. Now he was the one who was angry; frustrated. "No, no I don't get it! Roy, you can always be on the team! You won't make me fall; if anything, you'll make me soar higher!" Robin shook lightly with emotion; he missed Roy.
Speedy took a step forward. "Robin, I may not be officially on the team, but you know I've always been there for you, watching you as you grew stronger and more adept with your skills. You may never have noticed me in the shadows while you trained with Black Canary at Mount Justice, but it took all my will power not to cheer you own. You will always be my little brother, Robin; and I will always be right there whenever you need me…"
Robin took a few moments to comprehend exactly what Speedy had said, but when he did he walked forward and lightly embraced his older companion. "Speedy, I hope someday you'll come to the realization I need you closer than the shadows… and I hope it's soon because I need you now more than ever."
Speedy returned the embrace, and when they separated they were all business once again.
"I will stand by you, Robin. But I must know: exactly who are we going to go after?"
Robin glared at something – or someone - in the distance. "Only one person is sick enough to destroy everything I have ever cared about; sick enough, dumb enough, mean enough, missing a few screws, if you get what I mean. And only person has it out for me and Bats; and only one person has the guts to pour red blood all over my parents and write 'HAHA' as an invitation…
"The Joker."
.._~_
Ok, before I go off ranting on random stuff, I have a music prompt/request for anyone who feels like it. It's not a Young Justice prompt (though it could be), but I'm more directing it toward Beyblade with Kai and Tala. Ok, I have the song Things Left Unsaid by Disciple in minD. I want to say, that I really have no preference in which way the story goes; all I have to say is that you, as a writer, listen to the song and write what comes to mind! I also want to say that even though the song doesn't end happy, there can be happy endings hidden. So, go have fun with it! :D
Ohh, I liked this one… I had a lot of fun writing the talk about Speedy leaving. Oooh, the Joker is behind this! Creepy *insert bad word here*! (sorry, I don't cuss, sooo….)
{1} I'm nto exactly sure on Speedy's background, family information, or relationship to Green Arrow, soooo, I just made something up on the spot…
PLEASE REVIEW THIS ONE!