Ace was noticeably nostalgic when Robin took his hood off. Ace had been trained by specialists from all over the world to be the ultimate protection dog. He had one mission, to protect Robin at all costs. But, he couldn't help but feel stronger when the hood smoothed the fur on his head, and the bat-shaped tag clicked against his collar.
He and Robin changed quickly outside city limits; Robin into some blue jeans and a red shirt and Ace into his favorite bandana. The R-cycle was programmed to hide until Robin sent out the requested signal. Dick and Ace then walked back to their assigned hotel. Dick was about to go to their room, to study some files he had kept with him to keep himself occupied (and hopefully give Ace something to do), until the hotel attendant, a woman in her late 20s called him.
"Mr. Grayson," She called. "The chief of police would like to see you."
"Any idea what about?" He asked.
"No sir."
Ace and Dick glanced at each other, but made a detour towards the police station.
The titans waited in the police station for their charge to come. Starfire and Beastboy were reading the file about Dick while they waited. She was surprised to find that he and his "father" were not actually related. Apparently the boy worked as a performer until his parents were killed in an "accident". Actually, they were killed by a mobster who wanted money from the owner of the circus. He refused, and Dick's parents paid the price. Both of the teenagers shook with sadness and anger.
Their small fit of rage ended when Dick and his pet walked in. Dick sat down across the table from the superheroes while Ace set to work sniffing the entire area for anyone who would hurt his owner. When he cleared everything, he sat down but kept an ever present eye on everything.
"I hope you weren't hurt during the mishap at the show, sir." Chief Burner said.
"No, Ace and I got out with the rest of the citizens when the titans directed everyone." Dick said, hoping the titans wouldn't ask who saw him.
"Well, I've called you here to go over something with you." Dick nodded, still unsure about where this was going.
"The mayor and I have agreed that you need some protection, until you either go back to Gotham, or until Black Mask is caught…" Dick nodded again, still uncertain what it was that the chief of police was getting at.
Well, Mr. Grayson, we have assigned the titans as your personal bodyguards." The Chief said.
Starfire and Beastboy smiled sheepishly.
"Just my luck…" Dick thought. This was a covert mission, if they found out whom he was, he would never reach the end of the lecture Batman would give him. It wasn't a matter of trust; it was a matter of keeping his father satisfied.
Dick realized that everyone was staring at him, waiting for his reaction.
"Uh, that's great." His voice oozed uncertainty, "It would be nice to have someone to talk to. I'll wait outside; my dad is probably waiting for a call." The boy raced out of the room with such little warning that even Ace was surprised, he had to run to catch up with his master. They left everyone with awkwardness so thick; you could cut it with a knife.
"What was that all about?" Beastboy asked as they all sat there.
"They say that rich kids are crazy, but that was just plain weird!" Cyborg exclaimed.
"Guys, can we talk about this after we catch up to our assignment? Raven said walking towards the door, her voice holding a slight tinge of annoyance.
The titans then realized that the person they were meant to protect had just run out the door!
Of course, they ran after him.
"He seems to be a bit on-top- of the whelm…" Starfire said
"You mean overwhelmed, Star." Cyborg said patiently.
"But the question is, why?" Raven asked suspiciously.
Ace ran after his boy, desperate not to lose sight of him. He weaved through traffic, darted through crowds and even slinked through the legs of an unsuspecting wolfhound, and he still couldn't catch up. He stopped at an intersection and jumped on top of a parked car to get a layout. Ace could've cried when he realized Robin was nowhere to be seen! Luckily he was trained in tracking and attacking. But first he needed to make a stop at the hotel.
"That lady better be smart enough to let me in…" Ace thought as he sped to destination.
Dick leaned over the branches of the large oak in the park. He had darted up the tree and hid in the thick leaves and he could only hope he wouldn't be found.
"Why, why, why?"He said over and over in his head. He could've accepted a regular police guard, but the titans! This just got harder.
Dick's lament was interrupted by a shuffling noise down below. For a moment he thought the titans had caught up to him, but instead of a green bloodhound, he saw a black shepherd.
"Psst!" Dick said sharply. Ace looked up and with precision and grace only a cat possessed (don't tell Ace that); he climbed up the tree and settled in. Dick noticed that Ace had something in his mouth. Dick held out his hand and the protection dog dropped into his hand, a piece of (slightly damp) paper wrapped with a thin silver blue collar that looked like it could be attached to whatever Ace had on his neck. Dick read the letter
R
Prototype from Clark. Thought it would be useful.
B
There was also a small earpiece inside.
Dick looked at him questioningly. Ace was panting heavily and though he had an irritated look on his face, he wagged his tail encouragingly.
Robin had known Ace too long to not trust him now. Dick carefully placed the device in his ear; Ace then bowed his head, allowing Dick to secure the collar so that it was hidden by the bandana. When everything was straight, Robin turned on the earpiece.
At first he simply heard the sounds of the park, but then Ace begun barking. Robin's eyes widened when Ace bark began to change.
"Ruh, ruh, ran…o… ar…e…Can… you... hear… me?"
Robin was a bit stunned, but after seeing everything he had, it wore off quickly.
"Yeah, I hear you." He said calmly "Neurologic translator?" He said, referencing to the items.
"If I had to guess." Ace said.
"While I'm happy that you don't have to grunt anymore, how did you get this?" Robin asked. Ace snorted.
"That lady who sits up front at the hotel stared at me for a while before she had the sense to look at my tags. She let me into our room and I got this out of the pack. Then I opened the door again with my mouth and darted out before she said anything." Ace said. "Now, about the station…" He trailed off, significantly angry. As Dick's bodyguard, Ace HAD to be in close proximity with him at all times.
Dick chuckled, "Sorry buddy, I just didn't know what to do. This whole thing might just go down the drain! They can't know."
"Why don't you want them to know? Krypto and Streaky know who I am." Ace said.
"It's different Ace. Bruce would make me come back home if they knew. And besides, don't be offended when I say this, you guys can't really tell anyone." Robin said.
Ace had to admit Dick had a point.
"Well, can we please get down from here? I can hear your changeling friend snorting for you a mile away; and while I like a good breeze as much as the next dog, this wind as really starting to annoy me." Ace said, shaking his head as emphasis.
Dick jumped down with ease but not before giving his dog a good natured rub on the ears and turning off the translator.
Starfire flew all over town with Raven and she could not find their charge.
"I did not know earthlings could disappear so quickly!" she thought.
"Is it possible for our mission to fail so quickly…?" Starfire said into her communicator.
"Yes, but we haven't failed yet. I think I see him." Raven said, her voice only changing to point out the assignment.
Lo and behold, Dick was sitting at a picnic area with Ace lying on the table. Raven landed and walked towards him calmly.
"So, you ready to actually let us know when you're about to dart off." Raven said with slight annoyance.
"Sorry, this was all just a bit sudden. Just didn't know how to react." Dick said apologetically.
"We have to wait for the boys before we decide what to do now." Raven said, already sitting down and crossing her legs to meditate.
Starfire simply sat down across from Dick and laid her hands across Ace's back. The dog wagged his tail and sighed contently, while Dick blushed.
"Guys, we found him." Raven voice echoed from Beastboy's communicator.
"Seriously; where was the dude?" Beastboy said incredulously.
"We found him in the park. Come down here so we can decide what to do now.
Beastboy and Cyborg scampered towards the park. Once there, Beastboy made sure to give Dick a piece of his mind.
"Okay, dude," scolded Beast Boy. "We're supposed to protect you and you just run off! I mean, Black Mask could've kidnapped you, or ransom you or sell you or-
"B, I think you made your point." Cyborg said patting his shoulder.
The five teenagers and the dogs paused awkwardly.
"So... You want us to help you with the show?" Cyborg finally asked.
Well Ladies and Gentlemen; I've been working on this for quite a while. If you want to know why, just PM me. Now then, I've been working on plenty of stories-
A story where Robin, Speedy and Kid Flash need to ask for help from the JL.
A Teen Titans Crossover with Okami.
And a sequel to "Ace of Diamonds" with an appearance from our favorite DC Cat-Burglar.
Please Review, so
Bye-Bye for now!
Sky the White Dragon
