Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter, it helps a lot. My request still stands. I know it took awhile for me to post the last chapter, school got in the way. I do not own DC Comics or any of their characters. Please excuse any mistakes I may have made, thanks for reading. Enjoy!
Richard was standing in front of the large computer in the mission room with the team watching the news. Aliens were attacking cities and the League was disappearing one by one. He wasn't bothered by it, at all. It was a training simulation. Batman told them that. He also said he would be watching each of the teams point of view until they 'died'. Somehow this is going to go terrible wrong. (Other) Maybe it won't. (Richard)
"I must join the League. We will protect the planet at all cost. But should we fail the responsibility falls to you." Fake Red Tornado said.
"We stand ready." Aqualad replied.
They continued watching the news. Things were getting much worse. Canary and Green Arrow disappeared.
Red tornado to cave. I fear I am all that remains of the league. (Red Tornado)
RT (Kid Flash)
"We are Earth's heroes now." Aqualad stated.
"So what are we waiting for a theme song?" Superboy said angrily.
"A plan." Renegade snapped. "Direct attacks won't work."
Renegade ignored the rest of the conversation and they were soon at Superman's fortress of solitude. Renegade waited until the lone ship was more or less defeated before pointing at the stressed structural points. Miss Martian broke the shell and Superboy began to pull on the top laser. Renegade was focusing on what kind of weapon it was when wolf pushed Superboy out if the way of a blast. The white wolf disappeared.
Wolf… (Miss Martian)
I-I'm sorry there wasn't any signs that a energy blast was going to happen… (Renegade)
There's nothing we can do for him now. (Superboy)
Superboy got back on top of the ship and resumed pulling on the top laser. It came off and Miss Martian and Superboy began connecting the weapon to the bio ship.
An alien ship flew by.
I'll have disengage camouflage for a few minutes. (Miss Martian)
We may not have a few minutes! (Renegade)
Miss Martian open fire. (Aqualad)
Can't. Cannons not integrated into the weapons system! (Miss Martian)
Got you covered! Get inside I'm almost there! (Artemis)
Ships were circling above as Artemis ran towards the ship.
She's not going to make it. She's out of the game. (Other) I know. (Richard)
One ship blew up and crashed to the ground. The top laser locked onto Artemis.
Artemis, behind you! (Miss Martian)
Artemis turned and loaded an arrow. Too late. (Other) Artemis disappeared in a flash of light.
"Artemis!" Miss Martian screamed. A flash of white hot pain in Renegades head caused him to shut his eyes closed, grab a handful of hair, and bend down slightly. Once the pain subsided, Renegade looked up and came face to face with himself.
"What the hell?!" Both Renegades exclaimed. He didn't hear what Kid Flash and Aqualad said, but both of them were ushered into the bioship. They flew off once Aqualad destroyed the ship. The two Renegades were staring at each other.
"O-Other?" Richard questioned.
"R?" Other asked.
They ignored Aqualads speech and Kid Flash's pained crying.
They did hear Aqualads plan to go the the Hall of Justice.
"Is that Other?" Superboy asked pointed at the Renegade on the left.
"Yeah..don't ask me how this happened but it did...so…" Richard responded.
"How will we tell the difference between you two?" Miss Martian asked, her eyes red and puffy from crying over Artemis.
"I'll change into my black uniform. Other will be in the white uniform." Richard said. He stood, looking at Other as he did and went to change in the back of the bioship. They landed at the Hall around ten minutes later. The army was fighting the aliens, though they weren't really doing anything. Superboy brought down some ships and they had a chat with the General.
"I've seen most of you, but those black and white twins look like Renegade. Exactly like Renegade." The General said pointing at the two.
"We aren't Renegade." Richard said.
But both of you together are… (Kid Flash)
They don't know that. (Other)
"Well then who are you?" The General asked.
"...I'm Robin and that is White Robin." Richard lied.
Nice. Real smooth. Why Robin? (Other)
You know why. (Richard)
...Parents? (Other)
You tell me. (Richard)
"Who's your mentor?" The general interrogated.
"Batman." Other said easily.
"Well okay then. Come on."
They walked into the Hall of Justice and Miss Martian immediately went over to Manhunters fallen statue.
They're gone. (Other)
Miss Martian gasped and flew up. She lifted the statue to reveal Manhunter himself.
"Uncle J'onn!" Miss Martian exclaimed.
Wait, make sure it is him. (Aqualad)
"It's fine! It's him!" She exclaimed.
"How did you...You and the League…" Superboy stuttered.
"I don't know, my mind is clouded." Manhunter said.
"Maybe you were density shifting and the laser went right through you!" Miss Martian exclaimed.
"Hello, Wally!" Kid Flash said and grabbed 'Robin' by the wrist and pulled him towards a ship.
"Look! The laser is letting off zeta energy! It's a teleporter!" He hoped.
"I don't think-" Robin started.
"Artemis is alive!" Kid Flash said.
"Hey! Don't take my brother without telling me where you're going!" 'White Robin' said grabbing Robin and pulling him towards the hall. Ships were flying towards them.
"Trapped." General said.
The zeta tube opened and proved them wrong.
"We can zeta out." Aqualad said. White Robin's grip tightened on Robin's.
"I don't like that we're separated. It makes me extremely paranoid." White Robin said low enough for Robin to hear.
"I know, I feel the same." Robin replied.
"Heroes go first! The world needs you!"The general shouted.
Manhunter started the zeta tube and Miss Martian went first then Kid Flash. Robin pushed Superboy in the zeta and they disappeared. A soldier got trapped underneath some debry. Robin and White Robin went to aid him. They simultaneously lifted the rock and dragged the soldier out.
"Renegade! Let's go!" Aqualad yelled.
"He goes first!" Robin countered. He ignored the way the soldier flinched away from him at the name. Robin and White Robin pushed him forwards and into the zeta. More lasers sounded off and the two were about to return to help, but Aqualad pushed both of them into the zeta tube. Manhunter came in after him.
"Aqualad?" Robin and White Robin asked. Manhunter looked down.
"Great." The two said.
Silence took over them, it was respectful.
"We need to tell the world someone is still fighting." Kid Flash said.
"We'll link up with every device and broadcast you guys." Robin said.
They ignored what the heroes said and only listened for their part in the mission. They were to get inside and help find the prisoners.
"Gear up." Kid Flash took charge.
The two separated themselves from the teams as they loaded themselves with all of the explosives Renegade had.
"There are no prisoners. Are going to tell them?" Other asked.
"No, we'll have our own plan. We find the main source of energy in the mothership and blow it up. We'll tell the others if they figure out there are no prisoners." Richard said quietly. Other nodded. The remaining heroes loaded onto the bioship and headed towards the mother ship.
"Martians, Superboy." Kid Flash ordered.
The martians density shifted into the ship and Superboy began destroying the outside of the mothership. The robins and Kid Flash took their chance and went into the ship. They met up with the martians. Miss Martian suddenly dropped.
"No, he's gone." She said sorrow lacing her voice.
"No. No, we'll find him with the others! With Artemis and Kaldur!" Kad Flash tried to lighten her mood.
"I am afraid not. The disintegration rays are just that. I remember now." Manhunter said.
"Then, then this mission has no purpose." Kid Flash said saddly.
"Not necessarily." White Robin trailed.
"We can still destroy the mothership." Robin finished.
They ran towards where they suspected the core to be. They found it and the robins flipped onto the core. The core seemed to be pulling them down, they were slowly slipping. Kid Flash came down and they fell. Robin shot a grapple and grabbed White Robin's hand. Kid Flash grabbed onto White Robins foot. Miss Martian levitated them down onto the core. Robin and White Robin took off their explosives.
"You knew?" Kid Flash said as it clicked inside his head.
"Four minutes." The two told him simultaneously.
They grappled up and ran towards the open hangar door. The hangar slammed shut.
"One minute." Robin informed. Alien robots began engaging them.
"Manhunter, take Richard and Miss Martian and go." Other ordered. He pulled out some spare shurikens and attacked the robots with Kid Flash.
"Wait!" Richard yelled as Manhunter pulled them through the wall, out of the ship, then out of the blast area. They appeared above ground as the ship blew up. Pain shot through Richard's head and to his heart. He clutched the cloth over his heart and a fistful of hair with wide eyes.
"Other...No." He gasped out. It felt his whole being was ripped in half. it hurt, a lot. Other… He's gone! A sob racked his body.
"Don't tell me this mission was a success the price was too high." Miss Martian sobbed. Richard couldn't agree more.
"My brother...No!" He forced, tears streaming down his face. He heard a pained noise come from Miss Martian and turned towards her. Manhunter had his fist running through her stomach. He let her drop to the ground.
"What are you…" Richard said as he was levitated to stand. Manhunter looked into his tear filled, wide eyes. Richard felt his fist pierce through his stomach, pain rippled from the area. Manhunter let him fall. He was about to hit the ground when he shot up with a gasp. Tears were still streaming down his face and his eyes were wide. He clutched at his stomach, then his heart, His other hand went to his head as he curled up, bringing his knees to his chest. ...Other? (Richard) R, I'm here! I'm with you! (Other) A relieved sob escaped him as he trembled. A hand rested on his shoulder. Richard jumped and snapped his head to look at the hand. It was Batman's.
"I thought...Other was.." Richard was cut off by Batman pulling him in for a hug. Manhunter was explaining everything, but Richard wasn't listening. All his memories from the 6 months he lost came rushing back. He remembered how he slaughtered the inmates, Joker, Harley, and Catwoman betraying him. The team had left the room. Sobs shook him and he clung to Batman.
"I remember...I remember everything." He choked.
"From the 6 months?" Batman questioned.
"Yes." Richard replied and pushed away from Batman. "I would like to be alone for awhile."
"Of course." Batman replied. "I'm here if you need to talk." He said as Richard left the room.
"Thanks." Richard said. He walked to his room and laid down. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
It had been three days since the simulation and the team were all on their own. No one talking to anyone. Richard hadn't said a word not to the team, not to Other, nothing left his mouth. He hadn't even talked to Other inside his head. R? ...Come on, you need to say something. Anything. I'm worried. You've barely eaten anything. You haven't used your vocal cords in three days. R, talk to me...please. Talk to me, R! You're scaring me… (Other) Richard felt numb, felt nothing. He expression was always straight faced and his eyes were empty.
"Richard, please come with me." Black Canary called him in for therapy.
"How are you?" The woman asked. Richard had curled up into a ball in the chair and stayed silent.
"Richard, are you hurting? ...Are you sad? ...Richard?" The woman questioned the unresponsive boy. Her face twisted in deep concern.
"May I speak to Other?" She asked. Other was given control, that surprised him. Usually Richard would tell him and he would have to take it. This time he was forcefully given it.
"Richard, he, I-I don't know how to describe it. He hasn't talked to me in three days! His broken pieces are damaged and I don't know what to do! How to fix it, how to help him!" Other immediately told the woman.
"Ok...How are you?" She asked.
"Me? I'm fine, worried." Other replied.
"How did you feel when you left?" Canary interrogated.
"Guilty." Other stated.
"Why?" Canary asked gently.
"I left my brother! Alone! He was in pain because of me!" Other shouted.
"Did you feel that pain?" Canary wondered.
"No, but I could see through Richard's eyes and he was crying! Manhunter killed him!" Other shouted loudly.
"You're angry." Canary stated.
"He killed my brother while he was in pain! While he was vulnerable! Grieving! Confused! Hell yeah, I'm angry. Infuriated!" Other yelled.
Canary let him calm down and then dismissed him.
"I'll call you in tomorrow." She said as Richard took back control and he just nodded numbly.
Richard had been curled up in the couch, watching Hannibal, when Canary called him in. When Richard stepped into her office, he noticed Batman. His expression remained emotionless.
"Sit, both of you." Canary said. The two males sat down. They were in a triangle, all facing each other.
"Richard, can you tell me how it felt when Other was killed?" Canary said.
"Batman is acting as a support column, a shoulder to cry on." Richard stated, voice hoarse from not using it in four days.
"Yes." Batman confirmed.
"... It felt...like I was... ripped in half. It hurt. A lot." His voice cracked. "It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest and cut in half." Tears started to wet his eyes. "It felt…" The tears streamed down his face. "like my parents...dying...leaving me alone." Richard said.
"How do you feel now?" Canary asked quietly.
"Numb...I don't want to...fight, to lose anything else. If I do...I don't think I'll be able to heal…That small, pathetic light will go out...I'll die." Richard spoke.
"Richard, that light, you, are strong. Very strong. I know that right now, it may seem pointless to even try." Batman started.
"What do you know? You aren't me! You don't know how I'm feeling right now." Richard snapped as he stood from his seat. "This is pointless! I'm a lost cause! I don't care about anything anymore! People are scared of my name! They should be! I am so broken that I can't function without Other! He's just a part of my multiple personalities! I'M AS CRAZY AS JOKER!" He yelled then stormed out. He stomped into the common room and saw that nearly the whole League was there. They stared at him, he tilted his head slightly to the right. Batman's heavy, running footsteps were getting closer, Canary's light ones were right behind Batman's. He sighed heavily as Batman came into the room.
"Richa-" He began.
"Leave. Me. Alone." Richard snarled. They're trying to help, R, calm down! (Other) Isn't it you who tells me not to trust them. (Richard) Let them help. (Other) Richard growled aloud.
Richard decided he was done playing Mr. Nice Guy. He lunged at Batman, kicking the man in the chest, sending him back a few steps. He heard the League gasp. Batman gave them a warning look.
"You're angry. That's understandable." Batman said, dodging Richard's limbs. "Let me help you."
"Fight. Back." Richard snarled. The boy rushed forwards and flipped over the Bat. He landed and kicked the back of Batman's knee. Batman's left leg caught him and he turned, then punched at Richard. Richard flipped over it and landed on the Bats arm, perching on it.
"Why do you want to help?" He asked.
"You are what I could've been." Batman said, not minding that fact that Richard was perched on his arm.
"What changed?" Richard asked, anger underlining his question.
"I had someone to remind me I was a child at the time. Someone to give me a break from thinking like an adult. Something you needed. Need now." Batman answered.
"And what? You're the one who's going to do it? That's going to be hard. The last people who did that for me betrayed me. Gave me over to Slade." Richard snarled.
"Joker, Harley, and Catwoman? They genuinely cared for you. As do I." Batman replied.
"Clearly, they didn't. That's what you think." Richard said angrily and flipped off Batman's outstretched arm.
"You could be my protege." Batman offered.
"...I'm going to my room." Richard replied and walked towards the door way. He stopped as he got to the door way.
"I'll think about it." He said and went to his room to sleep and really think about what the bat had said.
Protege...Batman's protege. Nice ring to it… (Richard) He's much better than Slade. (Other) But he is a hero...and Gotham's guardian...that means seeing and probably fighting J,H, and Selina. (Richard) So? I think you should do it! It would be better to have him as your mentor and guardian than to have Slade. (Other)
"Yeah."