A/N: Thanks to those of you who stuck with me to the end (if there's anybody left). I have no idea if anybody actually liked this story but thanks for reading! :)
Chapter 21:
Police Headquarters – 9:55 the next morning:
The Batmobile was parked six miles away in a dark alley. There was no way a group of running reporters would last for six miles, especially since they would have to be sprinting in order to keep up with the Dynamic Duo. But Batman wasn't taking any chances.
They had used shadows and alleys, quietly but swiftly making their way to Police Headquarters. Robin was extremely good at being invisible so, even if anybody had been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Batman, they would have seen a lone man instead of two crime-fighters.
Batman hooked his Bat-rope to a Bat-a-rang and threw it toward the roof of Headquarters. There was a quiet 'clang' and he tugged on the rope. It didn't move so he pulled it taut and motioned for Robin to go in front of him.
"This is going to work, Batman," the teenager stated as they began Bat-climbing their way to the roof.
"It better," the man grumbled. "You are going to be in a lot of trouble if someone is able to catch us."
Robin sighed as he clambered over the edge of the roof. Batman appeared beside him and they walked toward the door leading inside. Sixteen steps later, the Caped Crusader strode into Commissioner Gordon's office.
"Good morning, Batman," the commissioner greeted cordially. "Are you going to let me know what this is about or am I going in blind?"
The Boy Wonder suddenly materialized beside his partner. Both Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara stared at him in disbelief.
"I'm staring at a ghost or you've been lying to us for a month or your new Robin bears a striking resemblance to your first one. Which is it, Batman?"
Commissioner Gordon sounded both angry and confused. Batman understood the confusion but was irritated with the anger.
"What I do…" the Caped Crusader began.
"It's really me, Commissioner," Robin's youthful voice interrupted his partner's comment. "You'll understand why we lied to you in a few minutes. Shouldn't we be on our way down there?"
The voice was recognizable, the dark hair and light-blue eyes were extremely familiar, but Batman had told them that Robin was dead. The commissioner had seen the slight trembling of the Caped Crusader's body and heard the tiny tremor in the man's voice at the last press conference. Was Batman a good actor – meaning that the original Robin wasn't really dead – or was this second Robin a carbon copy of the first? Had Batman been lying to them for a month about the boy's death or about not having a new sidekick?
"Commissioner?"
Robin's voice interrupted the man's thoughts. Robin or Robin the Second?
"I…don't know what to say," Commissioner Gordon admitted. "How am I supposed to introduce you?"
"Just me," Batman answered gruffly. "I'll reintroduce Robin if necessary."
With a nod and a quizzical glance at his chief of police, the commissioner led the way out of his office and down the stairs. He walked out into the bright sunlight, followed by Chief O'Hara and Batman. Robin exited the building also, but glided into the shadows by the doors.
"Citizens of Gotham City, Batman requested this press conference. Since I have no idea what he's going to say, let's just get to it."
Jim Gordon motioned to Batman, who stepped up to the microphones.
"Where's your new sidekick?" someone yelled from the bottom of the steps.
A gasp of surprise led to some whispered questions which quickly grew into excited chatter. Batman was going to introduce his new Robin!
"Citizens, please," Batman stated, lifting his hands and waiting for silence. "This is the last time I'm going to say this: I don't have, or need, a new Robin. What I do need to do is apologize. For several weeks I have been dishonest with you but I hope you will understand why in just a moment.
For those of you who don't know, Joker escaped from the State Pen yesterday morning and was arrested last night. I told the commissioner where he was, but I'm not the one that caught or cuffed him."
"The police caught Joker?!" a different voice exclaimed. "Before you did?!"
Several people began snickering. The officers of the Gotham City Police Department were good at their jobs, but not 'catching Joker' good.
"No," Batman replied sharply. "But you would do well to remember that I am a duly-deputized agent of the law and, as such, am part of the GCPD."
There was a mumbled 'sorry' and then silence again. Robin, still standing motionless in the shadows, was beginning to fidget. He just wanted to jump out and yell surprise but that would both look and sound idiotic.
"The person who captured Joker was none other than my partner, Robin. If I had a new partner, which I don't, would I have allowed him to take down such an illustrious villain? No, because he would be too inexperienced. So, ladies and gentlemen, I'll turn the time over to the original Boy Wonder for an explanation."
The crowd was stunned and the silence was complete. Robin stepped forward as Batman stepped back. It was the teen's first time standing in front of such a large crowd, all waiting for him to speak, and it was a little overwhelming.
"What the…" someone across the street yelled.
"No questions," Batman commanded, quickly stepping back to the podium.
"Um, thank you, Batman," Robin began.
The Caped Crusader stayed where he was, even when the Boy Wonder flicked his head in an attempt to shoo him away.
"As Batman said, I am the one and only Robin. I was close to death less than a month ago but I survived."
Obviously. This speech makes me sound stupid.
Robin took a paper out of his utility belt, unfolded it and placed it on top of the speech Batman had given him. Without even glancing down, the teenager began the statement he had prepared.
"Batman and I lied to you, but so did Joker. He believed I was dead, but he didn't tell you the whole story. Did you see the injuries on his face on the video? I did that to him. I knew he was trying to kill me; I was literally fighting for my life. Joker had help from at least one guard. He obviously needed help, because I took Joker down twice before the guard broke some of my ribs with his nightstick. I could go into more detail, but I won't.
Yes, Batman lied to you at his press conference a couple of weeks ago. But you shouldn't be upset with him because that was my fault. I wanted Joker to realize that he hadn't accomplished his goal by seeing me in person, not by watching or listening to a newscaster saying that Robin was alive but severely injured. It was my pride that caused him to lie. I regret asking him to do it; he shouldn't have had to lie to the faithful citizens of Gotham City in order to protect my pride."
Robin glanced up at Batman and said, "I'm sorry."
The Caped Crusader was glaring down at his young partner, both anger and disbelief in his dark-blue eyes. Looking back at the crowd, the Boy Wonder continued.
"It is a great relief to me, however, that I was able to take down Joker last night. He didn't believe that it was me at first, just as most of you didn't, and some of you still don't."
"You're lying now!" a member of the media suddenly shouted. "You're a new kid but Batman's trying to pass you off as the old one! Don't do what Batman says, that got the first sidekick murdered!"
This was exactly what Batman had been worried about. He knew Robin could deal with many things, but the teenager would immediately jump to the Caped Crusader's defense if anybody ever accused the man of some wrongdoing.
"It was not his fault that I went to prison," Robin stated hotly.
His hands clenched the edges of the podium, just as Batman's had a little over two weeks ago.
"Yeah, it was your fault!" a different reporter yelled. "You murdered a guy!"
"I did not…"
Robin paused and took a deep breath. Batman was already leaning toward the microphones, but the teenager threw a glare at him and mouthed "I got this". The older hero hesitated and then straightened up.
"So you're telling us," the same reporter shouted, "that Batman had to lie because you told him to and now he's backing off because you just told him to. What happens in the Batcave, Boy Wonder, that makes him bow to your wishes?"
"ENOUGH!" Batman instantly thundered. "Robin requested a favor and I allowed it. It was his idea but the decision to lie was my own! I don't know of any other way to prove that he is Robin – the only Robin – so apparently this press conference is over."
"I do," Robin said quietly. The words just barely bounced over the microphones and a hush fell over the crowd.
"I see you," the teen stated. "If you are willing, I would appreciate it if you could come up here to corroborate my story about our time in the State Pen. But I understand if you don't want to, which is why I'm not calling you out."
People started looking around, wondering who Robin was talking to and why.
Ned Pucker began making his way through the crowd. His large frame easily moved people aside and he was walking up the steps only twenty seconds later.
"I'm glad you made it out, kid," he whispered when he reached Robin's side.
"Back at you. I was worried; you never came back."
"Short story – interim warden knew my incarceration was a mistake and sent me home. I was worried about you, I even asked her to move you to a different row. That didn't happen?"
"Does going to solitary count?" Robin asked with a half-grin.
The entire conversation was encased in whispers; not even Batman could hear what they were discussing. Every ear was straining to catch any word but Ned and Robin stayed just far enough away from the microphones.
"What do you want me to say?"
"A 'new' Robin wouldn't know you, right?"
"I've only seen Robin in person twice and he looks the same to me now as he did in prison. Except for the clothes."
"Will you help me convince them?"
Ned grinned and nodded. Turning toward the podium, he took a moment to think and then began.
"I was in the same cell as Robin in the State Pen."
"You're a murderer, too?" another voice yelled.
"No," Ned answered evenly, "I'm not even a criminal. It was a huge misunderstanding but luckily the interim warden figured it out and released me."
"Robin, how is this going to help your case?" Batman growled softly but the boy ignored him.
"I met the Boy Wonder on the first and only day of my incarceration. Usually, I'm very intimidating. Robin, however, was ready to defend himself the moment I walked into our cell. There is no doubt in my mind that, had we fought, I would have sustained some kind of injury before he could be knocked out. That's why I know that his boy is the same one I met in the State Pen."
"Because he was ready to fight you?" a nearby voice asked skeptically.
"No," Ned nearly growled. "His fists were raised and I noticed a light scar on his right forearm. Several months ago, Robin saved my little boy, who had fallen onto the subway tracks. Because of Robin's quick actions, my child is alive. But the incident left proof. Robin's right arm was hit by a spark, causing him to jerk away from the train. He nearly dropped my son as he turned. Instead of allowing my child to fall, Robin twisted around himself and slammed into the wall. His arm hit a protruding nail and was slashed open."
Robin was staring at Ned in amazement. He hadn't even remembered that moment! Unconsciously, he ran his green-gloved hand down his right arm, flinching as a memory of the pain flashed through his mind.
"You may be wondering how I know all of this," the man continued. "My son nearly died; I watched the video of his rescue too many times to count. I immediately recognized Robin when I saw the scar, how could I not? And that is how I know that the Robin I met in the State Pen is the same Robin that stands before you now. May I?"
The question was directed at the Boy Wonder, who nodded his head.
Ned lifted the teenager's right arm and pointed out the scar. Everyone automatically leaned forward and cameras began clicking.
"If that's not enough, too bad," Batman growled as he grabbed Robin's left arm.
Nodding his head at Ned in thanks, the Caped Crusader pulled the Boy Wonder back into Police Headquarters. They headed for the roof and began leaping and flying between rooftops, finally reaching the building behind which they had hidden the Batmobile six miles away.
A kid was leaning against the dumpster, staring at the Batmobile.
"Jason?" Batman asked in disbelief.
Nodding, Jason stared straight at Robin and said, "Welcome back from the dead."
"Thanks?" Robin answered but the boy was already racing away.
The words and actions caused both members of the Dynamic Duo to shake their heads as they climbed into the Batmobile.
"So, there's your new Robin?" the teenager asked cheekily.
"Stop," the man commanded as he started the engine.
"Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed."
"Roger, ready to move out."
"He looks nice but how old is he?"
"I said stop."
"Wonder how he knew the Batmobile was there."
"Probably accidentally came upon it. Although he is obsessed with the wheels."
"Able to follow tire tracks. A good talent for a crime-fighter to have."
"Again, stop."
"He moves well, maybe he's athletic."
"I doubt he's anywhere near as athletic as you."
"But you can train him."
"Robin, stop this conversation now or I'm going to use Bat-sleep on you."
"How? It's in your utility belt and you're driving."
"I am capable of pulling off the road."
"But do you really want to do that when there's a news van following us?"
Batman glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the white van with Channel 15 News brightly emblazoned on the side.
"How?!" he grumbled.
Batman sped up and the Batmobile took the van on a tour of downtown Gotham before slipping away and racing to the Batcave.
"Alfred, I've found one!" Robin called as he jumped out of the vehicle.
"Found one what, Master Robin?"
"A new…"
Alfred lifted his head when the sentence was abruptly cut off. He raised his eyebrows and waited for an explanation.
Batman was standing by the Batmobile, a sleeping Robin limp against his muscular torso and a can of Bat-sleep in his left hand.
"I warned him," the hero stated with a slight grin.
THE END