This is a fun chapter where the character are DC based, most Batman, but still.
I run into that Batcave, toward the impressively large batcomputer. Mr. Freeze is on the loose, and Dad isn't taking it as seriously as he should. Sure, Mr. Freeze isn't as dangerous as many of the others, but Mr. Freeze is still a dangerous criminal. And, I've been hearing rumors from the shadows that Mr. Freeze's cryogenically frozen wife, Daisy, was stolen. If that's the case, Mr. Freeze is going to go on a rampage. "Lucas!" Dad's gravely voice echoes through the cave. I don't flinch. I'm used to this type of yelling from him. I am known to get on his bad side. "Lucas….turn around."
I do as he says. I cross my arms. "Dad…"
"What are you doing here? You should be in school."
"I can't just go to school when a murderous villain is out there!"
"Mr. Freeze just needs some convincing that Daisy is safe and sound."
"But-"
"No buts Lucas." Dad points at the elevator that takes us from the Batcave to the manor and vice versa. I scoff before walking away toward the elevator. However, what dad doesn't know is that I placed a bug underneath the bat computer. I always knew he was going to kick me out. He always does. He never wants me meddling with "Adult business". It's just so stupid. Like, how the hell am I supposed to be a good Robin if I can't help Batman? Ugh, he's so annoying sometimes.
I make it to my room and my laptop. I start listening in on Dad's conversation with our butler, ROB. "I don't know, ROB, he's still too young."
"But Master Flint, he wants to fight." THANK YOU, ROB. Jeez. At least someone in this damn family knows how I feel.
"We have others who can help." Oh just wonderful. I know who he's talking about. Nightwing and Batgirl. I hate them. I really do. Especially Nightwing. Always trying to lecture me on how to be the perfect Robin. He just wants me to be the Robin he was. "ROB. Call Kumatora and Duster."
"Yes, Master Flint." I slam my laptop shut.
"SO STUPID!" In an instant, I feel a draft. I know what this means. You see….I do have one person I can actually tolerate being around. BUT JUST BARELY! It's….not like I like him or like being around him. I turn around and see him. Ness, otherwise known as Superboy. I cross my arms. "Dad would kill you if he finds out you're here."
"But you're not about to tell him, are you, Birdie?" Ness says in his flirtatious tone. Birdie...such a stupid nickname he has for me. I hate it. But…...I guess he can call me that. It's not like it's the worst thing in the world.
"Guess not." I turn back around and look down at my surely broken laptop. I open it, and sure enough, the screen is cracked. "Fuck."
"Don't worry, you're rich, it should be fine."
"I couldn't care less about the laptop." I grab it and walk over to the open window Ness used to fly in. I toss the laptop out of there and close it. "I was listening in on Dad."
"Why're you listening in on Batman?" I sigh. Ness can be too innocent sometimes. I don't blame him though. His dad is Superman, after all. So he doesn't need to worry about trouble, because a single punch from that man is game over for pretty much anyone. Not to mention, Ness himself, being his son, has his powers too. Ness isn't nearly as strong as Superman, but he's still notably strong. He could really beat my ass if it wasn't for the fact he refuses to use his powers on me. I don't know nor do I care why.
"It's Mr. Freeze."
"What about that hopeless romantic?"
"He escaped."
"Oh, want me to go deal with him?" Ness asks as he floats up. I sigh. He doesn't understand. He's so reliant on his powers that he forgets that I, a person with no true superpowers, actually need to try to be a good hero.
"No. Calm your tits." Ness floats back onto the bed.
"So what do you want?"
"I want to stop him."
"Ooo, you wanna be a big boy?"
"Don't test it Superboy!" Ness sits up and crosses his arms.
"Come on, Lukey. You need some help on this. You can't do it alone." I shoot around. To look at the desk that once held my laptop.
"I can handle him on my own."
"No, you can't. Even Batman has problems with him." I look down. I just want to prove to him I can handle myself. He wanted me to join the Titans. He even wanted to have me a part of the Justice League. He never wants me out on my own. I understand that there are some sickos out there, but damn. Ness walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder. "Allow me to help you. Batman has sidekicks."
"WELL I'M NOT BATMAN, AM I?!" Ness steps back from the surprise of my outburst. I take a breath. "I-I'm sorry. I just want to show Dad I'm capable on my own."
"No one is fully capable on their own. The Justice League, the Teen Titans, hell, even the Legion of Doom. People need backup, no matter how strong they may be." Damn it. He's right. He's so annoyingly morally correct.
"Fine….Ness?" Ness grows a smile, knowing just what I'm about to say. "Will….." I can see Ness's disgusting amount of excitement grow. I roll my eyes. He's so annoying. "Will you help me with Mr. Freeze?"
"Awwww, is little Birdie warming up to me?"
"I wouldn't give a shit if you were killed. So don't get the wrong idea."
"Whatever you say, Birdie," Ness flicks my nose. God….why do I put up with him. Ness steps back and starts stretching. "So, what now?" Hmmm, what do we do now? We have zero leads on where Mr. Freeze could be. Gotham is a large city, we can't just go around looking for him. We need something that would take us right to him. And, with being Batman's son, we have just the thing.
"Hey, Ness, how fast are you?"
"Pretty fast. Why?"
"Dad has this heat-identifying device in the Batcave-" Ness bolts away and soon returns with the device.
"This?" I close my mouth and snatch it from him.
"Could've waited until I finished my sentence."
"Oh just activate the thing already." Pft, so damn bossy. I activate the device and the heat signature for Mr. Freeze shows itself. Ness looked over my shoulder to see. "How...how does it work?"
"Mr. Freeze can only survive in below zero temperatures. This detects nearby temperatures, specifically below zero. So, we need to follow wherever this device starts lowering its temperature. You get me?"
"Not really." Ness picks me up in a bridal way. "Just lead the way." I have to admit, it does feel sort of nice being picked up like this. I would even say I like it. But, I won't allow Ness to know. But part of me thinks there's a reason he does this a lot. Ness looks down at me and smiles. "You're so cute with that blush of yours. Mr. Tough Birdie likes this, huh?" I'm blushing? No way! I-I never blush. Not for anyone, surely not for Ness. I cover my face.
"Just fly!" Ness finally does after some disgusting taunting laughter. He flies out of the house at super speed. Despite the speed, I'm able to direct him on where to go, following the heat signature.
Eventually, we make it to a place I would never expect Mr. Freeze to be in, the police station. Ness flies down to the ground in front of the GCPD. "Are you sure he escaped?"
"Yeah. His prison is normally in Arkham. Let's see what this is about." I run into the building as Ness flies in slower. The GCPD is abandoned. The desks are toppled over, ice hanging from the ceilings, snow all over the ground, and what seems to be frozen officers in the distance. I hide behind one of the still-standing desks. Ness comes to me.
"This seems like Mr. Freeze's doing."
"Come on." I bring out the batclaw and use it to swing over to the other side of the room. I look through the doorway and down the hall. I can feel the draft that always comes from Mr. Freeze's very own atmosphere. "He's over here." Ness flies over and looks down it. Ness's face looks weird though. It's a face I know the meaning of. Ness is using his super hearing. He must be hearing something from Mr. Freeze. "Superboy?" Ness looks at me.
"He's not alone."
"What?" He then grabs my outfit.
"They're coming." He quickly flies back behind the desk with me. We wait there and hear the door opening. The heavy footsteps of Mr. Freeze's suit are joined with some lighter, almost inaudible footsteps.
"I have you know, I hate it more than anyone to be working with you Freeze," A sort of gravelly voice says. Mr. Freeze and someone else steps into the room we're in. It's Red Hood. A vigilante Dad has tried to put away, but something about him makes Dad back off. When Red Hood killed Black Mask some time ago, Dad just didn't try anything and allowed Red Hood to go on his own. As far as I know, this Red Hood guy is a criminal.
"I don't enjoy having my precious Daisy taken from me, so we're in the same boat, Hood," Mr. Freeze answers.
"I wonder how the Legion of Doom feels about this?" Red Hood says much louder than he needs to. Even Mr. Freeze is thrown off by the sudden tone change.
"What?"
"I said….I wonder how the Legion of Doom feels about this?"
"You're a weird kid, Hood. Let's just go," Mr. Freeze leaves the building. Once the door closes Red Hood sighs.
"I know you're watching, Robin...Superboy. Batman and Superman wouldn't be too fond if they knew you were here." We stay quiet. We don't want to provoke him. Just in case, though, I grip my sword's hilt. "Give Flint my regards." Red Hood then leaves the building. I stand up.
"He knows Dad is Batman…." I say in shock.
"Maybe he's a friend of his?" Ness suggests.
"Perhaps. That could explain the oddities of their relationship." I look at Ness, remembering what Red Hood surely said loud enough for them to hear and to know that that is important. "The Legion of Doom is involved. Which means Mr. Freeze has a whole team behind him."
"That's not good. We need the Justice League."
"WE DON'T NEED THEM! We can do this on our own."
"Lucas...we can't. Do you even know who's a part of the legion?" I cross my arms and try to think….but I don't know. Dad never tells me about these things, always keeping me out of it. "That's what I thought. At least let me tell you who's in it before you get all cocky." Ness picks me up like before and flies off.
Ness lands on the ground right in front of Titan Tower. I jump from Ness's arms and look up at the large T-shaped building. I shoot around. "Why did you bring me here?"
"The Titans have a computer we can use without getting the attention of the league."
"They're still the Titans. They could easily-"
"Ness. Lucas. Welcome," a space-sounding voice comes from behind me. Shit. I turn around and see Starfire, otherwise known as Zelda. I scoff before crossing my arms and looking away. "Finally here to accept our offer to join?"
"As if." I walk forward as I slam my shoulder into hers.
"Just thought I'd ask….."
"You won't be having much luck. He's only a softie around me, ain't that right, Birdie?" Ness says as he flies over and picks me up. I dunno why he keeps picking me up like I'm his bride. Either way, I do feel heat in my cheeks whenever he does, but it's probably because of his body heat.
"Sh-shut up. Just...just take me to the damn computer." Ness flies me into the building and right to the computer. I jump from Ness's hands and look up at the decently sized computer. Beast Boy, otherwise known as Ninten, runs up to us in the form of a dog.
"Yo, wassup dudes?" Ninten turns into his normal, green-skinned self leaning against the side of the computer. "You Titans yet?"
"You learn to shut up yet? Oh, would you look at that, both answers are no," I say as I type into the computer. Ninten scoffs.
"How do you put up with this dude?"
"He's not all bad," Ness places his head on my shoulder. I soon make it to where I need to be. The Justice League Database. Ninten looks up at it in surprise.
"Dude, you can't be in this. Superman would be so pissed." Zelda and Dark Samus, Raven, come up behind us.
"What are you looking for, Lucas?" Zelda asks.
"None of your business," I say before finding the documents of the Legion of Doom. "There we go. The members."
"Lex Luthor (Ganondorf), Riddler (Ren Amamiya), Talon (Sephiroth), Solomon Grundy (DK), Harley Quinn (Peach), Captain Cold (Popo), Cheetah (Sheik), Deathstroke (Roy), Scarecrow (Mewtwo), Joker (Porky), Mr. Freeze (Luigi), Red Hood (?), and….oh my…." Ness looks at me. I know why. The final member of the Legion...is my grandfather. Ra's Al Guhl or Alec, but no one calls him that anymore.
"That doesn't matter. They still don't know who this Red Hood character is."
"Dude, why did you want to learn about them?" Ninten asks.
"Isn't it obvious? They want to fight them," Dark Samus answers with a darker tone.
"WHAT?! You can't fight them on your own," Zelda says. I turn toward her, and she seems surprised by my eyes.
"Watch me," I say before walking off, bumping my shoulders into her again. Ness follows after me, with his cocky chest held in front of him.
Ness and I make it to a swamp. It's smelly and dark. I loathe the days I need to be here….this more than others. The dirty, muddy water is up to my knees. I'm getting all dirty while Ness is next to me flying over it all. "Are you sure this disgusting place is where their hideout is?" I ask.
"I'm sure of it. And plus, I offered to fly you over the water, you said no, so it's on you." I stop before crossing my arms and closing my eyes.
"Please fly me across." I hear Ness's chuckle. This is so embarrassing. He picks me up and flies me up, flying over the muddy water. I open my eyes and look forward. I still see nothing but swamp. We fly around a corner and still don't see anything. However, I do see a large open area, with the muddy water seeming deeper.
"There it is." Ness is looking at the large open area. The base must have some cloaking mechanism causing it to be invisible to the naked eye.
"How are we going to enter it."
"Wait wait wait….you want to enter it?" Ness asks.
"Well duh. Why else would I have you bring me here."
"I dunno, maybe to scope out the place."
"Well I want to enter it."
"We can't just enter the base of like 10 bad guys."
"Yes. We. Can."
"No you can't," a very familiar gravel-like voice came from above us. I know exactly who owns this voice. The last person I want to see right now. I look up and see Dad, falling down from the Batwing.
"Crap." Dad lands in the water and grabs me from Ness's hands.
"Your father will be very disappointed in you, Ness." Ness looks away, rubbing his hands.
"S-sorry Mr. Wayne," he stutters, knowing not to get on his bad side. Dad looks down at me, with his trademarked scowl.
"And you, Mr., will definitely be in trouble."
"But Dad!"
"No buts, Lucas. You're-" There's a sudden scream from the musty trees. Dad looks out there before locking me to another tree. "Stay here." He runs deeper into the swamp. That's when Ninten runs up to Ness and I in a rhino form. He turns to normal in front of me.
"You look to be in quite the pickle," he says.
"Just get me out of here already," I struggle at the bonds. He turns his hands into crab pincers and cuts me free from what was tying me up. I rub my wrists.
"We should get out of here before your Dad finds out that scream was just a bait," Ness says as he grabs both mine and Ninten's hands.
"What?" Before he gives me the answer I want, he flies off. We soon make it to The Fortress of Solitude. This icy, crystalline place, I have to admit, looks very nice. But this is also where Superman lives….and I don't want to be caught by him. "The hell? Why'd you bring us here? Your dad is going to flip."
"My dad is the one who set the fake scream up. He believes in us."
"Superman is cool dude, you should trust him more," Ninten says, bumping my shoulder.
"Don't….do that again." Ninten holds his hands up.
"Ok ok, jeez, calm your tits." Soon enough, the rest of the titans join us. Starfire walks over and examines my wrists.
"Hey, don't touch me," I rip my hands away.
"I'm just making sure you're alright. Ninten can get a bit careless with his claws," Starfire says.
"Well, I'm fine! And I didn't need your help."
"Sure looked like you did," Reven points out. I shoot around. They're really annoying.
"How did you even find me?"
"Superman simply heard your heartbeat and told us where you were." I cross my arms.
"Ness and I can handle this on our own." Ness walks up to me. I look at him and he seems genuinely worried. I sigh. I don't like seeing this side of him. It's weak, I know…..but I can't stand seeing him sad. I guess you could say I care too much about him. But don't let him know that, he'd become so damn cocky and much more annoying if he finds out. "Fine. I guess some extra help is appreciated."
"YAAAY!' Ness excitedly says as he brings me into a hug. I turn toward him and see the happy titans.
"Remember. This is off the books. The Justice League…..outside of Superman, can't learn about this."
"Need our help?" another familiar voice says. I can't believe it. I look to the side and see Nightwing and Batgirl, Duster, and Kumatora.
"Now how did you get here?"
"I brought them here," a very heroic voice comes from above. I know the owner of this voice. Ness's own father, Superman. Superman lands on the ground, prompting Ness to fly forward and bring him into a hug.
"Thanks for helping dad," Ness says.
"Of courses. I want Flint to know, more than anyone, the capabilities of the younger generation." Ness backs away from his dad.
"Is there ANYONE ELSE WHO'S GOING TO JOIN!?" I yell, completely fed up.
"Actually yes there is." Of course. Cyborg, otherwise known as Fox, lands on the ground.
"So much for not letting the league find out…."
"I won't tell if you won't," Cyborg points out. I roll my eyes. Too many damn people are here. Standing…...in front of me? All of them. Superman, Ness, the titans, even Dad's little lackeys.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Awaiting orders," Ness says.
"Get up there with him, son. You lead us with him," Superman says, egging his son on. Ness smiles happily before flying up next to me. "So what's the move, boss?" Ness and I look at each other. I'm still somewhat confused while he looks at me like a proud papa. He motions for the team, telling me all I need to know. I'm the leader. I'm the one that's going to lead this team to take down the Legion of Doom.
"We know that the Legion of Doom is out and seemingly gathering things for some attack. We need to prevent that attack from happening, save as many lives as possible. Fox, do you have a map of the Hall of Doom?"
"Who do you think I am? Of course I do," he says before allowing the holographic map to form from his eyes. The building was a sort of dome/skull, and in some way, it looks like Black Manta's helmet, who is usually a member but he's still in prison down in Atlantis. The map zooms in to show the interior of the building.
"Good. Can you enter the Hall of Doom's computer system to see if what they're planning is on there?" Cyborg closes his eyes, dissipating the map.
"Negative. They have nothing. The actual building seems abandoned."
"It's just a bait?" Cyborg looks around, using the computer, and soon sees Red Hood leaning against the wall.
"The hell did you come from?"
"What is it?"
"Red Hood."
"I know you can see me, Fox," Red Hood suddenly says as he is looking directly at the computer screen.
"What do I say to him?"
"Try to get some info out of him," I ask.
"Right." Cyborg looks directly at Red Hood. "So Hood."
"Oh you don't need to act dumb, Fox. I know you want info. But I'm not giving you any. However, I'm willing to have a chat with little Lucas. Tell him to come to the Hall of Doom." Red Hood brings out a gun.
"But-"
"No. Lucas needs to be here. Alone. So long, Fox." Red Hood shoots the computer, kicking Cyborg from the Hall of Doom. He jumps because of it before shaking his head. He then looks directly at me.
"I'm assuming you heard him."
"We all did," I say.
"NO WAY AM I LETTING YOU GO SEE HIM ALONE!" Ness hugs me. I sigh. I struggle to get him off of me, but with him being Superboy and all, I can't exactly succeed.
"Let go of me. I need to do this." Ness, surprisingly, does just that. He looks at me with a sad but understanding face.
"Red Hood is known for killing. I don't want to lose you."
"You're not going to lose me. Red Hood isn't going to kill me. If he wanted that, he would've killed me back then with Mr. Freeze." Ness thinks for a moment before grabbing my hand.
"At least let me take you there." I nod, allowing him to get what he wants. He smiles, seemingly somewhat calmer. I don't know why he's worried about me. Sure, Red Hood is dangerous and I can die like any other human, but he seems to take that worry a bit further that makes me wonder if there's a deeper reason for all his worry and care.
Either way, he flies me back to the swamp and drops me off. He's hesitant, of course, but is able to give me off anyway. I walk toward the large open space which is soon filled by the Hall of Doom when the cloaking device gets turned off. The skull-like building's door opens and shows Red Hood. "Come on Superboy, fly off!" he orders. Ness does, with a cute little Hmph…...ignore the fact I called it cute. I walk up to the entrance.
"You wanted to talk?"
"Yes. Come in," he says. I cross my arms.
"You must forgive my skepticism, Hood."
"We may be different people that have worn a similar suit, but we're all the same in the end." Similar suit? Is he talking about the Robin suit? So was he a Robin before? Impossible. There've been only 3 Robins I know of. Duster, who's now Nightwing, Fuel, who has gone off the grid as Red Robin, and then there's the best Robin, myself. Unless Dad was lying when he said that was all of them. Would that be something to lie about though? Pfft, of course. "Flint must've refused to tell you about me." He turns around and starts walking off. "How typical." I walk further in and the door closes behind me.
"Just tell me what it is you want to tell me so I can get out." Red Hood turns around.
"What? Don't want a chat from your superior?'
"YOU ARE NOT MY SUPERIOR!"
"The Legion. They want to kill the league."
"Why?"
"Who knows why? Typical villain shit. Wanting to take over the world or whatnot."
"You don't seem to like them." I cross my arms.
"You're right. I despise them. I want them all dead. Especially…..Joker. That son of a bitch would've been dead years ago if it weren't for the failure of a hero, Batman. But, I needed to put my hate aside to gather intel. Bats wouldn't like me risking my life like this. So, I want you to know. You seem a bit more….willing. So, here's the plan. The members of the Legion want to separate the League. And overpower them. The plan….has already been enacted. The League is in grave danger. I don't very much care for the lives of the league, but I care for if the Legion wins or not."
"I wouldn't suppose you'd take that hood off?"
"You'd be correct. If Batman doesn't get the courage to tell you about me, then I'm not about to. Now leave. This place is set to explode." I start hearing the very audible ticking. I run out of the building but when I turn around, I see Red Hood still standing in there.
"What about you?"
"This won't be the first time I escape death." Ness lands next to me.
"This place is going to blow," he says before grabbing me and flying off.
We return to the Fortress of Solitude. We look at the team. "Alright. The plan is simple enough. Just some villains doing villain stuff. They want to take out the Justice League."
"Of course they do," Superman says, "I'm assuming the others have already started fighting the Legion?" Cyborg closes his eyes.
"Yup, Batman, Flash, Lantern, all of them are fighting," Cyborg says.
"And the Legion?"
"It seems Joker, Ra's Al Ghul, Scarecrow, and Captain Cold aren't being fought." I cross my arms.
"I've got Ra's," I say.
"But he's with Joker."
"Which will make it all the more satisfying."
"You need a team. Let me and Ninten help," Ness volunteers. Ninten points at himself surprised at the fact he was volunteered against his will.
"Fine." I grab Ness's hand. "We have no time to argue. Duster, Kumatora, go to Cold and Scarecrow. Everyone else, help the League." Ness flies up, with both me and Ninten in his arms. We quickly make it to ACE Chemicals. We bust through the window and land right behind Joker and….grandfather. "Grandfather!" Ra's turns around and smiles.
"Lucas, how's my boy doing?" he asks with his condescending voice. I've known for quite some time that he's not the man I once honored. He's just a villain. An evil….evil villain. I can't believe I ever felt he was something more. Especially now, he's working with the Joker. Joker turns around and….god, I hate that grin of his. I take out my sword.
"Come with us cleanly old man. You too, Joker."
"Aww, look at this. Once again, Batsy sent a Boy Wonder to do his job. Does he ever learn?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, he hasn't told you, has he?"
"WHAT DID YOU DO!"
"Lucas, he's just trying to get to-" I cut Ness off as I walk forward. I grab the collar of his shirt and press the sword to his neck.
"What. Do you mean?" I see Ra's pull out his sword, intending to attack me, be Ness flies to my side.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
"EXPLAIN JOKER!" I shake him, causing the sword to make a very small incision, making a small amount of blood come out. He just laughs and laughs like the psychotic bastard he is.
"Precious little Boy Wonder. I wonder if I can break you like I broke him," he cackles as some gas shoots from the flower on his suit. It clouds around my face, making me step back. I cover my nose and mouth, trying not to inhale the laughing gas. Ninten is able to run in and kick Joker back as a donkey.
"Yo dude, you ok?" he asks.
"Get rid of the gas!" Ness yells as he gives up on holding Ra's back and focuses on pushing him back, which works without much trouble. Ninten turns into a bird and flaps his wings to get rid of the gas.
"You ok?" I shake my head, coughing as I try to get my breath back.
"Yeah….Thanks," I say. I have to admit, he did come in handy. I would've been a goner if that gas got to my lungs.
"Ra's! Don't forget, Hunny bun, what lovely Lex gave to us," Joker sings from afar. I look at Ra's and see him rolling his eyes. He's always been one to do things his own way, so he must hate the fact that my Ness is stronger than him.
"Whatever," he says as he brings out a glowing green rock. It's kryptonite.
"SUPERBOY!" I yell. Ness looks back at me.
"What?" he asks. But he's too slow. Ra's stabs Ness with the kryptonite. Ness gasps loudly before Ra's kicks him all the way to the wall. I run over to him. He still has the kryptonite rock plunged in his chest. I hear Ninten start to fight Ra's. It won't last very long. Ninten is strong as Beast Boy, being able to turn into any animal he wants. But he's inexperienced. Grandfather has centuries upon centuries of experience.
I rip the kryptonite out of Ness. "Come on, Ness, stay with me." I can see his eyes fading. He's losing power. He's dying. Superman may have been able to survive the small amount of kryptonite stabbed into him, but Ness here? He's too young. But he's also still strong. He'll likely survive, but that could very easily be my wishful mind. I hold his face as his eyes lay dull. "Come on, you're stronger than this, to die by a small pathetic green rock." Ness giggles as he cups my cheek.
"Kryptonite….i-is kryptonite….n-no matter how big or how small." His voice is leaving him. He's leaving me. I don't want him gone. I can't lose him.
"P-please….y-you're Superboy. You can't leave me. I-I need you!"
"Aww, l-little birdie n-needs me? H-how…..sweet…." I start feeling tears fall from my eyes. I can't lose my only friend. I can't! I hug him. I don't even care if I die. What's the point? That's when I hear a loud bang. I turn around and see Joker stumbling back with a hole in his hand.
"It's best you leave him alone, Joker!" I look up and see Red Hood on the railings at the top of the building. He jumps from the railing and lands right in front of me. Ra's kicks Ninten into the wall, he screeches in pain. Red Hood glares at Ninten and growls. "You sack of shits. Beating up innocent kids just doing the right thing."
"You're not one to talk, Hood," Ra's says, bringing out his sword. "Lex should've known better than to bring you into the group." Red Hood looks back at me and Ness.
"He means a lot to you?"
"Y-you don't even know the half of it…."
"Trust me...I do." He brings out some more guns and goes absolute ape-shit on Joker and Ra's, but never once does he actually shoot Joker. Ra's is stronger, but part of me thinks he's buying me and Ness some time. I shake Ness a bit. He's not fully gone. I lean down to his ear.
"I care for you, Ness, please…...attack the shit out of Ra's." Ness grows a smile.
"G-gladly…" He flies in to punch Ra's right in the face, that punch mixed with the gun-shot wounds makes him very weak and vulnerable, the punch knocks him into a large bat of ACE Chemicals' acid. He instantly starts melting. He flies back to me, stumbling into my arms. "S-sorry I killed your grandpa…." I look at Ra's. He's slowly melting in the acid, calling out to me to hopefully save him.
"Won't be the first time. And I doubt it'd be the last." Red Hood slams his gun into Joker's head, knocking him to the ground. He then points the gun down at him. But he's hesitating.
"Come on, don't be like your precious Batman. SHOOT ME! Just like I taught you!" he yells, on the bridge of death.
"Fuck off Joker." Red Hood shoots the ground right next to his head.
"Maybe I can convince little Robin there to-" Red Hood slams his elbow into his head, knocking him out. He sighs before turning toward Ninten. He runs over to him.
"Hey, Beast Boy, you doing alright?" Ninten's eyes flutter open. He sees Red Hood but isn't satisfied.
"Can you take your hood off?" Ninten asks. Red Hood doesn't instantly say no. He looks over at me and Ness before back at Ninten.
"I…."
"Please!" He turns into a little puppy and gives some puppy dog eyes. "You can't say no to little old me." Red Hood stays silent as he stands up.
"You're lucky I like puppies." Red Hood places his hands on his hood. He then finally takes the hood off to show a face very similar to mine, but with a massive J burned into his skin. Ninten turns to normal as he's in complete awe.
"Woah…"
"He looks like you…" Ness points out. Red Hood looks over at me.
"I'm Claus….the second Robin." Dad never talked about him. But why? Why didn't he tell me of a WHOLE Robin? Claus walks up to me. "He refused to tell you about me because he's ashamed….as he should be." Claus puts the hood back on. "Now do me a favor, and don't tell Flint you know me. I don't want him to know you know." He turns toward Ninten. "And you…..we will meet again." Red Hood jumps from ACE Chemicals.
"Ninten?" Ness questions.
"He's hot…." Ninten says as he turns into a purring cat.
We gather near the Hall of Justice. Ness carries Joker's knocked-out body and tosses him toward the Commissioner. I walk toward Dad, who looks to be a bit more than pissed with me. I get to him, who's standing right in front of the large Hall of Justice fountain, and lower my head. "Hi Father."
"You know how dangerous that was?"
"Yes…."
"Look at me." I look up at him. In the corner of his mouth, there's a small crease. He's smiling. Slightly. But he's smiling nonetheless.
"I'm….I'm proud of you." He ruffles my hair, admittedly causing a little chuckle from me. "I'm assuming you still don't want to be a part of the League or Titans?"
"You'd be correct." Ness lands next to me. He's fully healthy now.
"Mr. Batman?" he asks. "Could I take your son on a trip?"
"A trip?" I ask. Before I even know what he's talking about, Dad says yes. Ness picks me up in a bridal way and flies into the air. We pass the clouds and see the beauty of the sky. "Woah…." The sun shimmering and reflecting the light blue sky.
"Lucas." I look at Ness. Seeing his face in front of the bright blue sky makes my heart speed up a bit. "You know, we've been working partners for quite a bit, right?"
"Right…"
"Well….wh-what would you say if we took that….a bit further?"
"Further?" My face started heating up as my heart beat faster. Oh God damn it. I think I know what's going on. I'm falling for him. Or maybe I've fallen for him a long time ago. I was always in denial. I never wanted to admit that I liked ANYONE. I was taught that that feeling, the feeling of love, was a weakness. But….maybe it's not. Maybe it could be a strength.
"M-maybe we could…" His blush tells me all I need to know. I roll my eyes.
"Oh shut up already." I bring him into a kiss. I wrap my hands around his head and kiss him more passionately. This feels good…..it feels right. I end the kiss and look into his eyes. "And just for the record, I'm wearing the pants in this relationship." Ness grins before taking one of his arms from my back, since he's strong enough to carry me with one hand, and grabs my chin.
"Whatever you say, my little Birdie."
"Whatever. Just kiss this Birdie." We get into another kiss. Yeah, this definitely feels right. I love him. He's my Superboy. Just like I'm his little Birdie.