The only sounds that one could hear in the West house were two voices giving short shouts of glee or exasperation. This was not an unordinary occurrence. At least every two weeks the house would be empty save for two teenagers. One was a red head, older than the other but far less mature, whilst the other was dark haired girl. The girl was currently giving the most shouts of glee.
"You are going down, Wallflower!"
"That's only because you're using cheats," Wally retorted, before he started nudging her with his shoulder, trying to throw her off the fight.
Instead, she turned her back to him and pushed up with her legs until he fell back and she was sitting on his stomach.
"Get off me!"
"Why? You can still hold a remote." She hit a combination of buttons and tried not to laugh when her character performed one of its special combos on Wally's, taking a large portion of his health.
"Yes, but I can barely see." Wally tried to push Robin up by grabbing her waist, but once she was up to a certain height, his hand slipped to her bottom, making him move his hands quickly. She landed heavily back on his stomach, making an 'ohh' escape from his mouth.
Robin just laughed at his pain. "Do that again and I may have to tell dad."
"Do you want me dead?" Wally yelped.
"Yep, that's why I'm gonna do this!" she hit a button and next minute K.O. appeared on the screen in large red letters, making Robin laugh. "I kicked your butt."
"I suppose you deserve a prize," Wally started with a smirk, sitting up when Robin got off of him and sneaking his hand up and under the mattress of his bed, which was behind them.
"Yes, yes I do. Cookie dough is my customary payment, thank you." Robin looked expectantly at Wally before he removed his hand from under his mattress.
"How about this?" He held the little box out to Robin, watching as a small smile spread across her face. There was no doubt she knew what it was, but Wally seemed to always surprise her with the shape. On a mission, where he and Flash had helped Batman and Robin when they versed the Joker, Robin had expected a clown as the charm, but had instead received a star with a light blue stone in the middle. She had failed to remember that at the end of the mission they had walked outside and she had commented that the stars looked like little, light blue diamonds. He, of course, couldn't afford diamonds, so she had to settle for glass, though she didn't seem to mind at all.
When she opened the box she gave a laugh, seeing the cobra shaped charm sitting on the cushion. "For the cobra venom?" she guessed.
"You did hack the system so we could find out about it," he remarked, removing the charm from the box as Robin held out her hand, allowing him to attach it. She never did bother to learn how to put them on, since Wally always did it for her.
Robin leant forward, hugging Wally and kissing his cheek. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Robin." The red head hugged her back. "But why do you kiss my cheek?"
"Tradition. My family always kissed people's cheeks when we received gifts. It was just something we did."
"Like speaking Romani?" Wally asked, getting a nod from Robin. "I can't imagine Batman kissing people's cheeks when they gave him gifts."
"It's not his tradition, but he kisses me when I give him gifts."
"But you said your family." The speedster surveyed Robin's face as she looked down. "Robin, I'm not stupid. I know your mother isn't the only parent you've lost. Close to the anniversary of her death you cry in your sleep for your mum and dad, but you call him Tati. I looked it up. It's Romani for father." When Robin didn't say anything Wally put a hand on her shoulder. "Robin..."
"Riley."
"What?"
"Riley." The girl sighed, looking up at her friend. "My name is Riley Grayson-Wayne."
Wally was in a state of shock. He had been trying to get Robin's name out of her for years, but finally she admitted it. Slowly he let the name roll over his mind before he realised something. "That sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?"
"You might have heard of the murder of two out of three of the Flying Graysons, an acrobatic family that was in Haly's International Travelling Circus. They were my parents. We used to be famous, we could do tricks that others couldn't dream of, like the quadruple summersault, no nets, ever. My mum used to call me Robin, cause she said I flew like a Robin. I could trust them to always catch me, no matter what. There was a mob boss that wanted to take over the circus cause it was doing so well. Hal refused and the mob boss decided to take away the star act. It was only a handful of seconds before I was meant to jump out. Dad was at the show when it happened and took me in, kept me safe. He knew I had seen the man who did it, putting me in danger. He wanted to train me to get justice on the man... I don't think he intended to start seeing me like a daughter." Robin swallowed, her throat constricted. "But I'm thankful, his my Daddy."
The red head pulled Riley into his arms, holding him close. He knew she didn't like telling the story, but he was thankful. He was also thankful that he now knew her name. Riley had once told him that she thought he wouldn't like her anymore. That would never happen, he had to look after her.
"Wayne," Wally said slowing. "You're the heiress, Bryce Wayne's adopted daughter. My aunt interviewed your dad and you last year."
"Yeah, I know. I found it funny cause she knew who we were. Flash too." Robin laughed at Wally's expression.
"THEY KNOW!"
"Since the first time I slept over. Flash heard me speaking in Romani in my sleep and knew dad didn't know the language, so he questioned him. Dad told him who we were but made him swear not to say anything. Your aunt overheard when she was walking to the bathroom."
"They are dead."
Robin looked at Wally's angry face before putting a hand on his. "Aren't you glad I told you? I would have told you sooner but I don't really like talking about why I go adopted. Not to mention dad would not be happy. But I trust you."
The speedster finally calmed down and looked at his friend, noticing the pain on her face. He quickly drew her into his arms. "Thank you, for trusting me so much, and I'm sorry I pried. I promise not to tell anyone, no matter what."
"It's fine. I'll just kill you again."
"Not if I kill you first!"
The two friends drew apart and picked up their remotes, started a new game. Once again their shouts and exclamation of glee and frustration filled the air.
"I hate him! Simple as that! There is no way I could like him."
"So you dislike him?"
"Well... no, I don't dislike him."
"So you like him?"
"I DON'T LIKE HIM!"
"So you do dislike him?"
"No, I don't dislike him."
"But you hate him."
"Yes."
The dark haired girl groaned loudly and threw her hands up to cover her face not moving from her lying position. "Arrr, you're melting my brain with your girliness."
"I am not, you're being over dramatic," scoffed the red head.
Riley uncovered her face and flipped onto her stomach to stare at her friend. "Barbs, you can't not like someone, not dislike someone, but hate them!"
"Yes you can, because I do," reasoned Barbara as though it made perfect sense.
The heir to the Wayne fortune stared at her friend for a moment before speaking. "I have decided you're either crazy and need to be heavily medicated or have a giant crush on this guy."
"I do NOT have a crush on Patrick!"
"Then you need to be medicated."
The sound of the back door slinging shut made both girls look over. Walking towards them was a boy only two years their senior. He smiled as he drew closer. "You know a trampoline is for jumping, right? Not gossiping and lying on."
"We're not gossiping," yelped Barbara.
"She's right. I'm trying to work out what medication would be best for her. What do you think, Bradley?"
The blond boy surveyed his sister before turning to the other girl. "Not sure, but you may need a straight jacket too."
"You have a point there." Riley nodded her head as though it made sense.
"Don't team up. That's unfair."
"Don't worry, little sis," started Bradley. "I have to take dad a clean shirt down at the station, he spilt coffee on his, so I can't stay here to torment you."
"Oh, and we had such glorious plans too," sighed Riley, dropping her chin onto her hands as though it was a great loose.
Bradley laughed as he started to walk away. "Bye, Barbs, bye Riley."
"See ya," both girls replied.
"So, speaking of boys," Barbara started the moment her brother was out of earshot. "What is with you and that friend of yours?"
"Which one?" Riley frowned, having no clue if she meant Dean, who she had been talking to on the phone yesterday or one of the boys at school she was friends with.
"The one you spend so much time with, and couldn't meet me until eleven cause you stayed at his house." Barbara grinned widely as though she had something to make Riley squirm with.
"You mean Wally?" The dark haired girl couldn't think of anyone else, since she had slept at Wally's house last night after playing video games all day. "We're friends."
"Sure," Barbara said in a voice that clearly showed she didn't believe her. She was easily distracted though by Riley's charm bracelet. "What's that charm? Is it new? I haven't seen Robin with it." She touched the cobra charm that had been sitting on top of Riley's wrist.
"Oh, she was seen with it last night. Jewellers are going crazy making knockoffs. My dad got the first one made." The lie rolled off of Riley's tongue so naturally, since she had said simpler ones many times before. Shortly after getting the bracelet, people had seen her wearing it and had taken to making copies. The copies were nowhere near as good as hers, since no one was able to get a clear look at the charms and each of her charms was hand made by Wally's mother, who was a jeweller.
"Should have guessed," sighed Barbara, rolling her eyes. "Must be nice, having a father who goes to such lengths to spoil you."
"Barbs," Riley started.
"Riley, I'm not jealous," assured the red head with a large smile. "You get me awesome presents on my birthday."
The dark haired girl had to snort at this just before her phone rang. Quickly, she checked the ID, seeing it was her dad. Answering it, she put it to her ear. "Hello."
"Hi, Dinah wants to talk to you and the others. You should head over," her father instructed, using cryptic talk encase someone could over hear their conversation on her end.
"Alright. Tell them I'll be there soon. Bye, Daddy."
"Bye, Riley."
Riley hung up and turned over, sitting up on the trampoline. "I have to go. You can keep spinning conspiracy theories about Wally and I but there's nothing there."
"See ya, Riley. Call me later."
With a wave good bye, Riley ran out of her friend's back yard, using the gate. She called Alfred as she walked to the manor, knowing he would pick her up on her way. If she had stayed at Barbara's she risked being questioned. Within no time she was getting into the back of one of her father's cars that was being driven by Alfred.
"Thanks."
"Any time, Miss Riley," assured the butler. "Now, let's get you home so you can change."
She changed as fast as she could, shaking her hair numerous times to try to get it back to its naturally messy look after straightening before going through the zetatubes. Riley Grayson was believed to have naturally straight hair, which she sometimes curled, but never messy, that was Robin. When she arrived, she found she was on time, for instead of sparing, they were playing air hockey, and Superboy was nowhere to be found. Realising that they couldn't start until Superboy and Black Canary were there, Robin decided to watch their match.
"Hey, guys," she said, scrunching at her hair some more to try and make it loose it's straightness. No one looked at her strangely, for it seemed similar to her habit of ruffling her hair.
After receiving greetings in return, she settled with watching Aqualad and Kid Flash play air hockey. It wasn't long before Superboy come stomping out of the zetatubes, clearly in a bad mood. He walked straight through the air hockey table, making the computer animated form disappear, not caring if anyone was still playing.
"Hi, Superboy, how was Metropolis?" M'gann asked in a chipper voice, clearly trying to brighten the clone's mood.
They looked at the main entrance into the room besides the zetatubes when someone cleared their throat. In walked Martian Manhunter and Black Canary.
"Ready for training everyone?" Black Canary asked before the two martians exchanged greetings. The blonde noticed Superboy turn away from the family affection and start to walk out of the room. "Stick around," she said, though it was clearly an order. "Class is in session." She walked into the middle of the room, the computer brightening the floor with white light. "I consider it an honour to be your teacher. I'll throw a lot at you. Everything I learnt from my mentors," she grimaced as she removed her jacket, revealing a bandage on her arm, "and my own bruises."
"What happened?" M'gann asked in concern.
"The job," Black Canary explained shortly, making Robin nod her head in agreement.
The Girl Wonder knew exactly how it felt to have bruises riddling the body, and the scolding that came with it when her father found out.
"Now, combat is about controlling conflict, putting the battle on your terms," Black Canary started, repeating what Batman had told Robin many timed before. "You should always be acting, never reacting. I'll need a sparring partner."
"Right here," Kid Flash volunteered, raising his hand whilst he talked with banana in his mouth. He walked forward, onto the fighting area. "After this, I'll show you some of my moves." He threw the banana peel into the bin.
Black Canary smirked. She threw a punch which Kid Flash blocked before she crouched and swung a leg out, knocking the red head onto his back.
As the speedster groaned the floor came up with a sign saying 'Fail: Kid Flash', Robin chuckle under her breath.
"Hurts so good," Kid Flash said in a strained voice.
"Good block but did anyone see what he did wrong?" asked their trainer as her sparring partner raised to his feet.
Instantly Robin's hand was in the air as she bounced. "Ooo, ooo. He hit on teacher and got served?"
"Dude!" yelped her best friend.
Black Canary smiled with amusement before talking. "He allows me to dictate the terms of..."
"Oh, please," snapped Superboy, glaring at the blonde. "With my powers, the battle's always on my terms. I'm a living weapon. And this is a waste of my time."
Instantly Robin knew Superboy would be shown otherwise. She had seen Batman and Black Canary both take down people as strong as Superboy, if not more so, with very little effort. One needed to know how to fight, otherwise their strength was just for show.
"Prove it," challenged the Justice league member.
Superboy lowered his brow in a challenging manner before stepping forward, into the training ground, Kid Flash wisely stepping back to the others. He and Black Canary stared each other down before stepping back into fighting stances. Superboy swung, only to have Black Canary sidestep, grabbing his arm and flipping him onto his back. The floor lit up to declare his failure.
Robin pointed at him, laughing. She couldn't help it, seeing as Black Canary didn't even try. Aqualad elbowed her in the ribs, making her cover her mouth to try and hide the fact that she was laughing at the super clone.
with a soft groan and a heavy frown, Super boy got to his feet, glaring the blonde superhero down.
"You're angry, good," started Black Canary, "But don't react. Channel that anger..."
Before she could finish talking, Super boy charged at her, clearly not taking her advise. He clenched his fist, winding it back to strike at her hard. Robin knew exactly what the older woman would do, since she herself would do the same thing. Her prediction was correct when she flipped over Super boy, crouching behind him and swinging her leg out, taking his legs out from under him. Superboy's blind rage had prevented him from seeing the large gaps in his attack. He landed painfully on his back, the floor yet again lighting up.
Again, Robin covered her mouth to hide her chuckles as M'Gann worried for the clone's safety.
Angryly, Superboy rose to his feet. "That's it, I'm done." He pushed away Black Canary's helping hand.
"Training is manditory," she reminded, a calming hand on Superboy's shoulder, only to have it thrown off.
Superboy never had a chance to retort, however, for their communication screen lit up and Batman appeared. "Batman to the cave. Five hours ago a new meanise attacked Green Arrow and Black Canary." A picture appeared of a man with short orange hair, red eyes and elf ears. "The attacker was capable of studying then duplicating the power and abilities of his opponents." They watched as Superman was swung around by his arm, knocking way the other heroes that were trying to get closer. Arrow called in reinforcements which nearly proved disastrous as our foe gained more and more power with each new combattent."
Robin stood in shock, her head starting to race. She knew her father would not be asking them to go verse this man is it so easily threw league members around, but it was still frightening to think something like that existed.
"Wow, one guy with the powers of the entire league," stated Kid Flash, saying what everyone else couldn't seem to verbalise.
"In the end, it took eight leaguers, four hours to defeat nt dismantle the android," Batman admitted.
"An android? But who made it?" questioned Robin, her mind reeling. "Teomaro?"
"Good guess, Robin," praised Batman, "but Red Tornado doesn't think so."
"The technology bares the signifies of Professor Ivo," explained Martian Manhunter.
Aqualad looked at him in shock. "Ivo? But Ivo's dead."
Back Canary looked at the Atlantian over her shoulder, hands in her hips. "That's what we thought, or hoped."
"To make certain this threat is perminantly neutralised, we have to trucks sending the androids parts to two delegate Star Lab facilities in Boston and New York for imidiant evaluation. Every precortion is being taken. We will have four editional decoy trucks encase Ivo, or anyone, tries to recover the remains. You will split into toe undercover teams to safeguard the two real trucks."
"Yes," Kid Flash cheered, making everyone look at him. "Road trip!"
Robin tried not to laugh, though she could understand where Kid Flash's excitement came from.
"So now we take out your trash," snapped Superboy, making Robin roll her eyes behind her mask.
"You had something better to do?" Batman retorted, barely turning on the batglare but still looking intimidating.
Super boy looked away as the information was sent to Aqualad's hand held devise. "Co ordinance received, on our way."
They all took that as their queue to go get ready, Robin rushimg passed Super boy who seemed to want to take his time. Robin looked over at Kid Flash as they left the training room. "This is going to be good."
"I know! Road trips are always awesome, but the league is trusting us with this powerful weapon... even is it is in pieces."
"Pieces or not, trust is trust," reminded Robin, making Kid Flash smile wider.
The information Aqualad received said that they were to dress in civilian clothing two as not to be conspicuous. They all knew that meant putting civilian clothing over the top of their costumes encase they needed to change. Once changed, they took their bikes to the location of the trucks. A handful of the Justice League were already there waiting for them.
"Alright, Superboy and Robin will be going with this truck, heading to Boston, whilst Miss Martian, Aqualad and Kid Flash will be going with this truck to New York," instructed Batman, pointing at each truck in turn as the other leaguers debriefed the drivers.
Robin noticed the meaningful look her father sent her when saying she was paired with Superboy. The clone probably assumed it was so he could keep Robin safe, but Robin knew it was so she could keep him safe. He may have had the strength, but she had the skill, and if anyone could make a plan around his rash behavior, it was her.
They confirmed that they understood, then proceeded to wait for the cargo to be loaded onto the trucks. They were given confirmation that everything was ready and then they were allowed to go. Three trucks headed in one direction as the other three trucks headed in the other, superheroes training behind both lots.
After a few minutes the three trucks Robin and Superboy were following broke off, leaving them to only follow the real truck and not the decoys. It was then that Robin decided to break the tension with a question that had been bothering her since her talk with Barbara.
"If dislike is the opposite of like, is disaster the opposite of aster?" She looked over at Superboy only to find him not seeming to care, thinking he may be confused, she elaborated. "See, instead of things are going wrong, they go right." She still received no reaction. "Uh, clearly you're not feeling the aster. What's wrong?"
"Canary," Superboy snapped. "What business does she have teaching combat skills to a guy with super strength?"
"Taking down stronger guys is part of the gig," explained Robin in a calm voice. "Canary learned that the hard way. Same with Batman... and, well... me."
The clone did not seem to like that answer and sped ahead. Robin sighed and caught up to him, figuring that if he was already mad then it didn't hurt to give him some advise. "Superboy, learning how to use your super strength doesn't make you weak, it will make you stronger." She simply received a glare for her trouble, though she could see the wheels turning in his head. She knew he could see the sense in her words, though he was being too stubborn to admit it.
Before Robin could say more, Robotic monkeys jumped out of the corn field beside them and started attacking the truck. "How Wizard of Oz," she muttered before she got a communication from Aqualad.
"Robin, Superboy, our truck is under attack."
"Kinda figured," Robin joked, looking at the dozen that clung to their truck.
"I hate monkeys," growled Superboy, glaring at the mechanical primates.
It was moments like that that Robin was glad Superboy didn't have heat vision, for a lot of things seem to make him glare, including herself.
The monkeys surprised the driver, making him swerve over the road.
"Robot monkeys," Robin laughed, "Totally Ivo's tweaked style." She pressed a button on the console in front of her, putting her bike into battle mode and releasing a small, aerial devise to help them fight. "Hey," she said to Superboy, trying to get his attention. "Hey, switch your ride to Battle Mode."
"No point," the male growled, jumping off his bike and onto the truck.
"Or not," muttered Robin before jumping off her own, narrowly missing Superboy's bike that took out her own. She connected a grappling hook to the truck, swinging over. The moment she landed she kicked one of the monkeys off and started dealing with the others. There was only so much she could do whilst holding onto the back of a moving vehicle though. She could tell by the amount of monkeys flying off the roof that Superboy was fighting the ones up there, which was something. She kicked one off into two others that were flying closer, her aerial devise shooting another, only to be taken out by the monkeys.
As Robin was trying to climb onto the top of the truck to where Superboy was, she spotted him being lifted away by three of the monkeys. They then dropped him painfully onto the road. Robin winced, imagining how much that must have hurt. She didn't have enough time to see if he got up for she had to deal with the monkeys as the truck sped away from her friend. She destroyed one last monkey on the back of the truck before she was able to jump onto the roof, only to find more. There seemed to be an endless supply. She pulled out her night sticks, spinning them before charging at the monkeys, swinging the night sticks to defend herself. She flipped away from the debris of those she had destroyed, turning when she landed to see more jump onto the truck. She prepared herself only to have Superboy heavily land on the truck, throwing Robin back. She was able to steadied herself on the edge of the roof, only to have to monkeys pop the wheels, making her wobble again.
She crouched down, holding onto the edge, and looked through the front window at the driver. "Get out!" she demanded. The driver opened the door and Robin grabbed him, throwing them both into the corn field. She jumped away from him before they landed, preventing either of them from getting to badly injured. Seconds later, the truck rolled.
Robin pulled the driver out of the corn field in time to see the monkeys fly away with their half of the android, the truck smoking but no one seemed to be badly hurt. Superboy threw the truck off of him and jumped, following the monkeys.
"SUPERBOY!" Robin shouted, doubting he would listen.
A message came through her comm. System. "Aqualad to Robin, we've lost our cargo."
Robin sighed. "Ours is gone," she admitted. "And so's my partner." She listened to Superboy yell at Aqualad through the comms and then not answer the Atlantian. "I think he ditched his comm."
"Super, now we can't even track him," Kid Flash said in a clearly annoyed tone, giving Robin an idea.
She started looking around in the debris for a monkey that wasn't completely destroyed as M'gann's voice rang in her ear.
"His out of my telepathic range. This Professor Ivo, if he is alive, seems to be one step ahead of us. M...maybe we should contact Red Tornado?"
"Red Tornado always tells us to handle things ourselves," reminded Aqualad. "And this mission can still succeed if we recovered the missing parts before they are reassembled."
"Greeat plan, except the part where we don't know where they are!" snapped Kid Flash.
Robin snorted. Predictable, she thought, Wally never thinks over situations properly. She finally found a monkey that wasn't completely smashed and decided to put her best friend out of his miserable mood. "Maybe we do." She crouched down, pulling a cord out of her wrist computer, plugging it into the monkey's back. "We would have heard by now if the decoy trucks were attacked." She tapped on the computer, hacking into the information with the robotic monkey, looking for the information she wanted. "How did these monkeys know exactly what trucks to target." Finally she found it. Her hunch had been right on the mark. Thank god Wally has a mouth. She might not have thought of it so quickly if it wasn't for him. She instantly brought up a map, hacking into their locator system. "Ha, the monkeys have GPS! The monkeys can track the signal, which means I can track it with the one I captured. It looks like both sets of parts are on..." she watched the dots quickly move, a sense of dread coming over her as she realised exactly where it was going. "Gotham City." Her stomach dropped as she remembered the footage her dad showed her. If they didn't hurry, that could be Batman, or Wally.
"That far south?" Aqualad asked, making Robin roll her eyes and think, obviously. "M'gann and I won't get there any time soon. I'm sending Kid on ahead to meet you."
Robin knew Wally would catch up to her so she may go on ahead. She slung the monkey over her shoulder and hit a button on her wrist computer, hoping her bike wasn't too damaged that the mini bike wouldn't work.
"Definitely a disaster, heavy on the dis."
In the mean time she changed out of her civilian clothing, knowing she was going to have to fight. She folded her clothing as small as possible and put them in a compartment in her belt. The amount that thing could hold was shocking. Luckily, her mini bike appeared, allowing her to get on and drive it towards Gotham. The sky was almost completely dark and she was entering Gotham City by the time Kid Flash caught up to her.
"You changed too," she noted.
"You kidding? Ugh, I feel naked in civvies." He looked over at her. "You still tracking the parts?"
"They were heading through Gotham, but they veered. Wait!" They finally stopped moving. "Dude, they're at my school."
"You've got to be kidding?!" yelped Kid Flash. "What's it doing there?"
"No clue," admitted Robin, "But we should hurry before it's put together. And if it's already together, then we should hurry before it destroys the whole school and dad uses it as an excuse it to home school me."
Kid Flash just laughed, running a bit faster as Robin drove faster. When they drew closer Robin narrowed the signal to identify where in the school the android was. She informed Kid Flash that it was in the gym. "We should split up, encase it's there with Superboy. You run through the school and I'll use the back entrance."
"Alright, be careful."
They appeared in time, Kid Flash being able to grab Superboy out from under the android's attack, running over to Robin. When he was out of the way, Robin threw one of her bird-a-rangs bomb at him.
"Accessing Martian Manhunter," the android said in a monotone, fazing through the attack, the bird-a-rang exploding behind him. "Accessing Red Tornado." He created a tornado around his lower half and advanced on the three heroes, sending them all flying.
Robin landed not too far from Superboy with a groan. She instantly looked around for Kid Flash, who was slowly rising to his feet, only to find the android standing in front of him.
"Accessing Captain Atom."
A panicked look appeared on Kid Flash's face before he ran; barely missing the laser that almost hit him. He ran around the basketball court, trying to attack from behind. The android saw it coming though and turned to face him. He accessed Black Canary's ability, seeming to dislocate his jaw to scream at Kid Flash, throwing him back.
As Robin rose to her feet, Superboy threw a punch at the android, only for it to be stopped and for Superboy to go flying through the air. Again, Robin tried with a bird-a-rang, hoping he would be confused by the consecutive attacks. The enemy easily slipped into Martian Manhunter again, swinging his arms around and batting away her attack. She and Superboy dived out of the way of his extended arms as they crashed into the bleachers, turning them into dust.
Kid Flash tried to do a surprise attack, but the android grabbed his wrist and pulled him into his tight grip. "Accessing Superman."
Robin tried to get to her feet as quickly as possible, but her legs were somewhat wobbly with constantly being thrown around. Her head started rising as Kid Flash screamed out in pain. She reached for a bird-a-rang as she crouched on her knees, hoping that it would distract the android. Thankfully, before she had even drawn it from her belt an arrow had flown at the man's head.
"Accessing Martian Manhunter."
Kid Flash slipped straight threw the man's grip when he phased out so as not to get hit by the arrow. The arrow landed close to Robin, who sighed with relief that her friend was safe. The speedster ran away from the android as Superboy charged, only to be thrown into the bleachers. Robin took the chance of his distraction to throw the bird-a-rang she had out at him. She unfortunately missed and drew his attention. He accessed Superman's head vision, his eyes glowing red.
She didn't have a chance to reach before Kid Flash had ran passed, wrapping his arms around her waist. Robin instantly reacted, putting her arms around his shoulders and lifting her legs higher off the ground. The android's hit sent more debris flying, knocking red-head off his feet. He cradled Robin to him as he turned, taking the brunt of the landing. The wind was knocked out of both of them, making them not move. Robin would never tell him, but Kid Flash's arm had slammed into her ribs on impact and she was sure she would have a bruise. It would devastate him to know he was the cause of one of her injuries.
They slowly gained their breaths back, Kid Flash removing his arm from where it draped over her waist. The two rose to their knees, breathing evenly.
"Are you alright?" Kid Flash asked her, pushing back her hair to survey her face for signs of pain or injury.
"Fine." She turned her attention to Superboy, who was yelling at Ivo and attacking him.
"Great, his gone ballistic again."
"Maybe not," Robin said with a pause, her mind reeling.
"Amazo, protect your master, priority alpha," Ivo said, looking terrified and jumping away from Superboy's attack.
"The android can only access one hero at a time, but he can throw us away too easily for us to use that. But if he is distracted by trying to protect Ivo, and keep us away from him..."
"He can't just throw us away with canary cries and tornados without hurting Ivo," Kid Flash finished, comprehension covering his face.
Let's go," Robin said before running towards Ivo who was being lifted up by his monkeys. "Anyone want to play keep away?" She kicked him in the back, sending him careening to the ground.
"Oh, me, me," Kid Flash agreed, running towards where Ivo laid.
"Access Superman," the android said in his monotone voice, slamming his foot into the ground, the shockwave sending Kid Flash flying away from Ivo.
Robin spied Superboy getting closer, using Kid Flash and Robin as the distraction. The female threw a bird-a-rang at the android, timing it perfectly. As predicted, it accessed Martian Manhunter to let it go straight threw him. Superboy jumped down, putting his fist through the android's head seconds before it solidified.
"Accessing Super..."
Sparks appeared around its head and Superboy's fist. It was only seconds before it blew up, throwing Superboy back. The android fell backwards, its neck smoking. Robin ran forward, knowing to never leave Ivo's devises in one piece, head or no.
"Help ne disassemble him! Now!" Robin ordered.
"Duude," Kid Flash started, walking towards Superboy and rubbing his arm. "His got no head."
Aqualad and M'gann appeared at the door, finally having caught up. It was the Atlantian who talked first, obviously having heard the two friends. "Don't take any chances!"
M'gann flew straight to Superboy, making sure he was okay as Aqualad ran to aid Robin.
"Fine," assured the clone to the green woman. He then turned to look at Robin, who looked over her shoulder, feeling the light blue gaze. "Feeling the aster," he assured, making Robin grin.
She noticed that M'gann looked slightly confused and hurt, but Robin gave her a friendly smile. The Girl Wonder had no interests in the strong boy in that manner and she could tell he felt the same in return.
"Hey, where's Ivo?" exclaimed Kid Flash, still holding his shoulder.
Robin noticed it was the one he landed on when he saved her and felt a wave of guilt for his pain. It seemed as though Kid Flash had received the most of the hits. They all looked around for the odd scientist though and noticed he was nowhere in sight. Figuring their main duty was the disassembling of the android, they returned to that.
Once it had been pulled to pieces again Robin and Kid Flash turned to the arrow still imbedded in the floor. They looked at each other before Robin pulled it out of the ground and tucked it into the back of her belt.
"You alright?" Kid Flash asked in concern when Robin sighed.
"Yeah, tired," she admitted. "If you remember, we didn't get much sleep last night. We really shouldn't stay up until three in the morning playing video games."
"I slept in," Kid Flash reminded with a grin. "You had to get up early like a good girl."
"I had to meet a friend," she said in justification. She looked around at the mess. "My principle is going to chuck a fit," she muttered, making her friend laugh.
Eventually a handful of leaguers appeared to transport the parts, figuring it was safer for them to do it, especially after seeing the state the teenagers were in. Instead they were told to return to the mountain. Robin had to show the others where the closest zeta tube was, since the others never visited Gotham unless they absolutely had to. It was the worst city of all the cities they covered.
It was close to one o'clock in the morning when they returned to the mountain, only to find Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Green Arrow and Batman waiting for them and explain what happened.
"The android is in pieces again," assured Aqualad when they had finished explaining everything. "Safely being analysed at the two Star Labs. But Ivo escaped, and since he originated the tech, his arguably more dangerous than the android."
"Capturing the professor will be a league priority," informed Black Canary, leaving no room for argument.
"But we understand your mission encountered... other complications," Martian Manhunter said, crossing his arms.
They all looked at each other, expecting a scolding. Batman stepped forward, looming over them all. "Complications come with the job. Your ability to handle them has impressed the League."
Robin felt herself swell with happiness. She always worried she was letting her father down by not taking charge, not easily defeating the enemy and things of the like.
"All the League?" Superboy asked, looking hopeful.
"Given time, yes," assured Batman, "Kryptonains, as you know, have very hard heads."
Superboy looked away, clearly not getting the answer he wanted.
Batman turned back to all of them. "Of course, there's no shame in asking for help. That's why the League exists. Because there's some problems even we can't handle individually.
"Please," snapped Robin, getting a shocked look off her father. "If we needed help, we'd never get the chance to ask." She pulled the arrow out from the back of her belt and waved it in Batman's face who took it and handed it to Green Arrow. "Look familiar?! You were following us. Babysitting! YOU STILL DON'T TRUST US!" She wanted her father to believe she knew how to handle herself, and that Wally would always be there for her.
"We didn't follow you," Batman said as Green Arrow pulled out one of his own arrows. To everyone but Robin, it sounded like Batman's ordinary voice, but Robin could notice the slight difference, letting her know that as much as her father had wanted to, he had refrained.
She looked at the two arrows, noticing that they were greatly different. "And that's not your arrow..." she said slowly, "but that means..."
"Speedy!" Kid Flash exclaimed with a cheer.
"He has our backs!" Aqualad agreed, grinning.
Kid Flash sped over to Green Arrow, snatching the arrow away. "Souvenir."
Robin noticed that Green Arrow and Batman shared a look, making doubt claw at her insides, but she didn't let it show. She didn't want to upset the others with her thoughts. She turned out what Superboy was saying to Black Canary, knowing it wasn't important to her. Instead she started thinking over what who it could have been who shot the arrow that saved Kid Flash.
"I need sleep!" Robin declared, turning to her father. "Can we go?"
Batman nodded to her, turning to finish talk to the other Leaguers. Robin did the same with her friends.
"See ya," she said, giving a wave. She then turned to Wally, who had pulled off the top of his mask and was still holding his shoulder. "Put some ice on that." Robin gave Wally a gentle hug, feeling Wally's hand touch the middle of her back, pulling her closer. She dropped her head onto his chest and gave him a quick, soft squeeze as her way of saying thank you for saving her. Robin, in turn, felt Wally press his hand on her back a little firmer, letting her know he understood.
She drew back and stepped away, feeling her father drape an arm over her shoulders, letting her lean into him for support as her energy left her. With one last wave she walked off with the Dark Knight, to the zeta tubes. They arrived home quickly and before Robin could walk off for a quick show and to change into her pyjamas she felt her father grab her shoulders, turning her around.
"Are you injured?" he asked, his cowl removed and his worried gaze on her face.
She smiled. "A little battered from being thrown around but nothing major."
"No bruises?"
"Maybe one on my ribs, but it doesn't hurt too much."
Bruce removed her mask so that he could see her eyes. She met his brown eyes with her blue, showing the honesty on them. Her father sighed and pulled her towards him, giving her a hug that she happily returned.
"You have no idea how much I wanted to follow you tonight. I had a feeling something was wrong, I just figured it was Superboy's mood. That's why I put you with him, figuring you would calm him or speak some sense into him." He kissed the top of his daughter's messy hair, ignoring the taste of dirt and sweat it left on his lips. As long as he did not taste his daughter's blood when he kissed her head, he didn't care what else there was.
"I know, but I'm okay. There was only one scrape that could have hurt, but Wally saved me." She failed to mention that it would have been fatal, but knew her father had picked up on it.
"Go have a shower and get changed. I'll come see you to say good night."
Riley nodded and walked towards the changing room, undoing her belt as she went. She wasn't a child anymore, and didn't need her father to tuck her in at night, but she also knew that it wasn't so much for her sake as for her father's. It made him sleep more peacefully knowing she was safe. That was why she rarely slept at the mountain, unless she was completely exhausted.
There really was a bruise on her ribs, but luckily not a dark one. She slowly walked up the stairs, her legs feeling like led. It was as she slid into her bed that someone appeared at her door, knocking softly.
"Come in," she called, knowing who it was.
"Miss Riley, do want something to eat before bed? You have missed dinner," Alfred stated, not stepping into the room since there was no real need once the door was open.
"No, thank you, Alfred," she replied sleepily. "I'm too tired to eat, I'll just have a big breakfast when I wake up."
"Big breakfast it is," Alfred agreed with a slight bow. "Sweet dreams, Miss Riley."
"Good night, Alfred."
Just as the butler was pulling the door closed, her father appeared at the door, smiling. He ducked in, passed Alfred and walked towards the bed. He pulled the blankets around Riley's shoulders and sat on the edge of the bed. "Do you have a bruise?"
"Yes, but it's small." Riley thought for a moment before finally voicing the question in her mind. "Who was it that shot that arrow? I want it to be Speedy, but I'm not stupid."
"I have a hunch that it was a girl a few years older then you, but I am not positive yet," admitted her father, pushing a lock of hair from her face. "Get some sleep. Roy cares about you, all of you. Give it time and he will come around. Good night, sweetheart." He kissed her hairline, not tasting the filth of last time since it had been washed away. "I love you."
"Good night, Daddy, I love you too." She closed her eyes, feeling her father leave the space next to her. The last thing she heard was the door creaking closed behind him, the light from the hallway being cut off. Sleep took her quickly like a wave.
Sorry for the long wait but I wrote 6000 words worth of this today alone. I had to get the episode and keep pausing it to get it right, since I see this mission as an important part of Riley/Wally as well as DaddyBats and DaughterBird growth... if that makes sense. R and R please.