A/N: In which Roy is amazing
Chapter 18
Robin had always been one of the toughest members of the team. Even though he was the youngest, he had the most experience in the crime fighting world. He'd seen a heck of a lot in his few short years as Robin but nothing could have prepared him what he was facing.
During the disastrous training exercise with the team, Robin had done his best to keep a level head. Batman had trained him to be prepared for any scenario, even his own death. Robin had been secretly preparing for that devastating moment. On then nights when Bruce came home, beaten, shot, or stabbed, Robin had felt as if his heart had been ripped right out of his chest. There was always the chance of losing a second father. During that horrid day, his emotions had been tampered with. He hadn't felt the full force of the older man's death.
Sure, they had been experiencing the apocalypse. He'd known in his head that there was no way a bunch of teenagers could defeat an entire battalion of aliens. Still, that didn't mean they had to stop fighting back. He would lead them into the fight until the very end. If he gave in, broke down, he would have failed everyone he cared about. He would have failed his team. He would have failed Bruce's memory. He would have failed his parents.
He couldn't fail.
Nevertheless, it hadn't been real. There had never really been a chance of failure at all. The aliens? The deaths? It was all part of some sad, sick, twisted nightmare that he hoped to forget as soon as possible. When M'gann had taken control of the exercise, it had been an absolute disaster. He'd led his best friend to his death and the guilt he felt…it had never quite gone away. This? This nightmare was real. His best friend really was dying this time and there was nothing he could do about it. There was no enemy he could hit or kick or hack. Wally was being attacked by something Dick couldn't face. At times, Dick wondered if he'd once again led his friend to an untimely demise.
It was tearing the younger boy apart. He hadn't felt so helpless sense...
Dick squeezed his eyes shut. No, he couldn't think about his parents. That would only serve to make things worse. Then he'd be completely useless.
"Rob. Hey, come back. Come back to us. We really can't afford to have you go down too. Come on, it's me, you, and him. The original three. I we go down, who's gonna help these rookies? They're so green, it's ridiculous." Roy shook his shoulder lightly. Clearly, humor wasn't going to get Robin to come out of his slump. Time to come up with another tactic. Comfort maybe? "Wally's gonna be okay. We're gonna save him."
Roy could tell that Robin was quickly falling apart at the seams. He's taken off his mask and his clear blue eyes shone with unshed tears. The kid was miserable. This wasn't the Robin he was used to seeing. Where was the laughter, the mischief? When he, Wally, and Robin were children, everywhere they went was filled with their mirth. It was never dull. It was never boring. They'd vowed to always take care of each other. "Robin." Roy brushed the bangs out of the younger boy's eyes. "You know I'm here right? You can talk to me. Don't keep this inside. We made a pact, remember?" He poked his best friend in the chest. "That's how they'll get you. We have to stay strong for our friend."
"You don't understand, Roy. You don't-" Robin's throat clenched. Why did he suddenly feel so weak? He'd never been the teammate to break down before. Never him. He was the one who was supposed to help others when they lost their heads. He'd kept Artemis in the games when she needed the motivation.
"Okay, come here. I know what you need." Roy pulled Robin to his feet and led him to the medical bay. Robin fought him most of the way but eventually stopped pulling away. Black Canary was helping M'gann stick a feeding tube down Wally's throat. Robin cringed at the sight. "Where's Atom? We need him."
"I think he's gone to bed. What do you need him for?" Black Canary asked as she pulled off her rubber gloves. M'gann didn't spare either of them a second glance. Roy had to admit, M'gann looked like she'd been through a war. Obviously, she was feeling much the same as Robin.
"Wake him up. We need to see Batman. It's rather urgent." Roy replied.
"He seems awfully busy right now-"
"Believe me, he'll make an exception for this." Roy cut her off. He'd seen how close the bird and the bat where. If Robin wasn't willing to lean on him, then Roy would just have to call out the big guns.
Black Canary looked at Robin's face and immediately acquiesced. She couldn't picture Batman being the caring type but if that was what the boy needed, she'd get him. "Give me a second. I'll go wake Atom up. We'll try to get in contact with him." She said.
"Good."
"Roy, I'll be fine really-"
"Shut up Robin. You're gonna sit down and you're gonna talk to Batman. Your Batman. Clearly, the one in this world isn't going to be any help to you. I thought that since you said things were getting better between you, you would be able to talk to him but I was wrong. Now, it's time for you to talk to someone who you can really yourself with." Roy pulled him towards the monitor room where a yawning Captain Atom and Black Canary were already waiting.
"Ted might be asleep so I don't know if this will work. No promises." Ray said sleepily. He did not like being yanked out of bed so late. It was bad enough that he spent most of his time strapped to a computer. It stunk.
"Please try. I know you'd rather be asleep but we wouldn't be here if it wasn't important." Roy said.
"Alright. I understand." Ray shrugged and began to go to work.
Roy turned to Robin. "I mean it, you need to talk to someone. You don't have to be the strong one all the time." Roy ruffled his hair. "You're human."
The screen flickered to life and the sleepy face of Blue Beetle appeared.
"What's up guys? Anything new happen?" He asked.
"We need to see Batman. Hurry Ted."
"Batman? Hold on. I'll go get him. I'm pretty sure that he's still here." Ted ducked out of the frame.
"Roy really-" Robin tried to deter his older friend.
"I meant it when I told you to shut up, Robin."
They waited in silence for a few moments for the man to return.
It only took a few seconds before Batman joined Blue Beetle on the screen.
"What's going on? What's happened?" The Dark Knight demanded.
"You," Roy pointed to the screen, "need to talk to him. He's really messed up right now and I doubt he'll talk to anyone else. I'll head out and so will Canary. Clear the room on your end and you two can have a chat. Come on Dinah." Roy mock saluted and lead the leather clad female from the room.
The room filled with an ominous silence one they were left alone. Atom was dozing in the corner and it was clear he wouldn't remember anything said.
Finally, Batman broke the silence.
"Where is your mask?" He asked evenly.
"The team agreed no secrets. We needed to be able to trust one another, that included my name." Robin replied shakily.
"Robin-"
"Bruce please...please." Dick tried to keep the pleading tone out of his voice. He didn't want to hear the anger and disappointment in Bruce's voice. That would only serve to make things worse. It was nights like these when he would often find himself curling up in Bruce's bed instead of his own. He didn't want to be alone.
"Robin, I really-"
"Do I look like Robin right now? No! I don't want to talk to the cowl Bruce!" Robin cried. "I want-I want-" Robin heaved loudly.
Bruce was silent for a few moments. There weren't many moments when he saw his ward lose control of his fragile hold on his emotions. Dick had always been brave beyond his years. Now Bruce was getting a glimpse at the child he really was. Finally, he pulled his cowl down to reveal his wearied face.
"I'm here, Dick. I'm here." He said quietly. "Tell me what's wrong."
YJ
"Where is Robin?" Kaldur ask tensely when Roy reentered the room.
"Talking to Batman. He needed it." Roy responded. "And I get the feeling you need someone too. You look like hell Kal."
"I have told you before, my friend. I am alright." Kaldur said defensively. He didn't need one more person telling how much of a failure he was.
"I know what you've said and I know it's a load of BS." Roy said.
"You are wrong."
"I am? So let me get this straight. You just found out your father is a super villian, Mera, the woman you look at like a second mother, treated you like crap, and there's a possibility that Wally might die. Did I get everything? All of that and you're 'fine'. Kaldur, I know you." Roy crossed his arms. "Stop lying to yourself."
"I assure you I am not. I feel fine, just a little drained. Surely you of all people can identify with that."
"I can. We're all feeling just a tad bit drained. Some more than others." He shot a glance at M'gann. She was done looking after Wally and had settled down in a seat. She was talking to Artemis in soft tones. "I've noticed, she's kind of the glue that holds you guys together. Now she's kind of losing it too. I'm wondering if it's the stress or if it's this virus, spell...whatever it is. I wonder if it's breaking us down."
"Your theory is not that far-fetched."
"Then why are you letting it beat you? We don't have time to waste on you feeling sorry for yourself, Kal. Especially now."
"I am not trying to be sorry for myself. I am...I do not know what I am. I do not know who I am." Kaldur voice was filled with agony.
"Who you are? Kal, you're an amazing friend, a great fighter, a dedicated solider, and a fantastic person. You're the one person who's not afraid to tell me, or anyone for that matter, to shut up and listen. You're a leader. This team needs your head in the game, man. Right now, the only person who isn't somewhat off their rocker is Artemis. Wally's down, M'gann's over worked, Conner's having daddy issues, Robin's losing it, and you already know how crazy I am." Roy shook Kaldur's shoulders. "C'mon man. C'mon! You've got to get it together. If you fall apart, this team falls apart and we lose Wally. Do you want that to happen?"
"To imply that-"
"Yes or no question, Kal."
"…No. I do not want that. I do not want us to give up so easily. It is just…"
"Black Manta's your dad. So what. That doesn't change who you are Kaldur. Just because he's such a bad guy doesn't mean you are. You haven't changed." Roy tapped him on the forhead. "And let M'gann give you some meds. Don't be in pain when you don't have to be."
Kaldur nodded silently and then turned away. He had never known his usually hotheaded friend to show such wisdom.
"Rob might be in there a while so don't wait up. Go get some rest, Kaldur."
YJ
"They believe the kids are decoys? That's unexpected." Superman had not been away for long but clearly much had transpired in his absence.
"We need to speak to them. If those children are not in our dimension, our first priority returns to putting thinsg back in balance. That means transporting the team home." Batman said.
"The monitor room is being used currently." Black Canary said off handedly.
"It shouldn't be. Who's in there?" Batman demanded.
"Wally's sick. Very sick. They think there's a possibilty he might die soon and Robin...he isn't taking it well."
"You let a teenager commendere the monitor-"
"There just kids, Bruce. His best friend is practically on his death bed and he doesn't know what to do. He's talking to you in there. Well, the other you, that is."
"You cannot always give into the whims of a child-"
"I didn't. Roy suggested it and I agreed. It's done. You'll just have to deal with it!" Black Canary snapped.
"Dinah-" Superman began.
"Save it Clark. Save it. I'm going to go check on Robin really quickly and then I'm heading to bed myself. I suggest you do the same. Things are going to be hectic in the morning." Black Canary swept her hair over her shoulder and sauntered off towards her room.
"She's right. I'm heading to bed, Bruce. There's nothing we can do about it now." Clark yawned. "I'm gonna go say goodnight to the team. See you Bruce."
Bruce Wayne was not happy that Robin had taken it upon himself to take the monitor room. Still, he could not fight his own curiosity. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he pressed his ear to the door.
So, lot's of Roy in this Chapter but he deserved the time. Don't know if i'll have time to update on Friday-Sunday, I have a college visit.