It was clear that something was wrong.
Despite not knowing what was wrong, Batman knew that something was not right as he paced the hangar waiting for the team to return. It was likely that the kids were fine and he had no reason to worry. It wasn't a complicated mission and the team had been on missions like this before.
It's okay, Bruce. There's nothing you need to worry about," Batman thought as he waited. "You're Batman. You don't worry about these things." Despite his best efforts, he was unable to believe what he was telling himself. It was supposed to be a simple mission, but he hadn't heard back from the team despite contacting them about an hour ago. It was unacceptable to keep Batman waiting for so long.
Batman felt his heart rate quicken nervously after the Bioship landed a few minutes later. The situation was worrying and he had the impression that something terrible had taken place.
As the door slowly opened, the team began exiting the ship. They filed out one by one without the usual smiles, cheers, or laughter that usually accompanied the end of a mission. Aqualad stepped forward first, his face expressionless. It was as if he hadn't even noticed Batman. Artemis followed close behind him. Batman caught her eye, but she looked away quickly. When he saw her face, he saw tears streaming down. Then Superboy stepped out of the ship, gently leading Miss Martian. Superboy had the same stoic face as Aqualad. Batman was surprised that she was able to walk at all because she was sobbing so hard. They stood together and, despite the fact that they were standing just a few feet away, it was as if they were standing miles apart.
Batman wondered why no one was looking at him. Why no one was speaking to him. Why did they appear so worried and depressed? The team was not telling him something and he had a feeling that it had to do with the two teammates who hadn't left the ship yet.
A feeling of dread swept over him as he asked, "Where is Kid Flash and... Robin?". In spite of his desire to avoid knowing, he was certain there was something wrong with Robin.
Someone's words didn't provide the answer he was looking for. In fact, it was the opposite. It was so quiet that Batman was sure the team could hear his anxious heart pounding in his chest. Time seemed to slow down. Kid Flash emerged from the ship. He held Robin in his arms. Robin was not moving.
Although he was calm the entire time, Superboy suddenly let out a sound that seemed to be a mix between a howl and a scream. It was then that tears rolled down his cheeks. Miss Martian fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands as she began to sob louder, if that was even possible. Aqualad looked away, and one didn't need to be a detective to know he was crying.
It wasn't until Batman was gently pulling Robin away from Kid Flash that he realized he had moved. The teen cried, "I'm... sorry... Batman." However, Batman wasn't paying much attention anymore. Instead he was concentrating on his sidekick. Robin's ebony hair was a mess, his eyes were closed, and his mouth was slightly agape. It would have looked as if Robin was asleep if he didn't have a bullet wound in his chest.
How did it happen? Batman needed to know how the mission had ended so wrong.
Neither able nor willing to hide his sadness or pain in his voice, he asked the distraught teen before him, "What happened?" His eyes filled with tears. The Dark Knight is not supposed to cry. It was his duty to remain composed, but as he looked down at his fallen sidekick, barely listening to Kid Flash's story, tears began to stream down his cheeks. Normally, Batman does not cry, but this was an exception.
It was supposed to be a simple mission.
