When you spend almost every night of the year dressed as a superhero, you wouldn't expect Halloween to be such a big deal. But for whatever reason, the Wayne children loved the pseudo-holiday. They had all spent weeks picking out and perfecting their costumes and were all excited to show them off.
"Of all the costumes in the world, this is what you pick?" Bruce sighed, rolling his eyes at Dick's Superman suit. "Aw, don't be jealous Bruce. I still love you." Dick grinned. "I'm not jealous." The man insisted. "I just thought I raised you with better taste."
"My costume is good, Baba?" Cass asked hopefully, twirling to show off her Cleopatra costume. "Your's is perfect, sweetheart." Bruce smiled, and his daughter beamed.
"We're gonna be late." Tim moaned, fiddling anxiously with the visor of his astronaut helmet. "Jason! Damian! We don't have all day!" Bruce yelled.
"Ready when you are Bats." An eerie voice croaked from the top of the stairs. Cass and Tim screamed at the sight of The Clown Prince in their home. Bruce immediately went into Batman mode, shoving his children behind him and telling them to run.
But before anyone could move, the white-faced man at the top of the stairs began to laugh a familiar but decidedly less terrifying laugh. "Jason Peter Todd-Wayne, did you really think that was appropriate?" Bruce scolded as his second-oldest joined them in the foyer.
"Aw come on if I can laugh about it…." Jason stared but stopped when he realized no one was unclenching their jaws. "Why on earth would you want to dress up as… him?" Tim growled, still keeping his distance from this rendition of the green-haired freak. "So we can do this." Jason stuck two fingers in his mouth at let out a shrill whistle.
Seconds later, Damian came sliding down the banister, firing shots from his paintball pistols. The first two hit the faux Joker square in the chest, and he feigned agony before collapsing to the floor and playing dead. Bruce shook his head as his two devious children laughed. What was he going to do with them?
"Damian, give those to me." He ordered snatching the toy guns from his youngest son before he even had a chance to protest. While Damian complained that the loss of his pistols lessened the authenticity of his cowboy costume Bruce turned on Jason.
"You have five minutes to change and get back down here before I ground you for that stunt." Jason gave a cheeky salute before running back to his room to get dressed for real this time.
There was another reason the Wayne children loved Halloween. Gotham Prep and Gotham Academy had the tradition of the Halloween carnival. Classes were canceled, and the school grounds were converted to a land of fun and games for the day. And as was their tradition, the Bat kids spent the day together.
"I'm telling you this carnaval gets lamer every year." Jason grimaced, pulling at the eye patch of his half-assed pirate costume. "I hate to admit it, but I agree with Todd." Damian huffed. "What is the point of games with no prizes?"
"Ya know, some things are just for fun." Tim smirked, to which his younger brother rolled his eyes. "At least you win glory and bragging rights with the costume contest." Stephanie consoled as their group joined the line of students signing up.
"Dressing as Superman in Gotham? Have you no shame?" A haughty voice chided from behind them. Dick's face fell for a split second before he managed to put on a weak fake smile.
"Hey Rodney. Nice costume." He complimented and genuinely meant it. Rodney Mitchell's Batman costume looked impressively realistic to the point that the Waynes might have thought he'd stolen it from The Batcave.
"Ah, Richard." Rodney said snootily. "I should have guessed. An inferior hero for an inferior student." "Last I checked, Dick's GPA outranks yours." Barbara pointed out defensively. "Barbara. Still settling, I see." Rodney said, dismissively pushing his dark hair away from his eyes before turning back to his original target.
"It's one thing if you choose to make a fool of yourself in the classroom Richard but for your so-called family's sake, save yourself the embarrassment this time." With that, Rodney pushed his way to the front of the line, leaving a mass of disgruntled students in his wake.
The Bat kids glared after him. Most of the kids at this school walked around with a 'mightier than thou attitude', but that had been on a whole other level. "What is that guy's problem?" Steph grunted. "He used to be nicer." Barbara sighed.
"Until I showed up." Dick mumbled softly. "Has he been picking on you all these years?" The redhead questioned, placing a gentle hand on Dick's arm. "Only since his mom left." Dick admitted. "I guess it's his way of grieving."
"Oh boo hoo." Jason spat. "We've all lost people. You don't see us walking around asking like douchbags." "He is bully." Cass said with vehemence. "Yeah, Dick. You'd never let someone treat us like that." Tim argued. "I appreciate the loyalty, but just drop it guys." Dick insisted. "Let's not let him ruin our day off."
III
They all did their best to honor Dick's request. After all, they could each enact their separate revenge schemes at later dates. In the meantime, they tried to enjoy their day of games, prizes, and general good times.
As the school day drew to an end, the Headmaster and the appointed teachers prepared to announce the winners of the different costume categories. With Tim bringing home the prize for best career costume, Cass winning best historical accuracy, and Stephanie winning the popular vote for her evil nun costume, their group easily counted the day as a successful Halloween.
"And now, students," The Headmaster called out to the crowd. "While every costume here is impressive, there can only be one grand prize winner, and that is… Mr. Richard Grayson Wayne for his Superman costume." Dick blushed modestly as the other students gave him a round of applause.
"No!" Someone yelled over the cheering crowd. "I demand a recount." "I'm sorry, Mr. Mitchell, but the judges have made their decision." The Headmaster said dismissively.
"You!" Rodney roared as he shoved his way through the dispersing crowd. "You cheated!" "Come on guys. Let's get out of here." Dick said, quickly grabbing at his siblings to pull them along.
"Don't you dare run from me, Richard, you coward!" Rodney sneered as he grabbed Dick's shoulder and spun him around. "Who did you bribe to get your way this time?!" "Leave him alone, Rodney!" Barbara snapped, slapping the angry boy's hand away from her friend. "He won fair and square just like always."
The dark-haired boy fumed as he whirled to face his redheaded ex-friend. "Still defending him? After he dragged you down the social ladder? Of course. He used that innocent gypsy charm to keep you around just like he did with Wayne and every major authority in this school."
"Look, Rodney, you can have whatever the award was for best costume. I'll even ask the Headmaster to present it to you, ok?" Dick tried to bargain while simultaneously holding back his siblings.
Rodney's eyes burned with hatred as he stared Dick down. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Looking all humble in front of the teachers? You have ten minutes to show up behind the school Richard."
Tim was the first to speak as he wrestled himself out of his oldest brother's grip. "As much as he deserves it, you're not gonna fight him, are you?"
"Of course he is!" Jason answered on Dick's behalf. "This prick needs to get his ego checked." Damian and Stephanie echoed their agreement.
Dick's eye darted between them as they all began plotting how he'd get away with it all. It was only a soft tug on his sleeve that drew his attention. "Don't," Cass whispered. "You get sus-pend-ed."
"I have to." Dick sighed with a firm resolve. "Rodney won't let this go until he's on top. If this is what it takes, then fine." "And then what? You beat him, and he spends the rest of his high school career trying to bring you down?" Barbara asked incredulously.
The Bat kids all looked at Dick, waiting to see what the family's moral compass would do. "He may be dressed as Batman, but we were trained to think like him. I'm going behind the school. You guys, Protocol Theta Theta."
Dick really shouldn't have been surprised at how many people had gathered behind the school in such a short time. The students of Gotham Prep and Academy were drawn to fights and drama.
"I must admit I didn't think you'd actually show up." Rodney scoffed as Dick pushed his way to the center of the crowd. "Can we get this over with?" Dick grunted. "My ride's gonna be here soon."
"First, I want to hear you say it." Rodney spat. "Tell everyone how my costume, my academic skills surpass yours. How I am better than you." Dick took a breath as he swallowed his pride. "You're better than me." he mumbled, only to stager back as Rodney struck him across the face.
"Louder gypsy trash! So they can hear you!" Rodney began wailing on his sworn foe. A punch for every perceived wrong. "You stole my place as top of the class. You seduced every faculty member to your side. You took the one person worthy of my companionship!"
He stopped for a moment, leaning over Dick to grab a fistful of hair. "Look at you. All face, no brains, at my feet, where you belong."
"There he is! I told you there was a fight." Stephaine yelled above the din of the crowd as she dragged the Headmaster forward. "Dick, are you ok?" Barbara asked with a bit of genuine concern at the sight of his busted and bleeding lip. "I'll live." Dick groaned, playing up the pain for his audience.
"Rodney threatened my brother Headmaster." Jason reported. "He's been harassing him for years." "Mr. Mitchell, as one of our legacy students, I expect more from you. To my office, now." The Headmaster ordered, stepping aside for Rodney to lead the way.
"Sorry, it took us so long." Tim apologized as he helped Dick to his feet. "Nothing I couldn't take." Dick grinned, swiping at his cut.
"What will Father say about your face?" Damian asked. "I'll tell him that Batman beat Superman."
