Ion was not better company.
Sure Zatanna had an attitude and yeah he doesn't trust Bumblebee at all
But God.
It's like he was made to irritate Tim.
"Would you stop looking at everything, I don't know where your mind goes but every time you stare too long at something your glows dims. We need you at your brightest if we're gonna signal the team". Robin mutters, as he once again pushes Ions glowing, shaking hand off of his shoulder.
Three minutes. They had been in Gotham for three minutes, and Tim was ready to kill Kyle.
Ion once again is not least bit sorry as he whines, "Oh come on! Can you really blame me? I've never been to Gotham ya know. You hear all the stories but to actually be here kinda freaked. I mean come on Crime Alley, Devil's Square, Slaughter Swamp, Blackgate! It's like you guys named them purely to freak people out".
For the umpteenth time that day, Tim sighs.
"Well I hope you get over it soon cause we're going to the big one", he mutters, all while dragging Ion forward.
Almost instantly Ion pales. As he looks down at the most fearless fucking twelve years old he's ever met, he sends a small prayer to God.
"Please, I know we haven't talked in a while but puhleeese let the 'big one' be Iceberg Lounge, Wayne Towers, nasty ass Gotham Bay again anything but… that fucking nuthouse".
And even though he said it, even though he prayed on it hard, Kyle wasn't shocked in the slightest when he and Robin arrived at fucking Arkham Asylum.
Because of fucking course, right.
As the glowing green teen and his red-clad teammate landed on the property they instantly noticed something was very wrong.
Surveleice wise everything looked too... peaceful, there were no scuffles, no fights, no screaming.
No sounds. At Arkham Asylum…..during a blackout?
Call him a pessimist but Robin didn't like it, it didn't sound reassuring. And not that he doesn't have faith in his teammates but the fact that he saw no members of Team C around as well as no guards…...he can't help but be a little worried.
It didn't help that Ion was blinking in and out with his fear.
"Please calm down", Tim sourly bit as he grappled himself to the left side of the asylum tower.
Ion's response was almost instant, "You calm down Birdy! Of all the places in Gotham, all the fucked up places and there is a lot why the fuck did you choose this one".
"This is the spot that will need the most surveillance. It heavily uses electronics, and many of the inmates are metas. We need to ensure that they stay in their cells" Tim instantly spits back.
Ion rolls his eyes, because sure that made sense but still.
"Okay, okay fine. But why choose me for this? You had a female Harry Potter right there! Isn't she from Gotham? Also don't know if ya noticed but I don't have the most superhero experience, actually, I have the least, I barely know how to control this thing, don't even know why the ring picked me so- ".
"Would you stop complaining" Tim angrily whispers
"Would you get your seasoned witch to send me back home" Kyle sarcastically whispers back.
"No! No I can't! Because if you haven't noticed for the last time the power is out. I have no way of contacting anybody, Zatanna included! And even if I did she wouldn't help me! If anything she would've made this mission much more difficult than it needs to be, kinda like how you're doing!" Tim yells, he then pauses waiting for Ion's inevitable come back.
Except it doesn't come, Ion actually for the first time since Robin has met him is silent.
"Oh now you're quiet, now you have nothing to say '' Robin seethes, all while flipping down the tower.
When Ion once again says nothing Tim snapped his head to glare at the noisy night light, however, the minute he does, he noticed Ion's slacked face. He started to ask the boy what was wrong but was instantly cut off by the scent of sweet red roses.
Oh fuck.
Almost speedster quick, a slacked Ion was grabbed by a vine.
Robin immediately cut it with his Batarang and tried not to smirk as Ion fell face-first on the floor.
Served the idiot right. Still, he kinda needs the dunce to snap out of it.
So he started to tell the teen to get up, he started to tell him who they were up against, but at that moment three more vines shot up from the ground.
Simultaneously, they slithered around both boy's ankles and strung them up.
Fuck, this is not good.
Out of the shadows stepped a woman. She was curvy, sensual, and outwordly. She had ruby red lips, beautiful flower-adorned hair, and smooth green skin.
"Well, well if it isn't little bird red, been a while huh. Where's ya Daddy at, little bud", she said slowly as she caressed her cut-up vines.
Tim sours, "Ivy".
Shit. They were in deep fucking shit.
Kyle apparently didn't really agree. Instead of mimicking Robin's frown, Ion's slacked face turns to one of dopey happiness, "Wow, I can't believe it's you. Ya know I've only really seen you in pictures, and whew when I tell you they do you no justice. God, I should've brought my sketchbook".
Fuck, Robin forgot Ion didn't take any pheromones blockers.
At that moment Tim sprung into action. Quickly he cut the vine, leaving Poison Ivy to shriek and Ion to tumble down.
"Ow!"
"Shit"
Ugh, the idiot can float and still fell on his head.
"Ion focus! Block out the smell", Robin mutters all while trying his hardest to watch every vine, flower, and leaf next to him.
They slithered around like snakes, forcing him to haphazardly throw his Batarang and grapple at the worst moments. He had only been really avoiding them for two minutes and he already was bleeding.
It didn't help that Ion wasn't doing jack shit.
"Hey you ever thought of live modeling, flower head", the idiot asked, shaping his green light into the stupidest largest fucking eisel Robin had ever seen.
Dumbass, he is paired with a fucking dumbass.
Sighing, Tim once again grapples himself and Ion to the ceiling barely avoiding yet another plant attack from Ivy.
The deadly seductress' eyes twinkled as she slowly glanced over to the duo. "Hmmm, new friend Sprout. With the way things have been going here, I may need to borrow him. You wouldn't mind right".
As she asked this she blew a kiss into Ion's directions. Even with the pheromone blockers, Tim felt the pull. Still he did gawk, when Ion started to float over to the woman.
Shit. Fucking shit.
He tries to stop him, but the minute Robin grabs onto Ions arm a fury of light springs forth. And before he knows it Robin is tossed three feet back.
Yeah, Tim definitely has a headache now.
"Ion no! She will devour you and turn you into her little meat slave".
"Do you promise?" the lovestruck teen asked. By this point, Ion was in the woman's face. All doe-eyed and smiley.
Fuck, Tim is going to have to knock the idiot out, isn't he?
"Cute. I didn't know the Lantern Corps were hiring them so...young."
"And full of energy," Ion exclaims all while wiggling his eyebrows.
"Unbelievable" Robin muttered, right before grappling himself, Ion and Ivy into the wall. They all hit the cement with a hard crash and Ivy is up before Tim can even process the pain.
"I'm going to rip you to pieces and feed it to my babies, little bird", she screeches.
And Tim actually believes her. Ion is still looking slacked, obedient and evergreen. Clearly, he is getting no help, but Robin's not one to go down easy.
So he waits until Ivy stalks back over to him and fiddles with the smoke bomb behind him. But just before he can throw it, another puff of smoke enters the room and Ivy is thrown back into a metal cage.
The cage was floating, dimly lit by a purple aura. Because it was off the ground Ivy wasn't connected to the Earth. And because she wasn't connected, she couldn't control her plants. No one was surprised she started screaming.
But even that was short-lived, in less than a second,"tupkconk" was muttered, and the screaming stop. The cage flew down to the ground and the smoke began to thin.
"Didn't wanna knock her out but I can't keep the cage up there long", Zatanna said once the smoke cleared.
"Ugh what the fuck happened" Ion groans, now finally awake from Ivy's spell.
Robin shakes his head, he doesn't even have the energy to yell at the idiot. Instead, he chooses to focus on a more pressing matter. "You're supposed to be in Metropolis", he mutters at Zatanna.
Zatanna lets out the deepest breath, leave it to Robin to say everything but thank you.
"Yeah, you're welcome by the way" she sneers, keeping her eyes hard and focused. She waits for a bit, giving the teen ample time to apologize. When he doesn't she rolls her eyes "Look Metropolis wasn't affected by the blackout, everything was still running. So I figured I'd do what you said and help out Team C. Good thing I did huh, or you and nightlight here would be plant chow. Hey what was that you said earlier, ya know about not needing me".
Tim heard her snark but ignored it for the most part.
Metropolis wasn't affected? That didn't make sense.
If other cities were hit and Metropolis wasn't, that meant whoever used the SME again, moved the location.
But why would they do that?
"What other cities were hit", Tim asked.
"Don't know all of them but from what I'm hearing Jump city, Engine city, Bludhaven, and Hub City were affected".
That's…. not that much of a difference, that means they barely moved the SME.
Why would they do that?
Tim scowls shaking his head as a million questions plague his mind, he can't think about that right now. "We need to get personal in each of those areas, if not for the breakouts than at least for the destruction"
Zatanna haughtily smirks, "Already did, once we figured Metropolis wasn't in much trouble. I dispersed Team A all-around".
"That's good thinking Z, if this is anything like the last blackout we're gonna need to stay on our toes", a blue-clad teen exclaims as he jumps down into the room.
The teen is battered, bruises and vines marking his body, his black and blue costume is torn in some areas, and if Robin squinted he would notice the slight shrug of a dislocated shoulder.
He was hurt, he was bruised but he still held that ever so present smile.
But when has Nightwing not done that.
"Hey blue boy, huh ya know man between you and the Salem witch here I am feeling a lot better about being in the pits of hell. Between the two of us, I don't think the little bird likes me so much" Ion jokes, all while brightening up his own glow just a little.
Normally Tim would have snapped, he's had more than his fill of Ion today. But surprisingly he didn't, he didn't even roll his eyes. He couldn't do anything but stare.
Nightwing was here. Nightwing was smiling and here but yesterday Dick.
Yesterday, Dick was so broken.
"Where have you been?" Zatanna exclaims, all while playfully slapping the blue-clad teen." I thought something happened to you, stupid".
Nightwing laughs pushes Zatanna into an even bigger hug and sheepishly grins, "Sorry, B had some stuff he needed me to take care of. But hey I left you guys in good company right Rob".
Tim nods, though he doesn't really agree.
Of course, of course, Dick wouldn't just sit at home during an emergency. Of course, he would help at the first sign of trouble.
No matter how much pain he was in himself, Dick would always try to smile through it.
But still, he shouldn't be here. Nightwing shouldn't be active right now.
Why?
Because Robin knows Nightwing. He knows him well enough to know Dick would never allow himself to get caught in Ivys traps for that long. Tim knows Dick well enough to know that when it comes to emotions, Nightwing can never just shut his off.
This means Dick got caught in Ivys traps, caught in the distraction that came with fighting Ivy, and stayed there. He chose to stay there because he didn't want to face reality. He just wanted something to fight, something to pour his anger into.
He shouldn't be here.
"I…. didn't think you'd be finished with your mission so soon. I thought Agent A said it would be a long one", Tim said as the group slowly started walking into the next room.
It was a disaster, all of the plants were basically mush and grime. Groups of men were unconscious on the floor, clearly, Nightwing had done some overkill.
Nightwing shrugs, "Yeah well you know me I'm pretty quick when I wanna be. Besides B thought I'd be better suited helping Team C ''.
Tim simply nodded, he really didn't wanna play this game any longer. And he didn't wanna pretend like Bruce suggesting Dick be here wasn't bothering him. So in motion to ignore his own feelings he asked, "Well can you catch me up, where's the rest of Team C''.
Nightwing grinned, "Soon as the blackout happened we figured we split up. Batgirl is leading a small sector to control Blackgate, Hawk and Dove are keeping up with Crime Alley, Raven's assisting in citizen control. Megan, Superboy, and I were focusing on Arkham. For the most part, it's all good-
"Not all good. You were caught in Ivy's web. She's not one to hold back if Ion and I didn't occupy her she could've killed you." an angry whisper interrupts and it takes Tim but a second to realize it's himself.
Nightwing scoffs, Tim is being dramatic, "I've got my pheromone blockers besides I've fought her since I was like eight. And while I'll admit she may have gotten a little stronger so have I". He pauses, shifts a bit to shrug his arm over Robin's shoulder and smiles, "Bro I'm fine! Quit being a worrywart".
Tim bites his lip, he now fully understands Bumblebee's early frustration with him.
Nightwing is not better.
He's not okay.
He's not fine.
Tim wants to shake Nightwing, tell him to go home. Tell him he obviously is still thinking about Roy and he obviously is letting his anger go unchecked, but he doesn't. The words die on his tongue and he feels like a coward more than a hypocrite.
"What's up with you Robbie? Did something happened" Nightwings concerned voice asked after a beat of silence.
Robin just shrugs his arm off, he ignores the hurt look Dick sends him and hopes he's not mirroring one as he asked, "When's the last time you made contact with Megan and Superboy".
For a second it seems like Nightwing is going to fight him on the obvious subject change, but instead, he sighs, "Last time I checked Kon went Maximum security, tryna keep the big ones in their cells. Megan and I were dealing with the regs, knocking them out till the lights came on seemed like a good idea...until well Ivy. Not sure what happened but I know one second Megan had all of us in a mind link and the next second nothing...Ivy attacked me right after the link stopped".
Tims brows furrowed, that didn't make sense at all.
How would Ivy know to attack Nightwing right when the mindlink stopped.
She wouldn't, she couldn't.
Unless she was working with someone.
One look at Nightwing told Tim that at least on that accord they were on the same page.
He glances at Zatanna and then the floating Ion.
Not his first picks but a good enough team for whoever Ivy's secret helper was.
But as they walked through each sector of Arkham asylum, as Tim walked past unconscious guards and inmates, he couldn't help but wonder….. were they really.
When they reached the Maximum security block. Three things became very apparent.
One, there was definitely a fight and a big one. The door was barred off, metal dented into pointy bits and scraps.
Two, Superboy for the most part did a good job of barring a few inmates. There were at least fifty, still angrily banging on their cells.
Three, cell number 454 was not one of the fifty.
"Woah, that's a big boy" Ion whistled as he traced a bit of green energy around the hole the cellmate left.
They had to be around ten feet tall, approximately ninety inches wide. Ugh and don't even get him started on what their wingspan might be.
Beside him, Nightwing sweats, "Rob, tell if I'm wrong but isn't cell 454-
Robin swallows, "Bane".
Shit, this is bad.
Of all the villains that could have escaped.
Why Bane!
Nightwing leaps down from his post and peers at the left part of the room. "Okay the bad news is we got Bane and no strength meta with us. But good news, pretty sure I found his escape route".
It's another hole. Only this one looks like it's been punched and clawed through. It's long and dark, even without the blackout. It clearly leads to the sewer below them.
"Well if the fall didn't kill him, I think the smell might've" Ion said while plugging his nose.
Suddenly a loud roar is heard, and an even bigger crash as the ground beneath them shakes with a heavy shudder.
"...That came from the sewers", Zatanna said after a beat of silence
"So avoid the sewer right," Ion asked, hoping for once he's not the only person in the room with sense. "Right"!?
But per usual Kyle was ignored. And again the poor teen wasn't a bit surprised as he sees Nightwing, Zatanna and Robin leap down.
"How did you die, Kyle? Well, I was on a mission and then this thing below us roared. The roar didn't exactly sound human or happy but we thought yeah go in. Seemed like a great idea at the time", Ion sarcastically mutters all while rolling his eyes and jumping down the hole as well.
"Bane wouldn't be able to see in here" Robin mutters as soon as Ion light invades their vision.
"Not unless he had help" Nightwing adds. He then squints his mask, "Ion can you shine your light a little to the left".
Ion shrugs, extending his glow as far out as he can. As part of the sewer becomes encompassed in a glowing green light,it becomes very apparent what Nighting thought he saw.
There floating in the water was an unconscious teen, his body face down in the sewage. Tim squinted, he can almost see the remains of a symbol on his tattered shirt.
"Kon" Nightwing yelled, already diving in the water.
Beside him Tim winces as the others run along with him. He had expected Superboy to be a little hurt, but not like this.
Nightwing wasted no time, fishing the boy out of the water and starting chest compressions immediately.
One two, push. One two, push.
"Come on Kon, Come on" Nightwing mutters, as he presses harder and harder on the super powered teen.
One two, push. One two, push.
It wasn't working and for a split second Tim almost thought the worse.
What if they hadn't got to him in time?
What if he inhaled too much water?
What is anyone supposed to do after that?
And how- how would his big brother recover.
But then Konner started coughing up sewage and Nightwing finally stopped holding his own breath.
"Easy does it, you're okay. You're fine" Nightwing says as he sits the boy up.
Tim's not sure who he was really talking to at that moment.
Konner groans, "What happened- Where's Megan".
Robin frowns, and Nightwing freezes. Where is Megan? They had assumed she went to find Konner. That's what Megan usually did when her mind link had been blocked.
Almost as if sensing their discomfort and obvious guilt, Zatanna offers a weak smile, "We were kinda hoping you could tell us. What's the last thing you remember".
"I was fencing in Max Security, cell 454 was empty," Konner said slowly almost as if he's having trouble remembering, "I made sure no one else could get out of their cell then I followed the damage down to here, figured with my night vision I'd be fine.I saw like….. four heat signatures, started to feel sick, Megan's mind link stopped and Bane hit me".
Just like Nighting then. Superboy was hit just when Megan's mindlink stopped.
That isn't a coincidence.
"And then" Robin pressed.
"What do you mean and then? And then you guys woke me up. Look I don't have time for this, is Megan okay? Why isn't she with you?", Konner angrily asked. He attempts to get up but is shaky and obviously injured, so Nightwing carefully pushes him back down.
Robin stills for a moment. His investigative mind, trying hard to piece out any information he can.
The sewer was an easy escape route, it leads directly to sixteen different cities. He would understand why Bane would use it. But what he didn't understand is how Bane, a self-proclaimed loner suddenly has a team of three plus people.
And how exactly did those people manage to block Megan?
All while this was happening Konner was still angrily asking about Megan's whereabouts and Nightwing was trying his hardest to administer quick first aid.
"Are you sure it was only Bane that hit you", Nightwing asked after resetting Superboy's shoulder.
Which honestly was a fair question. Bane's a monster and all but when has Konner ever looked so disoriented.
Superboy groans, the shoulder hurt a lot more than he cared to admit. "I'm positive, crazy fuck slammed me on the groud enough times. Kept telling me stuff about a colmena ''.
Robin's eyebrows furrowed. Colmena? Colmena meant Hive.
But there are no bees in a sewer.
So what could that mean?
"Okay I know Banes's hype on venom but I didn't think he could knock out a Kryptonian'', Ion whispers.
"He wouldn't have been able to if Kryptonite wasn't involved." Batman echoes, jumping down on the platform and easily scaring Ion.
"Oh my god. What in the flying fuck", Kyle yells, prompting Nightwing and even Zatanna to snicker.
"Kryptonite", Robin asked, mask furrowed.
Last time he checked the only person with Kryptonite was...well them.
Batman's answer is a simple rise of his hands, evident glowing green crystals within them. To the left of him, Tim see's Konner wince.
"Is no one else surprised that he just showed up out of thin fucking air? Shit, how did you even.. What the fuck" Ion squeals.
Without even turning Robin can tell the idiot is flashing again. And he's embarrassed to say it but Ion's latest outburst did make him smile a little.
But that didn't last long.
Batman definitely was in a no-nonsense mood, "You all need to focus. I shouldn't have to tell you how serious this is. Whoever had the Kryptonite clearly had enough to leave specs in Killer Croc's skull".
Tims's eyes double, "Killer Croc-
"Is unconscious, the knockout gas I've administered should last approximately ten minutes. Plenty of time for all of you to leave", Batman cuts off.
"Leave, Superboy just said there were four other heat signatures, you're gonna need our help. Besides, we heard Killer Croc roar, so whoever was down here wasn't exactly buddy buddy with the animal ", Zatanna adds.
But Batman doesn't even spare her a glance, "The Justice League has taken control of this situation. Young Justice will focus on cleanup and health maintenance elsewhere ".
He can't be serious. He can not be fucking serious.
"You don't get to just show up out of nowhere and-" Zatanna bites.
"Miss Martian was placed in a submatic coma, Superboy would have been worse without Nightwings aid. If you're unable to cooperate and assist in this mission I have Dr. Fate in pursuit. He can and will take you out of Gotham".
Zatanna paused, her mouth open and her eyes glassy.
She wants to stay, she wants to tell Batman the fuck off but she can't...she won't.
The last time she faced Dr. Fate, she felt like her world was crumbling.
So despite Nightwings frown, despite Superboy's insistent exclaims of 'what happened to Megan' The teen witch doesn't spare a glance as she once again mutters "tropsnart". Then in a puff of smoke, both she and Superboy were gone.
For a second no one says anything Batman simply redistributes flare sticks into the ground as Robin follows his lead.
And as usual, Nightwing was the first to break the silence, "You didn't need to mention Fate", he mutters.
Batman grunts, fishes in his utility belt and hands Nightwing a few flares, "It was necessary".
"It was cruel", Nightwing snaps, half breaking the flare in his hand.
Ion awkwardly glanced around, "Ummmm should I go…
"Lantern, half of Arkham's inmates have escaped, you're going to ensure no one else does. Create a barrier that encompasses the asylum report back to me when finished".
Ion flushes, he looks to his left and then his right slowly, "Ah actually Batman my names Ion and I'm not sure if I can-
Damn, Batman's glare is something else.
"I'm going" Ion quickly finishes, his form nothing but a spew of green light as he flies out of the sewer.
Robin's pout is instant.
Funny the idiots finally gone and Tim…. wasn't happier. Granted if asked, he would never admit this but he kinda wished Ion would've stayed.
'Cause now It's just him, Bruce and Dick.
And they're already fighting.
This won't be good.
"You're so quick to turn away people that can actually help you" Nightwing grumbles, apparently willing to test the last string of Batman's patience.
But once again Bruce says nothing, simply leading down the sewer and watching as the other two follow him. Once they're in the near back of the underground river, Robin finally sees why exactly Killer Croc roared earlier.
The beast was...demolished. His face was scratched and battered. He was clearly missing a limb, as bits of kryptonite were embedded in his skull, stomach, and chest.
He was unconscious and somehow Bruce had created a rope cage, forcing the reptile man into the ground.
"The Martian is tending to Megan, we won't be able to question Crocs mind. We'll have to do it the old fashion way, Nightwing you'll assist me with that. Robin, you will go to Hub city", Batman said after a beat of silence.
Nightwing winces. Stay here in Arkham, questioning Croc with Bruce. So not aster.
"No offense but Hub city is a new city affected and I don't think you really need me to play good cop. So I think I'll just help Rob and the others'', he said while trying to quickly grapple away.
Instantly Batman shoots the grapple out of Nightwing's hand.
Bruce glares, "Wonderwoman and Firestorm are already in pursuit, you are not needed", he murmurs hands still fisting the rope Killer Croc was under.
Nightwing groans, shaking his hand offensively even though everyone knows the Batarang didn't really hurt him. He then grabs another grapple and shoots Batman a grin, "I'm sure Di would agree, she can never have too much help. Besides as beat up as Croc is, he's probably gonna tell you everything without force. I'm not exactly needed here either".
And this time Bruce gets up from his crouched position. He's quick as he snatches the second grapple and shoots Nightwing his most serious stare. " This isn't up for discussion".
Dick being more than used to Bruce's Batglare and 'my way or the highway' attitude doesn't even blink. Opting for a slight wine he sucks his teeth and turns to Robin, "Fine, I don't think Croc needs two people around to squeal but if you're so adamant about having a good cop Timmy switch with me".
Batman's response is instant, "No".
Dick lets out a frustrated grunt. Now Batman was being unreasonable. "Why not".
"You're emotionally compromised, the only reason you're here right now is because I can see you", Batman replies.
Nightwing glares, sure he's sad about Roy but he isn't useless. And being useful helps, being active helps. He needed it, to keep his mind off of Roy, to let himself forget just a little. He thought Bruce understood that, "I'm not emotionally compromised. I'm fine".
"And we're gonna ensure that by remaining in Gotham".
Dicks glare hardens to an unbelievable point.
"You can't make me stay here" he said but from Bruce's sigh and Nightwings glare, Robin can tell they both knew that was a lie.
"After your most recent stunt I've placed an automated tracker in your suit, non electric. It beeps the second you're out of Gotham bounds, and it releases a knockout gas the minute you try to remove it."
Nightwing wants to scream. Of course he did. Of course Bruce couldn't just once trust him.
"Fine!" Dick spits, " I'll stay in fucking Gotham. But I'm not staying here with you".
Then in pure Flying Grayson fashion, Nighting leaps up the highest ledge he could find and continues until he's completely out of the sewer.
Batman doesn't say anything , but his grip on rope is a bit tighter.
Once Tim was sure Dick was out of ear shot, he glanced over at Batman, "Hub city probably gonna need a lot more help with cleanup. I could've kept an eye on him for you"
"Unnecessary, more than a number of adequate League members and police officials are already being deported to that area".
Tim blinks, "So why send me".
Batman shakes his head, almost as if he wishes Tim didn't ask. "The Red Hood was spotted along with his team of outlaws, prior to the second blackout. I'm not postive they're involved in the SME but it's not a far fetched theory. I need you to investigate while Wonderwoman and the others handle the damages''.
"And if Jaso-if he's still there. What do I do then", Tim timidly asked.
And this time Bruce allows himself to sigh. Because damn has he asked himself that very question so many times before. What can one do, what can he do when faced with Red Hood.
"Nothing", Batman grumbles, his voice void of every emotion.
Nothing. They will do nothing. For now at least, they won't worry about apprehending, or stopping or even speaking with Jason.
For now Bruce wouldn't allow them to worry about any of it. He'll hold that burden alone.
And with that he turns away from Robin. It's abrupt and if Tim didn't know Bruce, he might've been offended. But instead he just nods, places his hand on his grapple, and leaves the sewer.
Once he is gone, Batman has entirely twenty seconds to himself before a voice echoes in his head.
'Batman we have another issue'.
It's the Martian Manhunter, that alone makes it terrible news.
"What is it?"Batman growls out. His eye still focused on Killer Croc as the giant begins to grumble.
'Aqualad was acting as Aquaman's representative during a UN meeting'.
Batman grunts, "I'm aware, Kid Flash accompanied him to Delta City. Sergeant Steel is also in that area; they should have it under control in the midst of a blackout".
'Unfortunately, they don't. The city is in chaos, different fights and crashes around every corner. Buildings on fire and citizens screaming. I tried to reach them in a mind link but I've been blocked.'
Batman sighs, "I'm on my way".
As he exits the sewer Batman has a few seconds to ponder every strange event that has happened in the past few weeks. It seems like things are just getting worse and worse by the day.
Finding out his middle child was brought back from the dead as some homicidal maniac. Bad
Figuring out that Ra's had something to do with it. Worse.
Being so distracted in that, he missed someone else lurking in the shadows. Terrible
And then missing all the opportunities he had to tell Dick about Jason. Careless
And he should've made up for it. He's trying to make up for it, but he has a job. And he can't stop to fulfill personal desires when the League is suspicious of one another, Speedys been killed, and an SME is clearly being used to steal something.
Bruce pauses, now outside of the asylum, Batman is able to see Nightwing pouting at his post.
He's trying to make up for it. He won't let Dick become another Jason.
He won't let it get that bad again.
But as he said this, as he grapples away to Kid Flash and Aqualad's aid, Bruce can't help but wonder, is he once again too late.
Okay so here are two more chappies, yay. And tada they're Timmy centric, cause we all love our little Bruce. Tim is so difficult because he's always thinking and over analyzing every situation, he's such an egghead it makes me wanna throttle him. But I really wanted to show what he was doing during the second blackout while also keeping up with the Plot. I dropped a lot of gems here and they're. And left a major clue on who our SME mastermind is.
If it isn't easy to note, this blackout is the same blackout from the Toler mission and UN mission, it's just telling you what Timmy and the rest of the young justice brats were doing at that time. Sorry if that was unclear.
Speaking of which tada more character development for our side characters,yay. So first we got Ion, my boy Kyle the coward. He is such a clown with his lack of courage but it's okay cause we're building that up. Then we have Zatanna, ah zatanna. I know she may come off as a little aggressive but I wanna point out she is always like this. She isn't level headed, she breaks the rules and has a mouth on her, and I for one love it. Also she is soooo obvious about her Nightwing crush its kinda sad tbh. Which brings me to Nightwing, our teenage angst of this chapter. He wasn't going to be included at first but it kinda seemed weird that he wouldn't be ya know. He also is trying his hardest to ignore the Roy's guilt, which when I tell you is not working….whewww just wait till him and Wally meet up. But anyways poor Dickiebird is doing everything but tackling these feelings and we have no one to blame for that but Bruce. Because seriously Bman, focus on your fucking son.
Anyways I hope these past two chapters atleast give you guys a little insight on what Tim's mindset is. Every Robin is different and to me each one has some major character quirks they gained from Bruce, I tried to show that here.
Hope you guys enjoyed it! Thanks a bunches for reading this far.
Review Responses
CagraCourter
Haaha that makes me so happy! I'm so glad I've still got you interested as a reader. You consistently review and send me good vibez and I'm so thankful for that. Thanks again for reviewing!
Grungekitty
Oh god this is a problem! I honestly can't tell you how long this story will be, I'm sorry for that. I'm kinda just having fun and taking my time, but I will say in a way some things are wrapping up, like plot wise. Wally is definitely reaching his boiling point! And tbh I am such a jerk for increasing his pain every chapter lol. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Thanks again to everyone who read. Please review and let me know what you think.
Much love.