And welcome back! This is the chapter that contains the hundred-reviewer excerpt, which was written by the amazing KaliAnn (who had to put up with my not being able to figure out DocX. Sorry!). Everything from the very start of this chapter to the point where I wrote that it stopped in brackets was all written by KaliAnn, with minor, minor editing (as in, less than fifteen words) on my part since I had to make sure it works for what I have planned.
And here's one more thank you to everyone that has read and/or reviewed this story so far. Without all of you, I wouldn't have continued this story to this point. I know that there are many unanswered questions and unconfirmed predictions in the reviews, and I really want to reply, but I'm restraining myself to keep the elements of surprise (since I wouldn't be able to just answer one, much less resist the temptation to spoil what is to come).
**The poll on the Performance chapter is now down. The results will be posted at the end of the Performance chapter. Now up it what you all want to see next in the Verisimilitude universe after this story is over, if anything.
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Jusice, or the part that KaliAnn wrote.
I hope you enjoy!
He was trying to relax in the Cave and pay attention to the conversation going on with his friends. Aqualad had returned from Atlantis after helping Aquaman sort through the chaos brought by an attack on the underwater kingdom. He had also heard there had been some trouble with Queen Mira's pregnancy, but all had ended happily and her baby was safe.
"I'm glad to see you again Kaldur. For a while, we were wondering if you decided to stay in Atlantis after everything that's happened recently," Wally mentioned. The others members made agreeing sounds.
Kaldur took a deep breath as if he was bringing his thoughts together. "Atlantis is still recovering from recent events, but our people are strong. Queen Mira is a powerful mage who fought to protect her people despite her condition. While the safety of Atlantis is always important, my King has asked her to scale back her activities."
"I bet that didn't go so well. A woman never likes being told what to do, especially if she's pregnant," Artemis commented. Her words had an effect on him, who stiffened. Her comment was bringing up another flashback, but he pushed it back trying to focus on Aqualad's story. He had to stay strong and not give in to these flashbacks.
"The reason I've been gone so long, is that I was needed to help with a compromise between my King and Queen. Tula and Garth, who have taken up the titles Aquagirl and Tempest, are training to become the child's bodyguards. When the time comes for the heir to being training, I will be their teacher. It is an honor I look forward to."
Upon hearing those words, Robin found himself reliving a memory. One that had haunted him for a time.
It was nearly two and half years since the Invasion. Earlier a distress call had come in from Tempest, with a bit of panic in his voice. He said that Ocean Master, the deceased King's younger brother, had joined forces with Black Manta. The two of them had laid siege against the underwater kingdom in a twisted combination of both revenge and a coup, in hopes of achieving their goals. It had taken the whole team to put a stop to their plan. The city had months of reconstruction waiting for them. Many citizens had suffered horrible injuries and the team was still waiting to hear if the Queen and Prince were okay.
As Nightwing switched into dry clothing, he looked out the sub's windows thanking the newly rebuilt Star Labs, for having finished building this craft in time to help. "Who knew Barbra could drive a sub as well as rides a motorcycle?" he whispered to himself. "I kept my promise Kaldur. I saved your home and your pupil."
A knock on the door drew him out of his pondering. "Come in!" He expected Arsenal or Tempest to come in, but was surprised to see Aquagirl approaching him instead. She had slightly nervous expression on her face. "Tula, is everything okay? Has something happened to Queen Mira or Prince Arthur?"
"No, they're fine. Our best healers managed to stop the blood loss and reattached the Queen's hand so she wouldn't lose it. Prince Arthur suffered nothing more than a few bruises - thank Poseidon for that. Tempest is currently guarding him. It will take some time for us to sort out the traitors from the innocents due to the amount of destruction and lies."
Nightwing nodded, he was surprised the underwater kingdom was still standing after the massive battle that had taken place. At one point he had lost hope they would save the underwater kingdom. Several civilians, led by an Atlantean named La'gaan, had turned the tide in their favor. Both Aquagirl and Tempest saw potential in the young lad to be a powerful hero. Nightwing also thought he make a good hero for the team in a few years. Those thoughts would have to wait. He needed to know what was going on with Tula. "Whatever you have to say Aquagirl, say it. We've all learned the importance of speaking up when you can."
Rubbing a fresh scar on the back of her left hand, Aquagirl proceeded to answer. "Nightwing, Tempest and I have been struggling with our duties, both to the League and to our Prince. After an attack like this, I know now that we can't have both Garth and me on the League. Maybe in a few years, but right now protecting Arthur is my responsibility. I will do everything I can, even train him in Kaldur's memory, if that's what it takes, to keep my home safe."
"Are you both leaving the League?" he asked anxiously. Both Atlanteans were heavy hitters and their skills were needed to keep order. Another advantage of having both of them in the League, it gave Atlantis a voice in the surface world. They were also very close friends of his To lose both of them, even if it was for a short time, would almost be like losing Kaldur all over again.
"No, I have decided to leave the League for now. Queen Mira gave orders for Tempest to continue being our advocate to the surface world. She wants her son to grow up and one day be a hero just like his father, a member of a powerful team of peacekeepers and heroes. Until that day arrives, I will remain in Atlantis preparing him. I hope you can understand my decision."
Nightwing did understand. His own heart still ached for all he had lost. He had to step up to keep Wayne Enterprise alive for the good of the world. Tula was doing the same and unlike Kaldur, she would come back alive.
[End of 100th reviewer excerpt. Thank you KaliAnn! Everyone from here on is written by me, as per usual.]
"Robin?" He was just aware of his name being called as the memory ended. He flinched slightly, but he managed to smother it so it wasn't too noticeable.
"Yeah?" He replied, trying to force his voice into a casual tone as he faced Wally.
"Are you okay? You seemed like you were a million miles away." M'gann asked him, and he realized that she was the one who said his name in the first place.
But is Robin really my name anymore?
"Just thinking about some things that happened in Gotham, Miss M." He tried to assure her. "Riddler broke out the other day and B and I have been searching for him."
"Has he left a riddle yet?" Wally asked, "He does that everytime, right?"
"Yeah, but he hasn't." He told them, "He probably will tonight or tomorrow. Right now, he's most likely laying low and preparing for his next move."
He checked the time, and then turned to face his friends (did he even know them well enough to call them friends anymore?), "I got to go. B wants me back at the Batcave so we can be ready for when he appears."
He was met with nods and sayings of farewell, and for a moment he was surprised that they believed him. Bruce didn't need them to prepare - they were always prepared. And, when Riddler showed, Bruce would call him.
Nevertheless, this was his excuse to leave and so he took it. He left for the hangar, but didn't make it there before he hit the wall in frustration.
I thought I was getting better. He mentally growled at himself. What happened?
He had been doing so well recently - going from day to day with minimal (if any) flashbacks, and the ones he had experienced had been shorter ones. And then a few words from Kaldur and he was experiencing one of the longer ones and he already felt like he was on the verge of another.
He stalked to the computer, and just as it announced his departure he cancelled the teleportation. By leaving now, was he just running away from his problems further? Maybe he should just tell them. They might understand. They were his team, after all.
Oh, what am I thinking? How could they understand...this?!
Thirty years of my life, gone! Actually, worse, it never even happened.
Still, his feet carried him back to the lounge. He was moments away from entering when he heard M'gann's voice say, "Are you sure he's gone?"
He froze. His breathing became lighter and slower, and so did his heartbeat. He didn't do it on purpose though, it was just years of practice after facing so many people with superhearing.
Are they...talking about me?
"Yeah. I heard the computer announce his exit." Wally replied, and he realized the speedster must have followed him out, staying barely in earshot so that he wouldn't be noticed. Wally wouldn't of seen or heard him cancel the teleportation, as he probably had already sped back to the lounge the moment after her heard the computer read out his departure.
"Then we shall begin." He could hear Kaldur begin, "Something has been troubling Robin as of late. We have all taken notice of this, yet none of us know what it is?" He seemed to be posing the question to the rest of the Team present.
There was a brief silence, in which he felt his heart leap to his throat. He forced himself to steady his breathing and heart rate, as too much variation in either would allow Conner to realize that there was one extra person present.
"He seems...different. He doesn't play with words or do that eerie cackling thing after he ninjas into a room." Wally commented after the pause.
"Maybe he just grew out of it." Conner theorized, and he could detect some level of uncomfortableness in the clone's voice. It's because I told him it had to do with the simulation. He realized. He's still unwilling to tell them, if at least to protect M'gann.
"He could be maturing, which would not be a troublesome thing. But he also seems…" Kaldur trailed off, hesitant of how to put his thoughts into words.
M'gann finished for him, "Sad. His mind, it's constantly troubled and it just feels...different."
Well, that's because it is different, in a way.
"How?" Zatanna asked, speaking up for the first time.
M'gann looked around, unsure of what to say, "When I'm near someone I can...feel their mind." She admitted, "I'm not reading it, I can just get a general reading - whether they are lying or not, whether they also have mind-reading powers, that sort of thing. Everyone's feels a different way, it's unique like how a person looks physically. His mind feels different than before."
"Does that mean he's not Rob?" Wally asked, the concern in his voice increasing notably as he stood more alert.
"No, it just means something happened and he's changed mentally." She explained.
Wow, I wonder what happened. He thought sarcastically to himself.
"But it's not just affecting him mentally." Artemis added, finally joining the conversation. "He's been more clumsy and less focused on his surroundings. He looks like he's uncomfortable in his own skin. I mean, he's slowly getting back to normal but it's still there." She also seemed slightly uncomfortable, and he suspected it had to do with their talk during the last mission.
"And his cape." Zatanna said, "I noticed him nearly tripping on it."
He mentally cursed. He had thought he had been more smooth on covering up his awkwardness with the cape and longer limbs. He had mostly managed to get rid of that awkwardness, as he had learned to be quite adaptable over the many (simulated) years.
"Rob's an acrobat. He doesn't trip and he doesn't do clumsy." Wally pointed out, "But that's exactly what he's been. He's so tense whenever he sees us, like he doesn't trust us or something!"
Maybe I don't.
"Robin is the protégé of Batman." Kaldur reminded his team, "He has many secrets, and we should respect them." He paused, "But I feel like these secrets do involve us. He seems very unfocused. I talked to him the other day and it took him a minute to reply, but it seemed as though he thought no time had passed."
"Yeah!" Wally agreed, "I asked him a question and he completely zoned out and when he came back he was all snappy."
"Maybe something is bothering him." Conner spoke up.
"Perhaps, but we should keep an eye on him in case he requires our assistance." Kaldur decided, and there was a silence that met him in which he presumed they nodded in agreement. He could hear the sounds of someone standing, before Kaldur continued. "We have to make him understand that he can trust us so we can help him."
He slowly backed away from the door, his heart beginning to pound.
This could not be happening.
I thought I was doing so well!
He practically fled the Cave, not knowing or particularly caring if Conner heard his departure with his superhearing. He just had to get out.
He could feel the memories pressing in on his mind, threatening to overwhelm him as he sprinted up the stairs from the Batcave. Thankfully, he had been wearing civvies. He didn't know if he would have been able to change to civilian clothes with his mind in such a state.
He didn't know if Alfred or Bruce were even home, as it felt like the world around him was fading out. His hands shook as he fumbled for a moment with the doorknob, before opening the door. He closed it behind him shakily before collapsing on his bed.
His sunglasses were gone (had he just removed them, or did he lose them in his departure? He couldn't even remember) and he clutched his head as he buried his face into his pillows. His head was spinning and he gave up trying to fight the memories.
"Good!" He yelled to the boy, jumping and twisting to avoid the bo staff Damian was wielding. "Don't slow down, but don't go too fast or you'll tire too quickly." he warned as he blocked a strike to his left and flipped to avoid a kick.
Damian gritted his teeth, adjusting his grip on the staff in the brief lull in the battle before charging once more with a series of lightning-quick attacks.
He nimbly avoided them, "Too predictable! At this point your opponent already has an idea of how you fight. Destroy that idea!"
Damian growled, ignoring the advice and launching a quick feint to his right before lowering at the last moment in an effort to sweep his legs from under him.
He saw this coming easily, predicting that the boy would toss aside his advice and leaping over the staff and kicking off of Damian's shoulder, careful to only unbalance him and not hurt the boy.
Damian spun slightly before falling, finding himself unable to catch his balance from the momentum of the dodged attack and the force of someone pushing off of him.
He landed softly on the mat, observing the son of his former mentor as he angrily stood back up and got in position to fight hand-to-hand, for he had lost his staff in the fall.
He moved the bo staff from his right hand to his left, before placing it to the side, signalling that the spar was over. Damian hesitantly lowered his fists before tutting at him.
"I wasn't finished," He informed the adult harshly.
"No, you were angry. You underestimate your opponent and then get frustrated when they don't fit the criteria you have mentally set for them. You are like a mountain. You are strong, and set up a good front, but you don't adapt. You need to adjust your fighting style at times - throw your opponent off. Leap instead of blocking, punch instead of kicking, and then next time do something completely different. Leave them still unsure of how you fight." He tried to tell the boy, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his shoulders. He offered Damian a towel, but the boy refused.
He had to admit - Damian was a good fighter, better than the others at the beginning, but he had no wish to learn or improve. It was one thing to be trained before joining him, but it was an entirely thing to be willing to train. And he had learned that the latter was more important with Damian.
"I don't need to change anything! My fighting style is fine. I was trained by the best." Damian argued, glaring at him.
"There is no 'best'. There will always be someone better. Someone faster, stronger, smarter. You were just trained by people who called themselves the best to scare away an who might oppose them." He stated wisely, "And even if you were trained by 'the best', that doesn't automatically make you one of them." His tone then became softer, gentler, "I know that you are an advanced fighter and you feel like I'm treating you as a kid, but I'm not."
Damian scoffed, "I beg to differ."
"I'm not." He protested, "I'm teaching you as a student. If I was teaching you like a kid I wouldn't have let you anywhere near the staffs yet." It was true. It took over a year for Tim to even get close to sparring with a bo staff. Damian also knew this was true.
"I don't need to be your student, and I don't want you as my teacher." Damian grumbled. "I'm perfectly fine as I am."
"If you were then you wouldn't be here. Your mother wouldn't believe that you needed my help." He pointed out.
He looked away, "Mother is mistaken." He said, his voice quieter than before.
He was briefly aware of sounds outside his room as he exited the memory. He didn't have time to think about it any further before a new one began to overwhelm him.
"I don't know what you mean." Stephanie told him, flipping the pages in the magazine she was holding. He raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at all of the fabric, thread, markers, other magazines, and other various materials were out on the table before her.
"I mean that you need to take a break." He told her, gently but firmly. "Between Team missions, patrol, and you helping Barbara and I plan the wedding you're completely booked."
"I'm fine, just a bit busy." She told him, matter-of-factly. "Besides, I can't decide between these two colors for the bridesmaid dresses. Which one do you prefer?" She held out two color swatches, and he sighed.
"Steph, I'm serious. How much sleep did you get last night?"
"More than Tim, most likely." She retorted. He opened his mouth to argue, to say something to defend the previous Robin, before she gave him a look, "Oh, don't lie to yourself. If you want to talk to someone about lack of sleep, talk to him."
Her tone was harsh, and he knew from experience that she had probably not gotten any sleep last night, or the one before. She got this way when she was overtired - too harsh, but still logical.
After all, she did have a point.
"This isn't about him," He would talk to Tim about sleep later, "This is about you. You should go take a name and have an actual meal. Barbara's making dinner soon."
"I'm busy." She protested, "I'll eat later."
"Stephanie, I am not asking you." She looked up at him, surprised by the change of tone he adopted. "You need some sleep and real food. I can work on the wedding for a few hours, if your really concerned with getting behind schedule."
She hesitated, and he could see that she realized he was right. She let out a small sigh, before saying, "Just don't touch the fabric, please. I'm trying to work on an accessory for Barbara's wedding dress."
He gave her a smile, and she returned it as she began to walk out of the room. As she passed him, she paused. "Thanks...for caring." She said, her voice quiet. "I've never had a father care about me so much before."
"Dick, can you hear me?" It was Bruce. He was shaking him.
He weakly lifted his head, aware that he had tears falling from his eyes. His whole body was trembling. It was like a wall was breaking in his head.
"Yeah." He whispered hoarsely.
"Are you okay?" Bruce looked so concerned, that for a moment he wondered if he was in another flashback - one that went back to when his parents had died and Bruce had first taken him in. Bruce had been there after a nightmare and the situation was so similar to the one that was happening now.
He opened his mouth to reply with the automatic 'I'm fine' reply, but the words caught in his throat. He slowly shook his head as Bruce reached and embraced him in a hug. He allowed himself to just sit there and be held, and for a moment it felt like no one could touch him.
No matter how much I think to the contrary, he realized. I'm still thirteen.
I'm just a kid.