CHAPTER 15.
Another night passed in the cave, and with luck Dick and the team would get a few hours sleep before another Robin arrived.
Bruce had just arrived at the cave to see his Robins, well especially his own Robin, but the 'batprotection' as Dick calls it, would not let him leave the place without at least seeing the others.
They were all fine, Dick looking like a starfish in his bed said enough to the bat about how asleep the boy was. The nearest room was the one the boys were sharing, with the dim light from the hallway he could see that one of them was not in bed, but Bruce had expected this, with a sigh he closed the door and went to the room the girls shared. Spoiler wasn't in bed either and Carrie was curled up in the covers, judging by the red hair on her pillow.
Walking back to the mountain communal room, he heard the whispers and stopped in the hallway, merging into the shadows with ease.
''You'll be fine Jay.''
''How do you know?''
''Because you're going to run away from that place as soon as you get back and scream for Clark. Bruce... my Bruce made it very clear that if you're with a villain and you can't get away, you're to call the Supers, fuck the rule, you're to call them, no matter which one.
''He taught you that later...''
''After Ibn died and came back to life. Nightwing was already telling us that before that, but B only reinforced it after that.''
Bruce held his breath. Another one of his robins dead? Yes, he heard that he is alive now, but still... another... No, he won't let it, he needed to think of more contingency plans... what world did Spoiler come from?
The two were silent for a while.
"You know, you become a great... hero as an adult.'' Spoiler speaks out of nowhere.
Jason snorts. ''As an adult? Aren't I awesome as Robin?''
''You become more centered and calm than you are now, that's a great quality. Yes, you are amazing as Robin, we all are, but when you outgrow the title is when you make a difference.''
''Are you a poet in your spare time?''
Spoiler laughs for the first time since arriving.
''No, but it's true...''
The room was no more tense now than it had been seconds before.
''You know, the next Robins are going to need your guidance, Dickwing's alone isn't enough all the time, you know, with the responsibilities as a cop or as leader of the Titans... they won't replace you Jay, they'll be your brothers.''
''I feel like you have a big reason for saying that to me.''
Spoiler snorted. ''Yes I do, but I'm not going to tell you.''
''Fair enough.''
Silence. Bruce waited patiently.
''This world is strange...''
Not really, but I have to admit I'd rather be either in the cave or in the tower. The mountain is not a place I like very much.'' Jason's voice got lower.
Bruce was about to enter the room when Barry's voice sounded in his ear. ''Bats, we need you in the tower.''
The Gothan bat turned and walked out into the hallway he came in.
Meanwhile inside the room.
''Do you think he heard us?'' Jason asked as he leaned against the couch.
"He definitely heard us. It's Bruce.'' Spoiler shook his head. "This Bruce is more... careful.''
''I was going to say sluggish, but I guess careful is fine too.'' Jason squared his shoulders.
"Let's hope he stays that way.
"Your Bruce wasn't such a great guy, was he?''
''No.''
Jason didn't force the issue, but silently thanked that his Bruce was better than Spoiler's was.
xxXXXxx
Breakfast the next day was the same as the previous one, except for the new additions.
''I can't stand being locked in here anymore, when are we going to have another mission?'' Kid Flash complained.
''You can always ask Red Tornado.'' Spoiler exclaimed as he buttered his bread.
''He'll just tell us: Missions are Batman's job, not mine, blah blah blah.'' Kid grumbled again, his head resting on the table.
''At least you guys can leave, we have to stay here.'' Robin grimaced as she ate her pancakes.
''Actually you have to stay here, we can technically leave.'' BJ smiled, which led to him receiving a not-so-pleasant gesture from Robin.
''Don't change D...Robin.'' Jason almost kicked himself for that flaw. ''Seriously, how did you become a pain in my world?''
''I don't know, I'm not from your world.''
Carrie placed her own cup of coffee in front of Robin. ''Here, in this mood you need it more than I do.''
The team held back a laugh.
''The famous mood of the first Robin before he had his coffee, I guess that doesn't change no matter what the world.'' Spoiler smiled, causing more laughter around the table as Robin thanked Carrie.
*RECOGNIZED: ZATANNA B07*
''Guys, you won't believe what my dad told me...'' The girl rushed into the room and stopped when she saw the teenagers in civilian clothes and masks standing next to the team. ''I think he forgot to tell me an important part.''
''Hi Zee.'' M'gann waved to the sorceress.
''Zatanna?!'' Four voices asked stridently.
''Boy she is so young here!'' BJ exclaimed.
''Is that Aunt Z?'' Jason asked.
''I thought she was older.'' Carrie looked at Spoiler.
''That's so cool.'' Spoiler smiled.
''Excuse me?'' Zatanna puts her hand on her waist with her comments.
Kaldur stands up. ''Zatanna, these are the Robins from other worlds. Meet Carrie, Spoiler, BJ and Jason. Robins, I think you guys already know her.''
''Yes, although she is much older on our worlds.'' Spoiler nods to the newcomer.
Zatanna stares at them for a while before raising her shoulders and sitting down next to Robin, who still hadn't taken his attention off the coffee. ''Well, like I was going to say, Dad went out on a mission for the league, something about aliens being where they shouldn't be. He had mentioned that it would probably require investigation, we're likely to go out on a mission later today. And he let me go along!''
''Finally!'' Kid Flash raised his arms in victory.
''We won't all be able to leave. Until I stop luring Robins here I'm stuck in the mountain.'' Robin muttered. It was another night without a patrol, this calm was unusual for him and it made him uncomfortable. Maybe he could convince Bruce and move him and the other Robins to the mansion.
''I could go out in your place.'' Spoiler offered. ''If there is the mission I mean. BJ and Carrie are from the past and can barely open the automatic mountain doors. And if this Jason is anything like mine, he's a lot rougher than you.''
''Hey! I only hospitalized two men this week!'' Jason defended himself.
"Let me guess, you broke one of them's collarbone?'' Spoiler asked, already knowing the answer.
Jason grimaces. ''I didn't mean to.''
''See.'' Spoiler squared her shoulders.
Kaldur looked at the resident Robin. ''It's up to you my friend. I won't make a decision without your opinion.''
Robin sighed. ''Okay, if there's a mission I'll let Spoiler go in my place, but I'll stay on the comms listening to everything.''
Kaldur nodded. The team seemed a bit startled by Jason's revelation.
''There will be a mission.'' A female voice sounded through the room and everyone turned to see Black Canary, Batman and Zatara enter the room.
''Good morning.'' The team greeted.
''Good morning.'' Batman replied. ''Mission room in ten minutes, don't be late.'' He turns to Robin. ''Unfortunately we don't know how many Robins are coming yet, so you're not allowed to accompany the others yet.''
''It's okay, I agreed to let Spoiler go in my place.'' He pointed at the older teenager.
Batman nodded. ''Good, for the Robins who arrived yesterday, you have a meeting with Canary and Zatara, especially you Jason. Spoiler will attend as soon as you get back from the mission.''
Before the adults could leave the room, Robin tried unsuccessfully to suppress a groan of pain.
''Guys, one more...'' He muttered.
Now used to it, they moved away from the boy, who this time got up together and went near the sofas. They couldn't be more careful.
The glow on Robin stopped and began to glow again, this time on the sofa, and a figure appeared lying the next moment on the cushions, completely asleep.
''You've got to be kidding me.'' Spoiler stood up with a smile.
A/N: I think I made it clear which Robin has just arrived, after all it was the most requested in the last few days... I hope you enjoy the chapter, because from here on, things will be interesting *evil laugh*
See you next time! :)