Disclaimer: how I wished I owned young justice! then you'd get some awesome stories going on there. Not to say they aren't awesome already, but I've got a few kickers too. X3
Yeah, not exactly done with this section, but I wanted to get the filler bit over with. Plus I've got a question at the bottom. See below for details.
Where's Robin?
Ch. 20 – Getting Back
"How'd you do it?"
Wally stared blankly at his uncle while trying to hide his guilt, unable to fathom what he was asking. "Do what?"
"Get Bats to let you in his city." Barry handed him a tablet, on which was a mission report written by Kaldur. All of it talked about last night as if it were a mission from Batman himself. The teen just gaped at the screen, then at the notes Batman left on the report. That fiasco the previous night was now a sanctioned, successful mission.
"I've been working with the man for nearly eight years and never once was he happy about me stopping over unannounced. Let alone after I'd done something he didn't like." The uncle actually seemed amazed and proud of his nephew.
A weak smile came on Wally's face. "I honestly have no idea."
Batman covered for them. He couldn't believe it. Batman actually covered for them! It was a Christmas miracle! The guy really did have a heart! And it wasn't reserved to Robin alone, or any of those evil ladies the guy reported him dating.
Wait, the young speedster realized, there's no way we're off the hook that easily. Considering how often Rob was grounded for disobeying orders, and what Bats had him do as punishment, there was no way they were getting off this easy. Especially him.
And he was due back at the cave in half an hour.
Recognized Red Arrow – B06
"What brings you here?" Artemis asked the archer as soon as he entered the cave.
The young man rubbed his neck and shoulder, exhausted. "Ran out of supplies after taking on Sportsmaster and Cheshire, not to mention a dozen or so goons. They were hitting a local military supplier for some reason. Some secret experiment by some scientist named Stone. Since I was in town, I thought I'd restock here and see how Robin's retrieval is going."
The girl rolled her eyes and glared in the general direction of the rest of the team. "Dunno about that. But these guys decided to help Batman out in Gotham, without telling me."
Roy's eyes grew wide. "He let them in Gotham? Seriously?"
"I would not say 'let' my friend." Kaldur joined him, if only to avoid the silent fight between Conner and M'gann. Wally was trying to make himself small in a corner while eating what remained of their pretzels. "Wally and Conner went there unannounced Saturday night. M'gann and I attempted to retrieve them and ended up joining them when a crisis struck."
"Yeah, I read the play by play in Batman's report," Artemis growled bitterly. And saw it on the news, she added mentally. "He painted it like another mission."
"How did you guys manage that?" There was a universal rule with Batman. No meta heroes in his city without permission. And frankly, unless invited no other heroes came there either. "He would have tanned my hide by now if I tried that stunt."
"There were bombs set by Joker at several different locations," Kaldur explained. "I believe he required the help we provided."
Internally Roy groaned. Figures. "Take it you guys disarmed them or something?"
"The police did most of it actually," Artemis piped in. "One of their retirees found one earlier that day and another was reported in China Town. Bats I think is the only one who disarmed one on his own. The last two exploded out of harms reach."
"You sure know a lot for someone who wasn't there," the older archer stated sorely.
"I read the reports," she stated again, annoyance in every fiber of her being. After talking to the others for a few minutes, she understood why she was left out of it all. Her hands were still healing and her phone was off most of Sunday. In the end, it was her own fault for not participating. Hers and Wally's. He was the one who started the whole fiasco.
Seeing her point, Roy chose to move on. He thumbed over to the rest of the team. "So what's going on with those three then?"
Kaldur gave a long exasperated sigh. "Conner snuck out of the mountain without telling anyone. M'gann is not pleased about this. They have been fighting like this since they came home."
"And Wally's scared about what Batman's gonna do to them," the blond finished.
"Really." He looked over to Wally, a smirk growing on his face. "Can I watch?"
"Roy…" the Atlantian objected tiredly. Though he had the most rest out of anyone, mentally the guy was exhausted. His friends weren't helping.
"Hey I can't do anything when it comes to relationships," Roy countered. "The aliens are on their own. But it'll be fun watching him squirm in front of Bats. Shall we?"
Kaldur took another deep breath in response, giving his grinning friend an exasperated look. Artemis grinned impishly. "Why do you think I'm still here? I've got homework to get to."
'BOYS!'
Everyone jerked at the sudden mental shout running through their heads. M'gann threw up her arms in frustration, storming out of the room to find a way to cool down. Conner stared after her, completely at a loss as to what he should do. He turned to look at the other men in the room, a pleading look on his face. Kaldur shrugged while Wally looked away. Roy just gave an awkward smirk.
"Wait five minutes then go after her," Artemis ordered, looking away. Boys.
The clone nodded, then started to pace nervously. Their reunion was going to be interesting to watch.
Unfortunately for the alien couple, Batman's voice brought them back together. M'gann was still angry at her boyfriend when the intercom blared ordering everyone back to the central room. His cowled face appeared on one of the holoscreens, as stoic as ever.
"Joker is still at large in Gotham City. Since the four of you were so animate about helping last night," a touch of displeasure entered his voice, making some of them flinch, "it's your responsibility to find him. You'll be in groups of two, checking out likely areas he would use as a hideout. Also keep your eye open for Scarecrow. Do not engage either of them. Keep in constant radio contact and report any possible findings."
"Anything you want us to do?" Roy stepped forward, trying his luck. Artemis also took a couple steps up. Neither archer had been requested for this mission, but both were antsy for a fight. Sportsmaster and Cheshire had escaped him earlier. He wanted to succeed somewhere. Plus it wasn't every day the dark knight invited other vigilantes into his city.
The Bat eyed the archers for a moment in thought. "Are you certain you want to join the team this time?"
"Hey, if it's just recognizance, it's better to have more experienced people around." The archer smirked slightly. Look for but don't fight Joker. He could follow that. Then he thumbed over to Artemis. "And until Blondie here's hands are healed, this is about all she's good for."
His comment earned him a swift kick in the shins. Both archers glared at each other for a moment before Batman spoke again. "Alright. Teams of two. And I want you four back home before one. Your teacher called in after you fell asleep in class M'gann."
They were split up, and not in a way most people would have liked. Kaldur and Conner searched the Northern Island, Roy and Megan the Southern, and Artemis endured Wally on the middle one. Batman said he'd be around, chasing any clues he found and taking the rest of Gotham County, but everyone was certain he picked these groupings to keep everyone on edge. Keeping the alien couple apart was probably for the best, but Artemis wished she wasn't the only one reasonably available to baby-sit Wally.
Just because he was good friends with Kaldur and Roy, plus flirted endlessly with M'gann (whom he still thought was available, the fool) didn't mean it had to be her who was stuck with him. Conner would have worked. But then again the report did say the two had run off to Gotham first. AUGH! There really wasn't anyone else available for this.
"I say we go to the Coventry first," Wally stated quickly, looking over his map again and again. "Haven't checked that place out yet."
"Nuh-uh. East Side."
He glared at her spitefully. "Who died and made you boss?"
"Remember what Batman said?" A smug smile grew on Artemis' face. "Kal, Roy and I are in charge. I say East Side. It's pretty rough at night so the earlier we look, the safer it'll be. Come on."
She grabbed his wrist and pulled, hard. Her hand ached from doing so, but she had lots of reasons for going from east to west, most of it being the company. The west part of this island was better to be in at night. And if they were really looking for a couple of psychotics, it was better to be safe than sorry. This was Gotham after all.
Wally grudgingly followed, mentally coming up with insults left and right. He spent most of his time on the East Side. It was likely someone would remember 'Easton'. At least it wasn't likely he'd see Jason around there and get asked a million questions by the kid. Last thing he wanted to talk about was why he was back in Gotham with a girl.
A/N: So this is kinda a filler, but it does cover quite a few things. Wally's in the clear with his uncle, M'gann is still mad at Conner, and Roy took care of the adventure Rob and Zee had in the other world. Looks like there will be some spitfire here, but not a lot. I kinda want to speed things up here, at last. Hence why I post when I haven't finished tuesday in this world yet. Just as a future reference, I'm bringing in Catwoman. Just hoping I do her justice.
Now as a few of you know, I've got a poll on my profile. I'm asking you all if I should just finish 'Without Me' before getting to the converging point here, or just keep going on like I have. I have made readers wait a long time for the final chapters of that one, much longer than intended. Sorry for that. So please answer the poll. I'm still gonna finish this one (monday's all written out and I know what's gonna happen next) but the last two chapters kinda spoil this one a bit. Just some FYIs.
As for my rant on invasion: YAY! TIM! and it looks like Jason existed there too! less than three less than three! =p can't wait to see how the brothers interact. X3 wonder how old Timmy is and if I got his age right here. =/ oh well.