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People thought that being a hero and all. They must be strong. How else can the citizen rely on them to give them protection. Robin thinks they foolishly hope too much. The problem is, they've been putting up this propaganda shows unintentionally. Picturing their victories, how unbeatable they are. Apart to give people the deterrence, it serve to give the people hope and trust. Someone they know are able to depend on them cause let's face it a metaphysical believe just won't do. The people need someone they can depend on, they can blame to if anything went wrong cause that's human.
If an absolute superhero is what they're looking for, They're not getting it here. A lot of people has been made as a demonstration it seems. The government would say 'collateral damage' but this 6 teenagers would call it 'our fault'.
It all started with a call for a mission. They had gathered around like a half Arthur's knights. They were told that mercenaries are out for blood that night and they were told to stop them. They left wearing their confident suit that last week team training has put them in. They were eager to try out their new tricks in the field.
It was informed that they're hunting in a science lab. Being a covert team and all it was decided best that they will not make the scientist panicked, deciding to eliminate the treat beforehand. That's what they been trained to do anyway.
Robin set up the traps and they were ready. The mercenaries fell into one of the traps and suddenly the hunter became the hunted, Robin joked about it "Do you guys watch this documentaries called hunter hunted? really educational" Kid Flash commented it was a nice joke and then ran like a speedster, Miss Martian would try not to ruin their minds too much, Aqualad stays calm and collected saying this is not a joke. Artemis shooting fighting close combats just because she wants to and she can. Superboy was trying hard not too put so much force in his punches, not wanting them to actually die.
Eventually the mercenaries were all tied up and ready to be sent to jail. One of them said between gritted, bloody teeth "You think you won?" he giggle maniacally, they all did "Think again 'heroes'' Too late, Robin's computer wrist beeped, showing detection of a bomb. It was too late. They heard the bomb went off, Superboy clamp down his ear, too sensitive of a hearing. The blast force sent them flying. They recovered enough to see the red flame, and the building collapse like a reminder of their failure.
Aqualad was the first one to take initiative. Telling them to rescue any survivor. Digging rubles after rubles. Following the agony scream tell tale. Artemis doesn't cry a lot but when she hold a bleeding pregnant woman in her arms, promising survival, a single drop can be seen. The woman had laugh at her, laugh at her fate. "His name was going to be Sam…We had hope that he'll be a scientist just like me…But I guess, he won't even see the world. That's good I guess, the world is cruel" She preached the truth.
On the way home, they wore their funeral suit. Mourning for the loss. Mourning for their inability to help. Most of them thought, they got this. they will win this fight and for once, everything will go just right. But it is as the woman has said 'the world can be cruel'
Black Canary had greeted the grave team. She give them a small speech to lessen their guilt but the cut so fresh it barely work.
They didn't dare to go straight to bed even if their eyes are bloodshot and their limbs are tire. None of them dare to go to their room, alone. Those who did not live in the cave did not dare to go to their respective home. So they hang in the living room, having the most sad sleepover ever.
Robin, living in Gotham, experienced with death. Each blow felt new and fresh. Keeps him awake at night as it should be. He's just waiting for the 'I should have' game and voila, he doesn't have to wait very long.
"I should have listened for the bomb"
"I should have run faster"
"I should have warn the people"
"I should have acted faster"
Robin and Artemis stayed quiet. They live in Gotham. They seen what kids shouldn't see. They're heroes, they see what any human shouldn't see. "It doesn't matter" Artemis speaks up. The four metahuman sees her with a much confused and accused face.
"What's your problems, Artemis? Those people died because of our incapability! You're saying their lives doesn't matter?" Kid Flash said in rage.
"I never said their lives didn't matter," Artemis said with a glare. "I'm just saying that, Is just our occupational hazard."
"Artemis is right guys" Robin finally vocalized "We did made a mistake and it did took a lot of life but, blaming our self forever isn't going to do us much good, trust me, I've been there"
Kid Flash put his hand on his shoulder "You're right, sorry, Artemis. Just…I knew this day would come and I… I thought I'm going to be prepared for it. Guess not."
"I believe that it is alright to grieve for the loss" Aqualad said, Superboy grunt in approval. "How do you not blame yourself?" came the question out of M'gaan's mouth.
Artemis raise an eyebrow "There's no avoiding the guilt, M'gaan." At her answer, she seems to be discourage.
"I saw a suspicious person when I was a kid," Robin started the story, everyone tune in, is not everyday the boy wonder tell a story of his childhood "I didn't tell anyone and that cause the death of someone important to me. The guilt destroyed me until Batman thought me that moving on is different from forgetting."
"How so?" Meg had asked. Robin smile to himself cause he did the same thing when Batman told him. "You learn a lesson when you move on, you won't learn a lesson if you forget about it. Give it time but don't the guilt consume you"
"I believe that Batman is right. Thank you Robin for sharing."
Hero is defined as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements. It is true that to start being a hero you need to have courage. Some might says that saving people's life is considered to be an outstanding achievements but more than that, Robin learned that the most outstanding achievements is to not let the bad stuff consumes you.
People think that they are perfect but they're not.