Disclaimer: Fe Fi Fo Fum, I don't own Teen Titans, none.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, especially to Coldfiredragon. You helped a lot. So, today no school because of voting and then Friday is off for Veteran's Day. You know what that means? Yes! I get more time to work on the next couple of chapters…that and study. Grrr. Anyway, enough with my babbling.
Ch. 4: To Fool a Bat
Cyborg stepped back, wiping his hands on the oil stained apron. Exhaling, the Titan hero eyed his handiwork. The damage of the bullet had shattered the mechanical heart, but thankfully, Cyborg was able to repair it. Now all that was needed was to add the spark of life. Grabbing a pair to wires, Cyborg placed them near the heart. A minute later, electricity sprung forth from wires, jumpstarting the machine. A moan escaped from the mouth of an impersonator. Blue eyes sprung open, wide with fear.
"Where…?"
Cyborg leaned over, "You're in the infirmary, kid. I fixed you up, spanking brand new." The teenager flashed his famous pearly white smile. "I'll bill you later."
Robin sat up, running a hand through his hair, "I don't feel any different…even though I just killed myself…" A sad look fell onto his face. Gathering up his courage, Robin stared down at the hole, consisting of a running mechanical heart and wires. "Guess I am a robot."
Pity swelled in Cyborg. He knew what it felt like to be part machine, not entirely human. The transition from being yourself to be completely human to accepting this non-organic part of yourself was not easy. It took years for Cyborg to come over his condition and even still sometimes he wished was human. But looking at the robot, he felt grateful that at least he still was half human. This Robin had truly believed he was 100 human. "Man, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I thought that if I weren't a human, then I wouldn't die. And if I was human, then death was the only way to relive you guys of this fake and make room for the real Robin. But, thanks for bringing me back, Cy." A small smile touched on his lips.
Cyborg smiled in return, laying a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, "No need to thank me. You're part of the family now. You killing yourself showed us that even though you might not be the real Robin, we still care for you. I think that your death would have put us through way to much guilt. Besides, the real Robin would never want a fellow teammate to die, no matter who he is."
Robin laughed softly. Just then the door burst open and in strolled a very determined Batman. Robin's eyes widened at the sight of the man, "Batman!"
Now, Batman has seen many things strange in his life. He has seen Killer Croc transform more and more into a senseless beast, survived and destroyed every wacko plan Joker tried to pull and he even tried to help on occasion Man Bat's dilemma of being more human. Yet, seeing an exact replica of his ward sitting up right in bed with no mask on, a hole in his chest with wires humming along side a motor acting as a heart had to top them all.
And all he could say was, "Oh."
Cyborg gapped at the legendary Batman, "Batman! Oh man, oh man, I'm a big fan!!! Oh my gosh, can I have your auto—" Then it hit the half-robot teenager. Batman was standing in front of him, Green Arrow and the Titans behind him, all the while staring at Robin, whom he still had cover the hole with artificial skin.
Batman began to make his way to Robin. Cyborg moved to the side, allowing the man to pass him. Stretching out with his gloved hand, Batman touched the chest of the robot. It felt warm, but now peering inside he could tell that the heat was established by the motor running oil through tiny clear tubes, much like a vein does with blood.
Starfire floated up to Robin and hugged him gently around the neck, "You are repaired! I am so happy!"
Robin laughed, "Thanks, Star."
Done with his evaluation, Batman leaned back, his gaze locked on Robin, "The work on creating this robot is state-of-the line."
Raven was the first to respond, "Now, you know the truth."
A grumbling of yes passed through the crowd. Batman sent his gaze over the group before settling down at the robot, "Part of it. Get dressed, we're having a meeting and I want a full update."
Robin nodded, "Yes sir."
Starfire hugged him once more, but Robin wasn't paying attention. He just watched Batman leave the room. Cyborg left a pair of extra clothes behind and both he and Star went to rejoin the others. Alone now, Robin ran a hand down his naked upper body. Goosebumps shivered to life, as did a tingling feeling throughout his body. His hand passed over the hole and felt a tiny breeze pass through his hand. Disgust erupted onto his young face. Grabbing a role of cloth, he tied it around his upper chest, covering the hole. Satisfied with his work, Robin began to dress himself and peered into the mirror. Pulling on his mask, he couldn't help but wonder who had created him.
"Where are you? Why haven't you returned yet?"
The unanswered questions hung in the air. Robin stretched out to touch his reflection, "Should I still be called Robin?" The moment his fingers touched the cool glass, an image flashed before his eyes and he felt his mind jerk. Blinking a couple of times, the robot shook his head and stared once more at the mirror. "What was that?"
He couldn't remember what he saw; it was like it was blocked. Strange. Turning around, he began to make his way to the lobby. Maybe, he should ask Cyborg about his mind, something felt off, like he was on the verge of remembering something…something crucial.
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The swishing of the door was all that marked Batman's entrance into Robin's room. It was strange but it seemed that the room here was a total one-eighty of his room back in the manor. In Gotham, Richard loved to have his room bright and cheerful, buzzing full of life. Yet, here it was an uncanny replica of the Batcave, without the bats. Gathering up his courage, the Dark Knight walked over and scanned Robin's desk. The robot had done his share of investigating it seem, the habits identical to Robin's. Whoever built the machine had observed Robin in and out, leaving two options. One: the person has to be really close to him to pick up on even the slightest quirks that made Robin Robin. Batman knew he could eliminate that factor, for those who were close to the boy were of the superhero community and wouldn't go to such lengths to kidnap him. No, this only left option two.
Robin's kidnapper was someone who obsessed over the boy, watching him with sick intensity.
Under the desk, Batman spotted a deep cut in the carpet, well hidden from view. Kneeling down, he ran his finger around the cut, noticing that it made a rectangular shape. Sliding out a small knife from his utility belt, Batman pried open the secret compartment, revealing a metal box snuggly inside. It had been a couple months to a year since the box was last removed due to the layer of dust on it. Grabbing the box, Batman crouched on the floor and placed it gently on the floor. There was a tiny lock but it soon was lying on the ground with a quick twist and jerk of a pick. Black gloved hands moved to open the box when the door swished open.
"What is it, Green Arrow? I'm busy here."
Green Arrow sighed and moved to sit on Robin's bed. Only when the door swished closed did he begin, guilt lacing his voice. "Look, Batman, I'm so sorry. I was going to tell you all this."
"When?"
"When…" It then hit Arrow that he never truly knew why he hesitated so long to tell Batman the truth. The fact was that if he had told the man sooner, they might have the real Robin back by now. But, Arrow hadn't and now had to live with the consequences.
"Well?" sneered Batman, impatience radiating off of him, his masked eyes urging Arrow to tell him something, even if it was false.
"Look you were busy with the Gotham and the earthquake, not to mention that I was kinda scared of telling you that your only son was gone. You're not the easiest man to talk to, Batman." Green Arrow felt a pang of guilt stab at his heart. That had to be the lousiest excuse he ever came up with and knew that Batman wouldn't buy it.
The Dark Knight dropped his gaze back to the box. "That didn't stop the League of Shadows from telling me about Robin's position."
The floor seemed to drop out beneath Green Arrow's feet. His voice sounded feeble, "What?"
Batman continued on without pause, "A month ago a man from the League told me that Robin was in Eastern Europe. He was involved in the recent civil war there and the League wanted him out or they would place him under military arrest."
"…Military arrest…?"
"It seems that Robin has been in some questionable situations that threatens his position not only as a superhero but might seal his new status as a war criminal." With this said, Batman once again eyed his fellow man, "Let's just say I was a bit surprised and angry that the LS told me this first than the Titans or you and confirmed my suspicions."
Green Arrow laughed lightly, "Oh?"
"I am not blind, Green Arrow. I know the Titans have been asking for fellow members to keep an eye for anyone who resembles Robin's appearance. I thought maybe it was just a coincidence, for many boys have black hair and a small, lithe body. I didn't think much considering Robin was here in Jump City. But then the League of Shadows comes and tells me a different story. I would have investigated more but like you said Gotham needed me when nature strikes."
The blond-hair hero didn't know how to respond. He just ran a hand through his hair and kicked himself mentally. To think he and the Titans could outwit the Bat. "So what else do you know?"
A snort resounded softly in the room. Arrow looked up to watch Batman creaked open the box. "Robin has been hiding things from me lately, since he left Gotham. Like I told the Titans, I want a full report, specifically," Batman held up the all too familiar mask of Deathstroke, "The Titans' dealings with Deathstroke and any information or interaction with this new villain named Reaper."
Arrow felt nausea swell in him. Blood seemed to drain from his face and for a moment, he swore that his heart stopped. Forcing his voice to stay level, he ventured to ask, "Reaper?"
Batman sent a death glare at him, "No games, Arrow. You and Titans have researched this name countless times and I want to know why."
If by some miracle, Black Canary opened the door. Glancing at the two men, she nodded down the hall, "We're ready for the meeting."
Batman tightened his grip on Deathstroke's mask, rising up onto his feet with barely a whisper of his cape. "Green Arrow."
Green Arrow was already standing by the door, halted. He knew that his name was not a question but a command. "Yes?" Eying his friend with uncertainty, Arrow waited.
"How long have you known?"
"About three months."
"Isn't that the same time you and Canary did a little recon mission to recover some NORAD information from some conman in Eastern Europe?"
"Yep."
A silence enveloped the heroes. Finally, Batman nodded, turned and brushed past Green Arrow. The green-fitted hero licked his lips, trying to calm down the overwhelming guilt and fear. He had broken his friends' trust in him and Batman rarely trusted anyone. And now Batman knew of Reaper. How could Green Arrow break the news that Robin probably is Reaper? How would Batman respond to knowing that his only son might have changed alliances?
"You said he was fine, that he was in good hands."
Arrow jerked slightly at Batman's low voice emitting from the hallway. The man sure knew how to creep on someone. "Yes, I did."
"He's strong, we both know that. I…have faith that Robin will choose wisely. But, I also have a sick feeling that the longer we wait, Robin's luck in keeping himself out of trouble will run out."
Arrow turned and regarded Batman like he never saw him before, "You think that military arrest is 'good hands', that whatever mess he's in now is not trouble!"
Batman narrowed his eyes down at the mask in his hand, "The military is strict and is probably a better haven for him, considering other potential dangers that might be after him."
Canary's gaze flickered between the two men. "So, I figure we're going back then."
Batman straightened his back, his cold demeanor returning full force. "I'm going. Robin is my ward. He is my responsible."
Arrow glanced quickly at Canary, "The Titans won't agree with that, they feel that they're just as responsible for getting Robin back."
"And look at the great job they've done so far."
Both Canary and Arrow internally grimaced inside at the harsh comment. The Titans were just kids and had done their best with trying to find Robin without attracting attention. But Batman didn't see it as such and who could really blame him.
"Let's go."
Batman marched back to the lobby to gather more information from the Titans, the two other Justice League members trailing quietly behind.
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A/N: Oh yeah, Batman is the bomb. And who's this League of Shadow informant? Well, you'll just have to see! Until next time, take care. So this is short compared to the others, but I don't want to spoil you guess like crazy and have this done in like a couple chapters. Where's all the fun in that!?XD
