To all: Thanks for reading…I will try to keep updating. If you like this story, please try my Brothers series……….the one that Zantac speaks of. As for Zantac…well, I could finish the series, but is it still prevalent given the Infinite crisis and all the tomfoolery and hijinx goin on in DC? Would it just be distraction? Anyway, onward and upward.
Batman had studied the great battles and strategies throughout history. He knew when a set up was afoot. He was being set up. That damn Alien. His fingerprints were all over this. The smarmy attitude, that "gee whiz" grin. It was bad enough that………Dick was obsessed with him. Now he had to introduce his friends to his young ward. He would not tolerate any more powered up, souped up, "superheroes" to poison his city.
Bruce already had enough difficulties raising one child……….well training one child to be honest. Now the boyscout wanted to make Batman one of modern day equivalent of the Lil' Rascals.
Well Batman was not going to be a part of any gang.
The Bat was good. But Alfred Pennyworth would forever be better at sneaking up on unsuspecting quarry. "Master Bruce, is there anything I can bring you. Perhaps some juice, or a bottle of chilled water."
Batman impercectably tilted his head. This was lame for Alfred. This hadn't worked since he was 12. "No, Alfred, I am fine."
"So I was speaking to young Master Dick," Alfred began. "I understand that you met some of your colleagues this evening."
"Calling the Justice League my colleagues would be the same as comparing your food to that of McDonald's," Bruce replied distainfully.
"I know the Justice League is quite powerful, sir," Alfred shot back. "But I assure you that you provide much better service than someone in a paper hat. Although your choices of garb when you work are similar in their lack of style I dare say."
Bruce slowly turned to face Alfred and cocked his eyebrow at his most faithful friend.
"I am British sir."
"I presume that there is some point to this?"
"Why would there be a point to idle conversation? I assure you that humans do it all the time."
"Two things. One the Justice League is not composed entirely of humans, so the argument about what humans do is not necessarily prevalent in this case. Two, when have you ever known me to be one for idle conversation?"
"Of course, sir. Why would you want to participate in activities that others seem to find enjoyment? Why join in with what others would find enjoyable? Or even a privilege?"
"Enough Alfred. In case you have not noticed, I have significant responsibilities here in Gotham. People count on me to do very important work. Both as Bruce Wayne and Batman. I have no time for team building."
Alfred paused. "Responsibilities? Would you include in those responsibilities, those to young Master Richard?"
"Of course. Dick is just getting started as Robin. He needs more training and more guidance. And we are finally turning the tide in Gotham. Crime is beginning to break. Their fear of the Bat is giving them pause."
Alfred regarded Bruce, his son, his ward, and felt slightly proud. It was not everyday that someone outfoxed the World's Greatest Detective. "You are right of course. Your will, strength, and determination has started to bring a peace to this town that I have not hoped for since your parents died." Bruce flinched at this, as mention of his parents always did.
"And you are correct, young Master Dick is going to need more training. What better way to further both your cause to save Gotham and train Dick, then to join the Justice League?"
Bruce stared at Alfred. "Wouldn't villains be that much more scared of you if they knew that the Green Lantern was your ally? What villain would seek to run if they knew that the Flash could give you aid? Who could doubt your strength if Superman was seen as your compatriot?
" And what of young Master Richard? What lessons could he learn, and how much more dutiful would he be to your tutelage if you demonstrated to him that a mortal man, with no more than his wits and his dedication, could keep stride with such powerful beings.
"The only reason I could see you not doing this," Alfred concluded, with a straight face. "Is that you do not think you can."
Bruce delivered a stare that would have made any Gothamite street thug crumple under the pressure. Alfred didn't flinch. He was British after all.
An alarm sounded, and Batman turned to face the computers that composed his nerve center. "It's the signal," Batman said abruptly moving towards the car. "Robin stays here, its late. Don't wait up." He hopped into the jet engine with wheels and sped off.
"But I always will," Alfred mumbled to himself. "But after I am gone, who will?"
Commissioner Gordon stood by the Batsignal, nervously smoking a cigarette. He had never used the Batsignal for this purpose………Gordon hoped he would not be mad, but the Commissioner was not one to pause after making a decision.
"Commissioner" a deep husky voice muttered out of the darkness.
"I had an unusual visit tonight," Gordon said facing the two white slits in the shadows. "Well, unusual for me at least. I don't have a lot of Martians speak to me."
The slits narrowed and a growling voice replied, "I apologize Commissioner. I had no idea that they would involve you. I will take care of it."
"Wait Batman," Gordon said, moving towards the shadows. "I heard what he had to say. And I think you should join."
The shadows were still, and Gordon wondered if Gotham's protector had already left. Then the voice came out of the shadows. "Why?"
"Its no coincidence that the Justice League showed up in Gotham today. We may be winning against the Gothamites, but we are not an island, no matter how much we may want to be. You may be able to fight the darkness in Gotham. But its not good enough to fight it here. If you just fight it here, crime bosses from Metropolis or Central City or even Bludhaven will come and attempt to fill the void.
"Now I don't know what all this means. I don't know what is happening. I do know, that for the first time in a long time, a group of individuals are trying to strike back in a way no one has before. But they will not be able to do it, without your help. And if they don't achieve their goal, you will not achieve yours. Gotham will never be free, and it will fall."
There was no reply, and the shadows did not move. Finally, he was able to hear the slightest crinkle of fabric, and a slight breeze. Gordon bowed his head, moved to the signal, and shut it off. "And if Gotham falls, Batman, you don't survive."
Bruce Wayne, freshly showered after his nightly activities, moved to Dick's room. Ever since Dick had arrived at the manor Bruce had checked in on him every night. Part of the reason was for the bad dreams that seemed to grip the young boy as nightmares had terrified Bruce for most of his childhood. The other reason was to confirm that it was true. That, indeed, Bruce Wayne playboy, and Batman, vigilante, had a young life to protect and care for. Every night, this realization hit and chilled him to the bone in a way that the Joker could never do.
Wayne opened the door to peek at his ward and was surprised to find Dick staring back at him.
"So are you going to join them or not," asked Dick timidly.
"What are you doing up chum," Bruce said, moving to sit beside the young boy.
"Are you going to join the Justice League or not" asked Dick much more forcefully.
"No."
"Why not?"
"I have responsibilities."
"Like me."
"Like you."
"Then send me away. Send me back. I won't tell anyone about you. But just send me away."
Bruce leaned back away from his ward, who couldn't look at him. "Dick………I am confused……..aren't you happy here? Why do you want to go?"
Dick stared down at the floor for a long time. Then he stared up at the man he admired with tears in his eyes. "You have given me so much, and I'm grateful. You and Alfred are great, and really helped………after Mom and Dad died. But if you don't join the Justice League because of me, well, I would hate that."
"All of those guys on the team are awesome, and Superman is the greatest." At this Bruce flinched. The damn alien. "But you have something that none of them have. They know it. And so do you. They protect us all from the really bad things that can hurt us. And if they need you, if they ask for your help, its because they want to make the planet safe.
"I don't want anyone else to go through losing their parents like I did. If you not joining the Justice League causes someone else's parents to die, I would hate myself. So send me away, or do whatever you need to do. But join the League."
Bruce stared at his ward for a long time. Finally, he stood up. "You are not going anywhere. This is your home now. Now and forever." He walked out of the room with purpose and Dick asked. "So does that mean you are going to join?"
Bruce paused for a minute in the doorway and looked back. "Tell Alfred to cancel all my appointments tomorrow. You are to stay in the cave and practice your deductive skills all evening. I will be back later tomorrow night." With that, Bruce walked back to the cave.
Dick then laid down and smiled to himself, one of the few he had allowed himself since his parents death. Batman and the Justice League. Now there was no way that the bad guys could win now.