Reunion

Batman stood forebodingly in front of Red X and Cheshire, blocking them from Robin and Batgirl.

Red X's exposed eye narrowed. "Outta the way, old man."

He held out an X blade threateningly.

Batman remains expressionless. He does not flinch at all.

"No"—was his reply to Red X.

Red X charged at Batman, trying to stab him with his blade. But Batman dodges easily and sweeps both Robin and Batgirl up into his arms. He turns to the Titans, who were out of the shadows but not moving.

"Catch," Batman said. He threw Robin and Batgirl at the Titans. Finally, they snapped out of their stupor. Starfire flew up into the air and caught Robin while Cyborg was able to catch Batgirl.

"Who the heck throws their own partners and just says, 'Catch'?" Cyborg asked.

"Batman is so awesome!" Beast Boy said, drooling as he watched Batman fight Red X and Cheshire.

Batman uses one batarang to block Cheshire's claws and turns around for a second to kick Red X in the chest. Then, he jumps over Cheshire and kicks her from behind onto Red X. Batman quickly threw an ice pellet at them. It exploded and the two teen villains were encased completely in ice.

"That… was so COOL!" Beast Boy cheered. He rushed over to Batman. "Oh gosh, you're really Batman! The one and only! Can I have your autograph?"

Beast Boy looked up expectantly at Batman with a piece of paper and a green pen. Batman's expression stayed stern, but he still gave Beast Boy his autograph.

Beast Boy squealed. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!"

Raven used her telepathy to push Beast Boy aside. "Please excuse Beast Boy's fanboy-ing. We're the Teen Titans. I'm Raven, that's Cyborg (Cyborg waves), that's Starfire (Starfire bows politely), you already know Beast Boy (Beast Boys nods with enthusiasm), and Robin's our leader."

Batman nods. "I see. Thank you for watching over Robin."

"What do you mean 'watch over'?" Robin asked, scowling. He was holding Batgirl up as her ankle was twisted. "I'm not just some runaway kid, you know."

"I know," Batman said calmly.

"And I only came to Gotham for Batgirl," Robin went on. "Not because I want to visit you or anything, got that?"

"Yes, understood," Batman replied with the same calm tone.

"And I'm leaving now," Robin said, turning around. "C'mon, guys."

"Robin."

Robin turned around, looking at Batman.

"What?" he asked.

Batman reached into one of the compartments in his belt and took out a domino mask—identical to the one Robin wears.

"As a replacement," Batman said. As Robin took it, Batman whispered something to him. Robin looked confused, but nodded.

"Let's go, titans," Robin said.

Robin put the new mask down near the bathroom sink. He peeled away his torn mask and threw it into the trash. He wiped away the dried blood; a thin scab as already formed. Robin looked into the mirror. The mirror reflected his blue eyes. He picked up the mask and applied spirit gum onto it before putting it on. He remembered Batman's words to him.

"Blink three times after putting it on. It will only appear once."

Robin blinked three times as told. Suddenly, everything was tinted blue and a message scrawled in black appeared in front of his eyes.

I'm proud of you, Dick

-Bruce

The message disappeared when Robin blinked again, but reading it once was enough. Robin smiled.

"Thanks, Bruce."

Chapter 4 *END*