I always planned for this to be a one shot. However, I was playing on Youtube today and happened to find this: www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=9E2MoFE2VRE&feature=related
Go and check it out since I lack the english skills to describe how much I love it. But it certainly gave me ideas for a plot and inspired me to keep going.
To the 20 reviewers of this story, wow! I have never had a single chapter recieve so much attention before. Espically since at least 15 of you asked me to continue. I only hope you all enjoy this and don't think I have screwed the story over by adding to it.
'Recognise, Batman, Zero-Two.'
The mechanical voice echoed through Mt Justice, alerting all to the presence of the Dark Knight. In the training room the team fell silent, the current battle between Kaldur and Wally ending as the two teenagers disengaged, waiting for the second mechanical report.
The seconds ticked by, the teens becoming more and more nervous as the expected failed to happen. Finally, Batman stalked into the room. The Dark Knight glanced around the room, taking note of its occupants.
"Report" he growled, his voice low.
The teens glanced at each other. They had no scheduled missions or training exercises. In fact, the only reason why they had all mustered at the base that on the Friday and stayed until that Sunday morning was their desire to discuss in detail the failed VR training exercise and try to rebuild their faith in each other. Something which had become difficult when Robin had mysteriously disappeared into the Zeta Tube the night before.
Kaldur stepped forward, the leader ready to give the details of the team's activities.
"Batman, we have been acting on Black Canary's advice and training to rebuild trust between us."
Batman nodded, once again scanning the group.
"A pointless endeavour when you are missing a member. I require an explanation as to why Robin failed to report to either myself or Agent A at the agreed time of 2200 hours last night, and the secondary time of 0600 hours this morning. And to why he is not here now."
"Agent A?" Artemis asked from the back of the group, but she was promptly ignored as Wally stepped forward.
"What?" The Speedster asked. "I thought he was with you last night."
Batman started down at the younger hero. Wally gulped.
"According to my information, Robin never arrived in Gotham last night."
He looked around at the team again. His eyes fell on Conner.
"Explain." He growled at the clone, knowing that the teen Kryptonian had something to say.
The whole team could see how Conner fought not to cower before the Bat. The clone's eyes scanned the rest of his team, finally falling on Wally.
"I tried not to eavesdrop, but I did overhear Wally shouting last night before the Zeta Beam was activated." The teenager said. He looked at Wally apologetically. "I didn't hear Robin after that."
However, Wally didn't notice the clones look, the speedster too busy studying the ground as his face turned red. He could remember all too well the argument from the night before, when Robin had come up to him wanting to discuss what had happened on the alien ship. The hacker had been pale and withdrawn for most of the team's discussions, seemingly focusing on something else and it had seemed at the time that the boy was struggling to gather his thoughts when he had sort Wally out from the group.
Wally hadn't meant too, but when the 13 year old had started talking, all Wally could remember his expressionless, almost bored look on the Boy Wonders face when Artemis had been disintegrated. Admittedly, the whole team had been like that, the mental barriers of the exercise stopping them from reacting until Megan had torn through and taken control of the situation. But still, Wally hadn't been able to fight as the rage had consumed him. His target naturally, the poor young hero before him.
Like a dam bursting, Wally had unleased all his pent up anger on the boy, all the thoughts he had concealed from Black Canary. Everything, from Artemis' death, to Kaldur's demise, from Robin's unchallenged rise to leader of the group, to the teenage hackers concealing of the truth of the aliens weapons and both Wally and Robin's own end in the death trap the mother ship had become. Everything was used in the 15 year olds furious rant.
Robin had stood frozen in front of Wally, seemingly in shock at his best friend's reaction. The silence had only added to Wally's fury and finally, the speedster had said the words he could never ever take back.
"I never wanted to be friends with someone like you!"
It had been that moment when Robin had turned and bolted to the exit. Wally had thought of following him but quickly dismissed it as the Zeta Tube announced Robin's departure, too relieved at getting everything off his chest to feel guilty at his own actions.
In fact, it wasn't until the next morning, when Robin failed to show up at breakfast, that Wally had started to reply the conversation and realise how many lines he had really overstepped. Robin hadn't made the exercise turn bad. Hell, he had done everything he could to save the mission. He had taken control, stopped the team falling apart and even managed to talk them all into the only available course of action. The boy had known he was leading his friends to their deaths, and yet he had never let the knowledge overpower him. He had stood firm just like a true leader.
Wally had no right to criticise the teenager's actions.
Torn between wanting to find Robin and beg his forgiveness and the teams need for him to be present, Wally had decided to stay with the team, planning to talk to Robin when the boy arrived for their agreed training. And then, of course the boy had failed to show up.
There had been a quick discussion between the five remaining members on what to do before Aqualad had decreed that Robin could sit this training out and the group would pay a visit to Gotham later. That was, until Batman stormed in, looking for his little bird.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, Wally looked up at the Dark Knight.
"We had an argument and he left. I don't know where he went." The speedster muttered, wondering if this was going to be his last day on earth, and if his Uncle Barry would plead his case with Batman when the detective came for his blood.
Batman seemed to grow, his half hidden face becoming darker in the caves lights. Suddenly, Gotham's protector turned on his heels and strode to the exit. The team exchanged glances before turning and following him. Whatever was happening, it clearly wasn't good.
No thoughts passed through his head as Jason worked, clearing the chamber of his AK-47. The weapon was state of the art, and the Red Hood's personal favourite. Completing his task and raising the barrel to a safe direction, Jason couldn't help but grin behind his helmet as he looked down at the lower gantry. Robin was perched on it, playing with his computer and humming under his breath.
The mission had been almost too simple because of the Hackers sudden inclusion. The security surrounding the information the Outlaws had decided to collect was nothing compared too many of the challengers Robin was used to. Hell, they had even scrapped their planned kidnapping, realising the information their target could give them would not be needed with Robin on the team. In fact, the only real difficulty in the whole operation was Jason's mad dash across the rooftops of New York as he planted Dick's bugs in various buildings. A whole mission completed and Jason hadn't even fired a shot. The Red Hood wasn't sure why but he was happy he didn't have to use his weapons in front of his brother.
The warehouse they had now claimed for their new base was silent. Neither Roy nor Kori had been needed for the operation and had disappeared, Kori dragging Roy off to buy civilian clothes for Dick for the next phase of their plan. It was strange to see how quickly Kori had changed, from uncaring flirt to mother hen once Dick had joined the group. If Jason didn't know better, he would say the princess was getting broody around Jason's 13 year old brother.
On the lower gantry, Robin let out a sad little sigh and stood up, stretching his back.
"Getting bored kid?" Red Hood called down at him.
Robin glanced up, his face a blank mask a la Batman.
"Just thinking." He replied.
Jason shook his head.
"Yeah well, if I catch you brooding again, I'm taking away your jump line and throwing you off the nearest skyscraper."
It was a half-hearted threat, and Dick clearly knew it. The teen finally showed some emotion, grinned up at his older brother.
"You'll have to catch me first." The boy challenged, finishing the sentence with one of his insane little giggles.
Jason laughed softly. It was those kind of comments that led to him getting his ass handed to him on a regular bases back at the All Caste. Leaning an elbow on the railing, Jason started to wonder what Ducra would make of Dick. Would Jason's old teacher see the same potential in Dick that she saw in Jason years ago. It might almost be worth paying a visit if Dick ended up staying with the Outlaws. If Batman didn't try to reclaim his lost little bird.
Filing it away on his mental to do list, Jason stood up and lowered the barrel of his gun, aiming it at the wall. His gloved finger rested on the trigger.
"Jason!" Dick called up, alarm clear in his voice.
The Red Hood ignored the teen, pulling the trigger. There was a soft click as the tension was eased on the mechanics of the weapon.
Jason laughed again and raised the barrel. Reaching into his pocket, the former hero pulled out the magazine, tossing it to his baby brother.
"You have a lot to learn Dickie Bird. Starting with knowing when the safety is on."
Dick slowly relaxed, grinning up at his older brother.
Maybe, both boys thought, by helping each other they could make something positive out of their messed up lives.