Okay, this one operates in an alternate universe where Robin didn't get adopted by Batman at first. He was taken by the Court of Owls. He was a Talon, and was there for two/three years before Batman found him. Once he grew attached to Bruce he decided to escape after finding out the Court was planning on killing the man. Robin (somehow) basically started a civil war withing the Court in which he was on neither side as he wanted all of them dead. He eventually succeded.

I might expand on that Au later. For now, on with the one-shot.

"This place is creepy." Wally spoke up. His voice echoed around the caves they were in.

"Shut up, Baywatch." Artemis hissed lowly.

'Both of you need to shut up' Robin snapped through the mental link. Everyone fell silent once again. Robin had been unusually tense this mission. It didn't make sense. Of course, the mission itself didn't make sense. Batman wanted them to check out some ruins outside of Gotham. Apparently, there had been some strange stuff going on in the area. Reports of a creature like a giant bird, and smoke-but no fire-, and chanting, and a few of people disappearing after wandering to close had reached Batman. The Dark Knight would have taken care of whatever it as himself, but he was busy with an Arkham breakout. Normally, Robin would be with him in such an occurrence; but Batman had, with a peculiar expression, said they might need Robin on this mission.

So here they all were. Creeping around in a dank, underground tunnel system. They hadn't seen anyone-or anything- or even anything to suggest anything had been there in ages.

'Should we split up?' M'gann asked when they came to a fork in the tunnel

'No.' Robin shook his head. Everyone turned to look at him. 'We should stay together.'

'Why? There's nothing here, we aren't in any danger.' Aqualad noted.

'Yeah, Rob.' Wally piped in.

'Just because we haven't seen him doesn't mean he's not here.'

'He?'' Artemis raised an eyebrow.

'It.' Robin amended.

'Did Batman tell you more than he told us?' Artemis asked suspiciously

Robin didn't answer. His head snapped to the side and he gazed down the tunnel to the left.

'Robin?' Aqualad prompted.

'Guys?' Robin's voice sounded far away in their heads'I'll go this way, you can take the other tunnel.' Robin pushed past Superboy and disappeared into the darkness.

'Shouldn't someone go with him?' M'gann asked when nobody moved.

'Kid,Superboy, go after Robin.' Aqualad ordered, snapping back into leadership, 'We'll take the other tunnel.'

The covert team melted apart. Conner and Wally crept through the tunnel after the team's resident ninja.

Conner stopped suddenly.

Here the tunnel widened once more. Robin stood in the middle. Light shone into the cavern from somewhere above them. The teens could make out the faint outline of a person in the shadows.

"Guys, stay back. This isn't your fight," Robin didn't turn to face them. If there is a fight at all. You can still surrender. I don't want to do this, and now I'm not alone." He seemed to be addressing the shadowed man.

"I don't surrender, you know that." a person stepped into the light, he wore a cloak of feathers and an owl mask.

"Well, you know, I thought if my presence didn't deter you maybe the Kryptonian and a speedster would." Robin parried flippantly.

"Why should I care that your friends are here. I can kill them even easier than I kill you. I've killed hudreds of Talons. Fear me." The cloaked figure rasped. Robin, in a voice so low and cold it made Superboy shiver, didn't hesitate to respond.

"Fear me. I killed all of them." and with that Robin moved.

Neither Superboy or Kid Flash had ever seen their youngest teammate fight like this. He was like water; fluid always moving, dodging, weaving, and striking out. The last Talon was on the ground in a matter of minutes. Robin held a knife that had seemingly appeared from thin air. It was pressed against the man's throat."

"I give you one chance. Leave Gotham, and me, alone; and I'll let you live." Robin hissed to the figure beneath him. At the man's nod, Robin got up. He dusted off is hands and walked toward Kid Flash; he looked nervous.

Superboy went to shout a warning as the Talon stood and lunged for the Boy Wonder's back. Turns out he didn't need to. Robin threw the knife over his shoulder. It struck the now unmasked man in the throat. The three boys stood in silence.

"You-You just killed him?" Superboy stammered after a moment.

"Who killed whom?" Aqualad's voice came from the tunnel behind them.

"I killed a Talon." Robin answered succinctly, and, ignoring the team, walked out of the cavern. "We're done here. I'm going to report to Batman at the Batcave."

It was silent for a few minutes after Robin disappeared.

"So, Robin killed someone?" Artemis sounded incredulous, "Robin killed someone. A Talon?"

"What's a Talon" M'gann asked hesitantly.

"They were part of an ancient group of assassins known as The Court of Owls. They were the best assassins." Kid Flash looked dazed as he answered. "Only the best of the best within the organization were called Talons." He looked around at the rest of the team. "I know you all have questions about Robin and what happened; but I don't want you to ask him about any of this, alright? He'll tell you when he's ready."

"We will respect your wishes." Aqualad acquesied after searching Wally's earnest face. "Let's get to the bioship"

"I'm gonna catch up with Rob." Wally was off like a, well, like a flash.

^^^^Scene change: Batcave^^^^

"So." Wally began as Batman walked out of the room. "Want to talk about it" His friend was sitting in a chair in front of one of the many computers.

"No. I just killed somebody." Robin rubbed his face with both hands."I shouldn't let it get to me, because I had to, but it does. I'm not an assassin anymore."

"Letting it get to you. You know what that's called? Being alive. Best thing there is. Being alive, right now, is all that counts." Wally paused, "How bout we go play Minecraft?" He changed the subject, knowing distraction was probably the best way to keep his best friend from getting too depressed.

Robin quirked a small smile and nodded.

Maybe things weren't okay, but that didn't mean they couldn't be.

A/N: so these quotes were from the episode 'the doctor's wife' and have been edited to fit the circumstances.

terrible ending, a bit too rushed, but oh well. I know that the team would eventually talk about it and they would have qustions and whatever, but it wasn't important to the quote, so Ididn't write it. I'm lazy.

review please and tell me what you think I should do next!