Chapter 14: Enter Robin
Batman and Firefly stayed silent for some moments as they still weren't sure what to make of the new hero right in front of them. Batman was still angry as Dick was going against what he told him not to do and even went as far to already have his own suit as if he agreed to let him do this when he didn't. Firefly was surprised too mainly because he didn't think Batman was the type to have a helper, especially someone so young. "If I were you, I would fly your hot-headed ass down her so I can whoop it good!", he taunted the villain. "Just who the hell are you supposed to be?", Firefly asked. "Call me Robin.", Dick said as he picked out that specific name based on what he told Bruce about his father nicknaming him that after nursing a robin back to health when he was a kid. "You mean like the bird? I think Chicken is a better name because you're gonna be as crispy as KFC!", Firefly said as he flew towards his flamethrower which Robin knocked out of his grasp and picked it up. He then spewed fire at the new hero to make him said crispy. But Robin's acrobatic skills were put to use as he dodged the flames with ease. "That the best you got?", Robin said cockily. "Eat this, smartass!", Firefly said as he spewed out a stronger flame from his flamethrower. But Robin pulled out a staff of some sort that was able to turn into a shield that protected him from the flames. Batman couldn't believe that he even had his own arsenal of tools already. Firefly kept spewing fire even as Robin kept inching closer with his shield still blocking him. When he was close enough, Robin was able to bash Firefly with his shield and knock him on the ground. The shield turned back into his staff which Robin used to hold the maniac down with along with his foot. "What's the matter, Sparky? Am I too hot for ya?", Robin mocked him. "Nothing's too hot for me!", Firefly said back. Robin was too caught up in his supposed victory that he didn't notice the other arsonists sneaking up behind him. "Let the boss go, Bat Junior!", one guy said. "If you insist.", Robin said as he got off of the boss and turned towards the boss' men. Robin began to fight off Firefly's men in his own fighting style that sort of resembled Batman's because Dick had taken some martial arts courses in his younger years. His staff was especially helpful in his fighting and helped knock bad guys out faster. Firefly took this chance to fly back in the air while Robin was busy fighting his guys. "Fall back! The Bat and his new partner may have won this round, but they won't win the whole fight!", Firefly said. His men did as they were told and retreated while Robin didn't seem like he was done with them. "Are you gonna fly away like a coward? And you called me a chicken! I'm sure it was because I was whooping your friends' butts. I can take you all on in one round!", Robin taunted. "You're pretty hot-headed, aren't you? I like that, but it won't be enough to stop me!", Firefly said. "You hear that, Batman? You and your boy wonder here won't stop me from what I have planned. Let's roll, boys!", Firefly said before he flew away and his men left the area. "Boy Wonder? I like that. Robin, the Boy Wonder. Don't you think that has a nice ring, Batman?", Robin asked sarcastically. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Dick?!", Batman asked angrily while still holding his burnt arm. "Hey, I'm Robin and it's not cool to reveal secret identities. You don't hear me saying your name out here in the open. And as far as what I'm doing here, I was saving your ass.", Robin said. "I thought I made it clear that I didn't want you to be a part of this! Where did you even get this suit and your gadgets?", Batman asked. Lucius Fox. I called him up and asked him if he could make me my own bodysuit and toys just like you.", Robin. "Looks like I'm going to have to talk to him about this. Listen, I don't want you helping me again. I don't want you to get hurt or even killed.", Batman said. "Look who's talking. Alfred is probably thinking the same things you're telling me now.", Robin said. "That's different.", he said. "How's it different?", Robin asked, but Batman stayed silent as he couldn't think of a good answer as it really wasn't different. "Look, you're not a part of Batman and what he does! End of story! Now, go back to the manor! I'll talk to you later.", Batman said. Robin didn't say anything more, but did as he was told and grappled away to go home. Gordon and his men later appeared on the scene to get the rundown from Batman. "And you don't know where Firefly and his gang escaped too?", Gordon asked. "No, all he said is that I won't stop him from what he has planned. And I know that's to try to burn all of Gotham.", Batman said. "That won't happen! Not on my watch! Witnesses also reported there was a young man in a red suit here helping you out. Do you have a partner now?", Gordon asked. "No, he's not my partner. That's not important right now. We have to find Firefly before he hurts anyone else.", Batman said. "Right, I have to go have a talk with the mayor first, but keep me posted.", Gordon said. "So, how does it feel to be commissioner?", Batman asked. Gordon stopped and looked back at Batman to answer. "Technically, not commissioner yet. I'm just filling in for now. I may not have always seen eye to eye with Loeb, but he was a decent leader of the GCPD and did not deserve to be burnt to a crisp by that flying maniac.", Gordon said. "If anyone deserves to be the next commissioner, it's you. You're the symbol of hope that both your cops and the city need.", Batman said. "Maybe, but you and Dent fill that role pretty nicely too. Anyway, I'll see you later and let me know when you have a lead.", Gordon said and then left. Batman began to make his way back home as he had to have a talk with Lucius and Dick about the help he just received that he really was not very welcoming of.