Hey Ladies and Gents I'm back for the next chapter. As usual (sigh) I don't own anything related to DC Comics
Also as usual, if you guys have ideas or want to ask if I can work in any scenes that you guys may want to see I am more than willing to talk so just PM me and we can chit chat. Also before we move on to the chapter, I just want to say thank you for the support I got in reviews from LordSoundwave, , Jojo223210, and ComparedDread12. And to all those who favored and followed this story.
LordSoundwave: that's what I was aiming for and continue to aim for.
Jojo223210: Interesting Idea. He is probably going to get a name change once he leaves Bat's side
YOUNG JUSTICE
INFILTRATOR
GOTHAM CITY
AUGUST 8, 08:58 EDT
Nathan ran through his house as he finished packing what he needed to hit the beach with the team on Mount Justice. He had a white t-shirt with his navy blue swim trunks.
"Nathan," came his mother's voice from down the hall, "slow down or you'll forget something!" she said, as she appeared at Nathan's bedroom door with sunblock in hand, before tossing it to him.
"Thanks mom." Nathan said appreciatively, catching the sunblock as he did so. He had told his parents that he was going to the beach with Dick and Bruce for a couple days, which they easily bought into.
A car horn was heard from the front of the house just then and Nathan quickly packed the sunblock and grabbed his sunglasses from his bed and put them on.
"Nathan!" his father shouted from downstairs, "Alfred is here!"
Nathan went to take off, but a hand grabbed onto the collar of his t-shirt stopping him in his tracks, "Not so fast mister," his mother, Mara, spoke sternly, but Nathan caught the playfulness in her voice.
"Sorry mom," Nathan quickly spoke and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "love you!" he finished, before taking off like a rocket down the hall and stairs, almost tripping as he did so.
"Easy sport," his father, Eric, chuckled, after watching his son catch his footing on the stairs.
"Bye dad," Nathan spoke quickly, stopping to give him a quick hug and to put on his white, with blue trim flip flops, before leaving and making his way to the black luxury car in the driveway.
Alfred stood at one of the back doors of the car and when Nathan approached he opened the door for him and took his bag and placed it in the trunk of the car.
"Did you pack the proper sunblock Master Nathan?" Alfred asked.
Nathan, turning slightly embarrassed, answered quickly with a "Yup!" before jumping in the car.
MOUNT JUSTICE
AUGUST 8, 09:45
[Recognized: Robin B 0-1, Red Robin B 0-4] the computer announced as the two previously mentioned teens walked out of the zeta tube dressed for the beach and their usual sunglasses to mask their identity from the team.
"Robin, Red Robin!" greeted Aqualad as the two walked over to the rest of the team, "Now that we are all here, we can hit the beach." Aqualad spoke to the entire team.
The team made their way through the cave toward the exit that led out to the beach. As they walked, M'gann couldn't contain her excitement. She babbled enthusiastically about the beach and all her plans for the day. Once the exit was in view M'gann couldn't contain her excitement and took off running ahead of the group. Once she hit the beach she immediately ran towards the water. Eventually the rest of the team caught up with her.
"Hello Megan!" M'gann exclaimed, arms wide, "We should hit the beach every day!"
Robin put his hand on his forehead and looked down at the sand somberly, "First, a moment of silence for our absent comrade."
"Poor Wally," M'gann added sadly.
"You know we should really thank Ivo for Amazo," Red Robin said while chuckling.
Robin looked at him confused. "Why exactly are we thanking a villain who almost got us killed?"
"Amazo pushed school back a whole month!" he said, excitedly.
The rest of the team laughed and then started to spread out their things to start a relaxing day at the beach.
Red Robin seriously enjoyed his time on the beach. The Team just hung out, played volleyball, covered Superboy in sand and just had fun.
Red Robin was relaxing, laying in the sand with his eyes closed, and just enjoying the last of the sun for the day. His peace was soon disturbed when suddenly the sun stopped shining on him. Red Robin forced his eyes open to see what was blocking it. Though when he opened his eyes, it was more of a who was blocking it rather than a what was blocking it.
"Hate to interrupt, but we need to talk." came the deep, demanding voice of Batman, who got the attention of the entire team when he spoke. After his pronouncement, he calmly turned to go back inside.
Without saying another word, the entire team stopped what they were doing, packed up what they brought to the beach and started the trip back to the Cave.
Once they got inside, The Team hit the showers instantly and got in their uniforms and went to see Batman immediately. Red Robin had to take a second glance cause next to Batman was Green Arrow and with him was a teenaged heroine dressed in green as well and holding a bow. Before Red Robin could ask though he was interrupted.
[Recognized: Kid Flash B Zero-Three.]
"The Wall-Man is here!" Wally announced as he finally got to the cave dressed in his clothes for the beach, "Now let's get this party star -" he started to say as he made his way over to The Team, but couldn't finish because he tripped over his own feet and hit the floor. Red Robin watched as the beach ball he had bounced through the room and stifled a small laugh as Wally let out a heavy sigh, "-ted?" he finished.
"Wall-Man huh?" the new girl asked, "I love the uniform. What exactly are your powers?" Red Robin raised an eyebrow at her remark but a smirk grew on his face.
"Ugh, who's this?" he asked, gesturing with his hands towards the new girl.
"Artemis," the girl replied, "Your new teammate."
"Kid Flash," Wally shortly introduced himself, "Never heard of you."
Green Arrow then stepped forward and put an arm on her shoulder, "She's my new protege."
"W-What happened to your old one?" Kid Flash exclaimed.
Before anyone could answer they were interrupted again by the zeta tube, [Recognized: Speedy B Zero-Seven].
"Well for starters, he doesn't go by Speedy anymore," Speedy announced as he walked in, "Call me Red Arrow."
"Roy. You look-" Green Arrow started, but was interrupted by Speedy err Red Arrow.
"Replaceable." Red Arrow scoffed at his former mentor.
"It's not like that," Green Arrow defended, "You told me you were going solo."
"So why waste time finding a sub?" Red Arrow shot back immediately, "Can she even use that bow?" he asked as he glared at his prior mentor.
"Yes, she can," Artemis shot back defiantly, looking up at Red Arrow.
"Who are you?!" Wally asked again, not satisfied with her previous answer to his question.
"She's my niece." Green Arrow spoke at the exact time Artemis spoke, "I'm his niece"
Robin and Red Robin both with arms crossed looked at the modern day Robin Hood and his new protege with questionable expressions, "Another niece?" they both asked at the same time.
"But she is not your replacement," Aqualad pointed out to Red Arrow, "We have always wanted you on The Team and we have no quota on archers."
"And if we did, you know who'd we pick." Wally added in.
"Whatever Baywatch," Artemis frustratingly sighed, "I'm here to stay."
Red Robin had to admit that he did agree with Kid Flash, but he was beginning to like this new female bow slinger.
Red Arrow turned to start walking away but Aqualad was in his way, "You came to us for a reason." he spoke to Red Arrow.
"Yeah, a reason named Dr. Serling Roquette." Red Arrow answered.
The name immediately was recognized by the two Bat proteges in the room. Robin however pulled up Roquette on his wrist computer and put her life accomplishments up on holoscreens around the group.
"Nanorobotics genius and claytronics expert at Royal University in Star City vanished two weeks ago." Robin spoke filling the class in.
"Abducted two weeks ago," Red Arrow corrected, "by the League of Shadows."
"Wait," Red Robin spoke, "You want us to rescue her from the Shadows?" he asked looking up at Roy, excited for the opportunity.
"Hardcore," Wally agreed and he and Robin did their handshake.
"I already rescued her," Red Arrow explained, "There's only one problem," he continued as he activated a hologram and the Team gathered around to get a better look, "The League of Shadows already coerced her into creating a weapon. Doc calls it The FOG, it's comprised of millions of microscopic robots, nanotech infiltrators capable of disintegrating anything in their path; concrete, steel, flesh, bone. But its true purpose isn't mere destruction… It's theft. The infiltrators eat and store raw data from any computer system and deliver the stolen inel to The Shadows… providing them access to weapons, strategic defense, cutting-edge science and tech."
"Perfect for extortion, manipulation, power broking... Yeah, sounds like The Shadows." Artemis commented.
"Like you know anything about The Shadows." Wally huffed at her, crossing his arms as he did so. Artemis only smirked at him, "Who are you?!" Wally angrily asked again, getting frustrated by the new kid.
"Roquette's working on a virus to render The FOG inert," Red Arrow explained, getting the full attention of The Team again.
"But if The Shadows know she can do that…" Robin started.
"She'll be numero uno on their hit list," Red Robin finished.
"Agreed," Red Arrow nodded in agreement, "Right now, she's off the grid. I stashed her in the local high school's computer lab."
"You left her alone?" Green Arrow incredulously asked his former pupil.
"She's safe for now," Red Arrow replied.
"Then let's you and I keep her that way," Green Arrow spoke somewhat excitedly as he approached Red Arrow.
"You and I?" Red Arrow shot distastefully at Green Arrow, "Don't you want to take your new protege?"
Green Arrow was about to say something, but Batman silenced him by placing a hand on Green Arrow's shoulder, causing Green Arrow to rethink what he was gonna say, "You brought this to The Team. It's their mission, which means it's hers now too." he explained causing Red Arrow to scoff.
"Then my job is done," he said coldly, as he walked back to the zeta tubes to leave.
[Recognized: Speedy-]
"That's Red Arrow: B Zero-Seven. Update." Red Arrow spoke before taking his leave.
HAPPY HARBOR
AUGUST 8 21:59 EDT
The Team didn't have to go far to get to the Happy Harbor High School. Once there, Aqualad had asked for Superboy and Miss Martian to guard the perimeter outside, while the rest of the team were inside guarding Dr. Roquette.
Red Robin sat on a counter that ran across the one side of the computer lab keeping a watch outside for any movement. On the opposite end of the counter stood Robin also keeping watch through the window. Kid flash was also sitting on the counter between the bat duo but was facing so he had sight of the room.
Red Robin saw that the school was surrounded by woods that would supply great cover for someone, but if someone wanted to get inside and get at the doctor they would have to leave the woods and cross relatively open ground.
"Everyone online?" Red Robin suddenly heard Miss Martian's voice in his head.
"Ugh. This is weird," Artemis commented from her spot sitting on Roquette's desk looking at herself strangely.
"And distracting," Dr. Roquette added as she typed away, "Coding a distributive algorithm virus on a kiddie computer with less ram than a wristwatch is hard enough. Now I have to hear teen think in my skull!" she finished holding her head with both hands.
"Lady, do you always complain when someone tries to help you?" Kid Flash asked from his sitting place by some windows, munching on a chocolate bar.
"Pot, Kettle. Have you met?" Artemis asked snidely.
"Hey. Hey, I do not need attitude from the newbie who drove Red Arrow off the team," Kid Flash pointed his chocolate bar at Artemis.
"That is so not on me!" Artemis thought back, standing up from her spot and pointing at Kid Flash angrily before crossing her arms.
"Fate of the world at stake!" Dr. Roquette grumbled with one hand on her head.
"She started it!" Kid Flash whined.
"How about I just help Miss Martian and Superboy patrol the perimeter." Artemis thought irritadely.
"Good idea." Aqualad said as he walked out.
"You might want to cut her some slack," Red Robin said to Kid Flash as he kept his eyes out the window, "It was her arrow that saved your butt against Amazo." Red Robin grinned.
"What?!" snapped Kid Flash looking at the older Batman protege, "That was Speedy's - I mean Red Arrow's arrow, right?"
"Not so much." Robin said in his sing-song type voice.
"Humph. Well, still not giving her the satisfaction." grumbled Kid Flash.
"You know I can still hear you." Artemis said as she walked out to join the perimeter.
"Ahhh!" Kid Flash angrily groaned aloud, causing everyone in the room to wince.
"I couldn't get the Justice League." Roquette sighed in frustration.
"The virus won't be of much use if we cannot find the weapon," Aqualad said as he walked over to stand behind the doctor, "Can you track it?"
"My utility FOG is not a weapon. It's science, brilliant science, and of course I can track it, but I'd have to go online. Might as well rent a billboard with this address and 'Assassinate Me' written in neon." she said, placing her head on one hand.
"We will protect you," the Atlantean said as he placed his hand reassuringly on Dr. Roquette's shoulder.
Red Robin watched as Dr. Roquette seemed to be mauling over Aqualad's words. He watched as she hit a key before speaking, "Tracking the FOG now."
After a few brief moments while the software tracked the FOG, Dr. Roquette again spoke, but this time outloud, "It's in Philadelphia!"
Once Dr. Roquette was able to get a fix on the FOG'slocation, Red Robin heard Aqualad's voice in his head, "Miss Martian, Dr. Roquette has located the FOG. Reconfigure the Bioship so that Robin and Superboy can pursue.
Robin immediately took off out of the room to catch up with Superboy who was already outside so that they could take off after The FOG. Red Robin watched his partner leave the room, then focused back to looking outside. Kid Flash also left the room to patrol the inside of the high school since, Dr. Roquette's location was probably now known to The Shadows.
After several intense silent minutes, Red Robin turned from looking out the window and surveyed the room. Instantly he spotted and narrowed his eyes at the doorway, which he thought was closed completely but now the door was slightly ajar.
Red Robin instantly took out a birdarang and went to check on the door, but as he started to move towards he caught a glimpse of a shuriken whizzing towards Dr. Roquette. Acting fast, Red Robin threw his birdarang and it intercepted the shuriken. The two weapons colliding in midair alerted Aqualad as well.
"Doctor get down!" Red Robin shouted.
Dr. Roquette looked towards the door and as she did, the person behind it showed themselves, instantly frightening the doctor. The assassin threw three more shurikens but this time Aqualad stepped in front of the doctor and took the blow for her, the three shurikens embedding themselves into his Atlantean skin.
"Hmm. That had to hurt," the assassin purred in a sultry voice as she charged in dual wielding sai and charging at Aqualad. Aqualad looked over at Red Robin, but found that Red Robin was more or less frozen in place.
"Atlantean skin is quite dense," Aqualad explained to the assassin, pulling out his water bearers and creating dual swords for himself, readying for the assassin's attack
"And my shuriken are quite poisonous." retorted the assassin as she made her advance on Aqualad. Aqualad was able to push back her initial attack with one sword and used his other to swing at the intruder, but the assassin was able to duck under his attack.
The intruder tried again to advance on Aqualad, but Aqualad again blocked her attack and this time kicked her, forcing the assassin to flip back and avoid most of the attack.
"M'gann, Kid, Artemis we are under attack in the computer lab," Aqualad informed the rest of the team.
"On our way!" responded Artemis.
Aqualad continued to dance with the assassin across the room, trying to keep the cat masked woman away from Dr. Roquette. The two were able to block each other's attacks with their weapons, but the female assassin was able to connect with a couple of high kicks on Aqualad's head, and then using her momentum to wrap her legs around his head and doing a hurricanrana forced Aqualad to the floor.
Red Robin, stood frozen watching as the fight took place, his body just didn't want to seem to react. When he saw Aqualad go to the ground, his senses returned to him and he was able to pull out and throw a birdarang, just as the female assassin went to throw her sai at the doctor.
The birdarang whizzed past the sai in the air and embedded itself in the wall by the head of the female assassin, she glanced at the birdarang and then towards Red Robin. Aqualad using a water whip from his bearer was able to knock the sai just barely off course to the frustration of the assassin.
"It seems we are both off our game tonight," she purred, looking at Red Robin as she stood back up. Aqualad had also gained his feet during this time and approached the assassin, who now had her undivided attention, "Poison slowing you down?" she asked the Atlantean as they locked weapons and stared each other down face to face.
"Jellyfish toxin, I'm largely immune." retorted Aqualad, getting more in the face of the assassin, who then headbutted him knocking him down.
"Largely," the assassin gloated as she raised her sai to strike Aqualad, only for it to be shot out of her hand by a green fletched arrow.
"Don't... move." Artemis warned coldly from her spot at the door, another arrow nocked and ready to fire.
"Heh. This gig's getting interesting, the assassin purred, as she watched Aqualad get back to his feet. Pulling something from her belt, the assassin flicked her wrist fully extending a retractable ninjato. Narrowing her eyes, Artemis let a flurry of arrows fly at the assassin, but each arrow was cut down in flight.
Splinted arrows greeted the heroes of Kid Flash and Miss Martian as they entered the room, "Maybe a little too interesting," the mysterious female assassin noted aloud. The assassin quickly pulled something else from her belt and threw it on the ground, causing a flash of light and smoke to envelope the room. Kid Flash quickly dove through the smoke to try and catch the assassin, but came out of the smoke and almost tackled Artemis.
"Uhh!" Kid Flash exclaimed pushing himself away from Artemis.
"She's getting away! You're letting her get away!" Dr. Roquette shouted at Aqualad, who was standing in front of her.
"This is all your fault!" Kid Flash shouted at Artemis, "You were on perimeter! How'd that Shadow get in!" Artemis said nothing to Kid Flash and just glared at him.
"That's not really fair." Miss Martian put in as she walked up to the two, "I was outside too."
"Outside... being distracted by her!" Kid Flash defended Miss Martian, "Besides I can't be mad at you, you gave me mouth to mouth." he finished telepathically.
"We heard that!" Artemis snapped.
"Dang it!" Kid Flash shouted.
"Dropping the link" said Miss Martian with a hint of a blush, and then placed a comforting hand on Artemis' shoulder, "I didn't do half as well during my first battle. And I know you can't have been Green Arrow's sidekick for very long."
"Focus," Aqualad interrupted, but was solely glaring at Red Robin when he spoke, "Everyone" he added as he turned to address the entire team, "The Shadows will be back."
Just then a beeping caught everyone's attention, "Robin to Aqualad." Robin said over the comms, "We're over Philadelphia We've located the Shadow's next target, S.T.A.R. Labs. We're too late. It's destroyed, totally destroyed. The FOG decimated it. This is bad. S.T.A.R. Labs is cutting edge technology and now their secrets are in the hands of the enemy. What's our next move?"
"Rescan for that FOG. Find it. We're moving the doctor." Aqualad informed the Boy Wonder, "Red Robin," Aqualad continued walking up behind the teen, getting Red Robin's attention, "pull up a map of local internet connections."
Red Robin quickly pulls up what he was asked for and Aqualad scans over the map, "I have a plan. Team huddle up.
As the rest of the team gathered around Aqualad, Red Robin quietly backed off and made his way over to a nearby window to keep watch, while Aqualad explained himself, "Miss Martian, Kid Flash, Artemis and I will set up here…"
Red Robin after not hearing his name called zoned out as he watched out the window, "Of course he doesn't want me in on protecting the doctor. I wouldn't either to be honest. I froze up and almost got the doctor and Aqualad killed. Luckily Artemis came in when she did or the doctor would probably be dead thanks to me, ugh"
"Red Robin do you understand your part of the mission?" Aqualad asked the teen, his voice breaking Red Robin's inner thoughts.
"Huh?" Red Robin asked stupidly. Instantly hating himself once he spoke.
"I need you to take the doctor to the diner up the road and protect her if our plan at the boat house fails." Aqualad informed the sidekick. Red Robin looked over the team and was surprised to see two Dr. Roquettes and immediately understood Aqualad's plan.
"You can count on me." he spoke, with new determination to prove himself.
HAPPY HARBOR
AUGUST 8, 23:07 EDT
Red Robin stood in the diner with the doctor, who wasn't much company for Red Robin, though he didn't mind. He was used to it, he was the sidekick of the legendary Batman. He pinned his body flush against the wall next to a window to keep watch outside towards the boat house, but every now and then made patrols past the doctor, keeping his eyes on a swivel, determined not to let anything happen to the doctor.
As Red Robin was patrolling past the doctor Aqualad entered the diner, "The assassin is back, with company."
Red Robin did his best signature bat glare at the news of more foes, but Rocquette was next to speak with good news, "I've almost got it!" she shouted as she typed away.
Aqualad now stood beside the doctor as Red Robin continued patrolling. As he patrolled heard a soft thump on the roof, "She's back" Red Robin stated.
"Uploading now," Dr. Roquette informed, "and by the way," she continued looking to Aqualad, "you said you'd protect me."
This time the floorboards creaked as Red Robin and Aqualad prepared to face the intruder. From one of the doors that lead into the back of the diner, a small metal ball rolled out and burst into smoke that started to fill the room.
"I got her!" Red Robin yelled and pulled out his retractable bo staff and ran in.
"Red wait!" Aqualad ordered, but Red Robin disappeared into the smoke. Aqualad pulled out his water bearers and studied his surroundings. Clashing of weapons was heard in the smoke and sparks flew as retractable staff connected with retractable sword.
Inside the smoke Red Robin had his hands busy just keeping up with experienced assassin.
"When you're not frozen stiff, you are skilled, but still… not in my league" the female assassin bragged with her sultry voice.
"I know," Red Robin spoke and this time found an opening and his bo staff connected with the female's midsection, causing her to stumble back, "I'm above it." he finished with a smirk.
"Really?" the female giggled, "Tell me, since you're not wearing a mask with filters, how tired are you?" she mused.
Red Robin, instantly noticing the trouble he was in as he tried to maintain his focus, but now with her talking about how tired he was he couldn't and his eyes began to close. He saw just barely the assassin coming at him with a flying kick and tried to raise his bo staff but he wasn't in time and was sent flying into a nearby wall and fell to the ground with a thump, sleep overtaking him.
Next thing Red Robin knew, there was a blurry Artemis kneeling next to him, "Hey Red wake up." Artemis called out, helping Red Robin to his feet.
First thing Red Robin noticed was that the doctor was still alive and was helping to hold up Aqualad and that that the assassin was no longer inside, but before he could ask Kid Flash and Miss Martian arrived with Miss Martian levitating two men who were tied up.
"Where's the assassin?" Red Robin asked, getting a little bit of a look from Aqualad.
"She uh, she got away," Artemis spoke softly next to him.
"Oh from you! Big surprise," Kid Flash spoke sarcastically at Artemis, "Notice we got ours." he finished gesturing to the two goons that were tied up.
"Dude lay off already, she did great." Red Robin spoke, now standing upright, putting a hand on Artemis' shoulder.
Kid Flash was about to talk but noticed the assassin's mask on the ground, "Cool, souvenir" he said excitedly, picking it up.
"Her mask? Did you see her face?" Aqualad questioned Artemis.
Artemis turned away from him and took a few steps, "It was dark."
"It is fine. Robin and Superboy neutralized The FOG and Dr. Roquette is safe. Thanks in no small part to you." Aqualad praised the green archer, "Welcome to The Team."
Artemis turned back around with a small smile on her face as the rest of The Team gathered around her.
"I always wanted a sister," Miss Martian spoke, "I have twelve back on Mars, but trust me it's not the same." she said, putting a hand on Artemis' shoulder.
"I… wouldn't know." Artemis replied.
Red Robin walked up to Kid Flash and gave him an elbow in the side, "Ow!" Kid Flash exclaimed, to which Red Robin glared at him.
"Yeah welcome," Kid Flash forced out, welcoming Aretmis. Artemis put out her hand to shake Kid Flash's, which he accepted.
MOUNT JUSTICE
AUGUST 9, 01:00 EDT
Batman stood in front of The Team who were all assembled and addressed them, "From the official report Aqualad submitted everyone performed adequately," Red Robin at this point, sighed quietly with relief and looked at Aqualad, who kept his eyes on Batman. Red Robin quickly focused on his mentor again, "As a result, Dr. Roquette is still alive and her FOG has been neutralized. Great work. Dismissed."
As The Team turned and separated to do their own things, Red Robin was stopped by a hand on his shoulder, when he turned to see who it was, his heart stopped.
"Batcave now." Batman ordered his protege, who only nodded and the two made their way to the zeta tubes.
BATCAVE
AUGUST 9, 01:16 EDT
[Recognized: Batman 0-1, Red Robin B 0-4] the computer announced as the two stepped through and entered the batcave.
Once the two were inside, Batman immediately spun around and faced his young pupil, "You froze." Batman spoke in his low intimidating voice.
"No I didn't" Red Robin spoke, surprising himself with how calm he spoke.
Batman glared at his student and raised an eyebrow under his mask.
"Ok, ok" Red Robin broke, "Yes I froze. I messed up and it almost got the doc and Aqualad killed."
"Why?"
"I-I… Fine. I froze cause neither you or Robin were there and it was the first time that's happened since I almost shot that man in the alley and I didn't know what to do. I never have to think in Combat, You or Robin always take the lead, I just react to the plans you come up with. If you throw a batarang I know that I need to start flanking position, if Robin starts in and uses his bow high, I know to go in for a low attack. I see what you two do and I follow suit, but I don't know WHY you threw the batarang, or why Robin decided to approach. I never thought about what I would do in combat by myself, and in that instant when the assassin showed up, I froze. It was like I was waiting for you or Robin to show me the way, and when I realized I was on my own I had a hundred different ideas come to my brain but none of them stuck ya know, I would try to grab onto one and it'd slip through and I was left empty headed and flat footed." Red Robin explained slowly at first but then it started speeding up till he was almost intelligible by the end.
Batman nodded his head and said "control your emotions, breath"
Red Robin looked up at Batman a million things running through his head, but the most prevalent was when Batman would kick him off the team and denounce him as his sidekick. He tried to take a calming breath, but he ended up coughing, trying to hold back a sob. He failed and he put the mission and his friends in danger, someone could have been killed because of him. They would never trust him again. He looked up at Batman again through blurry eyes and saw the Stoic Superhero staring calmly at him, with no judgement on his face. Red took another breath slower this time and tried to reassure himself. He had to be strong, he had to trust Batman, whatever the decision Batman would do what was best for him and the Team.
"If you can't act on your own, you will be a danger to your team and others. For the time being you are on temporary suspension from team missions, while you train to act on your own. I've already taught you the skills you need, you just need to learn how to master them… Dismissed."
Red Robin, was stunned, it wasn't a complete removal, but suspension was pretty rough, and he was on his own to solve his problem… this sucked.
GOTHAM CITY
MAY 15, 23:45 (ABOUT TWO YEARS EARLIER)
Nathan got out of bed slowly, already dressed in black cargo pants, shirt and jacket. He pulled up his hood and slowly made his way to his window and opened it. He then walked in the pouring rain to the alleyway where only weeks ago his girlfriend and him were shot.
As he made his way down the alley the same way he's done for several days now, finally ran into the mugger who fired those fatal shots, gun now pointed at him.
"Wallet and anything valuable," the familiar voice spoke.
Nathan, thinking fast, grabbed and threw a trashcan lid and hit the mugger in the stomach. The gun went off, but the bullet hit the ground several feet short of Nathan.
Nathan then picked up another lid and threw it again, this time hitting the mugger in the hand that held the gun. The mugger, from the impact, dropped the gun and fell to the ground. Nathan quickly made his way over to the gun the mugger dropped and picked it up and aimed it at the down man.
"No please!" The mugger cried out, hand up pleading with the kid, who now stood over him. The mugger began to crawl backwards, now scared of the teen who had his own gun trained on him.
As the mugger crawled backwards, the kid took steps, until the mugger's back made contact with a wall.
"You're done mugging innocent people!" yelled Nathan, striking more fear into the man.
"I'll stop! I'll stop! Just let me go!" pleaded the man.
"Pathetic" Nathan growled and started to squeeze the trigger.
Just then the Boy Wonder appeared from the shadows, "Nathan don't do it." he warned.
Nathan stopped pulling the trigger, but kept the gun trained on the man, "Why shouldn't I?" Nathan asked in a cold voice.
"It's what separates us from them. You cross that line and there's no turning back." Robin advised as he took a step closer and put his hand out for the gun.
Nathan stood there as rain fell and water trickled down the gun. The man cowering against the wall, waiting for the shot to ring out that spelled his end.
Nathan spun the gun around and went to give it to Robin, but last minute lunged at the cowering man and hit him with the butt of the gun, knocking him out. He stood there for a few seconds before turning and facing Robin, giving him the gun.
"Feel better now?" Robin asked, cuffing the man.
"You don't understand what it's like to have everything you care about taken away from you," Nathan said, looking down at the unconscious, cuffed mugger.
Robin's face immediately frowned as he looked at Nathan. Robin slowly moved his hand up to his mask and removed it, "I do actually."
Nathan's mouth dropped, "Dick?" he questioned, shocked, "I'm sorry." Nathan apologized as quick as he could.
"It's alright. You should head home though. I'll talk to you later."
GOTHAM CITY
AUGUST 10, 13:15 EDT
Nathan knocked on the door of the Gordon household. He was never more grateful to receive a text from Barbara asking him to come over. After getting benched from The Team and any missions at all from Batman, he could use the distraction from the hero life.
After several knocks, Jim opened the door, "Nathan, Barbara is in the living room. You ok son? You seem beat."
"Yeah I'm good Commish, lots on my plate at the moment is all." Nathan responded as he walked into the living room and sat on the couch next to Barbara, who was currently watching the news on the TV.
When Nathan saw what was on the TV, he became sick. On the news currently was the recent attack by the League of Shadows on Wayne Tech.
"The Wayne Tech attack by unknown assailants was stopped by Robin and Superboy" the woman on TV announced.
"Superboy?" Barbara questioned, "No Red Robin or Batman?"
"Maybe they were busy?" Nathan suggested, swallowing the lump in his throat as he tried to speak with a normal voice.
"Maybe." Barbara replied with curiosity.
"What?" Nathan asked.
"Nothing, doesn't matter." Barbara answered, turning the TV off as she spoke, "Follow me." she said with enthusiasm as she got up from her spot on the couch and practically ran to her room.
Once both of them entered her room, Barbara shut the door, "Dad still won't let me join the force after school. Says 'I don't want that kind of life for you Barb' but I do, so I thought of a way around it." she said quickly as she made her way to her closet and pulled out her purple gymnastics uniform and laid it on her bed.
"What are you planning?" Nathan asked, though he was hoping she would say something different then what he thought she was about to say.
"I'm going to turn this," she started, pointing at her gymnastics uniform, "into my Batwoman costume." she explained, "after I quit gymnastics lessons of course." she quickly added in.
"What?" Nathan asked, "Are you serious?"
"Yes why?" Barbara asked seriously, placing a hand on her hip. Nathan watched as her face went from excited to questioning, to irritation toward him.
"It's dangerous Babs, you can't just decide this is what you're going to do on a whim. This is serious." Nathan reprimanded.
"I know," Barbara spoke with irritation.
"Besides, this," Nathan spoke with the same irritation and scolding that Barbara wore on her face, pointing to her gymnastics uniform, "doesn't provide much protection. Bad guys fire REAL bullets Babs."
"I know that." Barbara spoke with sternness, "Look, are you gonna help me or not?" she asked angrily.
"No." Nathan said sternly and with that he walked out of her room and left her there, glaring daggers at her bedroom door.