Two First Impressions

When Commissioner Gordon caught wind that the bat had a kid running around helping him round up crooks and villains he thought it was all some joke. Bats was the strong silent type, a loner. The idea of him hanging around with a kid was insane, more so than the Joker. So when he stood on the roof of the police station, coffee in hand, and bat signal shining and saw the Dark Knight approach with a pint sized squirt wearing a green and red costume with a black and yellow cape he thought he had gone mad.

“Batman?” he asked not believing what he was seeing.

“You wanted to see me,” the bat’s voice was as stern and emotionless as always.

“Yes, um, who’s the pixie?” Gordon pointed to the kid taking note of his footwear.

“Robin. Official partner to the Dark Knight,” the kid spoke proudly, puffing out his chest to look tougher than what a child’s body could allow.

“Like the bird?” Gordon questioned, “I never took you as the sort to employ children Batman. Is it bring you child to work day in the masked crusader world?”

“Na, that was last week though Flash brought his nephew,” Robin piped up.

“Wasn’t by choice. Kid’s proven himself capable. Now why did you want to see me?” Batman cut right to the chase.

“Killer Croc. He was spotted by a worker by the old docks. Are you sure a six year old-”

“I’m nine!”

“-Kid should be out fighting crime?”

“I can handle myself. I took down Zucco,” the boy said in his defence.

“You? But I thought,” Gordon turned to Batman who only shook his head with… was that a small smile?

“I was a bit tied up at the time,” Bats said cryptically, “Robin, let's go,”

The bat and bird lept off the roof and seconds later the batmobile went racing towards the waterfront. Batman and Robin. Gordon had to admit it had a ring to it and that was the first time he’s seen the bat smile. If what the purps that mentioned the colorful kid said where to be believed Robin was a formidable fighter and acrobatic, flying around the battles just like a, well, robin. He didn’t approve of his allies new partner, he was too young, too innocent to be placed in the dangerous situations Batman lived in, but he won’t argue with the bat about it. Yet. When they got back, Croc in tow, with Rodin sat on top of the unconscious beast going on about how aster the fight was with an air of childish innocence and excitement despite how horrifically dire the situation his tale was of, Gordon found himself smiling. The kid’s laughter and cheerfulness was infectious, even the bat was smiling ever so slightly.

So as first impressions go little Robin made a pretty go one. The kid crime fighter could stick around. He’s proven himself, plus no real harm could come to him if Batman was around. He shuddered to think of what the Dark Knight would do to someone if they hurt the kid, who he suspected was related to the bat in some way. If momma bears were ferocious daddy bats must be apocalyptic.

*

Superman had heard rumors of the bat picking up a kid, seen proof in the form of news articles and leaked security footage. A masked kid with a cape, decked out in red and green running around fighting off criminals. A young boy being made to take on armed thugs? And this has been going on for six months? Child Services must be having a field day with this. He didn’t approve of this, not one bit, so when he saw the bat next at the still in construction Mount Justice for a meeting with the League he made sure he made his opinion clear.

“I do not approve,” he said from his place at the meeting table.

“Of the new watch schedule?” Wonder Woman asked, “We could change your shift if you don’t like it,”

“Of Batman’s choice of partnerships,” Superman stated sternly.

“You speak of the boy called Robin correct?” J’onn asked.

“If your concern is for his safety I can assure you he’s had all the proper training and I don’t let him face off against a foe I don’t think he can handle, not if it can’t be helped,” Batman said, stoic as always.

“And he can handle Killer Croc? How about Clayface and Firefly? He’s just a kid Bats and you’re putting him in harm’s way!” Superman was growing more annoyed by the second.

“Relax Supey, kid can hold his own. He saved my butt last time I was in Gotham hunting down Mirror Master,” Flash butted in, “Which got me thinking. My nephew is also a speedster. I’m thinking Central could do with another high speed hero. What do you guys think of the name Kid Flash?”

“I was thinking about training another archer as well. I could use the backup,” Green Arrow added.

“Taking on an apprentice does sound wise. Training the next generation’s heroes, giving them our wisdom and resources,” Aquaman stated, “Perhaps I too will take on one of these ‘sidekicks’.”

“Robin knows the risks Clark. He chose to become Robin, I played no hand in his decision to become my partner,” Batman said, “Besides, he sees it as more play than work. All I can do is teach him not to get himself hurt, prepare him for what lies ahead,”

“Kids don’t normally think of facing off against the Joker as ‘play’,” Superman pointed out.

“I never said Robin was a normal kid and what makes you think I’ll let that psychotic clown anywhere near him?” Batman said.

Just then the Zeta Tubes started to activate confusing everyone. All League members are here and they only recognize authorized bio signatures. So who was coming through the tubes? It soon dawned on Batman and a few other League members, namely Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Arrow, as to what, or who, was going on.

“Authorization override. Code 813. Access granted. Recognized Robin B-01,” a flash of gold light shined in the tube and faded to reveal a ten year old boy wonder.

“That was too easy. You guys need better firewalls, took less time than it did for me to hack the Pentagon,” the boy said as he casually waltzed right into what was supposed to be the most secure facility in the world.

It was the boy Batman and Superman were arguing about. The Boy Wonder dressed up in his uniform of a red tunic, green undershirt with matching gloves, pants, and pixie boots, black and yellow cape, and domino mask concealing his eyes. A smug smile was painted on his face.

“Robin,” Batman greeted his young protege.

“The commissioner wants to see you. Apparently the Ragdoll is at it again and I think him and Catwoman are having a turf war,” Robin told his mentor.

“You could have called,”

“But I wanted to see the new clubhouse and besides you know I couldn't resist hacking into this place. You guys got teleporters! I just teleported! That’s SO cool!”

Flash and Green Arrow smirked while Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl were having trouble holding in the urge to aww at the young boy. The little bat was bouncing up and down on his heels and had a permanent grin on his face, excitement flowing off him in waves. It took a trained eye but the bat’s usually rigid exterior softened slightly and the smallest of smiles was on his face. Superman on the other hand could be mistaken for trying to do a Batman impression. His body was stern and rigid, a frown on his face and his eyes hardened. This was the child that Batman was training to be like him? Was this little one going to grow up to emotionless and heartless as well? And how the hell did he hack into the zeta tubes?!

“Hey Lil’ Bird, how’s it hanging? Staying out of trouble?” Flash asked the bouncing bird.

“Hiya Uncle Barry! I’ve been good but Alfred won’t let me play circus in the house anymore,” Robin said the last part with a bit of a grimes.

“You destroy the furniture,” Batman simply stated.

“Not on purpose,” the small boy puffed out his cheeks in anger and crossing his arms.

“Just be glad your’s doesn't run at mach 2 when on a sugar high,” Flash said earning him a bat glare from across the table.

Superman got up and stood in front of the bat in training, looking down at the grinning boy’s face, “So you are the famous Robin I’ve been hearing so much about,”

“And you’re Mr. Clark Kent!” Robin yelled happily at a now surprised Superman, “I used the computer in the Batcave and tati’s satellites to track the movement of objects going at supersonic speeds above Metropolice. Usually this signifies aircraft but in your city it means you flying around. Your most visited places are the Daily Planet and an apartment building located nearby. The only two people that work at the Daily Planet and live in that building are a Lois Lane and Clark Kent. It wasn’t too hard to deduce,”

Superman was left dumbfounded, as were the other heroes who haven’t met the Boy Wonder until today. Batman just smirked with pride. What a mischievous little detective his boy was becoming. He was being rewarded with his favorite ice cream for this because for as much respect the caped crusader had for the boy scout he did enjoy watching him lose and get caught off guard. Best to put the Kryptonian in his place every once in awhile.

“We are SO keeping him,” Green Lantern snickered and the others nodded in approval.

The kid just made Superman speechless in one of the most comedic ways they could have imagined: nine year old kid uncovers your secret identity and blabs it in front of your newly formed team. What an amazing first impression. He was welcome at the mountain any day even if it was just to piss Superman off. They were keeping him because every superhero team needs an adorable superhero kid they could pamper and spoil rotten. Let’s just hope Batman wouldn’t mind.