How To Guess a Robin's Identity

Meeting Green Lantern

Clearly Snake Shoes didn't have any common sense as he ordered the remaining men to investigate, leaving him alone with the three trapped heroes. He was starting to look more unnerved, especially as the pattern continued - thuds, some inaudible shouts and faint gun fire before complete silence. Snake Shoes was glancing between the door and captured heroes nervously. Green Lantern suddenly realised what was going on - why Batman was looking smug, back-up of the small variety had arrived.

A cackle echoed through the room that made even Green Lantern shiver, which was nothing compared to Snake Shoes who had slowly started descending more and more into terrified hysteria. Green Lantern noticed before Snake Shoes did - Robin had descended from the rafters and shadows, landing behind the villain with a smirk. He tapped Snake Shoes on the shoulder, causing the villain to spin around with a shout. He seemed to have completely forgotten the fact that he was armed and twice the height of the Boy Wonder. It took one hard punch to the side of his head and a second later he was face first on the floor unconscious.

"That took you too long Robin. I expected you would have dealt with them quicker." Batman called out to his protégé, despite the words his tone was noticeably warmer than normal. Green Lantern took his eyes off the young hero for the first time only to find Batman out of the ropes and cage, putting his utility belt back before moving to collect the kryptonite and free Superman. The Kryptonian perked up noticeably as the kryptonite was removed and he was freed from the cage.

Superman turned to greet the young hero as Batman moved to free him from his own ropes and cage, handing back his ring. The Boy Scout had a smile on his face at seeing the boy and was patting hi on the back in congratulations. Even Batman if you looked very, very closely had a small twitch of the lips. Which Green Lantern figured would be the closest he would be to seeing Batman smile.

Wow, this kid was a miracle if he got the Dark Bat to smile.

"Hey daddy, Uncle Superman. You must be Green Lantern AKA Hal Jordan right?" The boy sounded as if he already knew the answer, which he most likely did knowing the Bat - he seemed to know everything about everyone and had probably taught the kid everything he knew. Green Lantern found himself nodding, muted and unable to form any words to speak. wat do you say to the tiny child hero who had swooped in to save you?

Eventually he managed to pick his jaw off the floor only to discover the Dynamic Duo and Superman inspecting and inspecting the weapon collection on the table. He caught up to them as they moved through the abandoned warehouse into a small backroom on the opposite side from the store room. Batman was talking on a com to someone called Agent A about calling the cops, Robin at his side.

Green Lantern found himself hurrying to keep pace with the Kryptonian, man he moved fast.

"How old is that kid?" He asked quietly, both curious and worried. He glanced back at the duo hoping they hadn't heard.

"Who, Robin? He's six, almost seven. He's been a hero for about eight months give or take. He has a pretty tragic story before being taken in by Batman but he's a good kid." Superman said with a small frown looking at the Bats in front. "I know what you're thinking. I was apprehensive when I first heard about him but Batman won't let anything happen to the kid and it's either we help him be a hero or he does it on his own in more danger. Just think about it, besides he did just rescue us, give the kid a chance."

Before Green Lantern could reply or ask any other questions, the Gotham duo approached the pair. Taking in the contents of the new room - it was laid out as an office which indicated the warehouse was a more long term base and not just a single use base for the trade. A desk and chair was set up with a computer and files laid out across it. Dusty shelves stretched across the back, mostly empty.

"Robin." Batman grunted to his partner, who simply nodded in answer and slid into the seat facing the desk. The kid started typing rapidly on the computer, inserting a USB stick as his hands flew across the keyboard. A few seconds of hurried tapping later Robin pulled out the USB and nodded to his mentor. What was Batman teaching this kid?

The lack of typing left an almost suffocating silence which was interrupted by a quiet ticking noise was heard, coming from underneath the desk. Robin ducked under being the smallest and before anyone could stop him.

"It's an explosive device set to go off in forty seconds and counting." He said looking back up, remarkably unworried about said bomb. Seriously Batman, teach your kid to have a healthy sense of fear!

Not a second later all four were running out the door and back through the main room of the dark warehouse before exiting into the fading light of the evening, lights illuminating the city behind them. They continued moving trying to reach a safe distance from the explosive device. Green Lantern was thankful they were in a deserted part of the city - no civilians to be put in danger. Only moments after the group were out the entrance did the high pitch beeping get loud enough to hear and then exploded in a multitude of sound and colours.

The four stared confused at the building. When they heard explosive device they all assumed it was a bomb but the evidence otherwise was in front of them. It was not a bomb - but a timer for a set of fireworks. Why did a criminal group have fireworks at their abandoned warehouse?

They watched the display for another minute before Green Lantern started to walk back into the warehouse, there was still evidence to collect after all. His movement was stopped by Robin who put a small arm out to stop him. He turned to the kid about to question him but was interrupted by a real bomb exploded, obliterating the warehouse.

Green Lantern gaped open mouthed, How did the kid know? He looked down at Robin in gratitude and the boy nodded in reply, a smirk on his lips. Batman looked unsurprised at the explosion, instantly back on his com talking to the mysterious Agent A again as Superman watched the flames roar in front of them.

And this was how Green Lantern came to find himself as Uncle Hal to, although he would never admit it out loud, a pretty awesome, kick-butt nephew. Also he discovered Robin was a brilliant assistant to help him get back at Flash for all the pranks the Speedster pulled.

The Vipers were completely made up, I think.  Also, on re-reading this I discovered that I left all the criminals in the exploding warehouse - oh well.