Mission

                                    

                                          
Artemis internally groaned. Today was not going to be fun. Something had the Justice League on edge and upset and it was making for a very uncomfortable environment lately. The team had just been called for a mission and Superman, who was surprisingly presenting the facts of the operation to the team, looked absolutely pissed, his eyes even had a red tint to them. Because of his abilities, Superman usually tried to appear as calm and nonthreatening as possible. If Superman was so upset that he was showing it outwardly, and to the extent that he was, then something had to be terribly wrong. Whatever it was was going to bite her in the butt.
                          
The other members of the team also looked intimidated by the angry hero and stayed silent, afraid of causing his anger to grow. After some time, Kaldur gathered the courage to speak, "Are you alright Superman? It might not be my place to say, but you seem quite upset. I'm assuming that it has to do with why you're presenting the mission to us today. What is our mission?"
                          
Superman look at the team, as if just registering their presence. His expression softened greatly, "I'm sorry for looking so upset and angry, it's just that your newest mission is an upsetting one. I will help oversee it, I just can't do nothing anymore. I feel responsible."
                          
This statement caused murmurs and whispers to course through the room.
                          
Superman continued, "This important mission has been given to you guys for two main reasons. One reason is because of your age group. I need you to gain the trust of someone your age and it's easier for you guys to do that than the adults of the League. The second reason is because the League has failed and is one of the main reasons the mission is even necessary. We have decided that we shouldn't be in charge of this matter any longer. I hope that you will do a better job than we have." He turned on the monitors and the screens showed several images of Gotham City as well as its vigilante, Batman. "I am assuming you know who this is, right?"
                          
Artemis nodded. Batman was infamous. He was the only big hero to refuse to be a part of the League. He was notorious for his secrecy and his extremely violent tendencies. The League wasn't a big fan of him. They had tried to put a stop to him around fifteen years ago but the crime rate of Gotham had immediately risen after the Bat's absence and the League was forced to let him go.
                          
"I am also assuming that you know who this is," the screen flicker to the picture of Batman's partner, Robin.
                          
Artemis nodded again. Robin had joined the scene about two years ago. Unlike his mentor, Robin was known for being kind and never using unnecessary force. He'd even stopped his mentor from attacking some people, which took a lot courage. He always had a smile and something nice to say to those he rescued. The League really liked Robin but knew that if Batman wouldn't join the League he would never allow his student to join the Young Justice team.
                          
"We know who they are. Did Batman really hurt someone or kill someone? It wouldn't surprise me, but I would be very surprised if Robin was involved. Batman's a bad hero if I say so myself, but Robin follows the 'superhero rules'. What happened, are they our mission?" Artemis asked, gears turning in her head. The vigilantes must have done something incredibly wrong to incur such wrath from Superman. Artemis could see Batman doing something that bad, but his partner Robin didn't seem like the type. He looked like the type to be extremely annoying but also extremely kind.
                          
"Batman's actions are the reason for the mission today, not Robin's, although he is involved. We have discovered Batman and Robin's identity and the discovery has led the League to believe that Robin is not Batman's partner of his own free will."
                          
At that, talking erupted, cutting off Superman. "How do you mean?" asked Wally over the noise.
                          
Superman explained, "Before meeting Batman, Robin, or Richard Grayson, already had the skills necessary for crime fighting. He was a skilled trapeze artist for a circus and worked with his parents. They were known as the 'Flying Graysons'. Batman, also known as the famous Bruce Wayne, had been looking for a partner for a long time before Robin came along and wasn't having very much luck as many of you well know. When Robin's circus arrived in Gotham, Batman saw an opportunity. We have discovered that he worked with Anthony Zucco to cause this accident." Superman changed the image in the screen while making air quotes for the word 'accident'.
                          
M'gann shrieked and Artemis gasped, hand flying to her mouth to keep her from gagging. The image showed two people, one man and one woman, laying on the ground eagle spread with blood pooling around their bodies. The bodies were positioned at awkward grotesque angles, broken. The image was gruesome and horrifying, but what made it even worse was the little boy in the right upper corner of the image. He appeared like he was trying to run to the prone figures, his face tear-streaked. The boy was wearing the same colorful uniform as the figures.
                          
The room was silent, anger and sadness filling the room like an intoxicating smoke. After a while, Artemis asked "Batman did that?"
                          
"Yes," Superman said, voice grim. "He did. He cut the ropes and net that the trapeze artists were using. He killed them. He killed Robin's parents. After that he used his status as Bruce Wayne to take him in as his ward. We think that he's continuing to threaten Robin with the safety of the other members of the circus."
                          
"You're only telling us about this now!?" Conner growled, his hands clenched in rage. He knew what it was like to be held against one's will. M'gann flashed him a sympathetic glance.
                          
"We failed," Superman answered, looking at his feet. His face looked drained and old. "The League failed. We only discovered this all very recently even though this has been going on for years. I failed."
                          
Aqualad stood and turned the hero. "What will you have us do?"
                          
Superman stood straight. "For now, I want you guys to gather information and try to gain his trust. Keep in mind that Batman can't know anything. The endgame is to keep the circus from Batman's clutches and free Robin."
                          
"Sounds like a plan," Wally announced. "Let's kick some Bat butt too!"
                          
The team agreed with this sentiment vigorously.
                          
"If Batman gets involved, retreat immediately and let the League handle him. If Robin attacks, which he might, also call us. Chances are he won't trust easily," Superman said
                          
"We understand," Kaldur stated.
                          
Superman had one last thing to say before sending the team off. "Keep this mission in your mind as a lesson to you all, not all heroes are Heroes."