Robin's Need (ONC Entry - Batman Beyond/Young Justice Fanfic)

Batman is Dead

Batman was dead.

The thought echoing through Terry McGinnis' head proved mind-numbing even as a Batman from the future.

No, the Batman was dead.

Terry took a deep breath, deciding he needed to organize his thoughts carefully. Somehow, he pulled himself – and the first Robin – away from the bloody inferno in which the Batman died. Thinking back, he likely responded to the sound of first responders arriving, his mind knowing he and Robin shouldn't remain at the scene. His eyes closed, his hands tightening into a set of fists as the adrenaline wore off.

The young Batman from the future flinched, feeling the pain in his side. He'd definitely broken something on his way down when he protected the first Robin from the brunt of their fall. Terry grimaced, remembering how the child attempted running into the inferno after Batman, thus making his journey into the past pointless - somewhat. The goal of time traveling was to save both Batman and Robin because Gotham needed Batman, and according to the Flash he met, Batman needed Robin.

Instead, he found himself at the mercy of a tantrum thrown by the first Robin, who made it quite clear he didn't like the fact Terry didn't save Batman. This tantrum was followed by a complete break down by the boy as the death of his mentor kicked in. In the back of his mind, Terry wanted to kill Bruce for taking on a sidekick who was as young as the first Robin. Being Batman at age sixteen was hard enough.

Still, the boy was his most pressing worry at the moment. He found himself turning slightly despite the pain in his body. The first Robin sat silently in the passenger seat of the Batmobile, which was now on autopilot taking them back to the Batcave. The boy started straight forward, not moving. "Hey. Are you okay?" Robin didn't respond, making Terry let out a deep breath. "Of course not."

Taking a sigh, Terry leaned back, wondering what he would do upon arriving at the Batcave. He already struggled with his younger brother. "Ugh."

Thinking of Matt made him finally think about the fact he would likely never see his family and friends again. In this world, he didn't have a place he might call home, yet he brushed it aside remembering he needed to do something about the first Robin when he arrived at the Batcave. Worse, Bruce Wayne's disappearance wouldn't go unnoticed.

The Batmobile finally arrived at the entrance to the Batcave, the sound of the engines echoing off the walls. The vehicle finally pulled to a stop and the roof opened up so he might exit. Terry moved so he might exit. The young Batman from the future found his exit impeded by something hitting him in the head, making him reach up and pinch the bridge of his nose as a headache set in, adding to the pain in his side. "Bruce! Seriously!"

"I am not Master Bruce."