Chapter Text
The weather in Gotham was gloomy as usual, light reflected from the moon failing to penetrate its thick layer of smog. Though, today it felt… different. As if Gotham itself was holding its breath in anticipation. Atop the roof of Wayne Enterprises, a lone figure stood. They were watching, waiting. For what? Nobody knows. But there they stood, full attention on the chaos that was Gotham at night. Although just a shadow, it was clear the tension in their body, prepared to move at a moment's notice.
Then, their earpiece crackled to life, followed by the voice of a woman.
“Batman, Nightwing, Red Robin, Robin, disturbance near the docks. Unidentified individual froze the harbour, casualties undetermined.”
The figure, Robin, sprung into action. Taking out his grappling gun, he aimed at another building and shot. Swinging towards the harbour, the analytical voice of Red Robin came on through the earpiece.
“Not Mr. Freeze, he’s still locked up after that last attack.”
The gruff voice of Batman came through next.
“Hn. Oracle, descriptions on the individual?”
There was a pause before Oracle said, “Teenager around 15, male. He is wearing a light blue winter jacket with the hood up, and a cap that covers his hair. He carries a bow made out of ice, and seemingly froze the harbour with a singular arrow. He has made no other move so far, approach with caution.”
Landing on a building near enough to the harbour, Robin crouched immediately and analysed the situation. The ice covered the entirety of the harbour, its spikes reaching heights taller than some of the surrounding buildings. Searching for the suspect, Robin found him. He’s quite short, Robin noted absently, at least compared to normal teenagers his age. The boy made no movements, only sitting on top of the ice. It was almost as if he was waiting for something, or rather, someone.
Robin spotted the others at different areas above and below, waiting for the cue to drop in. Batman stares at the individual lounging on the ice, as if trying to vivisect him from sight alone. He nods his head, a movement so subtle that it would be missed to the untrained eye. But to them, who have spent years studying him and fighting with him, it was quickly caught.
Robin jumped from the building, silent as the wind. Landing in the alleyway beside the building, he rushed forward with the rest of the bats. In moments, they had the perpetrator surrounded, each of them holding up their various preferred weapons. His katana raised in an offensive position, legs crouched and arms poised to strike, Robin observed the boy. Why was he so familiar? He had not even moved when they approached, remaining as unmoving as the ice he sat on.
The air around them was charged and heavy with tension, when suddenly the boy broke into hysterical laughs.
“HAHAHAHA, lucunya keluarga ini! Tak kan Abang Damian dah lupa sepupumu?[1]” The boy said, throwing his head back and cackling, as if he just heard the funniest joke on earth.
Robin Damian froze. He knew that voice. Studying the boy’s face, he recognised the slope of its nose, the curve of its lips, the shape of his eyebrows. He would recognise this face anywhere. It was so reminiscent of them, how couldn’t he? He stared at the boy again, this time in disbelief. It was as if he had entered a trance, staring at the now smiling boy, his blue since when were they blue? eyes watching him in amusement.
He was only snapped out of it by a pointed cough directed at him by Nightwing. Quickly regaining his bearings, he spun around, facing the other vigilantes, to address the discovery of a new family member.
“This,” -he started, his left hand extending out and gesturing to the boy-“ is my second cousin, Asim Boboiboy.”