Trust isn’t cheap

The stealth jet hummed softly as it rapidly descended, slicing quietly through the thick clouds, emerging above a secluded compound nestled in dense, snow-dusted Russian woodlands. Flames and thick columns of smoke rose from the third bunker, signaling the dire situation unfolding below.

The jet touched down gently but urgently. The hatch hissed open, revealing chaos as sparks and small explosions erupted sporadically around Red Star. The Russian hero moved swiftly, his fiery red energy leaving streaks of destruction as he engaged the increasingly agile robots swarming him.

"Go!" Robin barked urgently. Jericho, Blue Beetle, and Aqualad turned to Jericho who nodded to swap with him to take over the wheel as he surged forward without hesitation, leaping into the melee to relieve the overwhelmed Red Star. Robin joined, his movements precise, fluid, and decisive. Each blow landed perfectly, disabling enemy robots methodically.

Jericho pulled the stealth jet up to avoid any damage immediately. He was of no help now since there were mostly robots, inanimate objects jumping Red Star, but he had a mission from Robin and looked a good spot to land the stealth jet.

Red Star stumbled briefly, exhaustion evident on his dirt-streaked face. Robin swiftly covered him, knocking a persistent robot into a concrete wall where it shattered violently.

'Not bad for a normal human.' Red Star thought rubbing grime and dirt from his face.

"You're late," Red Star growled breathlessly, smiling despite himself.

"Better late than never," Robin retorted sharply, extending a hand to help Red Star up. "Report. Did you get the intel?"

Red Star steadied himself, nodding firmly. "Yes. They're more advanced than expected. Artificial intelligence that adapts, learns—almost thinks independently."

"Fuck. So they do have some of Amazo's chipsets. Figures. We need that." Robin said under his breath as he dodged a robot performing a dive tackle on him, something that was definitely used to a flying target, that being Red Star.

Blue Beetle crushed another robot beneath armoured fists, metal groaning in protest. "Great. Sentient killer robots. Always fun." Multiple killer robots soon mob attacked him, heapin themselves atop each other, burying Blue Bettle in an iron coffin.

"Aaaargh!" Blue Beetle cried out as his suit morphed weapons all over his body like a porcupine and blasted the robots away. They were only barely damaged. It seemed as if the robot's here were the refined products.

"I am afraid you'd need more fire power, beetle." Red Star commnetd in his thick Russian accent.

"And more striking power… okay." Red Star while hovering turned to face Robin who removed the head of a killer robot from it's shoulders with his bear hands as Robin almost foamed at the mouth with anger.

'And here I thought the American's were soft, they actually have pyschos posing as heroes. I take back what I said about him being a normal human.' Red Star shook his head and dived back into battle.

Aqualad's forearms glowed blue with eel markings as his speed and power increased, and he began knocking down killer robots faster than before. The killer robots divided themselves, and some came after Aqualad, who had run inside the bunker to be alone with them. He found a water dispenser and threw the large plastic dispenser high up, but just above the charging robots. He soon gained control over the water that spilt from it in its fall and spread it around the charging robots, who weren't stopped by that.

"Goodnight." Aqualad said with a smug smile as he clasped his hands together and generated electricity from his glowing tattoos onto the wet robots, effectively shutting them down after a full minute's discharge.

The team moved efficiently, rapidly dismantling the remaining enemy forces until only smoking wreckage remained. Red Star stood tall, chest heaving, eyes hard with determination.

"We can't stay," Robin said firmly, looking around warily. "But first, we need to confirm something. Jericho?"

Jericho, who was missing in action till now, stepped forward instantly, placing his hand firmly against Red Star's forehead without warning. He only needed to look him in the eye, but he was following Robin's order by the letter. Red Star stiffened in alarm as Jericho's eyes flashed with psychic power.

"What—!" Red Star began, but his voice trailed off as Jericho sifted through his memories swiftly, methodically checking for hidden loyalties or sleeper-agent programming.

After several tense moments, Jericho stepped back, nodding reassuringly to Robin. "He's clean."

Red Star's eyes narrowed angrily, but he relaxed slightly. "You could've asked."

Aqualad looked at Red Star and came forward to put a hand on his shoulders without a word being said, but with a soft nod to console him, and moved on.

"No time," Robin responded bluntly, "I'm sorry, but trust isn't cheap these days."

Red Star reluctantly nodded, understanding the grim necessity. They quickly boarded the stealth jet again, engines roaring to life as they headed swiftly toward China. The team sat silently, exhaustion heavy in the air, no words spoken until the snowy peaks emerged below.

As the jet gently descended onto the desolate mountain peak, two cloaked figures stood still, waiting. One figure, clearly masculine, exhaled a visible breath into the biting cold.

"Oh, look... It's my boy," the familiar voice called mockingly as Robin stepped out. "What is it you go by these days… Robin? Such a tragic fall from grace."

Robin fought down a surge of irritation at the taunting voice, his jaw tightening visibly. "Ra's al Ghul."

Ra's smiled faintly beneath his hood, eyes coldly amused. "At least you still remember your manners."

The second figure, a woman whose cloak did little to hide her striking curves, stepped closer, hood falling slightly to reveal raven-black hair and piercing eyes. She offered Robin a faint, enigmatic smile.

"Mother," Robin greeted cautiously, nodding once. Her presence complicated matters significantly, yet could also prove valuable. Robin wasn't one for these kinds of meeting. He was on edge now.

Ra's appraised the assembled Titans with a critical, unimpressed gaze. "Quite the interesting squad you've assembled. And new additions, I see. Where are the others—the more competent Titans?"

A heavy silence hung in the icy air. Robin's face betrayed nothing, but the painful silence spoke clearly enough.

"I feared this day would come," Ra's murmured thoughtfully, shaking his head slowly, resignedly. He boarded the jet without another word.

Talia offered a soft smile, extending a slender hand elegantly to Red Star and the rest of the team. "I am Talia al Ghul. A pleasure."

She followed her father inside gracefully as Aqualad quickly set the coordinates. Metropolis awaited—along with answers Robin hoped he was ready to face.

As they lifted off again, Ra's spoke quietly. "I've had spies in Jump City since your troubles began. Victor and Donna wiped them out immediately. No warning, no mercy. They didn't even know when it happened and I trained them personally never to leave tracks. This Raven, I will get what I am owed."

"They've been… thorough," Robin acknowledged bitterly.

Ra's regarded him carefully. "Too thorough. Something unnatural drives them… no, that's not it. But one thing is for sure, they are not the same person they once were."

Robin said nothing, staring grimly forward. The jet fell silent again, only the muted hum of engines filling the uneasy quiet.

Deep beneath Metropolis, Lex Luthor moved frantically, fingers flying across holographic panels. Beside him stood Shazam, his youthful face smeared with grease and grime, eyes narrowed in concentration. This time he was putting all of the wisdom of Solomon to catch up and assist Lex in tinkering with their next big project.

The room suddenly echoed with a sharp notification tone. Lex's eyes flickered toward a screen—his hidden sensor array signalling a stealth jet's arrival near a concealed forest bunker outside the city.

He turned to Shazam sharply. "They're here. Go greet our guests."

Shazam nodded solemnly, his usually bright demeanour replaced by quiet seriousness. Without another word, he flew rapidly from the underground lab, breaking through hidden tunnels, bursting into the fresh air above.

The stealth jet landed smoothly amid thick trees, the hatch opening silently. Robin stepped out first, instinctively wary. Shazam descended gracefully, landing lightly in front of Robin, who studied him intently.

"Shazam?!" Robin greeted carefully. "You look like you've been busy."

Shazam gave a faint, humorless smile. "Lex has kept me working nonstop. These.. are desperate times."

Robin nodded slowly. "That they are. Lead us to him. We've got much to do."

The team followed Shazam silently, tension rising with each step toward Lex's hidden laboratory. Lex greeted them without looking up from his screens, his voice clipped, precise. "Glad you made it, Robin. There's no time for pleasantries—let's get to work."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "Agreed."

As they gathered around Lex's data-filled screens, silence stretched thickly through the bunker. Each member of the group knew the significance of their meeting—their combined efforts now the thin line between survival and annihilation.

Lex finally turned to face them, eyes sharp, intense. "The world is spiralling. Our greatest heroes have fallen, corrupted or broken. Now, we must become something greater. Someone willing to do whatever is necessary."

Robin's expression hardened resolutely. "Now that we understand, I'd say we better get started."

This Robin is Batman's son, Damien just to be specific. Crash out Damien in other words. 

Things are getting too hot for the pepper🤭😅

Anyway, read ahead on patreon.com/futamommy