The Phantom Robin

5: Rest

"Dick, you need to relax... You're running on fumes! Even I know when to sleep." Tim pointed to himself, giving the older Robin a pointed look.

The trapeze boy made a grunted noise as he continued to run the set of numbers through some phone algorithm. They kept saying nothing. Whoever had owned those numbers, probably had an old, wired type of phone. Or something similar.

Tim sighed, looking back to the other heroes of his older brother's team. They looked worried. They hadn't seen him in a while, as either Dick Greyson-Wayne or Nightwing. They also heard that he wasn't eating or sleeping.

Kaldur sighed heavily before he decided to step forward.

"My friend, let yourself rest for now." He got a sharp glare, a glare that could rival the Bat's. The Atlantean steeled his nerves, needing to keep a peaceful air. "Resting will help you see new solutions to your problem. Don't you think that will help you more than running yourself in circles?"

Dick bowed his head a little, mulling it over. He was hungry and exhausted. He had ran himself dry of ideas. With a heavy sigh, he finally relented.

The team relaxed at his submission. The Atlatean smiled brightly, gently helping the other off the chair. With quick steps, everyone went back upstairs, Wally swiftly yapping about all the movies and video games the lot of them could play with. Of course, Jason said that Dick first needed a shower and food before doing anything like playing video games.

The speedster pouted as Jason wasn't very kind about his wording but didn't really say much about that. The first Robin rolled his eyes, yet a small smile began to form on his face. Taking a break was starting to look more and more appealing.

After taking a warm shower, he got some food and sat down to watch some movies with his friends. Wally was making jokes with everyone and lightly flirting with Artemis. The blonde would then whisper something into his ear that would make him a blushing and stuttering mess. Dick found it funny, just a little bit.

Just as the movie was about to conclude, their comms went off, making them all groan. Pausing the movie, they listened to what was needed of them. Apparently, Joker was holding some people hostage and the Young Leaguers would be needed to scout the area before the JL's take over.

"I think you should sit this one out, Bud." Wally placed a firm hand on Dick's should, a frown on his face.

The first Robin swatted the hand off his shoulder before bouncing up to his feet. With a childish grin, he shook his head.

"I've fought the Joker before in way worse conditions. I'll be fine, besides, I'm not alone." He made it a point to motion to the others around him.

The original Young Justice Leaguers shook their heads while the other Robins held different expressions. Jason was snickering at him, while Damian looked somewhat impressed with his resolve, and Tim was already hacking to get the building's blueprints.

"I suggest we get going then. We do not wish to keep the hostages waiting."

With that said, everyone got suited up and hurried to the building that was on the outskirts of the city. It was odd that was where Joker was holding them. Usually, he would have them in some big warehouse closer or in Gotham. The Robins narrowed their eyes, tense. They knew him well enough to know this was going to be a trap of sorts.

As the group snuck in, they had a surprise waiting for them. The bombs attached to the hostages were disarmed even though the lights were still blinking, all of Jokers goons were knocked out and tied up, and Joker himself was stuck in one of his Bat-traps! He was squirming and hissing, practically foaming at the mouth with rage!

"Get back here! You damn mutant! Get back here!" He roared.

Everyone held a confused look before masking it and showing themselves. Red Hood and Red Robin along with Artemis and Kid Flash took care of the hostages, who looked wide eyed. Superboy and Aqualad took care of the goons while Robin, Nightwing, and Miss M. took care off the enraged Joker.

"Miss M. read his mind?" He didn't bother hiding his own question. Who knew how damaged the Joker's mind was. He was claimed as crazy, and he remembered at least once the Martian mentioning that it was difficult for her to read the insane, without causing more problems.

The red-haired Martian nodded, her eyes glowing a sharp green for several moments before fading as she held her head. Her expression had turned sour and painful.

"All there is... Is this obsession with Batman," The Robins rolled their eyes at that. Everyone already knew that much. "And this anger towards someone-"

"Fuck that bastard! Fuck that creepy undead mutant bastard!" Joker screeched, interrupting the Martian from her reading.

"Undead mutant?" At the sound of the Cape Crusader's voice, Joker focused on him.

"You! You're late! You were supposed to stop me! Not some mutant brat! Are you recruiting creepy dead mutants now!?" The insane clown's mood then switched, he beginning to laugh with his Joker grin. "Of course, you are! The Hood's supposed to be dead!" Joker's laugh was beginning to annoy the Robins, especially Dick. So, without much thought, he punched Joker square in the nose. There wasn't much impulse control to the exhausted vigilante.

Batman frowned more than usual, but he didn't say anything other than placing a hand on the first Robin's shoulder in a sort of comforting manner. The Robin nodded before walking away, letting the others take care of it. He should probably head back to the manor anyway and get some proper rest.

He apparently wasn't in the mood to be played with.