Robin's Little Finch

Robin's Little Finch ~ Chapter 5

"I did what you asked, I stole everything you wanted," Blade told the trio of female Gotham super villains. It was the Friday, two days before they said the dead line was for her trial run.

"Oh really?" Catwoman asked, "Remain there while we take inventory and discuss some issues."

Blade bows and takes a step back from the trio.

"Everything we asked for is here, Selina," Ivy tells her once Catwoman she joins the group.

"Well then, she fulfilled her role and it's two days early," Catwoman clarifies.

"She even was able to break into the asylum and get my rare seeds, dust, your whip, your claws, and Harley's 'toy' gun, and baseball bat. Then she got out, which we can all do, but isn't she new to Gotham?" Ivy adds to the conversation.

"Whether or not she is new to Gotham, she obviously isn't new at being hired help," Catwoman proclaims.

"Does this mean what I think it means??" Harley asks all excitedly. "Can we keep her??"

The trio nod their heads at each other and walk back towards Blade.

"Congratulations Blade, you have passed our tests," Catwoman announces.

"How would you like to form a much longer contract with us?" Ivy asks her extending her hand.

"It would be my honor to serve a long term contract with you three villainnesses," Blade answers reaching out and shaking Poison Ivy's hand.

***

It had been about 2 weeks since Tara had made the contract with the treacherous trio. Every night she has been sent out to steal something or another for them. Even though it was a lot of work, she didn't regret it. The deal was sound (she gets to keep anything extra she takes plus 1/5th of the money as payment, which will still be somewhere in the millions they project) and she gets experience in the field. As her father said, if you can provide your services in Gotham, you can make it anywhere.

In the two weeks she has been 'providing her services', she never ran into any police, but one night she did spot batman and robin, then the following nights she spotted robin alone. They must be doing recon, she suspects. She realizes that even though she is good, the batman must have noticed that stuff has going missing by now. Maybe she should stop by and see what they know so far.

Tara climbs up the side of the building that she last saw Robin on. When she gets up there she notices Robin on the side of far side of the roof, looking through binoculars at the street below him. Tara is trying to decide if she should make her presence known, and if so how?

Tara, dressed up as Blade, walks over towards Robin in a confident manner.

"Well well well, look who we have here, Gotham's very own wonder boy! What are the chances of us running into each other? Well, except the fact that you've been trying to track my every movement for the past 4 days."

"The title is Boy Wonder," Robin responds turning around.

"That's what you pick up on in that conversation?" Blade mocks.

Robin ignores her taunt and continues speaking. "You knew I was watching you? And you didn't stop me?" Robin asks.

"Of course I did," Blade says. "I didn't stop you, because you still don't know anything, you haven't been able to track me."

Robin remains silent. He doesn't know this villain or any of his patterns. He also doesn't seem scared of the fact that Batman might be just around the corner.

"Is the little birdie shocked, that I'm new here and still not scared of the big bad bat?" Blade taunts.

Robin still doesn't say anything in hopes that he can figure something out.

"You don't have to be so tense Robin, I won't attack you. The curiosity just got the better of me, and I had to come meet you in person."

Robin against his better judgment relaxes and decides that he will participate in this conversation if only to get more information on their new friend here.

"So you know my name, what do you call yourself?" Robin asks folding his arms across his chest.

"Oh how rude of me! I completely forgot about introductions. I call myself Blade and I am a mercenary."

"A mercenary?

"Indeed," Blade says circling Robin.

"Then who do you work for and what are you doing in Gotham?"

"Slow down. I can't answer your questions fast enough. But I can't tell you who I work for because costumer confidentiality. Plus where would the fun be if you had an idea of where I would have to strike next? And to answer your other question, I got bored in my old city."

"You are telling me a lot. That's a rookie mistake," Robin points out with a look of confidence on his face, which can be seen even with him wearing a mask.

"Or maybe. I'm not worried about you and Batman," Blade counter offers.

"Maybe you should be," Robin tells her even the his confidence is gone. Every villain in Gotham is at least scared or worried about Batman finding out about them. But this new guy? Not in the slightest.

"Pretty sure I'm well enough prepared to handle you and the Batman," Blade answers back her confidence growing. In her time on the roof here tonight. She was able to confirm her theory.

"What makes you say that?" Robin asks skeptically.

"I don't know," Blade starts interrupting her thought with a sigh, "the idea of a millionaire in a bat suit with too much money and time and a nasty attitude hanging around Gotham with his spoiled ward doesn't really scare me."

Robin's eyes widen. "I-I don't know what you mean." He says trying to convince Blade that he is confused.

Blade simply continues to stare at Robin through her mask.

"How did you figure it out?" Robin asks.

"That's for me to know and you to figure out, junior detective," Blade tells him.

"Batman and I will stop you, before you tell anyone," Robin threatens.

"Oh I won't tell anyone I know and you won't either, especially your precious Batman," Blade says in a knowing voice.

"What makes you say that?" Robin says.

"I found out Batman's identity through you. You were the weak link. How would you tell your mentor, who has kept his identity a secret for how many years now, that his protege, the boy who will take over for him when he fails, that it was your fault your identities were compromised?"

"How was it my fault?"

"I figured you were Richard Grayson and connected the dots. Everything added up. Batman gained a protege who was exceptional at acrobatics right after the flying Grayson's died and their son was sent to live in Gotham."

Robin, now revealed to be Richard, let's all this go to his head and sink in.

"I'm right. Which means you won't tell anyone."

"Fine. I'm assuming you plan on using this as blackmail?" Robin asks.

"I do, but this has already been an eventful night." Blade tells Robin. "Well cya later. Wonder boy."

Blade backs up slowly into the shadows without making any noise.

When Robin thinks the mysterious mercenary is gone. He lets out a frustrated groan, pulling on his hair.

"Why is this so unfair?" Robin proclaims into the night.

"Rule number 1 of being a mercenary. Mercenaries don't play fair unless they are getting paid, Wonder Boy," Blade announces to Robin as she jumps off the building into the night.