Boy Wonder

Chapter 5: The Decision

Ash was finishing his last period of school and was preparing to go home. He attended Brentwood Private school. He was dressed in the schools uniform. He walked out of the class and headed out the door.

"Hey Ash. Wait up." Ash stopped and turned toward the person who called his name.

"What is it Tim?" Then Ash was approached by another young man. This one also with dark hair but this one's eyes were blue. He also a bit shorter than Ash but only by an Inch or so. This was the only friend Ash had made in school during his first month and his next door neighbor, Tim Drake.

"So what you got planned for the Weekend?

"I'm not sure yet. Bruce said he wanted to talk to me tonight before he went out."

"Really? Any idea what about?" [I have my theory.]

"I'm not sure. Last few days he's been pretty busy. Not sure about what though."

"Well if you have the time maybe I'll drop by. Finally see those Pokemon of yours."

"Yeah sure no problem. I'll catch you later Tim."

"Later Ash."

About that time in a place no human in the world knows about several beings were gathered. The topic of discussion. The new path of the chosen one. In a circle they were gathered. All of them radiated power. These beings weren't gods but some considered them so. These were the Legendary Pokemon. The place was hidden in a mountain but at the top opened to the sky. Then one of them, a small cat-like one, spoke sort of.

"We all know why we are here don't we?"

Then a large red bird that seemed to be aflame replied "Yes but I don't see why. So the boy left. There are other humans who could take his place Mew."

"I for once agree with Moltres." This one a large Ice blue bird.

Then a blue panther like pokemon made a sound similar to a laugh "Articuno agreeing with Moltres. Now I know the world is ending."

Articuno seemed to snort in response.

Then a large lion like Pokemon made his presence know. "Enough of this. When are we going to retrieve the boy and bring him back where he belongs."

Then a yellow bird who's very wings reminded one of the Lightning he commanded called out "Why should we waste our time on this child, Entei. We never went after him when he was kidnapped. Nor should we have. He's just a human."

Entei growled "This is some gratitude you birds show him. He saved you from the collector and restored you sanity. You owe him."

Moltres screeched back "I owe him nothing. I had saved his life months before. We are even in the grand scale of things."

Then a tiger like pokemon stood out "We don't need the birds help. Entei, Suicune and myself can do it ourselves.

Then one of the largest beings attending the meeting the large grey bird Lugia spoke. "First of all he is across the sea. How are you going to get across. None of you can fly. I worry though. Perhaps I should retrieve him. He trusts me."

Entei got what appeared to be a smile on his face. "Ah at least one of you birds has a lick of sense."

Then the pokemon standing next to Mew spoke. He looked similar to mew but larger and more intimidating this was Mewtwo possibly the most powerful of them all. "No Lugia old friend you must not. You are needed here. Perhaps I should but I do not know if it is truly the right thing to do."

Then a 5^th bird spoke. This one was phoenix like Ho-oh "No you should not Mewtwo. But perhaps Celebi would know better than I."

Then a small green fairy like Pokemon floated up to the center of the circle. "We must not take the chosen one. He is not needed now."

Then Lugia asked a question burning in his mind. "Celebi can you send one of us back to save the chosen one in the past and prevent this from happening."

"No I can not. His destiny calls to him."

Entei then grunted and spoke "How can this be. His destiny is to be champion/proctector of these islands."

"That was his destiny when he was a child. The destiny of his adulthood now beacons. His path now goes into the dark."

In nearly perfect sync they all asked "What does that mean?"

Celebi could only look at them and say "All I can see is a dark city and what looks like the image of a bat. The Rest is clouded.

Ho-oh questioned him once more "Are you sure his destiny here is done."

"The only next clearest thing I can see is Mewtwo and what I think is a Spinerack but I am not sure."

Ho-oh looked at the other legendaries "Then this meeting is done. The chosen one is now on his own."

Back at Wayne manor Ash was home and looking for his father.

"Alfred have you seen Bruce?"

"No he's not here right now. "

"Great now I have to wait god knows how long for him."

"I'm sorry Master Ash. Did you need to ask him something?"

"No he said he wanted to talk to me about something. He said he'd talk to me about it before he went out tonight."

"Did he now. Well something came up unexpectedly. He did mention something about talking to you about something."

"I wonder what he wanted."

Alfred smiled curiously turned to Ash. "Young sir did Master Bruce tell you about his parents?"

"No I really haven't talked too much to Bruce but you should know that."

"True you have spent most of you time here alone or with your Pokemon. However Master Bruce has a knack for doing things when no one else expects them."

"I would like to know about my grandparents. What are they like?"

"They were very good friends. I miss them terribly"

"Oh... so they're gone too."

Alfred walked out of the Kitchen where Ash found him and led him to one of the other rooms. He showed Ash as painting of a distinugesed looking couple. One of whom bore a striking resemblance to Bruce.

"This is Thomas and Martha Wayne. Your Grandparents."

"What happened to them Alfred."

"When Bruce was a young man. They went to see a movie, Zorro I believe it was. They had a very good time at the movie." Alfred scowled for a moment and continued "A dreg of humanity attacked them in order to rob them."

Ash's eyes seemed to widen in a moment or realzation of what was to come next in the story. "He took what he wanted then...he shot them. Bruce could only stand there and watch as they died right in front of him."

Ash wobbly walked over to a near by chair and sat down. "He's the same. He's the same as me."

"I'm afraid so. He even made a promise."

"What promise was that?"

Then behind them a voice was heard. "I promised never to let it happen to anyone else. I promised to make any like that man pay for what they did."

Ash turned around and looked for Bruce but could not see him. However what he could see was that the Grandfather clock in the room was actually part of a door. A door that was now open.

"Alfred how long has that door been there?"

"Many years now. Master Bruce is down there and I think you should go speak with him."

Ash was about to go in when Pikachu wandered in. His eyes went wide. "Pikachu pi pika pika chu pika!"

"Oh don't worry so much Pikachu. Besides Bruce and I need to talk. Come on Pikachu." The Pokemon followed Ash down the staircase hidden behind the clock. As he walked down Ash found his eyes adjusted quickly. He looked wide eyed at the complex hidden under the home.

"What is this place?

From somewhere in the cave Ash heard Bruce's voice. "This is part of my life's true work. This is where I work to fulfil my vow."

"This place is Amazing." Ash reached the bottom of the stairs and he started to wander in hopes of finding Bruce.

"I suppose to most it would be but I don't just show this to anyone."

"Is this part of why you brought me down here."

"Yes in part. Ash do you remember the question I asked you when we saw the Tape."

Ash stopped and closed his eyes and recited the question. "What do I want to do about it?"

"Do you know now?"

"You want me to be honest?"Ash started to wander again and found a punching bag.

"Yes."

Ash's face became a picture of repressed anger "Revenge. I want revenge. I want the bastard who took my mother from me to pay." Then Ash attacked the bag. Pounding it relentlessly. "I hate it. I hate being so angry but I can't help it."

Then the voice seemed to be closer but Ash continued bashing the punching bag. "You can use the anger but you must hide it"

Ash now tired from his all out assault sat down in a near by bench "How?"

"with a mask." Then on instinct Ash caught something tossed his way. It was a black mask. The appeared to obscure the eyes.

"Why would I need this for."

"Ash in order to fulfill my vow I had to train for years. Both my body and my mind but in order to be the most effective I had to give them something."

Ash still sitting looked only at the mask in his hands "What did you give them?"

"I gave them something to fear.

"Fear of the unknown?"

"Yes"

"So are you trying to become the next Batman or something?" Ash then looked up and his jaw dropped.

Standing there was his father but now he was dressed in black and grey. On his chest was the emblem Ash had seen once before. "I am Batman"

"You...you're the one who stopped me from hurting her. What exactly do you want from me?"

"Ash I want you to join me. To be my partner. To help me prevent others from going though what we have."

Ash suddenly felt what seemed to be a great weight set upon his shoulders. "This is big...too big. I'm not sure if I can."

"You already have the physical training to do it."

"I KNOW THAT! Its one of the damn gifts those bastards gave me. Hell, when I first met Dick I sized him up like I was gonna attack him before I even knew what the hell I was doing."

"Yes and you'll probably be doing it for the rest of you life. Now you can put it to a good use."

"Who says I want to use it at all."

"You can help others with your curse as you see it."

"What if I told you I couldn't give a damn about helping anyone."

"Then you'd be lying."

"How would you know that."

"Its not in you nature. Your entire journey as a Pokemon trainer you helped people. I even looked into the incident at Shaomoti. You were willing to help perfect strangers time and time again."

"That was Ketchum who was like that...I not him anymore. I'm not sure who I am now."

"Ash I won't force you to join me. This life requires a lot of sacrifice and not lot of people could do it."

"I just think I need to take a walk. Then maybe I can give you an answer." Ash looked over to the Pokemon who was at his side the entire time. "Come on little buddy." Then the two of them walked out back to the manor proper.

Then another figure stepped out of the shadows of the cave, Dick Grayson.

"Well that was unexpected."

"How so?" was Bruce's reply

"I expected either to say he was in or he would deck you and leave the city."

"Hmmmm."

"I'm gonna go out and talk to him."

Outside Pikachu and Ash were heading off the Manor Grounds when Ash heard someone calling him from behind.

"Hey Ash!!"

Ash turned around and saw Dick running up to him.

"Hello Dick"

"So how you feeling?"

Ash looked at Dick for a second "You were in there weren't you."

Dick smiled "Direct and to the point. You are his son."

"Are you gonna try to influnce my decision?"

"No I just want to get to know you a bit. Its something I've been meaning to do for a while. Unlike him I don't play with peoples minds."

"You and him don't get along?"

"At times but I guess it's that will all fathers and sons."

"You think of him as your dad?"

"Sort of. He rasied me from when I was about your age. So in a way he is. Not to mention I am a part of the "family" business. But enough about him. What do you say we go to my apartment in town and get something to eat."

"I'm not really..."Ash was then interruped by the sound of Ash's stomach growling "Oh why not."

"Let me get my Motorcycle and I'll give you a ride."

Ash looked down at Pikachu "Hey Pikachu"

"Pika?"

"Don't fry this Bike okay. I don't want to owe someone else a bike okay?"

The electric mouse just scowled "pika."

Dick just looked at them both "Now I'm worried."

At Dicks uptown loft apartment The meal the boys and pokemon ate rather animated.

Ash regaled Dick with stories of his journey and his adventrues.

"So it sounds to me you and this Misty girl were pretty close."

"Pikachu aside she was my best friend."

"Was?"

"That part of my life is over and done with now."

"So you're never going to see them?"

"No."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure. Dick why do you do it?"

"The work?"

"Yes."

"The same as Bruce. My parents were killed and I wanted revenge on the Guy who did it."

"Did you ever get him?"

"Yes."

"Bruce and I brought Zuco to justice. Right now he's in prison rotting away."

"Does it go away?"

"Does what go?"

"The pain. The feeling of loss."

"No but doing it helps. At least for me it did but it never gets easy. Bruce said this job requiers a lot of sacrifice and he's right."

"What kinda of sacrifices?"

"Possibly your life for one."

"Has anyone died?"

"Yes"

"Who?"

"His name was Jason. He was the second Robin. He was like a little brother to me. That was about a year ago he died. Bruce never really got over it and to be honest neither have I. He placed his suit in a special place in the cave. But death isn't the only possibility. We about 6 months ago lost Batgirl."

"She's dead too?"

"No she's crippled. Alive but she can never walk again. Ironic thing is that it happened in her own apartment. Joker didn't even know she was Batgirl."

"Can I meet her?"

"Sure I'll introduce her next time. She's been wanting to meet you actually."

"Dick were is Jason's grave?"

"Its near The Wayne's grave. At Gotham State Memorial."

"Maybe I should go see them."

"I can take you."

"No I need some time to myself. I'll see you later Dick."

"You sure you can take care of yourself?"

"Pika!"

"Pikachu's with me and I been in some bad scrapes and made it out okay. I'll be fine."

"Okay." [Better suit up and follow him. Bruce would kill me if I left him on his own right now]

Ash was wandering around Gotham Pikachu at his side. He had no destination in mind he just wandered aimlessly. Soon he came to one of the seedier parts of the city. Ash just almost taste the filth of the place and the scum who made it uninhabitable to decent people.

"Pika"

"No not yet."

"Chu"

"Because I haven't made up my mind yet."

"Pikachu"

"Once maybe."

"Pi-pikachu pika"

"Listen pikachu this is no small thing. This is about peoples lives here. My life as well."

Then before the discussion between man and mon could continue Ash heard a scream. Ash and Pikachu ran towards the shout and found something that shook him. There was two teenagers just younger than him in fear for their lives from two armed thugs. What really shook Ash was the look of the two teens. One was male with from what he could see Black hair under his ball cap and dark eyes which were in total fear but even in his fear Ash could see he was concearned about the girl to his left. If the boy's resembelance to himself earlier in life startled him the girl truly shocked Ash. She was wearing a yellow zip up blouse that revealed her midriff and her short shorts all this was topped off by her short red hair.

"Misty..." [no its not her. THINK STRAIT ASH!]

Then one of the two thugs pointed a gun at the teens. "Give us the money ya punk or you'll both be filled with lead."

Then the one next to him leered at the Girl. "I dunno Wal. I think we can have some fun with the girl."

The boy then became angered "if you harm one hair on her..." He was then interrupted by Ash would had come up behind the thugs.

"You will answer to me."

The two thugs looked over at Ash and sneered.

"What are you going to do."

Ash smiled a nasty looking smile "This... Pikachu thunder wave."

Pikachu's smile mirrored Ash's "PIIIIIIIIIIIKAAACHUUUUUUU!!!"

Pikachu's attack paralized the two thugs freezing them in place.

"You two" Ash called to the kids his wicked smile never leaving his face "Get out of here...they're mine."

The boy quickly grabbed the girls hand and led her away and she could only call out her thanks as they ran off into the night.

"Now your mine." The look in Ash's eyes showed he would give the thugs no mercy and the beating he gave them while non-lethal was brutal and painful.

As Ash beat upon the hapless thugs two figures looked upon the bashing

"Wow I didn't know the kid could do that." This was Nightwing the first Robin.

Next to him stood the Dark Knight Detective, Batman

"Yes he is quite effective. He took no chances with the scum."

"I'll say...eeeee now that was painful to watch."

"Lets end this before he takes it too far."

"Yeah"

Neither one needed to worry. Ash stopped as the last one fell unconscious.

"I was wondering when you two would show up."

Nightwing raised and eyebrow "You knew we were there?"

"I figured you'd follow me Nightwing and then you'd call the old man to keep an eye on me and keep me from doing anything too stupid."

"Pikachu"

"Oh quiet you"

Batman stepped up to Ash and looked him in the eye. "Do you have an answer yet?"

Then Ash's face become cold and hard, a face Nightwing had seen all to often on another, the Bat. "My answer is yes. When Do I start?"

"Your training begins tonight. First lets get you equipped at the cave."

Later on that night at the Batcave Three men and a Pikachu stood waiting for one young man to finish. Then out stepped Ash only now it wasn't. He was dressed in a Red tunic with Black short sleeves and Shorts over padded red legging and Black Boots. He wore a belt that seemed to have many compartments and a Black Cape with Yellow interior and the Black Mask that whited out his eyes and on his chest was a R right over his heart.

Dick spoke first. "Well how does it feel to be the new Boy Wonder Ash?"

"Call me Robin."

To be Continued....

Next time: It will be a trial by fire as the newest Robin has his first encounter with one of the Rouges Gallery of Gotham City. Robin will have to face his darkest fears as he encounters the Scarecrow. Next chapter Fear Itself.

Author's Note: Well I finally got to the biggest part of this fic. Now Ash has become Robin the Boy Wonder. Hopefully y'all saw this coming. I have to thank my best friend Dusty the Classic Cowboy for helping me with this. The ride continues and this journey has just begun. Don't forget to review. Thank you and GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY!