Chapter Two
The Runner, The Archer, and The Swimmer
“Are you sure that guy was a member of Intergang?” Donna asked Dick as she took a bite of her doughnut.
It was an hour later and the girls had met up with the guys in the downstairs café. They had grabbed a booth in the back, away from any other people, and were speaking as quietly as they could.
“I’m positive,” Dick said taking a sip of his orange juice, “I slipped a tracker on him when I returned the cart.”
“So when should we meet up to find the guy?” Kory questioned looking at Dick.
“Whoa, wait a minute,” Tim said placing his hand down on the table, “This week there is a city full of superheroes. Why do we have to check the guy out?”
“You don’t want to,” Dick said calmly, looking at Tim, “You don’t have to. I already got a call from Wally, Roy, and Garth. They said that they would help out in any way they could.”
“Alright then so anyone who doesn’t want to go, raise your hand,” Gar said taking his palm off the table and raising it about an inch above the tabletop.
Everyone except Dick, Kory, and Donna raised their hands.
“Works for me,” Dick said getting up from his seat and checking his watch. He turned to Kory and Donna, “We still got time to come up with a meeting place.”
They nodded and left the café with him. The others waited a few seconds before starting the conversation up again.
“It’s not like we can’t help out later,” Karen said, breaking the silence.
“Yeah,” Vic agreed, “And we are going to be leavin like two days after the wedding.”
The others ate the rest of their late lunch in silence. Twenty minutes later Kory and Donna came down to get the girls.
“C’mon,” Kory said to Karen, Babs and Rachel, “We gotta get back to the Embassy.”
They nodded, got up and said their goodbyes to the guys.
“So what now?” Gar asked as the girls left the café and hotel.
“We head up stairs and wait for Bruce and Alfred,” Vic said simply, remembering the plan, “Then we can head over to that video game store a few streets over.”
They smiled and slapped hands before heading to the elevator.
They got off at the top floor and went to Dick and Vics’ room. When they got in they saw Dick putting on his Baseball jacket.
It was a black track jacket with two thin, gold lines running from the popped collar, down to the end of his sleeves. On the back in embroidered in gold letters were the words GOTHAM TECH. BASEBALL. On the front right side was a gold C and below that, in gold, was R. GRAYSON.
“What ‘cha wearin your baseball jacket for?” Vic asked Dick.
Dick took off his jacket to reveal the sleeves of his Nightwing uniform.
“Gotta be ready.” Dick stated simply before putting his jacket back on.
“Yeah, about that,” Tim said, taking a seat on Dicks’ bed “We’re really sorry about not going with you. It’s just that, with all the superheroes here, the rest of us can finally take a break for once.”
“I understand,” Dick said truthfully, “You guys don’t have to worry about it. Just enjoy yourselves.”
Meanwhile-At the Embassy
“I can’t believe we got stuck in traffic,” Donna said as they got out of the elevator, “I hope we made it in time.”
They quickly made their way into their room.
“Let’s just stay here and watch TV,” Rachel suggested, “That way we can leave faster.”
“I gotta go change a little bit first,” Kory said heading to her, Donna, and Karens’ room down the right hall, “I‘ll be out in a bit.”
Just as the other four girls sat down on the leather couch, and turned on the TV they heard the lock on the door click.
They looked over just as Diana walked through the door.
She was wearing a pair of straight leg jeans and a white short sleeved button up. She had her midnight black hair down and after she locked the door, she took off her black, square rimmed glasses.
“Hey girls,” she said looking at Karen, Rachel, Babs, and Donna, “How was your day?”
“It was good, Diana,” Babs replied for all of them. The other girls nodded.
“Where’s Kory?” Diana asked the girls as she took a seat on the chair next to them.
“She’s getting changed,” Donna said getting up, “Dick called a while ago and he, Kory, and I agreed to meet at the Ice Cream Shop in Glennmorgan Square. Can we go?”
“I don’t see why not.” Diana said before turning to the other girls, “You can head out too, but remember that the agreed curfew was eleven.”
“Thanks Diana,” Donna said before walking down the hallway to her bedroom.
“Yeah, you rock,” Karen said as she Babs and Rachel got up, “We’re goin to head to the mall.”
They went to the hallway with their bedrooms too, just as Kory and Donna came back out.
“Hey Diana,” Kory said when she saw Diana, “How’s it going?”
“Pretty good,” Diana said, getting up and hugging Kory, “Ready for rehearsal tomorrow?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Kory said as they broke the hug, “We better go.”
“What’s with the jacket and backpack?” Diana said pointing to Korys’ Softball jacket, which was similar to Dicks’ only it had GOTHAM TECH. SOFTBALL written on the back and K. ANDERS embroidered under the captains’ C. She also had a square dark purple backpack over her shoulder.
Kory gave Donna the backpack and took off the jacket to reveal the sleeves of her uniform.
“Just in case.” She said before putting the jacket back on. She slung the backpack back over her shoulder. Diana nodded in understanding.
“We’ll be back by curfew.” Donna said before they left the room.
They closed the door behind them and walked down to the elevator. They got in and stood in silence waiting to get to the main floor.
They walked through the main lobby and out of the large building. They waited a second for the gate to open before walking off the Embassy grounds and onto the city sidewalk.
After they were about ten minutes away from the Embassy, Donna turned to look at Kory.
“What is that backpack made of?” She asked Kory as they rounded the corner.
“Kevlar,” Kory responded as they crossed the street, “It’s bulletproof.”
They reached Glennmorgan Square in a few short minutes.
“Before you actually meet Garth, Roy and Wally,” Donna said, looking at Kory, “I’ve got a few warnings to give.”
They stopped and took a seat at a public bench. Kory looked at Donna, letting her know she was listening.
“Roy Harper,” Donna said, her sapphire eyes showing a bit of anger, “Is the biggest pervert you will ever meet in your life. He’ll probably hit on you the moment he sees you. He’ll go after anything with boobs. The best way to get him off your case, until he matures, is to mess up his hair. He’s crazy about it. He carries a comb, mirror, and hair gel with him at all times.
“Wally West is ok. He likes to flirt but knows the boundaries. He’s sweet but likes to joke around like Gar but also knows when to be serious. Sometimes he talks pretty fast but that’s just because he has to stand still. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to and now you can at least understand him.
“Garth is a pretty shy and sweet guy. He is usually the peace keeper and tells the others when to back down.
“One of the main things they have in common is that they are scared of one person. Dick.
“When he tells them to do something they do it. Most of the time he tells them to stop doing something like, stop flirting or stop joking around.”
Donna paused for a second before continuing, “Did you ever hear about the time Dick punched out Wally cause he tried to take off his shades?”
“Yeah,” Kory said nodding her head, “Selina told me.”
“Well that was the first time all of us had worked together,” Donna explained, “Wally came running through the door and asked why Dick wore shades. He didn’t think Dicks’ answer was good enough and when he tried to take off his shades using his ‘special power’, Dick caught his hand and punched him so hard, the rest of Wallys’ body moved back. When Barry said that Wally had a black eye, broken nose, and the bone around his eye was broken too. It healed back fine, but that’s when the boys learned to never mess with Dick.”
“What about you?” Kory said with a sly smile, “Aren’t you afraid of Richard?”
“At certain points, yes,” Donna admitted, “But I can tell that he respects that I stand up to him. To a certain point, at least.”
Kory giggled a little as they got off the bench and started back to the ice cream shop. When they entered the shop they saw Dick already in a booth in the back corner.
“Bout time you both got here,” He said as they came to the booth and took seats at either side of him. He held up his hand signaling the waiter.
“What can I get you ladies?” Asked a teenager about two years older than them.
“Chocolate ice cream,” Kory said, “I’ll take it in a bowl.”
“I’ll have a vanilla shake.” Donna said to the teenager.
He nodded before heading over to the counter.
“So, when are the guys showing up?” Donna asked once their waiter left.
“About ten minutes,” Dick answered checking the watch on his cell phone, before taking a bite of his chocolate chip ice cream.
As soon as he swallowed their waiter came up with the girls’ orders. He gave a wink to them before walking away. Kory and Donna just giggled.
Kory took a bite of her chocolate ice cream and swallowed before moving her spoon over to Dicks’ bowl and taking a bite of his chocolate chip ice cream.
“You take my ice cream,” he said bringing his spoon over to Korys’ bowl, “I’ll take yours.”
Kory just giggled before taking her bowl and putting a scoop of her chocolate ice cream in his bowl. She then took a scoop of his chocolate chip ice cream in her bowl.
“Better?” she asked, giving him a small smile.
Dick arched an eyebrow before taking his spoon and mixing the ice cream together. He took a bite and chewed it over before turning back to look at her.
“Yup,” He said but still seemed to be thinking about something, “But it still needs to be washed down with something.”
As soon as he said that he reached over for Donnas’ vanilla shake and took a sip.
“Dick, you jerk,” Donna said pulling her shake out of his hand. She grabbed his spoon and took a bite of his ice cream.
Kory and Donna giggled while Dick just gave a small smirk.
“This is so unfair,” Came a voice from above them.
The trio looked up and saw a boy with short dark red hair that looked like it was glued to his head by hair gel. He had sky blue eyes and a relaxed smile. He was wearing a dark maroon t-shirt, black baggy jeans, a black and white Adidas track jacket, and black and white Adidas sneakers. He looked to be about the same size as Dick
“How is it that you,” the boy continued, pointing at Dick, “Get to sit between two, extremely beautiful girls and I only get to sit next to one?”
“Because I don’t harass them as much as you do, Harper,” Dick answered back smoothly, “Now take a seat.”
Roy did as Dick said and took a seat next to Kory.
“Roy Harper,” he said taking Korys’ hand and giving it a soft kiss, “You know we can blow this place and head back to my hotel. Maybe we can make a Sundae.”
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as Kory pulled her hand away.
“Kory Anders,” She said giving Roy a soft smile, “And I don’t think you have a big enough banana to fill up my sundae bowl.”
Dick and Donna laughed at Roy as another voice came up from above them.
“I totally like you,” The boy said looking at Kory.
He had red hair, about a shade lighter than Roys’ and dark bottle green eyes. He looked to be about an inch smaller than Dick and Roy. He was wearing a yellow t-shirt, light blue jeans, and a pair of red and yellow Nike running shoes. He had a small gold ring on his left ring finger that had a lightning bolt etched in it.
“Wally West,” he said, extending his hand out to Korys’. Kory shook it and gave him a smile.
He turned his wide grin over to Roy, who’s face still held shock at Korys’ response.
“She got you really good man,” he said taking a seat next to Roy. He then turned his gaze to Dick and Donna, “So have you two been jumping each other lately?”
Donna just glared at him.
“I was under a spell,” she said through clenched teeth, “Let it go.”
“Why doesn’t everyone just shut up,” Dick said taking another bite of his ice cream. He swallowed before continuing, “We still have to wait for Garth.”
When Dick said to shut up, not another word came from Wally or Roy. Donna finished off her milk shake and went to throw it away.
Roy watched her as she left the table.
“Now she’s tied,” he said to Wally, who nodded in agreement.
“Tied for what?” Kory asked looking at both boys curiously.
“Most beautiful girl in the world.” They said looking at her at the same time.
“It’s their hormones.” Dick told her after taking another bite of his ice cream, “They need to lose some.”
“Maybe we could donate them to you,” Roy responded to Dicks’ comment, “That way you can actually learn to enjoy when a beautiful girl kisses you.”
“At least I got kissed by your two most beautiful girls in the world,” Dick said with a tiny blush. Kory blushed a bit too, “Can’t say the same for you two.”
Roy and Wally looked dumbfounded as Donna returned to her seat.
“What’d you two do?” She asked Dick and Kory, “Make them lose some more brain cells?”
“No,” Kory responded, “But Richard did lower their pride a bit more.”
She and Richard finished up their ice creams just when the door opened.
A boy about Wallys’ height stepped through. He had short, curly black hair and light purple eyes. He was wearing a light blue long sleeved shirt and light blue jeans with black flip-flops.
He gave the group a small smile before walking over and sitting next to Donna.
“Hey,” He said in a quiet voice, “Sorry I’m late, but it was a long swim.”
“It’s alright Garth,” Donna told him while giving him a bright smile before turning to Kory, “Kory, this is Garth. Garth, this is Kory Anders.”
“Hi,” Kory said with a smile as she extended her hand across the table, “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Garth said shaking her hand.
“Your nice to him, but you diss me,” Roy asked, looking at Kory like she had two heads.
“He’s polite and didn’t try to hit on me before he even knew my name,” Kory said turning to Roy and giving him a small smirk.
“Were you two separated at birth or something?” Roy asked pointing from Kory to Donna and back, “Cause that was a very Donna thing to say.”
“We’re still checking.” Kory and Donna replied at the same time, grinning.
Wally, Roy, and Garth seemed a little surprised by their answer.
Then Wally cleared so his throat.
“So, Dick,” He started off looking at the Titans leader, “New haircut? Looks good.”
“Whatever,” Dick said getting up from his seat in the booth, “C’mon, we got some tracking to do.”
He took out his wallet, pulled out a twenty; just as he did their waiter came by with the check.
“Ten seven-” The waiter started as Dick handed him the twenty.
“Keep the change.” Dick said as he left the booth with Garth, Donna, Kory, Roy, and Wally close behind.
They left the ice cream shop and walked down the street.
“So where are we going?” Garth asked as they turned down another street and ducked into an abandoned alley.
“Not sure yet,” Dick said, pulling up his dark green shirt and revealing his utility belt. He opened up one of the many bulletproof pouches and pulled out his tracker, “I had the map switched to Metropolis yesterday, just in case. It looks like our bellhop is downtown, at a place called…” He pressed a few buttons on the handheld device, “The Palace.”
“Sweet,” Roy said putting his hands in his pockets. The others turned to face him, “What?”
Donna sighed.
“What is The Palace, exactly?” She asked Roy while crossing her arms over her chest.
“Don’t tell me you never heard of The Palace,” Roy said his eyes growing wide. When the others just looked at him he sighed, “It’s the first and only teen dance club in Metropolis. It was built like, last year by Lex Luthor.”
“That means trouble,” Dick said as he started walking out of the alley, “Why the American people voted Luthor as our President is beyond me. The government needs to add a new law that says anyone who’s been to prison can’t run for President.”
“Yes,” Kory agreed, “But every time he was put on trial, he was cleared of all charges. What the people should have had him do was step down as President of LexCorp before running for President. Having him as President is one thing but when he also put his company in charge of all weaponry manufacturing in military and government forces. I just really don’t feel comfortable with that.”
“That’s an investigation for another time,” Dick said as they made their way downtown, “Our next stop is The Palace.”
“Oh, yeah! Hottie central!” Roy yelled out throwing his arm in the air. The others stopped and looked at him.
Kory and Donna glared, Wally looked like he was about to laugh, and Garth just looked at him with wide-eyes.
Dick came over and smacked him on the back of the head.
“Keep your hormones in check.” He said shortly before turning to Donna, “You’ll make sure he does.”
Donnas’ jaw dropped and her eyes grew wide.
“Why do I have to baby-sit Roy?” She demanded.
“Cause you like hittin him.” Dick answered shortly.
Donna hesitantly agreed.
“I resent that,” Roy spoke up.
“No one cares.” Dick stated before walking off again. The others followed.
They walked the rest of the way in silence until they arrived at The Palace.
The place was huge and the music was so loud you could hear it a block away.
“How are we gonna get past that huge line?” Wally asked looking at all the teenagers in line and waiting to get in.
“Relax and follow me.” Dick said walking on the large sidewalk and past everyone in line.
He walked up to the bouncer in front.
“Dick Grayson.” Dick introduced himself to the bouncer, “Bruce Waynes’ adopted son.”
He took out a fifty from his pocket and gave it to the bouncer. The bouncer took the money and slipped it into his pocket before raising the blue velvet rope and letting the six teenagers in.
The moment they walked in Roy spotted pretty blonde girl walking past them.
“I think I’m in heaven.” He said before following the girl.
“Which would make this my hell.” Donna stated to the others before following Roy.
When she finally caught up to him, he was flirting with about three different girls along with the blonde.
She glared at him before walking over and grabbing his ear.
“Sorry,” She told the girls as Roy whimpered in pain, “He probably forgot to tell you he’s here with his babysitter.”
“With a babysitter as beautiful as you,” Roy said, charming smile ruined by his wince, “It won’t be a problem leaving these girls.”
“When you get back to your hotel,” She said as she started dragging him away, “You need to take a cold shower.”
She kept dragging him by his ear until she saw the others at a corner table.
She pushed him into the seat next to Dick, before sitting next to him.
“So now that the pervert is back,” Wally said with a smile, “What’s our next move?”
“We find the bellhop.” Dick answered while signaling a waiter.
“What’ll it be?” Asked a tall dark brown haired girl with light hazel eyes. She was staring directly at Dick.
“I’ll have a coke,” Wally said, getting the waitresses attention.
“Water.” Garth told her as a loud rock song came on.
“Sprite.” Kory answered with a fake smile plastered on her face.
“I’ll have the same as her.” Dick answered not even looking at the waitress through his dark shades.
“Me too.” Donna answered.
“Your number.” Roy said with a charming smile. It soon turned to a wince as Donna stomped on his foot, “But I could go for a coke instead.”
The waitress nodded, stared at Dick for a few seconds, and walked off.
“So how are we gonna find this guy anyway?” Wally asked after the waitress left.
“I think the better question is,” Roy cut in before Dick could answer, “Why a hot girl like that was more interested in Dick instead of me?”
Donna stomped on his foot again.
“I’m not sure yet,” Dick said as the waitress made her way back to their table, “But we’ll find a way.”
The waitress laid the drinks out on the table.
“They’re on the house.” She said simply, winking at Dick.
Dick just kept searching the club.
The six teenagers started drinking their drinks when a loud announcement went on.
“Alright y’all,” the DJ called over the large crowd, “In five minutes we’re going to start karaoke hour, so if you can sing, give it a try.”
Kory suddenly had a huge grin on her face.
“Richard,” she said, pulling his gaze from the dance floor to her, “What did the bellhop look like?”
Dick raised an eyebrow before answering.
“He had a round face,” he started his description knowing she was picturing him in her head, “Short light brown almost blonde hair, thick eyebrows, gray eyes, round body. He looked to weigh about…205 pounds and was about 5’3”. He looked to be about 18, 19 years old.”
“Got it, thanks.” She stood up from her seat and had Wally and Garth get up to let her out. She went over and grabbed Donna, dragging her onto the dance floor.
“Does she usually do things like that?” Wally asked as he quickly moved to the other side of the table to make sure Roy didn’t go running after any girls.
“Only when she has a plan.” Dick said as Roy slumped in his chair.
“You guys never let me have any fun.” Roy complained as he sipped his soda.
“Too bad.” Dick answered, turning his gaze back to the dance floor.
They just sat their drinking there sodas and keeping their eyes open for the bellhop when the DJ stopped the music.
“Ok ladies and gentlemen,” He called into his microphone, gaining everyone’s attention, “We have our first singers. Give it up for Red and Black.”
Suddenly the lights turned to the stage and the boys saw Kory and Donna standing in front of a set of microphones.
Korys’ emerald green eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of the bellhop as Donna just stood up there looking a little nervous.
Kory turned to Donna and whispered her plan in her sisters’ ear. As soon as Donna heard the plan she took a deep breath and grabbed the microphone.
Suddenly the background music to Mariah Careys’ hit ‘Shake it Off’ started playing.
When they finished, everyone started applauding.
“Did anyone here know they could do that?” Wally asked over the cheering crowd.
The other three boys just shook their heads no.
“Ok,” Kory said as she and Donna approached the table five minutes later, “The bellhop just went into the eighteen and over section.”
“How’d you find that out?” Roy asked with wide eyes.
“While we were on stage,” Donna started to explain as she grabbed her soda, “Kory was on the lookout for the bellhop. When we finished we saw him head off to the eighteen and over section.”
“But how do we get in?” Garth spoke up, “We’re only fifteen.”
“I got an idea.” Dick said as he started getting up. He walked away from the table and over to the eighteen and over section, the others on his heels. Standing at the section was their waitress.
“Hey,” Dick said, bringing his voice down a little lower. When the waitress looked up he gave her a smile that could make a girl melt, “I was wondering if you could let me and my friends in? We forgot our ID.”
The waitress just nodded dumbly before unhooking the velvet rope.
“Thanks.” Dick said giving her one last smile before walking in. The boys followed, extremely impressed. Donna followed with a smile at his quick thinking. Kory walked in rolling her eyes.
Dick discreetly pulled out his tracker once more before looking to the others.
“He’s at the bar.” He told them before turning his gaze to Roy and Wally, “You guys know what to do. We’ll meet you in five.”
