Kaede's Bat-Sibs

by Rob Morris

Batman called the meeting of sidekicks to order. Kaede had known her new life would be challenging, but she had no idea how far down the legacy line-up she would be.

"Robins, respond!"

Being the last, Kaede went first.

"Robin, Present!"

Tim Drake went next.

"Red Robin, Present!"

Jason Todd, ever the grim-dark primadonna, went next in his filtered voice.

"Red Hood, Present!"

Finally, the one who had started both the Robin tradition and the further tradition of Robins moving on, Dick Grayson, spoke up.

"Nightwing, Present!"

Batman rattled off his critiques in the inverse order.

"Nightwing-fewer appearances in the news media-we should be partly legends at all times. If some few crooks are inclined to think we're not for real-all the better for justice!"

Dick rolled his eyes.

"So we're internationally known to be maybe for real? Gotcha."

Batman glared at Jason Todd.

"Red Hood-No Teleportations disguised as Disintegrations!"

Jason always pulled hardest on the leash.

"It's a legit fake-out. You're too easy on the lowlifes, old man-but, as you wish."

Tim grimaced, preparing for a blow-that never came.

"Red Robin - nothing to report. Good work."

Tim looked down as Batman moved on.

"I feel left out."

Kaede knew what might be coming for her, and she was right.

"Robin-you're using your vectors in combat. In doing so, you run the risk of your powers becoming a known quantity to our enemies, and also infecting them to give birth to girls with powers like your own. Anyone else?"

With a slight look of apology in his eyes, Nightwing began.

"Powers can be taken away. It even happened to Superman, a few times. You have to act like your abilities aren't there, and train your body and mind outside that box."

Tim also didn't care for this, but did have something to say.

"Your invisible arms are awesome, Kaede. But keep them as an ace. Incorporate your rare use of them into your routines, past the ability of even someone like the Joker to plan ahead of them, and you'll come out on top."

Jason shrugged.

"I say, just shoot them. Bring a Sig Sauer, a Heckler and Koch, a FAMAS, or better yet-a Desert Eagle with 50 caliber-"

A look from Batman silenced his wayward partner.

"Kaede's still learning. But she won't ever learn that. Now, Robins-we have a new member to introduce-and his escorts have just arrived.

Landing in the center of the Batcave, Barbara Gordon, Batgirl, and Stephanie Brown, at one time both a Robin and a Batgirl, and now called Spoiler, gestured back at a third figure gliding in behind them. Barbara nodded.

"Our guest here had his flight delayed by Ra's Horned Girl Assassins."

Stephanie chuckled.

"Then, when he got in, he insisted we answer the Bat-Signal. Was Babs' Dad ever surprised."

Batman seemed pleased, in as much as he could be.

"Answering the call to fight crime is always a good idea, heroes. Now let the newcomer introduce himself."

The boy was Japanese, like Kaede, and his outfit seemed a bit of Robin classic mixed heavily with a samurai motif.

"I am called Tengu. I have joined Batman's cause in my native Japan, where Ra's Al Ghul's horned assassins have taken so many good people - including my father and younger sister."

Batman pointed.

"Tengu is here to learn from all of us, and he is a fast learner. He solved one of Riddler's deadliest puzzles for me in a heartbeat. So we can all also learn from him."

After introductions (and mock battles) were done with, Tengu talked with each of his hosts and new mentors, till Kaede's turn came.

"Robin-I am honored to meet you-and may I say-you are far more fetching in person than even photos of you allowed for."

Kaede smiled.

"Thanks, Tengu. I'm sorry things are so bad back home. You have some good moves. By the way, my given name is Kaede."

Tengu removed his mask, smiling nervously.

"Good to know you, Kaede. My name is Kouta."

In the midst of her growing crush, Robin started feeling her scalp-disgusing helmet without realizing it, wondering what her new friend might do when he learned she had horns, like the ones who had destroyed his family.

"Umm-those really were some good moves, yeah. You learn them all yourself?"

Tengu shook his head.

"Not all-my cousin is pretty tough."

Kaede asked a question whose answer Batman's summons would cut off.

"Is your cousin a boy or a girl?"