A/N: Hello, All!

I know I'm a big fat liar when I said that I wouldn't write long fic again, but I was writing this one for fun on and off for a few months now. It'll be fun, and since I'm been writing this for a while I hope to update this once a week (Friday). This will be different from my other fics (hopefully), and I hope that this will be more humorous than usual (though worry not, angst lovers!). Hope you enjoy it!

PS I'm aware that I have broken links on my profile page. Thank you to everyone who notified me. I haven't been able to fix it yet, but this weekend I'll move the artwork credits to a tumblr page so there is a place to see them.

Chapter 1: Orientation

"What the heck—"

"Hey, did you see who it is?"

"So the rumors are true. Thought Billy was just spreading stupid rumors again."

Ignoring the other students as best as he could, Robin busied himself with studying the hallways, doing his best not to turn around and punch one student, whose multiple clones sniggered all at once.

High school was something Robin could handle. It didn't matter if it was Gotham Academy or the HIVE Academy, though as he walked through the crowded hallways he doubted himself. The hive-shaped hallway opened up to a large auditorium. Purple banners emblazoned with the HIVE Academy's logo adorned the walls, and out of the corner of his eye Robin saw purple-robed staff gliding along the aisles, watching the students silently. Some students shoved him forward, and he continued walking down the aisle.

He ignored their glances and whispers. A young woman, who looked like the Headmistress' administrative assistant, handed out pieces of papers that Robin discreetly discarded. Heads followed him as he made his way to his seat, and no one bothered to sit next to him. The young woman made her way to the podium on the stage, opened her folder, and spoke into the microphone.

"Quiet."

A hush fell over the student body.

"Welcome to freshman orientation," the assistant said. "For the Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination: a place for extraordinary young people."

Robin leaned forward slightly in his chair, his arms folded across his chest.

"Before we begin we will take roll call," the assistant said. "Please answer when your name is called."

Names washed over him. He sat there and let his mind wander. Infiltrating the HIVE Academy was always something he had planned to do as a Titan, and while he arrived here grumbling, he had to admit that this was a better way that sneaking in through the air ducts. By working for Slade he had a connection to the criminal underground, which gave him a legitimate reason to be here. But yeah, this whole thing baffled him as much as it baffled the other students.

"Robin!"

He looked up. They had called his name three times. He looked up, blinking in the bright auditorium lights, at the frowning assistant. He stood up slowly. "Calm down. You know I'm here. Everyone does."

"Rudeness isn't tolerated at the HIVE!" The assistant snapped. "Answer when spoken to. Failure to follow our rules will result in strict discipline."

"Duly noted." Even though he spoke calmly, he felt incredibly nervous. It didn't matter what he said, or how he said it, because this was enemy territory. Even if he followed their rules someone, somewhere, was going to take out their anger on him. There was nothing that could be done about it, not when the entire school knew that he was Robin.

"Apologize."

"Not at the moment, Marianne."

Heads turned as the Headmistress walked onto the stage, her heels clicking on the mahogany floor. Anyone looking at her could see that she was a professional. If Robin didn't know that she was the Headmistress, he could have easily believed that she was a business executive, not a high school principal. At a glance he couldn't tell if she had any powers, and he wondered how exactly she came to be Headmistress.

She approached the podium and stared right at him. "Normally I don't attend freshmen orientation, but we have a new student who requires our direct attention." She gestured for him to stand up. He did so grudgingly, his seat squeaking in the silent room. "Stand up here."

He should have expected this. Of course they were going to talk him down. Of course.

Robin made his way up to the stage, being careful not to look at anyone as he walked up. Marianne, the assistant, hushed the students as whispers broke out between them. The Headmistress made him stand next to the podium before she spoke.

"As I'm certain all of you have noticed, we have a Teen Titan in our midst. He comes to us as a student, here to learn what it takes to become a true villain, and mentored by one of the HIVE's best clients. That is what he says, and what he is supposed to say. However, I see that he is not dedicated to the cause, and I have no reason to believe so, not under his unique circumstances. Robin, if your former mentor has taught you well, then I know what to expect from you. You are analyzing me, analyzing my institution, looking for any cracks in the system that will allow you to bring us down. You speak with bravado, you insult my assistant, but I understand you very, very well. There is no need to apologize, because rest assured: every insult, every insubordinate action you take will be met with immediate repercussion. There will be no time to apologize, and I suggest that you take that into account when you interact with my staff and my students."

She grabbed him by the collar and pulled him close, out of earshot of the microphone and the other students. "I don't even need to speak with Slade to know that you have no power. I could rip off your mask right here, right now, and show them all who you are. I could show them just how bad that black eye is. I could show them how vulnerable you are, but I won't. Not unless you force me to." Well, Robin could see why Slade thought of the Headmistress as a valuable associate. She shoved him away. "Understand?"

Robin straightened, suddenly feeling immensely tired and aware of everyone staring at him. "Yes, Ma'am. I understand."

"Good. Sit back down."

The back of his neck burned red as he walked back to his seat. Several kids stuck out their legs to trip him. He listened quietly to the rest of the orientation and looked straight at the black stage curtains the entire time. He knew that they would single him out, insult him, probably even beat the crap out of him on day one, but he didn't expect to feel so belittled by the Headmistress. He didn't expect her speech to rattle him as much as it did, though, he reasoned, that was probably why she was the Headmistress. If she didn't have any powers then she ruled by sheer will alone. Admirable, but scary.

As the new freshman class filed out of the auditorium, class schedules in hand, Robin stayed behind, not wanting to walk out with everyone else. He had been in several odd situations before, and this felt more than odd. High school was supposed to be normal, fun even, and Slade suddenly throwing Robin here seemed like the exact opposite of what Slade would do. He thought Slade would take the time to teach his new apprentice, which happened for a month until he announced last weekend that Robin would be attending the HIVE Academy. And like everything Slade did, there was a reason for Robin's enrollment.

"Robin." Robin looked up at the sound of his name. He had a feeling he would be hearing it a lot over the next few days. An older villain he hadn't met before blocked his way to the exit. He extended his hand. "So nice to meet you in person."

Remembering the Headmistress' words, Robin accepted the handshake.

"My name is Brother Blood. I'm the Vice-Principal of the HIVE Academy, and I'll be teaching one of your classes."

"Yes, Sir." Robin didn't know what else to say.

"With a background such as yours I'll be sure to watch you closely. You have the makings of a great villain in you."

"Yes, Sir."

"We'll talk again soon. I believe we have a class tomorrow afternoon, last period. Unlike some here, I look to make profitable alliances. Others may see you as a threat, but I see you as an opportunity, a challenge. If you would like to survive your first year here, then I suggest that you do the same."

"Yes, Sir."

Brother Blood waved a hand. "Don't treat me like you do her. We're different, and she's afraid of you."

"Doesn't seem that way to me."

"Learning how to read people is a skill you have yet to learn, and that's what you'll be learning to do with me. There's a lot you still have to learn, but I won't help unless you want it. I look forward to working with you. Talk to me when you're done sulking."

Brother Blood walked away, leaving Robin alone with his thoughts. He watched Brother Blood leave the room, put away his schedule neatly away in his bag, and walked back towards the main office. He was already late for the school tour with the other students, but he didn't care. Class didn't begin until tomorrow. Best to brace himself before then.