Chapter 1: Dropping In

Superboy's POV

For decades, people have fought over which hero is better. It was a common conversation starter at parties.

Who wins?Batman or Superman?

For Gotham, Batman could take down Superman through his wits and determination. For Metropolis, Superman doesn't even break a sweat fighting him. Both heroes have their strengths and weaknesses. People of all shapes and sizes debated over the fictional battle. Most people know it's never going to happen. They always come off as friendly and work together well. But if they ever did fight, many wonder who would win.

For me… it's Superman. Hands down.

I know it's a little biased since I'm technically his son, but I believe that Superman would absolutely kick Batman's ass. He can fly, has an indestructible body, can shoot him with laser eyes, and much more. With a single punch, Batman would be halfway across the world. If he wanted, Batman wouldn't even be in the conversation.

Thankfully, Clark Kent has control over his powers. His heart would never allow him to fight Batman and actually end him. Knowing Clark, he would do everything in his power not to fight the Dark Knight. He'd rather fix everything with a conversation rather than with his fists. Even though it would be super cool, it's never going to happen.

It's crazy to think Gotham City is only across the bay from Metropolis. From what I've heard, it's a dystopian warzone with little to no color. They have a supervillain attack every other day and crime is so rampant, I'm surprised Batman hasn't died from sheer exhaustion. I knew that Clark and I could probably handle it, but we have powers. He doesn't.

Flying over the glowing, crystal buildings lets my thoughts run wild. Patrolling is always the best part of the day. Clearing my mind from the stupidity known as high school while also saving people from harm. It's the best of both worlds. As my hair flows in the wind, I hear the city's nightlife. Calm and normal, just how I like it. It's shaping up to be another average night.

I decided to take a break on top of a club building, giving myself a good view of the Metropolis Bar Strip. As I take a deep breath, my communicator starts to buzz. I usually ignore texts and calls from my friends, since I'm busy being Superboy. But after seeing the number, I picked it up.

"Hey." I answer.

"Superboy!" A familiar voice irks my ears. "How've you been, son?"

Now, if it was anybody else, I would have hung up. But sadly, this dude would just find another way to contact me. He wouldn't stop until I answered, so I might as well stay on.

"What do you want, Luthor?" I grit my teeth. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

He laughed into the phone. "You? Busy? Do you realize where we are?"

I deeply sighed, deciding to play along. "Yeah, you're right. I'm chilling. Why are you calling me?"

"Can't I just talk to my favorite son?" he says, malice oozing through the phone.

I shudder. Ever since Clark found out about my existence, Luthor has been trying to get me back on his side. He bribes me with money, fame, women, and anything else he can think of that a teenage boy would desire. What I truly desire is to be left alone. For how smart he is, the levels of stupid always seem to amaze me.

"When are you going to take a hint?" I snap at him, more annoyed than angry. "I don't want to talk to you. I probably never will. So do both of us a favor and find another son or daughter to harass!"

I hear an exasperated sigh and grumbling on the other side. I'll admit it, it gave me a silly little grin on my face to tell him off. In my time in CADMUS, he was nothing but a cold figure trying to make me a superweapon. Every time he comes crawling back to me, I get flooded with those images and trauma he made me go through. No matter how nice he tries to portray himself to the media, I'll always know the truth.

"Fine, fine." He gives up. "I have a request for you. We have a very wealthy family coming into Metropolis for a few weeks and criminals will sniff them out before their bags are unpacked. I need them to stay safe so I can make this deal. That's where you come in."

"Let me guess." I cut him off, sighing. "You want me to be their personal bodyguard so nothing bad happens"

Even though I couldn't see it, I knew he was grinning.

"Very good!" He complimented me like a dog. "Protect them from criminals and I'll leave you alone for a while! Deal?"

It's not much, but I really want him to leave me alone.

"Seriously?" I questioned.

"Yep." He answers quickly. "I'll keep my word"

"Last time you said that, Metropolis almost concaved due to a superweapon"

" I know, but I promise this time!" He begged. As much as I wanted to throw him against the wall, I didn't have much of a choice. I really wanted to be left alone.

"Fine" I folded. "I'll do it. Protect the rich people and I will stop receiving bogus calls from you."

"Good." He sneered. "Pleasure doing business with you, Superboy"

He hung up immediately afterward and I was ready to face plant into a building. Working with Lex Luthor is never on my to do list, but it always ends up happening. I really wish people would stop giving this man money to do whatever thing his evil heart wants. Unlike with other major villains, I can't punch the problem away. Luthor has way too much power, both economically and socially. It will end up making me look bad if I decide to let my inner demons win. As much as I want to pluck my eyes out, I have to work with him.

"Help!" A woman cries, causing my brain to change the subject. I gaze over the city and pinpoint the exact location of the scream. Without even thinking, I zoom across the city to take down some thugs.

It was a classic mugging and the woman was cornered by three men. I land quietly behind them, ready to strike, when the men yell in fear.

I haven't even said anything yet?

I try to open my mouth to say some silly quip, when a shadowy figure drops from the sky. They move swiftly, taking out the thugs one by one. A larger guy tries to take a swing at them, but it's quickly stopped. His wrist is turned and shot back at him, falling to the ground. All three of them laid knocked out, still breathing.

As the woman ran past me, I was in awe of what I just witnessed. The random shadow comes in, stops these thugs, and saves a woman. All in the matter of seconds!

The only person I know who could do that is…

"Hey," the shadow person says. Their voices sounded younger than I thought. "Thanks for finding the crime. I was starting to get bored"

I just stand there in confusion. Is it really who I thought it was?

"Who are you?" I ask, pointing in their direction. "Come out, now"

The figure steps forward, the lights from the surrounding buildings showing them. He was short, but fairly built, gripping a staff in hand. His long black hair slightly blew in the wind, revealing the mask on his face. He couldn't have been older than 16.

He stares at me. "You must be Superboy"

My heart did a little flutter, but I squinted hard at his physique.

"You're clearly not Batman." I tell him, stupidly.

His eyes under the mask are glued onto me, emerging a smirk from his lips.

"Nope. Batman had to stay in Gotham. But I have other plans. I'm Robin, and I need to know every single thing about you and your city"