A Bird of Prey

Chapter 2

AN: I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while. Thanks to all those who read, voted, and commented on the last chapter. It really did make my day when I saw that this story had received any attention whatsoever. Holy guacamole can we acknowledge that this got to #1 in Gotham Academy? That was frickin legit. I freaked out! Anyway, if you're here it means that you want to read the chapter, not an author's note, so I'm gonna be quiet now.

Recognized: Kid Flash B03

Wally sped into the mountain. "I'm late. I'm late. I'm late. I'm late," he  chanted.

He skidded to a halt in front of the briefing room, resulting in his hair and clothes blowing everywhere. He looked into the open door and made eye contact with Aqualad.

"I'm glad that you could finally make it, Wally."

Artemis smirked, "How are you always late for everything? You literally have super speed."

Wally walked in and sat at one of the many seats at the large, oval-shaped table in the center of the room. The rest of the team was already seated and some had looks of annoyance plastered on their faces.

Wally crossed his arms, "I'm not late for everything!"

"Fine then," Artemis declared, "We'll say 85 percent of everything."

"65 at most!"

"I'll be nice and say 80."

Aqualad sighed as they continued arguing. He looked over at Ms. Martian and Superboy to see them talking with each other. Megan's cheeks looked pink. His thoughts where cut off by Wally's next comment.

"Fine. Maybe 70ish, but that's stretching it."

"Bull. It's definitely higher than that!"

Finally a new voice entered the argument. "Actually, he's late 96 percent of the time," Robin said.

"Dude!" Wally shouted, "That is just creepy!" Robin just smirked.

"Wait. I'm curious now," Artemis said, causing Wally to stop glaring at Robin and look at her instead, "What's the 4 percent of everything that he's actually on time for?"

Robin's smirk grew, "He's on time for anything if you tell his there's going to be pancakes."

Artemis laughed as Wally's face grew pink.

"Now that we are done discussing Wally's timeliness, I thing that we should get on with this mission briefing," Aqualad said, gathering the team's attention. He stood up at the head of the table. "As the mission takes place in Gotham, I believe that it would be appropriate to have Robin do the core components of the briefing."

Robin stood up at the head of the table. A hologram of a school appeared. "This is Gotham Academy. It provides upper class schooling for the wealthier inhabitants of Gotham."

The image switched to one of a uniform. Robin continued his briefing. "For the duration of the mission, you will all act as students." He turned his attention to Artemis. "I understand that you already attend this school. You will just continue going there while collecting as much information as possible alongside the team. Everyone else's uniforms will be delivered to them later. You will all be attending the school as your civilian identities. If anyone asks, you received a scholarship there from Wayne Enterprises. We've already informed Mister Wayne of this and he is prepared to go along with your cover story if necessary."

The hologram switched to an image of a note. It was a torn piece of paper no bigger than the palm of someone's hand. The writing was sloppy and hard to read, as if whoever wrote it was in a rush. At the bottom of the note was a doodle of a smiley face. However, this smiley face gave off an insane aura with its crazed eyes and toothy grin. It seemed to be a kind of signature.

Robin continued, "This is the sole note that we intercepted from Joker. We have yet to find out who he was communicating with. Your mission is to find out by investigating the school. If you suspect anyone you are to report it to Batman. You have permission to engage if absolutely necessary."

The team nodded. Robin looked at them, interested to see what their reactions to his next announcement would be.

He inhaled, "I won't be joining you on this mission."

"What?" Wally asked, "Why not?"

"I've  been assigned a different mission dealing with this case. During this time, you will not be able to contact me."

Kaldur's brow was furrowed in confusion, "Why would Batman take you off the case? You have far more experience in Gotham than the rest of us combined."

Robin smirked, "He has his reasons."

A/N - Welp. I hope y'all are having good days. I'll try to update soon.