When Superman called Green Lantern to act as back up for a mission the Bat and he were doing, he could honestly say he did not expect to find a small traffic-light coloured boy standing next to the Dark Night. Though thinking about it he should have expected it, he had heard lots about Batman's new protégé - Robin.

But that didn't mean Hal had appreciated having a kid with them. It was kind of insulting to be fighting alongside a literal child and honestly - what was a small child doing fighting crime?

The mission itself was fairly simple, not exactly a universe or even world threatening one but still quite important - more small city important if we were sticking to that scale. Their mission was to find out as much information as they could about a new group of assassin called the Vipers. They had spent most of the day on a stakeout, waiting for the trade to go down and then stopping said trade - which would have given the Vipers access to several dangerous weapons and they even suspected kryptonite. Superman suspected they were in league or at the very least trading with Lex Luthor, which was why the Boy Scout was along for the ride. To say things went south quickly would be like saying Batman was only a little bit scary.

That led to all three league members trapped in various cages in the large empty, dusty warehouse the trade had been going down in. Robin had been left outside for the actual battle despite his complaints which had reassured Green Lantern that Bats hadn't completely lost his mind (not that he would say that out loud ever).The good news however was they had definitely confirmed the trade included kryptonite. Bad news was that meant Superman was essentially out of action, he was lying in his steel cage barely conscious, surrounded by said kryptonite. Both Batman and himself were wrapped up in rope and chains and shoved into similar steel cages. Batman had been stripped of his utility built and had noticeably more rope and chains then him - which he wasn't sure how to take, and his Green Lantern ring had been taken which meant the villains weren't completely stupid (despite their appearance). Both utility belt and ring were left on a small table next to some of the weapons from the trade.

And the head of the group, the one that seemed to have been controlling the trade, seemed to have taken classes for classic criminal work wear. The man was tall about 6"2, and had noticeable muscles. He wore a classic black ski mask and matching black clothing, which seemed to be the group uniform as the men that surrounded them wore similar outfits and were heavily armed. The only thing that separated him from the others was the snake skin shoes he wore. Green Lantern was thinking about taking back the whole 'not completely stupid' comment seeing as the leader, who he had started to refer to as 'Snake Shoes' in his head (give him a break - he was tied up, he wasn't exactly a writer who comes up with brilliant villain names) had started the classic evil monologue. Green Lantern was pretty sure that all villains really needed to do to defeat the heroes was bore them to death by talking about their plans.

Despite the seemingly sour and hopeless situation Batman seemed to simply be waiting for something. He was wearing his normal scowl not the 'I'm in serious danger scowl' or 'I'm furious scowl', at best he looked mildly annoyed. He barely seemed to even notice the villain and was watching the shadows. Green Lantern tried to find what the Dark Knight was watching, it took a minute before noticing a slight movement in the shadows, back-up had arrived. Almost as soon as he had spotted the movement it was gone, the villain continued monologuing without noticing anything.

Then the commotion started. He heard a series of faint thuds and the occasional gun shot from the small store room behind the cages. The noise seemed to startle Snake Shoes as he finally stopped talking (blessed mercy). Silence rang through the warehouse before Snake Shoes ordered some of the armed men guarding the door to investigate. More thuds echoed and a small scream before it was cut off suddenly. Green Lantern tried to turn around to seem more (not that that would help as there was a wall between them but still) but only managed to find himself in an even less comfortable position (which was an achievement). Batman seemed smug and poor Superman was still fighting unconsciousness.

Clearly Snake Shoes didn't have any common sense as he ordered the remaining men to investigate, leaving him alone with the three trapped heroes. He was starting to look more unnerved, especially as the pattern continued - thuds, some inaudible shouts and faint gun fire before complete silence. Snake Shoes was glancing between the door and captured heroes nervously. Green Lantern suddenly realised what was going on - why Batman was looking smug, back-up of the small variety had arrived.

A cackle echoed through the room that made even Green Lantern shiver, which was nothing compared to Snake Shoes who had slowly started descending more and more into terrified hysteria. Green Lantern noticed before Snake Shoes did - Robin had descended from the rafters and shadows, landing behind the villain with a smirk. He tapped Snake Shoes on the shoulder, causing the villain to spin around with a shout. He seemed to have completely forgotten the fact that he was armed and twice the height of the Boy Wonder. It took one hard punch to the side of his head and a second later he was face first on the floor unconscious.

"That took you too long Robin. I expected you would have dealt with them quicker." Batman called out to his protégé, despite the words his tone was noticeably warmer than normal. Green Lantern took his eyes off the young hero for the first time only to find Batman out of the ropes and cage, putting his utility belt back before moving to collect the kryptonite and free Superman. The Kryptonian perked up noticeably as the kryptonite was removed and he was freed from the cage.

Superman turned to greet the young hero as Batman moved to free him from his own ropes and cage, handing back his ring. The Boy Scout had a smile on his face at seeing the boy and was patting hi on the back in congratulations. Even Batman if you looked very, very closely had a small twitch of the lips. Which Green Lantern figured would be the closest he would be to seeing Batman smile.

Wow, this kid was a miracle if he got the Dark Bat to smile.

"Hey daddy, Uncle Superman. You must be Green Lantern AKA Hal Jordan right?" The boy sounded as if he already knew the answer, which he most likely did knowing the Bat - he seemed to know everything about everyone and had probably taught the kid everything he knew. Green Lantern found himself nodding, muted and unable to form any words to speak. wat do you say to the tiny child hero who had swooped in to save you?

Eventually he managed to pick his jaw off the floor only to discover the Dynamic Duo and Superman inspecting and inspecting the weapon collection on the table. He caught up to them as they moved through the abandoned warehouse into a small backroom on the opposite side from the store room. Batman was talking on a com to someone called Agent A about calling the cops, Robin at his side.

Green Lantern found himself hurrying to keep pace with the Kryptonian, man he moved fast.

"How old is that kid?" He asked quietly, both curious and worried. He glanced back at the duo hoping they hadn't heard.

"Who, Robin? He's six, almost seven. He's been a hero for about eight months give or take. He has a pretty tragic story before being taken in by Batman but he's a good kid." Superman said with a small frown looking at the Bats in front. "I know what you're thinking. I was apprehensive when I first heard about him but Batman won't let anything happen to the kid and it's either we help him be a hero or he does it on his own in more danger. Just think about it, besides he did just rescue us, give the kid a chance."

Before Green Lantern could reply or ask any other questions, the Gotham duo approached the pair. Taking in the contents of the new room - it was laid out as an office which indicated the warehouse was a more long term base and not just a single use base for the trade. A desk and chair was set up with a computer and files laid out across it. Dusty shelves stretched across the back, mostly empty.

"Robin." Batman grunted to his partner, who simply nodded in answer and slid into the seat facing the desk. The kid started typing rapidly on the computer, inserting a USB stick as his hands flew across the keyboard. A few seconds of hurried tapping later Robin pulled out the USB and nodded to his mentor. What was Batman teaching this kid?

The lack of typing left an almost suffocating silence which was interrupted by a quiet ticking noise was heard, coming from underneath the desk. Robin ducked under being the smallest and before anyone could stop him.

"It's an explosive device set to go off in forty seconds and counting." He said looking back up, remarkably unworried about said bomb. Seriously Batman, teach your kid to have a healthy sense of fear!

Not a second later all four were running out the door and back through the main room of the dark warehouse before exiting into the fading light of the evening, lights illuminating the city behind them. They continued moving trying to reach a safe distance from the explosive device. Green Lantern was thankful they were in a deserted part of the city - no civilians to be put in danger. Only moments after the group were out the entrance did the high pitch beeping get loud enough to hear and then exploded in a multitude of sound and colours.

The four stared confused at the building. When they heard explosive device they all assumed it was a bomb but the evidence otherwise was in front of them. It was not a bomb - but a timer for a set of fireworks. Why did a criminal group have fireworks at their abandoned warehouse?

They watched the display for another minute before Green Lantern started to walk back into the warehouse, there was still evidence to collect after all. His movement was stopped by Robin who put a small arm out to stop him. He turned to the kid about to question him but was interrupted by a real bomb exploded, obliterating the warehouse.

Green Lantern gaped open mouthed, How did the kid know? He looked down at Robin in gratitude and the boy nodded in reply, a smirk on his lips. Batman looked unsurprised at the explosion, instantly back on his com talking to the mysterious Agent A again as Superman watched the flames roar in front of them.

And this was how Green Lantern came to find himself as Uncle Hal to, although he would never admit it out loud, a pretty awesome, kick-butt nephew. Also he discovered Robin was a brilliant assistant to help him get back at Flash for all the pranks the Speedster pulled.

The Vipers were completely made up, I think.  Also, on re-reading this I discovered that I left all the criminals in the exploding warehouse - oh well.