Volume 2 Honoring Robin Chapter 55 Honorary Robin? Get a new title!
As expected, the master once again invited Mason. Counting the "test" outside Blackgate Prison, this should be the second invitation from the Bat Family.
But Mason, as expected, immediately refused.
He has more and more things on his plate now, and he really doesn't dare to work with the best detective in the world. Most importantly, Mason strongly believes that Batman has not completely let go of his suspicion of him.
It’s not that the master doesn’t trust me.
It was determined by the master's suspicious nature.
He and Superman have such a good relationship both at work and in private, wouldn't he also update his "anti-Superman tactical plan" from time to time?
In fact, in Mason's understanding, having a folder with his own name in Batman's private database is the real way to gain the master's trust.
"I'm sorry, Bruce. I repeat, I'm flattered by the invitation from the Bat-Family, but I really don't think I'm cut out to be one of you."
Mason, sitting on the hospital bed, sighed and said half-truthfully:
"First of all, my style of doing things is indeed inconsistent with your 'no killing' principle. Of course, I am not dissatisfied with your rules.
It is always better to have bottom lines and principles as a human being than to live without any restraint like a beast.
But I’m just used to doing things as I please.”
He raised his head and looked at Batman seriously, and gave the second reason:
"Secondly, after what happened with Jason and Barbara, to be honest, the Bat Family makes me feel a little...scared. The way you get along with each other seems very 'strange' to an outsider like me.
They always use hurting each other as a way to deepen their feelings and bonds.
Maybe each of you is a walking 'collection of psychological trauma', but as for me, I still hope to live an easier life.
After all, the first seventeen years of my life were dark enough.
Now I know that the father who abused me for so long is not my father, which makes me feel relieved and sad at the same time."
At this point, Mason complained quietly:
"While we're on the subject of 'fathers,' you really should take a moment to reflect on your actions toward Robin and Batgirl, Bruce.
Maybe you think this is your own family matter, but as an outsider, I think you have done a terrible job in these two matters.
You know what they need, but you're just too stingy to give it to them.
Always take occasional warmth as a reward...
That’s not the right way to raise a child.”
Facing Mason's complaints, Batman standing in the shadows remained silent.
No one could tell the master's mood and thoughts at the moment from his expressionless posture. He was like cold iron forged in the dark night, blocking all his mental activities from the eyes of others.
He has become accustomed to facing the ever-changing and cruel world with this attitude.
Even Mason felt that no matter how happy and relaxing a place was, once Batman appeared, it would immediately become serious and gloomy.
"To sum up, I think it's good for us to maintain the current relationship."
Mason let out a long breath, spread his hands and said to Batman:
"We can cooperate and help each other occasionally. I have your contact information and you have mine. For now, this is all we need to do in terms of 'business'.
Of course, if Bruce Wayne, Gotham's richest man, is willing to invite me to a party at Wayne Manor, I promise to dress in my best clothes and be ready to go."
"If that is your choice, then I will keep the invitation."
The master nodded and said something without any sadness or joy.
Seeing him turn to leave, Mason rolled his eyes and said:
"Actually, you gave this invitation to the wrong person, Bruce. There is a boy next to you who needs it more than I do."
Batman paused and looked back at Mason.
The young man shrugged and said:
"I know that you, Alfu, and even Selina are all worried about Damian Wayne's mental state. I will prepare some medicine for him as soon as possible that can soothe his spirit and drain the remaining Lazarus Pool water from his body.
But it takes time.
After all, that kind of pool water contains a very mysterious and evil dark power. As an alchemist, I need to conduct various experiments to comprehend its mystery.
But you can do more for him in a short period of time than I can."
Mason paused, organized his words, and said:
"Damian became the 'little lunatic' he is today, not only because he grew up in Nandarbat, where murderers gather, but also because he seriously lacks guidance in the right way of thinking and action.
No matter how powerful he is, he is only twelve years old, no, eleven years old.
This is an age when children need the guidance of idols but are also restless. Who in the world is more suitable to be a role model for an adolescent son than a father?
You should have a fourth Robin, Batman.
But that shouldn't be me.
Your son, Damian Wayne, clearly needs your help more than anything else.
And to do that as both a father and Batman."
Mason's words, especially the one about "fathers and sons", touched Batman, the part of his personality that belonged to Bruce Wayne was always easily attracted to such topics.
Mason had personally confirmed this the night he said goodbye to the Penguin Gang.
It can be seen that the master is hesitating and thinking.
After a silence of ten seconds, he said in a hoarse voice:
"But he didn't seem to need my help. Just this morning when I was having dinner with him, he picked up the table knife and stabbed me..."
"No, Damian just doesn't know he needs help."
Mason corrected:
"His mad grandfather instilled in him the cruel wisdom of survival of the fittest, which made him accustomed to hiding his helplessness under the appearance of tyranny and cold-bloodedness.
But he's just a kid, Bruce.
Just like when I was twelve years old, I treated my father with indifference when he would beat me crazily when he was drunk. Does my cold attitude towards him mean that I don't need help from others?
When you were a kid...
After that night in Crime Alley, didn't you need a little help from your loved ones? It was Alfred and Gordon who helped you get through that tough time.
Maybe now is the time for you to help your son.
He is a piece of ice.
You have to become a ball of fire.
Bruce, I don't say you are too slow and stubborn in this regard. "
"Yeah, it's because I lost my parents when I was eight years old. I've always been at a loss when it comes to family issues."
The master actually told a dark joke for the first time, and Mason, who was frantically giving the master chicken soup for the soul, was choked and speechless.
Come to think of it, how could he ask a man who had never enjoyed a normal family since childhood, who liked to dress himself up like a bat and walk around in dark alleys at night, and whose greatest hobby was to beat criminals into a pulp with his bare hands, to understand what "warm family life" meant?
The atmosphere in the ward became awkward.
Mason laughed dryly and said:
"Anyway, that's what I'm saying, Damian needs a proper guide, and you need a Robin to help you .
This is a two-way rush.
And I think Alfred would also support this kind of "parent-child activity" which may seem strange but is actually in line with the current situation of the Wayne family.
Also, I will try to help Barbara after I am discharged from the hospital.
You better stay out of this for now, okay?"
"Um."
The master nodded.
He jumped to the window with a whoosh, and as he turned into a bat and flew into the night, the master turned back to Mason and said:
"The things you took from the Batcave..."
"I didn't take anything."
Mason immediately denied it:
"Even if you are the person I admire the most, you cannot slander me like this. When I rushed to the collection room, a group of ninjas were looting there."
"I just want to tell you, Mason, that the Fenrir armor prototype is bound to my DNA."
The master said quietly:
"You may keep it for a while, but I want it back where it belongs once the Batcave is rebuilt. You are such a smart young man that you should understand why I put them in the collection room instead of the weapons room."
After saying that, Batman jumped out of the fourth-floor window.
He turned into a black shadow and soared in the night sky of Gotham, and with a precise somersault, he landed in the hovering Batfighter that maintained its optical camouflage.
As for Mason.
He walked to the window, listened to the heavy rain outside and closed the window.
The young man's expression was quite strange at this moment.
“So, Master is saying that the Fenrir armor that he prepared specifically for the other members of the Justice League must be returned, but can he pretend that the other stolen items never happened?
He is hinting at...
No, he's encouraging me to research Wonder Woman's suit and Superman's blood?
So my abilities as an alchemist have been incorporated into Batman's 'anti-Superman tactics' and 'anti-Wonder Woman tactics'?
As expected of you, sir."
Mason quickly figured out the reason for this, and suddenly felt helpless and complained about Batman's unfathomable scheming.
Although he has not joined the Batfamily, judging from the situation, the old man seems to have regarded himself as an "extra member" like Selina.
He shrugged and returned to the bed, but was shocked to find a black and gold bat badge placed at the head of his bed. He didn't even notice when the master put this thing there?
Mason picked it up and examined it in his hands.
Honorary Robin's pin
Quality: Excellent engineering and craftsmanship
Item Effect:
Contains an access code to the Batcave security defense system, which allows the holder to enter the Batcave and gain partial access to the Batnetwork. It can be used as a starting key for the Batmobile and can unlock all functions of the Batfighter when permissions are delegated.
Note: This item contains an ultra-precise positioning and information collection device.
Producer: Bruce Wayne
Item Description: Congratulations on unlocking the hidden profession "Robin". You can change your profession at any time with this item.
"This is a fucking gift that even contains eavesdropping devices and positioning devices!"
Mason looked at this thing and wanted to flush it down the toilet. The little bit of goodwill he had for the master just now disappeared in an instant.
He could only hold the badge in his hand and sigh to the sky. It was really difficult to be Batman's friend.
But this troublesome night was not over yet.
Mason lay on the hospital bed with a lot of complaints, ready to take a rest. He had been drinking vitality potions to keep himself energetic to improve various production skills. He hadn't slept for a long time.
I plan to indulge myself tonight and experience the feeling of dreaming.
But when he counted the bats and sheep to 107 and just felt a little sleepy, the window was opened again. Mason was so angry that he grabbed a fruit knife and threw it over.
The blessing of Lv4 shooting made the flying knife sharp and fast. It flew towards the eyes of the guy who jumped into Mason's ward, and was slapped in front of him by the latter with both hands.
The trembling blade was less than two centimeters away from the latter's eyes.
"Isn't this necessary?"
Dick Grayson, who changed back into Nightwing uniform and wore a domino eye mask, sighed, put down the fruit knife in his hand, and said to Mason who was glaring at him:
"I just wanted to say goodbye, Mason. That's all I meant."
"Okay, we've said our goodbyes, you can go now."
Mason pointed at the door of the ward and said rudely:
"Please go through the door this time!"
"Well"
The young man with a nice body and a nice butt was embarrassed for a moment.
He put the fruit knife back on the bedside table, glanced at Mason, and whispered:
"In fact, it's not just for farewell... Don't be angry, listen to me, I'm going back to Blüdhaven. What happened in Gotham has deeply touched me, and I need some time to convince myself to accept this drastic change.
Jason is alive and well, and is trying to kill us.
Barbara has done something wrong and now she is shutting herself in her room and not seeing anyone.
Bruce has a biological son, and that little bastard is very dissatisfied with me. I went to chat with him at noon today, and he stabbed me three times with his hidden samurai sword. "
The eldest master, who is usually gentle and cheerful, couldn't be happy at this moment.
He sat on the bed and sighed:
"It's like everything turned upside down overnight. Maybe I should leave for a few days, but before I leave I want to ask you a favor.
I know you can do it.”
"Shut up!"
Mason, with an expressionless face, was in no mood to comfort the young master anymore.
He picked up Mr. Potter's magic notebook and quickly wrote down a lot of information, tore it off and threw it to the young master, then closed his eyes and lay on the bed.
explain:
"Go to the Seven Hells Tavern near Miller Harbor, buy all these things and bring them to my shop, then go back to your Bludhaven.
At some point in the future, you may be able to meet a healthy girlfriend who can kiss, hug and lift you up.
You can go now, Grayson.
Please forgive my rudeness, but I really want to have a good sleep now. There are still three hours before dawn. Please allow me to have a sweet dream, okay ? "
Mason didn't say what these materials were used for, but Grayson's eyes suddenly lit up.
He put the paper into his pocket as if it were a treasure, whispered good night to Mason, then opened the door and walked out.
Mason, who was lying on the bed, yawned.
He could finally fall asleep...
"Beep, beep, beep"
The damn flip phone rang, and the young man angrily grabbed it and took a look before answering the call and shouting:
"Your son will learn from Batman. I have done what I promised you. I gave my Robin spot to Damian! Damn it, but if you continue to wake me up at this evil hour, I will make sure he doesn't live to see his next birthday! Don't think the water from the Lazarus Pool is omnipotent!"
There was silence for a few seconds, and then a very attractive female voice was heard.
Damian's biological mother, the master of the League of Assassins and the temporary leader, Ms. Talia, is standing at the dock of Miller Harbor in Gotham City.
In the stormy night, she shielded herself from the rain under an umbrella and walked slowly onto a yacht in high heels.
Amid the respectful salutes of the black-clad warriors around her, she walked into the cabin and said to the other end of the phone:
"Well, I want to thank you, Mason Cooper."
"As a personal token of my gratitude to the League of Assassins, I want to tell you another piece of news... Mr. Sandstorm is not dead, he is still hiding in Gotham City.
I suppose he will come to you, Master Mason of the Star Order."
There was silence on the line for a few seconds, and then Mason's voice rang out.
He said helplessly:
"Tell me, what do you want? A woman as cunning as a fox."
“The future of my son and my organization.”
Talia didn't hesitate and said:
"But we can talk about this later, wait for our next meeting, Sir Mason. In the meantime, please take good care of Damian for me."
