23. Robin Vs Zion

- Batcave -

"No," Robin rejected resolutely.

"Ah, come on," Zion groaned.

"No, we are to be here," Robin was determined not to let Zion run around in his city.

"You know you want to go help Batman, and we could go beat up these thugs that are transferring weapons for the gangs," Zion pointed. Zion knew that Robin was a snoopy little teen who liked to poke his nose around. Robin was inherently curious and had a high sense of justice.

"Here, Sir Zion. I have brought the snacks you asked for," the venerable butler returned with the snacks.

"Thanks, Alfred," both said.

"You are welcome," the butler returned.

Zion waited until Alfred was gone before he turned to Robin. "Why don't you decide after checking out the prototype suit I made?"

"Suit?" Robin was skeptical.

"Well, I made it for Batman," Zion spun in his chair. "But I don't think he would like to use it, but you, my friend, can be my guinea-pig. Bring your uniform, and I will show you what I can do for you."

Zion got up and walked to his station. He would show how much their rolling around in the mud could be reduced with his upgrades to their armory. Batman might be skeptical about wearing his suit, but he could convince Robin, maybe?

...

Robin watched as Zion disappeared into the darkness of the cave, his steps light. He could see that Zion was well-trained in stealth, and his senses were sharp, sharper than when they first met. He could tell Zion was growing at an exponential rate; even his thin muscles had gained mass.

He promptly walked to the glass display before removing his suit from the display. He walked back to Zion's workstation and noticed the guy had changed costume. He was now wearing a black tuxedo with golden engraving on the lapels and cuffs. The suit looked classy yet stylish.

Zion looked ready to go to a ball rather than to fight crime. He turned, noticing Robin's arrival. "What do you think? Neat?"

"That's what you want to show me?" Robin asked.

"No," Zion pointed to an opened suitcase next to him, "This is what I wanted to show you."

Robin looked inside the case to see a neatly folded spandex. He lifted it to see it was fairly lightweight and stretchy. The whole spandex was pitch black and covered up to his neck. It looked more like a streamlined dress swimmers wear than a battle suit.

"Is this the suit?" Robin asked skeptically.

"Oh, have a little faith," Zion chided, "Wear it inside your normal suit and wear this mask."

Zion pulled a domino mask similar to Robin's from the suitcase and placed it on the table.

Zion then turned and put his helmet that wrapped around his head, hiding his face fully. The front was fully back with no eye hole to allow vision, and his hair was not covered. [It is a mix of Star-Lord's mask with Cyberpuck style.]

Zion placed it on his head, and a clicking sound reverberated inside the cave.

[Ziiiiiing]

The helmet lit up with neon light as the lower half extended and connected with his suit. His hair started to wave in the air as a minor force-field generated to protect his head. With the helmet activated, golden runes lit up on the lapels before traveling down the suit. The suit then shrunk to perfectly fit his structure.

"Neat?" Zion asked in a mechanical voice, altered by his mask. The neon screen created an emoji (■_■).

Robin, now wearing his suit above the spandex, looked at Zion. "Good."

He placed the domino mask on his face. The moment the mask settled on his face, the mask activated its basic function.

[Activating neural-link]

Robin heard a robotic voice in his head before a pricking sensation came from his whole body. The black spandex tightened around his body, becoming a second skin. The microchips started their integration with his body, making him feel like multiple tiny legs were crawling on him.

[Neural-link successful]

[Welcome, Dick Grayson]

"Wow," Robin exclaimed as he felt new strength coursing through his body.

"Feels good?" Zion asked, a smug look on his digital face.

"What was that?" Robin asked, seeing the digital interface.

"The mask connects your mind to the suit, the same as my helmet. I could only add some basic functions to the mask for now. For now, it has visual analysis, thermal scanning, and other visions, and neural communication," Zion briefed.

"What's with this game-like interface?" Robin asked, seeing his health bar in the corner of his vision.

"Well, it's there so you know when you need to retreat. But don't worry, the suit is bullet and fireproof, with added shock absorption. It's basically a compressed version of Bat-armor."

"Okay," Robin replied as he moved around to check his momentum.

Robin started by walking before he started running around before running out of the section.

In the vast expanse of the Batcave, he sprang into action. His movements were fluid, almost balletic, as he leaped and twirled through the air.

He could feel the easy I. His moment as if he was walking in air.

Robin grinned, "Let's see what this suit can do."

He performed breathtaking acrobatics, somersaulting in the air, spinning with precision, and landing with remarkable grace. The suit responded effortlessly to his command, enhancing his already impressive agility.

"It's like an extension of me," Robin muttered to himself.

Robin's performance in the Batcave was nothing short of extraordinary. He pushed the suit to its limits, pushing his own boundaries. He executed complex flips, kicks, and spins, making it seem as if the very air obeyed his every wish.

...

Zion walked back to the Batcomputer. The algorithm had already found the hideout of this odd group. It was a nightclub on Gotham's Crime Alley.

"Do they really not have any other place, or are they just using this as a warehouse for their weapons?" Zion contemplated.

"This is awesome!" Robin shouted in the background.

Zion quickly checked where Batman was. The guy was monitoring some higher-ups who were connected to the gang. So, Batman was far away from the club they were going to hit. Would this attack mess up Batman's investigation? Absolutely!

But Zion was not planning to help Batman take down this new gang.

"Let's put the suit to the field test, shall we?" Zion asked as he turned around.

Robin was walking toward him with a smile. The suit gave him a rush he had not experienced.

"No," Robin rejected.

"(•O•)" Zion's mask reflected his shock. "Why?"

"Because you came to make us a generator, not to play the hero," Robin explained. "You think you can manipulate me, but you need to try harder." Robin revealed a cocky smile, having figured out Zion's plan.

"Well, what makes you think you can stop me?" Zion asked, shedding his goofiness.

"Well, why don't you try?" Robin accepted the challenge.

"Oh ho, confident are we?" Zion got up and got into a stance.

"I am," Robin replied in kind.

***

In the dim light of the Batcomputer, both opponents faced each other, the tension between them palpable.

With determination in his eyes, Robin moved quickly. He darted toward Zion with remarkable speed, rapidly closing the gap between them. He executed punches, kicks, and flips that seemed almost unbelievable. His movements were a mix of acrobatics and combat finesse. It was as if he defied the laws of physics.

Zion, in a sleek tuxedo, remained composed. His steps were precise and controlled, a stark contrast to Robin's whirlwind of motion. He easily blocked Robin's attacks with calculated moves, matching his opponent's impressive speed. It was as if he knew Robin's moves before he made them.

Their fight was like a dance, a deadly ballet of harmony and elegance. The Batcave, with its gleaming computer terminals and the Batmobile veiled in shadows, became the arena for their electrifying duel. The sounds of their blows and maneuvers echoed off the cave's walls. It was a breathtaking display of their combat skills.

Robin's martial arts skills were a testament to years of relentless training under Batman. His combat style was honed to perfection, a blend of power and finesse. The prototype enhancer suit clung to his skin like a second skin, enhancing his physical abilities beyond human, while his training imbued every movement with purpose.

However, Zion's suit was an entirely different beast. A marvel of cutting-edge technology, it granted him a level of advantage that Robin had never encountered before. The suit was equipped with a sophisticated array of sensors and an AI-driven system. It learned from every exchange, analyzing Robin's movements with unfaltering precision and adapting in real-time. Zion's movements flowed as effortlessly as Robin's, but his adaptability was a distinct edge. The suit's flawless synchronization with his actions made it a formidable adversary.

Despite the relentless combat, the Batcave was eerily silent, except for their rapid breathing. It was as if the cave itself was watching.

Zion's mechanical voice, calm and confident, cut through the silence. "Impressive, Robin. But is that all you got?"

Robin, determined, moved forward. He knew the battle was not just about physical skill but mental fortitude. The fight had just begun, and he was determined to prove that his spirit was unyielding.

The fight continued in the dimly lit Batcave, and as the battle progressed, the scales of the battle began to tip. Zion's suit became more adept at handling Robin's moves. The suit analyzed every punch, every kick, and every flip, gradually becoming more efficient.

Robin's frustration began to show as his strikes met with more resistance. He found himself pushed back, barely avoiding Zion's well-timed counterattacks. It was evident that Zion's suit was one step ahead.

In a moment of realization, Robin muttered to himself, "He or rather the suit is evolving."

Zion, maintained his eerie calm, capitalizing on his tuxedo's adaptability.

As the battle raged on, Robin knew he had to change his approach. It was becoming apparent that he couldn't rely solely on his martial art training and the suit's enhanced physical capabilities. This battle demanded more—adaptation and innovation. He couldn't allow Zion's tuxedo to predict every move he made.

With determination in his eyes, he made a split-second decision. He had to disrupt the pattern and keep his adversary guessing.

Robin unleashed a series of unconventional moves, shifting his tactics dramatically. He incorporated elements of surprise, using the Batcave's terrain to his advantage. His acrobatics became erratic and unpredictable, making it difficult for Zion's suit to adapt rapidly. It was as if Robin was throwing a barrage of unexpected challenges at his opponent.

For the first time in the battle, Zion displayed signs of surprise. His tuxedo struggled to keep up with the rapidly changing dynamics of the fight. Robin's relentless assault made it challenging for Zion's technology to predict and counter every move.

Robin, grinning with newfound confidence, couldn't help but taunt, "Let's see how you handle this!"

The shift in tactics was working in Robin's favor. He had regained control over the battle. It was a testament to his ability to adapt, a quality instilled in him through years of training under Batman.

Zion, still cloaked in his tuxedo, maintained his cool composure as he faced the unexpected onslaught. His advanced suit, while still a remarkable piece of technology, couldn't keep up with the rapid and unorthodox changes in the battle's tempo.

As the battle entered a new phase, it became clear that Robin's determination to outsmart the suit and the rapidly adapting technology of his adversary was on full display.

Robin continued to press his advantage with relentless unpredictability. But Zion had yet to reveal his deck.

Zion activated the Combat mode of the suit, accessing the vast repository of martial techniques from this world and many others.

*****