"Dude, Gotham is even creepier as a civilian. How do people live here?" Wally shivered slightly as they walked down the sidewalk, staring up at the tall gloomy buildings that surrounded them. "I guess a scary city makes a scary hero. Speaking of which, we gotta make sure the Bats never finds out about this, or we are screwed for sure." He paused when he heard movement behind them. "What was that!?"

"Just pigeons my friend." Kaldur frowned a bit as he watched the birds scatter as they flew up into the sky.

Wally's face heated up a bit in embarrassment. He was jumpy of course..the last time he came here with full confidence, the Joker popped up. That was something Wally did not want to happen again. "Dude..please do not tell Artemis that I freaked out over some pigeons." He pleaded, knowing the blonde archer would give him hell if she ever found out.

"I will not speak of it." Kaldur smiled kindly.

There was a scream of a women not to long after, and both teens on instinct ran towards it, forgetting that they were in their civilian outfits. They stopped at an alleyway where a young woman was getting mugged, a man tugging at her purse. The women continued to scream for help but was instantly shut up when a gun was pointed at her face.

Wally's hands clenched into fists. Maybe it was just him, but he had a feeling even with the purse now willingly given to the mugger, that the women was going to get a bullet in her head no matter what. Maybe if he ran fast enough--

The sound of birds scattering again took both the two young heroes and the mugger by surprise. The mugger turned quickly, seeing the others standing there blocking his way of escape, he quickly held up the gun. "Don't think that I won't shoot! I'll do it!" The mugger shouted, but his hands were shaking. "Give me all of your money and I will let you go--ack!" The mugger fell on his face, a familiar masked figure standing over him.

The masked figure stared at the unconscious mugger's body before grabbing the purse and glancing at the frightened young women. "I believe this is yours." He held out the purse but the women stayed completely frozen. The figure sighed slightly. "I will not harm you, take the bag and go." He tossed the purse to the women, who on reflex caught it. "Try not to walk home alone at night, alright, the streets are far too dangerous."

Wally watched the exchange, surprised he actually found the person he was looking for, and how quick he defused the situation. The figure's voice too. Unlike Batman's, it was soft and kind, slightly cheery like he held a smile under the mask. Wally watched as the women nodded dumbly before running off past Kaldur and himself. The figure turned to leave but Wally spoke up. "Hey wait!" He called, desperate to keep the other there. He wanted answers. Sure, he was glad to see that the other was not dead, and he seemed overall like a good guy..but why not make his presence known. Even with all the media after him, he stayed completely out of the views of cameras.

The figure turned, tilting his head slightly as if he was slightly confused at why he was called. "That voice.." He paused for a moment before walking towards the two teens. "I have heard it before."

Wally gulped slightly. "Well..I get that...I get that a lot...one of those faces y'know?" He fumbled with his words, glancing at Kaldur for some kind of help, but the other hero was focused on the masked figure, body tensed.

"No." The masked figure said sternly. "I know you." He stopped a foot or so away from Wally. "The speedster." His voice sounded pained. "I thought I told you to stay out of this city. You are lucky that the Batman did not come to that woman's aid instead of me." He paused once more glancing at Kaldur. "However, I am glad to see that you did not come alone. The streets are dangerous."

"Who are you?" Kaldur frowned. "You are obviously well trained, your footsteps do not even make any sound as you walk."

"I am no one of importance, I said that before."

"But you are out at night saving people!" Wally protested loudly. "Dude, you are going out of your way to save people..you might not think it, but that woman you just saved, SHE knows of your importance. You are a hero, just like us!"

The figure tilted his head once more. "I am no hero." His voice held chipper amusement, like he would not mind to be called that a few more times, taking it as praise. "Batman is the hero of this city. "

"Is that why you do not make yourself known?" Kaldur spoke, analyzing what the other has said. "Because you do not see yourself as a worthy hero?"

The figure stiffened. "Why does it matter if that is the reason. Perhaps I just do not want cameras in my face, something hard to do when others blab about your existence."

Wally sulked slightly. "Sorry, bro... but I was worried that you ..y'know..kicked the bucket because of me."

The figure cackled slightly. "No worries speedster, I have had my share of bullet wounds, I learned how to remove them and stitch them up correctly."

"But you are a kid!" Wally's eyes widened.

"And as are you. I believe that is why you are called 'kid' Flash." The other laughed a bit.

"You seem awfully cheery for Gotham. Like.. you are the exact opposite of Batman."

The figure flinched a bit. "Oh.."

Wally realized that was probably not the best thing say, the figure obviously looks up to Batman as a personal hero, not just the hero of the city. "I mean...not that you are not...I don't..."

"What my friend is trying to say is that it is admirable that you are able to stay in such high spirits in a city like this." Kaldur interrupted, shaking his head. He watched the figure give a slight nod, which made Kaldur smile slightly.

"Dude, you gotta tell us your name though." Wally insisted. "I mean, I would at least like to be able to call you something."

The figure let out another sigh, leaning against the brick wall of the alleyway. "Rue."

"Rue?"

"As in to regret, mourn, or grieve. Rue." The other replied in the cold robotic tone that Wally had heard the first time they met.

"Rue then." Wally nodded a bit, though a little unsettled why the other went by that name, perhaps he was not as cheerful as Wally first predicted. "Rue..why don't you come back with us? I mean, I am sure that the others would love to meet you."

"Other's?" Rue tilted his head again. "What do you mean other's?"

"I mean, others like us. Young heroes. I am sure they would be eager to meet you, after all you are the talk of the entire league."

"The entire league?" Rue perked up. "As in the Batman as well?" Eagerness evident in his voice.

Wally nodded. "Totally dude, he was the one putting the most effort into finding you."

"Perhaps a short visit will not be that bad..." Rue muttered, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

------

Rue looked around, glad that his mask had covered the wide smile that he had on his face. Still in awe at the way they arrived to the cave itself. They transported! The technology was amazing and he had felt like a kid in a candy shop.

"So? What do you think?" Wally grinned as well, knowing that the other was taking the whole cave in. Sure, the league will probably not be happy that he let in a stranger, but the guy saved his life. He was an obvious hero whether Rue would not admit it to himself..and besides he entered him as a guest, there was not going to be any alarms going off today which he would have to explain.

"it's all very whelming." Rue chirped a bit, giving up on hiding the excitement in his voice. "To think you are using the old Justice League base..hiding in plain sight..it is brilliant."

"You seem to know your stuff." Kaldur commented.

"Of course I do!" Rue nodded. "I mean I have studied the Justice league for a long time and--"

"Kid Flash." A voice called out, o stren one that the teens were all too familiar with. "A zeta beam was used in Gotham care to explain."

Wally gulped a bit and as he saw the Dark knight round the corner, his mouth a straight line. He was in so much trouble. "Well you see we found Rue and.."

"Who is Rue?"

"The one who saved me from" Wally turned to show off Rue, but the place he was standing no longer had an occupant. "Dude..he was just here..."