New York is a beautiful sight after nightfall. The skyline lights up the star-filled sky. And, at least in Manhattan, you just might catch a super-hero bursting across the sky.

However, our story today doesn't involve heroes of that kind. Read on . . .

Robin sat carefully on a ledge, looking over the city. Not my city . . . he thought to himself. No matter how long I've been here, it'll never be my city. Not even as one of its champions and heroes. Of course, at the moment, I'm not a champion nor a hero . . . at least, not in the public eye. To them, if I even exist, I'm just another member of those "outlaws," Young Justice.

He sighed. Outlaws. Well, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, isn't it? All we were doing was lending a hand . . . helping out . . . doing our part. And what have we gotten for it? Even before this whole mess started, when YJ first appeared on the scene, we were met with mixed feelings. Some people welcomed more heroes, others questioned our age. I'm older than the rest of the team, but there isn't a one of us that isn't old enough to want to defend our cities, our country, our world. And still others, wary of teenagers in general, felt we couldn't be trusted. And since all the bad stuff that's gone down, no one trusts us.

There was the battle in central park where we lost Firebird . . . the battle with the Hellfire Club when we got her back . . . the battles with the Point Men and the MLF in between, the Phalanx in Chicago, Angar in Springfield, and those two SHIELD agents, too. Then there's Zola's castle that he blew up after we beat him and the Imperial Forces of America. Then the DEO came to arrest us, and we fled . . . after Superboy attacked. Then there was the Super-Unit Police . . . and just earlier, the Living Monolith. Everyone's against us now . . .

*(That's YJ 1-21 and all the one-shots and specials in between. Well, it's a very short version, anyway ;) – Paul)

Everyone, hopefully, except one. I've contacted a . . . 'friend' . . . hopefully, she can help. I'll need some back-up for this next plan. And I can't go to Batman with every problem I have. And I've got to leave Batwoman out of my messes . . . I've gotten her into too much trouble before.

*(Like in Batman #16! – Paul)

He tensed slightly as he heard someone approaching from behind. He moved swiftly, drawing his bo-staff and leaping over whomever was behind him. The figure turned quickly, ready for a battle.

"Nice to see you, too," the Spoiler frowned. She wore a black mask and a purple cloak.

"One can never be too careful," Robin said, putting his staff away. "Especially when one's in my position."

"No kidding," Spoiler said. "I've been watching the news. Young Justice is in over their heads, huh?"

"That's an understatement," Robin sighed. "You know its all bogus, right?"

"Of course!" the Spoiler replied quickly. "I'd like to feel I can trust and believe you."

"Good," Rob smiled. "But now, I need a favor."

"A favor?"

"I'm asking you for some help. I'm heading back to YJ's headquarters. Its possible that the DEO may have uncovered it. They might even be setting a trap for the team. Its also possible that they don't know of it, and the team could still use it."

Spoiler nodded. "Why ask me for help? Why not another teammate?"

"Because if it is a trap, I don't want more of the team going down."

"Gee, thanks."

"That's not what I meant," Robin shook his head. "I just need your help without getting even more bad press for the team."

She sighed. "Y'know, you used to be more fun to go out with."

Robin grinned. "I'll show you a good time . . . I promise."

"Well, in that case . . . " she grinned back, "lead on!"

Robin leapt off the rooftop, launching a rope from one of his handy devices in his tool belt. The Spoiler leapt after him, using her own rope launcher.

That's right, Cissie . . . keep playing along. He doesn't know that his longtime teammate and fellow YJ-er, Arrowette, is really the costumed heroine behind the Spoiler mask. This is gonna be one interesting evening . . .

For the past several months, the small mountain and hidden cave had been home to Young Justice. Under the guidance of the Red Tornado, they were to be the next generation of heroes. Not any more, though.

"So . . . that's it, huh?"

Robin nodded to the Spoiler. "It was originally a back-up base for the Avengers League . . . but after they broke up, we made it our base. They didn't seem to have any use for it."

"Looks empty," the Spoiler said, observing the area around it.

"Looks can be deceiving," Robin answered. "But you are right. I wonder if the security system is operating . . . "

"Well, you can shut it down, right?"

"Nope. The controls were on the Super Cycle. Which we left behind when we fled the DEO . . . meaning it's probably in their custody, with Magik and the Red Tornado. And if it is on . . . and there's anyone in there . . . it'll only give our approach away. But if it's off . . . that means someone turned it off . . . "

"What if it's on and no one's in there?"

"Then, well . . . that's a good thing. I really should have programmed it to recognize me and not fire."

"Is there a way around it?"

" . . . Possibly," Robin paused, thinking. He grabbed his rope launcher and in a swift motion, launched it. It grabbed hold of a side of the mountain and Robin leapt off the ledge the two sat on, swinging over the area before the entrance. As soon as he released his grip and landed, he began running. He ducked, rolled, jumped and dove, expecting a barrage of an assault. Eventually, he realized there was no attack.

Cissie couldn't help but laugh to herself after Rob had looked like a total dork. But she leapt down after him and walked over to him.

"It's off," Robin answered.

"Really?" Cissie asked, grinning beneath her mask.

"That means it was turned off," Robin frowned.

"Maybe the Red Tornado forgot to turn it on when he left?"

" . . . " Robin paused again. "Maybe. But doubtful. Come on . . . we'll take one of the secret entrances."

Robin lead the way with the Spoiler following closely behind him.

This is weird . . . she thought. And it'll only get weirder. I'm about to sneak into my HQ . . . only it's not really my HQ . . . it's Arrowette's! Argh, I've got to find a way out of this . . . and soon.

Soon, the Boy Wonder had led her to a small air vent. He pulled off the grate and squatted down. He pulled out a flashlight and took a look around.

"This is your secret entrance?"

"Well, would you think to guard it?" Robin asked. "I had been meaning to, but never got around to it. You've gotta go on your hands and knees, but it should get us inside undetected."

The Spoiler shook her head. "Whatever you say."

He led the way, crawling forward. She followed closely behind.

"Y'know," she started, "you really need to work on picking better places to go on dates. If not for my patience and my curiosity, as well as the nice view of your butt, I might not still be here."

"Well, I do appreciate your help," Robin said. "And a guy always appreciates nice comments on his butt."

"So, are you ever gonna tell me your real name?" she asked.

"I dunno," Robin replied. "Are you ever gonna tell me yours?"

"Touche," she answered.

"Wait," Robin paused. "Listen . . . voices."

I don't hear anything . . . Cissie frowned to herself.

Robin moved quietly to another air vent and looked down below. He saw two men standing there wearing familiar uniforms . . .

He gritted his teeth. "Hellfire . . . "

Without a moment to think, he burst the vent gate down and leapt onto of one of the guards, tackling him beneath his feet. The other turned to respond, but a swing of Robin's bo-staff and the guard was KO'd.

The Spoiler landed next to him. "Guess your base isn't safe, huh?"

"This confirms my suspicions," Robin frowned. "Shaw's out to get revenge . . . he's probably responsible for the whole media circus that's treating us like criminals. And now he's even infiltrated our base!"

"So . . . what'd'we do?"

"There's too much valuable information in the computer systems here," Robin frowned. "If he could break the codes I've got on there . . . it'd be trouble."

"So . . . ?"

"So . . . " Robin turned away from her. "We're going to blow it up."

"Are you sure this is the only way?" Spoiler asked as the two sat on a beam a few feet below the ceiling. Below them was a group of Hellfire Club guards working on their computer systems.

Robin nodded. "Scorched earth policy. Something Batman taught me. Can't let the crime fighting materials fall into the hands of the criminals. Everyone else will accept it . . . with time, at least."

"Don't you wanna get their stuff out of their rooms?"

"Too risky. And it would waste too much time. We don't have any choice. Cover me?"

Robin leapt from the small beam, launching another rope and swinging down into a group of Hellfire guards. The Spoiler leapt down after him, tackling a guard and kicking another.

Rob ran to the main computer system and quickly grazed his hands over the keys. He worked with lightening speed as the Spoiler kept guards off his back.

This is bad . . . Cissie thought. I'm still not too good at hand-to-hand fighting . . . I'm an archer! I take on my foes from a distance . . . I don't know how long I can keep this up!

"I could use some help," the Spoiler said to Robin as she punched a Hellfire goon across the face.

"Just need another few seconds," Robin replied, fast at work.

"Great," Cissie replied, kicking, then ducking.

"There," Robin said. He grabbed hold of the Spoiler's arm. "Time to go."

He lifted his rope launcher into the air and fired. The rope grabbed one of the beams and pulled both of them up. Robin kicked open another air vent and led the way out.

"How much time do we have?" Cissie asked.

"Not enough for them to stop the self-destruct," Robin replied. "The whole place is wired . . . even if they shut down the main one, the other self destructs'll take the place."

"You were totally prepared for this eventuality, weren't you?"

"I was taught to prepare for everything."

Robin and the Spoiler stood at a safe distance away from their base and watched it blow up in a huff of smoke and fire.

"You know, with my luck," Robin said to himself, "this'll be seen as another YJ assault, this time against the Avengers League."

"You know, if they catch up to YJ . . . your team'll be in a whole load of trouble."

"I know. I'm just hoping it won't come to that."

"I better go," Cissie said. I need to be back with YJ when Rob shows up . . .

Robin nodded. "Listen, I don't know when I'll see you next . . . but I have a feeling I will see you again."

Cissie nodded. "Take care of yourself."

"You, too."

Robin launched a rope and swung away. Cissie stayed a moment, watching her former home burn away, hearing the sirens closing in. Finally, she launched a rope of her own and left her memories behind.