Go to Crime Alley

Crime Alley was a ghetto street in one of Gotham's most unstable districts, Park Row. Situated between New Town (Aaron's area) and the Bowery, and bordering Amusement Mile to the east, Park Row was once Carmine Falcone's territory and later Mr. Freeze's during No Man's Land. Even before that, after the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne, there was an infestation of crime that the GCPD simply could not clean up, hence why the terms Crime Alley and Park Row were interchangeable; there was no difference from the alley on the other side of the district or one that killed the Waynes because it was riddled with the same level of corruption and crime. It was an area surrounded by instability despite Bruce Wayne's best efforts to preserve it. The locals called it the East End where a midnight walk constituted as attempted suicide.

Aaron was stuck in New Town because it was cheap and moderately safe. Plus, to the west was Otisburg, a safe district with the Knight's Dome Sporting Complex, S.T.A.R. Labs, and his workplace. The GCPD didn't roam Otisburg like they did certain areas but there was enough economic strength that criminals didn't run rampant. People could get jobs and work like a normal person in Metropolis.

But stepping outside, going south-east towards Crime Alley was a risky journey. Aaron could sense a few nasty glares directed at him. Maybe it was his clothes, his looks, or relatively kept appearance. A sense of wealth for those on the streets to eventually rob.

Aaron pushed forward, ignoring the crumbling buildings and insects. The light of the night made it harder to see but his eyes adjusted and he eventually found the iconic street. Crime Alley was located behind the Monarch Theatre. On the cracked walls were old posters and graffiti, as well as a couple withered cars and a bouquet of flowers near the lamppost. It was in better condition than the stories suggested.

On the staircase were two strikingly dressed individuals tapping on their phones. At the harmony of his footsteps, they glanced up. In his pocket, his phone buzzed. While keeping eye contact on the pair, he picked it up.

"Is that you?"

The voice matched the lips of the boy to the right. He was tall, had a narrow face, and wore a red neck scarf. Equipped on his back was a blade and its sheath, but somehow, what managed to garner Aaron's focus was his mohawk. Though partly hidden by his maroon-coloured hood, he did actually have a mohawk where the sides of his head were shaved and a single strip of orange-red went down the centre. He lowered the phone and the second person, a girl dressed in all blue, gestured to Aaron to come.

"Hey," Aaron greeted with a small hand. "You two are Robins?"

"We are," said the red vigilante with the mohawk. Arms crossed, he looked him up and down. He frowned. "You don't look like much."

His contemporary, however, had a completely different reaction.

"Wow, you're hot. Sorry."

"Rook," the red mohawk growled.

The blue-haired woman refused to apologize and smiled at Aaron knowingly. Her skin was tanned and her hair was dyed a bright blue. Her costume was primarily blue as well but added and exemplified by yellow and orange patterns. She seemed like a nice enough young woman, unlike her delinquent partner.

"Tch! I'm Alt!" The young man pointed to himself viciously. "You wanna sponsor us? You think you got what it takes?"

Aaron tilted his head. "You were the second guy on the phone."

Alt froze. "Err…"

Their costumes were admittedly better than he expected. All those years ago when the We Are Robin craze was at its peak, they were nothing more than a ragtag group of well-meaning kids. However, looking at them now, wielding katanas and staffs, wearing metal gauntlets and belts, they were like true vigilantes.

While they had come a long way, from a single glance Aaron could tell Alt was the type to hoard attention. Make baseless irrational conclusions. His body was lean and he carried confidence, attributes necessary for a fighter. Rook was similar, a little high-strung judging by her smile, although her figure was amazing to look at. He hoped he hadn't made the wrong choice.

"I'm Aaron. It's nice to meet you." Aaron tried smoothing the situation out with a soft smile. "I remember seeing you guys on the news when I was younger. You were amazing."

"Wait, hold up–"

"Aaron," Rook called, elated. "It's good to meet you too. We Are Robin."

"Ahem! Yes, We Are Robin," repeated Alt. "The protectors of Gotham when Batman refused to. We were once great but now we have fallen. But like all birds we shall one day rise."

"He practiced that on the way," Rook commented. Aaron chuckled.

"Hey, hey!" Alt grumbled and recrossed his arms. Agitated, he glared at Aaron and said, "Look, man. We're not all games here. We're serious! You really wanna get involved with us!?"

"You guys seem like you want to make a change, so sure." Alt was taken aback by his honesty. Aaron thought it would be cool to act mysterious and edgy but now that he was here there was no need. He took something out of his pocket. Several cards made of plastic and shimmering with a certain company logo. "Here. These are Wayne Tech gift cards. They're worth about a grand."

Alt's eyes nearly popped out of his pocket. His hands shaking, he was going to take them from his hands but was beaten by Rook.

"Thank you! We'll put these to good use."

Unlike Alt who at least wore shades to cover his mask, Rook didn't bother with any facial covering. She was Japanese and young, probably in her early college years, and enthusiastic about Aaron's presence. She took the cards with great care and smiled delightfully.

Aaron gave her a thumbs-up. She gave one back. Satisfied, Aaron nodded and bid them farewell.