18. Robin Meets

- Metropolis -

The early morning sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the small, sparsely furnished room.

"Huu...Huu...Huu...Huu..."

Zion's breathing filled the room. His muscles strained as he pressed his body up from the floor, one pushup at a time. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead as he pushed himself harder.

With each repetition, his mind grew more focused, his determination unwavering. He had come a long way from the lost, troubled teenager he used to be. Now, he had a purpose, a goal to accomplish. The memories of his many counterparts... No, they were not his counterparts; even though they were similar, they were vastly different from each other. They were not counterparts, but all of them were connected in a hive mind, yet possessing unique personalities. They all share memories that would help the other, memories of who they were and how they could grow stronger in any environment.

And the memories gained showed that they were each a unique link in a massive chain, connecting across the Omniverse. Some might say his personality had been altered due to the massive memories, but for Zion, it was like a missing piece of the puzzle getting filled.

The eons of memories gave him much knowledge, and the memories also gave him a guide, a direction to proceed. For now, he was building his body to be a weapon, and many martial arts from the memories had already made him unmatched in hand-to-hand combat, but a sword needed to be sharp for a swordsman to use. So, his self-transformation began. His muscles were worked efficiently to sharpen them faster than any traditional method. His once thin and unattractive body now looked sharp and muscular, with the cut of his abs slowly forming. If you were to look at him, you would think of a thin Bruce Lee, because his puny muscles still needed more mass.

Just as Zion was about to complete another grueling set of pushups, his phone vibrated on the wooden floor beside him. He rose from the push-up position, grabbed the phone, and answered without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Hey there, it's me, Dick," a voice came through the phone.

Zion's heart skipped a beat. Dick Grayson, or Robin, had called him. Which meant that Batman had finally agreed to his deal. The week-long wait had finally paid off. But he wanted to mess with Robin for his mentor's delay.

"Dick who? Sorry, I think you have the wrong number," Zion answered, a mischievous smile creeping up his lips.

There was a pause on the other end. "Wait, this is Zion's number, right?"

"Yes, I am Zion. But who are you?" Zion asked.

"Zion, it's Robin. Batman asked me to complete the deal for the project," Robin answered.

"Sorry, Robin? Batman? I think you've got the person wrong," Zion replied; he wanted to keep messing with Robin.

"No, I'm pretty sure you know who you're talking to. After all, your smile shows that you're just messing with me," Robin replied.

The reply caused Zion to turn and look at his balcony. He could see a teen waving at him from the opposite building, binoculars in his hand. He could feel the smug grin on his lips; Robin had found out where he lived. But was he trying to hide where he lived? No, he welcomed all those who would try to attack him. He would have taught those unfortunate souls a way to self-transformation.

Zion shed his smile; his voice was serious. "Meet me down in fifteen." He ended the call before moving to freshen up. With a quick bath and change of clothes, Zion was ready to meet Robin. Batman probably sent Robins to keep an eye on him or to test Robin.

"But I don't care," Zion muttered as he closed the door to his abode.

With a quick elevator ride, he was on the ground floor, coming eye to eye with Batman's protege. Zion quickly analyzed Robin.

Robin looked to be about 16{Tell me if I got his age wrong}, his raven-black hair meticulously styled. His piercing blue eyes seemed to hold a hint of intensity and determination. He wore a fitted black leather jacket that complemented his athletic build, a pair of new jeans, and a dark gray T-shirt that hinted at his casual yet practical fashion sense. His sneakers were new and seemed to have been bought recently. He had worn a fresh yet casual outfit for their meeting.

Zion was satisfied that the Boy Wonder didn't come wearing a full suit. For Zion's outfit, he wore a baggy white T-shirt and black jeans. His style matched well with his watch; none would find the watch mismatched.

Zion walked past Robin. "Let's talk over a meal."

Robin didn't reply but followed. Zion got to the park and got into his car, and Robin got into the passenger seat.

"Nice car," Robin complimented as he got into the car.

"Thanks," Zion replied as he started the engine.

"Are you angered that I came without informing?" Robin asked.

He was instructed to complete the deal with this person, and he couldn't mess it up. Batman instructed that he complete the deal without troubl. He had only arrived a day ago and watched this person from afar. From all he had learned, the person next to him was lazy but not at the same time. He would do intense workouts, do something in his warehouse for hours, then sleep. He slouched around most days like everything bored him.

"No, hungry, need food," Zion answered.

He was feeling hungry after the intense workout. His hunger grew to a bestial level after his shower. He was growing hungrier by the minute. So, he didn't waste any more time as he drove the car to his now favorite diner for a juicy meal.

"Okay," Robin remained silent for the rest of the journey.

***

"AH!... That hits the spot," Zion exclaimed as he rubbed his belly.

Robin sat opposite Zion, his face blank, revealing no emotions. But he felt a little shocked when he saw Zion chomp down dish after dish. Zion had eaten an ungodly amount of food, the pile of plates next to him a testament to it. He just strolled into Bibbo's and ordered nearly everything on the menu, then devoured the food like a glutton.

Zion had a blissful expression as he rubbed his belly, his hunger satisfied. He was feeling hungry because of the technique he was practicing; it was not from this multiversal bubble. He had learned it from his memories. Even though it wouldn't increase his power substantially, it would increase his metabolism and growth.

"Can we start our conversation now that you've finished eating?" Robin began. "I want to know more about the applications of your tech."

Zion looked at Robin, his eyes half-closed slothfully. "I already made it clear to your father about it, and I also gave him a blueprint." Zion closed his eyes, feeling sleepy after a good meal. He didn't want to think of annoying things right now.

"Yes, I checked the blueprint, but there were some important parts missing," Robin pointed, "How can we trust that you would deliver results or even not go behind our backs, when you hide the details?"

"Gray... I will call you Gray because calling you 'Dick' doesn't sit well. So, Gray, the Atomic Engine is high-level energy technology that could power the whole country without producing any nuclear waste," Zion opened his eyes, getting serious about the issue. "If I just wanted the money, I could sell it to any corporation. What I wanted was assurance that my tech never falls into the wrong hands. Do you know how much destruction an atomic engine the size of 1000 cm³ could cause?... You can just forget about Gotham and it's surrounding from the face of the planet."

Robin listened silently; he could say that Zion was being genuine. But he didn't trust him as Batman's file clearly stated that he was a good deceiver. At the same time, Robin knew what he said about the destructive power of the engine is true. The amount of energy produced by an Atomic Engine, in theory, could power the whole of the United States for a whole century, depending on its size. This would also revolutionize many other industries that were vey dependent on energy.

"But we still have to trust you to make it. I want to be sure that this will not bring troubles in the future."

"Since you are here to make a deal, I am pretty sure Batman accepted my proposal. You pay me a labor fee for building my Atomic engine. No one else's. You understand?" Zion point; his voice showed he was not going to change his demands. "Or else, you can forget about it; I will just sell it to another company. Maybe Lex Luthor will be interested."

Robin flinched slightly, very slightly. He knew about Lex, and he didn't have a good impression of the guy. Lex was arrogant, narcissistic, and selfish. That man was the exact opposite of Bruce. Both were highly intelligent men, but both walked the opposite path. Lex wanted to prove that he was better than anyone while thinking everyone was beneath him.

"But I don't like Lex Luthor. He is one of the types I hate the most. Intellectual and cunning, one hard type to deal with, unless you are Superman, of course."

Zion knew that Batman had already agreed to the deal; he just sent Robin to inform and for some other motive, but he didn't care. Zion would now have an income from the Wayne Corporation, not including the money he was stealing.

Robin gave a nod, "Okay, I will inform Batman that you choose to work with us. The materials you need will be provided by Wayne Corporation. So where and when will you make the Atomic Engine?"

"I can build it in my warehouse, but I'd like to use the devices in the cave to build it," Zion answered.

"That can be arranged," Robin replied.

Zion working in the Batcave would enable them to keep an eye on him, reducing the danger factor. Robin also intended on helping Batman with the new thugs that had risen in Gotham, but he needed to keep an eye on this guy.

"Okay then, the deal is done," With that, Zion got up and extended his hand, "Nice to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise," Robin responded as he gave a firm handshake.

"Meet you later, Robin," Zion walked past Robin and quickly exited the diner.

Robin also got ready to leave as he picked up his jacket, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. Robin slowly turned back to see it was a waiter, and he had a warm smile and a bill on his hand, which he gave it to Robin.

Robin felt a bad premonition as he took the bill. He quickly opened it to find the amount, only for his eyes to widen slowly. The bill was for $3,000, an exorbitant amount for a normal employee to spend on a meal, but Robin was getting pocket money from Bruce and Bruce would cover his expenses for the meeting, so he paid it and exited the diner.

Robin scanned the street, but there was no figure of Zion in sight. The guy had dined and dashed. He couldn't believe that a guy who had tech far more advanced than current, but he dined and dashed. What the hell was wrong with the guy?

...

"Ah, free food always tastes better," Zion grinned as he drove his car.

*****