Not What You Expect

By Elodie Kohler-Andrianos 

Gotham City,around 9 pm. The Gothamites were celebrating the creation of their city. Things had been extraordinarily calm for Gotham,Batman had given Dick,Jason and Tim a day off. Barbara,Cassandra and Duke were on duty -not to mention Damian,who was on patrol in the South area of town-. 

It was still warm for this time of year... They were sitting in a pizzeria,in the back of the room,where they could eat without being disturbed. They knew Tim was a pizza addict and they decided to surprise him. They had fun and teased one another,just like brothers do. They ordered their pizzas and waited,looking at the other clients. Jason teased Tim about a girl who couldn't stop looking at him. Tim did the mature thing and stuck his tongue at Jason. 

That made Dick and Jason laugh, and the latter grabbed Tim's head in a headlock and ruffled his hair. Tim managed to get away and they started to eat with much appetite. Everything was perfect until...

- "Bliax!! Live worms in my steak!" a man's voice was heard throughout the restaurant. Lots of heads turned in the direction of the voice. Soon,all the customers started to complain...

- "Our pizzas are rotten! Mine has some kind of sticky green thingy." Dick said,loudly. 

Jason smirked and whispered:          - "Tim might've done it.". 

Dick hid his smile behind his hand.

- "I heard that,Jay. I'll get you for this!".

Word of the complaints arrived to the kitchen,the owner was also the kitchen chef. As soon as he finished washing his hands,he came to see what was all the commotion about.

When he reached the first tables, everything went back to normal.

- "I don't see anything! Were you all hit with mass hysteria?!?" asked the chef,hands resting on his hips. The chef was a 35 years old man,with short black hair(in a net) and black eyes. He inherited his parents' money (they were the owners of Gotham's Airport). He realized his biggest dream: to open a restaurant. 

On the rooftop of a building,opposite to the restaurant, was the Trickster! He knew the chef would go to check what it was all about,so he stopped his illusion spell. Thor had forbidden him to go to New York City,so he chose this town. He was wearing a yellow and green costume and a horned helmet. He was known as Loki Lauffeyson or the God of Mischief. He loved to play pranks on mortals, they were his favorite victims. That and Odin,to name a few, didn't know how to have fun. 

Back in the restaurant,the customers apologized to the owner and resumed their meals. Sounds of knives and forks hitting the plates were heard and they resumed their conversations. Even Dick,Jason and Tim continued their meals,but they were whispering about the whole situation.  

- "It couldn't be the Joker,doesn't seem to the kind of trick he would play..." Dick said,skeptical. Jason agreed by shaking his head.

- "Could be the Scarecrow's doings.  Sounds like his to play with fears..." Jason said,chewing on a piece of pizza. 

Tim rejected it with a wave of his hand,and added: - "Nah! It should have been the owner who should have seen this. A restaurant owner and cook's worst fears.". 

- "Okay then,nerd. Who did it?" Jason asked,still eating. 

- "Have you noticed that when the owner came out of the kitchen, everything stopped,magically?".

Both older teens agreed and decided they would investigate it. They drove back to Wayne Manor and snuck into the BatCave,to ask someone who knew about magic: Zatanna!

Tim was very good with technology and he was a great detective. He found her number and called her, to ask for advice and help. She was more than happy to help them. Tim told her everything,every little detail. She listened carefully and silently. 

- "It is pure evil magic. It's a Trickster you're up against. I know someone who can help you fight it.".

They thanked her for her precious help. They called the contact she gave them,he was eager to see what it was all about. 

This person weird and crazy but they liked it. He knew about magic (good and evil) and dark arts. He was wearing a trench coat and a suit. He swore a lot. He was an expert in dark arts and in everything supernatural. This time Jason and Dick explained the situation to their new friend: John Constantine!

- "I'll  help you lads with that Trickster! I'll tell and show you exactly what to do.".

Luckily for them,he decided to 'warm up' and attacked a restaurant,instead of the people who celebrated near the docks and the big square opposite the City Hall... Next time he'll hit,it'll be big: in a few days,the Museum will be hosting a foreign art collection. Lots of police officers (in political clothes and uniforms),Batman,Nightwing, Red Hood and Red Robin. Before the event,they would warn people. Tim, using the computer in the BatCave,sent e-mails to every citizen,from the GCPD. He hacked into it with Gordon's authorisation. In this mail,the Gothamites would be informed of a menace. They should remain at home and avoid to get out.

The Trickster wasn't so bothered,he didn't really 'spy' on anyone with his magic. He just wanted to cause chaos and mayhem. He just loved to play tricks,and if some mortals died, it wasn't the end of the world. For him. He loved to hear the terrified screams and to see them run, scared to death. He disguised himself as a middle-aged man, wearing a grey suit and hat. He was long gone from the roof. He walked up and down the streets,in hope of finding inspiration for new tricks. He had a feeling this town would be a great inspiration. 

Everyone received the mail and,for maybe the first time,the Gothamites really listened and stayed put. The dreaded day arrived,the only people allowed on the site were,of course the BatFamily and the best officers. They were told to obey to the Batman. Gordon was there, hidden in a camouflage van. He had an earpiece,to hear and communicate with the Bat and his helpers.

The Robins knew what to do,they were ready. Constantine trained them as good as he could. He didn't tell them that he was still there,he didn't want to disturb them with his presence. He would stay behind, hidden,until the end.

He had no doubt that they would make it. They were smart young fellows,especially that young lad Tim. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he couldn't wait to see them get rid of this Trickster! He was quite fond of them lads -another thing that he would never admit.

The Gothamites were safe and double locked their doors. Vicki Vale was always on the spot. She and her cameraman were extra careful. The Citizens were maybe locked in their homes but they were glued to their screens. They didn't want to miss a single thing. Either on their laptops or TV, they were addicted to the technology,just like the rest of the world. 

The D day arrived and everyone involved in it was more than ready. A few officers didn't really approve the cooperation with Vigilantes but it was very useful at times like these... Time passed by without incidents. Half-past eleven,an old man appeared from nowhere. He didn't try to hide,he wasn't even careful to appear secretly... The viewers in their homes gasped in fear of what that stranger could do... In the field,they were startled as well but they very quickly put themselves together and got ready. 

The newcomer raised his hands in a surrendering way. He looked at them,chuckled evily and slowly,his appearance started to change... The officers were standing in a defensive way,their guns locked on their target. They didn't do anything,they had to obey the Batman. He approached slowly the stranger: he was wearing a horned helmet and yellow-green costume. He looked at the man standing before him,he still was smiling ironically. 

- "I am Loki,I'm a God. Do you really think you can stop me from doing anything?".

- "We know who you are. You'll see...". Batman turned his head slightly and spoke to the policemen behind  him: "Let him through.".

They stepped back and moved out of the way,still holding their guns. It was all well orchestred:they let the God walk in. He couldn't read minds and he didn't really care if the  meaningless mortals would try to stop him... At the first sign of any suspect move,he would 'take care' of them. He climbed the few stairs and got inside the Museum. He was greeted by three youngsters in costumes. He tilted his head, intrigued. He was standing in the middle of the big hall and his 'welcoming party' was protected behind the reception desk...

He was smiling sarcastically. 

- "You're not scared of me?" asked the God,rather startled. "That's... unexpected.".

He tried to step closer to the teens bur he couldn't move. He felt like he was glued to the ground. His smirk quickly vanished from his face, replaced by a puzzled expression. 

- "How did you do that?" cried the God.

He was trapped in the middle of a circle. Its color was bright lime and on the inside of it,there were lots of complicated symbols. It was a complicated spell,to immobilize a Trickster. Courtesy of John Constantine! Tim executed it perfectly. He was very smart and brilliant student. Constantine was there,with them,in case something would go south. He put a cloaking spell on himself,so no one would notice him. He felt very proud of them lads! Until now,everything was going as planed. He heard all the exchange.

- "A close friend of ours taught us." Jason answered.

- "No need to struggle,we're gonna send you back where you belong." Dick added.

Tim started to chant a powerful spell in Latin,mixed with Ancient Greek. Loki tried to negotiate with Tim but it fell on deaf ears. As he was chanting,he made difficult gestures. 

- "Nnnnnooooo! I'll come back and you'll regret this!" Loki screamed, before he vanished from view. The three youngsters cheered and both older teens high-fived Tim. Constantine teleported back home. He never felt this proud,he hoped he would team up again with these lads; but he'll never admit it out loud. 

Back to Gotham,the three Robins got out of the Museum. They didn't need to explain,they all had earpieces and they all heard everything. Gordon got out of the van and congratulated them.

- "Bravo! You did an incredible job!".

Batman nodded in approvement and just before they could leave, Vicki Vale appeared before them. 

- "The entire city of Gotham is thankful to you. You stopped the wrongdoer! Can any of you tell our viewers what happened in there?".

They took turns to explain everything. 

- "One last question,if I may. Who taught you magic spells?" Vicki asked,eager to learn more and more about this event.

Tim,Dick and Jason exchanged a look and answered together: - "A close friend of ours. Good night everybody!".

They jumped into the Bat-Chopper and left before she could ask them more details. She froze for a spit moment and then pulled herself together. She turned towards the cameraman and continued, professional as always. 

- "You heard the Bat brothers. They had complete control on all this and the police was under Batman's orders.". She stopped,smiled at the viewers and continued : "Once again,the cooperation with the Batfamily was a success. Commissioner Gordon,a few words, please?" as she saw him approaching his officers. 

- "What more can I add? Everything went as planed. No casualties,no damages." he left as fast as he appeared. 

Vicki concluded her report. 

- "This was Vicki Vale,your favorite reporter,live from Gotham's Museum. Good night everyone.".

She smiled and,as the camera stopped,she lit a cigarette and they left. 

- "Vicki,you up for a drink? Beer's on me." said the cameraman. 

- "Sure thing,Mike.".

In Asgard,Odin was furious. Loki once again had managed to escape.  He was fighting with his son Thor. As Thor was about to leave the room,he heard Heimdall's voice.

- "Here comes Loki. He is sent back from Gotham.".

Thor and Odin exchanged a surprised look and went out of the room. They arrived as fast as they could to Heimdall's post on the Bifrost Bridge. 

Loki looked at them,humiliated and his ego hurt. Odin sent him to a prison tree,one that didn't have leaves. And isolated from everything. He would have to stay there until Odin would decide it fit to free him. The lonesome tree was located in a far,fat away desert. Only Odin knew the exact location -and maybe Thor-.

All he had to do to pass the time was to plot his revenge on his hated brother and father,and then against all mankind. He had all the time he needed to find a way to make it entertaining.