.com/scans_

HOW MANY WAYS CAN A ROBIN DIE?

It started as a splendid morning, radiant actually. The sun was just peeking over Mount Justice and the strong, hot rays flooded the debriefing room, the Young Justice team was currently training there, Black Canary watching in the only shadow that invaded the space.

The zeta beams recognized the Justice League and Red Arrow as they entered, their shadows sprawled across the bright room, they were smiling, some even laughing to each other about some un-known joke that they spread before they materialized. Superman walked over, and to everyone's surprise, ruffled Superboy's hair, Wonder woman smiled the broadest, and if possible the light in the room got even more illuminating.

Megan embraced her uncle, and they other teens quickly followed hugging their mentors as training was forgotten.

"Sinceit'ssuchabeautifuldaytodaywe'dthoughtwe'!" Flash said, silence followed as the Leaguers tried to process the sentence.

"Flash I'm afraid you'll have to slow down" Superman said

"Iunderstoodhimperfectly!" Kid Flash said bouncing with excitement some of the heroes laughed, "He said you guys are going to take us on a fourth of July picnic!" Megan squealed with excitement,

"All of you?" Artemis asked with a flicker of amusement, she saw some of the superheroes bite their lips, Aqualad stepped forward motioning with his hand

"Most of them" he said

"Most of us" Green Arrow corrected "Batman and Robin won't be-"

The Zeta beam announced Batman.

"No we won't" he said his voice rough, "is Robin here?" the room darkened as a cloud passed over the sun, at the silence that followed Batman cracked his knuckles "shit"

"What is wrong?" J'onn asked stepping up, Batman reached for his cowl and slid it off revealing a very scared looking Bruce Wayne, he opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Wally.

"Shit! Oh my god!" KF bubbled "I knew you were Bruce Wayne, I knew it, I knew it! Didn't I know it?" he said turning to Artemis "I called it-"

"Can it, kid mouth"

The holograph screen flickered to life, revealing a very skinny, almost unhealthy, looking man dressed in purple and green, Bruce quickly slipped on his cowl,

"Bats!" The man said spinning in his wheelie office chair "It's the Riddler remember!" Batman pushed superman away from the screen and stepped up, "Looks like the whole league is here, yippee, even the flunky sidekicks!"

'How dare you-" Diana growled

"Now, now princess" the man said twirling his cane that was shaped like a large question mark "Batty Batty Bats" he taunted "Riddle me this, how many ways can a Robin die?" Batman blanched as gasps arose from the league

"I swear if you've touched him-" Batman growled "-I will personally rip your head from your shoulders and-"

"engghhh!" The Riddler screeched, imitating a buzzer "wrong answer!" the man got up and pulled a lever, the screen switched to an unconscious, bloodied Robin tied laying stretched out in an awkward booth, the lever released a blade, the guillotine sped toward the un-responsive boy wonder's neck.

"NO!"

"I'll do anything!"

"Robin!"

"Holy shit!"

"Please!"

"Crap! Holly hell!"

"Dick!"

"STOP!" the cries of the Justice League and Young Justice filled the air of Mount Justice, Batman was on his knees in defeat, the blade ceased it's downward plummet inches above its target, no one seemed to breathe, all that could be heard were ragged breathing and intense weeping

"HEhehehehe, HOhohohoho, HAhahahahaha" the Riddler insanely laughed dancing and leaping in circles, the Riddler sat dramatically on the edge of the booth were Robin was tied and placed a hand on own forehead, "wasn't that intense? WHOO! I think I almost fainted!"

"Take me instead" Batman pleaded "please he's just a boy" he didn't try to hide the fact he was crying; he was livid and terrified and defeated. The heroes behind him clinging to each other and frozen in horror.

"Hmmm, appealing offer Batman" the Riddler leaned even closer to the Boy Wonder, the man brushed a few locks of ebony hair from the boy's face. The Batman tense at the contact, "But NAH! If you ask me the Boy Wonder is much…much more…appealing" his voice turned seductive and the man licked his lips, their eyes widened

"You bastard!" Bruce shot to his feet "you touch him in any way-!" the heroes cringed as the man stroked the helpless boy's cheek.

"I already did"