Quips and Kicks

As the Joker cackled evilly and the building set on fire, Batman glanced towards the Young Justice team. The teen heroes were rushing around, evacuating hostages, fighting the flames, and grappling with thugs.

Finally coming face-to-face with the purple suited villain, the Bat growled, launching himself forward in a wave of inky, tattered cape. The pair of combatants shot back and forth under an onslaught of kicks and strikes and flips, until finally the black figure stood triumphant, a dark silhouette towering above the bound and giggling Joker.

In a flash of movement, Robin came to stand at his mentor's side, hands on hips, and sighed, aiming his words at the defeated clown. "Y'know, it would've been a lot funnier if we hadn't seen it coming."

At the criminal's scowl, Robin held up his hands in mock apology. "I'm just sayin'."

Batman had (almost) never felt more proud.