On the rooftops of Gotham the dynamic duo take flight. Stopping crime and delivering justice in their wake.
"Robin" the Dark Knight growls, "Come here." A large gloved hand points down the side of the building. Robin moves towards the dark figure standing tall on the ledge. Perched on top of a gargoyle Robin looks down at the darkened alleyway. Four figures congregate in the shadow. One figure is noticeably taller than the others.
"Scarecrow" Robin whispers. The Batman nods. Pulling out a batarang he motions to Robin to move out. To anyone else the gesture would have meant nothing. But to Robin the plan was clear. Batman was going to after the first two figures. He would go after the third. Batman would then face Scarecrow. He would move around the distracted ex-doctor and attack him from behind.
In a flash, two capes ripple through the sky. The men look up, only to glimpse the boots heading towards their faces. Batman and Robin easily strike the group knocking them to the ground. "Scarecrow" Batman snarls. The lanky figure taken by surprise at the sudden attack regains his composure.
"Batman. Are you and Robin here to join in the taste of fear? I understand it's what all the kids are doing these days". Holding out a can of toxin and a needle in either hand Scarecrow bends low preparing to spring forward. Before he can react Batman throws the batarang causing Scarecrow to leap to his right. Robin, by this point had moved to criminal's rear and aimed a roundhouse kick towards his shoulders. His assault, though powerful, did not meet its mark. Scarecrow jumped higher then Robin had anticipated and his kick landed squarely on the Fear Master's bottom merely pushing him forward, not taking him down as planned.
Stumbling forward after the kick the costumed criminal finds himself on a collision course with the Dark Knight. Holding out his syringe the Scarecrow takes on last fumbling step into Batman. Bouncing back against the armored chest he doesn't see the fist crack him across the cheek. He falls back to the ground, a young Robin standing over him. Preparing for more pain he spots an opportunity when the Bird speaks.
"Batman the needle!" Springing to his feet the Master of Fear shoves Robin to one side and takes off into the night. Batman, stunned at needle that had penetrated the soft armor on his side, did not react until after Scarecrow had fled out of the alley.
"Are you hurt?" Robin asks Batman standing back up and pulling out his grappling gun in preparation for a chase.
"Stand down Robin" Batman instructs, "I've been injected and the antidote for fear toxin only works once. We should collect the drugs from these thugs and head back to the cave. We're done for the night; Scarecrow should have left some clues on how he's operating and we can catch him tomorrow". Pulling out a pill from his tool belt Batman swallows and beginnings for the stash the criminals had been buying from Scarecrow. "Robin have you found anything?"
"Nothing, I guess they hadn't cut a deal yet. Hey Batman, isn't this guy Blaine Henderson? I thought he was in Blackgate for dealing drugs to high schoolers."
Peering over at the unconscious man Batman replies, "Someone must have bailed him out. I wonder why?" The lights of the Batmobile shine into the alleyway. Batman and Robin get in and head back to the Batcave. The car hums lightly as they leave the city lights in the distance. "Robin." The Dark Knight began his voice stern. "What happened against Scarecrow"?
"I… I aimed for a kick on his shoulders to take him down. It landed low."
"What else"
"I probably shouldn't have kicked. He was too tall. A low attack would have a better chance of success."
"Good. Next time you'll do better."
"I'm sorry you're hurt" Jason whispers.
"It's nothing". The Batmobile races forward into the side of a mountain. Before it crashes the mountain opens up and the vehicle enters. Inside the cave Batman turns off the car and Robin hops out. Taking off his mask Robin begins to feeling guilty about his mishap in the alley. Scarecrow should have been caught tonight.
Alfred enters the cave observing the scene before him. "How was patrol this evening Master Bruce. I see you're back early. Good news I hope".
Bruce sends Alfred a look. Then replies, "We had Scarecrow cornered but he got away. He took whatever drugs he was dealing with him."
"I'm confident you will catch him soon. And the reason you're back so early?" Alfred glances at Jason looking for injuries.
"I was injected with fear toxin and thought it prudent, with the antidotes limited effect, to return rather than chase down Scarecrow." Bruce removes the armor off his chest looking to where he was stabbed. The flesh in the area had turned into a pink and inflamed sore.
"My word!" Alfred exclaimed. "Something is certainly out of the ordinary. Sit down Master Bruce- I'll fetch the medical supplies." Jason looks up from where he had been changing into his pajamas. He looks at the wound and then at Bruce slumped back into the chair.
"Alfred!" Jason shouted. "Bruce passed out!"
