Two weeks before New Years:
The night air was eerily quiet in Gotham City. The traffic of people was slow. Slower than ever before. The winds were calm, and the sky was clear. No clouds. No airplanes. No Bat Signal. Only the stars and the moon. The buildings, however, loomed rather auspiciously. Like giants, hungry for the flesh of human innocence.
Leaping confidently on the backs of these mad giants was a lone figure, clad in lavender and black. She wore a dark hood, mask covering her face and features. Her real name was Stephanie, but, in costume, she was known as `The Spoiler'.
Her cape fluttered as she perilously danced with the edges of oblivion. She seemingly flew through the air, as though she was born with wings. An avenging angel in a dark kingdom that knew none. An outsider amongst the group of heroic defenders who protected the shadows of night from the beasts.
Her mood was calm, complacent. Her mind was like a blank slate, void of thought as she soared through the starry sky. A far cry of how she was normally now-a- days. As of recently, her mind has been troubled with issues of love and identity. Between a love whom she knew nothing about, and a mother who refused her to do what she was undeniably BORN to do. So, to escape these thoughts, she embraced the music of the night, letting her body twist and contort to the rhythmic pounding of her heart as she perched herself on a lone building top.
A moment of pause for her. A moment of respite. She let her tensions flow from her body, let her muscles loosen like rubber strands. The nearby street lights hummed, as her breath billowed in the cold air. She held her cape close to her, hiding her features, letting the shadows of the night wrap her like a blanket.
"Excuse me, miss," a voice whispered close to her. "Do you have the time?"
She spun on her heels, and was met with a cloud of green gas. As the gas filled her lungs, and unconsciousness overwhelmed her, she managed to lay her eyes on her assailant.
"Y...you...." she whispered as she collapsed to the ground. That was the last thing she saw as the darkness enveloped her.
**********************************
One week before New Years:
Located deep within the seclusion of a large mountain range was an `abandoned' resort. However, for an abandoned resort, it was uncommonly noisy within. For, unbeknownst to the general public, this was the secret headquarters of the super team known as `Young Justice'.
The Christmas decorations were still hung proudly throughout the building, as no one was quite willing to take them down just yet. In the command room, standing at a large consul, was the leader of this rag-tag group. He was the Urban Legend known as Robin.
"...how long has he been out?" he asked the dark figure on the monitor.
"About a month now," the figure said, his masked face displaying a look of disdain and anxiety.
"And he hasn't made any kind of movement yet? Sounds suspicious. You don't suppose he skipped town. It wouldn't be the FIRST time..."
"Positive! Guards said that he was muttering something about unfinished business in Gotham. Part of his New Years Resolution."
"Want me to head back to Gotham? I could just have Wonder Girl..."
"No. Stay at your post. I'll handle this." His voice was firm, and made Robin shudder at the sound of it. But something in his voice caught his attention. And, despite his apprehension, he had one question on his mind.
"Do you know what he has in mind?" Robin asked his partner. The shadow looked at him, his eyes piercing through to his soul.
"I'll stay in touch," he said grimly. And, with that, the monitor went blank.
"Was that who I think it is?" a gentle voice asked him. He turned to see Secret floating behind him, her eyes widened in shock. "Was that...the Batman?"
"Afraid so, Suzie," he said, a grim frown on his face. His cape flowed behind him like a clinging shadow as he walked out of the room. "Where're the others?""
"Well, Anita is with her dad today. Some family thing. Cassie is hanging with Cissie, and Impulse and Superboy...are...well..." She held her chin in deep thought.
"Don't worry," Robin said, a smile creeping on his face. " They'll show up. They ALWAYS do."
Meanwhile, playing a rousing game of pool, were the Lad of Lightning and the Boy of Tomorrow. Superboy was leaning over on his pool stick, while Impulse was lining up his shot.
"...and so Dubblex said `Your thoughts are the ONLY thing that looks like this ham!'" Superboy nearly choked as he recited his holiday party. "I tell ya, Bart, you HAD to be there."
"Now if I did THAT, Kon, Santa wouldn't have been able to get me my gifts." He made his shot, the white ball flying into the row, and, in a swift blur of multi color, each ball of both solid and striped color ricocheted and rolled into the pockets, leaving the eight ball alone, spinning like a top in the center of the table. Impulse turned, flashing a child-like smile at his dumbfounded companion.
"...rrrriiiiigggggghhhhtttttt....." Superboy said in comment to Impulse's belief in Santa. He walked over and put his arm over his shoulder. "Umm...Impulse...there's something you should know about Santa...."
************************************
"So, do you plan on hanging around here during New Years?" Secret asked Robin as he poured himself a mug of coffee.
"Nah. I'll be hanging with my family. It's one of the few times I've actually had the chance to spend the holiday with them. It'll be a nice change from the norm."
"Oh." There was a look of disappointment on her face. "That's...nice."
Robin noticed the expression on her face. He was about to make a comment of support, or maybe some form of explanation, when a large wail caught their attention.
"LIAR!!!" Bart screamed as he burst into the command room. "Lies lies lies lies lies!!!"
"C'mon, Imp!" Superboy insisted as he flew in behind. "You're taking this too seriously."
"Robin, tell him that's he's a liar! Tell him that he's lying!" He tugged on his cape, tears streaming down his face.
"What did you do, Kon?" Robin folded his arms and flashed a stern look towards Superboy.
"Nothin'," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I just...told him..that...well...that Santa didn't really exist."
"LIAR!" Impulse said.
"Who's Santa Claus?" Secret asked curiously.
"Santa's a kind individual who lives on the North Pole and gives kids gifts during Christmas," Robin said.
"And gives BAD kids coal!" Impulse said, sticking his tongue out at Superboy.
"But how can he get all the kids in the world gifts in one night?" Superboy tried to reason.
"I dunno," Impulse retorted. "Maybe he has super powers."
"Then why does he need reindeer to fly?"
"Maybe he wants company!"
"This is ridiculous!" Robin said, holding his head in pain. "You two are incorrigible."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Now who could...?" Robin began to ask to himself.
"I'LL GET IT!!!" Impulse said, completely forgetting about the conversation at hand. And, in a streak of crimson, he was at the door.
"It BETTER not be another space ship," Superboy said. "How come HE gets all the cools stuff?"
"I dunno," Robin said, smiling. "Maybe `Santa' likes him more than others."
"Funny, Rob. VERY funny."
In a blink of eye, Impulse was between them. In his hand he held a medium-sized package.
"What is it?" Robin asked.
"I dunno," he said. "It's for you."
"For ME?!?" he asked in surprise. He read the note attached to it
`To: Robin, The Boy Wonder'
"Who's it from?" Secret asked, peaking over his shoulder.
"I don't know. It's just marked with a smiley face."
He opened the package. Inside was a dark mask, attached to a lavender hood. On it, etched in blood, was a smiley face.
Robin dropped his mug of coffee. It shattered on the ground, echoing throughout the entire room. All the color drained from his face, as he clasped the mask tightly in his hands, straining at its seams.
"Wha...what is it?" Secret asked. Robin was silent, a tear starting to swell under his eyelids, as he stared blankly at the mask.
"Spoiler," he whispered to himself. His eyes widened, as he examined the box which it came in, his deductive mind kicking into high gear.
"What's wrong, Rob?" Superboy asked, concerned. "What's so important about the mask?"
He said nothing. Throwing the box aside, he ran towards the hanger area.
"What's up with him?" Impulse asked, head cocked in confusion.
"I don't know, Imp," he said. "But I'm gonna find out." He flew towards the hanger. Impulse and Secret followed behind.
They reached the hanger, but not before Robin could speed away in his Redbird.
"I'll catch him," Impulse said. He sprinted off towards their leaders sleek sports vehicle.
The Lad of Lightning caught up with him in no time, and was running right beside his vehicle.
"Hey, Rob!" he cupped his hands and yelled. "Where's the fire? Hey, Rob, can you hear me?"
He made no effort to respond. Instead, his fingers fluttered over the control panel. A strange nozzle popped out the side of the car.
"Uh...Rob?" Impulse cocked his eye. A white goo spewed out of the nozzle, coating Impulse from toe to neck. It dried quickly, and began to stretch as he ran beside him.
"That wasn't cool, Rob!" he said. "Do you know how hard it is to clean this stupid..." The white goo reached its stretching point, snapping Impulse back like a slingshot before he could finish the sentence.
Meanwhile, right behind, in the Super Cycle, Superboy and Secret raced to catch up to their teammate.
"I can't believe the Super Cycle's letting you drive, Kon," Secret noted as Superboy worked the controls.
"Maybe it senses something's wrong, too, Suzie," he said seriously. "I contacted the others. I don't know how to call Batman, but..." He was cut off by a screaming streak of crimson.
"HHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!" The blur screamed as it flew past.
Secret and Superboy both looked at each other. "Impulse?!?" they said in unison. With a sharp twist of the wheel, the Super Cycle turned around and chased after their partner.
Meanwhile, Robin, in his Redbird, rocketed towards Gotham.
Impulse screamed as the world flew past his eyes. He tried to slow himself down, but his legs were bound tightly by the goo. He tried to vibrate out, but it was too stretchy, and thus prevented him from doing so.
The rubber began to stretch again, as his motion slowed.
"Whew!" he said. "Finally." Unfortunately for him, he began to accelerate again, only this time in the opposite direction. It was like something out of a cartoon, he suddenly realized. And who knew how long he'd be like this.
"This is re-FRIKIN'-diculous!!!" he screamed as he bounced back. He noticed something fly up beside him. It was the Super Cycle, driven by Secret and Superboy.
"Hey there, Imp," Superboy said jokingly. "Looks like you've gotten yourself in quite a sticky situation."
"Har har har," he said in a deadpan manner. "NOW GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
"Alright. Now...which button works the laser?" He fumbled over the controls. "Ah, here it is!" He pressed a large red button. A cannon popped out of the hood and aimed right at Impulse.
"Uh...Kon," Secret interjected. "You DO know how to work one of those...right?"
"I've seen Rob do it THOUSANDS of times. It can't be that hard." He pushed the button, and a large blue beam shot out, ripping through the goo, inches from Impulse's face. The energy was enough to singe the young speedster's face, an image of his head getting blown off passing through his thought bubble.
"See. Not THAT hard." He then maneuvered the Cycle in front of Impulse, catching him in the front passenger seat.
"That BETTER not stick to the upholstery," Superboy joked as they flew back to the base.
"Wait, isn't Robin going THAT way?" Secret pointed out.
"Forget it, Secret," he said, frustrated. "Robin's a big boy. And it's obvious he doesn't want US around." He motioned to Impulse, who was stretching the white goo, trying to free himself from its sticky grasp.
"But...what it he needs our help?"
"He knows how to get a hold of us. Besides, how bad could it possibly be?"
***********************************
Not a star was to be seen in the night sky, but the city was a bustle. The general populace was apprehensive, as the fact that Gotham's most notorious madman was free and running about. And the fact that he could be amongst THEM made them paranoid. VERY paranoid.
Only one among them was daring enough to go searching for him willfully. That singular entity was the Urban Legend himself. His Redbird rocketed through the streets, evading each red light and maneuvering between each obstacle.
It finally pulled in front of a large factory. Robin leapt from the car and proceeded towards the building.
The factory loomed over him. Its shadows, like extending talons, seemed to pull our hero inside. Knowing what he had to do, though, he willingly entered its menacing claws.
Like a silent whisper, Robin crept through the factory, letting those ominous shadows envelop him. They were his armor in enemy territory. But even the mightiest armor would not be enough against the adversary he faced. He held his cape close to him, letting it shield his features. He suspected a trap, but had no choice. Not if he was to save the woman he loved dear.
He crept past each door, listening for any sound, ever so faint, any hope whatsoever.
A soft moan caught his attention. It was definitely female, and was assuredly in pain. He rushed as quietly as he could over to the large door. He put his ear against the door. Heavy breathing was on the other side of the door, and the sound of something hanging. But he heard nothing else.
A large chain and lock barred the door, but Robin easily picked it. Carefully, expecting a trap door of sorts, he strode in.
There, hanging tied from the ceiling, was Spoiler. A bag covered her face, and her costume was in tatters. She moaned in pain, barely able to struggle.
"Spoiler?" he whispered to her. She began to move slightly in response to his voice.
"R...Robin?" she responded weakly.
"Shhh...don't speak," he said, pulling out a batarang. "I'll get you out." With a flick of his wrist, he threw the batarang at the rope, cutting it. Spoiler fell down swiftly, but Robin was there to catch her.
"Can you walk?" he asked. She nodded, and he set her down to her feet. He began to pull the bag off her head, when the sound of a camera flash behind him caught his attention.
"Awww...isn't this a Kodak moment," a pale figure said, holding a camera in his hand. "This'll go GREAT in the album." Behind him, clad in a purple dress outfit, was a lanky man. His skin was as pale as a ghost, and hair unnaturally green. He grinned a toothy grin, like a pirana. Yellow film coated his teeth, offsetting the pure white of his face.
"Joker!" Robin's voice hissed.
The Clown Prince of Crime laughed. "That's what it says on my arrest warrant. He hee!"
Robin began to reach for something from his utility belt.
"I don't THINK so, Boy Blunder!" a familiar voice cackled behind him. He turned, as Spoiler removed the bag on her face. Only it wasn't Spoiler, it was Harley Quinn. She smiled the smile of a naughty child taking pleasure in torturing a small bird. She held in her hand a gas gun, pointed at Robin's head.
Joker snapped another picture with his camera. "WoHOOO! You should've SEEN the expression on your face! TIMELESS!!!" His laughter screeched throughout the factory.
He walked closer to him, putting his arm around Robin's shoulder. "I'm glad you got our little invitation. Now, won't you stick around for a while?"
"Thanks, but I'm leaving once I get Spoiler. Now, WHERE is she?"
"Tsk tsk tsk," Joker said, moving away from Robin. "So narrow-minded. Just like the last two. I wonder, do you bleed like the other two?"
He reached into his jacket, and whipped out a sterling silver pistol.
"Say goodnight, Grace," he laughed maniacally, and squeezed the trigger.
Robin's world went completely black.....
The night air was eerily quiet in Gotham City. The traffic of people was slow. Slower than ever before. The winds were calm, and the sky was clear. No clouds. No airplanes. No Bat Signal. Only the stars and the moon. The buildings, however, loomed rather auspiciously. Like giants, hungry for the flesh of human innocence.
Leaping confidently on the backs of these mad giants was a lone figure, clad in lavender and black. She wore a dark hood, mask covering her face and features. Her real name was Stephanie, but, in costume, she was known as `The Spoiler'.
Her cape fluttered as she perilously danced with the edges of oblivion. She seemingly flew through the air, as though she was born with wings. An avenging angel in a dark kingdom that knew none. An outsider amongst the group of heroic defenders who protected the shadows of night from the beasts.
Her mood was calm, complacent. Her mind was like a blank slate, void of thought as she soared through the starry sky. A far cry of how she was normally now-a- days. As of recently, her mind has been troubled with issues of love and identity. Between a love whom she knew nothing about, and a mother who refused her to do what she was undeniably BORN to do. So, to escape these thoughts, she embraced the music of the night, letting her body twist and contort to the rhythmic pounding of her heart as she perched herself on a lone building top.
A moment of pause for her. A moment of respite. She let her tensions flow from her body, let her muscles loosen like rubber strands. The nearby street lights hummed, as her breath billowed in the cold air. She held her cape close to her, hiding her features, letting the shadows of the night wrap her like a blanket.
"Excuse me, miss," a voice whispered close to her. "Do you have the time?"
She spun on her heels, and was met with a cloud of green gas. As the gas filled her lungs, and unconsciousness overwhelmed her, she managed to lay her eyes on her assailant.
"Y...you...." she whispered as she collapsed to the ground. That was the last thing she saw as the darkness enveloped her.
**********************************
One week before New Years:
Located deep within the seclusion of a large mountain range was an `abandoned' resort. However, for an abandoned resort, it was uncommonly noisy within. For, unbeknownst to the general public, this was the secret headquarters of the super team known as `Young Justice'.
The Christmas decorations were still hung proudly throughout the building, as no one was quite willing to take them down just yet. In the command room, standing at a large consul, was the leader of this rag-tag group. He was the Urban Legend known as Robin.
"...how long has he been out?" he asked the dark figure on the monitor.
"About a month now," the figure said, his masked face displaying a look of disdain and anxiety.
"And he hasn't made any kind of movement yet? Sounds suspicious. You don't suppose he skipped town. It wouldn't be the FIRST time..."
"Positive! Guards said that he was muttering something about unfinished business in Gotham. Part of his New Years Resolution."
"Want me to head back to Gotham? I could just have Wonder Girl..."
"No. Stay at your post. I'll handle this." His voice was firm, and made Robin shudder at the sound of it. But something in his voice caught his attention. And, despite his apprehension, he had one question on his mind.
"Do you know what he has in mind?" Robin asked his partner. The shadow looked at him, his eyes piercing through to his soul.
"I'll stay in touch," he said grimly. And, with that, the monitor went blank.
"Was that who I think it is?" a gentle voice asked him. He turned to see Secret floating behind him, her eyes widened in shock. "Was that...the Batman?"
"Afraid so, Suzie," he said, a grim frown on his face. His cape flowed behind him like a clinging shadow as he walked out of the room. "Where're the others?""
"Well, Anita is with her dad today. Some family thing. Cassie is hanging with Cissie, and Impulse and Superboy...are...well..." She held her chin in deep thought.
"Don't worry," Robin said, a smile creeping on his face. " They'll show up. They ALWAYS do."
Meanwhile, playing a rousing game of pool, were the Lad of Lightning and the Boy of Tomorrow. Superboy was leaning over on his pool stick, while Impulse was lining up his shot.
"...and so Dubblex said `Your thoughts are the ONLY thing that looks like this ham!'" Superboy nearly choked as he recited his holiday party. "I tell ya, Bart, you HAD to be there."
"Now if I did THAT, Kon, Santa wouldn't have been able to get me my gifts." He made his shot, the white ball flying into the row, and, in a swift blur of multi color, each ball of both solid and striped color ricocheted and rolled into the pockets, leaving the eight ball alone, spinning like a top in the center of the table. Impulse turned, flashing a child-like smile at his dumbfounded companion.
"...rrrriiiiigggggghhhhtttttt....." Superboy said in comment to Impulse's belief in Santa. He walked over and put his arm over his shoulder. "Umm...Impulse...there's something you should know about Santa...."
************************************
"So, do you plan on hanging around here during New Years?" Secret asked Robin as he poured himself a mug of coffee.
"Nah. I'll be hanging with my family. It's one of the few times I've actually had the chance to spend the holiday with them. It'll be a nice change from the norm."
"Oh." There was a look of disappointment on her face. "That's...nice."
Robin noticed the expression on her face. He was about to make a comment of support, or maybe some form of explanation, when a large wail caught their attention.
"LIAR!!!" Bart screamed as he burst into the command room. "Lies lies lies lies lies!!!"
"C'mon, Imp!" Superboy insisted as he flew in behind. "You're taking this too seriously."
"Robin, tell him that's he's a liar! Tell him that he's lying!" He tugged on his cape, tears streaming down his face.
"What did you do, Kon?" Robin folded his arms and flashed a stern look towards Superboy.
"Nothin'," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I just...told him..that...well...that Santa didn't really exist."
"LIAR!" Impulse said.
"Who's Santa Claus?" Secret asked curiously.
"Santa's a kind individual who lives on the North Pole and gives kids gifts during Christmas," Robin said.
"And gives BAD kids coal!" Impulse said, sticking his tongue out at Superboy.
"But how can he get all the kids in the world gifts in one night?" Superboy tried to reason.
"I dunno," Impulse retorted. "Maybe he has super powers."
"Then why does he need reindeer to fly?"
"Maybe he wants company!"
"This is ridiculous!" Robin said, holding his head in pain. "You two are incorrigible."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Now who could...?" Robin began to ask to himself.
"I'LL GET IT!!!" Impulse said, completely forgetting about the conversation at hand. And, in a streak of crimson, he was at the door.
"It BETTER not be another space ship," Superboy said. "How come HE gets all the cools stuff?"
"I dunno," Robin said, smiling. "Maybe `Santa' likes him more than others."
"Funny, Rob. VERY funny."
In a blink of eye, Impulse was between them. In his hand he held a medium-sized package.
"What is it?" Robin asked.
"I dunno," he said. "It's for you."
"For ME?!?" he asked in surprise. He read the note attached to it
`To: Robin, The Boy Wonder'
"Who's it from?" Secret asked, peaking over his shoulder.
"I don't know. It's just marked with a smiley face."
He opened the package. Inside was a dark mask, attached to a lavender hood. On it, etched in blood, was a smiley face.
Robin dropped his mug of coffee. It shattered on the ground, echoing throughout the entire room. All the color drained from his face, as he clasped the mask tightly in his hands, straining at its seams.
"Wha...what is it?" Secret asked. Robin was silent, a tear starting to swell under his eyelids, as he stared blankly at the mask.
"Spoiler," he whispered to himself. His eyes widened, as he examined the box which it came in, his deductive mind kicking into high gear.
"What's wrong, Rob?" Superboy asked, concerned. "What's so important about the mask?"
He said nothing. Throwing the box aside, he ran towards the hanger area.
"What's up with him?" Impulse asked, head cocked in confusion.
"I don't know, Imp," he said. "But I'm gonna find out." He flew towards the hanger. Impulse and Secret followed behind.
They reached the hanger, but not before Robin could speed away in his Redbird.
"I'll catch him," Impulse said. He sprinted off towards their leaders sleek sports vehicle.
The Lad of Lightning caught up with him in no time, and was running right beside his vehicle.
"Hey, Rob!" he cupped his hands and yelled. "Where's the fire? Hey, Rob, can you hear me?"
He made no effort to respond. Instead, his fingers fluttered over the control panel. A strange nozzle popped out the side of the car.
"Uh...Rob?" Impulse cocked his eye. A white goo spewed out of the nozzle, coating Impulse from toe to neck. It dried quickly, and began to stretch as he ran beside him.
"That wasn't cool, Rob!" he said. "Do you know how hard it is to clean this stupid..." The white goo reached its stretching point, snapping Impulse back like a slingshot before he could finish the sentence.
Meanwhile, right behind, in the Super Cycle, Superboy and Secret raced to catch up to their teammate.
"I can't believe the Super Cycle's letting you drive, Kon," Secret noted as Superboy worked the controls.
"Maybe it senses something's wrong, too, Suzie," he said seriously. "I contacted the others. I don't know how to call Batman, but..." He was cut off by a screaming streak of crimson.
"HHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!" The blur screamed as it flew past.
Secret and Superboy both looked at each other. "Impulse?!?" they said in unison. With a sharp twist of the wheel, the Super Cycle turned around and chased after their partner.
Meanwhile, Robin, in his Redbird, rocketed towards Gotham.
Impulse screamed as the world flew past his eyes. He tried to slow himself down, but his legs were bound tightly by the goo. He tried to vibrate out, but it was too stretchy, and thus prevented him from doing so.
The rubber began to stretch again, as his motion slowed.
"Whew!" he said. "Finally." Unfortunately for him, he began to accelerate again, only this time in the opposite direction. It was like something out of a cartoon, he suddenly realized. And who knew how long he'd be like this.
"This is re-FRIKIN'-diculous!!!" he screamed as he bounced back. He noticed something fly up beside him. It was the Super Cycle, driven by Secret and Superboy.
"Hey there, Imp," Superboy said jokingly. "Looks like you've gotten yourself in quite a sticky situation."
"Har har har," he said in a deadpan manner. "NOW GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!"
"Alright. Now...which button works the laser?" He fumbled over the controls. "Ah, here it is!" He pressed a large red button. A cannon popped out of the hood and aimed right at Impulse.
"Uh...Kon," Secret interjected. "You DO know how to work one of those...right?"
"I've seen Rob do it THOUSANDS of times. It can't be that hard." He pushed the button, and a large blue beam shot out, ripping through the goo, inches from Impulse's face. The energy was enough to singe the young speedster's face, an image of his head getting blown off passing through his thought bubble.
"See. Not THAT hard." He then maneuvered the Cycle in front of Impulse, catching him in the front passenger seat.
"That BETTER not stick to the upholstery," Superboy joked as they flew back to the base.
"Wait, isn't Robin going THAT way?" Secret pointed out.
"Forget it, Secret," he said, frustrated. "Robin's a big boy. And it's obvious he doesn't want US around." He motioned to Impulse, who was stretching the white goo, trying to free himself from its sticky grasp.
"But...what it he needs our help?"
"He knows how to get a hold of us. Besides, how bad could it possibly be?"
***********************************
Not a star was to be seen in the night sky, but the city was a bustle. The general populace was apprehensive, as the fact that Gotham's most notorious madman was free and running about. And the fact that he could be amongst THEM made them paranoid. VERY paranoid.
Only one among them was daring enough to go searching for him willfully. That singular entity was the Urban Legend himself. His Redbird rocketed through the streets, evading each red light and maneuvering between each obstacle.
It finally pulled in front of a large factory. Robin leapt from the car and proceeded towards the building.
The factory loomed over him. Its shadows, like extending talons, seemed to pull our hero inside. Knowing what he had to do, though, he willingly entered its menacing claws.
Like a silent whisper, Robin crept through the factory, letting those ominous shadows envelop him. They were his armor in enemy territory. But even the mightiest armor would not be enough against the adversary he faced. He held his cape close to him, letting it shield his features. He suspected a trap, but had no choice. Not if he was to save the woman he loved dear.
He crept past each door, listening for any sound, ever so faint, any hope whatsoever.
A soft moan caught his attention. It was definitely female, and was assuredly in pain. He rushed as quietly as he could over to the large door. He put his ear against the door. Heavy breathing was on the other side of the door, and the sound of something hanging. But he heard nothing else.
A large chain and lock barred the door, but Robin easily picked it. Carefully, expecting a trap door of sorts, he strode in.
There, hanging tied from the ceiling, was Spoiler. A bag covered her face, and her costume was in tatters. She moaned in pain, barely able to struggle.
"Spoiler?" he whispered to her. She began to move slightly in response to his voice.
"R...Robin?" she responded weakly.
"Shhh...don't speak," he said, pulling out a batarang. "I'll get you out." With a flick of his wrist, he threw the batarang at the rope, cutting it. Spoiler fell down swiftly, but Robin was there to catch her.
"Can you walk?" he asked. She nodded, and he set her down to her feet. He began to pull the bag off her head, when the sound of a camera flash behind him caught his attention.
"Awww...isn't this a Kodak moment," a pale figure said, holding a camera in his hand. "This'll go GREAT in the album." Behind him, clad in a purple dress outfit, was a lanky man. His skin was as pale as a ghost, and hair unnaturally green. He grinned a toothy grin, like a pirana. Yellow film coated his teeth, offsetting the pure white of his face.
"Joker!" Robin's voice hissed.
The Clown Prince of Crime laughed. "That's what it says on my arrest warrant. He hee!"
Robin began to reach for something from his utility belt.
"I don't THINK so, Boy Blunder!" a familiar voice cackled behind him. He turned, as Spoiler removed the bag on her face. Only it wasn't Spoiler, it was Harley Quinn. She smiled the smile of a naughty child taking pleasure in torturing a small bird. She held in her hand a gas gun, pointed at Robin's head.
Joker snapped another picture with his camera. "WoHOOO! You should've SEEN the expression on your face! TIMELESS!!!" His laughter screeched throughout the factory.
He walked closer to him, putting his arm around Robin's shoulder. "I'm glad you got our little invitation. Now, won't you stick around for a while?"
"Thanks, but I'm leaving once I get Spoiler. Now, WHERE is she?"
"Tsk tsk tsk," Joker said, moving away from Robin. "So narrow-minded. Just like the last two. I wonder, do you bleed like the other two?"
He reached into his jacket, and whipped out a sterling silver pistol.
"Say goodnight, Grace," he laughed maniacally, and squeezed the trigger.
Robin's world went completely black.....