I do not own most of these characters. They are the property of DC Comics. I am simply a writer who admires good characters.

JUNE 22 || 2200 Hours

Glancing down at his sludge-soaked gloves, Dick Grayson frowned as he felt the sewer swamp fill his palms ...and boots ..and even more areas. He wasn't sure what was worse: the smell of the area or what unimaginable substances you had to trudge through for hours - before learning Killer Croc was sighted attacking a subway train on the other side of Gotham. He thought about hurrying to the scene, but Bruce and Katherine would both be there soon, so what was the use?

"Alfred," Dick said just as moonlight from the sewer opening reached his face. He glanced out at the glossy water of Gotham Bay as he continued. "This suit may take a few washes. Think you can have a new one ready for me when I get back?"

Mr. Pennyworth was a old, slim Englishman sitting alone in the Batcave who replied to the young boy. "Well, Yes. I assumed this would happen again, Master Dick. I can only be thankful you didn't return to Bludhaven to have another bout with Chemo.. or some other radioactive monstrosity."

"Oh, that reminds me, Doctor Phosphorus is back in town. So, we may have to do some radiation scrubbing tomorrow actually." Flipping to a kneel on top of the large, open sewer pipe, Dick continued back to civilization.

"Oh, wonderful... Thank you, for the warning at the very least." When the rest of Gotham's protectors were all on patrol, which was often, Alfred would usually be left to man the Batcomputer and maintain security in the cave. Since no one was asking for reconnaissance information at the moment, he had little to do at the giant terminal besides watch an old film called A Lone Wolf In London. He particularly identified with one of the characters named Monty Beresford. "You'll be patrolling a second time tonight, Master Dick?"

"Yes." The Boy Wonder peered at the well-lit skyscrapers as he returned to the downtown area. Once he reached his bike (expertly-hidden mere blocks away), he'd be home in just a few moments. "Sifting through Croc's hideout gave me a few new leads. Some of the crumpled-up files mentioned the genetic formula by Dr. Kirk Langstrom. This is probably what advanced Croc's physical and mental decline."

"Ah, yes. The other bat-like creature brooding around Gotham."

"He seemed like more man than bat when I saw him a few weeks ago, but yeah, his serum seems to be getting around. Anyway, I'm on my way now. I'll see you at the cave in a couple minutes."

JUNE 22 || 2230 Hours

Man, did it feel good to be in a dry, fresh-smelling suit. Just a quick shower, a change, maybe a snack, and he'd be off again. Robin smiled at himself in the mirror for a second before he would depart. Some new boots; a comfortable domino mask; his armored chest-piece was a mix of black and red, with some very dark green coloring his reinforced leggings and wrist coverings. Top it all of with a black and gold cape. Dick Grayson was who he was meant to be.

Awaking suddenly, Dr. Langstrom looked toward whatever light was shining his eyes to see a full moon's gaze falling upon him. Why were the shades even open? He gave an old man's groan as Kirk stood from his hospital bed, slowly reaching for the large window. Movement of a distant shadow caught his eye for a second but when he tried to really focus on the area, he saw nothing.

"Recovering well?"

"Gah!" Langstrom jumped as he finally noticed the dark figure in his room. "Um, Batman?"

"Not even close," Robin said as he stepped into the moon's rays.

"Oh, Robin." Was that relief in his voice? Dick would have to change that.

"You're usually up right now. I'm glad you've been sleeping better. Now I have a few questions. Have you ever heard of a Waylon Jones?"

"Waylon.. No, sorry." He was hesitating. For Kirk, this was normal though. "Wait, have you been sp-"

"Also known as Killer Croc. Samples of your Genetic Serum were found at his usual hiding spot."

Shock slowed Langstrom's reaction a moment. "Wait.. My serum?" Kirk felt pain in his neck as he shook his head vigorously at the notion. "NO. No, that's not possible. My serum was taken away; it was-"

Robin stepped closer, prompting Langstrom to fall onto his bed, startled. "What about files? Are any copies left over of your research?"

"It was all destroyed from my lab at Wayne Enterprises... I think. If there's anything left then ask them." Kirk was determined now, trying to hide how quickly his heart was beating.

"Nowhere else?" Robin was in his face now. Waynetech knew nothing. Bruce had made sure of that. "There's NO ONE else who may have had access?"

JUNE 22 || 2300 Hours

Sneaking into Wayne Tower? Even disregarding the fact that Dick knew Bruce's entry codes (They both had a... Don't ask), the Wayne family knew everything there was to know about the security specs of their own company. They had even made some.. modifications.

The silhouette of dark wings crept over Wayne Enterprise's rooftop before Dick dropped from his Bat glider and freefell near the solar panels. Just before his feet touched metal, a sky hatch slid open, allowing entry into their domain.

JUNE 22 || 2320 Hours

Right floor. Right lab section. Dick peered around the corner as he snuck through the WayneTech security hallway. Which room had Kirk Langstrom said?

Far on the other end of the corridor, a bright blue light was left on, peering out from one of the lab rooms. 352. Oh, yeah... Thought Dick. That was it. Crap... Dick made his way closer, absolutely silent and hoped it wouldn't be what it always was. Please don't be a dead body. Moment of truth. Dick slid around the corner in a split second and saw it.

Crap.

"Alfred. Early sit-rep." Robin observed the body in the centre of the large lab as bright blue light flickered on it, revealing the outrageous amount of.. body fluids left over from the event.

"Go ahead, Master Dick."

"Deceased female ..Name tag confirms identity as Dolores Winters, Waynetech scientist."

The Englishman continued to type all information into Batman's intricate filing system as the boy spoke. Unfortunately, none of them were a stranger to this type of news.

"...Multiple lacerations on chest and top of head to the point that... It looks like the victim's brain was removed."

"Goodness," Alfred piped up. This was new. Was Victor Zsasz in town? Or would they be dealing with some new, sadistic murderer?

"Yeah... With blood trail and present evidence, all points lead to-" Suddenly, Robin jumped onto the lab table next to him and threw a flash grenade at a dark corner of the lab.

"SKREEEEEE!" The shout came instantly as the room was brightly lit for a split second, revealing the giant, humanoid bat hiding in the shadows. Dick braced himself on the edge of the worktable as a gust of wind shot past him. As this beast flapped his wings mere feet away from him, he could see: this creature was MUCH larger than Man-Bat had ever been. Was Kirk mutating further, or was it someone else?

"Sir?! Dick?!" Alfred sat confusedly, staring blankly as he listened to his comm system. "What's happ'ning, Sir?"

Flipping through the air, Dick tossed batarangs at the creature but it had already gained too much momentum. Dark wings flew past him and headed directly for the giant glass window which revealed the lights of the city below.

KKSH! Glass flew in all directions and Robin sped to sprint at the escaping bat. The fiend was only a few feet away. Could he make the jump? Might as well try. Leaping out the gaping glass hole on the side of the skyscraper, Dick reached out for the beast.

CRAAAAAP! Well, he was falling now. In a flash Dick's hand was at his utility belt, pulling out his grapple-gun.

Grayson dangled his legs off the edge of the Prewitt Warehouse rooftop as a he relaxed a little more now.

"Sorry for the absence, Alfred," He sighed.

"Think nothing of it, Sir. Anything of note? By the start'ling screech, it seems the bats have continued to multiply in Gotham ..Because I am currently looking at live feed of Kirk Langstrom in his bed at Gotham General Hospital."

"Yeah, figured as much.. Wingspan was at least 15 feet. After detecting its life signs, I caught it off-guard, but it escaped, which you probably heard. Next time I see that thing though, I won't be chasing after it out of windows that are 58 stories high. Anyway, I got the scans I needed - which you should be getting now - so you can trigger the alarms in that floor."

"Done." The night guards would be alerted and find Winters's body soon enough. "Analyzing scans now..."

Diving off of the roof edge, Dick flipped forward and allowed his cape to slow his descent before landing on his feet. FWOOSH. A burst of red and yellow blurred past Robin until stopping to stand on the side-walk in front of him.

"Hey," said the familiarly-clad vigilante. "You're uh.. Batboy, right?"

"Robin," Dick said, pointing to the 'R' insignia on his chest. "You are Kid Flash."

"Yeah, Robin, sorry. Um..." Kid spoke quickly, spinning from side to side as peered at his surroundings. "You seen a giant gorilla around here? He's about yay big and he's got a stupid metal helmet on; you'll see him a mile away."

"Analysis complete, Master Dick. Residual radiation waves riddle the scene and faint evidence is even present at your current location ...No, wait. Not Radiation waves; they're some sort of distorted form of brain waves..."

"Brain waves...?" came from Robin as a confused whispered.

"What?" Wally shouted and then ran up to him. "What did you just say?!"