Wasting time at a circus wasn't how Batman wanted to spend his energy but here he was. He kept running, his feet hitting the ground hard with each step; chasing after the Joker once again.

He slipped into the tent, to hear some common criminals threatening the manager.

"Pay us the money Todd. It's for protective services." one of the men said with a dark and twisted smile.

Mr. Todd rolled his eyes at this comment, "You'll be getting nothing from us, quit trying to bamboozle us out of money. Our ropes are perfectly safe. Now be on your way." he said disappearing into the dressing rooms.

Batman made a mental note to keep an eye on the two men but otherwise assumed it wasn't too serious. He disappeared, fading into the back of the performance area, blending into the shadows. Typical Joker, he had to pick a circus.

The tent was suddenly filled with applause as the performers came out and the ringmaster started to announce the performances. "Alright ladies and gentlemen! We're here to give ya a show! Please give a big round of applause to our wonderful manager, Mr...WILLIS TODD!" he called out, earning a moderate round of applause from the audience. "Starting out on the trapeze is, the Flying Graysons!" he said, this time earning a strong, passionate round of applause.

A man and woman climbed to the top and jumped onto the trapeze, swinging, jumping, flipping, and doing just about every trick you can imagine.

Batman quit paying attention and was looking around, trying to spot a clown with green hair but unfortunately the only clown he saw were the annoying ones with orange hair and pulling light hearted jokes on the families.

The crowds gasped in horror, making Batman quickly looked up, was it the Joker? No. The ropes had snapped! The man and woman fell to the ground with a loud thud. It seemed to echo in the deafening silence all except for one sound, the crying of a boy. "Mom! Dad!" Dick cried, quickly climbing down from the ladder and running to their lifeless bodies.

Batman had seen his fair share of dark times but this sent chills down his spine. This reminded him so much of the loss of his own parents. Joker had to wait for now, Batman ran out of the tent just in time to see the men hopping in a car and driving off.

Two of the more muscular performers were carrying a struggling Richard Grayson and into the dressing rooms.

Batman had to hurry but the boy was the most important thing right now. He marched into the dressing room, "Both of you! Out!" he ordered the muscular performers. "Boy. What's your name?" he directed at the crying fifteen year old boy as the men left them alone.

"R-Richard. Richard Grayson. But they call me Dick." he said.

"Dick, I know what your going through. That was no accident. Your parents were murdered and I plan to make sure their killers pay dearly for their crimes." he said roughly.

The boy looked in absolute shock, "What?! I'm going with you." he firmly decided. "I don't have anywhere else to be. You have to take me with you."

Batman gave him a firm look, "This isn't what it looks like in the comics kid. It's dangerous and it's something you fight for everyday, not some one time gig where you can go back home and sleep it off."

Dick didn't change his stance, "I have no home. You say you understand me? Take me with you! I'll do whatever you say. I need to avenge them!" he cried.

Underneath the cowl, Bruce knew he had to help the boy. The circus would hold no joy for him anymore and the foster system was the biggest shit hole imaginable. "I have no experience as a parent. I come home injured. I stay up late. I wake up early-

"I don't care! We can figure it out as we go. Batman, I need you to help me! If you say you understand, you wouldn't hesitate."

Batman took the boy's arm and started walking to the batmobile, "I'm not hesitating. I'm warning you son. Now get in the car. We have villains to catch." he told him as the got in the batmobile and drove off the avenge the death of the Graysons.

(To Be Continued)