A/N: Okay, I've really only seen two versions of Black Mask. One is scary calm, a polished businessman and crime boss. That's from the TV show, The Batman. Then there's the raving crazy guy from Under the Red Hood, with his ridiculously calm secretary. I'm going raving crazy guy. Let's do this. (Cracks knuckles and rests fingers on keyboard, even though this is being typed on a phone.)
Robin woke up slowly, clawing his way to consciousness. The first thing he registered was that this time Robin was missing his gloves, belt, and boots. Surprisingly, Robin's arms were free and he still had his cape. So, these guys were not new at capturing bats. Of course not. Black Mask had captured Batman before. Crap.
Robin opened his eyes cautiously. His first thought was, 'You have got to be kidding me.' Robin had been imprisoned in a human-sized birdcage. No. Freaking. Way. This had to be the most cliche thing ever. The little swing was just the icing on the cake.
Two armed men were standing guard. The taller one noticed Robin waking up, and turned to his comrade. "The kid's waking up. Get the boss." The second guard nodded and stomped off, presumably to get Black Mask. Robin and the remaining guard then proceeded to have a stare off while they waited, with the guard looking unnerved by how quiet Robin was being. He stiffened even more when Black Mask threw the door open and stormed in.
"Alright Robin, here's the deal. I'm gonna use you as bait for Batman and-"
Robin interrupted. "Right, yeah, whatever. I suggest you let me go before I have to escape myself."
Black Mask looked at Robin for a moment then started laughing insanely. "Oh no, I don't think-"
Robin sighed irritably. "Fine. I'll get out myself." With that Robin took out a small laser cutter that was sewn into the seam of his cape, cut off the padlock on the door and proceeded to knock the two guards out with flying kicks. Robin then looked at Black Mask, who was staring dumbstruck at the Boy Wonder. "I'm really not in a kidnapping mood tonight. I've had my monthly quota already. And frankly, I'm sick and tired of being underestimated." With that he disarmed and knocked out Black Mask with a few hand jabs, grabbed his boots, gloves, and belt from where they sat on the table, and stormed out of the room, dragging Black Mask behind him by the man's suit.
-Robin does not want to be kidnapped again. I don't blame him.-
After Robin had dropped off Black Mask to the authorities, he radioed Batman to tell him where he was. Batman had been combing through the criminal underground, trying to figure out what had happened to Robin after Batman had figured out he had escaped from Catwoman. They met up on top of a building and Batman immediately checked Robin for injuries. It had been months since Robin's disaster of a birthday, and the bat symbol on his back had fully healed up. Unfortunately, Batman still got concerned if Robin didn't check in every other hour on the dot. Batman eyed up Robin's small bruises and cuts. "Are you alright?"
Robin grinned. "Yep, I'm feeling the aster. Black Mask isn't, though! I kicked his butt!"
Batman smirked, knowing that if Robin could butcher the English language, he was probably fine. "Good. I've got Scarecrow back on his way to Arkham, but there was an attempted break out. The inmates planned to get Scarecrow out, and he would cause a distraction on the other side of the city so I wouldn't be anywhere near. Then they were going to try to break out, with Joker as their ringleader." Robin shivered, remembering the crazed clown getting ready to break his arm with a mallet. Batman seemed to pick up on Robin's unease, and hurried to reassure him. "It's all right, though. Their plan failed. Killer Croc ratted them out and tried to escape on his own, so everyone was caught. The only person who escaped was the Riddler, and we can hunt him down tomorrow night."
Robin breathed a tiny sigh of relief. "So, we're going home?" Batman nodded.
"I want to get your head checked out, make sure you don't have a concussion."
A menacing laugh echoed around the rooftops, making Batman and Robin whirl around and turn back to back.
"Hello, Batman. And goodbye."
The voice was taunting and accompanied by a familiar cackle, making the speaker's identity obvious.
Riddler.
A/N: I have twenty minutes to publish, so let's make this snappy! I gotta post the last chapter of Grief next. Anyway, There weren't many reviews (2), but that's my fault because I was stupid and posted the chapter wrong. There weren't any reviews for chapter 3 of I'm Here to Rescue You, so consider this a gift for being lovely readers and being so patient with me.
A Small Voice: Yeah, thanks for telling me. I'm still kicking myself. Jeez. I think I've yelled at myself enough, so I won't go on a tirade again, but thank you SO MUCH!
Guest: Not so much. Keep in mind, this story is about how Robin is much more capable and independent than Dick Grayson. I want to show that Robin can get out of his own messes, that he's not a damsel in distress. Dick on the other hand… he has to be helpless unless he wants to blow his cover. But Robin can hold his own, and kick butt. If someone serious kidnaps him (i.e.: Joker) he might be in trouble. But my point is that Robin is seen as Batman's Lois Lane sometimes, and he's really not (even if I love Robin whumpage). So no, no wrath of DaddyBats, just wrath of Robin. I'll be posting No Darkness Without Light soon, so there will be more helpless Robin and angry DaddyBats there, but this story is all about Robin kicking butt and taking names.