Ch.3 - Disaster
Dick slept throughout the whole day, and had an abundance of energy that night. So Batman and Robin went out on patrol. They jumped gracefully from one rooftop to the next, until a large cloud of smoke appeared to their right.
They ran quickly and swiftly, stopping at the edge of a small office building. In front of them was another, average building, except it was on fire. Batman's heart raced as he looked down and saw The Joker, firing a gun at them.
As the Joker fired the gun, Robin and Batman ducked for cover, and then rolled off the building to swing down at the maniac. Batman was about to kick the Joker in the face when something crashed into his side. He looked over to see that Harley Quinn had shot at him with some kind of air cannon. She smiled, her red lips stretching across her pale white face.
"You know what Batman? I'm not even here for you this time. Lex gave me a job to do, so sorry, but I can't stay and play." Batman's eyes widened at the mention of Lex Luther. He pushed a button on his watch, signaling Superman. He had a bad feeling that he couldn't handle this alone.
"You know, Batman, I know a secret; one of your secrets. Here's a hint. It's true today, but not tomorrow, and Lex is willing to pay big bucks for it. Still can't guess? The secret is the location of a bird." Joker turned and threw an explosive at the wall.
Robin had been coming up behind Joker and was standing in an ally. Batman lunged forward, but it was too late. The walls collapsed in, and his partner disappeared. The Joker laughed madly. Batman turned and punched him hard in the face, knocking him unconscious. Without wasting another second, he ran to the collapsed alleyway.
"Robin?!"
He sighed in relief when he saw his partner trotting towards him, the Man of Steel close behind him. The moment was short lived though as another explosion collapsed a building. The air filled with smoke, and he heard a sudden cry. He ran forward, but again, he was too late. Superman stared, dumbfounded, at how Robin had just disappeared.
~Dick's / Robin's POV~
My head hurt like crazy. I barely opened my eyes and shut them as a bright light greeted me. I sucked in a breath, which was a mistake. An intense pain greeted me and my sides were on fire. It felt like someone had slammed me in the side with a giant hammer. I was tied to a chair, and the light was the only sense of warmth. Other than that, it was freezing cold. At least I still had my mask on.
I looked up, opening my eyes again as I heard footsteps. "Good, your awake," I heard, and someone slapped me across the face. The cold made it sting. I couldn't see my captor because of the blinding light. "What's the matter, don't recognize me?" The light was turned away, and I looked up, surprised. Lex Luther stood over me, smiling evilly.
"Listen Robin, if you cooperate with me, I won't have to hurt you, much. I just need you to do a few things for me, and then you can be on your way."
"I won't do anything for you. Ever." I said, glaring at him.
"But you haven't even heard what I have to say yet." He chuckled. "All you have to do is design a few things. Make some blueprints. I know you can. After all, you designed the Watch Tower."
I glared at him. Whatever he did, I wouldn't do anything for him. Any minute now, Bruce and Superman would come bursting in.
Lex untied me, quickly saying "Think First." The lights came on and my blood ran cold. There where at least 30 men, all pointing guns at me. I didn't like it, at any second one of them could pull the trigger, and I would be dead.
"Now Robin, you will draw me some blueprints. I want them to be weapons, all kinds. You can be as creative as you want, but be warned. I expect a lot, so they have to be revolutionary."
I stared at him, giving him a death glare. "Sorry Luther, I don't imagine myself making weapons for some old bald guy, maybe I can make you some hair growth cream."
Luther signaled with his hand, and a couple of guys grabbed me on either side. I struggled, but I knew it was useless. I was 8 after all.
Lex turned around, facing the table that I was supposed to work at. He turned back with a small cup in his hand. "You need to learn some manners. Here, this will help. It's ammonia." He brought the cup to me. "Drink it." I struggled, and one of the men grabbed my face. He forced my mouth open, and Lex poured the ammonia in.
I tried to cough it up, then to swallow, to do anything. It was caught in my throat, choking me. It sealed my air off, and my lungs cried out. The goons let go of me, and I fell to the ground. I was fading fast. My lungs hadn't had air for at least a minute, and my vision started to blur. I looked up pleadingly. Lex was holding a small camera, and my eyes went wide. My vision blurred, and I knew I was going to die. I'm sorry Bruce, I thought. I could see my parents. At least I would be with them again.
"Now, little bird, you'll do what I say, right?" I was desperate, searching for air. I nodded, knowing that Bruce would never forgive me. My eyes where closing, the last of my strength faltering.
A sudden slap to my back made some of the ammonia spill out of mouth. After a few more slaps I was finally gasping for air. I held my chest, as if it would prevent my lungs from exploding. Why me? Where was Bruce? Why hadn't he saved me? He had promised he would always be there for me. So where was he?
~The Watch Tower~
Everyone stared in horror as the little bird was dropped to the ground. He was pounding the floor, clenching his chest; he even looked up pleadingly at Luther. But Luther just stood there. As the boy looked up, the members of the League all winced. Behind the mask, tears where streaming from the boy's eyes. He was calling for help, but there was no one there to save him. No one there, when they should be there.
"Now, little bird, you'll do what I say, right?" Dick nodded, clinging to life by a hair. He started to fade, his last strengths failing, just as one of the men hit him on the back, making him spew the ammonia.
He was on the ground, gasping for air. Everyone stared, as Lex turned the camera off.
Bruce sat there, not moving, just staring at the blank screen. After a long moment, he put his hand on his head, his heart beating too quickly. He felt like he was having a heart attack, and he just couldn't breathe correctly. He had failed. He failed to protect Dick, and he failed to keep his promise.
The Dark Knight stood, starting to walk away. He walked about 5 feet before he was caught, just before he could hit the ground.
A/N: Aw, so sad. Why am I so mean to them? Poor Dick! Hope you were entertained! Please Review!
