News broadcast

"And thats it from Sports, back to you Catherine".

"Thanks Tom. In other news, Richard John Grayson has just been declared dead today. Ward of America's favourite playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne discovered his son missing four weeks ago. Local police were contacted and were unable to find any evidence of where Richard Grayson was. It wasn't until his bike was discovered a state over from Gotham city. The bike had been vandalised and parts stolen along with a few of the Ward's belongings. But confirmation of his death was confirmed when blood found at the scene was identified as the late Richard Grayson.

The scene suggested a struggle and Grayson's body dumped into the river. Later on police found blood further down the river where it is believed that Grayson somehow managed to drag his body up on the river bank. However the current proved too strong and washed the body away; However leaving behind one of Richard Grayson's most prized possession, the wedding rings of his dead parents covered in his blood. We have been told this possession was kept on a chain Grayson wore all the times and unlikely to have left him willingly.

The amount of blood at the scene indicates that Grayson suffered a great wound but it is unsure of what killed him, the wound or the water. But with the amount of evidence at the scene and the time passed police have officially declared Grayson dead with it being unlikely to find a body.

Our thoughts go out to Richard Grayson's friends and his legal guardian Bruce Wayne.

Later on today we will be looking at how this young boy entered the hearts of the Gotham public due to the devastating event that occurred to Richard Grayson's family, the murder of the Flying Grayson's.

This is Catherine Ross at Gotham News"

Alfred turned off the TV and turned his focus onto Bruce. Bruce was looking dejectedly out of the window. He hadn't moved since he had heard the police's declaration yesterday. Batman was the one to actually discover the scene and inform the police with a mysterious phone call.

He had deduced the same as the police had, but having it officially declared had somehow shut Bruce down.

He hadn't moved, eaten or spoken. He hadn't even cried.

When Alfred had heard the news from the police he hadn't believed it. Gotham police often made mistakes but upon watching the scene of Commissioner Gordon telling Bruce the news and giving his condolences, Alfred's heart broke. He understood that Bruce already knew, that this was just confirmation for him.

Alfred didn't cry out right. He was British after all and they are well known for their lack of emotions. But once Alfred had retired for the night and slumped on his bed. He lowered his head into his hands and he wept. Dick was like a grandson. A little ray of light in this gloomy house and now it had been extinguished.

The funeral was held a few days after. Though it probably wasn't the best idea most of the superhero community came: Superman, Wonder Women, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Aquaman and Hawkgirl. All in their alto egos and made sure not to draw attentions to themselves.

The Commissioner and Barbra Gordon where also there. Barbra weeping into her father's shoulders not being able to look at the coffin. Crying for the loss of her best friend. Barbra had known that Dick was Robin for only a few weeks, but that made her loss all the more worse for her. She had finally gotten the closest she ever had been to Dick since they had first met. He had trusted her with everything and now he was gone. Barbra had lost her best friend.

Young Justice came as well having been informed of Robin's true identity. None of them really cared though. Their friend was dead and they felt responsible.

Superman was the one who told them that Dick was missing and when questioned he told them about what had transpired between Batman and Robin. He also mentioned that Robin had been having doubts himself. The team quickly gathered that Robin had overheard them and they hadn't really been able to be around each other since then. A wave of guilt smothering them all.

Only Wally hadn't said anything bad about Robin and had actually defended him, but he knew he could have done something more since Dick hadn't felt he could go to him after he ran away.

Once they had heard about the demise of Robin none of them believed it. They had never lost anyone before. Well nothing like this. Nothing that seemed so meaningless. Yet here they were now, all wearing black standing in front of a coffin that was being lowered into the ground next to Dick's four family members.

Megan cried hysterically into Connor's shoulder. Connor wrapping an arm around her and a single tear running down his face. Robin was one of the first humans he met, taught him about bikes, taught him how to meditate and was now the first person he had lost.

Artemis tried to put on a brave face but the little troll had gotten under her skin and her eyes were watering up. Aqualad had his head bowed and was saying a silent Atlantan pray for his friend and fallen hero. And finally Wally.

Wally stood next to Roy. Roy was refusing to cry, having a similar reaction to Artemis, but he had his hand on Wally's shoulder. Wally just watched his best friend's empty casket being lowered into the ground, tears freely flowing down his face.

They listened to the priest say a few words and comment on Dick personally since he knew him. Bruce was meant to speak but he remained silent so Diana stepped in for him. Clark, Alfred, and Pop Harley also spoke about Dick. The whole circus had been asked to join and all of them had refused to miss it. Dick might have left the circus but the circus never left Dick.

They all spoke how Dick was a show man, forever putting on a performance to make people smile and distract them from any problems. But also that he was a problem solver helping someone out in any way he could. Alfred talked about the scared boy who came into their home but quickly opened up and was forevermore sliding down banisters.

When the time came they each took a handful of soil and place it down onto of Dick's coffin and slowly walked away.

A few were invited back to the Manor, but it was a somber mood and not even the speedsters could bring themselves to eat much.

One by one they all left, no one could find Bruce before they left though.

After they left Alfred looked in Bruce's study, then the Batcave trying to find Bruce. A thought struck him in where Bruce could be. He found Bruce sitting on the edge of Dick's bed, tears rolling down his face as he looked down at the object in his hand. It was Dick's necklace with his parents wedding bands on them, still covered in Dick's blood.

A leather whip cracked though the air and split the tender flesh of Dick back. This made a scream rip from Dicks already coarse voice. He had given up on holding back his whimpers when his back had been reduced to just ribbons of skin and muscle.

Slade hadn't spoken at all this past week. Was it a week? Damn, how long had Dick been here? But Dicks thoughts were too cloudy and he was slowly losing consciousness from the lack of blood. Somehow Slade seemed to have noticed this and went back over to his table of little horrors where he placed the blooded whip and picked up one of his long swords and the god forsaken blow touch.

Dick was vaguely aware of the bright light shining from the corner but his vision was too blurred and he could only make out the vague blending of colours.

After a few moments Slade strode back over and placed the burning steel into Dick's tender back. Dick's back ached away from the heat but their was no mercy or relief. Tears spilled down Dick cheeks. He felt like all of his nerves had been overloaded andthey were sending white hot pain through out his body.

His brain trying to distract him from the pain somehow was able to realise that Slade was actually cauterising the wounds so Dick didn't lose much more blood. Well wasn't he a saint, Dick thought dryly to himself.

But he was reminded of the pain when the metal was pulled away and skin ripped away from the cooling metal. This carried on a few more times.

Dick had long ago given up on talking since his vocal cords having ripped apart. Making the pain of speaking not worth Dick trying to banter and insult Slade. Additionally getting a sentence out proved more amusing for Slade then it did for Dick any way. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of splitting muscle, sizzling flesh, and Dick's screams.

That was until Slade stopped hearing a whimper from Dick. "P…please… sto…p… master."