A quick note: Thanks to all. Jump City it is!! And now, onto the chapter! Enjoy!


Chapter 8

"The Attrition of a Mind"

"Master Bruce, we have visitors."

"Who?" came the charming voice of Bruce Wayne, as the boy billionaire himself walked into the foyer, dressed in his usual all black business suit.

His long-time friend and butler Alfred gestured at a familiar band of young adults standing just inside the doorway, looking very uncomfortable. "Master Tim's companions, as you can see."

Bruce was silently glad that they had had enough sense to come to his home out of costume. "Victor, Garfield, Kory, Raven," he greeted them each with a nod.

Raven snorted in a laugh and glanced at Beast Boy, "Garfield??"

"SHUT UP!!"

"Alright, alright," Cyborg (a.k.a. Victor) said, "Enough – we're here for a reason, remember??"

"Sorry…" Raven said softly.

Bruce cleared his throat, "And what might that reason be?"

The teens all exchanged nervous looks. Starfire (a.k.a. Kory) said tentatively, "Perhaps we could sit down and talk?"

Alfred appeared at Bruce's side, "Shall I prepare the den, or should you like to discuss matters downstairs?"

Bruce looked at the teen superheroes, "Well?"

Raven shrugged, "This place seems remote enough – how much trouble do you usually have with paparazzi?"

"Slim to none," Bruce shook his head, "I haven't been the city's top interest as of late."

"Then the den should be fine," she told him.

* * *

"Now – what brings you all out here?" Bruce asked as the group sat around his large study and Alfred distributed mugs of coffee or tea among them. "I highly doubt this is a social call. Where's Tim?"

"That's…why we're here," Cyborg said, turning his eyes to the floor.

"He has been…taken," Star said, choking back a new wave of tears.

"We think Poison Ivy's behind it," Raven said.

"So we, uh…just thought we'd tell you…" Beast Boy finished rather lamely, forcing a weak smile.

"I see," Bruce said. His voice was light, but his turquoise eyes seemed light-years away, "Well, thanks for stopping by. As long as you're staying in town, maybe we'll see each other again."

Three of the Titans just blinked in astonishment, and Starfire rose to her feet, angry tears stinging her eyes, "How can you act like you do not care??" she demanded.

"Starfire, calm down," Raven said slowly.

"I will not calm down!" Star cried, glaring down at Bruce, "Robin has praised him for years – and after all he has said I cannot believe that this man would react this way to the news we bring! How can one who fights against evil be so heartless??"

Bruce looked back up into her green, narrowed eyes, "I'm sorry, kids. But I do have some work of my own to do." He stood, as did Beast Boy and Cyborg. The corporate billionaire waved and walked away.

"That's that then," Raven said. Starfire dissolved into tears and the Goth took her by the arm and led her towards the exit, "Let's go guys."

"That was sure weird," Beast Boy said, shaking his head in disgust.

"What did we expect to accomplish, again?" Cyborg asked.

"We thought he'd care."

"He does."

"What? How do you know that? Sure didn't look like it to me…"

"He's the world's greatest detective. I think he's learned by now not to wear his emotions out on his sleeves like Star."

"So why didn't he say he'd help us out?"

"Cuz we're not kids anymore. By now he expects us to be able to resolve problems on our own. He might help if he really thinks it's necessary."

"But we can't, right?"

Cyborg stopped walking and held out one extended hand, which Beast Boy walked into promptly.

"What the heck was that for?" Best Boy asked, rubbing his nose.

The android began walking again, "Well, some of us can't…"

"And what'd ya mean by that?"

* * *

Once the quadruplet had left, Bruce Wayne sighed, "Alfred!"

The butler appeared as if out of thin air, a piece of silver and polishing rag in hand. "Right here, sir," he said, "I must say, the children left rather upset."

"Yes, well, not much could be done about that," he began walking towards his grandfather clock that led to the Batcave, "I don't know how much I trust their deductive abilities, but Raven is usually on top of things. How long has Ivy been out of the asylum?"

"Only a few days, if I'm not mistaken," Alfred said, "But no word in the papers yet about her movements. She's been keeping a low profile."

"What would she want with Robin?"

"I honestly couldn't tell you, sir," the butler shrugged as Bruce opened the clock, and began his descent down the winding staircase. "I would think Miss Isley was beyond trying to avenge her previous failures. Most likely it's not to bait you – or else we would have received word of it through someone other than the Titans."

"So… she's just trying to tick me off so I can send her back to the Asylum with the Joker?"

"That seems highly unlikely, Master Bruce."

"It was sarcasm, Alfred."

"I see, sir."

"Somehow, Alfred, I just don't believe you."

"You deductive skills have never failed you, sir."

"A trend I hope to continue," Bruce said, sitting down at the large supercomputer console and activating it, "Watch the door, would you Alfred?"

"Of course, sir," the butler walked away, slowly making his way back up the long set of stairs.

Wayne stared at the screen, which began to flash up information on Poison Ivy. 'What could she be planning?' He knew this was one mystery that would have to be resolved quickly. Every second he wasted was one more that could bring Robin closer to death. It wasn't that he didn't trust the boy; it was more that he didn't trust the boy. He was still too head-strong for his own good, and not quite smart enough to read between the lines when it really counted.

And then there were his protégé's teammates. Not that they weren't skilled, but they all had their own flaws as well, and lack of experience was one that would weigh them down in this situation. They didn't know the city, and they didn't know Ivy (and whoever else might be involved). Pamela Isley rarely worked with partners, but if she was taking on something seemingly bigger than normal, it was an option he would have to consider.

He hadn't meant to make them so upset (well…maybe he had), but in a business like this, that was the way it should always be handled – as business. If you got emotionally involved, it would hinder you more often than help you. Emotions always clouded reason, and that was something none of them could afford to have happen.

* * *

"Well, that was productive," Raven muttered. Seated in the back of the T-Car (cleverly disguised so it wouldn't stand out as much), she had one arm around Starfire, who was still sniffling, and dabbing her eyes with a Kleenex.

"Whadda we do now?" Beast Boy asked the group.

"Let's hit the streets. Guys like Robin don't just disappear and not stir-up talk." Cyborg gunned the car and the roared down the driveway, barely giving time for the gates to Wayne Manor to open and let them out.

* * *

"Everything's in place, Ozzie," Ivy said, hanging up her cell phone after getting an update from the thugs down in the arena, "The stands are full and the crowd's plenty excited. Looks like we're on in five."

"How's the demon-Robin doing?" Oswald asked, holding two umbrellas up in the air, as if he couldn't choose which one to carry.

"Still throwing a fit, as far as the guards have told me," Ivy grinned, "But the collar's on, so getting him into position should be no problem." She rose from her seat, now wearing a sequined green top, black mini-skirt and leather boot that reached past her knees.

'Poison or bullets?' "And the other competitor? Where did you borrow him from, anyway?"

"From the juvenile detention center – an 18-year-old drug dealer with anger to spare," she said nonchalantly, "Shall we then?" she asked, offering him her arm.

He set one of the umbrellas down and took her arm, "Let shall."

* * *

[Robin hates the choking circle. Too tight, feel no good.] His hands were by his side, perfectly straight and perfectly still. [Let them try to take Robin. Fat, ugly male with box use choking circle to hurt him. Open cage, and Robin rip his head off.] He grinned savagely, staring at the man.

The guards approaching the cage were starting to wonder if this was really worth the pay (which wasn't that great to begin with). The first held the collar's remote and a short chain. The second held the key to the cage and a long pole. They unlocked the cage, both tense, waiting to see what the drugged young man would do, how much force they would need to use to get him to move.

[Two. Only two. Easy prey. Come close to Robin.] The young man did nothing, merely moved his eyes to follow the one man's hand that held the remote control to his electric collar. The smile never left his face for even a second.

The first guard drew closer, the hand holding the chain raised. "Now if he just stays still, that'd be nice."

"Just be careful," the second warned.

"I am, I am," the first said. The chain was mere inches away from the connecting latch on the collar.

[Attack!] Robin lashed out with one foot in a lightning fast kick that connected with the man's left hand. He yelped in pain and let go of the remote, which clattered to the ground. Robin grabbed the man's other hand and pulled him close so they were face to face. [The hunt rewards Robin. Weak prey.] He reared back and smashed the man in the nose with his right hand, knocking him to the floor.

The second guard lost no time. In a swift movement, he clubbed the boy in the back with his pole, sending him to the floor, shouting to the first, "Get the damn remote!!"

"Easy fuh you ta say," The first said, his broken nose making speech difficult.

[No box! No box!] Robin reached out with both of his hands and latched onto the second guard's feet, pulling him to the ground. He leapt to his feet, but was too late. The first guard had the remote and pressed the button on it.

A huge surge of electricity coursed through the Boy Wonder's body, bringing him back to his knees. [Hunt does not reward Robin. Robin hates the choking circle.]

The second guard grabbed the chain and latched it onto the collar quickly. Then both of them got to their feet, panting. The guard with the chain yanked it hard, forcing Robin to his feet, "Come on, move," he said, poking him with the blunt edge of the staff. The first guard was holding the remote in one hand, while holding his other sleeve up to his nose to soak up the blood.

[Robin go. Next time, Robin kill fat, ugly males…]

* * *

"Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you all tonight for our very special presentation," Ivy said, as she and the Penguin stood under a spotlight in the center of a large arena.

Penguin straighten his bow tie, then spread his arms wide to the crowd, "I give you the greatest gambling challenge since the Ancient Roman Gladiators! Two able-bodied young men, pitted against each other in a battle to the death, with no weapons but their bare hands. A titanic struggle worthy of the ancient gods! Welcome to the Colliseum!"

The shadowed spectators roared with approval as Ivy and Penguin left the arena and doors on each of the far sides slid open, spilling light onto the field. Ivy's amplified voice echoed through the room, "In the right corner is the Boy Blunder, the one we all love to hate, don't we?" Robin was shoved through the open door. The crowd roared with laughter, many of whom had been placed in jail at one time or another by the Dynamic Duo or the Teen Titans, "In the left corner we have his challenger, Toxin." A young man around Robin's age with tan skin and blonde hair was pushed through the other door. "At the sound of the gunshot, this match will begin. Those of you have not placed bets already, please do so immediately."

Robin stepped slowly into the light of the fighting arena. [Many creatures here. Friends? Enemies?] He looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pretty female face plastered into his mind. Nameless, but not forgotten. His teeth were no longer bared threateningly, rather he looked around with naïve curiosity, all manner of anger forgotten for the moment.

Across the large field of dirt, the boy dubbed Toxin looked nearly rabid. He was breathing heavily and lashing out at the walls of the arena, trying to jet at the audience members. They seemed to enjoy this and tossed things at him, loose change, bits of food. He snarled at them and then, as he chased after the food, he spotted Robin. His pale blue eyes opened wide for a second before narrowing at the new threat, and he growled.

Penguin (from his seat in the front row of the crowd) fired his umbrella off, signaling the start of the bout.

As if his anger had actually been heightened by the shot, Toxin ran forward, almost on all fours, slowing a few feet away from Robin, circling around him slowly.

Robin blinked at the man. [He no look like fat, ugly males.] He turned his back to the teen, much more content to continue his search of the audience for his nameless face.

But being ignored was not what Toxin wanted. Angered at being judged a non-threat by this opposition, he launched himself forward, landing on Robin's back and knocking him to the dirt.

[Pain! ………Why?] Robin rolled over quickly, causing his attacker to fall to the arena floor as well. He stood up slowly, rage building within him at this clearly unnecessary assault. The demon-Robin bared his teeth angrily at the boy, as if to ward him away. [Warned. Attack? No.] He walked away (staring out at the crowd once more) much to the dismay and displeasure of the audience.

Penguin frowned, "Ivy, what the hell is going on? These people are paying us good money to see these two boys tear each other limb from limb, so why won't our little savage fight back?"

"I don't know – he must be fighting it better than we thought," she said, biting her fingernails unintentionally, "What is he looking for??"

Toxin was now furious, at having been thrown, and then ignored once again. With a roar, he leapt at Robin again, this time hitting him in the side and sending them both rolling across the dirt. Now positioned on the Boy Wonder's chest, Toxin reeled back and punched him hard in the face. He then leaned in close and growled as if to say 'Don't think I'm not a threat'.

[Attack!] Robin grabbed the young man by the shirt, and managed to toss his enemy off of him. He leapt up and began to run toward Toxin, who had just started to pick himself up off of the ground, delivering a roundhouse kick to the face that drew blood from the boy's lip. It wasn't enough for Robin, who craved vengeance for the unprovoked attacks on him. He didn't let the man fall back down, but rather picked him up by the fraying-collar of his shirt and flung him into the stadium wall.

The crowd cheered and Penguin breathed an inward sigh of relief. "Now that's more like it," he said, adjusting his monocle.

Toxin hit the ground on all fours, and jumped up again, hurtling his fist at Robin's face.

[More pain. Always pain. Never happiness. Too much!] The blow battered, but didn't fell Robin. He was sick of the hurting and sick of this enemy. The Boy Wonder rushed his opponent, pinning him against the wall. A barrage of punches from Robin's free hand brought roars of approval (and several groans of despair) from the watchers in the stands. After several seconds, Robin lowered his fist and let the man down. Toxin's face was bruised, bloody, and he most likely had a broken jaw bone. Robin kneed him in the stomach on his way down to the floor, and stood triumphant over his opponent. His anger faded away, and he looked up at the many people, still desperately hoping to see the pretty, happy face watching him.

The crowd waited breathlessly, and slowly, as it dawned on him that the victor was not interested in finishing his opponent off, they began to get angry. A great murmur of disappointment rose from the stands.

"What is he doing now??" Penguin demanded, "Why won't he finish it?"

Ivy pulled out her cell phone, "Give him a good shock – see if that provokes him." They did. Everyone could see the electricity shoot up around him, watched him double over in pain. Then the voltage ceased and he continued to ignore his fallen adversary. "What is he waiting for?!" Ivy whispered, aggravated, "Try it again." Again they shocked him. Again he made no move towards Toxin.

"This is ridiculous," Penguin grumbled, "Even at his most savage, he's still a do-gooder. End it Ivy – we'll increase the dosage next time."

She nodded and grabbed the microphone by her side, "And we have a winner tonight folks! All bidding wins and losses will be handled by the attendants on your way out, and we hope to see you again in two days from now, when our champion will face a new challenger!"

As Robin searched the departing crowd, two new guards snuck up behind him and snapped the chain onto his collar. "Let's move," one ordered, yanking the chain, "You're through for the night."

[Robin done? Robin not free. Robin not found female. Robin not done…]