Who saves heroes ?

By Scarredbyshallowness

Disclaimer : All of the rights of the things I use aren't mine . Period . End of story .

This story is based off the Justice League Unlimited Episodes; Panic in the Sky, Divided we fall, Flash Point, anything involving Cadmus and Amanda Waller . Just to clarify . Now, this is gonna be a looong chapter because I just have too many good ideas for Gotham . Here we go !

Chapter 4

Priorities

" They did WHAT ? " The Batman bellowed from the other side of the Boy Wonder's communicator .

" Cadmus took over the tower, and …" Robin restated shakingly . Not even his masked eyes could hide his shame .

" … and they took out Beast Boy . " Raven finished for him, trying to aid his anguish .

" And you are absolutely sure it was Lex Luthor who aided them ? " the Bat gave the Titan leader his trademark leer as Robin simply nodded in surety .

" No doubt . "

" Then this is more serious than I thought . Meet me at the Batcave's underground dock . " The Batman ended as he shut off the communicator in completion .

" Not very sociable, is he ? " Raven dryly commented, seeing Robin shakehis head in consent .

" You have no ide … on second thought . You actually might get along with him . " Robin playfully smirked as Rae smacked his head lightly .

" BB, how could you do this, man ? " Cyborg grievously thought to himself as he floored the vehicle toward Gotham . " This is the first time that you've asked me to do something, well, admirable . I won't let you down . "

Looking at the small cameras that allowed Cy to see all of his friends, he couldn't help but feel sorry for Star . Not only had the tameranian just witness the pain of loss, but she's stuck by herself in a lone cockpit as Robin and Raven gained bonding time .

" Hey, Star . You ok ? " Cyborg caringly asked as the site of the teary alien nearly broke his metallic heart .

" Leave me be friend Cyborg . I am feeling the sorrow . " the little alien tearfully admitted as she curled up in a little protective ball .

" Sure, Star . "

2 Hours Later

" YO ! Wake up ! Were in Gotham ! " Cy screamed as he knew Robin had to be awake for their meeting place . More or less because the Boy Wonder was the only one who knew the location of the cave, but mainly because messing with the guy was so much fun .

Robin started to stir awake from his rejuvenating nap feeling something… warm . The more he awoke, the more he began to recall what had happened as pain shot through his left shoulder .

" Man, I thought Raven healed this… RAVEN ! " Robin yelled in his mind as he sudden found out what the warmth was . Staring in a blush, he found that Raven had curled up against him with her head on his chest; completely relaxed and … serene . None of which really fit her .

Not wanting to disturb her, for her and HIS own enjoyment (c'mon, what guy wouldn't like to wake up like that ? ) , he forced himself to carefully shake her, making Rae begin to awake wearily .

" Wha ? OOP ! " Raven shot up, almost hitting the cockpit's glass, as soon as she realized what she had used as a pillow . With a flaring blush covering her face, she lifted her hood in hope that the Boy Wonder wouldn't notice . But there are some things even darkness can't hide .

" Ahem Cy, take a left near that oil plant . " Robin instructed, nonchalantly fixing his collar in tenseness .

" Uh, that would take us right into a stone wall . "

" Just trust me, Cyborg . "

Hesitantly, Cy drove the sub right toward the wall . Fearing the worse, his fright lifted as the walls suddenly gave way, splitting open . The Titans had finally reached their destination, the Batcave .

Rising out of the mucky water, the T-sub parked next to the Bat boat as all the cockpits hissingly burst open . Looks of amazement and wonder effected all but Robin as the teens explored their newfound surrounding .

" What is this place ? " Star asked in wonderment, temporally forgetting her pain .

" It's huge ! " Cy added with his human eye widened with amazement .

" It's dark . " Raven slightly grinned, feeling right at home .

" It's home . " Robin yelled gleefully as he leaped out of the vehicle,feeling the familiar welcomeness of his old training area .

" It's mine . " the rugged voice of Batman spoke from the shadows as he stepped out of the darkness that he reigns . Walking up to his apprentice with his metallic ebony cape draping over his entire body, he looked down at Robin and recalled their last, offical, conversation . " I thought that you were 'through ' with my help, Robin . "

" This is no time to joke Br…Batman . I've lost a friend . I want to know why ! " The Boy Wonder squinted as he tried to cover his mistake . Not often did he call Batman, well, BATMAN in the Batcave .

" Cadmus is an organization designed by the US government . It's purpose is to bring down all super powered beings, both evil and benevolent, for the purpose of the government's want of self sufficent protection. " Batman revealed as Star flew right next to him in total confusion .

" But why did they take Beast Boy ? He has done no wrong ! " Starfire blared innocence as the Bat rose a brow .

" I said benevolent . Meaning GOOD . " Batman explained again as he began to wonder about these so called "Titans" .

" That's Starfire . Excuse her, she's an alien . " Raven defended her earthly challenged friend as she absorbed the atmosphere that Robin had grown up with for years . " It's just like I remember … " she thought to herself as Rae recalled the time that she went into Robin's mind . " … Or rather, he remembers . "

" Oh let me introduce you to my team . This is … " Robin started before getting cut off by the Bat's superior intelligence .

" Raven . An empath who despises social activities due to their bring out of emotions . She meditates to keep in control of herself and doesn't care too much for the sun . " Batman listed as the dark girl just stared in amazement .

" Did you get all that from that work station over there ? " Raven questioned skeptically . She had never been read quite like that before .

" No . That charka on your forehead means you meditate . Considering the powers that Robin listed to me once before, only the one controlled by emotions would need to perform meditation . And you are pale . " The Bat answered in total truth as his reputation as the world's greatest detective was upheld .

" Look…at…the…SIZE OF THAT COMPUTER ! " Cyborg flipped out as he raced toward the mother of all monitors . " Oh man ! This is what I am talking about ! What can it do ? "

" More like 'What can't it do' " Robin added with a smile as he recalled all the nights he spent in front of the massive machine .

" Cyborg ? " the Bat asked, looking over at the freaked out teen, as Robin simply nodded .

" This computer is what keeps me updated on all the events through out Gotham City, keeps information on all villains across the galaxy, plays any station from any channel, and his uploaded with more archives than any library in history . " Batman boasted as the monitor blared multiple red signals all around it's newly brought up map . " And unfortunately, I have some work to do now . Seems like my rouge gallery has formed an unholy alliance again . "

" We can help ! " Star cheerfully suggested as neither Cyborg nor Raven saw it as a good idea .

" Star, we are running from the police right now . Not to them ! " Cy yelled as Raven regretfully agreed .

" Wait a second . Cadmus is only after those with super powers, right ? " Robin asked as he raised his gloved hand to his chin .

" Correct . "

" Then I'll go and help . It'll be like old times . " The Boy Wonder said with a smile as Batman couldn't really argue with the logic . " Titans, stay here and rest . We'll be back soon . "

" Wait, Robin ! What about your arm ? " Raven suddenly brought up, remembering it took her 20 minutes to heal in the sub .

" What about it ? I've done worse . And it's nothing compared to what Batman has done . " Robin said with a grin as Batman gave his usual unwavering frown .

" Be careful Robin . " Starfire spoke with caring passion as she flew up to the teen and gave him a tight, way too tight, hug . Seeing Robin hug the alien back made Raven turn away from the display, leaving Cyborg to chuckle to himself about the whole thing . " I don't want to lose you too . "

" Don't worry . I've done this hundreds …"

" 5782 times . " Batman corrected as the random fact made Robin truly feel at home .

" Yeah, that many times . So I'll be fine . "

" Enough talk . Let's roll . " the Batman cut off again as he and the Boy Wonder raced toward the renown Batmobile .

The heroes leapt into the vehicle's open hood as the lid shut tight and blasted off in a fiery passion of blue light .

Screaming down the empty, late night streets of Gotham in the new Batmobile, Robin stared in wonder of the revamped inside gadgetry . The Bat brought up a statistic sheet on the backseat's computer monitor as Robin whistled in it's impressiveness .

" Well we have our work cut out for us . Joker, Clayface, The Penguin, and Bane . Sounds like fun . " Robin eagerly thought to himself . He had gotten much stronger since his stay in Jump City .

" Take them out in any order that you want . Just leave the Joker for me . I have a personal vendetta . " Batman stated coldly, unknowingly clenching his fists against the steering wheel .

" You always seem to . "

" We're here . " Batman mentioned as the vehicle swerved to the side, halting it's acceleration .

" A gothic church ? This has to be… " Robin observed as he front flipped out of the armored car . ( A/N: Gothic meaning OLD ! I don't want flames . )

" A trap . I know . " Batman finished once again, making Robin roll his eyes .

" Don't you ever get tired of knowing everything three steps before they happen ? "

" Never . "

Looking over the decrepit church, the rogues began to seep out of hiding as their mere presence violated the sanctity of the area .

Clayface swirled into being as multiple amber brown pieces came together to form the metamorphic giant .

The Penguin squawked as he floated to the ground via his deadly umbrella ( A/N : Doesn't matter how you say it, I STILL can't take that one seriously . ) and popped the razor sharp blade from it's center .

Maniacal laugh could be heard echoing in building as the doors gave way to Batman's detested polar opposite, The Joker .

" Ha ha ha ha ! Battyman has come to crash our fun ! What a party pooper ! " the clown gleamed with a sadistic grin . (A/N: For the record, I HATE CLOWNS ! )

" Squaw ! Squaw ! And it seems the little birdie has come back as well . " Penguin screechingly added as Robin saw nothing to fear from the wannabe threat .

" Let's clip their wings for good ! " Clayface mucked as he splashed his unstable body toward the dynamic duo .

" Shall we ? " Robin shrugged to the Bat as he equipped his expanding, titanium bo, holding it in ready toward the approaching villains .

" As always . " Batman frostfully answered as spiked clay flew past the Gotham heroes, thanks to a perfectly placed leaping dodge .

Robin equipped a handful of ice disks as he threw them directly into the belly of the mucky beast, freezing Clayface instantly as Robin smashed the statue to pieces with a powerful, dropping strike from his recently equipped bo .

Breaking out of his icy prison, Clayface formed back together in a flash, smirking at the unimpressed Boy Wonder .

" Is that the best you can do, kid ? " the mucky villain taunted as Robin simply pointed down . Confused, Clayface looked to the floor to see an odd device explode under him, capturing in an unbreakable, sticky substance .

" Don't bother trying to get out of that . It held a shape shifter who was much better than you . " Robin slightly smiled as thoughts of his lost teammate invaded his mind yet again . But this was no time to mourn .

" I'm amazed you haven't retired yet . " Batman quipped as he dodged each and every slash that Penguin delivered from his bladed umbrella like a phantasm as his cape masked every one of his moves .

" I'm amazed you aren't dead yet ! " Penguin screamed in desperation as he turned his rain blocking weapon upside down, releasing a shackling chain from it's handle .

Catching the flying chain with his forearm, Batman wrapped the heavy metal around his limb as he began to spin the poultry obsessed enemy around .

" Robin ! Batters up ! " Batman smirked as he released the dizzy rogue toward the Boy Wonder . Propping his bo up, holding it by it's end like a bat, he twisted his hip and spun with immense power as the staff came crashing into Penguin's stomach .

" AAAAIIIEEEEEE ! " The artic bird yelped as his voice became smaller and smaller in the distance . He flew a good 80 feet or so .

" What do you know ? Penguins can fly . " Robin joked as he, and the Batman, set their sights on the most psychopathic of all, The Joker .

" Heh heh! Nice one Bird Boy ! See, at least you can make jokes . Unlike Bat bore over … " CRACK ! the psycho clown began before Batman elbowed him right in the nose .

Not even giving the jokester a chance to breathe, the Batman crushingly uppercutted him in the stomach, lifting him in raw power, as he tossed Joker up in the air and spun kick him into the church's wall . However, the most disturbing thing of all was that the psychopath was …grinning . Enjoying every moment of his own torture .

Back in the Batcave

" This place is creepy … " Starfire said shakily clutching her arm for comfort .

" Actually, I kind of like it . " Raven contrasted with a small smirk . Darkness begets darkness after all .

" Hey ! Do either of you hear a beeping signal ? " Cyborg questioned as his radar was detecting something too big to be ignored . Both girls gave a look of confusion, telling him that he was the lone receiver. " I'm going to go check it out then . Maybe Robin is in trouble . "

" If my boy is in trouble, I wish to join you ! " Starfire yelled from the heart as Raven instinctively looked away .

" Starfire, we're better off staying here . If worse comes to worse, at least we'll be here . "

" Alright then, I'll give you a call once I find out once I find out what's going on . "

Back at the Gothic church

" YOU MURDERED THAT CHILD ! " Batman roared as he held Joker by his sunny collar and pinned him against the wall of the holy structure .

" Aw . You're still mad about that ? " Joker callously mocked as the Bat remembered with vivid detail what had happened .

A small girl, no older than 6, was lost and confused in an alleyway on her way home . Blinded by childish ignorance, Joker approached her as a slap-happy clown . She laughed, he laughed . Then he offered her a gift . A teddy bear . She loved the little animal and even gave Joker an innocent hug out of thankfulness . But not even that would stop the monster . He patted her head and went on his marry way as she gave the bear a loving squeeze . It was the last thing she ever did …

" I was too late . The only thing I could do when I arrived was watch . Watch in horror just as I did when my parents were stolen from me . " Batman scolded himself mentally as he gritted his teeth .

" Just think of it this way, Bats . She went out with a BANG ! HA HA HA Ha ha ha ha ha ! " the sadistic one cracked as Batman leered him like no other .

Turning the clown's body around, the Bat slammed his make up filled face right into the wall in a bloody smash . Turning him back around, the Batman flipped the Joker over his caped back and on to the cement with a harsh toss; snapping the jokester's arm like a twig .The Dark Knight continuely beat the clown into bloody submission on the pavement with a relentless fury of punches as his mind screamed STOP ! He was not going to become a monster like him .

" Batman … " Robin gawked . He almost witnessed the birth of a devil . " Did he really deserve that ? "

"That's too good for him . " Batman frowned as he turned away from the teen .

" Yo ! ROBIN ! " Cyborg yelled from behind the Batmobile, running toward the Bat and Bird .

" Cy ? What are you doing here ? " Robin questioned as his retracted his bo staff away .

" There was a signal coming from here . Didn't you send it ? "

" No, he didn't . We did . " Luthor announced from the roof top as Slade stood beside him .

" Hello again, Robin . " Slade slithered as the teen's entire body tensed in untold fury .

" Know him ? " Batman quickly quizzed as he noticed the rage on his apprentice's face . He could easily relate .

" Yes ... He's mine . Personal vendetta . " Robin quoted as he and the bat raised their own bladed boomerangs . But before the bat-a-rang and bird-a-rang could be thrown, the two men shook their heads .

" Not so fast . " Lex said in a voice smoother than silk . Pulling a victim with a bag over her head, Lex placed an ebony luger pistol to where the temple would be located, as the victim letout muffled screams .

" You wouldn't want to be the cause of death, now would you ? " Slade added in his ominous tone as he too had a bagged victim with a black desert eagle in hand, similarly placingit's barrel to the victims' skull .

" What do you want ? " The Dark Knight's voice rose in frustration as he and Robin both put their weapons away .

" Not you or the other masked one . We want Victor Stone . " Lex replied as he withheld his grip on the innocent unknown .

" Or as you call him, Cyborg . " Slade added, tightening his grip as well .

" Alright . Just let them go . " Cy sighed as he approached steeped into the area directly below the two men of power .

" Not so fast . We have some … requests for you first . " Lex smiled sadistically as he pulled back the hammer of his firearm .

" Cyborg… Batman ? Isn't there anything we can do ? "

" Not at the moment . Wait for them to leave an opening . Then we'll strike . " The Bat instructed as no response was heard behind him . Rather odd for Robin ...

" You're losing your touch, Batty ! " a familiar voiced crackled from behind as Batman turned in horror . Joker held the Boy Wonder's neck with one arm, reaching his deranged fingers into the boy's bullet wound, as he held his toon sized gun to the back of his skull . All done with a sinister grin longer than humanly possible .

Hearing crawling in the background, the Dark Knight witnessed yet another surprise . The Joker he had pummeled to a pulp was still there .

" Wonderful thing stunt doubles are . Too bad for little Robbie that he doesn't have one right now . But it reminds me of a joke . What is Robin going to be once I am done with him ? "

" Grrr…" The Bat snarled . As if he needed any MORE reason to hate the Joker .

" Holy ! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA ha ha ha ! "


Man that was long . But, believe it or not, not as long as I originally wanted . I'll just save it for the next chapter . I know, that last joke is very corny, but then again, so is the Joker . Oh and no, I didn't forget about Bane . He'll be in the next chapter .Thanks to all of you who actually review ! ( Which is just over .01 percent !) Till next time !

-Scarredbyshallowness