Oh Sweet Child of Mine
Summary: When one of the League's young partners goes missing, someone they least expect picks up the mace to go find her young friend. Sequel to "Innocence of a Small Child".
Author's Note: Chapter 2. Enjoy the chapter.
Important Note: If you have not read "Innocence of a Small Child" you are going to be terribly confused.
Disclaimer: I own… (sniffle) nothing except the plot line.
Set after "Starcrossed" and after "Wake the Dead" and before "Hunter's Moon."
Reviews Answered:
Storywriter: Thank for the fort review and encouraging start. Glad you like. Here's that update.
Alhana-Antilles: Glad you liked Tim and Wally working together. Thanks for the review.
Angel562: Thanks for liking the story. And I completely forgot about "Wake the Dead" with Grundy. It just slipped my mind. Oh well. Grundy doesn't play a big part. Thanks again for the review.
TigerHelix: Glad you liked the first story. And I'm thrilled to hear you liked this story as well.
Fantasylover12001: Glad you enjoyed. Here's the update.
HawkAngel XD: Thank. You make me happy.
A dragon wings: Oh thank you very much. Glad you like my writing and think I'm a good author. feels happy and does a back flip And I'm glad you're getting into the story too and enjoy the humor.
Averroes: Thanks. I wanted Tim to act older and more mature in the Robin suit almost as if he has to make it up to Batman while act a lot younger and immature jut as Tim Drake to show how different he is when wearing the mask. Glad you picked up on that. high fives
Night-Owl123: Here's that update.
Iris: Tiffy, you better watch out… I know where you live. Lol. Here's the update. You silly pudding. Lol.
Gotham's Princess: It's continuing.
Alicia Keyboard: I love Tim too. Yey! grabs Tim for us to hug
Cremosia: Here's the update.
Flamestrike: You're update. Thanks for saying please. How polite.
Chapter 2: Up to No Good
Superman sat in the passenger seat of the sleek Batmoblie holding a warm cup of coffee. Diana was in the back, waiting patently and fiddling with the something in the Batmoblie for she had never seen such a device on her home island. Batman was up in the front, not bothered by Diana's constant questions unlike the Green Lantern sitting next to Diana who told her if she said one more word he'd go insane. J'onn was at the Watchtower on Monitor Duty.
"Robin to Batman…"
The four Leaguers looked at the speaker, Batman flipped it on, "Batman to Robin…"
"Hey umm… did you know that there's more than your Injustice Buddy-thing here?" asked Robin.
Batman raised an unseen eyebrow under his cowl, "No. Report…"
Robin took a breath before beginning, "Well, Lex and the rest of the Injustice League are here… like you told me, but no Humanite, Cheetah or Joker though… but some of our breed has joined in."
"Our breed? What is that kid talking about?" asked Lantern who was cut off by a raising gloved hand from Batman.
"Continue…" he said plainly.
"I see Poison Ivy… Penguin… the Scarecrow and…" Robin gritted his teeth, "Two-Face…" the last name was spat out like poison. Robin had a grudge against Two-Face ever since his mishap with his father. Batman couldn't blame him.
Superman looked at Batman concerned, "Should I call Green Arrow's gang?" he asked.
Batman was in deep thought for a moment.
"No, we can handle them. We need to get my criminals away from the rest… I know each of their weak spots and it'll be easier for me to take them down if it was just me and them," he replied.
"That's insane," retorted Green Lantern, "Who else would help you if you got in trouble? None of us know their weak spots."
"Robin knows when to step in," was all the Dark Knight said.
"What if he's out of the picture?" Green Lantern spoke.
Batman turned a cold glance to Green Lantern. No one criticized his partners besides him, "He won't be."
Green Lantern went silent, and Superman rolled his eyes at the tension growing in the car. Wonder Woman remained silent.
Batman spoke, "Robin."
"Yea?" Robin answered through the communicator.
"I want you to get close enough to hear them. Find out why some of Gotham's villains are there. I didn't expect them to be in on this. Be very carefully," he instructed, "This is important…"
"Got it."
"And tell Flash to stand guard around you while you're spying…" added Superman, "We don't want any mishaps. I'll let you and Batman do your thing with this one."
"Got it. Anything else?"
"Be careful," Batman said, "If you need back up, phone Nightwing. I've already informed him of the situation, he knows when to step in if he has to."
Robin nodded, "Okay. Batgirl in town?"
"She's out of uniform at the moment."
"Alright… well… anything else?"
"No," the Dark Knight said with no emotion.
"Robin to Batman… over and out."
"Batman to Robin… over and out," responded the Cape Crusader.
John looked impressed, "You and the kid have a pretty solid system."
-Back to Flash and Robin-
"Okay," Robin began, "I'm going in. Superman says to watch guard over me."
Flash sighed, "I knew this was a babysitting job…"
"Hey, I didn't ask him to do that."
Robin was about to take off when Flash spotted something in his hand… that gray thing he had seen earlier that Robin had put in his belt. It was a feather. Flash stopped Robin before he leaped.
"Hey… what's that?" he asked pointing to the feather.
Robin froze, "N-n-nothing…" he told Flash, "It's just—"
"Is that a feather?" Flash asked already knowing the answer.
"NO!"
"It is!"
"Why would I carry around a feather?"
"Who knows… but that's what it is!" Flash said smirking. He looked at the Boy Wonder mysteriously then snapped his fingers, "And I knows whose it is…"
Robin swallowed hard… he couldn't know… the League would disown him for sure… well Bruce anyway.
"You've been hanging out with Shayera haven't you?" he questioned in a smart-aleck kind of way.
Robin looked at him plainly, "How'd you figure it out?"
"I don't know many people with feathers," he said stating the obvious.
"Don't tell! Please don't tell!" Robin begged. He sounded like a four year old asking his big brother not to tell on him for coloring on the walls, "Batman will kill me for sure."
"Hey! Calm down there little buddy. Shayera's part of the League. You're allowed to talk to her. And, one: I don't tell… not my thing. Two: Bats wouldn't kill you he'd—" he looked at Robin's glance, "Well… he'd go overboard, but no death."
"Please don't tell…" Robin breathed heavily, "Batman told me to stay away from her… and I told her I wouldn't tell anyone she was hanging around in Gotham."
"I won't," Flash said smiling, "I promise."
Robin nodded. Perhaps working with The Flash, wasn't too bad after all.
"I'll call you once I'm in position," Robin told Flash before jumping off the building.
As he leaped off that building, Flash watch his small partner run into Gotham's shadows, "Good luck kid."
With the wind in his face, Robin landed softly on the ground next to the warehouse. He could hear shouting and the sound of someone smashing their fists against the table.
He took a quick glance around the building. No wonder they needed him to spy, the windows were quite big and you could easily see a full-grown person's shadow on the ground if the were hiding.
Maybe it's a good thing I'm short, Robin though to himself and he began to scale up the wall with his eyes to find a good spot to eavesdrop. After a few minutes of scanning, Robin found a small air vent. And he meant small. Another reason why the League needed him. They were all far too big to get in there. Though J'onn could have phased through, but Batman had a reason for everything and he was sure there was a reason for that.
Sending his grappling hook up to the roof, Robin pulled himself up the wall. He managed to squeeze himself into the air vent. Normally, Batman could have stuck a microphone Bat-chip in here to record the sound, but the sound in the vent was horrible. Robin wasn't sure himself it he'd be able to have a clear ear towards the conversation.
Inching his way down the dusty, dirty air vent, the Boy Wonder stopped when he saw an air vent plate. He lifted up the air plate and looked down. He was right below the Injustice Gang! Carefully and silently, he placed the plate off to the side and pulled out his communicator.
"Batman…" his voice hushed, "Robin to Batman…"
-Batmoblie-
Green Lantern was in deep thought as he looked out the window. His mind was on something else… or someone else.
Shayera… he thought to himself. He had just seen her yesterday in the halls of the tower, She looked so beautiful. So untouchable…
But he stopped himself. He was seeing Vixen now, Shayera should no longer be thought of that way.
Sighing to himself, he let out a grunt as Diana played with a button on the dashboard. He had never seen her quite this curious. But recently, Diana had been asking Batman to help her fit in and understand man's world. John only knew too well that Batman didn't mind in the least.
"Batman…" came a soft voice on the car's speakers, "Robin to Batman…"
Batman gently moved Diana's hand and flipped on his speaker, "Batman to Robin. Are you in?"
"Barley…" Robin said trying to get a better-angled view in the air vent, "This isn't exactly comfortable you know."
The Dark Knight's face remained unchanged, "It wasn't supposed to be. Report."
"I was checking in," Robin explained, "I'm still gathering information."
"Alright," the Caped Crusader announced, "Report once you have more information. Batman to Robin, over and out."
-Air Vent, current Location of Robin-
"Robin to Batman… over and out…" he replied sadly. No pleasing that man sometimes.
Getting once more into a comfortable position, Robin called the Flash as he told Flash he would once ready, "Flash?"
"Yea little buddy," came the voice of the Scarlet Speedster, "You in?"
"Sorta…" Robin said seeing how tightly cramped his was in the vent.
"Well, I'll keep watch… let you know if anything happ—OUF!"
"FLASH!" the Boy Wonder whispered hoarsely, "FLASH!"
Robin felt his heart rate accelerate. Flash was in trouble. He had to— he had to stay still. Batman told him to. He had to call Batman! He had to—
"It takes a lot more then some cash just to amuse me!" shouted a red headed woman. Her outfit was tight and her skin pale. Almost like a plant been kept in the dark too long.
Lex Luther grabbed the woman by the shoulders and slammed her against the table, "I've always wondered if you bleed green Poison Ivy."
Poison Ivy threw her green gloves hands at Luther and pushed him off, "Hands off!" she declared, "You hired me to kill the Bat, and I'm telling you, me and the boys," her fingers pointed to a group of Gotham's most deadliest behind her, "Are telling you now, to keep our attention, you won't just need money."
Lex Luther gritted his teeth, "What else is there to give you, you wretched woman!"
"Mind your manners Lex," said a short man with a top hat. He blew a puff of smoke from his pipe and turned himself to the taller man. His tuxedo costume clashing with Lex's outfit.
Slamming his fists down, Lex snapped, "Don't tell me what to do Penguin!"
Penguin tutted, "Watch your temper."
"Yea…" said a raspy voice in the shadows flipping a coin. His face haunted on one side, the other, charming. Split personalities consumed Two-Face as he flipped his coin once more, "Might get ya in trouble one day."
"Too late for that," announced Poison Ivy as she turned to leave, "He's already in trouble. We're leaving boys. And with out us, you're done in this town."
A man in all black with top hat raised his staff, "Hold up Ivy!" shouted The Shade, "What makes you think we need you?"
Poison Ivy let out a giggling laugh and turned a disgusted lip up at The Shade, "Because my dear…" she gave him an unruly glance, "When in Gotham alone, you're done."
"Meaning….?"
"Meaning that you're easy picking for the Bat," said another figure of straw as his haunted face gleamed in the dull light.
"Oh please," Star Sapphire hissed, "We took care of Batman last time."
"Not from what we heard," Poison Ivy spat, "You know he was just toying with you. You saw how easily he escaped."
"Grundy want money…" said a big white zombie named Grundy, "Grundy need money…"
"You need a lot more than that," hissed Poison Ivy.
Having enough of this foolishness, Lex once more slammed his fists on the table, "ALRIGHT!" he redirected his attention to the Gotham villains, "What else could I give you that would satisfy you?"
They all gave a grim, horrid smile that sent chills down Lex's spine.
Two-Face stepped forward, still flipping his coin, "We want more than the death of the League…"
"We want the death of The Bat," Penguin stated.
"We want him to suffer slowly," Scarecrow hissed.
Robin jumped back slightly in the air vent at Scarecrow's comment. He heard the metal shift and created a loud bang.
Oh no… he though horribly.
The villains took no notice except for the Scarecrow. He walked over to the location Robin was right above.
"What are you doing?" snipped Poison Ivy.
"Though I heard something," he said as he held up a purple ball and dropped it behind him as if it were a warning, "Just incase."
The smoke began to sail up to the air vent. But Robin paid no mind to it, swishing it out of his face. He let it in swarm him as he watched the deadly plot.
"Whatever… but back to our deal Lex…" she smirked, "We want him to watch his world die right in front of him," Poison Ivy said with a twist note in her voice, "Throw in the Bat Brats too… we want them—"
"All to suffer," Penguin gleamed hauntingly.
Robin chocked on the gas, blowing it stiffly out of his face some more and suffering from his newfound fear. They had all lost it. He had never seen them so twisted a sick before.
Lex took a step back. He was a bit take back by the insane smiles and answers he was getting from them. But one more answer came up.
"And, we want him to die the twisted fate he deserves!" The door busted open and two figures stood hand in hand laughing.
"Sorry we're late," said a insane voice, his smile wide across his face looking ridiculous with his purple suit.
The other figure, a woman flipped over to Lex. She had a psychotic grin herself and a red and black jester's costume, "We were out Bat-hunting!" she exclaimed.
"But sadly," said the stranger coming into the light, "Me and Harley wound up with no Bat. But that doesn't mean we didn't catch something," he said moving aside pointing to a red figure on the ground.
Robin recognized the figure, "Flash!" he breathed out, terror dancing in his voice.
"So me and Mista J decided to join your wonderful organization in hopes to catch the Bat and his brats! And that little League too!" Harley Quinn said wrapping her arms around Lex and kicking Star Sapphire out of her way.
"They're here! Already!" Lex said seeing an unconscious Flash, "Get off me!" screeched Lex pushing Harley in The Joker. Joker grinned up, "Party pooper," he started.
"If I had wanted you here again, I would have called you!" Luther shouted, "You were of no help last time!"
Joker and Harley pretended to look hurt, "Ohhh… but we brought you a present and everything…" they pouted once more pointing to the Flash.
"Get out!" Lex demanded.
"You know Lex, the sad truth is… you need me," Joker started walking around, "And you know it."
"I don't need you!"
"Ohhh but you do…" Joker began.
"Cause we have the perfect plan don't we puddin'?" Harley beamed, "Just remember Lexy ole boy, never go fishin' with out bait!"
Robin watched in terror. What were they planning? Whatever it was, the Injustice Gang seemed hell bent in killing the League and Gotham's villains seemed willing to pull any strings to bring the Cape Crusader to his knees. The thought of them hurting Batman ripped Robin's heart apart. It scared him.
Back up slightly, Robin decided it be best to contact Batman and await more instructions and inform the League about the Flash. He was about to reach his communicator when his air vent made a loud creak and bang once more louder than the first time.
"No…" he cursed himself softly. He was about to blow his cover. He remained still, his eyes resting on Flash.
No one seemed to have heard this though except Harley. Harley had looked up with a twisted smile but said nothing, only nudging her 'Mista J'. The others had their attention on the mad man in front of them. The Joker…
And Joker had their attention as he started to insanely laugh ripping out a gun and headed towards the spot Robin was hiding. He was directly under it, "HA! HA! HA! HA! HA!" Had he seen or heard Robin? Had Harley seen him?
Robin took a huge gulp as he inched as far away from his hiding spot in the air vent trying to be quiet. They were planning to use Flash for some twisted bait idea he guessed, they were planning to kill the League, and they were planning to kill Batman. And Robin was just listening?
Recollecting his thoughts Robin fumbled to grab his communicator.
"R-r-robin to Batman…" he stuttered. Then the fear slipped out. The idea of death suddenly was upon him, "Batman!" he hissed loudly.
-Back in the Batmoblie-
Batman turned his head sharply to the sound of Robin's voice. Superman flipped on the communication link on for Batman but noticed the fear sputtered in Robin's voice.
"Is he alright?" the Man of Steel asked.
"We'll find out. Batman to Robin," he paused, "Are you alright?" he asked trying to sound emotionless, but Clark caught the concern in the Dark Knight's voice.
"Uh huh… but… I… they… Batman I…"
"Robin what's wrong? Take a deep breath," Batman instructed. What had Robin heard to get him so worked up? He was never this upset. He wanted an answer.
Robin took a deep breath. Why was he getting so worked up? He never got this nervous before. Why was this happening? He couldn't let his nerves distract him. He needed to be cool and collective. But death was whispering in his ear telling him that the League was good as dead. The Joker was looking up, gun raised as well.
"Robin!" Batman whispered loudly.
"Flash… they… I—" Jolted out of his thoughts Robin answered, "I need to call you back."
Robin turned his communication link off and took another deep breath. What was going on? He was never so rattled.
-Yea still in the Batmoblie-
Listening to the static hiss for a moment Batman looked forward, his mind in deep thought. Diana was the first to speak.
"Should we go in?" she questioned.
Green Lantern and Superman exchanged a glance. Superman spoke up as well, "Did he hear something? Did he get something?"
Batman nodded, "More like something got him," was all he answered, "Give him a minute to calm down. He'll call back."
Green Lantern let sighed inwardly, he felt a bit worried for the kid. Perhaps the situation the League had put him in, was a mistake.
About to perhaps suggest a change in plan, Green Lantern readied to speak when Batman grunted in deep thought. Then he said in one low growl, "Scarecrow's in on this. It's his fear gas."
-Air Vent, Robin's current Location-
"Bait?" Lex questioned Joker, "What do you mean?"
"Simple really Lex," Joker told him as if he were a two year old asking a stupid question, placing his gun down, "In order to lour the League out of hiding, you have to get their attention," he flipped his finger on the switch of the gun, "And what better way to bring our guests out of hiding then to take something of theirs."
The Injustice Gang held their breath, the Gotham-ites had hungry smiles on their faces.
"The Flash?" Shade asked.
Joker grinned, "Well, that will only get their main attention. We need something much worse… something to get dear Bat-boy's attention as well."
Robin held his breath, he had to call Batman back. He had too now. Wherever his newfound fear had come from, he needed to get over it.
"Batman…" he sounded so weak, so scared. Why!
"Yes," came the voice of his mentor, "Robin, what happened? Was it the Scarecrow? I need you to tell me… what happened?"
"Scarecrow… he… he dropped something… it must have been Fear Gas! I wasn't thinking… I must have inhaled some of it…" his heart rate was accelerating, "I must have—"
"ROBIN!" Batman shouted, "Calm down. Focus. Remember it's not real."
Robin breathed heavily for several minutes.
"Are you alright?"
Grunting, Robin responded, "Y-yes… I think so."
"Now, what happened?"
Robin sighed, "I… they… they have Flash! They're planning on killing the League, and you!"
"What!" he heard Superman say, "They got Flash?"
"Quiet," Batman growled, "They who? The Injustice Gang?"
"No. Joker and Harley are here," Robin explained trying to rid the fear gas of his mind.
He heard a dead silence on the other end. After a few moments, Robin heard Batman let out a grunt of anger.
"Lex didn't want them here, but they came anyway. They said they had some sort of plan. Something that would be you and the League's fall," Robin told them in a harsh whisper, "Joker brought in Flash and wants to use him and something else as bait. They want to lour you out of hiding too. Get you good."
Batman was thinking fast. Joker was involved at that complicated things to a whole new level. And bait. Were they going to use Flash? If Joker wants to kill him in particular, why would he use Flash as bait? True he was a teammate, but there were others, his own, that would have been much better bait. What was the Joker talking about?
Then it hit him like bricks. So obvious and he was letting Robin fall into it and Robin was too worked up to see it. He had to warn—
"Robin!" Batman grunted urgently, "I need you to get out of there now! I need you to—"
But before he could finish, the Dark Knight heard a cry and a crash coming from the other end. He felt his heart almost stop.
Robin was in trouble. And he heard the voice responsible.
"Come on out Bird-boy!" Joker laughed as he shot at the air vent Robin was located in.
Robin felt the air vent crashing. There was nothing to grab on to. Nothing! He felt himself falling. Quickly thinking, he went to reach for his grappling hook but it was too late. With a thud, Robin landed on his back.
"OUF—!" he cried out as his body hit the cement floors.
Joker laughed, "HA! Have a nice fall?"
Robin started to get up. He rubbed the back of his now throbbing head and looked around. He was in big trouble.
He started to pull himself up when a hand grabbed him around the neck, choking his air supply. The hand of Two-Face. He smiled at Robin a twisted half smile and laughed a cold laugh, "Look what the Bat dragged in."
"Get off of me!" Robin demanded trying to free himself.
"I don't think you're in position to be giving orders," Star Sapphire chuckled.
Lex smiled. Joker had been helpful, "Perhaps, I miss read you, Joker." Lex knew as well as anyone that with Robin at hand, the League would surely come now that the safety of a child was in order and a teammate. They'd come angry. And when you're angry, you slip up. Just the opportunity Lex needed.
Laughing still, the Clown Prince of Crime jumped for joy, "And what better way to lour the League out of hiding, then grabbing one of their own, and…" he turned to Robin and held a knife to his neck as he struggled to free himself from Two-Face, "And bring Guano-Man out for a show he wouldn't want to miss."
Robin breathed heavily, "You… he… Batman will—"
"Batman will do nothing," Poison Ivy said sitting on the table with a cocky smile, "Because with your neck on the line he doesn't have any options in the matter."
"The League will—"
"Will be at the same halt," Scarecrow stated. He walked over and grinned at Robin, "I see the Fear Gas did find you," he chuckled, "I thought I heard something…"
"Yea," grinned Harley, "A little birdy told him."
Lex smiled as he thought of the plan. This was going much better than any of them had thought. It was perfect. Slipping his hand into his jacket he pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, a voice with a thick accent, a man's voice answered.
"Yes?"
"Lex here. Listen, the plan to bring the League out of hiding jumped to a whole new level," Lex explained.
There was a pause, "I'm listening…" he said.
"Not only will you have two people to use as hostages to your advantage, but you'll have a clear shot to the League and Shayera Hol."
Another pause came fourth, and then in a sickening tone, the man answered greedily, "Excellent. She will pay for what she has done to our people…"
Author's Note: I wonder whose on the phone with Lex. Dun… dun… duuuuuun. Reviews make me happy. Please review.