"How long have you been retired from being Robin, Tim?" Cyborg asked.
"About six months," he replied. "I've been really bored lately. And now my life's a lot more complicated since my Dad died."
"I am sorry," Kory said quietly.
"Thanks, Kory, but I'm okay, really. Right now Social Services is trying to figure out what to do with me. Bruce was trying to adopt me when Bane broke his back. Now the process has slowed down a lot since he's recovering."
"Oh, so what are you going to do in the meantime?" Gar asked.
"Well, you guys said Dick wanted to meet with me so right now I'm going to go back with you to the Batcave."
"Okay, we'd better be getting back there. Dick's waiting for us."
Victor drove the T Car back to Wayne Manor and pulled into the driveway. The five teens climbed out and went inside the mansion.
They made their way into the Batcave. The Titans walked with Tim over to Dick Grayson, a wry smile on his face. "Are you so lazy that you have to send your friends to pick me up Dick?"
"Stop being so sarcastic Tim, I couldn't be seen with you like this. I'd draw too much attention to myself."
"Yeah, yeah, I know about the Joker shooting you. So how're you doing?"
"I'm okay, for the most part," Dick replied. "I assume you know why I asked you to come here."
"Yes, you want me to become Robin again. I've been waiting for the day since my Dad made me retire."
"I'm sorry about your Dad you know."
"Thanks, I'm fine really."
Dick placed a hand on Tim's shoulder. "I know what it's like to lose someone you love."
"I know, I was there at Haley Circus too. I took that picture with you and your parents before they died."
"Yes, it was nice of your mother to send me that picture."
"You still have it right?"
"It's at home in the Tower."
"Good, it's nice to know you kept it." Tim smiled. "So, you want me to suit up as Robin, then what?"
"You and the Titans will be going out on patrol tonight."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Grayson," Lucius Fox said, walking through the elevator.
"Alfred? You brought him down here?" Dick asked.
"Yes, Master Dick. I didn't think it would be wrong to let him come down here, since he knows about all of this."
"I see. So Lucius, what are you doing here?"
"I heard about your gunshot wound, That Nomex survival suit, it held up well?"
"For the moment, it did, but the bullet pierced the suit."
"It must have been a straight shot. How far away was he?"
"About…two or three feet. It depends, I can't remember."
"That suit's bulletproof?" Cyborg asked.
"This'll stop a knife," Lucius replied.
"So what do you do for work, Mr.?
"Fox," he supplied. "I work at Wayne Industries/Enterprises."
"So you've known about this all along?"
"Not all along, I figured it out after awhile. Let me take a look at that suit. I brought some Kevlar and armor plating to see if I can repair it."
"Good, how long do you think it will take?"
"A few hours, maybe. I should be done before tonight."
"Good, I plan on going out."
"Tonight? Didn't you hear the weather?" Tim asked. "It's supposed to be a lunar eclipse."
"So? Does that mean something?"
"Have you forgotten what that means, Dick? Tonight is Halloween, and I plan to go trick-or-treating."
"Tim, you're thirteen, and you still go trick-or-treating?" Dick asked.
"Come on, Dick? Where's the kid in you? It's the one night of the year I can go around in my Robin uniform and get free candy for it! Besides that, tonight is Grundy's Night!"
"Ah yes, Solomon Grundy, Gotham's legendary zombie. How could I forget?"
"Legendary zombie? There are zombies in Gotham City?" Gar asked nervously.
"But what is the Night of Grundy?" Kory asked.
"I don't really believe in the legend of Solomon Grundy but I suppose since Tim brought it up, he should tell you about it." He looked at Tim Drake. "Grundy's all yours, Tim."
"The legend of Solomon Grundy, it began about 150 years ago when Gotham City was being developed by European immigrants. There's a swamp outside the mansion of Virginia and Georgia Bolton. The swamp was once a lake and the immigrants who worked for some businessmen lived around it."
"was a business man in Gotham, along with two other men named Winslow, and Parish. They were architects and when they were building the city they began to use the lake as a dumping ground for chemicals. The immigrants around the lake protested but they continued dumping chemicals in the water, contaminating it."
One night, a group of the immigrants gathered together one night. It was rumored they practiced magic. It was said they conjured Solomon Grundy from the chemicals in the lake to haunt the descendants of Bolton, Winslow, and Parish. They say he only comes out on Hallows Eve if the moon is in full eclipse. It's also said that it isn't supposed to happen for 150 years."
"So this Solomon Grundy is supposed to come out of the swamp tonight?" Gar asked.
"So the legend says," Tim answered.
"Do you actually believe in that?" Cyborg asked.
"The legend of Solomon Grundy?" Tim looked thoughtful. "Hmm…it depends on which parts of the story I suppose. I believe the businessmen contaminated the lake and that the immigrants protested. But Solomon Grundy, I suppose there could be some truth to him, but who knows? He's not shown his face for 150 years."
"That is a most terrifying story," Kory said. "Is that why Gotham is so creepy?"
"I have no idea, Kory."
"That story's even scarier than when Raven watched a horror movie and unleashed monsters on Titans Tower!"
"I highly doubt Grundy's that scary," Tim smiled. "Well, I suppose I've told enough ghost stories for today. I guess I'd better get changed huh Dick?"
"You probably should, we've got a long night, and the Joker's still at large."
"I heard he disappeared after crashing on the Robert Kane Memorial Bridge."
"He did. And who knows what he'll do since tonight's Halloween, he might try to do something drastic."
"I'm more worried about Grundy than Joker."
"Come on Tim, you said you didn't believe in the legend."
"I said I wasn't sure about parts of the legend, that doesn't mean I don't believe that Grundy exists."
"You're such a nerd, Drake."
"Circus acrobat," Tim shot back.
"Hey, don't go there."
"Fine, sidekick."
"Shut up you little dweeb!"
"I can still beat your butt even though I haven't been Robin as long as you have!"
"Oh yeah? I can K.O. you while sitting here in bed!"
"Please, no more mean talking!" Kory shouted, stepping between them. The two teens looked at her, then glanced at each other. The awkward silence was followed by simultaneous bursts of laughter. Kory was confused and stared at them.
"Everything's okay, Kory," Dick laughed. "We're not arguing, it's just a bunch of inside jokes between the two of us. We're fine, really."
"Oh, for a moment I thought you two were actually arguing," Kory blushed pink with embarrassment. The other Titans looked at the two teens mystified. The two boys smiled at her and Tim looked at Dick.
"How are you going to go out tonight? You're not exactly up and walking."
"I'm not too worried about that, Raven can help me recover with her healing power."
"How long will that take?"
"A few hours, I'm not sure."
"What shall we do in the meantime?"
"Hmm…let me think," Dick frowned. "I should let Raven use her healing powers on me so I can go out on patrol tonight."
"That won't be a problem," Raven replied. "Anything else the others should do?"
"Well, if you all wouldn't mind, I would greatly appreciate if you all would help Tim straighten out the Batcave."
"No problem Dick, come on y'all, we've got work to do!" Victor said as the others joined him in cleaning the Batcave. Raven stopped for a moment and turned back to him.
"Is there anything you can do to help me?" he asked.
"My powers only go to a certain extent, but I used it when Kory was in the clinic and I think it helped her." She placed a hand on his shoulder and chanted, "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos." Dick felt her power move through his body, and felt himself healing immediately.
"Is it better, Dick?" Raven asked.
"Yes, I feel well again, thanks to you. If you guys will excuse me, I'll go buy us dinner, and when I get home we'll eat."
"Well, Mr. Grayson, I'll walk out with you," Lucius said and joined him in the elevator. "The suit's fixed and it should work for you. If you ever need anything, let me know."
"I will Lucius, I will," Dick replied.
Beast Boy looked up. "Hey, since when did you get to go get dinner while we clean your basement?"
"That's the way it is, Gar! I'll be back in a little bit, you guys just keep cleaning!" Dick turned and left them behind.
Dick pulled the car to a screeching halt in front of the convenience store. Climbing out, he headed inside. He quickly picked up some TV dinners, precooked chicken, and some bagged salad. He waited in the checkout line and paid for his groceries.
Walking out toward his car, he prepared to leave. Suddenly, he stopped. Turning to his right he saw a young boy, about six years of age, sobbing softly. He halted, turned and walked back to him. He sat down on the curb beside the boy.
"What's the matter? Are you okay?"
"No," the boy replied, wiping the tears from his eyes. "My friends made fun of my costume."
"Really? That wasn't very nice. Who are you going be this Halloween?"
"I'm dressing up as Batman," he replied.
"Oh, well Batman's really cool."
"But my friends don't think he is."
"You're friends don't know what they're talking about. Don't worry about them. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun tonight. What's your name?"
"Terry McGuiness," the boy answered.
"Well Terry, don't you worry about what people say about your costume. You like Batman, and Batman's a cool guy. One day Batman might retire, and who knows, you could be the next one to be Batman."
"You really think so?" Terry asked.
"It could happen. You just have fun tonight. Wear whatever you want, okay? Don't' listen to people if they laugh at you."
"Okay," Terry smiled. Dick stood up from the curb.
"You have a happy Halloween, alright?"
"Thank you," Terry shouted, "what's your name?"
"Dick Grayson."
"Wait, you're that famous boy on TV!" Terry exclaimed.
"Now I don't know if I'm famous, but I was on TV."
"I have to go now. Good-bye, Terry."
"Bye, Dick!"
Dick walked off to his car, carrying his groceries. Climbing into the car, he began driving back to Wayne Manor.
He picked up a cell phone and dialed Babs' number into it. The phone rang. "Hello?" the voice asked.
"Hey Babs, its' me," Dick replied.
"Oh, Dick you're awake! Thank God. I was worried about you. Your friends were going to call me when you were up. Where are they?"
"They're back at Wayne Manor cleaning up the Batcave for me."
"Always the drill sergeant, huh?" Babs quipped.
"Babs, knock it off! I was actually calling you about something serious."
"Oh really? What's that?" she asked.
"Are you available to go out on patrol tonight?"
"Sorry, no can do Dick. I promised dad I'd help him distribute candy to the kids in the neighborhood. Maybe tomorrow I can, don't' want to blow my cover, you know."
"That's fine, I have enough help tonight. I'll tell the others."
"Thanks, Dick. I'm glad you're better."
"You're welcome. I have to go now. Bye."
"Bye." She hung up the phone." Dick pulled into the driveway of Wayne Manor as he hung up the phone. Getting out, he put the food in the kitchen. Then he headed down to the Batcave.
"So how's it going down here?" he asked.
"It's just great we got the computer working again!" Victor shouted.
"Perfect and dinner's upstairs, TV dinners, chicken and salad are waiting upstairs."
"Alright, I'm starving dude! Let's eat!"
They made their way upstairs and began eating dinner. Dick kept the conversation light, talking about the weather, sports and current events. The talking and the laughter made him smile; it was almost as if his life were normal. It felt good to spend time with his friends, without masks, without secrets.
"Well, I met and interesting person today."
"Who was it?"
"His name was Terry McGuiness. He's dressing up as Batman this year."
"Neat,"Gar said.
"Yeah, he was crying because his friends made fun of his costume."
"Aw, poor kid. You talked to him about it?" Gar asked.
"Yeah," Dick replied. "He cheered up right away."
"Ace?" Dick looked over at his dog curiously. "What are you barking at?" The dog was staring out the window barking insistently. He turned his gaze out the window. He saw the Batsignal and looked back at his friends as they stared along with him."
"Well guys, it looks like we'll get to go out after all," Tim said.
"And what would Halloween be if I didn't get to wear my costume?" Dick asked, raising an eyebrow. Tim looked at him and snickered.
"I suppose Halloween would be boring without you."
"You guys read to go?" Dick asked the Titans.
"We're ready if you are," Cyborg replied. The others quickly pushed aside their plates and asked where the bathrooms were to go change their clothes. In a few minutes they were ready to leave Wayne Manor.
"Where's Babs?" Beast Boy asked. "Isn't she coming tonight?"
"She has to pass out candy to the kids in her neighborhood with her dad so she won't be joining us tonight."
"Oh," Beast Boy said, his question answered.
Heading over the piano, Dick pressed down the keys that unlocked the secret entrance to the elevator that led down the Batcave. The six teens crowded in and dropped down the cave.
"What gave you the crazy idea that we should all cram in here?" Beast Boy asked.
"This wasn't my idea, it just happened. So stop complaining!"
"Alright, dude, alright!" The Titans climbed out and headed to their cars.
"Just follow my lead," Dick said after he slipped into costume.
"That won't be a problem," Cyborg replied.
"Where are we going?" Raven asked.
"The Police Station," he replied. "Jim Gordon will be waiting for us."
"I see you're all dressed up for Halloween," Jim quipped, staring at the Titans. "It's nice to see you again."
"What's happening?" Batman asked.
"Virginia and Georgia Bolton claim that Solomon Grundy will attack them tonight."
"You're not serious!" Batman kept his voice skeptical. "You don't actually believe the legend, do you?"
"I'm skeptical, and I don't want to use police resources to investigate an urban legend, as you well know." Dick smirked at his comment. "But the legend does have some truth to it which is why I'm requesting, as a favor that you go and talk to them."
"Chasing stories and urban legends, should make for an interesting evening." He turned and the Titans followed him as he leapt off the edge of the rooftop and glided down to the ground.
"So where are we going first?" Beast Boy asked.
"To Virginia and Georgia Bolton's mansion, there may be some truth to that old legend."
"I thought you didn't believe in the legend, Dick," Tim commented. "You think it's just a myth, don't you?"
"I don't, but all myths contain some element of truth."
"Who told you that?"
"It's a quote from Tolkien."
"Oh, right." Tim shrugged his shoulders. "First stop, the Bolton Mansion."
"They arrived at the Bolton Mansion, pulling the Batmobile to a halt in front of the house. Cyborg pulled up beside him and they climbed out of their cars. Heading towards the door, Dick knocked on it.
"Hello children," Georgia Bolton said, opening the door. "Are you here for candy?"
"No, this is Batman, Ms. Bolton," Dick said quietly.
"Oh, come in, come in. We've been expecting you." She opened the door for them. Batman and the Titans walked into the vast hallways. Dick looked around, they were an opulent family; the Boltons had a fortune from the early days when their grandfather was the architect building Gotham City.
"You know Grundy's coming tonight, sonny," Georgia stated simply.
"There's no proof that Grundy exists. He's just an urban legend."
"Some people say you're an urban legend," she replied.
"Hmm…" Dick Grayson was thoughtful. "I came to ask you some questions." I don't' suppose you believe in Solomon Grundy do you?"
"Solomon Grundy? No, no, no, he's just a story we like to scare kids with! And we have Grandfather to thank for all the money!" The old woman raised a wine glass to her lips. "Here's to you, Grandfather, for all the money you left us!"
There was a low moaning creek emitting from a wall. Beast Boy turned his head in the direction of the sound. "Dude, I heard something," he said to Cyborg. Seven heads turned to stare at an empty wall. The wall fell with a resounding smash as a hulking figure leapt through, snarling loudly.
"Destroy!" the voice said, low and growling. "DESTROY!"
"It's Grundy!" Georgia screamed in terror "He's come to kill us!"
Grundy gave a low growl and started towards the elderly woman who shrunk back in fear. Tim Drake jumped forward. "Titans, go!"
The four other Titans stared at him. "You heard him," Dick said, trying to get them to take the hint. "Go!"
The Titans rushed the hulking, zombie-like figure as Batman launched a Bat-a-Rang at him. Springing forward, he smashed his fist into the creature, trying to strike it. The figure dodged and reached out a gnarled hand and flung him across the room. Somersaulting, he landed on his feet and charged forward.
Robin launched himself at Grundy with a flying kick. He felt the impact snake through his bones as the zombie blocked and struck back. Cyborg blasted him with his Sonic Cannon. The creature screamed, his wild white hair whipped in the wind and his sunken yellow eyes winced with pain.
Tim did a double take. Grundy could feel pain? He whipped out a Bo Staff and smashed it into Grundy's midsection. Grundy flew backwards and smashed into a wall. Beast Boy morphed into a rhinoceros and buried his horn into the monster's side.
Starfire charged straight at Grundy, Starbolts blazing. She sent a flurry of shots that sent mud flying in all directions. Grundy howled in agony. Raven rose into the air, hands raised. "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" She levitated a table and smashed it into Grundy sending him across the room and into a wall. Cyborg made a running leap and landed on Grundy's shoulders.
Activating his Sonic Cannon, Cyborg started blasting his target. Grabbing Cyborg by his robotic leg and hurled him across the room. Batman, with a flying leap, executed a Phoenix Eye Fist, smashing the zombie's face.
Staggering back, Grundy tried to throw him off as Robin launched a Freeze Disc at him. The disc activated on contact, paralyzing Grundy in his tracks. Solomon Grundy used all his strength to burst his bonds as he smashed the ice barrier holding him and sent Batman stumbling back in surprise.
Beast Boy morphed into a T-Rex and roared loudly. He struck out with his tail, smashing it into Grundy's midsection. He flew back and hit the wall. Cyborg fired constantly, trying to hit someone who refused to stay still. He kept jumping and leaping out of the way.
"What does it take to stop you?" Cyborg screamed.
"How should I know? He's a zombie!" Tim quipped. Their banter was interrupted by Grundy's fist as he swept them aside with a blow.
Raven used her powers to rip the metal grate off the burning fireplace and sent it flying into Grundy's head. It was filled with hot ashes and the searing coals burned his face. He took the grate and threw it back at Raven. Startled, she didn't see it coming in time and felt the hard metal rake the side of her face. She winced at pain from the burningmetal as she felt herself hit the floor.
"Raven!" Beast Boy said, running over to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Where's Grundy?" She looked up to see the others piling themselves on top of Grundy, trying to hold him back from Georgia Bolton who was desperately looking for her sister in the house. She tore out of the room, screaming for her sister Virginia to get out of the house.
"Oh no!" Raven shouted, looking over at a rug on the floor, a hot coal hit the rung and set it ablaze. Dick was worried. Now the main priority was getting the two women out of the house. Distracted, he didn't notice Grundy was preparing to escape.
"Virginia!" Georgia screamed. "Virginia! Get out of here! Grundy's come for us and the house is on fire!"
Unexpectedly, Grundy threw the teen heroes off and sent them sprawling onto the floor. He turned and smashed a central pillar, shattering it to pieces. Then he turned and ran into the night as Dick tried to climb to his feet.
Time began organizing the Titans. "Quick, find Virginia and Georgia Bolton. Now!" The Titans immediately spread out, looking for the two women. They found them trapped in the hallway, the ways was blocked by rubble. Cyborg and Starfire began trying to open the way for them to get out.
"This is taking too long!" Cyborg shouted. "The fire's getting closer!"
Batman grabbed a Bat-a-Rang from his utility belt and threw it into the rubble. "Get back, everyone!" he ordered and they all backed away. There was a beeping noise right before the rubble exploded. Batman shielded the elderly women with his cape while the others took cover behind the pillars.
"Robin, get the Boltons out of here!"
"Where are you going?" he shouted back.
"I need to get something!" he quickly sprinted back into the living room. There it was, just as he suspected it would be. He stooped down and picked up the smudge of clay with a pair of tweezers. He placed the sample in his utility belt. Now he had to get out of there before the house fell on him.
Dashing out of the crumbling mansion, he joined his friends as the house collapsed into a burning heap. "Are they alright?" he asked.
"Yes," Cyborg replied.
"We've lost everything. All because of Grundy, he did this before years ago, but we recovered from it."
"Wait? He did this before?" Batman asked. Something didn't fit. If Grundy had done this before, then the legend was either wrong or…a thought struck him like a lightning bolt. He had a feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. He had to run an analysis on the mud he'd found after Grundy left.
Sirens blared as the police arrived. Detective Yin and Commissioner Gordon got out of their patrol cars. "What happened?" he asked.
"Grundy attacked us," Georgia explained to him. "It's because of what are family did to those immigrants ages ago."
"We don't have proof of Grundy's existence. I'm checking into this myself, Commissioner," Batman explained.
"Detective Yin, inform me when the Batman captures this "Grundy" character immediately. I'm not going to let anyone terrorize this City. Especially some Halloween folktale."
"But Commissioner, he's real! We all saw him!" Virginia protested.
"You don't know what you saw, Ms. Bolton. It could have been anyone wearing a suit, or—" Detective Yin stopped in midsentence and locked eyes with Dick. They shared a look. He turned and left.
"Back to the Batcave. I have to get to the bottom of this before the night's over."
Detective Yin looked over at Dick. "I'll be in touch with the Batwave."
"Good luck, Batman," Jim Gordon said as he walked back to his car. "Set a perimeter around this place and get me the fire department to put out this mess!" he gave orders as officers began rushing around to comply.
"I hope this'll be over soon," Batman heard Jim Gordon mutter, "I promised Babs that we'd distribute candy in our neighborhood tonight."
"I'll call you if I need anything." Detective nodded her thanks and escorted the Bolton sisters to a squad car that would take them to the station where they would stay until Grundy, or whatever it was, was caught. The Titans watched the police pull away.
Beast Boy waited until the police were out of earshot and they were in their cars heading back to the Batcave before he decided to speak. "Dick, what do you mean we don't know what we saw? That was Grundy, and we all know it!"
"I can't say for sure that was Grundy, Beast Boy," Dick replied. "I'm not sure who it is but something in my gut tells me that the pieces don't fit. Tim, the legend says that Grundy would attack 150 years after he was created when there was a lunar eclipse on Halloween right?"
"Yes," Tim replied. "That's what the legend says."
"What are the odds of him doing it more than once?"
"146,850 to one," Tim answered.
"I was right, you are a nerd," Dick joked.
"Dude, this isn't the time for jokes, don't we have to stop Grundy?"
"I thought you were all for jokes, Beast Boy. Since when did you become so serious about crime fighting?"
"I'm usually not serious about crime fighting, it's just Grundy made me wet my pants when the threw us off like we were feathers and smashed through the house." There was loud snickering laugh from Cyborg and Beast Boy screamed into the communicator loud enough for Dick to hear, "Cyborg, this isn't funny! I don't like clowns or zombies! Will you knock it off!"
"Shut up you two, we have work to do!" Batman shouted. They arrived at the Batcave and scrambled out of their cars. Batman jumped out of the Batmobile and headed over to the lab in the Batcave.
"Dude, what are you doing?" Beast Boy asked.
"There's something I have to see," Batman replied. He removed the sample from his utility belt and placed it under a microscope. He stared into it. "Just as I thought…mutated human genes," he muttered. Beast Boy turned to him.
"What does that mean? 'Just as I thought?" What are you talking about?"
"Come on guys, I know where "Grundy's" going to strike next."
"So you really believe in Solomon Grundy?" Cyborg asked.
"No, but his next targets are Winslow, and Parish."
"So you did pay attention to my story after all!" Tim laughed. "But why don't you believe in Solomon Grundy?"
"Because we didn't fight Grundy."
"If we didn't fight Grundy, then who did we fight?" Tim asked.
"Think real hard Tim and you'll figure it out."
Robin scratched his head in thought. Then it hit him. He looked over at Batman. "You mean it's…?"
"Yes, it's him. We've got to go now before he strikes the others."
They drove back into the city. It was nearly midnight. Winslow kept his wax museum open to the public. It was Halloween night and business had been at its highest. People had lined up to go in. Obviously, they were looking for a good scare in a building filled with manikins and wax statues. Now it was closing time had he was preparing to go home.
Hearing a loud growl behind him he turned around. Staring up in horror, he fell to the ground in terror. He looked up in disgust and shock.
Grundy started for the man. His voice snarled out one word. "Destroy! Destroy!" He stared for the man.
"S—Someone help me!" he bawled out. "I don't wanna die!"
Winslow stared up as a dark shape swooped in above him. Batman hit Grundy full force and the impact knocked the zombie off his feet. Robin, Cyborg, and the rest of the Teen Titans charged in, tackling Grundy to the pavement. "Go! Get out of here!" Batman ordered. "We'll take care of this!"
Winslow took no time in making himself scarce. Batman watched him go. Now was his chance to strike without threatening a civilian.
Starfire grabbed Grundy's shoulders from behind and flipped him into the air. Flying back, he hit the street. Landing hard, he turned his head just as Batman's foot met his face, slamming him back on the ground. Batman placed a foot on Grundy's neck.
"Halloween's almost over "Grundy". Time to unmask." He reached down and grabbed him by his "shirt". "Grundy's" twisted face broke into a wide, sneering grin as his face morphed from that of Grundy's into that of Clayface.
"I may not have tricked ya Bats, but I'm still gonna collect my treats!" Clayface laughed. He unexpectedly dissolved into a mess of mud and ooze. Batman felt his foot slide through the muck and hit the pavement.
"You morphed into Solomon Grundy and attacked the Boltons house. You attacked them for the money, didn't you?"
"Of course I did! It was the perfect cover. Fulfill an ancient 'curse', and get all the cash in the process. Can't blame me for having a little Halloween fun, can ya Bats?" Clayface smirked.
"Sorry, Clayface. Your fun's over. This ends tonight!" Batman readied a Freeze Disc and nodded at the Titans.
Robin stepped forward. "Titans, Go!" Starfire flew forward, laser beams exploded from her eyes, hitting him in his midsection. Staggering, he suddenly morphed his arm into a bow, using his other hand; he fired a string of clay arrows at the Titans.
Beast Boy dodged, transforming into a bear, he slashed at Clayface. His sharp claws hit nothing but an oozing, claylike substance as Clayface howled in rage and pain.
Beast Boy felt himself suddenly yanked into Clayface's body. Roaring out in the form of a bear, he tried to call for help. Cyborg struggled to grab his friend's arm, but it was no use. Beast Boy vanished from sight.
Robin commenced a flying kick, and made contact with Clayface's squishy body, only to be picked up and thrown out of the way. He landed on his feet and threw a smoke pellet, trying to distract his foe. Clayface swatted the smoke away with his large hands. He stared at Batman intently.
"Let him go, Clayface!" Batman shouted.
"No, you're friend is going to die, Batman!" Clayface grinned maliciously. "He'll die just like Ethan Bennett did when Joker turned him into Clayface. You remember that don't you Bats?"
Batman said nothing. Bruce had told him the story plenty of times. He didn't want Clayface to suspect he wasn't Bruce Wayne, who was the real Batman. He let the silence speak for itself.
"Yeah, you remember that night, Bats. You'll fail your friend just like you failed me. I used to think you were a hero, but you'll fall short, just like before."
He was trying to taunt them. They all knew it. Starfire was in emotional turmoil. Why did he not move to stop him? Why couldn't they act?
"You see, Bats? I can feel him slowing…slowing…soon, his heart rate will stop, he's stopped kicking…and soon he'll be—"
Suddenly, Batman leaped forward. Shoving a taser into his enemy's body, he pushed a button sending an electric shock through Clayface. Shrieking, he writhed furiously. A minute later, Batman stopped shocking him and he laughed.
"That was really stupid, Bats. You probably fried your friend, it's likely he's dead already—"
There was a large bulge in Clayface's midsection as he exploded, a million splatters of mud flying in all directions. Beast Boy's gorilla form emerged from the mess covered in gray clay, but alive.
The Titans gathered around him. "Beast Boy, you are okay?" Starfire asked, concerned.
"That tasted so nasty!" Beast Boy exclaimed, spitting clay out of his mouth.
"How did you survive the electric shock?" Robin asked.
"Dude, that guys is so gooey and squishy that I didn't feel much of the shock from that thing."
"I'm surprised you didn't die," Raven commented.
"I thought he was suffocating you," Cyborg said.
"I was holding my breath."
"Where'd you learn how to do that?" Batman asked.
"I learned how to do that when Plasmas attacked us and swallowed me. And I think Clayface got away while we weren't looking."
"I'm giving him time," Batman said. I know right where he's heading."
"Where's that?" Beast Boy asked.
"De Larues Wax Museum."
"Oh great," Robin groaned. "A shape-shifter in a wax museum."
"How do you know that's where he is?" Raven asked.
"Just follow the trial of slime," Robin said. They made their way into the building. They began looking around.
"Split up!" Batman ordered. "If you see him, attack. We'll find you!" The heroes separated and began searching. Raven began looking around.
She turned a corner and nearly collided with Starfire who walked straight into her. "Raven, you should watch where you're going," she scolded. "You scared the daylight out of me!"
Raven's eyes narrowed. "Since when did you learn to speak using contractions?" she asked. Her reply came in a swift blow to her face.
"I found him!" she shouted as "Starfire" suddenly morphed into a mirror image herself. Raven stared at "Raven" as "she" rose into the air.
Raven looked at Clayface's replica of herself and said, "even if you have my body, you know nothing about me!"
"Do I?" Clayface in Raven's form asked sarcastically, sending a blast of dark energy at her.
Raven summoned her powers to block the blast. How in the world does he mimic having superpowers? She thought. I thought he could just morph into people! Then the thought hit her, perhaps he couldn't mimic superpowers, but he could deceive you into thinking he could. It was all a lie, an illusion.
Raven dodged the attack and levitated a wax statue, sending it into Clayface's path, knocking him off his feet. Clayface, startled, felt searing pain shoot though his body as Cyborg discharged as stream of laser fire at him.
Batman dropped down from the ceiling and smashed his feet into Clayface. The blow sent him reeling as he shot clay arrows in defense. Beast Boy barreled into him as Starfire sent a hailstorm of laser fire towards him. He suddenly dissolved into a puddle of mud and began slinking away.
The Titans followed Batman as they pursued him. "The trails cold," Batman muttered.
"Come and find me, Bats!" Clayface taunted. "I'm just one of the crowd!"
"Check the safe! He's going after the money!" They ran to the safe and opened it. It was empty, much to Batman's shock.
"Another door!" Robin slammed his fist into his palm. "I can't believe it!"
"Now we have to search the premises—Aah!" He screamed as the safe doors suddenly wrapped themselves around his body. The Titans suddenly leaped forward, Starfire and Cyborg tried to wrestle Batman away from Clayface, who had turned into the door.
Batman shocked him again with the taser until he let go. He tackled Batman to the ground and they crashed through the floor, landing in the basement.
Surrounded by vats and storage bins filled with wax, Clayface attempted to throw Batman into a boiling hot vat while he struggled to break free. Whipping out a Bat-a-Rang, he aimed it at a vat positioned above him. Throwing it with speed and precision, he spilt the container's contents on top of Clayface.
Clayface loosened his hold on Batman as he attempted to dodge the wax. The wax covered him completely and it hardened before he had chance to move.
"Trick or treat, Clayface," Batman said as the others ran to join him.
"You okay?" Cyborg asked.
"I'm fine. I need to call Detective Yin and inform her that we capture Clayface trying to attack Winslow."
He contacted Yin and within a few minutes, the police were escorting Clayface to a squad car that would take him to the police station.
"Thanks for your help tonight," Detective Yin said. "I told Gordon we got him. He's very pleased about it."
"Just doing my duty, Detective," Batman said solemnly.
"Happy Halloween," she said. "Good night everyone, it's time for me to go home." She climbed into her car and left.
"And us too," Beast Boy said. Cyborg called up the car and the Titans got in. Batman called the Batmobile and together they drove back to the Batcave.
"We did pretty good, didn't we?" Cyborg asked, when they arrived at the Batcave.
"Yes, we stopped Clayface," Dick said, "but we have a long way to go. There's just not enough night left…"
"Come on, Dick! We just kicked some serious bad guy butt! One o' clock, and all's well!" Beast Boy shouted loudly.
"Don't start saying that, you sound like that stupid bird Nutsy from the Disney version of Robin Hood!" Raven glared.
"Good night, everyone," Dick said.
"Good night, Dick." Tim headed out the door to go home.
"I'm off to bed, how 'bout you guys?" Dick asked, yawning.
"Yeah, we're all tired, see you tomorrow, Dick," Gar replied. The others said good night and went up to their designated rooms in Wayne Manor. Dick Grayson headed to his room. He took a moment and looked out the window at the lunar eclipse. He wondered, just for a moment, if Grundy would really come…
Meanwhile, at the swamp outside the smoldering ruins of the Boltons Mansion, the like began to bubble with soft ripples as the darkness covered the moon. Perhaps "Grundy" would rise after all. There were no witnesses to confirm Grundy's existence. Only the night animals would see if he was a man or a myth. Halloween was over and "Grundy's" Night had passed.