Chapter Fourteen

The Joker looked up in shock as a rocket-sized missile came up from the roof of the T Car. Before Scarecrow could react, the front of their car was blown to bits, sending them careening into the guard railing on the Robert Kane Memorial Bridge. The vehicle was a smoking ruin.

Coughing and sputtering, the two Arkham inmates climbed out of the car. "You bumbling idiot! If I had a gun, I'd shoot you!" Joker shouted. "Where's Harley when I need her? At least she knows how to drive, unlike you Crane!"

"It wasn't my fault they got away with the Batman," Jonathan Crane retorted. "Chasing them was your idea, not mine!"

"Are you blaming me for this?" Joker hissed threateningly. "If you notice I wasn't the one driving."

"All the same, we need to get out of here," Crane muttered.

"At least I have a backup plan," Joker smirked. He pulled out a stolen cell phone. He dialed a number and waited for the other line to pick up.

A chipper voice answered and Joker felt the need to throw the phone on the ground and smash it to pieces. "Hello Boss, is that you?"

"Of course it is! Who did you think it was, the I.R.S?" Joker asked. "Get down to the Robert Kane Memorial Bridge and get us out of here! Batsy got away after I shot him. Knowing the cops, they'll be here soon. "

'Sure thing Boss, I'm on my way," she said, hanging up.

Joker shut off the cell phone and threw it out a window. "I can't believe I had to do that!" Joker mumbled to himself. Crane looked at him.

"Now that you've taken care of your business, it's time for me to attend to mine."

"What kind of business would that be Crane?" Joker asked.

"I have a vendetta against a member of the D.A.'s office, Rachel Dawes, I assume you remember her."

"Oh, yes, the pretty little lady who is the Assistant D.A., I remember she's the one who sent me to Arkham Asylum. He, he, he, ha, ha, ha!" Joker began to laugh. "If your business is with her, then I'd better come along too. After all, we both have something in common with Rachel Dawes: We both hate her in that mean-spirited sort of way."

"It's time that we go and teach Ms. Dawes a lesson," Scarecrow said, a strange light coming into his eyes.

"Yes, Ms. Dawes thought she could stay safe from us, with Batsy around, but she'll see we're the ones who rule Gotham City. Where is that blasted Harley Quinn?"

They both looked up in time to see the Joker's car pull up, Harley Quinn inside. "Hey Boss, I made it! Get in, get in, before the cops show up." They both climbed in.

"What in the name of blinking blue blazes took you so long?" he asked.

"I've been trying to get around unnoticed. Do you know how hard that is?'

"Stop complaining, Harley and get us out of here!" Joker ordered. Harley floored it, slamming her foot down on the pedal. Tires squealing, they drove away.

"So you didn't get Batsy, Boss?" Harley asked.

"I got him alright, shot him real good. The Dork Knight managed to get away in the Batmobile." Joker smiled broadly. "Guess he can't get us now can he?"

"I don't suppose so," Harley continued driving down the road, taking the back ways so they wouldn't be spotted by the cops or civilians who would recognize them. Speeding down through narrow streets, they pulled the car to a halt in front of the long abandoned LAST LAFF comedy club. They hid the car behind the trash bins and headed inside.

The hyenas growled fiercely and strained at their chains as Joker approached. "Easy boys. Harley have you fed the hyenas?"

"Of course I did, Puddin', I wouldn't forget to feed my precious little babies," she cooed at the hyenas. Joker felt sick to his stomach at this. He stomped over to a chair and sat down.

"So what are we going to do now that Batsy's out of the way?" Harley asked.

"Tell me Harley, do you remember Rachel Dawes?" Joker asked.

"Her? She's the Assistant D.A. who put us in Arkham right?" Joker nodded. "You got something planned Boss?" she asked, an eagerness in her voice which was usually meant for extremely different occasions.

"Let's just say I've got some scores to settle with that pretty little lady," Joker guffawed, snickering with maniacal glee. "He, he, he, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ha hahaaa! Revenge is going to taste so sweet!"

"When're we gonna get her?" Harley asked.

"Tomorrow night Harley, we need to see what she's up to first."

"Okay, then, we're we going now?"

"We aren't going anywhere, Harley, I'm going to stake out her house, see when she leaves and when she gets home. When she comes back tomorrow she'll be in for a few surprises."

"Ooh, what if Batsy shows up, Scarecrow?"

"What makes you honestly think he's going to show up?" Joker roared. "I shot Batsy, haven't you gotten that into that pea brain of yours?"

"Y-yes, Boss, I know that, but what if he does come back?"

"You're asking me way too many questions, Harley. Just get Batsy out of your head and let me worry about him." Joker wrapped an arm around her shoulder; he pulled out a .22 caliber handgun. "If Batsy shows up," he pointed the gun at a burned out light bulb, "this is what's going to happen to him." He pointed and fired, the gunshot shattered the bulb and sent pieces of glass in all directions.

"But we have to wait until tomorrow, what are we going to do in the meantime?" Harley asked.

"How should I know what you're supposed to do?"

"Mr. J, can we go to the fair?"

"What kind of stupid, idiotic question is that? I hate fairs as much as I hate kids!" Joker roared. Stopping in mid rant, he let his hideous smile grow wider. "You know, Harley, you may be onto something."

"Really? What do you mean, Boss?"

"What a better way for the Joker to make an entrance than showing up at the County fair? Everyone loves a good clown. Who could be a better clown than the Clown Prince of Crime?"

"Oh, wonderful, Mr. J."

"Of course we're not going to go in empty handed. We're gonna take some goodies. How would you like to hand out cotton candy for the little kiddies?"

"That would be really fun!" Harley squealed, delighted.

"Especially if it's laced with a deadly poison! HAHAHAHAAHAAA HEHEHEEHEHEEHE HOO HOO HAHAHAHA!"

"I best be on my way," Scarecrow began to walk out the door. "Tomorrow night is going to be a living Hell for Ms. Dawes."

"What about me? I don't intend to just stand around while you get to have all the fun," Joker complained.

"If you want you can come," Scarecrow said.

"So you were one of the psychiatrists at Arkham? Ironic how the nut who took over the nuthouse became a patient," Joker chortled. Scarecrow glared at him, but he continued to laugh anyway. He found it frightfully funny.

"Tomorrow night Joker?" Crane looked at him. He nodded. "Meet me in the Narrows, we'll find Ms. Dawes from there."

Rachel Dawes had just exited the building when she saw a auspicious looking car pull out of the parking lot. She frowned and walked to her own car. Climbing in, she turned the key in the ignition. She left the D.A.'s office and made here way to Wayne Manor.

It was a warm and welcome sight to see. The old mansion was a very familiar place to her. Her mother had been the grounds keeper and she had lived there for a major part of her childhood. She was a friend to Bruce Wayne after his parents were murdered and she was one of the few people in Gotham City who knew that he was the Batman.

Rachel Dawes pulled up to Wayne Manor, getting out of the car; she walked up the steps to the vast doors. She knocked on the door and Alfred answered it.

"Come in, Ms. Dawes, I'm sure Master Dick will be delighted to see you." He let her in and she walked into the living room where Dick Grayson was waiting, along with Kory, Gar, Victor and Raven.

"Hello, Mr. Grayson, are these friends of yours?" Rachel asked.

"Yes, this is Kory, Gar, Victor and Raven. Guys this is Rachel Dawes, she's the Assistant down at the D.A.'s office."

"It is nice to meet you, Ms. Dawes," Kory said politely.

"Please, call me Rachel. I came by to tell you that Bruce is being released from the Hospital today."

"Alfred told me already, but it was nice of you to stop by. I haven't seen you in awhile."

"I know, how is everything at the D.A.'s?"

"It's been a chaotic mess recently. I came by to tell you that I think someone's stalking me."

"Really?" Dick asked. "Why ask me?"

"Don't play ignorant with me, Dick Grayson. I know that Bruce is Batman."

"What?" The others, along with Dick, stared at her slack jawed.

"You know about Bruce?" Dick asked.

"Yes, he told me he was Batman. It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you."

"That's very true Rachel," Dick smiled.

"I also know that you're Robin. I'm the one who helped Bruce Wayne get you away from Social Services and pulled strings so he could legally adopt you. When Robin first appeared I put two and two together."

"He never told me that. Why didn't he tell me that?"

"Something between friends."

"Ah, now I understand. You said you thought someone was stalking you?"

"I don't know, I can't say for sure, but I saw a suspicious looking vehicle pull out of the parking lot at the D.A.'s office when I left."

"Did you get a good look at the driver?"

"No. I have no idea who'd go after me though."

"Rachel, Joker and Scarecrow have escaped from Arkham Asylum. They've been missing for three days."

"Oh no, I think he's stalking me. He has a personal vendetta against me. I'm the one who had him placed there after the Batman captured him. He's probably come to kill me."

"I wouldn't doubt that. Come downstairs, I need to give you the antidotes for Joker's gas and Scarecrow's poison. If you're inoculated in advance you should be safe. Carry a weapon, and be careful when you get back to your house."

"I have gun," Rachel said.

"That won't help you Rachel, a measly little weapon like a gun won't stop the Joker."

"What am I supposed to do? Live in fear for the rest of my life. I'm not some damsel in distress, I can take care of myself."

"I don't doubt that."

"I would really appreciate it if you would watch over me tonight."

"You don't even need to ask, I had a feeling he was going to come after you anyway. I read about your crusade to get him to locked away in Arkham Asylum."

"Thank you Dick. I'm very relieved. I've got to be going home now."

"I suggest that you don't sleep in your room. He likes to strike at night. He especially likes to terrify people when they sleep."

"I am a witness to this," Kory said. "He attacked me when I was asleep."

"I appreciate the advice. What if he shows up before you get there?"

"If you inoculate yourself you should be safe, but be prepared to fight for your life if you need to. The Joker has murdered countless victims, I'd hate for you to be the next."

"Just so I don't forget," Rachel pulled out the syringe and injected both antidotes into her body, "I've injected both of those into me; I'll see you later Mr. Grayson, I need to get back to work. It was nice to see you again."

"I'm glad you stopped by, Rachel."

"Any time, Dick. Good-bye, it was nice to meet all of you." Rachel got up and ushered herself out. Dick followed her to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow evening then, you're sure you'll be alright?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. Now you be careful, I don't want you to get hurt. It's bad enough that Bruce is injured.

"Don't worry, I'll be safe. I can survive an ordeal with the Joker."

"Good-bye, Dick," she smiled, she closed the door behind her. Dick watched her leave. He hoped she would be able to make it out of this incident alive. He would do everything in his power to protect her. He made a promise to Bruce, and he intended to keep it.

Dick rejoined his friends in the living room. Sitting down, he noticed that Victor was looking at an old photo of Batman and Robin. He remembered that it was taken before he left for Jump City, when he had been Batman's sidekick.

"There is one thing I don't understand," Victor began. "How did you manage to fool us into thinking you were Batman? I looked at a picture of you two and no offense, but you're awfully short."

"That's because, I wear leg extensions," Dick said. "I don't wear them during the day though." Dick laughed. "None of you noticed how I shrank?"

"I honestly never thought about it."

"If you're in leg extensions how do you manage to fight?" Gar asked. "I mean, you move pretty quick for someone on a pair of stilts."

"It's a special kind from Wayne Enterprises. I've had to pull off impersonations of Bruce before, and these are high tech so I can control the movements of the extensions with my feet."

"Dude, this is way too complicated," Gar said.

"Yeah, but it's worth it. I have to help Alfred clean the house. Bruce is coming home tomorrow."

"Mr. Wayne is coming back, tomorrow?" Kory asked.

"Yes, and I need to make sure this place is ready for him." Dick got up from the couch. "You guys don't mind helping do you?"

"No, not at all," Victor said, and for the rest of the day they cleaned out Wayne Manor, cleared what was left of the rubble and vacuumed the house.

Raven used her powers to vacuum the floors. Running two vacuums at once she helped Starfire with cleaning the halls while she dusted old suits of armor and various paintings of members of the Wayne family.

Victor and Gar helped Dick clean up the Batcave. Victor repaired the computer and Gar helped clean up the destroyed laboratory. Dick cleared everything out and they had just finished when he removed a dusty tarp covering a large pile of equipment.

"I finally found it!" he exclaimed as he surveyed the scattered parts and pieces. The two boys ran over to him.

"What's that?" Gar asked.

"It's the Batbot, or it's supposed to be," Dick explained. "I guess Bane didn't destroy everything in here. I plan to put it back together when I have the time."

Alfred walked in through the elevator. "Well the Manor is clean and everything is ready for Master Bruce's return."

"They're all finished up there? Great, now we have to be ready for tonight."

"Ah yes, our happy friend is going to attack Ms. Rachel tonight. Might I suggest an accessory?" he removed a cowl from a shelf and handed it to him.

"Thanks Alfred."

"Listen Victor, tonight I need you to track a lead the police found on the Joker. They say they found a cell phone at the Robert Kane Memorial Bridge. It has a phone call to a number located in an abandoned part of Gotham. I need you guys to go check it out. I'll worry about the Joker."

"You don't want us to help?" Vic asked.

"Dick, you need all the help you can get," Gar protested. "You can't take him by yourself."

"Yes, I can. I've done it before. I don't want anything to happen to you guys. We almost lost Kory…"

"We can take care of ourselves, Dick."

"Just do as I say and trace that phone call. Joker's quarrel is with me. Besides, I have some scores to settle. It would just make it worse if you all came with me."

"Alright, but if you need us, we'll come."

"Thank you."

"And Dick," Victor began.

"What?"

"Stay safe, we don't want to lose you either."

"I will."

"Boss, can I come too?" Harley asked in a high-pitched whine. "You got to go chase Batsy, now it's my turn to have a little fun."

"Fine, you can come too, if that'll shut you up and keep you from whining."

"Of course, Mr. J. Whatever you say."

"Good, now get in the car. We nay need you to make a quick getaway, just in case something happens."

"I see," Harley said, "I'll be waiting here."

"Tell me again, what are we doing here?" Harley asked, "This is the D.A.'s office. They could see us."

"They won't be seeing anything of me. I'm not gonna get real close. I'm just gonna watch and see when Ms. Dawes leaves the building." Joker ordered Harley to make a wide sweep of the parking lot. They drove around, Joker watched for Rachel to walk out of the building. She soon came walking out the front door.

"Should we get her now Crane?" Joker asked. "I'm ready when you are."

"No, not yet, we need to wait until it's dark. Too many people out there might call the police. Tonight when she's at home. It's much easier that way."

"Okay, let's get out of here," Joker said. "Harley, make it quick." Harley drove out of the parking lot and made their way back to their hideout. They spent the rest of the time scheming and planning. Revenge was going to be wonderfully sweet. And there would be no one to stop them this time. They made their way towards her house; Joker placed his eye against the peephole, peering inside the house. There was a light on in the living room but he couldn't see if anyone was inside.

Shrugging his shoulder, Joker nonchalantly kicked down the door. Scarecrow followed, berating Joker for being an idiot, screaming at him that the entire neighborhood had probably heard that and that undoubtedly the cops would show up at any given moment and arrest them. The Joker turned to him.

"Oh, come on Craney, lighten up and laugh a little will you? Batsy's gone and we're about to take out one of Gotham's most powerful D.A.s."

"I don't think so Joker," Rachel Dawes stepped out from around a corner, slamming her knee into his groin. Stunned, the Clown Prince of Crime doubled over in pain. Hs face twisted into a hideous glare.

"You tow aren't going to get away with this," she pulled out a Taser and aimed it at Scarecrow just as he moved to spray her with his toxin. The poisonous gas clouded her view for an instant as Joker lunged at her.

Scarecrow swore angrily, "My poison, she should be scared to death right now! She's unaffected by it!"

"Get over it, Craney, let's just kill her!" Joker spat back.

She jumped back, throwing a quick punch towards his face, the blow only grazed him, and she began backing up into a room, which was not a very wise choice considering the situation she was in.

Joker grabbed her shirt and tried to yank her towards him, she spun away and he managed to tear it at the bottom. Rachel quickly grabbed a gun on a coffee table and cocked the trigger. "Stay away from me, Joker, you too Crane. I won't hesitate to shoot."

"Come now Ms. Dawes, what makes you think a little gun will stop us from killing you?" he sneered.

""I'm not afraid to use it!" Rachel warned. "I will shoot you if I you come anywhere near me!"

"Oh we'll see about that!" Joker moved impossibly fast, disarming her and slamming Rachel into the wall. "I'm going to enjoy this," he cackled.

Suddenly, someone crashed through the window and landed, crouching on the floor.

"Batsy! Why can't you ever stay dead?" Joker screamed.

Scarecrow just shrugged his shoulders and rushed at Batman. Batman blocked a punch and smashed his fist into Scarecrow. As he staggered beck, Dick slammed his knee into his stomach and brought his elbow up in a diagonal sweep, connecting with Crane's jaw. He quickly delivered a swift kick to the Doctor's stomach, grabbing his arm, he twisted it back forcing Crane to drop his Fear Toxin. Dick smashed his elbow into the small of Crane's spine; screaming in agony, he hit the floor.

Joker, seeing his arch nemesis, sprang forward, executing a lethal kick aimed at Batman's face. He leapt out of the way and let Joker's momentum carry him across the room. Joker landed on his feet and hit Batman's midsection hard with a stinging blow. Dick gasped and jumped back. Joker staggered and threw a punch, Dick encircled Joker's arm with his elbow, sending his aim wide of his target, lowering his head down and charged the Joker like a raging bull he executed lightning quick punches, smashing his fists into Joker's stomach, smashing his elbow into his thigh, then his abdomen, an elbow connected with a shoulder, then he smashed his gauntlet into Joker's mouth.

The joker struck back, smashing an elbow into his face. He grabbed him and head butted him, Batman flew back and hit the floor. Skidding, he slid back a few feet and kicked out, knocking the Joker's feet out from under him. Joker hit the floor and tired to move as Dick climbed to his feet and grabbed him by his shirt. Batman head butted him as hard as he could. Be brought his knee crashing into Joker's abdomen repeatedly. Joker began to cough up blood and Batman threw him onto the floor. Joker lay on his back, wheezing painfully.

Joker was about to roll to his feet when he felt someone grab his neck in an iron grip. "Not this time Joker," Batman growled, his elbow connected with the back of Joker's head and he slipped into unconsciousness. Batman looked up in time to see Crane grappling with Rachel for the handgun and he moved to help her.

"Scarecrow!" Batman roared.

"You may have been able to stop the Joker, but you won't be able to stop me!" he wrestled the gun away from Rachel as she hit the floor. She scrambled to her feet, backing up. He cocked the gun and prepared to fire. Batman rushed forward, smashing his elbow into Crane's pressure point at the base of his neck. Screaming, he dropped the gun and turned around to face him.

Batman whirled around kicking him, his foot connected with his head and he watched his skull snap back with whiplash. Batman brought his elbow up and struck Scarecrow. He staggered back, Dick grabbed him and head butted him. He grabbed him by his shirt collar and knocked him into the wall.

"What's Joker planning?" he demanded.

"He's right over there, why don't you just ask him?"

"I don't have time for games! What's he planning?"

"It's too late now, you won't be able to stop him even if I told you what his plans were."

Dick didn't notice the Joker woke up and began crawling toward the window. He decided that this was his chance to make his escape. Rachel saw him and shouted, "Batman, the Joker's getting away!"

"I knew he would betray me!" Scarecrow screamed.

""Just your luck, Craney," Joker smirked sarcastically. He leapt out the window. Batman knocked Scarecrow unconscious and ran to the window. Looking out, he saw the Joker's car pull away from the back of the house.

Dick slammed his fist on the coffee table. "That's the second time he's escaped me."

"At least we've got Crane, I'm calling Commissioner Gordon," Rachel picked up the phone and dialed 911. She gave them directions to her house and told them to inform Commissioner Gordon that Batman has Scarecrow.

A few minutes later, Jim Gordon and Detective Ellen Yin arrived. Yin cuffed Scarecrow and led him to the squad car.

"I'm glad you got here in time," Detective Yin smiled. "I was afraid this would turn into a homicide. Rachel told me about the Joker stalking her."

"I only do what I can, Detective. What's this I hear about you receiving a promotion, Captain Yin?"

"Yes, indeed, I have received a promotion. You've brought us hope; hope that things will get better. But if we stop now, everything will be lost."

"I know Captain." Dick smiled. "I need to be leaving now. I have to track the Joker."

"Godspeed kid," Captain Yin said.

"Good night, Captain Yin, Ms. Dawes." They watched as Batman vanished from sight. She turned her head and walked out of the room. Rachel Dawes decided to find another place to stay for the night. They both wondered if this was the last they would see of the Joker…

The next day Dick waited impatiently at he door, Rachel Dawes had gone to the Gotham County Hospital to pick up Bruce Wayne and bring him back to Wayne Manor. He watched as the door opened, Rachel Dawes pushed Bruce Wayne wheelchair inside. Dick smiled warmly, "Bruce are you alright?"

"Why even ask?" he looked at his ward dejectedly.

"Oh, I see."

"I have to get back to the office. Take care of yourself Bruce," Rachel said as she walked out the door.

Alfred was waiting for them in the kitchen. "I thought I might prepare your supper," he said as Bruce wheeled himself in. Dick quietly followed him.

"I'm not hungry, Alfred."

"Very well, Sir."

Dick watched Alfred leave the room. "Bruce what's wrong?"

"You of all people should know what's wrong with me Dick," Bruce said quietly.

"If this is about the fact that Bane broke your back, Raven can heal that so you can—"

"It's not about my back, Dick. A broken body can be dealt with. A broken spirit, that's something else."

"What do you mean?"

"When you look too long into the abyss, the abyss looks back through you. Maybe it's time for Batman to return to the night that spawned him before anyone else gets hurt."

"Bruce, don't say that. I came back here to help you! And now you're just giving up!" Dick shouted. "I have fought and bled for you, heck, I'd even die for you, but for you to just walk away because of one failure is something I won't accept."

"You don't understand, Dick, and you never will until you've been in my shoes. Bane didn't break my back; he broke me. What good have I done for Gotham all these years? Has it helped at all? They sell T-Shirts of me, I've become a cliché, more of a tourist trap than a threat."

"This City would shrivel up and die without you, and you and I both know it!"

"There is something I wanted to tell you," Bruce began.

"What's that?"

"I've found someone to replace you."

"Replace me? Who?

"A man I know, Jean Paul Valley, he's a highly trained warrior who will fill the role of Batman until I a m ready."

"And I do not fill the role of Batman?"

"You let Joke escape, not once but twice," Bruce said scathingly.

"He shot me the first time and I had Dr. Crane to deal with! I can't be everywhere at once."

And speaking of being everywhere at once, I think it's time you return to Jump City."

" Why?"

"Because you and your friends need to go back home. You've been away too long."

"Since when did my city concern you?" Dick demanded. "That's my responsibility."

"It was foolish of you to bring your friends and leave the city unprotected," Bruce spat out angrily.

"I didn't bring them, they followed me here!" Dick fumed. "They left the Titans East in charge of the city while they were here, and I have not been irresponsible."

"You're leaving Wayne Manor in a month," Bruce said flatly.

Dick glared defiantly. "I won't leave, until I know this Jean Paul Valley is ready to fill your shoes, even if it's a week, a month, or five years, I'm not going to leave. And you can't make me either."

"Yes, I can this is my house and I'm you're father!"

Dick glared at him andshouted, "You were never my father, you're nothing but a stone cold, self righteous monster! And you will never be my father. My father was John Grayson; at least he knew how to be a real father to his son. You have no idea what it's like to be a real father."

Dick turned and began walking out the door. "Don't you walk out on me young man!" Bruce shouted. Dick refused to answer him. Alfred waked past him. Dick slammed the door as he left.

"Well Sir; that did not go over well."

'No it didn't," Bruce stared off blankly.

"He's right you know," Alfred commented.

"Right? Right about what?"

"You cannot give up being what you are Master Bruce even if you fail."

"I thought you were talking about how I can never be his father."

"Well, honestly Sir, you can't be his father. Just as I could never be your father after Master Wayne was murdered. I taught you that you can never replace the ones you love but, we can try to move on from our pasts."

"Yes, it seems I've forgotten how. I always thought I could…be a father to him. I guess I was wrong."

"We all make mistakes Master Bruce, we're only human."

"Yes, It seems I lost my humanity a long time ago, but I fell, and I don't know what to do."

"Why do we fall Sir?" Alfred asked. Bruce looked at him. "So we can learn to pick ourselves up."

"I know what you're saying Alfred, that I should apologize and mend fences with Dick."

"I won't tell you what to do Sir, but I will say that the most important relationships we have are with the ones that we care about the most." He straightened up for a moment.

"Shall I fetch you some supper, Sir?"

"No thank you, I just want some time alone to think," Bruce replied.

"Very well, Sir," Alfred left, shutting the door behind him. Bruce sat alone in his room. He thought about what Alfred had told him. He knew the old butler was right, but he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

Dick found his friends down in the Batcave. Kory noticed the drained look on his face but said nothing. Raven was meditating in a corner, Gar was using the Batcmputer to play Meg Monkeys Four, and Victor was in the laboratory, running some equipment. He walked over to Victor.

"Dick, is something wrong?" Kory asked.

"I'll tell you later Kory," Dick replied. He was too exhausted and emotionally drained to even think about his argument with Bruce. He walked over to Victor, who was analyzing data from a sample of something that resembled pink string.

"What's that you're looking at?"

"Well, we did what you said and traced the call that Joker made on that cell phone the police found. We tracked the call to an abandoned building called the LAST LAFF COMEDY CLUB. There wasn't anyone in there and we looked around when Kory found this in a corner. He held up a pink case of cotton candy.

"Did you run an analysis on it?"

"I'm almost done. I'll tell you when the results come in."

"Okay, let me go get the others, they may want to see this.

"Dick we have something serious, here. The Cotton Candy we found at Joker's hideout is laced with poisonous mercury salt!"

"The County Fair, there will be thousands, oh no!" Dick felt he horror move through him like a toxin. "We have to go!" The cell phone at his side unexpectedly ran. He picked it up; it was Barbara Gordon.

"Dick you have to get down here!" Babs' voice rang out on the other end of the phone. "The Joker's here and he's giving away cotton candy! Oh no, oh no! The children, they're dying, he's killing them!"

"What's happening to them?" Dick shouted into the phone.

"It's horrific beyond words, get down here now!"

I'm on my way," Dick hung up the phone. The Titans gathered around him.

"Guys we have to go, I have to stop Joker before he slaughters thousands."

"We're ready to leave," Cyborg said. They climbed into the T Car. Dick got into the Batmobile and sped out of the Batcave as fast as he could. He prayed to God he would be able to get there in time to prevent a catastrophe, he knew that if he didn't come in time to save them he would blame himself for the rest of his life…