Dick Grayson

Chapter 18

When Villains Collide (Part 4 of 10)

-Gotham Zoo-

The Joker walks in circles around me as he holds a strange little object in his hand. So far he's been ever so quiet he chops his lips from time to time, almost as if he's trying to mock me. If that is what he's doing, then it's certainly working on me. I suppose he's is just that good. It's strange though, I'm not supposed to be afraid of clowns because of my background, but there's something off about this guy. He doesn't talk, he doesn't laugh after saying any jokes, and he doesn't where the make-up, instead the make-up wears him.(metaphorically speaking of course)

"So little boy...mlak, mlak... do you care to know how I got these horrific marks upon this once handsome face of mine?"

I shake my head to say no, but he just smiles I think, and swirls around as he places both of his hands on the arms of my chair. He leans down close to me and shivers his shoulders, acting as if the air is barely getting to him.

"Ouuuu, well you know what kid. Your in luck today. You know why? I'm going to...I'm going to tell you what happened. You see, well you see I had this kid about your age. Wait, he was, yes. He was your age. He always did what he wanted and treated me and his mother like crap. Yes, he was a troubled kid. He was always getting into all sorts of trouble. Yes indeedy. But you see one day, he came at me for nothing. Nothing at all you see. He just came up, sat on my lap and said "Daddy, you don't smile at all for me. Why is that?" and can you guess what my answer was? hm? can you?"

I was about to answer but before I could say anything, he released one of his hands from the arm of the chair and placed that gloved hand right in front of my lips.

"I said. Shush little boy. I don't smile, because there is nothing in this world to ever smile about. Especially to a really special boy like yourself. One might think of that as a compliment, but my boy...oh no, my boy was smart. He knew what I meant and he instantly jumped off my lap and ran off crying to his mommy. Who by the way was in her own little world at all times. Never did she smile with all those bandages on her face. Her face by the way is part of a whole other story, but for now I'll only tell you this one about my boy and the reason behind this face of mine. Now where was I? Oh yes. Well you see, I grew tired, very tired of all these people and their gloomy faces so I...I got up and took a knife like this one here. Nice knife though aye?"

He slipped the object from before out of his sleeve and held it near his face as he took a step back. It was a small knife that was clean and shinning brightly in the cold room we were in.

"And do you know what I did? well you see... mlak mlak... I walked up to the two and stared at them as they looked at me. I dug the knife right into my mouth and started cutting away. Laughing and laughing, oh did I laugh while they screamed and cried. I didn't stop slicing away until I could feel my mouth finally smiling. It was from that day on did I smile. I smile because I am happy and I truly mean it kid. And guess who's turn it is to put that frown upside down."

He pulls the blade out of his mouth and points it straight to me as he breathed heavily enough for the air to be seen slipping out of his nostrils and mouth.

"Yes kid. It's your turn. Before that, you need to take that face of yours off. No mask. No identities. And no voices. You will become my boy. My bright and very special boy. That Batman, doesn't need or deserve a kid. And since he stole my life, I'm going to steal his next life. Ahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaaaaa!"

Laughter filled the small, enclosed and cold room as he grew closer to me with that knife of his inching close as well. He pulls my mouth open and I begin squirming in my seat as he continued to laugh. While he did so, he placed the knife on the very edge of the inside of my mouth. Time grew slow as he slowly began to tear my skin apart. Just then, the door was blown open as Freeze slammed right into Joker and knocked him to the ground with a loud thud. The knife fell on my lap as blood spilled from my mouth to the ground. Batman came rushing in with a ripped cape, bloodied face and wears and tears all across his suit.

"Robin. Are you alright?"

"Guuauaghh...my face...it hurts...but other than that, I'm fine."

I see Batman nod his head in acknowledgement as he returned to beating Freeze to a pulp. Meanwhile the Joker had already mysteriously made his escape from the room. He might be a crazy wacko but he's one sly and stealthy clown.

"Alright Freeze. It's over. Where is the device that controls the weather machine in Gotham?"

Freeze shakes his head as he pulled a small circular gadget from the weird looking suit that he was now wearing. I could have sworn that he looked like Frosty the Snowman. The only difference was that instead of a magical top hat, he was wearing a series of tubes that ran from the top of his head to some rectangular metal backpack on his back. I'm only guessing that the thing on his back is where he gains his freeze powers. A Ice-God among men, wow, what a literal concept to live by. This guy would probably make the Ice-Troll from Norse Mythology jealous. A whole lot. Actually, Freezes weapon would be like the torch from Olympus, except he didn't share the flame with everyone down here on earth. Wow, I guess that makes Freeze a really greedy person. No wonder he has no friends.

Batman drops Freeze to the ground and walks my was as he pulls out a batarang to cut the ropes around my legs and arms.

"Alright Robin. While I'm finishing up here, your going to run as fast as you can and make it to the front of the Zoo. Whatever you do Robin. Don't turn back, just keep going."

I nodded and quickly jumped to my feet as I began racing out of the frozen room. I heard a snap and my leg suddenly bent and sent me flying face first into the ground.

"Owwww...my leg...I guess it's worse than I thought."

I turned to look down at my leg and sighed as I took into reality that the coldness had taken it's affect on the joints of my legs as well as the rest of my body. I probably should have taken it slow, but nooooo, I had to do right and make Batman proud by acting strong enough to run my heart out to the entrance of this giant freezer. I guess I'd better make the best of my injury and lay on the ground to crawl. Crawl like a little baby, which was only a few years ago for me. Heck, I still remember when the Elephants used to throw me around. They still did as I grew older, but hey it beats thinking about my blasted knee, ankle, and waist. I don't even know why I'm thinking of anything right now. Maybe I'm dying. Heh, that would be so mest up though. Me, the foster son of the all mighty Batman, die. Wow, that would be one for the newspapers to fight over.

"EEEEEEEeeeEEEEEE!"

I hear a woman scream, but I don't see any damsel in distress. Wow, either I'm really loosing it or I'm blind. Heck, maybe I don't even want to crawl to wherever that scream came from.

"EEEeeeeeEEEEE!!"

Well there is goes again. I guess I'd better forget about my paralyzed legs and be the night in shinning armor. Just please...please don't let there be a fire breathing dragon.

"Forgive me Batman..."

I quickly jolt upward and I hear my legs snap, but soon after that the pain was slowly fading away. I guess my body is producing enough heat to recover my legs from their iced state. Actually, with all that sitting around and everything...I feel even better. Much better. I feel like nothing can stop me, not even that dragon, hah hah hah! After my legs loosened and felt relaxed, I rushed down the halls only to hear a familiar voice.

"Ouuu, come on little girl. Scream for me again. Only this time remember to smile and laugh. Like this...Ahhhhhhhh HAH HAH HAH HAH!!"

The Joker. The most villainous clown is in my sights once again. It's just my luck. Maybe if I'm lucky I can turn around and act like I didn't see anything at all.

"Hey you!! help me!"

Great, they spotted me. I really do have quite the luck indeed. Somebody just shoot me already.

"Oh boy, it's the little bird again. Yes, why don't you come over here and listen to my story again. All the kids enjoy my story telling. Then again, so do the adults. Either way, COME on over here kid. I would really hate having to walk over there and finish putting a smile on that face of yours."

The joker drops a girl who was wearing a bat symbol on her ridiculous thrift shop costume. I don't know who she is or why she's even here, but all I can say is that I think I'm in love. Love at first glance is the phrase here, or maybe it's monkey see monkey do. I don't know, all I know is that she is hotter than a Los Angeles college girl. Even if I've never been there before and she's a little younger than those girls...a lot younger.

"What's the matter boy? cat got your tongue? or is it that you know this little bundle of joy? I do hope you say both. I could use more ammo against the bat."

I shake my head and realize where I was again as I quickly turned my face to Joker and gave him the staring look that I've seen Batman give to Alfred practically everyday when he wants to be serious and tough. The Joker immediately jumps back and tosses the girl to the ground. He then began to curl his wrist cuffs up and made his way toward me.

"Ouuu, you've got some spunk there Kid, don't you? Mlak mlak...I'm really going to enjoy beating you senseless. AHAH!"

"Heh, that's what I was about to say..."

"Oh, I bet you were. Two twiddled minds think alike kid. Just remember, daddy wont be here to save you this time."

"I don't need him yet. I only have to..."

I rolled between his legs and slid just behind him as I thrust my legs as hard as I could toward the back of his knee's. He fell almost instantly as he twirled around and tried to make a grab for my leg. With my lower body still recovering, I was too slow and he snatched my ankle.

"Hah! I got you now kid. That was a nice little move, but mine. Oh mine will be far more better. Lets see how bats likes it when his men are pounded in the face."

My eyes widened as his fist came straight to my face. My head jerked back and slammed onto the ground as the whole room suddenly grew dark. All I could feel was pain. Lots of it as time passed and the Joker had his way with me. Whatever he was doing to me...I know I will never forget it when I awaken, nor will my nose ever feel the same. The hands of time, they press forward, they pull backward and they steadily go one way. Right now, the hands of time are drawing my mind back to the circus, while my feeling can estimate the future pain and injuries. Not only that, but my sights come in and out, which leaves me with the ability to still see what the Joker was pounding me with from time to time. Stop...please stop. I"M ONLY A...KID.

-To Be Continued-

Authors Note: Sorry for the long wait. I've had a few things to work on, but I promise that I'll try to update as soon as possible. Thanks for reading so far.