Hey boys and girls, just some things I need to let you know that I've kind of explained in the story, but I thought I'd just tell you outright. This Titans universe is a bit AU from the show - The Titans have never met Kid Flash until he joined them recently (I'm basing him off Young Justice Wally) and also Tim Drake never became Robin. I love Tim, but I just couldn't fit him in. Enjoy.
Chapter Eighteen - The Devil Himself
The Batmobile's engine revved and roared through the streets of Gotham, the tired rolled at speed unimaginable to the average person. Batman narrowed his eyes as he sped toward Amusement Mile. The Batmobile rumbled as he approached the amusement park, a grim look spread across his face. He hadn't faced him since... Jason. He'd never even faced alone, but he'd have to - after what happened with Two-Face he wouldn't let Bruce down again.
"Dick," Oracle spoke over the comms in Batman's ear, "Please - let me call in some backup. Barry or I'll check if Steph is busy or let me call the Titans." she begged, her voice sounded shaky.
"Negative," Batman declared, "Steph left Gotham for a reason and none of the others know how to deal with him. I'll let you know when I have him in custody," he clicked and abruptly ended the transmission.
The Batmobile skirted to halt at the entrance to the park. Batman leaped out of the car and began walking. It was cold and quiet, the biting wind blew against the back of his neck. He remembered when he was younger his parents had taken him here. The smell of popcorn and funnel cake, the laughter of little kids running about, it was a good memory. That had been a long time ago now, before the park shut down and the madman declared it as his kingdom.
He heard the spine chilling manic laughter in the distance, he tightened his fists and took off in a sprint, his cape flapping in the wind behind him. Batman's eyes were filled with anger and determination - he wouldn't win this time, not again.
Raven walked out of her room for a while, it was late and she was hungry. She slightly regretted blowing up in Cyborg's face, it wasn't his fault, it was just with her hormones and everything that was happening around them. She felt like her life was spinning out of control. She felt like she had no control. She walked into the kitchen only to be greeted with the red headed speedster wolfing down half a pizza.
He widened his eyes and lowered the slice down from his mouth, he swallowed quickly and nodded at her, "Hey Raven."
Raven rolled her eyes and huffed, "Cretin." she greeted, "Why are you awake, it's eleven o'clock." she noted, with an emotionless stare that would've sent chills down any sane human being's spine.
Not Wally though, he just smiled back at her, "Can't sleep on an empty stomach." he shrugged, "You burn a lot of calories running close to the speed of light." he said with a smirk, taking another bite of the slice.
"You don't," she retorted, "Your top speed is Mach Two. On a good day."
He huffed, crossing his arms, "I almost got to three." he pouted, poking his lower lip out.
Raven's lips turned up into a small smile, but she forced it away.
"So you can smile?" He grinned, "I thought you were the 'doom and gloom' character of the group." he saw the questionable look on her face, "You know, there's always one in the group - the one that never talks, except to cast magical hexes on people and act all mysterious and spooky," he wiggled his fingers with a grin.
Raven grinned, well - it wasn't actually a grin or smile, but it was the best that any of them had gotten out of her since they'd left Gotham. She nodded a bit, "I suppose I could cast hexes, if you'd prefer."
Wally chuckled, "I wouldn't like that at all, actually - unless you've got something in your bag of tricks to turn my hair into long golden locks, then no. I think I'll stick with what I got."
Raven nodded curtly, "Good." her stomach audibly growled. She placed a hand over it.
Wally raised a brow, "Hungry?" he asked, "I could warm up some cheesy goodness, if you'd like."
Raven considered him for a moment, then finally shook her head, "I like it cold."
Wally smiled, pulling off a slice and passing it her way, "Great minds think alike."
"You're just a bit ole bully, B-Man." Harley Quinn struggled as Batman zip-tied her to the old broken down roller-coaster. Batman didn't respond as he gripped her waist, holding her still. Harley grinned, "Oh Bats," she let out a faked moan, "What a strong grip you have. I like that in a man." she flirted, batting her lashes at him a few times.
She leaned in and licked Batman's exposed jawline. Batman shoved her back against the pole, she raised her eyebrows in excitement, "Ooh and you're not afraid to play rough. Be careful, B-Man, I might be fallin' for ya."
Batman groaned internally, he wondered why the crazies were always attracted to Bruce. Talia, Quinn, Catwoman, he internally thanked all the Gods that Bruce had found Wonder Woman. Maybe not the domestic life that Alfred wanted for him, but it was better than the alternatives. Batman narrowed his eyes and glared at Harley, "Where is he, Quinn?" he growled.
Harley rolled her eyes, "Mistah J won't evah havta know." she licked her lips and glanced just below his utility belt.
Batman wrapped his hand around Harley's throat, squeezing a bit, "I won't ask nicely again." he warned.
Harley sighed, "Fun House."
Batman released his grip, turning away from her, leaving her tied to the pole. She shouted out something as he walked away, but he wasn't listening. He pressed the side of his cowl, "Oracle."
"I'm here. You need assistance?" Barbra answered back quickly.
"No," he declared, his voice devoid of emotion, "I've got Quinn in custody. I'm going after Joker now." he explained.
"That's five down - three left."
Batman nodded, "When I contact you again I want you to notify the Commissioner, tell him to warm up two cells in Arkham."
"Will do." she confirmed, "Dick... please be careful." Barbra knew first hand how cruel the Joker could be.
"I'll stop him Babs, don't worry." Batman reached up and ended the transmission. He approached the entrance to the fun house - he saw the old clown sign next to it. He snorted, it seemed like the universe had a sense of irony. He balled his hands tightly as he entered the giant tent - these places always reminded him of the Circus. He pushed the thoughts of his parents to the side as the Joker's giggling echoed throughout the room.
"Show yourself," Batman growled.
"Always a party pooper, aren't ya Bats?" the clown said with a giggle.
"This isn't a game, Joker." The Dark Knight warned.
"That's where you're wrong Bats," he snickered, he took a few steps out of the shadows, "This whole thing between you and little ole me, it's one big game." The light hit his bleached skin, his devilish smile spread ear to ear, his toxic green hair hung just below his forehead. The clown was dressed in his purple suit and tie with the orange vest underneath, "It's the best kind of game."
Batman took a few steps toward him out from the darkness, the light in the center of the tent shining on the Caped Crusader.
Joker's eyes widened and his smile disappeared into a disgusted frown. Batman paused for a moment studying the clown's sudden change in expression. Joker growled, "Who the hell are you?"
Batman didn't answer, staring him down.
Joker walked toward him, aggressively with a look of fury in his eyes - gripping the crowbar in his hands tightly. He lunged at Batman, smacking him across the jaw with the jaw with the crowbar. Batman staggered, the metal in the cowl cracked - poking into the skin of his cheek. Batman raised his hands to defend himself, but Joker smacked them away with the weapon - a nasty crunching sound was audible from his wrist.
Joker kicked out his knee, sending Batman tumbling to the dirt. Joker unleashed the full might of his fury, beating him over and over again with the crowbar. Sending a strike to his head, ribs, shoulders, then beating him over and over again in the face. The Joker huffed heavily as he caught his breath, standing over the Batman's broken and bloody body.
The Crown Prince of Crime had no smile on his face, throwing the crowbar across the room. There was no sign of joy on his face over the victory as the Batman struggled to breath, struggled to move, "Bat-Fake." he grumbled, giving him one last kick to the stomach before stepping over him and leaving the Fun House without another word.
Batman breathed in slowly, struggling to get any air in. He felt the warm pool of his own blood that he laid in. He moved his hand down, pressing a button on his utility belt.
After a moment a voice picked up, "Hey man, what's up?"
"Help..." Batman muttered weakly. His vision started to go, he closed his eyes. He thought about the events of the past few weeks as he felt himself losing consciousness. Maybe he deserved this, he wasn't good enough for any of them - not his friends, not Gotham, not Raven.
Raven. He thought about her the most, his mind was always clouded with images of her. He was cold and lonely without her. He felt incomplete. He pictured her in his head, her beautiful amethyst eyes, the way she looked at him, how beautiful she looked in that dress in the Galla, the way he felt when they danced - holding her close to him, nothing else mattered then. He missed her.
He felt so warm, so comfortable, and he was so tired. Maybe he should rest. Just for a moment.
Wally bit off a piece of his pizza, leaning over the kitchen counter, looking at Raven as she ate, "So tell me." he began, "How come you completely loathe me?" he smirked.
"Because you ask stupid questions." she answered, not looking away from her pizza.
Wally snorted, "Nope. That's not it - tell me. Pretty please with sprinkles on top." he batted his eyelashes at her with a grin.
She sighed, "The Titan that left before you was..." she paused, she tried her hardest not to think about him, but given her situation that had become increasingly difficult, "Special to me." she finished, still looking away from him.
Wally nodded, "Oh yeah - Robin right?"
She nodded in silence.
"Yeah, I heard about him." he bit off another piece, "Whatever happened to him?" he wondered.
"He left," she answered coldly, "The details are unimportant."
He shrugged, "Whatever you say." They sat in silence for a small moment before something in his back pocket buzzed. He pulled out a smalls comms ear piece and slipped it into his ear, "Hey man, what's up?" he asked with a smile. Raven inspected it - not a communicator or a cell phone? Who did he talk to on that?
Wally's face deadpanned, losing all of it's color, "I need to go."
Raven rose a brow, "Something you need help with? I can alert the rest of-"
"No." he answered abruptly, "Family emergency." He'd barely finished his sentence before he flashed out of the room.
Raven looked skeptical, but she was tired and began heading back to her room. She felt a throbbing pain in her head and then the same one in her stomach, he held a hand to both. Dick? She wondered. Was he in trouble? Was he hurt? Was he trying to reach her?
She shook her head and continued walking to her room. It wasn't her responsibility to worry about him anymore, it was just her and... well, it was just the two of them now.
Kid Flash skirted to a stop as he came across Batman's body lying in a pool of blood, it was worse than he'd thought. He bent down and picked him up in his arms, "Hold on, man," he pleaded, "Don't go dying on me, Dick."
Batman grumbled in his half conscious state, "Raven?"
Kid Flash frowned, but he didn't reply. He just sped off toward the Cave. His best friend wasn't going to die on his watch.