Chapter 8

Abandoned Warehouse in Gotham City.

The Joker's laugh echoed throughout the warehouse, the madman was holding a crowbar as Robin, who currently had both his hands and feet tied, struggled to untie himself.

"What are you up to?" Robin shouted "Commissioner Gordon's daughter said you wanted to prove a point. Which point is it?" the boy let out a painful shout as the madman brought the crowbar down, slamming it into the boy's legs.

"Oh, you really don't see it?" the Joker mocked him "This is exactly what I'm trying to prove." He brought the crowbar down again, sticking him in the stomach "I mean, look at you. I wouldn't have expected someone so young to do the things you do." He continued striking Robin with the crow bar, the boy screaming with each hit that landed "You see, deep down we all have the capacity to be driven insane, all it takes is one bad day." The Joker stopped his onslaught before pacing in circles around the downed boy "Have you ever had a bad day, birdy?" Robin said nothing, simply shooting a dirty look at the man "Come on, tell me. Which is it? Did something bad happen to mommy? Or was it Daddy?"

Robin froze, not knowing what to do, this, however, did not go unnoticed.

"Oh" the bleach-faced madman continued "So, it was both, huh? Well, that's interesting. You know, I never knew my parents."

"You think this is a joke?" the boy shouted.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't." The Joker let out a series of loud cackles. "Oh, come on, kid. Lighten up." Robin struggled to get up, his hands and feet still bound. "Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you." The Joker continued his assault on the boy, breaking many of his bones and damaging his internal organs all while letting out a craze fit of laughter.

When he was done, the Joker placed a large device on one of the crates before pressing a button, revealing a timer. The bleach faced man then began walking away all while whistling in delight, as if nothing had happened. He then boarded the stolen vehicle and drove away.

Streets of Gotham

The Bat mobile sped as fast as possible through the streets of the city, several police cars driving not far behind. With Commissioner Gordon still absent, the Gotham PD had to send as many of its officers as it could to aid on the search.

Batman had informed them that Robin may have discovered something in a warehouse near the bay.

Some of Gordon's most trusted detectives left their vehicles as Batman exited his and headed towards the warehouse.

"He must be in there." The masked vigilante stated "The signal pointed us in that direction."

"Are you sure this will give us the Commissioner's whereabouts?" one of the detectives asked.

"I believe so." The detectives followed the vigilante into the warehouse when suddenly a large fire curtain engulfed the entire building. "RICHARD!" the masked man shouted at the sight before him.

It took several hours for the fire department to put out the flames, but as soon as they did, Batman ran to the wreckage. The man began to frantically dig through the rubble, searching for the child he foolishly allowed to follow him.

Finally, after minutes of searching, a gloved hand pulled on his cape. Batman turned, pulling the rubble out of his way before finally seeing the boy he had trained, desperately clinging to life.

"B-Bruce." The boy barely managed to say.

"Dick, I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let this happen." The man stated, his voice beginning to crack.

"Bruce. I-I know where he had the commissioner." The boy attempted to reach for his belt before pulling out a piece of paper, folded like a pamphlet. "You, you have to save him." Robin pleaded before losing consciousness.

Batman lay the boy's body down just as the paramedics arrived, as soon as they took him, Batman looked at the piece of paper Robin had given him. It was badly burnt, but the Dark Knight managed to make out the word carnival on it.

Gotham General Hospital

Bruce wrapped his arm around Barbara as the girl wept into his chest, he could feel the girl's pain as well as the scold Alfred was giving him.

The three looked at the hospital bed, where Dick Grayson lay connected to several life support machines. The doctors had informed him that Dick was in a deep coma, and that he suffered several major injuries that apparently weren't caused by the explosion of the warehouse, but rather by a large object. Something like a pipe or a crowbar.

Bruce didn't need to worry about anyone learning his secret identity, though. He made sure there was no evidence to link Dick Grayson to Robin, while also making sure the doctors kept their mouths shut.

"It's all my fault" he could hear Barbara whisper "I shouldn't have begged him to save my dad."

"Barbara" Bruce said quietly "Don't blame yourself for this. If anything it's my fault for letting him help me in the first place."

"On that we agree" Alfred whispered as he left the room.

Bruce looked at the distraught girl, then to the unconscious boy, then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the burnt piece of paper Dick gave him before passing out.

He analyzed it, it was puzzling. What was he up to? Why would he do any of this? What was the Joker trying to prove?

Bruce couldn't quite figure it out. This Joker was something he hadn't completely expected, he was unpredictable, chaotic, and intelligent in his own twisted way. He was insane, but also brilliant. It both impressed and frightened Bruce, it appeared he found his match.

It didn't matter, Bruce knew what he had to do. One way or another he would stop the Joker.