Note: All of this takes place well before The Brave and The Bold does. As such, Robin (complete with his 'holy something, batman!' catchphrase) is only a 12-year old, and Cliff Meisters (A.K.A. The Music Meister) is only 15.

Disclaimer: Do I even need to say it????

Chapter 5: Never Enough (Five Finger Death Punch)

As the civilians of Gotham debated about the possibly dangerous move made by the commissioner, they knew that the decision had already been made. They knew, consciously (or unconsciously) that even if they didn't like it, they would soon see a black streak that could hardly be called a car park itself in front of Gotham high school to take down the mysterious new threat.

Even when they expected it, they were surprised to see it when it happened, partially because the Batmobile always goes at high speeds. Wing-like fins seemed to flap as the car came to a screeching halt. And as soon as it stopped, the hatch opened, and out jumped the vehicle's two occupants: Batman and Robin!

Admiring the sheer size of the building, Batman's 12-year-old sidekick said: "Some school, Batman! I can't imagine how many kids go there!"

"Well over 1,500, Old Chum. That's why the criminal we're here to track down could be very difficult to find. He could be hiding anywhere in this building. That's why I've asked Commissioner Gordon to keep the exits covered for escapees, just in case he decides to run for it while we're trapped in a maze of a building."

And throwing caution to the wind, as always, The Dynamic Duo entered the building. Unknown to them, their every move was caught on camera, and Cliff Meisters watched the viewer-screens intently. Going through his mind was how he could possibly handle the situation, as he waited hidden behind the auditorium curtains.

The very first place Batman and Robin went was the auditorium, causing Cliff to worry. What if he couldn't convince them that he wasn't a criminal, that he made those people rob banks by accident? Suddenly, a stray piece of conversation caught his attention as it echoed around the room:

"So, Batman, what are we looking for, exactly?"

"All that kid said was that he was 'teaching some guy a lesson' when suddenly he heard a strange song, and he couldn't control his body beyond that point."

"Holy Broadway! Do you think-"

"Precisely, Robin. The song was the means by which our target hypnotized the aforementioned 1,500 students. We probably should put in some Bat-earplugs, and hope that we can avoid the hypnosis that way." So they did, pulling batarang-shaped earplugs out of their belts, and placing them in their ears.

After half a minute, Robin suddenly thought of something: "Wait, Batman…What if that kid who was being taught a 'lesson'… what if he's our mystery hypnotist?"

As Cliff realized that they're actually closer to the truth than they realized, Batman responded to his 12-year-old protégé's question: "If so, Robin, then my hope is that we can set him on the right path, one that doesn't turn him into a criminal, before it's too late."

To think: Had Batman not said it that way, they might have had a chance of negotiating with him. However, the wording of that quote made Cliff have an unfortunate memory resurface...

"(Sobbing)...Why...why are you doing this to me?"

"Oh, we just want to set you on the right path, one that doesn't turn you into a nerd, before it's too late!"

Upon his remembering how those particular bullies justified their actions, Cliff's plan for dealing with Batman changed dramatically.

"You want to change who I am?!?" he shouted from behind the curtain; "You're no better than those bullies!"

And with that, Cliff stepped onto the stage, in full view: a 15-year-old redhead, with a purple tuxedo-like jacket on, a t-shirt that said 'Sing Along To My Song' under the jacket, and a pair of glasses that made his eyes look like musical notes. "The Music Meister is what I am! You don't like that? TOUGH!"

Before Batman and Robin could react, and try to get up on the stage, they managed to hear something odd through their earplugs: the so-called Music Meister's growling started sounding more like...the intro to a heavy metal song! And as that happened, from nearly every open door in the auditorium, a horde of students danced towards the Caped Crusaders! The Music Meister started singing:

I'm so fed up with everyone around me-
No one seems to care!
I'm just so far gone, and nothing's gonna change-
I'll never be the same!

It's always Do this, Do that; everything they want to!
I don't wanna live that way! (the students shouted NO! here)
Every chance they get, they're always
Pushing me away!

Upon that (musical) note, all of the closest students suddenly leaped on the two heroes.

It's Never Enough, no, it's never enough;
No Matter what I say!
It's Never Enough, no, it's never enough;"
I'll never be what you want me
To Be!

During the break in the song, the fight continued. It was a difficult one, because these combatants were fighting Batman and Robin against their will, and the heroes were trying to be as gentle as possible against the innocents.

Batman pushed one of the students back, but he got caught by his equally-hypnotized friends, and hurled back against the Dark Knight. If it weren't for his padded armor, the punch hurled by the oncoming child (BIFF!) would have hurt a lot more.

Robin, meanwhile, tried to climb over the seats in the crowded auditorium, in hopes of reaching the Music Meister. However, a few students had gotten in front of him, and shoved him down into the cramped seating arrangements (SPLAT!).

And all the while, Cliff Meisters egged his slaves on by continuing to sing...

It's all so messed up, and no one ever listens-
Everyone's deranged!
I'm just so fucked up, and I'm never gonna change-
Wanna lay it all to waste!

They're always Say this, Say that-Nothing that you want to!
I don't wanna live that way! (NO!)
Every chance they get they're always
Shoving me aside!

By the time Cliff reached that note, Batman (in the middle of the aisle) and Robin (under the seats) were quite overwhelmed. There were several students piled on top of them, and any observer would consider the fight over.

It's Never Enough, no, it's never enough
No matter what I say!
It's Never enough, no, it's never enough!"
I'll never be what you want me to be-
I'M DONE!!

Batman managed to get his mouth free from under the sheer volume of bodies, and shouted "Stop! I don't want to have to fight you!"

Cliff's mind started to lose focus on fighting the Duo here, as he heard his opponent apparently surrender. Then, the surprise faded from his face, and he angrily said: "You've oppressed me for so long, and now you expect me to give up when you say I should? Fuck you! Fuck every last one of you!!!" After a few seconds for catching his breath, he continued on, half-singing, half sobbing…

In the end, we're all just chalk lines on the concrete;
Drawn, only to be washed away.
But for the time that I've been given…
I am what I am.

I'd rather hate you for everything you are,
Than ever love you for something you are not.

I'd rather you hate me, for everything I am,
Than have you love me for something that I can't be!

Upon hearing that the Music Meister interpreted negotiations as bullying, Batman resumed struggling…and just barely managed to reach the Bat-electric generator on his belt. When he pressed the button, an electric shock was delivered to all of the kids on top of him. It caused them all to loosen their grip for a second, as they started to recoil from the shock-if only for a second. Quickly forgetting their pain under the Music Meister's hypnotic spell, they grabbed Batman again as he tried to flee.

It's Never Enough! It's Never Enough!
No Matter what I say!
It's Never Enough, no, it's never enough;
No matter who I try to be!

It's Never Enough, no, it's never enough!
No matter how I tried to change!
It's Never Enough, never, never enough!
I'll never be what you want me
To beeeee-

Suddenly, the song of the Music Meister is cut short by Robin, who wraps an improvised gag around Cliff's mouth! In shock, Cliff suddenly realized that he couldn't sing anymore, not with this piece of curtain in his mouth! He tried to pick it out, but his hands are grabbed, and put in Bat-cuffs!

"Alright, everyone!" shouted Robin, his voice (a high one, since he's so young) echoing throughout the entire auditorium: "You are all free now! So release Batman, and go home to your families!"

The loud, high-pitched shouting cut through, snapping them all out of their trances. Without Cliff's voice present to put them under again, they all exited the room in short order.

As the police were called in to arrest the Music Meister, Batman congratulated his sidekick. "That will go down as the first supervillain you neutralized. I trust it was far from the last?"

"You can count on that, Batman!"

"Just one question though: How did you get up on that stage?"

"When you distracted the Music Meister, his focus was directed away from me. His helpless minions turned towards you, allowing me to crawl under the chairs and sneak up on their controller!"

"Well done, Robin! We haven't been working together for very long, and already you're starting to think like me. I can see you as quite a hero when you get old enough to set out on your own."

In mere minutes, the police were dragging the maniacal 15-year-old to a squad car. Commissioner Gordon opened a conversation with Batman, intending to discuss how the suspect should be treated: "Well done, Batman. You've saved the day again."

"...I still would have preferred it if I could have settled it without forcing him to."

"We found an I.D. on him, by the way: His real name is Cliff Meisters."

"Explains where he got the Idea for his name. Any luck on the money?"

"We could find no trace of the stolen money in the school. However, a few students who were able to remember what they did while hypnotized pointed us to a bank-account they deposited their proceeds in, and we hope that that it will lead us to any accomplices or employers."

"I trust you guys with that."

"Thanks, Batman. Now, do you have any suggestions on how Dr. Jeremiah Arkham should handle him?"

"He's headed for Arkham Asylum?"

"Well, he did attack you without remorse. He's at least going for a quick psyche evaluation, upon which his needs will be accommodated. Better Safe than Sorry, you know. Do you think he's insane?"

"...As much as I hate to admit it; he is a minor, after all; You're right about being safe. My hope is that when Cliff leaves whichever facility he's assigned to, he leaves the Music Meister behind."

Is this the end? Did the Music Meister really go down this easily? Was he kept in jail until the events of 'Mayhem?' No! I have much more planned for Cliff than this! Wanna find out? Wait for the next chapter!

Same Bat-time!

Same Bat-channel!

A/N: SO SORRY ABOUT KEEPING YOU GUYS WAITING!