*bow* I'm sorry *bow* I was very busy and posted this late. But here it is so...yay!
So for those of you that noticed and the most of you that didn't I actually went back and re-spell checked all the chapters. They should be squeaky clean now, but since I'm not the goddamn Batman I could have missed a couple. But trust me, much better than they were before. Huge thanks to Lakeshine and Black Friar for teaching me how to correctly do that.
Another huge thanks to xMidnightAurorax, KizKatsayzgirlzruleYJ (That was mouthful. love the name), and a guest for the lovely reviews of pure enjoyment. And then of course my Beta BlazingRagnarok. With out him no one would be able to understand this story through all those lovely typos he had to fix. You rock dude!
Disclaimer: I may not own Young Justice, but I'm going to Comic Con tomorrow dressed as Robin so maybe someone there will own it and be willing to lend it to me.
Joker's voice echoed through Batman's head. "You better not make any sudden moves at me Batsy, or my hands might just slip."Batman instantly froze on the spot. Robin's life was now literally in the hands of this mad man. One wrong step and the clown might drop the unconscious boy off the boat and into a watery grave. No one could swim while they were unconscious, it was a proven fact.
And then there was the problem of the machine. Batman, technology savvy as he was, still had no clue how exactly it worked. Was the dream still going? If so, would Robin wake up if it was unplugged, or would he stay in his vegetative state forever? The unknown variables warned Batman to proceed with caution. He didn't dare do anything rash that might put his partner's life in further risk.
"What's the matter Batsy?" Joker cooed mockingly, "You're taking an awfully long time to think for the so called 'World's Greatest Detective.' You better speed up that big pointed head of yours; my arms are starting to get tired." Indeed, Robin's body was now starting to slip farther and farther off the side of the boat.
Batman knew it was now or never to save Robin. For the first times in his long crime fighting life, he had no plan. No ace up his sleeve or partner waiting in the wings. No carefully thought out attack or complicated battle strategy. But even so, he ran forward. He charged ahead into the unknown, for he knew Robin would have done the same for him. A risk worth taking to save someone precious.
Joker's smile grew even wider as he saw Batman begin running towards him, a growl evident on his masked face. Joke knew he had the great detective on the ropes. He was holding the winning poker hand. No matter how many cards his opponent tried to draw, they could never win, for he always held the joker up his sleeve.
Joker, to the Bat's horror, then opened up his hands and released his grip on both Robin and the dream machine. Batman watched his partner slip over the edge of the boat and out of view. In his panic and anger, he put on a burst of speed as he neared the Joker.
But the Joker had other ideas. Not one second after he let go of the Boy Wonder, a bomb slipped out from within his sleeve and into his hand. He cackled out, "Not so fast Batsy!" before throwing the bomb down into the remaining space between him and the racing hero.
Batman saw the bomb's movements in slow motion. Having no time to slow his momentum, he was just able to cover his body with his cape before the bomb went off with a boat shaking blast. The blast threw Batman fifteen yards back until his body collided with the opposite side of the ship. His ears ringing from his close proximity of the bomb, he shook his head to clear it before removing his cape to view the damage. There was now a huge gaping hole in the middle of the ship where Batman had been running just moments before. Bits and pieces of wood were strewn over what remained of the deck and the air around the blast site was still covered in a light, post-explosion fog.
On the other side of boat's new explosive addition stood the cause of the whole mess. Though a sharp piece of wood was lodged in his upper arm, slowly coloring his purple suit crimson, the Joker still bore a broad smile across his face as he stared straight through the fog and right into the Bat's eyes. He then cockily began to stroll around the hole, making his way slowly towards the other side. Still dazed from the explosion and his contact with the ship, Batman struggled to come to his senses and get back on his feet as the Joker grew nearer and nearer still.
Batman watched Joker open his beaming mouth, expecting the usual cackling mockery. But to his surprise, it was not an insult that came out, but the high pitched, off-tune melody of a song.
Nearer I walk toward the dark mass, staining everything black
His path now burned, his future turned, he now at a distinctive lack
No matter how loud
No matter how soft
No matter how strong he sings
His bird is gone, it fell along, down to the bottom rings.
Joker kept repeating the lyrics as he walked, his footsteps pounding along with the song's slow, hypnotic beat. The song sent shivers down the Dark Knight's spine as he guessed immediately who the lyrics were about. But instead of depressing the Bat's confidence and demeanor, it strengthened his resolve to fight. Robin was not yet lost. There was still hope of saving him, but he'd have to get through the mad clown first.
Batman quickly shook away his daze and was able to get on his feet in time for the Joker's arrival. Ten feet from Batman, Joker instantly halted both his stroll and his song. He started comically cracking his knuckles as he said, "Well Batsy looks like it's now just me and you. Mono a mono. Clown-o a bat-o. A true show down for the ages."
Batman said nothing in response, but his mouth thinned into a tight line and his hand slipped into a pocket of his utility belt, grasping three batarangs.
"Awwww no response? No snappy comeback or heroic speech? You're just not as fun as the Bird Boy, but I bet you're awfully worried for him. Don't worry, there may still be a chance he spread his wings and flew away." Joker began insanely cackling as he pretended to wave his arms back and forth like a bird.
Batman chose this exact moment to strike. In a flash of black and silver, he threw the three batarangs at Joker's exposed body. Too bad Joker was more prepared then Batman was led to believe. Instantly, knives appeared in his waving hands which he used to swipe away the oncoming batarangs. He then attempted to fling his knives at Batman, but when he looked, Batman was gone. He instead felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to receive a punch straight to the face. As he stumbled away, Batman descended again upon him and delivered a strong kick to the clown's stomach, instantly winding him.
With every punch and kick, Batman realized he was getting more and more violent. His attacks were usually strong, but controlled to do only the damage needed. Now he was going all out. He was letting his anger take control of him, dulling his senses and governing his thoughts.
He now held Joker up in the air by the collar of his suit. There was a thin red trail of blood leaking out his mouth and his body hung limp, without its usual joy. But before Batman could deliver the finishing blow, Joker's body started to shake with uncontrolled laughter. It bubbled up from him, high pitched and gurgling, continuing on for several minutes.
"What's wrong with you?" Batman growled at the clown still held tightly in his fist. The man was for sure a maniac for this was no laughing matter.
Joker calmed down his cackling to a few maddened chuckles before moving his face as close to Batman's as he could and whispering, "You've lost yourself. You've lost yourself in the madness and now you'll never find your way out until it's too late for your little friend. It's time for you to fold, I'm holding the winning hand." He then slipped a knife between Batman's ribs.
Batman was barely even able to register the pain. He didn't notice dropping Joker or even when he himself fell to the ground. The only thing he was able to think about as he stared unseeingly up at the sky was Robin slipping off the ship. He may now be too late to save his partner. He may now be too late to save his son.
So out of curiosity, do any of you reading people out there want any more bloopers at the end of this story? I did one and I almost put one in this chapter but my Beta nixed it because it was too comic strippy (lols) and didn't work as well written down with out pictures. Well just wondering. As always, Reviews and greatly appreciated, loved, and cuddled. They also make me post chapters faster *winkety wink*