"You know, this would be a whole lot easier if we had someone who could fly with us," Robin remarked drily from his motorcycle.
"It is most unfortunate that Miss Martian was otherwise occupied tonight," Kaldur agreed, riding his own motorcycle side by side with Robin. "We may have to notify the League if the situation gets worse."
Robin scowled from under his helmet. "We can handle this. We just have to think like a bat. And who better to think like a bat than someone who's trained by one?"
"I'm assuming then that you have come up with a plan?"
"I have a few ideas. We have to catch up to him first, though."
"Kid Flash, anything yet?" Aqualad put a hand to the communicator in his helmet.
"Cure wise? No. But I realized what about it was bothering me earlier. I've seen this kind of science before."
"That's good, isn't it?" Robin asked.
"It's based on Cadmus animal gene splicing experimentation."
"So definitely not good, then," Robin amended grimly. "How did he get a hold of that kind of information?"
"It looks like he worked for them briefly, but I don't see why or when he left to pursue his own work," Kid Flash answered.
"Keep looking," Kaldur told him. "If you can't find a way to undo the serum, we may need your help bringing him down."
"Copy, that."
"Crap," Robin glanced down at his tracking device. "He's moving into a residential area. That place will be swarmed with trick or treaters."
"How far behind are we?" Kaldur asked, voice grim.
"Not far. We'll intercept him in two minutes."
They heard it before they saw it. Screams filled the evening air, and suddenly there was a mob of people, mostly children in elaborate, brightly colored costumes, rushing past them to get away. A few kids stopped and stared at the heroes in shock, and Robin gave a little wave as they rode past them.
They turned the corner, and all was chaos. Ripped bags spilling with candy were strewn about the ground, forgotten as panicked people ran for their lives. The Man-Bat had a man and his child cornered by their car. The father had his arms spread, face panicked, as he tried to shield his crying son as the creature advanced on him, snarling.
"Oh no you don't!" Robin revved his engine, urging his motorcycle faster as he wove through the panicked civilians. He took out his grapple gun and fired it, securing the gun to his cycle. The cord wrapped around the beast's neck, and as Robin sped past the father and son, it yanked the Man-Bat to his back and began dragging him through the streets. Robin glanced behind him, seeing the creature claw at the cord and shriek in fury as his wings scraped on the ground.
Just as he neared the end of the street, where no civilians remained, there was a sudden harsh jerk on his motorcycle. His eyes widened as his motorcycle stopped suddenly, and his body was thrown into the air from the momentum. Robin twisted in midair, landing on his feet and skidding some distance away, his hands spread to keep his balance.
The Man-Bat had somehow turned onto his stomach, seized the cord from the grapple, and spread his wings, his inhuman strength allowing him to yank the motorcycle right from underneath the hero. Robin winced as the creature tossed his cycle into the air; it crashed into a large oak tree and caught fire.
His gaze turned from the motorcycle, and suddenly the Man-Bat was right before him, claws raised, but before he could do anything to protect himself, two large whips of water slammed into the creature's side, knocking him away.
Robin looked back to see Kaldur wielding his water bearers, ready for battle. The street was empty now except for broken cars and debris.
The Man-Bat rose and shrieked at them.
Kaldur responded with another slash of his water bearers, this time electrifying them. The creature went rigid as the electricity moved through him, shrieking in pain. Robin stepped back, and Kaldur released his grip on the Man-Bat, who slumped to the ground, slightly smoking.
"Guess we didn't need my ideas after all," Robin grinned at him.
The Man-Bat's head jerked up at them, eyes narrowed and fangs dripping. It lurched to its feet and roared again.
"No, Robin, now would be an excellent time for your ideas," Kaldur replied.
"Keep him busy," Robin said, darting into the open garage of the nearest house and pulling up his wrist computer. The garage was obviously set up for a Halloween party, which had been quickly abandoned the moment a real monster decided to show up. Robin tore down the black plastic tablecloths, which had been hung up like curtains around the garage.
He grinned in triumph at the vast collection of electronics and power tools of a computer genius that lined the shelves, just waiting for him. Robin could hear the sounds of a brutal fight as he worked quickly, pulling up schematics on his computer and tearing apart the pieces he needed from the various equipment.
Sweat began to drip down his forehead as he worked, downloading the information and programs needed into his hastily built machine, his heart racing with adrenaline. He knew every second he took to build what he needed, Kaldur was facing the very deadly, very pissed monster.
"Got it!" he shouted in triumph, holding up the fastest built ultrasonic transmitter ever. There was a very slim chance it would work, but then again their chances were always slim in the hero business.
Robin froze, realizing suddenly it was far too quiet. Kaldur! He rushed out of the garage, his eyes scanning the street for his friend.
"Robin! Get down!" Kaldur shouted from where he was pinned beneath a car.
Robin turned just as the Man-Bat bore down on him. Massive claws tore through his Kevlar like it was nothing and sunk deep into his flesh, ripping skin and muscle. He screamed as the talons dug deeper into his shoulders, and with a sudden lurch, he was airborne, and the ultrasonic transmitter slipped from his fingers and clattered to the ground.
White hot agony tore through him as he was lifted higher and higher into the cold night air, the weight of his body pulling him farther down onto the claws that gripped him. Gritting his teeth, Robin forced his arms to reach up and grab the ankles of the Man-Bat to alleviate his weight, crying out as he did so.
"Robin, can you hear me?" Kaldur called out through his communicator.
It took him a few tries to get enough air to speak, blinking away the gray spots that threatened to make him pass out. "Yeah," he managed, his stomach lurching as the houses got smaller and smaller.
"Get-" Robin paused, clenching his teeth and eyes as the Man-Bat lunged violently, rocking his body against the razor sharp claws. "Get the ultrasonic transmitter, the machine I dropped. It'll disorient him enough for you to catch him, but you have to be close, like within thirty feet close."
There was a long quiet pause where Robin tried not to think of how much pain he was in, and suddenly Kaldur's heavy breathing sounded in his ear. "I got it. I'm in pursuit, but I can no longer see you."
Robin glanced around him, wishing that the Man-Bat had at least had the courtesy to snatch him facing forwards instead of background. "Heading-gah!-heading west. I think towards downtown Gotham. I-I don't think he has a specific destination in mind. Just away."
"Hang on, Robin, I am on my way," Kaldur replied reassuringly. "I'm notifying the League."
"Don't do that!" Robin cringed as another jolt of movement sent agony through his whole body. "We-we got this."
"We need assistance. Pride goeth before a fall, my friend."
"Not the best thing to say to someone dangling a hundred feet in the air. I have a plan, trust me."
There was a heavy sigh. "I hope you know what you are doing."
Robin grimaced. So did he.
Two chapters in one day! I was obviously in a writing mood. I'd like to apologize to the scientists, computer genius's, and overall super intelligent people who will catch the glaring errors of this story, as I know absolutely nothing about serums, formulas, or the building of tech. I'm sure none of it is accurate, but that's what's fun about fanfiction, it doesn't have to be. :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope to have the next one up soon.