A/N: Thanks for the reviews Blas, Batman Dude, JokerFan2011 and Owan!
JokerFan2011 - we're only two chapters in and you already think it's my best story? Thanks!
To answer your question, Owan, I'm not re-doing "Seven Days". There were some tips and comments given to me during that story so I'm starting with the same premise but using a different set-up. I'm attempting to incorporate ideas from a couple of different readers and also trying to follow some advice. "Seven Days" has always been my least favorite but I'm glad you liked it. :)
Chapter 3:
"Robin," Batman demanded, "what did he just say to you?"
"He said I would be doing a lot of losing, whatever that means," Robin answered. Suddenly his eyes widened as a thought came into his mind. "Batman, did you notice that you have an IV in your arm and I don't?" he asked fearfully.
"Yes," Batman didn't like his partner's tone of voice, "but there is nothing to worry about, okay? Everything will be fine because we are going to get out of this like we have always done with every other trap."
"Right," Robin nodded, "but when he said I would be doing a lot of 'losing' do you think he meant you? That I would lose you?" Robin's voice was a little shaky at that thought. "I mean, there are a lot of things that can travel into someone's body through an IV tube."
"Robin, stop, you aren't going to lose me. He was just trying to scare you and it better not work. I need your head clear so we can get out of here."
Robin nodded again then looked at the ground. "What if he gives you something that takes over your mind and you can't control what you do?" Robin whispered. "What if he wants us to fight each other? Holy nightmare, Batman, I'm not going to fight you…"
"Robin, stop," Batman commanded. "Stop thinking about things that might happen and start thinking about finding a way to escape. I won't be here to have my mind controlled if we escape, right? Right, Robin?!" His partner wasn't responding and was still focused on the ground. Batman sighed and tried to think of a different way to calm his partner down, not knowing that Robin was already asleep again. Batman was still tired from the gas but did his best to stay awake. The lingering effects of the fumes were too strong, though, and he gradually fell asleep.
The next morning:
Robin's head popped up as soon as he opened his eyes. "Batman, did you put that new bomb-looking thing into our utility belts yet?" he asked in cautious excitement.
"No, I didn't put any in either of our belts. It's still new, remember?" Batman replied as he shook the sleep out of his brain. "I still have several tests to run it through before I'll even think about giving one to you."
Robin looked away guiltily and Batman narrowed his eyes. "Robin, do you have a mini Bat-blaster in your utility belt?" he growled.
"Maybe," Robin avoided a direct answer and that confirmed Batman's suspicion.
"Robin, WHY do you have a mini Bat-blaster in your utility belt?!" Batman demanded angrily. "They are not ready for me to handle and definitely not ready for you!"
Robin glared at Batman, "It looked useful, okay?! Maybe it can get us out of here! Aren't you glad I have one since we are stuck here like this?!"
Batman lowered his voice but he was still furious with his partner. "Robin, how on earth are you going to get it out of your utility belt without the use of your hands or feet? No, I'm not glad that you have one – you could blow yourself up! Where is it?"
Robin looked down at his belt and remembered where he had stashed it, "In the side pocket on my left hip."
"Well, the hip isn't usually a place that gets hit when you are fighting, so that's something good about it. We will be having a long discussion about this when we get back to the Batcave," Batman growled again as he pushed against the restraints. Nothing happened and he was a little concerned. The mini Bat-blaster would be helpful but there was no way to get it out of Robin's belt so he was not going to say anything else about it.
Kirik stared at the pen in his right hand, trying to figure out what to write under each picture. He had decided to make a poster for the Boy Wonder and put it in a place where he would constantly see it. A poster about failure and not living up to expectations; something a teenage hero would really take to heart, especially since his mentor was in the same room with him. There was a series of short beeps that startled him and he looked at his watch; it was time for Batman's first dose which also meant it was time to explain the situation to Robin. He put the pen down – the poster could wait – and walked across the living area of the cabin, flipping a switch on the small machine next to the closed door. It hummed to life, initiating the bubbling of a clear fluid in the square hole on top of the machine, which then began to gradually fill up the bag attached to its side. He pushed the door open and entered, immediately noticing the glare that each hero was sending to the other one. Kirik grinned again and shook his head. This was going so well without him even doing anything! Maybe he should just let it play out…he dismissed that thought and walked to the center of the room.
Batman had seen the villain come in and quickly shut down his emotions. He tried to glare at Robin in a way that would communicate the need to calm down but his partner was guilty and upset; two feelings that were hard for him to handle if he didn't have a way to express them. If glaring at Batman was his way of releasing them, fine, as long as he didn't start badgering their captor. Batman shook his head violently when Robin opened his mouth and Robin's face darkened as he shut it again.
"Hello, again!" Kirik was excited when he walked up to Robin and lightly slapped the bruise on his cheek.
"What do you want?!" Batman shouted at him and was frustrated when the villain completely ignored him.
"So, Rooob-iiiiin," Kirik drew his name out mockingly, "how are you feeling right now? Scared, sad, stupid, which is it?"
"Holy unlikelihood, are those my only choices?" Robin snapped at him, not at all intimidated anymore.
"Not right now but they probably will be very soon," Kirik smiled.
"Do you really want to know?" Robin asked. "I'm not afraid of you or whatever you have planned. I'm feeling sarcastic and witty and bubbling over with joy. Does that answer your question?" he glared at the villain viciously.
"Well, you might feel slightly less confident after I'm done telling you my plans for you and your," Kirik tossed a glance over his shoulder, "strong and heroic partner."
"I doubt that," Robin muttered as he, too, glanced at Batman.
"First, let me introduce myself. I go by the name of Kirik, which is the Turkish word for "broken". It's very appropriate because I am here to break you. Not Batman, you. I know that a number of villains have tried to do it and, obviously, all of them have failed. I, however, will not fail for several reasons: first, I break people for a living – it's what I get paid to do; second, you are just a boy; third, the man who trained you to be a sidekick is here and about to watch you fail miserably and fourth, I have never not broken someone I have gone after. You will be no exception," Kirik declared arrogantly.
"Leave him alone," Batman threatened loudly but the man continued to ignore him.
Robin, who had become less confident with each reason that the villain laid out, rolled his eyes and attempted to push his fear away. "So, why are you going to try to break me?" he asked. "What kind of information are you looking for?"
"Absolutely, positively nothing," Kirik grinned widely. "We are each here for one reason: you to break, me to break you and your partner to watch that happen."
"Leave him alone!" Batman shouted this time and attempted to free himself from the metal bolts, pushing against them with all of his strength.
Kirik rolled his eyes and, watching Robin's face carefully, said, "Batman is going to be very disappointed in you when you cave. He seems to think you are strong but the way he keeps yelling at me to leave you alone leads me to believe that he doesn't think you are strong enough."
Robin's eyes dropped to the ground when he thought of Batman being disappointed in him but he heard the villain chuckle and he brought them right back up to the man's face.
"I will die before I break," he growled, daggers shooting from his eyes.
Kirik started shaking with laughter, "That's…that's the best…" he had to keep pausing to catch his breath. After half a minute he finally calmed down enough to continue, "That's the best way to break; your death will be my victory. You will be one more trophy to place on my already overflowing shelf of broken people."
"Then I won't die, either," Robin declared. "We'll just find a way out and then let you break in Arkham."
"Leave him alone!" Batman roared from across the room.
Kirik finally turned around and glared at Batman. "Stay out of this; it doesn't concern you. The only reason you are here is because it will be harder for him," he jerked his head toward Robin, "to have you watch him fail at being a sidekick."
"I WON'T FAIL," it was Robin's turn to roar at the man as Batman strained against his bonds again. "I won't break, I won't die and when we get out of this I definitely won't fail at taking you out!"
DING. "Oh, it's ready!" Kirik said as he looked back at Robin. "So, here's how we're going to start: you will eat when I decide that you are allowed to eat and you will drink when I decide you should have a drink. Neither is going to happen anytime soon so you might as well resign yourself to a significant loss of energy. Your partner, on the other hand, will be well-fed and always feeling refreshed."
"If he doesn't eat, I don't eat!" Batman thundered, his face dark with rage.
Kirik turned around and walked over to Batman. "How very noble of you, Batman, trying to keep your young sidekick's spirits up by dwelling in misery with him. It won't work, however, because you don't really have a choice."
He pushed a small button on his watch and both Batman and Robin watched a clear liquid begin to flow through the IV and into Batman's body.
"You are receiving nutrients and fluids and everything your body needs to stay strong and healthy. This will happen automatically every eight hours – sometimes more frequently if I feel like it – and there is nothing you can do about it. You can't take it away from yourself, you can't give any of it to your sidekick and he gets to watch the nourishment glide into your body with the knowledge that you are not suffering at all."
"Good," Robin shouted, "because he shouldn't have to suffer! If it's me you want just let him go! Knock him out and take him somewhere far away then drop him off! I'm sure you're in a place that's difficult to find so just let him go!"
"Robin, enough!" Batman shouted furiously.
Kirik laughed, "I'll leave you two to work it out. See you later, Boy Wonder." He sauntered out the door, leaving it half-open behind him.