Ragged breathing.

Pain in the chest.

Slight dampness on the surrounding skin.

Shit.

He'd been shot.

Stray slowly opened his eyes a sliver, looking around. He had a crack in his goggles that hampered his vision, but as far as he could tell he was still in the 'colosseum'. He'd been dragged over to the side, out of the spotlights, which was working to his advantage as he assessed his situation.

He heard two people fighting and lifted his head as best he could.

His heart stopped in his chest when he saw Zsasz kneeling on Robin's back, holding his knife to his throat.

'Come on, Colin. Play your wild card. Focus of your foot. Activate the venom.' Stray thought, sitting up with a lot more effort than it should have taken. The wound in his chest screamed and he grasped it with his free hand, hoping the pressure would quell the pain.

His clawed gloves dug in to the wound, scooping out the (thankfully intact) bullet, but he bit down any sound. He dropped the bullet on the ground, ignoring the feeling of blood on his gloves.

The venom started to work and he felt his muscles begin to bulk out.

The band of his goggles grew tighter and Stray ripped them off along with his cat ears, dropping them carelessly on the floor. He slipped his gloves off as well, not wanting them to get ruined.

"Leave him alone!" Stray shouted, leaning against the wall with one hand. The crowd above booed loudly and began to throw bottles at him.

Zsasz turned around at looked at him, a twisted grin on his face. He pulled the knife away from Robin's throat and stood up, letting go of his hair.

"A bonus match. I love it." Zsasz said, watching towards Stray. "A small diversion before the main kill."

Robin began to stir, lifting himself off the ground slightly. Stray's elasticated costume was starting to tear up to the knee.

"Stray?" He muttered, turning his head to look at him. "RUN! Stupid kid..." Robin practically ordered. He had cuts and tears all over his costume, blood gently weeping from the wounds. His eyes focused on Stray's face, his expression unreadable.

"Yes, run, little pig. Run and cry. Make it fun for me." Zsasz said, adjusting his grip on his knife. Stray didn't move, letting the venom activate further. "I said RUN!" Zsasz shouted, slashing at Stray. He lifted his arm to bring the knife down on.

"No." Stray said, gripping the man's arm and stopping the knife point a few centimetres from his face. He could feel the venom change his face and empower his muscles.

"What the hell are you?!" Zsasz demanded, looking panicked for the first time.

"Surprise." Stray said, growing taller and broader.

"Let go!" Zsasz hollered.

"Not a chance." Stray replied. Zsasz let out a cry of pain as Stray tightened his grip on his wrist. "Having fun now?" He asked, a grimace on his face. "Me? I'm having a blast." He placed his other hand on Zsasz's head and dashed it against the ground.

The crowd in the stands started to run, drawing Stray's attention.

"Stick around, the party's just getting started." Stray called up, charging into one of the support structures. Members of the audience fell over the rails as he rammed into more of the supports.

He started knocking out the men, making sure they couldn't leave before they were charged. One of them pulled a gun out and shot him in the arm.

Stray looked over at him before slamming his fist into his jaw.

"C'mon! Rush him!" A voice behind him shouted. He turned in time to see Robin kick one of the men in the jaw, katana in hand. He'd ditched his cape and hood.

"Thanks." Stray said. Robin looked over at him.

"Pleasur- HEY!" He exclaimed, seeing Stray's fist coming towards him. He ducked, watching Stray's fist collide with another man's face who had managed to sneak up behind him. "Oh..."

Stray grasped his hand to stop him slipped, quickly pulling him upright.

"Why didn't you tell me you were..." Robin asked.

"What? This?" Stray asked. "Tried. Couldn't find the right time."

"So find it." Robin replied. "A heads up would have been helpful."