A/N: Hello my peep's… I'm back and I am sad to say that I'll only be posting one more chapter after this. *Sad face* But, don't worry I'm defiantly doing a sequel; however, I'm only going to skip a year instead of five… Anyways, read, review, and enjoy!

Ten

Wally quickly ran up to the door and turned the door handle, but they wouldn't budge.

Eight

"We're locked in!" Wally said frantically.

Seven

"Can we disarm the bomb?" Aqualad questioned.

"No, if we do that this whole place might blow!" Artemis exclaimed as she started to panic.

Five, Four, Three, Two, One…

Suddenly the warehouse burst into treacherous flames…

(Abandoned warehouse)

The Bio Ship was practically knocked out of the sky from the impact of the blast, and Megan struggled to regain control of the ship.

"Miss Martian to team, please respond" Miss Martian said through mind link, praying hard that one of her teammates would answer; nevertheless, her desperate pleas where only greeted by silence. "Miss Martian to team, please respond…" Megan repeated once again.

"We're okay Miss Martian… Aqualad stated in a slightly strained voice. "Rocket shielded us from the blast, but I think it was too much for her to handle, as she is unconscious and needs to go back to the cave for immediate medical attention."

"Alright, I'll land the Bio Ship; prepare to board her." Miss Martian declared, as she started the landing process.

"Guys!" Wally yells out; "I think I know where Robin is." Affirms the young speedster as he bends down to pick up an old oil can that has "Gotham's Finest Oil Factory" written a cross the front.

"Where?" Conner questioned.

"In the old Gotham oil factory; you know the one located in the forest at the end of Gotham City." Wally said in a slight 'duh' tone.

"How do you know that?" Aqualad questioned.

"Because Robin made me memorize all of Gotham's residential, business, and factorial enterprise over summer break." Wally stated with slight annoyance.

"Wait, he made you memorize every Gotham map?" Asked Connor with a slight mystified expression.

"Yes, and I wanted to kill him then, but not today." Wally said with semi-smile.

"Wait, what about Rocket?" Artemis asked.

"I'll watch over her until the league shows up," Zatanna offered. "And believe me they'll show up."

"Good, then I'll run ahead." Wally said, as he quickly sped off at super speed.

Aqualad watched as the speedster ran off, wishing that he would have at least waited for them so that he would have backup.

"Are you sure you want us to leave you here alone?" Aqualad asked, as he turned back around to look at Zatanna.

"Yes, just get your butt's moving." Zatanna reassured him.

Aqualad gave her a slight nod, and then he ordered everyone to the Bio Ship. Within seconds they were off the ground and heading towards the Joker's funhouse.

(Joker's Hideout)

"Wow, now that was a bang." Joker stated; however, he never got to finish watching what happened because the camera got hit by the explosion.

Robin didn't say anything; he couldn't believe what he just saw. Where his friends really dead, or was this just a bad dream?

"Aw, now cheer up kiddo." Joker told him as he bent down beside Robin and pulled out one of his knives. "Or I'll just have to cheer you up myself, because I wouldn't want you to die with a frown."

"Just get it over with; kill me already." What's the use in keeping me alive? There's nothing to go back too, you made sure of that you demonic freak." Robin yelled at the Joker.

Joker sat there for a moment and stared at the boy wonder, then he burst out laughing; however, his laughter soon turned into murderous rage.

"Wow kid, I didn't know you felt that way." "I mean after all we've been through together and you say that to me?" Joker questioned, as he stared Robin straight in the eye.

"You're a lunatic! You killed my friends you're a…" Robin was instantly slapped a cross the face before he was able to get another word out.

"Now, now." Joker said as he ripped Robin up by the head of his hair and held the knife up to his throat. "I wouldn't try my patient's." Joker stated as he started to push the knife into Robin's throat, causing a small trail of blood to slide down his neck.

"Go ahead; you'll be making it a quick death." Robin declared.

"Why don't you two give us a few minutes?" Joker said as he looked at his goons.

His goons gave him a quick nod, and then exited the backdoor.

"Your right kid," Joker agrees as he finally drops Robin to the ground and reaches into his back pocket for a gun instead of his preferred knife . "We'll make it a little more painful."

Joker slowly aims the gun at Robin's left knee cap and then he pulls the trigger.

Robin couldn't hold back the scream that escaped his lip's from the unbearable pain that shot through his leg.

"Now, that's what I want to hear." Joker practically yelled over Robin's screaming.

Joker then started to pace around Robin, as he watched the boy bite hard into his lower lip trying to ease the pain. Robin desperately tried to say something, but he couldn't get the word out.

"Go to hell." Robin finally screamed through deep ragged breaths.

"I would kid, but people say that I'm already going to go there." Joker teasingly said.

"R-really, did your m-mother ever tell you that you were from hell?" Robin snapped.

"Oh, really? You know what I think kid? I think that you just can't learn your lesson." Joker stated with a malevolent grin.

Joker then pointed the gun at Robin's other knee and pulled the trigger.

"You look tense kid." Joker simply pointed out.

Robin screamed in pain once again. He could feel the warm crimson red liquid pour from his knees and onto the ground.

Dick stated to panic as everything around him started to go black, but he fought against the darkness. For he started to face the fact that he was going to die, and that there was nothing that was going to change that.

Joker slowly walked around Robin and watched as the blood slowly formed a puddle underneath of Robin's legs.

"Have you learned your lesson yet?" Joker asked.

"D-die." Was the only word that Robin could get out.

"Sorry, no can do… because if I die then who will be around to make Batman's life miserable?" Joker inquired.

"Y-you mean the m-man that you are too chickened to face?" Robin questioned through gritted teeth.

"I'm not afraid of anyone." Joker snapped as he gave Robin a heard kick to the side.

Robin shrieked in pain as his side started to burn.

Joker took a step backwards; he knew that there wasn't any more fight left in the boy, and that his fun and games had finally come to an end; thus, he let out a short sigh as he aimed the gun at Robin's head.

"Well kid it was fun while it lasted, and don't worry I'll tell Bruce that you went out with a bang." Joker said with a humorous giggle.

Robin slowly closed his eyes as he started to subside to the darkness that was slowly pulling him under.

He was ready to die, well that's at least what he kept telling himself… but inside he was terrified. He didn't want to die, not like this, not now and not ever. He was afraid of where he was going, was he going to go to Heaven or Hell? He wasn't the best person in the world and yet he wasn't the worst.

Was he going to see his friends? Was he going to be reunited with his mom and dad? All of the questions started to pop into his head, but he just tried to push them aside, for he knew in his heart where he was going, and he knew that soon he would be with his friends and family in heaven. This revelation brought Dick great peace, as he allowed himself to drift off into unconscious.

Joker was about to pull the trigger, when suddenly the door flew open and Wally burst in. Nevertheless, Wally underestimated the Joker, as the insane clown quickly flew around and pulled the trigger. The shot rang out in the room, as Wally fell to the ground with a pained shriek, cradling his now wounded hip.

"Lucky shot." The Joker shouted in delight.

Dick eyes instantly flew open at the sound of Wally's scream; and the boy wonder came into eye contact with his best friend.

Even through his pain, Wally could see excitement and fear in Dick's eyes, but what caught his attention was the large amount of blood that covered Robin's thin frame.

"Now, now what do we have here? I thought I killed you back in that explosion… Don't you hero's ever just stay dead?" Joker asked as he looked down at the speedster.

"Well, you failed with that plan you demonic freak." Wally snapped though gritted teeth.

"I might have failed the first time, but there's always a second chance." Joker stated with a humorous laugh as he aimed the gun at Wally temple and put his hand on the trigger. "Don't worry about your friend Dickey, he'll be just fine."

Joker started to pull the trigger, but the gun was instantly knocked out of his hand by a bat-a-rang.

Joker hastily looked in the direction the object flew from; however, from his vantage point he could only see darkness.

"Where are you?" Joker yelled into the air.

"Hear." Came the dark voice.

Joker quickly flipped around and was meant with a fist to the face, sending him flying back into a wall.

"Wow, what a hit…" Joker declared as he stood up from off the ground. "Ah Batman, your way too early I was supposed to kill the boy before you got here not after."

Batman flew forward and hit the joker again in the face, causing him to fly backwards again.

"Did you actually think that you were going to get away with this? Did you think that I wouldn't come looking for you?" Batman questioned in anger.

"No, I just wanted to see how long it would take you to find him before he had enough. But, I must say Bat's that boy sure can scream when he's in enough pain…" Joker explained. "And man was it fun to watch him beg for me to stop. However, the best part of the whole show was when he cried. Heck, he cried for hours after he spilled your secret… "But where were you Bruce? Why did you not come and save him? Oh, let me guess because you just didn't have the Balls to do it?" The Joker said in a fit of laughter.

At this Batman lost control, as he began to pummel the Joker with continual blows.

Wally watched as Batman's anger got the best of him, he didn't know what to do, should he let Batman continue on with his rage until he went overboard and killed the mad man? Or should he try to stop the enraged caped crusader? Wally chose plan B, as he tried to pull himself into a sitting position, but it was nearly impossible with a bullet inlayed through his hip bone. Through his haze of pain, Wally slowly looked over to where Robin was laying, eyeing Joker's disposed gun. A plan quickly entered Wally's head and he pushed himself to stand, but this was to no avail… as his injured hip could not withstand his body weight.

During this time Batman had beaten the Joker into what appeared to be a submissive pile of flesh; however, looks can be deceiving at times, as the Joker still verbally jousted with the Dark Knight.

"W… wow, you sure can… can throw a better punch then your kid can." Joker said hoping to tick Batman off, and it worked.

Batman gritted his teeth in anger, as he was prepared to give Joker his worst, but suddenly Joker flipped off of the ground with a sharp object in his hand.

Batman felt a piercing pain in his lower back. He was rather dumb founded for a moment and he didn't even try to fight back.

Joker ripped the knife from Batman's back and stabbed him again; He repeated the process three times over, until Batman was crouched on the ground gritting his teeth in pain.

"Now Bat's, you of all people should know that I always have a trick up my sleeve." Joker pointed out as he spit a mouthful of blood on the ground. "You've been a very naughty bat, so I guess we'll just have to teach you a lesson."

Joker gave a wide grin and then he kicked Batman hard in the side.

"You would have been better off staying where you were at because now you both will die, but I'll make sure that I kill you first and make him watch." Joker said with a malicious laugh, as he pulled the knife up and bent down beside Batman. "But first we'll give you a smile." Joker pulled the knife closer to Batman's face when unexpectedly he heard a loud bang and then he felt a sharp burning pain in his shoulder; thus, causing him to drop the knife to the ground.

Joker quickly flipped around to see that robin had dragged his beaten and broken body over to the gun that he was holding tightly in his unbroken arm.

"Whoa kid let's not do anything that you're going to regret." Joker warned.

"The only thing that I am going to regret is letting you kill another innocent victim." Dick declared as he held the gun tighter in his rapidly shaking hand.

Robin could barely hold the gun straight because of the way his hands were shaking, plus the fact that his vision was blurry; however, he couldn't feel the pain anymore, as the only thing he could feel was the anger that was raging inside of him.

"Listen kiddo you don't want to do this… I mean think about the good things that we've done these past four and a half days." Joker stated as he started to feel nervous.

"Shut up you lunatic, these past four and a half day's have been hell." Robin snapped in a warning tone.

"Calm down kid, how about we talk about this?" Joker asked as he took a step forwards.

"Don't take another step forward's or I swear to God I'll blow your brains out." Robin yelled.

"Then why don't you shoot me little boy… Come on, if you really wanted my blood on your hands then you would have shot and killed me by now." Joker teased.

Robin didn't reply he just watched the Joker's every move.

"Aw, is Robin afraid to take a risk?" Joker questioned.

Robin slowly put his finger on the trigger, but right when he was about to fire he heard Wally shout something. Instantly Wally was at Robin's side trying desperately to wrestle the weapon from his friend.

"Robin, drop the gun, it's not worth it." Wally said as he tried to pry the gun from Robin's finger tips.

Joker looked at the hero's wrestling over the gun and saw this as a perfect opportunity to take a run for it, which is exactly what he did.

"Please Dick let the gun go." Wally pleaded.

Dick gave Wally a look for a moment, not sure of what to do… What was he doing? Was he really going to take the mad man's life? He then slowly let the gun fall from his finger tips as tears ran down his cheeks, he was scared to death and he didn't know what to do.

Wally quickly pulled Robin into a comforting hug, trying desperately to soothe some part of the young man's damaged emotional psyche.

Throughout this reunion, Batman slowly began to pull himself off of the ground and looked over at Wally who was holding the young boy in his arms. Bruce started to take a few steps forward when he saw the backdoor hanging wide open. He gave a questioning look to Wally and Robin, fighting between his need to catch the Joker and his allegiance to Robin. Wally, sensing Batman's apprehension shouted "Go catch that satanic bastard before he gets away, I'll stay here with Robin."

With that said Batman was out the door and vanished into the darkness.

Wally then looked back down at Robin, as he said in a gentle tone. "I promise that I'll never leave you alone ever again." When suddenly he saw the door burst open and the team came running in.

"Where's Joker?" Conner questioned ready to rip the clown's head off.

"Batman's taking care of him." Wally said as he glanced back down at Robin, who had unburied his face from Wally's shoulder, and was beginning to mumble something.

"What?" Wally asked as he bent down a little lower to hear what the young boy was trying to say.

"I… I thought you were dead. I… I'm so sorry, this is my fault." Robin sobbed.

"Dick, I don't… We don't blame you; you were just trying to catch the Joker." Wally told the upset boy.

"No, I wasn't. I was trying to prove Batman wrong. I was trying to prove that I didn't need him to babysit me anymore and… and that I could handle myself." Robin explained.

"Rob, this isn't your fault." Wally simply said.

"You… you could have been killed because of me." Robin stated as his eyelids started to close, as he started to succumb to the darkness that was trying to pull him under.

"Dick, Dick you stay awake you hear me." Wally demanded hoping that the Dick would comply.

Instantaneously Aqualad was bent down beside the two young boy's.

"He need's immediate medical attention." Aqualad informed him, as he prepared to pull the boy from Wally's grasp.

"The Bio Ship is ready for us to be boarded." Miss Martian explained.

"No need for that." Came a sudden voice from the front door.

Instantly the team flipped around to see Superman, Canary, Flash, and Wonder Woman.

Canary and Wonder Woman quickly ran up beside Aqualad who was now holding Robin in his arm's 'Bridal style'.

"Alright get him onto the ship and prepare to take off…" Canary directed Aqualad and the others. "Where are Joker and his goon's?"

"Batman went after Joker and we caught one of the goon's, he's in custody on the Bio Ship." Superboy notified her as he helped Wally off of the ground.

"I'll go look for him." Wonder Woman declared as she ran out the backdoor and flew off.

(Middle of the forest)

Joker ran as fast as he could go. For he knew that Batman was probably hot on his trail.

Joker slowly came to a stop behind a tree, trying to catch his breath when suddenly he heard footstep's coming fast from behind him, he quickly flipped around and banged right into Batman.

"You might be able to run Joker, but there is no where you can hide where I won't find you." Batman said in a threatening tone.

"Now let's not get personal here alright?" Joker stated as he started to back up.

Batman quickly grabbed a hold of Joker and slammed him up against the tree as hard as he could.

"Believe me, it's personal." Batman declared.

The last thing to be heard in the peaceful forest was an ear piercing scream from Joker.

TBC…

A/N Alright, One more chapter left to go *Sigh* But then I get to do my sequel… Which will be called "In Darkness Let Me Dwell" I will try to make it worth your time!

Oh, and Merry Christmas! I hope that it is an awesome Christmas and full of fun and love and violence! Umm, just don't have a lot of violence! Hehe… JK.

Dedicated to: All of my reader's and reviewer's.

-CKGal101-

P.S. Review's are always welcome.