Just saw 'Rise of The Gaurdians' and have fallen in love of it! I think I've just found yet ANOTHER obsession! (sigh) Now I've gotta hurry up an finish writing all the stories I've got planned for my OTHER obsessions before I can write for this one! (Oh geeze, at the rate I'm going that's gonna take years!) Or...maybe I can write them all at once..?

Shout outs to my faithfull few: Jasmine Nightshade and Robin for Life. And welcome to the newcomer to this story Kaen Okami (I'll hold you to it dear :D ). More cookies for all of you! (::)x50!

ENJOY!

Cold water closed over his head, and for a moment the Coyote panicked.

He shook his head fiercely. No. I can't panic. Not here. Panicking here will get me killed!

He gave off slow kicks, just enough to push his head above the surface, and gasped in deep breaths of air. Rough, scaly skin brushed quickly past him on the left, headed toward a massive splash some ways off, and the little voice in his head began to panic.

Oh god, we're dead! We're dead! We're dead! These giant handbags are gonna eat us alive! They're gonna tear us limb from limb and..

HEY!

Mini Me fell silent at Coyote's forceful outburst. Shut up. We're not dead yet, and personally I don't intend to be! Now keep quiet so I can think in a straight line. He scanned the walls of the pit around them, noting the various exits.

Selecting the best option under the circumstances, he took as deep a breath as he could manage and dove back down under the water, making sure there was several feet between him and the surface.

What are you doing you meshugina schmuck! Mini Me screamed at him. Why don't you just serve us up on a silver platter with tasty little fish nibbles you're at it! We're sitting ducks! Our only hope is that the stupid clone finds us before these Godzilla knock offs figure out we're down here!

Coyote shook his head and continued swimming.

Glancing up at the surface, he cast a silent prayer of thanks to one of his childhood friends for teaching him to swim with his eyes open. If you'd actually look at what I'm seeing once in a while, maybe you'd understand what the heck I'm doing.

Mini Me stopped his tirade long enough to look around, and had he not been swimming Coyote would've laughed in amusement when he felt Mini's confusion. There…There's no alligators down here.

Coyote nodded and made a point of looking up. Yep

They're all swimming along the surface.

Coyote's smile widened. Yep.

Why?

Because that's where the prey is tonight. I'm hoping if I stay down here the whole way they won't find us.

You're hoping!?

Coyote's lungs were burning, he needed air.

He kicked off for the surface, staying topside just long enough to get a new breath then diving back down, hopefully before the gators spotted him. If you want guarantees Mini, you're really in the wrong racket.

You were the one who insisted on being one of these panty waisted goody two shoes!

Coyote had to restrain himself from growling at that description of his new friends. And our lives as a costumed criminal was going so much better!? He snapped in angry disbelief. My parents not included, how many people want us dead now?

Coyote shook his head, surfacing for air again. At least this way, when our life is on the line we know that we have friends who will help us.

"AHH!"

Teeth sank into Coyote's right calf, dragging the teen below the water's surface in a multitude of bubbles.

There were no word's in his mind anymore, just Mini Me's screams of terror and his own blind instinct. He had to hurry, he didn't have much air left after the alligator's surprise attack!

As the animal dragged him farther down into the depths his hands flew to the top of his left boot. The hilt of a small deer horn knife met his fingers and he could've cried out for joy that it was still there, as his other one had been confiscated while he was unconscious. The blade was barely the length of his pinky.

Not much use against the thick, scaly hide of the alligator.

A smile tugged at his lips. What is it people always say? It's not the size? It's how you use it!

His ears popped as the pressure of the water intensified and he winced.

The alligator suddenly seemed to decide that it had dragged him down far enough and it now began it's death rolls. Some of Coyote's precious air escaped his lips as the animal rolled over and over, dragging him along for the ride.

Gripping tight to his blade, the teen forced himself to reach down and find the animals head. Once there, he set his fingers exploring the craggy surface, looking for the weak spot he knew was there.

There!

His fingers found the tell tale pock mark in the animals muzzle and he drew his blade back and then rammed it forward as hard as he could. The small knife slid right up and into the animals nose, causing it to jerk. It immediately ceased it's rolling and spat him out, thrashing angrily in the water as it tried to dislodge the tiny blade from inside it's nostril.

Coyote left if there, choosing instead to send himself hurtling back up to the surface.

Thankfully, it took much less time to rise than it had to be dragged down. He broke the surface and gasped for breath. He'd never thought dank, reeking sewer air could taste so good!

The concrete platform he'd been making for was only a few feet away now, the alligator had apparently moved closer to the wall when it dragged him down. He struck out for it, reaching it within seconds and hauling himself up out of the reptile infested waters.

He dragged himself away from the edge, panting for breath. Once he felt he was a safe distance away, he took the time to take stock of his injury.

A splash nearby drew his eyes to the water.

Gold eyes glared up at him from the water and he quickly retreated further. A small access tunnel caught his eye and he squeezed himself into it. He was gratified to discover that while the entrance was a tight fit, it opened up wider farther on. He pushed himself to go as far up the tunnel as he could before stopping again.

The scrape of scales and the low rumble of an alligator at the entrance to the tunnel informed him that he had probably made the correct choice.

Yeah, about those friends who would supposedly help us…?

Coyote made a face, though whether that face was intended for Mini Me or as a grimace for the pain of his wound he wasn't sure. Don't even go there. I'm sure they're doing their best where ever they are. Something must have kept them. They'll be here soon. Miss Martian will be able to find us.

He gave a small laugh. "Told you I didn't intend on dying today." He whispered aloud.

Your leg's still torn to shreds genius.

The teen winced. Don't remind me.

He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small dog whistle. A brief puff on the whistle, and then he turned his attention to his wound.

He was glad to see that Mini's prognosis of 'shredded' applied more to his pants than to his actual leg. He quickly tore off the lengths of tattered deer hide and wrapped them around his calf, tying them tight to stave off the bleeding.

Once he was sure the bleeding was stopped, he quietly leaned back against the tunnel wall.

The small rivulet of water running through the bottom of the tunnel was already washing away the blood trail he had left behind.

He gave a small smile. The scent of blood in the tunnel was still strong, due to his leg. But it was already beginning to fade as the water washed away what had been spilled, and the tight bandage prevented more from falling.

Coyote sighed and let his eyes fall closed.

Darkness took him, and he knew no more.

"Batman look out!"

The dark knight's head jerked up at Robin's cry and he whirled around, just in time to see one of Robin's batarangs take out the dark haired man who'd been about to bring a two by four down on his head. A swift kick from him was all that was needed to send the man into unconsciousness.

He cast his gaze around. The hired henchmen had been dealt with, and the Sewer King was being dragged back by Artemis and Kid Flash. His eyes suddenly narrowed.

"Where is the vigilante?" he asked grimly.

Every single member of the team went pale and all rushed to the railing, peering over into the murky depths below. He and Wonder Woman followed their lead. Below them, he could make out Miss Martian flying back and forth over the water, apparently searching for someone.

A sudden flurry of activity closer at hand drew his attention to Super Boy, who had surfaced almost directly underneath them and was currently in the process of fending off an alligator.

Miss Martian darted over. "Did you find him?" She asked anxiously.

Super Boy delivered one last blow to the animals muzzle and shook his head at his girl friend. "No sign of him." He answered sadly.

Tears welling in her eyes, M'Gann telepathically lifted him out of the water and back up to the cat walk. "We've looked everywhere!" she reported to Kaldur, appearing just on the verge of tears. "He's gone!"

Kaldur was silent for several long minutes. Taking a deep breath, he turned to the dark knight. "Batman. I…"

Batman cut him off with a simple look.

"You and your team, get these children topside." He ordered grimly. "And make sure you get them all. I'll put in a call to Commissioner Gordon and see that the appropriate response teams are sent to meet you. Stay with the children until they get there, then wait for my instructions. Understood?"

Kaldur nodded. "Understood sir."

The team silently picked up the crooks and began the long onerous task of gathering every single child and herding them back up the sewer tunnels to the outside world.

The two leaguers watched them go.

"You didn't need to be so hard on him you know." Wonder Woman said softly.

The dark knight didn't answer her. Instead he turned his back to the tunnels and stared down into the water at the alligators glaring up at him. He pulled a cell phone from his pocket, hit one of the speed dials and held it to his ear.

"Commissioner Gordon."

"There's been an incident in the Sewers." The dark knight answered calmly.

There was a heavy sigh from the other end. "What should I be expecting?"

"The Sewer King made a comeback." Batman answered grimly. "The children appear to be alright, but a member of our team was pushed over a railing and into the water with his…pets. We can't find him."

"…good God…Ok, I'll see that officers, medical personnel, child services, search and rescue, sanitation, and animal control are all dispatched to your location. Where are you at?"

The dark knight gave him the street address for the sewer entrance they had used and then ended the call.

After that he continued to stare down at the alligators.

"How is he doctor?"

The doctor smiled at the anxious couple as he led them at a brisk pace down the hall of the hospital. He'd lost track of how many parents he'd seen tonight. Thankfully, most of the children had suffered only minor injuries, if any. A few of them had developed minor illnesses, nothing to be concerned about.

"Your son is doing just fine Mr. and Mrs. Machiavelli." He stopped in front of one of the doors and opened it, stepping aside. "In here if you please."

"Tony!"

The couple rushed past him, hurrying to the bedside of their eldest son. He smiled, excited to see them, and allowed himself to be swept up into an exuberant group hug by both parents.

It had been nearly two and a half months since he'd seen them last!

The doctor smiled, coming to stand at the foot of the bed. This was the part that he never got tired of, reuniting the children with their parents.

Mr. Machiavelli suddenly frowned, catching his son's hand. There were crisp white bandages wrapped around his son's wrists. Had he been cutting? What had happened to his son?

"What are these?" he asked, looking from the doctor to Tony and back.

The doctor gave them a reassuring smile. "From what I have been told, your son spent some time chained to a wall. He has sustained some minor lacerations to his wrists, but those will heal soon enough. You'll be able to take him home in about an hour or so."

The parents nodded gratefully, Tony's mother pulling her son into a tight hug.

"Thank you Doctor." Mr. Machiavelli murmured, offering the man his hand.

"You are more than welcome." The doctor answered. "I'll be back shortly."

They watched him leave, then returned to their son. Mrs. Machiavelli couldn't seem to keep her hands off her son, constantly reaching out to touch Tony's face or hair, or to clasp his hand in her own.

Her husband was only slightly better, choosing to keep his hand on Tony's shoulder.

"I'm sorry." Tony whispered at length. His parents stared at him, confused. "I left home to find Thomas, and bring him home." He shook his head, wiping at his eyes. "I couldn't get him to come home so I stayed out there with him. But then the Sewer King grabbed me and left Thomas out there on his own! I don't know where he is now!"

Mr. Machiavelli wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder. "None of this is your fault Tony." He reassured. "We will find Thomas, Tony. And we will do it together. Just as we should have the first time around. I promise."

Tony nodded, leaning into his parents.

A soft knock on the door interrupted the family moment. Casting rueful looks at the door, as if it were the cause of the interruption , Mr. Machiavelli called, "Yes."

The door cracked open and a familiar red head in a brilliant canary yellow costume stuck his head in the door. "Hi, they told us we could find Tony Machiavelli in here?" He grinned as his emerald green eyes landed on Tony. "Hey, mind if we come in?"

Tony shook his head. "No, please come in."

Kid Flash grinned and nodded, opening the door wider and leading the others in. "Great! Hey, maybe you can help us with something! We found this lil' guy wandering around Coyote's den! Maybe you'll know what to do with him."

Tony frowned for a minute, but his confusion quickly melted away into a smile of delight when he saw his little brother follow Kid Flash through that door.

The team was right on his heels.

Thomas beamed at him and raced forward, jumping up onto the bed and throwing himself into his elder brothers arms. He could feel his parents joining in on the hug and he smiled. Things weren't perfect with them, but at this point he didn't care.

He would try to make things right with his parents.

The bandages around his brothers wrists were all the proof he needed.

He wouldn't run away again.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... the dreaded cliffhanger! Lol, I'd post more but I've got a 30x24 inch painting to finish for class by monday so...yeah, gonna get right on that now!

Review! Or I'll sick Agent A on you for your tardiness!

Until next time...