I have to admit, I find it amusing that in only two chapters, this story has almost as many reviews as my other WIP, which has eight chapters. But maybe I'm just the sort of person who finds that sort of thing funny. Oh well, enjoy.
Pain filled gasps filled the air, echoing through the dark. A heavy thud answered, catching a muffled cry and turning it into a short scream.
On the blood soaked stone floor, Jason gasped, trying to breathe through several broken ribs. He bit his lip, silently promising himself he wouldn't scream again as a flash of silver rose in the air. It came down, catching him on the back of the shoulder. Jason felt the crack as the bone snapped. He bit through his lip in an effort to keep the scream from escaping his torn and bloody throat as he pressed his face into the cold, wet floor.
There was a crash as metal hit stone before footsteps walked away, somewhere out of Jason's view. Numbly, he wondered how many bones had now been broken under the ruthless assault. Groaning, Jason tried to roll over, to look for any escapes.
A foot landed on his back, sending him back to the floor.
"Now, now kiddo. You don't want to do that." A voice said above him. "I'm sure daddy won't be very impressed to know you've been a bad boy."
A sadistic laugh filled the air. A hand ruffled Jason's dark hair before the foot caught him in the ribs. Once again the footsteps retreated.
"Oh, and tell the big guy I said hello." The voice called.
Another laugh filled the air, cut off as a door slammed shut.
Trying to ignore the pain, Jason rolled onto his back. He looked up at the flickering lights above his head, trying to focus on something other than the pain as he fought to catch his breath.
Slowly Jason sat up, ignoring the black spots flashing in front of his eyes. There was a door not far from him. Slowly, he climbed to his knees and then his feet, taking an experimental step forward. He felt himself sag as pain shot through his kneecaps but he forced himself on, determine to get to the door.
Slowly, step by the step, Jason pushed himself forward until he couldn't move anymore, collapsing heavily against the door. He reached, grabbing the handle of the door and dragging it down. The door didn't move, the lock holding it closed against Jason's diminishing strength.
Slowly, Jason turned to rest against the door. Half-heartedly, he pushed his aching shoulders against the door. He closed his eyes, resting his head against the metal as soft beeps filled the air.
Opening one eye, Jason glanced at around, his eyes finally falling on a device hidden in the shadows, the twisted metal and wires attached to the timer.
Eight seconds.
He closed his eye again.
"Of course." He muttered before the deafening echo of the explosion ripped apart the building. Even over the sound of the explosion, Jason could hear a voice shouting.
"Robin!"
"Jason!"
"Jay?"
Someone was poking him in the chest. Slowly, Jason opened an eye to look at the annoying bundle of energy next to him.
"What do you want Brat Wonder?" He growled.
Dick raised an eyebrow at him questioningly.
"You were talking in your sleep." The teenager replied, looking his brother up and down.
"Maybe I was. But it was none of your business." Jason growled.
There was a snort from Dick's other side.
"Smooth Todd. Real smooth."
"Shut up Harper." Jason replied, glaring at the relaxing hero. Quickly he released his belt, pushing himself out of his chair and slipping past his little brother and sometimes friend.
"Where are you going?" Dick asked, slipping the hood of his new red hoodie up onto his head. Quickly, the young hero raised his feet to rest on the seat and pulled Roy's ipod out from the pocket.
"For a walk." Jason replied, deliberately not looking back.
"You are aware you are on a plane right?" Roy asked, already reaching over to take his ipod away from the teenage hacker. It occurred to Jason that Roy was a very different person when he wasn't wearing a mask. More friendly for one thing.
"Give that back you little thief." The archer muttered as Dick grinned, holding the device out as far as he could.
Jason rolled his eyes and ignored the two as he walked between the isles. Kori had taken the smart option and flown on ahead, avoiding the many hours trapped on a flying tin can that it took to get from New York to Taipei and the Outlaws new job.
The vigilante sighed and lent against the edge of the stewardess station. One of the girls stepped out.
"Drink sir?" She asked.
Jason nodded sharply.
"Sure." He muttered.
Grinning, the girl turned back to the station, pulling out several bottles.
"Family?" she asked as she worked, indicating to Jason's empty seat. Roy had put Dick in a headlock, his free hand holding onto one of Dick's wrists. In retaliation, Dick was driving his free elbow into Roy's ribcage. It looked like harmless fun but Jason knew better. He could see the well hidden flashes of pain on Roy's face as Dick repeatedly hit nerves.
"Little brother and idiot friend." Jason replied.
The stewardess laughed.
"Cute." She replied. Jason deliberately ignored her as she eyed him.
"So, are you traveling for work or pleasure?" She asked, her voice dropping to a seductive tone.
Jason glared at her.
"Work." He replied in an icy tone.
The girl didn't seem to notice the hostility. Instead she handed Jason a glass before winking at him. She turned away, disappearing behind a curtain.
Shaking his head, Jason walked back, grabbing Dick's ankle and pushing the boy out of the way as he slipped into his seat. Dick smirked at him.
"What's that?" Roy asked, leaning over Dick's head. Jason looked down at his drink. A napkin had been attached to it. Separating it from the glass, Jason looked at the hand written number.
"Todd, you dog." Roy grinned.
"Friend or not, I can still beat the crap out of you arrowhead." Jason threatened.
Roy and Dick shared a grin before relaxing back into their seats. There was a few minutes of silence before Dick piped up.
"I wonder if Cheshire is still in Taipei." He muttered aloud.
"Oh you little…"
Jason quickly pushed his headphones on, blocking out the sound. It was going to be a long fight.
The team was silent as they watched Batman work, none of the teenagers willing to draw the wrath of the Bat to them. It had been three days now since Robin had walked out on the team. Three days since he had vanished into thin air like a ghost.
Even tracking the Zeta Tube had proven ineffective, the hacker somehow having rewritten it before he disappeared. Every time Batman or Aqualad tried to trace his movements, the computers told them Robin had never left the team's home.
Batman's trackers, which were apparently a mandatory part of Robin's uniform, had also been deactivated, leaving no clues.
Black Canary had arrived soon after Batman had reported his protégé missing, determined to keep the rest of the team occupied, and if worst came to worst, act as a buffer between the teenagers and an angry Dark Knight while Batman utilised every available option for the search. Gotham's hero had set up searches on the computers and Mt Justice, the Watchtower and even the Batcave, all searching for Robin, his secret identity (Which the team still wasn't allowed to know) or anyone resembling him. It seemed it was probably the closest Batman could get to panicking.
Which was way Superman's interruption was so unwelcome. The Man of Steel didn't venture into the cave, something which could have been due to his uneasiness around Superboy or could be a survival instinct, staying out of arms reach of Batman. Instead, his face flashed up into the screen while Batman worked, causing the Detective to growl.
"What do you want?" Batman asked in a dangerous tone.
The team, who had taken to staying close to the Dark Knight in case he got a lead and needed the younger heroes to mobilise, had remained silent, but their active dislike of the Kryptonian for his dislike of their Boy of Steel, had caused them to glare at the hero. Superman seemed unfazed, his eyes fixed on Batman.
"We have a situation in New York." Superman replied.
Batman's hand slowly formed a fist as it rested on the console.
"Then handle it." He replied, turning back to his work.
"Batman." Superman tried again. "The suspect is one of yours."
Slowly, Batman turned back.
"Who?" He asked.
Superman shrugged.
"We don't know. He was flagged as one of yours but you locked the file. I'm sending you the footage we have."
Switching to another computer, Batman opened the file, ignoring the teenagers as they crowded around him to watch. The footage was grainy but a figure was visible, running across the rooftops. Quickly typing in a few commands, Batman cut out all useless information until only the figure was on screen.
He was male, dressed in black and grey with a brown leather jacket. But the most noticeable aspect of the man was the helmet. It was completely red except for the white lenses where the eyes were.
In front of the team, Batman stiffened.
"Red Hood." He muttered.
"Red who?" Wally asked.
Artemis jabbed her elbow into the speedster's ribs, causing him to wince.
"Ouch!"
"Shut up!" Artemis growled.
Batman ignored them, instead talking again.
"How many were killed?" He asked Superman.
"Killed? None." Superman replied. "However, Hawkgirl did a scan of the area earlier today and found these."
The Man of Steel held up several metal devices. They were the same size and shape of marbles and a dark grey in colour. However, a red pattern was on each of them.
Batman entered a command into the computer, causing the cameras to zoom in on Superman's hand. The devices filled the screen, showing the red 'R' on each.
"Robin!" Megan said, staring at the image in horror.
"Yes." Batman replied to the unanswered question. "These came from Robin. The question is why."
Returning the screen to normal size, Batman looked at his comrade.
"Thank you Superman. You have been very helpful."
There was an awkward silence before Superman finally asked.
"Did you just …thank me?"
Batman shut down the screen, instead turning back to his work.
"So now what?" Wally asked, suddenly losing his temper. "We have a lead, why aren't we followed it?"
"Wally." Kaldur warned. "We do not know anything yet."
"Are you kidding? Clearly Robin is in New York, being held hostage by this Red Hood! By one of your rouges!" This last comment was directed at Batman.
Batman turned to Wally suddenly, causing the speedster to back away quickly.
"You know nothing about the Red Hood, or what he would do to Robin." The Dark Knight said, his voice cold. The detective looked at the whole team before turning to Black Canary, who had quietly entered the room.
"I have business in New York. None of them are to leave until I give the all clear."
Black Canary nodded.
"Understood." She replied.
Batman turned, his cape flying out behind him as he entered the Zeta Tube.
"Hey! Wait!" Wally shouted but the Dark Knight was already gone.