The Bat's Demon Chapter 6, a young justice fanfic

I thank the Lord for everyone who is still keeping up with this story. I know it's not easy waiting for writers to update their stories. Considering I am back in college and have papers due soon, I decided to update now and wait to update again until I have a little more breathing room. That's college for you. You know the drill: once you've finished reading please review down below. Again, thank you so much!

Disclaimer: If only I could write legit DC, then this would definitely be canon. ;-)

Batman risked a glance around the corner. When he was satisfied that he wasn't seeing anyone, he quickly whipped his body to the adjacent wall and continued his creeper-pace down the hallway.

It was quiet. Way too quiet. Wasn't this supposed to be the fortress of Ra's al Ghul, ultimate crime lord of past centuries' cults? Where were his men, his trainees, ninjas, samurais, and his assassins? It seemed like everyone had vanished into thin air, disappearing without a trace.

It had to be a trap. Every instinct of his screamed it. The barely-there evidence left behind untouched, the ease in finding and gaining entrance to this fortress. Ra's al Ghul wanted him to come in, wanted him to catch up. All for what? His train of thought derailed when he rounded the next corner almost into the ninjas walking towards him.

"Ah, Batman, we've been expecting you," one of the ninjas stated in his thick Middle Eastern accent.

"So have I," he replied, laying into them. Total takedown time: 40 seconds. He snorted. They didn't have a chance. Whatever trap Ra's al Ghul had in mind, he could figure that out later. First priority was getting Robin out.

"Kid Flash, behind you!" Kaldur shouted. KF ducked just as one of the ninjas kicked the air where his face had been.

"That's so not cool!" Kid Flash huffed. He spun around the guy until the resulting whirlwind knocked the guy off his feet and into dreamland.

"At least we finished the last of them," Artemis stated.

"There's more coming," Superboy stated roughly. "We need to keep moving."

"Agreed," Kaldur said. "But which direction?"

"Allow me." M'gann turned invisible and floated past the group down the first hallway, then flew the opposite direction past the open door. When she got back, she de-cloaked herself and stated briefly:

"There are bad guys coming up both ways. However, I found a ventilation shaft just past this door. I don't know how far it goes, but –"

"It is better than nothing," Kaldur interrupted. He looked to the rest of the team. "Since M'gann can shape-shift, it is better that she goes first. Artemis, you can react the fastest, so you will go next. Kid Flash, follow her in case you three need a rapid exit. Connor and I will go last, closing the entrance and making sure no one is following us. Let us go. Quickly!"

M'gann opened the shaft's grating and slipped inside easily, Artemis sliding in after her. KF dove headfirst, bumping into Artemis. Fortunately, neither of them seemed eager to snap at each other. Connor needed a little urging to get in there, but fortunately Kaldur and he both fit within the shaft. Kaldur slid the grating back into place just as one team of bad guys ran past to meet the other team at the hallway junction.

"We can't find the brats anywhere!" they heard one exclaim. "What do we do?"

"You know the rules," another responded. "Keep looking for them. Lord al Ghul has told us to keep those Justice brats busy, and we will not disappoint him. He desires time to do a little catching up with Batman. Now, search!"

The whole team remained quiet until they heard both sets of teams leave.

/What do we do?/ M'gann asked via mind-link. /If we get out, we'll be discovered and definitely won't catch up to Batman!/

/We could to try to find another way to get to his position faster/ KF stated. /However, we don't know anything about this place. Rob always has the maps and stuff/ Everyone paused at that, sadness overwhelming their thoughts at their captive friend.

/Our best option is to continue through the vents/ Kaldur said. /I miss Robin too, but I firmly believe that no one will think to look in these vents, and we will be able to provide back-up to Batman faster/

/Not to mention that if we keep going, we're bound to hit the central system and follow it to the controls of this place/ Connor added. /Some major damage would do this place good/

/Good idea, Superboy/ Kaldur acknowledged. /Everyone, start crawling. Next stop, control center/

Ra's al Ghul and his daughter, Talia, studied the screen. They saw Batman creeping, securing his lines, and taking down their men, all the while coming closer to their position. Robin sat behind them, unconscious, surrounded on all sides by an interesting piece of machinery.

"Father, he is almost near," Talia stated. "The men have gathered near the entrance of the door, per your request. The Batman will follow our little trail of breadcrumbs to his precious bird!" Her lip curled as she said those last words, deigning to glare at the pathetic little boy behind her. Amazing how one of ignoble blood such as he managed to capture her Beloved's heart, the heart she had already staked her claim on.

"Remain on guard, daughter!" Ra's al Ghul cautioned. "Batman has brought backup this time: Young Justice. The children have already made their way well into our lair and have disappeared last just before the medical bay."

"No one has seen them, Father?"

"No one, my daughter. Of course, we do have men waiting for their inevitable reappearance, but until then concentrate on drawing Batman here. Once that is done we may enclose this area so that none of those hero children can get in here. Make sure that all defenses against all known metahumans are in place. Take no chances. Batman must be in here alone with us. No one shall interfere. Besides," he glanced up at the screen again, a smile playing around his lips, "what better way to demoralize your enemy than to have his little followers completely cut off yet watching his every move?"

He looked to his daughter, who brought a small kit bag over to where their key to Batman's loyalties lay. She nodded, bringing out a syringe. His finger poised over the console, eyes detecting every flicker of movement on the screen.

"Batman will be ours!"

Batman had finished the group of thirty-six combined swordsmen and assassins. He stared balefully at the door they apparently were guarding. He knew this was a trap. He knew that he had been baited, led all the way down here no doubt to face Ra's al Ghul and his daughter, Talia, to answer to them for his previous decision. He knew that they had devised another trap to get him to join this time, which involved the one person he treasured most.

Robin.

Richard Grayson.

Boy wonder, acrobat, and nine-year old orphan.

The one that he swore would never feel the call of vengeance upon his parents' killer as he had on his. The same boy who had taught him that there was something worth living for, fighting for, and that it was his to grab and treasure.

Could he turn away now? Yes. But the Demon and his daughter had his son behind that door, waiting for him. If it hadn't been for his history with them, Dick would never have gotten involved.

He took hold of the door handle with one black-gloved hand, turned it, and stepped inside. Once he was through, the door slammed shut behind him. Light flooded the room.

"Good evening, Detective!"

It felt like forever, crawling through one darkened vent to another, the only light being afforded to them coming through the gratings where vent met floor, wall, ceiling, etc. Miss Martian was still in invisible mode, working with Artemis to sense what was ahead while having a bodyguard rooted in the current situation to detect any possible threat. Finally, they arrived at their destination.

"Are you sure this is the control room?" Kid Flash asked, looking skeptically through the grating down towards the computer banks.

"I'm sure," Miss Martian stated. "Every monitor is for every room, and there are so many rooms!"

"Alright," Aqualad said. "Everyone, get down there, knock out those who are lagging about, and let's find out where Batman and Robin are."

Lifting the grating up, he quickly ushered the rest of the team through down into the spacious room. Once he finished getting down and resetting the grating into the hole, he nodded in satisfaction. Kid Flash and Connor had done an excellent job in knocking out those who were left in the room, and M'gann and Artemis were avidly studying the cameras.

"Got it!" Artemis exclaimed. "The floor beneath this one, take two rights then a left, and that's where Batman and Robin are. Also, Ra's al Ghul is there."

"Looks like he's got Rob in some kind of torture rack-ish setup," Kid Flash commented. "Complete with knives and everything. We've got to get down there!"

"Agreed," Aqualad said. "Team, let's move out." As one, they surged towards the door, almost reaching the knob when a clear wall shot up between them and the door.

"Hey!"

"What the –"

"Look out!" All around them they saw transparent walls shoot up, surrounding them in a square-like formation. The last wall slid shut on the very top, enclosing their area. They were trapped.

"Well, Detective, I trust that the trail of breadcrumbs we left for you was sufficient?" The cowled man gave no answer. The white slits for his eyes were focused on the ebony-haired boy bound to the machine. Robin was awake by now, struggling against the metal arms holding him in a vertical position across the metal board, standing three inches from the ground. One metal arm held a smooth, single-edged blade poised directly above the exposed neck.

Batman's hands clenched into fists. He saw Robin's eyes behind the mask, wide and scared. He saw his head shake from side to side, as if he knew what was coming. The Dark Knight had a very bad feeling for what was about to happen.

"Now, Detective," Ra's al Ghul began. "There is no reason to get upset at me. I mean, how else were my daughter and I able to get your attention?" When the Dark Knight's white lenses swung to meet Talia's, she was only able to hold it for about three seconds before looking away, towards her father. Batman hid a smirk. Surprise, surprise…

"What do you want, Ra's al Ghul?" Batman barked out. His Young Justice team should be arriving any minute now.

"I'm surprised at you, Detective. The first real chance we get any conversation between the two of us, and already you're reaching for the door handle. Or, in this case, your backup doesn't arrive on time." Behind the man, a screen flashed on to show the Young Justice team trapped within a transparent box, all moving and talking to each other, trying desperately to come up with a plan. "Now, children, please sit still and behave." The teens looked up, surprise etched on their faces. Batman felt his stomach drop several floors. "Any more attempts to break out of the box will force me to temporarily incapacitate you. And before you ask, no, I won't kill you. If you behave I will give you the privilege of watching the rest of the Dark Knight's and my conversation." They looked at each other, nodded, and sat down obediently. They had heard about Ra's al Ghul and his conniving ways. They knew they had no choice but to wait this one out. Good move, Young Justice.

"Smart children." Ra's al Ghul did some typing on his command-board. "Within a few seconds, you will have a complete visual of this entire room. Now, Batman," he returned to his nemesis. "As I said, we really need to talk."

"And as I have told you, al Ghul, I have nothing to say to you that you haven't heard before," Batman replied. He heard the gasps and cries of the team, signifying that they were seeing what he was seeing.

"How dare you do that to Robin!" KF cried out. "I swear, I'm gonna get out and – AUGH!" He had been pounding his fists against the walls of the box, and upon contact, had been electrified to the point of unconsciousness. The team gawked at the sight.

"As I said, Kid Flash, please behave. Children should be seen and not heard, otherwise punishment must be doled out. That is the only way you children learn," Ra's al Ghul admonished. "Batman, I must admit, it appears that you have grown soft in training these kids. I am disappointed."

Batman remained silent, glowering at the man standing behind the transparent glass wall. Thirteen inches thick and completely bulletproof, it would take about two hours to completely break through and rescue Robin; one-and-a-half if he was at his best. Considering all those assassins and such he had left knocked out several stories above, not to mention the knife wound to his abdomen and fractured rib two different assassins gifted him with, he wasn't at his best. And even if Young Justice managed to escape their prison and make it to his position, they wouldn't be able to break in, at least not easily. This room was completely superhuman-proofed; he had heard the four sets of kryptonite-steel doors close in behind him and seen the thick walls were heated lead. Fiery torches lit up the room, making the heat close to unbearable for M'gann and Kaldur. Even Dick and he would have a difficult time getting in or out. Worst of it was, while he was taking the time to break through the glass, the Demon's Head and his fickle daughter would already be gone with Robin. His Robin.

"Detective, remember the proposal I made you several years back?"

"I remember," he stated. "The answer's still no."

"Come on, Detective, be reasonable. You should be thankful for receiving this proposal a second time. As I've told you, very few men have impressed me the way you have, and fewer still have received another request to join." Out of his peripheral vision, Batman saw the team perk up at this bit of news. Great. Incessant questions would follow this little get-together. This was all Ra's al Ghul's fault.

"I refused to join last time because you kill criminals regardless of their crime," Batman said. "Also, you want to get rid of humanity, allow the earth to revert back to the Dark Ages' madness, and rule whatever humanity is still around. Nothing has changed. I still refuse."

"Ah, but Detective, do you not see what has changed?" No, no, no, nonononono, his mind whispered. Images of the night his parents were murdered flashbacked on a loop. "I hold the one thing you hold precious: your son. He means the world to you, does he not?" On Ra's command, the blade lowered slowly towards Robin's neck. "And, I must say, if you refuse me again, there shall be a price to pay for your refusal." A shout went up from Robin's teammates; Kid Flash had already shaken off his attack from earlier. "And there will be a price, Detective. Not only will your dear son pay, but also your comrade's protégés." Batman saw the sides of box begin to close. If allowed to continue, the Young Justice would be squished to death.

"How will they react, I wonder, when they find out that it was because of your stubbornness that their children died? Pretty poorly, I believe. Even Superman will see you for the cold, calculation man you are and soon you won't have anyone who will ever want to work with you again." Batman, now more than ever, wanted to wipe that smirk off of Ra's al Ghul's face. Faced with the imminent deaths of his son, his son's friends, and no immediate way to save either of them, he came to the realization that he would have to give in to Ra's al Ghul. For now.

Ignoring the cries from the Team and the pleading stares Robin was sending his way, he stepped closer to the transparent wall, so close the tip of his nose was almost brushing it.

"Ra's al Ghul!" he thundered. Once he was sure he had the man and his daughter's attention, he continued. "You win." Delighted smiles appeared on both their faces.

"You do concede to my terms?" Ra's al Ghul asked.

"I do. Release them." Ra's typed in a command, which promptly stopped both the walls of the box from tightening and the sword from cutting through Robin's neck.

"Sorry, Detective," he met the Batman's gaze, "but I cannot release them until you stand before me, without any weapons or gadgets, and pledge your allegiance to me." Batman unbuckled his utility belt and tossed it to the side. His gauntlets and weapons from small side pockets were similarly disposed of.

"Release them," he repeated. Ra's al Ghul smirked.

"One last thing, Detective," he said. "Before I deactivate and remove the wall between us, I want you to tell your Young Justice to leave." The Dark Knight faced the screen.

"Team, mission is completed," he stated. "You will go back up to the landing pad. You will not cause any trouble for Ra's al Ghul while making your way up there. Is that clear?"

"But Batman –" they protested.

"Is that clear?" he stressed, voice darkening with anger. The Team looked at each other, and back to Batman.

"Crystal clear," Kaldur responded, his training for these situations down in Atlantis kicking in. Although when he was learning about those situations, he never thought that Batman's contingencies wouldn't be enough. "Let's move, Team." Batman ignored the dark looks he was getting through the screen, relief filling him as they single-filed out of the box and out of the room. They were behaving, as he had asked. Now, one more needed to join them.

"Let my son go," he demanded. The centuries-old bastard was still smirking at him.

"First things first," he said. "On your knees." When he saw that Batman was hesitating, he touched the controls for the machine. The sword began again it's downward arc towards Robin's neck, almost starting to cut.

"STOP!" Batman dropped to one knee. "Let my son go." Ra's al Ghul took no notice of his plea.

"Repeat after me," he demanded. "I, Batman." After a moment –

"I, Batman."

"Do declare unwavering loyalty to Ra's al Ghul."

"Do declare unwavering support and service to Ra's al Ghul."

"I will follow your commands to the end of my days."

"I will follow your commands to the end of my days." The words left a bitter taste in the Dark Knight's mouth. He glanced at Robin. His son was fine. The sword had just nicked him. He had not failed in keeping his son from death's ever-reaching embrace.

"And if I should fail."

"Then may my due punishment be taken out on me."

"I pledge this to you."

"Now and to eternity." Batman visibly hesitated at that part. It was almost a minute before he responded.

"Now and to eternity."

"Lord Ra's al Ghul."

The Demon's Head smiled, ignoring the muffled cries of the boy behind him. He finally got what he wanted for so long. Batman was his to order, to serve, to control. He would be unstoppable.

Ra's al Ghul's plans would not fail this time.