It took some mental effort for Bruce to mind the speed limits as he headed home. He cursed each red light and stop sign that delayed him.

He had tried to contact Robin right after getting off of the phone with Alfred, but to no avail. As the butler had said, the young acrobat had vanished.

When the manor came into view, the billionaire couldn't help the extra pressure he put on the gas pedal. In no time, he was inside, parked, and headed for the Batcave.

A frantic-looking Alfred awaited the Dark Knight as he descended the steps. "Master Bruce," the elderly man greeted raw worry in his voice. It wasn't unusual to not be able to reach Robin for a little bit if he was in the middle of something, but the Boy Wonder didn't stay out this late on patrol alone and had not checked in even once. Alfred could not hide how distressed he was.

Bruce was already changing into the Batman, fully intending to head out the second he got a lead on Robin's location. "When did he leave, Alfred?" he questioned, heading over to the computer, leaving his cowl off for the moment.

"Around ten o'clock, sir," the butler answered. Robin had bid him a haste farewell before taking off, assuring Alfred he would try not to be gone too long. When he neither returned nor checked in some time later, Alfred attempted to get in touch with the Boy Wonder unsuccessfully. He waited awhile and then tried a few more times before deciding to track him down. That was when he discovered Robin's signal had disappeared and the elderly butler got ahold of Bruce as quickly as he was able.

Batman nodded curtly in response, attempting one final time to get any kind of a trace on his partner. All he managed to find was Robin's last known location, but it was something at least. He stood up and pulled his cowl on. "This is the last place his signal came from," the Dark Knight informed Alfred, showing him the screen. "I'll start there."

"Do be careful, Master Bruce."

As Batman turned to leave, a corner on the screen of the computer began blinking, indicating an incoming call. He glared in annoyance at it. It was past five in the morning and he was more than in a rush, so whichever League member it was better have a darn good reason for calling.

When he noticed it was coming from Mount Justice, his glare lessened, but just barely. The Dark Knight quickly accepted the call. Black Canary appeared on the screen with a much more serious expression than she usually had.

"Sorry for calling the Batcave directly, I wasn't sure where you'd be," she explained. Batman could tell something was not right from her tone and how quickly she spoke.

"What is it?" he questioned gruffly, narrowing his eyes a little more.

"A package was left outside of Mount Justice. I found it as I was coming in. It's addressed to you," Black Canary explained, her voice serious. She lowered her eyes and sighed before looking back up and making direct eye contact. "It says it's from 'Uncle J.'

Everyone in the League knew who the Joker was. They didn't have the same kind of understanding of him that Batman did, but they were aware of what he was capable of and knew he was not to be taken lightly. Black Canary was rightly worried.

The Dark Knight's eyes narrowed into slits as he heard her words. "Don't open it. I'll arrive shortly." Black Canary nodded and he shut off the computer as he stood, ending the transmission. "Let me know right away if you hear anything from Robin," he said to Alfred, though already knowing that he would.

"Of course, sir," the butler answered simply, eyes trailing after Bruce as he walked away. His worry only increased at the prospect of the Joker having something to do with their inability to find Robin. He could only hope that Robin would hold his own until something was figured out.

Kid Flash stretched as he exited the zeta tube and headed toward the kitchen. Normally he wouldn't be at the mountain so early, but he had been very awake and very bored at home. Not wishing to disturb his parents, he decided to head to Mount Justice. It had been a very quiet week with no missions and no disturbances in Central City, so Kid Flash had some bent up energy. There was a training session scheduled with Black Canary in a couple of hours, so he figured he'd come a little early and warm up.

As he entered the kitchen, he found M'gann slowly going through the pages of a cookbook. "Hey there, you're up early," he greeted with a smile.

"Oh good morning Wally," she greeted back cheerily, setting the cookbook aside.

"Supey up too?" he questioned. It seemed Kid Flash wasn't the only one with energy to spare.

"Yes, he went to take Wolf for a morning run," the Martian girl responded.

Recognized Batman zero two.

Both teens looked up at the announcement of the Dark Knight's arrival. He passed by them quickly though, without a word.

M'gann's face fell into a small frown. "Something…is not right with him…"

Kid Flash gave her a questioning glance. "What do you mean?" He had noticed Batman looked more stern than usual and appeared to be in a hurry, and it seemed M'gann had noticed something as well.

She looked pensive for a moment. "I felt a lot of emotion coming from him. He is less calm than usual," she answered hesitantly, as if she wasn't quite sure what she had sensed from the Dark Knight.

Before the speedster could respond, the computer was announcing the arrival of another.

Recognized Green Arrow zero eight.

M'gann and Kid Flash exchanged looks before heading out of the kitchen to see what was going on.

"Hey you two," Green Arrow greeted the teen heroes as they approached. "Artemis around here by chance?"

"No, she hasn't come here yet today," M'gann said, a frown tugging at her lips again.

Green Arrow's face became more serious. "Have either of you heard from her?" They both shook their heads, beginning to take on worried expressions.

"Did something happen?" Kid Flash questioned, a barely noticeable hint of urgency in his voice.

"I need to contact Batman," Green Arrow said quietly and started to walk past them.

"He's already here. What's going on?" Kid Flash questioned again, a little frustrated as he and M'gann followed after the archer. He definitely did not like being kept in the dark when it came to his teammates.

"I'm not too sure myself," the older hero answered and continued walking, the two younger heroes right behind him.

"It's been scanned. No explosives or chemicals were detected on the outside," Black Canary informed Batman as he entered the workout room where she had brought the box.

Batman eyed the box. It was striped with dark purple and green. Longer than it was wide. A joker card was attached as the tag.

Approaching footsteps caused the Dark Knight to turn around. Green Arrow, Kid Flash, and Miss Martian were heading towards him.

"Batman, we have a problem," Green Arrow stated. The Dark Knight looked at the archer and then to the two behind him, a silent question as to whether or not they should be here for this discussion. Green Arrow followed his gaze and understood, but knew it would be pointless to try to send them away. They were already suspicious and there wasn't time to waste arguing with them.

"Green Arrow, please. Has something happened to Artemis?" the Martian girl worriedly asked. She was doing her best to remain patient, but it was making her anxious to not know anything at all.

"Explain," Batman requested quickly, locking eyes with the archer.

Green Arrow kept the eye contact as he answered. "Artemis's mother contacted me a little while ago to see if I had heard from Artemis at all because she wasn't in her room. I hadn't, but I tried to reach her. Her communicator isn't functioning and she isn't responding to any calls. I can't track her either. Artemis is missing."

"What?" Kid Flash exclaimed, not hiding his stunned expression. M'gann wore a shocked expression as well, her hands tightly clamped together.

"When did her mother last see her?" the Dark Knight questioned, aware of the rising panic in the two teens.

"As far as she knew, Artemis was still in her room. She thinks she left sometime after ten thirty last night, though, since she didn't really hear anything in Artemis's room after that."

Batman eyed each of them before settling his gaze back upon Green Arrow. "Robin has gone missing as well," he told them. Everyone's eyes widened and Black Canary, who had walked closer to the group, looked at Batman in slight bewilderment.

Wally's eyes widened the most. "What?" he asked in a shocked whisper. He was aware that some of the color had drained from his face and that his heartbeat was quickening. He didn't want to believe that his teammates, his best friend and the girl he…cared, a lot, (he mentally admitted without really realizing) for, had simply vanished. His hand went to his communicator. "Robin, dude, can you hear me? Come in," he spoke into it hurriedly. Static was he received, causing his stomach to twist a little. He was about to try again when he felt a hand on his left shoulder. The speedster removed his hand from his communicator and looked up into the face of Batman.

"All contact has been cut off with Robin as well. His trackers have also been disabled," the Dark Knight told him calmly.

Of course Wally knew this. He knew that Batman would be doing everything to find Robin. It was just instinctive for him to do everything in his power to help his best friend if he was in trouble. He lowered his eyes and nodded numbly.

Batman removed his hand and turned around. "This may hold a clue, however," he informed the group as he headed closer to the box.

"What is it?" M'gann asked timidly.

"We don't know yet," Black Canary answered her quietly.

All eyes were on Batman as he knelt down a short distance from the box and took a moment to inspect it further. Everyone remained silent until he stood back up.

"Miss Martian," he said, turning back to face the others. "I want you to very carefully levitate the lid off of this box," he stated, directing his gaze to her. She looked back nervously, her hands still wrung together, but nodded nonetheless. "All of you, stand further back," Batman ordered as he began moving towards the entrance of the room. Everyone followed him wordlessly.

Once they were all as far away from the box as they could get in the room, they stopped and M'gann went to the front of the group, next to the Dark Knight. Kid Flash was close behind her. "Slowly," Batman told her. She looked up at him and then focused on the box. Miss Martian spread her arms out in front of her and her eyes glowed green.

They all seemed to hold their breath as the Martian girl delicately raised the box lid. Going at the slow pace made her a bit anxious; it seemed to be making everyone present a bit anxious.

About forty seconds later, M'gann had the lid gently hovering above the box. No explosions had gone off and no chemicals had come pouring out, fortunately. "Place it to the side," Batman instructed her next. She carefully set it down a little away from the box. Still, nothing happened. "Stay here," the Dark Knight commanded and began to make his way to the box.

It took him little time to reach it and when he saw the box's contents, his cowled eyes enlarged a fraction.

Inside the box were some of Robin's birdarangs, his Eskrima sticks, Artemis's quiver with arrows, and her bow, collapsed. On top of all of this was a folded piece of paper. Batman narrowed his eyes at it, knelt down, picked it up, and stood back up. He unfolded it and scowled as he read.

They're mine now Batsy.

Find them if you can!

Uncle J

Batman gripped the paper tighter when he finished reading Joker's sloppily written taunt. He resisted the urge to crumple the paper. He had feared this when Black Canary had first told him who the box was from.

"Batman?" Black Canary called to him, an edge of concern in her voice.

The Dark Knight kept the note in his right hand as he turned back to face the others. He kept his voice calm as he spoke, although there was an undertone of harshness. "The Joker has Robin and Artemis."

That was all it took for Kid Flash to super speed over to the box. His eyes widened once again as he peered inside. His shoulders slumped and his eyes lowered as the realization sunk in. Robin had told him several stories about the Joker before. The maniac did things for fun that made the speedster cringe. He felt a little sick knowing that his friends were being held captive by a guy like that.

The rest of those present had come back over and their eyes filled with more worry as they saw the proof that the Joker had the two young heroes in his possession.

"What now?" Green Arrow asked in seriousness.

"I know Robin's last location before his signal was cut. I'll start there," Batman answered and started to head for the door.

Kid Flash looked up and took a few steps forward. "Batman let us-"

"No."

"But we can-"

"No," he said more sternly and continued walking. Surprising everyone, Kid Flash super sped and stopped right in front of the Dark Knight, blocking his path. He didn't even give Batman a chance to tell him to move aside before he began talking.

"Batman I know Joker is dangerous and I know you don't want us to get in the way but I can help! Please I can't just sit around and do nothing! Robin's my best friend and Artemis…I'll check every inch of Gotham if I have to! Just please…" Kid Flash pleaded, speaking quickly, but not so much that he couldn't be understood. Batman directed a small glare at him, but another surprise stopped him from responding.

Miss Martian came to stand beside Wally, placing her left hand softly on his right shoulder. "Batman, Wally and I really can help. I can establish a psychic link between us so we don't have to worry about anyone hearing us talk. And if Robin and Artemis are nearby, I'll be able to sense them! They're our teammates, our friends! Please let us help you!" Her voice had gained more confidence as she spoke. And she knew Batman was aware of her powers, but she had felt the need to clarify how she could be of use.

Batman's face remained stern as he watched the two. They looked back at him with determination in their eyes. They were willing to do anything as long as it meant they could save their friends. "You will both do exactly as I say. Disobey me once and you will be sent right back. Understood?" he finally said.

Kid Flash and Miss Martian nodded strongly in agreement. As long as they could aid in rescuing Robin and Artemis, they'd do whatever the Dark Knight said. "Miss Martian, prepare your bioship," he ordered. She nodded again and flew off, already changing into her stealth uniform. Kid Flash changed his uniform to stealth as well and followed after her.

Batman turned slightly to glance back at Black Canary and Green Arrow. "Contact us if you need anything. We'll be here," Black Canary told him. He had surprised her by allowing Wally and M'gann to go. She had actually expected him to refuse no matter what, so it would be better for her and Green Arrow to wait until needed. Batman gave her a curt nod.

"Tell Artemis's mother we'll have her back soon," he instructed Green Arrow. The blond man nodded in affirmation. With that, he walked out.

They would get Robin and Artemis back and Joker would not get away with his twisted game.

I apologize for taking so long with this update! I had too much going on and then finals. Two more finals and then I'm done though, and I'll have more time to write this. :) Thank you all so much for the reviews, favorites, and alerts! They make me so very happy and motivate me to update as quick as I can! Please continue to tell me what you think and if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer. :D

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything!