I got this chapter out, just before the month ends. Now I was originally gonna write the rest of this small arc into the chapter, but I realize it'd be better if I split it up into two because it'd be too long. That said, thank you for the support and I hope you enjoy this one.

Chapter Seven:

Beware X The X Impersonator

Batman and Robin touched down on the store's rooftop. They received a broadcast from GCPD describing a brawl that took place here about a half hour ago. Their eyes caught the parking lot below, and they were relieved to see the professionals seemingly finishing up their business.

Cops and medics alike scoured the store's parking lot. Doctors checked up on the bystanders who witnessed the fight while the cops asked them questions concerning the situation. It was the typical routine of the aftermath of a scene that was loud enough to draw each department's attention.

Among the site, Batman caught Commissioner Gordon and Detective Harvey Bullock standing at the side, watching everyone performing their respective duties. Gordon looked stressed as he massaged his forehead, while Bullock appeared carefree, munching on his late-night sandwich as his back was slanted against his car.

Robin turned away from the scene, wandering his gaze around the vicinity. "Is there any way in from here?" He said quietly.

"Hmm…" Batman hummed as his eyes scanned the rooftop and, from across, spotted a ventilation outlet with a narrow tunneling vertical tube.

Approaching it, Batman gripped the door vent's sides and used his brute strength to tear off the hinges with a loud clang. Batman turned to Robin and gestured to the opening before he entered, his flowing cape disappearing in the blackness.

Robin shortly entered the vent, feeling his body drop the vertical tunnel before landing in a crouch. Robin saw Batman crawling several meters ahead before he towed not far behind. In their trek, the pair made several sharp turns through the ventilation network, their bodies brushing through cobwebs and holding their breaths to avoid inhaling the grungy dust.

Finally, Batman detected the next opening. After kicking off the door vent, Batman and Robin studied their surroundings, noting that the store was a complete mess, littered with splatters of dried brownish substances with shelves and store products trashed around the floors. Batman narrowed his eyes before proceeding to the area where the police crossing lines were enclosed.

Approaching a small mound of the substance staining the store, Batman knelt and tapped the pile with his gloved fingers, inspecting it closely. It was a moist substance not usually found in crime scenes, but Batman knew this substance all too well.

He thought back to the security footage that recorded the suspected man with the strength to tear a cash drawer in half with his bare hands, stacked with his unusually pupilless eyes that Gordon commented on. Compared to his usual pace, Batman took longer to conclude these robberies. This crime scene only further confirmed his suspicions.

"It's what I suspected. Clayface is back." Batman said.

"So that's what you were talking with Gordon about," Robin commented. He turned to the mess that littered the store with a raised eyebrow. "I did catch on to Gordon describing how the suspect operates. Are you sure this here connects with the other robberies?"

"I know what I saw in that footage. Otherwise, you'd agree if you'd focused on the task." Batman retorted, much to Robin's shame and embarrassment. "If Killua hadn't been here, Clayface would've killed the witnesses before moving on to his next target."

Robin tilted his in puzzlement. "And how do you know it was Killua? Someone else like the Huntress could've been the one that fought Clayface."

"I'm sure Helena's smart enough to use extreme temperature to fight against Clayface, but there's no sign of anything related to fire or ice," Batman replied immediately to squash Robin's argument. "Who else in Gotham could take Clayface head-on?"

Robin sighed, "Okay then, whatever you say." He relented.

He looked around, catching several tried piles that would be mistaken for stone protrusions. "I'm going to go and scan those piles over there. They look suspicious." Robin said before proceeding to near one of the human-sized mounds, eying it with scrutiny. He switched a button on his technical lenses to scan the dried pile.

Batman turned to the scene, his eyes catching a trail of stained clay that led to the gaping hole at the far side of the store. He wordlessly followed the trail outside, leaving Robin to his work. Batman ducked through the police line that barricaded the opening, walking over the littering rubble. He glazed to his left to see the ambulances vacating the parking lot. The police appeared to linger, with Gordon in the center.

He wouldn't have thought Killua would fight one of his enemies so soon. What were the odds of Karlo walking into a store where the silver-haired metahuman just happened to be present? Batman stopped where the trail ended, narrowing his eyes where the clay seemingly dropped into a manhole in the parking lot.

Batman mused that the outcome of the fight ended somewhat of a stalemate. 'It's likely after they both heard the police about to arrive. If only we had known.' He thought.

Clayface was still at large; Batman was sure of it. He wouldn't allow the former actor free before more bodies would turn up. As for Killua, this was the third time in a row that he slipped away from his fingers. This kid was proving too troublesome for his own good. Batman refuses to let it hinder him. He would find Killua and look for a way to get Diana to confront him before she would leave town. It had to be soon. Diana was still at the manor on standby, and he hated to waste her time like this on her vacation.

"Batman!" Robin's urging voice made him snap his attention to the store. "Come here, quick!"

Batman backtracked inside in quick steps, finding Robin standing near a mound. Batman didn't miss the disturbed look on Robin's face as his eyes lingered on the compact. Approaching him, Batman further frowned as Robin turned to him, appearing nauseous.

"What is it?" Batman asked, maintaining his composure.

Keeping himself together, Robin returned his focus to the compact before him. "These piles…" He strained to say. "They… they're actually bodies."

Batman tightened his jaw, regarding the dried compact in silent disgust. 'Damn you, Clayface.' He thought. His fist shook under his cape as his rage boiled. What a horrible way for these innocents to die.

Which Clayface were they dealing with this time? Batman knew it couldn't be Matt Hagen, the second Clayface. He heard no word of him breaking out from Stryker's Island Penitentiary at Metropolis.

However, there was one Clayface who disappeared for over two years. Basil Karlo, the first Clayface. The last Batman saw him, Karlo fell and sank into the river from a cliff after a long and hard fight against the clay monster. The Dark Knight recalled having no choice but to deem him missing after weeks of failed attempts to look for the failed actor in that river.

'If this is him, he'll have hell to pay.' Batman thought.

"It's time to go outside and investigate the sewer networks underneath to determine Clayface's next location. Right now, Clayface is the priority. We worry about Killua later." Batman said, his scowl creasing wrinkles around his lips. "Clayface can't get away with this."

The duo stepped outside, determined to bring Clayface to justice. Unbeknownst to them, a masked figure observed their duties unfold from a rooftop. Deadshot squinted his eyes at Batman and Robin, hiding himself from view even if they happened to look up.

'So I missed him too, huh?' Deadshot thought to himself. He shouldn't be surprised that Batman was also on this metahuman's trail. In that case, he'd have to work double to find this kid before the Bat would. Hopefully, that muddy freak would keep him distracted long enough. He stood from his spot and watched Batman and Robin hop through the small, circular opening on the pavement.

Deadshot wandered his head away, speculating which direction the metahuman had run to. The assassin pressed a finger against his chin as he pondered his next steps. He knew going into this wasn't going to be easy. Deadshot had mastered his skills in tracking as an assassin; it was a forte he had to perfect in this line of work.

To find his prey, Deadshot would have to think like his prey. If he were a lost lone metahuman child with nowhere to go and the people of Gotham City knew who he was, what would be the best place to obscure himself from the public? Deadshot could rule out anywhere with a heavy public presence.

His options were the haunting streets of Crime Alley, the Bowery, and the Narrows, all located deep within Old Gotham. Deadshot hated those places, but those were the most logical places for the target to hide. Abandoned shipping ports like Miller Harbor and Cape Carmine were also possible options to search through.

And with that, Deadshot faced the building across the deep gap, firing a grappling hook from his wrist-mount shooters and shot away. From the moment he left, he knew which place he wanted to get over with as soon as possible.

Crime Alley.

Clayface trudged through the narrow, slime-coated tunnels in the sewers. Low growls and huffs emitted through his uneven teeth, with an arm loosely wrapped around his stomach and his opposite hand lazily dragged against the cement wall. Clayface couldn't believe he had to resort to escape through the sewers from some freakish kid. Nothing made sense to him about the fight in the store.

First, the boy constantly dodged every hit he threw at him like a buzzing fly. He was fast; Clayface would give him that, but he assumed the kid was weak if he avoided his attacks. Clayface recalled having no trouble shrugging off any of the hits the kid dished out. Until the moment he drove that fist through his guts.

'He couldn't hurt me before.' Clayface thought, his hand unconsciously tightening slightly against his torso. Clayface clenched his teeth, 'Just what did he do to make it hurt? What was it!? GAH! I'm going to kill him!'

Then, Clayface froze in his tracks as he engrossed a sudden speculation to mind. 'He can't be that new kid on the news, can he?' That thought only pissed off the clay monster further.

He recently heard everyone talking about a new metahuman in Gotham City, but Clayface couldn't have thought he'd run into him this soon. The next time he would meet that kid, Clayface would kill him for humiliating him. Clayface could admit that he didn't predict he would fight a random kid at a store, nor would that same kid be that supposed new guy who was the new topic in the news. However, that kid had only seen the tip of the iceberg of what Clayface was capable of.

A wicked grin stretched along Clayface's crooked lips, "He caught me off guard the first round, but there's more I can do than change the shape of my body and regenerate." He muttered. Clayface gazed down at his hand, balling into a fist. His fist enlarged before solidifying. "Yes, much more."

But before anything, he had to track down that scout he created that he sent off. Clayface didn't know how, but the scout gained the consciousness to think for itself. Even after years of possessing these clay powers, that was one aspect that Clayface did not expect to be possible, nor was it within his realm of thought. He spent days chasing after it all over Gotham, and he was surprised that neither Batman nor the police caught on to him.

Clayface shut his eyes and adopted a concentrating expression. He honed on its presence within Gotham City's massive square mile radius. In no time at all, Clayface had shifted his perspective to the scout's.

To him, it looked like someone else's point of view through a screen, running through the quiet streets of Gotham. He couldn't hear anything that it was hearing, nor could he control its movements. He watched as the scout's eyesight frantically snapped to every corner in that area, causing a flicker of annoyance within him.

Another thing Clayface noticed every time he swapped his perspective was that the scout was aware of him. "So annoying…" Clayface said.

He's acquired its location, so it mattered little to him. Suddenly, Clayface's form began to morph, and bubbles erupted around his mudded body. His monstrous features smoothened, his rough claws becoming rounder into fingers, sprouting out two more digits from each of his gurgling hands. His size and bulk decreased down to the genetic level, taking shape into a rather slender individual.

Silver-white spikey hair sprung from his head. Letting out a sigh, he opened his eyes to reveal azure-colored irises. With mimicry, he had adorned a mock dark hoodie, blue shorts, and sneakers. A widespread manic grin spread across Clayface's familiar molded face.

"Heh-heh-heh-heh….HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"

His ominous cackles continuously echoed through the tunnels.

It was the afternoon of the next day. Killua skimmed his own azure eyes through the text of the open book on this desk at his hideout. He reached to the side and shoved a piece of chocolate bar in his mouth, enjoying the sweetness of the sugary treat on his taste buds. As he sat, a dome of aura surrounded his form as he read the words in this English book.

While training under Wing at Heaven's Arena, Killua recalled him stating that reading books was an efficient way of meditation. He wasn't interested in reading and preferred Bisky's more physical and harsher training regimens. But learning this language through reading and maintaining his En through a long session until it would exhaust itself was a good way of killing two birds with one stone.

Killua could say that this day was passing by much smoother than the last few. Killua had gotten sleep immediately after he returned to this rundown motel. It was devoid of operation and supervision, allowing Killua to relax his guard just a little. He had gone through the physical morning workout that Bisky had advised him and Gon since Greed Island. He worked through several thousand pushups, situps, and five-hour-long laps around the motel's vicinity.

He allowed a grin at the thought. By several, Killua counted that he closed in on five thousand push-ups in his warm-ups. He was sure he could do more if it were intense training. Killua was glad he hadn't gotten weaker after a year of not training, but losing his sharpness in aura and awareness, creating rust in his skills, was a different story.

And now, he spent this later half of the day studying and aura meditation; it was a schedule that would suit his needs after recent events. But that clay monster was a topic Killua couldn't ignore. That monster had complete contact with Nen, an incident that was usually very dangerous in his world.

In his world, Nen was purposely hidden from the public, serving as exclusive knowledge within the Hunter's Association and a select few individuals like his family. Killua would like to keep it that way, and if he failed to uphold the secrecy of aura even in this foreign world, then Killua would consider himself a failure as a hunter.

Killua couldn't help it, but he had to get confirmation if that monster had any aura nodes or not. That first instance when he and Gon double-teamed against that rabbit chimera ant in the NGL couldn't leave his mind. That clay monster may not have appeared to leak aura during the fight, but what about after time gradually passed? If something like this was left unchecked in the world that Killua didn't know, it could also lead to something potentially catastrophic. And for that, Killua had decided to head out and hunt that monster down once night would fall.

Beads of sweat seeped through his facials, prompting Killua to wipe at them with his sleeve. And then, the aura dome around him dissipated. Killua's forearms pressed against the surface, preventing his face from collapsing flat against the book.

'Well… There's the deadline.' Killua thought, out of breath. 'Bisky did warn that En was difficult to maintain, but I didn't expect it to be this much of a task. I can keep my Ren going for over three hours without getting tired, but I could barely keep up En for seven minutes!'

En wasn't an advanced principle of Nen for nothing, Killua could acknowledge. However, he was even more determined to continue mastering Nen, strengthen himself, and resolve this mess. Killua glanced at the window of his room, seeing the city drizzled by the gleaming rays from the sun. There were still several hours left to go before he could depart. Killua would scour this city inside out for that clay freak if he had to.

Tim walked out of the entrance, drowned amongst the flocking students pouring out from North Gotham Junior High. Tim face-palmed internally as his eyes immediately fell upon a dark limousine parked on the curb. He felt a wave of embarrassment surge at seeing his ride stuck out like a sore thumb in front of his classmates.

Tim glanced at his friends beside him. The friend with brunette hair looked at him with a mischievous smirk with a touch of envy in his eyes. "Wow, Tim. You sure are lucky you live with Bruce Wayne, of all people. If only my parents were as rich as him, I'd buy all the games I want."

His other friend, a tall boy sporting glasses with short blond hair, looked indifferent. "Forget what Hudson says. My real concern is how you even end up being adopted by him."

Tim blinked, nearly blanching at the rather personal question. "Uh… Sebastian, that's a bit too personal."

Hudson perked up in the center, "Yeah, man, at least I mind my own business." He retorted, not letting Sebastian's comment go concerning his initial statement.

Sebastian nearly tripped over himself, rubbing at the back of his head with a deflated grin. "Okay, I'll admit. I walked into that one." He said.

Hudson turned to Tim as they continued walking down the steps. "By the way. Tonight, Sebastian and I are about to host a server in Minecraft. Hudman and Jared are going to join on it, too. Want to hop in with us?"

Tim couldn't help but offer him a regretful smile. "Sorry, I can't. I'll be busy with homework and errands. Maybe this weekend?"

Hudson shrugged, "Suit yourself."

After departing from his friends with a wave, Tim raced to the limousine at the curb. He raised his backpack off his shoulders during his run. After opening the passenger door, he jumped into the seat before closing it. After adjusting himself to his spot, Tim shed his sweater. With Alfred's foot on the pedal, the limousine steadily took off at a pace.

"Had a splendid day, Master Tim?" Alfred voiced, glancing at Tim through the rear mirror.

"Yeah." Tim muttered offhandedly, "Things went by as usual."

"Is something the matter, Sir?" Alred asked, noticing Tim's sidetracked demeanor.

Tim immediately straightened, hovering his hands before him to dispel whatever concern the butler had for him. "Oh, nothing at all. It's just…" He paused, looking down hesitantly. "Alfred, do you trust me when I make decisions myself?"

It took Alfred a second to register his words while his eyes were glued on the road as he steered the wheel. "Why… yes. If Master Bruce puts trust in you, then why should I not?"

"Well…" Tim started, "Sometimes, I don't think he takes me seriously. He gave me another 'one mistake could be the end' lecture after I heard it a thousand times. It even took me a while to convince him to let me go on a solo patrol."

A huff of frustration broke through his mouth, "I'm sick of being treated like a kid, you know."

"Pardon me for saying so, but you are a kid," Alred replied bluntly, sparking a choke from Tim in response. "Besides, you should try to understand Master Bruce's perspective. After what happened with Master Todd, he-"

"It's always Jason this, Jason that." Tim retorted back, not able to bite his lips. He was tired of hearing concerns if he were to repeat the mistakes his predecessor made. "If anyone should understand anything, it's Bruce. I'm not Jason."

Silence heavily reigned in the vehicle. His face composed as usual, Alfred merely focused on the drive back to the manor. Tim hung his head after a pang shot within him, sliding his palm over his eyes. He had not wanted to talk back to Alfred the way he did.

Tim looked over to Alfred, "S-Sorry, Alfred. I didn't mean to…"

"Oh, it's all right, Sir. We all have our moments."

Silence hung over them afresh, notably lighter than the first since their amends. Tim released a breathy sigh and wandered his gaze out the side window. As the limo rolled past, his eyes counted the pedestrians going about their daily routines. It was nice to see a common sight in life. It served as a good distraction from the plaguing evil that oozed through the streets of Gotham.

Tim's eyes widened as they found that familiar nameless girl amongst the stream of people, and time slowed down as the limo shot past her. He recognized her dark bobcut and that light pink shirt she had worn from anywhere. Almost missing her, Tim watched her flee into a nearby shopping village as the vehicle continued.

'It's her!' Tim mentally screamed.

Tim frantically turned to Alfred, "Alfred, stop the car!"

Alfred's eyebrow skeptically shot up, "Master Tim, my instructions are to bring you straight to the…" Alfred didn't finish his words. His jaw dropped as Tim took out a briefcase from the hidden department in the passenger seat. "But, Sir, it's daylight! Rash decisions such as this will only damp Master Bruce's trust!"

Tim withdrew the domino mask from the case before placing it over his eyes, obscuring them with the lenses. "Sorry, but I have to do this. I saw someone that needs help." He said before ruffling at his dark hair, ridding the combed features off his strands.

Alfred defeatedly sighed, "Very well, but I urge you to be careful."

Tim nodded before he held out the red and black suit before him. "Got it."

Alfred made a sharp turn in an alley that should be obscure enough from prying eyes, knowing full well that if any had witnessed Robin eject from a luxurious automobile, it would only narrow down the suspecting identities to the public in Gotham regarding the Batman. While Alfred would always worry for Bruce and everyone's safety on their mission, he'd be ashamed if he had been careless enough to have a hand in spoiling any of their identities.

Tim hopped out the door once fully clad in his Robin uniform. He shot to the roof with the help of his grapple gun, disappearing from view to the rooftop. Alfred wordlessly grabbed for the bat-communicator device exclusive to the Bat Family, having no connection to the public phone lines.

Dialing for Bruce's communicator, Alfred held the device against his ear before speaking. "Sorry to bother you at the office, Sir."

Robin's momentum allowed him to hover above the rooftops, his cape spreading like wings. After forcing his arms to press against his sides and legs stiffly together, he angled his body to the roofs below before dropping in a freefall. In his divebomb, the view of the roof's surface rapidly approached Robin's vision. Almost a dozen meters above the pavement, seconds away from making a fatal collision, Robin stretched away his arms like a bird outspreading its wings.

Robin soared swiftly above the forest of buildings, drawing closer to his desired destination. He had to get to that shopping village before the nameless girl would eventually move on to another place. Robin knew what he did was reckless, but he had to find out what had got her on the run all over the city and help her.

His gliding gradually lowered as he neared the shopping village. Robin's feet touched the ledge of a clothing shop, effortlessly maintaining a balance. Squinting his eyes, they swept along the multitude of shoppers through the plaza, some groups maundering at each other on the various items and goods they purchased.

Robin let out a grunt of irritation as the seconds passed in his survey. Just where was she in this crowd? Robin made a note to himself that the nameless girl looked to conceal herself in populated areas. He vividly recalled her taking off to the wide-open streets from that alley where he met her. But Robin had to know who she was running from that she resorted to hiding in crowds like this.

After more squinting, Robin felt it was probably time to abandon his search before his eyes caught the barely noticeable glimpse of the dark bob cut that clashed with the long-sleeved, open pink shirt that he came to identify the nameless girl with. Robin immediately hopped off the ledge, dropping down at the far side of the plaza before he took off.

At this time of the sun descending on the western side of the sky, Tim shouldn't be surprised that his appearance was quick to attract all eyes present as he rushed further into the plaza. Tim felt discomfort reek within him at the attention but pushed forward, brushing off the stares aimed at him. His face winced as several flashes blindsided his eyes by several cell phone cameras directed at him. He could faintly hear the quiet clicks and snaps from their ringers.

As he drew closer, Tim saw that the girl's back was facing him, steering her neck aimlessly, and his legs slowed to a jog. The nameless girl looked over her shoulder in curiosity, and her eyes widened in shock as they made contact with Robin's lenses. She recoiled with a sharp gasp, automatically spurring Robin to pause a step from her reaction. She spun around to an opposing route before running.

Robin's arm extended forward. "Wait!"

He resumed his sprint, dodging several shoppers along the plaza. The nameless girl immediately went for an escalator ahead at the edge of the village. The mechanisms in the staircase assisted in giving rise to the young girl's sprint until she reached the top of the mechanical slope.

Robin, not swayed, hopped to the railings that barred both sides of the functioning rhythmic steps. He began to gain ground on the fleeing girl with little effort. Robin's face frantically reflected his horror as he watched the girl set foot on the nearby active road traffic jammed by patrons to enter or exit the village.

She turned to her left at the sight of a bus speeding its path with no signs of slowing down. Her presence on the street didn't escape the driver's notice, prompting him to scream his lungs out and slam his foot against the brake pedal. However, despite the bus sharply coming to a halt, it would be too late for the bus to stop in time.

Every joint in her body was locked in place; she couldn't move. Her face reflected the hopeless terror she had experienced as far back as she could remember. The bus's blinding headlights shined over her short frame as she helplessly watched the multiton vehicle readying to flatten her body over the pavement.

An arm wrapped around her, successfully bolting out of the bus's way. "Gotcha!" Robin voiced. The girl could only dangle in his grasp with her eyes shut tightly, sensing a chilling gust coarse against her.

Robin held firm on the wire. Taking advantage of this vantage point, he found a corner between several buildings some distance from the shopping village. Deciding on that spot for its vacancy, Robin swung to the enclosed spot, his boots lightly tapping with the ground before gently setting the girl to her feet.

It took her a second to comprehend her surroundings before her eyes found Robin. Her lips trembled before she latched onto his shoulder and choked up a series of hiccups and sobs.

Robin didn't know what to think of this. She fled from him the moment she would see him in the few instances they had met. Now, she was holding on to him for comfort? The fact that a girl was close and clutched onto him triggered awkwardness in his nerves. Tim had limited experience with girls, and the first case wasn't pleasant.

Tim recalled visiting France at one point late in his training year. He wanted to forget meeting a girl named Ling at a nightclub in Paris. Tim genuinely believed she adopted an interest in him after figuring out his American nationality. He had the displeasure of finding out the hard way she was a member of a criminal gang called the Ghost Dragons. She had attempted to lure him into the gang hideout to his death from her fellow misfits.

He hoped this won't be the same this time around.

Not sure what else to do, Robin hovered both hands above her shoulders as another sob escaped her. His arms vibrated hesitantly. It would only take him a few inches to reach her shoulders to accomplish her comfort. And his hands twitched once more. Robin balled each hand into fists, shaking off whatever uncertainty before stiffy placing them on her shoulders.

"It's okay," Robin spoke.

She eventually leaned away, wiping her tears with her pink sleeve. She eyed her rescuer with uncertainty, unconsciously hovering a hand in front of her, displaying her skittish nature.

"Why do you keep running from me?" Robin asked and began to rub the back of his head. "It's the mask, isn't it?"

The girl looked away with a pained expression. "I-It's not you. I have to keep moving. There's a man after me." She stated with a deflated shrug, a haunted sort of quiver plunging her voice.

Robin perked, inching his head closer with full-on alert. "Who?"

"I don't know." She replied with a shake of her head. "But he… he's always there. He's even in my nightmares."

Robin raised a clenched fist in determination. "Don't worry, I'll help you."

He watched her lower her head in thought. He hated seeing such paranoia in her face. He attempted to strike up a conversation to lighten her mood. "You can call me Robin. What's your name?"

Dread burned brighter within him as the nameless girl's face twisted in distress. "I can't even remember that!" She exclaimed, clutching her head in frustration.

Tim frowned for a second before his lips regained a smile. "That's okay, we'll improvise."

He turned away and darted his eyes to the shopping village across the street. "How about…" His eyes slit to a near close. His stare fell onto a family, particularly a doll that hung from a little girl's arm.

"Annie."

She blinked at the name, feeling neither joint nor resonation. But it'll have to do, so she nodded in acceptance. "Okay."

Without notice, Annie gasped. Her eyelids stretched open, her eyes plagued with trepidation. Robin shot her a look of concern. "What's wrong?"

"He's near. I feel him." She said anxiously. Her eyes darted in a fixed direction, cocking her hand and pointed at an alley. "There!"

With his teeth gritting, Robin snapped his sight towards the alley, anticipating a potential brawl. He saw nothing at first, tensing his muscles at whatever creep who dared to try to make an innocent girl's life miserable.

From the shadows, he noticed a foot wearing a sneaker take a step. Robin's eyes gradually widened as he saw the familiar silver-white hair and that bored expression with that coolness he usually displayed. Those were the features Robin came to associate with the metahuman, who quickly became the main topic in the Batcave.

Nearly speechless, Robin dropped his jaw with astonishment. "K-Killua!?"

The boy merely narrowed his glare at Robin.

Robin's state of shock slowly subsided, staring at the newcomer with confusion. "What are you…" He paused in his sentence, and realization crashed into a brick wall.

"Don't tell me; you're the one who's been causing Annie trouble?" Robin asked before turning to Annie. "Do you know him?"

He was surprised to find bewilderment in the girl's face. "I-I don't understand. There may be nothing I remember, but I've never seen this boy in my life. I know a different man was following me." Annie pointed out.

Robin cocked his eyebrow, "Then why keep pointing at him? Are you sure it's him?"

The girl looked ready to burst into tears. "Yes! I don't know, I just do!"

Robin turned his sight to `Killua` and gritted his teeth as sweat trickled from his brow. He watched the boy step forward, making Robin tense his muscles. This incident was becoming more and more strange to Robin. As far as he knew, Killua was committing crimes such as theft and burglary, and if stalking were on his list of crimes, Robin needed to take him down all the more.

Robin wouldn't allow Killua to mess with Annie again, no matter how strong he was. As the silver-white-haired metahuman reached an uncomfortable proximate distance, Robin lunged forward and landed a clean punch against his cheek.

Robin gritted his teeth, his punch only giving away 'Killua's' cheek as his cold blue eyes pierced at him. 'Killua' grasped his wrist and shoved it aside before driving a punch of his own up Robin's stomach. Doubling over, Robin choked on his breath, the lenses of his domino mask widening. Robin could already see black spots in his vision. His paled-haired foe clutched the scruff of his suit before tossing him overhead.

Robin winced as he hurled midair. He couldn't allow himself to go down this early; twisting his body upright as he hovered, Robin made landfall as his boots scraped against the concrete. Bending forward, Robin snatched a pair of birdarangs from his utility belt and held them up in a cross X.

He growled, "Don't get cocky!" Robin shouted before flinging the projectiles simultaneously.

'Killua' narrowed his eyes before he tilted his head to the side to dodge one and caught the other between his fingers. Robin smirked, raising a brow from 'Killua.' Unbeknownst to the pale boy, the birdarang sharply rebounded before backtracking to its target. Suddenly, something sharp struck the back of 'Killua's' head, followed by two loud explosions from the birdarang in his hand and the one on his head.

Annie stood as far away as possible. Her eyes extended at the sight of intensity. She had not predicted that Robin would throw explosive weapons against this 'Killua.' While she did not know this 'Killua' person, Robin seemed familiar with him. Was he dangerous? Robin's actions seemed to speak for itself. But if Robin knew him, why could she sense that eerie feeling from Killua as that man she kept avoiding? Nothing was making sense.

Robin exhaled a growl as he watched the smoke start to subside. Robin was unnerved once the cloud dispersed, revealing the headless form of 'Killua' and his entire right arm missing. Annie looked ready to scream.

Robin was even more shocked when the dirt, mud-colored substance regrew from the supposed wounds. It didn't take long for the figure to regain the shape of his limbs and color. This time, 'Killua's' face twisted with rage at the Boy Wonder.

"You damn brat…" He muttered.

The supposed 'Killua' bomb rushed him. Robin noticed another red flag. This 'Killua' he encountered today lacked the overwhelming speed he saw displayed from the Killua he fought several nights ago.

'Killua' threw a power punch, which Robin weaved. Robin groaned as his elbow jabbed against 'Killua's' neck, kneed him in his gut, and slammed a powerful kick to his ribs, knocking him back several steps.

'He's slow, but darn it, he's as tough as rock!' Robin mentally noted, trying to shake off the aches.

'Killua' looked at him with contempt. He lunged forward with a second punch to no avail. Robin, crouching down, jumped up and double-slashed 'Killua's' chest with another set of birdarangs before stabbing them down to his shoulders. More splats of brown spilled over from the attacks. Robin was quick to backpedal to a distance.

The twin shuriken flashed red and violently blew off the pale boy's shoulders. Muddy fluids gushed over. 'Killua' widened his eyes at his now empty sockets. His pupils shrunk to vibrating dots at the molten clay dripping. With force, 'Killua' pushed a new pair of arms from his sockets, shedding off the charred remains of his previous.

Robin narrowed his eyes. "I see," He said. He straightened his stance. "So you're Clayface."

Clayface snarled before he briefly snapped his sight toward Annie. How could he explain to Batman's new sidekick he was defending someone literally fake? No different from a mannequin manufactured for a hair parlor.

"I don't know what you want with Annie, but I don't care why. You're not getting her." Robin spoke in a low tone. He whipped up a couple of devices, pressing on each centric button.

Clayface eyes widened frantically, recognizing those awful shapes. Of course, Batman had taught this new brat how to fight him. He was starting to miss that other one with the short temper. It was too bad Joker killed him; he was much easier to deal with.

Robin chucked both beeping devices towards the impersonating monster. Clayface narrowly dodged both devices. As he watched them hit the ground and detonate, thick layers of ice coated the pavement.

Clayface immediately refocused on Robin. There was no point in holding back his powers, pretending to be someone he was not. The truth was out. If this boy thought that those freeze grenades were all he needed to secure a win, he would have another thing coming.

Clayface chuckled behind Killua's face. "Bring it on, bird boy!"

Robin grunted at the taunting name. He grabbed for another set of grenades, activated the timers, and threw them. Clayface morphed one hand into an open-meshed strainer, safely seizing the weapons midair. The grenades exploded into a frosty cloud, the cold biting at the clay netting. Pulling back his freezing arm, Clayface quickly changed his opposite hand into an axe, chopping off his arm before the ice spread.

Clayface shot a regenerated fist and connected a clean strike that shook Robin's skull. "Stay out of my way!" Clayface shouted. Robin was launched against a set of dumpsters by a wall, buried under their disposed contents.

Clayface set his predatory glare upon Annie. With heavy steps, he stalked his way to the cowering girl.

"AH!" Robin's battle call leads Clayface to turn back around, only to have his face caved in by Robin's boot.

Robin flipped backward from his kick. He charged in and sent a flurry of punches against Clayface's transformed abdominal area. Robin reared back and shot a heavy blow, only for it to slam against Clayface's palm. Clayface's piercing blue eyes of Killua burned through Robin's mask, tightening his hold on Robin's fist. Robin hissed from the pressure.

He pulled Robin in against a heavy knee to his torso, prompting a choking shout from the Boy Wonder. An uppercut spiked his chin, bringing him a few feet in the air. Suddenly, Clayface spun around and delivered a heel kick against Robin's face with a resounding snap!

A trail of blood spilled from his lips and nose as he flew. A groan escaped him after he slid to the ground in a heap.

"R-Robin!" He could hear Annie's shriek.

Robin felt a foot heavily pressed on his chest, omitting a throaty shout. He opened his eyes to see Clayface in Killua's form towering over his prone body, similar to the sight of death. With a manic sneer and pupils reflecting his malice, Clayface reached down with a hand and squeezed for Robin's throat. He pulled back his opposite, forming into a claw.

"I'm gonna enjoy this…" Clayface breathed out. A somewhat distorted, exhilarated tone decorated his voice.

"Let him go!" A gruff voice called from above in a language unfamiliar to Clayface.

Right before Clayface would lunge for the kill, he gazed up to see Batman gliding in, the Dark Knight gracefully hitting the surface across. Clayface couldn't help but step back from his old, dark-cloaked enemy. Batman's demeanor steamed with rage, shooting the criminal a vicious scowl as if looks could kill.

Clayface returned Batman's glare. He offhandedly turned his regard to Robin beneath his feet. He reared back a leg and punted Robin in Batman's direction, prompting the Dark Knight to catch him in his grasp.

Batman looked down at Robin, softening his scowl. "Are you all right?"

Robin could only respond with a murmur at first. He reached up and wiped off the crimson trickles with his sleeve. Shaking off his daze, Robin pointed forward. "He's getting away!"

Batman's eyes darted forward to see 'Killua's' escaping form. Batman had been ready to call Diana as he saw Killua and Robin standing off, but he couldn't stand there and watch Robin's life inches away from being taken. He had to interfere.

"By the way," Robin voiced, garnering Batman's attention. "That's not Killua. It's Clayface in disguise. It looks like you were right last night." Robin glowered with daggers ahead. "Come on! Let's nail him!" He exclaimed before shoving himself off Batman.

He turned to Annie at the side, his expression softening. "Wait here, okay?" He said gently before taking off with Batman in tow.

The dark-haired girl stood still and watched ahead, eyeing Robin in particular. Her eyes glistened with emotion.

Robin focused ahead as he worked his legs, determined to bring Clayface to justice. He watched the Killua-disguised form of Clayface trail up a slope leading into a parking garage. He tensed his eyes as he channeled his legs to move faster.

"Robin," Batman called from his side. Robin glanced at his mentor to see his grim face that translated as 'We'll talk later.' Robin's determined glare fell in a swoop. He looked down and granted him a curt nod.

The duo rushed forward to their target and entered the sweeping entrance to the indoor parking lot. They stopped and surveyed the mass of stationed vehicles encompassing the driveway they stood in. Batman turned to see the disguised Clayface fleeing further down the driveway.

Batman and Robin hastily cut their way across the column of inactive vehicles, gaining ground on the target with their superior speed. Before the heroes thought of an attempt to cease Clayface's escape, a bus abruptly drove by in their way. But that delay was all Clayface needed to disappear out of thin air.

Robin mentally cursed. He scrutinized his head to both sides of the winding driveway. He caught no ounce of any glimpse but the swallowing darkness that spiraled in these tunnels. Robin glanced at Batman to see him wordlessly pointing to the right-hand route of the tunnels. Getting the message, Robin silently returned his gesture of affirmation before he turned and ran, with Batman rushing the opposite way.

It didn't take long for Robin to see the glistening light at the end of the passage. The fresh September air hit his skin as he emerged through the gaping opening. Slowing his pace, Robin squinted his eyelids through the sun's eye-blurring hues. He immediately flicked his sight to where he caught a flash of white in the corner of his eye.

'How'd he get to the fifth floor so fast?' Robin thought.

After a quick rise with a grapple to the adjoining floor, Robin flowed over the railing in a roll. Robin looked forward, and his face fell further at catching Clayface hop over the railings at the end. Robin rushed over and peeked over the railing just in time to see Clayface make a rough landing on his feet with no worse for wear.

Frustration burned Robin's veins, "Metahumans…" He muttered under his breath.

Relief washed over him as he saw Batman emerge from a tunnel near where Clayface dropped. His eyes followed ahead of Clayface's fleeing form, seeing him about to enter an underpass. Clayface would have nowhere to go if he were to block his way with Batman closely behind. They had him now. Annie would finally be free of fear when he and Batman would put away that sack of crap into Arkham.

Nodding to himself, Robin shot another wired hook and swung overhead that pedestrian bridge. He dropped down and immediately rushed into the tunnel. Dashing down the narrow path, Robin frowned as he met Batman's gaze. They both stopped across each other. Robin swayed his head to each side in confusion.

"Where'd he go?" He asked.

Not responding, Batman turned and walked his way to the curved wall. The small vent near the edge had not escaped the sharp observance in his stern eyes. His eyes narrowed as he peered through the seemingly tight space between the bars.

Robin approached the visually cramped vent, grating his teeth while planting a stomp against the metallic barrier. "He got away…" The thought of Annie stranded as Clayface's brute form stalked towards her appeared in a flash in his mind. Of course, he couldn't forget about her after failing to subdue Clayface. "Annie!"

Robin hurriedly departed from the spot, spurring a sigh from Batman before he followed in tow.

A short time later, the duo returned to the scene. Robin furrowed his brows in worry. It seemed like Annie hadn't remained after all. Robin couldn't say he blamed her. She was wise in deciding to bail, considering their utter failure in taking down Clayface. He looked to see a group of onlookers nearby notice their presence almost in an instant.

Batman, ignoring the attention, kneeled to inspect a muddy stain on the surface, the markings likely being Clayface's remains from Robin's assaults from the battle. Batman quickly extracted the matter into a canister from his department.

"I'm going after her," Robin declared.

Batman scowled in Robin's way, "No, we're not. We're going home. If there had been no conflicts from this, I would've stripped your privilege to patrol for the month." He chastised. He watched shame deflate Robin's face. "Lucky for you, your reckless choices today only lead to us finding evidence, so I'll let this slide. But I won't be this nice next time, so think before you act." Batman's calm and commanding tone encouraged Robin to nod his head.

Batman spun around and traveled a short distance before giving Robin a side glare, "Robin, we're leaving." His voice was potent with assertiveness.

"But she's out there all alone," Robin responded softly.

Batman snorted. A factor that he caught was Robin's abandoning all strategic thought to solve the woes of a random girl. He didn't like it. "Aimless searching won't help her. I thought I taught you better than that." Batman said.

"It's for a good reason, though. We spoke with each other. I don't know what Clayface wants with her, but she's been running away from him. I think he can track her." Robin explained. He proceeded to shake his head. "You can study the evidence while you're at it, but I'm going. I just need to prove myself for you to take me seriously." He softly voiced before he spun away and took his leave.

Batman didn't bother to reply as he watched him ascend to the air with his grapple gun, hovering above the air with his wing-like cape.

The evening hours passed on a whim, and night descended into Gotham. The air was much chiller, contrasting the day's mellow autumn atmosphere. Crows flocked to the center of a rooftop, most of them feeding on scraps they collected from the streets. That was until they bolted to the air before Killua's foot dropped in and squashed the slops under his sneaker.

Killua bounded from one building to another. The occasional hop ended in a heavy collision with his foot fissuring the cement. Killua's pace moved mercilessly, his slanted eyes intently focusing forward in search of his prey.

He felt energy coarse through him, unlike the following days after his raid on that robbery in that bank. The fact he spent all day studying, meditating, and training brought wonders to his state of mind. It would be all the better if he could find this clay freak. He could do this all night, and it only begun.

And the clay monster could only hope he wouldn't meet this ex-assassin on this night.

And finished. What are your thoughts? I would like to read them. Critique is welcomed. Here's an author's comment on the story: When Killua finds out Clayface is impersonating him, all I have to say, is that he ain't going to be happy.

See ya'll next time!