Did I surprise you? Things are getting hairy already. I had a lot of fun playing with these characters, and this is my first time playing with the whole Batfamily. I hope they aren't too much out of character. Enjoy and stay tuned for more.

Chapter 2-Preperations

A little help from the Justice League had all of the relevant equipment moved and set up in the Batcave before dawn. Batman was confident that he could get Dick back quickly, considering the resources he had at his disposal.

The ODA project had been to create a doorway to another world and while they obviously succeeded, the original attempt was unstable and dangerous. However, with a little tinkering and the addition of technology only the Justice League had access to, Batman and co. had a more stable portal working in less than 48 hours. With the League's support, Batman was ready to rescue Dick. The plan was for Batman, Superman and Flash to pass through the door as soon as Batman had 8 straight hours of rest (Alfred's orders). Superman and Flash had claimed seniority to join Batman after the call for help almost started a war. It seemed like almost every hero in the league had wanted to help Nightwing.

Batman chaffed at the enforced rest, but he saw the wisdom in it. He had been awake for over three days straight and he needed to be fresh to face whatever was on the other side of that door. After a bowl of Alfred's soup, he laid down in the corner of the Batcave and despite his intention to run through the plan in his mind, he was instantly asleep.

Emergency alarms rang through the cave, bringing Batman to instant readiness. He ran to where the crowd of heroes was grouped around his computer.

When Oracle appeared on the screen, her computerized voice frantic, she had no good news to share. "This is bad, very bad. There are portals opening all over the world."

"Portals to where?" Batman demanded, taking charge naturally. "Is this related to Nightwing's disappearance?"

"No," Oracle insisted quickly. "The readings that everyone is sending to me show no similarities to the door Nightwing went through. Wonder Woman thinks they are portals to Tartarus."

"Wait," Red Hood said from where he had been leaning against the wall. He had been very helpful over the last few days, even if he insisted on complaining at every opportunity to hide how worried he was. "Are you saying that someone actually opened up portals to hell?"

"That's what it looks like," Oracle said. "And things are coming out. We need full Justice League response."

Robin shoved his way past the adults and pointed angrily at Oracle's screen. "What about Nightwing?" he shouted. "Are we just supposed to leave him until we deal with this crisis?"

No one had an answer for that. Batman clenched his fists.

"I'll go alone," he spoke up. He pointed at Superman and Flash who were just standing there with guilty looks. "You two, get out there. I'll take care of this."

"Batman," Superman said softly, making Batman want to hit him for all the good it would do. "I know how you feel. But you can't go alone and we need you. Please."

Batman turned to his team, his Robins. Tim Drake was sitting at the computer, focused on helping Oracle track down the source of the portals. Jason Todd was watching him with narrowed, accusing eyes. Damian, his youngest, his son, glared with all the force of his considerable personality at all of them. The only missing piece was Dick, the oldest. Bruce couldn't leave him alone in a foreign world, against who knows what. Dick had always been lucky, but part of that was just being prepared like Batman had taught him. He hadn't been prepared for this and Bruce wouldn't abandon him.

Batman turned to say no to Superman, forcing the issue, when Jason spoke up again.

"Let us get him," Red Hood said in to the heavy silence. "You need Batman, but against a threat like this, how much help are we going to be? Let us go rescue the golden boy."

Damian latched on that idea with both hands, his small smile feral. "Yes, Todd and I will go find Grayson. Drake can monitor us from here."

Superman frowned, clearly not liking the idea of sending a child, even one like Robin, into an unknown world. Batman didn't like it either, but it was a good compromise. He trusted them because he knew them, trained them. They had proved before to be an unstoppable team, if they could keep from fighting each other. For Dick's sake, he knew they would control themselves.

"Fine," Batman agreed. "Take the packs we put together last night and anything else you need. Red Robin will keep me informed and he can continue to assist Oracle from here. Get what you need. You have fifteen minutes."

Hood and Robin exchanged a look and took off running to get what they wanted. They knew what was already in the three packs sitting before the door because they had helped pack them, which meant they also knew what was missing. They would repack the three into two that were better suited their strengths and abilities.

"Are you sure that is a good idea?" Flash asked, speaking up for the first time. "Are they ready for this?"

"No," Batman said. "But we are out of options. We can't abandon Nightwing and we don't know if these portals will affect the door so we can't wait." He glared at Superman. "And you were right, you will need me."

Superman nodded, not happy with the situation but willing to concede the point. "Fine. Oracle, tell me where to go," he said and flew out without looking back. Flash shrugged, saluted with two fingers and sped off without a word, leaving the bats alone to plan.

"I will assist Master Timothy however I can," Alfred said, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. He was holding a tray with sandwiches. Batman glared at the sandwiches but when Alfred just raised an elegant eyebrow, he gave in and took one. Alfred nodded approvingly before taking the tray over to Red Robin to force him to eat as well.

Red Hood and Robin were back before Batman finished his sandwich. Hood grabbed two sandwiches while Robin set to repacking with a will. Soon he had a pile of discards and two smaller packs ready.

"We don't need all this stuff," the 10 year old said dismissively. "It will only slow us down." He was right. Most of the equipment was backup and contingencies for the two powered heroes. Robin and Hood were more prepared to make do with they found on the other side. It wasn't like they would need a lead lined suit or solar generators, even if they could carry them.

Batman nodded and went to lead Red Robin in turning on the door while Hood and Robin shouldered on their packs and settled themselves. Alfred forced the last sandwich into Robin's hands with a stern look. Damian crammed it into his mouth with a glare that lost a lot of its heat from his poofed out cheeks.

The door opened, showing a steadier blue light than the first time.

"Good luck," Alfred said with a nod.

Batman just nodded stoically, wishing he could go with them. He cursed whoever was responsible for making him choose between his son and his mission.

"Bring him back," Tim said brightly, trying to keep a positive attitude.

"Don't worry, Replacement," Hood said dismissively as he checked his guns one more time. "We'll bring the golden boy home safe."

Damien growled. "Enough of this, let's go!"

At Batman's nod, the two young heroes stepped up to the door and crossed the threshold.

They disappeared from sight instantly, but this time the light from the door didn't disappear.

"Well?" Alfred asked.

"They're through and all systems are normal," Red Robin said, sliding from one end of the massive computer bank to the other. "Communication is down, but we expected that. Now we just have to wait."

Batman stared at the door for a minute before turning away resolutely. "Give me directions to the nearest portal," he ordered as he leaped behind the wheel of the Batmobile before he drove off into the hell-fire filled night.