Robin's laugh (A Young Justice Fan Fiction)

Chapter 3

~Robin: Age 10~

It had been a year since the young Dick Grayson had become Batman's sidekick, Robin. Dick couldn't think of anything he loved more in the world than being Robin. Except, maybe laughing.

His father had always told him he had inherited his mother's laugh. It was a light, airy laugh that could brighten an entire room. Anytime Dick or his mother laughed, everyone around them would join in. It was contagious.

That's partially why Dick enjoyed laughing so much. It reminded him of his mother and the different jokes he would pull at the circus. His laugh was really all he had left.

Dick wasn't the only one who loved his laugh. When Bruce and Alfred first met Dick, he didn't laugh very much. But after some time for healing, they found out that his laughter was one of the best things in the world. Bruce could have had a horrible day at work, but after even a few giggles from Dick, he was smiling again.

This is why it was so hard for him to lose it...

~time skip~

Batman and Robin were on patrol searching for the Joker. He had escaped from Arkham the night before and he had yet to show his face. They knew he was planning something, they just had to figure out what it was.

The Dynamic Duo was sitting on top of a roof when they heard something in the ally below. Batman jumped down to check it out. Robin was about to follow when something was suddenly held over his mouth. His vision started to become blurry before he passed out.

~time skip~

Robin slowly started to regain consciousness. He blinked his eyes open and saw that he was in a small dimly lit room. He tried to stand up but quickly found that his arms and legs were tied to a chair. He was struggling against the ropes when a figure walked into the room.

"It's no use Boy Blunder," the Joker stepped in front of him and grinned "Your stuck with me."

Robin glared at him "What do you want Joker?"

He laughed manically "What do I always want bird brain? I want to destroy the Batman! And that is exactly what I plan on doing..." It was now that Robin realized Joker was carrying a large bag. He reached in and pulled out what looked like an oxygen mask. He strapped the mask tightly over Robin's face and connected it to some kind of tank.

"What is this...?" his voice was muffled by the mask.

The Joker grinned "This my bird-loving friend, is a special mixture of my famous Joker Gas. I've made it just for you." Robin's eyes widened. "I haven't tested it on anyone yet, so I have no idea what the side effects could be. It may kill you, it might not. guess we'll just have to find out!" he started laughing again as he flipped the switch.

Robin tried to hold his breath for as long as possible, but his lungs started screaming for oxygen. He took in a gasp of air and felt... happy. He wasn't scared of what the Joker was doing to him anymore. In fact, it was kind of funny...

Robin's sweet laugh started to fill the room. However, as he continued laughing, his laughter turned harsher. More crazy sounding. Just like the Joker's...

An hour after Robin was taken, Batman found Joker's hideout. He bust the door down and quickly knocked the Joker out. He looked over to the other side of the room and saw Robin tied to a chair.

He ripped the mask off his face, but he didn't stop laughing. Batman hardly recognized his laughter. He quickly carried him to the Batmobile and buckled him in. Robin continued to laugh the entire way to the Batcave.

When they reached their destination Batman quickly carried him to the med bay. He and Alfred started working on an antidote for the new Joker Gas. Once they gave it to him he stopped laughing and fell asleep. Bruce and Alfred sighed in relief. The crisis had been averted. Or so they thought...

~time skip~

The next day Robin woke up in his bed still wearing his costume. He turned over and saw Bruce sitting in a chair next to him. "How are you feeling?"

Dick sat up "I have a killer headache and my throat's sore. Other than that, I'm peachy!" Bruce smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "I'll have Alfred give you some Ibuprofen and a cough drop. For right now let's go get some breakfast." Dick nodded and followed him down the stairs.

"Good morning Master Dick." Alfred smiled at him as he set a huge plate of pancakes in front of him.

"Mornin' Alfie!" he grinned as he dug into his breakfast.

"Here you are, master Bruce." Alfred gave him a small smile as he set the plate down.

Bruce looked at his plate then looked over at Dick's. "Alfred, how come I get a single strawberry, and Dick gets pancakes?"

Alfred smiled "You said you were wanting to eat healthier. Why? Were you wanting pancakes?" Bruce gave him a look.

Dick was just watching their interaction. He thought it was hilarious, so he started laughing. However, a second later he stopped. Bruce and Alfred stared at him in shock. Dick held his throat in fear "Wh-what was that...?"

"Dick, laugh again," Bruce said.

Once again Dick started laughing. And once again it came out as the maniacal laughter from the night before. He started crying "What's happening to me...?"

Bruce and Alfred took Dick down to the Batcave to run some tests. "master Bruce, it looks like there are still trace elements of Joker Gas in his system."

"that's impossible," Bruce took the paper "It should be gone by now since we gave him the antidote."

"I do not believe we will be able to get the rest of it out..." Alfred said sadly.

"Does this mean..." Dick was on the verge of tears "I'm going to laugh like this for the rest of my life...?"

Bruce turned to Alfred "That, is a possibility..." Bruce held onto Dick as he started to sob... 

(A/N - Hey guys. I hope you like it so far. Stay whelmed and feel the aster!)