When You're Given a Little Robin

Chapter 28: Robin to the Rescue

Sirens sounded off as the police cars surrounded the Ace chemical factory. At the moment officers were scanning and assessing the area as well as bringing Joker's goons into custody. At the same time Batman and Commissioner Gordon were standing around talking as Robin played in the distance.

"...and you're sure joker wasn't here with them?" Gordon tried to clarify.

"Yes, not a single trace of him could be detected. Not even Harley was there." Batman answered honestly.

"Not even Harley, good grief, what is that psychotic clown up too?" The commissioner said exasperated as he rubbed his brow in confusion.

"He is most likely toying with us in some way. He may be psychotic, but he never does things just half way. There's something more to all this. He wouldn't do this if he didn't find it fun or knew it would result in something more enjoyable for him." Batman deducted stoically.

As the two adults further discussed and theorized, Robin was hopping and flipping around, using the scaffolding surrounding them to do different acrobatic tricks. The little boy wonder giggled with glee as he entertained himself, unaware that the cops were watching him. They found him utterly adorable and wanted nothing more than to run up and snuggle him to death. But they knew Batman did not like strangers coming near his partner, let alone touching him, so they settled for just observing him as he played.

For almost ten minutes this went on, as did the discussion between Batman and Commissioner Gordon, and this unfortunately left them all distracted. So distracted none of them saw a gloved hand roll a canister from the shadows into the middle of the group. Within seconds a thick cloud of smoke filled the greater area leaving everyone blind and coughing.

"Where did....this smoke come.....from?" Commissioner Gordon yelled as he coughed from the smoke inhalation.

"I'm sure....it must....be Joker! He's making his move." Batman answered as he tried to use his cape to block out the smoke.

It was then Batman's parental instincts suddenly went off as he realized he couldn't see his son anywhere.

"Robin!" Batman called out into the cloud of smoke.

Not receiving any response Batman began to walk through the mist, along with the commissioner close by, continuing to call out to his son. Robin all the while was just as lost, trying his best to remain calm despite losing sight of his father.

"Batman!" Robin called out as he frantically looked for his father.

For several minutes the three wandered about the smoke, till at last Batman caught a glimpse of his son. He saw the boy's yellow fabric from under his cape flash from a short distance.

"Robin!" Batman called out once more.

"Batman!" Robin cried out at last hearing his voice and seeing the silhouettes of his father and commissioner Gordon in the smoke.

Immediately the two started to run to each other, their bodies becoming far more visible the closer they got to each other. They were almost in reach when suddenly Batman was pulled away further into the smoke.

"Batman!" Robin cried out as he sprinted to where his father was pulled towards.

However he was almost immediately picked up by Commissioner Gorden who held him tightly to his chest.

"Let me go, I have to rescue Batman!" Robin yelled out as he struggled in the commissioners arms.

"Robin calm down! We have to..." The commissioner started to say before a horrid cackle filled the air.

As it did so the smoke began to clear revealing Joker standing in the back of an open, very wacky looking van with an unconscious Batman at his feet.

"I believe this was what you were looking for! I apologize for my tardiness, but I'm afraid I had to get ol batsie alone. You won't mind if I borrow him right boy wonder?" Joker said in his usual unnerving cackle.