In Trouble With Nightwing

Chapter 2

We speed off to find the Joker, getting out of the car about a block away from the warehouse he was currently in. I asked Bruce why we had to be sneaky if we were just going to bust him. He told me to be quiet first and then explained that the Joker was likely to run away if we took the Batmobile and just tore through there. It makes sense, but it isn't really that much fun. 

Nightwing buzzed in again, "I've been watching them, better hurry guys."

I took that as an order and tripped over a stupid rope. Well that stupid rope was connected to this big trap that only caught my foot by mistake. I guess I was pretty lucky because it had almost cut me to shreds but since it was only my foot a bit it didn't hurt at all.

Bruce looked to be torn between terrified and ready to kill me. Sadly he took the later and started yelling. Well, it wasn't really yelling because he was quiet and all, but still was kind of a growl. Do bats growl? "What did I say about being careful?"

"Sorry Batman, I didn't mean to." I apologized quickly, hoping he wouldn't send me back to the batmobile. I couldn't possible mess up so early! I mean he wouldn't send me back over one little mistake, right?

Batman carefully freed my foot and swatted me really hard on my butt, I swear I had a hand print from that! At least I didn't use the same costume design as Dick did, otherwise someone might see it.

"Owwwww," I hissed, probably looking a little mad. Cause, come on, it really hurt.

"Be careful, I'm not telling you again." Batman warned me, not looking sorry at all. "In fact I want you behind me at all times, no more running ahead and into danger."

"Yes, Batman." I mumbled, at least it wasn't as bad as it could've been I guess. I mean, I'm still got to stay on the mission.

Thankfully there weren't any more traps before we met up with Nightwing, not that Batman couldn't handle them. At least that means I didn't have any more chances to screw up.

"Yo, Bats, Boy Wonder." Nightwing greeted us with a bit of a smile.

"What did you find out?" Batman asked, not nearly as relaxed as Nightwing was.

"Nothing much," He stopped smiling as he grew all serious. "But, Penguin is down there too. But, I'd say the best way for breaking in is either on that corner of the building," he pointed clear to the other corner. "Since they haven't gone over there yet. Or through the window down there, they came through this door a bit ago though."

I looked at Batman, waiting for the orders. He was quiet for a moment, thinking I guess before looking at both of us. "I'll use the near entrance, joker probably left me a few surprises.

"I could take Robin with me, I'm guessing it's safer over there." Nightwing said.

Sometimes I feel like they don't trust me at all. I've been trained, I can handle it. I mean, I'm not as big and strong as them, but still. Since I'm already "on thin ice" as Alfred would say, I kept my mouth shut.

Batman nodded and we all understood the plan. I followed carefully behind Nightwing as we jumped over to the actual building and ran across the rooftop as quietly as possible. I'm not as good of an acrobat as Dick is, but at least I could kinda do it. I probably looked really clumsy doing it through, especially when we climbed through a top window. I should probally pay more attention next time he tries teaching me.

That took a lot out of me too, Nightwing gave me a few seconds to catch my breath thankfully. Though it was annoying that he was perfectly fine while I was panting. Him and Batman were always so much better than me.

"Good job so far," Nightwing said, reaching and purposefully messing with my hair. "Now if I'm right about the layout, this is an old office area and we need to get down to the first floor. Which means we have a chance of running into them."

"Okay," I nodded. I wasn't afraid of accidently running into them though, because I knew that Dick was stronger than them. Plus, Batman wasn't too far away.

Nightwing smiled briefly before continuing to lead the way. We had to go through several empty rooms and a flight of stairs, but at least there was no sign of the bad guys. Once we were close to the big main part of the factory on the first floor we heard a few voices, but Dick motioned me over to the back away from them.

"Best to see what they have hidden first." He informed me.

I couldn't really see them having anything in here since it was all run down. "More traps?"

"Maybe, maybe something else." Nightwing said slinking toward another 'room'. Most of the old machinery and stuff blocked the room, braking it up into sections.

I think we were in the front part of the building now and man was Nightwing right about them having something else. I didn't know what it all was, but there were weird half created gadgets scattered around and some mutation of an animal in a cage. None of that belonged in this old factory. There was certainly something strange going on. But, could really be just the Joker and Penguin doing all of this?

An old panel switch caught my eye, I ran my finger across it. There wasn't any dust, so it had to have been used lately, right. I couldn't help but push the largest button out of curiosity, and well, without even thinking about it.

"Don't touch anything." Nightwing said, but it was already too late.

I wanted to stop it and so, panicked and stupidly hit the button again. The machinery started to move behind one of the piles of old boxes, shaking the entire stack. The whole room felt as though it was shaking right and I couldn't get it to stop no matter what button I pushed.

"Agh!"Nightwing yelled from across the room as a large pile of stuff fell on him before he could get away. I'm not even sure what it was that his head, but it looked like it hurt.

"Nightwing! I'm sorry." I ran to help him move the box from his torso. He didn't respond though, I figured whatever that metal thing was knocked I'm out. Which meant I had to hurry up and get us both out of there.

"Weh ha ha, weh ha ha." Quaking laughter came from behind me.

"What do we have here?" Joker said laughing manically himself.

I turned around and saw both Joker and Penguin, instinctively I grabbed my bo-staff. "Stay back!" Funny, I wasn't worried when Nightwing was with me, but being alone with two insane villains was suddenly really scary.

"Oh look, it's the little birdy." Joker said still with that horrible smile. "Looks like we'll have some fun tonight."