The Competition Mission Re-Write

Bombs Away

"At least you didn't come back empty handed," Bruce said as we arrived back in the Batcave after the mission report.
"There's no links to it with any activity anywhere though," I pointed out, "This isn't a one time practical joke Bruce. This is someone who knows exactly what they are doing and are playing us."
"Maybe so," He replied, "But until we can prove anything, or even create a solid theory, the first focus must stay the teams mission."
I mumbled an affirmative, not really feeling like agreeing, and headed up to my room to get in some sleep before school.
This is something important, I can feel it.

"Master Dick, you are going to be late."
I rolled away from Alfred's voice and onto the floor, injured shoulder first.
"Owwww," I complained as I stood up to see Alfred already making my bed, "Geez Alfie, I've never seen you move so fast."
"Stop the whatever it is you are doing and get dressed," He ordered, "And make sure to replace the gauze on your shoulder."
I did as he asked and headed down for breakfast. I ate in silence, Bruce was off on mission with the Justice League and Alfred was busy doing something or other. Once I was done I hopped on my motorbike and headed down to school.
"Richard, you're late," The office lady said as I walked in.
"Actually miss, I think you'll find I'm thirty seconds before late," I smirked and walked off to class, arriving just as the late bell went.
"Alright class, settle down," Mr Hopkins said and everyone took their seats, "I have a few notices before we begin today's lesson. First of all tickets for the talent competition have been given to our school today but there are only limited amounts so it is first come first serve basis. Second, people involved in the talent competition are needed for a meeting after school today and last but not least, your exam date has been confirmed, it is the 4th June."
"But that's only a month away sir," Leslie wined.
"You've been told that is the suspected date all year. No excuses," He replied and then began the lesson.

I walked into the main hall after school and waited for the final couple of students and Mr Telkin's to arrive. Five minutes later we were all there.
"Okay, so that everyone is aware we have gotten a notice from the judging panel," He said, "They have said that all performances must be under three minutes and thirty seconds to make sure they all fit, places will be hard to get so make sure to show off your best abilities, your live routine does not have to be the same as your audition piece if you prefer and to get through you must get sufficient votes from the audience and be in the top half of the judges scoring panels."
"You mean we have to get audience votes?" Marie asked.
"Yes, so make sure to bring lots of people to support you. We are all getting through this round," He said, sounding certain that we would, but I wasn't so sure myself, "Leave now if you want, or stay here and practice. I'll be leaving at five so as long as you are all gone by then it's fine."
Most of us left, only three or four people staying to practice and I drove home, noticing that a couple of the cameras were powered off. Alarm bells started ringing, they were never turned off. Not with Bruce's paranoia.
I climbed off my motorcycle and removed the helmet, leaving it on my bike. There was no point trying to sneak up, they'd have heard me coming up the drive. I went to the front door and opened it up, scanning the area. Nothing was out of place at all, but the air felt tense. I closed the door behind me, locking it so that whoever was in here couldn't escape, at least not the easy way. I padded into the lounge and my eyes widened in shock.
Before I had even registered what I was doing I had launched myself towards Alfred, untied him and dived out of the window, trying to keep Alfred from landing on the ground. The glass had pierced my armour and I could feel a few slashes on my face but the gear protected me from most of it.
"On the bike, go!" I shouted as I got back up and helped Alfred to his feet.
I jumped in the drivers seat and Alfred climbed onto the back, I gave him my helmet and sped down the driveway away from the house. It turns out I wasn't fast enough as when the bomb went off the bike went flying and I was ripped from it. I felt Alfred go one way as I was propelled the other. My gear was running low of protection now and I could feel blood seeping down my leg and something hard digging into it, but that wasn't my concern at the moment.
I couldn't bring any air into my lungs to call for Alfred, I felt like it had all been taken away from me. And even if he did reply I wouldn't be able to hear him over the ringing in my ears. I felt fluid in the back of my throat and coughed it up, blood. That meant a punctured lung, but still my main focus was on finding Alfred. I dragged myself to my feet and looked around the area, my head spinning. Through my blurry vision I could make out the rubble everywhere, a couple of the weaker trees uprooted and...there. I stumbled over to him and dropped down beside him.
"It's going to be okay," I rasped out, but the words felt bitter in my mouth.
He was one mangled heap was the nicest way to put it. I can't even bring myself to describe the state he was in it's like something from a horror film come to life. I called the ambulance and waited with Alfred, doing all I could to comfort him whilst we waited for them to arrive. They quickly put Alfred in a stretcher, life support already in work at the back of the van. I hadn't even realised I was crying.
"Sir, we need to get you in the ambulance," I dazedly looked up at the owner of the voice and could see myself reflected in their eyes.
Rubble was strewn across my hair, my face all cut up and dirt in the cuts, my mouth was dribbling blood and my motorcycle gear was shredded into a thousand pieces. The ringing had died down at little and my breath was starting to come back to me as we drove down to the hospital at top speeds. Once there we were unloaded into the emergency bay and I caught a glimpse of Alfred as they whisked him away for intensive treatment.
"Is he going to be okay?" I asked as they connected me to a heavy dosage of anaesthetic.
"He'll be just fine honey, don't you worry," The doctor replied, but the look in her eyes told me otherwise.
I didn't get a chance to thank her for arriving so soon as the drug took me under.