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Bruce had been looking into a potential new crime boss for over a month now, but they were elusive. All he could get was that they were going by Red Hood and had a flair for the dramatics, judging by the bag full of heads.
But tracking Red Hood’s operation was proving near impossible. He seemed adept at evading the Bats. and his fighting style was reminiscent of the League of Assassins, but also similar to their own fighting style.
And since not much progress was being made and Red Hood was so far only injuring other criminals, the case kept getting set aside in favor of investigating criminals who were attacking civilians.
The rumors of Black Mask showing up had popped up the day before, and they were trying to track down his location. Currently they were out on patrol.
“B, several of Black Mask’s goons have been spotted near fifth harbor. Should I go in to investigate?” asked Tim.
“Hold off. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” Bruce responded before grappling off the building he’d been brooding on.
Even if Mask wasn’t there, they’d hopefully be able to question some of his men and at least find out what Black Mask was planning.
After a few minutes, he landed next to Tim and surveyed the building.
“Any other activity?”
“No. Just a few men patrolling the perimeter.”
“Hng.”
“It’s still inconclusive if they’re just guarding a shipment or if Black Mask is here.”
“Stay here. I’ll go investigate.”
“But, B–”
“I need you here for backup.”
Tim grumbled but said nothing else, and Bruce grappled over to the roof of the next building. Getting in was simple enough. Almost too simple. Which meant this probably wasn’t a main base of operations, but a location that was chosen so it could easily be abandoned. There weren’t even that many guards in the hallways, and soon Bruce could hear Black Mask’s voice.
“Black Mask is in the building.”
“Do you want me to head in?”
“Not yet.” Bruce snuck closer to the source of the voices till he could hear them more clearly. Though still not well, his entrance must have alerted some goons and they were gathering rather noisily.
“...could see how the Bat… Will he… Arkham… Maybe he’ll even put you… the Joker. But I suppose I’ll just have to imagine it.”
Then he heard a scream, and Bruce started running.
“See you next time little Robin.”
Bruce stumbled. Robin? But Tim was still outside. Did they have Dick? Bruce slammed the last door open, throwing a batarang into a goon near the door. He went down screaming and clutching his arm. Bruce saw a shadow slipping through a window, but his attention turned to a figure tied to a chair in the center of the room.
Bruce froze. That couldn’t be…
There’s a familiar red helmet lying on the floor, and the figure was in familiar armor. But the young man in the chair…
“Red Robin, Black Mask escaped. Track his location but do not engage. Then return to the Batcave.”
Quickly, he approached the victim. He looked so much like… But it couldn’t be. But Mask had called them Robin. But…
Bruce cut the ropes tying the unconscious young man to the chair before checking for injuries. He’s shaking and Bruce sees a cattle prod laying on the ground. Apart from the electrical injuries he has some bruises, small cuts, and possibly fractured ribs.
Bruce picks him up, bridal style so he doesn’t jostle any injured ribs and calls the Batmobile to his location.
He’ll have to run some blood work, check for magical tampering, but if this really is… He can’t think about it right now. Not until after he runs the tests.
“Just hold on.” he whispers to the young man in his arms. “Just hold on.”