Running as fast as his athletic legs could cover the uneven forest floor, Batman ducked and swerved his way through countless trees and shrubs. His heart was beating fast from the exertion; but that was not the only cause of his rapid pulse…Batman was terrified. The fear was almost tangible and consumed his very being. The enemy was gaining on him and he had to find an advantage over his pursuers quickly if he planned on making it back to the cave alive.

Spotting a rocky cliff ahead, Batman grabbed his grapple gun and shot off a line to the top of the precipice. He felt the line hook securely and swing him up in the air. Looking down, Batman found the enemy slow down and search for a way to follow. He allowed a small grin to spread across his face as childish tune flowed through his head.

"Nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah! You can't catch me!"

As he reached the top, the Dark Knight turned around satisfied at his accomplishment. But his smirk was soon erased from his face, for before him stood at least 20 more robots identical to the ones he had just outsmarted.

"This is not my night…" Batman muttered under his breath. It had started out as a normal enough routine patrol that evening. However, within an hour of leaving the Batcave, Batman's life seemed to have somersaulted out of control.

"It's Dick's fault!" Batman grunted as he dodged the blast of his electronic enemies' guns. "I could be having a nice chat with the Commissioner about the latest crime wave in Gotham about now…But no! I'm out in the middle of the woods fighting indestructible robots! Robots that my own company made, as Dick so nicely reminded me!"

On the run again, Batman thought back to his earlier conversation. He had been sitting on top of Wayne Towers enjoying a quiet view of his city when he was contacted by Oracle via comlink.

"Batman? Are you out there?"

"Oracle." Batman prided himself on his short acknowledgements.

"Batman, Nightwing wanted me to patch him through. Hold on a sec."

After a short wait, Batman listened to the familiar and enthusiastic voice of Nightwing. "Batman! I've got the hugest favor to ask!"

"What's that?" Batman rolled his eyes.

"Do you know your Wayne Tech factory between Gotham and the `Haven?" Nightwing asked.

Batman closed his eyes and shook his head and answered with a sigh, "No, I've never heard of the place."

"But you own it!" Nightwing exclaimed.

"Sarcasm, Nightwing. I'm being sarcastic." Batman wondered how Dick could have such a brilliant mind and yet be such an airhead at times.

"Oh…OH! I get it! You're making a joke! HA! Good one, Bruce!" Nightwing laughed a little nervously.

"Dick, what about my factory?"

"Well, some of the experimental robots have `escaped' and are running amuck through some residential areas on the outskirts of my town. Could you come and round them up?" Nightwing asked in a high voice.

"Why can't you do it? It's your town the robots are running `amuck' in," Batman said sharply.

"They're YOUR robots from YOUR factory! Besides, I've got another situation that needs attending," Nightwing countered.

"Like I don't have better things to do than chase renegade robots…" Batman mumbled.

"Okay, fine. I'll deal with the robots if you'll come and chase Dudley Soames around the `Haven," Nightwing stated.

"Is that the palindromes guy?" Batman asked suspiciously.

"The one and only…" Nightwing growled with distaste.

"I suppose the robots are my property and therefore, my responsibility," Batman confessed begrudgingly.

"I knew you would see it that way!" Nightwing's voice was happy-go- lucky again.

"You might want to shut your trap before I change my mind," Batman warned.

"Yes sir! Well, call if you need anything! Nightwing out."

"I'll be sure to do that, Chum," Batman said out loud to what he thought was a dead line.

"I swear you'd let that boy talk you into anything!" Oracle's voice broke in.

"I'm not the only one with that problem, Barbara," Batman grumbled as he swung down and landed near the Batmobile.

"Guess I don't have room to talk, huh? …Anything I need to do for you since you're heading out of town?"

"Contact Robin and see if he can patrol downtown with Batgirl."

"What if he can't? Should I get Az?" Oracle asked.

"No, I've got a special assignment for Azreal tonight. Don't you think Dick may need some help with that Soames guy?"

Barbara laughed evilly and said, "And here I thought you didn't have a sense of humor!"

"I've been working with Dick too much lately. It's starting to rub off…" Batman said as he punched the gas pedal to the floor and headed south.

"Well, good luck, oh fearless one!" Barbara giggled as she said, "Oracle out!"

Batman drove down the winding country road just off the main highway. The factory containing the robots was located about 2 miles into the wooded area. Most of the residents of the remote region worked in Bludhaven or Gotham; but they enjoyed the view of the countryside when the day was over.

Nightwing had complained about the robots being on Bludhaven's side of the woods. So Batman gunned the Batmobile toward Gotham's sister city. He arrived at the factory in record-breaking time. Getting out to take a closer look, the Dark Knight discovered the robots had blasted their way out of the metal reinforced building.

"That'll cost a bundle…and Lucius will have a fit…and I'll have to hear about it…I feel a headache coming on…" Batman continued to mumble complaints as he searched through the twisted metal and broken trees that littered the ground. Going further into the woods, he discovered a bridge or actually what was left of the bridge. Apparently the robots were quite rambunctious.

KABOOM!

Batman ducked as a huge fireball flew overhead and slammed into a nearby tree. The tree tilted slowly and then began to fall. Batman thought ironically, "Yep, it would fall in my direction," as he leaped out of the way.

Rolling to his feet, Batman scanned the woods with his night vision technology. He started to count his metallic enemies. One, two, three, four, five, six… Batman frowned as he counted up to twelve robots.

"Come to think of it, palindromes aren't that bad. It's not too late to call Dick back and switch missions…is it?" Batman asked himself.

Meanwhile, back in the `Haven… Nightwing looked at the note he had found at the crime scene. Making a face and rubbing the back of his head, the young hero thought hard as to what the note could mean.

"Hannah? Who is Hannah?" Nightwing asked out loud.

"His girlfriend?" A deep voice questioned from behind Nightwing.

Spinning around defensively, Nightwing kicked out and connected with the stranger.

"OW! What was that for?" Azreal lay rubbing his side at Nightwing's feet.

"Az? What are you doing here?" Nightwing inquired as he held out a hand to the other superhero.

"Batman said you needed help. He didn't tell you he was sending me?" Azreal gratefully accepted Nightwing's hand.

"No…" Nightwing muttered out loud but silently added, "Wait till I get my hands on you, Brucie!"

"Oh. Well, I'm here if you need me. If you do not wish for me to stay, I can go back to Gotham…" Azreal turned to leave thinking that it was most likely what Nightwing would want.

Feeling guilty by Azreal's actions, Nightwing reached out and placed a steadying hand on the other man's shoulder. "Wait. Since you are here, you might as well stay. I could use some help."

Azreal nodded and then asked, "What is the case?"

"Dudley Soames. He use to be a cop that straddled the fence. Blockbuster twisted this guy's head. Somehow he survived but the doctors couldn't put his head on straight again…" Nightwing began.

"Hold on. You are being metaphoric here…right?" Azreal asked. "This guy isn't really running around with his head twisted backwards? You just mean he's crazy?"

"Actually, I'm talking literally. The man's head is on backwards. He uses these little rearview mirror things to walk. He leaves palindromes at the scenes of his crimes…kinda like the Riddler, but not…"

"Wait. I'm still confused." Azreal looked perplexed. "Rearview mirrors? You are telling me a tall one, aren't you? Batman always says you are making jokes."

Nightwing gave a blank look at Azreal. "But I'm not making this up! This guy really does have little rearview mirrors in his glasses. Now back to the palindromes…"

"Palindromes?"

"Words that are spelled the same way front wards and backwards. `Hannah' is a palindrome." Nightwing showed Azreal the note with the name written on it.

Azreal blinked hard and cleared his throat nervously. "You mean you are not joking? This Soames fellow is for real?" At Nightwing's enthusiastic nod, Azreal muttered, "And I thought Gotham was full of wackos."

After scaling the sharp cliff and losing a dozen robots, Batman was faced with double that amount of enemies. He was able to keep one step ahead of the robots' deadly fire; however, Batman knew it was only a matter of time before one of the robots would be able to lock down on his position and connect.

Reaching into his utility belt, the Dark Knight let out an aggravated groan. "Only 2 more batarangs? Where do they all go? Hmm…wonder if I left any extras in the Batmobile…" Batman changed directions heading toward his vehicle and hopefully to some extra ammunition.

Listening to the police scanner, Nightwing grimaced at the recent reports being aired out. "Hannah's Casino! I shoulda guessed it! He's already made his move there…but what clue did he leave at that scene?"

"I've got the answer!" Oracle's voice sang out from both Nightwing's and Azrael's communicators.

"What's that?" Nightwing asked.

"A note was found at Hannah's Casino after the hit. It read, and I quote, `No garden, one dragon.' But the big question is…" Oracle started.

"…What the heck does it mean?" Nightwing finished.

"I'm getting a headache," Azrael muttered.

"You and me both." Nightwing wrote down the clue on the paper with the name Hannah. "What in the world has no garden, but one dragon? Maybe what cultures dragons are significant in?"

"Chinese, Japanese, European Dark Ages…" Azrael listed off.

"I just feel like we're missing the obvious here." Nightwing frowned and sighed in frustration.

"Um…guys? I think I found something…but you're not going to like it…" Oracle warned.

"Like it or not, could you please share?" Nightwing got that twisting feeling in his stomach.

"Bruce's factory…it has a fountain at its entrance in the shape of a dragon," Oracle stated.

"Who puts a fountain in front of a factory?" Nightwing asked in an exaggerated tone.

"Bruce likes for all of his work sites to be pleasing to the eye…good for employee morale," Oracle answered.

"Figures." Nightwing chuckled.

"The fountain has one dragon…but it's not in a garden!" Azrael repeated, bringing Nightwing and Oracle back to the problem at hand.

"You mean I've got to go fight those stupid robots after all!" Nightwing exclaimed. "Bruce isn't gonna let this one die for weeks!"

Back in the woods…

Batman had managed to hide himself away from the robots for about a minute. He took the short time to rest and rethink his objectives. First, he had to find a way to control or stop the robots' destructive behavior. Second, the Detective would have to find out who was behind this whole "break out."

Suddenly a mechanical sound echoed through the bushes. Batman looked down and discovered a small remote controlled car with a note attached. The tiny vehicle approached slowly as the Dark Knight observed it with great skepticism. Taking a few steps away from the advancing machine, Batman heard a small click and then without warning the note was shot into the air. The paper landed at Batman's feet as the remote controlled car speed away.

Batman leaned down and picked up the note. As he read what it said, the great Detective rolled his eyes, shook his head and sighed deeply. "Why me?" he asked as he looked up into the Heavens. "I thought you gave Dick this nut case? I mean, I already have the Joker…and if he wasn't enough, I've got the Riddler, Two Face, the Penguin, Poison Ivy, Catwoman…at least let me trade one of them with Dick…" Batman thought about that request and decided to make an amendment. "Hmm…but can I keep Catwoman?"

Looking back at the note, Batman read it aloud. "Was it a Bat I saw?" Scowling darkly, he muttered, "Nope, just a man dressed like one."

"So this is your vehicle?" Azrael asked doubtfully.

"Yeah…isn't she gorgeous?" Nightwing answered with a proud smile.

"She's…something…" Azrael muttered.

Nightwing shot him a quizzical look and said, "What? You don't agree with me? Ah hah! You, my friend, have never heard the old saying, `Never judge a book by its cover.' Well, I'm here to tell you that the Nightbird may not win a beauty contest against the Batmobile; but she would whip Bruce's ride in a knock-out-drag-out on any day!"

"Have you ever bragged about the Nightbird like that in front of Batman?" Azrael smiled as he asked the question.

"Do I look like I want to die? You can slap the man around and spit on his cape and he would consider letting you walk away. But insult the man's car…well, he takes that personally." Nightwing shook his head at the thought.

Both young heroes hopped into the supercharged car and sped to the factory in search of Dudley Soames, renegade robots, and one sure to be mad as a hornet Batman.

The Nightbird rounded the last curve in the road and pulled into the parking lot of the factory. Sitting beside the dragon shaped fountain was a scrap pile of black metal with four wheels sticking out from underneath.

"Uh-oh…Bruce is going to be pissed off big time!" Nightwing stared at the battered remnants of the Batmobile. "I hope Bruce knows about this…I sure as heck don't want to be the one to break the news to him."

"Let us hope he is not still inside," Azrael muttered softly.

"You've got a point," Nightwing said, as he hopped out of his muscle car and ran over to the twisted metal. "Batman?" Nightwing used the com link on his wrist.

"Nightwing." Batman's voice came in softly.

"Oh good! We were afraid you were still inside the Batmobile," Nightwing stated, breathing a sigh of relief.

"No, I'm in the woods running for my life. You're by the Batmobile? Can you check and see if I left any batarangs in the glove compartment?" Batman asked.

"Um…well, gee Batman…I would really love to…but I've forgotten the access code…can't get in!" Nightwing smiled, as he avoided the subject of the destroyed vehicle.

"I can open it for you. I've got a remote just for such an occasion," Batman said proudly. Before Nightwing could say another word, Batman pulled out a small remote control and punched a button.

Nightwing and Azrael watched in awed silence as sparks flew and a small explosion occurred within the former Batmobile.

"Nightwing? What was that noise? Have the robots found you?" Batman asked in alarm.

"Batman…there is no easy way to say this…the Batmobile…you see…I'm afraid…" Nightwing sputtered.

"Batman, the Batmobile will need to be replaced," Azrael interrupted.

"What do you mean, Azrael?" Batman asked.

"It appears she has taken one blow too many, tonight," Azrael spoke in a surprisingly gently voice.

"THEY DESTROYED MY CAR!!!" Batman shouted.

"Crushed her like a pancake," Nightwing muttered.

"That does it! I'm going to beat the snot out of that scumbag!" Batman felt a hot rage settle on his very being. How dare someone touch his ride?

"You realize that Dudley Soames is behind this break out?" Nightwing asked.

"…stupid palindrome writing maniac lay a finger on my car…I'll show him…" Batman mumbled under his breath.

"I would take that as a yes," Azrael said smiling.

"Batman, where are you located?" Nightwing inquired walking towards the woods.

"Behind a tree," Batman answered sullenly.

"Oh gosh, that really helps!" Nightwing exclaimed. "Look, I know you are upset right now, but we've got to keep our heads on straight if we want to live to tell about this experience."

"That's not funny," Batman shot back.

"Only because you don't have a sense of humor," Nightwing said hotly. "Now where are you at?"

"About a mile east of the warehouse." Batman then added, "I most certainly do have a sense of humor. I just don't particularly care for this palindrome wacko."

"You are such a caibohphobiac!" Nightwing exclaimed.

Silence ruled for several seconds. Finally, Batman said in an impossibly calm voice, "Take that back."

"No, I will not," Nightwing answered just as calmly.

"What is a caibohphobiac?" Azrael asked Nightwing.

"Someone who is afraid of palindromes." Nightwing continued to cautiously walk eastward into the woods.

"Oh! Ha! Now that's funny!" Azrael began to chuckle.

"Is not…" Batman muttered under his breath.

Nightwing and Azrael found a very bedraggled Batman cowering behind a large oak tree. The only greeting the Dark Knight gave was a deep frown and a sigh.

"So where are the robots, Batman?" Nightwing inquired.

Batman glared at Nightwing and began to say "Frankly my dear, I don't give a…"

KABOOM!!!

All three heroes were flattened to the ground by the explosion. Azrael looked up cautiously and then quipped, "You just had to ask, didn't you, Nightwing?"

Nightwing gave a lopsided grin and said, "Well, Alfred's always saying I'm the curious one."

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know…"

Looking up into a nearby tree, the three men gaped openly at the newcomer.

"Catwoman? What are you doing here?" Nightwing questioned.

"Haven't you learned not to ask so many questions?" Azrael exclaimed.

Nightwing gave a little scowl in Azrael's direction. "It's the detective in me, okay?"

"Temper, temper!" Catwoman purred as she jumped from her perch to land softly beside Nightwing. Reaching over, she ran her fingers through his black hair and leaned against the young hero. "So tell me, Batman…did Nightwing mention our time together in Bludhaven?"

Nightwing's eyes opened in near panic, as he began to shove Catwoman away. Daring a glance at his mentor, Nightwing noticed that Batman's dark features seemed quite frightening at the moment.

"What time together?" Batman growled.

"Uh-oh! I think I left…something…back in the Nightbird…" Azrael muttered, as he turned to retrace his steps as quickly as possible.

"You probably need some help…right?" Nightwing managed to squeak, while still fighting off Catwoman's advances.

"No, he doesn't," Batman stated. Then reaching over, Batman removed Catwoman from his now terrified partner.

"Jealous?" Catwoman asked playfully.

"In your dreams," Batman said, with a quick snort.

"Well, here's to hoping my dreams come true," Catwoman said. Then she pulled Batman into a deep kiss. At first, Batman started to pull away, but slowly the hero gave into temptation.

Nightwing and Azrael exchanged smirks and rolled their eyes. However, Azrael's eyes stopped in mid-roll.

"Um…I hate to bother you, Batman…but we have company," Azrael muttered.

Slowly breaking from their kiss, Batman and Catwoman glanced at the woods around them.

"Good grief! How many robots did Wayne Enterprises produce?" Nightwing gawked at the sight of the over 30 robots that surrounded the heroic group.

Batman mumbled something under his breath.

"How many?" Nightwing questioned again.

"100…of this type model…" Batman repeated a bit louder.

"Um…I, uh…have to go check on that…something I left in the Nightbird…" Azrael muttered, in light of this new information.

"…And I bet you still need help finding it!" Nightwing chimed in.

"Fine. You two act like wimps and run. Catwoman and I will take care of these robots together!" Batman declared. "Right, Selina?" When no one answered, Batman looked back to where Catwoman had been standing only seconds before. Now that space was empty. "Catwoman?"

"Sorry, Bats!" Catwoman called from far away. "I just remembered I have a date with that air-headed playboy, Bruce Wayne! Ta-ta!"

Standing with a definite pout on his face, Batman let out an aggravated sigh. Then raising his voice, Batman yelled, "I hope he stands you up!" Looking back at the blank faces of Nightwing and Azrael, the Dark Knight challenged, "What?!?"

"Nothing," the younger heroes answered in unison.

Dodging energy blasts from the surrounding robots, Nightwing growled, "I wish Azrael would hurry up and get back!"

"What did he have to go get?" Batman asked, as he managed to wrap his decel line around a robot and tip it onto its side.

"Something…" Nightwing muttered. "Personally, I think he was just scared!"

WHOOSH!

A bright flame flung out destroying 3 robots and causing Nightwing to fall to the ground.

"I was not scared! I left my sword!" Azrael stood with the great flaming sword in his hands.

"I didn't think you used the sword anymore," Batman stated.

"I save it for special occasions," Azrael answered.

"Oh…Uh… I was just picking about you being scared, Az…" Nightwing said with a nervous laugh, as he eyed the flaming sword. "No hard feelings, huh?"

"Only if I get to drive the Nightbird back to Bludhaven," Azrael bargained.

"No way! Nobody drives the Nightbird but me!" Nightwing declared.

"Hmm…guess I'll just have to leave you guys here to fight these robots by yourself…" Azrael stated, as he started to walk away. "Besides, I still have the keys!"

"Hey! Give me those!" Nightwing demanded.

"Let him drive the stupid car!" Batman shouted above the rising roar of enemy fire.

"Stupid? Whose car you calling stupid?" Nightwing asked hotly. "At least mine isn't a scrap pile of metal…"

Batman flashed Nightwing a menacing glare. "Do not disgrace the memory of the Batmobile! She was a great car."

"Well if you ask me…" Azrael started.

"And we didn't…" Nightwing interrupted.

"I think both of you are just a tad bit too attached to your cars. It's not like either of them are the General Lee," Azrael reasoned.

"General Lee?" Batman asked.

"Oh come on, Batman! Even the Frenchman here knows about the General Lee!" Nightwing exclaimed. "Tell me, you've seen the Dukes of Hazzard?"

"…No…"

Looking at each other, the two younger heroes' eyes twinkled as they nodded allowing an unspoken message to pass between them. "Just some good ole boys, never meaning no harm…" Azrael and Nightwing started to sing off key together.

Sighing Batman muttered, "I knew I should've taken the night off."

Just then a loud, cackling laugh echoed through the woods. All three heroes stopped and looked wide-eyed at each other.

"I thought Soames was behind this…" Nightwing scowled deeply.

"Me too. But that laugh. Why can't he just stay in Arkham?" Batman moaned.

"Well, Batman, it's really quite simple," Azrael started. "He's a psychopath bent on causing havoc throughout Gotham City with highly intelligent and well-planned out strategies. Therefore, the Joker manages to escape Arkham 5 out of every 7 attempts…"

"Thank you for the commentary, Azrael. But I meant that as a rhetorical question." Batman's frown deepened, as the laughing grew louder.

"Oh Batsy!" the Joker called out in his irritatingly high-pitched voice. "Come out, come out, where ever you are!"

"Not even in your wildest dreams, Clown," Batman mumbled.

"So what's the plan, Kemosabe?" Nightwing asked from under the thick brush, in which all three heroes were hiding.

"Haven't got a clue, Amigo…" Batman muttered.

"Shouldn't you be getting one soon, mon ami?" Azrael questioned.

"Why do I always have to come up with the great ideas? Didn't I teach you two how to think?" Batman asked hotly.

Nightwing and Azrael looked at each other, frowned, and then shrugged.

"We just thought you liked to be in charge…" Nightwing trailed off.

Batman sighed and said, "Well, a few suggestions every now and then wouldn't hurt."

The three heroes sat huddled side by side in the bushes in complete silence. Suddenly Azrael's eyes lit up and he snapped his fingers.

"Whatcha got, Az?" Nightwing encouraged.

"A plan!" Azrael exclaimed.

Batman rolled his eyes and lowered his head into his hands. Nightwing snorted and smirked, as he said, "We figured that much, Watson. What's the plan?"

Azrael frowned at Nightwing. "What did you just call me?"

"Watson…it was just a joke…" Nightwing kept a wary eye on the sword in Azrael's hand.

"Watson? What's that mean?" Azrael had a lost look on his face.

Batman sighed and groaned, "Can we just hear the plan?"

"Not until I know what Nightwing meant," Azrael demanded.

"Have you ever heard of Sherlock Holmes?" Nightwing asked.

"The great fictional detective." Azrael nodded.

"His sidekick…partner's name was Watson. After Watson would ask some off the wall question, Sherlock would always answer by saying, `It's elementary, dear Watson.' Meaning it's simple."

"Oh…" Azrael sat quietly for a time. Then his features took on a hurt quality, as he asked, "So you think I'm clueless?"

"Oh good grief! I'll pay for you two to go to a family counselor! But right now, we've got to deal with the Joker, Soames, and those stupid robots!" Batman growled.

"Okay…here's the plan…why don't we just…you know…ask them to give up? I mean, we haven't really tried that approach yet…" Azrael's eyes held a hopeful light.

Nightwing got a slight smirk on his face, as he opened his mouth to speak. But he snapped it shut at a commanding voice.

"Don't say a word, Nightwing. I would think you would have learned your lesson by now." Batman rubbed his temples. "Azrael, if you would like to ask the Joker and Soames to give up peacefully, be my guest. But I'm kinda looking forward to pounding the snot out of that palindrome scumbag for destroying my car."

Before anything else could be said, the bushes surrounding the heroes swiftly reached out and wrapped around them.

"What the…mph mmmph!?!" Nightwing found a leaf stuffed into his mouth muffling his words.

"Well, well! Look at the catch I got today!" Poison Ivy stepped forward.

"Ohhh! That's one fine catch, Red!" Harley jumped up and down, as she clapped her hands. "What do you think, Mister J?"

"I think it's time for a fish fry…Aha ha ha ha!" The Joker laughed and pointed at the trio, who remained trapped in Ivy's plants.

"No tartar sauce for me, please," Azrael stated innocently.

"Azrael, if my hands were not tied…literally…I would personally have to knock some sense into you," Batman muttered.

"What's your game this time, Joker?" Batman demanded, while struggling against the plants that bound him and his two companions.

"And what makes you think Joker is the mastermind here?" Poison Ivy placed her hands on her hips in defiance.

"Girl power, baby!" Harley hooted loudly.

Looking closely at a somewhat blank-faced Joker, Batman noticed a well-placed lipstick smudge on the villain's pale face. The Great Detective knew who was making the rules of the game now.

"You've infected him with your mind controlling plant toxins!" Batman growled in accusation.

"She can do that?" Azrael asked in a shocked tone.

"Mph, mm mphmph!" Nightwing tried to speak through the leaf that covered his mouth, as he kicked out at Azrael with a free leg.

"What did you say?" Azrael looked at Nightwing in confusion.

"Mph, mm mphmph!" Nightwing repeated more forcefully.

"I'm sorry, Nightwing. I can't understand you. You've got a leaf over your mouth," Azrael commented apologetically, as if Nightwing had no idea what was muffling his words.

"He said…and I quote, `Yes, you idiot,'" Batman interpreted.

"Oh…" Azrael thought for a second and then turned to look directly at Nightwing. "I don't like it when you call me names."

Nightwing sighed heavily and then mumbled, "Mm mphmm."

"What?" Azrael questioned.

"He said, `I'm sorry.'" Again Batman came to the rescue.

"Nightwing, if you want me to understand what you are saying, you are going to have to take that leaf off of your mouth," Azrael explained simply.

"Mph mmph mm mphmm mph!" Nightwing strained hard against his bonds, as he tried to swing his fists and kick out at Azrael.

"Well, what's he saying now?" Azrael looked wide-eyed at the still struggling and mumbling Nightwing.

"You don't want to know…" Batman answered.

"But why's he so angry?" Azrael questioned.

"Golly gee, Red! And you think I'm clueless!" Harley shook her head sadly at Azrael.

"Well, I don't guess we can all be geniuses, can we?" Poison Ivy quipped.

Deep inside Azrael, something snapped and a dark anger began to grow. "That's it! I'm tired of being called an idiot, stupid, dumb… but most of all clueless!" Azrael's sword began to glow.

"Uh-oh! Hulk get mad…" Batman muttered. Then swallowing nervously he said, "Just watch where you swing that thing, okay big guy?"

Azrael did not seem to hear Batman. The Avenging Angel swung the flaming sword up, cutting the vines that held him. In a few short seconds, Azrael was standing free, facing his enemies.

"Mister J made me do it!" Harley shouted in fear, as she pointed to the Clown Prince of Crime.

"Um…Harley…I don't think he's listening, girl," Poison Ivy whispered to her partner. Both female criminals began to back away slowly.

"Hold him off for us, Mister J!" Harley yelled. Then she and Ivy turned and fled.

"My pleasure, ladies…Aha ha ha!" Joker began to advance on Azrael, who was still planted firmly in place. But just as the hero and madman were about to attack each other, gunfire erupted through the surrounding woods.

"Now what?" Batman exclaimed in irritation.

"Huh?" Joker suddenly blinked hard. "What's going on here? Batman? Where did you come from? Where is this place?" Joker scrunched his face up in confusion.

"Great! Perfect timing for those toxins to wear off…" Batman muttered under his breath.

More gunfire sounded around them, causing Azrael and Joker to seek cover. "I'm not crazy enough to stick around for this! Catch you later, Bats!" Joker waved and then ran off, laughing all the way.

Quite suddenly, the plants unraveled from around Batman and Nightwing, releasing the two heroes.

"About time!" Nightwing said, with a pouting expression.

"I'll say!"

The three heroes turned to face a young man dressed in a cheap mask, hockey shirt, camouflage pants, and boots.

"Tad?" Nightwing questioned in disbelief.

"No! How many times do I have to tell you? When I'm wearing the mask, call me Nite-Wing," Tad corrected.

Nightwing scowled deeply and mumbled, "Plagiarist."

The gunfire started up again, hitting the trees around the group of vigilantes. Small flying robots appeared through the woods, shooting in all directions.

"You had flying robots made?" Nightwing inquired, placing his hands on his hips in consternation.

"Only 60 of them," Batman answered, with a shrug.

"With guns?" Azrael swatted at one of the passing robots with his sword.

"Well…no…originally they were to be equipped with lasers…" Batman started to get an uneasy feeling in his stomach, as if something were not quite right.

"Cool! Can I have one?" Tad asked.

"It's `May I have one?'" Batman suddenly missed Alfred. Then he pretended to mull over the question before saying, "Hmm…no."

"What a jerk!" Tad reached out and pushed Batman in the chest. "Think you're some hot shot superhero, huh? Well, I demand you give me one, freak!"

"Is this guy for real, Nightwing?" Batman asked, without taking his eyes off of Tad.

"Unfortunately," Nightwing answered sullenly.

"Good, `cause this is gonna hurt!" Batman pulled back and punched Tad, who fell unconscious at his feet.

"Batman…Nightwing…um…could you guys possibly help me out?" Azrael asked desperately, while he continued to ward off the attacking aerial robots with his sword.

As the heroes worked together to destroy the aggravating enemy robots, something sinister and unnerving began to take place. The robots started to transform into hideous creatures with fangs and claws.

"Okay, I don't remember this being mentioned with the model," Batman frowned, as Nightwing and Azrael rolled their eyes. Suddenly, the creatures viciously attacked the heroes.

Nightwing found himself pinned to the ground by two of the monsters. One grabbed Azrael's sword, while another beast clawed at his face. Batman's shoulder was grabbed tightly, as the creature's claws dug deep into his skin and began to shake the Dark Knight.

"Bruce! Wake up!"

Bruce Wayne jerked his head up from the conference table and looked puzzled at the man, who stood beside him. Lucius Fox stopped shaking Bruce's shoulder, but kept his hand resting there.

"Bruce! I swear, if you fall asleep in another meeting, I'm going to… well, I'm not sure what I'll do…but I'll think of something!" Lucius' features took on a stern quality.

Bruce blinked and rubbed his eyes, as he mumbled, "Sorry Lucius…late night."

"As usual," Lucius said, with a sigh.

"What did I miss?" Bruce yawned and stretched.

"Everything…look, I've got to go make a phone call. I'll come by your office to catch you up in a bit." Lucius clapped Bruce on the back before leaving the meeting room.

Bruce walked back to his office slowly. He just could not get that weird dream out of his head. Reaching out to turn the doorknob to enter his private office, his secretary called out to him.

"Mr. Wayne, you have two visitors, sir."

"Who is it, Valerie?"

"It's Dick and Jean Paul, sir," Valerie answered.

Odd, Bruce thought, as he mumbled a `thank-you' to his secretary. Walking into the office, Bruce observed Dick playing a video game at the entertainment center and Jean Paul scanning the collection of books in the office.

"Good morning." Bruce's tone did not indicate that he believe the start of the day was that good.

"Hey!" Dick called out between growls and gasps at the screen before him.

"Bonjour, mon ami," Jean Paul simply said, never taking his eyes off of the book in his hands.

"What brings you two to Gotham…my office to be specific?" Bruce inquired, as he sat behind his desk.

"I've got a lunch date with Barbara and decided to chill here until it's time to pick her up," Dick explained.

"Typical," Bruce muttered. "And you, Jean Paul?"

"Nothing in particular. Just felt like company," the young, blonde man replied.

Bruce nodded and leaned back in his chair. At that moment, Lucius breezed into the large office.

"Dick. Jean Paul. I trust you are both doing fine," Lucius said in a clipped tone.

"Yes sir," Jean Paul answered automatically.

"Couldn't be better," Dick chirped.

"Bruce, about that meeting…"

"Couldn't this wait, Lucius?" Bruce interrupted.

"No," Lucius stated firmly. "I need your approval as of yesterday."

"Oh, alright…What's it about?" Bruce waved a hand absently.

"You know that tract of land we purchased just south of Gotham, in the wooded area near Bludhaven?" Lucius continued, giving no time for Bruce to respond. "What about building an experimental robotics factory there?"

"NO!" Bruce, Dick, and Jean Paul all shouted in unison and jumped to their feet as if someone had kicked them. Then silently the three men glanced at each other without turning their heads and clamped their mouths shut.

Lucius stared at the stricken faces of the men before him. Then laying a stack of papers on the desk, Lucius backed out of the office slowly saying, "How about…I just leave the paper work here…for you to look at…and I'll just get back with you…later?" When Lucius had closed the door behind him, the remaining party continued their silent glances, rather nervously.

Finally, Bruce cleared his throat and then questioned, "Um…just out of curiosity…why did you two not want that factory built?"

Dick scratched his head, as if searching for an answer. "Hmm…'cause I don't like robots…" His comment came out sounding more like a question.

"Yeah…that's the reason…" Jean Paul nodded his agreement.

"Oh," Bruce muttered. In his head, Bruce chided himself for thinking such a thought…that Dick and Jean Paul's reasons for not wanting the factory built would be the same as his own. The events he was thinking of were just a dream…HIS dream. Right?

That night, Bruce stood examining his reflection in the mirror, located in his bathroom at Wayne Manor. He lifted a shaky hand and tentatively touched what appeared to be a claw shaped mark on his shoulder.