10:17. The red numbers glowed through the dimly lit room, burning a hole in the back of his eyelids. Every time he closed his eyes, there they were, reminding him how much time he had to finish.

'I can't do it.' He thought to himself. Every corner brought another surprise, and the fear that he'd find another friend, struggling to cling into the last pieces of life they had left. But he couldn't quit. He couldn't give up. Too much relied on him already.

He heard screaming, erupting from dry throats in various places in the maize. They shattered his ear drums, pulling at the strings of his heart. They were his friends. He reached for his utility belt, out of habit. Then that terrible cackle filled the atmosphere.

"Don't you dare, Bird Boy! You wouldn't want to cheat!" the evil voice filled his heart with hatred, every bone in his body had to restrain from screaming in pain as he continued sprinting through the maize. "If you cheat, one of your little friends will meet their doom!"

"I'm going to kill you some day, Joker!" Robin screamed, although his voice was raspy and out of breath. His lungs burned, trying to fill his body with oxygen as he maneuvered around the several corners.

"Threats won't get you anywhere, little birdy!" And with that, the laughter faded away until a click silenced the room again, but that didn't last very long. Soon, all he heard were various, familiar voices, screaming his name.

9:47. I can't do it. He thought to himself. I can't save them all in time! But then he rounded a corner. "NOOOO!"

*FLASHBACK*

"Team, this is a more dangerous mission." Batman's monotone voice rang throughout the cave, hiding some emotion. The big, bad Batman wasn't supposed to have emotions, especially not worry or nervousness. "But Black Canary assures me that you're all ready."

"I believe we are." Aqua Lad said.

"Joker has escaped from Arkham,-"

"Again?" Wally asked in shock. That earned him a glare that could've killed him easily. Batman's little white slits narrowed in anger.

"Yes, Kid Flash. Again. The League would deal with him, but Black Canary insists that this would be a perfect opportunity for you to prove yourself." He hid regret behind his cowl and stone cold demeanor. "You are to track him down. Do not engage. This is strictly a COVERT mission. " he glared at Wally immediately, as if to say 'Don't screw this up.'

Robin pulled up his holographic computer in his glove, tracking all robberies that were similar to Joker's usual. "He's still in Gotham!" the Boy Wonder announced, seemingly proud.

"Good." Batman's boring voice set back the thirteen year old boy. "Set out and find him." Batman barked, even angrier than usual.

*LATER THAT NIGHT*

Aqua Lad ordered M'gann to park the bioship on the top of an old, abandoned warehouse.

"Team, in order to find the Joker faster, we will split into smaller teams." Aqua Lad announced. "Robin and Kid, Artemis and M'gann, and Super Boy will go with me." As the team separated, Aqua Lad seemed to doubt his decision. "You have your orders. Report back immediately if you find Joker, or if something goes wrong."

Everyone on? Mg'ann asked telepathically.

No mind link this time. Aqua Lad thought back. Too long of time, and too much distance. The Martian girl nodded and the teams of two went their separate ways.

However, it didn't take long for trouble to show up. Obviously, they'd been expected to arrive. Robin was leading KF down an alley, when suddenly a large crashing sound made him stop. He immediately jumped to the shadows where he knew it was safe. Looking out through his domino mask, he saw KF's unconscious body lying on the ground, a black figure with a crow bar standing above him.

"Come on, Boy Blunder!" The man growled, his voice was gruff and spewing venom with every sound he muttered. "I haven't got all night to get you stupid kids!" He began walking down the alley slowly, kicking Wally's body out of the way, a small grunt escaping the boy, slapping the crow bar to his palm.

Robin prepared a few bat-a-rangs, knowing if he threw them his covere would be blown. But he did anyway, throwing them one at a time. The small devices began rapidly beeping until they exploded. The man was thrown around, eventually falling to the ground, seemingly unconscious.

Taking his opportunity, Robin rushed to KF's side, shaking his body rapidly. "KF!" he whispered, angst rising in his voice. "Get up man, we need to go!" He was nearly screaming now. Kid moaned in pain, his eye lids fluttering open. His eyes moved up, slightly tilting his head back.

"Rob….. Be…. Behi…." Then his head collapsed again on his outstretched arm. Just as Robin tried again to wake him up, he felt the crow bar slam against the back of his head. He felt blood rushing to his head, and fell down, his body collapsing on Kid Flash's unconscious body.

He looked up slightly, groaning in pain. He felt warm blood trickling down his forehead, dripping off the tip of his nose. He slowly reached towards his head, but he never made it. The last thing he saw was the crooked smile of a dark figure, as he swung the crow bar down again.

Thanks for reading (: I know it's really bad, give me some slack though it's my very first ff story. Review honestly?

OH! And I do not own Young Justice or anything like that. That's why its called Fan Fiction. Derp.