Laurie S. Sutton - Clayfaces Slime Spree

Batman swooped through the air above the dark streets of Gotham City. He used his Batrope to swing between the tall buildings. His black cape spread out behind him like a giant bat flying across the sky. His sight was as sharp as an eagles. Batman searched for trouble. It was his job to protect the citizens of Gotham City from crime and the threat of super-villains. He was very good at it. There was only one other person who was almost as good, and that was his partner, Robin. Together, they were the Dynamic Duo.

Robin perched on the edge of a high rooftop a few blocks away from Batman. His mask helped protect his eyes from the gusty wind as he looked down at the streets below for crooks and criminals. Sure enough, he spotted a suspicious figure sneaking down an alley. Robin decided to investigate.

Robin leaped off the roof and made a swan dive toward a nearby flagpole. SWOOSH! He swung around the pole like an Olympic gymnast to gain speed, then let go. Robin flew over the suspect and landed in front of him.

Dont you know its dangerous to be out so late at night? Robin said.

The man was so startled that he dropped the bag he was holding. Jewelry tumbled out of it. The man looked down at the gems on the ground and then up at Robin. Then he ran.

Why do they always run? Robin sighed. I always catch them.

Robin picked up the dropped jewels and started after the thief. As he ran, he noticed a dark shadow pass above him. He knew it wasnt a cloud. Robin chased the crook through the alley, jumping over the trash cans that the bad guy threw in his path.

The obstacles didnt slow down Robin. He used one of them like a diving board to spring into the air. Robin tucked his body into a ball and hurtled toward the criminal. POW! He slammed into the fleeing felon.

Nice work, a voice said from above.

Robin didnt have to look up to see who had spoken.

Thanks, Batman, he replied as he snapped Bat-cuffs on the crooks wrists.

The Dark Knight slid down to the ground on a Batrope and landed next to his partner. A moment later a Gotham City police car arrived. Robin handed over the thief to the officer. Just before the Dynamic Duo resumed their nightly patrol they heard an alert come over the squad car radio.

Attention all units! Robbery attempt in progress at WayneTech! the dispatcher said.

Batman and Robin didnt wait. They fired their Batropes toward the rooftops and swooped toward the emergency.

WayneTech was a company owned by Batman in his other identity of billionaire businessman Bruce Wayne. It was where he secretly worked on all his special gadgets and technology.

Do you think one of our archenemies is trying to steal Batman tech? Robin asked.

The only way to find out is to get there fast, Batman replied.

Okay, first one to WayneTech gets to drive the Batmobile for a week, Robin challenged his partner.

Batman nodded and instantly pulled ahead of Robin. The race was on! The Dynamic Duo leaped from rooftop to rooftop across the skyline of Gotham City. They soared through the air on Batropes and ran through the alleys between buildings. Suddenly Robin lost sight of the Dark Knight.

Uh-oh. He probably found a shortcut, Robin said and increased his speed.

Batmans shortcut was fast, but not very pleasant. He ran through the underground storm drain system. It was mucky and damp, but it was as straight as a ruler and led directly to the WayneTech building.

The Dark Knight burst up out of a storm grate and into chaos. The street outside of WayneTech was clogged with police cars, fire trucks, and TV news vehicles. Emergency lights flashed red and blue like lightning. Batman studied the scene for a moment to analyze his surroundings and plan his strategy. A moment after that Robin dropped down from a Batrope and landed next to his partner.

This is a lot of Emergency Response for a simple robbery attempt, even if it is WayneTech, Robin said.

That depends on who the robber is, Batman replied. Lets find out.

The Dynamic Duo avoided the flashing police lights and TV cameras. They headed for the shadows. Batman led them to a secret door into WayneTech.

Batman had designed the hidden entrance long ago just in case of an emergency like this one. All he had to do was press a button on his Utility Belt and the door opened.

Batman and Robin slipped silently into WayneTech and immediately saw a trail of destruction. Walls were smashed and security guards were slumped unconscious on the floor. Broken fire sprinklers sprayed water all over the hallway. A thin trail of brown mud swirled at the Dynamic Duos feet. Batman swished his finger through the mud and studied it carefully. Robin leaned in to look at it, too. His eyes went wide behind his mask.

Is that what I think it is? Robin asked.

Yes. Its trouble. Big trouble, the Dark Knight replied.

Then what are we waiting for? Robin said and rushed forward.

The Dynamic Duo followed the mud trail to a huge hole in the wall. The thick steel security door that used to be there now lay crumpled on the floor. A sign on the door identified it as Research & Development Lab #5. They heard loud voices shouting inside the room.

Grab everything! I dont know what this stuff is, but its WayneTech and its worth money! someone ordered.

Dont point that at me! You dont know what it ZAAAAP!

Owww! another voice complained. Dont test them here! Just stuff them in your bags.

Batman and Robin burst into the room. It took the Dark Knight only a few seconds to observe and evaluate the threat he and Robin faced.

The huge villain looked like a big blob of clay, but he wasnt anything like a kids mud pie. He was stealing experimental technology with the help of his henchmen. They grabbed things off of shelves and lab tables and put them into bags. The super-villain grabbed gadgets and stuffed them inside his shifting body made of mud.

Clayface! Batman said.

The brown blob who was once a man twisted to face the Dark Knight.

Clayface laughed. I guess its slime time, Batman, he said and shot oozing from his body toward the crime fighter.

Batman dodged the muddy assault. Clayface missed his enemy and hit his own minions instead. SPLOOSH! They suffered the fate meant for the Dark Knight.

Clayface pulled the tendrils back into his body with a slurping sound. Robin pounced on the stunned helpers and wrapped them up in a net.

That sure made my job easy. Thanks, Clayface! Robin said as he sat on top of the pile of captured henchmen.

The gooey villain roared his frustration and used his shape-shifting powers to form a huge hammer arm to break through the wall.