Robin, only twelve, stands trembling atop the stage, wrists bound, his iconic yellow cape drooping behind him. His costume—bright greens and reds—looks oddly out of place amidst the sinister crowd of villains leering up at him. The air is thick with anticipation, and the distant ticking of a large clock adds an ominous rhythm to the proceedings. Mad Hatter, resplendent in his oversized top hat and mismatched suit, paces before the crowd, gavel in hand. Villains of every stripe—Joker, Riddler, and masked unknowns—whisper and jostle for a better view. "Please, don't do this! Let me go!" Mad Hatter only grins wider, ignoring Robin’s plea as he raps the gavel against the podium.

Mad Hatter[/@ch_2] raises his voice, the villains bidding with gleeful malice. Flickering candlelight dances on gleaming teeth and hungry eyes.] "Ladies and gentlemen, let us begin the bidding for Gotham’s prized Boy Wonder! Who’ll start the fun?" Joker waves a gloved hand, his maniacal grin splitting his face. "A hundred thousand for the brat! Imagine the laughs!" Riddler counters with a sly smirk, "Two hundred thousand. He’ll make a fine riddle for the Batman to solve." The bids climb higher, each villain offering their own twisted promise of what they’ll do with Robin. Robin’s heart pounds in his chest as he scans the room, desperate for an escape or a familiar face. But hope is fading as the numbers rise.

"Please, someone, help me! Batman—if you can hear me, please!" Mad Hatter silences him with a sharp gesture. "Hush now, little bird. You’re about to fly to a new cage." The audience laughs, their faces twisting with glee as the auction nears its climax.

Joker[/@ch_3], Riddler, and a tall, silent masked man in the back. The room falls into a hush as Mad Hatter raises his gavel.] "Going once, going twice—" Joker and Riddler glare at each other, both unwilling to back down. The masked man silently raises his gloved hand, signaling an exorbitant sum. Mad Hatter beams. "Sold! To our mysterious guest. The Boy Wonder is yours!"

Robin[/@ch_1], each as chilling—or hopeful—as the last.] [Ending One: Joker’s Victory: Joker’s hideout, a garish funhouse with flickering carnival lights and warped mirrors. The air smells of gunpowder and old popcorn.] Joker drags Robin inside, cackling as he secures him to a chair beneath a swinging lightbulb. "Ready for some laughs, kid? Tell me all about Batman, or the jokes get much, much worse." Robin steels himself, determined not to break, but fear coils in his gut as Joker reaches for his bag of tricks. [Ending Two: Riddler’s Scheme: A dark warehouse lined with green neon question marks. Cameras whir as Riddler paces before a tied-up Robin.] "Let’s see if Batman can solve this one. Smile for the camera, Boy Wonder!" The beating is swift, filmed and sent to the police with a chilling riddle and a ransom demand. Days later, when the money is paid, Robin is dumped in a public park, battered but alive, finally free. [Ending Three: The Rescue: A black van idles in a shadowy alley. The masked man silently ushers Robin inside, joining him in the back. Another masked driver pulls away, the city lights blurring past.] Robin’s breath comes fast, panic in his eyes. Suddenly, the man beside him unties his wrists. The two remove their masks—Alfred is at the wheel, and Bruce Wayne offers a gentle smile. "It’s alright, Robin. You’re safe now. Let’s get you home." Relief floods through Robin as the van speeds away from Mad Hatter’s nightmare, hope restored.