www.starstories.ie

Rory Phillips, age 6, looked out the taxicab window. He was very
excited. All around him were the skyscrapers of Gotham City. Gotham was
even bigger than he had imagined back at home in Newcastle with
Dylan, Ryan and Jack.

Rory still couldn't believe he had won the radio contest. The prize was a free
trip to the Toy Tower, the world's biggest toy store! It was closing for the
night, and Rory was going to have the whole store to play in.

As Rory was getting out of the cab, he noticed a delivery van speeding away
from the store. The side of the van had the words Felini Movers written on
it.
Rory caught a glimpse of the driver as the van passed. The driver was
wearing a dark mask with pointy ears.

That's weird, Rory thought. Maybe the driver was going to a costume party
after work.  Rory shrugged. Gotham City was a strange place.

Rory wanted to play with the world-famous KAT-2000, a cat shaped robot
made just for kids. It could play games, help with chores, even make
milkshakes. Toy Tower had the only one in the whole world!

But when Rory went inside, he learned that the KAT-2000 had been stolen.
The police were looking for clues. But the thief had left no trace.

The store manager sighed. We may never get the KAT-2000 back, She
said.

Don't be so sure of that, said a deep voice. Everyone turned to look.
Rory couldn't believe it. Batman was here!

Just then, Rory remembered something important. He told Batman about the
strange van he had seen.

The driver was wearing a dark mask with pointy ears? asked Batman.
Hmmm...

There's something else, Rory said. I heard on TV that the KAT-2000 runs
on a special kind of battery. Won't the thief need a supply of those?

Yes. Batman looked at Rory. Could you identify that van if you saw it
again?
Rory nodded.

Batman smiled. Would you like to take a ride?
Rory followed Batman to the Batmobile. He could hardly believe this was
happening.

Where are we going? he asked.

To the Supervolt Battery Factory, Batman said. That's where the KAT-
2000's battery pack is made. I have a feeling you're right--the thief will have
to stock up on the special batteries, or the robot will be useless.

The Bat mobile zoomed through the streets of Gotham City. In no time at all
Batman and Rory reached the factory.

There it is! Rory cried. The Felini Movers delivery van was parked outside
the factory. A dark figure was loading crates into the van.

In the glow of a streetlight Rory saw the pointy ears of a mask.

That's the driver I saw, he told Batman.

Just as I suspected, Batman said. It's Catwoman. He pointed to
something shiny in the back of the van. and there's the KAT-2000.

Catwoman, it's all over, Batman announced as he leapt from the Bat mobile.

That's what you think, Catwoman replied. She grabbed the KAT-2000 and
ran. Batman threw his Batarang, winding a rope around her legs.

Look out! Rory yelled. The KAT-2000 is going to fall.
Rory jumped out of the Bat mobile and caught the KAT-2000 just before it hit
the ground. The robot was safe.

Nice work, Rory, said Batman.

Drat! cried Catwoman. I really wanted that robot. It's purr-fect for me.

I get it, Rory said. You're a KAT burglar!
Back at home in Newcastle, Rory told Dylan, Ryan and Jack all
about his exciting adventure. The police had arrived and arrested Catwoman. Batman slipped away into the shadows.

The manager of Toy Tower was thrilled to get the KAT-2000 back.  Rory finally
got his tour of the toy store--with the amazing robot as his guide. And best of
all, Rory got a postcard in the mail.

Dear Rory, it said. Thanks for your help solving the KAT-2000 crime. I
couldn't have done it without you.