"The Joker has escaped… again…"
"… hundreds of police scanning the streets…"
"… no trace as to where he may of gone…"
"… new reports suggest he may involved with the new virus sweeping Gotham…"
"… virus found to be a new compound of -. Also known as Dreamscape…"
"… leaves the infected unconscious but still active for an undetermined amount of time…"
"… has claimed it's first life today…"
"… potential lead as police trace outbreak to water contamination…"
"… all advised to remain home…"
"… virus has overtaken the city…"
"… few left awake…"
0
Dick couldn't remember the last time they were all in a room together and, had the circumstances been different, it would have been a happy occasion. But, this was the normal for their family and, as much as Dick hated to admit it, they were all far more comfortable with beating up bad guys then attending a group dinner.
So when they had all congregated in the Batcave and the face of the Joker appeared on the large monitor, Dick's couldn't help but think… "Welcome home."
"Welcome Bat Family!" The camera struggled to focus until the Joker sat behind a desk, in the center of the screen, as clear as day. "I'm glad you all received my invitation to our little reunion! It's been so long…"
A soft blue glow was cast around the cave, illuminating each of their eyes, transfixed on the screen.
"For years, I have fought the Batman mono e- mono and we've had a blast. But the playground has gotten bigger as Bats made some friends, so I decided to expand my horizons as well."
"I've already met most of your family. Hello Jason!" The Joker waved from the screen and Jason clenched his jaw. "And Barbara. Back up and… running, I see." His laugh sent a chill down the spine as it echoed through the cave and Batgirl's face because as red as her hair.
"But there are some you haven't been polite enough to introduce me, too." He glanced around the room. "Kate!" He feigned embarrassment. "I mean… Batwoman. Real original with the identity. Batgirl was already taken, huh?"
Kate rolled her eyes. "Can't we just turn him off?"
The Joker wagged his finger. "Ah ah ah. I haven't even told you about the Scavenger Hunt we're gonna play! Aren't family reunions great?!"
Tim and Damian exchanged nervous looks.
"Here's the game. I've sent my darling family out into the city while everyone takes their nap, to gather everything for our little… celebration." He scanned the group. "But, as I'm sure you're all aware of, having being related to… him… Family can be unpredictable and mine is…" His high pitched laugh started in the back of his throat and expanded until he was almost choking on his own joke. "Insane!" The Joker's laugh died out with a few more chuckles but his smile remained. "And I can't guarantee the safety of those they happen to meet along their way."
A map appeared on the screen with – glowing lights.
"The courthouse, the bank, the high school…" Dick new all these places by heart as his eyes memorized the layout of the attacks.
"Here are the items I've sent my family to pick up for me but what's a scavenger hunt without a little competition? So, I'm sending the lot of you as well, let the best man win."
The screen went dark and they all stood in silence until it sparked on again and the Joker returned.
"And one more thing!" He sang and Damian rolled his eyes.
"What's a family gathering without a little drama? Secrets from the past, hidden intentions, that sort of thing. So, I would like to introduce you to…" In his pasty white hand, he held up a picture of a young looking woman, with short brown hair, glasses, and a lab coat. "This is Dr. Stragen. She might not mean anything to you now, but I think by the end of the night, she'll make all the difference. Well that's it for now! Better get moving…"
The screen went off again and the map reappeared with additional red dots added all over Gotham. "Fires." Tim looked to each one. "Probably to keep us busy. They're leading to the heists." He counted them. "One path for each of us. He wants us to go alone."
"We stick together." Bruce scoffed for the first time since the Joker's speech. "He wants to split us up, we aren't going to fall right into his game."
"But the whole city is asleep and completely defenseless. Can we afford to take that risk?" Dick asked.
Three more red dots appeared on the screen.
"He's right." Jason echoed. "He made this game to test us, not to kill us. I say, we save who we can, when we can."
Kate stepped forward. "I'm with Bruce. If we want to stay ahead of this thing, we can't fall in line, then we're exactly where he wants us."
More red dots were sprinkled on the map.
"If I may chime in, as a past Joker victim, he doesn't play around." Barbara announced. "If he wants us to split up, that's what we're going to have to do." The map was becoming consumed with red dots. "Or we'll have to watch Gotham burn, together."