1:47 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham East
Arkham Mansion
Joker was screaming over the P.A. system.
"Didn't I tell you idiots that Nightwing was on his way?! I told that if you saw a shadow move, a body on the ground or if you saw a rodent skulking around in the dark to kill Gordon! Why won't anyone ever listen to me?!"
Nightwing had taken out all the guards except one in the holding cells. Gordon was being kept in an observation room on the second level. He was tied to a chair. There was an inmate looking at a T.V. screen that Joker was occupying. Joker looked angry.
"Why is he not dead yet?"
"Sorry Mr. Joker, but I haven't seen anything. Nothing is out of place. There's nothing!"
"No? Then do you mind telling me where all my men in the next room have disappeared to? They sure as hell didn't go to a pizza party!"
The inmate stuttered.
"I-I didn't know they were missing! Honest!"
Nightwing came crashing through the glass. All the inmate saw was a shadow. Nightwing drove his knees into each of the inmate's collarbone. The inmate was out as soon as he hit the ground. Nightwing heard Joker on the screen behind him.
"Oh, there you are. You certainly took your sweet time getting here."
Nightwing turned to the monitor.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Had to fight through your army of goons. Not impressed."
"Oh I know! Henchmen these days! I tell ya, the caliber of idiots I have to deal with. Sometimes I wish Harley never switched sides… Things were so much more fun when I had someone to torture for their failure."
Nightwing smirked.
"She's better off with Ivy. No more mandatory shock therapy every Tuesday."
Joker sighed.
"Alas to my great disappointment. These new guys just can't handle the chair…"
"Next time just give them a fork and tell them stick it in an outlet. It's cheaper."
Joker smiled.
"Are we bantering? Oh it's been so long."
"Don't get used to it. Now that I've got Gordon, you're next on my list."
"You would leave Dr. Crane all by his lonesome in the Penitentiary? I could swear I heard some Arham guards screaming over there…"
Nightwing glared at Joker. He knew Joker was playing him. He also knew that he had to stop Scarecrow before he went after Joker.
"Fine, Crane it is. But after he's back in a cell, I'm coming after you…"
Joker smiled.
"Oh, I'm counting on it. And I'll be ready… AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Nightwing pulled out a wing ding and threw it at the monitor shattering the screen. He turned around and walked to behind Gordon. Nightwing pulled out another wing ding and cut the ropes from Gordon. He folded it and slid it back into one of the pouches on his leg. Gordon stood up and rubbed his wrists.
"What took you so long? I was about to rescue myself with how long you were taking."
Nightwing smiled.
"Good to see you unharmed Gordon. Leaving that trail was pretty clever."
"Good to know I still got it."
Gordon turned around and looked at the room below him.
So, Scarecrow's your next move? You know he's playing you."
"Yeah… He's stalling for time. The question is why? What's he planning?"
Gordon looked to Nightwing.
"Any ideas?"
"A few. But he has Batman hostage. And if I don't play his game things may get worse. But I don't know. I don't think I can stop him this time…"
"You'll do it. I've seen you go up against odds that even Batman would say is suicidal."
"Maybe."
Nightwing looked to Gordon.
"Come on, let's get you out of here."
1:50 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham East
Arkham Mansion
Raven and Doctor Young walked into the area that held her office. It was a large open room that had desks that other doctors used. Raven looked around like she was observing the room. Penelope walked forward to an old door with windows you could no longer see through. The door had been there since the Asylum was built in the 1880's. She pulled out a key and put it in the door's lock.
"It's just in here."
Raven kept examining the room. Something just didn't feel right to her. Dr. Young put her shoulder into it and the heavy hundred and forty year old door opened. Penelope turned and saw Raven looking around the room.
"Uh, Raven. Something wrong?"
"This place. It feels wrong…"
"Well, this was Amadeus Arkham's original office. So it's a hundred and forty years old."
Raven turned and looked at her.
"No. Not old… Just wrong…"
Penelope shrugged.
"I don't understand."
"In my line of work the last thing you want is for a room to feel empty… Or quiet… It's like the calm before the storm."
Dr. Young looked away and rolled her eyes.
"You're paranoid. This room feels like it always does."
Raven glared.
"I've been doing this for a long time. Developed a sixth sense if you will. And I'm telling you, it fells wrong. Just stay on guard will you?"
"If that makes you feel better."
Raven slowly turned and followed Penelope. She was still scanning the room like she was expecting something to jump out at her. They both entered Dr. Young's office. Raven passed through the door but intentionally left it open.
"Remind me, why do you have Scarecrow's notes?"
Dr. Young walked to the back of her office. She faced Raven.
"When we found the notes we knew he was planning something. So I decided to keep his notes in case he broke out."
Raven looked around the office. She saw pictures of Penelope with friends in college, a picture with her father at graduation. She saw psychology books, and other medical journals. Dr. Young made it to a painting in the back of the room, it was of Arkham just after it was built. She reached for it. That's when Raven felt it. Raven could feel the static in the air, the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Her sixth sense was going off.
Raven reached out to Dr. Young.
"Wait! Stop!"
Penelope turned around.
"What?!"
"Can't you feel that?"
Dr. Young looked annoyed she turned and challenged Raven.
"Feel what? There's nothing here. Are you sure you're a vigilante? I mean, are you even qualified for it. You've been jumpy ever since we got here?"
Raven glared.
"Drop the ego for five seconds, and listen. SOMETHING isn't right here. The static in the air? The hair on your neck standing up?"
Dr. Young rolled her eyes.
"Well of course the hair on your neck is going to stand up when there's static electricity in the air. It's called-"
Raven rolled her eyes.
"I know how science works Doctor Young. But something is-"
Penelope cut her off.
"Seriously wrong, I know. I heard you the first time."
Dr. Young traced the edges of the picture. There was a popping noise. The picture swung from the wall revealing a safe behind it.
"See Raven? Nothing to be-"
As the painting swung fully away from the wall a bike horn sounded, then confetti blew out from the front of the safe. Dr. Young jumped away.
"Oh my god!"
Raven was ready, Dr. Young wasn't. Raven's hands already had a black aura around them, she reached out towards Young.
"Bomb! Get away-!"
The blast went off. Raven saw the flash, and Penelope was caught in the explosion. Raven reacted in a split second, she raised a barrio between her and the blast. But the release of energy was faster than her reflexes, she only got the barrier half up. Raven felt the heat on her face, the release of energy sent her backwards. Raven hit the ground and stared at the ceiling, the room was spinning. Then, she lost consciousness.
2:00 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham West
Arkham's Dock
Nightwing had escorted Gordon to Arkham West. They made it to the docks that were between the Medical Facility and the Penitentiary. There was a police boat waiting for them.
"I'm no rookie Nightwing. I can handle myself."
"I know. But when that story about the bombs leak, when people hear Joker's message there will be a panic. I need you back in Gotham."
"I suppose you're right. I just don't like leaving you here all on your own."
Nightwing just smirked.
"I'm on my own. Like always."
Gordon glanced at him.
"Yeah, I guess so."
Nightwing watched as Gordon climbed into the boat. The engine started and the boat began to pull away. Gordon pulled out his radio, he nodded again to Nightwing then brought the radio close to his face. Nightwing could hear his voice.
"This is Gordon. I'm on my way off Arkham Island. Get me Bullock and-"
Nightwing could no longer hear Gordon, over the sound of the engine. He turned on his heels and walked towards the penitentiary. He put a finger to his ear.
"Oracle."
"I'm here. Any word on my dad?"
"Yeah. He's safe. I just sent him off island back to Gotham."
He could hear a sigh of relief.
"Thank you! I owe you one."
Nightwing smirked.
"No. I owe you one less."
He could hear the smile crack on Oracle's face. He got closer to the penitentiary. Oracle was in his ear. She had a flirtatious tone in her voice.
"You know what I miss most about you and me?"
His smirk grew wider.
"The late nights? My unrivaled charm? My perfect abs?"
Oracle laughed.
"Mmmmmm your abs… But no. What I miss most about us, was how we were always there for each other."
"Babs…"
"Even when you were in Jump City. The late night IM's, the birthday presents. I mean, three thousand miles away and you still sent me birthday presents. Then when you went to Japan, and STILL managed to send me a postcard…"
He smiled.
"What happened to us Dick? We used to always be there for one another. Then you come home from a different person, ran off to Bludhaven and I didn't hear from you for almost a year. Then I have to find out from Batman years later that you didn't care if you lived or died?"
Nightwing kept walking.
"I wasn't the only one who changed Barbara."
He heard a sigh from her end.
"I know. God… I should have listened to you… I shouldn't have believed you were trying to-"
"It's okay Barbara."
"No, it isn't. Everything we've been through. Our history… And I didn't believe you. You were only trying to look out for me. Like before…"
Nightwing started checking his gear before he entered the penitentiary.
"You aren't the only one who's made mistakes."
He finished checking his gear and got ready to move.
"I regret what I said that night. Every night since I said it."
He smiled.
"You realize I forgave you a long time ago right?"
She smiled.
"Just tell me something. You and I, could we have-?"
"A few months ago I would have said yes. But…"
"Rachel. I get it."
He stepped close to the penitentiary door. The door began scanning him, make sure he was authorized.
"Listen, Scarecrow got away last time but Joker told me where to find him. I'm on the trail now."
Oracle's voice went back to normal.
"Joker told you? So it's a trap? And you're walking right into it? Great."
The door to the penitentiary beeped to confirm Nightwing's access then opened.
"Yeah, but it's a trap for him. Not me."
His voice was cold again.
"Be careful."
He walked into the penitentiary ready to find Scarecrow.
2:03 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham East
Arkham Mansion
Raven was beginning to wake up. She was still dazed from the explosion and her ears were ringing. Raven could hear voices coming from somewhere around her.
"I don't get it. How the hell did the boss know that Dr. Young would be coming for her notes?"
She heard footsteps approaching her.
"Boss said Scarecrow told him about it. That's why he had someone plant a bomb."
"That's the other thing… Where did Joker get a bomb?"
"He made one dumb-ass."
"How? I mean if inmates can just make a bomb why didn't we do it earlier and break out?"
"I can see why Joker hired you for muscle and not brains."
"Heeeeyyy, I'm smart."
"Oh yeah, what's twelve times twelve?"
"I dunno. Uh, a hundred something?"
"One forty four. My kid could have answered that and he's only ten."
"Shut up! It was just a question…"
"Well, one, Joker just now got here tonight. Two, Joker only made a bomb after he freed himself and us inmates. And three, he probably found everything he needed around Arkham and in the armory."
"Ohhhhh… Makes sense. Then why-?"
Raven could hear that the footsteps were really close now. She started to stir but the room was still spinning. The inmates walked into the office and looked around. Both inmates walked passed Raven towards where Dr. Young was laying.
"Yep, there she is. Just like Joker said."
"She dead?"
The inmate rolled his eyes.
"Judging by how bad this room is scorched and that she would have been standing right in front of it, yeah. I'd say she's dead."
Raven opened her eyes. She could see Dr. Young laying on her back. She had burn marks on one side of her face. Her eyes were open and looking right at Raven. Raven knew she was dead. She had seen civilian casualties too many times. Raven tried to move, but she was still disoriented. That's when the inmates noticed her.
"Hey, who's that?"
One of the inmates stood up and began to walk over to her.
"I don't know. Joker didn't say anything about her."
The inmate reached down and grabbed Raven. She squirmed under his grip and freed herself. Then the same inmate grabbed her with both hands. Raven tried to fight free but the room was spinning, she finally grabbed the man's hand and bit down. Hard. The man screamed and pulled his hand away. Raven spit out blood and flesh.
"She fucking bit me!"
Raven tried to get up and run, all she needed was a minute or two before she would be back on her feet. The other inmate blindsided her and she fell to the ground. The inmate who had a bite in his hand walked over and kicked her in the face. Again, Raven began to lose consciousness. The room was spinning again and she could hear the inmates discussing what to do with her.
"Should we kill her? Because I'd be more than-"
"No, no, no. Is all you think about pummeling and bludgeoning?"
"What else is there?"
The other inmate rolled his eyes.
"We'll take her to Joker. He'll know what to do."
Raven felt someone grab her by the ankle. She tried to kick free but was met with another kick. She felt herself being dragged across the floor and then fell unconscious.
2:10 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham West
Penitentiary
Nightwing had cornered Scarecrow in the penitentiary.
"It's over Crane!"
"There is no Crane! There is only Scarecrow!"
Nightwing had Crane in a cross arm bar. Crane had tried to engage him in hand to hand.
"Joker is no longer in control of Arkham's security, the guards are slowly taking back the asylum, and the Commissioner is back to leading GCPD. It's over!"
"As long as there is fear… It will never be over!"
Scarecrow took his free arm and stabbed Nightwing in the leg with the syringes attached to his gauntlet. More Fear Toxin began to flood into Nightwing's bloodstream. Nightwing released the hold and rolled onto his knees. He was fighting the toxin again. Scarecrow stood and began walking in circles around him. Nightwing shook his head, trying to stave off the effects.
"More toxin? Won't you ever learn? I've already faced my Fear."
Scarecrow kept circling. He laughed then spoke.
"You don't face your fears. Not at all. You think it's me? Or the Joker? No. We're what you love. What you fear, what you really fear is the light."
Nightwing was struggling, His body was weakening again. The new variant of Fear Toxin was nearly impossible to resist.
"No… I have no fear."
Scarecrow smiled underneath his mask.
"You see, that's why I understand you, Nightwing. You fear nothing-"
Scarecrow walked in front of Nightwing and kneeled down to his height. He put his face close to Nightwing's.
"-Except fear itself. That's why you're driven to prove yourself over and over. Just like me. Except, you can't. Because I've mastered fear… and you still run from it…"
Nightwing fell forward onto his hands and knees. His breathing was heavy. He was trying to control his heart rate to fight off the toxin. It wasn't working. His pupils dilated, his eyes began to become bloodshot. He collapsed onto the ground. Scarecrow stood up and continued walking around him. Nightwing's breathing became erratic, it was harder and harder to get air.
"What- what is this? I can't… breathe…"
Scarecrow kept circling.
"I may have added an extra dose… Or five…"
Nightwing rolled onto his back and looked Scarecrow in the eyes.
"If you kill me… She will find you… And drag you to the deepest hell she can find… And fear… Fear will be feel like paradise."
His lungs were burning. Scarecrow smiled again.
"You're not dying, it just feels like you are. My toxin is filling your lungs, drowning you in your greatest fears. What can you see? A city engulfed in fear? Betrayed by those you trust the most? Your darkest secrets revealed?"
Nightwing's vision blurred, the room began spinning.
"As I tear your mind apart, Gotham will watch. I will cut that mask from your face, and the whole world will watch. Then they too will understand: There is no savior. No more hope. No more Nightwing…"
Nightwing saw his vision darken, then nothing.
Time: Unknown
Place: Unknown
Dick woke up on a couch. He couldn't remember how he got there or where he was. He began to look around, he recognized the room. It was Barbara's old apartment. He suddenly felt that his feet were laying on something. Then he could feel someone playing with his feet. He looked at the other side of the couch. He saw Barbara on the far side. His feet were laying in her lap. She was playing with the threads on one of his socks.
"Babs…?"
She looked at him and smiled.
"Hey Sleeping Beauty. You've been out for a while."
"Yeah, it feels like I haven't slept in a week."
"Doesn't surprise me. You said you didn't stop the whole way here from Jump City."
He was confused.
"Jump City? How long have I been back?"
"A few hours. You really are out of it aren't you?"
"I guess so…"
She stopped playing with his threads.
"You know, you really should go see Bruce. I'm sure he'd be happy to see you."
"I don't know… Last time we saw each other we really weren't on the best of terms. And besides… Things have changed."
"He's still your father. He lo-"
Before she could finish there was a knock on the door. Barbara looked towards it.
"Oh! That must be my dad."
She picked up Dick's legs and moved them to the side. Dick saw as Barbara wiped her hands on her jeans and then stood up. Dick's eyes went wide, he was stunned. Barbara began walking to the door.
"Wait! Barbara, your legs! You can walk!"
She looked down at her legs then a confused look curled on her face.
"Uh yeah… I can also run, jump, flip. You remember that I'm Batgirl right?"
"Yeah, yeah of course. It's just been a while I guess."
There was another knock on the door. Barbara turned towards the door.
"Come on in Dad!"
Another knock.
She took a step towards the door.
"He must have forgotten his key again."
Barbara began to walk towards the door. Then she looked back at Dick and smirked. She jogged towards where Dick was laying on the couch and crawled on top of him and playfully kissed his lips. Then she whispered in his ear.
"When dad leaves, you and I are going to make up lost time."
Another knock on the door. She rolled her eyes and sighed. She stood up and walked towards the door and noticed Dick's eyes on her. She bit her lip and playfully shook her butt for him. Another knock. Barbara reached the door. Dick saw her hand reach for the knob. Then Dick suddenly came to a realization. He knew what night this was, what was about to happen. Barbara began to open the door.
"Really Dad, am I going to have to hide a key for-"
Dick yelled.
"Barbara! Don't open the-"
Too late. Dick saw Barbara's reaction as she opened the door. Dick saw the silhouette in the doorway. The purple Hawaiian shirt, the baseball cap and camera around the neck. Then he saw the smile, that damn smile. He heard his voice… That damn voice…
"Candy-gram!"
Joker pulled out a revolver from the box he was carrying. Barbara turned around and ran. Joker pointed the revolver and then the gunshot rang out. Barbara fell to the ground and landed on her back. Joker pulled out the camera and snapped a picture.
"Oh don't pass out yet… Show a little spine. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Joker turned and walked out. Dick jumped off the couch and cradled Barbara. There was a pool of blood forming on the floor. Dick's fingers were covered with her blood. Barbara was hyperventilating, in a panic.
"My legs… I can't move… I can't feel my-"
Dick started rocking her back and forth. He was fumbling for his phone to call for help.
"You told me you would always- You promised that you'd always protect me… YOU PROMISED!"
Dick was still cradling Barbara. He began mumbling to himself
"I came home early and still couldn't stop it. I failed to save her… I failed again…"
He broke down.
"Why do I live if only to see my friends suffer and die?"
Time: Unknown
Place: Unknown
Nightwing was sprinting through the street. There were ruined buildings all around him. His suit was torn, he was bruised and bloody. He screamed in frustration then fell to his knees. He put a finger to his ear.
"Beast Boy? Kori? Cyborg? Raven?!"
Nobody answered. He tried again.
"Anyone! Answer me!"
Nightwing stood up. His anger building. He started running down the street again.
"Come on guys. You can't all be…"
That's when he saw the bodies. Two of them, laying on top of some rubble. He sprinted towards them. He could see Beast Boy and Terra laying lifeless on the rubble. Terra was laying on top of Beast Boy like she was trying to protect him. Nightwing noticed the injuries. Burn marks, cuts, bruises and fractures. There was blood pooling beneath both of them. Nightwing closed his eyes and tried to bury his anger. He closed their eyes and stood back up. As he walked away, he could feel a part of him die. He began to not care about his own safety. Nightwing kept walking until he spotted another body, it was a few hundred feet away from Terra and Beast Boy. He kneeled down.
"Starfire…"
Starfire was laying on the street. Her body was laying where it had fallen. He examined her. Blood at the corner of her mouth, and blood running from her nose. He could see burn marks on her stomach and lower back. He closed her eyes and imagined the force it would have taken to kill Koriand'r. Tameranians could hold their own against Kryptonians. Nightwing stood up, now the anger was becoming a rage. He knew what would happen if he kept walking, but he couldn't stop. He came to the next body, it was Cyborg.
"Vic…"
Nightwing examined him. Cyborg was missing his right arm and his left leg. They had been torn off. That would take a tremendous amount of force. Nightwing could see that the light in Cyborg's eye was out. Nightwing dropped his head.
"His Mother Box isn't responding. That takes some serious hardware. Either that or…"
Something in the distance caught his eye. He closed Cyborg's one good eye and rose to his feet.
"Nothing I can do now…"
He stood and walked towards what had caught his eye. Nightwing saw the blue cloak, the hood. He stopped dead in his tracks, a chill went down his spine and he crumbled to his knees.
"Raven… Not you… It should have been me."
He rolled her body over. She was lifeless. There were scrapes on her arms and legs, no burns like the others. He put his head to her chest. No heartbeat. He pulled his head up and examined her again.
"Snapped neck. She fought to the end… Never gave up… Refused to give in…"
He cradled her. His anger came to a snapping point. Nothing but a white hot rage fueled him now. Nightwing ran his hand over her cheek, he pulled her body close. He brought her lips to his.
"No more… I failed the last one… Not. One. More."
He gently laid her down and closed her eyes. In that moment something in him broke. He no longer cared about anything. His body went cold. And numb. He could no longer feel anything. All his wounds, his fractures, he no longer felt. No longer cared about anything. He heard a voice from behind. A deep demonic voice.
"Such a waste…"
Nightwing stood and turned knowing who he would find. Trigon stood in the ruins, he was three stories tall. Nightwing looked up at him.
"You killed them. Every last one."
He smiled.
"Of course I did. I do not suffer rivals. All who oppose Trigon BURN!"
There was a flash of orange, flames erupted in front of him. When Nightwing opened his eyes Trigon was gone. Then his voice rang out from behind. Nightwing turned and saw Trigon who was now eight foot tall standing by Raven's body.
"She didn't have to die. I didn't want this. All she had to do was embrace me. Embrace her blood."
He looked down at his daughter.
"She fought until the end you know. Resisted me at every turn. She said this was her home. This was her family. I told her you mortals aren't worth it. Your short insignificant lifespans. You fleshy things rarely even live for a century."
Nightwing started reaching for his escrima. Trigon kept talking.
"Trigon is ETERNAL!"
Nightwing was ready to strike.
"Save your excuses. You killed your daughter. Committed filicide. I'm glad she resisted you."
"Are you?"
Trigon stood up straight and faced Nightwing. He bared his teeth and flexed his muscles.
"You know what disgusts me most about all this? That Raven defied me for you. She fought for YOU. My daughter abandoned me for YOU. An insignificant speck of flesh and blood! A Mortal! And she chose YOU over her own father. Accepted a mortal into her life…"
Nightwing gripped his escrimas. The rage still burning from within him. Somehow he smirked. And when he spoke, his voice was devoid of all emotion.
"I guess you didn't know her very well then. Rachel was stubborn. Brilliant. Selfless. Never cared what anyone thought of her, least of all you. She cared for her friends more than anything. And she had heart… The best I've ever seen. But most importantly, she was all about defying fate."
Trigon narrowed his six eyes and stuck his chest out. He was trying his best to intimidate Nightwing. It wasn't working. His emotions were deadened.
"I never got to tell her how I really felt about her. But I do know this…"
Nightwing tensed his muscles, gritted his teeth and let the anger fully flow from him.
"No more failing those I care about. Not. One. More. It ends here and now. All of it."
Nightwing charged Trigon.
2:17 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham West
Penitentiary
Nightwing came back to the world. He had been fighting the effects, he was finally able to regain consciousness. He rolled over, got onto his hands and knees and began to control his breathing again. He could finally breathe without it burning. Scarecrow was still observing him. Taunting him.
"So what is it that the great Nightwing sees? What is it you fear?"
Crane walked closer.
"Is it Atelophobia? Nyctophobia? Autophobia?"
Scarecrow stopped a foot away.
"Ahhhhh I see it now… Atychiphobia. The fear of failure. That's a rare one. You are unique indeed."
Nightwing was now kneeling. But he was still disoriented. Scarecrow stood up.
"My you have changed…"
Nightwing tensed trying to stand up.
"What do you mean?"
Scarecrow began pacing again.
"I knew a boy once, so fearless it… well, it terrified me. And I have sought to capture that boy, now a young man, as a means of freeing myself. I wish to be free of my fear as I have freed you. Are you hiding my little bird? Is Nightwing afraid to come out and play?"
He just needed another minute. One more…
"Tell me what saw. Tell The Scarecrow what you see…"
Nightwing clenched his fists.
"I see… I see you Crane-"
Nightwing fully fought the effects off.
"-In a tiny cell in Arkham. For the rest of your life."
In one motion Nightwing stood up and delivered an uppercut to Scarecrow. Scarecrow fell to the ground and began crawling away.
"How did you-"
Nightwing walked closer. Anger oozing from what Scarecrow had put him through. Nightwing stomped hard on Crane's knee. He screamed in pain. Nightwing reached down and grabbed Scarecrow by the throat. He turned him around and slammed him against the iron bars of cell. Scarecrow grabbed Nightwing by the wrist.
"I think you need a little more!"
He stabbed Nightwing in the forearm with his other hand. Nightwing tensed, felt the toxin trying to take hold of him. This time though, there were no visions. Nightwing was staving off the effects of the new variant of Fear Toxin with nothing but sheer willpower alone. He closed his eyes, resisted, and opened them again. His grip tightened. Scarecrow couldn't believe what was happening.
"You've ingested enough toxins to drive ten men insane. What. Are. You?"
Nightwing grinned.
"I'm the thing that's going to make you jump at every shadow. Make you look over your shoulder, every day for the rest of your life. I am Nightwing."
Nightwing grabbed Scarecrow's gauntlet.
"Let's see how you like a dose of your own medicine."
"No! No! What are you doing?! I haven't built up an immunity-"
Nightwing stabbed Scarecrow in the neck with his own toxin. He let go of Scarecrow. Crane hit the ground and began crawling away. Then he stopped. He started acting erratically, he began looking around him. Nightwing took a step forward.
"What do you see Scarecrow? What makes you awake at night?"
Crane looked at Nightwing and began backing into a corner.
"Nightwing… No… You can't… Stay away… I… Stay away!"
Nightwing smirked.
"You're greatest fear is me? Really? Oh Batman is going to enjoy this…"
Nightwing grabbed Scarecrow and began dragging him towards a cell.
"No! Nightwing! Stay back! Stay-"
Nightwing threw him in a cell and locked it. Scarecrow crawled into a corner and tried to make himself as small as possible. Nightwing smirked again and began walking back the way he came. He put a finger to his ear.
"Oracle?"
"Nightwing! I was worried. Your suit vitals are spiking. You okay?"
"Yeah, fine. Fear Toxin… It did a number on me."
"You okay?"
There was more than concern in her voice.
"I… I don't know… The things I saw…"
"Dick, listen to me. It's not real. None of it was real."
"That's the thing… Some of it was."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
He was quiet for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry Babs."
"For what?"
"Not being here the night Joker…"
"Dick, we talked about this. There was nothing anybody could have done. I've accepted it. You need to as well…"
"Yeah… "
Oracle broke the silence.
"So what's next?"
Nightwing swallowed hard.
"Joker. I've cleaned up his mess the best I could. He's the only loose end."
"You know where he is?"
"Yeah. Looks like he's working out of the old visitation center. That's probably where he has Batman and the last of the inmate's that my boot hasn't met yet."
Nightwing got to the exit of the penitentiary. The door scanned him and opened, he stepped through. Oracle came back in his ear worried.
"Got it, just be careful and come back to me with Batman unharmed."
Just as Nightwing stepped into the moonlight he became light headed. He had resisted the effects of Scarecrow's Fear Toxin but now that his adrenaline had worn off it was affecting him differently. He put a hand against the wall to support himself. He brought a hand to his forehead trying to regain his equilibrium. Oracle was in his ear.
"Nightwing are you okay? Your vitals are in the red again?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm good. Just need a minute."
He exhaled and stood up.
"How's Raven? She make it back to the cave yet or is she still running interference downtown?"
Oracle had never told Nightwing that Raven was on Arkham Island. She became nervous. Even more so since she hadn't heard from her in a while.
"Uh, yeah about that… Listen, you may not like what I'm about to tell you."
Nightwing was fighting to stay conscious but he didn't want Oracle to know he was feeling weak.
"By your tone I'd say that I'm going to do more than not like it."
"Yeah so…."
Oracle hesitated. She knew that it was better he find out from her than anyone else.
"She went to Arkham when you didn't check in an hour and a half ago…"
There was no answer.
"And I don't know where she is… She hasn't checked in for a half hour."
Again, no answer.
"Nightwing?"
Still no answer. She checked his vitals.
"Dick! Dick! Can you hear me? Your vitals are-"
He couldn't hear her. He had lost consciousness. His body was worn out from fighting the Fear Toxins.
2:28 A.M.
Arkham Asylum: Arkham West
Penitentiary: Patient Visitation Wing
Nightwing woke up tied to a chair. He struggled trying to free himself. Nothing. He looked around the room. To his left he saw Batman. He was glaring at Nightwing with that disappointed scowl. Batman was tied to the same chair Nightwing had seen him tied to earlier. He looked mainly unharmed. Nightwing looked around the rest of the room. There were T.V. monitors setup throughout the room. All of them were connected to Arkham's security cameras. He could see what was happening all over Arkham. Nightwing heard Batman's voice to his left.
"What are you doing here?"
"Mother hen was worried."
"I told her I could handle it."
Nightwing rolled his eyes.
"Yes because being captured is TOTALLY handling it."
Batman narrowed his eyes.
"Joker put me in a situation. Save the medical staff by giving myself up or let the doctors die. This is the result."
"Yeah, I saw the doctors on my way in."
"How were they?"
"Dead. Inmates tore them apart."
Batman lowered his head.
"I should have known Joker wouldn't keep his word. He'll pay for this…"
Batman looked to Nightwing.
"What happened? They brought you in unconscious but nobody knew how you ended up that way."
Nightwing squirmed.
"Scarecrow's Fear Toxin."
Batman looked frustrated.
"You're getting sloppy. You've lost your resistance to his Fear Toxin. I told you to-"
Nightwing cut him off.
"It was a new variation. Much stronger. It burns the lungs in large doses. Makes it hard to breathe. I was eventually able to resist its hallucinogenic properties but I was exposed to too much. My body must have shut down."
Batman looked concerned.
"New variant? How potent?"
"Very. Fears I had pushed so deep I had forgotten about."
Just then they both heard the door swing open, then footsteps. Then that voice. His voice.
"Well, what do we have here?"
Joker walked around from behind and stood in front of them.
"The whole family is here! Is it Christmas morning?"
Batman and Nightwing both began trying to wear down the ropes that held them. Joker walked over towards Nightwing. Joker sat on his lap and wrapped his arms around his neck.
"Ohhhh it's been so long hasn't it junior?! The last time I saw you, you were so angry! I hope you brought your sense of humor tonight!"
Joker stood and walked over to the desk. He sat on it.
Batman glared at Joker.
"It's over Joker. Arkham is back on the network."
Nightwing glared this time.
"I took out your jammers. Took down most of your little army. The Commissioner is safe and back on the mainland. And the Arkham guards are taking back the island. You've lost."
Joker grinned.
"Blah, blah, blah, always with the hero speak. It does get rather dull."
Joker got off the desk and began walking around the room.
"Now, the only question is what to do with the two of you…"
Joker turned and looked at the two of them.
"Oh wait, I know exactly what to do…"
Before Joker could finish the door to the room they were in swung open. Joker turned, he suddenly had an angry scowl on his face. Batman and Nightwing couldn't see since their backs were to the door. They could hear an inmate walk in.
"Yo boss! We found someone sneaking around? You want us to-"
Joker pulled out a handgun, he turned and fired it at the inmate who had walked into the room. Batman and Nightwing flinched as the gunshot rang out. The inmate fell to the ground dead. Joker yelled.
"I said not to DISTURB ME!"
Joker then looked towards the door, he pointed the gun in the same direction. Another inmate's voice answered.
"Wait! I told him to knock! We found someone else sneaking around-!"
Joker looked at Batman, then back to the inmate.
"Who?"
"Dunno. We-'ve never seen them be-"
Batman looked at Nightwing and glared. Nightwing just shrugged his shoulders. Joker grinned.
"Well? Let's not be a poor host!"
They heard feet shuffling. Joker found another chair and put it next to Nightwing. The shuffling feet got closer. Then, they placed the hostage next to Nightwing. Batman and Nightwing looked right and saw the hostage. It was Raven. She was handcuffed to the chair but her hood was still up. She avoided looking to Nightwing and Batman knowing they would be angry at her for being there. Getting captured only made matters worse. Nightwing's eyes went wide as he saw Raven sitting to the chair handcuffed. He focused in on the psylink and spoke telepathically.
"What the hell are you doing here? I told you to STAY AWAY!"
Raven rolled her eyes.
"You hadn't checked in. And by the looks of it, you two boys couldn't handle yourselves."
"Coming from the girl who got captured herself."
Raven turned and gave a look to Nightwing that would hill anyone's spine. She caught Batman looking at her. She met his gaze and watched as he slowly shook his head with disapproval. She lowered her head and struggled, trying to free herself from the handcuffs.
Joker walked in front of Raven, she lowered her head not wanting to look him in the eyes. Joker put his hands on his hips.
"Well… Who do we have here?"
Joker grabbed Raven's hood pulled it off her head. Raven raised her head and met Joker's gaze. Joker's smile grew wide and he stood up straight.
"Ooooooooo what do we have here?"
Joker looked to Batman.
"Batsy, you didn't tell me you brought in another urchin. And this one is such a looker too!"
Batman struggled with the restraints. Joker ran a hand through his green hair and slicked it back. He adjusted his bow tie. He outstretched a hand to Raven.
"Pleased to meet you, toots. Names Joker. And you are..?"
Raven stared at the hand in front of her.
"Walk around behind me if you want to shake."
Joker smiled.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And she's got a sense of humor!"
Joker again looked to Batman.
"You've been holding out on me Batsy!"
Joker kneeled down to Raven's height.
"So toots. What do you say about hopping the fence and joining me? You like the name Harley? I could use another plaything."
"I'd rather slit my own throat."
Joker smiled.
"Why my dear, that is precisely the idea!"
Joker began running a finger over her cheek. Raven was tense, she flinched. Joker kept dragging a finger across her cheek. Batman and Nightwing were both struggling, trying to free themselves. They knew what he would do to her. Raven had enough of Joker touching her. She turned and bit hard into his hand.
"Ow. You little-!"
Joker pulled his hand away. Then he turned back handed Raven with his opposite hand. Raven recoiled from the hit. She then turned back to Joker and spit blood at him. Joker started to wipe the blood off his cheek. Nightwing screamed at Joker.
"Touch her again you bastard and I swear I'll-"
Joker grinned and looked to Nightwing.
"Oh? Looks like I touched a nerve there… Someone seems a little overprotective."
Nightwing instantly knew he made a mistake. His outburst showed Joker how he truly felt about her. And Joker picked up on it. He grinned.
"What exactly are you going to do? You aren't really in much of a position to do anything. Are you?"
Joker raised a hand and hit Raven again. Raven again, recoiled from the hit. She had that look in her eye. Nightwing was tense. Very tense. Raven glared at Joker.
"Is that the best you've got you pathetic little man?! Again! Harder!"
Joker looked pleased.
"You a masochist? You like pain? Good!"
Batman looked to Nightwing, he knew that look. All he needed to do was buy Batman time. Joker hit Raven again. She heard Nightwing's voice in her ear.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed!? Joker will torture you! You'll end up like Jason!"
"No. I can free us. All I need is for Joker to draw HER out."
"No. Not here. If Joker finds out what you're capable of… Worse, if you can't control it…"
"You have a better idea?"
"Just one."
Joker hit Raven again.
"What hurts more? Forehand?"
He hit Raven.
"Or backhand?"
Another hit.
Nightwing watched as Raven snapped her eyes shut. He knew the change was coming. He had to do something. He watched as Raven clenched her fists, she was white knuckled. Nightwing exhaled sharply and focused on the psylink.
"Azarath. Metrion. Zinthose."
Raven relaxed. He saw her fists relax. Her eyes opened and she looked to Nightwing. She understood. He felt her anger subside and her thoughts began to clear.
"Azarath. Metrion. Zinthose. Okay, you win."
Nightwing looked to Joker. Before he could strike Raven again, he yelled at Joker trying to distract him. Give Batman time to make his move.
"Hit her again and I swear I'll make you answer for it!"
Joker only smiled wider. He walked in front of Nightwing.
"Ohhhhh Nightwing you really should learn to keep that big mouth shut. It'll get you into trouble."
Nightwing gritted his teeth, holding back the anger.
"Sorry, that's not something I'll ever learn."
Joker stood up.
"Y'know, out of Batman and all of his little birds running around, I always HATED you the most…"
"Feelings mutual."
Joker began walking back and forth.
"See that's what I'm talking about… The second Boy-Wonder had that temper. Just pull his strings and he was soooooo easy to manipulate."
Nightwing's anger began to rise.
"The third with that arrogance. Thinking he's better than everybody else! Ha! Even himself."
Nightwing and Batman kept struggling, trying to get free.
"And then the fourth one! He was nothing but an exact copy of Batman in a bright suit! He couldn't even be his own person! Have his own identity!"
Nightwing and Batman looked to each other. Batman was controlling his anger, Nightwing wasn't. Joker stopped in front of Nightwing and began taunting him again.
"But YOU! YOU were always the worst of the lot. Always ready with some quip, no respect! Always in control of your emotions, your actions. Trying so hard to be something you will never be!"
Nightwing glared. Joker got a huge smile on his face. Joker pulled the gun out of his suit and pointed it at Nightwing. Nightwing just stared Joker down, no reaction. Just a cold stare. Raven saw the gun pointed at Nightwing, her heart began beating faster. She flinched, she didn't like seeing a gun pointed at him. Unaware to her, Joker was seeing how she would react.
"But the worst of all, I could never truly get to you. Batman has his scars, along with all the others…. Except for you…"
Joker glanced to the left quickly, then back to Nightwing. His smile grew wider.
"Until now…"
Joker turned the gun towards Raven, he pointed it square at her chest. Nightwing tensed, the ropes straining. Nightwing used all his strength trying to free himself. Raven stared down the barrel of the gun. Her heart beating faster. She watched Joker slowly flex his finger. Raven closed her eyes and exhaled. The gunshot rang out. Raven took the round to the chest.
"RAVEN!"
Somehow, Nightwing's ropes snapped and he charged Joker. He landed a superman punch to his jaw and Joker dropped hard. Batman was staring at Raven. He didn't want to bring her into Joker's war. He hoped she never had to deal with him. Nightwing turned and ran over to the chair Raven was still tied to.
"No no no no no."
He saw the bullet wound in her chest. He felt his heart stop. The front of her suit darkened with blood.
"No… NO!"
He checked her pulse. Nothing.
"Come on, you can't be… You can't…"
He closed his eyes and focused, trying to feel for the psy-link. Trying to feel for a heartbeat, a breath, thought patterns… But there was no psy-link. Just his own thoughts. The only thing he felt was his own anger, and his own failure. Nightwing cradled her lifeless body. Batman glared at Joker.
"Joker, what have you done?!"
Nightwing put his forehead to hers.
"Don't go… Don't leave me alone again…"
Joker began to stand up. Nightwing ran a hand through Raven's hair.
"I never… I never told you how I felt… You never knew that I-"
He kissed her. In that moment something inside Nightwing broke. The lifetime of controlling his emotions, the self-control. All of it suddenly broke. And Nightwing snapped. A blind rage came over him, his body went numb. He stood up and faced Joker, his breathing was heavy. Joker smiled.
"See? Was that so difficult? All you had to do was-"
Joker couldn't finish his sentence. Nightwing had tackled him to the ground. Nightwing clenched his fist and began pummeling Joker. Hit after hit, each one with more force than the last. Batman cried out from his chair.
"Nightwing enough!"
Nightwing didn't respond. He just kept landing blows to Joker. Nightwing finally stopped and stood up, he shook his hand, and it had gone numb from anger. Joker began to stand. Nightwing's rage took over again, he clenched his fist and landed a back fist to Joker's jaw. Joker fell backwards.
"All the deaths! All the pain! When does it end Joker?!"
Joker got to his knees. He was trying to catch his breath.
"Co- Come on! Hit me like you mean it… I… I hit Jason a lot harder than that!"
Joker looked up, his smile still stretching across his face. Joker's eyes still holding the evil behind them. Blood was streaming from his broken nose.
"His- His name was Jason right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Nightwing began to land repeating blows with his right hand. Batman was still trying to free himself. He was using the chair he was tied to to snag the ropes.
"Nightwing enough! Control yourself!"
Nightwing turned and faced Batman.
"You saw what that monster did! Do you even care?!"
Batman glared.
"Dammit of course I care! I brought her in! She was MY responsibility!"
"No… She was MINE."
Nightwing turned to Joker again. He grabbed him by the front of his suit and started landing left handed blows, trying to give his right hand a break. Joker was laughing.
"Come on, take it slow… Why the rush? I mean, it's not like you've got a girl to save anymore right? Ohhhhhh I'm sorry, too soon?! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Nightwing screamed with rage. He threw Joker against a wall. Joker landed into the window shattering it. Shards of glass rained down onto Joker as he hit the ground. Nightwing walked over to him, the rage overcame him. Nightwing put a boot directly into Joker's sternum, driving the wind out of him. Joker gasped for air. Nightwing landed more blows from his right, the rage was controlling him. Joker was amused. This is what he wanted.
"No more Joker. You're done…"
Nightwing put his hands around Joker's throat. He began putting pressure on his larynx. Joker was gasping for air. Batman had finally worn the ropes down enough to escape. He stood up and glanced over at Raven. She was still tied to a chair with no signs of life. Batman closed his eyes and exhaled. He buried the anger of losing Raven. He walked over to Nightwing and out a hand on his shoulder.
"Raven wouldn't want this. She would want you to stay strong."
Nightwing stood and shrugged off Batman's arm.
"I don't know what clouds your judgement worse, your guilt or your antiquated sense of morality!"
Joker started laughing.
"Gotta give the boy credit! He finally snapped! Giving into his ang-"
Nightwing turned and landed a back fist dazing Joker. Nightwing pulled out a wing-ding and threw it into Joker's leg. The wing-ding pierced the skin and was buried into his flash.
"You sit there like a good little clown or the next one gets buried in your lap…"
Joker smiled.
"Party pooper… No cake for you…"
Nightwing turned to Batman.
"Ignoring what he's done in the past… Blindly, stupidly ignoring the entire graveyards he's filled. The thousands who have suffered, the loved ones he's crippled… And here I thought she would be the last person you would let him hurt. If it had been you he killed, I would have done nothing but search the planet for him, and SEND HIM OFF TO HELL!"
Batman glared, his anger was now bubbling to the surface.
"You don't understand. I don't think you've ever really understood."
"What? Our moral code just won't allow that? It's too hard to cross that line?"
Batman snapped. His vice echoed throughout the room.
"No! God Almighty, no!"
The room fell quiet.
"It'd be too damned easy! All I've ever wanted to do was kill him! A doesn't go by where I think about subjecting him to every torture he's dealt to others, the hell he's inflicted. And then kill him…"
Joker smiled.
"Awwwww you do think about me…"
"But if I do that, if I allow myself to go to that dark place… I'll never come back…"
Nightwing's eyes went wide.
"Why? I'm not talking about killing penguin. Or Dent. Or even Crane! I'm talking about him! JUST HIM! And I'm talking about it because he took her away from me…"
Batman narrowed his eyes.
"You already killed once Nightwing, and it nearly killed you. I won't let you do this."
Nightwing glared.
"You don't have a choice…"
Nightwing landed a sucker punch to Batman. He moved so quick, Batman didn't even have time to react. Batman hit the ground in a daze. Nightwing had thrown a punch that dropped Batman in a single hit. Half the Justice League couldn't even manage that. Nightwing turned his back on Joker, a mistake… Joker grabbed two shards of glass from the broken window and charged Nightwing. Nightwing turned with blinding speed as Joker lunged for him. Nightwing dodged the first, then the second. He grabbed Joker's wrist and twisted, he brought a knee to Joker's elbow causing the bone to come through the skin. Joker dropped the first piece of glass. Joker lunged with his other arm, Nightwing grabbed the wrist again and twisted. This time he landed a palm strike that shattered Joker's wrist. The second piece of glass fell from his hand. Joker collapsed onto the ground. Nightwing stomped on both of Joker's ankles breaking them. Then Nightwing grabbed Joker and shoved him against the wall, driving his forearm into his larynx. Nightwing then kicked both of Joker's kneecaps. Joker was completely disabled, he couldn't move or stand on his own. The rage was practically bleeding from Nightwing. Joker grinned.
"Come on baby! Beat me til' your knuckles bleed!"
Nightwing began crushing Joker's windpipe.
"I've finally found a cure for your madness Joker… Me…"
Joker's eyes went wide, a smile appeared. Joker tried laughing, he couldn't find any air.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's a good one… AHAH- AHAH-"
Joker had no more air in his lungs. Nightwing was whiteknuckled, he put even more pressure on his larynx.
"You- you actually gonna do it this time? Or just leave me in a body cast for nine months…?"
Batman began to stir. Nightwing was seconds away from finally ending Joker's terror on Gotham. Seconds before Nightwing could crush his larynx, he heard a heartbeat. Only it wasn't his, or Joker's, or even Batman's. Then a breath, then a gasp for air. He felt them through the psy-link. Nightwing turned his head and saw Raven stir, he saw her eyes flicker then open. She raised her head and looked around, she saw Batman on the ground then looked at Nightwing.
"Di- Nightwing-? Wh- What's happening?"
Nightwing felt his own heart beat again. He looked over to Joker. Joker had a worried look on his face, like he knew Nightwing was coming back to himself. Nightwing released Joker, he slumped to the ground. The door to the room they were in swung open and Cash came charging in with his team.
"It's over Jok- Oh, looks like you handled things…"
Batman began to stand up. Joker looked up to Nightwing.
"Bird-Boy, you only did half the fucking job-"
Nightwing drove Joker's skull into the wall knocking him out. Nightwing looked down at his hands, he could see the blood of the man he was seconds away from killing on his hands. A sudden horror overtook him, he realized what he was about to do. His body felt weak, he felt cold. His body was in shock. He looked at Batman who was standing up now, then he looked to Raven. She was still recovering. Batman walked over to Raven and kneeled next to her, he began untying her ropes. Once they were free he looked over her injuries then looked to Cash.
"Cash, get a medical team in here NOW! Joker needs stabilized…"
"Yes Sir!"
Nightwing was still staring at his hands.
"I uh… I need some air…"
Nightwing walked out of the room without meeting anyone's gaze.