Bleake Island was looking bleaker than usual this Halloween night. The faux-Asian architecture of Chinatown loomed darkly over the grimy street before us, across from where the victims of Jason's rage still lay. I wisely chose not to mention them as I called the Batmobile.

"Oracle's almost done sorting through all our data," I announced, waiting for the armored car to arrive. "Combined with the data Nightwing collected, it should be enough to pinpoint Crane's location and save Commissioner Gordon."

"Got it," Dick nodded, looking about our surroundings. "Aw, crap," he frowned, "Where'd Jason run off to?"

We got our answer in the revving of a motorcycle engine. A beam of light poured from a nearby alley, and Jason emerged straddling a streamlined and powerful bike. From what I could see, it came equipped with a few on-board weapons and computer. It was certainly an admirable feat of engineering, but I wasn't about to admit that out loud.

"Nice ride," Nightwing complimented him, stepping forward to get a closer look.

The Arkham Knight crossed his arms, leaning back in the seat. "Tanks and drones weren't the only kind of vehicles I invested in. I decided to treat myself for all the hard work I did putting the militia together."

I scowled at his nonchalant tone, wondering just who else pitched in to support Jason's expensive cause.

Just then, the Batmobile swerved around the corner, sending some loitering thugs diving for cover. Feeling confident, I stepped back onto to the street and into the armored car's path.

"Very impressive," I commended Jason derisively, adrenaline rushing through my veins as the Batmobile pivoted and slid towards me. Bruce had me practice this maneuver hundreds of times, so I wasn't too worried about screwing up and being plowed over.

I jumped over the fast-moving car, flipping in the air as the Batmobile's cockpit slid open. With a whoop, I landed in the driver's seat. The holographic Batcomputer screens appeared in front of me, awaiting my commands.

Dick golf clapped as he approached the car's back seats. "Sweet moves, Tim!"

"Show off," Jason ground out, fingers curling tightly over his motorcycle's handles.

I grinned boyishly, oddly satisfied by the effect my little demonstration had on the two older vigilantes. "Thanks, but you have no idea how many times I nearly became roadkill when Bats was teaching me that."

I pulled up an overview of our comms network, looking over the short list of our operatives working in Gotham.

Batman: OFFLINE

Robin: ONLINE

Oracle: ONLINE

Nightwing: ONLINE

Fox: ONLINE

Batcave: ONLINE

Gordon: OFFLINE

I hesitated, wondering if Jason were trustworthy enough to add to our network. I was still fuzzy on where his loyalties truly lay. But if Dick was willing to put his faith in the Arkham Knight, I had little choice but to comply. Opening up communications between us would be the first step in ensuring our continued alliance.

"I'm adding you to our comms network," I called over to Jason, "But you're going to need a new alias." I scanned his suit, looking for any distinguishing features. "How about...Red Hood?" I suggested, noticing the bright garment covering his head.

He tensed up considerably at the name, shoulders squaring as he gripped his bike's handles even harder. Dumbstruck, I looked over at Nightwing, who could only wince in return. That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks; the Red Hood had been Joker's old alias before he'd taken his infamous acid bath. There'd be no way Jason would want to be associated with him in that way.

The Arkham Knight sighed heavily, releasing his agitation before I could take back what I suggested. "Whatever floats your boat, kid," he muttered, shrugging lazily.

"Alright," I responded quietly, setting up a new entry on the Batcomputer's list. "Open up your comms; I need to test the connection."

Jason nodded, rolling up the sleeve of his jacket and pressing some buttons on his gauntlet.

Red Hood: ONLINE

"Testing, testing," I spoke into my mic, grimacing at the high-pitched feedback that followed.

Jason growled, pressing his hand against his ear. "God, replacement, don't make me deaf! I'm reading you, loud and clear."

"Good," I replied, "Now we can-"

I was interrupted by an incoming call. I took one look at the screen and felt the color draining from my face. An intense fear took hold of my gut, twisting it without mercy.

Batman: ONLINE

INCOMING CALL

ACCEPT/DECLINE

No way...this was impossible! I cut his comms! What did he-?

"Hey, Rob," Nightwing called, walking over to the cockpit, "Everything alright?"

I barely heard him over the ringing in my ears. My hand flew out, pressing a button that sealed me inside the Batmobile. The protective cockpit engulfed me in a suffocating silence that was only broken by the beeping communicator.

I stared, wide-eyed, at the Batcomputer's screen. Should I accept the call? What the hell should I tell him? Was that even Bruce on the other end?

I was, once again, assaulted by the image of my father figure sitting alone in his miserable cell, the Joker's whispers driving him to madness. He probably couldn't take it anymore, and had to reach out to someone. Even after all that's happened tonight, I couldn't deny him some much needed correspondence.

My finger pressed the button, accepting the call. A fuzzy image appeared on the screen, and I tried not to flinch. The skin on Bruce's haggard face was pale and taut against his skull. His sickly emerald eyes were ringed with dark circles, indicating that he'd had little rest whatsoever. The stress and worry weighing him down must've been unbearable. The Batman looked like he would keel over and succumb to the Joker's infection any moment.

"Hi, Tim," he coughed, clearing his throat. "I hope this isn't a bad time. I was able to bypass the security lockdown to contact you."

I opened my mouth, no sound escaping for a few seconds. "I...no, Bruce, everything's going fine," I mumbled, eyes glued to the elder man's face.

"I see," he nodded gravely. "I'm sorry about before, Tim...I wasn't exactly myself."

That was certainly an understatement. "I understand," I replied quietly, "Really, I do."

"Thank you," he muttered, rubbing his temple with his free hand. His face screwed up in some sort of mental anguish, and the raging regret inside me took over. What had I done to him by forcing him into quarantine?

"Robin," he spoke seriously. "There's something I forgot to tell you before you left; It's about Oracle."

"She's not dead."

Bruce blinked, face falling. "Oh, Tim...I wish-"

"No, she's really not dead, Bruce," I interrupted him frustratedly. By now, my insides were an emotional mess. "Whatever you saw happen to her, Scarecrow wanted you to see."

"He...manipulated me," Batman growled, face darkening. "I should've seen it coming, but…"

"I know," I murmured, recalling how many times he'd been hit with fear toxin. "Nightwing and I saved her after I destroyed the Cloudburst, but...the Commissioner was captured by Crane."

"And the Arkham Knight?"

I chanced a look out the window at my two companions; Red Hood had jumped off his bike, shouting and gesturing angrily in my direction. Nightwing stood before him, arms raised and trying to keep the former Robin calm until I reappeared. Mentioning the latest addition to our triad was definitely not a good idea until Gotham was saved from Scarecrow's wrath.

"Er, we encountered him in his base, but he ran off after we overpowered him. Haven't heard from him since." Great, look who's lying now.

Bruce sighed, some of the familiar light returning to his eyes. "Alright...but I'm glad you got rid of that weapon. I never should've doubted you, Tim. I'm proud of you."

Filial love and pride swelled inside me, my eyes burning behind my domino mask. "Thanks, Bruce," I chuckled bittersweetly.

My mentor smiled genuinely, an act that was quite uncommon for the Dark Knight. "I know you'll find Gordon, and bring this terrible night to a close."

"Of course," I nodded confidently.

"Keep an eye on Dick for me," Batman continued, "I told him to go back to Blüdhaven, but I guess I couldn't stop him from sticking around."

"I will," I sniffed.

"Good," he sighed tiredly, "I'm going to cut my comms again, for our safety. Don't bother coming back for me. This is the night it all ends, and I need you stay strong."

I could only nod, the gravity of our situation weighing down on me. Soon, the Bruce I knew would be gone, replaced by the madman who had harassed us and this city for years. The Clown Prince of Crime still fought us from beyond the grave, and it looked like he was winning.

"Goodbye, Tim," Bruce smiled warmly.

I wanted to cry, to scream; he'd been through much worse. There's no way he would let people like Scarecrow and the Joker bring him down, right? Right?!

I mentally slapped myself, bottling up my emotions and putting on a determined face for my father figure. "Goodbye, Bruce," I said, voice shaky.

The call ended, Batman's face disappearing from my sight for what could've been the last time.

Batman: OFFLINE