Chapter 18: Blood Brothers Part 1

Authors Note: Thank you thank you thank you all of you for your reviews I am coming to a close on my first arc. I hope you enjoy this chapter and stick around for the other arcs. Okay enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Batman.

Black Mask was currently sitting in his office downing another glass of scotch as his secretary gave him the rundown of the night.

"You want to tell me why this guy ain't dead?" Mask asked in an annoyed tone of voice.

"We're trying," His secretary Ms. Li said in a calm voice. "We sent the Fearsome Hand of Four." At that Mask chuckled.

"Four?" He said humorously. "Guess they're gonna need a new name. Why hasn't batman wiped this little smear off the face of the planet?"

"Maybe he doesn't want to." Li said. "Perhaps he's letting you and Red Hood war it out. He could be waiting…"

"To take on the winner?" Mask shouted as he got up from his desk and knocked out one of his own guards. "What do you think this is?" He shouted as he knocked out another one of his guards. "A tennis tournament?"

"I'm just saying." She defended.

"You're an idiot," He yelled. "You don't know Batman! He's not letting this lunatic just run wild! He can't catch him either!" He shouted as he stood in front of his window that looked down at Gotham. As he looked down at the streets he suddenly thought of something."Or…it's something else." He said in a calmer tone as he turned to his secretary. "Can't you feel it? We're stuck in the damn crossfire."

He then looked back down at the streets as he tried to figure out how he was gonna stop this guy. Why was he after him? Why did he want to kill him and why didn't he just kill him already?

As he was lost in his thought he was suddenly broken away from his thoughts when a red light shined in the corner of his eye. He looked up and his eyes widened in horror as he saw Red Hood aiming a rocket launcher straight at him. Hood raised his hand and waved playfully before taking his aim again.

"Aw, hell." Mask groaned.

He quickly turned and ran out of his office knocking down any of his guards who were standing in his way. Hood then fired his rocket taking out Mask's guards in the process. Only Mask and Li escaped as they quickly made their way to his car.

"Okay, we need a new way to take him out what are our options?" He asked as he drew his gun and rushed down to the stairs. "What about that Shadow guy he's kind of like Batman and he kills people, hell he even tried to kill me he's like this Hood guy."

"No, he's an assassin but not one for hire," Li explained. "Also, he's already after Hood and he's having difficulty killing him."

"Dammit," He growled. "There's only one guy I know who can take this freak out."

"Sir, even he's a liability," Li warned. "There's no guarantee you'll even come out of this alive."

"You think I like this," He snapped, turning to her. "I'm being forced to negotiate with a psychopath."

"That doesn't sound good." Li said.

"No. It'll be a nightmare." Mask whispered to himself as they got in the car and drove off into the night.

After a ride and some pull Mask was able to set up a meeting between him and the only person who could kill Hood. The Joker. Mask sat there with his secretary at his back and his guards surrounding all of them just in case.

"As I was saying I have done a lot to arrange this little get together," Mask said. "It took a lot of money and a lot of dead meat to talk to you." Joker's face remained unimpressed as he was currently munching on a bag of chips. "You are the only man who possesses the gifts it takes to do the job I have for you. I need you to murder the Red Hood."

Joker continued to eat his chips before he let out a cough.

"May I have a glass of water?" He asked as Mask motioned to one of his men.

His guard reached over to a pitcher and filled up a small glass with water. Once full he walked over to Joker and handed him the glass. The second Joker felt the glass in his hands he smashed the edges and stabbed it into the guard's neck. He let out a grunt of pain as Joker reached into the man's holster and pulled out his handgun. He then quickly fired at each and every one of Mask's guards killing them all. He aimed his gun at Mask who sat there completely at a loss at what to do. Joker laughed manically as he explained his demands.

"I'm going to need something to wear," He said as he tugged at the collar of his jumpsuit. "And a big truck."

"Sure, anything else?" Mask grunted.

"I'll need some guys," He then looked around questionably at the corpses before turning back to Mask. "Not these guys, cause they're kind of dead." He said before laughing his signature laugh.

The next day school had just gotten out and Sarina was getting ready to go home. She made her way to her car and unlocked the door before climbing in. She put the keys in the ignition before she felt the presence that someone was in her car. Before she could turn she felt the muzzle of a gun pressing at the back of her head.

"Don't move Joker Jr." Hood snarled. Sarina took a gulp and tried to muster up a response.

"My name is Sarina." She said as brave as she could, hoping to get something out of him. All she got was a laugh.

"Yeah, I know your real name," He said. "I also know that you are the daughter of a certain man who crippled the former owner of that suit you love degrading."

"Just so you know bub!" She snarled trying to sound a little like her mother. She could hear the light grumble from under his mask. "Batman gave me that suit because I was nothing like my father. At least when he found me I was just a scared little girl not some punk boosting tires off a bat mobile."

"Trust me, you may think that you are in control right now, but let me tell you this." He sneered. "You are his daughter and it doesn't matter who you are what your name is or what you wear. In a matter of time you'll be running around burning down buildings and killing people while laughing your ass off."

"So far the only one in this car that's any closer of being the Joker is the one holding a loaded gun to a teenagers head and who also killed a lot of people in cold blood." Sarina quipped. Hood let out a growl as he nudged the muzzle of the gun into the back of her head.

"I heard you didn't make a big deal of this when Shadow took you hostage or when he kills people." Hood snarled.

"That's different, while I don't think what Jayden does is a good thing he at least doesn't slaughter people like animals and compared to your kill count he might as well be a virgin." Sarina stated. "And his gun was empty."

"Well mines full." Hood said.

"What the hell do you want you lunatic?" Sarina snapped.

"Hey, didn't your mother teach you any manners? Oh wait she was too busy sucking your psychotic daddy off." He joked. "Any ways I just want you to drive."

"You mean before or after my father blew you and your mother sky high." She snarled.

She expected her brains to be splattered all over the windshield, to hear the sound of a gun go off and end her life but all she heard was a sick chuckle. Using her peripherals she saw Hood laughing away.

"See, you're becoming more and more like your father already. Only he would make a joker so cruel. Now drive please." Hood said as Sarina started her car and drove away into the unknown.

Later that night at Jayden's office he and Ally were just about ready to leave when Jayden's phone started ringing. He decided to ignore it and leave it for tomorrow when Bruce's voice came on.

"Jayden, it's Bruce," He said in a seemingly calm voice. "Sarina hasn't been seen since this morning and she hasn't come home or called. I was wondering if you knew something about this?"

Jayden quickly picked up the phone and pressed it against his ear.

"Bruce, no I haven't seen her," He said. "Why what do you think happened to her?"

"Jayden." Ally gasped.

Jayden looked over at her to see that she was watching Gotham News. He walked over to the T.V and turned the volume up. He saw that mask and a few of his friends were currently tied up and being held captive by Joker who waved at the helicopters filming the scene.

In an instant Jayden dropped the phone and went over to his secret closet where he kept his spare Shadow gear. He quickly suited up and was about to head out when Ally stopped him.

"Jayden wait," She pleaded. "I need to know what are you gonna do?"

"What do you think, I'm gonna go help Sarina she's probably being held hostage by Joker right now." He said.

"And what if Jason took her?" She asked causing Jayden to let out a heavy sigh.

"Then he goes down like any other criminal," He mumbled as he placed his hand on his sword. "He'll fall by my sword."

"Will you be able to do it?" She asked.

"I'll find out if and when it happens." He said as he pushed past her.

"Jayden," She whispered causing him to stop again. She then leaned over and placed a small kiss on his cheek. "Just be careful."

"I will." He said as he finally left the building.

Shadow flew away on his jet bike and made his way to Gotham Bridge. As he flew towards Mask and Joker he heard another aircraft slowly fly behind him. He looked over to see the bat jet with Batman piloting it. Shadow did a salute as Batman gave him the thumbs up. They both flew in as Joker lit the truck on fire with his lighter while Hood stood on top of the bridge.

"Well, look who it is Mr. Hood," Joker greeted. "Or would you prefer Red? You know I used to wear an outfit like that but mine was more elegant than motor cycle fetish. You kids today." He joked as he flicked his zippo a few more times only to get a few sparks. "I'm sorry could you hold on? I was in the middle of setting fire to your gang." Hood grunted as he looked down at the clown.

"Go ahead," Hood antagonized. "You think I care if that scum dies?" Joker kept flicking his lighter casually as if he were lighting a cigarette.

"Don't know, I just wanted your attention." Joker said.

"You've always had my attention, but what I really wanted was an audience with you." Hood said.

Joker stopped playing with the lighter as he looked up and grinned at Hood.

"I'm sorry, that seems to imply that you organized this little clam bake." Joker stated.

"I did, sure I had lots of plans that Black Mask would get so desperate that he'd cut a deal. He was the only one with connections to get into Arkham and get you out." Hood grounded out.

"You can't trust anyone can you?" Black Mask said from inside the truck.

"So, I've been bamboozled…oh my." He muttered sarcastically as Hood chuckled.

"I wouldn't under sell it," Hood said. "It took a lot of work to bring about our reunion."

At this Joker raised an eyebrow and placed a finger on his chin.

"Reunion," He asked. "Have we met before?"

"Yes…we have." Hood said in an emotionless voice.

"Well, here's to warm memories." Joker said as he flicked the lighter one last time finally getting a flame. He grinned at Hood and dropped the lighter setting Mask and his crew on fire.

They let out screams of pain and horror before Batman and Shadow showed up. Batman released an extinguisher onto the truck causing the flames to go out but Hood pulled out a rocket launcher and shot down both Shadow and Batman. They both landed safely in the city but before they landed they saw Hood running off with Joker on his shoulders.

Hood had taken Joker to an abandoned apartment where Sarina was being kept and dropped him on the floor. He looked up and the two made eye contact which caused the clown to chuckle.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?" Joker chuckled. "I see you know who my daughter is so what happens now, we gonna do each other's nails or play truth or dare? Sarina truth or dare?"

Sarina thought about telling him to just shut up or ignore him but she decided this once to humor him. She looked over to see Hood holding a crowbar.

"Truth." She said in a low voice.

"Oh you're no fun." He pouted. "Okay, who is this guy?"

"Jason Todd." She said as Joker raised an eyebrow.

"Never heard of him." He grunted. "Okay my turn. I'll take dare."

Hood stepped in the light and Joker's eyes widened as he saw the crowbar.

"On second thought, I'll take dare." He muttered.

Hood stepped before Joker raised his crowbar and brought it down hard onto his head. Sarina grimaced at the sound of metal meeting bone and flesh. He let out a grunt as Hood tapped the crowbar in his hand repeatedly.

"Tell me which hurt more front hand," He growled as he brought the crowbar down on him again. "Or back hand?" He brought it down again and again and again.

Sarina was pressing herself against the corner of the room not liking what she was seeing. Hood savagely beat her father until he finally stopped. Joker let out a couch and spat out a mouthful of blood before chuckling.

"Hmm, Jason Todd I seem to recall a kid dying around the same time as Batman's former bird boy. Then a week later I literally clipped another one of his birdies. What was his name, Mocking Bird, Woodpecker oh wait, now I remember Sparrow. Yup, I put one right in the center of his head. Rumor has it he lived but I hear he's drooling in a cup." He then let out a psychotic laugh as he scooted up. "Maybe Bat's should stop hiring kids to do his work. They're just human targets for me. Who's to say the next Batgirl isn't next or the Robin."

"What about Shadow and his friends." Sarina quipped. "I heard he's still gunning for you and half of his crew consist of either trained assassins that could take out a small army or genetically enhanced soldiers who have are good shooters, shoot fifty foot flames or turn into killer robots."

"Oh don't worry my dear he'll get his soon enough." He then looked up at Hood. "I wonder what's you're relation with Shadow?"

"He's my brother just like when we were Robin and Sparrow." Hood grumbled.

Joker's eyes widened as Hood raised the crowbar and continued beating him for all the crimes and deaths he committed.

Meanwhile Batman was currently looking for Hood as he wandered into a familiar alleyway. He remembered that this is where he first met Jason. He was a young boy boosting Batman's tires in order to make some money to feed himself. He had to give the kid credit no one could ever boost one of his tire hell no one even had the spine to even think about stealing from Batman. Batman chuckled at the memory as he felt an eerie presence appear behind him.

He turned and his face cringed at what he saw.

His partner.

His pupil.

His son.

His enemy.

"Hello, so glad you could make it." Hood said darkly.

"This ends tonight, all of it." Batman said in a similar tone.

"Nobody knows that better than me." Hood said.

"Hood!"

Hood looked behind him to see Shadow cracking his knuckles.

"Shadow." Hood hissed. "Excluding Barbra the gangs all here."

"Speaking of Barbra, where's Sarina?" Shadow said.

"Sarina, you mean Joker Jr." Hood asked. "The replacement for Batgirl. As if you couldn't insult us any further you give the title of Batgirl to a girl who's the daughter of the man who crippled the last Batgirl."

"I actually enjoy the irony of Joker's daughter replacing Barbra. Kind of a way for his past sins coming back to haunt him." Shadow said.

"What are the odds of us two former associates of Batman now taking on our own identities and using all we've learned from him to take him down?" Hood said.

"I know life sure is funny isn't it?" Shadow said. "But if anyone's gonna beat Batman it's gonna be me not you."

"You couldn't even beat me when we were kids," Hood chuckled. "What makes you think you can take him?"

"Neither of you are getting your way tonight." Batman warned. "Now, where are Sarina and Joker?"

"Oh don't worry, they are nice and safe. You, Shadow and I have all the time we need to settle our affairs." Hood said.

"Shadow, I know you have a feud to settle with me but Sarina is in trouble and I need to rescue her." He warned hoping he would back down.

"You always fail when one of your comrades gets involved with Joker." Shadow said. "You let Barbra get kidnapped you left Jason to get blown up and left me to get my brains blown out. Face it you have a bad track record when it comes to Joker and hostages."

"Shadow, I'm only going to warn you once. If you get in my way I will not hesitate to take you down." Batman said as he raised his fist. Shadow chuckled as he pulled out his sword.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Shadow said as he readied himself.

"Well then let's get started shall we?" Hood said as he readied his weapons.

Cliffhanger, wah-wah. Sorry it got longer than I originally intended. Don't worry next chapter will be out soon and it will be all action. Okay read and review please thank you.

Oh and here's to Michael Clarke Duncan you were a good actor and funny as hell and you will be missed.