Gotham City
Bat Cave
9:10 P.M.
Barbara and Rachel listened to Nightwing's bike as it drove out of the long tunnel, they heard the echo and then nothing. He had exited the cave and was now on his way to Arkham Island at full speed. Rachel turned around to see Barbara watching her, she turned around and went back to staring at the screen. She was trying to do what she could to find more information for Nightwing, she didn't like him going into Arkham blind. Rachel walked towards the screen.
"Is he going to be okay on his own?"
Barbara looked to another screen, she didn't make eye contact with Rachel.
"Nightwing can handle himself."
Rachel was trying to make small talk, one of the skills she was severely lacking. But it was better than standing around in the cave feeling useless. Barbara broke the silence again.
"But it is Joker. He's unpredictable. And the last time Dick went after Joker alone… "
A voice rang out from behind them. It was a strong British accent.
"It was a rather eventful night as I recall."
They both turned to see Alfred climbing the steps to the computer, he was carrying a silver tray with two mugs and sandwiches on it. He sat the tray down on one side of the computer and took one mug in each hand. He handed one to Barbara.
"I figured it would be a long night for all of us so I decided to bring some refreshments."
He handed the other mug to Rachel.
"Miss Gordon, coffee just the way you like it. And for you Miss Roth, herbal tea. Specifically made just to your liking."
"Thank you Alfred."
They both answered perfectly in unison. They glanced at each other then looked away.
"Of course girls. Think nothing of it."
Barbara did a comm check. Making sure Nightwing was connected. Rachel took a sip of her tea.
"So Barbara, what did happen? When Dick went after Joker last time?"
Rachel could tell by Barbara's body language that it wasn't an easy thing to talk about. She also could feel the fear in her emotions. Barbara looked to Alfred who met her gaze, then she looked down.
"What happened last time… It's difficult to talk about."
Rachel set her mug down and crossed her arms as she leaned against the terminal. She glared at Barbara.
"So is the psy-link."
Barbara looked to Alfred, he answered.
"Perhaps with all she has done, Miss Roth deserves an answer?"
Barbara looked down and sighed. She swallowed hard. Rachel could feel the emotion swirling through Barbara. Barbara looked at the screen and pulled up the tracker, Nightwing was still on his way to Arkham. Barbara sighed again and turned around in her wheelchair, her eyes were on the ground.
"Okay…"
She was tapping her hand against her armrest.
"The last time he went after Joker alone, was the night he first came back to Gotham from Jump City. He didn't come to the Manor, he didn't tell Alfred or Bruce he was coming home, and he came to see me. At home. He crawled in through my window. That's when he-"
She exhaled again. And again, Rachel could feel the fear.
"That's when he learned that Joker was responsible for THIS!"
She pointed to her legs and continued.
"It had only been a few months. The wound was still fresh and I was trying to cope. But I wasn't doing well. Dick saw me break down in tears, then he got this look in his eye."
Barbara shuddered at the memory. She took another sip of her coffee. She shook her head.
"I've known Dick for half my life. He's been… More than just a friend. But the look he had in his eye that night. I had never seen it before. Or since…"
Rachel took another sip of her tea. Alfred reached over and took the mug that Barbara had finished. Barbara continued.
"Then he just stood up, put on his mask and turned around without saying a damn word. I begged him not to go, not to do anything stupid. Then just before he climbed out the window he told me: That the Titan's wasn't just a promise to the world, it was also a promise to each other, to yourselves. That you swore on your worst nightmare's that you would ALWAYS be there for one another. And that-"
Rachel finished the sentence for her, and had a huge smile on her face.
"If I don't honor that promise, I don't honor what I AM."
Alfred and Barbara stared at her, she glanced at each of them then looked to the ground. She tried to hide her smile.
"He told me that once… Right before he charged off to do something stupid…"
Barbara continued.
"Right, anyway after he left he headed straight for Arkham…"
Three and a half years ago
Arkham Island: Arkham Manor (Warden's Office.)
2:47 A.M.
"I wasn't asking Quincy, give me access to Joker's cell! NOW!"
"That's Warden Sharp to you! And this is my Asylum! You don't give the orders here! Why don't you go back to Batman's side if you need babysitting-"
Robin threw everything off the Warden's desk, sending the computer monitors flying into the wall. Robin then jumped over the desk grabbing Warden Sharp by his tie. He slammed him against the wall hard, putting his forearm against Quincey's larynx. The Warden whimpered, his glasses were crooked and his suit was torn.
"I don't need Batman! What I NEED is access to that psychopath's cell!"
"He- He's dangerous! I just can't let some teenager inside the cell of the most dangerous man in Gotham! Think of the publicity! My image! Let alone what the Bat would do to me if another of his brat's were killed by that madman!"
Robin narrowed his eyes, put more pressure on Sharp's neck.
"Do you know what I've been through this last month? I've been through a war Sharp. A FUCKING WAR! And I'm not one of Batman's brat's anymore… No… Right now, I'M the most dangerous man in Gotham!"
He put more weight onto his neck, the Warden's face started turning red, his air flow was being cutoff.
"JOKER'S CELL! NOW!"
"Alright, alright! I'll have the guard's give you access. If he gets out, it's on you…"
"He won't get out… He won't survive me…"
Robin dropped Sharp to the ground, he hit the floor and cowered. He crawled into the corner whimpering and breathing heavily. Robin turned, started walking out of the office. He stopped and stared straight ahead.
"Oh and Quincey?"
He clenched his fists to the point of being white knuckled. His shoulders and arms flexed, tense, ready for a fight. Hell, he needed one.
"The next time you clear the Joker's wing of guard's because of a bribe... I'll paralyze you from the waist down and throw you in a cell. You're as responsible for the Commissioner's daughter as Joker is…"
He walked out of the office. He walked down the long hallway of Arkham Manor into the entry hall. He kicked open the heavy iron door and walked out into the moonlight, he walked sixty feet and looked up. He saw the twenty foot stone statue of Warden Quincey Sharp in front of him, he clenched his fist and let loose a full force punch with his left hand. He connected with the statue and felt his knuckles crack from the stone, but he didn't feel the pain. In truth, he didn't feel anything. Anything except for a searing rage that continued to build in his chest. He walked passed the statue and took a left, walking towards the tunnel that led to Arkham West, where the penitentiary was located. He stopped and looked over his right shoulder, past the Manor was the Arkham Graveyard. Passed the graveyard was Gotham Bay, and across that was Gotham. He saw Wayne Tower rising above the city, as he looked at it his rage only grew. He turned his head back around and walked down the dark tunnel.
Same Night (Three and a half years ago)
Arkham Island: Penitentiary (Outside Joker's Cell)
3:01 A.M.
"You sure 'bout this kid? You know how dangerous he is."
"He needs to pay for what he did to Barbara Gordon. Do IT Cash!"
Robin and Aaron Cash were standing in the maximum security wing outside of the Joker's cell. Aaron Cash was one of the top guards at Arkham. He was dark skinned and stood 6'2. His hair was black and he had a military cut. Cash was built like a linebacker as he played that position in college. He was former military.
"Protocol states not to open Joker's cell unless Batman is overseeing the operation. Shouldn't you call him?"
Robin snapped his head to Cash and glared.
"Fuck Batman! He had his chance to do something, and all he did was throw Joker in a cell nearly unharmed. Now it's my turn."
"Okay, but if things go south, it's your ass on the line."
"Understood. Now open it."
Cash turned to the three men he had with him.
"Listen up boys, I want everyone lined up in a firing line facing this door. Nielson, Parker, I want you two kneeling in front. Bowles, you're lined up with me behind them. Keep your weapons trained on that door the entire time it opens and closes. Clear?"
Two of the guards answered.
"Clear Sir!"
"Here's my pass card. Good luck kid."
Cash walked to behind the two kneeling guards and trained his rifle on the door, Robin walked to in front of the access panel.
"I'm locking the door behind me. No matter what happens, or what you hear, do not open that door."
Robin swiped the card and a green light came on, then he had to type in Cash's passcode in order for the door to unlock. Dual security, only the best for Arkham. He heard the metal locks inside the heavy door being released, he counted each of the six locks as they disengaged. The door opened and Robin walked in locking the door behind him. Robin stared into the dimly lit cell, into the corner where he was being watched from. Two green emotionless eyes stared back at him from the dark. Robin couldn't contain his anger anymore, he just needed something to release it.
"Joker…"
Robin could see a smile appear in the shadows, one that was too familiar. One that he hated.
"Barbara Gordon. Talk."
Robin's voice was emotionless, he sounded like Batman. The Joker stood up and walked towards him, his hands bound from hand cuffs. Joker walked into the light, he was shirtless and wearing an orange prison jumpsuit from the waist down. The light was shining off his white skin. All his scars from his previous battles showing. Joker said nothing, he just had that damn smile on his face. Robin grabbed his throat and slammed him against the cell wall.
"I said, TALK!"
Joker's voice was like nails on a chalkboard.
"Well, if it isn't the original boy blunder himself. How've you been boy? Where have you been? I've felt so lost without you. Tell me, have you found the answers you were looking for? Meet a girl? Fall in love?"
Robin connected his fist with Joker's jaw.
"No games Joker! You crippled Gordon's daughter!"
"No games? Have you forgotten who I am boy?"
Robin brought a knee to Joker's stomach.
"Why did you cripple Barbara Gordon?"
Joker's face tightened.
"Gordon needs to learn his place. He got involved in business that was between me and the Bat!"
Robin threw another punch.
"That's it? You crippled her because Gordon got involved?"
"Not just him…"
Joker got a twisted angered look on his face.
"Not just Gordon. All of you. This war was perfect when it was just me and the Bat. Then he started collecting strays and bringing outsiders into this fight."
Robin kicked Joker in the knee, shattering it.
"I am not a stray!"
Joker grinned again.
"Really? Then where are your parents? Your family? The Bat should have left you on the street."
Another punch landed on joker. This time to his ribs.
"All of you should have been left in the gutter, bleeding, dying in a corner scared and alone."
Joker looked at Robin, his emotionless eyes betraying the anger that he was feeling, his hatred for all the Robin's.
"None of you should be here. Not you, that slut Batgirl…"
Robin's anger was building again. Just when he thought he couldn't possibly feel anymore anger, he did. The war he went through in Jump City changed him, Deathstroke changed him.
"Enough!"
Another kick landed to Joker's other knee, shattering that one. Joker would have collapsed from his own weight if Robin hadn't been holding him up.
"And not just her… After you went looking for answers he had to find another stray. Then I go and solve that little problem. Just when I get my message across he goes and finds another bird to do his bidding…"
"No more Joker!"
Robin released his hold and Joker hit the ground. He couldn't stand on his own anymore. Robin landed a knee to his cheek. Joker rang out with that laugh, that damn haunting laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You'd think the bat has some sort of fetish for young boys in flashy colors the way he collects all of you."
Robin was white knuckled. If he didn't have his gauntlets on, his nails would have cut into his palm and cause his hands to bleed. He got that look in his eye, that look of pure rage.
"Batman only put you in here after you shot Barbara. He should have broken every damn bone in your body. But if he did, that would be giving in. And as soon as you make him give in, you've won. And Batman will never let you win. But you are dealing with me now… And I'm not Batman."
Robin landed repeated kicks to Joker's chest. Each rib breaking with each strike. Then he landed a straight heel kick to Joker's sternum, cracking his breast plate. Joker slouched to the ground, landing on his front. Joker began crawling forward, his hands still bound. Robin brought the flat of his foot down on Joker's ankle breaking it. Joker continued to crawl away.
"Heh, heh. Tell me something…"
Joker rolled over.
"Did the Bat tell you he replaced you? Did you even know?"
"SHUT UP!"
Robin stomped on the other ankle.
"Did he tell you, how long he waited to replace you? How many months it was? How many weeks? Or was it days?"
Again Joker started that damn laugh. Robin lost all self-control. He grabbed Jokers hands in their cuffs, he twisted, cutting the metal into Jokers hands. Robin front flipped, there was a popping sound. Joker's wrists both broke at the same time. A smile appeared on Joker's face, his body was going numb from the pain.
"Jump City changed you didn't it boy? But now you're back, begging for Batman to take you back. I'll tell you what, when I break out of here I'll go and visit that new Robin. Just for you…"
"You'll never touch anyone again. Ever!"
Robin grabbed joker by the neck again, he walked him to the far wall and slammed him against it. He took his other hand and put pressure on his neck. Joker's face started to go red, his air flow being cutoff. Joker couldn't breathe, for the first time in his life, Robin held a life in his hands. Joker was choking, his eyes wide. Robin squeezed harder. He was waiting, he wanted to hear Joker's final breath. He wanted to hear that satisfying pop, the one that told him Joker would never hurt her again. He would never let Joker hurt HER. Just a few more seconds… Just one more second… One more…
"Robin STOP!"
The voice echoed in the cell. It was strong. Commanding. Robin looked over his shoulder, he saw a figure standing in front of the cell door.
"I don't take orders from you anymore."
The figure stepped forward.
"I said, let him go Robin!"
"Stop calling me that! I'm not your Robin anymore."
Batman was infuriated. This isn't what he had taught Robin all those years ago.
"I said, CEASE!"
Batman's voice echoed in the cell. Everyone around him was scared into submission, everyone but Robin. And Joker.
"Why? So he can heal in six months, escape, and cripple someone else? Not this time. I'll make sure of it."
Batman took a step forward, that commanding voice echoed through the cell.
"If you do this, if you cross that line, there is no going back."
Robin glared back into Joker's eyes, they were emotionless. A smirk was on Joker's face, this was still one big joke to him.
"I can live with that."
Batman saw Robin's hands flex, he was tightening his grip again.
"Robin, I FORBID YOU!"
Robin released his grip, Joker slouched to the ground with his back still against the wall. Robin faced Batman.
"You forbid me? You. FORBID. ME?"
Robin clenched his fists.
"You mean the same way you FORBADE me from putting on the mask four years ago!? Like you FORBADE me from using my training, my skills?!"
Batman was calm.
"This isn't the time for this conversation."
Joker had chimed in with that nails on a chalkboard voice of his.
"Come on Batsy, let the boy speak! Let the boy express himself!"
"Quiet Joker."
Batman's voice was calm. Commanding.
"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about. The boy has all this pent up anger and you prevent him from letting it out. You can't expect him to bury everything inside. Otherwise, he might dress up as a giant bat! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Batman glared in Joker's direction.
"Quiet Joker, don't you think you've done enough?"
"Oh I'm sorry, am I getting to you? Am I? GOOD!"
Robin punched Joker in the jaw.
"Aw come on boy! Hit harder! Take out all your anger! Use it!"
Robin kneeled down, wrapped his hands around Joker's throat one more time. Robin was gritting his teeth, eyes red with rage.
"One more word Joker… One more and I'll crush your trachea. You'll never laugh again. You'll never die laughing..."
Joker was choking, but he could still manage to speak.
"That's it… Give in…"
Batman stepped forward.
"God Almighty Joker stop! I'm the only thing keeping him from killing you."
"Awwww Batsy… I knew you cared. At this rate, we'll be exchanging e-mails and meeting up for romantic dinners."
Batman walked closer to them, Robin still with his hands around Joker's neck. Robin thought Batman was going to rip them apart, or punch him. But Batman just kneeled down and glared at Joker. Batman had a temper that rivaled Robin. He felt the same rage Robin felt, he just wasn't showing it. His voice was cold, threatening, but his body language never betrayed his anger.
"Every decision you make ends in misery and death. I should let him kill you Joker. Let him have his revenge. His… misguided Justice. For Barbara. For all the people you've killed."
That damn laugh filled the room again.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"If I let him, it will change him. And I won't lose another Robin."
Joker looked to Robin.
"Come on baby, squeeze the life out of me. Make me feel it. Or I'll visit Miss Gordon again, finish the job."
Robin squeezed harder again.
"You won't touch her. Never again."
"Robin!"
Batman had that commanding voice again.
"Batman please just let me do this. I'll turn myself in afterwards. I pull the trigger, I'll deal with the consequences."
"Will giving in to your anger make you feel better? Will letting Joker win, satisfy you?"
"I'm not doing this for me, Batman. How I feel doesn't matter. This is for HER."
Batman nodded and stood up, he walked to the other side of the cell. He had his back to robin.
"Fine. You can clearly make your own decisions. It's your call."
Joker looked to Robin and smiled.
"Hear that Bird-Boy? Just you and me now… No meddling father figures."
Robin looked to Batman.
"You'd really let me kill him? You won't try to stop me..?"
"I made the mistake of trying to control you four years ago and it didn't do any good. You make your own choices now. Do as you will."
Robin continued to strangle Joker.
"Before you kill him, just ask yourself one question; is this what the Titans would want? Would the Titans want you to execute a prisoner who can't fight back? Would Raven, want this?"
Robin's eyes got wide.
"How do you…?
"Would Raven want to see you give in to the darkness inside of you? Would she want you to betray EVERYTHING you stand for?"
"Don't you talk about her. You don't get to talk about her!"
Robin looked back to Joker, he still had a grin on his face. Batman asked the question again.
"Would Raven want this?"
"No… Rae wouldn't want this…"
Robin dropped his head, then released his grip. Joker gasped for air then coughed, Robin stood up.
"Come on boy! You only did half the job!"
Robin planted a spinning back kick to the front of Joker's skull driving it into the cell wall knocking him out. Batman walked over and put a hand on Robin's shoulder.
"You made the right call."
Robin shrugged Batman's arm off of him.
"I didn't do it for you."
Robin walked out of the cell without another word. Batman looked to Joker who was still slouched against the wall. Batman walked out of the cell and glanced at Cash.
"Situation has been contained Cash. Your team is clear to proceed with protocol. And send for a medical team to treat and stabilize Joker."
"Yes Sir Batman."
Cash began giving orders to his team who proceeded into the cell, Cash called for a medical team. Batman began to follow Robin. He could over hear one of the guards; Frank Boles.
"Why do we even bother with this clown? Just off him and save ourselves the trouble."
Batman caught up with Robin outside of the Penitentiary.
"You okay Dick?"
"No, I'm not. I come home after four years only to find out that Barbara is crippled, and nobody told me. Now I find out find out that you had been tracking me in Jump City. Not only that, but you were aware of my personal relationships because you were stalking me! Then just when I finally get some amount of revenge on the one who crippled Barbara you have to manipulate me by bringing up Raven!"
"Dick, it would have changed you. I couldn't let that happen."
"You can't control me anymore. That's my decision to make, not yours."
Batman looked down and sighed.
"You're right Dick. You're your own person, I need to remember that."
"How did you even know I was here? That I was back in Gotham?"
"Barbara. She called me after you left her room."
Robin clenched his fist.
"Of course she did… And here I thought she had an ounce of respect for me. "
"Dick, she cares about you…"
"Which is exactly why I went to her first. I thought she cared enough to keep my presence here secret."
"I've never seen this side of you before, even when you charged after Zucco. Jump City really changed you didn't it?"
"No. But, someone… Opened my eyes."
Robin turned around, started towards the tunnel back to where he left his bike.
"Can I give you a lift back? I'm sure that Alfred would be glad to see you."
"Thanks but I'll find my own way back. When I'm ready. For now, I go my own way."
Robin walked through the tunnel and was out of sight.
Gotham City
Bat Cave
9:43 P.M.
"Out of the two hundred and six bones in the human body, Dick broke one hundred and eighty three of Joker's bones. I don't know what came over him, but it was some blind rage. It's like all of his self-control was gone."
Rachel dropped her head, she understood. She had seen Grayson like that before. More than once. Back in Jump City, with Deathstroke.
"I mean, you know him as well as I do. Better even, since you can see inside his mind. Have you ever seen that before?"
Rachel looked up, her eyes staring into Barbara's.
"A few. In Jump City. Mostly with Deathstroke… With Slade… And once with Terra."
"Terra? Wasn't she a Titan?"
Rachel's attention re-focused on Barbara.
"Wait, he never told you?"
"Tell me what? He never talks about being a Titan. I filled in the blanks over the years, I know who was on the team and that you tangled with Slade a few times. And when he went to Japan to train with Bruce's old sensei but that's it. He doesn't talk about it. Almost like…"
Rachel finished her sentence.
"He misses it more than he wants to admit."
Barbara looked at Rachel.
"Sorry, I was reading your mind."
Rachel continued.
"But yeah, I know what you mean. Anyway, yes. Terra WAS one of us. But not anymore, never again. Traitorous bitch…"
Barbara felt uncomfortable, like she didn't belong in the conversation. She wasn't a Titan, she wouldn't understand. They heard a beep from the computer, Barbara turned around in her chair to check the alert.
"Nightwing's made it to Arkham. The tracker on his bike places him on Arkham North outside of Intensive Treatment but… It's strange. I'm not getting a hit on a location from his suit."
Alfred chimed in.
"Perhaps Master Grayson's suit is having a malfunction."
Barbara shook her head.
"No. I checked before he left. He doesn't have as much tech in his suit as Batman, but his tracker, communicator, and different optical filters in his mask were all working."
Rachel chimed in.
"He turned it off."
Barbara looked over her shoulder.
"Why would he…?"
"Because he doesn't want me following him. He would pull the same stunt in Jump City."
Barbara turned back to the computer.
"It's strange he hasn't contacted me… Or delivered an update. He usually…"
That's when everyone heard static over the computer, it was from Nightwing's comm.
"Nightwing are you there? Hold on, I'm re-routing non-critical Wayne Tech satellites over Arkham."
Just more static. Barbara was almost yelling over the comm.
"Nightwing, can you hear me? What is your position? What is the situation…?"
Barbara was visibly nervous, she was sweating. Her heartbeat was racing, and her body language was frantic, almost panicky. She was worried about him, both of them really. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rachel stand up straight. Barbara turned around to see Rachel close her eyes. She began to control her breathing, focusing. Barbara didn't know her long, but knew what it meant; the Psy-Link. Rachel opened her eyes and looked at Barbara; who was expecting an explanation.
"Nightwing. He's talking to me through the link."
She closed her eyes again.
Gotham City
Arkham Island: Arkham North
9:45 P.M.
Nightwing was standing outside the Intensive Treatment building. He was trying to figure out what was going on. He had tried his comms and decided they weren't transmitting. He inferred there were jammers on the island.
"Rachel, can you hear me?"
He was using the Psy-Link.
"I'm here Nightwing. Loud and clear."
"Good. Comms are down. I'm hacking into the guards' radios now, see if I can learn anything or if their radios are down too."
Nightwing kneeled to the ground and pulled the cryptographic sequencer from his gauntlet. He found the frequency the guards use and tried to listen in; radio silence. He contacted Rachel.
"Radio silence. I'm guessing the guards are in the dark…"
"Still no clue of what's going on?"
"Not yet. But if all communication is blocked I'm guessing there are jammers placed around Arkham. They shouldn't be here. I'm guessing that's why we haven't heard from Batman or anyone. Probably military grade hardware."
"So inside job? Guards wouldn't do that."
"No, they wouldn't."
"So, what's the plan? Need backup?"
"No, I can handle it. I need you there so we can communicate telepathically. Otherwise we are completely in the dark. I'm going to track the jammers, get comms restored and hopefully that will give me an idea of what's going on here."
"Ok. Contact me if you need anyth-"
Nightwing saw a glint in the corner of his eye coming from the roof, then a laser sight. He dropped behind his bike in a split second, the shot rang out and the round struck his bike leaving sparks and a metallic sound.
"Damn! That was close!"
"What?! What happened?"
"Someone just took a shot at me. With a 7.62 round if I had to guess."
"You hit? You think it was an inmate?"
"Either an inmate or a blind trigger happy guard. I'm guessing inmate. And no, I'm not hit. The round hit my bike. If he scratched the paint, or dented the tank…"
"Really? That's what you're worried about? An inmate takes a shot at you and the first thing you worry about is your bike?"
"Hey, do you know how many times I have to repair this thing a month? I can't just drive it to a mechanic."
Another round was fired, this one hit the ground kicking up dirt.
"That's the second shot this idiot has taken at me. I'm going to deal with this guy and then track the jammers. I'll be in touch."
"Be careful Nightwing. Watch your six okay?"
Nightwing smirked.
"Hey, it's me remember?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about."
Nightwing popped smoke and disappeared, the shooter fired blindly into the smoke. He missed every shot. Before the shooter could realize what had happened or where his target went, Nightwing was behind him. Nightwing delivered a kick to the back of the shooter's knee, he placed one hand on the barrel of the rifle and pulled it out of the shooters hand. Nightwing threw the rifle behind him, he grabbed the shooter and shoved him against the wall of the Intensive Treatment balcony he was standing on. He had his forearm against the shooter's throat.
"Who are you? You're not an Arkham inmate."
The inmate was stuttering.
I'm-"
"Wait, I know you… You were one of the gunmen from the funeral at Bruce Wayne's."
"Yeah that's me… That girl you were with crawled into my buddies head. I'll kill you for-"
"Yeah, yeah, take a number. You were assigned to Blackgate. Why are you at Arkham?
"Warden Sharp transferred us from Blackgate. All inmates who were convicted of murder, or attempted murder. Even assault. He said Arkham could reform their violent tendencies…"
"Let me guess, you all managed to get out? How?"
"No way man… He'll kill me…"
"What makes you think I won't? TELL ME!"
"Okay! Okay! Joker broke us out…"
"What?!"
"We were in our cells before the breakout, we heard the announcement that a class ten inmate was coming in. Next thing we knew Joker was on the T.V. and he was telling us that he was in control of the Asylum. And if we worked with him we would all get revenge on Batman and we would be freed on Gotham…"
"And Batman? Where is he?"
"No idea. Joker locked down intensive treatment while he was still inside. We heard Joker on the P.A. saying he escaped and to keep a look out. He was headed towards medical…"
Nightwing knocked the inmate out. He picked up the rifle and emptied the magazine, he threw the rounds over the railing and onto the ground. He looked down at the inmate.
"You won't be needing those."
Nightwing closed his eyes and focused in on the link.
"Raven?"
He then heard her voice in his head.
"I'm here for you Nightwing. What's the situation?"
"Bad."
"How bad?"
"Remember that time we got trapped in Jump City Super Max?"
"How could I forget?"
"It's like that here. Batman is MIA. Joker is in control of the Asylum. Warden Sharp transferred hundreds of inmates here from Blackgate, who have access to the armory. And all communications coming on and off the island are being jammed."
"Hold on Nightwing, I can be there in-"
"No, stay there. If you leave then we are completely in the dark with the outside world."
"But you're…"
"I can handle it."
"Fine… What's the play?"
Nightwing looked around him, trying to come up with a plan.
"Track down those jammers, restore communications, find out what the situation is and go from there."
"What about Batman?"
"If he's on Arkham Island I'll find him. But I have to get comms restored first so that the mainland knows what's going on here. It's what he would do if our positions were reversed."
Nightwing looked around, he programmed the sequencer he brought with him to detect radio wave strength. It would allow him to track the jammers around Arkham.
"I've got a lead on the first jammer. Seems to be coming from Arkham Mansion, I'm heading there now."
"Wait, the first? You mean there are more than one?"
"Near as I can tell there are three of them placed strategically around the Island to maximize coverage. I'm heading to the Mansion. Maybe I'll look up old Quincey when I get there... I'll contact you if I need anything."
"Keep your eyes open, feet ready, and heartbeat steady… "
Nightwing smiled, remembering he was the one that taught her that mantra almost eight years ago.
"That's not fair. I taught you that eight years ago…"
Nightwing could sense through the psy-link that she was worried, her emotions were almost too strong.
"Just… Come back in one piece okay…?"
Nightwing looked to the ground, he couldn't make that promise. Raven came back through the link.
"That's an ORDER Grayson."
"Heading to the Mansion. I'll be in touch."
Nightwing dropped the link and jumped to the ground from the balcony. He began heading towards the tunnel to Arkham East that took him to the Manor. Nightwing approached the security door to the tunnel, it opened and two guards with rifles in their arms came running out. He heard gunfire, and dropped low while the guards took position on opposite sides of the door. The heavy security door closed behind them. Both guards were breathing heavily. The bald guard on the left saw Nightwing as he approached.
"Nightwing? What are you doing here?"
"Batman's been radio silent for about two hours, I came to investigate."
"Radio silent? I just saw him heading to Medical about twenty minutes ago."
"You saw him? Was he okay?"
"Few cuts. Didn't see anything major."
"Know what he was doing?"
"Tracking down Aaron Cash I thought. He was being held captive in one of the med labs."
Nightwing turned around and looked at the path to Arkham West where Medical was located. He turned back to the bald guard.
"I assume you know that radios are down and Joker is in control?"
"Yeah tell me about it. It's impossible to coordinate with the other teams to try and take back the island when we can't talk to one another."
"Joker managed to get jammers onto the island. I'm trying to track them down but I need to get through to the Manor."
"That may be a problem. The inmates got into the armory. They have this tunnel locked down. I've got wounded just inside."
"Wounded? Are they safe?"
"We were keeping the inmates off of them. But there were too many and we had to fall back, that's when we ran into you."
Nightwing looked in the direction of the medical building. He was considering going to find Batman. But then he realized that the wounded guards were more important.
"I'll handle the inmates. Then head to the Manor to try and get communications restored. Just be ready to evacuate the wounded on my signal."
The bald guard reloaded his rifle.
"Do you need covering fire?"
"No. Just stay out of the line of fire and keep yourselves safe for now."
Nightwing rolled his neck. He walked in front of the security door, the door opened and he stepped through. He could see the wounded guards on his left, there was an ambulance parked at the entrance of the tunnel to provide cover for the firefight and to prevent the inmates from advancing down the tunnel. Nightwing walked to the wounded guards. Two guards were wounded and there was a woman paramedic looking after the more seriously wounded one. He looked at the three of them. One guard had just been grazed, the other was shot in the shoulder. The paramedic was trying to treat him but the situation wasn't the best place to fix a bullet wound. Nightwing kneeled down.
"How bad?"
The paramedic answered.
"One's just grazed. This one took one to the shoulder. Looks like a through and through so he should be fine provided I can get him out of here and cared for. But those damn inmates have control of the tunnel."
"I know. That's what I'm for."
Nightwing stood and walked to the ambulance, which was still blocking him from their view. He placed his back flush against the ambulance. He checked the mirror and he was able to see that there were six of them. He could hear the inmates talking.
"You really think those guards are still down there?"
"No way man. They would have taken a shot at us.
"If you think they're not there then why don't you go check?"
"What, why?"
"Because you're the one who is so sure that they're gone."
"What's the matter, scared?"
"Of two guards? Hell no. Remember that family Joker had me kill in order to join his crew? There were five of them."
"Big deal. You killed one family. At night. While they were sleeping. These are two guards with guns."
"You don't think I can off two guards?"
"It's not the guards I'm worried about."
"What you mean the Bat? He was headed towards medical to rescue Cash."
"How do you know?"
"Because I was part of the team that captured him. Tough bastard fought off five of us. Almost broke my arm."
"See? No Batman. Go check it out?"
"You don't think I will? Tired sitting on my ass anyway."
The inmate began walking down the tunnel. He was mumbling to himself.
"What's the point of hiding back there? Why don't we just shoot them in the head, the second they show themselves?"
Nightwing was still flush against the ambulance. He was smirking to himself.
"Too easy. Isolating themselves."
He glanced to the paramedic on the ground, he put his finger to his lips. She understood, she wouldn't make a sound. The inmate continued down the tunnel, he got close to the ambulance.
"Hello? You guards wet yourselves out of fear? Or did you run back home to mommy?"
Nightwing could barely contain his laughter. The guard approached the ambulance. He yelled to the other inmates.
"See? There's no one here."
Nightwing made his move, he grabbed the guard as he came around the ambulance. Nightwing flipped him over his shoulder and brought his knee down on the man's temple, knocking him cold before he could even make a sound or cry for help. One of the inmates cried out from down the tunnel.
"Alright, come on back."
Nightwing shot a grapple line and climbed on top of the brick tunnel that led down the corridor. He slowly began making his way down the tunnel from on top. He was low, light footed. Nobody would be able to hear him. Not even Batman himself. After a few moments without a response the inmates knew something was up.
"Hey, you there?"
Still no response. One of the inmates started barking orders.
"You three, bunch up together and make your way down the tunnel. Lure him out."
"Wait, why?"
"Because, as soon as the Bat or whatever took him out shows itself I'll blow its head off."
"Y'know the Bat wears bullet proof armor right?"
"Not between the eyes."
"Like you could hit him."
"Screw you man, I'm the only one here with marksmanship training."
"Failing out of sniper school and getting dishonorably discharged don't count."
"Forget you man, just go."
"Fine, but only because I wanna be the one that finally kills the Bat."
The three inmates made their way down the tunnel. Nightwing made his way above the lone guard. He moved with the shadows, and silently landed behind him. Nightwing smirked. He tapped the inmate on the shoulder, he jumped and turned around.
"Boo!"
The inmate screamed and pointed his rifle at Nightwing. Nightwing instinctively raised the barrel into the air, the inmate fired blindly alerting the inmates who made their way down the tunnel. By the time they turned around the lone inmate was on the ground cold, and Nightwing was gone.
"Stay together. Back to back… To back."
They started walking back to where the knocked out inmate was.
"Batman? That you? Don't come near us man. We ain't playin'. We got every angle covered. We see you you're dead."
The group of inmates got to their buddy on the ground and circled around him.
"He's out cold man. Look at that welt on his forehead. He's gotta have a concussion. He ain't waking up man."
"Leave him."
"Would you two shut the hell up? We need to focus or we're next."
Nightwing was waiting for his moment. The second one of them flinched, he would be on them.
"Batman! You hear me!"
Nightwing landed in the middle of them. All the inmates saw was a shadow, then they heard a cold emotionless voice.
"I'm not Batman."
There was a hail of gunfire and then silence. Deafening silence. The paramedic then heard footsteps coming down the tunnel, she stood up and motioned to the injured guards to stay quiet. She walked to the edge of the corner and picked up a pipe that was laying on ground. She held the pipe in her hand, and waited at the corner. As soon as she saw a shadow she planted her left foot and swung the pipe. The pipe connected with something, there was a metallic clanging sound. She opened her eyes to see Nightwing in front of her, he had the pipe in his hand. He had caught her swing and held the end of the pipe with his hand.
"Oh my god I'm sorry! I thought you were one of them."
His voice was cold, emotionless. He was thinking about only the mission.
"The tunnel is clear. You can get these two out of here."
His voice scared her.
"Yeah, sure."
Nightwing let go of the pipe and began to turn back down the tunnel.
"Y'know you're lucky. I could have killed you with that thing."
He didn't look back, or stop walking.
"Believe me doctor, when someone takes a swing at me with a steel pipe, they don't get the opportunity to apologize."
She took another look down the tunnel and all she saw were shadows. Nightwing was gone in the blink of an eye. He had disappeared into the shadows, on his way to Arkham Manor.
guards were breathing heavily.
ily.
and dropped low while the guards took position on opposite sides of the door. The heavy sec