-Dick's POV-

After a shocking call, I rushed back to Bludhaven. Batman and the rest of Gotham were very aware that Red Hood had returned, but no one knew where he had gone and why. Except me.

When I told Barbara I needed to get back to my city, she didn't protest. I asked her if she wanted to go with me.

"No," she had said, looking up from her papers, "You go ahead. The commute from Bludhaven to Wayne Enterprises is so tiring. I think the move here was a good idea." Barbara smiled. I let her words slide past me, even though, inside, I was raising my eyebrows. Coming to Gotham wasn't a move. I only planned on being here until Red Hood was taken care of. I had predicted it would only take a few months, but now I was almost seven months in to this job. I wasn't quite happy that Barbara was...happy. Gotham was still suffocating to live in and I wouldn't want to move back. But Barbara did.

"Ok," I had replied, trying to hold my tongue back from spewing my thoughts. I had packed a small bag and left in a rush.

Cop cars rushed around like ants. As I zipped around, I tried not to think of how angry Amy was going to be at me next morning. It was Saturday, my day off, but when I showed up at the department on Monday, Amy would definitely kill me.

Sporadic fires littered Bludhaven. I dropped down beside two annoyed police officers. "Nightwing?" One of them asked, almost unsure if I was actually standing there, "Where the fuck have you been!?"

I sighed. "I wasn't aware of what happened here," I looked around, "what did happen here?"

"Well, the guy from Gotham-"

"The Red Hood!"

"Yeah, him. He passed through almost undetected. Then, he started kicking up some dirt and explosions started going off!" One of the cops exclaimed. I could tell they were the youngest officer on duty.

The older one patted his partner's shoulder. "Around midnight, several bombs went off around the city. They were small, but they still caused some damage. Then Red Hood and some other guys chased each other through the North side of the city, shooting their guns at each other and crashing into things."

I crossed my arms. I crept forward, inspecting the small fire in front of me. I raised an eyebrow. Before the question could come out of my mouth, the cop appeared beside me. "There were so many fires, the firemen couldn't get them all. We asked them to leave this small fire alone so we could see what kind of bomb was used."

"It was a small explosive, like you said. I don't think he meant to cause much damage," I examined, covering the fingertips of my red gloves with dust and ash, "I think he was just trying to attract attention."

The cop cocked his head to the side. "What for? I thought the Bat was handling him. Why would he come here?"

I wanted to answer his questions, but even I didn't know. Bruce and I weren't sure of Red Hood's target or goal, other than that Gotham's underground and Black Mask were involved. I would have to inspect Bludhaven and see how either of those things had to do with my city.

I zipped away and visited other spots, but all the attacks seemed to be the same. I needed to find exactly who Red Hood was chasing and why he had placed the bombs to distract them. Ugh, I thought, this would all be so much easier if Athena was on our side.

As I crouched down into the dirt, fiddling with the remains of a bomb, I got a call. "Hello?" I spoke first.

"Nightwing, come to Arkham. Now." Bruce sounded serious. He always sounded serious but this time, it was urgent. I quickly stashed the remains in my utility belt and looked out over the coast. Even from Bludhaven's skyscrapers, I could see Arkham island. With all the lights surrounding it, Arkham was pitch black. It seemed to suck away all the light and life around it, leaving the island look like a dark hole.

I grappled away towards the island as fast as I could. "What's happening, Batman?" I asked, nearing the Asylum.

"I'll brief you on the situation when you arrive," Bruce replied.

In about thirty minutes, I dropped down in front of the Asylum where Bruce was already waiting. The Asylum's florescent lights barely beamed into the night of the surrounding forest. I stood beside Bruce, us both staring at Arkham. "So...?"

"Let's go in." Batman stepped forward and strode towards the door. His cape flowed behind him like water. Watching him walk, I felt jealous of his luxurious cape. Maybe I should invest in getting one?

There was a worker at the front dusk, slumped and leaning on her elbow. As soon as Bruce snapped the door closed, she jolted awake and shakily gathered the papers strewn around her. Her eyes met ours, her jaw dropping, and her mouth forming a circle. She looked scared, so I smirked, and was delighted to see a slight pink flush cross across her cheeks and nose.

"Wh-what are you doing here, Batman?" She stuttered, a drop of sweat rolling down her tired face.

Bruce crossed his arms and stepped forward towards her. "We need to examine the Asylum," his voice was a growl and forceful.

She widened her eyes and shook her head. "Um...n-no I can't let you in unless y-you have clearance." A part of me was proud that not everyone in Arkham was corrupt. Almost every worker had been bribed by the criminals locked up in here.

"We weren't asking," Batman glared. I stood behind him, giving the girl a curt nod and smile.

"U-uh I--," The girl started to panic. Her fingers inched towards the Alert button. Bruce noticed, notched an eyebrow, and dropped a tiny gas bomb behind her desk. It went off, releasing knock out gas immediately. Almost instantly, she passed out.

We both walked in silence through the white halls of Arkham. "You didn't need to do that," I mumbled.

"Let's just do what we came here to do."

"And what is that exactly?"

Bruce's eyes slid to mine. "You'll see," He said, mysteriously.

I followed behind Bruce, going back to silence. As we passed the cells, the criminals locked inside happily smashed through the delicate quiet. They reached through the bars of the cages, trying to grab at Batman and I.

"Let me out of here, Bats!" Killer Croc growled, snapping at the bars. He was panting. That was the bad thing about taking drugs to get your powers. When it rubbed off, it was super painful to come down from.

"You'll pay for this," Two Face threatened, flicking his coin. I snickered.

"Got time for a riddle?" Riddler's high pitched voice called out as we passed. Bruce continued like they didn't even exist.

"Nope," I answered, slowing to glare at all the criminals. They did everything they could to try to intimidate me, but I didn't so much as blink.

I skipped to catch up with Bruce. He was unlocking the biggest cell of them all. There was no security around, indicating that Batman had more than one knock out bomb.

My breath caught as Bruce unlocked the cell. He pushed it open, sliding inside. For some reason, I hesitated. I wasn't scared, exactly, just hesitant. Taking a deep breath, I followed in after him.

When we entered, there was a solid concrete room with several little cells scattered around. They didn't have bars and doors like the other inmates. These ones had maximum security. The five individuals that were always locked in here needed the security. When we entered, a giggling voice greeted.

"Batman!" Harley squealed, "Just in time! We gots a surprise for ya!"

"Shut up, you twit," Scarecrow hissed, lounging in his cell bed.

Across the room, Bane leaned his head against the wall of his tiny cell. It was a little cruel of how small Bane's cell was compared to his gigantic body. His eyes were closed, but his face was constricted in annoyance.

Bruce and I crept forward. He knew something I didn't and I was anxious to find out what Harley's "surprise" was. Batman walked straight up to Joker's cell. I stayed behind to examine the other cells before meeting the clown. I always hated being around the creep.

I heard the cell being unlocked, which drew my attention.

"It's as I thought," Bruce said out loud. I raised an eyebrow and quickly jogged to the center of the room where Joker was.

Batman stepped aside. Harley's annoying giggles filled the room, echoing around like a banshee. I tip toed cautiously, peering inside the cell.

I gasped.

Joker had escaped.

~~~~~~It's been like, a week since I updated. I'm so sorry! I've been busy with school and sports and stuff. School starts tomorrow for me but I got all my homework done! Yay! I have also been super concerned with BTS's comeback??? Like wtf??? Is Jin's gf dead??? Is Jungkook's gf dead??? Is Jimin cutting himself??? Is Jhope happy??? Did Yoongi break up with his gf??? Is Namjoon happy??? Did V get arrested??? I AM SHOOK!!!~~~~~