This is a super long chapter! Hope you enjoy <3

150 comments for an update  :)

The night air over Gotham felt heavier than usual, the storm clouds threatening rain as Liam and Louis darted across the rooftops. The glow of the city below was dim, muted by the haze of smog and the distant hum of police sirens.

Louis vaulted over a gap between buildings, landing silently beside Liam, whose cape snapped in the breeze.

"Two more down," Louis panted, motioning toward the alley below. Two would-be burglars were zip-tied and unconscious, their tools of choice—crowbars and a worn-out drill—scattered beside them.

"Good," Liam replied curtly, his voice steady despite the strain of the chase. He crouched beside him, scanning the streets below. "There's still one unaccounted for. He won't get far."

Louis adjusted his hood, squinting into the dim light. "What were they even after? The place was a dump."

"Doesn't matter," Liam said, rising to his full height. "Petty crimes like this might seem small, but they keep us distracted. Whoever's coordinating these low-level hits is using them to spread us thin."

As he spoke, the wail of sirens grew louder in the distance. 

Liam pulled a small communicator from his belt, speaking into it. "Two suspects at Fifth and Monarch. Leave them for GCPD," Liam tucked the device away and motioned for Louis to follow. "They'll pick them up soon."

Louis frowned but didn't argue. Before he could press further, their comms crackled to life.

"Batman, Robin," came the clipped voice of Detective Grace Mallory. "We've got a situation at Kavanagh Technologies. Team's already on-site. We need you there."

Liam straightened immediately. "We're on our way," he said. Turning to Louis, his expression darkened. "Let's move."

The two made their way from the rooftop, heading to their parked car. Liam threw Louis the keys, which the younger boy caught easily. Louis looked up at Liam with a confused frown.

"What?" Batman questioned. "You used to beg me to drive this thing."

Louis huffed out a laugh, climbing into the driver's seat. "Yeah, and you used to tell me to keep dreaming."

Liam snorted. "You were a kid back then," he climbed into the passenger seat with a grin. "Consider it your lucky day."

Louis smiled right back, starting up the car. The Batmobile roared to life and was soon slicing through the wet streets of Gotham with ease.

"Kavanagh Technologies?" Louis asked, cutting through a side street.

"High-profile target," Liam replied. "If Joker's involved, it's more than just a robbery."

"Always is," Louis muttered under his breath, hands firmly gripping the wheel.

When they arrived at Kavanagh, the scene was alive with officers. The building's sleek glass facade reflected the dim glow of the streetlights.

Detective Grace Mallory stood near the entrance, her soaked trench coat clinging to her frame as she barked orders to a group of officers. She turned as Liam and Louis approached, her sharp gaze scanning them.

"Detective," Liam greeted with a curt nod.

"Took you long enough," Mallory said, though her tone lacked heat. She motioned toward the building behind her. "It's bad. Same M.O. as Kingsley Financial last week. Silent alarm tripped, but by the time anyone got here, it was too late."

"Casualties?" Liam asked.

"None, thankfully," Mallory replied. "Whoever did this knew what they were doing. Surgical precision—they went straight for the servers. Didn't even bother with the cash vaults."

The three of them entered the building together, Louis and Liam eyeing each detail carefully. The lobby was pristine, untouched by whatever chaos had unfolded deeper inside. But as they ascended the stairs to the upper levels, the signs became impossible to ignore.

Shattered glass crunched underfoot. Papers lay strewn across the floor, some of them charred at the edges. The low whirring of server racks had gone silent, and a faint smell of smoke lingered in the air.

"Someone wanted to make a statement," Louis muttered, nudging a broken monitor with his boot.

"Joker never does anything quietly," Liam replied. He stopped abruptly at a doorway where the words 'Time's ticking, Bats' were scrawled in bright pink spray paint.

Louis stared at the message, his jaw tightening. "Think it's him?"

Liam didn't answer immediately, his sharp eyes scanning the corridor. "Let's find out."

"Detective!" an officer called. Mallory sighed, turning to them.

"Let me know if you boys find anything," she said before heading towards the group of officers in need of attention.

The server room was the worst hit. Wires hung in tangled knots from the ceiling and shattered pieces of equipment lay scattered like broken bones.

"They weren't just trashing the place," Louis observed, kneeling to sift through the debris. "They were specific."

Liam moved towards the central console, his gloved fingers brushing against the exposed circuitry. "Looks like they ripped the main drives cleanout. Whatever data was here, they wanted it badly enough to leave everything else untouched."

Louis straightened, holding up a torn folder he'd found among the wreckage. He flipped through the pages, his brows furrowing. "These are schematics."

"For what?" Liam asked, stepping closer.

"City infrastructure," Louis said grimly, holding up a page marked with detailed power grid layouts. "Sewer systems, electrical lines, even some traffic control networks."

Liam's jaw tightened. "This isn't a robbery. This is preparation."

"For what?" Louis asked, though the knot in his stomach told him they wouldn't like the answer.

Liam didn't reply, instead crouching beside a small, deliberate pile of papers. Atop them rested a single playing card: a joker.

Louis picked it up gingerly, his breath hitching. Scrawled across the card in red ink were the words:

"The tide is rising, darling. Don't get swept away."

Liam's nose twitched and he looked away from the card, clearly infuriated. "So it is him."

Louis swallowed and nodded. "Or Harley," he countered.

Liam hummed softly. "What the hell does he want with the city's infrastructure?"

Louis shook his head, huffing out a sigh and shrugging helplessly. He tucked the card into his pocket.

Mallory walked back over, her voice cut through their thoughts. "We've got a similar report from Braddock Electronics across town. Same M.O.—minimal destruction, specific targets." She handed Liam a tablet with images of the other crime scene.

As Liam examined the device, Louis peered over his shoulder. Liam noticed and lowered the tablet so that Louis could get a better look.

"Look familiar?" Liam muttered, pointing to the pink graffiti on the walls. No words this time, just a smiley face and some hearts.

Louis squinted at something on the screen.  His sharp eyes caught something out of place amid the chaos—a glint of white and red against the dull rubble. "Wait," he stopped Liam before he turned to the next image. "Just there," he pointed to the side of one of the computers.

Liam double-tapped, zooming into the image. In place of the company access card. there was a playing card, a king, stuck into the side of the computer.

Liam let out a frustrated sigh, handing the tablet to Louis. "Good spot," he muttered.

Louis tilted his head, trying to get a glimpse of any writing on the card. "Can you get a close-up of this sent over?" he looked up to ask Mallory, handing her the tablet back.

She nodded immediately. "I'll get my team to send it over to you," she agreed. "What are you thinking?"

"Joker's work," Liam answered. "He's after the city's infrastructure," he explained. "We just need to figure out why."

Mallory typed quickly on the screen. "Whatever it is, we need to figure it out fast," she told them. "Two hits in one night? That's brave, even for him."

Louis and Liam shared a look.

"Have all the pictures sent over to us," Liam instructed. "Every bit of information you have," he listed. "Speak to the boss. we need to know exactly what information was stolen."

"Roger that," Mallory replied. "I'll have it to you by the end of the day."

Louis' hand slipped into his pocket, his fingers brushing over the edges of the Joker card. His stomach churned at the words etched across it.

"What's the plan?" Louis asked, breaking the silence.

Liam stood, his cape rustling as he turned to face him. "We analyse everything we've got so far—find the pattern. If he's hit two places tonight, there's a reason. We figure out what connects them, make a list of other places that could find the pattern and then we cut him off before he hits it."

Louis nodded, though his jaw clenched. The weight of their failure to predict The Joker's moves was heavy on his shoulders. He followed Liam as they made their way back through the ruined corridors and down to the lobby.

The rain was coming down harder now, streaking the glass doors and pooling on the sidewalk. The Batmobile was parked just beyond the police barricade, its sleek frame gleaming under the streetlights.

As they approached, Liam's communicator buzzed. He answered with a terse "Go ahead."

Mallory's voice crackled through the line. "One more thing. Witnesses reported seeing a van leaving Braddock Electronics just before officers arrived. Black, no plates, but a partial ID on the driver matches one of Joker's known associates."

Liam's expression darkened. "Send the description to our database. I'll follow up."

"Understood," Mallory replied before the line went dead.

Louis slid into the driver's seat without a word, his thoughts spinning as Liam joined him. The engine roared to life, and they peeled away from the scene, the rain-slicked streets blurring under the Batmobile's powerful headlights.

The drive back to the Batcave was silent, save for the low hum of the engine. Louis's grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. He could feel Liam's presence beside him, his mentor's thoughts likely as tangled as his own.

Finally, Louis broke the silence. "Do you think this is just about chaos? Or is it something bigger?"

Liam's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead. "With Joker, it's always both. He thrives on chaos, but there's always a purpose underneath it. We just have to find it."

Louis nodded, though unease gnawed at him. The card in his pocket felt like it weighed a ton, the ominous message playing on a loop in his mind. The tide is rising, darling. Don't get swept away.

"And the docks?" Louis asked. "How can some empty crates be connected to the city's power grid?"

Liam ran a hand over his face, looking simply exhausted. "I don't know."

They pulled into the Batcave, the familiar lull of the underground facility a stark contrast to the chaos outside. As they stepped out of the Batmobile, Niall was already waiting for them.

"Boys," he greeted, nodding his head. "I take it the night didn't go as planned."

"Far from it," Liam replied, brushing past him toward the central console. "We're sending over files from Mallory. I need you to pull up every record we have on Kavanagh Technologies and Braddock Electronics. Focus on infrastructure plans."

Niall glanced at Louis, noting Liam's bluntness. Louis just shrugged at him helplessly, following his brother inside. 

"On it" Niall said finally, moving to his workstation.

Louis hesitated in the doorway as the rest of the boys began their research, his fingers fiddling with the card in his pocket. 

Liam turned to him, glancing over his shoulder. "What's on your mind?" he asked, his voice pulling Louis from his thoughts.

Louis handed the card to Liam. "He's not just playing games. He's warning us. Whatever he's planning, he wants us to know we're running out of time."

Liam's jaw tightened, looking over the message again. "Then we don't waste a second," he replied. "Niall, anything?"

"Not yet," Niall replied. "New company, not much since..." he trailed off, eyes squinting at the computer.

Louis walked over to the monitor. "What?"

"Since they got a new CEO two months ago," Niall answered. "Norman Sullivan."

Liam and Louis looked at one another.

"Sullivan," Louis muttered.

Liam's face hardened. "Looks like we need to make another trip down to the prison."

***

Sullivan's lawyer wouldn't allow another interrogation until the following week. Norman Sullivan hadn't been to work, or at home since the break-in at Kavanagh Technologies.

All Louis and Liam could do for the time being was wait until something clicked. Some tracing on the vehicle at the crime scene, some sighting of Norman, some insight on what was stolen on those servers.

Until then, the pair of them threw themselves into their work; fighting low-level crime across the city.

Their current job was becoming a common occurrence. Reports of a group of masked criminals that had been spotted terrorising the streets. Looting local shops and vandalising the city's streets.

Liam and Louis had lost sight of them as they ventured further into the Diamond District. They'd split up, Liam taking the west and Louis taking the east.

Louis entered the empty warehouse after he had caught a glimpse of shadows making their way inside. The building was damp and suffocatingly quiet, the air thick with the metallic scent of rust and faint oil fumes. Crates loomed in precarious towers, casting deep shadows across the cracked concrete floor.

Louis moved with the precision of a predator, his sharp eyes scanning every corner.

"Three of them," he muttered into his comms. "I can see their shadows near the west end."

"Wait for me," Liam replied firmly through the earpiece. "Do not engage."

Louis exhaled quietly, edging closer. "They're moving. If I wait, we lose them."

"Louis—"But Louis switched off the comm before Liam could finish, his focus locking onto the three men rifling through a crate.

The three were spread out, each preoccupied with their tasks. One man, taller and stockier than the others, stood guard. The dim light from a nearby hanging lamp glinted off a crowbar in one of their hands. His eyes darted nervously around the warehouse. Another rifled through the crate's contents, tossing out smaller items with a sneer of frustration. The third leaned against a stack of crates, a lead pipe resting casually across his shoulder.

"Idiots," Louis muttered, stepping silently from the shadows.

He struck hard and fast, his foot slamming into the first man's knee with a sickening crack.

The man went down with a howl, clutching his leg as the others turned in alarm.

"Get him!" one of them shouted, yanking a metal pipe from the crate.

Louis was already moving, his fists a blur as he parried the first swing and delivered a sharp jab to the man's ribs. But the third man came at him from behind, grabbing his arms and locking them behind his back.

Louis twisted sharply, his heel driving into the man's shin and forcing him to release him with a grunt.

From the shadows above, a familiar figure lounged on a metal beam, his green eyes glinting with amusement as he watched. "Three against one?" he drawled, his voice carrying easily across the warehouse. "That hardly seems fair."

Louis didn't falter, even as Harry's voice sent a jolt through him. "Are you just gonna sit and watch?" he shot back, ducking under another swing. "Or are you going to help me?"

Harry chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Why would I help? You're putting on quite the show, sweetheart."

Louis gritted his teeth, slamming his fist into the chest of the man in front of him. "Somehow, I'm not surprised."

"Don't be so quick to judge," Harry replied smoothly, leaning forward as if to get a better view. "You've got some fight in you tonight. It's very... entertaining."

Louis turned sharply as one of the men swung a knife at him, narrowly dodging the blade. 

"Why are you even here?" Robin snapped.

Harry's laugh echoed through the warehouse. "You're on my side of town, sweetheart."

Louis delivered a solid kick to the man's chest, sending him sprawling, but the effort left him off-balance. The last thug took advantage, shoving Louis against a stack of crates. He grunted, the breath knocked from his lungs as he struggled to push back. The man's fist connected with his ribs, and pain flared white-hot through his side.

From his perch, Harry sighed dramatically. "Tsk, tsk. Sloppy footwork, darling."

"Shut up!" Louis snapped, his voice tight with pain. But the taunt had cost him. The thug slashed out with his knife, the blade slicing cleanly across Louis' side. Blood seeped through his suit as he staggered back.

"Oops," Harry murmured, his smirk widening as he finally moved towards Louis.

The last man took off running, his footsteps echoing through the warehouse as Louis dropped to one knee, clutching his side.

"You're just gonna let him go?" Louis demanded through gritted teeth.

"Why not?" Harry replied, sauntering out of the shadows. "He got a good hit in. I'd say he earned it," he crouched in front of Louis, his gloved hand reaching out to tilt his chin up. "But you, sweetheart? You should've stayed down."

Louis smacked his hand away, his glare sharp despite the pain radiating through his body. "I don't need your help," he went to stand up.

Harry's grin faltered slightly, his green eyes narrowing. "No, you need a lesson."

Louis went to reply but his legs buckled beneath him, his balance giving out completely. Harry caught him easily, one arm looping around his waist to keep him upright.

"Careful," Harry murmured, his voice softer now. "Don't want you falling apart on me."

"Let him go." The command cut through the warehouse like a blade.

Both men turned to see Liam standing a few yards away, his cape billowing as he advanced. His eyes burned with fury as they locked onto Harry.

Harry's smirk returned, though his hold on Louis remained steady. "Ah, Batsy. Always so timely. You just missed all the fun."

"Step away from him," Liam ordered, his voice cold and unyielding. Harry tilted his head, feigning innocence.

"Now why would I do that? He's perfectly fine where he is."

Liam didn't waste time arguing. A batarang flew through the air, its sharp edges slicing past Harry's face and grazing his cheek.

Blood trickled on the fabric of his shirt, dripping steadily onto the floor. Harry hissed softly, glancing at the wound before looking back at Liam.

"Really? Again?" The Joker questioned. "Always so quick to violence," he said, his tone dripping with mock disappointment. "And I'm the villain?"

"Maybe you should learn to keep away from my partner," Liam countered, his hand reaching for another weapon.

Harry's grin widened as he glanced down at Louis, still leaning against him for support. "Wouldn't hurt him, would you?" he said, his voice low and taunting. "Neither would I," he muttered. "Funny how that works, isn't it?"

Louis tried to pull away, but Harry's grip tightened for just a moment, his green eyes flicking between Liam and Louis with something unreadable.

Louis gritted his teeth, managing to straighten slightly. "Get off of me," he hissed, pushing at Harry's chest.

Harry loosened his grip, letting Louis pull away. But as Louis took a step toward Liam, his legs gave out again.

Before Liam could catch him, Harry was already steadying Louis, his hands firm but surprisingly gentle. "Steady, hero," his voice was almost tender. "Are you alright?"

"Get off!" Louis snapped, wrenching himself free and staggering towards Liam.

Liam's expression hardened as he watched the interaction, his hand fell to his utility belt, his voice sharp. "What the hell are you playing at?"

Harry straightened slowly, his smirk reasserting itself as he stepped back from Louis. "Playing at?" he echoed, his tone light. "Oh, Bats, don't tell me you think I'm responsible for this." He gestured to Louis with an exaggerated flourish. "Relax. He got himself hurt."

Liam snapped. "What did you do to him?"

"Me?" Harry placed a hand over his heart, feigning offence. "I told you—I don't want him hurt. That wouldn't do at all," he shot Louis a pointed look. "I told him to stay down, but you know how stubborn he is."

Louis glared at Harry from his place next to Liam, his voice hoarse but sharp. "One of them got away," he muttered to Batman, his frustration clear.

Harry chuckled, stepping back toward the shadows. "Don't be so hard on yourself, sweetheart. Three against one, and you put on quite the show," his green eyes glinted with mischief. "I'm impressed."

Liam advanced a step, his posture coiled with fury. "You're sick."

"And you're boring," Harry shot back, already retreating into the shadows. "But don't worry. I'll be back to check on my little bird," he cast one last glance at Louis, his green eyes gleaming. "We'll pick this up later, sweetheart."

And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Liam and Louis alone in the dimly lit warehouse.

Louis swayed slightly, catching himself against a crate before Liam moved to steady him. "You alright?" Liam asked, his voice tight with concern.

"I'm fine," Louis muttered, brushing him off.

"What the hell was that?" Liam demanded, his anger barely restrained. "He caught you. He helped you—"

"Hardly," Louis interrupted, his voice sharper than he intended. "He's messing with us."

Liam shook his head, sighing. "Any idea where the last one went?" he asked.

Louis looked down. "No," he muttered. "I'm sorry."

"You should be," Liam shot back. "I told you to wait for me."

Louis kept his eyes fixed on the floor. "Thought I could handle it."

"I'm not mad he got away," Batman told him. "I'm mad that you got yourself hurt," he said, his hand going to Louis' cut. "Let me see."

Louis raised his arm, wincing to show Liam where the knife had slashed at his ribs. It was a shallow wound, but the positioning of it was painful.

Liam sighed. "We'll get that checked," he said. "I'll call back up to take care of these," he gestured to the two men knocked out on the floor.

Louis was quiet now, guilty. He just nodded at Liam's demands.

"Hey," Liam said softly and Louis looked up. "You did good."

Louis offered him a soft smile, nodding despite not believing a word he said.

:')

Hope you didn't mind the slightly longer chapter!

The things I have planned for this book? You guys are not prepared.

What do you think Harry is using the server information for?

Vote? Comment? Ilygsm. Mwah x