Brothers In Arms (Batfamily) - Completed

Chapter 28 : Joke's On You

I haven't played any of the Arkham's serie so I kinda made up the whole environment around and in the Asylum for this chapter. Forgive me if I'm not 100% accurate :s

"Red Hood's gang has started its assault on Jensen and Black Mask's respective gangs. The media are going crazy. They are talking about a state of war..." It didn't took any detective skill to Nightwing, Batman, Red Robin and Robin to realize how much Oracle's tone in their comm link was concerned. They could clearly hear the panic in her voice even though she was trying to stay as calm as she could. "I see Hood and Kyle fighting with a group of henchmen in the Bowery. I don't think they join you any time soon. Apparently, Arsenal joined them as well."

"Thank you, Oracle," Batman said simply while Nightwing and Red Robin exchanged a silent glance. Just behind them, Robin was looking through his binoculars, looking for the easiest way to enter inside the Asylum without being noticed.

"Guys? Jensen and the Joker are located in different parts of the building. I can't see really clearly who is where, this place's cameras are quite old but seeing from some shapes, Jensen is in the Northern aisle while the Joker seems to be in the Western."

"Alright," the Dark Knight turned himself towards his three sons, "we'll split up in two groups. You three will take care of Jensen while I'll take care of the Joker."

"That's not really two 'groups'", Nightwing stated but was surprised when he noticed Bruce's large gloved hand squeezing his shoulder softly.

"I've failed to protect one of you once, it won't happen twice."

Dick opened his mouth but nothing came out of it. He looked at Batman in the eyes, completely speechless. He then gave a short nod but Bruce's words were still echoing in his head. Red Robin glanced at his big brother before he looked at Damian behind him. The young boy was keeping a neutral face but Tim noticed the very slightly pained expression Damian was having.

"Alright boys," Batman declared as he rose on his feet, "let's go." Without thinking, Red Robin threw himself in the tall man's arms and hugged him with all his strength. At first, Bruce was taken aback by his son but quickly returned the hug, wrapping his arms tightly around him.

"Be careful..."

"You too," the man whispered before he broke the hug and climbed down the small building the four men were previously standing on, disappearing in a matter of seconds without a noise.

"C'mon guys, we gotta move." Nightwing stood up and addressed a small smile at his two brothers. Robin snorted and went down the building from the opposite side Bruce went. The young boy had already spotted the entry of an old sewer the three men would be able to use to reach the Northern aisle of the building. Red Robin and Nightwing followed their little brother closely through the sewer.

As soon as they entered in it, a repellent smell found its way through their nostrils. A mix of old stagnant water, waste and rats surrounded them. They made their way through the dark sludgy water, trying not to think about what was probably resting at the bottom of it.

"Do you think Killer Croc is here?" Nightwing smirked.

"Shut up, it could give us bad luck."

"C'mon Red, relax."

Tim rolled his eyes under his mask and sighed, "you want me to relax while we are walking through a disgusting and smelly sewer? What's wrong with you?"

"Hey, I'm as tensed as you are. I was just trying to lighten the atmosphere."

Damian stopped in his tracks and turned on his heels to face his two big brothers, causing them to nearly bump into him. "If you could just keep your mouth shut, that'd be great. We are on a mission, stop acting like two kids." He then turned back and started to walk again. Tim grimaced behind his brother's back and followed him, joined by Nightwing.