Chapter 24 Running Away from Home【VIP】
266.
As Jason gets older, he becomes more and more rebellious, with a temper as stubborn as a young Bruce (I personally think there's nothing wrong with that; his temper is a testament to a good upbringing, demonstrating that Jason has received enough love and security from us to dare to say no to any of us). Fortunately, I smoothed out Bruce's edges before Jason arrived, and he's already well-versed in dealing with this "rose with thorns." Otherwise, they'd definitely be arguing every other day, a major brawl every seven days, and Gotham's nights would probably be louder than the explosions set off by the criminals.
Jason is more radical than the rest of us. His childhood in Crime Alley left an indelible mark on him. He's even more ruthless than Dick. The criminals even protested to us that the second Robin was a violent person.
Divine gold, a winter's worth of blows for criminals. He wants us to bathe him in incense first, then give him a gentle, thorough massage? Haha, we'll just break every bone in his body. Bruce's fine with that, too. :D
However, when it comes to governing Gotham, we all listen to Bruce. After all, no one understands Gotham better than he does, no one understands the darkness and struggles of this city better than he does, and no one knows the balance that needs to be struck here better than he does.
Thanks to Bruce's covert efforts, Gotham's upper class underwent repeated "cleansing," replacing corrupt officials and capitalists colluding with crime with relatively decent individuals. Criminals, upon capture, were thrown into Blackgate Penitentiary and sentenced to death, while those found mentally ill were sent to Arkham Asylum.
After all, America has its own national conditions.
The Batman's style has always been "safety first". With our diligent renovation, both Blackgate and Arkham have become the most difficult places to escape from in Gotham.
Blackgate Prison was built in a deserted area on the outskirts of Gotham City. It was located on a cliff, surrounded by water, and was almost in a desperate situation.
The prison is surrounded by steel fences and electric fences that are dozens of meters high. Any attempt to escape will be monitored and prevented immediately.
Each prison block has multiple levels of defense, with patrol robots, security drones and artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems constantly monitoring the prisoners' every move.
Each prison block has independent high-intensity security cells for serious criminals, equipped with comprehensive psychological monitoring equipment to ensure that even psychological controllers cannot pose any threat to the prison.
Arkham Asylum was built in the most dangerous corner of Gotham City. The surrounding environment was harsh, with overgrown weeds, and almost no one knew about it.
The outside of the asylum is surrounded by high walls made of reinforced titanium alloy (I added some "Sky Comet Alloy") to prevent any physical attack or destruction.
The only access to the asylum is a narrow bridge that is strictly monitored. Under the bridge is a cliff hundreds of meters deep. Any villain who attempts to escape will not be able to easily walk out of this "bridge of life and death".
The asylum's interior is divided into multiple tiers based on the inmates' danger level, each with its own distinct security measures. Each area is to have its own isolation facility, constructed from high-strength steel, special alloys, or reinforced glass to ensure it's impenetrable by conventional means.
The cells in the highest security area are placed in the deepest basement. Electromagnetic isolation devices are installed on the walls and floors around the cells to prevent any villains with electronic control abilities from using technology to escape.
The asylum's surveillance system is even more high-tech. In addition to conventional surveillance cameras, it is also equipped with biological monitors that can sense the prisoners' emotional fluctuations. It can provide real-time feedback on the prisoners' mental state, and any abnormal situation will be reported immediately.
The environment inside the cell is also designed specifically to prevent villains with great intelligence or manipulation abilities from escaping by controlling the surrounding environment.
Special imprisonment facilities will be designed for prisoners with superpowers - such as psychological radio interference equipment for the Joker to prevent him from influencing the people around him.
All personnel entering and leaving Arkham Asylum must undergo high-precision biometric identification, including fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition. The identity information of all patients and staff should also be synchronously entered into the database for strict monitoring.
All staff, including security guards, psychologists, and doctors, undergo rigorous screening and training. They undergo regular security audits and emergency drills. We've installed emergency buttons in every corner, and each staff member is trained in feedback procedures to ensure they can report any security vulnerabilities or unusual behavior to us in real time.
Every once in a while, we take over Arkham's security system and conduct a comprehensive self-inspection to assess whether the current security facilities can still cope with the escalating threats.
267.
So, we knew about it right after the Joker escaped from prison.
We went to check Arkham and found out that the Joker had instigated a staff member to escape. On the way out, he injured his left leg.
"How bizarre. He's clearly built this place to be impenetrable, but why does he have this innate aversion to the clown? It's like seeing his own cockroach.
I couldn't help but sigh, knowing that the Joker's mentally confused state was completely unaffected by conventional surveillance. Cam Asylum had been equipped with the most advanced security equipment. The titanium alloy and electromagnetic isolation devices on the walls could indeed block most physical attacks and interference from super powers, but hostile mental forces could break through these barriers.
It's so annoying. Why does he have so many problems? His private ward should be reinforced a little bit.
The Joker's blood is also very strange and messy. Some of the nano devices injected into the body were corroded by his blood... We were all shocked when we first saw it. What the hell, is this chemical liquid flowing in his body? It can corrode.
I marked him, but the clown's mind was too chaotic. He used this powerful, twisted mental power to periodically render my mark ineffective, crushing it with his sludge-like mental power. It was like trying to pry something out of a corrupted quagmire, but it was impossible to pull it out.
I can only renew the mark on him every once in a while. Today his mark just happened to expire. I suspect... no, I'm sure he did it on purpose.
"I have a very, very bad feeling." I squinted my eyes.
We caught this clown some time ago and gave him a beating, but we didn't expect him to be alive and kicking again so soon. He's really a scourge that's been a nuisance for thousands of years.
"Don't take him lightly." Bruce sat in front of the Batcomputer and searched the entire Gotham for images of the Joker. It was incredible that the Joker could hide from the world even though we had spread those miniature cameras all over Gotham.
"Someone must be waiting for him outside. This is a carefully planned plan that has been in the works for a long time," Dick commented. He returned to the Batcave as soon as we contacted him. He was eating donuts while speaking.
"I guess so, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to find him for so long." I took a yellow donut from Dick's plate. It was a reduced-sugar version that Afford had made for me. Although everyone else thought it tasted terrible, I liked it very much.
Come to think of it, this might be the reason why others don’t grab my special dessert.
The most delicious dessert is the one that is not sweet!
268.
"Where's Barbara?" I asked.
I clearly sent her a message as soon as possible, but after she replied to me 5 minutes ago saying "I'll be right back", there has been no further news?
Dick and I exchanged a glance.
"His target is Xiao Ba!" / "He went to find Xiao Ba?"
"He might be seeking revenge against Batman and our family." With a cold expression, I held my sword in hand as I walked towards the teleportation circle. "If he knows Batman's true identity, then going after Barbara would be an attempt to cripple one of Batman's allies. If he doesn't know, Barbara is the daughter of Commissioner Gordon, who has always supported Batman. Harming her would be a crushing blow to us."
"If even a hair of Barbara's was hurt," the smooth sword reflected my eyes that were as cold as ice.
I chuckled, "I'm going to crush his bones."
Before I could step onto the teleportation circle.
There was a flash of light, and Barbara came out intact, holding a bunch of limp green seaweed.
269.
"Huh?" I looked at him with puzzled eyes.
Dick and Jason also had the same dotted eyes, but Bruce was the only one sitting there seemingly motionless.
"We should have sent him directly to Arkham Asylum, but he looked like he was really going to die. And I thought you might be very anxious, so I came to the Batcave first." Barbara said helplessly.
"Who told me to open the door? He opened fire with his gun. First, I was cut down by the sword intent left by Leona, then I was blown up by the amulet I carried with me. Then, I was pulled into the illusion array set up at the door and dreamed of the most terrifying thing... and then it turned out like this."
Barbara picked up a ball of unidentified object that looked like green algae with one hand.
270.
"It seems so, Barbara." I said innocently, "I might as well burn it into ashes and plant them in my spiritual field. It will also keep Luther's hair company."
"Can you please be a little more humane, Leona?" Dick couldn't accept this. "Just cremate him and scatter his ashes at sea."
"What do you think, little Jaybird?" Dick turned to ask Jason's opinion.
"Chop it up and feed it to the dogs." Jason said with a sneer.
"The dog will get sick if it eats the clown." Dick sucked his fingers in shock.
"The puppies won't want to eat this kind of thing. Don't feed the dogs everything? Have you asked the puppies' opinions?" I spoke up for the puppies in dissatisfaction.
"The clown is not dead yet." A voice came faintly.
Batman: Watch.
271.
"It's no different from if it fell off." I took over from Barbara carrying the clown. He might have really turned into a pile of seaweed now. He felt so light and limp when I carried him.
"If you continue to carry him like this, he will die." Batman looked at him with disapproval.
"It doesn't matter if he's dead." Xiao Jie gave a sinister villain's smile. "As long as no one knows we killed him, it'll be fine. Put him next to the flaming flower and let it burn. No one will see him alive, and no one will see his body dead."
"What are you burning with the Fire Flower every day, Xiao Jie?" Dick screamed, "No wonder the fire smelled wrong when I used it to grill sausages a few days ago! It burned my intestines!"
"Your ham sausage is about to expire," Barbara complained mercilessly. "Last time, when I wanted to soak it in the middle of the night, I found that one of it was almost moldy, and you still didn't throw it away."
"I was wondering why that box of sausages was consumed so quickly. It turns out you're a rat." Dick stared at Barbara with his sharp eyes, who seemed to be indifferent.
Xiaojie and I used the same combo: put your hands in your pockets, look away, and whistle.
"It's too obvious, really too obvious! You always do these things when you feel guilty!" Dick rushed over, "Give me back my sausage!"
"You ate my roast duck too, so what if I eat some of your ham?" I said stubbornly while dodging. "You won't eat it anyway, and the ham will get moldy."
"That's right." Xiao Jie took my gun and pointed it at Dick. "Instead of letting it sit there and rot, it's better to let it go into our stomachs. At least it can make use of its residual value."
Before our fight could escalate, the butler came down from the elevator and took a quick glance. We all shut up like quails.
Although we know that Ah Fu knows that we will secretly eat some junk food at night, just like in all families, no matter how delicious the chef cooks, children like to eat snacks.
Although Ah Fu doesn't really agree with us eating junk food, Ah Fu loves us, so we can eat it quietly.
But after all, it's just a secret, so it's better not to dance so vigorously in front of Chef Bai, or you might be fed vegetable juice and waffles.
As expected of the British, they can invent such a recipe (quietly).
272.
We ended up sending the Joker back to Arkham Asylum.
On the way back to lock him up, the patients couldn't help but gasp in shock at the sight of the clown.
"Dare to escape from prison... No, this is the fate of those who escape from the mental hospital." Robin threatened viciously. The Hundred Ugly in his hand was really deterrent.
Everyone's eyes suddenly became much clearer.
On the way back, we also patrolled the entire Gotham.
Ah...but I met a little tail following me.
273.
Robin (▽`) is out of focus (QAQ) Robin (▽`) is out of focus (QAQ) Robin (▽`) is out of focus (QAQ) Robin (▽`) is out of focus (QAQ) Robin (▽`) is out of focus (QAQ) Robin (▽`) is out of focus (QAQ)
Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine! Oi! Peregrine!
A Tim Drake is cautiously birdwatching.
The pitch-black bat moves quickly and blends in with the environment, but likes to stay on the gargoyles for a while; the bright robin is particularly conspicuous under the night wrist sky, but you have to worry about the camera automatically focusing on the green-scaled shorts; the peregrine falcon is extremely sensitive and cannot be approached within 500 meters, so you can only catch the moment when it is waiting for its companions; Nightwing is lively and active and agile, and likes to spend more time doing various difficult moves; Batgirl has a head of flaming red hair, and can always vaguely sense the presence of the camera.
He adjusted the focus, trying to capture the Gotham-native chiropterans and birds jumping between the tall buildings.
Tim held his breath, staring intently at the camera, and looked around. The brisk figure had disappeared from the camera.
Cold sweat broke out on his forehead and he retreated silently.
"Are you looking for me?" A hand was placed on his shoulder, and his heart skipped a beat.
Turning around, a red and black bird tilted its head to look at him.
Every birdwatcher’s dream moment: a beautiful bird lands right in front of you and sings to you (〃〃).
Tim: I have no regrets in my life.
"I always feel like you're thinking about something that's impossible." Peregrine Falcon put her hand on her chin and thought, the white membrane on her domino body narrowed into a slit.
"Good boy, don't sneak out at night," the other party taught.
"Okay, I'm just curious about Gotham's nightlife... I'll be right back," Tim said obediently.
In an instant, the bird easily snatched the camera from Tim's hand.
"That's a nice shot," the other person exclaimed in amazement, "but it's a pity I can't stay."
Peregrine took the memory card, returned the camera to Tim, and protected him behind his back, sending him home safely.
"Thank you, Peregrine," Tim said to the empty doorway from inside.
"You're welcome. Next time, don't wander around the streets at midnight."
The peregrine falcon left.
Tim breathed a cautious sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I brought several memory cards.
He turned and walked into the room.
274.
"He should be my brother." I said to Barbara confidently.
"Oh, without a doubt." Barbara looked at the boy on the computer screen. "Dark hair, blue eyes, little boy, parents are not at home, worships Batman... When is Bruce going to pick him up?"
"Maybe soon." I shrugged. "Whenever I think a boy might be my brother, he soon becomes my brother."
"Maybe Jason will compete with him for favor. He's having the worst daddy issue right now," Barbara guessed.
"After all, Jason no longer acknowledges Dick as his favorite brother. This is his rebellious phase, I guess." I leaned back in my chair and pulled out my phone. "His recent Nightwing fanfiction is so abusive, especially the one with Batman. It's absolutely heartbreaking."
"But I'm still Xiaojie's favorite sister! Yay!"
275.
A few days later, Jason ran away from home in anger.
The reason was that Dick ran over with a resentful look and asked him why he had such a miserable life in Xiaojie's book.
Jason got up and started fighting with him on the spot. After trying to suffocate him with a pillow, hitting his head with a crowbar to make him lose his memory, and turning him into a monkey with a banana... all to no avail, Jason ran away from home in anger.
Some people even said that there is Dick in this family but no Jason.
"But, how did Dick know that this was written by Jason?"
"Maybe Xinghuo accidentally forwarded it to her main account without blocking Dick. Dick was curious..."
"Now Dick knows his ex-girlfriend is reading his brother's Nightwing fanfiction, but does he also know that Starfire gave Jason a tip to write Dick's ABO fiction?"
“…It’s hard to say.”
“…That’s right.”
276.
"Do you think Jason will leave Gotham?" Dick asked me.
"That's impossible, right? There's a writer he really likes giving a lecture in Gotham soon. And the deadline for the campus newspaper is approaching. There's no way he'll leave without finishing these things." I swore to this.
After all, Jason is really perseverant. He has submitted articles every time since his first successful publication. I dare say that this is definitely more important to him than avoiding Dick.
"Why do I smell a hint of sadness in this sentence?" Dick murmured.
"Anyway, just remember to stop him the day after tomorrow. Go buy him a signed book by his favorite author, and then hug his thighs and beg for forgiveness."
Two days later, we looked at each other in confusion and saw a familiar little boy with black hair and blue eyes.
"I'm here to hand in Jason's manuscript." The little boy said calmly.
What a mistake! I forgot I could ask someone to pay for me.
Dick and I looked at each other and gave the little boy a friendly smile.
"Do you know where Jason is? I'm his sister. He hasn't been home recently and we're all very worried about him." I sighed, trying to look extra worried.
"Yes, he left home and we were worried to death. We were afraid that he would be taken away by bad guys or kidnapped. My brother is still so young, how can he withstand the ups and downs outside?" Dick wiped away the non-existent tears.
Tim didn't say anything, just watched the birds.
Kotori's real eyes are cute too :D.
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