Batman perched on the edge of a gargoyle, surveying what would be the next part of his patrol route. A stiff breeze swept through the night, ruffling his cape as it did. Batman took the opportunity to leap from his position and glide down to ground level. He would get a better view of that specific area from the streets anyway.

As he moved through the shadows, he couldn't stop his mind from drifting back to the events of the last few days. There had been more sightings of the Vampire Bat, as people were coming to call him.

The most annoying part was that Bruce still had no idea who it was.

So far, the fake hadn't hurt anyone, but Bruce still couldn't have somebody else parading around as Batman and  attacking people. He had asked every single one of his family members if they knew anything about it.

After they had finished laughing, they informed him that they did not.

It had been a fight to convince Gordon that he wasn't undead, but he had managed. The police had even tried to catch the imposter during one of his attacks. They had been unsuccessful.

According to one of the officers, the Vampire Bat had used his cape to cover half his face and hissed at them before making his getaway. Bruce shook his head as he recalled all of this. Whoever this was either had a flare for theatrics, or watched too much TV. Or both.

However, there was one thing Batman couldn't deny. He wasn't dealing with an amateur, because he hadn't found a trace. Nobody else had either.

Batman turned his attention back to his patrol, he would have plenty of time to think about this later.

He glanced around as he swept the backstreet he now found himself in. The light from the mounted street lamps reflected off the pavement, illuminating crates, bicycles, and garbage that lined the walls.

As Batman approached, a man leaning against one of the walls came into view. He was looking down and his back was turned, as if he was hiding something.  Occasionally, he would glance around suspiciously before going back the whatever he was doing.

Normally, the Dark Knight wouldn't have been all that worried. However, as he watched the stranger, he caught the glint of a knife blade.

Bruce stepped out of the shadows just enough to let the light of the lamps reflect off of the white lenses of his cowl. He couldn't apprehend the man because he wasn't actually doing anything illegal...yet. But be could scare him, which very well might deter him from doing whatever he might be planning.

Batman had remain perfectly silent this entire time. As a result, the man jumped about two feet off the ground when he glanced over his shoulder. As the stranger whipped around, what he had been working on soon became apparent.

The man had been carving a wooden stake. He then dropped the knife he'd been using to whittle it and pulled something out of his pocket. It was a bottle a clear liquid, that The Dark Knight could only guess contained Holy Water.

"Say back!" The man yelled, holding the stake high and the bottle in front of him.

Batman let out an annoyed growl, which only frighten the man more. He turned and sprinted away in terror, nearly tripping over himself in the process. After he was gone, Bruce let out a sigh.

This was going to get old, fast.
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The Red Hood leaned against a building, observing the street corner he currently occupied. A duffle bag rested by his feet.

Jason glanced down at his watch. The person he was supposed to meet was already five minutes late, and quite frankly he was starting to get worried.

Jason inhaled slowly and went back to admiring the Halloween decorations that adorned the shop just across the street. It was decked out with fake spiders, webs, pumpkins, and one of those animatronic dummy's that would make the average citizen pee themselves every time they walked by.

Jason couldn't help but smile, he enjoyed this season. As a child he had never really had the time or the means to enjoy it. Then after he became Robin, Bruce had taken him Trick-O-Treaking for the first time. Jason had found that he loved it. Then after his death and return, he just...hasn't celebrated it. He didn't have any reason to and he wasn't even sure he would still enjoy it.

Then slowly, Jason's siblings had reintroduced him to the holiday. He found he still liked it, he liked the candy, and the costumes, and the decorations and the overall spook factor.

At least some things didn't change.

Jason was snapped back into reality by the sound of someone running towards his direction. He knew who it was.

Jerry came sprinting around the corner, a wooden stake still clutched in his hands. The man came to a stop as soon as he saw Jason. He leaned forward and rested his hands on his knees to catch his breathe.

"How'd it go?" Red Hood spoke in amusement.

"I think I pissed him off." Jerry panted. "I'm gonna be sick."

"I wish I could've seen his face." Jason said, to himself more than anyone.

"That's the last time I do anything for you, Hood." Jerry shot back, "He could've killed me." He added, sounding almost hysterical.

"Relax, Batman doesn't kill, remember." Jason replied.

"I don't know, man." Jerry straightened, giving Jason a weary look.

"What do you mean?" Jason inquired skeptically.

"There are stories." Jerry answered in a low tone.

"About?" Jason muttered, unconvinced.

"Well," He started, "They say their used to be this homeless kid who hung around Crime Alley."

Jason perked up at that.

"He's must've been crazy or something, because one day he tried to jack Batman's tires." Jerry continued.

"And?" Jason said impatiently.

"And they never saw him again!" Jerry cried.

At this point, Jason could no longer contain himself and he doubled over with laughter. Sure, he had always suspected not everyone knew what happened, but he didn't realize they thought he had died.

They weren't wrong, just a little bit early.

"Whatever, man. Believe what you want." Jerry muttered, "Just watch your back."

"Will do." Jason replied after he managed to contain his laughter.

Red Hood then reached in his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. "Here," he handed it to the man.

"There's an extra 20 in there for your troubles." Jason added, "Maybe you can buy something nice for the kids."

"Thanks, man." Jerry spoke, pocketing the bills.

"Don't mention it." Jason answered.

"See you around." The other man said, "And be careful." Jerry began to walk away.

"Aren't I always." Jason teased.

Jerry let out a quiet laugh before turning the street corner.

After a moment, the Red Hood grabbed his duffle bag and retreated into a nearby alley. Jason took off his helmet and crouched down, unzipping the bag. It contained a cheap plastic goblet and a bottle of Hawaiian Punch.

Phase two of his plan had officially begun.

A few minutes later Jason was hiding in the shadows while Batman stared down a small gang a few feet away. Jason had once again removed his helmet and zipped up his jacket. His hair looked wild and unkept, and he had even added some pale makeup for extra effect.

The gang was prepared to lunge at the Dark Knight when Jason stepped out of the shadows.

"Here is your goblet of body temperature Type O, Batman!" Jason yelled dramatically. "I hope it's to your liking this time."

The entire gang froze, their eyes widening. Jason watched realization dawned on Bruce, then his features settled into a scowl. Jason could barely keep himself from grinning.

"I removed all my silver so it would not offend you." He continued, stepping closer.

He heard a few of the gang members whisper among themselves.

"The stories are true." One of them murmured.

"He'll drain us all." Another one chimed in.

"We need to go." One said to the leader.

Bruce quietly groaned.

"Stop spreading rumors." He spoke just loud enough that only Jason could hear. "Someone came at me with a stake and Holy Water earlier." Bruce added angrily.

Jason snickered.

"Drink, my lord, rejuvenate yourself." Jason continued, holding the goblet closer to him.

Bruce's scowl deepened.

The gang began to back away, and look for an escape route.

Jason leaned closer to the Bat and whispered, "Just do it, it's Hawaiian Punch."

After a Bat-eye-roll of epic portion, Bruce finally relented. He took the goblet and knocked it back, drinking it in one gulp.

"Ah, so much power." He exclaimed, his voice, loud, deep, and gravely.

At this point, the gang decided to cut their losses and make a run for it. Leaving an annoyed Bruce and a laughing Jason alone in the allay.