"Taking a right on Conroy, coming in hot!"
The Batmobile roared down the streets of central Gotham as the rain poured down heavily onto the asphalt. It was a little past 15 minutes over the midnight mark and most of Gotham City was asleep as there was little activity on the street. Only the unsavory elements of the city's underground organized crime scene prowled the streets on the middle of the night. Their activities, which have been hampered greatly, were the reason the Batman patrolled the city each night, taking out delinquents wherever he came upon them. The gloomy atmosphere was lit by the bright lights of the buildings of downtown Gotham as well as a few vehicle lights here and there.
"I know I have very little to worry about with you, but Master Bruce, I implore you to exercise caution in this endeavor. You and the Joker have been playing cat and mouse for years on end and I am aware you know his tactics, but I advise you to not fall for any of his mind games. Your near constant victory over the scum and villainy of Gotham could enhance your illusion of invincibility and make you careless and a tad bit prideful. You know that they say pride comes before the fall and God forbid that you exhibit even an ounce of it."
"Spare me the unwarranted concern, Alfred. The Joker and I have tangoed together for as long as I can remember and I know each and every one of his tricks. Do you recall how long he has tried to get into my head? If it were that easy, I'd have lost to him years prior. Besides, he and I have a special bond and I know for a fact that this hostage crisis he initiated was to get my attention. I am curious to see what he has in store for me. I appreciate your apprehension about my wellbeing, but I can assure you that I can get this handled fairly quickly and be back at the mansion for early morning tea."
The Wayne family butler sighed before he responded. "I had a feeling you'd reply that way. Very well, I am sure that if you have gotten out of every sticky situation this past decade, you will return home and share breakfast with Masters Dick, Jason, and Timothy as well as Miss Barbara. I am fairly certain Damien will be thrilled to see you home again."
The Batman snorted at the mention of his son. "I am sure he will be. As of now, I am certain he is patrolling with my former sidekicks. As the next Robin, I am sure he can learn a thing or two from shadowing the others, applying his skills as an assassin whenever appropriate, but I'd rather he remember that he is not the law and avoid needlessly slaying common criminals. "
Alfred chuckled lightly. "I am sure others appreciate his methods, particularly Master Jason."
"Being a Robin and my flesh and blood, he best remember that everyone deserves a chance in court, no matter how much of a hardened offender they are. That is what the courts are for after all. The late Harvey Dent taught me the value of rehabilitation. He was one of the few people I could call a friend. Well, we will discuss Damian's unorthodox methods later once I take care of things with our old friend The Joker."
Switching off the comms, Batman zoomed past the Saeki Corporation Headquarters, the neon lights bright red among a navy blue environment, before breaking left of the Donatello Art Exhibit and coming upon the residential area of downtown Gotham. Just past two gothic high rises, the streets were cordoned off by barricades. The blue and red police cruiser lights gave out a calm ambience that was deceptive to the reason as to why they were there in the first place.
The Dark Knight avoided the GCPD presence by swerving a hard right and coming upon the adjacent street before taking Hamill Boulevard toward the parking structure of the suite behind the building. The moment he made it atop the suite, not only did the weeping clouds clear momentarily to reveal a pale bright moon, but the bat signal superimposed on it. Footsteps echoed under the massive light that shined the signal as a familiar form in a tan trenchcoat appeared closer to the Batman.
"At long last, Batman, you grace us with your presence. " Commissioner Gordon's cigarette was a small pinprick of red in the gloom as he took a whiff and greeted the Caped Crusader. "You are critical in handling any situation with that nutjob. It's only a matter of time until he kills the hostages."
"We?" Bruce Wayne narrowed his eyes. When the tall dark-haired woman with a Latina complexion appeared beside the commissioner, the Bat's question was resolved. "Detective Montoya, our paths cross once more. You won't be pulling your weapon on me this time?"
The detective lit her cigarette and took a puff. "It's a pleasure to see you again in the flesh, though I'd hoped it would be in less distressing circumstances. Don't worry about having any more guns pointed at you. You can be assured that after the last incident, the commissioner informed me of your habit of appearing out of the blue so no more surprises from either of us."
Commissioner Gordon cleared his throat. "This reminds me of the old days, only Harvey was here in Detective Montoya's stead. If you recall the last time we encountered our two-faced friend, he was holding her as his captive and had some nefarious plans for her. I shudder to think what would have went down had you not arrived. There is not a lot of love lost between our friend and the detective here." The Commissioner glanced at his watch. "Well, we can have a fireside chat about our fallen lawmate after we handle the situation with the clown. We will be up here to provide backup should things go south."
The Dark Knight faded into the surrounding Shadows as he decided to take the most inconspicuous route to where his arch nemesis was located. "That won't be necessary. I can take care of it. Just tell your men to standby to take our resident Crime Clown to Arkham."
---
The elevator door opened with a ding that echoed across the dark hallway of the suite's 13th floor as the Batman stepped out of the lift and started his route toward his old foe's location.
"Alfred, how far am I from room 1304?" He asked as his eyes surveyed the dark blue and white doors of the suite. The Joker was hidden inside one of those rooms, their occupants, most likely an innocent family woken from their peaceful slumber, at his mercy to be used as bargaining chips to get his ultimate prize - the Caped Crusader of Gotham himself.
If he thinks he will get his way that easily, he clearly doesn't know me. We have been playing cat and mouse for years. Surely, he understands how each of us operate. This game won't end until one or both of us is eliminated. Will it come to that final showdown tonight?
Alfred's voice came through the comms, startling him out of his trance. "Master Bruce, your destination is three doors down to your left."
"Affirmative. Does he have any of his goons at his disposal?"
"I believe a few of his most loyal buffoons are guarding the entrance to the floor so the police don't get in. You can evade them going the path you are as they'd be watching the North stairway and elevator. The last thing they will expect is an attack from above."
"Thank you, Alfred. I can take it from here."
Batman keyed off the communicator and slinked over to his destination. Once he was close enough, the voices of the Joker's henchmen reached his ears. Unlike their employer, these men sounded like like they had room temperature IQ.
Yet he calls these guys the cream of the crop from his forces?
Once those buffoons materialized into his view, Bruce decided to make things easier for GCPD by removing a few obstacles.
"Do you think the cops would come up through here?"
"Nah, they too chicken to attempt it. The Bat is the one we have to watch out for."
Before the first burly purple-clad thug with a face paint similar to his boss could reply, Batman came up behind him and put him in a headlock. Before his partner could utter a single word, the vigilante fired his bathook and wrapped the circus goon in rope. Once the henchman in his grip lost consciousness, the Dark Knight made his way toward the apartment where his archnemesis was holding an innocent family captive. Taking a breath, he steadily turned the handle and the door opened with a slow squeak. Cautiously entering, Bruce scanned his head side to side, searching for any traps laid out by the Joker before his eyes adjusted to the suffocating gloom of the room before his eyes fell on the family of three tied and gagged to the dinner table's chair like they were about to have a late night dinner. Knowing his foe's tactics, his eyes darted around looking for traps or a possible ambush before he called out to him.
"Alright Joker, the gig is up. You can drop the antics now. You wanted to get my attention. Well, now you have it. Come on out here and we can handle whatever you have against me between us. Just leave these innocent bystanders out of it. This feud is between you and me."
His eyes scrutinized the terrified looks on the mother, father, and the young son who looked like he was in the 4th grade before the sounds of clapping captured his attention. Perched on a seat in the darkest corner of the kitchen between the fridge and the stove was Batman's greatest and arguably the most formidable of his foes. Clapping as if he was watching a circus performance, the clown prince of crime rose and sauntered over to his opponent in this cat and mouse game that spread out in years.
"Very good, Batsy. You made it in time for the party. I told those goons outside to let me know when you arrive so I can start the party, but it seems like they have fallen asleep on the job again. Well, the show must go on as you know!"
The Joker then blew on a party horn and the lights flashed on, taking the Batman by surprise. Confetti and balloon animals rained down on the cold kitchen floor as Gotham's infamous crime clown slashed at the Batman with a knife that materialized from the sleeve of his purple suit. As Batman evaded the attacks and countered with his own, the Joker had another trick up his sleeve-literally. The Joker aimed his Colt pistol at his longtime foe, grinning like a maniac.
"Say cheese, Batsy!"
Laughing like the nut he was, the crime clown pressed on the trigger. Batman, knowing his adversary well, knew the weapon didn't contain any bullets. In place of any lead, a yellow flag with the letters spelling out 'Bang!' shot out with sparks. It may have looked harmless to any buster who lacked the experience fighting the Joker, but the Batman knew better. The moment the flag popped and a gaseous green substance started to diffuse around the room, the bat vigilante immediately placed a respirator to avoid inhaling the toxin. However, it did dawn on him too late that the captive family didn't have the luxury of owning protective gear from toxic gas.
"Oooh!" The Joker cackled, knowing the Batman's predicament. "Either you survive or the innocent mommy, daddy, and baby. Which will it be? It certainly can't be both, Batsy. The rules don't work that way. You can pick only one. Clock is ticking so if I were you, I'd make haste. Lives are on the line."
Blast it all, Joker! You had to place me in this dilemma! I hate to admit it, but it seems that you have outplayed me this time.
Bruce raised his hands as if to say he gave in. "Very well, Joker. You win this round. Just cease your attack and let the innocents go. This is only between you and me."
The clown prince of crime only tilted his head back and laughed mirthlessly. "Ohhh, you are so funny, batteroo. You think I would fall for this classic trick after all this time we tussled? No, victory is in my grasp now and I won't let you spoil it! Never!"
By the bowels of Arkham, he is more difficult to deal with than ever. He was never one to be reasoned with, but he is especially difficult now.
The Dark Knight of Gotham's mind then hatched up a plan to throw his opponent offguard.
"Very well, I concede this round. Just let the hostages go or I will remove my mask and it this game once and for all. Would you like that?"
The comic villain's green eyebrow twitched. "You mean take your cowl off and reveal your true identity for me to see? Oh, I would be so delighted to know who I have been competing against all these years. You are quite benevolent today, Batman."
"No, I mean I will take off my gas mask and let the toxins overtake me, ending this game once and for all." Bruce put a hand on his respirator, the black bat on a yellow background plastered on it.
Joker's eyes grew as wide as balloons. "No, you are bluffing. You wouldn't do that to your good friend, Gotham's clown prince of crime. Not after the bond we created all these years."
"Oh, I will," Bruce growled. He reached up to take off his gas mask when the Joker, seeing how serious his archrival was, raised his hands.
"No! Stop, Batsy! I will retract the gas and give the poor kiddo and his mommy and daddy the antidote to my trademark toxin. Once I do that, you will submit to my whim? It's only fair since I won this round after all."
Batman nodded, gritting his teeth. "Granted. Just hurry up and keep your end of the bargain and I will come with you to see what an agent of chaos like yourself aspires with Gotham's savior like myself."
The Joker only laughed and winked before he set flicked a switch on his device and started to diffuse the gas. As he danced and pranced over to the table where the petrified family, eyes wide from either fright or the Joker's signature gas - Batman couldn't tell which-, and placed his hands on the unoccupied chair before nodding at it as he addressed his foe.
"Gotham needs chaos to thrive, dear Bat. What you have done is corrupt Gotham with your preconceived notions of law and order. The law is oppressing all of the city's citizens thanks to your oh-so-heroic deeds and I intend to liberate them from the hands of the syndicates and cartels you all refer to as the government. Now have a seat, Batsy, and I will explain to you why Gotham can do with a little anarchy."
At that moment, the door was kicked open and several Gotham police agents in tactical gear poured in and aimed their weapons at the criminally insane clown.
"Joker, keep your hands in the air! No sudden movements or we will be forced to shoot. You will be taken to Arkham immediately."
Commissioner Gordon and Detective Montoya both entered, weapons drawn, as they encircled the Joker. The latter's eyes were wide with shock and disbelief as he gazed at the police surrounding him before he broke down into a fit of cackles.
"Batz! You are a devious one. I never thought you'd had it in you, but you are a dirty rotten cheater yourself. You captured my attention so these enforcers of the cartel ruling Gotham could sneak here and take me without me killing this family, am I right? I got to give you credit where it is due. You'll visit me in Arkham, yes?"
Before Batman could respond, Montoya shut the joker up with a jab from her stun gun. "That is enough out of you, clown. Restrain him and ship him down to Arkham Asylum pronto!"
As the Gotham officers dragged the Joker away, he heard Commissioner Gordon mutter under his breath about him needing the biggest strait jacket there.
"Good riddance, but let's check on the hostages and see if they need any medical assistance."
The two cops and the hero then took turns examining the boy and his parents before undoing the restraints on them. Coughing, the family of three took time to catch their breaths while three of Gotham's best stood over them. It looked like the toxins the Joker had released had either not had the intended effect or they were reversed once he recalled the attack as the victims looked mostly uncomfortable rather than in pain.
"GCPD Central, send a medical unit to the Bale Suites and have them come to room 1304. A family of three have been exposed to Joker toxins and while they haven't exhibited any precarious symptoms, it is better to be safe than sorry." After speaking to dispatch for a bit, the commissioner glanced over at the Batman and Montoya. "Yin is certain she has a lead on Dr. Strange. According to her sources, the doctor is meeting with Victor Zsasz to set up a scheme whose details are unknown as of yet at Cumberbatch Place so she and Ventura plan to crash their little get together. We can be a hundred percent certain those two bottom dwellers are up to no good and whatever it is they are planning, it needs to be foiled ASAP. Yin and Ventura can't do it alone."
Gotham's shadowy protector narrowed his eyes and nodded. "I'll be there to ensure that the raid is successful and that the Joker won't be the only one heading to Arkham Asylum tonight."
With a flick of his wrist, Batman unleashed a smoke bomb and once it cleared, the area he occupied was vacant.
Detective Montoya shook her head, amused. "How does he do that?"
Gordon only smiled. "Of all the years I have known him, there are still things about him I still find an enigma. I suppose there are some aspects of the man that are best left to mystery."
---
"There is a disturbance reported down at the olive oil factory. Could either of you check on it if your patrol takes you within the vicinity?"
"Copy, Babs. I am riding up Ackles Road and passing by the Jensen intersection. I will assess the situation at the factory."
Nightwing, perched upon his WingCycle, revved the engine and turned right on the intersection as the rain wept over Gotham's sparsely inhabited streets. No sane person would be out and about at this hour. During what was known as the Witching Hour, nothing good occurs when the bottom feeders were lurking in the shadows or stalking the streets looking for trouble.
"Hey pal, I could have gone, you know. I am just patrolling on Martella. I am a bit closer to the site than you. You seriously need to stop hogging all the attention, bud."
Dick Grayson chuckled as the Red Hood's voice came through the channel. "You will get your chance in due time, Jace. Just show Damian the ropes and next time, it will be your time to shine."
"You do realize Damian is with me near the Gotham Zoo, checking out possible lurkers," Red Robin's voice crackled through the channel. "More than likely, they are just teenagers close to his age working on a rite of passage. Damian, found anything worth investigating deeper?"
"Nah, nothing that would indicate a serious threat, though can I request permission to take out those annoying brats? I don't like seeing them harass the animals. If they had enough balls on them, they'd take on the lions uncaged. More than likely, they'd piss their pan-"
"Permission denied," Tim responded to the young man's query. "We need to stay focused and not lose sight of our objective."
"You are getting the hang of it, Tim." Nightwing wove between a couple cars heading in opposite directions on the windy road. "I'm almost at the factory. I will meet you all at the Belfry once I complete my investigation on this disturbance. I am willing to bet my pizza slice that this venture has crime family syndicate written all over it. I will have this business taken care of while the night is young."
"You sure you don't need my assistance?" Jason Todd, Red Hood's secret identity, responded. "For all we know, it could be the Freaks, Regulators, or even the League of Shadows. I wouldn't even put it past Black Mask and the False Facers to have their fingerprints on this attack. "
"Or it could be the crime families retaliating for infringing on each other's turf," Tim suggested. "I did have a bad feeling about that place and have always suspected it to be a front for criminal activity."
"How do you know the Court of Owls is not involved?" Damian spoke up.
"I am not so sure," Batgirl said. "The Court is nothing but rumors according to our data files. They may have existed in the past, but Bruce and the detectives who were not on syndicate payrolls must have taken care of that threat and left it as it was to avoid widespread panic - whispers in the shadows. "
"I wouldn't be too sure about it," Red Hood returned. "I thought I saw it all before my death and resurrection in the Lazarus pits, but nothing fails to surprise me anymore."
"There is only one way to find out." Nightwing came upon the parking lot of the factory, eerily abandoned and lit by only a few weak street lamps. "I've arrived at my destination."
"You sure you don't need any backup?" Red Hood asked. "I am only minutes away."
"Thanks Jace. I really do appreciate it, but I've got this handled. I will meet you all at the Belfry to share my findings."
Dick Grayson disembarked from his ride and flipped out his electro-nunchuks and made his way toward the building's side. What greeted him at the opened garage was a scene no crime show could match in its brutality. Making a face, the very first Robin made sure to record the blood spattering the walls of the rusty brick-colored establishment as well as the bodies of the workmen, if they could be called that. Regular factory workers wouldn't bear assault rifles or submachine guns despite wearing the faded blue jumpsuits. Stepping over the cadavers, some missing their heads and limbs, Nightwing entered the large warehouse, the bright sickly green lights the only source of illumination.
"Belfry, you seeing what I am seeing? It's confirmed that this was no ordinary olive oil factory. It appears to be a hub where this criminal organization, I am not sure which it is since they don't have the hallmarks of a specific gang, runs their trafficking or other illicit activity from what I see in those crates. The cargo doesn't look like olive oil to me. The trail of bodies extend inside as well. It doesn't look like those red markings on the floor, wall, and the crates are tomato sauce. Speak-"
The acrobat was cut short by the short staccato of gunfire and shouts. He glanced toward the offices of the warehouse attentively as he made his way over to investigate.
"Guys, I believe the party who was responsible for slaughtering the warehouse defenders is still present. Let me see if I can catch him while the gun is still hot."
"Alright, but be careful. This guy could be dangerous , seeing he has taken out all those mafia types," Batgirl warned her fellow Bat family member.
"Not to worry, Babs. You know me well enough. I got this," Dick responded.
Damien's voice also came through the waves ."I wish I was there in case you need to someone to watch your six."
"I appreciate it , but your place is with Tim to patrol the zoo as well as the surrounding areas, including the university in order to learn how the Bat Family operates. Once you get the hang of it, I'll bring you on more exciting missions."
"Yeah, but I can't kill trespassers at the zoo or the university, can't I?"
"No!" All three voices shouted their dissent, save for Jason's.
"When it comes down to it being your life or the lawbreaker's, that is when you have your chance to shine, Damien," he explained. "In the meantime, I will head to the factory to watch Dick's back."
Nightwing came before the office where the disturbance was taking place. The door was ripped off its hinges and there were corpses littering the ground. Gunfire was heard and then there was a scream before the face of a terrified Mafia soldier slammed into the window, cracking it.
Yikes! Who is strong enough to lift up and slam a heavyset man against a window?
"Solomon Grundy, is that you?"
As Nightwing hurried into the room, a hulking figure in a military green coat and wearing a white hockey mask with red markings slammed the buff mafia guard with a shaved head into the glass several times before cracking it and dropping the limp form to the ground. That was when it fixed its gaze on the first Robin, who shuddered at seeing its lifeless black eyes.
"I guess you aren't Solomon then. Either way, I am taking you down now."
Letting out a whoop, the blue and black-clad vigilante charged at the large butcher, flipping his batons, before leaping to strike. The escrima crackling with blue electricity, Nightwing brought his signature weapons down on the hockey-masked killer, but before he could get into optimal striking distance, the figure caught him by his throat.
"D-damn!" He choked out. "Y-you h-have quite the reflexes."
Shifting his focus to breaking free instead, he connected his sticks to the hulk's arm, shocking him. With a startled grunt, the beastly being released its hold on him. Coughing, Nightwing waited for his vision to clear before rising to face his powerful adversary. Shouting, he lunged at the masked man's knee, but before he could connect his kick, he was smacked to the side like a mosquito.
"Oof!"
The breath left the aspiring hero as his body slammed against the wall, resulting in cracks running like spiderwebs on the wall. His breath labored and pain shooting through his sternum, Grayson stared over at the bloody assassin that was lumbering over to him. He desperately tried to rise, but the slayer of mafiosos was on him like a hound to a ball. As Nightwing was hoisted up, he stared in shock and horror as it drew a bloody machete from its coat.
What in Gotham is that thing? It's weapon's got to be 25 inches at least.
As he braced himself for the first stroke, a whooshing sound was heard and there was an explosion, throwing both Dick and his assailant against the wall. Letting his opponent absorb most of the impact and shock, Dick fell to the ground. As he glanced up, a shadowy figure outlined against the flames walked over, shoes clicking on the floor. Once the figure, bearing a bazooka, reached a hand out to help him out, he realized this was a friend.
"I told you I'd have your six." Jason Todd helped his buddy up and put an arm around his shoulders to support him. "Next time, let me take cases like these. Speaking of which, where did the Casey Jones wannabe go?" Checking back with his expressionless mask, the Red Hood noticed the large whole in the crumbling wall. "Doesn't matter now, we can catch up to him. We need to get you back to the Belfry to patch you up real quick."
Dick Grayson only nodded in acknowledgement as he went along. What he didn't voice was the chilling fact that he had encountered a threat that could potentially prove disastrous to the fragile peace keeping Gotham together and how this could play out going forward.
---
"Mr. Presentor, the Drowned Slasher has completed his objective. "
From his desk at the center of operations for the Death Gamblers, Mr. Presentor, the front man for this mysterious organization, watched the screen behind his obsidian mask while one of his Producers, managers of each Tentacle, the codename for their organizations many branches spread across the country, kept him apprised of the situation in Gotham City, the latest municipality that the Death Gamblers were able to stake out a position in. If all went well, all other groups as well as law enforcement that couldn't be bought would be swept out of the way and all of Gotham would be ripe for their taking. At least that was promised to him.
Snickering, Mr. Presentor nodded his head. "Good, good. Now the Mob and those who claim to uphold law and order have gotten the message. Have you encountered any snags in the operation as of yet?"
The Producer, his own face hidden behind a black fencing mask with a glowing violet square, shifted a bit before speaking. "My spotters report that as the Drowned Slasher was eliminating those bothersome syndicate types, he had encountered a couple of those masked heroes. He was able to hold his own, but if there are more of these shadowy defenders of this metropolis, then we will need every hand we can get to either prevent them from interfering with our business or hunting them down for that matter. If it isn't straining on our resources, I'd like to ask for some assistance for this operation. "
Metroplis, huh? Isn't that Gotham's sister city? I'll put that one on the list to extend business operations to.
The kingpin behind the iron mask only nodded as he took in this piece of news. "I see. It seems like we may also have to clean up the city of these vigilante types if we are to run our operations these undisturbed. Very well, I will ask our benefactor for assistance. Thanks for the lowdown on the situation in Gotham City. In the meantime, use your networks to find out more about these self-proclaimed protectors of Gotham. "
With that, he flipped a switch and the screen shifted to a loading screen until the intended recipient appeared onscreen. M. Presentor intertwined his gloved fingers and leaned in to address his contact.
"Thanks for lending me the Drowned Slasher for he was most helpful in taking out the trash. However, he did encounter a couple nosy vigilantes. We can't have them running rampant, being a thorn our side. For the sake of the success of our plan, I'd like to request more of these wights of yours, particularly the Burned slasher and Ghoulface. How soon can you have them delivered to the Squid?"
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