12.01am
The Streets of Gotham:
He'd seen her fall from the rooftop, her body already frozen, the life seeping from her as she hit the cobbled streets below. Trying in vain to grapple towards her, he swooped into the night's sky and glided over to where she had fallen.
Blood smeared the pavement, her cat suit ripped, her body torn and bruised. The brightness of her emerald eyes slowly faded away.
First Penguin, now Catwoman.
He took off his mask, he needed air, needed to breath. Selina…
He had loved her in his own way. Their chemistry was undeniable, their romance, impossible.
He knelt down beside her and stroked her face gently with his gloved hand. Looking around he tried to make sense of it all tried to survey the area, he hadn't seen the killer. No sooner had they thrown her from the building had the vanished into the night's sky.
He wiped a smear of blood from her forehead, the red substance now on his gloves. Unable to make sense of the scenario, he tried to figure out what to do. Just as he was about to lift her the familiar blue and red flashes of light and the shrieks of sirens erupted. Panicking he threw his mask back on just as the police appeared to see him cradling the cat thief's corpse.
'The Batman's killed catwoman!'
'Some kid just said that Bats had been jumping the rooftops with the Cat, he musta pushed her'
'Murderer!'
'The Bats out to kill them all, the Penguin and now the Cat'
A mixture of policemen and spectators yelled out as they gathered in on the caped crusader.
It was true, Batman had only a day ago been seen at the murder of Penguin, the police already suspected him. Whoever else had seen the murder that day reported seeing a black figure rapidly chasing down the victim minutes before their death. Someone was surely trying to frame him but who had motive to kill Penguin and Catwoman? Were they connected or was this just the beginning of the death toll?
Panicking, he placed the corpse down gently, released a smoke pellet and vanished into the darkness.
12.24am
Gordon's Office:
'Gordon, I'm sorry but I just can't have you involved in this, you're the best cop we have had in years but everyone knows about you and the Batman's friendship. I just can't be sure that you won't try and help him out'.
'He's innocent I tell you mayor, the batman does not kill!'
'Gordon, I'd like to think that but look at this logically, this man dresses up as a bat, fights crime on his own, repeatedly puts these nutjobs back in their place and gets nothing for it, no breaks, no credit, he was bound to snap'.
'You're making a terrible mistake mayor, he is the best thing Gotham has ever had!'
'Maybe so Gordon. But all good things must come to an end.
4.05am
The Batcave:
A narrow escape. Head pounding, heart racing.
'Master Bruce, are you okay? I saw the news… Miss Kyle, I'm so sorry', Alfred said softly, walking downstairs in his pyjamas, a classic cup of tea in his hand that he knew would go to waste but placed on the computer desk regardless.
'May I suggest you rest sir?' he continued.
Sighing, Bruce looked at his oldest and dearest friend and for once he truly wanted to do as he suggested. Nothing sounded more appealing to him than throwing his cape into the endless pits of the cave and continuing his care-free life as Master Wayne.
He used to tell himself when he first began his quest, just one more criminal then call it a day, be proud of your achievements but still he continued to fight and each night justice was served.
He knew he couldn't quit, not while there was someone out there killing off Gotham's rogue gallery. Cobblepot and Selina didn't deserve to die and he knew he had to find a way to clear his name and find the person responsible for their murder.
Both he and Alfred shared a look, his butler fully understanding Bruce's personal reasons for continuing to wear his mask.
Just as he was about to offer a cloth for his dirty wounds the batcomputer flashed red and beeped.
A message appearing on the screen above them.
'The Riddler is next. He dies at 5.00am on the rooftop of the Police Headquarters'.
So this criminal had begun to leave messages. Why had the killer told him of their plan? It was likely a trap but batman was used to traps and knew it was worth the risk if he could save Nygma's life and prove his innocence.
4.59am
GCPD HQ Rooftop:
The darkness of the rooftop was unusual to him. He was used to the beam of the batsignal illuminating the area. Waiting in the shadows he cautiously scanned the area for the Riddler or his attacker.
Right on cue, the Riddler appeared shackled and worn out, stumbling towards the batman. Just as he was about to run to his aid, smoke filled the rooftop and the sounds of guns clicking into play was heard. A megaphone cried out, a swarm of blue-suited men with badges flocked towards him. He was pelted from every angle, his body losing focus, growing heavy, he fell to the ground, heard the Riddler laugh and compliment his own acting skills and then his vision went black.
7.00am
He awoke in a cell. Grunting he tried to adjust to the brightness of the room. He could feel the mask on his face, for that he was glad.
Trying to recall his last memories he worked out that the trap was not that of the murderers but of the police.
Expecting someone like Detective Bullock to arrive and interrogate him he was surprised when a middle-aged woman in a lab coat came into the room.
He stared at her and then down at his arms which were securely shackled to the chair.
The name badge on her breast-pocket read Leyland. He had heard of that name before.
Eyes widening he became aware that he was now far from the police headquarters, he was in Arkham Asylum.
'Hello Batman, I am sorry to have to speak with you in such a way but the police insisted that we take extra precautions with you due to your violent nature within the past few days'.
'We are not the police Batman. We are not here to judge we are here to help. It is clear to see you have suffered greatly in life, whether it be just through your occupation or something deeper we intend to get to the bottom of it an aid you in mending your wounds'.
'Despite what is said of Arkham, it is a rehabilitation centre to treat mentally unstable individuals. You are in safe hands with us Batman'.
She continued to try and make conversation but his thoughts drowned out her words, he was stuck in the same small area with his greatest enemies. He noted the sickly orange outfit neatly folded on the table, he knew instantly that he would not be allowed to keep his outfit. He was to be unmasked, his darkest secret known to his deadliest foes.
8.00am
Eventually giving up on making conversation, Dr Leyland left the room and in her place two guards appeared armed and ready to take the Batman to his holding location.
On walking through the halls he tried to avoid the jeers and cheers of the inmates, he heard familiar voices laughing at his misfortune. Trying to put on a brave face he walked calmly towards his destination despite the feeling of emptiness and defeat he felt inside.
He reached the far end of the corridor with only 2 cells opposite one another, unlike the others this inmate did not have a name on the cell door, only a prisoner number. The only way in which he could see the criminal was through the tightly barred door window. Before learning of the inmate's identity he was thrust into the adjacent cell, the orange outfit thrust onto him.
'No more hiding Batman, breakfast is at 9, get in that outfit or we will pry that mask from you ourselves.', one of the guards yelled as he slammed the door.
Their laughter could be heard from the hall, 'I reckon it should be a public display, a breakfast time treat for everyone, the true identity of Batman followed by toast and a glass of o.j' the other guard said as they walked away from the cell.
Left alone in the silence of his own thoughts Batman struggled to find a way to escape from his tricky predicament.
He thought of the many criminals that had escaped from the asylum before, the place was prone to breakouts. Surely he could get out no problem and find a way to put an end to this madness, catch the real criminal and prove his innocence.
Scanning the small room he looked for a way to get out. Holding his finger to his ear he tried to communicate with Alfred or Oracle, they would be able to give him the blue prints to the asylum and he would be able to efficiently find a way out.
However, instead of the welcoming voice of his companions on the other end he was greeted be a screeching, broken up frequency.
Cursing he realised that, although his costume had remained on, the staff must have disabled his electronic devices, staring down at his waist he realised that he too, was without his utility belt.
It had been a while since he had been stripped bare of his gadgets and had only himself to rely on. Surveying the area without the assistance of his detective-mode vision he saw nothing that would assist in his escape.
Sitting on the cot-bed he tried to calm himself down, he had only 55 minutes until his greatest mystery would be revealed.
'Psssssttt'
'Hey!'
….
The Batman looked in the direction of the noise and slowly moved forward to the door to look through his barred window.
Across from him in the adjacent cell he immediately recognised the features of his greatest nemesis.
His white toothy grin, his blood red lips and his acid green eyes and hair – The Joker.
'Couldn't help but overhearing you're in a bit of trouble Batsy ole boy'
As usual the Batman remained silent and cold in face of the giggles and glee of the clown.
'Hey, why so glum chum? You have your bestest bud to help you out' he continued in spite of the silence.
'I won't let those nasty guards bully you about, whats say me and you bust this joint and hit the town together!' he laughed.
The Batman snarled, 'I'm not accepting your help Joker, you belong here and that's where you'll stay'.
'Woah Bats, that cut me deep! You only have about 45 minutes to clear this place and here I am, being a good pal and offering you a way out and you go all angry-bats on me! Hey, I'm far more concerned about this whole scenario than you are, what have you got to lose? Your glorious reputation, your mask? Me? I have a crazy criminal-killer on the loose who no doubt has me on his hit-list, my life is at stake here Bats. Not that I fear death or anything, you know me, I laugh in the face of danger… or anything really, what the Hell life's a joke but you Bats, well I just don't know if you'd be able to cope without me. Whatdya say? Me and you get this crook together? We'd make a great team!'
By this point, the Batman had gone back to his previous position on the bed and tried to dull out the sounds of the clown.
'Bonnie and Clyde!'
'Starsky and Hutch!'
'Laurel and Hardy'
…Time ticked away. 15 minutes left.
'Tom and Jerry?'
Batman re-appeared at the door, he sighed, unable to believe that he was about to say these words.
'What plan do you have?'