Never Leave Your Partner Behind
The usual disclaimers; copyrights go to whoever owns them.
I was trying to come up with good fanfic ideas for Arkham Asylum/City when I remembered something. In the adaptations of Tim Burton's Batman, he has a different love interest in each film and three things usually happen.
One, they find out who Batman is. Two, Bruce Wayne and love interest are seen together in the last scene of the movie (implying that they've decided to be a couple, except Catwoman, but she and Bruce are important in the scene). And three, they're never heard of or discussed again in the sequel (except in Vicki Vale's case and even then it's only for a couple of lines before Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne have an intense make-out session in Batman Returns). So what would happen if he ran into one of his exes? And what if said ex was a normal girl (aka not super villainesses or anti-heroines) and knew he was Batman?
So without further ado, I present Marjorie Wilde and enjoy.
P.S. Yes I know Mr. Freeze's transformation happened well before this point in the game. But I've retconned it so this is before it happens. The time period between Arkham Asylum and Arkham City is when he turns into Mr. Freeze. I've always wondered what he was like before he became the anti-hero we all know and love
Welcome to the Madhouse!
"You look tired, Marjorie." Dr. Victor Fries commented as he prepared the formulations. We were in Arkham Asylum's Medical Facility Lab. He was studying the terminal disease that affected his wife, Nora. In return for preparing antidotes for the various toxins and poisons that Arkham's more notorious inmates cook up, Warden Sharp allowed Dr. Fries to use the lab for his research. Because he was a family friend of ours, I checked in on him as often as I could. I knew Nora would want to make sure he was ok and wasn't working himself to death.
"Tell me something I don't know." I moaned and rubbed my eyes. First time all day that I've had a break. It had been a really busy month for everyone. We were overcrowded and recently experienced cutbacks. Half the security officers had been let go. To keep up with the pressure, everyone had been working eighteen-hour shifts. "First, Officer Burton's body washes up in Gotham Bay, leaving us without a Head of Security. Then Blackgate burns down. And now Joker's out and causing trouble in Gotham." I slumped down on the bench by the door.
"It could be worse," Dr. Fries commented as he typed notes in the handheld computer he had invented. "Congratulations on your new position by the way."
"Thanks," I said. I was still stunned by the sudden announcement this afternoon. "I'm going to make sure that nobody can get out of this place without my permission."
Dr. Fries nodded. "You're just like Sam…" I looked away when he said Sam's name. It had been two years since the Scarecrow killed my twin brother during an attempted escape here at Arkham. He was a faithful and loyal police officer to the end. Instead of remaining with the GCPD, I vowed to do all I help protect Gotham from Arkham's inmates and transferred over to Arkham. I was glad I made my decision. I liked my coworkers and some of the inmates didn't cause trouble. But it had come at a high price…
Dr. Fries flinched when he saw my reaction. "Forgive me, Marjorie. I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's ok," I shrugged my shoulders before deciding to change the subject. "How is Nora?" She was being kept in the University Hospital; her main doctor, Dr. Rex, is one of Dr. Fries' colleagues. He maintained the cryogenic tube Dr. Fries had put her into. It was a desperate attempt to buy Nora time until a cure could be found.
Dr. Fries softly smiled, a rarity. "She's good. Or rather, as good as she can be. Dr. Rex put on that playlist you made for her when I was coming in. I talked to her, complained about the washing machine breaking down on me." I chuckled when he said that. "Call it weird, but I think she can hear."
"I don't doubt you." I laughed. "As soon as she wakes up, the first thing she's probably going to say is 'do you have enough clean clothes'?"
Dr. Fries chuckled and rested his hand on my shoulder. His touch was cool like his light blue eyes. "Marjorie, thank you." My cellphone buzzed. "Wonder who that could be."
I looked at Caller ID. It was Warden Sharp. "He better have a good excuse." I answered it. "This is Wilde."
"Margie, the Joker has finally been apprehended and is on his way back. I need you at Intensive Treatment. Now." He hung up before I could protest. He knew I hated being called Margie.
"Good news, Ronald McDonald's coming home." I grumbled. "I'm sorry, Dr. Fries, but I have to leave."
"That's ok. The reaction was a dead end anyway." Dr. Fries took the computer chip out of his handheld computer. "Put this up in the safe please."
"Will do." I took it and walked over to the safe built into the pea soup green tiled wall. Inside, files were stuffed to burst, but the red and white striped tin box where we stored the electronic data was gone. "Huh, where is it?" I began pulling out files.
"Where is what?"
"The box with the notes, it's missing." I had now emptied out the safe. But the box hadn't resurfaced. "Dr. Fries, you did see me put it in here yesterday, didn't you?"
"Yes, nor did I take it home with me." Dr. Fries groaned in frustration, running his fingers through his thick gold-brown hair. "Six months of research…gone!"
Absentmindedly, I put the chip in my pants pocket. "Don't worry, we'll find it." I promised. "Now that I have unlimited access to the security tapes, I'll look over the footage of the safe. One of the doctors probably took it by accident." But part of me wasn't sure. The staff knew how important this was to both Dr. Fries and me. That's why it was in a bright red and white tin box, so they wouldn't miss it. "I'll see you later, ok?"
"Have a good night, Marjorie." Dr. Fries said.
I made my way through the maze of corridors to the outside. Rain splashed on the rocky surface of the island. Gotham's lights glowed on the other side of the bay. The air smelled of salt water, refreshing compared to the stale and sterile air of the Medical Facility. The familiar Bat Signal waved against the fleecy blanket of rainclouds.
"Hey, Wilde!" Aaron Cash waved his hook hand as he hurried up the stairs. The faithful guard was covered with a plastic poncho, an umbrella hanging from his arm. I liked Cash. He was funny and yet dedicated to his job. Following closely behind, also in a poncho was Frank Boles.
I wish I could say that Boles' scarred face and cloudy glass eye hid a dedicated and gentle soul. I didn't like him. Now that I think about it, nobody did. He was a punk, often breaking rules and disrespecting authority. Often I smelled bourbon on his breath and caught him drinking sloppily out of a silver hip flask. How in the world he managed to keep his job, I will never know. Now that I was Head of Security, I promised myself I would have a thorough review once everything had calmed down. And Boles would be the first one gone.
"Hiya Cash, nice weather we're having." I smiled.
"At least one of us is enjoying it," Cash said. "Warden sent us to make sure you were on your way."
"Yeah, sorry about that little delay. So let's get going."
"With pleasure," Cash tossed me the umbrella. "Here, take this."
"Let's go," Boles growled and started walking towards the security doors that connected Arkham West (location of both the Medical Facility and Penitentiary) with Arkham North (home of Intensive Treatment). I fumbled the umbrella open and hurried to keep up with Boles and Cash. We were silent as we made the trip.
The heavy steel doors unlocked and let us go through. In front of Intensive Treatment, I saw the police cars flashing red and blue lights. Commissioner Gordon, a weathered man with graying hair stepped inside. "They've already processed Joker?" I asked as we took shelter under the awning of the building.
"Hmn? Nah. Clown ain't here yet." Boles took off his poncho, shaking it dry and getting me wet.
"Watch it, Boles." I said, closing the umbrella. "So if he's not here, who is bringing the clown?" Although I had a damn good feeling…
Like before, the steel doors of Intensive slid back and opened for us. Warden Sharp stood there proudly, his stout body leaning on the cane.
"The Batman, who else?" Cash rolled his eyes and went inside.
Joy…I put the umbrella by the door and made sure my Beretta handgun was ready. Two years had gone by since we'd last spoken to each other. My decision to become a security officer at Arkham helped bring our relationship to an end. I had always managed to be somewhere else when he was on the island. And whenever I saw his face on the TV or on the tabloids, I looked away. Now I couldn't avoid him.
That was because I knew who Batman was. Yes, I used to date Bruce Wayne.
"Stand back, fool! I've got a bomb!" Joker muttered in the seat next to Batman. "Oh, right." He giggled, tapping his gloved fingers together. "Hey Bats, these are too tight! Can you be a doll and loosen them for me?' Joker held up his handcuffed wrists. "I'll be a good little boy." He cackled lightly.
Batman said nothing as he turned the Batmobile around a sharp corner. They were now outside the city limits, it was a straight road to Arkham from here. A green road sign marked the halfway point. Batman knew what it said. "Arkham". He also knew what was on the yellow and black sign beneath that. "Hitchhikers may be escaping inmates."
The gates were ahead. Flanked by two stone angels with lanterns, the wrought iron gate matched the Gothic exterior of the buildings. Batman wasn't somebody who scared easily. But there was something very unsettling about the asylum. The sooner he could drop this clown off, the sooner he could get on with his evening.
But something felt wrong…very wrong. He reflected as he opened up the Batmobile and dragged Joker out. The rain was still falling. "Bats do you have a Bat-umbrella? I just had Harley dry clean my favorite suit." Joker whined as he stumbled to the door. The security system recognized Batman and the door slid open.
Inside, he saw the short and squat Warden Sharp leaning on his cane. A large campaign button was pinned on his right lapel. It read Quincy Sharp for Mayor. On the heavy brick and cement walls, Batman noticed the large campaign signs and slogans. All for showing his bloated ego, he thought as he dropped Joker to the ground. The man didn't bother to stand. Joker moaned as Batman yanked him to his feet.
"Hey Sharpie!" Joker's scarred white face smiled. "Love what you've done with the place." Batman saw her…Marjorie… She was flanking the Warden, tightening her grip on her handgun. He couldn't read her. She and Batman acknowledged the other with a silent nod.
"That's Warden Sharp to you. Boles, Wilde," Sharp ordered.
Officer Boles walked forward, a scowl embedded on his face. Marjorie followed close behind. "Yo Fran-kay! How's the wife and kids? You miss me…?" Joker taunted.
"Shut it, clown!" He pulled Joker up to his face. "A lot of people want to talk to you."
"That's enough, Boles." Marjorie tightly gripped Boles' shoulder. Her dark brown eyes looked into his angrily. "He's given us enough trouble for one day."
"Oh, don't get your hopes up, Margie…" Joker leered at Marjorie, who ignored him. Although Batman remembered how much she detested that nickname. "Not so tight, you'll crease the suit." He complained as Boles and Marjorie took off the handcuffs and began strapping him into the upright stretcher. "Really? I don't mind walking." Joker growled before flashing a scarred smile at Batman, his lips caked with lipstick.
"Warden, something's not right." Batman said as Joker was wheeled away. "I'm going with them."
Joy…I suppressed a groan as I heard Batman say he was joining us. The upset feelings I had at the breakup had long since resolved themselves. But the tiny prick of anger was still there.
I wasn't so much angry at him for breaking up with me as I was for not respecting my decision. I was a big girl and could handle Arkham. After all, I was my brother's sister.
I was going to join the escort when Sharp tugged on my elbow. "I want him securely locked up this time. Another escape and I'll lose support for my mayoral campaign." The Warden ordered me.
Disgusted, I turned to him. "You know, it would be easier to keep him in if you hadn't fired half the guards." I held myself up. I was now Head of Security. He was going to listen to me.
"So call in the day shift." Sharp shrugged his shoulders. "I thought you had enough sense to get them to stay later, Margie…"
"They've only had an hour of rest!" My temper blew. I realized why Sharp picked me as Burton's replacement. He thinks he could push me around. Well he's picked the wrong girl to control… "We are stretched thin as it is. All of us have been working eighteen-hour shifts for over a month. Everyone is exhausted. We need backup, especially now that we have Blackgate inmates too…"
Sharp held up his hand, stopping me down the same one would stop a child. "I appreciate your concern but we don't have anything to fear. Wayne Tech has upgraded our entire system. It's virtually hack proof. Cameras are located everywhere and we can close off parts of the asylum at a moment's notice. I don't see why you're so concerned…"
That's it. He's gone too far. "The last time you put your entire faith in the security system, it cost my brother his life. If anything happens tonight to my guards, it'll get out to the media. And then you can kiss your dreams of being mayor goodbye."
"We're ready to roll, Warden Sharp." A cameraman walked to us. I heard the bright floodlights behind me click on.
Before I could ask what was going on, Sharp put his hand on my shoulder. He offered a false smile to the cameraman before turning to me. "Marjorie Wilde, do you have anything you want to say for my political ad?"
I shook my head in disgust and left. By now the Joker's escort had gone through the scanner, through the holding cell transfer hallway and were now being checked out by the orderly on duty. I ran to catch up with them. Joker was going to his cell and I would make sure he'd stay there. Even if it meant going into the elevator…
Joker had passed his checkup and the group was now heading towards the elevator leading to the lower floors. Batman heard the heavy clunking of steel-toed boots coming up behind them. He looked behind him; Marjorie had caught up with them.
Batman studied the young woman as she walked next to him. It had been about two years since he'd last seen her. Marjorie's body was more athletic than he remembered. She had cut her red-brown hair into a pixie cut to keep from getting attacked from behind. It was now too short to get pulled on. Heavy bags formed under her brown eyes and her freckled face was pale. Marjorie had gotten a tattoo of St. Michael the Archangel on the right side of her neck, just below her ear. He remembered that she said she was going to get a tattoo of an angel in memory of Sam.
They entered the elevator lobby. Several guards trained their weapons at the shaft as the cable pulled upward. The four-note P.A. alert played. "Alert in Intensive Treatment. Category Nine Patient in transit. Pacification system active. Shoot to kill permissions granted." Marjorie took out her Beretta and aimed it at the shaft. Batman could hear the elevator groaning. Whatever it was carrying must be very heavy.
"You heard the lady." A guard, Louie Green, shouted to his comrades. "We've got another psycho on the way!"
"Can't you just smell the excitement in the air?" Joker giggled. "No? Must've been one of the guards then." Batman heard Marjorie softly groan. The car finally came into view, the sides sending sparks flying. "Croc, old boy! Is that you?"
Batman made out the scaly and overgrown body of Waylon Jones, aka Killer Croc. "Keep your weapons trained on Croc at all times!" Marjorie ordered. A searchlight in the ceiling flipped on, landing on Croc. "Don't let him out of your sight!"
The car stopped, the guards adjusted their aim as the cage style door slid back and Croc made his way out of the car. Heavy shackles chained his hands and feet together. A large electric collar rested on his neck. Obviously they had tightened up security for Killer Croc after he bit Aaron Cash's hand off.
Croc stopped and sniffed the air. "What's it doing?" Green nervously asked. Marjorie stiffened her aim, her eyes furrowing. Croc turned and stared Batman down.
The dark knight held his stance as the animal licked his teeth and grimly smiled. "I've got your scent Batman. I'll rip you apart, feast on your bones." Croc took one, two steps towards Batman.
"Turn on his collar! Get him under control!" Marjorie ordered. The collar around his neck sparked and buzzed. Croc stopped moving and winced. Batman knew the collar wasn't lethal but no doubt painful. "Get that overgrown lizard out of here." Marjorie sighed, relieved. The large escort began walking out the left entryway. But Croc wasn't done yet.
"A toy collar isn't going to stop me from killing you, Batman! And you'll be my dessert, bitch!" Croc threatened before being forced to move along.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll give you indigestion while you're at it." Marjorie mumbled as she put her Beretta in her shoulder holster. "Too bad I can't turn him into a handbag."
"That reminds me, I really need to get me some new shoes." Joker said cheerfully as he flexed his worn black shoes, hidden under the ragged spats.
"Ok, let's get going." Boles pointed his gun to the elevator. "Bozo isn't getting back in his box by himself." The escort slowly moved into the elevator. Marjorie stiffened before taking a deep breath and tentatively followed them.
"Oh Frankie, you really need to learn to keep your big mouth shut." Joker said in a soft and low voice. "It'll get you into trouble." Boles ignored him and took a swig out of his flask. The elevator doors pulled shut and began going down.
"It's just an elevator, Marjorie." Batman heard her whispering to herself. "You'll be out of it in a few minutes. You're not going to die." She looked around nervously, like a trapped animal, shallow breathing.
"Aw, what's the matter, Margie?" Joker goaded. "Still afraid of tight dark spaces…?"
Marjorie stepped closer to Batman. He tensed slightly but allowed her. The P.A. warning went on and the Warden's message played on the elevator television. "All patients should avoid all contact with the Blackgate inmates. Their presence…"
The elevator suddenly stopped and all power went out. "Oh God!" Marjorie tensed. Joker began cackling. They were plunged into darkness.
I couldn't move. My stomach turned and my heart was pounding like I was running a marathon. Something bumped into me, touching my holster. I shook, terrified. Jesus Christ…not again…I could hear Scarecrow's laughter and Sam's pleas for me to get out. "What's he doing?" Boles shouted. So he was the one who bumped into me. The Joker's giggles turned into choking. My panic level shot to the sky. "Get a flashlight on him!"
As suddenly as it went off, the power came back on. Light filled the elevator car and the taped Sharp continued his spiel. Oh thank God! I silently calmed myself down. Batman had Joker by the throat. "What?" Joker gagged. "Don't you trust me?" He released the Joker, who began catching his breath. "Great night for a party, eh homies?"
We had reached the holding cells. The elevator door slid open. I took no chances and hurried out. That was the last time I was going anywhere near an elevator unless I had to. Batman broke his silence as we went down the winding hallway. "Tell me something. You've never let me catch you this easy. What are you really after?"
"Oh nothing much. A little mischief here. A lot of mayhem there. Pain and suffering everywhere I go. That's my motto. Does that answer your question?" Joker said. We wheeled into the lobby. I recognized the Commissioner at the front desk. A visitor badge was clipped to his vest pocket. "It's so good to be back in my sweet little ha-ha-ha-hacienda." Joker declared as Boles and I unshackled him.
"Long night Jim?" Batman said as he shook Gordon's hand.
"Joker goes on a little joyride in the city, leaving me to juggle S.W.A.T. teams, the media and you. Yeah, it's been a hell of a night. At least he's back where he belongs." The entrances buzzed with electricity, a security feature developed by Lucius Fox himself. He did a damn good job, Batman decided.
Batman watched the Joker be handcuffed. "Hopefully the last night we'll ever have with him." Batman said, but he doubted the Joker would stay quietly in Arkham for long.
"Hold it there," a security guard by the electrified entrance ordered. "Sorry, Batman, Arkham staff only." The doctor next to him nodded.
"I can assure you, Batman is a very…" Jim vouched for him, just as he had done several times before.
"I appreciate the assistance, but he might unsettle the more violent patients." Marcus said calmly.
"I think he's talking about you, Bats!" Joker said as the guard took him.
Marjorie stepped up to Marcus. She only came up to his chin. "I'm Head of Security and I say he goes with us."
"And the Warden has overruled you." Marcus held his phone up to the tip of her nose. Marjorie read the message. Batman watched her grimace. "I'm sorry, Wilde, but the Warden has forbidden people other than Arkham staff."
"See Margie, he's told you so!" Joker said as the electric field was deactivated. Boles pushed Joker towards Marcus and doctor. Marjorie joined the three men as they went past the holding cells. "Don't be a stranger!" Joker called out to Batman.
Batman and Jim entered the guard's post, watching the group of people walking across the room through the bulletproof glass. Something still bothered him. "You ok?" Jim had noticed.
"He surrendered almost without a fight." Batman said, crossing his arms. "I don't like it."
The security field behind us sparked on. Joker stumbled, falling to his knees. "Get up," Officer Marcus ordered. That's when I noticed his handcuffed hands were in front of him, not behind his back as standard procedure called for.
"Hold him down!" I ordered, training my handgun on Joker. But it was too late. It happened so fast. Joker slammed his head into Marcus' chin. Marcus released his grip on Joker. This allowed Joker to get up and wrap the chain of his handcuffs around Marcus' neck.
"Hurry!" Joker yelled over Marcus' gagging. "We're losing him, doc!"
"What the hell…?" Jim said in disbelief as they watched the events unfold before them. The doctor was fiddling with the handcuff key.
This was what Batman feared. "Joker's loose! Alert the Warden!" He directed as he slammed his heavily armored fist into the bulletproof glass. Nothing happened.
"Let him go or I'll shoot!" I yelled. By then, Joker had gotten out of his handcuffs and had given the doctor a knuckle sandwich. He ignored me and and dropped Marcus to the floor. There was a sickening cracking sound as the guard landed.
He didn't move, his head was twisted at an odd angle. "The 'choke's' on you." Joker told Marcus, not noticing me. Permission to fire granted, I thought as I pulled the trigger.
There was the familiar flash of smoke and loud bang. But a bullet didn't come out of the barrel. Instead, a stick popped out and a flag folded down. "Huh?" I said, confused. The little red flag had the word BANG! sewn into it with black thread. There was also a quiet ticking noise coming from the barrel.
"Marjorie! Look out!" I heard Gordon yell. Training kicked in and I threw it. A bright flash and deafening roar took over before it got far.
She got the warning too late. The prop gun exploded three feet away from her face. "Ow!" Marjorie cried as she collapsed, gripping her face in pain.
Marjorie! Batman slammed his fist again into the glass. Cracks formed but the glass still didn't give way.
My ears rang and my head throbbed. I held my burning hands against my face. What the hell was going on?
"Whee!" The Joker did a happy little dance and giggled. He pointed to the electrified entry that led to the transfer loop. "Ta-Da!" Joker looked at the camera by the door. "Honey, I'm home!"
Harley Quinn's voice gushed over the P.A. "Come on in!" She was supposed to be locked up in Penitentiary on the other side of the Island. How the hell did she get access to the P.A. system? Is this some weird nightmare? The security field across the room deactivated. This was going from bad to worse.
Batman grunted as his foot slammed into the glass. It finally gave way and he jumped through. Glass flew everywhere. Marjorie curled up, trying to protect herself from the sharp glass. He flew over her before landing, rolling to absorb the impact of landing. Batman then got up, bending his knees, bracing for a fight.
Joker ran through the portal. The field activated, blocking him off. "Welcome to the Madhouse, Batman!" Joker held out his arms in pride. "I've set a trap and you sprang it gloriously!"
I'm not completely satisfied with my characters though, especially Batman and Marjorie. In fact, I'm not really satisfied with the story overall. Constructive feedback is more than welcome, please and thank you.