Gotham Adventures
The Queen's Children
By Bruce Smith and Priya Sridhar
Now that Cassandra takes the persona of the Black Bat she called herself. The Magnificent Claydoll decided to tag along with just in case her new identity might attract what she feels is the most dangerous and is known to be Claydoll's greatest foe yet but unknown to her this time Claydoll not the only one who has new recruits.
As we take a look out on Gotham Penitentiary home for the troubled juvenile youth where we see Katherine and the other inmates in the commons room with where they interact with TVs, Pool Tables and Bookshelves.
Katherine has carry her little clay sculpture shaped like Claydoll, the Bat Family in her cell and Clayface sculpture as she carry the stuffed doll version of Claydoll with her in the commons room after the staff let her know she to be on your best behavior or it's back to the cell. As she nonchalantly respond to them.
"Aww don't worry about little old me sometimes you need to learned that there's more than to be caution about."
As Katherine walks to sit down with the rest of the children who seeing the movie called "The terror" which caught Katherine's attention when the kids have a conversation about it.
"Hey this movie is such a classic thriller that it still has a cult following surprise that it even has fans after what happened to the former star actor Matthew Hagen." a young teen boy with black spiky hair and pale skin mentioned Matt Hagen
"What? You knew about my father Matt Hagen!? Tell me everything so know." Katherine demand after being surprised that there's still someone that knows little about Clayface history.
"Sorry I should introduce myself I'm Burt Weston movie expert in all this horror sci-fi mystery pretty much every genre and as you know I was a fan of Matt Hagen movies.
I saw what happened to him on the news it's just ashamed that he suffer from that Daggett guy." Burt explained as Katherine feels glad that someone understand who is the victim
"But now he came back like he rising from the grave to reclaim his fame and seek revenge to does who wronged him. Say are you the same kid who work with him calm to be his daughter and recently off Roland Daggett?" Burt asked Katherine
"Yes I am the girl who killed my grandfather for all the pain he put my dad through I am trying to prove a point that life is all showbiz and for those who don't get the act well their curtains will be cut too like the Bat Family and everyone or most importantly my own princess sister dear in all her beauty but her performances to good for that but her servants that is if I find at least some of them special I can give them bigger roles than the extras hahahaha."
Katherine respond happily as Burt laughed with her
"You are pretty interesting Katherine it's rarely anyone who truly gets the idea on how life works like a story involved a plot, excited drama, suspense, and creative performance but you are one special cast no wait. You can make a great host seeing what you pulled in Christmas last year if only my last ones would understand but they say I'm becoming unstable especially with I'm taking my inspiration on horror movies too seriously that well, I always want to be a great horror actor and let's say the last girl who called me a lunatic after I show her my room and we been through so much fun together have been simply smother at least she get rest comfortable in the bed before she gets too comfortable that she slept with pillow on her face and the bed on top of her never been so comfy ever since." Burt explained his story as Katherine feels her body feel warm inside on Burt's story
"strange what is this feeling coming from?"
Katherine thought to herself as she rub Burt's hand as he watching her a little blush on her reaction.
"Sometimes that's the downside when it comes to everyone being a critic over a masterpiece but Burt Weston you got a fan now if you like but you have to do favors if you want to keep me." Katherine said but a almost tender sweet tone as their face get closer but
"Hey Burt Weston are you trying to seduce the new girl in joint with another one of your movie expert facts?" a girl with long light brown hair teased Burt as Katherine back off to see who is she
"Can it Jenna! I don't have time for your foolery." Burt scold
"Aww don't worry Burt I'm only just making sure you don't make the girl feel uncomfortable." Jenna respond playfully
"Funny usually most of you would run away in fear of doing anything that involved interacting with me." Katherine said smiled at both Burt and Jenna
"Really I think you're not always bad news Katherine you just scared them because they don't understand you. You just like anyone else who being misunderstood well most of them I mean that man you killed is as bad as all of us from what I heard. Speaking of what I heard is it true that you adapt to same superhuman strength just like Claydoll?" Jenna asked as Katherine look in a monotone stare at Jenna
"Sorry I shouldn't asked knowing how you and her are close I just want to test your strength maybe arm wrestling? No wait how about connect our hand on each other and try to push my hand I let you know when to stop." Jenna asked as Katherine smile clam sinister way
"Sure let's begin give me your hand and try to push mine." Katherine respond as her and Jenna hold each other hand
"I'm going to be the referee and commentator the first who let a drop tear or forfeit lose!" Burt decide to watch them go at it
"Ready … set… BEGIN!" Burt stated as Katherine and Jenna are forcing strength to push each other's hand. Katherine didn't uses much strength to see what Jenna is capable with as Jenna is pushing Katherine's hand to her face.
"Hey I think I did it I beat the girl who killed Daggett!" Jenna arrogantly
Katherine say nothing then used more of her strength not showing a sigh of struggle while she push Jenna hand all the way to the point where Jenna is struggling to push Katherine back as she feels her arm shaking.
"You really are something. If this keeps up and I go 100% your arm won't be doing anything anymore." Katherine stated smiling at Jenna not trying to cry.
"You need to forfeit before Katherine get to her full strength then it's RING OUT FOR THE ARM!" Burt said as Jenna trying to find a way to stop her by trying to hit her in the chest but
"Ah ah ah no cheating that can cause more than an arm if you get the picture. Hahahahahahhaha you should know that they never end well." Katharine shows her darker side as Jenna heart skip a beat after see into Katherine's eyes sweating but as she hear Katherine counting.
"5….4.." Jenna stops her
"Okay okay please! I quit just let me keep my arm I need these babies to build things in I escape I promise I'll will build anything for you I'm a toolgirl when I'm not stealing things or con others but I won't do that to you okay?" Jenna begging Katherine to stop with a tear coming from her eye while try not to scream when Katherine add pressure to and squeezed her hand almost breaking her fingers.
"Anything huh? Well you say you are a tool girl who build anything for occasions right? Katharine asked
"Yeah of course I do. I'm pretty much a Carpenter if I do say so myself please let go!" Jenna respond pulling her hand as Katherine let's go causing Jenna to fall on the ground.
"Whew thanks I can already imagine you being a leader of groups once you escaped or released from here Katherine and my hands are still in one piece." Jenna asked as Katherine smile at the idea.
"Well it's looks like you managed to show her what happened if anyone stand in your way or underestimate you and your behavior as you dominate her. It's full of passion I think we are going to be good partners." Burt saying as to say Katherine's the winner as she for the first time blush but yet almost begin to understand what she is feeling around Burt.
"Aww yeah well I am a performer maybe you can teach me some new acts for us." Katherine uncontrollably show her seductive self as she wrap her arms around him as Jenna stick her tongue out behind their back as Burt smile then kiss her as Katherine feels shock at his action.
"Oh my you are quite the Romero be careful because this Juillet bites but not hard on you boy maybe this is not so bad after all." Katherine said smiled and face getting red but then during this while Katherine and Burt are going on about old time horror movies and classic shows from the old days while Jenna seen some newspapers from the table then grab one and spots something like a small black caped figure with a domino mask in Black swing between two buildings almost like a ghost sighting alongside what looks like the Magnificent Claydoll with the look alike figure almost like they are twins.
"Wow guys lookie here I don't know the Magnificent Claydoll have a twin but why they dress in different clothes? You probably know since you encounter Claydoll the most right Katherine?" Jenna asked as Katherine is in shock by the words in her mouth but act calm to excuse Burt to put her down.
"Excuses me my brilliant Prince I'll go see if this fool messing with my ears and if she does I'll break her." Katherine said politely as she being put down by Burt.
"Whatever you say my mistress let me if you need anything." Burt saying as he is enjoy Katherine's figure as Katherine wink at him then goes to her threaten side on Jenna
"Give me that or I'll make sure you have your final act here in this place!" Katherine demand as Jenna did so and hide behind to couch
"Hmm let's see.
NEWFLASH
Gotham's vigilante community is just bigger than the GCPD? Another costume ally?!
"No she wouldn't dare betrayed me like this she can't be hahaha let's face it no one can replace me as her equal. No no it's okay Burt I'm fine just let me show my displeasure. Ahem!" Katherine said in a monotone voice then screams out in anger and frustration as she grabs the couch while Jenna run behind Burt and get him away while all the kids are shaking like this might be their last day as Katherine slam the couch to the table causing the newspapers to fly into the air around with Katherine swing wildly at the newspapers directly at where the small black caped figure with Claydoll at shouting.
"HOW DARE YOU TRYING TO REPLACE ME WITH THAT PRETENDER! SHE NEED TO DIE! YOUR LITTLE COPY DOLL WILL DIE FOR DISGRACING YOUR NAME! I'LL MAKE SURE ALL YOUR LITTLE NO SHOW SERVANTS WILL GET THEIR CURTAINS CUTS!" Katherine roars at the top of her lungs as the Staff and guards come in to stop her. Katherine was fighting back and break few of the guards heads, throws them to the walls and almost kill two until one of them shock gun her from behind which cause her clay to be weekend renter it useless as she been taken to her cell wishing death on the figure and Bat Family.
"Don't feel bad Weston Katherine got to let out some steam anyway so why bother right?" Jenna said patting Burt's back while he looks upset.
"No she just want to make her sister and everyone see the truth meaning of art and try make people be entertained by her talents even if it means doing controversial and extreme limits to get people to understand the real showbiz and I believe that I actually in love with my special leading lady kinda cool huh?" Burt asked in a dreamlike tone while hoping to see Katherine again.
"Yeah but cool you mean whack did you see what she trying to do with my hand and how she breakdown!?" Jenna asked still feel uneasy after what Katherine done to her.
"You're the one who brought yourself into it but it's not like she want to take your hand off or something plus you still got all your parts attached so stop being a wussy. Just hope that maybe I can help her out in someway and show the world true art and who's the biggest show of them for her." Burt point at Jenna for putting herself in what could have been a bad losses for her hand while she still moving her left hand to see if she can move it right.
"Whatever you say Romero you're just defending her because you loved her the way she looks at you says it all but who am I to stop you two's love train hahaha." Jenna said playfully as Burt glare at her in a irritated mood.
Meanwhile Katherine is feeling upset while crushing her Claydoll sculpture and doll apart in her cell as if she's destroy the real thing.
"Sister dear how could you do this to me I give you fun, mayhem and spectacular battles with you jumping in as Gotham's supergirl,my princess, my one true special guest star on the act to complete me and this is how you really repay me by replace me with that no show wannabe? I don't think so maybe you need to learn what happened in you try to forget me starting right now hahahahahahahahahahaha!" Katherine said to herself as she looks at the bars in the windows.
"Hmm oh no where oh where what can I do to get outside oops." Katherine said nonchalantly bend the bars silent like and opens the window while avoid spotlights on the walls and pull and Burt's cell number from her pocket with more paper prices of Jenna and a few of the most troublesome kids in Gotham Penitentiary numbers too.
"Oh well hahaha time for Rocky penitentiary climbing and recruit hunting." Katherine said to the audience as she now used her strength to grab the walls to fall slip and fall while hiding from the lights.
During some short time Burt is thinking about Katherine in his cell when he need some time alone he have poster of Matt Hagen movies and horror based films.
"Wow I actually kiss a girl not just a usual girl but a superhuman one and her lips and Oh that cream like skin there is no one who can compare how she feel and for someone who admit to never experienced feeling this way even she admit her own way she's a good charmer and kisser too. If only I do anything for my mistress and lived happily ever after." Burt saying in his mind
"But that won't happen if we stay here duh just a thought." Burt admit to the audience until he notice the bars outside and inside his window are bended and apart.
"That's odd I don't remember seeing my window opened with broken bars I wonder."
Burt look through the door to make sure no staff is present and process to look at the window to check was going on until pale slender hands come and cover his mouth and pulls him out reveals to be Katherine.
"Shhh I'm here my sweet boy just get on my back and climb down to hide somewhere around trees and don't let them see you got it?" Katherine asked as Burt shake his head yes as does that and hide around the dark so No one can see him.
Meanwhile Jenna is in her cell after the staff announced the kids to get to their cells and rest as she playing with her tool set toys and she hears the window opens and sees no one around it.
"What the heck is going with this place things are starting to be creepy ever since Katherine got here for the first time like she's planning something. Whatever it is I hope it's good without me dying." Jenna said to audience as she close the door and sit back to her toolset trying to even a alarm clock for herself but unknown to her Katherine crawls out of Jenna's bed and grabs her mouth and take her outside of the cell by opening the window.
"I won't stop struggling if you want to be free and out there." Katherine said as Jenna stop struggling and calm down as they land silently on the ground.
As Katherine gets Jenna into the dark trees where a few kids silently mumble to each other after Burt instruct them to be calm.
"What? Why are we here Karlo?" Jenna asked almost nervously silently as Katherine put her down softly
"Simple my dear Duffy Duffy we're going to be free and I'm going to make sure you be out all the way as I'll be with you." Katherine respond
"And I help bring them up to speed about it you if you still want to complain we leave you here." Burt explained
"I'll just be seeing how things are maybe check out some shops and suckers." Jenna respond
"I'll will and since I started this I will take change of this group any questions?" Katherine asked as one of kids raises their hand
"How we can get pass the gate in front of us queen Karlo?" the girl asked as Katherine didn't say anything but snap the metal gate open like a pack of sticks with her bare hands.
"Now you see how we so let's break out of this joint to freedom." Katherine respond while the kids already run past her through the manhole sized gate so she join them anyway.
The Bat Signal gleamed with a forlorn grimness. Gordon was already waiting for Batman. He had one hand bunched in his pocket.
"Karlo and a gang has escaped," he said shortly.
"I have bats on the case," Batman replied. "It should be a matter of days."
"You seem to be getting new bats," he remarked. "We seem to have a flying fox roaming around the city."
"Black Bat is with me," Batman acknowledged. "I trust there won't be a problem with her?"
"I wouldn't. But coincidentally, the news reported that Bruce Wayne's adopted a new ward." Gordon looked away. "I would say that the man has to be careful with covering the paperwork. With all the children he's helped, he may as well start an orphanage."
Batman tilted his head. Gordon sighed.
"I'm just saying, the city makes a lot of allowances for Wayne, but social services have their limits. We don't want him investigated for crimes he didn't commit."
"I'm sure he'll find out," Batman said. "Any leads on Karlo?"
"Not much, just some noise about La Scala." Gordon looked out on the sky. "There are a lot of things I can't tell you, but it seems Black Bat has sparked quite an-"
He turned. Batman was gone. The commissioner sighed again.
"Sometimes it's like talking to a fly on the wall."
Meanwhile, at La Scala, one figure took up the abandoned stage. They wore a prop crown, and a cape that had been filched from one of the wardrobes.
"Attention, Children of Clay!" Her voice echoed across the dusty seats. "Bow to your queen! Bow to Katherine Karlo!" She announced as the Children of Clay applauded and bow down to their Queen while a few wearing purple old gangster hats and muddy trench coats as a reference to one of Hagen's movies with Katherine walks through the curtains standing dramatically with her hands on her hips and a staff with the letter K on top and smiled proudly at her children.
"Awww isn't she so happy Jenna? Maybe after all this we can finally get to the royal behind the scenes time." Burt whispers as Jenna is glad to put her tool skills to used
"She's probably glad that I have put a extra touch on the stage with a little improvise but I would keep my mouth shut. If I want to keep my trips around the stores and stuff you're lucky that me and you are her right hand children." Jenna responds silently as Katherine begins her speech.
"Tonight and the rest of our lives we will show the world what happens when they trying to keep true entertainment and good sense of how the world really work. Trying to make it seem that we're just insane hahaha then have the nerve to keep us in silence instead of giving in to who the real monsters they are and that's why we got to be extreme you know?! Start creating some kind of performance and actions go out and find whatever you desire thievery, revenge money, mayhem heck! GO out and start on intense riots in the streets and show the dedication to me as we soon might show the Magnificent do gooders who thinks that they can just forget about us and throw away keys SINCE THEY ARE SELF RIGHTEOUS ABOUT IT AND REPLACE US WITH SOME OTHER NO SHOW!!!!" Katherine shouts as the Children get spooked
"But let's now worry about those flying knights and costumes but together maybe you guys can try to kill them or bring them all to me and anyone who so much and connections with them if you can, please just trying to keep away from the one with the CD insignia fists and kicks. I heard she's packs a good whack like me or a gorilla especially if you harm or kill her little helpers but I will always be right there to keep them in line while you all go out there but mostly if you ever see the Black Bat person don't kill her let me play with her after you bring her here alive got it!" Katherine asked them
"Yes queen Karlo All hail Katherine Karlo!!" the Children of Clay respond as they managed to have a few weapons from last year Christmas event that took place in this very theater.
"You are doing great up there babe I'm actually amazed at your character who knows maybe I can be your leading showman like a co host. Plus I can Film some of our kingdoms performance and it would be a real horror story with thriller like a mystery the only way to complete it is you and me and your victims and sister then the extras!" Burt explained as Katherine is delighted about how Burt's thinking like in her mindset of a true producer and director.
"Wow Burt you really have a beautiful mind you like some wisdom of the act how would you like the name Film Freak?" Katherine puts her hand on Burt's cheek as he looking at her in lustful manner and her sweet seductive smile as she used her sweet talking voice to get him excited.
"Are you my sweet Film Freak Burt Weston? Maybe you can show me how much you are sometime soon like I said I bite slowly." Katherine smooth words starting making Burt smiled
"Yes! Yes!! I do wanted to be your Film Freak my sweet queen I will always have I'm Camera focus on you if you know what that means." Burt respond happily as he jumps on Katherine's arms getting used to the hybrids strength.
"Oh yeah I do just so we are clear." Katherine said as her and Burt's lips connecting but with more passion as their tongue get inside each other and break apart.
"You and I are going to be epic romantic duo of showbiz industry got it?" Katherine said While both her and Burt panting for air.
"Will do sweetie I will be sure to get a camera crew and gets our audience attention in the meantime." Burt now goes by the name Film Freak suggest
"Excellent and as for you Jenna and get to be our Carpenter or whatever you said for our stage and maybe something special for your Queen while you go there and con and steal whatever you like alright Duffy Duffy?" Katherine asked
"Oh I don't you have to call me Duffy Duffy anymore say hello to Gotham's deadliest fix em up person The Carpenter! Jenna announced herself all geared up with hammer screwdriver drills on her tool belt and wearing a construction worker outfit with blue shorts and a yellow hat and had her ponytails on each side as she holding a wrench, posing with her hand on her hips lending on the wall with one boot on it and put the wrench on her shoulder and winked.
"The Carpenter huh okay I accept that but I'm keep calling you Duffy Duffy because it fun hahahaha!" Katherine responds as The Carpenter looks at her in irritated mood.
"Fine but I'm just going to pretend that you don't since I can't talk you out of it so you won't break me." The Carpenter said as she march with the rest of the Children of Clay to do as they please with Katherine being with Film Freak to get the camera's rolling and a talk show TV set in another warehouse.
"Hahahahhahaha oh sister dear if only you haven't been sitting down playing princess and letting your copy doll and your little kiddos save you all the time but these guys don't pull no punches." Katherine said to herself as she watch them spread out in the city.
Meanwhile in the diamond district area of Gotham. The Magnificent Claydoll and Robin swings around and glide to the roof watching over street until Carrie Kelley with Olive called in Claydoll's Bat communicator and Maps with Eric called in Robin's Bat communicator as the Couple Crusader pick up the communicator at the same time to see what the kids got.
"Hello guys what happened? You all seem like you not looking forward to tell us something." Robin asked as Claydoll is senses something odd happens in her veins like the Clay is telling her something.
"Umm That's because we wish it didn't happened but unfortunately it did not that we don't want to tell you it's how would Claydoll reaction." Olive responds
"What are you saying? I promise I can take this easy what ever happened in this city, just let us know and we'll take care of it from here." Claydoll smiled ready for what they going to say
"W Well earlier Batman let us know that not only Katherine Karlo has escape but this time she's back with a gang of her own fresh out of the Gotham Penitentiary." Eric respond as Claydoll looked surprised but keeps her eyes calm so Maps and Eric don't see the fear in her eyes.
"What? My sister is affecting her madness to those trouble but poor kids?"Claydoll asked
"Darn it why do I let Sister Cass go off on her own without mentioning the journalist guys taking photos of us?" Claydoll thought to herself as Robin look into her eyes and see the fear in her eyes knowing what going on in her mind.
"That's not all guys. They also have a meeting in or somethings in La Scala then all a sudden it's all silence with missing wardrobe that's based on a old silent film called the terror and many of old movies involved Matthew Hagan." Carrie informed them
"Seriously those movies? I guess old man Hagan must be proud of his little monster right now as she is seems to be proud to be Daddy clay's girl." Robin snarks
"Hey I was going to say that! But so far we haven't heard from her yet and don't worry CD like you say before. "Black Bat is like the ultimate fighting machine with the language of violence!" Maps doing Claydoll's impression making Eric giggles
"Yeah of course but let's not forget Stephanie Brown she can put up a fight from what Tim said about her so yeah we don't need to worry now we got extra muscle on our side!" Olive points out
"Thanks for the heads up guys I'll let them know what's up." Robin stated
"Oh wait before you do that I have already got Heathcliff inform Steph and Cass about it, they should know by now so we just lay low and keep out of sight from them okay?" Carrie said as Robin smile at the kids good work until all of them hear the dispatcher from the Detective Clubs laptop.
"Dispatch we just got a couple of what looks like young teens in purple hats and muddy trench coat like some clay little people with some serious weapons and 4 armed chanting Ail Hail Queen Karlo in the mail shoplifting and shooting over sending backup for potential hostages these are not your average youth here!" then the cops dispatch stops as Claydoll put her face on her hand in disappointment and sighs in frustration.
"I think we now know what their next move is good luck out there hope someone else can stop it before the real damage starts then it will be a big Nossies for us then a yessies for them." Maps suggest in a worried tone
"You're right Maps. Me and Claydoll would get there don't worry I'm sure someone can hold them off until we get there too in the meantime let us know when she making her next move alright?" Robin respond while looking at Claydoll's expression
"We understand just give them a kick for Gotham! Maybe that can scare Katherine off if she has a secret fear. Never mind pretend I didn't say that!" Eric said skittishly
"I think we don't have to worry if you it or not but I'm don't want you to get anywhere near her too I'll be sure to protect you if she does come at you." Maps kiss Eric's nose and make him blush as she turn off the communicator as Robin put his in his utility belt.
"Well while Maps is busy comforting Eric. Me and Carrie can check on the security cams in the mail to check out the event up close without being in there so you won't have too much trouble." Olive said
"Magnificent I don't want neither of you to get in the crossfire." Claydoll respond
"Detective Club over and out!" Carrie concluded the news as the communicator turns off.
Claydoll put the communicator down and looks at Robin
"You know what is going in my conscious huh? I should've go to her now knowing that Katherine is making her team because I make this family bigger, don't you see Robin? She's doing this to go after Black Bat while those kids cause trouble to punish me. I hope I find her in time and stop Katherine on my own again." Claydoll pulled out her Clay claw to grapple but Robin stops her by putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Wait think this through for a moment. Why makes you think you stop her all her little games on your own without a little help? You could run into a trap then it would be chaos for us and Black Bat." Robin stated as Claydoll looks back on Robin in sadness
"I know but it's just I can't help feeling I'm responsible for everything Katherine has done that I decide that all this and her are my concern my battle and I have to do it all to protect you Black Bat and everyone I'm sorry if I sound like I'm being harsh and say you guys are only get in the way but I don't want to lose someone who's like a sister to me by my problem." Claydoll explains as Robin smile and rest his head on Claydoll's and sighed
"Sometimes you talked like Batman when he tries to keep us away from Joker even though he knows it's a trap but I'm not upset at you or saying it's a bad thing. But even if you have the increased strength and heal Clay like Katherine that does not mean you just distance us from being a team player. Because sooner or later it might leave you bitter if you face it alone. But if you still choose to find Black Bat before Katherine gets a hold of her or find and defeat Katherine l can at least join you. Batman wouldn't let her come if Black Bat doesn't have what it takes to help this city."
Robin words shocked Claydoll that he would put his foot down yet calmly talk some sense to her so she won't feel stressed about Katherine or what she might do to Black Bat or Stephanie.
"Yeah that's a great idea Robin! That way we can go see what Black Bat is doing while she goes after Katherine's gang. Let's swing away my Love Wonder!" Claydoll said happily as she hug Robin in her arm.
"Well I'll stick with you forever Claydoll I love you just don't think you're alone when it comes to your fears."
Robin said smoothly as they kissing passionately with Robin wrap his arms around Claydoll's waist and tongue inside each other then their lips apart.
"Shall we?" Claydoll asked Robin
"Yeah time to kick some butt! And look out Stephanie and Black Bat along the way." Robin answer as the Couple Crusader swings into the darkness and search for Black Bat starting with the crime activities in the mail.