Hallo everybody! So it is here, the sequel to my last Batman fanfic, Shadows over Arkham. I realise that the fanfiction wasn't much good, so if I will have the time, I will rewrite some chapters, but hopefully, this one will be better. I love the Arkham City game, but in this fanfiction, a lot of things in the story will be changed. So lets start.

Chapter 1.

It was a cold weather in Gotham that night. Something strange and sinister hanged in the air, as if something major was going to happen. But not everybody could feel the change, certainly not the people in Gotham, and certainly not those who were sentenced to rot here in Arkham City. The mega-prison was standing for a few months already, and it was a subject of many discussions and arguments. But the inmates here could not be concerned about that. They were concerned about their survival. This place was full of killers, rapists and cannibals, and only those who had the respect of others were safe here. Or those who had respected friends.

Secretly, a young girl was hiding inside a Courthouse. The Solomon Wayne's Courthouse was the center of the northern part of Arkham City, and this evening, this very building was about to be a witness to an unsual event. An event that the Shadow definitely could not miss. Katherine Jones was curently sitting, safely perched high on the statue of Justice, silently watching the events that were happening below.

There was a huge crowd of thugs, some of them were armed, some not, but they were all here for one reason. In the corner of the room to her left was a small tank filled with bubbling green acid, which obviously once serving as a part of the gallows. But instead of a noose there was a figure hanging above the tank, now covered with thick cloth, so she couldn't see who it was, and she was curious.

But it was the man who stood right next to the pool that she paid her attention, just as all the others in the room. There was a good reason for that, for this man was no ordinary villain. In this place, he was one of the sharks. Along with the Joker, and the Penguin, Two-face was the one who gave the orders. And those three was always in a war. Tonight, however, was a night for new arrivals, for Two-face was hiring new henchmen, and as tonight's entertainment, he promised a grant execusion. Now, when I said that Katherine didn't now who was the person under the cloth, I was telling the truth, but she also had an image. Harvey Dent was not a nice guy and he hated many people, but currently, there was one little feud that truly everyone knew about.

"The only way to get by in this place is to get ourselves some respect." she looked down, when she suddenly heard his voice. "Fear. That's how we get respect. Show them all that we do things." She always flinched when he changed his voice into that grisly growling tone of his less nice half, but she was sitting here for a while now and she was starting to get used to it. Truth was, she never saw Harvey Dent before. He wasn't there when she was working at the asylum and now when they were all free (at least in this prison), she was trying to avoid hanging around his part of town for long. Like I said, life in Arkham City was dangerous, even for those who could spend most of their time on the roofs. But now that she saw finally saw him, she was fascinated by him, of course, he scared the crap out of her, but still, she was fascinated by his unique personality. But you're probably asking for a while now how did she get here in the first place. Well, it has been a few month now since the events in the asylum, and her unpleasant incarceration. It was almost two days after that night when she finally from up inside her temporatily cell, almost two days since she saw the mysterious Hugo Strange for the first time.

...

She was sitting on her bad in her cell, while he was sitting in a chair that the guards brought him here. Everything about that man made her skin crawl, but he didn't have to introduce himself, she already guessed his name. He was strange enough. Strange and terrifying. Of course, in that time she was mostly scared about who exactly knew about her identity. And he of course was very well aware of it.

"I am sure you are concerned about the secrecy of your name, doctor Jones. I can assure you that so far, it is only me and the people I found trustworthy that knows who you are. Of course, if your situation will stay like that, that depends on your actions only."

"What do you mean?" she asked him, and she shuddered, when she saw the amused spark in his dark eyes behind the thick glasses. Tha bald men reminded her of the mad scientist from the old horror movies and she found strangely fitting that this man should work as a psychologist.

"I must admit, I was slightly surprised when I saw who was under that pretty mask of yours. I read your file, doctor. You were, as I recall, the psychiatrist of doctor Jonathan Crane."

"Yeah, as I recall, mister Sharp told me you were the one who recommended his admittance to me, professor Strange."

"So, you already know who I am. So there's no need for introduction. Good. I have taken the liberty of keeping your identity a secret, for I would like to extend a... certain offer to you. I need a favor that you can certainly help me with, and in exchange I can give you my ensurance, that your identity will remain just like it is now, a secret."

"And why should I trust you in that, professor?" she said and he looked at her sharply. "Oh, you don't have to do anything, my dear doctor. But in that case, I have no reason to keep the good people of Gotham in the dark about who really was stealing from their bussineses. And what would happen to your reputation as a psychiatrist, hmm? You would never be able to get that job again. I am sure that you would not like to have your life compromised like that."

The professor have smiled at her, and she thought she would be sick. But he was right. If he was talking the truth, and her future still wasn't compromised, it was in his hands, and she had to do what he said. She was just hoping that the price will not be too great.

"What do you want from me, professor?"

Again, he smiled. "As I was saying, you were doctor Crane's psychiatrist here in Arkham. Some sais you have even become friends, if that is even possible with a man like he is. In any case, I have a witness that sais that you were the last person in Arkham who saw him. Therefore, I'm was wondering whether you know anything about doctor Crane's current location."

She closed her eyes and sighed. No one could have seen us, except for... Sharp. We should have killed him when we had the chance. "Then I have to dissapoint you, professor. Although your witness have spoken the truth, Crane never told me where he was going." she paused. "If you think I can help you find Crane because I was his psychiatrist, then I am very sorry, but that's impossible. I don't know anything about his hiding places, besides, he could even be miles away from Gotham now."

"Possibly. But I don't believe doctor Crane will leave Gotham without having his revenge first. But you want have to chase him in the whole Gotham."

"What do you mean?"

Professor Strange raised from his chair and slowly started pacing in front of her. "This facility is old, as are it's methods. Therefore, it will no longer be a place to hold such mental cases like those that you were in charge of. A new, better Arkham will rise from the ashes of the old one. You, and all others who now reside here will be moved there, and that is where you will begin your search."

"And why do you think the Scarecrow would willingly enter any kind of prison?"

"Because that is where the Batman would be placed."

"What? How do you...?" she looked up at him in surprise and then she gasped. "You know who the Batman is, do you?"

"And if I do?"

"Well, that's good for you. As for me, I don't really care that much. I wouldn't mind if you got rid of him." she sighed. "Ok, I'll do what you want."

"After you'll be transfered to your new location, you will have a few months to find doctor Crane. And when you find him, you will contact me, and only me. I have noticed a rather impressive comunication device, no doubt a gift from a certain Edward Nigma. You will be allowed to keep it, along with your other gear and you toys, and I have already taken the liberty of adding a unique frequency you can use to contact me. No other help will be provided. Do you understand everything?"

She just nodded. "Then I will leave you for now. I believe our cooperation would be more than fruitful. I will be looking forward to meet you again, doctor."

...

And so, she was here. In Arkham City, the so-called better Arkham. Watching the ongoing execution of a freaking cat. As Two-face finally revealed his main attraction, it wasn't such a surprise for the Shadow. She was more surprised, that he managed to catch her. She didn't like Catwoman at all, she was just an arrogant bitch, but she always admired her skills. Still, if Two-face wanted to have his fun, who was she to deny it to him.

"So what'll it be, distinguished members of the jury? Help us decide if we should kill the bitch who tried to steal from us, or let her go to do it again."

She smiled as she watched the Catwoman hanging helplessly above the acid tank, but then she looked up and her eyes widened when she saw the Batman holding on the same rope she used to get here. If he saw her, it didn't seem he was interested in her enough to do something right now, but his presence here was enough to make her leave. The Batman suddenly jumped down, landing right on the thug below him, crashing him to the ground instantly. Half of the remaining inmates then ran out of the place, and the rest turned to fight the intruder.

As they were fighting, she slowly climbed down and watched the performance from behind the judge's stall. But when it seemed that the Batman will win at the end, she decided that her time here was over, and so, she jumped over the railing and dissapeared through the back door. She didn't hear anything that happened in the Courthouse that day.

...

The Shadow slumped in the old creaky chair tiredly and closed her eyes. She was here in Arkham City for a few months and she was dumped here, her primarily mission was to find the Scarecrow, just as she was told. She had no idea what she was about to do when she would really find him, but she was hoping the old bastard (which she didn't mean as an insult) would maybe think of something. She was half ready to throw her old life away, if it would be necessary, but on the other side, she wasn't. She was hoping that maybe, she would be able to return to her work as an Arkham psychiatrist when this all ends, but she really doubted that now. Still, she would try to find a way while there was still a chance.

She was currently in her own humble dwelling that she found for herself. No one occupied this old flat, so, she made her temporary home here. It was a small place, but it had a roof, and it had water, which was all she needed. The place was relatively close to the Steel Mill, and, as she found out about a month ago, it was very close to Zsasz's secret base.

...

She had no idea that he was here, but she was happy when she found him. Or rather, when he found her. That day, she was walking near the old GCPD building, on an old broken bridge. Somethimes, she sneaked here, when she needed some food. It wasn't always easy to get some unnoticed, but those guys who thought they were guarding it never had any real weapons with them. She always just took what she could and left. Being the compassionate sould she was, she never really wanted to fight those guys. At least not over food. Everyone of them needed that. She was more likely concerned if everyone had enough, which unfortunarely couldn't be true, because there was never enough in those crates Strange was sending. Oh, how much she detested him. Ever since she came here, this place was getting worse and worse, especially now during winter. Finding some warm blankets was suddenly the most important thing now. Looting the old crumbling flats was always the best choice, if you could get in.

That day, however, she was lucky, and she was returning home with her cans, when suddenly, she heard a sound she never heard before. It was a phone. A few thugs were standing around there, some of them had the clown faces painted on their own, so they were obviously Joker's goons. The phone was ringing, something about that sound sounded really insistent, but none of these guys seemed to be going to answer it. For a while, she was just watching them, but after a few minutes, they left, and she walked to the phone slowly. She heard about the "Phone Killer" before, but she would never guess which voice would she hear when she would pick up the phone. Which was exactly what she did. And surprisingly, a smile slowly creeped on her features when she heard his high pitched, almost dreamy voice.

"Hi, little piggie, don't worry, your salvation is already coming for you." And before she could say anything, he hung up. She just decided to wait for him, but she was cautious. She was sure that he must have some cameras around here, she he must have seen her and if he didn't remember who she was, the situation could get nasty. She could allow him to sneak up on her.

But it didn't take long before she heard his unmistakable steps behind her. She turned around and looked at him. He haven't changed a bit, well, except for a few scars that looked newer than the rest. He was obviously busy in Arkham City.

"Victor." she said gently and he stopped, looking at her in surprise. "It's so good to see you again." she took a step forward, and then she looked around and she removed her mask, although, in that moment, she could see that he already recognised her voice. It was so long that they last saw each other, and she was glad that he was alright.

"Katherine?" he asked and she nodded. "You... are in Arkham City?"

"Yes, Victor." she said and she relaxed, knowing that she found one villain here that would probably not kill her, which was rather ironic, but still, it was good to find someone that she knew. "But I am called the Shadow here, if you will. Like I said, I am so happy to see you, but I was hoping that more of you managed to escape the island."

She took another step forward, so she was no standing right next to him, and she gently touched his bare shoulder, brushing her fingers against some of his scars. Then she smilled on him. "But I see you have been quite busy around this place. I would never guess you are the one who made all the kills. How do you..." she asked. "How are you even doing this, with the phones?"

"Oh I had a friend for that, a smart friend, he helped me to prepare everything, and now I now about everything that's happening around here. If anyone picks up one of the phones, I'll know who, and where. It's easy, really."

...

All of a sudden, her pieceful remembering was interrupted as she heard a quick, urgent knocking on the door. She opened her eyes, and looked on the old crazed piece of wood that kept her from the outside world. She slowly stood up and walked towards it, then she took the handle, and with a loud creack she started to open it, when suddenly, the door was pushed open and someone jumped on her. It took her some time to recover to see how it was currently hugging her, but as the person slowly backed off, she gasped as she found herself staring in the blue, tearful eyes, of Harley Quinn.