A/N: Welcome back Resident Evil 2. To those who note this opening is similar to Canis and Chiroptera Way, this is a remake as well. I hope you enjoy.
Gotham City Police Department
Police Report
Date: Saturday, December 11, 1999
Time: 17:45
"Gotham Police state they are following all leads to recover the stolen property but still no word from Umbrella Corporation about what was stolen during the recent theft at their Gotham facility. Now for your local weather."
The new police officer shook his head slightly in an attempt to dislodge the thought of Umbrella from his mind. According to the weather, it was still snowing and there was going to be a stronger wind later in the night but it would be clear when he got off patrol.
The door to the station slammed open causing the officer to look away from the television and to the person who stepped into the hallway. He was a large man dressed in clothing similar to the officer but while the officer wore his coat open, this man had it zipped shut. The large man had a large box of donuts under one arm and a tray of coffees in his opposite hand.
"Early again, Kennedy," the large man said as he stepped over to the window for the office.
"Hey Walker," replied Kennedy as the other officer tapped on the window.
"You know should know by now Flass isn't going to be here until five minutes after the cruiser gets back here."
Kennedy shrugged, the movement emphasised by his large regulation coat and vest. "There's a first time for everything."
"Not with Flass." A receptionist appeared at the window Walker had knocked on. After handing the receptionist the tray of coffees, Walker eased his bulk into an available chair beside Kennedy. He offered the younger officer a donut and they sat eating them.
"I heard you got called out to Umbrella last night," Kennedy said.
"Yeah. They've been showing it on the news since the break-in happened. Ah, speak of the devil."
Photos appeared on the black and white screen as the woman spoke. Kennedy glanced at the screen before quickly averting his eyes. Walker's red-rimmed eyes narrowed as more photos of the crime scene appeared. The smile on his face faded into a frown as photos of the guards appeared on the screen as well. Large grins that seemed to reach for the guards' ears covered each of their faces making it virtually impossible to identify them. When the pretty reporter moved onto the next disaster in Gotham, Walker leaned back in his chair and sighed. He shook his head slowly as if each turn could make his head roll off.
"God help save us from whatever that clown is planning," Walker looked over to Kennedy. "If you see him, shoot first and ask questions later. Believe it or not, these grins are life-threatening injuries even if it doesn't look like it."
The larger man looked at his watch and then lifted himself from the chair with a slight groan. When he was standing, he looked down on the younger man. Walker frowned as he studied the boy. A blonde hair, blue eyed, pretty boy who had already probably been ribbed about it prior to joining the force. Barely out of his teens, new to the force, most likely filled with a deeply hidden urge to prove himself. It was a recipe for disaster even without the Joker thrown into the mix. Walker tried to smile at the rookie. "Just follow my advice and you should be fine."
Kennedy nodded before looking back to the TV. Barely twenty-two years old and the kid already has the eyes of a veteran, Walker thought. He found the smile impossible to keep and turned his back on Kennedy. Veteran or not, the kid had no idea what the Joker was capable of.
Back at his seat, Kennedy watched the television. Although the screen was showing the brownstone where a shootout had occurred hours earlier, he was still seeing the grins on the guards' faces. At least they weren't rotting, he reminded himself before standing. While he wasn't sure about Walker's advice regarding the Joker, the older officer was right about Flass taking his time to arrive at the station. Rather than sit and do nothing, Kennedy wanted to learn more about the criminal that most of the force seemed to blame for the robbery at Umbrella.
He found his way to the communal room easily and found it full of officers and detectives. Some were wording on cases, making phone calls and discussing the finer points of the investigation with the others. More were watching a hockey game on the television in the corner while their partners filled out paperwork. A small group gathered by the windows trading information such as hints of a possible gang war and the latest news on a costumed vigilante. Kennedy ignored the few pointed comments directed at or about him as he sat down at a free computer.
He could guess the cause of the other officers antagonism. Unlike the other rookies new to the precinct, he was the only one who had skipped working in the minor precincts. He had a grand total of one day on any kind of police force to his credit compared to their five-ten years of experience. And yet here he was, working in the main precinct surrounded by detectives and officers who had worked, bribed, or blackmailed hard to get there.
Leon began to enter information into the police database. Upon entering the name Joker, a photo of a man with green hair, white skin, and a wide red grin appeared. Listed beside the photo were a list of charges, sentences, and modust operardi. Kennedy's eyes narrowed when he noticed one item listed under the Joker's MO. Gas bombs that release Joker gas, huh? At least he knew what had happened to the guards although he was unsure how laughing gas caused such gruesome grins. He started to read the various trials when one of his fellow officers shouted at him from the door. It was time to get on patrol.
Gotham City Police Department
Police Report
Date: Saturday, December 11, 1999
Time: 22:43
The shadow didn't pause or hesitate when he saw the glass cases broken and the imploded safe in the back of the jewelry store. He entered the show area of the store and saw a pink umbrella on the counter beside the open cash register. Beside the counter was the Joker. The pale clown was dressed in a purple suit with a bag of jewels in one hand and a bag filled with greenbacks in the other.
The shadow was mildly surprised to see the Joker with both hands raised and a police officer with a gun trained on the clown. Two goons lay on the ground, unconscious. The madman turned when he heard another person enter and gave him a toothy grin.
"Can you believe it, Batman? Gotham PD finally hired someone who knows their stuff. Yes-sir-ee, this kid is a chip off the old block." The Joker let out a loud laugh. "Too bad he won't last long."
The officer didn't relax his grip on the gun or look away from the Joker even when they heard the sirens shrieking in the distance. "Did you steal those vials from Umbrella?" the kid asked.
The Joker's eyes widened before he let out another cackle. "Sorry, kiddo. The only umbrella I know is this one, and the only thing I steal is money." With a sudden change in mood, the Joker paused and stared at the ceiling with a frown on his face. He dropped the bags he was holding and crossed his arms but the officer didn't fire. "Although there was that one time involving the museum's doll collection. Now that was a waste of a suit." The Joker frowned as he lowered his hands to lean against the counter as if they were drinking beers at the bar. "Never work with puppets, boys. Especially ones that have a guy's hand up his—"
Batman started to move forward, already aware of the trap Joker was planning. Unfortunately, he distracted the officer who glanced in the masked man's direction. The Joker's grin returned, and the madman grabbed the umbrella. Batman saw the rookie's eyes widen when the Joker raised the umbrella. However, the officer didn't fire. Batman's eyes narrowed under the mask. The kid clearly did not grow up in Gotham or know the MO of Gotham's criminals. Rather than wait for the rookie to learn his mistake, Batman lunged for the Joker. Too late. The Joker pointed the tip of the umbrella at the officer's face. The clown pushed an unseen button. A burst of a green gas sprayed from the tip into the rookie's face. The young man jerked back. The Joker cackled as the officer lowered his weapon. The kid grabbed one of the broken glass cases in an attempt to keep upright. The rookie's body was already shaking with suppressed coughs. The Joker turned and gave Batman another toothy grin. The officer's coughs started to fade to chuckles.
"The good die so young, eh, Batman?" With a chortle, the Joker ran past the rookie, pausing just long enough to kick the man's legs out from under him. Outside the sirens were getting louder. They wouldn't be in time to catch the Joker or save the rookie. As it was, it might already be too late. The rookie was on the ground, clutching his stomach. His chuckles turning into full-blown laughter. Walking over to him, Batman pulled a special gas mask out from his utility belt. Forcing the cop onto his back, Batman placed the mask over the man's face.
"Keep calm and breath. You'll be alright." Unless it was already too late. Unlike at Umbrella, this Joker Gas was very quick and very lethal.
The rookie was struggling to take deep breaths, and the laughter wasn't dying. The ends of his smile were reaching higher and higher. Batman frowned. Was this another murder that would haunt him? The cop bit his lip, as if hoping that if he managed to keep his mouth shut, he could stop laughing. He bit so hard that his lip started to bleed. His body heaved with the contained laughter. Light from the street lights placed over the rookie's name tag. L. . Too late, Batman thought. I'm sorry, Kennedy.
Or was he? Slowly, the rookie's body stopped heaving. His laughter died to small chuckles. His mouth returned to its normal shape. The sirens were now outside the door. Rising to stand, Batman placed the mask back in his belt. "Next time, wait for backup before taking on the Joker."
He was already in the vehicle Gotham had dubbed the Batmobile when more police officers rushed through the door. The vehicle's roof had retracted to allow the Batman to enter the car before soundlessly slipping into place over his head. A moment later, the modified engine was roaring down the back alley.
