Title:The Devil's Waltz
Chapter: One
Chapter Title: The Mysterious Reason
Fandom: Batman: The Dark Knight, Batman: The Animated Series (90's)
Genre: Mystery/Crime/Romance
Main Characters: Batman, The Joker, and (OC) Annalise Dawes
Rating: K-Teen
Synopsis: About a month after The Joker is thrown into Arkham Asylum, Batman gets a call from an old friend, Rachel Dawes' brother. The call is regarding his daughter, Annalise, who is a professional ballerina. For reasons to be explained, she winds up staying at Bruce Wayne's house. Crime seems to kick up and revolve around her coming to stay with him, riddles abound and precious personal items are stolen... What will become of Annalise? Will The Joker return? Is The Riddler a part of this big scheme?
A little info for you before you start the read, there is no profanity in what I write, so don't comment expecting any. I write for my own enjoyment and amusement, so I don't particularly care to be critiqued. For anyone who knows me and may question "Why Batman?" Well, I grew up watching the cartoon in the 90's and I actually enjoyed C. Nolan's take in "The Dark Knight." So you can expect those elements to be in my fiction. The world leans on being more "real" (as real as you can make a Batman story, anyway). If you haven't already checked them out, I have screenshots I draw as I write the story in my mind that will be a part of the story. I'm on DeviantArt ( .com). If you don't know me, my style of writing is romance/crime/mystery/action/intensity, yes I in fanfictions I almost always make an original character (OC). I'll probably post more drawing screenshots as I go along.
Please enjoy as "The Devil's Waltz" unfolds. . .
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Chapter One: The Mysterious Reason
It was a brisk Thursday night in Gotham City. Two strange figures ran quickly as loud sirens blaired behind them. Both of them were very out of breath. The figure who ran faster held a little cloth bag that jingled.
"Run! The pigs are comin'!" One of them blurted out.
As fast as their legs carried them, they immediately ran down a nearby alleyway, it was very dark. They heaved a sigh of relief as the police cars sped by.
"In here!" The man with the bag pointed to a nearby door. The other nodded and began to slowly dial in the combination to the door, it klinked open. The two of them readied to go inside until, suddenly, someone they did not expect appeared.
"Miss me?" The voice said.
The two men cowered in fear. One of them began to pull out a knife.
Without another word, the moonlight barely revealed the person behind the voice - Batman.
The man with the knife lunged at Batman, only to get his wrist grabbed. Batman twisted the man's arm around so his back was facing him, and his front side faced the other thug, of whom just launched a punch - slamming the other in the face. Batman then throws him to the ground. The thug with the bag throws another punch, which Batman swiftly ducks under and rolls behind him. The thug looked around, not knowing what just happened, then he feels Batman as he picks him up and slams him into the other thug.
He fought the two thieves off without a scratch. Just as the police sirens began to pepper the ground just outside of the alleyway, Batman finished tying the two of them up.
"I thought you weren't allowed out anymore!" One of them said, astounded.
"Crime never sleeps..." He tightened the black rope around them, "and neither do I."
"They're gonna get you!" The thug who was previously carrying the bag yelled, "You'll be gone! Soon enough!"
The two officers who had been chasing the men earlier stepped outside of their car, picked up the bag that seemed to have been sat very nicely on the sidewalk and arrested the men.
"Shouldn't we be arresting The Batman?" One of the officers questioned.
"Nah, he's the least of our worries... besides, he caught'em for us, didn't he?" The other answered.
Bruce walked into his mansion, greeted by none other than Alfred.
"Evening, Sir." He followed as Bruce walked towards a comfortable looking chair, "Anything interesting out there tonight?"
Bruce shook his head, "No, just a couple of common jewelry thieves." He almost looked relieved.
"Things have certainly calmed down since that madman got sent to Arkham." Alfred commented and continued, "Anything I can get you, Master Bruce?"
"No thanks, Alfred." Bruce seemed to hang onto the thought of the "madman" or more specifically, The Joker, getting sent to Arkham. Everything was much calmer since he'd been gone, although there was the occasional minor thievery, it was nothing compared to
mass amounts of people being threatened on a day to day basis. Just before his mind was able to drift on to think of the damage he'd caused, to him, to Harvey and most of all to Rachel, Alfred broke the silence.
"You got a message about your...almost niece today." He mentioned.
"Anna?" Bruce was surprised.
Alfred nodded, "Yes, would you like to give it a listen?"
"Of course." Bruce was anxious to hear what it was.
Alfred turned on the answering machine and Bruce put both of his hands over his mouth, closing his eyes.
"Hi! Bruce! This is Kevin... Kevin Dawes, hope you're doing well... anyways, the reason I called is because my daughter, Anna, her ballet here was completely cancelled and they've decided to move it to Gotham. The American Ballet Theatre was closed and they haven't said why, that's all we know. Besides that, what I'm asking is, can Anna stay with you for the next four months? She has a show every weekend. It's alright if you say no. If we don't hear back from you before noon time tomorrow, Anna should be there at about four or five 'o' clock. I'd like to drop her off myself, but I've got work, you know how it is, so anyway, my wife, Nola, will be the one to drop her off..."
"Hm..." Bruce contemplated the thought of having the deceased love of his life's niece stay at his house. His feelings welled up and he just wanted to grieve deeply over Rachel and all that had happened, just a little under a month ago.
The message continued, "Anna hasn't changed a bit, she's still the same ol' Anna-Banana and is as excited as ever to see you. So, guess that's it, thanks a bunch, take care, Bruce. Bye-bye."
Bruce opened his eyes and looked up at Alfred, "I don't mind if she stays. She's welcome to stay for however long she needs."
Alfred continued to give him a questioning look, "Sir...?"
"I haven't seen her since she turned five..." Bruce thought out loud, he then looked over at Alfred with further thought he added, "You know, something is off about that Theatre closing, it's never happened before. Alfred, can you look into that tomorrow?"
"My thoughts exactly, sir."
During breakfast the next morning, Bruce sat comfortably, drinking a cup of coffee with the news turned on.
The male news anchor sounded happy, as he announced, "In other news... get ready to buy some tickets! The Monarch Theatre is scheduled for its grand reopening tomorrow evening. It's been confirmed that Annalise Dawes and company from The American Ballet will be the first to set foot on its newly refurbished stage. That'll be exciting."
"Yes, it certainly will." The female anchor commented with a smile, "That's every weekend for the next four months. Definitely something you don't want to miss."
"The Monarch Theatre, huh?" Bruce recalled his memories of going there with his parents, on the very last night he'd ever see them again. It was odd to him that he would be attending the niece of Rachel's ballet at that partiular place. His thoughts continued to drift until two words broke his train of thought.
"Morning, Sir." Alfred said, sipping a cup most likely full of tea.
"Morning Alfred." Bruce noticed that Alfred was already dressed for the day, "How long have you been up?"
"Only for a few hours," He answered, "I managed to get some information you may find interesting, it's about the theatre."
Bruce was quiet as he waited for him to say what he'd found out.
"It so happens that The American Ballet Theatre was put on hold for an indefinite amount of time. They say that it's due to 'safety issues' and refuse to comment otherwise."
"That definitely sounds suspicious to me." Bruce said.
"I completely agree, sir. I'll continue to look into it." Alfred began to walk away, until something even more suspicious was announced on the television.
"Also just hitting the news, a mysterious murder was found last night," Alfred stopped and watched the news with Bruce, the anchor continued, "it shared many similarities with the murder case that took place a few weeks ago. The victim was found dead in a strange
contraption, a computer monitor was in front of him, with a riddle permanently stuck on screen..."
Suddenly, several knocks were heard at the door.
"Can you get that, Alfred?" Bruce asked while slipping into a room to change for whoever came for a visit.
"Of course." He nodded his head and opened the door.
"Alfred!" A smiling, familiar face said, followed by a hug between them both.
"Anna!" Alfred returned her kindness, "It's been too long!" He began to look a bit puzzled, "Where's your mother?"
"She's coming, she had a call to take real quick." Anna explained.
"Ah, Master Bruce should be along shortly as well." Just as Alfred finished his sentence, Bruce came out of the room he'd gone into.
"Hi Bruce!" Anna waved as soon as she saw him. Just before they were able to reunite, a rather shrill and rigid voice followed.
"Annalise!" The very flustered looking woman said, "I told you I'd only be a minute! And-" She stopped and looked at Alfred and Bruce, "Bruce, Alfred! Hi." She grinned. The woman looked completely plastic with her blonde teased hair and ridiculous amount
of makeup.
"Hi, Nola." Bruce replied back to her greeting, "We weren't expecting you this early. The voicemail-"
Nola cut Bruce's words short, "Ugh, Kevin has absolutely NO sense of time! He probably just forgot that today is my day to relax, it's usually like that on Friday's."
"Would the both of you like to step inside?" Alfred observed that they were still standing outside.
"Of COURSE." Alfred grabbed Anna's bag and Nola stepped inside first, pushing her way in, "This place is BEAUTIFUL Bruce! I just love how modern you keep things..."
As her voice trailed on about Bruce's house, Alfred looked at Anna, noticing her embarrassment and irritation, "Ms. Dawes, would you like to see the newly rennovated suite you'll be staying in?"
"I'd love to." She smiled, "And don't be so formal, Alfred, please. You're welcome to call me Anna, you know that."
Alfred smiled, remembering how polite she'd always been on her visits, although she was a child. As he showed Anna her suite, Bruce endured listening to Nola's rants about Anna.
"Just as a reminder, Bruce, I'm aware Anna's twenty-four now, but she's really very inexperienced. Don't let her fool you." Nola continued her reminders, "I usually won't allow her out past eleven and she shouldn't be eating any desserts, otherwise she'll gain weight and they might consider replacing her with someone else as the lead role."
"She'll be just fine, Nola." Bruce reassured her, moving his hand up to his chin as his elbow rested on a nearby surface. It was apparent Nola had always been fascinating to watch and unbearable to listen to. She made huge gestures and paced somewhat as she talked.
Without acknowledging what he'd said, she continued, "Don't let her around ANY young men. That's the last thing she needs to ruin her career with. And please don't-"
"Nola!" Bruce slightly raised his voice, finally getting her attention, "Everything will be just fine, she'll perform and I'll keep my eye on her."
Nola looked over at Anna and Alfred, who'd just arrived back in the room, then she looked back at Bruce, she smiled a cheeky smile, "You'd better keep both eyes on her!" She said with a small laugh, "Okay, bye bye sweetie!" She waved her fingertips at her daughter
and quickly exited.
"Bye. . . mom." Anna said, wincing as the door slammed.
Anna sighed lightly, hiding the painful feeling she had in her stomach. It was always like this between her and her mother, ever since she could remember. Her mother seemed like she cared, but by the end of the day, it was all about Nola. The feeling was coming to its peak, until she felt a familiar arm around her shoulders.
"Glad you came." Bruce squeezed Anna with a small smile.
Before things could get too comfortable between them, a buzzing sound came from within Anna's coat pocket. She pulled out a little cell phone, looking to see who it was.
"Oh!" She was surprised, "It's the choreographer for the ballet."
Bruce nodded and walked a little distance away so she could take the call.
"Hi, Madison!" She smiled, "What's going on?"
Occasionally glancing over at Anna, Bruce watched her expression change into a very concerned look. Out of curiousity, Alfred listened as well.
"Why do we need to do that?" She asked, her face relaxing as things were explained to her, "Okay... alright... be there in a few... bye, Madison."
Bruce and Alfred immediately went back to what they were doing as Anna turned around to face them.
"Well, I hate to be leaving so soon, but I guess I have last minute rehearsal today." She further explained, "There's been a small change to specifically one of my acts... Madison said it was because we're going to be on a different stage."
"Well, you do whatever you have to." Bruce supported her, "I'll drop you off on my way to work and we'll spend some time together when you get back, how's that sound?"
"Okay!" Anna agreed, "Let me grab my clothes for rehearsal and we can go."
As she wandered back to the suite, Alfred and Bruce shared brief glances between each other.
"You seem... relieved, sir." Alfred said.
"I am." Bruce confirmed, walking over to the door, "She's a lady... just like her Aunt."
"Rachel would be very proud of her."
"Okay!" Anna called, walking back out, "I'm all ready to go!"
"Alright," Bruce smiled, "Alfred, hold things down here 'til we get back."
"Of course, Master Bruce." Alfred watched the both of them step outside of the door, "Have a good rehearsal, Annalise."
"Thanks." Anna replied smiling.
As they approached The Monarch Theatre, Bruce knocked all of the memories away that wanted to just pour out of his mind. And, instead, he kept his mind on nothing but Rachel's niece.
"Okay, Anna," Bruce said as she stepped out of the car, "Just give me or Alfred a call when you need to be picked up or if you need anything."
"Sure!" She replied, getting out of the dark navy blue corvette, "Thanks Bruce!" The theatre was very big and different from The American Ballet.
Bruce rolled down his window, "Have a great rehearsal!" He shouted before driving off.
Anna simply smiled and waved back. Anna felt a bit pensive walking into the theatre. It was new yet old, old with memories and a certain eerie air hanging throughout the dim building. A hand reached out and touched her shoulder, causing her to jump.
"Anna! We've been waiting for you!"
"Oh, Madison, you scared me!" She breathed a few times, coming back into reality. Madison took Anna by the hand, leading her down a series of hallways.
"Sorry, chiquita, but it's mainly you we need, it's basically your part that's been slightly altered." Madison explained briskly.
"What's so different about it?" Anna asked.
"Get changed and then we'll talk, ok?"
They arrived at what would be Anna's dressing room for the next four months. She stepped inside the medium sized room and began to change.
Bruce walked with a brisk pace into Wayne Enterprises. He nodded and smiled kindly, "How's it goin?" He said quietly to the man he let on the
elevator before himself. Finally, he arrived at the top floor of the tall building. He opened the glass doors that were down the hallway and to the
right, greeting familiar man sitting at a desk.
"Lucius! What's new today?" Bruce asked.
"Been waiting for you, Bruce." Lucius had a certain knowing look on his face, holding both ends of a pencil in between his fingers, "We need
to talk."
"Something wrong?" Bruce asked.
"Did you hear the news this morning?" Lucius got up to and walked over to the water dispenser, pouring water into his cup as he spoke.
"About the theatre?" His eyes were completely fixed on Lucius.
"Almost." Lucius took a drink out of his cup.
"You mean the killer, the one with the riddles." Bruce raised an eyebrow at Lucius.
"Bingo." Lucius confirmed, "You want the bad news or the good news?"
"Bad first." Bruce wasn't sure if he wanted either, but then again, he was Batman, he should be informed about these sorts of things.
"Bad news is he's killed more than they're letting out on the news," He took another drink of water, "no one wants the information to get out
because they believe it'll scare the public and they'll lose their faith in justice. Truth is, he's probably killed anywhere from five to ten people
at this point."
"What's the good news?" Bruce wondered what good could possibly come out of a homicidal situation.
"Good news is, he constantly leaves clues about himself. After each murder, there's a riddle left behind." Lucius paused, letting it sink in,
"So far, we know that he only attacks people with high intellect or logic skills. He's killed several people in the scientific field as well as
people who've won chess tournaments and the like. We know that he apparently wears a top hat, holds a cane and probably dresses
in green."
"How do we know that?" Bruce questioned.
"Here, read this." Lucius handed Bruce a copy of one of the clues.
Bruce read it aloud, "'Gentlemen's styles never come and go, you can see my shade in between the rainbow.' So, he wears a green suit?"
"That's what everyone seems to believe." Lucius sighed, "Want to hear anymore?"
"Where do we find him? What can we do to stop him?" Bruce looked up at Lucius, who was back in his seat.
"Fortunately, we had enough working on the last puzzle he left behind and they've deciphered that he'll be in the abandoned apartments
across town sometime tomorrow night." Lucius looked at him seriously, "We also know for a fact who it is he's taken for his little games."
After changing, Anna went to meet up with Madison and her dance instructor.
"Finally!" The instructor exclaimed, his French accent dripping from his words, "Come, come, come over here..." He gestured his hand quickly.
"So, what are we changing?" Anna asked, feeling anxious.
"During your Pas de Deux... as the black swan..." He shared a nod with Anna in between thoughts, "it has been requested by the owner, so this is extremely crucial, that upon running and turning, you must look directly at box five and nowhere else."
"What?" Anna was confused, "That makes no sense, it has nothing to do with the ballet or-"
"Anna!" Her instructor had never raised his voice with her or seemed so tense until this day. His voice was harsh and almost dominating, he calmed down a little, "If you do not, Anna... if you do not do this, the owner will never let us perform here again. We will be out of a job and destitute. So... please, I know it does not make sense... but bear with me."
Anna felt she couldn't do anything but nod and accept her job. It wasn't as if she'd been asked to go home with anyone after the performance. So, without any other question, they practiced over and over again, she would run and turn and dance looking only at box five and nowhere else. She practiced until she was able to get the long glance down to a science, without having to remember it.
The day was long and curious for both Anna and Bruce. They both stumbled into the house, a little worn and very tired.
"Evening, Master Bruce, Anna." Alfred looked between them, smiling, "Dinner is served for you both."
-END CHAPTER ONE-