PROLOGUE
Edward Nygma stood at the window. The rusted railings and mouldy, cracked walls of the abandoned factory added to the dark gloom of the place, the dark thoughts going through his mind. Such a genius mind, and yet he wasn't able to the see the betrayal against him almost a year ago. A year ago…
A year ago, Edward had solved the greatest riddle and revealed Batman's true identity to the world. It was only right he was the one to kill Bruce Wayne the night he and the rest of the criminal underworld scorched Gotham City, but of course, the Clown Prince of Crime wasn't going to let that happen. Edward was close, so close that night to achieving the ultimate goal of defeating the Dark Knight Detective, and the Joker went and ruined it all.
Well now, he was going to get revenge on both of them. The Bat and the Clown
Joker ignored the dead body behind him. He was too busy staring into the mirror, reflecting, one would say, on himself. The apartment once belonged to an average citizen, who now lied on the floor, so now it was Joker's.
The news that the Riddler broke out of Arkham Asylum just last night would have put a smile on his face, but the fact that Edward had taken Harley Quinn with him had enraged him. It was one of those rare moments when Joker lost his smile...Riddler will pay for this, for kidnapping the love of his twisted life. Joker brought the smile back, he had a feeling that something big was going to happen, and when big things happen, he's always there.
Bruce Wayne's penthouse was cold and grey as the sun struggled to peek through the grey clouds as it rose on the morning. Bruce, Selina Kyle, Alfred and Kevin Napier all surrounded Commissioner Gordon who sat, bruised, dry blood over his face, on a simple armchair. They all listened carefully to what Gordon had to say.
"Dr. Marshall has been behind it all" he said. "Since the very beginning. He's been the one behind Joker's escapes from Arkham since he first went into that place, he's the one behind Joker being able to find his son"
Kevin half-flinched
"what else?" Bruce asked.
"He wants revenge…on both you" gesturing to Bruce "and the Joker. He wants revenge on Joker because he killed his parents, two of his earliest victims. And he wants revenge on you, because you never decided to kill him, he feels that you've allowed too many people to be killed, because you couldn't kill one person"
Bruce tilted his head.
"It's understandable why he would want to have revenge on me" Bruce said. "But why can't he kill Joker himself, he's had so many chances in the past, instead he let Joker out…and thus, he allowed Joker to kill so many people"
Gordon shook his head "That's the thing I keep getting confused about. I remember he said you need to learn how to kill, just one person"
"And I won't" Bruce said, straightening up. "It doesn't matter how many people Joker has killed, I will never kill. I'll become the very thing I hate"
"It's tough burden you bearing" Kevin said. "I'm amazed you've been able to live by your words after all these years"
"So am I" Selina agreed.
"And I, sir" Alfred joined.
The group were in thought. Bruce looked out the window, across the cloud hidden Gotham City.
"Marshall broke Riddler out of Arkham last night" Bruce said, changing the subject. "They kidnapped Harley Quinn, and I can see why. Edward wants revenge on Joker for betraying him when my identity was revealed, and I can only imagine a gang war is going to erupt between the two…and we're going to be stuck right in the middle of it"
"We?" Kevin said.
Bruce looked at him.
"I won't be able to fight this battle alone. You want to be the Red Hood? Then fight alongside me, learn what it's like out there and be my ally" he turned to Selina.
"You don't have to ask me, Bruce" She said. Bruce nodded and turned back to Gordon.
"I'm going to help Kevin get a suit ready for him. Can I trust you to bring Victor Fries here?"
"Certainly" Gordon said, getting up.
"I'll drive you to Arkham, if you don't mind sir" Alfred offered, Gordon nodded and the two left the penthouse in the elevator.
"Kevin, how does Hailey feel about this?" Bruce asked.
"I…I haven't actually talked to her about it yet. We only had our first date last night until I was called back here" he replied.
Bruce nodded. "She'll have to understand. With Joker and Riddler in a gang war, us in the middle of it and Dr. Marshall orchestrating the whole thing, I can't even imagine how the end will turn out" he said, looking back out the window. "But it won't be pretty"