Note: Batman is owned by DC Comics and was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane. Harley Quinn was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. This story was loosely inspired by Jeffrey Thomas and Celeste Green's unmade Batman show, Gotham High. This story is a sequel to the story, "College At Arkham Asylum."
Batman had been going to Arkham Asylum for a month. Despite trying to be the hero of the school, he was one of the most hated students. His nosy behavior and detective antics earned him a great deal of hatred from his enemies, Professor Hugo Strange and Professor Crane. In addition to that, a lot of his fellow students thought he was intrusive, pesky, and overly-dark. However, he had become close-friends with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. He still hadn't become friends with any of his male students, who teased him for only being friends with girls. Batman was serious and mature enough to ignore their petty and immature behavior. He had more important things to focus, including putting an end to Hugo Strange's reign as principal. Hugo Strange had already seemed intimidating and creepy, but Batman found out that Hugo was even worse, than his classmates thought. He had been secretly framing and having his students expelled, just because he found certain students boring. He also gave rewards and higher-grades to the school's biggest troublemakers, because they captivated his interest.
One day, Batman entered Arkham Asylum and started doing his daily search for clues. He grabbed gadgets, out of his utility-belt, and used them to examine the school's hallways and a few other places. While searching around the hallways, Batman accidentally bumped into Poison Ivy. Her and her textbooks started to slip. Batman caught her and used a grappling hook, to grab the books. Poison Ivy looked down and saw that Batman was holding her in his arms. A blush came upon her face. She tried to make it go away, while hoping Batman never saw it. Batman helped her stand up, while saying, "I'm sorry about that."
Poison Ivy replied, "You have nothing to apologize for."
Batman shook his head and responded, "If I had been more careful, you wouldn't of slipped."
Poison Ivy smiled and replied, "If you hadn't seen so cool, you wouldn't of caught me in such style. Speaking of style, the way you saved my books was a nice a touch. What did you use?"
Batman showed the gadget to her, while saying, "It's a grappling hook. It's one, of many, gadgets I keep in my utility-belt."
Poison Ivy replied, "Nice, it seems like your belt is used for several things. What have you been up to?"
Batman tried to look more serious, while saying, "I'm trying to find evidence of Principal Strange's illegal acts. If I can get proof of his and Scarecrow's shady behavior, I can turn it over to the police."
Poison Ivy admired Batman's intentions, but she knew how bad Gotham's police force was. Commissioner Loeb was a very corrupt, scummy person, who didn't mind having morally-questionable police officers. In fact, he was allies with Carmine Falcone, Gotham's top mob-boss. She put her hand on Batman's shoulder and said, "Batman, Gotham's police probably won't arrest Principal Strange, no matter how good your evidence is. Hugo Strange has probably been bribing them and Commissioner Loeb's easily-tempted staff will accept any bribe."
Batman sternly said, "Even if that's the case, I have to continue my mission. There's a lot of people, who want Gotham to be a broken city. I'm intending on giving it hope and justice, no matter the cost."
Poison Ivy replied, "You have my trust and respect."
Batman smiled and said, "I'm glad to hear that."
Batman felt something hit him in the head. Poison Ivy had a concerned look on her face, while asking, "Are you okay?"
Batman put his hand on his head, while saying, "I guess so, but wow, did that ever hurt."
Poison Ivy asked, "What hit you?"
Batman and Ivy turned around and saw Harley Quinn, who was holding her mallet. She had a nervous, but goofy look on her face, while saying, "I'm sorry about that. I was fiddling with my mallet and I accidentally threw it at Batsy's head."
Poison Ivy sternly replied, "Harley, you need to be more careful."
Harley looked at Batman and asked, "How do you feel?"
Batman said, "I might of gotten a headache, but I'll be alright. We better get to class."
Professor Hugo Strange walked up to Batman and said, "I want Ivy and Harley to get to class, but not you."
Batman replied, "That seems rather odd, Principal Strange."
Hugo Strange tried to look as professional as possible, while saying, "We have an important matter to discuss, Mr. Batman."
Batman glared at Hugo and replied, "Very well then." He looked back at Ivy and Harley and said, "I'll meet up with you guys, in a few minutes."
Poison Ivy responded, "Stay safe."
Batman confidently said, "I can handle Principal Strange."
A moment later, Batman and Hugo Strange were in Strange's office. Hugo Strange gave Batman one of his classically-intimidating looks. Such a thing scared most students, but Batman crossed his legs, while not being scared by Hugo's attempt at being menacing. Batman asked, "What business do you want with me?"
Hugo explained, "Mr. Batman, you are most interesting students, but you are also my most challenging. No matter how much you captivate my interest, I can't excuse you for being a thorn in my plans."
Batman asked, "So, are you planning on kicking me out of Arkham Asylum?"
Hugo shook his hands around and said, "Oh no, that wouldn't be acceptable. You are many things to me, including a eccentric figure, an analyst's dream, a mystery, a nosy-troublemaker, and my greatest enemy."
Batman casually replied, "So, you have mixed feelings about me?"
Hugo was a bit put-off by Batman's simplistic way of wording their complex relationship. He took a long pause, before saying, "I suppose. Mr. Batman, I'm not as friendly as I appear to be."
Batman replied, "You don't look friendly, in general."
Hugo coldly responded, "That's why you should be afraid of what I'm truly capable of, you dark-knight." Batman grabbed a recorder, out of his utility-belt, and started recording Hugo's speech. Across the years, I've gotten away with countless things. The things I got away with could be classified as shady, maybe even evil. I've fired good-workers, done dangerous experiments, and caused a countless amount of property damage. I'm a smart person and a resourceful opponent, so I've been able to avoid getting in trouble. No individual has been an opponent I've taken seriously, except for you."
Batman looked intrigued, while asking, "What things have you done, in order to avoid getting caught?"
Hugo calmly said, "An example is I've taken people's evidence and crushed it." He punched Batman to the ground, grabbed his recorder, and crushed it with his bare hands.
Batman had a surprised look on his face, while asking, "How did you do that?"
Hugo replied, "I'm a master of deception, which makes me see other peoples' sneakiness. I figured you'd try to record me. If you're trying to outsmart me, you aren't going to succeed. While you may have a desire to be a detective, your intelligence will always be lacking, in comparison to my superiority."
Batman responded, "You sure think highly of yourself, don't you?"
Hugo calmly said, "I'm just explaining our true colors. You're smart, maybe even brilliant, but nobody can outwit me."
Batman stood up and replied, "I'm willing to try."
Hugo asked, "You're willing to try? If you were better than me, you'd have the confidence to admit it."
Batman grabbed Hugo and replied, "Everybody's better than you."
Hugo pushed Batman off of him and confidently responded, "I don't think so."
Batman tried to intimidate Hugo, by saying, "Your reputation is impressive, but there's one important element you lack."
Hugo straightened, his glasses, while becoming interested in what Batman was saying. He asked, "What am I lacking?"
Batman answered, "You lack physical strength. You did manage to punch me, but that was cause I was put off-guard. You use your strength, for brain-purposes, not physical ones."
Hugo replied, "I find the strength of one's mind to be more important and compelling, than any physical strength or ability."
Batman responded, "Fair enough, but if we ever got involved in a fight, I'm not expecting you to leave an impact."
Hugo tried to give Batman another punch, but Batman kicked him into his desk. Hugo spent a long moment recovering, while asking, "What's wrong with you? You put my health in danger."
Batman angrily replied, "You put your students' lives in danger, when you set Man-Bat after them. Morality and justice are more important, than the cheap thrills you get from your mind-manipulating experiments." Batman grabbed another recorder, but he hid it under Hugo's desk.
Hugo responded, "Whether or not that's true will not change my decision, to continue my plans. I suggest taking off your mask and giving up this detective game. If you do that, you can have a decent and semi-safe time at Arkham Asylum. Will you consider my friendly offer?"
Batman sternly said, "No, I'm going to put an end to this." He grabbed his recorder and started walking out of his office.
Hugo said, "If that's Batman's decision, I'll have to find someone who can get him out of my hair." He remembered his baldness, so he said, "I'll have to pardon my own expression."
After Batman started roaming the hallways, Poison Ivy walked up to him and asked, "Are you okay?"
Batman looked surprised, while saying, "Ivy, how come you're not in class? Professor Crane will probably give you a detention."
Poison Ivy replied, "He often gives them to me anyways, so I might as well work for it. Besides, I wanted to check-up on you. How are things between you and Strange?"
Batman looked a little smug, while saying, "Principal Strange is quite the opponent, but I showed him who's boss." He took a closer look at his second recorder and saw that it was damaged. He didn't know how, but during the brief time it was under the desk, Hugo had broken it. Batman sighed and said, "Actually, Hugo and I are evenly-matched. In order to beat him, in this game of ours, I'll have to challenge myself and become a bigger threat."
Poison Ivy asked, "How are you going to do that?"
Batman answered, "I think, that taking more of Talia's dad's classes, will help me with that."
Talia al Ghul walked by. She had more news, from her father, to report and considering how little she cared about her father's work, she didn't look excited to tell Batman about it. She tapped Batman on the shoulder and said, "I have something to tell you."
Batman turned around and asked, "What is it?"
Talia answered, "Believe it or not, my dad thinks you're super cool and stuff like that. Because of that, he wants you to visit his ninja-training place, more often."
Batman replied, "That sounds like an excellent plan. There's a lot I want to learn and accomplish. I believe your dad's classes will help me with that." Talia looked disinterested. Since she had accomplished her mission, she started walking away. She didn't even say goodbye.
Poison Ivy looked back at Batman and asked, "What are you going to do?"
Batman had a serious look on his face, while saying, "I'm going to train, become even stronger, and after I have the intelligence and physical-strength I need, Arkham Asylum's greatest fear will be the Batman."
A few minutes later, Batman walked into Professor Crane's classroom. He looked at Crane and was surprised to see him dressed as King Tut. He sat down and asked, "What's up with the outfit?"
Harley Quinn answered, "Scarecrow's teaching the class what a dork looks like."
Batman looked at Professor Crane and said, "Wow, you're doing a great job at expressing what a dork looks like."
Professor Crane looked ticked off, while saying, "I wasn't trying to look like a dork. I was trying to look like King Tut."
Batman replied, "Oh, my bad."
Professor Crane walked closer to him, while saying, "You're a bad student, in general. As usual, you distract me from my teachings, by showing up to class late and saying I look like a dork." He shook his fist at Batman, before calming down, and saying, "Anyways, King Tut is an important historical figure. Although King Tut is typically thought of as the king of Egypt, he can be perceived as several different things. For example, he could be a professor at Yale or one of Gotham's goofiest criminals." Batman put his hand on his chin, while wondering what King Tut had to do with Crane's class. He considered asking Crane about it, but he figured that's what Crane would want him to do and Batman didn't want to talk to him.
To Batman's dismay, Professor Crane pointed at him and said, "Batman's a similar concept. He's known as my most pesky student, but he could be so much more. He could be a detective, a crimefighter, a super-friend, and figure of the night. Students, you can never be too careful. You may think you know your fellow classmates, but you really don't."
Batman whispered, "The classmates don't know how scummy you truly are, Scarecrow."
Professor Crane used his King-Tut wand to hit Batman and said, "Batman's the student we know the last. After all, he's the student we know the least about." He looked at his students, while trying to look nervous and concerned. He rubbed his hands, while saying, "It would be wise to avoid Batman. After all, we don't know his secret identity. He could be a creature, maybe even a monster. Keep your distance, students. I think we all have to beware the Batman."
After Professor Crane's class was over, Batman saw several students avoiding him. A few students ran away, in hopes of not dealing with his presence. Even Harley Quinn appeared to be scared of him. She nervously said, "You aren't going to hurt me, right Batman?"
Batman replied, "Harley, do you actually believe Scarecrow's nonsense. He's trying to scare students with his lies. You're one of my friends, so why would I hurt you?"
Harley responded, "Because you might be a creature or a monster."
Batman shook his head and said, "I'm neither of those things. I have no desire to hurt or scare you. You should know that."
Harley replied, "I don't even know your real name." She started walking away from him.
Poison Ivy walked up to Batman. Batman faced her and said, "I can't believe the impact Scarecrow has on the students. They used to think I was a pest, but he made them become afraid of me."
Poison Ivy replied, "I'm sorry that you have to deal with that."
Batman said, "You trust me, don't you?"
Poison Ivy replied, "Yes, I don't know your alternate identity, but I do know the type of person you are. You're smart, kind, insightful, brave, and bold. I'm glad to be your friend. In fact, I'm honored to be best-friends with the man who wants to save Arkham."
Batman felt a lot of confidence and comfort from Ivy's words. He smiled and said, "Thank you. I often feel like you're the only one in Arkham, who truly cares about me."
Poison Ivy hugged him and replied, "I'm here for you, always."
Batman asked, "Really?"
Poison Ivy jokingly answered, "Unless you run over some plants."
Batman replied, "Don't worry, you've helped me appreciate plants more."
Poison Ivy considered kissing Batman's cheek, but she got nervous and decided against it. She said, "We better get our next class." Batman nodded.
A few hours later, Batman and the other students went into the cafeteria. He saw that students were trying to sit far away from him. Batman sighed and said, "It seems like I've truly become the most unpopular student."
The cook nudged Batman and replied, "I think you're pretty cool."
Batman lightly smiled and responded, "Thanks."
The cook put an extra egg on Batman's tray and said, "I'd recommend putting the egg on your head."
Batman looked weirded out, while asking, "Why?"
The cook goofily smiled and answered, "Eggs and heads are the most eggcellent combo. I'll call it egghead."
Batman sat down. Poison Ivy was the only one who sat close to him. Batman said, "I'm pretty much alone, when it comes to this school. I'm used to being alone, so it hardly breaks my spirit."
Poison Ivy gently touched Batman's hand and replied, "For what it's worth, I'm here for you."
Batman responded, "Thank you, old chum."
Poison Ivy said, "No offense, but I'd prefer a different nickname."
Batman replied, "Okay then, Rose."
Poison Ivy raised an eyebrow and asked, "Rose?"
Batman explained, "Roses are the best type of flowers and you're the best type of friend." Ivy blushed and hugged Batman.
After school, Batman went to his locker and started packing up his stuff. Professor Hugo Strange walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. Batman turned around and asked, "Can I help you with something?"
Hugo Strange answered, "You always can."
Batman asked, "What's on your overly-sneaky mind?"
Hugo answered, "I'm curious about where you're headed off to. After all, I only know where you are, during school-hours. That's about a third of the day. I'm dying to know where you spend the rest of your time."
Batman replied, "I hope you have a cure for your life-threatening desire for cheap trivia facts, because you aren't going to find that out."
Hugo responded, "Don't get so confident, Mr. Batman. I can use my impressively-gifted mind, to find out where you go."
Batman replied, "I wish you the worst of luck." He started walking out of the school.
Hugo took a brief pause, before following Batman. He walked out of the school and was hoping to see Batman, but he was gone. Hugo was surprised by how quickly he left. Hugo said, "It appears Batman knew I'd follow him. I've never had someone, who was as crafty as me, until now."
A few minutes later, Batman appeared in Ra's al Ghul's ninja-training place. Ra's al Ghul was glad to see him. He walked closer to him and said, "Mr. Batman, I'm hoping you got a message from my daughter."
Batman replied, "Indeed, I want to come here more often. I need to learn how to become a master of physical strength, so I can beat my greatest opponents."
Ra's al Ghul patted Batman's shoulder and responded, "That sounds like a worthy cause and similar to what I want you to accomplish."
Batman had an intrigued look on his face, while saying, "If I may be so intrusive, you seem to have an agenda, some kind of secret goal."
Ra's al Ghul poured Batman a healthy drink, while replying, "You could say that, but my true goal is to improve the quality of your future."
Batman seemed surprised to hear that, while saying, "Admirable goal. Mr. Ghul."
Ra's al Ghul handed the drink to Batman and said, "Drink up. You'll need it, because I have a lot to teach you." Batman slurped the drink, while Ra's al Ghul started getting things ready.
Several minutes later, various ninjas started surrounding Batman. Batman seemed mildly surprised, while asking, "What's going on?"
Ra's al Ghul walked and answered, "This is your training."
Batman asked, "You call this fair training?" He counted the number of ninjas and said, "There's two-dozen of these guys."
Ra's al Ghul replied, "Exactly, if you are to accomplish what most people think is impossible, you have to start beating the odds. You may seem outnumbered, but is there a possibility, that you are overqualified?"
Batman got a sudden feeling of confidence, while he started fighting the ninjas. The ninjas thought they'd win the fight, but Batman proved them wrong. He started grabbing and throwing ninjas, across the room. Several ninjas tried to knock him out, but they all failed to do that. He punched and kicked the ninjas. Several minutes later, all of the ninjas had been defeated.
Ra's al Ghul clapped his hands and asked, "Do you have any idea what you've done? You've managed to defeat twenty-four ninjas. I'm incredibly proud of you."
Batman replied, "Thank you."
Ra's al Ghul sat down and signaled for Batman to sit next to him. He said, "Batman, I've been involved with ninjas for decades. During that time, I've only seen two people defeat that many ninjas. You have accomplished so much, yet you have so much more potential. You can accomplish great things, things that nobody else ever has. I hope you're aware of that."
Batman had a serious look on his face, while replying, "That's what I want to do."
Ra's al Ghul nudged him and responded, "In order for me to properly help you, I have to know more about you. What's your goal?"
Batman answered, "I want to save Gotham, in particular, I want to save Arkham Asylum."
Ra's al Ghul raised an eyebrow and asked, "You want to save the school?"
Batman said, "Yes, you see, Principal Hugo Strange is more than just a weirdo. He and Professor Crane are corrupt people, who are trolling and antagonizing against their own students. They want to spread fear, for their greedy, petty purposes. I want to be a symbol, a representation of justice, and most importantly, I want to be the one who brings Strange down. You've been a terrific trainer to me and I believe you can teach me, what I need to know, to stop him."
Ra's al Ghul put his arm around Batman and replied, "I can probably do that. However, I believe I can do more for you than that."
Batman looked confused, while asking, "What do you mean?"
Ra's al Ghul explained, "You seek justice, but I'll teach you to seek vengeance."
Batman sternly replied, "Justice and vengeance are very different concepts. Justice is what I want to seek, not vengeance."
Ra's al Ghul started drinking a glass of water and said, "So, you want justice? Most people want things, like cars, mansions, and money, but few people get the amount they want. You want justice, but can you actually get it?"
Batman confidently answered, "Yes I can."
Ra's al Ghul threw the cup, in order to test Batman's speed. A second later, Batman caught it. Ra's al Ghul said, "Impressive, Mr. Batman. I believe defeating twenty-four ninjas is enough work, for one day. I want to see you on a more regular basis. I'm hoping you come by, tomorrow."
Batman replied, "I will."
Ra's al Ghul smiled and responded, "Excellent."
After Batman walked out, Ra's al Ghul went into his office and gave Lady Shiva a call. Talia had an impatient tone in her voice, while asking, "What do you want, Dad?"
Ra's al Ghul answered, "I've found the champion, the one I've been looking for. For years, I've searched for a very special person, a person who has the power to get rid of this city's corruption and greed. Batman is going to make my dreams a reality."
Talia sighed and asked, "What are you going to have him do?"
Ra's al Ghul answered, "I'm going to have him defeat Bruce Wayne."
