The Diary Of Bruce Wayne
15th October 1997
It is a night like any other, bleak, dark and unending. A storm is brewing. Five Break-ins, three murders and a fifteen member gang raid. The night is still young. Sirens are wailing in every direction, gun shots firing at the local police. An explosion on Adams Street. This night just keeps getting better. Alfred has asked me time and again "why do this to myself?" The answer is simple, I can't stop, I won't stop until my city is clean. No family will ever lose their loved ones again, no child will go through what I felt like that night. I have made a vow to protect the safety and security of this city with my very soul, I would die just to protect it. May my soul be damned.
Current Events
G.C.P.D Cars zoom past a dimly lit alley, stirring few of the residents sleeping rough. A shadow walks among them a creature of little words and a fierce look, The Batman is on the prowl. Gangs cower behind locked doors knowing that one day he would come for them, but not tonight, not now for he is hunting for bigger pray tonight. The Joker has escaped from Arkham yet again. A place that he knows all too well, the villains he has put in that institution for the criminally insane is beyond any normal human, but then neither Batman nor the Joker could be considered normal humans.
A voice cries out from somewhere in the dark,
"Batsy! I can hear you skulking around the alleys. I'm on stakeout and I want it medium rare, Oh I can just imagine what fun we're going to have, you're very determined to get me. I mean who can blame you, I've just blown up that little orphanage on the corner of Adams street and Dini. The looks of suprise on those little children's face's as the fireworks started... *Mmmm* this must be what santa feels like on Christmas Eve, or the Easter bunny... do you know something I never liked that guy, snooping around listening like a spy with those big ears of his. It's enough to make a body paranoid, and I know paranoid. But the screams *HE HE* Simply TO DIE FOR."
GROWL*
"Ah ah Temper Temper, you don't want to make me do something you'dlater regret.*HE HE HA HA* Do come and find me soon or I will go ahead and do something else to get your attention. Ta ta for now"
"WHERE ARE YOU?!" Batman screams.
"Now that would be telling, you're the detective you figure it out. Toodles *HA HA HA ha ha ha...* The Jokers laughter fades.
"Damn it! Oracle has there been any progress with the examination of the explosive device?"
"Just a second... Yes, it was made of compact C4 and trip wire trigger. It was loaded to cause maximum damage. Current dead at the bomb site is fourteen, mainly children. Gods, it looks like the Joker gased them all before setting off the bomb. There is something else, two of the staff members were reported late for work, could they be accomplices?"
"Unlikely... Thanks, I want regular updates on the situation. Where was the last known location of Joker's hideout?"
"*Humm* Let's see... Downtown area lower narrows district. You're gonna have a bad time, it's a warzone down there right now. Gotham PD are on the scene of a gang turf war... Whatever you are gonna do, do it fast. I'll call you some backup"
"No! I'm doing this alone."
"But..."
"I SAID NO!"
"Damn it Bruce!... *Sigh* Fine just be careful."
With that Batman ran towards the batmobile and jumped in. Darting through the streets of Gotham at full speed, thinking of his objectives for about the third time since this whole affair started. He was not letting the Joker get the better of him, not tonight, not ever... Again. Finally reaching the narrows he spots the police in a three way shootout with the two rival gangs, with the furrowing of brows he speeds up, jamming his brakes on just as he appears in the middle of the street.
"Crap it's the Batman!!!" One of the gang members shouts.
With that smoke bombs and flash bangs erupt from hidden compartments on the outside of the batmobile. Disorientated and nervous the gangs hunker down ready for a fight. The flashing stops and Batman jumps out of the batmobile, walking calm through the smoke he methodically and stealthly takes out each member of the gang closest to the batmobile first. The smoke clears leaving the rival gang on the other side of the street, and the police. Using his overworked and tired muscles to work his way to and through the opposite gang. Sticking to the shadows using them as his ally he plants his fist firmly into the side of the ringleader, he's down. Hearing nothing but groans and coughing, his work is done. Using his grappling gun to take him to the rooftop closest, scans the area to find his target. There the old Wearhouse on Timm Avenue, the clear bright red smile painted on the windows still visible. How long since the last time the Joker was put in Arkham? One maybe two years, yet the paint still seems bright, even in the dim light... No wonder the paint is fresh.
"Oracle... I'm sending bio scans of some paint on the Wearhouse windows, if it's what it think it is we need to move fast."
"Ok scanning now... God Bruce, it's blood. Not just any blood but..."
"Who?"
"Vikki Vale, either the Joker has her alive or she's dead inside but there is no heat signatures in the building."
GROWL* Lightly testing the door for any explosives, finding none Batman kicks in the door. Scanning the room within he finds the two missing staff members dead with hideous grins on their faces and throats cut.
"Oracle... I found the two missing staff members, they're dead. Joker is playing games with us, I need to find out what he really wants."
Continuing his scan of both the bodies and the room, the victims were dead for at least seven hours. They must have been killed before the explosion. Batman finds a little note crumpled up inside the mouth of the female staff member. Splattered with blood and written with what only Batman could express as a mark of rushed insane rambling.
Dear Batman. *
you're soooo close, so i see you found my little party... well at * *least my guests were happy. if you want the reporter lady back*
safe but not so sound, come find me. here's a hint of where i *
am. we will meet in the place where I was created. *
toodles. The Joker
That could only mean one place... The ACE Chemical plant. The one place the Joker knows would unnerve the strong willed Dark Knight. The memories of that long ago fateful night, the night the Joker was born. It all comes flooding back to mind like the flash of lightning outside. Closing his eyes and steeling himself for what could be a tough encounter, finalizing his scans of the room trying to find any clue of what he was about to face. Empty viles of a strange green liquid were scattered throughout the room, what was this liquid?
"I found some sort of liquid sending a sample to you for analysis... I also found out where the Joker is and that Vale is alive... For now at least" Batman said into his earpiece communicator.
"Just received the sample... It looks to be a new form of Joker toxin similar to the older ones but a lot more fast acting. Where is he? And let's hope Vikki has survived the storm known as the Joker."
"Can an antidote be found? And Vikki Vale is stronger than she looks... I should know."
"I know... She did go out with you, anyone who can do that is a lot stronger than you know."
Mmm* "I'll send you a message when I get there... Keep the line clear."
"Ok boss I'm ready and waiting, so is Alfred on the home line just in case you need an ambulance."
"Ok... Batman out."
Climbing in the batmobile, starts the engine and taps in the address for ACE Chemicals, Batman like a demon possessed tears throughout Gotham city. Inwardly hoping that he wasn't too late, outwardly extending his anger and frustration throughout the streets, knocking over bins and speeding through red lights.
Meanwhile in ACE Chemicals
Pacing backwards and forwards mumbling to himself the Joker gets more than a little bit aggressive.
" Where is he? I've told him where to find me... I have a hostage whom I could kill, what do I have to do to get him here faster? *Points to a strung up Vikki Vale* This is your fault y'know always questioning the way Batman does things... Making him feel bad about himself... *Sigh* but what is the point of a dead hostage? BOYS! IS HE HERE YET?"
"Err no Mr Joker sir... Do you want us to wait outside for him?"
"THAT'S THE IDEA YOU DOLT!! *Mumbles to self* note to self, hire new goons with a little bit more brains. GET OUT THERE AND FIND HIM!!"
"Sure boss... Right away boss."
"Finally... Now then miss Vale what have you to say for yourself? Are you nice and cozy up there?"
"Let me down you monster!"
"Poor choice of words my dear look down and see why that would be impossible. You news hounds are all the same, fighting with eachother to find out who the Batman is? And you call Me a monster? I'm hurt... But you do realize what a tough position you are in? No still not getting through let me emphasize that for you, *pulls a lever Vikki Vale plummets towards the acid, then pulls it back* you see I could let you die, but then Batman would be sad. I don't like seeing him sad... Angry yes but sad no."
"BOSS!! HE'S...NO!! NOT THAT NO!! AAAAHHHH!!!"
"*Smiling looks to Vikki* Goody he's here, does my hair look straight? Not too much eyeliner? Ah what do you know? BATMAN!! Welcome I see you got my note. Took you long enough, where have you AACCCKK?"
Batman holds Joker in a tight deathlike throat grip.
"I'm through playing games, What's in the tank?"
"*Croaking* ask nicely and I'll tell you, but if you don't Miss Vale is going to die."
"TELL ME!"
"Oooh... I like it when you're so demanding, gives me chills. Now seeing as you asked sooo nicely, it's the new and improved Joker venom... *Cough, Wheeze* loosen the grip a little would you? I'm trying to speak here. I added a little something extra too just for miss Vale here. ACK! Jeez your a little bit overprotective of people who don't care about you."
Pulling out a knife the Joker with one swift move jabs it just below Batmans ribs, instantaneous Batman releases the grip and clamps down on the wound. Backing up he keeps his eyes on the Joker, vision is starting to blur.
"Feeling a little bit off Batman? That's because I dipped this little beauty in the toxin before you got here. If you want the antidote... Beg, I might just give it you... But then again seeing you with a smile would be good. You brood way too much, sooo dark. I think that's why I like you... Oh what the hey, have it or save miss Vale. The choice is yours."
With that the Joker kicks the lever releasing Vikki towards the tank. Running away, the Joker laughs. Without a second thought Batman leaps and saves an unconscious Vikki Vale, then starts to run after the Joker.
"No fair! Your cheating..." The Joker shouts as he runs towards the door. Batman leaping crashes into the Joker knocking him out. Flipping him over takes out the antidote and swallows a little. Binding the Joker dragging him to the batmobile, Batman shoves him in the passenger seat, climbs in and drives towards Arkham asylum at full speed.
"Oracle, I have the Joker... Vikki Vale is alive and well but she may need medical attention, I'm on my way to Arkham..."
"Batman, are you ok? You sound a little bit groggy, and your pulse is through the roof..."
"I'm fine, I'll be back to the cave soon."
"Ok, just hurry back."
Batman pulls up outside the main doors of Arkham asylum, climbs out grabs his unwanted passenger and begins to walk towards the doors, dragging the Joker behind him. Slamming his fist on the door. The door opens he walks in and practically throws the Joker at the guards.
"Make sure he doesn't escape this time."
Turning around he storms out, by the time he gets to the batmobile he almost collapses from exhaustion and blood loss. Climbing in the batmobile and closing the door sealing the wound in his chest he slips into unconsciousness.