Free From Arkham: chapter 2

September 20, 2009

As Batman makes a break for the door, releasing a pre-set Batclaw as it sinks into neck of a gargoyle, high above the street, his equipped earpiece begins talking to him.

"Batman, you there?"

"What do we have, Oracle?"

"Another bank robbery, down only a street away from you"

Batman could sense something different about oracle as he collects the required details of the bank robbery "On my way" As he ignores his concerns for just now he prepares himself for yet another night of crime fighting, gliding across the street and landing inside the bank to see nobody there, not a single person was inside that bank. Just as he lands though, merely seconds later the doors slam shut on him.

As he tries breaking them down he fails, hearing a familiar voice from behind the glass counters on the side of the bank tellers. "Having fun back in dear old Gotham, Batman?" the voice said in a serious, cynical voice. As the Dark Knight turns around to see who it was, it was nothing more than a portable radio, like a bigger version of a 2 way walkie-talkie. Batman didn't have to see who it was to know who it was. "Where are you this time, Edward?" Batman questions seriously, without a slight hint of emotion

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I've had enough of your games"

The voice on the radio imitated sympathy "aww, but the party isn't even underway yet, you've still to meet everybody"

"I can meet them all in jail when I send them all back"

The radio voice began sounding displeased and angered "As always you fail to understand my perspective on the matter, so I'll give you a clue" he said, giving away his identity in the form of a riddle

"In a city like this, you really have to mind your manors at all times"

As the riddle is heard, Batman continues struggling for a way out the bank before he gives in, breaking through the window and beginning his journey to the riddle's answer, keeping in contact with Nashton as he goes. "So what's the deal once I reach the target? Another riddle?" Batman asks as he flies, not expecting Riddler to react so violently "That's none of your business! Not yet anyway, you just have to wait and see" he booms into the speaker as Batman lands at his destination, Wayne Manor as it barely passes midnight.

As the doors of the manor were flung open, Batman marches into the main hall, barely containing his fury that while he was away, the villains of Gotham had practically vandalised his own home. As he slowly drags himself up the stairway a familiar voice from earlier is heard from the top of the stairs "What took you so long? Did you only just figure Mr Nigma's riddle or was the message that late coming in?" Otis asked in a sarcastic tone as Batman slowly saunters up the stairs, the rodents from before circling the infamous Ratcatcher.

As Batman makes it up the rest of the stairs he questions Flannegan "How did you know the oracle's message was coming in?"

"Oracle? I have no idea what you are talking about"

The Dark Knight contemplates how he could have known before the Ratcatcher fills him in

"Oh you must mean Karlo, terribly sorry, his voice imitations are amazing nowadays he's gotten so much better" he says sounding like a gossiping schoolgirl, much like Joker normally does.

"Clayface!" shocked at hearing that name he begins wondering how he escaped Arkham "But how..."

"You forget who you're talking about, Batman, Karlo can shapeshift into anybody, he simply formed into the commissioner Gordon was set free after Gordon's shift was finished" Otis once again informs Batman

As Batman tries solving this big conundrum the Riddler once again let's himself be heard "hello? Is anybody there?"

Otis picks up the radio this time "Nigma! How are things, old friend?"

"Well if it isn't the famous Ratcatcher! Oh how I missed your voice, and also your impressive powers, those rats helped me a lot a while back"

"You're more than welcome, Edward, anything for a friend"

As Otis and Edward catch up via radios Batman busies himself trying to figure out all the mess and how it began before the Riddler ropes Batman into the conversation again, "So when did the Dork knight arrive then? Couldn't have been too long ago"

"Only about 2 maybe 3 minutes ago. I just informed him our good friend Karlo had visited his precious Oracle"

"Oh yes! How is Karlo? I need to catch up with him too, once he's done being busy with headsets and earpieces"

Messing with Batman's head, they both enjoy discussing how Karlo has tricked Batman into starting this game off entirely. After so long, Batman ignores them both and searches the rest of the house, seeing rats everywhere he goes, in every corner, on every chair, under every cabinet, bed and table (sometime even on top the tables)

"So who else is expected at this shindig then, Edward?" Otis asks curiously

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that one, not with Batboy nearby, maybe some other time friend"

"I understand, then" Otis says in a calm and friendly tone.

"Anyhow, tell Batman I left him a little gift in one of the rooms upstairs, let him know also that I do hope he likes it, I made it especially for him" Riddler said grimly down the radio to Otis, however Otis didn't require to pass on the message as Batman listens in as he begins cautiously and worryingly searching for Edward's present to the Dark Knight.

Slowly strolling into his own room, he glances round the darkened, scribbled walls to find what Riddler has hid for him as he began raiding every door and drawer within the whole of his bedroom until eventually, after so long, he found the gift with deep regret as he glances upon the body of his late Butler, Alfred, blackened and charred, as if he was barbequed by something…or someone.

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