After what seemed like hours of trudging through disgusting sewer water, Batman's cowl began beeping. Seemed like he was scanning the area, as he slowly turned his head to get a full view of it.
"The toxicity level of the air in here is ridiculous, I think we are getting close." He states, that being one of the only sentences he's spoken since our run-in with Killer Croc. I had to admit though, this reassured me a lot as I was beginning to wonder if we were going to get anywhere at all.
We walked another few minutes before I could hear a faint voice echo through the tunnels. Crouching down, we silently inch towards the noise, around another corner. I take my gun out and stand behind Batman. I look towards him and he nods towards the entrance. I nod back, readying myself.
We both jump out, being greeted by a skinny man hovered over a lab table. He turned to us, his face was a look of pure evil. His mouth was turned upward into a wicked smile, his small eyes looking at us. "Well, well, looks like the Batman has finally found me..." he chuckles.
I aim my gun at him, narrowing my dark eyes at him. "It's over, you're going to Blackgate where you belong." I say. He simply laughs, and Batman inches a bit closer towards him.
"Fools! It's just getting started!" He quickly pulls something out of his breast pocket and throws it to the ground, causing an all too familiar gas to fill the room. Batman runs after him, though is met with smoke when he grabs him. Dr. Crane's maniacal laugh bounced around the room. I cough as I look all around me. Suddenly, these creatures formed from the ground, screeching at me. They looked as if they were from a living nightmare.
I shoot one, the bullet passing through the form and it slowly disintegrating into the ground. More and more popped up, luckily Batman was doing a pretty good job at taking them out. Crane growled, screaming in pain as we took out more and more of his forms. He eventually popped up, and reached to grab another dose of fear toxin when Batman swiftly punched the side of his face, causing him to be knocked hard to the ground.
I wipe some sweat off of my forehead, breathing heavily through my mask. Batman ties Crane up, then goes to take a look at the lab table. Various knives, torture instruments, needles, and vials of fear toxin littered the table, causing me to cringe. They seemed like they had just been used, as dark blood coated the metals.
"When the police get here they can come confiscate all of this, but I will take a few samples back." He says to me. I nod, rubbing my eyes a bit. "Though I have to say, I'm impressed with you, Detective." He adds. I widen my eyes a bit, genuinely surprised that came out of his mouth.
"Oh really? Well, I could say the same. Though Commissioner Gordon would like to disagree." I say, putting a piece of hair behind my ear.
"Gordon will come around. He doesn't understand how dangerous these new criminals are." He replies. He puts a few samples of Crane's experiments into a bag in his belt, then looked around. "There's an exit just over here," he points towards a ladder leading into the city. Thank god, I needed a shower after this.
Batman and I climb out of the sewer, and I pull off my gas mask and take a deep breath. The fresh air made me feel so much better, after being down there for God knows how long. We make our way back to the Batmobile, and I grab my bag I left behind.
He climbs into the driver's seat, starting the car. "By the way, thanks for saving my life and everything." I say, a bit disappointed that this would probably be our last encounter. He looks towards me, and though it was dark I could see that he wasn't smiling, nor had the usual grimace on his face. It was hard to detect what he was thinking at that moment.
"It's not a problem, Detective." He says. With that, he speeds off into the night. I stood there and watched as the car disappears, hoping this wouldn't be our last meeting. I thought we made a great team.
I step out of my steamy shower, wrapping my hair with a towel. The smell from my body wash lingered on my skin; the faint smell of coconut. As I dry myself off and change into a simple tank and shorts, I walk out into the living room of my apartment.
I find the remote for my TV and turn it on, the news channel appearing on the screen. A picture of Crane's mugshot and the words "The 'Scarecrow' Found After 16 Counts Of Murder" written in all caps. So they're calling him the Scarecrow? Funny, he sort of did look like one, with his small, nimble frame and straw-like hair.
After Batman and I had escaped the sewers, I notified the GCPD that the killer was found. Gordon and Bullock arrived at the scene, and a few cops grabbed Crane and stuffed him into the police car.
"Detective, I can't believe you solved this case!" Gordon praised me as some scientists collected Crane's experiments. Harvey nods, grinning at me until I glare at him.
I didn't want to snap at him just yet, not when Gordon's around. I've already gotten called up more than once for "attitude problems".
I sigh, and yawn. Sleep was what I needed right now. I turn the TV off and walk to my bedroom, collapsing on the bed before fading into sleep.
The next morning, I woke up with a slight headache. I did not feel like going to work today at all. I walk into my bathroom and start getting ready, fixing my dark hair into a ponytail. I dress in my usual uniform: black pants with a jacket and undershirt. I stick my badge on my chest, and take one good look before heading out.
Suddenly, my phone rings across the room. I walk over and see the caller ID: Gordon. I answer, "Hello?"
"Ayala, it's Gordon. You heading to the station right now?" He asks.
"Yes, what's up?"
"It's crazy over here. A bunch of junkies are OD'ing on some new street drug. These guys are massive; veins popping out and everything." He explains. I could tell it was busy, the background was filled with various phones ringing and many different voices.
"Alright, I'm on my way. Bullock there yet?"
"No, but he said he needs a ride. Apparently his car broke down last night. You mind swinging by his place and getting him?" I roll my eyes, but I agree nonetheless.
"Sure."
"Thanks, Ayala. Really appreciate it." He hung up, and I dial Harvey's number. He seemed half asleep, his voice groggily telling me his address.
I head out and after about 15 minutes arrive at Bullock's driveway. He walks out, his tie looking like a three year old tied it. He was a mess.
He climbed in the car. "Thanks, I owe you one," He says and buckled in.
"You actually owe me more than that. What the hell happened to you, you look like you walked through a hurricane." I say, backing out.
"I ain't got no sleep, my wife didn't get off until 3 so I was stuck on the side of the road all night," He says. I hum, not really caring too much.
"And uhh.. about what happened at the warehouse," he says. I raise a brow, ushering for him to go on.
"It wasn't anything personal, I swear. I got spooked and dashed. Though you look like you made it out ok." He says. I huff, "To make it up to me, you're buying me coffee at the station for quite a bit. Got it?" He nods. "Yes ma'am," I continue the drive to the GCPD, seriously regretting not telling Gordon I was sick.
Bruce sat in the Batcave, typing away at the computer. He was currently writing down the results of the samples he collected from Scarecrow. He heard the tap of Alfred's footsteps entering the cave, but he did not turn.
"Have you checked the news recently, Master Bruce?" He inquires, setting down a tray with a steaming cup of tea. Bruce turns to face him, "No, why?"
"There seems to be some new drug out in the streets. It gives the user immense strength and there have been many overdoses." The butler explains, dumping a bit of sugar into the tea and stirring it.
Bruce turns to the Batcomputer again, and sure enough it was true. 13 victims overdosed, all connected to one thing; Venom. Bruce scowls. Bane was back. Which meant he brought lots of Venom with him.
"It's Venom. Bane's back in town." Alfred's face drops, remembering the last time Bruce encountered the man, nearly breaking his spine in the process. "And you're going now?" He asks, setting the cup of tea down in front of him.
Bruce stood up, adjusting his cape around his neck. "The sooner I stop Bane the better." He replies, picking up the cup of tea, taking a small sip.
Alfred sighs, bowing his head a bit. "I will prepare the Batwing for you." Bruce put a hand on his shoulder, a faint smile on his lips, but it quickly faded.
"I know you worry Alfred. But you need to trust me. And someone has to stop him, the GCPD won't be able to." He says. Alfred nods, sighing softly. "You're right, my apologies." He says, turning to prepare the Batwing.