Miles away from Wayne Enterprises in the nearby city of Blüdhaven, Dick Grayson had just finished stuffing his Nightwing uniform into a duffel bag in some back alley. Usually, changing his costume wasn't done like this but on this particular day he was in a bit of a hurry. Not only had he just stopped Blockbuster from rampaging around downtown but he also needed to make it to one particular Christmas Party while it was still early.
Dick slung the bag over his shoulder and left the alley. Parked right outside was his motorcycle. Not as safe as a car, but a whole lot faster. He got on to the motorcycle and put on his helmet. The engine started and he drove down the street. As he drove, the radio turned on automatically. It happened to be tuned to the local news station.
"This just in, we have an update on the ongoing situation in Gotham."
Dick tensed up at the mention of this but mostly managed to remain calm. There were major incidents so often in Gotham that the odds of Bruce's party being in trouble were unlikely. Besides, the GCPD or some other hero probably had things handled. Despite these rational thoughts going through his head, the next thing Dick heard from the radio changed all that.
"A squad of police is outside the Wayne Enterprises building as we speak attempting to deal with a developing situation. Multiple supervillains are inside the building and have attacked the police outside from above. Police Commissioner Gordon has issued a statement saying that the perpetrators and their motives are unknown but they are attempting to establish communication."
This new information going through his mind, Dick put the brakes on his motorcycle. The news report continued but was too preoccupied thinking to absorb whatever it was they were saying.
"I'd better find another alley." Dick said. "Looks like Gotham just might need Nightwing."
Just outside Wayne Enterprises, the number of police had significantly increased since Montoya's group had first arrived. More rockets had been shot down from the building but the first one had apparently been a lucky hit as the majority of the subsequent rockets fired hadn't hit their intended target. The ones that had hit were fortunately non-fatal to the police below and just caused destruction. A few vans belonging to news reporting teams had arrived and had begun coverage on the story from a safe distance.
Commissioner Gordon had just arrived at the scene and was stepping out of his car when Montoya went over to him. She saluted him briefly but once he was fully out of the car he was launched straight into business.
"Commissioner, we've been trying to contact whoever's inside but we got nothing so far." Montoya explained. "Either the phone lines are dead or they're just ignoring us. We're trying to get radio contact as we speak though."
"Are we sending anyone inside?" asked Gordon.
"We're getting a SWAT team ready right now."
"Any idea who could be in there?"
"Well, the call we got said one of the Clayfaces was in there and it looks like it's been Tweedledee and Tweedledum who've been shooting at us for the last little while." Montoya gestured up to the upper windows as she and Gordon walked. "That means the Mad Hatter could be involved but I'm not so sure. Doesn't seem like his MO."
"We need to establish communication with them as soon as possible before anyone gets hurt. My daughter was at the party that was supposed to be in there."
"Think she can handle herself?"
"Barbara's been in tough situations before. Still, can't help but worry."
"Don't worry, I'm sure it'll all be okay."
A young cop clutching a walkie-talkie in his hands went over to Montoya and Gordon. "Commissioner, s-sir, we've been able to radio whoever's in there. Should I-"
"Yes, let me talk to him." Gordon interrupted him.
"Right away, Commissioner."
The cop handed off the walkie-talkie to Gordon. The Commissioner held the device up to his face. "Listen up, I don't know who's there but you're not going get away with this."
"Now, now, calm down." said the voice of Film Freak in a tone that sounded like it was badly intimidating a kind motherly figure. "I've got a lot of hostages up here and I'm sure you want them all to be safe."
"Who the hell am I talking to you right now?"
"Where are my manners? My name's Burt Weston. Perhaps you've seen some of my movies? No? You may also know me by my other name: Film Freak."
"What's your game, Film Freak? Why are you doing this?"
"The character Hans Gruber from the film Die Hard is one of the best action movie villains of all time. So, I decided, why not emulate the big heist from that movie? To put it simply, I'm after money. But hey, who isn't these days?"
Commissioner Gordon didn't reply. The nonchalance of Film Freak's voice was off putting. It seemed that to him, everything was just a big movie where he was in the directors chair. As Gordon tried to think up an adequate response Film Freak spoke again. "Oh and Gordon, I'm looking out the window, don't send in that SWAT team. If you do, something terrible might happen to the people I have trapped up here."
"What can we give you in exchange for the hostages?"
There was a pause on the other line. Gordon took the moment to decide if it was the good kind or the bad kind.
"I'll get back to you in a moment."
Batgirl stalked through the dark upper floors of the building with Bruce carefully behind her. Every noise or unfamiliar shape in the bad lighting set the pair on edge. To them, Film Freak or one of his partners could be around every corner. After a while Batgirl decided to speak up. "So do you know why these guys are in here?"
"Film Freak seemed to want to want to break into my personal vault when he had me captive." said Bruce.
"So it's just for the money, huh? Guess he isn't a very complicated guy." Batgirl and Bruce kept walking about more without talking but Batgirl attempted to chat once again. "Do you think anyone's going to come help us?"
"Not sure. I think Film Freak mentioned cutting the phone lines and he confiscated the cell phones of my party guests." Bruce replied.
"We could check outside just to be safe." suggested Batgirl.
"Hmm, it couldn't hurt. I'll check the window and you watch my back. Someone could use it as a chance to sneak up on both of us if we're not careful."
Batgirl nodded and the two of them approached one of the windows that faced the front side of the building. Bruce went to the window and Batgirl kept an eye on the rest of the office floor. He looked down and saw the large squad of police right outside.
"Barbara, it looks like we've got some help." Bruce said.
Batgirl turned around and saw all the cops down there. "Do you think my dad's down there?"
"When I first started working with Gordon I gave him a Bat Communicator. You could try calling him."
"I'll try that."
She grabbed a yellow coloured circular device with an antenna and a bat logo on the back from her utility belt. Batgirl pressed a button on the side of it and talked into it. "Bat Communicator, call Commissioner James Gordon."
The screen on the front of the device was dark for only a few seconds before switching to an image of Gordon outside of the building.
"Batman, where have- Oh, Batgirl, it's you." Gordon said. "Where are you right now? We've been trying to get a hold of Gotham's heroes but all of them are busy or we just can't find them."
"Well Commissioner, I don't know where Batman is but I'm actually up in Wayne Enterprises right now." explained Batgirl.
"You're what? How did you get up there?"
"That doesn't matter. What matters is I'm inside and I need help from the outside."
"We don't know much, but Film Freak's threatening to hurt hostages if we get too close."
"I'll keep that in mind. I was able to help Bruce Wayne escape and he told me that the guys who took over the building seem to be interested in breaking into his personal safe."
"Hmm, we could do something with that information. We'll keep in touch, Batgirl."
The screen on the Bat Communicator went blank. Batgirl put it back on her belt and gestured for Bruce to follow her. The duo continued through the upper floors of the tower together. Their minds were focused on the task at hand but in the backs of their minds both desperately hoped that this nightmare could be put behind them as soon as possible.
Film Freak hadn't left his office since he called the meeting with his accomplices earlier. He stared at the window at the small army of Gotham's finest below and smirked.
"You're at the top of the world." he said to the empty room.
He was interrupted by the squeak of tiny wheels rolling into the room. Film Freak turned around and saw KGBeast rolling a crate similar to the one Tweedledee and Tweedledum had set up earlier into the office.
"Ah good, you brought it up." Film Freak remarked. "How are the hostages doing?"
"They're anxious, but none of them seem to be plotting anything." KGBeast said.
"Great. Now help me open the box. This thing's gonna help us up later."
KGBeast and Film Freak went over to the box and worked together to pry open the lid. Inside the box lay a machine gun that was large enough for it to look like it required multiple people to operate.
"What's this for?" KGBeast asked.
"You can never have too much protection." Film Freak said. "Besides, you ever see Scarface? Well, I wanna say the line from Scarface."
"Oh, you mean 'Say hello to-"
KGBeast's quote was left incomplete due to Film Freak slapping him across his face and grabbing him by the arms. He attempted to shake the Russian colossus. KGBeast had absolutely no reaction to Film Freak assaulting him however.
"No! Only I get to do movie quotes!" Film Freak snapped.
"Do not mess with me. I'm above working for the likes of you. I used to be the KGB's top hitman! You're nothing but a failed actor!" KGBeast grabbed Film Freak by the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer.
"You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me?"
"Don't you start with the Taxi Driver stuff now!"
Their feud would have likely escalated further if not for Magpie choosing that moment to burst in on the room and begin shouting loudly. "Boss! We've got a code red type situation going on here!" KGBeast and Film Freak let go of each other and they both turned their attention to Magpie.
"What happened to your glasses?" Film Freak asked.
"Batgirl! She broke into the interrogation room and took Wayne with her." said Magpie.
"Dammit, this really throws a wrench in the works."
"I'll go kill Batgirl now, yes?" KGBeast said.
"Clayface and Mime are closer." Film Freak rejected the idea. "We'll use them to get Wayne back."
"But what if that doesn't work?" asked Magpie.
"Don't worry. I've got many, many back up plans. Now, one of you radio Clayface and tell him to listen up and listen good."
Batgirl and Bruce had descended a few floors since their call with Gordon. Admittedly, Batgirl was unsure what good going downstairs would do. But in a tense situation, doing something is better than doing nothing. The two of them moved from a landing in the stairwell to one of the other floors.
"Think anyone from Film Freak's crew is up here?" asked Batgirl.
"I don't pay much attention to second raters like him. Not too sure how he operates just yet." admitted Bruce. "I've got a few theories though."
As much as Batgirl wished to hear more about Bruce's ideas she got distracted when out of the corner of the eye she saw something that looked like movement.
"Hold on Bruce, I think I saw something." Batgirl pressed her index finger against her temple and the eyes of her costume began to glow red. "Hmm, weird. Thermal vision isn't picking up anything."
"Keep an eye out. Just in case."
They explored the floor some more but didn't talk. Just kept watch for anything out of the ordinary. Again, the shadow returned to the corner of Batgirl's vision. Quickly, she spun around towards the shadow and grabbed a Batarang. "Hey! Whoever's in there come out now!"
Silence consumed the room for a brief moment in time as a shady figure got closer to Batgirl and Bruce. The figure's features slowly became visible to Batgirl. He was a short haired young man in a long-sleeved shirt and necktie.
"N-no need to point that thing at me." said the man. "I'm friendly."
"Sorry, there's just a lot of dangerous people in this building tonight." Batgirl put the Batarang back on her belt.
"Yeah, I know. Barely escaped from downstairs. It's chaos. Name's Mike Reagan by the way. I work in accounting." the man, apparently Mike, peeked over Batgirl's shoulder and got a good look at Bruce. "Wow, didn't think I'd be meet Batgirl and the head of the company today."
"Listen, Mike, you're safer with me than you are alone but I can't have you getting hurt. So you stay in the back with Bruce and I'll lead."
"Thanks Batgirl, I wasn't sure how long I was gonna last on my own." Mike joined Bruce behind Batgirl and the trio walked through the rows of desks and water coolers that surrounded them. The only sound audible was their footsteps.
An intrusive thought wandered its way into Batgirl's head. Mike Reagan. Why did that name sound familiar? She couldn't have met some random accountant by chance before, could she? Mike Reagan, Mike Reagan. Despite logic not quite adding up, she knew that name had come from somewhere.
While Batgirl thought about the accountant, she and Bruce both failed to notice both of Mike's hands slowly morphing into clay mallets. Clayface smugly smiled and raised both his hammer-hands. He brought his left hand down on Bruce's back which sent him crashing to the ground. The sound of Bruce being hit was enough to snap Batgirl out of her mind and turn around to see Clayface. It was then Batgirl realized why the name "Mike Reagan" sounded so familiar. And that was because it sounded almost exactly like the name someone who was standing in front of her.
"Matt Hagen! So that's why I couldn't pick anything up with my thermal scan."
"Bingo, Batgirl. Did ya like my disguise?" Clayface shifted completely into his natural form.
"Sorry Clayface, but I don't have time to chat. I've already fought KGBeast and Magpie, so you should be a cakewalk."
Bruce retreated into the sidelines as Clayface and Batgirl talked. Clayface advanced on Batgirl who backed up slightly to compensate. "The boss only wants Wayne, you know. I don't have to hurt you."
"Not happening."
"Shame. Looks like I gotta bring out my friend."
"What fr-"
Batgirl felt someone kick the back of her head which made her stumble forward. With Batgirl close to him now, Clayface socked her in the stomach with one of his hammer-hands. The impact sent Batgirl flying across the room only to be stopped when she crashed into a wall. As she adjusted to this new situation she also got a better look at Clayface's helper who turned out to be Mime. She didn't instill fear the way other criminals did, but in the current context she was scary enough for Batgirl.
"C'mon, just let us have Wayne and we'll leave you alone." Clayface said as he and Mime got closer.
"I'm not letting you do that." Batgirl grabbed another Batarang off her belt. She threw the Batarang at Clayface and it stuck itself right in the middle of his forehead. Clayface looked up at the object penetrating his skin and laughed.
"Ha! Did you forget what I'm made of?" Clayface scoffed. Mime laughed as well. Or at least made the motions of someone who should be laughing. "It's gonna take more than that to…" It was then that Clayface became aware of the beeping noise coming from the Batarang. "Oh no…"
The Batarang exploded and reduced Clayface's head to a small mound. Clayface fell backwards to the floor with a heavy thud. Naturally being Clayface, he wasn't dead and he began the slow reconstruction process. With half of the duo unable to fight, Batgirl stood up completely and ran straight at Mime. She punched at Mime but her foe dodged the hit. Mime held her palms open and some electrical discharge came off her gloves. Batgirl momentarily wondered what that it was for but those thoughts were dashed when Mime lunged forward and grabbed onto her arms. This accomplished nothing other than holding on to Batgirl's arms lightly and confusing Mime.
"Yeah, my Batsuit is insulated." Batgirl said conversationally. "Think about that next time you try to electrocute me."
Batgirl headbutted the still stunned Mime in the face which knocked her down. The next two things she spotted were Clayface's head halfway into reforming and Bruce crawling towards the exit. Batgirl ran over towards Bruce and helped him off the ground.
"Thanks." Bruce said. "I suggest we get out of here before they recover."
"Right." Batgirl and Bruce ran out to the stair doors and began to climb up. As they climbed they both had the same question on their minds. "What do we do next?"
A/N: Fun fact about this chapter, it wasn't until after I wrote it that I realized I totally stole the design for the "Bat Communicator" off the "Titan Communicator" from the Teen Titans cartoon. But since I'm already playing Mix-and-Match with the continuity I figured it'd be okay. Anyway, hope this was a good read and leave a review if you feel like it.
