Darkness, the only solitude for a lost one's journey. Cold, the only feeling both inside and out. A song, playing forever in reverse as the only sound to reach deaf ears. Loneliness, a constant void that cannot be filled. Anger, nearly tangible for being ignored so long. A smile, followed by a laugh as the bonds were finally lifted.
YoU sHoUlDn'T hAvE dOnE tHaT.
"Hey Tim, what ya got there?" Barbara asked as the kid turned the old cartridge over in his hand.
"Looks like an old game cartridge. Second hand I'd say." he answered.
"What game?" she asked sitting beside him.
Tim squinted his eyes as he tried to make out the faded writing on the surface, "Majora…..never heard of it. Sounds cool though."
Barbara snatched the game from Tim and looked at it with wide eyes, "Like The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask?!"
Tim tilted his head to side, "Ummm Barb, your geek is showing."
She shot him a glare before looking around, "I'm sure Bruce has an N64 around here somewhere. You were going to play it right?"
Tim rolled his eyes, "Not like we have anything better to do since grumpy won't let us go out on patrol."
Barbara nodded, "Well come on! Let's see if Bruce has one lying around somewhere."
A faint whirring was the first hint to register as the world around him suddenly became brighter. A rush of data flowing through his mind before he realized that his world was beginning to reawaken. Eyes opened slowly and a sadistic smile speed across his features. A new player has just begun.
"Man Barb this thing looks ancient!" Tim complained, looking at the dated graphics but Barbara shook her head.
"This is a piece of video game history Tim! You need to play this!" she urged him.
The colors brightened and the title music began to play. The suffocating feeling in his lungs starting to lighten and his eyes fully opened, his data prison shining all around him in a brilliance that he hadn't known for a very long time.
"Hmmmmmm looks like there was a previous save. Let's start a new game." Tim said, setting up his profile name as TIM DRAKE.
"Well at least the music is decent." he commented.
A smile as certain data streams began to flow, blue data turning yellow as they whizzed by into use to power the various player and non player actions as the new game began. The prisoner allowed bloody red and black eyes to scan over the data, easily deciphering which was which before finally finding the pieces he needed. Brushing his fingers over the data streams with a touch as light as a butterfly's wing, the blue data flashed before turning red with corruption. His smile widened. Now he just had to wait.
Tim and Barbara sat as the boy played through the game for a few hours, with some helpful tips from the older girl speeding him along. It was when he got towards the end of the third day that Barbara decided to give Tim a bit more time.
"Head to the Astronomy tower, there's a cool glitch there that will give you another day to finish." she explained, walking him through the glitch only to find them both back in the final boss arena rather then greeted by the astronomer, "That wasn't supposed to happen."
Tim looked back at her "I thought we were meeting the astronomer?"
He hoped the game wasn't broken. He was just starting to get into the fantasy game, and was rather enjoying himself.
"No, we were trying to gain another day but we should still be with the astronomer right now. I don't know why we're here again. Maybe if we look around the town a bit we can figure something out." she suggested, watching the game screen carefully.
After a trippy encounter with Skull kid resulting in their only being able to select yes when asked if they wanted to proceed to the final boss, they found themselves in the clock tower in clock town.
"I think we need to walk around a bit." the red head stated, noticing the stat changes to Tim's character.
Tim nodded, moving the green capped hero around, but found the town eerily empty, "Barb what's going on?"
"I don't know. The textures are really weird, and… Tim, turn up the volume. I think it's playing the song of healing backwards, but I want to make sure." she replied, blue eyes wide as the atmosphere in the game started to make her nervous.
Tim reached for the remote, feeling a bit uneasy himself. He heard the music too, and he began to have second thoughts about playing. After a few minutes of running around, trying to escape the town and playing various songs on the ocarina and getting the same cryptic message, before finally coming to the same conclusion.
"Try drowning Link in the Laundry pool. You might respawn somewhere else." she suggested, though she didn't seem to like the possibility.
Tim nodded and had Link move to the pool and jump in. Link grabbed his head and the screen flashed to the Happy Mask Salesman staring straight at the pair through the screen and Skull kid's scream playing in the background before the character was returned to the clock tower, the statue of Link now there with the character with it's unnerving facial expression facing right towards the camera.
Tim jumped, dropping the controller and backing up, more than a little spooked now.
"Want me to take over?" Barbara asked, though she was just as scared as Tim was.
"I think that's enough playing for today." Tim said shakily reaching to turn off the console.
"Agreed." she replied, not about to stop him until the game screen scrambled, a loud, high-pitched screeching escaping the speakers before the statue's face came on screen.
Beneath it was a blood-red text reading in distorted text, like the programming was switching between lowercase and caps: YoU sHoUlDn'T hAvE dOnE tHaT.
Both of them jumped, backing away from the screen, "This isn't part of the game is it?" he asked.
"No…..no it isn't." she answered.
Huge bolts of electricity shot from the console as the lights began to flicker throughout Wayne Manor, a holographic image of what seemed to be Link appearing in front of the device, the whites of his eyes black as night and usual blue iris as red as the blood that flowed down his cheeks from the discolored eyes. Eyes that opened slowly and met the pair followed by an insane smirk.
"I'm finally free… I'M FINALLY FREE!" the being shouted, laughing hysterically as his image seemed to flicker and distort slightly, still adjusting to being outside of the game.
Tim looked at Barbara, "I think we may have found one of Jeff's monsters."
"We need to tell Batman about this right away." she said with a terrified look.
Laughing insanely, the distorted Link touched the light switch, immediately being pulled into the electrical system and quickly finding the largest databank on the grounds. The Batcomputer, and making very short work of decrypting the files and accessing every scrap of data that was available before tearing along through the power lines and the wi-fi connections. All of the data available, every electronic device with an internet or satellite connection, it was his, and he certainly knew by now exactly how to use it.
"This world is about to meet with a terrible fate."
In the Batmobile, Batman and Jeff were patrolling the streets, not making any progress on their leads without information from Jane.
"I'm starting to think that you and Jane should gather more information before we keep trying this. We're not really making much progress and I can feed you any information you need to narrow the search over the phone." Jeff suggested, trying to suppress a yawn.
Batman nodded when suddenly the monitors on the Batmobile began to flicker and glitch. Jeff looked at the screens, then back at the hero before speaking.
"I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say those aren't supposed to do that?" Jeff asked, tone completely deadpan.
"No. these files are heavily encrypted, so not even the governments elite hackers could break it." Batman answered, "This is something else."
Batman pulled over the car, double checking the monitors and wires to secure the connection. However, he quickly found that everything seemed normal, so it was clearly an external problem. However, both of the cars occupants had their attention drawn to the screens in a matter of moments when the face of an elven looking boy with blond hair, a green hat and shirt, and bloody black and red eyes appeared there, smiling sadistically before turning his head towards the passenger side of the Batmobile.
"Hello Jeffery, I know you're there. It's nice to see you again, or rather it would have been if I hadn't seen the files from Santa fe before locating you for your capture and your stay at the correctional facility. How does it feel Jeff, knowing the once great murderer has fallen from grace?"
Jeff growled, then the blonde's head turned towards the driver side and he continued.
"Hello Batman, or should I say, Bruce Wayne. I know who you are Bruce, but don't worry I won't tell anyone."
The boy paused, playfully face palming before continuing in a knowing tone.
"Oh wait, it looks like I already did since Jeffery is in the car with you. Well, let me amend that statement then, I won't tell anyone else. Don't try to escape the car, I already locked all the doors, don't try to drive, I already set the emergency brake and disabled the boosters, and don't try to turn off the vehicle, I already have a remote override on the monitors.
Batman glared at the entity who invaded his systems, but didn't respond.
"Now that I know I have you're attention, I want to make sure you know who I am. My name is BEN, and I'm sure Jeff must have mentioned me to you at least once in passing. I doubt he'd have gotten too deep into it though, as we never really knew each other well. I am the soul of a player who was trapped in an old cartridge of Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, after drowning by a means I don't wish to disclose. Now that I'm free, I have all of the world's information at my fingertips as well as unlimited control of any machine or device that has an internet or satellite connection, including your Batmobile.
"However, I've heard much about you Bruce, as well as a bit about a guy like you in Metropolis, only with more abilities. Your colleagues are impressive, but I'm more interested in you. However, I find that you being only human and still holding your whole city together the way you do intriguing, so I wanted to offer you a deal to try to stop me. I'll give you riddles at the various locations that I'll be driving the two of you, and the pair of you have to work together to figure it out within the time limit. If you get it right, then you'll proceed until you face me, but if you two either don't cooperate or guess wrong, then someone is going to get hurt. Be it Barbara, Alfred, Timothy, or even sweet little Jane.
"You're call, now. I'm leaving a phone number on screen for a half hour, test yes to it if you accept or no if you refuse. Bear in mind, I need matching responses from both of you within that timeframe, otherwise I'm defaulting you to no and someone will meet with a terrible fate. By the way Bruce, your phone is about to ring. I'll let you answer it before I begin the countdown." Ben finished, grinning wickedly on the monitor as Jeff stared at him in disbelief, when the communicator built into his cowl went off.
Batman reached up and activated the communicator, "Yes?"
"Batman, it's Barbara. Something….evil just came out of a game Tim found. It's escaped from the game."
"No shit, Sherlock." Jeff mumbled, glancing back at BEN's face on the monitor as the blonde just grinned wickedly, also listening to the conversation as it happened.
"I've noticed." Batman replied. "He has control of the Batmobile. I'll handle it though. Make sure everyone's safe. Batman out."
A commotion sounded through the communicator and BEN giggled.
"Looks like the calvary has arrived." he stated, his screen raising a bit as a phone number appeared beneath him, "You have a half hour you two. If I don't get a reply from one of you or if one of you texts no, then someone is going to die. Choose carefully, your time starts now."
With that, a counter appeared breath the number, ticking down the seconds as Jeff pulled out his phone and opened a blank text message.
"Are you ready for this?" Batman asked.
"I don't any of us will ever be ready for BEN properly, but I'm not putting Jane in danger when she isn't part of this. If I want to do what's right like I said I was going too, then I can't afford to walk away when things get hard, ready or not." Jeff replied, texting the one word reply.
YES
Batman nodded as Jeff hit send, when the image of BEN popped up with a sadistic smile.
"Excellent, don't worry Batman, I know you only have your communicator so I won't waste my time waiting for a text from you. Besides, I heard the whole conversation anyway, so let's begin. New file, Level one. Hold on tight."
With that the Batmobile screeched to life and the pair was rocketed to their first destination. The ride however, was quiet, so Jeff spoke up.
"You're really Bruce Wayne? If that's the case, then why didn't you just take me down when I was at your doorstep?"
"You didn't commit a crime. I didn't trust you, but I had to give you the benefit of the doubt." he answered.
A pause, then Jeff turned his head out the window before speaking.
"Do you regret it?"
"No."
Jeff paused, then nearly inaudibly gave one last statement.
"I would have."
"What do you mean by that?" Batman asked.
Before the other could answer the car screeched to a halt, BEN's face returning to the monitor.
"We've arrived. World 1, Level 1. I'll give you the rest of your instructions inside, so do step lively." the blonde giggled before the monitors shut down and the car opened on it's own.
"Gotham Museum." Batman said, stepping out of the Batmobile.
Jeff followed after him, looking at the caped crusader.
"I was thinking about checking this place out. Guess it got impatient. What kind of exhibits are here?"
"Natural History, mostly." he answered, walking up the steps to the doors, which swung open for them automatically.
Jeff nodded, following after and both of them seeing the computer monitor at the front desk alight and working.
"Over here, I'll explain the rules properly." BEN's voice sounded from the monitor.
The pair approached the monitor and BEN smirked.
"Ok, rules are simple. I hid clues to where the hostage is in the museum, and you need to use those to find who I've captured. There are restrictions though, and if you don't adhere to them then it's Game Over for the hostage. Batman, we'll start with you. You can't use gadgets except to help you climb, you can't touch the exhibits, and you can't touch the hostage. Jeff, you're turn, you can't fight here, you also can't leave the room Batman is in without him. You're allowed to touch the Exibits and hostages, but aren't permitted to climb and neither of you are allowed to turn on any lights or mess with any electrical equipment. Also, you only have two hours to find and rescue the hostage, so I'd make like that speed demon in Central city if I were you. Time starts now, good luck."
With that a timer appeared on the screen, counting down the time like a steady pulse.
Batman looked around, noticing the cracked floor. he bent down and examined it. Jeff, in the meantime, went over to the shelves of brochures, noticing something odd and pulling a printout on green paper from the shelves, reading the contents before turning to Batman.
"What do you see?"
"The marble flooring is cracked. The Museum was undergoing renovations, funded by Wayne Enterprises. This marble looks crushed, indicating a heavy impact, but with only a small area of effect." he explained.
"Something really heavy perhaps?" Jeff mused, "Maybe something of BEN's that he brought in. It's kind of a peculiar shape."
"Almost like a footprint." Batman deduced, "Let's see what else we can find."
"I found this earlier, I think it's one of the clues that BEN mentioned earlier." Jeff supplied, handing the printout to Batman and then item find song from Legend of Zelda playing over the speakers once it changed hands.
If you're still at the beginning, you're too far ahead.
You'll need to go back much farther then you're start.
Once they both got through reading, the song of Time started playing over the intercom. Almost like it was intentionally following up this clue.
"Back in time, prehistoric exhibit." Batman guessed.
"You think the hostage is there?" Jeff asked, looking around to see if anything was around.
"More likely just another clue." he answered.
"One way to find out." Jeff replied, returning his gaze to the other.
Slowly, they both weaved their way through the museum, only to find the stairway leading to the exhibit blocked off with another printout taped where they could see it and the same item song playing over the intercom as Batman took it down and read it.
You're on the right track, but you're stuck here.
Just like this exhibit trapped in time.
"Trapped in time?" Jeff asked, looking at the other confused, "Like Nora?"
"Good idea, but i believe the idea is more preserved, like…." Batman caught sight of a mosquito on display, in the center of a fossilized piece of amber, "Like that."
"Why would BEN try to keep us here? Is there something similar in another room, or is there a clue in the exhibit?" Jeff mused, moving to the display since he remembered he was the only one who could touch it.
Pulling his hands into his sleeves so he wouldn't leave fingerprints behind he moved it carefully before picking up a small object from behind the fossil. Returning the exhibit back to where it was supposed to be, he went back to batman's side, offering what was clearly a key to the caped crusader as the item theme played again.
"Think it may be to the blocked stairwell?"
"Most likely." he answered, examining the key.
"You two talk too much." BEN's voice sounded over the speakers, followed by what sounded like the laugh of the happy mask salesman, "Speedy in Central would have finished the challenge by now. Don't forget, the clock's ticking."
Jeff growled, glaring at the speakers.
"I really hate this guy." he grumbled, pulling his pill bottle from his pocket and swallowing two pills.
"The feeling is mutual, I assure you," Batman replied, glaring up at the speakers.
The duo headed for the stairs after that, finding that the key did work there and soon found themselves on the second floor, all lights out and the song of unhealing playing over the speakers.
"The prehistoric exhibit is up here?" Jeff asked, looking around as they came out of the stairwell.
Batman nodded, looking forward as the giant T-Rex statue towered above them. Dangling from the jaws of the statue was Tim, tied and gagged with what appeared to be a note taped to his forehead.
"Oh, found him already? Maybe I didn't give you enough credit. Now the question is, how are you going to get him down?" BEN giggled and the song of unhealing continued to play.
Jeff took a few steps back, already knowing where this was going and wanting no part in this. Aiding an investigation was one thing, but he was not going to go anywhere that high off the ground.
Batman turned to Jeff, "I have a way but I'm going to need your help."
"I was afraid you were going to say that, and the answer is no. I'm not going up there." the teen replied, though his tone suggested he knew the attempt to resist was already futile and he was just prolonging the inevitable.
Batman pulled out his bat claw and gave it to Jeff, "Look I know a way to make it impossible for you to fall."
"HEY! No rule breaking! Only you can climb!" BEN's voice interjected, "But you can carry him around like a sack of potatoes if that helps at all."
Jeff glared at the speakers again before handing the bat claw back to Batman.
"I hate that little elf."
Batman handed the line launcher to jeff, "Aim it at Tim, it will do the rest."
Looking the device over, Jeff gave a skeptical look back at the other.
"Are you sure that's something you want to tell a former serial killer?" he asked, though he pointed it up at Tim anyway, killer precision making him train his shot on the boy's chest out of instinct rather then intent.
To Jeff's surprise, the device fired a line, the magnetic attachment snapping against the inside of the dinosaur's jaws, while another line embedded itself in the ground behind Jeff.
"Ok, now what?" Jeff asked, not really liking where this was going as he was still worried about falling.
As much as he was glad to help, he did want to live through the night.
"The grip will give an electric shock locking your hand so you won't fall. Just press the button and it will ascend to Tim. Pull him out and bring him back."
"Oh boy." Jeff muttered, though he did as instructed and pressed the button.
As stated he immediately ascended, suddenly wishing he hadn't burned his eyelids off so he could close his eyes. However given the circumstances he settled for keeping his gaze locked on Tim, finagling him carefully so he wouldn't fall before realizing that he didn't know how to get down. Freeing Tim's arms from the ropes, Jeff let the boy remove the gag before addressing him.
"I take it you know Batman too. Only reason you'd be stuck in this."
"Who are you?" Tim asked, looking at the boy.
"Jeffery Woods, I'm the one helping Batman with this investigation. Do you know how to work this thing?" he asked, referring to the gadget that he only knew how to use halfway.
Tim reached up and flipped the switch sending them flying down the line, with Jeffrey screaming at the top of his lungs all the way down. Once they were both on the ground, Jeff quieted then moved Tim roughly towards the caped crusader.
"Never again." He growled, pulse going a thousand beats a minute and already very annoyed.
Batman turned to Tim, "Get back to the cave, while I go find the other hostages."
He handed Tim a communicator, "Let Gordon know to keep his cops away. This is BEN's game, and he won't hesitate to kill them if the police interfere."
Tim nodded and sprinted off.
"Hold on." Jeff intervened, pulling the note off of Tim's head then ruffling the kid's hair, "Ok, now you can go."
"What does it say?" Batman asked, leaning down to examine the piece of paper.
Jeff's eye twitched in irritation.
"It says 'sorry, your princess is in another castle.'" He answered as BEN's laughter sounded over the speaker.
"No more irritating words in video games, wouldn't you agree Jeffery? But seriously, I do have more hostages and you do need to find them. You're done here so feel free to head back to the car and I'll bring you to your next destination. Also, don't bother with the commissioner, he's a bit tied up at the moment."
With that the line went dead, and all the lights went out save for the ones leading to the exit.
Batman glared at the doorway, "Let's go. We're not done yet."