Thursday, January 12, 2012

Guest Bedroom,

Resistance Headquarters,

Wayne Manor, Gotham City

Bruce wakes early the next morning, by his version of Raven and Zatanna, both women sent by the elderly Bruce to wake his Earth-3022 counterpart. Bruce slowly gets out of the bed, wearing just his underwear before asking, "What is it, Zatanna?"

"The older Bruce wants to know if you have agreed to help this Earth and if you will be taking the survivors to our Earth?" responds Zatanna, though she figured knowing Bruce like she does, he had already decided to help the doomed planet. Bruce stands up and walks over to where his equipment and costume is, before saying, "Yes, I will help, but we use my plan."

"What plan?" asks Raven, but Bruce just grins before answering, "I'm going to take a shower and will tell you later."

Bruce grabs the towel that was brought to him last night before walking into the private shower. While letting the water get hot, and not to his surprise, he's joined by five beautiful women…

Two and Half Hours Later:

Otisburg District,

Gotham City,

Earth-2KH

Batman and his small team overlook the abandoned Gotham S.T.A.R. Labs which is outside of the dome, when Batman voices, "Alright, Beta and Gamma Teams, check status: Alpha-Team Ready."

"Beta-Team Ready," replies the leader of Beta Team, the supervillain known as Doctor Poison. Then the leader of Gamma Team, the supervillain known as Heggra says, "Gamma-Team Ready."

Heggra is the mother of Darkseid, who saw her husband, and sons murdered by the Drej before she and the surviving New Gods of Apokolips fled to the only remaining planet free from the Drej, Earth. Despite some pushback from the teams that Batman selected, the plan so far had gone perfectly. Robin led a decoy attack against the Drej away from Batman's target abandoned Gotham S.T.A.R. Labs. Alpha-Team led by Batman included Lady Viper, Rampage, Lady Clay, Granny Goodness, and Duela Dent. Batman orders, "Alright, Duela Dent and Lady Viper, left flank. Granny Goodness and Rampage, right flank. Lady Clay, you're with me, moving around the primary perimeter. Questions?"

None of the five supervillains had any questions, as they felt the plan is very simplistic, especially for 'Batman' but Bruce had his reasons. As Batman and Lady Clay move through their target, they hear heavy weapon fire and over the radio, Gamma Team member, Leather yells, "Gamma-Team pinned down…requesting…"

Nothing more is heard from the supervillain, before Batman orders, "Clay, make yourself into a Drej; I'm your prisoner."

In a moment Lady Clay became a Drej, as Batman pretends to be her prisoner, as they approach the small entrance into the abandoned building. While Batman is waiting for Lady Clay to get them through, he hears more over his radio, from Gamma-Team, "…this is Deuce…Leather, Heggra, Bernadeth, Blue Snowman, and Mist are all K.I.A…requesting help…Beta-Team…Alpha-Team…please…"

"Alpha-Team," voices Doctor Poison, "Trinity, Hypnota, Genocide, Bizarra, and Decay are K.I.A. requesting immediate assistance…I…"

Batman is shoved forward by Lady Clay and steps into the lift that will take him to the interrogation room, but Batman had another plan. As soon as the lift start rising, he begins hacking it to take him to where he needs to go. Using the information given to him by the elderly Bruce, he reaches Level 30 where the weapons are stored. Lady Clay voices, "Batman, according to the Drej, both Doctor Poison and Deuce have fallen. The rest of Alpha-Team is in trouble and we need to help them now, or they won't survive."

"Go help them," orders Batman, "I can handle this by myself and join the survivors, whenever the weapon countdown timer starts."

"Are you sure?" asks Lady Clay, as Batman just nods his head.

Lady Clay changes back into a Drej before racing off to aid the others but Batman knows that it is hopeless. He also knew to go in this was probably a one-way mission. Batman finds the device and places his hand on the console, which then scans his DNA for a match. Finding a match, the console asks for a final confirmation before the timer starts. Batman presses the button, and the timer starts but all of a sudden, Batman hears a voice laughing. Batman turns to see the Drej Queen Octajeva laughing who says, "Do you really expect we didn't know about your secret weapon, Batman?"

"Oh, we figured that you knew about the weapon but what you don't know is that the entire file was bait," replies Batman, who was shown by the elderly Bruce that the Drej's single weakness is their dependence on their Queen. Batman presses a button on his utility belt causing a signal to be sent to the abandoned Watchtower in orbit over the Earth. The Watchtower uses the last of its power to fire its Binary Fusion Generator, which was modified by the elderly Bruce into the Sangraal before the Drej invaded the planet since the elderly Bruce saw the invasion coming but never did he think he would have to resort to the doomsday weapon. The B.F.G. beam impacted the abandoned Gotham S.T.A.R. Labs, just moments after Batman is teleported away by Raven. Batman reappears with the superheroes and villains, not-selected for the assault on S.T.A.R. Labs but Earth-2KH's version of Harley Quinn is the first to see Batman and says, "Batman, you are injured!" seeing Batman holding his mid-section.

"One of the Queen's guard got me before Raven teleported me away," answers Batman turning to Raven and asks, "Are we ready?"

"It will take everything we have to teleport so many peoples back to our Earth," voices Earth-3022's Raven, who along with her Earth-2KH's counterpart will use their magic to transport everyone back to Earth-3022. Batman just orders, "Now."

"Wait!" yells the supervillain Knockout, "What about the others?"

"They didn't make it," replies Batman, as the B.F.G. destroys S.T.A.R. Labs and the Drej Queen, soon the entire Earth will be destroyed, sending out an energy wave that will destroy the Drej anywhere within the Milky Way Galaxy and possibly the universe. The two Ravens immediately use their magic to teleport everyone back to Earth-3022, just as the shockwave levels the ruined Gotham buildings. Watching from the graves of his mother and father, the elderly Bruce Wayne, is finally at peace, after a lifetime of darkness. The elderly Bruce closes his eyes for the last time, as the dome-shield fails, and he is engulfed by a wave that is causing the Earth to tear itself apart…

Ruined Cathedral,

Gotham Wastelands,

Gotham City

Returning to the spot from where they first departed, Batman says, "Welcome to my Earth. Earth-3022. Now, all of the supervillains, you're under arrest, until I know if you're trustworthy or not."

Some of the supervillains prepare themselves for a fight but all of a sudden all of the Earth-2KH drop to the ground asleep. As

Earth-2KH Black Canary used a modified Canary Cry to make just the supervillains fall asleep. Batman then says, "Let's get these supervillains somewhere safe and sound, then we will head home."

Helena Wayne blind-sides Batman with a punch to his face, while yelling, "Bastard! You left them behind to die!"

Batman picks himself up off the ground while feeling several sets of eyes on him, as he voices, "If you mean Alpha-Team then yes."

"Why?" asks Helena, not caring she just punched a version of her father. Batman, rubbing his jaw just explains, "Because it was necessary. Your arrival on this Earth alters the plans of the Arkham Knight. I couldn't take the chance of those villains siding with him. There was no chance that Granny Goodness or Heggra sides with me over the Arkham Knight. The other 81 villains, I'm not sure about yet, so I gave them a chance. Did you know that your father, only wanted me to bring the heroes and leave the villains to die? But I didn't accept those terms."

"But I thought father agreed to tell you everything that he knew if you bought the survivors to this Earth?" asks Helena, who was raised by her father to believe that murder was never acceptable.

"He was bluffing," answers Batman, "Your father knew what the weapon was due to your Earth, but he believed that the Drej had to be stopped and he sacrificed himself to achieve that goal. Also, he told you the same thing he told me; that the war had changed him…"

"And not for the better," replies Helena, knowing her father told her that several times as he grew older and less physically able. Batman continues, "…and he understood that the truth isn't always what it appears to be. Besides he did the best he could."

"So just to make it clear," voices Earth-2KH Black Canary, Dinah Drake, "You selected those supervillains for the Assault on Gotham S.T.A.R. Labs knowing none of them were going to survive?"

"Correct," answers Batman, "There were 98 candidates and while the other Bruce wanted to sacrifice them all, I narrowed the list down to 17 that would most likely defect."

"To the Arkham Knight?" asks Earth-2KH Batwoman, aka Katherine Kane, as Batman quickly answers, "Yes," before ordering, "But let's speak about this later, after we secured the supervillains."

Friday, January 13, 2012 – Morning:

Batcave,

Wayne Manor,

Gotham City, Earth-3022

Bruce is sitting at the Batcomputer reviewing everything he missed when Alfred comes walking up and says, "Master Bruce, you really should be resting. The last several days have been rough."

"There is no time to rest, Alfred," replies Bruce, "Things are moving at a breakneck pace. Just 12 days ago, I didn't know of the existence of alternate realities but now I just witnessed how years of brutal warfare eroded my counterpart's moral compass."

"Is that what is bothering you?" asks Alfred, who had never seen Bruce like this before. Bruce turns away from his computer and leans back before answering, "Partly but it's also other things. The Arkham Knight for one, but there is also the fact that I'm alright with creating my own personal harem, the fact that there are other versions of myself, the fact that there are other Earths, the problem on this Earth within the League and I just feel like I'm on overload, especially feeling like I had let my focus on Gotham slip recently, because of things."

"Well, I would recommend you taking a few days to rest. I doubt that you would accept but Gotham is in good hands. The two versions of Batwoman, are doing an excellent job leading the Bat Family while you were dealing with some major stuff," voices Alfred, but he knows that Bruce is also behind in other areas because of recent events. Bruce ponders again and decides to refocus and says, "Alright, I first want to get everyone together for a meeting at some point in the next several days. Second, have you heard anything from Talia, and where is Harley?"

"I hadn't heard anything from Talia and Harley hasn't been herself since you left," replies Alfred, not worried because despite Talia being pregnant she can take care of herself and she had before disappeared for months without a word. Bruce isn't so sure, and asks, "Would you get Harley for me?"

Alfred turns to find Harley, leaving Batman with just his thoughts. Several minutes later, Harley comes racing into the Batcave, voicing, "Master!" bringing Bruce from his wondering about Talia. Harley jumps into Bruce's arms, and he just barely manages to catch her in time before they would fall to the floor. Harley kisses Bruce, as he just feels the warmth of her body, a body that he had missed. After several minutes of heavy kissing, Bruce is finally able to break free and says, "Go get your new outfit on because I'm taking you with me on a mission."

"Yes, Master," replies Harley, racing over to change. Harley doesn't even bother to close the curtain, she just starts changing. Watching Harley's ample breasts and butt while she is changing gets Bruce hard as a rock, but he goes to get into his new Batsuit. After dawning his new Batsuit, Batman finds Harley waiting for him in the Batmobile. Batman climb into the driver's seat, as Harley asks, "You want me to suck your manhood?"

Batman grins, as this had become Harley's standard response whenever he takes her anywhere but as he races away from the Batcave down Mountain Drive, Batman uses his new Batsuit, designed to allow him to go to the bathroom easily, exposing his huge cock and massive balls, as he asks, "What're you waiting for?"

Harley yells, "Yahtzee!" before she leans over at the waist, so…

One Hour Later:

Final Offer,

Gotham Dock,

Old Gotham/Gotham North

Batman had brought Harley with him looking for the Black Mask and had tracked him to the Penguin's owned ship, Final Offer causing Batman to wonder if the Penguin and Black Mask are working together. Batman quietly steps onto the ship but sees no guards, whatsoever. Despite this strange finding Batman moves, making his way through the ship, Batman finds Tracey Buxton talking with someone else. Batman signals Harley to follow him, as they sneak into Penguin's office. Inside Penguin's office, Batman sees Tracey Buxton is talking with Candace 'Candy' Steyn, both who are henchwomen for the Penguin. Candy is speaking, as Batman overhears, "…the Boss exiled us from his operations. So, what're we doing here, and where are the guards?"

"The Penguin pulled the guards away because he is helping the Black Mask search for Tiffany," answers Tracey, "And we are here looking for something to protect ourselves from the Arkham Knight before the boss destroys this ship. Come on and help."

"What did Tiffany do that was so bad that the Black Mask wants to kill one of his girlfriends?" asks Candy, as Batman and Harley look at each other with very concerned looks on their faces.

"She helped two of the test subjects, Christina and Bianca, to escape," answers Tracey, unaware that Batman is listening to her conversation. Candy, starting to look for anything useful asks, "Bianca, she is the one they called the New Joker, right?"

"Yes," answers Tracey, leaving a stunned Harley, as Batman drops down into the room and demands, "Tracey, explain this new Joker?"

Tracey and Candy are stunned to see Batman just standing there but Candy realizes he could be the ally they need and starts explaining everything, "There were five people infected by Joker blood. Each one of them shows different traits of the Joker. Christina for example, the Joker's obsession with you. Albert the more violent and sadistic aspects of Joker's personality. Johnny displays charisma signs of megalomania, with his behavior echoing the sadistic showmanship of the Joker. However, Bianca is something different, something unique. She is Joker-like but there are also some traits that are not like him."

"Not like him, you mean not like the Joker?" asks Batman, looking behind him to see that Harley had stepped behind him. Candy seeing this is dumbfounded but she guesses the rumors regarding Quinn weren't completely wrong, "Yes, I mean not like the Joker."

Harley getting over the initial shock voices, "I'll not tolerate this! Where're the poor victims being held at, Tracey?"

Batman had seen Harley like this before when she was grief-stricken and vengeful, and brutally reasserted control of Joker's gang as it threatened to fragment after his death. Freed from Joker's domineering personality, if Harley hadn't decided to follow Batman, she could have easily become a dangerous, and unpredictable new force in the Gotham City Underworld. Tracey replies, "They was being held at the abandoned Panessa Studios."

Harley Quinn and Batman turn to leave but Candace yells, "Wait!"

"What?" demands Harley, turning back to the two women. Candy voices, pleading, "We need Batman's help. The Arkham Knight is…"

"What do you know of the Arkham Knight?" asks Batman, looking not at Candy but at Tracey. Tracey, seeing no other options answers, "He recruited the boss, along with several other villains and plans to eliminate Bruce Wayne, you, and Batman's allies. However, there was disagreement over Wayne, causing the Arkham Knight to have to consolidate his power base."

"So, they're not a solid alliance as I first thoughts," replies Batman, seeing this as good news since most don't know that Bruce Wayne's secret identity is Batman. Batman again turns to leave but again Candy voices, "Please wait! We can help you?"

Batman stops and looking at Harley who is still in one of her moods before asking, "Harley you must decide on who you are now."

Harley looks up at Batman, not understanding what he means and asks, "Batman are you not going to stop this Joker knockoff?"

"I am but first, I want to know where you stand? With Batman or with the Joker?" asks Batman, wondering if pushing Harley like this will work, but he doesn't have a lot of options, right now.

"I'm with you, Master," answers Harley, "Part of me will always love my puddin, but he is dead and there is nothing bring him back. I don't want another reality version of him, only my puddin but I will not let some knockoffs water-down his legacy."

"Alright," replies Batman, seeing the confused look on Tracey and Candy's face, so Batman explains, "Recently, I learned of the existence of alternate realities, other Earths. Even met an older version of Batman. As for Harley, after her revenge was foiled I took her into my custody. Over time, we developed feelings for each other and eventually, I took her into my bed. She now belongs only to me and I'll do almost anything for her."

Harley leaps into Batman's arms starting to kiss him with every fiber of her being while rubbing herself against his Batsuit. To said Tracey and Candy are stunned would be a huge understatement, as they had never seen nor heard of Batman's behavior like this, but it is Tracey, who asks, "Would you help us if we fuck you?"

This caught Candy by surprise, as she figures it would have to be her offering that deal, but Batman asks, "What do you think?"

"Do you two like girls, sharing?" asks Harley, turning her head toward Tracey and Candy, while Batman is still holding her, with Harley's legs wrapped around Batman's mid-section. Tracey and Candy answer together, "Yes!" but this is false, since both only like men but they'll say anything to stay alive.

"Then let's give them some of that wonderful Batman dick," laughs Harley, still itching to stop the knockoffs but that can wait. Batman, however, figures this was an effective way of distracting Harley, and preventing her from going off half-cock…

Friday, January 13, 2012 – Afternoon:

Batcave-Sigma,

Robinson Park,

Gotham City,

After leaving Harley to take care of Tracey and Candy, Batman retreated to a secret Batcave, known as Batcave-Sigma, located underneath Robinson Park. Batman had created several alternate Batcaves. Batcave-Alpha is the main Batcave located underneath Wayne Manor, while Batcave-Zeta is located on Arkham Island. Batman is reviewing his files since the beginning of the new year. The first report is from ten days ago before Batman left to meet with Superman in Metropolis. Batman starts reading…

Tuesday, January 3, 2012:

Janet Van Dorn's Apartment,

Zimbalist Apartment Building,

Diamond District, Gotham City

Batwoman quietly steps into Janet's Apartment from the balcony. Janet shares the apartment with her current girlfriend, Toby Raynes. Janet met Toby, after Toby and Maggie Sawyer broke up before Maggie started dating Kate Katherine aka Batwoman. Batwoman says, "Janet, we need to talk…"

Janet is startled and drops the box she was carrying. Looking up at Batwoman standing in front of her, Janet asks, "What is it now?"

"We need some information regarding Deputy Commissioner Gil Mason's involvement with Loeb," answers Batwoman, who knows that Maggie broke up with Toby after feeling the spark was gone. Janet picks up the papers that she dropped and puts them back into the box asks, "Batman already knows everything about Mason?"

"He sent me to you because he knows that you two have the same goal," replies Batwoman, who knows that Janet doesn't think highly of Batman, but despite initially deeply resenting the vigilante and his crusade, she had developed feelings for Batman.

"Alright," voices Janet, as she finishes placing the papers back in the box. Pickup up the box, Janet explains, "We suspected for years that Mason was working with Rupert Thorne, but we haven't found any evidence linking Mason to Thorne."

"Interesting," replies Batwoman, "Any idea on the connection?"

"None, but Mason may also be connected to Two-Face," replies Janet, since she knows that Gil Mason knew Harvey Dent when Harvey was Gotham's District Attorney and before the incident that caused Harvey to become the villain, now known as Two-Face.

"Is there anything else?" asks Batwoman, while quietly admiring Janet's librarian beauty. Janet ponders for a moment before answering, "We heard rumors of something called the Doorway but so far no hard evidence, it sounds like a club."

"Batman and I will investigate the 'Doorway," responds Batwoman, before disappearing back into the Gotham night. Toby comes out of the bedroom and asks, "Who was that I heard you talking to?"

"Just a voice," answers Janet, taking Toby into her arms before…

The Gotham Gazette,

Diamond District,

Gotham City

Warren Spacey is sitting inside his office when he feels a cold breeze and turns to see Nightwing standing there. Warren would recognize the costume anywhere and asks, "What can I do for you?"

"Information regarding Two-Face's associates," replies Nightwing, who had helped several times before. They trade information and had a much different relationship than what Batman had with peoples who work in the news media. Warren pulls out a folder and hands it to Nightwing while explaining, "Recently, Two-Face hired Terry and Tracy Trask, twin brother and sister to replace Sugar and Spice. If you weren't aware Two-Face made sure Sugar and Spice were not in Arkham City at any time. The two women ran the operation from outside of Arkham City since they weren't safe being inside Arkham City. Why he replaced them is unknown."

"What do you know regarding the Trasks?" asks Nightwing, who was sent here by Batwoman, who despite being newer to the Bat Family was second-in-command, after Batman though recent events had causes that to be in flux, but Dick knew that Bruce was never making him second-in-command because Bruce still see him as a little boy and his sidekick. Warren Spacey, who is the Gotham Gazette Crime Editor and rose to fame for first reporting on the Joker, answers, "I don't know much but they're a dangerous set of siblings. I also heard something about the Van Rooyen sisters started work for the Riddler since Query and Echo parted ways with Enigma after the Arkham City Incident."

"Interesting," replies Nightwing, who had been protecting Bludhaven for the last four years, while attending college, "Do you have any information about where Sugar and Spice are hiding?"

"I think they fled too and are hiding in New York City," answers Warren, "Though I'm not sure. Why're you so interested in them?"

Nightwing doesn't answer he just simply disappears back into the night as Warren says, "I really hate it when he does that."

Nightwing's Cave,

Grayson's Residence,

Avalon Hill, Bludhaven

Nightwing returned to his base of operations, his own personal Nightwing Cave, location in the wealthier part of Bludhaven, Avalon Hill neighborhoods. Dick's residence much like Wayne Manor, overlooks the ocean, and Dick is sitting at his computer when he hears, "So Dick, can we talk about something important?"

Dick turns to see, his friend, Lucas 'Luke' Fox, son of Lucius Fox, and asks, "Luke, what the hell are you doing in Bludhaven?"

"I wanted to speak to you about becoming a member of your team?" voices Luke, who had wanted to be a hero since first seeing Batman. Only recently had Luke learned that his father, Lucius helped the Batman and only in the last few weeks did Dick tell Luke that he is Nightwing. Dick pauses then asks, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!" answers Luke, "I would like to be known as Batwing, but I also know that David is already using that name."

"Well, you're in luck because David has taken the new hero name of King Falcon," replies Dick, though he doesn't know why David's selected the name, King Falcon. Dick sees the excitement on Luke's face, like a kid on Christmas morning, as Luke asks, "So, how're we going to tell Bruce and not to mention my father about this?"

"Very carefully," laughs Dick, who feels like it is the right time for him to lead his own team of vigilante crime fighters, but he is unsure of the candidates he would like to join his team. He was thinking Barbara, but she will never abandon Bruce…

Meanwhile Back in Gotham:

Jezebel Center,

Bowery,

Arkham City

Batman, who received a tip from Batgirl's father, Commissioner James Gordon that sent a team of ten police officers into the abandoned section of Arkham City. The why is unknown, but Batman is planning on figuring it out. Batman must hurry as he is planning on traveling to Metropolis to speak with Superman. Batman radios, "Batgirl, anything from your location?"

"Nothing," replies Batgirl, who is in the vicinity but a different location. Robin and Black Bat are also present, when Robin announces, "Batman, I have some movement near my location…"

"Batman, the ten police officers are the same officers you saved during the Arkham City Incident. They're being led by Sergeant Miller," voices Oracle, over the radio but this causes Batman to wonder why these ten officers are back in Arkham City. Batman orders, "Black Bat and Robin, you're with me. Batgirl, I want you to talk with Loeb and find out why these men are here in Arkham, again."

Batman, Black Bat, and Robin, quietly follow the ten officers, through Jezebel Plaza, as they approach, Batman notices another group on the opposite side from the officers. Batman zooms in on what he guesses is the leader and sees, Ricky 'Loose Lips' LeBlanc, who he knows works for the Penguin. The officers approach LeBlanc and the other Penguin henchmen when Batman notices the other men already approaching LeBlanc. Batman zooms in and sees the faces of Lieutenant Howard Branden, and two of his SWAT Officers, John DeMarco and Nate Ramo. 'What are they doing here?' thinks Batman, as Branden says, "Sergeant Miller!"

Sergeant Thomas 'Tom' Miller, newly promoted Sergeant Khary Denning, along with officers: Joseph Best, Elvis Jones, Jon Forrester, Crispin Michaels, Carlos Sanchez, James Southwold, Roger Strickland, and Johnny Whitman all approach Branden, who voices, "This is LeBlanc, he is an arms dealer with connections."

"Who do you work for?" asks Miller, but Loose Lips answers, "We don't use names out in the open, Batman could be listening in!"

Batman is unsure of what's happening here, it seems the officers are unaware that Loose Lips work for the Penguin but why are they meeting with a known arms dealer? Is this some type of undercover operation? But that doesn't make any sense since they are in police uniforms? Batman continues to eavesdrop into the conversation, while Branden continues, "…there is some new boss, bringing Gotham's villains under control and he wants our loyalty…"

Friday, January 13, 2012 – Night:

Panessa Studios,

Bleake Island,

Gotham City

Batman, Earth-3022's Harley Quinn, Earth-11's Batwoman, and Earth-3022's Batwoman are overlooking the abandoned Panessa Studios, as Batwoman-Kate asks, "You sure we can trust the two?"

"They have no reason to lie," answers Batman, who enjoyed the earlier encounter with Tracey and Candy much more than he thought. He had sent his Batgirl and Robin, aka Helena Wayne of Earth-2KH, who will be taking the name Scarlet Robin to avoid confusion to find somewhere safe for Tracey and Candy until he can trust them enough to bring them to the Batcave. Earth-11's Batwoman hadn't decided what to make of this Earth's Batman, but he had majority support of the family but why did he have to be such a womanizer? She can't believe he is sticking his dick into any woman he desires and according to Alfred, this is a change in his behavior causing Batwoman to wonder if the Joker's blood affected Bruce much more than he is letting on. Batman orders, "Kate and Helena, you two are to locate the infected subjects."

Stage 20,

Panessa Studios,

Bleake Island, Gotham City

Batman and Harley Quinn are searching through the abandoned movie studios and quietly moving through abandoned Stage 20, when they hear opera singing mixed in with someone screaming. Batman quietly but faster moves to where they see a man wearing a pig mask operating on someone. The man being operated on pleads for mercy by begging, "Please. Make it stop. I can't take any more…"

"Pyg make it all better. Pain is just the body's way saying thank you," replies Lazlo Valentin, aka Professor Pyg, as his minion Mister Toad, comes walking in dragging a woman by her blonde hair, "See, I captured her for you! Tiffany Ambrose…"

Mister Toad throws Tiffany at Professor Pyg's feet, as he stops 'working' on his current victim to look down at the terrified girl. Professor Pyg lets out some oinks before saying, "Welcome."

"Please, let me go!" pleads Tiffany, who had been running for her life the last several days. Professor Pyg after another link says, "No, you will be the first of my new dolls in my new home."

But before anything else can be said, a huge explosion rips through the building. Batman is stunned to see the Red Hood, standing there and Batman voices, "Oracle, get me the Red Hood!"

But there is no time to waste, so Batman leaps down as Red Hood charges toward Professor Pyg. Batman quickly moves to Tiffany, picking her up as Oracle voices, "He is not answering."

"Damn it," replies Batman, as Professor Pyg releases his

Dollotrons to fight Batman and Red Hood. Batman spins around and orders, "Harley, get Tiffany out of here," before throwing a punch. While Batman is fighting the Dollotrons, Batwoman-Kate's voice comes across the communication system saying, "Batman, we found several women in a holding cell, but we are fighting…"

"Dollotrons," voices Earth-11 Batwoman, "I fought Professor Pyg before. She had a schizophrenic breakdown, and was driving…"

"Our version of Professor Pyg is male," replies Oracle, "Batman, do you need help? I can send help or contact the Gotham police?"

"Contact Gordon," orders Batman, while fighting several Dollotrons, but Red Hood isn't being as gentle as he is simply killing the Dollotrons, "Red Hood, what the hell are you doing?"

"What the great Batman can't," answers Red Hood, aka Jason Todd, who had lost faith in Batman. Red Hood chases after Professor Pyg and Mister Toad as they attempt to escape. Batman shortly thereafter orders, "Oracle, get Huntress and Ravager here asap."

"Copy and Roger," replies Oracle, going to contact the two heroines. Batman knocks out the last Dollotron, before chasing after, Professor Pyg and Red Hood. Batman catches up to the Red Hood, just in time to see him smash Mister Toad's head into a million pieces. Batman screams, "NO!" but it's already too late.

Batman then hears an unusual laugh and says, "He is weak!"

"You're the weak one here," replies another unfamiliar voice but coming from the opposite direction. The unusual voice says, "Hello Lady Arkham, I see that I didn't succeed in killing you!"

"You failed Arkham Knight," replies Lady Arkham, who brought along with her, Harley Quinn and Catwoman. The three women are the Birds of Prey, from Earth-2019LI, "And you will fail again."

"Bitch!" replies Arkham Knight, charging at Lady Arkham, causing Batman to race to defend her. Catwoman and Harley Quinn go after Professor Pyg and Red Hood, respectively. Though before either woman can reach Red Hood, Jason decides it is time to retreat and disappears into the darkness. Meanwhile, Batman engages the Arkham Knight in a fearsome fist fight with Lady Arkham but even together, they are barely a match for the Arkham Knight, who seems to know every move that they're going to make, before making it. Arkham Knight delivers a punch to Batman's ribs, breaking several of them, but Batman won't stop fighting since he knows what he is up against. The Arkham Knight sends Lady Arkham flying back causing her mask to fall off and Batman sees a face he doesn't recognize, but just a second later, the Arkham Knight punches Batman hard, harder than Batman had ever been punched before. Causing Batman, to drop to one knee, spitting up blood, but suddenly the Arkham Knight retreats like all of sudden Batman and the Lady Arkham aren't high on his list of priorities.

"Well that didn't work," replies Batman, getting back to his feet, holding his side, with his broken ribs. Catwoman and Harley Quinn drag an unconscious Professor Pyg behind them. Batman seeing Lazlo's body asks, "You didn't kill him, did you?"

"We don't kill," replies Harley, as Catwoman suggests, "Maybe we should go somewhere and explain things. What about Aerie One?"

"That's a promising idea," voices Lady Arkham, who turns to Batman, and asks, "Are you coming or just going to stand there?"

Batman just shakes his head, since most people don't talk to him like that but answers, "I'll listen to what you have to say."

Aerie One 001,

Bleake Island,

Gotham City

After speaking with the others through his communication system, Batman is brought to an airplane, which serves as the base of operations for the Birds of Prey. Inside the main cabin, Lady Arkham begins by explaining, "First, my name is Vicki Vale and I already know you're Bruce Wayne, just like my Batman was."

"Was?" asks Bruce, not liking the sound of that, but not confirming what she said because for all he knows she could be fishing. Lady Arkham continues, "Our Earth was invaded by the Arkham Knight and after some early defeats, our Batman/Bruce Wayne created the resistance and eventually defeated him but at a heavy cost including the loss of Bruce, and most of the family."

"You mean the Bat family?" asks Batman, since it is one of his greatest fears to lose a member of the Bat-family. Lady Arkham nods her head yes as Bruce asks, "You don't look like my Vicki Vale?"

"Well there is nothing I can do about that," answers Vicki, "My family history could have changed, or my mother is different."

"How did your Batman defeat the Arkham Knight?" asks Batman, but he sees sadness on all three women faces. After several moments of silently Vicki explains, "After the death of our Superman, Batman brought together all of the heroes and villains of my world to fight the Arkham Knight. Bruce eventually defeated enough for the Arkham Knight's forces to where they fought a decisive battle and our Bruce was victorious but at great cost."

"How did your Bruce Wayne die?" asks Batman, wondering if it is his fate, to die fighting the Arkham Knight? Vicki, trying to hold it together answers, "He sacrificed himself to destroy the bulk of the Arkham Knight's remaining forces. Thereafter, the remaining heroes and villains launched a final counterattack against the Arkham Knight, who retreated with what was left of his army, but the last battle cost the life of every hero and villain but Selina Kyle, Harley Quinn, and myself, Vicki Vale."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," replies Batman, who had seen more death in his lifetime than anyone should ever have to see but he asks, "Why are you here on my Earth and are you a hero or villain?"

"I was a villain on my Earth, just as Catwoman and Harley Quinn were but those term doesn't matter anymore to us. During our time in the resistance we adopted Batman's code of honor," explains Vicki, "And we're here to help you defeat him."

"Well doesn't that leave your world open to attack?" asks Batman, seeing a confused look on both Catwoman and Harley's faces but Vicki shakes her head no before saying, "Before our Bruce's death. He created a generator that would create fields that prevent travel between our dimension and any other dimension. After placing the generators into position, but before the field was activated we left our reality. We tested the field, several times, in several various locations before we were sure that we couldn't get back to our reality. So, our Earth is safe and to be completely honest, we left because there was nothing left for us on our Earth. Every other hero or villain was dead, including Bruce, who was Selina's love interest and the Joker, Harley Quinn's boyfriend. As for myself, my family, both parents and younger brother were all killed during the invasion."

"I'm sorry to hear that," replies Bruce, but he asks a question that he is not sure he is going to like the answer to, "Will you follow this Bruce, or do you think you should be in charge?"

"We follow only Batman!" yells Harley, causing Selina to cheer.

"What she said," voices Lady Arkham, before adding, "I may advise you, but we follow Batman to wherever he leads. Our Batman died to save us and showed us what it means to be a real hero."

"Then welcome to this Earth," replies Batman, as Harley and Selina continue to cheer but something in the pit of Bruce's stomach isn't sitting right and he doesn't know what it is but instead he asks, "What more can you tell me about the conflict?"

"We know much about the Arkham Knight's tactics, strengths, weakness, but almost nothing about who he is. No one has ever seen his face," replies Vicki, causing Bruce to asks, "So it's possible that we're dealing with more than a single individual?"

"That's a possibility that we never thought of before," voices Selina, "Because we had always been to busy with fighting him."

"If I can ask what happened to the Joker?" asks Bruce, turning to another version of Harley Quinn, but it could be useful having multiple version of Harley's crazy ass around in his harem.

"Before, my world Batman called together the resistance. The Joker met with the Arkham Knight and despite the hope of the Arkham Knight to ally with several of my world villains, the Joker wasn't hearing it. He found out something that caused him to view the Arkham Knight as being worse than Batman. Anyway, the Arkham Knight assaulted our headquarters and brutally murdered my puddin'," replies Harley, breaking down in tears, as Selina says, "This caused the villains to ally Batman against the Arkham Knight."

"That's very interesting," replies Batman, who would never have guessed that the Joker's death would have such a widespread impact.

"What is the status of your forces?" asks Lady Arkham, but Batman chuckles, "I don't have 'forces' I only have the family."

"That won't be enough to defeat the Arkham Knight," voices Vicki, but Bruce asks, "And how do I know I can even trust you?"

"What does that mean?" asks Vicki, not knowing where that came from but Bruce voices, "Let's see, I never met you before today. You came with a grand tale, and look nothing like my Vicki. Besides, Lady Arkham sounds like a female version of the Arkham Knight. Maybe someone who was sent to be a spy for him?"

"How dare you!" voices Harley, ready to defend her friend but Batman says, "What if the Knight, after his defeat, replaced Earth-2019LI's Vicki with a clone or maybe even his Earth's Vicki?"

"We fought with each other for years," voices Selina, trying to defuse the situation but Batman asks, "And never doubted her once or that her behaviors changed suddenly? Or her appearance?"

Both Harley and Selina look at each other, and say, "Her hair."

"Hair?" asks Batman, as they explain, "She changed her hairstyle for no reason, she didn't even look the same within her outfit."

"Where is the real Vicki Vale?" asks Batman, with Harley and Catwoman backing him. Vicki lets out an evil laugh and says, "You're good," before launching into an attack against the three. Batman grabs her and slam her hard against the plane hull and asks, "So who the hell are you and where is the Vicki Vale?"

"My name is Victoria Arkham," replies Lady Arkham, before escaping by sending a kick that knocks Batman backward. Victoria goes flipping out of the cabin, being chased by Selina and Harley but Batman has other things on his mind and starts looking through the cabin. Nearly 20 minutes later, Catwoman and Harley are battling Victoria outside as she presses a button causing a bomb to explode aboard the Aerie One and uses the explosion to escape. Catwoman must hold Harley back, as she wants to get aboard the plane but all of a sudden Batman bursts out of the side of the plane, holding a woman in his arms. Catwoman and Harley race over to Batman, who asks, "Is this your friend?"

"Vicki!" yells Harley, seeing her old friend, like nothing had changed. Vicki who seems like she just woke up says, "Not so loud, Harley! I feel like my head was split open with a fucking ax."

"That's her!" voices Harley, causing Vicki to moan again but Catwoman asks, "But how did you know that she wasn't our Vicki?"

"There was just something that didn't feel right. For example, the confused look on your faces when she said she was a villain, or how I saw sadness on all of your faces but you two seemed genuine whereas her sadness was more like an act, just like her trying to hold it together. It is almost like it was rehearsed," explains Batman, glad he trusts his instinct, "And there was just something that was off about her, but I wasn't sure until she started asking about my forces, and the Batman family."

"She was too eager," replies Selina, but Vicki asks, "Where are we? Why am I in my birthday suit? What happened with the testing?"

"What is the last thing you remember?" asks Harley, as Vicki stands up, barely covering herself with the sheet that Batman managed to grab off the bed. Vicki answers, "We had just departed for the field testing. I had a drink and went to bed."

"That was several months ago," replies Selina, "But does that mean the field testing was faked too? We got to get back home!"

"I don't think so," voices Batman, "If you would have been able to get through the field, Victoria would have returned to your world and handed it over to the Arkham Knight. The fact that he is here, and she is also here, leads me to conclude that the Arkham Knight wanted the field tests so he would know if your reality was vulnerable or not. Because the field must have held since they're here on this Earth, but this presents a new issue."

"Who can you trust if the Arkham Knight can place spies so easily?" response Selina, who can't believe she let herself be fooled for so long, and so easily. Batman asks, "Vicki, what was your profession before the Arkham Knight invaded your Earth?"

"I was an investigative reporter. Then after the invasion, Batman personally trained me to fight crime as a hero and I was going to adopt the identity of Lady Justice, but Batman named me Lady Arkham, after Lady Constance Arkham, well-known for her philanthropy for the poor and those with mental issues," explains Vicki Vale, though Batman looks at Harley and Selina before asking, "Didn't you notice the change in outfit that Lady Arkham wore?"

"Heroes and villains changed their costumes all of the time," replies Selina, since Lady Arkham, Vicki originally wore a costume was inspired by a doll Lady Arkham, Constance created for the poor girls of Gotham. However, the costume eventually included a black leather jacket, with brown strips of leather, golden fastenings and a shoulder brace, black combat trousers, black gloves and hover boots. To protect her identity, she wore a customized mask, fitted with a voice modulator and consisting of armored plating. Harley the explains, "The only thing that changed was her mask, but she explained it by saying the new mask was to provoke fear in her enemies, but looking back I can tell you of other differences, for example, she never…"

"Harley, shut the hell up!" yells Vicki, causing Selina to grin and say, "That's the Vicki we knew so well, and I mean 'know.'"

"Selina, shut the hell up too!" yells Vicki, who doesn't like her business broadcast to the galaxy, "And I need to go get change."

"That could be a problem," voices Harley, "Since that bitch, Victoria destroyed Aerie One," before pointing toward the plane.

"I'm sure we can find you something at the manor," replies Batman, but it is Selina who asks, "But doesn't mean the Arkham Knight will know your secret identity and the mansion location?"

"I think he already knows," answers Batman, who already figured out that the Arkham Knight knows that he is Bruce Wayne, which puts him at a disadvantage but now Batman must learn as much as he can about the Arkham Knight. Though who the Arkham Knight is behind his mask, will change Bruce and Batman forever.

Unknown Location:

"You blew it!" yells the Arkham Knight, at Lady Arkham. Victoria Arkham had been explaining what happened regarding the failed mission. Victoria voices, "I can make it up to you, I can kill…"

"NO! We stick to the plan. Don't you understand anything?" responds the Arkham Knight, "If I wanted this Earth's Batman dead that would be easy, since I know where he lives and everything about him, but this isn't about that, it is about this planet. Stop seeing the forest for the trees! Now get out…"

"But I can fix this!" replies Victoria, but the Arkham Knight just points toward the door as he screams, "Get out of my sight!"

Victoria quickly retreats back through the door, as the Arkham Knight sits down in his chair and leans back. Taking off his mask, he presses a button on his computer before ordering, "Communication get me my father, channel one, please."

"Yes, Master Bruce," replies the female communication officer, as she goes to contact Thomas Wayne of Earth-3455. Bruce Wayne, aka the Arkham Knight, leans back in his chair, running his hand through his dark black hair, thinking this Earth will be a hard nut to crack. Several minutes later, Thomas Wayne appears on the screen and says, "Son, what's the matter? Did something happen?"

"I just need some advice, from someone I trust," replies the Arkham Knight, who had a good life with both parents alive and well. He is happily married to a beautiful woman, had a son and he is the democratically-elected leader of his planet.

Batcave,

Wayne Manor,

Gotham City

Batman had regrouped with the other at the Batcave, and is speaking with Harley, "…so we still need to find the knockoffs."

"Right but in the meantime, I want you to review the villains from Earth-2KH and decide who you think can be trusted and who will need to remain locked up. Plus, we still need to find Peyton and the new Ventriloquist," replies Bruce, as Batgirl, Barbara Gordon rejoins the group and says, "Bruce, I found that the other Barbara Gordon, the one that the Arkham Knight killed is from Earth-2002MC and there's more I think you need to be told."

Bruce turns to Barbara and asks, "This is about Dina Meyer?"

"Yes, that's one of the alias she used but Bruce, from her reality you and Selina had a daughter, Helena Kyle the Second Huntress and there was another version of Black Canary, Dinah Redmond," explains Barbara, seeing the look on Bruce's face when she mentioned he had a daughter with Catwoman, "There's more, it would seem that they operated from New Gotham and that the Bruce of that Earth abandoned Gotham and his daughter."

"Do you know why that version of Bruce abandoned the city?" asks Batman, who could never imagine abandoning Gotham, let alone his daughter but Barbara can't answer that and says, "I'm not sure…"

"But you have a theory?" asks Batwoman-Kate, rejoining the group, along with Earth-11's Batwoman-Helena. Barbara nods her head no, as she asks, "Could it have been because of the Knight?"

"Are you saying you think Batman of that Earth, abandoned Gotham to protect it from the Arkham Knight?" asks Earth-11's Batwoman.

This time Barbara nods her head yes, this causes Batman to ponder something but voice, "It would seem that the Arkham Knight, knew that I'm Bruce Wayne and everything else about me."

"How?" asks Betty, rolling herself over to the group but Bruce doesn't know and that unnerves him, but it is Earth-11's Helena, who break the silence by saying, "I think we need a chain of command because I'm used to calling the shots on my Earth, just as your Batwoman and Scarlet Robin are used to being the second-in-command. Why are we not finding more male versions of Bruce?"

"Probably because the Arkham Knight has been eliminated them," replies Batman, since he knows he needs to create a clear chain of command, "Also because we have only scratched the surface. The number of Earths are infinite and we have only encountered a handful. However, it's possible I don't exist in all realities."

"There's also the possibility that you're a villain on some of them," replies, Scarlet Robin, walking up with someone Batman doesn't know, "This is Batgirl, Barbara Gordon from my reality."

"You can call me Joyce," replies Earth-2KH Barbara Joyce Gordon, who had always liked her middle name better than her birth name.

"That is another problem, we can have two Batwomen or three Robins running around," voices Batwoman-Kate, but Batman disagrees, "I actually think we can make this work. If Batwoman is seen in two separate places at the same time that will lead to confusion and we could use that confusion to our own advantage."

"There is also the issue of the living arrangement. The Manor is huge, but there isn't enough room for all of us to live here," voices Harley, but Harley from Earth-2019MC says, "That's code for you not wanting to have to share Bruce if you don't want to."

In a flash Bruce's Harley charge at the other Harley and the two-start fighting, Bruce sighs, as again Harley is in the middle of a catfight but this time, it is Earth-11 Superwoman who flies in and separates them without breaking a sweat. Bruce orders, "Take them to their room. I will deal with them later."

Laurel Kent, Earth-11 Superwoman, flies away still holding two struggling women. Batman turns to Earth-11 Batwoman and asks, "So have you two always been good friends? You two are like sisters."

"For the most part, yes," answers Helena, "We have always gotten along well and worked together to fight both crime and supervillains."

"That must be nice because the boy scout and I never really saw eye-to-eye," says Bruce, "…but you said for the most part?"

"Yes, there was an incident that put us on different sides for a while but I'm sure you have your own war-stories," responds Helena.

"Yes, I have my own stories, but tell me about the incident?" asks Bruce, listening closely as she tells him about it…