Batman:

Warzone Chapter 12

Azrael sat on a bench rubbing his temple to keep an impending migraine at bay. An hour ago, he sent the idiotic mercenary due Savant and Creote to slow down the Batman but not kill him. As per usual, Batman kicked the shit out of both of them.

Bronze Tiger sat across from him at a table, needlessly polishing the claw weapons he carried.

"What do we do?" Bronze Tiger asked.

"What can we do? We let him reach Maximum Security. Whatever he does at this point, I win." he said, thumbing the trigger that would activate the bomb.

Bronze Tiger glanced at the trigger, then smiled. "You are one sick puppy, Azrael."

/

For the second time that night, Batman stood outside the doors to Maximum Security and wondered if this was worth it. Across the bay at Wayne Manor, his son was waiting for his father to come home. For the first time, he contemplated leaving, letting them all die. For the first time in a very long time, Batman doubted.

After some time, he shook the thought from his mind. It was his duty to make sure they got out safely. He stepped forward and pushed the heavy doors open. Mr. Freeze walked to the thick glass wall of his cell.

"Back so soon, Batman?" he asked.

Batman stepped to the side and let an automated cart wheel Mr. Freeze's sub zero environmental suit into the cell block. The cart stopped in front of Freeze's cell.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

Batman walked over to the wall and pressed the emergency release, the door opened and the prisoners stepped out of their cells cautiously.

Two Face grinned. "What, Batman? Out on good behavior?" Then his head twitched. "He always was merciful."

"Really though, why are you letting us out?" Garfield Lynns asked. "Oh! Have you turned to the Dark Side too?"

Poison Ivy scoffed. "He's already 'dark.'"

Kirk Langstrom stumbled out of his cell. "What's going on?"

"Dr. Langstrom, I need your help." Batman said.

"Serum, I need my serum." he said.

Batman shook his head. "I need you to study floor plans and security, the Suicide Squad is keeping four of my allies somewhere."

Langstrom shrugged. "I, I cannot do much in the way of fighting."

"I don't need you to."

Langstrom nodded. "Alright, Batman. You've a deal."

Batman nodded and looked back at the others. "Well?"

Mr. Freeze walked up, now outfitted in the EV. "You have my allegiance, Batman."

Two Face shrugged. "What the hell? Why not."

Poison Ivy nodded.

Firefly looked around. "Aw, I'd look like an asshole if I backed out now."

"What's in it for us, Batman?" Two Face's rational side asked.

"You don't die."