It was with a groan and a splitting headache that Zatanna awoke. Oh God, why, why did her head hurt? She didn't remember hitting it anywhere she shouldn't have. Did she have brain damage? She must've had brain damage because it would've explain the lack of memory.
Her face twisting with strain, she opened her eyes, keeping them slits as her eyes adjusted to bright lights. That didn't nothing for her headache except make it worse. Damn it, what she wouldn't give for an aspirin. Taking her time, she eventually opened her eyes fully and took in her surroundings.
Immediately she figured out she was in Bruce's Cave; the creepy bats in the ceiling were a big hint. Pushing herself up, she found out she was lying on a metal table, the one Bruce had in his makeshift medical bay. So she must've been hurt if she was here—that was the only thing that made sense at the moment. Looking around some more, the dark-haired woman soon found herself frowning. Where was Bruce?
Sliding her legs to the edge of the table and off of it, Zatanna got onto her feet, keeping her hands on the table to steady herself. Once she was sure her balance was back, she walked over to the metal staircase and climb down them with a firm hold on the railing, reaching the main floor after a few seconds and proceeded to make her way to the giant supercomputer.
It was during this part of her trek that she felt something was wrong. Her first clue was noticing the absence of Bruce's car, the Batmobile. If that wasn't here, then Bruce was definitely in Gotham somewhere; for some reason Zatanna felt that wasn't a good thing. Why was that? What did she think—
And then it came to her. The Joker's attack on Wayne Enterprises; Alfred getting shot while rescuing Bruce; Bruce losing it in the cave and then leading her into the med bay where he shot her with a face full of gas. It must've been knockout gas or something because that was the last thing she could remember.
God damn it, did Bruce knock her out and leave her behind?!
"That bastard," she growled before storming over to the computer. Well, if he thought he could shove her aside, he had another thing coming. "Computer," she called out, watching with satisfaction as the giant screen came to life. "Get me the traffic feeds of Gotham."
Just like the last time, the screen filled up with divided squares, each one holding an image of a different traffic camera throughout the city. However, unlike last time, Zatanna found her mouth dropping open, her eyes filled with horror at the sights she saw.
Burning buildings, fleeing people, firefighters desperately trying to put out the flames, and cop cars racing all over the place were just a few examples in the multiple images, but there were more of them than the dark-haired woman wished to see. Dear Lord, what had happened while she was unconscious?
Better still, where was Bruce in all of this? No matter how hard she looked and searched, she couldn't catch sight of the man in any of the frames, which only increased her anxiety. Was he alright? Was he hurt? She had no clue and it was starting to drive her crazy!
"Computer," she began, but found herself trailing off as she had no clue what order to input. What was there she could do that wasn't already being done? Was this what it felt like being helpless? But she had to do something! Anything! She had to help Bruce, no matter his opinion on the matter. She...she needed to find him…
"Find Batman," the dark-haired woman said, her voice filled with desperation.
It took a moment for the computer to process her command and for a moment Zatanna thought it wouldn't do as she requested. That all changed when a large map of Gotham appeared on the screen. A blue dot appeared on the map and it seemed to be moving in the western portion of the city. Ha! So Bruce had a locator thingamabob in that bat suit of his. Thank you Mr. Anal Retentive!
But...now that she had a general idea of where he could be, how was she going to be able to track him down? Bruce could go anywhere between the time it took her to leave the manor and get to Gotham. There had to be a way to get updates from this thing!
Wait, wait, wait, she was a cave with all sorts of gizmos, gadgets, and weapons; there had to be some gadget in all of this crap that she could use to keep an eye on Bruce's location.
"Computer, locate a device for me to follow Batman," Zatanna ordered and nearly smirked when the computer began the search, showing her the results a second later.
"Alright, Bruce, just stay alive until I get there," she muttered as she read from the screen. "I'm coming to help ya."
Calling this a war zone would be a step up from the disaster this whole thing was becoming. That wasn't going to stop Gordon from doing anything he could to try and save as much of this city as he could. This was not how Gotham was going to end, not while he still had air in his lungs and a set of legs to move on.
Flaming skyscrapers and burning buildings were not making it easy to do that, which was why he and the other first responders had to wear air filters and, in some cases, haul around air tanks. The air itself was so filled with smoke, not to mention the falling debris that could take both you and your car out if you happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
There wasn't a single person, be it police, firefighter, EMS, or hell, even Salvation Army recruiter that had been prepared for something like this. No one in their sane mind could even contemplate thinking that one day, the whole city would be bombed. Maybe that was why only a man like the Joker could come up with it.
As Gordon was issuing orders to the nearest responders, he was stopped as he heard what sounded like a loud booming sound. He didn't like it, didn't like that it was occurring in the middle of this chaos. Was it another explosion?
"What's going on?!" he demanded into his handheld radio.
"It's coming down!" a panicked voice exclaimed.
There was no need for the commissioner to ask what was coming down. Even from where he was, he could see downtown where one of the fiery skyscrapers seemed to shrink in on itself then collapse. It was like the foundation had been kicked right out from under it and the building couldn't decided whether to fall over or collapse on itself. So it did both, leaning towards a side as different parts of its outer walls caved in, making it appear zigzagged for a brief moment before dropping straight down.
"Take cover!" he yelled as a cloud of smoke and debris came racing in his direction from down the street. The mayhem increased as bodies scrambled for safety. As for Gordon himself, he was throwing himself into an alley along with a fireman and a couple emergency workers. Not a few seconds later the dark cloud of dirt and ash raced passed, slowly coming to rest and dissipating.
If there was a time to find religion, now would be the time.
Gordon, however, was a practical man and faith was not one of the tools he normally found himself working with. Thus he was not praising any deity of his choice and instead using precious time to get those hiding in the alley with out back into the street to continue their efforts.
It was getting harder to breathe at this point, the filter he was wearing not suited for this kind of environment. It was the best he had at this point and he couldn't afford to take it off now. There wasn't clean air for him to take in anyway.
The quality of air would be the last thing on his mind as all activity resumed right where it had been left off. The new layer of skyscraper remains was ignored, a mild inconvenience if someone had to take the time to wipe it off a surface.
And he, Gordon, was in the thick of it again, trying to bring some semblance of order to this mess.
"Get those hoses back on! Check for anyone hurt! Will somebody get this street blocked off!" he barked out. As fast as he gave out the order, someone was on top of it, firing up the fire hoses and searching the debris for any wounded.
It wasn't easy trying to direct your attention in a hundred different directions. Not only was he shouting from behind his air filter, he was always moving, constantly moving. And finding new things that needed his attention. It was neverending.
Where was he anymore? Probably further down the street than he thought. It was definitely not as crowded as it was further along and that was where he needed to be. How he even got this far without noticing was...discerning to say the least.
As he was turning around to get back into the thick of the fray, he paused as he heard what sounded like the rumbling of a motorcycle, a sound that was growing louder and louder with each passing second. Unless it was a cop, whoever it was was had no business being in the second cousin of Hell. They needed to get as far away as possible before they got themselves hurt.
He'd take care of it himself. Gordon didn't know if there was anyone else around who could and he didn't have the time to look for them anyway. Best to do it quickly and get back to where he needed to be.
Once the motorcycle came into sight, he had a feeling that this wasn't just anybody. A costumed woman with two kids racing straight towards him? Call it a hunch but this wasn't going to be some normal "what the hell do you think you're doing, get the hell out of here!" lecture he was expecting to give.
He did say, "Who the hell are you?" when she was close enough.
The motorcycle made a sharp turn, skidding to a stop in front of Gordon. This gave him the perfect view of the woman wearing a purple costume with a mask that extended up and over her head in two points. She turned her head, her dark hair pouring over her shoulder furthest away from the commissioner.
"I'm a concerned citizen," she finally answered before looking further over her shoulder to the two kids sitting behind her, each one clutching at the one in front of them tightly. "And I need to get these kids over to the river."
"The river? Why there?" he demanded.
"Cause the Joker seems to be completely focused on this side of it. He hasn't even touched the other side."
"It doesn't mean there aren't any bombs over there as well," the older man argued. "What are you doing out here anyway? Get out of here before you get yourself killed!"
Of all the reactions he expected, he didn't expect her to roll her eyes at him. "Seriously, you sound just like the Bat. Did you two go to the same school or something? I've gotta tell ya, it's getting old really damn fast."
He was going to ignore that last part. No time to ream her for it. "That doesn't make it any less true. Look around. Most of the people out here right now are not going to make it. I don't even know if I'll make it either, but damn it, we're going to do what we can. There's no need for another person to put their life at risk if it's not necessary."
There was a whimpering from the children at his words, which caused the woman to glare fiercely at the older man. "Oh geez, why don't you go ahead and tell these kids they're going to die? Oh wait, you did. There's no fucking room in this hell hole for thinking like that, Grandpa; you're just part of the damn problem. Now either get your ass out of here before you get hurt, or actually do something."
Gordon had to admit, he had slipped up. The last thing anyone needed was a couple of scared kids. Good going, Jim. Still, now wasn't the time for self-abuse. "And what do you think you can do?" he shot back.
"Everything I can," she stated calmly. "Which means saving as many people as I can. Now if you'll get out of the way, I'm going to do just that."
"And what about them?" he gestured to the two children.
"First, I'm taking them to the river, just like I told you earlier."
"On that?"
"I don't see you with a car, Gramps."
"How fast are you on that?" His mind was racing before he could get his thoughts straight and while he didn't like what this woman was doing, he couidn't deny that they needed all the help they could get.
Plus, they already had one costumed vigilante in the city doing the same thing as them. At this point, it would be hypocritical to tell this person no.
"What do you think? It's a motorcycle. And in case your prescription is wrong, I was about to run you over when you stepped out in front of me."
"You think you can find anyone else out there?"
"Only one way to find out."
Gordon nodded. He hoped he was doing the right thing here. "Give them to me. I'll get them out of here."
The woman gave him an incredulous look. "Are you crazy? In this place?"
"Lady, I'm crazy just being here. I can hotwire a car if I have to, but it'll take more time for you to get to the river and back here. Leave them to me and I'll get them out. I promise."
She stared at him for a moment before she nodded. "You better get them to safety, old man. Cause if something happens to them, it's gonna take more than the Bat to stop me from killing you where you stand."
She then turned her body to look at the children and then with a surprisingly gentle voice said to them, "Hey guys, look up at me, please? This man is going to take you to safety, okay? He'll make sure you won't get hurt."
The two kids looked at her, each one shaking with fear, not that Gordon blamed them. "Don't worry, I promise nothing will happen to you," she continued, just as soothingly. Reluctantly, the two climbed off the motorcycle, standing on the ground next to Gordon.
"Remember what I said," she then said to him, the steel returning to her voice.
"I'll be dead myself before that happens," he told her, placing a hand on the shoulders of the kids. "Go before I change my mind."
Not even bothering to return his answer, she revved the engine of her motorcycle loudly before shooting off back the way she came, her dark cape flapping in the wind behind her.
Everything was bathed in flames. The walls, the ceiling, the floor, the plant equipment and tanks; there was no way to tell where the fire ended and the concrete of the room began. The only thing that wasn't dowsed in flames was a catwalk that stretched lengthwise across the warehouse room.
It was on the catwalk that Batman and the Joker had landed, the vigilante rolling off his opponent upon contact. The metal walkway had groaned and shifted from the violent crash, but seemed to be holding up despite the intense heat surrounding it. Even through his armor, Batman could feel the steel soaking in the heat, only releasing it when touched.
As much as the vigilante wanted to rest after the fall, there was no time for that. He had barely gotten onto his feet when the Joker lashed out at him, screaming with fury and throwing a raised fist at his face.
Shootings his arms up, he blocked the blow, but left himself open for the rib shot he took, the Joker slamming his other fist into his torso. Letting out a grunt of pain, Batman stumbled back a step, keeping his head up and seeing his opponent throw another fist.
This time he was ready. Blocking the fist, Batman went on the attack as he sent a jab right into the madman's face, stunning him where he stood. Dropping his extended arm down, the vigilante grabbed the man's suit jacket with his hand and pushed forward, backing the Joker down the catwalk. With his other hand, the dark-clad man balled it into a fist and rammed it over and over into the pale man's gut, letting out a roar with each blow. Air and spit was flung out of the Joker's mouth as he was helpless to stop the onslaught.
Then, he pushed the man back before leaning backwards, lifting his leg and snapping it forward. His kick slammed into the Joker's chest and sent him flying backwards, landing roughly on the catwalk as it released another groan in protest. However, the Joker didn't stay down for very long, scrambling back onto his feet, his face twisted in fury.
"I've had just about enough of you!" he shouted angrily. "You're spoiling all of my fun!"
Batman ignored the barb as he strode down the catwalk, cape flowing behind him. Arms at his side, he closed the distance between them, waiting for the Joker to lash out at him. The green-haired man didn't disappoint either as he leapt at him, throwing another fist. Again, Batman blocked the blow, using his forearm to push it aside. He held himself from countering, waiting for the next punch, seeing it coming a moment later and blocking it as well.
Now it was time for a counter attack. With his left fist, he threw it at the Joker's face, who jerked back to avoid it. Using the momentum of his missed blow, Batman pivoted on his heel, spinning around as his cape flew up from the circular acceleration. It was purely for distraction as his opponent focused on the flying cloth in front of him, never seeing the vigilante moving closer and swinging his other fist out, landing a backhand to the side of the Joker's face.
Completing his spin, Batman took advantage of his stunned foe and threw another fist, slamming it into the green-haired man's face, causing him to stumble backwards a couple steps. Of course the Joker recovered, but now he was glaring at the vigilante with a face full of hate. He had another trickle of blood coming down from the corner of his mouth and one from his nose. His normally groomed haired was falling out of place, giving him a more wild-looking appearance.
That was when the Joker reached into his suit jacket and pulled out another knife. This one was wider and bigger than the switchblade he had used previously, and had a wicked-looking point. "Alright, I've had just about enough of you punching me. Now if you'd do me a favor and let me stick this knife in your ribs, I think we can both leave happy."
The Joker then lunged at the vigilante, stabbing at him with the knife, to which the dark-clad man jumped back to avoid. Another lunge and stab was followed with the same dodge, frustrating the green-haired man. "Stay still, will you!" Another missed stab. "The sooner this goes in, the sooner it'll be over." And another dodged stab. "What about that don't you understand?!"
It was as the Joker pulled the knife back that Batman made his move. Instantly, he closed in on the man, much to his opponent's surprise. Shooting a hand out, he grabbed the Joker's knife-wielding hand at the wrist and forced it up over their heads. With his other fist, Batman drove it into the madman's gut once, twice, causing him to bend down from the blows.
Taking advantage of that, Batman swung the Joker's knife hand down and forced it onto the railing of the catwalk. The sudden hit, coupled with the heat of the railing caused the Joker to gasp in pain as his fingers spasmed. The knife slipped from his grasp and fell into the fiery inferno below them, disappearing beneath the flames.
Yanking the Joker's arm up and out to the opposite side of his body, Batman sent another fist at him, landing an uppercut to the man's chin, snapping his head up and leaving him stunned from the blow.
Dropping his hand down, Batman grabbed the lapel of the Joker's jacket, his other hand releasing the green-haired man's wrist to cross over his armored arm to grab the other lapel flap. With the rest of his strength, he hauled the demented clown up off the catwalk, holding him up in the air as his legs and feet dangled beneath him.
"This madness ends now," Batman shouted, staring up at his beaten opponent.
That seemed to snap the Joker out of his daze, not to mention his previous fury. In response, his red lips widened as he smiled that infuriating wide smile of his, his arms thrusting to his sides as if he were gesturing to the rest of the room. "Who are you kidding, Batsy? We've only just begun!"
Batman stared at the deranged man, his fingers tightening on the jacket lapel. He wanted to say something to that, anything to force this man to see that it was over. Yet, he found himself captivated by the Joker's sunken eyes, the glimmers of insanity reflecting out of them. The depths of madness that ran through this man was alarming, if not terrifying.
It had been a slow process. The sudden addition of weight from the two men as they landed on the catwalk sent a tremor throughout the metal walkway. It jarred at the bolts that held it up, connecting it to the mounts on the wall. As the bolts rubbed against the sides of the metal, it created a groaning sound as a new tremor hit it with every step and fall.
In addition to that, a raging fire had consumed the entire room. The heat from the flames and the heat-absorption qualities of the metal added further strain on the bolts, weakening them with every passing second.
Finally, the bolts could take no more. With one last groan, the bolts popped out of their groves. The result was one side of the catwalk dropping down as the other held firm in its mounts.
The loud protesting groans of metal rubbing against metal filled the vigilante's ears. That was his first and only warning as to what was to come. Suddenly, the catwalk beneath his feet dropped, swinging to a side and causing Batman and the Joker to be flung over the railing. The dark-clad man was faintly aware of the heated metal railing as it pressed against his side and he soon found himself free falling.
The insanity glowing from the Joker's face was replaced with one of fear as he began to scream. Batman's first instinct was to pull out his grapple, only for his brain to remind him that it was still in his belt, the one the Joker has removed and disposed off up on the roof. His second would've been to activate his cape glider, but that wasn't an open as he had to dispose of the current activation system following the Joker's spray of acid. And even if he had been able to, he was out of time.
All that left for Batman was to be plunged into the burning inferno with his foe, the flames leaping up and consuming them whole.