Mayor Charles Falsootu's perspective:
The Mayor's phone rang. It was Commissioner Ronald Studge. "Hello?"
"Y-your honor..." began the Commissioner.
"If you have something to say to me," Mayor Falsootu braced himself, "Say it."
"I haven't been able to get the DA to drop this," said Studge.
"No surprise," said a bored Falsootu. "Is that all you called me for, Commissioner?"
"I'm told by GCPD Intelligence that the DA thinks she's close to conclusive evidence against you."
Falsootu almost fell out of his chair. This news would have made a notice that he was twenty points behind his likely opponent for re-election look like a rainbow!
Why? Why does Patricia Franklyn have to have so damn much integrity? Why can't she accept the cynical state of the world?
"Sir?" asked a concerned Studge.
"I'm fine," said Falsootu. "For now. I'm hanging up, but be prepared for further orders."
The next time Senior Adviser for Strategic Planning Billy Hancock entered the office, Falsootu said, "We've got a problem. Franklyn is close to busting us."
"How?" asked Hancock. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"Don't be so naive," said Falsootu. "If something corroborates Poison Ivy's despicable claim that I helped finance her recent attack on this city by sheer chance, it may be enough for an article of impeachment. And if I go down, a lot of you will, too! And even if we don't, my popularity will crumble. And if that happens, I'll likely have a bill to rescind my arrest orders against The Batman and his friends passing over my veto."
Nobody needs to know that what Ivy says about me is true. Not when I have a city to save.
"I think you should volunteer for a subpoena before it happens," suggested Hancock. "Kill her case before it's built."
"Wouldn't work," refused Falsootu. "She's a great cross-examiner. She can make anybody look guilty." That was a guess, but it was also Falsootu's only excuse for not doing the one thing he dared not do!
"Then we need to get Batman while we still can," realized Hancock.
"Yes, of course," smiled Falsootu evilly. "Why didn't I think of this. Everybody likes a winner, and if we put him away in the week or two I have before Franklyn has her evidence, the public will overwhelmingly support me. If she tries to take me out then, she'll be guaranteeing her own defeat next election! Just make sure Studge knows to bring them in alive and unrevealed. I want the whole city to be able to see the end of their careers to add twenty decibels to the trumpets for me."
"First," said Hancock, "We need to plan our collar."
"Yes," agreed Falsootu. "Everything has set up what I knew was on the way: the final showdown between The Batman and myself. One of us is going to end up in Blackgate. And I certainly don't plan on rotting as the maniac in a mask continues to terrorize this town."
Bruce Wayne's perspective:
During a coffee break at work, Bruce was reading Gothic Report, a Gotham based news blog, when he discovered an interesting story about Patricia Franklyn, the District Attorney.
"I'm not at liberty to say," Franklyn was quoted as having said, "Nor is it my intention to embarrass the Mayor. But I would be doing the public a disservice if I did not see this through... the Mayor has got to understand that no one is above the law."
Bruce rubbed his eyes in ecstasy at what he had just read. He read it again. It was true. What he had been unable to do, someone else who had gone along with whatever Falsootu had wanted so far, was about to do for him. Bruce had to laugh at the irony. He had to share it with his allies.
That evening Alfred laughed at the irony. "It's true what they say. Justice prevails, even thanks to those you never thought would do you justice."
"You're telling me," smiled Selina Kyle. "This must be the side of the authorities that you folks believe in so passionately."
"Right has to prevail at some point," said Tim Drake.
"Well, I for one can't wait," said Barbara Gordon. "After what he did to Dad, it's gonna feel so good to see him get what he deserves!"
"Agreed," said a cautious Bruce, "But nothing's official yet. My Father was a hunter. He told me that an animal was very dangerous when he was trapped and his or her only way out was to deal with you. Remember that."
Batman's perspective:
The Batman and Robin were watching the streets below the skyscraper they were on. A pair of burglars were walking out of a jewelry store below.
"Let's drop in on 'em," suggested Robin. He and Batman took the grappling hooks out of their Batgrapples to lower themselves to the ground. By that time, the burglars were driving away in a car, so Batman and Robin threw Batarangs at the wheels, flattening the rear tires.
The burglars got out and started running. "Help, police," one of them shouted. Clever. Most criminals are too afraid of us to think to take advantage of the fact that we're wanted by the police.
"Keep chasing them," commanded Batman. "At least for now." They each tackled a different burglar and rammed their targets' faces into the ground multiple times to dispatch them.
After Batman and Robin had called to authorities and were on the way out, Batman realized, "The police didn't respond to the burglars' call for help."
"Maybe they didn't hear them," Robin figured.
"It's Gotham City," Batman dismissed that. "The police have to be ready for trouble everywhere in town. Yet the Batnavicomputer shows that they never responded until we called them."
"You mean they looked and saw that we were there and didn't even try to catch us?" asked Robin.
"That's exactly what I mean," said Batman grimly. "They're planning something big. Be prepared."
Batgirl's perspective:
The Batgirl was driving the Batcycle with The Catwoman holding on behind her. They had foiled a couple crimes when Batgirl hit the brakes.
"Did you see something I didn't?" asked Catwoman.
"No," said Batgirl thoughtfully, "But I don't see police cars looking for us. You noticed?"
"Yeah," realized Catwoman. "You're right. We usually have to be careful they can't spot us too easily.
"Mm-hmm," Batgirl said. "In fact, we have to make excessive turns and take long ways around to keep from being spotted and a ring of cop cars from being thrown around us. Just to make sure, I'm driving straight ahead, full blast, for fifteen minutes."
"That's a big risk," said Catwoman cautiously.
"Maybe I shouldn't ask too much of a reformed cat-burglar," Batgirl shook her head, "But you've got a real courage problem. I've gotten out of police ambushes before and besides, we'll be keeping a look out for the boys and girls in blue. We'll be OK."
"First of all," said Catwoman. "I don't appreciate being called a coward. Batman would never let you do this ei..." Batgirl shut her up by hitting the gas.
The Batcycle had gone for nine miles before Catwoman finally chanced yelling, "I sure hope you know what the Hell you're doing," to be heard over the engine. Some time later, Catwoman shouted, "Dammit, Batgirl, it's been more than fifteen minutes. Stop this thing right now!"
Batgirl stopped the Batcycle and said, "Sorry!"
"Not as sorry as you'll be if you ever do something like this again," said Catwoman, cracking her whip on the concrete below their feet.
Sensing Catwoman's anger, Batgirl softly said, "If you'll just calm down, you'll realize that we got away with this."
"So we did," noticed Catwoman. "Guess your hunch was right. Now what?"
"We'll tell Batman back at his place," said Batgirl. "He'll know what to do. He always does."
"But as I said, he wouldn't have allowed you to pull that shit!"
"You realize that means you were wrong too, right?"
"Kids. You think you're immortal."
Falsootu's perspective:
"Any progress?" asked Falsootu on the phone.
"None," said Studge.
"Didn't take the bait, huh?" Falsootu figured.
"Probably weren't in the right spot," contended Studge. "It's a big city. We'll keep trying."
"Don't try," said Falsootu with anger. "Do it! If I go down, the 'What did you know about me?' questions will probably destroy you as well."
"Your faith is inspiring," joked Studge. "Trust me. We'll catch them in time."
"Or I'll be the most hated Mayor of all time," worried Falsootu.
The Huntress' perspective:
Unlike Batman's team, The Huntress had noticed a mugging and burglary take place one the same block. The car the criminals entered was driven very fast and skillfully. The Huntress struggled to keep up on her motorcycle, but eventually trailed the car to outside of Gotham.
Out-of-towners who decided to play for higher stakes than jacking cars like other criminals do? Good for me, then. They've got nowhere to move out in the open.
Suddenly, the trunk of the car opened. A large light projector flashed on Huntress, blinding her. The shock of losing her sight caused her to fall off her bike and to the ground. She could vaguely make out the dirt in front of her so she sighed in relief. Her vision would soon return. But her targets were long gone.
Except they were not. Huntress felt her wrists being cuffed together. Then many hands grabbed her. It felt like it was more than the two people she had seen enter the car. The others must have hidden in the floorboards of the car.
"We're undercover," She heard a male voice say. "You're under arrest for vigilantism, mayhem, countless cases of assault, and surprisingly for you people, a few counts for murder. You have a right to remain silent."
Before the rest of the police ritual was read, The Huntress said, "Damn you and your 'rights.'" She struck both men with her own head. One of them responded by a baton over The Huntress' head, dropping her. She was prevented from getting up with a few more baton hits.
By this point, Huntress was moaning in pain. "I expect thugs to take advantage and beat girls," said Huntress, desperate to buy time to find a way out of the pickle she was in. "Not You."
"It's not going to get any easier until you cooperate," said one of the cops.
"Screw you," spat The Huntress.
"Business before pleasure," said another other officer.
Falsootu's perspective:
Falsootu was awakened by his phone. "Who is it?" asked Carol, Falsootu's wife.
"Studge," said Falsootu. "It's business. Go back to sleep." As Carol did, Falsootu answered the phone. "What's so important that I had to be awakened."
"We got The Huntress," said Studge.
"Nobody cares about her," said Falsootu. "Wait. I'll announce the capture and maybe Batman will attempt to rescue her. He's worked with her on occasion."
"We'll be ready," promised Studge.
"Great," smiled Falsootu. "Because if you blow this, you're as screwed as I am."
"I said we'd get him," said Studge.
"This time you mean it," said an unmoved Falsootu.
Studge's perspective:
Studge was visiting an inmate in Blackgate Penitentiary. "So that's the deal. You get a pardon. We get more valuable collars than you."
The inmate nodded.
Bruce Wayne's perspective:
Selina had brought her pet cougar, Caesarion, to Wayne Manor. That was a sign that she knew of recent developments.
"So are we gonna rescue The Huntress?" asked Tim.
"Yes," said Bruce.
"She's not a great person," said Barbara, "But her heart's in the right place. "We've gotta help."
"Agreed," said Bruce. Not the least of which because The Huntress was responsible for the Traylor family not having a puppet Mayor, although because of the underhanded way Huntress had pulled that off, Bruce could not tell of it. Ironically, though, that plan had also put a not much better Mayor in power. It was amazing how things worked out!
Batman's perspective:
It had been announced that before The Huntress was officially booked, she would be embarrassed by a righteous speech and unmasking, courtesy of Falsootu. But although Batman, Catwoman, Batgirl, Robin, and Caesarion were near the place just out of town where this was to happen, it looked either unprotected or with all the guards inside.
"The animals are often the first to know," noted Batman, looking at Caesarion.
"I'll spare you the trouble," offered Catwoman. "Caesarion can't find any in hiding either."
"I don't want to be cliche," said Robin.
"I don't care," said Batgirl. "It's too easy."
"I know," said Batman. "Some other shoe is going to drop."
Nonetheless, they entered the place. They were in a large, wide-open room, with The Huntress bound to a pole and gagged. She was struggling to say something through her gag.
"You're a real bitch," said Batgirl. "You owe me big time." Suddenly, a net came over the rescuers. Before they could finish using their sharp tools to cut free, Batman felt something really hard hit him in the back of the head, knocking him down.
"Croc!" Batman heard the others yell as having his head rammed into the ground knocked him out.
The Huntress' perspective:
The Huntress' heart sank. She had tried to warn her failed rescuers what was coming but was gagged. As they were taken away, unconscious, Croc walked up to her and ripped the tape off her.
"Ow," screamed Huntress.
"I ain't forgotten the time you filled me with bolts," said Croc. "They're takin' my place in Blackgate, but your head's gonna be mine!" Literally, no doubt.
"Bite me," taunted Huntress.
"Don't tempt me," said Croc, walking away.
Things looked bleak.
Falsootu's perspective:
"We got 'em," Studge said proudly to Falsootu on the phone.
"Excellent, Studge," smiled Falsootu. "Are their masks off?"
"As you ordered, no, sir," said Studge.
"Then it's got to that way for now. Line the nutcases in costumes up in chairs. Do nothing else until I and some journalists I know have arrived."
"Will do," complied Studge.
"Goodbye," said Falsootu, hanging up. He was extremely happy. While Franklyn was finalizing her case against him, it was about to not matter. When Falsootu's approval rating shot up over seventy percent, Franklyn would have no choice but to drop the matter and hope Falsootu did not bankroll an opponent to depose her in her next primary election.
Falsootu would think about it. For a few seconds.
Batman's perspective:
Batman and his allies were strapped together in electric chairs. They still had their belts but were being watched with guns trained on them in case they tried anything. It was almost like being tied up in the desert and having bottles of sun tan lotion just out of arm's reach.
Falsootu was there with the media. Batman sighed. This was not how he envisioned this rivalry ending. The megalomaniacal Mayor was about to unmask his enemies and it would be in front of the whole city. He would heal his newfound legal/political wound in doing so. Batman needed to think of something. But it had been forty minutes since they had been captured and he could still think of nothing.
Falsootu moved right behind Batman. Commissioner Studge was behind Batgirl. Three members of Falsootu's cabinet were behind Catwoman, Robin, and The Huntress. Apparently, Falsootu wanted them all to be unmasked at once.
"Roll cameras and prepare to go down in history," Falsootu told the lucky journalists covering this spectacle."
"Ladies and gentlemen," told a news lady with a microphone in front of the camera, "You are witnessing one of biggest events in the history of Gotham: the unmasking of The Batman and his comrades. Some of you likely watch in disbelief, others glad to see them destroyed. In any case it is Mary Mays of WT58 Gotham that's breaking our great city's biggest story in a generation!"
"My fellow citizens of Gotham," said Falsootu, "It may have taken a little longer than you'd hoped, but does the Mayor keep his promises, or does he keep his promises? Some of you may feel as though these lost souls are misunderstood, but the wrong thing for the right reason is still the wrong thing. And thus, we restore order to Gotham."
"Falsootu," Batman knew what he had to say, "Be lenient to the others. I was the one who formed this team. I give the orders. No buts, people. No sense in all us all going away for the rest of our lives."
"I'm sorry to say, Batman," Falsootu said with insincerity that could not begin to fool Batman, "But the thieving Catwoman and brutal Huntress have committed crimes that the rest of you have turned a blind eye to. You must all be punished."
"You won't get away with this," said Batgirl.
"That's exactly what I've been warning you," said Falsootu. "And District Attorney Franklyn, because I know you're watching, if I had done anything wrong, would I not have accepted the bribes they offered?"
"That's not true," snapped Robin.
"That's one crime even I didn't commit," said Catwoman.
"You're gonna pay for this, Falsootu," promised The Huntress.
But Batman knew that they were finished. The only thing to do was to protect those they trusted their secret identities with. "Falsootu, no associates of ours when we take off these masks know of our double lives."
"We'll see," said Falsootu. "Fellow saviors of Gotham, unmask your collar on three.
"No, please," shouted Batgirl. "I'm sorry I disobeyed your orders, Dad! Don't make the same mistake I did, brother!"
"1... 2... 3!"
This seemed to be it. Batman had always suspected that he might die one day. Instead, it seemed that he was to be unmasked before the world. A world that would believe he was a criminal. But as Falsootu touched his mask, the lights went out.
"What's going on?" Falsootu demanded with a politician's controlled emotion.
"Mr. Mayor," said someone elsewhere, "Power's been cut."
"Won't stop the cameras," said Mary Mays. "Just switch to night-vision."
"About that," said a cameraman. "I'm afraid these things seem to have been hacked."
By this time, Batman noticed that his limbs were free. But how? As he wondered, he noticed that he had been hoisted onto a large person's shoulders like the straps of a backpack.
"Don't worry," whispered a female voice. "Ah gotcha. Just keep it quiet."
Batman was spirited out of the place. Not hard to do since it was dark and his rescuer seemed able to see in the dark. Soon enough, he saw that the same had been done for the others. The people who had gotten them out were garbed in black and masked.
After Batman and his allies were taken a distance away from the building to two cars, the five unmasked. It was Becky "The Hog" Traylor, her cousin Daisy Thompson, nephew Joey, and two regular thugs.
"You're not the last people I'd expect to come to our aid," said Batman, "But you're far down the list."
"Back home you get thanked for helpin' somebody," chuckled the Southern Hog.
"Don't give us that," said Batgirl.
"Ah'll give you three reasons," explained The Hog. "First, Little Bat, Ah like you. Ah've never lied about that. Second, Ah owe you. After all, you've rescued me on more than one occasion. And then there's the fact that we're outta the crime business."
"This is the first I've heard of this," said Batman, interested but suspicious.
"Ah've been thinkin' about my brother, Al," said The Hog. "Ah was raised in this business. Never questioned it. But now Ah've come to realize that maybe there truly ain't no honor among thieves."
"Indeed," Batman agreed.
"Ah know Papa would be disappointed," said The Hog, "But Ah gotta do what's best for the whole family Ah lead. Can Ah assume that you're goin' after Falsootu?"
"Yes," said Batman. "He was working with Croc. He's our ticket to ending this war."
"It's hard enough to convince people that the Traylor family's gone straight," said The Hog apologetically. "We can't help you anymore."
"I understand," nodded Batman. "You've done enough. Is there any catch?"
"Nuh-uh," said The Hog. "But if your conscience tells you different..." she moved in close.
"Get your own man," said Catwoman, touching Batman's shoulders from behind.
"Beat me to 'im," realized The Hog. "It don't work out, offer's on the table."
"What about you?" Joey smiled at Batgirl.
"If I didn't have a BF from out of town," Batgirl confessed, "I'd be tempted."
"I'm available," said The Huntress. "Just don't call me. I'll come for you."
"Ah'd like that," grinned Joey.
The Traylors drove away. "Night vision lenses on," said Batman as he turned his on.
"Don't have that, but I do have goggles," said The Huntress. They rushed into the place.
They saw the people inside still trying to get the power back on. So Batman, Huntress, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Robin began sneak attacking and whittling down their opponents' numbers.
"Croc," shouted Falsootu. "Help!" Croc did. His superhuman strength apparently applied to his eyes and ears, which certainly explained how he could thrive in a sewer. He took turns inflicting punishment on Batman and his friends. The element of surprise was serving him well.
Knowing that Falsootu's men would soon recover and open fire, Batman acted quickly. He snatched a camera from a cameraman and flung it at Croc's head, stunning him. He was further stung by Batgrapples to the head launched by Batgirl and Robin. Catwoman then took the opportunity to knock him down with a foot sweep from behind, setting him up for a Huntress crossbow bolt to the belly, incapacitating, but thanks to his tough hide, not killing him. He was their key witness, after all.
With Croc beaten, Batman and company went back to work on Falsootu's men. Before much longer, they were finished. Batman grabbed Falsootu while the others seized Croc. Both were dragged outside.
"You can do what you want with me," said Falsootu, "But it will only make me a martyr."
"Who said anything about hurting you?" asked Batman. "Croc, were you working for him?"
"Y-yeah," said Croc.
"He's a liar," said Falsootu. "He won't outlast my lawyers."
"Second nut," said Batgirl. "A pattern."
"Better pay those slick lawyers all they're worth," warned Robin.
The Hog's perspective:
"Ah have to admit that bein' a good girl sure feels good," said The Hog to the rest of the Traylor family leadership the next day.
"Good enough to be worth giving this city up?" asked Yuji Takahan, the family accountant/lawyer.
"Ah think so," said Joey. "Losin' my Dad was bad enough. Ah ain't losin' nothin' else."
"Just one thing," The Hog said to Joey. "If The Huntress really does become your girlfriend, you tell me about every contact from now on. She ain't like Little Bat. She's killed."
"Ah'm a grown man now, Aunt Becky," said Joey.
"Just bein' a good Aunt," smiled The Hog.
Johnny's perspective:
Johnny and Frankie were common police officers. James Gordon was Commissioner again. He had rehired Captain Marc Freeman and Lieutenants Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya for having courageously gone behind a corrupt mayor's back. Johnny felt terrible because he and Frankie had known what Falsootu was doing to Gordon and The Batman was not right but said nothing.
"We shouldn't have gone along with it," Johnny said to Frankie.
"I know," agreed Frankie.
"Will they ever forgive us?"
"I sure hope so. Doubt they'll forgive the civilians who bought into the scam artist we used to call Mayor, but in any case, Gordon, Freeman, Bullock, and Montoya will always lead us. Because they're people of honor."
Johnny nodded. No one would have blamed those people for walking away from Gotham, but they had not. "Amen."
Bruce's perspective:
This meeting between crimefighters at Wayne Manor was a very happy one. Falsootu had resigned. He claimed to have neglected his family and was going to focus on it for the rest of his life.
"I love winning," said Selina.
"He's not getting what he deserves though," said Tim. "Not after he pal'ed around with crazy criminals."
"And Franklyn apparently won't charge him now that he's resigned," added Barbara. "Politicians."
"I'll take it," said Bruce. "The important thing is, we no longer have to worry about the police. Organized crime may be dead, too, if the Traylors were telling the truth."
"Can we trust them?" asked Barbara.
"I changed," said Selina. "You never know."
"Indeed," agreed Bruce. "The only major threats against Gotham are likely to be the archcriminals of Arkham. We must keep a watchful eye out for..."
Bruce noticed the Batsignal outside.
"Thought I might never see that thing," smiled Tim.
"Let's show everyone that there are no hard feelings," said Barbara.
Bruce nodded in agreement.
And this concludes the story. I hope you have enjoyed Enemy of Gotham and the Defender of Gotham series that came before it. Goodbye, adios, and au revoir!