The ride to Arkham wasn't particularly long, but it did offer some time to think and talk, at least in a manner of speaking. What is this city like? Oscar mentally asked after a few minutes of driving. You said before that this world doesn't have any Grimm, that there aren't even Faunus here. So that means no White Fang, right? So why does Gotham feel even more- well, depressing than Mantle?
Like I said, just because Grimm or the White Fang aren't part of this planet -which is called Earth, by the way- doesn't mean that it still possesses threats. Ozpin explained. Before I first arrived here, Gotham seemed to be suffering under a perpetual crime wave. Gangs were constantly rising up and in conflict with each other, the police were largely corrupt or ill-equipped to deal with them, and the average citizen lived in perpetual, practically resigned terror that any day might be their last. Do you remember the name of that alley we landed in?
Yeah, Crime Alley, right? Wait, was that the spot where you came to Gotham? They were now driving through densely packed woods. Two road signs could be seen on the side, respectively reading, "ARKHAM," and, "HITCHHIKERS MAY BE ESCAPING PATIENTS." Reassuring. A tall tower could barely be seen in the distance, but the twisted, dead-looking trees blocked most of the view. The rain wasn't helping much either.
Actually, no. My first view of Gotham came through the Bowery, a neighborhood bordered by Crime Alley to the north. Frankly, your reception was a bit tamer than the one I received; I accidently interrupted a drug deal, and the gentlemen mistook me for some sort of rich snob who had lost his way.
Oscar smirked a little at the thought. Something tells me they regretted that.
Oh, they did. Oz briefly gave an embarrassed chuckle. Though I gave them a harsher beating than I had intended because I expected them to have unlocked their Auras. But I digress. Crime Alley's original name was Park Row, however the people renamed it due to it being a place where many terrible crimes were committed. Ironically, one such tragedy on its pavement birthed this city's greatest protector.
This Batman guy you want to meet? The teen frowned in confusion. Is he some kind of Huntsman or whatever Earth has for Huntsmen?
Nothing so official, at least when we first met. He could best be described as a vigilante; one the police were not fond of. At least their opinion seems to have softened a bit, if they are letting him transport criminals to an asylum.
Can we trust him?
I should think so, though time has obviously passed here in my absence. He was a stoic, stubborn one, with difficulty trusting others, but his devotion to his self-imposed mission was unrivalled, and he would never stand by if an innocent was in danger.
No wonder you like him so much, Oscar joked before noticing a change in the ride. The car sped under a wide arch with winged, hooded females holding lanterns and the words "ARKHAM ASYLUM" emblazoned on top. From the window he could see them driving on a bridge to an island just off the mainland. The tower he saw from before was equipped with a clock and positioned behind a cluster of buildings. Lights lit up the entire complex, and even from a distance, Oscar could see people moving to and from different spots. He finally asked, So, what do you know about this place?
Not much. The asylum was built many years ago, by an Amadeus Arkham, I believe. It was long since abandoned and not operational by the time I arrived, so I didn't need to learn much about it, other than it having a rather unsettling history which I'd rather not tell you. It seems someone decided to have it reopened. I can't really decide whether that is a good development or a disturbing one.
Personally, I'd go with "disturbing," Oscar mumbled in his thoughts as the squad car pulled up to a large building. Richards led him out of the backseat, and the thickly locked gate automatically opened for them to enter. Inside, a broad corridor led to a steel door where the sign above read, ARKHAM ASYLUM INTENSIVE TREATMENT. A group of heavily armored officers were on standby, positioned on opposite sides and rifles at the ready. Oscar flinched for a moment, not sure if he would survive a shootout with them, before feeling a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax," McQueen said reassuringly, "these guys aren't meant for you." Sure enough, the guns weren't trained on him. Everyone here did seem on edge, though, including the middle-aged, bespectacled man standing in front of the door at the end of the corridor. He was of slightly less-than-average height with a bit of a bulging stomach, dressed in a dark-blue pinstripe suit with a red tie and a red flower fixed to his right lapel. His hand clutched a long cane with a ruby attached to the top. It's most probably fake, Ozpin told his protégé, who upon seeing it, briefly wondered how Ruby and their friends were doing. We will see them again, Oscar. That I promise you.
Thanks, Oscar sent back just as they reached the man. He in turn eyed the teenager with an unimpressed look behind his glasses. Turning to the officers, he asked, "Officers, why are you bringing a child here?"
Oscar looking down at all the attention, Richards spoke up. "A nurse called the police from Dr. Thompkins' clinic, warden Sharpe, sir. She saw a group of thugs ganging up on this kid just inside Crime Alley. My partner and I were closest, so we drove over as fast as we could."
Sharpe's lip twitched. "That alley is nothing more than a magnet for criminal filth. Just what were they trying to do to the boy?"
"They couldn't do anything, warden." McQueen replied. "When we got there, he was the only one standing." Sharpe blinked in surprise at that, and he looked at Oscar again, this time studying his combat outfit. "Said he was only fighting back."
The guard who'd been standing behind the warden snorted and stepped within Oscar's line of sight. He was bigger than the warden and clad in full gear, except for the helmet; without it, the nasty scar over his left white eye was visible. "You're telling me this squirt beat up a couple of grownups? Either they were total pussies, or we've got another vigilante in front of us." Oscar almost glared at the man; his voice stank of mockery and alcohol. The latter reminded him (and Ozpin) of their friend Qrow, who had tended to take regular swigs from his flask. This trait had only gotten worse when his trust in Oz had been shattered, and it had taken a severe scolding from his own niece for the Huntsman to snap out of it. Ozpin's shame over the memory of him lashing out threatened to swamp Oscar's head.
I should've tried to dissuade him from alcoholism, but I didn't think I had any right to judge, given my own relationship with that habit.
Take it easy, Oz, Oscar tried to comfort him. Qrow's been strong these few months with giving up drinking; Ruby and Yang told me they hadn't seen him touch a drop of the stuff.
The old professor breathed a sigh of relief. That's good to hear; he's a better man than he gives himself credit. Any further Oz-to-Os discussion was halted, though, due to Oscar focusing on the talk in front of him.
"-enough, Officer Boles!" Sharpe said – well, sharply. "You can ask Batman himself about this child's status when he arrives with that piece of scum!" At this, everyone tensed at who the warden meant. Even Ozpin seemed on edge.
Just then, the doors to the courtyard opened again. Oscar turned around to stare at two men in the rain outside, both of which he'd never seen before and yet seemed familiar.
One of them was tall and well-built, clad in black-and-gray armor and a cowl over the upper half of his face while the lower was set in an apparently permanent frown. Large, spiked gauntlets covered his forearms while the only color came from an oversized golden belt carrying multiple pouches. Pointed ears were mounted on top of the cowl, and a pitch-black cape rippled in the air currents. By usual standards, the costume should've been ridiculous, but somehow, this man channeled an aura of fear and respect. Is… Is he the Batman? Oscar asked mentally in awe. I mean, the one you remember?
I'm positive, Ozpin answered in an almost nostalgic tone. His suit has changed -much less armor now- but he is the same man I met eight years ago. Oscar felt flashes of memories -deflecting some sort of bat-shaped projectile, arguing with a younger-looking man in a bulkier batsuit(?), shaking hands goodbye with that same person- before a laugh that chilled his spine echoed through the hall.
He finally looked at the other man who'd been kneeling handcuffed when Oscar first saw him. This one was skinny, in an old-fashioned purple pinstripe suit and orange waistcoat that looked filthy. But what really scared the young hero was the face; skin white as bone, green hair that looked sickly, a giant grin pronounced by red makeup (that looked a little too much like blood for Oscar's liking) and his pointed chin under narrow jawlines. And the eyes, oh gods, the eyes! They blazed green with madness and promises of violence, as if this man had been born just to bring about chaos. Oscar wanted to look away but was too scared not to, like he'd die if he lost sight of whoever he was. Who is this guy? He whispered to Ozpin.
That, and the boy had never heard such venom in Ozpin's voice before, is the Joker. Be on your guard. More memories came; that same face, younger-looking but filled with the same malevolence, leaning in too close for comfort; wrenching aside his arm that was trying to jab a knife into his neck; striking him multiple times with his cane; and all the while, that laughter… I'm sorry, Oz suddenly said, this time apologetic and with a marked effort to sound calmer. I didn't mean to show you all that at once. Our meetings were… violent, to say the least.
Oscar nodded subtly, shuddering both at the memories and at the man in front of him. Back on Remnant, even the Grimm would probably be terrified of him. He continued to giggle even as Batman forced him to his feet and pushed him towards them. All the while, the guards tracked him with his rifles while Richards and McQueen's hands stayed close to their pistols. Not that Joker seemed to care; his smile didn't even falter as he casually said, "Hey, Sharpie… Love what you've done with the place!" He then eyed Oscar who reflexively took a step back. "Ooh, is it 'Bring Little Boys and Girls to The Asylum' Day already? I must've missed the memo!" Batman pulled him back forcefully.
Sharpe scowled. "That's WARDEN Sharpe to you!" He turned to the scarred guard and nodded his head towards the clown. "Boles!" He in turn marched up to the Joker.
"Yo, Frank-ay. How's the wife and kids? Ya miss me?"
"Shut it, clown!" Boles grabbed him by the green bowtie and pulled him in close, snarling, "A lot of people here really want to talk to you." He then dragged the still-laughing Joker towards a table equipped with leather straps that another guard was wheeling over. The two immediately began uncuffing him and strapping him against the table, despite his protests.
"Really! I don't mind walking!"
"Yeah, but we mind…" Oscar muttered before freezing as Batman stepped closer to him. At such a distance, he felt even more impressed. It was most likely because of the eyes, which he could see more clearly now; barely visible underneath his mask, they were the color of cold steel and shined with intelligence and a kind of determination that rivaled, probably eclipsed, that of Ironwood, Ruby, Hazel or anyone else he'd met in his life.
The vigilante in turn studied him closely. "What's a boy doing here?" He finally asked, a dark growl that almost made Oscar jump. "Who is he?" The teen heard his "partner" humming in thought.
His voice sounds much more guttural than I remember. Oscar had to bite his lip to keep himself from laughing at the comment; it was so out of the blue! Ozpin!
Sorry, sorry. Merely an observation. In the meantime, the officers that had brought him here were filling Batman in how they came across him.
"Called himself 'Oscar Pine'. We wanted to bring him to the commissioner in case he was one of your new sidekicks or something." McQueen finished. She then pulled out the Long Memory from her belt and held it out. "He was carrying this, too."
It was hard to tell with the cowl, but Oscar could've sworn Batman's eyes widened in slight surprise when he saw the handle. Carefully taking it out of her hand, he turned it over, analyzing every detail of its design. Think he recognizes it? Oscar asked Ozpin.
It seems that way, but I think you shouldn't let me come out right now. Not when we're in an institution meant for treating people deemed mentally unstable, and not when the Joker is within earshot. Oscar subtly nodded at the advice; if Atlas had taught him anything, it's that there was a time and place for the truth. Batman will want answers, though. So be ready.
After a few more seconds, Batman calmly attached the Long Memory to the back of his belt and turned to the officers. "I'm heading to Gordon so I can keep an eye on Joker. He'll come with me." He told them, nodding to Oscar, who shyly nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Joker was almost fully locked up. "What, no leather for ages 18 and under? Sorry, kiddo, you might have to share with me!" The final strap was then tightened, cutting off his laugh. "Not so tight, boys, you'll crease the suit!" He then giggled again.
Sharpe turned up his nose in disgust. "Get that filthy degenerate out of here."
Batman turned to him, "Warden, something's not right. I'm going with him." As the doors opened and a cackling Joker was carted through, cameras tracking him, Batman lightly tapped Oscar's shoulder and said in an unexpectedly gentler tone, "Oscar, right? Stay close to me for now. We'll talk about this," indicating his cane, "later." Oscar nodded, a little more at ease, and walked two steps ahead of him through the open doorway. As they walked, Batman briefly addressed a bald guard standing watch. "Is Commissioner Gordon here yet?"
"Yes, sir," the guard affirmed. "he's, err, waiting for you down at Patient Handover. He got here just before you did."
All the while, Joker kept up a running commentary. "Sharpie LOVES his cameras. Hey, Sharpie! You getting my good side? Aw, but heck, they're all good, aren't they? C'mon, smile, Greenlee! You know you're never fully dressed without one!" A brief chuckle, then, "Why, these folks just might arrest you for partial nudity!" Oscar shuddered a bit at the taunts. Don't let him get to you, Oscar. Oz's voice and Batman's presence calmed him.
Sharpe had been walking to the right of the two, barking orders. "I want him securely locked away this time. Another escape and I will lose support for my mayoral campaign."
Hearing this, Oscar managed to reduce a full roll of the eyes to a brief interest in the floor. Politics had caused a good amount of trouble back in Atlas; Weiss' father Jacques had been willing to agree to anything just to get a seat on the Council, and look how that had turned out; Tyrian Callows slaughtering innocent people at a celebration, Robyn Hill going full vigilante, Jacques himself being arrested by his own daughter for treason and as an accessory to murder, and Doctor Watts nearly letting Mantle freeze to death (assuming the Grimm didn't kill them first). And it looks like this warden wasn't much better.
"Don't worry, warden. I have every available guard stationed here today, sir." The guard previously spoken to assured as the group (minus Sharpe and the guard) stepped onto a small elevator. As it took them down, Oscar could just make out Sharpe's reply.
"I hope it's enough, Officer North. For your sake." Oscar frowned at the comment but continued walking with the rest. "Joker is our most challenging patient. Curing him will cement my reputation. Inform Dr. Young her patient…" By that point, he was too far way to hear properly. Along the way, Ozpin's voice spoke up again.
Sharpe… ah, now I remember reading about him in an article. He was already an active politician during my time, looking for support. If I were to guess, he may have renovated this institute and was appointed its warden as a PR move. An unusual strategy to become mayor, but, well, not the strangest plan I've heard of. "Look at all this security. How's a guy supposed to break out of here?"
How do you know he built this place back up? An electronic voice broadcasted, "New patient in the Intensive Treatment lobby. All non-essential staff vacate the area."
How else could someone like him become a warden for an asylum specializing in criminally insane? From his behavior, I doubt he is a pioneer in neurological science or the like.
Good point. Oscar then briefly looked up to Batman as Joker and the guards around him walked into a small metal tunnel. Batman followed them, eyes never leaving his enemy, so Oscar followed too, albeit more nervously.
"It's always nice to return to my sweet little ha-ha-hacienda." Joker giggled as steam wafted over the group before they entered a section where scanners surrounded them. Outside, Oscar could hear a deep voice say, "Tunnel's full. Start the scan."
"Scan initializing." And a ring of devices swept over them, light-blue light emanating from them as they shifted position.
"Y'know what?" the lunatic began, "I preferred the good ole cavity search. Much more personal." Suddenly, the scanners flashed red and a beeping started.
"Got a red light! Multiple prohibited items."
"I want Joker searched again!" The deep one ordered.
"Errr, it's not the patient. It's, err…" And Oscar couldn't help but look at Batman eyebrow raised despite the tension.
Joker, having come to the same conclusion, taunted, "Ooohh, watcha sneak in with you, Bats? C'mon, tell me, tell me! Batarangs, Batclaws? Ooh, Bat-snacks?" He then fixed on Oscar. "Or maybe our lil' leprechaun's hidden a pot o' gold on him somewhere? Guess that coat of yours is bigger than it looks!"
"Scan's green on Joker."
"Open the gate. Get him out of there!" The gate in front lowered into the ground, and as they moved out of the tunnel, a dark-skinned man (with a hook for a hand, Oscar noticed) ordered in the deep voice he'd heard during the scan. "I want weapons trained on him at all times. Do not let him out of your sight." Oscar was a bit impressed, though; the hook didn't seem to hamper the guy from holding his rifle, and he didn't look scared. Cautious, but not scared.
"There'll be time enough for you later, Cash…" Joker told the guard in a darker tone than before. "Speaking of which, tick tock tick tock… is that a crocodile I hear?" Cash only growled as the crazed man was led away laughing.
Despite his rising anxiety over the whole thing, Oscar for his part was confused. Crocodile? What, is this place an asylum or a zoo?! He thought in light exasperation as they walked through an automatically opening door on the right; they also passed a dark-haired woman wearing a medical coat with a clipboard retreating behind a pair of guards. She looked more than just a little nervous; then again, she was probably scared of Joker.
I only met one "crocodile" while here, and it wasn't a friendly encounter. Ozpin replied as the Joker leered at the nearby woman. "What's up, doc?" He said in a joking tone. "Pencil me in for tomorrow at four. We've got a lot of catching up to do." Neither one in Oscar's mind liked the shift in tone of that last part.
Nevertheless, the group continued onward, passing cells which had glowing bars in front that crackled with electricity. Large steel beams were fastened across the ceiling and to thick pillars that went to the floor. Old-fashioned prison bars made up most of the left wall. Screens mounted in upper corners started playing some sort of video of warden Sharpe, basically a "Welcome to Arkham Asylum" introduction.
Naturally, Joker started mocking it, "Oooh, it's my favorite show. 'I'm Warden Idiot, you'll never escape!'" even faking a stupid accent. At the same time, Oscar noticed guards escorting a group of men wearing what looked like prison fatigues on the other side of the bars. As soon as they saw Joker, they got excited and started shouting things.
"Hey look, it's Joker!" "Joker, Joker, Joker!" "Hear about Blackgate, boss?" "Shaddup!" "See you soon, boss!"
Oscar eyed them apprehensively in the midst of all this and finally asked Batman, "Who are they?"
"Some of Joker's goons, temporarily transferred here from Blackgate."
Ozpin spoke up at that. Blackgate was a state penitentiary, supposedly the most secure in Gotham.
Supposedly?
The warden and guards there had been taking bribes, and as for security, the first time Batman captured Joker, he was sent to Blackgate. Less than two hours later, a riot broke out and Batman needed to stop him again.
I'm guessing you helped him both times.
Only a little. Having watched them get led away, Joker took on a mockingly concerned tone for his next words. "I'm telling you, the state of the wiring in these federal facilities is shocking. My boys over there could've been hurt in that… unfortunate fire." Oscar perked up at that. Fire? At a prison? Right before their boss was caught? No way that was a coincidence. Nothing's ever simple with the Joker, Ozpin agreed darkly.
Just before they reached the end of the hallway, the convoy briefly stopped by a bearded man in green scrubs. "Just gotta check your prisoner, Officer Boles." He explained in a matter-of-fact way.
"Whatever, just be quick!"
"Only following procedure," the medic said apologetically as he stepped closer to the stretcher, clipboard at the ready. While the Joker stayed still and (for once) quiet, he examined the criminal's body, murmuring, "Patient seems to be in satisfactory condition. Looks like he suffered minor lacerations, probably in the last two hours. There seems to be…" only for Joker to suddenly shout, "BOO!" causing the medic, Oscar, the guards and Boles to jump back. Only Batman remained unfazed, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder to steady him.
The mad clown roared with laughter at his little prank. "Need to take my temperature? I'd be happy to drop my pants." Bile rose in Oscar's stomach at that charming thought.
The medic, trying to regain his composure, said angrily, "He's all yours. Get him out of here." And with a wave dismissing them, the door electronically opened, letting the Joker be wheeled through. Following him, Oscar found himself with Batman and the guards in a much wider room with more cells on the right and steel beams crisscrossing a good part of the room. It almost looked like a shelter for Grimm attack that Oscar had once visited. More armored guards were already there, training their rifles on the big elevator in front of them.
"Alert in Intensive Treatment." The broadcasting voice announced. "Category 9 Patient in transit. Pacification system active. Shoot-to-kill permission granted." The teen was shocked yet again. Pacification sounded reasonable enough, but shoot-to-kill permission? What kind of inmate was being moved here? Even Oz didn't seem to know. At first.
"You heard the lady! We've got another psycho on the way." said the guard in the lead as an elevator could be heard coming up. Sparks were flying from the wheels due to the weight of its occupant. A low growling could be heard.
"Can you smell the excitement in the air? No? Huh, must've been one of the guards, then." Joker rambled before promptly twisting his back as far to the left as he could in his restraints. "Croc Ol' Boy! Is that you?"
Croc? Ozpin sounded a bit nervous as they saw the elevator lock into position, its doors open, and the very big passenger duck its head to step out. Ah. I'm seeing quite a few familiar faces now. Sadly, this is not a friendly one. Oscar could only stare in horror as he took in the full sight of the creature stomping into full view. Floodlights activating helped him better see its features. Unfortunately.
"Get ready!" one guard said, priming his gun. "Keep your weapons trained on it at all times!" Another commented on how angry it looked.
It looked like a cross between a big man and a crocodile, standing just under 11 feet tall and bulging with muscles. Both the monster's hands and webbed feet ended in talons that looked as sharp as the rows of jagged teeth that its mouth showed. Green scales covered every part of his bare-chested body, while the only clothing it wore was a pair of oversized prison pants, thick chains wrapped around its wrists, and a blue-glowing collar, with another chain hanging off it, around its neck. Oscar couldn't think of a single Faunus that looked nearly as scary as this thing (deep down, a part of him was secretly glad that Blake wasn't here to take offense at the thought). Even some of the Grimm looked cuddly in comparison.
It rose to its full height and started sniffing the air for a second before noticing Batman in the room. Somebody wondered what it was doing when the beast turned to fully face them, yellow eyes full of hatred, and worse, hunger…
And spoke.
"I've got your scent, Batman," a voice more akin to that of a monster than a man or even an animal growled. "I will hunt you down."
"Fire up the collar! Get that animal under control!" The collar sparked with electricity, forcing the thing to twitch and instinctively reach for its neck while rumbling in pain. After a moment, the machine shut off. "Get him out of here! NOW!"
"A toy collar won't stop me from killing you, Batman." It warned the hero as it reluctantly trudged towards the door on its right. "I'll rip you apart. Eat your bones."
But then it stopped and sniffed the air again. It almost sounded surprised when it said, "Wait. I know that smell. It's faint, but… he's here?!" The beast reared back and released a primal roar that shook the room. "THAT GREEN BASTARD IS HERE?! WHERE IS HE?"It rounded, eyes blazing, back towards Batman and Oscar, the former standing protectively in front of the petrified latter. "WHERE ARE YOU HIDING HIM, BATMAN?! I'LL FEAST ON HIS INSIDES AND PICK MY TEETH WITH HIS DAMN CA-" The collar activating again cut off its tirade and forced it to walk through the door, growling all the while. Both the guards and Oscar stood in frightened shock for a while at the outburst, before the guards rallied themselves and hurried after it.
Only Batman and the Joker seemed unfazed. Joker simply giggled, "That reminds me; I really need to me some new shoes." wiggling his feet for emphasis. He then turned to a still frozen Oscar. "What about you, kiddo? A second coat made of leather can only improve your image!" The boy was still too numb from the ordeal to answer as Joker's escort moved him towards the elevator. A gentle squeeze on his shoulder made him look up to see Batman watching him with a hint of concern.
"Are you all right?" Oscar took a moment before nodding, then they slowly walked together to join the others. On the way, Batman explained, "His birth name is Waylon Jones, but most refer to him as Killer Croc. He was born with a rare genetic disease that manifested in making look more reptilian over the course of his life."
Oscar briefly asked, "S-so, he wasn't always like… that?" The older man shook his head.
"Bullied by others, Jones turned to crime as a hired thug before succumbing to his instincts. He's been arrested for multiple counts of murder and cannibalism." Noticing Oscar look a little sick at the last part, he added, "They know how to deal with him here."
The young mage nodded in thanks for the indirect assurance, and his predecessor's voice took over. He looked and acted slightly less bestial when we first met on Blackgate's roof. Though I was forced to crack some of his ribs -and dislocate an arm- when he tried to bite off my head. The memory briefly popped up, then faded away again.
"You don't suppose he's holding a grudge?" Oscar sarcastically whispered, earning him a mental laugh and relaxing some of the tension. Not noticing Batman had heard him, he kept whispering, "But why did he think you were here?"
It must've been my cane; I've held it for so long it's bound to still carry a trace of my scent. Croc's animalism increased his sense of smell, so it wouldn't be impossible for him to notice.
By this time, they were all in the elevator, and the door slid into place behind the two. A man outside shouted, "Hold tight!" and they began descending.
Joker was still in good spirits. "Whee! Great night for a party!" He excitedly said, moving his head this way and that.
"Not where you're going." Batman by contrast was calm and still as a statue.
But the clown simply laughed. "The night is young, Bats. I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. I mean, don't you think it's a little bit funny how a fire at Blackgate caused hundreds of my crew to be moved here?" More giggles added to Oscar's worry. This man was planning something; he knew it, Oz knew it, and they were both sure Batman knew it.
"I thought I told you to stay quiet!" Boles interjected, disrupting their thoughts.
"Oh, Frankie," the Joker replied in a snarl with little humor, "You should really learn to keep that fat mouth of yours shut. It'll get you into trouble."
"Tell me something," Batman continued undaunted, "You've never let me catch you this easily. (Holding a city mayor hostage is easy?! thought Oscar) What are you really after?"
"Oh, nothing much. Hundreds dying in pain and fear. All their meaningless lives brought to a horrifying conclusion. All thanks to you and a book of matches. Was that the answer you wanted?"
Oscar couldn't stop himself. "What kind of monster are you?" He asked in disgust, just as the screen on the elevator's wall started playing another recording of Sharpe related to the Blackgate arrivals.
Joker turned his attention to the boy, his grin turning predatory. "Oh, you shouldn't use such language in public. And for the record, betcha your opinion of me would change," he leaned as far as his restraints would let him, making Oscar making back away, "If we got to know each other. Why, I'm starting to think you've got a few secrets of your own dancing around in that tiny head. Maybe we should take a closer look." Then the power in the cell went out, including the lights, and Joker laughed again. Pressing himself against the bars behind him, Oscar instinctively reached for the Long Memory, only to remember Batman had it.
"What's he doin'?" "Stay where you are!" "Get a flashlight! Get a light on him!" The guards were panicking, too, and then Joker's laughter turned to choked gurgling. Oscar fought down his panic with Ozpin's encouragement and settled into alertness just as the lights came back on for him to see Batman keeping a tight grip on the situation; and around Joker's throat. He hadn't even noticed the Dark Knight move from his spot.
The elevator started up again, the recording picked up where it had left off, and everything else seemed in order. The guards relaxed as well. "What?" Joker gasped through his choked throat. "Don't you trust me?" Batman simply forced his head back against the bed and briefly turned to Oscar, a question in his eyes. Oscar nodding that he was okay (and mentally assuring Oz as well) was enough for him to focus back on the crazed killer.
The elevator came to a stop, and the doors that led forward opened. "Our 'guest' has arrived," a guard on the outside announced as he was wheeled out. The speakers stated, "Intensive Treatment lower floors are now at Level Red Alpha."
The new guard walked alongside Oscar and Batman glaring at his "guest". "So you're back," he said. "You killed three of my crew when you busted outta here."
"Only three?" Joker laughed. "I'll be sure to try harder next time. What say we aim for a hundred!" Oscar wasn't sure what he felt more: sympathy for the guard, or disgust at this man.
Who says it needs to be either or? Ozpin said, clearly not happy himself. But at the end, they simply continued at the same pace onward, through the corridors, passing cells left and right until a desk on the left came into view. It was overflowing with stacks of paper, and another man in a waistcoat, dark pants, and a shoulder holster was writing something on a pad before turning around to see them. His face was covered in wrinkles and wearing square-rimmed glasses, and his hair was almost completely grey with flecks of red here and there, but he looked to be a kind, honest man. Ozpin's spirits lifted upon seeing him. Gordon… he looks as if he's aged at least a decade, but I never forget a face. And this is one that I'm happy to see.
You make him sound like a good friend. Oscar thought, smiling in greeting at the man as the guards moved to hand over Joker. Gordon returned it before finishing his paperwork.
We weren't at first, but that was mostly due to circumstances. James Gordon was a rare breed; a completely honest policeman in a time when the GCPD was corrupt to the core. He already had a trying time with both lawbreakers and co-workers, and frankly, no law enforcement enjoys having to deal with vigilantism. But I shouldn't be surprised he rose to Commissioner. He was wasted as a mere detective captain.
Batman had meanwhile walked over to the commissioner. "Long night, Jim?" He asked lightly teasingly.
Gordon barked a laugh while meeting the hero halfway. The two shook hands as Gordon listed off, "Joker invades City Hall and holds the Mayor hostage, leaving it to me to juggle SWAT teams, the media, and you. Yeah, it's been a helluva night."
"Hopefully the last one we'll ever have with him." The two followed the guards and Joker, Oscar in turn followed the two. They both slowed down a bit to let him walk between them.
"So, your name's Oscar, right?" Gordon asked him with a welcoming smile as he caught up. He then laughed. "Officer Richards told me about how he thinks you took down a half-dozen of Penguin's thugs all by yourself."
Oscar blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "S-sorry, I heard you don't appreciate vigilante acts that much. I-I was just defending myself."
"Ha! I can count on one hand the number of times someone apologized for doing a stunt like that. A nice change. You could learn a thing from him, Batman." The addressed merely grunted. "But seeing as you didn't deny it, looks like Richards didn't knock back too many shots for once. Good guy, but a drinker." Gordon shook his head but didn't lose the smile. Instead, he turned to Batman. "I take it he's not the next Robin?"
Batman simply shook his head and said quietly, "Joker first. Then Oscar."
The bed was brought to a halt before one final guard and a doctor standing in front of an electric gate. As the Joker was unlatched from the bed, the guard held up a hand. "Hold it right there! Sorry, Batman, Arkham staff only."
James spoke up in defense (a welcome change from their previous dynamic, Oz noted), "I assure you, if anyone's qualified, it's…"
"L-listen, I appreciate the assistance," the guard hastily explained, "but he'll unsettle the more violent inmates."
Passing them now in handcuffs, Joker cackled in Batman's face while Boles pulled him along. "I think he's talking about you, Bats! Or maybe your new sidekick!" He continued taunting as the gate powered down and the guard and doctor forced him to move. "Don't be a stranger. You're always welcome here. Gotta say, it's to be back!"
As they watched him get dragged laughing away, Gordon asked Batman, "You okay?"
"He surrendered almost without a fight. I don't like it."
"At least he's back where he belongs." The three moved to the observation window, Gordon gesturing to Oscar. "So what's your story?"
Batman simply pulled out Oscar's cane, and Gordon froze at the sight of it. After a moment of stunned silence, he took it and slowly turned it every different way, just like the caped man had done when he first saw it. Batman focused on the Joker below as Gordon continued. Squeezing the lever, he jumped a bit when the stick part fully extended, then examined that as well. "Oz…" The old lawman whispered before releasing a small chuckle. "He once pointed this thing at me tip-first. No way I'd forget it."
To be fair, Ozpin mock-protested (not that anyone but Oscar could hear it),you were pointing a loaded gun at me, James. Oscar couldn't stop the snort and apologized embarrassed when the two looked at him.
Turning back to the Long Memory, Gordon squeezed the lever again, letting it collapse into the handle. "If it's a fake, I'll quit smoking. Where'd you find it?" he finally asked.
"Oscar had it when your officers met him." Batman answered as the two men focused on the boy before them. Oscar fidgeted at the attention but managed to return their gazes. "This cane," he began, "belonged to someone who helped both of us a long time ago. He convinced us to work together to stop that madman I brought in tonight. In fact, if it weren't for him, neither of us would still be alive.
"Oscar, what do you kn- "before a cry from the hall interrupted him and caught all their attention. In a flash, Batman was back at the window.
Joker had wrapped his handcuffs around the guard's neck and was strangling him. "Hurry, we're losing him, doc!" As the doctor ran over to unlock the cuffs in a desperate attempt to save his colleague's life, Batman quickly told Gordon, "Joker's loose! Alert the warden!" before punching the observation glass hard enough to punch it. He then took a few steps back, but Oscar saw it was too late; the clown's bonds were unlocked, and he tossed aside the guard's limp body and kicked the doctor to the ground. Taking a moment to bend over the guard and whisper something in his ear, he then did a little dance in the room, laughing all the while, before pointing at the door leading further into the asylum and looking up at a camera. Joker's next words were in singsong. "Honey, I'm home." And the electric gate shut down. He has an accomplice! Oscar realized as Batman leaped against the glass, shattering it, and landed in the room a split-second after Joker ran through the gate. The barrier returned, preventing the caped man from following him.
"Welcome to the madhouse, Batman!" the Joker pronounced spreading his arms. "I set a trap, and you sprang it gloriously!" More cells unlocked, and five thugs circled Batman. "Now, let's get this party started." Shocked by everything that had transpired in the last few seconds, Oscar could only stare at first. Then he felt a psychic nudge.
Oscar, Oz' voice echoed in his head. I won't take control. What do you want to do? After another look around, Oscar saw his cane still in the commissioner's hands and made his decision.
The perp in front of Batman went for a right hook, but took a straight punch to the face, leaving him stumbling back as his target whirled around to roundhouse-kick another to his left. Batman jabbed twice in a third's gut before knocking him to the floor with an uppercut.
Meanwhile, "Ladies and maniacs," Joker broadcast his voice over the intercom while watching from an observation box, "I apologize for this interruption to your regular entertainment. Up until a few seconds ago, I was going to kill everyone in the room and then watch cartoons, but then… well… you know how I do love a captive audience."
Batman grabbed the leg of a moron kicking at him and brought his elbow down on it hard. A nasty crack! was heard as the thug fell screaming and clutching his leg in pain. Batman then flipped over another charging him and, upon landing, kicked him in the back. While the goon sprawled on the ground, Batman beat down a friend of his with a flurry of punches before jumping on him before he could get up. Straddling him, a punch to the back of the skull was all that was needed to send him into unconsciousness.
The final thug had gone for the downed guard's baton and activated it, letting electricity dance around its tip. Just as Batman was reaching for a batarang, something small and green tackled the thug, making him lose his grip on the baton. Oscar rolled to his feet and swung two-handed with the Long Memory fully extended, smacking it into the bigger man's cheek and making him fall spinning to the floor.
The teen took a moment to check he was down, then turned to see the Batman watching him, batarang ready to be thrown. "Oohoho, Greenlee's got spunk!" Joker cackled from his perch before changing to a thoughtful tone. "Gotta say though, that stick looks familiar… anyways, I'm just warming you two up, Bats." More guards ran into the room, fists up and eager for a fight. "Fresh from Blackgate Correctional Facility, with a consecutive sentence of 923 years; ding ding ding ding ding! It's rooound two!" Calmly appraising his foes, Batman shot a look at Oscar gently leading the terrified doctor, who'd just regained consciousness, to a corner for protection. The two traded nods, then waded into the masses.
Batman hurled the batarang he'd been holding at a thug's head, making him stumble into another. He then dodged one goon's swing and drove his elbow into another before kicking off them and doing a flying kick into a third. As that one fells backwards, he swung his cape into a nearby thug, disorienting him, before knocking him out with three rapid punches. As the one on the floor made a grab for him, the Dark Knight grabbed his wrist, twisted a leg around the arm, and squeezed it, breaking it. Releasing the arm, he spared a brief glance at Oscar before confronting two more; it didn't look like he needed to intervene.
The kid was making full use of his short height to evade his attackers' swings. Ducking under a clumsy punch, he jabbed his cane upwards, hitting the thug's left shoulder and pushing him off-balance. Oscar then swung at the ribs of the one behind him, but that one was ready and managed to grab the cane. He then pulled onto it, only for Oscar (Legs in and then out! Oz warned) to tuck in both legs and kick out. The brute hit the floor, loosing his grip, and Oscar stopped his own fall with one hand. He swung the other holding his cane in a low arc, sweeping the legs of two others out from under them. Back on his feet, Oscar smacked both in the heads with his weapon to keep them down.
"Sorry, Bats, gotta run! I've got places to go, and people to slay!" Joker taunted over the intercom as Batman punched out another thug. He then rolled backwards and kicked hard at the last thug who was reaching for Oscar's neck. That one crashed into an active electric gate and was zapped into unconsciousness. Catching his breath, Oscar looked around, but he and Batman were the only ones standing, and no new enemies were pouring in; a brief reprieve, Ozpin noted. Oscar nodded in agreement and went to check on the doctor.
"Are you hurt?" The doctor shook his head, but still looked worried. Oscar scanned the room for any kind of place he could be safe, but the way to Gordon was still barred.
"The system's jammed!" The commissioner reported his frustrations over the screen. "We're stuck in here. Joker's in full control of the security gates."
Batman remained calm as ever, while motioning for Oscar and the doctor to walk over. "We'll find a way out. Gordon, try and contact the warden. Let him know what's happened." He then braced his back against the wall under the shattered window and cupped his hands together. "Climb on." The doctor hesitantly did as he was told, stepping onto Batman's hands and pushing himself up onto his shoulders while Oscar braced him from behind. Gordon and another from above grabbed the man's outstretched arms and gently pulled him up, mindful of broken shards.
As soon as he was safe, the older man motioned for Oscar who shook his head after a moment of hesitation. "We don't have time to waste, do we?" he explained. "Joker needs to be stopped, and you saw I can take care of myself. Please," he held out a hand. "let me help."
Batman looked him in the eyes, probably searching for doubt, then clasped his hand and nodded. "Alright." For a second, the teen thought he could see a smirk, then it was gone. Both moved to where they could see Gordon on the screen. "We'll be back."
Then the screen flashed to show Joker running through the asylum's corridors before he stopped and pointed straight at the camera. "Don't make promises you can't keep, Bats!" he taunted. "I'm in control of the asylum. You and the runt aren't going anywhere I don't want you to. Understand?"
"If you think I'll let you run..." Batman began.
"Blah, blah, blah! Always with the hero speak! Trying to impress the kiddies following you? Feeling inspired, Greenlee? He's always liked corrupting minds at a young age." Batman's fists clenched at that. "Oh, who cares, I'm getting bored watching you two. Why don't you just come find me?" And with that, the screen shifted to its basic Arkham logo, and the gate leading into Intensive Treatment deactivated.
"You know it's a trap." Gordon wasn't asking a question.
"Of course it is."/Of course it is, Batman and Ozpin said simultaneously. Oscar tried not to laugh as Batman looked down at him. "Do as I say and keep your eyes sharp." Oscar nodded in confirmation, and the two ventured combat-ready into Arkham Asylum.
And off we go to Asylum-Town! Sorry if I'm a bit too descriptive, I'm trying to both acknowledge Batman Arkham Asylum's beauty with details and convey it through Oscar's perspective. Please let me know if I'm going overboard (but I reiterate: CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, PLEASE! No flames). I'll try to post on some regular schedule, but who knows what can happen!
Review Q&A:
*To SilentLyfe: Congratulations for being the first to review my little story, and thanks for the kudos! Oscar is one of my favorites, both together with Ozpin and separately, and I like writing about him for once.
*To Guest Isa: I agree with your assessment about Batman and his views, why is why when I first started with this idea, I found quite a few similarities between him and Ozpin in hindsight: both put on stoic faces but are very broken men underneath their masks, they keep many secrets and have strong trust issues, blame themselves for terrible events over which they had little control (both Salem's immortality and much of everything afterwards was because of Salem and the Gods' choices), and while they don't really have long-term plans for dealing with their enemies (Oz can't kill Salem, Bruce refuses to kill Joker), neither has either one stopped fighting for what's right. I could see them getting along once both have opened up. As for Oscar, he's still a bit bitter about having to deal with the fallout of Oz' secrets being exposed, plus he's afraid of being just another Ozpin, but he's a good kid and not unreasonable, and in this situation, he'll need all the help he can get. Luckily, Batman's used to sidekicks.
*To Andromeda: Thanks for the "cool" rating, and I hope you're satisfied with their meeting in this chapter.
*To MajorBrony95: Thank you for your encouragement, like I said, I've been following the Arkham/RWBY stories, and I hope I can reach your levels of storytelling. Please let me know if I've accidently stolen your ideas. Oh, and I really liked that part in your story where Ruby makes sure that the doctor is okay, so I dedicate my version to you (the window-climbing scene was the only way I could come up with to get him to safety).
*To N-Sight: Thank you for your review, I'm quite proud myself with how it's turned out. This story also lets me delve into the part that I find most fascinating about the Ozpin/Oscar relationship: the idea of a man in a cycle of death and rebirth, retaining his memories from his previous lives and merging with a boy who has similar qualities, but isn't the same person. Assuming he isn't completely subsumed, Oscar has the chance to learn from the choices (and mistakes) of his predecessors and become his own version of Ozma. And with Oz, well, who's to say he DIDN'T at some point travel to an alternate world and make friends there? So yes, in my version, Headmaster Ozpin participated in the events of Arkham Origins and had memorable encounters with Batman and quite a few of his Rogues Gallery. Now he can guide Oscar, even though his knowledge isn't complete, with some of the characters and how to deal with them. The cane they both use, as you say, is a wonderful weapon in this situation due to lack of needing Dust or having a built-in gun (which Bats would appreciate), and Oscar has grown more fluid in fighting, but he's no master combatant yet, so that part will be fun to write. The only aspect I'll hold back on is the magical one, frankly because I don't know its limits. So don't expect big wizard blasts or the like to happen regularly. As for errors, I tend to read and re-read my works to root out any mistakes I've made. And finally, Batman and Gordon both remember Oz (fondly) and realize there's more to Oscar than at first glance, but you'll have to wait and see for more.
Question to viewers: What would be a good code-name for Oscar? Batman would want to protect the kid's identity. So what would he call him? Otherwise, til next time!