*Chapter 1: Welcome to the Mad House!*

The Batmobile drove through the streets of Gotham. Batman has stopped Joker for attacking the city. The Joker invaded City Hall and holds the mayor hostage. What surprised Batman most is how easy he caught Joker. Something funny was going on. Joker may have something up in his sleeve. The steel doors open, revealing the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime. Batman lifted Joker up and walk down the corridor where Warden Quincy Sharp and the guards of the asylum wait.

"Hey Sharpie." Joker giggled as he was approached to him. "Love what you've done with the place."

"That's Warden Sharp to you." The old man said, holding the cane. He turned to the guard. "Boles!" The man walked over to the clown. He has a scar over one eye.

"Yo, Frank-ay. How's the wife and kids? Ya miss me?" Joker grinned. But Frank grabbed Joker's coat, glaring at him.

"Shut it, clown! A lot of people here really want to talk to you." He drags the Joker over to the cart.

"Really, I don't mind walking!" Joker said to the guards, but he was set on the cart. The guards strapped his wrists and ankles so he wouldn't escape. "Not so tight, boys. You'll crease the suit." He laughed.

"Get that filthy degenerate out of here." Quincy said with a look of disgust.

"Warden, something's not right. I'm going with him." Batman said as he follows the guards bringing Joker through another steel door. The Joker was pushed into a cylindrical area, guards surrounding him and Batman was trailing behind. His blue eyes focused on the Joker who kept a smile on his face, telling jokes here and there. Of course, no one was amused by him at all.

"It's always nice to return to my sweet little ha-ha-hacienda." Joker said as he was halted in the tunnel for a scan. Cash's voice could be heard outside the tunnel, ordering those to scan the tunnel. A blue colored light scanned the tunnel and the people for weapons. "You know what? I preferred the good 'ol cavity search. Much more personal." Joker said. The light turned red and the alarm sounded.

"Got a red light! Multiple prohibited items." A voice said with warning.

"I want Joker searched again!" Cash's voice said.

"Err, it's not the patient. It's, err..." The voice sounded. Joker looked at Batman with interest.

"Ooh! Whatcha sneak in with you, Bats?" He asked, chuckling. "C'mon. Tell me, tell me! Batarangs? Batclaws? Ooh, bat snacks?"

"The scan is green on Joker." One voice said.

"Open the gate! Get him out of there!" Cash's voice commanded. The gate opened. "I want weapons on him at all times. Do not let him out of your sight." The guards began pulling the cart. Joker turned to see Cash and the other guards.

"There'll be time enough later for you, Cash. Speaking of time. Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Is that a crocodile I hear?" Joker taunted. Dr. Young stood behind the other guards as she watched the Joker pulled pass her. The clown sees her and smirked. "What's up, doc? Pencil me in tomorrow at four. We have a lot of catching up to do." He said. Then, a television hanging on a wall suddenly turned on. The Warden was displayed on screen, dressed in a suit. Joker craned his neck to look at the tv. "Ooh! It's my favorite show. 'I'm Warden Idiot.' 'You'll never escape!'" Joker mocked and laughed. Again, no one was amused. On the other side of the bars creating a makeshift wall were Blackgate Prison inmates dressed in jumpsuits. They see their clown boss and chanted for him.

"Shut up!" One of the guards behind them ordered.

"We'll get you out soon, boss!" One inmate said.

"Shut it and keep moving!" The other guard barked. By another steel door was the doctor and the other guards. He is gonna check on the prisoner as ordered. He examines the Joker by holding the clipboard.

"Patient seems to be in very satisfactory condition. Looks like he suffered minor lacerations, probably in the last two hours. There seems to be..."

"Boo!" Joker screamed, then started laughing. The doctor jumped back as the guards train their guns on the laughing clown. Batman stood there not moving. "Need to take my temperature? I'd be happy to drop my pants."

"Here's all yours. Get him out of here." The doctor said, recovering from the scare. Then, the giant door slid open and the guards once pulled the Joker through.

"Alert in Intensive Treatment. Category Nine patient in transit. Pacification system active. Shoot to kill permissions granted." A female voice echoed the room. The elevator was rising up in the room. Guards were surrounding it, guns ready. The Joker grinned wider.

"Can you smell the excitement in the air? No? Hmm, must have been one of the guards then." He then craned his neck to the side, trying to see the elevator coming up. "Croc 'ol boy! Is that you?" He called out. Inside the elevator was Killer Croc. One of the most deadliest criminals Batman fought a few times before. Some people see him as a monster, others sympathy him. He had bitten off Cash's hand, making him the reason why Cash has a hook for a hand. Croc was crouching so he could fit inside the elevator.

"Get ready!" Boles said. "Keep your weapons trained on him at all times." The guards did as they are told as they aim their guns at Killer Croc. As the creature is out of the elevator, growled a bit.

"He's looks angry..." One of the guards said nervously. Croc stood up straight, he started to sniff. He caught Batman's scent and turn to him.

"What's he doing?" One guard asked. Croc took one step forward, focusing his gold eyes at the Dark Knight who stared back with no fear.

"I've got your scent, Batman. I will hunt you down." Croc growled. His teeth were baring at Batman.

"Get that animal under control!" One guard said. The collar wrapped around Croc's neck began to electrocute him. He let out a growl. "Get that thing out of here, now!"

"A toy collar won't stop me from killing you, Batman. I'll rip you apart. Eat your bones." Croc threatened as he walks away as the guards train their guns on him, following the creature. The loud footsteps start to fade away. Joker looked down at his feet.

"That reminds me. I really need to get me some new shoes." He spoke. The guards pulled the Joker and they are all in the elevator. The doors close and the elevator moved down. "Whee! Great night for a party!" Joker exclaimed.

"Not where you're going." Batman spoke.

"Haha, the night is young, Bats. I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. I mean, don't you think that it's a little bit funny how a fire at Blackgate caused hundreds of my crew to be moved here?" Joker giggled.

"I thought I told you to stay quiet!" Boles warned with a glare.

"Oh Frankie! You really should learn to keep that fat mouth of yours shut. It'll get you into trouble!" Joker growled. Batman looked at his longtime enemy. He knew something was up. Joker was hiding something.

"Tell me something. You've never let me catch you this easily. What are you really after?" Batman asked.

"Oh nothing much! Hundreds of dying in pain and fear." Joker said with a innocent shrug, grinning away. "All their meaningless lives brought to a horrifying conclusion! All thanks to you and a book of matches. Was that the answer you wanted?" Batman didn't speak when the tv suddenly came on, showing Quincy Sharp. After a few moments, the Joker suddenly started to laugh manically as the lights flickered and went out. It was so dark, no one could see a thing. Joker's laugh continued.

"What's he doing?!"

"Stay where you are!"

"Get a light on him!" The guards were talking all at once. Then, Joker's laugh stopped when he let out a choked sound. The lights went back on, and Batman's large hand wrapped around Joker's neck. Joker began to gag and lean towards Batman.

"What? Don't you trust me?" He choked. Batman threw Joker's head at the back of the cart. The elevator stopped.

"Our guest has arrived." A guard said and the doors open. The Joker pulled once again and towards another steel door.

XX

In the office, there is Jim and Mia, hearing the steel door open. The woman is wearing her nurse uniform. Her blonde hair in a ponytail, and wore flat shoes instead of high heels since she had been wandering around the place. She had been here before Joker was captured and her boss needed her help at the island. Dr. Raymond promised to pay her double. Mia hated to leave her thirteen year old son, Axel, alone at the apartment for the night, but Mia thought she could take the risk and will be back home safe and sound.
Mia turned to see the guards pull Joker and about to unstrap him from the cart. The clown sees her and gave her a smirk.

"Hellooooo nurse!" He giggled. Batman turned to see Jim and Mia. The nurse gave the Dark Knight a side smile as she was filing the papers.

"Long night, Jim?" Batman asked the commissioner.

"Heh. Joker invades City Hall and holds the mayor hostage." Jim said as he shook hands with Batman. "Leaving me to juggle SWAT teams, the media, and you. Yeah, it's been a helluva night."

"Let's hope it'll be the last." Mia spoke.

"Hold it there." An officer spoke, halting Batman and Jim. "Sorry, Batman. Arkham staff only."

"I assure you, if anyone's qualified, it's-" Jim tried to convince the officer to let Batman proceed. Mia turned away as her phone rang. She answered her phone to hear her son's voice.

"Hey, kiddo. Are you okay?" Mia asked.

"I'm fine. I thought I should check on you. You coming home soon?" Axel asked.

"I'll be leaving soon. I have to wait for my boss to finish up whatever he was doing." Mia replied. "And it's late, Axel. You should be in bed. I know you are on summer vacation and do what you want, but you shouldn't be up so late."

"I know. But, you're in Arkham. Is Batman there?"

"Yes he is. Don't worry." Mia said. "I'll be home in no time. Just make sure the door is locked and the windows." Batman walked over to her, couldn't help but to smirk. "I gotta go. Love you, Axel." Mia hung up and put her phone away.

"You should be back home yourself, Mia." Batman said. "Dr. Raymond will understand if you leave now."

"I know, but-" Mia was cut off when she noticed the Joker had begun to attack the guard by choking him with his cuffs. "Batman!" Mia gasped, pointing at the glass. Batman notices the situation.

"Joker's loose! Alert the Warden!" Batman said to Jim and the other guards. He started to punch the glass to break through since the gates are locked.

"Hurry! We're losing him doc!" Joker laughed as he chokes the guard. The doctor tried to unlock the cuffs as quick as he could. As soon as the Joker is free, he kicked the doctor away. He went over to the guard who could be unconscious or dead already. "The chokes on you." He said. The Joker started to laugh and dance. He looked up at one of the tv screens. "Honey, I'm home." He said.

"Oh no..." Mia said as the gates are unlocked. The other inmates were yelling and cheering for the Joker. Batman broke through the glass and the Joker rushed into the asylum and turn back to the Dark Knight as the gates are locked, keeping Batman away.

"Welcome to the madhouse, Batman! I set a trap, and you sprang it gloriously! Now, let's get this party started!" The cells are unlocked and the inmates ran out. Batman made a glare and started to fight each of them. Mia and Jim watched from the office through the broken window. Now Mia started to regret for not leaving this place earlier, but at the same time, she is worried of what was going to happen in this place tonight. Of all places, it had to be in the asylum.

"What do we do?" Mia asked.

"Just stay put. We'll figure something out." Jim said. After Batman fought off the inmates. "The system's jammed! We're stuck in here. Joker's in full control of the security gates." He said to the Dark Knight. Mia groaned.

"Great."

"I'll find a way out." Batman said to them. "Gordan, try and contact the Warden. Let him know what's happened. I'll be back."

"Be careful." Mia said to him. The Joker took over the tv screen, speaking to Batman.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Bats. I'm in control of the asylum. You're not going anywhere I don't want you to. Understand?" He warned. Batman glared up at the tv.

"If you think I'll let you run..."

"Blah, blah, blah!" Joker said, rolling his eyes. "Always with the hero speak. I'm getting bored watching you. Why don't you come and find me? Unless your little nurse friend wanted to join you." He giggled. Mia made a look.

"Tempting, but no." Mia said. The doorway in the asylum is unlocked.

"You know it's a trap." Jim said.

"Of course it is." Batman spoke. "You two stay together." He turned away to enter the asylum. The night in Arkham Asylum is just a beginning.