*Chapter 6: The Batcave*

"What's the deal with Dead Man's point? It's been a favorite suicide location on Arkham Island for over hundred years." Oracle spoke from the ear comm as Batman ran through the island to get to the location of the Batcave he built years ago. For any situations like this, he has backup supplies.

"Yeah. I know." Batman replied. "I once saved an unfortunate inmate from leaping off into the rocks below. I found a cave entrance and over the years have moved a number of supplies here. It's a regular home away from home." The Dark Knight reached Arkham North, running inside a cave and grappled up to get inside. As he traveled inside the old cave, his thoughts went back to Mia. Good thing she chose to go back to Gotham with Jim. No way he would let her go through with all this. Especially after Scarecrow and Bane. He didn't want to lose her. And he thought about he said to Kate back at the party. He was thinking about marrying Mia. They've been a couple for two years. But, what does this mean for Batman? Would Bruce give up a cowl if he proposes to Mia one day?

'Knowing Mia, she wouldn't want me to give up being Batman.' The man thought to himself. 'She and Axel both love Bruce and Batman.'

"Bruce, I got a incoming call from Axel. Might be urgent." Oracle spoke. Batman answered from the ear comm.

"What is it, Axel?"

"Is my mom with you? Please tell me she is." The boy asked. He sounds worried.

"She's with Gordan, coming back to Gotham. What's wrong?" Batman asked.

"I just talked to her and something must've happened to her. I heard somebody's voice and...I lost contact." Axel said. Batman sighed a bit. Something went wrong on the boat. That means Jim could be in danger.

"Don't panic. I'll find your mother." Batman said. "I'm sure she is unharmed for now."

"Okay. I believe she is. I trust you, Bats. But, is there anything I can do to help?" Axel said.

"No. Just stay where you are." Batman replied. "I'll contact you when I found her." Batman hung up. He walked towards an opening and see it was raining outside. It's going to be a long night indeed. Joker wouldn't want Mia dead tonight. Her car tires were flat, and she isn't allowed to leave the asylum. What did Joker want from her?
Batman shook those thoughts away as he jumped off the cliff and glide around the rocks to reach another cave. He landed on the ground and walk inside the dark cavern. He stood in front of the wall. A blue beam scanned him.

"Identity confirmed. Disabling countermeasures. Security deactivated."
Batman walked inside the cave and uses his voice to turn everything on. The computer is on, and the lights inside the cave. Some of the bats flew around above him as he jumped across to the platform to get to his computer.

"Dr. Young was heading up a project." Oracle spoke. "It was big, lots of external funding. Here are the last notes she filed." The computer screen showed the files of Dr. Young's project that the Joker was looking for. "I can't make sense of it. What does it mean?"

"Looks like she was experimenting on the Arkham patients. This new chemical only barely resembles the original Venom compound." Batman said. The screen shows two different DNAs of both Venom and Titan. "There are a number of changes that appear to amplify the strength of the drug. Multiple references to a Titan formula. Even a small amount could trigger a Venom-like transformation in the host, eliminating the need for the storage tank Bane requires." Batman rests his chin under his hand, looking at the computer screens. But he noticed something. "Hang on. The formula is missing! That must be the secret Dr. Young is hiding. If Joker gets his hands on this, he will create an army of a thousand Banes."

"My god! Is Joker crazy enough to do that? What am I saying? You've got to stop him!" Oracle said. Batman grabbed some equipment before leaving the Batcave. He will go after Dr. Young, but he had to find Mia. She could be held hostage somewhere on this island.

"Get off me!" Mia shouted as she was thrown down in the the cold ground of the sewers. She and Jim were separated after Joker's men took them from the boat. The nurse glared up at the men who have painted clown faces. "Where's the commissioner?" She demanded.

"None of your business, woman!" One man said. "You better play nice or else we take you to Croc!" He pointed to the right to where Killer Croc was held in. Mia gave the men a glare, not showing her fear. She knew they were bluffing. Joker wanted her alive.

"Would your boss like that?" Mia asked. "He wanted me alive for something."

"She's got a good point." The other inmate said.

"Shut up! We're trying to scare her! We can throw her in there so Croc could bite off her leg or something." The other said.

"But, the boss wouldn't like that either!" The inmates started to argue. Mia watched them before trying to slip away, until a batarang appeared to hit one of the inmates' head. "It's the Bat!" He shouted. Batman ran up to them as Mia stood against the wall, watching him. She no longer as a crowbar since it was taken away from her. After dealing with the punks, Batman went over to Mia.

"Mia, what happened? Are you okay?" He asked, grabbing her arms.

"The Arkham guards were Joker's goons in disguise." Mia said. "I don't know where Jim is. I hope he's alright."

"Damn. Well, guess you're stuck here with me until Joker was stopped. I'm heading to the Mansion. Dr. Young is there and Joker is looking for the missing formula of creating the army of the Titan monsters." Batman told her. Mia blinked at him.

"He wanted to what?!" Mia gasped.

"Stay close to me." Batman told her. Mia nodded and follow behind him. Oracle spoke to them through the ear comm. More of Joker's chattering teeth are around. Mia kicked one of them away, breaking it. Batman smirked at her. Oracle told them about Dr. Young being paid by Joker to create an army. But Dr. Young blocked her account to decline the payments.

"Someone is getting cold feet." Mia said as she and Batman walked into the Main Sewer Junction. They look up to see some broken pillars. Mia sighed a bit. More climbing. "God..." Batman couldn't help but to chuckle at her, but he will always help her. He held her in his arms to jump across.

"Joker doesn't like it when his partners try to back out." Batman said, holding Mia's hand as they walk up the broken pillar. Mia almost slipped, but Batman kept his grip on her.

"So, he decided to get himself back to Arkham, find his formula and create an army himself!" Oracle spoke.

"Exactly!" Batman said.

"Boy, talk about crazy." A boy's voice said. Mia blinked.

"Axel? What're you doing?" She asked, pressing the bud against her ear.

"I was worried after I lost you. Are you okay?" Axel asked. "Sorry, Bruce. I overheard what you and Barbara said about Joker's plans." Batman almost rolled his eyes.

"Axel, it's very late. I'll be home in one piece." Mia said. "Don't worry about me." She heard her son sigh a bit.

"Okay...just try not to die out there."

"Thanks for the advice, kiddo." Mia said in a sarcastic tone. After the kid hung up, Batman and Mia continue to make their way through the junction to get to the door they need to get through. "Let me guess. He called you." Mia spoke.

"He contacted Barbara. Let's just focus. I promise I will find you somewhere safe and find Dr. Raymond." Batman told her. Mia nodded. She started to wonder what Joker wanted her here for. He plans to make an army. But what does she got to do with it? And where do they keep Jim? Maybe Joker wanted an audience? Seeing people turning into the Bane army won't be a pretty thing to watch. Mia shuddered when she thinks back of how Bane turns huge. Who will she will encounter next?

"Ding dong, Joker again. Don't worry about the Bat. I've put a few surprises along the way if he decides to turn up and spoil the fun." Joker spoke throughout the island. Batman took out the snipers as Mia rushes out of hiding to get to the doors to get to Arkham East. She had a feeling her boss could be in the Mansion if he is alive. Mia gasped as she sees more inmates with sniper rifles at the towers in Arkham East. Now things are getting difficult and very dangerous. Batman was one step ahead of her as he grapples up to the tower to knock out one sniper. The whole island could be armed with weapons.
After dealing with armed inmates, Batman and Mia walk up the steps of the Mansion. Time to get the missing formula before Joker does.