"There you guys are!" Johnny yelled now reunited with his family.
"JOHNNY!" Everyone shouted in relief. Mavis, Brett, Kent, and Melly ran to Johnny hugging him.
"Where have you been?! We were so worried about you!" Mavis yelled worriedly.
"I tried to call for some help but then I encountered Batman and told me to get to safety. He's a scary dude by the way." Johnny explained.
"Well the important thing is that we're all here now." Dracula stated. "But... we're going to have a guest for the time being."
Johnny saw the young boy Richard Grayson sitting inside the hearse.
"Who's the kid?" Johnny asked pretending he doesn't know the kid he met earlier as Batman.
"We'll tell along the way." Mavis replied sadly as everyone got inside the hearse.
A couple of minutes later, they all arrived back at the hotel with Dracula checked in a room for Richard while Johnny and Mavis decided to keep an eye on the young boy and Dracula went back to his office finishing his paperworks as usual.
"Hey there, Richard." Johnny said sitting beside the young boy on bed. "My name's Johnathan by the way but you can call me Johnny if you want, and this is my fiancée, Mavis."
"Hi, Richard." Mavis smiled and waved at Richard.
"Nice to meet you." Richard said with a weak smile.
"So how are you enjoying your stay so far? Surprised to meet some friendly monsters?" Johnny asked trying to socialize with Richard.
"Yeah. They're all nice." Richard weakly replied. "I got the chance to see Dracula, Frankenstein, Mummy, the Werewolf, and the Invisible Man at the Monster Festival a long time ago."
"That's cool." Johnny knew that Richard was referring to the time when the Drac Pack visited the human village to bring him back to the hotel for Mavis. "Between you and me, our friend Dracula does always say: 'I am Count Dracula blah blah blah!'" Johnny made an impersonation of Dracula which made Richard chuckled and Mavis giggled.
"So, Richard. Is it okay if you could tell us a little bit about yourself?" Mavis kindly asked.
"Well, my name is Richard and I'm 8 years-old. My parents always enjoyed watching me doing gymnastics. Hopefully I could get to be with them again." Richard suddenly frowned with Johnny and Mavis feeling his pain.
"Hey." Johnny calmly said as he gently puts his hand behind Richard's back. "If there's anything we could do or get something for you, just let us now, alright?"
"I want my parents back!" Richard said raising his voice a little and his started eyes started to tear. "Batman said that he's going to bring them back but what if he doesn't make it in time? I just wanna go home with my mom and dad!"
Richard used to both his hands to cover his face and started to cry with some tears coming out. Both Johnny and Mavis looked at each other feeling bad for the young boy.
"Richard, We know what you've been going through and it must be really hard." Johnny confessed sighing in sadness while Richard slowly removed his hands from his face trying to make eye contact with Johnny. "It's the same feeling I've been through the night I lost my parents at your age. That sudden emptiness... There's no felling like it in the world."
"I also lost my mom when I was only an infant but my dad was always there for me. That's the reason why he built this hotel. He was very overprotective when it comes to me." Mavis sadly said sitting beside Richard at the other side of the bed.
"Does the hurt ever go away?" Richard asked still sobbing in tears.
"I wish we could say yes." Johnny frowned lowering his head. "But it will get better for you. Your parents are still out there and I'm sure Batman will bring them back safely. That I promise you."
Richard quickly hugged Johnny, which surprised him a little. Johnny hugged back to comfort Richard while Mavis joined the hug.
"You know, all this emotional talk is kinda eating me alive. What do you say if we do something entertaining?" Mavis said smiling at the young boy.
"Like what?" Richard asked curiously while wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Hold that thought." Johnny smirked while he exited the room leaving Mavis and Richard confused.
A couple of minutes later, Johnny returned holding a bunch of DVDs and a bowl of popcorn. Johnny, Mavis, and Richard started to watch The Gray Ghost, Johnny's favorite childhood show, on the television while eating the bowl of popcorn. Richard was really enjoying the show and slowly getting better now.
As the time passed, Richard fell asleep peacefully while Johnny and Mavis quietly exited the room like they were parents.
Mavis felt bad for Johnny when he confessed to Richard that his parents were gunned down right when they were only little. Mavis quickly approached Johnny with a hug.
"Whoa! Mavis, is everything alright?" Johnny asked when he was surprised from Mavis' hug.
"I'm so sorry, Johnny." Mavis whispered still hugging Johnny.
"Sorry about what?" Johnny asked confusingly.
"Jenna told me last night about how you lost your parents." Mavis said. Johnny went speechless for only a second and his eyes trailed down in sadness.
"Oh that one..." Johnny weakly said.
"We both lost someone in our lives." Mavis said sadly. She also her mother when she was an infant the night the angry mob killed her. "If you ever need to about something like this, remember I'm always here for you, sweetie." Mavis gently puts her hands on Johnny's chest and giving him a warm smile to comfort him.
Johnny smiled back at her and starring directly at Mavis's mesmerizing and peaceful blue eyes.
"Thank you. Mavis. But that was a long time ago. I moved on now." Johnny said. "Besides, I already have someone who makes me happy again." Johnny smiled as he gently puts his hand on Mavis' cheek.
Both Mavis and Johnny embraced and shared a small kiss together.
Mavis went back to her room to get some sleep while Johnny went back to his but not for some sleep.
Johnny was sitting on a chair holding the bullet he got from the Joker's fun fair. The bullet that almost killed Dracula. While examining the bullet, Johnny's memories of his parents' death were coming back in his mind because it reminded him of Richard.
"Johnny, are you alright?" Alfred asked entering Johnny's room.
"It's all coming back to me, Al." Johnny replied starring at the bullet he's holding.
"Pardon me?" Alfred asked curiously.
"My parents." Johnny answered looking at Alfred. "The night on my birthday... I can hear their screams. There was nothing I could do to stop it."
"It was a long time ago, Johnathan. Don't blame yourself for what's happened. I know your parents only wanted the life you deserve." Alfred said.
"It all started when I first encountered the Joker. The hostages he killed that night... he's different than any other criminals I've fought before. I better find him before he kills Richard's parents." Johnny said while standing up from his chair to change into his batsuit.
"Let's hope nothing bad would happen to those couple. Their son had enough for one night." Alfred replied.
Johnny was now wearing his batsuit without the cowl then thought about showing the bullet to Alfred.
"Before I go, take a look at this." Johnny held the bullet so that Alfred could have a good look at it. "This was the bullet that the Joker almost shot at Drac. Anything you can say about this?"
"It's... silver." Alfred replied curiously.
"Well if I'm not mistaken, silver has a particular dark affect against monsters in the ancient myth. They could be easily hurt by one of these things." Johnny explained.
"Oh dear! Where on earth did the Joker got his hand on one of those things?" Alfred gasped in horror.
"Probably the weapons deal he made with the Penguin. I'm getting rid of this away from the hotel." Johnny puts the silver bullet inside his belt and wore his cowl back on and glided outside the window.
Somewhere in the Human Village...
Inside a building were 6 of the Joker's armed goons guarding the gigantic room while the two thugs were watching the two hostages who were both tied up together to a chair.
"Please... you don't have to this." The woman anxiously said crying for help.
"Oh sure we don't need to do this but that won't stop us!" The thug said with a menacing voice and laugh while reloading his gun, which made the couple frighten.
"Just let my wife go and take me instead... we have a son!" The man explained terrified trying to protect his wife from the dangerous thugs.
"Too bad, that kid is going to be an orphan pretty soon." The thug said while laughing cruelly.
"Do you have any idea how hard being a henchmen is? Listening to orders from a crazy person and following them without any question." Another thug yelled out of frustration at the couple.
"Yeah. Do you think I like being yelled at that maniac clown?!" The first thug shouted at the couple.
"Oh god no!" The man was frightened from what the Joker's men was about to do to them.
Batman/Johnny was on top of a vantage point and an armed goon was underneath him. He performed an inverted takedown by quickly grabbing the enemy below him and leaves him dangling from it by a cable tied to his legs. This takedown has drawn the attention of the other thugs.
"Get over there and find out who's screaming." All the thugs ran to the area from where they heard their comrade's scream.
Batman/Johnny switched on to another vantage point and threw a Batarang cutting the cable. The unconscious thug fell the ground and startled his fellow comrades.
"I'm sure it came from over there!" The 5 thugs aimed there guns from where the Batarang came from but Batman/Johnny quickly used his grappling gun swinging to another vantage point before the thugs noticed a thing. "Come on where are you?!"
"Wake up! Can you hear me? Wake up!" One of the thugs tried to wake their fallen comrade up but it was unsuccessful. "Damn he's out cold! Show yourself, chicken!"
"Alright new plan, we spread out and get revenge!" Another thug said moving on to find Batman/Johnny.
While the thugs spread out to find the vigilante, Batman/Johnny glides down from his vantage point and sprayed an Explosive Gel behind a weak wall.
The Explosive Gel is a gadget and occasional weapon. Batman/Johnny could spray the gel on weak structures and trigger the gel to explode.
After spraying the weak wall with Explosive Gel, Batman/Johnny threw a Sonic Batarang in front of the weak wall and Batman/Johnny quickly grappled up to a new vantage point.
The Sonic Batarang can sent out a high-pitched wailing sound and could be detonated to incapacitate any thug near the gadget.
"Where's the noise coming from?" The thugs heard a wailing sound echoing within the room. A thug arrived at the area from where the noise is coming from and saw the Sonic Batarang in front of the weak wall.
"What's that metal thing doing there?" Thug went to have a closer look at the Sonic Batarang but was failed to noticed that the Sonic Batarang exploded leaving an electrical shock at the thug for getting too close. The scream of the thug alerted the rest that Batman/Johnny has taken one of them out again.
"Over here now! I've found someone!" The remaining 4 thugs found their incapacitated comrade laying on the ground unconscious.
Meanwhile Batman/Johnny was on his vantage point watching all the thugs regrouped at the same place. Just in time to detonate the gel on the weak wall right in front of them. The explosion of the wall was so strong that its pieces smashed right at the remaining 4 thugs knocking all down unconscious.
After the room was secure, Batman/Johnny glides down from his vantage point to check on the hostages.
"Batman! It's really you!" The man said in surprised. He and his wife has never seen anyone took down 6 armed men that quick before.
"Are you hurt?" Batman/Johnny asked with his voice modulator/changer while he unties the couple.
"A little shaken but we're fine." The man said while he helped his wife stand up.
"Our son! He was with us when that clown took us from that fun fair. Is our baby boy alright?" The woman asked panicking and worried that Richard might be in danger.
"Yes Richard is safe. You'll see him again when I get you both out of here." Batman/Johnny replied. The parents calmed down and sighed in relief knowing their son is safe, especially hearing Richard's name.
"Thank you! You don't know how much our boy means to us." The woman was very grateful that Batman/Johnny managed to save the young boy. Of course Batman/Johnny knew who was their son.
"Were you the only hostages that was taken by the Joker?" Batman/Johnny asked.
"That's the clown's name? I... I mean no. They took somebody with them. Said that they were going to do experiments on him." The man explained. Batman/Johnny was confused and worried at the same time when he heard what the Joker's planning with the other hostage.
"Experiments? Where did they took him?" Batman asked.
"Those men took him over there but the door's blocked." The man said as he pointed at the shutter door with a electrical motor above it.
"Not entirely." Batman/Johnny saw an electrical generator with them inside the room.
Batman/Johnny pulled out some parts of the generator and combining it with some gadgets from his utility belt. The Graysons watched Batman/Johnny doing something with the generator but had no idea what he was building.
"What are you doing?" The woman asked confusingly watching Batman/Johnny work.
All they knew is that Batman/Johnny was done working and was now holding a gun that he just invented. The Graysons stepped back and afraid at the gun Batman/Johnny was holding but he told them it was non-lethal so there was no reason for the Graysons to be afraid.
"I need to stop the Joker. If you two hear anyone coming, hide. I'll be back." Batman said while examining the new gadget he unlocked, the Remote Electrical Charge or the REC gun.
The Remote Electrical Charge or the REC gun is a weapon that can shock people with electricity and power up generators and industrial electromagnets.
Batman/Johnny fired his REC gun at the electrical motor which pulled the shutter door back up. Batman/Johnny got outside the room while the Graysons hid somewhere safe until Batman/Johnny gets them back.
Batman/Johnny spend a couple of minutes finding the other hostage within the building until he found a door.
As Batman/Johnny opened the door, there was the hostage sitting on a chair and a TV monitor in front of him. Batman/Johnny could only see the back section of the hostage and not if he was still alive or not.
"I'm not here to hurt you. I'm getting you out of here." Batman/Johnny called out for the hostage but he didn't reply as he just sits there doing nothing. "Can you hear me?"
Batman/Johnny slowly went closer to the hostage and puts his hand on the hostage's shoulder turning him around. The Joker has killed many people before but what he did to this hostage was the worst yet.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" The hostage laughed loudly. His skin was pale and has the largest grin on his face with blood coming out from his oversized eyes. The hostage almost resembled the Joker's facial structure.
"No!" Batman/Johnny gasped in horror. He has never this kind of nightmare like this before.
"Plea... please make HAHAHAHA... make it stop! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The Hostage said between his laugh but was unsuccessful to stop his laughter.
Due to this torture, the Hostage suddenly fell on the floor and his body shaking uncontrollably due to his laughter. The laughter was slowly wearing off and the man just lay on the ground with a big smile, not even moving a muscle. Batman/Johnny knelt down putting his fingers on the hostage's neck for any pulse. Nothing.
"He's dead. I should've saved him." Batman/Johnny said in guilt. Only leaving the Joker's smile at the hostage. Soon the the TV monitor turned itself on.
"How do like them apples, Bats? HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The Joker appeared himself at the TV monitor laughing.
"Joker! What have you done to this man?!" Batman/Johnny yelled out in anger at the monitor, especially from what the Joker did to the hostage.
"Oh so you've witnessed my new Joker Venom in action, huh?" The Joker said.
"Joker Venom?" Batman/Johnny repeated curiously at the name that he never heard before.
"Remember the chemicals I stole from Claridge? It took me a very long time to perfect the formula. After my new Joker Venom was complete, all I needed were test subjects which is why I set up the carnival. Everyone in Transylvania will get the chance to taste my lovely Joker Venom HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" The Joker explained diabolical plan.
"Not unless if I stop you first." Batman/Johnny said clenching his fist in anger.
"Oh, Bats. Always with the hero speech. Caring for the innocent lives of humans and monsters. It makes you so pathetic HAHAHAHAHAHA! That's why you're so fun to play with." The Joker said teasingly.
"Carrying for other people doesn't make me weak, it makes me who I am. Which is why I'm nothing like you, Joker." Batman/Johnny said with his anger boiling.
"Oh no, Batman. Me and you... we're two threads at the same stitch. Bound together, even under strain. We were made for each other, Bats. You'll see." The Joker said but Batman/Johnny suddenly punched the TV monitor smashing the screen to release his anger.
Batman/Johnny released his fist from the TV monitor to calm himself down. He turned off his voice modulator/changer to call Alfred.
"Alfred, I'm done here. Richard's parents are safe. Send the police my location." Batman/Johnny notified in frustration.
"Oh that is good news, Johnny! I knew you'd save them! Anything else?" Alfred cheered in victory throughout Batman/Johnny's earbud.
"Call a paramedic. The Joker killed one of the hostages." Batman/Johnny said.
"Oh no. I'm sorry to hear that." Alfred's victory moment was now crushed and replaced by depressed.
"I've also discovered something else. The Joker used the chemicals he stole from Claridge to create a toxin causing the victim to laugh uncontrollably and slowly leading them to a painful death. The Joker said he's planning to release his toxin around Transylvania." Batman/Johnny explained.
"That's... THAT'S HORRENDOUS!" Alfred yelled in horror throughout Batman/Johnny's earbud.
"We can worry about that later. Once the police has taken the Graysons to safety, I'm coming back to the hotel to let Drac know they're safe." Batman/Johnny harshly ended the conversation not even letting Alfred to continue to talk. He had enough for one night.
Back at the Hotel...
Dracula was still in his office working on a bunch of paperworks until he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Dracula called out.
"Hey, dad." Mavis replied as she entered Dracula's office.
"Oh hello, my sweet fangs. What are you doing?" Dracula smiled seeing his daughter again.
"Well you've been working all night after the 'event' happened back at the village so I came by to check up on you." Mavis kindly said. It really warms Dracula's heart that his loving daughter would always check up on him.
"Aww that is so sweet but I'm alright. Thank you for checking up on me, Mavy." Dracula insisted.
"Can I get you anything, dad?" Mavis asked.
"No. I'm all fine. I could use a little accompany though." Dracula chuckled while Mavis sat on a chair to be with her father. "How's the boy doing?" Dracula asked.
"Richard is sleeping in his room. Me and Johnny were able to calm him down. I really feel bad for the kid." Mavis said sadly.
"I know, Mavis. I hope he could be reunited with his family soon." Dracula said also feeling bad for the young boy. Just then, his telephone rang and Dracula picked it up to answer the call. "Hello?"
"Dracula, this is Batman speaking." It was Batman/Johnny who called Dracula with his disoriented voice to disguise his true identity.
"BATMAN!?" Dracula exclaimed with his eyes widened in shock. Mavis also noticed that her father yelled out Batman's name which made her surprised as well. "How did you get this number?"
"That's not important right now. I found the boy's parents and they're safe. You can drop Richard at the village. His parents are waiting for him there." Batman/Johnny explained.
"Holy Rabies! That is wonderful news! We'll get Richard ready. Thank you so much!" Dracula praises that Batman/Johnny was able to save Richard's parents. Mavis has no idea what Dracula has been celebrating about but she knew it has to be good news. "But seriously, how did you get this number? He.. hello?" Dracula wondered but Batman/Johnny ended the call as Dracula puts the telephone away from his ear.
"Was that... Batman!?" Mavis asked shockingly.
"Yes. I'm curious on how he got this number." Dracula said confusingly as he puts down the telephone. He couldn't believe that Batman/Johnny managed to track down Dracula's number. "He told me that the boy's parents has been rescued."
"Holy Rabies! That is good news! I'll go tell Johnny!" Mavis squealed in victory while she and Dracula headed out the office to get Johnny and Richard.
The truth is, Johnny has already returned to the hotel a couple of minutes ago and called Dracula's office on his phone while Alfred helped him to scramble the line disguising his voice.
Later at the Human Village...
The hearse arrived at the human village. Dracula, Mavis, and Johnny exited the hearse brining the young boy Richard with them. It took them a couple of minutes to walk around the village until they found the two people that they were looking for.
"MOM! DAD!" Richard cried out running for his parents.
"Oh my dear, RICHARD!" Both the parents had Richard in their arms for an overprotective hug finally safe with their son.
"I... I thought I would... never see you guys again!" Richard sobbed in tears as he buried his face on his mother's shoulder.
"Shhh... it's alright, kiddo. We're here now. We're not going anywhere." The father said managing to smile at Richard even there were happy tears coming out from his eyes.
Dracula and Mavis felt so happy seeing the young boy Richard reunited with his family again safely despite after what happened earlier tonight. Johnny was also happy for Richard but was tearing up at the same time because the scenery reminded him of his parents, Mike and Linda.
"You alright, Johnny?" Mavis softly asked while gently putting her hand at Johnny's shoulder.
"Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just happy for Richard." Johnny said quickly wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Count Dracula? Is that really you?" The father asked.
"Yes that is me." Dracula responded.
"Thank you so much for looking after our son! It really means so much to us." The mother was still tearing up but she also thanked the famous vampire for his kindness.
"Yes you're very welcome but my daughter and her fiancé did most of the watching out part." Dracula gestured at Mavis and Johnny as they also helped on taking care of Richard.
"Did Batman saved you, mom and dad?" Richard asked his parents.
"Yeah he sure did, sweetie." The kind mother answered as kissed Richard on the forehead.
"Thank you again, sir. I'm John by the way and this is my wife, Mary." The father, John, introduced himself and his wife, Mary, to Dracula.
"Pleasure to meet you two." Dracula said giving John and Mary friendly handshakes. "This is my daughter, Mavis and her fiancé, Johnny." Dracula also introduced Mavis and Johnny to the Graysons. It was Mavis and Johnny's turn to shake hands with the married couple.
"I know this isn't a right time but is it okay if we could take a picture with you? Me and my wife are huge fans of yours." John timidly asked as he pulled out his smartphone and smiling nervously.
"Uh... ok sure. Why not." Dracula wasn't sure on how to answer the question but he kindly said yes anyway.
The Graysons wiped their tears off for them to take a picture with the famous vampire. Dracula came closer to John, Mary, and Richard while Johnny took the picture.
"Okay. Say blah blah blah." Johnny teasingly said as Dracula gave him a dirty look while the Graysons laughed and Mavis giggled. "I'm just kidding. Say cheese." Johnny said ready to take the picture.
"Cheese." Dracula and the family smiled as Johnny took the picture. After Johnny gave the smartphone back to the parents, Richard hugged both Mavis and Johnny.
"Thank you." Richard joyfully said as he hugged the young engaged couple.
"For what?" Johnny asked smiling at the young boy.
"You guys told me that everything will be alright and my parents would be safe. Batman saved my parents. Thank you for cheering me up." Richard explained.
"Aww, you're welcome." Mavis said with a warmed heart. Both Mavis and Johnny hugged Richard back.
Everyone now parted their own ways. Dracula, Mavis, and Johnny walked their way back to the hearse. Dracula was so proud at Mavis and Johnny that they successfully took care of Richard earlier tonight like they were already parents.
"I know that we're both afraid on what the Vampire Council's decision will be but if we do get to spend our lives forever, I want you to know that you're going to be a wonderful dad to our children in the future." Mavis lovingly said.
"Aww that's so sweet. You're also going to be an amazing mother to our children." Johnny hugged Mavis and kissed her on the cheek. "If our kids grows up to be just you, I'll be the luckiest dad in the world!"
Even though Johnny had a stressful night because of the chaos that the Joker has unleashed, Mavis always manages to cheer Johnny up and removed all of his anger away. It was always Mavis who pulls Johnny back to the light of happiness even if both him and Batman are stranded in the world full of criminals and psychopaths. Johnny was now back to his normal self thanks to Mavis.
To be continued...