Gotham Nightmare.

Chapter One

*This story is set after Terry graduates from high school, but before he starts college. Yes, it is a crossover. All characters copyright 2001 DC comics and/or Warner Bros. I don't own Terry McGinnis or Bruce Wayne. I do, however, own all characters I created which are mentioned in this story. *



The smell of exhaust filled the chilly night air, the sounds of motorcycle engines and mad laughter drowning out the screams of a young mother and her infant son…

Fortunately for her, someone had heard her screams.

The Jokerz circled their bikes around the young mother, just another victim to them. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she tried to quiet her child.

A female Joker pounced, and yanked the child away from the mother.

"NO! Please give back my baby!" The female Joker giggled, and smacked the mother with a rubber chicken.

And then came a whirring sound, and something black knocked the chicken from the Joker's hand.

"I think you need a Time Out," A dark figure growled as it landed in front of the mother. The figure stood to it's full height, and the Jokerz instinctively backed away. The Batman approached the Joker who had taken the woman's child, and gently scooped it up. He turned slightly to the mother. "Here," he said as he handed the child back to the mother. Without another word, she scooped up the baby and ran.

Batman turned back to the Jokerz. "Ok, boys and girls. Play time."

The Jokerz rushed the Tomorrow Knight, and the Batman was ready for them. The lead Joker swung his chain at the Batman's head, which he easily avoided. The Bat reached up, grabbing the chain and pulling the Joker toward him. Batman rammed his knee into the Jokerz gut, and swung the clown- faced goon into a nearby brick wall.

The female Joker ran forward, snagging her chicken off the ground and lashed out at the Bat. Batman grabbed the chicken and wrenched it out of the Joker's hand, smashing it mercilessly into the base of her neck, knocking her unconscious.

Upon seeing their leader and his girl taken down, the rest of the Jokerz wisely turned tail and ran, leaving their leader to his fate.

As the sound of motorcycle engines faded into the night, Batman stretched and stifled a yawn. After gift-wrapping the 2 Jokerz for the GCPD, he summoned the Batmobile. He hopped into the cockpit of the sleek car, and turned on the autopilot.

"Anything else before I go," Terry yawned into his com-link.

"There's a fire alarm at the Corner of Kane Avenue and Sprang Street. Do a fly by and see if the FD has everything under control," the craggy voice of Bruce Wayne ordered.

"On it."



*



The figure of a man pulled himself from the icy waters of Gotham harbor. Dripping wet, he plopped down on the dock, he stirred, and stood, shaking himself dry like a dog, and taking in his surroundings. A bar on his left, loud obnoxious music blaring from within. Docks. Warehouses. More docks. A hooker…

His eyes froze on the hooker, and in turn, she smiled and approached him. The man smiled also, as the woman came within an arms length of him.

"First time in Gotham," the harlot asked. She was blonde. He liked blondes.

"No, no," he replied quietly. "Return trip." She snuggled up against his chest and absently drew her finger along his torso.

"So… what brings you back," She asked with a grin.

The man smiled in return. "The food." Before she could question the man further, she noticed the long gleaming fangs. She tried to turn from him, but his arms were already around her waist. Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in her throat, and someone started screaming.

Right before the blackness of death consumed her, she realized who screamed…



*



Inside a private jet, a tall man in an Italian cut suit sat studying a report displayed on his laptop. With an annoyed grimace, he snapped his computer shut. It had been entirely too long since he had left. The old man would be happy to see him… that is, if the old could ever be said to be happy.

Nonetheless, he had business to attend to, and his private jet was making it's final approach to the airport. He picked up his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hello," Came a female voice with a British accent.

"The jet's on final approach… any luck finding him," The man on the jet asked.

"Not yet. No unusual new reports… we'll unusual for that area anyway. If he's there, he's being awful quiet…"

The man on the jet snorted. "He's here alright. Keep in contact, Bekka."

"Of course. Give my regards to Ojiisan*, love."

A wiry smile quirked his mouth. "I'll be sure to do that. Love you." With that, the man snapped his phone shut, his fingers steepled thoughtfully.

"Sir, we're about to land. Please fasten your safety belt.." The man did as he was asked, and a few moments later he had arrived in Gotham City.



*



The FD had everything under control, so Wayne told Terry to head back. Gratefully, he did just that. The Batmobile docked with a soft thud, and terry hopped out of the cockpit.

Wayne was where he always was: At the giant computer that was the heart of his crime-fighting machine. Terry stifled another yawn. "Fire's under control, and Gotham is safe for one more night."

"Hnnh." Wayne replied. Terry yawned again.

"Ug. You think you could give me a lift home? I think I'm gonna fall asleep where I stand."

Wayne swiveled around to regard the boy in his suit. McGinnis pulled off the mask. There were dark circles under his eyes, two days worth of stubble. "There's a bed in the cave. You can sleep here. I'll cover for you," Wayne stated as he stood. The old man froze, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end. Quickly, he surveyed the cave, looking for the intruder he knew couldn't have gotten in.

Terry sensed it to, but on a much lower level. "What's wrong," he asked the former Batman.

Wayne relaxed. "Nothing. Lets get you to bed while you can still walk." With that, the old man led Terry to a chamber in the center of the cave.

Neither of them noticed the pair of crimson eyes peering them from the shadows.



*



Terry slept like a rock that day. When he awoke at 4:30, Wayne was exactly where Terry expected him to be: the computer again. Wearing only a pair of boxers, Terry shuffled up behind Wayne.

"When do you sleep, anyway," Terry asked, yawning yet again.

"Last night, just before Day break, the body of a young woman was found at pier 3 of Gotham Harbor…" The old man began without looking at Terry.

"Hooker," Terry asked.

"Yes," Wayne stated as he turned to look at his protégé. "But that's not the important part. The important part is that her body was drained of all blood… through two small puncture marks on her neck."

"Somebody's been watching too many old movies."

Wayne grunted. "In any case, be careful. Sundown is in 25 minutes. Suit up."

Terry turned to leave, and Wayne keyed some info up on the computer. His gut told him that something was about to go terribly wrong… if only he knew what…



*



Batman perched on a stone Gargoyle atop Wayne Tower. He scanned the cityscape below him: diamonds spread out on a sheet of black velvet.

"It's quiet tonight." Batman whispered.

"I don't like it," Wayne growled. "Check the harbor. Our friend from last night may decide to pay another visit." With out a word, Batman leapt from the tower, his wings sliding into place and catching the wind.

He didn't notice the ragged patch of the night that ripped from the shadows to follow him…