A few hours later, it was lunchtime, so Batman and the others went into the cafeteria. The cook signaled for Batman to come to him. Batman asked, "Can I help you with something?"
The cook smiled, while saying, "I can help you with something." He showed off an egg, that was blue and gray. He said, "I like to make the most eggtastic eggs, so scrambled this up for you. I know you turned down my previous offer, but you couldn't eggstract a better offer than this."
Batman was weirded-out by the cook, but he replied, "Okay." He reluctantly grabbed the egg.
Harvey walked by the cook. The cook had a goofy look on his face, while asking, "Would you like an egg?"
Harvey replied, "I don't know." He flipped the coin. It landed on tails, so he said, "No thanks."
The cook accidentally dropped an egg on himself, so he said, "I'm such an egghead."
Batman sat next to Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn and started having lunch. Poison Ivy nudged Batman and said, "You're not going to hangout with Catwoman, are you?"
Batman replied, "Well, I've been needing a break and Catwoman's offer sounded fun. I know you and her don't get along, but I think she has some good in her. After all, she always works hard, to protect the stray cats. I don't think I've met anybody with such a dedication to cats. It's like you hobby of protecting plants."
Poison Ivy angrily asked, "Are you comparing me to Catwoman?"
Batman nervously smiled and said, "I'm sorry about it."
Poison Ivy replied, "Look Batman, I care about your safety. You have an innocent, heroic way of acting and I think Catwoman would be a bad influence. That's why I don't think you should hangout with her."
Harley Quinn had an amused look on her face, while saying, "That's not what Poison Ivy thinks. The real reason she -"
Before Harley could finish talking, Poison Ivy covered up her mouth. Ivy said, "Don't put too much stock in Harley's words. She often states absurd things."
Meanwhile, Harvey Dent was sitting to another new student named Jervis Tech. However, Jervis was better known by his alternate-name, the Mad Hatter. The Mad Hatter sipped on a cup of tea, while Harvey flipped his coin. The Mad Hatter said, "You seem to constantly use that coin. Any reason for that?"
Harvey replied, "It's what I use, when I need to make decisions."
The Mad Hatter put his hand on his chin and responded, "What a curious problem-solving strategy. However, I shouldn't think too much about it. After all, curiosity killed the cat and I'm close friends with a cat from Cheshire."
After school, Batman and the others went into the hallway. Poison Ivy angrily sighed and said, "Harley and I better start heading to detention. I can't believe we have to hang around that creep."
Batman put his hand on her shoulder and replied, "Everything's going to be okay."
Poison Ivy lightly smiled and responded, "Thank you."
Batman said, "I'm going to meet up with Catwoman. I'll see you and Harley tomorrow."
Harley smirked and replied, "Have a good date, Batsy."
Batman responded, "It's not a date."
A few minutes later, Poison Ivy, Harley, and Harvey were in Professor Crane's classroom. None of them excited about being in there. They noticed that Crane wasn't in the classroom. They figured that he was talking to Hugo Strange and would return soon. Poison Ivy watered the plants in the room, while Harley listened to pop songs.
While standing up and watering one of the plants, Poison Ivy said, "I don't like the thought of Batman and Catwoman going on a date."
Harvey replied, "I share that sentiment. At the risk of sounding immature, I think Catwoman's really pretty, so I'd like to go out with her."
Poison Ivy responded, "Sheesh, what a poor way of wording yourself. Did you coin want you to say that?"
Harvey replied, "I was reluctant about saying that, but the coin supported it."
Harley nudged and asked, "What's with you? You act like your coin's a fortune-teller."
Harvey stared at the coin, in admiration, while saying, "It's not a traditional type of fortune-telling, but it does a similar job."
Harley looked at Ivy and said, "Your real reason, of hating Catwoman, is clear."
Harvey asked, "What is it?"
Harley said, "Like Batman, Ivy is a very secretive person. In fact, she has a -"
Before Harley could say anything else, Poison Ivy covered her mouth, while saying, "I often have to do this."
Meanwhile, Batman walked outside of the school and met up with Catwoman. Catwoman started rubbing Batman's shoulder, while asking, "Are you ready to forget about the stress of life and have fun?"
Batman answered, "Yep."
Catwoman replied, "Purrfect. There's a malt shop, that has the best milkshakes and milk is my favorite drink."
Batman responded, "Then we should go there. However, I don't know where the malt-shop is at."
Catwoman started holding hands with Batman, while saying, "I'll lead you there."
Batman replied, "Um, okay." He and Catwoman started heading to the malt-shop.
A few minutes later, Batman and Catwoman went inside of the malt-shop. Catwoman slithered to the front of the line. She grabbed Batman and brought him along. Batman looked a little nervous, while saying, "Catwoman, you're not supposed to cut in line."
Catwoman gently scratched Batman's shoulder, while saying, "It's going to be okay."
Batman looked around and saw a balloon, that distracted him. He tapped Catwoman's shoulder and asked, "Is it just me or does that balloon have a face?"
Catwoman answered, "I'm afraid it's just you. It's a normal-looking balloon."
Batman put his hand over his face and replied, "I'm losing it. I've been putting so much passion into my detective stuff, that I've been wearing myself down. If I don't learn how to take it easy, I'll drive myself crazy."
After ordering a giant milkshake, Catwoman put her arm around Batman and said, "Don't worry, Batman. I'm going to take away that stress and bring lighthearted, but sneaky, fun into your life."
Batman smiled and replied, "I appreciate that."
Back at Arkham Asylum, Professor Crane finally returned to his classroom, with an excited smile on his face. Poison Ivy folded her arms and asked, "What's going on?"
Professor Crane grinned and said, "Don't worry about it. In fact, you and Harley can get going. Your detention has been cancelled."
Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn both looked confused. Ivy asked, "Why?"
Professor Hugo Strange entered the room and said, "Although you were disrespectful to Professor Crane, your crimes can easily be forgiven. However, Harvey Dent is one of our new students, so he needs to learn about being punished. No professor enforces proper punishments better than Professor Crane, so I've put him in charge of grounding him." Ivy and Harley stepped out of the room.
Harvey casually asked, "What's going on?"
Professor Crane had an evil smile on his face, while saying, "Principal Strange approved of my latest fear-toxin. Since you were being a rotten kid, you're going to be tested on." He got the fear toxin ready and started spraying it, on Harvey's face. Hugo Strange watched, while having an invested look on his face.
After Catwoman slurped several milkshakes, she and Batman started walking out of the malt-shop. Batman looked at her and asked, "Where should we go next?"
Catwoman playfully used Batman's cape as a fan, while saying, "You should make that choice. After all, you don't want me to decide everything, do you?"
Batman nervously replied, "I'm not great at picking fun things."
Catwoman responded, "That's probably because you haven't tried hard enough. There's a movie I want to see, but we have an hour before the next showing. Can you think of anything, that'd waste time?"
Batman put his hand on his chin, while saying, "I think I've come-up with something."
Batman and Catwoman went to Ra's al Ghul's ninja-training place. They walked inside and looked around. It was decorated with various ninja weapons and merchandise. They were several people, dressed in black ninja-outfits, who were beating each other up.
Catwoman said, "So, I asked you to take me to fun a place and this is what you come up with?" She showed off her claws, while saying, "I couldn't think of a more purrfect place."
Batman replied, "Talia's dad runs this place. I've heard lots of good things."
Ra's al Ghul popped out of the shadows and asked, "Good things? You should be hearing the best things and I except nothing less, than the best, from you."
Batman felt suspicious of Ra's al Ghul, while replying, "I'm flattered you have such a high opinion of me, even though it's a weird feeling to have. After all, we've never met."
Ra's al Ghul looked excited, while responding, "That's true, but I've become fascinated with you, Batman. A detective, a bat, and a man. Those three things would seem rather mundane, but when you combine them together, it becomes something the world has never seen." He paced around Batman while saying, "Since you are wanting to become a detective, you'll have to work on your strength. Despite being a mostly mental process, detectives require physical attributes, not just good-thinking skills. I want to see your moves."
Batman replied, "I haven't done that much fighting, in the past. My moves might not be good."
Ra's al Ghul put his arm around Batman, while saying, "Don't be so hard on yourself, Batman. I see lots of potential in you. Since you are lacking in the confidence department, I'll have you fight some of my less-challenging ninjas."
Batman replied, "Sounds good."
Catwoman slyly smiled and said, "I also want to fight some ninjas."
Ra's al Ghul smiled back and replied, "Okay." He walked over to his ninjas and sent them after Batman.
Batman looked at Catwoman and said, "It's time to find out our potential."
Catwoman replied, "We have more potential than you could ever imagine."
Batman said, "You have a lot of confidence, don't you?"
Catwoman asked, "Why wouldn't I? I'm the best."
The ninjas started running after Batman and Catwoman. One of the ninjas started punching Batman. Batman punched the ninja, but the ninja kicked him to the ground.
A ninja was about to use his sword, but he looked down and saw it was broken in half. Catwoman had a mischievous smile on her face, while saying, "When you mess with the cat, your weapons will become weaker than a litter-box." The ninja tried to punch her, but she threw him across the room. Ra's al Ghul raised an eyebrow, in surprise.
Batman got up and started punching a few ninjas. The ninjas started jumping on Batman. One of the ninjas punched Batman in the face. He fell to the ground.
Catwoman turned around and saw that the ninjas had beaten-up Batman. She faced the ninjas, while saying, "My claws are sharp, sharper than your brains could ever be." The ninjas started coming after her. She got out her whip and used it to fling ninjas across the room. She was an expert, at running quickly and sneaking around. There were several points, where the ninjas thought they were close to getting her. However, she managed to avoid their attacks and she defeated them.
There were a few ninjas left. They started heading towards Catwoman, who was feeling a little worn-out. Batman got up and saw what was happening. In order to protect Catwoman, he tried to stop the ninjas. He sternly said, "Bring it on, if you feel like you can handle. However, I think you should beware the Batman." Ra's al Ghul smirked, while Batman started punching and kicking the ninjas. Catwoman quickly got her energy back, so she helped Batman stop the remaining ninjas.
After all of the ninjas had been defeated, Ra's al Ghul clapped his hands. He walked up to Batman and Catwoman and said, "Excellent work, you two. You defeated an entire team of ninjas."
Batman replied, "Catwoman deserves most of the credit. Besides, those were the weaker ninjas."
Ra's al Ghul sneakily smiled and responded, "That's not the case. If you are wondering why the ninjas were able to temporarily defeat you, it's because I sent some of tougher ninjas."
Batman said, "I asked for the less-advanced ninjas."
Ra's al Ghul replied, "That's correct, but I knew you had potential for better."
Catwoman playfully rubbed Batman's cowl, while saying, "He's quite the fighter."
Batman replied, "You're the one who knocked it out of the park. Your impressive fight moves are what inspired me, to not give up. Those are some of the best moves I've ever seen." Catwoman meowed, which Batman assumed was her way of thanking him.
Ra's al Ghul responded, "You both impressed me and I'm expecting to see more of you. You have a lot to learn, despite already being so talented."
Batman was starting to reach for his utility-belt's wallet, while asking, "How much did this lesson cost?"
Ra's al Ghul shook his hand and replied, "It's on the house. Seeing the bat and the cat, in action, was something I should be paying for, not the other way around."
Batman asked, "Are you sure?"
Ra's al Ghul smiled and said, "Don't worry, Batman. I'm one of Gotham's richest citizens. In fact, Bruce Wayne is probably the only citizen in Gotham, who's wealthier than I am."
Batman felt nervous about Bruce Wayne's name being brought up, because he was Bruce Wayne and didn't want others to know that. He nervously gulped and he hoped Catwoman and Ra's al Ghul didn't hear that.
Catwoman said, "I've seen Bruce Wayne, on Vicky Vale's news reports. He doesn't seem that exciting, aside from his money and jewels."
Batman tried to cover up his secret-identity, by saying, "Bruce Wayne's probably spoiled, maybe immature."
Ra's al Ghul replied, "Ms. Vale often reports on how much Bruce Wayne wastes. He has so much potential, but he doesn't put it to use. I use my wealth, to improve and benefit Gotham. With my team of ninja, Gotham will become safer than ever." He tapped Batman's shoulder and said, "My goal is to make you heroic, intimidating, powerful, and talented. In other words, I want you to become the opposite of Bruce Wayne. Do you think that's possible?"
Batman felt amused, while answering, "Sure."
Professor Hugo Strange entered Professor Crane's classroom to check on Harvey Dent. Hugo Strange walked up to Crane and asked, "How did your latest experiment go?"
Professor Crane said, "It was a partial success."
Hugo Strange put his hand on his chin and asked, "Partially successful? I've been used to completely success and embarrassing failures, but moderation is not commonly found, when experimenting with the laws of nature. What happened?"
Professor Crane replied, "I'll explain what happened, by showing off my latest experiment. I put a dangerous for-toxin on Harvey Dent. I ran out of materials, so I only impacted half of him." He presented Harvey Dent. Half of his face had been turned purple. He fiddled with his coin, while looking angrier than ever.
Hugo asked, "You painted his face? What does that have to do with fear?"
Professor Crane had an evil grin on his face, while saying, "His new look will scare some many of our students. He's become a human fear-toxin and I couldn't be more excited to see him increase the fear around here, by two." He did an evil laugh, while Hugo looked captivated about the new Harvey Dent.
Batman and Catwoman went to the theater and started watching the spy film. During the film, Catwoman kept trying to hold Batman's hand, but Batman was uncomfortable with it, so he didn't hold her hand. Catwoman pretended to be offended about that, which Batman felt bad about. During the film's romance scenes, Catwoman smiled at Batman and winked at him, which increased his feelings of uncomfortableness.
After the film was over, Batman looked at his watch and saw that it was almost the time he went to bed at. He looked at Catwoman and said, "I think we should call it a night."
Catwoman replied, "Okay, but can I walk you home?"
Batman responded, "I'm afraid not. My home's location has to be kept a secret."
Catwoman hugged Batman, while saying, "I know that has to be kept from most people, but aren't I the perfect exception?"
Batman nervously replied, "I'm afraid not. It's not something I'm comfortable sharing with others, at least not yet. I hope you understand."
Catwoman tried to act more offended than she actually was, so she could guilt Batman into telling her his secrets. She sighed and said, "Very well then. I keep my secret's too. I was hoping you were the person I could reveal myself to, but that isn't the case." She disappeared.
Batman had a guilty look on his face, while saying, "Wow, I kind of messed up. Still, that was a fun night. I hope Catwoman can forgive me, but the Batman's home and identity must remain secrets."
Batman went to Arkham Asylum. He walked around the hallways and was hoping to see Catwoman, so he could apologize to her for refusing to reveal his secret identity. He accidentally bumped into Poison Ivy, who was holding a plant. The plant fell out of her hands, but Batman caught it and gave it to her.
Poison Ivy smiled and said, "Nice moves."
Batman replied, "Thank you. Catwoman and I did some fighting practice, at Talia's dad's place, and I think it helped my agility."
Poison Ivy responded, "Speaking of that, how was your night with Catwoman?"
Batman said, "It was a lot of fun, but I gave it an unpleasant ending."
Poison Ivy looked concerned, while asking, "What do you mean?"
Batman said, "Catwoman insisted on knowing where I live and I couldn't let her find that out. She's very kind and fun-loving, but she wants to find out who I really am and what I'm really like. People can't know the real me, so I had to stop her. However, I think I hurt her feelings and I feel bad about it."
Poison Ivy put her hand on Batman's shoulder and replied, "I don't think that's what's really going on. I've known Catwoman for a year. Although she does have some admirable qualities, like caring for stray cats, she's also very manipulative and sneaky."
Batman asked, "What has she done?"
Poison Ivy answered, "She's hurt pound-workers, has stolen a few jewels, and she constantly lies."
Batman scratched his cowl, while saying, "Some detective I am. If I was truly good at this detective stuff, I would of figured out her true colors. I had a few suspicions about her, but she seemed perfectly fine, even generous." He thought about how Catwoman and what he should do. He took a long pause of silence.
Poison Ivy looked at him and asked, "Are you okay?"
Batman said, "I think I know what to do. Catwoman seems flawed, but I think she has potential for greatness. I should hangout with her and try to help her."
Poison Ivy shook her her head and replied, "I don't think that's a good idea. She might trick you and manipulate you. It's not safe."
Batman calmly responded, "I think things are going to be okay."
Meanwhile, Professor Hugo Strange was having a meeting with Catwoman in his office, because he wanted to know Catwoman's progress. Catwoman grabbed a carton of milk, from Hugo Strange's fridge, and started slurping it up. She crossed her legs and said, "Hi, Strange. What's up?"
Hugo Strange replied, "I want to know the results, of your night with Batman."
Catwoman said, "Batman's got sweet intentions, but he's easily tricked. I had a fun of night, where I got to do whatever I want, and I still managed to make myself look like the innocent one."
Hugo replied, "Well done, Ms. Catwoman. Manipulation is a wonderful thing. So, how much progress did you make? Have you discovered any of his secrets?"
Catwoman responded, "I'm afraid that. His stubbornness is stronger than his physical strength."
Hugo put his hand on his chin and replied, "Quite the predicament. If the Batman has a passionate desire, to hide who he really is, how will you get that knowledge?"
Catwoman shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I don't know. You're the mastermind behind this deception and you're the one, who's obsessed with finding out his secret identity."
Hugo asked, "Don't you have interest in knowing who he is?"
Catwoman answered, "I find his mysterious nature alluring and captivating."
Hugo replied, "So do I. It's that mystery of his, that motivates me into searching for his face."
Catwoman threw the empty carton on the ground, while asking, "Do you have any plans?"
Hugo answered, "Indeed I do. Batman is even more secretive than I thought and because of that, you'll have to be forceful."
Catwoman asked, "So you want me to pressure him and bully him?"
Hugo answered, "I think it's our best option."
Catwoman angrily sighed and replied, "That would drive him away from me. It wouldn't make him want to reveal his secrets to me."
Hugo responded, "Oh, fair point." He tried to maintain his dignity, while asking, "Do you have any ideas?"
Catwoman slyly smiled and answered, "Indeed I do."
