Note: Batman is owned by DC Comics and was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. Carmine Falcone was created by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. This story was inspired by Jeffrey Thomas and Celeste Green's Gotham High.

Batman was walking around the city of Gotham, while having several thoughts in his head. He had been trying to take care of the dangerous antics, that had been happening at his college, Arkham Asylum. Batman knew the school's Principal, Professor Hugo Strange, was up to no good. Despite being a detective, he been failing to get the evidence he needed, to prove Hugo Strange's evil plans. Hugo, along with Professor Jonathan "Scarecrow" Crane seemed to have a hobby, of causing trouble and making things difficult, for their students. Batman used to see them as sneaky troublemakers, but as time went on, he started seeing them as more dangerous threats, that had to be taken care of. He had been mad and frustrated with himself for not being able to stop Hugo.

Batman had gathered some papers and documents, which listed some of Hugo Strange's more devious plans. He had a strong amount of hope, that the papers would convince the police, to start searching Arkham Asylum. He went inside. A few police officers saw him and thought it was an off-putting sight, to see a man in a bat costume. Batman walked up to Lieutenant James Gordon, the only member of Gotham's police force, that he trusted. Gordon had been looking over some papers, about Carmine Falcone's mob, when Batman came to him and said, "Greetings, Jim Gordon. I think you should look at these papers."

Gordon looked at the papers and replied, "Hugo Strange seems to be quite the dangerous mastermind. I don't think he's someone, that the police can just ignore."

Commissioner Loeb walked by, with a grumpy look on his face. Loeb had been bribed by Carmine Falcone, to support Gotham's crime and engage in shady business. Because of that, he didn't act like a proper or responsible Commissioner. He saw Batman talking with Gordon and feared, that their talk would interfere with his plans. Because of that, he grabbed the papers and started looking at him. He frowned at Gordon and asked, "Why are you looking at this crap? There's nothing useful, that you can gain."

Gordon replied, "But Principal Strange is planning some very dangerous things, Commissioner Loeb. We have to check out Arkham Asylum. We have to send a team, of our best police officers, to take care of Strange and Crane."

Commissioner Loeb used a cigar, to burn the papers. He had a snobbish look on his face, while staring at Batman and said, "You need to stop wasting the police's team. You're a rather childish figure, aren't you? Dressing like a bat isn't a stylish type of fashion, unless you're a kid, who wants to wear a mediocre costume. I'd recommend buzzing off, you dumb punk."

Gordon looked at Batman and said, "I'm sorry about my boss. He doesn't understand the importance of investigating Arkham Asylum."

Batman replied, "Loeb and Strange went to one of Carmine Falcone's meetings. They're both working for them. None of them care about helping this city, but they'll always claim they do."

Gordon put his hand over his face. He wanted to save the city, but he said, "This seems like a hopeless case."

Batman shook his head and replied, "This isn't a hopeless case. Things are getting bleak, but there's always hope. As long as we don't lose sight of that hope and always try, we can save the day."

Gordon asked, "What are you going to do?"

Batman answered, "I don't know, but I do know, that I'm going to make this city a better place."

A few minutes later, Batman walked to a coffee shop. He went inside and ordered a coffee. He looked around and saw Hugo Strange, who was sitting at one of the tables. Batman had a surprised look on his face, because of Hugo's presence. Hugo looked friendly, while staring at Batman, and said, "Greetings, Mr. Batman."

Batman replied, "It's rather odd, to see you."

Hugo responded, "This could hardly be considered strange. This is a charming moment, in my opinion. When we're at Arkham Asylum, things tend to get tense. You tend to accuse me, of doing corrupt schemes and I gently explain, how I'm an innocent man."

Batman said, "That's not how things go, Principal Strange."

After Batman got his coffee, Hugo said, "You should sit down and have your coffee, with yours truly."

Batman replied, "You're not exactly the type of person, that I want to hang out with."

Hugo lightly smiled and responded, "Come on, Mr. Batman. I'm an eloquent person, if I do say so myself. Besides, you've always been wanting to know, what's on my mind. Now that we're both here, you can discover my true plans and intentions." A sneaky smirk came upon Hugo's face, while saying, "I can also learn your secrets."

Batman sat down and started sipping his coffee. He said, "You should give up this game, Professor Strange."

Hugo put his hand on his chin, while pretending he didn't know what Batman was talking about. He calmly said, "I'm a very responsible and mature Principal. Although I don't mind a few games, from time to time, I'm a really serious person. I don't waste time, on childish games. Games are for the students, such as yourself. After all, you still dress like a bat, so you obviously still seem value, in childish things."

Batman had gotten tired of Hugo trying to change the subject when he had important questions. He knew Hugo had a lot to hide, so he resorted to cheap lies, to make himself look like a decent person. He also knew that Hugo was a dangerous mastermind. Since Batman wanted to be a heroic vigilante and a great detective, he wanted to outsmart Hugo and save Arkham Asylum. Batman said, "Don't bother, with trying to change the subject. You're not going to outsmart me."

Hugo had a proud look on his face, while replying, "You're incredibly wrong about that. You see, nobody has ever outsmarted Hugo Strange. There are several people, who thought they had a shot, at defeating me. However, I've shown all of them, that I always win."

Batman responded. "I thought you said that this wasn't a game. How can you win something, without entering a competition?"

Hugo sipped his coffee, before saying, "Not all competitions are game. There's certain traits and qualities, that you don't pick up on. You're a very bright student. In fact, you're one of the smartest students, that Arkham Asylum has ever had. However, there's certain things, that you've failed to learn, which is going to lead to your downfall."

Batman replied, "There isn't a single person, who knows every piece of information and every single thing. They say nothing is impossible, but no human has ever accomplished the task, of knowing everything, about every subject."

Hugo responded, "That's true. However, that has to do with the fact, that there are too many pointless and wasteful subjects, that people spend time on. In order to make myself Gotham's most brilliant citizen, I haven't wasted time, with knowing things, that don't matter. There are certain subjects, that some people don't have to learn."

Batman asked, "What subjects are you talking about?"

Hugo answered, "Sports is one of them. Like I said, I'm a mature and eloquent adult, who doesn't have time for games. In addition to not playing games, I don't watch other people's games. Another subject, which has no importance, is family. I'm thankful to my parents, for leading to my birth. However, that was the only thing, that I needed them for. When I was a teenager, I took over their house and forced them to move into a small apartment. I'm not just the boss, of Arkham Asylum. I'm also the boss, of the Strange family."

Batman sarcastically said, "You sound like a very admirable family member."

Hugo said, "Another pointless thing, that people waste a lot of time on, is romance. It's a pointless and meaningless waste of time. The Clock King highly agreed with me, on that particular subject."

Batman replied, "Romance isn't pointless. Your evil schemes are the things that are pointless."

Hugo had a smug smile on his face, while responding, "I anticipated that response since you've fallen in love."

Batman sternly replied, "That's not your business, so you shouldn't know about it."

Hugo responded, "There are certain elements about my life that you shouldn't know. For example, you shouldn't know about the mildly shady things I've done, at Arkham Asylum. You also shouldn't know that I'm allies with Carmine Falcone."

Batman replied, "I needed to learn those things, because I need to put an end, to your evil operations."

Hugo responded, "That's never going to happen, Mr. Batman. Commissioner Loeb is also friends, with Carmine Falcone. Due to having the support, of Gotham's most powerful citizens, I'm one of this city's most unbeatable opponents. You're not a serious threat, to my operations. You're a lab bat, for my experiments."

The next morning, Batman went to Arkham Asylum. He started roaming around the hallways, so he could find evidence, of Hugo and Professor Crane's corrupt crimes. However, he was failing to find anything, about Hugo's schemes, but Hugo was smart enough, to hide every trace of evidence. As for Professor Crane, he had his pet, man-Bat, to guard his evidence. Batman felt frustrated, while continuing his search.

Poison Ivy entered the school and started looking around, for Batman. Her best friend, Harley Quinn, had been kicked out of the college. Because of that, she had very few people to socialize with, aside from Batman. She walked up to him and said, "Greetings, Batman."

Batman felt a bit of happiness from Ivy's presence. She was one of the few people, at Arkham Asylum, that he enjoyed being with. They started holding hands, while saying, "It's great to see you. However, I'm not having great things, to show anybody. I'm failing, to prove how corrupt Hugo Strange and Professor Crane are."

Poison Ivy replied, "You can't always call yourself a failure, whenever you don't evidence. Nobody can be a complete success, on every mission, that they attempt. Their slip-ups don't make them weak. Nobody can be perfect, but everybody can make a strong and heroic difference. I believe you've already been doing that, Batman, and I believe you will keep making a positive difference, as time goes on."

Batman responded, "With all due respect, I don't think I'm making much of a difference, at Arkham Asylum. Hugo Strange is still continuing his master plans, along with the Scarecrow. I haven't stopped them."

Poison Ivy replied, "Although their operation hasn't been shut down, you've done lots of things, to stop them."

Batman didn't understand Ivy, so he had a confused look on his face and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Poison Ivy said, "Hugo and Scarecrow have attempted several things, which they never accomplished, thanks to you. For example, they were planning on having Man-Bat attack our fellow classmates. You figured that out and stopped it. Hugo's also hired several people, to help with his evil plans, including Deathstroke, Morgaine Le Fey, and Nocturna, but you stopped all of them and none of them hang around Arkham Asylum, anymore. You're making a positive difference and you're making progress. Don't doubt yourself."

Batman replied, "Thank you, Ivy. You often remind me, of life's optimistic side."

Poison Ivy said, "You've also made a positive difference, when it comes to me."

Batman looked confused, while asking, "What are you talking about? You were already the best."

Poison Ivy lightly blushed and replied, "That wasn't really the case. I often acted petty and selfish, in the past. I was rude to almost every teacher and student, aside from Harley." She walked up to the hallway's plants and started watering them. She said, "I've always had a strong love, for plants. People often act like traitors, villains, and punks. Plants are never like that, because they don't express the negative emotions, that humans do. Because of that, it was hard for me, to not get attached and become a devoted fangirl, of plants." She took a small pause, before saying, "However, plants also don't have the optimistic, cheerful, and loving emotions, that people have. I was very lacking, in love for humans, until you came along. There's been a few humans, that I've been fond of. However, you're the first humans, that I've truly loved."

Batman took a long pause, while trying to think of a way, to word himself. He said, "You were the first person I've loved, in a long time. A personal tragedy affected my loved ones. Because of that dramatic event, I shut myself off, from the rest of the world. I rarely spent time with anybody, aside from the few loved ones I had left. When I came to Arkham Asylum, I just wanted resources and knowledge. Despite my brain trying to stop me, I gained feelings of love and all of those romantic feeling are for you."

Poison Ivy grinned and said, "I love you."

Batman replied, "I love you too."

Professor Crane went into the hallway, with a grumpy look on his face. He gave Batman and Ivy a disapproving look and said, "Kissing is a forbidden thing, at Arkham Asylum. You've already been informed of that. However, you lack standards and respect, which is why you're getting another detention."

Batman replied, "You need to cut it out, with the detentions."

Professor Crane spoke in a fussy tone of voice, while responding, "You should be ashamed of yourself, for being so disrespectful."

Poison Ivy asked, "Why is kissing a problem?"

Professor Crane said, "It's a repulsive and shameful thing. In addition to that, you have two have several other qualities, which are disgraceful."

Batman had a confused look on his face, while asking, "What are you talking about?"

Professor Crane explained, "You talk back to your superiors, act like a punk, get in fights, and do silly investigations and detective work."

Batman replied, "I do the detective stuff, to get proof, of your and Principal Strange's evil antics."

Professor Crane pushed Batman into a wall. An evil smile came upon Crane's face, while walking closer to Batman, and saying, "Since we're in a college, I can't beat you up. However, I don't want you to feel safe. This is a very scary environment and after I create more fear toxins, Gotham's going to start getting an infamous reputation, for being the world's scariest city." He did an evil laugh.

Hugo Strange went into the hallway. He noticed Batman was on the floor, so he asked, "What is going on?"

Professor Crane snobbishly answered, "Batman and Poison Ivy are complete scoundrels. They're the most difficult, stubborn, and rudest students, that I've ever dealt with." Similar to Hugo, Crane was a filthy liar, whose fibs were hardly convincing.

Hugo said, "Batman is one of the most compelling, captivating, and fascinating students, that I've ever had. That's the main reason, why he hasn't been kicked out of Arkham Asylum. I don't believe he and his girlfriend deserve the punishment, of being expelled. However, they need to start realizing who's boss."

Professor Crane replied, "In order to make that happen, they're going to be getting a detention." A sneaky look came upon his face, while saying, "I believe one detention wouldn't be enough, for these scummy students. I believe they need a few weeks or months, of detentions."

Hugo responded, "That sounds like an excellent way, of making these flawed, but interesting students pay the price."

Poison Ivy could hardly the extremely unfair punishments, that she and Batman were getting. She folded her arms and said, "You two antagonists don't understand the concept, of justice, rules, and punishments. You're corrupt and stubborn troublemakers."

Professor Crane shook his fist and replied, "This behavior proves the true despicableness of their behaviors and actions."

A few hours later, Batman and Poison Ivy were in detention. Professor Crane was in the lab room, so he could work on his fear toxins, so Batman and Ivy were the only people, that were in the detention room. Poison Ivy watered the few plants that Man-Bat hadn't eaten, while Batman looked around Crane's files, so he could find evidence.

Poison Ivy angrily said, "This marathon of detentions sure sucks, doesn't it?"

Batman replied, "You reminded me that we need to look at things through an optimistic viewpoint." He showed off some papers, while saying, "Scarecrow's done a lot of sneaky tactics to hide his true intentions. However, I found some papers, that show evidence, of his evil toxins. I made a mistake, by taking the previous evidence, to the police. I can't let Commissioner Loeb get rid of the evidence. I have to keep this evidence away from the police, in general. Most of the police are probably being bribed by Carmine Falcone."

Poison Ivy asked, "Then what are you going to do?"

Batman said, "I don't know, but I'll find a use for this evidence." He put the papers in his utility belt.

Poison Ivy said, "You managed to put an optimistic spin on your detective work. However, are you able to put a positive spin, on having all these detentions?"

A light smile came upon Batman's face, while saying, "We do have these detentions, together. We don't get to spend a lot of time with each other. In a strange way, these detentions are something to be thankful for."

Poison Ivy smiled and replied, "I can't argue with that, honey." She kissed Batman. She and Batman held hands, while being optimistic, about the future. Although things were flawed, Batman knew that justice was on the way.