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

Batman walked into Arkham Asylum, while heavily sighing. During the past few months, Batman had dealt with nonsense, but it wasn't the type of nonsense, that was harmless and goofy. Arkham Asylum was the craziest college, that the world had ever seen. Arkham Asylum's Principal, Professor Hugo Strange, claimed the school was made, to benefit Gotham's most eccentric citizens.

However, Batman knew what was really going on. In reality, Hugo Strange ran Arkham Asylum, so he could surround himself, with Gotham's most captivatingly bizarre and fascinating citizens. He had no interest, in giving his students a better life. In fact, he wanted them to become crazier and more dangerous in order to make things more interesting.

Batman started walking to his locker. He heard footsteps, that were getting louder. Since he was becoming an expert detective, he could tell Hugo Strange was walking up to him. Batman grabbed the textbooks he needed and said, "Greetings, Principal Strange."

Hugo Strange had a friendly smile on his face, while replying, "Greetings, Batman. I must say that it's great to see you. I hope you have another successful day, at Arkham Asylum."

Batman raised an eyebrow. He was used to Hugo pretending to be nice. However, Hugo was being more unconvincing and stranger, than usual. Batman folded his arms and asked, "What are you up to?"

Hugo kept trying to look genuine, while saying, "As usual, I'm working hard, to benefit Arkham Asylum's students. I can't think of anything more beneficial than making Gotham's next generation more intelligent and eloquent."

Batman could hardly believe that Hugo was still trying to seem like a caring person, so he said, "You should cut out this false sense of morality, Principal Strange. I know you're up to your usual tricks, so you should start giving me evidence, so I can put you out of business."

Hugo coldly stared at Batman and replied, "Be careful, when you speak to Hugo Strange. One of your lesser opponents would beat you up, for trying to threaten them. However, I know you're quite the detective, so if I gave you any punches, you'd find the few police officers who care about justice."

Batman responded, "Well, it seems like I have the power, around here."

Hugo had a confused look on his face, while asking, "What are you talking about? When Hugo Strange is in a room, nobody else is in charge."

Batman replied, "I can fight you, in both mental and physical ways. The only thing you can do, to stop me, is silly gimmicks and desperate plans. You're running out of tricks."

Hugo smugly responded, "You're wrong about that, you dark knight. You see, I never underestimate an opponent, which is why I always have a trick up my sleeve. At this very moment, my newest plan is starting. Even though you're a great detective, you don't know what my newest plan is, do you?"

Batman wondered if Hugo was bluffing. Either way, Batman wasn't sure what plan Hugo was referring to. He said, "I'm not really sure what you're up to, at this very moment, but I'm going to figure it out and put an end, to all of your schemes." Batman paced around Hugo, while trying to intimidate him. He said, "You've outsmarted a lot of opponents, but you've never stopped me."

Hugo started pacing around Batman, while replying, "That's not true. I've done a number of schemes, which have surprised and confounded you."

Batman responded, "As true as that is, I've always found a way to stop you, in the end."

Hugo replied, "When our rivalry comes to its' end, I will have more knowledge and power, than ever before. As for you, your secret identity will be revealed, as soon as I find out your name. You can count on losing everything, that makes you feel sane. I may be strange, but at Arkham Asylum, I'm the smartest and most normal person. I'm also the one, who was the most power. Try as much as you want, but nobody has the skills, to defeat Hugo Strange." He did an evil laugh, while heading to his office.

Batman's best friend, Poison Ivy, walked by him and said, "Greetings, Batman. How are things?"

Batman answered, "Hugo Strange is as insane, as ever. If anything, he keeps living up, to his last name. He claims that he's got something up his sleeves."

Poison Ivy asked, "What is he talking down?"

Batman kept his chin down, while saying, "To be honest, I don't know. I probably sound like a lousy detective, don't I? My greatest enemy has something big planned, but I have no clue about what it is."

Poison Ivy could hardly believe that Batman wouldn't consider himself a good detective. She raised his chin up and said, "Come on, Batman. You're the smartest and cleverest person that Arkham Asylum has ever had. Hugo Strange always has a sneaky plan, so it's understandable, that you don't know what he's up to, right now. Besides, you'll probably solve the mystery, as time goes on. You've never failed."

Batman smiled at Ivy and replied, "Thank you, Rose."

Poison Ivy smiled back and asked, "You still call me that? I'm a poisonous person, to be around."

Batman replied, "Then you're the one type of poison, that blossoms out, in a wonderful way." Poison Ivy blushed.

Meanwhile, Hugo Strange was on the phone with one of his teachers, Professor Jonathan Crane, also known as the Scarecrow. Hugo had a proud smile on his face, while saying, "Once again, I've outsmarted my opponents. Batman doesn't know about my latest plan. In order to keep him in the dark, don't give any clues or hints, about our future experiment."

Professor Crane had an evil smile on his face, while saying, "Don't worry, Principal Strange. This plan is so elusive and fearful, that I wouldn't waste potential, by giving the plan away."

Hugo replied, "That's excellent to hear, Professor Crane, and I must say that I admire your bravery. You're Arkham Asylum's only staff member, other than myself, who is worth being afraid of."

Professor Crane responded, "When it comes to fear, I'm the master." He did an evil laugh.

A few minutes later, Batman and Poison Ivy entered Professor Crane's classroom. Professor Crane's pet, Man-Bat, started growling at Batman. Batman looked at Man-Bat and said, "Quiet down."

Professor Crane had an amused look on his face, while asking, "Don't you love the arguments, that come from two brothers?"

Batman replied, "As usual, I don't comprehend the type of nonsense, that you're trying to spread. I have a bat-themed gimmick, but I'm not a real bat, so Man-Bat and I aren't brothers."

Professor Crane responded, "Whatever you say, you knight of denial."

A moment later, class had started. A few students hadn't arrived, so Crane started writing detention slips. He checked on his latest fear toxins, before walking to his classmates and said, "Greetings, students. Are you feeling scared? If not, I'd be glad to assist you." He laughed.

Batman gave Crane a disapproving look and said, "How about you start teaching the class, instead of attempting a bunch of pathetic schemes, to scare us?"

As usual, Batman didn't fail, at ticking Crane off. He angrily said, "I'm going to be giving you another detention, for your interruptions. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, but knowing you, you are shameless."

Batman smirked and replied, "More or less."

A few minutes later, Hugo Strange knocked on the door. Batman saw him, so his eyebrows went up and he asked, "Why is Principal Strange here?"

Professor Crane casually said, "Arkham Asylum is getting a new student. Since Principal Strange is such a gentleman, he wants to make sure, that the new student gets a proper introduction."

Hugo Strange walked into the classroom, along with a young woman, who had black hair and gothic clothing. She smiled at Batman, before standing next to Hugo, in front of the other students. Hugo was still trying, to seem like a caring and responsible Principal, so he had an inviting look on his face, while saying, "Greetings, students. I'm sorry, that I had to interrupt Professor Crane. After all, he's Arkham Asylum's smartest and most useful teacher. I'm sure you've been gaining wonderful lessons, from him. However, I need to introduce our new student." He pointed, to the new student, and said, "This is Nocturna. Like the rest of you, she isn't normal, but being different is the main thing, that makes Arkham Asylum the world's most wonderful college."

Nocturna looked at her classmates, specifically Batman, while saying, "Greetings, everybody. It's a treat, to meet you guys. I'm not the most normal or pleasant student, but I hope you give me a fair shot."

Hugo looked at her and replied, "You have nothing to worry about, Nocturna. Arkham Asylum has so many inviting and friendly students."

Batman responded, "Frankly, I disagree with that."

Professor Crane shook his fist at Batman and replied, "How dare you interrupt Principal Strange. I think I'll give you extra detention-time for that."

Hugo put his hand on Crane's shoulder and quietly said, "That wouldn't be a good idea, Professor Crane. After all, we have that important experiment, after school. If you give students detentions, we won't have enough time, to do the plan."

Professor Crane looked back at Batman and said, "You don't have a detention, today. However, I plan on giving you tons of scary stuff in the future." Batman put his hand on his chin, while trying to figure out the reason, for Crane cancelling his detention.

After Crane's class was over, Batman walked by Poison Ivy, who was watering the hallway's plants. Batman said, "I'm getting bad vibes, from the Scarecrow."

Poison Ivy replied, "He's always creeping me out, so that's hardly surprising."

Batman responded, "I think he and Hugo Strange are planning something big. Scarecrow cancelled my detention, which is something he never does. Punishing students is his favorite hobby, other than scaring them."

Poison Ivy replied, "If that's the case, why did he cancel your detention?"

Batman said, "Because he and Strange are planning something, that they don't want me, to find out."

Next, Batman went to the Clock King's class. The Clock King was giving a long speech and was writing a bunch of stuff on the chalkboard. The students were struggling, to pay attention.

Batman got the sense, that somebody was looking at him. He looked around and saw Nocturna, who was gazing at him. She had an interested smile on her face, while staring at Batman. Batman looked at her face, to try to determine the reason, for Nocturna staring at him.

The Clock King noticed that Batman and Nocturna were staring at each other instead of him and his chalkboard. He gave them a disapproving look and said, "You two should be ashamed. I'm trying to give a defenestration, about the importance of using time, to the fullest advantage." He paced around the classroom and pointed at Batman and Nocturna, while saying, "There are some people, who waste time and are okay, with time flying by. However, there are those, who live life to the fullest."

Nocturna raised her hand and asked, "Can you give an example, of someone, who lives life to the fullest?"

The Clock King replied, "Indeed I can." He pulled up a picture, of Carmine Falcone, Gotham's self-proclaimed leader. The Clock King said, "Carmine Falcone has been doing an eloquent and time-efficient job, at ruling the city of Gotham. He's the type of person, who you should admire and be inspired by." Batman frowned, because he knew Carmine was one of the most dangerous and corrupt citizens, that Gotham has ever had.

A few hours later, it was lunchtime. Batman walked into the cafeteria. Nocturna followed him. She tapped his shoulder and asked, "Will you have lunch with me?"

Batman answered, "Sure."

A moment later, Poison Ivy walked into the cafeteria. Batman usually had lunch with her, so he walked up to her, and said, "I'm going to have lunch with Nocturna. Is that okay?"

Poison Ivy tried to not make a big deal about it, even though she felt uneasy, deep down. She said, "That's the fine."

While Poison Ivy was grabbing her lunch, the cook said, "Ms. Ivy, I can tell you're down."

Poison Ivy asked, "Am I really that bad, at conveying subtlety?"

The cook answered, "I'm afraid so, but I know a way, to make things boil better." He put an egg, that was shaped like a broken heart, on Ivy's tray.

Poison Ivy replied, "No offense, but that doesn't raise my spirits."

The cook looked a bit embarrassed, while saying, "I'm sorry. It was supposed to be a regular heart, but I was mad at Olga, so I broke it in half."

Poison Ivy replied, "I appreciate the sentiment, Egghead."

Batman and Nocturna sat next to each other, at one of the tables. Batman was secretly interested in finding out, what Hugo Strange's reason was, for having Nocturna join the school. Batman looked at Nocturna and asked, "Are you liking the college, so far?"

Nocturna answered, "Well, it has potential. I know Arkham Asylum isn't meant to be a glamorous or friendly college, but I believe it's the one I need, for my issues."

Batman asked, "What issues?"

Nocturna replied, "Wow, you just met me or you're already wondering, what's wrong with me. Apparently, one of my issues is giving bad first-impressions."

Batman looked a bit guilty, while saying, "I didn't do a very good job, at wording myself. What things are you dealing with?"

It was becoming clear, that Nocturna didn't want to give too many details. She tried to word herself, in a careful and elusive way. She said, "You see, during the day, I don't feel too bad. However, when the night comes around, I feel like a different thing and it's not a great thing."

Batman noticed her vagueness, so he asked, "What type of thing, are you referring to?"

Nocturna replied, "As much as I find you captivating, I'm not feeling the urge, to give you my entire backstory. However, I can say, that I relate to the concept, of feeling like a bat."

Batman jokingly responded, "If that's the case, you should become Man-Bat's friend."

Nocturna replied, "Man-Bat's find, for a pet. However, my interest, for the creatures of the night, isn't about animals. It's about something else. It's about something, that you wouldn't understand."

Batman responded, "I think I'd be able, to comprehend the situation, if I knew what the situation was."

Nocturna replied, "If you knew the situation, you'd know everything and if that happened, you'd be out of business."

Batman had a confused look on his face, while asking, "What do you mean?"

Nocturna answered, "You're a detective, so having a mystery in the air, is what you need." She kissed his cheek and disappeared into the shadows. Poison Ivy saw the kiss, so she crushed her already broken egg and left the cafeteria.