Batman Return of the Dark Nights

Written by: Panthera

Disclaimer: The characters within this story belong to DC Comics and Warner Brothers I have just borrowed them for a while. No harm is meant I will return them unharmed when I'm finished the only character contained within that is not DC is that of Zanah she is an original character created by me and my friend.  Now, on with the story.

Chapter Twenty-Four

That Night ….

Catwoman crept into he loft of famous industrialist and Wayne Enterprises stockholder Charles Wilfred. The large apartment was finely decorated and Catwoman couldn't help but grin this place would be so easy to clean out. The grin faded as Selina took over. I'm here to find out if my suspicions ore correct or not. I'm here to see if Daggett used Jervis Tetch to gain control of Bruce Wayne's Company, she told herself.

"So where do I start looking," she mumbled to he dark room. "Something that he keeps with him at all times I guess," she said softly as she moved about the apartment.

"Tetch tends to use articles of clothing," said a voice from in the shadows.

"Batman what are you doing here?"

"I knew that after speaking with you this morning you would end up here. Do you think Daggett would leave this place unguarded."

"I can take care of myself Bats."

"Not where Daggett's concerned you can't. He has you at a disadvantage. He knows who you are. I'm here to watch your back."

"What do you suggest we look for then?"

"Charles always wears the same tie pin, he says it's his good luck charm. That's probably what we're looking for."

"If he's wearing it then how will we find it here?"

"I know for a fact he'll be back in about five minutes."

"Then what are we doing here?"

"I'm leaving and you're going to steal it."

"How?"

"You're a thief I'm sure you'll think of something."

"Once I have it."

"Replace it with this same pin. He won't know the difference, and bring the other to me. Good luck." He said as he moved towards the window. "Oh and be careful."

"I will," she whispered just before he left.

Selina crept out of the main room and back into the back of the apartment as the sound of keys rattling shattered the silence. The room filled with lights as Mr. Wilfred entered the apartment. He made quick work of settling in for the night and all fell dark again.

She moved out of her hiding place and swapped the pins easily. Catwoman then left the apartment.  "That was almost too easy," she purred, and in response she was hailed with gunfire. "Damn, I hate it when I'm right," she whispered as she moved to evade Daggett's goons.

Selina soon found herself cornered on the edge of a roof.

"We've got her now," one man said with a laugh.

She grinned before she dove off the roof. The men stared dumbfounded as she fell towards the street below. Suddenly her fell stopped and she pulled herself up on a landing several stories down. She then disappeared into the shadows.

"How did she do that?"

"Who cares we have to find her fast," another thug replied.

Selina dropped to the pavement and raced down the street. She heard the men above still trying to figure out where she had gone. She moved further down the street and soon came to the Bat mobile.

"I've got it," she whispered before getting in the car,

"Good, now lets get out of here."

"I couldn't agree with you more. I'm not fond of being shot at."

"Daggett's goons?"

"Yes."

"He'll soon know that Mr. Wilfred is no longer under his control. So, he'll have to be removed," Batman said.

"What will you do?"

"I'll have to get him out of there."

"And me?" Catwoman questioned.

"You take the device back to the cave and find Tetch."

"Got it," she said. She got out of the car and watched as Batman drove off. She then made her way back to her car and set of for the manor.

Above…

"Mr. Daggett, we have a problem."

"What?"

"Catwoman stole the device."

"From whom?"

"Mr. Wilfred."

"Then we will have to cut his wings."

"How soon sir?"

"Before noon tomorrow."

"Consider it done." The tug said and then he hung up the phone and moved back towards the loft.

Batman got out of the Bat mobile and made his way back o the loft. Opening the window he slipped inside and made his way to the bed.

Charles sat up in his bed hearing the window open. He watched with confusion as Batman walked towards him.

"Mr. Wilfred your life is in danger."

"What?"

"Go. Quickly."

The terrified man rose from bed and did as he was told getting out of the house just minutes before Daggett's goons returned.

Across Town…

Catwoman walked into a dark club past several notorious criminals and over to the bartender.

"What will it be Miss?"

"Nothing this evening. I'm here on business."

"Such as?"

"I'm trying to locate a Mr. Tetch, he also calls himself the Mad Hatter. You wouldn't have any idea where he is would you."

"Maybe, it depends who's asking."

" Cat is asking and she brought this lovely collar wit her, she'd be willing to swap it for that information," Selina replied as she produced a diamond chocker for him to examine.

"He's in the old Gotham district a theatre. I believe the last show they ran…" 

"Was Alice and Wonderland, I know the place well, thank you," she purred before she left.

Upon arriving back at the Manor she found Batman in the cave examining the pin.

"I've got his hideout located," she said moving towards him.

"Good… You stay out of sight for a while and I'll deal with Tetch."

"What about Clay Face. Daggett's got that party planned tomorrow night to celebrate the take over. If he hates Daggett as much as I think he's sure to crash it."

"I know. I don't want you mixed up in that."

"I already am Bruce. He knows that Selina Kyle is an employee of Daggett's."

"You're not planning as going as Selina are you?" Batman asked alarmed.

"Why not? I'll crash the party distract Daggett long enough for Batman to do some digging and when Clay Face shows up I can get out of there in the confusion."

"Selina…"

"Bruce this is best, I'm an itch he has to scratch. He'll be so busy trying to contain me; he won't be paying attention to what you're up to. I'll be fine. He won't do anything not with the press around."

"I thought you agreed not to take any more foolish risks."

"I did, but times running out the longer we wait the more danger we're in. Now I suggest you follow up on my lead."

"Selina…"

"I am going tomorrow Bruce and nothing you can say will change my mind."

"Be careful."

"I will. Tetch is using the old theatre as his hideout…"

"The last performance there was Alice in Wonderland of course."

"What did you find?" Dick asked as he entered the cave.

"I know where to find Tetch."

"Good luck," Selina whispered before she turned and left. Knowing it was best to leave them alone.

Dick changed into his costume and the two left headed for the old theatre to recapture the Mad Hatter.

Upon arriving at the theater Batman and Robin split up.

Batman dropping in through the skyline found himself in the middle of the Cheshire cat's forest. While Robin entering through a side door found himself in Tweadle-Dee and Tweadle-Dumb's camp.

This is the last place in the world I ever wanted to see again. Wonderland, Robin thought recalling his last encounter with the Mad Hatter. He'd nearly lost his head to Tetch's controlled Queen of hearts.

The prospect of facing off with the crazed characters once again was not a pleasant one.

Batman turned in the direction of the Mad Hatter's domain. Upon reaching the table he found Tetch sitting with a bound Julie and several of Wayne Enterprise's board members.

"Twinkle, twinkle little Bat. How I wonder what you're at?"

"Let them go Tetch."

"But they don't want to go. Do you?" The Mad Hatter asked turning his attention to the board members.

They shook their heads no and stood up.

"See, they like it here in Wonder Land. Gentlemen show the Batman out," Tetch instructed.

The men gathered around him and prepared to remove him per the Mad Hatter's request. At the same time Tweadle-Dee and Tweadle-Dumb dragged in Robin.

"Well, now that we have both of our party crashers caught we should take them to see the queen." Tetch laughed.

Robin repressed a shudder at the thought of facing the mad queen again.

"I take it you left your Cheshire cat at home batman. No matter I'm sure we'll cross paths soon enough."

"This is between us Tetch leave her out of it," Batman warned.

"So, she does matter to you, and here I thought you had no weaknesses."

"The warning isn't to protect her Tetch it's to protect you. She plays by a different set of rules than I do. Unlike me she'll kill you if provoked."

"Really, and yet you let her roam free. What's the matter Batman going soft?"

"No."

"Then why isn't she in Arkum like the rest of us?"

"Unlike you she's not a danger to society."

"Oh yes, she is."

"You don't even know her."

"I don't need to. It's obvious she's your weakness. You're venerable as long as she's in Gotham, which makes her a threat to you and in turn a danger to society."

"She doesn't hurt people unlike you, who turn them into mindless slaves."

"Enough Batman! Games over, it's time to face the queen."

"Oh no, Tetch the game is just getting started," Batman said as he revealed a remote control and pressed the button. A loud noise was emitted and the board members all let go of him and looked around confused as Tweadle-Dee and Tweadle-Dumb let go of Robin.

Batman vanished as Tetch leapt from his table and ran off.

Robin made quick work of freeing Julie and getting her and the board members to safety.

Tetch ran through the forest and straight to the castle. He was in the middle of the courtroom when Batman appeared before him.

"It's over Tetch time to go back to Arkum."

"No!"

"The police maybe lenient if you help them find the person who helped you escape."

"They can't protect me from him."

"Who, Daggett?"

"I'm crazy, Batman not stupid."

"Tetch…"

"I'm not saying another word Batman so forget it."

Batman cuffed Tetch and then led him out of the theater. He and Robin then left taking the Mad Hatter to Gotham Police Department leaving him for Gordon, before leaving, returning to the Bat cave.