::Mayor Hill's house::


Things were quiet as the mayor and his company waited for the addition of one more. About fifteen minutes after he made the phone call, a squad car pulled into the mayor's driveway. Out stepped Jim, not realizing what kind of a mess he was getting himself into.

He rang the doorbell. Mayor Hill answered it.

"Jim, it's very nice of you to show up. Follow me, please."

"What's this all about? If you don't mind me asking," said Jim as he followed the mayor into his office.

"I have some incriminating evidence that could shed some light onto your case," replied the mayor.

"Oh? What would that be?"

"Not what, Jim, who. Could you come in please?"

In walked Bruce Wayne.

"Wayne? What in the world are you doing here?"

Without saying a word, he put Jim in a headlock. Jim struggled to get free, but to no avail. Bruce's grasp was too tight. He shoved Jim's upper body onto the desktop. Then he shifted Jim's head onto its side.

"Don't worry Jim. This won't hurt a bit," said the mayor as he placed the microchip onto his neck.

As soon as the chip was placed, Jim's body relaxed. It was now under the control of the Joker. As the Joker stepped inside the room, he realized he now had the entire police force under his control. He would show the town just what he could do with that kind of power.


:: A townhouse in Gotham ::

"That's where we last saw the kid that was with the Mad Hatter," said Robin.

"What do you expect to find here?" asked Superman.

"Hopefully we'll find another clue. If not, we'll just tail Bruce and see what the Joker's up to. After you, Batman."

Batman and Robin entered the townhouse. They walked carefully downstairs. Seeing no one, Robin started walking into the living room. Batman held him though.

"I hear footsteps," said Batman.

Soon enough, Robin heard them too. The next thing they knew, all of the exits were blocked. There were about ten young men, all with guns in their hands. They were ready to fire when Batman spoke up.

"I'm not here to turn you all in. All I want is information," he stated.

"You think we're gonna trust you? Fat chance Batman!" said one guy.

Arnold, one of Ollie's friends spoke up.

"Wait! If the bat says that he won't turn us in, then he won't. Batman's supposed to be a man of his word, right? Isn't that right Batman?" asked Arnold.

"Yes," replied Batman.

"What do you think you're doing?" whispered Robin.

"I'm doing this my way," whispered Batman in response. "It's not like they can hurt me."

"So Batman, what do you want to know?" asked Arnold.

"I want to know where your leader is."

"Right here," said Arnold.

"You weren't the leader a couple of days ago. Where's the other kid?"

"Ollie? He left a couple of nights ago."

"Do you know where he went or with whom?"

"Yeah, he left in a cab. There was some old guy in it, couldn't really tell who he was. He's smart not to show his face around here again. Not after leaving us like that."

"That's all I needed to know."

Batman began to walk out of the room. The young men still had their guns aimed at him, but they wouldn't shoot unless Arnold said so. Robin walked out too after glaring at Arnold for a minute.

Back on the rooftop, they discussed what they should do next.

"I hate to say this, but I think there's one more place we need to look at before we rescue Bruce," said Robin.

"Where to now?" asked Batman.

"The Mad Hatter himself. He's the only other person we know that's come in contact with Ollie."

They got into the batmobile and headed for Gotham Arbors once more.


:: Police headquarters ::

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Gotham City Police Department, this is Bullock."

"Hello Bullock," replied the commissioner.

"Hey Jim, what's up?"

"Remember what I said about me being the first to know if anything comes up?"

"Yeah....."

"Well something just did. I have new evidence that points towards Batman. I want you to gather up the entire police force and use every resource we have for this one."

"Commish, what are you saying?" asked Harvey, getting a little excited.

"I want you to take that masked vigilante down. Do whatever it takes, Harv. Don't let me down."

"Yes sir! I'll personally take down the bat myself!"

"Harvey, bring him in alive if possible. Gordon out."

Harvey quickly put down the phone and picked up his police speaker. He radioed in the command to find the Batman and take him out. Moments later, the only thing that could be heard on the police scanner was this following statement.

Calling all officers. Calling all officers. This is Detective Harvey Bullock. All of you are to be on the lookout for Batman. He is charged with assault and kidnapping. Suspect is known to be armed and dangerous. Use extreme caution. Use whatever force necessary; just make sure that he's brought in alive.


::Mayor Hill's house::


"Well, that takes care of him! HA HA HA HA HA! Some joke, eh? Have the entire police force after him for a crime he didn't commit! All the while, I roam free about this city doing whatever I please! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!"

"That's great, Mr. J!" smiled Harley. "Can we go shopping now?"

The Joker smacked himself on the forehead and groaned. Sometimes she could be a real pain. If she wasn't so loyal and willing to do anything for him, he'd have killed her a long time ago.

"Yes, Harl. We can finally go shopping, seeing as how that's the most important thing to do right now." Joker shook his head in dismay. Sometimes she could be a real dunce. "Come on everyone. We're going to the mall in style."

They all headed to the mayor's garage. Inside, believe it or not, was a limousine. They all piled into the car, Bruce Wayne again driving so the hyenas wouldn't get upset. As the limo pulled out into the street, it passed a car on the side of the road. Inside the car were a couple of men watching what had just happened.

"Well, now we know what the Joker was up to. He's got to be stopped. You're going to have to kill him," said the first man.

"He must be tried first. I am hoping for the death penalty though," replied the Judge.

Then the Judge started up the car and followed the limo as it headed back towards the city.