Chapter 6: The Missing
The Joker kept regular tabs on all of the Rogues that shared the high security wing with him at Arkham. He had taken the liberty of checking to see if anyone had unexplainably disappeared over the days following his encounter with Vampyra. Slowly, he was beginning to believe her threat was no more than a bluff. However, he had decided to stay under the radar, remembering quite well how Victoria Star kept her word.
Joker watched the morning news, as he always did, to keep up with any suspicious activity or perhaps a new hobby. He sat in a tall armchair in the den, which was adjacent to the kitchen. He ladled cereal from a bowl into his mouth, choosing the safer route than Harley's attempt at scrambled eggs and pancakes.
"-And in top stories, today," the familiar voice of Summer Gleason came onto the television. "Gotham City Police are baffled by the sudden disappearance of thirteen high security prisoners in Arkham Asylum this morning."
The Joker gagged and spit the spoonful of cereal he had just taken all over the screen. His eyes bulged as he scrambled down to the level of the television, on his knees.
"Police have no leads except for the strange tarot card left in each of the inmates' cells," Summer continued, Sugar-O's sliding down her face. "There was no evidence of a forced entry or if the inmates put up a struggle. The means of escape are yet unknown…"
Joker's hand went into his emerald hair, trying to keep his brain from exploding. How could she have broken into Arkham and kidnapped over ten of Gotham's finest super-villains? It was hard enough to break out of Arkham, for some that was, not the Joker. Even so, getting thirteen insane criminals out without any resistance or evidence was as close to impossible as anyone could come!
Wait, Joker sat back on his heels. If Vampyra had already bagged all of the Rogues at Arkham and she knew where he was hiding, then…
"HARLEY!"
Batman sat with his head in his hand, staring at the Batcomputer. He had been to Arkham around five that very morning, when the morning shift came for wake up calls only to find empty cells. As far as he could tell, there was no evidence of Vampyra coming or leaving with the Rogues, except for the empty cells and tarot cards.
The only clue he had were the card left at the scene. He had used the computer to compile a list of the inmates' real name, Rogue name, and the card left in their place.
"Cobblepot, Oswald- Penguin- The Heirophant
Crane, Jonathan- Scarecrow- Death
Dahl, Mary- Baby Doll- Queen of Cups
Dent, Harvey- Two-Face- The Wheel of Fortune
Fries, Victor- Mr. Freeze- King of Swords
Fugate, Temple- Clock King- King of Pentacles
Hagen, Matt- Clayface- The Chariot
Isley, Pamela- Poison Ivy- The Star
Jones, Waylon- Killer Croc- The Devil
Nigma, Edward- Riddler- The Hermit
Tetch, Jervis- Mad Hatter- The Emperor
Wesker, Arnold- Ventriloquist/Scarface- The Magician
Unknown- Bane- Strength"
Batman could not think of what Vampyra's madness meant. There were only three other super-villains that Vampyra had not named for her deck of tarot cards. Harley Quinn, formerly known as Harleen Quinzel, and Jack "Joker" Napier had escaped from Arkham prior to the break-in, or breakout. While Selina Kyle, sometimes known as Catwoman, was keeping her slate clean for and animal rights movement, hardly a target for Vampyra.
"Troubles, Sir?" a proper British accent asked from behind.
"Only the lack of evidence, Alfred," Batman replied to his old friend and butler. "The only clues I have are cards Victoria left at the scene."
"Well if you are having misfortunes," Alfred folded his hands behind his back. "I just came to inform you that you are being paged on your private line…"
Batman stood and headed over to the Batmobile. "Thanks, Alfred," he hopped in the car, "Keep me updated if anything turns up."