Katt Girl & The Harley Kidd: Chapter 20: New Years Resolution by Chad Sheefel 11/24/19

Alfred was a tough trainer. He refused to allow Gabby, Lola, or Richard any slack in their efforts to become crime fighters. He trained them in the cave below Wayne Manor. He would set up obstacles that would challenge every aspect of their physique. Alfred had a lot on his plate. In three days, they had managed to take in 20 more refugees. When he wasn't training Lola, Gabby, and Richard, he would be teaching refugees how to protect Wayne Manor from unwanted guests. You could say, he was building his own army. He certainly had the resources to do so. He figured out a chain of command, so that everyone knew who to report to in case of problems. Plus, he used his dinner bells as an alarm system. Everyone that lived there would carry a bell. He was fortunate for a little while, as Wayne Manor had very little to worry about as far as intruders, mostly raccoons and other woodland creatures, but Alfred's new family would soon be challenged.

The Red Hood was also building an army. A lot of men from different criminal outlets were joining forces. With Falcone gone, someone else needed to step up. The Red Hood knew every backroom, and every back alley in Gotham City. Most of them were complete slimeballs that would cut your throat for a dollar, but they knew the only way to defeat Bane was to work together. Much of Bane's army did things out in the open. The leader of the Red Hood was unknown. His anonymity left him unpredictable.

Some of the Red Hood stumbled upon Wayne Manor. Alfred, being prepared, had managed to get everyone in their hiding places. He didn't want to fight if he didn't have to, but he had people placed in strategic areas of the house just in case. He had created many cubby holes behind large furniture and statues. The Red Hood entered Wayne Manor, to what seemed to be completely empty to them. Alfred made sure he would leave a few pieces of jewelry left out in hopes that they would make their score, then leave. Unfortunately, for this day, that would not be the case. Bane's army had been following this particular group of hooligans. They snuck around the outside, blocking all the exits. Then Bane had his men go in. Gun fire began to ring out from all directions. Alfred's group didn't budge. He had trained them well, as they secretly watched the blood bath ensue. Alfred had cameras on most of the mansion and was watching from a secure location. Members of the Red Hood had no where to go. They were only able to take a couple of Bane's men out. One of the Red Hood was trying to hide in the Study. Bane's men was about to approach the room. One of Alfred's people decided to break protocol and invited the Red Hood member to hide with them. He accepted, as it was either that or die. Bane's men entered the Study. They knew the Red Hood member was in there, but he was nowhere to be found. At that moment, Alfred saw him on the monitor. The menacing hulk like figure known as Bane. Alfred couldn't believe how much bigger Bane had gotten since his fortunate escape from Bane, only days ago. Bane entered the Study. (You could hear the Darth Vader music in your head) Bane looked around. He was at the height of his perception. He began trying to figure out what the best hiding spot would be. Alfred stood ready to sound his alarm if Bane was to uncover their secret location. Bane figured it out. He started marching over to the spot. Alfred was going to push the alarm, when suddenly, Bane stopped. He noticed that a few of the books didn't have as much dust on them as they should have based on how empty the place was. Bane realized that if he was to uncovered the secret location, he could possibly be attacked. He wasn't sure how many would attack him, he only knew he wasn't prepared for a worse case scenario. Bane ordered his men to leave. They didn't understand why. They were like hound dogs, and knew they had their coon trapped. They obeyed him, as Bane lead them out. Alfred was relieved. He was also under the assumption that Bane must have known what was coming. As Bane was leaving the mansion, he looked directly into one of the cameras, and gave a menacing glare into it. At that point, Alfred knew he would have to prepare his army for a much larger battle in days to come.

After Bane's army left. the Red Hood member came out of his hiding place along with the one that helped him. He wasn't sure what to do. He originally was there to rob them, now he felt he owed a great deal of gratitude to the person that helped him hide. Suddenly, as they walked out into the main room, other members of Alfred's army began coming out of the woodwork. The Red Hood member couldn't believe how many hiding spots they were coming out of. Alfred entered the room, stepping over dead bodies, and confronted the Red Hood member.

"You have a choice. You can join us, or go back out to fend for yourself. I'm sure your leader will accept you with open arms." Alfred said as he smirked.

The Red Hood member looked around. He could see the family that Alfred had created. He had always wished for such loving camaraderie. But he grew up on the inner streets of Gotham City, and never got to feel any such thing. The Red Hood member pulled off his shroud. He was a young man, about 19 or 20 years old. Blond hair, blue eyes, and a strong square jaw. Alfred was in desperate need of some stronger men to carry some of the work load.

He looked up at Alfred and said. "I would love to become part of your family."

"Excellent!" Alfred replied. "What is your name, sir?" Alfred asked.

"Sir, Azrael, sir." He answered in a militant voice.

"Well, Sir Azrael. Welcome to the family." Alfred told him. "Help my people to clean up this mess. Supper will be done in an hour."

Meanwhile, in a wooded area, on the side of a mountain, Bruce Wayne had woken after being out for nearly four days. He could smell the cold fresh air of the mountain area. He wasn't quite sure how he got there. He could only remember glimpses of being pulled on a sled. Then he remembered the beautiful woman that had tended to his wounds. At that moment, he realized he couldn't remember his name. He must have gotten amnesia from hitting the boulder so hard. He began looking around the room. His eyes still glazed from being out for so long. The light was still blinding to him. He made his way around the room kind of like a blind man would feel his way around. Mostly, he bumped into chairs, desks, and other small furniture. He could feel canned goods on the shelf and bowls close by. He discovered a water jug, then smelled it. Once he realized it was water, he started chugging it down because he was rather thirsty. Suddenly, the door opened up. He could feel a strong cold breeze enter the room.

"Well, look who decided to wake up." The woman said.

"Where are we?" Bruce asked.

We are at a cabin on the side of a mountain." She replied.

"Who am I? How did I get here?" Bruce asked with confusion in his voice.

"I was hoping you could tell me that. I'm not sure what you're name is. You didn't have any identification on you when I found you on the side of the mountain. I figured you was a mountain climber and got trapped in the avalanche." She replied.

"Avalanche?" Bruce asked.

"Yes, it was quite a doozy, let me tell you. I thought the whole mountain was coming down." She replied.

Bruce began having flashbacks of the lightning and thunder. Then he saw glimpses of the ground crumbling beneath his feet. The memory almost caused Bruce to collapse.

The woman quickly caught him, then said, "Perhaps you aren't quite ready to be on your feet just yet."

Bruce's vision started to come into focus as he gazed into her beautiful eyes.

As he was being taken back to his bed, he asked, "What is your name?

"Talia. My name is Talia." She said as she was taken by his handsome stare. "You rest now. I will prepare you a nice dinner. I'm sure you are starving."

Arkham Asylum had been taken over by the psychiatric patients. It became the new Court House for Gotham City. Bane would drop off failed members of his army, then allow the crazy court to rule on their judgment. It usually didn't end pretty for the accused. Oswald was next. They brought him in front of the insane judge. Oswald was tied up, with a shroud over his head, and tape over his mouth.

"You are being held here for your crimes against Bane. How do you plead?" The judge asked.

Oswald stood there mumbling, shaking his head. The judge ordered the bailiff to remove the shroud and pull off the tape. Oswald squawked in pain as they ripped the tape off. "How do you plead?" The judge asked again.

"Raakk! Not guilty you blundering buffoon!"

A couple seconds went by. Suddenly, the crazy judge banged his gavel on the podium.

"We find you guilty of all charges! Now, you have two different ways that you can pay for your crimes. One, we shoot you in the head. Or two, you walk the frozen harbor. If you make it to the other side, you can be let free."

It was a nobrainer for Oswald. He chose to walk the partially frozen harbor. The bailiff put the tape back on Oswald's mouth, then covered his head with the shroud. Oswalds eyes got big as the shroud covered his face. He began squirming as the bailiff marched him out onto the barely frozen water. He demanded Oswald to walk or be shot. Oswald just stood there.

BANG! A warning shot was fired.

Oswald flinched but realized he would have to try to make his way across, although he couldn't tell where he was going. He managed to waddle quite a ways out. The bailiff was surprised to see Oswald made it as far as he had. Nobody else had ever made it that far. Suddenly, Oswald could feel the ice start to crack beneath him. He tried to stand as still as he could, but then he heard another warning shot in the distance. Oswald could tell he had made it quite a ways, due to the loudness of the bang. He tried to waddle another step, but the ice gave way. He fell into the water, kicking and squirming for a bit, until the current below the ice would sweep him away.

The bailiff went back inside, then yelled out, "Next case!"

Chapter Recap: (Alfred began building an army of refugees at Wayne Manor. The Red Hood broke into Wayne Manor, only to be ambushed up by Bane's men. Alfred allowed one of the Red Hood to join Alfred's army. The Red Hood member's name was Azrael. Bruce Wayne woke up after being out cold for four days. He meets the woman that helped him heal. Her name was Talia. Oswald Copplepot was sent to trial at Arkham Asylum. As a punishment for his crimes against Bane, he was forced to walk the barely frozen harbor. He fell in before making it across, then got swept away by the current below the ice.)