We opening with Peña Dura Prison
Bruce Wayne was still hanging from his ceiling both healing from his back injury and his sulking about his defeat.
Tastu walked in again with some food and drink. "It's been over a month how much longer till you regain your will to live?" She asked.
"I don't know." Said Bruce
Tastu looked at Bruce Wayne's face and said. "You back should have healed by now, If you unable to walk it's because your unwilling to."
Bruce just hung there silently, a fierce looked came across Tastu.
"Are you truly going to just let your city burn? Are you really willing to do nothing" Tastu then took out a knife a cut the rope that Bruce was suspended on.
"Then WALK!" She shouted
Meanwhile the GPD building with the cops caring for the now free children, But while that was happening Jim Groan and Batgirl were in the interrogation room with the swear king.
"Come on Swear King." Gordan said "You say you have information about Croc's location is that true or are you just wasting our time?"
Swear King drummed is figures in contemplation. "I think perhaps we should negotiate terms before spilling my guts."
"Have it you way." Both Jim and Batgirl left the room as they shut the door behind them.
Robin suddenly appeared from the darkness and grabbed in by the caller.
"Start talking you snake what do know about Croc!?" Robin shouted "Why was he like that!? What's he planning!?"
"AH please no!" The coward screamed. "Mercy Alright, alright I tell you just put me down!"
Later in the Jim Gordan's office.
Robin began to explain what the Swear King had told him to Batgirl and Jim.
"It goes like this Croc was beaten to a pulp by Bane. Now he wants revenge and he was transformed by some doctor with a bowler hair cut, making him even stronger then he was before."
"Dr. Milo," said Batgirl in realization
"Apparently, they're making some army of freaks," Robin continued, "Croc and three others.. One's a giant Fox, the other's Vulture man, and the last one's a Shark that can talk. I've seen all three of them.
"Sound's like the Terrible Trio to me," confirmed Jim.
"Apparently they've been using the sewers as a hideout, transforming the weak and the homeless into monsters like them," Robin finished
"So that's what they're up to huh?" Said Batgirl "Turing himself into more of a freak.. Building an army.. It's all so he can get even with Bane."
"Can't say I blame him," Said Robin "It's because of Bane everything has gone south."
"If only Batman were here." Said Jim Gordan "He'd knew what to do."
Meanwhile back at the Peña Dura Prison.
Bruce Wayne was still lying on the floor.
"It's over detective..."Said a voice "You've lost."
A vision of Ra's Al Ghul appeared before Bruce.
"The city of Gotham will burn and be swept clean from the ashes, you failed in your mission, You're parents would be a shame of you." He said
Bruce tried to hide his face from the vision.
"What a Joke!" A voice cackled
Bruce open his eyes to see a vision of the Joker before him.
"The once great Batman reduce to a whimpering simpering, man child. It's be funny if wasn't so pathetic, oh what the heck I'll lough anyway."
"Hahahahahahahahaha!"
A Sneer came across Bruce's face.
"It's over Bruce." Another voice mocked
A vision of Bane appeared before him.
"I have broken you. You are nothing now, worthless, forgotten no one will ever remember you're legacy."
The visions of more of the Gotham rouges appeared mocking Bruce.
"Failure..."
"A Joke..."
"Nothing..."
"Failure..."
"A Joke..."
"Nothing..."
"Failure..."
"A Joke..."
"Nothing..."
"No...I am not a failure I am not a joker and I am not nothing, I am vengeance I am the night, I am Batman!"
With that Bruce began to pick himself up rising to his feet as he finally stood the visions disappeared.
"Now you are ready." Said Tatsu
Meanwhile down at the swears of Gotham
Loud roars and sounds of violence echoing across the chambers.
"How's it going prof?" Ask Fox as he approach the puny scientist.
"I'm managing." Sneer Milo. "Despite of lake of material you thugs have supplied me with."
"Better watch what you say prof." Growled Fox "Or I'll rip you're throat out."
"I assume you forgotten that I made you what you are today." He said
"If Croc didn't want an army we wouldn't be need you anymore." Said Fox
Milo began to clean a peakier mumbling to himself. "Just remember what has been giving can be taken away."
"You won't dare." Snarled Fox "You won't last five minutes with out us."
"That's enough!" Said Croc "We already lost Swear King we don't need to lose anyone else."
Croc then looked at Milo's next creature that he made.
"There getting better doc." Said Croc looking at the monstrosity.
"You have no idea." Smiled Milo wickedly.
Meanwhile on the streets of Gotham
Batgirl and Robin were zooming down anyway on their motorcycles.
"You sure this is the way?" Asked Robin
"Swear King's information was sketchy at best." Said Batgirl. "But if his right Croc should be holed up somewhere at the Gotham Zoo."
"Make since." Said Robin "How else would they get all that animal DNA."
"Just in case." Said Jim over the intercom. "We got Gotham police searching the swears for him and his goons."
"Good work Commissioner." Said Batgirl. "We'll be investigating his last know location."
The two heroes then park their vehicles in front of the Zoo.
"From what I under stand is the Penguin pretty much clean this place out when the city fell apart." Said Batgirl "So the cages should be empty."
"Figures the bird brain would want to clean out the bird house." Said Robin
The two entered into the zoo the whole place was like a ghost town, not a single creature stirring, the empty cages that once held animals have an earing glow to the place.
"Where the heck is Croc?" Asked Robin
"Good question there must be somebody here?" Said Batgirl
"There is." Said a voice from above them.
The two heroes looked up and saw Vulture hanging from a near by tree he then swooped down in front of them.
"Do you really think you can take us both on by yourself?" Said Batgirl
"How said I'm by myself?" Said Vulture
Then out from the shadows a monstrous Crab like creature and a man with the head of a snake appeared, The snake man lunge at Batgirl bearing his fangs she quickly jumped up in the air and dodge.
Meanwhile the Crab man swap his claws at Robin who back flipped trying to get away. As he did so he bumped into a large figure. A hideous pig man with giant tusk, grabbed a hold of the boy wonder.
"Do me a favor." Said Robin "Take a shower."
Meanwhile Batgirl fight argent both the Snake man and the vulture. The Vulture swapped down his claws ripping her cape while the snake man punched her down to the ground.
The monstrous creatures began to surround the beaten heroes.
"Looks like we have two new test subjects for the dear doctor Milo." Said Vulture "Grabbed them."
"SHREEEKKK!"
All of a sudden a loud piercing cry could be heard from above the monsters covered their ears in pain.
The Man-Bat suddenly lunged down from they skies and knocked the Pig back releasing Robin.
"Great another one." Said Robin wincing in pain.
"No." Said Batgirl smiling. "I think this one is on our side."
"SSSHHHHRRREEEEKKKK!"
The Man-Bat flew back up and charge at the snake creature taking a large bite out of his neck as the Snake man fainted, the crab creature began to run away in a panic.
"You cowered!" Shouted the Vulture. "I'll handle this myself!"
The two winged beast flew up into the air and began fighting among each other. Batgirl and Robin watched in aw as the scene before them.
"Should we help him?" Ask Robin in confusion.
"I don't think he needs any help." Said Batgirl she looked and watch as the Vulture fell down to the ground and collops in front of them.
Man-Bat then flew in front of Robin and Batgirl and landed on top of the Vulture.
"Easy Dr. Langstrom." Said Robin approaching Man-Bat. "Do you recognize me?"
"Of course I Recognize." The Man-Bat spoke clearly. "How can I not?"
Both Batgirl and Robin stared in shock and aw.
"You can talk now?" Said Robin
"I made a few alterations to my formula with some help from Dr. Milo." Said Man-Bat.
"Dr. Langstrom." Said Batgirl "Hold long have you been like this?"
"Since the night the city fell." Said Man-Bat "I thought this current form would be more useful to me with the city in ruins."
"And you're wife?" Asked Batgirl
"She is safe." Said the Man-Bat as he picked up the Vulture over his rights shoulder. "Quickly you must help me deliver this subject to my lab."
"But Killer Croc!" Said Robin
"Their not here." Said Langstrom. "These thugs were just picking up scraps, Hurry to my lab."
Later at Langstrom's lab
Batgirl and Robin helped strapped the unconscious Vulture to a table.
"What have you been working on Langstorm?" Batgirl asked looking at his equipment.
"A cure." Said Langstorm pulling out a needle. "Ever since Milo and his experiments attacked me I've figured we'd be needing one."
"Have you had any luck?" Ask Robin
The Man-Bat frown. "Regrettably Milo is a better scientist then me, Even I couldn't slice genes as well as he has. But with DNA from his test subjects I might be able to find away."
The three of them glance down at the vulture strapped to the table.
"So how can we help?" Asked Batgirl
Back in the Swears
Croc and Fox were looking over the homeless people watch them fight.
"That one looks pretty tough." Said Fox "Maybe he should be our next recruit."
"No Fox." Said Croc. "His being to reckless he'll be knocked out in a second."
As he spoke one of the homeless man knocked out his opponent.
"Told ya." Said Croc
"Boys we got trouble!" Said shark busting into the room, he pointed to the Crab man who was right behind him. "This guy said the Man-Bat got a hold of Vulture!"
"Man-Bat is still around?" Ask Fox
"Hey and he just took out three of our guys at the Zoo." Said the Crab man
"Three?" Said Croc "Didn't we send four?"
"I mange to get away." The Crab man gargled nervously.
Croc slowing walked over to him looming over him like a giant.
"How did you mange that?" Growl the Croc
"I made a strategic retreat." Said the Crab man.
"In other words you ran away!" Growled Killer Croc he rise both his fist in the air and then slammed them down breaking the crab man's shell.
"Crab cakes anyone?" Smiled Killer Croc as the Crab man fell to the floor.
Meanwhile at Langstrom's lab
Man-Bat, Robin, and Batgirl were stilling working in the lab while looking over the still knocked out creature.
"Alright," Said Man-Bat as he looked at his clip board, "Let's get started."
"So how are we going to cure them?" Asked the boy wonder as the pointed to the still unconscious Vulture.
"It going to take some time," said the good doctor as he put on and adjusted his glasses, "But I think we can mange."
"Well I just hope that time is soon," said Batgirl. She then looked at the two other creatures, locked in a cell. "It's hard to believe that Milo, Croc, and the Terrible trio would do this to the homeless. What the Swear King did with those children was horrible, but this is just inhumane."
"I think that was the general idea that they had in mind," said Man-Bat as he looked at his computer. "I've never forgotten how I did this to myself.. Trying to make the next stage of evolution.. Playing God.."
Man-Bat looked down in shame, "I thought my nightmare as the Man-Bat was over years ago.. After what had happened to Francine..."
Robin and Batgirl looked at Man-Bat giving him sympathetic looks.
"But listen to me babble on," said Man-Bat as he took a glass on chemicals, "We have more important things to worry about. Can one of you please get me the kit over there by the table over there."
"I'll get it," Said Robin, he then walked over to the kit.
"I know I shouldn't be asking this but..." said Man-Bat.
"You want to know if that Batman really is gone," Said Batgirl
Man-Bat looked at her with a concerned look.
Batgirl looked back at him trying to find the answer, "Yeah, I figured... Look to be honest I have no idea. Robin still think he still alive, but Nightwing doesn't think so, and he's off doing who knows what."
"I know the feeling after what Milo did to France's father..." Man-Bat didn't counite as he was trying to hold back tears.
"He didn't make it did he?" Asked Robin as he return with the kit.
Man-Bat then gave a sad look giving them their answer.
"If Batman is still alive I'd hope his safe." Said Man-Bat
Meanwhile back at Peña Dura Prison
Tasu was fighting Bruce in hand to hand combat.
"You've become rusty." She said
"I've out of commission for a while now." Said Bruce
"That's not excuse." Tasu said sweeping his leg.
Bruce fell to the ground with a thud.
"Why couldn't are you so interested in helping me anyway?" Bruce asked
"Because I need your help." She said helping him up.
"With what?" Asked Bruce
"At a young age I always wanted to be a samurai." She said
"The samurai was a dying occupation isn't it." said Bruce
"Don't interrupt!" She shouted. "I'm sorry, I just hated when people do that."
"As I was saying, I was trained by the best martial arts masters in all of Japan." She continued. "Then one day when I was of marrying age two brothers competed for my hand, but ultimately I chose and fell in love other. But his twin not happy about it so he made a deal with Ra's Al Ghul. The league of shadows siege the temple I was trained in and my one true love was murdered in front of my own eyes. But Ra's attacked the temple for a reason the legendary sword Sourutekia."
"Soul Taker." Said Bruce
"I see you know your Japanese." Tasu said
"I study under the best myself." Said Bruce
"I knew I couldn't let him have it so I was able to take before his forces reached. But before I left I gave my husband's murder with a farewell gift."
SLASH!
Said Tasu as she gave Bruce some water.
"Well I'm sorry for you lost but how did you end up here?" Bruce asked
"I spin the next ten years trying to take down the league of shadows but to no avail, Ra's Al ghul got up to me and toss me down into this prison." She said
"And the sword?" Bruce asked
"It lost to me." Tasu said.
Bruce sigh and stood up. "You if you want to help me get back at Ra's we frist have to find a way out of this place."
Back at the lab
Langstrom experimenting with the blood samples he had gotten from his patience.
"So what's the good news doc?" Asked Robin
"If my calculation are current." Said Man-Bat. "This formula should turn are patience back to normal."
He pumped the liquid into a syringe he headed over the two subjects in the cage and proceed to inject them for a few moments nothing happened then the creatures began to twitch and squirm around. Slowly the scales and fur began to fade from their skin, until finally two ordinary humans stood in their place.
"It works!" Shouted Batgirl
"Yes." Smiled Langstrom "Indeed it does."
CRASH!
All of a sudden there was a large crash and Killer Crock burst into the room.
"Excuse me is there a doctor in the house?" Said Croc with a sinister grin.
He quickly swing his right fist at Man-Bat knocking him unconscious.
"Dr. Langstrom!" Shouted Robin he and Batgirl then charged at Croc trying to protect Man-Bat.
But Croc just toss them aside. "Nice try."
Shark and Fox entered the Lab and grabbed a hold of Vulture dragging him away.
While Croc threw Man-Bat over his right shoulder. "We use another another scientist." Croc stated
He and his gang crash out of the lab with Man-Bat in toe.
Robin and Batgirl picked themselves up.
"We got to do something." Said Batgirl
"We are." Robin then pulled out a wrist computer showing them where Croc and his crew are.
"Nice work." Smiled Batgirl "Is the formula?"
They turn and look to see that vial was shattered with most of the formula on the floor.
"Only enough for one shot." Said Robin. "We better make it count."
Back at the swears
The four creatures had Man-Bat changed to the ceiling.
"Come on Doc help us out you can rule Gotham with us." Said Fox
"With looks like that you make an excellent addition to the gang." Shark said
"What say." Said Vulture
"I see you fools have no idea what you're messing with! If you think for a second I'll help you created more monsters you're dreaming!" Man-Bat snapped back.
Croc then grabbed him by the throat and shouted. "You'll help us weather you like it or not!"
"Why do you need me anyway?" Asked Man-Bat "You have Milo don't you?"
"Indeed they do!" Said a voice coming out from the shadows. "Need I asked why you're seeking out my replacement?"
"Come down doc." Said Croc. "We're just finding you some extra help down here."
"Speak for yourself." Said Shark. "Langstorm is more useful then this spineless worm."
Milo grid his teeth holding in his anger.
"Settle down Milo." Said Fox "You can always be Langstrom's lab assistant he shark and Vulture laughed.
"Knock off!" Said Croc smacking Fox over the head. "I'm in a serious discussion here."
"The discussion is over!" Said a voice.
They looked up to see Robin and Batgirl swooped down and kicked Shark and Vulture to the ground.
"Robin take care of Dr. Langstorm!" Said Batgirl
"On it." Said the boy wonder as he was getting the changes of Man-Bat.
"Are you all right doc?" He asked
"I'll be find as soon as we take this hoodlums down!" Said Man-Bat as he unleased a mighty...
"SHHRRREEAAAAKKK!"
Man-Bat then punch Croc in the face knocking him backwards.
As he did this Robin and Batgirl was dealing with Fox. "Don't just stand there Milo do something!"
"Do this Milo, Do that Milo, I'm sick and tired of you freaks giving me orders!" He shouted "I'll show you what Achilles Milo is capable of!"
He then pulled out a strange syringe and injected himself with it. Milo then began to rob with pain as he grew larger and larger his teeth turn to fangs, claw sprouted from his fingers and a large scorpion tail and bat wings began sprouting from behind him. Milo rose his lion-esque face and roared.
"RRRAAAOORR!"
"What the hell did he do to himself?" Said Fox
"I've been saving this formula for myself." Said Milo he was now twice the size of the other mutants, He quickly swapped his tail at Fox bursting it thought the cement floor. The entire climber began to shake as Milo thrash about.
"Fox!" Shouted Croc. "Get the others out of here! We need to relocated begore this hold place comes crashing do!"
AS he said this Croc and Terrible trio ran for there lives leaving Milo to his rampage.
Milo clawed his way thought the ceiling bursting way into the surface.
"Soon the world will bow before me!" She roared
"Like that will happened!" Said a voice
The turn to see Robin and Batgirl riding on top of Man-Bat.
"Please tell me you have some of my formula left?" Asked Man-Bat.
"As a matter fact I do." Said Robin pulling it out.
"Just enough for one shot so we better make it count." Said Batgirl
"I'll keep him busy while you two get ready." Said Man-Bat as he few over Milo.
The two hearos leaped down on his back while the Man-Bat distracted him.
"His skin his as thick armor." Said Robin "How are we going to stick him?"
"It'll have to go thought the mouth." Said Batgirl
"I was afraid you say that." Said Robin
The two heroes began claiming the monster up tows it's head notice this Milo tried to shake them off. Robin cling on to his neck for dear life. Batgirl was not so luck as she fling up into the air. Man-Bat blearily mange to catch her avoiding Milo's poisonous tail.
As Robin made his way to the face of the beast he took one look at Milo's jaws and toss the syringe in to it.
Milo gagged and began to clawed his troth throwing the Boy Wonder off, Man-Bat was able to catch him. The three heroes watch as Milo began to shrike transforming back to his old self and falling fainting to the ground.
Later
Gotham Police surrounded the since taking Milo away.
"So the Man-Bat back again should we put a caller out on him?" Harvey Bullock
"We got bigger problems worry about." Said Jim Gordan. "We need to get this city back of track and mean getting Milo to spill his guts about Croc."
Up from the roof tops above Batgirl Robin, and Man-Bat watch the cops take Milo away.
"Well that takes care of one of them." Said Robin.
"Yes." Said Man-Bat. "But I image that Croc already hades his army by now."
"You think you would be able to make more of the cure?" Asked Batgirl
"It'll take some time but yes." Said Man-Bat.
Man-Bat then took to the air flapping his wing and said to the two heroes. "If you should need my help children just give me a call."
AS they watch him fly away.
"At least there is still one Bat in Gotham." Said Batgirl
"And soon they'll be two again." Said Robin.
