AN: Hey friends. Despite technical difficulties from the last chapter I am back. Sorry, I had a slight panic attack in front of you all. I work so hard on this mammoth of a story and planning, and the thought of losing it to a glitch doesn't sit well to put it lightly. But now, thanks to all you guys I know how to bypass it. Also, the glitch check chapter will be deleted by the time you read this. No need to worry anyone else about the bull that occurred last time.
On a side note. I've put a link to a discord server in my bio so this won't happen again. I've been meaning to do that anyway so we don't just chat in the review section. Anyone is welcome if interested.
FEEDBACK:
Special Thanks to all who helped me through the site glitches. I have received word from Firem78910 that you all can see the new chapter on the site. Thanks for the intel man!
Sega Kuro: I've said before I'm thinking of adding TMNT. The problem is fitting them into this behemoth. I added the Nekopara girls mainly to replace Becky's services in the game. I couldn't find any characters in the DCU to fit the mold so I improvised. But I am trying to fit the turtles in somewhere. No promises though.
Gamelover41592: Thanks friend.
Matt: Something about you calling me a twit really made me laugh. I don't know why. But it made my day. Thank you.
Snowtrue: In game you can defeat Lavenza in a spar, so I made it cannon.
Guest: She can absorb fire to replenish health. Is drain what that called it in-game? I thought it was null… I remember playing Hecate and Ann blocking not absorbing.
Story maker 4899: Glad you like this. Welcome to the fic.
WARING: bad stuff happens sometimes. Beware.
I don't own Batman, Persona, or Nekopara.
Enjoy~
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May 27th, Late Night
Gotham Heights
Rain
Paul Reynolds was an older man with old fashioned Christain beliefs. At 54 years old he had made quite a name for himself as an oil barren. Owning massive oil rigs off the coast of Gotham, people called him a monster who destroys the environment, but those hippies can cry all they want.
His wife was out, the young woman clearly only into him for his money. That was fine, he was only into her for her body. He opened a bottle of extremely expensive wine to celebrate his new accomplishment.
He had just bought a thousand acres of lush forest rather than practically drowning in oil. All his company needed to do is to tear down all the trees, and dig until he found the treasure.
He figured he would get out of Gotham to move to the location, things were getting a bit too hot for him with the Phantom Thieves. Batman couldn't touch him as he was very particular to do what he does in terms of the law. The Phantom Thieves however, were too much….
A knock was heard at his door, that was weird...it was quite late for visitors, he grabbed his gun just in case. He slowly opened the door…
And in front of him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
The scantily clad women had piercing green eyes, long wavy red hair...her skin looked so smooth and delicate, almost shining in a green hue.
The only thing covering her delicates were leaves, she gave off this heavenly scent...that scent drove him wild.
"Hello Mr. Reynolds….would you like to let me in?" she practically moaned.
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Paul Reynolds laid dead on the ground, his lips stained from the poison. The woman stepped over the body, walking to his safe. He gave her the code willingly, mostly willingly. She stuffed the money in bags, she needed it for her research, to make plants and become more powerful.
She cared not for the dead man before her, humans were all trash that only harmed the planet. Her father, Woodrue, every person on earth made her sick to her stomach. The only friends she needed were the plants that now whispered in her ear, praising her like a mother.
Gotham, then the world will be a paradise. And she, Poison Ivy, will make it so. Humanity has betrayed her one too many times, it was only fair she returned the favor.
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May 28th, Midday
Velvet Room
Constantine chose to focus on Queen and Fox today. At this rate everyone will be done by the end of the month.
"Right, you read the books I gave you?" He asked.
"Yes." The both said.
"Then you know what I want to focus on. Fox you're first." Constantine said.
"Of course." Fox nodded.
"While we'll focus on your ice shit today as well, I also want to focus on that spell that grants you more speed." Constantine said.
"Yes?" Fox asked.
"With the ice and speed combo you could freeze the enemy and cut them down in seconds. Flash himself has a hard time with the cold and slippery floors. So if you have that and get fast enough to land a hit before you escape…" Constantine said.
"I understand. Please show me how to perform such tactics." Fox bowed.
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May 28th, Midday
House of Mystery
Rain
Raven walked through the house, trying to calm her thoughts, the new responsibility of guarding the House of Mystery did not help with her internal conflict.
Everyone in the Justice League had this expectation of her. An expectation of total professionalism and not letting herself out of control once. She held the same standard, but with that came the anxiety, the worry that one day she might break. With Dr. Fate now helping more in Gotham, she was tasked with the house, away from the ones she called friends.
The importance of the mission made her shake her head, how could she be so selfish. Her friends were just as busy with trying to find the Phantom Thieves, they have no time for her to be sulking.
They don't have time to worry about her, and she didn't want them to worry in the first place.
She sighed, only Beast Boy would truly try to hear her out, she shook her head again, she didn't need him, especially with how he looked at Terra.
She watched as the house shifted in and out of the realms it was connected to. Everything has gotten so complicated in the last few months. It was all their fault, those Thieves and them getting in her head.
She didn't need Sataneal's guidance on how to control herself, she didn't. She can just tuff her feelings inside forever, meditate, and hold back the roaring fire demanding to burst. She has survived this long with those tactics, why change?
She just had to be careful, push others away so they wouldn't get hurt if she snapped, even slightly, she didn't need help…
She didn't…
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May 28th
Kingston
Rain
Sumire sat in the waiting room for Dr. Thompkins. Her medications were running out faster than expected, and she needed to find a way to get some of her experimental pills.
She was nervous as she was called to a room, waiting for the doctor to appear.
"So, how is your health?" the doctor asked.
"Um...it is doing...b-better…" Sumire stammered.
"The chart says you ran out of the painkillers quite fast. Is everything alright?" She asked.
"Y-yes...um...the thing is...they weren't that….effective…" Sumire sweated.
"I see...and you're not selling them off to potential buyers are you?" Leslie asked.
"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-what?" Sumire panicked.
"That was a joke." Leslie smirked.
"*hyperventilates* D-don't say such things…" Sumire whined.
"*chuckles* Well, there isn't much more in the realms of painkillers I can give you in good conscience. I'm afraid you'll have to make due." Leslie said.
"Ah-...um...Could I...maybe...try that experimental stuff I've heard about?" Sumire said.
"No." Leslie said simply.
"Please….I-I need to be better. I need to fight through the pain, but I just can't." Sumire said.
"I will not condone experimentation on minors, unless your parents allow it, which I doubt, I will not do it." Leslie said firmly.
"Oh...my guardian is actually in the waiting room. I'm sure he will agree." Sumire said.
"That right? I doubt it." Lesle said.
Sojiro entered the room, Sumire asked for assistance and he agreed.
"Sir, I assume you are Sumire's guardian?" Leslie asked.
"Yeah." Sojiro said.
"Well, she says you would agree to a highly experimental testing of a painkiller, I was hoping you'd talk some sense into her." Leslie said.
"If she is sure, I don't see a problem." Sojiro said.
"EXCUSE ME?! Are you nuts?!" Leslie roared.
"She's grown enough to make her own decisions. I don't see an issue here." Soiro raised an eyebrow.
"I-I...I can't believe this. Fine...I'll get the paperwork. I hope you two don't regret this." Leslie said.
"I have faith in your ability, doctor." Sumire smiled.
"This is very illegal. So you better not leak this out." Leslie said.
"We won't." Sumire said.
"You're so stubborn, I can see it in your eyes ya know? You were going to push yourself raw, with or without these pills weren't you?" Leslie asked.
"Yep." Sumire smiled.
"*sigh* You remind me too much of a friend of mine. Does the same thing, and drags me with him. But, I can't let you break yourself like this...I hope this is worth it." Leslie sighed.
MIRROR DEATH RANK 2/10
SKILL ACQUIRED: A little more.
Party now has access to more experimental drugs. But the doctor put a limit on it to be safe.
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May 28th, Evening
Somewhere in Gotham
Rain
Riddler watched as some buffoon shocked himself trying to solve one of his riddles. He made it clear that anyone can participate in the riddles but it was clear that the man wasn't up to the task.
As the electricity made his heart burst inside of his chest, Riddler laughed. One less idiot in Gotham. He turned back to his grand planning. The many strings connecting to each wall, the graffiti of calculations all over where he could find the space. As usual he repaid the footage of Batman freeing the Dark Knight over and, trying to figure out a proper puzzle that would finally kill him.
But one tape he was also replaying was the one from a while back. The two children who managed to solve one riddle. The blonde one, and the one who solved it. When he saw the news one night with their pictures saying they were the Phantom Thieves he laughed, those children? The whole of Gotham, including the Dark Knight was unable to capture a bunch of children?!
How predictable for their ineptitude. But they did take one trophy, and as the Rouges became more and more paranoid about them, he wondered….if they are up to his challenge.
Yes...Of course…
He'll prove he is Batman's intellectual superior by doing what he is unable to, defeating the Phantom Thieves.
He called his two minions Echo and Query. The two women entering the room.
"The plan has slightly changed my dears. I will defeat Batman at his own game. Prepare another room, send out the word to every spy: The Phantom Thieves are now at play. Every whisper of a whisper about them, every nanosecond of footage found, bring them to me." Riddler smiled.
"Yes sir." they both said at the same time.
It was always fun when fresh meat came, and Batman, for all the intellect he claims to have, has not found him despite the riddles he has given.
Why not a little two against one, he was confident he would win the game.
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MIRROR STAR RANK 1/10
SKILL ACQUIRED: A NEW COMPETITOR
N/A
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May 28th, Evening
Velvet Room
"AHH!" Makoto flew back a couple feet, The blow from behind hitting hard.
"Come on love, you're making me feel bad. You have to be more observant. You have good defense but you need to watch your six." Constantine said.
"U-understood." Makoto groaned.
"Perhaps I should teach you how to sense magic around you. That way at least you'll have a slight leg up." Constantine said.
"You can teach that?" Makoto asked.
"It's hard to get a hold of. No promises. But if it works, you could theoretically sense people behind you or in the shadows." Constantine said.
"Then...please show me how?" Makoto said.
"It takes a lot of work love, are ya sure?" Constantine asked.
"Absolutely." Makoto said, her gaze fierce.
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May 28th, Night
Burnley, Anarky Hideout
Severe Rain.
Joker walked up to Anarky with a group of Phantom Stars. He needed to quickly touch base with Anarky before things got crazy again.
"I see you have expanded your little group, I have done so as well." Anarky said.
Joker saw Hyde in the corner of his eye, he knew whatever happens here would be repeated.
"What can I say? I'm a lucky guy." Joker smirked.
"Well, you a guy who has been silent for a bit too long, you didn't answer my calls, and my scouters didn't see a single hair of yours. Where were you?" Anarky demanded.
"I don't work for you Lonnie, I work with you. I answer to no one. It's none of your concern." Joker said.
"Oh? You work with me? Then help me when I need you then. Cops are everywhere thanks to you. Despite your sudden disappearance every street is hot looking for you. This deal is getting less and less benefitmall. What do you say to that?" Anarky challenged. The whole room showing their weapons.
The Phantoms pulled out their swords as well, Joker raised a hand and they halted.
"Lonnie~. Why the hostility? The deal remains the same, hell I'm here for more names. Think of it as returning the favor for what you did for us with Ryder." Joker charmed.
"Is that so? You'll have to take out a lot to make me ignore the cops swarming everywhere. And reports say Batman is hitting harder, pulling less punches. Now why do I get the feeling that you did something to piss him off?" Anarky challenged.
"Oh please, a little scuffle here and there with him is inevitable and you know it. Don't tell me you'll cower to the Knight that easily." Joker challenged.
"Not cowering, strategizing, and it's getting harder and harder with two past Robins back in town." Anarky said.
"All the more glory when you take him down." Joker said.
"Unlike the rest of the Rogues, I don't wish to kill him. I want him to join, imagine the power we'd have with him by our side." Anarky said, murmurs of agreement were heard throughout the room.
"That's a pipe dream, I've read your record Lonnie, you've tried to blow up buildings and kill cops, you really think all of Batman's grandstanding would allow for such a thing?" Joker said.
"I suppose you are right in that regard, he had years to go after numerous politicians and officers but has failed to do such. But I was hoping to get through with diplomacy, it has failed to work thus far." Anarky said.
"Batman doesn't do well with debates, trust me, I know. If you truly want to subvert the government to improve society then I'm your best course of action. Was my last list not all crossed out?" Joker asked.
"Hmph. You have proven yourself in that regard. But hear this, don't disappear like that again. IF we are truly partners as you say, then I want in on the goings on." Anarky said.
"So be it, but only in private." Joker said.
"I have full faith in my following's loyalty." Anarky scowled behind the mask.
"Call me paranoid. Those are my terms, take them or leave them." Joker said.
Anarky thought for a moment for the best course of action, if he did work with the PHantom Thieves, it would be hard to remain hidden for long, however every one in their path would be easier to take down.
"I would do it sir," Hyde whispered.
Anarky looked at Hyde and nodded over the course of the past few weeks, Hyde has earned a name for himself in his group, everyone respected his tenacity and mind. He has become a semi advisor to him during the Phantom's disappearance
"Hmph, don't make me regret this. Here's your list." Anarky snapped and a goon handed him a slip of paper with ten names on it. Minor players in politics, dirty cops, some thugs both Penguin's and Joker's gang.
"Quite a list." Joker smirked.
"You are returning a favor after all. Are the weight of your words suddenly crushing you?" Anarky challenged.
"Never." Joker said.
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MIRROR SUN RANK 2/10
Testy Teammate
N/a
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When the Joker and his group made it out of earshot of Anarky and his goons, one took off her mask to speak up.
"If you are so just why do you work with a man you know to use violent methods?" Donna asked.
"Please. Don't start with this Donna. I'm just pretending to help him for my own means. Batman is so different, I recognized a face from the fight in the sewers. Aqualad, if I'm correct." Joker said to her.
That left Donna silent, every time she thinks she has him pegged as a manipulator and a liar, he responds with something like this. A good point.
"Just because Batman allows something doesn't make it right, I have my own sense of justice as well." Donna said.
"I know that Donna, but it seems more and more in line with Bruce's, in fact I'd say loser." Joker said.
"*growls* Just watch yourself Joker. One slip up and I'll go to Diana in an instant." Donna said.
A sword was now inches away from her throat.
"You'll do no such thing." The Phantom removed her mask to show Talia.
"As if I'll ever take orders from you. I should go to Bruce just because of what you did to him and Damian." Donna hissed.
"What I did was under my father's command. I was just too much of a coward to go up against him." Talia hissed.
"Bullshit. We both know you raped Bruce because you couldn't stand being denied what you wanted from him. How many people have you killed, how many chances have you've been given to go against him?" Donna pulled out her sword in return.
"Don't lecture me, girl. I'll have your head on a pike." Taila said darkly.
"Stop." Joker said.
Taila stopped in her tracks, and put her sword away, scowling at Donna the whole time.
"The Justice League will never allow you to continue our mission, Master. Why are you allowing them to spy on our pursuits?" Taila asked.
"To prove that our mission is just. To kill them is to prove them right, making every person calling us a terrorist group right. I will not allow that. I am not Ra's Taila, under me you will not kill a single soul unless absolutely necessary. And even then, it's pushing it." Joker said, firmly.
"You are a fool to care what these ants think. Let me strike her down, right now, let the Justice League come and we can kill them all." Taila hissed.
"Go ahead and try Taila. I'm right here." Donna challenged.
"I said enough!" Joker commanded.
Taila hissed, but relented, not wanting to upset him or the great Sataneal.
"Yes, apologies Master." Taila growled.
"Taila, what I need you to do now is find proper hideouts, somewhere Bruce would never think to even look. The rest of you, standard security and recon. And for the love of god, no killing." Joker instructed.
The rest of the Phantom Stars bowed before jumping into the night. That left Joker, Taila, and Donna.
Taila walked to the edge of the building.
"Master, you will never win like this, my beloved has tried the same and failed for years." Taila said looking over her shoulder.
"You forget time and again. I am not Bruce, but I'm also not your father. I will win Gotham my own way. Are you with me or not?" Joker asked. His eyes glowing red in dominance, sending shivers down her spine.
"Until my last breath, and after." Taila said softly, she jumped off the roof to complete her task.
"Which brings me to her." Donna growled.
"I figured." Joker said.
"Her and her lackeys are trained assassins raised from birth from a death cult of extreme terrorists. She and her group would rather die a million deaths that turn on their tribe. How did you convince her without a change of heart? I can tell as she lies through her mouth that she hasn't changed a bit." Donna said, voice filled with venom for the woman.
"It's a long story." Joker said.
Donna wrapped him in the lasso of truth trapping him.
"Then tell it." Donna hissed.
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Donna let Joker catch her up on what happened on the night of the sewer battle. She was not present for what occurred, choosing to observe the rest of the Phantoms and their occupation of Hell.
"Are we good now?" Joker said, struggling against the rope.
"You tortured her." Donna growled out.
"I did not Trigon did." Joker said.
"But you stood by and let it happen. For your benefit." Donna narrowed her eyes.
"NO! I DIDN'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN! AS SOON AS HE DID IT ME AND SATANAEL STEPPED INTO STOP HIM! STOP ASSUMING THE WORST OF ME!" Joker roared.
"What did you think Trigon would do?! Kiss her on the forehead?! You should lock him up in the dungeon and throw away the key." Donna gritted.
"If I do that then there will be questions on why we didn't just kill him. You should not by now Hell doesn't take prisoners." Joker said.
"But you would rather have Satanael take him as his right hand man? You are either working with him or are the dumbest man alive. Do you even know what he has done to the Titans?. To Raven alone?" Donna hissed.
"I got the summary from context. You forget that I'm not from around here. But I've offered Raven a way out of the torment twice now, it wasn't the best method of talking, but they were the only ones we had without blowing our covers." Joker said.
"So you actually mean to help her? She's terrified of Hell, of her father, the fact that you stand beside him is proof enough for her that you must be defeated." Donna grounded out.
"Then I'll prove to her that Hell has changed. That her father has no grasp of her anymore. Trigon is merely there as a helper with all of Hell's forces. He knows as much himself, that he is expendable." Joker said.
"So you will kill him if he doesn't fall in line?" Donna growled.
"I never said that, I will use his fear of Satanael for as long as I can to make him obey. I can't change the heart of a demon, but if it comes between him and the lives of my team, of anyone… I will finish the job." Joker said.
"You...so you would kill?" Donna said.
"If there is no other way, and if it's a threat to millions, billions of lives. Then yes. I've killed a god before, I've told you as such. If I haven't I would have been wiped from existence, and people would be slaves to the god's will. What would you have done in my place?" Joker asked.
"I would have found a way, I would contact Fate or some other great mage about such a force." Donna said.
"Donna...in my world there are no such things as superheroes unless it is written on paper. It was just me and my friends. No one would help us, no one was coming to save us. It was to defeat him, or die. What would you do?" Joker challenged.
"I….I…" Donna tried.
"You know I'm right don't you? I don't want power, I don't want to rule over anyone. I just want rotten people to stop stepping on innocents. Over and over, for years on years, Bruce has beaten people to a pulp, but they just heal and go right back to what they do. " Joker said
"Shut up." Donna said.
"Stop hiding from the truth!" Joker yelled.
"SHUT UP SHUT UP!" Donna yelled.
"Stop being so damn untouchable! Every single thing you have an explanation for, every crack in the wall you go over with cement! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST ADMIT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS WRONG!" Donna yelled.
"BECAUSE IT ISN'T!" Joker roared back.
"Don't give me that garbage. You truly believe forcing a person to bow and change their ways is ok?! You are not a judge, you are not a juror! You're just-"
"I'M THE SAME AS ANY DAMN HERO ON THE PLANET! THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I OFFER RESULTS! Does that scare you or something?! To have all these people you've been fighting for years suddenly surrender?" Joker growled.
"It scares me because I know what this kind of power does to people. You've been here barely three months and already rule over Hell with Heaven not far behind. Noone can do that, not even Diana, not even Superman." Donna growled, tears starting to roll down her eyes.
"Has all we have done been for nothing?! Has all the people that have died because of these villains died in vain, I can't live with that Joker." Donna said.
"*Sigh* Donna...please it's not for nothing. At least you are trying, that's more than most people do." Joker said.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?! My friends have died in front of me, sisters, brothers, so many...and then you show up, with the gods by your side, like some messiah, hell with Messiah." Donna said.
"Maybe the gods couldn't take it anymore." Joker said.
"Just stop...stop running your mouth." Donna said.
"So are you going to turn me in or not?" Joker asked.
"What did I just say?" Donna growled.
"Make up your mind. I've held no secrets the whole time. That I swear." Joker said.
"Lies." Donna said stubbornly.
"How could I lie being tied up in this?!" Joker said, struggling against the rope.
"Y-you're doing it somehow! None of this can be true. None of this can really be happening!" Donna said.
"Now you're lying to yourself. Make up your mind now. What are you going to do?" Joker asked.
Donna pulled out her comm to the Watchtower. One call and the Phantom Thieves could be rounded up and arrested. One single push of a button. But.. she couldn't do it…
"GODDAMMIT!" Donna threw the comm to the ground, it shattered into a million pieces.
"Well?" Joker asked.
"With Selina...you swear on your life it isn't mind control, that it's real and she's really a better person?" Donna asked softly.
"On my soul." Joker said.
"Then...then what else is there…" Donna freed Joker from the rope.
"Hey, you okay?" Joker asked.
"You fight your whole life for something, and when the answer is right in front of your face….I just...had a hard time believing it." Donna said, softly.
"I get it." Joker said.
"I'll- I need to tell Diana about my findings. With any luck her input will make Batman ease up." Donna said as she began to walk away.
"I really...really doubt that will happen." Joker said.
"Heh, you're probably right. But hey, maybe some of the Titans will help. You really think Sataneal would help Raven with her power control? With no strings attached?" Donna asked.
"Of course. He's a good guy deep down." Joker said.
"The First Demon Lord. Ruler of Hell, is a good guy deep down?" Donna asked.
"Well I mean, compared to the last guy." Joker smirked.
"*chuckles* I guess that's true. I'll be back in a couple days. Wish you luck with...fixing the world." Donna said.
"Right back at you." Joker smiled.
Donna hopped off the building, leaving Joker with a new ally, despite how unwilling she was at first.
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May 28th, Night
Gotham Heights
Severe Thunderstorms
Batman looked down at the dead body of the oil baron Paul Reynolds. No signs of struggle whatsoever. In fact he had a slight smile as if the death was pleasurable. He flipped through the plans that the man was proposing. He narrowed his eyes, this kind of reckless destruction of the environment was enough to motivate someone in the environmentalist circles. But those like that in Gotham are few and far in between. And also don't need the cash that was stolen from the vault.
Batman changed focus of the method of how the murderer got the man to open the vault, it required an eye scan and a handprint. A more blunt killer would simply blow it open, or cut the eye and hand to use. Whoever this was was smarter than an average crook.
Batman scrapped some dried skin off the man's chapped lips to analyze the lipstick. A poison most likely, he caught a whiff and immediately coughed a bit. He backed away, he held the vial that contained the skin. This was indeed a very potent and deadly poison.
That meant it would be easy to track down where it could be produced.
He wished it was that easy to track down Joker, or the Phantom Thieves.
As he flew in the Batwing back to the Batcave, he tried to think of something he missed. Something small in the grand scheme of things, but could unravel something. As the computer analyzed the poison, he took the time to analyze the Thieves files one last time.
"Trying to find them again Master Bruce? Is there not others to worry about tonight?" Alfred asked.
"I'm in between tasks right now Alfred. I can't leave one thing overlooked." Batman scowled at the computer in thought.
"Is not Master Tim's and Master Dick's work enough sir? They cannot hide forever, simply put it's a matter of time." Alfred raised an eyebrow.
"That's not it and you know it." Batman closed the files on the Phantom Stars, looking elsewhere.
"I meant no offense sir. It just seems you are rather obsessed with them as of late. I worry with the appearance of the new Joker, you've forgotten about the old one." Alfred said.
"You're wrong. I have Damian checking every corner of Gotham for him." Batman said he closed the files on Noir, Fox, and Violet. All dead ends for the time being.
"I see, carry on then Master Bruce. I'm sure you have everything handled. As always." Alfred said sarcastically, the butler walked away.
"Alfred. I won't let what happened with Jason happen with Damian. That I swear." Batman said, stopping what he was doing.
Alfred stopped walking for a moment. Then continued, not turning back.
I need to find something. Batman thought to himself. He closed all of the files leaving only Crow, Joker, and White Rabbit.
Joker's a dead end, I've read the file too many times to miss something of note. Batman thought.
That left Crow, and White Rabbit.
Crow was unstable, but he was also untraceable. Batman closed his file.
White Rabbit smiled at him smugly through her photo. Despite her evasiveness, she can be known for leaving some sort of hidden trail. He just had to think.
White Rabbit may or not be Cleopatra, the body type matches, but I have nothing conclusive to back up that claim. But if I go back a few months, was there something I missed?
The last few months have been a jumble of chaos. Most being caused by the Phantom Thieves, but nothing could be tracked. He thought back to before Selina, was there anything with Black Mask that he overlooked. He brought up Sionis' file. Cassandra was tasked with his file at the time, and she leaves nothing vague.
"There were rumors of gunfire at the My Alibi Nightclub the night of the fight at Panessa Studios. Black Mask's men were said to have been riled up by an unknown cause. 30 dead, evidence of survivor's unverified. Bodies unverifiable due to mass fire. Will have to wait for dental records to follow up." The file read.
There was no follow up. Batman tasked her with Clayface as Balck Mask was no longer a threat.
"Cassandra?" Batman called on his comm.
"Yes, Sensi?" the girl answered.
"My Alibi Nightclub. Did you ever figure out why Balck Mask goons attacked?" Batman asked.
"Negative. Saw no reason to follow the trail." Batgirl said.
Batman pulled up surveillance for that night. He ran it back, seeing nothing.
"Who was the owner of the club at the time?" Batman asked.
"Unclear, Oracle can you find them?" Batgirl asked.
"Searching." Oracle said.
As she did Batman saw a boy entering and exiting the building. Clearly underage., he took care to hide his face from the cameras. Batman narrowed his eyes.A tall woman was often beside him, dark skin, hiding her face as well.
"Bruce. I can't find anything, Records are scrubbed clean. It's like the club didn't exist." Barbara said.
"Someone's covering their tracks." Batman narrowed his eyes as he rewinded the tapes more and more.
He found Jack Ryder going into the club as well, before his disappearance. As well as that boy, before the woman showed up.
"Who owned the club before April?" Batman asked.
"Hmm? How did you-"
"Humor me." Batman said.
"Um...According to some past minor drug busts in our own records. It was a man called Gary Forrest. Currently doing time in Blackgate for drug dealing." Oracle said.
"Sensei. Did I miss something?" Batgirl hesitates.
"No, I stopped you from looking into it. It's my fault Cassandra not yours." Batman said.
Batman heard the ding of the computer, the analysis of the poison was done. Batman stared at it, thinking of which to do.
"Tell Damien to come to the cave, I have another assignment for him to look into. Should be straight forward for him. I'm off to Blackgate. I can't shake the feeling Forrest knows something." Batman said.
"Roger." Oracle said.
Batgirl stayed silent, despite her sensei's words she felt she failed him in some way.
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May 28th, Night
Joker's Hideout
Severe Thunderstorms
Harley meekly walked up to Joker as he sat in a chair. She knew that smile, the smile that was strained and forced for reputation's sake. The smile that said 'I'm torn between killing you or torturing you'.
"Y-you called me puddin'?" Harley asked sweetly.
"Harley, sweetheart." Joker got up and slapped her, hard. She held her cheek in pain, not daring to say anything.
"Where are the kids?" Joker demanded.
"W-we have joes all ova'. But no matter who we rough up no one knows nothin'. Only thing we got was Gary from My Alibi." Harley said.
"A town of loose lips, and only one loose. It's almost funny. It better be good." Joker hissed.
"Um, well it's not much but Ryder, ya know the reporter who works for them, drank there. Hung often with a kid, Sketchy Akechi, he called him." Harley said.
"That's it? A NAME?!" Joker punches Harley in the face, the force sent her down on the floor. She was starting to weep.
"P-puddin' I-"
Joker kicked Harley in the gut, making her cough and gasp.
"DON'T PUDDIN' ME! FIND THEM, DRAW THEM OUT! DO SOMETHING USEFUL FOR ONCE!" Joker roared.
"I'll be good *Sobs* I'll be good." Harley said, her tears ruining her make-up.
"You'd better. The joke is getting old dear. And you know what happens when a joke gets old." Joker threatened. Harely shivered at the threat.
"Now...you're going to find all of the little kids~...You're going to bring them to me~...and then every little thing will come up roses" Joker said, talking down at her like a child.
"Got it?" Joker pressed.
Harely sniffed and shook her head up and down quickly.
"Now smile." Joker commanded.
Fighting her tears, she gave a strained smile.
Joker chuckled at the broken soul he made.
"That's my girl. Now go, and don't come back here until you have the kids." Joker said.
Harley crawled to her feet and walked to the door. She stopped and looked over to her lover.
"Love you snookums~" she said and walked out. She knew he wouldn't answer her, but she knew in her heart he returned the feelings. It was those kid's fault, for making Mistah J angry. That's what it was!
She stormed over to her little room in a huff, she gathered her things. She would make him all better. She'd get him to smile for real, and laugh until his belly aches. Then one thing will lead to another...and he'll propose...and they'll have babies. A happily ever after.
She sighed, engulfed in her fantasies as she fixed her make-up. Using more and more to hide the black eye that was forming. She grabbed her overnight bag for long stays away. She needed to be away for a while for Mistah J to cool off. And she'll make him cool off even faster with a present.
The present of the Phantom Thieves heads on a platter.
She barked orders to an army of Joker's men to come with her. Joker had men to spare, and they all followed her orders because she could be just as insane as their boss. Just in a more emotional way.
"I WANT ALL YA BOZOS TO KEEP YER EYES PEELED! YOU SO MUCH AS DREAM ABOUT SEEING A PHANTOM THIEF YA TELL ME! GOT IT!" Harley commanded.
"Yes ma'am! But-um..where are we going?" a thug asked.
Harley looked at him, her eye twitching. She hit him on the head hard with her baseball bat. The man's skull was bleeding out as he laid on the ground.
"DON'T YOU QUESTION ME! WE'RE GONNA FIND ANYONE WHO KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AKECHI GUY! ANYONE WHO DON'T TALK GETS A BEATIN'!" Harley shrieked.
"Yes ma'am" all the thugs said.
"Good. Now let's roll out!" Harley said.
Don't worry Mistah J~ I'll make sure these kids don't bother you again~! Harley thought.
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MIRROR FAITH RANK 1/10
SKILL ACQUIRED: Sweet Lies
N/A
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Joker didn't listen to Harley as she left. She was nothing to him, a joke that is playing it's course. A person he broke just to laugh at as she suffered. He was focused on the grand plan he had in store for Batman and his little kiddies.
He chuckled as he went over every detail, every set up to a big punchline. But his eyes twitch at the delay brought from Kite Man's death. He didn't expect such a set back, but now he has adapted. Ultimately a change of heart didn't scare him, he'd rather blow his brains out than turn like all those other losers.
The Phantom Thieves were nothing but a joke to him too. It's laughable as they claim to be a force of good. If they are so much better than Batman why haven't they gone after him. Many have challenged him, but none have taken this long to make a move. They must be scared or stupid to think they can take him. It was hilarious.
A force of good needs chaos in order to exist. Chaos always wins in the end, fear, panic, terror...all a part of a proper joke.
And he would get the last laugh.
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May 28th, Night
Blackgate Penitentiary
Severe Thunderstorms
Batman was in the morgue. Gary Forrest was dead. He looked down at the body. A smile carved into his face. He did know something, and Joker has a led that he doesn't.
"Who did it?" Batman asked a guard.
"One of Joker's boys, obviously Batman. Guy's in solitary, Theo Coleman." the guard said.
"Give me five minutes." Batman said.
"H-hey uh...that's not protocol." the guard stammered.
"I'm not asking." Batman growled.
The cells roared and banged with furious criminals. All trying to reach for Batman. Batman didn't even flinch as they pounded on the bars like animals in cages. One felon managed to get loose and charge for him.
"FREEZE!" A guard screamed aiming his gun at the inmate.
Batman quickly knocked the felon out before he could do any damage.
"T-this way sir." the guard said.
They approached the cell. The man in it sat calm with an angry stare.
"Coleman." Batman said.
"Oh, look who it is. The big bad bat." Theo cackled.
"Gary Forrest. What did he say to you?" Batman asked bluntly.
"Oh, that bastard screamed like a girl when I killed him. It was music to my ears." Theo said.
"Answer the question." Batman demanded.
"Fuck you. I ain't sayin' nothin'!" Coleman spat.
Batman narrowed his eyes. He looked at the guard and nodded.
The cell unlocked, Batman calmly entered the cell. The guard walked away.
"HEY DON'T LEAVE ME HERE WITH HIM!" Theo screamed.
"Talk. Or all of your teeth will be in your stomach." Batman said darkly.
"Y-you don't scare me." Theo said, nervously.
"Your heart rate says otherwise." Batman said as he closed the distance.
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Blood was splattered sparsely over the cell walls. Batman held up Coleman's beaten body by his collar. Coleman's face was black and blue, both legs broken.
"TELL ME!" Batman roared.
"You'll have to kill me…" Coleman slurred.
Batman growled, he grabbed the man by the throat, holding him up with one hand. Batman kicked the cell door open. He went to the railing and Theo looked down at the hundred feet fall.
"Last chance" Batman lifted Theo with one hand, over the long fall.
"They'll kill me!" He pleaded,
"TALK!" Batman said.
"No..NO!" Theo said.
Batman growled and let go of the man. Theo screamed as the floor came closer and closer.
Then…
The grapple line snapped him back up, he began to cry in fear.
Batman reeled him back up and slammed him against the wall.
"REMEMBER SOMETHING?!" Batman roared.
"AKECHI! AKECHI HAS TO KNOW SOMETHING MAN!" Theo screamed.
"IS THAT ALL!?" Batman pressed.
"SOME CHICK NARCED GARY OUT OF THE CLUB! No matter how much we roughed him up, he wouldn't say her name. He swore he didn't know it. But Gary said he was the bitch creeping on Akechi. Kid also hangs with Ryder. That's it that's all I know!" the man screamed.
"What's he look like!" Batman demanded.
"Uh- uh… Gary said...shaggy brown hair with bangs, reddish brown eyes! Kid looks uppity but one glance and it sends shivers or some shit!" Theo whimpered.
"Thank you." Batman slammed Theo's head into the wall knocking him out.
He walked away, letting the guards take care of Theo.
"Make sure he stays alive. Or I'll come after each and every one of you." Batman hissed at the guards.
The guards all nodded and scampered away.
"Oracle. Give me the records of every male between the age of 16-20 that goes by the name Akechi." Batman said.
"Searching….nothing…no one in Gotham goes by that name." Oracle said.
"Widen the search. Footage of young men, long shaggy brown hair, red/brown eyes." Batman said.
"That will take a while Bruce." Oracle said.
"Do it." Batman pressed.
"Roger." Oracle said.
Batman walked out of the prison pulling up the map Tim had drawn up, he sent it to Oracle.
"Cross reference it with the map Tim laid out. Triangulate on his routes. I want every last detail.. We might have a lead on Crow." Batman said.
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May 28th, Night
Cafe Leblanc
Severe Rain
Futaba listened in on the conversation and got to work scrubbing any footage she could find on Crow.
"Akechi. You're exposed. Lay low as your real name. Batman knows it." Futaba said.
"Hmph, took him long enough. Understood." Akechi hung up.
"This guy…." Futaba grumbled as she typed furiously. She called up Akira to tell him the news.
"I have faith in you Oracle. Proceed as planned. Give them hell." Akira said.
Looks like she would face off against Barbara again. She stretched her arms and took a sip of coffee.
"Let's see ya beat me this time copycat." Futaba smirked.
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Barbara was typing furiously, but she was calm. She wasn't going to let Bruce's obsession pressure her. Then again she knew how he operated, based on vengeance or justice or a mix between the two. Of course with Selina changing like she did would send Bruce into a more one minded state.
She brought up cameras from April and programmed an algorithm to find the description given. Not knowing Futaba had algorithms already set in place for such an occurrence. She already combed over all footage multiple times, but it was better to always prepared,
She clearly missed a few spots.
Barbara sweated at the lack of footage, they were covering their tracks with great effect, she was already up to present day and not a single person matched that description.
"Fine, guess we'll have to do this the hard way." Barbara said.
She typed in an algorithm to find any men that matched Crow's estimated height. In fact while she was at it, she ran the finders she programmed in the last weeks to find any suspects matching the Phantom Thieves' distinctive features.
Just because they wore masks didn't mean that they couldn't be tracked by their hair, body type, or eye color. It's been an ongoing program since Superman first appeared. She's been running it nonstop to try to find anything since Batman came with their files.
She needed to rework it, make it more broad.
She worked and worked, typing furiously. But then something blocked her...
"Bruce! I'm being locked out of the city's network. I'm pushing through it but, I think we've walked into an ambush!" Barbara yelled.
"Find something. Anything that could lead me to Akechi. This only proves we're on to something. They fight because they're scared." Batman growled.
Cameras everywhere were over cooked and blew up in a sudden powersurge. Futaba snickered, Barbie girl can't read footage from destroyed cams.
"SHIT! Multiple key cameras down, Bruce I don't like this. It's almost as if they are reading our minds! I can't get a single grain of footage that I try to focus on." Barbara yelled.
"Lock her out of the system entirely. Overpower her, at least keep her from causing too much damage to our surveillance network." Batman said.
"I can do this!" Barbara yelled.
"Retreat. That's an order." Batman commanded.
"DAMMIT!" Barbara growled as Futaba started to attack the Batcomputer servers. She quickly shutted it all down. It was her only option, as they were still being updated for security from the last attack.
"Barbara…" Batman called.
"Lost it. It's no use trying to find anything on those cameras now. By the time we're back online it'll be scrubbed clean." Barbara said.
"I'll have Damian ask around the area of the club then. Hopefully that will give something. This is why we have to find them Barbara. This is why I focus on them." Batman hung up.
Barbara huffed at that. She recognized the fact that the Phantom Thieves, despite their more moral nature, if they wanted...They could easily take down their networks and track them down. The question is why won't they? They declared war on the Bat family but when they find a weak spot they back away.
They must need us for something. Need us for some motive we can't yet think of. But what? Barbara thought.
She'll have to send all of this stuff to Tim so he can think about it. But for now she had lost. Lost to a little girl.
Right now she felt weak, she hated feeling that way...She promised herself she would never let herself feel that way again. She was more than the disabled girl Joker made her damn it!
She was Batgirl, she was Oracle!
She adjusted her glasses and pulled out a laptop that ran on the emergency backup server. Attack the same way is stupid, so she began furiously typing out her own game plan to take Alibaba down. This loss will not happen again.
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MIRROR HERMIT RANK 3/10
SKILL ACQUIRED: Access granted
The party now can go deeper into the batcomputer without being noticed. Anything below their current priority.
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May 28th, Night
Ryker Heights, Gothcorp
Severe Thunderstorms
A man set up a camera to record, he walked over to the large container that glowed a bright cold blue, a woman laid in it, looking asleep. A heart monitor beeped slowly besides it.
"Hello, my name is Doctor Victor Fries. And...I've finally done it...I've finally been able to perfect the methods of cryo-stasis." Victor said.
He walked over to the woman and looked at her fondly.
"As you can see, the subject, my wife Nora Fries, is perfectly frozen, yet is still alive. Now I have all the time I need to properly cure her terminal and rare cancer. She has consented to these terms of course, as the previous tapes will show." Victor continued.
"But, I fear that the donors are not as happy about this development. I will however convince them that this new development in science could save many lives." Victor said.
The door busted in as Ferris Boyle entered the room.
"Mister Fries. I outta kill you now." Boyle growled.
"M-Mister Boyle, sir. For what do I owe the pleasure?" Victor said nervously.
"You fucking bastard. I'm MILLIONS in debt because of you. I cut off your funding months ago, but you went behind my back." Boyle hissed.
"S-sir please I can explain. What you see here will make your money back in spades and-"
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! We are a drug company, not whatever...this is. I've given you too much and you haven't delivered. You're fired! NOW TURN ALL OFF THIS SHIT OFF AND GET OUT OF HERE!" Boyle roared.
"Sir please the patient will surely die-"
"Don't care. Do it. Now." Boyle said.
"S-sir surely a man such as yourself-"
"Fine. I'll do it myself. And I'm suing you for all the cash you've taken from me." Boyle started to walk towards Nora.
Victor stood in front of her.
"P-please, surely we could-"
Boyle punched Victor in the face.
"OUT OF MY WAY!" Boyle roared.
"I...I WON'T LET YOU KILL HER!" Fries yelled.
Boyle then proceeded to beat the man to a pulp, Victor not exactly fit for a fight.
"OUT. OF. MY. WAY!" Boyle pushed Victor into some shelves holding Victor's experimental coolants. They dropped all around the room encasing the room in ice, but more importantly, VIctor.
His screams of pain echoed in the lab causing Boyles to back away, seeing the ice spreading close to him he quickly ran out of the lab and locked it down.
He was quick to silence the alarms though, he needed time to sort this out. He watched in terror as Victor's skin became light blue, the glass doing nothing to quiet his screams.
The ice, so cold, as it burned in it's sharp temperature. The pain was so great he collapsed on the ground.
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!" Boyle said. He had to cover this up. But that would take time, a dead man he was sure was dead would raise to many questions. Boyles rushed out in a panicked mind set, eager to get away from the crime scene.
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A few hours went by, Victor awoke. The entire room is shining in it's new ice prison.
Victor, in his still excruciating pain crawled desperately towards Nora. His hot breath turning into a cold, his clothes frozen solid, as he tried to break free of them.
"Nora…" He heard the slow beeping of her heart from the monitor. The chamber is still working despite the accident. But he had to get her out of here. Boyle is sure to come back to take her from him. The rage he felt at that fueled him, he paid no heed to his now pitch black fingers, the loss of feeling meaning nothing.
He knew there was a chance for Boyle kicking him out, he was a fool to rely on the man's humanity. He should have ran when he had the chance. He used the chamber to crawl to his feet. He softly put a hand on the glass where Nora's face was. Her angelic face calmed him as he tried to get her out of this place.
He pressed a few buttons on the chamber releasing it from it's massive tubing structures. Wheels appeared behind the chamber as it gently began to make its descent to the ground.
It had a few hours at most on it's own. He needed somewhere cold to preserve her. He began to pull on the chamber, the automatic mechanisms helping him as he did.
He managed to pry the lab doors open. The moment room temperature hit his face, was hell on earth. He screamed as he fell to the floor, the now scolding temperatures to his body being a lot to bear.
"Nora...must...save...Nora…" Victor gasped as he began to pull on the chamber again.
He managed to get her out through a back exit. The raging storm had his whole body now steaming, he ignored the hot drops of what felt like lava as he dragged his beloved through the streets.
The night life thugs of Gotham running at the sight of him, thinking he was some kind of monster. He found an abandoned ice cream shop. He used his body to slam down the door. The slight cold overing a light relief from the intense pain that was the outside. He dragged Nora's chamber to the large freezer in the back.
He didn't believe in heaven, but the feel of the cold he felt made him reconsider the concept of there being a god somewhere looking out for him, for his wife.
He pulled out one the few coolant left from the chamber and got to work replacing the freezer's with his own. The intensely more cold temperatures allowed him to feel at ease. As he hooked Nora to the establishment, the rest of the abandoned block's power was given to the chamber; Victor allowed himself to collapse from exhaustion.
Nora was safe...at least for the night…
As he allowed himself to relax, the slow beeping of Nora's monitor lulled him to sleep.
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AN: One last chapter before the end of the month. Nice timing me~
Hope you all enjoyed it. Sorry for the delay, personal things and all that. Next chapter will be up soon.
See you.
