Here's the second chapter! I hope you all enjoy! Read and review! =)
Chapter 2: Just the Beginning
When I finally found enough of my senses to open my eyes I felt heat, lots of it, and it was raining. I groaned and held my head as I sat up in a kneeling position, I glanced around as to where I was and saw the building to my left ablaze. That explained the heat. I pushed and forced myself to stand on both feet, what was going on? The last thing I remembered was being in my downstairs trying to figure out what was wrong with my X-box, because my game wasn't working. I paused, my game. Cocking an eyebrow I slowly observed my surroundings more carefully, soaking in every detail. My hair got more drenched every second the rain poured down. It was dark, cloudy, dreary...reminded me a lot of Gotham. The cold nipped at my arms and the wind blew, the wind was a familiar feeling. It was the same feeling I had before I blacked out. I tried piecing things together as an attempt to figure out what exactly had happened. But before I got any much of a chance to think a figure was running my way. I squinted my eyes to try to get a good look at the guy, but I failed. The figure got closer and before I knew it I was knocked off my feet, I yelped and groaned when my back collided with the ground. Then, not even a few seconds after I was lifted up back on my feet by my collar, an arm slid around my neck and I was pulled close to someone.
"Don't try anything Bats!" I heard the figure shout, I squirmed to get free but stopped as soon as it hit my ears. I knew that voice, all too well.
"Don't harm her Joker." Another figure replied, landing a few feet away from me and the guy who had his arm around my neck. I froze. I turned my head, or tried to, so I could a look at the guy. Green hair, white skin, sickening smile. It was the Joker. And the man in front of us...I turned my head back to the cloaked figure in front of us. It was...it had to be...Batman. 'This is not happening' 'This is not happening' was all I repeated over in my head. It couldn't have been happening. How? Joker's grip around my neck tightened and I gagged slightly.
"Hey, watch it pal." I choked out, and with this, my leg shot back and just so happened to hit him in that delicate spot for men. He yelped and immediately released me, dropping to his knees holding it. I immediately ran over to Batman for protection.
"Are you alright?" He asked me in his deep voice, I paused for a few moments and looked back at Joker before nodding. He nodded and headed over to Joker, his cape swaying dramatically when he walked, my head followed him.
"It's over Joker." Batman said simply, The Joker looked up, frowning, but it looked almost fake.
"Alright Bats, you got me. There's no running from you." He said almost as a joke, I raised an eyebrow at this, this wasn't at all like Joker. But before Batman could do much, Joker rose from his spot and ran into the burning building, my eyes widened, he was crazier than I thought. Not really thinking, I picked up a trashcan lid and threw it like a frisbee towards Joker, it slammed into a weak wooden pole and did more damage than I thought it would of. The piece of wood I broke happened to be support for a canopy that was above the Joker. With the pole broken the canopy became weak and crumbled right on top of Joker. Batman was quick to uncover him and I rushed by his side. Together we pulled him up and on his feet.
"Okay, now you really got me." He told us, still managing to chuckle at his own joke.
"I need to get him back to Arkham." Batman stated mostly to himself as he binded the Joker's wrists together, I spoke up.
"Let me come with you." I said out loud, he looked at me, quizzical, my expression however was dead serious. I wanted to go with him, plus, if I didn't go with him I'd be alone in big bad Gotham.
"Arkham Asylum is no place for a child." Was his brilliant reply, I frowned at this, I was not a child.
"Did I not just help with catching the Joker?" I asked, motioning to the giggling psychopath being contained by Batman. "I know you don't really know me but I have every right to turn him in as much as you do." I added, silence was held between us for a few moments before he finally did something as a reply. He smiled, it wasn't much, but he smiled.
"What's your name?" He asked, his what he called a smile fading, it was my turn to let out a small grin. "Amber, Amber Rath." I told him, he nodded and turned in a certain direction.
"Just try to keep up." He said walking off, literally dragging Joker with him, I stumbled after him. We headed to the parked bat mobile...awesome. I looked it over amazed, the yelp from Joker snapped me back into reality as I saw Batman throw Joker in the passenger seat of his car.
"I wanted to sit up front." I whined with a pout, Batman just stared at me. I couldn't tell if it was really a glare, or just a stare, either way, it was pretty intimidating. I shrunk back. "Back seats just as good." I added on weakly, climbing into the back, I buckled up and looked at Joker who was wiggling in the front.
"Bout time Bats got a new Robin." He stated chuckling, I knew he was talking about me. I crossed my arms over my chest, insulted.
"I'm a girl ya know." I informed him, he laughed. "Okay, Robina then." With this he let out an insane laugh that filled the bat mobile, I slumped in my seat, my eyebrows burrowing.
"Ha ha, very funny." I replied to him coldly, with that Batman got in his seat and the door shut, and with 'that' we were off. The bat mobile sped down the streets, my gaze shifted to the passenger seat where Joker was seated, he looked pretty beat up. Excluding Joker, the car ride was silent. Batman was fixed on the road and I was trying to get things straight.
"Stand back fool! I've got a bomb...oh right." The Joker laughed, he was pretty delusional or something, I wasn't sure. I glanced out the window as we passed the sign on the side of the road that said 'Arkham', and it had an arrow that was pointing forward. Then, the bat mobile zipped through the main gates, the place looked creepy, I wasn't gonna lie to myself. We stopped right in front of the steps to one of the buildings and Batman got out, taking the Joker with him. I opened the door and got out too, the rain continued to pour down harshly. We walked up to the doors and Batman pushed Joker down on his knees. I stood next to Batman, looking up to him, literally. Then I looked back at the doors just as they slid open, the Joker 'still' laughing. With the headlights to the bat mobile shining behind us our entrance probably looked pretty epic. Batman yanked up Joker and pushed him forwards, walking behind, I stumbled after them. I believe I was a little too focused at my surroundings.
"Hey Sharpie! Love what you've done with the place." Joker commented jokingly, my gaze landed on the men pointing guns in our directions and I took a step closer to Batman almost for protection. Then I looked in front of us, where a bald guy with glasses stood up tall.
"That's WARDEN Sharp to you." He told Joker harshly, adjusting his tie and getting a good grip on his cane. "Boles." He called to a security guard standing behind him, the man nodded and headed towards Joker.
"Hey! Frank-ay! How's the wife and kids? Ya miss me?" Joker asked the guards as if they were best buds, he was not amused by this. Boles grabbed him by the collar angrily and yanked him, getting close to his face.
"Shut it clown!" He snarled angrily. "A lot of people here really want to talk to you." At this he yanked Joker along to a wheeling platform thing.
"Really, I don't mind walking." Joker stated coldly as he was pushed onto the platform and strapped on tightly. "Not so tight boys, you'll crease the suit." He added on laughing briefly, I looked at Batman who stood next to the warden. Finally, Sharp's eyes landed on me.
"Who's this child?" He asked somewhat rudely, I rolled my eyes, that was twice I was called a child.
"She helped me catch the Joker." Batman explained for me, I looked at him then back at the warden. Sharp observed me for a few strange moments before finally sticking out a hand.
"Quincy Sharp." He introduced, I nodded and took his hand gently, shaking it. "Amber Rath." I introduced back, as we each released our hands, Sharp nodded and turned his attention back to the Joker.
"Alright boys, get that filthy degenerate out of here." He ordered, I winced 'filthy degenerate', harsh. True, but harsh.
"I should head back." Batman stated to the warden, who nodded, Batman turned around back to the entrance, but I stopped him.
"Batman...some thing's not right. I think we should stay here and go with him." I told him referring to the Joker, Batman stopped and turned back to face me.
"Amber, there are more important things that need to be handled right now." Was his reply, I wasn't going to listen to him. There was this too strange of a feeling nagging at my insides.
"Then...let me stay. You go." I told him, knowing he might not agree, but who knows. If I was truly in the game, then we'd have to stay here at Arkham. There was a brief pause before he walked back up to me.
"Amber, no. I can't let you put yourself in that kind of danger." He told me sternly, I stood tall, but I could tell there was a pleading look in my eyes.
"Batman...please." I pleaded, he stared at me with that cold look. Another uncomfortable pause, finally, he sighed.
"I want you to take this then if you're staying here." He said, un-buckling his utility belt and handing it to me, I took it, shocked. No way did he just do what I thought he did.
"Are you crazy? You want me to take your utility belt?" I asked him, puzzled, he just nodded.
"Arkham can be a dangerous place." Was all he told me as a reply, I thought for a few moments before nodding and took off my studded belt, replacing it with his yellow one. The belt looked bulky on me, more intimidating than it was fashonable. He took my old belt from me and nodded before handing me one more thing.
"So we can keep in touch." He said, holding something in his hand, I stuck out my hand and he dropped a small listening device in my palm. I looked at it, then to him before nodding in determination.
"Stay safe." He ordered, I nodded again and turned around, following the guards and the Joker through the 'Intensive Treatment Center'. I stood tall and proud as I walked, kind of happy now that I had my Batman shirt on.
"Oh! Kiddie gets to come with us!" The Joker laughed, I grunted and glared at him, while I placed the small listening device in my ear securely. I didn't like the fact of Batman leaving me alone, but if we didn't stay in Arkham, there would be no game. But another thing that confused me was that Batman actually let me stay, without him. It was a little out of character and that scared me slightly. I looked around and spotted one of the guards before walking up to him.
"Excuse me, is commisoner Gordon here?" I asked him, he looked at me, a bit confused to why I was here probably. But then I saw him take a glance at my shirt and my belt, he stiffened a bit.
"Yes ma'am. He's waiting at Patient Handover. He got here just before you did." He said, obviously seeing the whole scene with me and Batman, I nodded and hurried to catch up with the group. Just then, bright lights to a couple of cameras flashed on, I cringed and shielded my face, Joker couldn't help but comment.
"Sharpie loves his cameras! Hey Sharpie! You getting my good side? But heck, they're all good, aren't they?" He asked, I rolled my eyes and scoffed, finally taking my hand away from my face.
"I want him securely locked away this time. Another escape and I will lose support for my mayoral campaign." I heard the warden say as we boarded an elevator, I didn't pay attention to the reply given, I was more concerned at the fact of what Joker was saying.
"Look at all this new security, how's a guys supposed to break out of here?" He asked, I had to answer. "He's not." Was what I said harshly, crossing my arms as I walked off the elevator after them. We went down more halls and it was actually pretty silent for a few moments, before we stopped walking in this mechanical tunnel thing.
"Tunnel's full start scan." An animatronic voice stated, I looked around and the room scanned us over with red lazers. "Scan initializing." It spoke again.
"Ya know what? I prefered the good ol' cavity search. Much more personal." Joker stated, I cringed and gaged mentally, gross.
"Got a red light." A voice said alertly with a small alarm ringing, as if someone was ready to spring into action. "Multiple prohibited items." It spoke again.
"I want Joker searched again." Another voice ordered angrily.
"Err, it's not the patient. It's err..." The man didn't continue his reply, he didn't have to. I glanced down at Batman's utility belt, that's what was carrying the prohibited weapons...me.
"Oooh, what did Bats sneak in with you? C'mon tell me, tell me! Batarangs? Bat claws? Bat snacks?" The Joker asked, looking at me with a short laugh, I rolled my eyes and avoided his gaze, it creeped me out.
"Scan is green on Joker." A man finally said, and another voice soon replied sternly. "Open the gate! Get him out of here!" The door to the opening of the tunnel slid open as the voice continued.
"I want weapons on him at all times. Do not let him out of your sight." He ordered as we continued along again, Joker chuckled slightly. There'll be enough for you later, Cash. Speaking of time, tick, tock, tick, tock. Is that a crocodile I hear?" He asked slowly, letting out a laugh afterwards, it sent shivers down my spine. I brushed a piece of hair out of my face as we traveled through more halls, this was a longer walk than I thought. Maybe things would go right, this place was high tech. Maybe the Joker wouldn't be able to escape...but then again...he was the Joker after all. Two TVs that were hung on the wall flicked on to the warden, it was obviously pre-recorded.
"Hello new patient, this is Quincy Sharp." The warden spoke, after that I fazed out and turned my attention back on the Joker.
"Oooh, it's my favorite show. 'I'm Warden idiot, you'll never escape!" The Joker stated in a deep mock voice, trying to imitate Sharp, letting out a long laugh after. I bit my bottom lip a little too hard and it bled slightly as I observed my surroundings more. Taking in my surroundings was important just in case if I needed to know later on. Sharp's voice continued to echo as we walked on, finally stopping in front of a door in a small corridor. I fazed in only to hear Joker saying something about that fire I appeared next to.
"Just got to check your prisoner Officer Boles." A doctor holding a clipboard told the dark skinned officer. I glanced at him, then at Boles, then at Joker, the clown wouldn't stay still.
"Whatever, just be quick!" Boles ordered rudely, his voice raised a bit higher than he probably wanted it to be, but I wasn't sure.
"Only following procedure." The doctor replied, slowly inching towards Joker, clenching his clipboard. "Patient seems to be in satisfactory condition. Looks like he suffered minor lacerations probably in the last two hours." The doc spoke, glancing between Joker and his clipboard, whatever was on the paper.
"There seems to be-" The doctor didn't get to finish.
"Boo!" The Joker shouted jerking forward as far as he could, everyone took a step back, alert. The doctor guarded himself with his clipboard and the guards immediately held their guns up, aiming them threateningly at Joker, who just laughed.
"Need to take my temperature? I'd be happy to drop my pants." The Joker commented, I frowned. "Gross." I stated under my breath, my face twisting in disgust as I crossed my arms over my chest, the Doctor shook his head.
"He's all yours. Get him out of here." The doctor ordered angrily, obviously he was agitated with the Joker, anyone would be.
"He's good, open the door." A man said, and with that the door unlocked and slid open, revealing more hallways, joy.
"Alert intensive treatment." An animatronic voice announced. "Category 9 patient in transit. Shoot to kill permissions granted." It continued, I raised an eyebrow, what exactly did that mean? Of course I wasn't going to ask, I didn't want to look like an idiot.
"You heard the lady, we've got another psycho on the way." Boles told the rest of the group, and with that they got their guns ready. I glanced around at them before slowly looking in front of me, where there was an elevator. Another Arkham patient. My face went slightly pale as thoughts zoomed through my head as to who it could be. It could of been anyone...Riddler...Scarecrow...or worse.
"Can you smell the excitement in the air? No? Must have been one of the guards then." Joker said out loud, then he strained his neck to look behind him to see the elevator rising before adding on. "Croc old boy, is that you?" My body stiffened, yes, it was worse. Killer Croc. He looked absolutely horrifying, a beast like I've never seen and wished I never had to.
"Get ready." Boles ordered as the door to the elevtor slid open smoothly. "Keep your weapons trained on it at all times." He added on, why did it have to be so big? Killer Croc struggled to get out of the elevator because of his huge size and that's when I noticed his hands were chained together. As much as I wanted that to calm me down, it didn't.
"He looks angry." A voice stated, and you could 'almost' hear slight fear in his voice, I heard that little bit and wrung my hands together nervously. Croc finally got on his feet and straightened up to his full height, which was about maybe 10 or 11 ft.
"That thing looks pissed." The same voice said, I took a step back, staying alert, or least trying to; the fear was getting to me a bit too much. Croc took a sniff of the air, looking around for something.
"What's it doing?" One asked, and with that Croc turned towards me, my eyes widened about twice inside as I became stiff.
"You! You have the scent of Batman!" Croc finally spoke, his voice demonic and low, mostly monster like. This thing wasn't the human he used to be, Waylon Jones I believe was his name.
"Now, I will hunt you down." He continued, as soon as he said that however light came from something around his neck. A shock collar. I couldn't of been more scared at this moment. Croc flinched slightly and struggled, groaning a bit as the collar shocked, when it was done he took a few moments before speaking again.
"A toy collar wont stop me from killing you, child! I'll rip you apart, eat your bones." He threatened as he finally started walking away, at this I started breathing again. It was silent for a few moments after that, my breathing was jagged as I tried to relax my shoulders. Finally, someone decided to break the silence.
"That reminds me, I really need to get me some new shoes." Joker stated, I looked at him, it had to be him. My face was pale and twisted in one of fear as I looked back to where Killer Croc left, part of me wanted to leave now, but I needed to stay.
"Okay, move on." A guards ordered us meaning it was clear to go on. With that we started moving again, all of us stepping onto the elevator. I could of sworn I heard someone ask 'how come they let the kid pass through security?' That agitated me slightly.
"Weee! Great night for a party!" Joker stated out loud, he just wouldn't stop doing that. I rolled my eyes and looked away. "Not where you're going." I stated a bit louder than a mumble, but what happened next surprised me. The Joker chuckled a bit.
"The night is young Ambsy." He said, I stood up straight and looked at him, confused, he heard me? "I still have a trick or two up my sleeve." He continued at this, my expression turned to one of suspicious.
"Tell me if you find this funny. A fire at Blackgate caused hundreds of my crew to be moved here." He told me, that wasn't funny that was just...suspicious and made me feel uneasy.
"I thought I told you to stay quiet!" Boles snapped at the Joker, the clown just rolled his eyes. "Oh Frankie. You really should learn to keep that fat mouth of yours shut. It'll get you into trouble." He said in a low voice, almost in a threatening way. I quickly looked between the two before turning back to the clown.
"Tell me something Joker. You've never let Batman catch you this easily. Nor would you let someone as young and weak as me even 'help' him catch y-" He interrupted me right there with a small laugh.
"Someones done her homework on me and Bats." He said chuckling. "And Ambsy, you 'did' have a cheap shot." He told me, I shook my head and rolled my eyes.
"Continuing, what are you 'really' after?" I asked him, his malicious smile stretched even wider but he acted as if nothing was big or important. Almost like he 'didn't' have some big plan ahead like I thought he did.
"Oh nothing much. Hundreds dying in pain and fear. All their meaningless lives brought to a horrifying conclusion. All thanks to Batman and a book of matches." He explained, my eyebrows lowered and my mouth twisted into one of disgust and slight hatred.
"Was that the answer you wanted?" He asked, but before I could reply he let out an insane laugh and the elevator stoped in mid motion, then, the lights flicked off. It was happening! At least that's what I thought. The Joker continued to laugh and I heard him close, so I stuck my hand out and got a good grip on something of his.
"Get a flashlight! Get a light on him!" A guard ordered, with that the lights flickered back on and I found myself holding Joker's throat. I thanked whatever God I believed in that he was still strapped to the platform. I was scared shitless, but I felt my grip tighten on him anyways. He gagged a bit at this.
"What? Don't you trust me?" He asked, at this I 'finally' realized what I was doing and let go, scared. I ended up pushing his head back so the back of his head slammed into the platform. That wasn't like me, that wasn't like me at all.
"You're becoming more like Bats already." Joker stated bitterly to me, I avoided his gaze, scared.
"Our guest has arrived." Boles spoke as the doors to the elevators swung open finally, I stayed as far as I could from Joker. Finally, and really, I mean finally; we reached were we needed to be. I glanced around and spotted a tall older man near a desk, he looked up from his work and caught his attention on us.
"Finally." He said walking over to the group and observing us. "Where's Batman?" He asked, before I could speak up Boles answered Commissioner Gordon.
"Batman left, thought it would be better if the kid he was with went with us." With that being said I was pushed forward slightly, I glared briefly at the guard then looked back in front of me at Commissioner Gordon, trying to find the right words to say.
"Um...good evening Commissioner Gordon." I told him politely, sticking out a hand. He looked down at it then back at me. After a few moments of strange silence he shook my hand.
"I'm amazed Batman would leave someone like you here. Part of me doesn't even think you really have any qualifications." He said to me, I was about to say something about the fact I was insulted but decided it was best to leave the conversation at that. But actually, part of what he said was true. I didn't really have qualifications. Sure I could be quick on my feet, and I 'was' a high red belt in karate, but that wasn't really anything compared to Batman. "Then again, they did tell me you managed to help Batman take Joker into custody. What's your name kid?" He asked me, this placed sucked with the name calling, however I managed to keep my cool with this and answer him.
"Amber Rath." I told him, he nodded and followed after the guards, beckoning for me to follow him. I did and scurried after him, trying to figure out which was the best way to start talking.
"So, can you tell me exactly what's happened tonight? I didn't get much details with the story." I told him, finally catching up and walking by his side.
"Quite a bit has happened tonight. Joker invaded city hall and held the mayor hostage, leaving it to me to juggle SWAT team, the media, Batman, and now you. It's been a hell of a night." He told me, not really looking at me when he talked but that was fine with me, it made me a little less uncomfortable.
"Right...heh...sorry about that." I apologized, mainly the part about me. It seemed that I made a bigger impact than I thought. Even though all I did was kick Joker in his sweet spot and make a canopy fall on top of him, it's not like I was some sort of super hero. But, it defiantly was something the media would want to hear about.
"But, hopefully the last one we'll ever have with him." I added on, trying to reassure him with things, I don't think it was working.
"Hold it there! Sorry kid, Arkham staff only." He told me, holding a hand in front of him telling me to stop, I did. I thought that was fair until commissioner Gordon spoke up.
"I can assure you now, she's almost as qualified as Batman to-" He was interrupted. "Listen I appreciate the assistance, but with her appearance she might unsettle the more violent inmates." He continued, I rolled my eyes and thought 'a little too late for that' as I thought back to Killer Croc. I heard low familiar laughing behind me and I turned around to see Joker, back on his feet with Boles restraining him as they walked by.
"I think he's talking about 'you' Ambsy." He said getting a little too close to my face, so I took a step back to stay away as they pulled him back and walked on. "Don't be a stranger." He continued, looking behind back at me.
"You're always welcome here." He told me laughing. "Gotta say it's good to be back." He finished with another laugh, I shook my head and ran a hand through my hair.
"You okay?" I heard Commissioner Gordon ask, I looked up at him raising an eyebrow before realizing what he was asking.
"Joker surrendered almost without a fight and Batman left 'me' here alone. I don't like it." I told him as a reply, walking up to a glass window, showing me what was happening with the Joker and the guards.
"At least he's back where he belongs." Gordon told me, walking up next to me, I looked down and thought to myself 'Yeah but for how long?'. I looked back up through the glass window, coming out of my thoughts. There I saw the Joker trip and fall on his knees, sadly, that's all he needed. While the guard walked close enough to him, the Joker headed butted him in the chin and he stumbled back, letting go of Joker. My eyes widened and my face drained it's color but I managed to stumble out some words.
"Joker's loose! Alert the warden!"
Wow, pretty long chapter. Well, I hope you guys liked it. Sorry if anyone's mad I made Batman leave Arkham ^^' but who knows, he might show up again. But please don't say 'Well it's not the game without Batman!' I know, I just wanted to try how things would be if a young girl had to do what Batman did. You're probably thinking she can't but Amber is a bit more experienced and more capable than you think. So, just give it time I think ya'll will like it. Till the next chapter!