Well, not much to say. Except, here's chapter 3! Hope you all enjoy it!
Chapter 3: The Madhouse
I couldn't exactly tell what was being said down in the room with The Joker, the guard, and the doctor. All I knew was that I had to get in there, I took in a deep breath to quickly collect my thoughts.
"Come on Amber...you can do this." I encouraged myself in a whisper, and with that I let out a high karate kick to the glass window, it cracked. I then saw Joker kick the Doctor and dance around happily, this was not good. I kicked again, it cracked even more. However to fully break it I needed more strength, at this I rolled my eyes and spoke mainly to myself.
"Here goes nothin'." With that I ran into the glass breaking through it and tumbling on the ground with a startled yelp, I scurried back on to my feet only to see Joker run through the unblocked electrocuted walkway. When he reached it, the lasers went on again and he turned back around spreading his arms out wide.
"Welcome to the madhouse, Ambsy! I originally set a trap for Batman, but you were the one who sprang it gloriously!" He announced proudly, I huffed in anger at this and brushed off the leftover glass from my shirt, it was a trap from the very beginning; and I was stupid enough to walk right into it.
"Now, lets get this party started." He stated, his voice lowering to a threat, I glanced around to see three Blackgate prisoners surrounding me, somehow they got free. I glanced around at them, they were all way bigger than me but...probably not as smart.
"You boys don't want to mess with a high red belt." I warned, but did they listen? No. One swung a fist at me and I caught it with a bit of struggle. "Or maybe you do." I added with a slight shrug before kicking up high, uppercutting the man with my foot. He stumbled back and with that the other two attacked. I rolled out of the way so the two collided with each other and groaned. While I was occupied with the maniacs I heard Joker's voice through the TV, but was a little too busy to listen. I glanced down at my belt and my hand ran over the different slots.
"There's gotta be something here that can help me. Batarangs? No. Grappling hook? No." My hand stopped over a small little bottle, I took it out and observed it curiously. "Pepper spray?" I asked myself, without much more thought I spun around and sprayed it, hitting one of the prisoners in the face. He screamed and covered his face with his hands then fell to the ground. Steam was coming from his face which made me glance back at the bottle again.
"Burning pepper spray." I corrected myself, I scanned around cautiously, two left. I thought over my options quickly in my head and chose the one that would take out both of them at the same time. I took in a deep breath and ran straight towards them, they chuckled, ready to grab mel; but they never got the chance. A few feet from them I pulled out my grappling hook and aimed it up, after I pulled the trigger it shot out and wrapped around a pipe and I was pulled up. Each of my feet knocking in to the head of a prisoner. I let go and dropped back onto the ground, not really landing the way I hoped I would. The grappling hook unwinded from the pipe and the gun dropped back down, I caught it as soon as I got back on my feet firmly. I smiled to myself, I actually did it.
"That was slightly impressive for your first time kiddo, but I'm just warming you up." The Joker's voice echoed through the speakers of the TV, I frowned in shock/defeat as he continued. "Fresh from Blackgate Correctional Facility, with a combined sentence of 752 years. Ding, ding, ding! It's round two!" He announced proudly and happily, my shoulders slumped as I saw four more guys come out.
"You gotta be kidding me!" I shouted to the ceiling, or maybe I was shouting it to Joker. I didn't know and didn't care, but Joker replied anyways.
"Sorry Ambsy, gotta run. I've got places to go, people to slay." With that the TV went fuzzy and I no longer heard his voice, I frowned and ran a hand through my hair.
"Alright..." I mumbled to myself, glancing around at the muscular men. I reached for my belt caustiously and pulled out a batarang. Curious, I brought it up to my face and rotated it, observing it closely.
"Wonder if this works." I stated more than asked, with that I threw it. It spun around and knocked one of the guys in the head, knocking him over. Then the batarang zoomed back to me and I caught it with slight trouble. My eyes were wide as I quickly glanced back at it. "Apparently it does." I exclaimed with satisfaction, with that I threw it again, this time it collided with a guys stomach. That guy stumbled back and knocked over another guy, both tumbled down to the floor, I ran over to them and kicked them quickly in the heads, just to make sure they were down. Okay, one more. I turned around to face the guy, only to see him charging at me, I looked behind me only to see a wall, I cursed under my breath. I turned back around and did the first thing I thought of, I literally slid out of his path. His eyes widened as he collided with the wall, completely missing me. I pushed myself off the ground and back on my feet just as the batarang landed by them. I bent down and picked up it up, looking it over a bit before I placed it back in my belt.
"The system's jammed! We're stuck in here. Joker's in full control of the security gates." I heard Gordon's voice, his face was now on the TV screen. I glanced up at it, thinking to myself momentarily, we couldn't be stuck here. There had to be a way out, there always was.
"I'll find a way out. Gordon, try and contact the Warden. Let him know what's happened. I'll be back." I told the commissioner, after I had said it I let out a silent 'hopefully' under my breath.
"Don't make promises you can't keep Ambsy!" Joker's voice came from the speakers, I frowned at this and my eyebrows burrowed. "I'm in control of the Asylum. And now knowing you 'might' actually be some trouble I don't want you going anywhere I don't want you to. Understand?" He asked almost as a warning, I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes, glancing around the room, almost as if he was there.
"If you think, I'll let you run-" At this he cut me off. "Blah, blah, blah! You're getting the hero speak down a bit early Ambsy! I'm getting bored of watching you. Why don't you just come fine me..." He challenged, at this I caught sight that the lasers to the doorway where Joker went flicked off, there was no where to go but that way. However, almost as if reading my mind, Gordon's voice came on again.
"You know it's a trap." He told me, if not informed me, I rolled my eyes with a slight nod. "Of course it is." I replied, I let my arms fall loose back by my side and sighed heavily. "But I don't have any other choice." I added on in defeat, I took in a deep confident breath and walked up the ramp. My nerves tingled as a shiver went down my back, the place creeped me out. I stuck my head into a side room and glanced around, but something hoping around on the ground startled me.
"Holy shit!" I yelped, jumping back and looking at the objects, they were little chattering teeth. I started breathing again once I realized what they were and put a hand on my chest, my breathing going back to normal. I then looked back down at the toys and rolled my eyes, taking out a batarang and throwing it at one. With a direct hit the thing cracked in two and the weapon came right back to me. I smiled at my success and placed it back in my belt, heading out of the room and back down the hall. I scolded myself mentally as I realized I kept mentally calling the belt 'mine' but it wasn't, it was Batman's and I had to remember that. I glanced at the walls as I continued down the high tech hallway, why me? Couldn't this have happened to that kid who lives down my street? My answer, no. I groaned silently and continued down the hall, my shoes slamming on the ground and echoing every time I took a step. 'I need to be silent, sneaky...like a bat' I thought to myself, with this I softened my steps and soon I couldn't really hear them, I nodded in approval. When I reached the first turn I gasped and covered my mouth as I saw a guard sitting on the ground against a wall, dead. His hands were in a position as if he was holding a gun, I slowly uncovered my mouth and looked down the other hall. About two more guards were on the ground dead.
"Joker's been busy...poor guys never had a chance." I stated out loud, mostly to myself before continuing on down the hall.
"Warning, security breach in level B3." The familiar animatronic voice announced, I rolled my eyes. "Brilliant." I mumbled sarcastically before shrugging and jogging down the rest of the way. The voice continued. "Warning, security breach in level B2." I ran faster as it continued to say yet another security breach in B8, I had no doubt Joker was letting out more of his 'buddies'. Speaking of Joker's buddies, while I reached the end of the hallway two of Joker's guys from Blackgate came from around the corner. As soon as I caught sight of them I skid to stop and pulled out a batarang. But surprisingly this time I wasn't quick enough. I was decked in the face by a large fist, I yelped in pain and fell, smashing into the ground on my back. I groaned and tried to get up, feeling the blood trickle down from my nose, I was surprised and thankful it wasn't broken.
"Now you've gone and done it." I growled and shot my foot up, having it aimed for in between his legs. He bent over in pain which gave me a good chance and enough time to push him into the other guy, they both fell over. I ran over to them while they were down and head butted their heads together, which knocked them out. Once I was sure they were down I wiped my nose and stood up straight, the blood smeared on the back of my hand and on my arm.
"Amber, can you hear me?" A voice asked, I held my ear as I realized the voice was coming from the earpiece, not only that, but the voice belonged to Batman. I felt happiness and relief sweep over my body, I was almost to happy to reply.
"Yeah, loud and clear. Batman, Joker's escaped custody. He's running free around Arkham like...well...a maniac." I told him, wondering if that simile was a good one to use, I shrugged off my question.
"Looks like you were right. Do you need anything?" He asked, sure, there were a lot of things I needed, but nothing he could do about it. I stuck with a simple. "No." Apparently he must of been satisfied with the answer or something and continued with another question.
"Is Commissioner Gordon still there?" He asked, heaven knows why he was asking but I responded with what I knew anyways.
"Commissioner Gordon's fine. Unfortunately Joker's probably not far ahead, I'll stay in contact." I told him, with that I didn't hear him anymore and continued down the hall, trying to see what was ahead before I got there; but all that was there was a door. I gulped, who knew what was behind it, there were always 'surprises' with the doors at Arkham, I found that out sooner than I thought I would've. I walked up to the door and heard the locks flick open, I clenched my fists and waited for whatever was behind it.
"...Oh goodie...another hallway." I stated sarcastically as I saw what was behind it, I shrugged and walked through the door down, yet another hallway. Why did Arkham have to be so big? When I reached the end of this one I spotted two guards shouting at something, or someone. A dramatic 'dun dun duuuun' went through my head as I thought that, I then walked up to one of them, wondering what exactly was going on.
"Hey...uh...where's the fire?" I asked, not that there was literally a fire, at least I hoped not. One turned to me, obviously panic stricken that he didn't care who he was telling what to.
"It's Zsasz! He's got Mike, he's strapped in the chair! Zsasz has totally lost it!" He explained to me, his voice louder than he probably wanted it to be, or softer. I paused briefly to think before finally speaking again.
"Wait...two things. One, you mean Zsasz the...psycho murderer? And two, if yes to thing one, when did he ever have it?" I asked, seeing the guards worried expression not even having a hint of changing I cleared my throat and continued. "Just wait here, I'll take care of it." I said, he quickly shook his head and was quick with a reply.
"You can't! He'll kill Mike if he sees anyone trying to get close." He informed me, I smirked and shook my head slowly. "He won't see me." Was all I replied with before heading through the door he was standing near and heading towards the set of stairs that was in it.
"I hope you know what you're doing kid." He called after me, obviously still worried, I stopped in my tracks. I quickly turned back to him on my heels, not even showing a hint of a smile.
"I'm not a kid." With that I turned back around and walked up the stairs, staying alert and quiet. The stairs led me to a ramp and I hurried up it, observing my surroundings. There was a lot of equipment and stuff that would probably break if I was allowed to touch it. I stopped and looked up at about three TVs that showed a man strapped in a chair, and another man walking around the chair. Zsasz and Mark...or was it Mike? Regardless of his name I continued forward and reached a railing, looking down I saw the actual Zsasz and guard guy who's name still escaped me. I turned to the guard on my right, he looked just as worried as the other guard I had spoken to only a few moments earlier. He looked at me and actually said something to me, or more like pleaded.
"Zsasz has got my buddy. He's gonna fry him! Do something, please!" He pleaded to me, these guys needed, or really wanted my help when people were in trouble. Maybe they thought I could help because I was wearing the symbol of their hero. But the thing was, I was no hero. I bit my bottom lip and looked over the railing, my gaze landing on Zsasz before I turned back to the guard.
"Keep him occupied. I...". I glanced back out once more to the guard and Zsasz and this time didn't look back. "I need to get behind him." I finished, finally turning back to look at the guy, at this he nodded and looked back over the railing. I walked away from him a bit, observing the room from top to bottom. How was I going to get behind Zsasz without him seeing me and making the guard into toast? I had to get close enough to him to strike. But I knew he'd see me coming on the ground, I held my head and rubbed my temples at this. How was I supposed to stay up high? It's not like I could fly. I glanced up to see a gargoyle and chuckled, they could fly...and...and they could hold my weight. An idea struck me as I pulled out my grappling hook, I looked it over then back up at the gargoyle. I could use them to get behind Zsasz. It might work. I aimed it at the gargoyle and pulled the trigger, the end zipped out and caught onto the gargoyle, bringing me up. I yelped a bit and held on tight, reaching the gargoyle. I desperately held on tight to the stone animal and pulled myself up on top of it. Once I had myself steadied I sigh in relief quietly and looked at the next one. I pointed the grappling hook up at the ceiling and released it, then I swung over to the next one and landed unsteadily on the next one and the tip of the hook zipped back inside the 'gun'. The last gargoyle was a bit farther than the other two and I took in a deep breath before swinging to the last one, resisting to either squeal or let out a Tarzan cry. I safely made it to the last one and forced myself to stand on my feet on the gargoyle and looked at Zsasz. Now was my turn to strike, when he had his back turned. I aimed the grappling hook at the ceiling once more and held on tight, instead of pulling me up I held it back and looked at Zsasz.
"Okay Amber..." I whispered to myself. "Here goes nothing." I finished, and with that I leaped off the gargoyle and swung down, the line still connected to the ceiling and I put my feet out; aiming right for Zsasz. My feet finally collided with his back and he flew forward, landing on the ground. I landed on the ground as the grapple part came loose from the ceiling and zipped back in. When it was back in I put the device back in Batman's belt and ran over to Zsasz, giving him a good kick in the head to make sure he'd stay down.
"Someone put this animal back in his cell." A guard ordered, I sighed in relief and ran a hand through my hair. That could of gone bad, but the strange thing is, it didn't. I straightened back up as I heard a familiar voice come on, but this time it wasn't Joker's.
"Can ya hear me? Is this thing on?" A feminine voice asked, I stiffened, no way. I turned towards a few TV screens to see a blond haired woman come on screen. I recognized her immediately, Harley Quinn. Once she finally got the camera focused she stepped back to show herself. She was dressed in a very inappropriate nurse's outfit.
"Hiya kiddo! Harley Quinn here." She started, I raised an eyebrow and tilted my head. "I heard you're the new little hero. In that case, I got somethin' to show ya!" She stated starting to walk off, but stopped and held up one finger.
"One second kiddo." She said, then walked off screen, who knew what she was gonna bring out. Before I knew it, with Harley letting out a 'tada!', the warden came spinning on screen, strapped and gagged in a swivel chair. My eyes widened and I jerked forward a bit, alert. It seemed like the Warden tried to say something, but it only came out in muffles. Harley walked back on screen.
"I'm subbin' for the old man now." She said happily, putting a knee on his lap. "Old Sharpie's never been happier." With that she got off him and started walking around and ended up standing in front of the Warden, leaning on his cane.
"In case you ain't figured it out yet, today's the Joker's big homecoming and now 'you're' the guest of honor." She told me, even though I know it was originally for Batman, but now they had to settle for me. I had to think of something heroic to say as a reply.
"You have one chance to surrender Quinn." I ordered sternly, it wasn't the best but it was all I could think of to say back.
"Tempting kiddo, but no dice. Now the inmates are running the asylum." She started walking again but stopped to think and add on. "Well, technically they're Joker's goons shipped in from Blackgate, but you get the idea." She told me, then faced the camera once more. "Bye bye for now!" With that she raised the cane and smashed the camera, causing it at first to go fuzzy, then black. I looked to the ground, deep in thought, now I had to save the warden...perfect.
"Amber, are you picking this up?" I head Batman's voice through the earpiece, I held it and pressed the button to reply.
"Yeah, I'm here." I replied, glancing around at the people around me. "Arkham Asylum just vanished off the network." He told me, I froze...it...vanished?
"Well...Joker 'is' in control of the security system...maybe he isolated it from the grid." I told him, well, it was actually more of guess.
"Then that's not all he's done. All police feeds are reporting he's placed bombs all over Gotham city. Says he'll detonate them if anyone sets foot on Arkham Island." He exclaimed to me, I frowned, scared. That meant Batman couldn't come back to the island to help me. "It's being suppressed at the moment, but the story will break any time now." He added, I heaved a shaky sigh.
"So...does that mean you can't come back to the island to help me?" I asked, worried that the answer might be 'yes, I can't'. That thought just made a shiver fly down my spine.
"Joker's lying. It's just a diversion to keep people away." Was his response, that sort of made me a bit more calm. "How do you know?" I asked, he was quick and low to reply.
"I know him." At this I calmed down, he was right, then again, what if maybe the Joker was actually telling the truth? I didn't want the whole city exploding just because I wanted help.
"Batman...placing bombs around Gotham 'does' seem like something Joker would do...I think it's best if you stayed where you are and just help me through the communicator. Just to stay safe." I told him, I knew I could possibly die if I stayed here in Arkham, but someone needed to help them. I wasn't a hero, but I was all they had for now.
"I understand. I believe you can do this Amber." I smiled, and with a 'thanks' I didn't hear him more. I brought my hand away from the earpiece and placed it back at my side, letting out yet another sigh. It was up to me...brilliant.
"The room's locked down. I can't open the gate, we're trapped in here!" A voice said, worried, I glanced at the guard who said it, then glanced around the room as another one replied with. "Try the radio. Control should be able to shut down the gate!" At this I walked off to another part of the room, lost in my own thoughts. I said it before, and I would say it again.
"There has to be a way out, there always is."
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I work hard on every chapter and I hope you guys like reading them. More to come soon!