Wow guys, I'm sorry I took forever with this chapter. Guess I've just been really busy. Well, wait no longer though cause here it is! The next chapter! Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 7: Inner Strength
Arkham was big. I mean huge. Nothing even close came to the size of the asylum as I tried to compare it in my mind, it was really that big. I blinked a few times and shook my head to get back into focus and out of my amazed state as I figured now would be a good time to try and find a way down. I stepped to the very edge of the ledge and brought my eyes down and over, it was a long way down. No way was I jumping, I couldn't glide like Batman due to my lack of a cape, so I figured my only option was to climb down. I gulped at the thought of falling but saw no other possible option. I sat down on the edge carefully, placing my legs over and letting them hang. Then I slowly turned around, trying to avoid looking at the long way down, so I was on my knees and hanging off the cliff by support of my top part still hanging on. My feet desperatly tried to find foot holes, when they found some I started my way down the long cliff. Sometimes the rock under my feet would chip and cause me to slip, I yelped and clung tightly to rocks, I really hated this. I was less than halfway down when one of the rocks under my right foot came loose, this time I wasn't quick enough to grab onto the wall for support and I tumbled backwords. A high pitched scream escaped me as I fell down, my brain was fuzzy but luckily my hands were quick. I silenced my screaming and pulled out my grappling hook and aimed up. It must of caught onto one of the rocks because I stopped falling a few feet from the ground, but my sweaty hands couldn't hold on for very long, since after I saved myself from dying I let go of the gun and collided with the ground on my back.
"Yow!" I shouted in pain while cringing, that was a good few feet. Pain surged through my body, it hurt, but I had to suck it up and shake it off. I thanked the gods my back wasn't broken or anything, even though I felt like I couldn't sit up for a few good minutes. I finally took in a deep breath and managed to gather up my scattered senses. Finally, I sat up. I rubbed the lower half of my back and closed my eyes with a wince, it really did hurt. I stood up, continuing to rub my back, but I stared in front of me while sinking into my own thoughts.
"Where's the grappling hook?" Just as I asked that and looked up to the edge of the cliff I had climbed down I was met with a grappling hook to the head. It didn't hit me directly because I tried to cover my head with my arms, but the affect was still there.
"Dammit!" I cursed loudly as the gun clanked to the grassed ground. I rubbed my head with one hand, and bent down to pick up the grappling hook with my other one. I jammed the gun back in the belt and shook myself off once more before I started walking forward. Now I was sore, brilliant. I took in my surroundings, everything was dark and dreary, but somehow it gave off this feeling that made you want to go in and explore it. Just then I heard this brief jingle ring through the speakers, and surprisingly (Not really), Joker's voice came on.
"Hmm, Harley tells me that the Batman's car is actually still parked just outside of the Intensive Treatment building. It seems our caped friend left our little hero an escape route, but we can't just have her up and leave us, can we?" I stopped in mid step at this, the Batmobile was still here! ? Batman didn't tell me, why! ?
"Every thug, villain, murderer, and Kindergarten teacher that isn't carrying out party orders should head there now and smash it to pieces." He ordered, I just stood there, no thoughts went through my head and no expression was on my face. Slowly, my hand moved up to my earpiece and I pushed the button, even though I stayed silent for a few moments.
"You left...the batmobile here. And you didn't tell me...WHY!" I asked in a frantic shout, even adding an un-needed hand gesture. It took a few long seconds before Batman finally replied, his voice at it's calm, leveled tone.
"It's there only for emergencies." He told me, his voice having no expression it, none except seriousness. What angered me was that this 'was' an emergency! I was running around 'the' Arhkam Asylum trying to save it from a homicidal madman. If that wasn't an emergency, I didn't want to know what was. Just then, a flashing of my glasses cut me off from my thoughts. The words 'Warning: Batmobile Sensor Alert!' blinked across my vision, my brows burrowed in annoyance.
"Alright, then I suppose you'd might like to know that Joker and his 'pals' found out about it." I informed him sarcastically, just as the words dissapeared.
"I saw the alert, but don't worry, I've disabled the Batmobile's countermeasure system." Like hell I knew what that ment, I glanced around my surroundings, how was I even going to find the Batmobile anyways?
"Okay," I started, pretending to know what he was talking about. "So where am I?" I finished with a question as I continued to walk forward, I didn't even want to try and figure out where I was or even heading to.
"You're just outside the Arkham Mansion. Harley Quinn was probably the one who triggered the alarm. If she's still got Gordon with her, he could get hurt." I nodded in agreement, sadly, that was true. I quickened my pace to a jog heading for a big door, even if I didn't know where it lead to.
"Alright, we know where I am, how about the Batmobile?" I remembered that Joker said it was outside the intensive treament building 'after' I had asked Batman that question, oh well, wouldn't kill me to be reminded.
"The Batmobile is still parked outside the Intensive Treatment Building in Arkham North, where we first came in." Yes, I think I remembered where that was. "I've sent you the schematics for the entire island, and have marked key locations like the car." Soon after he had said that, what looked like a map came in the view of my glasses, these things had it all. I pressed a few buttons around on the glasses making the map move. Soon I saw a glowing spot, where the Batmobile was, and another one, which showed where I was currently. I nodded, impressed and satisfied before I took off in a run. We didn't speak again after that. When I finally made it through the big metal door my feet jammed into the ground and brought dirt up as I skid to a stop. My glasses showed that there were two men standing guard with guns. My eyes widened in shock as I took cover behind an ambulence, completely ignoring the shocked and terrified Arkham guard mourning over his dead partner. I grappled up to a ledge and walked over to the end of it before dropping down and landing in a crouching position. I spun around on my heels and stood up straight, seeing that the guards hadn't even move or taken notice that I was there. I was just about to take a step towards the closest guard when I stopped to think of something, taking out two batarangs I placed one in each hand. Then, without much thought, or even aim, I threw them at the guards at the same time. They both zipped through the air and collided with the guards back at the same time. They both groaned simultaniously and fell over, and before they even had time to get up I gave them both a good knock in the head with my fist. I shook the strange feeling of it quickly and took my steps towards the doors with a quickened pace. The doors slid open with ease and only a few noticable noises just as that jingle rang through again.
"The entire island will soon be under my control! That's right boys and girls! Mine! Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine!" Joker shouted with glee, he sounded like a little boy who had gotten just what he wanted for Christmas. By now I had made it close to the Batmobile and hid behind a bush, watching the men smash it with all the hatred they had. Why my feet didn't make a move for immediate attack was beyond me.
"Just wait till you see my plans for this place! It's going to be glorious." His voice got low just as the announment ended and I had counted 6 men. More men than I was used to taking out, I had to do it though. Had to build up my strength and use my wits to fight these guys. With a deep breath I immediatly threw as many batarangs I could within a few good seconds. Five shot out but only three men got hit.
"She's here!" One man shouted angrily, immediatly they were on me, swinging their pipes, fists, and feet. I jumped, dodged, fought back as much as I could. I kept my breath steady, trying my hardest to keep my focus on all men at once. The batarangs managed to take out one of them so I was going against five men. Which sadly, was actually still a lot. I figured I was actually doing pretty well for myself, until a pipe collided with my gut and I fell over with a small scream of pain. It almost felt like the wind was knocked out of my when the metal weapon collided with me again. They kept hitting me. Over and over, it tingled, all over my body as I spit out more blood. But I wasn't giving up that easily. I just couldn't...Another pipe was swung my way, I lifted up a hand and caught it with the little strength I had, which was nothing really. My leg immediatly lashed out and hit someone in the legs, causing him to fall over. I grabbed the pipe they carelessly threw to the side and began swinging randomly in ever direction. They all were hit in a spot, didn't matter where, they were hit. I stood up shaikly when they were finally all down, but my legs gave in and I fell on my knees again. That was bad...and there was only six of them. What would happen if I came across more? I sat for a few good minutes, catching my breath, regaining my senses, and mustering up as much of my inner strength as I could. I came too far to give up now. I clenched my fists and pushed off from the ground, standing on my feet and trying to keep my legs firm on the ground. I stumbled over to the trunk of the Batmobile and opened it, maybe there was something in there that could help me...anything. I ended up finding something that looked like a hot glue gun with a touch of Batman to it. I brought my hand up to my earpiece and pressed the button with a hidden smirk.
"Got anything in your trunk a little girl shouldn't get her hands on?" I asked, resiting the urge to chuckle as I patiently waited for Batman's reply. Once again spitting out more blood from my mouth.
"There's a supply of Explosive Gel in the trunk, it may be useful later." Batman told me, this made me inspect the item I was holding, this gel exploded? Well, that certainly 'would' help me later on, I thought so anyways. I didn't reply to what he had to say, I got my answer, and I didn't feel like I had enough strength to even carry on a conversation with him. I slammed the trunk shut as my eyes scanned over the beautiful wrecked automobile. Harley trashed the car...that son of a bitch. She destroyed Batman's main way of transportation, and my way out of here. I stopped myself right there. I could NOT think of leaving. No, I had to push that thought out of my mind, and fast. I found myself sitting on the ground as my next action, I was still wiped from that fight. I took in another breath just as that stupid jingle came on, and shortly after, a homicidal mad man's voice.
"Anyone seen the big bad brat? I warn you. She may look like an idiot, talk like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. She really is an idiot." I was too weak to be insulted by that, I'd give him a good punch to the face for that later. My eyes scanned the ground in front of me and stopped when they landed on something. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, I crawled over to the object. Without picking it up I observed the object, it was a pipe, with the initials 'JG' carved in it. James Gordon. I immediatly held the button down on my glasses to activate my x-ray mode, or Detective mode, as I liked to call it. My vision flashed blue and it scanned over the item, the contents that had spilled out of it seemed to be some sort of tabacco. The glasses took a few moments to scan the substance and soon I saw more traces of it on the ground, like a trail. I smiled at the fact Gordon was smarter than he looked, I also found myself standing up on my feet with no trouble. Guess finding a clue gave me just the amount of strength and determination I needed to continue. I contacted Batman to tell him what I had found.
"Batman, I found a pipe with Gordon's initials carved on it." I walked on while patiently waiting for his response, my stare stayed on my feet as the ground crunched underneath them.
"It was a birthday gift his daughter gave him, there's no way he'd leave it." He told me, I couldn't help but smile and think, unless he wants me to follow them and save him.
"Exactly, he's left me a trail to follow. He's alive Batman." With a smile and that sentence I ended the transmition and ended up taking off in a run, following the trail. How I managed to run and not fall under the weakness of my own legs surprised me. But none the less, I was running and on the trail. But I ended up stopping at the doors to Arkham West, the doors wouldn't open...they were locked. I cursed and looked around for another way in, sadly there were none. Until I walked to the side and saw a clear wall...maybe...if it was weak enough, I could blast through it. I took out my newly gained explosive gel and sprayed it over the wall, making the failed outline of a bat. I found a small control with a button on it attached to the spray gun. I arched an eyebrow and took a few steps back from the wall, then pressed the button. Just as I hoped the wall exploded and opened up a new path for me. I wasn't hesitant to run through and open the door at the end of the path. I ran, as fast as I could. I found myself in front of the medical facility. When the guards standing out front spotted me I was immediate to attack, not even bothering to count how many men there were. I cartwheeled and kicked the first one I saw in the head, then turned and grabbed a fist of a man who threw a punch at me. I kneed him in the gut and threw him into another man. I felt this spring of courage and strength as I fought. I...in a sense...felt like Batman. As strange as it sounds, I felt like he was by my side, helping me fight. And before I even knew it, all men were on the ground unconcious. I looked around at my work as I rubbed my knuckles with a small hidden smile. I then turned to the door of the Medical building and with a deep breath, headed inside. I shut the door behind me and glanced around as my body got use to the sudden temperature change, then my gaze landed on an electracuted doorway. On the other side of it, was Harley Quinn. I headed up to the doorway as close as I could to hear her humming. Finally, she looked up from her reading material and her head turned to the side, she quickly took notice I was there.
"Hey! Scram kiddo! This is my me time." She explained to me, I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to cross my arms.
"Where's Gordon?" I asked sternly, standing my ground. He couldn't have been very far from the woman, hell he was probably even in the same room.
"Wouldn't you like ta know?" Was her brilliant and not to mention, childish, reply. "I'm over here!" A voice called from the side, I recognized it as Gordon and breathed a sigh of relief that he was still alive, for the moment at least.
"Shut up!" Harley barked as she scooped up a nearby mug and threw it at him, I heard the smash shortly after.
"Ah! You crazy bitch." Gordon snarled, I hid a smile at this, way to go Gordon. Only about a few seconds after though, the TV behind Harley flicked on to show the Clown Prince of Crime himself.
"Harley!" He called sternly, she squealed at this and got up from her chair, skipping over to the screen. "What's 'she' doing here?" At this I waved slightly at him with a nervous smile, for some strange reason I felt awkward.
"It's too early!" He continued, sounding as if he was worried everything would be ruined all because I was here early...oops? Harley put her hands on the screen as if she was trying to hide me from the Joker's view as she continued.
"I'm sorry puddin'! Don't be angry with me." She pleaded in a cooing tone, then with a 'Mwah!' she kissed the screen. Yeah, now I was really starting to feel very awkward. He rolled his eyes but smiled at this, I tapped my foot and looked at my imaginary watch.
"Oh you little minx, I can never stay mad at you." He told her in a forgiving tone with a wink, after that the screen flicked back to the Arkham logo and I sighed in relief just as Harley turned back around to look at me.
"Sorry kiddo! You'll have ta find anotha way. Buh-bye, now!" She left with a wave and cartwheeled off, I rolled my eyes and sighed as I glanced around. With a shrug I headed back outside, guess there was nothing else to do but follow Harley's advice.
Find another way in.
Well folks, we certainly are progressing! Even getting closer to Scarecrow! Exciting, yes? Well, don't forget to tell me what you think! I promise I'll be faster with the next one. In the words of Harley Quinn. Buh-bye now!