Season 2 Episode 18: Birds of a Feather
My name is Bruce Wayne. When I was 8 years old, my parents were killed by evil. And so I made a promise to fight that evil. I traveled the world for 18 years, and returned to Gotham City to protect it. Now I have new allies, helping me in my crusade, but I also have new enemies. New threats have arrived in my city, and I must stop them. I am vengeance. I am the night. I am the Batman.
Previously on the Batman...
Hush kidnapped Batgirl
Hush is Tommy Elliot
Tommy has threatened Bruce to turn himself in or he'll kill Barbara
Batman is now an outlaw
Dick has been revealed as Robin and arrested
Everyone thinks Barbara is dead and that Batman killed her
Gordon is drugged
Penguin found Bruce's Batsuit inside the Wayne Enterprises files
Penguin has taken over the company
Hush went to recruit Joker all the way back in the Mid Season Finale
A/N: Buckle up boys and girls, this is going to be a long chapter.
Regina Zellerbach walks into Wayne Manor and inside the study. There she spots Lucius and Bruce sitting in two chairs.
"Mrs. Zellerbach. It's good to see you on such short notice." Bruce greets.
"It's good to see you too, Bruce. But, why did you call me over here?" Regina asks.
"Oswald Cobblepot. He's a criminal." Bruce states.
Regina sighs.
"Bruce, don't turn this into some large debate again." Regina replies.
"I'm not, Regina. I'm serious. I truly believe that Cobblepot is a criminal." Bruce says.
"And what's your proof?"
"Lucius here was captured by a mysterious criminal on the rise. His name is Hush. How was Hush let in? How did Cobblepot not notice? How the security footage erased? Lucius made a police report, but with no evidence, it was mostly ignored. Because of this claim, Oswald fired him. But suspiciously, at the same time, Lucius was looking into his files. I believe he's hiding something."
"When did this happen?"
"Christmas."
"So all you have is the eye witness account of Mr. Fox?"
"Are you saying you don't believe me?" Lucius asks.
"Look, Mr. Fox, I respect you, but this sounds crazy. I won't just believe something simply because a friend said it was true. I'm sorry." Regina says and turns to leave.
Bruce rushes up to her and grabs her hands.
"Regina, Regina, please. All I need you to do is look into Cobblepot's files. That's all. If you find anything suspicious, then just tell us. If there's nothing, that's okay. Please. Just look into it. Lucius would do it, but he was fired. Please." Bruce pleads.
Regina thinks.
"I'll think about it." She says and leaves the room.
"She is our only hope, Bruce." Lucius says.
"I know she is." Bruce replies.
The Batman
Early in the morning, Bruce stands atop Wayne Manor, waiting when Hush appears behind him. He walks up to him and hands him an envelope. Bruce opens it and sees pictures of Barbara, tied up, but alive.
"There. That's your proof." Hush states. "You have 14 more hours."
Hush turns to walk away.
"I still don't know why you do this." Bruce calls.
Hush stops.
"And you don't need to know." Hush replies.
"I will stop you. One day you will spend the rest of your life in a jail cell."
"No, I won't. You can't beat me, Bruce."
Hush turns around and starts walking towards Bruce.
"Why not? I've beaten better fighters than you." Bruce says.
"You think this is about fighting? This is a game of chess, Bruce. And just like when we were kids, I will win, because your moves are too predictable. I know what you're going to do before you even do it, before you even think it. I've planned for every move you will make. So good luck on out thinking me Bruce. You couldn't do it years ago, and you couldn't do it now." Hush explains and turns to walk away.
He stops.
"Also placing the tracker on me when you grabbed me inside the limo. Is that your idea of unpredictable? Heh. This will be even easier than I thought." Hush comments and continues walking.
Dick sits down and grabs the phone. He sees Bruce sitting on the other side of the glass.
"Everyone in here thinks I'm crazy." Dick says. "They treat me the same way they treat someone like Davis or Zsasz."
"I know it's tough." Bruce replies. "Just hold on longer. I WILL get you out of there. Somehow."
"Bruce, don't feel obligated to set me free. Seriously. I will be fine. Just forget about me."
"I do feel obligated to do this, Dick. You became Robin because of me, and you got caught because of me. You're in Arkham, because of me. I won't let you rot in here because of me. I just have more important matters to deal with right now. How's life in there?"
"Just officers yelling at me about why I killed Barbara and where you are. What's the important matters?"
"I, of course, have to be Batman again, but I have a very limited supply of tech and money. it's going to be impossible."
"What are you going to do about it?"
"Get Wayne Enterprises back. Me and Lucius are trying to get Regina Zellerbach to work for us and get evidence on the Penguin."
Dick chuckles.
"Really?" He asks.
"Yeah. But I need to find Barbara, and fast." Bruce says.
"Why?"
"Because Tommy threatened me. If I don't turn myself in within 24 hours, he'll kill her."
"Wait, what?!"
"That's what he said."
"How much time do you have left?"
"12 hours. I have until tonight to find her, or turn myself in."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know..."
"...do you think she's still alive? Will we ever stop running?"
"Whether she's alive or dead, Tommy WILL pay for what he's done."
"Okay."
Bruce and Dick both look down. Meanwhile, Hush walks into his base and sees Scarecrow and Penguin there.
"So your plan on Batman didn't work. What now?" Crane asks.
"Damn. I really thought Wayne was Batman." Penguin comments.
"He is, you idiot!" Hush yells.
"He was acquitted by the jury." Penguin says.
"That doesn't mean he's innocent. He's Wayne. I know he is."
"They were seen together in the same room."
"Wayne has friends and allies who could've impersonated Batman, anything!"
"Rriighht..."
"He's the goddamn Batman!"
"Look, locking Wayne up didn't work. So what's next? How do we get our revenge on the Batman?" Scarecrow asks.
"I want him to spend the rest of his life rotting in a jail cell. And if the GCPD won't do it, then I'll do it myself. Cobblepot, you've already made weapons using Wayne Enterprises, right?" Hush asks.
"Yeah." Cobblepot replies.
"I already threatened Batman to turn himself in, or Ms. Gordon would die. He cares for her. See, men? I told you she would come in handy. If he refuses, we'll need those weapons." Hush explains.
"Yeah, got it." Penguin says.
"You'll never get him. And I will get out of here. I promise you." Barbara states.
Hush turns.
"Shut up, you bitch." Hush says.
"We'll see who's laughing when I get out of here." Barbara answers.
Hush leaves the base. Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce sits at his desk, looking at a picture of Barbara. Alfred walks in.
"What was it I heard about Mr. Elliot?" Alfred asks.
"Tommy is Hush. He says he wants me to rot in a jail cell for the rest of my life, and he has Barbara captive. If I don't turn myself in by tonight, he'll kill her." Bruce answers.
"Oh my..."
"I have no idea where her location is. No idea how to find her. The tracker I placed on Tommy doesn't lead anywhere. I became Batman to protect people by making my own sacrifices. What kind of hero am I if I don't turn myself in for her? At least then I'll be getting what I deserve."
"Master Bruce, you still have time. You have learned to never stop fighting. You can still win this. And even if you don't, I can guarantee that Tommy would kill her either way."
"Still, you can never be sure."
"How are you planning on finding her?"
"Penguin might know where she is. I can take him down if Regina just agrees to find the evidence on him by looking through his files. It's important."
Bruce stares at the photo. Inside Gordon's apartment, he is kneeling in front of Hush who looks down at him. Hush is injecting him with more of the mind controlling drug.
"There you go." Hush states. "Now I have something for you to do."
Bruce enters the Batcave, and sees it nearly empty. He finds his Batsuit and suits up. He walks over to a secret compartment and unlocks it. He finds all his gadgets and places them onto his belt. Alfred walks up behind him.
"Where are you going?" He asks.
"To save a friend." Batman replies.
"Bruce Wayne is the Batman. And he is responsible for your daughter's death. He killed her. And all of Gotham thinks he's innocent. He's walking free, with no charge. He thinks he can get away with it. Get away with just killing your daughter, brutally, and leaving her there for you to find, and then stealing her body...but you have to prove him wrong." Hush says.
"Yeah, I do." Gordon replies.
"You have to get your revenge."
Batman then glides across the street and crashes through the window. Hush and Gordon turn.
"Get away from him." Batman states.
"Gordon, it's Wayne. You have to stop him." Hush commands and throws down a smoke bomb. He disappears.
Gordon runs into another room and grabs a pistol. He turns around and sees Batman standing at the entrance of the room. Gordon fires his gun and Batman dodges.
"Gordon, you have to think for yourself. Hush cannot control you. You control you. Don't let yourself be controlled. I was your friend. ... I am your friend." Batman pleads, but Gordon keeps firing.
"I won't stop until I get my revenge on you!" Gordon yells.
"Dammit."
Batman throws his Batarang and knocks the gun out of Gordon's hand. Batman charges and tackles him. He pulls out a syringe and drains a blood sample from Gordon. Gordon yells. He hooks the blood sample onto his belt.
"I'm sorry, Jim."
Batman lets go and disappears out of the room. Batman returns to Wayne Manor, taking off his mask. He hears a knocking on the door.
"Just a minute!" He yells. '
He takes off his cape and hides the mask and the cape in the closet. He kicks off his boots and puts on a bathrobe.
"Come in!" He calls.
The door opens and in steps Regina and Lucius.
"Mr. Wayne, very good news." Lucius starts.
Regina sighs.
"I'll help you look into the files." She states.
Bruce smiles. Back at the Batcave, he works on his computer and develops a cure for the drug.
"There. All I have to do is get this to Gordon, and he'll break free of Hush's control." Bruce states.
Alfred walks over to a table in the Batcave and lays out a plan of Arkham Asylum on a poster. Bruce walks over to him.
"Dick is being held in the Maximum Security Wing, at the top of the tower inside a secured cell. Luckily for us, the Maximum Security Wing is near the coast of the island. We can sneak up on it using a boat, and grapple up." Bruce explains.
"It's called Maximum Security for a reason, Master Bruce. Not even your explosives could get through, not that you have any. How will you get in?" Alfred asks.
"It's easy. Disguise yourself as one of the guards. Act like your escorting Dick out. If I just do that, I can get him out."
"And what if you get caught? The Batman always has a backup plan."
"I do have a backup plan, but I won't need them. I'll get him out."
Meanwhile, Hush walks back inside the base.
"Problem?" Crane asks.
"Yes. I tried to control Gordon, but Wayne got in the way." Hush complains.
"Why would Wayne get in the way? Oh yes, you still believe he's Batman." Crane replies.
"HE IS BATMAN!"
"Of course he is."
"Do you have something to tell me, Crane?"
"Why do you need me here? What do I have to add to your conspiracy? Just to drug Gordon? For a plan that didn't even work?"
"...if you don't care enough, then leave."
Crane stares, and then thinks. Hush turns to Barbara.
"You have no idea how amusing it is to watch you bumbling idiots debate about how to kill him." Barbara comments.
"We will kill him. And you will either watch, or die with him." Hush states.
Meanwhile, Dick is taken into the psychiatrists office where Hugo Strange is.
"Mr. Grayson. I've been excited for this meeting. Now...let's talk about the Batman." Hugo Strange starts.
"What do you even want to know?" Dick asks.
"You don't have to reveal too much, but...what relationship do you have with Batman?"
"I don't know...a mentor. He helped me train."
"So you look up to him. Like a father figure, even more than Wayne. Perhaps, as a young child, he planted the idea in your mind, and manipulated you to become a vigilante."
"That's bull."
"Really? Then why did you become a vigilante?"
"...I wanted to help people. Gotham is full of crime and no one was doing anything about it. I wanted to help Batman with his crusade. People need help."
"I know they need help. That's why I became a doctor here. But do not worry...I will help you."
"I don't need help."
"So...how does the Batman act?"
Regina walks into Wayne Tower with an earpiece. She walks down a hall and sees Penguin walks out of his office and down the hall.
"Okay. Now." Lucius says in the earpiece.
Regina steps inside the office and walks over to his desk. She sees his files.
"What do you see?" Lucius asks.
"I see plans for weapons and gadgets. Oh my God...I see everything. What's he doing here?" Regina asks.
"That doesn't matter. Get the plans and take them with you. We have to turn them into the police." Lucius states.
Regina takes the files and puts them in a folder. She leaves the office and quickly walks down the hall. She turns and sees Penguin nowhere. She sighs. After returning to Wayne Manor, she hands the folder to Bruce and Lucius.
"Here's what I found." She states.
Bruce and Lucius open the folder and look through the sheets.
"Woah. Everything's here. Lucius, we have to turn this into the GCPD. See? I told you he was a criminal." Bruce says.
"I'm sorry I doubted you, Bruce. I'll talk to the board about this." Regina says.
"Okay, just wait until tonight. We need to turn this in first. Lucius."
Bruce hands Lucius the folder who leaves Wayne Manor.
"I'll see you later, Bruce." Regina states and then leaves as well.
A guard for Arkham Asylum walks along the coast that night when he gets hit by a dart, and goes unconscious. A speedboat drives up right behind the Maximum Security Wing and stops. Inside is Bruce wearing the guards uniform, before bringing his mask down to hide his face. He hears Alfred's voice in his ear.
"That boat better be worth it. You bought it using the last of your money." Alfred says.
"I just had to take apart the Batboat, didn't I?" Bruce replies before grappling up to the roof of the building.
He walks through the halls of Arkham Asylum, holding his gun, and walks up to Dick's cell. He pulls out the keys and unlocks the cell door. Dick looks up and sees Bruce stands there.
"Dick, we have to go. Right now." He states.
"Bruce..?" Dick asks.
Bruce escorts Dick out of his cell in handcuffs.
"Bruce, I told you to forget about me." Dick says.
"I couldn't leave you behind. I wasn't going to." Bruce replies.
"This is a huge risk."
"I don't care. Let's go."
They walk out of the building and go behind it.
"There, into the boat." Bruce says.
Dick hops into the boat as they hear the sirens ringing.
"They know I'm here and that you're gone. Let's go." Bruce states.
Bruce takes off his helmet and hops into the boat as well. He starts the boat and sail away from Arkham Island. Bruce helps Dick take off his handcuffs as the boat gets away. Dick walks back into Wayne Manor with Bruce behind him.
"Oh my God, look at this place! The GCPD trashed it!" Dick comments.
"Yeah, I know." Bruce answers.
Dick turns.
"Where's Barbara?" Dick asks.
"She's still captured. I wanted to free you first, before going after her." Bruce answers.
"...how much time does she have left?"
"2 hours."
"Jesus. What now?"
"I have the cure for Gordon's drug in the Batcave, along with your Nightwing suit. I do have a plan to find Barbara though. We have evidence on Cobblepot. He'll know where she is."
"That's your only plan?"
"Better than nothing."
Bruce heads into the study. He suits up and hops into the half destroyed Batmobile and drives off. Meanwhile, Oswald sits down in his office and calls Hush on his computer.
"What?!" Hush asks.
"We have a problem." Oswald answers.
"What is it?"
"The plans for the weapons I was making, they were stolen."
"The files...were stolen?"
"...yes."
"Well, then find them! Before someone-"
The doors to the office bust open and Batman stands in the doorway.
"SHIT!" Penguin yells.
"Cobblepot! Cobblepot!" Hush yells.
Penguin pulls out a revolver and fires at Batman. Batman charges, blocking the bullets with his forearm. Penguin throws the gun at Batman who swipes it out of the air. Batman steps on the desk and jumps up into the air. Penguin moves out of the way when Batman lands down. Batman throws a Batarang, knocking Penguin to the ground. Batman walks over to him.
"Its over, Cobblepot."
Penguin kicks him and gets up. He reaches into a secret compartment in the wall and pulls out an automatic gun. He fires it at Batman who ducks behind the desk. Penguin fills the desk with bullets as he runs out of the office and down the hall. All the workers scream and run. Batman jumps out of the office and sees Penguin running. Batman pulls out a small rifle and pulls the trigger. It fires a wire that attaches to the wall at the end of the hall.
It fires into a column behind Batman and he ziplines at a fast speed down the hall. Penguin turns and sees this. He rushes into the stairwell as Batman de-attaches himself from the line and lands. He runs into the stairwell and sees Penguin running up the stairs, that circle around the room. Batman runs up the stairs after Penguin. He stops at a landing and sees Penguin standing on the stairs across from him.
Penguin fires his gun, spraying the stairs with bullets. Batman runs towards Penguin as he gets chased by bullets. When he's nearly there, he jumps off of the stairs and down the center. Penguin reloads and keeps running. Batman looks up and grapples. When Penguin reaches the top, Batman zips up and tackles him. They fall down one flight of stairs. Penguin tries to get up but Batman grabs him and pulls him back down the ground.
He punches him, hard, in his face. Penguin hits Batman in the head with his gun, causing him to let go. Penguin gets up and runs back up the flight of stairs and back out onto the roof. Batman runs onto the roof and fires his grapple gun. The line grabs onto Penguin's leg, tripping him. Batman charges as Penguin fires his gun again. Batman shields himself with his gauntlet when Penguin runs out of bullets.
"Aw, bollocks."
Batman grabs Penguin by the collar and throws him across the roof. He tumbles across the ground and Batman charges again. When he arrives, Penguin uses his gun and swipes him across his head, yelling as he does it. Batman is stunned as Penguin kicks him back and hits him with the gun again. He drops the gun and starts punching Batman across his face over and over again. Penguin knees him in the side before Batman grabs both his wrists, almost growling. He headbutts Penguin in the nose and kicks him in the gut.
Penguin keels over only to get hit in the face with Batman's knee. Batman lands a punch on Penguin's forehead. Penguin swipes his backhand towards Batman, only to get it blocked, and he gets punched in the side of his head. Penguin spins around in a full 360, facing Batman again, stunned. Batman kicks Penguin in the chest, knocking him across the rooftop.
Penguin gets up and Batman throws a stunner, hitting Penguin and shocking him. Batman charges once again and jumps, punching Penguin square in the nose, knocking him down. Batman grabs Penguin by the throat and drags him to the edge of Wayne Tower and holds him over.
"Oh, bloody Christ!"
"Barbara Gordon! WHERE IS SHE?!" Batman yells.
"I-I don't know!"
"I know you're lying! I want to know WHERE, COBBLEPOT!"
"Go to hell..."
"TELL ME!"
Batman punches Penguin in the gut. Penguin coughs up some blood from his lip. More blood trails from his broken nose.
"Cobblepot, you will tell me WHERE she is, or I will put you through a world of pain..."
One of Batman's hands let go. Penguin's legs dangle off the edge.
"5...4...3...2...1."
"Piss off, Wayne!"
Penguin spits some blood on Batman. Batman slowly wipes it away. Batman stares at Penguin, emotionless. His grip tightens, and then he throws him back onto the roof. Batman walks over and kicks Penguin in the chest, full force. Penguin groans before Batman grabs his arm and breaks it.
"AH!"
Batman grabs him by the hair and smashes his head into the floor.
"Barbara Gordon! Tell me now!"
Penguin stays silent, just coughing. Batman grabs his other arm and breaks that one.
"GAAHH! AHH, FUCK!"
Batman grabs Penguin by the leg and drags him across the floor and hangs him over the edge, upside down.
"I broke two of you arms, don't make me start with your legs."
"Fuck you."
Batman's hand starts twisting Penguin's ankle and Penguin yells.
"NO!" Penguin yells.
Batman, having enough, kicks Penguin right in his face.
"GAH!"
Batman winds up his leg to kick again.
"Alright! Alright! I'll tell you! I'll fucking tell you!"
"Where is Barbara Gordon?"
"She's in the sewers. It's Hush's base."
"What's the address? And if you lie to me, I swear I'll be back to break your legs."
The police run up the stairwell, only to see Penguin hanging upside down in the center, blood splattered all over his face, with two broken arms. Batman returns to the Batcave and sees Dick suited up in the Nightwing suit.
"Why are you wearing that?" Batman asks.
"Because I'm going out to look for Barbara." Nightwing replies.
"Then follow me. I know where she is."
Nightwing looks up and hops into the Batmobile.
"I've got the cure. What's going to happen is that you'll go to free Barbara, and I'll go to cure Gordon."
"Then let's hurry up."
Hush walks back into his sewer base and sees Barbara tied to a chair and Scarecrow working on his fear toxin.
"The Batman hasn't turned himself in. I just got word that Penguin was arrested. Beaten brutally. Chances are he informed Wayne where we are. We have to move. Now." Hush states.
"Are the 24 hours up yet?" Scarecrow asks.
"No. He still has 30 minutes. But it's too late. We no longer need her."
Batman drives his Batmobile down the street past the GCPD building.
"Take the wheel."
Batman ejects out of the Batmobile as Nightwing continues driving down the street. Scarecrow packs up his fear toxin and research. Hush walks over to Barbara, tied to the chair. She looks up at him.
"You're going to pay for everything you've done." Barbara shouts.
"Who's going to stop me? The GCPD? I've got your father under my control. And Batman cannot stop me. If there is one thing you must know about me, it's that I'm an expert manipulator." Hush tells her.
He pulls out a pistol and aims it as Barbara's forehead.
"Fuck you." She says.
A wire wraps around Hush's hand and pulls the gun from it. He turns and sees Nightwing standing there.
"Get away from her!" Nightwing yells.
Hush pulls out a shotgun and loads it. Nightwing charges and throws a shuriken, cutting the rope that ties Barbara's wrists to the chair. She breaks out and punches Hush across the face, yelling. She turns around, and picks up her chair, before breaking it over Hush's body. She punches him in the face again and kicks him back. Nightwing then joins the fight and punches Hush as well.
Meanwhile, Batman spots Gordon's patrol car driving up to the GCPD. Batman starts gliding down and lands on top of the car. Gordon looks in the mirror and sees Batman there.
"Stop the car!" He yells.
The car stops and Gordon pulls out a gun. He hops out of the car and points his pistol at Batman. Batman knocks it away using a Batarang. The other cop inside calls for back up. Batman tackles Gordon and pulls out the cure. The other cop hops out and runs over to them. Batman grabs him by the arm and throws him to the ground. Gordon tries to get up, but Batman pushes him back down and injects him with the cure. Gordon yells.
Barbara punches Hush twice as Nightwing roundhouses him. Nightwing throws another kick, but Hush grabs his foot, and pushes him to the ground. He dodges Barbara's attack and punches her in the face, knocking her down. Hush picks up his shotgun and aims it at Barbara as Scarecrow grabs one of his small fear toxin gas bombs. He rolls it over to Nightwing.
"Enjoy." Scarecrow states.
Batman gets off of Gordon and turns to grapples when a police chopper flies overhead, dousing him with a spotlight. A group of officers run out of the GCPD building and charge towards Batman. Batman grapples to the roof of the GCPD and zips up. He stops halfway, resting his boots on the side of the building. The pilots in the chopper see this.
"Hold you fire! There are windows! ... Pull out your sniper. Only fire at him." One pilot says.
The fear toxin bomb ticks down when Nightwing presses a button on his gauntlet, and the Batmobile above fires it's weapons at the ground. The roof above Hush, Nightwing, Barbara, and Scarecrow gets blown away. Rubble falls and water comes pouring down after it. Hush looks up.
"You bastard." He states before running down a smaller tunnel.
Nightwing runs over and picks up Barbara as the water hits the ground. The fear bomb explodes, but underwater. Scarecrow's fear toxin gets pulled away bu the currents.
"MY RESEARCH!" He yells.
Another sewer wall breaks and more water comes flooding in. A huge wave knocks down Crane, and washes him away down another tunnel. Nightwing grabs Barbara and grapples to the hole in the ceiling. They both climb out of the sewers, wet and dirty, but alive. They both chuckle and lie back on the ground.
"...oh! We have to go get Bruce. Come on! Let's go!" Nightwing says and stands up.
A sniper aims at Batman as he scales the wall of the GCPD building. He turns and sees the sniper. He throws a Batarang, but the sniper ducks back into the chopper, causing him to miss. Batman continues climbing as cops and police cars surround the entire building. Another chopper comes along and aims a sniper at Batman. They fire at Batman blocks using his gauntlet, but the bullet is so strong, it causes the gauntlet to crack.
Gordon stands up and his vision is blurry. He looks up and sees Batman climbing the building.
"Wha...?" He mumbles.
The other sniper aims for the hook of the grapple attached to the building and fires at that, causing the line to come loose and Batman to fall. Batman presses a button on his gauntlet and his cape deploys, slowing his fall, but because the gauntlet is cracked, the cape only deploys for a few short seconds before...undeploying? Batman falls and hits the ground in front of the GCPD with a thud.
He doesn't move as some of the braver cops move in closer. So does Gordon. Batman groans and pushes himself onto his side. He turns and looks at the bright light from the copter. The Captain from the chopper speaks.
"Shoot to kill!" He orders.
Batman is bleeding from the nose, and grunts as the cops surround him. They aim their guns. Meanwhile the Batmobile turns a corner and drives up to the GCPD. It stops and Barbara hops out.
"Run." Nightwing tells her.
Barbara runs towards the crowd of cops. Batman sees nothing but shadows against a bright white light coming from above. He reaches for his belt as the cops ready their guns. That's when Barbara runs in front of Batman.
"WAIT!" She yells.
Every cop looks shocked and lower their guns.
"The Batman is innocent! I was held captive by someone else! By another masked man who wishes to frame the Batman. Hush."
The cops back up and Gordon sees Barbara. He squints.
"Huh?" Gordon says, before passing out.
"Barbara, Hush is Tommy Elliot. Tell that to the police." Batman whispers.
He throws down a smoke bomb and grapples over to the Batmobile. He hops inside as Nightwing turns the car and drives them both away as Barbara is taken in by the GCPD. The news report on this story.
GCPD officials have now reported that Barbara Gordon, daughter of Commissioner James Gordon, is alive. Recent blood tests suggest that Commissioner Gordon was drugged my an unknown source causing him to hallucinate his daughter's death, also explaining her body's disappearance. Many believe this may be the work of Jonathan Crane who attacked Gotham years ago with hallucinogenic gas. She has told police that she was kidnapped by a new criminal on the rise, identified as Dr. Thomas Elliot, before being rescued, right before execution, by the new vigilante, Nightwing. Dr. Elliot has been known to have ties to Bruce Wayne, and Ms. Gordon stated that Tommy reportedly "hated" Wayne, causing many to believe that he set up the Wayne-Batman connection to get him to, quote, "spend the rest of his life rotting in a jail cell." The GCPD has now made a citywide manhunt for Tommy Elliot. If anyone has any information, please inform the GCPD, immediately. Dr. Elliot is extremely dangerous and unpredictable. In other news, there's been a breakout at Arkham Asylum tonight, with only one escapee: Richard Grayson. Officials believe the Batman freed him, but he has not been spotted yet-
Bruce shuts off the TV in Wayne Manor.
"It's good to know that things are going back to normal." Bruce says.
"The police will still be after us though. Gordon removed reinstated the anti-vigilantism act. It will take a while to get that removed, and a whole lot of work." Dick replies.
"Still, it's a start. Barbara's back, and so is Wayne Enterprises."
"But they know I escaped. They'll be after me. Sure, they got their hands full with Tommy, but it's really only a matter of time before they find me here. This would be the first place they'd look."
"I know. But what do you want to do?"
"...maybe it's time that I move on. From Gotham."
"What are you saying, Dick?"
"I'm saying I should go somewhere else. Somewhere where they wouldn't be looking for me. Another city."
"New York?"
"I was thinking about a city without a vigilante. I mean, you've got Gotham. What if I went to somewhere like...Bludhaven, or something? As Nightwing."
"...I think that's not a bad idea."
"Well, I'll have to do it fast because they'll be after me." Dick leaves the room.
Bruce limps up to Dick's room and sees him packing his bags.
"Leaving so soon?" Bruce asks.
"Bruce, they'll be here in a matter of hours. I have to leave tonight." Dick replies.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I've been thinking about it for a while. I've kind of outgrown the Robin role. But right now, I don't have a choice."
Dick continues packing. Later, he walks out of Wayne Manor and out onto the front yard. Bruce stands a few feet behind him. Dick turns.
"So where are you heading anyways?" Bruce asks.
"Bludhaven." Dick answers.
"Will you ever be back?"
"Occasionally, I'll visit. But...I'll be living there, Bruce. I'll say goodbye to Barbara on my way out."
"Then...this is goodbye."
Dick rushes over to Bruce and hugs him.
"Thank you so much, Bruce. For everything you've done." Dick thanks.
"...I'll miss you." Bruce admits.
Dick lets go and takes a few steps back.
"I'm proud." Bruce states.
Dick smiles.
"Bye, Bruce."
"Bye, Dick."
Dick turns around and walks away from Wayne Manor. Bruce watches him go. He walks back inside and calls Gordon using his anonymous line. Gordon answers.
"Hello?"
"Gordon, I need you to forget about your manhunt for Dick Grayson. Put all your effort into searching for Thomas Elliot. He's more dangerous. Forget about Dick Grayson."
"Uh sure. Okay. And Batman...thanks."
Bruce hangs up, but then looks out of the window and sees the Bat Signal in the sky. Gordon and Barbara enter their apartment and sees her mother. She gasps with tears and rushes over to her daughter. They hug and sob. They break apart and move into the living room. Gordon's daughter wipes away her tears. She turns to Gordon.
"Thanks for showing so much emotion, Dad." Barbara remarks, sarcastically.
"Honestly, I don't remember any of it. I barely even know what happened, except for that you were dead, and then weren't." Gordon replies.
"That's probably for the best." His wife states.
Gordon sits next to his wife who rests her head on his shoulder. They hear a knocking at the door.
"I'll get it." His daughter says and gets up.
Barbara arrives at the door and opens it to see Dick standing there. Barbara turns, and then steps out of the apartment, closing the door behind her.
"Dick, what are you doing here?" She asks.
"The GCPD is after me, so I'm afraid I have to go away for a while." Dick states.
"Go away? To where?" Barbara asks.
"Bludhaven. I'm moving to Bludhaven and I'm going as Nightwing."
"Really?"
"I'm sorry. If I could, I would stay here. But I can't. I have to go."
"...I will visit you. I'll...I'll go and live once I-"
"Barbara, Barbara, Bruce will need you. Do whatever you want, I don't mind. I just wanted to let you know before I left."
Barbara puts her arm around him and kisses him. Dick kisses her back, before she lets him go.
"...I love you." Barbara says.
"I love you, too."
Barbara rests her forehead on his.
"...I've got to go." Dick says.
She steps back.
"We will see each other again." Barbara states.
"I know we will."
Dick silently walks away, before turning back and waving. Barbara waves back, and Dick leaves the apartment building. Batman crouches on a gargoyle and sees the Bat Signal lit up on the GCPD rooftop. He sees a shadowy figure standing next to it, but he can't make out his face. Batman glides and crashes down onto the roof. He stands up and sees the Bat Signal turn off. The shadowy figure steps out from the darkness.
"Very, very, good to see you again..."
Batman sees the face of the man.
"...buddy!"
The Joker.
"Joker, what do you want?" Batman asks.
"I needed to tell you something." Joker says.
"Which is?"
"All the way back in Christmas, I was recruited by this weird militaristic armor suit thing."
"Hush."
"That's his name? Ugh. No style. No flare!"
"Get to the point."
"Anyways, he tried to recruit me into his team to try and kill you. At first I was excited, and joined. There was Riddler, and Scarecrow, and Penguin. But after a couple of months, I got bored. And so did they. I thought it sucked. All these rules, and plans, and contingencies and backups. It was so...boring. That's not how you deserve to go out. I don't even want you dead at the end of the day. I like you better when you're alive. You give my life...purpose and meaning. And if anyone's killing you...it's gonna be ME." Joker laughs.
"So why tell me this?"
"I just thought I would warn you about him."
"Well, too late. I know about him. He tried to make Gotham believe that I was Bruce Wayne."
"You have no idea how mad I was when he tried to reveal your identity like that. How happy I was to learn that he was lying!"
"So Hush tried to recruit you?"
"Yup!"
"Hm..."
The Batman
Next Time on the Batman: Assassins (2x19)
Tommy Elliot has gone missing. In an effort to find out his motive, Batman does some investigating to discover his past, but instead finds more threats. Meanwhile, Gordon receives a letter from Hush, but keeps it a secret from everyone around him. No one can find out what's inside.
A/N: We're getting close to the end of the Season. The Final Battle is Nearly Here.
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