Author's Note: I'm going to save myself a little bit of trouble and use the Arkham Asylum video game layout for the remainder of the chapters that'll take place in the asylum. Just a reminder, at the moment, we're in the penitentiary, in the part of the main cell block room with the electrified floors. Just a reference for those of you who've played the game. And for those who haven't... How do you sleep at night?
Batman easily made it out of the building, as it was completely abandoned. "Oracle. This building's empty. I'm heading outside to see if I can find anybody. I need you to reroute a satellite and see if you can pick up on anything unusual."
"Alright, I just need a minute... Got it! Satellite images show tangos in the guard towers, probably snipers. I'm also seeing some strange thermal activity readings coming off of the medical facility."
"Right, then that's where I'm headed."
"Be careful, and keep a low profile. These guys are armed well."
Batman lowered his body and slowly began to army crawl his way across the grounds to the medical facility. He managed to make it to the door without being spotted; when he was sure the way was clear, he cautiously opened it and slipped inside.
He immediately picked up on the signs of a recent struggle in the entrance hall; papers and folders were scattered over the floor, and all the desks were knocked over. Still being careful not to make a sound, Batman opened the door to the next room. It was large and open, with a fenced balcony around the perimeter of the room separating two floors. Four armed men were patrolling, all on the top floor.
"Bingo." he whispered.
"Did you find them?" Oracle asked, sounding excited.
"No, but I've definitely got some sort of lead here. There are men patrolling in the Sanatorium. Armed guards means I'm probably getting close. But... Wait a second, these guys aren't mercenaries." Upon closer inspection, the Dark Knight could see that the uniforms that the men wearing didn't match what he'd seen on the Watchtower's camera. In contrast with the sleek, sharp uniforms of the Watchtower's invaders, these men were all wearing ragged clothes and clown masks. "This is odd... They're Joker's men. Definitely not professionally trained. It looks like they don't even know how to hold their weapons properly. Most likely they're just gang members."
"How on Earth did Joker get his gang on Arkham Island? No way they could've gotten through security, never mind carrying guns!"
"I'm not sure yet... Just one more question to ask whoever I can get my hands on. I'll be in contact as soon as I can."
He silently slipped through the door, ending up directly behind one of the thugs. Batman reached around the man's head to cover his mouth, and applied a firm pressure to the man's throat until he passed out. Batman heaved the unconscious body onto his shoulder and stealthily made for the lower floor. He dumped the body on the balcony, and hung under the fence by his fingertips.
He didn't have to wait long until one of the other goons spotted the body and came to check it out. As soon as he got close enough, but before he could call for reinforcements, Batman reached over the balcony, grabbing the man by the back of his head and slamming his forehead, knocking him unconscious. The noise of bone on metal and the man's subsequent fall attracted the attention of the final two guards. As they rushed down to the second floor from opposite sides of the room, Batman closed in on one from behind, knocking him out with a blow to the head. He then turned his attention to the final thug, who was approaching the unconscious body of the goon that had been tossed over the edge. Batman climbed up on the railing and dove down, landing with his boot on the man's chest, effectively winding the man.
"Scream. I dare you." Batman growled in his most threatening voice.
"W-w-what do you want from m-me?" The thug whimpered.
"It's been a rough night. What I really want is to hurt you... Badly."
"NO! I'll do anything!"
"I want to know what's going on. ALL OF IT!" Batman barked.
"I don't know, we're just supposed to make sure that n-nobody gets through, they d-don't tell us anything."
"How did you get here?"
"Joker c-called and gave us an address about a week ago, some Arkham vans came, and dropped us off here. We've been hiding out in the sewers until Joker g-gave the signal about two hours ago."
"What are you guarding?"
"I swear to God, I don't know anything!"
Batman brutally lifted the man off the floor, holding him by his neck. "God might believe you... But I don't. Tell me what's in there. Now. Or I'll give you a reason to be grateful that you're already in a medical facility."
"There were five huge boxes that came through a while back." The criminal wheezed, beginning to hyperventilate. "I c-couldn't see what was in them. Please, just d-don't hurt me."
"Where did they go?"
"Wh-wha-?"
"THE DAMN BOXES." Batman growled, sending spit flying at the man's face. "WHERE DID THEY TAKE THE BOXES?"
"Oh God, oh god, I didn't see which way they went!" The thug sobbed."I just heard Joker and some other guys going in the elevator, talking about the morgue!" The man squirmed pitifully, doing his best to cover his face.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Batman gently lowered the now confused man to the ground. The thug continued to stare in awe until Batman smashed a gloved fist into the side of the man's neck, instantly knocking him out.
"Did you get all of that, Oracle?"
"Yeah. You think the League is in those boxes?"
"It would seem likely, but It's impossible to say for sure with the Joker. It could just be a diversion."
"So are you going to follow them to the morgue?"
"If you can think of a better option, feel free to share."
At that moment, the tone that signaled the intercom activating sounded, and Joker's voice came over the speakers. It's awfully quiet up there... And do I smell urine?" Joker sighed. "I guess that could mean two things... Either you blithering idiots aren't toilet trained, or the Bat's a'snoopin'. My bets on both, actually. If you're in there Bats... Piss off! You're early!"
Oracle groaned. "I guess not. I don't like this at all, though. There has to be some sort of trap. It's never this easy with the Joker. Maybe I should send Robin in for backup?"
"No. He's too brash, he'll get himself killed."
"Nightwing then?"
"Not yet. Have him standby. Do not send him in without my signal."
"Alright, if you're sure."
"I am. I'm going to get moving."
"Stay sharp, Bruce."
Batman climbed up on the ledge and examined the elevator. Deciding against entering the elevator where he could easily be trapped, he spotted a ventilation shaft on the wall. He grabbed it, and pulled as hard as he could, yanking it clean off it's screws. He climbed into the shaft, and followed it until it dropped. He attached a line to the edge and rappelled down, landing neatly behind another grate. Placing a boot against it, he applied steady pressure until it too popped off it's screws. He'd barely managed to crawl out of the vent, when a bright spotlight shone on him. The Joker was standing directly in front of him, protected by a metal gate.
"You're getting too predictable, Batsy, old boy!" The Joker cackled. "Still, five minutes ahead of the estimated time, that's something, I guess. Ooh, you look angry! I take it you've heard about the little fiasco at that base of yours?"
"I'm not messing around, Joker. Who's calling the shots here?"
"Oh, Bats, you crazy fool. Always trying to spoil the surprise! Well not this time."
Batman realized that he was getting nowhere, and time was of the essence. "Fine. What did you do with the League? Tell me while you can still talk."
"No need to get so serious on me, Bat-guano! It's no secret! Rest assured that your chums are safe and sound with a mutual friend of ours. I believe you know a Dr. Edward Nigma? From what I hear, their treatment isn't going very smoothly..." He let out a quiet, sinister giggle.
"Where?" Batman growled furiously.
"A 'please' wouldn't go amiss here and there, you know..."
Batman bared his teeth and let out his most vicious growl.
"Ok! I guess not then! Try the facilities North of the Sanatorium. Maybe then we'll be ready for you... Now be a good little Bat and play nice!" The Joker laughed wildly and turned around and left.
Batman began to make his way back up the ventilation shaft. "Oracle."
"Yeah, I heard. This is bad. Knowing the Riddler, this is going to be tricky."
"It's not the Riddler that I'm worried about." Batman said grimly as he approached the door at the North end of the Sanatorium.
Author's Note: I had a bit of a tough time with this one, mostly because I really suck at describing locations. Half of the time I just forget to do it completely.
There was going to be more, but I think i'll be able to split this one and still have enough for another. So expect more tomorrow or the day after, because I'm trying to keep a brisk pace here, and I should have some time over the next couple of days.
Boredoclover: There we go, fix'd. And no Justice League adventure is truly complete without the JLU theme.
Unleash the shadow: No need to worry, as long as there is vengeance to be done, and ass to be kicked, the Batman has no time for guilt trips.
RKF22: I'll do my best, but I have a really bad habit of just dropping a project. Probably best to warn you guys now. But I'm enjoying this one, and not having too much trouble with creative blocking, so I wouldn't worry about that just yet.