Author's Note: This is where things get weird. I'm planning on going to some dark, scary places; it could get graphic. Just tell me if you think it deserves an M rating so I can change it if necessary. Now buckle up, this is going to be a long one.

Batman regained consciousness about ten minutes later. The first thing that he noticed was that he still couldn't move below his neck; it seemed that the paralytic was still in effect. Taking a closer look at his surroundings revealed that he was in the Asylum's Morgue, strapped securely to a patient transfer cart.

"I can see that you have awakened... Excellent. We are now ready to begin questioning." The kidnapper smiled his eerie smile as he stared at the cornered hero. "Although, I suppose that our little therapy session can wait just a little while. I believe that you have questions as well? Perhaps we can cooperate and teach each other?"

"Not likely." Batman growled. He surveyed the room again; he knew that as soon as the paralytic wore off, the cart wouldn't be able to contain him for more than a few seconds.

"Ah, I can see your mind working as we speak... Truly an awe to behold! No doubt you already have your escape halfway planned... But there is no escape. Not unless I say so. So you'd best make yourself comfortable. I think that I am being quite reasonable, am I not?"

"Where's the Asylum staff?" Batman asked, deciding that the best course of action would be to stall his captor, and maybe satiate his curiosity along the way.

"Safe, underground. There is no need to concern yourself with them right now."

"My name is Professor Hugo Strange. I have worked here for several years now, observing you. You see, Arkham has proven to be the perfect location from which to study you; interviews with the criminals that you apprehend have proven to be most... Enlightening to say the least. You see, I have have been watching you like a rat in a maze for months. I know everything about you. I know how you came to be what you are, and why you do what you do. However, you still manage to surprise me from time to time... Take tonight for example." Strange continued to stare at Batman, his smile fading slightly. "My plan to lure you here wasn't supposed to go into effect for several weeks. However, you intercepted my shipment and forced my hand early."

"So you're the Joker's inside man?"

"Oh, on the contrary, my friend. I provided the Joker and the Riddler with manpower in return for their... Unique talents. You see, they were essential to my plan."

"You struck a bargain with the Joker?" Batman sneered. "He'll have killed you by morning."

"Again, you underestimate me. You see, I have promised him the one thing that is guaranteed to keep him in line: your life."

Batman laughed derisively. "So he kills me, fine. What's to stop him from turning on you? Joker's a rabid animal. You can't bargain with him."

"There is truth to your words. After you are dead, he will meet his own ends, for he is a criminal and a madman. His death would be a great service to the world."

"I could say the same about you."

"But you would be quite wrong. You see, intentions separate good from evil. I seek to better mankind. The case being so, could my actions truly be considered to be evil?"

"Yes. They could."

"I am sorry that that is how you choose to see things, although I can't say that I am surprised."

"Are you going to tell me why I'm here?" Batman snarled. "I'm losing my patience."

"It's quite simple, really. I lured you here simply to speak to you. To observe you directly."

"Why the setup then? I was knocked out hours ago. Why not then?"

"Elementary. First, capturing your friends allowed me to see you in action as you struggled to save them. I must say that you were quite impressive. At every turn, you have met or exceeded my expectations. Second, I have effectively neutralized the Justice League in one simple move. The Martian will not dare make his move to send reinforcements until he has made contact with the others; by then, my plans will be complete."

"How are you bankrolling this operation? I can't imagine that it's easy to pay for this on a psychiatrist's salary."

"As sharp as ever, I see." Strange said gleefully. "You see, before I joined the Arkham staff, I was involved in a Project Cadmus." For the second time that night, Batman's jaw dropped. "I see that you are familiar with my work?" Strange gloated. "You see, it was I who deduced your secret identity and sold it to Amanda Waller, earning my place as Cadmus' Senior Head of Psychological Research."

"So... Cadmus is involved in all of this? That doesn't add up. They wouldn't target me specifically. I'm one of the few in the League with no special powers. Besides. Cadmus was shut down."

"Correct on all accounts, of course. However, before the Project was shut down, I managed to store funds for my continued research. After Cadmus I was placed here at my request... In the perfect position to keep a close eye on you. The remaining money was more than enough to finance my research and hire the services of the Tyger Security Company. Although, I have since... Ahem, 'modified' them so that they no longer require payment."

"So how did you figure out who I am?"

"It was simple enough, really. I watched you closely, and I profiled you. I daresay that I know you better than you know yourself. Perhaps better than you wish to know yourself?"

"And you still want more."

"Very much so, Batman."

"Why?"

"Oh, I believe that I have answered more than enough of your questions... And now it is time for you to answer some of mine."

"Like I said earlier... It's not likely."

Strange grinned maliciously. "Your fearless resolve is most impressive. However, you seem to be laboring under the delusion that I am giving you the option. You see... Over the years, I have perfected many more... Effective methods of convincing unwilling souls to part with their secrets." Strange pulled a syringe from his pocket. "I think we shall begin with a dose of sodium pentothal. I believe that you are familiar with how it works?"

"It limits higher brain functions" Batman said grimly "such as lying."

"Very good, very good." Strange said as he inserted the syringe into Batman's neck and pushed the trigger. "Although, your mind being what it is, I suspect that you may need more... er... Persuasion. But no matter, we have all the time in the world. Make no mistake, you will break before me."

"Go to Hell, Strange."

"Hm. Very well, enough formalities. Tell me about your parents."

Batman could feel the drug working its way through his system; it would be so easy to just talk and talk forever... Secrets were so difficult...

Batman shook his head and refocused his mind; Strange wouldn't have his with him that easily.

"Resist all you want; it is hopeless. I will have the information that I seek, one way or another. You would be wise to speak now and save yourself a great deal of suffering and pain."

"Go to Hell."

"Very well." Strange said, preparing another syringe. "I doubt that another dose would do much better than the first, so you leave me no choice but to resort to more extreme measures." As soon Strange inserted the syringe into his neck, Batman felt his muscles seize; as the trigger was pushed, an incredibly painful burning sensation spread throughout his body, as though his veins were catching fire from the inside.

"How do you like my creation, Batman? It has proven to be quite useful with reluctant subjects. But still, I suspect that it would take much more than truth serum and a little bit of pain to convince you to speak freely? No matter. I have weakened your defenses, and now your micro-expressions will tell me all that I need to know. So... I believe that we were discussing your parents?" Strange said in a sickeningly happy tone. "They were kind, well-respected people... And excellent role models. They taught you well, didn't they? Your iron morals... They were the source. You cannot hide anything from me, Wayne."

Batman groaned, still battling the effects of the serums.

"However these very morals are flawed at their core. For all the courage that you display, there are lines that you will never cross. For example, you would never take a life... Even from the most vile and unrepentant criminals. Tell me... Why have you not killed the Joker? Imagine the bloodshed that you could have prevented!"

"I'm... no... executioner." Batman gasped, struggling to speak through his pain.

"That is the weakness that keeps you from true greatness. Perhaps a demonstration?" Strange approached the intercom, and flipped it on. "Captain; bring them in."

Within moments, the red-vested soldier from the Watchtower appeared in the doorway, escorting two male Arkham guards and a female doctor with dark red hair. All were blindfolded, bound, and gagged tightly.

"These people have been carefully selected to make my example." Strange said, slowly drawing closer to the first guard. "The lines between good and evil are not nearly as thin as you believe they are. Tell me, Batman, how many lives have you saved over the course of your career? Hundreds? Thousands? I doubt that there is a single soul in Gotham that doesn't owe you their life." Strange approached the first guard and drew a surgical knife from his pocket, smoothly slitting the man's throat.

Batman let out a grunt of shock and rage. "What... Are... You...?" He groaned, struggling as hard as he could to escape, despite the effects of the paralytic drug.

"I am making a point, Batman. I have selected each of these people because they are known throughout the staff as being kind, selfless people." Strange mercilessly ran his knife through the redheaded doctor's heart."Each of them is the single parent of a child who simply worships the ground that they walk on. He jammed the knife directly into the final man's neck, leaving it there as the man fell to the floor in a heap. "In executing them, I have planted the seeds for three more Batmen; possibly one who will have the courage to do what you never could; kill. Which brings me to my final point: is it possible that the man who killed your parents was indirectly responsible for all the good that you've done?" He revelled in the look of horror on Batman's face.

"You're a monster..." Batman gasped. "And... I will... Stop you."

"But you'll never kill me." Strange laughed. "And therein lies your problem. You aren't sure enough in your beliefs to take that final step. Just think of all the good that could come from killing a madman like the Joker!"

"Murder... Is murder."

"If you say so. Now... Let us move on. I'd like to take a bit of time to talk about your 'friends,' the Justice League. They are the closest things that you have to friends, I believe. In most cases, you insist on working alone, aside from the occasional adopted orphan. However, you play a core role in the Justice League. Why?"

"We can do more good... Urgh... As a team."

"A point that contradicts all that you have indicated in the past. Perhaps it's not too late for you to change. Perhaps there is hope for you?"

"Piss. Off."

"Am I getting too close to the truth? Let us explore further. What do you think is responsible for the change in your attitude? Perhaps Superman has inspired you? You feel a begrudging respect for him, do not? You respect him despite differing methods because you share a vision. A vision of a world where neither of you are necessary to protect it. Where you do not need to spend your entire lives fighting a losing battle."

"You're a bit... presumptuous in your... guesswork."

"Maybe so, but I am correct all the same. You do not enjoy being the Batman, do you? But you do it anyway, because you feel that you must. Despite the fact that it prevents you from certain other... Pleasures." His face twisted into an evil grin. Such is the curse of the Batman; eternal loneliness. He laughed viciously. "Let's discuss another of your friends from the Justice League... I believe that you know where I am going with this?"

"Shut. Up."

"Have I touched a raw nerve? It would appear that Wonder Woman is something of a soft spot." He strolled around the room, twiddling his thumbs as he went. "You know, she reminds me very much of Ms. Kyle. You cared for her too, did you not? But you rejected her out of sheer dedication. She is a criminal, and it was your sworn duty to apprehend her and bring her to justice. A pity, but duty is duty."

"I... Said... Shut. Up."

"But as luck would have it," Strange continued, "You seem to have met another woman with all of the qualities that you could possibly hope for; strength, loyalty, and independence. It bothered you, didn't it? To see her in the condition that she was in tonight? Broken, begging for mercy. You keep a watchful eye over her in battle, despite the fact that she is more than capable of doing so for herself. More so, I daresay than others such as the Flash. And yet, you constantly spurn her advances." He drew closer to Batman. "But why? Your excuses are void. But you still push away what could quite possibly be your only chance for love. Why?" He repeated, now only inches away from Batman's ear. "You don't even know, do you? I believe that I do. You know that you do not deserve love. You deserve misery. You failed to prevent the murder of your parents; you walked away, while their lives were ripped from their corpses. So you cope by torturing yourself every night, denying yourself even the most basic needs. Because you deserve to be miserable."

Strange stood up straight and backed away again, a smug, satisfied expression on his face. "You know, through all my interviews with the inmates here, one subject was constant; they all know you as the man without fear. I have discussed the matter in particular with Dr. Krane, or the Scarecrow, as you may prefer to call him. We came to the conclusion that such a thing is not possible. We have deduced that no one can be completely immune to fear... Only particularly skilled in resisting and staving off its effects. Now... The question is, what happens when the dam collapses? When so much terror is induced that it can't be resisted? After all, the greater the height, the harder the fall." He retrieved a third and final syringe. "Dr. Crane rather graciously agreed to share the formula for his infamous fear-inducing toxin, with the promise that I would share my results with him. Of course, he too will have to die once his usefulness expires. Such a waste of a brilliant mind. But necessary all the same."

He inserted the syringe into Batman's neck, a look of terrifying anticipation evident on his face. "I can assure you, Batman, that the next few hours will be most unpleasant for you."

Author's Note: Whew. That was a doozy. Around four and a half solid hours, and clocking in at a staggering (by my standards, anyway) 2600 words. So consider this one a bit of a treat, being almost a double-chapter. It should be interesting to see where things go from here. I think this might be some of my best work so far, but I still might end up going back to edit: I had a lot of ideas for this one, and I'm not positive that I covered them all.

Just for the record, Hugo Strange actually was a member of Cadmus. He's sitting right next to Amanda Waller in the episode 'The Doomsday Sanction.' Cool stuff right there.

Migalouch: I'm really glad that you appreciate the references, I spent a ton of time poring over Arkham Asylum trying to pick the right buildings to use. And I loved the series' portrayal of the Riddler as an insane narcissist. It really does make more sense than a guy who just really likes questions.

Unleash the Shadow: Hugo Strange, in the flesh. No way that this can end well.

The Fiery Apprentice: I would say that it was the same substance that he used to knock out the rest of the League while he had them in captivity, just a low enough dosage that she would stay concisous. He knew that it would bug Batman to see her like that. The thing that makes Hugo Strange a great Batman villain is that he thinks like Batman: two steps ahead of everyone else. So he's played his hand, and he's had the advantage of weeks or months of planning. And my theory about why he never mentions Batman's secret identity in public in Arkham City is to make it easier to tie up loose ends: it's much harder to explain away that knowledge when it's distributed, you know?

I'm glad you appreciate the grammar. I put a lot of pride in it, but at the same time, I do a good portion of my writing well after midnight, so things tend to fall through the cracks. I think that I've got a good baseline for timing up; I've been keeping a steady pace of a chapter a day, which should hopefully continue for a bit.