Chapter 4 – The Return of Zsasz
The night was unusually cold at the Axis Chemical Plant, as the Lucci gang was in one of the plant's many board rooms, deeply involved in a concentrated discussion with their leader, Joel Lucci.
"We've done it boys. With Bruce Wayne's signature, I'll be president of the First National Bank inside of a month. With control of the bank, our empire will grow like never before, and we won't be able to be stopped. He who has money, has power and he who has power will have a grip on the city like no other in the history of Gotham. Our influence will rival that of Bruce Wayne himself," Lucci explained to his three main hoods.
Suddenly and without warning the door flew open, revealing someone in the entryway. A tall, sinister figure stared back at them with glowing, yellow eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" Lucci demanded, as his men reached nervously for their pistols.
The figure stood still at first, then began to saunter toward them. As he stepped into the room, the figure strangely removed an orange jumper-jacket labeled Arkham Asylum. The man was now shirtless, exposing hundreds of small, incisive tally marks carved all over his body. It was the serial killer known as Zsasz. He moved slow and calculated, like a cunning beast on the prowl for food.
"Oh my God, look at him," one of the thugs said.
"What the hell do you want, freak?" Lucci inquired, holding his trademark .45 Magnum with an unsteady hand.
"I've been locked away like a caged animal for long enough," Zsasz informed in an angry yet calm tone. "It's time I reclaim what belongs to me."
"Oh yeah, and what would that be pal?" a thug questioned, pointing his gun at the scarred man in front of him.
"My city," Zsasz explained. "There is someone called the Menace who has abducted some acquaintances of mine. I want him," he finished.
"We don't know nothin' about this guy, but we're lookin' into it too. It's bad for our operations," Lucci declared.
"So you're the new mob? What happened to the old guys, Maroni and Falcone?"
"What happened to 'em?" one thug said laughing. "They had bat problems."
"Ah I see, the Batman. Blast, I didn't figure the dark fiend into the equation. No matter, if I come across him, I will take him out, once and for all. He will make a nice addition to my collection," Zsasz stated, glancing down to his chest. "The only reason I haven't killed any of you yet, is because I wish to propose a pairing."
"A pairing? We don't even know your name. Ha, how do you like that boys? Some freak breaks into our hideout and wants to work with the mob. Well, I'm sorry pal, but we're not as gullible as past gangs."
"I am Zsasz. I escaped from Arkham Asylum just a few hours ago."
"Well Zsasz, I'm Joel Lucci, soon to be the greatest mobster to ever grace this city, and it appears we have a common interest."
"Yes, the Menace," Zsasz hissed.
"We need to stop the creep. He's making me look bad. People don't generally do that, it's not good for their health. Anyway, are you serious about joining forces to look for this, Menace?"
"I'd love to," Zsasz said as a disturbing smile came over him. "Only are they all you've got?" he laughed, gesturing toward the thugs.
"These boys are merely hired muscle. I'll have you know, I have connections. Friends in high places, you might say. I'm connected to people of great influence in Metropolis, Bludhaven and Gotham. So to answer your question Zsasz, this isn't all I've got. Why I've even got Lex Luthor in my corner, although Lexie and I haven't spoken in ages."
"Well, impressive. So are we together or shall I kill you all right now?" Zsasz uttered.
"You talk a big game, but I must admit, I've never even heard of you."
"Not heard of me? I am perhaps the most dangerous man to ever walk the streets of Gotham, but I've been in Arkham a long time. I may be a bit rusty, however I'm still keen enough to watch Batman's reaction when I cut his throat," Zsasz boasted.
"So you're after the Menace and the Batman too? Then you've got yourself a deal Mr. Zsasz. But no funny stuff, get me?"
"Oh I get you Joel, don't worry. But I play by my own rules," Zsasz promised as he took a seat and listened to Lucci's ideas on how to catch the Menace.
Zsasz wanted to get to know Lucci, everything about him, because for now it seemed that they were partners.
Meanwhile, as expected, Batman, Nightwing and Robin had met Gordon and Bullock atop police headquarters. The Bat-Signal gleamed brightly, as Gordon gave the usual rundown of the current investigation that they were working on.
"We still have no idea who's got them."
"Well one thing is for sure," Robin informed in his usual low voice. "Whoever took them must be well connected, because either they've escaped and are loose in the city by now, or this Menace guy's still got them."
"I doubt very seriously that they're loose," Nightwing argued. "If they were, we surely would've seen them rear their ugly heads."
"You gotta figure folks, that if this Menace character has them captive, then he's using extreme force," Bullock added, puffing his usual cigar. "No one keeps two of the greatest super-criminals down without some serious consequences."
"And why has their been no response from Harley Quinn or Query and Echo?" Nightwing wondered.
"Quinn's been raving mad, and we've tapped her for all the information we could get, but she seemed genuinely in the dark about all of it," Gordon informed. "As for the Riddler's girls?"
"Negative," Batman said, "They haven't been involved with Nigma for sometime. There was a brief period where he tried to reform and ever since, they've disappeared."
"We've got to find them," Bullock remarked, taking one last puff, then tossing his cigar. "When I think of all the lives that are at stake, God, I crave donuts."
"So maybe they're out of the city," Robin proposed.
"If that's the case kid, God help us all," Bullock declared.
"Well, moving on. Batman we should've mentioned this to you sooner. To top it off, there's been a breakout," Gordon said, dramatically changing the subject.
"Yeah Arkham's been busy the last couple of weeks," Bullock said heatedly. "The greatest serial killer this city's ever seen, escaped just six hours ago. That's actually why we called you here."
Batman suddenly feared the worst, as a single word escaped his lips. "Zsasz."
"Oh no," Robin exclaimed. "Of all things, why now, why him?"
"The reports said that Victor Zsasz was raving ever since the inmates were notified of the Joker's and the Riddler's capture. There was a public announcement and several low-profile inmates were going crazy. We spoke to his psychiatrist and he said that Zsasz was growing increasingly paranoid of the same thing happening to him."
"So he fled?" Nightwing presumed.
"Well now the city's really in trouble," Robin proclaimed, pacing back and forth.
"If nothing else, we've got to find him. He'll kill everyone," Batman declared.
"Don't you think we get it Bats? He's a serial murderer. That's what he does," Bullock yelped, before being scolded by Gordon.
"That's enough Bullock. We'll at least we know Zsasz' motive for escaping."
"He wants to protect himself?" Nightwing wondered, trying to make sense of it all.
"Regardless, he's out and he will kill," Batman offered. "Thanks Commissioner, the situation has just become much more difficult."
With that Batman turned his back to the Bat-Signal and with a few steps forward leapt off of the roof.
"We'll be in touch," Nightwing added before he and Robin followed their vigilant leader.
"I'm getting really tired of cleaning up your messes Jeremiah," Batman growled to Dr. Arkham from inside the doctor's office window.
Batman had sent Robin and Nightwing home after meeting Gordon, but for some reason, doubt lingered in his mind about if they actually were there. He hoped they weren't out searching the city with Zsasz on the loose. It wasn't as if they couldn't take care of themselves, he was just brooding about Jason, as he did every night, and wondered if before this was all over, would they be next? His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a nagging yell from Dr. Arkham.
"Listen to me you fool. Have you no shame. They went missing a little over a week ago, and now you're back trying to reprimand me for some inmate's escape. Well Mr. Halloween Mask, did you ever think that Victor might have been abducted too?"
"Now I know you're hiding something. Why don't you want me to investigate. There were nurses and tenants who all swore that they saw Zsasz running across a courtyard. One guard even fired shots from the guard tower. Please Dr. I need your full cooperation, otherwise Edward Nigma and the Joker may end up dead."
"Well wouldn't that solve a lot of problems. Listen Batman, it's four in the morning, you better go," Arkham uttered yawning. "And please, don't wake me up again with another surprise visit," he demanded, but as he looked out the window, the Batmobile was already pulling out of the asylum.