I turned over in bed, pulling the quilts over my eyes, the sun blinding me. I had just gotten in that morning and I was tired. Having left Bludhaven I hadn't had a chance to rest my eyes in the past twenty-four hours. I was tired and my new apartment didn't have any blackout curtains up yet. I grumbled to myself, tossing and turning. The sun was just too much, after half an hour of trying to rest my eyes, it just wasn't happening. Again I grumbled as I pushed the covers off myself and got out of bed. My feet hit the cold linoleum floor and I made my way to the on-suite bathroom, manoeuvring around boxes.

When I entered the bathroom I went over to the mirror, I needed to see the damage the sleep deprivation had caused. As I had feared my eyes were sunken and my usually bright grey eyes seemed like dull moons in my pale face. The bags under my eyes were deep purple and there was no colour in my cheeks. My raven coloured hair was limp and lifeless. I groaned again, this was not the impression I wanted to give on my first day in Gotham City. I looked drawn out and haggard.

Moving out of the bathroom and through to my kitchen I hoped that tea would perk me up. I grabbed a Jasmin and lemon tea bag and then went to rummage for the kettle and a mug in my boxes. As I walked past my fridge to my sink I noticed an envelope was placed atop my counter. I moved slowly to the envelope, cautiously looking at what was written across it. An Invitation for your eyes only was written in lilting handwriting. Instantly I knew who it was from. I rushed to the envelope abandoning making my tea to see what the letter could be about. I lifted the envelope, realising it was written on rich expensive paper. It was heavier than expected and I tore it open quickly. As I opened up the first folded piece of paper I began to hastily read;

My Dearest Allie,

I hope you are feeling safe and secure in your new apartment, I understand you may be wondering how the letter ended up in your apartment but do not worry I asked the landlady to deliver it to your room. As you know all your bills will be paid for by myself and I asked the landlady to watch out for you, as you know I own the apartment building so any trouble and you speak to her.

Now as you know I see you as the daughter I never had and I want the best for you, so as a way to get you started out in Gotham City I have enclosed an invitation to the prestigious birthday bash of Bruce Wayne, that eccentric millionaire playboy. But my reasoning for this is to allow you to meet some of my associates in Gotham City. There will be certain people at this party who it would be wise to make friends with, wealthy businessmen and there will be some crime bosses who it would be smart to gain the trust of. Now I know that you will be hoping to make contacts of your own but it will help you along if you flaunt the fact that you were part of my mob, my right hand, my name should get you closer to influential people.

Now I know you may be upset that you have nothing to wear for this party but do not worry. I have provided a choice of dresses in your wardrobe for you to make an stunning first impression with. Do me proud and look after yourself my precious gem. I love you as my own, and remember the mob of Bludhaven will always have your back.

Your close friend,

M.

P.S. Find also enclosed a list of the notorious faces of Gotham, its best you learn them.

As I placed the letter down delicately my heart fluttered excitedly, I was finally doing my own thing. I could stand on my own and do what I wanted. It was about fucking time, I am twenty-five and not getting any younger. I chuckled under my breath. I reached back into the envelope and pulled out a series of sheets with details on the people attending the party. I pushed my tangled mane of hair out of my face and learned over the counter to read them. Among the most noteworthy were Bruce Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, Mayor Antony Garcia, Talia al Ghul, The Penguin (Oswald Cobblepot), Lucious Fox. The list seemed endless but I narrowed it down that there were some important people I would need to talk to at this party. Namely a man named Edward Nigma whose alias was The Riddler, Oswald Cobblepot known as The Penguin by most and the notorious Bruce Wayne. I had to mingle, I had to succeed and prove I could work for myself.

After I had studied the guest list, memorising the faces and names I disposed of the criminal evidence, using my own flame ability I snaped my fingers and lit up the papers. Purple flames licked up the paper and as I held it over the sink the paper crumbled to ashes. I ran the tap to wash away the mess and grabbed the kettle filling it up, ready to brew that cup of tea I'd promised by tired body. As I waited for the kettle to boil I moved over to the T.V. which came with the apartment and turned on the switches. Grabbing the remote I turned it on and changed it to the news. As I returned to my tea I listened to the headlines.

"Following the recent arrest of the mass murdering clown only known as the Joker we have been informed that after only serving a total of two months of his sentence at Arkham Asylum, the Joker is supposedly at large again having escaped yesterday evening," I was intrigued by the report so I took my tea over to the television and turned it up, "After a number of eyewitness accounts we spoke earlier this morning to Professor Jeremiah Arkham, top psychiatrist at the Asylum, yet this was all he could divulge at this time." The T.V. Flicked to a mature man with glasses and a cane, he looked straight at the camera, his calculating gaze scrutinising the press before him and spoke, "We have yet to be able to divulge the identity of the escaped prisoner at Arkham Asylum, but know that the police are handling the situation to the best of their abilities. To the public I say do not lose faith in the system. That is all at this time." And as the man turned to re-enter the building the report changed back to the news studio. The reporter addressed the audience again, "at this time we are unable to confirm whether the Joker is the escaped criminal so as a warning to the general public we leave you with clips from the horror of the Jokers 6 months of terror."

The T.V. changed then, showing graphic scenes from video clips the joker had sent the media. He tortured a fake Batman, high jacked a chat show promising the murder of a man named Mr. Reese and kidnapped the host later forcing him to read the terms of his challenge for the whole city. This man was messed up but I had to admit he was brilliant. As I finished my tea I felt more relaxed and decided that I should attempt to find the back-out blinds or a sheet or something and try and get some rest; after all a girl has to look her best out in public.

AN: I hope you liked the prologue and that this makes sense at least a little bit. I'm new to writing fan fiction so this may be a little clunky. Hope you enjoy as more is to come :D