Chapter 5: Answer from Silence.

*Arkham Asylum*
-Third Person-

Late at night, at the Asylum on Arkham Island, a prisoner transport truck was awaiting one of the patients.

The patient was taken from his cell and strapped to a prisoner movement trolley.

?: "Hey, where are you taking me? Wherever it is, you should hurry up. The asylum have my favourite TV show on tomorrow. (Chuckles)"

Orderly: "What's going on? Where ARE we taking him?"

Doctor: "He's being transferred to Blackgate. The paperwork came in yesterday,
stating that said patient 'must be transferred to Blackgate since Arkham Asylum's doctors have stated that patient may not even be certifiably insane.' Since we can't prove that he is insane, he's being transferred."

Orderly: "This guy?! He's clearly insane! Someone made a mistake."

Doctor: "He's also not our problem now."

The patient is loaded into the prisoner transport van.

?: "Ah, so this is what it feels like when you're just a little boy whose parents are killed by some mugger in a dark alleyway. You're taken away from your home and then you're shoved into the arms of people who don't even give a damn anyway.
(Chuckles) I wonder why this has happened..."

As the door to the truck is shut, The Joker laughs maniacally as the vehicle drives off past Arkham's gates.

Meanwhile in Blackgate Prison, prisoners were running free and rioting.
There were dead policemen in the halls and the alarms were blaring.

As this was going on, six men dressed in black body armour and armed with assault rifles, handguns, shotguns were heading outside.

It was the Bullet Club.

Bullet 1: "Do we have confirmation that the target left the asylum?"

Bullet 5: "Affirmative. Target is en route."

Minutes later, the prisoner transport truck carrying The Joker reached the gates of Blackgate Penitentiary. No one was answering the radio to open the gates.

Driver: "What's going on? Is someone asleep at the radio again?"

However, the gates opened...

BRATATATA!

Machine gun fire riddled the inside of the truck's driving cabin, killing both driver and passenger.

Bullet 2: "Tangos down."

Bullet 1: "Move, move, move!"

The Bullet Club moved to the truck and while two members got into the truck, four members got into the back, where Joker was restrained.

Joker: "Now, now. What is all this about? Am I being recruited or something?"

Bullet 6: "Target secured."

Bullet 1: "Mission is a success. Taking The Joker back to base."

The Bullet Club drives the truck away from Blackgate Prison and into the city.

*Undisclosed Location*

Joker: "Isn't anyone gonna tell what's going on here? And also, has anyone eaten Chinese recently? It stank in the van. (Chuckles)"

The Bullet Club escorted The Joker through a hall and into a darkened room and the only source of light came from a lampshade on a desk where Theo Galavan was sitting.

Theo: "Hello. Joker? Is it?"

Joker: "Ah, so it was you who arranged that little breakout of mine. Getting me transferred from Arkham to Blackgate was perfect cover, let me tell you. If I was gonna be invited for a sleepover I would have back my pyjamas."

Theo: "Well, I'm a nice man, Joker. I arranged this little meeting because I want you to do what you do best."

Joker: "Is that so? You expect me to believe that you broke me out of Arkham because you're a good guy? What's in it for you?"

Theo: "A chance to watch Gotham burn."

Galavan pressed a button on his desk, turning the lights on in the room.
The light reveals that the room is filled with guns and mannequins wearing The Joker's iconic purple suit.

Looking at it all, Joker danced around while laughing.

Theo: "Take it all and drown this city."

-Batman-

He's free again. The Joker is once again unleashed on Gotham.

Each time he gets free, people are killed. I stop him. He breaks out and does it again.

However, this time he had help.

Alfred: "I didn't think he'd be back this soon, Master Bruce."

Batman: "Neither did I. But, whatever is going on here is not The Joker's plan.
It's someone else's."

Alfred: "Oh, sir. I just thought that I'd let you know that Master Damian has arrived. He's..."

Damian: "Here, Pennyworth."

Damian Wayne, my son, was standing at the base of the stairs that led to the Batcomputer.

Damian: "I'm away for only a short time and already Chinatown is destroyed and a psychopathic clown is loose."

Batman: "A lot of things have happened since you've been gone, Damian. If I were you, I wouldn't think that you know the streets like before. They've changed a bit."

Nightwing: "Bruce, it's Nightwing calling."

Dick was on the comms.

Batman: "Go ahead."

Nightwing: "Is it true? He's back?"

Batman: "Apparently so. I'm not quite sure."

Nightwing: "What do you mean?"

Batman: "The Joker was BROKEN out of prison. None of his usual help did the job.
These men knew what they were doing and are well-trained. The truck they were using to escape was dumped a few miles away and then they must have changed cars."

Red Robin: "Batman, Red Robin here. I heard about Joker's escape, but who would break out that psycho?"

Batman: "A group of heavily armed men called the Bullet Club. I've been looking for traces of them, but no names and no records of service. I do know that they're mercenaries working with Theo Galavan. Whatever is going on, The Order of St. Dumas is behind this."

Nightwing: "Does Batgirl know about Joker's escape?"

Batgirl: "I heard it from my dad. I was also listening to the conversation.
Batman. You've been tracking Galavan for weeks now! You must have something on him."

Batman: "After the attack by the Yakuza, Galavan's gone into hiding. It's likely that now his plan to become Mayor has backfired, he may be looking to partner with Joker."

Nightwing: "What about the Joker's transfer to Blackgate?"

Batman: "Arranged through doctored paperwork most likely drawn up by the Order. The plan was to get Joker away from Arkham and into a less secure location.
The Bullet Club had a run-in with Avenger the night before and were taken down,
but it stands to reason that Bullet Club ALLOWED themselves to get caught so that they could break the Joker out."

Damian: "Whose Avenger?"

Batman: "Riley Rivers. He works as a Defence Attorney. He now runs his own law firm, Rivers Attorney At Law. His father is Michael Rivers, former detective,
deceased, was killed by Jack Marco under orders from Winston Grace. His mother, Kerry Rivers, is unemployed. Rivers has said that his father has trained him in various Martial Arts and after Michael's death, Rivers became Avenger and was instrumental in taking down Winston Grace."

Damian: His father was a trained Martial Artist? I doubt that. It may be good enough to knock down some crime lord, but maybe he should face a real martial artist."

Red Robin: "I wouldn't do that, Robin. Avenger even knocked out Batman once."

I've been thinking about that night. I knew that Rivers was good and I fought in earnest, but Rivers was still better. Even after investigating Michael Rivers, i can't tell how he became one of the best martial artists in the world.

Damian: "Hang on, this guy defeated my father? This guy? He looks like a joke to me."

Batgirl: "Can we focus?! Doesn't anyone remember that The Joker is running loose?!"

Batman: "No one has forgotten, Batgirl. I'll find him. I always do."

Batgirl: "No, Bruce. No doing it solo this time. Last time you kept us in the dark about something, we ended up trapped in the batcave by Hush."

I didn't tell the others about Hush and Winston Grace took advantage of the situation to capture the Bat Family. But, The Joker is something else...

Batman: "I have some leads to follow. The Joker still owned a few businesses before he was captured last time, I'll check it out."

Alfred: "Master Bruce! Where's Master Damian?!"

We looked around and saw that Damian was gone... His Robin costume had been taken.

-Riley Rivers-

After I found this girl, I didn't know where to bring her so I brought her home to my place.

Right now, she's in my bed resting. I gave her a bottle of water on the way here,
but she was so out of it, that I pretty much had to make her drink.

Mom's in her room asleep, so it should be safe to keep the girl here till morning.

Still, how does this girl know who I am. I've never met her before, yet I feel like she was looking for me. Either way, I'll get answers when she wakes up.

RING RING

My phone started ringing and the caller ID was Lauren's.

I answered the phone.

Riley: "Lauren?"

Lauren: "Riley?! Are you alright?!"

Lauren sounded panicked.

Riley: "I'm fine, Lauren. I just got home. What's wrong?"

I heard Lauren breathe out as if she was relieved.

Lauren: "That's good."

Riley: "Lauren, seriously. What's wrong?"

Lauren: "Haven't you heard the news? The Joker's escaped."

The Joker... Oh my God.

I quickly ran downstairs and turned on the TV. It was on every channel in Gotham.

'Clown Prince of Crime escapes custody'

Ryder: "A breakout earlier tonight occurred when a group of men known as the Bullet Club, not only overpowered guards and started a riot, but also broke the Clown Prince of Crime himself, The Joker, out of custody. The breakout was allegedly also the result of a false transfer of the Joker from Arkham to Blackgate..."

Bullet Club... That means Galavan was responsible for Joker's escape. It was a trick from the start. I should have known that it wouldn't have been that easy to take down a trained group of mercenaries like I did. They let themselves get caught.

If Galavan isn't found soon, he could turn Gotham into a crater.

Lauren: "Riley, are you still there?"

Riley: "Oh, sorry. I was watching the news."

Lauren: "Seriously, what is this city coming too? All the stories I've heard about him... Could he really be that dangerous? I mean, he's just a clown right?"

Riley: "Look, Lauren. Just don't start investigating this guy. Let the people who know what they're doing."

Lauren: "What about you, Riley?"

Riley: "I'm just an ambulance chaser, Lauren. I'm not in danger."

Lauren: "Are you really telling the truth?"

I didn't know how to respond to that. I didn't know what Lauren really meant by that.

Riley: "What do you mean?"

Lauren: "... Nothing. Just, just be careful, okay?"

Riley: "I'll be fine, Lauren. Just stay safe yourself."

Lauren: "Good night."

Riley: "Night."

I then hung up. I hope Lauren doesn't start looking into the Joker. I haven't seen the guy except for his picture and I know that he's dangerous just by hearing about him.

I decide to go back upstairs. I wasn't sure if I was gonna go out on patrol or if i would stay and watch the girl. If mom finds out she's here, it will be difficult to explain.

I got back to the room and I opened the door...

She was awake and she was trying to get out the window.

Riley: "You're awake. I want to talk..."

But, before I could finish, she ran at me! She started to strike me where my defence were lowered! She's so fast! It's like she knows where my weak points are and where I'll defend before I know. Even as I fight back, she counters with ease.

She knocks me into the wall, but I fight back and sweep her legs, but she gets back up with relative ease.

Kerry: "Riley... Keep it down in there!"

I hear my mom calling from her bedroom.

Riley: "Sorry! I'll keep it down."

I'll try. How can you fight while keeping the noise down?

But, this girl... The way she fights... It's similar to how my dad fought. He would pinpoint a person's weaknesses and tag them with hits. Except this girl is using a more lethal style, but she's holding back.

She strikes at me again, but I block her and flip her to the ground.

Riley: "Wait! I just want to talk!"

She doesn't seem to listen as she kicks me in the head. The next few seconds were a blur, but I watch as the girl escapes through the window.

I quickly put the Avenger suit on and I go after her.

I don't understand. This woman knows my name and fights similar to my dad?
This woman may have the answers I want about my dad. What kind of man was he?

I was a long shot, but the only lead I have.

I find that she didn't get far. Probably didn't think I would chase her. She was on the rooftop, taking a short break. She must still be exhausted from whatever happened to her before this.

She notices me and runs. She jumps from this rooftop to the next and I chase her.

Avenger: "Wait! I'm not gonna hurt you!"

She doesn't hear me as she keep running, but she doesn't have a grapple gun like me. She'll soon run out of rooftop to run to.

Up ahead, was a massive gap between buildings. I didn't think she'd jump it, but...
She did. She landed on the fire escape... She's fearless.

I was gonna follow, but someone tackles me out of nowhere.

I kicked the tackler off and I got back up. When I faced the attacker, it was a young boy about 4 foot 6 inches wearing red, yellow, and green.

Robin also known as Damian Wayne. Batman's son.

Robin: "You're Riley Rivers? Avenger? You don't look like someone who can possibly beat Batman."

So that's it. The son wants revenge for other people beating up their daddy.

Avenger: "I don't have time for this, Damian. Get out of my way."

Robin: "You know who I am. That means you know who Batman is."

I approached Damian, hoping he'd move aside. I may still have time to catch that girl.

Avenger: "I have more important things to do, Robin. I'm working on something."

Robin: "Now that I've arrived, nothing else matters. I'm your business now."

I walk past Robin, but he takes out a batarang and holds it to block me.

Avenger: "You don't want to do that, Robin."

Robin: "I do. You've hurt my father. You want to push him out of Gotham. So, I'll deal with you."

I'm not getting out of this without a fight. I hope I don't feel bad later for hitting a ten year old.

Avenger: "Last chance."

Robin: "Or what?"

Avenger: "Or this."

I kicked Robin in the chest, knocking him down. But, I think that annoyed him more.

He got up and ran at me, trying to kick me in the legs. He kicks me behind the knee forcing me down to one. I block his palm strikes and I trip Robin up. As I stand back up, Damian jumps up and kicks me in the head.

This boy may be a boy, but he knows just as many fighting styles as Batman! He knows how to control his weight too. If I hold back, this kid could really hurt me.

I block Robin's follow-up attacks and I grab one of his kicks. I swing him around and i throw him into the ground.

I turn my back for a second, hoping to leave. But, Robin wasn't done yet.

He threw a batarang at me, but I could hear it coming.

I caught it and I threw it back at Robin, who dodged.

I could see a temper flaring in Robin's face. He'd had enough of me and I him.

He jumped on my shoulders and started to punch me in the top of the head. I tried to get him off, but he instead flipped me to the ground. He jumped and tried to land on me, but I moved, and when Robin landed, I punched him across the face. Damian isn't as physically built, so he can't take the punishment.

Robin was knocked down and he had trouble getting up. I didn't want it to go this far, but it had to be done. I quickly ran to the edge of the rooftop and looked for any sign of where the girl went. But, there was no way that I was gonna catch her now. I finally had a lead on exactly who my dad was and it escaped... Thanks to the Bat Family.

Nightwing: "Robin!"

I heard Nightwing arriving on the rooftop. He had Red Robin and Batgirl with him.

Red Robin: "Avenger! Don't you think you went too far?!"

Avenger: "Robin demanded a fight and I gave him one."

Red Robin: "But, he's only 10 years..."

Avenger: "10 years old? I know that, Red Robin. Maybe Batman can take a lesson from this. When he lets his 10 year old son jump across these rooftops, challenging whomever he doesn't like. Until he meets someone like me, except more evil. What then?"

Batgirl: "This isn't the first time that we've faced those types of people, Avenger.
We can handle it."

Avenger: "Yeah. Sure you can."

Robin: "Don't talk like I'm not here or I will hurt you."

Avenger: "Look, I don't have time to argue with you. Robin interrupted me while i was chasing a lead. I have to get back to it."

As I was walking away, someone got in front of me. It was Red Hood. Jason Todd.

Red Hood: "This 'lead' doesn't have anything to do with The Joker?"

Jason Todd is my last person I wanted to see again. During the whole Winston Grace incident, he murdered a criminal. The Bat Family has someone who murders people and they don't care.

Avenger: "Why do I need to explain that to you of all people, Red Hood?"

Nightwing: "If you have anything that could help capture the Joker, then you need to tell us."

Avenger: "Why? Isn't Batman investigating The Joker? After all, why are all of you here and he isn't?"

Nightwing: "He kinda does that. But, The Joker is everybody's problem."

Avenger: "It is clear to me that Galavan is behind this. Find him and you'll find Joker, but right now, what I'm doing is not related to Galavan or The Joker."

Batgirl: "Then it can wait. The Joker is very dangerous and if Galavan is backing him,
we need all hands on deck."

Drop everything and help the Bat Family?

Avenger: "First, I have important things that I need to look into myself. Second, I'm not a member of your family. Third, why would I help you people, who are probably more dangerous than The Joker?"

Red Hood took clear offense to that and he got in my face.

Red Hood: "Take that back."

Avenger: "Make me."

Red Hood pressed a gun against my head.

Red Hood: "Just so you know, I don't know if this one has rubber bullets."

Avenger: "Go ahead. You'll be knocked out before you pull that trigger."

I stared into Red Hood's eyes. I wanted an excuse to beat him down and drag him to prison. However, Red Robin got in between us.

Red Robin: "Look. Everyone just needs to cool off a second. Avenger, we're not the bad guys here."

That was the statement that really ticked me off.

Avenger: "You're not, huh? So the good guys have an assassin in their ranks who wants to kill criminals. The good guys have weapons hidden all over the city that were used to destroy a section of it. And the good guys illegally imprisoned someone under a false name and gave him a false prescription medication?! The way I see it, you're not the good guys, Tim. You're all far from it."

I was done with this. I didn't want to talk to these people anymore. I wanted to find the girl again and find out what she knows.

Avenger: "We're done here.

I jump off the rooftop that I'm on and, using my grapple gun, I swing through the city.

-Third Person-

In another part of town, Cassandra Cain stops running and turns back. There is no one chasing her now. She didn't know who that man was, but he seemed like he wanted her to stay at that house and she couldn't afford that.

She had to find Riley Rivers.

But, she had no idea what he looked like or where he was in this concrete jungle that she had been lost in for days now.

As Cassandra made her way through the streets of Gotham, she was being watched.
She had ended up in Cape Carmine.

Yakuza territory.

Men started to follow Cassandra around. She knows that they are following her and can tell that they are enemies.

The Yakuza start trying to surround Cassandra by cutting off any escape routes until finally Cassandra is trapped by Yakuza men.

"You. Come with us."

Cassandra: "... No."

In response to her, the Yakuza start to approach Cassandra, but she kicks the first one who gets near her in the head.

Two Yakuza start to pull out their guns and fire at Cassandra, but she dodges the bullets with relative ease.

"Don't shoot! The boss wants her alive!"

The Yakuza stop shooting, but Cassandra is dropping member after member of the Yakuza.

However another person joins the fight: David Cain.

Cain: "You men really serve one of our acolytes? pathetic."

Cassandra spots her father, David Cain, but she holds her ground. However, while she is distracted on Cain, Yakuza members attack her from behind, but she shakes them off.

Cain quickly moves close to Cassandra and chops her in the neck. Cassandra falls to the ground, but Cain catches her in his arms. Cain looks around at the downed Yakuza.

Cain: "My little girl. If only you'd kill. Like you once did."

Cain hands Cassandra to the Yakuza.

Cain: "Take her to Yami. Avenger will find his way here soon."

The Yakuza take the unconscious Cassandra back to the Yakuza hideout.

-Rick Troy-

I was in my van driving to a location that Craig gave me.

Craig phoned me up earlier and told me that his employer is out of prison thanks to the Blackgate riots and that we're going to meet up with him. He told me to bring the van.

I have a lot of respect for Craig but the thought of driving an escaped convict around worried me. The last thing I needed was to lose my job by getting arrested myself.

I park at an abandoned house near the docks. This is where Craig said to wait.

I told dad that I wanted to move here a few times since the rent here is cheaper than most places, but it's a high crime area. Heck, might be more fun here than at the apartment with Becca and Hunter.

RING RING.

It's Becca. What the hell does she want now?!

Rick: "Hello, Becca."

I was tired of talking to Becca. All she does is moan and complain.

Becca: "Rick, where are you? You finished with work hours ago."

Rick: "I'm doing something with Craig, Becca. Why are you harassing me?! You make me laugh, you silly bi*&^!"

I get angry. This is how all our arguments start. Next, Becca makes a sarcastic comment and then insults me.

Becca: "Well sorry for harassing you, as I'm trying to raise OUR son! You don't care about that, don't you?! You coward! You deserve to die, you freaking drug addict!"

Rick: "F* & you!"

I screamed into the phone and I threw it out of the window. I'll get a new phone,
but I've had enough of this life. I wish Becca would suffer and die for all i care.

Craig: "Bad day, Rick?"

Craig then came up next to my window.

Rick: "You could say that. Look, Craig. What am I doing here? I'd do anything for you, but I can't lose my job."

Craig: "Don't worry. He'll travel in the back with his stuff and you'll take him to where he needs to go. The police won't even guess to check a carpet fitter's van."

Rick: "I hope you're right."

Two men then came out of the nearby alley. They were carrying guns!

Rick: "Are those guns, Craig?!"

Craig: "No, those are paintball guns."

He was being sarcastic, but it wasn't funny.

Rick: "No, that ain't cool!"

?: "Oh, lighten up, Ricky! Craig says you'd be up to it."

Out of the alley way was the last person I thought i'd see.

White skin, green hair... Wearing a purple tuxedo.

Joker: "Now you wouldn't want him to be a liar? Would you?"

The Joker comes up to me with that sadistic smile.

Rick: "N-No."

Joker: "Good."

At that second, something came out of a flower on the Joker's tuxedo. It splashed onto Craig's face...

Craig: "AAHHHHHH!"

Craig collapses to both knees. His face... The stench of boiling skin reached my nose. And the screams reached my ears.

The skin completely burns off revealing Craig's skull and his eyes fall out of his head.

Oh God... Oh God... I think I'm gonna be sick.

I was, but The Joker wraps his arms around my neck.

Joker: Oh, Rick. Ricky, Rick, Rick. Don't throw up on me now. I just got this suit pressed. (Laughs)"

The Joker gets into the van and into the passenger's seat.

Joker: "The police and the Bat are likely going to check my old businesses. So... I'll spend the night at your place, Ricky."

Rick: "What?"

My place? He wants me to take him back to my place?! I can't do that! He'll kill me for sure! Just like Craig.

Joker: "Ah, it'll be fine. We'll tell ghost stories, play spin the bottle, have a pillow fight... It'll be a riot! (Laughs)"

I was scared out of my mind. I've heard stories about this guy and if only a quarter of them are true, then this guy doesn't mess around.

I did the only thing I could.

I drove home.

-Avenger-

Soon after I started searching for the girl, I realised quickly that I wasn't gonna find her this way.

She could be anywhere in Gotham by now.

There was only one person who I trusted who could help me with a situation like this.

As such, I'm in the Narrows right now outside of Harper Row's apartment...

I told Cullen that I wouldn't come back, that I wouldn't put his sister in danger anymore. And now, I'm here for my personal reasons.

But, Harper can help me.

Bluebird: "So you came back, huh?"

Behind me, Harper in her Bluebird costume stood there with a smirk.

Avenger: "I need your help, Harper."

Bluebird: "You need my help? Didn't you tell my brother that you weren't coming back?"

She didn't sound angry, but she didn't sound happy either.

Avenger: "He's worried about you. I wanted to calm him down."

Bluebird: "Look, you know that it's my decision to be Bluebird. I appreciate Cullen's concern, but I'm helping people as well."

It does look like Harper's been patrolling a lot here recently. I haven't been to the Narrows for a while, but it looks like Harper has been at least keeping street crime down.

Avenger: "I know, Bluebird. I'm sorry if it seems like I don't trust you."

Bluebird: "Nah, it's fine. At least you came back. So, when am I gonna learn how to attack like a ninja?"

Bluebird made an exaggerated ninja-like pose...

Avenger: "I don't do that."

Bluebird: "Sure."

Later, we went into Harper's apartment and she brought me into her computer room.

Cullen was also there and he was surprised to see me.

Cullen: "Avenger. Why are you here?"

Bluebird: "Cullen, please don't start."

Avenger: "No. It's fine. I did say I wasn't coming back anyway."

Cullen: "You did. I know you trust Harper, but she's not Batman. Why don't you just go to him?"

Avenger: "I don't trust Batman. There's a lot I know about him that you don't."

Cullen: "We don't know much about you."

I want Cullen and Harper to fully trust me. I know who they are and where they live.
But they know next to nothing about me.

Avenger: "You're right."

I remove my mask.

Avenger: "My name is Riley Rivers. I'm a lawyer, nothing special."

Bluebird: "Wait! You're that guy back from the Grace Gala! I've seen you from the papers! You defended the Commissioner when he was arrested. Heck, you're younger than I am."

Cullen: "I don't understand. Why did you tell us who you are?"

Avenger: "You're right, Cullen. I've asked you to trust me when you knew nothing about me. I'm hoping that now I can reward that trust."

Harper sat down at her computer.

Bluebird: "Anyway, Riley. What do you need?"

I explained to Harper that there was a girl that I found earlier this evening and that she knew my name when she saw me. She may know something that I need to know.

Avenger: "I was chasing her but Robin got in the way. I have to find her again."

Bluebird: "How can I help?"

Avenger: "Can you still tap into the CCTV network?"

Harper then turned towards her computer and after a few key presses, Gotham's CCTV network was up on-screen.

I directed Harper to the spot that I lost her at. If I can follow where the girl went through the CCTV, then I may be able to find where she's hiding.

Avenger: "There!"

I spotted her on one of the CCTV cameras. She was fast at running, but me and Harper were able to tell where she was heading.

Avenger: "Cape Carmine."

Bluebird: "Is that bad?"

Avenger: "There have been rumors that any Yakuza still in Gotham are in Cape Carmine... I don't believe the rumors, but if they're true, this girl could be in serious danger."

Harper then stood up from her seat and grabbed her big shock gun.

Bluebird: "Shall we go kick their asses then?"

I can't take Harper to fight the Yakuza. These people are actual gangsters, they'll chop her to pieces.

Avenger: "Harper..."

Bluebird: "Nope! You aren't gonna talk about trust and then tell me I can't go.
I'm coming with you."

Avenger: "Harper, this is something that I need to do myself. I need you here in the Narrows. Things could get worse, much worse."

Bluebird: "What do you mean?"

Avenger: "You know that The Joker broke out of Arkham? He needs to be taken off the streets and you have watchful eyes here. I need you to keep an eye out for the Joker."

Bluebird: "Whoa. So you want me to stay here and watch for The Joker. Then what?"

Avenger: "I still have the earpiece you gave me. If you find him, contact me.
We'll take him down together."

Bluebird: "You mean that?! We'll kick major clown ass!"

Harper was then instantly on the computer searching through CCTV. Honestly, I was hoping that Harper doesn't find the Joker. I don't want to take Harper to fight a supervillian like that, but I don't want to take her deep into gang territory either.

With that settled, I put my mask back on and left the apartment to head to Cape Carmine.

-Rick Troy-

Why is this happening?

Why am I driving a van housing an escaped psychopath?

Why am I driving The Joker back to my apartment?

I stop at a checkpoint as I travel through one of Gotham's more crowded areas.

The police are questioning drivers as they pass through the checkpoint.

CLICK

My chest seizes. The Joker has a gun to my head.

Joker: "Now, now. Don't frown like that, Ricky-boy. All you need to do is pass the checkpoint. It's that simple... Well, it's either that or we could decorate the side of the van with red."

Joker hides underneath the glove compartment and he brings his finger to his lips to shhh me. There's not much space, but he squeezes in there. It's almost funny.

But, if the van gets searched, I'm a dead man. There are guns, weapons, all sorts of things that I'm not meant to have in the back of the van.

I get nervous as I approach the checkpoint, the police are looking straight at the van... At me.

What should I be more worried about? Being arrested or being shot?

One of the police women came up to my window.

Officer: "Hello, sir. We're searching for an escapee from Arkham. White skin, green hair, horrible sense of humor. You seen him?"

Rick: "N-No. I'm just on my way home now."

Officer: "Really?"

She suspects something. She shines her flashlight into my car. She's gonna find him! She's gonna find him!

Officer: "What's in the van?"

Rick: "Carpets. I'm a carpet fitter."

Officer: "What's a carpet fitting doing in a work van this late at night?"

Rick: "My boss allows me to use this to go out. Provided I don't damage it."

Officer: "Is that so?"

The Officer reached to her belt. Is she gonna pull her gun out or handcuffs?!

My heart pounded. I felt like this was the end...

She tapped something on her belt and the light at the checkpoint turned green...

Officer: "Have a good night, sir."

Rick: "Y-Yes."

I slowly pressed down the pedal and drove through the checkpoint. I-I made it...

Joker then sat back into his seat.

Joker: "Wow! What a performance, Rick! For a second there, I thought I was gonna have to kill you and all the officers and then watch cartoons alone for the night."

Rick: "R-Right."

Joker: "Okay, Ricky-boy! Onwards to the hideout. That being your home. (Laughs)"

-Batman-

"Wait! Please don't hurt me!"

Batman: "Talk."

Where I am is in Joker's clubhouse. Normally, I'd do this quiet. Going into a place this public isn't the best option, but it's the fastest. And with The Joker at large, the faster I find him, the better.

"Look, I do know that Craig was supposed to meet the boss at the docks, but that was an hour ago. He's probably long gone by now."

Craig Wilson. He's the manager of the club. He runs things for The Joker when he's not here.

Batman: "Why go meet him?"

"Because The Joker said that he had 'fireworks' that he needed to transport. Craig asked Rick to go and pick them up."

Batman: "Whose Rick?"

"Rick Troy. He's the Assistant District Attorney's son. He works for a carpet fitting place, so he has a work van that no one would suspect him."

Rick Troy. The son of Assistant District Attorney, Kieran Troy and Kerry Rivers. Riley Rivers' brother. Why would he be in league with The Joker?

But, I got what I came for. I left the club and I headed to the docks.

As soon as I got there, I could tell The Joker was here. There was a body. Craig Wilson. Acid squirted into his entire face.

Not even three hours free and already The Joker has claimed a life.

There are recent tire tracks here from a van. The Joker is with Rick Troy, so find Troy, I find Joker.

-Avenger-

Cape Carmine. A short time after Roman Sionis burned Chinatown to the ground, i heard rumors of tattooed Asian men walking the streets of Cape Carmine.
The Yakuza must have migrated here after their original hideout was destoryed.

That girl must be somewhere here. Likely, the Yakuza discovered her in the streets and thinking that she's fresh meat to sell to human traffickers, kidnapped her.
, I bet the Yakuza will talk if I ask.

I went through Cape Carmine until I found one lone Yakuza solider. He went outside for a smoke.

I sneak up behind him and I kick him behind the knees, forcing him to his knees. I then grab his neck in a chokehold.

Avenger: "Where's the girl?!"

The man started speaking Japanese so I hit him in the lower back.

Avenger: "I don't speak Japanese."

"Too bad for you then. You want to find a girl? Look under the Gotham bridge."

Avenger: "I know you know what I'm talking about. I know that the girl was here and your men likely have her at your hideout. Where is it?"

"I gladly tell you. You'll die if you go there."

Avenger: "I'll take my chances. Now talk."

"It's just a few block from here. Near the lighthouse. Keep in mind, that they're expecting you. The man told us."

The man?

Avenger: "Who are you talking about?! Who?!"

I hit the man again in the ribcage and I covered his mouth to stop him screaming. Once I let go, he sucked in air and then spoke.

"I don't know his name. But, maybe Yami knows. But, you will never defeat him. He will cut you apart."

Avenger: "Duly appreciated. You earned a rest."

I choked the man out until he fell to the ground.

I knew where the hideout was, so that was where the girl was too. This man, Yami, must be their leader. I don't know for sure who this other man is that told the Yakuza I was coming... The deeper I get into all this, the more it seems to relate to me. What is going on?

To answer those questions, I need to save that girl and capture Yami.

-Bluebird-

Riley did say that he needed eyes on the city to find the Joker, but he didn't say that I couldn't go out.

I've given Cullen an extra communicator and he's watching the computer. He agreed as long as I don't leave the Narrows. Isn't too big a problem. If Riley keeps his promise, I don't want to waste too much energy.

Cullen: "Harper..."

Bluebird: "No real names on the comms, overwatch."

Cullen: "Overwatch?"

Bluebird: "Gotta give you a name too."

Cullen: "Overwatch? Seriously? Now, I'm a superhero now?"

Bluebird: "Well, kind of. Anyway, have you spotted The Joker yet?"

Cullen: "Not yet. Harp... Bluebird, do you really think it's a good idea to go after a supervillian like Joker? It's a bit of a step from the usual thugs you deal with. The last time you dealt with a supervillian..."

Bluebird: "I got knocked out. I know. But, this time I'm ready for it. Besides, I'm not alone in this."

Cullen: "If you say so."

From the rooftops, I notice a group of guys harassing someone. A young woman.
Nobody does that in my neighborhood.

I was about to jump down and give them a shock of a lifetime, but someone dressed in purple jumped down first.

Spoiler: "Let her go! Or Spoiler Alert, you're gonna hit the ground hard!"

... Who is this?

The thugs started to laugh at the girl.

"They seem to be handing out costumes in cereal boxes now. Let's have some fun with this one."

They all approached her and she pulled out two sticks. But, instead of kicking ass,
she was backing off.

She's in over her head here.

I jumped down and used my shock gun to blast one of the thugs back.

"Another one?!"

Spoiler: "Who are you?"

Bluebird: "Bluebird. At your service."

As the thugs backs were turned towards this Spoiler person, she hit them in the back.
To no effect.

"That hurt!"

I quickly ran up and used another stun gun to shock another thug.

"This is getting crazy! I'm out of here!"

The rest of the thugs ran off. They didn't want any of us. Well, me.

Spoiler: "I had them, you know."

Bluebird: "Sure you did. You were almost turned into a purple paste by those guys."

Spoiler: "I was not!"

She stamped her foot down. But, she seemed to calm down after a second.

Spoiler: "Who are you supposed to be anyway?"

Bluebird: "I told you. My name is Bluebird."

Spoiler: "I'm Spoiler. Bluebird is a strange name for someone who uses electricity."

Bluebird: "Spoiler is a weird name too."

It went on like this for a few minutes. Back and forth. But, I actually like this girl. She's not too bad. She's actually pretty cool.

That's when I got the call from Cullen.

Cullen: "Overwatch to Bluebird?"

I knew it would get into soon.

Bluebird: "Go ahead, Overwatch."

Spoiler: "You have a earpiece?! That's awesome! Who are you talking to?"

Cullen: "Whose that?"

Bluebird: "Don't worry about that. What's going on?"

Cullen: "I think I spotted the Joker. He's in a van heading somewhere, but I can't tell where yet."

Oh yeah! I'm about to do my first ever supervillian beat-down!

Bluebird: "Okay. I'm coming back. Keep following the van."

Spoiler: "You goin' somewhere? Can I come with?"

Bluebird: "Not tonight. I have something really important to do. Maybe next time."

Spoiler: "Okay. Maybe we'll see each other again soon."

Bluebird: "Maybe we will Spoiler. Maybe we will."

With that, I headed back to the apartment. I better tell Avenger what's going on.

-Third Person-

Inside the Yakuza hideout, Yami is sitting at his low table drinking tea. In front of him is a tied up Cassandra Cain.

Yami: "I hope you enjoy our hospitality, Miss Cain. I would be a little more leinet, but your father says that this is how you should be treated."

Cassandra doesn't respond with either words or gestures. She simply stares at Yami.

Yami: "A woman of silence. I prefer someone who can listen instead of be listened to. It shows proper respect."

Yami pours Cassandra a cup, although both of Cassandra's arms are bound.

Yami: "Your arms are tied. Would you like me to give the drink for you?"

Cassandra nods and Yami passes the drink of tea to Cassandra's mouth and she takes a big gulp...

She then spits it into Yami's face. Within an instant, katanas are pointed at Cassandra by Yami's bodyguards.

Yami is however undeterred and simply wipes his face with a cloth and calls off his men.

Yami: "A difficult woman. You dishonor your father with this display."

Cassandra: "Good."

Yami: "A girl with daddy issues. No wonder the League drugs you. You would be unbearable as both an assassin and a future wife to the future heir."

Yami finishes his tea and pours himself another.

Yami: "Yet, one of the League's most skilled warriors. You defeated several of my men like it was easy. The Yakuza are one of the oldest crime syndicates in the world's history. As a result, we have rules..."

Two of the bodyguards force one of Cassandra's hands onto the table.

Yami: "When one behaves improperly, they must make amends. It is known as Yubitsume,
or the form of cutting the tip of one's left little finger. I'm sure that David will want me to treat you as one of my own while we wait."

Yami takes a knife from his pocket and holds it over Cassandra's left little finger. However, Cassandra doesn't appear to be afraid of it.

Cassandra: "Not... Scared."

Yami: "Good. Accept this punishment with honor..."

Before Yami can cut of Cassandra's finger, a Yakuza solider is kicked through the door into the room. All the Yakuza in the room draw their katanas as they notice a man walk into the room.

Avenger.

Yami: "Avenger. Cain told me that you would come for Cassandra."

Avenger: "You're done, Yami. Let the girl go."

Yami: "If you can take her from me."

The Yakuza then attack Avenger as Yami looks on.

Avenger jumps over the first attacker and elbowed the second man in the head. The Yakuza started swinging at Avenger, but he backs off and dodged the strikes before grabbing one of the attackers and kneeing him in the head, but one of the Yakuza slash Avenger across the back.

Avenger: "Argh!"

Avenger responded by kicking the man in the chest. He gets out his baton and starts using it to deflect sword blows.

Another Yakuza man pulls out a gun, but before he can fire, Avenger tosses the baton into the shooter's leg, causing him to fall and inadvertently shoot one of his fellow gang members in the shoulder. Next, Avenger used his grapple gun to hook onto another attacker, zipped towards him, and kneed the man in the head.

Cassandra looked on as Avenger fought. She thought that he was trying to stop her from reaching Riley Rivers, but she realises that he is trying to save her from Yami.

Yami still has the knife in his hand over Cassandra's hand.

Yami: "You still owe me a finger, Miss Cain."

Yami tries to cut off Cassandra's finger and she headbutts him, causing the knife to fly up in the air. It travels towards Avenger, and he kicks it towards Cassandra's ropes, cutting them off and setting her free.

Now free, Cassandra joins Avenger in fighting the Yakuza.

Yami: "Damn it!"

Yami runs away through the back entrance, leaving Avenger and Cassandra to fight the remainder of his men.

Avenger and Cassandra dropped the last of the Yakuza. Avenger looked for Yami, but saw that he had escaped.

Avenger: "He got away. Not good."

Cassandra went up to Avenger and began to look into his eyes. She laid her hand onto his 'A' emblem.

This was Riley Rivers. She now knew for sure.

Cassandra: "Riley Rivers."

Avenger: "Yes. Have you been looking for me?"

Cassandra nods.

Avenger: "Why?"

Cassandra: "Both... In great danger."

Avenger: "You and me?"

Cassandra nods again.

Avenger: "Can you explain it to me?"

Cassandra: "L-League of Assassins... Coming for us."

Before Avenger could question further, he gets a call from Bluebird.

Bluebird: "Avenger."

Avenger: "Bluebird?"

Cassandra looked at Avenger with some confusion as he speaks with Bluebird.

Bluebird: "Did you find that girl?"

Avenger: "Yeah. Cassandra is safe."

Bluebird: "That's her name? Okay, that's good. But, remember the task you gave me...
I was looking for the Joker?"

Avenger: "What?"

Bluebird: "Me and Cullen found him."

-Rick Troy-

He's here. The Joker is in my apartment.

Becca: "Rick... Please help me."

I hear Becca begging for mercy. I can hear my son, Hunter, crying in the room that they are in.

I'm not there with them. I'm outside looking at the closed door to mine and Becca's bedroom.

I want to go in and help her, but I'm paralysed. I can't move.

All I can do is tune out the moans and cries for help.

Becca: "Please don't. Not in front of my son."

Joker: "Why dear. He'll see it all when he turns to that troublesome age and reaches puberty. Besides, it's not like he'll remember this. It was rather kind of Ricky to lend me his place."

Becca: "Please don't. No... Rick. Please."

My God... Please forgive me, Becca. I never meant for this to happen.

What felt like hours soon passed. The Joker left the bedroom long ago and all I can hear is Becca's cries.

In front of me are three people. One's dressed like a bat, one's dressed in black and blue, and the third was dark-skinned and had an 'A' on his chest.

The dark-skinned man walks into my bedroom and stares at the scene.

Avenger: "No... My God, no."

He goes into the room. Maybe to check on Becca and Hunter. I can still hear crying from the bedroom.

The Batman stands over me.

Batman: "Troy! Where's The Joker?!"

Rick: "He told a joke... It's all just a joke."

Chapter 5 End.