Chapter 3

To give you some imagery. The Batmobile is based off the one in Arkham Knight, as is Batman. This Batman is at peak physical and mental perfection, and is nearly indestructible.

Batman approached the docks in the Batmobile. He had a feeling in his gut, the same familiar feeling he'd always had when he busted one of the Joker's many "dastardly plans."

He'd gotten used to it, but over a year without the Joker had made him forget it. Now that he was back, as far as they knew, he couldn't help but feel that he was home. This was what was supposed to happen. This was his life.

He shook the thought out of his head. This wasn't the time. He couldn't let the Joker define his life. He had other things to focus on. His son, for example. Damian was a troubled kid, he should focus on him.

His Batmobile turned a sharp corner, veering into the loading bay, where he was met with...

If course. Dozens of second-rate thugs. They all turned in unison towards the large black vehicle.

"It's the Bat! Get him!", yelled a thug.

Batman needed the exercise. A world without Joker meant a world with disheveled crime, which meant a bored Batman. He ejected himself from the Batmobile, and glide kicked a thug. Time slowed down. Batman quickly analyzed his environment, looking for any opportunities for advanced combat tactics. A thug attacked Batman from the side with a pipe. Batman saw this coming before he thought of it. Before the thug knew what was happening, Batman was behind him, grabbed him by the shoulders, and flung him into a pile of crates behind him. Another thug picked up his pipe and swung at Batman. Batman grabbed his wrist and twisted quickly. A satisfying crack occurred, and the thug yelled out in pain. Batman then used his other hand to grab him by his forearm and flung him down into the ground, dislocating his shoulder and cracking his skull, incapacitating him.

All the other thugs tensed, taken aback by this unusual display of violence from the Bat. Batman was done with toned down tactics. They all needed to be taken down viciously, or all they'd do is get back up again. Doing this was the only way to secure Gotham's safety.

They all jumped on the Batman with a flurry of punches. Batman wasn't even fazed. He countered three of them, and jumped out of the way of several others. He attacked with his own flurry of punches, hitting weak spots such as elbows, necks, brain stems, and knees. Five out of seven fell with groans and yelps.

The other two tried to run, but were hit by Batarangs. They fell to the floor, where they were quickly dispatched by two kicks to the head by Batman. He quickly moved on through the small groups of thugs scattered through the loading bay. He was about to enter the warehouse by Dock A when the Joker's voice came on the loudspeaker.

"Oh, Batsy! I know you can hear me."

Batman stopped in his tracks. That voice was so familiar, he couldn't help but take it in. This was his life speaking to him now.

"I'll have you know that I am very busy with my new business excursions, and you're running around ruining everything! And we can't have that, can we? I guess I'll just have to kill you!"

One of the warehouse doors crashed open, revealing a large, one armed man with a hammer. An Ambromovici brother.

"I thought I'd taken care of you in Arkham City. Hadn't you reunited with your brother?"

"My brother is dead," replied Ambromovici. "He was killed by Penguin when he found out he'd betrayed him."

"Can't say I'm not happy to hear that that's one down, one to go," said Batman.

Ambromovici growled.

"I will crush you, and then I will crush the Penguin!"

"Bring it."

Harley wandered around the East End of Gotham, trying to collect her thoughts. She knew she shouldn't have yelled at Ivy like that, it wasn't get fault. But she had no idea what it felt like. To have to be paired up with that monster. For it to always be Harley Quinn and get Joker. Now it was just Harley Quinn. Then she remembered he was back. Harley Quinn and the Joker. She shook the thought from her head. She knew Ivy would try looking for her pretty soon. She wouldn't let that happen. She needed the alone time. She couldn't let her find her.

Ivy decided to stop crying on the couch and go look for Harley. She had an idea of where she would go. The East End was her old stomping ground, and even if she didn't realize it, her mind told her that that was a safe place for her. For a former psychiatrist, she really didn't know how minds worked. Ivy opened the door and stepped outside. She wasn't sure what she would say once she found her, but she'd think of something.

She started walking.

"Bring it."

Ambromovici charged towards Batman, hammer in hand. Batman started running too. Ambromovici raised his hammer, and swung down towards Batman. At the last second Batman jumped over his hammer and kicked him in the face. Ambromovici staggered back, before regaining his footing. He roared at Batman, and lunged one mighty foot towards him. Batman kicked his other leg from underneath him before his foot was even all the way in the air. Ambromovici hit the ground with a giant crash. He jumped up, quicker than anticipated. He swung his hammer in an arc before him, and, naturally, missed. His hammer hit one of the crates, and large bags filled with white powder flew out.

Cocaine? thought Batman. Joker wouldn't move that kind of stuff. It's not what he does. What is he up to?

Ambromovici sensed the Bat's distraction, and jumped at his opportunity. He swung his hammer upward, and felt a satisfying thud and crack as he solidly hit Batman in the chin. He flipped over twice before landing with another satisfying crunch on his face. His body lay limp. Ambromovici couldn't believe it. He'd done it! All it took was a simple distraction! He roared out in triumph. He'd done it.

He'd gotten the Bat!