Part I: Rebecca Robinson is left to face Gotham's worst Halloween ever. One ex-Robin and one dead-Robin are running loose in Gotham with their own goals and agendas. Rebecca's mind isn't the ideal one to begin with and with a history like she has... Will she be able to survive without loosing her sanity or her life? What will happen when Clown Prince of Crime wants his toys back and even Scarecrow can't stop him? Will Rebecca end up just being a toy to dead man's legacy?
Chapter 4 - Joke is rated M
Romance will be slow burn. (And I do mean slow.)
Contains detailed description of graphic violence, strong language and descriptions of mental illnesses and self-harming.
Broken Toys
Chapter 1 - Kidnap
Kidnap: (verb) [with object] Abduct (someone) and hold them captive, typically to obtain a ransom.
The time that I spend in the dusty old drunk feels like forever. My driver seems to have forgot that he is carrying a living person judging how he seems to hit every single hole on the road. My head is constantly bumping into something causing me a nasty headache. I have nothing else to do than eavesdrop, trying to get some new information but my kidnappers seem to have said everything they wanted already. Only sound that I can hear is the car engine telling me that we are still moving forward. The car feels like it's going really fast but it is difficult to tell when you are locked up in a small dark place. I thank every twisted force out there that I am not claustrophobic.
Speaking of the sounds that I hear, there isn't enough. I can't hear other cars, or people that matter. It is too quiet to my liking.
As if someone heard my prayers the person who I have identified as driver opens his mouth. "Knight was right. They seem to have evacuated the city."
Because I hear nothing else from the man who pushed me to the trunk I deduce he nods as an answer.
"Are you heading to ACE chemicals after this?" The driver asks.
"Nah, man, if the first plan fails I am supposed to be in one of the watchtowers. Are you going to ACE, then?" The kidnapper says.
"No, I will stay with the inmate." The driver sighs.
Out of the blue I hear gun go off as someone drives past us.
"Looks like the locals are having fun." The driver comments.
"Too much fun if you ask me. They are all wildcards." The kidnapper doesn't sound pleased.
"Relax, the boss gave orders to anyone that matters." The driver sounds bored. I guess that they have had this conversation already.
"Still, if I was in charge…" The kidnapper starts.
"Good thing you are not. And make sure that Knight doesn't hear you shit. He might give you to Scarecrow."
So Scarecrow is part of this freak show too. Apparently knights, kidnappers and guns aren't enough for one Halloween. I try to think a possible way out of this which doesn't lead to me dying. Granted this isn't my first rodeo, to be kidnapped our caught in the crossfire with supervillains but last time was enough for me. I have just started to gather my life together all for nothing. I can only blame myself. Why on earth I thought I could have a quiet Halloween? How stupid can I be? When the heck did Gotham have a quiet holiday in the first place? Of course something bad would happen.
"What are we going to do with her?" The driver asks finally.
"Kill her? Drive somewhere quiet and shoot her in the head. We don't even have to hide the body. Soon nobody is capable to find anything in Gotham." My kidnapper says confidently.
"No. You started this mess and you will have to clean it. You were supposed to get the toxin into the diner and get the hell out. Without being noticed." The driver sounds pissed. "Do you know what without being noticed even means?"
"Well what do you want me to do with her? We can't just let her go." Actually to me that sounds pretty good idea to me. At least they are not going to kill me for now.
"Ask Knight what we do with her. This is the most fragile part of the operation. If those tanks are spotted…" Did he say tanks? Who would bring tanks into Gotham? I was right! Rogues are planning something big. And somehow I have gotten myself mixed to this mess. Maybe now isn't the best time to be right though.
"I know, I know." The other man is clearly angry. "26 calling commander. 26 calling commander."
"What is it?" Third voice sounds robotic. It is clearly manipulated to hide person's real voice. Somehow it sounds more masculine than feminine so I decide it has to be a man. Intuition tells me a younger one.
"Operation has begun. But we had a code 411." What the fuck is code 411? I guess it is me but what does it mean to me? Specifically what does it mean to for my miserable life?
"Bring her to the base." How does he know that I am her? Is it in the code 411? If it is, these people have codes for everything.
"Roger." I can feel how the car speeds up. The driver takes couple narrow turns causing me to hit the walls of the trunk, quite painfully I might add. Suddenly the car stops. I hear how they open their doors and how they walk towards my location. There is only two of them. If I have a change I can get away, I think full of desperation.
The trunk is opened and the lights outside blind me for a moment. I see how men are aiming guns at me. I feel like a trapped animal. This must be what a deer feels just before a car hits them.
"Get out and don't try anything stupid." One of them says. I get up and I almost fall to the ground. I'm in Chinatown but nobody else is here. How long I was in that car? Where did everybody go? This is usually very lively part of Gotham. Now there isn't a sound to be heard.
"Move." I feel how gun touches my pack so I do as I was told and begin to walk forward. My kidnappers line me walk to the door of nearby house. It seems like an old restaurant but hasn't been used in a long time. I don't fail to notice the overgrown plants at the building. Hesitantly I touch the door knob but since nobody says anything I cautiously open the door. My kidnappers push me to walk inside following closely behind. I feel pain at the back of my head. Someone smacked back of their gun to my head trying to knock me out. It must be working since blackness takes over my vision.
It's rainy Friday night in Gotham. Couple of my friends and I have gathered to spend some quality time together. Tonight it is street art or as cops like to call it: vandalism. Those of us who weren't too drunk were spraying our signature Joker signs into a wall. I had drank only three beers making my drawing skills significantly better than average in our little group. Couple were smoking cigarettes, weed or something I didn't want to know about. It was always little risky taking drugs in Gotham. You never knew if some bastard had mixed some of Scarecrow's fear toxin or Mad Hatter's mind control mumbo jumbo to your lovely junk.
"Becca, do you have any more green with you?" Miranda asked. Her paint had run out and her Joker smile was only half done grinning weirdly from the wall.
"Of course. Just give me a sec." I said as I looked to my backpack for more paint. "Do you need any red?" I asked once I found the green paint I was looking for.
"I'm good with green." I threw the paint at her and she continued her work.
"Girls! Have you heard the latest news yet? You know, about that new doctor at the asylum?" Jack crouched onto our level. He was very tall guy who also had green hair like me but he looked a lot like more the Joker. I'm too small and short for that and only common thing that our appearances had is our hair color. Making things even worse, my green hair had grown out and I needed to dye it again and soon.
"No. Why would we?" Miranda said. She didn't seem very interested and it was a well-known fact that Jack had a crush on her. It was obvious that she wasn't interested in him. But that didn't stop Jack from trying.
"Harleen Quinzel was Joker's doctor." Jack said with a big smile on his face. It made his resemblance to the Joker even more striking.
"So?" I said with a bored voice. I was lucky that Jack didn't have his eyes on me. I didn't envy poor Miranda.
"Well guess what, now days she is the Joker's right hand, known as Harley Quinn. She broke him out and it has been all over the news." Jack said to me and Miranda speaking like his news were something of common knowledge and that we were idiots not knowing about it.
He seemed disappointed when we weren't as excited as he was. "Don't you guys understand? If some random doctor at an asylum can become one of the Joker's henchmen then we have at least a chance. We are in the city, putting the word out. We are on his side. Surely he will notice us."
"I see your point." Miranda said. She seemed to think something. That got me alarmed. Usually Miranda only ignored or poked fun of Jack but this time she seemed to be genially interested.
"I'll show you." Jack picked his phone from his pocket and started typing something to the screen. Then he showed us a picture of a woman who had red and black overall jester costume. She was laughing like a maniac and holding a baseball bat in her hands. Despite her curious choice of outfit she was very cute, she didn't look like she belonged with Gotham's underground and yet there she stood.
After finally regaining my consciousness I feel my hands and legs are tied into a chair. My mouth is duct taped so I can't speak but there is nothing covering my eyes so the very least I can see what's going on. I'm clearly in some safe house for this Knight-character's goons because there are number of them walking around me. They don't seem to notice that I'm awake which I'm thankful for. Maybe I can figure a way out for me. Unlikely but now is not the time to panic.
"I heard Poison Ivy is coming in here soon." One of the goons says. They don't look like typical Gotham-criminal. They are way more militaristic and they have proper guns. I don't know a lot about guns but even I could say these are expert level, not joking around armory rather than your basic street rat type of thing.
"What about her?" It is the same voice that I heard inside the car. My very own driver seems to be here also. I don't remember how he was dressed earlier but he definitely didn't have the same militia styled clothes than now.
"I heard that the Knight was going to pick her up when he brings Poison Ivy in." Again with the Knight. Who is he? And why is he bringing Poison Ivy here. Earlier talk about wildcards sounded to me like Knight had teamed up with the top criminals in Gotham. Ivy was recently broken out of Blüdhaven's prison by Harley. That must have been for this Halloween trick. Maybe Ivy had crossed a line because her nature first agenda didn't fit with Scarecrows what-ever-plan.
'Let me deal with this.' Says a happy voice in back of my head. Even if the voice is happy I am not.
"No." I whisper out loud. Well, I try at least. The duct tape prevents me from talking which is probably a good thing. I wouldn't want my new militia friends to hear about my awakening just yet. I don't have time for this. Or for her.
Suddenly the door flies open. I see Poison Ivy and a tall man in a military version of the Bat-suit walking in. The man is holding Poison Ivy with a strong grip. Ivy doesn't seem to care or even notice it. She just looks bored. The whole militia unit seems to wake up from their slumber.
Immediately as they walk in, men in the room take Poison Ivy from this Knight. To my horror the Knight walks towards me. I close my eyes and try to be act as unconscious as I can.
"I know you are awake." The Knight says in his robotic voice. I look up straight into his mask. I startle a little. He is too close for my taste. His helmet covers his face completely leaving no trace of his identity.
"You are coming with me." He releases me from the chair but he keeps the duct tape on my mouth and my hands tied. He takes me by the arm and pulls me with him out of the building. I try my best to keep myself standing but he pulls too strongly so I trip and nearly fall a couple times. He tucks me into his weird looking car and closes the door with a loud bang. Clearly this guy has some serious anger issues.
'Are you sure that you don't need me?' The voice in back of sounds now amused instead of cheery. 'You know, you have a curious reaction to shock.'
"Shut up! I have enough worries without you!" I mentally command. Now would be a great time to take my medicine, I think bitterly. When the Knight enters to the car I freeze completely. One wrong move and I would be dead. That seems to happen to me far too often.
The silence is so thick that I can almost touch it. I don't have a confidence to look at Knight again so I keep my eyes on the road and try to become invisible. As if that will work.
Gotham is changed during the time that I was locked up in the trunk. The streets are cleared and the only ones who are left are clearly criminals. Some of them are driving stolen cars and police officers that I see are beaten to death. What the hell happened in last couple of hours?
I quickly look at the Knight but turn my gaze away almost immediately. Questions run through my mind. Is he going to kill me? Torture me? Well that should end well. Nothing like a trip down a traumatized memory lane.
'You need me to do this. C'mon.' I almost could hear her giggle. I feel a smile appear to my face uninvited and unwanted.
"Mmm." She was trying to take control. I try to shut her up by bringing in mind doctor Cassidy's memorized words. This is my body and my life. She is a part of it but not the leader of it. Never again. I am in control of my body and of my life.
But Knight has already noticed my inner battle. He rips off the duct tape from my face without looking at me. I am thankful that he removed the duct tape quickly without warning me but still slightly annoyed. My captor doesn't even seem to fully notice me and is obviously thinking about something completely different than the pale small girl next to him.
'Say something! Please let me guide you! Only a little while.' And there she is finally, on the class where my reflection should be. Small yelp escapes from my lips. I have been doing so well the past few months. I will not let this happen again. I can't let this happen again.
"Go away." I whisper. But it is still too loud. The Knight hears me and finally looks at me.
'Now we talking. I would say something sassier on a louder voice but at least you did say something without bursting into tears.' Her voice is louder than before but she can't do anything else than talk to me still. It will be annoying but this I can manage. Well not the being kidnapped and possibly dying but the extra voice in my head.
"Not likely." The Knight says in an icy tone.
'Ask him where we are going! Please! I've been such a good girl the few last months. I deserve this. You know it, B.'
"No." I say out loud. Fighting with her is difficult when someone else is around to hear my part of the conversation.
"No?" The Knight asks. At least he has the grace to sound a little bit confused.
"Who are you?" I can't look at him directly but I can see his reflection on the window. I see her big smile on the background as well but I try to ignore that part.
To my surprise he laughs coldly like I missed some private joke. "Arkham Knight."
Why, would be the next logical question to ask but I can't. I open my mouth few times but the sound doesn't come out. Maybe finally some drop of common sense has found me.
"Why am I here?" I manage to ask finally.
"Don't you know? How stupid are people in Gotham now days?" Arkham Knight says.
"I meant why I'm here, at this seat? Why am I not in the trunk like earlier?"
"Do you wanna be in the trunk?" Knight sounds surprised.
"No, but…"
"Silent." He says on commanding tone. It is the same one that I heard back on my previous car ride.
I stop talking. The only sound I can listen is the rain. I bit my lover lip and try to think a way out. Nothing comes to my mind. Unless…
'Oh no, we are not going to do that.' She suddenly sounds terrified. It brings me some joy. 'I should be the one who enjoys the pain. You are the brain and I am the more important and the better part. Remember?'
I ignore her and try to loosen the ties on my hands as much as I can without being noticed. I put my hand up and scratch my face but with my other hand I crab my taser from my bra. And they said I wouldn't need one. By "they" I mean my only friend and my doctor but why would I listen to normal sensible people anyway.
Quickly I shrunk my taser onto Knight's neck knowing that I won't have much time. He has an armor there but he clearly feels at least little bit of the pain caused by electricity. After that maneuver I open the door and throw myself out of the moving car. The ground hits me hard but adrenaline fills me and I don't notice the pain. I get up and start running blindly away from the vehicle.
'Idiot! Now when he catches us he is gonna be so pissed. Do you want me to take control that bad? Because you only need to ask.'
"Get back here!" I heard robotic voice behind me. I try to run faster but he seems to be right behind me. He grabs me with a strong grip and turns me to face him. Instinctively I shudder away from him but it is no use. I am trapped, again.
"This is the last time that you will try something stupid. You understand?"
I scream on top of my lungs for an answer.
He backhands me in the face.
'Wow, even I felt that.' She sounds amazed but I can't see anything but stars.
"Do you hear me? There is no one in this town left who would help you" He shouts to my face. He has lifted me off the ground and my 100 lbs seems to be no challenge to him. I can only stare at him with a terrified expression.
"Do you have any more weapons? If you lie to me that last hit was only a start."
'Don't tell him, don't tell him.'
"I…" I try to say but my voice is gone. He drops me to the ground. He starts to examine me and I take a knife out from my left boot. He takes the knife from me violently. It isn't necessary because I'm obviously not planning on attacking him anymore but I stay silent.
"I don't have anything else." I tell the truth.
'Idiot.'
Knight looks at me for an uncomfortable long time. I try to look as innocent as I can. It is weird to look at his mask. I notice Gotham's map on it.
Apparently he believes me because he lifts me back up and forces me to sit back into the car.
"If you try anymore tricks…"
"I won't." I promise.
'Are you nuts? He is going to kill us!'
I touch carefully my cheek where he hit me. I can already feel how a new bruise is coming.
"We are almost there." Knight says on a cold tone. He clearly isn't pleased with me.
I look outside of the window. I see ACE chemicals signs all over the place. "Are we going to ACE chemicals?" I could already see how he drops me into the toxic vat finishing my transformation into a complete lunatic.
"I have an appointment in there."
"With who?" I ask.
"Batman."
"And me?" Truth to be told I don't want to be anywhere near when those two fight. Even though Batman is most likely my best ticket out of here.
"You will have a front seat place to how-to-kill-Batman-show." He says confidently.
'I doubt that.'
Even I lift my brows. Despite the situation, who knows how many people have claimed to be able to kill Batman, so excuse me for being skeptical.
"I understand your doubts. But I know him. I know how to kill him."
"Are you aware that almost every criminal in Gotham has said the same?" I can't seem to keep my mouth shut today.
"But I am the only one able to do it because I really know his secrets."
The car stops and we are out. He lifts me on his shoulder and carries me away. I notice the tanks that are patrolling in ACE chemicals yard. My original kidnappers weren't kidding about those tanks.
"Who is she? Is she part of the operation?" One of the militia's henchmen asks.
"She isn't your concern. She is going to Scarecrow." Arkham Knight answers. I don't like that. I don't want to go anywhere near Scarecrow. I would want to go home and forget that any of this has ever happened.
Still I'm the one who is carried like a child with her hands tied. I think they don't need my approval.
'Scarecrow? Well at least he is only going to scare the hell out of us. And after that he is going to kill us. But not before! Isn't that great? Are you sure that you don't want me to take charge?' I can see how she sits on top of a tank, carelessly running her fingers through her green hair. 'You know I really liked this color on us.'
I was back at the student council's ugly office. The owner herself was holding some papers out for me and looked more stressed than usual. Her belly was even bigger than last time causing me to wonder will she deliver her baby during working hours or lunch break.
"Robinson, you need to concentrate on your school work. Homework doesn't just do itself without your effort."
"Wouldn't that be a great idea? After school I promise to make homework that can do itself." I said jokingly.
"Truth to be told, you aren't going to pass if you don't chance your attitude." She said with a serious tone ignoring my quips.
"Don't be a party pooper." I made a face but didn't look at her in the eyes.
"It's my work Robinson. We need to talk about your future. Without jokes. This is serious."
If I was honest I didn't have any idea what to do after school. Probably just hang in the streets and hope that I win in a lottery. I used to want to become a psychiatrist but that seemed unrealistic now. I thought I might have a better chance of getting the Joker actually notice me, which I admit wasn't very likely.
"Have you talked to your parents about this? If I'm correct they live in Metropolis?" As if she didn't knew that already.
"You are correct." I turned my gaze to my lap trying to avoid the question.
"Have you talked to them?" She repeated.
"Yes." It was technically true. I just didn't tell them everything. They had no idea that I was failing high school. If I would have my mind that wouldn't change anytime soon.
"When was the last time you contacted them?"
"Last night on the phone." Again it wasn't like I was lying. We indeed spoke on the phone but not about school. Our conversations were only light because nobody didn't want to know how badly things actually were. So 'yeas mom, I'm doing great. Just finishing my essay. On history of course. Did you know that Gotham has an ancient city beneath it?' So what if I didn't know the city's name. And it wasn't like I was supposed to do that essay a week ago. My mom didn't need to know that kind of details.
"And what do they think about your grades?" The student counselor asked.
"They weren't happy of course but they have faith in me." I said.
"Would they think that if I call them now?" I never really liked her. Screw whatever I said earlier.
"Sure. But unfortunately their phone broke yesterday so I doubt that you will be able to reach them."
"Didn't you spoke with them yesterday?"
"It broke right after that." I bluffed. Not one of my best lies but give me a break no-one is perfect.
"Look I can't force you to take school more seriously but I really want to help you. Not just because of my work, this is because of you. You need to promise me that you aren't doing any crime. Breaking school rules can fade from memory but breaking actual laws can make a permanent effect onto your future. You need to promise me that you'll do your best to stay out of crime and Gotham's underworld. Can you do that?" By the look on her face I knew that she didn't buy my lies.
"I promise." I said sweetly giving her a sympathetic look. Despite my words I went straight after the meeting to spray a big ol' Joker grin onto the school's front gate.
A/N: So she has a split personality... Any idea why? The flashbacks are set before Batgirl DLC. I also want to clear out that I am not medical expert nor I try to be so my descriptions of any mental illnesses and what not are completely fictional and here for a story point reasons. So, keeping that in mind, why not leave a review? It would really do a lot for me.
GradGirl2010: Thanks! Hopefully I will!