Trying to escape, a soldier felt a bola wrap around his legs, making him lose his balance. With a scream, the man collapsed to the ground, while Batman walked towards him.
For his part, dodging another soldier's fist, Robin targeted his abdomen, before sinking his knee into it. His opponent gasped, letting out a groan of pain. However, grabbing him by the back of his clothes, Robin targeted a lamppost before using his opponent's body as a battering ram.
Unable to resist, the soldier was led towards the lamppost, before feeling the top of his skull hit it with force. Finally, letting go, Robin saw him collapse to the ground, just like the other soldiers. Running the back of his hand over his forehead, Robin finally found a moment to catch his breath.
"They weren't really amateurs."
"Only stupid, arrogant, or highly capable beings would attack a man like Penguin." Batman remarked.
Still lying on the ground, Oswald had not moved during the entire battle. Paying him little attention, Batman reached out to the soldier he had just captured and grabbed his collar.
"Who ordered you to attack the Penguin?"
"I... Why would I tell you?" The soldier retorted.
The next second, an impact sound was heard, as Batman had violently slammed the man's back against a wall.
"Who do you work for? Thornes? Two-face? Who wants Penguin dead?"
Gritting his teeth, the soldier retorted.
"I wouldn't speak."
"Not now...but trust me you'll talk eventually." Batman assured.
" Hey, Batman. "
While searching the bodies of the other soldiers, Robin had just found a cell phone which he quickly turned on.
"NOOOOO!" the still conscious soldier shouted, reaching out his arm in vain towards Robin.
Seeing him react like this, Batman questioned him.
"Why are you suddenly scared? What information does this cell phone contain?"
Standing still for a few seconds, Robin's gaze widened.
" Impossible. "
Surprised, Batman turned to him, while his disciple quickly showed him the cell phone. It didn't take long for the hero to see and recognize nine faces, eight of which were crossed out. Only the Penguin didn't have his face crossed out. As for the other eight, Batman knew who they were and where they were.
Immediately, he tightened his grip around the still conscious soldier's ground, and questioned him.
"Speak immediately! Why are you targeting people like the Joker? Why are their faces crossed out? What happened?"
Feeling as if he were suffocating, the soldier tried in vain to struggle. Finally, he said.
"Batman... you don't know who you're fighting! But know that you're making a grave mistake! You better mind your own business and let us go with The Penguin and the others."
"The others? Are you telling me you also captured The Joker and the other Arkham residents?"
This time, the soldier remained silent. Beginning to have a bad feeling, Batman threw him violently against the ground.
" OUCH ! "
Rushing to press a few buttons on his belt, the hero then waited a few seconds, before seeing his Batmobile driving at full speed before stopping next to him. Taking the soldier back, Batman threw him into his car, before ordering.
"Robin! We're heading to Arkham immediately."
"What? But... what about The Penguin?"
"Right now, there are more important things to do." The hero retorted, getting into his car. "If these people have decided to launch an assault, it will inevitably end in a massacre."
Knowing he was right, Robin hurried to follow him. Then, a few seconds later, the Batmobile disappeared from the area. It was at this moment, that Penguin began to move. Annoyed, the man massaged the back of his neck, while getting up.
"I was humiliated! I can't believe I was attacked like this."
Then, unrolling his sleeve, he activated a watch on his wrist. Immediately, a voice was heard.
" Yes, boss ? "
"You're a bunch of incompetents," Oswald roared. "How come no one is there to protect me when I need it?"
" But boss... it's you who... "
"Shut up! Hurry up and get here! And bring as many men as you can."
" What ? "
"We're going to Arkhum." Oswald assured.
"Batman... slow down!" Robin pleaded, gripping his seat.
Completely ignoring him, Batman pressed the accelerator further, making his car's engine roar. Crossing the roads of Gotham in record time, the Batmobile eventually found itself in front of the most feared building in the city: Asylum Arkhum.
Not giving Robin time to swallow the vomit he had in his mouth, Batman got out of the vehicle and hurried to run towards the building. But he had barely entered when he saw several guards in the entrance hall, who seemed to be waiting for his arrival.
" Huh ? "
"Batman...you can't just come in here whenever you want." A man said.
"We ask you to leave now."
Narrowing his eyes, staring at their faces, Batman couldn't help but growl, noticing that they looked anxious. Something had happened in Arkhum and they would have preferred Batman not to know about it.
"Where are Joker and the others?"
"It's midnight! What do you think?" Asked one of the guards. "They're sleeping in their cells! Compared to you, they don't spend their nights hunting criminals."
Hearing this, Batman took a step forward.
"Let me go and make sure of that."
However, three guards positioned themselves in front of him.
"You don't have the right to move around here as you please."
"Since when has this been the case?" the hero asked.
"What's going on here?" Robin asked, entering the building. "You usually let us in without any problems! Why would today be any different?"
The guardians remained silent.
"Who took Joker and the others out of here?" Batman asked.
Surprised that he was aware of the situation, the guardians stared. They themselves had not really understood what had happened that evening. Nevertheless, they had received categorical orders not to reveal anything to anyone, under risk of being executed. Therefore, if Batman knew, should they eliminate him?
"How do you know what happened?"
Passing between his men, Jeremiah Arkham approached Batman. Recognizing the director of the building, the hero affirmed.
"I just want to see Joker and the others! As soon as I make sure they're sleeping, I'll leave."
Seeming hesitant at first, the director finally sighed.
"You seem to already know the truth, so I don't see what the point would be in lying to you."
Then he walked towards a corridor.
With a clenched fist, Batman saw the cells of an entire corridor, completely empty. However, the last time he was here, eight dangerous criminals were there. This corridor contained the most dangerous criminals in Gotham.
Instead, piled up in a corner of the hallway were five bodies in body bags, showing that a massacre had taken place here. Yet as one of them was opened, Batman noticed that the man inside was not a guardian or a prisoner.
"This guy is dressed like the people who tried to kidnap The Penguin." Robin remarked.
Frowning, Batman turned to Jeremiah.
"I demand an explanation! NOW!"
The man only shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to help you! Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to! This morning, this day seemed normal to me and I would never have thought of letting a single prisoner leave this building! However, an hour ago, the government decided otherwise."
"The government? Why did they release these criminals?"
Shrugging again, Jeremiah affirmed.
"I was just following orders! Anyway, facing a group of armed soldiers, it wasn't like I had the means to stop them! Besides, this woman seemed to have a lot of diplomatic relations."
"This woman? Who is she?"
"She unfortunately didn't reveal her name! In my opinion, if I had known who she was, she would have killed me! All I can tell you is that she needed these criminals to carry out a government mission."
"Is this a joke?"
Feeling displaced, Ivy grimaced before opening her eyes. Taking a few seconds to gather her wits, the plant-woman eventually straightened her head. Imprisoned in a straitjacket, while sitting on a wheelchair, the young woman was pushed by one of the soldiers who had captured her.
"Hey! What's going on? "
No longer in Arkham but in what looked like a huge warehouse, the ecoterrorist was in the company of the other Arkham prisoners, who were in the same situation as her.
" Where are we ? "
The soldier who pushed her remained silent.
"What did you do to my children?" Ivy asked, trying in vain to free herself. "If you touched any of my precious plants, I warn you that you will regret it."
Still no response.
"Save your saliva."
Being the prisoner closest to her, The Riddler made no attempt to free himself from his straitjacket.
"I can't believe what's happening! In truth, even my superb brain doesn't understand our situation."
"You don't seem very anxious." Ivy remarked.
"There's no point in trying in vain to free us." Nigma retorted, looking at another prisoner.
Having woken up a few minutes ago, Killer Croco had tried to break his straitjacket, to kill the soldiers around him. However, all he had managed to do was get himself pricked by a syringe again, so that a sedative could be administered to him. Trying to free himself right now was impossible.
"For the mime, let's try to understand what's going on." The Riddler said.
"Hey, Dent!" Crane called. "If this woman works for the government, do you know her?"
"Do you have any more stupid questions for me?" Two-Face growled. "As if a mere prosecutor like me knows every politician in this country."
"I hate that bitch." Harley stated.
Looking to the side, the Joker's accomplice saw Amanda, talking to a soldier. Seemingly angry, she threw a cell phone on the ground, while something didn't seem to have gone the way she wanted.
"It seems she's angry." Jonathan remarked.
"Maybe she didn't plan on having five of her soldiers killed." Nigma suggested.
"Puddin' is the best." Harley assured.
"Hey." The soldier pushing her wheelchair growled. "I suggest you keep quiet."
In response, Harley turned to him, before sticking her tongue out.
"Hey, handsome boy! I hope for your sake you don't have any family! Because, because of what you just did, I'm sure Mistah J is going to pay your family a visit to have some fun with them."
Hearing this, the soldier squeezed Harley's cheeks with his big fist, while retorting.
"If I were you, I would just understand the situation you're in! And if you want my opinion, given your next mission, I'm afraid I'll see one of you come back here and... ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!"
Having opened her jaws, Harley had managed to bite his hand. Taking a step back, the soldier grabbed his injured hand, while the young woman displayed a sick smile as a trickle of blood ran down the side of her mouth. Unfortunately for her, unable to calm his anger, the soldier gave her a punch powerful enough to tip her wheelchair onto the ground.
Remaining silent, the other prisoners watched as Harley collapsed to the ground. Then, the soldier kicked her in the abdomen.
"BITCH! You're just a psycho! If it were up to me, you would have died a long time ago! Psychos like you don't deserve to live."
About to kick her again, the soldier froze in terror. Hearing a slight laugh behind him, the man felt like he sensed a murderous presence. Turning around slowly, he saw a prisoner, at the very back of the warehouse, who was escorted by five armed soldiers.
Being imprisoned in a straitjacket, as well as tied up by chains, Joker had been given a triple dose of sedatives, in order to put him to sleep. However, seeming to have little effect on him, the drugs had failed to put him to sleep.
Instead, as drops of blood were visible on his face, Joker stared at the soldier, all the while displaying a smile that could have scared anyone.
As anyone could guess, Joker only saw Harley as his toy. She was a simple object that he could love or hit whenever he wanted. She could amuse and annoy him in a matter of minutes. And above all, abandoning her would surely not be a big problem for him.
However, everyone had to be sure of one thing. No one was allowed to touch the Joker's toys without his permission. True, the Joker only stared at the soldier without saying anything, but, memorizing his face perfectly, he swore to himself that he would find this man and make an example of him.
"What's going on here?"
Walking towards her soldiers and the prisoners, Amanda stopped not far from Harley, before ordering.
"Put her back in her chair! Do you think it's smart to cause an accident that could end in death?"
"Huh... but..." the soldier began.
"Get her up." Amanda ordered him. "I have enough to worry about because of what happened in Arkhum."
Seeing her give him a look, Joker stretched his smile.
"I apologize, but I felt like this surprise party was lacking in fun." The clown assured. "Besides, I would have bet your soldiers were tougher! How could I have guessed that I could kill five of them with a knife, before being subdued? Hahahaha!"
Hearing him laugh maniacally, Amanda couldn't help but say.
"In the end, maybe I never should have put your name on my list."
"Hey, bitch." Scarface roared, who was tied up in his own straitjacket. "Are you finally going to explain why we're here? I better warn you, I don't take orders from people and especially not from a woman."
"Boss, I beg you." Arnold said. "Given our situation, it's best to..."
"SHUT UP!" Scarface ordered him. "You're lucky I'm in a straitjacket, or I would have slapped you to the ground."
" Tsssss ! " said Amanda, as they watched.
"If I may, there were other ways to recruit us." Nigma stated.
Seeing Amanda staring at him, The Riddler assured.
"When it comes to hiring hitmen, money is always a good incentive! And for those who aren't interested in money, I'm sure a long sentence reduction could have convinced them to help you! If we had talked in a civilized manner, I'm sure that..."
"Who told you I was looking for hitmen?" Amanda asked, raising an eyebrow. "If that was the case, I would have recruited people like Deadshoot or Peacemaker."
"Huh?" The Riddler wondered. "Then... why would you want us on a mission?"
"That's true, it doesn't make any sense." Jonathan said. "Each of us is different from each other! Our only common point is that we are considered criminals! If it's not to kill one, why would you want us?"
"You're wrong, Doctor Crane." Amanda retorted. "You have another thing in common! If you die...society will rejoice in your death."
" Huh ? "
"To put it simply, if I sent soldiers to certain death, society would hold me responsible! But if criminals like you died during this mission, the consequences I would face would be much less."
Hearing him, the prisoners tried to understand each of his words. Finally, Jonathan could not help but swallow his saliva, before stuttering.
"What... What is this mission? Are you saying that you are going to use us as a sacrifice in order for this to be successful?"
"Even though I don't want it to be, it might be a possibility." Amanda admitted.
"Oye, is this a joke?" Two-Face roared. "There's no way I'm participating in your damn mission."
"I advise you to release me immediately, before I decide to kill you." Ivy growled.
Seeming to ignore them, Amanda stated.
"Because of Batman, your team will only have eight people! No matter, there is no way we're canceling it."
"Batman?" Several prisoners repeated.
Walking towards them, a soldier began to snicker.
"Unfortunately for you, Batman chose to save Penguin rather than your miserable lives! But regardless, I hope you will prove obedient when under my command."
"Under your orders?" Two-Face growled.
"He's right." Amanda assured. "From now on and until the end of your mission, you will be under Adam's orders! The instructions are simple... if the mission is successful, you will have a reduced sentence."
Hearing this, several prisoners calmed down.
"We had to start with this right away," Scarface said. "Can we negotiate for immediate freedom?"
Ignoring him, Amanda continued.
"But if you fail, I'd rather be honest with you and tell you that you'll all die."
" What ? "
"So you have no choice." Amanda said.
"HEY! I don't want to do your stupid mission." Harley retorted.
"What the hell is this kamikaze mission?" Johnathan asked. "Where are you planning on sending us? Russia? North Korea? Some distant planet?"
"This time, you're not far from the truth! I'm actually planning on sending you somewhere! However, I doubt you know where it is."
" What ? "
"Tssss! There's no way we'll obey you." Ivy retorted. "If we fail, your soldiers will kill us? As if that's possible! At the first opportunity, trust us to kill them and escape."
"Killing us won't do any good," Amanda retorted. "After we got you out of your cells, we planted a bomb in your neck! A simple order from me is enough to make your head explode."
Feeling a bead of sweat form on his forehead, The Riddler tried to turn his gaze to the back of his neck, as he had felt an itching sensation, ever since he woke up.
"I have... I have a bomb in the back of my neck." Arnold said in fear, as he was about to lose consciousness.
"YOU'RE COMPLETELY CRAZY!" Two-face roared.
Suddenly, breaking the bonds that held him seated on his wheelchair, the colossus managed to stand up before running towards Amanda.
" I'M GOING TO KILL YOU. "
Seeing him rush towards her, the woman remained perfectly calm. Then, taking out an object from her pocket resembling a cell phone, she pressed a button. Finding himself a meter in front of her, Two-Face suddenly froze, while a noise was heard at the back of his neck.
Two-Face wanted to kill Amanda. However, Harvey Dent had taken control of their bodies enough to force Two-Face to stop and prevent him from getting close enough to Amanda.
Seeing him standing still, as she was about to activate his bomb, Amanda assured.
"One press of this remote and your head explodes."
Growling in rage, Two-Face's face was contorted with rage. Still, he was forced to hold back, knowing that Amanda would have time to kill him before he could wring her neck.
Seeing that he was stuck, two soldiers took advantage of the situation to hit him on the back of the head and make him fall to the ground.
"Get him back in his chair," Amanda ordered. "And get the helicopter ready."
First seeing Two-Face being put back in his chair, the other prisoners then saw a helicopter advance into the warehouse they were in.
"A helicopter?" Jonathan wondered. "Why did they put it in that warehouse?"
"That woman is completely stupid." Harley stated, smirking.
Ignoring them, the soldiers waited for the helicopter to stop so they could take the prisoners in its direction. But as The Riddler was still trying to figure out the situation, a green glow dazzled the warehouse.
" What ? "
Widening his eyes, Nigma saw a sphere of green light appear in the middle of the building and take the form of a teleportation portal.
"Stop it! You're crazy."
Being on the roof of Arkham Asylum, Batman was at the edge of the void and was holding the collar of the soldier of the soldier he had brought with him. Gesturing above the void, the soldier became afraid as he fell from that height would kill him.
"I want to know who took the Joker and the others." Batman roared. "Speak or you'll regret it."
"You... You don't scare me." The soldier retorted. "Batman... You're known for not killing anyone... even the Joker! I know you're bluffing and that... AHHHHHHHHH!"
With a scream, the soldier felt himself fall as Batman let go of him.
"I warned you." The hero assured.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" the man shouted, falling to the ground.
However, just as he was about to crash, a cable was ejected towards him and wrapped itself around his leg. Managing to grab it and stop it before it hit the ground, Batman then pulled the man back towards him.
Collapsing onto the roof, the soldier trembled in terror, as he whispered.
"You're crazy."
"Who do you work for?" Batman asked.
Seeing the soldier retain his silhouette, the hero grabbed him again by his collar, before positioning him above the void.
" Second trial. "
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" the soldier shouted. "I'll tell you everything! I work for Amanda Waller."
Finally hearing him speak, Batman dropped him onto the roof.
"That's a good start! But I want to know where the prisoners are."
Finally, a few minutes later, the Batmobile left Arkham. However, Batman drove so fast that he passed in front of a car, without really paying attention to it. And thanks to that, Penguin had a wide smile on his face, while his limousine followed the Batmobile, as did several other cars, filled with armed men.
