Chapter 2: The Meeting

Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn arrived at Arkham Asylum, which was abandoned long ago. Harley happily sniffed the air while Ivy looked annoyed being here. After the ladies had gotten out of Penguin's escort van, it drove off.

"Hmmm. Can you smell the memories Red?"

"What i can smell is the burning smell from our intense shock therapies." The sarcasm in Ivy's voice could be heard by Harley. Harley persuaded her friend to lighten up as she felt being at the asylum was a 'fun nostalgia act' while Ivy cared little to nothing about the island she once came close to taking over two years prior. The ecosystem themed villainess asked Harley which building of the run down and abandoned Asylum the meeting would be taking place at. "Harley, which building is the boys playdate being held at?"

"The Arkham Mansion. Come on Red, We don't wanna be late, and we don't wanna get doctor fear all jumpy and angry."

"I'm not afraid of a man that make artificial fear Harley, now let's get this over with."

The two ladies walked across the abandoned Arkham Island. Not long after that, they found themselves at the entrance of the Arkham Mansion. Ivy was already bored and regretted coming to this 'meeting' already. Desperately she wanted to leave the Island and leave the boys to toy around with Batman as much as they pleased, but she didn't want to leave Harley with these pathetic crazed meat sacks, and besides, Harley had insisted that she stay and at least hear the madman out.

Inside the abandoned Arkham Mansion, four of the Batman's enemies were inside, waiting on the man that had invited them there. Two-Face, Penguin, Riddler and Firefly. As part of their trademarked rivalry, Cobblepot and Dent were bickering with each other about who's the superior gang leader.

"I don't know why the bloody hell you were invited Dent! We would've been just bloody fine without you!"

Harvey responded in a calm, but angry, dark and vengeful voice. "Fate brought me here Oswald, you're quite lucky me and the coin didn't see you in MY Museum back in Arkham City. We would've killed you and had your dead body on display."

"It was my museum you scared bastard! You should be thankful! I had a display purposely themed for you after my gang had killed you. Hell, we even had one for Harvey! HAHA!" Penguin began laughing before pulled out a cigar and lit it to smoke.

Two-Face replied in the same dark tone as before. "Yea, you light that cigar Os, after tonight, It could be your last!"

The Riddler was quite annoyed with both of them, mostly due to his extreme ego and self superiority over everyone else. "I'm smarter than both of you combined. That is why i will be the one who saves us the trouble by putting the Bat out of his misery!"

"Do you have a bright mind Nigma?" Firefly then laughed merciless. "If not i can help with with that!"

"You burning headache, i, Edward Nigma, THE RIDDLER, was destined to have a bright mind, a superior mind than all of yours put together."

Two-Face then added in his own remarks. "Really Nigma? Then why doesn't your superior mind defeat Batman? The way i see it, The Bat makes you look like a dumb bitch every encounter you have with him."

"Acid face has a point Nigma. You're bloody arse frequently loses to the Bat-Trash." Penguin surprisingly agreed with Dent and everyone else currently present in the Arkham Mansion.

Firefly then butted in with his own snob remarks that annoyed The Riddler even more. "Bright minds think alike Nigma, why don't i just set your brain on fire! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Nigma was now annoyed even more. "Ugh! I'm surrounded by idiots!"

More bickering took place amongst the super criminals about who was superior and who could take down the Bat once and for all. As the dust unsettled in the old Mansion, two more of the personally invited guests arrived at the party.

"We're here! The guest of honor has arrived!"

Everyone turned and saw Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy walked through the doors. Ivy payed no attention to the other villains in the room. She just wanted to get this pathetic man's playdate done with.

"About damn time you showed your bloody arse Quinn!" Penguin showed little to no respect for Harley when she and Ivy arrived. "I take it you've come to your senses and want to get on my payroll now."

Harley gave the short villain the same reply she'd given him when she was in the process of freeing Ivy. "Not interested."

Cobblepot laughed. "Oh you'll come around. They always do."

Ivy walked beside Harley and remarked why she's even bothering with the other psychopaths. "Why do you bother with these pathetic sacks of bones?"

"Because Pammy, i wanna kill Batman for revenge as he killed my Joker in Arkham City"

Two-Face added in some smart comments. "I should've killed the clown myself. I owed him that for waging that war on me years ago."

"I'm bored already, and this so called meeting hasn't even begun." Ivy thought in her head about how uninteresting her current predicament was.

Harley then asked the question everyone wanted to know. "So where is Mr Everyone's Worst Nightmare at anyways?"

Before anyone could reply, the voice of a deep, dark and vengeful man answered the question of Harley and every other villain present.

"Patience is key Dr Quinzel..."

Harley and the other villains, excluding Ivy and Dent, got spooked by that all to familiar dark force from the shadows of the old, cold, dark and abandoned Arkham Mansion.

"What the?" Harley clearly asked this with slight fear in her tone.

The hidden villain spoke once again spooking everyone except for Ivy and Dent.

"You see...Fear is the key to the human mind...Everyone has something to fear..."

"These meatsacks are really scared of a man in a cheap crow costume?" Ivy was completely uninterested in what was going on around her.

Two-Face agreed with the familiar sounding villain. "He's right you know. Fear is the only way to earn respect, you force it."

"You're correct Mr Dent. Everything revolves around fear...Respect, depression, anger, heartbreak..."

"What the bloody hell Crane?!" Penguin shouted. "Just show your arse already! I've got my bloody business to attend to."

The footsteps of the fear master could be heard throughout the old mansion. He finally decided to reveal himself. Everyone was disgusted and somewhat fearful of the hideously disfigured man that revealed himself.

The Scarecrow

Ivy and Harley were quite disgusted by how Scarecrow looked. Harley wanted to make some slick jabs, but even she was smart enough not to anger the Master of Fear. Riddler was flabbergasted by how the man that once looked like a human being looked like now. Even Firefly, a man who was scared in his own right was disgusted by the sight of Jonathan Crane. Harvey wasn't shocked and Penguin just smoked a cigar, not even bothering to look the deformed Crane in the eye. Scarecrow slowly walked up to the group of villains. He wasn't in any sort of rush or on a tight schedule. What everyone in the room mostly feared about Crane was his gravelly 'new and improved' appearance. It was no longer clear how much of his face was his actual mask or damaged scar tissue. He no longer hunched over as he did in the past. His right leg contained a leg brace, most likely due to being mauled and man handled by Croc during The Arkham Riots hosted by Joker. Crane also sported a new Gas Mask. It was surgically grafted to his throat. This was likely due to Croc damaging his windpipes while mauling him. This also explained why Crane's voice sounded much more gravelly and menacing than he was two years prior. He also sported a trench coat that was modded to hold the present vials of Fear Toxin. It held a scarily amount of Fear Toxin viles. And finally Crane also sported his trademark fingertip syringes along with attachable claws for combat. Overall, all of the villains that were present at 'The Meeting' thought he looked like a deformed undead being.

Their was a dead silence throughout the Arkham Mansion. Crane broke the silence by speaking gravelly to his fellow psychopaths. "Good evening ladies and gentleman...Your all likely wondering why i have sent you all a personal invite to this meeting."

"Way to point out the boring first clue 'doctor' Crane." Ivy thought about how much of her time was being wasted. Of all the more interesting things she could've been doing, she and Harley were busy at a pathetic 'playdate with boys' as Ivy put it.

"Well yeah, We wanna know so start talking! I've got a cute and adorable shrine of Mistah J that needs to be finished." Harley was trying to hold back her tears, everyone looked at her strangely, even Ivy.

Two-Face, Penguin, The Riddler and Firefly all wanted to know what Scarecrow's real plot was.

"Fate wants to know." Harvey went on. "Fate needs to know."

"You'd better have a good reason for bringing me here with this Harlot (Harley) and the Cat's Sharpener (Dent)." Cobblepot went on. "We don't need Dent, he'll ruin everything."

"I Edward Nigma, The Riddler demands to know as well."

"I've got a burning feeling about this!" Firefly added.

Scarecrow spoke once more. "I've summoned this meeting amongst us all as we all have one common enemy...Batman."

Harley growled upon hearing the name of her "lover's" "Killer".

"Get to the point Crane." Two-Face said, almost as a threat.

Crane went on. "As you all know, Batman has been a thorn in our sides for so many years...ruining my research, preventing Mr Lynn from making Gotham see it's burning reality,Denying Mr Nigma's proper superiority, ruining Mr Cobblepot's business operations, denying the inner peace of Mr Dent and finally you Miss Quinzel...I know of Batman killing your 'true love' Joker...and i know of your anger, grief and fear of being alone for the rest of your life...fear that The Batman will take away countless peoples true loves for the years to come."

Harley was now shedding light tears. Everyone except Ivy were completely unaware that Scarecrow was manipulating Harley's grief and emotions. As Scarecrow had anticipated, Harley gave in to his plans.

"Your right Scarecrow! B-Man took away my true love, We can't allow him to do it to others."

"Now i'm starting to see why people don't take Harley seriously." Ivy thought about how easily her friend was being manipulated.

"Shhhhhhhh." Scarecrow then put his hand on Harley's shoulder. "It's okay to be afraid...Join me, and together we will all ensure that Batman is stopped. Together we will show Batman the true meaning of fear and what it's like to lose something he holds dearly."

Without a second thought Harley became an official member of Scarecrow's alliance. "I'm in! B-Man dies tonight!"

"Poor Harley." Ivy thought. "She's letting a man get the better of her. Haven't i taught her enough?"

"What's in it for the rest of us?" Riddler added. "We all join this little alliance of yours, what do we get out of it?"

"I agree with Ole Green Guy." Penguin went on. "What do we all get out of this team up?"

Scarecrow ignore the complaints of his fellow villains. He spoke casually gravelly once more. "If you all ally with me you will all achieve your personal needs. Dr Quinzel gets her chance to avenge the death of The Joker, Mr Dent can make a fortune and retire, Mr Cobblepot will be able to make huge profits by supplying everyone with the arms they need, Mr Nigma can finally prove how superior you are over Batman and finally Mr Lynn...You can show Gotham a burning and haunting reality by burning down as much of it as possible. And you all have equal chances to kill Batman once and for all, if you do not join me, i will personally make you live to regret it."

Firefly enthusiastically lit up his Flamethrower. "I'm really gonna light up the joint! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Penguin was now in the alliance as well. "I'm bloody in. Business will be good without the Bat-Trash messing with my shippings and decreasing my profits."

Riddler joined as well due to Scarecrow pandering to his overly dramatic ego. "I'm in. I will prove that my mind is inferior to the Bat's."

"You got a deal Crane." Harvey calmly said, but you could hear the firmness in his tone. It was Harvey's main goal, being at peace with himself.

Scarecrow now had more allies which meant that his plans could progress. But he specifically wanted Poison Ivy present for a reason. "Dr Isley you're likely wondering why i had Dr Quinzel and Mr Cobblepot...allow me to explain myself..."

Ivy was curious as to what Crane could mean. She had no interests in his plans, but she let the deformed mad scientist go on.

"I believe together me and you specifically can make Batman and Gotham regret what they did to us. I believe you can spread my toxins all over Gotham with your unique abilities. Join me, join us, and we can do great things together...Your actions will be rewarded...that i guarantee."

All of the other villains, especially Harley wanted Ivy to join them. They felt that she could be very useful to their personal goals. Harley was eager and hoped that one of her two BFFs would join.

But Ivy said something that shocked and disappointed everyone. "Sorry i'm not interested in your pathetic alliance Crane." All the other villains were shocked.

Harley fearing for Red's safety spoke up. "Red what are ya doing?"

"I'm rejecting Scarecrow's pathetic offer...Batman has beaten all of us for years, what makes this any different? You'll all just fail and be thrown in prison again."

Crane was infuriated by this not so kindly rejection. He then expressed his warning in a calm, gravelly manner. "Dr Isley, you dare appose me? This is your one and final chance...join me, or suffer the horror of your consequences."

Ivy wasn't intimidated at all. She casually began walking away. The other villains were somewhat disappointed because they wanted Ivy's power for their own benefits. "I'm not afraid of your idle threats Crane...now if you'll excuse me, i have personal matters to attend to."

Scarecrow chuckled lightly, raising suspicion among his fellow psychos. "Very well. You have not only disappointed me...but my partner will not take this lightly."

Ivy was now confused as to what he meant. Crane had a second partner? Suddenly the doors to the Arkham Mansion were kicked open so hard, the dust could be seen flying off. Suddenly, three armed soldiers burst into the mansion armed with assault riffles.

Surprisingly Ivy still wasn't phased or shocked. Harley wanted to interfere but she didn't want to put herself in a complicated situation. "I'm not afraid of some meat sacks carrying weapons."

Suddenly a man burst through a window landing in front of all the super villains. He was dressed very similar to Batman himself. He sported a militaristic Batsuot, but instead of Batman's famous Bat Symbol, replacing it was the infamous Arkham Logo. He also sported a helmet that emitted a dark blue for the body part of the helmet and the eyes emitting a bright light blue. "Last chance plant lady." The mysterious militaristic man spoke in a menacing robotic voice likely altered due to a voice calibrater.

Scarecrow then spoke up. "Dr Isley, allow me to introduce you to the Arkham Knight."

Harley's eyes widened upon hearing that name. It sounded so familiar to her. She was trying to remember where she heard the name from.

"Once again Crane." Ivy continued "No. I'm still not impressed. Even with wannabe Batman. Now if you'll all excuse me."

Ivy began heading for the exits of The Arkham Mansion. The three soldiers were about to pull the trigger on their rifles, but the now revealed Arkham Knight put his hand up, stopping his men from doing so."

"Very well." Scarecrow said menacingly. "Since you will not join us, i will make you live to regret it, Poison Ivy." Suddenly two more of the soldiers appear, pushing out a medium sized crate of something. The Knight yanked off the tarp and revealed a bunch of beautiful looking plants. Amongst them were flowers, daisies, roses. Ivy stopped and looked angrier than she ever has been. "Mr Lynns." Scarecrow ordered for Firefly to stand up and use his flamethrower.

"Don't you dare harm them. They've done nothing." The bitterness could be heard in Poison Ivy's tone.

Scarecrow simply gazed at her. "Do it Mr Lynns."

Suddenly, Firefly flew up and lit up his Flamethrower. "THESE PLANTS NEED SOME SUNLIGHT!" Then as Scarecrow had ordered, Firefly brutally burned the plants with his flamethrower, in front pf the now irate Poison Ivy. The plants were burned to a crisp. Ivy winced in pain lightly before picking herself back up.

"Red!" Harley jumped up and helped her friend.

Once Ivy was to her feet, she issued a cold threat. "You'll pay dearly for tha."

Before Ivy's threat could get out, Crane and The Arkham Knight had both smashed a flowerpot each over her head, knocking her unconscious. The impact of two flowerpots ensured that Ivy would be out cold for some time.

"What the hell are you brainless bozos doing? She's hurt!" Harley kneed down beside her unconscious friend.

Scarecrow then spoke. "Would anyone else like to join Dr Isley? Maybe you Miss Quinzel?"

Harley reluctantly shook her head no while still tending to her friend. Harvey, Cobblepot, Nigma and Firefly all shook their heads no.

The Arkham Knight then spoke up. "Listen Up! You all have your jobs to do! You all want the same thing i want! Batman dead! So carry out what you all need to do or you'll all end up much worse then Ivy. Gentlemen." The Knight looked at his now revealed Militia. "Take her to the safehouse in Chinatown. Crane has plans for our rebel! I need one of you to drive and escort my soldiers to Chinatown."

None of the villains wanted to drive. But Harley immediately volunteered herself. She wanted to make sure none of these guys tried anything funny with Ivy.

"I'll do it." As soon as he got confirmation that Harley was going with her men, the soldiers picked up Ivy and carried her outside to their truck, with Harley following behind closely. "They better not hurt Pammy! I'm already morning over my Joker, i don't need her dead as well!" Harley thought to herself in her head as she followed the Militia and disappeared along with them in to the night.

The Arkham Knight stood beside Scarecrow and two more of his armed soldiers. Crane gave a speech dedicated to what was going to happen tonight.

"As i have promised you all, You all have the equal chance to kill Batman and fulfill your personal goals. This will be a Halloween that neither The Batman or Gotham will ever forget. Tonight we will ensure that The Batman and his legend dies. reduced to nothing but a shallow man hiding behind a mask. His allies broken, What he holds dearly will be shattered and broken. Tonight Gotham's savior dies a fearful and meaningful death!"