"While there was possibly a hundred villains living Gotham City as well considered people due to how they act like normal individuals but with revealing costumes and chaotic personalities. Except they were watched over by a dark knight, a vigilante that wears black to show others the meaning of fear. The Batman, now for a while he's tolerated the villains antics as well them adapting to the city. Though lately they've become more dangerous as well unpredictable, deciding to do something that was incredibly out of his own jurisdiction. He decided to form a team, it involved his sidekick and secret son Robin to be apart of the team in order to help him learn about teamwork. Along his number one friend Batgirl with her oversize mutant turtle Slash, he would teach the three on how to handle the criminal underworld as well determine how they could manage themselves either in the streets or by themselves when the day would come.
Wayne Manor-Batcave
Underneath the building of the well known billionaire and playboy of Gotham City Bruce Wayne, was the Batcave where right now a training session was happening. Robin as well Batgirl and Slash were doing a set of workouts in unison so that they were sync and in perfect formation. Throwing one punch after another, Robin was saying numbers in Japanese as the others repeat it with the young man.
"Ichi, Ni, San, Shi."
Robin calling out as he was doing punches going left to right, while Batgirl and Slash mimicking the same movement as they had to strike hard and fast at once while not holding anything back.
"Goh, loh-koi, she-tchee, ha-tchi."
The two repeating the other numbers as they continued the training, the three focused on their punching as well their stance making sure they stood still while throwing their punches. Not knowing above them was a shadow observing the training between the masked people and large mutant turtle.
"So you mean to say there's another group of ninjas, who are reptiles and were taught by a rat? Who was once human."
The young ward asking Batgirl since while he was away in boarding school since his father could see he was needing some education and some time to not always be 'Robin'. He was being brought up about the recent incidents involving Krang coming to Gotham along the arrival of the similar turtles that Slash seemed to be based off from.
"Yeah. After the arrival of the turtles and others, Splinter gave me a bit of lessons of how the Foot had been around for a long time. Especially the same time that the League of Shadows was. There apparently was a fight between Ra's Al Ghul and Shredder."
She stated just before Splinter and his sons left the city along TCRI seeing how there was a massive problem when the city saw a large robotic body with a squid's head falling out of the building. Lucky Bruce Wayne was able to clean up the situation as well have the alien company be sent back to New York.
"So after a entire year of having a oversized spike turtle as your roommate trying to find his friends. He decided to stay with you and now join his ninja clan? Why?"
Robin questioning that after Batgirl had been helping Slash get back to his normal and strong self as well finding clues about where he belong. To now cast it away to stand by her side, Slash stopped as he soon growls towards the masked boy seeing how it was his choice to remain in Gotham.
"Slash, like friend."
Responding back as Robin could tell from how out of all the people he had seemed to be around. Batgirl had shown him both compassion as well looking over the large turtle like if he was her pet turtle. Easing him to calm down before he tried to either stomp on the kid or eat him.
"It was his decision, besides I told the turtles that I set up a video cam so they could stay in touch."
She told him about how while Slash could have return back to New York and reunite with his fellow turtle mutants. Being with Barbra and meeting new people along helping out, it felt like home to him. Plus that she out of most people he had encountered wasn't afraid of him, the three resumed their training until Slash stopped. The large turtle looked around curious about something as Robin raised a eyebrow towards the mutant.
"What's wrong now? Does large scaled turtles get fleas or something?"
Questioning about something going on with Slash as the turtle merely growled as he was smelling a unknown scent upon the lair. Looking upwards he believed there was someone else here watching them practice, going to the side of his shell he was slowly going for the spiked mace. Though before he could attack an impossible intruder, a smoke pellet came down to the ground blinding him.
"We're under attack!"
Batgirl stating as she didn't know how to handle this surprise attack as she pulled out her tonfas, however Robin stopped her seeing how he knew what exactly this 'attack' was.
"No. Just a Dick wad trying to get noticed."
Responding back as he knew what was going on as the pair saw someone descending from the rafters. Landing in front of Slash was a adult male, wearing a black armored suit with a blue bird symbol on his chest as well a eye mask. Slash snarled not knowing the intruder, however Batgirl merely smiled at the sight as well couldn't help but geek out.
"I look over Bludhaven for about a couple of years to be my own hero and I come back seeing a oversized turtle in the bat cave. Time does change."
Responding to Slash as the man soon begun to observe the large mutant's attacks as well used acrobatic movement to avoid his swings. Meanwhile in the back was Batgirl knew who the Batman look alike was.
"Nightwing. Batman's first Robin and team leader of the Teen Titans! I read about him several years ago after him and Batman had a spat after their last caper."
Listing several things about the masked man as Slash continued to attack him. Though Nightwing was able to avoid the swings as well grapple around the turtle and putting him in a armlock. Slash was able to fall right downwards onto the man, however he was able to avoid the back drop as well see his shell slam into the ground.
Don't do exactly that much thinking now do you big fella?"
Asking Slash as he tried to get back up. However he was lodged into the ground as well couldn't free himself, looking over at the other side was Batgirl and Robin who stood there observing the sight while noticing different expressions on their faces. Robin was being annoyed by his arrival along Batgirl was being ecstatic at seeing Batman's first partner.
"Slash. Need help."
Grunting still as well unable to break free from the ground which made the caped girl walk over to help out her turtle friend. While that was going on, Nightwing decided to see Robin who seemed not so happy seeing the first Robin back in Gotham as well in the Batcave.
"Shouldn't you be tracking down a gang of gangsters who get you confused for a tight rope performer?"
"I don't know, shouldn't you be dangling over a shark tank on live television?"
Both of them making remarks about their own situations they've experienced as the two felt a sudden presence. Looking at the elevator they saw that of Batman himself, who seemed to have been watching the reunion as well bit of the training the three were doing. Walking over to Nightwing, Bruce could tell that he's matured to a crime fighter much like himself.
"I thought we discussed to never bring up past moments with either friends or foes, it'll make them unhinged and mistakes will happen."
Reminding him one of the lessons when he was by his side when he was the first Robin. Nightwing merely shrugged his shoulders as he took a look at Batgirl and Slash as they were still solving the issue with being stuck to the ground. Turning over to Batman he seemed to question the new member of the team.
"Did this happen just when I left or when you had to ground Robin from acting like a 'sweet potato' on the news."
Asking about the two in which Robin wanted to say something towards him, however Batman stopped the boy seeing that he did deserve a bit since it was not like them to be on television like celebrities. Remaining silent, Batman could see Nightwing was confused about bringing in new blood into the Batcave as well having one of them being a large turtle.
"I owe her for saving my life during the New Gotham incident along aiding us in Darkseid's invasion. I would have brought you and Robin in but Damien was still in boarding school and you handling that 'HIVE' incident with the titans."
Explaining the purpose of having the pair here seeing that after having enough experience and tutelage from him, she earned the chance of visiting the Batcave as well getting actual training. It was surprising to see Bruce opening up to another masked kid, especially someone who looked high spirited.
"Does she know?"
Bringing up another issue about something that Batman did scarcely, revealing his identity to the people around him. When he did it with Dick it was under the aid of helping him avenge his parents death, Damien because of his son and others for personal reasons. Though for Batgirl and Slash, he said nothing to them.
"No. I brought them here using the bat gas, I planned on doing it after a caper tonight. She's the one that brought it up."
Adding another matter at hand since while he was focused on the rebuilding of the TCRI building which will now be a new hospital. He wanted to see how devoted the girl was to being a member of the team, looking over seeing Batgirl getting Slash out of the ground. The two noticed the three looking at them as Barbra knew that look meaning it was time to debrief them about a investigation she's been working on. The two walked over as she tried to calm herself as well tried to figure out the right words to say in this moment.
"Right. Lately there's been a array of disappearances over the past few weeks, it's involved several upcoming intellects as well several escape artists. The last known place they've been seen was at the Green Screen Escape Rooms."
Explaining her own investigation as well showing the three on her phone which showed a commercial about how it brings people together as well tests their intelligence. While it seemed like a average tv spot, Robin couldn't see the fascination in this investigation.
"Escape rooms? Really? How about we check into that suggestion I had about Ratcatcher forming his own army who've been trained to use weapons?"
Bringing up his investigation that seemed important to look over, however Batman merely kept silent seeing how both seemed to be looked into. Though they heard the elevator opening up which showed none other than Alfred, who had adapted into his own vigilante persona. The Macaroni, Nightwing raised his eyebrow at the gentlemen themed hero who seemed new already.
"The Macaroni will handle Ratcatcher, will look into the disappearances. Let's move."
Informing them as he and Robin rushed over to the Bat mobile getting a head start. While for Barbara, she went to her cycle starting it up while for Nightwing and Slash they saw the Macaroni going off on a large old school bicycle to handle the Ratcatcher.
"Who the fuck names themselves the 'Macaroni'?"
Questioning the name as they soon see Batgirl by the side as she activated a side kart for Nightwing since she would off him a ride to the escape room building.
"Slash can catch up threw the sewers, I can give you a ride if you like."
Offering him a ride in her bike which Grayson merely sighs at the indignity of going into the side kart. Though she was being nice to him and decided to sit within the kart, which she soon takes off while Slash leapt into the water as the team headed out to the escape room building where they see what is happening to the people who attended the activity.
Green Screen Escape Rooms-Night Time
Traveling across the full moon and in the cover of night, the masked team made it to the building where most of the people had been disappearing. There was no type of security along that it looked completely empty, landing near the doorway Batman pulled out a spray can from his belt which he sprays over the door handle along the entrance.
"There's been several hands here. Most of them being the same individuals that had disappeared."
Confirming that this was the right spot where the people had been vanishing. Taking precaution as well heading into the building, they entered a hallway where they saw numerous portraits of people who had vanished from the public.
"Bad scent. All around us."
Slash stating as they traveled down the hallway keeping their wits about them. Going further down the room they soon saw a doorway leaving them to enter, taking a moment to grasp the room as it seemed to be based off sixteen century era themed escape room.
"If it wasn't for the fact this place having taken several people and making them disappear. I think this would be a good way to have a team bonding moment."
Batgirl stating as the three didn't respond seeing how they were examining the room for any signs of secret entry points or even that of signs of items or trinkets that might have been left behind. Continuing their investigation the five heard the door opening behind them, turning over quickly as well thinking it was the kidnapper. Instead it seemed like a normal person with a pair of glasses along having a snarky type expression on his face.
"Oh, great. Cosplaying noobs."
He said as Robin wanted to try and attack him but Batman stopped him since from how he responded to his voice. Seemed like a expert in this type of activity, trying to figure out how to explain this was a bad place to be. Slash accidentally moved a candlestick which soon fired off a spear right at the man piercing him threw the heart along making everyone shocked at the sight.
"Holy shit!"
Nightwing stated loosing his state of mind seeing how he hadn't seen this type of brutality in a while since he left Gotham. Suddenly the television screen's turned on which showed possibly the start of the game, however the host of the escape room activity was the Riddler. Who was still mutated into a fox along wearing a steampunk.
"Well, well well. If it isn't the Bat Family, I see that you've taken interest in my little hobby of riding Gotham of true 'geniuses'. Seriously they do five escape rooms and they fucking think their Brainiac all of a sudden."
Introducing himself as they all hear the door locking as well a set of locks making sure no one could escape. Remaining still they looked at the recording seeing how they would need to listen seeing how a escape room only works if they listen to the riddle.
"Now. If you wish to possibly try and find me or the people I've captured. Allow me to give you a hint. I'm trapped in a room with minutes to spar, a wrong answer will lead to mortal despair. In a game of cheese there lives at stake, so make haste and escape with a nimble checkmate."
Giving them a riddle along rhyming as the screen shuts off as suddenly several gears begun to move along the walls. Taking away the dead body as well sending several tubes down from the walls. Batgirl and Nightwing were able to dodge it, however Batman and the others got captured. They were sound proof along unbreakable, the mechanism soon continued which showed a bronze chess master as well a table in which they had to figure out the game.
"So, Riddler's a fox now?"
Nightwing questioning Batgirl since he didn't know about the sudden change of appearance as Batgirl merely shrugged her shoulders about that detail he didn't know about. However now there was a timer as it seemed time to win the cheese game, the others trapped in the container could neither break free or talk to the others. Looking at the empty spot, Dick decided to handle it seeing how he was a expert in this field.
"Wait. Maybe we should think before acting, Riddler's become much more dangerous after his mutation as well unpredictable. So we might.."
Barbara trying to warn him about how things had changed since he left, however he was able to beat the chess robot. Which then lead to the ceiling above them soon shot out spikes as they soon slowly begun to descend.
"Ok. No need to panic, just have to figure out a way to get out of here."
Trying to stay optimistic seeing how the spikes were slowly coming down at them. The others still trapped in the containers couldn't break free with brute force or even their gadgets. Hearing the banging from the walls as well the spikes coming down on them, Dick stood up trying to focus at all this stress happening around him.
"Shit why did I come back? Whenever I tried to be a hero here I screw things up, that's why I had to leave so I could make my own choices. Yes some of them were bad but at least I wasn't the screw up."
Possibly resenting himself on how when he was Robin he would make mistakes and Batman would have to bail him out. Meaning he wanted to be his own man and be in control of his actions, but it seemed he lost it as soon he came to Gotham. The others merely watched the blue costumed man having a moment as Batgirl felt sorry for him.
"I mean just before I left Bruce told me "Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change might be". Which was from John Wooden, I mean who the hell knows that guy?"
Questioning about the quote Batman said as well making Robin shocked at how he announced his father's name. However Batman remained silent as the spikes begun to descend onto the containers as they would be pierced like the others. However during the stress, Batgirl had a moment to think about what he said.
"That's it! Riddler didn't say we needed to win to get a checkmate. But we have to get a checkmate, quick what's the best way to lose a chess match?"
Realizing what Riddler meant as she rushed over to try and lose the game. Seeing the spikes descending closer, Nightwing jammed the gears with his staffs as well several other gadgets making sure they slowed down.
"Fool's mate."
Responding to her as Batgirl knew what it meant as she decided to move several of the pieces to the right spots. The gears breaking Dick's weapons, the spikes begun to go down quicker. Doing his best to hold the spikes up without it falling onto them, the others still trapped didn't have the same luck. Barbara moving the pieces to the right spots, there was a sudden click which made the robots eyes stop glowing.
"Did it work?"
She asked as they were inches away from being crushed, the two looked at how the others container's showed cracks about they were about to burst. Taking the chance Slash soon broke free while letting out a roar as the ceiling quickly rose back up. The others opened up as both Batman and Robin walked over to see if the others were alright.
"Way to go Dick. You just announced his secret identity."
Robin telling Nightwing since under the stress of the moment Dick let his emotions got the better of him. Before they could continue the talk they heard the television screen turning on showing none other than the Riddler.
"So you escaped by spikes? Very well, but still you have three minutes before you.."
Before he could finish his sentence, Batman walked over figuring out the way out as well realizing about the whole disappearance. They soon notice the look on the screen which showed Riddler doing a live video stream so he was surprised by the sudden finish.
"You've always had a axe to grind about Gotham having to many intelligent people here. Which is why you tried to kill them, however when we entered there was no blood or even that of traps triggered. Except for the one we just saw. Meaning that the missing people weren't killed, but taken out of the game. Like Cheese, you sent them away from Gotham."
Making a deduction about the disappearances as well figuring out that Riddler would kill out of jealousy of people around him declaring themselves 'smart'. However with his sudden change in personality and being half animal, Riddler merely flared his fangs as there seemed to be a truth to that.
"Fuck alright I didn't kill them! After I got out of Arkham with good behavior as well teaching classes on solving puzzles in under a hour or thirty minutes. Then after that I met someone who got me a job here, we're going steady. So right now instead of killing them, I have the tubes you were trapped there be sent to Denver."
Explaining how he semi reformed from being a deranged killer to that of a extreme Escape Room host. Getting upset at the moment he merely shows them photos of the people he had 'captured' being sent away to Denver. They looked over to the blood stain where the dead civilian was as they turned to him seeing how he was still responsible for the death.
"I might have added a few traps. Anyway go up to the gift shop and get your official mug showing you escaped the Green Screen, eleven characters only!"
Shouting before the video cam shuts off on them, leaving the five unable to process what had happened. However with what he was doing let alone hosting games for people, this was punishment enough.
Later on a rooftop
Making their way out of the escape room and heading somewhere for them to have a personal moment with one another. Barbara was looking at the three bat members with their masks off. It was a staggering sight to see their true faces along how she didn't know that Bruce Wayne was Batman.
"Bruce Wayne. Wow, talk about your realizations. I mean you two act so different, not like in a bad way but that of he's really up going and enjoys and party and you. Well, your the Batman. And you two, really it's cool. Should I reveal my identity since we're.."
"Your James Gordon's daughter."
Batman interrupting her moment of realization as she didn't know how to respond to that statement. Confused at how he was able to deduce she was Gordon's kid, his eyes looked to Slash seeing how there was connection between them.
"Gordon always had a distinct scent of pizza mixed with sweets and meats. While also at the university there was a rumor of a redheaded girl responsible for learning about the power being made. While also about stopping his 'sewer monster'."
Deducing about how he knew Barbara was the one who stopped Riddler in the past along helping Slash get his freedom. The two merely smiled at the mention of that memory, while on the side was Nightwing who felt rather upset with himself for letting his emotions get the better of him during the escape room. Turning over to him, Batman lowered his head at his former sidekick seeing how his lessons had effected him greatly.
"I also want to say something since we're all gathered."
Informing his son and the two young adults as well the large spiked turtle. Since if it was a surprise for them to see him open up, taking a moment Bruce thought of the right words to say to the four.
"I've not been good at working with others, more or less distrusting since I always see the worse in people. You? I see potential, in being better. As well making choices that either effected others or you both physically and mentally. And with how things been, Gotham can't be looked over by one bat. It needs individuals to look after it's people, the city."
Informing them about how for years he has asked not for help or anyone to stand by his side. When it came to Dick, he helped him avenging his parents as well teaching him how the world was and needing to protect people who couldn't stand up against criminal activity. Damien, wanted to show his son that killing and the League of Shadows isn't the way to live. Lastly Barbara and Slash, two new faces that have already been involved in dangerous situations. Out of all it, they need to work together in order to get threw any obstacle that would come their way.
"A bat family?"
Slash asking and thinking of a name for them which represented them. The four looked at the turtle seeing how he was spot on with the name, while they seemed to agree on the statement. They saw the bat signal coming up into the air, meaning it was time for work.
"Then it's settled, Bat Family. And such like a family, we should see who gets there first to catch the bad guys."
Robin saying with a smile as well putting on his mask as he ran off the building and firing off his grappling hook. Seeing the young kid heading out, Batman does the same as the three looked at the dynamic duo heading out.
"If were swinging in style, your friend should have this. I designed it to withstand increase weight, might work as a grappling hook."
Nightwing telling Barbara as he pulled from the side of his belt a custom made grappling hook. Handing it to Slash, the large turtle examined it before firing it off at another building ledge. Looking worried about her friend possibly smashing into some walls, Barbara quickly chased after him as Dick still couldn't believe how much had change.
"No place like home I guess."
Suggesting that if Bruce could open up to having a team of his own protecting Gotham as well one of them being a oversize turtle. He wouldn't mind sticking around to see what could happen, pulling out his own grappling hook. He swung with the others off into the night, excited to see how much had change since he left Gotham.