Well, with Adri, Gregzilla and the Doctah having done their parts in the prologue and first chapter of AoA, it's only fair that I add in my little bit of flavor to the story.  And while I could waste your time with boring pre-story prose and potentially lengthy explanations, I'd rather not, and instead jump feet first into it.  So without any further ado, here's Chapter 2 of Ashes of Arkham.

2:  Cold Cases

Martial law.  Imposing order on the chaotic, stripping people of their civil liberties, denying them rights of due process.  People would complain about it, yes, but those complaints would be quieted, whether by force or by examples set by enforcers.  However, this wasn't some dystopic nation about to come undone by a forceful revolution.  This was an American city, riddled with crime, trying to find a new means to control those who flagrantly broke the law.  This city is Gotham City, and their new means of control is Arkham City, an open-air prison crafted from a third of the city, cordoned off from ordinary civilian life, containing hardcore criminals, the mentally ill, and petty crooks; patrolled by a security detail night and day, this was set to be the cure-all that this city needed.

How foolish they were.

Landing on top of a roof, a man kneels down.  The cooling breath of winter caresses across the bottom of his face, his breath visible against the unseen vapors of wind and air.  This was wrong, all of it.  To hold enough sway to implement such a project as Arkham City was all but unfathomable.  So many differing opinions on the legality of it alone, and not just financial support, but public support.  There was so much more to it, and he lacked a lot of information.  He needed sources.  Standing up, the moon shines down, revealing the cowl, two ears pointing straight up; the symbol, a feared creature of the night.  Without any wasted motion, he taps the right side of his cowl, around his ear.  "ALFRED, are you receiving?"

A slight delay  [i]"Indeed I am, sir.  However, there appears to be a delay of approximately 5 seconds between your contact and my own response.  I shall attempt to correct the delay whilst not in immediate contact."[/i]

"Understood, and I need you to download a topographical map of Arkham City to my suit's SSU, with real-time markers corresponding to my location and any objectives of note."

Another delay.  [i]"Sending the transmission, sir, and as a bonus, I have taken the liberty of showing areas of interest via a holographic marker viewable on the field with a certain visual filter.  Might I ask what your current course of action is regarding this ghastly experiment that they call Arkham City?"[/i]

"I don't have enough information at this point.  So I'm going to need to find some people who have a wider grasp of the situation."

[i]"Interrogations, then?  Knowing you, it involves hanging them over the edges of buildings.  In any event, I do wish you the best of hunting, Master Bruce."[/i]  With that, the connection terminates.

Batman stands there, popping open a small terminal on the inside of his left gauntlet.  Immediately, a map of the walled off section of Gotham is shown, his location marked dead center on the map.  By his estimates, his location was somewhere in the northern portion of the Industrial Section.  Although this was Gotham City, it wasn't his Gotham City.  He was a stranger here.  That's why he needed the information.  He was not going to fly blind.  Not this time.  Zooming out on the map, he notices a familiar landmark to the north.  "The GCPD Building.  More than likely, there will be a few officers there to provide me with the information that I need."

Closing the map, he extracts his grapple gun and fires off towards one of the cranes in the water.  Being pulled upward, he grips the crane and climbs up, running to the tip and firing another grapple line.  He goes towards another crane, and this time, runs towards the controller's box.  Reaching the edge, he stares ahead.  Again, he taps the right side of his cowl, but at a point lower than his radio tab.  Immediately, his cowl's lenses go into double zoom.  Turning a hidden knob, he fine-tunes the zoom.  3 times, 5 times, 10 times.  Finally, the building is in sight, but the sight of it does not bring comfort.  Instead, it brings concern.  Unnatural ice formations... more than likely the handiwork of Victor Fries.

A slight movement catches his attention, as his focus moves towards the west.  A number of rooftops are being patrolled, but their equipment and attire were not regulation GCPD.  Perhaps they were some of Freeze's henchmen?  He takes count.  3, 4, 5 troops, spread across four rooftops.  Grappling over to the nearest occupied rooftop, he grips the edge and pulls himself up,  This guard was focused on one direction only.  Probably a new recruit, sloppy.  Creeping up behind him, Batman quickly applies a sleeper, counting down from 10.  At three, the goon's arms go limp, signaling his unconsciousness.  Letting go, the limp foe drops to the rooftop.  Running off the edge, Batman goes for number two.  Holding onto the next building ledge, he listens.  This one was patrolling.  Hearing the footsteps stop right above him, he reaches into his belt and removes a bola launcher.  A few footsteps means that the guard was moving away.  He propels himself up and fires the launcher, ensnaring the goon.  Walking up to him, one quick fist to the face knocks out the enemy.

Looking over, he sees the other two rooftops.  One was just circling a rooftop, the other rooftop holding two who stand in place and pan the horizon.  He grapples over to the third rooftop edge.  Hanging upside down, he pulls out another bola for his launcher and loads it.  Waiting until he hears the footsteps, Batman reaches up and grabs the goon, pulling him down over the edge, firing the bola and trapping him against a fire escape.  Another punch to the face, and Batman is left with the bigger of the challenges here.  He pulls himself up and loads another bola, before grappling to a nearby higher roof.  He needed an advantage.  Gliding down, he lands on top of one of the goons, knocking away a weapon.  The other one quickly grabs the weapon, a pipe, and strikes the Batman's back, staggering him.  He goes for another overhead strike, only to have his arms bound up over his head.  One, two, three strikes, and he's out.

Batman stands there over his fallen foes, ignoring the throbbing pain from the pipe's impact with his back.  He knew he should contact ALFRED about the situation, but not until he figured out what the actual situation was with the GCPD building.  Looking down, he stares at the GCPD building, noticing a few guards, but those that were not associated with the GCPD, or with Fries.  For that matter, neither were any of the guards he already knocked out.  He grapples up to the roof of the GCPD.  Looking at each of the windows, he sees them sealed up by frost, and any higher-level entrances were off the table.  The only way through would be at ground level.  Three guards, each armed with assault rifles.  He had to play it safe.

Standing on one of the rails, he stares down, watching their patrols.  Waiting, he sees the first two continue their patrol, while the third moves off in another direction.  The target was chosen for him.  He follows the lone guard, watching him stop near a set of stairs to the south.  He hops off the rail there, landing on top of the guard, knocking him out instantly, making noise.  Firing his grapple gun, he goes up to a gargoyle as the other two arrive to check on their colleague.  They walk up the stairs, their breathing erratic, their hands shaking.  They could guess what was behind this.  They are left unaware as Batman lands behind them, grabbing their heads and slamming them together, knocking both out.

Leaping to the ground, he stops at the main doors.  They were frozen shut, so he needed to find another way in.  The only other option was the garage.  He presses a button nearby the garage door, and looks up when a harsh buzzing sound shows his failure to raise the door.  "The circuit above the door is lacking an electrical charge.  Perhaps there's something I could use to provide it with the energy it needs."  Reaching into his belt, he retracts one of his many Batarangs.  Flipping it open, he tosses it, putting enough force behind it to embed it between the two charge poles.  Electricity arcs through the Batarang and into the circuit, which raises the garage door, albeit slightly.  Certainly not enough for him to crouch through.  Without a second thought, he slides under the door and pushes himself back up, hearing the door shut behind him.

With that, he pauses in front of a body positioned in front of the doors leading inside.  Kneeling down, he checks for a pulse, and finds none.  Nearby, he finds a small radio attached to a belt.  Opening up the radio, he extracts a small data card.  Checking the pouches on the dead man's belt, he finds another data card, this one with the symbol of Arkham City attached to it.  Opening a pouch on the front of his belt, he deposits both of the cards.  Looking momentarily at the dead man's uniform, he can quickly surmise that this wasn't a member of the GCPD.  Wrong coloration, an unnecessary face mask... but it's the bird symbol on the vest that marks who he is associated with.  "Probably one of Penguin's thugs.  But why are they here?"  Not wanting to waste any more time, Batman enters the building.

Inside, he stands still as he hears a conversation.  "The Joker's crew are still outside, Mr. Cobblepot."  A few cracklings from the man's radio sound through in response.  Taking this time, he reaches the doorway that goes into the Forensics Lab of the GCPD.  "No problem."  Another pause.  "Understood clearly, Mr. Cobblepot."  Kneeling there, he hears the head grunt talk.  "Alright, listen up.  The boss wants this place held tight.  No one in or out.  You see one of Joker's crew, waste 'em.  Also, we need to switch radio frequencies to Puffin-Zero immediately, to make sure that no one can tap into our communications."

"Got it."

"What about Batman?  He's been seen 'round Arkham City, hasn't he?"  Getting a murmur of agreement, this single guard asks, "What if he comes here?"

Not interested in anymore drabble, Batman turns around and heads away from the Forensics Lab.  He needed to find an alternate route inside, especially considering the large numbers of heavily armed Penguin thugs that were likely inside it.  He had to play it smart.  He had to play it safe.  Walking down a hallway, he grapples up to a catwalk above.  Ahead, he notices a vent cover.  Leaping over to it, he grips the vent cover and pulls it off.  Sliding it over quietly, he enters the vent and follows it as it turns left.  Arriving at an opening above the Lab, he fires a grapple line and lands on top of one of the ledges overhead.  Looking down, he takes count.  5 goons, each armed with shotguns or assault rifles.  Problematic?  Only if he was seen.  He needed to do this quickly, and quietly.

Looking down to his right, he sees one guard, standing there.  Dropping down, he grabs the man in an underarm sleeper, holding it until the man's oxygen is cut off, knocking him unconscious.  However, he notices a small device on the man's right arm.  [i]Heart rate monitor.  Probably used to track the troops.[/i]  He rushes over to a second unknowing guard to the left and trips them, holding his hands over the guard's throat and mouth, cutting off his oxygen as well.  Firing a grapple line, he ascends to another overhead ledge, before moving to another one.  He waits on that one for barely a second before inverting himself, sliding down a line and grabbing another goon, pulling him up and dropping him, the thug's legs trapped by a wire.

He grapple over to another ledge and watches as the remaining two grunts move towards his first target.  Pulling out his Bola Launcher, he loads it and aims, just waiting for an opportune moment.  Finally, he spots it when one of the goons turns away.  Immediately, he fires the bola, binding up the turned away thug.  Just after, he glides down, planting both feet into the last person, knocking him flat on his back.  One fist to the face, which left only the bound-up thug awake and aware.  Grabbing him, Batman lifts him up.  "Information.  Now."

"I don't know...  I don't know what you want!"  The thug sweats bullets, despite it being below zero in the lab.

"What was Freeze doing here, and what is the Penguin's interest?"

Getting the glare, the mook's breathing rate increases rapidly.  "I really don't know what what the ice cube was up to, and I absolutely don't know what Penguin's interest is... but I do know that Freeze is at the Museum, over in the Bowery.  Now, don't hurt me!"

Finally, the voice on the radio comes through clearly.  "Idiot!  I'll have to cut that tongue out of your head, boy.  I don' like people tellin' tales on me."

The thug begins to hyper-ventilate.  "No!  I'm sorry, Mr. Cobblepot.  He made me tell him.  He was gonna hurt me!"

"I still am."  With that, Batman knocks out the goon and picks up the radio.  "You're next, Cobblepot."

The Penguin laughs at this.  "I'd like to see ye try, Batman.  But from where I'm sittin', I'm safe and sound.  You can try 'n get me, but I've got more 'en a few surprises for ye.  In fact, I have one startin' right now."

Batman drops the radio as he feels the vibrations and hears the loud and audible noises outside.  Moving towards the entrance to the GCPD, he sees the shutters drop down.  Immediately, he taps his cowl.  "ALFRED, are you receiving?"

The response is almost instantaneous.  [i]"Indeed, sir.  Have you acquired any more pertinent information regarding what you intend to do regarding Arkham City?"[/i]

"Nothing concrete yet, but from what I can gather, Joker and Penguin are in the midst of a turf war over who claims Arkham City as theirs.  It also appears that Freeze is now a captive of the Penguin, over at the Museum in the Bowery."

[i]"And I suppose you are going to go over there and pay the odious Mr. Cobblepot a visit, then?"[/i]

"Not quite.  He locked me inside the GCPD building.  Probably bribed a city official to get the municipal building lock codes.  I need a way to bypass these security locks."

[i]"What about Mr. Highwind's tech-hacker, sir?  Do you have it with you?"[/i]

"I do, but the data cards I have will more than likely only allow me to access outside radio frequencies."  Pulling out the device, he extracts the two data cards from his belt and inserts them.  Opening the device, he kneels down before contacting ALFRED again.  "I need you to find the municipal lock codes and download them to my suit's terminal."

[i]"Understood, sir."[/i]  The link goes silent.

Batman activates the tech-hacker, noting the holographic display and the multiple markers on the HUD.  One for the Gotham City Police at 850 horizontal and 325 vertical, another for Gotham FM Radio at 480 horizontal, 650 vertical, and two others that aren't identified, one at the top right and the other at the bottom left.  He toggles the left stick on it, watching the cursor go towards the one on the left, aligning with coordinates 125 horizontal, 200 vertical, accessing the communications of the Penguin.  Turning his attention to the other un-decoded signal, he moves the marker to coordinates 800 horizontal, 815 vertical.  He presses in the activation switch and waits.  After a few seconds, it reveals it's identity:  TYGER Security communications.  "ALFRED, I also need you to look in the databases about TYGER Security, TYGER with a 'Y'.  One of the data cards I obtained seems to access their encrypted communication channels."

[i]"Of course, but perhaps you can slow down, do one thing at a time?  I barely just got the municipal lock codes downloaded onto your terminal."[/i]  A beep notes the completed downloading.  [i]"If I may, I suggest that you find an encrypted security panel in order to use these lock codes."[/i]

"Thanks for the heads-up."  Batman looks around.  No security panel in this room.  Looking down, he spies a grate over some duct work.  He opens the grate and drops down, moving towards the other end.  Opening the grate and getting out, he sees the security panel.  Walking over to it, he once more activates the tech-hacker and attaches it to his suit's terminal, downloading the codes to his device.  Detaching it, the tech-hacker reveals seven streams of symbols, separated into two portions.  Rolling his thumbs over the sticks, a myriad of letters cross over the screen.  Inane jumbles... all he needed to do was find the right combination.  A few moments pass as the left side begins to align, as does the right, revealing the code.

[D][I][S][S] [E][C][T]

A series of three beeps signal a successful use, as does the sound of the drop shutters rising up.  Dropping back down into the ducts, he moves towards the other side, exiting the duct work and walking out the front door.

Barely a few steps out, a few more explosions rock the area near the GCPD.  Over his cowl's comm-link, he hears the communications of the Penguin.  [i]"See, I tol' you it would work.  Blow the bridges, and cut off the clown's forces.  Easy."

[i]"But Mr. Cobblepot, we're stuck too."[/i]

There is a slight pause before Cobblepot responds.  [i]"So?"[/i]

[i]"We can't get back, sir."[/i]

[i]"And your point is?"[/i]

[i]"Uh, well, sir... It's just...  You've left us over here with the Joker's crew."[/i]

[i]"Try to take some of 'em out b'fore ye die, son."[/i]  With that, Cobblepot laughs as the communication cuts off.

Immediately, another communication cuts in, this one from another source.  [i]"We have visual on the explosion.  Thermal scans show multiple detonation points.  Over."[/i]

[i]"Roger that, AT3."[/i]

A small bit of laughter fills the radio.  [i]"It appears that Mr. Cobblepot has made his move.  Leave them to it.  It will be interesting to witness how things progress as we reach Protocol 10."[/i]

[i]"Affirmative.  AT3, continue your patrol.  Out."[/i]  Overhead, a helicopter turns away from the explosions, and instead focuses on another destination.

[i]"Sir?"[/i]  ALFRED's voice cuts through the sound.  [i]"I am afraid that there is very little about this TYGER security force, save that it was chosen by Gotham's mayor as the enforcers of Arkham City, and that their forces are situated on the remnants of Arkham Isle."[/i]

"Understood.  And ALFRED, take a chance to record and analyze any broadcasts from any and all communication frequencies.  There was just a mention of something called 'Protocol 10 from the TYGER's encrypted channel.  From the sounds of things, it's nothing good."  Batman takes a few steps down the slanted driving ramp.

[i]"I shall endeavor to do my best, sir.  I will maintain radio silence until I get more pertinent information, or if you request another task on top of my already large list of things to do."[/i]  With that, the comm goes silent once again.

Reaching into his belt, Batman tosses another Shock Batarang, activating the shutter.  Running, he slides under it, emerging back in the Amusement Mile.  Looking south, he sees the smoke of a flare.  Pulling out his grapple gun, he is pulled over towards a nearby roof, looking at the flare's location:  The Krank Co. Toy factory.  On the pad in front of the doors inside stands a group of six enemies, four unarmed, two holding pipes.  He wouldn't need the Bola Launcher for this.  Unfurling his cape, he glides down, planting both feet into one of the pipe-wielding goons, forcing him into the building, stunning him.  He lands on his feet, as the other goons surround him.

Immediately, he goes to work.  One goon to his right throws a fist, which is blocked and countered with a set of five punches.  Before he can get a final blow on him, he grabs the leg of one from behind who was trying to kick him.  A quick elbow to the goon's face, followed by a tug drops him flat on his back, leaving him stunned.  He spins around, deflecting another punch and reacting with an elbow to the jaw, stunning one more.  He ducks under a swing of a pipe, grabbing the fourth unarmed man, tripping him and punching his sternum.

Turning his attention to the second pipe-wielder, Batman grabs his arm, twisting it to make him release the pipe.  After he does, Batman applies more torque, making the man flip onto the ground.  He levels a punch to the man's face, before letting go and leaping towards the refocused first pipe-wielder.  A stiff kick to the sternum is followed by slamming the back of the goon's head into the building's side, knocking him out.  He leaps towards the next in line, a roundhouse kick to the temple, providing another knockout.  Once more, one tries to kick him from behind, but he quickly turns grabbing the leg of the kicker again, and this time driving his elbow into the kneecap, breaking it.  He leaps towards another goon, with an elbow to the forehead, knocking out one more.

Moving over to the last awake unarmed goon, Batman claps the ears of his opponent, before front-flipping, extending his leg out, dropping the full force of his heel on the man's crown, registering another knockout.  Leaping over to the last goon (after the thug had picked up his pipe), he levels one last kick to the temple, this one forcing the goon's head against the building.

Batman takes a few steps back, and pops his knuckles.  Would they ever learn?  Probably not.  But this would, at the very least, be a viable deterrent in the short term.  Looking towards the double doors that lead inside, he walks towards it and opens it, entering the factory.  Just who was it that set up the flare?

Walking down the steps inside, he looks ahead towards the mammoth figure ahead.  Highly muscular, a massive machine on it's back, numerous tubes filled with green fluid.  Not many people fit that criteria.  "Bane."

The named villain turns around.  "Surprised to see me, Batman?"  The thick Spanish accent punctuates his every word.

"No, I'm not."

Bane snorts.  "Not even a little?  Even after I was wrapped against the hood of your car?"  He pauses.  "No, of course not.  You knew that it would not kill me."

"I wouldn't try to, Bane."  Batman looks up as he steps forward.  "I'm not in any mood for a fight.  What are you doing here?"

"Doctor Young's TITAN formula."  Bane growls at the mention of that drug, derived from his own Venom compound.  "That [i]payaso[/i] Joker was able to send some off Arkham Island before you stopped him."

TITAN...  "How much more was Joker able to get off the island?"

"Too much.  And that is why I am here.  I will not allow the [i]basura[/i] of this city to abuse the TITAN."  Bane's eyes glow green, as do his veins.  "Doctor Young used my Venom to create it.  It is my sworn duty to see that no more remains in their hands after tonight."

"That's almost noble of you, Bane.  Fine.  I'll help you, but I want you to understand; If you try anything, I won't hesitate to take you down.  We find TITAN containers, we destroy them.  Understood?"

The mammoth of a man chortles.  "Of course.  Each of the TITAN containers has a radio beacon built into it.  There were twelve containers inside Arkham City.  We split evenly, six each, then we meet back here."

"Six each?"  He was skeptical about this, but the looming threat of TITAN could not be ignored.  "Fine.  Just remember what I said, Bane.  Today is not a good day to lie to me."  Seeing the 9-foot tall masked and musclebound behemoth turn around, Batman likewise turns away and exits the building.

Returning back outside, he hears a hum from his cowl.  Pressing the tab, Batman listens.  "What is it, ALFRED?"

[i]"I was able to acquire some more information about Arkham City, sir.  It appears that the project was officially announced a year ago by this Gotham's current mayor, Quincy Sharp, the prior warden of Arkham Asylum."[/i]

Grappling up to a rooftop, Batman kneels down.  "Such a plan had to have had detractors."

[i]"There most certainly were those opposed to it.  Gordon was adamant that this would be a major problem, as did your parallel, sir.  Sharp explained that this area was chosen due in part to high levels of social decay and neglect, especially noting Crime Alley during this.  However, after analyzing the Mayor's psychological profile, it seems that he was merely a puppet figure."[/i]

"If that's the case, then who's the puppeteer?"

[i]"I would venture that it would be the man Sharp places as warden and the public face of the facility.  A man with a rather familiar name.  Professor Hugo Strange."[/i]

"Strange...  If he's anything like the Hugo Strange from my world, he knows that Batman and Bruce Wayne are linked."

[i]"It would appear to be so, especially after Bruce Wayne was arrested at a political rally to shut down Arkham City earlier tonight.[/i]

"So my parallel's inside Arkham City."  Batman pauses to let this information sink in.  "Any other information of note?"  He grapples north again, returning to the GCPD.

[i]"It would appear that our Clown Prince has hidden himself away, due in part to some ailment.  Could it have something to do with his injection of TITAN that you were informed of by Kira?"[/i]

Batman contemplates this.  "It's highly possible.  Venom by itself is deadly enough.  But this TITAN formula is likely to be fatal under nearly all circumstances.  And perhaps that would explain why Joker's thugs were attempting to enter the GCPD."

[i]"Sir?"[/i]

"Freeze was situated inside the GCPD's Forensics lab and given a large amount of equipment for synthesizing chemical compounds.  It was likely that Freeze was told to come up with a cure for the Joker's ailment.  I suspect that Penguin captured Freeze and took command of the GCPD, which triggered the Joker sending his thugs."

[i]"Does that change your plans, sir?"[/i]

"No.  Knowing Joker, he'd find other ways to motivate the creation of that cure.  I wouldn't be surprised if he sent samples of his blood out to hospitals outside the Arkham City walls."

[i]"In that case, you'd best not waste any more time."[/i]  The connection cuts off, leaving Batman there to think.  A radio communication comes in over his comm, but it's not from ALFRED or from TYGER.

[i]"Have ya heard?"

"About the payphone thing?  Yeah."

"Still can't believe it."

"Yeah.  Russ all carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey, just because he answered a ringing payphone."

"Who do you think did it?

"Dunno, and to be fair, I don't wanna know.  All I do know is that I'm not gonna pick one up."

"You said it."[/i]

To Batman's right, a payphone begins to ring.  Walking over to the ringing telephone, Batman picks it up, his voice tense.  He already had too many things going on, and now with the rumors he's been hearing, about people being abducted and killed after answering payphones, he was not thrilled.  "Speak."

[i]"Oh, Batman.  You sound impatient."[/i]  The voice on the other side of the line would almost seem whimsical, if it weren't for the malice that lay beneath.  [i]"That is good.  That is very good.  You'll need that to solve my little game."[/i]

He knew that voice.  He'd heard it before, back in his Gotham.  Just prior to his last case with the League, he had to track down a serial killer, who had the propensity to cut himself after each kill that he made.  "Victor Zsasz."

[i]"Yes, Batman, oh yes.  You don't know how much it means to me, to hear you to say my name."[/i]  Zsasz sighs a bit.  [i]"You may have heard that I've been providing salvation to the mindless drones lucky enough to answer my calls."[/i]

"Murdering people is hardly salvation, Zsasz."

[i]"It's all a matter of perspective, Batman.  For example, from where I'm standing, I can see three little piggies, all tied up and just waiting for me to cure them of life."[/i]  A slight pause punctuates the air.  [i]"From their perspective, I'd imagine they see things rather differently."[/i]

Batman's fist clenches.  "If you hurt them, Zsasz, I will hunt you down."

Zsasz's even and unnatural tone continues to pour through the phone.  [i]"I bet you will.  But first, a little game to pass the time.  Right now, somewhere in Arkham City, there is a phone ringing.  Yes, I know, it's a big place, but you need to find it."[/i]  His tone heightens, as if excited.  [i]"Take too long, and I kill these piggies."[/i]

Batman presses the tab underneath his left gauntlet to access his terminal, but Zsasz's voice cuts through the air, sharp as ever.

[i]"And don't try anything clever.  I had a friend help me bounce this signal through every relay from here to Bludhaven.  You will never find me.  Now, hang up that phone, and start running, Batman."[/i]

[i]"Ring, ring.  Ring, ring."[/i]  With that, the call cuts off.

Hanging up the phone, Batman immediately pressed the tab on his right cowl.  "ALFRED, I need you to show any and all payphones within Arkham City limits, along with all satellite relay stations.  I also need triangulation software ready to run when I next contact you."  He fires a grapple line and swiftly ascends to a nearby roof.

[i]"Might I inquire as to why you need all of this in such an expedited manner?"[/i]

"Zsasz has hostages.  If I can't find the next payphone he calls to, he's going to kill one of them."

[i]"Understood, sir.  Sending the data now."[i]  The new stream of information filters into his gauntlet's terminal, showing the relay stations and public payphones.  One such payphone is blinking, signaling that it is currently ringing.  [i]"It appears that your next target is due west from Crime Alley in the Park Row section."[/i]  Looking south-west, Batman sees the holo-marker.  [i]"You'd best hurry, sir."[/i]

"Understood."  Releasing the tab, Batman begins to run off the edge of the roof, releasing his cape to glide with.  Needing more speed, he focuses on the thrusters on his boots.  Recognizing the signal, his suit's SSU triggers the thrusters, providing him the speed he needed, as well as adding some height for his glide.  A minute passes, and he lands on top of a building just prior to the marker, his thrusters de-activating.  Dropping down, he picks up the phone, double tapping his comm tab to signal that ALFRED should begin the triangulation.

[i]"Did I ever tell you about my first kill, Batman?  No?"[/i]  Zsasz's voice filters through the earpiece.  [i]"As I am sure you are aware, my parents were dead and I was rich.  So rich, in fact, I could have had anything that I wanted.  But, of course, the only thing that I wanted was them back.  I now know that was impossible, of course.  Their deaths served a higher purpose.  But back then, I was young, and I had yet to experience the joy of cold steel cutting through warm flesh, of the pleasure of freshly spilled blood against my face.  I had no idea how I could save these people from the relentless misery of existence that they called 'life'."[/i]

Looking down at his terminal, Batman responds, "You should have stayed that way, Zsasz."

[/i]"Really?  Then I'll stop now.  Find another telephone, Batman.  Goodbye."[/i]  That impromptu statement by Zsasz is followed by a dial tone.

Batman hangs up the phone and tabs ALFRED.  "Any luck with the triangulation?"

[i]"I was able to get approximately 30 percent completion before he hung up.  You'll need to find another telephone, and this time, try not to antagonize him, sir."[/i]

Looking down at his terminal, Batman sees the next ringing phone.  Location?  Northeast of the Solomon Wayne Courthouse, situated by a set of apartment buildings.  He grapples up to a rooftop, before continuing northeast.  45 seconds pass before he arrives at the phone.  He picks it up, and double taps the tab, once more signaling ALFRED.

[i]"You made it.  I think I shall continue my story.  I feel the need to talk, to confess maybe."[/i]  Zsasz breathes in deeply on his side before continuing.  [i]"I was rich, and I was alone.  But not for long, of course.  I took to gambling, or perhaps it took to me.  And perhaps, just perhaps, if I were a better player, I wouldn't be where I am today.  As my life spiraled out of control, I desperately formed a plan.  A plan to win back my parents' money, and to be happy again.  It didn't work, of course.  Plans like that never do.  But, as I stood outside the Iceberg Lounge on that hot summer night...  I remember feeling something  Hope, maybe."[/i]

Zsasz pauses, taking a few deep breaths before continuing on.  [i]"The Iceberg Lounge.  A vile place, filled with the disgusting flesh of humanity.  You can acquire anything you could imagine, if you had the money for it, of course.  At the beginning of that night, I seemed to be winning.  The cards all went my way, and not long after, I was invited to the owner's table.  For some reason, I thought I would win, that he would play fair.  When I sat down at the table, I looked.  I saw the people that I was up against; card sharks, thugs, princes... and the disgusting midget who ran the place.  One by one, they all lost their chips, each folding up like a cheap piece of paper.  The piles grew, until it was just him and me."[/i]

[i]"Even back then, they called him the Penguin.  He still had both eyes, of course.  His little accident hadn't happened yet.  And on that night, both of his eyes were on my cards as I laid them down on the table.  The Six of Club, Six of Diamonds...  He leaned forward, and I could see the fear in his eyes, and smell the putrid cigar stench on his breath.  The Six of Spades... and finally, the Six of Hearts.  I felt good, so assured."[/i]  The pause that follows lasts for a few seconds.  [i]"And then... he started laughing.  Smoke belched out of his mouth as he laid his cards on the table.  And with each card revealed, my heart sank.  A three, a four, a five, a six; a damn seven!  His straight flush ended me there.  I was lost, and I thrown out into the streets, to die, penniless."[/i]

[i]"Could you imagine it, Batman?  I was numb, I lost everything, and I was alone, crying like a baby, staggering through the streets of this city, until I found the answer that I had been looking for.  I stood there on the Sprang Bridge, looking out to the distance.  I felt the warm breeze on my skin, and it felt right.  I looked down into the sea, and imagined myself falling, falling into the blissful arms of my mother.  And then, he appeared.  He held out a knife, and demanded my money."[/i]  A sudden gasp of breath punctuates Zsasz's speech.  [i]"MY MONEY!  Can you believe it?  And, as I looked into his cold, desperate eyes, I saw something familiar, something inevitable.  I saw oblivion.  I saw that we were all the same, stuck on a miserable loop that demands salvation.  So, I gave it to him."[/i]

[i]"Can you imagine the vagrant's surprise as I grabbed the knife from his hands?  It was instinctive.  It was beautiful.  In one single moment, I sliced out his throat, and gave him the gift of salvation that he needed.  It was so quick, but the sensations...  I felt every single joyous one.  The blood that sprayed onto my face, the last signs of life escaping from his eyes.  But, then it was over.  I felt lost.  Like it all had been meaningless, that no one would be able to acknowledge my sacrifice.  And then, it happened.  The tip of his knife pressed against my palm, cutting me, marking me.  This would be it.  Each mark upon me would be a sign, a cut for every person that I have shown salvation."[/i]  There is a silence on the other side of the line.  [i]"What do you think, Batman?  Shall I show you salvation next?"[/i]

"The only thing you'll see next is yourself locked in a cage, Zsasz."  With that, Batman hangs up the phone.  "ALFRED.  Did you get it?"

[i]"I did, sir.  Are you alright?"[/i]

"I'm not, ALFRED.  I'm not."  Batman takes a few deep breaths.  "Contact my traveling companion and link him to me."

[i]"Can't you take care of Zsasz yourself, sir?"[/i]

"I think I would go too far, ALFRED.  Now, contact him."  Batman's voice tenses up.  A few tones fill the silent air, before the pick-up.

[i]"Gofer Spidey, how can I direct your call?"[/i]

"There's something I need you to do for me.  Head to the northwest section of the Industrial District and look around near the loading docks.  One of the buildings there has a serial killer with three policemen as hostages."

-----

On the other side of the line, another super-hero responds, this one swinging through the air on a line of inky black goo.  "Well, you're in luck.  I'm just entering into the I.D. right now.  You said by the loading docks, right?"

[i]"Correct.  Now, you need to be careful.  You do not want to push this one.  He won't hesitate to kill, and provoking him will make him attack the hostages.  You need to stay out of sight and take care of him quickly.  Can you do that?"[/i]

"Uh, yeah.  I'm no idiot.  I know how to do stuff like this."  Spider-Man lands on top of a nearby crane.  "I have been a hero for years, so it's not really new to me."  He feels the line of goo return to his arm.  He was still trying to get used to donning a symbiote... again.  He wasn't thrilled, and he honestly wanted to get rid of it, but the thing's so... docile.  Besides, he kinda had a soft spot for the red and black coloration.  Maybe he'd do that for a regular costume down the line?  "Besides, he won't see me coming, unless he stares at ceilings."  A slight pause.  "Does he stare at ceilings?"

[i]"His focus will be on the hostages."[/i]

"Roger, roger."  Looking down, Spidey sees one particular building stand out.  Swinging over to the rooftop of that building, he lands and hops down to the doors, opening them.  Once inside, he climbs onto the wall, then the ceiling, and proceeds to crawl along it, going down a set of stairs and finding a closed off vent.  Grabbing the vent cover, he tugs three times, yanking it off.

Crawling into the vent, he turns left and holds for a moment.  He hears a voice.

"Can you feel the time approaching, little pigs?"  The sound of lips pressing against something.  "This is a glorious day for you to die on."  Laughter.

[i]Note to self, this guy's getting to Cletus levels of cuckoo.[/i]  Spidey remains on the ceiling as he crawls along it, hearing more of this man's insane rhetoric.  [i]Really getting close.  As long as he doesn't spout any garbage about chaos, then I'll be less convinced any bad hoodoo will go down.[/i]  Looking at the center of the room, at Control Room B, he sees the figure; bald, wearing limited garb and a collar... and far too many cut marks on him.  He continues to crawl, eventually reaching a walkway directly to the Control Room.  He drops down and crouches, moving towards the glass before pausing.  Standing up, he punches through the glass, grabbing the man by the shoulders and throwing him to the ground.  He stands over the man and delivers one single a punch, knocking him out.  Picking up the man, he puts him in a nearby cage.  Walking over to the policemen, he unties them.  "You three okay?"

"Yeah, thanks."  The policeman watches as this new masked man picks up a pipe.  "What are you up to?"

"Just a finishing touch."  Spidey walks over to the cage, kneels down and puts the pipe between the bars, bending them into a knot, locking the cage door shut.  "There, problem solved."  Looking back at the three officers, he stands there as they look at him.  "What?"

"Nothing.  It's just... thanks."

Spidey itches the back of his head.  "Don't mention it.  You three will be okay here?"

"Yeah.  We'll call Gordon and tell him about Zsasz's location."

"When you do, say that Batman did it, okay?  I really don't want to be put in the spotlight."  Spidey turns around, only to see Zsasz wake up.  "Wow.  Not only crazy, but also resilient."

"This is not over, it cannot be over.  My blade will bathe in the crimson rivers of blood that will pour from the holes I cut into your body.  You cannot deny me the mark."  Grabbing the bars, Zsasz presses his forehead against them.  "I need the mark.  It's all I have left."

"Haven't you trying painting instead, or crocheting?  I heard that's a lot more theraputic than serial killing."  Shooting a line of the symbiote, Spidey yanks himself back to the vent.  "And I thought New York had crazies."

Returning back outside, Spidey gets back on a rooftop.  "Hey, Bats.  Your nutcase is locked up and the cops are safe.  Do I get a cookie now?"

[i]"We'll see when this night is over with."[/i]

And with Victor Zsasz's capture, the voice of Professor Hugo Strange came over the loudspeakers.

[i]"Protocol 10 will commence in 9 hours."[/i]