Arkham Chapter 11

[b]Another one about Azumi's travels, now that we're clearing out some others since their parts are completed. This one is written by Gregzilla and The Doctor.

[center]Chapter 11: Pier Pressure[/center][/b]

Within his base of operations, a small boat he had commandeered in Gotham Harbor, Scarecrow was growing more angry by the second. Everything was falling apart around his ears.  The Penguin and Joker had been turned against him, and the TITAN had disappeared.  The only thing he had accomplished in retrieving was Tetch's mind control serum, and even that had not been apart of the original plan.  He needed to contact Ian.  As irritatingly rebellious as she was (he still believed that breaking her mind would have been the best option), she was at least competent in what she was doing, besides having been beaten by that 'Wraith'.

He had his suspicions about that, though.  Another caped crusader similar to the Batman, but one he had never heard of before, even outside of Gotham.  It was true that this person could have appeared while he was gone for those eighteen months, but there had been nary a whisper of his appearance that he could gather, and he knew rumors of a person like this Wraith traveled fast.  Either this person had been tracking him or the Collective across the worlds, and had only appeared on this one just recently, or Ian had made him up.  It was easy to think which one was more likely, but it was a theory that was not a main priority, and couldn't be acted upon just yet.

Regardless, he picked up the radio that he used to keep in contact with the soldier, and thumbed the 'on' button.

"Ian, I need a status report!"  He practically yelled into the radio.  He could at least verbally take his frustration out on her.  "Have you found any-"

Scarecrow was interrupted by another, much more smug voice, that of the Riddler, breaking in on the conversation.

[i]"And who would you be talking to, Crane?  I wasn't aware you were in contact with anyone, and you know how I love making your life difficult."[/i]

Scarecrow's voice crackled back to life.  "Be [i]quiet[i/], Nigma!  Ian, I need to know if you've found anything useful!"

Her voice came over the radio at that. [i]"From here holed up in the subway trying to scavenge for ammo and avoid a certain reptilian enemy who missed some food? I'd have to say I did, but it's things for Rikka, not for you. Oh, that's unless you mean useful information on your incompetence when faced with this kind of situation, or, even failing that, basic science. I'm thinking that how rumors are flying about how you're back from the dead, you might want to just run for the hills at this point. Seems like your style in any case. I got word about some female ninja running loose. Anything on those?"[/i]

[i]"Oh, I like her."[/i]  The Riddler once more butted in.  [i]"And everyone knows about your little run-in with Killer Croc, Crane.  Don't try to say you [b]didn't[/b] scream like an adolescent girl."[/i]  There was a thoughtful pause.  [i]"Based on some of the things she said, and it really is obvious to someone like myself, I think you're working with someone.  Who are they, and that Rikka person?  Not that I'm interesting in joining a group whose collective IQ points are still smaller than mine, I'd just like to know if there's any competition out there for me."[/i]

Scarecrow nearly audibly growled at the two's teasing, but had far too much tact to do so.  "Think of it like one of your ridiculous riddles, Nigma.  Solve it."  He ignored the Riddler for the time being, putting his full attention on Azumi.

"No, I don't know anything of any 'female ninja'.  And don't talk about [i]my[/i] incompetence, child.  You've had your own failures that I will be reporting as well."  And really, he thought, could anyone have expected [i]two[/i] Batmen?

Azumi seemed to catch Nigma's jibes, as it took her a few seconds to respond. In all likelihood, she was laughing at him, or holding it in. Finally, she did answer. [i]"What failure? My failure to spot an enemy you have yet to see, but has rumors floating around this area, and come out conscious? My failure to procure equipment for the person I actually work for? Oh, wait, no, I did both of those things. What did you do? Oh, that's right. You took some tea. Fancy that. Tea from a dwarf, but no actual allies. Who's the incompetent one, Crane? All I'm telling you is to cut your losses, considering it's highly likely that you, by this point, have the entire half of the city after your a**."[/i]

Scarecrow pounded a fist on his worktable (which unfortunately spilled and broke a beaker, only adding to his frustration).  Why couldn't he ever work with people who [i]weren't[/i] completely aggravating?  He sincerely doubted that the Joker or Penguin could take him on in a fight with his new-found Ring, but they could certainly hire a hit man to take him out from a football field's length away.  He found himself having trouble as it was with the usual competition, something he had grown unused to out on the other worlds.  It was tiring, and this venture had gained almost nothing.  Maybe it was better to 'cut his losses' as Ian had said.  No, he wouldn't be letting this failure go, nor the scorn that Azumi had given him.  Soon enough, he would have his chance at revenge on the Batman, as well as the Sergeant.

He once again picked up the radio, his voice more steady now.  Thoughts of his eventual and glorious revenge had calmed him somewhat.

"Very well, child.  I think you're advice is sound in this matter.  We would best take what we have and get out before the clown manages to kill you."  He would never admit the Joker capable of killing him, after all.  "The others would be displeased if they lost their favorite [i]pet[/i]."

A frown was probably on the other end, or at least gritted teeth. [i]"That's not particularly the term, and as you did say yourself, I am [b]theirs[/b]. Not yours. Think you have anyone coming over to... wherever it is you are? No, I'm not coming yet. Unlike you, I have this little thing called a moral fiber. And I've handled myself well enough here as it is. I'm not the one who's been proclaiming himself some kind of Grim Reaper. Comes with not having some kind of superiority complex, unlike roundabout a third of the people here at a minimum. So I'll see you later, Crane. Good luck explaining this to them after I give all I know to her. I don't lie to her, and she knows it. You, on the other hand, aren't so lucky in how you interact with her. So just go on and do your non-science. I have to see if I can get anything more for her out of this mess Strange set up here."[/i] And she cut off again.

Scarecrow scowled beneath his mask.  No, he wouldn't let her off like that.  Oh, he would easily admit to lacking 'moral fiber', easily something he cared nothing about.  But these insults would no longer be tolerated.  He once again held the button to talk into the radio, his voice was much more quiet this time.

"Now you listen to me, Ian.  Don't think that I don't know you, because I do.  I know everything about you, I know your mind more than you know it.  Don't hide anything from me, because you won't be able to keep it secret for long.  And yes, a pet is exactly what you are, especially to Rikka.  I've seen you around her, don't think I can't tell what is happening.  I've seen Stockholm syndrome a thousand times, child.  You're little crush is almost cute, but she has you broken like a [i]dog[/i].  You [i]are[/i] a pet, and that is all you will ever be."  With that, he turned off the radio, effectively cutting off any communication for the time being.

Feeling somewhat better, the Scarecrow began gathering supplies, packing them for his leave of this city.  He didn't mind leaving again, really.  He hated this place as it was, and, excepting the Batman, there were plenty of more interesting test subjects out among the worlds than here in Gotham.  He had been carefully placing his chemistry supplies in their proper places when there was the sound of feet above.  The sounds were quickly followed by a blade of some sort piercing the trap door that led into the depths of the boat, where he currently was.  The blade hacked out enough for a hand to reach down, all while the Scarecrow watched calmly, and unlocked the door from the inside.  The hand was quickly followed by a body dropping down into the hold.  It was a woman, wearing a black tightsuit and a facemask, the blade she was carrying now recognizable as a katana.  The woman prepared to charge at Scarecrow... only to be slammed against the wall, gripped tight in a yellow vice, her sword dropping to the floor as she grunted in pain.

"Just one assassin?  I would expect better of whoever sent you."  Scarecrow said, his Ring creating the vice that held the woman.  Pulling her away from the wall, Scarecrow held her up in the air, and carried her closer to the back of the boat, sitting her down in a chair, yellow ropes tying her to it.  Naturally, the construct wouldn't last forever after he left, so Crane went about tying her with actual rope, dropping the construct when she was secure.

"Now, how about we leave a message for your employer."  He said, levitating his bags to the outside of the boat on platforms of yellow light.  Retrieving a bag, Scarecrow reached in, and activated all of the bombs inside before tossing it at the ninja assassin, the bag landing soundly on her lap.  Fear toxin gas began to pour out of the bag, and as the woman inhaled as was eventually unavoidable, she began to gasp, and eventually scream as the hallucinogen took affect.

Climbing out of the boat, not bothering in any way to mask the screams coming from outside, Scarecrow took to the air, levitating himself and his bags once more with the Ring, the sound of ever-so-satisfying terror following in his wake.

=====

[i]Gotham City Police Department, Amusement Mile, Western Arkham City[/i]

As Scarecrow was exiting not pursued by a ninja, Azumi, in her ODST armor once more, was fuming. She didn't have Stockholm syndrome nearly as bad as he thought. And if so, Rikka had to have at least some degree of Lima in return, though not on the same level. She wasn't broken, she was using her, trying to get leverage, trust, trying to change her, make her better if possible, useful to even her mentor if not. Someone to turn against the others, maybe even Scarecrow himself.

She was biding her time, listening only because she had to, because if she didn't... she shuddered, and not because of the cold as she walked in. The memories of that day still haunted her every time she closed her eyes. She only slept when Rikka told her she had to, and that almost never happened, since she did manage to keep her insomnia to herself.

Enough about that. On to the present, to the man here, the one she had come to see, who she had entered through the broken door to get to. She walked in, over to the main room, the research laboratory of sorts, and saw him.

Doctor Victor Fries, expert in cryogenics. He was in his ice suit as Batman had last seen him, and had his gun in hand, aiming at her--

She raised her hands in self defense. "Doctor Fries, stop!"

He trained it. "Who sent you?"

"Nobody, but if that guy with the blue hood and cape and the red body armor who grappled out of a high window means anything, we do work for someone similar. I seem to recall you worked with Batman?"

"Yes..." he was quiet for a moment, going back to his work, hurried as he set something up. "He found my Nora. I must go to her, to see what the clown has done to her. Do not interrupt me."

Azumi sighed. "I work with him, Doctor. We both want to stop the Joker. I need something you can get me. Anything. I'll alter it if I need to."

He paused a moment. "And why should I trust your word?"

She took off her helmet at that, showing her short orange hair, her brown eyes, her breath clouding in the freezing air. She took out the communicator she had linked up, showed it to him, the black bat on the yellow background. He seemed to calm at that. It seemed enough to pacify him. "As for my name... just call me the Huntress," she said. "I'll think about giving my real name sooner or later. Why did Robin leave that way? What did you get him?" She just guessed his identity based on his armor's look, but assumed herself right.

"The cure for the clown's disease," Mr. Freeze said. "He will distribute it to Gotham General Hospital. I would have given Batman the other dose, but... Harley Quinn took it," he said, a frown on his face beneath the helmet. "A pity. You will need to find her on your own."

She scowled. "Doctor," she said, putting the helmet back on, the communicator away. "I need technology to stop him. To stop him and Strange so you can be safe with Nora and save her. Can you give something, anything?"

He reached into his suit, taking out what looked like a cylinder of metal, cold steam coming out off it. Another reached again, this time pulling another with more parts, but still the same size approximately, like a grenade. "Freeze Blast and Freeze Cluster. Freeze enemies temporarily, or make a sheet to freeze a group to the ground. Or block vents, like the ones to lead out of here." After she took them with a nod and put them on her waist magnetically along with an extra copy of each, scanning them for their schematics with her omnitool surreptitiously, he turned starting out the door. "I must go. Good luck to you." And with that, Victor Fries left.

[i]"Protocol 10 will commence in five minutes. Proceed to your stations."[/i] Professor Hugo Strange's voice, reverberating around the compound again. What was it? What was this "Protocol 10?"

Azumi shook her head. No reason to ask. She started up the stairs, the only way she could see aside from Freeze's exit, which she had taken. She needed his help, but didn't dare interfere. Plus, she needed a high vantage point. It helped a lot in these situations, and provided alternative exits on more than one occasion.

Finally, she came to the broken pipes. Two of them, spraying hot steam in her path, on opposite sides, blocking the way. She took out the Freeze Cluster, knowing that she still had the schematic nonetheless and an extra to show her primary "master", and threw it between the two. The ice exploded out, freezing both of the steam streams, and making a small column of ice in the middle. Not much, easily cut away with the machete she took out for a moment next before sheathing it. She crawled through, making it by as the two steam streams began anew, and stood. Up and out seemed the way. She walked on her way, up, opening the door and heading out. It was easy enough.

The night, while freezing, was not nearly as cold as inside, especially not with her internal heating in this armor. She walked out, looking at the ocean, at the island in the distance with the spotlights, Arkham Island, the real place of the asylum itself. She saw one of the TYGER helicopters flying, a spotlight shining on her that made her wince, though not covering her eyes. Best to know the enemy. It was then that she realized why, something aiming at her...

"Oh sh**!" Before she even thought, she jumped, dove forward with arms outstretched and empty, off of the high balcony, straight into the water below.

[i][b]BOOM![/b][/i] The explosion tore open the area she had come out through even wider, shook the building. She only heard and distant gunfire and explosions only for an instant.

The cold swallowed her.

[center][u]0 Hours to Protocol 10[/u][/center]