CHAPTER FIVE: TRAILING THROUGH THE ISLAND OF THE DAMNED

—🦇—

INTENSIVE TREATMENT — GUARD
LOCKER ROOM

Batman and Batwoman have retraced their steps and are back inside the Intensive Treatment where they had first left off. The pair then enters the guard room and sees a bloody massacre, with some Arkham Guards lying bloody on the dirty tile floor, filled with bullet holes.

"Oracle, we've reached the holding cells," Bruce informed.

"Is my father there?" Barbara asked.

"Negative. All that's left behind, unfortunately, are the dead bodies of the Arkham Guards."

"Oh, no. We're too late." Barbara said voice panicked.

"Maybe not..." Batwoman retorted and walked over to a computer terminal in the far corner of the guard room.

"We can check the security systems via a keycard that one of the Arkham guards has on them," Batwoman explained.

Batman nodded in agreement and went over to search the nearby body of an officer's rotting corpse, finding the keycard on his belt. Batman takes it as he goes over to the computer terminals and hands it to Batwoman.

"You're a genius, Quinn. Now you can just slide the card over the reader and input the guard's PIN." Oracle complimented trying to break the ice between her and Harleen.

Harleen didn't respond giving Barbara the silent treatment and just stared at the computer screen as the mood in the guard room was getting quickly uncomfortable. Barbara coughed awkwardly and spoke.

"Well then. I'll, uh, access one of the Wayne Enterprise satellites and get an aerial view of Arkham Island."

"Yeah, you go ahead and do that," Batwoman commented and kept watch for the security footage on the computer terminal.

Barbara uses her tech skills and types away on her keyboard like some musical instrument, hacking like crazy.

"Look Harleen we're going have to talk about what happened earlier eventually," Oracle spoke.

"I'd rather not thank you," Batwoman said.

"Do you want me to say it out loud for you? Fine. If it will help you talk to me again. Harleen, I'm—"

Then the recorded security footage began playing and Batwoman cut her off. "Over there. I see them."

The Arkham security footage shows Commissioner Gordon and Dr. Hugo Strange leaving the holding cells.

"Approximately half an hour ago your father and Dr. Hugo Strange had left the holding cells," Batwoman informed.

"What? Where'd they go?" Oracle asked.

Batwoman fast-forwards the security footage and the pair sees Jim heading inside the Arkham Guards locker room with Hugo staying behind keeping a lookout.

"Strange..." Batman murmured.

"What is it?" Oracle asked.

"Strange abandoned your father for some reason, Barbara," Batwoman informed.

"That bald egotistical bastard!" Barbara said voice strained.

"Look you see that," Batman said and pointed to the far corner of the computer screen showing a shadow lurking towards Jim and Hugo.

The security footage then shows Jim going through the lockers and investigating. Not knowing that the shadow was lurking dangerously closer to Jim.

"Your father was on a mission. It looks like he was trying to dig up dirt on one Officer Boles." Batwoman commented.

"Oh, Dad. He would always tell me that Officer Boles was not good at his job and that he was dumbfounded about how Boles still had such a high position. Hmm, maybe my dad had a sneaking suspicion and wanted proof." Barbara said.

Then the scratchy security footage shows Jim being attacked from behind by Frank Boles with a blunt object and knocking out the middle-aged man.

"Officer Boles..." Batman said his voice steeped in anger.

"What's going on? Talk to me guys." Barbara said.

"Your father was blindsided by an attack from Frank Boles. It's clear to us that the Joker has him on his payroll." Batwoman spoke out.

Oracle gasped in shock upon hearing the disheartening news.

"Which would explain how the Joker was able to escape so easily from incarceration," Batwoman added.

"Where did that bastard take my father?" Barbara demanded.

Batman and Batwoman watch the security feed closely as the corrupt Officer Boles begins strapping Commissioner Gordon forcefully into a wheelchair. Then a group of Joker's henchmen storm into the room and help with escorting Jim into a cargo elevator.

"They exited the Intensive Treatment Building from the Arkham West entrance," Batman informed the genius redhead.

"Roger that. Stand by. While I go and check the satellite feeds." Barbara said.

The genius redhead typed away on her high-tech keyboard and brought up the Arkham Security footage on her end. Barbara zooms in enhancing the image and sees Frank accompanied by Joker's henchmen as they forcefully wheel her father into another gothic building named the Medical Facility on the Arkham West side of the island.

"Oh, my God..." Oracle said and covered her mouth shocked from seeing the bad state her father was currently in.

"What's the matter, Barbara?" Batman asked.

"T-Those animals beat my father and strapped him into a wheelchair. They took him to the Medical Facility... B-Bruce, I-If they god forbid paralyzed him I don't what I would do..." Barbara spoke her voice shaken up.

The redhead choked on her words and cried on the intercom line as seeing her father in that state brought back violent vivid images of her on that one bad day. Batwoman's eyes softened upon hearing the tearful words coming out of Barbara and too shed a few tears under her bat cowl. Batman on the other hand clenched his fists in anger as he too saw the security footage. Jim was more than just family to the Waynes. He is a father figure, mentor, and most importantly a trusted friend to Bruce and Harleen. Many of Batman and Batwoman's rouge gallery knew where the line was drawn as it is heavily implied that you never go after the duo's loved ones but most importantly never go after Jim, his wife Sarah, and their trusted loyal butler Alfred unless you want Batman and Batwoman to start killing again. Many respected that and dared not cross that line but for the Joker and Punchline, it didn't matter to them one bit. For them, it was just a game, and as the months and years passed this little game of ours as the Joker would phrase it would get very personal and violent.

Batwoman puts a finger up to her Bat Cowl and speaks somberly. "Oracle, we'll find you father. I promise you we will make them pay for hurting him."

Barbara sniffed and the hot tears streaming down her face. "I know you will. It's just hard to watch that you know. Especially when you can't do anything about it." Barbara spoke referring to herself and her day-to-day struggles as a paralytic.

"You're so strong, Barbara. Even stronger than us. You just don't know it yet. But when you eventually do you will feel and be invincible." Batwoman spoke words of encouragement.

"Thank you, Harls... So does that mean you forgive me?"

Batwoman smiled and nodded in agreement. "Well, of course, Babs. I forgive you. I know you didn't mean it and were just upset at yourself. We're like sisters as we might fight or on occasion get on each other's nerves but eventually, we will be there to help each other when they desperately need it."

Barbara smiled brightly her mood shifted speaking hopeful. "Agreed. Now let's go rescue my father and kick some candy clown ass."

Then Batwoman's gauntlet beeps alerting her and she brings up a holographic display that's on her gauntlet as only she can see through her white lenses.

"Batwoman, are you there?"

"Yes, I'm here, Reene. What's wrong?"

"We tried to heed your advice and leave the Intensive Treatment. But some of Joker's henchmen had ambushed us."

"Are you two okay?"

"Yes, a little banged up as I was able to fire a couple of rounds and wound them. But now I'm trapped here in the room with my girlfriend with no way out."

"Where are you two at?"

"In the lobby. Please hurry, Batwoman. I don't know how much longer we can hold on."

"We'll be there soon. Just lay low for the meantime." Batwoman said and hung up the call.

"I've marked the room on your map and the fastest route to the Intensive Treatment Lobby is through the cargo elevator."

"Thank you, Barbara. We'll go rescue them first and then your father."

"Okay, be careful you two."

Batman and Batwoman began walking in the direction of the cargo elevator which leads up to the Intensive Treatment Lobby.

"Uh, uh, uh, Bat-Lovers..." Punchline voiced out in a cute but also creepy voice.

They are stopped in their tracks by Joker's main squeeze Punchline as she seductively poses on the counterweight of the cargo elevator.

"Punchline..." Batwoman growled as her hands clenched into fists angrily.

"Well, duh, who else were you expecting? Maybe Catwoman?" Punchline mocked and giggled.

"And to my dang surprise look who's still alive and kicking? How are you both feeling? Pretty shitty am I right?" Punchline added in a humorous teasing voice.

"Like I would ever be forgetting what you did to me and my man any time soon. I want a rematch, Alexis. So why don't you take your ass down here and try to finish the job this time around?" Batwoman provoked.

Punchline grinned and spoke cheerfully. "Sounds tempting, Bat-Slut. But no dice. You see Joker and I don't want you to rescue those Goody Two-Shoes just yet. We want them to suffer just a little while longer."

Punchline then pulled out a small detonator from behind her back and grinned evilly. She pushed the big red button and a loud explosion was heard followed by the instantaneous collapse of the cargo elevator. Punchline giggled as she was hoisted up and held on to the cable ropes while looking down at the duo one last time.

"Get down!"

Batman and Batwoman were on quick alert as they dodged for cover. Sparks flew across the room as the heroes used their capes to shield themselves from harm.

"How do you like them apples, Bat-Losers? You two are trapped down there with no way of following us now. Till J and I are ready for you. Ha. Ha. Ha," Punchline mocked.

"Looks like we'll have to do this the old-fashioned way," Batman spoke out.

The bat-theme crime-fighting heroes aim their bat grapples at the ceiling and one by one the duo carefully ascends toward the top floor of the Intensive Treatment. A group of about ten Joker Henchmen looms over an undead Arkham guard and they start taunting.

"These guards didn't put up much of a fight, huh, guys."

"Joker and Punchline were so right. This is too damn easy."

"Hey, look! It's the Bats!"

Batman and Batwoman efficiently take out the group of crazed goons without a scratch. Then the duo received an incoming call from Oracle.

"Hey, how's the rescue coming along? Any signs of Renee and Ellen yet?" Oracle asked.

"Negative. But we're getting close. Punchline tried to slow us down and dropped an elevator onto us." Batman informed.

"Did it work?"

Batman made an amused noise. "Of course not. I'll get back to you when I finish rescuing them."

The pair noticed the cell block doors were locked and took another route inside the Intensive Treatment Lobby using the complex narrow vents to eventually get to their destination.

"Detective Montoya and Sergeant Yin are in my sights. They're barricaded in a small room trapped while armed men are patrolling the lobby." Batman informed while perched on a nearby gargoyle.

"Go ahead and hide, Bitches! You can't stay in there forever! Eventually, one of you will slip up and meet your maker!" A Joker henchman hollered in a threatening voice.

"Yeah, what he said. So just come out from your hiding place already, Pretty Ladies. We promise you that it will all be quick and easy... well for the most part. See I like it nice and slow as it makes it feel more intimate you know." Arkham Guard #2 commented while other Joker's henchmen around him snickered and laughed humorously.

"They certainly seem quite the arrogant and confident SOB's for a bunch of low-life scum." Batwoman sneered disgusted by the Joker's gang of depraved men.

"That's all a facade. Every criminal is the same in every which way. They will always be by nature superstitious and cowardly. That's why we use tactics such as these to impose great deals of fear onto them." Batman spoke sounding very wise.

"Yeah, I reckon you're right, Handsome. Now let's go and teach these punks who's boss around these parts." Batwoman said doing her very best southern accent.

The couple then swarm effortlessly through the dimly lit room while taking out the thugs in quick order as their shadows smoothly blend into the grungy environment.

"Well, looky here. It's the Flying Rodents. You two took down my men without breaking a sweat. Bravo to finishing round one. Now let's see you try and get out of this one." Joker exclaimed humorously over the Arkham intercoms.

Then green toxic mist begins to fill the Intensive Treatment Lobby as uncontrollable laughter is heard from some of the Joker's henchmen who are still half conscious.

"Ugh...He left us here. That s-son of a
b-bitch...HAHAHA."

Batman and Batwoman quickly put on their gas masks and observe the scary scene unfolding in front of them.

"How the hell did the Joker get his toxin on the island?" Renee asked bewildered.

"I don't know but he has his ways. Now stay in the room and don't come out till we clear the room of the poison." Batman said sternly.

"Copy that, Batman."

"An extraction system should be around here somewhere," Batwoman wondered out loud while scanning the surrounding area.

"Over there, Harley." Batman pointed out with his gloved hand.

Batwoman took out a Batarang from her utility belt and threw the weapon perfectly aimed at the extraction system. Within minutes the toxic green mist was expelled out of the Intensive Treatment lobby via a couple of large industrial metal fans.

"Attention. Air purity is now at 100 percent."

"We're over here," An Arkham personnel exclaimed while waving her hands in the air.

The cape crusaders then glided down to the floor in front of the small group of surviving Arkham Guards and Orderly. Sargent Yin was now all bandaged up and slowly getting better while holding onto her girlfriend Detective Montoya.

"How is she doing?" Batwoman asked.

"Much better thankfully," Renee answered and placed a small kiss on her girlfriend's temple. "Hate to admit it but I thought I had lost her there for a second."

Batwoman nodded and spoke. "Yes, a close one for sure. How did Joker know where to find you two anyway?"

"What do you think? He has his eyes all over this facility and there is no place for us to hide safely anymore." Renee responded.

"For now that is," Batwoman spoke.

"What do you mean?"

"Commissioner Gordon was ambushed earlier in the night and abducted by Punchline and her men. They are now en route to the Medical Facility as we speak. We plan on freeing Jim from those animals soon enough and taking back Arkham." Batman spoke.

"And we'll start that with the Medical Facility," Harley said confidently and began to lay out their plan. "So all of you lay low in the utility corridor for the meantime and try to stick together. We'll then give Detective Montoya the all-clear and you can all head on over to the Medical Facility safely. Now does anyone have any questions?"

"No Ma'am. We're all set." An Arkham guard spoke.

"Good. Now let's take back what is ours and show Joker what we're made of." Batwoman inspired and the Arkham personnel cheered in encouragement.

The intercom chimes and evil laughter echoes out. "Oh, how sweet. Those morons honestly believe that they can stand a chance of defeating me. I'm the Clown Prince Of Crime damnit and I will not be insulted. Punchy please release the test subject."

"You've got it, Mr. J."

In an instant, the ground began to shake and crack as loud rumblings flowed which were coming from outside the Arkham Courtyard.

"Everyone stay back!" Batman warned and spread his arms out while trying to keep himself balanced.

Batwoman took out her Batarang and aimed it at the iron front door of the Intensive Treatment and glared prepared to fight whatever was coming through. The front door was kicked open as it flew off its judges and into the frame walked slowly two enormous muscular creatures.

"Ooo, he's so big. I love my Christmas present." Joker said excitedly.

Renee's hazel eyes widen in shock and horror. "Por Dios. Que Es Eso?"

"I don't know. It looks mutated at first glance. But that doesn't matter at the moment." Batman answered and backed away defensively.

"Everyone run to safety and hide now," Batwoman ordered and the small group obliged as they ran for cover. "What do we do now, Batman?"

"We try to stay alive and keep them on their toes. I don't even know if these creatures have any weak points." Batman answered while quickly dodging a charging monster.

Batwoman used some gadgets from her utility belt but it did no damage as she dodged effortlessly a powerful attack from the other rage-fueled monster but was then blindsided and smacked from behind by a dead body that the monster had chucked in her direction.

"Batwoman!" Batman exclaimed.

"Oh, that must be quite the killer, huh, Bats. I hope that you and your partner have some fun with my monsters. You two will probably not make it out of there in one piece as It's a shame too because you won't be able to see what I've got cooked up for this city. But hey think of it on the bright side while you two are six feet under Uncle Joler and Punchy will be taking good care of this city for you in the meantime. I promise scouts honor." Joker said and signed off.

Batman was distracted too and was then blasted a few feet away and out into the Arkham Courtyard as the mutated monster clapped his hands together which created a massive shockwave. Rain droplets were still falling from the cloudy night sky and onto the pavement below. Batwoman groaned in pain as she was tossed aside next to Batman like nothing. Blood dripped from his chin as he glared at the two mutated abominations.

The monsters raised their fist into the air and were about to land the killing blow when they were then stopped by the blinding lights of the Batmobile.

Batman smirked and spoke into a small device that he was holding close to his bloodied mouth. "Batmobile. Activate defensive measures. Codeword MARTHA."

"Defense mode active. Good evening Mr. Wayne."

Then in an instant, the Batmobile shifted into a tank as its weapons were aimed at the two mutated monsters. One of the monsters tried to charge at the armored tank but was met with an explosive blast and was launched into a nearby weak brick wall. The other creature roared angrily and grabbed the nearby Batcycle as it lifted it into the air. But it didn't get to throw the small vehicle at them as the Batmobile shot wires at the monster which attached to it and was then shocked by high voltage coming from the larger vehicle. The monster fell over onto the wet pavement and passed out.

Bruce was breathing heavily and clutched his stomach as he also glanced at his partner who was waking up. "What happened?" Harleen asked while holding her head in pain.

"We got ambushed by some mutated monsters," Bruce answered and gestured to the large muscular bodies passed out onto the floor.

"Are they dead?" Batwoman asked.

"Negative. You know I don't do that anymore."

Batwoman nodded and got back up to her feet. "I see you used the Batmobile defensive systems."

"It was the only way to beat them. I tried to use pinpoint strikes and some of my gadgets but it did little to stop them." Batman answered and leaned against the Batmobile.

"How was Joker able to accomplish this?"

"I don't know, Harley. And it scares me to think what else that clown has in store for Gotham."

"We'll stop him, Bruce. We always do." Harley said and held his hand for comfort. Bruce smiled and leaned down to kiss her when they were interrupted by a loud chime coming from their earpieces. They gave each other a knowing look and Batwoman answered.

"Yes, Oracle?"

"Hey, Batwoman. Are you busy?"

"We were minutes ago. What's up?"

"Well, I did a very detailed background check on Frank Boles. It seems he got around $800,000 deposited in his bank account from a mysterious man named Jack Valeska." Barbara informed while typing on her keyboard.

Batman and Batwoman had climbed into the Batmobile and her pointy ears perked up from hearing that.

"Jack Valeska? One of Joker's old aliases."

"Correct. It seems from his credit history that Frank was in deep and owed money to some loan sharks in Gotham."

"Which Makes him desperate enough to work for the Joker," Batman stated.

Batman then ignites the batmobile and speeds off towards the iron gates to the southwest building, medical facility. Joker's goons run up toward them and shoot multiple rounds of bullets from their assault rifles at the Batmobile. The puny bullets bounce off from the armored tank as the whole vehicle is bulletproof. Batman then targets the gates that separate the courtyards and fires powerful missiles.

The ensuing explosion shockwaves throw the punks a few feet away as the Batmobile speeds through the breach. On the courtyard is a small hedge maze. More of Joker's men come into the yard and shoot at the batmobile. Batman turns the steering wheel and drives through the hedge maze, getting fired from the top of the Intensive Treatment building.
Batmobile comes through the hedge maze, facing an armed thug in front of the Medical Facility. Batman turns the wheel and slides the side of the vehicle towards the shooting thug, henchman gets hit by the car and bounces through a window of the facility. The Batmobile comes to a full complete stop and seven armed Joker goons surround the armored tank and shoot rounds of ammo at it. Suddenly the Batmobile releases thick smoke which blinds the Joker goons as they cough uncontrollably. Then in a quick haste, one of the Joker Goons gets yanked away from the scene with a fearful cry.

"What the fuck was that?" A Joker goon exclaimed.

The Joler gang begins to panic as their heart rate rises quickly and they shoot at the thick smoke blindly.

"They're among us!" Another Joker goon exclaimed.

Batman and Batwoman move around the criminals with swift movement and blend into the shadows as they take the Joker goons out one by one.

"Where are you?!"

"We're right here!"

"Aah!"

The thick smoke clears out as Batman and Batwoman stand tall in victory while in the middle of the unconscious bodies that are lying around the courtyard.

"Hang on old friend. We're coming to save you." Bruce whispered.