Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights to Batman and the many aspects of his mythos belong to DC Comics. This is just a one-shot story. This is the only chapter.
| GOTHAM UNIVERSITY |
SMASH! As the glass window shattered, Batman stood up with suspicion, wiping the shards off. CLANK CLANK CLANK. "Sounds like vials being clumped together, Sir." Alfred radioed through Batman's ear piece. "Agreed. The anonymous tip the GCPD received might have been correct", Batman replied. "Alfred, locate the source of the sound". "Already am Sir...Ah, it seems that the racket is coming from Laboratory C. In the South Wing". Alfred informed.
As Batman approached Laboratory C, he heard a faint giggle. He opened the door to find knocked over vials and beakers. "The GCPD's tip said that Bane was going to be at Gotham University, looking for supplies. What are you thinking?". "I'm thinking, it may not have been Bane. But someone else...". "Someone else, Sir?" Batman observes a trail of spilled Chemicals that lead to a dark corner. "Someone still in this room". Batman said loudly, letting the meddler know that he knew he was there. "Hmmm. Guess you're smarter than I thought." A mysterious voice echoed form the shadows. A Joker-like figure stepped out of the shadows, with his teeth locked in a smile. "You aren't The Joker, so who are you". Batman cried with a stern tone. The man takes off his hat. "Why, I'm The Jester!". Batman squints. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing dressing as The Joker, kid. You're going to get yourself killed". Jester's smile faded. "I'm NOT dressing as The Joker. I'm Me. THE JESTER! Jester exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. "Go home, kid. And return the chemicals you stole". "NEVER!". Jester tossed acid at the open portion of Batman's cowl. "Argh" Batman grunted, covering his face with his cape. Batman attempts to subdue Jester but the time he looked back, Jester was gone.
| THE BATCAVE |
"It was sloppy, Alfred". Batman explained while removing his cape and cowl. "The cowl was reading how nervous he was. I should have known he'd try to escape. He's dangerous, Alfred, and I need to stop him. Before he does anything crazy". An unmasked Batman walks into a chamber to change. "He's young, scared and looking for attention". Batman echoed from the chamber. On the other side of the chamber, Bruce Wayne walks out, covered in cuts and bruises. "I wouldn't get too comfortable, Master Bruce. James Gordon seems to be looking for your help". Alfred exclaims, showing camera footage of the Bat-Signal.
| GCPD BUILDING ROOF |
As Gordon attempts to light a cigarette, the flame is blown out by a gush of wind and the sound of leather hitting the surface. "You'd might as well show yourself, I know your here". Gordon cries. A dark figure clad in black emerges from the shadows. "Why am I here?". Gordon hands Batman a case file. "The Riddler." Batman states. "Maybe, but he seems on-edge. I think he might have finally lost it. He's carving numbers onto his victims. The boys think they might be coordinat-". "They are." Batman interrupts. "Look at the commas and hyphens. And I'm betting he wants me to know this". Batman exclaims. "Are these all of his victims?" "Yes. There haven't been anymore for the last 3 days". Gordon states. Gordon looks at the city. "What happened to this place? It used to be so...Normal...Right, Batman?". Gordon turns around to see Batman gone. "Saw that coming...". Gordon murmured.
| THE BATCAVE |
"My word...", Alfred whispers, observing the photos of The Riddler's victims. "Alfred, see if you can try and match the numbers in the victims' bodies to any coordinates", Batman says. "Certainly, Sir". Alfred Replies. "WHOA! What the hell is that!?" Nightwing exclaims jumping out of the shadows. "I was hoping to surprise you bu-" "I knew you were here", Batman says. "Of course you did". Nightwing sighs. "Uh, again...What is this...?", Nightwing asks warily. "The Riddler has started carving numbers into his victims. Alfred and I think they're coordinates. "Sir, I've got a hit!", Alfred informs Batman. "The old abandoned Monarch Playing Card company building.". "Abandoned, why do crazy lunatic nut-jobs always pick the creepiest hideouts". "Mark in on my map". Batman tells Alfred. "I already have, Sir". Alfred responds. "Well, let's go!" Nightwing exclaims. "No, you're needed in Blüdhaven". Batman answers. "Fine..." Nighwing sighs as Batman drives off.
| GOTHAM - OUTSIDE MONARCH PLAYING CARD FACTORY |
"If our coordinates are correct, then here is where The Riddler is hiding", Alfred informs Batman over his radio comms. Batman glides over to the roof of the building, with his cape flattering in the wind. A loud gush of wind fills the air as Batman lands on the building. "Okay, Sir. There should be a ventilation duct east to your current location. You can use that to enter the building". Alfred tells Batman. "Noted", Batman replies.
| MONARCH PLAYING CARD FACTORY |
As a ventilation grate is dropped from above, Batman descends down to the factory floor. As Batman's boots hit the ground, a giant wide-screen monitor turns on. "Ahhh, Batman. You finally found me. Or where I was". Riddler says through the monitor. "It wasn't hard, considering the stench you leave behind!", Nightwing exclaimed as he leaped from the ceiling. "I told you to stay out of this", Batman tells Nightwing. "Yeah, but...Since when did I ever listen to you?". Nightwing replies with a smirk. "So, you bought your lackey with you, huh? No matter, you'll need the help with what I've got in store for you" Riddler announces. "I am NOT a lackey, old man!". Nightwing replies frustrated. "We're NOT going to play your games, Nigma!", Batman exclaims. "Oh, but you have no choice. You either play along, or these people are going to have one shocking night!", Riddler threatens as he reveals hostages strapped to electric chairs behind rotating metal doors. "Ta-Ta, Batman!", Riddler says as the monitor turns static. "So I guess we just have to time it right and we can free the hostages by jumping into the door ways". Nightwing suggests. "No, knowing the Riddler, he's cheating somehow". Batman remarks as he switches on his Detective Vision. "The floor under below the chairs is electrified". Batman states as he sees electrical currents moving through the floor. "So how are we supposed to save them?", Nightwing asks. "Alfred, could you cut the power to the entire building?", Batman suggests. "I'm trying, Sir. Riddler has locked me out". Alfred responds. "Nightwing, see if you can find a junction box anywhere, I'm going to see where the currents are resonating from and try to stop them there", Batman orders. "Got it", Nightwing replies searching for any junction boxes.
| MONARCH PLAYING CARD FACTORY BASEMENT |
"Alfred, I found a generator. I'll use my EMP gun to shut it off". "Sounds like a plan, Sir". Alfred agrees. Batman pulls out several pieces of tech and attaches them to each other. JROOM. JRRMMM. "Batman, did you do something? The current is gone!", Nightwing informs Batman over his comms.
| MONARCH PLAYING CARD FACTORY FLOOR |
"You're safe now", Batman tells the hostages as He and Nightwing transport them to safety. "Th-Thank you, Batman." A hostage mutters. "Penny 1, call Gordon and the GCPD. We've got the hostages".
| GOTHAM - OUTSIDE MONARCH PLAYING CARD FACTORY |
"Well, looks like we did it". Nighwing says tiredly. "We have rescued the hostages, but The Riddler is still out there", Batman replies. "Yeah, of course...I know", Nightwing replies while yawning. "I've also got this Jester kid to deal with, he's dangerous". Batman continues. "We'll get him, we always get them". Nightwing explains. "Let's go", Batman tells Nightwing as they both enter The Batmobile. "Where are we going now?" Nightwing questions. "Home". Batman replies.
END OF CHAPTER ONE
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Batman: The Question of The Knight
Short StoryWhat happens when The Riddler officially loses his mind and the a Joker-Wannabe calling himself, The Jester, surfaces? Well, Isn't that the Question of The Night?
