Meeting the Riddler

Friday 1st May 2009, 5:30.

New Jersey,

Gotham City,

Gotham Heights.

Watching on from her position as Batman quickly dispatched the small group of criminals, Batgirl looked up to the sky in thought. Since Esau's disappearance there had been no sign of him at all, in fact, there had been no one who had seen a thing. Whoever had taken Esau was extremely skilled and had made sure to leave no witnesses that could testify against them.

It was certainly a worrying thought.

But what was even more worrying was the fact that Harley had been extremely happy to get caught, unnaturally so. She was worried about Esau, but the Joker's dirt bomb was a cause for even more concern due to the immediate threat it posed. Esau could look after himself and the fact there was no body gave her hope he was still out there, safe and sound.

The fact that Harley was captured and delivered to Arkham where Joker was held was definitely worrying, she had not revealed anything meaning the dirty bomb was still in Gotham somewhere. Barbara wouldn't be surprised if this was all some elaborate ploy by the Joker and it worried her because she couldn't figure out what his plan was. Batman's current impatience and sour mood all boiled down to the simple fact that he was in the same boat as her.

He didn't know what the Joker was planning and like most times when that was the case, a lot of people could get hurt.

"Barbara." Dicks voice sounded through the commlink.

"Yeah?"

"I looked into Arkham like you said and it turns out they had a yellow alert at 4:35." Barbara nodded her head though Dick couldn't see it. "Since then, there's been nothing and I've looked at the security cameras and everything looks fine."

"Okay, thank you for looking." However, just as Barbara went to focus on Batman who was finishing off the last two thugs, Dick spoke once more.

"I wasn't done, Barbara," Dick said amusedly, though there was also a sense of urgency when he spoke. "As I said, everything looked fine until I started to realise that the guys working at Arkham tonight as shown by the security cameras, don't work on a Friday."

There was silence as Dick allowed Barbara to truly understand what he was saying.

"Shit!" She cursed and that's when Batman landed on the roof having used a grappling hook to bring him up onto the roof she was on. "Thanks, Robin. There's a problem at Arkham." No other words needed to be said as she directed the last part at Batman, both of them quickly rushed towards Arkham while Batman called for the Batmobile.

-X-

Friday 1st May 2009, 5:40.

New Jersey,

Gotham City,

Arkham Asylum.

"Firefly. Killer Moth. Maxie Zeus." King Shark listed as he looked at the names listed on the side of the wooden containers.

A little ways away, Esau was looking at a few other nameless crates, each of them containing a few knives and guns, but not much else. Even then, he still had to question why they had them locked away here instead of in a more secure location.

"Never heard of any of these tools." King Shark muttered.

Looking over when he heard a thud, Esau saw Killer Frost looking into one crate she had opened with a look of childlike excitement on her face. "Mr Freeze's gun. Score~"

She attempted to pick it up only for it to prove too heavy for her.

Snorting as she dropped it, he just watched in amusement as King Shark moved forwards to pick it up easily with one hand. Frost watched and then took it when he presented it to her, it was almost child-like in her action. She struggled again but eventually managed to alter her stance enough to be able to hold it comfortably, yet it was an awkward stance that would eventually cause serious damage.

It was amusing nonetheless.

"Raise your back a bit more and shift your back foot to the left just slightly," Esau suggested and both King Shark and Frost looked at him.

Taking his words of advice on board, Frost did as he said and found herself able to lift it a bit higher and hold it more comfortably.

It wasn't much as it was still extremely heavy, but it was certainly easier.

"Looks like shark boys got a crush," Esau said as he moved to look down at the rest of Mr Freeze's equipment. It was all broken apart to ensure that it couldn't be used and while he couldn't even begin to imagine how to build it, he couldn't help but marvel at the technology itself.

"Jealous?" Crystal teased as she rested the weapon against the crate to give her arms some rest.

Shaking his head, Esau went to answer only for them both to see a cable pierce the ground.

Looking up they saw Batman coming towards them and Esau quickly pushed Frost to one side and raised both hands up into the air just as Batman's foot struck it. Even so, he was knocked back a little though his footing remained strong, Esau slowly lowered his guard to see Frost being kicked to the ground by Batman before said man came after him.

Quickly, Esau parried Batman's first attacks, catching the last two punches in both hands and making sure to keep hold. Tensing his muscles and making sure his footing was correct, Esau pushed against Batman, edging out his superior strength over the caped crusader.

"I'm not going to fight you," Esau said only for Batman to shift his back foot and flip Esau away and into a pile of crates.

It was at that time that King Shark appeared only to have his charge stopped by a double-footed stomp to his back from Batgirl who had dropped from the rafters. Batman used this opportunity to land a number of blows to King Shark's midsection forcing the supervillain to move back slightly, his footing unsteady.

Batgirl on the other hand had already vacated her position on King Shark's head and flipped through the air while simultaneously throwing a number of Batarangs at Deadshot. The number of them as well as still reeling from their sudden appearance meant that Deadshot only managed to destroy all but one. That final one came dangerously close to hitting him and would have, had it not been for him raising his hands up and sacrificing one of his wrist-mounted guns.

Landing on the rafters, Batgirl quickly came under assault from Black Spider who was overwhelming her with his superior strength. The two exchanged a number of blows, Batgirl scrambling backwards and reeling from Black Spiders' assault. The skill he was displaying was on a level just slightly above her own, his greater physical strength and her being off balance meant that she was on the back foot.

That was until a boomerang slammed into the side of his head and stalled him long enough for Batgirl to kick him off the rafters where he slammed into a pile of wooden boxes that caved under his weight.

Batman meanwhile was already dodging a number of King Shark's wild punches until out of the corner of his eye he noticed Killer Frost aiming Mr Freeze's gun at him that while not fully built, was still ready to fire as a result of channelling her own powers through it.

Diving to one side, he avoided the beam that struck King Shark's head freezing it while also throwing a Batarang at Killer Frost's feet that upon exploding, flung her backwards to land beside Esau. The blonde vigilante remained where he was as he watched Batman fire his grappling hook at Captain Boomerang who was throwing his weapons at Barbara which the young hero was dodging masterfully.

The grappling hook wrapped around Captain Boomerangs' wrist who looked at it dumbly only to be pulled directly towards Batman. As he did so, Batman also threw one punch forwards that collided with the villain's face.

Having seen enough, Esau turned on his heel and left the warehouse, Killer Frost taking a moment to see the Suicide Squad taking on Batman and Batgirl, choosing to follow him.

-X-

Friday 1st May 2009, 6:00.

New Jersey,

Gotham City,

Arkham Asylum.

Things were silent for a while as they moved stealthily through the corridors of Arkham, making sure to keep out of sight of any security cameras as well as avoiding guard patrols. It made their journey a lot longer than Esau would have liked, but they eventually got to their location, he didn't want guards to know his exact location and prepare for him.

Peaking his head out from around the corridor, he took note of the number of guards. 'Five guards, with what looks to be two in the security room.' As his mind formulated a plan, Killer Frost was also looking around the room.

"So, what's the plan here, lover boy?" She asked.

"Don't call me that," Esau replied before becoming more serious. "You wait here while I break into the security room, then on my mark take out the guards quickly and quietly. Don't let any of them get to their radios."

Humming, Frost nodded her head in agreement.

Rushing forwards, Esau carefully moved around the outside of the prison section, making sure to keep out of sight of all the guards as he closed in on the security room of this wing. Eventually, he got there and he braced up against the door, looking through the small window to see that he was wrong. There were five guards and not two in the security room.

'Either way, it makes no difference.' He just hoped that Killer Frost would stop the rest of the guards before they could call for backup.

Slowly, Esau turned the door handle and gently pushed the door wide enough for him to slip inside.

Closing it behind him, Esau crouched down behind an empty desk and peeked out over the tops to reaffirm their positions.

Two were sat at the far end looking over the security monitors.

One was by the coffee machine.

Another sat at a desk on the left-hand side facing away from him while talking on the phone.

The final guy, however, was looking out the window, overlooking the prisoners.

Moving quickly, Esau grabbed hold of the guard by the coffee machine, stabbing him in the neck while covering his mouth to silence any sound he made.

Gently, he dragged him back behind a desk before placing him down.

Again he peaked over to see that no one had noticed, whether that would change was up for debate.

Either way, he had his next target as the guy on the phone put it down and began talking to the guard looking out the window. "Sir, there's been reports of fighting in the warehouse." He informed and Esau cursed internally when the lead guard turned around to answer.

"I see, have you contacted the head of security and the warden?"

"I have with the warden, sir. But," he paused. "But I haven't been able to get through to the head of security."

"Hmm." The lead guard hummed and then looked over the room, his eyes stopping at the sight of the full coffee mug laid innocently by the coffee machine. "Where's Mathew?" Knowing that now was the best chance to attack as they were unarmed, Esau stood up, pistol raised and with four quick shots killed them all.

There was a shout from outside and Esau could see the guards and a number of prisoners looking in his direction. However, before the guards could do anything they were engulfed in a wave of blue mist that instantly froze them.

Sparing a nod to Killer Frost who stepped into view, Esau moved forwards to look over the control panel.

It took him a few moments to figure out which button to press before he eventually found the one that opened the Riddler's cell.

Moving out, Esau stood beside Frost as they looked at Riddler who in turn looked up at them, with a smile on his face. "Do you want to do the honours or shall I?" Frost asked as her hand morphed into a blade bade entirely of ice.

"I see I am not the only one dear Mrs Waller has forced into her schemes." Edward bemoaned theatrically as he took in the sight of Gotham's new vigilante Black Hood and known supervillain, Killer Frost. It really only came down to one conclusion that made sense, they were in a situation he too had been in and didn't that make things interesting?

While curious as to how the Riddler figured it out, Esau didn't care nor have time to deal with his riddles. "Shut your mouth Riddler. I don't have the time nor do I desire to listen to you talk." Esau stalked forwards, intent on ending the Riddler and getting out of Arkham and ending the whole ordeal as soon as possible.

Edward realised this and quickly waved his arms rapidly. "Wait!" He cried desperately. "I can help you! The bombs in your neck, I know how to get rid of them."

This got Esau to pause as he looked to Frost, she in turn just shrugging. "Talk," Esau demanded. "And not in any of your stupid riddles."

"Fine." Edward pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest like a child. "Ruin my fun."

"Tell us what we want to know and I won't freeze your balls off." Frost threatened as she placed one hand on the wall covering the room in a thick frost. The temperature in the cell became noticeably colder forcing the Riddler to start shivering as his breath became cloudy.

"I need to get to the medical bay and I can help you remove them. I won't tell you how as you'll probably kill me then do it."

"And what's to stop us from killing you afterwards?" Frost asked which seemed to cause Edward to pause

"Ah, well." Chuckling nervously, he looked to Esau imploringly as he realised Frost was very serious and faltered when he saw the hard gaze directed at him by Black Hood. "Think of it as a transaction, you get something and I get something. You get those bombs out of your neck and I get to live."

There was silence for a few moments. "You'll go back to your cell after this is done. If not, I'll find you and kill you." Esau explained and while his lips did start to twist into a scowl, Edward accepted with a nod of his head. Though both knew it was a lie, it was a risk that Edward would have to take, because otherwise, he would die anyway.

Moving forwards, Esau grabbed hold of Edward by his uniform and dragged him out of the cell, Frost following behind.