Chapter 58

Batman's P.O.V:

"There is only one road leading into Arkham, so our best bet is to set up spike strips to stop them from circling the whole building." I spoke.

As I gave out directions, everyone listened and followed my orders. Officers immediately broke off to do what was asked by me and some seemed almost overly eager to do so.

"We expect inmates to be trying to escape from the front and the back of the facility where the doors have just been blown off." The way I spoke held a strong authority that could not be ignored. "Joker is the most flashy and therefore will most likely be here to greet us right at the front doors with a hostage. I believe the other higher priority inmates will most likely try to escape from the back so we will need heavy forces back there as well." I turned to the commissioner. "Your forces will need to split up. I'll be sending Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin and Robin back there as well. I will stay at the front with Ivy, Harley and Ladybird."

"Oh, you haven't forgotten about me, have you?" Catwoman gracefully made her way through the crowd of officers to stand directly in front of me. "Looks like you could use this cats help." She winked at me.

Jim took this opportunity to make his way out. "Okay, officers." He cleared his throat. "Come with me to find your stationed positions."

I kept a straight face the whole time and once the officers were out of earshot, I finally turned my attention to Catwoman. "Why are you here?"

"It's always work and no play with you, isn't it?" Selina joked before answering. "A couple of birdies told me what's going on and it's been awhile since you and I had some fun like this." As she spoke, she lightly ran her hand down my chest.

"Ya made it, Selina!" Harley cut in cheerfully. "The sirens are back together again. How fun!"

"Am I correct in assuming you two are the couple of birds who tipped her off?" I looked at both Ivy and Harley.

"Guilty as charged!" Harley gave me a wide grin before turning back to Catwoman. "You're gunna help us at the front gates, yeah?"

"I would never leave my girls behind in a fight. Plus, I'm dying to see Ladybird in action." Catwoman gave a small wink to the bluenette.

"Well we better get into position. We have about three minutes." I looked over at my sons. "Keep in contact and remember..."

"No killing." All my sons answered in unison.

"Don't worry." Nightwing smiled. "I'll keep them in check." He briefly waved before all four of the boys disappeared into the shadows to move into position.

"Stay safe, Ladybird." All but Ivy and Harley could hear Robin speak up over the comms. The rest of the boys cooed at him along with Oracle before Robin continues. "The Joker is unpredictable, so keep your eyes open."

"I hear you loud and clear, Robin." Ladybird speaks up as I see her try to keep her blushing down to a minimum.

"Oh, you guys can hear each other?" Harley frowns. "What a bummer. Don't you feel left out, Red?"

"I'll keep you updated when need be." I ordered. "For now, let's get into position."

"Everything is set up and ready to go." Jim spoke as he came back from a group of officers. "Their armed men are close. We just caught sight of them on our GCPD traffic cameras."

"How many?" I asked.

"Three large white vans. Less than a minute out by now." Jim took a deep breath. "Let's do this."

"You are our first line of defense from the outward attack. Just slow them down and hit your emergency signal if you need backup. My team will work with the escapees."

"Business as usual." Jim sighed before walking off.

My crew and I made our way over Arkham's large gates to prepare for whatever may come our way. Just as all our feet touch the ground again, the loud sound of tires popping and breaks squealing sounded off from not too far down the road. Not a second later, the front doors burst open and the Joker could be seen with a doctor in a lab coat he has held at knife point as a hostage. A large group of inmates could be seen crowded behind him, cheering him on.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite caped crusader!" Joker began to laugh hysterically. "Looks like you crashed lady's night."

I can tell Ladybird felt uncomfortable as I see her stiffen when the Jokers eyes finally landed on hers. His smile became even wider when the first round of gunshots started to ring out behind us.

"Now this is a new face. Found a new one, did you Bats?" He never took his eyes off of the bluenette. "I love it when you find me new toys to play with."

"Asshole." Oracle spoke up over the comms.

"This is your one and only chance to surrender, Joker. Give up now while you have the chance." I was unfazed by his antics. Fighting could be heard from behind us and over the comms as Batman tried to talk him down.

"Why would I go and do something like that?" Joker finally turned his attention to me. "And after I went through all this trouble to set this whole shebang up? Nah. No thanks." He began to laugh again.

"I dunno why ya even try to reason with 'em." Harley rolled her eyes as she toyed with her bat. "He ain't ever gunna listen."

"Harley dear, you are correct for once." The Joker smiled menacingly at her.

"Do not call her dear, you pathetic excuse of a man." Ivy retorted.

"Oh, Ivy." Joker tightened his hold on the doctor. "How are you enjoying my sloppy seconds?" He cackled.

"Listen." Selina nimbly walked over to me and playfully leaned against me. "Not that I don't love a good cat fight, but I got something to do tonight." She sneakily slipped her hand under my cape to where no one else could see. "So, can we wrap this up?"

While all of this happened, I never broke character and kept my signature bat glare on Joker.

"Fine." The joker abruptly stopped his laughter. "What a party pooper."

Ladybird's P.O.V:

I could see that his change of attitude was a sign for a turn for the worst so I acted fast. I saw how his eyes snapped towards the doctor he held hostage and I worked at lightning fast speeds. My yoyo was set free and wrapped around the Jokers wrist in a flash. I yanked hard on my end of the yoyo, forcing the doctor to stumble free and out of his grasp.

Ivy then followed suit and vines grew around the doctor, effectively pulling them out and away from any danger.

"Plan B it is then." The Joker smiled as he swapped his knife over to his opposite hand.

This must have been a signal for the inmates behind him to start their attack because they all charged at once. The Joker was trying to cut himself free but it didn't seem to be working.

"Hey, what's this thing made out of anyways?" He followed the yoyos string back to its source. "You mind if I take this?" Joker grinned wildly as he pulled on the string too.

I was pulled towards him and I just barley dodged his knife attack that he aimed right at my face. I let my yoyo run slack so I could pull it back towards myself. Taking a brief look around, I noticed that everyone around me was engaged in a fight with at least three other people and Batman alone was dealing with over half a dozen.

"Look's like no one is here to help you fight the big bad Joker." He roared with laughter.

"It's a good thing I don't need help." I gave him an icy stare as I rapidly swung my yoyo in a circle.

"You must be the one Two Face mentioned. Ladybird, right? I thought you would be much bigger." He started to wave his knife around without care as we both slowly danced around each other, sizing the other up. "You're so... tiny." He snorted.

"Thank you, captain obvious." I spoke sarcastically.

Joker began to laugh even harder at my attitude. "A sense of humor? Oh, I like you, Ladybird. I don't think I will kill you... today." And with that final remark, he lunged at me.