Gotham City Heroes: Through The Holidays
"Have a good weekend class." Mrs. Elmira smiled as the school belle rang "And have a happy Halloween."
The fifth grade students all walked out the doors of the class room. Most of them were conversing amongst themselves, especially these three best friends
"Oh man you girls excited for Halloween tonight?" said Chloe.
Kiki nodded "Yes since this is my first Halloween in America."
"And this is my first Halloween in Gotham." said Scootaloo. Not only was this her first Halloween in Gotham, but also her first Halloween ever. She first heard of it in the beginning of October, it reminded her of Nightmare Night. She also heard of other human holidays, some of which reminded her of Equestrian holidays.
Christmas reminded her of Hearth's Warming Eve, Valentine's Day reminded her of Hearts and Hooves Day which she gagged at. There were also holidays that were nothing like holidays in Equestria. Easter, Thanksgiving, Saint Patrick's Day, New Years, and Independence Day. With New Years she's surprised Pinkie didn't think of celebrating a new year.
The three friends walked out the doors at the front of the school where parents' cars and a limo was waiting.
"See ya guys." Scootaloo said as she walked over to the limo. She got in and closed the door beside her.
"How was your day Mrs. Phillips?" Alfred said in the driver's seat.
"Pretty good." Scootaloo answered as she buckled her seatbelt. "And your's?"
Alfred shrugged "Just busy cleaning the singes off your and master Bruce's costumes from that fight with Firefly." he drove off.
Scootaloo chuckled a little, Alfred certainly knew how to be a smart alec. "Speaking of costumes did you pick up my costume for tonight?"
"If you mean your Halloween costume instead of your crime fighting one then yes." he said as ha handed her the costume.
"Thanks Alfred." Scootaloo took the costume. It was a blue police officer costume that was her size. It came with a police cap, a plastic gun, and a plastic badge. "You sure Bruce will do fine without me tonight?"
Alfred nodded "Of course. This isn't the first time he went crime fighting on his own."
"Eh, it you say so."
Bruce insisted Scootaloo to take the night off and go trick or treating tonight, he thought that if a lot of kids are doing it tonight she should join in. She was a little skeptical at first, she thought it was also her responsibility to protect Gotham, but she gave in and chose to be a police officer for tonight. Alfred said he'd take her through the suburban area while Bruce patrolls the city as Batman.
After a while of driving Alfred drove up the hill that lead to the gates of Wayne Manor. The gates opened automatically and the limo parked in the loop in front of the Manor. Scootaloo walked out the car as Alfred went to go park it and she headed for the double doors.
"Bruce. I'm home." Scootaloo called as she opened the doors and closed them behind her. She walked down the red carpet to the stair case where two hall ways were, one on the left and one on the right. On the wall In front was a painting of Solomon Wayne, Bruce's great grand father who was also a judge.
Scootaloo walked down the hall on the left leading to many doors. She opened one door to the room she half expected Bruce to be in, the gym. There Bruce was listening to the TV on the wall, while doing push ups and wearing shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt.
"How was your day?" Bruce asked before Scootaloo could speak, still focusing on the push ups.
"Fine. Can't wait for tonight. Finally getting a night off." Scootaloo put her hands on her hips "You could use a night off too."
"Criminals don't take the night off."
"Come on Bruce. You deserve it as much as I do." Scootaloo said as she took off her grey jacket showing that she was wearing a black t-shirt under and headed over to a balance beam. She liked to do some gymnastics when she got home. She found it a lot of fun to do especially when out crime fighting.
She stood on the balance beam and did a hand stand on one hand, she then cartwheels to the right jumping off in a front flip and grabbed onto some rings in mid air and did a few loop before letting go flipped in mid air and landed on her feet. "And she sticks the landing." Scootaloo said like she was an announcer.
"And in other news" Jack Ryder began on the TV "Jonathan Crane, A.K.A. The Scarecrow has escaped once again from Arkham Asylum." that caught Bruce's and Scoots' attention "If you have any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities."
After hearing the news report Scootaloo turned her head to Bruce "Okay I think I should help you on this."
Bruce got up from his push ups "Don't worry about it. I've handled Crane before, he's one of my earlier enemies."
"As in enemies that came when Gordon was Lieutenant and the GCPD was corrupt?" Scootaloo asked. Bruce nodded.
He told her once that before Gordon was Commissioner the GCPD was full of dirty cops. So many that there were only few good cops and Commissioner Gillian Loeb and Mayor Hamilton Hill worked with Gotham's number one crime boss Carmine Falcone.
The second year is when Gordon started working with Batman, at the time it was secret from both the public and the police, and it's also when the rogues started to appear. First it was Joker, then Catwoman, then Clayface, Poison Ivy, Firefly, Mr. Freeze, Riddler, Scarecrow, Penguin and Black Mask, Victor Zsasz, Bane, and Killer Croc. They were the real threat.
"There were times when I faced him alone. Shouldn't be a problem." Bruce assured.
"I-I don't know Bruce. I think I'd prefer if I did this mission with you." Scootaloo protested but to no avail. She was reminding Bruce of himself whenever Alfred insisted he'd take the night off.
"You've been doing hard work to keep Gotham safe. You've earned this break."
Scootaloo sighed "Alright you know what? How about this: I go trick or treating tonight and you go patrolling, but if I find something related to Scarecrow I go with you on the hunt for him. How does that sound?"
Bruce thought for a moment, he thought she deserved this break plus it was highly unlikely for her to find something related to Scarecrow while trick or treating. "Alright."
***********
That night Scootaloo got into her police costume, took her pillow case as well as an earpiece in case she needed to contact Bruce and a homing signal so he can find her location. She walked out the front double doors to a red car wher Alfred was waiting. He opened the door for her as she got in and closed it behind her and went into the drivers seat.
"Are you excited for tonight, Ms. Phillips?" he asked plainly as he drove off.
Scootaloo shrugged "Eh, a little, but I think I'd prefer spending the night out in capes instead of fake sunglasses." she adjusted the sunglasses.
"I know, but think of how much fun you'll have tonight. Receiving free candy is something children enjoy after all." Alfred was still talking in his plain casual tone as always, but was still trying to get the pony turned human to look forward to tonight.
Scootaloo slumped back in her chair "Won't be as fun as crime fighting." she mumbled.
Alfred sighed "Children."
They soon arrived at the suburban area in the city, Cranston Estates, and the car was parked at a street corner. The two got out to see many kids in various costumes walking through the neighborhood getting candy.
Scootaloo chose a random house and walked up to it as Alfred stayed on the sidewalk in front of it.
"Okay what do I say again?" Scootaloo tried to remember "Trick...or...treat? Yeah that's it."
She walked up the porch and rang the doorbell. A moment later a woman came out with a bucket of candy.
"Trick or treat." Scootaloo held out her bag.
The woman smiled "Oh hello. That's a very nice costume you have, sweetie." she then pulled out three pieces of candy and dropped them in Scootaloo's bag.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Happy Halloween." the woman walked back into her house closing the door.
Scootaloo walked off the porch and back to Alfred "How was it?"
Scootaloo smiled "You know? I think I'm gonna enjoy this night more then I thought."
They spent the next hour roaming through the neighborhood getting candy from various houses. Scootaloo was enjoying herself, this trick or treating reminded her of getting candy on Nightmare Night. She couldn't deny it she was enjoying herself.
She and Alfred were about to call it a night when they suddenly heard a loud scream coming from and old abandoned house.
"Someone's in trouble. I better go help." Scootaloo exclaimed as she ran over to the house.
"Miss. Phillips. Miss. Phillips wait!" Alfred called out to her, but to no avail. He sighed as he went in after her, he can't let her be alone in that house.
When Scootaloo got to the house she kicked the door open. Everything we dark and creaky, floor boards were broken, cob webs were everywhere.
"Ms. Phillips." Alfred said running into the house "Mr. Phillips please do not to wandering off like that?"
The scream was heard again and it was coming from up the creaky stairs. Scootaloo and Alfred quickly dashed up there to see a man huddled in the corner. His eyes were glowing orange through the scarecrow mask he was wearing. Judging my the mask he was a Scarecrow henchman.
His eyes widened bigger when he saw Scootaloo "No! Stay away from me. Stay away!" he screamed.
Scootaloo walked a little closer taking slow steps "Hey it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."
The closer she got the farther the man crawled into a wall in fear like he was trying to get away from something that was about to kill him.
"What happened to you?"
"He left me here. He left me here to die." the man put his arms over his head in a fearful manner.
Scootaloo's eyebrow raised "Who?"
"S-s-scarecrow."
That explained why he was acting like he was afraid. He was drugged with Scarecrow's fear toxin.
Scootaloo quickly put a hand up to her earpiece. "Batman. I got a lead on Scarecrow. Come to my location." she pulled her homing signal from her pocket and pushed the button. The man wasn't listening, he was only paying all his attention on his fears.
"Ms. Phillips" Alfred said "you know, Master Bruce can handle this all on his own. He insisted that you take the night off."
"I know Alfred, but I feel like I gotta protect the city too. Besides we were about to call it a night anyway and I got a ton of candy." She held out her bag and it was indeed full of candy.
Alfred sighed "Very well."
After a few minutes the Batmobile was heard being parked outside the house and Batman went in. He came up the stairs to see Scootaloo and Alfred waiting and the victim huddled into the corner shivering with fear.
Batman approached him "What happened?"
His head was facing down "C-c-crane infused this candy with that stuff he has. Forced a piece into my mouth and- OH GOD!!!" once he looked up at Batman he screamed "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! GET AWAY!! GET AWAY!!" he tried despretly to crawl away. Whatever he saw Batman as it wasn't good.
Batman grew impatient and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt hoisting him up above his feet. "What's Scarecrow planning?!"
"Okay okay. H-he's planning on giving candy infused with his toxin to kids at the Halloween festival in Gotham Park. I think he's there right now." he squealed.
"Thank you." Batman dropped him on the floor. He, Alfred, and Scootaloo walked out the door. "We'll leave you to your nightmares." Batman closed the door behind him. He then pushed his finger to his earpiece underneath his cowl "Oracle call the police and let them know about the Scarecrow's victim."
"On it."
Batman ended the call. "I gotta get to Gotham park before the people there are drugged."
"Not without me your not." Scootaloo pointed out "Remember the deal we made."
Batman remembered the deal and sighed "Your costumes in the trunk."
"Good luck sir." Alfred said as he walked back to the car he used to get here.
Scootaloo opened the trunk to find her Robin costume laying there and changed into it then got into the Batmobile and they drove off.
They soon arrived at Gotham Park. At the entrance was a banner saying Halloween Festival. The park was crowded with many people in costumes, there were cars where kids were trunk or treating. There were also stands selling masks, candy, and carmel apples.
Batman and Robin snuck through the trees to a stage in the center of the park. On the stage were two men holding bags of Scarecrows infused candy.
"All set boss." one of them wispered to the curtain.
"Good." Scarecrow said from behind the curtain. "Now let's make this Halloween one that no one will forget."
"If you mean it'll be remembered for getting your butt back in Arkham" he heard a familiar voice of a ten year old girl and in front of him landed Batman and Robin. "Then yes. It won't be forgotten."
Scarecrow wasted no time swinging his scythe in hopes of finishing off the Dynamic Duo once and for all. They both ducked as Batman kicked Scarecrow sending him flying through the curtains and landing on the stage with an "Oof."
The two henchman looked behind them. "It's Batman." he pulled a gun from his pocket. The other henchman began dealing with the Dark Knight.
"And Robin." she kicked the gun out of his hand and brought her fist across his face. "Don't forget Robin."
The henchman sumbled backwards close to the edge of the stage.
"Stage dive." he heard Robin say before he was met with a jump kick sending him off the stage. "Ooh. That's gonna hurt." a blade then came to her neck.
"So then" Scarecrow said from behind holding his scythe to Robin's neck "you believe you can stop me and make it out alive?"
Batman took care of the henchman and was about to come to the Girl Wonder's aid.
"Mhm. Which is why you're gonna be taking this." Robin then pushed the blade from her back and back kicked Scarecrow in the stomach making him stumble backwards. "And this." Robin then took the scythe and brought the back of it to his head like a baseball bat. "And also" she then grabbed him by the arm throwing him over to Batman who brought a fist to his face knocking him out. "This."
The crowd was stunned for a moment and slowly they all started to aplaw and cheer. They all though that it must be some kind of act.
Soon police cars came in and cops started swarming the area as Batman and Robin grappled away onto a tree. For Robin nothing else came close to being a perfect way to celebrate her first Halloween.
Author's Note
Originally I was going to make this a one shot side story but then I thought I'd make a seiries of one shots for each holiday Scootaloo goes through. Happy October and Happy Halloween (even though it's not here yet).
Gotham City Heroes: Through The Holidays
It was a cold winter's day in the city of Gotham. Snow fell onto the streets that were filled with joy. There were children throwing snowballs, shops swarming with costumers coming in with wallets full of cash and out with presents in bags to get wrapped later.
People all over Gotham were getting ready for the best time of the year. A time of family. A time of giving to others. A time of wonder. Christmas.
In the center of Gotham Park was a tall pine tree with various Christmas decorations and colorful lights that consisted of red and green. On the streets were people singing Christmas carols and collecting donations.
The time to get ready for the holiday was now, for Christmas was getting even more closer as winter break had started today. At schools kids were anxious to get out and celebrate the holidays. Especially one school known as Gotham Elementary.
The fifth grade students were having their Christmas parties in their respective classrooms, eating Christmas cookies and watching Christmas movies.
Inside Miss. Elmira's class, students were seated at their chairs watching the animated Disney version of A Christmas Carol on a TV the teacher brought in with a DVD player hooked up to it. Three of those students were three friends. A Japanese girl named Kiki, and African American girl name Chloe, and a pony turned human with tanish skin and purple hair named Scootaloo, or as the world known her, Ashlyn Phillips.
Ever since the beginning of December, every one in Gotham had been talking about Christmas. It was literally everywhere Scootaloo went to. Decorations everywhere, mall Santas, even at home with some Christmas specials on TV. She recently read up on Christmas on the Bat Computer and found out that one of the human religions says it was started by a man named Jesus, who was born on Christmas day and when he reached adulthood he became a messiah and saved people from their sins with abilities he gained from a powerful being known to the world as God.
Scootaloo found some cultures and religions on Earth interesting. She read up on some Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism. She even read up on what use to be religions and are now considered myths, like when the Romans worshipped the Greek gods, and when the Aztecs worshipped the sun.
Some stuff reminded her of back home in Equestria.
As soon as the thought of home clicked into Scootaloo's mind, she let out a deep with as a stray tear left her eye. She had been in this world for five months. Even though she had a new family with Bruce and Alfred, she still missed Equestria.
She heard that Christmas was a time to spend with family and while she was happy to celebrate it with her new family, it got her thinking about Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom and her deceased parents. She missed them so dearly, it dreaded her that she might never see them again.
It also dreaded her to not know how they were doing. There is absolutely no doubt that back in her world she is reported missing. They must be looking for her. Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom must be so worried about her. Are they still looking? Have they given up? Do they think she's dead?
Scootaloo quickly tried to wipe that thought away. No. They can't think she's dead, there's no way in Tartarus that they would give up on her.
Chloe and Kiki quickly noticed Scootaloo's sad expression.
"Um, Ashley, are you alright?" Kiki asked with concern.
"Yeah, you seem upset." Chloe added. "Mind telling us what's up?"
Scootaloo quickly wiped her tear from her eye "D-don't worry about me girls. I'm fine."
She then felt a hand on her shoulder and looked to see that it was Kiki. "No, your not fine. There is something wrong."
"Yeah, you could tell us." Chloe added putting a hand on Scoots' shoulder.
The ex-pony sighed "Well, you know that Christmas is closer right?"
The two girls nodded.
Scootaloo lowered her head "Well, I don't get to celebrate it with my family."
Chloe raised an eyebrow "You mean your not celebrating it with Bruce Wayne?"
"No that's not what I meant. Don't get me wrong, I do wanna celebrate it with Bruce, and Alfred, but I also don't get to celebrate with my other family. As in, my real family." Scootaloo sighed.
Kiki and Chloe understood and held sympathetic looks.
"We're sorry." Kiki said.
"Yeah..." sighed Chloe "Your folks must've meant something to you, huh?"
Scootaloo nodded and the thought of Rainbow Dash came into her head. "There's also somebody else."
"Like who?" Chloe asked.
Scootaloo obviously coudn't tell them the full truth but she decided to exagerate a little bit. "Well, there is this one girl I knew back in Matroplolis."
"Who?" Kiki asked interested.
"A girl who was twice as old as me. Her name was Dash. Like me, she was homeless. She took care of me the best she can and stook up for me. I often looked up to her." Scootaloo smiled a little at her memories.
"Where is she now?" Kiki asked.
Scootaloo's smile disappeared. How is she going to explain this? She can't just say 'I was sucked into a portal to this dimension'. She had to think of something. An idea then popped in her head, this meant she would be honest with her human friends and still keep the truth hidden.
"We got separated. I was about to meet her on the train to Gotham but she didn't show up. After that I never saw her again." Scootaloo lowered her head again.
"You think she's still looking for you?" Chloe asked.
Scootaloo sighed "Maybe. She's probably worried about me. I hope she's doing fine."
Meanwhile at Arkham Asylum, there were paitients setting up Christmas decorations and wrapping gifts. Jeremiah Arkham, the director of the asylum, had the patients celebrate holidays so it can help them think of the place as less of a prison and more of a temporary home before they are ready to rejoin society.
There was a Christmas tree being decorated while some paitients were singing Christmas carols from off these lyrics on papers they were holding as an activity Jeremiah gave them.
The rogues thought it was stupid and decided not to join. All except one particular clown prince of crime who was holding his paper upside down.
Jingle belles, jingle belles, jingle all the way. the patients sang Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse soap and sleigh, hey.
"Jingle belles, Batman smells, Robin layed an egg." Joker sang off course, it was a little song he made up as a joke. He then walked over to one patient holding a star to put on top of the tree but Joker snatched it from him and climbed up the ladder "The Batmobile lost a wheel and the Joker got awayyyyyyyy."
He finished his song as he set the star on top of the tree. Then unexpectedly, there was a loud cannon like boom coming from the tree as it went a ring of smoke from the bottom.
Joker laughed maniacally as he held onto the tree as it started to take off like a rocket going into outer space, breaking the glass ceiling.
"Crashing through the roof, in a one horse soap and tree." Joker sang as the tree headed for the forest in front of the asylum. "Busting out I go, laughing all the way HA HA HA HA!!!"
"Bruce, I'm home." Scootaloo called out as she entered the manor through the double doors while Alfred was outside parking the car in the garage. She made her way to the living room where there was a Christmas tree in the corner of the room and the fire place lit.
Bruce was seen sitting on a chair in front of the fire place, watching the TV above.
"Hey Bruce." Scootaloo greeted. She took off her green coat and set her orange backpack on the floor.
Bruce turned his head to Scootaloo "How was school?"
Scootaloo shrugged "Pretty good. We had some food and watched a movie since it was a half day and Christmas is coming closer."
Scootaloo walked up to the chair and sat next to Bruce as he flipped through the channels until he came across the Gotham Gazzete.
"Earlier today," began Jack Ryder "The Joker has once again escaped from Arkham Asylum. He escaped with a..." he looked down at the papers in front of him confused "...rocket tree? And is currently at large. If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately."
Bruce turned off the TV. Not again. That was the second time this month Joker escaped. Normally he would escape two or three times a month and whenever Bruce heard he got out he would always spring into action. He can't let Joker kill anyone.
"So when do we start?" Scootaloo asked "Twilight, night hours, maybe very late so he won't think we're coming." she wondered out loud. She then noticed Bruce get up from his seat and head straight for the study. She simply shrugged "Or now, now's good."
She slid herself off the couch as she followed Bruce. Once they reached the study, Bruce pushed the Shackspear helmet back to let it scan his eyes.
"Identity confirmed."
The book case opened, revealing the elevator behind it. Bruce and Scoots walked in, letting it take them down into the Batcave. Once they reached the cave, Bruce headed to the Batcomputer, Scootaloo followed. Bruce and Scoots pulled up two chairs and took a seat as Bruce got to work on the keyboard.
Scootaloo rested her elbow on the computer desk. "Whatcha doing?"
"Looking over the security footage at Arkham to see how Joker escaped." Bruce answered as the footage popped up on the giant screen. The audio was on and they heard Joker sing the Jingle Bells parody, Scootaloo heard that for the first time ever when they caught him as the Dynamic Duo.
To Sccotaloo's and Bruce's surprise, the rocket blasted off. Bruce kept a struck face while Scootaloo's eyes widened.
"Did that tree just take off like it was a missile?" She said out loud.
Bruce looked at her "Not long ago, a missile engine was stolen from a military base. It must've been put in the tree to help Joker escape."
Bruce turned his attention back to the computer and rewinded the footage and replayed it in slow motion. Aside from the tree launching out of there, there was something odd about the tree. The bark, which is where the engine was inside of, wasn't burnt at all and there were numbers 19, 23, 9, 13, 2, 9, 18, 4. What did it mean?
"The bark is fake," Bruce hypothesised "if it was real it would be burnt off from the blast. Then there's the numbers."
"Maybe they mean some kind of code?" Scootaloo theorized.
Bruce out a hand on his chin. "Could be. Perhaps we should compare the numbers to letters?"
Scootaloo raised her eyebrow in question "Huh?"
"As in we think of how many letters there are in the alphabet and compare them to numbers. For example, the very first letter in the alphabet is A, so that makes it number one."
Scootaloo let the knowledge kick in and nodded. "Okay, I get it now."
Bruce now opened another tab and typed in 'number substitution cipher' and a chart appeared. There were numbers under every letter.
19 was S, we was W, 9 was I, 1e was M, 2 was B, 9 was I again, 18 was R, and 4 was D.
"Swimbird?" Scootaloo wondered out loud.
Swimbird, what kind of bird swims? A penguin.
"The Penguin." Bruce hypothesized.
"Sure it's not a duck?" Scootaloo joked. She noticed Bruce ignored the joke, so she decided to move on. "Who would leave a clue like that?"
They both took a moment to think. Who would leave a clue for someone to figure out? Then it hit them. The Riddler.
Bruce stood from his chair. "Get changed."
Bruce then headed over to a control panel. Once the codes were typed in, a trap door on the floor slid open and a glass case containing the Batman and Robin suits emerged. It was still daylight outside and it wasn't the first time they go during the day, but it was mostly night where'd they would go out and going out in the day was rare.
Bruce slid the case open to grab his suit as Scootaloo did the same for her suit. The two of them then walked over to two slid open doors and stepped in. After a minute or two the doors slid open to reveal Bruce and Scootaloo as Batman and Robin.
The dynamic duo then made their way over to the Batmobile, once they made their way the windshield on top slid open so they can hop in.
Once they did the wind shield slid closed and Batman flipped the automic batteries to power and the turbines to speed. The engine roared and the tires hissed before the Batmobile took off out of the Batcave.
It was a fun night at the Iceburg Lounge. The jazz band was playing Jingle Bells. People were dancing. And some were drinking the night away.
The owner of the club, Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, A.K.A. The Penguin, stepped into his office. He sat at his desk chair and lit his ciggar.
"Busy night, Penguin?" said a gruff voice.
Penguin nearly jumped out of his skin as he looked in the direction the voice came from. From out of the darkness stepped Batman and Robin.
"Oh, it's you." Penguin recovered from his near heart attack and became annoyed "What the hell do you want?"
"Information," Batman stepped forward and stood in front of Penguin's desk. "and your going to give it to us."
"Well sorry to disappint, but I got nothing to tell ya." Penguin answered.
"Really?" said Robin as she too stepped in front of Penguin's desk and crossed her arms. "Then why did Riddler leave that clue that led us here?"
Penguin looked at her annoyed "Did I forget to mention there's no kids allowed in my place?"
They didn't have time for this. Batman just grabbed the cockney by the collar of his shirt and pulled him forward making him lean over his desk.
"We're not playing games, Penguin." Batman had venom in his voice "We know Riddler left a clue on the tree Joker used to escape, it led us to you. You were involved in the escape, we want to know how."
It was now Batman who had the high ground over Penguin. "Alright, alright I'll talk. Riddler came to me and told me Joker was wanting to bust out of Arkham. He agreed to steal a missile from a military base while I get my men to make a fake tree to put it in. Must've put the clue on it behind my back."
"How did Riddler steal the engine?" Batman's voice raised.
"He's the Riddler. He used his fricken puzzles to send them soldiers on a wild goose chase while he simply went undercover as a janitor their and took the missile." Penguin explained.
"What is Joker planning?" Batman pushed.
"I-I don't know. But Riddler told me to tell you a riddle if you found me. What kind of noun get attention?"
"Anything else?"
"No. I swear to God that's all."
Batman saw that there were no more questions to ask, so he just simply dropped the Penguin face first on the top of the desk.
"You freaking bastards!" Penguin yelled "You two are de-" but when Penguin looked up Batman and Robin were already gone.
Batman and Robin stood on a rooftop next door to the Iceberg Lounge. Robin thought back to her encounters with Riddler, how he would leave riddles at the end of his crimes and how he would have death traps. She considered him as an enemy of her own, sure she has faced other villains but they were all just Batman's own villains and she was just helping him.
Riddler on the other hand would actually be kind of both, Batman's own villain and Robin's own villain. Robin considered him as her own villain because ever since her first encounter with him he's always been setting up puzzles for not only Batman but her as well.
"You think daddy will love this present, mommy?" said a voice.
Robin looked down in the voice's direction and saw a kid with his mom holding a present.
"Yes sweetie. Daddy will love it. He loves any gift you give him." said the mom.
Robin felt her eyes starting to water a bit. Seeing a family just reminded her of her own from back in Equestria. Not just her parents but also Rainbow Dash. How she missed her.
Batman began to notice the sad look his young partner's face. "You okay?"
Robin quickly looked away, and wiped her eyes. "Yeah...I-I'm fine."
Batman wasn't convinced "If something is wrong, you can tell me."
"I said I'm fine!" Robin scowled.
Batman wasn't intimidated by that but chose to stay quiet. She was upset about something and so he felt it best to just let her be and that it wasn't his business.
Robin inhaled deeply and gave a long exhale. "Let's just...let's just keep looking for the Joker."
Batman nodded as they pulled out their grapple guns and swung off the building.
They have been searching for the Joker for days and have found no trace. They searched warehouses, theaters, abandoned fair grounds but found nothing. They did figure out the riddle and the answer was an announcement.
So it looked like what ever Joker had planned he would announce it first kind of like how he mostly does.
Today was Christmas Eve. Bruce and Scootaloo were in uniform and were just about to put on their masks until Alfred came from the elevator.
"Excuse me Masters Bruce and Phillips, but there is something you might want to see." the butler walked over to the Batcomputer and turned it on.
On the screen Joker appeared, grinning as usual "Greetings Gotham City and a merry Christmas to all. Tonight I have a very special announcement. I am going to be hosting my very own Christmas parade."
The camera turned to the left to see a model of Santa Claus in a chimney on top of what looked like a tank. Joker walked in front of the camera.
"We are going to be driving this through Otisburg and guess what?"
Joker then reached out of the camera's view and pulled back a man with a gag over his mouth.
"There will be lucky people like this guy who will get to ride on the float with us. And if anyone tries to spoil it then..." he slid a finger over his throat before laughing.
Bruce made no hesitation in putting on his mask and putting a finger to his earpiece. "Jim, Joker's about to strike in Otisburg. He has hostages. Tell your men not to engage."
"Will do."
Scootaloo put her mask on before she and Batman hopped into the Batmobile and took off.
At the Otisburg the Joker's parade float was rolling through and on the top front and top back there were hostages held by henchmen at gun point.
Inside the float Joker, Riddler and Harley Quinn were as well as a henchman in clown makeup at the wheel.
"Oh I love a good Christmas," said Joker "a time of cheer, laughter, and terror spread from me."
Outside the float Batman and Robin were gliding towards it with their capes stretched out.
"You take the one on the back," Batman told Robin "I'll take the one on the front."
Robin nodded "Got it."
She lowered her altitude not low enough for the henchman to see her, but low enough to go behind him and land on her feet. Robin then quickly wrapped her arm around the guy's neck and smothered a hand over his mouth.
The man stuggled to break free but Robin was too strong for him thanks to her training. After a moment of two of struggling, the man became weaker until he finally passed out.
Robin simply dropped him and looked at the hostage. "Go."
The hostage complied as he jumped off the float and ran off.
Robin then put her back against the santa model and peeked over to see that Batman has done his part.
"Did you save the hostage?" Batman asked.
Robin nodded "Yes."
"Good. Now there's one more thing left to take care of." Batman then turned to the door on the model.
KNOCK KNOCK
The rogues and henchman looked to the door.
"I'll get it." Harley skipped to the door and opened it. "Who is i-"
Before she could finish she received a punch to the face and fell on her back. Harley rubbed her face as she looked up to see that the person who punched her was Robin and along side her was Batman
"Well if it isn't the dork knight," Joker then looked to Robin "and the little chicken."
Robin snarled as she cracked her knuckles. Does he always have to keep calling her a chicken?
Joker looked back at Batman "It just wouldn't be a merry Christmas without you."
"Enough," Batman stepped in with Robin "you're going back to Arkham."
Joker waved his finger "Ah. Ah. Ah. We have two guests here, it would be a real shame to upset them."
Robin smirked "About that, we actually rescued the hostages."
Joker frowned "Party poopers."
Riddler then stepped forward "Riddle me this, Batman: who wears a mask and is unconscious?" he then quickly swung his question mark cane at the detective who just used his arm to block it and pull it from Riddler's hands and swung it under his legs making him fall over. Batman then stomped on his face, knocking him out.
"You."
The henchman stopped the float and ran over towards Batman as Joker did.
Harley Quinn then got up and grabbed her hammer sitting in a corner. She looked at Robin "Alright little birdy, ya wanna get rough? Alright, let's get rough."
Harley then swung the hammer at Robin, but she ducked and kicked Harley in the stomach making her stumble backwards. Harley was quick enough to recover as she brought the hammer down on the girl wonder who jumped out of the way before the hammer made impact with the ground.
Harley swung the hammer in Robin's direction but she jumped back. Harley swung again and Robin dodged again. It went like that until Robin was backed into a wall.
"Ha!" Laughed Harley "Looks like I got ya cornered and there's no where else to go." She brought her hammer above her head "Any last words before I smash you to pieces?"
Unknown to the clown girl, Robin was taking her grapple gun. "Yeah, only three." she then quickly fired her line at Harley. The hook grabbed a hold of her shirt and she felt a tight tug pulling ref forward and she then felt a fist to the face knocking her out.
Now that Harley was down, Robin looked to see how Batman was doing and saw that the henchman was knocked out and Batman had Joker up against the wall.
Robin walked over to them "Why would you do something like this, Joker?"
Joker smiled at Robin "Well you see bird girl, I did it because I wanted to spread my holiday cheer to Gotham," he looked at Batman "and spend time with my bestest friend in the world."
"Perhaps you could celebrate Christmas in Arkham." Batman then brought a hard fist to Joker's face, knocking him out.
Scootaloo slowly opened her eyes to see the sun's beams shine over her through her window. Her eyes widened in realisation as she quickly sat up smiling.
"It's Christmas morning."
She jumped out of bed and ran down stairs to the living room where Bruce and Alfred were waiting with presents under the tree.
Alfred was in his tux and Bruce was in his sleeveless t shirt, pj bottoms, and a blue robe.
"Miss. Philips," said Alfred "Good morning and merry Christmas."
Scootaloo walked over to the tree "Merry Christmas, Alfred." she looked over at Bruce "Merry Christmas Bruce." She looked over to the presents under the tree. She picked one in red wrapping paper and handed it to Bruce "Here. It's from me and Alfred."
Bruce took the present and tore the wrapping paper off to find a book volume titled 'Greatest Mysteries Ever Told'.
"Thank you. I look forward to reading it." Bruce said to Alfred and Scootaloo. He didn't ask for anything for Christmas but Alfred would make sure to get him a gift anyway.
Scootaloo then took a grift in blue wrapping paper and handed it to Alfred.
"To Alfred. From Bruce and Scootaloo." he read out loud "Thank you kindly master Bruce and miss. Philips." he the opened the gift to see a small black box. He opened the box to see a good pocket watch inside. "This is a great gift. I have been thinking of getting a new watch lately."
Now it was Scootaloo's turn to open her gifts. Both were from Alfred and Bruce, she got a few Lego Star Wars sets, an Xbox One, a couple video games for it, and a Star Wars book.
She smiled "Thanks guys. Means a lot."
"Your welcome." Bruce said.
"You are very welcome Miss. Philips." Alfred said before he started heading to the kitchen to get the Christmas ham ready.
This was great. Scootaloo had everything she wanted...well almost everything. Scootaloo slowly lowered her head as she thought of Rainbow Dash. A stray teat left her eye.
Bruce noticed this. She's been acting like this a lot lately. Bruce criticised himself for not helping sooner and decided he was going to help now.
He walked over to Scootaloo and leaned down to her. "Scootaloo, is something wrong?"
Scootaloo quickly wiped her tear away "No. It's nothing."
Bruce put a hand on her shoulder "You can tell me."
Scootaloo looked into Bruce's eyes for a moment. She then felt a lump in her throat and her lips started to quiver. Her eyes set from tears as she started choking down sobs. "I just wish..." she choked on another sob "that I could see Rainbow Dash again."
So that's what's been wrong with her lately. It was a time of family and she was missing the pony she considered her own.
Bruce didn't hesitate to hug Scootaloo as she hugged back and cried in his shoulder. Bruce had to think of something that can help her. Just then an idea came into his head.
Zatana poured herself a cup of coffee as she was about to get ready for her Christmas show later. She was still going to spend Christmas with her dad, so she had the show be a three o clock in the afternoon and it would last for two hours. After that she will use her magic to teleport herself over to her parents' place and spend Christmas with them.
She heard a light knock on the door, she opened the door to see two familiar faces. "Bruce, Scootaloo. Come in."
She let the two in before closing the door.
"What can I do you for?"
"Zatanna. Can we talk in private?" Bruce asked.
Zatanna raised an eyebrow but nodded "Of course."
Bruce looked at Scootaloo "Wait here. It'll only be a minute."
Scootaloo nodded in understanding and let Bruce to with Zatanna outside of the room. Bruce didn't tell her why they would go see Zatanna but decided to just go with it because he had a surprise.
"What do you need?" Zatanna asked.
"Lately Scootaloo's been thinking about Equestria. About Rainbow Dash, a pony she looked up to as a sister." Bruce explained "I hate to bother you but do you still know that memory spell?"
"Way no more, Bruce." Zatanna said before she walked back into the room with Bruce where Scootaloo was waiting. Pllr kid, hopefully this will cheer her up.
Zatanna sat on her knees in front of Scootaloo "Bruce told me about how you've been feeling lately and I'm sorry. Don't worry though, I know how to help. I just need you to close your eyes."
Scootaloo did so as Zatanna laid a hand on her forehead and concentrated. Just then Scootaloo shot open her eyes as they were glowing a bright light.
All that was around Scootaloo was darkness. There was nothing in sight but the dark. It felt like she was on a flat surface but there was no visible ground.
"Hello?" Scootaloo called but there was no reply.
Suddenly, an image popped up in front of her. On it she saw her pony self and...Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo's eyes widened as she looked at the image.
"Rainbow Dash!" said her pony self.
"Hey squirt." Rainbow Dash smiled as she rubbed a core hood on top of her head.
It was then that Scootaloo realized what she was seeing was a memory, a memory of her hero, Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo felt her eyes watering and her mouth form into a smile.
She watched memories of her times with the blue Pegasus and her other friends. Like the times when Rainbow Dash would let her fly on her back and when she would go cutey mark crusading with her friends. She chuckled at the memory of when she and her friends tried to do that rock song at the talent show.
After watching memories for about twenty minutes, she was blinded by a bright flash of light. When the light vanished Scootaloo opened her eyes to see that she was back in Zatanna's dressing room with her and Bruce.
Scootaloo's eyes were watering, but she held a smile as she hugged Bruce and Zatanna. "Thank you." She felt two pairs of arms warp around her.
Even though it wasn't likely she would go back to Equestria she always knew to never forget Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Bell, and Applebloom. And she may have gotten other gifts on Christmas but there was one other gift. One gift she will always be thankful for. Family.
Author's Note
Merry late Christmas everybody. 