Whispers in the Dark: Arkham Asylum

~Narrator's POV~

Arkham Asylum. Good grief, I hated the atmosphere of this place. It reeks of death, insanity and basically everything and anything that can make you feel unsettled. In the middle of a storm no less!

Since my father is away on 'business', I have to go to the mental institute, on his behalf, to investigate the Asylum and assess if the funds Wayne Enterprises is donating are well used.

I entered through the soaked, rusted gate of the Asylum, and made my way to the entry doors of Intensive Treatment, until I was stopped by two searchlights shining on top of me. Lucky I had my umbrella over my head, otherwise those dang bright lights would have blinded me for five minutes. Hehe.

I removed my headphones as a loud voice shouted from above me on my left, "Halt! State your name and business!"

I moved my umbrella, so the guards could see my face, and the lights didn't get in my eyes.

My name is Eleanor May Piper... Well, it's Eleanor May Wayne now, but my friends and family call me Ellie. I know, you're gonna expect me to say that I'm just a 'normal' girl, right?

Well... If you haven't been to Gotham and Metropolis, you're sadly mistaken. There's no such thing as normal.

My father is the Owner of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne, and the World's Greatest Detective, Batman. Both his jobs keep him very busy. To keep up the legacy, I chose to become his sidekick; The Child of the Night, Nightshade. And when the Waynes need to attend a charity event, yet Batman is needed elsewhere, I take his place, as Bruce's daughter learning the ropes of being the Heir of Wayne Enterprises.

My mother, Lorraine Susan Piper, used to be a talented magician for a travelling circus, alongside the infamous Flying Graysons, until she had me and decided to leave her circus life and raise me in Gotham. During a school field trip to a chemical factory, a group of bullies thought it was funny to pretend throwing me into a chemical vat. Unfortunately, one of the bully's grip slipped and I fell into the vat.

Luckily, I was able to survive, but the chemicals within the vat permanently altered my physical appearance and brain chemistry. I couldn't return to my mother in this state, so I wondered the streets of Gotham, stealing food so I could survive. A few months later, a tall and skinny man found me, decided to take me in as his own and raised me to become his hacker/information broker. I was only 5 years old at the time.

It was years later, that I found during the news, my mother passed away getting shot by an Earth Eponian she used to work for. That was when I decided to leave the criminal life and make amends for my crimes as a young vigilante.

"My name is Eleanor Wayne. I'm here to investigate on the Wayne Enterprises funds that were donated to this Asylum." I answered in a loud and clear voice.

The guard nodded, "I'll alert the warden that you've arrived, Miss. Wayne."

The lights switched off and the doors to Intensive Treatment opened. I entered the hallway, closed my umbrella and cleared my glasses from the humidity change.

Down the hall was Warden April Cinch, three security guards and a gurney. One human, one Earth Eponian and a Pegasus Eponian.

Warden Cinch was a middle-aged female Unicorn Eponian. Her fur coat is a very light blue with dark blue hooves and nails. Mane and tail in multiple shades of purple and violet, her mane tied in a neat bun. Steely eyes of pale violet.

She wore a pair of red spectacles, a dark blue blazer over a greyish-blue sweater. Violet-blue skirt that reached past her knees. A red broach on her collar. And pearl earring.

I walked up to her and raised a brow, "Expecting someone else, Warden?"

Warden Cinch adjusted her cuffs and cleared her throat, "Glad you could come, Miss. Wayne. However, we've heard word that Batman is on his way with the Joker. Unfortunately, we cannot continue our meeting until Joker is fully detained here."

I lightly smiled, "That's good. I can see how you are able to handle deranged psychopaths, like Joker himself."

Joker is an enigmatic character that has multiple backstories, but never reveals his real story. He's known for his kill count, maniacal personality and cartoonish appearance. Chalk white skin, red lips, green hair and eyes. Joker is also Batman's #1 arch-nemesis. He's committed more terrorizing crimes that Mr. Freeze and Penguin combined.

The guards looked at each other. Warden Cinch gave me a concerned look, "Miss. Wayne, I have to warn you-"

I raised my hand to silence her, "Warden. Remember who you're speaking to. I used to be a patient here. I know this place and its inmates like the back of my hand."

Right on cue, the entry doors opened with a gust of cold, wet air into the warm hallway. The sharp lights of the Batmobile revealed two silhouettes standing by the door.

One stood strong and had an aura of authority and mystery. The other was on its knees, skinny and had an aura of madness and death.

Batman and Joker have arrived.

Batman picked Joker to his feet and pushed him forward. I stepped aside.

Joker looked ahead and chuckled, "Hey, Cinchie. Love what you've done with the place."

He gave me a subtle glance. I noticed something in his eye. What was that?

"That's 'Warden' Cinch to you." Warden Cinch corrected, straightening her broach. She looked over her right shoulder, "Boles."

The officer on her right, Officer Frank Boles, walked toward Joker. Boles was a human, Caucasian male with dark hair and eyes, but his left eye was replaced with a glass one, with a scar that trailed from his eyebrow to his cheek.

Joker smiled, "Yo, Frank-ay. How's the wife and kids? Ya miss me?"

Boles violently grabbed Joker's collar, "Shut it, Clown! A lot of people here really want to talk to you."

He took Joker from Batman and escorted him to a gurney, the other two officers were standing next to.

"Really. I don't mind walking." Joker told the officers. The officers turned him and strapped him on to the gurney. "Not so tight, boys. You'll crease the suit." Joker laughed.

"Get that filthy degenerate out of here." Warden Cinch told the officers.

"Warden, something's not right." Batman told Warden Cinch, then started walking, "I'm going with him."

Batman followed the officers and Joker into the hallway, that lead into Intensive Treatment. I followed closely behind the Dark Knight.

I guess hunches run in the family, 'cause I heard over the radio, on the way here, that Joker barely fought back and surrendered with little resistance. Something's definitely amiss.

Batman stopped and looked at another officer, Officer North, an Earth Eponian, "Is Commissioner Smith here yet?"

Officer North nodded, "Yes, sir. He's... err... Just waiting for you down at Patient Handover. He got here just before you did."

Warden Cinch grabbed my arm and pulled me away from Batman, "Miss. Wayne, I strongly advise that you do not accompany this psychopath to see how we handle patient transfers."

I pulled my arm out of her grip, "Did you not listen to me? I used to be an inmate here. I can handle myself." Then I assured, "Besides, I'll be with Batman. If anything goes array."

The lights switched on, as Batman and I arrived on the elevator. I shielded my eyes from the brightness.

Joker smirked, "Cinchie loves her cameras. Hey, Cinchie! You getting my good side?" And he chuckled, "But heck, they're all good, aren't they?"

Warden Cinch rolled her eyes in disgust and spoke to Officer North, next to her, "I want him securely locked away this time. Another escape and I will lose support for my mayoral campaign."

Oh, I forgot to mention. Warden Cinch is running for Mayor of Gotham. Her campaign of keeping the criminals in check has been winning the votes so far.

Joker's voice broke my thoughts, "Look at all this new security. How's a guy suppose to break outta here?"

Once the lift reached the lower level, a four-toned tune played then a female voice spoke from the speakers, "New patient in the Intensive Treatment Lobby. All non-essential staff to vacate the area."

Officer Louie Green stopped me from entering the scanning tunnel, "Sorry, Miss. Wayne. But, you have to go now."

"She stays." Batman told him in a strong tone. Louie hesitated, but stepped back, allowing me to follow.

The security moved Joker into a metal detector room. Batman and I followed after. "Oh, it's always nice to return to my sweet little, ha, ha, hacienda." Joker sighed with a smile, then he looked at me and whispered very quietly, "Don't you think, Acie?"

"Miss. Wayne. And no." I answered back in the same volume.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention this. Before I was taken in by the Batman, I was adopted by the psychopath Joker. My name during that time was Ace. Named after the chemical factory, Ace Chemicals. The same chemical factory that altered me and Joker into the people we are now...

I'm a Magibat Eponian, as ironic as it is, but I'm not at the same time, due to the blood transfusion. I'm only Half-Magibat Eponian.

Eponians are, much like the Gorillas of Gorilla City, are the indigenous citizens of a large island called Equestria. Anthropomorphic, unguligrade equines of many tribes, shapes, sizes and colors.

They are ruled by their Alicorn matriarchs, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Melody Amora Cadenza-Smith, commonly known as Cadence.

They share their culture with the Amazons of Thymescira and the Atlanteans of Atlantis, as well as powerful users of magic. Each a type of magic possessed by a certain tribe, while Alicorns are masters of all magic in a certain element of magic. Sun, moon, love, time, space, nature, even friendship is a magic source.

I look like every other female Earth Eponian, but I have some traits that are dead giveaway of my magical nature. For one, I'm quite tall for my age. 5 foot 10 inches tall. My fangs are smaller, but sharp. My fur coat is a dark pastel green color with dark green nails and hooves. Dark violet-indigo, short and spiky mane with a long, matching tail. Dark green wings with a deep green membrane. And sharp, eerie green eyes that glow in the dark.

So, yeah. Not the kind of person to mean in a dark alley, huh? Fortunately, that's not what I look like right now.

Like my mother, I am powerfully talented with the mystic arts. So I created a glamour charm to hide my true appearance from everyone. The glamour charm happens to be a black leather choker with a amethyst crystal pendant.

In my disguise, I'm an Earth Eponian with a ravenette mane and tail with red and blue streaks. Light blue eyes and no one are none the wiser.

However, if someone is able to see through my disguise and see through the insane monster that I truly look like, they will be able to find the soul of a very kind person that tries her best to fight for justice and make amends for her previous crimes.

As for what I'm wearing. Well... Since I'm here as Eleanor Wayne, and not Nightshade, I'm currently wearing a white collared t-shirt under a pair of black formal overalls. A pair of matching black sandals and my hologram inducer choker.

How does Joker know it's me under the disguise? He caught me in the act, when he tried to hold me hostage. Not a trick I will do again.

Anyway... The officers, Joker, Batman and I entered the metal detection room and waited for the scanner to activate.

"Tunnel's full. Start the scan." A deep, African-American voice spoke from the speakers.

It must've been Officer Aaron Cash. A loyal, and the best security officer in this damned facility.

"Scan initializing." The operator answered.

The machine started scanning and running down the tunnel.

"Y'know what? I preferred the good ol' cavity search. Much more personal." Joke said, as the scan ran by him.

"Joker!" I scolded. Too much information! There's a lady present!

"What? I'm being honest." Joker shrugged.

I lifted my black-framed glasses and rubbed the bridge of my nose with a sigh.

I wear my glasses even in my true appearance. Good thing glasses mean nothing in Gotham, unlike a certain hero in Metropolis.

No offence, Clark.

The scan ran over Batman, Officer Boles and me. The scanner turned red and beeped in alarm.

"We got a red light. Multiple prohibited items." The operator alerted, switching the machine back on stand-by.

"I want Joker searched again!" Officer Cash shouted.

"It's not the patient. It's... er..." The operator tried to answer.

Joker looked at Batman and smiled, "Whatcha sneak in with you, Bats? C'mon. Tell me, tell me. Batarangs? Batclaws? Bat Snacks?"

Batman remained silent.

"Scan is green on Joker." The operator spoke up, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Open the gate. Get him outta there." Officer Cash shouted. The door opened and we mad our way out of the tunnel. "I want weapons on him at all times. Do not let him out of your sight." Officer Cash ordered the security.

"There'll be time enough for you later, Cash." Joker answered him, "Speaking of time, tick, tock, tick, tock. Is that a crocodile I hear?" Joker laughed, then looked over and saw Doctor Rachel Redheart, "What's up, Doc? Counsel me in for tomorrow, at 4. We've got a lot of catching up to do."

Doctor Rachel Redheart is one of the psychologists in the Asylum. Another Earth Eponian, like Officer North. Pale pink, near white fur coat. Light pink mane and tail, tied in a bun, and sapphire blue eyes. Seemingly, cold and calculating, but is now afraid of Joker.

I can't tell you why. Not yet...

We continued walking down the hallway, then Warden Cinch's introduction video started playing on the screens.

Joker looked at the screens and smiled, "Oooh, it's my favorite show." He mocked, sounding like Warden Cinch, "'I'm Warden Bitch'. 'You'll never escape'."

Upon the other side of the gate, Joker's men from Blackgate noticed their leader and cheered, as they walked past us.

Joker looked at the bars, "I'm telling you, the state of the wiring in these federal facilities is... Shocking. My boys, over there, could have been hurt in that unfortunate fire."

I raised an eyebrow, "You care, why?"

"Loyalty is one of the best traits in a henchman, my dear." He answered.

We came to a stop as a male, Zebran doctor, in light green scrubs, came in, "Just got to check your prisoner, Officer Boles."

"Whatever, just be quick." Boles answered. I raised an eyebrow at the security officer. He really wants this done quickly.

"Only following procedure." The doctor shrugged, then looked over Joker, "Patient seems to be in satisfactory condition. Looks like he suffered minor lacerations, probably in the last two hours." Then he took a closer look at Joker, "There seems to be..."

Joker shot his face to the doctor, "BOO!" Then burst into laughter.

The action caused the doctors and security to get away from him in startle. Batman and I didn't flinch.

Once everything calmed down, Joker asked, "Need to take my temperature? I'd be happy to drop my pants."

Annoyed and disgusted, the doctor answered to Boles, "He's all yours. Get him outta here."

"He's good. Get the door open." The officer, that was driving Joker's bed, told the door operator.

The four-toned tune played again and the female voice spoke, "Alert in Intensive Treatment. Category 9 patient in transit. Pacification system active. Shoot to kill permissions granted."

We wanted into the room and waited for the transit elevator to show up. Along the wall were more security.

"You heard the lady. Another psycho is on the way." The security guard, in front of us, alerted.

The elevator arrived, but seemed to be having a bit of trouble. "Can you smell the excitement in the air?" Joker asked, "No? Huh. Must have been one of the guards, then." Then he looked behind him with a smile, "Croc old boy, is that you?"

The elevator revealed a large creature, with reptilian-like skin, wearing prison pants and shackles, inside. The gate opened so the creature could move out.

"Get ready." An officer alerted, "Keep your weapons trained on it at all times."

I recognized the skin color and smiled, "Waylon!" Batman kept me behind him.

Waylon Jones is another known criminal in Gotham. But he mostly tries to keep to himself in the sewers. The reason he does criminal jobs, is so he could survive.

In the Underworld of Gotham, Waylon is known as Killer Croc, due his appearance. He was born with a rare skin condition, which childhood trauma mutated him into a crocodile-like creature.

Waylon and I have a good friendship, because I don't see the animal others treat him to be. I see him as a scared soul with a rare condition that wants to be alone and not seen for what he looks like. And he saw the same with me.

As Waylon made his way out of the elevator, a guard grimaced, "He looks angry."

Waylon got out of the elevator and stood upright, stretching from being cramped in a tight area. A light shone into his face, but he looked unaffected. Waylon sniffed the air.

"That thing looks pissed." A guard whispered, as Waylon looked at Batman.

He glared and turned to face Batman. "What's it doing?" Another guard asked.

"I've got your scent, Batman. I will hunt you down." Waylon growled.

The collar around his neck sparked and shocked Waylon out of his aggressive attitude. I balled my hands into fists of anger at the sight.

Waylon snarled, "A toy collar won't stop me from killing you, Batman." Then he walked over to the next room, "I'll rip you apart. Eat your bones."

The other guards followed after him and left the room. I calmed and relaxed my hands. To break the tension, Joker spoke up, "That reminds me. I really need to get me some new shoes."

"Ok. Move up." A guard told us.

We walked forward and entered the elevator. The gate closed behind us and the guard shouted, "Hold tight!"

The elevator started going down and Joker cheered, "Wheee! Great night for a party."

"Not where you're going." Batman answered, finally speaking after a while of silence.

Joker smiled, "The night is young, Bats. I still have a trick or two up my sleeve. I mean, don't you think it's a little bit funny, how a fire at Blackgate caused hundreds of my crew to be moved here?"

"I thought I told you to stay quiet!" Officer Boles snapped at my adopted father. I had to pinch my nose, once I caught a whiff of his breath. It reeked of a strong alcohol. Whiskey or bourbon.

"Oh, Frankie. You really should learn to keep that fat mouth of yours shut." Joker told Boles, then added in a dark tone and lightly motioning to me, "It'll get you into trouble."

"Tell me something. You've never let me catch you so easily. What are you really after?" Batman asked.

"Oh, nothing much. Hundreds dying in pain and fear. All their meaningless lives brought to a horrifying conclusion." Joker answered casually, then added in a low tone, "All thanks to you and a book of matches." Then he asked in his normal tone, "Was that the answer you wanted?"

Then, Warden Cinch's extra video started playing, "All patients should avoid contact with prisoners from Blackgate Prison Facility. Their presence in our institution is-"

Suddenly, the elevator stopped working, and the power went off. Joker burst into laughter. The officers started panicking and looking around.

"What's he doing?" The guard asked, then he shouted, "Stay where you are!"

Joker's laughter started to sound choked, as Boles shouted, "Get a flashlight! Get a light on him!"

The elevator regained power and the lights revealed Joker being held by the throat, by Batman. The video continued where it left off.

Joker looked at Batman, "What? Don't you trust me?"

Batman let go of Joker. "Our guest has arrived." The guard spoke up. The gates in front of us opened.

The four-toned tune played again and the female voice spoke, "Intensive Treatment lower floors are now at level Red Alpha."

Boles, Joker, Batman, the other guard and I continued walking, making our way to Patient Handover.

"So, you're back. You killed three of my crew when you busted outta here." A guard told Joker, as we walked past him.

Joker faked a gasp, "Only three? I'll be sure to try harder next time. What say we aim for a hundred?"

Once we entered, Batman and I noticed the GCPD Commissioner, Sheamus Arthur Smith, or just Sheamus, on the registration desk, filling out the paperwork.

Sheamus Smith was a male Unicorn Eponian. His fur coat was a snow white color with dark blue hooves and nails. His long mane and tail were sapphire blue with two light and dark blue streaks. His eyes were moderate blue. He had his mane up in a ponytail with his bangs hanging over his forehead.

Sheamus wore a white collared shirt under a gun holster vest, and dark blue khaki pants.

Batman looked over and asked, "Long night, Sheamus?"

Commissioner Sheamus looked over and smiled, "Heh. Joker invades City Hall and holds the Mayor hostage." He shook Batman's hand in greeting, "Leaving me to juggle SWAT teams, the media and you. Yeah, it's been a helluva night."

He joined us in escorting Joker to his cell. "Hopefully, the last one we'll ever have with him." Batman noted about Joker.

"Fingers crossed. Run a joke for too long and it's not funny." I added.

"Wise words." Sheamus smiled at me, then he asked, "What brings you back to this place?"

"Family business." I answered casually.

Once we reached the gate, a security officer stopped us, "Hold it there. Sorry, Batman. Arkham staff only."

"I assure you, if anyone's qualified, it's..." Sheamus was about to argue, but the officer stopped him, "Listen, I appreciate the assistance. But, he'll unsettle the more violent inmates."

Boles and the guard got Joker out of the gurney and moved him toward the doctor and the officer. He chuckled and looked at Batman, "I think he's talking about you, Bats." The officer took Joker and the electric field opened. "Don't be a stranger. You're always welcome here. Gotta say, it's good to be back."

The officer and doctor lead Joker into the main lobby and the gate closed behind them.

Sheamus looked over to Batman, who looked a little on edge, "You okay?"

"He surrendered, almost without a fight. I don't like it." Batman answered.

I shook my head in agreement, "Me neither. Joker is too calm."

"At least he's back where he belongs." Sheamus noted.

Batman, Sheamus and I walked into the office, and watched the officer and doctor take Joker to his cell. Out of nowhere, Joker collapsed to his knees. The officer went to his level to help him, "Get up. Now!"

Joker gave him a head-butt, then wrapped his cuffs around his neck, choking him.

"Joker's loose!" I alerted.

"Alert the Warden!" Batman told Sheamus.

"Hurry. We're loosing him, Doc!" Joker pleaded in laughter.

The doctor unlocked the cuffs, freeing Joker. Batman punched the glass, weakening it. Joker let go of the guard and kicked the doctor to the ground.

He returned to the guard, "The choke's on you."

Then he started dancing and laughing, then pointed at the second electric gate. He looked at the security camera, "Honey, I'm home."

Within a second, the gate was down. Batman jumped through the glass, but Joker ran to the other side and announced, as the gate closed again, "Welcome to the Madhouse, Batman. I set a trap, and you sprang it gloriously!"

Joker ran into the office, and the cells opened, "Now let's get this party started."

The inmates, within the cells surrounded us, as Joker spoke again, but in the speaker, "Ladies and maniacs. I apologise for this interruption to your regular entertainment. Up until a few seconds ago, I was going to kill everyone in the room and then watch cartoons. But then... Well... You know how I do love a captive audience."

Batman took out the inmates with ease. Joker smirked, "I'm just warming you up, Bats. Fresh from Blackgate Correctional Facility, with a combined sentence of 752 years. Ding, ding, ding, ding! It's round two!"

More inmates were released and surrounded Batman. I noticed a few sneaking up behind him. I jumped threw the window and took them by surprise with a flying kick. Batman turned to me, as I stood up and took a stance.

Joker checked his watch and alerted, "Sorry. Gotta run. I've got places to go and people to slay." With that he was gone.

Batman and I were able to take out the last of the inmates. Then, Sheamus' appeared on the screen, "The system's jammed. We're stuck in here. Joker's in full control of the security gates!"

"We'll find a way out." Batman assured, "Sheamus, try and contact the Warden. Let him know what's happened. We'll be back."

Joker's image appeared on the screen, as he was running down the hall and looked at security camera, "Don't make promises you can't keep, Bats. I'm in control of the Asylum. You're not going anywhere I don't want you to. Understand?"

In a low tone, Batman threatened, "If you think I'll let you run..."

"Blah, blah, blah. Always with the hero speak. I'm getting bored of watching you. Why don't you just come find me..." Joker countered. The gate that lead further into Intensive Treatment opened.

Sheamus appeared on the screen again, "You know it's a trap."

"Of course it is." Batman noted.