Disassociation

Chapter 5: Bat and Crane


“Officers Rhoads, Mckneigh, Mooris, and Williams what are your positions?” Gordon called over the radio. The four men were creeping along the main street, guns poised when they heard the call on their ear pieces.

“We’ve found the Scarecrow commissioner.” Rhoads radioed back.

“There are three or four inmates down here with him. He’s in the fog sir but we caught site of him a second ago.” Mooris radioed.

“Disengage, I repeat, disengage all of you. Your assignment is to take down the inmates, Scarecrow is too much to handle!” Gordon shouted.

“We’ll have him soon, all it will take is a few shots,” Williams said, “we can take him out.”

“Disengage that’s an order!” Gordon called. The men looked at each other and nodded, disconnecting their radios.

“We can get him!” Rhoads called out to his comrades as they lined up in swat formation, gas masks safely in place.

A thick cloud of smoke moved from one area to another but from within it the deep screech of a horse could be heard. A man tumbled from the cloud gushing blood and collapsing on the street, followed by at least five others. Inmates stood on all sides of the smoke cloud taking out frightened pedestrians as they ran for their lives.

“Now’s our chance, on my lead!” Rhoads called out. They moved in quickly firing shots at two of the inmates who rushed them with crude weapons.

“Two more and we’ll have the Scarecrow!” Two more inmates fell and the toxin stopped spurting into the air but the thick cloud remained.

“Where is he?” Mooris called out, stepping closer. With a scream he was pulled into the cloud and his lifeless body thrown out. The remaining three officers fired most of their rounds into the smoke with angry shouts.

When they stopped firing they stood motionless, breathing heavily. The cloud remained mostly unfazed, except for a few streak marks where the bullets had passed through it. For a few seconds it seemed quiet and Rhoads took a few steps closer. A giant black stallion surged from the smoke, its rider swinging a scythe and slicing clear through Williams. Rhoads and Mckneigh backed up and drew there guns to shoot but realized, much to their dismay, that they were both out of bullets. Hurriedly, they both tried to reload their weapons but their enemy had other ideas.

Nightmare lashed out with a kick, sending Rhoads back a few feet on top of his last remaining partner. Scarecrow jumped down from his enormous steed and laughed. Rhoads felt his chest and found blood, looking worriedly over at the large horse. Blades had been attached to cuffs on each of the horse’s feet.

“Should I finish them off or would you like the honor my prince?” Scarecrow asked, turning to the horse. Nightmare reared up and screeched.

“Well then by all means, go right ahead but mind the guns my love.”

The horse moved forward, his red eyes glinting evilly in the dark. He made short work of pummeling the two men into dust before a voice drew his and Scarecrows attention. The Batman sat on his motorcycle in an alleyway.

“That’s enough Crane, you’re coming with me!” Batman said gruffly.

“Oh really, you’ll have to catch me first.” He said calmly as Nightmare turned and lent him a reign. Jonathan grabbed it and hoisted himself up while Nightmare took off. Batman followed. He road up along side them and Jonathan looked down at the dark knight, his smile hidden by his mask.

“Remember what we learned my love, its time to play.” The scarecrow cackled.

Bruce watched in awe as Jonathan hunched over jockey style on the horses back and they pulled away from the motorcycle. Bruce stepped on the gas and zoomed along behind them, looking to his speedometer in disbelief as it pushed seventy five miles and hour.

“What the hell is that thing?” Bruce muttered to himself.

When Scarecrow turned a corner Bruce lost them, knowing he would topple the bike if he tried to follow. He knew where they were heading and he navigated his way there, an abandoned construction zone at the edge of the Narrows. When they were safely inside the half constructed building, Jonathan dismounted and turned to Nightmare.

“If anything happens to me you return home, there is enough food and water for you there.” The horse shook his head.

“I mean it my love, nothing can happen to you. I couldn’t bare it. As always I will come back for you.” The horse seemed to accept his words but it was clear to Jonathan that Nightmare wasn’t too happy about it.

Bruce parked his bike outside of the building and glanced up at its ominous face. He knew the Scarecrow was inside because he could see hoof imprints in the soft ground. This was not going to be a pleasant encounter and Bruce took in a deep breath before walking inside. It was very dark when he entered and Bruce stood still for a moment to allow his eyes to adjust. There were probably a hundred places the lunatic could be hiding.

“Did the Batman not enjoy our little show?” The Scarecrow called out from somewhere in the darkness.

“You killed many innocent people tonight and you have to pay. Come out and face someone who’s not defenseless, or can you only hurt those that can’t fight back?” Batman replied.

“Oh I intend to face you but I figured, why not have a little fun first.” The Scarecrow was obviously in complete control of Jonathan’s body and Bruce knew that with out Dr. Crane’s reservations, the man would be reckless and out of control.

“I’m not playing any games Scarecrow!” Batman hissed, the urge to make the mad man pay for what he’d done was making his blood race.

“I don’t play too many games Batman, Joker’s got that covered,” The Scarecrow corrected, “you should know me better than that.”

“We both know you’re out of control. You don’t even know you, how could I pretend I did.”

“You made me this way you know. You should be blaming yourself for what’s happened.” Scarecrow said.

Bruce felt something offal creep through his veins. The Joker had said basically the same thing to him not long ago. He had helped Dr. Crane become the monster he was now. If he hadn’t sprayed him with his own toxin, the man would have never developed this alternate personality. Bruce did hate himself for that and he regretted it every day. Bruce just didn’t want to believe he was capable of creating evil like the Scarecrow and the Joker. He was a symbol that stood for justice, the complete opposite of the villains he faced.

“What’s wrong little bat, cat got your tongue?” The Scarecrow teased.

“I have a cure,” Bruce stated, “Dr. Crane you can reclaim the person you were and be rid of this monster. I can help you.”

“You and I both know the antidote is only temporary. The monster’s here to stay.” Bruce took a few steps forward, following the voice. He wanted to end this quickly and return to hunting the Joker. All he needed to do was keep Scarecrow talking.

“I thought you preferred to work alone Scarecrow, you like having control. You can’t control the Joker.”

“Let’s just say he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. We understand each other.” Bruce took a few more steps in the direction the Scarecrow was hiding but he still couldn’t see him.

“You know I’m going to catch you, I always do.” Bruce said sternly.

“I think you’ll find that catching me won’t be such an easy task this time.”

“And why is that?” A few more steps, but then silence greeted him. The Scarecrow was no fool, he probably figured out what Bruce was doing. Bruce cursed under his breath, all hopes of ending the fight quickly, vanishing before his eyes.

“Hey Batman?” Scarecrow called out all of a sudden.

“What?” Bruce growled.

“Ever wonder where my horse went?”

Something powerful struck Bruce in the back and he found himself thrown a couple of feet into a wall. The blow temporarily knocked the wind out of him and he staggered to his feet, gasping for air. He looked around frantically but his vision was still fuzzy. Out of the darkest shadows stepped Scarecrow’s enormous horse, his snorting and hoof stomping telling Bruce he wasn’t done yet. Bruce was at a loss as to what he should do, the animal was far too strong for him.

“Isn’t he magnificent Batman? I genetically altered him. He’s smarter than the average seven year old child.” Scarecrow said in a delighted tone.

“Congratulations Scarecrow, now we’ve both created monsters.” Bruce wheezed, regarding the animal with even more caution than before.

Nightmare didn’t wait long before he attacked again. He reared up and charged at impossible speed, head lowered for the impact. Bruce just managed to slide out of the way and Nightmare passed him as he staggered sideways. The horse collided with the wall Bruce had just been resting against and the structure crumbled. Nightmare shook his head and turned around to look at Bruce who was standing, still a bit hunched over.

“Oh this is gonna be hell.” Bruce managed to gasp out. Scarecrow’s insane laughter reached his ears. He was obviously pleased by the animal’s performance.

“You know back in the old west humans almost hunted the wild mustangs to extinction. This mustang isn’t a monster I’ve just evened the odds, now he can fight back, while those other horses could not. They’ve kept a grudge against humans for what they did you know. He knows you want to lock me up and him as well, and I guess you can see how he feels about that.” Scarecrow called.

Nightmare reared up like he was going to lung again but held his ground at the last minute. Batman flinched and the horse snorted. The beast was playing with him Bruce noticed and a chill ran down his spine in answer. Nightmare appeared to be studying him and unlike with people, Bruce was unable to read him. What was the beat thinking as he looked at him? Nightmare twisted around in a circle, hooves beating the ground with intimidating cracks. It was as if the horse was flaunting the fact that he knew Bruce was no match for him. Bruce growled in frustration and darted left and right, looking for a way past the massive horse but Nightmare met him step for step.

Bruce looked around him for anything he could use to defend himself with, locating a thick piece of wood and hefting it into his arms. Nightmare feigned an attack again and Bruce swung his weapon, hitting the horse square on the nose. The beast stepped back a few paces and shook his head, screeching at Bruce. Suddenly Bruce was tackled from behind and knocked to the ground. Scarecrow rolled off him and got to his feet, just as Bruce was doing the same.

“Don’t hit my horse!” Scarecrow growled angrily. “You hurt that horse and I swear Bat, it’ll be the last thing you ever do.”

“I think you’re confused about just who’s hurting who here.” Batman replied, trying to keep and eye on both of his opponents at once.

Scarecrow came at him swinging his scythe and Bruce just managed to duck as the blade sliced through the air above his head. Seeing an opportunity, Bruce lunged forward and tackled Scarecrow. They collapsed in a heap, with Bruce on top landing punches where ever he could. Nightmare made a vicious sound but was unable to do anything with out hurting his master.

Scarecrow found an opening as Bruce glanced at the horse and punched Bruce hard in the jaw, using both feet to kick him away when he found the room. Bruce stumbled backward and grabbed for the piece of wood as Nightmare rushed at him. The beast caught the edge of Batman’s forearm as the man tried to block him. The razor sharp spikes on the brace Bruce wore sliced into the horse’s skin, causing him to screech and flail in anger. His dark blood glistened as it seeped down his muscled chest and Bruce found himself regretting the action instantly. Nightmare spun around and nailed him with both of his back hooves, sending him flying backwards into the buildings main support column with a loud smack.

Bruce grimaced at the impact as once again the air was forced out of him, this time with a horrible pain in both his chest and back to join it. Scarecrow looked at the blood on his beloved horse and turned on Batman with some of the fiercest blows Bruce could ever remember seeing him throw. The scythe swiped at him madly and Bruce managed to avoid them, but not the repeated blows to his already aching chest.

They wrestled against the column for a few minutes until Nightmare saw a chance to end it. The horse rushed forward at top speed and smashed the support column with all his strength. The column crumbled down all around them as pieces of the building began to fall from above. One of the pieces struck Bruce and trapped him under its weight.

“Go Nightmare,” Scarecrow shouted, as the horse came to assist him when a piece of the roof knocked him in the shoulder.

“We agreed you’d go, you have to get out of here. Go where it’s safe, go home.” He knew the horse was fast enough to make it out before the entire building collapsed and Nightmare’s safety was all that mattered to him at the moment. Nightmare looked as if he was going to defy his orders, but when Jonathan pushed him away he obeyed and ran for safety. Jonathan was hurt and he didn’t know where Batman was as he dodged falling pieces of roof and tried to reach the exit. Before a large beam could crush him, Jonathan was lifted in strong arms and carried as Batman busted through a window. They landed on the ground heavily but were in no threat from the building.

Jonathan found himself clinging to the heavy body atop his own. He was disoriented and hurting everywhere and the warm, pleasant heat covering him offered stability. Jonathan knew Nightmare was safe and that was really all that mattered to him. He was not looking forward to his inevitable return to Arham and he didn’t know where he was going to get the strength to fight Batman when the other man tried to haul him in. With dismay, Jonathan found himself incredibly exhausted. He was trying to fight and stay awake, but in the end his body succumbed to unconsciousness.

Bruce righted himself a moment later and looked down at the Scarecrow, who was unmoving. He checked to make sure the villain had a pulse and then lifted the rather light body into his arms. He placed the other man on the motorcycle behind him and then used a cable from his belt to tie them together so the Scarecrow couldn’t fall off or escape if he woke up. He felt incredibly guilty because he kept thinking back to what Scarecrow had said. He was responsible for Crane’s alternate personality and he felt compelled to help him. Bruce contained the only remaining bit of the powerful antidote for Crane’s toxin.

The toxin that had been released that night was so powerful that everyone who inhaled it was probably dead right now, or close to it. Bruce paused before starting up the bike. Alfred’s words kept playing through his head, if only there was a place you could stick them that they couldn’t escape from. Bruce knew of only one place Scarecrow couldn’t escape from and that was under his watch. He would have to take the man to his hideout and keep him there while he tried to find a permanent cure. There was another plus to having Scarecrow close. Since the Joker had teamed up with the Scarecrow, Bruce had a feeling that the other man would be able to tell him where the Joker was. His mind made up, Bruce sped towards his hideout.

Note: Hope you all liked it! There will be much more to come! Please tell me what you think. I love to hear it.