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Can Batman save Catwoman? And can Carnage and co. do as their told? Not likely.

Chapter 3: Two –Face (or according to Mr. Carnage the dreaded Double-Face!)

The only thing that was important to Batman right now was that he had to find Selina now. He knew she was at the courthouse but he also knew she wasn't exactly in a great position right now considering she was a 'guest' of Two-Face.

He quietly reflected while flying in the air. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel anything for Catwoman so that's why he doesn't say anything about it full stop, but every time he looked at her his only thought is why can't you be on the other side. It wasn't like he didn't understand at all, he had spent years of his life trying to understand the criminal mind and Selina's history made sense for her to be part of that life but she could have so easily turned the other way to.

Before his mind had been taken away by Mr. Carnage back at Ace chemicals he had noticed that quite a number of prisoners in orange jump suits were all walking into the courthouse. Batman realised that this was nothing but a show of power, a show of force to let everyone in here know that he meant business and he would soon be the top dog in Arkham, it was a recruitment drive.

Normally Selina could handle herself but Batman knew what he had to do. She was either stalling or she was genuinely in trouble and he couldn't take the risk. However on the plus side she might know more about what's going on in Arkham and she might be more willing to tell him if he saves her but that was unlikely.

Dent would be interesting to deal with as he usually was. A long time ago Batman, Dent and Gordon worked together in order to bring down the Falcone's once and for all but after the acid incident Harvey Dent was a changed man. He now uses a coin to make all his decisions and is obsessed with duality, Batman had constantly hoped for the day that Two-Face would become Harvey Dent again but that day had yet to come.

Batman landed on a building overlooking the courthouse. He looked back to where he took off but he could not see the Doctor, the pony or that bizarre man, something bothered him about the fact that he knew his identity. The Doctor certainly wouldn't have told him so he would have to question the individual once this was all over, he could only hope that they indeed followed his advice and hide somewhere until this was all over.

There were only ten goons outside the courthouse. Some of them were beckoning other to come join two-face's gang, they were no match for Batman. He glided down and took one out while others came to help but they all fell in similar fashions with either broken or dislocated bones, Batman with no further resistance walked into the courthouse.

---

As soon as he entered he could tell that Harvey had been all over the place, it was like the courthouse had been split into two with one side in relatively good condition while the other side looked like it was decaying and rotting with bits of the floor missing.

He heard lots of commotion from behind the doors and realised that they had already started and were now waiting for Two-Face. Even the staircase had partially been picked apart to suit Two-face's style which was duality. He imagined that the Mr. Carnage character would have likely made a joke about the condition of the courthouse but Batman just kept trying to block him out. It must have been something to do with what the Doctor said about Carnage's job being that of saving planets and universes, was he really in trouble, no he couldn't let himself think like that and he decided to press on.

When he reached the top of the stairs he made his way down the cleaner corridor and found himself at a door. He went in and voices from the inmates were much louder and were no longer muffled. There was a glass window overlooking the courtroom, there were at least over twenty inmates below and they were all waiting for Dent. Two-face appeared to be arguing with himself on what to do next and Batman knew it was really his good side arguing with his bad side.

In the end he flipped his coin but Batman assumed it was the unscratched side as he didn't kill Selina. Catwoman was being hanged from her feet over what looked like a pool of acid and if she was lowered it would be certain death. Two-Face slapped Selina after a comment she made that Batman did not hear but Batman did hear what Two-Face said to the goons below, "This court is now in session."

Batman made his way to the ladder on the far side of the room and could hear Harvey's speech to the inmates who wanted to join him, "Welcome people of Arkham City, it's good to see so many new faces in the crowd, Fresh faces for the gang, Today we present each of you with an exciting new opportunity…"

Batman had climbed to the top of the ladder and was now above the courtroom on a ledge. As he suspected there was a gunman up here that was overlooking the courtroom, Batman snuck up to the gunman and flipped him over and put a hand over his mouth, in a mixture of surprise and lack of oxygen the gunman passed out. With that Batman thought the rest the goons would be relatively easy to handle, he could hear Harvey continuing, "Two opportunities, to join us, to create a new force in Arkham…"

A stretch of rope hung above the courthouse, Batman followed it and used it as a tightrope and found himself directly above them, he could now see another tied up individual but he didn't look like an inmate…

"Now before you, you will also see a guard, a little gift from an old green acquaintance. Apparently this man is police office, or the better term, a pig, he will be all yours after the trial of Catwoman here."

Batman now stood on the tight ropes centre preparing to drop on the unsuspecting goons below, their numbers were large but he was confident that he could overcome them but before he made the leap he caught the voice of someone familiar. "Wow now hold on here folks, I'm a man for cruel and unusual punishment but why don't we let the beautiful lady go huh?"

The only thought that went through Batman's head as he saw Mr. Carnage strut right into the courtroom was he isn't really doing this is he?! What is he doing? Two-face and his hopeful initiates all turned to the bizarre looking man (as bizarre looking as Two-face) just strut into the room. Two-face pointed his gun at him, "Who the hell are you?"

Batman stood there for a moment. He knew he should clean house right now but he was curious to see what would happen, "Who am I? Why I am the midnight delight, the man who never loses his smile, Captain Charisma himself… but you may call me Mr. Carnage."

Carnage looked behind him quickly. Batman could see the Doctor peeking behind the door that Carnage had just came through, the Doctor wasn't one for physical confrontations so that suited him just fine. Rainbow Dash was now above them where Batman was, he saw her as he looked behind, she peeked over the ledge and she appeared ready to pounce, Carnage also spotted Batman on the tightrope and winked at him. Two-face and the hopeful initiates were so focused on Carnage that they didn't notice the Dark Knight above. Carnage continued, "Now I'm pretty sure that I know your name. Now let me just think for a second… are you triple face? Nope wait there's two sides… um… oh is it Two-Side? No that's stupid… Oh I remember now. Your Double-Face! It was so obvious."

To say that Two-Face was pissed off would be an understatement, he screamed "I'm Two-Face and you will show us some respect! We're gonna run this city soon!"

"Wow you have a lot of anger Double-Face, you should see someone about that."

Everyone was in position and Batman could see what he was planning. A co-ordinated attack and he had become part of it. It was so simple now, Carnage distracted Two-face while everyone took position, he and Carnage took care of Two-faces thugs, Rainbow Dash would fly across the room and directly attack two-face thus distracting him and this would give the Doctor time and space to free Catwoman. It was actually… very clever and the Dark Knight found himself going along with it, Two-face appeared to have had enough "God your as bad as the clown, now let's see who should take care of you, you get this side we deal with you ourselves but if you get this side one of these boys get the honour, you look all flash and no substance."

Two-Face flipped his trademark coin and placed it on his hand he saw it had landed on the undamaged side. He sent the closest goon to attack. Carnage put a finger up to tell everyone not to attack yet, he finally got a chance to see what he could really do. Carnage had never really been in a fight before apart from when he died but he imagined killing the killer as well didn't really count as a victory but possibly a draw so technically he was undefeated. So this would be interesting, the goon didn't take him very seriously and said "Alright boy let's see what you got."

Some of the other goons laughed and the attacking goon threw a punch. Carnage narrowly dodged it and countered with a uppercut to the chin. As soon as the strike hit the goon felt a surge of electricity in his brain knock him out cold and for good measure he was knocked further than anyone could have guessed and he face planted against the wall. Two-Face looked shocked at the realisation of what Carnage was, "Crap he's a super! All of you get him!"

At that moment Carnage shouted now and the Dark Knight descended on the thugs while Rainbow Dash zoomed across the room and head-butted Two-Face in the stomach. He recoiled in pain and dropped his gun while Rainbow Dash pounded on him with her hoofs and then he screamed out "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS THING!"

The Doctor took this opportunity to try and save Catwoman. He stayed to the edges of the courthouse trying to avoid any confrontations, the thugs were too busy with Batman and Mr. Carnage to pay any attention to Two-face's screams or the Doctor running past them. Carnage was doing well for a man who had never really fought, his electricity was almost controlled and it didn't appear to be killing any goons but rather stunning them, but Batman was cleaning house. Goons were flying everywhere and if someone was keeping score Batman would be winning by a country mile.

The Doctor had gotten up to the stage and snuck past Dash who was pounding on a very confused Two-face and tried to untie Catwoman. Catwoman had no clue what was going on or who three of the people (the other was a pony) who were trying to save her even were, "Hey listen, not that I don't appreciate the save and all but you wouldn't mind telling who you guys are would you handsome?"

The Doctor responded as he got his sonic screwdriver out of his coat pocket, "No time for that I'm afraid were just winging it… that's the story of my life actually."

Two-face was then able to get a grip on reality and his anger exploded as he threw Rainbow Dash off of him. "That is enough!"

Rainbow Dash flew against the wall and as Carnage knocked out another goon he spotted this. Then he saw Two-face pick up his gun and kick the downed Pegasus in the gut and Rainbow Dash screamed out in pain. It was like being kicked in the gut by a dragon to her as she was dealing with something three times her size, "That's what you get you little bitch! I don't know what the hell you are but you'll get yours after I'm done with her!"

Carnage rushed over to her aid but Two-Face spotted him and Carnage dodged out of the way before he could fire his gun but Two-face now lined up his shot at the Dark Knight who had taken out the last goon, "Objection…"

Dent fired his gun and it was direct hit to Batman who fell over on impact. Carnage rushed to his aid as Dent blew the smoke from the gun, "Overruled!"

He marched towards the still tied up Catwoman to see the Doctor fiddling with some device. The Doctor quickly slid it in his sleeve pocket so Dent couldn't see it, "You stop right there, it appears I have someone else who wants to take the executioners block…"

The Doctor tried to reason with him, "Harvey Dent you are a man of justice not an executioner, let us go. There are people who can help you if you just believe in them, I believe in Harvey Dent and I know that your wife still does as well."

"Gilda? But I… No we don't need her anymore, now pick a side…"

"Whichever one gets me out alive would be nice."

Two-face gave off a sinister chuckle, "Wrong answer."

He flipped the coin and in the moment he was distracted the Doctor smoothly let the Screwdriver fall out of his sleeve and in to his hand and pressed it against the rope. He pressed the button and the screwdriver broke the rope. Catwoman didn't waste any time and scratched the scarred side of Harvey Dents face. Catwoman completely broke free and leapt right next to the Doctor as Two-Face fell off the stage and on to the ground. Catwoman proceeded to mock, "No gun Harv? Shame, this is gonna hurt."

Her claws were now revealed but then Two-Face pulled out another gun, "Two guns bitch!"

The Doctor and Catwoman ducked but Two-Face found himself being pulled upwards and was now hanging from his feet courtesy of Batman. He had recovered moments ago after Carnage shook him awake. Carnage was now untying the police officer and the Doctor was helping up Rainbow Dash who insisted that she was fine, Batman connected Two-Face up so that he was now hanging over the pool of acid.

Catwoman strolled up to the tied up man and said "How's it hanging Harv?"

She was about to kick him but then she spotted the Pegasus pony who had helped save her, "I think you deserve to take a shot at him blue."

Dash nodded and proceeded to buck the defenceless Two-face repeatedly in the stomach. The police man told Carnage he just needed a minute and Carnage saw the treatment Dent was receiving from Dash, "Alright Dash that's enough."

Rainbow flew to him,"Oh c'mon Carnage this guy's a jerk. He totally deserves the clobbering he gets."

"Heh, you sound like the Thing"

"What Thing?"

"Oh… never mind, but whether or not he's a jerk or not isn't the point. You have to understand Dash that mentally well, he's just not there anymore."

"But what about Spike? He was loopy as heck but you don't seem cut up about him."

"Well I don't think Spike was really insane I just think that was his true personality that had been building up and was finally released when he saw the mare he wanted to be with and idolised and adored, with another mare."

Catwoman turned to Batman, "Anyone ever tell you your full of surprises. I see you've got a couple of new sidekicks but the one with the face paint seems like the only one dressed for the part."

Mr. Carnage walked up to her, "Excuse me Miss but I'm no one's sidekick and the names Mr. Carnage. That's the Doctor and that's Rainbow Dash."

Batman turned the conversation back, "I thought you could use my help Selina."

"Your right, I think I chipped a nail back there."

"Funny."

Dash snickered a little and Catwoman commented, "I have to say I like your little friend there, she's got a fire and she's pretty cute."

Dash flew up to her and looked a little cross, "Hey, who you calling cute?"

"Settle down there blue I'm just joking around, so what do you need Mr. Detective?"

Carnage responded, "Yes? Oh sorry you're talking to Batman."

Batman spoke, "Wait a second, you're a detective too?"

"Well I guess I technically am."

Catwoman looked at the pair, "My my, two detectives? Looks like I'm spoiled for choice."

Dash looked crosser now, the Doctor stepped forward, "Batman here needs to ask you something."

"Protocol 10, what do you know Selina?"

She simply shrugged at the Dark knight's question, "Never heard of it."

Carnage was now curious, "What's important about this protocol 10?"

"The man who runs this city is called Strange, he locked me up here but he said something called protocol 10 will make him famous."

Carnage thought the name Strange sounded awfully familiar to him. The Doctor asked "What about Strange?"

"I don't trust him, he's been missing for years and then he's put in charge of running Arkham City. Rumour has it he's been working with the Joker planning something very special for Batman, maybe that's protocol 10?"

Now that was a name that rang alarm bells in Carnage's head, but as Selina continued both he and Batman spotted a light on Selina's head. Carnage called out to watch out and Batman pulled her out of the way as a sniper bullet went through the window, Dash was surprised and flew back a little but immediately went back to keeping her cool image. Catwoman commented "This place is dangerous, I like it. You expecting a kiss?"

Batman stood back a little, "It was Joker, you're not safe, no one is."

Dash spoke, "How'd you know it was this Joker?"

"I just know, I always know when it's him."

Catwoman then made her exit, not saying another word. The Doctor inspected the bullet hole that was made in the glass, "We might be able to find out where he shot the bullet from this."

Carnage confirmed "Your right, this could show a trajectory but we have nothing to measure it with."

Batman knew exactly what to do, "Step back all of you, I'll find it out."

Carnage knew better than to question the Dark Knight in this department, he walked up to the police man and asked, "So who was that green friend that Two-Face mentioned? The one that captured you I'm assuming."

"Yeah your right buddy. It was the Riddler and a bunch of his goons, he's got something brewing but he told me to give this to Batman."

"Okay I'll give to him, you just get to safety.

The police man didn't say another word a he left. Carnage looked over it and it was some kind of riddle box, all he had to do was match letters to create a whole word and the answer to the riddle. There were some numbers edged in it and times to activate it them, the numbers were 2-7-5, 3-2-5.

Batman walked up to the three and Carnage told him what the guard had said and the numbers, "I know what this is, let me put them in."

He opened up the device he used to scan the chip from earlier and put the numbers in. Then they heard a message, "At last, Batman I have set up a series of challenges for you and the prize being the lives of these fools. Are you ready to begin? Answer the riddle in the box and I'll give you the coordinates, can you solve it?"

Batman stood up, "Give me the box."

Carnage said "Oh I already solved it."

"You what?

"Yeah it was easy. The riddle was 'If you know me you'll want to share me, but if you share me I'll be gone, what am I?' it was obviously a secret, here's the location."

As he gave the box to Batman, Rainbow Dash said "You're still an egghead I see."

The Doctor showed mocked offense, "Hey watch it you, we eggheads have to stick together. Anyway where did the bullet come from?"

"The church but I'll have to save the hostage first."

"Alright then, let's go check out the church."

"No all of you stay here. If you barricade the doors you should be fine."

Dash flew up to Batman's face, "Hey you need us, we can't catch this guy if no one goes now."

"This is not up for debate, I understand you want to help but you'll just get in my way."

Before anyone could say anything Batman ran out of the courthouse. Carnage stood there and asked "Right so who's up to going to the church?"

Rainbow Dash wasn't sure, "I don't know? He seemed pretty serious this time round."

The Doctor explained "We can't risk Joker getting away though, especially if he's partially behind all of this."

Carnage turned back to Two-Face, "Right see you around Double-Face!"

After an angry growl from Two-Face, the prying eyes of Catwoman rom a rooftop witnessed the three of them using the back exit to leave before she herself went off on her own personal mission…

Next chapter, Bane, riddles and explosions!

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