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Batman has gone off to save a hostage from the Riddler while Carnage, the Doctor and Rainbow Dash go off to investigate the church where the sniper shot was taken.

Chapter 4: The clock strikes Joker

As Batman left the courthouse he could hear the words of Strange over his ear piece saying "Protocol 10 will commence in 10 hours."

That had nearly distracted him from the goons outside the courthouse who were looking for their leader only to run into the Dark Knight. While Batman easily disposed of the thugs the realisation that he only had 10 hours to stop whatever Strange was doing was now looming over him.

For a moment he thought that he might actually need some help, there was a group inside the courthouse who were willing at least but he couldn't bring himself to do it. The people he dealt with were not of stable mind and he could not predict what could happen, if any of them were to die because of him then he would never forgive himself.

As the last goon fell Batman looked above and saw a mysterious figure watching him, he had no clue who this man was but all he was doing was just staring at him from above. Batman took out a batarang from his utility belt and threw it to test him. The batarang flew through the air, it moved like a hot knife cutting through butter but the intended target instead caught it before it struck him, he just inspected the device for a moment before letting it drop and continued with his staring.

Batman wasn't sure what to do now. He could either confront him or leave, and Batman wasn't one for just leaving so he shot himself straight up to the building. He landed just inches away from the figure but he still didn't move, he appeared to be black and he wore a white costume with a red hood and red facial mask. Batman was about to speak but was cut off by the figure, "Are you the one the prophecy spoke of?"

Before Batman could even consider answering the question the figure got the large glowing blade that was attached to his arm and stuck it into the ground, he then made a circular shape around himself using the blade and a large amount of smoke covered the Dark knights vision. He was so surprised that he had to cover his eyes because of the possibility that it could have blinded him but once the smoke had cleared there was nothing and no one around. There was however a large shape left on the ground.

The shape was too specific to not mean anything. it was two thirds of a circle with a line through it and at the end of the line was a bunch of circles getting smaller and smaller. Batman scanned the shape and decided to keep an eye out for whoever this figure was but for now he had to get to the hostage.

It didn't take him long however to come across something else that seemed off, just outside the Krank toy factory a distress flare had been set off. Now more than ever did he wish that someone was helping him but he couldn't just ignore it, there were a number of thugs outside but it appeared that they too had come about the distress flare but for alternative reasons.

There were only three so despite the fact they had guns they weren't much of an issue for Batman, after they had been taken care of Batman noticed the very large teddy bear on top of the factory and this alone gave him an idea of who could be in there.

As he entered there was now a very large corridor ahead of him but he could see a very large figure who appeared to be working on something. It was obvious to Batman who it was but he still approached as he was curious to why Bane would ignite a distress flare. As he walked down thoughts of the possibility of this being a trap were running rampart in his mind but there was nothing really to suggest that this was a trap apart from the fact it was Bane who he was dealing with so he continued on anyway.

He stepped over the teddy bear which was likely a replacement for Otis and approached the 8ft man in front of him. Bane turned around to face his old rival and he had a surprising grin on his face and he spoke with his thick Mexican accent, "Surprised to see me Batman?"

In some way despite Banes size Batman always had an ability to talk down to all no matter who they were. But he was wary not to piss off Bane as he didn't need to deal with him as well tonight but there were times when Batman just couldn't help himself, "A little, last time I saw you, you were wrapped around the hood of my car."

"You knew it would not kill me."

"I wasn't trying to, I'm in no mood for a fight, what are you doing here?"

Batman decided to get to the point of this whole distress flare nonsense and Bane was more than happy to tell. "Doctor Young's Titan formula, the payaso managed to send some off of Arkham Island before you stopped him."

"How much more did Joker manage to get off the island?"

"Too much, that is why I am here. I will not allow the basura of this city to abuse the Titan. Dr. Young used me to create it, it is my duty to destroy what remains."

Bane had a history of honour and fulfilling obligations but there was something fishy about all of this, however if there really was Titan all over the place then he needed to destroy it before it got abused to much, "I'll help you but understand this. If you try anything, I'm taking you down too, we find Titan containers. We destroy them, deal?"

Bane let out a small chuckle, "Of course, each container had a radio beacon built in, there were twelve containers left in the city, we take six each and then we meet back here."

"Six each? Fine, today isn't a good day to lie to me Bane. Remember that."

Bane said nothing else and simply turned around to continue plotting, Batman also left without saying a word. He doubted he could fully trust Bane and was waiting for any kind of betrayal, it was better to deal with it when you see it coming, but Batman had enough at this point and went straight towards the supposed location of the Riddler hostage.

---

Meanwhile…

Carnage, the Doctor and Rainbow Dash had taken the back exit in order to not run into Batman. They had come across a man who appeared to have some sort of brain surgery and was identifying himself as Calendar Man, he kept asking what was Rainbow Dash's birthday and if he could tell them about his experience on St Patrick's Day but Carnage told her not to say anything and just move on.

They were now on their way to the church, Rainbow Dash looked like she was thinking intently about something and to Carnage that wasn't a good sign. He didn't really know what to say as he had never seen her like this, he'd seen her upset, happy, lustful and had even seen her cry but never like this. Luckily the Doctor had noticed too and said "You know Rainbow Dash, you are very lucky."

She looked like she was knocked out of her trance and looked up at him, "How so?"

"I've had a lot of companions that have joined me in adventures around the universe but very few had ever seen another universe, what was the place called where you came from?"

"Oh that was Equestria."

"Then let me put this in perspective for you. You, Rainbow Dash of Equestria, are the first to go to another universe in your entire world's history I'm willing to bet."

Rainbow Dash suddenly had a sense of pride engulf her which slightly made her ego grow, and Carnage didn't think it could have gotten any bigger but Carnage took this opportunity despite the possibility of inflating her ego further to cheer her up, "You know what else Doctor. Not only that but Rainbow Dash is also the one and only element of loyalty."

The Doctor looked very intrigued, "Really? What's that then?"

"You see Rainbow Dash has become one of the elements of harmony. The elements of harmony consist of magic, joy, generosity, honesty, kindness and loyalty, so we certainly won't see Skittles here abandoning any of us."

A large smile was planted on Dash's face as she was filled up with pride. She beamed a way and flew next to the pair with a returned sense of pride, she got up next to Carnage and kissed him on the cheek, she whispered a thank you to him but the realisation of the kiss suddenly dawned upon her. Memories of their time together flooded her mind, she knew it was selfish but she wished he'd stayed a pony. She recalled her first love, it had taken her a month to get past her own personality and stubbornness and ask him out but it didn't last long and it never really felt right, the same was said when she was with Spitfire.

Their relationship was built on two separate view points. Spitfire thought Dash was hot and Dash wanted to be a Wonderbolt, but when she was with Carnage it was different. She thought as a pony he was cute, she loved his charm and the enigma that always surrounded him, she even loved the fact he was an egghead but now she could never have him back, he could never be hers again and Dash didn't like it when she didn't get what she wanted. She was also thinking things she had never thought before when Catwoman had flirted with Carnage, her thoughts were interrupted by Carnage, "So what were you thinking about earlier Dash."

The three of them were well on their way to the church as they walked down the dark streets, they were all surprised by how little resistance they had actually come across. They only occasionally found the odd orange jumpsuit inmate and they were quickly disposed of by Dash and Carnage. Dash was a little confused by his question though, she wondered how he could have known, "How did you know?"

The Doctor answered the question, "Simple, you had one of those faces. Yours in particular involved you biting your lip."

Dash let out a sigh, "It's just… I don't understand that Batman guy. We offer to help but he just keeps turning us away for some reason, what's his problem?"

Carnage and the Doctor looked at each other, both trying to figure out what to say exactly. Carnage took the initiative, "Look Dash he's had a very hard life, and this has made him sort of a loner. Despite his teammates and being a founding member of the Justice League he generally prefers to go alone."

"But what happened to him?"

The Doctor and Carnage were hesitant to say but the Doctor gave in, "… his parents were murdered in front of his eyes when he was very young."

Nothing was said between the three of them for what felt like ages, Dash wanted answers and she certainly got them and now an awkward air hung among them. she finally said, "I can't imagine what I'd do if my parents had died."

Carnage asked, "Skittles can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah sure, what is it?"

"If we ever get back to Equestria then for me could you visit your parents in Trottingham? I'm sure they would love to see you."

The Doctor then said something that neither Carnage nor Dash were prepared for "You know I get the sense that you two might have been something more in the past…"

Dash and Carnage looked at each other not exactly sure what to say.

The Doctor continued, "From my years of experience I'd almost say you two were previously…

Carnage cut him off, "Oh look at that, were here!"

The three of them stood at an old metal gate and beyond the gate was a large church. The place of worship looked abandoned like many of the buildings in Arkham but Carnage felt that such a large building had to have someone in it so they would have to be careful.

They walked past a couple of gravestones which unnerved Dash slightly and they arrived at the spiritual building. Carnage was born and raised Christian however he had always had doubts about his faith and his recent adventures had only made those doubts grow.

Looking around to make sure there wasn't a trap satisfied Carnage enough and he began to explain the plan, "Okay guys, the bullet must have been fired from the top of the bell tower. Skittles I want you to fly up ahead and check it out, be careful though as there might be a trap up there."

Dash wasn't bothered, she thought she could handle anything up there and found Carnages worrying to pointless. "Quit it. I'm not a filly like Scootaloo, I can take care of myself. What are you guys doing anyway?"

"Me and the Doctor will check out the church to make sure there isn't anyone in trouble in here. Plus whoever fired the bullet could be just behind this door so we'll need to catch them, sound good to you Doctor?"

"Oh yes, normally I lead but I like the plan."

Dash nodded and flew upwards, the Doctor watched in awe at her speed as she began to show off a little. "Wow, she sure is something isn't she, taken from her own world and with the possibility of never seeing it again looming over her, but despite that she carries right on, you sure she isn't British?"

"Pretty sure, her parents now live in the pony version of England but yeah I'm certain. She's pretty incredible isn't she."

As the pair walked into the church they immediately heard the clicking of guns and before them were three armed thugs who had their guns pointed directly at them. There was a scantily clad woman in front of them now with clown make-up and she spoke in a thick Boston accent, "Hey! Who are you losers?"

---

Batman had followed the directions exactly and now he found himself at a wall. The wall in question was in a damp, dark street and it had a large green question mark painted on it using spray paint. It was clear that this is where Riddler wanted Batman to go.

He went straight up to the supposed brick wall and knocked on it, the sound it produced was hollow, which meant this was wood and easy to break down. He rammed it once and the wooden wall nearly completely gave way and all it took after that was a kick and a large hole emerged from the sound of crashing wood and splinters. Batman walked through and went straight through the door.

As he walked through he could see a holographic projection of the Riddler appear in front of him. Riddler began as he usually did with gloating and mocking, "So you decided to finally show up did you?"

Batman knew what the answer to his demand would be but he said it anyway, "Let them go Riddler, their innocent."

"Don't be stupid Dark Knight. They wouldn't find themselves in the predicament they are currently in if they had tried to think a few steps a head, now would they? And to correct you it's one, more will come, you'll see."

Batman had a bad feeling about what he meant by that but before he could ask. Riddler continued, "Now, if you solve the room ahead and four equally challenging ones and I will be providing those soon, you save them. If you don't then they die and we'll see if society crumbles at their passing."

Batman had only one observation and it was an obvious one, "You're insane."

Riddler seemed to get angry at this, "No! That would imply mental illness or derangement, I suffer from neither. Oh and yes, I can see you Batman and I look forward to watching you fail."

Riddler then turned his back and the projection turned off. Batman didn't waste any time as he tried to open the door but it was locked and Riddler appeared again saying, "Are you so stupid that you can't even open a simple door?"

Batman quickly realised his mistake when he looked behind and saw the electric green question mark that had a button at the end. Batman hit the button with a batarang and the door opened, Riddler's voice could be heard as Batman saw the hostage above him, tied to a chair on a small platform. "Very good Dark Knight, you've successfully figured out how to open a door."

Batman could hear the tied up man calling for help but now the Bat had a new problem, the floor was in multiple panels and they were all electrified apart from the one Batman was on. He saw an elevator at the far end and question mark buttons on the walls and that's when he knew what he had to do.

He threw a batarang at the question mark button at the far end and a pathway opened up. This button turned off certain pads electric currents which created a path for the Dark Knight to run across, he ran across as he could hear a timer and Riddler spoke over the intercom, "Oh very good Batman. I see you have begun to understand the puzzle, bathe in the glory of your primitive conquest, it will be your last."

Batman had made it to a safe pad that was not electrified as the countered stopped and the pads he had walked on were now electrified again. Batman wasn't worried though as he examined the wiring he could see which button to hit next and as he did the new pathway opened. As he ran across Riddler spoke again, "I hope you don't think all of my puzzles will be that simple."

He again narrowly made it to a safe point and he realised all the path ways were shaped like question marks, he could predict how to get to the final one now and he hit the final switch.

He made it to the elevator with time to spare but it didn't move. He realised there was one button left and when he hit it the elevator started to rise, he was now just above the hostage and he glided down to his rescue. Riddler appeared one last time, "Don't feel too pleased with yourself Dark Knight, that room was one of the easy ones."

He knew Riddler was lying through his teeth but he didn't dwell on it as he saved the last hostage and got him just outside the building. As soon as they got out the man said "6-2-5 9-2-5 and only use those numbers when it corresponded on the time on the box, that's what he told me to tell you. I don't know what it means but he told me he'd kill the future hostages if I didn't tell you exactly what he said, why doesn't he just tell you what he wants?"

Batman had one simple answer, "Because he's insane."

"You don't say."

"I'll take you back where you were stationed just…"

They then suddenly heard an explosion in the distance, Batman took the man to the roof and they watched the bell tower of the church explode…

---

Several minutes earlier…

The woman now identified as Harley Quinn started doing flips towards the Doctor and Carnage and brandished a knife, she got closer and closer and was preparing to do some form of finishing attack, however she was taking a while to get there and the pair had enough time to look at each other, nod, and when Harley moved into position the two stepped aside and she landed flat on her face.

She landed painfully and then one of the goons said "Let the lady go! If either of you two freaks touch her then these people get a bullet in the head!"

Carnage and the Doctor looked to see what he meant and there were a number of guards and policemen with their hands behind their heads in the middle of the room, the doctor said "Oh hey that's not very nice, I expected better from a mindless goon… actually with that hoodie you look more like a badly behaved school boy. You're a hoodie, a happy slappy hoodie, a happy slappy hoodie with ASBO's and ringtones, eh, oh yeah"

Carnage smirked and shook his head, he looked at the blonde (who was living up to the stereotype as she picked herself up) Carnage said "And you must Harley Quinn, nice to meet you apart from you holding hostages of course. Although I must say what you lack in fighting ability and brains you make up in hotness, don't you agree Doctor?"

The Doctor didn't reply as a mental image of Rose had popped into his head, Harley Quinn was up now and looked at the odd man. "Who the heck are you two supposed to be?"

"Why I'm Mr. Carnage and this is the Doctor."

"Yes that's me, hello."

Harley shook her head, "Ugh, Mister J won't be happy Bat freak isn't here."

Carnage countered, "Watch your tone young lady, you're not in my good books right now with all the innocent people you have trapped here and your hotness is barely keeping you in the green."

He was flirting with her on purpose, like last time with Celestia but he knew it would get under her skin. She only had eyes for her Mister J after all. She responded, "Oh really? What do you think of my new outfit?"

That was not the response Carnage thought he would get but words fell out his mouth, "Very nice I have to say. I love what you done with the hair to. It gives you the whole sexy clown look. I mean what can I say, I'm a sucka for face paint…

The Doctor interrupted him before he went any further "I'm sorry to interrupt… this, but are you flirting with the maniacal clown woman? Not only that but this maniacal clown woman's boyfriend is the Joker."

"Three points Doctor. One shut up I can do what I like, two no one's perfect and three, you flirted with a tree woman, a cat lady and a woman who looked like Kylie Minogue."

"… fair point."

Harley Quinn continued, "What was I saying? Of course you do, who wouldn't?"

Carnage only nodded his head while the Doctor averted his eyes. Harley thought of something, "I know, you can give B-man a message for me. Mister J is really not up to a visit from him, he's not feeling himself…"

The pair raised an eyebrow and the Doctor asked "You mean he's ill?"

"Well actually… never mind, he's just not doing so good and that idiot doctor I sent from here didn't help. I've seen more help from these bozos."

Carnage put sympathetic look on, "Oh that's not very nice, I'm sure these up standing gentlemen are your ideas men."

The goon at the far left said, "Well actually I do have a few ideas and I think the Joker can be a little harsh…"

The goon in the middle slapped him over the head, "Dude, seriously? He's being sarcastic."

Harley just shook her head, "You see what I mean? I've got to run now so boys, if they try anything funny, KILL THEM! See you later Doctor and… Mister C."

Harley took her leave but as she left Carnage swore she winked at him. Carnage turned to the Doctor who clearly saw the same thing, "Doctor, I'm going to make you a promise. By the end of the night I am at least going to make out with her."

The Doctor rolled his eyes and they refocused on the goons in front of them. And they could only hope they didn't have itchy trigger fingers…

---

Meanwhile…

Rainbow Dash had to break the window to get in but she appeared to be in the clear. She snuck around ninja style and hoped she would have more success than last time, it was dark but she could make everything out but then she realised she had no idea what a sniper looked like.

She saw a lot of barrels and sticks with weird devices strapped together and it all looked vaguely familiar to her. She spotted what she thought she was looking for as a long thing was pointed out a window and directly at the courthouse but there was also a window thing with a lot of grey and it appeared to be connected to a box.

She touched the long thing and then suddenly a face appeared on the box and it looked like some kind of weird clown, "Well look who it is… it's not who I expected at all in fact, you're a weird pony. Hah weird coming from me now that is funny!"

Dash didn't like this guy already and stepped back a few paces. she asked "How did you get in that?"

"Hah, you're not from around here are you… oh I know, do you like games? Cause if you come over to the steel mill we can play pin the tail on the donkey or pony in your case."

She got the threat but still didn't understand. She assumed he wasn't actually there and it must be like a portal. She touched it however and didn't go through so she figured it was one way on his side. Joker continued, "Oh I'm bored of you already, you just have to worry about the bombs, hurry up now, clocks ticking."

Suddenly numbers appeared on the screen counting down from 5. She knew what this was and she flew out as fast as she could and the then the explosion. The flames set a light her back feathers and she fell. Dash panicked and flapped as hard as she could and eventually the flames went out but she still fell.

The ground was coming closer so she tried to stay calm and self-righted, she spread her wings and she slowed down and found herself landing in a pile a snow. Dash had never loved winter more…

---

A Moment ago…

The middle goon with his gun still pointed it at the Doctor and Carnage and said "You know what? I'm gonna finish you both now, see you later…"

The explosion rang out above them and the moment they were distracted the Doctor pulled out his screwdriver and pushed the button, they attempted to fire in a panic but found their guns not firing. Carnage asked, "What did you do?"

"A trick I learned from the Sontarons, I expanded the bullets in their gun, now their jammed and useless."

Carnage then cracked his knuckles and a smile was on his face, "This is going to be fun…"

---

Moments later...

Dash walked in with a bruised ego and found three men laying on the ground while Carnage and the Doctor were helping people up. Some noticed her but didn't say anything as she walked up to Carnage talking to a man with a hook, "Oh there you are Skittles I was just about to find you, what happened?"

"Oh I dodged an explosion from a weird clown on a glass thing."

"That's my girl, and it's a TV Dash. So were going to the Steel Mill oh and by the way this is Aaron Cash."

Cash looked a bit bewildered but just smiled and nodded and said "Yo, what's up?"

Carnage spoke again, "Anyway Cash remember to give that letter to Batman when he gets here he'll want to see that."

"Will do Mr. Carnage, and thanks for your help, honestly I never thought I'd be saved by anyone besides Batman."

They shook with Cash's good hand and Dash asked "Where's the Doctor?"

"Oh he's over here Skittles, c'mon."

The Doctor was talking to ironically a female doctor who looked a bit shaken. She looked a bit familiar to Carnage. The Doctor looked back to see Carnage and said "You'll want to hear this."

He pointed to a man with bandages all over his face and he was tightly holding onto a box. The actual doctor explained, "This is a doctor, he transferred here but I think it was too much for him. We didn't realise he was losing it, he… we should have noticed."

Carnage stopped her, "Okay before you continue. Skittles could you wait outside please?"

"Why?"

"Just do this one thing for me."

After the fall Dash didn't have the energy to argue and left, the doctor continued, "He was stealing supplies… anaesthetics mostly. He used them when he… when he cut his own face off. I found him sitting in the corner laughing, his face was missing. I wrapped him up and sedated him, who knows what's in that case he's holding but we can't pry it off of him."

Carnage looked back at the bandaged man who looked strangely familiar to him and the Doctor. Carnage said "Thank you for telling us doctor...

"Jones, It's Dr. Jones but you can call me Martha."

it clicked for Carnage why the Doctor wanted to talk to her but he just left and Carnage followed. They noted that they would have to keep their eyes on the bandaged man.

---

10 minutes later…

Batman and the doctor arrived at the church. the doctor ran in to be reunited with his colleagues but Batman found it odd that three Joker goons were out cold at the entrance. He then heard a familiar voice from Aaron Cash, "Hey Batman, you missed the party, your friends saved us."

"Friends?"

"Yeah you know, Mr. Carnage and the other two, the one in the brown overcoat and the flying horse… you have some weird friends Bats, that's all I'm saying. Oh this is from Carnage."

Batman opened the note given to him.

To Batman

Yo, what up buddy?

Turns out you were right and it was Joker. Apparently he aint well and they have been kidnapping doctors.

Long story short were gonna stop them. Jokers base is at the Steel Mill so come on down and join us

Love Carnage, Doctor and Skittles

Batman had nothing to say apart from "I don't know if I hate him or respect him… either way it looks like I have no choice."

Next chapter, A raid on jokers Base.

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