Chapter 1
It was a dark evening within the streets of Gotham City, 2023. With horns honking within the streets and everyone below just living their regular lives. As I Bruce Wayne A.K.A. Bateman was swinging from the rooftops while using my grappling hook. While dress within my black and grey color costume. Who was about 27 years old at the time. Standing at 5'7, strong muscular body, jet black smooth hair and dark green color eyes. With everything looking pretty normal until around 7:00pm. When I heard something coming from an apartment building. Which sounded like a commotion that quickly caught my attention. As I quickly made my way over there. Who looked from a nearby rooftop and could clearly see. That there was some kind of fight going on inside of an apartment. Up on the sixth floor. An could clearly see that they were two men swinging fists at one another while making a pretty good mess in there. With the attacker being in his mid 30's, standing at 5'8, short black hair and dark brown color eyes. While the defender was 33 year old, standing at 5'7, messy light brown hair, thick mustache and light blue color eyes. Who didn't know what the fighting was all about and about to swoop in to handle it. When my eyes noticed a third man filming the scene with a video shoulder camera on his right side. Who could only assume that it was a movie being film. As I was about to leave the area here and resume my evening patrol. When a sudden thought crossed my mind. That there were no reports of a movie being filmed out here.
Causing me to quickly fire my grappling hook at the apartment building and then swung in. With me using my right leg to help shatter the glass window. With me landing inside as the two men were still fighting while the third was filming like nothing was going on. An didn't seem interested in me. Who was both surprised and also confused by this as well. As I tried to grab one of the two men. Only to see something very strange happen. That my left hand phased through them. As if they weren't there and quickly realized that they weren't real. But were in fact holograms which quickly disappeared. Which confused me as I didn't know who did this, yet alone. When my ears heard something coming from behind the apartment door. Which caused me to quickly duck down as major gunfire sprayed through not only the door but also the front walls. Tearing this place apart. While also seeing them rip through the wall behind me as well. As I kept my head down while clearly realizing that this was a clever trap set for me. With no idea on who was behind this. But needed to get myself out of here. As the gunfire suddenly stopped and knew straight away. That they were about to come inside an check to see if I'm alive or dead.
With me quickly reaching for my trusted utility belt. Grabbing my flash pellets as the door began opening fast and threw it towards the doorway with my left hand. Landing it near their feet before going off an blinding my unknown attacker. Before quickly getting up and rushing at them with lighting speed. Quickly beating up the armed figure wearing some kind of gas mask while wearing colorful clothing, dark blue dye hair, light green color eyes and armed with some sort of shotgun I've not scene before on the streets. Beating him with my fists while also giving him no chance to react and shoot me. Who easily went down as I quickly took down another wielding a strange pistol in their right hand. With me slamming their face into the door frame before asking in a serious firm voice. Who exactly are you?! An why were you trying to kill me?! Just when the mask figure was about to respond. Three armed gunmen came out of the nearby apartments and began firing machine guns at me. As I quickly ducked back into the damaged apartment.
Where I stayed down while tossing a smoke grenade into the hallway. To help blind my attackers before throwing my three razor sharp Batarangs. Which easily wounded the gunmen an made them cry out in pain as I rushed in and took them out. While already knowing that this couldn't be The Jokers Goons. Since their clothes were much different from theirs and also wielded weapons. Which I've never scene in or outside of Gotham City. Which made me start asking myself many important questions. Who are these armed gunmen? Where did they get these weapons from? An why were they here in Gotham? Yet alone trying to take my life? As a fourth armed man came bursting out of the left hallway apartment, who was about to open fire. When somebody shot threw one of the wooden doors. An hit him directly within the back. Causing them to drop onto the floor in pain. As my full attention turned over there and saw this lone strangely dress men step out. Standing at 5'7, dress within old western clothing, with his cowboy hat tipped down and also wielding a strange pistol before speaking to me. Apologies partner. But I couldn't allow this here outlaw to shoot you. Not when the law is here.
Quickly growing curious here I faced him and asked. Who exactly are you? He told me. Names Metal Cowboy, a superpowered lawman. Who's been hunting these gunmen for quite some time now. Until they got the drop on me and tried to force me to perform in their dangerous movie. Just like their doing to you. Both curious and also confused here I replied. What do you mean? He told me. Their called the Fear Show Gang. Who force their kidnapped or lured victims to perform in extremely dangerous films. That could easily cost innocent people their lives. An share their dark evil twisted films on the Black Market. Not liking the sounds of this he heard me now speak. Then I thank you for helping me. But clearly got this under control. Which made him reply back in a calm but serious voice. With all do respect, Batman. But they've got weapons and tech you aren't prepared to handle on your own. Plus I know more about them then you do. An unless your wanting this dangerous gang to tear up Gotham City. Then your going to need my honest help. Thinking carefully here while already knowing. That I know practically nothing about this man and barely much about this gang. Which he's clearly dealt with within the past.
I thought carefully here while also knowing it wouldn't be long before the G.C.P.D get here. With me responding back with an important question. Why should I trust you? He told me. Because I'm your best chance at catching these crooks. But also protecting your city from them as well. Including a way out of this apartment building as well. Putting more serious thought into this I respond. Fine. But you best keep up. As I quickly went to retrieve my grappling hook before using it to swing over towards the nearby rooftop. With him unexpectedly leaping out the same window I came through and somehow began flying over. While using some sort of high tech cowboy boots. Who landed near me and spoke. We best keep running before the law gets the wrong idea about what happened in there. As we both continued travelling faraway from the building until we were more then far enough to have us a private conversation on the rooftop of a small office building. With me facing him and began asking my two very important questions. Who exactly is leading this Fear Show Gang? An why are they here in Gotham? Metal Cowboy told me. Based off the clues they've been leaving me for the past month. I say their looking for a big star for their dangerous picture. An they've decided to pick you of all heroes. Instead of picking some normal tough guy.
An as for who's leading them. He goes by Director Death. Though truthfully, nobody really knows his real name. Yet alone scene his actual face. While also well protected by his best man name Officer Honk Nose. Who's no laughing matter. Judging from what he was telling me here. He was clearly being very serious with me and not messing around. As I respond back with another question. Any ideas on how many of the gangs members are out here? He replied. Honestly, I don't know. Since they got the drop on me before I could honestly find out. But one thing is very clear. That if they've chosen you for this film of theirs. Then expect very serious numbers. Growing concern here by what he was telling me. I began thinking here when I could hear Alfred contacting me through my cowl's communication ear piece. Sir, is everything alright? For I thought I heard some serious gunfire earlier ago. With me facing Metal Cowboy and spoke. If you'll excuse me for a moment. As I moved to the furthest edge of the rooftop and respond back. You did, for I was ambushed by a criminal group calling themselves the Fear Show Gang. Who lead me into a trap at an apartment building. But managed to take them down with some unexpected help. A little surprised by this news Alfred replied back. What sort of help sir? I told him. A man calling himself Metal Cowboy. Who claims their forcing me to perform in some kind of movie. That could endanger all of Gotham City. Growing worried Alfred quickly spoke to me. Do you wish for me to call for backup sir? I reply. No, I think I'll be fine. Plus he seems to know more about them then I do. But just to be safe. Run a full back round check on this man. An find out whatever you can.
With Alfred replying back. At once sir. With me getting off the coms and then turning around to face Metal Cowboy before speaking. If you have any sort of ideas. Onto where they might have setup their base of operations. Then I suggest you share this info with me. Metal Cowboy told me. I wish I honestly did Batman. But I truly don't, since this is my very first time here in your home city. It was obvious that he was still being truthful with me as I began thinking here on the rooftop before him. Until starting to get an idea and spoke. If their planning to make a movie here in Gotham. Then they would surely require a very large space to store their drops and other dangerous weapons. Growing curious he asked him. Do you have a place in mind? I replied. I do and suggest we hurry. Before they start cause much more serious damage. Who began leading the way while he followed close behind while also sharing more about this gang to me. As we both headed down to the Gotham City Warehouse District. Where we've spotted six of their members bringing a large wooden crate into one of the warehouses. With Metal Cowboy curiously asking me. What's the plan? I told him while watching our targets from a dark rooftop close by. We quietly sneak in and find out what exactly their planning, before we make our next move. Which made him speak. Sounds good to me. As he followed me down below and through an old hole within the right sided wall. Where we saw something we didn't expect at all.
For inside of the warehouse wasn't crates or film supplies. But in fact some kind of indoor jungle set up. Who didn't like this as we began hearing a male voice speaking to us. I must admit Batman. That while I'm thrilled that you've made it over here. Yet alone out of that apartment building with ease. I also didn't expect you to have a co-star in this big motion picture. Though....it doesn't really matter. Since neither of you are getting out of here so easily. As we both heard a sound behind us and quickly turned around to see some kind of barrier blocking the hole. Which made Metal Cowboy speak while drawing out both of his laser pistols. I hate to say it. But we've both stepped into their trap. As my eyes began scanning the jungle while secretly using my cowl's build in scanner. To see exactly how many armed gunmen are inside the building. Yet strangely it wasn't working and knew that this was bad. As I spoke to the mysterious voice in a calm manner. I assume your Director Death. The one that I was informed about. With him replying back. That's correct Batman an suggest you get ready. For we're filming in Five....Four....Three....Two....One. Action! That's when we both began hearing the sounds of tropical birds, flowing water and other things moving around. Making it tricky for us to tell who's where. Plus with nowhere for me to use as a vantage point. It made spotting the enemy even harder.
Who listen to Metal Cowboy begin whispering. Stay close Batman. For these men are surely armed with armor piercing bullets. Which made me reply back. What makes you so sure? He told me. Because they don't take chances with me. As we heard somebody moving over on our far right side. Causing Metal Cowboy to fire and wounded one of the gunmen. As four others began firing with us both quickly splitting up. With me quickly throwing four of my Batarangs. Wounding each one of them before I rushed in like an angry lion and took them down. While Metal Cowboy fired his lasers at two others close by. That were stunned and wouldn't be a problem for us anymore. As we kept moving through this man made jungle while seeking their leader. When I heard something big moving around. Which made me ask Metal Cowboy while also stopping within my tracks. Did you hear that? He replied. I sure did. As we began scanning the jungle with our eyes while staying perfectly still and very quiet. In hopes of spotting whoever or whatever we just heard. Until this huge robotic snake rose up and sprayed what I assume to be a green color poison at us. Which we both dodged as it struck a nearby tree and began melting the bark. Revealing it to be acid instead as Metal Cowboy easily scrapped it with his laser fire. Who then spoke. Let's keep moving, before they throw something bigger at us. Knowing he was right we resume moving north through the jungle as we soon came across a large indoor river. Which was blocking our path and obviously not safe to cross on foot. An needed to figure out a way past this watery obstacle.
When Metal Cowboy began moving towards one of the nearby thick trees and started pushing hard on it. Causing it to fall over and landed on the river. Creating a very easy way for us to cross. Which we were about to do, when my western ally was suddenly shot within his right arm. Causing him to cry out in horrible pain. While I quickly looked around in hopes of spotting the shooter. Yet it was no good, for there were no signs of them. Yet also knew if we didn't do something. Then we'll have us a huge problem as we laid low while using the fallen tree for cover. With me asking Metal Cowboy. Are you alright? With him replying back in pain. Yeah....I'm fine. But also within....pain. An want nothing more, then to get out of here. Understanding this I knew taking down this sniper was going to be a huge problem. Unless I'm able to somehow find them. An take them down.
