The rain filled the red night sky of Gotham city that night. Just like any other night the crimson sky was the backdrop to the gothic hell hole the vermin of the world flocked too.
No kids ran playing in the streets of the Redlight district unless they brought their trusty knives they always kept when leaving the house. This young boy did not carry his, nor did he have one. The kid's name was Terry, having just moved to Gotham after his mom found a job working at Gotham Central Bank he decided to explore his new home.
"Terry, we aren't in Metropolis anymore. If you are to go outside, you need to be with an adult okay?" His mother said as she squatted down to his eye level. "Listen up, I have your-" Terry's attention drifted from her mother's words to her appearance.
Terry observed the dark circles under her eyes, her coffee stained lips, and her wrinkled suit. She was working overtime to afford the bit of luxury they did have. The boy was set to start at an academy next month, but the costs put a burden on his mother. She didn't mind the work, she didn't want her child around children who had been too hardened by this city.
"Okay Terry? I need to know you understand." The mother put her hands on her son's shoulders. Terry couldn't understand why her eyes were so worried.
"Okay mom."
She sighed and gave him a hug before leaving for work.
They lived in a decent sized apartment home on the first floor in the heart of Gotham. At the edge of the Redlight district, not where the mother hoped to raise her child. But she prayed them being near the neighboring district would mean the crime was less prevalent in their area.
The boy watched as her mother drove off down the street, he sat there for some time watching the rain create puddles in the street.
His stomach began to growl.
He went to the kitchen and climbing on the counters he found his favorite cereal. Super S's, the blue and red crests were poured into an empty bowl and filled with milk. He munched on them as he sat in front of the old tv that was there before they moved in.
Terry learned how to use the nob to change the channels, he flicked through the commercials and news channels as he searched for the cartoon channel.
"This just in, reports from Arkham Asylum have revealed that the infamous -Click"
"-Har Har Har Batman! You will NEVER escape my Penguin Slide of DOOM!!"
Terry laughed as his show took his mind away from the dark and strange rainy streets that sat just outside his door. The static of the old television brought him a comfort only silly cartoons could bring him when he was left alone in his apartment.
Crackoom
Lightning pierced the night sky, and the apartment went dark. Terry panicking rolled up into a ball and threw a nearby blanket over him.
He shivered as his mind tried to ignore the thoughts of monsters coming in the dark to take him away.
Just as tears started streaming down his face a knock came from the door.
Knock Knock Knock
Then as if on cue the light's reappeared, the apartment flicked back to life and the television continued its broadcast uninterrupted.
A high but friendly voice came from the door, "Hellooooo? Terrrrrry? I know you are Hoooome."
Terry did not recognize the voice at first, but once walking to the door and pulling it open enough to see the tall figure standing outside his face lit up.
"Hi Mr! Thanks for those pieces of candy from Yesterday."
The slim figured reached out his gloved hand and shook the boys hand. In his other, he held an umbrella that he was shaking the rain off of.
"Of course Terry! We Gotham folk always love to open a welcoming hand to new Gothamites!" His smile was wide and his teeth yellow. "Listen Terry, why don't we go out on the town and I can show you how great Gotham is."
"Oh I don't know if I can do that?"
The man's smile began to fade, his red lips drooping into a frown. "Why not Terry? Don't you trust me?"
Terry grabbed the man's hand and said, "Oh I do Mr, but Mama told me I can only go out with an adult."
The man laughed as he patted Terry on the head. "Oh Terry, you crack me up! I may be a clown, but I am also an adult Terry. Come let me introduce you to the real Gotham city."
...
The wind was strong as the human bat soared through the night sky. His cape creating the shadow of a bat that occasionally passed over the people of Gotham. His boots hit the puddled roof as he rolled into a run, leaping off the building his grappling gun shot a line to a nearby building. He swung past the apartments and office buildings with swift precision.
"Cssht- Master Bruce, we have picked up a word that Arkham has finally put out an official notice of the Joker's escape." The polished gentlemanly voice of the butler words came through in his classic British accent over the com lines.
"Thank you Alfred. Any news on his whereabouts?"
"None at the moment sir. But Harley Quinnzel is being monitored by Master Grayson at the moment. It appears that she may have really cut ties with the lunatic."
"I will believe it once she finally burns that outfit. She is still insane even without the Joker influencing her every minute."
"Very True sir. I will report back if I find any new information."
"Roger that Alfred, Over and out."
...
The young man sat on the roof of a nearby rooftop with his binoculars trained on the blonde Arkham escapee. He had been visiting Gotham after Tim took the time follow a case out of state. Having helped Bludhaven so successfully the Flying Grayson felt comfortable enough to leave his city to the Titans.
"Oracle, any updates?"
"In Bludhaven? Gotham? Our relationship?"
Nightwing laughed as he embarrassingly fiddled with the binoculars. "Funny Oracle. You know we both decided to give each other some space."
"Of course I remember, but I know a special blue bird asked for my help instead of Alfred's."
She was right, Dick Grayson (Nightwing; Former Robin) had asked for Barbara Gordon (Oracle/Batgirl). Although he meant for her to be with him in person, but she was busy with her office job to ditch it and spend her time completely away from her computer. Thankfully her office gave her the privacy to do both her job and her vigilante work.
"Well just because we are taking a break doesn't mean we can't still work together."
She brushed her hair back, "Sure, you should try calling me first before you jump straight to working with me."
"Alright, Alright."
"Any way, nothing much on my end. Besides mind numbing paper work, anything happening on your end."
"No, besides her watching shows, looking at pictures of her hyenas, and frequently masturbating. Nothing much."
"Ew you are watching her masturbate!"
"No no, just checking that she isn't leaving or plotting any crimes."
"Sure, I could call in a surveillance drone that just freed up to take your spot."
"But what if something goes down?"
"Haha, so you do like watching her pervert!"
"Of course not Babs. That's not funny."
"Sorry."
He sighed before stretching, "Sure let the drone take over. I just got an idea anyway."
"Oh?"
...
Back in front of Terry's residence a black care pulls up in front of the apartment. Stepping out a heavy coated Selena Kyle steps out from the drivers seat. Wearing a large brimmed hat she runs to the door, making sure to avoid the puddles or slipping.
Knock Knock
"Terry! Terry! Open the door honey! I can hear your cartoons!"
Knock Knock
"Terry!" Selena pauses a moment to listen. "Terry!?"
She grabs the doorknob and twists to find the door unlocked, once inside she sees no sign of the young boy.
"TERRY!"
She storms through out the residence calling his name and searching for the brat. She pulls up covers, checks under every bed, checks every closet.
"Terry! Please!" Panic sets as she runs out of the home into the pouring streets. She runs searching for the boy, calling his name.
The few people in shelter turn away and ignore the woman. A few even walk away, making sure not to be near her. She begs for those near if they had seen a little boy. But every one shakes there head except one.
"Where!?" She says begging the dirty homeless man.
"Not where but who." The man smiles a toothy smile. "But at a price."
Selena steps back, but steels herself. "What price!?" She says annoyed.
The man chuckles as he begins to reach out. His hands are slapped away.
"What is wrong with you!" She pulls out her purse and hands a 100 dollar bill to the perverted man. "Here now tell me what you know."
"Fine," The man looks annoyed as he pockets the cash. "The Joker."
Her eyes widen as she runs to her car. She pulls out her phone and dials the one person she can trust with this.
"Cssht- Selena... It's been a while..."
"Shut it Bruce! My Cousin's kid has been kidnapped, I need your help."
"Talk to me."