* This is the third official DARK KNIGHT story and I stress again... it is the sequel to Batman VS Superman so if you haven't read that story, please do as things may be hard to understand in this one. So yes, The main villains will be the Riddler (renamed Enigma because I hate his name) and Mr. Freeze (also renamed, this time just Freeze for simplicity and less of a camp feel) but there will be plenty surprises along the way. I will say again that this story completes the loose arc that can be seen from the first DARK KNIGHT story all the way through Batman VS Superman that finishes the beginnings of Batman. After this story (as you'll see verrrry soon), the pace will change and more characters will be introduced (Robin?) and the storylines will become more complex.

Just to let all of you know, I do have the entire story planned out in detail and I know all of you will greatly enjoy the adventures that Batman and Co. have to come. These next stories will be very fast-paced and will take less time to write as I have them planned out almost in their entirety. These last four have taken a long time because it's always harder to start out a hero's journey rather than continue on with it. Also, expect a few more short stories in the coming weeks that will increase the universe and make it feel lived in. I'm so excited to kick off the DARK KNIGHT: Part Two- RISE and it will be coming very soon. Thanks for reading! I love you all!

"Please…you don't have to do this!" screamed the woman as she was attached to the stage platform with shackles on her hands and feet.

The spotlight was fixated on her and the man on the microphone gave a small laugh, cutting off the microphone and getting out of his office. He walked down the metal staircase and swung his long golden cane around as he jumped off.

"Dana, do you…know why you are here?" the man said, walking around the platform as Dana struggled.

The man wore a dark green suit, purple gloves, a pair of dark purple sunglasses that covered the top of his head completely, and a green-dyed fedora. He had bright white teeth and brown tuffs of hair stuck out from his hat. He walked around the platform until he was in front of Dana, where she looked straight at him as he stroked her tan legs with his cane.

"W-why?" Dana said, tears streaming down her face.

"Because…" the man replied, twirling the cane around his hand and swinging it across her chest with swift precision.

"You, Ms. Dana Tremblay Green…are a murderer and a liar."

"What?" Dana yelled, her voice echoing in the warehouse.

"Shush!" the man replied, putting his gloved index finger to his mouth.

"Seven months ago, you were driving from Metropolis to Gotham on the highway. Moving here, am I right?"

"Yes. I recently got a job at the hospital." Dana replied.

"Well, on that icy night, you rear-ended a man driving a Buick. Right?" the man asked.

"What?" Dana stammered.

"There you are…lying again." the man laughed in an aggravated state.

"Okay! I hit him and he flew off the side of the bridge!" Dana said.

"And did you stop?"

"No."

"Why? Hm?"

"I had- I had to!" Dana screamed, tears coming down her face again.

"You had to leave that man to die from the cold?" the man responded, pulling Dana's hair and looking in her eyes as he jumped on top of her.

Dana screamed and the man covered her mouth, licking the side of her face.

"Now, tell me why you had to leave him."

"I'm an illegal! My friend gave me a fake ID and I needed a job. She said she would help me!" Dana said.

"Oh… you couldn't risk getting in trouble, am I right?" the man said.

Dana nodded and tried to jerk back as the man slid down her body and felt her legs with his hands as he looked at her Hispanic, fit body. He smiled at her and switched his cane into his other hand as he ascended the staircase once again, slamming the door to his office. Dana looked around the cold warehouse and saw a giant crate above her, feeling slight heat.

"What is that?" Dana screamed, nodding to the crate.

"Oh, just your possible way out." the man said through the microphone.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'm going to give you a chance to live. Like me, we all have our faults. And we all deserve a second chance." he replied. Dana nodded slowly, the tears stopping.

"All you have to do is solve a simple…riddle."

Dana stopped breathing.

"A riddle?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Are you ready?" the man asked, clearing his throat.

Dana nodded, staring at the crate.

"What's black when you receive it, red when you use it, and white when you're all through with it?" he asked.

Dana was silent, thinking as hard as she could, hoping something would come to mind.

"Would you like me to repeat the question?"

"No!" she screamed, starting to sweat from the tension.

She thought that it was a fruit that you peel, a newspaper, or… oh my God, she didn't know. She began to cry again and saw the shadow of the man through his office window a floor up. He tipped his hat further and stood on his tiptoes, awaiting an answer. He put his hand on a lever on the ceiling and looked at Dana, clicking his tongue. She knew she had lost.

"Do you give up, Dana?" the man asked, a slight chuckle in his voice.

"Please. Please don't hurt me." she begged, crying uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, Dana. You knew the risks." The man said.

"Charcoal." he continued plainly, pulling down the lever.

Suddenly, she saw the crate fall towards her, dumping over a ton of burning charcoal as it showered her, burning the flesh off of her skin and coals landing in her eye sockets and mouth, causing excruciating pain. As she slowly died, through her screaming, she heard the man utter a single phrase.

"Thanks for playing."