Batman: Arkham Redemption

Chapter 1: Christmas Eve

It had been nearly a year since the events back at Blackgate Prison.

For cop John Blake, it seemed like only yesterday. He still remembers being stationed as security when they wheeled in the crazies.

Among them were a crocodile man, a group of failed assassins, a man who called himself penguin, a crazed hatter, a large muscle-bound freak addicted to the street drug venom, and a clown.

All of these freaks had shown up last year.

There was one in particular who had caught everyone's eye.

The Batman.

The Batman was all Gotham ever talked about nowadays.

And as John was on patrol, he couldn't help but think back on the whole thing. Especially as he spotted the vigilantes symbol in the sky.

John was a young man, with dark brown hair that was usually combed. He had his uniform on, along with his hat.

He stared with brown eyes at the signal that lay in the sky.

"Heh, Batman. Only a year's gone by, and already he's gained Gordons trust! I…. Actually don't blame em'. Any guy who can take down guys like Bane, Croc, Freeze, and that weird ass Joker guy seems like he knows what he's doing."

John had a bad habit of talking to himself. His brother Paul always poked fun of him for it. It was just something he couldn't kick the habit of!

John was in his police car as snow blew all around it. It was about 10:07 pm, and there was already a foot of snow on the ground. Thank God snow plows were prevalent during winter in Gotham. He knew it wouldn't be long until not a single place in Gotham wasn't covered in a white blanket.

John turned the corner when he saw something. It looked like a person, but they held something sharp in their hands. His car stopped right in front of the figure. The figure was slightly curvy, probably a female to John's eye. John was about to pull out his car radio when he heard a yell.

He turned his head to the right, spotting a woman being mugged in the alley. He quickly turned back to see the figure run off down another one.

John, "Damnit!"

John quickly parked his car, and stood in the road.

On one side of him was the thief, now running from his crime. The other was the black-clad figure who ran off.

John decided to go after the actual crime. He couldn't let the mugger escape just because he wanted to find a mysterious figure. Although, he felt like it wouldn't be the last time he saw that figure.

John made hot pursuit, chasing the thief through the alley, passing the woman as he did so. She was on the ground whimpering.

John yelled, "freeze!"

The thief continued to run as fast as they could, until they came to a dead end.

They turned around to see John. He had his gun pointed at him.

John, "don't move! Just give me the purse, and I promise to make sure the cops will go easy on ya at the station!"

The thief, "fuck you pig!"

The thief dropped the purse and pulled out a gun.

Before anyone could blink, a small object was thrown from overhead, and hit the thief's hand.

He yelled in pain as a tall figure descended upon them. John took a step back as the thief was held in the air by a black-clad hand.

The figure who had descended wore what looked like black body armor. He also wore large boots, wrist gauntlets and a shining metallic belt. On his head he wore a mask with a cap attached to it, with the defined features of the mask hugging his face.

John knew who this person was.

He spoke, "put the guy down Batman!"

Batman turned to look at John, glaring at him through his mask.

John, "look, I don't have any beef with ya. I just want the thief brought into custody for his crimes."

Batman continued to hold up the frightened criminal.

John could see that Batman was looking at his hands.

John, "the gun? Alright, alright."

John holstered his gun and put his hands up.

He said, "see? No gun! I just wanna take him in! No trouble!"

Batman's glare grew weaker as he began to lower the thief onto the ground. Batman took a step back as John slowly walked forward with a pair of cuffs.

Batman lingered as he watched John cuff the thief.

John, "thanks for the help. I'm surprised you came to stop a simple mugging."

Batman continued to remain silent.

John, "sigh, I take it you don't talk too much?"

Batman began to walk away when John yelled, "wait!"

Batman stopped.

John, "why do you wear that mask, and do all of this?"

Batman considered the question, and then answered.

"Imagine being unable to protect the ones you love. You take matters into your own hands, but don't want anyone else you care about to pay the price."

John, "heh, reminds me of an old saying my father used a lot."

Batman, "what?"

John, "it ain't who you are underneath, but what you do, that defines you."

Batman remained silent, but turned around to look at John.

Batman, "tell Gordon you're aloud at the signal."

John, "s-seriously?! Why? Why me?"

Batman, "Gordon and I need all the help we can get to protect this city. That includes people who aren't afraid to throw away their gun and talk to someone like me without fear, in order to help Gotham."

Before John could respond, Batman pulled out a grapple gun and flew into the air, leaving John alone with the handcuffed thief.

John came to his senses within a minute it so, and started to lead the thief off to the police car. And to return the woman's purse….

...

Tatsu Yamashiro. That was her name.

A young woman in her twenties, Tatsu came to Gotham just five days ago. She had been hiding among the streets for that long, while looking for information about a certain vigilante.

Tatsu had long black hair and a cracked white mask. The mask had a blood red dot in the center above Her nose. Her outfit was a black leather jumpsuit that hugged her curves. By her side was the soultaker sword. A weapon of great power that could entrap the souls of those it struck. Tatsu was going undercover, working for the CIA to find the mysterious weapon. In the process, she joined a group known as the League of Assassins. Lead by the great Ra's Al Ghul, their mission was to eradicate the filth from the world. And their main focus for a long time has been to cleanse the city of Gotham.

Only two people had left the order, and lived to tell the tale.

And Tatsu was the second.

The first, well, that was who she was looking for.

Tatsu was searching for Gothams savior.

The Dark Knight.

Batman.

For the past few days, She had caught glimpses of the vigilante, trying to figure out ways to reach him.

After seeing the work of the LOA, Tatsu wanted to join someone who could change the world. She had even left the CIA, afraid of what they might do with the sword.

She wanted to find someone who could do it in a less disgusting and destructive way. When she found the sword, she knew she couldn't give it to the League, or the government. They would've used it to enact so many horrible atrocities. Tatsu knew she was in way to deep. And thus, she faked her death. She pretended to get caught in an avalanche, and set out to find Gothams Dark Knight.

And tonight, she had found him flying through the air with his cape.

She knew she had to follow him.

And so she did.

As she ran through the streets of Gotham, she ended up in front of a police car.

She could tell the cop wanted to talk to her, when a mugging occurred nearby. She wanted to help, but knew this was her only chance to escape and search for Batman.

She ran off down another alleyway, and used her skills to make her way atop the rooftops.

Tatsu looked around, searching high and low of Batman. It was after about gives minutes did she see him once again in the air, gliding towards the GCPD building.

Tatsu vegan running as fast as she could across the rooftops. She could only barely manage to keep up with Batman as he landed atop the building.

Tatsu had climbed up to the ledge when the signal came off.

She heard two men speaking.

She knew it was Batman and the commissioner, James Gordon.

Batman, "why'd you call me here Jim?'

Jim, "Cobblepot's back on the streets, selling a stash of weapons. We've been tracking them for weeks."

Batman, "I'll find him, and make him tell me where his weapons are being sold."

Jim, "good. Also, we believe that Croc has been spotted in the sewers. Might wanna get a look, see if the rumor is true."

Batman, "I will, don't worry Jim."

Tatsu heard Gordon leave when Batman spoke, "Jim!"

Jim, "yeah?"

Batman, "I met one of your cops tonight. John Blake is what his badge said."

Jim, "yeah, he's a good cop. What about 'im?"

Batman, "I feel like he could be trusted. I helped him stop a mugging, and he seemed calm in my presence. Enough to toss his gun away. Give him keys to the roof."

Jim, "eh, I'll see what I can do."

Jim finally left through the door.

Tatsu waited and listened for the Dark Knight to leave, when she heard him speak.

"I know you're there."

Tatsu knew she was found out. She hoisted herself onto the roof, standing behind Batman.

He turned to look at the young woman, with an inquisitive look showing through his mask.

Batman, "who are you?"

Tatsu, "I am Katana."

Batman, "Katana?"

Tatsu, "it was my code name under the League of Assassins."

Batman, "You're working with them!?"

Tatsu, "I DID. I left the order though."

Batman, "and might I ask why?"

Tatsu, "I was originally charged with going undercover for the CIA to find a weapon known as the soultaker sword. I found it, but discovered it belonged to the league. I spent a long time working with those people. After I saw one of them use the sword, I had enough. I took the sword, and faked my own demise in an avalanche. Now the League thinks both I and the sword are no more."

Batman, "and the sword?"

Tatsu, "I felt like the government would have used the sword the same way, taking care of crime in such a terrible manner."

Batman, "then why are you in Gotham?"

Tatsu, "while in the league, they spoke of a man who left it. One who refused to take a life. And so, I searched out for this man. I searched for you."

Batman, "did they tell you his name?"

Tatsu, "if you're asking how I knew it was you Mr. Wayne, relax. I figured you were Wayne due to your fighting style. You won't have to worry about me talking anyone. I know how to keep a secret."

Batman, "and may I ask why you searched for me?"

Tatsu, "I want to help you! The league goes about disgusting ways to cleanse the earth. I see another way, the same as you. I want to protect people from the league, and keep the sword away from those who'd use it for evil."

Batman took a step forward, "why should I let you help me?"

Tatsu, "let's face it, Gotham is a large city. One that may take more than one person to save. You'll need all the help you can get Bruce."

Batman, Bruce, took a step back.

Bruce, "well, if you're willing to prove yourself, meet meat Wayne Manor. I'd like to discuss more with you."

Tatsu, "very well. I can meet you there at say… twelve?"

Bruce, "I might be late. When you get there, tell Alfred I sent you…"

Bruce then turned around and ran off of the building, gliding down into the streets below.

Tatsu watched him leave and smiled.

Tatsu, "now… where the Hell is Wayne Manor?"

...

A ship had just entered the freezing waters of Gotham city docks. A large ship filled with dozens of crates. Crates filled with weapons.

And sitting atop with vessel was a large figure.

He stood there with broad shoulders and a wide frame. The dark purple suit he wore clung to his body, concealing large misshapen muscles.

His bald head shone in the moonlight as snow whirled past him.

Suddenly, a man came from behind him panting.

"gasp, Mr. Grudge, we're almost at the docks!"

The man turned, showing a large grin filled with sharp teeth. The grin itself seemed to be etched into His face, since the edges if His smile looked like scarring. His eyes were yellow, with blood red pupils. His eyes stood out against his grey skin. His ears were pointed, and he had various scars all over his head.

He spoke in a deep booming voice.

"Good. Let me know when we're ready to set up shop."

"Yessir!"

The man ran away from his employer.

The man named Charles Grudge.

He spoke to himself as his sight rested on Gotham City.

"Soon, Gotham City will know my name. And the Batman…. Mr. Wayne will think twice before he lets chemicals get handled by someone like me. Just when Gotham thought it had problems with Clowns, Penguins, Crocodiles, and assassins? Heh, heh, heh. Wait'll they get a load of me!"

...

Yes, I chose John Blake from the Dark Knight Rises to be one of the OC's within this story. I kinda like the character, and thought he might fit in well as a cop who befriends Batman, and maybe even finds out his secret in the future.

Also, I hope this first chapter didn't seem rushed. I did my best to fill in the introduction for all three of our new characters into the story. I chose Katana for this, since she isn't in the Arkham games, and I thought she'd fit into this story. I'm using her character from the show, "Beware the Bat", as a reference.

Let me know what you think of the main villain I've put into the story.

And finally, if this story is popular enough, I might just make a sequel when it's done.