I AM BATMAN

Ch 66

Batman slowly began to open his eyes as he started coming to. As he was waking up he could hear voices around him. They talked but his head was still so fuzzy from the hit that he couldn't understand what they were saying. Slowly though as his blurred vision was coming back to him so was his hearing. That's when Batman started to figure out what was going on.

???: looks like the guy's starting to come around.

???: already? After the kind of hit he took I figured he'd be out for at least a day.

???: even so you better go tell the big guys that he's up.

???: why do I got'a do it?

???: because I said.

???: whatever.

As this little back and forth was going on between who Batman believed where just hired guns he tried to remember what happened to him.

Batman mind: alright so it would seem that I've been captured and each of my arms have been chained up. That's a fact but the question is how did I get here?

In his head Batman began going through all that happened leading up to the present. He started off by going over when he first arrived at the vacant section of the city. He remembered going over his suit, then scanning the building. Batman then remembered getting an opening and taking it in order to rescue Mei. It was after that when Batman had a hard time remembering what happened.

Batman mind: Hatter and Scarecrow........

It all then came back to him. How Mei seemed to be in an almost lifeless dream like state. How Mad Hatter and Scarecrow came back into the room. Then how Batman was so focused on the two villains that he didn't notice Mei coming up behind him till it was to late.

Batman mind: but why would she do it?

Batman then remembered how the Mad Hatter talked to Mei right before he got hit. That little bit of information combined with Mei's dream like state got Batman thinking.

Batman: mind control quirk?

???: close but no cigar my bat like friend.

Looking up Batman could see Mad Hater enter the room followed by Scarecrow and a brainwashed Mei.

MH: care to try again?

Batman: if it's not a quirk then it's tech.

Batman then looked at Mei and finally noticed the playing card that was stuck to her head.

Batman: I'm guessing that the playing card is some kind of mind control device.

MH: that's correct!.......soooooo what'd you think?

Batman: I think you're crazy.

MH: I AM NOT CRAZY!!!

After hearing Batman's answer to his question Jervis let his true nature slip out. Batman saw this and filled it away for later. He knew that the information would come in handy at some point. However before Jervis could go to far off the rails Scarecrow stepped in.

SC: don't blow your top Hatter........

Scarecrow walked over and knelt down so that he was face to face with Batman.

SC: besides we're all a little crazy here. Isn't that right Batman?

Scarecrow then stood back up fairly quickly and turned towards Mad Hatter.

SC: plus you were able to get your Alice right, so what does it matter if he calls you crazy.

Hatter then started giggling like a mad man as he danced over and took Mei into his arms before beginning to dance with her around the room.

MH: you're right as usual Scarecrow.

Seeing this Batman couldn't help but to get angry. Clenching his teeth he began to growl. Then before he knew it he was yelling.

Batman: LET GO OF HER!!!

Hatter stopped dancing only for a second in order to respond to him.

MH: not this time my friend because this time no one will get in the way of my and Alice's love.

Batman: she doesn't love you!

MH: YES SHE DOES!!!

Batman: then why brainwash her? If she loved you why use your mind control tech on her?

MH: be-because she isn't in her right mind at the moment and my tech helps her express her true feelings.

Batman: face it Hatter she doesn't love you and you know it. That why you're brainwashing her.

Mad Hatter was now starting to lose it, Batman's words were getting to him. Scarecrow could see this and knew he had to calm him down. This was exactly what Batman wanted. While everyone was focusing on Mad Hatter losing it Batman would focus on getting out of the chains. Batman was close to so he decided to put the final nail in the coffin.

Batman: face it Hatter, a smart girl like Mei would never love you. She does however love me.

Mad Hatter looked at Batman with a shocked expression on his face.

MH: you're lying.

Batman: it's true.

Mad Hatter's face then morphed from shocked to angry.

MH: no it's not true, my Alice only has feelings for me!

Batman: even now I can remember how her lips felt against mine.

Mad Hatter was now completely and thoroughly furious with Batman. It didn't matter now if Scarecrow was yelling at him to calm down because he didn't care. All Jervis Tetch could think about was his Alice being with someone else and those thoughts only fueled his already raging anger. He was now so mad that the Hatter didn't even think about what he was doing and walked up getting straight in Batman's face.

MH: it's obvious that you were the one to trick Alice into thinking she loved you! It's obvious because what would my sweet, gentle Alice ever see in someone as dark and creepy as you! That's why I'm going to enjoy what comes next!

Batman: me too.

Mad Hatter face morphed from angry to confused real quickly after hearing Batman.

MH: what?

While Mad Hatter was confused Scarecrow on the other hand understood the severity of the situation. Scarecrow then yelled at Hatter to get back but it was already to late. Using the increased strength provided to him by the suit Batman snapped the chains holding his right arm. Immediately after he went straight into punching Mad Hatter across the face sending the villain flying back.
After that Batman then broke the other chain that was holding his other arm. Now free Batman stood to his full height while scanning the room looking at everyone.

Batman: so.......who's next?