Batman: Blood Tied

1: A Card Comes Calling

"Gotham city. The home of scum and crime. A filthy place which has lost it's way, now ruled by mafia bosses and eccentric psychopaths. Prostitution fills the streets, and murder is a weekly, if not daily occurrence. This was especially true for Billionaire, Bruce Wayne. A man who's life has revolved around the death of his influential parents Thomas and Martha Wayn-"

"Alfred turn it off."

Bruce insisted, fastening on his gauntlets and testing the joints.
"If you insist" The respectable Brit flashed off the news and allowed Bruce to focus on his suit up.
"Nobody ever told me this would be easy. But I don't do it because it's easy... I do it because I have a job, an obligation to do what's right for these people. I am the reason the children sleep soundly when the moon rises."
Bruce spoke to himself, reassuring for his own mental state that he wasn't just a rich boy with a trust fund.
"Master Bruce. the batwing is ready and Sionis's location is locked."
Alfred explained, flipping switches which activated the cavern's dual doors to open. Bruce walked at a steady pace, donning his now infamous cowl and seating himself in the batwing.
"Remember Alfred, Sionis is a trickster. I need you on surveillance." Bruce reminded him of the severity.
"Of course. Batwing is ready to set a course." He nodded and backed away, allowing the aircraft to take off and speed through the night sky to Gotham's largest gala.

As Wayne arrived in the batwing, he dismounted and saw an opening through the large glass dome on the ceiling. He dived down, crashing through the panels and straight to the ground with a graceful landing.
"Roman. Sionis." He spoke calmy, staying collected as the man himself walked out with a gun in his hand.
"Batman."
Bruce couldn't see Roman's face, due to the black mask, but he knew it would be a smirk.
"What brings you here? The hostage round back? Or is it the lead I have on Gotham's newest psycho?"
Sionis inquired, pointing the gun across the hall at Bruce's face.
"I'm here to put an end to your crime, your club, everything. It ends tonight." Bruce sternly stared him down.

"I believe you meant to say 'you' end tonight, freak." Roman suddenly became serious, as a loud crash came from behind the Batman.
A... Crocodile? This 'thing' grabbed Bruce sideways and slammed his whole body against a pillar, using him as a javelin.
Bruce went crashing through a window and rolled, finding himself in the underground lockup of Sionis's gala venue.
"Alfred, I'm in. Stay on cameras, I'll get you online." He quickly stated, tapping in code on his wrist computer and gaining Alfred access to the entire security system.
"I'm in, sir. Proceed northeast until you reach a lockup. That's where it is."
Batman had planned this whole situation out for Sionis. But a week ago, he learned of something far more sinister. Something he could begin to stop if this evidence was discovered tonight. Bruce began to run, trailing the corridors until he reached the lockup, 'Henchmen central'.
Within seconds a fight had begun, and Bruce managed to disarm each guard. He smashed two faces together and managed to get a stomach kick to the final two.
With one quick swoop of a bat claw, Bruce entered the lockup and found his evidence.
"Alfred I have the card." He explained and kept it in the bag.
"What is it sir?"

"A joker..."