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Description
The Cure:

Place: Base of the League of Assassins; Turkestan Desert

Time: 3:45 a.m.

A large palace like structure sits in a secluded area of the Turkestan Desert. Guards dressed in a mix of Arabian and Greek armor with rifles patrol every possible entrance and exit. In a large study, inside the palace, Ra's al Ghul sits by the roaring fire. He sits with his back to the door while staring into the fire. Sitting to the right side of his chair is a small table with a bottle of wine and a half-filled glass on it. To his left are two swords of old Persian make. The door opens and in comes Ubu, Ra's faithful servant. With him are two guards, armed with rifles while he is unarmed.

Ubu: (Walks over to Ra's left.) Master,(He bows) there has been no sign of him.

Ra's: Not yet. But then he never lets himself be known unless he wants it that way. (He picks up his wine glass and drinks the last drop.) Have you dealt with the one who gave him my location?

Ubu: Yes, master. He was trying to hide away in some village, but we found him and saw his punishment dealt…severely.

Ra's: Well done. (He walks over to the large window to the right of the fire place.) Why don't you show yourself al—

Suddenly a large explosion erupts from one of the lower levels of the palace. guards outside begin to run to the scene with their weapons drawn. Ubu indicates for the guards with him to go investigate while he stays with Ra's.

Ubu: He will not ham you again, Master.

Ra's: (Still looking out the window) I doubt that is relevant. Am I correct…Detective?
(Ubu turns to see Batman standing at the doorway, even though the door isn't opened.) I take it you're here for something of severe importance to go through all the trouble.

Batman: I am, Ra's. I need your blood.

Ubu: You will not lay any fingers on my master, devil!

He charges at Batman, but Batman manages to duck and dodge his fists when he tries to punch him. He gets the upper hand when he knocks him square on the jaw and then suplexes him to the ground. Before he can get up, Batman punches him in the face again, knocking him out. He turns to Ra's and removes the brass knuckles he was wearing.

Ra's: I see you've come extra-prepared, detective. All this for my blood? Have you finally decided to take your rightful place as my successor?

Batman: Hardly. I only want your blood, Ra's, not your life.

Ra's: Very well. (He removes the cape he's wearing and walks over to the chair. He picks up both swords and tosses one to Batman. Seeing that Batman has it, he readies himself in a fighting stance.) Come and claim it then.

Batman and Ra's run at each other and clash blades. They swing, dodge and block at each swipe and swing. Batman blocks three swings in a row and is forced back towards the fire place. He come too close to the point that his cape catches fire. He manages to push Ra's back and swish his cape at him. The gust extinguishes the fire and comes close enough to Ra's that it distracts him long enough for Batman to make a cut across his chest.

Ra's: Very good, Detective. (He rubs the wound for a moment.) You show promise. But I must ask, why do you want my blood?

Batman: To save a life.

Ra's: Ah. I see. It's not the blood you want. It' the Lazarus chemicals inside. But then why not try and defile one of the pits instead.

Batman: And risk having that person go insane from its properties like you? Never.

Ra's: Then you are more a fool then I thought. The regenerative properties of the Lazarus pit are not for any mere mortal to have.

Batman: I don't have time for your grandeur speeches. I'm leaving with that blood one way or another.

Ra's: Insolent whelp!

He runs at Batman with his sword raised. Batman manages to block his stroke with his sword, knock Ra's blade out of his hands and hold him in a headlock. He pulls out a device that he puts to his neck. In a moment it extracts some blood from Ra's. Before he can take it out of his neck, Talia al Ghul arrives with a dozen armed guards. All point their guns at Batman who uses Ra's like a human shield.

Batman: Talia.

Talia: Let him go, now! (She draws a pistol and aims it at him.)

Batman: I know you won't shoot me. And I already have what I came for. Just let me go.

Talia: I do not think so, love. Breaking in is one thing, but threating the life of my father is another.

Ra's: He's not come for my life, daughter. He came here for the Lazarus chemical. Do not let him escape with it.

Talia: (Keeping her aim on Batman.) Don't make me do this.

Batman: Then let me save you the trouble.

He pushes Ra's in front of him and then throws a handful of smoke-grenades at the guards making a smoke screen for him to use to his advantage. He picks up the sword and uses it to smash the widow. He jumps out and glides away. Talia rushes to her father as the smoke clears. He is on the floor struggling to get up due to his wound.

Talia: (Looking to the guards and Ubu, who has regained consciousness.) Find him. And bring him back alive!

Ra's: (Sees all the guards run out.) They won't find him Not in time.

Talia: I'm sorry, father. I will handle this personally.

Ra's: See that you do. (He stands in time to see the Bat-plane flying off in the distance.) Savor your victory for now, detective. It will be short…

********************

Place: Air space near Gotham City

Time: 1: 55 p.m.

Narration: I manage to sneak the plane back to one of the tunnel entrances near the mansion leading back to the cave. I was lucky Ra's didn't have men with Anti-aircraft guns. Next time I'll need a new plan. Within five minutes I reach the cave. I see Alfred near the landing pad waiting for me. I hope it all ends up being worth it in the end.

********************

Alfred: (Watches as the Bat-plane lands and Batman climbs out.) I trust your little trip was successful, sir?

Batman: (Shows Alfred the vile with Ra's blood in it.) Yes.

Alfred: I take it the Mister al Ghul wasn't keen on giving up his blood? (He indicates some of the scratches on Batman as well as the burnt end of his cape.)

Batman: No. (He hands Alfred his cape as he walks over to the bat-computer) But then again, he's not very keen on giving anything that's his away for free.

Alfred: Including his daughter? (He gets a disproving look from Batman.) I'm half-surprised she didn't come back with you, sir.

Batman: That was a long time ago, Alfred. She's moved on.

Alfred: Has she, master Bruce? Have you? (Sees that Batman doesn't look at him as he sits in his chair in front of the computer.) I'll prepare your bed then, sir.

Batman contemplates for a moment as Alfred leaves the cave. He then activates the computer and uses it to contact Oracle. Her face appears on-screen.

Batman: Barbara.

Oracle: Bruce. Good to see you in one piece. Where are you?

Batman: I'm back at the cave. I flew here overnight and need time to rest before tonight.

Oracle: Did you manage to get the sample?

Batman: I did. Had a close call with Ra's and the rest of the League, but I'm fine.

Oracle: So do really think it will work?

Batman: I hope so. I've been collaborating with the doctor for a while now. The Lazarus chemical is the last component needed to make it stable.

Oracle: I just can't believe it will really happen. After so many years…Victor Fries will finally be able to cure his wife.

Batman: I know, Barbra. Out of everyone I ever faced, every criminal I put away in Arkham or Blackgate, he deserves this the most.

Oracle: I talked with my dad. He says he's going to be there tonight to see this for himself. He also told me the warden will be there.

Batman: I figured as much. Sharp will want to take some kind of pride in the fact that one patient was released from Arkham for once. I'll need you to keep an eye out for the League in case they try anything. I just know Ra's will stop at nothing to make sure the Lazarus isn't used on anyone but him.

Oracle: Right. And I guess trying to explain why didn't work?

Batman: He wouldn't even care. Any other news?

Oracle: Nothing major right now.  Bane, Prometheus, and Firefly are still on the run. There was an attempted break in at a Jewelry store; some minor crooks trying to make a profit. And apparently Kara is stuck watching the dog while her cousin's away on business…just in case you needed to know how the rest of the world is doing.

Batman: (Slight chuckle at the joke.) Alright. I'll let you know how it turns out tonight.

Oracle: Okay. Are you sure you don't want me to call Tim or Dick to be there?

Batman: I think I can handle it, Barbra. Don't worry. It'll be fine.

********************

Narration: After talking with Oracle I ate what I could before passing out in bed. I actually managed to get five hours in. Almost a new record for me. By seven fifteen I'm already suited and ready. I let Alfred know to tell any house callers I'm out with some lady friends and won't be back until the next day. I take the bat-mobile and drive towards he asylum. The whole time I keep praying that things will go right tonight. Victor Fries aka Mr. Freeze has been incarcerated many times over. Recently however, he claims that he has reached the final stages of perfecting a cure for his wife, Nora's, terminal illness. After being brought back to Arkham Asylum, I managed to connive both Commissioner James Gordon and Warden Quincy Sharp to allow him the privileges of using the labs at the asylum to finish his work. But he needed a final solution to the formula. A special chemical with the right necessities to bond everything together…that's where the Lazarus came in. I knew if it meant saving Nora and ending Victor's life of crime, I would gladly do whatever was necessary. I could have went straight for one of the pits, but I knew that the Lazarus chemical came with…"maddening"…side effects. Thankfully, Ra's blood had diluted the chemical so it would make it more stable to use. I make my way through the streets and reached the road leading to Arkham Island. I keeping praying that everything goes right for once.

********************

Batman reaches the island and drives around until he parks in front of the Medical Facility. Commissioner Gordon is waiting out front. Batman walks up and shakes his hand.

Gordon: Good to see you made it.

Batman: (Pulls out the vial with blood from his belt.)I've got it, Jim.

Gordon: Thank God. Come on. The Warden's waiting in the labs, along with Fries.

They both head into the Building. One of the guards leads them to the elevators where Aaron Cash is waiting.

Cash: Batman. Commissioner.(He walks over to shake their hands. He makes sure not to stick them with his hook hand.) Warden Sharp wanted me to let you know we brought Freeze down to the labs already.

Batman: And his wife?

Cash: She's been down there ever since the news went out about the cure.

Gordon: Right. Let's go. (They all enter the elevator together.) The sooner we get this over with, the sooner Gotham is short one more super-criminal.

They reach the lower level where he lab is. They walk over to the observation office where the Warden is. While he and Gordon talk, Batman and Cash make their way down the stairwell leading to the lab area. Guards stand ready and doctors take a moment to see as Batman walks by. Some have never seen him while others have only ever seen him once or twice.

The lab area is a wide space with computers and other medical machines. In the middle of it all is Nora Fries in her cryo-tube. Standing next to it, working on one of the machines, is Victor Fires himself. He is wearing a lab-coat and is being supported by his liquid-nitrogen support system that is fueled by a small container over his heart that connects to the lower part of the support suit. Around the area are five armed guards, all standing at the ready.

Freeze: (Seeing Batman arrive.) Batman. Have you brought it? (Batman hands him the vial.) Thank you. I owe you my life.

Batman: Let's just worry about your wives, Victor.

Freeze: Of course. If you will excuse me. (He walks back over to one of the machines.)

Cash: (Looking to Batman.) I'll head back up to observation.

Batman: (Nods and sees as he heads back up the stairs. He walks over to the cyro-tube as sees it's fogged. He wipes away some to see Nora's sleeping face. Her long blond hair, colored blue from the color of the tube.) What will you do after she's cured?

Freeze: (Still working on the formula with one of the machines.) Live much happier for one thing. Then I'll need to find a way to cure myself. Either way, as long as she's rid of her disease.

Batman: Was it all worth it, Victor?

Freeze: (Is silent for a moment as he punches in the final sequences to mix the cure.)I pray that it was.

Batman: You realize with this cure, you'll be able to help other like Nora. You could be a hero to the people, Victor.

Freeze: (Looks to Batman.) They already have one. (He gives a slight smile to Batman.)

Batman nods and the machine finishes mixing the formula and blood together. The final solution comes out and is poured into a spate vial. The mixture is green-yellow colored. Freeze detaches it from the machine.

Batman: Time to make things right, Victor.

Freeze: (nods then hold out his hand. Batman shakes it.) Thank you, Batman. I know we've had our many differences over the years, but after this…

Batman: It's alright, Victor. Save it for Nora when she sees you.

********************

A truck is making its way towards Arkham Island. It seems like an ordinary delivery truck, but once it reaches the front gate, the guards are killed by a silent-shooter gun, held by one of the divers.  They make their way in and drive up to the Penitentiary building. A few men from the back of the truck pile out and the truck drives on to the Medical Building.

********************

Freeze walks over to a microphone that is connected to speakers in the observation room. Inside the room is Gordon, Warden Sharp, Cash, five other doctors and four guards. Batman is standing down in the lab area with Freeze but is standing near the stairwell.

Freeze: I'd like to thank all of you for being here this evening. I'd like to thank Warden Sharp and Commissioner Gordon for allow me to use these facilities to complete my work, and of course to the Batman for bringing me the final component needed for, what I hope, is the cure to the MacGregor's Syndrome. So for my subject I have chosen my own wife Nora, who is now in a stasis of suspended animation, and...I pray that this works…Thank you.

********************

During Freeze's speech, some of the men near the penitentiary have placed explosives near on some of the walls, while avoiding being seen by security. The same happens for those near the Medical Center.

********************

Freeze brings the formula over to the cyro-tube. He uncovers one of the tubes that gives air support to the tube. He's about to plug the formula in.

Freeze: We'll finally be toge—

Suddenly an explosion is heard. It shakes the lad area and causes Freeze to almost drop the formula. Batman looks to see the everyone in the observation room looking around and talking in confusion. One of the guards gets a message from Cash over his radio.

Voice of Cash: Just got reports. Some kind of explosion over at the penitentiary.

Batman: (Hearing this looks to Freeze.) Stay here, Victor. (Seeing that Freeze nods to this, he looks to two of the guards.) Stay here with him. The rest of you come with me.

The guards follow Batman out of the lab area. Freeze only huddles next to the cryo-tube. Batman meets with Gordon Cash and the other guards and they all head out to towards the penitentiary. They reach it and find some of the inmates running away, some of the guards trying to stop them, and some of them trying to put out the fires. Among the escaping inmates are Zasz, Poison Ivy and Two-Face.

Gordon: Alright. Half of you put out the fires. The rest of you, get those animals back in their cells! Batman I think you…(he looks to see Batman gone from where he was standing.) …alright then.

Zasz: (Is attacking a guard with one of the canes he tried to beat him with.) I'll make you suffer! I'll make my mark on—ack!

He's stopped when a batarang hits him in the head, knocking him out. Batman leaps down on top of Two-face as He tries to strangle a guard.

Batman: (Knocks him out with a few punches.) You're not hurting anyone today, Harvey.

Suddenly a vine snatches him by the neck and pulls him back.

Ivy: Then let us have the pleasure, Batman.

As Batman struggles with the vine choking him, Black Mask and Calendar Man appear above him.

Black Mask: (Pulls out a shiv from his pocket.) I'm gonna make me a new mask out of your face.

Before he can bring the shiv down, Gordon comes in and taser's him. Other guards pile on him and Calendar Man, giving Batman the opportunity to cut the vine around his neck with a batarang.

Batman: (tosses a gas bomb at Ivy, giving the guards time to subdue her. He looks back to Gordon.) Thanks.

Gordon: (Is about to say something but stops when one of the guards comes flying from where the burning building is.) Don't thank me just yet.

He points behind Batman and he turns to see the figure of Killer Croc jumping from out of the flames.

Croc: Haha. Free at least!

Batman: Gordon, keep the men back. I've got this.

Croc: (Sees Batman.) Batman! I'm going to enjoy using your bones for toothpicks!

He charges at him but Batman jumps out of the way and tosses a small explosive at Crocs face. It explodes in his face making him stumble for a moment. He regains himself and tries to smash Batman, but he tosses gas bombs at him. Blinded by the gas, Batman manages to attach a sonic-device near his ear and activates it. It manages to knock-out Croc.

Gordon: (Sees Batman standing on top of the unconscious Croc.) Remind me to get one of those things.

Batman: Check to make sure no other—

Suddenly another explosion goes off.

Gordon: Oh god. That's near the Medical Building.

Batman: Victor…

Batman instantly runs back towards the building. He sees that the fire is coming from one of the sides. Just as he runs towards it, a truck, the same one from before, drives off with haste and breaks through the gates leading away from the Asylum. Batman sees this but runs into the building. He manages to reach the lad area. Smoke blocks most of his view. He manages to see the two dead bodies of the guards left with Freeze.

Batman: Victor? (Looks around) Victor!

Suddenly he hears mumbling near one of the machines. He checks and finds Freeze laying on the ground nearby. In his hand is the cure, still intact.

Freeze: (Struggling to get up) Ba…Bat…Batman?

Batman: Are you hurt?

Freeze: N…no. I'm alright. (Looks to see that the cryo-tube is gone.) Nora? (Runs over and sees there is no sign of it.) No! No! NO! They took her…THEY TOOK MY NORA!