News in Brief:Scarecrow's Fright Night Ends Halloween Parade - Scarecrow causes chaos at parade and manages to kidnap Robin and destroy thousands of dollars worth of property. Scarecrow demands payment of 5 million dollars from Gotham University to end his reign of Terror.
Batgirl suspected of stealing - Rumors are circulating that Batgirl is wanted for questioning in the stealing of Calico Diamonds. Authorities say her whereabouts are unknown.
Two-Face captured - Former District Attorney Harvey Dent was captured by police yesterday. Police say his hideout was found and bugged, and that is how they determined his whereabouts. Batman and the police were able to prevent Two-Face from kidnapping Police Commissioner Gordon. Dent is currently being held for questioning.
Upcoming events...
*Gotham is having a safe week as police and politicians are requesting that Gothamites stay inside as much as possible.
*The Gotham Zoo will be relocating its prized lizard collection and large felines to Metropolis Zoo in fear of them being stolen by the released criminals.
Harvey "Two-Face" Dent rushes in carrying a police shotgun.
Jonathan "Scarecrow" Crane looks up. "Long Time no see, Harvey. I thought Batsy sent you up the river."
Two-Face sneers. "Once I was in the hands of Gotham's finest, it was child's play to slip their grip. They tried to get info on your HQ from me, but I was a stone face. Heh. I just broke out and headed here. I figured they didn't know about this place yet."
"What?!? You fool! They're playing you -- don't you see?"
With a clatter of splintering glass, a brace of Batman's smoke pellets crash through a window.
One of Scarecrow's Goons rushes in "Boss!! There's cops all over."
The Batman somersaults through the broken window, using the goon as a landing pad. Batarangs fly as Scarecrow falls to one knee.
The Dark Knight speaks to the cowering Prof. Crane. "You're going back to Arkham, Profes...." With a clank, Batman drops suddenly to the ground. Standing behind him is Two-Face, who struck the dastardly blow with the butt of his shotgun.
"Now we're even, Bats. Bad heads I ventilate you; good heads you're my living trophy."
The coin flips. Harvey reads it. The barrel of the shotgun comes up and Two Face fires.
"NOOOO!!!" cries a harsh female voice. A leather whip coils around the barrel of Harvey's gun, deflecting the shot. Catwoman crouches in the window, hissing angrily at Two-Face.
Scarecrow gets up. "What?!? That cat's going to mess up everything! Your shot ripped open the canister of fear gas! We must leave before being exposed!"
Two-Face disentangles his weapon from Catwoman's whip and reaches for his coin. "So, we stay and kill the Bat or..."
"No time for your decision making skills, Harvey," says Scarecrow. "Follow me quickly."
Two-Face looks at his Panicked partner, the enraged feline advancing toward them, the now-stirring form of Batman, and the room filling with fear gas. "Okay," Harvey concedes.
As he and the Scarecrow retreat, Two-Face catches a glimpse of Catwoman dragging a groggy Batman to safety.
The Scarecrow looks at Two-Face as the pair shiver in the cold of an alley a mile away from his old hideout. He pulls the mask from his face.
"How did I ever get stuck with the LIKES OF YOU!!!!...?"
Two-Face scowls and spits in the alley.
"It could be worse. You could have a girlfriend like Catwoman. I wonder what she sees in the Bat?"
Harvey re-loads his shotgun (both barrels, of course) and looks around the alley for signs of pursuit. As the adrenaline of the combat wears off, it is being replaced by cold, congealing anger.
"But let's not dwell on the past. Let's see what we can do to pay back Gotham's Finest and the Caped Crusader for all the grief they've caused us. Are you ready to go ahead with the plan to dump the fear toxin? I think Gotham could use a king-sized headache right now. And I want to be on the giving end of a trap again -- a trap in which we can squash Batman in like a bug."
"Well, I did plan on using the fear toxin until you lead the Bat to my hideout!" Crane screams. "Now it's all destroyed, or the very least confiscated!"
Scarecrow tries to relax.
"Look Harvey, why don't you go that-a-way, and I'll go this-a-way and we can count our losses? Hmmmm?"
Two-Face shrugs. "Yeah, well it's a shame about the toxin and all. Maybe if you had returned my calls earlier we could've avoided some of this." He sighs. "But, be that as it may, if that's the way you want it...."
Harvey carefully checks the alley, straightens his black-and-white tie, then turns to go. "I guess sometimes two's a crowd."
The Scarecrow gives Harvey a little wave and then watches him leave. Crane sits down in the garbage and thinks of how he can salvage this horrendous loss.