Chapter 88: Chapter Eight-Two
(Song recommended:Ezios family - Assasins creed II. Can't stress how much I recommended you guys listen to the music while reading.)
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(Location: Arkham Asylum)
In the heart of Gotham, nestled within the foreboding structure of Arkham Asylum, the clamour of chaos erupted like a malevolent symphony.
Alarms blared with a dissonant urgency, their shrill wails echoing through the dimly lit hallways. Red emergency lights cast eerie shadows, intensifying the palpable tension that hung in the air.
Within the asylum's labyrinthine corridors, guards in riot gear scrambled to regain control.
The prisoners—or perhaps it was more apt to call them patients—lurched about, a nightmarish congregation of lost souls.
It was a scene that defied the boundaries between sanity and madness, where the line between jailer and jailed became blurred.
Amidst the turmoil, a particular cell stood out like a macabre centrepiece. Twenty guards, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and bewilderment, gathered around it.
The cell's reinforced walls and imposing door had long been a testament to its inhabitant's notoriety, but now they seemed insufficient.
Laying strewn about the cell were the lifeless bodies of their fellow officers, their eyes wide open, terror etched on their faces.
The walls of the cell, splattered with an unknown red liquid, bore a haunting message: "HA-HA-HA." It was a sinister mockery, a reminder of the madness that had resided within.
The warden, a man hardened by years of managing the asylum's nightmares, clenched his fists in futile anger.
His face contorted with a mix of dread and resolve as he surveyed the grim tableau before him.
There was no mistaking it—this was the handiwork of the one individual who had made Arkham Asylum his home, the one whose laughter echoed with chilling familiarity.
"Clean this place up," The warden Quincy sharp ordered, his voice edged with a steely determination. "And inform Jim Gordon... The Joker has escaped Arkham Asylum."
With those words, the chapter drew to a sombre close, the dread of the imminent threat seeping through the very walls of the institution.
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(Location: South African border)
In the silent expanse of the cosmos, a celestial enigma hurtled relentlessly toward Earth.
It bore the radiance of emerald green and brilliant yellow, a striking contrast to the vast, inky void of space.
Its journey appeared choreographed, an otherworldly dance that brought it perilously close to the serene face of the moon, a celestial partner in this cosmic waltz.
Yet, despite humanity's mastery of technology and the vigilance of its astronomers, this celestial interloper descended upon Earth in hushed secrecy, bypassing the watchful eyes of its observers.
As the celestial voyager pierced the boundary of Earth's atmosphere, it did so in spectral silence.
Its presence was an ephemeral spectre slipping stealthily through the layers of clouds in a ghostly descent.
The moment of impact, a cataclysmic union of celestial and terrestrial forces, sent resounding shockwaves rippling through the land.
All living creatures, both great and small, were touched by the shiver of impending catastrophe.
The instinctual urge to flee, to seek refuge from the impending calamity, stirred the hearts of countless beings, as the very earth quivered beneath their feet.
Beneath the point of impact, there existed no haven or sanctuary, only unrelenting devastation.
In an instant, lives were extinguished, leaving no trace of existence save for the haunting echoes of their sudden annihilation.
Not even the dignity of bones remained; all that was once flesh and bone had been reduced to ashen particles, mingling with the debris of obliteration.
Then, a metamorphosis unfolded before the eyes of the universe. The comet, which had graced the heavens with its celestial grandeur, began a poignant transformation.
Its sublime radiance fragmented and dispersed, dissolving into a haunting cascade of shimmering particles.
The cosmos, now an unwitting spectator, bore witness to a transformation profound and mystifying.
What had been a celestial wanderer was no more; in its place emerged an entity of unfathomable origin and enigmatic appearance.
This newfound being, an alien-like humanoid, stood amid the devastation.
Their form was encased in a skin-tight suit, adorned with striking highlights of yellow and black, like an exotic creature of the abyss.
Their skin, an ominous and ruddy shade of maroon, seemed to absorb the very light that sought to define it.
Dark, closely cropped hair, slicked back with an otherworldly sheen, framed their enigmatic visage.
With a deliberate slowness, the being's eyes, twin voids devoid of mercy or remorse, blinked open.
The world beyond unfolded before them, revealing the aftermath of their tumultuous arrival. An imposing and malevolent figure loomed upon the distant horizon—a colossus of maleficent proportions.
A soft and eerie laughter, like the haunting whisper of distant thunder, resounded through the desolation.
It was a laugh that could send shivers down the spine of the bravest souls, a laugh that hinted at untold mysteries and imminent danger.
"Earth...I have finally arrived," the being intoned, their voice a haunting melody of menace.
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(Location: Shadowcrest - Curious Abode of Zatanna Zatara)
The grandeur of Zatanna's magic show had left audiences spellbound, their applause of approval resonated through the theatre.
As the final curtain fell, Zatanna took her well-deserved bow, her energy spent from the dazzling performance.
She could feel the exhaustion in her bones, the toll that weaving spells and enchantments had taken on her.
After the show, Zatanna returned to her sanctuary, her home. With a sigh of relief, she kicked off her shoes, the sensation of freedom in the simple act bringing a measure of solace.
The quietude of her personal space enveloped her, a sanctuary from the outside world where she could finally let down her guard.
Yet, as she began to unwind, the tranquillity was shattered by an unexpected intrusion.
A voice, melodic and tinged with a hint of enigma, called out to her. It was a voice that held an ancient wisdom and an air of mystery.
"That was a wonderful performance, I would expect nothing less of his daughter," the voice intoned, its words carrying through the room like a spectral whisper.
Startled, Zatanna's senses went on high alert. Her magical barriers, so carefully woven, had been breached without warning, without a hint of intrusion.
Her eyes, glowing with latent magical power, scanned her surroundings as she prepared for a potential threat.
"Who are you, and what do you want...be warned, if I don't like your answer..." Zatanna's voice was edged with a cautious threat, her magic poised to spring into action.
The enigmatic voice, resonant with a deep and storied history, responded with a name that carried weight in the annals of mysticism.
"And just as headstrong... I have gone by many names throughout history... but you, child, may call me Madame Xanadu."
Recognition dawned on Zatanna as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
The name echoed through her memory, a name linked to a plethora of ancient knowledge and arcane wisdom.
Zatanna's posture shifted from defensive readiness to one of intrigue. Her eyes, still aglow with magical power, regarded the figure that now sat before her, a figure who had traversed boundaries few could breach.
"...You have my attention," Zatanna conceded, her voice carrying a newfound curiosity.
Whatever purpose had brought Madame Xanadu to her doorstep was a mystery she was eager to unravel.
"Zatanna Zatara, daughter of Giovanni John Zatar...I need your help...because the world as we know it, is on the cusp of total and utter destruction..."
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(Location: Old Gotham - Downtown)
Downtown Gotham, like the rest of the city, lay veiled beneath a pristine blanket of freshly fallen snow.
It was as if the world itself had been bathed in purity, transforming the bustling urban landscape into a tranquil, almost ethereal wonderland.
The soft, hushed atmosphere lent an air of serenity, even in the heart of the city's chaos.
Within the confines of a care home nestled amidst this winter wonderland, a young girl ventured forth into the stillness of the morning.
She was a beacon of innocence and curiosity.
With wide eyes that radiated wonder, she gently opened the creaking door of the care home, its hinges protesting the intrusion.
Most of the residents still lay ensconced in their slumber, blissfully unaware of the girl's clandestine escapade.
The little girl cast a fleeting glance back at the care home, its facade bearing the scars of time and neglect.
The once sturdy roof now sported a cavernous hole, and jagged shards of shattered glass adorned one of the windows.
She lingered on the doorstep for a moment, her breath forming delicate plumes of mist in the frigid air, before resolutely setting forth on her own.
Her small legs, encased in layers of clothing, propelled her through the powdery snow.
As she navigated the snow-covered streets, a park gradually materialized on the horizon.
It was a modest park, its features concealed beneath a thick layer of snow, but it offered endless potential for adventure.
The little girl couldn't contain her excitement, and she darted toward the swings with boundless enthusiasm. With each forward thrust, she soared into the frosty air, her laughter a joyous melody that danced with the falling snowflakes.
A nearby two-child seesaw beckoned her, and without hesitation, she mounted it alone, embracing the challenge with a radiant smile.
The seesaw teetered unevenly, an echo of her solitary play, yet her enthusiasm remained undiminished.
The young adventurer then even attempted to build a snowman, her creativity unfettered by conventional aesthetics.
"He-he~ perfect."
The end result was a quirky, asymmetrical figure, but to her, it was a masterpiece, and she beamed with pride.
The exertion of her build eventually took its toll, and she collapsed onto the cold ground.
Her hood slipped back, revealing a cascade of crimson-red hair that flowed down her back like a vibrant waterfall.
Lying in the snow, she gazed up at the sky, the cerulean canvas speckled with delicate snowflakes. It was a serene moment of respite, the world temporarily forgotten.
A chuckle escaped her rosy lips, the sound harmonizing with the gentle rustling of snow-covered branches.
But as quickly as the laughter had come, it dissolved into sobs. Tears trickled down her cheeks, her voice soft yet heavy with sorrow.
"No, you can't cry... Daddy will definitely come back for you," she whispered to herself between choked sobs. "They're wrong... Daddy didn't abandon me... he will come back... won't you, Daddy?"
As she lay there, ensconced in her thoughts and the chill of the winter landscape, an enigmatic figure suddenly loomed over her.
The girl blinked in surprise as her gaze met that of a man who stood before her, his presence an enigma wrapped in layers of warmth.
He possessed an aura of quiet charisma, with short silver hair that glinted like moonlight, and inky black eyes that held a profound, mysterious allure.
A white scarf enveloped his neck, contrasting beautifully with his obsidian attire, and fuzzy gloves shielded his hands from the biting cold.
Perched on his shoulder, a black cat, with eyes as golden as the sun, observed the world with languid curiosity.
The girl couldn't help but think, "Cute," as she glanced at the elegant feline. She had always wanted a pet, but her daddy couldn't afford one.
The enigmatic man, gentle and concerned, addressed her. "Are you not cold down there?"
With a child's trust and a heart brimming with wonder, the girl offered an innocent smile.
"Hehe, don't worry, mister. I'm a big girl, so I'm not... Achoo!" Her cheerful proclamation was followed by a sneeze, a clear sign that the cold was beginning to take its toll.
Raven, the black cat, agilely leapt from the man's shoulder, leaving the warmth under his umbrella.
It extended its velvety neck toward the girl, brushing against her cheek with a whisker. The unexpected gesture filled her with giggles, the gentle tickling sensation warming her heart.
The man's concern deepened as he inquired, "I see... Where are your parents? Isn't it dangerous for you to be out here by yourself?"
Ellie replied with radiant optimism, her smile concealing the loneliness and sorrow that lay beneath. "Daddy isn't here right now... but he promised to get lots of ice cream when he comes back."
She said with the brightest smile...and yet the young man could see the loneliness and sorrow hidden beneath.
The man, his name now known as Jayden, extended his hand in greeting, his warm smile a reflection of genuine kindness.
"I'm Jayden, and this cute little one over there is Raven...FYI, she loves it when you scratch behind the ear."
Ellie's curiosity was piqued, and she turned her attention from Jayden to Raven. With delicate fingers, she scratched behind the cat's ear, an act that evoked a soft purr of contentment.
Her eyes widened with fascination, and she looked back at Jayden.
"My name is Ellie. It's nice to meet you, mister," she said, her smile radiating warmth like a winter sun.
Jayden returned her smile with one equally genuine and warm. "It's nice to meet you as well, Ellie."
As the two souls met on that enchanting winter morning, the world itself seemed to pause in reverence.
Birds sang their melodies from treetops, and the delicate snowflakes continued their descent, falling to the ground like crystalline blessings.
It was a beautiful morning, one etched into their memories, destined to be revisited with fondness.
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And with that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of this arc, and the beginning of another...
(Pic of Ellie if you Forgot)
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I hope you've all enjoyed the story so far and I hope that when I come back I'll still have readers that want to continue this journey with me.
But with that being said, look forward to the future of this story, because I can't wait to get back to writing it.
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*KKKKKKSHHHHHJJJ*
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[Warning: Energy levels at Critical levels.]
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*BANG*
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"One more time..."
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"One more time..."
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"This time...for sure..."
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[Warning: Energy at 99% expenditure...you have one last chance for a single £#£%^...]
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A flicker of desperation crossed her face, the woman standing amidst the decaying city.
Her appearance told a tale of hardship; her jeans were tattered, and a ripped leather jacket clung to her frame.
Skin as pale as porcelain bore witness to the ravages of time, and her hair, a once-vibrant hue, now held only faint traces of blue and red, tied into dual side ponytails.
But it was her missing right eye and the extensive scar, etched like a crimson river from her brow to her lower lip, that bespoke a history of battles fought and trials endured.
Despite the dire circumstances, a tired yet soft smile graced her lips. A laugh, fragile yet resolute, escaped her as she raised her gaze to the sky, where ash and flames danced in a beautiful ballet dance.
"This time... this time, I'll make it... please wait for me...everyone."
A peculiar, futuristic watch-like device adorned her wrist, its beeping and gentle glow drawing her attention.
With a twist of her wrist, she activated the device, and in a blaze of light, she vanished from the desolate world.
[Warning: Energy expenditure...100%]
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Title: The barber: Dc
Author: John_Len_2493
Chapters Released: 82
Date of Release: 20th of May - 2023
Word count: 139,900
View count: 2,100,777
Completion of Gotham Arc: 45%
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
John_Len_2493
John_Len_2493 If you guys have any questions, or if there's something you've been curious about, I'll be answering them in the comments.
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