Batman Tales #18

The stormy night in Gotham City made the atmosphere quite tense outside the Gotham City Aquarium. Despite the harsh weather, the men from ACME Glass Company worked carefully, installing the massive 4 by 8 meters glass panel to secure the giant tank.

Inside the tank, the great white shark swam powerfully among colorful fishes and other sea creatures, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene to greet the visitors. Tomorrow’s grand opening was a big event, especially since Batman and Robin were scheduled to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, adding thrill and excitement to the occasion.

Little did anyone know, the ACME Glass Company was secretly run by The Riddler, who might have plans of his own behind this seemingly straightforward aquarium project.

Would you like me to describe more about how the great white shark interacts with the other sea creatures? Or perhaps detail the characters of Batman and Robin at the ceremony? Maybe even explore The Riddler’s hidden motives?

The next day, the Gotham City Aquarium was buzzing with excitement. Guests filled the halls, including students from Walkerville Elementary School, located five miles away. Among the visitors was the famous Magic School Bus, piloted by Miss Frizzle, who was there with her curious students. They were preparing to enter the massive glass tank through a secure side entrance to educate guests about the fascinating sea creatures inside, especially the majestic great white shark and the colorful fish swimming alongside it.

Meanwhile, amid all the excitement and celebrations, a black janitor quietly went about cleaning. Unfortunately, his mop’s pole accidentally struck the glass tank, causing a faint but ominous crack to appear in the colossal 4 by 8 meters glass panel. Panic began to ripple through the crowd as everyone realized the potential danger this posed to the great white shark, the other sea creatures, and the guests nearby.

With Batman and Robin still present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the question on everyone’s mind was: would they be able to save the day before disaster struck?

Would you like to continue the story with Batman and Robin’s reaction, the janitor’s perspective, or more about the Magic School Bus crew inside the tank?

The 59-year-old workman drove his cart steadily through the rainy streets of Gotham City, finally arriving at the office where he needed to make the call. He pulled out the heavy Gotham City Yellow Pages, flipping carefully to the “G” section. His finger traced down the page until he found the listing for ACME Glass Company.

He picked up the phone and dialed. When someone answered, he said, “Hi, it says here you do double glazing? Do you happen to have a piece in stock, 4 by 8 meters, but only in frosted glass? Yeah, just frosted glass — that’s all they have, just frosted. Mmm, I’m sure they’ll notice. Sorry about that.”

Little did he realize, ACME Glass Co. was not just any ordinary company — it was secretly operated by The Riddler, weaving his own mysterious plans.

Would you like to explore how this mix-up affects the aquarium installation? Or perhaps dive into what The Riddler might be plotting with the frosted glass? Or maybe follow the workman’s next steps?

The large 4 by 8 meter glass panel at the Gotham City Aquarium now showed a clear, jagged crack near the spot where the janitor’s mop pole had accidentally hit it. The crack spiderwebbed out unevenly, threatening to spread further under the pressure of the water inside the tank. The frosted texture of the glass gave the crack an eerie, almost glowing outline against the murky water with the great white shark and colorful fish swimming ominously close by. Guests nearby gasped in alarm as Batman and Robin quickly took charge of the situation.

The workman wasted no time and called Safelite. “You can install it right away?” he asked eagerly. “Brilliant! And how much will that be? Does that include putty?”

The voice on the other end replied, “Not okay, no problem. I’ll keep looking. Thanks very much!”

Inside the aquarium, tension was growing fast. The janitor stood frozen, his hands pressed against the glass as the great white shark circled closer, sensing the vulnerability. Suddenly, the cracked glass shattered with a thunderous crash. Water flooded the main floor in moments, sweeping guests into panic.

Batman and Robin sprang into action, leaping onto higher ground to get a better view amid the chaos. People screamed as Miss Frizzle and her class struggled to swim out of the tank as water surged around them. The great white shark lunged toward the janitor and several students.

Without hesitation, Batman pulled out his Bat Repellant Spray, aiming to neutralize the shark’s attack and protect everyone nearby. As the spray took effect, the shark recoiled, giving the heroes time to secure the area. Soon after, Gotham City police arrived to help with rescue and crowd control.

The scene was chaotic but slowly starting to come under control, thanks to quick thinking and bravery.

As soon as Gotham EMS arrived, the medical teams quickly took over. Miraculously, none of Miss Frizzle’s students were injured, but several other children and guests suffered severe injuries from shark bites and shards of glass. Among them was a 67-year-old tourist from Japan, who had a deep cut across his chest, and the janitor, who bore multiple bite wounds across his legs but was expected to recover.

The chaotic scene pacified as EMTs worked efficiently, tending to the wounded and calming frightened visitors. Just then, Commissioner Gordon arrived, surveying the scene with a grim expression. On the fractured glass surface, he found a chilling calling card left behind by The Riddler. In bold, jagged handwriting, it read:

“This glass was built for disaster.”

The message was clear—this accident was no mere coincidence. The Riddler had orchestrated the crisis from behind the scenes, using his control of the ACME Glass Company to sabotage the aquarium for his own twisted game.

Batman and Robin exchanged knowing glances. The night was far from over, and Gotham’s Dark Knight was already preparing to hunt The Riddler down.

Batman knelt beside Mei, the 7-year-old Asian girl wearing blue shorts overalls and a plain white t-shirt. Blood trickled down from the deep cut on her leg caused by the shattered glass. Calm but steady, Batman and the EMS team quickly applied pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Mei winced but remained brave as Batman reassured her with a gentle nod.

The ambulance doors opened nearby, ready to transport her to Gotham General Hospital for further treatment. Batman lifted her carefully into the stretcher while EMS staff prepared their equipment. Despite the chaos, Batman’s presence brought a sense of security to the frightened child and others around her.

As the ambulance sped off into the stormy night, the fight against The Riddler’s latest twisted scheme was far from over — but Batman’s dedication to protecting Gotham’s innocent shone as bright as ever.

Batman and Robin wasted no time and sped off toward the ACME Glass Company, located about six miles away from the aquarium. As they approached the location, the flickering glow of city lights revealed a towering billboard advertising Coca-Cola—except something was off. The familiar smiling face of Sela Ward was plastered over with The Riddler’s wicked grin, his signature question mark subtly incorporated into the design. It was a bold, eerie message: The Riddler was taunting Gotham right in plain sight.

Stepping closer, Batman noticed the plant itself was much less legitimate than it had appeared online. The building’s exterior showed signs of disguise and secrecy—this wasn’t a genuine glass company facility at all. It was The Riddler’s hidden lair, the very place where he had planned his latest game of chaos.

Batman and Robin exchanged a determined look and prepared to infiltrate the hideout, ready for whatever traps and puzzles The Riddler might have waiting inside.

Inside the hidden lair of The Riddler, a dimly lit room buzzed with the static of a television screen tuned to WGNX. The Riddler sat smirking, watching a news segment unfold. The broadcast showed footage from the aquarium—the chaos, the flooding, the injured.

On the screen was a 6-year-old blonde girl named Daisy, her ponytail bouncing as she lay on a gurney. She wore a red-to-yellow-to-green gradient t-shirt and brown pants, her legs bandaged from shark bites. A somber reporter spoke solemnly, “Gotham Police are conducting an intense search for The Riddler following today’s aquarium disaster. Authorities warn citizens to stay vigilant as the criminal mastermind remains at large.”

The Riddler laughed, his voice echoing off the walls: a chilling reminder that this deadly game was far from over.

Batman and Robin knew they had to act quickly to stop The Riddler before more innocent lives were put at risk.

As The Riddler cackled in his dimly lit lair, the guard suddenly appeared in the doorway, tense and hurried.

“Batman and Robin are here!” the guard warned, his voice shaky.

With a sinister grin, The Riddler’s mind raced. He quickly began setting a trap—wires, pulsing green lights, and riddles inscribed on the walls that would confuse and ensnare the Dark Knight and his partner. The entire lair was a maze of puzzles and dangers designed specifically to challenge Gotham’s greatest heroes.

As the footsteps of Batman and Robin echoed closer, The Riddler prepared to spring his trap, confident that this game would end in chaos once more.

The Riddler’s lair was an intricate web of traps, each designed to test Batman and Robin’s intelligence, agility, and teamwork. As they stepped inside, they would face the following deadly challenges:

1. Riddle-Activated Pressure Plates: The floor concealed pressure plates linked to hidden toxic gas emitters. Only by solving riddles inscribed on the walls could Batman and Robin safely step over the correct tiles, avoiding a poisonous cloud that would disorient them.

2. Laser Maze with Cryptic Clues: A hallway was crisscrossed with deadly laser beams pulsing in irregular patterns. The patterns corresponded to clues in a riddle—decoding it correctly would allow them to time their movements and get through unscathed.

3. Magnetic Lock Puzzle: The door to the central chamber was sealed by an electromagnetic lock that only opened when a sequence of symbols—encoded as a riddle—was touched in the right order. Getting it wrong triggered an alarm and released electrified barriers.

4. Mechanical Shark Trap: A mechanical replica of a great white shark lurked in a water-filled pit, programmed to snap at intruders. The Riddler’s twisted homage to the aquarium disaster, this trap required precise timing and gadgets from Batman’s utility belt to disable.

5. Hall of Mirrors with Hidden Clues: A maze of mirrors distorted perspectives and hid riddles etched invisibly on some surfaces. Decoding these would reveal secret passages and avoid deadly snare traps.

Each trap carried The Riddler’s signature flair—taunting riddles and brain teasers meant to outwit the Dark Knight, slow him down, or lead him into danger.

Batman and Robin would need their combined skills, sharp minds, and unbreakable trust to navigate this deathtrap and bring The Riddler to justice.

Batman and Robin skillfully navigated The Riddler’s deadly lair, using their wits and agility to outsmart each trap. Batman deciphered the riddles on the pressure plates to avoid toxic gas, timed their movements perfectly to slip through the laser maze, and solved the magnetic lock puzzle to open the door to the central chamber. Robin expertly disabled the mechanical shark trap with gadgets from his utility belt and guided them safely through the hall of mirrors by spotting the hidden clues.

Finally, they reached The Riddler’s office—a dimly lit room filled with green question marks glowing ominously on the walls. Without hesitation, The Riddler lunged at Batman, initiating a fierce hand-to-hand combat. Batman expertly parried and countered, matching The Riddler’s every move.

Meanwhile, Robin took on the guards stationed in the lair. Using quick strikes and acrobatics, he subdued the henchmen one by one, ensuring Batman could focus fully on the duel.

The battle of strength and wits was intense, but with their teamwork and determination, Batman and Robin were determined to end The Riddler’s reign of terror once and for all.

With a final burst of strength and precision, Batman landed a powerful punch squarely to The Riddler’s face, knocking the cunning villain unconscious. The fight was over.

At that moment, the sound of approaching sirens filled the lair as Gotham City police stormed in. The Riddler was quickly handcuffed and taken into custody, while the remaining henchmen were arrested on the spot.

With The Riddler subdued, the threat was finally neutralized. He was transported to Arkham Asylum, Gotham’s infamous mental hospital, where he would face justice for his crimes and his twisted games.

Batman and Robin stood together, knowing their work was never truly done, but grateful to have saved countless lives once again.

At Gotham General Hospital, Daisy lay resting on a hospital bed. Her legs were carefully bandaged, still healing from the shark bites she had suffered during the aquarium disaster. Despite the ordeal, Daisy showed courage beyond her years, sitting up with the support of a nurse.

Soon, media reporters gathered around, eager to hear from the brave young girl. Cameras and microphones were focused on her as a local news anchor gently asked, “Daisy, how are you feeling after everything that happened at the aquarium?”

With a shy but determined smile, Daisy replied, “I’m okay now. The doctors and nurses took really good care of me. And Batman and Robin helped us all—they’re heroes!”

The reporters nodded, touched by her resilience. Outside the hospital, the city’s mood slowly shifted from fear to hope, inspired by the strength of its youngest survivors and the heroes who kept Gotham safe.

At Gotham Police Headquarters, Miss Frizzle arrived with the Magic School Bus, her students buzzing with excitement and relief after the aquarium ordeal. The brightly colored bus stood out amidst the stormy Gotham skyline, a symbol of curiosity and learning.

Batman and Robin arrived shortly after, stepping into the press area with a calm confidence. Reporters gathered quickly, eager to hear their account of the events. Miss Frizzle spoke first, explaining how she and her students helped educate the guests and stayed calm during the crisis.

Batman added, “Thanks to teamwork, quick thinking, and the bravery of everyone involved—including Miss Frizzle and her students—we were able to minimize the damage and save many lives. The Riddler’s plans have been foiled, but Gotham will always need vigilance.”

Robin nodded in agreement, emphasizing how important it was for the community to stay united in the face of danger.

The press buzzing with questions, the heroes and educators shared a message of hope and resilience for Gotham City’s future.

At Gotham General Hospital, nine-year-old Isabella, a Latina girl with ponytails and bangs, was carefully brought out of surgery after suffering a deep cut to her chest during the aquarium incident. Though exhausted, she was stable and surrounded by caring medical staff.

Outside the hospital room, Isabella’s parents spoke to the gathered press. With a mix of determination and relief, they announced their intent to sue The Riddler for the injuries their daughter sustained and for the damages to her clothing. They held up Isabella’s plain light pink t-shirt and light blue skirt overalls—both now severely cut and torn, removed by Gotham EMS during emergency treatment.

“We are grateful to Batman and Robin for saving our daughter’s life,” her mother said, her voice steady but emotional. “As parents, we want justice to be served so no other child has to go through this.”

The family’s resolve echoed through the press room, underscoring the lasting impact of The Riddler’s reckless plans on Gotham’s innocent citizens.

Inside his cold, dimly lit cell at Arkham Asylum, The Riddler sat watching an episode of Sisters on the small, flickering television mounted in the corner. His usual smug grin faltered as the news broke: he was being sued by the families of the victims injured in the aquarium disaster. The lawsuits included claims for medical expenses, emotional trauma, and damages caused by his reckless sabotage.

Worse yet, Sela Ward herself was filing a lawsuit for the unauthorized use—and defacement—of her likeness on the giant Coca-Cola billboard. The Riddler, once so confident in his schemes, now found himself facing the harsh legal consequences of his actions, trapped not just physically but by the weight of justice catching up with him.

As the episode played on, The Riddler’s mind began to race, plotting his next move even behind bars.

Inside his bleak, dim cell at Arkham Asylum, The Riddler sat mulling over the flickering screen of the small television mounted in the corner. A rerun of Sisters played quietly as the latest news update caught his attention. The report detailed the mounting lawsuits: the families of the aquarium victims—injured and traumatized—were suing him for damages and medical costs.

Adding insult to injury, Sela Ward herself had filed suit against The Riddler for the unauthorized and defaced use of her image on the giant Coca-Cola billboard. The smug confidence that once defined The Riddler cracked as he comprehended the full weight of legal consequences bearing down on him.

Though confined, his mind whispered with schemes yet to come, plotting a comeback even from behind bars.