BATMAN: KNIGHT OF GOTHAM
Batman and related characters are property of DC Comics.
Chapter 1: A Superstitious, Cowardly Lot
Rain poured down upon the stately cobblestone sidewalks of downtown Gotham as a storm brewed in its tumultuous, carmine skies. Looming above the stone and brick were buildings of various styles, from the sleek and piercing spires of Art Deco to the drab concrete colossi of Brutalism. It was a scene worthy of a Turner or a Delacroix, perhaps a Doré or a Cole.
Suddenly, the night was rocked by an explosion as the vault of the 5th National Bank was forcibly opened. Within, the thieves worked with haste as the alarm blared. Outside, an armored truck idled, awaiting its cargo of ill-gotten legal tender. From within the vehicle, a young woman gazed in horror as the symbol of a stylized bat lit up the night.
"Woosan to Napier. We've got Batsign!"
The head thief loaded a brick of bound banknotes into his purple trenchcoat and ran into the night, leaving his fellows behind as the sound of police sirens filled the air.
Sandra Woosan watched as her current employer opened the passenger door and slipped into his seat.
"Get driving, woman! The coppers aren't going to get us this time!"
Woosan slammed her foot onto the accelerator and sped off into the street, her heart pounding like an orchestra drum and her ears echoing with Napier's howling laugh. As the truck raced across the wet highway, a large, sleek, and jet-black automobile emerged from the shadows and materialized in Woosan's rearview mirror.
"It's him." she muttered.
"Who?" Napier asked.
"The Batman."
"Who?"
Before Sandra could answer, a buzzing noise filled the air, followed by the sound of a tire bursting.
"Câo!"
The truck slammed into a set of blockers that hadn't been there before. As Sandra turned her head, she saw her cohort opening his door and fleeing.
"So long, Lady Shiva! Thanks for the lift!"
"Pìyǎn."
Lady Shiva emerged from the truck and watched as two tons of metal, plastic, and ceramic came to a stop. The canopy that encased the driver's compartment slid open, and a large man in body armor emerged from it. In place of a helmet, his head was protected by a cowl with pointy bat-like ears on top. A cape loomed ominously behind him, and his chest was adorned with the same stylized bat that had earlier graced the sky.
"Batman, we meet again."
"Well, you've gone down in status, Shiva."
Lady Shiva charged her opponent like a cobra ready to strike. As she lunged, Batman countered her attack, sending her falling back.
"So, you think you can best me?"
With that, she drew a knife and made a second attempt, pointing the blade at her opponent's face. Before she could inflict a wound, Batman clapped his hands against the one with the knife, disarming her. As Shiva stood there, Batman's foot slammed into her midriff, knocking her back against the truck.
"Wáng bā!" she shouted as she got up again.
Before she could make another charge, a sharp object sliced through the air and pinned Shiva to the truck.
"Now, where's your friend gone off to?"
Shiva spat up phlegm.
"Where is he?"
"The plan was to drop the truck off at the old Ace Chemicals plant. Jolly Jack Napier's probably gone off there n-"
Just then, Shiva noticed that Batman was gone.
"You magnificent bastard."