Blue Kitsune:
Hey everyone Blue Kitsune here. Yeah I know been a while but I have been going through some crazy things this summer and well I need to relieve the stress through writing and this little beauty I came out. I also like to give a shoutout to my girl JeffFTW who has been a great help so please give some love her way as well. Those who are reading my Love is for Croc, think of this as a prequel of sorts for a different character but still same timeframe. Please enjoy and reviews are welcome but not flamers

Disclaimers: Blue Kitsune does not own Batman the animated series but the character and story to this only.

THE HIGHER CALLING

TO ORDER

"And now...farewell to kindness, humanity and gratitude. I have substituted myself for Providence in rewarding the good; may the God of vengeance now yield me His place to punish the wicked."

― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

CHAPTER I –

LADY OF THE NIGHT

The weather within the city of Gotham could be terribly fickle during this time of year, it was nothing short of dark skies and heavy rain and dark skies ahead, especially when the forecast predicted there were to be nonstop showers all through the evening.

Nothing made the mood slightly more depressing than having the day looking gloomy and dreary. Everyone in the office could see the storm clouds within the following hour before it was time to call it a day.

Alexi Brooke was one of the few that left the office late, filing the last bit of paperwork and setting them in their arranged folders and cabinet so anyone could find them when need be.

When she placed the manila for Combs, J. and shutting it with a quick swoosh and a turn to lean against it for just a couple seconds, "Phew glad that was the last of those." She said before exiting the room and towards the elevator.

Today had been one long turnout given how many were needing this and that done for this month alone and she swore her face hurt from keeping a smile on her face after greeting every client that came in through the door.

However just as she made it down to the lobby, she looked outside and saw the sky was already dark with the waterworks already coming down slowly but ever so surely.

"Great just my ruddy luck…" She sighed while pushing the long fringes out of her eyes, ignoring the way people that were near looked at her as they noticed the thin white streak that stood out amongst the jet-black tresses.

She ignored them as she knew they couldn't help gawking especially she wasn't that old, only in her early twenties no less. Alexi could not help it if this was a hereditary trait gain from her mother's side and passed onto the females of her family. The Mallen streak which was an unusual pigmentation of sorts, given that it was some genetic marker that came to be and likely would be pass onto any children she might have in the far-off future.

It was real no big deal to her but given the grief she had from the teachers at school when they thought she done it on purpose before meeting her mother face to face and seeing was very identical to the one she had and let the manner drop afterwards.

Shows what they knew. Her mother, god rest her soul, had always told her to ignore those who didn't understand things and wished she was still there to give her such advice, especially given what she had been doing for the last couple years. Would she have approved or be disappointed with the way she went around to make a living?

If only things weren't so bad or when the doctors found those godawful tumors in his brain…

But now wasn't the time to be dwelling on such dreadful thoughts as she had places to be, hoping traffic wouldn't be so bad as she got there. She propped open her umbrella and headed to where her civic was parked as she got onto the road while it continued raining cats and dogs.

It took only her about an hour or so to get to Gotham Memorial, given how people were trying to get home and there was an accident along the way; she had to take a detour when the officers blocked the lane and the ambulance on the scene.

It was tedious, but she got there in one piece and walked to where the reception was, letting the person behind the desk know that she was to see Leon Brooke after signing in.

She got her photo taken and was given a visitor pass to make her way towards the seventh floor which was where her father resided as a patient.

She made her way down the lengthy corridor to room 202 and opening the door to find him looking outside, watching the rain pitter-pattering against the pane glass and didn't even hear her come in.

"Hi Daddy I'm back," She was waiting for him to take notice of her seeing him slowly turned as if coming out of a dream, the tubes that were inserted in his nose as well as the iv injected in his forearm moving slightly as he turned around to stare with confusion only to smile when he realize it was Alexi.

"Oh, I didn't hear you come in, sorry sweetheart." She reached to grab his hand and gripping it in hers gently as if afraid she would break them given that they appeared more brittle and shaking slightly when she held it.

"S'okay dad I'm sorry it took me a while to get here, traffic was a right mess especially with this weather."

She could feel the lump in her throat as she stared at him, seeing he look far more ragged than she last saw him, the chemo treatments were taking their toll on him and notice he lost so much weight...that broad figure now a thin walking skeleton, the blue of his vein standing out against his pale skin...

It was truly heartbreaking but she kept it together as she plastered a grin and went to surprise him with a gift she got specially for him.

"I brought you a little present: I know it's not much but I figure that you like something more edible than what you are being served." She reached into her bag and pulling out a small cardboard box that held a piece of tiramisu and two forks for them to share.

"Oh thank the heavens, I was starting to think I lost my taste as every time I put something in my mouth, it's like eating sandpaper."

With the door close and seeing that it was just the two of them, they both enjoy savoring the small dessert and talking about what's been happening thought it was mostly Alexi who told him how things were for the most.

Her father made one or two comments, asking if she had found time to meet someone and her reply was the same as always whenever he brought that up: "There's only one man I need and that is you."

He chuckled before spooning another piece of the delightful coffee-flavored custard, "Ah if you say so but still I think you should at least consider as I won't be around much longer."

He set the fork down and reaching with his frail hand to hold hers and looking up with those same blue-violet eyes that she got from him but seem to have faded some the last she saw him, "I only want what's best for you and hope that whoever you find can give you everything your heart's desire."

He then took to move his hand to touch her cheek and giving her a sad smile, "I swear every time I see you, you are growing to look more and more your mother. I wish she could see how well you turn out to be…"

She could feel that hard lump that seem to settle in her throat yet didn't want to start crying then he would too. "I know, I miss her as well. I never really stop thinking of her or you either."

She stayed for a few more hours and when her dad had to go use the facility, she proceed to fix his bed for him when he went to lie back down again. She removed the empty carton and plastic utensils to throw in the garbage and saw to set his knickknacks on the stand within easy reach.

She noticed a slim gray book laid open and was their family album consisting of them back when Mom was alive. She knew that he could spend hours staring at them without a care in the world and sometimes get lost in the nostalgia for hours until the nurses came round to give him his treatment.

She saw it was all three of them, with her on her ninth birthday having a picnic in Gotham Park. Her mom was smiling in the picture, and her being hugged by both her parents. She then felt a hand and turning to find her father and went to help him get in and fluffing his pillow as he laid his head on it.

"I still think of her every day you know. I wish I could have done something. If only I had…" But the medication was starting to kick in, knowing he was going to be asleep for the whole day and decide to take her leave.

She moved to press a kiss to his forehead, understanding what he was saying. "I know, Daddy, but don't worry. I promise they won't get away with it. I'll make sure of that."

She waited until he was snoring softly before she got up and exit the room, knowing that he was left in the good care of the doctors here as she headed home. But as she was waiting at a light to make a turn, she was thinking to herself.

The people that hurt her family was going to pay, pound for pound and even if she was making herself a target to the likes of Rupert Thorne for what he did to her family, then so be it.

She would show him how wrong it was to mess with the likes of Alexi Brooke or should she say Lucky Lexa who plan to bleed every cent out of his pocket one way or another.

Alexi took her time getting ready for this big night as everything had to go off without a hitch. She had everything set as soon as she made it back to her apartment and grabbing the things out of the closet and moving to sit by her dressing table as she got down to business.

She had done this many times before after she manage to locate the whereabouts of each of her given targets and knowing that to pull it off, she needed to look and act a certain part so she wouldn't give herself away in the case they figured out who swindled and were to go searching for someone who didn't actually exist at all.

That's where Lexa Dante comes in. She had considered the name Dante from the story her mother use to read to her at night and thinking of the main character and could relate to having been justly wronged and taking a course of action by beguiling under a different person.

Alexi would change out of her old clothes and getting into whatever little sexy number she had, choosing to go with the short black mini dress that was low cut but still classy yet wanted her assets to be well noticed with striking heels that enhance the illusion she portray.

Her lips curled back as she thought of the many she fooled with this. Men were easy suckers when it came to a pretty face as well as a perfect figure with a well-endowed bust that no hot-blooded male can resist. It was a woman's best secret weapon to use against the weaker-minds, she mused considering how many had fallen prey and never consider that she was using it to read her opponents and find out what she need to know before she dealt her hand.

She pulled and twist her hair back in a tight bun before sliding the shoulder length bleach blond wig over while making sure that no dark strands stuck out as she did. She was nowhere vain but given her fair complexion with no unsightly blemishes, contrasts well with her now dark brown eyes thanks to the color contacts she put in.

A little bit of makeup also did wonders as she put some eyeshadow and lip gloss to give her more that attractive appeal and didn't need much else to work with as she got what she needed.

A pretty blond who was only looking for a good time and no one would think twice or even realize what she was doing until it was too late.

She smirked as she saw her reflection staring back at her, "All right Lexa, it's time to play hard ball and show no mercy to those sorry losers." She almost felt bad for what she was doing, keyword 'almost'. She flipped her hair and made to blow a kiss before heading to the door and grabbing her purse along the way.

She looked outside through peephole, seeing the coast was clear and was thankful no one she knew would notice as she took the fire escape stairs as she didn't want anyone to find out or worse leak it to someone who could hurt her family more than it already was.

She had to play it cool and calmly exit the building until she was a few blocks from her complex and made to hail a taxi.

Alexi's family fell in the hard-working middle class category given the circumstance for what they've been through and she having to working minimum wage as a secretary to help pay for her monthly rent and other essential. But thankfully her other 'occupation' help to pay for her father's treatment as it was well expensive and needed all the money she could get so he could get his chemo done and only wanted the best treating him.

Plus, it didn't hurt that she was also taking a stab at the mobster who dare to put her family through this. A yellow cab had pulled up to the curb and she made to get in the backseat before giving him the address she was heading for.

The cab driver gave her a questionable look from the rearview mirror, "Your serious lady?" She said nothing and he seeing that it was her money, start the meter and began pulling out into the somewhat lax traffic.

She saw it didn't take him long to reach the given location that was right over near the harbor but seeing that it definitely didn't look like the kind of place no sane person would dare to trek.

But she wasn't afraid to cross into dangerous territory as she got out and pay her fare and made her way to the seedy joint where a lot of crooks and lowlifes like to hang out around these parts.

She heard the local stories growing up about mobsters and how they like to play for money, especially those working for them who find something remotely close to fit their standards. She check every places that had that kind of requirement and Smokey Joe's being the most likely place where Thorne's men were to head after a long day's shift as Thorne's business resolves around the docks.

She was confident that this was the right place as she strolls in and keeping calm and well collect as she made her way right into the lion's den.

The place wasn't pack as there were mostly menfolk and a few 'ladies' milling about, some like her while others looking to have some fun as well as get paid on the side for nookie. She could smell the filthy stink of BO and smoke clinging to the atmosphere and doing her best not to show her utter repulsion as she breath in through her mouth.

She took her time scooping her surrounding as she saunters over to the bar, feeling eyes being stared at her backside as she did. This was definitely the right place but no side of Thorne's men but she wasn't too worried.

She noted a few turn their heads to keep watching her before resuming what they were doing and she took a seat in one of the vacant stools while waiting to be serve a drink.

She ordered a gin tonic as she prefer something light as she didn't like indulging too much and like to keep her wit's end. She had a certain level of tolerance and could think much clearly without being too heavy under the influence.

Now it was all about the waiting game and she had it patent down to an art form. She just sit back and keep her eyes peel while ignoring those that try to hit on her and resisting the urge to throw her drink in their faces if they didn't get she wasn't interest.

She had been there for nearly an hour and being on her second cocktail as well as turning down the fifth guy tonight who try to pick her up when she heard the door open and someone gasping that got everyone's full attention. She turn her eyes and almost felt her heart lurch when she saw who it was. Some had freak and chose to leave while a few remain frozen in their seats as they watch him come in and Alexi also feeling that same stifling sense of gripping fear as she realized she was now in a bit of a bind.

The person strolling in wore a black-white crisp suit with matching suede shoes to match with a thug on each side of him packing heat given the rather obvious as they looked around and staying close to their boss. He was also doing the same while flipping a silver coin constantly in his very scarred hand with a sinister grimace set in a similar frightful visage.

Well half of his face as the other was seemingly normal but still recognize him as would anyone in Gotham considering who this was.

Harvey Dent otherwise known as 'Two Face' by the entire population and this being her first encounter close to someone of that infamous proximity. She usually avoid getting into close contact with these derange lunatics as on the off chance something were to happen and she'd likely wind up dead, no statistic necessary. But since he wasn't Joker or Poison Ivy or even the Scarecrow, she would wager a fifty-fifty that she might come out unscathed as long as no one did anything stupid to piss him off.

Yes just play it cool and don't lose it. She tried to make herself inconspicuous even though that seem shot to hell when he came over, moving to stand right by the booth next to her and waiting for the bartender who immediately showed up asking what he'd like to drink.

She listened as Two Face grunt in that low gravel voice that made goosebumps go up her arms as she heard him speak, "Bourbon and make it a double."

"Coming right up." He grabbed a glass and quickly pouring the amber liquid while leaving the bottle for him in case he wanted more. Two Face waited until he up and left before he made to take a swig before pouring another shot. Her heart was hammering inside her chest, wishing he get up and move but instead he chose to remain where he was and then all of a sudden he turn to stare at her. Shit double shit! This was not how tonight was supposed to go down. But keeping herself in control as she went to pull on the mask and turning ever so slowly and in a cool and collected manner said, "Yes is there something I can do for you?"

Normally she would be trying to get rid of a person but given that on a scale of one to ten on the danger platform he was an eleven on that meter, she would have to try and gauge on how well she can keep from getting her head blown off by the likes of him.

"What's a gal like you doing in these parts? You're not a regular here and you don't seem the type to be hanging around here?"

Right like he would know she thought though instead chose to say, "Oh well I'm just here simply looking for a little fun is all." She didn't want to blow her cover, not when she was this close and felt had to stall for time. She ordered a refill and while she took the glass, swishing the ice around and trying her best not to look at her unwanted company.

"Hmm you don't say…" She didn't like the way he was staring but she remain aloof in her endeavor as she didn't think he was the type to pick up a gal from some garbage bar and hoping he'd leave her alone. This was not how she plan for tonight and seeing him drink the booze down and wonder if he was going to stay and take the whole bottle if he planned to just stay at the bar all night. But thankfully he wasn't as he simply had other plans but couldn't help looking at her with a slow calculating gaze with his one good eye focus on her face.

"Listen, normally I don't care what anyone does in a place like this, but you shouldn't be here."

She scowled, finding it rich to come out of his own sneering face for what he assumed to think of her as. "Be as it may, I don't see how you or anyone thinks but I—" But before she could finish her words, she found his hand gripping her forearm, his fingers digging into the meaty flesh and holding her in place as he lean in close.

"Look doll, you think just cause you can take on the big boys but this is a whole different ballpark sweetheart. I'm going to say this once more that I don't like repeating: Get out before you wind up getting over your head if you know what's good for you. These people will eat you alive and spit you out."

"Wha—" But he let go and then heading to the back corner of the room where his two goons were as they reserved a special place for him. That was the strangest and unusual encounter she ever did have. Her arm was sore and sure to be a bruise in the morning but she was thinking what he said.

Just what did he mean by all that, just why had he had been saying this to her of all people. It was utterly baffling but also left her completely frustrated as he had the audacity to tell her what she can and can't do. He didn't know the first thing about her.

'Sides what I do is my own damn business, not his and I could give a rat's ass if he thinks he can push me around. She was rather miff but then her mood finally took a turn when she finally saw the person she was waiting for coming in along with two more of Thorne's goons, laughing boorishly and looking a bit tipsy as they might've gotten into the booze a bit sooner.

Well that will make things much easier in the course of action once she let them have a few more rounds and play some cards by themselves. The gents will never know what hit them when she decides to come over and see if she could play a round with these fellows.

Two Face doesn't know a thing about me. Mine is more than just vengeance: it's getting back at Thorne and imagining the look on his fat pudgy face seeing he lost some grand makes it all the more sweeter for me.

It wouldn't bring her mother back nor stop the cancer that was killing her father in such a horrific way but at least she would get some retribution to the people who hurt her parents, who destroy their family business and killed her mother in the process.

The old testament in the bible say to forgive thy neighbor but there was another important verse that struck a firm chord in: An Eye for an eye, and she would strike Thorne blind by taking every buck and didn't care how she did it but she had already made her choice long ago.

She heard one of the cronies laughing and she couldn't help as she took a sip of her drink, imagining it to be the sweet taste of victory that was on the tip of her tongue and soon in her very hands before this night was over.