I do not own the characters in this fanfic. The idea, however, is mine. Enjoy!

Background Info - Shadow Lady is a manga series by Masakazu Katsura. The series revolves around a painfully shy 18-year old girl named Aimi Komori who has a secret identity: She's a mysterious cat burglar who goes by the name Shadow Lady. Aimi was given this ability in the form of a magical compact, which was given to her by a creature from the Demon World named De-Mo. As Shadow Lady, Aimi is able to overcome her shyness, however her counterpart is a wanted criminal and is sought after by the Gray City police and Aimi's first crush, Detective Bright Honda. The real trouble begins when the Demon World Police Trio - Vin, Luc, and Delon - come after De-Mo to execute him for revealing the secrets of the Demon World to a human. Their ultimatum . . . Shadow Lady must retrieve five all-powerful Demon Stones known as Arch-Demons. Aimi is determined to help De-Mo at any cost, even her own life . . .

AN - Wow, that was kinda long, but I hope it was helpful for those who have never heard of Shadow Lady. At the end of the 'lil summary, it seems dark, but the series is actually a lot more humorous. This series is worth the read.

Escape Into Gotham
Part 1

Aimi Komori's apartment building, Gray City

"You what," Aimi screeched. She flopped down on her couch and sighed heavily. After pushing her light purple bangs out of her face, she glared up at Demota, who was currently floating in the air in his demon form. "De-Mo! How could you lose that Demon Stone?"

Demota, whose true form resembles an imp-like creature, floated down to the ground and began to transform into his human form. When he was finished, his appearance was that of a 10-year old boy. "I dunno how it happened, Aimi," he began as he sat down next to her. "I was returning the stone to Vin, and it just… sorta fell outta my hands into a portal," he finished quickly.

Aimi stood up and began to pace around her apartment. "I can't believe you did that, Demota," she began. "I would normally look up to the challenge of retrieving it, but the six-month time limit is almost up! This could be disastrous!"

Demota hung his head and dug his feet into the carpet. "I feel bad enough as it is," he said. "I'm really, really sorry, Aimi."

She stopped pacing and knelt down in front of him. "De-Mo, I'm not mad at you," she began. "It's just that you're like a little brother to me. I don't want you to be executed because we couldn't retrieve all the Demon Stones. You're the only family I have. It's just that our time is short, and I don't want the world to be destroyed if the Arch-Demons break free of their seals." She paused to think, and then looked at Demota. "So, which Demon Stone was it that you lost?"

Demota looked deep into Aimi's brown eyes and swallowed nervously. "It was, um… it was the Arch-Demon Medu," he said in almost a whisper.

"MEDU," Aimi shouted. "MEDU, as in the same Arch-Demon that nearly killed me?"

Demota rubbed the ear that Aimi had shouted in. "Geez, Aimi," he grumbled. "For such a shy girl, you sure do have a loud mouth!" He regretted what he said immediately as Aimi's fist met the top of his head. "Ouch," he said as he fell over.

Aimi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well, it's not that big of a deal," she said finally. "We'll just get it back. So, where is the stone right now? I'm sure you know that, at least."

Demota picked himself up and pulled out the Demon Stone Detector, which he had created to help locate the stones, out of his pocket. After regarding the contraption, he looked at Aimi. "Well, it's nowhere in Gray City," he began. "According to this, it's in a place called Gotham City."

"Gotham City," she repeated. "And where, exactly, is that?" After a couple of minutes of silence, Aimi began to tap her foot impatiently. "Well? Where is it, De-Mo?"

"In the United States," Demota replied reluctantly. As Aimi fainted, he ran to catch her.

Gray City Police Department

"Honda, get in here," Inspector Dory bellowed from his office. Seconds later, Bright Honda, a twenty-five year old detective, came into the room. With his strong physique, and striking good looks, it was easy to tell that he was one of the best officers the Gray City Police Department had to offer.

"Yes, sir," he asked. Bright was transferred from Central to help the Gray City Police capture the ever-elusive Shadow Lady. However, he was taken off of the case when he confessed his love for her, and allowed her to escape. As he stood in front of his supervisor, he became nervous.

"Have a seat, Honda," Dory said, motioning to the empty seat in front of his desk. After he studied the officer for a couple of minutes, he cleared his throat. "As you know, you have been taken off of the Shadow Lady case. Your conduct was extremely unprofessional, and if you weren't such a hotshot detective, I'd have fired you then and there."

"Sir, I know what I did was wrong, but what you were planning to do would have killed her," Bright replied. "Those laser guns are extremely dangerous, and as an Officer of the Law, I couldn't stand by and watch it."

"You're out of line, and I should fire your ass right now," Dory barked as he slammed his fist onto his desk. "However, for some strange reason, the Chief seems to think that given another chance, you'll be able to catch her. So, you're back on the case. Now get home and think up a good plan to capture Shadow Lady."

"Yes, sir," Bright replied. He tried his best to hide the smile that was threatening to break through his serious composure.

"Oh, and Honda," Dory said as Bright turned to leave. He smiled slightly as the other officer stopped. "If you screw up again, you'll be doing paperwork for the rest of your career!"

As Bright closed Inspector Dory's door behind him, he jumped into the air, drawing strange looks from his co-workers. Blushing in embarrassment, he quickly made his way out of the Station and started walking towards his apartment. "Yes," he thought to himself. "I finally get the chance to go after Shadow Lady again" He stopped at a streetlight, and pulled out a wanted poster with Shadow Lady's picture on it. "I'm going to catch you and make you use those powers of yours for good instead of evil," he thought as the light changed. He walked across the street quickly. Two blocks later, he finally reached his apartment building. As he reached his door, he stopped. "I wonder if Aimi is home," he asked as he looked down towards his feet.

Aimi lived in the apartment directly below his. Bright had saved her from being attacked, and the two had slowly become friends after they had discovered they lived in the same apartment complex. She had been terribly shy around him at first, and he thought that she didn't like him because he had accidentally crashed through the roof of her bathroom with one of his inventions. Slowly, but surely, he chiseled away her shyness, and he finally got her to talk to him.

However, he has yet to discover her deepest secrets.

"I'll tell her tomorrow," he concluded. "I'm sure she'll be glad I'm back on the Shadow Lady case."

The next morning, as Bright went downstairs from his apartment, he ran into Aimi, who was struggling with some suitcases. "Oh, good morning, Aimi," he greeted. He startled her, and she dropped everything she was holding. "Looks like you could use some help," he said as he helped her with her stuff.

"T-thank you," she stammered. "A-and good morning to you too, Bright."

"You're looking good this morning," he complimented her. He didn't seem to notice as she turned crimson red. "I have some great news," he continued, not noticing the love-stricken look on her face. "I'm back on the Shadow Lady case!"

"What… what do you mean," she asked, totally shocked. "But I… I thought you were kicked off that case!"

"I was," he replied. "But Inspector Dory put me back on the case, under the orders of the Chief. I was really surprised." He smiled at her, and then noticed the frown on her face. "Is something wrong, Aimi?"

"N-no! Nothing's wrong," she said quickly. "It's just that… Isn't chasing after Shadow Lady dangerous?"

"Every assignment is dangerous," Bright replied. "Especially when dealing with a potential suspect in murder." He paused, lowering his voice as he stepped closer to Aimi. "I'm not supposed to talk about the case, but I saw with my own eyes, her standing over his dead body."

As Aimi grew quiet, remembering the events that really happened that night, she began to worry. Bright, who was passing by Klein's mansion, heard the noise from within and went to investigate. As Shadow Lady was about to make her escape, Bright walked in and saw her leaving a very dead Klein laying on the ground. "With Bright back on the case, he'll be a lot more aggressive when trying to catch Shadow Lady," she thought to herself. She looked back up towards Bright as he continued speaking.

"With Shadow Lady being a suspect in Mr. Hanayama's murder, the police will be a lot more aggressive towards her," Bright said thoughtfully.

"But the police don't have any proof she committed the crime," Aimi exclaimed. She turned red as Bright looked at her. "I-I mean…"

"No, you have a point, Aimi," he interrupted. "We don't have any real proof she committed any crime. All we have to go by is what I overheard, and the fact that she was in Klein's mansion during the time the crime was committed."

"Bright, do you… Do you think that Shadow Lady is capable of murder," Aimi asked. She looked at him expectantly.

"I don't know why, but I feel as if I can tell you this," Bright began, scratching his chin. "As a police officer, I shouldn't get involved emotionally in a case. However, I feel that Shadow Lady is innocent. I don't think she did anything, except for being in the wrong place at the wrong time… Anyway, I must be boring you to death with all this Shadow Lady talk. Where are you headed off to," he asked, motioning towards her bags.

"Oh, well, uh… I'm… I'm going on a vacation," she stuttered. "I finally saved enough money for my brother and I to go on a short trip." She felt a tinge of guilt as Bright looked at her. When the problem of how Aimi would get the money for a plane ticket to Gotham arose, De-Mo thought up a plan to solve their dilemma: Shadow Lady withdrew some money from the Gray City Main Bank.

"Sounds nice," Bright commented. "I know I sure could use a break!"

"W-well, I'd better go, Bright," Aimi said. "I called a cab, and it should be here soon." As she reached down to retrieve her bags, he picked them up for her.

"The least I could do is help," he said with a smile.

"Thank you, Bright," Aimi said. As the two made their way to the front of the building, Bright set her bags on the ground.

"Do you have everything," Bright asked.

"Um, yes! I've got my tickets in my purse," she replied. "My compact, too," she added silently as she unconsciously reached into her pocket and brushed her fingers past the magical makeup. Just then, the cab pulled up, and Aimi turned to Bright. "T-thanks for all the help," she said, becoming nervous once again.

"No problem, Aimi," he replied. "Have a great trip. Say, where is your brother? Didn't you say he was going, too?"

"Oh, uh, he's already at the airport," she said. "I sent him ahead so I could get some last-minute things done." The truth, however, was that De-Mo had made a side-trip to the Demon World. He was going to meet Aimi in Gotham, since it would be hard for her to get him a fake passport.

"Well, I guess I'll see you when you get back, then," Bright said. He gave her a small hug, and then stepped away from her. He put her bags in the trunk, where the driver was waiting, while Aimi got into the cab. He stepped away from the curb and waved as the cab pulled away.

Aimi sighed contentedly, and her body tingled all over from Bright's embrace. However, her good mood didn't last for long. Her smile disappeared as a frown took its place. "Leave it up to Inspector Dopey Dory to put Bright back on the Shadow Lady case," she mumbled to herself.

"Where to, miss," the cab driver asked as the car came to a stop at a light, interrupting her thoughts.

"The Gray City Airport, please," she said.

Gotham City Abandoned Docks

"Hey Boss, look! You made it in the headlines again," a man said as he entered the room, holding a newspaper. "It says: POLICE STILL BAFFLED BY STONE VICTIMS. That's you, Mr. Conaway."

"I told you not to call me that, Vinny," he snapped. "Call me Stonewall. Jimmy Conaway is dead now."

"R-right Mr. Stonewall," Vinny stammered.

"Things couldn't be more perfect for me than they are now," Stonewall began. "For years, that damn Batman has kept me down. For years, I was cold, homeless, and hungry… And for what? Only for me to get caught by that miserable annoyance, in one of the Joker's psychotic schemes. But no more! I have the upper-hand now!"

"So what's our next move, Boss," Vinny asked. Stonewall looked at him, and smirked.

"Now that I found this little prize," he replied, placing a hand on an ancient-looking relic, "I will bring Batman, and this whole damn city to its' knees!"

"That's a great plan, Boss," Vinny replied nervously as Stonewall began to laugh maniacally. He stopped his laughter suddenly, and looked over at his henchman.

"You know what, Vinny? I do need to exercise my powers a little more," he stated. "And I know the perfect way to get rid of both Batman and any other annoyances."

"And how's that, Boss," Vinny asked. Stonewall smiled evilly as his plan began to fully develop.

Meanwhile, Batman was standing in Commissioner Gordon's office. He was standing by the window, gazing out at his city. Deep in thought, he turned away from the window, and looked at the Commissioner. "Do you have any clues as to who is committing these crimes, Jim," he asked.

"No clue at all, Batman," the Commissioner replied. "This isn't your normal perpetrator. He doesn't seem to want anything at all. The only places he has hit are the banks, and the Gotham City Mint. It just doesn't make sense. These robberies are too sporadic. This case has both Bullock and Montoya stumped."

"Bullock and Montoya are on the case," Batman asked.

"That's right," he replied. "But the thing is that there are no witnesses to these crimes. They happen in broad daylight, but all witness are somehow turned to stone, and the surveillance systems are destroyed."

"No tapes were recovered?"

The Commissioner shook his head, sighing as he rubbed his temples. "I have two of my best detectives on this case, and they can't do anything at all."

"Sooner or later, he's bound to come after you or Mayor Hill," Batman replied. "And when that happens, I'll be prepared. Nightwing and Batgirl will keep an eye on you. And since the Mayor is a more likely target, Robin and I will stake out there."

"Great plan, Batman," Gordon began as he walked over to the file cabinet. "I'll have some of my men sent over to the Mayor's house. This guy would have to be a complete nut to..." He stopped as he realized Batman was no longer in the room. "I'm never going to get used to that," he mumbled to himself as he settled back down in his chair. He looked up as a knock sounded at his door. "Come in."

"Hey Daddy," a red-haired girl greeted as she entered the room.

"Barbara, sweetheart, it's good to see you," he exclaimed as he stood to embrace his daughter, chuckling as she kissed his cheek. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I was just in the neighborhood, and I wanted to see the most handsome police officer in the precinct," Barbara said.

"Well, it certainly is good to see your face," he replied, returning to his seat. She followed him to his desk, stopping behind him.

"Any luck breaking this new case, Daddy," she asked as she massaged his shoulders.

"None at all," he replied. "The only thing we can do is keep the stone victims safe. If there's a way to return all these people to normal, we'll need to keep the statues out of harms' way." He grabbed her hands from his shoulder and turned around to face her. "Barbara, I want you to stay off of the streets until this case is solved."

"Dad, I've got to go to school," she replied. "I can't stay locked up at home, you know!"

"I know, honey," he said with a sigh. "It's just that I can't stand the thought of having you turned to stone. And if there's not any way to reverse the affects…"

"Oh, you worry too much," she exclaimed. "But if it puts your mind at ease, I'll be extra careful." Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a shadow in the window. However, when she went to look, there was nothing there. "That's strange," she thought to herself. "I could have sworn I saw something. It almost looked like a bat…"

"Barbara, did you hear what I just said," Gordon asked, interrupting her thoughts. He shook his head slightly, as she turned away from the window with a confused look on her face. "I said, would you like an escort home?"

"No thanks, Daddy," she replied. "I'll see you when you get home!" She kissed him on the cheek and smiled as she went out the door.

Outside of the window, De-Mo was pressed against the side of the building, as flat as possible. "Phew, that was a close one," he said in a low voice. "What a beautiful girl! Maybe I should follow her home instead of looking for that Demon Stone. It would give me something interesting to do until Aimi gets here. But I know what she would say," he added with a sigh. He looked at the Demon Stone Detector. "Well, what that guy said makes sense as to why this thing is reacting to this building. All of those statues must be giving off vibes from Medu's powers." He looked at his watch and sighed. "Aimi's plane should be here by morning. Then all the real fun will begin."

To Be Continued . . .