Not Alone in Gotham
It was cold, dark, and filled with the sounds of nocturnal life. Gotham, the oldest city in America, rivaled in fame only by Metropolis. It was famous for it's iconic hero, the Batman. For the past 65 years, Batman had patrolled Gotham's streets, keeping it safe. First, Bruce Wayne wore the cowl. Now, his young protoge, Terry McGinnis wore the bat on his chest. But, as he was about to learn, he was not the only one with the dream to do good. All a man needs to be a vigilante is a reason. A reason, and a weapon. Gabriel Queen had both.
My leather booted feet slapped against the wet rooftops. It was my third or fourth night in Gotham, and as always, I was on the prowl, looking for a fight. I sprinted to the edge, stopping on a dime. I stood for a few seconds, then the sound reached my ears.
A scream.
I smirked, gripping my wooden recurve bow tighter in my left hand. I leapt from the rooftop, landing on a low balcony, close to the platform below, where two brawny thugs were cornering a woman, trying to grab her purse. I crouched, sizing the two up. The bigger of the two grabbed the woman, holding her from behind, while his friend ripped the purse from her. She screamed again, but the thug holding her covered her mouth with his hand, shaking her roughly.
It was time for me to intervene. I quickly and expertly drew an arrow from the quiver on my back, slipping it into the nock faster than the blink of an eye. I drew back the string, aiming for the knee of the thug holding the woman. I exhale… And release.
The arrow finds its mark, and the thug falls, screaming and clutching at his shattered joint, the arrow shaft jutting from the gushing wound. His friend draws a pistol, aiming into the darkness I took the shot from. I leapt down, rolling to reduce the impact of the twelve story jump. I draw another arrow and fire, knocking the gun from his grip. With a bound, I'm in close with the thug, pummeling his abdomen with my right fist, then sending him flying with an airborne knee to his chest.
It's only then that I see the woman.
She's holding the thug's gun… Aiming for my head, her hands shaking, terror in her eyes. "Stay away from me, Freak." She says through chattering teeth.
I begin to walk calmly toward her, and she holds her fire. "I'm warning you." She says, again trying to steady her hands. I keep walking. When I reach her, I slowly wrap my free hand around the gun's barrel, pulling it gently from her grip. She flinches, looking away quickly, squeezing her eyes shut. When she opens them, I will be gone, I think to myself.
I sprint to the edge of the platform, diving off, bow in hand. I draw an arrow in freefall, nocking and firing at a building. I grab the cord attached to it, and swing to another rooftop. I land lightly, taking a pause, looking back in the direction I had left the woman. Always afraid, I think, Always afraid of me…
A voice interrupts my thoughts.
"So you're the one dropping goons on my turf." A gravelly voice echoes behind me. "Nice to finally meet you."
"Likewise." I reply, a smirk on my face. "So you're him." I turn to look at him. The black suit blended into the night, but the crimson bat emblem sure as hell didn't. His white optic lenses gave away his position also.
Batman.
"Nice outfit, Robin Hood." He quipped.
I looked down at my green hooded tunic, black leather utility belt, green pants and boots, and grinned. The bow, quiver, and green eye mask didn't help my case.
"Oh, you're giving fashion advice now?" I quirked an eyebrow. "Didn't know winged rodents were in style."
"They are in Gotham." The Batman replied, returning my grin. He shifted to a fighting stance, hands curling into fists. "Let's get this over with."
I laughed. "I'm not here to fight you… McGinnis."
Batman froze. "You… How did you…" He fumbled over his words, his confidence gone. I had him right where I wanted him.
"Take me to Bruce, Terry." I requested, as if asking for help on a trivial matter, friendly smile still in place. "I'm the grandson of, shall we say, a family friend."
Terry hesitated, then I realized, Bruce was giving him orders on what to do. Terry nodded, almost imperceptibly. "Follow me… Queen." His grin returned as he turned and began running, leaping off the roof. I grinned as well, following immediately. I was going to meet the closest thing to family I had left. My grandfather's idol. The original dark knight.
The Batman.