Three robberies, four homicides and the Joker who escaped from Arkham Asylum with Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy obsessing over her 'innocent' man eating plants, Mr. Freeze being an avid member of "Sgnt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club", and the Penguin being a bird obsessed mobster. So…Just a typical night in Gotham. Crouching on the top of Wayne Enterprises was a person clad in all black with a runed hood that covered the figures eyes along with a full domino mask that covered their whole head along with an equally black hood.
As the figure watched the tell tale sign of sirens and the inevitable bat symbol that is barely recognizable in the cloudy, rainy night. As the anonymous character sits leisurely on the top of Wayne Enterprises waiting for the Batmobile to pass in the street that could only lead to the Joker, the figure wonders about the astronomy project that will be do in twelve hours and how to bullshit their way through that class without seeming like a slacker. When the sound of an engine ripping through the darkened streets of Gotham jarred the procrastinator from their thoughts.
'Well I suppose that it's show time.' Was the only thought that crossed the lackadaisical figure before they pulled out a seemingly harmless ipad and took out Wayne Enterprises security cameras and caused the back up generators to lose power for twenty minutes. The figure then set their watch for ten minutes realizing that they were giving themselves far less time than what was actually needed. As the apparent thief made their way into the air ducts to the elevator shaft. The epiphany hit them like a brick to the head. 'I know I can check Wayne Aerospace to see if there is any more new privileged information that can be borrowed and altered for my astronomy project!' The thief's glee was tangible. As the thief made it to the lower levels to obtain the the privileged information as well as the blueprints from alien technology. As the thief continues to scan the databanks for any relevant knowledge. The figure glance down at the stop watch and sighed in annoyance realizing that they don't have enough time to take all of the information and quickly pulls out a flash drive that was so obscenely encrypted, a generous donation from Starlabs made some drastic improvements with a few unpleasant surprises to deter a nosy bat or anyone else unfortunate enough to try and undo the hack.
As the last of the data is downloaded onto the flash drive the thief glances back at their stop watch as the thief pulled out the iPad to check how fast Wayne enterprises would be back online and groans with slight discontent. 'Well they're working through the virus faster than anticipated but nothing a little black out at Crest Hill can't fix.' As soon as the thief put the codes in for a blackout that would last about two hours surely enough time to get home to a nice cup of earl grey tea.
The reminiscing of the thief's favorite drink was rudely interrupted when voices carried themselves across the vacant basement air.
"Come on Batman, it's not like anyone could actually make it down here and out of Wayne Enterprises within ten minutes. Not even Catwoman's that good." Came the exacerbated voice of Boy Wonder. "And there have been having some really bad storms lately so the power lines could have been damaged to cause the blackout."
'... I knew I shouldn't have taken this dare. Why did I ever think that this was a good idea? Damn Cat Woman to the special Hell!' As the thief thought this as they silently looked for another escape route. The figure glanced up to ceiling where the pipes for water are and notices the space between them. 'Tight fit but better than getting caught' as the thief grabs the iPad and the flash drive and pulls themselves up into the tight space. The thief quietly makes their way to the entrance to the shaft and drops down silently just as the fugitive to be stepped out into the elevator soft footfalls alerted them to the presence rounding around the the corner of a covered vehicle.
'Damn. Why can't I ever get the simple heists like breaking into an old woman's apartment and stealing some priceless family heirloom? Not let's sneak into Wayne Enterprises and see if you can make it out without getting caught.'
Robin who was rounding the corner of covered camouflaged vehicle came to pause at the sound of light feet hitting the ground. Robin paced himself and moved stealthily around the corner only to be met with air. As he checked his surroundings and didn't notice anything out of place he continued on. As soon as Boy Wonder turned another corner and was gone from sight did the thief let out a breathy exhale. 'But too close for comfort. I might of well put a neon sign above my head that said in all capital letters 'HERE I AM!'
The thief once more dropped down from her hiding spot on the covered military vehicle and turned to the suspiciously open elevator doors. As the thief slunk into the elevator to get to the shaft they didn't notice the eyes following them until the elevator doors closed. The thief whirled around only to be caught face to face with Boy Wonder himself. Who pressed the emergency stop button.
Oh...
Well this is awkward…
Very awkward….
The pregnant pause before the inevitable confrontation.
"Well Boy Wonder isn't this an interesting predicament? When I envisioned meeting a sidekick I thought it would be someone with a bit more impressive track record."The thief's voice came out altered thanks to a modified phone card. Though it did little to help in this situation because boy wonder was already moving to corner the thief.
"There's nowhere left to run." Robin pauses briefly then continues in a determined tone. "Return what you took and come quietly."
"Already barking orders at me little bird, do you give all petty criminals this type of welcome or am I just special?" The thief gives him an appraising look and continues in a coquettish tone while their mind was working on an escape route. "You're pretty easy on the eyes birdy, but not easy enough for me to come willingly."
Then the thief took the initiative and struck first as the side kick sputtered out a response. Hard and fast the thief hit the masked side kick in between the ribs then with the the flat of her palm. While the traffic light was recovering from the first assault the thief bruised his vocal cords by using their momentum to fling themself towards Robin. Robin tried to redirect the sudden force added to him but not before an elbow made sharp and immediate contact with his windpipe. Robin's hands made for his utility belt he was met with air. In his distracted state of mind he failed to notice the thief sneak their hands down to his waist and unlock his utility belt. His befuddlement only lasted so long until he was shoved hard back into the railing of the elevator, he dodged the theifs next attack. While during their spar the thief noticed a looming figure approaching the elevator and grabbed Robin's arm as he tried to hit the thief. The fluid movement of the thief twisting was a sharp contrast to the disgustingly loud sound of an arm being pushed out of its socket. As Robin tried not to yell out in pain the thief brought their hand up and shoved their hand in his mouth to conceal the noise. Waiting for the looming shadow to pass the Thief took out handcuffs from the utility belt and used them to bind Boy Wonders hands to the elevator railing. Robin glared at the masked thief who had one hand on their hip while the other had his utility belt held loosely in the their grasp.
"You know, I honestly thought this would be more entertaining." The thief lets out a wistful sigh contemplating her next move. "I think I'll just take this belt, I mean sure its a bit tacky but I figure fair is fair. After all you did just attempt to arrest me."
The thief who was rummaging through Robins gadgets wasn't paying attention to the bird as he was able to regain his speech, voice hoarse and throat sore from the thieves hit and was asked a three word question.
"Who are you?" Voice soft and hoarse from the rough treatment.
The thief paused in their search and contemplated the question for a few minutes before answering his question but leaving so many more. Before opening the ceiling of the elevator.
"That would be telling darling. Surprises are so much better when you don't see them coming, don't you agree… Of course you agree."
As the thief said that they found the grappling hook from the utility belt.
"Well as much fun as this has been I have a busy night ahead of me and it looks like you are going to be out of commision for a bit little bird. Do try to get some rest you'll need it, if you want to catch me."
When the Thief said this the figure launched the grappling hook into an air vent and shot up into it without looking back leaving behind a stranded robin. As the Thief crawled through the air ducts and up out to the top of Wayne Enterprises they admired the view for little more than a minute before finding the tracking device on the utility belt and placing it on a pigeon. The thief takes one last look out onto the blacked out city before letting themselves fall. As the thief was free falling they couldn't help but think back to Boy Wonder and … admire how loyal he was to his mentor. When an apartment building looked to be a good place to land, the thief shot the grappling hook onto water storage tank on the top of the building and swung over to the building. No One somersaulted to ease some of the impact onto the gravel. As the thief rolled out of their crouched position, the thief rolled their shoulders to relieve some of the tension forming in their neck.
As the thief sprinted across the rooftops thanking her mentor for the vigorous free running training, as No One raced across the rooftops towards a darkened and surprisingly empty alley. The thief paused to catch their breath and calm their beating heart. The thief watched as the rats scattered at the sound of a car passing. No One smirked as the headlights couldn't reach their hiding space.
'Little miracles.' mused the thief silently and then proceeded to take out Boy Wonders utility belt. The thief groaned as the Utility belt started to flash red and a soft beeping noise emerged from the tacky belt. As the thief rummaged through her backpack and brought out lock picks and a flashlight she kept her attention focused on getting the second tracker out of the utility belt. As the thief managed to dislodge the tracker from the belt she heard a smooth, sultry voice coming from deeper in the alley.
"Well done kitten. I didn't think that you would actually go through with it. I'm impressed, truly." The owner of the Voice stepped out revealing Catwoman to No One. No One smiled behind their mask and barely stopped themselves from running towards their mentor, partner and their only parental figure. Instead the younger thief pushed themselves off the wall that they were leaning on to walk calmly towards the more experienced thief. As soon as they were within arms reach No One slowed down and stood in front of the cat burglar.
"I suppose I have you to thank for getting Batman off of my back down in the basement vault, huh. Lord knows I can take the little robin but I'm not too keen with testing my luck against Bats." Thief said in a grateful tone their voice still robotic.
Catwoman let out a breathy chuckle at her pupil, content that her ward is still safe.
"I didn't want you to get into a position that you were unable to get out of. So I decided to watch after my little kitten. I am allowed to worry sometimes, besides it has been so long since I've played with a bat." Catwoman had a devious look about her when she referred to Batman, and the younger thief quickly decided that they did not need to know about their guardians, hopefully unplanned (probably not though, Thief fought the urge to shudder violently they really didn't need the nightmares), rendezvous with the masked crusader. The thought of that was making Thief really disturbed and slightly sick.
"Kitten I do believe that its time for us to go back home, after all you do have that astronomy project to work on."
"How did you know about that? I thought I blocked you from my homework page?"
"Kitten don't you remember you left that page open along with the workers shifts at Wayne Enterprises. You may be really good at hacking, not so much from keeping things from me."
Thief just pouted as both of them made their way down to the street and onto the conveniently placed motorcycle. Just as Thief was about to speak Catwoman cut the younger off.
"No you may not drive it. It is a brand new model and I don't want it destroyed before we get back home."
The masked unknown criminal, defeated just crossed their arms and pouted. As Catwoman started the motorcycle Thief climbed on behind her and wrapped their arms around Catwomans lean waist. Thief closed their eyes listening to the purr of the engine, feeling the warmth from her guardian as they rested their head in between her guardian's shoulders silently seeking the comfort that generally helped ease Thief's fatigued mind and body. They traveled in silence before Selina cut the engine and gently shook her back to wake her dosing passenger. As her kitten came to Catwoman pushed off of the bike and sashayed into her apartment complex, Thief following languidly behind their mentor.
When Thief walked into the little apartment and shuffled over to the room that she and Selina shares. As Thief changed out of the 'work outfit', as Selina so fondly refers to their costumes, taking off the Hood and mask that finally lets down her medium length blonde hair and rubbing a hand over her tired emerald green eyes framed by pale white skin, Selina called from the bathroom.
"Charlie don't forget about the astronomy project and more importantly what are you going to do with the information that you got from Wayne Enterprises?"
"Well I'm going to use the information of Wayne Aerospace to use as a reference for the astronomy project and didn't you want the Wayne Tech info. for something or another?"
"Why would I want that? I really have no use for it. I just wanted to see if you could actually complete that dare. Besides you have more use for it than me, kitten."
Charlie stopped rubbing her face and glared at the shut bathroom door, not for the first time wondering what Selina is thinking about, and if she could get away with drugging her. Before she remembers about Robin and the Bat. Charlie calls through the bathroom door.
"Selina what happened to Batman and Robin after we ditched them?"
When the doors to the elevator opened to reveal a still bound Robin with a missing utility belt, Batman just stared face unreadable as he took in the sight of his sidekick bound, bruised and the odd angle that his shoulder was in. Batman with held the sigh that threatened to break the silence and instead settled for stating facts.
"This is the third time this has happened with this particular case. Any reason why?"
"Not really, but can you unhandcuff me?"
The sigh that threatened to break the silence returned with a vengeance. Batman uncuffed his sidekick and restarted the elevator to get to the batmobile. The silence that was left was uncomfortable and long as they reached the Batmobile to head back to the batcave.