The first day after my memory was given to me, my dad made me watch as many martial art and self-defense videos as he could get online. Somehow, he had managed to either hack the security in here, or the Internet was there for anyone who could access it.
Anyway, by the end of the afternoon, I knew how to flip a grown man, how to knock someone out with one blow, and I even knew how to stick a landing from as much as twenty feet up and from as far away as ten feet, if I was jumping across something.
Dad thought I had learned enough by that point and even let me explore around our home, which was ironically a police station. Go figure. But before that, he gave me something special. Okay two things, but they were pretty darn cool.
First, he spoke one word to me: "Bonjour." Instantly, the brightly lit police lab was overlaid with a scanner, naming everything I focused on. "I thought this would come in handy when you need to figure out what something is." He explained. "If you say au revoir, it will shut down. If you need to see where you are, just say où, which means, 'where'."
"I know what it means, Dad, remember?" I was slightly annoyed at him for not remembering, but this was pretty darn sweet that he had somehow fit a computer screen or something inside my eye. While this might have disturbed some people, I was thrilled. Hey, I have a computer for a brain! Don't judge me!
After this, he crossed over to a cabinet, which I think might have once been an evidence locker or something, and pulled out a worn, black leather jacket. "This was mine when you mother and I first met." He explained. "I gave it to her to wear on our first date. She kept it ever since. I'd like you to have it." This kind act made my eyes kind of tear up, and I ran over to give him a hug as well as possible. The fact that he was wearing his exo-suit made it kind of hard, but I tried anyway.
The cold metal felt good on my bare skin, and I felt him awkwardly placing the jacket around my bare shoulders, since I'd just been exercising, I was wearing a tank top, and don't ask me where Dad was able to find woman's clothes in a place like this, because I really don't want to know.
"It'll be cold outside, and it's only going to get colder, so I want you back before ten."
I wanted to protest that I wasn't cold, but then I looked at the thermometer in the corner. It read two degrees below zero. Maybe Dad's DNA made me like colder temperatures more, but I slipped on the jacket and stepped into the woman's restroom before heading out.
I had never seen what I looked like before, so I looked carefully. A pale, very light blonde girl stared back at me, with ice blue eyes. On a whim, I spoke out. "Bonjour." The entire room turned a subtle blue, but I could still tell that my eyes had turned solid, electric blue, no pupils, no irises, no nothing. There was a broad blue band around the mirror that read, "MIRROR". Since I had kinda figured that out already, I spoke the shut down phrase.
It was only my second day actually living, and I was going to make the most of it.
By the time I made it outside, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and snow was falling gently. I looked around; found a suitable building, about ten, fifteen stories. I wasn't going to jump off of it, but I did want to see my surroundings. The fire escape was conveniently located only around the corner of the building, and the first rung was within jumping distance. I don't know how Dad did it, but I was in peak physical condition, for what my age would be if I were a normal kid.
I wasn't even winded by the time I made it to the top of the building. The first thing that caught my notice was a billboard saying, "YOU ARE UNDER CLOSE SURVEILLENCE" My first reaction was "Really? Cool!" I waved at the billboard, hoping to cause some confusion as why a teenager was in Arkham City in the first place, and why they weren't screaming and losing their minds. "Maybe I've already lost mine." That thought didn't frighten me in the slightest, mostly because my Dad was supposed to be insane, so why shouldn't I?
The funny thoughts in my mind were cut short as I heard someone screaming in pain and agony. Looking down into the ally below me, I could see a group of tough-looking guys beating up on a weak, scrawny looking fella. Probably one of the political prisoners. At first, I ignored him. But soon, I couldn't bear the sounds any longer. Looking around, I spotted a lead pipe just sitting against the low wall around the edge of the roof. I took it, and almost went to the fire escape when I realized I still had Mom's jacket on. I took it off, folded it carefully, then was about to set it down when I noticed that one of the buttons was different from all the others.
I spoke my special opening phrase, and took another look at the button. The blue circle that was around the button was connected to the words 'TRACKING DEVICE'. Dad is so paranoid. I shut down my scanner and set the jacket where I had found the lead pipe.
Then I made my way as quickly down the fire escape as I could, landing on the ground with a small thud.
Running around the side of the building, I could tell that they had almost beaten the poor guy into unconsciousness. I felt like I should be scared, but I really wasn't. I knew I could take these guys, especially now that I had a lead pipe.
"Hey!" I shouted as loud as I could. Which was rather unimpressive. Maybe I should have considered training my voice before this. Oh, well, I made a mental note to check it out later. Since I didn't have enough of anything to put in files yet, the fighting I learned was right there, in the fore-front of my mind.
The three guys turned to look at me. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" I continued. They looked at each other, then the big brute that seemed to be their leader, smiled a smile that seemed to missing about half his teeth. In a voice that was about as pleasant to the ears as a bullfrog's, he asked, "And what does a pretty flower like you have interest in scum like him?" He kicked the small guy in the ribs, causing him to curl up even tighter.
"Let's just say I have a problem with bullies." I retorted, lifting up my pipe. "Now, are you going to leave, or am I going to have to hurt you?" The big guy stared at me, then began laughing and laughing, like I was the funniest joke since 'when did the chicken cross the road'.
When he saw that I was serious, he nodded to one of the other guys, who wasn't quite as big as he was, but still pretty intimidating. "Tats." Apparently, this guy, Tats, which was probably a nickname for all the tattoos he had, was the least experienced in the group. He came at me like a bull, all strength, but zero quickness. I, only the other hand, excel at being quick.
He threw a hard right jab. I ducked, and swung at him with the lead pipe. It made a ringing sound when it connected, and Tats staggered away, dazed, but still on his feet. While he was trying to shake it off, I ran at him, giving him another knock that laid him out cold.
About that time, I got hit on the side of the head by a fist, which hurts even more then when you try to stand up and forget you're underneath a table or a desk. I saw stars, but when I saw the other fist coming at me, I did what any person would do. I ducked out of the way, feeling it whistle by my ear. While my attacker was off balance, I scurried away, out of reach.
It turned out that Big Brute had stuck his other friend in there right before I'd taken out Tats. Now he was coming at me, waiting for me to make the first move. I was counting on the fact that he was as slow and stupid as the other guy, and ran straight at him, making him think I was going to hit him in the head, before stooping low and going for the feet. Now, there's a huge difference from knowing how to do this move, and being able to pull it off.
My foot hit his ankle and pulled him off balance, but I wasn't prepared for how much effort it actually takes to take his feet out from under him. When I figured out he wasn't going down from that one little hit, I changed strategy, and hit him in the knee with my pipe. The guy howled and went down. It only took one blow to settle his silence for a good long while.
I looked up to see Big Brute just kind of staring at me, as if he was amazed that a sixteen-year-old girl could take down his crew (that's the age I was supposed to look, and besides, a sixteen-week-old clone? Who even think of that unless I told them?). He shook off his amazement and smiled his crooked grin again. "Very impressive, sweetheart, but who still have to deal with me."
"Bring it on!" I retorted, then decided I might want to make him angry. An angry opponent means that they can't focus. "If you're as stupid as these two, I'll go home and get my little brother. It'll be more of a fair fight then!"
I'm pretty sure that made him mad, but I wasn't prepared for how good he was. Before I knew it, he was holding onto my hair, which was long enough that he had quite a good grip. He was holding a knife to my throat, and was whispering in my ear, telling me things I won't repeat. What I will say is, I wish there was a way to delete that memory.
Then, suddenly, he yelled. I took the momentary distraction, elbowed him in the gut, and scrambled away. I grabbed my pipe, and, looking around, realized that it was that guy that they were beating up. He'd found a sack somewhere and pulled it over Brute's head. I went up to him and hit him, again and again, even after I knew he was unconscious, until the scrawny guy put his hand on my shoulder, making me whirl around with the pipe held high.
"Whoa, whoa, berserk-o girl!" He held up his hands. "I think you can stop beating him now, he's down for the count."
I lowered the pipe, but still gripped it tightly, ready in case anyone else tries to sneak up on me.
The boy – he couldn't have been older than nineteen – rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, then winced. "I guess I should – Ow! I guess I should thank you for the save. What's your name?"
I hesitated for a minute – I really didn't want to tell him that I was Freeze's daughter. Either he'd back away slowly, thinking I was crazy (I probably am, but that doesn't mean I want anyone to know.), or he would run away screaming. Being friends with the daughter of a member of the Rogues gallery is not something many people would really jump at the chance for.
After a moment, "Ice." I replied. It was a name that I thought would work great if I didn't want some body to know who I really was. It completely slipped my mind that Mr. Freeze could be easily associated with that name.
"Ice?" He looked surprised. "Did your parents give you that name?"
"No." I didn't give any more explanation, but looked down at the thugs more closely. Since most of the inmates were either pressed or willingly joined one of the Rogues or another. But not Dad. He thought they were idiots and had no use for them. We were a solo act.
I stood up, and turned to the boy. "These were some of Penguin's crew. We've got to leave. Now. They were scouts, which means that somebody's waiting for them."
I turned around and strode away without waiting for him. He followed me closely, stumbling a bit. "How did you know they were scouts?"
I rolled my eyes, even though I knew he couldn't see me do it. "How long have you been here?"
"A couple weeks now, why?"
"Then you should know this!" I snapped. Honestly, how had he survived this long? "The goons from Two-Face have their uniforms half gray and half black! Joker's people wear clown make-up! And the Riddler's people are double agents! The Penguin's folks wear ski masks and vests! Are they wearing vests? Ski masks?"
I paused, and the boy looked at me nervously. "Um…yes?"
"Exactly! Now, come on! I'm getting you back onto my roof!"
I stomped off, with the boy following behind me like a faithful puppy. I boosted him to the ladder and followed behind him.
As we climbed, he glanced over his shoulder and shouted to be heard above the wind. "I thought you actually cared about me, or something, otherwise you would have just left me to die!"
"Look, the only reason I saved you is because your screams were interrupting the quiet that I was enjoying. Now keep moving!"
He made it to the roof without any more comments. Then he moved over and sat on the low wall as I pulled myself up. Then, on a whim, I gripped the ledge and shimmied my hands along the wall, the way to the corner of the building, near the neon sign, flickering with so many letters out that I couldn't make out what it was even advertising.
Then I pulled myself up onto the low brick wall and sat there, breathing rather hard, but not nearly as hard as that boy had when he had gotten to the top of the building. Speaking of which, I'd forgotten he was there.
I twisted around to look at him. He was sitting right where I had left him, jaw slack. I smirked. "Close your mouth, you'll catch flies."
It was hard to tell, but I think he blushed. He closed his mouth, then looked away shyly. "Thanks. For, you know, saving my life."
"No problem." I really couldn't have cared less, but, like I said, his screams were annoying me.
"So…" He let a long pause go by as he tried to think of a topic. "You been here long?"
"Yep. All my life. "
Well, that was just stupid. He whipped around and stared at me.
To cover it up, I scrambled for the reason I would have lived here all my life.
"What I mean is- my…. Parents refused to leave this area when they started making plans for Arkham City. We had lived here since I was born, and they thought they could handle it. But they were wrong. Mom's basically gone and Dad's… eccentric."
He nodded, not exactly convinced, but he could see that I wasn't nearly young enough to have been here for all my life if I had been moved in before I was born (not!), and my explanation made about as much sense as some other excuses he had probably heard.
"My family was accused of a conspiracy to assassinate Mayor Sharp. We all got thrown in here, and got split up. I haven't seen them since. By the way, I'm Aiden. Aiden Hunter."
I nodded at him, acknowledging his comment, if not giving him my stamp of approval just yet.
"Aren't you cold?" He nodded towards my bare arms.
Dad had somehow gotten his hands on a prison suit, which had a tank top underneath it, and I had just wrapped the top, which was long-sleeved and thermal, around my waist. I suppose I should have looked like I was freezing, but truthfully, I was very comfortable.
"No, plus, I've got a jacket…"
The words died on my lips when I looked over and saw that my jacket wasn't where I had left it. I swung my head around searching frantically for it with my eyes.
"Maybe it fell over the side?" Aiden suggested. That had been my first impulse, but I had taken a lead pipe from up here. Those things aren't usually just lying around. I went over to where I had found the lead pipe and left my jacket.
Making sure the Aiden couldn't see my face; I whispered the scan activation phrase. There. Right where I'd left my jacket, there was a smudge of white that I couldn't have seen with my bare eyes. Getting a little on my fingers, I ran through my database of chemical compounds. Bingo. It was white face paint. Breathing the shutdown phrase, I turned to Aiden abruptly.
"Change of plans. I've got to get to the steel mill. Can you stay hidden here until I get back?"
"Yeah, but, why do you want to go all the way there just for a jacket?"
"It's not just a jacket!" I snapped, then took a few deep breaths to calm myself. "It's got sentimental value. And I'm getting it back. Just, stay here and don't draw attention to yourself until I get back."
Aiden nodded and I made my way quickly down the ladder, skipping a couple rungs. I hit the ground in a roll and was up and running in about fifteen seconds. The run was short, especially with the thoughts of how I was going to survive this encounter. When I got to the edge, I only hesitated a second before diving over it.
I was in The Joker's territory.
