I do not own Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Didn't you read the last heading?
Chapter II
"Ugh… how much longer are we going to have to wait?" complained Plastic Man, flopping down onto the ground.
"Patience my flexible friend!" exclaimed Aquaman in a loud voice. "We shall name this adventure, the escapade of-"
"PLEASE, will you just shut up before we all end up in Arkam!" griped Wildcat. "I must admit, when you told me to expect the unexpected for tonight, I thought you would have meant a brawl or something Batman."
The heroes stood there on the roof top. It was about 2 minutes till they were to meet the mysterious bank robbers who had left a note to meet them at 11. They were on edge, expecting a trap to spring at any moment, but many were bored, hoping for some action.
"You think they'll actually show up Bats?" yawned Green Arrow.
"They'll be here." Was all he replied.
"Well they better show up soon. I want a fight, not this snore fest." Guy Gardner butted in. He had heard of what was going on, and decided that he might as well show up. The Atom was there too.
"You can always leave Guy, no one's stopping you." Chimed in Blue beetle, though for now he was Jaime Reyes, having decided to deactivate the scarab's power for now. "I'm sure the Corps could use you too, oh I don't know, clean up some of the messes you've made?"
"Watch it Bugsy." Guy said through clenched teeth. "Or you'll be the Black-and-Blue Beetle." His ring started to glow.
"Declaration. Both of you, save your energy for what is ahead." Declared Red Tornado.
"I'd listen to the oversized tin can if I were you…" A voice said through the darkness. The heroes automatically jumped to their feet. Jaime powered up, Speedy and Arrow had bows drawn, Batman had a bat-a-rang at the ready. Everyone was prepared for a fight.
"Ha-ha-ha. Well well well, aren't we a little jumpy tonight?" the voice derided. "What's the matter," a figure flipped out of the shadows and into the moonlight, quickly standing up. "Afraid of the dark?"
The figure was now in full view. He wore a black, robe like shirt and pants. His head was covered with a hood, but, though it was hard to make out, a matching black mask covered his eyes and his shaggy, dirty blonde hair stuck out from the front. Around his waist was tied a red belt, its two ends waving in the wind. In the figure's hand, he held a massive silver shurikan, which, Batman had no doubt, the person would use without a second thought if tempted.
"Shadow, I presume." Batman said coldly.
"Well done. What gave it away?" he chuckled. "And here I thought the world's greatest detective was just a nickname."
"Get on with it then, we don't have all night." Green Arrow said impatiently. "What do you want before we hall you off to jail?"
"Funny." Shadow replied sarcastically. "But like you, any of you for that matter could even catch up with me, forget fighting me." But even though he seemed confident, his empty hand moved towards his belt, where small throwing knives were hung.
Seeing his movement, Green arrow started to aim.
"Try me."
"Arrow, enough." Interrupted Batman, knowing the last thing they needed was a fight to break out. Shadow smirked.
"I never wanted to meet with you guys." Shadow leered. "In my opinion, taking you out will be much easier, and a hell of a lot more fun." He drew a knife, the blade glinting dangerously in the moonlight. "Whadda ya waiting for Greeny? Let's see who's faster." He smiled darkly.
Green Arrow took aim and let an arrow fly, and Shadow threw with deadly accuracy.
"Clang, clang." Out of the darkness, two throwing stars came, knocking the two weapons out of the air just before they hit their marks.
"Now now boys, play nice."
Out stepped a second person, a she. She was dressed like Shadow, though in white and with a golden sash around her waist. Long, dark hair fell from her hood. On her back, she carried two swords though for now she appeared quite content and capable of using throwing stars instead.
"Mirage…" whispered Robin.
"Dude… she's a chick…" muttered Blue Beetle.
"Not just a chick… a hot chick." Said Aqualad, star struck.
"Aww, you ruin everything M." Shadow said disappointed. "We were just having a bit of fun." He sneered.
"You promised to behave, Shadow." Mirage calmly replied, walking between the two parties.
"Did I? Must have slipped my mind…"
She sighed, and turned towards Batman.
"Pay no attention to my partner. He just wasn't exactly thrilled with my plan to meet with you all."
"It's good to finally meet you." Batman said. "Every time we wanted to introduce ourselves, you managed to slip away." Was that a smile on her face? Or just a trick of the light?
"Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Mirage. You have already met Shadow." She said glancing at her companion. "But you and you're group hardly need an introduction, so if I may, I'll cut to the chase." She turned back. "I have a proposition for all of you."
The heroes looked at one another, confused.
"Why would you try to make a deal with us?" Green Arrow asked.
"Because, Green Arrow is it? This will help both of us. Shadow and I happen to know of a gathering of villains that is to occur. They are planning the downfall of Gotham, the downfall of Batman." She paused. "If you let us work with you in peace, together we can stop this."
"But why would you help us, and why would we want your help?" Aquaman inquired.
"The joining of villains would be bad for business." Shadow interrupted. "And you want our help, 'cause without us you won't be able to find them and figure out what their planning."
"We can't exactly trust you to keep your word though." Batman pointed out.
"I told you this was a waste of time." Shadow directed to Mirage.
"What can we do to get you to trust us?" She said, ignoring him.
"I doubt anything." Green Arrow said.
"You know, I really don't like him." Added Shadow.
"Hey, you just-"
"Cut it out!" shouted Batman and Mirage in unison. It was silent, the only sound being that of the city; car horns, a siren, people talking in the streets.
"I've got it!" Shadow suddenly exclaimed. All eyes were on him. "I'll go and find the gang, and Mirage will stay with you. If we should double cross you, you arrest her. If not, you let us go free until after this is all said and done." There was a pause.
"Ha-ha-ha." Mirage laughed uneasily. "My dearest Shadow, I doubt they of all people would ever agree to-"
"We'll do it." Batman stated. Everyone looked at him.
"We will?" said a stunned Green Arrow. Everyone seemed surprised. Mirage turned towards the heroes, astonished, then back towards Shadow, furious.
"Will you excuse me and my cohort for a moment?" She said, without turning back around. Not waiting for a response, she grabbed Shadow by the sleeve and pulled him with her away from the others. The Atom broke the silence, turning to Batman.
"Are you sure about this Batman? They're criminals, why should we trust them?"
"Because we need whatever information they have, and" he paused, scanning the group. "This way we'll be able to learn more about them."
"I don't like it." Green Arrow butt in. "The plan, or them for that matter."
"But there are no other options. We'll just have to try and see what happens." Commented Black Lightning.
"Plus she's hot." Added Plastic Man.
"For once, I agree. She is very good-looking." Mentioned Elongated Man.
"She sure is…"
"Wow…"
"I think getting to know her is a great plan…"
Batman turned towards the two thieves. They were talking in hushed tones, switching back and forth between two languages.
"-but soura (sister)"
"No senza ma! Che cosa stavi pensando?!? (No buts! What were you thinking?!?) What if-"
"Don't worry. It will be nessun problema!(no problem!)"
"No problem? I doubt that. I can't just-"
"M, don't worry. It's fine."
"Ma cosa succede se succede qualcosa a te? (But what if something happens to you?) "
"So..." thought Batman. "Our thieves speak Italian, and quite fluently." Suddenly the pair turned and walked back over to where the heroes were.
"We're in." Stated Mirage. "Shadow will search for and try to infiltrate the villains HQ, contacting us when he does. I will stay with you. Should either one of us double cross you, you may do with me what you will." One of the heroes snickered at the possible 'that's what she said' moment, and Mirage rolled her eyes under her mask.
"Until this alliance is concluded, we won't attack you, and you won't attack us. Agreed?" She held out her hand.
"Agreed." Batman said sealing the deal.
"Good, then I'm off." Shadow put in, starting to yawn. "Give me one, maybe two days, and I'll get back to you guys." He started to walk towards the edge of the roof top.
"Wait," Mirage grabbed him, and he turned to look at her. She sighed. "Badare. (Be careful.)" Shadow grinned.
"Since when am I ever careful?" He turned, running and jumping to the next building, then the next, and the next, till he disappeared into the night. Mirage was quiet for a moment, looking after him. Then she turned back to the heroes.
"What are you all looking at? Don't just stand there, let's go."
Hope you like the story. Chapter three will be ready soon!
***The other language really is Italian, the translation being right next to it. Thanks to DCfan100 for the help!
