Dear readers; if you are reading this, you clearly haven't gotten tired of disclaimers. Shame on you! Go read! Now then, my stupid list of them. Obviously, Gotham and the people in it were not made up by me. Neither was anyone else from the DC universe. Happy?
Graduation
The alarm clock buzzed at her again, and she looked at it, swearing. She was late. Again. Pulling on a pair of black combat boots, she ran outside, and got onto her bike. She clicked it on, its motor roaring to life. She kicked off, and began the ride to her school.
Now that your attention is held for a few moments, I'll give you a glimpse into her past. The first thing, her name is Pennovira. Call her that and she'll hurt you. Her friends call her Vira… at least they would if she had anyfriends. She lives in Gotham City, in one of the scummier apartment buildings in the town. Her life had been majorly uprooted; she had been forced to move here from Houston, Texas, after a laboratory accident involving genetic experimentation and a doctor named E. Nigma. More on that will come later. Vira faced major financial issues, and when rent became too much, she lived in the remains of the 'Underground Highway,' the place the homeless—and Killer Croc—tended to live.
Vira continued throughout the city, wary of the people on the streets. She trusted no one; no one gave her reason to. She reached the football stadium her graduation was to take place, and pulled the graduation gown over her head. The last of the valedictorian speech was being said, and she snuck into line, unnoticed.
Bruce Wayne was sponsoring a school graduation. They needed it, too. He sighed and sat back in his chair. First the graduation, then his speech, then he could go to another charity event Alfred had scheduled attendance for today. The graduating class of South Gotham High was in need of a proper education; how did Gordon send Barbara here? Someone, a girl by the look of her, was sideling onto the stage, unnoticed. She looked tired, just as the other students, but her fatigue looked… different from the others'. She was average weight, muscular, and didn't look, well, pregnant, like some of the others in her class. The roll was called, and one by one, the students filed onto stage, got their diplomas and left for the seats in the stadium.
Wayne watched as the students' received their diplomas, the late girl walked forward as the principal called out "Vira Cents."
As the brown-haired girl reached for the rolled-up piece of paper, the lights above them exploded in a shower of sparks. They were plunged into darkness, all dark but a glowing question mark painted onto the ground. Wayne's eyes narrowed. "Nigma."
Within seconds, both Barbara Gordon (graduating) and Bruce Wayne had vanished, and a man somehow wound up on the stage, a spotlight trained on him.
Vira glared when the lights went out. She could see everything, one of the only perks of the accident. She saw him, Nigma; appear on the stage, and motion for a light to make him visible. He was tall enough, and dressed in a green–yes, green–suit and purple shirt under it. A green bowler hat covered his wavy brown hair a black band around the brim. A single, darker green question mark was pinned to the front of the hat. He leaned casually against a tall walking stick topped with a golden question mark. Vira knew this man well. His name was Edward Nigma; though to those without the pleasure of working as a lab assistant with him or one of his fellow villains, he was called the Riddler. He had a very annoying reason for that, too.
"I turn kingdoms to dust, I make strong men crumble, I take away those you love, and I break the greatest of minds. All without lifting a finger. Who am I?" Vira felt the thin layer of flesh colored fur covering her body bristle, and she clenched her hands into fists to keep her claws sheathed. A growl rose in the back of her throat, and she could feel her tail twitching angrily in its hiding place. Nigma waited a few moments before speaking again. "What? Don't tell me you don't know. I'm sure at least one of your students knows the answer…" He turned, as if sensing Vira behind him. "What about you, Penny?"
Vira snapped, launching herself at the villain. She didn't care that this was Gotham, didn't care that this city had a hero to do its dirty work. All she cared about was that Nigma was inches from her, and that she wanted to hurt him as much as humanely possible. She tackled him to the ground. "Listen here, Nigma; my name is not Penny! And as for your riddle… yours is up." Her nails elongated into the titanium-like claws she had acquired from the accident. They raked across his face, giving him a long gash on his cheek. He grinned, which only made Vira angry.
"Congratulations, Vira, you're starting to understand. But only just. Remember that experiment? It is far from being a failure."
Vira's claws went instinctively to his throat before something grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. She was pulled off him by a very strong person. "Bad kitty." She realized, too late, that her graduation cap had been knocked off, and she had managed to get the braids that aided in hiding her ears unpinned. She glanced up, looking into the hooded face of…
"Well, well, well, look who just got to the party~"
"Don't start with me, woman."
"Start what? Who's starting?"
Batman made a growling noise and hoisted her into the air, setting her down next to Batgirl. He turned his attention to Nigma. "Why target a high schooler?"
