Batman Beyond: Return of the Scarlet Monster
(I intend to put more detail in this chapter)
Chapter 3: What Goes Around…
Terry zoomed his binoculars to the top of the old production plant. The plant was more run down than Terry expected. Its paint, what looked like used to be blue, was now grey and depressing. All the glass windows in the walls and doors were broken and pieces of debris was lying ever where in front of the garage doors that was still half opened. Why they were having a sit down he didn't know why and frankly, he could careless. What was concerning him was the amount of steel that was either hanging by its last thread or was already on the floor. Not many guards on the roof than there are on the ground. "Not a lot of guards." Static nodded his head. "It's because they are expecting me." Terry looked at static, confused and pissed. He could've told him that before they came here. "Why?" Static pointed at a dark old man pushing the double doors of the decrepit building. Approaching the two well dressed men stepping out of the limo's that just arrived, shaking their hands and ushering them to proceed into the plant. "Ebon has always been expecting me, but you? He'll be surprised you even showed up." Terry acknowledged this fact. He never did care what the gangs in Gotham did, whether they made truce or traded for pieces of crap guns and explosives, he didn't care, but when they point those guns at the innocent, that's where he drew the line. Though he didn't know too much about Dakota's gang members, he did know about Ebon. He was scared of Batman. Terrified of him. He didn't know why, but he just was. If Terry could inflict fear into his for five minutes, he could stop this whole thing from happening, but the chances of that happening was very low. He wasn't Bruce. He wasn't the Dark Knight that went out every night stopping bad guys with his bare fits. He was just Batman or Bat-Fake as the Joker put it. The thought of being able to have that kind of power, just made him feel untouchable. He opened his arms and flew over to the side of the plant, watching Static fly over to the other side. Terry never thought he would be working with Static again, though it made him feel good. Having someone he could count on other than the Justice League. Static was more of a friend than an ally. He would sometimes talk to him if he was in a jam with Dana. He seemed to remember him always comparing his relationship with Dana with a girl named Sam. The way he talked about her was sweet and creepy. For a 58 year old man, he certainly knew how to reminisce and he hasn't retired yet why? Terry just shook his head and made his way to the roof. Activating his magnetized applicators on his shoes, He quickly ran up the wall and onto the roof only to find Static dealing with the guards. "Being greedy are we?" Static smiled at him. "First come, first serve." Terry just brushed it off and opened up one of the broken windows that were used as a fire escape. "This way." Static nodded and followed him. Terry landed on one of the old air vents, leading to the broken air conditioner outside. He sighed to himself. It's never easy. He never got a break from these kinds of situations. Nothing was ever easy for him. He'll have to ask Bruce to send him on vacation after this. He pushed that lazy thought and moved quietly and swiftly over to where the two men and Ebon have sat down. "We have what you wanted, Ebon. Do you have what we want?" Static joined Terry looking over his shoulder. They could see jewels, money cards, and cellular devices scattered all over the table. "Well, I did have what you wanted, but Static busted me and took it from me, but-" One of the men snapped his fingers. One of their huge body guards came over and grabbed Ebon by the neck. "We brought our half to trade, but you did not. You think you could con us in our own city? Our turf? You're gonna lose your neck for that." Just before his guard snapped him into, Ebon raised his arms. "Wait! I have something better than what we agreed on." The man lowered his arm and snapped again, making his guard released him. "What do you have to offer?" Terry silently took out one of his bat-a-rang, ready to throw, but static grabbed his arm. "Not yet." Terry shook his hand off his arm. "Why not? They won't ever us coming." Static gave him the, 'You better listen before you jump' look. "I want to know who they have, so just be patient." Terry sighed silently. Terry was the kind of guy who had very little patience but didn't show it because Bruce told him that if you are patient, things will come into your favor. Terry knew he had to be patient, but he hated waiting. So, he decided to do it Static's way for now. "You know the mythology that everyone is talking about? All the talk about Cerberus bring the Underworld here, well I can tell you that it's true. What I have in my possession, is the one who has the same blood and energy running their veins. Bring her out, boys." Terry watched as the two men stood up and saw a masked girl in her ripped up dress-like uniform. Drenched in dark red hair and blood. They couldn't believe what they were seeing. "Is this a joke? That is not the Holder. She died years ago." Ebon laughed a little to himself. "You need to read up on your mythology. Cerberus was an immortal demon. He needed this aspect to live long enough to punish those who tried to escape the Styx River. She has the same trait as he does. And if you don't like what she represents, she can be a very fun toy to play with." The two men smiled at each other. Terry didn't want to wait anymore. He looked at Static. Wondering if he planned on stopping him, but Static was frozen in place. His dark brown eyes never left the girls figure. Terry didn't care. He just knew he had to do something soon. Terry jumped from his hiding spot and landed in front of the girl's body. "This product is not for sale." Terry threw his bat-a-rang and threw a punch at Ebon. "It's the Bat!" Ebon took off to the other end of the decaying building. "Star, finish him." Star nodded and charged at Terry. Right before she could even put a finger on him, Static shocks her and sends her flying. "Static." Ebon grabs one of his laser pistols's and aims it at him. "How did you find her, Ebon?" Ebon dropped the gun and reached for the back door. "That concerned about your ex, huh Static? How 'bout you ask her then." With that, Ebon slithered his way through the cracks of the broken door and escaped. Terry quickly took care of the guards, but their Bose got away, "Damn it!" Terry pinned the guard into the concrete and rejoined Static. "Who's that? Do you know her?" Static slowly nodded his head. "Yes. It's Scarlet or better known to me as," Static untied her and allowed her to fall into his arms once again like he never let her go. "Sam, my first love."
