Chapter 4 is now done and finished. This is the longest chapter I've written so far, it took me a while to finish. Anyway, finally reveal the mysterious character from chapter 1. This is my way of introducing the character to the YJ universe. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading. All characters belong to DC Comics and any other rightful owners.


The afternoon sun silently shined on Gotham City, the light turning into a slight haze of orange in the open sky. Tall buildings in the far distance rest as the late winds swirl around them like rivers of air. Clouds aimlessly drift around them, wandering without any purpose. Sounds of car tires rolling on asphalt and the countless footsteps of citizens can be heard from afar as well. From above, the sunlight touches every rooftop, scorching them like a pan over fire. Beyond the top line, the view is bright and limitless. But below, the shadows seem to grow darker and greater. They spread all over the streets, resembling locusts feasting on defenseless crops. The air is calm and steady, but almost fragile like thin glass. As if waiting for something to arrive, something deadly to shatter the peaceful image. But no one notices. No one sees them. The hidden signs, the desperate warnings, unaware of a looming force coming to Gotham City. They are not ready for what is about to come.

"What the hell is going on?" Tim muttered to himself as he vaults across from one rooftop to the next.

He had been quietly after the two thugs from before, keeping an eye on them from above. Leaping across buildings, the open air embraces him like a lost friend. For a few seconds, there is nothing but him, gravity and the entire world around him. Tiles squeak, then flattens as his feet lands smoothly on the old rustic roofs, ending the moment until the next. Not many others can experience what he experiences. Months of training and hard work have granted him this honor. The rest is concentration, skill and a bit of luck. Focusing on his breathing, Tim already prepares for the next building. He quickly glances at his two targets, members of the Vipers, anticipating their next move. Knockoff Dracula and Mr. Tiny, the nicknames he had given them, were striding through dark alleyways, unaware of their pursuer. Everywhere they went, the incognito Boy Wonder was not far from behind. So far, they had yet to stop, walking continuously towards some unknown destination.

Slowing his pace down for a moment, Tim closely observes overhead on the rooftops as the two saunters through the passageway. What could they be doing? They've been moving for quite a while now. So far, it seems like they're moving to the outskirts of the city. But that isn't their usual base of operations. Too many cops still patrol this part of town. There are too many things that aren't making any since. Need more information. The hooligans had yet to speak a word during the entire excursion, perhaps wanting to avoid any attention. This is getting me nowhere. Got to get closer and find out where they're going.

Grabbing his utility belt from under his shit, never leave the Batcave without it, Tim repeats as he slings the belt over his shoulder and waist. He is currently dressed in his civilian clothing, a red jacket and black jeans, complete with a pair of dark sunglasses. But as of this moment, Tim Drake is now Robin, protégé of Batman and crime fighter in Gotham City. Pulling out his grappling device, the Batrope, he aims the head at the edge of the rooftop and shoots, pinning the hook into the roof tiles. The Viper members having now passed him, he jumps down into the alleyway, his descent slowed by his gadget. Gradually and gently, the undercover hero touches the ground and immediately slips into the shadows.

Now at ground level, he stealthily hides behind wooden crates and rusty trash cans as he gets closer and closer to the two. They still haven't noticed him, walking indifferently through the mud and garbage. I need them to start talking. Maybe they'll let something slip and give me a hint on what they're doing. Grabbing a random pebble, Tim throws the tiny rock over their heads, hitting an abandoned trash can against the wall in front of them. The sound of stone hitting aluminum rings through the air, stopping the two surprised thugs as Robin inches a step behind them.

"Wha - what the hell was that?!" Dracula stutters as he looks ahead into the gloom, frightened at the sudden noise.

"I – I don't know. Maybe a rat of something?" His short companion answers timidly. His eyes nervous as his fingers begin moving towards the insides of his jacket, most likely for a hidden gun.

"I don't like this. Knew we shouldn't have taken this job."

A job? So something is going on. Tim thinks to himself, frowning as he continues keeping himself hidden. Watching the two men argue, the skinny tall man appears to have become quite shaken easily, while his acquaintance seems less affected by the noise.

"Shut up! We're not supposed to talk about that! It was probably nothing, just a bunch of rodents. Yeah, that's it, just some stupid pests. Let's just keep moving," the dwarf barks, apparently trying to sound braver than he was. "We're almost there. The others are already waiting for us."

"I think someone's following us."

What!? Was I detected already? I shouldn't have been seen.

"Huh? What the - where on earth did that come from?!"

"I-I, I don't know, but I've been gettin' this feeling that something been watching us for a while now. I keep seeing it everywhere. One second I turn around I think I seem someone in the shadows, then whoosh, it's gone.

"Have you gone crazy!?"

"I keep hearing it too. Can't you hear it? Like footsteps, something is out there. I don't like this. I don't like this one bit." His skin becoming even paler as the blood drained from his face.

"Ok, ok. Calm down. Look, I think I know what's going on. You're nervous. I get it. So am I. But you got nothing to know about. No one's there." The short man replies as he tries to soothe his nerve-wreck companion down. "Remember, Batman ain't even here now. He got called with the League. So are his little sidekicks. They're all busy right now. Nothing to worry about. They don't got a clue."

Ok, now how in the world does he know that? Something is definitely off here, the Boy Wonder remembering his call with Dick. Need more information before I can make a move.

"But… what about that guy?"

A guy?

"What are you spouting about now?"

"You know, that person who been beating up gangs lately?" Sweat continuing to streak down from knockoff Dracula's face as he frantically turns his head around.

"Jesus! Will you cut that out?! Ya got nothing to worry. And I told you about that before, that's just gossip. It was probably Batman, no one else got the guts. So let's get moving will ya?"

"I don't know, everybody knows Batman works during the nights. But this guy keeps attacking gang members in the middle of the day, right out in the open," his pale face becoming even paler. "I'm telling you, I got a bad feeling. We gotta bail while we still can."

"You're being paranoid; I'm telling ya it's just a stupid rumor. Even if he was real, we got the connections to handle a nobody like him now. Nothing to wet your pants about. Buckle down and get a move on," the short man retorts, his stubby arms grabbing his partner's leather jacket and pulling him forward again.

"Bu-"

"Shut up and move!"

I've heard enough, gotta think about this alone. The tracer I planted on them a while back will let me know where they go. Tim watched the duo scramble further into the alley as he remained out of sight while contemplating the information he gathered. So someone else has been fighting criminals too. But I didn't hear about this at all. And Batman would definitely have detected if another vigilante rolled into town also. Anyway, he must be good if he had that guy all riled up. But this isn't the time for that. How did he know the Leagues business? He even seemed to know the Team's as well. And connections? What did he mean?

However, before Robin could think of a conclusion, suddenly the built-in holographic computer in his utility belt began glowing. Snapping out of his train of thought, Robin realized that some time had passed as the sun reached the peak of the day. He was standing alone in the murky neighborhood, among the rotten litter and fallen debris. No one was in sight, but the calmness felt like a dagger ready to ambush him out of nowhere. The silence seemed to beckon him like a wolf leading a sheep into its den. Whatever he had stumbled into, the stakes suddenly seemed higher. But there was no turning back for the Boy Wonder. Activating his device, he had started a search through Gotham Police Network for any clues of the hooded figure and the two gang members. Reading through the report, the young detective discovers some new facts about the two he was stalking.

Interesting, street cameras caught members of the same gang heading toward this direction as well for almost a year. But the sightings were spaced by months, so the police never noticed. So why are they coming here, a new hideout? The harbor is close by, an ideal location to smuggle in drugs. But, Gotham Police knows this and this place is on a constant watch. Plus, there's been no major incidence in this part of the city for weeks. So what are they planning? The only place that could house this many numbers is a warehouse just up ahead. The tracer is also pointing those two heading that way also.

Grabbing his utility belt, he launches himself back above the rooftops. The young Robin heads toward his next destination. As he gets closer, the boy can already hear the sound of the waves slapping against wooden planks and sandy beaches. The smell of salt in the air reaches his nose as he races across metal tops. The sea wind lightly brushes across his dark hair as his dusky shades obscures most the sun's glaring light. Soon, he will be able to the see the blue ocean, but that doesn't matter. Eyes straightforward, he knows his mission and duty well. Up ahead, lies answers, yet something is missing.

There wasn't any information on the hooded figure. Now that I think about it, I haven't seen him at all since I started tailing those two. Maybe he really doesn't have any connections to any of this? But something is off. Street and security cameras didn't snap a shot of him at all. Not a single photo, he didn't even appear on the street before he turned this way. No police records match him as well. He's done a good job keeping out of the public's eye, figuratively and literally. However, this proves he's definitely not a normal citizen. I'll need to look into this more after this is all over.

Finally reaching the warehouse, the large building looks about three stories high, decaying but still sturdy. The dented and scratched walls have a fading amber color of molting snake-skin. Green mold and chipped paint scatter around the surrounding area like infesting rats. Windows, shattered and dusty, becomes duller as the sun shines on the wreckage. A single large red door hangs lonely against one side of the structure. Glancing at his tracker, the two hoodlums are already inside. Knowing that entering from the front was a bad idea, Robin launches his Batrope to the roof of the warehouse. Stepping on dead leaves and broken tiles, he makes his way towards a window roof, unprepared for what lies below when he peers through the broken glass.

"Damn," Robin muttered to himself as he frowned in shock.

Right underneath him, he was witnessing what he could only describe as a gathering army. Staring through shadows and dust, he could see numerous figures all over the confines of the building. Some were smoking, some were drinking, some playing cards while others simply stood or rested against the walls. All of them were some of the roughest looking men he had ever seen in Gotham City. Like a bug infestation, they were everywhere. In fact, there were so many that he was almost afraid to count them all, hoping he was mistaken. Yet, his eyes were not lying, a mass of thugs and hoodlums were just about ten feet under his shoes. He had fought entire gangs alone and won singlehandedly. But this was different. Underneath the young vigilante was a time bomb, waiting to be set off. If he carelessly picks a fight, he might set them off and all of Gotham City would be the one to suffer the onslaught.

"Oookkaayy… was not expecting this," Tim recovering a little from the unexpected scene. "Well, at least it explains why crime has been low lately. But still, this is not good, not good at all."

Taking a closer look, he notices that there are also stacks of wooden crates everywhere. Hundreds of these crates line up against the thick walls, loaded on top of each other forming timber towers. An ominous feeling seems to emanate from them as cigarette smoke clouds the air. The few that have been already opened lay on the floor empty like dead carcasses. That's a lot of supplies for a hideout. Gotta be something else, drugs maybe? Scanning around the area for any clues, he sees one close by that has already been opened but not unfilled yet. Grabbing a flexible periscope from his belt, the Boy Wonder sends the scope pass the window maneuvers the device to get a good view of the contents. Peering through the scope, Styrofoam peanuts cover up most of the interior. However, a long shiny black object pokes through the foams, reflecting light back into the lens. What in the world is that? It seems…familiar. Unsure what the item was, Robin zooms in further to take a closer. When he gets a clearer image, the blood in his veins turns icy cold; instantly realizing the accustomed sight of a head of a rifle. How many times had one been pointed right at him? Now what about more than a hundred? Judging by the number of boxes, there were enough guns here to fight a war.

"Guns. They got freaking guns in those crates. When the hell did they get into the weapons business? Better question, where in the universe did they get that many in the first place?" He openly thought to himself as dozens of questions entering his mind like a gas filling up a balloon. "Oh man, this is really, really bad. If those guns get out into the streets, Gotham City won't stand a chance. I need to call the Team and the League and let them know pronto."

"Hey everybody, guess who I found," a loud voice suddenly appears, jolting Tim before he can send the message. For a second, he's worried that he's been found before realizing that the voice is coming from the entrance.

"What the hell man?" One of the thugs inside shouts back.

"I caught this punk snooping around," replies the first thug from outside, his voice getting closer to the door. "What should I do with him?"

Great, this could not get any worse. As soon as he thought those words, he immediately regretted them. Two figures had entered through the doorway; a buff thick-headed man with a crew cut and tattoos of snakes on both arms smugly saunters into the warehouse while roughly grabbing the other with his stony fingers. Roughly shoved forward, the perpetrator stumbled into the gangster filled room, his face looking downwards, but he instantly attracts Tim's attention like a magnet to metal. There he was, right before his eyes, the mysterious hooded individual who had led him on this path. The same torn jeans, muddy shoes, the black hooded jacket, the worn out arm bandages; they were all there. There was no doubt he was the same person. And now he was apparently in trouble

"Just my luck, things are getting too complicated," Robin cursed silently to himself, frowning at the new twist. He still couldn't see the enigmatic person's face from above, but right now that wasn't important. First, he had to find a way to save him. As the Boy Wonder stared hard thinking of a plan, he started to notice that the hooded person strangely didn't even seem fazed at his dangerous circumstances. The human body when under fear shows signs such as rapid breathing, increased perspiration or nervous movements. Yet, the person in the hooded guise exhibited none of these, his posture relaxed and calm even as members of the gang began circling around him like beasts trapping their prey.

"Why the f #k did you bring him in here?!" An enormous man shouts as he marches to the entrance to confront the muscle headed man. "You wanna ruin our operations before it even starts?!"

"S-sorry boss. I-I'll -"

"Enough! I'll deal with you later," the enormous boss turning away from the now scared henchman to glare at their much smaller captive. "It's almost time for the plan to start, and nothing is going to ruin it, not while I'm in charge. Now you, I'm going to ask some questions and you'd better answer them. If not, my boys are bored and are in need of good punching bag. Do you hear me?"

Still not looking up, the hooded figure remained still as a tree, ignoring the threat as more and more thugs joined the circle. The atmosphere inside the warehouse was as intense as fire, the air seemingly feeling hotter as time ticked off. Everything was happening so fast that at any moment, chaos seemed inevitable. But even now, the figure remained coolly poised. Again, the young hero sensed there was something off about him. Some feeling that the victim was the truly in control of the room.

"I'll take that as a yes. Now then, first things first, who the hell are you?"

After a couple of seconds, the silent figure finally raised his head to look directly at the threatening person in front of him. Tim sees the shock form in the thug leader's eyes across from him. An instant later, he understands why, becoming stunned as well as a feminine voice echoes through the walls and glass.

"Cassandra."