Chapter 7: Path of Vengeance
Terry and Bruce read all of the compiled data that came in on Tai Ji, finally learning the truth about the killer and his past.
And it was shocking, to say the least.
Tai Ji was born Tenzin Long. He lost his parents at age 5 to a home invasion. His father's best friend, Robert Hunter, took the boy and his sister, Zhang, who was three at the time, in and raised them, with both children even taking Hunter's last name after Tenzin turned 18.
Hunter sat as primary stockholder and, therefore, owner of the Topaz Minerals Company. Despite his firm yet fair way of running the company, the three of his board members wanted him out. Those members were, none other than, Jackson Blackwell, William Cade, and Chow Shang. They didn't like how he ran the company, meaning Hunter ran it honestly and wouldn't take shortcuts or bribes and passed on many illegal operations that would have made them all insanely rich. The three nefarious board members offered to buy Hunter out but he refused. So, they moved on to other means of forcing him out but he beat them every single time. After trying every way to remove Hunter and failing, they went with a more… direct approach.
For the second time in his life, Tenzin experienced another home invasion… but this one came with the provision of Hunter being the direct and only target. Unfortunately, the diabolical plan was successful. But there was an even more tragic aspect to the case. In whether a deliberate act or on accident, there was a fire and the house burned down.
Tenzin made it out in time.
His younger sister, Zhang, didn't.
Tenzin became an emotionally disabled man afterward. Essentially, he had a breakdown, becoming very detached from the rest of the world. His mission, what most defined as obsession, in his life became to bring down the rest of the board.
Unfortunately… that proved to be impossible.
Thanks to the very impressive cleaners the board members had, no one was ever able to prove who was behind the death of the Hunter family and all of Tenzin's attempt to sue and prove they were responsible went down in flames. Primarily due to his emotional trauma, Tenzin was discredited so much that any evidence he could've possibly found was never allowed to be entertained in the slightest. Eventually, Tenzin became a recluse and went into hiding… for 15 years.
No one ever knew where he went.
Until now…
"My God…" Terry breathed out.
Bruce sat back and intertwined his fingers, "I suspected as much."
"You suspected he was a psychopath because he had an awful… downright terrible childhood?"
"No. That he had a reason for what he was doing. The killings are too involved to not be personal. Same for his fighting style. It's far too calculated for a random serial killer. He takes his time when he fights, analyzes every move."
Terry couldn't deny that. He was still sore and bruised, after all. "What's with his name change?"
Bruce pressed another key on the computer. More data flew up. "Name of an ancestor. A strong warrior in ancient China, it seems."
"Some family tree."
"Just honoring tradition."
Terry leaned on the computer. "So, what's he after? Really?"
"If I had to guess… he's making all of the families pay. They took his… he's taking theirs."
"So, why not just get the ones who killed his dad and sister and get it over with?"
"He couldn't find them." He hit a few keys, "His first target was Arnold Grace, one of the suspected murders of Hunter. After learning of his death at Tai Ji's hand…" Bruce scrolled down to crime scene photos of Grace's… extremely grisly demise, making both Batmen's eyes widen in shock. "his… very… gruesome death… the family heads went into hiding, fleeing the country. Since he couldn't find them… Tai Ji shifted his focus. He went after those close to them."
"But only the ones who've committed crimes themselves."
The old man nodded. "He's not touching any of the ones who've stayed out of trouble."
"Those who are innocent…" the young man said, absentmindedly.
"In his eyes."
Terry looked back at the data, focusing on the picture of Tai Ji when he was younger. McGinnis couldn't help but notice that he looked a lot more at peace in his younger years. He couldn't imagine what snapped in his head to force him to do this.
But in that instant, Terry realized, in his position… it wouldn't be hard at all.
In fact, when he first started being Batman… taking such a course of action didn't seem as wrong as it did now. Bruce helped change all of that… but Terry also knew he also had to stay strong on his own. That's why the young hero always had to keep himself in check and make sure to never, ever go down that road, even now. It would just be too easy. And costly. And he couldn't let Tai Ji go any further down it either. His path was killing innocent people, regardless of how guilty his enemies were.
"We have to stop him…" Terry declared.
"We will," Bruce agreed.
"What do you think made him decide to kill other family members first?"
"Like you said, they weren't the most wholesome of people." He hit another key, "Ryan Cade had a history of domestic violence. Married and divorced three times. The women were paid off and it all was swept under the table. The Cades you saved at the hotel aren't any better. The Blackwell girl was the cause of a severe accident from drunk driving. And various rumors just make her for a typical bully girl to be around. And several members of the Shang family were up to plenty of questionable activity in other corporations that would have cost a lot of people their jobs and livelihoods."
Terry looked at all of the data. "Like he said… he's being the sharp sword."
Bruce nodded. "And Young… was the attorney for the three families in the case of Hunter's death."
That settled it. He's killing all of his enemies.
Terry sighed, "And I guess… with the penthouse burning. Not everyone there was a member of any of the families. But…"
"They're casualties to him," Bruce reminded. "Collateral damage. He doesn't want them to die but he must kill who he needs to."
"Who he thinks he needs to." A sick notion. And Terry couldn't let it go on. "That's gonna stop… I'm going to stop him."
"I'll keep checking to find out what his next move is," Bruce explained. "In the meantime, go upstairs and get some rest."
"I can go look for him, Bruce. I'm fine. And he won't beat me like last time."
"I know but get some rest, Terry. The suit will take some time to repair, anyway. I'll call your family and explain that I needed you to work today. Go get some more of your strength back."
While part of him wanted to argue, Terry appreciated the break. He decided to take advantage of it, but he had every intention of going out later, finding, and stopping the Black Tiger killer, once and for all. "Thanks." He started to head for the stairs then paused. He turned back to his mentor, "Did you ever notice that there are a lot similarities between Tai Ji and you…"
Bruce quickly interrupted him, "Are you going to get some sleep voluntarily or due to blunt force trauma?"
Terry threw his hands up in defense, "I'm goin', I'm goin'."
Wayne turned back to the screen to continue working. "And for the record… the same could be said about you and him, don't forget."
Terry silently chuckled. He knew that all too well.
He went upstairs and crashed on the bed in one of the guest rooms. He realized that he hadn't concerned himself with his relationship drama since looking at Tai Ji's past. But that was to be expected. Since his enemy was making his moves, Terry was able to put his all other drama, and himself, to bed for a minute. And, boy, did he need it. He had to get all of his strength back and give his mind a rest. He fell face first on the bed, driving his face into the pillow, falling asleep almost instantly. While he slept, the most peculiar dream took place.
"What is your path, Batman?" Tai Ji asked him.
Terry looked down at his body and saw he was in full costume. He could hear his enemy's voice but couldn't see anything since there was a very thick fog in the place he was in.
"Where do your loyalties lie?"
Batman soon found his enemy standing with his arms folded behind his back.
"You think you can save these people?"
The images of Tai Ji's victims, intended or claimed, appeared, flying past both men in picture form.
"Can you affect any kind of change?"
Batman growled. He ran at Tai Ji and jumped for him but, just as he was about to touch him, the villain disappeared.
"What matters to you?"
This voice was different.
And Terry recognized the voice, immediately… because it was his.
He stood up and saw he was back in his normal clothes. He turned and saw the Batman suit standing there with his arms folded.
"Seriously? What matters? Just being Batman? Just being a high school kid? Or both?"
Terry paused.
The Batman presence nodded. He walked around Terry. "So… you want it all? Do you really? Batman… or a normal life… both? Will everyone, and you know who I mean, understand wanting it all?"
Terry fell silent at his apparitional self's words. He… or the suit… which was him… was talking about Dana. Would she actually understand if he told her?
"Is there someone who already understands? And accepts?"
Terry looked at the white eyes of the suit.
Max.
Who else could he mean?
Batman chuckled. "Make your choice, McGinnis… if you're man enough…"
Terry opened his eyes and saw the sun was still brightly shining through the Wayne Manor windows, must still be early afternoon.
What a crazy dream.
He rubbed his head, 'Slag… even dream-me-Batman is on my case… what a mess…'
He thought about what he dreamed, or rather, what he was telling himself through the dream. All of the ins and outs of his relationships… but he couldn't fully focus on that right now. He was still tired. He needed more sleep. And he really didn't have the time to put much thought into this anyway. There was a far more important matter at stake. Everything else would have to wait until Tai Ji was brought down. He went on back to sleep… getting all the strength back he could to be ready for the next round.
For what had to be… the final round.
In her house, Dana was reading a book when she heard the doorbell ring. She placed a bookmark in her book and walked downstairs. She opened the front door to find Mary McGinnis standing there.
"Mrs. McGinnis!" Dana said, surprised.
"Hello, Dana," Mary greeted.
This was new. The last person she expected to be at her house was Terry's mother. She'd never been there before. "Umm, come in, come in."
She nodded and walked inside, stopping in the hallway.
"I didn't come to stay," the McGinnis matriarch informed. "I just wanted to stop by and talk to you for a minute. If you don't mind."
"Oh, umm… sure…" Dana was perplexed.
Mary sighed. "Okay, I just need to say this… and it may surprise you…"
"Alright…"
The McGinnis matriarch took a deep breath and exhaled, "Terry is being neglectful, distracted, even erratic, almost, and something has definitely changed about him." She had to rush through that speech. It was hard to speak ill of her son, even if it was in the kindest way possible.
She was right. Dana was surprised. "Oooooooookay…"
"And, above all else, that doesn't excuse him being neglectful to you or not keeping informed. I mean, I understand when he doesn't tell me, I'm his mother. Everyone always think mothers are the last to know. But he should be talking you. He really should."
Dana didn't know what to say.
"But… as hard as this may be for you to believe… you have to know… he's not the same person he was. He's not back in that horrid life. I know."
"How?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Because… if he was… he wouldn't walk with the pride he has in him now. He holds his head up high. He has a look in his eyes… that says… his life isn't a mess. I haven't seen that look in him before. I don't know how the miracle of working for Mr. Wayne has shifted life to this… but he is proud of himself now."
Dana rubbed her arm. Terry definitely was a more stable person now… when she did see him. He did carry himself like he was better now. Not better than everybody… but better than who he was. That much was very true. She did forget that, at times. She exhaled, "Maybe you're right… it's just… I'm getting tired of playing second string to him… intentional or not." She paused. "I just don't think I can do this with him anymore…"
"And, believe me, I understand that. And the thing is… you don't have to. You don't have to take a backseat to his life. You don't deserve that at all." Mary walked up to Dana and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders, "Just… please… don't hate Terry. He may have changed… but it's for the better. He just may not know how to adjust to that change with everyone in his life. And that does happen when things change. But you don't have to stay around and wait… you can change, too."
Everything Mary said was making total sense. Dana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah… thanks, Mrs. McGinnis."
"For the record… that doesn't mean you have to stay away. You're always welcome in my home."
Dana smiled.
"I have to get going, sweetheart. But… I'll leave you with this… Terry's got his life… and, as hard as it may be… you have to decide how you wish to handle it now. But, just know… there is nothing wrong with going and having your own life. Change comes with growing up. But it doesn't always have to be a bad thing. It's just a little uncomfortable, at first."
Dana paused and let all of the words sink in. They were a point she might have considered before but she was just so focused on being angry at Terry's neglect. But these words from this elder woman, the mother of her ex, as strange as that sounded to say… really made a lot of sense. "Mrs. McGinnis…"
Mary stopped.
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure, dear."
And since they were already in odd territory, Dana had one last question. "Would it… be okay… if I just talked to you… some time? Like you said… change… a little difficult for me, right now."
Mary smiled. "My door will always be open for you, sweetheart."
Dana gave her a quick hug. After they released, Mary lightly touched the side of Dana's face then she was off. Dana closed the door and leaned against it, her mind dwelling on her predicament.
She did care for Terry a lot… but he was living a different life than she was… and, while he was staying out of trouble, she was realizing… maybe she was trying way too hard… to hold on or even care about something that she should let go of. Not caring for Terry… but caring for their relationship.
She decided to take the rest of the day to consider this and really be sure this is what she wanted. Then… she would talk to Terry tomorrow. It was a day off from school and, usually on weekends, he was working for Mr. Wayne every spare second, anyway.
Tomorrow… her decision would be made. She just hoped and prayed it was the right one.
That evening, in Wayne Manor, Terry woke up and saw that night had completely taken over, the sky and his body telling him he had gotten plenty of rest and it was time to get back to work. He rolled over to find Bruce standing next to the bed. Before, such an action would have terrified him; but, at this point, he half expected it.
"He has a bomb," Bruce said, bluntly.
Terry stared at his mentor. "What? No 'Hello, he has a bomb'?"
"Stop attempting to be funny. This is serious."
"I figured that." Terry sat up. "When the heck did he get a bomb?" he asked, irritated.
"Follow me."
They started making their way toward the cave.
"There was a theft last night, shortly after his fight with you," Bruce explained.
Terry raised an eyebrow. "He beats me up and goes shopping. I'm hurt." Which was still, partially, true.
As usual, Bruce ignored him and continued, "He went to Gotham Chemicals and stole several barrels of a chemical that could be used to make a high powered explosive. A small black tiger was found at the scene."
They entered the cave.
"He stole enough to decimate a city block."
The thought horrified Terry. As unstable as Tai Ji already was, if he found who was after, he would use it. "We have to find him quick."
"We already have."
"Say what?"
"I found out what he's after," Bruce sat down at the computer. "Or rather where he's going." He pulled up an e-vite to a local gala sponsored by Harvey Industries at the Gotham Waldorf-Astoria.
'Why does that sound familiar?' Terry thought.
"All three families have had something to do with Harvey Industries at some point and most of any money they have left is solely dependent on the company's success. And, since they are heavy investors there, they have to be at the party."
"Why not have Hunter's company be the one he targets?" Terry asked.
"Topaz Minerals went belly up six years ago. The board members got all the money they could get and quickly sold it off. Harvey Industries took them over."
"Great… I'm sure Tai Ji took that well."
"One can only imagine. But he planned this… meticulously. Tai Ji bankrupted them all in other areas on purpose. The three family heads will be in attendance… the same ones who arranged to have Robert Hunter killed."
"He's gathering all of his targets in one place," Terry deduced.
"To kill them all."
"And hundreds of people who have nothing to do with it."
"It fits his M.O. If killing others to get his targets is what happens, he feels justified. They are necessary sacrifices to him."
"Well, not to me."
"Agreed."
Terry stared intently at the invitation. Harvey Industries. Where he had he heard it before? He could almost remember hearing a lot about the company… just recently, in fact. Where was that? It was driving him crazy. He remembered even saying it before not too long ago. The name seemed on his lips quite recently…
On his lips.
He remembered where.
His eyes grew wide. "Oh, my God…"
Bruce looked up at the teen. "What?"
"Max. She's been going on and on about getting an internship with them." He looked at his teacher, "Bruce, she's supposed to be at that party."
The older warrior stared at Terry, his eyes growing wide. He may not have thought of Max as equal to Terry or a person to take up a crime fighting mantle but no one was ever allowed to put her life in danger. After all, with everything she'd done… for them both, Max had earned special consideration when her health and well-being were on the line.
Bruce glared back at the screen. "You're on the clock."
"Suit ready?" Terry asked.
"Finished just before I came and got you."
"Not a moment too soon…" Terry went for the suit.
"Terry…"
He looked at his mentor.
"Be careful. Fight smarter. Fight harder. Fight with heart. You know he has to be stopped. That you're right and he's wrong. That has to stay in your mind. It's the only way you'll fight harder… and it's the only way you'll beat him."
Terry nodded.
He donned the black uniform of Gotham's Dark Knight, the mantle of the Bat. Once he was ready, he got into the Batmobile and flew off into the night.
Oh, boy...
Next Path: Path of True Warriors
Batman is racing to get the gala to stop Tai Ji. Can he make it in time and put a stop to this villain once and for all? Or will innocent lives, including Max, pay the price for Tai Ji's vengeance? One way or the other, this struggle is about to end!
You can't... canNOT... miss... this...
