Chapter Eleven

The Dark Within

Present day…

She walked briskly, the sound of hurried footsteps betraying the fact that she was trying to convince herself that there was not the tiniest trace of fear in her…though her hands clumsily tried to hold the coat close as if afraid of revealing herself to anyone.

She was just chilly, she thought ironically. That'll be the day, when Killer Frost dreaded the cold.

Carefully casting a wary glance around the dark alley, she just had to mutter a curse when it was slowly becoming evident that she was lost. And wondered if the others felt as pathetic as she did at the precise moment.

Shaking her head in frustration, she nearly wanted to take flight and throw caution to the wind just to escape this annoying feeling of trepidation faster than her steps would allow. But she had to remind herself of what happened to the unfortunate ones.

The first was Tala. The bitch was practically drooling, with her soulless, blank eyes even more vacant than before though behind them was shrouded a deep fear that caused the sorceress to curl up in a fetal position somewhere in an abandoned park, mumbling incoherently if not screaming her lungs out to unleash the horrific feeling known to her only.

Then more followed the similar awful path, one by one…Doctor Polaris, Atomic Skull, Giganta…while others were still waiting to be found. All of them suffered the same terrible fate that befell the sorceress, being reduced to something barely recognizable and pitiful. It was a fate worse than death itself.

But the worst yet had to be Grodd.

She witnessed with her own eyes when they found him, or whatever was left of the former leader of the Secret Society. Gone was the clever persona, what was left was a heaping pile of a pathetic excuse for a living being. The eyes were blank and he was covered in a foul stench of decay as he absentmindedly, violently pulled away at his fur that the skin underneath tore, revealing raw flesh…

She closed her eyes at the dreadful image and wondered what kind of evil would do this.

"Shit!" Steam bursting out from a busted pipe made her cry out in fear before she huddled the coat around her tightly once more.

"Where the hell are they?" she muttered.

Then, ever so slowly, a faint but recognizable scent reached her nostrils. She had to sniff a few times to confirm her suspicion that it was the smell of something burning. She stopped to examine the area, realizing it was no good to be trapped in a burning alley.

But nothing was on fire anywhere around her.

She resumed her pace. And the smell caught up with her.

She was running now. But she halted when her back started feeling strangely warm. Abruptly she turned around, but the alley was as dark as when she passed. And she hissed in pain when the warm feeling became a harsh, burning sensation that she had to reach behind her.

A rapid pain stung her palm. "What the fu---?"

She stared at her hand and noticed that the pale, cold hue of her skin was gone. Instead it was starting to glow, starting from a faint shade of yellow to bright orange…to a fiery red. Then a dark speck of brown appeared to be followed by a small gust of smoke. When the smell of her flesh burning awoke her from the shock, the searing pain started to work its agonizing pain from inside her.

No!

Instantly her other hand tried in vain to stop the flames, but her powers had long deserted her. In another futile attempt, she tried to cover her skin only to feel more pain as her flesh tore.

She wanted to scream but every fiber of her being was in great pain, and more smoke was billowing out from her lips. In one last struggle she tried to fight. But the more she resisted, the more the fires furiously grew. The skin on her hands and arms were now covered in angry, bright orange flames while her flesh slowly peeled away. And the awful smell of flesh, her flesh, burning…

In total panic she ran, her weak limbs causing her to stumble on the wet pavement. Trying desperately to pick herself up, she noticed the fire licking at the bony structure that used to be her hands, as a thick, reddish liquid dripped from her face. Then her eyes were able to get a glimpse of her reflection on the puddle.

And she screamed a guttural howl at what she saw.

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"She's great you know…I mean…" Wally smiled as if his voice could be heard by his friend. "She understands that I am not exactly a normal guy. Not that I'm abnormal…but, you know what I mean."

His shoulders slumped in defeat as he looked at the sleeping face. "She really wants to meet you. She's a big fan."

Bleep, bleep, bleep…

"Princess?" He was suddenly worried as the machine stared beeping incessantly and her unconscious form started moving in a strange way. In a few seconds, he felt a sense of temporary relief when J'onn arrived to be followed soon after by Superman.

"Guys…what's wrong?" Wally tried to squeeze his frame between two bigger ones.

"It's the tenth time…"

"I know…" Superman noted, supporting the jerking arms of his friend. "What's causing this?"

J'onn was about to answer when Diana sudden stilled, her vitals resuming its normal rate.

"I really don't know." J'onn sounded defeated. "I don't have a clue. All I know is…" the Martian paused when finally aware that someone else was in the room.

"I care about the Princess too," was all he could say because it was the truth.

"It's okay," Superman gave his permission.

"She is getting weaker every day."

"No…" he could not accept what he was hearing.

"Superman…maybe it's time we call the Queen."

Before Superman could answer, a monitor placed at the corner of the room announced a flash report, Killer Frost was found by authorities running and screaming like a banshee, apparently out of control and out of her mind. It said something about the Stalker probably claiming another victim as a video showed the woman running away from an unseen assailant while violently tearing at her clothes.

"Do you think it's the same case as the others?" he asked.

"Maybe," J'onn answered.

"Should we be worried about the Stalker? What do we know about him?"

"All that we know, all the attacks have been on our enemies," Superman noted.

He shook his head. "But the saying the enemy of my enemy is my friend surely does not apply in this situation."

"Apparently not." Superman turned from the screen to the Martian. "Can you sense anything more J'onn? Should we be worried?"

"I really don't know."

Fighting an enemy who did not speak of his triumphs, who did not boast of his powers, who did not achieve any gain other than instilling fear in the general populace was more difficult and he had to admit that this dread was starting to get to him now that he had another person to worry about.

No one knew why the Stalker was doing this. And his next prey could be anybody.

And J'onn not knowing the answer was, in all truth, even more alarming.

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She hauled her petite frame to the ledge and in one swift, agile movement her feet landed soundlessly on the cold, stone floor. Cautiously maneuvering in the darkness, she searched for a safe place to wait.

Taking small steps towards the good side was not an easy thing to do, Selina thought.

Her previous life of crime, however noble she tried to reason her intentions were before, was going through a significant change right now. It was not a very pleasant feeling, to betray her previous acquaintances, to assume the damned position as the whistleblower.

But it was one way to redemption. She wanted a clean slate to start anew. To begin a new life she never thought possible for someone like her, to finally be with the man she loved.

He was giving her another chance and she would be fool not to take it.

"Over here," she whispered upon sight of his familiar frame. She walked away from the shade so he could see her. "Just wait for a few more min---"

The pain of his gloved palm connecting with the side of her face sent her reeling. And she stared in disbelief at the man before her. "What the hell's wrong with you?"

His lips did not move to speak but his hand was quick to deliver another swing at her and this time with such force that made her lose balance.

"Batman…"

"What did you do, Selina?" His voice was very angry.

She limped away at his threatening approach.

"What?!"

A misplaced piece of metal cause her to stumble backwards and she cried in horror at the feeling of a sharp object slicing through her, piercing her right side.

"Help me…" She looked at the blood stained metal protruding from her.

But he did nothing to help her as he towered menacingly over her, looking at her face then to the wound with a leer on his lips. But deep inside, no matter how unreal it might seem, she still believed this was not Bruce she was facing. He was just not capable of this evil.

"How does it feel, Selina?"

"It hurts…" She was starting to cough blood. "It hurts like hell."

"Now you know what it feels like."

"Like what?" She tried to move but the pain was so strong. And she could feel her blood slowly soaking the ground. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Really?"

He leaned over and moved the spike. She screamed in agony. And tears welled up in her eyes at the reality that he could do this to her, after all she did for him.

"You knew Tala was going to hurt her. And yet you did not tell me."

It finally dawned on her and everything was more painful than before. He finally knew of her secret and as of the moment, she dearly wished she never had that encounter with the sorceress.

"I…did not…"

"You knew she was going to harm her and you did not tell me? Why?!"

She was starting to lose consciousness as everything around her started to spin. But she still found her voice. "I didn't want you to know because I love you." If she was going to die, she would take a part of him with her. "I knew Tala would kill her. I wanted her to die!"

But her consolation was short lived when she saw him reaching for a rod. "Now, you will die."

She did not want to die. "Please…Batman," she begged for her life. "I'm sorry. I only…did it because I love you."

"I never loved you."

His words were as sharp as the spear that he was ready to plunge into her.

"Please!"

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The instant he heard her scream while he was a building away, he was suddenly filled with concern. As fast as he could, he reached the top to find her lying on the floor, sobbing. Instantly, before approaching her, he prepared himself for confrontation with an unseen enemy.

"Please…"

He heard her cry.

"I'm sorry Batman…"

The desperation in her voice made him forget the threat of an enemy as he finally knelt by her side.

"Selina…"

"No!"

He picked her up and cradled her head in his arms. "It's alright."

"I'm sorry…" she whimpered.

Her face was soaked with tears and he was at a loss on what to do because he had not seen her in this state before. All he could offer was the consoling gesture and made a promise with himself that he would do his very best to protect her. This time, he would do his best to make things right.

"I'm sorry…" she kept repeating.

What was she apologizing for?

"I'm sorry Batman…"

He finally had to ask. "For what?"

"I knew of Tala's plan…but I can't let Diana take you away…"

A feeling of dread washed over him. "What…plan?"

"I did not tell you because I love you…"

"Tell me what?" Frustration was paving the way for anger. "Tell me what, Selina?"

"She was going to kill Diana…I'm sorry…"

Diana…kill Diana…

The words kept repeating in his ears that he had to cover them with his hands.

Diana…you killed Diana…

He tried to fight his thoughts as the memory of all he tried to bury resurfaced once again.

Red roses…her face…tears in her blue eyes…blood in his hands…

It was all his fault. All his fault.

Yes, Bruce…it's your fault.

He could see all of their faces.

All your fault.

"Batman?"

He immediately turned to the sound of a voice.

"Diana?"

She smiled, the gold tiara reflecting the moonlight. "Sorry I was late. I had to report my mission status to J'onn…paperwork." She made a face. "Any action yet?"

The sight of her momentarily incapacitated his ability to reason. Even if a part of him knew something was horribly wrong, the sight of her awake made him deaf to logic as he walked towards her, trying to hide the urgency of wanting to be near her.

"No…none yet."

"Good…" He missed the way her eyes sparkled. "I see you brought dinner."

He was surprised to see a McDonald's take out bag in his left hand, just like he used to when they were on patrol together. "Only your favorite."

"How sweet, my husband."

He closed his eyes when he felt her softly kiss the side of his face. When he opened them again, her hair was different, the tiara was gone. And she was wearing the same black dress she wore that night they went to the concert.

"Why?"

His throat felt dry at a strange feeling. "Why what?"

"Why do you look…pensive?" She asked before pirouetting in her evening gown. "Don't you like it?"

"I do…but where are we going?"

"To the concert, remember?"

Everything was suddenly shrouded in a thick blanket of alarm.

"You even game me these flowers."

Red roses…as red as the blood in his hands…

He closed his eyes again and fought off the image before him.

No…you are not real…Diana's not here…

Fight it, Bruce!

Bruce…

"Bruce..?"

He opened his eyes to her weak call.

"No!"

He dropped to his knees, just like the last time.

This could not be happening…not again. He could not bear to see her slip away from his life once more.

"Stay with me…" he held her in his arms. "Don't leave…please…"

The she stilled, her eyes staring forward…at nothing.

"No!"

You killed her…a voice taunted. Yes you did, Bruce…

"No!"

A sinister laugh echoed as Diana's dead body disappeared. Then a cold feeling pricked his skin.

All you have to do is jump, Bruce…

He stood up, trying to fight the taunting voice…the force behind the evil whisper. But it was too strong.

That's right…walk to the ledge and jump.

Fight it Bruce! his mind struggled.

Die…

So she may live.

Die in her place, Bruce…

He looked at the stain on his gloved hands. Yes, it was the only way it will ever come off. If he died for her.

Yes…

Overcome by guilt he stood by the ledge even though a part of him was desperately trying to hang on, knowing this was not right.

"I love you, Diana…" he whispered his last words.

Then, as if being freed from an unseen grip, the hypnotic feeling of guilt abruptly disappeared with the voice and his knees almost gave way as he was released. He was quick to hold on to the railing, swinging himself to safety as a strong wind circled around him while the sound of a muffled scream wailed with the strong gust before vanishing into the night.

"What did just happen?" Selina asked.

He did not want to face her, not just yet. After what he just heard from her.

Then…

Batman…

J'onn, he acknowledged.

Diana's having a seizure. It…does not look good.