Chapter 14: Unexpected Answers
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any DC characters or logos.
Prowling the streets of Gotham City all night, the Question had finally found himself outside of the largest nightclub in the area. "Are you coming?" he asked, sparing a glance over his shoulder.
Huntress shot him an irritated look as she readied her crossbow. "I thought you said that you were going to take me out dancing. Instead you drag me along on league business." She replied, gesturing toward the towering structure in front of them.
The eccentric hero smiled behind his mask. "Well… the Iceberg Lounge is one of the most successful clubs in Gotham City… this mission can be both."
"Everyone with a brain knows that this place is a cover for the Penguin's drug and weapons operations. We're basically two superheroes marching headfirst into an establishment run by the shadiest businessman in Gotham."
"You think I haven't thought about that?" Question replied as he turned into a dark alleyway. Although she was not entirely certain what the eccentric man was planning, she followed him anyway. After a few moments, the pair reemerged from the alley. Question had removed his hat and coat, and had taken off his mask. Huntress stood by his side, having abandoned her cape and mask in favor of a red dress, which she wore over her revealing superhero outfit.
"Not bad…" she replied, looking over her reflection in a shop window. "You seem to know what I like."
The eccentric hero smiled at the thought. "Don't be ridiculous… I just picked a dress for you based on how you would look." Realizing what he had just said, Question turned his back to her and continued walking towards the club.
Huntress smiled at his slipup as she followed after him. "Say… you want to go back there for a few minutes?" she asked giving him a seducing smile. Although he had his back to her, the female hero could clearly see a crimson blush spreading from his face to his neck.
Despite his attempt to hide it, he realized it was too late. Abandoning the idea of avoiding the situation, he decided it was best to ignore it for now and deal with it later. "Business first…" he replied in a resolute tone, struggling to maintain his composure. "Besides… we have someone to meet inside."
Huntress looked slightly disappointed by the idea of a third wheel. "I hope you're referring to Penguin."
"No." he replied. "I was partnered with the new girl on this mission and I asked her to wait for me to arrive."
The female superhero cocked an eyebrow. "Oh… you mean that creepy witch."
Question simply nodded. "Not the way I would phrase it, but… yes. You don't have a problem with her, do you?"
"Of course not… but I was actually hoping for a real date… not a mission where you drag along the League new witch. Does she even know that you're bringing in outside help?" she asked. Question nodded again, turning away from her. Walking forward a few steps, she felt something hit her. Looking up in surprise, Huntress realized that she had just collided with someone, and as she looked down, she caught sight of a young woman on the sidewalk.
"So you think I'm creepy huh? I really wouldn't talk if I were you." The girl retorted as she struggled to her feet.
Question raised an eyebrow. "Good to see you Raven. But how did you know it was us?"
"I used a simple locator spell to find you." She replied. "My spell only works if you have a general idea of where the target is, but I had a feeling that you were in Gotham by now. I doubt that even you were going to defy a direct order from the Martian."
"Very resourceful." Huntress commented, looking slightly impressed. "But you don't intend to just walk into a villain's establishment dressed like that?"
At this Raven looked slightly insulted. "And just what's wrong with the way I dress?" the young spell caster replied, taking a look at her reflection in a nearby window. "I've always dressed like this."
Huntress nodded. "True, but you need to be more subtle than that. I don't see anyone else her wearing long blue robes. It's a better idea if you try to blend in with the crowd."
The young sorceress considered this for a moment before realizing that she was right. Looking at her clothes, Raven decided that it was best to follow the other two. Walking into the nearby alley, the young spell caster muttered incantations. In a flash of light, she had changed.
Brushing off her clothes, she slowly stepped into the light. The pair stared at her for a few moments, looking awestruck at her new appearance.
"Is that you, Raven?" Question asked, taking a closer look at the younger hero.
"What… too much." She replied in her monotonous voice. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, the young sorceress was not sure what to think. Her hair was long and blonde, her formerly pale skin had become a healthy tan, and the red mark on her forehead had been concealed by the spell. Her clothes had changed as well. The long blue robe had changed into a dark blue dress, which fit nicely over her black leotard. Despite these significant changes, her facial features and body shape remained the same. Anyone who knew her well enough could probably recognize her. "Ready to go." She asked the others. Question nodded as he stepped through the doors of the Iceberg Lounge.
Looking around, Raven found it interesting that someone so bad had put such an effort to create this place. She had expected a filthy tavern, but the lounge was actually quite refined and hospitable. Men and woman sat at tables discussing business to the tune of a beautiful woman singing on stage. Observing the walls and pillars, she was slightly impressed by the intricate and beautiful architecture. Despite the fact that the Iceberg Lounge was run by a known criminal, the facade was actually quite convincing.
"Like it?" Question asked, glancing at his two companions.
Huntress observed the surroundings, her eyes scanning the room like prison beacons. "Nice place. Too bad half the people here are criminals. So… what's the next step?" she asked, shifting her gaze towards Question.
"We relax for now and enjoy the show until we can find a chance to investigate."
Raven moved in closer to discuss the plan. "Should I start it now. I have an invisibility spell that will allow me to move around undetected." She whispered.
Question nodded his approval. "Fine, but contact me if you require assistance."
The young sorceress nodded as she began muttering an incantation. Ducking under the table, she disappeared from view.
Huntress smiled seductively after Raven had been gone for a few minutes. "Now that the third wheel's gone, maybe we can have some time alone." She stated, wrapping her arms around him. "You look good without that stupid mask."
Having gone up a few levels, Raven stared down at the insane couple with a look of indifference on her face. "Look's like Green Arrow was right… they're both crazy and that's probably why they were meant for each other." she muttered to herself.
Turning away from the couple, she continued her investigation. Wandering the hallways, the only people that she seemed to be running into were a combination of staff and clients. As she turned a corner, the young hero found herself in a darkened hallway. The lights were dimmed, and a sign on the door bore the words "PRIVATE STAFF ONLY"
Stepping forward in triumph, the young sorceress believed that it would be a better idea not to barge into a room that could possibly lead to danger. Raven cast one of her transportation spells. Sinking through the floor into the darkness, the young sorceress reappeared in the room beyond the door. Although she was invisible, she still checked her surroundings to ensure the safety of her person.
She stared at her surroundings. The carpets covering the floor were obviously expensive, and a beautiful fireplace sat in the corner of the room. A large mahogany desk stood near the end of the room with a large chair behind it. A large number of items filled the shelves behind the desk, including antiques, models, books, and a number of bird sculptures made from precious metals.
The young sorceress admired the office for a second, but was caught off guard by footsteps that began to creep threateningly closer by the second. Stepping away from the door, Raven stood her ground, retreating to the corner of the room. Despite the fact that she was hiding her presence with an invisibility spell, she wasn't intangible. If even the least intelligent person touched her in this state, it would undoubtedly arouse suspicion, but maybe whoever was coming could provide some answers if she watched and waited.
The door burst open, revealing two men. Penguin entered his office, clutching the handle of his umbrella, followed by two men wearing black cloaks over their bodies. "You weren't followed were you?" the portly crime-lord asked.
"Of course not." Answered the first man in an eerie voice. "No one saw us come enter."
Penguin took a deep breath before responding. "Good… I cannot afford anyone finding out that I have anything to do with scum like you." He replied, settling himself into the large chair behind his desk. Eying the two new arrivals, Penguin place three glasses of wine down.
"I beg your pardon." The second figure answered in a feminine voice. Tossing aside her cloak, the red-clad woman sat down in front of his desk.
"People know what kind of business I run." The crime boss said, hanging up his umbrella. "If they were able to obtain solid evidence, I'd have ended up like you." He retorted, lifting a glass of wine to his lips.
Roulette raised an eyebrow. "You have some nerve to speak to us like that. Isn't that right… Twoface." As she spoke, the second figure pushed back the hood of his cloak, revealing his partially mutated face.
"Ack!" Penguin spat, choking on a sip of his wine. "You brought him!"
Reaching for his umbrella, Penguin's eyes widened in shock as he froze in his tracks. Twoface had the end of his pistol pointed directly at his opponent's face. "We have a score to settle…" he stated, fingering the trigger of his weapon. As he prepared to shoot, Roulette seized him by the wrist.
"Not now… We were sent by the Secret Society to do a job. Settle your personal issues later." She ordered. Twoface turned to her for a few seconds before placing his gun back into its holder, muttering curses under his breath.
"At least someone has a level head." Penguin stated, eying Twoface with intense hatred. "Now… shall we get to business." He replied, refilling his wine glass.
Roulette nodded in response, as Twoface sat down next to her.
Penguin paused for a moment before continuing. "At any extent, I believe that this is about the failure to deliver that trinket last night." He questioned, eying his clients for a moment.
"Perhaps… but you needn't worry. It was you who lost out on the payment." Roulette commented with a mischievous smirk.
The bird-like man let out an irritated chuckle. "What do you mean? I did my part. I cannot be blamed for the interference from the Justice League." He said, a vein on his face twitching.
The red-clad villain smiled again. "I meant exactly what I said. It just so happens that members of the Legion were sent as insurance. Deathstroke was smart enough to make sure that the crystal made it to him in case you did fail. In the end, it appears that we owe you nothing."
"Fine…" the portly crime boss stated to his visitors. "Get out…" he spat, gesturing towards the door. "And use the back entrance this time, will you."
Roulette stood up, looking pleased as she exited the room, Twoface followed after her fingering the handle of his pistol.
Having caught the information spoken, Raven transported herself through the darkness, reappearing in the Iceberg Lounge's main hall. Taking a brief moment to check for cameras and other people, Raven negated her invisibility spell. Spotting the two lovebirds on the dance floor, the young sorceress decided she would make her report to the Martian without any assistance from the Question. Knowing that crackpot, he had probably already came up with a theory regarding what she had just heard.
NOTE TO READERS: Yeah, I know, it sounds like more fluff. The important things that happened in this chapter centered around Raven, not the two insane heroes. I thought it would be interesting to include Huntress at least one more time. As for the Question... who better to help Raven investigate, than the conspiracy buff himself.