The thrill of having the wind blow behind her. The adrenaline of speeding down the road at high speed. God she missed this. Missed this feeling. Such a feeling that has only come back in spurts. Especially whenever she donned The Batgirl Cowl. Such a thrill that could only be felt whenever she was dishing out justice. Though that hasn't happened much of late. Like she said before nobody was stupid enough now to try something. Not with two heroes in town. But that didn't matter. Not now. Not with her new ride. The latest model from Wayne Enterprises. A state of the art motorcycle built to surpass every model made before it. Endurance,speed capability. It even came with a safety feature allowing the user to know from a small shock if immediate danger was approaching. A truly remarkable piece of machinery that she couldn't wait to bring to its absolute limit.
Just like she could tell Terry is dying to do as she keeps up with him while Matt is seated in front of him. A young man that couldn't wait for them to take off. The excitement in his eyes had just made her smile. She couldn't even imagine what he looks like underneath his protective helmet but he knew the look her boyfriend would have. It was no secret to her of his love for flying. Maybe that was why he loved putting on The Batman suit as much as he does. And she couldn't blame him. It is pretty sweet having the ability to fly. Sure before in her days as Ten, she had the ability to fly thanks to the hovering cards The Royal Flush Gang was so famous in using but nothing feels quite like the way it does when she flies around as Batgirl. This sense of freedom with the mechanical wings. Like a bird that can soar away anytime she wants.
Though their new rides were quickly giving the suits a run for their money. How fast they were currently going she was unsure. Perhaps a little too fast but hey why not? They aren't hurting anybody. They are far enough away from the city so that there was no chance of anyone getting hurt. Why not have a little fun? Such a thought that makes a grin come across her face before she pushes down harder on the gas pedal causing her motorcycle to speed on forward. Such an action that she knows Terry can see out of the corner of his eye and she was willing to bet the look he was giving her underneath his helmet.
This challenging grin. A look she can't help herself from matching before she pushes down even harder while he does the same making them go nose to nose as they speed down through the woods at high speed. As they match every single tight turn without giving an inch. Without allowing the other to take the lead. Such actions that make a wide smile come across Matt's face as he watches trees whizz on by out of his vision with the biggest smile across his face.
" This is so awesome!"
A shout that can be barely heard over the wind. Though from behind Terry can faintly hear it causing a wide grin to come across his face. He couldn't blame his little brother from shouting this out. It was the Mcginnis away. Adrenaline junkies their mom would call them. Roller Coasters. Death defying rides. Motorcycles. Anything that would give you a thrill and this was no different. There was nothing quite like feeling the wind behind your back. Nothing quite like passing things in a haze. Though his favorite to this day would still be soaring through the air in The Batman suit. Such an image that he can't help but picture right now before a vibration coming from his jacket pocket catches his attention. A vibration he already had a good feeling just who was trying to catch his attention. Someone that has been quiet over the last few days. Unusually quiet. Perhaps even too quiet.
So much so that Terry can't help himself from slowing the motorcycle down slightly allowing Melanie to take the lead. A girlfriend that notices this and looks his way before he quickly pats his jacket pocket causing her to nod her head before she too brings her own motorcycle speed down. Glancing around seeing a small trail leading upward turning the motorcycle's direction slightly slowly heading up the trail after a few minutes of traveling upward slowly Terry brings the motorcycle to a stop causing Matt to turn and look at him questionably underneath his helmet while Melanie comes up behind them before parking her motorcycle right next to them.
Reaching up unclipping the straps to his helmet the moment he feels fresh air hitting his face Terry looks down to see Matt looking up at him with the flap of his helmet down.
" Why did you stop? We were winning."
Undoing her own straps taking off her helmet allowing her blonde hair to fall down her shoulders glancing over towards Matt with a questionable look a sly grin comes across Melanie's face.
" Oh you were huh? If I'm not mistaken, I had taken the lead."
Looking on with amusement gently placing his helmet down on the back of the bike lowering his hand down into his pocket to retrieve his cellphone earning Melanie's attention out of the corner of his eye Terry sees her giving him a questionable look.
" Let me guess. The old man right?"
Shrugging his shoulder flipping open his phone glancing down at the unopened message waiting for him from the look that comes across his face Melanie can't help but smirk knowing she hit it right on the head.
" The one and only."
Snapping his phone closed ignoring the confused look being directed his way by Matt with a grin Terry extends the phone out to a silently annoyed Melanie.
" Would you like to do the honors?"
Unable to keep herself from smiling reaching out to gently take the cellphone out of his hand seeing Matt motioning with his hand in a whipping manner the moment she looks away Melanie can't help but smirk when she sees Terry giving his little brother a gentle swat on the back of his head.
" What!? It's true! Melanie's the coolest but that doesn't mean you're still not whipped!"
Rolling her eyes choosing to ignore the Mcginnis brothers for the time being flipping open the phone immediately pressing her index finger down to open the message awaiting for them a questionable look comes across Melanie's face.
We need to talk. An urgent matter has come up. Report to the cave as soon as possible.
A rather blunt message though from the tone he was using when writing this the message wasn't a request. It was rather an order. Something that has driven her crazy during the brief time she has known this Bruce Wayne. It was no secret to her now why every single Robin had flown the coop. Why Batgirl had suddenly stopped appearing leaving only The Batman to fend for himself. With messages like this it would only be a matter of time before The Batman and Batgirl decided to retire permanently unless he gets his act together.
" What does the old man want?"
Snapping out of her thoughts looking back towards Terry with a flick of her wrist Melanie softly tosses the cellphone back to him before she leans back with her arms crossed over her chest.
" Well it's to be expected. The oldman wants us to quote report to the cave asap. Though it's strange. Never has he ever added the urgent matter part."
Needing to see the message for himself flipping open his phone and bringing up the message himself as a look of confusion comes across Terry's face as quickly as it was there it vanishes as he pays Melanie and Matt each a glance.
" Well i don't know about you but i'm starving. How about we stop in the city really and grab a quick bite to eat? I'm sure Mr Deckard will appreciate the visit."
Such a suggestion that instantly draws a smile from Melanie while Matt's eyes go wide as saucers before he snaps his attention towards Terry with a pleading look.
" Ice cream?"
Oh how she had seen that coming. Ever since the moment she had treated the youngest Mcginnis to a bowl of ice cream he has been hooked to the stuff. A regular customer now that could often be seen accompanying them every Saturday night to Deckard's Kitchen. Though he had always managed to convince them to go every single Sunday morning as well for Mr Deckard's breakfast buffet.
" Sure just don't tell mom. She'll have my hide if she ever finds out we gave you ice cream before dinner. Even Melanie won't be able to protect me from her wraith."
Giving him the best mock salute he can muster up turning his head back forward not catching the amused glances Terry and Melanie share between them reaching out to grip the handlebars Matt bounces on his seat.
" Come on! What are we waiting for!? Let's get this show on the road!"
Rolling his eyes grabbing a hold of his motorcycle helmet with one last glance towards Melanie with a flick of his wrist Terry brings the motorcycle back to life before mere moments later he can be seen following Melanie down the dirt trail heading directly back towards the city.
" Woah."
As expected to come from his mouth. His first trip here to Wayne Manor. A place she would admit long ago she had a thought or two of entering to see if there was anything valuable worth snatching. A beautiful home on the outside though the caretaker has really let the place go over the years but on the inside? Well she would let young Matthew's reaction speak for itself. Truth be told it was probably going to be the very same as her own from long ago.
Deciding to take the lead giving Terry a pointed look before nodding her head in Matt's direction getting a nod of understanding slowly Melanie makes her way up the steps heading directly towards the manor. However as Matt tries to do the same suddenly a hand coming down on his shoulder causes him to stop mid stride to look over his shoulder seeing a stern look across Terry's face.
" Alright squirt. I'm not one for making rules but tonight I'll make an exception. One under no circumstances are you to wander off by yourself without either of us with you. This place is easy enough to get lost in. The second rule is this. Don't touch anything. Most of the stuff inside well…."
" Is older than we are."
Instantly turning to look up the steps finding his girlfriend waiting for them at the top giving her a questionable glance Melanie merely shrugs her shoulders.
" Don't ask. Call it a woman's intuition."
Rolling his eyes turning his attention back towards Matt giving him the sternest look he can muster up receiving nothing but a nod in response returning the nod giving his shoulder one last squeeze Terry walks past him up towards the steps and takes Melanie's hand within his own once he reaches the top. A sight that snaps Matt out of his daze and makes him quickly rush up the steps to catch up to them not a second too soon for when the front doors open causing a loud echo to be heard through the entrance of the manor he can't help his eyes from going wide as he whistles loudly.
He knew the place would be huge. Bigger than huge. It would be giangitic but he never thought it would be this huge. A second floor that from where he is standing looks like it just keeps going and going. The same could be said for the floor they are on right now. From what he can see he could guess nearly a half of a dozen rooms could be on this floor alone! And now knew why he was told not to wander off alone. Though he really wouldn't. Not because this place is huge. No it was because of the vibe he is getting. This almost creepy vibe. Furniture and cabinets covered tarps. Dust on every single railing. Even on the ground with every step taken he can see his footprint being marked on the ground.
" Good thing mom has never come here. She would have a heart attack from the dust alone."
Hearing a chuckle coming from her side unable to keep herself from smiling taking a glance over her shoulder as she sees Matt sticking rather close to them with his eyes darting around while he wrings his hands together slowing down her pace reaching out Melanie wraps her free arm around his shoulders. A motion she can't help but grin down when she feels him jumping up from her sudden touch.
" What's wrong? Scared?"
" What!? I am not scared!"
Sharing an amused look with Terry looking back down towards a pouting Matt gently Melanie pats him on the shoulder.
" I'm only teasing you. There's nothing to be scared of here. Except for growing old and bitter like the old man lurking in his lair. Maybe an occasional bat here and there."
Gulping his throat glancing past her towards his older brother seeing him nodding his head with his eyes widening Matt quickly pays a glance around up towards the ceiling looking for any sort of movement. Such movement he thankfully can't see through the shadows though now he would keep an eye for anything that might jump out towards them from the ceiling and around the corners. He might idolize Batman but bats were a whole different story.
" Besides we've got Terry here to protect us. Even from cranky old men."
Grinning over in Melanie's direction squeezing her hand in thanks with a tug Terry pulls them into the study. A room that immediately catches Matt's attention as his eyes go wide in realization before he pulls away from them to glance excitedly around the room. He has watched enough cartoons and television shows to know this had to be the room. The room that would unlock the entrance to The Batcave. All of the heroes on his shows had a room like this. Bookshelves littered across the walls. Old clocks. Even an old piano. It was just a matter of figuring out how to unlock the entrance. Rubbing his hands together excitedly making Terry and Melanie look at him with amused looks clapping his hands together Matt turns fully to face them with a wide smile.
" Okay where is it? Do we have to solve a riddle or something? Do we play a certain note on the piano? Do we…."
Zoning him out looking over towards her boyfriend already finding a grin on his face being directed her way returning the grin Melanie can't help but shake her head. This was to be expected. Any kids dream. To go inside of the famous Batcave. And from the look in Matt's eyes right now she could tell he was already imagining playing with some of the gadgets hanging on the wall.
" Woah!? Easy there. Nothing like that but seeing as how Mel and I are probably going to get an earful from the oldman about this you have to promise me that you won't wander off down there…."
" And don't touch anything."
Instantly feeling the Mcginnis brothers gazes on her not bothered by it at all Melanie gives Terry a pointed look.
" What? We don't know what half the stuff does down there anyways. Besides that last thing we need is for him to proclaim himself to be the next Robin."
Glancing quickly towards Matt seeing the idea sinking in rather quickly in a sudden move Terry gently smacks his little brother in the back of the head earning a glare.
" Don't even think about it twirp. Never gonna happen."
Glaring at his older brother's retreating back remaining rooted to his spot as he watches Terry make his way over towards an old rusty clock in the corner before he has a chance to question him on what he is doing suddenly Matt watches the clock being slid over as though it is merely a door revealing a secret passage from behind it. Revealing these stone steps that led down into the darkness.
" That's it?"
" That's it."
" No secret passwords. No secret combinations. No…."
" Nope nothing like that."
Unable to help himself from feeling a bit disappointed walking over until he is standing at the entrance as he takes a closer look down feeling a hand gently coming down to rest on his shoulder looking away Matt looks over his shoulder to see a smiling Melanie glancing at him.
" Don't look so disappointed. I'm sure years ago the security getting into The Batcave was off the charts. The old man has just lost a marbles since then that's all."
" Okay? And speaking of the old man. Is he? Or was he…."
Deciding to focus on his older brother for confirmation as he sees Terry nodding his head instantly Matt's eyes go wide before he snaps his head to look back down towards the entrance.
" That's so cool. So he was really Batman!? The Batman!?"
" Was is the keyword in this. He still thinks he is from time to time."
Seeing his eyes continue to widen shaking her head glancing over her shoulder towards an approaching Terry reaching out Melanie takes his hand within her own before she turns her attention back down towards Matt.
" Shall we?"
Nodding his head before he can give him any chance to respond instantly Matt takes off down the steps into the darkness. Steps he can hear his footsteps echoing off the stone walls until a pair of feet following after him from behind is heard echoing off the walls. Until suddenly earlier thoughts come back to him making him slow down his pace just enough for Terry and Melanie to catch up to him and pass him by. Something that doesn't go unnoticed or commented on when his older brother merely wraps his free arm around his shoulders and steers him down the steps out of the darkness towards a light that can be seen on the bottom. But before he even has a chance to take a look around he comes to a sudden halt along with the happy couple at the bottom of the steps. Two figures standing at the legendary Batcomputer. Two figures he already knew just who they are. One of them might not be in their famous suit but there was no mistaking the woman standing by his side. Another legendary hero. Another third of the legendary Trinity. Wonder Woman.
