Teen Titans: Arcanum

Interlude Four: Gotham's Knight

Gotham City was alive. Most did not realize it, and if they did, they would find it difficult to care. If you had met a magician, wizard, necromancer, or another kind of practitioner of the mystic arts, they would tell you that Gotham was a gathering of chaotic energies that at times made the city itself feel like a living, breathing creature. All residents inside of the city limits either followed the flow of this chaotic stream or were puppets of it. Because of this, many criminals and other evildoers were drawing to this place. Or perhaps it was because of these same evildoers that the city was what it was. One of the two. Either way, all those who live in Gotham carry a bit of this strange place with them. Even the ones who leave to parts unknown, who drag a bit of that chaos and darkness with them…

But we are not here to discuss these men and women. We are here to speak of one of the few people in the world who could hope to resist that darkness. One of the few who could hope to weather the storm. The one who had stood against this city's most dangerous monsters and its most deranged residents. He alone stood as a true island against the churning, black waters of Gotham…


"Punch it! Punch it!" One of the many criminals that resided in Gotham screamed as the delivery van screeched through the Gotham City docks.

"Oh relax, will you?" The man behind the wheel said, annoyance clear in his voice. "We've got no cops on us, and we've got all of the cash. Things are looking good to me, pal."

"It's not them I'm worried about!" The other man responded.

"Then who?" The driver asked. "The Bat? Last I heard, he was in the sewers trying to find Croc."

Suddenly, something completely veiled in black slammed into the hood of the car and cracked the windshield, and the driver—who from now on shall be called Greg—slammed his boots on the brakes. The van itself jumped a little from the force of the impact and the speed of the brakes, and the hood dented, though not enough to damage the engines, battery, or any other important components.

The only reason the heads of the two criminals didn't hit the windshield was because their seat belts were buckled. The one who spoke first—whom we shall now call Marv—shook his head and regained focus of his vision. His eyes went wide when he saw what—or rather who—had slammed into them.

Outside, the Caped Crusader stood to his full height, his black body armor gleaming menacingly in the moonlight. "I was…" He spoke, deep voice echoing through the van. "New shoes."

Marv screamed, drawing a .45 from inside of his coat pocket and firing it at the vigilante. The Batman leapt upwards, dodging the bullet with a speed beyond most mortal men. Moments later, the Bat's arm shattered the right-hand window and grasped Marv coat, yanking him out of the van and throwing him into the streets. Greg followed him soon after, but this time on the opposite side.

Batman leapt down from the car and sped towards Greg, delivering a swift haymaker that rendered the man unconscious. Marv stood up and leveled his firearm at the Dark Knight, but before he could fire, a batarang lodged itself in the opening of the barrel. Marv's eyes went wide, as next he knew, the Batman was in front of him, crouched low and swinging a deadly uppercut.

"SHI—!"


The Batman—also known to the world as Bruce Wayne—looked down from the stone gargoyle he was perched on as the criminals were arrested by the GCPD. As the two robbers were placed into the cars, Batman brought up his right arm and pressed a single dial that was found on his high-tech suit. "Barbra. You said that you and Alfred found something regarding the newest member of the Teen Titans?"

Barbra Gordon—also known as the vigilante Batgirl—was quick to respond. "We did. Alfred and I believe we found Isaac Hollow's counterpart."

"Hm." Batman grunted. While this would not help in regards of discovering more about the universe hopping anomaly, it may earn them another member of the superhero community—if this counterpart wanted to join. "Who is it?"

Barbra told him. Batman frowned.

"This would explain Slade's…odd behavior." The World's Greatest Detective mused.

"Is that why you had me look into this?" Barbra inquired.

"Not entirely." Batman replied. "It was also to look into a possible new recruit."

"For the Justice League?"

"Not exactly…"

"…The Teen Titans?"

"Yes. A team—or perhaps, an organization—like the Titans could help many young heroes—like yourself, Kid Flash, and Supergirl—become used to interacting with other heroes and becoming part of the team." The Bat watched as the police cars drove away. "It can also help gauge what new and upcoming heroes could be recruited into the League. A secondary organization like the Titans would also be helpful if the majority of the League is sent off into deep space on missions or are incapacitated."

"Wow. You plan for just about anything, don't you?"

"As it's said: Its not paranoia if they're out to get you."

"Oh whatever." Barbra groaned. "So, do you want me to send a call up to the Watchtower? Call a certain Amazon?"

Beneath the cowl, Bruce Wayne rolled his eyes. "Thank you, but no. I'm due up there for a meeting in the morning anyways."

The Legend of Gotham City turned towards a distance rooftop, fired his grapple gun, and was gone.


AN: Nothing super long this time, I'm afraid. Just some more forshadowing and filler, this time involving Batman.

Next Time we shall start Arc 5. This Arc will hopefully be a bit longer than the last, and will wrap up Red X's involvement in the story...for now.

After that, we will begin our final two arcs. I do not know when the next chapters will be written, but hopefully it will be soon.

Godspeed, ladies and gentlemen.