Chapter 6
Hearing reports about suspicious sightings, Nightrunner and Koutetsu made their way toward an abandoned, dilapidated apartment complex near the edge of town, not too far from Gotham Bay. They arrived at the building across the street, watching from the roof. They looked to see someone in a black hoodie and jeans running from the apartment complex and saw five Moirai acolytes chasing the person.
"There they are!" Runner declared.
"And the person they're chasing?" Koutetsu asked.
"They'll have to wait," Bruce replied. "Take down the Moirai."
"Roger that!" Runner then shouted, "Let's go!"
Runner and Koutetsu dove down and cutoff the Moirai acolytes from advancing.
"Out of our way!" one of the acolytes shouted.
"Do us a favor," Runner provoked, "and make us!"
The acolyte growled and shouted, "FOR THE MOIRAI!"
"Do they always have to say that?"
"Seems to be a part of the creed," Koutetsu rushed at them, swinging his bokuto.
As the battle went on, Runner and Koutetsu managed to hold their own against the acolytes but, with the numbers being five against two, it was a bit harder to hold the advantage. Eventually, two more acolytes joined the battle, making it far more difficult for the Gotham knights to hold the line.
The battle was getting a bit tougher for the heroes as the acolytes fought harder. Trying to get to Runner, Koutetsu swung his bokuto, knocking down one of the acolytes. When another acolyte was about to attack Koutetsu, a ball of fire crashed into the acolyte, knocking him out.
Koutetsu turned to see Blaze was responsible for the attack. She was wearing a red, skin-tight catsuit, red coat, fingerless gloves, and shades, and had her hair tied into a ponytail.
"Blaze?" Koutetsu asked.
Blaze smiled, "Hey, sexy." She lifted up her shades up, setting them on the top of her head. "Been a while."
"What are you doing here?"
Blaze looked behind Koutetsu and threw another fireball, forcing back another acolyte. "Helping. That cool?"
"Very," Koutetsu replied.
Koutetsu and Blaze rejoined the battle, hurrying over to help Runner.
After forcing the acolytes back with Runner kicking an acolyte away, Runner took notice of Blaze. Runner chuckled, "Well, quelle surprise! Look at this! Lulu's back in town!"
Blaze laughed, "Good to see you, too, my dude! And I didn't come alone."
Rushing from a nearby alleyway, came Task Force X, comprised of a couple of faces that Runner and Koutetsu didn't know and a couple they did, all too well. Task Force X immediately engaged the Moirai acolytes.
Comprising the members of Task Force X were Silver Banshee, the codename for Athol McCallum; Blockbuster, Oscar Johnson; Bronze Tiger, Chris Brent; and the Hangman, Ivan Holden. Blockbuster was a former inmate from Blackgate, who also faced Batman when the Graves first appeared.
Silver Banshee was a slim young woman with Caucasian skin, gray eyes and white hair styled in an undercut. Banshee's attire and appearance was reminiscent of a 1990s punk rocker; complete with a black denim vest, ripped t-shirt, and black jeans. Her powers consisted of super strength, flight, and the ability to utilize a sonic scream.
The Hangman was a man of mixed descent, with tanned skin and a bald head. He was a vigilante from Los Angeles, who had super-strength and used a chain to hang guilty criminals and those who were considered to have slipped through the cracks and escaped their crimes. He also doubled as a mercenary for his personal choice of clientele. He was wearing a dark brown coat, jeans, and a dark brown, long-sleeved button up shirt. He also wore a bandanna and fingerless biker gloves.
Bronze Tiger was a darker skinned man with a short buzz haircut. He wore an outfit consisting of tights that covered his torso and legs and a tiger-themed breastplate that he wore over his chest and back. He had two vambraces, one for each arm, that stretched from his elbows to his fists. He had a pair of clawed-brass knuckles, also one for each fist.
Koutetsu saw Tiger, staring at him incredulously. 'What is he doing here?!'
"Is that Blockbuster?" Runner asked Blaze.
"Yeah," Blaze replied. "Like the rest of 'em, we're making him play nice."
Runner shrugged, "Works for me. Let's get back to work!"
Runner, Koutetsu, and Blaze rejoined the fight against the acolytes. Runner and Koutetsu were surprised to see the Task Force were working pretty well as a team. Even Blaze was proving herself to be a capable leader, with Blaze showing particular interest in making sure none of her teammates were hurt. After a few minutes, most of the acolytes escaped with three being unconscious and left behind by their allies. Once the rest of the acolytes escaped, Runner and the others stopped to catch their breath.
"We goin' after 'em?" Banshee asked Blaze.
Blaze exhaled, "Nah. We got some of their pals. That's enough for now."
Runner looked at the unconscious acolytes left behind and scoffed, "Huh. No honor among thieves, huh?"
"Not the first time we've seen 'em do that," Blaze informed.
"You've been fighting them?"
"For almost two years, now. Yeah."
Runner blinked. "Wow. That's… right after the Graves."
Blaze groaned, "I seriously hated that name!"
"Doesn't bring up good memories for us either."
Blaze exhaled, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm… I'm so sorry about all that." She shrugged a bit, "How are you guys after that?"
"Took a minute," Runner said. "Batman held it together as always. We eventually came back to full strength. Even better since Koutetsu stuck around, thank God."
Blaze smiled, devilishly. "Thank God, for real!" She looked at Koutetsu as he continued staring daggers at Tiger. "You okay?" she asked Koutetsu.
Koutetsu looked at Blaze, "Not… especially."
Everyone looked up at the sky as the Batmobile flew in overhead. Batman exited the Batmobile and landed on the ground, finding the Moirai acolytes tied up and surrounded by Task Force X. Batman bumped fists with Runner and Koutetsu then looked at Blaze.
"Long time, Blaze," Batman smiled and nodded.
"Too long, Bats," Blaze smiled back. "You look good."
"Thanks. Back at you." Batman looked at the rest of the Task Force. "So, this is your new band, huh?"
"Yeah. Started in a garage, now we're in the big time. Oh, yeah. Guess I should introduce everybody." Blaze started pointing at everyone, "Meet Bronze Tiger. The Hangman. And Silver Banshee. I heard you already know Blockbuster."
Batman smiled at Blockbuster. "Eh. Kinda sorta."
Blockbuster growled at Batman.
Banshee examined Batman then folded her arms, "Heh. He's a bit shorter than I though' he'd be."
"Yeah," Blaze scoffed. "Let him punch you. He gets a lot taller, real fast."
"I never hit you that hard!" Batman defended.
"Whatever you gotta tell yourself."
Runner scrutinized Banshee. "Scottish?"
"And Irish," Banshee answered. "Parents got around."
"Ah! Got it."
"Hangman, eh?" Batman looked at Hangman. "Heard of you."
"Good or bad, it's all true," Hangman admitted.
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of."
"Is this why Waller called?" Runner asked.
"That and to give us a bit of info about the Moirai," Batman informed. "We'll talk about it later. A lot to go over."
"Got it," Runner replied, while Koutetsu nodded before returning his glare to Tiger.
"Well!" Batman said. "Nice to meet some new friends."
"And old ones." Koutetsu narrowed his eyes at Tiger. "Though… 'friends' isn't entirely accurate, anymore," he said in a low tone, "…wouldn't you agree, Tiger?"
"I would, Koutetsu," Tiger replied in a matching tone.
Both the Gotham knights and the Task Force observed Koutetsu and Tiger with varying levels of apprehension.
"Okay, I know an uncomfortable greeting when I hear one," Batman said. "You two know each other."
"Sadly, yes," Koutetsu said with an edge to his voice.
"Is this you mad?" Batman asked, excitedly. "I've never seen that! Is this you mad?!"
"Livid," Koutetsu replied.
"He's mad!" Batman said. "Oh, my God, he's mad!" He looked at Runner, "Have you ever seen this?!"
"Never," Runner replied. "And it's scaring the crap out of me."
"What are you doing here, Tiger?" Koutetsu asked.
"If it wasn't clear, I work for Amanda Waller now," Tiger said. "Not by choice, rather chance."
"Your murderous ways finally caught up with you?" Koutetsu rolled his eyes, "Oh, I'm so shocked."
"Murderous?" Runner asked.
"Oh, yes," Koutetsu said. "Once upon a time, Tiger and I were in contention to bear the power of Tamashii. I was chosen and he wasn't, when our masters learned what dangerous… near-psychotic… treacherous parasite he is."
"Koutetsu, you're scaring me so much right now."
"I find it seriously hot!" Blaze declared as she gazed at Koutetsu.
"Not now, Blaze!" Runner replied.
"Long, tragic story simplified," Koutetsu said, "Tiger would use his admittedly impressive skills for… nefarious means. Revenge killings, murder for hire. Principles the Tamashii would not condone. Crimes. Sins. Several being unforgiveable."
"You have no right to judge me!" Tiger growled.
"Hmm." Koutetsu put his hand under his chin, "You've killed numerous individuals, whether deserving or not, some without the slightest bit of provocation, and repeatedly seek to justify your heinous deeds by blaming everyone around you, rather than accepting fault in your own actions. And I… have not. No, I believe I am qualified to judge you."
"Koutetsu's a savage!" Batman said. "This is one of the greatest days of my life!"
Tiger spit at Koutetsu's feet. "Useless! You're as pathetic now as you were then! You being gifted the Tamashii is a joke. You're nothing but a rule-following, choir boy."
"And you would be a great warrior if you weren't so arrogant and stubborn," Koutetsu retorted. "Not to mention a bloodthirsty warmonger."
"Brave words to come from you," Tiger seethed.
"Mine. Our masters'. Oh, and your wife, after she left you."
Tiger froze, his eyes wide. "Don't… you… dare…"
Blaze's shot wider. "Oh, shit."
"When was the last time you saw your son, Chris?" Koutetsu asked.
Tiger began shaking.
"I saw him and Nina. Not even six months ago. They're doing well. For her sake and George's, I never brought your name up. No need to ruin George's birthday party. That reminds me. How many birthdays has it been, now, that you haven't been there? Does George even know who his father is anymore? Or have you failed in that arena like you have in so many others?"
Tiger dashed toward Koutetsu, placing the tip of his clawed-brass knuckles directly underneath Koutetsu's chin. It barely registered to anyone that Tiger had moved until he was right in front of Koutetsu. What surprised everyone more than Tiger's movements was the fact that Koutetsu made no motion to dodge or block Tiger. In fact, Koutetsu hadn't moved at all.
"I'm sorry, was that intended to scare me?" Koutetsu asked, nonchalantly.
"Man, he's hardcore," Batman whispered to Runner.
"Always has been," Runner replied. "Just didn't know he was this hardcore."
"Just because you're the Tamashii doesn't mean you're better than me," Tiger said to Koutetsu.
"Actually, that's exactly what that means," Koutetsu replied. "After all, I am the Tamashii. And you are not."
Tiger glared at Koutetsu, hatefully staring into his eyes, "When we can settle our business, I'm going to enjoy carving your face into pieces."
"I don't have the vanity you have. I don't need a 'perfect' face to be a warrior."
"You'll need, at least, both eyes," Tiger threatened.
"Doubtful. But, if you're so assured you can remove them, then by all means…" Koutetsu's entire aura somehow became darker and he, ominously, declared, "you are more… than welcome… to try."
Tiger's muscles began to tighten as he contemplated attacking.
"Alright, jeez, rein it in!" Blaze said, exasperatedly. She moved herself in between Koutetsu and Tiger, easing the latter back, "Tiger, back off before I burn you in places you'll regret for the rest of your life." She looked at Koutetsu, "Take it easy on him, will ya? He's kinda dumb and doesn't think half of his crap through."
"Ah," Koutetsu said. "Then he hasn't changed a bit in 10 years."
"Just let this slide for a bit. For me? I don't want Waller jumping down your throat because Tiger's a dumbass."
"Sounds like he started," Hangman said, pointing at Koutetsu.
"Even if he did, shut up," Blaze declared. "That's an order."
"Ah, don't wan' us hurtin' your boyfriend, eh?" Banshee asked.
"Keep it up. I don't like any of you. I'll, gladly, drop you all back at base and work with Batman's crew by myself."
"Waller gave us orders," Tiger said.
"Glad you remember that," Blaze declared. "Now, get over this little argument and suck it up! We still got work to do."
Tiger turned his back to the group and crossed his arms.
Blaze rolled her eyes, "What a baby." She walked up to Batman, "Waller wants us to help you with the Moirai. Long as they're in town, we're in town. We got your back."
Batman nodded. "Alright. Thanks." He heard a communication signal come through. "Yeah?"
"Get back here," Bruce ordered. "We need to talk to Dick and Selina. I have questions."
"That doesn't sound good."
"It's not." Bruce ended the call.
Batman, Runner, and Koutetsu looked at each other, nervously, knowing something bad was about to happen.
"What's wrong?" Blaze asked.
"Different issue," Batman replied. "I think. We'll contact you when we know what our next move."
"Back at you. We'll try and find the rest of these losers."
"Sounds good. If you get anything, tell Waller to contact us."
"Got it. Watch yourself, Bats."
"Right back at ya."
A/N: 2021.05.18
So, a couple of notes. First, it was SOOOO much fun to write that section between Koutetsu and Bronze Tiger. I hope you guys liked it! Lastly, while the rest of the Task Force was inspired by other sources, Silver Banshee is based on the Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay incarnation. I LOVED that design and character and I was so mad at what they did with her character in the movie! This character is a tribute to her. Again, I hope you guys like her and the rest of the Task Force.
See you next time, Dreamers!