Time slowed down as the blade plunged down towards Catwoman. Selina struggled in vain to get free, to roll away to do anything that would prevent her demise. Yet, it seemed that fate was unavoidable.

The dagger seemed to suddenly stop however and hovered for but a moment. Then it was seemingly ripped away along with the weight holding her down. Time sped back up.

The clang of metal on metal rang through the air followed by a meaty thud. It all happened too fast for Selina to see. A hand grabbed her and pulled her up. Selina slowly began to process everything as her brain returned to normal. She was dimly aware that she was staring at a white facemask. She should have been thankful, but those words didn't come out of her mouth.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Saving you it seems. If your friend is gone, you have to protect this city."

"But…I…." Selina stammered unsure about the sudden change of events.

"I shall handle this one. Run." Guardian gave her a shove propelling Catwoman away from the charging Talon. The familiar clang of metal on metal erupted through the alley as the two combatants met. Selina didn't stick around for that however. She was running as fast as her legs could carry her. Catwoman was nearly a block away when the sounds abruptly ended. Cursing, she ran faster.

The Gotham art museum was under siege.

The flamboyantly dressed Edward Nygma, aka the Riddler, went to all the pieces of art of display evaluating each one before deciding which to take.

"Take this one and the one down here. The others are fakes."

"Got it." The Riddler's hired help trundled away, grabbing the designated pictures as they left.

"And be careful! I'll have no more incidents!" Edward turned and admired the next pieces. Picasso if he wasn't mistaken. It seemed rather out of place for him to be stealing artwork; he'd rather be pitting his wits against the dark knight, but Nygma had grown bored of that for a while. A simple art theft would be sufficient for his entertainment and offer some much needed capital.

Down the hall, one of his gang swore then something clattered to the ground. "Of all the idiotic…." It's hard to find good help. Twirling his staff he wandered, flamboyantly, in that direction.

"What have you idiots gotten in…..to…." Edward stopped dead in his tracks to see lackey one and two knocked out, their ill-gotten gains stacked neatly against the wall. "Curious."

(Blues Sarceno Evil Ways)

The Riddler turned and came face to face with Catwoman. Selina smiled sweetly at him. "What's the matter cat got your tongue?"

"An interesting development here. Wherever you go the bat does follow. Is the bat attracted to the cat?"

"Look, I don't even know the answer to that one." Selina mused, and that was true. If Batman was anything to her he was a master of mixed signals. "Batman won't be joining us this evening."

"So you've come to help? Some gains for your goose as it were?" Catwoman gritted her teeth; The Riddlers constant switching to rhyme pissed her off.

"No, there will be no art theft tonight. We put the paintings back on the wall and we leave in peace."

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Nygma explained, "Why is the cat suddenly turning good? Did something odd get into your nip?"

"No, nothing odd." Catwoman shook her head and facepalmed. I can't believe I'm doing this. "Yes Riddler, I'm going to stop you. There will be no robberies tonight!"

Edward stared at her for several moments, the gears in his head processing this turn of events. "What?"

"Look this is all new to me too." Selina explained, "But I promised someone I'd guard the city."

Riddler tapped his cane twice on the floor. "Well then guard, I think you may want may want to start."

Selina felt the floor shift under her feet. Something big is coming. Catwoman spun, only to see a beast of a man charging at her. Great. If she didn't know better she'd say it was Thor from her earlier robbery. Yet, this was more like Thor's stupid brother. The goliath came in at full force, blinding charging her.

Selina spun around as Goliath ran past, but that was the least of her troubles. Villain number 2 had appeared and this one had a gun. Fortunately, it was apparently his first time ever using it. Goliath hit the far wall, leaving a sizeable dent where his mass hit drywall and wood; dust and debris starting to fill the exhibit hall. Shots went wild as the gun wielding moron held down the trigger. The Kalashnikov spat lead all over the room, threatening not just Catwoman but everyone. Goliath shook himself free but Catwoman was long gone. She charged at the gunman, running in a zigzag pattern. When Selina got close she jumped onto the wall and immediately pushed off.

Catwoman crashed into the gunman, sending him to the ground and the gun clattering away. She straddled the struggling thief; getting some delight from terror in his eyes. Is this what Batman feels? She tsked her finger mockingly before knocking him out. No time to admire her work however. Goliath was back. Catwoman leapt off her first assailant, rolling across the floor and coming up with the rifle. Instead of aiming however, held the barrel like a baseball bat. "Batter up."

The thwack of metal hitting skull was impossibly loud. Geez that guy had a hollow head. He sagged, eyes rolling back in his head and fell; sliding into a display case and knocking it over. Catwoman glanced down at her makeshift club. The barrel was bent at an improbable angle. Well, this won't fire again.

The rifle's magazine clattered to the floor followed by the charging handle she ripped from its housing. Catwoman tossed the useless weapon aside. Now where'd he go.

"Freeze Catwoman!" A cadre of security guards marched in and encircled the thief.

"Boys, the criminals are back there." She pointed to the room filled with destruction. "I'm not here steal anything tonight."

Ugh, I can't believe I'm saying this. "Hands up!" That was the head guard.

"Seriously? You boys are really in over your heads." Catwoman cocked her head to the side, "but if you insist."

Selina's whip lashed out faster than any of the guards could react. It wrapped itself around the leader who suddenly found himself airborne. Catwoman met him halfway and dropped him with an elbow to the jaw. That's one. Not giving them time to respond, Selina leapt at the closest guard.

The costumed hero slammed into the guard at full force, sending him to the floor. Just as quickly she bounced off of him, leaving him handcuffed.

Two left. The remaining duo just stood, mouths agape at what they just saw. One of them decided to cut and run, yet Selina was already prepared. Her bolas crossed the distance between them in an instant. They wrapped up his legs and sent him spawning with a satisfying thud.

Catwoman sauntered towards the remaining guard who was firmly planted in place. He's kinda cute. "I told you guys you were outmatched, but no one wants to listen do they."

"You're going to listen right?" She was pressed up against him now. He was practically shaking as she rubbed her leg against his. She traced a claw down his uniformed chest and looked up at him with her sultry green eyes. "Aren't you?"

He managed a nod and Catwoman smiled. She leapt up and kissed him square on the lips. "Now run along."

Moments later, the damage was done. The Riddler had long since fled. Catwoman looked at the slumped bodies on the floor and the damage done to the wall Goliath hit. "I suck at this hero thing."

Selina retreated to one of her dive bars after her successful thwarting. Unfortunately, she now had to fend off the multitude of suitors that, amped up on liquid courage, felt that had a chance with her.

"I'm not interested in any deals." She didn't look up from her drink. "Go away."

"I'm not here to convince you."

Selina turned slightly and saw the disguised face of the guardian. Oddly, Selina wasn't even surprised that she had survived her encounter with a Talon. "Oh it's you."

"So you're going to drag me back in chains? Is that how you'll get help?"

"If need be. I did not come here for my sake however, I came for yours." Her tone didn't change, but there was a menace about it that didn't go unnoticed.

"Why should I, you're nothing but a stone cold killer with no emotions. You don't feel anything about what you do! What do you have to say about that?!" She faced the beer but shouted at her, who remained silent. "You don't have anything to say about that do you? Just hide in your mask and your armor."

The Guardian let out a long sigh and Selina was gifted merciful silence. It did not last long however as the white mask hit the bar next to her. The bar went quiet, even the TV seemed to go silent.

"Look me in the eye girl." It came out in a growl and was clearly not a request.

Selina said nothing, and instead reached for her drink. Her motion was interrupted by her partner who, despite her small size, hauled her out of the stool and turned Catwoman to face her.

She was immediately repulsed but did as she was commanded. Her companion might have been pretty at one point, but that point was long past. A deep scar started above her left eye and continued down to the cheek below. Her left eye was completely black, but that wasn't the worst part. That went to her right eye. Angry crimson dominated the eye until not a hint of white remained. Even her pupil was not black but rather an even deeper shade of red. As if it the face needed completion, a smaller scar traveled across her cheek to the corner of her mouth while a spider web scar adorned the side of her face. Her hair, what Selina could see, was bone white. It looked flat and lifeless. Dead.

"Now you see why I have a mask," The guardian's face just inches from Selina's. "And now you see why I'm helping you." She released the thief who slumped back down into her stool. Already the visage before her was threatening to bring her beer back up.

"They did that to you?" Selina finally managed to stutter out.

She nodded while redoning the mask. "And that's just my face."

"The story of the gem is more complicated than your books tell you." The pair had retreated to Selina's apartment where Selina started to research the Owls. The Guardian had removed her mask and now looked at her with those burning eyes.

"How so?" Selina looked up from her computer.

The Guardian sat down, those mismatched eyes burning into her own. "Back in the beginning of Gotham, before it became whatever it is today, it was a smaller settlement. Yet, there were people that controlled the way things were."

"The aristocrats."

"You could call them that yes. Murder, extortion, bribery, and racketeering were the norms. Yet people had a nasty habit of not keeping their mouths' shut. To go truly underground and pull the strings, they needed someone to carry out their darker deeds. They opted for a woman, thinking she could be more easily controlled."

"It was the 1600s when Gotham was just founded as a city." Selina stated flatly, but she felt like she knew where this conversation was going. "She was the first talon?"

The Guardian merely nodded, "The fools picked out an orphan, trained her to be the best and used her. The day she got wise and rebelled they killed her. Then they brought her back to life."

"Brought her back to life?"

For a while her companion said nothing. Those mismatched eyes seem to bore into her. After several long moments, "I've heard that there is a man living that refuses to die. Is that true?"

"Several of them, but you may be referring to Ra's Al'Ghul." Selina noted that her companion shivered at the mention of that name. She pointed to the Guide to Villains book on her table. "He has some sort of tank he gets dunked in."

"They did something similar to what he does, but with an added twist. Rather than deal with a potential rebellion from a talon; they got a magician by the name of Zatara to bind her soul, if you believe in such things, to a gem." The Guardian looked down. "The gem you have."

Selina exploded in a stream of curses and expletives. "No, no, no… you aren't fucking serious." Selina began to pace the room in a near panic. "You can't be serious about this!"

"I'm sorry, but I am."

Selina nearly pounced on her guest. "If the Court knows I have the gem, they will stop at nothing to get it back from me. A Talon is nearly impossible to stop."

"I know."

This was all way over Selina's pay grade, and she needed to put an end to it. "What do I need to do? Throw it in the sea? Smash it on a rock?"

"You need to find a magician and release the soul."

Selina snorted. "This isn't the 1600s, a magician is not something I can just find in the yellow pages. Well, not a real one."

Her guest pointed to the book. "That doesn't contain anything?"

Inspiration! Selina started flipping through the book at a rapid pace. "You may actually be right about all this. There is one. Here." She stopped and flipped the book over. Zatanna's picture from one of her shows was present along with a description of her supposed powers.

"It'll have to do."

"We just need to find her." Selina set the book down, and then stared at her companion for a long time. "You know a lot about the history of this gem. Why?"

The Guardian looked away. "My name. My real name when it mattered was Aminah. I was and still am the first Talon."

"Damnit!"

Aminah studied the Zatanna's picture for a long time. "You need to go find and save this one now."

"Save, save, save. What are you Walmart?" Selina shouted at her, yet she was unmoved. Instead Aminah held up the book; her finger pointing out Zatanna's name. Zatanna Zatara. "Fuck!"

Wind rustled through Zatanna's apartment. It wasn't the best she could do, but still it was home. The magician, and all powerful sorceress, turned off restlessly in her sleep. Something was off. Her eyes shot open as a gloved hand covered her mouth. The mage struggled for air.

"Try to cast one spell, make one gesture and you get hauled out of here like luggage." Catwoman spoke to the now awake Zatanna. When she nodded affirmatively Selina removed her hand from her mouth.

"Can't you just say 'hello' like a normal person?" Zatanna responded flatly.

"It's overrated. Gather your things we need to go." Selina had moved to the window.

Zatanna barely stirred and instead looked over at her clock. "Are we going to a party? At 2...37 in the morning?"

"No, but a party is coming here. One you don't want to be in." Catwoman looked at her. "Hurry up or you're going in your birthday suit."

"Fine, fine." Zatanna scooted out of bed and starting grabbing items. Selina watched in silence as the magician moved around. Magician or not that's a sweet ass. "Geez. Fucking cat. Why are you doing this?"

"I could say that I need you for a job. You haven't turned me down before after all. This is to save your ass."

"Why?"

"Cause Batman isn't here to save it!"

"What?!"

"No time. Move!" As if to punctuate the situation an incessant pounding started the door. "We're too late!"

Selina miscalculated. The added mass of Zatanna clinging for life threw off her swing. The duo slammed into the adjoining building; startling the occupant within as their bodies pressed again the glass. She did manage to rotate in time, but that also meant she took the brunt of the hit. She managed to croak out. "Up."

Catwoman's bones popped as she made it to the roof.

"You know," Zatanna lectured. "A portal would of be easier. And safer."

"I hate magic." Selina massaged a bicep.

"What was that?"

Catwoman tossed Zatanna her bag; wincing as she did. "Let's go."

"So what's this all about?" Zatanna said as they entered Selina's apartment. Selina didn't answer right away, instead she was making the door close. Somewhat satisfied as it hung loosely on its' hinges she responded.

"I had a job the other night." She said, pulling off her goggles.

"Okay?" Zatanna blinked several times. "You dragged me here to brag?"

"I recovered a gem of some kind and ever since then things have gone to shit." The gloves came off.

"That's fantastic but not a reason to come kidnap me."

"I'm getting there. Sorry, make yourself at home. Everything's gone to shit and the gem came with an added bonus." Selina went into her bedroom and came back out with the Guardian. "This."

"A person?" Zatanna asked from the couch. "It came with a person?"

"Not quite." Selina's turned towards her mute companion. "You tell her."

Aminah proceeded to fill in the skeptical magician on the events that led up them standing in Selina's apartment. When it was all done Zatanna tapped her fingers nervously against the armrest. "So you're saying a relative of mine did this?"

"Yes, and you can undo it or do it again."

"I don't intend to ever do it." Zatanna replied.

Selina's shuffled back into the room with coffee. "You wouldn't have had a choice in the matter. We think they seek to bind Batman to a gem."

"Hmmm, that is bad." Zatanna thought for a second. "May I see your gem?"

Selina's nodded and left the room. When she did the magician leaned towards Aminah. "I get the impression you aren't telling the whole story."

The masked figure betrayed no emotion. "Yes."

"Personal or political reasons?"

Aminah cocked her head to the side. "Yes."

"Oye, no wonder she called me." Selina returned and offered up the jewel. Zatanna studied it with a critical eye. "Definitely magic. I can feel it. Hold on."

Zatanna waved her hands and a swirl of light appeared. Just as quickly the light disappeared. The magician traced an imaginary line between the gem and the Guardian. "Interesting. I can see the connection. Can you remove your mask please?"

"As you wish." Aminah reached up and pulled off her mask. It hit the table with a thud leaving her scarred visage in its' place.

"Oh my….." Zatanna looked at Selina then to Aminah and back at Selina. "Interesting."

"What?" Selina didn't understand what was going on at all.

"Nothing." The magician looked back at the Guardian. "I know this might seem odd, but I need to see the rest of you."

Again the head cocked to the side but she complied. Both living ladies watched silently as bits and pieces of armor and clothing were discarded.

Selina's eyes widened in surprise. Aminah was an attractive woman, or she was at one point. Now her entire body was horrifically mutilated. Ancient symbols were carved into her flesh. There didn't seem to be a single spot that was clear of the strange markings.

"Interesting." Zatanna carefully extended a hand to Aminah. "May I?"

Aminah nodded and the magician started tracing out the symbols. "They did bind her to the gem. These symbols….that's what they do. It can be dispelled."

Aminah's eyes seemed to flare at that. Was that hope? "Not yet."

"Isn't that what you want?"

"It is, but your friend comes first. That's what you want."

"Ugh. Right." Selina facepalmed for a second before looking back up. "How does one get into the owls layer?"

"Through the Undercity. You need a key."

"Of course. A damn key." Sounds like a job for my favorite vitamin: C4. Selina thought for several moments. A smirk formed on her face as she realized what needed to happen. "And I know just where to get it."

It always seems like everyone in Gotham was a collector. Yet if there was one person in Gotham that had the greatest collection, it would have to be a bird. Oswald Cobblepot was just the bird. Known as the Penguin he was short in stature and wide in girth. Operates out of his very exclusive club The Iceberg Lounge. His claws were everywhere in Gotham crime. If there was a special relic, he was bound to have it.

Selina considered all this as she entered the lounge. The black cocktail dress clung to her form as she walked in; bag slung over her shoulder. Security was a breeze for the master thief. A display of her canyon of cleavage and her sultry smirk was enough to get her past the array of guards. Men. She mused as she took in the grander of the club. The sounds of music, gambling, and other vices filled her ears. Selina paused at a poker table where the stakes were pushed ever higher. A crowd formed around the no limit game as the cards were dealt. Everyone thinks this is where the show is. Not even close.

Selina slunk past the gaming tables, the sounds of dice and marbles were punctuated by cheers and jeers. Fortunes were made and lost in an instant. She kept moving. If he had a vault it would be here. Her eyes scanned the room once more. Down below, not above ground. Guess I'm due for a outfit change.

"Excuse me," She found a guard. "Can you direct me to the little girl's room?"

She almost felt sorry for the guy. He was attractive, but probably had more brawn than brains. He stared deep into her cleavage before answering. "Down the hall here it'll be the third door."

"Thanks!" She gave him her sultry smile; one that promised a host of unlady like activities.

"Do you need any help?" He called out to her as she slithered away.

"Not since I was 3." Selina smirked. Way too easy.

Selina walked into the bathroom, immediately checking for occupancy and picking the 3rd stall. It wasn't out of any reverence or habit; that's where the air vent was. Her dress hit the floor leaving her nearly nude. Yet just as quickly, the nudity was covered up as her usual Catwoman attire slipped on. She doffed everything in her oversized purse and got to work.

Casinos and lounges are a facade. Penguin, a man worth millions, was gracious to his friends and guests but notoriously cheap all the glitz and glamour everything was just cheap. That cheapness was easy to exploit.

The air vent bent under Selina's fingers as she pried it open. Grabbing her bag she vaulted into the vent, being sure to make her impromptu entranceway somewhat presentable to prying eyes. Catwoman slid down the vents, traversing floors unseen by whatever security Penguin had in place. She knew however she was getting close.

The air was getting colder, more crisp. More controlled. Selina sniffed the air. Almost there. Catwoman looked through a grate to the floor below. The floor was unlike all the others she passed. Got it! The vent, like everything else here, came apart easily in her hands. Carefully, she stuck her head into the room.

No cameras were to be seen. That didn't mean they weren't there, just in places that Selina couldn't find. Worse though was the floor. Experience told her that it was studded with rows upon rows of pressure sensors. Stay in one place too long as it'll trigger. Selina pulled on her goggles.

The telltale flicker of infrared beams crisscrossed the room at regular intervals. Well, he's not cheap here at least. Selina mused. This was certainly the right spot to look. Fortunately I know what to look for. Catwoman dropped to the floor, immediately leaping off before she triggered the sensors. She flipped and did handstands til she was up against the wall.

Her claws dug in as she climbed up the surface. Once she was over the tallest beam she crawled sideways. Have to do this quickly. She pushed off the wall, falling rather dramatically to the center of the room. As she did, Selina twisted her body so she was doing a belly flop. Her whip lashed out and grabbed one of the conveniently located lights.

Catwoman swung across the room, hitting the opposite wall and digging in. Now she was able to turn and survey the prizes in piece. Of course Penguin had the usual assortment of rare and valuable goods; ancient swords, valuable art. But not a key. Where would he keep it. Selina slithered along the wall, passing more and more displays. She was not having luck with this search and running out of time.

"Batman has not been around for several days."

Selina froze where she was. Several footsteps announced the arrival of another party into the treasure room. She couldn't turn to look to see who had arrived, lest she give her position away, instead she was forced to listen

"That doesn't sound so bad."

"It is bad. He went into the Undercity and didn't come back." Great now everyone knows.

"So?" Selina mused on these two goofs. Because they weren't setting off alarms there must be a specific spot on the floor to walk. More likely however they had a tag on them that told the alarms to disarm. Not good for me.

"So, he doesn't reappear what happens then?"

"I don't know."

"Exactly. Madmen like the Joker would love to tear this city apart. It's bad for the boss's business."

"I didn't think about it that way."

"Of course not. That's why you're a grunt. Come on, Penguin's Gotham stuff is this way."

Selina was motionless as the two idiot guards left the room. Thanks boys! She thought as she silently followed the two idiots. The fact that they didn't hear her claws sink into the wall spoke volumes about the quality of the guards Penguin hired. She plodded behind them, watching carefully as they turned the corner, then did the same.

My my. You've been holding out on me little bird. Catwoman's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the impressive stock of Gotham memorabilia. Original jerseys from the Gotham football team, items from collections long past, and items from the World's Fair. That's what I'm after. Selina carefully slunk down til she was next to the exhibit, allowing her to examine each item. Unfortunately, she didn't see a key or anything that looked like a key.

Think cat think! You can't just hang here all day waiting for the right answer. It was times like this Selina wished she read more history, but growing up a seat urchin didn't leave much time for fancy learning. Catwoman jarred her head for information, her body getting anxious for the answer.

That answer came in a classic poster pressed into a display case. One of the impressive, for 1900, automatons was in the foreground with Wondercity in the background. That's it! They're the key! Selina looked around from her hiding spot and found one of the old behemoths. Catwoman's whip lashed out and she dangled precariously over the glass enclosure.

Her claws sank into the glass and cut deep into the display case, extracting the core of the robot and the internal key. Dutifully. She replaced the missing glass piece and returned to her air vent.

Moments later, Selina emerged from the bathroom, slightly worn but successful. She once again passed that same guard she spoke to earlier. She batted her emerald irises at him. "Thank you, I feel ever so much better."

"Ahh…..enjoy your stay?"

"Oh I'll enjoy more than that."

The knock on Trent's door woke him out of his slumber. Begrudgingly he dragged himself up. He was was certainly not prepared for the sight that greeted him. Selina Kyle leaned against his door. Trent, as angry as he was at her, couldn't help but admire her generous curves. A grey V neck covered her chest while providing a window into the deep sea of cleavage Selina possessed. Her long fit legs were shown off by a too short pleated skirt. Hatred aside, he was getting aroused by her body. Selina's smile was wide and enticing. "Ready to be a hero?"

"Why?"

"Cause there are soooo many benefits." Selina twirled giving the briefest glimpse of her butt. She advanced towards him leading him back to into his apartment; a naughty gleam in her eyes.

Selina knew exactly what to do. One step right in front of the other. It made her hips pop and put a serious strut to her walk. The cat burglar pushed Trent back into a chair. She stood before him and late her entire body gyrate.

Tent watched in fascination as Selina moved; her hips rocked back and forth to some invisible beat while her breasts bounced within their confines. Selina pivoted, giving a sidelong profile before moving again. Her hands clung to her sweater, at first pulling it down taut against her body. Selina leaned forward giving Trent a commanding view of her milky white cleavage. She snapped back making her boobs bounce nicely.

She spun around again so she was facing away from him. Carefully, she pulled on her sweater, the grey material sliding achingly slow across her taut body. Soon it was up over head. Carelessly she tossed it behind her as she continued her dance. Selina turned back to face him.

Her generous chest was clad in just a black lacy bra. If he looked closely he might be able to see the outline of her areolas, yet his vision was locked onto her entire body as it moved around, flowing gracefully like water. He didn't even notice when she advanced on him, mounting the chair so she was just inches from his face.

Trent forced himself to meet her gleaming green eyes. Despite the sea of cleavage that even now pressed into his chest.

"There are advantages to being good you know. Cause sometimes you get to be so bad…." Selina moaned it out in a husky voice while licking her lips. Her voice dripped with desire.

"Fine. I'll help you."

"You will?!" Selina embraced him, sending his face between her boobs. She launched herself off him, ripping him from paradise. The thief had nearly put her shirt back on when she paused. Her hands went to her and pulled apart the clasp of her bra.

Pulling the garment free she tossed it at her new partner. "Down payment for later."

Meanwhile back at Selina's apartment Zatanna sat across from Aminah. The magician looked at her critically. "You need to know something."