This wasn't happening. This was impossible; Zsaz, one of the greatest vampires, slumped against a trash can with his flesh burning in pain with two Bat shaped daggers stabbed into his shoulders. Anytime he attempted to pull one out, his palms sizzled in pain. Heavy boots slammed on the nearby fire escape; Zsaz looked upward with his eyes widened. There he was, this man dressed in black with eyes hidden by pure white. He needed to run; he wouldn't die here, not before he finished his work. He still needed another kill, more! He wouldn't die!
"C'MON THEN!" he roared, his fingers elongating and his fangs bared to the world. Zsaz hissed as he flew towards his enemy, only to slam into the fire escape as the cloaked warrior front flipped off the railing, avoiding his claws before landing on the ground. Victor shook his head and turned around to find himself alone once again. "W-What is this? Some damn magic act? WHERE ARE-"
KRACK!
Victor flew off the railing, his back slowly healing from the large gash on his back from the whip to the back. He screeches in pain and rolls onto his back, hoping for the rain to lighten the pain. Why? Why wasn't he healing anymore?
"Pure Refined Silver. You're carrying about ten ounces worth in your shoulder that are slowing down your regeneration. Along with the cut across your back you've just received." Victor hisses, baring his fangs as he turned to find his assailant towering over him covered in shadows. The man's white eyes sending fear into the immortal crimson eyes. Zsaz stood back up, growling before lunging at the figure with his claws ready to tear into him. He then fell to the wet floor, the figure gone from where he once stood.
"Victor Zsaz. A patient of Arkham Asylum, the renowned Gotham Slasher." Echoed out from the darkness around the vampire. Victor's eyes trembled, and the whites in them began to go red. He was enraged; he was being picked off like a rat cornered by some cat. "Arrested in Miagani District, found guilty for over twenty counts of instigated homicide."
Three more Bat blades shoved themselves into his hands and left calve, his screams turning into feral growls of rage. He was practically foaming at the mouth, using his eyes to try and find his attacker. "You were given the Death Penalty. Receiving a lethal injection, the victim's families watched in silence as the killer who stole their loved ones writhed in pain, dying."
"WHERE ARE YOU! COME OUT HERE! FIGHT ME, YOU WORTHLESS LITTLE BASTARD!" Silence. Zsaz's undead heartbeat boomed in his ears, his anger making him erratic. Was he afraid? No! What would he need to be scared of? He was Victor Zsaz! Gotham's greatest killer! He was alive! Reborn as the apex predator! Nothing could kill him! NOTHING!
KRAKOOOM!
There he was. Standing on the opposite side to him, his cloak flapping in the wind and his eyes locked with Zsaz's. "Tell me, who brought you back from hell, Zsaz?" asked the cloaked hunter. Zsaz crouched down to the floor and growled once again, his sense of reason replaced by a need to kill. His attacker shook his head, opening his cloak as he held in his left hand three more of those Bat darts in between his fingers. He then noticed something else in his other, was that a damn crucifix. Zsaz's eyes twitched, his claws sharp, ready to peel that man out of that godforsaken garb.
"What's the matter, Zsaz? Scared?" he jabbed. The serial killer knew he was smiling, looking down on him! As if he was a mere man! Victor lunged forward with his fangs bared outward, ready to chomp on human flesh with a loud and animalistic roar. In his rage, Zsaz couldn't hear the faint sound of a click; the warrior threw his large black cloak at Victor as a distraction.
"Gah! You little-" Victor tore off the cloak from his eyes. His foe was gone once again. Then those three throwing weapons found a home in his stomach, back, and even his right hand. "AHHHHH!"
"Hurts, doesn't it?" The trembling Victor slowly turned with his eyes filled with bloodlust, locked with those infuriating whites. "Being picked apart, toyed with. Like your victims back then and even now."
The injured vampire trembled, his eyes twitching as he'd felt immense fear consume his very being. The hunter held out his crucifix and reeled it back before the tip of the item launched forward, impaling Victor through the chest. The pain, while brief, was nothing but intense. His every cell and fiber screaming in pain as they erupted in flames. Zsaz glared at his opponent, who showed no signs of emotion behind his white eyes. He slowly raised his crumbling hands and growled before falling to his knees.
"Who are you?" he asked, his vocal cords slowly burning away. The warrior glared at him and retracted the chain spear of his weapon, causing Zsaz to explode in a cloud of smoke and ash. He turned away and said his name to the departed foe.
"The Batman."
HOURS LATER-ELSEWHEREThe previous night was eventful for Jim, that's for sure, but now his body just full-on hated him for it. He felt around on the nearest table for his glasses and sighed as he finally looked around and found himself in a hospital room. He found a female officer sitting next to his door with her arms across her chest. Jim let out a heavy sigh as he reached for his cellphone on the nearby nightstand. He missed a call from Barabara. He's got an earful coming his way later.
"Hey, wake up!" yelled Gordon. The cop jolted up to her feet with her hands at her hips. Military. Jim held back a chuckle and winced as his ribs had yet to recover from his injury fully.
"Agent Gordon! Welcome back to the land of the living, sir." the cop said, as if genuinely happy that Jim made it out okay. Gordon raised a curious brow and looked at the officer, "Uh, Agent Gordon?"
"Tell me, Officer. What's your name?" Gordon asked, adjusting his glasses and feeling his arms and legs. The officer gave a strong solid solute as she said her name.
"Oh, names Officer Montoya. But you can call me Renee, sir." Jim scanned her stance and attire, proper care of the uniform. A strong stature that shone discipline, yet he could tell by her knuckles and her cauliflower ear that she definitely knew how to fight. He smirked and began to stand up from his bed. "Woah. Agent Gordon, are you sure you're okay?"
"Please, Montoya. I'm a father of two and have been married for fourteen years. I can take a broken bone or two. Now, call a nurse to get me my clothes. I need to check something out." Harvey tipped his cap and did as asked, leaving Gordon to his own devices. His mind flashed back to that night, the strange strength and appearance of his attacker and the ghastly black figure that stared at him from across the gap. Those white eyes haunted him. "Why did I take this job?" he groaned before pulling out his phone to call Barbara. No sense in giving her a headache.
THE CAVE"I see that we're ignoring the recommended eight hours now." quipped Alfred as he entered the cave through the secret passage carrying Bruce's breakfast on a tray. Bruce paced around the room, reading through a large book, still sans the cape and cowl in his night attire. Alfred rolled his eyes at the lack of an answer and placed the food down on a nearby table, "Here you are, sir. Eggs boiled, oatmeal, and your tea."
"Alfred. What do you know about necromancy?" he asks, not even taking his eyes away from the ancient tome.
"Can't say I'm too familiar, sir. After all, I prefer the company of the living. May I ask why the sudden intrigue in the macabre, at least more than usual." he asks, taking a seat by Bruce's breakfast with today's paper in hand. "Bah. The Knights lost again, shame."
"Victor Zsaz. I saw him as you did, Alfred. He was dead, buried in the graveyard outside of Arkham Asylum. Yet there he was, walking about to devour that man. There has to be an explanation." he said before taking a sip from his tea. "Green?"
"Chamomile. I figured you'd remember how tea tasted while you were away." snipped Alfred. He turned the page, his brow raised as he began to read the news article headline. "Sir, I think you might find this interesting."
Bruce raised a brow and tore his attention away from the book; his eyes widened as he grabbed the paper. "Arkham Asylum Remodeling in progress? Wayne Enterprise CEO to make an announcement today?!" Bruce's face furrowed with frustration as he began to storm out the door. "Alfred, get my coat."
"Very well, sir," he said, following behind Bruce in silence.
GCPD HEADQUARTERSThe doors of Loebs office slammed behind Jim, his wrist still bandaged from the previous night, with frustration in his eyes. Montoya blinks as she walks behind him at a brisk pace. "So… quite the screaming match in there. You and Leob, okay?" asked Officer Montoya with her brow raised.
"Peachy." he lied. Apparently, Loeb was furious that Jim had left Flass behind and went off without a police escort. A fact of which Jim very loudly disagreed with and stated something along the lines of Flass being an incompetent donkey-hole. Or something along those lines with less innocent words. "The good news is you've just become my new best friend."
"And the bad news?" she asked with a slight smirk on her face. Jim scoffed and smiled as he could tell even with her behind him.
"We might be on our own for a bit. Hope you're okay with driving me around," he said as the two walked through the lobby of the building. As they left the building, Jim inhaled deeply before looking back to Montoya. "So then, you got access to a car? I need to make a stop back at my hotel."
"You get out of the hospital, and after cursing out a police commissioner, you want to go back to the place you were assaulted?" she said in a snarky tone. Jim stopped and groaned at her comment. "Yeah, you might be right. But, unfortunately, the lab boys have probably scoured the scene clean. So gonna have to try something else."
"Any leads you picked up from yesterday?" she asked while escorting him to her patrol car. Jim pulled from his pocket his notepad, flipping to the page of his drawing of Duke's ghost story monster. "Yeah. Tell me, Montoya, what does the name Arkham mean to you?"
WAYNE ENTERPRISEWayne Tower, the heartbeat of Gotham City, found itself surrounded by the raving mass of reporters at the steps of the steel obelisk. Unknown to the reporters, a rider in all black clothing on a chrome black Ducati 821 arrives in the nearby alleyway. Removing his helmet, Bruce looked over to the crowd and watched as the current head of Wayne Enterprises exited from the building surrounded by his guards. It was Philip Kane, his uncle and one of his only living relatives, who smiled as he approached the podium. Bruce glared before placing his helmet back on and riding away.
"Cave," spoke Bruce through the communicator in his ear. "You there?" As he drove around the area, he stopped in another alleyway. He opened one of the trash containers revealing a duffle bag of equipment. "I read you, sir. I take it seeing Master Kane didn't help with the news?"
"Nope," he said as he pulled a crowbar from the bag. "Could've told me he was in charge. This changes things." Bruce shoved the crowbar and removed the maintenance hole cover in the middle of the alleyway. Then, placing the tool back in the bag, Bruce descended into the sewers closing the entrance as he went down. "It feels personal now."
"I know, Bruce. But, to be fair, it was shocking to even me that Philip was named the successor. So I thought it best for you to learn on your own." Bruce shined his flashlight through the tunnels. He stayed silent as he continued to a fork in the path. "Which way?" He remained silent on the commlink before Alfred finally spoke up. "Right. Then make the next left, and you should be there." Doing as instructed, within minutes, Bruce found himself standing in front of a large brick wall of a dead end.
"I-I don't blame you. I just don't want to make the mistake of expecting something that's not true." Digging through the bag again, Bruce pulled out a small sledgehammer and began to slam into the wall, breaking it apart. Within moments, Bruce smirked and entered the dark tunnel revealed behind it. "I-I know, sir. Patching in the newsfeed of Master Kane's speech."
"Citizens of Gotham City, we at Wayne Enterprises have always love and cared for this city. Through our various donations to our esteemed police force and our blossoming Wayne Foundation sponsored charities, we have always sought to show the world the beauty of Gotham."
Bruce ventured deeper into the tunnel, his flashlight shining what it could. He then froze, and the hairs on the back of his neck rose as he dodged the flying arrowheads that almost killed him. He ran forward, trying to avoid every pit, guillotine, and poison-tipped arrowhead along the path. As the road ahead of him crumbled, Bruce leaped in the air and somersaulted before landing on his feet. Bruce brushed himself off and shined his light on the object before him. It was a large door underneath a stone arch. Bruce rubbed the golden doorknob with his gloved hands before opening it.
"But despite all of our efforts, all of our hard work, there still lies one black mark on Gotham City. A reminder of darker days, to a time, that many of us would rather forget. The failed institution that has been a blight on our city since its very conception. Arkham Asylum!"
Edmond Wayne's private study, the walls lined with bookshelves of nearly every subject both known and unknown to man, a large round table sat in the center of the room but with only two seats on either end. Bruce covered his nose to avoid the cloud of dust that flew out of the door; his eyes widened as he found himself standing in secret known to few. What grabbed Bruce's attention, though, was the large portrait of his ancestor, Edmond, standing valiantly with both hands on the handle of his sword.
"Long ago, Arkham Asylum was known as Castle Arkham, home to countless cruel tragedies and deaths. After many years my family decided to tear down the castle and rebuild it into the Asylum on that accursed hill. Then the Wayne Family led the way alongside the Kanes, and other Gotham-born families rose and overthrew Lord Arkham's tyrant. Then one night, tragedy truly struck."
Bruce ran his gloved fingers against the dusty shelves, in awe of several of the books belonging to his family. One for every type of monster Edmond had come across, along with the best ways to kill them. Omega piqued his interest in creatures Edmond described as beasts from Satan's worst nightmare. After reading a few pages on Ghouls, Bruce snapped back to his mission and placed it back on the shelf. He then moved to the portrait and inspected the frame, pristine wood made ages ago yet unaffected by time. He felt the indentation on the wall and smirked as he pulled the painting forward, finding himself in the elevator shaft to the building. "I'm in."
"One night, a crazed escapee from the accursed Asylum broke into the home of my youngest sister and brother-in-law and killed them. My nephew died in the fire that started moments later. Since that day, Gotham has never been the same. Wayne Enterprise and every corner have felt the impact of their deaths. That is why effective immediately, Wayne Enterprise and Blue Rose Construction has decided to tear down and rebuild Arkham Asylum!"
Bruce pulled out his combat cross and fired it upwards, grappling himself upwards along the shaft. His brow furrows in anger as he listens to Kane's speech. "Cut it off," he commands. "I-I'm here, Cave." He says as he arrives at the top floor. Using his spare crowbar, Bruce pries open the elevator door and smiles as he enters the office once his father's. It had changed drastically, where once sat a small trophy case of Bruce's childhood accomplishments, now sat bottles of gin and whiskey. The family portrait of their family and Alfred, absent on a now barren wall.
"It's been so long since you were here, hasn't it, sir?" asked Alfred. Bruce stayed silent and moved towards Philips's desk. He produced a small flash drive from his bag and inserted it into the computer. "Begin the download. Grab any files on Arkham and Wayne Enterprise." The computer lit up as it began to scan through files and proceed with the downloading process. Bruce wanders the dark office, noting Philip's changes to his fathers' office; he'd be lying if he said it didn't anger him. "Sir, you need to get ready to leave. It seems like security is making its way to you.", spoke Alfred over the communicator. Bruce's brow raised in alertness; he stared back at the computer finding the files at fifty percent done. Bruce glared at the doors; he quickly covered the flash drive as he heard the turning of the doorknob. "Shit."
The door opened, light flooded the dark office, and the guard wandered the room. It was empty, and the computer was off. The burly guard sighed, scanning the office for any signs of intrusion. "Yeah, this is Brockman. No signs of an intruder must've been a rat or something that tripped the silent alarm. Heading back." Bruce exhaled in relief as he peeked his head out from behind the secret entrance; he grappled his way down from the elevator shaft.
"Tell me we got something good, Alfred," said Bruce as he opened the door to the secret Wayne Library. "We need that information." Alfred sighed on the other line as he patched back in.
"Well, due to unforeseen circumstances, I managed to drag up seventy percent of Philip's records. I managed to search through some, but it turns out that Wayne Enterprise bought the Arkham Grounds while you were away. It seems as if it was Philip's first act as CEO." This did not make Bruce happy, evident by his furrowed brow and growl. "Seemingly, he didn't buy it alone." Bruce raised his brow as he wandered down the tunnel.
"Explain?" asked Bruce as he climbed up from the sewer tunnels.
"It would seem Kane bought the rights to Arkham with added funds from an unknown source. A large amount, it would seem, curious." Bruce placed himself on his motorcycle and glared at Wayne Tower before riding off.
"Not at all. I have hunches on where that money came from. So get everything ready tonight; we hunt a different kind of prey."
UNKNOWNTo say that Victor this feeling was nothing less than an understatement. The feeling of being forced into another corpse of a body was a painful process that he'd often tried to avoid with every hunt. The pain of a muscular system being stitched in his shape, a skull reforming, and his fangs coming in. A bee sting compared to the worst part of the process, the memories. The sensation of forcing a brain back into action and filling it with your thoughts and consciousness could only be described as hell.
"Wake up." Zsaz released an inhuman roar as his undead lungs filled with air. He clutched his throat and wheezed in agony. He felt his face with his hands, the sensation of touch returning to him. Seconds later, his red eyes glowed with rage as he screamed and crushed the pedestal beneath him. "Good. You're awake."
Zsaz turned to the origin of the voice, snarling as his mind slowly returned to sanity. Standing away from the pedestal, with gloves covered in blood, a bespeckled man with unkempt brown hair and large round glasses stood before the resurrected serial killer. Victor growled with his senses now restored as he wiggled his fingers and felt his new unscarred body. "I take it that your nap was nice, so then. Mind telling me what happened? It's quite unusual for my child to fall in one night. Care to explain?"
Zsaz's mind fled back to his final moments, shaking in pain and fear, with that figure in black watching him as he burned. His animalistic growl made it clear he was in no mood to discuss his failures. The man who resurrected him could read the room and turned around to exit that cellar. He stopped and slowly turned to Zsaz. A faint emerald glow emits from behind his glasses as he glares at the pale-skinned monster sitting before him.
"I'll be in my study Zsaz. I expect to see you there soon, and please. Be more talkative than now. Understand?"
The vampire tensed up at his masters' command, his veins bulging under his skin as he struggled to move his mouth. Growling as he uttered the words, "Understood." with all the venom and hatred an undead being such as himself could muster. Once the door shut behind him, the summoner heard Zsaz throwing an ungodly tantrum within his cell. The sounds of violence and rage brought a smile to his face, even if it was small and brief. He enjoyed the choir of anguish that left Zsaz's cell and echoed through the stone walls.
"Now then, I should get dressed. I have a big night ahead of me."
LATER THAT NIGHT"How do we look in terms of entrances?" asked Bruce as he stood perched atop a gargoyle with a large duffle bag in hand. His cloak flapping in the night winds with his cowl sat in his hands, his eyes trained on the large penthouse across the ledge.
"Well, I figure with your good prep work and the neat toy you received from Master Fox. I sanctified the sprinkler system, and the exits were lined with salt. It should rival that of Sir Elton John in his heyday." joked Alfred over their comms. Bruce chuckled as he opened the bag, pulling out a mechanical crossbow and loading the weapon with small black orbs in place of arrows.
"Alfred, please as if anyone could upstage Sir Elton." he joked. Aiming and firing several of the orbs against the walls of the penthouse building. "Explosives ready. Preparing for entry." With that, Bruce placed his cowl on and pulled the black scarf over his mouth; turning around, Bruce removed a black tarp covering his unique tool.
"You realize this will draw a lot of eyes towards you, sir. Even more than last night's escapade. They'll know that they're being hunted now." Bruce stayed silent, holding his weaponized cross in hand. He glared at the dining hall he was aiming for, producing a button from one of his belt pouches. Bruce activated the spheres that began to blink red.
"Good," he said with a glare. Firing his line across the gap, he holds it tight before leaping across with his cape and coat open broad, forming wings. "Light 'em up."
It was an extravagant affair. The hall was packed with lantern lights and the smell of decadent and expensive cuisine that many wouldn't even imagine being close to having. It was a grand affair, the highest class in Gotham all in one room enjoying and conversing about their shared wealth and power over the city. It was enough to make Zsaz gag and vomit what remained of his undead stomach. He hated this atmosphere, the mortals filled it with meat that he drooled at the thought of carving into and devouring, but he couldn't. This was punishment for his failures, protect their supporters. These lowly humans allowed he and his vampire kin to continue their activities in Gotham. He glared at Falcone, drinking that poison and laughing with the rest of the meat in Gotham while other Vampires watched from the sidelines.
God's did he wish anything would interrupt the night and give him something to sink his fangs into.
KABOOM!
The heat of the explosions burned his coat as he and the others were sent flying to the ground. The south wall once stood was now a burning pile of rubble, and amongst the flames was him! Cloaked in shadows, his white eyes piercing the souls of both living and un-living, and ears that curved to give the impression of a beast. The party-goers screamed in terror at his sudden arrival; some of the guards readied themselves to take action and attack the intruder. But then an explosion of smoke and mist burst into the room, the sprinklers cascade over the affluent of Gotham as a ring of fire consumes the space. Zsaz hissed in pain, the water burning his and his fellow vampires' flesh, the fire trapping them and their party-goers inside of the circle. Then, the attacker spoke, his voice echoing against the chaos, drawing almost all to dead silence.
"Creatures of the night, monsters hiding behind the flesh of man. You have fed off of Gotham like a parasite; they do not understand you. But I know very well that I do. So, for those who manage to escape the blaze, tell your masters these words. The shadows are no longer yours from this night onwards. None of you are safe!"
At his final line, a bright and luminous light shined behind him. He unfurled his wings, casting his shadow wide across the burning dance hall before vanishing. Once he was gone, it was a bright and painful experience for those turned; the light scorched every inch of their person and blinded the humans in attendance. Zsaz cursed out loud as he tried to cover himself from the light, his body in agony, before hearing one of the doors opening up. Through the corner of what remained of his right eye, he saw the humans flee in terror like the cattle they were. Snarling and roaring in anger, Zsaz rose to his feet and dashed towards the door, only for his person to burst into flames as he passed the line of salt at the door.
'Damn. You.' he thought. He struggled to move his jaw without any muscle, but his eyes painted a picture of pure rage and anguish. And a desire for blood and death. 'DAMN YOU! HUMAN!'
WITH JIM AND RENEEOnce the call came in of a fire at Gotham Towers, Jim and Renee sped over to the scene of the crime. The officers met them with various EMT crews treating the victims while escorting the dead off to the city morgue; Jim honestly felt a tiny spark of empathy towards the victims. The parents who feared not seeing their children and the individuals in shock raving on about a giant… bat.
"Hold on a second," whispered Gordon to himself. His memories from the night prior slowly returned to him, that ambush in his hotel room, the feeling of near-death, and being saved by a giant bat in black. Turning to Montoya, who was currently conversing with "Hey, Montoya. Think you can give me details on this location? Any hints about what might've gone on before the attack?"
"What the hell is he doing here?!" an audible groan escapes Gordan's lips. Storming through the shambling doors of the dancehall was Loeb. It was evident by his signed tux and stench of champagne that he was in attendance.
"Hello, Loeb." groaned Agent Gordon. The bloated drunkard rushed over and grabbed the man by the collar. If it weren't for the other officers around him, Gordon would slam his fist across the man's mug. His eyes scanned the area, taking mental notes of footprints, residue, and anything else the attacker might've left behind. He looked to the hole made by the explosion, and his eyes caught a glimpse of moonlight reflecting off metal.
'Well, I'll be damned. That is interesting.'
DOWN IN THE STREETSIn the back of an EMT, a whispering corpse groans as his lone good eye opens in the darkness. Standing to his left and right, the left had their arm close to his mouth. Despite his blind eye, he could see them from behind his bindings, two bags of blood and meat. The fool likely thought a corpse was no threat to him, and they smelled delicious. He was hungry, angry, more vanished beyond belief.
"H-Hey, you think it's safe to be this close to this dude?" one of the meat sacks asked the other.
"Dude. It's a dead body. What's he gonna do? Bite you?" he joked. Too bad that he was right, the corpse groaned as his fangs bore through the darkness. He growled in pain before roaring in ecstasy as he sunk his maw into their arm. The crimson warmth spilling out over his mouth, deafening the meats screams.
"So hungry. Blood. Need more-" As the last drop of life exited the foods arm, the corpse felt his muscles restoring and strength returning. His arms and fingers creaked as his tissue wrapped around his charred bone, birthing him into the world once again as he tore through his dark prison. A cry of newborn dead, followed by the screams of the other feast, which brought back his strength to walk.
"More," he whispered, slowly walking to the front of the carriage tearing through the steel separating them. His claws tearing out his esophagus and allowing him to lap up the blood like a rabid dog. A loud and painful screech filled his eardrums. It annoyed him before he felt a painful burning sensation touch his skin once again. "More, more meat."
He crawled away from the flames, his body now restored to its former glory, and his eyes gazed upon the white light of the moon. That's when he saw it, a black flying rodent amongst the blackened sky. That's when he remembered how he died, how the Bat had killed him twice now. His anger now emerged as a burning inferno, his teeth snarling before he leaped upwards and latched onto the nearest wall. Climbing his way to the ledge, the newly reborn predator growled as he locked his eyes on his fleeing prey.
"Bat…"
WITH BATMANA loud shrill cry of pain filled the air as Batman removed the dagger from the beast's chest, followed by the burst of flame and ash. Recalling the bladed end of his whip, Batman smirked under his scarf as he watched the creature fade.
"My, your show tonight really rattled their cages, it seems," commented Alfred over the comms. His words held truth; within hours of his ambush of Falcone's party, he'd been faced with now going on thirty fanged attackers. They were in a rush to have him killed, that these monsters had yet to fully adapt to their undead strength, like lambs to the slaughter for the Vampire hunter.
"You're not wrong. But there's more work to be done. They'll send more after me until sunrise." Batman said, firing his line to cross the gap. "Any hints or possible leads you found in the files stolen from Kane?"
Alfred went silent, causing Batman to stir as he landed on the nearest ledge. The hairs on the back of his neck stood rigid, and something was watching him. Retracting the chain of his weapon, he stood in silence on the roof, focusing on the silence surrounding him.
'Another one? No. Even if it were another Vamp, they'd already have attacked.' he thought. 'This one is stalking me, waiting for its chance.'
He took stock of the surrounding areas, gargoyles peering down from the South, South West, and North. He stood on a flat rooftop of the Gazette, a drop of water fell onto his shoulder, followed by a downpour of rain. Batman's eyes widened, a loud crack of thunder deafening him before he could turn to avoid the slash that tore into his right side.
"GAH!" he screamed. Reaching for his Combat Cross, his attacker knocked it out of his hand as he was sent flying off the roof by the speeding figure. His body crashed through the brick of the nearest building; his body groaned as he rose from the rubble. Scanning the room, Batman deduced an empty office building via the cubicles that surrounded him. "Shit."
He checked his belt loop, cursing as he felt the lack of his main weapon. It could hear it scuttling across the ceiling. It was using the shadows to their advantage, ambush tactics. "Clever," Batman whispered. Reaching into one of his pouches, he held a small orb close as he waited in silence.
'It's on the ceiling still; it nows I'm on my guard now. It's waiting for an opening to strike at me.' A hissing noise entered from the right side of the room. It was staying in one place. 'Bold choice. Skilled, but…' Batman turned with his back to the possible hiding spot of the monster, the sound of its claws clicking against the floor. With a roar, the beast lunged at him. Batman turned using his cape to blind it momentarily before shoving his gloved hand into the fanged maw of the vampire that attacked him. "Foolish."
Batman closed his eyes as the monster's body glowed with glowing radiance before it exploded in a burst of ash and fire. The orb falling out of Batman's hand and landing with a thud on the floor as it stopped its bright, almost sun-like radiance. The caped slayer retrieved his sun bomb and held his wounded side before walking to the wall opening.
"Master Bruce? Is everything alright? I lost you for a moment?" said Alfred.
"I'm fine, just another ambush. Dealt with it, though I'm a little damaged." Batman responded. He scanned the area for any nearby openings or ledges he could grab onto. "I lost my cross; however, can you track it?"
"Of course. Give me a moment, till then. I feel that I should warn you of strange goings-on that might deserve your attention."
"Another Vampire attack?" He asked, leaping onto a nearby fire escape with a loud thud. His wound making it a painful landing.
"Yes and no, an ambulance from your show crashed during a pile-up. Three wounded, all mutilated in ways that are all too familiar."
"So they pulled a damaged vampire from the fire. I didn't think any could've escaped. Damn."
"There's also the matter of your little toy. It appears that a GCPD officer is watching over it, alongside the same man you saved from Zsaz."
"It's fine. It was only for one-time use anyway. They won't be able to trace it back to Wayne or Lucius."
"If you think so, I also found your cross. It's landed nearby, but I suggest haste. You only have two hours left till sunrise. They'll increase the waves against you."
"Then I'll take care of them too. I have to," he said, fleeing into the city after his weapon.
GCPD. HEADQUARTERSCannibals, attacks on people, and numerous reports of a monster in black dragging people into the shadows leading them to vanish. The halls of the Police Station were in pure chaos, countless calls from Gothamites reporting attacks and strange sightings ever since the attack on the Maroni party. As officers flood in and out the doors, a lone figure draped in black rags and face obscured by a hood wanders into the building. The man at the dispatch desk watches the wandering figure, taking note of their muddy feet leaving tracks on the floor, and watches them approach slowly.
"C-Can I help you?" he asked. The figure said nothing, his crimson eyes emerging from his hood and causing all in the room to tremble by his emerging aura. Everyone in the building could feel it; the same fear that consumed them all was that of prey trapped in the corner by a large unbeatable predator. The man removed his hood, revealing his bald head covered by fresh scars and a mouth covered in dried blood.
"Yes. Actually, I'm looking for Batman." Before the receptionist could react, his head flew several feet in the air before landing onto the cold floor, which rained in his own blood. The man chuckled as he turned to find several officers ready to open fire on him, but they didn't last long. As he says the name of the Batman, he reveals his mouth filled with fangs that should nor could belong to any human. Especially to a monster like him, all are nothing but meat for his fangs to tear into and devour; he is better now. He is more vigorous and well-fed now; he has evolved from his once corpse.
He is Zsaz! He dives in with a loud and monstrous roar with fangs bared and eyes crimson, bathing in blood. It was an all-you-can-eat buffet for the Vampire, a truly delicious feast of pigs and blood.
ROOFTOP"Did you see the look on Loeb's face," joked Montoya. She held her flashlight up to the giant spotlight as Jim took photos with his cell. "I swear, he was seconds away from popping another blood vessel."
"Don't jinx it. He'll just blame it on me." Jim ran his hand against the left-hand side of the machine, staring down as it stood at an angle. "This is way too powerful and big for a standard light signal. Any idea where something like this could've come from?"
Renee shrugged, "No idea. Not enough steel and machinery in Gotham could make something like this. I'd say Wayne, but I can't see any motive behind supporting a terrorist."
"No, I've seen terrorists. Interrogated them too; this isn't that. Find a power switch?"
"Nope. I don't think this hunk of junk even has one. I doubt it even does, probably remotely activated. Fancy stuff this 'Bat-Freak' has." Renee chuckles as she leans against the contraption. Jim scratches the stubble on his chin, scanning the silver casing with his eyes. His mind returned to him with the sound of thunder preceding the rain.
"Ah crap." he cursed. The two officers returned to their vehicle to save themselves from the storm outside. That's when it came over the radio, "10-33! 10-33! ALL GCPD OFFICERS, EMERGENCY BREAK-IN, AND ATTACK ON HQ! OFFICERS DOWN! I REPEAT! OFFICERS DO- *click*."
Renee and Gordon looked with wide eyes; Montoya hit the gas as they sped through Gotham. Ignoring the traffic and chaos on the street before joining the army of officers that stand outside the darkened halls of the Police Station. Gordon ran out first, looking around to the terrified officers yet to enter the building.
"What the hell are you all standing around for! Have they made any demands? Do they have any hostages? What's going on?" he asked with energy in his voice. Before anyone could answer a single question, an immense wave of terror and malice washed over them. Jim fell back; the sheer amount of death coming from the building sent shivers down his spine. He clenched his fists, looking to Renee. He found her and several other officers shivering at the sheer aura of bloodlust coming inside.
"I-I…" Jim gulped, clenching his fists as he slowly crossed the threshold of caution tape. He barely made it forward before intense fear and terror grip every cell of his body. That's when a large and painful flash of light blinded every officer in sight. Jim held his arms to his eyes as he bears witness to its arrival.
"My God," whispered Gordon, terror still present on his lips. Crouched before the agent and the officers of the GCPD was a figure dressed in black with ears that curved like horns. Gordon trembled in fear, swallowing that same fear as he reached for the crouching figure before him only to be stopped by a sudden wall of flames.
"Stay back." the Bat commanded; he rose from his couching position and turned to look Gordon dead in the eyes. Empty and painfully white would be the best description of them. "This is not something you can handle, Agent Gordon."
"W-Wait! Hold on! Who the hell are-" A second painful white flash blinds him. By the time his vision returns, the Bat has now vanished.
INSIDEThe red emergency lights did well to hid the blood splatters on the walls and floors. The trail of bodies leading deeper into the building with Batman, glaring as he tried to ignore the stench of the corpses and blood.
"I know you're here!" he yelled, announcing his presence to the threat. Wandering through the halls of the Department, Batman took note of every dead and mutilated officer left in the beast's wake. "You seeing this, Alfred?"
"Y-Yes, sir. It's-well words escape me at the moment. I can never imagine what type of creature is capable of this level of carnage."
"No. We do, and it's down there. In the dark like all the rest." Batman stops, the trail of blood leading up the flight of stairs. Batman growled and climbed the steps, gaining access to the roof.
"YOU! You've arrived." announces a raspy voice, a low guttural growl behind those words. Batman's eyes locked onto the naked man sitting atop a mountain of corpses, their blood washing off of his body via the intense downpour. "What is it that the mortals say? Out of the frying pan and into the fire?" announced Zsaz. Batman instantly noted the mindless hunger behind his crimson eyes and the scars covering every inch of his flesh.
'Victor Zsaz. He's suppressing his regeneration, allowing the scars to cover his body like he did when he was human.' thought the Dark Knight.
"I fail to understand; why the GCPD? Why to do all this to lure me here?" he asked, his hand slowly moving to his Combat Cross. The psychotic vampire stood atop his throne of bodies, breaking out into a boisterous cackle with his fangs exposed to the world. "ANSWER ME, MONSTER!"
"Monster? MONSTER! I'LL SHOW YOU A MONSTER!" Zsaz froze, his claws out and eyes locked on the living shadow that was Batman.
With a loud and savage roar, Zsaz lunged at Batman, ready to tear into his neck. The Bat leaped backward, avoiding the monster's claw slash before he broke out into a charge.
'This is different. I no longer have the element of surprise nor places to hide.' Batman released his Cross-chain with a loud crack. It slashed across Zsas' face burning his face before he spun it for a second crack to the right side of his head. 'He's also less refined. He's not fighting me to kill me or even to survive.' He spun once again to avoid another slash, this one catching the end of his cloak. 'This is the movement of a savage. A beast who only wants one thing,"
"HRRAAARRHH!" screamed Zsaz as he sunk his claws into Batman's wounded side. He groaned in pain, retaliating by stabbing the butt of his Cross into the beast's right eye. This brought a painful cry from the beast to the skies. Pulling out his weapon, Batman rushed to widen the gap between them. Throwing silver Bat-Shaped daggers into its arms and legs, which burned him upon contact.
'I can't keep this up, and this wound is causing greater hindrance than I expected.' Zsaz screamed once again, following a vicious lunge forward, readying himself. Batman growled and followed suit with a Bat-Dagger in one hand and his combat cross in the other. "Bring it on!"
The two engaged one another, Zsaz's shriveled body healing no wounds from the Bat's attacks. He stabbed the killers' legs, using them to weaken and paralyze him before escaping towards the ledge. Zsaz once again released another horrid cry, resisting the pain of his wounds before soaring after Batman. 'Crap. He's more resilient than I thought, despite his lack of healing. He's still a vampire, blood drunk at that.'
"How much longer?"
"One hour left, sir," said Alfred over the comms. Batman turned, releasing smoke and flash bombs to disorient his attacker. This only angered the raging vampire further, who leaped upwards before slamming his fist deep into the floor, inches away from Batman's body. Leaping back onto his feet, Batman held his wound with his free hand, with the other clung to his Cross as his life depended on it. "Sir. I don't think you can keep this up?"
"Time?" yelled Batman, Zsaz's claws slashing at his right arm before he repaired the favor with a gash across his chest.
"Still some time left. Keep him steady!"
"Direction?" he asked Alfred. Leaping over another slash attack which he barely dodged, as it caught the emblem on his chest. He grabbed the savage in a headlock, holding it tight as he ignored the pain of his injures and the claws that scratched at his cowl and dug into his arms.
"Southwest! Stay strong!"
"Easy for you to say!" Batman turned to face the rising sun over the horizon. Groaning as he did, Zsaz snarls grew wilder as his last remnant of sanity faded from his undead mind. As the rays of sunlight peeked over the clouds, Zsaz' felt his body erupt in flames. His cries echoed out all across Gotham, forcing Batman to release him as he fell to his knees in exhaustion. It was over.
"H-Hehe."
His eyes widened, Zsaz's body stood still, burning away. It slowly turned to face Batman, his eyes now gone and his body reduced to burning flesh and bone. The burning vampire spoke in a voice that shook Batman to his very core. Then it spoke.
"So… It looks like I missed one. Hello. B-Bruce."
That's when he remembered the night so long ago, the fire that consumed his home, and the feeling of watching his mother and father being torn apart by monsters. The flames around the skeleton turned a sickly green as it reached out to Batman, cackling as it did so.
"My, how you've grown! Haha! Oh well, Zsaz has done his part. So then Brucie boy," The skeleton grabbed hold of Bruce's chest, burning the symbol off his suit and leaving a burning imprint on his chest. Batman screamed in pain as it did so. "I'll be seeing you soon. Make sure to tell Edmond his ol' friend Laffy wishes him well."
With those final words, Zsaz's skeleton turned to ash and faded in the wind with a faint crackle.
"B-Bruce! Master Bruce, can you hear me?!" Batman snapped out of his delusion, panting as he slowly rose to his feet. His vision blurred, and his body screaming for rest. That battle took much out of him.
"I-I'm here, Alfred. I'm…"
His vision went black, and he felt his body fall to the ground.
ELSEWHERE"My, my Victor. I hope you enjoyed your little escapade." spoke the doctor as he snuffed out his cigarette under his shoe. The bespeckled doctor sat in a decrepit church hall, a wooden coffin sit on a pedestal before him. His skin was an eerie shade of white with a dull green glow in his eyes. Within seconds his skin returned to its normal shade of peach as he stood up—his eyes, now a nice shade of hazelnut behind his thick round frames.
He smiled as he exited the church and entered a busy and frantic hospital scene. The night had been fraught with calls and emergency call-ins as the city descended into utter chaos due to the terror that the media had labeled 'The Batman.' It brought a smile to his face; it was rare for him to be as amused as this. After all, he never imagined a Wayne would stand in his way after the attack he ordered against them.
"Oh well, at least I can't say this will be boring. Hehehe."
TO BE CONTINUED IN CH. 3