GOTHAM ARMY BASE
"Colonel." The young man said as he stood as sill as possible and gave a salute. The older officer returned the salute, but his face remained emotionless as his old brown eyes gave the young man a glare that was as cold as frozen steel.
Everything about the colonel commanded authority and respect from everyone around him. It wasn't just the number of stripes that were sewn onto the arm of his jacket or the metals that sat over his heart neatly lined from side to side. It was the way he carried himself, the way he moved, every ounce of energy that radiated from him demanded respect. Every line in his face and scar on his body had a story to tell that accumulated into the man he was now. The weight of his command was always bearing down upon him as if here to physically uphold an invisible mass on his broad and aging shoulders. With every soldier he saw, he could easily see what part of them needed drastic improvement and what liability they could be if said soldier were deployed into combat. It was almost as if his brain had been hard wired into military ways of both living and thinking twenty-four seven.
As soon as he entered his office and closed the door behind him, he slowly let out a breath he had been holding and finally let some of his emotion surface. He didn't bother turning on the office light, he knew where everything was. He had been stationed here for almost ten years and every piece of furniture had never changed position once. From the fling cabinets to the relic of a coffee pot that sat in the corner. Not for convenience or anything else. Everything remained in the same place it was occupied when he first arrived. If he were transferred to another part of the building or to another base, no one would have ever guessed that he had occupied the space for a day; let alone a decade. He removed his hat and placed it on a near by coat tree while he walked to his desk and placed his brief case on top of the smooth oak surface. He sat in the old desk chair and rubbed his temple and breathed deeply once more. He heard the leather of his chair groan and the aging metal began to bend slightly while the wheels squeaked as he settled his full weight into it.
He glanced at the framed picture that sat in the right hand corner as he tried to allow his aging body to rest. Even as he tried to relax a little, there were just some things that had been hardwired into his brain through both training and years of service that he could never shut off. Like how his hand moved to the gun hidden under his desk in case of emergencies. As well as leaving the light off because he knew he wasn't alone in his office since the moment he stepped inside.
"Impressive service record." A deep voice rumbled from the corner behind him. "Several tours in Vietnam, followed by Dessert Storm. Even two tours in Iraq before you were assigned this post. You've received multiple commendations and multiple praises from both your commanding officers and the men under you." The voice continued as the colonel slowly grasped the gun. He quickly drew the gun in the direction of the voice when he saw a cable wrap itself around the firearm and forcefully pulled from his grasp.
He saw the figure finally emerge from the shadows. The intruder had broad shoulders and two points from the top of his head that almost looked like thin horns. He couldn't see his eyes, but he could feel them glaring at him. Each fast step he took sounded louder than it should as he saw two smaller, more feminine forms emerge from the shadows behind him. One was similar in bat shape while holding the colonel's pistol, but the other had flowing red hair. There was enough light to make out a shield on the smaller feminine frame that appeared to be a pentagonal diamond shape with a symbol that was a red and gold letter S sitting in its center.
"You've had a career that most would be envious of. So why throw it away?"
"I have nothing to say to you." The man said in his own stern voice.
That was when the figure moved and grasped him by the collar of his uniform with both hands and swiftly picked him up out of his seat. In a fluid single motion he slammed the old soldier onto his back against the top of the desk and pressed a forearm firmly against his throat. The cloaked figure had done this with such stealth and speed that it actually left the old man confused to what had just happened to him for a brief moment.
"Joe Chill. You've been supplying him with enough hardware to arm a small army. Why?" The intruder growled. That was when the smaller bat figure noticed where the soldier glanced.
"Boss." She said as she picked up the picture.
"My wife." The colonel said as he closed his eyes, relenting.
The masked man looked up from the old soldier and took the framed picture and took a good look at it. He saw that the photo was that of the colonel standing with a woman a few years younger than him. The photo was recent and taken in front of a small moderate home. The woman, despite the fact she was smiling, was thin and rather frail looking while wearing a large and slightly out of fashion hat. Behind the mask, he began to kick himself for overlooking it. The woman had cancer and was suffering the side effects of chemo therapy.
"I gave the army everything I ever had. I devoted my life to it and my men time and time again. Time I could have spent with her. All these years of dedication, and they turned their back on me when my wife and I needed them the most." He said.
"How far along?" one of the feminine figures asked him.
"Far enough for the treatment to save her. But it doesn't come cheap."
"Where are the weapons now?" Batman demanded.
"I don't know where they go. I call a burner number they send me to let them know where and when, and they leave the money at a designated drop off point after they take the weapons." The old soldier said as he reached down from where he was being pinned and opened his desk drawer. He felt around in the drawer with his hand before removing a brown envelope. The cloaked vigilante loosened his grip and backed off slightly as the colonel opened the envelope and tossed it onto his desk, letting several small stacks of hundreds fall out. "They've already taken the latest shipment." He said. Batman let him go while placing the picture back on the desk and made his way to the door.
"Nice way to end your career." He said with bitter sarcasm.
Batgirl placed the pistol back on the desk while she and Supergirl followed their mentor while closing the door behind them. As the made their way down the hall, they stopped when they heard a single gunshot come from the colonel's office. Supergirl turned as did Batgirl while Batman stood in place.
"Did he?" Batgirl asked but didn't finish when she saw Supergirl quickly turn back around with eyes wide and full of horrific shock while both hands covered her mouth.
"His choice." Batman said and began to walk again.
"We need to go." Batgirl said as she placed her hand on Supergirl's shoulder. Supergirl only nodded as she lowered her hands and began to follow Batman with Batgirl staying by her side.
There was a brief splash as Ra's sank into the pit and allowed himself to be completely submerged. Time crawled by as a handful of seconds felt like a handful of hours. He was submerged into the pit for one minute, then two minutes. Five minutes went by when Ra's emerged from the pit and let out a guttural scream as if he was in pure agony, causing Ron to jump back slightly. Ra's grasped onto the edge of the pit and pulled himself up as he panted and heaved for breath. What terrified Ron was when the man looked up directly at him. His eyes were wild and unhinged. It was the same look someone would see in the eyes of a rabid wolf before it attacked. With another scream, Ra's lunged at Ron before Ubue stepped in front of him and brought a balled fist down directly across Ra's Al Ghul's face. Ra's stumbled before he once more tried to lunge only to be struck again by Ubue's fist again twice more. When Ra's raised his hand, Ubue backed away. When Ra's opened his eyes once more, the wild feral madness was gone.
Now that the man was calm once again, Ron could take a good look at him. His hair was darker with the exception of a few gray hairs at his temples. The goatee and mustache were also dark as his physic looked more toned and defined. Instead of an old man in his seventies, he looked to be somewhere within the range of his middle to late forties. What he had said was true. The Pit had restored a portion of his youth and vitality to him, making him a more dangerous opponent. Sandra bowed to Ra's deeply before offering his sword to him which he firmly grasped and pulled free from its scabbard.
"Your final trial begins now." Ra's said calmly as saluted Ron with his sword.
Ra's made the first move as he thrust forward with his blade while Ron dodged, but felt the blade slice through his clothes and cut him across the chest as Ra's spun and lashed at him. Ron had no time to check the wound as he did his best to ignore the pain and ready himself. Ra's and Ron began to circle each other as Ron did his best to focus on Ra's and the way he moved. Ra's moved in for another attack, swinging the sword toward Ron's head. Ron raised his arm and blocked the blade with his gauntlet before striking Ra's in the face with the heel of his palm and launched into a spin kick. Ra's easily blocked the kick and struck Ron in the thigh with the heel of his sword. The sudden flood of pain made Stoppable collapse to the ground. Ra's was bringing the sword down in what was obviously a killing blow, making Ron quickly roll out of the way and kick Ra's in the knee. This gave Ron enough time to get to his feet and put some distance between them.
Ra's movements were smooth and without hesitation. Ron doubted if he was as old as he claimed, but he had enough experience that everything he was doing was as natural as breathing. This wasn't going to be like his previous fights with the others. There was also the look in his eyes. They were cold, calculating, and with no sign of mercy. These were the eyes of a seasoned killer. Ron thought the unhinged madness was scary, but he was wrong. The look of Ra's with his full sanity intact was terrifying. Ra's moved in for another attack, but Ron was able to block and counter with sparks flying every time the steel of Ra's blade came into contact with Ron's gauntlets.
"Stop holding back, Stoppable. You are fighting for your life and I will show no hesitation or mercy." Ra's said as he pushed Ron backwards with each attack.
Ron felt his back come into contact with the cold stone of the cavern wall and saw the blade coming straight toward his heart. Ron ducked and weaved and before standing to his full height and slamming his elbow into Ra's ribs. Ra's retaliated with attacks were swift and numerous, cutting Ron's shoulder and down his arm. Ra's swung the sword around again and was slightly surprised as Ron used his flat palms and caught the blade. Ra's lunged forward and used his shoulder to push Ron into the wall behind him before slamming his clenched fist into Ron's abdomen and elbowing him in the nose. Ra's brought the sword in a downward swing. Ron grasped the sword again with his palms and lifted his legs into Ra's abs and he pushed the man over and away while rolling back onto his feet. Ronald quickly ran to where Ra's had landed and stomped one foot onto the sword to pin it and using his other to kick Ra's in the face. The ageing warrior stood to his feet and assumed a fighting stance.
Ra's attacked with a combination of left and right jabs with Ron blocking the attacks. Ra's ducked down and hit Ron in the leg with a left jab before standing and struck Ron in the cheek with a left kick. Ra's swung at Ron with his right fist, but Stoppable blocked with his forearm and slammed his forehead into the bridge of Ra's nose and attacked with fury of jabs and punches. Ron spun into a kick and was caught off guard as Ra's grasped Ron's leg and used the momentum to spin and throw Ron across the floor. Ra's leapt and brought his foot down toward Stoppable's head but landed on the cold stone floor as Ron rolled out of the way and quickly stood to his feet. Ra's tried to hit Ron in the neck with a chop and missed as Ron spun out of the way and slammed his hand at the back of Ra's neck. Ra's went on the offensive again as he kept swinging punches, launching kicks and jabs as Ron tried to bob and weave while blocking other blows. Ra's launched another attack with his right but over extended himself and gave Ronald an opening. Ron firmly grasped Ra's by the wrist and twisted it while landing two hard uppercuts into his opponent's ribs. Ron the pulled Ra's arm backwards to the point of breaking before landing a blow directly into the back of Ra's shoulder and dislocating it.
Ron threw another punch that Ra's ducked and struck Ron in his knee before landing a swift chop into Ron's ribs and a palm strike to Ron's face. Ra's quickly ran past his pupil and reclaimed his blade and went on the attack. Ron found himself on the defensive again as he bobbed and weaved to avoid the blows of the razor sharp weapon. Ron tried to attack Ra's from the right and saw the warrior move in order to block. That's when Ron changed the direction of his attack and landed a solid blow into Ra's diaphragm and landed another blow to Ra's Adam's apple. Ron was able to grasp the sword as Ra's still firmly clung to it and drove the blade into the ground. No sooner had the blade struck; Ron grasped the back of Ra's head and pushed it downward. Ra's face struck the butt of his sword's handle in between his eyes and quickly reeled backwards. He hardly had anytime to recover as Ron's heel struck him in the face as Ron preformed a roundhouse kick and sent the aging warrior falling to the floor. Ra's chuckled as he looked upward from the ground at his young pupil. He spat out some of the blood that had collected in his mouth as he smiled.
"Well done, Stoppable. I have fallen." He said. "Take my sword and finish me. Become the Head of the Demon and take your destiny."
"No." Ron said and backed away. "I told you, I will not kill. I refuse to become a murderer." Ron said.
"You have to." Ra's said as Ron heard a set of knuckles crack behind him. Ron turned and saw Ubue had popped his knuckles and was clearly ready for battle. "You must prove you are willing to do what is necessary. If you don't, you will not be allowed to leave this cavern. Now, finish me." Ra's said.
"No." Ron firmly said, knowing that he was most likely about to die.
"Then so be it." Ra's said as disappointment filled his face.
Ron spun, ready to face Ubue in a fight but froze as he saw his opponent was the woman he thought he had grown close to.
"Sandra?"
"You brought this on yourself, Ron." She said as she drew the kitana from her side, grasped the handle in both of her hands, and aimed the blade toward Ronald.
"You can see, Ronald, that everyone here has devoted themselves to a single belief. They will do whatever is necessary. Even if it means eliminating someone they care for in order to achieve this belief." Ra's said as Ubue helped him to his feet. "I will give you one more chance. Take your place."
"I will not kill." Ron said.
"Then you will have to die." Ra's said as Ubue began to lead his master back to the staircase.
"Sandra, don't do this." Ron said.
"Sandra." Ra's said, causing her to look up at her master. "Eliminate him." Ra's said.
Upon his command, Sandra quickly advanced toward Ron while raising her blade in the air and bringing it down in an upward stroke. Ron blocked and backed away as she slashed at him with each strike trying to go for an opening. Shiva was fast and agile. Every move and strike she was making kept Ron on the defensive. For a moment as he narrowly dodged another blade strike, he felt as if he truly was sparing with Kim again as he felt the tip of his sword graze the skin of his cheek and warm blood begin to flow from the fresh and stinging wound. Each move and step accompanied by each hack and slash almost seemed like a choreographed dance as sweat pooled and dripped from their faces. Besides the pounding of their own individual heartbeats echoing in their ears like a steady drum, the only sound that could be heard was the bubbling of the Lazarus pit beneath them.
"Fight back." Shiva breathed.
"No." Ron said.
"Don't think you know me just because I fucked you. Fight or die."
"There are other ways."
"Not here." Shiva said and rushed and tried to strike, only for Ron to dodge and drop at the same time while sweeping her legs out from under her. Shiva had part of the air knocked out of her as she felt her back hit the cavern floor but quickly flipped herself back onto her feet and narrowly missed Ron's heel landing near her face. "Your ideals are pathetic. The master offered you a chance at greatness and you threw it away."
"And your determination for a killing blow made you forget an important rule. Always mind your surroundings." Ron said.
Shiva was confused for a moment before she noticed something as she took a deep breath. It was a faint smell. It was potent and foul. Every part of her screamed that this smell meant danger. But why? The foul smell was similar to that of rotten eggs. Her eyes widened as she turned to look behind her and saw that in her haste, she had sliced open one of the hoses to the pit's heater. Hoses that was responsible for the flow of natural gas.
Ron quickly struck her upside the head and rendered her unconscious. As she fell limp, Ron quickly caught her and made his way back up the stairs and into the fortress above. As he reentered the grand hall he had been in earlier that day for his test, he noticed that it was deserted. The whole fortress was as quite as a tomb. It was a deserted. Ron didn't have time to make sure and prayed that it was deserted as he looked for a way to escape. Seeing the large window behind him, Ron quickly lay Shiva down and grasped one of the decorative statues. Using what strength he had left, he spun once, twice, and lobbed the statue on the third spin towards the large window. Ron smiled as he saw the statue shatter the glass and frame, creating a jagged exit. Ron quickly lifted Shiva back into his arms and carried them out of the window and into wilderness outside.
He had carried her about ten feet when he felt the ground beneath them begin to rumble and felt the heat and shockwave hit him in the back full force as the fortress exploded behind them. The world was a blur of spinning colors as gravity seemed to temporarily loose its grasp before he felt himself roll and tumble. When the world around him finally came to a stop, his felt his back hurt as his shoulders felt warm. He groaned and tasted the bitter dirt. He looked up with his ears ringing and saw that part of his shirt was smoking from where it had been his by flaming debris. In front of him, the once grand home of the League of Shadows stood burning. He looked to his right and then his left as he saw Shiva laying on her side. He crawled a few feet and felt his body scream in protest with almost every move. When he reached her, he saw that blood flowed from a cut in her scalp as she began to groan.
Shiva opened her eyes and looked confused as she saw Ron sitting above her. Feeling the heat from the near by inferno, she looked and gasped at the sight before her. She stood to her feet and kept her eyes transfixed at the sight before her.
"What have you done?" she asked.
"It was empty. I hope." Ron breathed.
"What have you done?!"
"I made a choice." Ron said and forced himself to stand to his feet. His collar bone popped slightly as his knees and wrists began to throb. "I chose life."
"The League will remember this. They do not forget or forgive." She said.
"And I'll be waiting." Ron said and turned his back to Shiva and to the fortress.
"If you think what you did today was right, then think again. You've made a grave mistake today, Ron."
"It wouldn't be the first time." Ron said and continued his way towards the path that would lead him away from Sandra, the League, and back to the one part of his real family that he had left. Back to his little sister Hannah.
"Was this wise, Master?" Shiva asked as she watched Ron leave.
"It was my pupil." Ra's said as he approached her from behind, covered in a large green cloak.
"But Stoppable failed his test."
"He failed his test, but he wasn't the only one being tested today." Ra's said and placed a black cloak around Sandra before placing a hand on the young woman's shoulder.
"Me? But what about the temple?"
"It was merely a building. The League is more than bricks and wood. As long as its followers remain true to their beliefs and our code, the League of Shadows will always live on. Welcome to our ranks, Lady Shiva."
THE BATCAVE
Ron exited one of the refurbished labs as he made his way to the main computer. He sighed in exhaustion as he popped his collar bone and his wrists. He still wore the bulk of his armor, but the cape and cowl, as well as his gauntlets and gloves, had been removed and sat next to his chair at the computer. He inserted the smart card into the computers port and let the computer do its work. He let out a soft moan as he sank to the chairs cushions and allowed his body to relax. There was some discomfort from old breaks and wounds he had suffered years before as well as the gunshot from the Joker. Getting older was a pain in the ass.
"Kim just flew in, literally. She's sitting with Lara right now." Hannah said as she came back down to the cave in one of Ron's old jerseys and a pair of shorts.
"How is she?" Ron asked.
"Dipstick is a little shook up after she saw what the general did. You know." Hannah said and used her hand to mimic shooting herself in the head. "I don't think she's cut out for this, dad."
"If she wants to be in this business, she's going to see some pretty nasty things from time to time. Even Kim has seen her fair share of bad things just from being a reporter alone. Even when we were doing this as teenagers we saw our fair share of the worst the world can throw at you. I don't want to sound mean, but she's going to have to grow a thick skin." Ron said. "Anything else?"
"Selina Kyle called." Hannah said. However, the tone made it sound like she had just swallowed a spoonful of vinegar. "She might have something for that case you and the D.A. have been working on."
"The Roman. I've been putting too much attention on this case." Ron said to himself. "You don't care for her, do you?"
"That woman keeps acting like a cat in heat whenever she's around you. No pun intended. Is there anything new with trying to take down the Roman?"
"Only that his nephew was murdered."
"Johnny Vitti got whacked?" Hannah asked.
"He was killed in his own apartment. Two shots to the back of the head while he was taking a bath. The killer left the gun behind, but the handle was covered in tape to prevent prints and the serial numbers were filled off."
"No one heard the shots?"
"The killer used a baby bottle nipple as a make shift silencer. It was crude, but effective. The killer also left a toy Jack-o-Lantern behind. Don't know what it means yet."
"Damn." Hannah said and decided to go back to the elephant in the cave. "Are we at another dead end with Joe Chill?"
"I don't know yet." Ron said as the data from the smart chip appeared on the screen.
"So what all is this?"
"Like the old saying goes. When all else fails, follow the money. I searched all the bills for particulates and I'm letting the computer analyze the results. Here's hoping it finds something." Ron said.
"You look like you could use some sleep."
"After I meet with Catwoman. In the mean time, I think it's time you go to bed." Ron said as he grabbed his gloves and began to put them back on.
"Why?"
"Don't you have a test tomorrow morning?" Ron asked as he grasped his cape and cowl and slid it back over his head.
"How did you,"
"I'm the Batman. Remember?" Ron asked as he headed to the tumbler.
EN ROUTE TO GOTHAM; YEARS AGO
Apprehensive didn't quite cover how Ron felt on the plane heading back to the city where he lost his parents. He had learned to control his temper in the years he had been gone, but still thinking about this place made part of his blood boil. It was here that a young and naïve Ron Stoppable died in the same alley where his parents lost their lives. What emerged was something wiser. Something much more different.
The plane he was sitting on shook slightly as they hit a small pocket of turbulence while the sign to buckle their seat belts began to glow. Ron was grateful that the trip back to America had been uneventful. There were a few bumps along the way. There had been an entitled Karen behind him demanding to be given his window seat with the flight attendant because she had a child with her before take off. A quick menacing glare from Ron that was followed by a threat from the flight attendant to get the pilot and flight marshal made her button her lip and reluctantly sit down. She hadn't bothered to try and saw a word since then. It had most likely been because that Ron dipped into his training with the MMP to give an aura of menace when he glared to put a little fear into her.
"Are we there yet?" his little sister asked as she yawned, waking up from her nap.
"We're about to land, munchkin." Ron said.
"I don't like being called that." His little sister said.
"You didn't mind when Yori called you that."
"That's because she gave me a cookie when she did." Hannah said as Ron helped her buckle her seat belt. "Why are we here?"
"Big Bro has to see a friend of his and Aunt Kim's. Something important was what he said."
"Where are we going to go after you see your friend?"
"I don't know yet." Ron said.
Going back to Middleton was out of the question. There were just too many memories back there. With how much he had changed, he knew he wouldn't fit anymore. Too much had happened. It would be like a cicada trying to go back into its shell after molting it. One thing he learned during his time in Japan was that if he wanted the world to change, he was going to have to do something. It also felt like something was pent up inside of him that was hungry for something. He just didn't know what yet.
After the plane had landed and claiming their luggage, Ron was able to flag down a cab. Ron told the cabbie the address he had received in an e-mail from his friend, and the cabbie looked very surprised. It turns out that the address was on the outskirts of the city, not too far from Wayne Manor. Also, it had a rather dubious reputation. It was rumored to be haunted, even more so since its last owner had been a recluse. A former actor that no one had heard or seen from for years until it was announced that he was dead about a year and a half ago. This made Ron's brow furrow as the cab left the airport and made its way to the highway. On the entire ride through the gothic metropolis, Hannah kept looking on in wide eyed wonderment. With Ron, he kept seeing reminders of the horrible night that would repeat in his head time and time again. Within forty-five minutes, it would have been sooner if it weren't for the thick and crowded traffic, the cab soon came to a stop in front of a rather large iron gate. After paying the cabbie and giving him a rather decent tip, Ron came to a call box outside the gate and pressed the call button.
"Friend or foe?" a voice asked that sounded somewhat familiar. It was rather deep, but something about it rang a bell in his head.
"It's Ronald Stoppable." He answered.
"Entrance I will grant thee once you answer these riddles three." The voice said, causing Ron to smirk slightly.
"Let me in, Wade. I've got a little kid standing out here with me."
"Okay, okay. Give me a second to buzz you in."
With a sounded like a hand buzzer on steroids, the gate soon creaked open on its own accord and allowed Ron and his little sister to start walking along the long and curving driveway. As they approached the tall and looming mansion, Ron couldn't help but admire at how much it resembled modern day castle. However, the stone that composed of the mansion's exterior and over grown vines that slithered up the walls, combined with the overgrown yard and brush, made it look like something from an old school horror movie. The type of movie that would have most likely had Vincent Price or Christopher Lee cast in the leading role in order to give it that extra sense of creepy menace.
"This place is spooky." Little Hannah said.
"You said it." Ron said as they approached the large door and used the giant knocker to rap on the door.
Several short moments later, the door opened to reveal a tall and strapping young African American male with a large smile of boyish charm on his face. Ron had to shake his head for a moment to actually believe what he was seeing. There was no doubt. The large man in front of him was Wade Load.
"Wade?" Ron found himself asking. It was as if his mind had to make sure that his assumptions were right.
"Long time no see, Ron man." Wade said and hugged his old friend so tightly that it felt like his chest was about to cave in.
"When did you grow up?" Ron asked him.
"A lot has changed since you and Kim left, Ron. It's still good to see you. Hannah? The last time I saw you, you were no bigger than a loaf of bread." Wade said as he looked down at the little girl standing next to Ron.
"Didn't you used to be fat?" she asked him.
"Hannah!"
"It's okay." Wade said with a chuckle. "Let's just say that mom finally convinced me to get out of my room. There wasn't that much to do after you went to find yourself in Japan. How did that go, by the way?"
"I'll tell you later. Can we come in?" Ron asked.
"Sure. Come on in." Wade said as he walked inside the huge manor with Ron and Hannah following quickly behind him. As they entered the large foyer with the massive grand staircase and old chandelier hanging above them, both Ron and Hannah were in awe at what they were seeing.
"This is some place." Ron said.
"Does Dracula live here?" Hannah asked.
"How do you know about Dracula?" Ron asked.
"Aunt Yori read me the book for Halloween."
"Terrific." Ron said and rolled his eyes. "I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with the house, Wade. It's a little big for my taste."
"It does seem a little much, doesn't it?" Wade said with a small chuckle.
"I'm just mainly curious on how you can afford it."
"Do you remember Timothy North?" Wade asked.
"Who's Timmy North?" Hannah asked.
"He was an actor I knew when I was in high school. I helped him with a small problem he had." Ron said.
"Small problem? Ron, the man thought he was the Fearless Ferret." Wade said.
"The show about the weasel man?" Hannah asked.
"That's him. What does Mr. North have to do with this place?" Ron asked.
"He moved out here to Gotham to make a fresh start. He actually became a pretty successful theatre producer. A couple of them even made it to Broadway."
"He always did have a taste for theatrics. So he's letting you stay here?"
"Actually, he passed away last year."
"Oh." Ron said with a small frown. "I didn't know. I'm sorry to hear that."
"He didn't have any close family. So, he named the one friend he had left as his sole beneficiary." Wade said with a grin.
"Say what?" Ron asked as he raised a very puzzled eyebrow.
"It's your house, Ron. All of it."
"Me?" Ron asked as he slipped into a small state of shock. "All I did was act like an idiot fan boy and run around thinking I was a superhero. It was Kim who gave him the reality check."
"Maybe, but he obviously liked you. So he left you his house, money, and the little extra."
"Extra?" Ron asked.
"I'll explain that part later." Wade said. "How about I give you the tour?" Wade asked.
"S-sure." Ron said, not really knowing what else to do.
"Does this mean we're rich?" Hannah asked in an excited tone of voice.
"It's complicated." Ron said.
Hannah was now tucked into the bed of one of the many guests rooms and sound asleep. Ron quietly snuck out of the room and slowly closed the door. All day they had been exploring the manor and it felt more like he was in larger than life version of the board game Clue. Every so often he was expecting Tim Curry to pop up from a corner claiming to be the butler. Ron descended the large stair case and began to look for Wade. As he reached the ground floor, he saw a light coming from the partially ajar door of the study.
Upon entering, the first thing that Ron saw as he entered was a huge window directly in front of his line of sight that overlooked not only the grounds of the massive manor; but, also gave an almost picturesque view of Gotham City in the distance with navy blue curtains that were tied open. A large oak desk sat in front of the window with a bust of William Shakespeare placed on the upper right corner. There were also massive book shelves all around them that stretched from the floor to the ceiling two stories above that were filled with various books of all shapes, sizes, and genres. A baby grand piano sat in one corner while a large fireplace sat in one wall to Ron's right with a fire ablaze and two upholstered high back chairs facing it with Wade sitting in one of them. On the opposite wall was a large grandfather clock that ticked away with each tick almost seemed to echo in the large room. Ron marveled at the sights around as he sat beside Wade in front of the fire and tried to relax.
"This is incredible." Ron said.
"I'll say. You think it's your style?"
"I doubt it. Hannah is crazy about this place, but I told her were only here for a short time until I can figure out what to do."
"What to do? I thought you were heading back to Middleton."
"No. Too many memories are there, Wade. I don't think I would be able to stay sane if I move back there."
"What do you plan on doing?"
"I wish I knew. For so long, I just wanted revenge for what happened to Mom and Dad. I just wanted to lash out. After Japan, I just don't know anymore."
"What happened there? I know you were different after your parents died, but now there's just something a little off about you." Wade said.
What was he going to tell him? He had the chance to lead a syndicate of deadly assassins and turned it down? Ra's Al Ghul and the Lazarus pit? There was no way he'd believe any of that. Maybe he would given what all he and KP had been through. Still, it was too dangerous to tell him everything.
"I thought I found a group of people that could help me. But to prove I was one of them, they wanted me to kill someone. I wouldn't do it, so I ran."
"Ron, that sounds like some serious crap. They just let you go?"
"It was a little more complicated than that. I'm not comfortable talking about it yet." Ron said.
"Okay. I'll respect that." Wade said and take a deep breath. "How were they going to help you though?"
"They wanted to make a difference in the world. To try and make sure what happened to me, and them, didn't happen to anyone else."
"You mean vigilantes?"
"When you boil it down, I guess you could say that."
"So what about now?"
"Now what?"
"Do you still want to make a difference?" Wade asked him.
"Of course I do. I just don't know how." Ron said.
"What if I told you I might know one way." Wade said as he got up from his chair.
Wade walked to the bust of the great bard Shakespeare, pulled the head backwards that revealed a hidden red button in the neck and pressed it.
"You might get a kick out of this." Wade said as the grandfather clock slid aside to reveal a simple concrete staircase that led downward.
"What in the – North had a panic room?" Ron asked.
"It's a little more than that." Wade said and began walking down the staircase.
The staircase seemed to descend for almost an eternity. Ron followed Wade down the flight of steps and wondered if Wade was keeping a large pipe organ where he dressed as a cloaked performer wearing half a porcelain mask. What he did find waiting for them was something he hadn't seen for years. Something unreal and Ron thought that he would never see anything like it again.
"You have got to be kidding me." Ron whispered to himself. "The Ferret Hole?!" Ron asked.
It wasn't finished and didn't look as hokey as it had the first time he had seen it when he was a teenager. This was sleeker and far, far more advanced. It almost looked like it was a fully functioning compound or bunker. Despite the sleeker appearance and updated machinery, it was still a recreation of the Fearless Ferret's lair. The only things that were missing were the car and the Ferret costumes themselves. Still, what Ron was seeing didn't make any sense to him what so ever.
"I thought North was cured of his delusions." Ron said.
"He was. North grew up here in Gotham City. After settling his affairs in Middleton, he decided to move back. After what happened to your parents, North decided that the city needed the Fearless Ferret for real. So he had me build this place."
"You were going along with his delusions? Wade, what the hell? He would have died of a heart attack his first night out." Ron scolded his friend.
"Are you kidding? North knew he wouldn't stand a chance against anything out there. He was an actor. What he wanted to do was find another you. Someone who was be willing to be the Fearless Ferret for real. Someone who wanted to make a difference in this city."
"Unbelievable." Ron said to himself.
"He died shortly after construction began. I've been working on it ever since. I've already got the computer up and running."
"Smart guy say what?" Ron asked.
"Ron, North had a point. This city is going to hell faster and faster every year. Mayor Hill, Commissioner Loeb, they're no help. They're all corrupt. I remember all the good Kim, you, and I used to do when we were younger. I think it's possible to make that kind of a difference again. That we can."
"Wade, we were kids. We didn't know any better and do you realize how dangerous that was? For Kim, it was one thing. She was a living power house. What you're thinking with all this? It's madness!"
"That's not what the old Ron would say. You would've jumped at a chance like this in a heartbeat." Wade countered.
"That was when the old Ron actually believed that nonsense and ended up getting his parents killed." Ron said.
"Ron,"
"No, Wade. I want to make a difference, but not this way. This way gets people killed." Ron said as he turned and made his way back up the stairs.
"Ron, I agree. But this is what Gotham needs. If you don't believe me, go look for yourself. Take a good hard look." Wade asked.
"Wade,"
"No. You walk through Gotham for about an hour, and then come back and see me. Then you can tell me if this idea was madness or not." Wade said and walked passed Ron, lightly pushing him with his shoulder as he marched back up the stairs.
"Well, I do need to see an old friend."
"What do you think you're doing, kid?! You can't just go in there like a bull! Work on your footing and keep your hands up! You're leaving yourself wide open!" the old man shouted to the fighter inside the ring. As he watched the spectacle in front of him, he just shook his head. "I swear, these kids today just don't want to listen."
"That's because their brains don't work yet. That's what you always told me, anyway." Ron said as he entered the gym with a classic smile as he saw the old fighter turn and squint in his direction. "Don't tell me your memory is as bad as your eye sight, Wild Cat."
"Ron? Ronald Stoppable, is that you?" Grant asked him as he walked toward Ron.
"It seems to be."
"Long time no see." The old man said and swept him up in a bear hug which Ron returned. "You've bulked up a little. It's been – two years?"
"Somewhere around that." Ron said with a small laugh. "I swear that you haven't aged a day."
"I've just been keeping up the exercise and cutting out some of the bacon. You got a minute for a cup of Joe?"
"As long as you're not brewing it."
"There's nothing wrong with the way I make coffee."
"Except it tasted like it was filtered through a used jock strap."
"Everyone's a critic."
The two walked to the back of the gym where Ted "Wild Cat" Grant had his office situated. Besides a standard desk and file cabinet, he had a mini fridge with a very well used coffee machine perched on top of it. A small TV was mounted in one corner while a large two way mirror allowed him to see what was happening in the gym around him. Decorated all around the office were various paper clippings and photos that spanned Ted Grant's career as a boxer along with a pair of his old boxing shorts that were framed below a championship title belt. Ron took a seat in the chair across from the desk as Wild Cat fixed the both of them a cup of coffee in two mugs he kept for special guests.
"How has everything been?" Ron asked.
"Do you want the truth or do you want me to lie out my ass?"
"Take your pick." Ron said.
"If I was going to lie, then I'd say that everything's peachy."
"Is it as bad as everyone says?"
"Where do I even begin? It's crazy out there. It's practically a No Man's Land. I'm having to pay so much protection money that I can barley afford to pay the bills."
"What about the police?"
"Cops? They're freaking useless. Hill and Loeb are so deep in the mob's pockets that they're practically nursing on Falcone and Maroni's cocks. Anyone that tries to grow a back bone is suddenly under investigation for whatever they can think of. Even the Waynes are being pulled down."
"As in Thomas Wayne?" Ron asked him.
"Who else? The wise guys in charge of his company are just as crooked as everyone else. On top of that, there's some goomba business guy by the name of Thorn that's trying to muscle in on anything and everything."
"Where have I heard that name before?" Ron asked. "Wait a minute. Rupert Thorn? I thought most of his businesses were fronts."
"They are. When Thomas tried to take a stand, his wife gets into a car accident and nearly kicks the bucket. Ever since then, Wayne backed off and Thorn's been doing his best to try and make everything look nice and legal for all the crime bosses when the feds come snooping."
"I'm sorry, Ted. I didn't know."
"What pisses me off is that they're not even trying to hide some of the shit they do anymore." He said as he sipped his coffee. "It's gotten so bad that even my son's starting to fall in with them."
"Your son? Since when did you have a son?"
"For a while. I did some stuff back in the day that would have put him and his ma in danger. So, I kept my mouth shut when it came to them. I send him and his ma some money every so often. But now he's being pulled into the same mess. He's been working at a warehouse for the past couple of months, but they're another front. Now they're threatening him to help out with a job or else. Something involving the warehouse he works at." Ted said and slammed his mug on the table and causing some of the coffee to spill on the desk. "Things were never this bad. We need someone to bust a couple of heads and show these assholes who's the boss. I tell ya, if I were only a few years younger."
"That's what one friend of mine told me earlier." Ron said and looked at Ted. He could see the pain in the man's eyes, and a fire. A fire Ron knew too well. Ever since Japan, he thought he had it under control. Now that he was here and hearing this from both Wade and Ted? Not to mention Wade had been right. Every where he looked, it was a mess. He actually saw a few shake downs for protection money, and one or two were actually cops. That fire in Ron wanted to be let out. It was screaming and clawing its way to be let out. Ron closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Out of curiosity, where does he work?"
