I yawned, lazily stretching as I made my way out of the apartment complex. Mark, the security guard, immediately noticed my presence and smiled, waving his hand.
"Morning, Gray. You look like you're in a good mood today," Mark said as he regarded me with a smile. He was sitting on his chair, fiddling with his phone with one hand and holding a coffee with the other.
"Morning, what can I say? I had a good day yesterday," I replied, carelessly shrugging as I returned the greeting. I smiled at him as I walked by.
"Good for you, dude. Take care out there," Mark said, nodding at me as he turned his attention to the phone. He seemed emersed in it, and I couldn't blame him. Standing here all night must be boring.
"Thanks, you too, buddy," I replied, smiling as I waved him goodbye and exited the complex, taking a deep breath that felt refreshing for once.
I took my hands out of my pockets and straightened my back as I neared the usual spot in the park. I looked around, looking for my teacher and wondering if he was pissed that I left without saying anything yesterday.
I found him standing not far away, but he wasn't alone. There was a relatively tall Asian woman standing in front of him, and they seemed to be in a heated discussion, judging by how the woman's body language.
She had sharp features with an oval face, and I would even say she was attractive if it wasn't for the blank look on her face and how coldly calm she looked despite her body language and gestures suggesting otherwise.
"Enough," Richard said, cutting the woman off with a gesture as she was saying something about a weapon. He seemed impatient with her, based on his furrowed brows.
"I gave you my answer already, Sandra," Richard added, impatiently gesturing to the side with his right. "I'm not interested in your wager," he concluded, shaking his hand while giving her a stern, meaningful look.
The woman looked like she wanted to say something, but she turned to me for a second before huffing at Richard.
"You may have given me an answer Richard..." the woman said, eyes narrowing as she regarded my teacher. "But it is not the right one," she meaningfully added, faintly smiling as Richard dismissively scowled at her.
"I will take my leave for now, but make no mistake this isn't over, and I will be back," the woman said as she turned to me, giving me a vicious glare before she started walking away from Richard.
'Well, that can't be good...'
"I will have what I want, one way or the other," she remarked, without bothering to turn around as she kept walking. Richard didn't bother to reply and merely watched her leave.
"Charming, lady. She a friend of yours, teacher?" I asked after waiting for the woman to leave as I approached Richard. I didn't bother hiding the concern in my tone as I spoke.
"She's no one you should concern yourself with, kid," Richard said, carelessly shrugging his shoulder as if that would somehow forget the murder in the woman's eyes.
"Are you sure? Cause it looked like I should be very concerned from where I'm standing," I asked, raising an eyebrow at Richard's nonchalant words. That lady like the kind to beat puppies to death with kittens, and the way she looked at me made me feel she wanted to eat me up, and not in a good way.
"Well, if you're that concerned, maybe we should start training already?" Richard said, giving me an amused look and changing the subject much to my bemusement.
'It doesn't look like I'll be getting an answer...' I mused as I sighed and nodded in understanding. I'll let go of the subject for now and trust Richard.
"Good. Now tell me about what happened in the restaurant yesterday before we start today's training," Richard said, crossing his arms and sending me a questioning look. He didn't seem pissed that I'd left him there and took off, at least, so there's that.
"I took down all the thugs, but I got shot in the thigh," I replied, unconsciously straightening my back like a soldier reporting to a superior as I gestured towards my injury. He nodded, and I took that as a good sign and continued.
"I made two mistakes. First, I miscalculated my speed and almost got shot in the chest when I burst into the restaurant..." I said, awkwardly clearing my throat at the mention of my first blunder. He still didn't show any bad reaction.
"Second, I got distracted when one thug tried to run off with the cash, and the last one managed to graze my thigh with a bullet because of it," I added, mentioning the second and the biggest of the two blunders, but he still seemed unbothered.
"I see," Richard said, seemingly refraining from giving judgment right now as he nodded. "Why did you burn the restaurant?" he asked, getting straight to the point after a second's pause.
"Well, I kinda bled all over the floor, and I didn't want to leave any DNA behind for someone to track me down..." I replied, scratching my head. I knew many subtle ways to clean up blood stains and erase evidence because of my Crime skill, but I didn't have the time to use any, so I burned the place.
Richard hummed in response, going quiet for a second.
"Your martial arts and physical strength have improved tremendously, but you still lack experience and discipline," Richard said, nodding as if he had decided on something.
"We'll forgo strength and stamina. You already have more of those than you know what to do with," Richard said, waving a hand to the side. I had to agree there. I was physically more powerful and faster than him, but he'd kick my ass any time of the day 24/7.
"Once your wounds properly heal, we'll also start more active lessons to improve your experience," Richard added, crossing his arms as he regarded me with a look that dared me to disagree or object.
I didn't, and strangely enough, I was even looking forward to it a little bit. I knew what I was lacking, and getting into legitimate fights more often would help me build up my lacking experience, so I merely nodded, much to Richard's satisfaction.
"Good, now let's get started with sparring then," Richard said, smiling in satisfaction as he stepped back and beckoned for me to come and receive my ass-kicking for the day.
Now that; I wasn't looking forward to, not one bit.
The Tin Roof Club
Inside the penthouse
"I'm heading out, Harley," Selina said as she walked to the penthouse's exit dressed in an expensive black dress. It was tight, revealing, and left little for the imagination, which suited her needs perfectly since she was going to a fancy party for the rich and elite.
Selina regularly attended such events as they were the perfect place for finding new targets for her nightly activities as Catwoman. All it took was one smile and a bit of cleavage, and whatever unsuspecting rich second generation she was targeting would start boasting about their wealth and precious possessions.
Precious possessions that she would steal and sell off shortly after.
"Mkay kitty, take care..." Harley said, waving Selina goodbye from her spot on the couch. She was sitting there in her underwear, intently watching a drama show on the television.
"Don't forget what I said, Harley," Selina said as she paused at the door turning to Harley with a stern look, to which the latter sighed and gave her full attention.
"I know, I know... If ya find the nightclub flooded in Joker Venom or crawling with vines, you'd kick me out and never take me in again..." Harley said, rolling her eyes at her host. "Yer no fun these days, kitty..." she added with a pout as she turned her attention to the television.
"You better believe it," Selina said, huffing in bemusement as she opened the door and left, hoping her warning would stick.
'Eidetic Kinisthesya-Kinesthesia? Whatever the damned thing is, it sure is broken...'
I mused as I walked the streets of Gotham, feeling my entire body ache after a full day of beating by my oh-so-wonderful teacher's hand while looking at my Brawling skill that had increased by three levels.
'I wonder how many points I'd need to invest into my Mind before I could pronounce it properly...'
I chuckled as I thought of how effortlessly I managed to copy every move Richard showed me after a single glance, no matter how complicated, much to his astonishment.
I stopped in front of the building and inspected it. It was a relatively big two-story building, styled much like everything else in Gotham, gray and pointy, loud music coming from inside of it.
'The Tin Roof Club... yup, this should be the place.'
...
'I didn't think this through...'
I sighed, scratching my head as I stood in the line to enter the nightclub, inspecting my surroundings. The line was long, and many young men and women were waiting for their turn, some already swaying to the loud music leaking through the club's entrance.
It was all fine and dandy except for the small detail of the buff bouncer standing at the entrance, checking everyone's IDs while chasing away the occasional minor who wanted to sneak in.
'Just my fucking luck... a nightclub in Gotham that actually doesn't allow minors inside...' I sighed, wondering if I should just go and buy a phone, but then again Selina did show up unannounced and even broke into my apartment.
And so, in my pity, and laziness I came to a decision.
'Yeah, I should return the favor...' I mused as I looked around, searching for something to help me sneak into the nightclub. The only way I was getting is by causing a scene, and it should be someone else getting the attention.
I quickly formulated a plan as I waited for my turn.
'Yeah... that should work... hopefully...'
I acted when it was almost my turn with three people in front of me. I equipped my steel wire and subtly pushed the red-shirted guy ahead of me forward, making him bump into the black-shirted guy further in the line.
I activated my steel wire and stealthily moved it between the second and the third people in line to snag the former's wallet while they were distracted.
"Hey! Watch it!" the red shirt guy exclaimed as he glared at me while inspecting his pockets. The black-shirted guy ahead let out a similar exclamation and rummaged through his pockets, copying the former's actions.
"Sorry about that. Someone pushed me from behind," I said, smiling as I watched the second in line (black shirt guy) turn to the second (red shirt guy) and accuse him of stealing his wallet.
The two quickly started hurling insults at each other and almost started throwing punches before the bouncer came to separate them and started adding fire to the flame.
I stepped back and started subtly pushing people against each other and pick-pocketing the occasional wallet. The bouncer already had his hands full, and the entire line soon devolved into a raging mob.
'Huh... that was easy... incredibly dumb and exaggerated, but easy...'
I shrugged as I took advantage of the confusion and walked inside without getting noticed. I frowned as the loud music assaulted my ears and looked around, trying to locate Selina.
'If I was a kleptomaniac who happened to be obsessed with cats, where would I be...?'
I came here in the first place to find Selina because I needed to assure her I wouldn't do anything with her identity. She might get too anxious and do something that could ruin both of us otherwise.
If I leave things the way they were, we'd either have to spend the rest of our lives scheming against each other until one of us or both get fucked. Alternatively, we could try being reasonable and talk things over, which is what I came here to do.
If two people knew two dangerous secrets about each other, it could only go two ways, either mutual destruction or the start of a friendship. Mutual destruction doesn't sound appealing, and I need friends (like seriously) if you didn't notice already.
Her act of leaving her number was an olive branch that I needed to take for her sake and mine.
'Maybe I should ask the bartender...?'
I scratched my head, having found no sign of Catwoman, not that I knew what she looked like in the first place.
'I'm slowly starting to realize that suddenly coming here unannounced, and without a plan might have been a stupid idea...'
I shrugged and started walking towards the bar, careful not to bump into the countless people in the club, dancing, carrying trays of drinks, or just standing and chatting.
I took a seat at the bar, and I didn't need to wait long for a bartender to come my way.
"Ain'tcha a bit young to be drinking, buddy?" the loud bartender said, speaking in a Brooklyn accent, her tone upbeat and cheery. I barely heard her over the music.
She looked 5.7 tall, and she had blue eyes, blonde hair, and a bright smile tugged on her full red lips. She wore casual clothes, a skirt, and a white shirt.
"I'm not here to drink..." I said, raising my voice to make sure she'd hear me over the music, and I think she managed, judging by the curious look she was sending me.
"Oh, I know! ya must be here to pick up chicks then!" the bartender said, her grin almost splitting her face as she gave me a knowing look. "But are ya sure this the best to be doing that? Most of the gals here bimbos choke-full of STDs, ya know?!" she added and shook her head in disapproval.
"I'm not here to pick up chicks either. I'm here-" I replied, my eyes twitching in annoyance, but the bartender quickly cut me off before I could finish.
"So yer fishin' for some hunks then, eh? No shame in that, buddy," She exclaimed, her grin deepening as she winked at me. "Whatever floats yer boat or rocks it, if ya get what I'm saying?" she added, nodding her head as she gave me a suggestive look and a thumbs-up gesture.
"Look, lady— I'm not here to drink, pick up, or fish for anything," I exclaimed in exasperation, hoping to stop her before her mind started wandering and getting wild again. "I'm looking for Selina Kyle," I added, waving a hand to the side.
"Well, why didn'tcha just say so, silly?" the bartender said, tilting her head as she regarded me with a look that suggested I was an idiot. I bit down the retort at the top of my tongue to keep the conversation going before she steered it into another weird direction.
"Sorry to break it down to ya, but Selina took off a while ago," the bartender added, shaking her head as she took out a phone to see the time. "She won't be coming back anytime soon either..." she concluded after looking at the time, causing me to sigh.
'I really need to buy a fucking phone...'
I could have avoided all of this if I'd just bought a damned phone and called Selina instead of showing up unannounced.
"I'll come back later then, I guess," I sighed as I got off the chair, smiling at the bartender. "Thanks for your time...?" I added, giving her a questioning look as I trailed off.
"Ya can call me Q, and yer welcome anytime," the bartender said, smiling as she paused to give me an expectant look.
"Gray..." I said, nodding at her and returning the smile. "I'll see you later then, Q," I concluded as I turned around and walked to the exit, giving her one last look over my shoulder.
"Don't be a stranger!" She exclaimed, waving me goodbye.
"No Joker Venom... no wiggling green vines... and not a single dead body in my nightclub..." Selina said as she entered her loft house, giving Harley a raised eyebrow. "Color me surprised," she added as she took off her high heels and put them away.
"Come on, Kitty! I ain't that bad!" Harley exclaimed, pouting as she hugged the pillow she held closer to her body, acting coy. "Besides, ya know I wouldn't get to anything fun without you around!" she added, smiling at Selina as the latter sat next to her.
"I dread to think what you consider fun, Harley," Selina said, rolling her eyes at her blonde friend. She leaned into the couch and picked the remote to turn on the television.
"By the way, I heard there was some kind of a ruckus in front of the club earlier tonight," Selina said while lazily rubbing the back of her neck in exhaustion. "Was that you're doing, by any chance?" she asked as she turned to the blonde, shooting her a questioning look.
"Ya know that's not my style, Kitty," Harley said, denying the very notion as she shook her head. "I know who made it happen, though," she added, devilishly grinning as she internally replayed today's events.
"Guy who did it was here looking for ya, called himself Gray," Harley concluded, turning to Selina to study her expression, looking for any signs of recognition.
"Explain," Selina said after a second's silence, much to Harley's chagrin and disappointment as her cat-loving friend didn't display any reaction as she had hoped.
"I heard the ruckus outside, so I went to take a peak," Harley said as she pointed at the penthouse's window that overlooked the nightclub's entrance. "I saw the guy causing a scene, stealing people's wallets and pushing everyone around..." she added, chuckling in amusement as she remembered the chaos.
"He did all of that just to sneak into the nightclub, and I got curious, so I went down to see for myself..." Harley remarked and proceeded to recount the rest of the encounter to Selina.
"Finally, a fucking phone- ACHOO!" I muttered, sneezing at the end of my sentence as I exited the electronic store. I looked at the phone, debating whether to call Selin or not, but decided against it.
'It's getting late... I'll call tomorrow or some other time...' I shrugged my shoulders as I pocketed the phone, stored it in my inventory, and started walking.
...
'Buying a phone might have been a mistake...'
I mused, chuckling as I furiously tapped on the phone's screen, playing one of those typical mobile tab games. Although I wasn't strong enough to bend steel and burst through walls, I was still much more powerful than normal humans, and they don't make superhuman-proof phones, unfortunately.
I shook my head in exasperation as I turned off the game and locked the phone, and got a full view of the cracked screen. Oh well, I'll have to live with it, I guess, because I'm definitely not buying a new one so soon.
'Time to head out...'
I decided, lazily stretching as I got up and made it to the door, recalling what I needed to do today. Training with Richard comes first like usual, then visiting Selina and maybe going out and stealing something if I didn't run out of daylight by then.
Superhuman Stamina was super convenient and having it meant that I didn't need to worry about tiring or needing rest unless I went for an entire week without sleep or something, which I wasn't crazy enough to try, mind you.
I needed the sleep for my mental health, if nothing else, and I already decided to sleep for a minimum of 4 hours every two days.
"Morning Mark," I greeted as I exited the apartment building, and the security guard returned my greeting with a smile and resumed staring into his phone.
I passed by a bagel stand that opened super early on my way to the park and bought a couple for breakfast, and soon enough, I was standing in the usual training spot with Richard waiting for me and no murderous Asian chick within sight. Good, no murderous Asian chick within sight is definitely good.
"There you are, Gray," Richard said as he regarded me with a smile. "Let's get started like usual," he added as he took a step back, losing his relaxed posture and waving me over.
"I'm gonna kick your ass someday... maybe then you won't be so eager for sparring every day so early in the morning..." I jokingly grumbled, but I still obliged as I took off my baseball cap and jacket, throwing them on the grass.
"I'd definitely like to see that day, kid," Richard said, smugly grinning with a shrug of his shoulders. "But until then, you'll still have to come here every day and let me kick your ass," he added, gesturing for me to hurry up and go over so he could give me my daily beating.
He didn't seem bothered by my words at all, and that's why I liked him so much. Richard could be as stern as they come and utterly severe when needed, but he's more of a friend than some wizened old teacher whenever the training ends.
"Alright, alright... I'm coming..." I said as I took a deep breath, raising my hands in front of my face. I slowly approached Richard step by step, my eyes glued to his arms and legs.
My right hand lashed out in a straight punch, aiming at Richard's face as soon as I was close enough to swing. Richard took a step back to dodge by a hair's breadth and slapped my wrist with the back of his hand, directing my punch to the side.
He drew the same hand back, lowered his stance, and targeted my open chest with an open palm. I observed his movement and used my superior speed to regain my balance before copying the same move he used to counter my punch.
I directed his palm to the side and retaliated with one of my own. Richard only smiled at my actions as he stepped aside, caught my wrist, and turned to the side, tripping me with his left foot and throwing me into the grass over his shoulder.
"Your ability to observe and copy others' moves is a great tool for learning..." Richard praised as he stood over me, crossing his arms, and I sighed, sensing a but coming.
"But using it to copy an opponent's techniques in a fight is foolish," Richard said, shaking his head in disapproval as he reached a hand to me, and I took it, letting him help me up.
"It makes you predictable, and any martial artist worth their salt would know at least ten ways to counter their own techniques..." Richard explained as he took a step back and beckoned for me to come at him again.
"Learn from your opponents, but don't use their own tricks against them..." Richard said, smiling as he watched me raise my fists and approach him.
"Use them on other people instead..."
Gotham City
Brideshead
Robin scowled as he turned off his communicator, having had enough of its constant beeping noises for the past five minutes. He sighed as he put the communicator away in his utility belt, recalling the last conversation with his father figure.
Jason knew he was in the wrong somewhere deep down in his mind, but he would never admit it. The idea of calling Batwing of all people for help made him grit his teeth in frustration, despite knowing it would have been the right call then.
He would not apologize or go back to that dank cave. Not empty-handed.
After failing to defeat Batman, Bane had launched an attack on Arkham's asylum, causing many inmates to escape, including one Waylon Jones, aka Killer Croc.
Jason didn't know or care what Bane was plotting, but taking down the superhuman Killer Croc and incarcerating him should prove his ability to his father figure. It was a subtle way to patch things up without giving a straight apology.
He had already tracked down the humanoid lizard to the sewers, and now it was only a matter of springing a trap and luring him towards it to catch and send him back to the asylum.
"I fucking hate sewers..." Jason muttered, wincing as the sewer stench assaulted his nostrils.
Gotham City Park
"That's good. Adapt to your opponent and don't use the same moves often," Richard said, nodding with a smile as he ducked, dodging my high kick. However, it was a feint with almost no power behind it, and I quickly brought it down, aiming at the top of his head.
Improving my Body Attribute didn't only improve my strength and speed. It improved every aspect of my physique and enabled me to control my momentum forcefully as long I didn't put too much power into my movements.
"You're already learning, good," Richard said, still leisurely smiling as he sidestepped and pushed my leg to the side before it hit the ground, making me lose my balance and spin, presenting him with my back.
One kick later, I was on the ground, spitting grass out of my mouth.
"I know we established you can kick my ass, but that doesn't mean you have to literally do it, you know...?" I said, sighing as I got up and gave Richard a bemused look. Oh, my poor pride! It's in a million pieces!
"Stop being a baby. We're done for today anyway," Richard said, giving me a pointed look as he helped me get up and clean the grass from my clothes as if that would make it better somehow.
"Well, that's a relief, I might be able to take the beating, but my pride is a real fragile thing..." I replied, my eyes twitching in annoyance as I went to pick up my baseball cap and jacket.
"You'll get over it, now shoo. Get out of here," Richard said with a chuckle, figuratively and literally shooing me away with his hands as he smiled and shook his head.
"Fine..." I replied, shrugging my shoulder and putting on my jacket as I turned around and walked away. "I'll be back tomorrow same time-" I added as I turned to Richard over my shoulder, but he was already gone and nowhere within sight.
"Why do people keep doing that? It's getting old rather quickly..." I muttered, shaking my head in annoyance, and took out my phone after a couple of minutes of walking to call Selina Kyle without bothering to question how Richard suddenly disappeared in such an open area.
The tin Roof Club
Selina sighed in relaxation as she walked out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her body. She couldn't help but smile, feeling the exhaustion of a long, stressful day dissipating after a well-earned relaxing time.
However, Selina's good mood immediately evaporated at the sight of a blonde woman standing in front of her expensive wine cabinet, guzzling the luxury drink like cheap beer.
"I thought I told you not to touch that, Harley!" Selina exclaimed with a scowl as she hurriedly dragged the woman away from her precious stash that she was reluctant to indulge in herself.
"Awe! Come on, Kitty, just let me have another bottle!" Harley exclaimed, flailing her arms as she tried to reach for the cabinet and snatch another bottle or maybe two before Selina dragged her away.
"Absolutely not! Do you even know expensive these things are-" Selina cut her off and dragged her away before she could steal any more. She wanted to continue scolding her blonde friend, but the ringing of her phone interrupted her.
...
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