Chapter 7)
A group of thugs laughed and slapped hands with each other. Tonight was going to be a good haul. They got the money and they were going to exchange it for some goods, which would allow them to carve out their own little piece of Gotham.
"What about the Bat?"
"You worry too much. We're too small time for him right now. Besides, he's part of the Justice League now."
"I don't know, something is up. I don't like it."
The worried thug had every reason to be concerned. From the shadows, dressed a woman in black, with a yellow black insignia on her chest. Under the cowl, she was Barbara Gordon, the daughter of dedicatedPolice Commissioner James Gordon. With the cowl, she was the original and at this present time, main Batgirl.
"Yes, you have every reason to be worried."
Slowly, from her belt, Batgirl threw a pair of smoke pellets down onto the ground. The thugs all looked around, in horror, right before Batgirl repelled down from the heavens and kicked her enemy straight in the end. He clattered to the ground with a nasty sill.
Another thug rushed at Batgirl. Batgirl dodged his brutish attempts to take her down, and then hit a series of kicks before hitting him down to the ground. A chain flung towards Batgirl. She blocked the chain and used the thug's own momentum to take him down.
"It's the Batgirl!"
Batgirl flipped over the head of the thug and smashed him headfirst into the ground. She noticed a pair of thugs rifling through the crate. One of them armed a rocket launcher.
Only for a figure from the shadows to catch him around the ear with an uppercut punch. The punch caused the thug to become dizzy before the figure, dressed in a darker black, with only trace amounts of a red bat symbol on the uniform appeared. The figure jacked the jaw of the man who tried to get the rocket launcher good and armed.
Batgirl Number Two, Cassandra Cain jumped into the attack. She moved very fluid, and punched away. Those punches rocked the thugs and nailed them hard.
"Great, there's now two of them!" one of the thugs grumbled. "Quick, get to the truck."
One of the nearest thugs opened up the back of the truck.
"Three!"
A third Batgirl, dressed in a purple uniform with a yellow insignia, just smashed her feet deep into the chest of the goon who tried to rattle her. The skilled punches rocked the man in question, with uppercut blow after uppercut blow connecting without any trouble whatsoever.
"Damn it!" one of the thugs howled. "Just what we need. A Batgirl Squad"
All three Batgirls moved in perfect harmony and took the thugs down. The end result was a pile of goons lying on the ground.
Stephanie Brown, the third Batgirl, and by far the most colorfully dressed and cheerful of the three, broke out into a smile.
"Good work," Barbara said.
"Oh, I think we did a really good job tonight," Stephanie said cheerfully. "This entire Batgirl Incorporated thing is working out like a charm."
"Oh, we're not calling it that."
Before, they could discuss anything further, Barbara got a call. She moved in to take it.
"Mmm, yes, I understand. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Barbara had to deal with the call and she would make her excuses to Cass and Stephanie. Between her proteges and Black Canary and the rest of the Birds of Prey, Gotham City would be in good hands, even if it's main three protectors were otherwise indisposed.
The serene beauty of Themyscira could relax even the most tempered of individuals. Including Donna Troy, also known as Troia, and known to world outside of the island as Wondergirl. Regardless, she was the younger daughter of Queen Hippolyta and had been finishing up training. Hippolyta showed that while Donna learned a lot, she came nowhere close to learning all Hippolyta did.
Or indeed, all that her sister, Diana had, also known as Wonder Woman.
"You shouldn't be too hard on yourself," Hippolyta said. "You've done a remarkable job in forging your own path and becoming your own person. I could not be more proud of you, although….Diana has been silent as of late."
Donna could not help and share Hippolyta's worry, at least in principle. However, she wanted to offer her mother some assurance.
"I spoke with Diana. The mission with the League in space is going as well as can be expected. Although it's slowing, as the Red Lanterns expanded their forces. And Earth could be a breeding ground for trouble. There are a lot of people here who have many reasons to be angry. Even if some are more justified than others."
Hippolyta nodded thoughtfully
"Yes, anger can happen to the best of us. Even upon these shores, there is a chance for people to become very angry."
Yes, anger at a world which has harmed many of them. It had been one of the failings of humanity, and one which Donna helped fight to improve. It had been a very difficult balancing act.
"I'm going to head upstairs and meditate," Donna said. "Call me if you need me."
"You've earned the rest,daughter, and….. Princess Koriand'r, what do we owe the honor?"
Donna's eyes perked up, as one of her roommates, and bedmates appeared outside of the island. A long time friend appeared at the island. Donna rushed over to engulf Kory in a hug, which she returned quite eagerly.
"Queen Hippolyta, Troia, I hope you are both well," Kory said. "I come here to ask of Donna's assistance for some urgent news."
"Is there trouble back on Man's World?" Hippolyta asked.
"No, this trouble stretches far beyond Earth, although everything, and that includes this island paradise, may be effected if we let it go unchecked."
Donna nodded, understanding the seriousness of this situation.
"My sister has gotten herself in a spot of trouble," Kory said.
"The vacation is over, I guess," Donna responded. "Fill me in as we fly back home. Mother…."
Hippolyta cut Donna straight off from apologizing. She understood more than anyone else what Donna had to do.
"You have duties, I understand," Hippolyta said.
Kory and Donna locked hands, and prepared to fly back. Donna had a feeling she might not be coming home for quite some time.
Back to the Penthouse, with Kory returning alongside of Donna. Barbara stepped into the door on her own just seconds later, and the entire trio moved to the table where Kara, Komi, and Dick all waited for them.
"Well, the gang's all here, aren't they?" Barbara asked. "Did, Kory fill you in on everything?"
"Yes," Donna said. "Why is it every time we want to take a vacation, something bad happens?"
"What's this vacation thing you speak of?" Barbara asked.
Donna shook her head. The six of them settled around the table. Kara passed Barbara cup of coffee and offered one to Donna as well. Both of them thought they would need it. Barbara leaned in and looked thoughtful before she turned to Komi.
"Dick filled me in. Do you think there's any reason why Kanjar Ro would want a seemingly useless bauble?"
"Who knows, perhaps he's addicted to shiny things," Komi said with a shrug. "All I know is he wants me dead for it, despite it's mine by right. You know, because I'm next in line for the throne."
"May I see it?" Barbara asked.
Komi responded with a nod. She passed it over and Barbara hummed thoughtfully as she looked it over.
"I studied that thing at every angle and I didn't notice anything weird about it," Kara said.
"Maybe, you missed something," Barbara said.
Kara shrugged, and let Barbara do her thing. Barbara pulled out a portable scanner and studied the gem from pretty much every single angle. She performed every single test, but nothing, not even a slight blip on the surface.
"We're missing something," Barbara said.
"Or it could be a big nothing," Dick suggested.
"Maybe it's part of some longer con?" Kara offered.
Barbara thought so, but to what ends. Sending the drones and hiring Lobo of all people to go after Komi meant Kanjar Ro had big plans for this seemingly useless bauble. Barbara just could not figure out what. And not being able to figure out a mystery bothered Barbara Gordon completely.
Under the pretext of filling Dick in, Barbara invited Dick into the bedroom. Naturally, the girls thought they slipped off for another reason entirely, although there was actually a third purpose while Barbara pulled Dick off to the side.
"What do you think?" Dick asked.
"You've given Blackfire the benefit of the doubt. A few times."
"I know," Dick said. "Komi's making an attempt to reform. Whether or not it sticks, I don't know. I'll give her every reason I can to make sure she behaves."
"Mmmm," Barbara murmured. "One of these days, your Grayson will not be able to solve all of your problems."
"So far, so good on the Blackfire front though," Dick said with a grin. "So, how's the entire Batgirl incorporated thing going?"
Barbara just frowned at Dick.
"I really wish people would stop calling it that. You and Steph both, I swear, and Helena, you all do it to wind me up. It's really just an offshoot of the Birds of Prey, you know with Batgirls."
"Yeah, like some kind of Batgirl Incorporated."
"Dick."
"Yes, that's my name, don't wear it out."
Barbara shook her head. Insufferable sometimes, although endearing many others.
"I did put a dent in Penguin's latest smuggling operation. Although nothing to nail the cagey bird directly. But the Batgirls are on the case, as are the Birds of Prey."
Barbara slowly unbuttoned her top and gave Dick the eye. Well, everyone thought they slipped into a bedroom to do that, so they might as well.
The Shameless Smut Commences In the Next Chapter