Disclaimer: You've all read them before, you'll read them again. I don't own any of these chars except those that I introduce in this. It'll be obvious when you meet em. DC owns the the rights to the Bat-Family, and I'm not going to contest it. Ever. That's just stupid. Kinda like putting your finger into an electrical sockit with the light on. I'm not making any money off the story, or the characters.
I also disclaim that I have a some semblance of intelligance in my head. For those of you who really know me, you know the truth.
End of Disclaimer.
The Darkness and the Knight, pt 2
Chapter II
There was a pulsating beat going on around him that brought him back to life. It took Bruce a moment to realize that it was the pain in his head that was pulsing. He groaned lightly, as he was going to check his head. A moment of pure panic rushed through him, when he realized he couldn't move his hands or arms. His feet were also bound. The moment passed quickly enough that he relaxed, and used his mind.
There was a blindfold of some kind over his eyes, blocking his view of his location. There was some light breathing going on to his right. He studied it for a moment, to realize it was Nightwing. They were both alive, but where were they, and what happened? He jerked his head to the side when he heard a rusty door open behind him. Light snuck in under the blindfold, allowing Bruce to see the steel colored floor beneath him, and his belt missing.
Nightwing groaned beside him, as he was beginning to wake. Batman's voice was dark and harsh as he barked out "Who are you?"
The voice that responded was calm and heavy. "I am called, Darkness. I'm the man that beat you, Batman."
A primal growl escaped the Dark Knight's throat. "I'm not beaten yet." Bruce's muscles strained against the fiber cord holding him in place. Nightwing was awake by now, and straining against the cord as well.
"Batman, I'm going to tell you a little story, of a sheriff of a small town in the Old West. He was a good man; A strong man. Everyone loved him. One day, a new man entered the town, and shot the sheriff, and took over the city. But, not before the new man offered to let the sheriff leave quietly, with his dignity. This is what I'm offering you, Batman." Darkness finished.
Nightwing was the first to cut the silence with a sharp laugh. "Mister, I don't know who you are, or what your business is in Gotham, but you are one of the, if not THE, dumbest criminals to ever step across those city lines!"
Footsteps shifted, as Darkness walked to Nightwing. A latex glove wrapped around Dick's chin, shoving it upwards as if to face the completely black form. "Children are to be seen, and not heard." He moved his foot in just a way, to trip the chair out from under Nightwing, crashing him to the hard, cold floor.
Batman scrambled to his feet, throwing the chair out behind him, "Nightwing!" He remained balanced on his bound feet, his mind searching through different escape ideas.
"Restrain him!" Darkness shouted. Men surrounded Batman, pulling back on him. Batman slammed mercilessly against the wall. His mental control allowed him to ignore the pain, and focus on the men in the room. The moment to strike came, as Batman shoved his elbows into the chests of his restrainers. He knocked the wind out of both of them. They hit the back wall, and slid to the floor, unconscious. Darkness moved just as swiftly, grabbing Batman by the shoulders and ramming his chest down into his upraised knee.
There was a groan of air from Batman. "Now, now, Batman. We can't have you wandering around!" Darkness gloated. He interlaced his fingers, and brought both fists down onto the Dark Knight's neck. Batman fell to the floor. The two thugs that the Batman had put down earlier groaned as they pulled themselves up. "Pick up the heroes, boys," Darkness instructed.
For the second time, Batman groaned as he awoke. His mind trying to refocus. He'd lost track of time, and was unable to get to the watch beneath the gauntlet. He quickly studied the room they were in. There was a small amount of light coming in from under the door. There were no others in the room, save Nightwing. Batman shook his head again, trying to ignore the pain in the back of his mind.
He rubbed his bound wrists together, forcing a narrow, sharp knife from a hidden pocket in the gauntlet. It took a bit of work to maneuver the blade into position to cut the rope at his hands. Nightwing had gathered enough sense to repeat what Batman was doing. There was a deep snap as the rope fell from his wrists. His hand fell to his waist, where his belt should have been. He cursed silently, then turned his narrowed gaze to Nightwing, who was also beltless.
Batman cut the rope around his ankles, and stood, moving swiftly to the door, placing his ear gently against it. He listened quietly to the conversation on the other side.
"I want those explosives in place in the next hour! Do you understand me?!" A dark voice bellowed. "No, don't worry about the Bat. He's been taken care of. Just do what you were paid to do!" At that moment, something slammed onto a table. Batman and Nightwing frowned to each other in the dark.
Batman backed away from the door, as he heard footsteps approaching. He lowered himself into a combat crouch. The door opened slightly, the room flooding with light. Batman snapped with a kick, throwing the intruder into the back wall. A burst of air pushed out of his lungs as he slid to the ground.
Batman moved quickly to the edge of the door, with Nightwing following behind. Batman looked carefully out. Darkness stood near a table with a phone on it. His back was to the door. Batman rushed forth, slamming his shoulder into the back of Darkness. Nightwing moved swiftly behind, distracting the thugs now pouring into the room. Batman recovered first from the body chuck he gave Darkness. He grabbed the arm of Darkness pounding him into a wall. His voice low and dark: "What explosives, and where are they?" He demanded.
The evil chuckle that rolled from Darkness' throat would have frozen another man in his place. "That's the difference between you and I, Batman. I don't care about these people!" Shouted back Darkness. As he spoke to Batman, he leveled his arm, and sent his fist into Batman's stomach, pushing the Dark Knight back.
"Batman!" shouted out Nightwing "We've got more company, and they are brining the heavy guns!" He had braced himself against the door, holding it closed.
Batman heard Nightwing's call, and narrowed his eyes to Darkness. Batman reached out, grabbing Darkness, and tossed him like a rag doll across the room, slamming him into a wall. Darkness hit the wall, as the breath was briefly knocked from his lungs. His eagle eye caught the belts resting on a table in the corner. He ran over to the table, snatching both belts in an instant. Without turning around, he pitched Nightwing his, and quickly locked it around his waist.
He turned to watch Nightwing lock his in place. "Open the door," He ordered, pulling three small metallic balls from the backside of the belt. Nightwing nodded slightly, and stepped away from the door quickly. Just as the door began to open, Batman rolled the smoke bombs across the ground, and lowered himself into a combat stance. The first one to enter was quickly greeted by Nightwing's elbow in his face. The thug dropped almost instantly, as several others tried to scramble across their fallen comrade.
By now, the bombs had begun to emit their black clouds. The men pouring into the room were heaving as they all took too much of the smoke into their lungs. Batman lunged to the closest one, landing on the thug's chest as he fell. Nightwing cut another thug down with one quick hit to his chest. The two saw the opening now, and dashed through. Batman reached back, grabbing the only crook that hadn't entered yet. Batman and Nightwing released their breath as the rushed through the unfamiliar rooms of the facility.
After avoiding several armed patrols that were hunting them, Batman and Nightwing ducked into what seemed to be a closet. Batman yanked the crook up, holding him off the ground and against the wall. "Nightwing, see if you can get a hole cut. Eventually, it will take us out." His eyes narrowed to the crook. "Now talk, scum! Where are those explosives being set up at?" Batman demanded harshly.
The crook squirmed in the large hands of Batman. "I'm not telling you anything, freak!" Barked back the crook. Batman slammed him against the wall again. There was a poof of air, as the wind got knocked from his lungs.
"Talk!" Batman demanded.
By now, Nightwing was in full motions, cutting through the wood and plaster. The crook regained his breath. "You can torture me, but I still won't talk! Even if I did know."
If the Batman smiled, he would have. Instead, he tied the crook's legs and hands, and then hoisted him over his shoulder. Batman turned quickly to Nightwing, just as Nightwing was finishing his work. A fair hole had been opened up by the crime-fighter. Nightwing crawled quickly up through, looking around with a batarang in hand. "It's clear."
The tied up thug was next, as he was thrown up through the hole. Batman came up next, his eyes searching for a way out. His eyes narrowed on a small window. He ran over to it, pulling a small circular device from his belt, and placing it on the same wall as the window. He ran back a moment later, pulling the crook under his cape, as a sonic explosion blew out a large portion of wall.
The building shook violently, as Batman and Nightwing made their way through the dust and dirt. Nightwing looked over, seeing Gotham harbor. Batman pulled a launcher from his belt, and fired it into the night sky. Nightwing followed suit, as the three disappeared into the night.
Bruce Wayne sat before the giant computer deep in the cave. His eyes were half closed, as he looked over a digital map. Neither he nor Nightwing were able to get the information from the criminal. In the end, he had taken his own life, leaving the Dark Knight and the ex-Boy Wonder on their own.
Bruce massaged the bridge of his nose, as he continued to think of too many locations for these explosives to be. In reality, there were too many. Things weren't looking good. He had no idea how much time would be left before Darkness triggered the explosives, let alone, where to begin looking first.
"Sir," Alfred inquired lightly, "will you be retiring for the morning or not?" Alfred's cue that Bruce had been down here too long, losing himself in his own thoughts. If Alfred was up, it was just past sunrise.
Bruce groaned and grumbled slightly. "Yes, Alfred. I'll be up in a few minutes."
Alfred stepped towards the console. "That's what you told me three hours ago, Master Bruce." His fingers neatly interlaced behind him. "Perhaps a call to Ms. Oracle would provide you with new information, sir?"
Bruce closed his eyes in frustration. "I've already tried that angle. She knows as much as we do at this point. This Darkness person has scared the underworld into submitting to his will. He's telling them what he wants them to know."
"What about his own gang, sir?" Alfred offered.
"Nightwing and I tried that last night," Bruce started.
"They are devoutly loyal to him. So much so, they are willing to throw away their own lives," Dick finished.
Both men turned to face Dick as he entered the cave. Alfred greeted the younger man with a warm smile. "Good morning, Master Dick."
Dick continued down the stairs, descending to the main platform near the computer. "Morning, Alfred. Bruce." Dick smiled lightly to each, rubbing his shoulder.
"Find out anything more?" Bruce inquired, turning the chair to face his former ward.
"There are about 37 different high technology facilities and buildings in the city, let alone outlets for Lexcorp, StarLabs, and WayneTech," reported Dick.
Bruce nodded, as he turned back around, punching up several reports on the computer screen. "Three weeks ago, the military reported half a ton of demolition explosives stolen from one of the ordnance bases. Half of the personnel didn't survive the attack."
Dick responded, "Well, we know who has it now, we just don't know where or how he's going to use it."
Bruce only nodded. He stood up, stretching slightly. "We will find out tonight." Bruce walked up the stairs.
When he had gone, Alfred turned to Dick. "Breakfast, Master Dick?"
"Why, Alfred, you ol' softy. Sure." Dick shot the butler a warm smile, as the two headed back upstairs.
The thug's body went flying through the air, as he smashed through a window. Another quickly followed him through, as the Batman turned to face another attacker. Common street trash, not what he was looking for.
"You are gonna die so many times, freak!" Bellowed the leader of the would-be burglars. He charged the Dark Knight, only to meet a heavy boot to the face. The thief fell backwards, crashing on the hard concrete.
Batman moved quickly, handcuffing the crook. Robin moved from one to another, following the Detective's movements. "That is all of them," he reported.
"Batman." Nightwing announced, pulling out something from one wallet belonging to a crook. It was a card: "Vinny's Finest"
"'Vinny's Finest'? Isn't that a pawn shop over on Redwin St?" Robin inquired.
"Yes. It's owned by the Vincent McValon," responded the Dark Knight, as he examined the card.
Nightwing thought a moment, "Isn't he one of the mob money launders?"
Batman nodded. "He also is part of the mob's communications net and information broker. Let's find out what the mob knows about Darkness."
Batman was already on his way to the roof when the other two had nodded. The wind whistled through the buildings, the clouds moving through the sky. The night got darker as they covered the moon, as if in preparation for the Batman's visit. The wind picked up, as the Batman, Robin, and Nightwing set foot down on the roof of the small pawnshop.
It was late in the evening, so there were only those that were children of the night on the street.
Even those moved in the shadows.
Batman surveyed the scene before he dropped down into the ally. His cape wrapped itself around his shoulders and body. Nightwing dropped a foot behind the Detective, and Robin was a few paces behind him.
Just as they began to walk towards the back door, a car turned into the alleyway. All three jumped upwards, landing on a nearby fire escape, hiding in the shadows. The occupants of the car apparently didn't notice, as they pulled a bit farther in, and parked.
Five dark forms climbed out of the car. One of the forms knocked gently on the door. The sound of locks being released inside the door echoed up into the alley. The vigilantes watched carefully from their vantage point. The door opened against the squeaky door hinges. The figure inside remained hidden behind the door, as the figures slipped inside, the door closing quickly behind it. As soon as the alley was clear, the three leapt down to the ground, remaining crouched, and prepared to strike, should anyone have seen them.
They remained only a moment, before Batman stood, walking silently to the door. He removed something from his belt, and placed a small, flat circle against the door, and pressed two fingers against the cowl where his ear was.
The voices were muffled slightly, but still clear enough for the Detective to make out. "You need to inform your boss that we are not happy with the arrangements for dispersal of goods."
"I can take that back to him, but I don't think he's going to care very much, Mr. McValon," responded a voice Batman thought was familiar.
"Regardless of what your employer thinks, we are someone you don't want to annoy. And we particularly don't like the fact that the Freak has gotten himself involved. You and your employer were contracted to deliver, and you didn't. Your group was even paid in advance!" Barked McValon.
There was a moment of silence, as Batman narrowed his eyes. Nightwing and Robin continued to keep watch. "I'm sure if he were here, my employer would apologize to your associates."
McValon broke in, "We don't want an apology, we want our investment back, and we want you out of Gotham by dawn tomorrow!"
"You know that isn't possible, McValon." The man had broken his "polite" mode. His voice had gotten darker, and rougher. There was the sound of something ripping, and then a dark laugh.
"You!" Blurted out McValon. Something fell, probably as he was trying to scramble away. Something more crashed and fell.
Then there was a terrified scream.
Batman kicked in the door, and the three of them rushed in, only to find Darkness standing over the shaking McValon. "Freeze!" The three vigilantes dropped into a combat stance, as the other thugs turned their weapons to bare.
Batman was more than ready, as his hand moved with precision. Shirkens flew from his hand, hitting each hand, causing their weapons to fall to the ground in a clutter. There were bellows of pain from the thugs. Robin and Nightwing moved in silence, as they struck down the two closest. The other two cried out, and moved to attack Batman at once.
Darkness bent down, picking up McValon, throwing him over his shoulder. "Too late, Detective!" Darkness turned, and made a dash to the front of the store. The alarm began ringing as the sound of breaking glass could be heard from the front of the store. Batman quickly subdued the two men attacking him. They fell to the ground in a heap. Robin and Nightwing made quick work of the men moving against them.
Sirens wailed as the police pulled up. Several officers jumped out of their cars, their weapons drawn. Batman looked over the pile of clothing in the center of the room. Gordon and several other officers burst into the back room. Robin and Nightwing finished restraining the men.
"What do we have so far?" Gordon requested of the Dark Knight.
Batman pulled something from his belt, and examined a piece of torn cloth. He then stood, narrowing his eyes. "Darkness has either bullied or blackmailed mob informants to deliver false information."
"For what reason?" Gordon inquired.
The Dark Knight shook his head. "I don't know that yet. But, I do know he 'owns' several dozen such informers and brokers." Batman looked again at the clothing, bending down once again to pick something up that was under the torn shirt. He picked up a business card.
"There are a couple more leads to follow, Jim. Be ready for my signal." Batman moved through the crowd of police, followed by Robin and Nightwing.
When they reached the roof of one of the skyscrapers, Batman turned to the other two, holding up the card. "Alex Brennan is the next man on our list."
Nightwing takes the card "'InfiniTech'? What's that?"
"Brennan's technology firm," Batman responded.
Robin frowned. "What would a man like that want with a lowbrow like Darkness?"
Batman narrowed his eyes darkly. "I intend to find out."
Alex Brennan sat quietly in a reading chair near roaring fire contained in its hearth. He flipped through the pages of the nightly newspaper. A cup of coffee rested on the table next to the chair. He reached over, only to nearly jump out of his chair.
The form of the Dark Knight slipped from the shadows. His cape was wrapped around his form, as his eyes narrowed behind the slits of his cowl. He watched the spooked businessman. "Brennan."
The moment of fear slipping past him, he watched Batman move across the room towards him. "What do you want? Why are you here?" A tinge of fear still moved visibly through him.
"What connection do you have with Darkness?" The Detective demanded.
"Darkness?" Questioned Brennan. "I have no connections to Darkness! That's absurd! Now leave before I call the police!"
Batman pulled one hand out from under his cape. The white business card was a contrast against the blackness. Brennan's eyes moved to it. "Call the police. They will ask you why this card was found with him."
"With him? You mean that he's been caught?" Brennan's voice changed slightly. "I congratulate you, Batman. You and your police force."
Batman replaced the card within his cape. "What have you done with McValon?"
Brennan smiled slightly. His voice darkened. "Those I don't control, get in my way. I only want those that control."
"And who would that be?"
"Anyone who stands in my way. Like you." Brennan moved, flipping the chair upwards, sending it towards the Dark Knight. The arm of the chair caught on Batman's arm, twisting him slightly.
When Batman turned back, Brennan was gone. Batman pressed two fingers against the side of his cowl. "Did you get him?"
"He is dropping towards the street. He's hard to spot as Darkness, but we've got him," the electronic voice of Nightwing responded.
Batman moved towards the window, and dove out. The wind caught the cape, as he shot towards the ground. He could see Brennan, as well as Robin and Nightwing following quickly behind. Batman's decent was faster than that of the other three. Darkness looked back, seeing the three behind him. Batman was gaining quickly. Darkness looked forward, catching several overhangs, slowing his fall. When he reached the ground, he began running down the street, jumping over oncoming cars.
The three saw this. Robin and Nightwing proceeded on the ground, as Batman through out a grapple claw. It caught on to a building. Batman swung across the traffic. He approached Darkness quickly. Once close enough, the Dark Knight let go, throwing himself towards Darkness, his arms out stretched to catch the criminal.
Just as Batman neared, Darkness flipped backwards, kicking Batman in the neck. The strike was so sudden, that even Batman was not ready. He slammed hard into the street, right in the path of an oncoming truck. As Batman lay unconscious in the street, Nightwing grabbed him in time to avoid the speeding vehicle.
"Track him. Make sure you don't attempt to take him," Nightwing instructed to Robin, who quickly nodded and fired off a cable. The boy rose quickly into the night, disappearing into the few lights still on.
Nightwing turned back to Batman, who begun to regain his senses. There was a groan from him, as he tried to sit up. "Where is he?" He demanded.
"Robin is tracking him now. How do you feel?" Nightwing questioned.
Batman, with the help of Nightwing, stood up. "We've got to find him, fast. He's going after the explosives."
Nightwing nodded grimly. Batman pulled himself upright. He pulled a launcher from his belt, and fired off a cord into the night.
Batman landed softly on the roof of the WayneTech building. Darkness was there, waiting for him. "We meet again, Detective. A shame, don't you think that half of your city will be destroyed?"
"It won't happen, Brennan," announced Batman through the cold.
"He was right about, Detective. You do care too much," Darkness shot back.
Batman narrowed his eyes. "Ra's Al Ghul."
"He was also right about your resourcefulness. The explosives are made from the Lazerarus pits. The chemical elements will spread out, causing the city to be overtaken by the undergrowth." Darkness held up the detonator. A red light blinked quietly on the control.
Batman didn't need to hear anymore. He moved with precision and speed. One hand moved, throwing a shirkin, driving itself into Darkness' hand, the controller fell towards the ground. Robin tumbled towards the falling controller, catching it, and rolling away. He stood quickly, jumping from the roof, with the controller.
Darkness became enraged, watching the Boy Wonder throw himself off the building. He charged after him, only to meet Batman standing at the ledge. Darkness pulled the shirkin from his hand, slamming it to the ground and lowered himself into a combat stance.
"Where are the explosives, Darkness?" Demanded the Knight.
Darkness smiled beneath his mask. "You won't find them, Detective. I won't allow that." Darkness lashed out with his arm, attempting to strike Batman's neck. Batman easily countered the move, catching Darkness' legs, and bringing the crook down flat on his back.
"Well played, Detective."
Batman turned in a smooth motion to the voice. "Ra's!" Batman barked.
Ubu threw Robin on the ground, rolling him towards Batman. He was out cold, but alive. In his hand, the detonator lay resting.
The older man approached Batman. "You are indeed, a worthy man to wed my daughter. It is a shame you wish to counter my movements to restore this world to its proper place."
Batman moved, placing himself between Ra's and Robin. The cloak surrounded Ra's like the darkness wrapped around Batman.
"Where are the explosives, Ra's?" Batman's voice had grown dark.
"Ubu, retrieve the failure," The Demon's Head ordered. The large Ubu walked over, picking up the black form of Darkness.
"I am no failure, my master!" Bellowed Darkness, as he fought off Ubo, and jumped for the control. He took it from Robin, and pulled off his mask. Brennan smiled wickedly.
"My master! Let me show you my victory over this man! He is weaker than I!"
Darkness flipped the switch!
There was a moment of silence, as Batman stood watching him. Darkness began to scream out in terror and pain!
Ubu and Ra's watched quietly in the night. After a moment of screaming, Darkness fell dead to the ground.
Robin began to stir. Nightwing landed softly on the building roof. He moved to help the rising Robin upwards, as Batman approached Ra's. "You killed him. Why?"
"You are a marvel to behold, Detective. I'm impressed you didn't stop him." Ra's turned, starting to walk away.
"You switched controllers with Robin before coming here. Was it his test, or mine?"
Ra's stopped. "It was his, Detective. He wanted to prove he was my successor. The moment he used the controller, he proved he was a waste." Ubu stepped over to Batman, holding out a small notepad. Batman took it, hiding it beneath his cape. Ra's continued, "In that pad, you will find the location of all the devices and items stolen by my former heir."
The cold wind howled through the night. Robin and Nightwing approached Batman from behind, as Al Ghul and Ubu walked away into the darkness.