The Fox Fire Ring: Chapter Four: Unmasking the Bats
P.O.V
Emily
Wayne Manor
Sleep. Something I hadn't enjoyed in what seemed like years. I was so glad it was summer, which meant I might not get hassled by Bruce or Terry to get up, go to school, go on patrol, etc. I sure hoped Terry was alright.....
I stretched and yawned, and all of a sudden heard a zinging sound by my ear. I went absolutely pale when I saw a long knife, wedged into the wall, a note attached to it.
"Breath, breath. Do not panic," I reminded myself, because I could heard the reassuring sound of my heart beating, which meant I wasn't dead. I pulled the note off the knife, made a little pile of dust from a table, carefully scooped it up and sprinkled it along the knife, trying to see if the bimbo was stupid enough to use it's bare hands to throw it.
No prints. Nothing. Strange. Could be they wore gloves, but then....Oh well. It wasn't important, and I began to read the note.
"Dear Batty," I read. I didn't appreciate the pun, but what I really didn't like was the fact that it implied they knew who I was......Oh boy.....
"Seeing as I know who you are Mackenzie, you might like to talk to me. Don't worry. I won't broadcast you little identity. That's far too easy for me....No, I've got different plans for ruining your life. Meet me by the docks by Midnight." It wasn't signed. Whoever it was wasn't playing around. I just prayed they had been aiming for my head, because if they had, it meant they weren't that good of a shot. And if they hadn't......well......
I raced down stairs, into the cave, and grabbed the mask from the case. Bruce was still up, typing on the computer, and looked at me in shock.
"What are you doing up? What's the rush."
"It's complicated," I replied. "I'm taking the plane. I'll be back....I hope...."
"Emily?"
"Bye Bruce," I said and was off.
I hid the plane in an alley, a few blocks from the docks. It was raining slightly and I finally made it to the docks. I stood in the shadows, not knowing why I even decided to come.
Then she appeared. Out of what seemed to me nowhere. I stepped out so she could see me, and then realized I still had the ring on! Without knowing what I was doing, I slipped my hand behind my back. Why was I afraid of her seeing it?
"Hello Emily," she said.
Bruce logs every fight he or Terry has ever had in the computer, and just for some study time, I've read em. All of Terry's anyway. I'm still working on Bruce's. The point being I stumbled into Terry's fight with the Joker, and saw a big mistake he made. Never, EVER admit to a super villain, or anyone for that matter who you really are. Sooo....
"That's not my name. It's batgirl," I replied.
"Then why are you here? I sent the note to a Ms. Emily Mackenzie," she retorted.
"She went to the police with it, only I found her first." Yeah, I thought. That sounds believable. She smirked.
"Right......" she said. "I'm sure you've been curious as to why I can just appear out of nowhere, aren't you?"
Truth be told I was, but I wasn't going to tell her that. "Not really," I said.
"Well, I'll tell you anyway," and she stepped really close to me and leaned in to whisper into me ear.
...
A wave of cold pressure engulfed Emily. It slid down her neck, and made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Now she knew why Terry went so pale when she mentioned Nightshade's name.
"I'm not from here," she said. Instantly dozens of witty, yet purposely annoying comments filled Emily's mind, but could choke out none of them. Instead she was struggling to keep her heart beat steady, as well as her breathing.
"I come from your worst nightmares," she said. Emily could well believe it. But sense began to regain her and Emily took a step back, a batarang in hand.
"What do you want?" she questioned, pretending to be brave.
"A couple of things," she replied. "But for starters, my ring."
"What ring?"
"The one you stole from me!"
"I don't have it with me," she lied.
"Your lying," she yelled.
"I'm not a criminal like you!" she yelled back.
"Believe me Ms. Mackenzie, I can hurt you and McGinnis. Badly. So if you play along, I might be nice," she growled.
"Leave Terry alone," she said.
"Give me my ring!"
"You can't even use it to it's full potential!"
"You little witch!" she screamed, and dagger in hand, charged for Batgirl. Emily suddenly felt herself pull her hands in front of her and a rusty, coppery color beam shot forth from the ring. The beam expanded, until it encircled Emily like a transparent shield.
Nightshade was tossed roughly back to the ground and Emily panted in fear, exhaustion and amazement.
"I can use the ring," she whispered to herself.
"No," said Nightshade. "The ring is protecting you because your heart and soul are good. Trying to draw out the rings power would destroy you. Your to weak."
"You can't use it! Emily shouted. She knew she was wrong. The flame had come from her hand. The ring was hers.
"I don't need it," she said, and her amulet began glowing. "This is not over," she said. "We will meet again," and she was gone.
Emily stood there for a few minutes. "Withdraw shield," she said, and the ring did as told. Was the book right? Was it becoming apart of her? When Nightshade attacked her, she had silently thought "If I can control this ring, then give me a shield," and that's what happened. Was Nightshade right, or could she control the Fox Fire Ring? In any event, she went off to get the batplane and go home. But the questions still plagued her.....
To Be Continued....