Disclaimer: All characters (except Julia and Kitty) are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers. Please read and review.
Author's Note: Well Batman and the new Batgirl finally meet and it gets . . . interesting. Read to see what Batman thinks of Batgirl after an encounter with some baddies!
Chapter
5: The Meeting
The night was still young . . . perhaps
I had gone out a little too early. But, it was my first night on
Gotham's streets and I wanted to enjoy every moment of it. I had been
working all her life for this moment and all that would follow it. I
watched as the last few people hurried down the street, anxious to
get to the safety of their homes. The wind picked up a bit, lifting
my brilliant red locks to dance along with the breeze.
I focused my attention towards the harbor. Changing my position, my figure was released by the shadows, giving a clear view of it. My body was clad in black Kleather, all save the bright yellow bat on my chest. Crouched down on powerful legs, I raised my elegant, swan-like neck, allowing a cascade of rich red hair to fall across my broad, powerful shoulders. Spread out behind me was a black cape, which would fall just past my hips when I stood. Even though my face was completely covered in a black mask, graceful features were clearly evident. Clear night-vision lenses covered bright, emerald eyes, which twinkled with anticipation.
I shifted my weight forward onto strong, muscular arms as I leaned over the edge of the building to get a better look at the street below. After getting a good view, I stood up in one swift motion, revealing a sleek, well-toned body. Moving silently across the rooftop, I pulled out a grapple from my utility belt. Just then, a familiar black object whisked by me.
Snapping my head up to watch it fly past, a grin crept onto my lips as I sprung forward after it. Running rapidly across the rooftops, I moved with amazing agility as I avoided all obstacles easily. It was obvious to any that I was well trained and practiced. I had not been training my whole life for nothing.
Halting at an edge of a rooftop, I kneeled down to get my bearings. I was on the rooftop of a warehouse on the docks. Dock number 146 to be exact. I viewed as Batman abandoned the rooftop and dropped to the ground. I knew that if I followed him, he would lead me exactly where I wanted to be.
Keeping to the shadows, I crept across the warehouse rooftop alongside the figure of Batman down below. Batman slid his way through piles of wooden crates until he finally reached a small gathering. Keeping out of site, he found a safe spot from which he could survey the situation.
From my perch up above, I was surveying the situation as well. From the looks of the men and the wooden crates they were guarding, I guessed that this was some sort of smuggling deal. The men were probably waiting for the goods to get picked up by the dealer.
The next moment, three hover cars pulled up to the group. Several men with laser guns stepped out of them, followed by the man that I knew right away was the dealer. I studied him in detail. He seemed quite young to be a dealer, somewhere in his mid twenties. He was tall, skinny yet well built, and had a certain noble air about him. He was definitely Spanish.
A few of the Spaniard's men surrounded the others, while the rest started loading the crates into the cars. The Spaniard strode up to the leader of the group. He was a very nervous, fat man, with a nest of greasy black hair, a messy mustache, and was wearing a suit that was much to large for him. As the Spaniard approached him, he began to rub his hands together nervously. The Spaniard began conversing with him immediately, most likely about business. Batman took this opportunity to make his move.
I watched as Batman threw several gas bombs into the meeting. Smoke filled the area, confusing all and causing some sort of panic. Most had heard about Batman and where not keen on meeting him in person. Batman leaped into the smoky chaos and started taking down men.
The smoke bombs were a nice touch. Predictable, but nice
Batman was too busy with the guards to see that the Spaniard and two of his men piling a few more crates into a hover car. The Spaniard looked quite furious at the interruption Batman had caused. But he wasn't about to get caught with such a precious cargo, so he climbed into the hover car with his men and drove off. Or at least he meant to drive off.
I had waited until the Spaniard had accelerated the car before dropping down onto the windshield of the car. Spreading out my cape to cover the whole windshield, I lingered only until the Spaniard hit the brakes and almost crashed into the brick wall of the warehouse.
When the Spaniard's men crawled out of the car, my fists greeted them. They both fell to the ground. The Spaniard had witnessed the whole incident and pulled something long and silver from the car. When I ran up to meet him, I saw that in his hand was unbelievably, a sword.
"That's original", I uttered.
"Originality is my specialty, seƱorita", he replied
"How lovely", I said before ramming my fist into his stomach.
The Spaniard gave a bit, but did not lose his ground. He flashed the sword expertly, but I was much too quick and agile for him to hit. Being over confident, he made several mistakes. Mistakes that gave me the opportunity I needed. I gave him a well-calculated kick to the gut and then another to the jaw. He tumbled next to his comrades.
Arrogance is not a good quality for a criminal to have
I whipped around to help Batman, who was not faring well. He had taken down four of the greasy man's thugs, but the Spaniard's men were too much for him . . . especially since they outnumbered him one to seven. One had Batman's arms behind him and another was punching him repeatedly.
Suddenly, the man holding Batman's arms was knocked out and Batman was free. Batman fought off the man in front of him. Soon, Batman and I had taken down the others. After he finished tying up the last guy, Batman turned to me. He studied me carefully before speaking.
"And who are you supposed to be?" he asked.
"I think that you know perfectly well who I am", I replied calmly.
"Don't tell me. You're the new Batgirl?" he said sarcastically.
"You're pretty smart Batman", I teased.
"Do you have any idea what you are getting yourself into? Or the dangers, the risks, not to mention the sacrifices involved?" he questioned.
"Are you kidding me? Of course I know about everything involved! And I am more than prepared for this", I remarked.
"I hope you know that I won't be able to save your neck every time you make a mistake", he continued.
I rolled my eyes, "Who ever said I needed your help anyways? I said I could handle this"
Batman looked at me for a minute, "Fine, but don't expect any support from me. And try not to screw up, BATGIRL, it'll reflect badly on me", he sneered before opening his wings and taking off in the night. I looked after him.
Charming . . . men
I chuckled before firing my grapple and whisking off into the night.
- - - - - -
Terry walked up towards the computer, where Bruce sat studying data. Ace perked his head up at the sound of Terry's footsteps echoing off the cavern walls. Terry patted his head as he passed by and stood behind Bruce's chair. On the screen was a criminal profile of the Spaniard. Terry skimmed down the profile and saw that his real name was Joaquin Cortez.
Terry glanced at Bruce, who seemed to be deeply immersed in his work. Terry sighed, knowing what was coming.
He might as well get it over with.
"The GCPD arrested the Spaniard and his men. They also caught his contact here in Gotham and his men as well. All the stolen goods are in the GCPD's possession", Terry stated, trying to break the ice.
Bruce stared at the screen hard before slowly turning his chair to face Terry, "How could you actually give her permission to continue patrolling the streets?" he boomed.
Terry winced momentarily before answering, "Look Bruce, I didn't give her permission, I told her the dangers and I told her that I was not supporting her. If she wants to continue patrolling; it's her choice", he replied.
Bruce stared at him, "I'm going to keep a very close eye on her, and if she makes one bad move, you're going to make her change her mind. I'm giving her a chance only because of the potential she showed out there tonight"
Terry breathed out a sigh of relief, "Okay, but like I told her, I'm not gonna help her. She wants to do this; she has to earn it herself"
Bruce smiled slightly, "I never said anything about helping her. Like you say, she has to earn her spot on this team"
Terry nodded.
- - - - - -
Batman stood at the edge of the roof of the Wayne-Powers building. It was one of the tallest in the city and gave him a good view of the east side of the city. It was his first and last stop on his nightly patrols. He silently watched the city from his perch, unaware of the shadow approaching him silently.
"This really is the best view of the city. At least for a crime-fighter it is", came a voice from behind him suddenly.
Batman whipped around to face the owner of the voice.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Hey, take it easy. I'm a good guy, remember?" I said.
"So far . . . hopefully, it'll stay that way. For your sake", he said in a dangerous voice.
"Is that a threat Bats?" I smirked.
"How do I know I can trust you?" he asked.
"Well I did just save your butt the other night. I COULD have just left you to fend for yourself. But I DIDN'T"
"Okay, so I'm going to try to trust you, for now. How did you find me anyways?"
"I followed you silly! You should really check for people tailing you, you know. Anyone could have followed you from the bank", I pointed out.
"Okay, you've made your point" he said, annoyed.
"Give him the information"
"Okay" I said under my breath.
"What was that?" Batman asked.
"Here", I said, handing him a CD.
"What is it?"
"Information on Joaquin's next hit"
Batman raised an eyebrow, "How did you know his name? Where did you get that?"
I chuckled, "Don't ask questions and just take it. You'll know in due time"
Batman looked at me for a minute before taking the CD.
I turned to leave, "Oh and don't try to follow me. I usually check for people tailing me. Besides, you'd never be able to tail me"
Batman watched as I jumped off the ledge.
"Did you get all that Wayne?" Batman muttered.
"Come back to the cave"
"On my way"
- - - - - -
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- Lady Artemis -
