Batman Return of the Dark Nights
Written by: Panthera
Disclaimer: The characters within this story belong to DC Comics and Warner Brothers I have just borrowed them for a while. No harm is meant I will return them unharmed when I'm finished the only character contained within that is not DC is that of Zanah she is an original character created by me and my friend. Now, on with the story.
Chapter Eleven
Selina sat watching the news when a report on Daggett industries failed attempts to take over Wayne Enterprises came up. She was prepared to flip when the reporter began to speak with the head of the company Roland Daggett. His voice about sent her into a full rage. There was no mistaking the voice of the man who had nearly killed her. The voice was enough in her mind to prove Bruce's suspicions about the man, but unfortunately the word of Catwoman meant nothing in court and right now seemed to carry no weight with Batman either which meant whatever was to be done she'd have to do it herself.
It was bad enough he was trying to get rid of Wayne and the Bat but now he's gone to far. When he sent me to that factory he dug his own grave. It's my turn to cut into him. The question to ask is how to go about doing it. No, that kind of justice doesn't work. It nearly got me killed last time. I'll have to prove he's dirty somehow.
To do that Selina would have to get inside of his security and close enough to find what she needed to prove he was a criminal. That meant getting inside his fortress of a business. Selina switched off the TV and started to pace the floor. How could she hope to get in that building with out getting herself arrested or killed? A headache began to form behind her eyes as her frustration mounted. He'd be looking for Catwoman. Expecting her even. Selina stopped pacing as she sighed and then looked in the mirror and shook her head.
Other than Bruce no one else in Gotham knows who Selina Kyle is. I was a secretary once before, I could easily do it again. If it will get me past security and inside to find the evidence of Roland Daggett's illegal activities.
Selina smiled pleased with the solution knowing that once Daggett was unmasked her vengeful mind would fall silent. Beyond that if she had any ideas about staying in Gotham she had to find something to keep her busy. Selina moved from the living room into her room, opened her closet and looked over her clothes.
A quick search showed that nothing she owned would do for the old Selina Kyle. I guess I'll be shopping today, she thought to herself. As she closed the closet she remembered she had beaten up Daggett's goons from the Charity Ball to learn what was planned next. A disguise may become necessary should those two clowns show up. Selina grabbed her purse and left the loft.
At Wayne Manor…
Bruce and Dick sat in the dining room talking.
"So I heard you spoke with Selina earlier. What did she want this time?" Bruce asked.
"She wanted to know who we thought was behind everything going on."
"Why?"
"Well, she said she figured since she'd stepped on his toes it would be best to steer clear of him."
"Translation she wants to go after him herself."
"What?"
"Catwoman never backs down from a fight it's not in her nature if she said that then she was lying."
"I told her we thought it was Daggett."
"You shouldn't have spoken to her."
"Why as far as I can see all she's done is help us since she got back?"
"Selina plays games with people. She does things for her own reasons. She doesn't believe in our justice. She's potentially as dangerous as anyone else we fight. Don't let her fool you."
"Who are you trying to convince here Bruce, me or yourself?" Dick asked before he left his friend alone.
On his way out of the room he was faced with Zanah. Who appeared to be preoccupied with something.
"Hey Zanah you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just have some errands I need to run. I'll be back later." She explained.
"Okay. See you tonight then."
Zanah nodded and then stepped outside. She climbed onto her motorcycle and rode off.
Zanah pulled to a stop a mile away from Arcum Asylum and moved towards the grounds. Pulling out a pair of binoculars from in her seat she checked out the grounds casing the place for her break in later that night. This won't be easy. As soon as I've done this I'll have to be ready to leave at a moments notice. I won't go back. Zanah thought before she drove off again. She made one last stop at the city records office and made a copy of Arcum's blue prints. She then returned to Wayne Manor.
Later that night…
A dark clad figure crept across the grounds of Arcum Asylum and move into the building through an airshaft. Once inside the Wraith dealt with the security cameras by looping the feed and made her way through security towards the cell in question. Along the way she took out a guard roaming the halls. She soon found her destination a cell labeled Jervis Tetch. Taking out the keys she unlocked the door and grabbed the man within. She then lead her captive out of the place as silently as she came. She left as a siren sounded.
Across Town at Gotham's Police department…
Commisioner Gordon was reading over the file on the stolen cat statue when the phone rang. Picking it up he was met by a frantic message of Tetch escaping from Arcum. Rising from his seat Gordon moved upstairs onto the roof and sent up the Bat Signal.
Else Where…
Selina was in the midst of putting away her new clothes and her mind wandered back to earlier that day. While walking through Gotham plaza she found herself in a familiar spot. She stood in the middle of what had once been Gotham square where she had met Bruce Wayne for the first time. Selina sighed as she fought back a headache. What am I doing here? I thought I'd left this place far behind me. I knew I shouldn't have come back, Selina thought.
"Miss Kyle," Alfred said in surprise to see her yet again.
"Alfred," she said startled to see a familiar face.
"How are you doing Miss Kyle? You seem different," said Alfred.
"I'm okay. I was a little destresed for a while but I'm fine now," she replied.
"I wanted to thank you again for saving Mr. Wayne the other day but you left before I got the chance. "
"Don't mention it. I was just helping out an old friend."
"You'll have to excuse Mr. Wayne he's angry. You were gone for quite sometime."
"I know, and I'm beginning to wish I hadn't come back."
"What's troubling you?"
"Well, ever since mom died I just haven't been the same."
"I'm sorry."
What is wrong with me? Why am I telling him all this? I've got to get out of here. "Look Alfred I've got to go, but it was nice seeing you again."
"Good bye Miss Kyle."
"Bye."
Selina shook her head as she returned to the task of putting away her new clothes for work. She was just finishing up when she saw the Bat signal pierce the night sky. She changed into her Catwoman costume and then stared at the signal wondering why she was going. I need to talk to him, she thought to herself before she left.
At Wayne Manor…
Bruce Wayne turned to see the Bat signal in the night sky and knowing he was no longer able to remain in hiding he turned and moved towards the study ready to face what ever Gotham had decided to throw in his path. Dick who was already in the cave getting ready to leave was glad to see his friend had apparently made his decision and would not be retiring after all. Once suited up the two left.
At the police station Gordon stood waiting for the arrival of Robin and much to his relief was met by both him and Batman. "I'm glad to see that rumors of your demise were ill founded."
"What's going on?" Batman asked getting strait to work.
"Someone helped Jervis Tetch escape this evening from Arcum Asylum."
"Any clues?" Robin asked.
"The only thing the doctor said was that the guard on duty had his throat ripped open by a set of claws," Gordon replied before he moved inside.
Batman stood silent wondering if Catwoman was the culprit when he realized someone else was on the roof lurking in the shadows. "Catwoman."
"Relax Batman I just came to thank you again for helping me out last night."
"You want to thank me, return the Jade Cat so you don't go to jail."
"I don't have it."
"Don't lie to me Selina."
"Even if I did I wouldn't take it back."
"Then I'm going to have to turn you in."
"I thought…"
"You were wrong. Now I give you a choice. Return the statue and leave or you can spend the next several years behind bars."
"This all goes back to sugar doesn't it. Tell me Bruce are you marrying her for love or just to end your lonely existence."
"Selina…"
"You still dealing with their deaths aren't you. Good grief Bruce, they've been dead more than twenty years. I think this screams obsession."
"That's easy for you to say you still have your mother. Who you never visit."
"Don't you make moral judgments on me Bruce Wayne. I know all about you. You've killed a man and so have I. You live alone and fight, each night your vengeance, so don't you dare try to act as though you're any better than me."
"I killed Nepier because he killed my parents it was justified. And at the time he was trying to kill me. You killed Shrek for who knows why, but it certainly wasn't justified."
"Is that what you think? You think I killed him out of anger, pointless anger. You know nothing about me," she roared as she lashed out at him. He was ready for it and caught her leg then threw her to the ground.
"Why then?"
"I hated him… He was a monster. A disease plaguing Gotham. A brute and a bully, curoupt and evil."
"I know, but that's no reason to kill him, Just send him to jail."
"No, he killed me."
"I…"
"No you don't know… He pushed me out of the window of his office. Whem I woke hours later I was Catwoman."
"No one could have lived through that fall."
"So it didn't happen is your assumption. Why not ask Chip Shrek if you don't believe me? The only problem is he'll lie to protect his skin and dear departed daddy."
"Selina…"
"Don't Bruce I don't want to hear it. Good night," she snapped before disappearing into the shadows.
Batman turned and went on his way unwilling to listen to her, unwilling to get mixed up in her life again.
Selina dragged her nails down the glass cover of the Bat signal in frustration before going on her way.
Later…
Bruce Wayne stood in the Batcave staring at what his life had become.HE was thinking about what Selina had said earlier when Alfred walked in.
"Mr. Wayne. How are you doing sir?"
"I'm okay, just a little upset with Selina."
"Don't be too hard on her sir she's a little lost."
"Alfred, what do you mean?"
"She lost her mother sir."
"That's why she got so angry when I mentioned her mother."
"Sir I think Miss Kyle needs your help."
"I can't help her Alfred. She won't even tell me why she was after Shrek."
"I find that hard to believe sir."
"She said he killed her. Pushed her out of his office window, but no one could have survived that fall."
"You told me yourself Shrek shot her four times before she electrocuted him and herself. She should be dead sir, but she's not so perhaps she told you the truth."
"Maybe."
"Sir talk to her she needs your help."
"I can't Alfred I don't know what to do for her."
"Is that it sir or is it you don't know how to forgive her."
"I don't know if I can trust her."
"You still love her sir. Don't you?"
"I don't know Alfred, I just don't know."
