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 Twelve

Across town at Daggett's office…

Zanah dragged in a hooded figure. "Your package gift wrapped."

"Well done Zanah."

"That's it Daggett I'm out."

"Of course, good luck to you," Daggett said as his men took hold of Tetch. Zanah turned and left Getting on her motorcycle she drove back to Wayne Manor quickly. Knowing not to trust him.

Once Zanah was gone Daggett turned his attention to Mr. Tetch. His men unhooded the smaller figure and Daggett studied him for a moment before speaking.

"Jervis Tetch."

"Yes."

 "It's nice to meet you."

"What do you want Mr.?"

"I want Gotham Mr. Tetch and with your help; I think I can get it."

"What do you need me to do?"

"I got you out, so I'll ask you to repay the favor by helping me gain control of Wayne Enterprises."

"How?"

"Well…"

Outside of Gotham near a sharp curve…

The guardrail is busted, broken glass litters the ground and several trees to the side of the road are snapped in half. At the bottom of the hill lies a blue convertible with a white top. The grill and front end are smashed up. Gasoline is dripping and has pooled under the destroyed car. In the car is a flesh toned mass. A groan emits and a pair of eyes open.

"Where am I? What happened?" Matt Hagen questioned as he looked about. The scene of the car lay before him and he panicked. Checking his reflection in the mirror he cried out in terror. Rather than his face he was met by an oozing mass of claylike material. His mind flashed back to earlier at Daggett's office. Turning in the girl then being led away by Daggett's associates to claim his reward. The men holding him down as they forced the compound down his throat.

Rage filled Hagen and his hand smashed through the window. The massive clay formed hand changing to brick.

"Daggett! I'll get you for this," he roared in rage as he pulled himself from the car. He then lumbered away from the car and moved into the woods.

Meanwhile at Wayne Manor…

Bruce sat in the study trying to figure out who had freed Tetch and where he was now. The description of the perpetrator and the victims matched with the scene at the cat food factory. Which suggested Catwoman's rescuer was responsible. So was the new player friend or foe. He was still contemplating this when the doorbell rang.

Alfred opened the door and was faced with a woman dressed in a black blazer and matching skirt. She had short brown hair. "May I help you mamm?" Alfred asked.

"Yes, I'm here to see Mr. Wayne."

"What business brings you here?"

"I'm looking for someone and I have reason to believe she's here."

"Mr. Wayne is in the study. Wait here."

The woman nodded and watched as Alfred disappeared into a room down the all.

"Mr. Wayne there is a woman here to speak with you."

"I'll be right out," Bruce said as he straightened up his papers and put them away. He then stepped out into the hall and walked down to where the woman stood waiting. "How may I help you Miss?"

"Mr. Wayne for several months now I've been searching for my daughter and I heard that she might be staying here."

"Your daughter?"

"Yes, Zanah. She ran away and I've been worried sick about her," the woman replied as she handed him a picture of Zanah.

Down the hall…

 Zanah hear the two speaking and terror filled her.

"Zanah are you okay?" Dick asked concerned by her sudden mood shift.

"Not really. I'm feeling a little ill. I'm going to go up to my room," Zanah replied as she spotted the older woman.

"Okay, well I hope you feel better."

Zanah left the room and moved up stairs.

Dick stepped out of the room and hearing the conversation down the hall moved to investigate,

"Yes mamm the girl is here and she is doing fine."

"Hey Bruce what's going on?"

"Dick this is Zanah's mother."

"Mother? Zanah said she had no family."

"Well, she claims to be her mother. Maybe Zanah lied."

"Its possible, but I don't think…"

"Where is she?" the woman asked interrupting him.

"I'm not sure," Dick lied alarms going off in his mind. Something was wrong. "I've got some things to finish up. See you later Bruce."

Dick moved down the hall and upstairs instead of going to his own room he moved down the hall to Zanah's room and opened the door. Looking inside he found her franticly packing her clothes into her backpack.

"Zanah, what's going on? There's a woman downstairs who claims to be your mother."

"She's lying. Look I have to go."

"Why?"

"They found me. If I stay you're both in danger."

"Who found you?"

"Its better you not know."

"Do you have somewhere to go?"

"Yes, Actually I think I do."

"Be careful and please let me know that you're all right."

"I will. Be careful yourself and I'm sorry I brought them here."

"Don't be. If you ever need anything…"

"I know who to call. Good bye Dick."

"Good bye Zanah," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her giving her a hug. His eyes met with hers and his hand brushed through her hair before their lips met in a kiss. Zanah kissed him back for a moment before turning away.

"I have to go," she whispered as she shouldered her bag.

"Go, I'll stall them long enough for you to get off the grounds."

"Thank you."

Dick turned and moved downstairs. "Zanah's in her room, she'll be down in a minute," he said as he approached his friend.

Upstairs…

Zanah opened the window and crept out. She moved down the side of the house and then sprinted across the lawn to her motorcycle and walked it past the gate before starting the engine and speeding away.

In the Manor…

Bruce led the woman upstairs to Zanah's room. Knocking on the door they received no answer. After a couple of minutes without answer Bruce opened the door to find an empty room with an open window. "It appears she gone."

"I'll find her again don't worry about it," the woman said and she left.

"You knew she was leaving," Bruce said looking at his Dick.

"I did."

"You should have said something to her mother."

"Bruce, I don't think she is Zanah's mother."

"Dick you found her on the street. She lied about having no family."

"You're going to believe a complete stranger over me?" Dick questioned hurt.

"Under the circumstances yes. Your judgment is impaired by your feelings for the girl."

"Is it me, or is it Selina impairing yours."

"Don't."

"Wake up Bruce. Your so confused right now you can't think straight," Dick snapped before moving down the hall to his room.

Dick stared out the window in his room and watched as water beat against the glass from the now pouring rain.  I hope she's right about having a place to go, Dick thought as he considered the alternative of her out on the cold streets of Gotham in the pouring rain. Please be safe.