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 Seventeen
The Next Day…
Daggett sat in the security room watching as his new secretary emerged from the records room with a small stack of folders. His anger mounted as she moved down the hall to the copy room and made duplicates of the old records.
He'd watched the video feed from the past couple of days and what he found was upsetting. Not only had Catwoman been in the building recently it seemed that Miss Kyle and her had some kind of connection. Which meant his new secretary wasn't to be trusted.
His frustration at the situation only escalated further as he thought on about his newest developments. His men had not only lost Zanah but now they had also lost Tetch as well. Things had been running so smoothly and now it seemed that the roof was coming down on him.
Not only was he dealing with sabotage from inside his own walls but also now there was the added attacks of Clay Face and the Wraith both of which he had no idea who they were, and more to the point why they were after him. He had his suspicions of course but no one could confirm them until they met face to face and with the rage that had been displayed thus far it would be a cold day in hell before that happened.
Daggett was thinking about all these things when one of his men stepped into the room and handed him a letter. Opening the envelope he found a simple note,
Dear Mr. Daggett,
Your personal issues are about to go away with one move. Consider us even.
Sincerely,
J.T. M.H.
Crazy fool he'll ruin everything if I'm not careful. Seems it's time to have Mr. Tetch removed, Daggett thought as he crushed the letter.
That Night…
The Wraith was making her way to the cat-food factory her next mark on the list of places to destroy as she moved across the rooftop she heard the sounds of a struggle. Dropping in closer she found Robin and Clay Face in the midst of battle. Looking about she found no sign of Batman anywhere. Despite the danger she knew it put her in Zanah dropped into the middle of the struggle not about to leave Dick to die.
Robin watched stunned as The Wraith once again swooped down to his aid. She went after the massive Clay figure with sword and claws moving with catlike reflexes and responding with a ferociousness that was unsettling.
Clay Face stared at the avenging figure enraged that she had yet again stepped into the middle of his battle. His massive clay hands made contact with the black clad figure and he glared at her with murderous intent as an evil grin played across his face.
Robin looked on with horror as Clay Face shot out several tendrils from his body grabbing for The Wraith. Several snaring her by ankles and wrists. She cut herself loose as much as was possible but it was a hopeless struggle. The mass of clay dragged her backwards towards him and too late Robin realized the intent of the attack. He watched in stunned terror as Clay Face pulled the Wraith into his massive clay form slowly closing her in to suffocate her.
Zanah screamed in panic at the inability to move as the clay worked its way around her neck and over her chin.
"Ha, ha, ha I wonder how he'll react to knowing I killed you," Clay Face said as he continued to burry her in his body. "No it's to soon have to enjoy this," he said as the clay receded from around her enough for her to breath. Spikes taking for digging into her as she gasped for air.
Robin snapped out of his daze and reacted moving to her aid. He grabbed a gloved hand and pulled trying to free her from him.
"Oh no you don't boy she's going to die and if you interfere so will you." Clay Face warned.
Robin throwing caution into the wind threw himself at Clay Face and attacked in full force to distract the apparently now homicidal criminal from the task of killing the Wraith.
Zanah seizing the opportunity broke free rolled across the ground stopping at Robin's feet. Before Clay Face could respond to her escape she threw a makeshift explosive into the clay mass and dove for cover. Robin right behind her. The Muffled sound of an explosion followed by a cry of pain followed.
Robin looked over the boxes they'd taken refuge behind and found no sign of their foe. "He's gone."
Zanah gave no reply her body in a state of shock. And her system now turning against her at her once again attempt to give aid. She only curled up tighter on he ground and moaned in pain.
"Are you okay?"
"No," she growled fighting back the attack.
"It's over, you'll be okay."
"No it's just starting," she breathed as the pounding started in her head and her stomach tightened into knots.
"What did he mean?"
"He knows I'm important to the man behind the curtain." Zanah replied before she began to shake violently and all control was lost.
Robin knelt down next to her and began to look her over confused by her sudden lack of control. Seeing no physical reason for her current fit. His hand brushed against her skin and found she was burning up.
"What is going on? "He demanded starting to worry.
"I disobeyed orders," she groaned.
"Whose orders?"
"My programming I'm not supposed to help others…" she growled as she forced herself to get up off the ground.
"This is because you tried to help me?"
"Yes," she replied as her vision blurred and her legs gave out. "Damn him to hell!" she roared in frustration at the inability to control herself. Robin caught her before she collapsed.
Else Where…
Catwoman crept through the streets of Gotham following after several of Daggett's Goons and Tetch. They were up to something she was sure of it. She crept along until they came to a halt several yards ahead. Selina looked beyond them to see Julie's apartment building. She blinked with surprise as she realized they were going to kidnap Bruce's fiancée. She watched as Julie came down the steps and moved towards her car.
Though she didn't like her at all Selina knew that if they got a hold of her Bruce would be in danger and that was unacceptable. She leapt from the shadows. Julie saw Catwoman and froze in fear.
"Run," Catwoman shouted as she lashed out at the thugs. Her warning came too late and a large heavy-set man grabbed Julie as another grabbed Catwoman by the neck. Two of them shoved Julie into the car and drove off.
Catwoman roared in rage at her failure to stop them before the others proceeded to beat her. One of the men grabbed her by her hair and lifted her head ready to kill her. "We've got orders," said Tetch. The men let her go and fell to a heap on the ground holding her self up with her hands. "We have a message for you to deliver to Mr. Wayne. Tell him not to contact the police or his fiancée dies," he said after handing her an envelope and before she could strike back they were gone.
Selina got to her feet shakily and moved back into the shadows. She set off for Wayne Manor taking Julie's car. The whole time she wondered how she would ever explain this to Bruce. She couldn't help but wonder also if he would hate her now more than before as she realized Julie might have gotten away if she hadn't gone after her the night before. She sighed defeated now Julie was in real danger and Bruce wasn't safe either and it was her fault. If she had just let Bruce go Julie would have gotten away.
Selina pulled up outside Wayne Manor and got out of the car. She made quick work of the wall though injured. She crept to the house and slid in an unlocked window well aware she was being watched by Daggett's goons. She saw him on the couch, reading, he was unaware she was in the room. She crept closer ignoring her pain. When she was only a few feet away she spoke. "Bruce Wayne."
"S…"
"I have a message for you," she said staying to the shadows she handed him the letter. "Your fiancée has been kidnapped if you contact the police they'll kill her. They followed me here."
"Who are you?" He asked understanding.
"Just a messenger," she replied, continuing to stay well hidden.
"I'm going," he said.
"They said to follow the instructions to the letter." Bruce opened the envelope and glanced at the note as Catwoman crept away.
"Don't go they want you and Batman to meet them at the warehouse on the east side of town."
"Great, I'll go put up the Bat signal you find a place to hide," she sighed and then she was gone. Bruce moved down into the Bat cave as Selina drove to the police station. She quickly had the signal on and almost immediately Batman was there.
Batman stood near the signal and Catwoman remained in the shadows hiding her bruised face embarrassed by it. "I'm sorry Bruce I moved too late. I couldn't stop them," she said.
"How do I know you didn't just stand by and watch as they took her?"
"Is that what you think of me? Batman you are a fool if you think I would in danger her or you by surrendering her. Daggett's dangerous. I may be a thief but I'm no monster, and if you honestly think I would turn her over without a fight then you don't know me anymore. True I don't like Julie, but I like Daggett even less and I wouldn't let that creep get his claws on your precious fiancée," she said hurt.
The two of them left the roof getting into the Bat mobile Selina lagging behind due to her injuries and her wish to keep them hidden. Batman brought the car to life and started off for the warehouse.
Bruce looked over at her puzzled as he realized he hadn't seen any more than her gloved hand since she showed up at the manor. This confused him because it wasn't like Selina to hide. Why is she doing so? Is she ashamed of herself for loosing Julie? Maybe I was too hard on her, he thought. Bruce reached over to rub her cheek and she shrank back from his hand in pain. He thought she was still angry.
"I'm sorry Selina. I didn't mean it," he whispered.
"I know that," she said softly.
"What's wrong then,' he asked confused by her separating from him.
"I'm just a little sore," she replied still hiding the fact she had nearly been killed. She was embarrassed by her carelessness and she didn't want to worry him with her problems. He was already worried to death about Julie and if he knew the kind of shape she was in he might tell her to go, but if she didn't show up Julie was dead, and she wasn't about to let Daggett have Bruce Wayne's fiancée without a fight.
"I'm sorry," he said gently.
"It's not your fault," she whispered.
"No Selina I'm sorry," he whispered not just communicating on this instance but all of them. His tone made that clear.
"It's all right Bruce I understand."
The Bat mobile came to a stop in front of an old warehouse and the two got out. Batman and Catwoman moved towards the building silently. They stepped inside the dark building and suddenly the place was flooded with light, Julie was tied to a chair in the middle of the room and Daggett's goons surrounded them. Another stood by Julie a gun to her temple.
"Okay, we're here let Miss Madison go." Said Batman.
"Not yet, kitten hand over the gloves and whip, Bat the belt."
Catwoman pulled off her gloves and handed them over to the tall figure that stood closest to her as batman handed over his belt.
"We offer up a simple trade. Her life for both of yours."
"You can have mine, but let the Bat go. He was planning to retire," said Catwoman.
"Sorry Kitty true or not we have orders."
Selina looked at Bruce and stepped willingly to the middle of the room. Bruce stood stunned for a moment. Why is she doing this? She could refuse. It's what I expected. Batman too stepped into the middle of the room. "You have a deal," he said coldly.
The thugs made quick work of securing the two with heavy metal chains and strong locks. They were back-to-back in two chairs not an inch of slack was left.
The thugs untied the unconscious Julie and put her in a car out front and instructed the driver to take her back to Wayne Manor. They then busied themselves with the task at hand as the goon in charge spook. "Your chains are locked closed in a dozen of the strongest locks ever made. You might manage picking a few but you'll never get them all in time," he said before the lights were turned off.
Selina caught the distinct and all to familiar smell of gasoline. "We've got to get out of here," she whispered.
"I know."
"We need to find something to pick these locks with."
"Catwoman can you reach my left glove?"
Selina wriggled her fingers until she had his hand. "Yes."
"The second edge on my glove contains a pair of lock picks."
Selina moved up to the edge of his glove and grabbed the piece of glove pulling lose two long metal pieces. "I've got them," she whispered.
"Good now hand one to me."
Selina handed over a metal piece as the door slammed. She worked feverishly at the lock closest to the wrists. She heard the familiar sound of the lock opening and wriggled her hands lose as Batman did the same. Each moving onto their next lock.
The sound of a match striking outside caught her ears and the smell of smoke soon filled her nostrils. Selina coughed wildly in response being closer to the source. She watched in terror as orange flames burst through the walls. Moments later the entire room was a blaze about them and the flames were spreading towards the ceiling.
"We have to hurry Batman. There isn't much time left," she whispered as a third lock came open and the flames grew dangerously close to the gasoline on the floor.
"We've almost got it,' he assured her as he finished his fourth lock.
A few moments later they were loose and stood up on the chairs. A spark hit the gasoline on the floor. The flames rose up like a terrible wave and in the blink of an eye the floor was covered in the orange sea of flames.
"How are we going to get out of here?" Asked Catwoman anxiously.
"I don't know."
"Do you know where our stuff is? I couldn't see…"
"Yes. It's in the office. Why?"
"You don't want to know," she replied as she slid a pair of green lenses down into place over her eyes.
Batman looked back and noted he was alone. He searched the area, a state of panic clinging to him. Where did she go? She can't possibly see to maneuver in the dark.
Selina stood precariously on top of a crate not yet completely a blaze. Her green eyes focused on another box and she leapt across the sea of flames to the next safe perch.
Bruce spotted her and watched in horror as she moved deeper into the orange jungle of flames.
"Selina, don't. You haven't the strength. Come back," he shouted but he was too late. She was by now already half way across the room, using her catlike agility to cross back to the office. He just hoped her confidence was enough to counter balance her lack of strength and get her there and back again safely.
Back at the Factory…
Zanah's eyes shot open and she pulled herself loose of Robin's grasp. Turning away she puked violently. Before rising to her feet shakily.
"Oh no, you're not doing that again," Robin warned as he pulled her close to aid her in her attempt to regain control.
"I'm fine," she warned, before she cried out again her mind assaulted with troubling images.
"You need help," Robin insisted.
"No, They need help," she said trying once again to dislodge herself form him.
"You're not helping anyone else tonight Wraith you can't."
"Batman and Catwoman are in danger."
"They'll be fine. Right now I think you need to worry about yourself."
"Go, I'll be fine."
"I'm not leaving you like this."
"Go now," she roared her eyes glowing with a murderous intent.
Robin nodded and let her go turning to leave.
"Ware house, hurry…" She whispered as she moved towards her bike.
"Go home and rest," he instructed.
Zanah nodded knowing if she refused he wouldn't leave. The two figures left each heading their own way.
At the Warehouse…
Selina felt the heat of the blaze seeping into her flesh. The flames leapt up, as she got closer to her destination. They looked like the jaws of a wild beast waiting to devour its prey. The thick smoke was filling her lungs smothering her. Selina's eyes started to water and she coughed wildly trying to break free from the beast's death grip, as the fire grew worse. Selina spotted the office. It was not yet a blaze but it soon would be.
She kicked out the window and dropped onto the floor. She moved over to the desk, put on her gloves grabbed her whip and batman's belt. She stood still for a moment taking in the clean air. She then left the office and started back towards batman.
Bruce stood trapped, helpless, he was unable to move and well aware that the flames were now slowly working on the legs of the chair. He stared off into the direction Catwoman had gone. He looked on with terror as the office exploded violently into flames. Did she make it in there? If she did was she able to get out in time? Is she still alive, or did she die?
Batman watched hoping that she was all right, wishing it had been him that had crossed through the fire. She had been gone for what seemed like an eternity and he was about to give up hope, certain she was gone, but suddenly he spotted her just one crate away from him. She was coughing wildly and she looked shaky. Come on Selina you can make it, he thought to himself.
Selina landed unsteadily on her chair and it broke under her, but Bruce pulled her to safety. "Selina," he whispered.
She gave no response. Bruce took his belt from her and made quick work of using his grappling hook.
A few moments later they were on the roof of the warehouse. Bruce fired a second grappling hook and swung them to a safe rooftop. He put Selina down and she took in several deep breaths.
"I didn't think you would be able to make it you were in such bad shape…"
"I had to make it. I couldn't let…"
"Good work."
"Thanks," she whispered calmly.
"You okay."
"Yes, what about you?"
"I'm fine," he said denying how worried he had been about her.
"Good Batman is to important for Gotham to lose again," she said deciding it best to keep her own emotions out of this. Thinking it better to deny that her reasons had been anything more not willing to fight with him again. Too tired now to do so.
"Selina I'm sorry I doubted you," he said reminding himself she had nearly died twice tonight for him. Knowing full well if she had it would have been real this time. She wouldn't have risen from the ashes again. No, she would have been gone forever. He had wished only a few days before for just that, but now the thought of such a thing was more than he could stand. He didn't want her to die, not because of him. He reflected as she caught her breath.
They moved down off the roof and back to the Bat mobile.
Several Minutes Later…
They pulled into the Bat cave where Julie sat waiting for him. When the car opened Selina moved up the steps towards the study feeling like an invader.
"Oh Bruce, I thought…" Julie began.
"I know, so did I," he whispered. "Are you okay?" he questioned.
"I'm fine," she said coldly.
"Thank goodness I was afraid I was going to lose you," he said.
"I was afraid of the same thing."
"If it wasn't for Catwoman you would have."
"If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have been in danger."
"No, she tried to stop them, she tried to save you for me…" he said lifting her chin so he could search her brown eyes. This lead to him kissing her lips.
Selina crept up the stairs and immediately ran into Alfred. "Miss Kyle?" He asked worried about her.
"Alfred would you take me to Gotham Square?" She asked.
"Of course," he replied and the two of them left. "Are you okay Miss Kyle?" He asked as he drove her home.
"I'm fine Alfred… Tell Bruce I said good…luck and Julie I said I was sorry," she whispered.
"I will."
"Thank you."
"No, thank you Miss Kyle."
"You're welcome Alfred," she said as she got out of the car and headed for the loft.
Back at the Cave…
Julie ended the kiss abruptly. "So Bruce, when were you going to tell me about all of this?"
"I didn't think I would have to. I was going to retire."
"What changed?"
"Catwoman was in trouble."
"She knows who you are and you weren't even going to tell me."
"Every time I tell the woman I'm in love with she leaves. It's like the kiss of death, so I was just going to retire."
" But you can't retire. Your time spent in hiding proved that. You can't just quit. This city will fall apart without Batman."
"Julie…"
"Good-bye Bruce."
"Julie…"
"No, I don't belong in your world. I never did. I can't take you away from Gotham. I won't carry the burden of destroying this city."
"Julie don't…"
"I'm leaving Bruce. I can't even begin to compete with your past."
"Julie you don't have to."
"Bruce its more than your being Batman. I can't handle all of the media attention, besides weather you want to admit it or not you're still in love with Catwoman," whispered Julie.
"You're wrong Julie, I love you," he assured her as Alfred entered the cave. "Alfred would you drive Catwoman home?"
"I already did sir."
"Catwoman left," he asked confused.
"Yes sir."
"When?"
"About an hour ago. She had a message for each of you."
"What is it?"
"She said to wish you good luck Master Bruce and to Julie she said she was sorry."
"She left before I got a chance to thank her."
"Bruce I can't marry you you're in love with Catwoman."
"Julie…"
"Bruce listen to me. Go and talk to her before you're too late. Go tell her the truth before you lose her again," said Julie. She kissed his cheek and then left.
Bruce stood silent for a moment before changing to his clothes and moving up into the house itself. He had known it would end like this, but it still hurt. Why do they always leave? He wondered as he settled into his couch to rest weary legs.
