Hawkgirl was running late. The plan was to rendezvous with the Bat-squad and raid Alberto's penthouse, where the narcotics were being stored. By the time she reached the Bat-signal, it was clear Batman was tired of waiting for her and had left. "Seven hells. I'll go to the penthouse and beat him there!"
A quick flight led Hawkgirl to a skyscraper, where Alberto's family owned a penthouse on the top two floors. Shayera landed on the patio silently and was about to unlock the patio door when the security system was activated. A bolt of energy ripped through her hands. "Ouch!" She'd have to try another route.
***
Batman was already in the penthouse, hunting in the shadows until he could find any trace of the narcotics. Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl were searching too. So far, no sign of anything. What does Alberto want with this drug? Use it against one of the other mafia families? Batman heard a faint click and hunched down to avoid being seen. The door to the hallway was shot and locked. He was trapped in the room. Or maybe, thought Batman, or maybe he plans on using it on me. One of Alberto's men was on his left, and fired one shot into Batman's neck. It's wasn't a bullet either. Batman coughed and gagged for a moment, then unlocked the door and darted out of the room, in a loud manner quite unusual for the Dark Night.
***
Batgirl and Robin heard someone coming from behind them. Batgirl was about to throw a Bat-a-rang, but it was only Batman. "Quiet, or Alberto will—"
SLAM!
Batgirl crashed into a wall. As she stood up, cords restrained her feet and hands. One firm kicked knocked her out on the floor. Robin looked at his mentor. "Hey, what's going on—" He ducked at Batman threw a punch. He didn't dodge the second blow, and it cost him. Robin flew in the air and crash along side Batgirl.
Batman paced around the penthouse like an impatient lion until he hear the faint steps of Nightwing. Dick was in the back, and had discovered the storage. "Hey, we've got the evidence to arrest—"
***
Outside, Hawkgirl was confused. She had heard several noises, and swore she had heard her new friend Batgirl cry for help. "Seven devils, forget this 'stealth' bit!" She slammed her mace into the glass door.
Batgirl and Robin were lying on the floor. "What's going on?" She heard another bang, and rushed to the back of the penthouse.
Nightwing was sprawled out on the floor, bleeding on the floor. "This can't be happening." Hawkgirl dragged Nightwing's unconscious body into the shadows, where he would be safe. Her mind was racing. Robin and Batgirl were both taken out by some of Batman's weapons. And now, Nightwing was down. Shayera knew there was only one way this could happen—Batman was now under the influence of Alberto's drug.
Hawkgirl made her way up the staircase. She couldn't see Batman, but her Thanagarian ears could hear him slowly moving up the stairs. He would try to kill her. There would be no mercy from him in his deranged state. All Hawkgirl could do was fly away.
The door to the fire escape was stuck. Hawkgirl kicked it but before she could put her foot back down Batman had grabbed her by the throat. Shayera spun around and planted a kick at his jaw. She could see the torn fabric by his neck where the injection had been given.
Batman did not loosen his grip, so Hawkgirl was forced to kick again, this time at the elbow. Batman released his grip with one hand, and Hawkgirl twisted herself to escape his left hand. She made her way to the rooftop.
The sky—she'd be safe in the sky. Hawkgirl leaped into the air and took off, and she might had made it, except Batman had dealt with fly-capable criminals before. She felt a tugging sensation around her ankle and looked down. A thin line of sting ran from her foot to Batman's hand. He had her caught in the air like a kite.
Ideas raced through Hawkgirl's head. The drug can't last that long on someone as big as himself. Could she stall Batman long enough for him to regain himself?
"C-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-w!" Hawkgirl narrowed her wings and aimed her mace at Batman's chest. He caught her by the arm and slammed her into the concrete floor. She rolled quickly to avoid his foot hitting her head. She raised her leg and planted a kick into his chest, and then Batman grabbed her foot and spun her into a wall.
They traded punches and kicks for over fifteen minutes. Hawkgirl was getting tired, and Batman was still under the drug's influence. Maybe I can't wear him out. Maybe I will have to take him out. Now both heroes were aiming to kill. Hawkgirl roared and slammed her mace into Batman's chest. Batman kicked her so hard into her right leg she was forced to hobble on her good foot the rest of the fight. Hawkgirl aimed with her mace again, but Batman ducked her blow and forced the mace from her hand, sending it falling down the skyscraper's side. Her back was exposed, and Batman used this moment of vulnerability to hit Hawkgirl right between the wings. Hawkgirl fell to the ground, but not before Batman's foot landed on the humerus of her left wing. Snap.
Now, she was grounded.
Like a angry raptor Shayera screamed and used her good wing to clear some height. She sunk her nails into Batman's face, tearing off part of his cowl and ripping the flesh of his checks. The 'talons' of her boots kicked into his abs, exposing some of his flesh, and some of his blood.
But Batman fought as well. Hawkgirl felt her sides ache as Batman repeated punched the sides of her rib cage. But she wouldn't let go. Frustrated, he ran her body against a wall, forcing Hawkgirl to crash against the concrete wall of the fire escape. Still her grip on his face did not diminish. Batman managed to get a hold around her neck again. We'll both drop dead in a moment if I don't do something.
The knife. The knife was still around her waist. Hawkgirl released her right hand and grabbed the handle, preparing to stab him in the front of the neck. Likewise, Batman released his grip on one hand and grabbed Shayera's wrist before she could slice his throat.
Looking back, Hawkgirl could never figure out how long she was in that position, hanging by a thread, trying to move her arm to kill him. All she knew was that she lost a lot of blood. Hawkgirl was beginning to get dizzy. Then she saw something funny. Batman's eyes had been dilated in the beginning of the fight. Now, they were normal looking. Shayera was puzzled.
"'It would be a shame to stain an antique.'"
Shayera blinked.
It was impossible.
Because that's what she had told Bruce Wayne.
Batman loosened his grip around her neck, and Shayera released her nails from his face. Both dropped to the ground, falling into their own blood. Shayera was gasping for breath. She turned and looked at Batman. Underneath that cowl, were she had torn at his face…it was none other than Bruce Wayne.
"Bruce—"
Batman didn't let her finished her sentence. He handed her knife back to her. "Try not to loose it, okay? I gave it to some special, after all."
***
Oswald Cobblepot was in his office, counting bills on a warm morning. Alberto was now in jail. Hawkgirl and Batman had even managed to get a hold of the missing jewels. Apparently, Alberto's plan to kill the Bat had failed. The Penguin wasn't surprised. The Joker had been trying for years—why should a mobster be the one to do in Batman?
The kicker was how Alberto failed. Hawkgirl had gotten wind of the plan and managed to stall Batman long enough for the drug to wear out. Now all of the Gotham underworld was raising a commotion. It was clear the two had gone head to head…and in doing so, nearly killed each other. So, who would have won if the drug didn't wear out? That would be interesting. Oswald reason he could sell tickets to another Hawkgirl-versus-Batman fight.
There was a gust of wind from the window, scattering all the bills into the air. "Pesky weather—you, Hawkgirl!" For Shayera Hol was standing in the window, dangling her mace casually and relaxed. There was a bandage on one wing, but otherwise, she looked fine. "Well, I was right, they can't trace Alberto to me. The police and the judges can't find a trace of me. So I'm once again innocent of all charges."
Shayera nodded. "Yes. You won't be charged…for this case."
"Of course not girl," said the Penguin as he collected his money. "Not this case, not any case!"
Hawkgirl grinned. "Well, I wouldn't be too bold as to say that…"
The Penguin turned his head. "Eh?"
Now Shayera was laughing. "Well, I don't think you can blame this charge on any of your minions! Batgirl and I have photographic evidence of you being in possession of over forty birds representing fifteen illegal and endangered species. You know you are not allowed in this country to own Amazonian Birds of Paradise?"
Two cops rushed into the Penguin's office. Oswald didn't resist the arrest. "So, am I still a second-class hero?"
"Go lay an egg."