Here comes the wave of P.O.V.'s! This chap's dedicated to moi(hence my name.. ahem..), Jake, Dear Aunt Jester (whose character was remade into Hilda ^^) and NO OFFENSE MEANT TO ALEX!! Read and review.
DiScLaImEr: I seemingly cannot find myself to be in position of owning any heroes.. except the ones in my imagination.. so lea'e me alone.
Chapter 3: Shadows of Jest
Terry's P.O.V.
There was something about the way Wayne had written that message that, not only had me out of school with AN ACTUAL EXCUSE.. but wondering..
I swooped in on the curve and drove up the lane to the mansion. There was also something else I pondered..
Out of all the psychopaths I've faced.. and all the sickly dimented rivals I had.. they were nothing compared to the odd churning feeling I had everytime I drove up this lane... It left memories scattered all over the road... bad and worse...
It always creeped me out to drive up this lane.. No matter what. But I always managed to fight it off and stared ahead at what I was meant to do and go to.
I halted my bike at the entrance and ran around to the other side of the mansion, where the hidden path of the batmobile's route tunnel lay beneath bushes and trees. I looked into the peek of the tunnel and the trees swayed aside, revealing the entrance and I ran in as it closed right back, immediately, behind me.
I ran through the shadows and dimmed lights of the batcave and panted swiftly. I regained normal-paced breathing as Wayne's chair spun and his face met my questioning eyes.
The screen behind him turned on and the Commisioner's face appeared.
"Barbara wants a word, Terry."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I thought Stan was on the lose.." I spoke, demanding to set forward and fight the dreg.. Mostly, everytime the commish had to "have a word with me" the chances usually pointed at trouble.
"McGinnis," came her stern voice. Bruce had his hands meet the opposing fingers as if forming a teepee and brought them to his forehead, making my eyebrow raise higher.
My eyes lingered back to the commish. I couldn't tell by her expression, what was coming.
"I appreciate your aid with stopping Charles' renegade breakthrough," she said, with actual meaning, but no token of gratitude.. I swallowed. Our conversation wasn't going to end at that just yet.
"..But was it fairly necessary to bruise him up for us?" she said, raising an eyebrow and leaning in on the screen.
I held back a smirk. I shrugged.
"A guy's gotta do what he's gotta do to stop 'em." I said, playfully. A collective scowl from both Barbara and Bruce's part ran through my head. I put my hands in my pockets.
"Wasn't I supposed to-" I began but was cut off by Barbara.
"Nevertheless, McGinnis, Mad Stan's been captured before he even escaped the building. He's been put in ISO for some time.."
I sighed, both relieved and annoyed. At least the job was done for me...
"Good." I muttered and Bruce spoke up.
"You're not off the line, though."
I looked at him and my gaze fell on Barbara. More scolding? Ah, slag... Can't I just jump off a building, instead? With a bat-line, that is.
I frowned and looked as the commish's face made a soft change. She wasn't angry anymore.. But it was that look I couln't put to words but only describe as the mystic, deep oblivion gaze look, as if reminiscing... but the bad times.
My shoulders felt heavy. I waited for either of them to speak, afraid I'd get the slip if I were the first.
Barbara let out a sigh.
"The Jokerz have been bailed out.. we don't know by whom.. But we're not talking honest jailbreak. All the guards were knocked out when we came in... we haven't had the chance to capture them."
I looked at her and then at Bruce. The mutt's head seemed to bob up when I looked at him. He got up and walked over to me and I scratched the back of his ears.
I thought and finally spoke.. when Bruce gave me the green light.
"I'm on it." I said deeply and Ace licked my hand.
Bruce nodded and the commish followed.
"Keep me updated." With that she shut off her com link and Bruce turned off the screen.
He gave me the usual boss look: you-know-what-you've-got-ahead-so-put-on-the-batsuit-right-now-and-leave.
*scoff, laugh* Oh yah. I left Ace sitting on the floor and took out the black spandex suit I so possessed and went into the changing screens on another side of the batcave and changed in a few seconds.
I gave Bruce a single nod and ran to the batmobile and left through the way I came in.. but instead 156 mph faster.
****
Ely's P.O.V
I put up my hair in a low ponytail and a strand of hair ran across part of my left eye and cheek.
Max parked near the library.
Our line of study group entered through the library and we settled our backpacks and laptops on a far off table and began our search. Cat headed to the computers and searched the database for books on biology and Max joined her side, using search engines online as her guide.
My mind, however, wandered off the subject for a while. My eyes closed and I put my head down on the table, on top of my folder.
*the image of this scenery is blurred, somewhat, and lines swerve as a landscape of night falls over*
My face was that of tears sliding, one after the other.. My hair locked around my face as the wind roared around me and I stared at the ground, closing my eyes. The same, unknown shadow had approached from behind and walked up to me so slowly..
I shook my head, and a black, gloved hand had rested heavily upon my shoulder. I looked up, my eyes twinkling of tears. So, I ceased, decisively and got up... My eyes seemed to land on the ground and I saw a puddle... So clear.. so clean and crystal. My reflection spread in ripples and so the clear water no longer was and it filled of sludge and turned harsh and unsanitary. I let out a gasp and looked up.
But the odd part was, I left the ground with rage filling in me slowly. My voice echoed in shouts and grunts as I fought with the bare wind. I drew in a punch. My hand disappeared and reappeared, as I recall sitting up in bed, my eyes shut tight and a disgusted frown which I felt burn on my face..
That, I woke with yesterday.. and a tingling fear took me.
And it still remained with me.. even now. I sighed. Cat had to have a point. These dreams weren't just dreams.. Hell. They were NIGHTMARES... But.. so long on the same scene.. they must be a warning.. or a foresight of something...
'That puddle of water....' I gasped lightly. A rush of desperate feelings took over and I got up. I felt myself walking like if in a nightmare. I went to a laptop and looked up:
'Salvadorian Superstitions'
I knew I was losing it.. but my mind was determined to find this. Oddly enough it appeared on the screen.
There were 6 books. 3 were about geography and country history. The other was about culture. The last two were about religions and beliefs. My eyes fell on the one that said: 'Salvadorian Customs and Beliefs'
I sighed and felt a bit relieved.. as IF sighing were a part of releasing stress I'd be clean by now. I left the chair and a girl sat in my place.
I looked at the destinated shelf and looked everywhere. My eyes blurred. I sighed louder and brought out my stubborn glasses. The print on all the books before my eyes became more clear and sharp.
No.. No... No... No..
A new feeling reached my heart. I paused my search and looked everywhere.
I saw a study group on one table and I saw Cat standing up from her chair.. perhaps to search for her books.
Strangely.. I felt paranoia and looked over my shoulder. My hand felt something heavy fall on it. My head spun. I saw a thick book resting upon it. I placed it back, properly and then a shiver ran through my bones.
I spun my head and felt a small pain on my scalp.
"OW." I responded and saw a girl gasp frantically, now in front of me. She took a step back.
"OH! I'm sorry." She said looking sheepish.
I blinked.
She managed a chuckle.
"Sorry if I startled you." she whispered as the librarian glared at us. "I'm just looking for a book."
I exhaled softly and smiled, blushing. My head was spinning. "Sure, no prob."
She and I searched on opposite shelves and I couldn't find the fragging book. I was growing more desperate by the second.
"Salvadorian..." I looked through 4 more pairs of books. "Customs and Beliefs... Customs and-"
"Is this the book you're looking for?" The girl behind me asked. I turned and a large, wide smile spread over her face.
I read the edge of it.
"Yah. This is it! Thanks."
She saluted and giggled. "No prob." She turned and her body-long, smooth blonde hair danced around her as she turned and began to search for her own book. I walked to my table and sat, glancing the 'Table of Contents' twice.
"Salvadorian Superstitions." I drew in a breath and went to page 48.
I looked over the 7 pages of superstitions and found the one I had in mind since this morning.
"Salvadorian beliefs say it to be that when one dreams of dirtied waters..." I read the line in my head. My shoulders dropped and I frowned.
".... there would be a dear price of a loved one or someone close under a grave illness..."
"Oh shi--No.." I groaned lightly.
I put my head down again.
'It's just a superstition from your descendants' part... It's not bound to be true.. It CAN'T be true..'
But who am I to kid? I DO believe in this such superstition. My aunts, uncles and grandfather had claimed they had had this dream.. and such consequences took place. Though they be paranoia.. such as I'm feeling right now.. I believe.. Once, my aunt had dreamt such a dream and my grandfather was in need of surgery and gained a severe cause of diabetes.
Max put her hand on my shoulder.
"You feeling okay?" she asked with a hint of concern.
I looked up and by the way her eyes widened.. I removed my glasses and my eyes felt hot and irritated.
"Your eyes are red.." She whispered.
I closed my eyes and blinked. They were hurting.
"Yah.. probably all the intense reading.." I shrugged and forced a smile. That was true.. once when I spent about 5 hours online, chatting with a good friend of mine, Hilda grounded me for an eternity and claimed I was wasting time, money, energy and my eyesight.. As she disgustedly looked at my redenning eyes.
She turned out being right.. And I DESPISE it when that happens.
Max didn't look convinced. She crossed her arms and looked at the book I had looked up.
"That your subject?" she said with a soft smirk.
I looked at it.. It DID have a connection with biology..
"Nah.. I'm just.. reading on some family culture.." I smiled lightly.. Oh the good old days with my grandfather...
"Well.. I'd better put a move on homework before the weekend catches up to us." She left the table, smiling.
She was right. I put the book back in its place and checked out a book on marine biology. The thought of making homework a subject I enjoyed everytime I joined the waters of a swimming pool or body of water.. FASCINATING.. made me brighten up a little..
"OH! Marine Biology?? Envy, Ely. I picked mine to be Forensics." Cat said with a light grin.
I smirked when we left the library.
IF a disease strikes.. please let it be me..or... never mind.. just me.
"Hey. How bout we grab some burgers at Beefy's?" Max suggested when we sat in her car.
Cat tilted her head a bit, with a smile and I shrugged.
"I'll take that as a possible yes?" I managed to laugh with her and Cat.
I rubbed my eyes. The pain was still seeping in..
When I opened them again, a motorcycle appeared on my side of the window.
I stared at it with anxious eyes and raised an eyebrow at it's dark pink color.. then at it's chauffeur.
My pained eyes widened.
"Jokerz?!!" I yelped and Max looked at me with questioning eyes through the rear-view mirror. She and Cat looked sideways and joined me in yelping. Max flung the steering wheel sideways and changed lanes.. But the latex-suit wearing Joker with a wild wave of hair and pink motorcycle bumped into us. Max scowled at the crash.
"Oh.. great!" she mumbled.
"What the heck does he want from us?!" Cat scowled at the guffawing Joker.. obviously enjoying the destruction he was doing to Max's sibling-borrowed car.
My headache was getting bigger and I scowled deeply at the buffoon.
*******
Terry's P.O.V.
I blinked.
The batmobile swooped in, as I commanded.
The batmobile launched into the freeway's roads, as I commanded.
I squinted my eyes.
"Joker at 12 o'clock." I responded and bumped into the dreg's cycle.. as I purposely had called the batmobile to do so.
I faked a smirk and swooped up.. disappearing from road's sight. I quickly launched cameo mode on the batmobile and left it to steer in auto pilot and launched myself downward and flew toward the freeway again.
I smiled at the wind hitting my face.
"Home, sweet home." I said and the dreg turned as I let my fist fly freely into his face.
OOOH.. alliteration.
I knocked him out on the street and swooped him up. His motorcycle had gone freely and crashed into the bridge's side.
As I flew, carrying a desperate hanging excuse of a clown, I muttered deeply,
"You done enough partying yet, dreg?"
He yelped and clung to my arms tightly.
"Don't worry.. I won't let you down.." I teased and let go of one of his hands.
He shrieked and clung tighter to my other arm.
I spotted a police car and flew lower.
The driver stopped the car in mid air and jumped out, looking up at our arrival.
"This stupid Joker went down.." I said in my usual rough voice and he screamed, to me sounding delightful, as I let him fall to the guards' feet. They stared at me and I nodded.
They reached down for him and held him down, cuffing him.
I turned in flight and headed back to the bridge.
After a few seconds of my eyes searching every car behind my mask, I spotted the Joker's target and let myself land below. I ran to where they had their car parked on the freeway's exit.
I was a bit surprised when I saw Max come out.
I ran to her and then saw another girl and the girl from History jump out as well.
"Thank you." said the first girl.
Max looked worried.
"Just doing the city's Joker roundup." I responded, crossing my arms.
The girl I claimed popular from History blinked repeatedly.
I turned to her and Max.
"You guys okay?"
"Yah.." the second girl muttered, sounding tired.
She left me looking at her. Her eyes were red and looked irritated... like if she had cried. She looked slagged and.. disturbed.
Max woke me from my trance.
"The dreg fragged up my sister's car.." she muttered. I smiled behind the mask.
"I'd better get back to police matters." I pointed behind me with my thumb and flew off.
******
Ely's P.O.V.
About half an hour later, my fear, paranoia and dream trauma left me some. I sat next to Cat as a guy zoomed up in a hover board, carrying our orders.
"Thanks." we all muttered.
I reached for some fries and sipped some lemonade.
I had ordered a salad.. Nothing heavy or I'd be so stressed I'd throw up.
I dabbed at the lettuce and chicken aimlessly with my fork.
The sound-speaker system everywhere started playing a new song. Cat shrieked and I couldn't help but smile.
They played one of our favorite soft rock songs: 'I Miss You' by the pasttime band 'Blink 182'.
It brought back memories of times I laughed with Nat and all the other sappy thoughts lost in my head.
Max and Cat's heads rocked back and forth and I couldn't help but hum under my breath to the strumming of the guitar.
A few seconds into my salad and a few seconds after the song started, a guy almost 6 feet tall with shiny black hair with long strands over his eye and forehead, wearing a brown jacket and navy blue jeans, smiled and walked up to us.
Max sipped some soda and waved.
The McGinnis kid stood next to our table and smiled at Cat and I.
"Hello there." he sang along. "Hey, new crowd." He said and Max got up.
"Cat, Ely this is Terry."
Terry shook Cat's hand and then aimed for mine. I shook it with a smile.
"Guy from GYM, right?" I asked curiously.
He smirked. "Girl from History, right?"
My smile grew wider and I chuckled after all day of monotone. Max and Cat's eyes landed on me.
"Yah." We both found ourselves saying in unison.
Cat joined us in smiling. My eyes twinkled and Cat smirked, laughing.
Terry sat next to Max and we all sang along to the song.
I was shaking off every negative thought haunting me and had fun singing after AGES and was within conversation in seconds.
"So I heard you work for Bruce Wayne." Cat said and sipped some soda.
Terry's slice of pizza arrived and he held it before biting into it.
"Yah.." he said with a hint of lost amusement. "Not what you might call.. fun." he said and bit into his pizza.
I propped my chin on my hands. He made me want to laugh as he ate. His locks of hair fell over his forehead and I stared at him. He was kind of cute.
They passed another of my favorite songs. 'Don't Tell Me' by 'Avril Lavigne'. Yah. I'm into a lot of rock music...
Cat's cel phone rang and she stopped laughing and answered.
"'Lo?" She listened for about 5 seconds. She winced.
"Sure. Just a moment.." She handed me the phone with an apologetic look.
'Oh no...' I thought and took it reluctantly. I got up and signaled for everyone to excuse me.
"Yah?" I asked in a soft voice.. yet I was answered much louder.
"ELISELDA. I specifically told you your privileges of leisure were TAKEN FOR 3 WEEKS!!" Hilda's voice shouted in my ear as if she were in front of me.
Terry, Max and Cat must have overheard and I groaned, walking further from their table.
"Hilda.. I have a homework assignment I had to research at the library."
A laughing couple skidded by.
I could almost see Hilda wanting me to see her expression of anger with my own eyes.
"Oh, sure, sweetie." It's weird.. when she was excruciatingly nice.. she scared me.. "And I supose the people around you are all studying?"
"Hilda. I just stopped to eat some.. lunch."
Hilda let out a groan of disgust.
"Here. Be HERE in 10 minutes."
She hung up.
I sighed.
Man.. I hate home...
*******
Terry's P.O.V.
I took another bite of my pizza.
"...privileges of leisure were TAKEN FOR 3 WEEKS!!" a stern and colder-than-Bruce or Barbara's-voice was heard loudly from the distant phone. I put down my slice of pizza and Cat stared down at the table.. as if she were ashamed of something. Her shoulders lifted uneasily and she bit her lip as Max and I stared at each other.
I turned to Ely.
She spoke much softer than the voice coming through the phone.
I saw her shoulders drop and had taken it she sighed. She held the cel phone on her hand and I looked at Max, getting up.
I walked over to her. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"Something wrong?"
She turned with her eyes closed and didn't look up at me.
"I have to go. My mother wants me at home... to help her cook."
I could tell straight-on-down that was a lie. Clearly her mother DID want her home.. but not for cooking.
But as the usual me would do.. I let go of her shoulder and walked behind her, back to the table.
She finally opened her eyes and managed a look of appreciation towards Max.
"Thanks for the ride. I have to get going now.." She smiled at Max, who tensed, and handed Cat back her cel. She reached to hug her shortly.
"Take care.." I heard her whisper.
I heard a few cat-calls and whistling in back of me and I turned.
"Oh no.."
A group of kids ran from their table as a Joker girl tumbled onto it. She stood up and did some kicks and cheers like if she were a cheerleader.
My eyes widened.
She stood up and put a hand on her left hip and grinned at me. It was one of the raggedy-clown girl 'Dee-Dee' twins. Shortly, her sister joined her and tumbled, trampling on a guy who screamed to let him go.
She pounced on him and sat on his back, like I recall she did to me.. or.. her sister...
"HEY! LEMME GO!" He shrieked.
"Okey dokey." she said and jumped off, shrugging and placig her hands on her hips.
The girls next to me were all staring at the scene along with me and I finally ran for them.
A bazooka shell shot my way, but missed. I was lucky enough it was a small shell..
Max shrieked and ran to me.
"Ter!"
"Get down!" I screamed and shoved her onto the floor, covering hers and my head.
I glanced as Ely and Cat hid under the table.
Ely met my eyes.. and they read terror.
"MAX!!! TERRY???!"
I bared my teeth and signaled for them to stay down.
I stared as my bckpack stood on the bench I was sitting at...
No chance at hero dressing-up with THIS dreg shooting everywhere.
Windows were broken, people ran and screamed, smiley bombs hit at tables and spray paint was covering everything.
"So we-"
"Meet again-"
"Batfake."
The twins whispered as they had ordered Woof to stop scaring people and Ghoul to stop the shooting.
"We're BAA-AAAAACK!" they shouted happily in unison.
Max and I stood up, shocked.
"You-" Max began.
"Never mind!" The twins answered for me and one of them winked while the other kicked Max down.
I bared my teeth even tighter but the other twin patted the taser's safe part on her hand.
"Shocked to see us?" she asked, a large grin running swiftly through her face and she aimed at my chest but I dodged and elbowed her to the ground as I turned. She fell and the taser skidded under a table.
"HEY!" she and her twin shouted in unison.
"That's cheating!" Her twin said and aimed a kicked at my face but I caught it and swung her into her sister. They both thudded to the floor again.
The other Goth creep shot lasers at me and Hyena Boy drooled through his open mouth as he ran to pounce on me. I dodged his incoming blow and he worked his nails into my arm. I winced as the sharp pain travelled.
He caught my weak arm and shoved me onto a table. He jumped at me but I kicked him off. Ghoul shot another wave of lasers and I flipped sideways to avoid them.
But, stupid dunce, as I ran for him and knocked him out as his head hit a pole with an echoing bang, his master's loyal friend came to avenge him and jumped on top of me, his claws digging at my arms and legs. I felt one thin line burning on my neck and I tried to toss him but he slapped me down to the ground.
He pinned me there and I struggled to get him off me.
I grunted on several occasions of him scratching and biting at me. I just waited for me to gain some sort of help-
I looked up, the weight was off my back and Woof, lay unconscious on the floor, next to me.
A blurred image appeared over me. My eyes caught back their focus.
*****
Ely's P.O.V.
I offered him a hand.
I grinned at Cat, as she swung the taser within her fingers and laughed victoriously.
"Nothing like a little shock to take 'em down." She said and I helped Terry up. I gasped at the sight of his jacket ripped on many areas and a thin, but deep, bloody line now engraved on his neck.
"Oh my-" I shook my head and let him semi-lean on my shoulder. "You okay??!" I asked, extremely worried. He seemed real nice to me..
"Yah.." He gasped and massaged his neck.
I felt some weight on my head and I turned as one of the twins pulled my hair.
"HEY! OW!" She pulled a knot of hair off and I clutched my head.. BETTER not be a bald spot.
"Congratulations!" Said the twin. I grew furious.
"YAH!" I laughed sarcastically, along with her.
"Thanks for ridding my hair of knots!" I said and pulled at her red matted wig.
"OWW!" She shrieked I held her hair for a few seconds and let her go. She kicked at my leg but I jumped.
****
Terry's P.O.V.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh CRUD-!"
****
Ely's P.O.V.
I landed back down but flew back up again and single-kicked her stomach and she fell backwards.
Her twin growled loudly and tumbled at me.
She held my hands back and I leaned forward. I exerted the force I had available and flung her off my back and over my head.
My back, eventually cracked.
She shrieked as I tossed her off and landed right next to the hideous hyena splicer.
I panted.
Cat walked over with Terry, who seemed to be regaining the strength in his legs.
But he didn't seem to care about that.
"How'd you do that?" both he and Cat asked. Max joined them.
"We'd better get out of here before they wake up."
We all nodded and headed quickly to her car.
Terry had trouble assuring us he'd be fine on his motorcycle.
"YOU'RE the ones who need guards or something.." He muttered and I stared at the sky with a sigh (OOH alliteration AND rhyme.) Men...
He waved and walked to his cycle and sped off.
Max did the same and I gave her directions to where I lived.
"Thanks so much. I'll see you later."
"Take care." she said and Cat nodded with a sad twinkle in her eyes.
"Yah. You too. Later."
Max and Cat reluctantly zoomed off and I walked up the stairs to the apartment. The second I opened it I felt a gush of haunting air hit me and Hilda started yelling at me for being 10 minutes late.
Why should I bother telling you what she said?? *groan*
*****
Bruce's P.O.V.
"It can't be him, Bruce. It just can't be." she said, raising her voice at my unflattered image. Her gaze was equal as mine and I returned her reluctance.
"Barbara would you have an alternative explanation as to why his symptoms are acting up and as to why the crime rates of Gotham are slipping through our fingers?" I spoke sternly but calmly.
"Bruce... Terry did away with that."
"Maybe. But not entirely, as the case has shown." I said with a tone of finality. "It's amazing how stubborn you are just now, Barbara, at the bare truth showing its face."
"But he had been recovering grandly. How is it possible any escaped memories can alarm his behavior?" I paused at this line. Her voice was no longer challenging, but worried.
"I don't know Barbara. But this force is stopping at nothing.. and we HAVE to stop HIM.. no matter what it takes."
******
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What the heck are they talking about? Did y'all enjoy the Deeds' comeback?! Please R and R!
DiScLaImEr: I seemingly cannot find myself to be in position of owning any heroes.. except the ones in my imagination.. so lea'e me alone.
Chapter 3: Shadows of Jest
Terry's P.O.V.
There was something about the way Wayne had written that message that, not only had me out of school with AN ACTUAL EXCUSE.. but wondering..
I swooped in on the curve and drove up the lane to the mansion. There was also something else I pondered..
Out of all the psychopaths I've faced.. and all the sickly dimented rivals I had.. they were nothing compared to the odd churning feeling I had everytime I drove up this lane... It left memories scattered all over the road... bad and worse...
It always creeped me out to drive up this lane.. No matter what. But I always managed to fight it off and stared ahead at what I was meant to do and go to.
I halted my bike at the entrance and ran around to the other side of the mansion, where the hidden path of the batmobile's route tunnel lay beneath bushes and trees. I looked into the peek of the tunnel and the trees swayed aside, revealing the entrance and I ran in as it closed right back, immediately, behind me.
I ran through the shadows and dimmed lights of the batcave and panted swiftly. I regained normal-paced breathing as Wayne's chair spun and his face met my questioning eyes.
The screen behind him turned on and the Commisioner's face appeared.
"Barbara wants a word, Terry."
I raised an eyebrow.
"I thought Stan was on the lose.." I spoke, demanding to set forward and fight the dreg.. Mostly, everytime the commish had to "have a word with me" the chances usually pointed at trouble.
"McGinnis," came her stern voice. Bruce had his hands meet the opposing fingers as if forming a teepee and brought them to his forehead, making my eyebrow raise higher.
My eyes lingered back to the commish. I couldn't tell by her expression, what was coming.
"I appreciate your aid with stopping Charles' renegade breakthrough," she said, with actual meaning, but no token of gratitude.. I swallowed. Our conversation wasn't going to end at that just yet.
"..But was it fairly necessary to bruise him up for us?" she said, raising an eyebrow and leaning in on the screen.
I held back a smirk. I shrugged.
"A guy's gotta do what he's gotta do to stop 'em." I said, playfully. A collective scowl from both Barbara and Bruce's part ran through my head. I put my hands in my pockets.
"Wasn't I supposed to-" I began but was cut off by Barbara.
"Nevertheless, McGinnis, Mad Stan's been captured before he even escaped the building. He's been put in ISO for some time.."
I sighed, both relieved and annoyed. At least the job was done for me...
"Good." I muttered and Bruce spoke up.
"You're not off the line, though."
I looked at him and my gaze fell on Barbara. More scolding? Ah, slag... Can't I just jump off a building, instead? With a bat-line, that is.
I frowned and looked as the commish's face made a soft change. She wasn't angry anymore.. But it was that look I couln't put to words but only describe as the mystic, deep oblivion gaze look, as if reminiscing... but the bad times.
My shoulders felt heavy. I waited for either of them to speak, afraid I'd get the slip if I were the first.
Barbara let out a sigh.
"The Jokerz have been bailed out.. we don't know by whom.. But we're not talking honest jailbreak. All the guards were knocked out when we came in... we haven't had the chance to capture them."
I looked at her and then at Bruce. The mutt's head seemed to bob up when I looked at him. He got up and walked over to me and I scratched the back of his ears.
I thought and finally spoke.. when Bruce gave me the green light.
"I'm on it." I said deeply and Ace licked my hand.
Bruce nodded and the commish followed.
"Keep me updated." With that she shut off her com link and Bruce turned off the screen.
He gave me the usual boss look: you-know-what-you've-got-ahead-so-put-on-the-batsuit-right-now-and-leave.
*scoff, laugh* Oh yah. I left Ace sitting on the floor and took out the black spandex suit I so possessed and went into the changing screens on another side of the batcave and changed in a few seconds.
I gave Bruce a single nod and ran to the batmobile and left through the way I came in.. but instead 156 mph faster.
****
Ely's P.O.V
I put up my hair in a low ponytail and a strand of hair ran across part of my left eye and cheek.
Max parked near the library.
Our line of study group entered through the library and we settled our backpacks and laptops on a far off table and began our search. Cat headed to the computers and searched the database for books on biology and Max joined her side, using search engines online as her guide.
My mind, however, wandered off the subject for a while. My eyes closed and I put my head down on the table, on top of my folder.
*the image of this scenery is blurred, somewhat, and lines swerve as a landscape of night falls over*
My face was that of tears sliding, one after the other.. My hair locked around my face as the wind roared around me and I stared at the ground, closing my eyes. The same, unknown shadow had approached from behind and walked up to me so slowly..
I shook my head, and a black, gloved hand had rested heavily upon my shoulder. I looked up, my eyes twinkling of tears. So, I ceased, decisively and got up... My eyes seemed to land on the ground and I saw a puddle... So clear.. so clean and crystal. My reflection spread in ripples and so the clear water no longer was and it filled of sludge and turned harsh and unsanitary. I let out a gasp and looked up.
But the odd part was, I left the ground with rage filling in me slowly. My voice echoed in shouts and grunts as I fought with the bare wind. I drew in a punch. My hand disappeared and reappeared, as I recall sitting up in bed, my eyes shut tight and a disgusted frown which I felt burn on my face..
That, I woke with yesterday.. and a tingling fear took me.
And it still remained with me.. even now. I sighed. Cat had to have a point. These dreams weren't just dreams.. Hell. They were NIGHTMARES... But.. so long on the same scene.. they must be a warning.. or a foresight of something...
'That puddle of water....' I gasped lightly. A rush of desperate feelings took over and I got up. I felt myself walking like if in a nightmare. I went to a laptop and looked up:
'Salvadorian Superstitions'
I knew I was losing it.. but my mind was determined to find this. Oddly enough it appeared on the screen.
There were 6 books. 3 were about geography and country history. The other was about culture. The last two were about religions and beliefs. My eyes fell on the one that said: 'Salvadorian Customs and Beliefs'
I sighed and felt a bit relieved.. as IF sighing were a part of releasing stress I'd be clean by now. I left the chair and a girl sat in my place.
I looked at the destinated shelf and looked everywhere. My eyes blurred. I sighed louder and brought out my stubborn glasses. The print on all the books before my eyes became more clear and sharp.
No.. No... No... No..
A new feeling reached my heart. I paused my search and looked everywhere.
I saw a study group on one table and I saw Cat standing up from her chair.. perhaps to search for her books.
Strangely.. I felt paranoia and looked over my shoulder. My hand felt something heavy fall on it. My head spun. I saw a thick book resting upon it. I placed it back, properly and then a shiver ran through my bones.
I spun my head and felt a small pain on my scalp.
"OW." I responded and saw a girl gasp frantically, now in front of me. She took a step back.
"OH! I'm sorry." She said looking sheepish.
I blinked.
She managed a chuckle.
"Sorry if I startled you." she whispered as the librarian glared at us. "I'm just looking for a book."
I exhaled softly and smiled, blushing. My head was spinning. "Sure, no prob."
She and I searched on opposite shelves and I couldn't find the fragging book. I was growing more desperate by the second.
"Salvadorian..." I looked through 4 more pairs of books. "Customs and Beliefs... Customs and-"
"Is this the book you're looking for?" The girl behind me asked. I turned and a large, wide smile spread over her face.
I read the edge of it.
"Yah. This is it! Thanks."
She saluted and giggled. "No prob." She turned and her body-long, smooth blonde hair danced around her as she turned and began to search for her own book. I walked to my table and sat, glancing the 'Table of Contents' twice.
"Salvadorian Superstitions." I drew in a breath and went to page 48.
I looked over the 7 pages of superstitions and found the one I had in mind since this morning.
"Salvadorian beliefs say it to be that when one dreams of dirtied waters..." I read the line in my head. My shoulders dropped and I frowned.
".... there would be a dear price of a loved one or someone close under a grave illness..."
"Oh shi--No.." I groaned lightly.
I put my head down again.
'It's just a superstition from your descendants' part... It's not bound to be true.. It CAN'T be true..'
But who am I to kid? I DO believe in this such superstition. My aunts, uncles and grandfather had claimed they had had this dream.. and such consequences took place. Though they be paranoia.. such as I'm feeling right now.. I believe.. Once, my aunt had dreamt such a dream and my grandfather was in need of surgery and gained a severe cause of diabetes.
Max put her hand on my shoulder.
"You feeling okay?" she asked with a hint of concern.
I looked up and by the way her eyes widened.. I removed my glasses and my eyes felt hot and irritated.
"Your eyes are red.." She whispered.
I closed my eyes and blinked. They were hurting.
"Yah.. probably all the intense reading.." I shrugged and forced a smile. That was true.. once when I spent about 5 hours online, chatting with a good friend of mine, Hilda grounded me for an eternity and claimed I was wasting time, money, energy and my eyesight.. As she disgustedly looked at my redenning eyes.
She turned out being right.. And I DESPISE it when that happens.
Max didn't look convinced. She crossed her arms and looked at the book I had looked up.
"That your subject?" she said with a soft smirk.
I looked at it.. It DID have a connection with biology..
"Nah.. I'm just.. reading on some family culture.." I smiled lightly.. Oh the good old days with my grandfather...
"Well.. I'd better put a move on homework before the weekend catches up to us." She left the table, smiling.
She was right. I put the book back in its place and checked out a book on marine biology. The thought of making homework a subject I enjoyed everytime I joined the waters of a swimming pool or body of water.. FASCINATING.. made me brighten up a little..
"OH! Marine Biology?? Envy, Ely. I picked mine to be Forensics." Cat said with a light grin.
I smirked when we left the library.
IF a disease strikes.. please let it be me..or... never mind.. just me.
"Hey. How bout we grab some burgers at Beefy's?" Max suggested when we sat in her car.
Cat tilted her head a bit, with a smile and I shrugged.
"I'll take that as a possible yes?" I managed to laugh with her and Cat.
I rubbed my eyes. The pain was still seeping in..
When I opened them again, a motorcycle appeared on my side of the window.
I stared at it with anxious eyes and raised an eyebrow at it's dark pink color.. then at it's chauffeur.
My pained eyes widened.
"Jokerz?!!" I yelped and Max looked at me with questioning eyes through the rear-view mirror. She and Cat looked sideways and joined me in yelping. Max flung the steering wheel sideways and changed lanes.. But the latex-suit wearing Joker with a wild wave of hair and pink motorcycle bumped into us. Max scowled at the crash.
"Oh.. great!" she mumbled.
"What the heck does he want from us?!" Cat scowled at the guffawing Joker.. obviously enjoying the destruction he was doing to Max's sibling-borrowed car.
My headache was getting bigger and I scowled deeply at the buffoon.
*******
Terry's P.O.V.
I blinked.
The batmobile swooped in, as I commanded.
The batmobile launched into the freeway's roads, as I commanded.
I squinted my eyes.
"Joker at 12 o'clock." I responded and bumped into the dreg's cycle.. as I purposely had called the batmobile to do so.
I faked a smirk and swooped up.. disappearing from road's sight. I quickly launched cameo mode on the batmobile and left it to steer in auto pilot and launched myself downward and flew toward the freeway again.
I smiled at the wind hitting my face.
"Home, sweet home." I said and the dreg turned as I let my fist fly freely into his face.
OOOH.. alliteration.
I knocked him out on the street and swooped him up. His motorcycle had gone freely and crashed into the bridge's side.
As I flew, carrying a desperate hanging excuse of a clown, I muttered deeply,
"You done enough partying yet, dreg?"
He yelped and clung to my arms tightly.
"Don't worry.. I won't let you down.." I teased and let go of one of his hands.
He shrieked and clung tighter to my other arm.
I spotted a police car and flew lower.
The driver stopped the car in mid air and jumped out, looking up at our arrival.
"This stupid Joker went down.." I said in my usual rough voice and he screamed, to me sounding delightful, as I let him fall to the guards' feet. They stared at me and I nodded.
They reached down for him and held him down, cuffing him.
I turned in flight and headed back to the bridge.
After a few seconds of my eyes searching every car behind my mask, I spotted the Joker's target and let myself land below. I ran to where they had their car parked on the freeway's exit.
I was a bit surprised when I saw Max come out.
I ran to her and then saw another girl and the girl from History jump out as well.
"Thank you." said the first girl.
Max looked worried.
"Just doing the city's Joker roundup." I responded, crossing my arms.
The girl I claimed popular from History blinked repeatedly.
I turned to her and Max.
"You guys okay?"
"Yah.." the second girl muttered, sounding tired.
She left me looking at her. Her eyes were red and looked irritated... like if she had cried. She looked slagged and.. disturbed.
Max woke me from my trance.
"The dreg fragged up my sister's car.." she muttered. I smiled behind the mask.
"I'd better get back to police matters." I pointed behind me with my thumb and flew off.
******
Ely's P.O.V.
About half an hour later, my fear, paranoia and dream trauma left me some. I sat next to Cat as a guy zoomed up in a hover board, carrying our orders.
"Thanks." we all muttered.
I reached for some fries and sipped some lemonade.
I had ordered a salad.. Nothing heavy or I'd be so stressed I'd throw up.
I dabbed at the lettuce and chicken aimlessly with my fork.
The sound-speaker system everywhere started playing a new song. Cat shrieked and I couldn't help but smile.
They played one of our favorite soft rock songs: 'I Miss You' by the pasttime band 'Blink 182'.
It brought back memories of times I laughed with Nat and all the other sappy thoughts lost in my head.
Max and Cat's heads rocked back and forth and I couldn't help but hum under my breath to the strumming of the guitar.
A few seconds into my salad and a few seconds after the song started, a guy almost 6 feet tall with shiny black hair with long strands over his eye and forehead, wearing a brown jacket and navy blue jeans, smiled and walked up to us.
Max sipped some soda and waved.
The McGinnis kid stood next to our table and smiled at Cat and I.
"Hello there." he sang along. "Hey, new crowd." He said and Max got up.
"Cat, Ely this is Terry."
Terry shook Cat's hand and then aimed for mine. I shook it with a smile.
"Guy from GYM, right?" I asked curiously.
He smirked. "Girl from History, right?"
My smile grew wider and I chuckled after all day of monotone. Max and Cat's eyes landed on me.
"Yah." We both found ourselves saying in unison.
Cat joined us in smiling. My eyes twinkled and Cat smirked, laughing.
Terry sat next to Max and we all sang along to the song.
I was shaking off every negative thought haunting me and had fun singing after AGES and was within conversation in seconds.
"So I heard you work for Bruce Wayne." Cat said and sipped some soda.
Terry's slice of pizza arrived and he held it before biting into it.
"Yah.." he said with a hint of lost amusement. "Not what you might call.. fun." he said and bit into his pizza.
I propped my chin on my hands. He made me want to laugh as he ate. His locks of hair fell over his forehead and I stared at him. He was kind of cute.
They passed another of my favorite songs. 'Don't Tell Me' by 'Avril Lavigne'. Yah. I'm into a lot of rock music...
Cat's cel phone rang and she stopped laughing and answered.
"'Lo?" She listened for about 5 seconds. She winced.
"Sure. Just a moment.." She handed me the phone with an apologetic look.
'Oh no...' I thought and took it reluctantly. I got up and signaled for everyone to excuse me.
"Yah?" I asked in a soft voice.. yet I was answered much louder.
"ELISELDA. I specifically told you your privileges of leisure were TAKEN FOR 3 WEEKS!!" Hilda's voice shouted in my ear as if she were in front of me.
Terry, Max and Cat must have overheard and I groaned, walking further from their table.
"Hilda.. I have a homework assignment I had to research at the library."
A laughing couple skidded by.
I could almost see Hilda wanting me to see her expression of anger with my own eyes.
"Oh, sure, sweetie." It's weird.. when she was excruciatingly nice.. she scared me.. "And I supose the people around you are all studying?"
"Hilda. I just stopped to eat some.. lunch."
Hilda let out a groan of disgust.
"Here. Be HERE in 10 minutes."
She hung up.
I sighed.
Man.. I hate home...
*******
Terry's P.O.V.
I took another bite of my pizza.
"...privileges of leisure were TAKEN FOR 3 WEEKS!!" a stern and colder-than-Bruce or Barbara's-voice was heard loudly from the distant phone. I put down my slice of pizza and Cat stared down at the table.. as if she were ashamed of something. Her shoulders lifted uneasily and she bit her lip as Max and I stared at each other.
I turned to Ely.
She spoke much softer than the voice coming through the phone.
I saw her shoulders drop and had taken it she sighed. She held the cel phone on her hand and I looked at Max, getting up.
I walked over to her. I put my hand on her shoulder.
"Something wrong?"
She turned with her eyes closed and didn't look up at me.
"I have to go. My mother wants me at home... to help her cook."
I could tell straight-on-down that was a lie. Clearly her mother DID want her home.. but not for cooking.
But as the usual me would do.. I let go of her shoulder and walked behind her, back to the table.
She finally opened her eyes and managed a look of appreciation towards Max.
"Thanks for the ride. I have to get going now.." She smiled at Max, who tensed, and handed Cat back her cel. She reached to hug her shortly.
"Take care.." I heard her whisper.
I heard a few cat-calls and whistling in back of me and I turned.
"Oh no.."
A group of kids ran from their table as a Joker girl tumbled onto it. She stood up and did some kicks and cheers like if she were a cheerleader.
My eyes widened.
She stood up and put a hand on her left hip and grinned at me. It was one of the raggedy-clown girl 'Dee-Dee' twins. Shortly, her sister joined her and tumbled, trampling on a guy who screamed to let him go.
She pounced on him and sat on his back, like I recall she did to me.. or.. her sister...
"HEY! LEMME GO!" He shrieked.
"Okey dokey." she said and jumped off, shrugging and placig her hands on her hips.
The girls next to me were all staring at the scene along with me and I finally ran for them.
A bazooka shell shot my way, but missed. I was lucky enough it was a small shell..
Max shrieked and ran to me.
"Ter!"
"Get down!" I screamed and shoved her onto the floor, covering hers and my head.
I glanced as Ely and Cat hid under the table.
Ely met my eyes.. and they read terror.
"MAX!!! TERRY???!"
I bared my teeth and signaled for them to stay down.
I stared as my bckpack stood on the bench I was sitting at...
No chance at hero dressing-up with THIS dreg shooting everywhere.
Windows were broken, people ran and screamed, smiley bombs hit at tables and spray paint was covering everything.
"So we-"
"Meet again-"
"Batfake."
The twins whispered as they had ordered Woof to stop scaring people and Ghoul to stop the shooting.
"We're BAA-AAAAACK!" they shouted happily in unison.
Max and I stood up, shocked.
"You-" Max began.
"Never mind!" The twins answered for me and one of them winked while the other kicked Max down.
I bared my teeth even tighter but the other twin patted the taser's safe part on her hand.
"Shocked to see us?" she asked, a large grin running swiftly through her face and she aimed at my chest but I dodged and elbowed her to the ground as I turned. She fell and the taser skidded under a table.
"HEY!" she and her twin shouted in unison.
"That's cheating!" Her twin said and aimed a kicked at my face but I caught it and swung her into her sister. They both thudded to the floor again.
The other Goth creep shot lasers at me and Hyena Boy drooled through his open mouth as he ran to pounce on me. I dodged his incoming blow and he worked his nails into my arm. I winced as the sharp pain travelled.
He caught my weak arm and shoved me onto a table. He jumped at me but I kicked him off. Ghoul shot another wave of lasers and I flipped sideways to avoid them.
But, stupid dunce, as I ran for him and knocked him out as his head hit a pole with an echoing bang, his master's loyal friend came to avenge him and jumped on top of me, his claws digging at my arms and legs. I felt one thin line burning on my neck and I tried to toss him but he slapped me down to the ground.
He pinned me there and I struggled to get him off me.
I grunted on several occasions of him scratching and biting at me. I just waited for me to gain some sort of help-
I looked up, the weight was off my back and Woof, lay unconscious on the floor, next to me.
A blurred image appeared over me. My eyes caught back their focus.
*****
Ely's P.O.V.
I offered him a hand.
I grinned at Cat, as she swung the taser within her fingers and laughed victoriously.
"Nothing like a little shock to take 'em down." She said and I helped Terry up. I gasped at the sight of his jacket ripped on many areas and a thin, but deep, bloody line now engraved on his neck.
"Oh my-" I shook my head and let him semi-lean on my shoulder. "You okay??!" I asked, extremely worried. He seemed real nice to me..
"Yah.." He gasped and massaged his neck.
I felt some weight on my head and I turned as one of the twins pulled my hair.
"HEY! OW!" She pulled a knot of hair off and I clutched my head.. BETTER not be a bald spot.
"Congratulations!" Said the twin. I grew furious.
"YAH!" I laughed sarcastically, along with her.
"Thanks for ridding my hair of knots!" I said and pulled at her red matted wig.
"OWW!" She shrieked I held her hair for a few seconds and let her go. She kicked at my leg but I jumped.
****
Terry's P.O.V.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh CRUD-!"
****
Ely's P.O.V.
I landed back down but flew back up again and single-kicked her stomach and she fell backwards.
Her twin growled loudly and tumbled at me.
She held my hands back and I leaned forward. I exerted the force I had available and flung her off my back and over my head.
My back, eventually cracked.
She shrieked as I tossed her off and landed right next to the hideous hyena splicer.
I panted.
Cat walked over with Terry, who seemed to be regaining the strength in his legs.
But he didn't seem to care about that.
"How'd you do that?" both he and Cat asked. Max joined them.
"We'd better get out of here before they wake up."
We all nodded and headed quickly to her car.
Terry had trouble assuring us he'd be fine on his motorcycle.
"YOU'RE the ones who need guards or something.." He muttered and I stared at the sky with a sigh (OOH alliteration AND rhyme.) Men...
He waved and walked to his cycle and sped off.
Max did the same and I gave her directions to where I lived.
"Thanks so much. I'll see you later."
"Take care." she said and Cat nodded with a sad twinkle in her eyes.
"Yah. You too. Later."
Max and Cat reluctantly zoomed off and I walked up the stairs to the apartment. The second I opened it I felt a gush of haunting air hit me and Hilda started yelling at me for being 10 minutes late.
Why should I bother telling you what she said?? *groan*
*****
Bruce's P.O.V.
"It can't be him, Bruce. It just can't be." she said, raising her voice at my unflattered image. Her gaze was equal as mine and I returned her reluctance.
"Barbara would you have an alternative explanation as to why his symptoms are acting up and as to why the crime rates of Gotham are slipping through our fingers?" I spoke sternly but calmly.
"Bruce... Terry did away with that."
"Maybe. But not entirely, as the case has shown." I said with a tone of finality. "It's amazing how stubborn you are just now, Barbara, at the bare truth showing its face."
"But he had been recovering grandly. How is it possible any escaped memories can alarm his behavior?" I paused at this line. Her voice was no longer challenging, but worried.
"I don't know Barbara. But this force is stopping at nothing.. and we HAVE to stop HIM.. no matter what it takes."
******
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What the heck are they talking about? Did y'all enjoy the Deeds' comeback?! Please R and R!