Batman Beyond: Fatale Fury
Batman Beyond was great and its sad it will never continue. I always hoped they'd allude better to some of the characters from the old series yet...never...ah well. Now I have to do it myself. In this story you'll find various Neo-incarnations of old villains and in this chapter we view one of the greatest enemies ever! One that was in a movie!
A/N: And I've left a few "Easter Eggs" in the story for the main villain everyone's favourite feline fury femme fatale the clawed queen of crime CATWOMAN. They can be linked to: 1 Her comic, 2 The Comic, 3 the actresses who played her role, 4 the movie or 5the TV shows. It's like Where's Wally (or Waldo). Fake cookies to the person to get them all.
Begin...NOW! (Fires a rocket launcher off).
Chapter 1: Santa Baby, leave a tombstone under the tree
Terry watched the people swarming about in the snow of the streets with presents. 'Ten days to Christmas' Dana cooed into his ear, she wore a long fur lined white coat. 'And we can go see the lighting of the tree in two' she added pointing to the enormous tree that was decorated in lights. 'I'm so glad Mr Wayne got us invites to the official party. Maybe your job isn't that bad...' She kissed him passionately.
'WHOA!' the girl squealed. She slipped on the ice and crashed down painfully on her backside. Terry sprang to her side and helped her up. She had short black hair that was streaked with dark purple and tied up. She moved like a mouse, afraid of alerting the cat. She straightened the thick lenses of her glasses and tried to tame the hairs that were on her face.
'Wow, Erika' Dana said in her "freak-loser-whatever" voice. 'Running home from your little chess club?'
'D-Dana' the girl said avoiding looking at Dana. 'I-I-No I'm, I had to work...I work at C-Cartland Fashions. As a gofer.'
'Cartland Fashions?' Terry repeated. 'That weird place with the Cheshire cat on it?'
'Yeah...I need the money to live on...in a pokey little flat in the Wayne Powers complex' she froze. 'Not that they aren't decent flats' she added hastily. 'It's just I haven't got a l-lot of space.'
'Hey I don't tell Mr Wayne everything I hear...Powers...well Powers senior...is the Hitler of all corporations...Paxton's just a jerk.'
'Hey Terry' Dana said. 'Let's split, I'm sure Erika has places to be...'
'Y-yes...I have a lot to do' Erika said. She pulled her pink lined black coat tighter and picked up her folders before scampering off. Terry watched her leave.
'How do you know her?' he asked.
'She used to be at my gymnastics club and used to be in Finishing school with my cousin and junk. Something happened and she's supporting herself now, going to some public school on the East End...you know that puss bucket Zeiss and the Penguin went through way back when. Didn't do much for it. She was a little geek anyway I don't like her...'
Terry stared at Dana. 'That's a bit harsh' he muttered.
'It's justified, she freaks me the hell out!' Terry walked down the road with his girlfriend. He cast one more look at the girl as she disappeared into the crowd...
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Cartland Fashions was a tall skyscraper that had its Logo halfway up, a large black and white Cheshire cat that was so disturbingly sinister little children burst into tears around it. Delphine Cartland stared obsessively down at the city.
'This is my city y'know? I shape it by shaping the Mayors mind...sadly he's getting cocky. So a little chaos, a pinch here and a dash there into the mix and I'll stir it, get it right through the mix and into the heart and then let it simmer and bubble until it needs my hand again to mould it back to how it should be. I want you to be the smidgen of chaos kids' she purred. 'And I want you to make sure it's big and bold!'
She turned, her short auburn hair was closely cropped and she wore a tight grey dress with fur around the neck to the bodice. She waved a sleeveless arm. 'Nothing small time. After all I'm financing your big bad booms Rocco'.
Rocco was the leader, brown eyed and green haired. 'We gotcha Delphi baby. Yo! Sketch! Give the lady our plan and inventory' he called in his Australian Drawl.
The boy wore a pair of swimmers goggles with green lenses and was dressed like an Al Bhed from the Final Fantasy 10 games. One arm was covered the other wasn't, his boots didn't match and there was red and navy through his dark hair. 'Bank Job' he stated simply as he handed her the disk.
'Sketch has got it all planned' grinned Rocco. 'An' we're gonna hit the lighting big time! Like a ton a bricks. Our boy Sketch's a psychic kid. He can do his psychic mojo like no one's business!'
'Impressive' nodded Delphi Cartland as the images booted up on the screen. 'And expensive' she added.
'Worth it' Sketch said quietly. 'Big chaos, nothing small. I don't do small'
Delphi tapped the keys of the console. 'Very well...do it'
===========================
The cats leapt about in the pink rooms as Erika pushed open the door and tossed her files down. 'And now for the homework' she grimaced. She pressed the remote and sat at her desk as her answering machine booted up.
'Hello Customer, this is the Dahl Cosmetics phone service who just called to say that we're giving away free samples of Catwalk. A new line of cosmetics for the professional young woman who wants to make the world her catwalk! Call by our stores and---'
'Like that would cure my social leprosy' she snorted as she opened her maths book and skipped to the next.
'Hello Erika it's me, Raymond. I know that we broke up under bad conditions so maybe I can make it right. We can give it another try. I know you can be the woman I want...'
'Sorry Ray' she sighed. 'But I'm destined to die alone.'
'It's me Erika, pick up. I know you don't want to follow my path, the path you should but that doesn't mean I can't help you out financially. Cartland will NEVER pay enough for you to get a proper place. You're getting three creds over minimum wage for Gods sake! Just...drop by my place. I'll write a cheque or something...'
'Sorry, I love you as the mother I never had but it's not gonna happen'
'Hello Erika' her own voice sighed. 'Don't forget to beat yourself to death with a shoe if you don't send Ms Cartlands e-mails to the invited parties for her costume bash. If you're not careful you'll lose this job'.
Erika turned the machine off and let her head thump into her homework. 'How do I act like a 17 year old and keep up with a working 35 year old life? Tell me someone...' The cat mewled. She looked at the jet-black cat with a sigh. 'Yes that's a very good point. But if I don't work I don't live her and I don't have any way to stay warm as I do my homework.'
She sighed and removed her glasses to rub her brow. 'Oi' she groaned.
==================================
The Next Day, Late That night...
'Dana was not happy that you called me out. One day she's gonna come and get you' Terry warned as he shot along the sky in the bat mobile.
'And do my hair? What's left of it?' Bruce smirked. 'The banks silent alarm was activated. An old one directly linked to the bat cave and the very, very old police stations. I alerted Barbara Gordon.'
'But I should get there first?'
'Definitely.'
Terry slipped into the bank under camouflage. The kids were dressed oddly, in tattered clothes. One of the group, his name was evidently named Sketch, was setting up a charge on the door of the safe. Terry slowly advanced and swiftly slammed the heads of two thieves together. They crashed down with soft groans and that was that.
'Rocco! Batman!' one shouted as Terry became visible briefly (to cause chaos) punched him out.
'Sketch! Keep it up!' shouted Rocco'
'I'm done' Sketch exclaimed. 'You just put the small explosives around, leave the Bat to me' he leapt forwards and raised his fists. Terry disappeared, a buzz playing in the back of his neck as he crept around in stealth to try and get the jump on his foe.
The kick lanced through the air and sent Terry staggering back. 'I can locate your thoughts with Empathy' explained the boy. 'But you've encountered the Brain Trust so you remember the power of a psychic?'
Terry became visible; it was a waste if he didn't have a reason to.
'Okay surrender now and I'll go easy' he warned. Sketch grinned and spun down low slashing at Terry's legs with his hooking leg. Terry leapt over it and kicked at the boys face. Sketch jack-knifed backwards and landed as Terry did. A chain lashed out and caught Terry around the waist. Two roller-blading girls were holding him in place while another aimed with her throwing knives. Sketch turned and hurried to Rocco. 'We're set' Rocco nodded.
Terry hit the button on his belt and the surge of electricity knocked the two girls off their feet in time for him to duck out of the way of the knives. He disappeared again to get the drop on the knife girl and stun her.
Sketch hit a button on his wrist piece. It bleeped and in a blast of white light and heat erupted outwards. The safe door crashed down. Terry hurled the explosive flash bomb at the door. It burst and Rocco, Sketch and the five other delinquents shot backwards yelping in pain.
'Sorry kids but no Christmas present for you' Terry muttered.
'That's your opinion' Sketch said as he straightened up and his eyes glowed behind the goggles. He pointed at Terry and closed his fist slowly. The pain gripped Batman's heart and he fell to his knees in agony, gasping. The roller blades whirred with the skateboards and occasional scooter or unicycle. They were in and out in seconds. Sketch turned and ran with Rocco. His weird boots with their hard plastic and synthetic cords clicked and abruptly he was on roller blades.
Terry grimaced.
'What was that Terry? Your heard Blood Pressure just Skyrocketed!'
'Don't ask me, I'm clueless' murmured Terry. 'The kid...one of the Brain Trust types...oh that stung'. He rose and jetted out the door.
The Batmobile was fast enough to close the gap the kids had gotten, a surprisingly large gap. They shot into the subway. 'Great they've gone underground' Terry groaned. He jetted down into the old subway.
'Ah no' Rocco said with a grin. 'You're not following us' he stood at the end of the entrance tunnel.' Terry jetted forwards...and hit some sort of electric net. He crashed down...the teenagers were gone by the time he could get up and slice the net.
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Erika led the men into the boardroom. Delphi Cartland was standing looking out the window at the afternoon coated city like the snow. 'Gentlemen' Delphi smiled. 'Take your seat'
'Ms before w-we start maybe you should address your beauty products factory on the river...' Erika began.
Small laughs and mutters ran along the men at the board. 'Outspoken ain't she?'
Delphi smiled and raised her cup of coffee. 'She may be outspoken but it's a damn good cup of coffee!' Erika frowned but managed a smile as the men called their orders out for her.
Erika sat at her computer. The Hello Kitty with the bobbing head and Felix the cat moving eyes digital clock were creepy and left from the secretary that Delphi had last fired. Erika slapped her head over and over. 'Corn Dog, Corn Dog, Corn Dog' she groaned. She pulled open her calendar and looked at the day's motto. "Be A Good Employee" in large letters under the date.
'Right gotta keep that in mind' she sighed. She looked at the schedule in her filofax. 'Call Wayne-Powers and get either of them scheduled for the day after the lighting' she read. 'Okay. I pick Wayne.'
She picked up the phone and dialled the number. The face of Terry McGinnis appeared on the vid-screen. 'Yeah this is Bruce Wayne's Mansion...not that he ever picks up the phone.'
'Oh, Hi. This is Delphi Cartland's secretary Erika Arkham I just wanted to call and confirm that Mr Wayne is coming to a meeting at the--'
'Hey Erika' Terry said. 'So you're her secretary?'
'She was reluctant to hire a 17 year old girl but then I pointed out she didn't need full wage just yet'.
'Clever...oh what time?' he added as a gruff voice asked who he was flirting with.
Blushing she gave him the time. '5:15 if you can. Does that go under the heading of okay times?'
'Yeah' Terry said looking at a book of some sort. 'Perfect. See you'.
'Yeah' she smiled.
========================================
Terry put down the phone. '5:15' he stated as he walked over to the cases of "villain props". 'What's this one?' he asked pointing to a strange canister.
'The Red Claw tried to unleash a virus on the city. Ended up deciding to use it on me' Bruce said as he sat down at the computer.
'Red Claw?'
'Terrorist. Not much in the line of files. You should go get changed for the party if you want to pick Dana up'.
'Aren't you going?'
'Yes' Bruce said. 'But later then you. I'm being driven to it by Powers and the board in their obese and obnoxious limousine.'
'Schway'
'I need you to have a car in case we have to make an escape...and take the suit' he added. Terry rolled his eyes. 'It could be a hotbed for trouble' Bruce warned.
Terry just rolled his eyes and left the room.
========================================
Erika entered the crowded area around the tree, succeeding in getting a lame view but enough to see the trees star-topped pinnacle. She hugged herself tighter and glanced up at the glamorous party decoration on the top of a building viewing the tree. Well if you'd stuck with your mentor you'd be up therea nasty internal voice snorted.
Shut upErika sneered. She pulled the small binoculars from her satchel and skimmed the guests. She settled on Terry and Dana closing in on Terry's face. Man why is he with her? She's so incredibly nasty
Sighing she took out her phone and decided to check her service. 'Hello Erika this is Erika just calling to tell you that if you don't bring the files for the Debauri account home you'll not have them finished for TOMORROW corndog'
'I am, I am such a Corndog!' she muttered as she turned and hurried down the street.
=========================================
Terry tugged at the collar of his tuxedo under the cool air as it constricted seemingly on its own. Dana straightened his bow tie and turned back to the party with a smile. 'My Gosh! No one will believe I was here' she said. 'That's Delphi Cartland! She's the biggest designer in the city! Wow!'
'Yeah' nodded Terry. 'Uhh I think I should head in and grab us some drinks.'
Dana waved and stared down at the people below. 'Yeah okay'
Terry entered and walked over to the buffet with a groan. 'Having fun?' the old woman was white haired with a slender form and who looked like she was still in pretty good shape. She wore a long dress that seemed made of solid gold and held a golden fan in her hands. 'Selina Kyle' she said. 'And you are?'
'Terry McGinnis' he said. She smiled serenely.
'Well what are you doing at such a dull event?' she asked. 'Surely the parties across the city in the clubs would appeal more?'
'I work for Mr Wayne and he got me and my girlfriend tickets...'
Selina flinched. 'Ah, well here he is right now' she said. Terry glanced over at the doors to see Bruce enter. When he turned back Mrs Kyle was gone. 'Uhh that's weird' he murmured.
Bruce stood at his side. 'So, how are you and Dana getting on?'
'Oh she's having fun' his eye caught her laughing at the joke of a movie star. Adam Heat...yeah that's his nameTerry growled. And then it happened. The people gathered at the balcony watching the tree as the mayor spoke...then the glass on a building across from the penthouse burst outwards as people on hover bikes shot out with the delinquents mounted on them. Bruce glanced at Terry who just sighed and disappeared backwards into the crowd.
=========================================
Erika shrieked as the three girls on roller blades circled her poking her. She slapped a hand away and hit one in the bridge of the nose with her bag. One pulled a taser out and jabbed at her. She pulled back nervously as the taser wielding girl stabbed out at her. Then the bolas snapped around her and dragged her down. Batman landed beside her and stared at the two remaining blader girls.
'Wow, hah, Batman' Erika laughed with a slightly crazy edge. 'Saving me...' Batman just occupied himself with dispatching the girls easily. Then he leapt off the bridge to glide towards the area around the tree where trouble was running rampant.
Erika sighed. 'Yeah thanks!' she called after him. 'Well that was something to talk about to the girls in the salon...oh wait! I've got no friends!'
She trudged on towards the building she considered her private slave mine. She might as well have been shackled to the desk.
===============================================
Sketch looked to Rocco as he grinned at the chest of a supermodel. 'Okay we're the Orphans' Rocco called. 'And we don't have time for any crap so hand over all your valuables. You too grandma that necklace for one.'
Bruce's eyes widened as he heard the voice. 'Now, now darling I'll rip your arms off if you try take it' the woman smirked. The stupid college drop out made a move for the rubies around her neck. Selena Kyle flipped him over easily and shook her head. 'I did try an warn you'
A tall dark man raised his fists behind her...Bruce hurled his cane at the youth and knocked him down with it. Selena glanced at him as he leaned on a chair and casually shoved the boy over into the buffet. 'I think everyone should leave' she added as the people flocked to the elevators and staircases. She handed Bruce his cane.
'You've still got it' she added. And then she was gone, melding into the crowd easily. 'So have you' Bruce muttered.
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Rocco crashed across the room clutching his cheek. 'Stupid boy' Delphi snarled as her security chief Chip Sands and lead model Roma Milano watched resignedly, used to their employers sharp temper. 'I wanted something high quality that burglary and a few harassments! ? PLEASE! That is pathetic!' she struck him hard again and he yelped.
'Hey, you hear that?' Chip asked.
'Chip. Don't start with me' Delphi snarled.
'He means from outside' Roma said. 'It sounded like...typing?'
'Check' Delphi sighed.
Erika bit her lip as she hacked open the files. 'I'm sure I will find nothing wrong here...' she breathed. She paused as she read the screen glancing at the pictures of the animals. 'Animal Fur!' she gasped.
'Erika?' Roma walked in dressed in her short red jacket, black tank top and red jeans and boots. 'What are you doing?'
'Nothing!' exclaimed Erika, a bit too loudly as she shut down the console. 'Just getting the accounts for Milan. I left them behind like an idiot.'
'Seven Days to Christmas...' Roma said. 'Can't blame you...' she paused and opened the computer screen nearest her logging into Erika's computer. She saw the files and didn't bat an eyelid. 'Ms Cartland would like to speak to you' she added. 'We've got a great new business deal going and she'd like your opinion.'
That set prickles down Erika's spine Ms Cartland barely knew she had a brain for anything other then computers. 'I have t-to go and umm...feed my cats' she said. 'I can come in tomorrow...'
'Oh no we insist you come now' Roma grabbed Erika's arm painfully and pulled the girl along. Erika panicked her senses going haywire. 'My therapist used to say that getting me scared was worse then getting me angry' Erika whimpered. Roma said nothing as Chip held the door for her.
Rocco looked at Erika and then scurried out of the room. 'Erika' Delphi said with a smile. 'What have you been doing you naughty girl. Prying where you shouldn't have?'
Erika was shaking. 'N-no Ms Cartland I-I haven't I w-was just collecting the ac-count numbers! I d-didn't see anything!'
'She saw the animal fur files' Roma reassured.
'And she's just seen Rocco leaving' added Chip. 'She could even have read the file on our outta-town help'.
'Well that is a bit of a quandary' Delphi muttered. 'HmmmMMMMmmmm' she gripped Erika's arm and lead her out into the "sky corridor" that looked down on the monorail hissing about between the two buildings of Cartland Fashion. 'Well Erika I feel that we should really discuss your contract and its termination.'
'I swear I don't know anything!' Erika exclaimed her voice cracking with fear and tears. 'I don't know anything! I didn't read those files I don't know anything for sure! And what do I know about that Rocco boy? Who the hell is he supposed to be? I haven't got a clue about this! Do you think I'm just something you can throw away? I'm a human too Ms Cartland!'
'Oh I know that Erika' purred Delphi. 'But you could ruin everything by going to the police! And that would be very bad!'
'Do you think you can just kill me?' gasped a horrified Erika. 'Like a fly on a cat's back? Like I haven't a life? Like I'm not a human! ?'
'Yes' Ms Cartland said. And then she laughed and so did Roma. And so did Chip. And so did Erika.
The glass exploded backwards as the shot rang out and Erika fell backwards towards the monorail track. She hit a support beam as the glass flowed around her joining the powder snow. She tumbled like an angel straight down...and hit the monorail as it shot past. She lay on it as his sped along her eyes focused on the Batmobile shooting on overhead.
'Batman' she managed, blood trickling from her lips...the cats of the city perked up and hopped along on their paths. The monorail station was now home to thousands as they skipped over to her and licked at her wounds, poking her awake. She twitched and her eyes flickered open and shut as the cats meowed louder and louder. She stretched her bones clicking and cracking as she opened her eyes. The green eyes became slit pupilled for a moment, like a cat...then widened and squatted to the normal shape and size.
=========================================
Dana glared at Terry as he tried to explain.
'I was looking for you everywhere!' he exclaimed. 'Then one of the jerks got me!' he said, trying to avoid the fact he'd been zapped with a prod had been high on his agenda but to be safe from the wrath of Dana sounded better. He pulled his shirt back to reveal the burn mark. 'See?'
'Oh Terry' Dana said hugging him. 'Let's go see your okay!'
'I am I'll drop you home you've been through a lot' he said soothingly.
She batted her eyelids at him...he smiled feeling a little buzz on his outline. He really liked her...a whole lot.
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Selina opened the door to her high-rise apartment. 'God! Erika! What happened?'
'I got fired...out a window and down ten or so stories onto a speeding monorail' came the sultry voice. Erika's cat rubbed itself past her legs and leapt up to the velvet cushion its mother lay on. More joined the pair of black cats. Erika smiled darkly. 'I feel I need to contest that little happening...'
'I see...come in' Selina said. 'It's good to have you back...'
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'So you understand that the Orphans need your guidance. Rocco works with you and you guide them in the right...direction' Roma said. 'Our employer will accept no less understood?'
The man leaned on the wall. He was balancing a knife on his fingers. 'I could never fail, it's been too long and I have a reason to come to Gotham once more!'
'Well then we're all set' Roma said rising. 'Welcome to the city Zeiss '.
A/N: In this chapter I've made (14) references the first is: Mousy secretary put out the window by boss. Though Michelle Pfeiffer wasn't a 17- year-old high school student. Happy hunting if you feel like it. It's just something to do if you're very bored. I was. My other fics need to be reviewed before I can continue them. My muse is dying. STEOM! Save The Evil Overlords Muse
Ciao
Batman Beyond was great and its sad it will never continue. I always hoped they'd allude better to some of the characters from the old series yet...never...ah well. Now I have to do it myself. In this story you'll find various Neo-incarnations of old villains and in this chapter we view one of the greatest enemies ever! One that was in a movie!
A/N: And I've left a few "Easter Eggs" in the story for the main villain everyone's favourite feline fury femme fatale the clawed queen of crime CATWOMAN. They can be linked to: 1 Her comic, 2 The Comic, 3 the actresses who played her role, 4 the movie or 5the TV shows. It's like Where's Wally (or Waldo). Fake cookies to the person to get them all.
Begin...NOW! (Fires a rocket launcher off).
Chapter 1: Santa Baby, leave a tombstone under the tree
Terry watched the people swarming about in the snow of the streets with presents. 'Ten days to Christmas' Dana cooed into his ear, she wore a long fur lined white coat. 'And we can go see the lighting of the tree in two' she added pointing to the enormous tree that was decorated in lights. 'I'm so glad Mr Wayne got us invites to the official party. Maybe your job isn't that bad...' She kissed him passionately.
'WHOA!' the girl squealed. She slipped on the ice and crashed down painfully on her backside. Terry sprang to her side and helped her up. She had short black hair that was streaked with dark purple and tied up. She moved like a mouse, afraid of alerting the cat. She straightened the thick lenses of her glasses and tried to tame the hairs that were on her face.
'Wow, Erika' Dana said in her "freak-loser-whatever" voice. 'Running home from your little chess club?'
'D-Dana' the girl said avoiding looking at Dana. 'I-I-No I'm, I had to work...I work at C-Cartland Fashions. As a gofer.'
'Cartland Fashions?' Terry repeated. 'That weird place with the Cheshire cat on it?'
'Yeah...I need the money to live on...in a pokey little flat in the Wayne Powers complex' she froze. 'Not that they aren't decent flats' she added hastily. 'It's just I haven't got a l-lot of space.'
'Hey I don't tell Mr Wayne everything I hear...Powers...well Powers senior...is the Hitler of all corporations...Paxton's just a jerk.'
'Hey Terry' Dana said. 'Let's split, I'm sure Erika has places to be...'
'Y-yes...I have a lot to do' Erika said. She pulled her pink lined black coat tighter and picked up her folders before scampering off. Terry watched her leave.
'How do you know her?' he asked.
'She used to be at my gymnastics club and used to be in Finishing school with my cousin and junk. Something happened and she's supporting herself now, going to some public school on the East End...you know that puss bucket Zeiss and the Penguin went through way back when. Didn't do much for it. She was a little geek anyway I don't like her...'
Terry stared at Dana. 'That's a bit harsh' he muttered.
'It's justified, she freaks me the hell out!' Terry walked down the road with his girlfriend. He cast one more look at the girl as she disappeared into the crowd...
===========================
Cartland Fashions was a tall skyscraper that had its Logo halfway up, a large black and white Cheshire cat that was so disturbingly sinister little children burst into tears around it. Delphine Cartland stared obsessively down at the city.
'This is my city y'know? I shape it by shaping the Mayors mind...sadly he's getting cocky. So a little chaos, a pinch here and a dash there into the mix and I'll stir it, get it right through the mix and into the heart and then let it simmer and bubble until it needs my hand again to mould it back to how it should be. I want you to be the smidgen of chaos kids' she purred. 'And I want you to make sure it's big and bold!'
She turned, her short auburn hair was closely cropped and she wore a tight grey dress with fur around the neck to the bodice. She waved a sleeveless arm. 'Nothing small time. After all I'm financing your big bad booms Rocco'.
Rocco was the leader, brown eyed and green haired. 'We gotcha Delphi baby. Yo! Sketch! Give the lady our plan and inventory' he called in his Australian Drawl.
The boy wore a pair of swimmers goggles with green lenses and was dressed like an Al Bhed from the Final Fantasy 10 games. One arm was covered the other wasn't, his boots didn't match and there was red and navy through his dark hair. 'Bank Job' he stated simply as he handed her the disk.
'Sketch has got it all planned' grinned Rocco. 'An' we're gonna hit the lighting big time! Like a ton a bricks. Our boy Sketch's a psychic kid. He can do his psychic mojo like no one's business!'
'Impressive' nodded Delphi Cartland as the images booted up on the screen. 'And expensive' she added.
'Worth it' Sketch said quietly. 'Big chaos, nothing small. I don't do small'
Delphi tapped the keys of the console. 'Very well...do it'
===========================
The cats leapt about in the pink rooms as Erika pushed open the door and tossed her files down. 'And now for the homework' she grimaced. She pressed the remote and sat at her desk as her answering machine booted up.
'Hello Customer, this is the Dahl Cosmetics phone service who just called to say that we're giving away free samples of Catwalk. A new line of cosmetics for the professional young woman who wants to make the world her catwalk! Call by our stores and---'
'Like that would cure my social leprosy' she snorted as she opened her maths book and skipped to the next.
'Hello Erika it's me, Raymond. I know that we broke up under bad conditions so maybe I can make it right. We can give it another try. I know you can be the woman I want...'
'Sorry Ray' she sighed. 'But I'm destined to die alone.'
'It's me Erika, pick up. I know you don't want to follow my path, the path you should but that doesn't mean I can't help you out financially. Cartland will NEVER pay enough for you to get a proper place. You're getting three creds over minimum wage for Gods sake! Just...drop by my place. I'll write a cheque or something...'
'Sorry, I love you as the mother I never had but it's not gonna happen'
'Hello Erika' her own voice sighed. 'Don't forget to beat yourself to death with a shoe if you don't send Ms Cartlands e-mails to the invited parties for her costume bash. If you're not careful you'll lose this job'.
Erika turned the machine off and let her head thump into her homework. 'How do I act like a 17 year old and keep up with a working 35 year old life? Tell me someone...' The cat mewled. She looked at the jet-black cat with a sigh. 'Yes that's a very good point. But if I don't work I don't live her and I don't have any way to stay warm as I do my homework.'
She sighed and removed her glasses to rub her brow. 'Oi' she groaned.
==================================
The Next Day, Late That night...
'Dana was not happy that you called me out. One day she's gonna come and get you' Terry warned as he shot along the sky in the bat mobile.
'And do my hair? What's left of it?' Bruce smirked. 'The banks silent alarm was activated. An old one directly linked to the bat cave and the very, very old police stations. I alerted Barbara Gordon.'
'But I should get there first?'
'Definitely.'
Terry slipped into the bank under camouflage. The kids were dressed oddly, in tattered clothes. One of the group, his name was evidently named Sketch, was setting up a charge on the door of the safe. Terry slowly advanced and swiftly slammed the heads of two thieves together. They crashed down with soft groans and that was that.
'Rocco! Batman!' one shouted as Terry became visible briefly (to cause chaos) punched him out.
'Sketch! Keep it up!' shouted Rocco'
'I'm done' Sketch exclaimed. 'You just put the small explosives around, leave the Bat to me' he leapt forwards and raised his fists. Terry disappeared, a buzz playing in the back of his neck as he crept around in stealth to try and get the jump on his foe.
The kick lanced through the air and sent Terry staggering back. 'I can locate your thoughts with Empathy' explained the boy. 'But you've encountered the Brain Trust so you remember the power of a psychic?'
Terry became visible; it was a waste if he didn't have a reason to.
'Okay surrender now and I'll go easy' he warned. Sketch grinned and spun down low slashing at Terry's legs with his hooking leg. Terry leapt over it and kicked at the boys face. Sketch jack-knifed backwards and landed as Terry did. A chain lashed out and caught Terry around the waist. Two roller-blading girls were holding him in place while another aimed with her throwing knives. Sketch turned and hurried to Rocco. 'We're set' Rocco nodded.
Terry hit the button on his belt and the surge of electricity knocked the two girls off their feet in time for him to duck out of the way of the knives. He disappeared again to get the drop on the knife girl and stun her.
Sketch hit a button on his wrist piece. It bleeped and in a blast of white light and heat erupted outwards. The safe door crashed down. Terry hurled the explosive flash bomb at the door. It burst and Rocco, Sketch and the five other delinquents shot backwards yelping in pain.
'Sorry kids but no Christmas present for you' Terry muttered.
'That's your opinion' Sketch said as he straightened up and his eyes glowed behind the goggles. He pointed at Terry and closed his fist slowly. The pain gripped Batman's heart and he fell to his knees in agony, gasping. The roller blades whirred with the skateboards and occasional scooter or unicycle. They were in and out in seconds. Sketch turned and ran with Rocco. His weird boots with their hard plastic and synthetic cords clicked and abruptly he was on roller blades.
Terry grimaced.
'What was that Terry? Your heard Blood Pressure just Skyrocketed!'
'Don't ask me, I'm clueless' murmured Terry. 'The kid...one of the Brain Trust types...oh that stung'. He rose and jetted out the door.
The Batmobile was fast enough to close the gap the kids had gotten, a surprisingly large gap. They shot into the subway. 'Great they've gone underground' Terry groaned. He jetted down into the old subway.
'Ah no' Rocco said with a grin. 'You're not following us' he stood at the end of the entrance tunnel.' Terry jetted forwards...and hit some sort of electric net. He crashed down...the teenagers were gone by the time he could get up and slice the net.
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Erika led the men into the boardroom. Delphi Cartland was standing looking out the window at the afternoon coated city like the snow. 'Gentlemen' Delphi smiled. 'Take your seat'
'Ms before w-we start maybe you should address your beauty products factory on the river...' Erika began.
Small laughs and mutters ran along the men at the board. 'Outspoken ain't she?'
Delphi smiled and raised her cup of coffee. 'She may be outspoken but it's a damn good cup of coffee!' Erika frowned but managed a smile as the men called their orders out for her.
Erika sat at her computer. The Hello Kitty with the bobbing head and Felix the cat moving eyes digital clock were creepy and left from the secretary that Delphi had last fired. Erika slapped her head over and over. 'Corn Dog, Corn Dog, Corn Dog' she groaned. She pulled open her calendar and looked at the day's motto. "Be A Good Employee" in large letters under the date.
'Right gotta keep that in mind' she sighed. She looked at the schedule in her filofax. 'Call Wayne-Powers and get either of them scheduled for the day after the lighting' she read. 'Okay. I pick Wayne.'
She picked up the phone and dialled the number. The face of Terry McGinnis appeared on the vid-screen. 'Yeah this is Bruce Wayne's Mansion...not that he ever picks up the phone.'
'Oh, Hi. This is Delphi Cartland's secretary Erika Arkham I just wanted to call and confirm that Mr Wayne is coming to a meeting at the--'
'Hey Erika' Terry said. 'So you're her secretary?'
'She was reluctant to hire a 17 year old girl but then I pointed out she didn't need full wage just yet'.
'Clever...oh what time?' he added as a gruff voice asked who he was flirting with.
Blushing she gave him the time. '5:15 if you can. Does that go under the heading of okay times?'
'Yeah' Terry said looking at a book of some sort. 'Perfect. See you'.
'Yeah' she smiled.
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Terry put down the phone. '5:15' he stated as he walked over to the cases of "villain props". 'What's this one?' he asked pointing to a strange canister.
'The Red Claw tried to unleash a virus on the city. Ended up deciding to use it on me' Bruce said as he sat down at the computer.
'Red Claw?'
'Terrorist. Not much in the line of files. You should go get changed for the party if you want to pick Dana up'.
'Aren't you going?'
'Yes' Bruce said. 'But later then you. I'm being driven to it by Powers and the board in their obese and obnoxious limousine.'
'Schway'
'I need you to have a car in case we have to make an escape...and take the suit' he added. Terry rolled his eyes. 'It could be a hotbed for trouble' Bruce warned.
Terry just rolled his eyes and left the room.
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Erika entered the crowded area around the tree, succeeding in getting a lame view but enough to see the trees star-topped pinnacle. She hugged herself tighter and glanced up at the glamorous party decoration on the top of a building viewing the tree. Well if you'd stuck with your mentor you'd be up therea nasty internal voice snorted.
Shut upErika sneered. She pulled the small binoculars from her satchel and skimmed the guests. She settled on Terry and Dana closing in on Terry's face. Man why is he with her? She's so incredibly nasty
Sighing she took out her phone and decided to check her service. 'Hello Erika this is Erika just calling to tell you that if you don't bring the files for the Debauri account home you'll not have them finished for TOMORROW corndog'
'I am, I am such a Corndog!' she muttered as she turned and hurried down the street.
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Terry tugged at the collar of his tuxedo under the cool air as it constricted seemingly on its own. Dana straightened his bow tie and turned back to the party with a smile. 'My Gosh! No one will believe I was here' she said. 'That's Delphi Cartland! She's the biggest designer in the city! Wow!'
'Yeah' nodded Terry. 'Uhh I think I should head in and grab us some drinks.'
Dana waved and stared down at the people below. 'Yeah okay'
Terry entered and walked over to the buffet with a groan. 'Having fun?' the old woman was white haired with a slender form and who looked like she was still in pretty good shape. She wore a long dress that seemed made of solid gold and held a golden fan in her hands. 'Selina Kyle' she said. 'And you are?'
'Terry McGinnis' he said. She smiled serenely.
'Well what are you doing at such a dull event?' she asked. 'Surely the parties across the city in the clubs would appeal more?'
'I work for Mr Wayne and he got me and my girlfriend tickets...'
Selina flinched. 'Ah, well here he is right now' she said. Terry glanced over at the doors to see Bruce enter. When he turned back Mrs Kyle was gone. 'Uhh that's weird' he murmured.
Bruce stood at his side. 'So, how are you and Dana getting on?'
'Oh she's having fun' his eye caught her laughing at the joke of a movie star. Adam Heat...yeah that's his nameTerry growled. And then it happened. The people gathered at the balcony watching the tree as the mayor spoke...then the glass on a building across from the penthouse burst outwards as people on hover bikes shot out with the delinquents mounted on them. Bruce glanced at Terry who just sighed and disappeared backwards into the crowd.
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Erika shrieked as the three girls on roller blades circled her poking her. She slapped a hand away and hit one in the bridge of the nose with her bag. One pulled a taser out and jabbed at her. She pulled back nervously as the taser wielding girl stabbed out at her. Then the bolas snapped around her and dragged her down. Batman landed beside her and stared at the two remaining blader girls.
'Wow, hah, Batman' Erika laughed with a slightly crazy edge. 'Saving me...' Batman just occupied himself with dispatching the girls easily. Then he leapt off the bridge to glide towards the area around the tree where trouble was running rampant.
Erika sighed. 'Yeah thanks!' she called after him. 'Well that was something to talk about to the girls in the salon...oh wait! I've got no friends!'
She trudged on towards the building she considered her private slave mine. She might as well have been shackled to the desk.
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Sketch looked to Rocco as he grinned at the chest of a supermodel. 'Okay we're the Orphans' Rocco called. 'And we don't have time for any crap so hand over all your valuables. You too grandma that necklace for one.'
Bruce's eyes widened as he heard the voice. 'Now, now darling I'll rip your arms off if you try take it' the woman smirked. The stupid college drop out made a move for the rubies around her neck. Selena Kyle flipped him over easily and shook her head. 'I did try an warn you'
A tall dark man raised his fists behind her...Bruce hurled his cane at the youth and knocked him down with it. Selena glanced at him as he leaned on a chair and casually shoved the boy over into the buffet. 'I think everyone should leave' she added as the people flocked to the elevators and staircases. She handed Bruce his cane.
'You've still got it' she added. And then she was gone, melding into the crowd easily. 'So have you' Bruce muttered.
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Rocco crashed across the room clutching his cheek. 'Stupid boy' Delphi snarled as her security chief Chip Sands and lead model Roma Milano watched resignedly, used to their employers sharp temper. 'I wanted something high quality that burglary and a few harassments! ? PLEASE! That is pathetic!' she struck him hard again and he yelped.
'Hey, you hear that?' Chip asked.
'Chip. Don't start with me' Delphi snarled.
'He means from outside' Roma said. 'It sounded like...typing?'
'Check' Delphi sighed.
Erika bit her lip as she hacked open the files. 'I'm sure I will find nothing wrong here...' she breathed. She paused as she read the screen glancing at the pictures of the animals. 'Animal Fur!' she gasped.
'Erika?' Roma walked in dressed in her short red jacket, black tank top and red jeans and boots. 'What are you doing?'
'Nothing!' exclaimed Erika, a bit too loudly as she shut down the console. 'Just getting the accounts for Milan. I left them behind like an idiot.'
'Seven Days to Christmas...' Roma said. 'Can't blame you...' she paused and opened the computer screen nearest her logging into Erika's computer. She saw the files and didn't bat an eyelid. 'Ms Cartland would like to speak to you' she added. 'We've got a great new business deal going and she'd like your opinion.'
That set prickles down Erika's spine Ms Cartland barely knew she had a brain for anything other then computers. 'I have t-to go and umm...feed my cats' she said. 'I can come in tomorrow...'
'Oh no we insist you come now' Roma grabbed Erika's arm painfully and pulled the girl along. Erika panicked her senses going haywire. 'My therapist used to say that getting me scared was worse then getting me angry' Erika whimpered. Roma said nothing as Chip held the door for her.
Rocco looked at Erika and then scurried out of the room. 'Erika' Delphi said with a smile. 'What have you been doing you naughty girl. Prying where you shouldn't have?'
Erika was shaking. 'N-no Ms Cartland I-I haven't I w-was just collecting the ac-count numbers! I d-didn't see anything!'
'She saw the animal fur files' Roma reassured.
'And she's just seen Rocco leaving' added Chip. 'She could even have read the file on our outta-town help'.
'Well that is a bit of a quandary' Delphi muttered. 'HmmmMMMMmmmm' she gripped Erika's arm and lead her out into the "sky corridor" that looked down on the monorail hissing about between the two buildings of Cartland Fashion. 'Well Erika I feel that we should really discuss your contract and its termination.'
'I swear I don't know anything!' Erika exclaimed her voice cracking with fear and tears. 'I don't know anything! I didn't read those files I don't know anything for sure! And what do I know about that Rocco boy? Who the hell is he supposed to be? I haven't got a clue about this! Do you think I'm just something you can throw away? I'm a human too Ms Cartland!'
'Oh I know that Erika' purred Delphi. 'But you could ruin everything by going to the police! And that would be very bad!'
'Do you think you can just kill me?' gasped a horrified Erika. 'Like a fly on a cat's back? Like I haven't a life? Like I'm not a human! ?'
'Yes' Ms Cartland said. And then she laughed and so did Roma. And so did Chip. And so did Erika.
The glass exploded backwards as the shot rang out and Erika fell backwards towards the monorail track. She hit a support beam as the glass flowed around her joining the powder snow. She tumbled like an angel straight down...and hit the monorail as it shot past. She lay on it as his sped along her eyes focused on the Batmobile shooting on overhead.
'Batman' she managed, blood trickling from her lips...the cats of the city perked up and hopped along on their paths. The monorail station was now home to thousands as they skipped over to her and licked at her wounds, poking her awake. She twitched and her eyes flickered open and shut as the cats meowed louder and louder. She stretched her bones clicking and cracking as she opened her eyes. The green eyes became slit pupilled for a moment, like a cat...then widened and squatted to the normal shape and size.
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Dana glared at Terry as he tried to explain.
'I was looking for you everywhere!' he exclaimed. 'Then one of the jerks got me!' he said, trying to avoid the fact he'd been zapped with a prod had been high on his agenda but to be safe from the wrath of Dana sounded better. He pulled his shirt back to reveal the burn mark. 'See?'
'Oh Terry' Dana said hugging him. 'Let's go see your okay!'
'I am I'll drop you home you've been through a lot' he said soothingly.
She batted her eyelids at him...he smiled feeling a little buzz on his outline. He really liked her...a whole lot.
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Selina opened the door to her high-rise apartment. 'God! Erika! What happened?'
'I got fired...out a window and down ten or so stories onto a speeding monorail' came the sultry voice. Erika's cat rubbed itself past her legs and leapt up to the velvet cushion its mother lay on. More joined the pair of black cats. Erika smiled darkly. 'I feel I need to contest that little happening...'
'I see...come in' Selina said. 'It's good to have you back...'
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'So you understand that the Orphans need your guidance. Rocco works with you and you guide them in the right...direction' Roma said. 'Our employer will accept no less understood?'
The man leaned on the wall. He was balancing a knife on his fingers. 'I could never fail, it's been too long and I have a reason to come to Gotham once more!'
'Well then we're all set' Roma said rising. 'Welcome to the city Zeiss '.
A/N: In this chapter I've made (14) references the first is: Mousy secretary put out the window by boss. Though Michelle Pfeiffer wasn't a 17- year-old high school student. Happy hunting if you feel like it. It's just something to do if you're very bored. I was. My other fics need to be reviewed before I can continue them. My muse is dying. STEOM! Save The Evil Overlords Muse
Ciao