Disclaimer: Batman does not belong to me. It belongs to DC Comics.

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Chapter Nine (A New Threat):

Batman and Nightwing landed softly at the top of the Bell Tower. "Did you see him?" Batman inquired.

"Not a trace. It's like he disappeared." Nightwing reported. "What about you, Oracle?" He said into his microphone. "Have you found out anything?"

The droning of Barbara Gordon's voice was heard by both Batman and Nightwing. "That's a negative. Tim Drake is supposed to be at his dorm. Are you sure he isn't there?"

"I'm positive." Nightwing responded. "Batman and I have already checked with his professor. He hasn't reported in class today. He was last seen last night by his dorm mate."

"The Alcoholic?" Barbara asked.

"The same. Thought Tim played hookie at first, I mean, that's what a normal person would think. Not in school, not at the dorm. But we all know Tim doesn't want any beef with Bruce."

Batman grunted. "Let's keep looking." Nightwing only nodded. The two vigilantees ran at opposite directions and leaped off the sides.

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Catwoman walked gingerly on the catwalk of a warehouse. She had beaten up a man that claimed Harley Quinn was back. That couldn't be true. If she was, Catwoman was positive that she was responsible for Robin's disappearance. After all, Gotham Port on the East side of Gotham was his territory. She wasn't stopped at all when she beat a whole crew up and smuggled the jewel she stole to Bludhaven, where the Penguin would pick it up. Shadow was gone as he was escorting it at the present moment. Escorting in a boat full of unconscious and bound passengers.

She leaped off the catwalk and landed lightly on the dusty cemented floor. She stood up straight as the hair on her back stood on end. Something was amiss.

The lights flared on and an estimated fifty gun barrels were aimed at her. "Well whadda we have here?" An annoying voice said. A figure in red and black emerged out of the crowd. "Oh look! It's Batman's bitch!" She yelled.

In the blink of an eye, Catwoman unwound her whip and cracked it at Harley. Harley, however, caught it in her small hands and pulled. Catwoman had better strategy though. Using the momentum Harley gave her, she kicked Harley in the stomach.

"Awww... did that hurt?" Catwoman purred. Harley's amused face turned to a grimace. Catwoman pulled back and scratched her hard across the face. "How about now?" She grabbed Harley, twisted around, and threw her against the wall.

"Whadda ya want, bitch?" Harley whispered as she wiped some blood from her mouth.

"Don't want any trouble." Catwoman said putting her hands up.

"Bit late for that! Look what you did to my face!" Harley fumed.

"Oh, don't worry. I didn't have to do much. Besides, I made you look better if I did anything at all." Catwoman laughed. Harley looked murderous.

"Why you little--" Harley started.

"Here's how it is." Catwoman said. "You're after Batman, right?"

"No. That other little birdie, Nightwing or whatever. He killed Mr. J." Harley's face turned red with anger.

"That clown needed to shut up anyway." Catwoman mumbled, but quickly shut up as he saw the reaction on Harley's face. Catwoman observed that she was about to give her men the signal to shoot. "Nuh-uh..." Catwoman purred, "You haven't heard what I've got to say."

"I think I heard enough!" Harley screamed. She turned around. "When I turn around again, I expect to see Catwoman looking like a piece of Swiss Cheese."

A millisecond before the bullets hit the spot where Catwoman was, Catwoman leaped up, back on the catwalk. She rushed to the control room, and cracked her whip at the electrical box. The lights went out instantenously. Now for some fun.

A series of loud thuds, grunts, yelps, and gunfire were heard in the dark. Harley Quinn managed to find her way to the Control Room and turned the generator for the reserves back on. The lights flickered dimly as Catwoman was seen punching the last of her men. Bodies of unconscious gunmen lay scattered throughout the building.

"Whadda ya want?" Harley asked ferociously as Catwoman approached her.

"Listening now, are we?" Catwoman grinned.

"La la la la la... Screw you!" Harley screamed.

Catwoman frowned and slapped her in the face. "Bitch. Now listen." Harley was dumbfounded but managed a meek nod. "You want Nightwing. And my, uh... partner... wants Batman."

"Don't you want Batman, sweetie?" Harley asked sarcastically. "Well, not in the way Shadow wants him. He wants him dead."

"Sounds good. But who's shadow? Another superhero with his underwear on the outside?" Harley mocked.

"No. He's against Batman. Although you might know him. Jason Todd." Catwoman waited a moment for the name to sink in.

"W-W-What?!" Harley screamed. "So he's still alive. The little ungrateful bastard."

"Are you listening or not?" Catwoman asked.

"Yeah, I'm listening." Harley.

"I propose that we work together."

"What about Shadow?" Harley.

"He's old news. Besides, girls like us need to stick together." Catwoman.

"Why should I help you?" Harley asked suspiciously.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Catwoman answered lightly.