Disclaimer: I do not own any DC Characters including Batman, Superman or anyone else. They all belong to their respected authors. As for Haley Brown, He's my original Character.
Foreword from the Author: This Schedule looked good paper but I'm going to have a hell of time keeping it up till I'm finished with this massive first novel. As of the moment I'm going to add a few arcs together till I'm happy with how it works out then list this as complete. That doesn't mean the end for Haley, not by a long shot. I'll probably take a little downtime till I get the next novel in my head. I'm happy to attest I'm still coming up with loads of Ideas and I'm no where near finished with this one. I still hand a shout out to my reviewers Alice Tetch, Mr.M7 and iamhollywood. Like it or not people who review stories should be viewed with as much respect as the author.
In my opinion the people who review put in the most input. It's like handing the author a list of dos and don'ts, one hundred dollars and a pat on the back. It makes them strive to perfect the story and it makes them happy to know they're actually being noticed for their skills. I'm not saying all reviews have to be good; I'll take a critic with open arms. Flames are not cool though. Just because you're pissed at someone for writing a type of story that doesn't agree with you doesn't give you a right to give them crap. It's those kinds of people that ruin a good moment in someone's day because they can't get anyone to acknowledge them so they lash out at others to get noticed. It's just not cool in anyway shape or form.
Signed,
D.M.
Hoody Boy: Elseworld Stories
The Adventures of Haley Brown
Arc Two, Part 5: A Selfless Cause
That little stool pigeon Joey Ray had made out good. Haley's Hoody was being moved tonight and Haley would be there to reclaim it. Haley picked up his baseball bat that he 'borrowed' from the closet and shimmied down the drain pipe. He stepped out of the Alley as a car pulled up to the curb. The door opened and out stepped Rhino, Haley's little chum that he owed a few licks.
Rhino saw Haley first and he tensed when he saw him walking towards the car holding a baseball bat with a malicious look on him. Rhino pulled a gun and took aim and fired. Haley did a rolling dodge and got out of the way. No one else got out of the car, Rhino was riding alone, and maybe that's why he freaked out. He didn't get a second chance as Haley made an all-star Barry Bonds swing to Rhino's chest and took the wind out of him.
He hunched down coughing as he tried to get his wind back, Haley sent another swing to Rhino's face and sent him to the ground. Haley reached into the driver's side window and removed the key from the ignition. He walked around to the back of the sedan and opened the lock. A solid steel case with a massive bullet proof pad lock kept it from being opened, with a conventional bomb that is. Haley walked over to Rhino and dug around his pockets for the key, no luck. Must've been in the building the car pulled up to. On any day of the week Haley would've busted down the door and handed anyone in there their asses but he lacked the key component to do that.
Haley took the steel case and used two hands to carry it about three blocks before calling a taxi to take him back home. He carried up the stairs and laid it on his bed and stared at it trying to figure out how the hell he could break that bomb proof pad lock. Haley went down into the basement and looked for a crowbar. He found a screw driver, a box of paper clips, a magnifying glass and a hammer. Haley went back upstairs carrying the tools in hand and laid them out on the table next to his lap top.
Haley ran through a few thoughts about opening it and narrowed it down to few solutions. He took the paper clip and fed it into the bottom of the key hole. He fiddled around with and shook his head as he didn't get anything. He grabbed the hammer and screwdriver and set the screwdriver's flat head onto the key hole. Haley smashed the back end of the screwdriver and drove it into the key hole wedging it. Haley smashed it again driving it further into the massive lock, still nothing. He bashed it several more times with no luck and was forced to yank the screwdriver out of the hole. He sat down next to the case and looked at the lock again. He took the magnifying glass and checked the side and sure enough he saw a ridge on the side.
Haley set the screwdriver on the ridge as best he could and smashed the back of it again. This time he heard a clink and smiled. He smashed it again and popped the front plate off it, his hopes sunk when he inspected it. Haley looked at it closely with the magnifying glass and noted the mechanisms it had to keep it from being opened. He took another paper clip and pressed down a mechanism, the lock instantly shifted with another Klink. He kept the paper clip pressed to it and bashed the lock with the hammer. It sprang open and slid off the case. Haley took the thing and looked at it; he tossed it on the bed and opened up the case. His black Hoody lay flat on the inside along with his goggles; a manila folder was laid on top, the asking price for his Hoody was one 4 million. He scoffed at that, he could get at least 1.5 billion without pushing in the European markets.
Haley donned his Hoody once again and grabbed his goggles. He stepped outside; a breeze of September greeted him once again. The sun was setting which meant it was time to start working again. He went downstairs and called Joey Ray one more time.
"You live, what's going down?" He said in his sloppy English.
"Joey, its HB. Any news on Hatter?" Haley asked.
"Aw dawg you aren't watchin' the news?" Joey said concerned.
"Nah man, what's up?" Haley said looking out the window.
"Yeah man, the Hatter just released a video tape stating he's been denied too long. Try channel 4." Joey said.
"Thanks man." Haley said and hung up.
Haley jumped over the couch and turned on the TV. He quickly switched to channel four and saw that stupid top hat.
"For too long have I played second fiddle to the criminals of Gotham City." The Mad Hatter preached, "I will not stand for the ridicule anymore and the citizens of Gotham with once again remember me. I, The Mad Hatter, have decided that Gotham must be taught to respect those who have power…"
Haley's eyes narrowed in anger, "Hell give me the fury to punish my enemies." He said getting up and switching off the TV.
He raced out the door and flagged a Taxi down. He started thinking about the two places and drew up the mental pictures. The chair, the sewer, the people working, it didn't make a lick of sense. Haley got out at Liberty Plaza and crossed the police line at the Lucky Dragon. He went downstairs and looked at the chair again and switched on the lights this time. Haley saw a locked door with a massive pad lock like that one of the case containing his Hoody. Haley removed a shotgun from his pocket, put massive shell in the chamber and pumped it. The door swung open as the slug blew the hinges off. Haley looked directly into the sewer. He put the shotgun away and pulled his goggles down and turned them on. Haley pulled out a .44 Magnum and loaded it. He didn't need to go 50 feet before hearing voices echoing off the slime covered walls.
"Hatter's pushing everyone double time Rocco, he wants to prove he's not a joke." Said voice number one.
"Pity he is one. Who goes around quoting a kids story?" Voice number two questioned.
Nothing, Haley jogged silently down the moldy, black, side walk, his gun in front of him. His night vision showed the two guys moving forward and Haley slowed down to follow.
"You think he might be doing a little much? I mean blowing up the police station? I think he's trying too hard." Haley felt a cold sweat start on him even in this humid pipe.
He followed the two of them listening in on the whole conversation, the Mad Hatter was digging under the police station using people he'd taken off the street. Some of those kids were Ivy's which Haley was pretty sure Hatter didn't know at first till she knocked on his door. Still, this was going way too far. He had Haley beaten down, he'd abducted kids no older then him and he wanted to blow up Uncle James. Haley gritted his teeth in spite.
The two guards came to a massive pipe room in the sewer. Haley took his goggles off and looked at the lit room from afar. There was at least half a mob in that room, more then likely armed to the teeth. Haley took a good guess to think ole Rhino had told the Hatter that Haley had his Hoody back and that he was coming.
"Time to get ugly." Haley uttered again.
Haley pulled out a sawed off double barrel shotgun, another .44 Magnum Revolver, an M4 Assault Rifle and two flash bangs. He slung the M4 around his shoulder, put the sawed off shotgun in the back of his pants and gripped the two .44 Magnum revolvers. He took a flash bang, flicked the pin and chucked it into the room and covered up. The sound still penetrated his ears even with his hands hard pressed. He heard the shouts of pain and started into the mayhem guns blazing. He fired the .44 and smashed the first guy's leg gimping him. Haley whipped around and fired another shot and nailed another one in the shoulder sending him into the dirty sewer water. One guy drew a gun and aimed all over the place. Haley ran up to him and sent a flying kick to his chest.
"You'll not screw up my plans Hoody Boy!" The Mad Hatter cried out.
Haley didn't respond as he shot another guy in the room sending him face first into the water again.
"Sorry to disappoint you…" Haley answered aiming the revolver right at the Mad Hatter; he pulled the trigger.
The hat flew off his head with a large bullet hole in it. He took a frightful step back and looked at Haley, "I always come prepared for some massive try on my plans. I'd like you to meet Shrike…"
Haley felt the blade touch his neck, his eyes narrowed, "Lower the guns." Shrike asked.
He stuffed them back into his pockets, Shrike's blade pressed firmly against Haley's Adams apple. Shrike relived him of his sawed off shotgun and M4 and tossed them to the corner of the room.
"You ever hear of pocket pool?" Haley said with a laugh, Shrike raised his eye brow from behind Haley.
Haley gritted his teeth as he sent a scorpion kick to Shrike's nuts. His eyes crossed and Haley felt the blade slide from his neck. He sent another kick to Shrike's jewels and heard him drop to the ground. Haley turned around pulling out one of the .44 magnum's he'd been holding earlier. He pulled back the hammer and fired shattering Shrike's left knee cap like a pane of glass.
The Mad Hatter felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of his neck as he watched this little event unfold before him. Who ever Hoody Boy was, he wasn't Batman. He made fighting dirty look good, no morals at all. When he saw Haley turn around after dispatching Shrike his blood ran icy cold. This child could put shame on any of today's action heroes without breaking a sweat.
"You're done Hatter." Haley said pointing the gun at The Mad Hatter.
"Not quite Hoody Boy. I'll take you with me into the history books when I flip this switch!" He yelled back pulling the detonator.
Haley's eyes widened, he didn't know how crazy the Hatter was nor did he know if he was suicidal, "PRESS IT THEN!"
The Mad Hatter began to crack a smile as his thumb edged toward the button. Haley's gaze was steely as he watched, gun aimed. Haley pulled the trigger and fired right at The Mad Hatter's feet. The ting startled him causing him to drop the detonator before he could press it. Haley didn't even wait as he drew out the beanbag launcher and aimed it. The Mad Hatter's gaze was met with a high velocity bean bag to the upper chest knocking the wind out of him. He flew off the railing and landed right on his back. Haley lowered his gun, he was breathing heavily from the exertion. He walked over to The Mad Hatter and pressed the pistol to his forehead.
"Where're the kidnapped people Tetch…" Haley grunted.
The Mad Hatter looked into Haley's eyes with fear, tears streaming down his face, "What are you…" He managed to yelp.
"I'm god, now answer me or I'll smite your ass all over the ground…" Haley role-played.
"There in a room…" He took a slight breath, "Over there…" He pointed weakly.
Haley dropped him and walked over to the room. He pulled out a pump action shotgun and blew the door handle off. The door creaked open, inside the people sat still as stone not talking or anything.
"Hello everyone," Haley said in a more affirmative voice, "I'm here to rescue you."
"What's a rescue…?"
"Can you eat a Rescue?"
Haley looked at them all, their faces were all blank. Haley looked down at the floor trying to calm himself down as he thought of a way to get these people out of here. He turned to walk out of the room but was met with a fist to the face instead of an abysmal sewer, not that there was much difference. Shrike sent a kick to Haley's chest smashing him to the wall. He wrapped his hands around Haley's neck and squeezed tighter then a pickle jar. Haley looked him in the eyes, he could tell that Shrike was running on pure adrenaline at the moment and running on shock.
"YOU'RE PAYING FOR THIS!" Shrike yelled bashing Haley to the wall over and over.
Haley sent a kick into Shrike's left knee cap and watched him crumble to the ground taking Haley with him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife. Haley snapped it open and slammed it right into Shrike's shoulder and twisted. Shrike let out an unearthly wail of pain as Haley twisted it. He pulled it out and slammed it into Shrike's bicep and leveraged it on Shrike's bone. Haley felt Shrike's right hand lose strength almost immediately as blood poured out of his right arm like a water fall staining his yellow costume. Haley left the knife in Shrike's bicep and reached into his pocket again. He gripped his fingers around brass knuckles and reared back a punch. Haley clobbered Shrike in the face sending out one of his white teeth to the floor.
Haley could feel himself getting weak now as well, but that would stop him, he'd never stop till it was over. Haley sent another punch to Shrike's bleeding face. He felt the hand leave his throat and he took in a new breath of air. Shrike lay on the floor bleeding; Haley pushed himself up and spat some blood out of his mouth. He walked back to where the Mad Hatter was. Problem is there was no Mad Hatter. Haley fell onto his back, he was in no condition to go running after the nut ball; he just wanted to sleep. Something then had just occurred to Haley that made him laugh, he was right under the police station but had no way of getting the attention of a single one of them.
He stood up and wiped some more blood off of his mouth with his sleeve. Haley was in luck for the first time today, a Manhole was just 40 feet away from the room. Haley emerged less then a block away from the police station. The moon was out and the street lights were on as Haley walked slowly towards the police station. He walked through the front doors and down the hallways drawing everyone's gaze. Most were too confused to help him; others were in shock when they saw him stumble in after he looked like he'd been in a war. Uncle Jim's door opened up slowly; Uncle Jim looked up from some papers.
"Haley!" He said getting up from the desk to grab him.
Haley didn't resist, "I stopped him Uncle Jim…" Haley smiled.
"What? You mean you actually did it?" Uncle Jim said grasping him, Haley nodded to confirm it.
"There right below you. The Mad Hatter got away but Shrike's down there, along with every missing person in Gotham probably…" Haley uttered, "Do me a favor though. There's a girl down there with blonde hair, can you let me talk to her."
"Sure Haley… just sit and rest please." Uncle Jim comforted and set him down, "Wallski! Montoya! Bullock! Get down into the sewers we got a lead on the missing persons cases! I'm coming with you."
Haley could hear Uncle Jim shouting, he was too tired to even try and understand it. He closed his eyes and felt the warm, dark embrace of sleep cradle him.
"Haley…" The voice was gruff.
Haley's eyes slowly opened, the environment changed from Uncle Jim's office to his room on the Third Floor. He looked up into the darkness, his eyes slowly adjusting.
"I still don't like you in my city, but I will respect you for your selflessness."
Haley closed his eyes again and went back to sleep. Batman looked down at Haley Brown quietly, his gaze as cold and silent as he was. He walked out to the roof and closed the doors. Jim Gordon stood on the roof with his arms crossed.
"He is a good kid. He just chose a different path then you Batman." Jim said looking at him.
"I still don't trust him Jim. Kids shouldn't be out in this jungle without proper training." Batman said looking up.
"Haley's suffered more then you know Batman, he hasn't told me the whole story but I've seen the scars in his eyes." Jim reflected.
"Why'd you let him do this Jim? That's what I want to know…" Batman queried.
"Because when I saw those scars, I understood that he needed to release his inner pain. He needed to heal himself in the only way he knew how, by devoting himself to a selfless cause." Gordon responded.
Batman nodded and disappeared with the wind leaving Jim Gordon on the roof.