A Ranma ½ Alternate Histories Company Presents:
Robin 1 / 2
- - - -
By Felix Webster (Felix Warstar)
- - - -
Chapter 3
- Batcave -
- - - -
All original Ranma 1/2 Characters and Back story Copyright Rumiko
Takahashi, and all original DC Characters and Back story Copyright DC
Comics Inc., and both are used without permission. Please don't
sue... cause I have no money.
Any new characters are mine, but they can travel as their bags are
always packed.
- - - -
Ranma watched Bruce check for brusing around where most of the
damage had been the morning before and frowned as he could see a
whole new set developing. It was pretty early in the morning and once
again Bruce had just gotten in, he was doing something that wasn't
healthy for him and what Dick was wearing the day before had
something to do with it.
"You need the salve again Wayne-sama?" Ranma asked thin lipped
deciding to finally get the attention of his guardian.
Bruce looked over not at all surprised by the boy being there, "No,
that's okay Ranma. . and please just call me Bruce."
"As you wish," Ranma replied in a slightly cold tone. "When's Dick
getting here?"
"He's upstairs in his room right now," Bruce lifting an eyebrow at
the tone. "He stays here when he's in Gotham."
"How long do you think he's going to be sleeping?" Ranma asked still
sounding unhappy.
"Why? Is there something you two are supposed to do today?" Bruce
repressed a smile as he knew full well what Dick and Ranma was
supposed to be doing.
"Yes. He's going to explain to me why he was wearing that wierd
outfit yesterday, and explain what it is you do at night that gets
you so banged up," Ranma crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at
the man. "Unlike some people who said they'd talk about things the
other day."
"Ah that's what's wrong," Bruce said mostly to himself in
realization of what was bothering Ranma. Standing he walked over to
Ranma before continuing, "We will talk about that. . but I'm going to
let Dick try to explain things first."
"Fine," Ranma replied as he turned away and started to leave.
"Oh and Ranma, you start taking driving lessons tomorrow," Bruce
stated once he remembered that he had set that up.
"Driving lessons?" Ranma turned an looked confused at Bruce. "Why
driving lessons?"
"Well for one because you're sixteen and every guy about you age has
his licence," Bruce replied smiling at the boy. "And two because I'm
giving you a car to get around town in so you're going to have to
learn to drive it."
"You're giving me a car? Why?" Ranma asked now even more confused.
"It'll make getting around Gotham a lot easier, it's a big city,"
Bruce continued to smile but was a little confused at Ranma's reaction.
"Okay I guess. . . if it's what you want me to learn then I guess I
learn how to drive," Ranma replied with a shrug then finally left the
room.
- - - -
"I don't get it," Ranma stated for the third time since Dick had
started with the explainations of his and Bruce's nocturnal activities.
"The world is full of all kinds of heroes. Some of them are true
superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman, but they deal with the
threats to the world and some places need a different kinda hero.
Gotham is one of those places," Dick explained again trying not to
look annoyed at the boy's nonunderstanding. "Gotham needed a darker
hero to deal with the crime and corruption and to this Batman was
born."
"No no, I got the 'Gotham has a dark hero' part it's just I have no
idea who you've been talking about," Ranma replied back as Dick
obviously misunderstood him. "Who is Superman or Wonder Woman. . .
heck even those names are ridiculous."
"Hey! Wonder Woman is a friend! And her name isn't ridiculous!" Dick
looked very angry for a moment then it clicked and he looked shocked
at the Asian boy. "Y.you mean you haven't even heard of Superman!?!"
"Nope. Pop was a firm believer that anything that wasn't related to
the art wasn't worth bothering with," Ranma explained calmly even
though mentioning his Pop hurt him with the pangs of loss.
"Oookay. . . I guess I have to start at the top then and work up to
people like Batman," Dick replied still shocked, he thought for sure
that everyone on earth had at least heard of Superman.
- - - -
Ranma raised an eyebrow at Dick in disbelief, "A man who is faster
than a speeding bullet? Can leap tall buildings with a single bound?
And is more powerful than a. a. ."
"More powerful than a locomotive," Dick finished for the other teen
then noticed the look. "Hey I didn't come up with that! It was in the
first piece written about him."
"Well. . I'm fast, strong, and I can leap small buildings in a
couple of bounds. . you think he's looking for a partner?" Ranma gave
Dick a lopsided grin.
"He flys, is bullet proof, and can lift oil tankers out of the
water," Dick replied trying to clearify his description.
"Ah. . I guess not then," Ranma chuckled slightly then turned
serious again. "This sounds too comic like. . . I mean manga like. .
. blasted translation spell!"
"Wait until you meet him. . he can be a little too unrealistic some
times, it's one of the reasons he's called the world's biggest
boyscout," Dick said remembering the few times to two had met.
"I'll try to remember that," Ranma replied still not convinced.
- - - -
"What the. . .?" Ranma stated in shock and amazement at the sight of
the large cave that they were desending into. It was massive and
seemed to have no end anywhere Ranma could see. The stone and metal
stairwell seemed to be crafted into the wall as an extention of the
cave instead of an addition and the platforms he could see where
designed similarly.
"Welcome to the Batcave," Dick replied as he swept his arm out to
encompass the entire area. "Very few people have ever laid eyes on
this place."
"It might be because of the bats," Ranma said as he pointed up at a
cluster of said creatures that had burst into flight at the sound of
Dick's loud statement.
"Don't worry they're not much of a problem. We use sonics and force
screens to keep them away from the used areas of the cave," Dick
explained with a smile. "It wouldn't be much of a Batcave without
bats in the cave."
"This place must effect your humour too," Ranma said to himself as
he gave the cave more and more of a look as they neared the first
platform. He looked over at the display cases that Dick was trying to
draw his attention too.
"These are the costumes that we wear when going out to fight crime,"
Dick motioned to the five display tubes. "They're like uniforms to us."
"Uniforms. . yeah, okay," Ranma replied as he looked over the
clothing inside. "Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl. . . one of these
things is not like the others."
"Batman was the first, he started fighting crime to avenge the
murder of his parents by criminals in Gotham. Then I became his
partner, Robin, when he took me in after my parents were murdered
while visiting Gotham. Barabra joined us. . for her own reasons. Her
Father is Gotham's Police Commissioner. And then there was Jason. .
." Dick explained as his face harded at each story.
"So we all have something in common, having your parents murdered
shouldn't bring a new family together," Ranma said as his eyes
narrowed slightly.
"The parents being murdered shouldn't have happened. . but it did
and now we deal with the grief in our own ways. For us it was
stopping bad people from being able to put anyone else in a situation
like we were put in," Dick's voice hardened as his face for a moment
then tried to smile. "So. . whatcha think of the outfits?"
"Well. . Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl's costumes look okay, if a
little dark, but. . . That Robin one looks really silly," Ranma
stated as he gave each suit a better look.
"Hey! It was designed after the costume I wore when I was in the
circus with my parents. We were acrobats," Dick replied in annoyance
then calmed down a little. "But I guess I know what you mean. I was
like thirteen when I wore that and by the time I was your age I was
already designing the Nightwing outfit. . . Jason was about as young
as I was when he started so it was fine with him too."
"I don't think I could wear that and keep the embarrasement off my
face," Ranma replied as he tried visioning himself in the outfit and
shuddered.
"It wasn't that bad!. . And the colours are a tradition now so those
really can't be changed," Dick said in annoyance again.
"The colour won't really be a problem, I mean look at what I'm
wearing," Ranma stated with a smile as he swept his hand to display
his red Chinese silk shirt and black loose pants that was his
favorite set. "It's just that I grew outta short pants years ago."
"You, me, and Alfred can come up with some ideas later for the
changes," Dick gave the other boy a small crooked smile. "I hear
Bruce wants you to get your licence. . want to see why?"
"Sure I guess. . I don't know what's the big deal about some dinky
little. . oh wow. ." Ranma looked dumbfounded at the red car that sat
before him as Dick led him to the parking platform. The car was sleek
and looked like it would be faster than any of the small cars he had
seen in Japan or China, a car that looked like it could do amazing
things like whata he could with the Art. . and Bruce wanted to give
it to him!
"Bruce calls it the 'Redbird'. It was originally designed for me
then he had it built for when Jason got old enough," Dick explained
as he almost chuckled watching the boy almost drool. "But I think it
suits you better."
"I.I've never had any interest in driving before. . I could get
places faster on foot back home. . but they never had cars like
this," Ranma said quitely then realized the only thing standing
between him and the car was a Driving Licence.
- - - -
"This is the Batcomputer," Dick pointed out the large video screen
and input consule. "This holds information on all recurring criminals
that tend to plague Gotham. It has links into the Gotham police
computer system and the JLA computers so finding out about people we
encounter is fairly easy."
"JLA? What's that?" Ranma asked while he looked the area over not
really understanding the linked to computers stuff.
"Justice League of America. It's a group of superheroes who got
together to fight global threats. Bruce is a founding member," Dick
explained. "There is also JLI, Justice League International, and
several others. I belonged to the Teen Titans when it was still
together. . sorta a junior version of the JLA."
"Am I going to be expected to join something like that too?" Ranma
looked more curious than annoyed but sounded annoyed about the
prospect of doing such a thing.
"That's really up to you. Me and the 'Titans' were friends who
wanted to hang out and have fun. . then it got serious," Dick got a
dark look in his eyes at the end of his statement.
"I'm not much of a joiner," Ranma replied as he ignored the look.
"You and Bruce both. He only joined the JLA to keep an eye on those
who call themselves superheroes," Dick didn't look like he was joking.
"He doesn't trust other heroes?" Ranma looked very confused.
"People with powers like that. . Bruce is a believer that power
corrupts people and superheroes like Superman have too much power, so
he watches them to be sure they don't turn on the regular people."
"And what does he do if they do turn?" Ranma's eyes were wider than
he'd like but this was starting to make him worry about the safety of
living with Bruce if one of these 'heroes' did go evil and realized
Bruce was perpared for them.
"Bruce has contigency plans in the computer for just about every
major hero out there. . And some, like Superman, has entrusted him
with things which could hurt or kill them. . just incase," Dick
replied not looking happy himself about the files.
"Great. . ." Ranma still looked concerned but let it go.
- - - -
"So our identities being kept secret is incredibly important.
Figuring out who one of us is could lead to the rest of us," Dick
explained over a cup of coffee as they sat at a table over looking
some clothing patterns on a computer simulation.
"So we can't tell anyone who we really are and what we do?" Ranma
make a few more tweaks to the image as he asked.
"It's not a good idea. A couple people know I'm Nightwing but I've
tried my best to make them believe that Bruce doesn't really know
anything about it," Dick replied as he made an alteration to the
image himself.
"Your friends in the Teen Titans?" Ranma asked as he changed back
Dick's alteration and made one similiar himself.
"I was married to one of them. . so yeah they sorta knew," Dick
answered as he looked over the image change and cocked and eyebrow.
"What's with the yin-yang in silver and gold on the belt buckle?"
"It refers to the fact I change from male to female with water, I am
after all the living embodiment of that idea," Ranma smiled weakly
then turned back to the image to think of anything more.
"The shirt looks good, it's still red with green sleeves but with
light padding over the vitals areas. The Chinese collar is
interesting as is the the gold frog ties up the chest. . kinda looks
like the shirts you like to wear," Dick glanced at Ranma for a moment
then back to the screen. "The dark green pants look almost black. The
design looks a little loose and you'll want to make them tighter. . .
it's one of the reason people keep calling us the 'men in tights'.
Ranma looked at the other teen confused not getting the reference
then back at the image, "I guess so. . I'm not use to wearing
anything tight though. The boots aren't the little shoes of the old
suit, even though I like the loose thin slippers that I use in the
Art."
"Yellow mid calf boots with metal inserts, that's gonna hurt anyone
you kick," Dick commented after reading the tag Ranma put to
construction. "I guess green boots with green pants wouldn't look
right, and the boots match the inside of the cape. . And that's
something interesting in itself. I wish I had thought of a black cape
with yellow interior and edging when I was updating the design before."
"I'll be less of a target than I would be if I just had that old
yellow cape," Ranma replied proud of the look. "And the larger green
gloves gives more protection than those old ones do."
"They're not that much bigger just more padded from the cuffs up,"
Dick stated starting to get defensive of his old costume again. "But
over all it looks like a good design. . I have a few things to add to
the domino mask before I send it to get made but it should be here
before you start school next week."
"When am I going to get to go patroling with you two?" Ranma asked
after moving away from the odd computer.
"Probably not until the costume arrives. . unless you what to try
wearing the old design, I'm sure we have a few in your size," Dick
laughed as he watched Ranma's face twist slightly at the idea then he
realized that they forgot something, he growned and slapped his
forehead. "We haven't made a design for you girl half yet!"
"Don't worry about it, the bracelet will just shift this one to fit
my girl form if I get wet. . It might be a slightly more feminine
style but it'll basically be the same design," Ranma replied as he
waved Dick's worry off. "I'll probably use one of the outfits and
shift it into one of the holding spaces in the female version after
the change just in case of problems."
"That bracelet is very. . odd. It sounds very useful for someone
like you with that kinda curse but after a few years of dealing with
magic I tend to not trust the stuff," Dick stated as he gave the
silver wrist bracelet a gaze then looked up and shrugged. "But I
don't need something like that and you do so I'll leave it to you if
you use it or not. I'm sure Bruce will too."
- - - -
"I see you've been shown the Cave, Master Ranma, did all go well?"
Alfred asked as he served lunch to Ranma and Dick.
"Yeah, I think I like the look of the place," Ranma replied with his
mouth full as he shoveled the food in.
"He seemed to take the idea well. . after I explained about the
world's superheroes," Dick answered Alfred as he got a look from the
man for confirmation. "And the new Robin suit has been designed. I'd
like you to look it over for anything we may have missed."
"It would be an honour Master Dick," Alfred said before leaving with
an empty tray.
Dick continued eating for a few minutes trying to ignore the human
vacuum near him then he needed to talk, "Ranma? What made you cover
your face like that yesterday?"
"Huh?" Ranma looked up from eating again cocking an eyebrow. "I
didn't want to breathe the gas so I covered my mouth."
"You could have done anything to cover your face but you gave
yourself a mask," Dick narrowed his eyes slightly as he felt that
Ranma wasn't saying everything.
Ranma out his fork down and his shoulders slumped a touch, "Bruce
has gone to a big trouble to take me in. . I didn't want to cause him
problems with me getting into fights and all."
"I thought that fighting was a way of life to you," Dick looked
confused.
"Pop tried to teach me that, but I seen what some of his fighting
has caused in problems to us later, and I didn't want to bring bigger
problems back to Bruce," Ranma explained quietly then gave a small
quick smile and resumed eating. "I guess my time with the Amazons
changed me more than I realized."
"That's another thing. You lived with Chinese Amazons? Wonder Woman
is an Amazon warrior too, from the original Greek version. We could
talk to her about them cause I'm curious if there is any real
connection," Dick added as he started to eat again himself.
Ranma simply shrugged not pausing in his eating, he was curious as
why Dick kept bring that up but didn't feel like voicing at the
moment as the plate of spaghetti was just too good.
- - - -
"So that is what the Batsuit looks like when worn, huh? I thought it
would be a little more lighter in colour but I guess I was wrong,"
Ranma-chan stated was she cocked her head to one side giving Bruce a
once over. She decided not to curse the blasted tap in her bathroom
for nearly exploding on her but it was going to have to be repaired
tomorrow.
"Actually it's because of some training I've had in using natural
shadows to enhance the darkness around me," Bruce explained as he put
the cowl in place. "I've seen the new design and I'm sure same
training with work well with that outfit."
"You sure you don't want to come with us tonight?" Dick asked as he
set the domino mask of his own costume in place. "I'm sure the old
Robin suit would fight that body okay."
"I told you what I thought about that. .outfit, I don't think being
a girl really changes that opinion very much," Ranma-chan crossed her
arms under her chest as she'd been taught in the Village.
"And if I asked you to wear it?" Batman asked turning from loading
his belt from a table covered in equipment.
Ranma-chan looked almost pained at the man then walked over to the
waiting outfit she had seen Alfred layout, "As you wish Wayne-sama."
"It's Batman while the cowl in on please," Batman replied then had
to turn his head away when he realized that Ranma-chan was going to
change right there. "You could use the room over there."
"Why?" Ranma-chan looked confused slightly as she noticed that the
lower pants weren't going to allow her to wear her boxers so she lost
them and stepped into the shorts. She was ignoring the fact that both
*Batman* and *Nightwing* were doing their best not to watch her.
"How's it fit?" Nightwing asked without looking as he also loaded
his belt then started on the old Robin belt.
"It's a little tight in the chest, but I expected that as it was
designed for a boy and not a girl's body," Ranma-chan answered as she
walked forward trying to get use to the feel.
Nightwing and Batman both had to cough into their hands to stop
themselves from saying something very very chauvinistic about that
chest, Barbara would have slapped the both of them if she was there.
"Something wrong with it?" Ranma-chan asked as she took the offered
belt from Nightwing. "Remember it wasn't my idea to wear this thing."
"You were right. . . the costume just doesn't fit you quite right,"
Batman stated as he turned and walked to one of the other tables and
picked up a file folder.
"Batman just turned serious, now we're on the clock," Nightwing
whispered to Ranma-chan as she put the domino mask on.
"Robin, I want you to read this file while we are in the car,"
Batman said in a very professional tone and held out the file folder.
"That's you," Nightwing nudged the girl in his old suit forward.
"I know that," the new Robin gave Nightwing a weird look over her
shoulder then took the papers.
"You will ride with me in the Batmobile and Nightwing will follow on
his bike," Batman continued as he walked over to the large black car
and opened the top.
"Um. . okay," Robin said as she walked to the car giving it a look
of wonder.
- - - -
"So we are supposed to be waiting for this Cobblepot guy to show
up?" Robin asked looking down the skylight that showed five very
armed men surrounding a small glasses wearing man with a puppet on
his hand.
"We refer to Cobblepot as the Penguin, and yes we are waiting for
him to show up," Batman replied very seriously. "Sources said there
was going to be a metting between Scarface and him to night. And
since Scarface is here that make it likely that the Penguin will be
here soon too."
"That little guy's Scarface? He doesn't look all that tough. . and
he doesn't have a scar on his face," Robin gave Batman a confused look.
"The puppet with the miniature tommy gun is Scarface," Batman said
never changing tone. "The man holding Scarface has some very bad
mental problems which he projects into the puppet."
"Great. . I get to deal with loonies all night long," Robin rolled
her eyes.
"Just be careful about that little gun, it really fires bullets,"
Nightwing's voice said over the ear radios from his position higher up.
"Sure the Puppet ain't magical?" Robin asked either of them.
"I doubt it. . . wait a sec, got movement coming in," Nightwing said
with a touch of a smile in his tone, but that turned bad quickly. "It
isn't the Penguin."
"Who?" Batman asked looking very unhappy about that.
"Don't know. Never seen this one before. Some guy wearing old
samurai clothing. . but he isn't Asian," Nightwing replied halting
between statements as he checked what he was looking at.
"Describe," Batman said in more an order then a request.
"Caucasian male, dark blond hair, about five foot eleven and maybe
hundred and sixty," Nightwing stated as he watched through his
batoculars. "He's about Robin's age by his looks. . . and there was
someone just slipped in past the guard and the new guy and neither
noticed."
"Another player?" Batman said more to himself then to the others.
"Did you catch anything important from the new one?"
"Negative, was nothing more then a shadow. . ." Nightwing started
then was cut off as loud sound disturbed the night.
"HOHOhohoho!!!!" came a familiar voice from beneath them in the
warehouse.
"It can't be!" Robin slapped her forehead and cringed.
"I take it that was the girl you and Nightwing encountered the other
day?" Batman asked thinking to himself that the owner of that laugh
was crazier then anyone else below him.
"That's the same laugh," Robin replied as she and Batman watched a
girl standing in the center of the room wearing a almost indecent
outfit and twirling a red gymnastic ribbon. "And that's the same girl."
The boy that Nightwing mentioned earlier was beside her quickly
seeming to yell at the girl about something as Batman set up the
listening wire.
- - - -
"I told you to wait in the car!" yelled the boy at the Black Rose
not even looking at the goons who had their guns raised towards them.
"Cousin, dear, I will not be pushed to background on this," the
Black Rose patted the boy on the cheek. "So just do your business and
I'll make sure these nasty little men don't try something very unwise."
"Do not patronize me woman! I am in charge of our side of this
venture and you will do as you are told!" the boy demanded receiving
raspberry from the girl.
"*cough* *cough* I excuse me but. . ." started the small man wearing
glasses but he was cut off by a violent jerk upwards of his hand.
"Stuff it dummy!" the ganster puppet yelled at the man he was
attached to. "Listen you mug get that moll in line and get down to
business, I ain't got all night!"
"I was under the standing that our. . benefactor would be here
tonight," the boy said in annoyance after turning away from the girl.
It became obvious that his face was covered leaving it a featureless
but looked normal otherwise.
"The boss ain't coming for some nobody so quit you whining and
listen up! You gots that!?" Scarface emphasized his statement by
firing off a brust into a nearby wall.
"Yes, I believe I've got that," the boy stated arrogantly not at all
unnerved by the display as he drew the boken from it's straps to his
back. "But I don't do business with message boys either."
"Cousin, dear, did this man just cause us an insult," asked the
Black Rose quirking a smile as she produced a gymnastic club to go in
the hand not twirling the ribbon.
"Yes he did," the boy replied getting in a ready stance.
- - - -
"Nightwing, Go go go," Batman said into his mike then turned to
Robin. "Don't take risks if you don't have too."
Robin nodded then followed Batman through the skylight on the cable
they set earlier.
- - - -
Scarface was about to give the order to wipe these kids noses,
permanently, but before he could the sound of shattering glass
interrupted him. Looking up he was the unfortunately familiar scene
of the Batman coming down on top of them, "It's Batman! Wipe them out
boys!"
Robin landed near were Batman had and had to duck a light stream of
bullets strafing the room. She watched as both Batman and Nightwing,
who came in behind the group, quickly deal with the goons then turn
on Scarface and the boy with the boken leaving Robin the Black Rose.
Leaping up and over the girl in black Robin landed facing her and
dropped into position ready for the coming fight.
The Black Rose smirked at the foolish girl in front of her thinking
that she could take her, then something about the stance clicked,
"Hohohoho, if it isn't the impertinent girl from yesterday. Come back
for some more punishment?"
"You got away once! Not again!" Robin yelled back and ran at the
girl letting her emotions get the better of her. She dodged several
strikes from the ribbon and then from the club as the Black Rose
quickly protected herself.
"Hohohoho!!! You think a clumsy little girl like you could ever
catch me!?" the Black Rose replied laughing behind her hand then
parried several strikes and kicks that Robin threw at her. Dropping a
rope into her hand she wrapped it around the next kick and spun Robin
off to collide with the boken wielding boy.
"Careful there beautiful," the boy said as he caught Robin before
she could fall from the impact. "You should be more weary of my
Cousin's choice of weapons, she knows them well."
"I have a few of my own too," Robin replied in a snarl and stormed
away from the boy after putting a foot into his face. She didn't see
him parry something thrown by Nightwing with the boken he used like a
true katana.
Reaching behind her she grabbed the object hanging on the back of
her belt and flipped it open. "I hate resorting to weapons but for
you I'll make an example," she snarled as she threw something off to
her left away from her and the Black Rose before charging her again.
"Foolish girl! You can not even use what you carry," the Black Rose
smirked as she wiped out her ribbon to catch the girl coming at her
only to have it severed by a spinning flying thing that cut across
the ribbon's path. The next thing she knew was that the girl was
laying blow after blow into her with out mercy until she lay on the
ground barely moving.
Robin stood over the girl feeling a lot better about things now and
was about to turn an help the other two when she saw the boy with the
boken pull out a small bag and throw it to the ground. A black cloud
quickly covered the ground and obscured the area and by the time that
it dispersed both the boy and the Black Rose were gone leaving only
Scareface and his goons tied up.
- - - -
"She got away again!" Ranma-chan threw down her domino mask in anger
as she pace the upper platform of the Batcave.
"You handled yourself very well Ranma, I was happy with what I saw,"
Bruce stated trying to calm the cursed girl down.
"Yeah, that trick with the Batarang was great for the first time
you've used one," Dick agreed feeling very worried for Ranma-chan.
"But she got away again! Don't you care!?!" Ranma-chan demanded
ignoring the praise.
"But Scareface didn't, and since he is an escaped inmate of Arkham
he was highest priority," Bruce said as he started typing at the
Batcomputer. "The Black Rose is only wanted for attempted robbery and
the boy with the boken doesn't even have that much against him."
"What you checking up on the computer, Bruce?" Dick asked as he
walked up behind the man.
"That mask the boy was wearing was very similar to one worn by the
Question and I was making a request for Oracle to set up a metting
between Batman and him to see if he has any idea where the boy got
it," Bruce replied not looking up from the screen.
"I'm gonna go and do some training. I obviously need it if some girl
can hold me off so easily!" Ranma-chan stated in a huff then walked
up the stairs.
"She'll get over it, we all had to sometime," Bruce said to Dick
with a sad smile.
- - - -
Author's Notes: Well it took long enough to get this done. It was
supposed to be only a get the introduction of Ranma to the life of
Batman but I decided I wanted a little action added, and all you
hentai people out there can imagine Ranma-chan in the old Robin
costume. I have a drawing of Ranma in the new Robin costume I will be
posting when I get my web page up sometime soon (just have to learn
how to web design first).
If I get some descriptions of things like the Batcave wrong please
remember that there has been a lot of different looks to this
mysterious place, and I prefer a mix of the WB Batman cartoon and the
first movie and that is the way I write it.
Next: First day of school, and an unexpected meetings.
Robin 1 / 2
- - - -
By Felix Webster (Felix Warstar)
- - - -
Chapter 3
- Batcave -
- - - -
All original Ranma 1/2 Characters and Back story Copyright Rumiko
Takahashi, and all original DC Characters and Back story Copyright DC
Comics Inc., and both are used without permission. Please don't
sue... cause I have no money.
Any new characters are mine, but they can travel as their bags are
always packed.
- - - -
Ranma watched Bruce check for brusing around where most of the
damage had been the morning before and frowned as he could see a
whole new set developing. It was pretty early in the morning and once
again Bruce had just gotten in, he was doing something that wasn't
healthy for him and what Dick was wearing the day before had
something to do with it.
"You need the salve again Wayne-sama?" Ranma asked thin lipped
deciding to finally get the attention of his guardian.
Bruce looked over not at all surprised by the boy being there, "No,
that's okay Ranma. . and please just call me Bruce."
"As you wish," Ranma replied in a slightly cold tone. "When's Dick
getting here?"
"He's upstairs in his room right now," Bruce lifting an eyebrow at
the tone. "He stays here when he's in Gotham."
"How long do you think he's going to be sleeping?" Ranma asked still
sounding unhappy.
"Why? Is there something you two are supposed to do today?" Bruce
repressed a smile as he knew full well what Dick and Ranma was
supposed to be doing.
"Yes. He's going to explain to me why he was wearing that wierd
outfit yesterday, and explain what it is you do at night that gets
you so banged up," Ranma crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at
the man. "Unlike some people who said they'd talk about things the
other day."
"Ah that's what's wrong," Bruce said mostly to himself in
realization of what was bothering Ranma. Standing he walked over to
Ranma before continuing, "We will talk about that. . but I'm going to
let Dick try to explain things first."
"Fine," Ranma replied as he turned away and started to leave.
"Oh and Ranma, you start taking driving lessons tomorrow," Bruce
stated once he remembered that he had set that up.
"Driving lessons?" Ranma turned an looked confused at Bruce. "Why
driving lessons?"
"Well for one because you're sixteen and every guy about you age has
his licence," Bruce replied smiling at the boy. "And two because I'm
giving you a car to get around town in so you're going to have to
learn to drive it."
"You're giving me a car? Why?" Ranma asked now even more confused.
"It'll make getting around Gotham a lot easier, it's a big city,"
Bruce continued to smile but was a little confused at Ranma's reaction.
"Okay I guess. . . if it's what you want me to learn then I guess I
learn how to drive," Ranma replied with a shrug then finally left the
room.
- - - -
"I don't get it," Ranma stated for the third time since Dick had
started with the explainations of his and Bruce's nocturnal activities.
"The world is full of all kinds of heroes. Some of them are true
superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman, but they deal with the
threats to the world and some places need a different kinda hero.
Gotham is one of those places," Dick explained again trying not to
look annoyed at the boy's nonunderstanding. "Gotham needed a darker
hero to deal with the crime and corruption and to this Batman was
born."
"No no, I got the 'Gotham has a dark hero' part it's just I have no
idea who you've been talking about," Ranma replied back as Dick
obviously misunderstood him. "Who is Superman or Wonder Woman. . .
heck even those names are ridiculous."
"Hey! Wonder Woman is a friend! And her name isn't ridiculous!" Dick
looked very angry for a moment then it clicked and he looked shocked
at the Asian boy. "Y.you mean you haven't even heard of Superman!?!"
"Nope. Pop was a firm believer that anything that wasn't related to
the art wasn't worth bothering with," Ranma explained calmly even
though mentioning his Pop hurt him with the pangs of loss.
"Oookay. . . I guess I have to start at the top then and work up to
people like Batman," Dick replied still shocked, he thought for sure
that everyone on earth had at least heard of Superman.
- - - -
Ranma raised an eyebrow at Dick in disbelief, "A man who is faster
than a speeding bullet? Can leap tall buildings with a single bound?
And is more powerful than a. a. ."
"More powerful than a locomotive," Dick finished for the other teen
then noticed the look. "Hey I didn't come up with that! It was in the
first piece written about him."
"Well. . I'm fast, strong, and I can leap small buildings in a
couple of bounds. . you think he's looking for a partner?" Ranma gave
Dick a lopsided grin.
"He flys, is bullet proof, and can lift oil tankers out of the
water," Dick replied trying to clearify his description.
"Ah. . I guess not then," Ranma chuckled slightly then turned
serious again. "This sounds too comic like. . . I mean manga like. .
. blasted translation spell!"
"Wait until you meet him. . he can be a little too unrealistic some
times, it's one of the reasons he's called the world's biggest
boyscout," Dick said remembering the few times to two had met.
"I'll try to remember that," Ranma replied still not convinced.
- - - -
"What the. . .?" Ranma stated in shock and amazement at the sight of
the large cave that they were desending into. It was massive and
seemed to have no end anywhere Ranma could see. The stone and metal
stairwell seemed to be crafted into the wall as an extention of the
cave instead of an addition and the platforms he could see where
designed similarly.
"Welcome to the Batcave," Dick replied as he swept his arm out to
encompass the entire area. "Very few people have ever laid eyes on
this place."
"It might be because of the bats," Ranma said as he pointed up at a
cluster of said creatures that had burst into flight at the sound of
Dick's loud statement.
"Don't worry they're not much of a problem. We use sonics and force
screens to keep them away from the used areas of the cave," Dick
explained with a smile. "It wouldn't be much of a Batcave without
bats in the cave."
"This place must effect your humour too," Ranma said to himself as
he gave the cave more and more of a look as they neared the first
platform. He looked over at the display cases that Dick was trying to
draw his attention too.
"These are the costumes that we wear when going out to fight crime,"
Dick motioned to the five display tubes. "They're like uniforms to us."
"Uniforms. . yeah, okay," Ranma replied as he looked over the
clothing inside. "Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl. . . one of these
things is not like the others."
"Batman was the first, he started fighting crime to avenge the
murder of his parents by criminals in Gotham. Then I became his
partner, Robin, when he took me in after my parents were murdered
while visiting Gotham. Barabra joined us. . for her own reasons. Her
Father is Gotham's Police Commissioner. And then there was Jason. .
." Dick explained as his face harded at each story.
"So we all have something in common, having your parents murdered
shouldn't bring a new family together," Ranma said as his eyes
narrowed slightly.
"The parents being murdered shouldn't have happened. . but it did
and now we deal with the grief in our own ways. For us it was
stopping bad people from being able to put anyone else in a situation
like we were put in," Dick's voice hardened as his face for a moment
then tried to smile. "So. . whatcha think of the outfits?"
"Well. . Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl's costumes look okay, if a
little dark, but. . . That Robin one looks really silly," Ranma
stated as he gave each suit a better look.
"Hey! It was designed after the costume I wore when I was in the
circus with my parents. We were acrobats," Dick replied in annoyance
then calmed down a little. "But I guess I know what you mean. I was
like thirteen when I wore that and by the time I was your age I was
already designing the Nightwing outfit. . . Jason was about as young
as I was when he started so it was fine with him too."
"I don't think I could wear that and keep the embarrasement off my
face," Ranma replied as he tried visioning himself in the outfit and
shuddered.
"It wasn't that bad!. . And the colours are a tradition now so those
really can't be changed," Dick said in annoyance again.
"The colour won't really be a problem, I mean look at what I'm
wearing," Ranma stated with a smile as he swept his hand to display
his red Chinese silk shirt and black loose pants that was his
favorite set. "It's just that I grew outta short pants years ago."
"You, me, and Alfred can come up with some ideas later for the
changes," Dick gave the other boy a small crooked smile. "I hear
Bruce wants you to get your licence. . want to see why?"
"Sure I guess. . I don't know what's the big deal about some dinky
little. . oh wow. ." Ranma looked dumbfounded at the red car that sat
before him as Dick led him to the parking platform. The car was sleek
and looked like it would be faster than any of the small cars he had
seen in Japan or China, a car that looked like it could do amazing
things like whata he could with the Art. . and Bruce wanted to give
it to him!
"Bruce calls it the 'Redbird'. It was originally designed for me
then he had it built for when Jason got old enough," Dick explained
as he almost chuckled watching the boy almost drool. "But I think it
suits you better."
"I.I've never had any interest in driving before. . I could get
places faster on foot back home. . but they never had cars like
this," Ranma said quitely then realized the only thing standing
between him and the car was a Driving Licence.
- - - -
"This is the Batcomputer," Dick pointed out the large video screen
and input consule. "This holds information on all recurring criminals
that tend to plague Gotham. It has links into the Gotham police
computer system and the JLA computers so finding out about people we
encounter is fairly easy."
"JLA? What's that?" Ranma asked while he looked the area over not
really understanding the linked to computers stuff.
"Justice League of America. It's a group of superheroes who got
together to fight global threats. Bruce is a founding member," Dick
explained. "There is also JLI, Justice League International, and
several others. I belonged to the Teen Titans when it was still
together. . sorta a junior version of the JLA."
"Am I going to be expected to join something like that too?" Ranma
looked more curious than annoyed but sounded annoyed about the
prospect of doing such a thing.
"That's really up to you. Me and the 'Titans' were friends who
wanted to hang out and have fun. . then it got serious," Dick got a
dark look in his eyes at the end of his statement.
"I'm not much of a joiner," Ranma replied as he ignored the look.
"You and Bruce both. He only joined the JLA to keep an eye on those
who call themselves superheroes," Dick didn't look like he was joking.
"He doesn't trust other heroes?" Ranma looked very confused.
"People with powers like that. . Bruce is a believer that power
corrupts people and superheroes like Superman have too much power, so
he watches them to be sure they don't turn on the regular people."
"And what does he do if they do turn?" Ranma's eyes were wider than
he'd like but this was starting to make him worry about the safety of
living with Bruce if one of these 'heroes' did go evil and realized
Bruce was perpared for them.
"Bruce has contigency plans in the computer for just about every
major hero out there. . And some, like Superman, has entrusted him
with things which could hurt or kill them. . just incase," Dick
replied not looking happy himself about the files.
"Great. . ." Ranma still looked concerned but let it go.
- - - -
"So our identities being kept secret is incredibly important.
Figuring out who one of us is could lead to the rest of us," Dick
explained over a cup of coffee as they sat at a table over looking
some clothing patterns on a computer simulation.
"So we can't tell anyone who we really are and what we do?" Ranma
make a few more tweaks to the image as he asked.
"It's not a good idea. A couple people know I'm Nightwing but I've
tried my best to make them believe that Bruce doesn't really know
anything about it," Dick replied as he made an alteration to the
image himself.
"Your friends in the Teen Titans?" Ranma asked as he changed back
Dick's alteration and made one similiar himself.
"I was married to one of them. . so yeah they sorta knew," Dick
answered as he looked over the image change and cocked and eyebrow.
"What's with the yin-yang in silver and gold on the belt buckle?"
"It refers to the fact I change from male to female with water, I am
after all the living embodiment of that idea," Ranma smiled weakly
then turned back to the image to think of anything more.
"The shirt looks good, it's still red with green sleeves but with
light padding over the vitals areas. The Chinese collar is
interesting as is the the gold frog ties up the chest. . kinda looks
like the shirts you like to wear," Dick glanced at Ranma for a moment
then back to the screen. "The dark green pants look almost black. The
design looks a little loose and you'll want to make them tighter. . .
it's one of the reason people keep calling us the 'men in tights'.
Ranma looked at the other teen confused not getting the reference
then back at the image, "I guess so. . I'm not use to wearing
anything tight though. The boots aren't the little shoes of the old
suit, even though I like the loose thin slippers that I use in the
Art."
"Yellow mid calf boots with metal inserts, that's gonna hurt anyone
you kick," Dick commented after reading the tag Ranma put to
construction. "I guess green boots with green pants wouldn't look
right, and the boots match the inside of the cape. . And that's
something interesting in itself. I wish I had thought of a black cape
with yellow interior and edging when I was updating the design before."
"I'll be less of a target than I would be if I just had that old
yellow cape," Ranma replied proud of the look. "And the larger green
gloves gives more protection than those old ones do."
"They're not that much bigger just more padded from the cuffs up,"
Dick stated starting to get defensive of his old costume again. "But
over all it looks like a good design. . I have a few things to add to
the domino mask before I send it to get made but it should be here
before you start school next week."
"When am I going to get to go patroling with you two?" Ranma asked
after moving away from the odd computer.
"Probably not until the costume arrives. . unless you what to try
wearing the old design, I'm sure we have a few in your size," Dick
laughed as he watched Ranma's face twist slightly at the idea then he
realized that they forgot something, he growned and slapped his
forehead. "We haven't made a design for you girl half yet!"
"Don't worry about it, the bracelet will just shift this one to fit
my girl form if I get wet. . It might be a slightly more feminine
style but it'll basically be the same design," Ranma replied as he
waved Dick's worry off. "I'll probably use one of the outfits and
shift it into one of the holding spaces in the female version after
the change just in case of problems."
"That bracelet is very. . odd. It sounds very useful for someone
like you with that kinda curse but after a few years of dealing with
magic I tend to not trust the stuff," Dick stated as he gave the
silver wrist bracelet a gaze then looked up and shrugged. "But I
don't need something like that and you do so I'll leave it to you if
you use it or not. I'm sure Bruce will too."
- - - -
"I see you've been shown the Cave, Master Ranma, did all go well?"
Alfred asked as he served lunch to Ranma and Dick.
"Yeah, I think I like the look of the place," Ranma replied with his
mouth full as he shoveled the food in.
"He seemed to take the idea well. . after I explained about the
world's superheroes," Dick answered Alfred as he got a look from the
man for confirmation. "And the new Robin suit has been designed. I'd
like you to look it over for anything we may have missed."
"It would be an honour Master Dick," Alfred said before leaving with
an empty tray.
Dick continued eating for a few minutes trying to ignore the human
vacuum near him then he needed to talk, "Ranma? What made you cover
your face like that yesterday?"
"Huh?" Ranma looked up from eating again cocking an eyebrow. "I
didn't want to breathe the gas so I covered my mouth."
"You could have done anything to cover your face but you gave
yourself a mask," Dick narrowed his eyes slightly as he felt that
Ranma wasn't saying everything.
Ranma out his fork down and his shoulders slumped a touch, "Bruce
has gone to a big trouble to take me in. . I didn't want to cause him
problems with me getting into fights and all."
"I thought that fighting was a way of life to you," Dick looked
confused.
"Pop tried to teach me that, but I seen what some of his fighting
has caused in problems to us later, and I didn't want to bring bigger
problems back to Bruce," Ranma explained quietly then gave a small
quick smile and resumed eating. "I guess my time with the Amazons
changed me more than I realized."
"That's another thing. You lived with Chinese Amazons? Wonder Woman
is an Amazon warrior too, from the original Greek version. We could
talk to her about them cause I'm curious if there is any real
connection," Dick added as he started to eat again himself.
Ranma simply shrugged not pausing in his eating, he was curious as
why Dick kept bring that up but didn't feel like voicing at the
moment as the plate of spaghetti was just too good.
- - - -
"So that is what the Batsuit looks like when worn, huh? I thought it
would be a little more lighter in colour but I guess I was wrong,"
Ranma-chan stated was she cocked her head to one side giving Bruce a
once over. She decided not to curse the blasted tap in her bathroom
for nearly exploding on her but it was going to have to be repaired
tomorrow.
"Actually it's because of some training I've had in using natural
shadows to enhance the darkness around me," Bruce explained as he put
the cowl in place. "I've seen the new design and I'm sure same
training with work well with that outfit."
"You sure you don't want to come with us tonight?" Dick asked as he
set the domino mask of his own costume in place. "I'm sure the old
Robin suit would fight that body okay."
"I told you what I thought about that. .outfit, I don't think being
a girl really changes that opinion very much," Ranma-chan crossed her
arms under her chest as she'd been taught in the Village.
"And if I asked you to wear it?" Batman asked turning from loading
his belt from a table covered in equipment.
Ranma-chan looked almost pained at the man then walked over to the
waiting outfit she had seen Alfred layout, "As you wish Wayne-sama."
"It's Batman while the cowl in on please," Batman replied then had
to turn his head away when he realized that Ranma-chan was going to
change right there. "You could use the room over there."
"Why?" Ranma-chan looked confused slightly as she noticed that the
lower pants weren't going to allow her to wear her boxers so she lost
them and stepped into the shorts. She was ignoring the fact that both
*Batman* and *Nightwing* were doing their best not to watch her.
"How's it fit?" Nightwing asked without looking as he also loaded
his belt then started on the old Robin belt.
"It's a little tight in the chest, but I expected that as it was
designed for a boy and not a girl's body," Ranma-chan answered as she
walked forward trying to get use to the feel.
Nightwing and Batman both had to cough into their hands to stop
themselves from saying something very very chauvinistic about that
chest, Barbara would have slapped the both of them if she was there.
"Something wrong with it?" Ranma-chan asked as she took the offered
belt from Nightwing. "Remember it wasn't my idea to wear this thing."
"You were right. . . the costume just doesn't fit you quite right,"
Batman stated as he turned and walked to one of the other tables and
picked up a file folder.
"Batman just turned serious, now we're on the clock," Nightwing
whispered to Ranma-chan as she put the domino mask on.
"Robin, I want you to read this file while we are in the car,"
Batman said in a very professional tone and held out the file folder.
"That's you," Nightwing nudged the girl in his old suit forward.
"I know that," the new Robin gave Nightwing a weird look over her
shoulder then took the papers.
"You will ride with me in the Batmobile and Nightwing will follow on
his bike," Batman continued as he walked over to the large black car
and opened the top.
"Um. . okay," Robin said as she walked to the car giving it a look
of wonder.
- - - -
"So we are supposed to be waiting for this Cobblepot guy to show
up?" Robin asked looking down the skylight that showed five very
armed men surrounding a small glasses wearing man with a puppet on
his hand.
"We refer to Cobblepot as the Penguin, and yes we are waiting for
him to show up," Batman replied very seriously. "Sources said there
was going to be a metting between Scarface and him to night. And
since Scarface is here that make it likely that the Penguin will be
here soon too."
"That little guy's Scarface? He doesn't look all that tough. . and
he doesn't have a scar on his face," Robin gave Batman a confused look.
"The puppet with the miniature tommy gun is Scarface," Batman said
never changing tone. "The man holding Scarface has some very bad
mental problems which he projects into the puppet."
"Great. . I get to deal with loonies all night long," Robin rolled
her eyes.
"Just be careful about that little gun, it really fires bullets,"
Nightwing's voice said over the ear radios from his position higher up.
"Sure the Puppet ain't magical?" Robin asked either of them.
"I doubt it. . . wait a sec, got movement coming in," Nightwing said
with a touch of a smile in his tone, but that turned bad quickly. "It
isn't the Penguin."
"Who?" Batman asked looking very unhappy about that.
"Don't know. Never seen this one before. Some guy wearing old
samurai clothing. . but he isn't Asian," Nightwing replied halting
between statements as he checked what he was looking at.
"Describe," Batman said in more an order then a request.
"Caucasian male, dark blond hair, about five foot eleven and maybe
hundred and sixty," Nightwing stated as he watched through his
batoculars. "He's about Robin's age by his looks. . . and there was
someone just slipped in past the guard and the new guy and neither
noticed."
"Another player?" Batman said more to himself then to the others.
"Did you catch anything important from the new one?"
"Negative, was nothing more then a shadow. . ." Nightwing started
then was cut off as loud sound disturbed the night.
"HOHOhohoho!!!!" came a familiar voice from beneath them in the
warehouse.
"It can't be!" Robin slapped her forehead and cringed.
"I take it that was the girl you and Nightwing encountered the other
day?" Batman asked thinking to himself that the owner of that laugh
was crazier then anyone else below him.
"That's the same laugh," Robin replied as she and Batman watched a
girl standing in the center of the room wearing a almost indecent
outfit and twirling a red gymnastic ribbon. "And that's the same girl."
The boy that Nightwing mentioned earlier was beside her quickly
seeming to yell at the girl about something as Batman set up the
listening wire.
- - - -
"I told you to wait in the car!" yelled the boy at the Black Rose
not even looking at the goons who had their guns raised towards them.
"Cousin, dear, I will not be pushed to background on this," the
Black Rose patted the boy on the cheek. "So just do your business and
I'll make sure these nasty little men don't try something very unwise."
"Do not patronize me woman! I am in charge of our side of this
venture and you will do as you are told!" the boy demanded receiving
raspberry from the girl.
"*cough* *cough* I excuse me but. . ." started the small man wearing
glasses but he was cut off by a violent jerk upwards of his hand.
"Stuff it dummy!" the ganster puppet yelled at the man he was
attached to. "Listen you mug get that moll in line and get down to
business, I ain't got all night!"
"I was under the standing that our. . benefactor would be here
tonight," the boy said in annoyance after turning away from the girl.
It became obvious that his face was covered leaving it a featureless
but looked normal otherwise.
"The boss ain't coming for some nobody so quit you whining and
listen up! You gots that!?" Scarface emphasized his statement by
firing off a brust into a nearby wall.
"Yes, I believe I've got that," the boy stated arrogantly not at all
unnerved by the display as he drew the boken from it's straps to his
back. "But I don't do business with message boys either."
"Cousin, dear, did this man just cause us an insult," asked the
Black Rose quirking a smile as she produced a gymnastic club to go in
the hand not twirling the ribbon.
"Yes he did," the boy replied getting in a ready stance.
- - - -
"Nightwing, Go go go," Batman said into his mike then turned to
Robin. "Don't take risks if you don't have too."
Robin nodded then followed Batman through the skylight on the cable
they set earlier.
- - - -
Scarface was about to give the order to wipe these kids noses,
permanently, but before he could the sound of shattering glass
interrupted him. Looking up he was the unfortunately familiar scene
of the Batman coming down on top of them, "It's Batman! Wipe them out
boys!"
Robin landed near were Batman had and had to duck a light stream of
bullets strafing the room. She watched as both Batman and Nightwing,
who came in behind the group, quickly deal with the goons then turn
on Scarface and the boy with the boken leaving Robin the Black Rose.
Leaping up and over the girl in black Robin landed facing her and
dropped into position ready for the coming fight.
The Black Rose smirked at the foolish girl in front of her thinking
that she could take her, then something about the stance clicked,
"Hohohoho, if it isn't the impertinent girl from yesterday. Come back
for some more punishment?"
"You got away once! Not again!" Robin yelled back and ran at the
girl letting her emotions get the better of her. She dodged several
strikes from the ribbon and then from the club as the Black Rose
quickly protected herself.
"Hohohoho!!! You think a clumsy little girl like you could ever
catch me!?" the Black Rose replied laughing behind her hand then
parried several strikes and kicks that Robin threw at her. Dropping a
rope into her hand she wrapped it around the next kick and spun Robin
off to collide with the boken wielding boy.
"Careful there beautiful," the boy said as he caught Robin before
she could fall from the impact. "You should be more weary of my
Cousin's choice of weapons, she knows them well."
"I have a few of my own too," Robin replied in a snarl and stormed
away from the boy after putting a foot into his face. She didn't see
him parry something thrown by Nightwing with the boken he used like a
true katana.
Reaching behind her she grabbed the object hanging on the back of
her belt and flipped it open. "I hate resorting to weapons but for
you I'll make an example," she snarled as she threw something off to
her left away from her and the Black Rose before charging her again.
"Foolish girl! You can not even use what you carry," the Black Rose
smirked as she wiped out her ribbon to catch the girl coming at her
only to have it severed by a spinning flying thing that cut across
the ribbon's path. The next thing she knew was that the girl was
laying blow after blow into her with out mercy until she lay on the
ground barely moving.
Robin stood over the girl feeling a lot better about things now and
was about to turn an help the other two when she saw the boy with the
boken pull out a small bag and throw it to the ground. A black cloud
quickly covered the ground and obscured the area and by the time that
it dispersed both the boy and the Black Rose were gone leaving only
Scareface and his goons tied up.
- - - -
"She got away again!" Ranma-chan threw down her domino mask in anger
as she pace the upper platform of the Batcave.
"You handled yourself very well Ranma, I was happy with what I saw,"
Bruce stated trying to calm the cursed girl down.
"Yeah, that trick with the Batarang was great for the first time
you've used one," Dick agreed feeling very worried for Ranma-chan.
"But she got away again! Don't you care!?!" Ranma-chan demanded
ignoring the praise.
"But Scareface didn't, and since he is an escaped inmate of Arkham
he was highest priority," Bruce said as he started typing at the
Batcomputer. "The Black Rose is only wanted for attempted robbery and
the boy with the boken doesn't even have that much against him."
"What you checking up on the computer, Bruce?" Dick asked as he
walked up behind the man.
"That mask the boy was wearing was very similar to one worn by the
Question and I was making a request for Oracle to set up a metting
between Batman and him to see if he has any idea where the boy got
it," Bruce replied not looking up from the screen.
"I'm gonna go and do some training. I obviously need it if some girl
can hold me off so easily!" Ranma-chan stated in a huff then walked
up the stairs.
"She'll get over it, we all had to sometime," Bruce said to Dick
with a sad smile.
- - - -
Author's Notes: Well it took long enough to get this done. It was
supposed to be only a get the introduction of Ranma to the life of
Batman but I decided I wanted a little action added, and all you
hentai people out there can imagine Ranma-chan in the old Robin
costume. I have a drawing of Ranma in the new Robin costume I will be
posting when I get my web page up sometime soon (just have to learn
how to web design first).
If I get some descriptions of things like the Batcave wrong please
remember that there has been a lot of different looks to this
mysterious place, and I prefer a mix of the WB Batman cartoon and the
first movie and that is the way I write it.
Next: First day of school, and an unexpected meetings.