1Dizzy and stunned, the imposter gazed up at the two dark figures standing in front of him. Deep in his mind, the equation was beginning to reveal its flaws. He saw himself outside of the canvas that was their own story, the infamous love between the Dark Knight and the Cat who walked by herself. They were mocking him, he thought, laughing at him; like untouchable Gods high above him. This portrait of affection and devotion cut deeply, as a flame of hatred grew within his mind.
Though the blow to his head had him on the ground, he quickly jumped to his feet and lunged at Catwoman's neck, asserting himself back into the portrait.
"FILTHY WHORE!" He wrapped his hands around her skull and pressed his thumbs deep into her temples. Before she could scream, Batman threw the imposter against the wall, but not before he could rip her mask from her bruised face.
Batman lifted the now unmasked Catwoman up to her feet and, as much as she hated it, stood in front of her defensively.
The delirious imposter was shaking in a painful delight, holding Catwoman's mask close to his face. He deeply inhaled its scent and glared deviously into Selina's eyes.
Disgusted, Batman's uncontrolled anger propelled him to knock the imposter down with his fist, assuring himself that at this point, the man couldn't continue the fight. The imposter, however, was ignoring any physical pain he may have been feeling.
They both swiftly dodged each other's attacks, until the imposter bashed his head into Batman's and twisted his right hand backwards. Catwoman could hear the crack from across the room.
He threw Batman onto the floor and quickly ran to Catwoman's side, tightly grabbing her arm.
"She is mine."
Though still wounded and out of breath, Catwoman's fury certainly could not stand for this act of idiocy.
"Oh, Sweetheart..."
She quickly wrapped what was left of her whip around his neck.
"You obviously don't know me very well."
She tightly pulled her whip back, twisting his neck over his shoulder. As she dug her claw through his costume and into his neck, she lifted her boot up to his chest and shoved him down onto the floor.
Bleeding heavily as he clutched his neck, he tried desperately to crawl away. She watched him for a moment and laughed softly.
"Oh no...I don't think so."
She reached her claws underneath his mask and attempted to peel it backwards, but was thwarted when he quickly grabbed her hand and threw her over his shoulder.
To his surprise, Batman was right behind him, and caught Catwoman with ease. She shook her head twice and tried to throw herself directly back into battle, but Batman held her back. She snarled at him.
"What are you doing? He's wounded, he can't even stand up straight, we have to get him NOW." She shuddered when she realized she had used the word "we".
"You aren't much better off, and I can't constantly watch over you."
Almost instantly, Catwoman scratched Batman and turned from him. Such remarks had never set well with her.
"Let go of me."
The imposter stood steadily, balancing himself against a wall.
"Yes, Sir, please let her go. She knows where she belongs."
Catwoman's eyes had suddenly grown fierce and powerful, even more so than usual.
"THAT'S IT!"
She threw herself on the man as they tumbled across the wooden floor, tearing away at each other in every way possible. Bit's of cloth and rubber stained with blood flew through the air as the tore into each other. Knowing her condition, Batman grasped Catwoman's shoulders, trying to free her from the fight rather than become entangled in it.
She ran her claws into Batman's face, dangerously close to his eyes.
Stunned, he shook his head, wiping the blood from his sight.
The enemy was still fully aware of Catwoman's many wounds that had yet to heal, and took full advantage of such knowledge.
He dug his fingers into her stab wound, leaving her breathless and ending the fight.
"That should keep you two busy."
With his remaining strength, he leapt out from her broken window and into the hazy fog of the Gotham night. Batman gazed outside the window, knowing that the night ahead would not be an easy one.
Catwoman curled her body in pain, embarrassed of appearing so vulnerable, yet again. Batman slowly kneeled beside her.
"You need to learn your limits."
She scoffed at him and smiled.
"People like us have no limits. What I don't need is another one of you. Go after him, I'll catch up."
He shook his head.
"I planted a tracker on him, Oracle will tell me where he is soon. This wound needs mending...again."
He placed his gloved hand on her abdomen.
"I'm fine. I'm..." Catwoman's eyes closed slightly.
"Selina?" Batman gently lifted her head.
"...I'm going to find Leslie...I'll be okay there."
Batman closed his eyes as he lowered his head.
"I'll get you there safely, and I'll find that maniac."
Catwoman slowly placed her claw over Batman's broken hand and smiled as her vision blurred.