Disclaimers: So far, I still do not have enough money to buy any of the characters from DC, so I don't really own Batman.. i'm working on it, though...lol
zcole, thanks for the comment, it made me decide that somebody is actually reading my work and it wouldn't be waste of time to continue writing... lol...
anyways, here's the next chapter.. will be updating again (I hope) tomorrow...
Chapter two: Memories
Darkness: as impenetrable as the night of the city, comparable to the heart of every criminal running the underground of Gotham city. Gotham was constantly dark, from the botoom of the sewers to the very top of every gargoyle. Darkness was Gotham's mark.
There was something peculiar about the darkness that surrounded one of the gargoyles, though. Somehow, one got the feeling that all the shadows that filled the city of Gotham gathered around this particular spot, from where every street in the city can be seen.
People looking to discern something from the darkness would have been shocked if they heard that voices were coming from the gloomy shadow.
"Yes, what is it, O?"
"B, you have to hurry, something's wrong with R, I'm tracking his position and he hasn't moved in about 5 seconds."
"I'm there"
Gradually, the darkness shifted and one could see the faint outline of the urban legend known to Gothamites as the Batman.
Freezing cold seemed to ensue from the form of the Dark Knight as he shot a D-cell line towards the nearest building. Memories of Jason Todd hurried his movements.
He knew that he trained his partner well enough to handle every situation he can possibly encounter. However, he also knew the sophistication of the Oracle's monitoring system and if she observed no movement, it could only mean that Tim may be down.
Landing on the alley corner where Oracle reported Tim's coordinates, he looked around an immediately spotted the still form of Robin lying on the ground.
Fearing the worst, a dozen thoughts rushed through his brain, from: "Someone will pay for this" to "I failed again". The Dark Knight slowly approached the crumpled form of Robin.
Checking for vital signs, he was surprised to feel a strong, steady pulse from the neck of his partner. Removing his partners mask, he could see that Tim's eyes did not hold the blank, vacant look of death that he encountered so many times.
Realizing what was up he quickly touched one pressure point to test his theory. A groan escaped from Tim's lips as his facial muscles were released from paralysis.
Quickly, Batman started gently striking different pressure pints and nerve clusters all over the boy's body. Locating each proper pressure point was easy for the Bat despite the fact that the body had a pressure point in every three inches and that touching the wrong pressure point could worsen Robin's condition.
Feeling the effects of the paralysis wear off, Robin looked toward hi mentor and noticed the expression of deep thought in the face of the Bat.
"The person who did this was certainly no amateur in terms of pressure-point fighting." The Bat was thinking, "Only a few people know about the nerves he immobilized, much less, the proper execution of immobilization."
When the Dark Knight ran this fact through his mind, he reduced the number of possible culprits to one of 5 people.
Activating his com-link, the Bat told Oracle to run a current status check on 5 names despite the fact that if the Bat's hunch was right, these people would be isolated from civilization, much less the information superhighway.
"Batman..."
The Dark Knight's train of thought was halted when he realized that his partner was trying to get his attention.
"The guy who did this had a message for you."
This statement reduced the number of suspects to three men.
"He said 'tell Bruce I'm looking for him' "
This provided the answer for Batman and one name escaped his lips: "Yeshua"
15 years ago, the wu-dan mountains
It was an eventful day in one of the temples located in the WuDan mountains. In the courtyard, an array of young martial artists prepared to give their master a demonstration of the skills they have accumulated through their stay in the temple. By the end of the day, some students would be sent home, others would stay to futher improve their skills, a select few would be invited to join a group that would tour and show the rest ofthe worldthe wonders of kung-fu.
Within the temple, however, a ceremony far from the festive mood outside is taking place.
Three people are present and kneeling down. In the center is a man who, by the black color of his hair, would seem to be younger than the age his wise eyes convey. Aiming for the perfection of kung-fu has led him to the quest for immortality, for each time he practices his techniques, the number of the black hairs on his head seem to be increasing.
On his right knelt a young man of asian descent. He had dark hair and eyes which conveyed the intensity of his focus. The object of his focus was the person across him. This young man exuded an aura of control. Although you could also sense the focus within him, you could sense that he focused not on a particular person, but on his whole environment.
"Bruce and Yeshua" The old man spoke without shattering the harmonious stillness of the temple, "you two have accomplished something that even I have never thought possible."
The two students spoke no words and let the master finish.
"You have both reached the highest level attainable in this path, and have learned all I can teach you." The master paused and allowed them to absorb the enormity of the honor that statement conveyed.
"Not only that, you have competed for the scroll and have proven yourselves equals for the honor of the prize."
Four eyes suddenly shifted to regard the old man.
"I have therefore decided to separate the scroll into two, waiting until for the time when one of you would be willing to battle once more and unite it."
The old man then gave each of his students a rectangular box, bowed and left the temple.
The one named Yeshua moved first, knowing the personality of his fellow student. Picking his box up, he bowed to his fellow master. A challenge had been given.
With a bow equal to what Yeshua gave, Bruce confirmed his answer. A challenge had been accepted.
They both stood up, turned their backs, and walked away.