Batman Beyond: Two-Face II

By ShadowHawk & Demoness Space Pirate

Chapter 16: The Party Crasher

Disclaimers: We don't own the characters we use

The job was going smoothly, all guards taken care off and all alarms disabled; they would surely prove themselves worthy on their first assignment.

In a not too large room lined with many of shelves holding papers, ink testes, and inks, the twin red headed femme fatales dressed in scanty yellow garb with matching masks stood aside the flowing freshly shipped money carefully shoving handfuls of the stacked bills within their bags as the counting machine kept count of their take.

Aliki Marceau, one half of the crime duo Double Dare, huffed slightly glancing towards her twin, "Have we reached our goal yet?" She questioned.

Margot, the other half of Double Dare, looked up onto the rapid moving money counter watching the numbers grow by the second. "Almost." She stated keeping track of the flowing revenue. The pace in which the two moved, settling into a rhythmic flow full of uncanny grace, could only be seen in those who loved their work and did it well.

Margot grinned from ear to ear imitating the cheeky grin of a Cheshire cat she joyfully pitched the last shack within. "Two hundred thousand dollars all in twenties like he asked."

"Now that you are finished you can put it all back where you got it from." A velvety deep voice rumbled from the dark.

Both women, tensed in their stance, scanned the bank until their sights settled on a shifting object, the piercing whites of the legendary Batman. Narrowing their eyes locked with the masked vigilante they braced for the impending action.

"Routine 18?" Margot whispered tightening and relaxing her grip on the sack.

Aliki let her hold of her own bag loosen, "18."

Simultaneously she allowed the sack's corded handle fall letting the bag drop onto the ground while she back flipped with grace onto the large counting table, with graceful bonds and leaps she reached the naked pipelines gracing the ceiling top. Hanging upside down from the fold of her knees she clapped her hands together once signaling to her twin whom pitched their booty up onto her awaiting hands.

Moving without hesitation Margot jumped onto the table top then leaping onto the shelves with the type of elegance one would have thought she were flying. Reaching the top with a single bond the woman dressed in the skimpy yellow and black costume sealed through the air catching hold of her sister's outstretched hand.

All the while Batman watched the scene in what would be a trance like state, such elegance, such poise, he had seen those flawless movements someplace before, but the time and place would not acknowledge to him.

As the twins hoisted themselves up to stand perfectly balanced on the pipe the wrapped an arm around the other's waist bowing slightly. He had to resist the sudden urge to applaud the act keeping in mind what the two had and his reason for being present.

Coming up from their bow the two gave a grin before leaping out of the open window from which they had entered, their actions practically beckoning him to follow suit.

"I should have called Ten." He grumbled onto himself before rocketing out of the window after the fleeing women.

"Ah, salute Batman." A haughty voice called from the night seconds before flying kick landed against his solar plexus.

Recovering quickly from the pain he readied to combat the blow onto the smiling face of the red head woman.

"Tres bien, Aliki." Spoke another, slamming something fairly heavy into the arched back of the dark knight. The pair seemed to merge into a blur of red hair and yellow costumes as they circled quickly around him planting blow after blow onto his body, never giving him the chance to recover of gather his bearings. When he felt the confusion take its toll the two grabbed him by his shoulders and with great strength combined into one force slammed him roughly onto his back.

"Au revoir, Batman." A sing song voice called out to him.

Standing onto battered legs he observed the women leaping from rooftop to rooftop making their getaway by foot.

"No you don't." He said into the night quickly following after while taking hold of the bat shaped bolas. Closing in on the fleeing women he chanced his luck and threw the weighted bat figures watching as they cut smoothly through the air and ensnaring the long haired sister whilst she was in mid- leap.

"Margot!" She cried out dropping her loot as her body fell downwards on the rough surface of the filthy roof.

At her sister's cry Margot turned to see a most unwelcoming sight. Holding onto the bola's wires which held her twin captive was Batman eyeing her, silently asking if she was low enough to leave her sister behind to suffer the consequences of their actions.

Sighing deeply she knew her decision; nothing ever came between the sisters, not even their fates. "Bravo, Batman." She stated dropping the bag to the ground giving up. "Bravo."

Later that night Commissioner Gordon's mind raged war upon itself, after two hours of nonstop interrogation with the pair known as Double Dare all she had received was many of statements and insults spoken in French, many of which were taunts of pigs.

"Oink Oink piggy, we aren't talking." Had been the only English statement made.

And when asked of Two-Face's whereabouts she received the same fearful testimonial she had received from the other Two Timin' gang members, or anyone that did anything for the man known in the criminal world as Two-Face, to her, Jeffery. If they were to tell, their employer, Two-Face II, would most likely kill them. "L'homme qui nous a faits employer, n'aime pas des criards." (Translated: The man who had us employed, does not like squealers.)

She had barely stepped foot out of the interrogations room when she was bombarded with the notice that the Mayor was in her office.

Approaching her door she sighed deeply bracing herself for the old routine before treading on. Pacing back and forth in front of her large office window was a really irate Mayor Jordan Hill.

"Entire situation has been mishandled from the beginning, Gordon – from the moment Two-Face struck terror to this city to the Circus incident!" He ranted without even giving a second to adjust. "And if you don't do something about it with within 24 hours, I'm going to ask the Governor to call out the National Guard."

Barbara Gordon's usual cool to a situation failed her as she stated wide eyed at the Mayor, "But if you do that –"

"That's right Gordon, the mayor of this city wields immense power, and with the publicity surrounding a single phone call, I can destroy your career." He stated fiercely walking to the door grabbing his jacket along the way.

"This isn't about our careers, Hill." She stated at his back. "This is about protecting this city."

Narrowing his eyes upon her Mayor Hill pulled on his jacket with a harsh jerk. "Then do it."

With the mayor gone she collapsed onto her chair, the stress of long hours showing through. "Where are you?" She asked into the silence.

"Over here, Gordon." Batman said smoothly slipping from the shrouds of darkness.

"Mayor Hill's threatening to call out the National Guard; it'd mean losing my job. And right after Sam and I just got married." The last statement was muttered mainly to herself. "Now I want you to think about this very carefully. If I am relieved my duty as the Police Commissioner...It probably means the end of you as well." She looked onto the place where the dark knight had stood moments before only to find the looming shadows she too once battled in.

"I understand." The deep voice said onto her before the masked vigilante was gone for good.

In Two-Face's newest hideout hidden away from prying eyes, Two-Face focused on the literary work of art before him all too aware of the jester woman standing at his door. "What is it, Harley?" He asked in a stoic voice that told how much he hated to be disturbed especially when he was reading A Tale of Two Cities.

"Deuce, you ain't in the mood for bad news are ya?" She questioned tapping her fingers to her side. Without even giving her an answer he stood onto his feet closing the book with a resounding bang.

"Show me." He commanded.

In the main room where his minions had taken to reclining in, Two-Face took his seat in a spilt black and white armchair as Dee-Dee increased the volume on the television making the monotone voice of the anchor man stand out.

"We are back with tonight's top story. Two-Face still eludes capture by the Batman and the Gotham Police. Today Batman captured the two costumed crooks Double Dare, later to be revealed as Aliki Marceau and Margot Marceau renowned circus performers in a sister aerial acrobats act. It was later found that the two were trying to steal two hundred thousand dollars from the Gotham Mint, the cities money distributors for the banks. Commissioner Gordon anticipates a conviction for Aliki and Margot Marceau which will put these two former circus performers in prison. The time of sentence has yet to be determined. In other news...."

Harley turned off the TV pitching the room into total silence, everyone sitting still eyes turned slightly to get a glimpse of their boss awaiting his outbreak.

Two-Face was furious for he had lost his money once again to the meddlesome Batman. In a speed no one was yet prepared for Two-Face grabbed the closest solid object to him, a vase, pitching it at the nearest wall reducing it to jagged shards.

Breathing deeply with his hair disheveled giving onto him a wild look he growled at him gang, "I just cannot get good help these days."

The silver coin flipped over and over itself as it climbed through the empty air, slowing before falling back into the scarred hand that had flipped it. His eyes focused on the scattered pages of newspaper for the last couple of weeks. Batman, Batman, Batman, that was all they spoke of and how he had managed to foil his plans as of lately.

His anger was strong, practically emitting a thick fog which left the members, those that remained after some arrests on the part of the Bat, to feel in deep discomfort.

His latest defeat, the failure of Double Dare, the aero-acrobatic Marceau twins, was fresh on his mind. His anger at the ordeal had yet to diminish. He had allowed Harley to convince him to let her deal with the Bat but that had been days ago without any result.

"He's had an extraordinary stroke of luck." He slowly unclenched his hand revealing the jagged scar running along the face of the two-headed coin. "Which is about to run out. Someone get me the phone." He commanded drawing his gun.

In the dark of night one place in all of Gotham was chatted about within the gossip and socialite circles of the city's elite, the Gotham Ritz, the location of the highly anticipated party.

Walking through the wide opened doors and down the arching stairs one stepped into a world of punk mixed stylishly with the dead era of powered wigs and stunning attire one would find in a 1600 Versailles ball, if it included snake charmers, Egyptian queens, gladiators, and the like.

In the middle of the exquisite show talking among a cluster of her guess was the ever delighted hostess, Veronica Baxter, dressed as what would seem the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland.

The large ballroom was practically packed with a mix of mingling people sipping exotic cocktails, munching hors d'oeuvres and idly moving about enjoying themselves, the air buzzing high with the conversations.

Into this zoo walked Bruce escorted by Terry and Melanie. They all paused at the bottom of the stairs their eyes scanning about the room with barely- clad costumed serving girls

Mel looks about amused whilst Terry and Bruce remain suspicious, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were sulking."

Bruce gave his female companion a side long smirk, "I didn't know you were a psychiatrist, Miss Walker. I'm sure if you were your fees would be a little rich for me."

Melaine turned her face so that it could match his own scowl, "Touchy, touchy."

Terry laughed at their antics happy the old man's attention wasn't focused on him for the night to grumble and complain to. "You're one of the richest men in this city; you could afford it, besides Mel would give a discount for old friends."

From across the room the flash of the cameras drew everyone's attention towards the party's hostess flanked by Gotham's Society Matrons though dressed for the occasion they stood out as the press, including Vondelle Millions, who expertly snapped photos and hurled questions.

"Congratulations on throwing yet another outstanding extravaganza, but what's the excuse for today?" he asked with a wiggle of his bushy eye brows.

Veronica giggled placing a hand to the bare swell of her chest, "Ok I admit it, I just love throwing these grand galas and will use any excuse: a marriage, a divorce, a birth, a death, someone got a tooth pulled...it's all reason to celebrate! But today I have a very good reason: Bruce Wayne's return to Wayne Enterprises!"

After the third round of camera flashes had ceased Vondelle's voice cut over the other questioning reporters, "Bruce Wayne? Do the two of you have some sort of connection?"

"In his time Bruce Wayne has affected so many lives one way or another, he has given jobs to thousands in this city and all over the world, grants to put kids through college, and not to mention he's a wonderful in donating money to many causes. With his return there's no doubt more is to come!"

At the end of the small speech there was a small mumble of agreements along with a light round of applause. Before anymore questions could be asked she had spotted the honored guest of the party, "Oh there he is now. Oh Brucie!"

Taking quick elegant steps she had crossed the room to greet the group the press following close behind. She smiled from ear to ear taking the old wrinkled hand of Bruce into her own. "Oh I am so glad that you could come." She said as though she were long time friends with the group.

"Hello Veronica. Congratulations on your...um..." He struggled for the words to finish his sentence.

"Great party." Terry stated saving his boss.

Turning she shooed away the hounding press before returning her focus on the others, "Oh Bruce don't be modest, this is all about you." She stated stilling a passing waiter and his tray of champagne. She passed the crystal flutes one by one to the others, toasting them.

"Actually this is all very very boring to me, big parties, a bunch of moochers pretending to be my friends and kissing my ass, all because I'm rolling in dough or I have connections with this person or that. But I enjoy watching them bend over backwards to stay in my good graces." She winked towards Terry, "And to think I don't have to wait until my high school reunion to rub my success in other's faces. But we must make due. Skol." She lifted her glass in a toast.

"Nostrovia." Bruce stated.

A small smirk played over her lips at the small challenge, "La'chiem."

"Slanta."

"Rinka."

"Banzai."

"I'm drinking." Mel stated as she and Terry took sips from their glasses.

Bruce and Veronica, realizing that they were not alone, clinked their glasses together before drinking. "So Brucie, what do you plan on doing now with the ol' WE? That crackpot Powers did ravage it with his nasty little hidden agendas, one wouldn't want to do business with anyone associated with him."

"I will merely have to rebuild. Besides I rather like to divest just before a major re-capitalization." Bruce said on his behalf.

She shrugged, "I won't even pretend that I know what's going on in the business world, I am merely a party planner, give me a theme and the budget limit and I'm set."

Terry coughed into his hand drawing the attention back to the baffled pair. "We hate to interrupt."

"Quite right." She paused as one of the serving girls slipped up behind her whispering something into the shell of her ears. Within seconds her friendly face turned to one of surprise mixed with rage. Turning back to her guest the pleasant look had returned. "I must take care of something, why don't the two of you dance before the drunks stumble out there and make it a hazard?" She asked before quickly moving away.

Bruce watched as she departed his eyes narrowing slightly as the suspension returned.

"She has a good idea." Mel stated looking about the crowd drinking heavily from the endlessly pouring from the bottles.

"Shall we dance?" Terry asked taking Mel by her hand and leading her out onto the dance floor.

Slipping into a spare room, with the ancient Egyptian clad serving girl following close behind, Veronica took the phone from the girl's twin.

"You can't!" She cried into the phone pulling the wig from her head. "You can't, you promised!"

The voice on the other end growled before the biting voice barked back, "We're tired of waiting for you to deliver, Harl."

She whined taking a seat on the table, "My lovely bifurcated one, my trap is underway, practically everyone that was at that foo-foo circus is here tonight, and we suspect that one of these snot nosed idiots is or knows the Bat. Please, please give me two hours, just two more hours, and I'll have Batman to you and my party will be a complete success and Veronica Baxter will be beyond shway with the social gathering." Hanging up she huffed a large sigh.

"What is it-" "Harley?" The twins asked.

"The boss just doesn't understand that a gal's gotta have fun. Alright back to work gals, do you have the truth-serum filled party poppers?"

"Yes." They stated motioning towards the large basket of small multicolored cones.

A twisted smile curled over her lips as she tapped the tips of her fingers together. "Excellent."

Without their hostess or the company of his companions Bruce Wayne casually walked onto the dance floor gracefully cutting in between Terry and Mel. With a dramatic bow Terry relinquished his partner before moving away to walk about the ballroom grateful he was not forced to wear those foolish looking costumes. He came onto a large basket full of party poppers caught his eyes. He picked up the multicolored cone noticing instantly how it was heavier than it should have been.

'I wonder--' He thought to himself as he tried to pry open the top without an explosion of confetti.

A hand playfully slapped his forcing him to drop it, "Naughty, naughty." She chides smiling seductively at him as he in turn smiled back apologetically and embarrassed he had been caught. "You have to wait until the countdown." She said handing him the party item while motioning towards Veronica with a glance.

Terry turned to see the woman smoothly make her way towards Bruce. As she touched his shoulder the music ceased, the lights dimmed, and a single spot light focused on the pair.

"Ok everyone!" She said her voice cutting above the noise. She looked remorsefully towards Bruce, "I'm sorry I have to do this to you, putting all of the focus on you right now. Alright everyone it's time to honor this ol' generous fart." She shouted onto the crowd.

At her words a hint of recognition passed through Terry, "Do I know her?" He wondered aloud.

"Now everyone get ready to pop those babies! In 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5," By then everyone had joined in on the countdown. "4, 3, 2-"

The sudden burst of gunfire brought the count to a halt as the all too recognizable faces of the Two Timin' gang thugs burst through from every entrance sending the party into a mad rush of chaotic shuffling and screams.

Despite the madness flowing about no one missed the Duke of Duality's entrance, "Alright, folks, this is an old-fashioned, low-tech stick-up. We're interested in the basics: jewelry, cash, watches, high-end cell phones. Hand 'em over nice and easy and no one gets hurt."

Moving quickly Terry forces his way through a service entrance practically plowing over the thugs in his way as he ran to the window. Climbing out his slid down the fire escape into the alley way with one goal in mind, he had to get the suit from the Rolls.

The Thugs circulate quickly about the room, yanking jewels from ears and necks, grabbing wallets and purses, filling their sacks with their plunder as they harassed the frightened souls.

Pushing her way against the frantic crowd Veronica Baxter approached the closest thug, "Take me to, Two-Face." She hissed.

"What, 'ey lady do ya wanna get yer head blown off?" He asked unaware to whom he spoke.

Growling she removed a small dagger from the wig atop her head discretely pressing it against his side. "Ya nit, it's me." She flashed the tattoos on her arm. "Now so to keep these idiots in the dark 'bout who I really am I need ya to take me to the boss. Now move before I gut ya like a fish!"

Together they push their way against the crowd to Two-Face's ring of personal guards.

"Um, it's Miss Jest." He whispered seconds before she forced her through to stand right up to Two-Face's face fuming with rage.

"You're ruining my big party. Are you crazy?" She paused while her finger continued to point into his face, "Actually, considering your dual persona and my own mental health, let's just forget that question."

He took hold of the wrist of her pointing finger, "We're sick of waiting, Harl. You promised us Batman."

"I said two hours, not two minutes!" She hissed through her teeth. "Had you just a little more patience we would have him to you sealed with a pretty pink bow."

"Screw patience. We want him dead, his body floating down the river and his head on a platter! And nothing brings out the Bat like a little mayhem and murder."

"Oh well, in that case. As long as you were going to rob me, you could have told me far in advance, at least let me in on it so I didn't open those 42 bottles of champagne and passed out those cheap gifts. I could have got my money back."

Two-Face moved his mouth to reprimand her when from above the large crescent shaped glass window exploded as Batman flew through knocking out a row of thugs before landing on the floor.

"Deucie, babe, I gotta be honest. Your entrance was good. His was better. What's the difference? Showmanship." Harley said smugly.

Two-Face shoved Harley away, looking for a clean shot. He fired from both guns missing his mark but destroying the ice sculpture of a Venus De Milo and some liquor bottles lined up on the bar.

Thought their savior was present the screams of the people had yet to cease. A huge muscle bound thug charged towards Batman only to be heaved overhead and thrown painfully into one of the decorative columns.

"Batman, Batman, Batman help!" The shouts of Vondelle drew his attention back to the reporter clasped in the arms of a thug with a gun to his throat.

With ease Batman kicked the weapon out of his hand. The look of surprise on both the faces of the man and Vondelle was priceless seconds before Batman's boot connected with the man's face knocking him onto the ground where the once frightened party attendants beat him into submission.

"Batman. I don't care what they say you're my god!" Vodelle exclaimed.

Before he had the moment to bask in the glow of idolism there was yet another scream that drew his attention to another thug that had Mel and a small group of women to a wall his gun aimed at them as he snatched bits of jewelry.

"Excuse me," The thug turned to just in time for Batman to snatch his gun away from him. "This isn't the way you treat your dates."

"Pardon me." Mel grabs the thug by the collar and with great force head- butts him. The small group watched as the guy went down, all eyes shot up to Mel. "When a girl says 'no' she means no."

Smirking lightly at her action Batman spins going towards another group of thugs knowing he had some help with Mel and Bruce on his side.

In the background the sound of police sirens could be heard coming nearer. "And now, time for phase two. Boys!" And with that, he and his men race out the door leaving the people to cheer as Batman races up onto the balcony flying out the window with a leap.

Powered by the rockets in his boats he propelled downwards as he watched Two-Face and the remains of his gang disappear past large orange signs that read 'Under Construction' down the stairs of an as yet completed subway station.

Landing on the platform above the construction he peers into the darkness to see shadows racing down the dark tunnel ahead, on the unmistakable figure of Two-Face. "This ends now, Jeffery." He vows into the night as he pursues.

Within the tunnel Two-Face and his men raced away. One twin of his personal guards looked back, "The Bat's right behind us." He announced through huffing breathes.

"Excellent." Two-Face grinned as they came onto the abandoned station where a wide spiral staircase of scaffolding hugged the walls of a tremendous ventilation shaft.

The men raced down the steps, knocking out bits of scaffolding as they went, sending entire chunks of the already traversed staircase plummeting past them.

Above them Batman arrived onto the wide platform of scaffolding at the top of the staircase. The stale humid air whipping up around him as if from some low infernal wind. He looked down the fragmenting staircase, observing the bottom of the shaft where a tremendous fan spun, chewing chunks of falling scaffolding and plaster while spitting out plumes of dust.

From beneath the bottom of the well Two-Face's marred visage peeked up onto him. A nasty smile spread over his lips as he twiddled his fingers at him. Two-Face grabbed a rack of scaffolding wrenching the old aluminum supports away.

Up above where Batman stood the support beneath his feet gave way the planks falling, sending him tumbling towards the deadly blades below.

The giant whirling blades were coming up quickly; as he fell his eyes caught sight of thugs stationed on the stairways laughing at his predicament and the possibility of his body being chopped into unrecognizable pieces. Shooting out his hand he grabbed one by his tattered leather jacket pulling him hard into the railing like a human anchor as his body suddenly stopped in its decent. Using the man as a ladder he leapt over the edge knocking the thug harshly backwards so that his head slammed into the metal stairs.

Racing down the bottom of the shaft he witnessed the remaining members of the Two Timin' Gang disappear through a dark doorway, chasing after them he too vanished into the darkness of an abandoned tunnel, all dark and sloping at a steep arch.

The thugs that were running ahead grabbed pieces of debris without stopping, flipping them under their feet riding down the descending tunnel like snowboarders on the snowy mountains.

As Batman jetted after him he observed that the boarders were highly skilled as they rode makeshift rails of the low gas pipes and banking the curving sides.

One of the Two Timers looked back to see Batman closing in quickly on them, a terrible mistake on his part. Before an obscurity could be uttered he was clothes lined by a low hanging danger sign. His bulky body flipped backwards off his board knocking him unconscious.

Batman winced at the sight before racing past him. Ahead the end of the tunnel sloped so drastically the dark maw seemed more of a pit rather than a door. The boarders circled around and one by one dropped down like dirty water going down the drain.

Batman plummeted into the darkness after them landing on a very narrow ledge. Beyond a precipitous drop he turned to face the abandoned underground subway station. Years ago the cavernous space glistened with immense gothic statuary, elaborate tile mosaics, tremendous decorative arches and spectacular cathedral ceilings. But no more. Now the giant space, from floor to ceiling was a frozen maelstrom of twisting cast iron trusses, broken steam pipes, fragmented scaffolding and hanging cables all tagged with graffiti by the delinquents of the city. Down those man-made slopes and obstacles rode the boarding Two Timers, cruising pipes, jumping curved faces of statues, jacking from scaffold to truss.

Batman whipped a pair of his bat cuffs over the hanging metal rail, using the chain as a pulley he shoots down the curving rail into the mad dance of twisting steel.

One of the Two Timers fired at him from his whizzing board as they careened along an adjacent piece of scaffolding. Angling towards him he picked up speed. Banking off some statuary he fired a few more shots each on missing Batman by inches.

Shooting around the curve, Batman jumped from one rail onto the next catching the villain in the face with the heel of his boot sending him flying from his board.

Before any rest could be taken another Two Timer shot overhead. Flipping onto another pipe Batman quickly closed in as he chased the thug towards a loop that banked towards the blackness of an abandoned tunnel. He was closing in, moving closer and closer, almost within arm's reach when suddenly the thug hopped to a truss.

The rail on which Batman was riding whipped him around a curve that banked into the mouth of the tunnel...and into the line of fire.

Standing in the shadows with the most sadistic grin on his face stood Two- Face firing his machine pistol blowing a hole in the curving rail directly before Batman.

Coming onto the broken rail Batman helplessly flew off falling directly into the dark tunnel rushing into the darkness smashing face first into the stone wall.

Two-Face stood staring into the dark with his men, "Ha ha nothing worse than a bad case of gas." He laughs as he cranks an aging valve wheel set into the crumbling wall.

A long forgotten pipe by Batman began to hiss as a thick purple gas began to seep out into the air around him.

Laughing madly Two-Face swung a grenade launcher before him, taking a step back and bracing himself his aims into the tunnel. "Lights. Camera. Action!" As his Thugs scramble for cover, Two-Face fired. The grenade rocketed into the tunnel slamming into the gas main and exploding. Suddenly there was a tremendous secondary explosion sending debris falling everywhere as the gas ignited, the mouth of the tunnel suddenly brightening into a flaming white fireball.

In the tunnel the huge fireball rushed towards Batman. Placing his hand on his utility belt he dropped to a crouch while pressing a stud. "I hope Bruce was right about this." He mumbled to himself. The tremendous fireball roared as it raced down the engulfing Batman in a world of flame.

Two-Face stood at a safe distance away staring into the inferno watching with eyes aglow like a kid in a toy store.

Smoke billowed with residual flame and falling debris everywhere, but no Batman. For a moment there was dead silence save the crackle of fire.

"Finally, I'm rid of that pointy eared freak of nature!"

His smirk quickly vanished. "It can't be." One of his thugs gasped stupidly.

A shape rose, phoenix-like, out of the flames. The figure moved forwards walking through the fire unharmed, as if the flames feared touching it.

Batman lifts his arms, the fire retarding cape splitting down the center, reverting back to its original form, the arms going back to the short familiar wings. With a dark deadly look set about his face the Bat began to head towards Two-Face and his men.

If it were possible for Two-Face's marred façade to look anymore hideous the look of rage darkening his face made it so. Engulfed in his anger he grabbed a section of the wall's supporting scaffolding and began to wrench it free with crazed fury. "Why won't you just die?!" In a final rage of maniacal fury, he wrenched the scaffolding free.

With its ancient supports gone the ceiling began to crack and fall, debris pouring in at a furious pace, like a dusty waterfall. Batman paused in his pursuit as he is suddenly doused in a heavy rain of rock and sand.

The small section of tunnel between Two-Face and Batman crashed down obstructed by tons of falling metal, plaster, and sand. Unable to do much of anything else he stands dumbfounded as the ceiling falls all around him.

The storm of wreckage and debris drives Batman down. As the plaster and rubble fall evermore furiously around the man Two-Face could barely contain his joy.

Batman stumbled on his feet as the ground beneath him suddenly gave way sucking him into a quickly filling pit of sand and tile. He tried rocketing out but his boots merely sputtered before dieing, out of fuel. He reached for his utility belt in a last ditch effort but it was too late. His body continued to sink, the sand moving to his chest, raising and raising until it passed over his mouth, his eyes, until alas he vanished underneath.

Two-Face stood watching, his eyes twinkling full of childish delight. The floor before him began to give way, running with deep jagged cracks drawing his victory jig short. "Okay boys, let's go have us a party. Anybody else feel like donuts?" He asked joyfully leading his men up and out of the tunnels.

Back within the tunnel the sandpit had closed and stilled, yet no motion from the city's knight. A gloved hand broke through the surface clutching a Batarang, with a weak flip of the wrist the Batarang flies a short distances into the air only to hit the sand. Defeated the hands went limp.

Suddenly a black gloved hand grabbed hold of Batman's. Up above him Ten hovered on a playing card smaller than her usual ride, securing her grip she began to pull him up.

"C'mon, we didn't come this far for you to die now." She strained.

Suddenly, Batman's face broke through the sand taking loud deep breathes before coughing loudly on the dust particles.

Ten carefully commanded the card to lift keeping her firm grip on his hand slowly helping him to arise until he was free of the debris. Looking up into her masked face he was meet with a subtle smile, "You need to lose some weight."

To be continued...