Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Danika and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe during these dark and gloomy days.
Daughter Of Batman Chapter 12
Turns out Bruce especially is very eager to get Dr. Langstrom back to the Batcave for interrogation. Of course the good daughter can't be aware where he's being transported. So they have him blindfolded the entire time during the ride. Separately, Alfred, is hastily notified about the extra guest being brought to the Batcave so he's been given specific instructions not to make an appearance in the caverns throughout the duration of this man's stay. Doing the exact opposite would be a dead giveaway towards Batman's secret identity.
The same mistake's been done too many times already when other heroes that don't know the secret have come to pay official visits.
As soon as Dr. Langstrom is secure and Nightwing is present to assist they remove the bag over his head blindfolding him.
Slightly disoriented as he takes in his new surroundings, Dr. Langstrom said "Where am I?"
'Just start talking," said Bruce, gruffly.
"Ra's wanted me to splice animal DNA to human, using advanced mutagens. He would provide volunteers for me to work on," informed Dr. Langstrom, figuring it is finally safe to talk with no unwanted ears listening on them from this place.
"Obviously you took him up on it," said Bruce.
Nodding, Dr. Langstrom admits "I knew it would mean prison if anyone discovered that I was up to my old experiments. But how do you say not to Ra's al Ghul?"
"He wanted you to make the ultimate warriors," surmises Dick.
"Yes," said Dr. Langstrom, reluctantly. "Ra's called it Operation Air Strike."
Danika gasped upon hearing the name. Even Damian appears partially surprised by this piece of information.
Catching it, Bruce said "You two knew of this."
"Only heard of it in passing. We've heard it spoken before, but never knew what it actually was. Anytime one of us asked about it all we'd get in return was that we'd learn what it was upon closer to the project's completion," said Danika, avoiding eye contact as she pets Ao on her shoulder.
Damian crossed his arms with a scowl on his face, not liking that he hadn't been privileged to be notified further on these plans.
Continuing where he left off, Dr. Langstrom said "No military could withstand an army of flying super powered ninjas using sonar in the dead of night."
"But then Deathstroke took over," said Dick, recognizing the hitch in such a perfectly thought out strategy.
"The formula was my ace in the hole. I kept working on it, making improvements. If I completely finished it I didn't know what he might do," said Dr. Langstrom, revealing that while he'd been cooperating with Deathstroke for his family's sake he'd, also, been stalling for time.
"Where's your family," said Bruce.
"I don't know. He let me speak to them once, briefly," said Dr. Langstrom, grimly. "My daughter mentioned something about snow, uh…Two…two mountain peaks that she said look like cat ears."
Immediately a particular memory comes to mind for the twins. Damian is the first to act on it.
"Interlaken. Grandfather's compound," said Damian.
"You're sure," said Bruce, checking.
Crossing his arms, Damian said "I'm sure."
"Can you make an antidote of the man-bat formula with the right materials, the right equipment," asks Bruce, thinking many steps ahead for what they'll need in the long run.
"It's possible. But what about my family," said Dr. Langstrom, pressing the urgency, making it clear that his family's guaranteed safety would be even more incentive for him to proceed in his work quickly and efficiently.
"Leave them to us," said Bruce, steadfastly.
Immediately after a small resting period, along with providing the materials, Dr. Langstrom requires, Bruce, Damian, and Danika depart for Interlaken in the Batjet with Dick remaining behind on standby.
"I hope you two are right about this," said Bruce.
Staring out the window at the passing landscape from where he's seated beside his father in the co-pilot chair, Damian said "I know these mountains well. I've been climbing these mountains since I was four. It was part of my training."
"That's some training for a four year old," said Bruce, softly.
"First time I climbed I fell, broke my wrist. I made it to the top any way. It was expected. I was Ra's ah Ghul's grandson," said Damian, dismissively, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly as if it's no big deal.
Something Bruce instantly disagrees with entirely.
Unsettled by the apparent harsh and grueling training regime that Ra's more than likely put him along with the present mindset this has resulted in, Bruce said "Was it all like that, Damian?"
Defensively cold, Damian said "It wasn't a big deal. Danika healed it the moment I returned. I was being groomed to lead humanity, like my grandfather. We were going to create a whole new world."
"By killing," said Bruce, bluntly.
"If that's what it took," said Damian, stonily, finding opposing options to be absurd.
"How do you hope to lead humanity if you've never been a part of it," admonished Bruce.
Silence is the only answer he got to that inquiry.
Turning his attention over to Danika, Bruce said "And you?"
"My training wasn't as intense as my brother's. While I was still taught all ranges of combat Mother and Grandfather preferred, I work on my spells. Scholarly pursuits," said Danika.
"Grandfather saw her as too valuable to risk in truly dangerous scenarios. What about you," said Damian, scathing and disrespectful. "From what I heard, your childhood wasn't a lot of fun, either."
"I had my traumas," allowed Bruce. "But I, also, had people around me to help. Alfred, Dick, and others. I had friends. As far as I can tell, all you've had are trainers and each other. There's a significant difference, Damian."
Neither Damian nor Danika are able to properly consider the lesson the former spots what they're searching for.
Grinning, Damian said "There's the stronghold beyond those peaks."
The castle is directly where they told him it is.
Trio goes straight to work as soon as they're inside, scouring the grounds. The odd thing is there's no sign of anyone else inside. It's vacant.
Not taking any chances Bruce takes the lead when it comes to scouting the stronghold for both the mother and daughter and any evidence that might prove useful to them. He doesn't want to make a repeat of the errors done in the Coliseum that would be problematic. The twins are keeping a lookout. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary or enough to justify further interest in investigating.
That is until Bruce reaches one door. With all the rest Bruce opens, peers inside, and then shut it before moving on. There's one in particular where this is not the case. The moment he opens this when he is looking inside far longer than necessary if it is something to ignore.
Just as Danika's curiosity is about to make her edge around him Bruce gently repositions her before she has the chance, saying "No." As Damian approaches, he does the same to him. "Nothing."
"Why are we wasting time when it's obvious they've abandoned it," said Damian, impatiently upon them reaching a dead-end corridor.
"Wait," advises Bruce. "Listen."
Now the twins understand.
From behind the brick and stone they can barely hear muffled sobbing behind it.
"A false wall," explains Bruce, hastily running his gloved fingertips over the surface.
Bruce locates a hidden switch. The second he triggers it the second shifts, revealing a door. Following the incineration of the lock, Bruce kicks the door in.
The occupants are Dr. Langstrom's missing wife and daughter, Francine and Rebecca. Alive and shaken, but otherwise unharmed.
Upon discovering that Batman has arrived to rescue them their fear turns into relief.
"Where's Kirk," asked Mrs. Langstrom, desperate to know where her husband is.
"Safe," reassured Bruce.
"We've been so afraid," said Mrs. Langstrom, tearfully.
"You're all right now," said Bruce.
"Robin, you saved us," said Rebecca, rushing Damian and embracing him in gratitude.
Uncomfortable by this unfamiliar appreciative gesture, Damian said "This is totally unnecessary."
Actually this action is a ploy in order to get close to them without Batman being suspicious.
Whispering in a tone that only Damian and Danika can hear, Rebecca said "Deathstroke said he would spare us if I gave this to you." Rebecca then slips a small handheld communicator into his palm. "Don't tell Batman. Please."
Rebecca then rejoins her mother by her side as Bruce begins to lead them away from the cell.
Danika and Damian keep their distance at the rear of their party although still within line of site.
"There's a landing pad on the other side of this stronghold. I'll call Interpol to send a helicopter. Shouldn't take long," reasons Bruce, rounding the corner with Francine and Rebecca.
The twins take the chance to access the message clearly meant for their eyes and ears.
Deathstroke's face appears prerecorded on the screen.
"I have your mother, Damian, Danika," said Deathstroke. "This is her location."
The image on the screen alters to show a location on a map.
58.300 N, 7.000 W.
"Perhaps you've been there. This is between you and me. Leave the sperm donor out of it," commands Deathstroke, the viewscreen changing back to him. Only this time he is not alone. Their mother is with him, bound with chains hanging from the ceiling, appearing beaten, broken, and tortured. Deathstroke is standing behind her. "I'll give you 48 hours before I end her suffering. Be worthy of your heritage. Make your mother proud. And Danika, keep your hair restrained. One loose strand and your mother will be relieved of her own head."
Damian easily destroys the device in his hand in his fury.
Despair nearly overcomes Danika.
What are they going to do now?
Authors Note:
By the way whose been watching House of the Dragon? I am so in love with Prince Daemon. He is a dream. Matt Smith was the perfect person to play that character. Similar to Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool no one could've done it better.
Apologies for the long wait everybody!
I cannot begin to describe how apologetic I am for taking so heinously long to get back on track. It's difficult when you have so many ideas flying around to start on one and then another just pops out in your head. From this day forward that's all gonna change.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Charmer And Company, Edith Angelica Tepes, Spirits Save The Justice League Against Crazy Jane, Crazy Jane Comes To Town, Fatal Attraction, The Strawhat's Mermaid, When Two Become One, The Sorcerer's Daughter, Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth, Heroes Vs Predators, Silent Guardians To Gotham, Hachiko: UA Class 1-A's Mascott, Big Hero 6: Mirai Hamada, Mermaids Walk Among Us, U.A. High Schools Own Blue Eyes White Dragon, Sayuri Wren, Fifth Turtle, Crown Jewel Of Gongmen City, The Emperor's Daughter, Glenstorm's Daughter, Dianca Robbins, Morning Star, Reira Todoroki: Daughter Of Fire and Ice, Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, A Revolutionary Romance, Aunt, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8thLoser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, The True Catwoman Of Gotham, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D
By the way, Charmer And Company, Edith Angelica Tepes, Spirits Save The Justice League Against Crazy Jane, Crazy Jane Comes to Town, Fatal Attraction, Strawhat's Mermaid, When Two Become One, The Sorcerer's Daughter, Heroes vs Predators, Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth, Silent Guardians To Gotham, Hachiko: UA Class 1-A's Mascot, Mermaids Walk Among Us, Big Hero 6: Mirai Hamada, U.A. High Schools Own Blue Eyes White Dragon, Reira Todoroki: Daughter Of Fire And Ice, Morning Star, Crown Jewel Of Gongmen City, Fifth Turtle, The Emperor's Daughter, Rorschach's Legend, Sayuri Wren, Bianca Robbins, Aunt, Glenstorm's Daughter, Mandalorian: The 2ndFoundling, Eira Byrnison, and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and The True Catwoman Of Gotham, are some of the best newest additions to my profile.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure.