Ruling Gotham from a Shadowed Perch
Batman looks up at the Riddler. Eyes locked on, ready to pounce. No matter how much that he wanted to quickly end this whole ordeal there was no way that he could take that risk. Not at this time. The man before him was insane. The Riddler would deliver on his promise if he refused to play along. The shadowy figure had no other choice but to play along and hope to stall for as much time as he possibly could. His eyes narrow as his cape was blown by the wind.
"Lucius, the Riddler is threatening to set off bombs that he has planted all around the city. From this distance, he would need to be using a signal to detonate them. Try to scan for the bombs using the signal " The Dark Knight talks to his ally through his communicator.
"On it, Bruce. I can do one better. Given enough time I could jam the signal altogether, but you will have to buy as much time as you can" Lucius replies.
"I don't think I have a choice, but I only have nine minutes at most. So I hope that you are working fast"
"The first Riddle!" the Riddler smirks "You will never lose me. For eternity we will be together from the moment of birth till we are six feed under - what am I?" the man points his cane at the vigilante. A moment of silence passes by "Tic tock! Goes the clock! Answer it or the bombs will go off!" the green-suited man yells.
"I need to hold on until the last possible second to give Lucius as much time as needed...I need to stall for time. Riddler is infamous for his delicate ego. I might be able to use that to my advantage. I need to play this one smart" Batman thinks to himself "Tell me, Ed. What does it feel like to be second best to the Penguin? I can't imagine that you can be alright with that? He takes the spotlight and you are always relegated to the corner as being a madman"
"There is no Ed anymore! Only the Riddler! I am second to no one! Not even Oswald!" The Riddler spits.
"You are to me. Why do you think I went after the Penguin first? Not because I enjoy his company. He has always been more feared than you. Oswald Cobblepot is more of a danger to society than you. A short guy with an even shorter temper that walks with a limp. No wonder you are a laughing stock"
"You will never lose me. For-for eternity we will be together from the moment of birth till we are six feet under! What is the answer?!" clearly frustrated by the words of the dark knight. The Riddler was struggling to hold back his temper as his face was tinted bright red.
"Bruce. I have a lock on the signal, but it's heavily encrypted. This may take much longer than we can afford"
"Quickly patch me through to Gordon" the dark knight orders.
"You are RUNNING out of time! Ten seconds my friend till the bombs go off!" the man in the green suit reminded the shadowed figure.
"Bruce!"
"Five, four, three, two...on-"
"Your Shadow! You will never lose your shadow!"
"Your...are...correct! One down, two to go" Riddler applauded "I guess you aren't as dumb as I thought"
"That was close, Bruce. Patching you through to Gordon right as we speak"
"Jim. If the Shadow doesn't do it for you...what about...hold on. He's a man that dresses like a bat, right?" Harvey looks ahead out to the road. Harvey was driving back to the GCPD with Jim sat next to him. Oswald Cobblepot sat in the backseat. His hands were cuffed together as he had the most annoyed look on his face. Jim looks over to his partner. He rolls his eyes knowing that Harvey was not going to drop the whole thing so he thought the easiest and less painful way was to simply play along with it.
"Yes. He dresses like a bat. Where is this going, Harv?" Gordon asks his partner.
"I got the perfect name! Behold, the guardian of Gotham...Man-bat". Get that on a few t-shirts and lunch boxes and our city will soon be rolling in green! Harvey taps his fingers on the top of the stirring wheel. Gordon had to try his hardest to keep in the sigh that he so desperately wanted to let out.
"Man-bat? I can do better than that..." Gordon breaths in.
"Really? Let's hear it?" Harvey asks intrigued.
"Hear what?"
"Don't play dumb, Jim. If you can do better than say it" Harvey turns the stirring wheel as he turns a corner.
"Fine, uh...how about The Dark Knight? A silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight" Gordon takes a deep breath.
"Damn it. That one is great! Metropolis may have the Man of Steel, but Gotham has The Dark Knight! What do you think, Oswald?"
Oswald took a deep breath "I hate you"
"Don't make me come back there and teach you some manners" Harvey shoots back as he adjusts the rear-view mirror to get a better look at Oswald. The handcuffed man gives off a light chuckle as he looks at the man in the same mirror.
"Believe me, my friend. I am not as scared as easily as you think I am...My time in Black Gate has toughened me up. You would not believe the things that I have seen. The horrors that I have witnessed! There is nothing left that can frighten me anymore!" he laughs back.
Gordon looks to the front of the car as he hears the radio begin to go off. He picks it up and answers it "This is Gordon speaking. What's the situation?"
"Gordon, It's me. I'm with the Riddler"
Gordon's eyes widen "It's him..."
"The Shadow - Uh. I mean The Dark Knight?" Harvey looks surprised.
"Wait? You are talking to him!? Forget what I just said a moment ago. I was not in the right state of mind" Cobblepot gulps.
"Hi? Uh, what's the situation...?" Gordon asks.
"Riddler has planted bombs all over the city and is going to detonate them if I don't play his game and beat him at it" the modulated voice informs them. Harvey slowly looks back to Oswald with a shocked expression.
"What? I didn't know that he was going to do that! I haven't seen him for three months!" Penguin nervously confesses.
"Wait? Just win the game and we should be fine, right?" Harvey looks over to Jim.
"Riddler is a madman and a sore loser. I need to be sure that the bombs will not be a threat. I'm currently working to disarm the Bombs. But just be safe I need your help to evacuate those buildings just in case I can't manage to. I'm sending you the Locations "
"This can't get any worse..." Harvey panics.
"And you have six minutes tops"
"I'm sorry? WHAT?" Harvey yells.
[The Batcave]
"Alright! Enough stalling! It's time for the second riddle, ready? Ready or not I come for thee. Striking whenever I see fit. Saying no to me will make me come back another day when you can't escape - what am I?" Lucius heard from the other end of the line.
"Ready or not I come for thee...striking when I see fit...saying no to me will make me come back another day when you can't escape..." Lucius whispers to himself "Death! The answer is death, Bruce" he answers while he types on the keyboard next to a large monitor.
"Figured that much. What's the progress"
"Uh...roughly around 20%, of course, that's not taking into account for any further encryptions. Honestly, I'm seriously thinking that we are in some trouble"
"You need to work faster. We can't let those bombs go off"
"I'm going to need an answer if you don't want the bombs to go off" Riddler laughs as he holds the cane behind his back "Or are you just too stupid to it figure out. Of course, I knew that not even you could match my intellectual might. Did you just think that you could waltz into Gotham and try to outwit me, the Riddler? I don't think so! And now everyone will know that their so-called hero is nothing but a fraud. You will become the laughing stock and I will become respected!"
"Bruce! He's going to set them off if you don't distract him!"
"You could never match me. I would have never allowed it!"
"Hold on! Before I answer I have a question of my own! What could you possibly have to gain from setting off bombs all across Gotham? You would become a shoot on sight Target. Not just for the GCPD but for the underworld too. I don't see how you could think that this was going to work for you. Weren't you supposed to be smart?" the Batman inquires as he notices a sudden twitch from the Riddler.
"You couldn't possibly understand just what is going on in this city! The filth that is lurking within the shadows! I'm not a law abiding citizen but I will be damned if I will let them take over the city! This is our city...it belongs to me and all the other criminals. I will not let you or them take it! Not only do I defeat you in this game but I can kill all of them too! Now answer the riddle if you want to buy more time!" The Riddler calls out as he looks to the shadowed figure.
"Fine! Death! The answer is death" Batman answers.
"...Correct! That's two out of three! Now here's the final test! But this will be your end. I will not let you win this game of ours. It ends here and now!" Riddler holds the cane behind his back as his eyes glare to the dark knight.
"You are right about one thing. This is where our game ends!"
"Oh, you think you can beat me? You really are batty. Now Riddle me this, Dark Knight! You look at another when you should be looking at me. A knife in the back later and you begin to see the mistake that you made not watching over what you should have been. What am I?" Riddler smirks.
The dark knight found himself thinking heavily as he tries to figure out the riddle "Not looking where I should have been?... You're a distraction" he looks up to the Riddler who was grinning. He begins to applaud the shadowy figure.
"And...bingo..." Riddler compliments.
"Bruce! Bruce! I've finished decrypting the signal! It's not a bomb. It's a beacon!"
Without any hesitation. The dark knight leaps forwards and uses his grapple gun to launch himself into the air. The Riddler was left motionless as he sees the shadow quickly descend upon him. Within seconds the Riddler was knocked to the ground with the dark knight kneeling over him.
"Why are you sending out a beacon! What are you planning!" he yells as raises his fist above the Riddler's face "Tell me just what are you planning? There are no bombs so what is going on!" he punches the man in green's face "What are you planning!"
"Who said anything about it being my plan? I had no choice! They told me to get you away from the city! They said they would kill me if I didn't! They wanted you away so they could do what they needed to do in peace and without you getting in their way!" Riddler spits blood.
"Who told you? Who are you working for!" the dark knight prepares another punch. The Riddler throws his hands up and panics.
"Okay! Okay! I'll tell you! But trust me you don't want to get on the wrong side of them! They are all over Gotham. Hidden in the shadows and in the open! They returned to Gotham because of you! You want to play the hero, but you are the reason why they are back! It's...the...Court..." Riddler explains between frantic breaths as he looks up into the merciless eyes of the shadowed figure.
"The Court?" Who are you talking about"
"The Court...the Court of Owls! They are a hidden group in Gotham and all-powerful...when Gotham was in the middle of rebuilding ten years ago. They managed to infiltrate the system all over again! And now they fully came back when you arrived in town!"
"The Court of Owls? Why did they send you to distract me? Answer!"
"To...kill...their targets! That's all I know! I don't know who they are going after, so there is no point in hitting me!"
"Says you" the dark knight delivered another punch to the Riddler's face; knocking the man out cold. The shadowed figure stands up tall "And by the way. Your riddles suck"
"Bruce. There is something going down at the GCPD. Shots have been fired - but we don't know by who" The Dark Knight pulls out his grapple gun as he fires it and is lifted away.
"Let Gordon know that Nygma is out cold, send him the location" Batman glides away.
[GCPD]
The GCPD fell into darkness as the lights go out; leaving the officers in a pitch-black room. They all look around to the best of their abilities. Grabbing their guns they steadily maneuver around. From above on the staircase stood a man dressed in black armour with glowing blue eyes lurked over the station. The Talon pulls out two daggers as he overviews the department and sees all the officers. His eyes narrow as he jumps down onto ground level as screams begin to full the room with the sound death-rattling sound of blood and metal.
Harper's eyes widen as she was left to shooting blind in hopes of hitting whatever was in the precinct with them "Who the hell are you?!" she screams as she fires as fast as she can. The sound of sudden movement made her jump in her skin. The sound of metal collided against her; leaving her stunned as she had a sudden taste of iron in her mouth. It took her a few moments to realize that the taste in her mouth was blood and a lot of it. Moving her hands to her sides; she felt a wet patch that soaked through her clothes. Falling on her knees she collapsed onto the ground as she hears the screams across the room come to a sudden and abrupt end. At the corner of her eye, she sees a shadow quickly move past.
A bat-shaped metal piece was hurled through the end and knocked one of the daggers out of Talon's hands. The owl-themed figure turns as he sees a shadow move in the corner of his eyes "Ah...The Batman. So Nygma did end up talking after all" Talon gives a humoured chuckle as he pulls out another dagger and throws it across the room only for it to be intercepted by another Batarang. Talon looks around as his eyes shine bright through the darkness "You must forgive the mess, Batman. I wasn't aware that I was going to have a guest.
"The Talon. Not sure if you have heard, but I'm the only creature of the night here. You think I would just let you and the Court of Owls back into without putting up a fight?" Batman asks as he moves behind Talon in a blur.
"You have only been here for four months...we have been here before Gotham was even called Gotham. We know everything that goes on in the city...especially people who leave Gotham to return as a so-called Hero. Our eyes and ears are everywhere. We even know that you call yourself The Batman. Heck, even I know everything about you, After all, I was created to become you...I'm sure you remember?" Talon sees the edge of a black cape in the corner of his eyes.
"You think while you were off training that we weren't keeping tabs on you? We saw everything, every master that you trained with...all the skills that you've learned...every trial that you put yourself through. I went through the exact same training that you did! I did everything that you did to become your equal...except for one little detail..." Talon throws another dagger towards his target. Sure enough with the swoosh of the cape. Batman had vanished into the darkness "Killing is my specialty. So come down and fight me like a man and stop hiding in the shadows like a coward!" the Talon yells as his voice echoes.
"The Court of Owls should know one thing. This time...I'm not a helpless kid" the voice carries throughout the room. The Talon nods in agreement with the shadowed figure. Batman watches from the corner of the room.
"Neither am I" Talon responds as grabs another set of daggers. He looks around as he uses his eyes as lights to spot his target. Moments passed without any sign of the dark knight. With a quick movement within the darkness. Batman delivered the first strike from his fist. Talon quickly turns and uses his forearm to block. Talon throws his head forward and headbutts Batman. Talon keeps up his momentum as he swings both his daggers towards his target.
Batman dodged the first with ease but the second cut his shoulder. The dark knight jumps back and uses his cape to stop Talon from striking again for a third time "You want to save this city? Yet you refuse to do what is needed. You are not a guardian...you are just naïve!" Talon grunts as he swings the daggers as he spins his top half. Batman narrows his eyes as steps out of the way of the daggers. He grabs a Batarang from his belt and cuts across Talon's leg; causing him to stumble.
"No. I've just seen the good in Gotham...the good in its people. That is what I fight for. You may not be able to feel pain, but that should still slow you down" Batman growls as he sees Talon stand back up.
"Then you are fighting for a lost cause!" Talon quickly turns and kicks Batman backward against the wall. Talon throws his daggers towards the dark knight. Batman ducks and slides under Talon where he uses his Batarang to slice through his heel. Talon trips against the same wall. Batman then jumps up and kicks Talon in his upper back. kicking off Talon, Batman backflips back onto the ground as he sees Talon fall to his knees. Breathing heavily as he holds his sides.
"Just to let you know. I just broke two of your ribs and shattered your collar bone" Batman sides steps as his cape falls back down over his shoulders and arms.
"Thanks for the heads up. That explains why my breathing is so funny now" Talon took a deep breath.
"Come after me all you want, but killing innocents is something that I will not stand for in my city" Batman tells the grounded fighter.
"This is Gotham...there are no innocent people here...not even you!" Talon's voice intensified as he jumps off the wall and hits Batman in his face with one of his daggers; slicing across his cheek. Batman slides back as Talon begins to go on the attack. Cutting across Batman's arms and shoulders in a flurry of strikes.
Batman was forced back as he lifts his arms in an attempted to block any more slashes which worked for the moment. Talon's eyes narrow "You have the most darkness of anyone in this city!" he lifts his boot as a small blade ejects from it as he kicks into Batman's stomach in the exposed area; causing for Batman and grunt in pain.
"You may be vengeance, but I am the judgment. You may be the night, but I am the light that renders you powerless. You may be The Batman, but I am The Talon! I am what you could have been! I am what you'll never live long enough to become!" Talon's eyes narrow as he uses his hands to grab onto Batman's shoulders as he pulls him closer "And your legacy will become mine!" Talon moves his foot away from Batman's stomach as the wound bleeds heavily.
Batman held his wound with his hand to stop the bleeding. But it wasn't enough as he collapsed to the ground. The Talon looks over Batman only looking away when he hears heavy footsteps coming from outside. Talon jumps up into the darkness and vanishes from sight. Moments later a team of S.W.A.T officers charges into the building ready to fire their weapons. Behind them was Commissioner Gordon and Captain Bullock. Their eyes widen in disbelief as they see the massacre before them "Oh my god...who could've done this...?" Harvey takes his hat off his head and holds it to his chest.
Gordon looks onward as he sees an empty pool of blood in the middle of the place, but with nobody. He walks over to that spot, kneeling down and picking up a bat-shaped metal object. Harvey trots over and snatches it from his partner "Oh my god...he did this...! He sent us on a bloody goose chase just so he could kill our officers! I can't believe that I trusted him..." Harvey's left-hand forms into a first as he turns around to face the S.W.A.T officers.
"Set a city-wide BOLO! I want this son of a bitch found before morning! I want this bat-man in custody! Hear me!" Harvey yells.
"Lu...cius...call Alfr-" Batman whimpers as he holds his stomach wound as best as he could, although a large amount of blood was still pouring from it. His glove was even soaked dark red. He uses his free hand to press against the wall for support as he limps through an alleyway as a snail's pace. Blood was dripping down his chin and his teeth were stained red.
"Oh my god. Hold on, Bruce! Help is on its way...just don't die on us!" Lucius begged from the other end of the call.
"I can't breath...I can't...feel...I can't..." Bruce's vision was blurry, dizzy and he could barely hear a thing. His body refused to move and he fell to the ground. His vision slowly darkened until he couldn't see a thing. His ears were ringing as the whole world just seemed to stop.
"Bruce! Bruce! It's me! Bruce! Can you hear me...Bruce...?" a familiar feminine voice called to him, but he didn't have enough strength to identify it. His eyes closed and with that, the whole world went dark; leaving the woman to scream once more.
"BRUCE!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Chapter End