It's here! And it's huge! This is my favorite chapter thus far, since it's giving Batman a fun little story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman, or My Hero Academia Vigilantes
With his existence revealed, Batman finds it hard to continue his work uninhibited.
There are villains lurking about, and they're all onto him. But the worst one is the mad slasher, Stendhal. The serial killer hunts down villains and murders them, and only the Batman can stop him! Can Batman survive the Judgement of Stendhal?
"It doesn't matter." Said Bruce, "I can work with this."
"But sir! The media will obstruct your work!" Cried Alfred.
It had been only a few hours since Batman's existence was confirmed. It had already made the top of social media all over the world. Bruce wouldn't be amazed if someone decided to make a news broadcast.
He jokingly turned on the News Channel, and sure enough, he found several reports and newscasts already chatting about the discovery.
"Sir, you need to return to Gotham! It will be much safer if you come back instead of-!"
"Think, Alfred. If I leave now, that'll just put more suspicion on me. Batman may be able to leave, but Bruce Wayne can't. I'm staying here until my work in the Japan branch of Wayne Enterprises is finished." Explained Bruce.
Alfred made an audible sigh, "Just be careful sir."
"When am I not careful?" Asked Bruce.
The awkward silence between Alfred and Bruce easily answered for Bruce's rhetorical question.
Alfred sighed again, "This will not end well."
In the days that followed, the Batman slowly but noticeably appeared more often.
It almost seemed that he was daring others to catch him.
Unlike before, the Batman began to appear in the daytime. There were many, Heroes, Villains, Media, even regular citizens that always tried to follow him. But every time, whether it was disappearing around the corner, or simply diving off a bridge, he always managed to get away on some fancy vehicle. He would always be one step ahead of everyone.
However, there was one dangerously close call.
Batman had just finished off a small-time crook for mugging.
And then he saw him.
He wore a mask that shrouded his face in darkness. He held a very dirty-looking katana, and several knives. He was garbed in a presumably homemade combat suit. He had a long, black ponytail.
"You're the Batman, the Dark Knight." He said, his voice was like strained hissing.
"And you are?"
"I am Stendhal, an ally of Justice." He introduced himself. Stendhal then had leaped onto an air conditioner. "You'll see how well I can dispense justice." Stendhal hissed. With that, the swordsman then leaped away into the night, covered by a veil of darkness.
Batman turned to where Stendhal last stood, and found a dead corpse. The body looked like it belonged to a Trigger addict. The left hand and a good majority of the head and torso were slashed off completely.
It didn't take a detective to figure out who did it.
Stendhal landed without a sound. He disappeared when he was longer needed.
Once again, Judgement of Justice had been administered.
But The Batman? The Western Myth? It was simply too much for a mere disciple of Judgement. The rush he'd gotten from meeting the living legend, the very being that had inspired his crusade for Justice! If he hadn't left quickly, he would've most certainly become overwhelmed by such a sight!
After seeing Stendhal's heroic deeds, Batman would surely praise him!
Then, and only then, could he bear the anxiety of meeting The Batman in person.
Stendhal felt the need to work quicker, and more frequently. Then, The Batman would see that he, Stendhal, was worthy of standing on the same ground, and breathing the same air as he!
Stendhal pulled out a set of photos.
"This one...Is next." He said, eyeing a picture of Soga.
Night after night, the Batman chased Stendhal down every chance he got.
But every time, Stendhal had managed to give the slip. With that mask over his face, it would be impossible to get a facial recognition. Stendhal made a habit of striking quickly and delivering killing attacks, and never really got hit by his foes, that ruled out a DNA test. This was one maniac that Batman couldn't simply track down.
Several people, whether they committed petty crimes or major, were not safe from Stendhal's judgement. All those people, despite their crimes, deserved a right to live. Batman had to act if he was to catch this mad slasher.
He came very close.
When he came close...
Stendhal had sliced a thief in two, leaving a bloody mess over the ground.
Batman had a single moment to catch him.
"Hold it!" He ordered, landing on the ground. He wrapped his cape around him as he stood up, casting an ominous shape in his shadow. "Batman! Is there something you wish for me to do?" Asked Stendhal, as he turned his head.
"I'm here to turn you in."
This sentence shocked Stendhal. "What?!" He hissed. "Your reign of terror ends here, Stendhal. Every time I see you, you're carving up a petty crook!" Batman shouted accusingly.
"You're joking! These villains must be destroyed! They are the vermin that taint society! If we do not slay them, they will only multiply! This is the only way to prevent future crimes! This is true, pure justice!" Screeched Stendhal.
"This isn't justice! It's mass-murder!" Roared Batman.
"I see..." Concluded Stendhal, "You sympathize with them! You're just as bad as the scum of society!" He howled. Batman slowly drew a Batarang from his belt. Thankfully, his movements were concealed by his cape. Stendhal drew his massive sword, ready to attack the Batman relentlessly.
The murderer rushed Batman, with the intent to kill. He thrust his sword at his foe, attempting to plunge it into his belly. Batman sidestepped, and ran his Batarang against the katana, effectively pushing it away from his body. Stendhal was forced to recover from his foolhardy attack, and stumbled forward.
Batman took his Batarang, and attached it over his knuckles. The Batrang began to spin, until it seemed as though Batman's hand had turned into a circular saw. He swung his punches at Stendhal, driving him back from himself. Stendhal hissed with anger at Batman.
Suddenly, Stendhal leaped above Batman, and managed to cut into the vigilante.
Although the wound was quite shallow, it still hurt. Batman grunted as Stendhal seized the momentary pause in his movements. The madman hacked away at his victim, making several cuts on Batman.
Batman dropped to his knees as he writhed in agony.
"No-one will come to save you." Whispered Stendhal. The mad slasher began to monologue, "I'm truly sorry. But you sinned against your oath to justice. I'll end you now, and save you from suffering any longer!" Stendhal raised his blade, ready to end Batman.
Suddenly, a newcomer leaped in.
"Gotcha now!" Shouted Knuckleduster, as he socked Stendhal, and sent him flying.
Stendhal, however, quickly recovered and further analyzed his predicament. There were to people who tried to fight him, he needed to either persuade, or evade them. Being smart, Stendhal chose the latter, and scampered away before anything else could happen. When Knuckleduster was sure that Stendhal left, he turned to face the fallen Batman.
The only trace he found were torn-up pieces of fabric.
Knuckleduster knew that the Batman couldn't possibly get very far, not with the wounds he carried. In truth, had Knuckleduster been more aware, he would've seen the Batman. But sadly for the muscular vigilante, he could find no further trace of Batman. He glanced at a pile of trash, thinking it might've held his quarry. But it hid nothing. Knuckleduster, tired of his search, then walked out of the alley.
The wounded vigilante was currently sitting in a nearby pile of trash, hiding under his cape. Thankfully, the cape could be fashioned into a disguise, similar to a trash bag.
Batman, however, couldn't hold this disguise forever. He was cut up, and in need of bandages. If he remained in this position too long, he risked bleeding out, getting his wounds infected, or being discovered. He couldn't just check into a hospital, not even as Bruce Wayne. Doing so would raise too many questions, and basically give out the Batman's true identity.
He didn't know if there was any blood left lying around. If there was, the police were sure to find it, and that too, would destroy the Batman's mystery. He risked a peak of his surroundings. Miraculously, there was no one in sight. Batman then began to move, in order to escape the alley. Batman stood up, and limped down whatever path he could.
His stealthy escape was short lived.
He heard someone gasp, "THE BATMAN!" He heard a male voice exclaim. "GUYS! LOOK! IT'S THE BATMAN!" The voice called out. Batman, hidden fear building up in his system, changed from limping, to skipping. He heard footsteps, overlapping chatter, and heavy breathing.
He wasn't getting away without a chase.
He could see flashes of light; They were taking photos of him. This only made him move faster, and faster. He finally reached the end of the alleyway, and now could find his Batmobile.
Unfortunately, this exit led him straight to a very populated street.
He pulled out his Grapple Gun, and shot for the roofs. It was obvious to the average onlooker that he was wounded, but he couldn't just stop and call for help from them. Doing so would only jeopardize his secret identity. Currently, as he was hobbling across the rooftop terrace of some building, he found that he had a second to breath.
Or so he thought.
He heard a massive thud behind him, and then a second thud.
He whipped around, only to find Knuckleduster and Pop Step standing behind him. Knuckleduster punched his own hand, and cracked his knuckles. "Normally, I'd just slug you." Said the muscular vigilante, "But you're all busted up, so I'm going to give you a choice. You can either take off that cowl, and give up this facade. Or, I'll make you." Threatened Knuckleduster.
Batman said nothing.
"For once, just do what he says. It's not like you have another option." Pleaded Pop Step.
Batman's eyes simply narrowed, he was getting angry.
Batman really couldn't fight Knuckleduster in his current state. His best hope was to buy himself time to find an escape.
Please work. Please work. Please work. Please-!
"If that's the way you're making it. Then I'll just make it quick, so you won't feel a thing." Knuckleduster said.
It didn't work.
The vigilante marched up to Batman, ready to get his licks in. But Batman was far quicker, and acted first. The Dark Knight threw a smoke bomb, masking him from plain sight. However, Knuckleduster was able to blow away the smoke a lot quicker than anyone Batman ever faced before. The vigilante had blown the smoke away in mere seconds.
But by that time, Batman had already leapt off the edge of the terrace.
The Dark Knight had changed his cape into a glider, and began to swoop away into the night.
Thankfully, Bruce had managed to dodge the bullet again.
The hard part was telling Alfred about all of this.
Normally, one would think that if Bruce simply didn't tell Alfred, no one would be the wiser. But alas, Alfred had a knack for seeing through lies, especially when Bruce's vitals could be monitored from the Batcave, all the way back in America.
He'd get a long, long scolding for this one...
One Scolding later...
Bruce got quite an earful from his faithful butler.
Currently, Bruce managed to wrap his entire body in bandages. Alfred made sure that he did. Although the CEO of Wayne Enterprises was in his prime, and Batman, he still couldn't help but fear his butler's wrath.
Bruce finally worked the courage to hang up the phone, and stew in his predicament. Knowing Alfred, the butler would probably drop whatever activities he was engaged in, and fly all the way to Japan just to further scold Bruce.
But now was no time to think of tomfoolery! Stendhal escaped, and the Vigilantes of Naruhata certainly weren't going to welcome Batman with open arms.
Bruce thought over his predicament. Stendhal managed to get the upper hand, he needed to know how to combat him. What was he missing? What could be changed to give him better protection?
He'd thought of several ideas, none of which would've gone entirely well.
He could deploy the Fireproof Suit, but it'd be too cumbersome, since it was designed for fighting in extreme thermal temperatures. None of the vehicles would help, since Stendhal was too nimble for any of them. His Batsuit didn't stop Stendhal before, and it certainly couldn't do so anymore.
He needed armor.
Bruce quickly began to work on this new "Bat-Armor." Unlike the Fireproof Suit, this suit would be faster, sleeker, and better suited for fighting small targets. This would be perfect! This was a idea...
...An idea that would ultimately become pointless.
Bruce stopped. Why was he doing this? Surely, this wasn't some half-baked idea? He didn't need armor before, so why did he need it now? Bruce placed his work down on the workbench, and set about repairing his Batsuit. Perhaps, he was being stupid, and he really did need Bat-Armor. But right now? What he needed was something to do, and building armor wasn't something he had a lot of time for. Although, the idea was interesting, something to work on later. But as of this moment? He needed to work on his Batsuit.
Stendhal had really messed up the suit. The cape was done for, the lower half was shredded, the gauntlets were busted beyond a quick-fix. Bruce would have to improvise if he wanted to catch Stendhal quickly. He found a pair of camouflage pants, some biker boots, gauze, and a beige overcoat.
Suddenly, the Bat-Net Alert went off. Batman knew exactly what it was: Stendhal. This time, he'd bring something a lot better than a Batarang. He took 2 new devices he'd spent his recent time building.
Before Batman left, he turned back one last time to look at his half-baked idea. Before he gave up, he'd managed to finish the cowling. It had two, massive, white eyes. The "Mouth" was designed with white, sharp teeth, like a demonic jaw. The cowl looked like that of some sort of Bat-Demon. Upon reflection, it was simply too much, not only would it scare his enemies, but those he needed to protect.
He just wasn't ready to make such a change in wardrobe.
Maybe someday, but not yet.
The Crawler messed up. Big time.
He'd found Soga, the poor man was being attacked by Stendhal. In the act of trying to carry Soga to safety, Stendhal stabbed his leg, and somehow paralyzed the young Vigilante.
He was going to die.
Stendhal stood over the two, who both writhed in agony, but were helpless to move, let alone escape. "No-one will come to save you." He sneered, raising his blade for the final blow.
Suddenly, whistles could be heard through the air.
Stendhal leapt away, flying deeper into the alleyway. A figure landed next to the struggling victims. "M-Master?" Said Crawler, his hopes began to peak.
Alas, it wasn't Knuckleduster.
(Batman Knightmare Suit)
"Relax, kid. He's mine." Said Batman.
"So," Said Stendhal, "You return to face me again?! After I nearly killed you?!"
"Of course." Stated Batman, "It's because I'm Batman."
"Knuckleduster won't save you a second time. I'll make sure justice is served."
"Stop acting like you know what justice is! I'm an ally of justice! You're just a madman with a sword!" With that, Stendhal rushed Batman. Unlike before, Batman decided to use something other than a Batarang.
This time, he used a pair of Bat-Knuckles.
He countered Stendhal's swing once more. Instead of letting Stendhal recover, he went on the attack. Batman realized what went wrong when he first fought Stendhal: He was on the defense, rather than the attack.
Stendhal noticed this change in tactics, and quickly backed away.
"You cannot deny justice!" Spat Stendhal. "Would you shut up already?!" Roared Batman. The two then began to trade attacks, each one was countered or evaded. Batman, however, couldn't maintain this edge for long. His wounds slowed his movements, sooner or later, Stendhal would get lucky. Stendhal almost got his chance. Both he and Batman saw it, but Batman was helpless to try and stop him. Suddenly, Stendhal leaped back once more.
Out of nowhere, Knuckleduster swooped in.
"You must've forgotten," Said Knuckleduster, "'Cuz I'm here!"
For the first time, both Batman and Knuckleduster stood side-by-side. "Copy-cat." Sneered Knuckleduster from over his shoulder. "Cheapskate." Returned Batman. The two then made fighting stances, and prepared to counter Stendhal's onslaught.
Stendhal hissed with rage. Yet again, these two heroes were obstructing him from administering justice! It made his blood boil, why would they, heroes he'd worshiped, do such an abhorrent thing?!
This had to end, right here. Right now.
Stendhal then finally smirked under his mask, he knew just how to finish these villains off, once and for all! He sprinted right for them, his sword ready for the kill. A hero was a being who is sublime, transcendent! Neither could've had the ability to time their attack right. This was the first time he'd ever sprinted towards them. He'd catch them right off gua-!
Suddenly, both Batman and Knuckleduster stepped forward, they began to wind-up for a devastating double-punch. It was too sudden, Stendhal had no chance to evade. Knuckleduster struck with his left fist, Batman punched with his right. Their attack connected, right with Stendhal's face.
The combined strength of both Batman and Knuckleduster was so great, that Stendhal's mask shattered apart, and sent the mad slasher flying back several meters.
Stendhal laid on his back, Batman slouched in exhaustion, and Knuckleduster walked to pick up the broken mask Stendhal dropped.
"He wears a mask to sink into the role, huh?" Preached Knuckleduster, "You run into people like that, now and then. by putting on some costume or disguise, they convince themselves they're different from their everyday selves. They pretend to make themselves immortal super-humans. Guys like that can be real trouble, since they go charging in, ignoring common sense and safety. But, when someone stands up to them instead, turns out they're fragile."
Batman knew for a fact that Knuckleduster was insulting him. The Dark Knight said, "The reason I wear this is functionary. I can't instill fear in criminals by just going around, I need to become something much, much more."
"I see..." Growled Stendhal, "I understand now." The freakish psychopath then leaped to his feet, objects spilling out of his pockets. He snatched up his katana. "My ignorance, like my mask, has been stripped away." He then sent a flurry of strikes towards Batman and Knuckleduster. The madman got lucky and momentarily disabled the two Vigilantes. He leaped onto an Air Conditioner, "Those even more sinful than villains. Those that lack determination yet still applaud themselves; Sham Heroes!"
"I am grateful for this lesson, from an elder." Hissed Stendhal. His hair, which was once a ponytail, became wild and unkempt, falling over his bloody and bruised face. He then zipped onto a fire escape, and leaped back into the shadows of which he came.
Pop Step arrived a minute or so after, and began to assist the wounded Vigilantes. Currently, she was chatting a little with Soga, as she patched him up. Something felt off, Batman could feel it. There was something wrong with this entire event.
Why Soga?
Batman then noticed the contents Stendhal dropped as he escaped. They were photos, all of them being random pictures of people, one or two had been covered in blood. The the average person, one would assume that Stendhal was an average serial killer.
But to the famed World's Greatest Detective, this was something much, much more.
"Find something?" Said Knuckleduster. "I thought you didn't like me." Said Batman. "Some things are more important than that. Now stop stalling." Growled Knuckleduster, clearly fighting to act mature and composed.
Batman found himself impressed.
"Take a look at these."
He displayed the pictures to Knuckleduster. "Looks like a hit-list." He concluded. "Wrong." Stated Batman. This put Knuckleduster in amusement. "Oh? What does it mean to you?"
"This is an experiment."
Knuckleduster then became really interested.
"Someone, or Stendhal himself, was going after this specific set of individuals. If I recall, each of these people were confirmed addicts of Ideo Trigger, the Quirk Booster. But that's not entirely the case."
"Hm?"
"Stendhal's too ignorant to have pulled this off on his own. He had someone guiding him. There's more to this than we know. Whoever's behind this, they're running tests. And when subjects are no longer useful-"
"-You can't just let them loose." Finished Knuckleduster.
"We've got to work faster. The guilty party's clearing out shop."
"What're you two babbling about?!" Interrupted Pop Step.
"We're discussing adult things, kid." Answered Knuckleduster. The muscular Vigilante turned back to Batman, "Listen, I've done some stupid shit. But it's obvious we have a common goal, so I'll get over myself for now." Batman simply nodded. "So, how am I gonna find you?" Inquired Knuckleduster.
"You won't."
Without warning, Batman whipped out his Grapple Gun, fired, and zipped onto a Fire Escape. He squatted as he perched himself on the rusty railing. The Dark Knight turned back to face the Vigilantes one last time.
"I'll find you."
With that, Batman vanished.
Batman stood ominously on a ledge, very high up, overlooking the Naruhata district.
He'd uncover everything, he'd do what he had to if he was going to end this drug distribution network. He'd make them proud, both his Mother and Father. He'd become a bat, and strike fear into his enemies.
In truth, Batman had no idea how far he would take his vice-like grip of fear.
Perhaps it was time to shed the title of "Man."
Maybe he should embrace the "Bat."
This was the night Stendhal died.
He stood at a sink, blood trickling into the drain, he glared into the cracked mirror set before him.
He wheezed, he coughed, "Power. Speed. Weapons. Strategy. As I am now...I'm lacking far too much." He contemplated, "But my greatest deficiency is...Yes...Determination." He fished his knife out of the broken mirror. His eyes were feral, and bloodshot. He'd truly gone insane.
"Hmm..." Sneered Kuin,"The way I look at things-work, life, whatever-Everything's better when it's interesting. But there's nothing interesting about determination, no matter how much you got!" She then began to chuckle.
Suddenly, Stendhal's knife flew with unrivaled accuracy, and struck Kuin right in her left eye. "SHUT UP!" He snarled, enraged and offended by Kuin's relaxed comment
She fell to the floor, one would believe the sudden attack had killed her. He turned back to the mirror, "Yes...Good. No mask for me...Not anymore." He looked into the mirror one last time, and turned away to leave. He limped away, walking down the dark hallway before him.
"My flashy mask cracked. My false mask has fallen away." He mumbled insanely, "Now, I finally see the true nature of this world with eyes uncovered, unclouded. No truths, no falsehoods, no boundaries to cross. All that we know exists as a maelstrom of chaos."
He left Kuin where she lay. She slowly got up, and murmured to herself, "Talking to himself again, too cryptic. What a narcissist." She pried the knife out of her eye, revealing several bees. These bees had stopped the knife before it could sink too deep into her head. Truly, they gave their lives for their Queen Bee.
"Well, I don't mind." She continued, "Because he sure is interesting."
He'd limped far out of earshot.
"I am the faceless ideal. One who acts without really existing." He hissed, "I will dye this world red. The blood that flows from me is proof enough." He stumbled as he walked into the darkness, blood dripping from his body. "It is the path I leave in my wake...A path to serve as a guide for others."
He made one final, bone-chilling remark, "These bloodstains will never fade..." With that, he vanished into the pitch-black darkness.
It was the night Stendhal, the mask of Judgement had died, and the night Stain, the Hero-Killer was born.
A/N: done! This chapter was a little longer than most of my regular chapters.
Usually, I give myself a quota of 1000-2000 words per chapter. This time, I decided to move past that quota, in order to give the chapter a Batman-esque feeling to it.
This way, if feels like something you'd see in superhero cartoons from 2000-2015. I wanted to give it much more perspective, and I hope that's the achieved effect. Let me know what you think!
A little profile update: Right now, I'm writing a Spiderman/MHA crossover, starring Peter B. Parker! You can already tell this is gonna be a fun story. In this crossover, Peter winds up in Japan! One thing leads to another, and he becomes a (sort of) Teacher at U.A! Can he prove he can still do it? Or is he too old to even try?
I also started thinking of a fun little humor/satire/parody (sort of) One-Shot compilation! This'll include things like Mighty Morphin' Iron Rangers, Ultra Ant, and more!
Those're gonna be fun to write, but for now, back to Batman.
Something I introduced into this chapter is a foreshadowing of the future to come. I'm not saying what was foreshadowed, but I can tell you that it won't be a fight with Stain. That I'm saving for the main story. This'll be an interesting idea. When Quirkless have Quirks, that's a hint, but no more.
If you have questions, suggestions, or anything you want to say, go ahead!
Leave a review, they're much appreciated and show that you care!