Breaker Chapter 4
Disclaimer: No just no,
I never own shit.
East End, Gotham City
New Earth
Wild Grants Gym
August 29th, 2014
The thudding of the bag broke through the rock Percy had blaring through his earbuds, sweat pouring down his skin. His eyes blurring from the sweat his punches pick up speed as he builds up tempo with his punches.
Minutes begin to roll by as song after the song comes and goes as Percy sinks back into his memories and routines as he beats on the bag. knuckles begin to split open as they get rubbed raw from the friction and pressure being applied to them. Images flash by in his head of Luke stabbing Thalia's tree, Polyphemus and the terrors of his island, and having to rescue Annabeth from trying to go to the island of the Sirens.
Ted walking out of the office see's this and begins to shake his head in a disapproving motion.
"Damn kid." He mutters to himself. "He's gonna end up breaking his hands at this rate." Shrugging his shoulders back hearing them pop he continues to make his way over to his young fighter, "And he's got that damn music going up so loud trying to tune everything out."
As he reaches out for the earbud cord preparing to yank it out of his ears the bell over the door to his gym rings signaling a new person entering the gym. Turning his head and letting Percy continue to pound his knuckles to a pulp Ted turns his attention to the newcomer.
"The sign says that we're closed. So I'm gonna need you to….." Ted trails off when he sees the expensive black suit of the person who had just walked into his gym. Looking up he sees the eyes of Batman himself, Bruce Wayne staring at Percy in the corner of his eyes while also keeping up appearances and having a fake mask of sheepish politeness on.
"I'm sorry about that." Bruce starts off flashing a smile to Ted. "I saw something online about this gym and boxing lessons for teenagers. Thought I might get some for this kid I'm helping take care of." Momentarily looking down while also hushing his voice Bruce leans in close to Ted. "He has a real bullying problem. Doesn't like me saying it out loud. The bigger guys enjoy picking on him."
Nodding at the underlying message in Bruce's statement Ted casts one more look at Percy who continued punching away on the bag more and more and not at all noticing the world around him. "Sure, you can follow me to my office, and I can talk it over with you in a more private location." Not waiting for Bruce to react Ted makes his way back to his office.
Waiting for a moment before he follows Ted up to the office Bruce studies Percy as he continues to beat the bag. His punches are delivered with quickness and have enough power in them where the bag is showing signs of splitting and breaking. "This kid has got a lot of power and it seems like rage." Bruce is deep in his thought and talking to himself in his head analyzing the boy he came here to watch. "But there is something behind that rage, his movements aren't fully out of anger."
Tilting his head as he watches Percy, he looks at the office door as Ted swings it open. Making his way over to him he continues thinking about the teenage boy beating the ever-loving fuck out of the bag. How the movements were less in anger and instead with how he was acting reliving a moment where he had failed. Trying to train hard enough to overcome failure the next time the opportunity arose.
That feeling strikes especially true for Bruce and his shortcomings during his over a decade of experience as Batman. Failing Jason, Barbra being crippled, and many other people he could've saved if he was better at the job. His thoughts begin to darken as these failures reflect more and more in him, as he tries to steady himself.
"Ahem." Ted coughs to himself to break Bruce out of his Batman spiral. As he stands impatiently next to the door with slight concern as Bruce finally entered the office. All while the repeated thudding of Percy punching the bag rings out through the gym.
Sitting down behind his desk Ted gives Bruce a look of protectiveness. "If you so much as want to touch that boy I will rain hellfire down upon you." His eyes burn with a protective fire Bruce hasn't seen from the man in years. "I've been making sure that boy will be alright for the last 5 years and I'll continue that for another 500."
Raising his hands in a placating motion Bruce stares down the retired hero. "I'm here to scout the boy Ted, make sure he's gonna be on our side, along with getting a read for any of his skills." Pausing for a second to let the thudding of Percy's punching fill the silence between the men. "See what I mean? The boy has skills and potential already."
Relaxing and letting out a breath Ted didn't know he was holding in he slumps down in his seat. But didn't fully let up on his questioning why Bruce was here. "I know you, Bruce you never do anything without an ulterior method. So, what is it this time? Raising another Robin already or is this another child for you to get killed all in the name of your crusade."
Bruce's blue eyes turn as cold as steel as he meets the defiant eyes of Ted. "And what the hell are you doing? You come here to lecture me about my so-called crusade. Yet the child that's out there is out doing vigilante work unprotected and yet he's still going around Gotham wearing your symbol on his face. You might be retired Ted but the villains and people you put away aren't all retired. They might be coming for revenge and at least with my symbol the people I'm with get protection.
Snorting Ted looks at the billionaire in front of him. "Yes, because that symbol did a great job at protecting your second attempt at Robin."
Any attempt at a comeback from Bruce dies in his throat when a loud thud rings out from the main gym floor. Both men turn towards the door as the thud echoes throughout the gym. The silence that fills the office is dwarfed as the office door is being pounded on.
"Hey Ted." Percy's voice rings out slightly muffled through the door. "It happened again; can I borrow your keys so I can put a new bag up?"
The old man lets out a tired sigh as he hears the boy's question while also feeling relieved since he didn't seem hurt from the bag breaking, unlike the last time.
"Sure kiddo. Just give me a minute I'll be right out." Ted responds having turned from sighing to having a slight chuckle in his voice when he responds.
"Thanks Ted. You're the best." The two men can feel the boys grin through the door as it grows silent again as the retreating sound of footsteps signals Percy stepping away from the door.
After a moment of pause, Bruce turns to Ted with an impressed expression mixed with curiosity as he replays the conversation he just overheard between the retired hero and the new vigilante in town.
"Did he just say what I think he did?"
"That depends on what you think he said Bruce." Ted gives him a knowing smile as Bruce's internal gears turn at the sound of a 14-year-old boy managing to break a punching bag, along with it also being a somewhat common occurrence if Percy's words were to be believed.
"Ted the boy has the raw power and talent needed for this job, if he's gonna go out like that doing that job let me train him."
Teds fist slamming on the table leaves cracks in the desk. A first print now indented into the metal desk. His face red as he roars out at Bruce. "What part of no do you not understand? I said no, leave that kid the fuck alone!"
Unfazed Bruce stands up and straightens his suit jacket before looking down at the red-faced old man. "I won't lie and say I'm not disappointed in your Ted, I truly am. But I hope that you remember this isn't your choice. One day soon Batman will make an offer to the kid and it's up to him for his own life choices."
Standing up to meet the billionaire in his cold steel blue eyes, Ted narrows his eyes and looks at him with fierce protectiveness. "GET! THE! FUCK! OUT NOW!"
Uneasiness reigns between the two men as they stare down vs each other before Bruce nods slowly at Ted and makes his way toward the office door.
Turning the handle and opening the door towards him he is met by a confused-looking Percy who had his hand raised to knock on the door. Confused at the sudden outbursts coming from Ted and an unknown man Percy had walked back over to the office trying to see what was causing the drama.
Bruce looks down at Percy who looks shocked to see the famous billionaire in the gym on the shitty side of Gotham. "I'm sorry young man, excuse me for one moment so I can slide past you."
"Oh, um of course Mr. Wayne. If you don't mind me asking though what are you doing down here?" Percy looks sheepish at his question aimed at Bruce.
"Bruce is just fine; Mr. Wayne was my father. As for what I'm doing down here. Ted and I have known each other for years, in fact I used to train here when I was younger."
Having made his way to the door attempting to show Bruce the door and trying to get to him before Percy got to him. "Come on Percy leave Bruce alone. Let's go get that bag set up for you. He can see himself out of here."
Guiding the boy by the shoulder, he leads Percy past Bruce and back. Leading him to the storage closet in the back corner and grabbing his key ring and turning the deadbolt.
Bruce stayed still for a few more seconds studying Percy one last time. Making sure he takes mental notes as he looks over to Ted and the protective grip, he had over the boy. And that way that the boy leans into Ted and mutters something inaudible to the billionaires ear.
East End, Gotham City
New Earth
Outside Arthur Browns
Apartment Complex
August 30th, 2014
"So, it has been Cluemaster this whole time." Robin asks his partner as the two of them are perched on top of a building overlooking the building housing the home of Cluemaster, a.k.a. Arthur Brown.
Slowly nodding Batman adjusts his binoculars as he scans the windows of the building. Trying to locate the room belonging to Cluemaster. "His prison records showed him as a reformed man free of his compulsions. It wouldn't be the first time a criminal psychopath of his intelligence level has outsmarted the prison system." Pausing as he looks down onto the ground seeing a swarm of blue marked cop cars pull up the street. "The police are here, be careful."
Frowning Robin looks down at the cops clearly unhappy with their plans. "Are we sure we should leave this to the cops? Why can't we take them down?"
"It's not how this is going to go Robin. This is a simple bust, plus Gordon needs this victory. The television, the papers, the new candidates for mayor, they've all been attacking and vilifying him every chance they get. A simple bust like this will do wonders for his approval rating."
As the dynamic duo settle into the silence watching the GCPD prepare to storm the Apartment complex. The duo of Breaker and the newly named Spoiler formerly Steph hunch down on different building's roof as they watch the apartment as well.
"So, we're just waiting for the bust right?" Percy asks as his knees start to fidget trying to keep him occupied.
Rolling her eyes under the mask adorning her uniform, Steph waits for him to settle down for a second before giving him a response. "Yeah, the Police will go in and make it clean and simple. We're just here to watch over so we can make sure that Dad goes away."
"Ok, but why exactly do we need to be here? Robin is literally right over there." Percy says as he points over to the brightly colored teenager sticking out in the darkness. "Like seriously, he stands out like a fucking firework on the 4th of July."
Straining her neck trying to see the Boy Wonder, Steph can barely make him out in the darkness of the city. "How the hell could you make him out, I can barely see him in this."
"I looked; you really can't make him out?" Percy pretends to be shocked at this, but due to his extra training with Ted he can clearly make out the sidekick.
"No, I can't." Steph sounds annoyed that she can't while Percy can.
A moment passes between the two friends before Percy does his best attempt to break the awkwardness. That is growing between the two partners. Finding nothing she resorts absentmindedly tapping on the side of the building as he sits down and dangles his legs off the ledge.
Chuckling at her friend as the tapping relieves the tension. Steph sits down next to him hanging her legs off the ledge and joining him in watching the police raid on her dad's apartment.
With both groups of vigilantes watching the bust, the bright pink colored suit of lead detective Harvey Bullock leads a squad of three other police officers through the empty dimly lit halls of the apartment building. the only true light coming off their flashlights, and Bullocks half-finished cigar.
After what seems like forever trudging through the empty dim halls of the apartment complex the cops stop outside a door. Bullock lumbering over to the door raises his fist and loudly banged against it. "Arthur Brown, this is the GCPD with a warrant for your arrest. Come out with your hands up and we can leave silently and without issue!"
After a moment with no response, he shouts back one last time. "Alright, you asked for it. Bring the battering ram out." He motions to two of the other cops carrying the red battering ram as they swing it back and begin to pound away with it on the door.
As the door begins to splinter and shatter as it gets beat on, the third cop along with Bullock ready their service weapons and draw them aiming towards the door. As the last shards are broken away and Bullock steps through the doorway and tries to flip the light switch to illuminate the apartment.
As he flicks it nothing changes, and the room continues to be shroud in darkness. "Shit." He mutters to himself before calling out to the rest of the cops. "Draw the lights, he's cut the power." The rest of them nod, redraw the flashlights, and shine them into the apartment.
Shining the lights over the apartment they stop as they reach an old recliner facing the open and drawn window. As they walk closer to the body in it a voice starts to call out from around them, "Ah Batman and Robin, the dynamic duo, how good to see you both again."
Hearing this the cops stop and instead train their weapons onto the body in the recliner. One of them raises her hand and stops Bullock and the other two. "Hold on, something seems really off right here."
As they pause this quiet ticking noise is heard ticking away from under the recliner the voice picks up again. "But now I have to go, as do the two of you." As the ticking speeds up the cops begin to run for the door and as they spring through the door and land into the hallway an explosion rings out from the apartment.
Percy and Steph can only watch as the side of the building gets blown out from the explosion located in the building. "Jesus Christ." Is all that Percy can mutter out as he watches the smoke begin to billow out from the gaping hole in the wall of the building.
As he stands there in shock Steph hurries to her feet and shakes him out of his stupor. "Come on Percy, we need to leave now." She pauses for one moment to allow him to focus back on her. "We should split up as we head back to the apartments. Just in case they decide to follow us." Steph gestures over towards where Batman and Robin were now splitting their stares between the building and the two of them.
"Yeah sure, that's smart Steph." As he says this Percy is already planning his descent down the building and making his way down to the fire escape located on the adjacent building. As she stood by and watched her friend begin his escape from everything. Steph misses Robin disappearing into the darkness as he begins to make his way over to her.
Making her way across the rooftop, Steph reaches the edge and looks around for her best escape option. As she does a hand reaches out and yanks her back causing her to stumble and fall into the ground. Tackling her and pinning her to the ground Robin looks her up and down as his arm is pressed into her neck. "Finally." He says smugly as he continues to take in the costume. "A hood in this City my size."
Reaching for her blue mask he grabs it and begins to yank up. "Give it up creep, you're not getting away... getting away... from, um me." Robin trailed off and started to stutter as he finally removed Steph's hood instead of the normal Gothamite creep he deals with. instead, he's face to face with an attractive teenage girl, seemingly around his age.
As he fumbles over his words trying to think of what to say to the girl in front of him. He is cut off by a brick slamming into the side of his head. As Robin drops to the ground stunned and grabbing his head in shock at what just happened. Steph takes the moment as he relaxes his grip on her to wriggle away from him as he kneels down and watches her run away.
Sitting in the darkness of the night watching the tail end of Steph disappear down the fire escape. Robin feels up his wound one more time before looking down at the mask in his hand. As he looks back up with a dumb lovestruck grin, he just smiles to himself. "Wow, what a woman."
"How stupid could you be? That was Robin and you decide to hit him over the head with a brick? Way to go Steph. What a genius move from you." Steph is yelling at herself mentally as she makes her way down the fire escape. Before sighing out loud and taking in a deep breath as she picks her speed up once she reaches solid ground. "Oh well, I can only hope that Percy is having better luck than me right now."
Running across the rooftops Percy doesn't turn back to look around him as he keeps his arms pumping. Sweat pooling in his hair as he makes a turn and jumps down into a rolling position as he hits the pavement in an ally. Popping up into a sprint without even stopping Percy begins to sprint out of the alleyway to reach the street near his apartment.
Suddenly just as he's about to exit the alleyway and reach the main street. A dark shadow passes over the Demigod as Batman lands on the ground in front of him in a crouch. Looking the young boy up and down, Batman takes a moment as Percy cuts to a halt and looks the masked vigilante up and down himself.
"Perseus Jackson, I'd like to talk with you for a minute."
"Fuck." Sighing as he hears Batman's words Percy looks up to meet the man in the eyes. "I figured this would be coming, I just hoped it would be later rather than sooner."
Merry Christmas you fucking animals.
