Naruto: Tenth Dragons Poison
Chapter 8
A Mystery of Travel
Almost all had been dropped from the mind; the only thing that mattering was the face that stared from directly across. It started with the fitting bottoms and tightening boots, both clamping right into place. Next came the top and gloves, drawing nearer to completion. The belt was then snapped into place, feeling its weight of content which was sealed away. Only one thing remained, grasping the cowl by it sides as to reel it in. The process was stopped upon bringing it within inches of himself, gazing into its emptiness which was all too familiar. One final gesture was made, rotating the cowl with the connected cape weighing down as it was laid into place.
It was now time, turning back for the other side to see him still standing there. This came as no surprise, taking a step forward to confirm everything to be completely fitted into place.
"It's time, the others are waiting."
"I guess there isn't any point in asking when you'll return being that we don't know the extent of this problem," Alfred said. "In regards to your other assignment you've been forced to put on hold, would you like me to call in one of the others to take up the task?"
"I've already decided to forward the duties to Dick," Batman said in response. "And since he's in town it shouldn't be much of a problem."
"And what if he's occupied with something else?"
"It's light work Alfred, nothing he can't juggle."
"Very well."
"I'll call back with details on the matter if need be," Batman assured. "So be alert."
"Understood sir."
With nothing further needing to be said on the matter he turned for the left side, heading for the awaiting batmobile which was quietly sitting in place. It didn't take long for him to reach it, pressing down to the middle of the utility belt to open it. He leaped in with one jump, listening to the sound of the top slide back into place before blasting off with a head of steam.
It began with the dark tunnels, the same ones that were traveled each and every night. There was no feel for what was to come, nor warning for what there would be to expect. The circumstances were the same, no different than any other night upon ascending. No matter the circumstances, there was always the value of the unknown.
The long tunnel was exited soon after, looking to the sky to see the moon a phase less than half of its full face. It was at that time that a buzz could be heard, alerting him of an incoming call. Not wanting to cause delay he pressed down to the comlink installed in the air piece, immediately taking the call.
"Namtab, confirm."
"Affirmative Batman, it's Flash."
"I take it you've been brought up to speed on the situation?"
"Not quite," Flash replied. "I was only told to contact you with information for where we'd be meeting."
"We're not meeting at headquarters?"
"No," Flash replied. "We're meeting at the clock tower."
"Clock tower," Batman questioned. "Which one?"
"Look no further than your own," Flash replied. "The one located in Gotham."
"Why are we meeting there?"
"No idea, this information was given to me roughly a minute ago," Flash informed. "I'm sure we'll find out when we get there."
"Hmm."
"See you soon, Flash out."
With those final words the transmission was cut, leaving him to think why the specified location was chosen. This was high on his mind as he drove, wondering just what it was that was so important which required for the meeting to be held here in Gotham. This very thought remained on his mind for a time to come as he drove. He drove on for miles, closing in on the city with each passing minute.
"At this rate I should be there within the next fifteen minutes."
He kept a steady pace, not feeling the need to push the limit anymore then he had already been doing. The next second brought a ring from the ear piece, wasting no time in answering the call to hear his voice.
"Master Bruce I have some news you might want to know."
"I'm listening."
"Something is unfolding at Blackgate prison."
"How serve?"
"It appears to be some kind of riot," Alfred replied. "The crowds seem rather steady for now but there's no telling if things will escalate at some point."
"It's not a matter of if, but when," Batman said. "Get in contact with Nightwing and let him know of the situation."
"But I thought you already had something for him you wished for him to focus on."
"That can wait," Batman said in response. "Investigating what is going on at Blackgate is top priority."
"I couldn't agree more, I'll get in contact with him immediately," Alfred said. "In the meantime you should be able to link into the police feed for live updates, though being that this all just recently erupted I doubt there'll be much to learn as of now."
"I'll stay tuned, Batman out."
With those final words the transmission between the two came to an end. This latest news only brought more mist to the surface, starting to wonder just how many events would come to take form in this one night. His thoughts were only cut off for a few moments, quickly refocusing as he looked to the roads ahead.
"Almost there, no more than a couple miles."
He drove in silence for the remaining trip there, not a call to come, nor the sound of the radio within a hands reach of being turned on. It wasn't hard to miss upon arriving; being that it towered over most structures that stood beside it. He leaped out as the top slid off to the side, setting the Batmobile to auto which in response drove off on its own. This left him alone, looking up at the large building as he reached for his grappler.
The first move made was hook lining to a smaller neighboring, springing himself off the ground to the sky above. It took little time for him to reach the top, turning for the clock tower itself as he took aim once again.
"This should be close enough."
He pressed down to the grapple gun once more, this time taking him to the destined location. He arrived at the top with one swing, landing on the flat surface of the top of the building to find the four of them standing in wait.
"Batman, you're here," Flash said being the first of the bunch to speak. "And much sooner than I had been expecting."
"Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Superman," Batman said looking over the group as he approached. "Is it just the four of you?"
"The others would have been here if they could," Superman said in response. "But the situation wouldn't allow for it."
"Some of the others are busy with an immediate task." Green Lantern said quick to add.
"What task?" Batman asked.
"I was wondering that very same thing," Flash stated. "They said we'd wait for your arrival before we discussed the inner details."
"I'm here now, let's hear it."
"Very well," Superman said with a nod before setting his sights elsewhere. "Alright Vic, the floors all yours."
"Very well," Cyborg said in acceptance. "Let's get straight to the point; we've got a major problem."
"So we've heard." Flash remarked.
"This is serious so pay attention."
"You won't hear another word." Flash assured.
"Alright I'm going to give it to you straight, we've had a breach within our own dimension," Cyborg informed. "From somewhere that has never been documented."
"Not documented," Flash questioned. "That doesn't sound good."
"What exactly are we looking at," Batman asked. "What kind of breach?"
"It seems someone or something entered our dimension through uncertain means." Green Lantern informed.
"An intruder?"
"Doubtful," Superman said in response. "I've already searched the planet thoroughly, twice just to be sure."
"That would imply you've known about this breach for some time now," Flash said. "If that is so how come Batman and I are just now learning of this?"
"We only gained knowledge of this roughly an hour ago," Superman said quick to inform. "Naturally I'd want to search the planet for any immediate threats."
"It's all protocol." Green Lantern added.
"Thankfully there was no one or anything out of the ordinary to be found." Cyborg said.
"Well that's a plus." Flash said pleased to know.
"Cyborg, before you said whoever came to our dimension arrived through uncertain means," Batman said. "Are we ruling out the possible use of a Boom Tube?"
"That was the first possibility analyzed, but this is past comprehension" Cyborg replied. "Whatever caused this goes far beyond anything we've ever seen before."
"That's all well and said, but I still don't understand the choice in us meeting here." Flash said.
"That's just the thing," Cyborg said. "Everything that has unfolded thus far begins and ends here in Gotham."
Batman's eyes narrowed, knowing the twists and turns of the nights events were just getting started.
To Be Continued