"Death Denied" Part (2 of 4)

by Rob T.

THEN

A beaten & broken Szazs stands, trying to prepare himself for more pain. Lady Shiva has broken him thoroughly, he's surprised he's still alive. Though through the pain, he can't help but wonder.. "I never met her. What the hell is she talking about?"

Shiva: Look at you, Stephan… Charles.. Whatever it is you call yourself now. Unwilling to surrender.

Just like when you faced my father, all those years ago. I am not my father.

He feels every blow… every kick… He wants to defend himself, but his arms are useless. He's sure he's bleeding profusely internally, as he is externally. She is Lady Shiva, and there are very few who can match her in combat. As everything fades into black, he hears her final words.

Shiva: This is no longer fun. Korrigan dispose of this man, and then you & I will discuss your

incompetence.

NOW

Los Angeles. Hub City on steroids.

Specifically, one of the many luxury hotels, spread throughout its downtown area

Q: I thought about moving out here once. Still might. Right now, I'm here for him. Philip Korrigan. A businessman. A criminal. My murderer. Vengeance can be easily mine. But not yet. What's one way to solve a maze? Start at the end. Like all arrogant criminals, he believes himself untouchable.

Korrigan: You two stay out here. I'll only be a minute. (He enters the hotel, and as he later enters his suite)

Q: I have some questions for you.

Korrigan: Wha..?! (As he's slammed against the wall. He goes for his gun- KRAK! A mistake)

YEEEAARRGGH!

Q: Where is Shiva?

Korrigan: I..

Q: (If you know what to look for, you can hear a lie before it's spoken (KRAK!)

Korrigan: ARRGH!

Q: Did you know breaking fingers is not as easy as tv makes it look. Now answer my question, and keep in mind, I may have more questions, than you have fingers left.

Korrigan:: She's in Gotham! Last I heard! I don't go where she is, man! Please.!?

Q: Thank you. (He drops Korrigan to his feet) Oh, I do have one last question. (Korrigan looks with fear in his eyes) Do you remember Charles Szazs?

Suddenly there's a window shatters, 10 stories up. Then Korrigan smashes into the roof of his luxury car. He barely survives.

Q: That was rhetorical.

LATER

On a commercial flight headed for…

Ezra: GOTHAM! You just fly to L.A. Why the hell are you now flying to Gotham.

Vic: Dude, calm before heart explodes. The source I just saw just gave me something good... Yakuza in Gotham.

Ezra: Get the hell back to Hub! That's not news. Everything bad happens in Gotham.

Vic: Sure it does. But not everything crime related in Gotham involves Wayne Industries.

Ezra: (Looking shocked) Alright, Vic. Corroborate everything! I don't need anymore libel suits. Especially, the kind someone like Bruce Wayne can bring.

Vic: No worries, chief. Besides, there are worse things to avoid in Gotham than Bruce Wayne.

THEN, Gotham

Q: Ask anyone their definition of a hell on Earth? Nine times out of ten, the answer's this city. Gotham. Since, I adopted my nom de gare, I've avoided this godforsaken place. But young pageant models are dropping like flies in the Hub, from bad drugs. And every question I answer, has the La Rouge Pageant connected to this piece of shit street gangster- a boyfriend of one of the judges. This dirtbag's mine.

Q: (From the dark corner of the apartment, he speaks) Thought no one would figure it out, didn't you? Slick hair. Nice teeth. Law degree. All the while, testing your poison on unsuspecting girls, too business putting on makeup too see you coming. But I got all the answers now. You're done. (A sudden crash interrupts me. Then I see "him". This is not good)

Batman: You've got three seconds to explain your presence in Gotham.

Q: Is that a question? (I couldn't help myself. He's on me in the blink of an eye. Fear personified. The main reason I avoided this city. I actually thought of asking for his help on my other problem. Now, I'm just hoping he doesn't take my head off. It's almost like fighting her, but worse. I need to get away. Then, I see him… aiming directly at Batman's back. This is gonna suck. I dodge his left cross, and go straight at the dirtbag. BLAM! Everything goes black.

NOW. Gotham City

Q: I dropped enough hints. I promised him I would if I ever needed to come back to this city… "His city". But she's here. As breathtaking as ever, and probably 10 times more deadly. But I need to see her. I need the answers only she can provide. In my memories, she's at least 10-15 years younger when she & Korrigan killed me. But she said she thought dead years before that even happened. I gotta find out what she meant. I sneak into the penthouse suite. As stealthy as, I can possibly be. It doesn't help.

Shiva: Before I make regret invading my domicile, state your business.

Q: (Stepping out from the shadows) I have questions.

Shiva: Is that you, Charles. Though you where that featureless halloween mask, I recognize your voice… your stance.

Q: Just tell me how I knew you, and your father. Why did he try to kill me?

Shiva: Try? You truly do not remember? Oh Charles, if that is indeed your true name. You are a living question, aren't you A true enigma- even unto yourself. It would seem that neither disembowelment, bombs, or my gentle embrace you will not remain dead. (She drops her coat) Let us see if you'll survive me, this time.

Q: I blink, and her hand is inches from my head. Her speed… her reflexes… her grace… I am no match for her. I'm barely dodging her long enough to even think about a counter attack. Strange. The advantage is her's. Why is she not exploiting it. And with that perspective in mind, and moves she thought unknown to me, I get distance between us.

Shiva: Very good. You are much more skilled than in our last encounter. But I am Lady Shiva. And I am without equal

Q: Fuck! Three blows so fast I could even react. I'm sure she just cracked a rib. Gotta get out of here. Enough! You're not going to kill me. I see that now. So tell me! You, say I destroyed your father. That I loved you. Why would I do that?

Shiva: Why? You brought it on yourself. The day you dishonored me. How you used a young girl's love to destroy her father? Because of you, I was forced to regain my honor in the harshest ways imaginable. You were an assassin. Apparently, sent on a mission of vengeance. And when my father learned the truth. He came after you. After my father sliced through your abdomen, and you clung to prevent your insides from falling out, you said. "This is for the people of Najador." Some little flick of a village whom you claim my father was complicit in eradicating. You looked in my eyes as you set off an explosion that decimated my life. Were it not for a promise I made, I'd have killed you already. But it doesn't mean I can't inflict pain. Are you ready, gaijin!

Q: Sure. I'm ready… to go. I run full speed, and crash through her window. The fall would have killed me, if I were anywhere else. But not in Gotham. Because what does Gotham have more of, than crime? Fire escapes. She won't pursue me. She said she made a promise. I have an idea, who that was to. If he didn't already know, he surely knows she's here now. She won't risk involving him. Need to heal. Good thing I have a place to crash.

THEN. GOTHAM

Q: I awaken with a helluva headache.

Batman: You didn't have to do that. I saw him.

Q: You're welcome. How long was I out?

Batman: 4 hours, though you should actually be dead. That bullet should have torn through your spleen, at that distance. Who are you?

Q: The Question… of my life. I just don't know.

Batman: You seem to naturally have no finger or palm prints. You're O-neg like millions of others.

Q: Things I already know.

Batman: What you may not know Vic Sage, if that's actually your name, is that your face seems to pop up everywhere. Though most people wouldn't notice it. My computer is more advanced than anything out there.

Q: I've been trying to figure out who I am for years. But distractions like that assclown, have my attention, as well.

Batman: Here. This is everything I've found on you so far. He's going to Gotham PD. You can rest here. Then, go back to Hub City.

Q: And if my trail leads me here again?

Batman: Vic. Never come here without letting me know.

Q: uh… Was that a threat?

NOW. GOTHAM

Q: I hate this healing ability. I can feel it all. But at least I got more answers, though I also got more questions. I look at myself, and I can't be older than about 35, or so. But if Shiva was telling the truth, that I looked exactly the same then. That would put me in my fifties. That can't be.

TO BE CONTINUED