(Sorry about the delay with this chapter it took me awhile to portray it right but still simmer it down to keep it clean , Which is hard to do , any way hope you like the next couple of chapters because they'll be boring, so have mercy.)
Chapter 6: Kage, Kaki, Kroenen
Ring Tzu Plantation, Japan, Hokkaido 1990
"Mother, where are you?" A little english boy of five ran through the murky woods. "I'll find you" The boy playfully called as he exited the woods to show a huge mansion. "Are you cheating" he whispered and crept into house, he went around the kitchen way into the chess room. He hid when the made entered, his innocent eyes watching her every move until she tuned away. "Got ya" The boy pounced on the maid.
"Not Now Markus! Master Ducard could be back at any moment." The Maid ushered young Markus out of the way as an oriental man came round the corner.
"Lili, please master would like his house tidy when he returns" The man left. "I thought English slave were the best.
"Mother you said you would play with me" Markus Pouted.
"Markkie, Mommy has to work so we can stay go and play in the dojo and I'll find you later" Lili sent her son away. "And hide if anyone comes"
""
"Push Rheon, push" Markus spoke to himself" As he tried to use a heavy punching bag.
"Isn't it funny how your mother uses her maiden name instead of your fathers…hhmm Lillian Marie or Lillian Rheon" An aged man smirked from behind the boy who turned scarred looking for a way to run. "No you don't, if you want to learn how to fight I'll teach you" The man nodded as he caught Markus as he was escaping.
"Are you the Master" Markus asked he was put down by the man.
"That I am, but I prefer the employees not knowing as I like them more comfortable" The master replied. "So call me, Kage as in shadow and you" He looked deep into the childs eyes "Kaki, meaning Fire" Markus became wide eyed.
"Cool" Kaki smiled
""
Kage and Kaki trained relentlessly while Lili worked at the plantation. Kage was telling him all sort of things.
"You traveled the world... Now you must journey inwards... to what you really fear... it's inside you... there is no turning back. Your Fathers death was not your fault." Kaki could hear Kage saying that in his sleep.
""
"To manipulate fears of others, you must first master your own" Kage presented Kaki with 'The Sword of Kroenen' and started training with blades
""
"The training is nothing! The will is everything! The will to act." Kaki was on top of a waterfall and needed to jump across to the bank but wouldn't.
""
"Death does not wait for you to be ready! Death is not considerate, or fair! And make no mistake, Here, you face death" Kage and Kaki had managed to anger the wrong people as several samurai's had engaged them wounding both of them and now had them cornered.
Ring Tzu Plantation, Japan, Hokkaido
"You are nearly six years old now" Kage said to Kaki. "And I must leave you, but I will return to your training" He turned away. "As soon as Gotham burns"
Ring Tzu Plantation, Japan, Hokkaido
"Muratio, Muratio" Markus called as he ran towards the same man who hid from all those years ago.
"Markkie" He picked him up. "Whoa your to heavy for any normal eight year old." Muratio stated to a more leaner and darker almost less innocent Markus.
"Where's mother" Kaki appears him self through Markus every now and then but usually when Markus is training or dreaming.
"I'm here Markie, how are you" She hugged a reluctant Markus then kissed Muratio. "How are you" She smiled to her husband and boss.
"Well master called yesterday" Muratio answered and Markus peeked since he hadn't heard from him since he was five nearly three years ago. "He said he is going to Gotham" 'Gotham' thought Markus.
Ring Tzu Plantation, Japan, Hokkaido
Markus awoke to moans and groans in the next room 'Not again' Markus stuffed a pillow over his head. He had matured before his time thanks to Kage but who would want to know what's happening next door at any age. The moaning stopped as the deeper groan turned into a splutter and the female moan screamed and ran in her mini kimono grabbing Markus and running, 'the samurai' Markus saw the ancient Japanese soliders chase after him and his mom. "Mother stop I can fight" He tried to struggle free but couldn't.
Gotham International Airport 1993
"Markus we just need to find Alfred Pennyworth" Lilian smiled as they left the airport.
"Who is he mother and I thought we are here to find master?" Markus showed more and more signs of Kaki in his personality.
"Alfred is the my uncle, he taught me everything I know about being a made." She smiled as a muddy man who appeared to be Bruce Wayne walked in front of them.
"Great so being a house boy is in my genes" He mumbled until a dirty homeless man barged past Bruce whipped out a samurai sword and whipped it across her. "NOOO!" He cried and as he did his whole body became engulfed in green flame cremating the samurai and his mother. "Please no!" He collapsed from the expansion of his ability so rapidly. "You can't be dead." He sobbed quietly as a few passer buyers tried to approach him.
"Take him to Arkum" some one called. "Freak"
"Wait no" Bruce tried to get through but the mob mentality had taken over and started chanting freak.
"Disperse or I will be forced to use arms" Sergeant Gordon said through a mega phone making Bruce to retreat to the shadows and go back to Wayne Manor.
Gotham Orphanage – few weeks later "Excuse me a couple of weeks ago before the Narrows/Arkum incident there was a small British boy, who lost his mother and was emitted." Assistant DA Rachel Dawes asked nicely. "Could I possibly be granted access to see him." She finished asking the clerk."Sorry but no, the kid ya talkin' 'bout long gone" The lazy woman clerk went back to eating her cuppa noodles and watching her portable TV.
"What? Why?" Rachel asked a little firmer.
"He was a freak, an arsonist. He burnt down his room, probably some guards who tried to rape him in here, they all seem to like little boys, and he took off the night of the Narrows/Arkum incident." She never looked away from her show.
"Rape? Escape?" Rachel was disgusted.
"Yeah, Now scram, he should be at Arkum really talking like a Cage is his mentor who is in the city." She started mumbling as Rachel left.
"Bruce….Bruce" Rachel whispered into the shadow's.
"Yeah" The gruff voice of Batman emerged. "Is he in there" he asked looking concerned.
"No he's escaped, but I didn't even ask if they new his name was Markus…then started mentioning rape, Fire and cages been people." Rachel welled up and started to babble.
"Wait, you said Cage as in people as in Kage?" Batman stood face to face with her.
"I think, Huh?" She was confused.
"Three years, Three years he was in Japan while his mom worked on a plantation owned by a ….Mr Henri Ducard…" Bruce trailed off.
"What?…Who?"
"Ra's Al Ghul…the leader of the league of shadow's…Shadow means Kage in Japanese." Batman pieced it together. "So he was taught by the person who taught me and he can set people alight but by the look on his face he was just as surprised as everyone." He turned to the Assistant DA. "I gotta go" He zipped wired away.
Suicide Slums – later that week"Ha ha ha ha ha" A man with a painted face laughed hysterically for no reason. "Naughty, Naughty Bats" He chided "You don't want to came near me when I have this. Ha Ha Ha Ha" He held up a C4 bomb detonator, then a pistol in his other hand "I'll start shooting into the crowd" he pointed the barrel towards a local bar Batman was stumped. "Jokerz take 'em down"
Two men, Grabbed Wayne from behind but a little boy helped Batman as the three men struggled.
"This is my hood, you mess with me, you mess with the best" The boy roared in an English accent as he stabbed one of the Jokers goons to death and Batman knocked the other unconscious.
"Markus, Calm down" Bruce swept him up in his cape and took off towards the Batcave.
Roof, Wayne Tower, 1996
"So who is he?" A chilling English voice came from behind the dark knight.
"I can't tell you" The gruff voice of Batman answered.
"What can you tell me, huh. What about telling me why you took on a sidekick which isn't me." Markus' voice came sharp this made batman turn around to see an eleven year old boy in black clad suit and a green cape.
"You kill people, that's what separate us from them" Bruce shone through the batman persona trying to melt the kid's heart
"this ain't over" Markus promised turning away.
"Who was that?" Robin landed next to Bruce.
"I can't tell you"
Wanye Manor 1998
"Fox, What's his condition?" Bruce had just arrived from a convention.
"He has a fever of over any kind of record since he melts everything that enters his body." Lucious Fox sighed. "But I think he started puberty"
"So?" Bruce looked confused at Alfred.
"Maybe the fire power which you saw when his mother died develops when they go such bodily changes I.E. Emotional Distress or going to be a man" Fox concluded.
"Excuse me Mr Wayne I have your company to run" Mr Fox smiled and left.
"Shouldn't you be out there protecting the city." Aflred came in emotionally upset.
"Patience Phillips is in town, she is enough" Bruce went over to comfort him.
"I have nothing left but this boy and he could very well end us all."
Gotham Police department 1999
"Gordon what's wrong" Batman landed next to the bat signal.
"Bane's loose again." Now Commissioner Gordon said to Batman, Robin and Batgirl.
"You should of let me kill him" Markus now had normal clothes but a green mask on.
"Markus your wanted by the police." Gordon warned.
"You want me, Come get me" He seethed.
"Markus, what do you want." Batman growled.
"Lets see, first you shot down any chance of me being your partner, then you take on Dick here, then you say I can't patrol Gotham any more, then you let Catwoman do it, Now you have the commissioners daughter working for you" Markus whipped out a sword then his hand began to glow.
"Markus calm down" Batgirl pleaded.
"Yeah, Markus calm down" Robin tried soothe him.
"Markus we are on the police department don't silly." Gordon said.
"Markus, we will stop you" Batman promised.
"I'm not Markus call me Kaki." He roared and started to heat up. Then collapsed.
Gotham Diamond Trust fund 2001
"Robin, Batgirl cover me" Batman growled as they caught the royal flush gang in action.
"Batman down" Knightwing called and kicked number ten down.
"Gang reform" number ten, jack, ace, queen, king all stood up. "Your out numbered" King smiled.
"Wrong" Markus laughed. A massive fight got underway ending in the Royal Flush gang being apprehended.
"You fought well Tim" Markus said as he turned and left.
Wanye Manor 2003Thanksgiving
"Is she here" Markus barged through into the banquet hall where Bruce, Barbra, James, Dick, Tim, Alfred and Rachel Dawes. "Rachel a word now"
"If this is about Mary I don't want to know" Rachel stayed eating at the table.
"Son, it would have been nice of you to join us" Alfred asked tenderly.
"Balls, we don't celebrate thanksgiving so why." He asked venomently.
"To be with family" Alfred tried to be nice.
"I have none" Markus then turned to Rachel. "Well I might of if you don't mess things up with your sister." Markus stood above her.
"She is in love with Warren McGinnis and they'll marry and be in love for ever but you just wanted a couple of good times but didn't even bother telling her your real name." Rachel shouted.
"Names are just a label to what we feel not who we are." Markus scowled.
"Well Terry isn't a very good label" She stood up to him. "And from now on I'm going to warn all of your conquest about you."
"Why" Markus wasn't scared he just genuinely didn't no why.
"Why! Why do you do it in the first place?"
"Why" he half laughed "Since none of us get out alive. Now you can huddle in your group and face it one day at a time" His steel blue eyes locking with hers "or you could be grateful that when your body rubs against someone else's, it explodes with enough pleasure that you can forget, even for a minute, that you're only a walking pile of ashes" His eyes right there and then changed for ever in a flash a illuminate green from blue to black. He turned and left "Goodbye"
"Markkie" Alfred ran after him " Master Wayne wanted to give you this." A black slide phone was handed to him. "You'll get paid for everything you help him with" Alfred nodded. "Goodbye, Have luck on your endeavours"
"'Gone"
Spellman Estate, Gotham – The Dawes' home
The sixteen year old girl heard tapping at her window she looked out and saw her first, she looked back at the picture of her boyfriend then to the door then decided to open her window. "Terry…or Markus, just who are you ?" She looked at him. "My god your eyes" she saw that they had change to black.
"I'm leaving and I couldn't leave with out…please just don't forget me, I can't lose our memories as well as you." Markus said brimming with emotion.
"Terry, please stay" she hugged him.
"McGinnis?"
"We'll be friends, he loves me I'm not sure your capable of love." Tears slip down her face.
"I'm capable of everything just let me have a chance." Markus pleaded.
"Why, you save me from the car crash, then you lie to me about your name, then you pop my cherry acting like it's nothing." She became hard.
"Like I said I'm leaving." He went to leave.
"Remember, you are a hero" she touched his hand "No, real heroes, they make a choice. I never did" He whispered then shouted "All because you lay in my bed do not think you know me" He leapt from her window to the street and ran from the house. Gotham train station "Hello" Markus answered the phone Bruce gave him.
"Markus?" a mechanically altered voice came on.
"Who's this" He stopped snivelling from the fight with Mary
"Who Gave you the phone." The voice countered.
"Wayne" Half growled back.
"Very well, open locker number sixty-six inside you'll find a leather jacket and ten thousand dollars" Markus looked for the lockers. "and a plane ticket to Metropolis, you will then go to the town Smallville, you might have read recently a boy has killed a few genetically altered humans, 'Freaks' he has labelled them" Markus found the stuff and went out side getting into a taxi.
"Airport, mate"
"These freaks are just like you but altered slightly differently" the voice informed Markus. "The boy is called Van Mcnulty he was apprehended and locked up indefinitely at a mental institution." The voice continued. "Kill him"
"What, I thought… is this a test?" Markus was jaw dropped at this statement.
"There will be more information at a Sunnyside motel, plus a hundred grand on completion" The Voice clicked off. "Welcome to the muscle for hire business, Kaki"
"Alfred?"