Ultrabross's Vision
CHP26: Clean Getaway
Little by little he traveled through the massive facility taking down and directing each hostage to the nearest exit. In a span of twenty minutes he went through most the building leaving only one area left unaccounted for. As he had done most the time since entering the building he stuck close to the ceiling maneuvering around trying to stay hidden as much he could. His lenses were set to a built in sonar detect mode. By this time the building was surrounded by police vehicles and if his target did somehow slip by without his knowledge they wouldn't get far.
Clearly able to see through the walls ahead he counted no more than five individuals that remained, all of which stood within an office. He tore through a nearby vent using a gadget from his arsenal of items pulling through the small space. It eventually led him atop the group. From what he could tell Dead Shot wasn't present. There was only one way to find out more. In a quick shove he smashed through the ceiling vent landing down in the middle section of the room.
"Damn it's him!" One of them yelled aiming his weapon.
"Take him down before he gets the drop on us!"
Before another move was made Batman threw down a smoke bomb flipping away from the line of fire. Effortlessly moving in with aggression he disarmed all five gunmen KOing four and leaving the fifth conscious, "Floyd Lawton, where did he go?! I know he was in this building!" Batman questioned slamming the criminal against a wall.
"He ah escaped through a secret passageway on the floor below us after we became aware the police was on the way. He wanted the rest of us to stay behind and hold the fort. You'll never be able to find him, he's long gone." The criminal laughed.
"I'm sure they've got a warm prison cell waiting for you back in Blackgate prison."
Batman knocked him out in one strike to the head letting his body fall to the ground. Opening a nearby door he walked down the stairs leading to the room beneath them locating the hidden passageway almost immediately. It led directly into the sewer system in that part of town. Batman pin pointed his position punching in a set of codes over the hidden panel beneath his gauntlet, "Computer devise map of sewer system in my current location."
Within thirty seconds of his command he received a clear visual of the sewer system through his lenses. In total were twelve spots in a five mile radius Dead Shot could have made his exit onto the main surface. It wasn't completely back to square one but was definitely a step back. Over his left shoulder he spotted a hardrive in addition to a large screen.
"If this is their main system it's possible I could find out what Dead Shot's next move will be. If I'm lucky I could stumble across where he might be hiding out now."
Batman connected a small device to the computer hardrive downloading the entire server's information. The process took a little over two minutes and with that departed through the nearest exit. The space was filled with police officials soon after his exit. Things didn't end quite the way he wanted but on a positive rescued each hostage without harm coming to a single of them. He jumped into the batmobile taking off around the corner. He was set on returning to the cave and closely examining the information just obtained followed by the chemicals he recovered earlier that night.
"This is officer Cyeinfield we need immediate backup right now. We're engaged in a shootout in front of Gotham City bank. At the moment we have no clue what their motive is. In total we estimate at least eight to ten gunmen. Authorizing immediate backup!"
"Gotham City Bank isn't far from here…" Batman murmured listening into the police radio. He altered his course without a second thought.
Nearly half a mile from the GC bank Tsukune was fast asleep on a couch beside Kurumu. It had a couple scratchs and rips but for the most part was still fairly comfortable. Across from them on another sofa sound asleep was Gin. Kurumu was the only one that remained awake due to all the surrounding commotion through the city and all the stuff she had on her mind. She tried closing her eyes and thinking happier thoughts but nothing she did worked. Following another series of gunfire and screams she slowly sat up standing. The way things were going she wouldn't get any sleep at all.
She tip toed across the carpet quietly doing her best not to wake either. On her way out she made certain there wasn't movement from either making her way down the steps into the main lobby. In a deep breath she exited through the front door taking in the cool night breeze. To that point she hadn't transferred into her true form but in that moment considered doing so. Before making a choice Kurumu surveyed the surrounding. Feeling confident no one was around thanks to the time of night she sprung her wings taking off over the rooftops.
She situated herself close to the tops of buildings flying along using it as cover in case someone down below happened to look upward. Up ahead she touched down over a specific building where she believed the main activity took place. After taking a closer look it was just as she thought. Police were on one side and a gang of armed thugs on the other. Kurumu had no idea what instigated the confrontation and more importantly didn't want to get in the middle of something that didn't involve her. She wouldn't jump in but didn't mind playing the role of a spectator seeing as she couldn't sleep to begin.
The police tried communicating with the group only to be denied. Not a single criminal out of the group was interested in talking. An exact amount was unknown but according to first calls received the gang had stolen over 80 million in cash!
From down the street more police vehicles arrived on scene, one of which included the commissioner of police. Numerous police vehicles surrounded the area giving the group no route to escape.
"This is Commissioner James Gordon of Gotham city police, surrender now before things escalate. There's two ways this'll end and I'm hoping you make the right choice so that we can help each other to eliminate any more bloodshed." He spoke through an intercom.
The criminal group responded by firing off another round of bullets. Officers ducked for cover behind nearby vehicles while some held out shields. It was then that one out of the ten stepped from behind their barricade stretching his neck.
"Basil what the hell you doin fool?! You gonna get yourself shot walking out there like that!"
"Don't worry boys I'll take care of things from here. These cops aren't properly equipped to handle me."
Basil revealed himself from behind a car placing both hands over his head taking a knee in the middle of the street. The instant police officials advanced toward him he pulled a gun from his pocket. Basil was immediately shot at many times over before he had a chance to pull the trigger. That's when things became really interesting. Kurumu couldn't tell whether or not her eyes were playing tricks on her perceiving bullets pass through Basil. Not only that, but his wounds healed in a matter of seconds.
"What the hell is he?!" One officer yelled falling back shooting at the same time.
"Ehehe you simpletons haven't figured it out yet…perhaps I should help with that."
Kurumu and the entire police force watched the criminal's skin and clothing change into a clay substance. His height and overall size changed dramatically standing over nine feet tall, with golden eyes that had a glow to them.
"That must be his true monster form." Kurumu whispered leaning over the ledge.
As the newly constructed criminal roared aloud a smoke bomb touched down where he'd left his comrades. He faced that way hearing the sound of a struggle but couldn't see what took place behind the smoke. When it did clear he grimaced at the sight of who stood over one of the vehicles. Not a single of his group members were left conscious.
"I don't know what you have planned but it comes to an end now Clayface. You're going back to Arkham no matter which way you look at it."
"And here I was beginning to think you wouldn't show, silly me. Unfortunately you're in my way Batman and I will put you down by any means necessary!"
"Jim, hold your men back I'll take on Clayface myself. Try and create a secure perimeter so civilians don't accidently pass by this location." Batman said looking the commissioner's way.
Jim didn't get the chance to say a thing, Batman darting toward Clayface engaging him up close. Kurumu got a decent look at the Dark Knight assuming him to be a bat like creature. Between the bat and Clayface she couldn't say for certain what either of them was, but what she did notice was how the surrounding police force looked at them. It felt as though they were accustomed to such beings which might mean they were used to being around other beings that weren't human.
"Everyone pull back! Leave this one to Batman." The commissioner commanded.
As he flipped over the top of Clayface Batman placed two explosives over his back detonating them the instant he touched down over the street. The attempt did little damage. Eyes wondering all over Clayface smiled at the sight of a sewer lid stretching his arm over ten yards and pulling it out of place. Using his opposite hand he grabbed Batman by the throat forcing him into the sewer. Batman landed face first and was joined by Clayface moments later. He heard splashes but by time he looked up the massive enemy was hidden.
He had no need for a flashlight having built in night vision through both lenses enabling him to see everything clearly. Batman progressed slowly through the dark space, his boots going through the spongy turf giving off splattering sounds. He felt Clayface hiding somewhere in the darkness waiting to ambush him.
One officer crossed his fingers hoping the battle would end soon so he could get home to his wife. They had only been in the city for three weeks, thanks to him transferring. Beneath the surface Batman made a right looking and noticing a pool of water swerving. He uncovered two electric batarangs launching them into the large pool of water. It electrified the entire surface area! In seconds his opponent surfaced from beneath the water.
"You and your toys never cease to annoy!"
Bull rushing the caped crusader Clayface swung his arm with velocity and strength knocking Batman into the side of a pipe creating a dent. Batman's ribs took the most damage, but wasn't enough to slow him down. He dodged another punch that came his way. Punching at the stomach and chest area of the durable enemy Batman flipped over kicking at the back of his head.
"Sounds like things are really intensifying down there wouldn't you say commissioner?"
The commotion below came to a stop after a minute or so. Replacing that was the echo of footsteps advancing through the water. All officers got their weapons ready, seeing as the sound got louder with someone climbing up the latter returning to the surface. Eyes glued to the opened sewer lid Batman's head came into sight! Not long after they saw it was Clayface that lifted him up from behind the neck!
"Always said you were nothing Batman and I'm going to prove it tonight by ripping you limb from limb in front of all these people." Clayface spoke lifting the Dark Knight up high throwing him off to the side, "But before I do that I wanna have a little fun." A massive smirk formed on his face.
Clayface marched toward the police and as he came within five ft they began firing off at him. Like before the bullets passed right through him doing nothing. He grabbed one officer by the throat snapping his neck and throwing him into a light post. He then lifted a police vehicle over his head looking to Commissioner Gordon and one other, "Farewell," Clayface snickered launching the vehicle atop them. His eyes broadened. At the last second someone glided through pulling both individuals to safety. Whoever it was possessed purple wings and a tail wearing what looked to be a school uniform.
"Look its Batgirl…I think." One officer scratched at his head.
"Don't think so man. Batgirl's hair isn't that color and that chick isn't wearing a mask."
"So what if she isn't, she's got wings and is obviously here to aid the bat. Probably was in such a hurry she didn't have time for dress up. Anyhow I dig the school girl look." Another added.
Batman rose from the middle of the street putting a hand to his head. Little by little his vision returned to normal. Clayface looked back and forth between Batman and the succubus with blue hair. Like everyone around he wondered if they were associates. He fought against the Dark Knight from time to time but never once set his eyes on her.
"Two against one? Fine by me, this is sure to make things more interesting.
Clayface took off toward the succubus shaping his left arm into an axe. Her finger nails extended shaping into blades. She dodged his first attack cutting away at his body with her blades and wings but her efforts did nothing.
"I don't know who you are but physical attacks aren't the way to bring him down." Batman called out approaching the two.
She never intended to get involved but after seeing the Clay person kill one police official and try and take out another two she felt something had to be done. Getting the idea Batman knew more about the enemy before her she pulled back touching down beside the Caped Crusader. She reminded him of someone and therefore wanted to question her, however knew it would have to be put off until Clayface was taken care of. First a death god, then a bat woman stalker and now another possessing wings.
"See if you can distract him for a couple moments while you do that I'll ch…"
Gunfire from above stopped Batman from finishing. Three helicopters hovered over the street flashing down bright search lights.
"Clayface, Batman, put your hands in the air and surrender! We won't ask twice!"
Extra bullets were fired from each vehicle at the feet of Clayface and Batman. The villain wanted no part of being captured and taken back to his holding cell so took off at full speed toward the nearest alley. He was continuously shot at but didn't slow up. Two helicopters followed after him while the other hovered over Batman.
"I don't have time for this!" Batman threw down a smoke bomb taking off running the opposite way to Clayface.
The succubus didn't know what else to do then to follow beside him. Gunmen from inside the helicopter shot at them.
"Batman isn't the enemy stop shooting!" Gordon yelled aloud.
It wasn't known if they couldn't hear or just chose not to listen. They continued following the Dark Knight in an effort to bring him down.
"I thought you were considered one of the good guys." She said looking his way.
"I'm not exactly on Gotham PD's payroll and each of them has different opinions of me."
She followed close behind as Batman relocated to the rooftops using a grapple gun. They journeyed from rooftop to rooftop escaping the helicopter's sight coming to a stop. He looked to the sky thinking how he wanted to put his thoughts into words.
"I encountered a woman tonight one with similar features to yourself," Batman said without looking at her, "What is your name and are you traveling with someone?" He looked her in the face.
"Kurono Kurumu," She replied not sure if answering the second part of the question was a good idea, "What makes you think I'm traveling with someone else?"
"I crossed paths with someone sharing similar physical features. I'm referring to is those wings of yours sprouting from your body, she had a pai…"
The helicopter arrived flashing its light over the rooftop they stood on. The light was so bright Kurumu partially closed her eyes looking to the ground. Upon peeking to the left of her she grasped Batman was no longer there. She couldn't believe how quickly he made his escape. With that in mind she leaped off the building flapping her wings. The helicopter tried following but lost sight of her in the darkness.
XXX
Following a long night of sleep Ichigo stretched and became aware of something that increased his blood flow. He moved around somewhat, validating Moka's head was over his chest. He felt her breath over the right side of his face and lower chin. Slowly re positioning he let her head fall over the pillow getting out of bed and making as little noise he could. He gave her a final look recognizing how cute she was in a teddy bear type way when asleep. Ichigo took his eyes off her stepping through the automatic doors.
He yawned stretching his arms, legs and torso looking to a clock hanging over the wall. It was twenty minutes after eight o'clock in the morning. From the corner of his eye he spotted the Rosario over the computer countertop where it had been the night previous. Ichigo then headed for the kitchen area first looking through the cabinets and coming across lots of canned goods. Within the refrigerator it wasn't much different, a majority of the items being things that wouldn't spoil and could last long periods of time. Because of the circumstance made plenty of sense seeing as it was only a backup stronghold. Coming to the conclusion he wasn't all that hungry he shut the door with something else in mind.
Out of the kitchen down the hall and around a corner he entered through another automatic door. The lights throughout automatically flipped on without him doing a thing. He'd been in the space once the previous night but only for a couple moments. He knew it was a training facility just by looking around. There was an area for weights and in another corner were machines to work out a person's legs, abs etc. Something else across the room caught his attention heading there instead.
Beside a sandbag Ichigo cracked his knuckles and before long went off on throwing strike after strike. He added a combination of kicks as well bringing forth energy he didn't know he had. For the next several minutes that's all he did getting lost inside his thoughts. It was because of that he didn't realize when the entrance door swung open. Even as she walked across the mat Ichigo was so absorbed couldn't hear her but oddly felt a presence. It wasn't until she called out to him that he discontinued his activity facing her directly.
"Oh Moka…didn't expect you'd be up so soon. Aren't you still exhausted from last night?" He asked looking her up and down. She was still wearing the T-shirt that touched down around her knees. Ichigo remembered it from the night before having no clue where she got it in the first place.
"No need to worry about me, I'm perfectly fine." She replied.
"That's good to hear. Make yourself right at home," Ichigo faced the opposite way to her focusing in on the sandbag, "If you're hungry go ahead and help yourself. There is nothing off limits so do whatever you want." Ichigo prolonged with his attack on the sandbag.
Moka watched him for a while before throwing back her hair walking up behind him. She tapped his shoulder getting his attention again.
"I've got an even better way for you to burn energy if you're interested."
"Oh yeah and what would that be?" He asked unleashing another couple punches.
"Would you be interested in a sparring session?"
Ichigo didn't answer right away letting her words sink in. His force and speed of attacks died down soon after, a smile taking shape on the side of his face. That smile soon turned to laughter as he looked her way putting a hand to his chest, "Do you mean me against you?" He laughed some more.
"Who the hell else would I be talking about?" She snarled.
His laughter only increased and had a difficult time containing it. The instant he looked her in the face he noticed her frown, "Wow you're serious aren't you?" He dropped his head wiping what little tears formed in his eyes. He didn't look up until all the laughter was out of his system, "You sure that's a good ide…"
She lifted him up over her shoulder planting him into the mat. Moka followed up with a punch to his face but he was able to dodge and roll away at the last instant flipping back onto his feet, "No warning, I see how it is." He dropped back as she came at him again with just as much force, "Hold on I don't remember accepting the challenge!"
He ducked down in time as her foot came within a couple inches of his face. With her other leg she tried kneeing him in the face blocking with his arms, "Hey are you even listening to me?!"
Moka leaped upward throwing her legs around his neck pulling him down onto the mat positioning herself atop him. He caught both her fists stopping her from attacking. Using his own strength he took control forcing her beneath him holding her down by her wrists, "This is over, you will only get hurt if we continue on."
"Is that right…" She threw up one of her legs wrapping it around his waist and running her foot over the lower part of his leg. Moka then blew a kiss at him putting on a puppy face.
"What the hell!" Becoming extremely uncomfortable he released his hold on her.
She took advantage throwing her legs up and kicking him into the wall nearly thirteen ft away, "Never underestimate a vampire. Our strength, speed and durability are beyond that of any lowly human. Using my sexuality as an advantage isn't against the rules either" She stood running toward him.
Human or vampire it didn't matter to him, she was nowhere in his league far as he was concerned. Moka leaped up high attempting her signature kick but instead was tackled out of mid air and forced onto her stomach. Ichigo pinned both her arms behind her back, "Gotta give you credit you put a couple nice moves on display, but it's nothing compared to what I've got."
"Why don't you show me?" Moka asked struggling to free herself from his grasp.
"Later," Ichigo replied removing his hands and helping Moka to her feet, "It's about time I go searching for Tsukune, and before you ask to come along the answer is no. You would slow me down. I promise to bring him back. Don't hold your breath thinking it'll be soon, the city's a large place."
Moka wanted to argue but at the same time understood she wasn't familiar with the large territory/city and because of that had the feeling she'd get in his way. Together they exited the training facility. Ichigo noticed her staring him down from the corner of his eye, "Is something wrong?"
"Can I have a taste?"
"No." He retorted knowing exactly what she referred to.
To Be Continued