I do not own DC, Batman or any related works
Chapter 8: The red bird hunting
Six months since first night.
Midnight, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The favela's had their usual noises. People were rushing round trying to make a living. Some by an honest method, others not so honestly. Drug dealers and gangs were moving round, selling to the desperate and making a living. The shanty houses groaned and creaked from the random materials used to build them. Illegal electricity hook-ups hummed and fizzed due to the hash job made to get power. Places like this made Gotham look like a utopia.
On top of the hill a female figure stood. She wore deep red coloured metal grieves, boots, gauntlets, utility belt, chest-plate and shoulder pads, under a black hooded gi. A Chinese jian sword was strapped to her back. The face under the hood was covered by a black full face mask with no mouth hole. Two bright red eagle like eyes was the only thing seen under the mask. On the chest-plate was the black outline of a phoenix with large wide wings.
She looked out into the city of Rio de Janeiro. Somewhere in the city was her target and she was going to find him.
She suddenly burst forward and leapt of the roof she was on. As she began to fall a pair of bird-like wings unfolded from a glider unit on her back. Using the air currents she soared into the city, leaving the favela's behind.
Half an hour later
She soared through the city, the cars nothing more than small dot's on the ground. She hated cities. The rushing and the population only bred the worst of humanity. Corrupt politicians, gang leaders, murderers, predators and thieves. She hated them all. But her target was not these filth. Her target was worse than them.
Losing height the hunter folded in her wings and shot out a grapple gun, which brought her to the roof of a skyscraper. Looking straight ahead she saw her target, a large modern skyscraper owned by the Frontcavel Corporation. A large architecture firm which has built around the world. Unbeknownst to many it also designed and built bases for the league of assassins. The CEO was Roman de Costa, a smart business man and a member of the league for so long that he was in Ra's al Ghul's inner circle. Just the man the hunter was looking for.
The hunter pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked towards the skyscraper. Using a night-vision setting she got a better look. She knew that de Costa would be on the top floor and with trained guards protecting him. Her Intel was right as she spotted five figures walking on top of the roof with what looked like assault rifles. She counted how long it took for the guards to do a full patrol and identified an opening. It was now or never.
Pulling out her grapple gun she aimed and fired it at the roof of the skyscraper. She shot upwards towards the roof of the building. She stopped just before the edge, hanging off it. She stayed there until a guard walked past here. Swiftly she shot upwards and landed behind him. Quietly she drew a kunai knife, grabbed the man from behind and stabbed him in the heart. She held him down until she was sure he had passed before letting go. She had to act fast now.
Quickly she rushed towards the guard in front of her and quickly stabbed him. She then turned round and threw the knife at the guard on top of the helicopter pad, who had just turned round. The knife hit his chest before another one hit his throat. She then ran and climbed onto the elevated pad and ran to the stairs were another guard was walking up. As she passed the dead guard she pulled out her knives, before jumping onto the guard walking up and jamming both of them into his neck.
The final guard witnessed this but before he reached his radio the hunter leapt at him, flicking her wrists, causing a pair of chain whips to fly out of the gauntlets. Swiftly she first struck the man's neck, knocking him sideward, before using the other whip to knocking his leg out from out from him, breaking it in the process. She then retracted the whips, drew her sword and slammed it into the man's chest, killing him instantly. All the guards were dead and no alarms were raised.
After retrieving her knives she moved to the door which led to the rest of the building. She knew that de Costa would be in his office with two guards inside with him. This would be easy. She walked through the halls looking for the office. Finally she reached the huge oak doors. She didn't need to be quiet any more. Standing in front of the doors she sprayed some plastique explosive along the edges. She placed a detonator in the mess, before taking a step. She detonated the gel and as expected the doors flew forward with a huge bang.
She rushed in, throwing two knives at one guard, killing him. She then drew her sword and shot out a whip as she approached the other guard. Swinging the whip she hit his weapon, knocking it out of his hands, before thrusting her sword into him, killing him instantly. Sheathing her weapons she looked towards de Costa. He had been knocked back violently and was struggling to his feet. Approaching him, the hunter spoke;
"Mister de Costa. We have much to discuss." Reaching him the figure pulled him up and threw him onto a chair. De Costa grunted in pain and anger.
"Do you have any idea who I am and who my allies are?" As he spoke the hunter moved to the windows, flicking a switch causing large shutters to descend.
"Oh I know exactly who you are Mr de Costa. It's the reason why I am here. And you will talk. I'll make sure of that."
Two hours later.
"So the boy is the grandson of Ra's al Ghul?" The figure stood in front of de Costa with her back turned.
"Yes he is his last living heir since the death of Talia." De Costa replied weakly, pain radiating from every word. She turned to face him.
"Thank you Mr de Costa. You have been very helpful."
"Please no more."
"Don't worry. You're pain has ended." In a flash the hunter drew her sword and plunged it into de Costa's chest, killing him. She then sheathed her sword and headed to the roof. Her hunt was over.
8 hours later
"It's me. I need a flight. To Gotham. Now. Don't worry you'll be paid."
In a small motel room near the favela's a young woman talked on a phone. She wore a simple white tank top and jeans. She looked to be twenty years old. The tank top showed her heavily tattooed arms of flames, skulls and birds, which continued around her body. Her brown hair was tied into a messy bun.
"Great. I'll be there in two hours." The women turned to the bed and began packing her bag. Into it she placed her armour, sword, gi and mask. On top of that she placed various clothes. Finally zipping it up she pulled on a leather jacket and sunglasses, carried the bag out of the motel and to her car, putting the case into it. She then got in and drove to the airfield.
Once on the open road she quietly mused to herself;
"Well brother I hope you're ready. Cause you and I have a lot to talk about."
She is April MacEntee. She is the Red Phoenix. And she is heading to Gotham.
Meanwhile in Gotham
"In other news, Roman de Costa, CEO of Frontcavel industries, a large airchetecture and construction company, was found murdered today at the Frontcavel offices in Rio de Janeiro. There are no suspects but local police suspect it may have been a contract killing. We will have more as the story develops."
"Huh, that's a big one." Samuel MacEntee said as he ate his breakfast.
"It's a rough world. Stuff like that happens." Maggie replied. Samuel had brought breakfast to Kate and Maggie, as was tradition on his days off. They were all seated around the kitchen island in Maggie's and Kate's apartment. Kate was silently eating her share while watching the news when Jamie looked up to her and asked;
"You're not planning to go there and find the bad guy are you?" Maggie and Kate both chocked while Samuel covered his mouth to hold back a snigger, failing quite badly. When Kate and Maggie regained some control, Maggie sent a glare towards Samuel, who merely went back to eating, while Kate looked to Jamie.
"No I'm not that crazy. Plus I think your mom would kill me."
"Damn right." Maggie said as she leaned in and gave Kate a kiss on the cheek. Jamie and Samuel both gave out a 'ewww' at this, causing Maggie and Kate to roll their eyes.
"Oh grow up." This caused the pair to stick their tongues out at them, which made Maggie snicker.
"Hey Jamie go get cleaned up. You're going cake testing today remember."
"OK mom." Jamie jumped off her seat and ran to clean up while the three adults put everything away. When she returned, her, along with Kate and Samuel put on their coats and left, Kate and Jamie getting goodbye kisses from Maggie.
"See you guys later." She said as they left. Once in Kate's car Samuel spoke up;
"Why do I have to go with you again?"
"Because Mags has to work and you lost the bet."
"Why couldn't there have been one more crook." Kate only smirked as Samuel pouted.
Next Chapter: Creatures in the club.
A/N Sorry that this one is kind of short. But it is all I wanted to include. Also there is implication of torture but none described because I want to keep this a T rating.