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Chapter 13: War of the myths, Part 1
Midnight
The night was quiet. To nearly every other superhero and vigilante in the world this would be a welcome gift, a chance to go home early and enjoy a peaceful night's slumber. But this was Batman and Robin, and this was Gotham. Whenever it was a quiet night it meant that something was going to happen and something big.
The pair were quietly moving along the Gotham skyline, patrolling for any sort of disturbance that they could swoop in and deal with. Robin particularly was jumpy, itching to get into a brawl tonight to try out his new katana. Since losing his powers he had been training constantly as he believed that he had been slacked off due to relying on his temporary powers.
Batman himself was hoping for something, anything, if only to let Robin burn off some energy and to make it easier to get him to go to bed. He had school tomorrow and he didn't want another call telling him that Damian had fallen asleep in class again.
As they swung around a skyscraper, Penny-2 voiced in their ears,
"Batman and Robin come in. We have a report from Spoiler and Bluebird of a possible Clayface sighting in the Narrows."
"Thank-you Penny-2, we'll check it out." Robin looked to his Father quizzically,
"You're allowing me to help you fight Clayface?"
"Of course. He's tough and I'll need someone to watch my back." Accepting his Father's answer, Batman and Robin dropped down to street level and entered the recently arrived Batmobile. Firing up the engine, the pair sped off to the Narrows to find Clayface.
10 minutes later
Roaring through the Narrows, Batman and Robin were observing every sensor in the Batmobile in order to find Clayface. He had been on the loose for weeks now and was suspected for carrying out a series of thefts.
After a few minutes the sensors pinged as Clayface was located. The Batmobile made a 180 degree turn and sped to the location.
Upon arrival the dynamic duo found the area to be a dark alley. Arming themselves with batarangs and a katana respectively they entered the alley. Passing a dumpster they found a homeless man slumped down against the back of the alley. Remembering that Clayface can imitate anybody, Batman and Robin approached the figure cautiously.
"We know that's you Karloff. Make it easy on yourself and surrender now." Batman shouted to the homeless man. The man lifted his head to look at the pair, before replying in an old, broken voice;
"What you talkin about? Can't a man sleep in peace in this city?"
"Knock it off Clayface, before I see how many times I can actually remove your face." Robin shouted out, gripping his katana tightly. The old man's voice shifted to that of one muffled by a gas mask.
"Oh my dear boy. You won't be able to remove my face."
Suddenly the area around Batman and Robin was filled with white light and deafening noise as hidden flashbang explosives detonated, disorienting them. The old man leapt up, removing his coat and revealing himself to be the villain Scarecrow while Clayface burst out of the Dumpster.
Batman and Robin had no chance. Clayface leapt at Batman, surrounding him with his body, entrapping him. Before Robin could help him, Scarecrow engulfed him in fear gas. He swung his sword wildly before he collapsed into unconsciousness.
"Robin!" Batman was able to free himself from Clayface but before he reached Scarecrow a dark figure dropped in front of him. Red Phoenix swung her chain whip into Batman's chest. Even with the reinforced nomex suit, the force broke a few of his ribs. Batman grunted in an accustomed pain and struck out at Phoenix.
Phoenix deflected the punch and swung her chain whip low, catching his ankle. This time his armour was able to stop his bones from breaking, though he still ended on the ground on his back, the ankle badly sprained. Clayface lunged again, wrapping himself around him and holding him while he gagged his mouth.
Red Phoenix walked to the unconscious Robin as Scarecrow observed him, terror evident in his slumber. Phoenix removed his belt, boots and gloves while Scarecrow spoke up;
"One little bird, as requested." As Phoenix tied the boy up she responded;
"Thank-you. What did you give him?"
"You wanted him unconscious so I gave him a special formula which knocks you while giving you some pretty nasty nightmares."
"I see." Without a word she threw the duffel bag she was carrying to Scarecrow's feet while lifting Robin up. "200'000, as agreed."
"Nice doing business. What do you want to do with the Bat?" Phoenix looked to the incapacitated Batman, who was pointing his worst bat-glare at her.
"He's all yours. Have fun." At that she shot her grapple up. It found a lodging and it pulled her away into the night. Scarecrow turned to Batman and smirked as he approached him.
"So Boris, what do you say we do with him?" Clayface smiled evilly as he tightened around his captive, hearing him groan in pain.
"I don't know Johnathan. You have any ideas."
"Oh I have a few." He stretched out his hand in front of Batman when suddenly three red batarang's embedded themselves into Clayface's back. A second later they exploded and Clayface was torn apart, releasing Batman and causing Scarecrow to be thrown backwards by the blast.
Clayface soon reformed but Batwoman swung down and planted her boots into his face before bouncing off and back-flipping next to Batman. Looking to each other they nodded before launching themselves at Clayface.
Before Scarecrow could assist his temporary teammate a gauntleted hand grabbed his shoulder from behind and slammed him into the alley wall.
Standing up Scarecrow found himself face-to-face Green Dragon standing in front of him. Seeing a chance Scarecrow released fear gas into Green Dragon's face. However Dragon merely stood there, no observable change happening. Scarecrow starred in shock at Dragon;
"How?" Green Dragon just lifted a finger and tapped the jaw part of his mask, the metal ting being the penny drop for Scarecrow. "Oh. Gas-mask right?" Green Dragon nodded before grabbing Scarecrow's throat and slamming him against the wall.
"Where's Red Phoenix, Crane?" Dragon growled, his face inches from Scarecrow's.
"Heh don't know. She came to me and Boris over there. $200,000 for assistance in getting Robin."
Green Dragon growled before looking to the discarded duffel bag, which was now at the feet of Clayface. Knowing his sister, he took out an explosive shuriken and threw it at the bag. Upon contact the smaller explosive detonated the whole bag, showing it was full of explosives, not money. The explosion sent Clayface into the back wall of the alley. Batman and Batwoman took home the advantage and fired freezing capsules into the reforming Clayface, freezing him solid and ending the fight.
"That bitch." Scarecrow said as he watched the explosion.
"Where is she Crane?"
"I don't know she came to me. OK. I have no idea where she is." Green Dragon growled again before slamming his fist into Scarecrow's temple, knocking him out. Batman and Batwoman approached Dragon, who turned to them.
"Have you his location?" Green Dragon asked Batman.
"Yeah, thanks for the assist. I'll sort the rest out." Batman turned to leave but he nearly collapsed as he left. Batwoman caught him.
"You're in no shape to fight Red Phoenix and get Robin back." Batwoman said with him in his arms.
"No." Batman answered her roughly.
"Yes you idiot. Give me the location. I can get there faster and I probably have the best chance of beating her."
Batman glared at him, his broken side fuelling it.
"Listen she's my sister. I know her. How she fights and how she thinks. But I'm not like her. I see the wrongs in taking a son from his father. It's not blood that defines a person, but their actions and choices. And he chose to be a Robin, not an al Ghul. Please, I can do this with no more blood being spilt." Batman kept glaring at him, his eyes narrowed into micro-thin slits.
"Penny-2 give him Robin's location." Penny-2's voice spoke in all of their ears;
"He's six blocks away Dragon. Apartment complex on the edge of the narrows."
"Roger that." Green Dragon took out his grapple and shot it out. Before leaving he spoke to Batman.
"I will get your son back." Batman nodded and Green Dragon flew up into the night. As he flew Penny-2 spoke to him;
"Can you beat her?"
"Probably not, but I'll die trying if I have to."
"Good luck Irish."
"Thank you Penny-2."
"It's Julia actually." She corrected.
"Thank you Julia."
Red Phoenix was just looking at Robin. She had tied him to a chair in her kitchen. She was standing in front of him just staring. She could tell that he was related to Ra's al Ghul. His skin was darker than Batman's, definitely Arabic decent.
She had not taken his mask off. She had no need to know his real identity. She knew he was Ra's al Ghul's grandson and that was all she needed to know.
He was sleeping soundly now. The nightmares had stopped, meaning the special fear gas had worn off. She wondered if Scarecrow and Clayface had found her surprise. She didn't care. She needed them so she used them, like any other tool.
"You've got better at sneaking around Samuel."
Turning around April found Samuel standing in the doorway of the kitchen. He was looking directly at her, no emotion flowing through his mask. But she knew he was angry and so was she. After five minutes of staring Green Dragon spoke;
"Release him April."
"Why should I?"
"Because you're about to go too far."
"How would you know?"
"Because you've kidnapped the son of Batman. He's going to do whatever it takes to get him back. And you won't be able to stop him. Hell I bet you're doing exactly what Ra's wants. He obviously has no love for the boy. If he did he'd be with him. He doesn't know anything. Just stop. Please."
"I can't."
"Fine then I challenge you're honour. As a student of the Ty Lee I challenge you to one-on-one combat. If you do not accept then you forgo your honour and your title of Phoenix. Do you accept?"
"Damn you." Red Phoenix muttered.
"Accept the challenge or forgo your title."
"Yes, I accept your challenge!" Red Phoenix shouted. Green Dragon nodded.
"Rooftop."
"Fine." In silence they left the kitchen and made their way to the rooftop. Once on the roof they separated and placed themselves on opposite ends facing each other. They then pulled down their hoods and removed their masks and balaclavas. Red Phoenix drew her Jian sword and Green Dragon drew his Hook Swords.
"Are you ready?" Samuel asked.
"Yes." April answered.
They then rushed at each other.
To be continued….
Next chapter: War of the myths, Part 2
A/N Sorry it's been a while but my life kinda took a nose-dive off a cliff. Don't worry I'm fine now. We are so close to the end I can smell it. Hope you guys are as excited as I am.