Next chappie like I promised.
Don't forget to review on that last one then this one.
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Great, ok.
Enjoy the show!
She was bored. That's it there was too it. Positively bored. It had been some time now, maybe a week or two since she'd moved into the manor with Tim, Babs and Annie. She was half in depression still, she still felt her fathers absence sorely. And sitting around doing nothing isn't helping ease it.
The bat-kids were so wrapped up in trying to clear their name and catch this mystery freak, she felt useless sitting here just listening and watching. From what she could gather from what they've gathered, he had skill, obviously, since not even they could catch him.
Zatanna let out a sad sigh, pushing her tousled black hair out of her face, she watched Tim come out in his Robin costume. That costume had seen a lot of things.
"Hey, Timmy, can I come with this time?" She blurted out suddenly.
The younger boy stopped in the middle of adjusting his mask, "Um . . . On patrol?"
She nodded standing up, "Yah, I haven't stopped any baddies in a long time. And . . . I desperately need a distraction from my thoughts."
Barbara walked in at this point catching Timmy's fleeting look in her direction.
"Sure Zee, go ahead. Who knows, maybe you'll be the extra edge we need if you run into mystery killer." The red head smiled lightly, the bags under her eyes getting darker.
Zatanna nodded, "Sure. Thanks." She snapped her fingers, in a puff of smoke her regular clothes disappeared and when the smoke cleared she was standing in her magicians outfit. Of course it was much more flattering than her fathers. Short black shorts, white button up, black tail coat that reached to the back of her see through stocking covered legs.
"Ready?" She smiled at Tim as he stared, adjusting her white wrist gloves.
"Um, yah." The younger boy cleared his throat, "L-let's go." He stuttered turning abruptly away.
Annie giggled at his reddening face, Zatanna smiled, "Cute."
Both girls followed the young Robin out.
"Good luck guys." Barbara called and sat in her control chair.
For some reason an unsettling feeling was bubbling in her gut. And when you're a bat kid that usually means trouble.
The skinny young woman walked down the street. Gotham was incredibly dark at night, even with the street lights flickering on. Mallory learned to ignore it and just kept walking. Her apartment building was so close. Just need to get there without killing someone. Mallory let out a frustrated breath. Her conversation with that Flash character replaying itself in her mind for the thousandth time since she'd had it. 'Come on, I bet you'd be one of the best.' He'd smiled at her. Dang it, that smile for some reason got stuck in her head.
The way he tilted his head. Warm, gentle, sincere blue eyes. She'd seen those eyes somewhere. But for some reason she couldn't place it. The more she thought about it the more it felt like she knew him. A scoff escaped her lips, yah right. Me. Know a super famous Superhero? That's a laugh.
Forget it, he's probably just being a concerned hero or whatever. She bit her lip feeling that familiar empty feeling she always had. Came from being alone and abandoned all the time. The wind picked up, rustling her brown hair, she shuddered slightly and rubbed her arms. Winter in Gotham was nasty. She hated dealt with it through necessity. She really didn't have a lot of options on places someone like her could live. Besides to some people she could be categorized almost as nasty as Gotham anyway.
Mallory stopped.
Footsteps.
She could hear them. Clearly trying to come up undetected, paranoia had taught her that. Shoot. She held her breath and continued to walk, how many times has she been mugged already? Talk about rotten luck. She bit back a dry humorless laugh. Right, just my style.
"Hey babe." And there it was.
Honestly she wasn't even pretty, let alone attractive enough for anyone, even a sicko, to rape. She barley even had a butt.
With a tired eye roll she turned to see, not one but four creeps leering at her from the dark. But something was different about these guys. One: they had on creepy Halloween masks and two: . . . those weapons in their hands looked a lot more sophisticated then your average gun.
Pffft, whatever, she could take them easy, all she had to do was snap her fingers and-
A horrible electric shock shot through her body, freezing her nerves, at the same time making her feel like a rush of fire was squeezing through her. She couldn't move!
"Uh-uh, not this time. We're prepared," The shortest one with a gravely voice tsked at her and purposely ran a dirty hand through her hair. Mallory felt sick and in pain, but she couldn't even move to hurl.
"We actually know what you can do."
What! No! Her mind screamed, nobody knows what I can do! I'm not even the same person how . . . who . . . her mind took a dark turn, West . . . or that Flash guy-another shock burned through her blood breaking her train of thought. No, it could be anyone. Anyone she'd run from . . . they might have found her after all.
"First, we're gonna have a little fun with ya, then, we'll take you to boss," Shorty sneered at her, his pointy teeth gleaming yellow in the dim light. His hand reached for her jeans. For the first time in a long time, Mallory felt honest pure terror shoot through her. She couldn't do anything. Why did they want her for? How did they even know about her!?
"Nice and quick babe." He hissed in her ear, the other three placed themselves around her. Mallory wished to god she could swallow. It ached, burned, damn it, if they took this from her, she really wouldn't have anything left.
His hand violated her by slipping down her legs. A silent tear slid down her face, her heart was the only sound she heard, bashing in her ears. Suddenly a loud silence shattering sound burst through, two seconds later shorty's head blew up blood and he fell to the ground, dead.
Mal freaked, three more shots. Guns. They were guns. She knew that sound anywhere. The other three goons flipped out. Dead in the next second. Dead before they could even run three feet. Mallory started to believe maybe God didn't hate her after all. A loud thud from behind, Mallory still couldn't move, a looming shadow came up engulfing her, the shadow held two guns. Shit. Now she was really in for it.
Good bye hateful world.
"Hey."
Mal would have shivered if she could feel anything. His voice was low, slightly raspy. Could defiantly rival Batman's creepy factor. But at the same time it sounded . . . young?
"You ok?"
What?! Don't tell me this guy's another hero! Ugh, I feel like such a damsel in distress, it's revolting. He walked clear into her view, the street light seemed to flicker even more. Mal would have gaped if she could. A tall male in a leather jacket and combat boots. That was your regular type of rebel. style right there. But what got her was that red helmet. Completely covered his head, and only two whites for his eyes. And those heavy looking guns he'd just slipped back into their holsters.
"Can't talk huh." He sounded so . . . normal. Was this normal? Probably for him. But something didn't scream 'hero' to her, not like all the others anyway. Definitely not like Flash. More like . . . what? Wait! Mall gasped, discovered she could, her jaw could move now, it was wearing off. Thank god.
"You-your the guy who's been giving hero's here a bad rep."
He took a step back.
Yah, real smart Mal, tick off the guy who's currently heavily armed and you can't do a damn thing besides breath.
"So what?" She heard a smirk, even if she couldn't see it. She began to feel her neck.
"Um . . . th-thanks." She swallowed. Yes! Her throat was on!
He stopped.
"That's new."
She swallowed again, this guy was making her nervous, like she was a mouse and he was a tiger. She did NOT like that feeling.
"Do you're self a favor sweetheart." He slipped a hand behind her neck. Shit, now what!
She could feel his gloved finger tips push on the nap of her neck.
"Yah? What's that?" She swallowed. This proximity of a really dark stranger was making her head light. Which was weird for her. She never got lightheaded about anything.
Suddenly a sharp pain zapped through her body, she let out a muffled squeak and almost fell to the ground in a crumpled mass of bones, she would have hit the harsh concret face first, if he hadn't caught her and leaned her against the wall.
"Get inside before dark huh. It would save you a whole mess of trouble." With a casual shrug he turned to go and just stepped over the bleeding dead bodies, like it was nothing. Mal decided they really weren't anything. They almost raped her. Why would she care about them. As far as she was concerned dead them meant good for everyone else.
"Um, yah. Ow." She cracked her neck.
He turned one last time, "That'll wear off." With that he grabbed the fire escape above him and lifted himself up effortlessly. Leaving Mal to gingerly walked around the puddles of dark blood.
With a released breath, she pushed her hair back from her face and continued her walk home. Then it hit her. That guy . . . has been THE guy that everybody's been freaking about and nobody has seen! Those that have are always dead!
She might be the first and only survivor! And what was more. . . he saved her.
She unlocked her door and slipped inside. But he kills and . . . no. She shook her head firmly, she owed him, maybe not but . . .
She decided if somebody who killed could save her than he wasn't all that bad. Those rappers deserved worse than a quick death anyway. Who knew how many others they'd hurt or killed. Besides he was kind of the same as her. Just like she destroyed things with a snap of her fingers, but she wasn't a monster . . . he killed to save her and probably a bunch of others too. Yah, this secret was going to be kept by her.
No matter what.
Zatanna smirked as she placed a booted foot on the thugs stomach and leaned forward putting more pressure on it, "How do you like that?" She kicked the thug away, "Well, yet another thug out and done." She crowed triumphantly, dusting her hands off.
She pushed her com on, "Hey Robin, I took care of the dock issue." She flipped her dark hair over, "How're you two holding up?"
"Peachy!" Robins voice sounded strained, "Just taking down a couple of bigger punks. Annie watch out!" The comm clicked off.
Zatanna winced, maybe I'd better check up on them. Sure, this was their town but . . . she flew up to her previous steak out spot. Yah, maybe I'll just check on them and-
A shadow streaked past her. Zatanna's blue eyes flickered over. Her heart stopped. A tall figure rolled to a stop and stood up aiming a . . a gun! The young magician flipped out, he was pointing it at a big fat man that had just gotten out of a dock home.
Over her dead body.
With a blasts of energy the girl launched herself up onto the roof silently. Her blue eyes narrowed as she closed in. Tim had been right. He was tall, muscular and definitely not wearing a cape. His back was turned, telling the young magician that he hadn't noticed her presence. She bit her lip and decided this could be turned to her advantage.
Taking in a silent breath, she muttered a spell under her breath and let a blast of light loose from her hands and flew towards the silent arched figure.
Yes!
He back flipped effortlessly off the ledge.
No!
The girl flew forward and looked over. Damn it! She was so close! How did he-
She stopped her thoughts and saw him flip over the fence with one hand. Her eyes widened. This guy really was trained. She set her face in determination. No way was she losing him.
She jumped down from the roof and started after him. She was going to get something out of this if it killed her. He turned a dark corner. Zatanna lost no time and skid around the same bend. Her sharp eyes caught his shadow through the dark as he climbed up a fire escape and onto a fish cannery roof.
Gotcha. The dark haired girl smirked to herself and climbed up after him. If she could just see his face or get his name. Anything! Babs would be over the moon!
She popped over. And gasped. His gun clicked. She let out a yell and literally, and ungracefully slammed her body into his as the gun went off with an ear splitting bang. Adrenaline charged through her making her breath come short. She peaked over the edge for a second. The guy he was aiming at had run. Then she was thrown on her back, her head cracked against the concert, stunning her for a minute.
Her eyes widened. His gun clicked again. She froze. He was gonna shoot her! Zatanna had been shot at before, but never at such a close proximity.
"You- Who are you?" She hated how her voice shook a little. Why was this guy, out of all the freaks and creeps she's beaten up, make her feel . . . actually afraid.
His gun lowered, she looked up. Her mouth falling, his head was completely encased in a red helmet, except for the whites that were where his eyes were. Wow, talk about taking secret identities to an extreme. Not even Batman covered his whole face. And he was the king of paranoia.
He cocked said helmet head to the side a little. Then her heart stabbed, the spell she was gathering in her mind scattered as he lowered himself into a hunched position on his feet in front of her, slipping the gun under her chin and forcing her head up. He was close. Way too close. His helmet covered face was creepy up close. She resisted the urge to shiver.
Oh god Zee. You are an idiot.
She couldn't see his face. But she had the uncomfortable feeling he was mocking her. His body angle spoke volumes. He wasn't concerned about her being here or seeing him. This might even be funny to him. Who the hell is he?!
"Now, if I wanted you to know that. I wouldn't be wearing a mask." He was Mocking her. His voice came through slightly distorted but she could still tell, it was a young voice, he couldn't be more than twenty.
"I-"
"Stay out of my way if you wanna keep that pretty little face bullet free. Otherwise . . ." He leaned closer, "I warned you." Then he shoved her aside, stood up, and turned to leave.
Zatanna felt anger suddenly burn inside her. He was threatening her. Like she would step down like that. With a frustrated growl she launched herself at him and let loose a blast of air almost knocking him over the roof.
He deftly flipped over and regained his balance.
"Hum. Nice. Daddy taught you well, before he abandoned you anyway." He was taunting?
The girl froze mid attack- how did he-, Her fathers face flashed in front of her eyes, the hurt rushed back. She felt the fight sucked right out of her.
"Aw. What's the matter? Someone miss her old Man." He actually let out a dark chuckle. This taunting was way to familiarized. It hurt more. Twisted in her gut and boiled up.
Zatanna screamed and lost her composer, "Who the heck are you!" She aimed punches, kicks, light bolts, anything her blurred mind conjured at the moment at him. He dodged them all like a freaking ballerina!
He caught one of her oncoming fists and slammed her into the floor. She felt her arm crack painfully. Pain clouded her anger. She just wanted to disappear, but her energy was sucked out as he put some of his weight on her.
"I said. Stay out of my way." He tossed her aside and walked toward the edge of the roof, "Oh. And by the way. Tell Batgirl, I said Hi."
He flipped over and disappeared.
The magician groaned in pain and at her stupidity. She stood up wobbly, her arm shooting burning pain, tears pricked her eyes. The pain crawled through her entire upper body.
Zatanna. Your an idiot. She swallowed, her com buzzed in her ear.
"Y-yah?" She tried to clear her throat to keep any suspicion off of her."Zee? Where are you? Patrol's over, aren't you coming back to the manor?" Tim's voice asked, concern lacing it.
She nodded before remembering he couldn't see her, "Yah. I'll meet you there in fi - ten." It would probably take her longer with her busted arm. With a shaky breath she turned and walked towards towards the edge before floating with what little energy she had left down to the ground.
She really messed up. It wasn't like her to mess up. Why didn't she just call for backup? Or let it go, or maybe even just follow the guy to his hide out? Anything would have been smarter than confronting him alone . . . like an amateur. She bit her lip. Maybe it wasn't a total loss, he obviously knew something about her . . and why Batgirl? He had a red helmet for a mask and wore a bikers jacket. Plus he liked guns. That everyone was certain of.
Maybe Babs wouldn't kill her if she brought forth this info?
One could only hope. . .
Talia waited, sitting cross legged in a chair, staring at a buzzing screen. She'd sent that encrypted message a few days ago. Knowing her beloved he would have figured it out by now.
So why wasn't he contacting her? She smirked to herself, he probably knew that's what she wanted. Brilliant man. He lived up to his name.
But, that message was too overwhelming to not answer. Even for the Batman.
The screen beeped red.
A slippery smile spread on the usually stone faced woman. She knew he'd give in.
Batman or not, he was still human . . . for the most part.
She gracefully answered the call, the masked man appeared with his usual stoic face.
"Well. It took you long enough my-"
"What do you want." He cut to the point, harsh and emotionless as ever.
The woman almost smiled at him. Almost. She let a devious smirk cross her face instead, "I don't want anything. I already told you, I have something for you. Now, will you be accepting it or not?"
"I'm not playing your game Talia." A loud crash came from behind the masked man. He didn't shift. Someone called his name.
Talia knew he was on a mission. Hum . . . perhaps he's even more caught up in her plot than she though. But then . . . the man had a way of turning plans against her.
"Neither am I. We'll meet on The third island, you know where."
"Be that way." He grouched stoically, "If this is another Al Ghul trick. You know I'll find out."
"Understood."
"Don't call again." And he snapped the com off right as someone burst through the wall behind him.
Talia sat there for a moment in the dark room. A grin the rest of the world wasn't allowed to see turned her lips.
Oh, I have no doubt you'll figure it out Beloved.
But by then . . . it'll be too late.
Now. For the Jason problem.
Ok. Ok. This is bad. Definitely bad. Oh god, if Bat's ever hears about this! I am sooo dead.
The green clad archer frantically tapped at the JL Main computer. Report after report showed, and talked about how Gothams hero's have gone crazy. The archer winced at the particularly gruesome picture a reported snapped before the police kicked them out of the scene.
Who the hell's messing with Gothams criminals?
Ollie let out a sigh that made him sound ancient. Too much stress. Sure, that came with the territory of being a hero. But watching another hero's city and failing at it took a toll on even the best. Especially when said other heroes city is freakin' Batman's and he's the man who doesn't trust anyone except his butler guy completely. Giving Gotham to another hero is a huge deal.
And I botched it up!
Fuck everything. He grimaced and clicked the angering report off. Batgirl's probably going to die of stress if he didn't do something. There was only so much three kids could do.
"Ok, new priority find out who-"
The computer blared alive scaring the man out of his chair with a rather unmanly squeak. He popped back up, clearing his throat and nearly fainted when he saw what was glaring at him through the screen. A, granted very fuzzy, Batman.
"Hey Ollie? You ok-Whoa!" Green lantern walked in at that moment and nearly caved when he saw the Bat glaring daggers at them.
"B-bats? How's it? Your alive? Great. Mission complete? You had me worried for a while. So-when you coming back?" Ollie rattled on nervously. Please tell me he hasn't heard.
"Go to Rito Island in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Here are the coordinates. Get the package Talia Al-Ghul will have waiting for you and deliver it to Alfred." He cut crisply, ignoring the fighting Archers confused expression.
"What? Dude, we just barley found out your still breathing and this is-"
"We're fine. Mission will take longer than expected. Get. That. Package. Contact you soon. Batman out." And just like that, the man of stone clicked off, leaving two green clad heroes flabbergasted.
"Wait. . . that's just-" Oliver's anger rose, his face coloring. Stupid Bat. Thinks he owned the world! After everything I've put up for his stupid City, now I have to be his delivery boy too!
"You heard the man. Guess there's no messing with this. Guess you gotta go?" GL looked confused but resigned. He'd accepted Batmans sometimes overbearing bossiness.
Ollie let out a huff, "Guess I do. Wait-" He screeched to a halt and whirled around with wide eyes, "Did he say Talia Al Ghul?"
"Um, yah?''
Oh crap. He was so gonna die for this.
Ok there we are. All good. Not good? Ok. So yah climax rising soon. Poor Ollie. Poor Bat kids. Poor whoever I'm gonna harm next . . .
Let me know what you thought about this one.
And the other Chapter.
Two very important Chapters.
More important stuff revealed tomorrow
Peace, Love, And Batman!