Trials of Love Part 2
Chapter 28 : An Uneasy Night
Inside the old Gotham Subway Tunnel, condemned for faulty structure and rusted tracks, Batman moved through the shadows with his chemical light-stick in hand.
He heard the sound of high-heeled boots echoing on the cracked-cemented platforms.
"What brings you to may dwelling Dark Knight?" Said a teenager, dressed in a black pair of jeans giving her a Gothic look to her style. Her hair was dyed black with golden streaks. "I haven't seen you in so long."
"Can we discuss this later Shadowmane?" Batman said looking up at the teen with a deep glare.
The teen nodded. "Of course, but you're usually more into a talkative mood. Well with me anyways."
"I need you to contact your father."
Shadowmane rolled her ice-blue eyes. "Why me?" She asked. "Can't you do that yourself?"
"I don't have much time." He held up a 100 dollar bill.
"If your trying to bribe me it won't work. I know most of your tricks Batman."
"Likewise..."
The teen looked at the bill and then lifted her head. She sighed in a displeased manner. "but some how you always convince me." She took the bill.
"This is important Shadowmane. Many lives are at stake here."
"I'll help you Bats, but on one condition: tell me just what the hell is going on."
Batman remained silent for a moment.
"Giving me the silent treatment?" She crossed her arms. "Well if you won't tell me than I guess I'll have to figure your secret just like I always do." She handed back the money. "Here, I don't want your money. I want your trust."
"Fine." Batman rasped. "If you really want to know Shadowmane, the people of Gotham are about to become victims of an evil that we have never faced before."
Shadowmane nodded giving him the gesture to continue. "Go on."
"I am cursed."
"Now there is a surprise, and here I thought the Dark Knight never gets cursed by magic spells because he doesn't believe in magic."
"I hate magic!"
"Join the club."
Batman gave her one of his intense glares.
"So what kind of curse are you under if you don't mind me asking?"
Under the cowl Bruce was a little hesitant to tell his good friend the truth about his curse. Of him transforming into the winged creature of the gods called Pegasus. Inside Bruce knew that he could trust Shadowmane. After all she was sort of in the same predicament as him. The teen was cursed by her father accidentally during a ritual that happened many years ago when she was 5 years old. Her father was professor in Ireland that dealt with the black arts and stuck a deal with a witch giving him power. But with that power he lost his beloved wife and his child was reduced to be a cursed soul that took the form a wolf.
Batman found the teen two years ago when he was in New Orleans working on a case with Superman and Doctor Fate involving Shadowmane's father. He was being controlled by an evil spirit that wanted to raise the dead.
After that night Batman took the teen to Zantanna to handle and to see if his good friend of magic could reverse the curse of the wolf. Sadly Zantanna tried everything but the spell was too powerful. And feeling that he would betray another friend Batman brought the teen to Gotham and made sure she was well taken care of by his standards. She was his secret. Alfred did not even know about Shadowmane. The reason why Batman called the teen Shadowmane was because of her being a werewolf and never revealing her real name to him.
"So are you finally going to tell me?"
"All right... I am cursed to become a black-winged horse of the gods because they chose me to become a warrior in battle for this rising evil."
Shadowmane laughed much to Batman's annoyance.
"It's not funny." He said with a tight jaw. "You don't know what it's doing to my life. I can only be human if there is no moon at night."
"I understand your pain. It's just that..."
"What?"
"I thought if you were to be cursed into something, it would be a bat but then again you might enjoy that aspect."
"So does that tall Amazon know anything about this?"
"Diana? Yes."
"And this is the reason why you want me to locate my father."
More of a statement than a question, but Batman still nodded.
"Well then I guess that's a reason. I'll see if I can find the old man." She moved closer to him.
"Hold out your hand."
"Why?" He asked.
"So I can give you something."
Batman held out his right gloved hand and Shadowmane placed a dog whistle in his palm. "A dog whistle?"
"To contact me. I know it's bit cliche but trust me it works." She said with a smirk. "Now all I have to use to get you to come to me is a bucket of apples."
He formed his lips into a scowl.
"I'll be in touch.
As the sun was rising across the horizon queen Hippolyta was kneeling in front of the statue of Athena praying for Diana and Bruce's safe when fighting the forthcoming evil.
"Something wrong , my queen?" Artemis asked as she entered the temple of Athena. "You seem so distant to the rest of us."
"I am worried for Diana."
"You and I both know that Diana can handle the big battles alone. She has proven that many or times."
"I know commander. But I fear for my daughter just like any another mother fears for her children. I never wanted her to have this life outside our borders. I made a promise to you when I formed her that I would never let anything happen to her. That I would always be there to protect her."
Hippolyta looked at the massive statue of the goddess of wisdom.
"But the gods chose differently."
Artemis placed her firm hand on the queen's shoulder.
"Diana is strong my queen she will not lose this battle. I have faith in her."
"As do I commander." She sighed. "I need you to go to Gotham and fight with your sister."
"But Diana said..."
"I know what Diana said commander. I have a feeling that she will need all the help that she can get. And you are that help."
"Diana is stubborn she will refuse my offering."
Hippolyta shook her head.
"I know my daughter and she was accept your blade."
Artemis nodded.
"I will leave for Gotham right away ."
"Thank you commander." Hippolyta said. "Oh commander make sure that you bring your crossbow."
"I never leave for battle without it."
As the sun was rising across the horizon, Queen Hippolyta was kneeling in front of the statue of Athena; praying for Diana and Bruce's safety as they fought the forthcoming evil.
"Something wrong, my queen?" Artemis asked as she entered the temple. "You seem so distant to the rest of us."
"I am worried for Diana."
"You and I both know that Diana can handle these big battles alone. She has proven that many or times, my queen."
"I know commander... But I fear for my daughter just like any another mother fears for her children. I never wanted her to have this life outside our borders. I made a promise to her when I formed her that I would never let anything happen to her. That I would always be there to protect her."
Hippolyta looked at the massive statue of the goddess of wisdom.
"But the gods chose differently."
Artemis placed her firm hand on the queen's shoulder.
"Diana is strong, my queen. She will not lose this battle. I have faith in her."
"As do I commander." She sighed. "I need you to go to Gotham and fight with your sister."
"But Diana said..."
"I know what Diana said commander... I have a feeling that she will need all the help that she can get. And you are there to help."
"Diana is stubborn she will refuse my offering."
Hippolyta shook her head.
"I know my daughter and she was accept your blade."
Artemis nodded in compliance as any loyal soldier would.
"I will leave for Gotham right away, my queen."
"Thank you commander." Hippolyta said. "Oh commander, make sure that you bring your crossbow."
"I never leave for battle without it."
As Artimis walked down the stone steps of the temple, Cassie appeared. A cross look formed on her strawberry shaped face.
"You're leaving Artimis?" She asked, her voice revealing her anger.
"Yes little one. I am needed elsewhere."
"Can I go to battle with you?" Cassie asked, showing that she was so eager to fight beside the commander of the Amazons. "I'll bring my sword."
"I am afraid the queen will disapprove."
"But I want to go with you."
She implored. Artimis knelt down to the child's level. "You will fight battles with me one day Cassie. But I cannot risk your life in this battle. Where I am going you could die and I couldn't..."
She trailed off timidly, Cassie noticed.
"Couldn't what?"
Artemis sighed. "...see you become another victim of this senseless war."
"I can be brave like you and Diana. I can fight the battles."
Artimis removed her golden helmet and placed it onto of Cassie's head.
"When I get back we will train together with real swords. But I want you to practice while I'm away. Donna is very good with the blade she will teach you a few tricks."
Cassie nodded. "All right." Her tone was distraught. "I will stay but you must promise me that you will return from this battle."
"I can't promise you that." Artimis replied firmly. "But I can tell you that we will see each other again little one."
Cassie lowered her head as Artimis walked away and headed to the palace.
Donna was sitting on a stone ledge biting into a golden pear.
"That child really looks up to you." She said looking at the tall redhead. "I can see that you feel strongly for her, more than me."
"Yes. Cassie is a special girl. When she grows up she will be a great warrior."
"I suppose you want me to take over training with the girl?"
"I want you to show her your skills with the blade but be warned the child never gives up."
"I know she reminds me of my best of the sisters."
"Who?"
"You."
Artimis gave Donna a small smile.
"So you're heading to Gotham to fight with Diana and the Bat?"
"How did you know?"
"I read lips."
The tall redhead crossed her arms. "Another one of your hidden talents?"
"Maybe?" Donna said jumping down from the ledge. "Tell Diana that I know she will defeat this evil."
"I will. Take care of the queen and Cassie."
"Understood commander."
There was a loud scream that went from one ear out the other. Someone was in trouble and she knew it was going to be another rough night.
The downtown monorail was making its last evening run for the night. On board sat one of the important people that this city had to offer. Her name was Martha White, an accountant for The Russian mob banks. She was well in her late forties but still had retained good looks. Yovi would occasionally have sex with her, when his wife was out exploring the world.
Martha was holding on to her purse tightly, it had her whole life in there; checkbooks, Black berry and a cell phone.
Three men that like smelled like garbage were forming around her.
"Get away from me." She screamed and kicked one of the men in the belly with her high-heeled shoe.
"Now you've done it lady." The other said helping his partner up.
The third one grabbed her from behind and threw her to the ground. Blood began to dip from her face as she lifted herself up with her arms. Martha knew that these creeps were not Yovi's men but strangers.
A fire truck whizzed by under the monorail drop off stop. All eyes turned to the sound of the sirens. Diana jumped down and started taking the men out, punching and kicking aggressively. The group did not know what hit them. It was like a flash of light and soon they were on the ground rubbing their heads.
Martha turned around and saw a woman crouched down, staring at her as if she looking right into her soul.
"You're not harmed?" Diana asked.
Martha looked at he arms. "I don't think so."
"Why were those thugs after you?"
Martha shrugged.
"Lot's of gangs are after me Miss but these were strangers to my sights. They didn't even smell human."
"That is because they weren't."
"Come again?" Martha asked.
"Is your home not far from here?"
"Yes it's just across the street."
"I suggest you go home and lock all your doors. Something is coming tonight."
"What?"
Diana sniffed the air.
"Death."
Detective Riley Walker was sipping her hot green tea, while writing out a report of a crime that was committed three months ago. CSI units searched top to bottom in the apartment building trying to find every clue. Her friend Samantha worked long hours to make this case work for the Judge to throw the book at the murder.
The victim as it read on the file was a Jane Doe, age 25 years old, occupation: waitress at the Fancy Rose restaurant down in the business district. COD revealed that she was stabbed multiple times in the chest by three pieces of glass. The pieces were from the shattered glass door in the bathroom. Hand prints were found all over her arms and legs.
Her front door was opened when the police showed up. There were papers littered all over the floor and there was a lap top on the desk with an unknown file opened and printed off. Samantha was in charge of the case but she trusted that Megan would help bring this man to justice. The murder was one of her co-workers in the DA's office. Drake was away on a trip with Anna when the crime happened, but when he got back, he was shocked about the news. The one thing that he kept from the press was the name of the victim, for protection to her family.
Riley walked over to the board that had pictures of suspects posted on it. The one picture that made her feel uneasy was of Lutheran Jacks.
His black eyes stared into her soul. They reminded her of snake eyes.
She walked up to the stairs, hoping to be alone, but instead her boss was standing there drinking his coffee; silently listening to the city sounds. Riley joined him with a smirk on her thin face.
"Barbara must be ** off with you tonight." She said looking at her boss.
Gordon turned around looking at Riley. "She knows that with this kind of job late nights are part of the deal. Finished with the Jane Doe file?"
"Yes, but I don't think it will be enough to go in front of the jury."
"Did you call Samantha?" Gordon asked.
"I left a message, but she has a three-year old daughter. A busy life to contend with. I give her a lot of credit for what she does. It's not easy to find out who are the innocent ones." Riley replied, looking at one of the buildings from across the street.
"It's the choices that we make that prove how innocent we really are." Gordon replied as he sipped the last drop of his black coffee.
"See you later sir?"
"Where are you heading off too?"
"The Asylum. One of my friends has an old file on Jacks. I figured it could help us out on sending this monster to the chair."
"Be careful."
"You know me, sir. I do not fear flesh and blood."
Gordon nodded and then flicked on the floodlight.
"Just in case detective, I'm going to make sure you have some backup." He said under his breath.
ey Walker reached the entrance of the eerie Asylum labeled "Arkham. Home to the worst kind of human beings in this city." As she was walking on the pavement, she felt like she wasn't alone. Like someone was behind her watching her. The windows were barred and locked.
Screams, wails and threats were music in the building as she walked down its hallways passing the cell doors. It reminded her of a zoo. Each of the inmates were like savage animals trapped in their steal cages growling at all the visitors who lay eyes on them. In the cells with them were shadows mocking them.
Riley reached the office of Doctor Lilly Jolls' twin sister: Mira Jolls. She was another doctor and her long time friend who'd been working in this haunted house for 8 years. Riley looked in the office, she was not there. A nurse came by and told her that Lilly was checking a patient and would with be her in a moment. Riley entered the office and looked over pictures of Lilly's family. Two boys and her handsome husband Robert who was also a teacher of literature.
"Riley Walker, this is a surprise." Said Lilly who had her brief case in one arm and her cell phone in the other.
"Hello Lilly."
"What brings you to this dreadful place?"
"I asked about a file."
Lilly walked to her desk and pulled out a yellow folder with the name "Jacks" printed in big black bold letters.
"Here it is. Everything you need to know about this monster."
"Thank you."
Lilly pulled in her chair and opened the file.
"Name: Lutheran Jacks. Age: unknown. Mother was murdered in her own home by an unknown killer who police presumed to be an ex-boyfriend. The information was never released due to theories from the investigation team.
Thomas' only family was his grandmother and older sister Marie who died from child birth complications.
At the age of 16, Thomas ran away.
Spent 3 years in Juvenile.
Was wanted for murder.
Arrest for raping a Jane Doe but his trial was paid off.
Arrest for raping a 10-year old.
Murdered three officers in New York.
Patient likes to use switchblades and gunpowder. Suffers from split-personality disorder, feels no pain. Patient can only understand the meaning of emotions but cannot feel them."
Lilly closed the folder and handed it to Riley. Just as Riley reached to take the folder the lights turned completely off in the building. It was only sudden, but the inmates were already screaming because of the darkness.
"What the hell?"
Riley spoke aloud, suddenly alert of the danger. Lilly pulled out her flashlight from the desk drawer while Riley held out her gun.
"Lilly, stay here, I'll go check it out."
"Riley, I'm not afraid of the darkness."
Batman was outside watching through the window.
The two women walked down the narrow hallways of the eerie building while the inmates stared them down from inside their cells, calling them names yelling rude threats. Lilly wasn't afraid, its what she dealt with 10 hours a day. Riley walked slowly observing all the glass cells, never loosening her grip on her weapon. It looked dark and haunted in there. She peered inside a cell only to see an iris-less eye glazing back at hers. Suddenly there was a grim sound of laughter and a screaming sound soon after. It sounded like someone was being burned alive.
"Lilly are all the cell doors locked?"
"Yes. Than who is making that sound. The nurses?"
"No. The nurses are down stairs on break. There's no one up here."
The scream sounded like it was getting closer and closer. Both of them paused and waited for it to start again. There was nothing, only an unsettling silence. Riley felt some cold creep up behind her. She turned around and saw that nothing was there.
"Lilly, there's something behind us."
"What?"
"I don't know, just stay calm and do not move."
Lilly turned around only to see a huge creature with red eyes. It looked like a giant bat with sharp teeth snarling at her. She tapped Riley's shoulder.
"What?" Snapped the detective who had flinched when Lilly tapped her shoulder.
"Does this answer your question?"
Riley turned her head around and saw the creature walking closer and closer. Its claws looked like knives and drool was hanging from its mouth.
"What is it?"
"It's Batman on drugs."
"Lilly get behind me!" Riley commanded while pointing her gun at it. She fired at the creature and it only paused. The bullets went right through it. Riley heard it laugh.
"Do you fear me human?" The bat creature asked with a growl in its voice.
"No. You're not real."
"Oh I'm real. I want that file Megan. Give it to me or else your dear friend will not survive the night."
Lilly started to pray. Right at that moment Batman broke through the glass and landed on the belly of the creature. The creature was quick to react and threw Batman to the floor and started scratching at him, laughing as he did.
"What are you doing here?" Batman asked with a growl. He looked at the giant bat creature, still was foaming at the mouth. Battas looked at the two women and licked his lips maliciously.
"To taste their blood. To feel it flow down my throat."
When Lilly heard that she almost fainted, but Riley held her up and rested her arm around Lilly's shoulders. Batman got up and punched the Battas in the face.
The creature retaliated, smacking Batman into a wall and grabbed his face by its sharp claws.
"Feel my claws against your flesh little bat."
Batman snarled in definace. Battas persisted.
"When I'm through with you these two women will be mine for the taking."
Finding an opening, Batman elbowed Battas in the face and slowly crawled on his knees towards the women.
"Run." He rasped out.
Battas grabbed him by the legs and slammed him again into the wall.
Batman groaned loudly in pain. He fell to the floor and looked at the women.
"Detective hold up your cross."
Riley looked down at her golden chain holding a small cross. She walked towards the creature and looked into its blood red eyes.
"I'm not afraid of you monster! I am protected by the blood. Leave."
Compelled by the detective's words, Battas could only give her a death glare. It snarled viciously as it vanished into the darkness. The lights turned back on and Batman was gone with it.
"I think I better call it a night," said Riley to Lilly who was shaking.
Batman hadn't gone far. He made sure that the women were all right before he had left, knowing the midnight hour was near.
"What was that thing?" Asked Riley, sweat rolling down her face. "Just tell me what it was?"
"An evil creature... It preys on the blood of humans."
Batman sat perched on the rooftop. He lifted his head and watched the moonlight peeping through the clouds. He released a sigh and said "here we go again."
He jumped down and bolted for the Batpod hoping that he would make it back to the penthouse before the hour of his transformation, but it was too late. He could already feel the pull in his muscles, his bones began to twist and his blood boiled. He suddenly fell to the ground in pain, his breathing became heavy as his body mass grew larger.
Quickly he pulled off the cowl and crawled to the shadowy part of the back alley behind Arkham. Even in his condition, he made sure that no one is in sight. Lifting his head he let the sweat pour out of him , running down his lips.
Involuntarily he began to make horse like sounds as his hands grew larger and his flesh began to rip.
Bruce howled in pain as his stomach grew larger and his neck longer.
"Why!" He yelled wrapping his arms around his mid-section. He felt it tearing apart from the extra weight.
A few minutes passed and he was now in his horse-form and miserably not amused about his transformation. He quickly arose and used his large mouth to pick up the cowl.
Wonder Woman arrived and jumped down.
"Bruce!"
"What do you want princess?" He snarled with a hiss dropping the cowl as he spoke to her.
"I knew I would find you. Are you all right?"
"Do I look all right?" He asked in snapping tone.
"Bruce, how dare you use that tone with me." Diana said pointing at him. "I just came here to see if you needed any help."
"...How did you find me?"
"Homing device planted in your belt."
The winged horse looked at the belt. "I don't need your help Diana. I can handle this alone."
Diana put her hands on her hips.
"The gods should of turned you into a donkey instead."
The creature gave her a growl showing his teeth.
"Because you are as stubborn as one. When are you going to accept the fact that there are some things you can't do alone? Especially when you're not Batman."
"I may look like a horse but I'm still the same underneath princess."
"Well you're definitely not showing it." She retorted. A thought came to mind, causing her to smirk. "Look at us we're arguing like a married couple."
He groaned, or perhaps it was his attempt at a sigh in his current form.
"Whatever."
The winged horse lifted his wings and shot up to the roof. Unyielding, Diana placed her hands on her hips.
"Bruce, come down here at once."
"Make me."
"You're acting..."
"I know like a stubborn **."
Diana flew up to the roof after him.
"You're not welcome here. This is my rooftop." He snarled.
"You don't own Gotham, Bruce. Its the other way around. Gotham owns you."
"So you came up here to tell me that princess?"
Diana shook her head. "You were right ... You do have a lot of issues."
"Thanks for caring princess."
Diana placed her hand on his forehead. "I know that you're trying to fight the spirit inside. That's why you're acting like this Bruce."
The horse lowered his head, regret now showing.
"Princess, I didn't mean to say those things. Is just that I'm tired of being trapped in this body. I need to be Batman again 24/7 and waiting for the moon to show it's ugly face... People are going to get hurt."
"It won't be that much longer Bruce."
She stroked his neck, hoping it along with her words provided him consolation.
"That's what you keep on telling me. So when do we start to prepare for battle."
Diana contemplated her answer to his question.
"Soon?"
"That's not the answer I was looking for."
"Tomorrow."
"Are you ready?"
Diana shook her head.
"Why not? You've faced many battles involving demons and other creatures of the underworld. Why should this be any different, princess?"
"It's because your soul is at stake. If we lose... we lose you and your city will die."
She finished her sentence with a slight tremble in her voice, despite the poker-face she wore. She felt he was really rubbing off on her.
"Than let's hope we don't lose. Now we need a plan."
"And you have one?"
"I'm thinking."
The winged horse lowered his head and began to think.
Diana smiled warmly at him.
"What?" He asked.
"Even when you're a horse you brood."
He rolled his eyes.
"There has to be a hidden connection with the current events that are happening." He turned and looked at her. "Let's do some training."
"What kind of training?"
"Flight."
"But I thought you said you never let anyone control you?"
"If we are going to win this battle we have to learn how to work together. Now hop on and please don't pull my hair."
Diana withheld a small chuckle in her chest, then sat on his back.
"Ready to soar princess?"
She nodded. "Ready when you are Bruce."
A/N: A BIG THANK YOU TO MY WONDERFUL PROOF- READER AND EDITOR. YOU'RE AMAZING.