Chapter 35: Craziest Time Of The Year
Authors Note: Okay, thank you all for the lovely feedback I am happy you loved it so much. I'm glad you all enjoyed Whisper's character too she was created by Dragonslayer223 so give thanks men. Okay, this will help explain why Freeze is with Zsasz and also a little humor here and there. And…Here…We…Go!
Hey, also I want to share my regret and concern for the children and families of Connecticut who were killed in the horrific shooting. It was just terrible how someone could be so cruel it really did a number on not just the parents of the lost ones but everyone who is a mother or father. I'm 21 and my mother held me for dear life. If you could say a prayer or send a letter out towards the families and let them know that you care. Alright I hope you all enjoy.
Disclaimer: Batman don't own yeah, yeah.
Shadow, Ronin, Reaper and Red were all down in Freeze's private cell examining the large cold room for any clues on his whereabouts. Reaper walked around the large medical table which used to hold Nora Fries.
"So why exactly did you help Freeze?" Reaper asked. "Why didn't you just put him down like you did with most of the criminals you fought?" Shadow was going through some files on the computer, not looking back as he answered.
"Victor Fries was a brilliant man who was really interested in subzero temperatures." Shadow explained while everyone else still searched for clues. "He spent a majority of his time buried in books until he met the love of his life."
"Nora Fries." Ronin said.
"Yes, you know the story. They fell in love she got sick and he tried to save her." Shadow went on as he continued to type away on the computer. "Before the disease could completely take her, Freeze put her in a cryo-stasis pod and kept her from dying. He then took a job at a pharmaceutical company called GothCorp under former ruthless owner Ferris Boyle. Without his permission, Freeze used Boyle's equipment to help cure his wife, but when Boyle found out he ordered for it to be shutdown. Freeze of course refused ensuring a struggle between the two. Freeze lost causing an accident which made him who he was today."
"Okay, we know that but why haven't you killed him yet?" Ronin asked.
"Because Freeze is just a tormented soul who is tortured by the goal of feeling his lovers warm touch on his icy skin." Red said as he walked towards his family. "He is not a man of greed or wrath, but love is what drives him to do these things. Shadow and Hitgirl both share these insights on him and have no true reason to kill him. This is why Jayden funds his research to prevent him from making any mistakes in the future that will cost him his wife."
"Hitgirl told you all this?" Reaper asked, confused as to why a girl who was obsessed over him would tell his friend and not him.
"She would have told you, but lately you've barley even batted an eye in her direction, so why bother with you?" Shadow said making Reaper growl at him. "Hey, don't get mad at me just because you take the role of Reaper to seriously. It's like what Whisper said, 'Just because we live behind mask doesn't mean we have to forget who we are.'"
Reaper looked away ashamed when Shadow finally finished typing on the computer.
"Got it!" Shadow exclaimed causing everyone to look over at him. "I had a hidden camera and audio feed installed when I prepared this cell for Freeze. This should tell us what we want to know." Everyone gathered around Shadow as the video started up.
An image of Freeze standing in the middle of his lab wearing his lab coat appeared on the screen. When it started up it Freeze was currently freaking out in front of the empty medical table that once held Nora's pod.
"Nora, where are you!?" Freeze shouted in sheer panic and rage.
"She's gone Victor." A suave voice said off screen. Victor turned and his eyes along with the Shadow Warriors eyes widened to see Ferris Boyle in his suit and tie smoking a cigar. He wasn't alone though as he was followed by Fire Fly who was strapped head to toe in his black flight suit and flame thrower. "You and I have unfinished business, Freeze."
"We have nothing to discuss Boyle!" Freeze snarled.
"Oh but we do." He chuckled. "You see I need your help in acquiring some diamonds and no one knows diamonds better than you." The Warriors listened to the conversation between the two as they understood where he was getting at.
"If you think I will work for you," Freeze snarled before he was cut off by a picture, causing Freeze's expression to go from angry too afraid in only a few seconds.
"Nora!" Freeze shouted in horror.
"Yes, and Zsasz as well." Boyle gloated. "I think we've reached an understanding then. You and Fire Fly are going to raid every diamond vault in Gotham and in exchange Zsasz won't add a new tally mark to his skin."
Everyone looked on at Freeze who was contemplating what to do before his shoulders slumped down in defeat. Boyle's small chuckle was heard on the video while Fire Fly dragged in Freeze's armor.
"Suit up, Mr. Freeze." Fire Fly gloated.
The video ended causing the Shadow Warriors to glare at the empty monitor in hate and disgust.
"How can someone be so cruel?" Reaper asked.
"Boyle was exposed by Batman and lost everything after Freeze's incident." Ronin explained. "He wants revenge on both Batman and Freeze and benefits both ways. He gets to pin all the blame on Freeze and hopefully kill Batman in the process."
"Very good Ronin." Shadow said. "But he made one huge mistake in his plan." Shadow then got up from his seat and turned to his friends. "He didn't count on us getting involved."
"Boss," Red said, getting his leaders attention. "I just got a call from Hitgirl and Thanatos. They say Freeze just robbed a bank. He stole all the diamonds and took off."
"What are we doing standing around?" Shadow asked rhetorically. "Move out!"
(!)
Two security guards were currently hiding behind the corners of the diamond vault holding their handguns in their shaking hands. The one guard peeked around the corner but couldn't see his target as all the lights had gone out and the room had been encased in ice. The guard tried to make a break for the exit but a beam of ice fired at him encasing him in ice. The remaining guard watched in horror as his friend was frozen where he stood. Just then something broke through the wall causing the guard to jump back.
A dark figure with red eyes slowly approached him while the guard continued to panic on the floor. The guard let out a scream as he opened fired on the dark figure, but his bullets bounced off with every shot that was fired. Eventually the man ran out of bullets and lost the grip of his gun letting it fall to the ground. In his last fetal attempt to defend himself the man held his hands up indicating his surrender.
"Please have mercy!" The man begged as the dark figure stepped out of the shadows revealing it to be Mr. Freeze in dressed head to toe in his cryo-suit.
"Sorry, but mercy isn't that of a cold hearted man like me." He said aiming his gun at the guard.
Just as Freeze was about to fire his gun at the guard something small flew through the room and smacked right into Freeze's fingers. Freeze let out a yelp as he dropped his gun and clenched his fingers. He snarled in pain, whipping his head around to see the one responsible for interfering.
"You!" Freeze snarled as Batman walked into the light.
"What are you doing here Freeze?" Batman said in his monotone voice while the guard quickly rushed for the exit.
"Leave now!" Freeze demanded while aiming his gun at Batman. "This has nothing to do with you!"
"What about me?" A new voice said. Both Batman and Freeze turned to see Shadow stepping out of the darkness of the room. "Freeze, I know what's happened. Please, let me help you."
"Shadow…I can't no one can help me." Freeze said solemnly. "I'm all alone in this world without Nora."
"No you're not." Another voice said. Soon Hitgirl arrived next to Shadow and Batgirl ran up next to Batman.
"You are a good person deep down." Hitgirl said. "Beneath the snow is the man Nora fell in love with, not the monster Boyle created."
"Silence!" Freeze snapped, he aimed his gun at Shadow and Hitgirl. "I am nothing but a cold hearted demon."
"Cold hearted demons don't help people in dire need." Batgirl chipped in. "You gave me the serum for my hair, you helped us on numerous occasions. We're not the only ones who think you're a good person. But if you do this you will lose their support and then Nora!"
"QUITE!" Freeze shouted, he fired his freeze gun wildly around the room coating whatever he shot at into blocks of ice. Shadow and Batman quickly pulled their teammates out of the way before they were frozen like the rest of the room.
Freeze then stormed out of the room leaving the diamonds in large leather bags. Shadow was about to chase after him when an armored figure crashed through the window and dropkicked him across the room. Everyone turned to see Firefly cladded in his flight suit and armed with his flame thrower. He aimed his weapon at Shadow, who remained still on the ground. The rest of the heroes also remained still to avoid having the young warrior roasted like a thanksgiving turkey.
Firefly then grabbed the bags with one hand and picked them up before unfolding his wings and flying out of the bank. Once he was outside he followed an armored truck that was speeding away from the building. A couple of thugs opened the back doors on the truck as allowing Firefly to swoop down and throw the bags in.
The truck drove off and Firefly flew away from the crime scene, but before he could call it in he was intercepted by Thanatos. The two wrestled in the air for a minute before Firefly aimed his wrist at Thanatos's face and let loose a stream of flames in the mechs face. Thanatos's sensors and vision were scrambled as he was forced to let go allowing the pyromaniac to fly away.
After a quick analysis Thanatos locked back onto Firefly and chased after him. Firefly felt the mech hot on his tail and decided that he needed to be a little more elusive. His face then broke into a twisted grin under his mask when he remembered what day it was.
"Christmas eve." Firefly mused as he started to fly straight towards the Gotham City Christmas parade.
Thanatos saw what direction he was going in and knew right away what the crook was planning. He also knew that if he caused any damage or god forbid harm to any of the people. It would be Shadow and his team that would suffer the consequences. He needed to think of another way to end this.
Firefly swerved around another building as he finally arrived at the parade. It was an annual and traditional theme with floats of Santa Clause and cartoon mascots. There were also a float with little children from an elementary school dressed in cute Christmas theme costumes and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus sitting on a giant stand while waving and throwing candy canes at the audience.
"Oh, what a lovely parade." Firefly mused while pulling out his flamethrower. "But I think it's time to heat things up."
Just as he was about to burn everything down Thanatos once again crashed into him breaking him away from the parade. The two once again fought in the air before Firefly crashed Thanatos into one of the upper floors of an office building which held a Christmas party. The two broke away from each other as they landed hard in the building and causing the partiers to panic. Firefly started to panic when the mech got to his feet and drew his large sword. That was until he realized he still had his flamethrower handy. Firefly quickly pointed his weapon at the civilians and let his flames coat the room in an orange and fiery grave.
Everyone started to scream in sheer panic while Thanatos activated the extinguishers in his arms. He quickly put out the flames but he let out a grunt of annoyance when he saw Firefly playfully salute him as he flew away. Once the flames were dealt with, Thanatos quickly fled the scene before the fire department and the police arrived. Thanatos landed on a nearby rooftop and let out a sigh of defeat as he radioed his leader.
"Shadow, its Thanatos." He said miserably. "Firefly got crafty in our fight and flew into a parade."
"Was anyone hurt?" Shadow asked, not caring about Firefly's escape.
"No, I made sure of it." Thanatos reassured. "In our scuffle I placed a tracker on him."
"Then stop sounding so down and get back to us." Shadow said which almost brightened his mood. "Stop worrying so much as long as no civilians were caught in the crossfire then you did your job right, okay?"
"Okay, I'll find you in a little bit." Thanatos said with more confidence. He turned off his head set and quickly made his way back to his friends feeling better about himself.
(!)
Shadow and Batman had gathered their teams on top of the police precinct going over what had happened at the bank. Shadow's team consisted of Gauntlet, Phoenix, Red, Ronin, Reaper, Hitgirl and Thanatos while Batman had his team of Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl. Shadow explained that Freeze was just being blackmailed into working for Boyle and was just an unwillingly helping him. Batgirl's face lit up after what she had just heard.
"I knew he wouldn't go back to his old ways." She beamed. "He was just protecting Nora."
"Still, even if he is working against his will he's still got a hell of a temper." Gordon pondered. "If he sees anything happen to Nora there's no telling what he will do."
"And he doesn't want us involved because if Boyle even suspects that we are helping him, he'll go back on his word and kill Nora." Ronin stated.
"So, here's what we do." Shadow started. "We find out where they are hiding out, sneak in and rescue Nora. Then once we guarantee her safety we just take out Zsasz and Firefly and arrest Boyle or let Freeze kill him. Either way we win."
"No, we take them alive." Batman growled. "If I even suspect you,"
"Blah, blah, blah…How many times do I have to hear this shit?" Shadow scoffed getting a few chuckles from some of his crew. Robin gritted his teeth at his obnoxious behavior and lashed out at him, but was stopped by Nightwing.
"I still don't understand why we have to work with them." Robin snapped. "They're killers we should have taken them out the moment we found out where they are holed up." Shadow raised an eyebrow and chuckled at the young boy's threat.
"Hey, you feel tough then by all means come get me." Shadow taunted, waving his hand motioning him to come at him.
"Enough both of you!" Batman snarled immediately diffusing the situation between the two. . "Did you get a fix on his location?" Shadow calmed down and pulled his data pad out of his belt.
"No, he must have found it and ripped it off before we could get a fix on his location." Shadow stated. "But we do know that he needs to keep Nora and Freeze in a cold location otherwise it could cause a problem if the pod or Freeze's suit gives out."
"Right, so in case of emergency Boyle can make the necessary repairs." Batman stated. "Where was Firefly last headed?"
"The docks, I think I have a good idea where too. There's a meat packing house that requires refrigeration units in order to keep the meat from spoiling." Shadow explained.
"Then why are we still standing here?" Batgirl asked. "Let's go!" She then grabbed Robin's arm and dragged him off to their bikes leaving Shadow to shake his head in annoyance.
"That girl thinks this is all one big damn game, so childish." He sighed while rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah, she reminds me of someone I used to work with." Nightwing commented earing a threatening glare from Shadow. He was about to start something when Hitgirl grabbed him by the arm.
"C'mon slugger lets save the fight for Boyle." She said which seemed to calm him down a bit. He shook her off him as he and his team went for their own means of transport.
(!)
The Dark Knights and The Shadow Warriors were currently observing the meat house to figure out what kind of security they had. So far all they saw were a few guards on the outside. It looked a little too easy but Boyle wasn't a master mind like Two-Face or Riddler or a psycho like Joker or Scarecrow. He was just a fuck up who was trying to earn money the wrong way.
"Seems easy enough." Phoenix said. "What are we waiting for?"
"Good question." Shadow asked rhetorically. "Bats, what are we waiting for?"
"I just got a layout of the building." Batman explained. "They are all there. Zsasz has Nora in a sealed room armed with explosives. If anyone opens it he takes everyone with him. Freeze is being threatened by Boyle and Firefly is taunting him with his flamethrower. Aside from that there are a total of twenty armed thugs."
"Okay, Thanatos what kind of Bomb is it?" Shadow asked.
"I just did an analysis; it's a non-electronic bomb so I can't just disable it with my computer." Thanatos grunted. "It's C-4 and it's rigged into the door. There's a fuse that is connected to the door knob. When twisted a line will snap causing a spark to ignite the fuse and within seconds turn that room into a crater."
"Hmm, what about the outside walls?" Shadow asked.
"You could easily break through them, but I have a feeling that the guard or even Zsasz know about the bomb. So if the guard opens it when he hears a crash he'll accidently blow the place up." Thanatos stated.
"Dammit." Shadow growled.
No one knew what to do about the situation. The heroes were all thinking silently about what to do when someone got an idea.
"Wait what about a key or something?" Gauntlet asked. "I mean they had to have gotten Nora in somehow, right?"
Everyone looked over at Gauntlet with the look of surprise as they then turned back to Thanatos who was already scanning the wall.
"When the key is in place there is a clamp that keeps the line from snapping." He explained. "But my guess is that Boyle has the key on him at all times. Even if we get the key there's no telling what will happen."
"Ugh, this is bullshit." Hitgirl snapped.
"I have an idea," Batman said. "I need everyone's co-operation though." He looked over at Shadow who gave him a steady nod as he continued his plan. "Thanatos, could you remove the explosive from the wall?"
"Yes, it is six bars all connected to one fuse." He said. "If I can time it perfectly I can rip through the wall and pull it out before it can blow."
"Good, Shadow you can take Zsasz down while the rest of us take down the guards." Batman said.
"Okay, and don't worry about Firefly, Gauntlet and Phantom can take him." Shadow said causing the two pyro experts to grin wickedly.
"Okay, its game time then people." Batgirl cheered, pulling out two Batarangs in the process.
(!)
Zsasz looked on at the sleeping form of the snow princess which was Nora Fries's. He twirled his knife around anxiously wondering when he could just do this poor woman a favor and end her misery. The way Zsasz saw it, Nora was cheated out of her freedom.
"Poor woman," He mused. "You were granted your freedom oh so long ago and now you are forced to stay frozen in time. Your husband thinks he knows best but he is just as pathetic as the rest of those zombies out there. Constantly fighting a losing battle to save you, I always wondered what would happen when you awake hmm. Would you still love Freeze for bringing you back or hate him for the monster he's become. I should just do you both the favor and end your suffering."
His hand which held the knife was starting to shake uncontrollably as he went on with his evil banter. Just then he without realizing it he started to wander towards the pod, trailing his knife over the protective glass.
"Cutting, cutting, cutting, cutting, cutting." He repeated in his head over and over again.
Just as he was about to open the pod he jumped when he heard a crash on the other side of the door. Gunfire and screams echoed through the building as Zsasz was about to walk through the door. Before he could open it, the ceiling collapsed on him causing him to fall down on the ground. He looked up and wasn't really surprised to see Shadow holding his sword up to his neck.
"Thanatos!" Shadow shouted.
"I got the bomb boss!" Thanatos shouted back.
"Good, get it out of here!" Shadow ordered as he turned his attention back to Zsasz. "So, you think you have the right to separate a husband from his wife?"
"Why of course, just like you think you have the right to end a person's life based on his actions." Zsasz taunted. Shadow pressed his blade to his throat and leaned his face in closer to Zsasz.
"You kill people for fun you sick bastard I do it for justice!" Shadow growled. Zsasz could only grin at his statement.
"Justice, pleasure it makes no difference." Zsasz said coyly. "You have no more right to judge a criminal than I do a so called innocent person. I mean look at you. You are armed to the teeth, you have a frightening power and you can't go a day without killing."
"I kill to stop freaks like you from having their twisted way with people." Shadow snarled hating where this was going. "I don't enjoy it like you do!"
"Oh please, all it takes is one bad day before you end up like me." Zsasz chuckled.
Shadow wanted to end him right then and there, but if he did then he knew Zsasz would win and as much as he hated Zsasz he hated losing even more. So he removed his blade from his neck and instad of killing him he knocked him out cold.
After he was dealt with Shadow checked the pod and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that her vitals were normal and her pod was fine. He then went out to the main room to see Gauntlet absorb all the fire Firefly was shooting at him into his hands. Soon his flamethrower was drained and he was left with no fuel to fight or fly and was quickly taken down by Phoenix who smacked the butt of his knife into the back of his head.
Boyle was petrified as he aimed his uzi at all the warriors who were surrounding him. His hands were shaking badly when Freeze walked up to him menacingly. The red glow from his goggles sent a chill through Boyle's heart.
"You feel that cold chill running down your spine." Freeze said in a low tone. "That isn't death that's me and you will pay for what you did to me and my wife." He then aimed his freeze cannon point blank in Boyle's face.
"Freeze, don't do it." Batman said. "He's lost let me take him from here."
"Screw all of you!" He shouted. "I'm in charge here and I saw to hell with all of you!" He then aimed his gun over at Nora's pod and fired everything he had at her. Lights and beeping went off causing everyone to panic.
Nora's eyes opened for a minute but she let out a gasp of air before passing out again. Freeze looked on in horror when he saw his wife collapse inside of the pod. Freeze then let out a scream and fired his cannon at everyone freezing them where they stood.
"You will die for this Boyle!" Freeze shouted as he stormed after a now fleeing Ferris Boyle.
While those two ran off Gauntlet and Phoenix activated their powers and melted the ice that covered them. They quickly shook the ice off and melted the rest of their friends including Batman and his team. Once they were free Batman wasted no time in going after Freeze.
"Jayden, save Nora I'll deal with Freeze!" Batman shouted.
Everyone one was a little surprised to see their leader actually follow Batman's orders for once. He quickly rushed over to the pod and went to work on it.
"Thanatos, I need your help here, friend!" Shadow shouted. Thanatos rushed in and quickly went to work on the pod. Shadow then pulled out a syringe and stabbed it into his neck. His veins glowed blue and his skin turned to ice as he emitted frost from his hands.
"Thomas, how much longer?" Shadow asked hoping he wasn't too late.
"I need just a few more seconds…Okay now!" Thanatos shouted.
Shadow wasted no time in firing his ice powers at the pod keeping it contained once again. He made sure he had every crack and bullet hole covered before he stopped. The life support was online again and her vitals were normal once again as she was now back in cryogenic sleep.
"We good?" Shadow asked Thanatos who now had taken his helmet off so he could breathe better. "Tommy, we good?" Thanatos let out a chuckle gave everyone the thumbs up. "Okay, Reaper, Ronin, Hitgirl cage the birds."
In a matter of seconds Hitgirl had restrained Batgirl by holding a gun to her head while Ronin and Reaper held they're blades to Nightwing and Robin's throats.
"What the hell are you doing?" Batgirl snapped.
"Sorry baby doll, but Freeze has his right to avenge his honor." Hitgirl said. "And like I said before I can't let you interfere."
"Don't worry I'll be back." Shadow said as he went to protect Freeze from Batman.
(!)
When Shadow arrived on the scene, Freeze was holding Boyle at gunpoint while Batman was frozen to the wall.
"Freeze, don't do it." Batman snapped.
"Go ahead and do it." Shadow said, calmly walking in.
"Shadow, don't!" Batman snapped. Shadow raised his hands motioning for everyone to remain calm.
"I just want to tell you that we were able to save Nora." Shadow said in a reassuring voice. "I used my subzero serum to give me my ice power and encase her in ice and Thanatos fixed the life support. She's safe."
Batman's eyes widened and turned back to Freeze who looked much more calmer than before.
"Freeze she's alive, she can be taken back to Arkham and you can continue your work." Batman reassured. "If you kill Boyle you'll be thrown in a hole somewhere and they'll just pull the plug on Nora."
Boyle nodded in agreement trying to keep Freeze from killing him. Shadow sauntered over to Boyle and clasped his jaw in his hand squeezing his cheek.
"C'mon, you and I both know Boyle will just come after you again." Shadow said. "I mean granted this whole revenge scheme was a stupid plan, but I know a man whose stupid and crazy and he murdered my brother and crippled my aunt." Freeze had a solemn look on his face while Batman glared at Shadow who was starting to act like a child. "If only someone had put him down when they had the chance."
Freeze slowly walked up to Boyle and pressed the barrel of his gun to Boyle's head. Boyle let out a gasp when he felt the freezing cold barrel touch his skin. Freeze wanted so badly to end him. Not just for what he did to him, but for how he treated Nora and how he treated her like she was nothing at all. Then he thought about Nora and what he remembered what Jayden and Sarina said to him.
Freeze let out a heavy sigh, frost blew from his lips as he pulled the gun away from Boyle's head. Batman finally broke from his restraints and walked up to Freeze and Shadow. Shadow and Batman glared at each other when they heard a scream. They looked down to see Freeze's metal foot stomped down on Boyle's ankle snapping it like a twig.
"Just so he can't run away." He muttered. Before anyone could do anything cops burst open the door aiming their guns at everyone. Freeze held his hands up and dropped his gun. "I surrender."
"What about him?" A cop snarled aiming his gun at Shadow. Shadow looked at him questionably, wondering if he should have him arrested. He decided against it and motioned for the cops to hang it up.
"Smart move." Shadow gloated. He raised his hand up to his earpiece. "Warriors let the knights go. And then turn in, it's Christmas Eve and I want to celebrate with you guys."
"That's what I'm talking about." Reaper chuckled. "Time to wind down."
"See ya at home buddy." Before he left he turned to Batman and took his mask off showing his signature grin. "Merry Christmas Bats." He cheered as he walked out of the room.
"Merry Christmas Jayden." Batman muttered as he escorted Freeze out of the slaughter house.
Part Two will be out tomorrow.