Chapter 7

Raya sighed and dropped to the floor. She glanced toward the oak wood door, quickly deciding that she would stay up all night just to wait for her dad. She'd ask him her question, when he got home. Raya exited her room and walked quickly through the manor, heading for the study. Once there, she saw the antique grandfather clock that sat in the center of the room, but she didn't bother opening anything, instead she used one of her spells to move through the floor down into the cave below. The cave was cold and damp and Raya could feel a chill run up her spine as she continued descending to the floor below. Most of the bats who were asleep awoke at the sudden appearance of her presence letting out loud squeaks and shrieks, flapping their wings the sounds filling Raya's ears as she came to a soft landing on the concrete floor of the cave. She looked around the massive subterranean cavern and her thoughts drifted back to the first time she had ever been in her father's underground headquarters. She was about nine, possibly ten and her father had decided that it was time for her to see where he spent his "evening hours" as Alfred put it, after he would return from a typical day of overseeing things at Wayne Enterprises. Raya remembered how awe-inspiring the Bat-Cave was to her then. It was like a museum! There was tons of equipment, trophies from various cases, old costumes, vehicles, weapons, a chemistry lab and a massive computer terminal that accessed every criminal database known to man. Shortly after she had seen the cave her training started and despite Alfred's misgivings to her father about bringing his own daughter into his "crusade" as he called it, her father that the time was right.

As the memory slowly faded, Raya allowed herself to smile for a moment reflecting on those somewhat happier times, but her smile quickly vanished. She didn't say a word to Alfred, knowing that he would be focusing mostly on the radio and attending to his usual duties in both the manor and the cave. Quietly, she sat down in a chair near the chemistry lab and spun it around to face where the Bat-mobile was usually parked. Raya pulled her legs up to sit sideways in the chair. Thankfully, she'd changed into ice blue pajama pants and a matching t-shirt before she entered the cave or otherwise sitting the chair would be slightly uncomfortable given the chairs design. She looked around for a moment. The cave was quiet except for the sounds of the bats screeching and flapping their wings. A small sigh escaped Raya's mouth. All she did was listen and wait, hoping that she wouldn't have to use her healing abilities in a few hours.

Harley and Azuri ran down the street as quickly as they could, both of them darting between alleyways here and there trying to make it difficult for anyone to keep track of them. Azuri looked over at Harley who was running beside her, "Harley, think the Bat-brain followed?" she asked as they rounded the corner, their feet pounding against the slightly snow-covered pavement, footfalls echoing softly.

Harley looked over at Azuri, "Nah, if B-Man were following he'd of tried stopping us already…I'd say he called someone else. Probably, bird-boy." she replied.

Azuri cocked an eyebrow. "Bird-boy?" she asked, seeming a bit confused before realizing who Harley meant. "Oh, right, Robin. He might be a little easier to deal with…I mean he's good, but he's not Batman…" she said. "Now, where to…?" she asked herself as she stopped just a few feet short of the end of an alleyway whose opening lead into the park, Quinn right behind her. Panting both bent forward placing their hands on their knees, attempting to catch their breaths before continuing on. Craning her head, Quinn noticed a fire escape just directly above her.

Harley looked over at Azuri, "Well, I don't know about you, but Mr. J gave me my orders. So, I have to go…" she said as she jumped into the air and leapt to the fire escape above her. She hurried quickly up the ladder and pulled it up so Azuri couldn't follow leaving her stranded, holding the box that Mr. J had given her that was in the back of the ice cream truck. It no doubt contained an artifact of some sort, at least that's what Azuri thought.

"Good luck kiddo." was all Harley said, before giving a wave, climbing up to a rooftop and disappearing. Azuri looked furious and was about to call out, but saw Harley disappear into the night. "Quinn…" she muttered angrily. "Well, it looks like I'm on my own…" she said aloud to herself as she looked around. Azuri looked at the box for a moment and then tucked it under her arm. Given its size, it looked like it might contain a necklace of some sort, or possibly a tiara. "Mr. J I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is I don't like it…" she said to herself as she started toward the park. She reached up and touched her jacket, its color changing from a dark shade of black to a deep brown. "Hopefully, that throws them off…" she said as she entered the park and turned the collar up on her jacket doing her best to blend in with the crowd.

Raya shifted her weight, teetering on the edge of sleep. She rubbed her violet eyes and sighed, completely turning around in the chair, eyes flickering toward the screen of the massive computer system, debating on hijacking it from Alfred to speak to her father. But, she decided that would seem a little impersonal. Besides, last time she did that, daddy wasn't too happy with her because of the poor timing. Alfred looked at the screen a heavy sigh escaped his mouth as he watched the screen gravely concerned. An hour had passed since his last contact with Batman and he hoped for the sake of his master's well-being that he would return home unscathed. Raya gave a yawn, which drew Alfred's attention. He didn't move from his post, but he turned his head just enough to look at her, the expression on his face indicated a look of surprise that he hadn't heard her enter the cave, but also that he was rather annoyed the girl was not in her bed asleep.

He thought for a moment. It's quite possible that Bruce might overhear him, since he was still near the radio. Taking a step forward, Alfred placed his hands behind his back, looked at Raya and said, "Ms. Raya. You should get yourself off to bed. Your father will most likely be returning soon and you shan't wish for him to find you down here." He turned back towards the screen.

"No, Alfred." she said, yawning once more. "Thanks, for worrying, but I'll be fine." She returned to her silence, trying her best to watch for her dad to return. Her eyes wanted to droop, but she forced herself to stay awake. She did her best to ignore the feeling that Alfred kept glancing her way. He may have been old, but she was certain he would be able to carry her up to her room if she fell asleep. She didn't want to find out, so she did her best stay awake.

Robin had trailed Harley Quinn and her accomplice for the last hour. He had seen Quinn flee up the fire escape, leaving the associate she was with behind. Sprinting across the rooftop, Robin leapt into the air landing on an adjacent rooftop staying hidden in the shadows. Whoever, Harley's accomplice was she was good, but he had noticed her change the color from black to brown in trying to give him the slip. Pressing a button on his gauntlet, he activated his detective vision, the lenses of his mask filled with a blue tent that displayed the figure of Azuri in bright orange. Perched on a rooftop that overlooked the park, he watched her attempt to blend in with the crowd. As he watched his mind wandered to the call he had received from Alfred with the instructions from Batman that he was to tail Quinn and her associate and try to find out what they were up too. He had heard the concern in Alfred's voice, but decided not to question it he did as requested and within minutes he had changed into his costume and was moving patrolling rooftop after rooftop, street corner after street corner looking for Harley and her accomplice.

Once he had found them he had tailed them, but didn't go after Harley he had decided to keep his eye on the mysterious girl who was now strolling through Gotham Park. He brought his gauntlet up to his mouth and spoke into it.

"Barb?" he asked, checking to see if she was listening in even though he knew she was. The voice of Barbra Gordon, daughter of Police Commissioner James Gordon, now known as Oracle crackled over the radio receiver imbedded into his gauntlet.

"I'm here." she replied. "What's up?"

"I've trailed Harley Quinn and her accomplice for the last hour. Quinn fled up a fire escape and disappeared. She probably plans on joining Joker at the museum."

"No surprise there." Oracle replied. "What about her accomplice?"

Through his detective vision Robin could see that Azuri was still walking through the park trying not to arouse suspicion. "Still, on her trail." he replied, "Apparently, she tried to change her appearance and give me the slip."

"Change her appearance?" Oracle asked, sounding slightly confused. "You mean to tell me we're dealing with a shape shifter?!" There was a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Possibly," Robin replied. "I'm not entirely sure. She didn't change her physical appearance, but I saw her change the color of her jacket from brown to black. Probably, did it in hopes of trying to blend in and throw me off."

"Hmm," Oracle replied, thinking for a moment. Robin continued to watch Azuri move through the park still clutching the box under her arm. "Sounds like her abilities are somewhat limited."

Tim Drake cocked an eyebrow behind his mask.

"Meaning, what exactly?" he asked, knowing there was more to her theory.

"Meaning," Oracle began, "Meaning, she can't actually change herself into solid shapes or objects. Instead, she can only alter her outside appearance, such as the color of her hair, clothes, the style of outfit she wears, etc."

"Could be," Robin replied. "Definitely fits the description what I saw." Keeping himself perched on the ledge the teen wonder scanned the park spotting his quarry. He saw her look back for a moment, but he knew she wouldn't be able to spot him as he was still concealed by the darkness of the shadows. Still, she seemed to pick up the pace in her strides giving the impression that she was either in a hurry to get somewhere, or possibly meet someone.

"She's on the move!" Robin said, into the radio receiver. Rising to his feet, the teen wonders body fell into a dive toward the ground. Rapidly picking up speed, he extended his arms out, cape unfurling, pulling himself up his cape catching the updraft of wind, gliding. "She's still clutching that box, but it doesn't seem to contain anything dangerous." He said, as he glided toward the park.

"Keep your distance." Oracle said. "Remember, Bruce only wants you to follow for now. And Tim…" her voice trailed off for a moment. "Tim, please be careful."

"Relax, Barb." Robin replied, a smile forming across his face. "I've got this."

"You sound just like him." Oracle replied. "I'll contact, Bruce and let him know what's going on." Robin switched off his radio receiver and kept his gaze on his quarry, seeing her exit the park. Keeping on her tail, he followed, but did so at a distance so as not to arouse his targets suspicion. Robin had his instructions and he intended to follow them, but if Quinn's accomplice attempted to get away, or harmed anyone then he would step in and stop her even if meant disobeying a direct order from Batman. Slipping into an alley he moved silently, but quickly his mind drifting to thoughts of Bruce hoping he was alright. He shook the thoughts away and focused on the task at hand knowing that Batman could handle things with the Joker.