Tang Ri Shan
Red Wings
(This is a sequel to Beware the Batman: Conundrum. I suggest reading that story if you have not done so already)
Chapter 13
Batman slowly climbed out of the batmobile and gazed up at the theater before him. According to the messages he traded with Zatara, the ex magician had purchased this theater after retiring. Though he no longer performed in it, he now ran a place that inspired new magicians to come and perform.
Batman approached the stage door in the back of the building and cautiously tugged the doorknob. Locked.
Batman pulled a lockpick from his gloves and knelt down to pick the lock.
Suddenly, the door opened inwards with such force that Batman was yanked off his feet. He was flung through the doorway into the darkened space beyond.
"Great" Batman growled. A sudden hiss drew his attention and he saw a pair of cables rear up in front of him like a pair of angry snakes. Before he could react, the cabled lunged and wound themselves around Batman's body, lifting him up into the air.
"Who dares enter unannounced?" A loud voice suddenly spoke from the surrounding darkness, but it was impossible to tell where it was coming from. It seemed to be all around him.
Batman struggled, but the cables had immobilized his wrists and he could not reach his belt. "Zatara! It's Batman!" He shouted.
"I did not ask what you are! I asked who you are!" The voice said and Batman felt the cables around him begin to squeeze tightly.
"Who I am and what I am are the same!" Batman replied. "I'm here concerning your daughter Zatanna! I'm a friend of hers!"
The cables suddenly retracted, causing Batman to fall to the hard floor. A floodlight suddenly snapped on, blinding Batman for a moment. When his vision cleared, he saw that he was standing on the stage and a metal table and two chairs had been set up in the middle of it.
As Batman approached from one side, he heard footsteps. A tall thin man with a small mustache appeared on the other side of the table. He was dressed in a magician's outfit.
"Zatara" Batman said.
"The same" The magician nodded. "I apologize for the rough treatment. Since my daughter went missing, I have feared that I may be next. But any friend of Zatanna is a friend of mine" Zatara motioned for Batman to take a seat.
"She's a very special woman" Batman said as he sat down.
"Indeed" The magician said, stiffly sitting down and setting something on the table. "I suspect that may partially be the reason for her disappearance"
"What do you mean?" Batman asked, glancing down at the photo album as Zatara opened it.
The first few pages of the album contained pictures of Zatara himself performing various tricks "As you may be aware, I am quite the illusionist. In my time in the spotlight, I achieved feats that most people can only dream of accomplishing" Zatara chuckled for a moment, before looking sober again as he glanced down at a picture of Zatanna wearing a magician's outfit. "But my daughter, ah, she has a level of skill that may surpass even mine. Already she has performed several feats that I cannot hope to duplicate."
"She's become that good?" Batman's surprise was evident.
"Oh yes" Zatara stroked his mustache. "Sometimes I begin to wonder, when I watch her perform, if it is truly an illusion I am seeing before me, or if it is...actual magic"
"Actual magic?" Batman repeated as she gazed at photo after photo of Zatara and Zatanna performing together.
"Are you saying you do not believe?" Zatara looked at Batman with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course I believe" Batman said.
"Yet, there is doubt in your voice" Zatara pushed.
"Over the past eight months, almost all of my beliefs have been challenged in some way." Batman admitted. "So much has changed. I fear I've changed as well, even though I don't want to."
Zatara nodded, like he understood. "Change can be a powerful force, and sometimes it hits us when we are not ready to accept it" He gestured to the current page of the album. "These particular photos were taken during the last tour Zatanna and I took together about three months ago, before I retired and she embarked on her solo career." The magician explained as the two of them glanced over the photos in the album. "When these were taken I was so angry with her I swore never to look at them again, but now I find that looking at them never fails to bring me joy" He turned the page.
"Wait, go back one!" Batman suddenly said.
"Oh, certainly" The magician flipped back a page. There, gazing up at them from one of the pictures, was Zatara and Zatanna. Standing next to them, grinning rather smugly, was a short squat man with a monocle and a beak-like nose.
"Oswald Cobblepot" Batman growled.
"Ah yes, I remember him" Zatara stroked his chin. "A rather unusual person. He came to the last show I did before I announced my intention to resign. He wanted me to come and work for him, performing at his new nightclub, the Iceberg Lounge, but I was not interested." Zatara started laughing. "You know, with that nose and in that clothing, he sort of looked like a talking penguin"
Something in Batman's mind suddenly seemed to click. "The Penguin" He breathed.
Zatara looked up. "Pardon?"
"Tell me Zatara, did Oswald Cobblepot show interest in your daughter at all?" Batman asked.
Zatara frowned, thinking. "Yes, yes he did!" He said eventually. "Zatanna told me that after I said no, he approached her and made a very similar offer."
"And she turned him down as well?"
"Yes, and now that I recall, he did seem quite disappointed as he left later that evening." Zatara said. "At the time, I assumed he was as upset as everyone else that I was retiring.
"Clearly it was about something else" Batman said, his face darkening. "I've heard of Oswald Cobblepot. He's know for having high ambitions, and about doing whatever it takes to achieve those ambitions."
Zatana's brow furrowed. "You think he took my daughter?"
"I don't know. But I intend to find out" Batamn turned to leave only to be roughly yanked backwards by the wrist. Turning, he saw that Zatara had somehow cuffed him to the table when he wasn't looking.
"I'm sorry Batman, but this is a family matter." The magician got to his feet, his expression grim. "I appreciate you giving me this potential lead, but I must handle this alone"
With that, the magician headed for the door, only to stop when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You want to protect your daughter, I get it." Batman said, turning the magician around. "But you don't have to do this alone"
"I am the only family Zatanna has." Zatara argued. "And I am more than capable of protecting her by myself!"
Batman shook his head. "I once thought like you, both in terms of how large my family was, and how I could protect them. I was wrong, on both counts."
Zatara raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Family isn't just limited by blood ties." Batman explained. "It's made of those who care for you, and that includes friends and partners, and you can accomplish far more with others than you can by yourself."
Zatara met Batamn's gaze for a moment, then his mustache curled up as she smiled. "Well said" He glanced to the table twenty feet away, where the handcuffs dangled from the metal frame. "And I see you haven't lost any of your skill"
A smile flitted across Batman's face. "I had a good teacher"
Zatara chuckled at this.
"Let me handle this Zatara." Batman urged. "If Cobblepot is behind this, he'll probably have someone monitoring you. If you go storming after him, you risk putting Zatanna in danger. She'll be safest if you stay put"
"Very Well!" Batman blinked. Where the magician had been a second ago was now empty air. "I shall play it your way, Batman!" The magician's voice seemed to resonate from all around him. "But I will not wait forever!"
"You won't regret it Zatara!" Batman called out to the darkness. "I'll see to it!"
"That remains to be seen!" The magician's voice echoed in the room. A light suddenly snapped on, illuminating a stage door, which opened of its own accord. "Good luck Batman! I feel you are going to need it!"
Batman nodded and strolled towards the door, his mind already reeling about the call he was going to make to Alfred when he got back to his car.
Barbara's eyes widened as she stepped out of the taxicab, which whisked away without a second word.
"Wow" She breathed.
Before her lay a pristine white house. It wasn't as big as Wayne Manor, but it was still much bigger than her own. Barbara couldn't see much over the tall white wall, but she could make out red roofing tiles beyond it.
Why do rich people always like to build big? She wondered as she approached the front gate of the Kane Residence. Through it, she could see a small, but sweeping, green lawn and what looked like a four car garage.
The gate was locked, and Barbara could see no way to open it except for an intercom box mounted on the wall below a camera. She sighed, gritting her teeth. Here goes nothing.
Barbara pressed the buzzer on the intercom and looked up at the camera with what she hoped was a pleasant smile.
"Yes? Who is it?" A female voice spoke from the intercom. Barbara didn't recognize it.
Suddenly Barbara found herself tongue-tied. She took a deep breath. "B-Barbara Gordon, to see Richard Grayson. I'm a classmate of his." She said.
"I'm sorry ma'am, but Master Grayson is not in right now." The voice spoke after a minute.
For a second, Barbara panicked. Now what? Then a sudden thought struck her. "Then can I talk to Miss Kane please? It's very important" She smiled up at the camera.
There was a pause. "One moment please, I'll open the gate" The gaze buzzed loudly and swung open on its own accord.
Cool! Barbara thought as she walked through the gate, which swung shut on its own behind her. I should see if Dad can install one of these on our front door!
She crossed the well-groomed driveway and climbed the short marble staircase to the big black front doors. As she reached for them, they opened inwards. A young woman with blonde hair and wearing what looked like a maid's uniform peeked out.
"Hello Ms Gordon" She said, giving her a warm smile. "I'm Miss Alice. Please come in"
"Thank you" Barbara said, still a little stunned by the house.
The inside of the house was huge. Large white walls seemed to gleam in the sunlight streaming in from the windows. White columns soared up from where Barbara was to support the ceiling three stories above her. What was not white was black, including all of the doors. At the top of the stairway that lead to the second floor, Barbara could see a large picture frame of Miss Kane, Richard, and an elderly man with white hair who Barbara assumed was Miss Kane's late husband. Barbara grinned as she saw how happy they all looked.
"Miss Kane will see you in the living room" Miss Alice said, motioning to a door that lead off the hall. Barbara suddenly noticed the woman was wearing white gloves. "Please follow me."
Barbara followed the maid into a smaller room with white walls and a thick white rug.
"Please take a seat." Miss Alice motioned to a pair of black couches that sat on either side of a clear glass table. "Miss Kane will be with you shortly" With that, she left the room.
"Wow" Barbara said as she sat down on one of the couches, gazing around the room. "I wonder how much effort goes into keeping a place like this clean." She unconsciously assumed a more mature sitting position and adjusted her skirt. Normally Barbara didn't care too much about how she looked, but after seeing how clean Miss Kane's house was, she suddenly wished she had put on something a little more formal.
The clicking of heels made Barbara look up to see Miss Kane standing in the doorway wearing a black sleeveless dress, matching heels, and a big smile.
"Barbara, darling!" She cooed, striding towards Barbara with her arms spread out.
"Hello Miss Kane" Barbara rose to her feet. "Nice to see you"
"Oh sweetie, no need for such formalities." Miss Kane gushed as she kissed Barbara lightly on both cheeks. "Call me Kathy. I insist"
"Okay, Kathy" Barbara said, feeling a little stunned at the level of affection Kathy was displaying. She could see Miss Alice standing by the door, enjoying the show.
Kathy followed her gaze. "Alice dear, could you bring some tea and sweets?"
Miss Alice nodded. "Yes ma'am. Right away." She smiled at Barbara before leaving the room.
"Now then," Kathy elegantly sat down on one of the couches across from Barbara. "I'm simply dying to find out what you wanted to talk to me about"
Barbara's mind whirred. "Well, it was actually Richard I was hoping to talk to" She finally said. "I have a little problem and I was hoping he could help me with it"
"Oh, well I'm sure he'll be delighted to help you, dear" Kathy smiled warmly. "No one's ever come to see him, you know" She sighed. "I imagine he must be feeling kind of lonely." She looked away towards the far wall. "I know exactly how that feels"
Barbara followed her gaze and saw another painting. This one just showed Miss Kane and her husband.
"Is that your husband?" The question was out before Barbara could stop it.
"Yes" Kathy nodded and Barbara could see pain in her eyes.
"So," Barbara quickly changed the subject. "Do you know where Richard might be?"
"I believe he went out on a stroll." Kathy answered. "But he should be back any minute"
There was a knock at the door and Miss Alice returned with a loaded tray. "Your tea ma'am." She said. "Oh and Master Grayson has just returned."
Barbara stiffened as she heard the sounds of someone moving in the hallway.
"Ah excellent" Kathy clapped her hands together. Raising her voice, she called out "Richard darling! Is that you?"
"Yes Kathy!" Richard's voice replied from the hall. Barbara felt her heart begin to race.
"Could you come in here please? A friend has come to see you!" Kathy sang out.
Taking a deep breath, Barbara turned in her seat as Richard came into the room. When he saw Barbara his facial expression changed from bored to surprised to angry in the span of three seconds.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded, narrowing his eyes at Barbara.
Kathy gave a horrified gasp and even the maid looked surprised at his outburst. "Richard! Shame on you!" Kathy shrilled, walking over to him as quickly as her spike-heels would allow. "This nice young lady has come all this way to see you and you greet her like that? Where are your manners?"
"That's okay Miss...I mean, Kathy." Barbara rose to her feet, trying to hide her smile. "Richard's reaction is completely normal. After all, he didn't know I was coming"
Kathy snorted. "Most noble of you to try to shield him my dear..." Barbara clamped her teeth together not to giggle at Richard's outraged expression. "...but that is no excuse for bad manners" She frowned at Richard, and then gestured towards Barbara. "Now you will greet her the proper way"
Barbara's mouth quivered as she saw the look of outrage on Richard's face. "But Kathy, She's..."
"Ri-chard!" Kathy warned, her voice suddenly becoming dangerous.
Still looking angry, Richard approached Barbara and held his hand out. Hesitantly, Barbara took it, but was shocked when Richard bent over her hand and actually kissed it.
"Welcome, Miss Gordon. You honor our humble home with your presence." He said, his face twisted into what appeared to be a pleasant smile.
Barbara felt her cheeks turn red. For a moment, she was so stunned she couldn't do anything. Her training came to her rescue and she adopted a look of a flattered girl.
"Wow Richard" She gasped. "I had no idea you were so...charming" She gave a small laugh and saw the maid snickering in the background.
Richard's smile quivered and his eyes flashed angrily.
Barbara winked at him and turned to Kathy. "Kathy, could Richard and I have a moment...alone...please?" She fluttered her eyelashes at the older woman.
Richard's eyes widened and Kathy smirked. "Oh yes, of course my dear." She said before swinging on her heel and trotting out of the room. "Come Alice, I'll take my tea in the kitchen"
"Yes ma'am" The maid said, but she winked at Barbara before she left. Barbara winked back.
"Well, I hope you're happy!" Richard growled when they were alone.
"Mmmm, not really" Barbara teased. "Seeing you act like a gentleman wasn't as fun as I thought it would be" She let out a giggle as Richard glared at her. But deep down, she was still reeling over the fact Richard had actually kissed her hand.
"So, what do you want?" Richard growled as he took a seat on one of the couches. "Come to remind me that you're always watching me? How I can't do anything because you'll go running off to your boss?"
"Look" Barbara snapped, dropping all humor from her expression. Richard looked surprised. "I don't like this any more than you do. If I had my way I wouldn't come within a hundred yards of you" She said.
"Then why are you here?" Richard asked.
Barbara gritted her teeth. Here goes nothing! "I need your help" She mumbled.
"Sorry?" Richard asked.
"I...Need...Your...Help" Barbara said slowly.
Richard's face changed from curious to amused. "I'm sorry, I still can't hear you. What was that?" He teased.
"Don't play that, you heard me!" Barbara snapped.
"So, you finally accept that you and Batman are in dire need of my supremely awesome acrobatic skills" Richard boasted.
Barbara giggled, then quickly caught herself and disguised it by clearing her throat.
"Okay, one, Batman doesn't need you, I do. And two, I couldn't care less about your 'awesome skills', what I really need is your knowledge"
"Huh?" Richard looked confused.
Reaching into her purse, Barbara pulled out a picture of the Strongman. "Do you know this man?" She asked, setting the picture on the table in front of Richard.
Richard glanced down at the photo. His jaw tightened. "Yeah, sure I know him. He used to perform in my father's circus, till my father caught him stealing and threw him out. Why?"
Barbara smiled. Now they were getting somewhere! "He's working for Tony Zucco now"
Richard's eyes widened. "Seriously? Are you sure?"
Barbara nodded sadly. "Positive. He's already kidnapped someone. Someone we both know."
Richard stared. "Who?"
"Dinah Lance"
Richard's face paled. "Dinah? I'd heard she was missing, but..." His voice broke off.
Barbara took a deep breath. "Look Richard, I'll be honest with you" She said, beginning a speech she had rehearsed in the cab ride over. "I know I haven't exactly been the nicest person to you"
"Obviously" Richard snorted.
"And part of that was simply because I was following Batman's orders" Barbara continued, ignoring Richard's jab. "He thinks that you're a loose cannon that will do more harm than good. But what I said that night in the construction site was also true. I really thought that you were just a vengeful vigilante"
Richard raised an eyebrow. "And now you don't?"
"Oh I still do" Barbara hastily corrected him. "But I also believe in the benefit of the doubt, and in second chances."
"Meaning?" Richard now looked interested.
"Meaning, I'll make a deal with you." Barbara said slowly, choosing her words very carefully. "I know you want to take Zucco down, and I want to save Dinah, and all the other people that have been kidnapped."
"There are more?" Richard asked.
Barbara nodded. "At least two others, and that's just the Strongman, if there are other crooks involved, who knows how many victims there could be. Anyway, Batman and Katana are on another case, and he refuses to let me investigate because he wants me to keep an eye on you."
Richard snorted. "And you just naturally do what he says?"
Barbara frowned. "Trust me Richard. Batman is not someone you say no to." She shuddered as she remembered the cold look in Bruce's eyes. "But he only said I couldn't investigate, he didn't say anything about you"
Richard perked up. "Keep talking"
Barbara took a deep breath. Time for the pitch. "So here's the deal. If you help me rescue Dinah, and the other victims, and not mess it up, I'll put in a good word for you with Batman"
Richard's mouth curled up into a smile. "Go on"
"Despite our differences, Batman trusts my judgement. I'll tell him that I was unable to stop you, but I was very impressed with the skill, and restraint, that you showed in rescuing Dinah." Barbara continued. "And who knows? If you do this right, you may impress Batman as well, which may cause him to be...lenient on certain things..." Barbara's voice trailed off, but she hoped Richard got the hint.
The other half of Richard's mouth curled up.
"One condition though" Barbara quickly added. "I'm still worried about the restraint part, so I'll be calling the shots and you have to follow them, to the letter"
Richard's smile faded. "Why should I agree to that?"
"Because you're reckless" Barbara said. "Remember the laughing gas? You didn't listen and it nearly got both of us killed."
Richard scowled, but didn't say anything.
"You know I'm right Richard. And if you want to prove to Batman that you can be a team player, you have to start somewhere" Barbara said.
Richard sighed. "Fine"
"There's another problem as well." Barbara said, as she glanced at the picture again. She shuddered. "I hate to say it, but two kids may not be enough to stop the Strongman, especially if he's not alone. We'll need some more help"
"Help huh?" Richard looked thoughtful, then smiled. "I know just the person. An old mentor of mine. His fighting skills are...legendary. He also has an unbreakable moral code, so he can help 'restrain' me as well"
Barbara smirked. "Fine, but he has to follow my orders too"
Richard nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem." Then he frowned. "But what if Batman finds out?"
"Let me worry about him." Barbra said, trying to sound confident, though in reality she was hoping Batman didn't find out until it was too late. "Do we have a deal, Red Robin?" She extended a hand.
Richard smiled and shook it. "Deal. Where do we start, Oracle?"
"If we find the Strongman, we find Zucco" Barbara smiled triumphantly. "You call your mentor. I have some research to do"
And Cut!
Now we're getting somewhere! I'm already working on the next chapter so expect another update soon!
In response to question posted a few days ago, Red Robin's wings are in his costume, not on his back. If you look at some of the Teen Titans comics, you'll see what I mean.
Until Next Time!