Chess is hard guys and gals.
It's either I'm not aware enough of what I'm doing when moving a specific piece or I simply get outplayed very easily. But I quite like the challenge of it and it helps that I can do something else then look at youtube or instagram.
I'm not really a fan of overly using them, but it is what it is.
Chapter 12: Rallying up together
Cassandra was running.
Her bike wasn't of use to get there, get there to help Peter and Dick.
She was running, fast as she can, hard as she can.
Ignoring the fatigue setting in her system, setting in her knees.
She pushed and pushed, feeling her mind beginning to fog, her face behind her cracked helmet was cringing at the level of stress she was inducing to herself.
She had to.
She needs to.
She wants to.
But most of all, it was her duty to protect all that she loves from the forces that want to take it away from her.
And she would stop at nothing to save the people she cares about, and save this city.
Cassandra found herself falling, tripping, rolling on the ground, startling the people of Gotham at the sudden fall. She's been getting stares, people pointing at her, people recording her, and people questioning if it really was batwoman.
Some even wanted to help, but Cassandra recovered, getting back to her feet on her own, and kept running.
Each time she fell, she sometimes couldn't stop the fall properly, allowing the helmet to absorb more of the damage. Her hair was coming through the helmet, she felt blood coming down from her forehead, just as she felt blood still protruding all across her body from her fight with Arkham Knight. The light weight armor protected her where it could, but it's not enough.
After all, she's not like Peter where he can endure so much more damage, and keep going. She's human, and the only reason why she hasn't accepted to let darkness take her, is her indomitable will to save her family, to be there for them.
She's been through worse, and she has to keep going.
By this point, she was in the fashion district. She doesn't know how long she's been running, but she quite literally ran from old Gotham to Miagani island.
She was getting closer, but still far off. Once again, she collapsed on the ground, her arms bracing the fall this time.
Cassandra again picked herself up, someone tried helping her, but she shoved them away, and kept running, but this time slower, even limping a little in her run. Her fatigue was finally getting to her, her pace had been waning ever since she was half way to reaching Migian island. But she push past everything that was problem and she has too.
She needs too.
She wants too.
Reaching to the street, a car that was familiar to her pulled up. Her batmobile, "Get in Batwoman," Bruce said through her comm's, "You're in no condition to help them and we were able to make sure the both of them are being kept away from prying eyes such as the press and the GCPD."
Cassandra's knee was shaking as it stood, buckling almost if it wasn't her own willpower keeping her standing. Somehow she started to feel more pain than ever before due to the adrenaline that was in her system wearing off. A stubbornness in her wanted to refuse, bite it down, and keep going to save them on her own.
Without they're help, without his help.
Because deep down, she's still in front of their shadow, his shadow, and yet, it seems she couldn't escape the people before her that made her into who she is, what she is.
Stomaching her pride, Cassandra got in the passenger seat of the batmobile, and it seems Bruce would be driving it by remote control at the batcave.
Vicki had seen some scary shit in Gotham, some terrifying stuff that at times made her want to quit journalism. From the murders she reported, crime scene's she seeing, people both woman and men being raped, violated even, to the likes of crazed maniacs that don't need a reason to cause destruction in this city.
She had seen it all, experienced it all, but from the years of dealing with the darker side of Gotham, she still needed to do what's right.
And at the moment was helping a friend out along with Dewolff. Both were carrying Peter into an alleyway away from the groups of people that were either reporters like her, or GCPD that wanted a piece of him.
As good as Peter had done for this city, everyone wants to know who's under the mask. Whether it's to arrest him, or expose him, everyone wants a piece of Peter more than his partner. And it's surprising, a year ago Bruce decided to twist his vengeance in a way that was similar to one of his proteges.
Yet no one cared enough to seek justice, because everyone knew one day Bruce would cross the line. And How could they when he gave up the mantle and passed it onto someone else. But at the same time, they don't come after her as much as they should. Some want to, but know that she isn't Peter.
More like Bruce, and that frightens people of this city.
Yet Peter? He may have powers, may have at times slip into a more aggressive persona, but he always comes back as the more friendly neighborhood hero of Gotham. Sadly though, out of every hero that fought for this city, Peter should've been the one to kill criminals and villains alike.
She's been there at his side for over 12 years, sometimes off and on, but she always was there just like she is now. Compared to Bruce or any of the Batfamily, she's seen what Peter went through, and somehow, his own will always win to never be like the people he fought against, "Jesus christ! He always looked less heavy then he appears to be," Captain Dewolff mentions when she and Vicki gently rest Peter on a wall.
Right near a tired, exhausted Nightwing who looked to be out of it too, but he wasn't as he was still recovering from his mental takeover by Frances, "Heh…He eats a lot…" He jested.
Vicki eye rolled at Dick jester at all times. She peaked out the alleyway, still seeing the streets in a mess.
Bodies were lying on the ground, some being looked at by the ambulances, or some being taken away quickly as possible. Then there are those who are crying, crying out for their dead loved one. Either they were normal citizens, cops, firefighters, even the veterans they were supporting today.
And the truly tragic part was the kids, the teenagers, they too were caught in the crossfire. As much as Peter tried to save everyone, he couldn't. Vicki knows when he finds this out, it'll eat him up badly.
Dewolff too looked at the scene, her hands by her waist, the noticeable scowl and frown she wore before banging her hands by the wall, "Damn it! Not a goddamn thing I couldn't do! Not a goddamn thing any police officer could do! NOT GODDAMN THING!" She shouted.
Vicki gets that, the feeling of being useless, the feeling of being weak, and the feeling of being overpowered by unstoppable forces. She truly gets that in a time where more and more meta's and dangerous people with skills that can quite literally, take over this city if they try hard enough.
But somehow, they're still here, the good of Gotham still stands and still lives. Where darkness can reign, hope is still alive and beating, "Pull yourself together Captain! Those people!" She pointed too, "Those cops! They need you! I'm able to watch over these two, but you need to do what you have to do."
"AND WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TOO?!" she started pacing left and right during her anxiety spilling out her guts, "WHAT IF I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THIS SHIT! ONLY A YEAR! I'VE BEEN CAPTAIN ONLY A YEAR. AND I'M STILL GETTING USE TO IT ALL! ALL THIS RESPONSIBILITY REST ON ME! ME! I GOT NO ONE TO TRUST! I GOT VIGILANTES THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE IN, AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE LIKES OF GORDON OR STACY TO HAVE MY-"
Vicki smacked her. The reporter slapped the Captain of GCPD. And Dewolff was at a loss of words just as Vicki kept her stern expression on, "This! Is no time for you to have a panic attack. Gordon picked you for a reason as his replacement, Captain Stacy picked you as his partner for a reason, and you became an officer for some reason. And that reason I have to believe is that you care enough to help give Gotham hope. Just like these two," she now would point at Dick and Peter, "Now go be the Captain! Give hope to the city! Keep the people trust in the GCPD alive! Show them that it isn't as corrupted as it used to be! Show them what a true officer is, you hear me?!"
Dewolff did, she truly did hear the reporter of the gazette. It was ironic though, a reporter telling an officer to get her ass into gear when it should be the reverse. Dewolff felt ashamed to show a moment of weakness, but she needed that kick in the ass. She took a breath in and out.
She got her ass into gear, anxiety expression left her face and all that was left was a determined Captain willing to do what was right, "Ok. Ok, do what you gotta do here, but I need you to help me with the interview I have in mind once I get this place under control. People in the city, cops in the city, they need to know that after today, everyone is all hands on deck, everyone will be working with spider-man and the other bat figures, no questions asked."
"What about the higher ups at the GCPD?"
Captain Dewolff scoffed, "They can kiss my ass. As batwoman told me, ignorance they are, and we all should be working together. I'm gonna make that happen just like Gordon did."
Vicki nodded, they both heard the batmobile pulling up to the location. Vicki gestures for Dewolff to do her thing, and she does. Vicki saw Cassandra trying to get out, but she looked to be struggling to get out entirely.
Vicki felt her heartbreak for the poor woman. Just from her view alone, she can see Cassandra in alot of pain, but has gone through a brutal fight. And yet she was still fighting to at the very least help her partners.
Vicki presumed that it was all the fight she went through at Wayne tower, and if she ended up like that then Vicki can presume that this Arkham Knight she saw on social media, was a true threat just like Kasady, "Dick, you think you're strong enough to help me with Peter?"
He gave a thumbs up.
San Diego, California
In a condo that seemed to house one person at the moment, a man sat in his chair while his computer was playing Gotham Gazette news, involving Vicki interviewing Captain Dewolff, "There's still plenty of things that need taking care of here. I don't want to say but there's a few too many good souls that were lost today, some were just…Kids. But right now as we recover and help those in need, I'm issuing right here and now that GCPD will do everything in our power to take in these new threats that are hurting this city."
"And how are you going to accomplish this Captain?"
"First step, we're working with vigilante's. I don't care who doesn't like them, or why they don't, but we need them now more than ever. Next step is making sure we get necessary equipment to handle the likes of Carnage and his partner dub Shriek. Besides Wayne tech, we're gonna look for reliable outside resources to help us, and finally, the hardest thing to do, endure what happened today, and push forward to do what's right for this city."
The man who had one working eye while the other eye was completely shut and had a linear scar over and under the eyelid, heard someone coming into the house. His one and only arm quickly closed the video just as a blond haired woman came in with bags in her hand, "Heyyya! I'm so gonna get this pasta right today!" she said. She took off the hat from her head, and her jacket that revealed the left side of her body being scarred. It started on the side of her hair, one that stopped it from growing, then her ears, to her neck, and a bit of it can be seen by her left shoulder that her t-shirt hid.
But even if it hid it, taking off her own shoe's too also revealed part of her left foot was scarred. It meant that her entire left side was molded up like an acid was thrown on her. It didn't take away from her beauty seeing as the majority of her hair was intact and looked to be in style with the scarring, or even the little cuteness from her pointy nose that went well with her dimple of a smile.
The man by his computer took a second to stare at her as she took out the ingredients for the pasta she would be making today. Then a second later, he was gonna stand up till he forgot one thing.
He was missing a leg, and so he had to quickly stop his fall with his one arm. The woman saw this and frowned, "Distracted?"
"No, just forgot again," he said, letting his body fall so he could sit up and grab the nearby prosthetic leg and attach it to his leg. It was a little awkward at first when getting up due to it not being his own leg, but he quickly got used to it and went to help her out with the groceries.
In some way, the blond hair woman's own cyan eyes took in the man beside her, and now he was lying and trying to evade a knowing conversation that had to occur, "Forgot? Or were you busy looking at what's going on in Gotham again?"
He stopped what he was doing, knowing this woman knew the in's and outs of who he is. Lying to her was never easy, and it breeds problems that he knew he shouldn't have done. He sighed, "It's getting more crazy back there Steph. I saw Cass take a nasty fall, saw Dick hurting innocent people, Peter having to deal with so many people losing their minds and hurting one another, and now there's more villains than ever coming back to hurt Gotham."
Stephanie eyebrow lowered at hearing all what had just happened in Gotham, "I had a feeling the second I stepped out you would look to see what was going back in Gotham. But Tim, you know why you and I wanted to get out of that city."
"I know.. But everyday Steph," his nordic eyes drifted to her, just as the hands that were still in the bag clinched just a bit, "It feels like I have to be there, that I have to be the robin, their robin"
"And you want to just throw all the progress we've built here in San Diego Tim?" She argued back, her voice steadily rising, "You're almost done with college, we finally got an actual house to ourselves here, we both love our jobs even if it can be hell sometime, and we're both happy!" She took a step back, cringing to herself as she noticed Tim looked away from her gaze when she said that, "Or at least… I like to think we got to a point of being happy. It almost feels like our progress here doesn't mean anything to you."
"No! No it does Steph," he walks closer to her, eyes focused on her once more, "God it does!" his hand went to hold her hand, "I love what we've built here, I love you loving a job that fits you! I love using my brains to crack codes and stuff that helps us have more money! Hell, I like trading in the stock market for once!" Again, his gaze left her's, staring at his hand as it rub hers gently, staring at his one pure feet, and his one prosthetic foot against her one pure feet and her one half scarred foot, "I…I love it all…But god Steph," he gently presses his forehead on to hers, closing his eyes in the process as he felt her breath against his, feeling his heart race just a bit as he felt scared.
Scared of the fact that in truth, all this may not be what he really wanted, "...I feel like I'm needed there again. That the only way it'll close up this hole, or stop the night terrors is if I go back there and… Help them."
Stephanie would remove his one hand from her, to enclose both hands to embrace him, "And what if…What if going back there means we'll throw away all that we have here? Or what if it means we'll die this time Tim?" She asked, close to his ears, "As much as I too want to go back and help them out, you know what happened last time. It doesn't matter if Joker is dead. If we mess up, if we make one single mistake like last time…I…I don't wanna think about losing you, not again…If Cass wasn't there…"
Tim let his one hand brush the back of her hair, a way to comfort him and her at the same time, "I know.. If she wasn't there we would've both died."
They stood just a bit longer, letting the quiet of their condo overtake them, "...So what do you wanna do Tim?"
"...I don't even know, because that's the hard part. I want to go back, but then I'm reminded if I go back, you'll not only come too, but there's a chance, always a chance we can screw up costing our lives. I know that even before what Joker did to us was the same thing, but somehow Joker put it into perspective that our lives count for something. As much as we want to help people, help Gotham, it means putting our lives on the line everyday…I don't know why it didn't occur to me till I lost half of everything."
She knew that he meant beyond literally losing half of his body parts. He meant that he lost some good people on his journey as Robin, and those scars still remain on Tim regardless of how long it's been. Stephanie removes herself just a bit, still in the embrace, but in a position to stare at Tim, "You still have a heart, and you still have your awesome brain," she shrugs, "So you kind of have everything still."
Tim looked at her for a moment, before bursting into laughter allowing Stephanie to smile at doing her job of being a girlfriend in time like this, "You're right, have you ever told you how beautiful you are?"
"Mmm, tell me more."
They shared a kiss, allowing the stressful thoughts of Gotham to be driven away just for a moment. Even with all they're dealing with, they have each other.
Gotham
Talia always had a difficult relationship with Bruce, and that extension goes with the bat family he grew for years. When she was younger, or how she saw herself, naive, she fantasize having Bruce by her side, both as a lover and a partner to her. One who was loyal to her father, the former demon head, the former leader of the league of assassins. And was willing to do anything necessary to not only save his city, but the world.
They had their moments, drifting between enemies, allies, romance, and bitter hatred. But none ever led to that fantasy she wanted so badly. It was because of who he is that he couldn't do it. And because of the good he is, he was the only man worthy enough to capture her heart, her soul. The most ironic part was that she almost did had him.
When he killed joker.
When his bat family became broken.
When his mind was scattered.
And the only conclusion he could come to was to be better, and if it meant siding with her, he was willing too, as he finally came to terms of doing what's necessary to save his city, save his family in a way.
Talia could've had him at that point, could've taken him away from his actual lover that was by his side right now. But the truly saddest part that no one will ever know as to why Talia didn't help Bruce in his formerly new attempt of purging Gotham's evil, was that he wasn't the man she loved.
Her father was no longer alive to sway her decision, she made that decision based on her feelings, her heart, her mind, and her body. She made the clear decision of backing away from Bruce, because that person wasn't the man she loved. In doing so, allowing his adoptive daughter to take him down and put him in his place.
But now as she stood and watched everything around her in the batcave, she couldn't help but wonder how this family was still attached? After everything Bruce had done, after everything Joker had done, how is this family still breathing? Still surviving, and still trying to hold onto hope?
Talia noticed the little bat, Cassandra, was being treated by the butler. She looked to be both tired and in agony of the amount of pain she must be still enduring. Her fight with the Arkham Knight wasn't as easy as it looked, though, it seemed she took damage from outside the fight.
From what she heard, she fell from a great height, about 80 stories that was almost to the top of Wayne tower. If it was any other normal person, they surely would've panicked and died. But knowing Cassandra, she kept her cool and survived.
Like always. Even right now, she was doing her best to show no pain, no emotion.
Because the little bat had her eyes on her spider, and she could only focus on him then her pain. Bruce and the wheel bounded former batgirl were overseeing his upper part of his body including his mask were off as they took care of some of his wounds he had. Not only that, they made sure to have both a heart and brain wave monitor just in case to act fast when something vital would happen. In Talia's eyes, the spider still had the face of a boy, but a boy that had seen and gone through many challenges he had to go up against.
She would always give him respect on that part. That he chose to fight all of his battles, and not anyone had to tell him to do so. This would go for everyone that Bruce had helped in their heroic journey but Peter was different. He had all the reason to be more selfish with the powers he gained through an accident when he was just but a child, yet he chose to not dwindle himself in selfishness.
Only once she knew of, but that one time is what made him who he is. And while she knows in fact that he still held his naive principles, she nonetheless respects him because he sticks with it, no matter what happens.
From the bit she saw when she and Bruce were teleported to the batcave, he was dealing quite a lot in Migani island. Not just a mad man and his women causing him immense physical pain, but also mental pain inwards and outwards. The poor fool was still under the notion he can save everyone. To his credit, he's not one to give up. Talia knows of this from the few times she encounters the spider. She used to assume he was just another protege of Bruce, even mocked him a couple of times for this. Yet she and her father quickly learn that he wasn't; he indeed was an ally, but his skill, mind, body, spirit, everything that courses into his body was all of his own making.
He chooses this, chooses to be who he is, and while Bruce had helped him on his journey, the spider is his own man and isn't tied to the batfamily. Or at least, that's what she used to think. Nowadays it seems he has become more close with the bat family, and maybe it had to do with his relationship with the little bat.
Talia wonders, now having to see the relationship more up close than ever before, how did this man ever claim the little bat? One who can't use her words to communicate as well as others, but can truly fight like a devil that her father and mother wanted her to be? Or even so, how did this little bat was able to worm her way into the spider's heart? Knowing who she is, and where her origins came from, it'll only serve to breed problems.
Problems she assumes they are having behind closed doors.
Then there was Bruce's first son, Richard John Grayson, who had been eyeing her painstakingly ever since he got back to the cave. He too was being treated for his injuries by Bruce's lover. While his injury wasn't as bad as say the spider's or the little bat, he wasn't scott free away from the injuries that needed treatment. Talia had tried to help him, but compared to another relationship with the bat family, even Selina for that matter, Dick bore's more hatred towards her than anyone.
So she would let Selina handle him while she did her own research. Using the batcomputer, she needed to know more about this Arkham Knight, a villain that came out from the shadows to capture her of all people. When an enemy wants something for Talia, it means to be something far personal.
A vendetta perhaps? Steal her power? Take away her many resources? Or even maybe, to know the secret of immortality?
Talia and her father Ra's always made sure that the public doesn't know of the lazarus pit. A key source into why she looks so young, and why her father had seen many things from the centuries he lived on this earth. Those who do know of it, always try to seize control of it, and most have failed in their approach to acquire its unique traits.
But what few people don't know is that it comes at a price. Eventually, her father years upon years of resurrecting himself from the dead didn't do good on his state of mind. The simplest part of what happened to him is that he went completely mad.
And she had to put him down and take his place as the demon head.
Which is why since the death of her father, Talia made sure the lazarus pit would not fall into the hands of anyone else. And what better way to keep it from prying hands by destroying her father's work. It means yes, she would eventually die, but she won't die of madness like her father.
It does also rule out the Arkham Knight intention of the lazarus pit, but what else do they want with her? How much do they know about her? Or a better question, how much do they know about her tie's with Bruce, beyond simple business partners, "So we just accept anyone into the batcave?" Dick asked.
"Dick you know damn well I would be the first one to kick her out," Selina said when wrapping the bandages around Dick waist, "But she needs to stay here."
Dick scoffed, "She has the league of assassins to protect her."
"And what if they're compromise?" Bruce brought a question that even piqued Talia's interest. An interest that got her looking at the former bat as his gaze was more towards studying Peter's condition, "This Arkham Knight clearly knows more than they would let on. They know when the meeting happened, they used a specific statement I told to the underworld of Gotham when I wanted them to know who will be going after them, and easily, they're wearing something reminiscent of Batman," he then turns to the people he was talking to, "It's best to presume that they're right. The Arkham Knight has eyes and ears everywhere, and they probably have been building this network for years right under our noses."
It was scarier thought to know a player of this magnitude would come out now, now when they not only have to worry about a super power psychopath that has attachment to Peter's own previous enemy. It just meant that that the stake for this city just got higher, "...She trained with mother," Cassandra said, her face scrunched and let out a small groan when Alfred readjusted the arm that popped out of his socket during her free fall, "And likely was the one who killed..Kingpin."
This piece of information only seemed to broaden up more mystery behind the Arkham Knight, and it only served to make Bruce frown deepen, "Your mother isn't the type to take in new students, only if those are worthy enough that is…" His arms were crossed, his mind prodding yet still focused on Peter's condition, "That would explain her skills, her tactical awareness, but her goals? Shiva must've given them the tools they needed to pursue their goals, with anything else being damned beyond her worries."
"You think she's testing Cassandra again?" Barbara asked.
Bruce shook his head, "No, I think it's something deeper than a test, but a force that Cassandra needs to confront. Something she saw in them that is the opposite of Cassandra.
"They kill," Cassandra answered, Alfred just about stitch up parts of her body while now giving her an ice pack for head to lessen the headache, "And they want chaos. Like Carnage."
"Two enemies that while their approach is different from one another, yet still all the same want chaos in Gotham?" Talia giggled at the irony, "We all know they'll likely join forces to push their endeavor forward. The calmness of this city hasn't done either of any of you justice, especially you little bat."
"Hey!" Dick got off from the stretcher, with the likes of Selina barely able to hold him back from walking towards Talia, "Back off, you're not in your home territory where you can talk down to your followers Al Ghul," Dick aggressively said.
Talia stares down the slightly taller men, not surprised that their bad blood between them would condense any further. However, she was slightly surprised that his more sarcasm tone was nowhere to be found when it came to their bad blood. It's almost as if he let go of being the more gentle spirit in the batfamily.
Like something changed him, something more than just being beaten to a bloody doll from the joker, "I'm only telling the truth Richard Grayson. When this family was torn by not only the joker but Bruce, it never fully recovered. And while the little bat and her spider try to pick up the pieces on their own, holding what little reminiscent of this family had just before the new threats arise, you all lost your edge. And now, the enemy's are the one's taking the lead in this chess game for Gotham. So the only way we're ever gonna take out the kings, is by rallying up together."
Dick scoffed, "And why should we trust the demon head?"
"Because what other choice do we have Dick?" Selina said, making her voice known and her appearance known between the two of them, "If any of us, if all of us are gonna be able to fight this Knight character and this Carnage freak, we need all the help we can get," Selina then looked to Talia, holding a small glare, but one of recognition, an understanding to what needs to be done, "Especially from those we can't trust."
Talia let herself smile, "See? Even Bruce's own cat agrees. Plus, I made a point of not stepping on either of you all feet ever since I took over my father's place," her smile turn into a small frown, "We don't need to fight an endless battle that involves constant disagreements, but work towards something that we both can see, one that respects each other perspective."
"Yeah well, trying to kill me before my marriage was stepping on my feet," Selina commented.
"You know I had to do that to see if you were worthy of my be-"
"Finish that word, I dare you."
Again, Dick scoffed as he distanced himself from the two, "Maybe we really have lost our edge if we're gonna be working for this bitch," he muttered.
Suddenly, Peter's heart rate began dipping, his body started trembling, spazzing out of control, his brain wave began going erratic, and the sound of him choking on his saliva was echoing out of the batcave, "Shit! Barbara starts pumping him with high dosage of oxcarbazepine," Barbara would wheel herself to find this particular drug, "EVERYONE! HOLD HIM DOWN!"
They do so, Dick, Selina, Talia, Alfred, Bruce, and even Cassandra did so. In his unconscious state, Peter was damn well strong that it causes some problems to hold him down steady, "COME ON PETER! STAY STILL!" Dick shouted, holding the base of his body in place while everyone held each of his limbs.
Somehow, Dick's own strength was doing the legwork, enough so it didn't go unnoticed with the likes of Bruce and Talia.
Barbara was quick with the anti seizure drug, using a high potent version specifically for Peter, it ended up calming him down, stopping the seizure all together. Barbara glanced at the two monitors, seeing them all slowly go back to regular levels, "Vitals are improving. Whatever Kasady's partner had done to Peter, it seemed to have some more lingering effects."
"Will…It happen again?" Cassandra asked, holding his arms, caressing his hands, worried about him most of all.
"That's the thing about Peter, whatever happens to him can't always correlate to normal people. Best possibility is no, worst possibility, it could happen any second."
The only thing any of them can do was hope that Peter bounces back. Because they're gonna need him just as much as he needs them.
November 15
"WHERE THE HELL IS PARKER?! OUR NETWORK HAD FUCKING CRASHED!" The one and only J Jonah Jameson screamed out loud in his office that the many people in the gazette could hear.
Robbie who was in the room getting some water shrug, "Not sure, last I heard was he was with Vickie before the now dubbed Carnage massacre happened.
Jameson briefly let go of his frustration. Knowing Peter could've been injured or worse was more important than his website crashing, "Well! Have you called him? Has anyone called him? Every Time I've done it, it went straight to his voicemail!"
"Same on my end. Perhaps Vickie would know."
Speaking of Vickie, she just came right into the office, looking a bit more tired then she usually was, "Sorry i'm late I-"
"Have you seen Parker Vale?!"
Vicki pushed part of her red hair from eyelids and took out her phone that had a knowing message for Jameson, "Hi everyone, or just Jonah. First off I am fine, and secondly, I am recovering from the veterans parade chaos. I took some nasty shots that lace me with a concussion. I'll make sure to let you know when I'm able to work again. Oh and thanks Vicki, you're the best."
Jameson sighed, "Great! Now I lost one of my best assets today."
Vicki couldn't help but raise her eyebrow, "This is the first i'm hearing this. You hear that right Robbie?"
He shrugs, "Sometimes I tune him out that whatever he says I don't often believe."
"Har har har! Laugh it up you too, now I need someone to fix this god damn site! NED!" the asian man that was Ned came rushing in, "FIX THIS SITE!"
"But I'm not the guy in the chair!"
"WHOCARES! FIX IT!" Sulking, Ned did what he was told.
Meanwhile as Jonah and Robbie were discussing more on what today's page would be like today, Vicki would actually end up texting Cassandra of all people.
Vicki: Thanks again for the AI excuse!
Cass: Thank Barbara.
Vicki: Well you would have to do that for me. Anyhow, if you need anything, I'm here.
Cass: The Knight, check Arkham. Barbara and Alfred are searching too. Can you too?
Vicki: Tall order, but will get it done today. Nothing like an additional support to find something on this guy or gal.
With today's plan, Vicki would need either a coffee or a red bull to get her through it. Possibly coffee.
Cassandra was for once resting. While the concussion was minor enough to heal, especially with the equipment they had in the batcave, she needed some rest. The past couple of days wasn't good for her to just sit and rest.
She tried being useful elsewhere, tried being the key factor. She tried helping Alfred with maintaining Wayne Manor, but he does a way better job then she ever could and dismisses her helpful gestures. She tried helping Barbara with tracking down either Kasady or Arkham Knight, but she too says she got it under control with Dick keeping an eye on Gotham for the time being. She even asked Dick if he needed some type of recon on ground level, but like the others, he told her no.
Bruce had to be out in the open, handling the damage of his enterprise but also making public statements of what went on.
She wanted to ask Selina if she could be of use to her job with helping the orphans in Gotham, but she doesn't exactly know how to handle kids properly, or more so, she's more scared of hurting them when she wouldn't mean too. Like dropping them on their head or trying to have them but ends up just hurting them.
The thought of kids came to her mind again, and it didn't help that she laid her head near the stretcher that had Peter sleeping soundly. So far for the past few days, he's been improving with only a few seizures occurring, something she took care of when others were busy. Like always, she kept a close eye on him, watching his heart and brain monitor appear relatively normal.
But again, her thoughts linger on child, kids, something she tries not to think about often, but now has been coming to her mind ever so diligently. She wonders what it would be like to really have kids with him? Would she be a good mother? Could she be a good mother? Better than her parents? Of course she wants to, but can she though?
It's one of the very few things Cassandra is scared of, the other being that she's fearful of being her mother and her father all at once. It goes well with her fear of not being a good mother and ends up being like both of her parents. Striving to have her own child learn, fight, and conquer.
She really doesn't want that, she really wants to be a great mother someday, same as how Peter will be a great father someday. Yet, she fears for their relationship, she fears they'll argue again, that the barrier that they still haven't talked about will never be able to get passed.
In the span of 2 years of being with him, there was more conflict with them, but more conflict within her about being around Peter. It might've always been there, or it might've come to fruition after what Joker did to everyone. But there had been a hole in their relationship that always got swept under for their own prevention, for their own love.
In reality, Cassandra took note that they were so busy with Gotham, that they never found time to discuss some things that needed to be discussed. And everytime Peter had tried, Cassandra would shut it down, or other things would come in the way to deny the first step he always made.
Not many people were either in the batcave or Wayne manor. Barbara and Cassandra were really the only proactive one in the place while others were off doing something of their own. Cassandra believes Alfred had run some errands, possibly more personal errands than anything.
"Cass, you might wanna head upstairs. I think one of Peter's friend's is about to be beheaded by the demon head," Barbara said, causing Cassandra to peek up from her position, and saw the camera from the Wayne entrance showcase a familiar redhead woman trying to appease Talia as she was threatening her with a sword.
Cassandra sighs to herself, she knew somehow she was gonna confront her again. And like before, it's without Peter.
Cassandra would get up from seat and jog back upstairs, taking the stairs that lead to the entrance to the living room. She reached just in time to hear the commotion, "Again, state your business or else."
"Or else what? You'll slit my throat?" Mary Jane scoffed and eye roll, "You're not the first and you're not the last woman."
"Then I'll make sure I am the last."
Cassandra grabs Talia's arm, stopping her from doing anything bloody that will only cause more trouble, "Friendly."
"To you, but not to me," Talia kept her gaze on Mary Jane, who didn't look to be threatened even before Cassandra came to her aid, "For all we know, she could be possibly working with them. Are you willing to let this person live so that they can hurt your family?"
Talia brought up a good question, but again, it was necessary to someone she knows, that Peter knows, "She won't. Back down."
Talia didn't, for a second glaring at Cassandra and then at Mary Jane while still holding the blade and readying to strike. But she groaned, and pushed Cassandra away from her, "If she so happens bring them here, then whoever shall perish is on you."
While she walked away from them, Mary Jane scoffed at the position she was just in, "You really live with that bitch? Acting like I'm some assassin that wants to hurt her."
"What are you doing here?" Cassandra asked, stopping Mary Jane from breaking the air of awkwardness with a joke.
Something she must've picked up from Peter, "Can I at least come in?" Her body shrivels that not even her hands in her pocket can stop the cold from bothering her. After all, it was November and winter was fast approaching. Cassandra would sidestep, letting Mary Jane in as she closed the door, "Jeez… How do you deal with the cold?" Cassandra didn't answer her, not like Mary Jane was expecting her too, "See the place hasn't changed much. Not like I've ever been here much."
"Mary, what do you want?" Cassandra again asked.
Mary Jane normally would've been turned off by someone using her name singular, but this wasn't the type of person to complain to about that, "Isn't it obvious?" She turned to Cassandra, who looked at her both curious and impatient, but also put off by her appearance.
"He's fine."
Mary Jane frowned, "I can't see him? Or is he somewhere that I can't have access to?"
"Both."
The air was tense between them. How could it not be when it was Mary Jane and Cassandra Cain standing toe to toe with one another? One who has or had feelings for Peter, and the other who is involved with Peter. Mary Jane knows the air between them was thick as ice, and only gotten thicker as the seconds of quiet that passed by.
So since she was here, she might as well do what an adult does when there's a problem with another person, "..Look, since you're here and I'm here. I'm gonna try to clear the air here since much of it was my fault anyhow."
Cassandra stared at her, searching for a lie in her expression and body language. But it honestly didn't even take her no less then a second to see that Mary Jane wants this. The way she still kept her hands in her pocket, the way her eyes kept focus on her, and the fact that her tone of voice was more earnest then anything just told her that Mary Jane wants this.
Maybe not to be friends with her directly, but to at least make sure they both have a clear concussion that one or the other doesn't hate each other. Cassandra would gesture her head to follow her. They ended up walking into the living room where the fireplace lit up the dark room just a bit more since it was cloudy outside in the afternoon.
They sat far apart from one another, with Cassandra bare feet deciding to crouch on the couch and Mary Jane deciding to take off her coat and sit properly on the couch, "Erm…" Mary Jane's finger scratches her cheek, trying to find a way to start this discussion as Cassandra simply waits, "I um…Am sorry that I told you before, the last time we really saw each other, that he doesn't deserve you. As you probably know, I was drunk, real drunk, heh, I shouldn't have been since I was supposed to be a recovering alcoholic."
Cassandra knew of this. While Peter told her the superfluous stuff about Mary Jane; that she was the party girl in college who dreamt about acting, modeling, and using that money to help those in need. She often sounded like this fantasy woman who dreams big, but yet rather spoils the younger years being wild and crazy then anything. And drinking being one of them, yet she didn't know she was trying to quit before the outburst she spat at her that day.
Cassandra could remember it clear as day, only seeming to make her frown.
2 years ago
Cassandra was supposed to be having a rather nice evening before she dons her bat costume and helps out Steph, Tim, and Peter for a usual routine patrol of Gotham. Heck, she was practicing her ballet since she had been taking some classes thanks to Bruce.
It meant her talent was growing and soon she would be going on stage. Though if she was honest, the people said she was good enough to dance on stage. But Cassandra felt there needed to be some work.
Along with the apartment she got thanks to Alfred that had everything she needed, she's hoping that Peter can for once stop living on his own and start living with her. He was still having trouble paying rent while balancing his job at the Gazette and his everyday job as spider-man.
Yet now, she has to deal with his red head friend Mary Jane Watson standing in her front door apartment. Her green eyes lucid just as her body had a hard time standing, with the bottle of likely alcohol she held in one hand. She was a mess with the apparent clothing being damp, hanging enough she can almost see her tits, pants barely hanging, and her hair all over the place.
Odd that she looked like this when night was approaching. Cassandra would assume she was stupid for this, but she wasn't, she knew she wasn't, "FUCK YOU!" She shouted.
Cassandra eyebrow raised, keeping quiet and trying to process how in the world she knows where she lives? She must've followed Peter because Cassandra knows she doesn't give out her location so easily, always changing up her routines before she goes home, and it had an underground base for her bat stuff, "WHY THE FUCK YOU HAD TO TAKE HIM…FROM ME!"
Cassandra can smell it on her breath, easily deducing she was in fact drunk, "Mary you're drunk. Go home," Cassandra said.
"YOU DON'T GET TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO…! I DON'T CARE IF YOU KNOW HOW TO KICK MY ASS SIDEWAYS OR UPWAYS! ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS…FUCK YOU! YOU STOLE HIM FROM ME! ME!" She screamed, and pointed to herself as she screamed, "WHO WAS MINE! I WAS THERE FOR HIM! I WAS THERE WHEN HE LOST GWEN! YOU WEREN'T! NONE OF YOU BAT PEOPLE WERE! I WAS THERE WHEN HE NEEDED SOMEONE! WHY OF ALL PEOPLE…!" tears begin linking through her eyes, as she took a sip of more alcohol from her bottle, "...He went with you…. I know him….I know him as much as Gwen does….So why he chose you over me…"
Cassandra couldn't exactly answer that as easily as she wanted too. She could say it was simple; they ended up having fun, Cassandra realizes she's bad at holding her liver against alcohol, and one thing leads to the next, and then they had sex, from then on, a relationship blossoms.
But it wasn't as simple as that; both were dealing from heart breaks, losses, and the world just out right beating them up constantly and constantly that in their moment of weakness, they allow themselves to just let go and feel one another. It wasn't easy for Cassandra to admit this to Mary Jane even if she wanted to.
But she doesn't deserve to know that, not while she's in this state, not while she's expressing her deep hatred over her, her deep jealousy over her, "Go home."
Hearing that one more time, she growl, and threw the bottle at her, Cassandra caught it with ease, "FUCK OFF! YOU DON'T DESERVE HIM! YOU DON'T KNOW HIM LIKE I DO" She shouted more in her face with Cassandra having to wipe her face from the bit spit that was being let out, "YOU DON'T…You don't….Fuck…" her gaze drifted downwards, "You can't even talk right… And yet he falls for you?" Mary Jane looks back up to Cassandra, tears and black ink of her eyeliner stroll down her cheeks, making her face a bit more messy just like everything else was, "...It's not fair that you get to…Have him…And what do I get…? WHAT DO I GET FOR ALL THE THINGS I DID FOR HIM?! FOR THE FEW TIMES WE TOLD EACH OTHER THAT WE DO LOVE EACH OTHER! WHY DID HE DID THIS TO ME! WHY DID YOU?! WHY DO YOU EXIST?! WHY DO YOU EVEN GET TO HAVE HIM WHEN I SHOULD'VE! WHEN I NEEDED HIM! WHEN I WANTED HIM FOR SO LONG!"
Cassandra kept her face straight, didn't give her much of the answer that Mary Jane desperately wanted to know. And it didn't help that Cassandra's ears perked up when hearing someone open her window behind.
Cassandra turns to see Peter behind her; already has a button up shirt and pants to cover up his costume and comes through the window where she had a fire escape. Mary Jane too had the brief glance of him, and with how he stood in the frame of Cassandra's living room, frowning, and looking disappointed at Mary Jane.
The redhead tried running, but ended up falling on the ground, crying in misery at all that happened. Peter didn't need to say anything to Cassandra, nor did she. She knew he was gonna handle this, and the slightest touch of their hands said one thing.
That he's sorry she had to endure all that she said, or must've said, and that he'll handle it.
Present day
"That day wasn't a good one," Mary Jane mentioned, an underestimate of the year if anything, "Lost a role to someone who simply looked better than me. The tv show I was working on got canceled, and I didn't have much money to pay for my apartment. Then worst of all, Peter told me some days before that he's involved with you, and that whatever feelings or things we said to each other can't happen," she then shrugs, "I tried not to care about it, but it got to me, even worse when one day just for a second… I saw you spending time with him, kissing him, doting on him as I was in a cab, and you both were on the roof of all things…Places that I can't reach, not like you guys. And it was the same place I found out you live in."
As she listened, Cassandra noticed the one thing that always seemed to distract her on things she should be aware of, that was Peter. Being with him romantically makes all her focus on him that it makes being who she is a little bit harder than it should.
It meant that beyond her noticing them being together, she should've noticed when or how Mary Jane knew of her former apartment. The back of her head would berate her initiative ability to know things since she was trained to be aware of her surroundings no matter where she's at. Funny enough, she can hear the likes of Peter or Barbara telling her that she's only human, that there are somethings she'll miss, that there are somethings she can't just know first hand.
Everything takes its time while some things are meant to be learned before becoming exquisite in it. But with Peter, she had a habit of forgetting those teachings just to experience everything with him. Sometimes, in rare moments like this, she starts having bipolar thoughts, one that involves her wanting to end things with Peter so that she won't be distracted.
But then it'll break his heart, just like it'll break her's, and she never knew what to do when these thoughts came to her head. Other than burying it where all her other unnecessary thoughts go. It made her wonder something; she and Peter had hurdles to get through in their relationship, sometimes leading to disagreements.
But this was different, what was going on with her? What was going on with him? She started really seeing that some of it was buried, some newer problems came after Joker, and some of it simply came to fruition over time. Being deep in thought, she almost didn't notice Mary Jane trying to get her attention. So when she went to touch her, Cassandra automatically twisted her finger, not to break it, but almost there, "OW!"
Cassandra eyes widened, letting go of her finger that touched her knee go, "S-sorry… Didn't break it?"
"Damn well could've," she said, massaging her finger to numb the pain, "Maybe I deserve that anyhow."
"You don't," Cassandra said.
"You don't need to be nice like that. Even if it was ages ago, I said stuff that wasn't right on my end," Mary Jane eyes drifted away, giving off a somber look in her expression as her hands twirl her more shorter, curly hair that almost resembles Koriand'r hair at one point if it was longer, "And it paint me as a bad person like how my father treated me."
Cassandra's eyes steadily widen; reading her detachedness along with the restraint of holding back those painful memories says it all for Cassandra, "You too?"
Mary Jane's eyebrow raised, "What do you mean?"
Cassandra made herself a little more comfortable, sitting cross legged on the couch, "Father…Hit you too?" Mary Jane opens her mouth and closes a the same time. Cassandra knew this was a subject she doesn't like talking about, but they were making up, they were finding ground.
For once, Cassandra wanted to try to take a leap at things similar to how Peter handle's his more civilian life. That includes conversations she always tends to struggle at when it comes to people that aren't like her, "My father…Was the same," Cassandra frowns, peeling back her own memories of what she remembers about what it was like being raised by her father, "Hit me. Train me. Want me to learn. Learn how to fight. Fight with… Eyes, see what…Others can't see… Made me kill… And…" she looked at her hands, still remembering what it was like taking that person's life away.
Going for the throat.
Easily tearing through the veins.
Then bleed out.
She remembers it so easily, and everyday, she hopes she wouldn't have to do it again,"...Made me feel empty…" She closed her eyes for a second, "I ran…And spent years…" She clutched her fist, "..On my own, till I found this city…" she open her eyes, staring at her now open hand, "Till I found this family," Cassandra looked to Mary Jane, who listen diligently to her story of what made her who she is, "Till I found him."
"...H-How old-"
"8… 4 years of training…Then led to my first kill."
Mary Jane was shocked to find this out, that Cassandra went through something so traumatic so young. It made her realize that they do share something in common, something that made Cassandra realize why she wanted to be open. And to her of all people, "I… I didn't go through all that, probably wouldn't be who I am today I guess… But part of it made me into a party person, kind of toxic person you can say. One that wanted to have fun with whoever and just enjoy that feeling; it meant drinking, smoking weed, and a bit of drugs that almost got me killed.. And," Mary Jane felt her eyes again move away from Cassandra, feeling she was seeing through her very soul to which she kind of was, "It did stem from my father. He…Got drunk a lot, who hit my mother a lot, and I would try to keep my sister away from that since she was the oldest and had to take. Sometimes it wasn't the case, and I had to be the big person and accept some lashing of sorts from him so he wouldn't hurt them."
Like Mary Jane, Cassandra listened and said nothing as she continued, "...So when we moved to Gotham, it was my chance to finally take control of my life, to be someone. And I choose that person to be, because I felt like I deserve to have fun however way I want, right? That all that shit I've been through and we found a way to escape him? I mean!" Mary Jane gave a brief giggle, one that again was out of nervousness, "I thought it was god's gift for me…But it wasn't really… My mom ended up dying and I wasn't there for her, and my sister till this day resented me for it. So I party harder because of it, and hope to god my acting and modeling dream can come to life so I can escape all that shit.. If I hadn't met Peter, then Gwen, and Harry, I wouldn't be sitting here trying to make amends for not…" Mary Jane's brighter viridescent eyes look back up to Cassandra, "Being better, better friend even. We weren't really friends like that..But still, you and I knew each other through Peter, had our little misadventure where I helped out how I can when it came to the hero stuff…" Mary Jane sighed, "..Still nothing compared to Gwen."
There was that name again, the person that Peter loved first before her, or anyone of that matter, "...She was really important… Not just to him, but to you," Cassandra acknowledged.
Mary Jane nodded, "She was the one that stop me from overdosing, got Peter to web swing me to hospital, and he and Harry ended up fucking up those who sold me the drug. They made my life better. And while I had my moment of going competition for Peter's feelings with Gwen, that girl was right in the end…" Again, Mary Jane found herself laughing, this time more out of happiness than being nervous, "I remember this one time, before I had to clean up my act, she told me because of who I am Peter would never want to be with me. And even years later, it seems that was the case. He's got you, and you got him. I never quite was good at hitting the jackpot, but I really wanted to be with him," she said honestly, "But that's life, sometimes its a game of not being fair, and learn how to roll with the punches."
Cassandra nodded, getting what she meant. She can also hear the love and aspiration for Peter. She really wants him to till this day, and that she still has trouble moving on. Cassandra looks down to her feet, now feeling for once how a shame she was to be involved with Peter knowing he can have her. With how much she went through, with how much she wanted to change, and she truly changed not just for him, but herself, Cassandra doesn't know if she's like that.
She doesn't know if, even for 2 years, that she and Peter are right for each other, "...What if you can have him?" She asked.
Mary Jane looked at her bewilder, before glaring, "..No."
"Bu-"
"No. You don't get to give him up, not when you have him in your life," Mary Jane's expression softened, seeing something familiar in Cassandra's eyes. Not from her own experience from the hundreds of times when consulting with Peter, "Your scared," Cassandra felt her heart race pick up, "That your not good enough," her breath felt like it halt, "That because of who you are, and what you are capable, that you don't deserve him," then she looked away, now being the reverse of Mary Jane from earlier. Then she heard Mary Jane come closer to her, grabbing her hands, and staring directly at her, "You can't lose him, not right now, not when you need him just as much as he needs you. And if by god, I know Peter probably would find himself in a similar mindset as you. That he himself isn't quite sure if he deserves you, but he knows he has you, and is willing to fight to stay in your life."
The odd thing was that Cassandra reached a point where nothing can frighten her, except losing her family, losing Peter, and being exactly like her parents if she ever became a mother. But somehow, the thought of losing every bit of Peter because of giving into those thoughts, only frightened her more than anything as Mary Jane easily saw, "... I don't know…How to be with him…In a way, he wants me too… I don't know…If I can go back to…Trying to live my life outside of…Fighting."
"Then talk," She said with confidence, the confidence that came back in her voice, "Find the time, talk to him. Talk about everything you've been feeling; the doubts, the worries, the frightful future, and the prospect of what you don't want to happen. Be truthful to him, and don't hold back," Mary Jane gave a small smile, "He's Peter Parker, he can take anything and keep going forward. And your Cassandra, be open, more open. And I get it, you probably don't want to either. Yet you can't give up on him, not with what you have with him and how long you've had it. He's never been happier with a person since his time with Gwen."
"What about Felicia?"
Mary Jane scoffed and eye roll, "The less it is said about her, the better. Just know, Peter went through a phase that involved him with the likes of Felicia and the one alien girl. But he dropped that till he got with you."
"But what if we didn't happen…? And… he went with you…? Wouldn't he…Be happy too?"
Mary Jane shrugs, "Maybe, maybe not. It didn't happen, so we'll never happen. You both happen, so don't worry about me cause I won't do anything to destroy that relationship you have with him," her eyes squint briefly, "Anymore that is," she added a jest.
In retrospect, it got Cassandra to softly giggle, just as Mary Jane did for herself. Hearing Mary Jane say that, seeing her expression lifted up compared to earlier, it was a sign that she was growing and learning to live without Peter no matter how hard it is. The talk was enough to clear the thoughts from Cassandra's brain. It helps that Cassandra came to a softer conclusion, in that this was a hurdle she needed to get over with Peter.
They're love is strong, but to be stronger, she needs to learn to take the step forward. Take a note in Peter's book. And who would've thought Mary Jane Watson would help her see that in a time like this.
A more relaxing chapter if you will? I decided to put Vicki's investigation into Arkham for the next chapter so this chapter alone can focus on the more important part. The Batfamily and supporting cast. As I often believe, every character in a story has to be just as important as the main one's, no matter how small their role is.
Which is why Peter would be in a small coma. Not for long, a good two chapters. This story isn't just about Peter and Cassandra. Their supporting characters, the Batfamily, especially, are important and I want them to feel just as important as the main characters and main villains.
If any of you readers noticed the updates moving out slower, it's because I'm taking a bit more time with how I write things now that I'm moving more into the middle half of the story. Still have a long way to go from the finish line, but I'm now taking time to not only iron out some things, but to cut certain things for logical reasons. I want this story to be really good to the finish line, and so it means moving just a bit slower. Rest assured, we still moving, and like always, see yall whenever.
But not forever!
