Ghost Bat-Spirit of Vengeance
Chapter 6- Bad Moon Rising
"I hope you got your things together
I hope you are quite prepared to die
Looks like we're in for nasty weather
One eye is taken for an eye
Well, don't go around tonight
'Cause, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise
Well, don't go around tonight
'Cause, it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise"
-John Fogerty
Alfred sat in Wayne Manor, staring out into the foggy night sky with the moon shining through the dark clouds. It had been 16 years since the tragic incident that took the life of Thomas and Martha Wayne and also since the disappearance of young Bruce. Alfred mourned the loss of all of them and he secretly hoped that one day Bruce would return; though his hopes were growing dimmer with each passing year.
"Alfred," came a voice from across the room.
Alfred looked to see a man standing in the shadows. He was tall and had a very deep voice but Alfred was sure it was him….
"Master Wayne?" Alfred called out, his voice trembling with fear and trepidation.
"Yes Alfred, it's me," Bruce said as he stepped from the shadows and into the light.
"Master Bruce! Is it really you!?" Alfred said as he ran up to Bruce in pure amazement.
Alfred couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. How could Bruce Wayne still be alive after all this time. But he didn't question it. All he could think about was that his dear boy was back.
"Where have you been all these years, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked feeling a rush of emotions.
"I've been living at the Quentin Carnival," Bruce revealed.
"The carnival? But why Master Bruce?" Alfred asked with confusion in his voice.
"I needed to find a way to cope with my grief and anger, Alfred," Bruce said. "Those riding lessons on the bike came in handy though Alfred. I actually became quite the stunt rider! I owe that to you!"
"Well….you are very welcome sir! But, how did I never hear of Bruce Wayne the motorcycle stunt rider? Surely that news would have spread quickly throughout Gotham." Alfred implied.
Exactly Alfred, which is why I used the moniker, Johnny Blaze while I was there. I didn't want them to know who I really was. I didn't want to be treated differently just because of my name." Bruce declared.
"Alfred," Bruce said, seriously.
"Look, I'm….sorry. Really sorry. I know you were worried all those years. You didn't deserve that. I wanted to let you know, I really did, I just.."
"Never mind that sir. I am just glad that you are here. What are your plans now?" Alfred asked.
I want to take it back Alfred. I want to take back my life as Bruce Wayne," Bruce declared.
"Jolly good sir! I am sure the board members of the Wayne Foundation will be quite surprised with your re-emergence!" Alfred said with a chuckle.
Alfred could see the determination and passion in Bruce's eyes, and he knew that nothing could stop him from achieving his goals. But just then, something strange happened. Bruce began holding his head and screaming in agony.
"Master Bruce? Are you ok?" Alfred asked with worry in his voice.
"Alfred…..get back. It's happening again! I can't control it!" Bruce screamed.
"What Bruce!? What is happening?" Alfred asked.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGH!"
Bruce's head burst into flames. Two bony points poked through the top of his head. The skin on his face melted and disappeared amidst the flames leaving only a menacing black skull. His eyes popped out of the sockets leaving only red glowing orbs in their place. His body changed as well, morphing into black armor and leather. As he stepped forward, the heavy footsteps from his spiked black boots pounded on the floor and shook the entire room.
"Master Bruce?" Alfred said in shock.
"BRUCE CAN'T PLAY RIGHT NOW LITTLE MAN. NOW GET OUT OF MY WAY," he said while shoving Alfred to the ground.
"Who are you!?" Alfred demanded.
"I AM GHOST BAT. BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED AND VENGEANCE AWAITS!"
Ghost Bat made flames engulf his entire body. He then began to drop straight down through the floor of the Manor until he had disappeared. There were no burn marks left on the floor, leaving Alfred in pure disbelief.
Ghost Bat fell straight through to the cave underneath the manor. The cave that he had transformed into his own dark, refuge. He walked to his bike and sat on it, instantly transforming it into his ferocious chopper-his Hell on Wheels! VROOOOOOM! Ghost Bat rode full throttle straight through the waterfall exit and hits the street with a fiery SCREEEEEEEEEEECH!, as he rides off into the night.
Gotham City was on edge. For weeks, a kidnapper and murderer had been terrorizing the streets, snatching up unsuspecting victims and leaving behind a trail of bodies. No one could figure out who the killer was, as he seemed to blend seamlessly in with the crowded city. Commissioner Gordon and the Gotham PD were stumped. Any time they thought they were close to a breakthrough, it ended up being just another dead end. One thing was clear though, he was on a spree and there was no telling when or where he would strike next.
The media started calling the killer, "The Phantom," since he was seemingly untraceable. The Phantom was a master of deception. His appearance was unremarkable, with plain features and an unassuming demeanor. He could easily blend in with the crowds, making him invisible to the untrained eye. But behind his unassuming facade, he was cold and calculating, with a twisted mind that reveled in the fear and suffering of others.
It had been weeks since the disappearance of the girl named Anna. Anna was 20 years old. The Gotham PD had been tirelessly searching for her, but their efforts had been all for naught. Anna's body was found on a park bench. She was sitting up right with a hat and sunglasses on. It appeared she was just sitting and enjoying the day. A little girl came up to talk to her and asked her to play. When Anna didn't respond, the girl shook her arm causing Anna to fall over. When her sunglasses fell off the girl could see that Anna was missing her eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" screamed the little girl, making her drop her teddy bear on the ground.
Just then, VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Ghost Bat came screeching up on his flaming cycle.
"NO. I AM TOO LATE!" Ghost Bat said.
"Are….you gonna hurt me?" The little girl said, her voice full of fear.
"HMMMMMM…I SENSE NO SIN IN YOU LITTLE BEING. YOU ARE SAFE FROM THE WRATH OF GHOST BAT. Ghost Bat then reached down and picked up her teddy bear and handed it to her, leaving her in disbelief. INFORM YOUR MOTHER TO CALL THE AUTHORITIES…AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS," Ghost Bat said before zooming away.
"(Gulp!)…..ok," said the girl as she watched him speed off.
Ghost Bat was filled with anger and frustration. "I MUST BE BETTER. I AM CALLED WHEN INNOCENT BLOOD IS SPILLED, BUT BY THEN….IT IS TOO LATE! I MUST STOP THE INNOCENT BLOOD FROM SPILLING."
Ghost Bat went back to his Ghost Bat Cave and sat before the statue of Barbatos. He sat in a meditation pose and with his legs crossed. He could feel the ancient spirits flowing through him.
"BARBATOS…I AM YOUR VESSEL OF VENGEANCE! SHOW ME THAT WHICH I MUST SEE TO BECOME SOMETHING MORE!" Ghost Bat demanded as he began his meditation of darkness.
As the police desperately searched for any leads, the Phantom calmly went about his day. He went to a cafe,' blending in with the other customers with ease. No one would ever suspect that this seemingly ordinary man was capable of such evil deeds. He sipped on a latte as he observed his surroundings. That's when he spotted her-a young, blond girl sitting alone at a nearby table, lost in her book. The Phantom couldn't resist and he approached her and struck up a conversation, pretending to be a charming and friendly stranger.
"Dontae's Inferno?" a bit heavy for reading for the coffee shop, don't ya think?" The Phantom said.
"Oh, it's for a class I'm taking," Lily replied. "Assigned reading. Might as well enjoy a little Starbucks while I'm reading."
"Ha ha. I get it. Looks like you're empty. How about another? I'll pay," The Phantom said.
"Well…are you sure?" Lily asked.
"Yeah, on one condition. Can we talk a bit more? I'd love to know a little more about you….?" The Phantom drug the last part out implying he wanted to know her name.
"Oh, sorry! Lily…my name's Lily. And what's yours?" Lily asked.
"James," The Phantom said. "My name is James."
As they continued to talk, the Phantom learned more about Lily – her interests, her friends, her daily routine. He also saw how vulnerable she was, and that excited him very much. He knew he had found his next target. He needed to spend the next few days getting her to trust him, which is exactly what he did.
Then, the Phantom made his move. He had asked Lily out on a date and she said yes. He came to her apartment one evening and went to the door. She opened the door with a smile on her face.
"Wow! You look beautiful!" He said.
"Thanks," she said blushing from the compliment.
He walked Lily to his van and opened the door for her. "This is a big van," she said. "What does a single guy need such a big van for?"
"Oh, it's for work you know," he replied. "I need to haul stuff in it."
"Wait, I thought you said you work in an office. Why would you need to haul stuff?" She questioned.
He didn't answer. He pushed the button to lock the door.
"Safety first," he said.
Lily started to feel uneasy as he continued driving. Something was off about this man, and she began to question her decision to go out with him. "What was I thinking?" She thought. I don't even know this guy. She got out her cell phone.
"What are you doing with that?" He asked.
"Just texting my friend," she said nervously.
"How about no," he said. "I think it's time for a little nap," while reaching over and putting a rag over her face. She tried to fight but whatever substance he had on the rag was very potent, and she lost consciousness quickly.
When she woke up she was in a dark place. She was in a small, moldy room with no windows. Her hands were chained to a brick wall.
"Wakey wakey eggs and bakey!" He said upon seeing that she had awakened. He took the gag out of her mouth.
"Where am I?" She asked. "Who the hell are you!?" Why are you doing this? I was kind to you!" She said desperately.
"Oh yes you were….kind indeed. But, so were they all. So were they all."
"All?" Lily questioned.
"Haven't you guessed yet? I am "The Phantom Killer of Gotham"
"As you know, the police have been looking for me for a very long time. They haven't found me yet, and unfortunately for you, they still won't. Now, how about we get to know each other better," he said while getting closer.
Bruce Wayne had just left a meeting at Wayne Enterprises. He has spent the last few days reestablishing himself there. Although he would not be taking on the responsibility of day to day operations of the company, he was able to regain his place as the majority shareholder. Upon Alfred's advice, Bruce gave the top position in operating the company to one Lucius Fox. Bruce had spent too much time living the life of a carnival performer to be cooped up in an office all day. Lucius was the perfect man for the job.
Bruce got on his motorcycle, revved it up and started riding. This was more like it. The freedom of the open road. He started to head back to Wayne Manor but something started to get his attention. A shadow. More than a shadow? It couldn't be. Could it? It was. The shadow was in the shape of a bat and it was leading him somewhere, he didn't know where but he had to follow. The large shadow continued to glide through the busy streets of Gotham, flapping its' wings over large buildings and eventually an hour or so later, over open land. "Where are you taking me!?" Bruce asked. The shadow seemed to look back at him with its' bat-like face and actually smile….albeit a very menacing smile.
Finally, the shadow led him to a house. A very plain and unassuming house. "What am I doing here?" Bruce thought. "This is crazy." Something inside of him was almost forcing him to go forward, against his better judgement. As he crept closer to the dark and eerie house, something was amiss, he could feel an ominous presence emanating from within. Bruce quietly picked the lock on the font door. An old trick he picked up from Selina. As he cautiously walked through the house, he made his way down a dimly lit hallway. At the end of that hallway was a locked door. He could hear the screams of a female coming through the door and what Bruce guessed was the basement. With a powerful kick, he broke through the door and ran down the stairs, his heart racing.
What he saw there sent shivers down his spine. A young girl chained to the wall, her eyes filled with fear and desperation. She had a gag stuck in her mouth.
"Are you ok?" Bruce asked. "Don't worry, I'm here to help you."
Lily was trying to mumble something but Bruce couldn't understand.
"Hold on, let me get this out of your mouth," as he pulled out the cloth used as a gag.
"Look out!" She screamed, "behind you!"
BAM! It was to late.
The Phantom had snuck up on Bruce and hit him in the back of the head with a hammer knocking him unconscious.
An hour later, Bruce woke up to find that now he was also chained to the wall. It took him a moment to get his bearings and to realize where he was.
"Ahhhhhh….I see you are awake. You must be pretty tough! That blow could have been fatal! Never mind though, you'll die soon enough. But first, you're gonna watch!" The Phantom said.
"I know who you are! You're the Phantom Killer!" Bruce yelled.
"No shit Sherlock! For all the good it'll do ya now! I never had an audience before, this'll be fun!" What do ya think Lily, maybe a little ménage trois!" The Phantom joked.
"Please let me go!" Lily screamed as the Phantom got closer. He ran his knife slowly up the inside of her leg until he got to her thigh.
"Let her go, you sick son of a bitch! Keep me, but let her go!" Bruce struggled with all his might but the chains were just too strong.
"Ohh, you like it rough don't ya baby. I know your kind. You like a little pain!" Just then he pressed the knife harder into the inside of her thigh, cutting her and causing a stream of blood to flow from her leg. As the blood reached the bottom of her foot and the first drop hit the floor….
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM! An explosion of hell fire came from Bruce's direction causing the Phantom to cover his eyes. When the smoke cleared, Bruce was gone. All that was left was Ghost Bat.
"YOUR MEASLY RESTRAINTS CANNOT CONSTRAIN ME PUNY MAN, FOR I AM GHOST BAT!" Ghost Bat said as he easily pulled his arms forward busting the chains from the brick wall, and sending bricks smashing into the Phantom, knocking him down.
The Phantom was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the supernatural being before him, but he knew he had to try to fight back. He had come too far for it to all be over now.
"Die, freak!" The Phantom said while lunging at Ghost Bat and stabbing him with his knife.
"HA HA HA HA! YOU ARE TRULY AN IDIOT, MORTAL!" Ghost Bat said, while grabbing the killer by the throat and lifting him into the air. "YOUR PATHETIC KNIFE CAN DO NO HARM TO THE ONE, TRUE SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE!"
"THIS HOWEVER, CAN DO GREAT HARM TO YOU." Ghost Bat said as he took off his chain and brought forth the sharp bat-hook on the end.
"What….what are you gonna do with that!?" The Phantom screamed.
"YOUR FATE LIES NOW WITH THE GIRL. GIRL, WHAT SAY YOU? PENANCE…OR PUNISHMENT?"
Lily, sobbed for a moment and then she finally said. "Punishment. I choose punishment."
"THEN PUNISHMENT IT SHALL BE!"
Ghost Bat stuck the Bat-hook right into the killer's scrotum, causing him to howl in agony.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"YOU WILL NOT BE NEEDING THIS ANY LONGER!" Ghost Bat said, as he yanked his chain with his incredible strength, ripping the man's entire scrotum from his body, with blood splattering all over the room.
Ghost Bat then reached over and touched the chains that bonded Lily, melting them away with his very touch.
"YOU ARE FREE NOW GIRL. YOU SHALL NOT BE HARMED ANY LONGER." Ghost Bat said.
Lily looked at the strange being in front of her for a moment and then, she ran to him and hugged him, her arms wrapped tightly around him. "Thank you!" she said with a sob in her voice, still embracing the dark hero.
Ghost Bat knew that his mission was complete. He had saved an innocent life and brought the notorious Phantom Killer to justice.
As they walked outside, he lifted her and put her on the back of his flaming motorcycle. He revved the engine, causing the flames on the wheels to move like they were a part of some sort of hellish dance macabre. Together, they roared through the streets of the city, the wind in her hair blowing along with Ghost Bat's long black cape. The city lights blurred past them as they rode. The girl clung onto Ghost Bat, grateful to be alive. As they reached the safety of the city, Ghost Bat gently set her down.
"NOTIFY THE GOTHAM PD. ASk FOR THE ONE THEY CALL GORDON," Ghost Bat said.
"OH, AND ONE MORE THING…"
"Yes, she said," looking up at him.
"YOU CHOSE WISELY GIRL. PUNISHMENT WAS JUSTICE."
Ghost Bat revved his bike again and then VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! He disappeared into the night, leaving Lily standing in disbelief.
The next day, news of the killers' death spread like wildfire. No one knew if they could believe Lily's story about a creature that was a mix of a bat and a skeleton that was on fire. She drew a sketch to show the police. One of the officers joked, "maybe a little more gore under the fangs," before he was reprimanded by Gordon. It didn't matter though. Lily knew that Ghost Bat was real and that without him, she wouldn't have made it out alive. He may have been the spirit of vengeance…but he was also a HERO!