What to do about Magik Gotham style?
Author's note: Apparently one reader thought Illyana was rather racist in the last chapter. My intent was to write a somewhat funny chapter, and I'm rather sure if you were drinking a banana smoothie with a chimp dressed as Sherlock Homes you would be having some odd thoughts about the situation. I do point out that she did help Detective Chimp (something the DC universe character's are rather deficient on doing) and treated him like a person. And, her, shall we say enforcement, of his contracts with people was again treating him like a person.
I happen to think racism is mostly about a persons actions and the motivations of the actions, not internal dialog over a situation one has never experienced before.
Anyway, I first wrote this chapter for a story that LordGrise is working on, but we decided to put it here, hope you enjoy. Note, this chapter is kind of a mini sequel to the Girls Night Out II story (which your really should read if you haven't).
Part 4a: Drinks with a few friends
Illyana, Dana, Laura, Jubilee, and Mazikeen were having another late night coffee run at Starbucks after a more successful night of hunting criminals in New York Central Park. This time Jubilee was no longer a vampire so she skipped the secret blood drink menu, which apparently prompted Mazikeen to have a triple espresso blood frappuccino; likely yet another attempt to annoy Jubilee.
"Crime fighting is a blast." Began Mazikeen after draining her drink. "The hunt, stalking, and then the pounce. Ahh, the thrill of the chase and the fight." A sideways look at the others "Sadly no kill as it were because…" A pointed thumb at Illyana. "Killjoy over there insists that I follow the inane Bat rules in regards to such things, rather a catch and release kind of policy which makes no sense at all. But what do I know of such things, mortals are so… strange at times. I'm still trying to convince Lucifer to move the Bar to their version of LA as Gotham is way too dark and gritty for Lucie. Oh, Lucie says hi Jubilee and says to look him up at the club the next time you're in LA."
Jubilee suddenly blushed, which was mostly hidden due to the red firelight, but the elbow nudge from Dani just emphasized what she'd done that particular night. Illyana briefly reflected that she had only ordered Mazikeen to conform to such behavior in the Batverse. Then Mazikeen spilled the beans as it were.
A smirk from Mazikeen as to Jubilee's sudden discomfort. "So back to crime fighting. Just a part time gig I indulge whenever I get the itch, sometimes before hooking up with Harvey, sometimes afterwards." A wicked look at Jubilee as Mazikeen licked her lips. "A kind of dessert."
Illyana suddenly remembered some grumbling from the female Bat Clan members about Mazikeen. Grumbling that stopped the instant they noticed Illyana was present so no real details as to why the aggravation about Mazikeen. Well, Illyana and the others all found out those details as Mazikeen continued her story, and Illyana just sighed in slight annoyance once she discovered what had been unknown to her. Rules were… rules after all, and once imposed you couldn't just run around adding caveats without looking petty.
And the story? Well, let's switch perspectives and look at it from a perspective other then Mazikeen's.
Part 4b: Wicked
"She's back." Was the message from Oracle on the Batcom. Simple. Direct. To the point. She could be any number of people, but lately, when she was spoken of without any amplifying comments, it was about a most particular she.
"Her?" Was the Bat grunt of a comment from Batman seeking additional clarification, or was there hint of dread? He was currently in one of the Batmobiles, parked in a dark ally.
"Yeah… her." Was the grumbled reply for Oracle, dry but laced with irritation.
"Cool…" Was Damian Wayne (Robin) eager reply on Batcom. "Send me the location and I'll head right over and…"
"I'll handle it." Was Batman's reply as he cut off Damian.
Damian attempted to finagle an in. "It's no problem, it's a slow night and you always emphasized the importance of a good team-up on getting to know…"
"I'll handle it." Was again Batman's terse reply. There was no way Batman was going to allow….
Catwoman's voice on the Batcom interrupted Batman's thought. Just as with Oracle there was a tone of irritation. "Really?"
Opps. Damn it… I should have stayed silent like Dick was Batman's sudden thought. Crime fighting and detective work was one thing, female social… nuances were a completely different maze to navigate, at times Bruce swore the rules were ever changing (they are silly boys… they are). Things had gotten complicated when dealing with her as almost all of the female Batclan members were less then pleased (i.e. the one one's with boyfriends or spouses). Maybe Salina would be a better choice, and one that would not get him in trouble.
"Do you want to deal with her this time dear?" Was Batman's defusing answer.
Which just prompted a hiss of a "No…" From Catwoman. Giving Damian the opportunity to extend another offer.
"Really, it's no bother. I'll just pop over to where she is and…"
A chorus of female voices on the Batcom ended that idea. "NO!"
Which prompted Jason Todd (the Red Hood) to offer. "I'll go."
Just a grunt of approval over the Batcom from Batman, then a question. "I suppose the media is already there."
Oracle's voice dripped disdain. "Yep… print and television, in vivid HD at that."
"What channel?" Inquired an eager Damian. A bit too eager as the lack of any clarative information on the Batcom, and Oracles disabling of Damian's comms gears ability to tune in TV signals or even the internet was the only answer he got.
"What is it this time?" Inquired Dick over the comms.
"Sex trafficking ring." Snarled Oracle. The reporter is already talking about the big bust.
A comment that made Damian snicker over the Batcom.
"Casualties?" Inquired Batman while ignoring Damian's snickers, but making a mental note to have a talk with the boy afterwards.
"One perp is missing a hand, apparently things got a little rough." Answered Oracle. Then a reluctant follow up. "He was apparently about to knife one of the girls and she took care of it."
"Glad to hear she's still obeying the rules." Stated Dick.
"At least some of them." Laughs Damian. Sometimes an adolescent boy is so… adolescent.
"Is she still…?" Inquired Jason.
"Yep…" Growled Oracle. Yes Jason was correct in making the inquiry, but… Jason was male and there were likely extenuating circumstances about his request, which meant that anything the male did, or did not do, would fall into the category of being wrong.
"Good to know." Answered Jason
Batman gave a silent sigh. He was just going to have to give in and have a talk with Magik about this topic, something he had been trying to avoid There were just certain norms on crime fighting and this was not… acceptable. And he kept getting back channel team-up requests from some of the junior members of the Justice League despite the obvious potential issues. He noticed that Oracle had texted him the TV station. A quick click and the TV station feed was projected for him.
Yeah… it was her, Gorham's newest occasional crime fighter, and absolute trend setting media darling meaning ratings and newprint purchases. A trend that Batman feverish hoped was not going to become a thing with other heroes, or villains for that matter (more then a few female members of the Justice League were also complaining to him). A reporter was busy interviewing her. And yes, a big bust described the scene quite well.
A very big bust.
Mazikeen's bust to be more specific.
Mazikeen's very naked bust.
Mazikeen's very naked and sizable bust.
The camera angle was at waist high level, but Batman was sure the rest of Mazikeen was equally naked, although she did paint her fingernails and toenails a most brilliant electric blue. Dark skin, dark hair, and a two handed battle axe that was currently besides her (which had become Mazikeen's trademarked weapon of choice ever since Girls Night Out had brought her to this universe).
Batman grumbled to himself, he had thought it was bad when she had shown up fighting crime wearing just the bat bra and panties. He'd exchanged a few stern words with her about proper decorum and her lack of permission to wear the bat symbol while fighting crime.
Mazikeen had complied, and even offered an apology of sorts.
"I shall not wear what you find offensive."
The wording had troubled him, but she'd vanished before he could get clarification. And the next time she'd shown up. She'd complied in a way that just complicated things.
At least Harvey was staying out of trouble was Batman's thought.
BEGIN BATMAN FLASHBACK
Harvey (A.K.A Two-Face) was relaxing in the hospital bed, a first rate private suite for those who could pay. He was wearing his favorite blue silk pajamas with the little theater mask faces on them (Tragedy and Comedy). And bonus in that he was not handcuffed to the bed curtsy of the GPD as he was a voluntary patient. So there he was, all bandaged up, a good dose of pharmacy grade pain killers, which were being assisted by a large tumbler of Dewar's Double Double Blended Scotch Whiskey (aged 21 years) on the rocks, as Mazikeen had left him a bottle as a gift after their activities.)
Hospitals were hospitals, but man this place was so much more comfy then Arkham. Ahhh… the last few days had been first rate, and the ending was just so… perfect. A blink of his eyes and suddenly there he was in the room like he had somehow materialized.
Batman.
Sitting on the table on the far side of the room.
Normal this would the undoing of some plot or plan that Two-Face was engaged in. There would be fighting, fisticuffs, the possibility of gunfire, or preferable lots of gunfire, probably an explosion or two, or three, or four or... But tonight the only reaction was Harvey raising his glass in a salute to Batman as Harvey chuckled.
"Someday I've got to learn how you manage to do that."
The use of I… not We… noted Batman. Always an improvement as to the completeness of Harvey's mind and thought processes.
"Harvey." Replied Batmen.
"Are you making house calls now Bats?" Grinned Harvey after a sip of his drink. "I'm used to you dropping in uninvited, but not like this." Harvey used his left hand to wave a bit to indicate the room. "Not my normal digs, but the service, and food, is much better then the nut house I'm usually stuck in. So… what's the occasion Bats?"
"I'm… concerned about you and your new girlfriend's impact upon you."
A wide grin from Harvey, or it might have been a bit of a leer. "Yeah, she's a handful, in more then a few ways. What is that key phase they put in the personal adds? Fun loving, that's it… describes Maz to a tee."
Batman gestured at Harvey's banged body. "This can't be healthy. Likewise drinking while on pain killers."
Which prompted just a shake of the head from Harvey. "I'll heal, be good as new in a few days and not a scar. Reminds me of my favorite Mark Twain quote 'Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.'" Another sip and then he continued. "Been many things, lawyer, prosecutor, criminal, gang leader, crime boss, but now I get to add gigolo to the resume, or rap sheet I suppose. Who'd have thunk it with a mug like mine."
A long sip of the drink left the glass containing only a few chunks of ice. "Second glass here Bats, want me to pour you one? Just a little being that you're on duty and all."
The faintest of nods from Batman prompted a wide grin from Harvey. "Now that's a first, never thought I'd see the day." With that Harvey refilled his glass, got one ice cube from the bucket of ice and dropped it into the second glass, then a small splash of golden liquid before picking up the glass and offering it to Batman.
Batman rose, walked forward and carefully took the glass, alert for any attack, but none came. He then backed away and resumed sitting on the table. A careful sip and…
"Good stuff…" Was Batman's comment. Bruce Wayne actually rarely drank as he needed to be at the top of his game, but for Harvey he had made a small exception as to refuse the offer would likely have shutdown the conversation, and Harvey was still using I and not We, something Batman always encouraged.
Harvey smiled and likewise took a sip. "How long have we known each other Bats?"
"A long time Harvey." Was the soft reply from Batman.
"Yeah, not always as Harvey though. Harvey came first, prosecutor Harvey, do gooder Harvey. Clean up the city Harvey. Then… that happened."
Another small sip by Harvey. "And Two-Face was born." Harvey pulled a silver coin from the pocket of his pajamas and flipped it into the air. It was a two headed silver dollar with one side all scratched up. Flipped, caught, and put back in the pocket without being glanced at.
"Two-Face… that was my nickname way before I became Two-Face in appearance. Good Harvey, Bad Harvey. Say one thing, do another. So many people murmured that behind my back. And you know… They were right. I knew they were right. Because… Here's a secret Bats, I always wanted to do bad things. Wanted, and sometimes did. Man I loved screwing over criminals, hanging them out to dry. Gave me a thrill that substituted for… other thrills. Thrills that a rising prosecutor just can't do anymore as the public is just not forgiving of certain… indiscretions."
Another small sip before continuing. "Bad for the image you see. Voters don't like that, and any newsy would just love to dig up some dirt to sell newspapers or air some ads. But Two-Face, well… that face was not just going to run for office and suddenly I had so much rage to deal with… and now the motive to give back to the underworld exactly what they had given to me. Ahh… I respect your ability to not go all the way, but it is so much more… satisfying to kill the villous scum. Of course… Two-Face had a flexible definition of scum… As so many of the supposedly good people of Gotham found out."
Batman watched Harvey again flip the coin, and again put the coin away without looking, and Harley observed Batman looking.
"Nervous habit. So used to doing it, letting chance decide what path I pick. But… Maz won't have any of that when I'm with her. No-no. That beautifully wicked woman wants all or nothing. Both sides of Harvey have to want or not want. And… gods I love it. The things we do, to me, to her, to each other, to others… just… so… much… fun. Let's just say she has ways to motivate my compliance, things that are not approved by the psychiatric rule book and are not about to be part of Arkham therapy. After all, Harley's attempt did not work for Joker but I suppose that was a special case."
Batman made a gruff comment. "Feeding your darker impulses is not good for you Harvey."
"Darker Bats?"
"Darker Harvey, she's a demon."
"Darker like… Bora Bora?"
A bat grunt of a… "Huu?"
"Bora Bora, that was the last thing we did, a little three day getaway at the best resort. I'd never been, and I guess neither had she, and it was her turn to suggest an outing. Big bungalow over the water, even had its own pool and Jacuzzi. And talk about good food, just out of this world. They do things with raw fish there that this town could learn a few things about."
"You hung out at Bora Bora?"
"Yep, relaxed. Worked on my tan, did some snorkeling and scuba diving, good eats, good sex, and at the end…" A wide gesture with both arms indicating his body. "Dessert. Yeah I'm a bit cut up, so is she. But man, that little knife of hers is so much better then Viagra."
Harvey took another sip of his drink. "Bats, I'm touched, you really care, even after all that I've put you through. Not… many do. There's Selina at times, and of course Bruce Wayne always trying to pull me back to what I was, which really never was but kudos to him for trying."
Batman asked the question that had been troubling him. "Why the straight and narrow path now Harvey? Ever since you and Mazikeen hooked up you've not committed a single crime that I'm aware of."
An ironic smile from Harvey. "Ahhh, the things a man will give up for a woman. She total digs this crime fighting hobby she's currently doing. It never occurred to her just how much fun supposed heroes have beating the crap out of people. Apparently punishing the wicked was her job for a long time, but she says proactively punishing is much more satisfying, even if she has to obey the Bat code. And busting me out of that rebuilt Arkham would violate the rules she says so… reformed Harvey… for now."
BEGIN HARVEY FLASHBACK
Just why did Mazikeen obey the Bat code? The topic had come up during some pillow talk between the two of them.
Mazikeen's answer had been one word.
Magik.
Harvey recalled the little burning of Arkham that Magik had done as he had been there for the summoning of Magik by the Joker (see the story Arkham for details if you have not already read it). "Yeah, I get that, she's a top grade bitch but… then my dear, so are you."
Turns out Mazikeen felt it best to show Harvey why, rather then explain. So she took Harvey to the plane of Moaning Bones, which was in Limbo.
Which was well named. The lifeless hilly landscape was covered in bones as far as the eye could see, and the wind caused the moaning sound as it passed over the bones and though various eyeholes. It was… impressive.
Mazikeen had given Harvey a brief summary, apparently this was an old battlefield in Limbo, where Magik had fought a battle against rebelling demons back when she had first returned and regained the title of ruler of Limbo. Some demon tribes had disagreed and in the politics of hell… well… this was the site of one such former demon tribe after the discussions had ended (meaning the fighting).
They walked around for a bit, quietly, as Harvey took it in. Yeah… the message was clear. Magik ruled a hell, and in hell you were either the top dog or somebody was always trying to pull you down. And being top dog meant that your threat had to mean something, just like in the mobster business thought Harvey.
Harvey gestured at a headless skeleton hanging from a grey stone obelisk. There was writing on the obelisk that he could not decipher. "What's his story?"
Mazikeen translated. "PainGod, true name Na Knek Penor. Betrayer of the Black Company and Magik."
Then a comment from Mazikeen. "I suspect somebody got a bit… indiscrete. She always gets extra upset about such things."
"Ain't that the truth cutey." Spoke a deep harsh voice behind them.
They both turned, carefully, as the sudden feeling of menace filled the air and quick actions were somehow… not recommended. Behind them was a large purple skinned creature. Over eight feet tall, large tail, a single horn protruding from his forehead, dressed in just a pair of black shorts and an open black leather vest, and a short stogie of a lit cigar grasped by the lips of a very toothy mouth.
The purple beast of a demon spoke with a formal inflection. "S'ym, right hand of Magik, ruler of Limbo, greats Mazikeen, right hand of Lucifer."
"S'ym." Was all that Mazikeen said in return.
A smoky smile from the cigar chomping creature. "Nice boy toy you got there Mazikeen, now… care to explain why you're both here, uninvited? Boss be picky about such things."
An air of dismissal from Mazikeen "Magik gave me permission to drop by unannounced."
"Dis ain't the palace toots. This place be… off limits to most, unless you be thinking of a more permanent presence."
A shrug from Mazikeen. "Noted, I'll check with your boss next time."
Just a toothy smile from the creature that somehow stated if there is a next time.
Mazikeen continued. "I wished to… show my paramour what… your boss was capable of if sufficiently upset."
S'ym gave a nod of approval at the landscape. "Boss was very… upset that day." Then a gesture with a clawed thumb at the skeleton on the obelisk. "Dat bloke showed up later, after the Boss decide to use dis place to hold… remains. Figure he was from one of those places where a true name is a dangerous thing to know. Anything else S'ym can help you with?"
Mazikeen was curt. "No… we'll be going now. Message received."
"Good…" Was all that they heard from S'ym as Mazikeen took them away.
END HARVEY FLASHBACK
A frown from Harvey. "But here's the thing Bats, you're concerned because she's a demon, I get that, but… you and yours appear to be hanging out with a demon that can make Maz obey. And it's not just respect, even though Maz respects Magik. No no, deep deep down it's fear. I've seen it. Asked Maz about it and she took me to a place called… well, no need to bother you with the particulars. Suffice it to say that those folks got on the bad side of Magik. Just once… only once. That girl has lots of nicknames in other places, and none of them are the nice kind."
Harvey looked serious. "You gave me some advice because you actually care, so it's only fair to return the favor. Bats, you really do need to remember the story of the scorpion and the frog. No matter how hard a scorpion tries, eventually a scorpion will act like a scorpion. Max is acting like Maz, you need to remember that it's your little demon who's holding back. Hells, she has far more in common with Harley and Ivy then your crowd."
END BATMAN FLASHBACK
At least Harvey's new, part time girlfriend had Harvey forgoing the use his silver dollar to make decisions when he was with her as both parts were in full agreement.
"Na… he's just thinking with both heads." Had been Dick's comment when Batman had privately discussed it with Dick.
And of course some idiots wanted to replace the bat symbol with two globs of light indicating… Was Batman's dark thought upon a satirical editorial in the Gotham Times.
And that's when Gordon wandered into the TV scene, cheeks bright red with embarrassment.
Orphan injected a comment onto the comms link. "Won't work. Jason not the Bat."
Jason was not buying that. "I may not be Batman but I more then measure up to…:
Orphan cut Jason off. "Not the Bat. Remember who she claims to be. Won't listen to underlings."
Jason got a bit blustery at being told that he was an underling but Batman knew what Orphan meant. Mazikeen was supposedly the right hand man, or in this case, gal of Lucifer (who was busy running a bar in LA in Magik's universe after abandoning hell, or so they had been told). Head honchos don't listen to underlings, to do so would be to reduce their supposed position. Mazikeen listened to what Batman had told her, that first time, but he had a feeling that his… reactions had likely hindered his subsequent ability to manage the situation. She was obeying his rules. It's just the Bat code had never mentioned… nudity.
Batman cut to a private circuit with Orphan. "Any advice? Perhaps you or Selina could…"
"No." Was Orphan's quick answer.
"Magik?" Was his hesitant response. He so did not want to ask Magik to make Mazikeen conform, he just knew that while it would likely work, his projections were that it would motivate Mazikeen to find more loopholes in whatever rules she was conforming to.
"Double no." Was Orphan's reply. "How did she describe herself when she first came here?"
Yes… that most memorable Bad Girl's night out in Gotham (as recounted in the story Girls Night Out II). An event that Batman had been absent for, but has read about in the bat log, and viewed the attached photos and videos.
Batman answered Orphans rhetorical question. "Big bad demon, Lucifer's right hand gal in all things." Which just made Batman think yet again about scorpions and Mazikeen's subsequent description of Illyana. Bigger but not badder demon, which was not the most encouraging statement. Which led Batman back to the question before Orphan. "So… any advice?"
Advice that Orphan had. "Apologize."
Just a grunt from Batman as he thought upon Orphans answer and the various aspects of it.
Then a follow up from Orphan. "Tell Selina first." Yeah, that was good advice, not that he needed it. No need for Selina to discover that he had visited the naked demon, regardless of the reason. Woman tended to get… agitated about such things.
So… a quick private confab with Selina, with permission grudgingly granted, he met with Mazikeen at the site of her latest… bust. Privately after she was done giving interviews, and posing for photos (Gads… he could somehow hear Robin saying great Danny Devitos!) Where he… apologized for being so… abrupt.
An apology that appeared to surprise Mazikeen (hells, and demons, are not known for apologies). Call it Bat manipulation at it's finest.
No demands that she stop being nude.
No demands that she not wear the bat symbol.
But next time Mazikeen showed up in Gotham, she was wearing black leather like the first time she had arrived in Gotham. Black leather and no Bat symbol.
Progress of a sort was Batman's internal bat grumble.
Part 4c: Conclusions
"You fought crime while naked!?" Was Jubilee's wide eyed statement.
"Yes…" Purred Mazikeen. "You should try it, very… liberating. Shall I demonstrate?"
Illyana just rolled her eyes in exasperation at Mazikeen as the other girls all exchanged a look, and then said in a chorus… "NO!"