8 Batman vs the most dangerous man alive
It was a few days after Boss had freed Ivy. Ivy had finished the antidote and was back in her own hide-out at the Robinson Park. She left, but not before she strengthened the alliance between her and the Saints. She insisted that she had to pay a debt and Poison Ivy always repaid her debts. Whenever the Saints would need help again, they should just call her, and Ivy would help. Equipped with a new cellphone, the last was taken by Batman, she left the Saints.
Johnny Gat was getting bored. The progress with the other gangs were slow. Bane and Two-face didn't cause much troubles. They stayed in their territories and didn't dare to come out. After the two failed stunts that Black Mask had pulled off, he went into hiding.
The Saints were now controlling most of his turf, but they couldn't deliver the final blow. Johnny had heard about one of the last strongholds of Black Mask. He planned to grab some guys and raid the place tonight. He was getting restless. It would be an easy job. Just killing everybody in the building and that was it. Johnny didn't expect some kind of problem.
Midnight he met up with his crew. They were standing in front of a stripper club. Johnny had heard that this was a secret base of Black Mask. He was followed by seven more Saints. The building consisted of three floors.
They would barge in and secure the ground floor. Then three Saints would stay behind to guard it. The other four Saints would clean out the second floor and Gat would handle the last floor. The plan went accordingly, and Gat reached the third floor. He could hear how the Saints in the second floor started to clean the place of every Black Mask.
Gat holding a gun in his left and a knife in his right hand opened slowly the door which led to the third floor. Strangely Gat did not hear any noises. Gat was sure that all the guys in this floor would be in total panic by now. He looked in the room and saw nothing. There was nobody in there. Gat slowly opened the door to the next room.
In the second room he saw people lying on the ground unconscious. He recognized them as members of Black Mask's gang. He kneed down to feel their pulse. Indeed, they were still alive. No one of his guys would fuss about to knock them out when it was much easier to just kill them. There was only one explanation: Batman.
Only he would show such mercy towards criminals. Gat slowly stood up. He looked around in the darkness. Although he neither could see nor hear Batman, Johnny was sure he was there. Johnny made himself ready for a fight. ''What luck I have! I originally just wanted to kill some Back Masks and now I have the opportunity to kill the Batman.'' Gat shouted and shot some bullets randomly in the dark. ''Come out and face me like a man.'' Gat tried to provoke Batman. ''I was almost certain that the Boss would get you first but now you are mine.'' He again shot in the dark. ''Come out, bastard. I will break your neck when I get my hands on you.'' Gat started to get irritated. He shot again but no bullet came out. ''Out of ammo already?'' Gat stated. On cue Batman appeared out of the shadows and charged Gat. ''You are making it too easy.'' To Batman's surprise Gat took aim and shot. Luckily Batman could barely dodge. The bullet brushed his cheek.
Gat let go of his gun and tried to use the opening Batman showed. Gat engaged Batman with quick and powerful strikes with his knife. Gat managed to brush also his left hand, but Batman recovered fast and blocked the rest of the attacks. Batman caught Gat's knife hand and pushed back with his two arms. Gat also using his both hands tried to stab through Batman's throat. ''You really fell for the out of ammo gimmick.'' Gat laughed.
He pushed stronger and the knife neared Batman's throat. Then Batman broke the tension and managed to avoid the blow. He used his cap to confuse Gat. While he hit Gat with the cap, Batman knocked Gat's glasses off. Gat now serious grabbed his cap and pulled. Batman stumbled and Gat hit him with his left fist. Batman blocked the punch and kicked Gat in the stomach.
Gat stumbled back and Batman kept pushing. After some more blows to the face Gat managed to recover and stabbed Batman's shoulder. Batman hissed in pain. But Batman grabbed Gat's hand forcing him to let go of the blade. Gat followed the twist and kicked with his right foot the knife even further in. Batman let go of Gat and jumped back a little. He pulled out the knife and threw it on the ground. Gat stood up and both took a fighting stance again.
Both were in bad condition. Gat received some heavy blows to the head and Batman was bleeding heavily. Batman threw a couple of Batarangs. Gat took out a second knife but wasn't fast enough the deflect the Batarangs. Gat weaving a little, Batman charged Gat and picked him up and ran towards the wall. He pushed Gat heavily against the wall. On impact Gat lost his knife but started to beat the neck and back of Batman with strong elbow-strikes.
Not able to take much more of the strikes Batman threw Gat across the room bringing some distances between them. Gat rolled and stood up in his hand holding a gun. He started shooting but Batman leaped behind a couch and out of sight after Gat emptied his magazine Batman threw a smoke grenade. Gat affected by the smoke coughed.
Batman circled around him and approached him quietly from behind. ''You are ten years to early trying to sneak up on me.'' Gat stated and turned around punching Batman in the face.
Batman retorted with a hit against the ribs. Gat kneed Batman's stomach and Batman kicked Gat in the stomach. They were fighting against each other for ten more minutes and nobody gave signs to giving up. Both breathing heavily, they were interrupted by Gat's fellow Saints storming the room.
''Batman!'' The first one cried out and opened fire. His followers followed his example. Batman jumped out of the window and in safety. When they could not see Batman anymore the Saints stopped firing.
''I could have taken him, you know.'' Gat stated as to prove something.
''Of course, you would have. We just reacted on instinct.'' The other Saints agreed. Nobody of them was stupid enough to deny that. Gat walked back to the spot where he lost his glasses and picked them up.
He felt his chin. It wasn't broken, but he lost a tooth. He spat it out. Damn, that Batman hits hard. After cleaning out the place Gat and the Saints returned to their base. Gat wanted to give report to the Boss. He found him playing 'Call of Battlefield 6' with Shaundi, Barbara and Pierce.
At a table not far away sat Oleg, Kinzie and Asha. Asha and Kinzie using their computers and Oleg cleaning out his gun collection. ''Boss, stop the game and listen up. I have some story to tell ya.'' Gat declared when he entered the room. The four Saints stopped gaming and also the three others stopped what they were doing and looked up to listen.
When Gat had something to tell it was most certainly badass. ''I was out, raiding some Black Masks, the usual.'' Gat started. ''Our plan was just to get in there and kill everything that moves.''
He was briefly interrupted by Boss. ''Good plan.'' Boss commented in a good mood.
''Yeah, I liked it, too.'' Gat admitted. ''But when I was there ready to kill some assholes, they were already knocked out.'' Once again, he was interrupted.
''You mean dead?'' Pierce wanted to make sure.
''No, knocked out. The freaking Batman was there.'' Gat said. The crowd breathed in surprised. Although they were now criminals for quite some time. They never had seen Batman in person before. Gat was the first of the lieutenant to actually see him.
''So that's why you look like shit, no offense.'' Shaundi commented.
''Is he half bat, half man?'' Kinzie asked curiously.
''How does his costume look like?'' Pierce wanted to know.
''Guys! Let Johnny continue.'' Boss silenced all.
Gat continued. ''I immediately understood that he was still there. I could not see him, so I lured him out with the 'out of ammo gimmick'. And in fact, he fell for it.'' The majority of the Saints started to laugh.
Barbara listened with a serious face. Unknown to her Kinzie observed her thoroughly. ''My shot just brushed him but put him off balance long enough to cause an opening.'' Gat continued to retell his fight with Batman in every detail.
After twenty minutes of eager listening Pierce finally asked. ''Did you managed to kill him?''
Gat shook his head. ''Sadly not. Our fight was interrupted by my guys getting anxious and scaring him away. But he fled, so it is my win by default.'' Gat decided.
The Saints cheered. ''We have to tell the others. We have a reason to celebrate tonight. Our first victory against the legendary Dark Knight.'' Boss announced.
The Saints were preparing the party and shortly after a party was underway. In all this commotion nobody noticed Barbara's quiet departure. Nobody except Kinzie. Kinzie was starting to get behind Barbara's secret and surely included her strange behavior just now into her investigation.
An hour later in the Batcave
Barbara entered through the entry from the Mansion. Tim had open her. When she entered the cave, she saw Alfred already finishing the bandages around Bruce's left shoulder.
''I came to see if you are alright.'' Barbara stated as a greeting.
''I think I should let you sort it out by yourselves.'' Alfred said when he finished the bandages and stood up. ''Miss Gordon, do you want anything to drink or eat. I got this morning a shipment of exquisite black tea.'' Alfred offered.
''Yes, one cup please.'' Barbara answered. Elegantly Alfred left the Batcave. For moments neither of them said a word. ''How is your wound?'' Barbara asked.
''It will heal.'' Batman stated acting tough. ''What did you find out?' Batman asked. Although he hadn't apologized to her, yet Barbara decided to cooperate.
''Really, nothing much, yet. I got a closer view on the organization and structure of the Saints. I met most people who are in charge. I discovered a few locations of their bases.'' Barbara said.
''Why are the Saints helping Ivy?'' Batman asked. With the phone he took from Ivy, he already figured out that the allies Ivy talked about has been the Saints.
''Ivy developed an antidote to the Joker-gas. Boss wants to hand it out when it comes to a confrontation with the Joker.'' Barbara answered.
''I thought something like that would be the case.'' Batman held his chin and thought for a moment. ''Why did you call the leader of the Saints 'Boss'?'' Batman asked suspiciously.
''He doesn't reveal his name to anyone. He is just the Boss and it kind of stuck.'' Barbara admitted. ''Also, he completely internalizes his role. He doesn't use his name because the thing which is important is that he is the Boss. A trend which I watched several other Saints sharing. Their loyalty and their readiness to take personal sacrifaces for the Saints is extreme. It is almost like a cult.'' Barbara explained.
''So, the possibility of somebody talking is …'' Batman paused.
''Zero.'' Barbara finished.
''That is bad. The believing criminals are always the worst.'' Batman said.
''They may be criminals, but they can do good things. Boss saved my life.'' Barbara tried to defend the Saints a little.
''Criminals are criminals. And our job is to take down criminals.'' Batman said and stood up from his chair. He started to walk up and down. ''What can you tell me about Johnny Gat? His fighting skills are excellent although he never received any teachings.'' Batman questioned.
''Johnny Gat is the one with the most authority next to Boss. He is a badass and everybody knows that. He is the only one who is longer with the Saints than Boss.'' Barbara said.
''Maybe we could cause an internal struggle. Surely, he thinks he should be boss instead.'' Batman suggested.
''Not a chance. There is nobody in a commanding position who isn't totally loyal to Boss. Even people who formerly worked for secret agencies like Asha or Kinzie would rather die than betray the Saints.'' Barbara declined.
''What about their network? Did you hack into it?'' Batman wanted to know.
''No. Kinzie is in charge of their IT and is suspicious of me. Her ability is on par with mine. I still have not gotten a chance.'' Barbara stated.
''What can you tell me about their plans?'' Batman asked.
''The Saints do not make long-term plans. They hear of an opportunity and use it. In most cases the time between the plan and its execution does not exceed a couple of hours. That makes it so hard to predict their next moves. Currently they have their focus on Black Mask. Although they look out for the other gangs, they mostly do things against Black Mask. He tried two times to fight against the Saints and they are now pissed.'' Barbara said.
''No flaw. The Saints are good. I didn't believe their organization was so efficient and secured. We have to know their next steps. Barbara try to get as much information on their plans as possible.'' Batman ordered.
Barbara understood that this was Bruce's way of apologizing and smiled. ''Oh, I forgot. There is one thing I should tell you about. Boss likes to get his hands dirty. Unlike his fellow gang leaders Boss also does jobs who could be done by some lackey. He destroys enemy outposts, kills people who wronged the Saints and put most plans into action himself. He isn't ordering some minion to do things for him instead he does the things himself. That is, I think, also partially the reason why Boss is so popular. Every small-time criminal can look up to him because he does the same things they do.'' Barbara explained.
''I understand. He is a psychopath. Just like the rest of my enemies.'' Batman sat down again.
''Puckish Rogue.'' Barbara replied who internally did not like when the Boss was called that.
''What?'' Batman asked surprised.
''Nothing.'' Barbara replied shortly.
''It is just… He isn't such a bad guy. He saved my life. I feel like I own him a little.'' Barbara admitted.
''You own him nothing.'' Batman stated coldly. ''Barbara, you need to keep a calm head. You can't afford to feel sympathy for these criminals. You have to take them down. No matter, what they did for you.'' Batman explained. Barbara wanted to respond that he doesn't have this opinion when it came to Catwoman but remained silent. ''Enough of this serious matter. Let us go upstairs and enjoy the delicious tea Alfred surely already prepared.'' Batman offered, not in the mood for a fight. Barbara smiled and nodded.
''Hello, here is Jane Valderamma your reporter on the streets. The last days have been quiet. The Saints didn't cause any troubles since their daring stunt to free Poison Ivy. Black Mask seems to lose the gang war. The Saints are now controlling more than half of his territory. Black Mask apparently in fear hid himself. His whereabouts are unknown. There are rumors that he has made contact with the police. Commissioner Gordon denied that there had been any contact with Black Mask. To the matter with the Saints he said that they had an operation underway which should if not shatter but deliver a fatal blow to the Saints. It seems that the police have finally taken action. They are trying now their hardest to regain the public's trust. I am Jane Valderamma the eyes and ears on the street from Channel 6 News.''