Chapter 9: Catwoman Returns
Back at Wayne Manor.
Dick wanders the mansion with Ms. Kitty following him around and he happens to find a door under the stairs.
Dick grabs the knob to open it but it was locked he tried forcing it open with no avail.
"Something troubling you, Master Dick?" a voice came.
Dick turns startled.
Alfred came from the hall around the stairs.
While they talked Ms. Kitty lifted her head like she caught a scent and ran up stairs.
"Yeah, I was just walking around a bit and happened to find this lock door. What'd you guys get back there?" Dick asked.
Knowing that room holds the entrance to the Batcave. Alfred had to come up with an excuse to lead him away.
"Master Bruce's private study. He prefers it locked while unpresent." Alfred said.
"Where is he anyway?" Dick asked.
"Called away on short notice at Wayne Tower. Mr. Fox needed a deal they're making." Alfred said.
Dick could tell Alfred wasn't fully truthful for not giving much detail but nods walking back up stairs.
Meanwhile, above North Gotham the Batwing makes its first appearance since 89.
Solving the last Riddle Batman was tracking the Midnight Hour train to find the next Riddle.
It hovers down flying above the train tracks.
Back at Wayne Manor, Dick walked down the hall to his room, but he heard something that stopped him dead in his tracks he heard Ms, Kitty's meows and a woman's voice.
Dick assumed there was company but Bruce wasn't home; he followed the voice and meows closer to his own room and began understanding the words.
"I know. Momma missed you too Ms. Kitty." a voice came.
Dick opens and to his surprise.
It was Catwoman appearing for the first time since the end of Returns and she was here to reclaim her cat.
Selina turns her head slowly smirking.
"And who might you be? My cat sitter?" Catwoman asked.
"Who are you lady? How'd you get in here?" Dick asked.
"No need for alarm, kid. I'm just here for my cat." Catwoman said.
"That cat doesn't belong to you. You got ten seconds to leave." Dick said.
"Oh, I'm shaking." Catwoman said.
Catwoman launches her whip.
Tying Dick's legs up and pulling him down.
He falls flat on the floor grunting in frustration.
Dick was not in the mood for humiliation, he just lost his parents and the last thing he wanted was to let some cat burglar run over him.
Soon as Selina pulled her whip off Ms. Kitty hops on her shoulder and about to leave out the window Catwoman came from.
Dick tackles her down the minute she turns her back.
They fall on the floor Ms. Kitty runs while shrieking, Selina rolls the young former circus performer over and pins him down.
"He trained you, I see!" Catwoman called.
"How do you know Bruce?!" Dick said.
"I knew him longer than you. I can tell you that. Self righteous. Very trusting. Making him easy to tangle under my claws." Catwoman said.
"Then I think it's time to trim them." Dick said.
Dick kicks her off causing Selina to fall out the window and lands in the gardens.
Dick using his circus skills leaps out and lands on his feet smirking confidently.
Catwoman looked up at him annoyed.
"You just made a serious mistake, kid." Catwoman said.
"Not as serious as yours lady." Dick said.
Catwoman launches her heel boot with a kick in Dick's gut like she did on Batman in return.
Grunting in pain Dick falls back and Catwoman flips forward and ignites her claws.
And slashes Dick in the arm.
"Tick. Tack. TOE!" Dick said.
She stomps her heel on his left foot and he falls.
Catwoman makes a run for it but Dick picks up a nearby stick throwing it and hitting Catwoman in the back she falls on her chest.
Dick grabs her by the mask and YANKS it off revealing a bushy haired Selina Kyle.
"Who the hell are you?" Dick asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Selina asked.
To their surprise a door opens and they see Alfred stepping out shocked to see Selina.
"Ms. Kyle?" Alfred asked, with shock.
"Alfred. Long time no see." Selina said.
"Wait, you know her?!" Dick said.
"We feared you dead." Alfred said.
"Nine lives, remember? Had to replenish more since I was down to one." Selina said.
Ms. Kitty prowls out of a bush.
And hops on Selina's shoulder.
"Thanks for looking after her." Selina said.
"Master Bruce took her in has he did for Mr. Grayson." Alfred said.
"How's he been?" Selina asked.
"He misses you. He never gave up searching for you." Alfred said.
"Sorry to let him down again but I have other matters." Selina said.
Selina throws a smoke bomb polluting the area with smoke.
Blinding Dick and Alfred coughing as Selina grabs her mask, Ms. Kitty on her shoulder and runs for the gate she hops on the front wall looking back at them shouting.
"Tell Bruce, I'll be waiting for him!" Catwoman called.
Catwoman hops off the other side and wonders in the night.
To Be Continued…