The Narrows: Abandoned Subway Tunnels
"Damn! Where are these guys?! They should've been here by now!" One of the Thugs exclaims, on guard with other Thugs in the tunnels.
"I dunno. But Killer Moth is going to be pissed. They already in deep shit. We were supposed to already hit that Gala!" Thug 2 informs and Thug 1 raises an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Matter of fact, where the guys that were supposed to bring the weapons?" He questions and all the Thugs look at him, confused.
"Wait, the guys at the apartment didn't get here? Where are they?!" Thug 3 asks.
"Dead..." A voice speaks, startling them and they turn towards the center of the tunnel, and sees a figure approaching them. Once visible, they see Red Hood.
"Just like you're about to be." He states then before all the Thugs could fire, Red Hood throws down a flash-bang, blinding them.
"Oh f*k! My eyes!" Thug 2 exclaims and accidentally pulls the trigger on his rifle, firing shots as he was waving his gun around wildly.
He accidentally hit two of the Thugs, wounding them. Thug 2 was then firing at Red Hood's space, to which the vigilante rolls forward, dodging gunfire and kicks Thug 2 into Thug 1
Then Thug 3 swung aimlessly to which Red Hood simply catches his fist and strikes at his elbow, breaking his arm.
"ARGHHH!" He yells before Red Hood slams his head into a wall, breaking his nose and several teeth.
Thug 1 now getting back up and regained his vision, charges at Red Hood and actually manages to grab him.
But it meant nothing as Red Hood slams down both fists on his head making Thug 1 fall to the ground. Lastly, he stomps on his throat and snaps his neck, without remorse.
Thug 4 with a pipe, tries to swing at Red Hood but it proves no avail as he dodges it and punches him in the face with a right and follows up with a side-kick to his gut.
Thug 2 now recovered, went for a rifle on the ground only for Red Hood to throw a batarang at his heel.
"GAH!" Thug 2 exclaims and falls face first into the ground.
Red Hood then walks over and kicks away the rifle Thug 2 was still trying to reach.
He then kneels down by his face and unholsters one of his pistols.
"My heel! You son of a-!" He starts but stops once Red Hood puts his pistol to his temple.
"No no...finish your sentence." Red Hood says and Thug 2 just stares at him.
"Thought so. Where the Misfits?" He questions and Thug 2 shakily raises his hand and points towards the left tunnel and Red Hood chuckles and looks back at Thug 2.
"Appreciate that." Red Hood tells him and pulls the trigger, shooting him in the head. Blood splattering onto his jacket and helmet.
He then stands up and examines his gear and sighs in annoyance.
"Cleaning this is gonna be a bitch." Red Hood states as Thug 3 and 4 quietly try to attack him...but they fail.
In quick speed, Red Hood spins around fires two shots into the last remaining Thugs and they drop to the ground, lifeless.
He then holsters his guns and starts making his way down the left tunnel while putting his helmet into Tactical Vision.
"They never think, do they?"
Wayne Gala
Now arriving inside City Hall was Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon and Kate Kane. All three of them stepping in at the same time.
"Well, we're late." Kate says and Dick doesn't say anything and just walks towards Bruce and the others causing her to raise an eyebrow, confused.
"Is he okay?" She questions Barbara and she lets out a breath.
"It's...hard for him. But he's glad Bruce is doing this." Barbara informs her and Kate notices a slight tear rolling down her cheek.
"Are you okay?" Kate asks and Barbara wipes away the tear.
"I'll be fine." She assures and then Commissioner Gordon walks over to them with a cheerful expression on his face.
"Hey sweetie." He greets and Barbara smiles lightly and Jim notices the saddened look on her face.
"Everything alright?" Jim asks and Barbara nods.
"Uh, yeah Dad. I'm good. I was just about to head over with the others." She assures and Jim lowers down and kisses his daughter on the cheek.
"Okay. Let me know if I can do anything." He informs her and Barbara smiles then wheels over towards the others.
"Kate. How's Renee?" Jim questions and Kate has a soft smile.
"She's okay, Jim. Just a little banged up." She assures and he sighs.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make it. The Mayor personally wanted me to make sure that security was up to date." He says and Kate examines the room.
"I figured." Kate tells him and notices Mayor Hill talking with Roman Sionis.
"Mayor's chummy with Sionis. That's surprising." She states and Jim turns and scratches the back of his head.
"Yeah. It is. Last I checked Roman barely had any pennies to his name. But now all of a sudden, he's funding the Mayor's new Task Force. Even provided the weapons." He says and narrows his eyes in thought, but his expression softens as he notices Kate giving him a look.
"Uh sorry. Guess the cop side of me came out." He admits and Kate chuckles.
"Not a problem, Jim. Have a good time. I'm going to have a chat with my cousin." She informs him and starts walking over towards Bruce and the others.
"And now I have to chat it up with the Gotham's High Society...great." Jim mutters and already sees few people coming towards him.
With The Family, Bruce was looking at the holo-photo of Jason, with Dick, as they stood side by side.
"Tim said you gave a great speech. Sad I missed it." Dick tells him and Bruce lightly chuckles.
"You didn't miss much Dick. I assure you." He says.
"How was the ride from Blüdhaven?" Tim asks and he chuckles.
"Traffic was...a bit overwhelming, but now I am fully whelmed." He says and Tim raises an eyebrow. Not believing him.
Barbara then leans in an whispers.
"The road rage drivers almost got the better of him." She tells him and Tim snickers.
Dick gave her a look and Barbara smirks in return.
He then looks up at Jason's hologram and his expression changed to one of guilt and remorse and Bruce noticed this.
To his surprise, Bruce then embraces Dick into a hug, earning a look of surprise from everyone except Alfred who smiles at the sight.
"I miss him too, Dick. I really do." He tells him and Dick reciprocated and hugs back.
Then the Family heard the sounds of clapping, to which they all turn to see Roman Sionis approaching them.
"Family. A damn wonderful thing. Ain't that right, Bruce?" He says chuckling and Dick lets go of Bruce so he can face Roman.
"Roman. I haven't seen you in a while. Or anyone for that matter." Bruce says and the two shake hands.
"Yeah well, I've been away from Gotham for a while. Went soul-searching you could say." Roman tells him.
"Really? And what did you find?" Bruce asks, jokingly and Roman lets out a laugh.
"Funny, Bruce. But I found...clarity. It was because of my newfound clarity that I was able to salvage what was left of my family's company and rebuild it anew." Roman says, with a smile on his face.
"I saw. You're doing well, Roman. I heard you were also funding Mayor Hill's Task Force." Bruce states and Roman nods.
"Guilty as charged. When Mayor Hill pitched the idea of having a group dedicated to protecting our citizens, and helping Gotham's Finest...Well I simply couldn't resist." He says and grabs a glass of champagne from one of the caterers.
"I figured. And so far they're doing a decent job." He says and Roman sighs.
"Yeah...so far. The only problem they have is-" Roman starts but us interrupted.
"Batman?" Stephanie speaks up and Roman nods.
"Yep. That Freak in the bat suit. Along with his whole damn crew. Excuse my french." He states.
"But why are the Task Force targeting him? All Batman has done is help the city. Him and his team." Tim defends and Roman scoffs.
"Pffft. Listen kid, you wanna do some good? Put on a badge, or go volunteer at a freaking soup kitchen. Not dressing up like it's Halloween every night, unless you got a few screws loose." He says but then his phone rings and he takes it out.
"Excuse me, Bruce. I gotta take this." Roman says and walks away from the Family.
"Roman's...changed." Dick informs and Alfred nods.
"Yes, Mr. Sionis was once more arrogant and ill-tempered in his not so distant youth. Would you agree, Master Bruce?" He follows up and Bruce narrows his eyes.
"Yes Alfred. I do."
Underground Train Station
Red Hood, now at the end of the tunnel, sees his targets in front of him. The Misfits. Killer Moth, Catman, Chancer and Humpty Dumpty.
They were currently arguing, mainly just Killer Moth and Catman as Chancer and Humpty were watching the two exchange harsh words with each other.
"How the hell is it my fault Dury?! You hired them!" Catman yells and Killer Moth grunts in annoyance.
"You trained them! You said they would be fine!" Killer Moth replies and Catman scoffs.
"I said they would be fine against cops! Not any of those Bat-Freaks!" He defends and Killer Moth growls.
"We don't even know if it was the Bats!" Killer Moth states.
"Oh it was definitely a Bat. I bet they're on their way right now! Which means...I'm gone." Catman informs and starts turning to leave, but stops once he hears a 'CLICK!' sound.
He sees Killer Moth aiming a gun and he growls, annoyed.
"You think that's a good idea, Drury?" He challenges, and turns around unsheathing his knives.
"Listen here, kitty. We formed this group so villains like us could have each other's backs! And unless you think you have a better chance of escaping the Batman unscathed by YOURSELF I suggest we stick together!" Killer Moth explains and Catman thinks for a moment before eventually putting away his knives.
"Fine. But we need to move now." He tells him but they all hear a slight chuckle.
"Y'know, he's right. You would have a better chance...if you were going against Batman." Red Hood states and walks towards them, coming out of the shadowy tunnel.
"Unfortunately for you...I'm not him." He says and the Misfits get into offensive positions and quickly surround him.
"Who the hell are you?!" Chancer demands and Red Hood chuckles, amused.
"Me? I'm the guy who's going to clean up Gotham..." He starts and slowly moves his hands towards his holsters.
"Starting with you four." Red Hood finishes and draws his dual pistols and starts firing at all of them.
Fortunately Killer Moth, Catman and Humpty Dumpty managed to get behind cover, narrowly dodging the bullets.
Except for Chancer. Being the first to die from a bullet going straight through his head, not reacting fast enough.
Catman retaliated by throwing his knives at the vigilante and Killer Moth helps by firing his gun.
Red Hood dodges all of their attacks with ease and agility by rolling to the side and popping up into flip, landing on top of an old subway car.
Now with the advantage, he threws several batarangs that get lodged into Killer Moth's hand and Catman's shoulder.
"GAH! Humpty, do something!" Killer Moth orders and Humpty nods then looks around for anything to use against Red Hood, and he smiled once seeing weapon he could.
Then Red Hood started to fire his guns once again, pinning Catman and Killer Moth to where they were.
Using this as opportunity, Humpty got on top of the subway car and charged at Red Hood with a sledge hammer in hand.
Red Hood however, sensed this and stopped firing and flipped over to the next car, dodging Humpty's hit.
Humpty then leaped to the next car and started swinging the hammer attempting to hit Red Hood.
"Humpty! Y'know I'm a bit surprised to see ya rolling with this crowd. Any reason why?" He questions and rolls backwards, dodging a swing.
"I...just wanted to be free. And to fix things! They said I could fix their things if I agreed to join them, Mister!" Humpty admits and Red Hood sighs.
"Figures. You're not that evil, Dumpler. But you're sure as hell ain't no angel." Red Hood states then counters with a flip kick, knocking out several of Humpty's teeth, and making him fall backwards as he drops the hammer.
Red Hood then grabs the hammer and slams it down on Humpty's left knee, shattering it.
"ARGHHH!" He yells out in pain and Red Hood was about to break his other knee but felt a sudden pain in his arm.
He drops the hammer and looks to see one of Catman's knives had hit him.
"Huh. I barely felt that." Red Hood thinks before pulling out the knife and catching another thrown by Catman.
As he was about to throw another, Catman decided against it and puts them away.
"Okay kid, think you're a badass? Prove it! You and me! Right now!" He challenges and Killer Moth eyes widen.
"The hell are you doing?!" Killer Moth questions in shock and Catman chuckles.
"Bout to kick this guy's ass. That's what I'm doing!" Catman states and Red Hood drops from the subway car and cracks his neck and knuckles.
"Okay. Your move...kitty." He taunts and Catman pops out his claws and lunged at Red Hood who simply punches him in mid-air, knocking him out the air.
Catman rolls back into the hit and wipes the blood from his mouth and nose.
Red Hood then raises his hand and motions for him to come closer, enraging Catman who then follows up with a flurry of claw attacks but they were all blocked, dodged or parried.
As Catman tries to slash upwards, Red Hood catches his wrist and breaks it.
"GAH!" Catman exclaims and tries to claw at his face but that hand also gets caught and his wrist crushed again.
Red Hood then lets go and Catman looks at his damaged hands, then back at Red Hood who then delivers his own flurry of attacks, each hit more painful than the last.
Catman was hit by different sorts of attacks. A backhand to his jaw. A side-kick to his sternum. A punch to his liver. A roundhouse kick to his jaw and lastly...a punch to his throat, collapsing his windpipe, cutting off his breathing.
Red Hood watches as Catman stumbled to the ground, unable to breath and then looks to Killer Moth.
The C-List criminal looked from Chancer's body, Humpty who was still crying in pain and Catman who was now suffocating.
In realization and fear, Killer Moth quickly threw a smoke grenade, hoping to blind Red Hood.
"To hell with this!" He says and starts flying away using his wings on the back of his suit.
Red Hood steps out of the smoke and folds his arms as he sees Killer Moth flying out of the tunnels and going to the surface.
He just lets out a small chuckle and watched as Killer Moth ran in fear.
The Narrows
Bursting out of a manhole cover, Killer Moth rose high above the roads and catches his breath, sweating hard under his bug like mask.
"I...I'm out. He's down there. I'm up here. He's down there. I'm up here. He's-" He continues to repeat but stops once he hears the sound of engine starting.
"Huh?" Killer Moth turns and a motorcycle drives out an alleyway and his eyes widen.
"#$@!" He curses as Red Hood, now on a red Yamaha motorcycle and driving towards him.
Killer Moth regains his common sense and starts flying forward, heading away him.
"SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!" He exclaims and Red Hood continues his pursuit on the villain. Then the vigilante unsheathes his sword as he sees an opportunity arise.
"Sorry Drury..." Red Hood starts then rides his bike off a ramp on the back of a truck and leaps from his motorcycle.
Killer Moth turns his head and is petrified as he sees Red Hood with his sword raised above.
'SLICE!'
As he lands down in a roll, Red Hood's motorcycle surprisingly lands down beside, perfectly. And Killer Moth's body drops to the road and Red Hood raises his newly decapitated head in his head, while he sheaths his sword.
"...But you brought this on yourself." He finishes and tosses his head to his body and gets back on his Yamaha and sees homeless people staring at him. In slight fear.
Red Hood then starts his bike and drives off, leaving them stunned.
City Hall
"Dead? The #$@! you mean they're dead?!" Roman Sionis questions the man on the other line. Right in this instance...he was very pissed. As he was making his towards the roof.
"Boss, I dunno what to tell ya! They're dead! We came to check on them like you said and-Wait, is he? Good! I'll put him on the phone!" His Lieutenant says and Roman raises an eyebrow.
"What? What's going on?" He asks.
"Dumpler's alive! His knee is messed up but he'll live. I'm putting him on the phone." His Lieutenant informs.
"H-Hello?" Humpty greets and Roman sighs.
"Hunpty...what the hell happened? Why isn't the Gala being robbed right now?!" He exclaims.
"W-We got stopped! By a man in a red helmet and leather jacket. H-He broke my knee! It needs to be fixed!" Humpty says and Roman lets out a sigh.
"Humpty. Your knee will get #!@*% fixed. But right now tell me. What. The. #$@!. Happened?" He demands.
"We were waiting for the others t-to come back so we can surround everyone at the Gala, like you said. But they never reported back. I-I think they're dead..." Humpty tells him and Roman's eyes widened.
"My men are dead? Are you-" Roman questions and opens the door to the roof and stops mid-sentence.
He sees the roof Thugs, dead and bloodied.
"B-Boss? Black Mask?" Humpty says and Roman growls.
"I'm looking at the roof team. They're dead. And half dead. Put me back on with Lenin." Roman says and the phone goes back to Lenin.
"Yeah Boss?" Lenin asks.
"Listen here. Find whoever messed up this operation. And take em out. I want them dead. And I mean...dead." Roman says in a commanding yet calm tone.
"You got it boss! What are you going to do?" Lenin asks.
"First. I'm going to tell dear old Gordon about the bodies on the roof. And then...I'm going to look into this problem. Understand?" Roman tells him.
"Understood." Lenin replies and Roman hangs up then pockets his phone and growls loudly.
"Whoever did this...they're gonna regret screwing with Black Mask."