Finally. After a month, I finished the next one. Sorry for the slightly longer wait. I was wanting to release it sometime last week, but I got sick and had to delay things. But writing everything in this chapter was fun, and I hope it will be a fun read for some of you. I also put some info down below and changed some things regarding details just to be more consistent with the upcoming chapters in the future. Well, guys, I hope you enjoy the ride!

Italics - Character thoughts and flashbacks

"Bold" - Character dialogue outside of one's native language

"Italics" - Dialogue through online communication, phones, and video audio

Chapter Four:

Killua X Battles X The Family

Silence rained in the room, tension ready to burst at any moment. Ocean-blue eyes locked with the white, sharp lenses of the Dark Knight, both not daring to cut off their gazes. Both individuals internally sensed the dumbbell that was tension dangling above them. Batman waited silently for the teen to respond to his answer in any tongue of his native origin. He surveyed out of the corner of his eye the state of the room, catching a space of scattered, broken wood on the other side of the bed.

Killua analyzed his sudden visitor's appearance one more time. His cloak floated ghostly, concealing his figure. His mask protruded pointed ears, and the only exposed part of his skin held a stern, unyielding frown. It wasn't hard to figure out that this man had a connection to the beacon in the night sky when he glanced out the window or the first time he saw it from the rooftops after he raided the restaurant.

For someone who should look ridiculous in a costume resembling a bat, this man seemed like he was occupied as a professional combatant, akin to a warrior or a guardian. Killua could guess that this man would use intimidation tactics to combat his enemies, including interrogation. Telling by this man's stature, he was much stronger than the average man. Even in that neutral facade that he disguised himself with, there were very few gaps surrounding him. An average fighter would be no match to outmaneuver him. Though he would have to see this man in action to see everything for himself to deduce his strengths and weaknesses, Killua was confident that he could comfortably take him down if necessary. But whoever he is or what he does, this guy knows what he's doing; Killua thought.

"If you can understand what I'm saying, I've been actively trying to study and get a profile on you. But there is zero evidence of your history on earth," Batman stated. He continued with a firmer tone, "I need answers."

Killua answered with silence. As someone who spent less than a month studying English, Killua caught none of the words delivered to him. Batman briefly thought if he should take a different approach to communicate with him. Before whatever came to mind, the silver-haired teen finally spoke in English with a heavy accent, "Me… cAnt…. speaK." Killua mentally cringed at the distorted words that awkwardly slipped off his tongue.

Batman stared blankly at the boy, "Try to talk to me in your language." He responded slowly and as clearly as he could. He hoped that he understood the gist of it.

It took Killua a moment longer to process his words. Then Killua internally deflated with relief, lifting off the weight of uncertainty about the incompatibility for a conversation with anyone. But Killua discovered a new curiosity. Does this man miraculously know his language? The ex-assassin decided to bite the bullet. "If you can speak my language, I have something to ask. What do you want?"

Batman's brows rose with interest. It seemed like the foreign boy spoke in Japanese, but his Japanese was somehow different. Its vocabulary and accent trailed away from what he learned about Japanese when he was away from the states many years ago. His Japanese should be good enough to communicate. "I can speak Japanese too. And to answer your question, I only came here to ask you questions."

Killua's jaw slightly gaped in awe that his ears finally heard someone speaking to him in his language for the first time in weeks. But something prevented him from relishing it; those word choices that fell out of Batman's fluid tongue put him off. "What kind of questions?" Killua replied defensively, which didn't go unnoticed by Batman.

Batman then decided that the wise choice was to tread carefully with his words. Even if it was inevitable that he would fail to reason and gain the boy's trust, he had to prolong this as much as possible. Tim, Dick, and Barbara needed time to set up the obstacles in the right places. So Bruce decided to twist things up. Just slightly. "I learned about you from the press. I was worried that you could be a potential enemy, so I decided to check if you have any profiles in the database. Nothing came." Batman took a step close to the bed where Killua sat. He paused his advancement as he caught the boy's muscles tensed. "I came here to seek the answers I need. Such as your name and where you are from."

Killua mentally snorted. His brain screamed for him not to trust this man from the start. But he decided to play along. "I'm not under any obligation to answer. But only if you answer my questions first will I return the favor. Deal?"

Batman shot a light glare at him, "...Fine."

Killua sent the caped crusader a deadly-serious stare, deciding to be cryptic with his questions. "Who are you? And do you know anything about a place called 'Kukuroo Mountain'?"

"I am Batman. And no, I don't think I can recall anything about this Kukuroo Mountain," He answered honestly, as someone who had traveled to many parts of the world over the years. He mentally ingrained that name in his mind for future reference.

Killua's eyes finally retrieved from Batman's form to his lap. That summed up everything. Sure, Killua had been suspicious that he was in a different world since the beginning, but this was full confirmation. Killua could find closure in that. He was not in his world anymore; everything he knew was gone, and he was a stray in a dense forest.

"My turn," Batman spoke slowly, "Who are you? And more importantly, where did you come from?"

Killua's eyes returned to meet Batman's, "Killua," he answered dully. Then he gave the Dark Knight silent communication through his gaze. "I…" Killua paused. He realized he still needed time to process the reality that he was in an alien world. He then gave his best answer. "I'm from somewhere far. My turn again," Killua's brows scrunched, "Is there a way or a place for me to get information?"

There was a pregnant pause. Batman noted that Killua was quick to avoid the subject. He had rarely done this, but he figured it was better to wait another time for Killua to open up. Many would consider him impatient when looking for answers, but on the contrary, Bruce was as patient as they come; when the time calls for it. However, Killua's question could be related to where he was from, and Batman will get to the bottom. Eventually. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Killua. If you want to gain knowledge and not be blindfolded, I suggest you come with me." Batman tilted his head and held out his hand, palm facing upwards invitingly. "Maybe I can help you get what you're looking for."

Killua placed his gaze upon Batman's gloved hand, speechless. He looked up to meet Batman's gaze. He's willing to help me. Why? What's he got to gain from this? Killua thought. Most people back in his world would be doing this under deception or a hidden reason. There was always a reason behind people's intentions. The majority would be for themselves or out of necessity for a greater purpose. He had the pleasure of meeting others and making acquaintances: Wing, Zushi, Bisky, Kite, Morel, Knov, Knuckle, Shoot, Palm, Ikalgo, and Meleoron. He joined up with them mostly out of great necessity, but then he could admit that they could be more than acquaintances.

Under normal circumstances, Killua would take Batman's hand since he did claim he could aid him. But one thing was preventing him from taking the Dark Knight's hand. It was something he had to know. Killua is through playing this game of trading questions. He refocused his gaze upon Batman's, his eyes glinting dangerously, stabbing through Bruce's white lenses. "One more thing. Were you the one who gave me away? It slowed my progress by quite a lot, and now everyone will point fingers at me. Tell me everything, and answer truthfully."

Batman knew there was no way out of this. He sighed as he dipped his head, hoping everything was ready outside. He looked up, and his hardened gaze met the boy's piercing stare. "Yes, I did. I figured you out after I went and did a thorough investigation at a crime scene, where you single-handedly took down three wanted criminals in an alley. It only took a simple surveillance scan. Showed it to the police commissioner and gave the go-ahead to release it to Gotham's security departments. That's how I found you at the library and tracked you here. And I would do it again."

Killua had nothing more to say. He smirked as he hung his head, spiky hair shadowing his eyes. "I see. So that's how it is, old man." Killua said, his voice just audible over a whisper. Suddenly, Killua shot up and sprang at him, making Batman step back in surprise at the speed of the escalation. In a flash, Killua pressed one foot against Batman's kevlar chest and struck a kick with his other, launching Batman into a sprawled position against the wall. Several chunks of debris scattered about as a body-sized fissure caved in from the force.

Batman fell to his knees in an arched position. He choked up a breath and coughed out, spittles escaping his mouth. He looked up just in time to see Killua halfway through the window's frame, the books already gathered in the bag strapped securely around his shoulder before disappearing. Batman immediately stood up and charged at the window, powering through the pain.

Killua emerged from the ledge, and his feet met the flat, concrete surface of the rooftop. His legs began to work their pace, fleeing in a linear direction, and he leaped to a neighboring building. He had no clear destination in mind. Thus, Killua decided to test this Batman for himself if that beacon in the sky indicated that this city acknowledged him as their champion. He wanted to see if he was any match against him, a rookie hunter trained in the arts of assassination.

It took no time to feel Batman's eyes on him as he launched up from the ledge and hovered above, his winged cloak serving as a glider. The chase commenced.

Killua, purposely keeping his pace under a quarter of his top physical speed, jumped across several rooftops. Batman shortly contacted the roofs as he struggled to remain in tow. Killua turned back with a playful grin at the sprinting Dark Knight. It seemed he was giving it his all during the chase, so his speed wasn't impressive. If this Batman is the strongest in this city, then Killua would be disappointed.

Unbeknownst to the ex-assassin in his sprint, his foot pressed against a disguised panel on the surface. Ear-rattling waves slammed against him from the side. Killua felt his body roll against the concrete in a reverse motion, and with a crack, he collided against the solid railing on the ledge. Debris freefallen behind him as he sat helplessly, hands desperately clutching his ears.

It stung. Where did Batman get a sonar cannon? This unbearable shriek was all he heard as everything else around him deafened. Killua glanced up, and his eyes traced a glimpse of what appeared to be machinery clung to an urban rooftop door. He hated using this so soon, but he had no choice. Killua forcefully cocked his arm forward, and electricity sputtered from his open palm. A bright blue, glimmering lightning streak shot out and struck the device. With a bang, it exploded on impact.

Batman wasn't far away as he saw it. It seemed he indirectly unveiled one of the boy's abilities. Electricity was dangerous. He or the others had to tread carefully, or Killua's electric shock could lead to problematic injuries or worse.

Killua snapped his head with a scowl at the approaching vigilante. He lay his back flat on the surface. His elbows protruded above him as his palms sprawled against the rough flatness behind his head. Killua effortlessly sprung up to a reverse somersault as he fell over the ledge. As gravity pulled him, Killua quickly pressed his feet against the brick, vertical surface and propelled like a bullet to the next rooftop across the narrow river pit.

Batman paused his sprint as he looked in shock and awe. He had to admit, Killua possesses extraordinary athleticism and near-instant recovery; having the ability to maneuver his body like that in such a short time required intense training. That alone told him the dots that Killua had a connection or a background to a combat regimen. Batman frowned with determination. He reached his belt and pulled out a grapple gun; in an instant, wiring launched towards the building. The lining guided his body at full speed.

Killua craned his head with a glare as he ran. Nerve-shaking waves hit his side once again. Killua was ready for it as he used his strength to embed his feet into the solid surface. He gritted his teeth from the pressure. He quickly aimed his lightning palm and destroyed the device. He continued onwards.

He's planned this whole thing out! I have to watch out if he has anything more to dish out. Killua thought. His eyes snapped to his left, "Huh?" Killua immediately bent his spine invertedly as wiring shot past him. He switched his body to face the source, and his eyes met the sole of a black boot inches away from his face. Frantically, Killua narrowly weaved, the boot just grazing against his cheek.

Killua stumbled in shock from the intruding attack, nearly tripping over himself. Slowly, he turned his head, and his eye caught a young man who had rolled to a crouched stance across from him, legs widely spread. He was a young man with wild raven hair, donned in a black suit with a bright blue bird symbol on his chest, wings extending past his shoulder blades. He's the one who placed these sonar cannons! He must be working with Batman. Killua thought earnestly.

Batman approached the vicinity shortly after. He stood beside the newcomer as his shoulders heaved slightly from the chase. "Don't fight him alone, Dick. He is tougher than he looks," He said as he kept his eyes locked on Killua.

Killua stared incredulously at his pursuers. He didn't know what to make of this. He heaved out a breath; he had no time to waste. Killua shot forward, and Nightwing immediately pushed forward and launched a spinning kick, to avoid it, Killua sprang and flipped mid-air. Killua's upside-down sight scanned Nightwing during his flip, impressed that the new guy instantly reacted to his speed. His feet hit the surface, and he sprinted forward. His pursuers persistently followed.

As they ran, Nightwing glanced at Batman, "So, I'm assuming things didn't go well with him?" There was no response from his mentor, his eyes glued to the target. Nightwing bit his lips awkwardly before facing forward, "Right. I'll take that as a no."

Killua leaped from the edge of the roof. But before he could reach the next building, a barrage of sonic waves smacked him midair. The sonic waves hurled Killua so fast that his body embedded against the structure's wall. Dust gathered around his vicinity, and bits of debris had fallen. Killua lingered there, sprawled against the wall. Slowly, his body dipped forward and dropped down in the pit, seemingly helpless as his body angled head first.

As his clothing yielded against the air, Killua quickly righted himself and smoothly touched the ground on his feet. He quickly checked his surroundings and noted that he was in a one-outlet alley. A putrid stench crept its way into his nose, causing him to scrunch his face a tad. He looked up the roof to find his two chasers looking down upon him. His expression morphed into irritation. Killua turned to the one exit to the open and ran.

The original duo immediately trailed him from above. Killua was beginning to lose patience and almost attempted to turn around and chop them down. He quickly shook off that thought. Maybe Gon was rubbing off on him, or he was craving some action after weeks of endless studying and stress; he didn't know, but he needed to blow off some steam against these guys, and he wanted to prolong this. Killua stepped out into the quiet shady streets of the urban city. He took a sharp right. The old man and that other guy followed through, as he expected.

Soon, Killua ceased his movements with his feet scraping to stop. A dead end on the street, bordering a barricade of steel fencing enclosing a clear, deserted land that expanded to an acre or two. He could make out the silhouette of a structure in the distance that seemed to be a decaying warehouse. He craned his neck behind to see the duo fast approaching and traveling at ground level. He snapped his head to the left and saw a ravine that appeared endless, touching the borders of the complex. It contained a narrow, paved road that reached its depths.

Having no choice, Killua sprinted down the gaping pathway, and the air suddenly got chilly. Batman shifted swiftly to the entrance. His imposing figure stood as a shadowed silhouette, giving him the appearance of more beast than man. Bruce switched his focus to his gauntlet department, his gloved fingers punched against the buttons before a green light flashed. He had him right where he wanted him.

Dick emerged from behind him. Batman gave him a sidelong glance, "Stick with the hit-and-run tactic until Tim gives the signal."

And the duo prowled forward. No confirmations were required between the two, having a very efficient understanding and straight-to-the-point communication between the two longtime former partners. Killua froze in his tracks, eyes intently scanning the atmosphere. A frantic rumbling howl reached his ears, and he couldn't pinpoint the direction of the source as the continuous rattle hung in the atmosphere.

He looked straight ahead and perked in surprise as a pair of glowing dots emerged from the far left corner across the alley. Killua stared with astonishment as it rapidly approached him. The orbs continued to grow, and the radiant lights intensified as the roar blared. The mechanical beast halted after the wheels ground against the cracked concrete. The vehicle was armored, and its outer plates were inky black.

Killua choked back a breath at the large vehicle. Its theme certainly fits the tone Batman was aiming for. Everything that Batman threw during this chase was well coordinated, from the sonic waves and now to the car blocking his path. Then, Killua distinguished a pair of new arrivals with their sights trained on him. One emerged from the rooftops while the other entered the opposite entrance in the alley.

Killua squinted his eyes as they traced each individual around him, widening his legs as the muscles on his arms tensed to throbbing veins. Whoever these people were, they had undergone training to perfect their coordinating and tracking skills to a top-notch level; it was like he was facing off against a group of individuals that could rival his family's tactics. And that is not an easy level to reach. But what they didn't rival was his family's prowess in assassination and power which made them known for their infamy. Also, their lack of aura usage would make them vulnerable to even some of his weakest Nen attacks, so Killua would still have to suppress his Nen against them. No need to force their aura nodes to open; or worse. Killua smirked, admittedly ecstatic to see what these people could offer him until he would make short work of them when boredom caught up to him.

A colorless puff reeked from the vehicle's hidden tubes underneath, and the cloud spread and blanketed the surrounding vicinity in a short time. Killua cringed as the pungent scent stabbed through his nostrils. And now they're using tear gas. Killua thought.

Barbara studied the silver-haired boy, who appeared to be a cornered mouse in the center. She watched as his arms hovered to conceal his face as the gas began to swallow him in its smoky mists. Her eyes traveled over to Bruce. She sure hoped he knew what he was doing. Chances were, they were underestimating the meta, which was usually a mistake that would cost anyone. Barbara sighed before she stood up from her perch and allowed her foot to hover beyond the ledge, and gravity overtook her before her feet hit the ground.

Batman's sharp gaze remained on Killua, having already turned on detective vision to see his body through the smoke. Nightwing had already separated from him to create a more spread-out formation, giving no easy way for Killua to escape. Unbeknownst to Bruce, said ex-assassin had no desire to run.

Tim Drake stood from a further distance than the rest of his team, slightly shaking from the anticipated battle upcoming. He unconsciously tightened his hold on the remote control. He reminded himself that he needed to wait for an opening, and that boy was probably aware of his presence.

Batman slowly advanced to the cloud fog. Without delay, he snapped out his batclaw, fired the crane-like wire at Killua's side, and latched onto the young hunter's arm. Killua gasped in surprise at the contact. The wire immediately produced a rattle, unaware of it guiding Batman towards him. A flying boot connected against his cheek hard, sending Killua to stagger into side steps with a gasp. The pain was mild. It seemed they were giving everything they got.

Batman immediately attempted to retreat, but his eyes widened as he saw the gas shift before him. Killua bursts through, pulling back a fist. Batman crossed his arms in an 'X' shape, shielding his face. A smug grin played on Killua's face. Now he got him.

"Got you now!" A voice cried out, causing a brow to raise.

A stick-like object hit his head from out of the blue thrown by a different assailant, and Killua's head spun as he sloppily rolled on the ground before maintaining his upright position. He looked to his right to see the black-and-blue suited man that attacked him earlier, now possessing an escrima stick in each hand.

Nightwing waved his arms and spun each stick in a cyclonic motion before he threw his left to the wall and his right towards Killua in unison. As the escrima ricocheted off the wall, Killua caught the weapon from the straight path in a tight fist; he snapped a sidelong glance and worked his spine to bend backward. The escrima slightly touched the tip of his nose as it weaved past. Barbara stepped into the escrima's path, quickly caught it, and tossed it back to Nightwing. He grabbed it and shot a glare at Killua as the silver-haired teen closely examined the escrima stick.

Killua maneuvered the stick to roll to the tips between his middle and index fingers, casually spinning the weapon as if it were a toy. He ended it after snapping the stick back into his palm with a clutch. His ears picked up a flurry of swishes that slashed against the wind from behind. He twisted around and noted a line of shuriken-like objects hurling at him at an alarming rate. Swiftly, he swung the escrima stick at the sharp projectiles, but what he didn't expect was upon impact, the shuriken exploded into a blinding flash.

Batman didn't hesitate to not let the opportunity subside. He rushed in, twisted his upper body sideways, and his cape flapped against the hunter's face. Bruce grasped Killua's shoulders and efficiently pulled him to have his gut meet his knee. Panicking, Killua forced his En to spread around him. How could I have let myself be blind? Just how many dirty tricks could this Batman have?

Before Killua could retaliate against Batman, his En caught a shift from his right, and Killua responded by blocking Nightwing's incoming kick by raising his arm. His En detected another presence. It was that red-haired bat woman he saw caught that stick seconds before. She leaped and propelled a knee from his other side, which Killua took no struggle by having it land against his palm. Killua clenched his teeth while his head snapped upwards from Batman's exploding uppercut to his chin.

Killua threw a punch to the Dark Knight, who narrowly dodged and took advantage by hopping over Killua's extended arm, allowing a knee to fly to his chin. Killua was put on defense as he desperately tried to avoid all these hand-to-hand techniques from four fighters thrown at him. He never faced a level of quantity of fighting styles in his life. Ever. Not even his family was known for this many physical techniques and maneuvers outside the arts of assassination. He narrowly ducked a side-winding heel kick from the woman, blocked a chop sent to his neck from the black and blue fellow, and hopped to avoid a leg sweep from Batman. But a second kick got him midair, sending him a few side steps.

His only saving grace from receiving these blows was his En, but he could already feel it eat through his Nen capacity. He couldn't do this while blind and certainly didn't want to exert more force behind his punches. He wanted this confrontation to last. So he had one choice to choose, and he jumped.

The trio looked up as the boy seemingly hovered above them. "When we were piling up on him, I got this weird feeling in the air. Did anyone else catch that?" Dick asked, gazing cautiously.

Barbara squinted her eyes from her boyfriend's question, "Yeah, you're right. There's something off about him. The question is: how could he keep up and avoid our attacks even while blind in the tear gas?"

"We cannot underestimate our opponent any further. Keep your distance this time." Batman said, and his two teammates nodded in silent agreement.

As he was gaining altitude, Killua continuously rubbed at his eyes to diminish the already fading blurring in his vision. He shook his head to steady his eyesight and glared with irritation at the vigilantes below him. He couldn't believe his luck. These people weren't even half his strength, heck, less of a tenth, and he could say that's being generous. Even at this level of restraint, he should've had no trouble dealing with them. They caught him off guard with blinding tricks all the way through, and then like a pack of predators, they struck when he was most vulnerable.

They were the ones underestimating him in the first place. So what was going on? And then it hit him, and he couldn't help but laugh at the irony. While Killua was one most would underestimate, he was underestimating his opponents this time, very likely more than they were. And that paid him with temporary blindness and exhausting his En. Killua looked down earnestly at the trio. It was about time he showed what he was like when he was a little serious.

Killua dived down, performing several somersaults along the way. He landed in the center, the tear gas already long dissipated. His eyes set on Batgirl, and he rushed towards her with his speed, palm cocked out, catching her off guard. His other hand automatically shot forward and tightly enclosed her wrist, making the redhead cringe from his firm grip. His palm lit up and shot ahead, delivering a small dose of electricity. Batgirl yelped from the shock and blacked out upon contact.

"Barbara!" Dick shouted with urgency. Killua coolly eyed him from the corner of his eye. Nightwing growled, and he charged toward the younger boy.

"Nightwing! Control yourself!" He heard Batman's voice call out. But it fell on deaf ears.

Nightwing pulled back his Escrima stick and swung it forward. Smoothly, Killua sidestepped the flying weapon and quickly ducked reversely, avoiding a thrown punch, his back horizontally facing the ground. Killua reached up and gripped his wrist. Nightwing hissed from the pain, and then Killua spun forward, swung Dick by his arm like a trash bag, and hurled him towards the Bat. There was a resounding crack while Nightwing had his body spun around by Killua.

Batman widened his arms and caught the flying Nightwing. He winced from the momentum of the throw, forced back a few feet. Dick groaned, and when he shifted in Batman's hold, he hissed and released a throaty shout in agony. He clutched his right shoulder, tightly shutting his eyes and teeth clenched together.

Bruce frowned at his injured son with a hint of worry. "Your shoulder. It's dislocated."

"Yeah. I'm gonna feel this in the morning," Dick muttered, his voice throaty.

Batman knew it was time. Dick and Barbara were already out of the fight, and he was all that remained standing. The Dark Knight's sight traveled to Killua, and the rookie hunter took slow steps toward him with an intimidating vibe. Batman gently sat Nightwing on the ground. "Good work, Dick." He urgently snapped his head to his remaining ally, "NOW, ROBIN!"

Tim took no hesitation to hit the button on the remote control. The Batmobile's roof began to modify itself; its hatch doors slid open, and a row of large, octagonal devices, all coated in heavy titanium, emerged from the gaping hole.

Killua stared silently in slight awe. Was there anything these people didn't have? Killua's eyelids shot up. Wait. That weaponry, a-are those?

The cannons howled out intense waves upon Killua. Their screeches brought enormous pain to his head. It took no time for Killua to drop to his knees, desperately clutching his head. He could feel himself scream, but his voice instantly drowned in the waves. Killua's bones shook from the force. Killua hadn't felt this much pain since he had been target practice in darts. He clutched at his ears, and his mind began to freeze at what he felt. Why did they feel wet?

Unable to think anymore, Killua's form finally unleashed a white, raging hue. He disappeared out of the radius in an instant, appearing beside it. He remained on his knees, his shaking arms used as support. He looked up with a scowl at the perpetrator. He should've known he missed this one.

Dread began to clutch at Robin's nerves. He pulled out a firearm-like gadget from his belt and fired twin wires with needle-like tips at him, but Killua effortlessly caught them in a tight fist. Shocks coursed through the lining, but Killua casually welcomed the electric shocks. His hand formed into a chop and took shape, and claws replaced his nails. His lethal nails clipped through the wire like scissors cutting through a string.

Killua shot toward the short, red-clad individual in a blitz, and time slowed down. He appeared in front of the said target in a blink. Killua had a sense of familiarity for a brief second when he got a clear look at his face, but he quickly proceeded with his move. Killua's hand shot and grasped ahold of the collar of his costume, spun around, and launched the boy upwards.

"ROBIN!" Batman looked in horror at the manhandling his most recent addition to his team endured. Just before he went to fire a grappling hook to break Timothy's launch, Killua catapulted himself in a blink.

Killua shot past him and skillfully spun the loose wire around Robin's body in a swirl, tightening it around his frame. As gravity overtook both individuals, Killua's eyes found a stairwell on the side of the building. Killua angled himself and landed on the catwalk, and he turned to the rusted railing and fastened the wire around in a tight knot. Robin's body dropped past and dangled midair. Killua leaped over the railing, twisted around, swung himself from the catwalk, and landed an accurately placed chop to Robin's neck. He made sure to close his aura nodes to prevent major injuries. Killua may have been a killer in the past, but he intended to avoid killing when it wasn't necessary; he thought that it was a bit ironic considering how many lives he cut short.

Killua returned to the surface, his cold expression remaining. The white glow he emitted died down as his eyes found his last target. Batman returned his stare with a grim look. Only ten seconds had passed since Killua escaped the sonar radius. He didn't know what source of power Killua summoned, but it significantly made him faster, and there were many unknowns behind it. Batman hit a roadblock, and his only saving grace was to create distance.

"Well, looks like it's just you and me now," Killua lightly spoke; a satisfied grin graced his lips as a trail of blood ran down like a stream from his ears. Killua materialized from a diagonal angle above Bruce, with his fist pulled back and ready to crash down. Batman thought quickly and evaded the attack. Killua's knuckles collided against the solid surface, sparking a small pillar of cloud upon impact.

Batman bounded back several times, desperately hatching up a plan on the fly. Killua instantly popped in front of him and threw a balled fist, which Batman narrowly dodged. Having no choice, Batman retaliated with a roundhouse kick which, expectedly, missed. Killua hopped up, twirled his leg, and let a spiraling kick fly to his right, which Batman blocked with a quick swing of his forearm. Batman winced as his entire arm shook from the power of the kick.

Batman weaved as many attacks to the best of his ability. He rarely exerted this much effort when facing street thugs on a nightly basis, but Killua was in a whole different league from the criminals of Gotham. Killua seemed like he was getting enjoyment out of the exchange, and that caused frustration to rise. This whole thing is a game to him. He was trying to orchestrate this fight at his pace since the start. He was toying with us. Batman thought.

Killua twisted his body for a kick to Batman's left side. Batman's eyes widened, having little time to dodge it, leaving him with only one choice. Killua's leg waved past his arm, and Batman allowed his elbow to squeeze Killua's limb, trapping it between his body. However, shattering pain exploded from his ribs. Batman bit down his bottom lip to hold back a growl in pain. He twirled around and slammed Killua to the ground as hard as possible.

Though, that probably probed out irritation from the ex-assassin. Killua rolled back to his feet at a distance. He streaked from one side, shot to the other, and materialized from Batman's side before zipping forward with a charging kick. If Batman had remained on that spot for a millisecond longer, his ribcage would be a shattered mess. Finally, there it was, an opening.

Batman used Killua's frame to flip himself over the boy and concealed his body behind his cloak. "Now it's just me," Batman said in Japanese.

Killua shook out of his daze as a quiet rapid beeping rang from his backside. He looked behind him just in time to see a pair of circular devices that clung to his back, lit up ablaze. Killua couldn't hold back a shout as he flew into a spiraling launch like a rocket. Killua plowed through the building's wall, and the accelerators guided him inside, causing a commotion of falling debris and shattering glass.

After feeling his body endure a barrage of bumps and plowing through various furniture and walls, Killua growled viciously as if he had had enough. He stretched his arms behind his back and felt his tips graze through metallic material. He flexed his shoulders, finally feeling his palms cupped around the devices, and crushed them using his strength. Though his body continued to flail, he finally collided against the final wall with a bang. Killua felt a rush of cool air touch his body. He fell to the ground, and numerous broken bricks followed up and began to pile up on him shortly.

Slowly, Killua rose from the heap of bricks and dust. His blue irises shook with rage, "Okay, now I'm pissed off." Killua said with a rasp in his voice. Right before he attempted to return to the other side, a wail of sirens reached his ears, and his blood ran cold. He gritted his teeth as his fierce eyes returned to the hole in the building. Killua remembered those last words Batman spoke before he was flung; it boiled his blood.

It had to wait another time. Though next time, Killua vowed to take down Batman in quick succession instead of attempting to orchestrate a fight against him. It was almost like he had more tricks up his sleeves than Hisoka, which was saying something. Killua turned around and bailed.

When he heard the police sirens echo, Batman relaxed all the muscles in his body as his adrenaline finally settled. He bent down as his arm slowly raised to wrap around his side. He took deep and heavy breaths from the intense encounter. He looked at his downed teammates; Dick managed to drag himself toward Barbara's unconscious form since the exchange, and Tim remained dangling from the stairwell above.

Batman sighed. He would consider this mission a failure since every member did not come out of this uninjured. It seemed they hit a roadblock with this kid; he couldn't decipher any known weaknesses in him. All he ever found knowledge in was that he was hiding many strengths. He saw when Timothy fired his electric-wire gun at him, and he didn't flinch from the shocks. He can power through sonar waves; they did the most damage out of everything they threw at him.

His eyes widened in realization. The sonar cannons caused his ears to bleed. He quickly activated his detective lenses and proceeded for a fast scan of the ground. He spotted small puddles of red. They were minuscule, but each drop could contain multitudes of information about Killua. He heard the sirens rapidly grow louder. He would hate for Commissioner Gordon and especially Detective Bullock to see him and the family in such a pathetic state.

He looked down at the invaluable evidence and quickly took out a small tubular container for an extract. There was a long night ahead.

For anyone who would like to know a bit of character info, here are the established ages in the story if you're curious:

Killua Zoldyck: 14

Bruce Wayne: 37

Timothy Drake: 13

Dick Grayson: 21

Barbara Gordon: 23

By the way, if you want to get a sense of "power scaling," If Killua would be a level 1,000 in overall attributes without Nen, then Batman would be a level 120. I'm thankful for all the feedback this story received. Let me know your thoughts on the reviews as well.