Black Cat of Gotham
Getting booted into another reality after burning to death is really not my idea of a good time. Neither is finding myself in a world where alien invasions are treated as a mild inconvenience. Still, it could be worse. At least I'm not completely powerless. Unfortunately, I hate cheese.
And we're back. Nothing to say, other than, Enjoy!
Chapter 2
After saving the future Poison Ivy and walking her home, I headed home myself, but not before getting Plagg to double check me for any tracking devices or bugs that Bats might of planted on me. Fortunately, there were none, although I wasn't expecting it seeing as I hadn't actually come into contact with him. Then again, considering how bullshit some of the Batmans achievements had been in the past, I wouldn't have put it past him to manage it somehow. Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any, so I headed home without issue.
Once there, I flopped down on my bed with a sigh. I glanced at the file on my bedside table and reached out to grab it. Might as well get a bit of reading done before I turn in. That idea was quickly rendered as a big fat no as the file flashed the moment my fingers touched it and my head felt like it had been split open with an axe, knocking me out cold.
The next morning, I woke up with a pounding head and a whole new set of memories.
"Well, thats one way to make sure I don't forget," I growled, "I would have liked some warning though Plagg."
"What?" said the Kwami, "Its not like warning you would have changed anything. Besides, you should be grateful that Dis even bothered to give you that background in the first place and didn't just leave you hanging."
I just growled as I rolled out of bed and stalked into the bathroom. The memories were mostly the same as my own, with a few slight differences. For starters, both my parents in this world were dead, my Dad in the line of duty (he was a soldier) and Mum from complications from a surgery. I'd lived with my grandparents until they kicked the bucket from old age, leaving me all on my lonesome as an emancipated minor due to some legal mumbo jumbo I couldn't make heads or tails of and probably Dis pulling some strings. Couldn't have his favorite puppet weighed down my curfew after all.
"So, what do you have planned for today?" asked Plagg as I exited the bathroom.
I grimaced and grabbed a rucksack from the wardrobe.
"School."
Yeah, apparently even being the entertainment of an immortal, omnipotent being isn't enough to get me out of having to go to school. Then again, maybe this was part of his entertainment. Still, at least I didn't have to deal with second hand memories of friends I've never actually met. No, I had to deal with being the new kid. Eh, could be worse I guess.
Thankfully, I only lived a couple of blocks from the school, so it didn't take long to arrive. I ignored the odd looks I was getting from the students as I entered and looked around. According to my letter of acceptance, I was supposed to meet with the Principle. Just one problem. I had no idea where his office was.
"Um, do you need help?" said a voice from behind me.
I turned to the voice and nearly snorted when I saw that it was Barbara Gordon. Because of course it was.
"Um, yeah," I said, "Todays my first day and I need to see the Principle. Can you point me in the direction of his office?"
"Sure thing," said Barbara brightly, "Right this way."
She led the way down the hall.
"I'm Barbara Gordon by the way," she said.
"Blake Hunter, nice to meet you," I said.
"Well, here we are," said Barbara as we reached a door with the Principal's name painted on the glass.
"Thanks," I said, "Guess I'll see you around?"
"Sure."
The future Batgirl vanished into the crowd, leaving me to head inside to talk to the Principle.
Fortunately, it didn't take long to get the paperwork done and the headmaster led me through the halls to a classroom and knocked on the door.
"Pardon me, but I have your new student," said the Headmaster, "Come in Mr Hunter."
I stepped into the classroom and immediately spotted Barbara sat at the back by the window. The teacher, a serious looking man with thinning hair and glasses, beckoned me to the front.
"Introduce yourself," he said.
"I'm Blake Hunter, its nice to meet you all," I said with a grin.
"Alright, take a seat over there," said the teacher, pointing at an empty desk in front of Barbara.
That would put me one row from the back, right next to the window, the same place most Anime protagonists found themselves for some odd reason. I grinned at Barbara and dropped into my seat as the lesson started.
An hour later I was about ready to fall asleep from boredom as I already knew everything we were covering and was just debating the merits of jumping out the window, just for something to do, when the bell rang and everyone began to file out of the room.
"Hey Blake, you wanna join us for lunch?" asked Barbara.
"Sure," I said, getting to my feet and slinging my bag over my shoulder.
I followed Barbara through the halls, outside and over to a tree where an older and very familiar red-head was sat.
"Hey Red," said Barbara as we approached.
"Hey Other Red," said Pamela, before looking at me .
Her eyes widened in recognition and her cheeks darkened.
"Hello again Pam," I said with a grin, "I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon."
Barbara glanced between the two of us.
"Do you two know each other?" she asked.
"Not exactly," I said, "But I helped her out with some trouble last night."
"Y-yeah, t-thanks again for that," stuttered Pam.
Barbara raised an eyebrow at the stuttering.
"You OK Pam?" she asked.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she said.
She quickly snatched up a magazine and hid behind it. I raised an eyebrow when I saw what was on the cover. It was a gardening magazine which apparently included an article on the benefits of Ladybirds in a garden. I really hope thats not a sign of things to come…
The rest of the day went by without incident, other than figuring out that the future Poison Ivy had developed a major crush on me. That would probably come back to bite me in the future…
Anyway, the next day was a Saturday, which honestly makes me wonder why I started yesterday and not on Monday, but whatever, so after a late start, I found myself watching the news while eating breakfast. Apparently Bruce Wayne was opening his clock tower for a few days and the newsreader was even kind enough to mention the Tigers Eyes jewels that had been hidden there.
"Hmm, looks like we've got a job to do tonight Plagg," I said.
"What? Why?" asked the Kwami.
"Simple, I want another shot at Ragdoll," I said, "Plus, it would be nice to clear up any lingering suspicions Batman might have about my relationship with Catwoman."
"By showing up in the same place as her?" asked Plagg.
"By helping take her down," I said, "Come on Plagg, lets go scope out the battle ground."
"Do we have to?" whined Plagg.
"Yes, now lets go," I said, grabbing the Kwami and dropping him in my bag, "And try not to spill that cheese."
"Fine, spoilsport," grumbled Plagg as I jogged out of my apartment.
One trip on the subway later and I was wondering around the clock tower, following behind a group who were being given the tour by Bruce while trying to keep tabs on Plagg. Thats a lot harder than it sounds because the little critter was acting very much like the cat he was and kept trying to head off to look at something shiny. Currently, I was trying to find him after he vanished into thin air.
"Plagg, where the hell are you?!" I hissed.
"Here."
I jumped as Plagg suddenly phased out of a cog right next to my ear.
"Don't. Do. That," I hissed.
"Sorry, but look what I found!" he said, holding up a large, gleaming emerald, "Its so shiny!"
My jaw dropped. Well, that'll make things easier.
"Is the other one back there?" I asked.
"Yep."
"Then grab it and we'll go," I said, taking the first emerald and tucking it into my bag.
"So, what are you planning to do with these?" asked Plagg once we had got back home.
"Prove I'm competent," I said, "We may have found them completely by accident, but they won't know that. Plus, I can use them to get in good with the Bat."
"So, you're just going to hand them over?" asked Plagg.
I gave him a flat look.
"I have in interest in attracting the Bats attention as anything other than a fellow hero," I said, "If I do, I'm liable to get punched in the face and tossed into Arkham."
"But…"
"I'll buy you some cat toys later," I said, "For now, I'm gonna go take a nap before tonight."
I stood and headed into my room to do just that.
Later, I was woken by the sound of my alarm going off. I yawned and rolled out of bed.
"Alright Plagg, time to go," I said.
"Five more minutes," mumbled the Kwami.
"Nope, you can sleep later," I said, "Plagg, claws out!"
"Here we go again," grumbled Plagg as he was sucked into my ring.
Ten minutes later, I reached the Clocktower and entered through a conveniently open window where I found the fight already going on. I landed on top of one of the metal joists that held up a catwalk and took in what was going on. Batman was struggling to get free from a pair of gears that were doing an excellent job of eating his cape while Ragdoll watched and Catwoman tried to untangle herself from Batmans rope.
I smirked and jumped off the catwalk.. I landed behind Ragdoll and punted him off the catwalk he was sat on before he could react, before hopping down and slicing Batmans cloak with my claws to free him. The Caped Crusader rolled free and stood, fixing me with a glare.
"Hello again Bats," I said.
"Oh goody, the Kittens here," said Catwoman.
"Friend of yours?" asked Batman.
"Actually, I thought he was with you," said Catwoman.
"Nah, this cats freelance," I said.
"If you're not here for the Emeralds, then what do you want?" asked Batman.
"I owe raggedy over there a scratching," I said, jerking a thumb at Ragdoll as he scrambled back up.
"Oh really?" said Ragdoll, "Then why do you have these?"
He held up the emeralds.
"Wha...HEY!"
I flinched as Batman fixed me with a glare.
"I was gonna hand them over to Wayne when I was done with Ragdoll!" I protested.
"Sure you were," said Catwoman, "Hmm, maybe we have more in common than I thought."
"Well, this has been fun, but I really must be going," said Ragdoll as he turned to leave, "Bet these puppys will fetch six figures!"
"I think not!" I said, leaping down to his level.
"If its money you want, rob a bank!" snarled Catwoman as she and Batman followed me, "Those emeralds are two of a kind Stitch Face!"
She took a swipe at Ragdoll, who dodged it, along with my jab with my staff, taking the fight into the gears.
"Speaking of, two of these, four of us," said Ragdoll as he clambered up a support strut, "Guess we'll split them...one way."
"Yeah, give em to a museum!" I said as I jumped up behind him and slammed my staff into the back of his head.
Ragdoll barely managed to dodge, but he fumbled the stones.
"Hey Batman, catch!" I shouted, smacking the stones with my staff towards the Caped Crusader.
Before Batman could catch them, Catwoman jumped up and snatched them out of the air.
"Thanks Kitten!" she called as she ducked under Batmans grab and punched him in the stomach.
"That wasn't nice!" said Ragdoll.
"Neither was trapping me!" I snapped, ducking under his punch and kicking him off the strut.
Ragdoll landed on a gear and took off in the direction of the other two as they continued their fight.
"Get back here Scratching Post!" I shouted, jumping after him.
Ragdoll hopped up onto the catwalk Catwoman and Batman were fighting on and slid between Catwomans legs, snatching the emeralds from her grip.
"Yoink!"
Only to immediately lose them again as I shot up on my staff and kicked them out of his grip.
"Hey!"
I caught the emeralds and landed on a gear further up, only to trip as the whip Catwoman had wrapped around my ankle yanked my feet out from under me. The emeralds clattered away and off the gear, falling towards the floor. Ragdoll took a flying leap off the catwalk and caught them. He landed on the catwalk across from Batman and Catwoman and gave a mocking wave.
"Toodles!" he said and turned to leave.
"Oh no you don't!" I shouted, jumping off the gear I was on, "Cataclysm!"
I slammed my energy covered hand into the catwalk, causing the entire thing to buck and twist as the metal rusted and started falling apart, dropping Ragdoll through the new hole in the metal. He fell into the grip of a pair of gears. Despite the fact that such a thing would kill most Humans, he just laughed as the cog carried him away...that is until Batman threw a Batarang and jammed them, trapping him in their grip.
"Err, I think I'm stuck," said Ragdoll as I landed beside him, "If you help me I'll split them with you?"
"Yeah, no," I said, taking the emeralds from him, "These are going to their real owner."
"If you don't want them, I'll take em," said Catwoman as she landed beside me and reached for the gems.
"Nope, sorry," I said, ducking under her hands.
"Aww, come on Kitten, help a fellow Cat out," she said.
"Take it up with him," I said, jerking my thumb at Batman as he dropped down behind me.
"Aw, don't be such a sourpuss," said Catwoman, although if she was talking to me or Batman I have no idea, "The Cats Eyes are a legend, right? No one will know they're gone because they're not supposed to be here."
"Not a chance," I said as Batman just glowered.
"Not even one?" said Catwoman.
"No."
"Tch, fine," grumbled Catwoman, "Guess you really are just another goody two shoes Kitten."
She pulled something out of a hidden pocket in her suit and I instinctively covered my eyes as she set it off, releasing an incredibly bright light. By the time I could see again, Catwoman was already climbing out the window. With Catwoman gone, Batman turned his gaze on me.
"Whoa, I don't intend to keep these!" I said, taking a step back, "Here, you take em."
I tossed them to Batman. The Caped Crusader narrowed his eyes at me as he caught the jewels.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Cat Noir, at your service," I said, "I'm the new hero in town."
My ring beeped, making me jump.
"And I need to leave," I said, "See ya round Bats!"
I turned to leave, but before I could, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder.
"We're not done yet," said Batman.
"Look Bats, I've got about three minutes before I power down," I said, "And, no offence, but I have no interest in my secret identity being revealed on my second night on the job! If you want to talk, find me tomorrow night. Until then, I'm gone!"
I whipped out my staff and used it to propel me out of Batmans grip and towards the nearest door.
"And keep your trackers to yourself!" I yelled as I tossed said tracker over my shoulder on my way out the door.
The next evening saw me lounging on the roof of a skyscraper like the cat I was. Surprisingly, there wasn't anything going on, although I guess even cities like Gotham can't have bank heists every night. Even bad guys need a night off once in awhile after all. I'd also found an excellent Chinese place run by an elderly gentleman with a frankly hideous shirt and a surprising lack of issues with serving a boy dressed as a cat.
I glanced up as a grappling hook slammed into the stonework next to me and an oversized rodent landed lightly on the roof.
"Hey Bats, fancy some chicken?" I said, holding up the container of chicken chow mein I was eating.
Batman narrowed his eyes at me.
"Eh, more for me."
"Who are you?" asked Batman.
"I told you last night," I said, "I'm Cat Noir."
"Thats not what I meant," said Batman.
I raised an eyebrow and tapped my mask.
"Would I wear a mask if I wanted people to know who I am?" I asked, "Look, I'm not a cat burgler waiting for a big score or a nutjob waiting to happen, I'm just a kid with a magic ring and a desire to help people."
"Magic ring?"
I gave Batman a flat look.
"I'm not about to explain my powers," I said, "All you need to know is, I'm, here to stay, help and this is how you can get in touch with me if you need help."
I pulled out my staff, flicked it open and waved it in the direction of Batmans belt. There was a beep and he pulled out a phone. He raised an eyebrow and shot a look in my direction. I just grinned and waved my hands.
"Magic!" I said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have school in the morning. Chao!"
I jumped off the roof and took off in the direction of home, pausing only to discard the tracker Bats had planted on me.
"Nice try Bats," I said as I tossed it with my dinner wrappers.
And done. Finally. Maybe giving him a second lot of memories is a cop out, but hey, it works fine.
So, what do you think of his first day at school? Frankly, that'll probably just be a background thing for now, although I will use it to help build some relationships.
Speaking of relationships, I wonder if Pam's crush on him will become important later? Corse it will! I wouldn't have done it otherwise. Don't worry though, I have no intention of making her Ladybug. Or do I? Nah, not at all.
Frankly, having Plagg find the Cats Eyes was probably pointless considering they still ended up fighting for them, but whatever. Speaking of, I think that that particular fight is one of the coolest in the show, discounting the ones with Freeze of course.
And with that, I'm done. Don't forget to leave a review on the way out!