N O W A Y O U T: Return of the Phantasm

[The Game]

This is my second story. The first chapter isn't great, but the second one is better. R&R please.

CHAPTER 1:

“It’s all there. Seven hundred thousand. You can check it yourself,” Leone murmured. His employer didn’t look so sure. Frankie Ciprino ran his fingers through the cash, and smelled the green paper just for kicks. Looks like the real deal. Feels like the real deal. Hell, it smells like the real deal. But this wasn’t the first time he’d dealt with Guido Leone, and this certainly wasn’t the first time Leone had tried to put something over on someone. But if he couldn’t tell, there weren’t many people who could.

Ciprino brought one of the bills up to the light and examined it. What the hell…

“All right Leone. Drive to the Diner on third. Big diner, with a fluorescent sign -a good place- try the chili. There should be a car there, a blue ford. In the trunk is everything you asked for. Keep the car.” Ciprino gave in, slowly explaining the situation. Leone seemed like a great weight was released from his shoulders, and sighed before beginning to shake his head rapidly.

“Thanks, thanks so much Mr. Ciprino. I really appreciate it, you don’t know how much I…” Guido trailed off as he shook Ciprino’s hand. In it was the key to the car. The key was transferred during the shake.

“Thanks. Really thanks.”

“This better not come back to bite me in the ass kid!” Ciprino snarled, as Leone made his way to the door.

“It won’t, I swear,” the kid shouted as he exited the door. What in god’s name does a kid like that need with those kinds of weapons? Ciprino thought to himself. A sale is a sale, but something just didn’t seem right about this kid. He strolled over to his desk and sat his obese backside into his leather chair. He pressed the red button under his desk. Within moments two of his men came in through a different door. They were well dressed, in dark back suits, black ties, and their black hair was slicked back with grease. Dark sunglasses hid their eyes.

“Follow Leone. I want to see what this kid’s up too.” Ciprino grunted. The two men nodded, and headed out the door Leone had exited. What could he possibly be up to?

* * * * *

Nightwing glared down, waiting for the guy to come out. It was icy cold in Gotham, the chilly breeze blowing through the air. Nightwing didn’t move though. He just stared in the direction of the factory, waiting for something to happen. Completely still. He’d learned how to do that a long time ago. Three months he’d been following this guy. Collecting powerful arms all over the city. Very strange. He was just collecting them and storing them. But there was something else. And that’s why he needed to be followed. He must be storing up these weapons for some kind of a delivery. The creaky brown door on the north side of the factory swung open with a bang. Leone looked around suspiciously, his beady eyes darting to and fro, making sure no one was watching him. Three months now. Well at least it means I’m doing a good job, Nightwing thought to himself.

Leone walked over to his junky blue Nissan Sentra and opened the passenger door, sliding in.

“An arms deal going down?” came a familiar female voice from behind him.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Nightwing snapped hostilely. Great. This was all I need, he thought to himself. Batgirl walked up next to him and stared down at Leone’s car. Through the tinted window it was still obvious he was waiting for the heat to warm up. Good luck in that car buddy, Nightwing thought again. He kept his thoughts on the situation, trying to ignore Babs. What was she doing here?

“Well bit my head off, why don’t you?” she snapped angrily. “Believe me, hanging out with you isn’t my ideal idea of a Friday night either. I’m doing Bruce a favor,” she continued to explain. He didn’t respond. He was ignoring her. She did likewise, and stared down at the car. It revved up and took off, tires screeching into the night. Nightwing stood up and prepared his “wings”.

“Just stay out of my way,” he snarled, as he leapt off, into the darkness, gliding down to the street bellow. Batgirl readied a batgrapple, and fired it off, flying into the night herself.

* * * * *

“I’m bored,” Robin muttered as he kicked his legs into the air. Batman didn’t move.

“Hopefully I don’t need to remind you that a lack of criminal activity is a good thing,” Batman said darkly.

“Then let’s go home. There’s some good TV on tonight,” Robin remarked. Batman didn’t buy it.

“Not with the Joker on the loose.”

“He’s not going to make his move yet,” Robin insisted. But he certainly wasn’t going to convince Batman otherwise. He stood up and walked across the ledge, looking down at the busy cars going about their business. Robin spat over the edge, and watched carefully to see if he hit anyone. Rats. He turned to Batman.

“Hey, you think if I drop a penny it might kill someone down there?” Robin questioned. Batman didn’t move. “Geez, I’m just joking man. You really should loosen up a little,” Robin murmured more to himself then to anyone. We walked back over to Batman.

“You think Nightwing will be mad that you sent Barb over to check out that guy he’s been watching?”

“I don’t really care if Nightwing is mad,” Batman responded coldly. Robin nodded his head in understanding and looked down at the street again. He’d known Batman for a few years now, but he still didn’t really know him at all. He looked back up and studied Batman’s face, mostly hidden by his dark cowl. What was really scary was that this wasn’t really his alter ego. This was his identity.

* * * * *

Leone looked in his rear-view mirror for the twelfth time. Crap. They were following him. He pressed his foot on the gas just a little harder and cut in front of the car ahead of him. Definitely following him. He sped up, and watched carefully as the two black cars with smoked mirrors did likewise. Crap. He headed up and turned right onto Third Street. He glanced in the rear view mirror, and watched as the two cars did the same thing. Crap.

His forehead glistened with a newly formed sweat, which he nervously mopped with a rag. What did they want? Did Ciprino just want to know what he wanted the guns for…? Or was he sending them to take the guns back. Either way this was bad. Very, very bad. He looked out through the windshield, and pulled into the large parking lot of the diner. His car and the ford were the only ones within a mile. He pulled up right next to it, and opened the door slowly, observing the two cars. They were careful not to pull into the lot after him. One of them stopped into the deli parking lot across the street. The other drove by slowly.

Oh god, what should I do? He walked over to the Ford, and fumbled with the key Ciprino had given him before popping open the trunk. The rifles- the explosives, all there. Everything seemed to be in order. Certainly nothing alarming. He eyed one of the rifles thoughtfully. There was no one around… Maybe he could make sure that these guys didn’t interfere after all…

* * * * *

Nightwing watched as the guy glanced back and forth between the trunk and the cars across the street.

“Oh no. He’s going to try and kill them,” Nightwing murmured to himself. He knew Barbara was thinking the same thing, just by the look on her face. He raised himself out of his sitting position as Leone lifted the AK-47 out of the trunk and opened fire at the first of the cars. It stopped dead in its tracks with a small screech before the driver emptied out of the car, and toting a gun of his own, returned fire. The bullets exploded through the crisp, dead night, tearing across the street. Nightwing moved quickly.

He ripped through the air feet first. The thug looked up seconds to late, because with a loud crack, Nightwing’s kick sent him to the ground, out cold. Nightwing looked over to the second car, where the second thug was out cold also, Batgirl sinking into the shadows. He turned his full attention to Leone, who stood in a state of shock.

“It’s okay. I know you were just defending yourself,” Nightwing lied as he called across the street, sinking into the shadows himself. If I didn’t think he were part of something much bigger, I’d take pleasure in beating him to a pulp. Nightwing disappeared into the shadows and mounted his bike as he watched a confused Leone step into the car. Great. Just great. Could have been worse though, he could have opened fire on you, Nightwing thought to himself. He wished Barb would have stayed away, but in this situation he didn’t mind… He waited for Leone to pull out of the parking lot before quietly following at a distance. Damn.

* * * * *

The Clown Prince of Crime pranced across the floor of the abandoned apartment building with his typical wide ruby red grin stretched across his face. He was in a good mood. The Joker made his way over to his desk and looked over his latest plan. It was perfect. From every aspect. It would work, he knew it would. He’d studied Batman’s mind. He knew the way he thought, how he’d react, and how he went about dealing with situations just like this. There was no conceivable way this could fail.

Except that it did. Last week. Joker grabbed the plans and tore them to shreds with a twisted frown, tossing the pieces all about him. Well at least he was still free. That was always a perk.

“Oh Puddin’!” came Harley Quinn from the other room in her sexiest voice. Joker ignored her with a contorted frown as he looked over his things. “Puddin’, I have a surprise for you!” she continued to call.

“And what would that be, sweetums?” he answered in an unenthusiastic monotone as he looked through his blueprints. Batman, always Batman, he thought to himself. Another caper he’d walked away from was another caper Joker had failed. And to make matters worse, he was short on cash. Not enough to carry out any more lame plans that Batman would foil… He needed something fresh, something original, and something that would make old Batsy think about it… If he survived at all…

“Puddin’, how about you come in here and have an ice cream sundae?” Harley teased with a giggle. Joker answered without shifting his train of thought.

“Not now poo, I’m busy,” he remarked.

“Oh, but Puddin’ I got all gooey for nothing!” Harley called from the other room, with more than a hint of disappointment. Joker ignored her. He needed to get inside Batman’s head. Play some mind games and mess him up, and just when he wasn’t expecting in…

Harley came back into the room wearing a nightie. She looked bummed out, but the Joker didn’t notice. He didn’t look up from his desk. Harley hated it when he was all wrapped up in plotting things. He was no fun. She danced around in front of his desk, and knocked one of his papers off on purpose. He bent over to pick it up, hoping to get a response. She came up with the paper gleefully. No response. She began to hop up and down, jiggling her breasts, hoping to get a response. No reaction. She frowned and looked down at the papers he was looking at. It seemed so uninteresting. But wait… What was that? She picked up one of the papers on the desk and studied it carefully.

“What’s this Mistah Jay?” she asked curiously. Joker looked up angrily and snatched the paper away.

“Give me that!” he snarled. He looked the paper over, and suddenly a strange look came over his face, one Harley had never seen before.

“Did you think I forgot? Yeah, right. I’m back, and you’re first on my list. –PHANTASM”

[The Guitar Slayer]

You say that wasn't great, eh? :) Stop underestimating yourself. This going to be good.

I got a kick out of Robin playing target practice.


He stood up and walked across the ledge, looking down at the busy cars going about their business. Robin spat over the edge, and watched carefully to see if he hit anyone. Rats. He turned to Batman.

“Hey, you think if I drop a penny it might kill someone down there?” Robin questioned.

That was the class inside joke for eighth grade, holy cow. LMAO thinking about it. That and the farmer and his lost tractor. PM me if you want to hear to the full story on either or both. :rolleyes: LOL.

More LOL. thegame8866, I like it when either Robin (Tim or Dick) does something boyish like that just to irk Bats or Barb. 'Specially the one in BACKLASH. Two feet, hey, I'm impressed :D.

Peace and Rock 'n' Roll
The Guitar Slayer :cool:

Heh heh heh heh.....

[Panther]

That whole Harley bit was hilarious! I just picture Quin going out of her way to get "Mista J's" attention and being totally ignored while in her nightie and uhhhh covered in chocolate sauce. The back and forth between Joker and Harley's respective obsessions was a great peice of writing and I can't wait to see more!

later


P.S.

Guitar Slayer - the farmer joke sounds like it would be funny. Ever heard teh one about the king of France and the Spainish mule driver who say: "but your majesty - that's why I married her!" yuk yuk yuk

[The Game]

Chapter 2 is now up! Yay! Thanks for the compliments. I didn't have Tim Drake in the first story, and I plan to maximize his use for immature addolesent humor.

CHAPTER 2:

Nightwing glared across the street into Leone’s apartment. Watching TV. Great. I get to watch someone watching TV, but I can’t even watch TV myself. The slob sat motionless, clicking the channels, the blare of the TV changing with each different station. The rain poured down, washing over Nightwing’s body. It was freezing, but Nightwing didn’t let the heavy down pour effect him. Three months. This guy better give him something…

He looked over at Barbara, and hated her for being here. No, it wasn’t her fault. She made him uncomfortable. But it was Batman’s fault. Bruce. He didn’t think there was anything in this guy, he just sent Babs over here to bother me, Nightwing thought to himself. Nightwing tried to ignore his rage as he concentrated his energy on Leone. Give me something, he thought to himself. Something. Nightwing took out a pair of high-power night-vision binoculars, and zoomed in. The guy was so dead to the world around him it wasn’t funny.

Batgirl looked over at Nightwing. He was so self-centered and dead to the world around him it wasn’t funny. He just sat there staring at the guy in the apartment… Something she should have been doing, but she preferred to stare at Dick and pick apart his faults. Egotistical. That was obvious. That much was clear when you first met him, and nice as he was, he really cared about himself, a lot. Or at least he acted that way. A lot. He was so cold when he wanted to be… What was his problem anyway? He was just oblivious to people’s emotions. He wasn’t bad at heart though. And he was pretty good looking… But she had no desire to be with him.

BAM. Batgirl was launched out of her daydream with a forceful blast as her eyes whirred over to the apartment. Smoke. All she could see was smoke, surrounding a subtle hint of a burning blaze. Her sights darted back to Nightwing who had already sprung out of his stance, flying across the street to the apartment. Batgirl fired her grappling hook without hesitation, and waited for it to sink into the building after a split-second, and then she was gone, flying toward the burning apartment. She fell in, and tumbled, using her small cape to shield her eyes. She coughed gruffly and glanced around. The sharp heat made it unbearable, it scorched her skin fiercely. She looked around for Leone. All she saw was a distraught Nightwing looking right back at her. The two crime-fighters stared at each other for a moment before Dick darted out toward the door, looking for Leone. Batgirl was frozen in her tracks for a moment, but soon bolted after him. What is wrong with me? Barbara asked herself with desperation. Get it together!

Smoke filled the place, and Batgirl could barley see where she was going as she stumbled through the halls. She stuck her hands out in front of her as she squinted through the thick gas…

And she ran into someone. It swung around, and a large automatic assault riffle was pointed directly at her. Batgirl brought a swift kick up and sent the gun flying down the hall, and two more kicks sent the gun’s former wielder flying down the hall. Several shouts echoed through the hall as a result of the thug’s crash to the ground.

“Tom? Look over there!” bullets tore through the smoke and Batgirl spun around, flying back away from the intense gunfire. She quickly ducked into one of the rooms and panted to catch her breath, listening for the approaching enemy. Small beads of sweat formed at her forehead and dripped down on the inside of her mask. She looked into the smoky hallway and squinted her eyes. She could see them. She slowly made her way into the hall and looked around. A hand grasped her on the shoulder and she almost screamed… If it weren’t for the black gloved hand that clapped over her lips. She turned around wide-eyed to see…

Nightwing. He held is finger to his lips as he pulled his hand away, and she nodded in acknowledgment. She followed him down the hallway, ready for anything. As capable as she was… She liked being with Dick. She felt safer, in a way. She didn’t need him but… It was complicated. They continued down the long hallway. They reached the end, and Nightwing quickly opened the metallic door, and it whistled shut as Batgirl darted through as well. He raced up the stairs, and she wasn’t far behind. One flight… Two flights… Three. No stopping. They reached the top, the smoke clearing and the pair bolted out the door.

Right away they saw the perpetrators. Leone was on the floor; face down, with his hands on his head. There were three suited men around him- two with assault rifles, the third a larger, beefy man in a more expensive suit, toting a pistol. The black-gloved hand aimed the 9mm directly and Leone’s skull. This was to be an execution style murder. Well, not today, Batgirl thought as she sent the batarang slicing through the air. It made contact with the larger man’s hand, and sent his pistol sprawling. By the time the first of the hired help turned Nightwing was flying through the air, and landed with his fist making contact with the thug’s face. The thug’s smoked sunglasses shattered as he fell out cold. The second thug opened fire, but Nightwing somersaulted over him, and took his legs out from under him with a leg sweep before the thug was able to turn around. Once on the ground Nightwing came down hard with an elbow to the man’s face, and with a blistering crack he ceased to move.

Frankie Ciprino was dumbfounded, and tried not to move. He looked back and forth between the two kids in awe. The first was a guy, of average build but in superb physical condition. He was dressed sharply in all black except for a quasi-bird shaped “V” on his chest, blue in color. The masked man walked toward him, shaking his mullet back over his shoulder as he did. The second was a girl- an attractive one no doubt. She had incredible silky looking red hair, which fell out from under a black/blue cowl with pointy “ears”. She wasn’t big, but he didn’t dare try her- she was more than athletic. He caught himself staring at her breasts- so did she.

“Looking at something?” Batgirl asked. Nightwing still hated it when other guys checked Barbara out. But he could forbid that when he didn’t want her himself. But he kept quiet for now.

“Admiring your emblem,” Ciprino responded, as coolly as possible. She looked almost as threatening as her counterpart. He glanced in Nightwing’s direction. Almost. Well, it could be worse. It could be the Batman, and not his more-than-adequately trained partners.

“Yeah, right,” Nightwing snapped, dripping with sarcasm. “Tell me Mr. Ciprino, why would you want to hurt Mr. Leone here? Surely that wouldn’t be beneficial to your business? He’s such a great customer,” he continued. Batgirl stared at him in a state of mild shock. She clearly had no idea who he was, and she clearly was flabbergasted how much he knew and she didn’t. Perfect. Just the way he liked it. His eyes quickly panned over to see the look on Ciprino’s face. It was the same look he saw on Barbara’s. Clearly he was just as clueless as Leone. Again, perfect.

“Well, we… I have… Well, I have reason… Reason to believe that Mr.…. That Mr. Leone has been using my… Products for uses that I don’t support,” Ciprino managed to stammer out after multiple pauses.

“So explain to me, Frankie, what uses of illegal weapons are, and are not acceptable?” Nightwing asked with a dangerous tone. Frankie didn’t like to be degraded like this. He was above this.

“I have no reason to sit here and explain this to you and your girlfriend. I have my rights,” Ciprino growled as he turned away. Nightwing was overcome with the intense desire to let Ciprino have it, but he held back. Girlfriend. That bothered him more than it should have. He balled up his fist, but Batgirl, to his shock, beat him to it. With a swift crack Ciprino fell to the ground, clutching his jaw. He was astonished as well, cowering bellow a defiant Batgirl. She had her jaw set, and wasn’t letting Ciprino go anywhere. Nightwing was angry at first, Barb stealing his limelight and all… But she just looked so cute when she was mad. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at her fierce determination. One false chuckle and she might have sent a kick in his direction… So he kept his mouth shut.

“Girlfriend? I’m his girlfriend? First I’d like you to know that I’m more than capable of slapping you around like a baby, so don’t start acting like I’m his sidekick,” she snarled. She glanced at Dick. “We’re both independent crime-fighters who happen to be working on the same case. That’s it.”

Dick was about to jump in and berate him further, but Batgirl continued, “Oh, and by the way, I think you waived any rights you might have had when you blew up an apartment and attempted murder, you know?” she looked up to Nightwing. “You want to add anything to that?” she asked with a hint of ferocity.

“No, I think you said everything there is to be said, fellow independent crime-fighter Batgirl,” Nightwing retorted with a smile. She didn’t return it. Nightwing became serious again as he grabbed Ciprino by the coat and yanked him to his feet.

“So one more time, Frank, let’s get this straight, you don’t approve of the way Mr. Leone has been using the weapons?”

“No, I do not. I was trying to avoid a situation like this actually,” Ciprino explained as he wrestled free of Nightwing’s grasp. “I was afraid he was selling them to international terrorists- a level above me. I seemed strange, but it got be worried. The last thing I need are the FBI breathing down my neck. So I wanted to see what he was doing with the guns. Never found out, so I paid him a visit,”

“And what was he doing with the guns?” Nightwing questioned.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself,” Ciprino growled. Nightwing and Batgirl spun around. Leone had vanished.

* * * * *

Harley Quinn read the note. Then she read it again. And again. And for a fourth time. She was a smart girl, but she wasn’t sure what to make of it. She couldn’t interest the Joker in sex, and he was no longer plotting, so something was wrong. His behavior didn’t show it, he acted like he normally did. But he was different. He laughed like he normally did, but it was a different laugh. It was a fake almost distant laughter, and Harley didn’t like it.

“Sumthin’s upset my puddin’,” she whispered softly to herself. She was worried. She stared at his room. What could possibly be going through his mind…? And who was this Phantasm? I mean, Phantasm? She’d never heard of any Phantasm. Something was up, and Harley was going to get to the bottom of it.

* * * * *

Nightwing was slow to react at first, but sprung into action as soon as he saw Batgirl bolt past him. You’re not getting this one, he thought to himself as he quickly came to a full sprint. His feet padded across the ground as he raced up beside Barbara, and eventually passed her. As quick as she was, he was truly an amazing track star, and she had to hurry to keep up with him. They arrived at the ledge simultaneously, and both glared down the fire escape at the fleeing Leone.

Nightwing leapt off the ledge and grabbed on to the fire escape with both hands, swinging down toward the level above Leone. Leone heard Nightwing slam down, and whipped out a pistol, firing several shots that Nightwing easily dodged. Batgirl, being the amazing gymnast she was came flying in over the steel guardrail, and kicked the gun from Leone’s hand. It skidded across the catwalk with a clanking sound. Leone desperately looked around for somewhere to escape. He backed away from the girl… Right into Nightwing.

“Going somewhere?” Nightwing questioned. Leone gulped loudly… And jumped over the side. He fell four stories into the garbage dumpster, and with a loud smash resulting in propelling trash, he landed. He moaned softly, and stumbled, falling over the side onto the pavement. Nightwing glided down quickly, before retracting he wings. He walked and watched as a desperate Leone stammered down the alley, heading back to a dead end. Halfway there, he collapsed, a bloody mess. Nightwing didn’t give him the opportunity to get back up as he snatched him by the shirt collar and slammed him against a brick wall. The thug winced in pain and gasped.

“Don’t hit him that hard,” came a female voice from behind him.

“Shut up,” Dick snarled. WHY was she here? There was no good reason. Damn you Bruce! Damn you! He pounded Leone against the wall again. Leone stammered and shook.

“Why are you running?” Nightwing growled.

“I… I don’t,” he started. Dick punched him. Hard. The thug slid to the ground, whimpering. And there was Batgirl. He was so mad! He wanted to hit her. He wanted to hit Leone. He wanted to beat them all. Three months of careful work to be destroyed. He looked over at Leone again. BAM. He punched him on the ground. A fresh fountain of warm red blood boiled out of Leone’s mouth.

“Tell me, right now: who are the guns for, and where are they. There are no second chances with this!” Nightwing bellowed at the defenseless man.

“I can’t. I can’t. I’ve seen what he does to other squealers. No… I can’t…” Leone murmured as he prepared for the next blow. Nightwing drew his fist back and prepared to beat Leone’s head in, but Batgirl grabbed his arm to prevent him. Without realizing what he was doing Nightwing spun around and roughly shoved Batgirl down. She landed with a thud and a gasp, looking up at him she looked distraught. Not in pain physically. Just in pain mentally, as she looked up at Dick. He wanted to go down next to her and tell her he was sorry, tell her he didn’t mean it, tell her he loved her and it would never happen again. He wanted to hold her and tell her he was just caught up in the moment. But he didn’t. He scowled at her coldly and turned his attention back to Leone.

But Leone was gone.

“Looking for someone?” came a voice. Nightwing looked in its direction to see Catwoman, with Leone at her feet, bound with her whip. He was bloodied and bruised, barley conscious.

“I would have had him,” Nightwing growled. Great. Just frigging fantastic.

“A likely story,” she purred as she cartwheeled across the catwalk. She unhooked her whip and Leone fell down to the pavement. “But I think you’re lucky I showed up,” She looked over at Batgirl who had since gotten to her feet. She looked strange as she stared at Catwoman.

“We don’t need you here Selina,” Batgirl growled dangerously.

“Aw, is the winged-mouse upset that I’m chatting up with her boy-toy? Don’t worry little girl, I’ve used up my luck with little Nightywing here. When he wants to see what a real woman is like, I’m sure he’ll step up to the plate,” Catwoman grinned. Her black form flipped backwards and disappeared in the obscure darkness as quietly as she had come.

Barbara wanted to cry. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes but she resisted as she looked at Dick. He just seemed mad. And embarrassed. Like he didn’t want to be seen with her in front of Catwoman. She wanted to cry. Nightwing walked over to Leone and just glared down at him, an unforgiving look in his eyes.

“Give me a name,” he snarled. Leone looked through bloodied, beaten eyes, and gave up.

“I don’t have a name. This guy operates under the most secret conditions you could imagine. I have an address where I drop the stuff off though. The next drop is tomorrow night,” Leone explained. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. Nightwing snatched it and inspected it carefully. He turned around, not before sending a violent kick crashing into Leone’s face.

“What do we do now?” a disturbed Batgirl asked quietly.

“I’m going to check out where he’s dropping off these weapons. Quite frankly, I could care less what you do,” Nightwing snapped as he walked off into the darkness. Barbara held it in until he was far out of sight, before losing herself, sobbing uncontrollably.

* * * * *

Tim sat at the table and looked at Barbara. He didn’t get it.

“I just don’t get it,” he explained. Barbara was rather frustrated. She was done with school, but here she was, doing the things she did a decade ago, only this time she got the opportunity to explain it to someone else. It was strange. Tim seemed like a bright kid, but here he was, failing Pre-Algebra, and here she was, tutoring him. Quite possibly the last thing she wanted to be doing.

“You have to combine like terms,” Barbara explained for the sixth time. “Ignore the coefficients…”

“The coe-what?” Tim interrupted. Barbara sighed loudly. He had a dazed and confused look in his eyes.

“Let’s take a break,” she groaned, and got up. She began to walk toward the kitchen, thinking as she went. Tim watched her walk away… In a different way than he ever had before. In a way he liked, a lot. “You want anything from the fridge?” she asked carelessly as she entered the kitchen. Tim was snapped out of his trance.

“Uh, yeah, get me a soda or something,” Tim murmured. Barb really was pretty. And she had a nice body. Much nicer than any of the girls he knew from school. He studied his homework. It was all just a jumble of letters and numbers to him. Why were letters included in math, anyway? It seemed kinda stupid to him. He waited for Barb to come back in with two Cokes, one diet. He continued to watch her as she came toward him… She was so pretty. And really cool too.

Just get your mind off Dick, she told herself as she sat down at the table.

“So, tell me, what’s going on in the world of Tim Drake?” she asked with a smile. She knew it was lame right after she said it, and Tim gave her a look that reassured her it was.

“Yeah… Well things are okay,” he murmured. He took a sip of the Coke.

“Just okay?”

“Well I need a tutor for math. You must think I’m an idiot.” He mumbled.

“I don’t think that at all. I think you’re a smart kid who needs to apply himself,”

“What?”

“You need to try harder,”

“Yeah right,” Tim grinned.

“So…” Barbara continued. “How is everything else at school? I mean, you have friends, right?”

“Sure, I have friends. No really close ones though. I mean, I can’t exactly invite them over. With my luck they’d find the cave or something,” Tim explained with an experienced sigh. Except he wasn’t experienced. Barbara giggled slightly in anticipation of her next question.

“So, do you have a girlfriend?” she chuckled. He got a look over his face, but not the disgusted look she expected. More like a surprised, excited look. But he was trying to contain it.

“Nah. But I don’t think girls have cooties anymore if that’s what you mean. And I’m not afraid to slow dance anymore,” he added, remembering something he told her once.

“So are there any girls you like?” Barb asked excitedly. It was strange how interested she was in Tim’s love life, but she was.

“Maybe. Well yeah, there is this one girl,” Tim admitted.

“What’s she like?” Barbara asked.

“Well she’s really smart. Really pretty too. She’s nice, patient, and cool. She’s fun to hang out with. She’s a good dresser.” Tim continued, going down the list as he thought about Barbara.

“Well she sounds great,”

“She is. The whole package you might say,” Tim thought carefully.

“Does she like you back?” she asked. Tim thought about this.

“No. I don’t think so anyway.”

“Why not?”

“I’m not… Mature enough for her,”

“Well that’s too bad.” Barb thought. She started thinking of Dick. “Just be nice to her, courteous, and don’t do anything kiddish, like shoving her,” Barb explained. “She’ll come around. Eventually. Just give her lots of compliments.” She added. Good advice for attracting a thirteen year-old girl. Barb looked at her watch.

“Whoa! Lost track of the time there Tim. I gotta go meet one of my girlfriends. You okay with the math?” she asked as she got up.

“Yeah, I got it,” Tim lied. “And I like your sweater,”

* * * * *

Bruce Wayne stepped out from behind the threshold to his other world, and as the shiny mahogany grandfather clock slid back into place he sighed quietly. Wayne Manor was dark at this hour. Alfred and Tim were asleep. Barb was gone. It was just Bruce and his thoughts. And he liked that. The Joker. He’d make his move sooner or later. No use worrying about it now.

He made his way over to the stairs and began to march up them slowly. The Joker. He couldn’t get his face out of his mind. He made his way to the top and continued down the long carpeted hallway toward his room. It was dark, and he was cold. But it didn’t bother him. He almost liked that too. It was comforting… In a strange way. He came to his room and opened the door. His jaw dropped. Literally.

Andrea Beaumont was lying on his bed.

[Panther]

What??!!?!? How'd did she.... what's she..... where in the world... why on earth.....?!?!?!

Ok - please explian! (BTW - Great cliffhanger!)

I loved the sceane with Babs tuturing Tim. Cute reference to 'Chemestry' Interesting to see signs of Tim growing up...

Great tension between Nightwing and Batgirl. Why don't they ever admit how much they like each other?!?! grrrrrrr Although - the whole 'just admirinf the emblem' joke was funny.

later,

[witness]

I absolutely love the Phantasm character and I wish that they had used it more often. This story is coming along nicely so far and I can't wait until the next chapter!

[The Game]

Hey everyone. Here's chapter 3.

CHAPTER 3:

Bruce stared at Andrea. The emotions ran rampant through his body and he had absolutely nothing to say. He was speechless in the most literal sense. The room was warm, and the sight before him was overpowering. His bed was still carefully made, the thick quilt over the soft silk sheets- but the woman he had loved like no other was spread out on top. The look on her face was one of relief she was trying to hide and sarcastic excitement she was faking. He was dressed simply in a white satin slip; her long gorgeous legs crossed carelessly, her arms crossed. Her supple scarlet hair was spread out on the pillows behind her, complimenting her ruby, puckering sexy lips.

“You miss me?” she asked carelessly with a grin. Bruce had no clue what to say. Should he be immensity happy to see her? Should he run over and take her in his arms and kiss her? Should he try to be witty? Should he ask her what in god’s name she was doing here over these years? Should he tell her he suspected she had died? What…? What could he possibly say to make this situation as perfect as it deserved to be.

“I can’t say I’m not surprised to see you,” Bruce finally stammered as he looked into her eyes.

“That’s it? I thought you were going to run over here and sweep me off my feet or something,” Andrea exclaimed with a hint of disappointment in her voice. She sat up in her bed and stared into Bruce’s eyes. She was just as perfect as he remembered her, as beautiful with the same sense of sophisticated dry humor. Or was she serious? Her smile told him no.

“I guess I’m just so shocked to see you it hasn’t completely registered yet,” Bruce admitted after a second. He continued to stare at her. And after a moment he murmured, “I think I need to sit down,” and he did. She continued to look at him.

“I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack or anything, Bruce. Just wanted it to be a surprise.” She explained with sarcastic concern. Bruce smiled.

“I’m fine. It’s great to see you.” Bruce exclaimed finally. He got up and headed over to Andrea. She arose and they embraced tightly. He didn’t want to let her go. He allowed the sweet scent of her hair to make its way into his nasal passages and inhaled. The same scent he had fallen in love with when he first met her. Amazing. She was just as she’s been back then. Only now he knew he loved her already.

“I love you Andy. I guess I just couldn’t believe you were finally here. I’m sorry,” Bruce cried with energy, breaking his usual mask of dark secrecy. She hugged him back for all she was worth.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing. I love you too Bruce! I love you too!” he continued to hold her like there was no tomorrow and slowly their lips made gentle contact. He began to massage her supple lips with his own, caressing her body with his hands. It felt good, so good to be with her again. It was like he had dreamed it, to have his arms around her body again, to feel her warmth again, to smell her hair again, to be with her once more. This moment had made it all worth the wait.

“I thought,” Bruce gasped between kisses, “I would never see you again,” he continued. She kissed him passionately again.

“I though the same thing. But…” Andrea backed away, and Bruce stared at her in surprise.

“Andy? What’s the matter?” he asked. She the smile faded from her face, and it had been replaced with a look of discouraged despair. Her features were beautiful all the time, but now they were slightly darker. Not as friendly. Not the face he loved to love. She sat down on the bed.

“I’m here in Gotham for two reasons. One of them is to see you Bruce. To be with you. To see if I still love you the way I once did,” she explained sorrowfully. “The other… The other reason is because…” she couldn’t seem to make herself finish her sentence. Bruce allowed her to explain herself even though he knew what she was going to say. “I love Bruce Wayne. But I am still enemies with Batman. I’ve come to Gotham to finish what I started. I will kill the Joker,” she explained with a deadly serious, defiant tone.

A rush of fear ripped through Bruce’s body. This moment- the perfect moment- was slipping away. No, it was already gone. The warmth and excitement Andrea had just given him, the happiness that she had generated throughout his body had been drained in an instant. She was an enemy. She was his enemy. And he was going to have to stop her. The most difficult moments of his life were coming back to haunt him full force, the greatest nightmare of his existence.

“Andy, no. No. C’mon, you no that isn’t the way,”

“Don’t tell me a tale, Bruce. You know vengeance is the only way. If it’s not, you’ve certainly made a waste of your life,” she muttered as she got up. Bruce was unable to look her in the eye. How could she? How could she put him in this position? “I have to kill him. He was always the last one. He did it you know. That maniacal madman was the one who pulled the trigger. He murdered my father. He murdered my father. When your parents were murdered this was your escape. This “Batman” escapade. That helped you keep your sanity. Working against the cause that brought them to their end. Now I need to do the same… And he was the cause that brought my father to his end.”

“If you kill him, you’d be a murder too,” Bruce said softly. He couldn’t look at her. He couldn’t look at her.

“Yes. I would. And the world would be a better place,” she answered. She walked toward the door, and grabbed her bag near the door. “I’m going to go get changed. Then I’m going to go home. As soon as Joker makes his move, you will be there. And so will I. It’s just a matter of who gets there first.”

“If you kill him, I’ll turn you in,” Bruce responded coldly.

“You’d have to catch me first,” she retorted. Her eyes were empty as she said this, and she headed toward the stairs. “Tell Alfred hello for me. I’ll give you a call when this is all over. Maybe…” She thought as she exited the house, leaving an empty man with his thoughts. The way he liked it.

* * * * *

The black Cadillac pulled up and stopped in front of the bank. The posh, polished door swung open and out stepped three men in black suits, the third a purple one. The Joker smelled the air with a huge inhale and sighed.

“I just love that fresh fall air,” he exclaimed. One his men glanced across the street at the large fish truck. He to put his hand over his mouth to prevent puking.

“Yeah, whatever you say boss,” he mumbled. He casually reached into his jacket and withdrew a pistol, as did his three counterparts as the Clown Prince of Crime led them right through the front door to the bank. It was like Moses parting the red sea as the shocked customers stepped aside in awe at the deathly chalk white grinning Joker. He made his way to the front and peered over the counter.

“Ooh! Candy!” he giggled as he snatched the small wicker basket of hard candy. He put on of them in his mouth and sucked on it, absorbing the sweet flavor. The teller was in fearful shock.

“Those are… For the children…” she stammered, not sure what to say.

“Well I’m really just a child on the inside!” Joker exclaimed. “Well anyway…” he leaned forward and read her nametag.

“…Sue, I was hoping you could help me out. Being the criminal mastermind I am, I was wondering if you could help me out with something. I’m a little short on the green you see, and as a great man once said… What? No, I know I’m a great man, but it wasn’t me… Money makes the world go round. Therefore, I was hoping to take out a loan. What do you say?”

She was dumbfounded. Joker grabbed a machine gun from one of his boys.

“Or perhaps you’ll need persuasion? Which way to the vault!?”

* * * * *

“Alfred?”

“I saw the signal, Master Bruce. All is ready,”

He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t get Andrea out of his mind. She was tattooed there, he could think of other things, but she never left his thoughts. She was there. No matter how hard he was concentrating on something else, in the back of his mind all he was really thinking about was Andrea and her mission. He wanted to love her. But first he had to stop her.

The cowl slipped over his head and he was Bruce Wayne no longer. He was Batman.

He stepped out of the darkness through the door into the main cave. Robin was standing there, arms crossed, waiting. Without a word Batman walked by, and headed over to the Batmobile. Robin followed, also wordlessly. They hopped into their respective seats, and the hood hissed shut with a slam. Robin stared at Batman. He seemed… Distant. Well, let’s say more distant than usual.

“You okay?” he asked. The Batmobile surged forward with a powerful blast of the engine and tore down the road wildly, whistling down the dark tunnel. Robin couldn’t see more than two feet in front of the car, and he knew Batman couldn’t, but it was all down to a timing system. The end of the tunnel neared and Robin cringed slightly, as he always did, right before it virtually disappeared, and the Batmobile roared into the starry night.

Batman stared at the road ahead of him. It was still hard to believe really. He’d put it behind him and moved on… It had been for the best in terms of “the plan” of course, but… It was still pretty unbelievable. She was back. She wasn’t dead. She was back. The love of his life was… She was back. And so was one of the most trying moments of his… “Career”. But he had to stop her… Although all he wanted to do was hug her…

“Where are you going Batman?” a concerned Robin asked. Batman looked around.

“What?”

“The First National Bank is the other way!” Robin exclaimed. Batman wordlessly spun the car with a sharp screech and the sleek, shiny, black vehicle sped off toward the bank. “What’s wrong with you?” Robin asked.

“My mind was on something else,” Batman explained coldly. Robin didn’t know how to respond to this. They were out into the depths of the twilight last night, waiting around for Joker, and now the Joker was making his move. And his mind was on something else? What was that all about? He didn’t have much time to think about it as the Batmobile stopped short in front of a black Cadillac. The Joker emerged from the bank, a machine gun in his hands. He looked at the Batmobile and his insane grin grew wider.

“Ah, Batsy, punctual just as usual!”

* * * * *

Nightwing slithered through the shadows and emerged above the warehouse, peering down through a skylight. It was dark, and rather mysterious. There were several South American looking, very gruff men armed with automatic weapons. Great… He looked around for someone who might be in charge. No one. Just four armed men, waiting for the delivery of the weapons. Well they were in for a big disappointment. He had surveyed the area for a while… The main door had security cameras and would only open for Leone’s car… Nightwing slinked along the roof side and darted off, gliding to the cement below. He made is way across the dark empty street and stepped into Leone’s car. Well, here goes nothing, he said to himself. He turned the ignition, and the car pulled forward slowly, curving around the block. He pulled up to the large garage door. He waited for a few moments… The large metallic door rose slowly, clanging on its way up. He drove forward into a small frustum of light. The four-armed men closed in, looking to get their hands on the guns.

“Senor Leone,” came one of their voices.

Nightwing sent the front door flying open, and it smashed into the lower section of the approaching thug. He gasped, and Nightwing cracked him in the jaw before he could react. The thug nearest him lifted his gun, but not nearly in time as Nightwing shot a leg out, smashing into his face, sending him back. The remaining two opened fire, a hail of ammunition firing out from the other side of the car, the windows exploding into millions of fragments. Nightwing crouched and used all his energy and spring to summersault over the car. He grabbed each of the thugs by the coat collar and yanked them to the pavement, their skulls smacking hard, knocking them cold. Nightwing headed back over to the one who had spoken, looking for answers.

“Saving up some supplies?” Nightwing asked with a menacing glare.

“Perhaps, senor. I’m afraid, however, that you will not live to tell anyone about it,” the leader snarled. Lights blazed with powerful clanks of electricity powering on, the entire facility cascaded with light. There were at least ten heavily armed troops with their sights set on Nightwing, all ready to fire.

“You might want to make sure Senor Leone doesn’t pay us a call before you visit us next. His one phone call from jail means we will surely help him out when the situation arises, and that we will kill you, I promise you that,” growled the South-American from the ground. He slowly pulled himself to his feet with a stagger. He snarled at Nightwing before spitting blood in his direction.

“I’ll be sure to do that,” Nightwing rumbled as he looked around. Most of them sported high tech sniper rifles, and he could sense the laser targeting beams on the back of his head. He balled up his fists, and got ready to make his move.

* * * * *

Selina Kyle looked at the TV, but she wasn’t watching it. Batman. He was as mysterious as ever. And as sexy as ever. She reached down and removed her high-heeled pumps, tossing them carelessly aside. It had been a very long day at work, and she was very tired. And she wanted to go to bed. Maybe not alone though… She inspected her fingernails. She wanted to be with him… What made it so strange was that he didn’t show any interest in her. But he did. She knew he did. He was just too into his “job”. Didn’t want to show it. Ah, men, she sighed. So foolish. Women really at potential to rule the world if they were smart enough to take advantage of it. He was one of the only ones she’d tried to crack and hadn’t… He’d break though. No man could resist Selina Kyle forever.

She got up slowly and walked toward the kitchen. Just seeing those kids made her think of him… She really did miss him. She wanted to feel his dark presence. It made her feel sexy and secure at the same time. That’s right, there was nothing in the world like flirting with Batman, and she did it better than any other woman in the world. She opened her refrigerator, and pulled out a carton of milk, pouring the white liquid into a dish for Isis. Batman… If only she could see the man behind the mask…

She walked into her bedroom and looked at her black costume, tossed carelessly across her bed. Perhaps tonight was a good night to go out…

* * * * *

The cascade of gunfire caused Batman and Robin to duck behind the Batmobile. Batman’s eyes narrowed as he whipped out a Batarang, and sent it slicing through the air, knocking the gun from Joker’s grasp with a powerful slam. Joker frowned as he looked at his broken weapon on the ground.

“Ah, well. Toodleoo, Bats!” Joker screamed as he ducked into the car. His men followed and they screeched out, away from the bank. Batman didn’t hesitate. He fired his grappling hook at the ledge above the bank, and flew off after it shortly after the clank. The Dark Knight’s cape fluttered in the wind as he leapt onto the ledge. Batman sprinted after the car, using his elevated situation to position himself. The car seemed confused the Batmobile wasn’t following it…

Batman flew down, on top of the car with a loud bang. The eyes of the thugs in the car darted upward, wide and white-eyed, as they noticed Batman’s cape flap down over the windshield.

“Blast him!” Joker screamed, but before his men complied, Batman’s fist came crashing through the driver’s window, smashing to the driver’s temple. He was out cold. A sharp screech came right before the car plowed into the wall to the Federal Building with an explosion of radiance and inferno. After a long pause, one of the rear passenger doors swung open, and a deadly cackle could be heard from inside. The Joker emerged, his usual sick demented grin was itself, only a few yellow teeth were missing. He staggered; his eggplant suit was torn, revealing his yellow shirt as he stumbled into the dark alley, giggling as he went…

“Going somewhere?” Batman asked coldly, as he stood in front of the blazing car. Joker spun with a grin on his face.

“Oh, no, just going for a stroll,” he chuckled as he turned, running down the alley. Batman knew he didn’t need to follow. A sharp crack was followed by Joker flying backwards onto his back, more blood dripping from his face. Robin emerged from the shadows.

“Sorry I’m, late,” he s******ed. He had his hands on his hips as he placed his boot on Joker’s chest, the traditional; hero defeats villain pose. Joker growled as he grabbed Robin’s leg and flipped him over onto the pavement.

“Hey!” he snarled in pain. Joker began to get up and run into the dark alley. He ran until he heard the words that made his blood run cold momentarily reverberate through the alley…

“Joker! Your angel of death awaits…”

[Coran]

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I got busy with my own story. Anyhow... this is a very cool story. I am quite interesting in how things will end between Bruce and Andrea this time. Will he stop Phantasm, or will she get away again? Keep up the good work!

[The Guitar Slayer]

Holy Love Triangle, Batman!

This is going to be interesting.


A sharp crack was followed by Joker
flying backwards onto his back, more blood dripping from his face. Robin emerged
from the shadows.

“Sorry I’m, late,” he s******ed. He had his hands on his hips as he placed his
boot on Joker’s chest, the traditional; hero defeats villain pose. Joker growled as
he grabbed Robin’s leg and flipped him over onto the pavement.

Once again, Robin is denied his glory :rolleyes:

This is great, man. Keep going. I already want sequels...as long as you don't kill off too many people...or not enough people...:D

Peace and Rock 'n' Roll
The Guitar Slayer :cool:

[Daughterof_Evil]

Awesome story, man. I just got around to reading it and I'm thinking it's great. Good idea to introduce Tim for maximum preadolescent annoyance factor. I never would have thought he'd have a crush on Barbara...that's so cute! And Harley is just an absolutely riot.

Anyway, great descriptions and style. Exciting fight scenes, engaging storyline...all-around excellent! I'll be watching this from now on.

[witness]

well, it seems that your shameless plug worked! :p i must say, this is getting exciting! with the way you've set up this story so far, i cannot wait to see the eventual conflicts to come! it certainly looks like the phantasm will be making many more enemies to come in this story. i can see the fights between her and harley, her and catwoman, her and joker, her and batman......hmmm, i think i begin to see your title. well, i can't wait to read more!

[The Game]

Hehe, all I have to do to get responses is to threaten people on other peoples stories. ;) Thanks for the kind words everyone! Chapter 4 is going up tommorow! :)

[The Game]

Chapter 4 now up. Yay! R&R plez :)

CHAPTER 4:

Nightwing backed up slowly. Okay, Dick… He thought to himself. They were everywhere… His mind raced as he thought of possibilities. There weren’t many. The sniper rifles’ laser targeting systems danced about him, ready to fire and rip his body to shreds. Suddenly he heard the sound of a fist connecting with a face, and he spun to face it. One of the snipers fell off the catwalk, landing with a sickening thud, Batgirl standing where we was, a wide smile across her face. Perfect. The last thing he needed as Barbara rescuing him… But he wasn’t going to waste an opportunity like this.

Nightwing somersaulted backwards, flipping and twisting through the air, dodging the gunfire that ensued. He made his way across the room, and flipped up, grasping the catwalk before flipping himself up, remembering the acrobatic skills of his childhood. BAM. BAM. BAM. Bullets whizzed by his head as he ducked and dodged them. BAM. BAM. He sprinted up to the nearest sniper and with a swift kick he sent the goon’s gun flying across the warehouse. BAM. BAM. This time is was Nightwing’s fists making contact with the goon’s face. He glanced across the warehouse. Batgirl had knocked three of the snipers senseless. He ran across the catwalk, another sniper firing at him. He moved like he was going up top, but ducked low, sinking his foot into the thug’s gut. He went limp, a second kick to his skull sending him out cold. He looked around. All of the snipers had been taken care of, Batgirl standing opposite him. They stared at each other, both catching their breath. Nightwing moved first when he leapt down to the pavement.

The South American from the ground looked up at Nightwing in certain fear.

“Perhaps we can work something out, eh amigo?” he pleaded, a desperate look in his brown eyes.

“Yeah, maybe,” Nightwing growled. He reached down and grabbed the South American by the collar, yanking him to his feet. He shook him violently and stared into his eyes. “Who are you and who do you work for?” he snapped in his most no-nonsense tone. The man was crippled with fear, his lip quivering uncontrollably.

“My name is Juan Carlos Velasquez,” he began, choking on the words, desperate to get them out, but trying not to at the same time. Nightwing heard Batgirl tiptoe up behind them. “I’m usually just a contraband smuggler, but… I received a call from a man about three months ago. He said he selected me, specifically to do him a favor, and that I was honored to be selected or something. He wanted me to employ low-pay errand boys to pick up as many guns as possible throughout Gotham, and that when he gave me the word, he would tell me when and how to use them. It’s all part of something much bigger though, Senor,” Velasquez continued. “He’s got people in every city in the world working on this. He kept talking about his plans for purification… I don’t know,” he mumbled. Nightwing shoved him down to the pavement.

“Purification?” Batgirl’s voice came from behind him. She had made the same connection he had. Nightwing didn’t answer her as he stormed away.

“A thank you would be nice,” she screamed after him. He didn’t look back.

* * * * *

Batman gasped loudly as he heard the cold, dark voice. It was even scarier knowing whom it was coming from as he stared into the dark alley. The Joker’s eyes went wide but so did his grin as he began to cackle hilariously, his wide red lips flapping as he stared death in the eye. Literally. Thick wisps of gray smoke emerged from the blackness slowly forming in the cold air. The smoke dissipated and all that they could see at first was the sharp, cold steel of the blade that was thrust forward in Joker’s direction, ready to kill. Slowly the shadows vanished and standing where the smoke had been was the powerful figure of the Phantasm.

“Now that’s an impressive entrance,” Robin murmured softly. He stared at the dark, unforgiving grooved mask as it stared coldly directly ahead. The blade was drawn upward quickly and it glinted under the light of a streetlamp, as it prepared to come slicing down on its victim, who could only see the humor in the situation.

“Andrea! No!” Batman bellowed, as he watched the blade come down.

“Andrea?” Robin thought to himself quietly. Who was Andrea? He watched silently as Batman lurched forward, flying at this mysterious figure, ready to stop it. He had a strangely desperate look in his eyes as he swooped in, his arms ready to stop the blade. It stopped on its own.

“Stay away Batman! This is not your fight!” came the crisp, monotone of the Phantasm. As he approached the blade ripped upward at his throat. Batman barely stopped himself before it slit his throat. Batman could only back up as the blade slashed viscously through the air, ready to kill. Batman ducked, and prepared to hit the Phantasm with an uppercut… But he couldn’t do it. Instead the blunt butt of the holder came crashing down onto the back of his skull, followed by the Phantasm raising its knee into his chin. Batman bit his tongue, and felt the warm squirt of fresh blood squirt throughout his mouth. He gasped. Robin watched in horror. What was wrong with Batman? Why didn’t he hit this guy when he had the chance?

“Hey, ghost boy!” Robin yelled. The Phantasm momentarily diverted its attention from Batman to his partner. “Catch this!” he yelled, as he hurled the trash can through the air. The Phantasm seemed disappeared into thin air, a thick gas taking its form. The can of tin rumbled through the gas, crashing on the other side, and as if in a dream the figure was there once again, as solid as ever. Robin did a double take as he stared in awe at the Phantasm. “What the...”

The Phantasm came flying forward, and its foot made contact with Robin’s face, sending him flying back into a brick wall. Robin was out cold. Batman got to his feet and faced the Phantasm defiantly. The Phantasm’s eyes glanced behind the Dark Knight. The Joker was gone.

“Until another day, Batman,” it stated coldly. And just as it had come, in a mist of smoke, it was gone.

* * * * *

Dick Grayson was finally able to relax. He let out a sigh as the warm water dribbled its way down his tense body, cleansing him. It felt so good. It washed through his hair and down his body as he massaged himself with the soapy lather. Another long night. At least he got to the bottom of it… He knew Leone was just part of something bigger… But what he was part of was very big. Almost too big for me, Dick thought. Almost. But this was his case, and Bruce knew that. Barb knew it too. He was going to handle it by himself on his own. It was his duty.

He turned the water off and stood in the stall for a minute anyway, soaking in his thoughts. He then stepped out, and rubbed a towel all over his body. Barbara. He felt really bad about the way he’d been so cold to her lately… But he needed to send her a message. It was his job to work on cases and it wasn’t her job to baby-sit him. Or to follow Bruce’s orders, that son of a… The truth was, he’d never change. It was who he was. It was strange that Dick was only getting this now, after knowing him for so long. He was the same as he was then, only now he was colder, darker. He turned away all affection and emotion. He just couldn’t understand how he could be like that. So cold and dark… He was so self-righteous and unwilling to listen. It was his way or the highway, as they said. He couldn’t accept your idea as being decent. And even if it was up to his standards, he’d give you a long list of how he’d improve it. Thanks Bruce. Thanks a lot.

Dick rolled on the deodorant and combed his hair quickly before dressing. He looked himself in the mirror. He looked okay. He exited the bathroom and made his way over to his bedroom. He opened the door slowly and turned the light on. He was startled as two figures in black emerged from the shadows. They were, dark, only their glistening white eyes shown. They looked dangerous as Dick prepared to fight them.

“Come now, Mr. Grayson. There is no need to fight over this,” one of them hissed. Dick looked at them carefully. His suspicions were confirmed. “We are members of the Society of Shadows. We are more than equipped to disable or even terminate you. You will come with us, or we will take you with us,” he continued. Dick started to laugh.

“Is that so?” he asked mockingly. The Society of Shadows member grunted.

“I suspected you would react like this…” he murmured. “Very well. We will do things the hard way,” The two fanned out; crouching low, ready to attack. Dick grabbed his nightstand and sent it flying at the first before hitting a flying wheel kick on the second. He gasped and grabbed his jaw, falling back. The first was quick though, coming at Dick, his arms flashing at a lighting pace. Dick countered the first shot and came forward, trying to hit the man in the gut, but his knee was shoved down and Dick felt himself flipped over. He landed on his carpet with a thud, moving just before the Society member’s foot came crashing down, barley missing his head. Dick hit a leg sweep, sending the first member to the floor, but the second had revived himself and he came flying into the picture, his knee smashing Dick in the face. Dick crashed into his wall and gasped in pain as the second Society member came forward. Dick kicked him with the best shot he had-right in the groin. The first man came at him again, but Dick was up and ready this time. Dick took a shot at the Society member’s face, but he caught it, and with a simple twist Dick’s forearms snapped in two places.

Dick screamed in pain as the two members closed in, and things went black.

* * * * *

“What’s on your mind?” Tim asked with affection. Barbara smiled at him. It’s sweet of you to ask, she wanted to say. Then she wanted to vent about Dick. But she didn’t.

“Nothing,” she replied simply. Tim didn’t believe her.

“I don’t believe you,” Tim replied, smiling back. “C’mon, what’s on your mind?” he asked.

“Oh, you know, same old, same old. I’m just… You know, really stressed out. About a lot of stuff. I’m just so mad at Dick. He’s so… I just can’t stand him sometimes,” she explained angrily. “He can just be so cold. It makes me want to cry,” Tim nodded his head in understanding.

“If he ever hurts you, I’ll kick his ass!” Tim exclaimed. Barbara burst out laughing at this, and Tim turned scarlet. She felt bad about laughing, but it was one of the funniest things she’d heard in a long time. Tim was really a great kid, and she could tell her really liked her. In a strange way, it made her feel good about herself.

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think it will have to come to that,” she giggled. Tim just stared at the ground in quiet embarrassment.

“Well I certainly hope not,” he muttered. She kept smiling at him.

“But if I ever think someone needs to teach him a lesson, I’ll call you first,” she comforted.

“So what’s the problem with you two? He doesn’t like you back?” he asked. Because I know someone who does, he wanted to add. But he didn’t. Barbara got a strange look on her face after he asked this.

“I don’t like him. Well, only as a friend anyway. Where would you get an idea like that? I don’t like him!” she snarled. Tim started laughing at this. Maybe he wasn’t such a sweet kid after all.

“Okay. SURE you don’t like him. Your just FRIENDS!” Tim said sarcastically.

“Shut up!” she grinned as she playfully punched him in the arm. It really hurt Tim, but he didn’t say anything. It was just great to be spending time with Barbara. He looked into her eyes… It was just great to be here with her. God, Dick was an idiot. How could he reject a girl who was so great in almost everyway. He wanted to kiss her. But he didn’t. It was just great to be here with her.

* * * * *

Andrea Beaumont looked out her window and observed the crisp purple Gotham skyline. The vast, gothic buildings jutted out across the light, high into the darkness. She sighed. Just being here made her think of Bruce. And her father. And the Joker. This was where they all became famous… Certainly a city with a mixed bag. She looked into her room at her suitcase on the floor. It was so strange to be back after all this time. She wanted to see Bruce. She could contain herself before, but now that she was in the city, so close to him… Being with him the other night was so wonderful, and it was so hard to resist. There is one man for every girl out there, one man out there to love them, laugh with them, cherish them, and be with them forever, and for her Bruce was that man. She was crazy about him. But she knew him too well.

There was no way he’d knowingly let her exact her revenge. And that’s what she needed. Vengeance was the answer for her. The answer for her father. The Joker needed to pay. She’d gotten the others, and he was next. The thing foremost on Bruce’s mind at all times was his “plan”. What about her plan? His whole life was vengeance. She was just exacting it in a different way.

Andrea began to walk back to her bed when a chill came over the room. She could hear the curtains rustling and hear the whistle of the wind… But most of all she could feel his presence.

“Not much for knocking, are you?” she asked quietly. He didn’t answer. She turned to him. As warm and attracted as she was toward Bruce… This wasn’t Bruce. It was a dark, daring, dangerous reincarnation of Bruce. It was Batman. “What are you doing here?” she asked after a pause.

“Yesterday. I wanted to talk to you about yesterday,” he growled.

“What?” she asked, confused. Yesterday? What had happened yesterday?

“When you attacked the Joker. When you injured my partner and almost killed me. You know, yesterday,” he snarled, his voice dripping with dark sarcasm. She just stared at him blankly.

“What in god’s name are you talking about? I just stayed in the hotel yesterday. Visited a few friends yesterday night, but that’s it. I have no clue what you’re talking about,” she murmured as she picked up her bag of toiletries. She headed to the bathroom.

“What am I talking about? I saw you there. You came in with the smoke and the blade and the ‘angel of death’ jargon. I saw you with my own two eyes. Nothing you say can convince me otherwise,” he growled. She looked at him again.

“Bruce, I’m telling you, I was no where near the Joker last night. I just visited some girlfriends from my college days, I swear,” she turned back toward the bathroom. “Anyway, it’s not my problem if you don’t believe me. I told you I’m here to kill him, if it was me, I’d have no reason to pretend it wasn’t,” she mumbled. Batman stood in thought as she put her make-up on. Strange. It had to be her… But what if it wasn’t. He turned to the window.

“Bruce?” came the voice of the woman he loved. He turned back to face her.

“Yes?”

“I still love you, you know. I’m not going to let this whole thing come between us. In the end it will work out. I promise.” She whispered softly. He smiled, and made his way across the room, bent down, and kissed her passionately, like he hadn’t kissed her before. Their lips unlocked and their eyes met. Behind the mask she could see his eyes though. The eyes of the man she loved.

Catwoman watched from afar through the window. So there’s another cat after the bat’s affection. That would pose as no problem…

* * * * *

Tim continued to chuckle at Barbara as they joked around. He loved her smile. But it faded quickly.

“What is it?” he asked. She quickly gestured to the window behind him, where the yellow blaze of the batsignal ignited the sky. He studied it carefully.

“Where’s Bruce?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s just you and me,” she smiled as she got up. Perfect! He thought to himself. A great opportunity to impress Barb with my incredible crime-fighting skills! He got up and rushed after Barbara toward the cave.

[witness]

I cannot stress enough how much I love the character of Phantasm!!! Very nice chapter here. All of your characterization (big word!) is right on once again! I loved reading that Catwoman was spying on Batman and Andrea. I enjoyed reading Tim and Barbara's scene. Interesting how you're saying that Andrea didn't try to attack the Joker that time. And purification? That can really mean only one thing. Hoo boy! This story's gonna rock! Even though you recently posted this, I can't wait to read the next chapter!

[Panther]

I agree with Witnes - excellant characterization. I'm really intrigued by the fact Andrea claims she was out playing Grim Reaper. I want to belive her, despite the great line from Indianna Jones : Don't trust anybody!

And Tim has a crush on Babs! How sweet! How cute! And (poor kid) how impossible!

later,

[The Game]

Chapter 5 is now up! Sorry, it took me awhile to get around to it. Thanks everyone for their kind words- R&R please.

CHAPTER 5:

Dick slowly opened his eyes. Everything was rocking- he couldn’t concentrate. It was all just a blur, and it was slowly clicking into focus. He was laying a small makeshift bed, a very uncomfortable one as he came to. He frantically looked around the room… He was in a jail cell of some sort. No, more like a very large iron cage. He moved to a sitting position and rubbed his face and eyes, trying to get himself awake.

“Ah, glad to see you’ve come to your senses, Mr. Grayson,” came familiar voice.

“What are you doing Ra’s?” Dick asked in monotone, without even looking up. Ra’s Al Ghul smiled at this. Clearly the boy had figured him out ahead of time. Good. He was certainly no Detective, but he was a bright kid. And the perfect bait.

“Nothing much,” Ra’s explained.

“Then why am I here?” Dick growled as he made eye contact with the Demon’s Head. Ra’s looked back at him with a sarcastic passion in his dark eyes. Dick wanted to punch him.

“You, my dear Mr. Grayson, are simply a diversion. Not only are you now out of the way, but also it is simply a matter of time before your dear Barbara comes looking for you. Then she will join you in your…” Ra’s looked over the cage. “Quarters. Then it will be only me and the Detective in the ultimate battle, the way it was supposed to be,” Ra’s glowered before turning back to Dick. “Plus you were just a little to close to my master plan. I didn’t want you ruining what I’ve worked so hard for. My plans for the purification of the planet are becoming greater and greater, and I’m on the verge of something spectacular,” he came to his finale. Dick wasn’t impressed.

“You’re as crazy as ever, Ra’s,” Dick murmured softly. A crack went through the room as Ra’s backhanded Dick through the iron bars of the cage.

“And you’re as much of a disrespectful brat as ever, young Mr. Grayson,” he snarled. Dick glowered at him, angrily, but there was nothing he could to. Just wait… And hope Barbara didn’t come after him… He kept his concentration as Ra’s, who seemed proud to have captured him so easily. Dick clutched his broken arm to see that a cast had already been put over it.

“As you can see, we’ve taken care of your injuries,” Ra’s hissed.

“I’m grateful,” Dick spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He looked around the room. It was bare, just Ra’s standing in his flowing green robes, looking as demonic as ever. “So what exactly are you doing in Gotham, you know, with all those weapons?” Dick questioned. You never know how stupid a criminal might really be… But not Ra’s. Well it was worth a shot.

“You think I’m going to reveal it to you? Why I’m sorry, my dear boy, but you’ll have to see it yourself- on the news. You will witness the destruction of the city you seem to fight so valiantly for in front of your very eyes as its covered by the reporters- right before I have Ube torture and kill you. Barbara first though- I want you to watch her die, Mr. Grayson. I want to see the pain on your face as she suffers,”

Dick was overcome with rage and it took him a few seconds to control himself.

“What makes you so sure she’ll come?” Dick snarled. Ra’s smiled at him.

“Oh she’ll come. She’ll come. She cares a great deal for you,” Ra’s said as he looked Dick up and down. “Although I certainly don’t see why. You seem to think you’ve been spying on my operation for months. Quite the contrary, it has been I who have been spying on you. Not through whatever bumbling fool you have been observing, of course. The Society of Shadows has been watching you Mr. Grayson. And her, and I am positive she would die for you,” Ra’s growled. “And she will,”

Just then the door to the room burst open, and a smiling Talia made her way in, walking toward her father. But her smile faded immediately as soon as she saw Dick. She looked back and forth between him and her father carefully, in considerable bewilderment. Her mouth opened as if she were going to speak, but she didn’t. Finally, she choked the words out.

“Father… Why is…”

“Never mind!” Ra’s ordered harshly at her daughter. “Get out,” he continued. She looked at them both once more before slipping back out the door. Ra’s followed her.

“She’s a lot hotter than I remember, Ra’s,” Dick called after him. Ra’s stopped dead in his tracks. “I guess I can understand what Bruce was talking about- she probably would be good in bed,” he exclaimed. Ra’s blood began to boil as he spun on his heels. My daughter and the Detective? Impossible! Never! Why even the very thought of… Ra’s suddenly smiled, before breaking into a devilish, but nervous laughter.

“You think you can play mind games with me, Mr. Grayson? I’m sorry, I simply don’t think so!” Ra’s bellowed as he stormed out of the room. He slammed the door behind him, and the room went dark.

* * * * *

Andrea Beaumont turned the TV off and laid back in her bed, closing her eyes. It was late and she was tired. And in a strange way she felt bad about how she had left things with Bruce. It was like she had apologized or… Made a promise not to… He understood though. He had to, the way his parents… Well… He didn’t agree with her, but she thought he could understand. If anyone could, it was him. It had to be him.

She opened her eyes and she momentarily noticed the shadows from her window dancing across the room.

“Bruce? Is that you?” she asked anxiously.

“No,” came a sultry female voice. “Not ‘Bruce’ or even ‘Batman’ just someone,” Andrea looked over and a black-clad figure cartwheeled over toward her, the window open, the curtains blowing in the breeze. She sported a whip and Andrea eyed her curiously. Who was she, and what in god’s name was she doing in my hotel room? Andrea decided not to ask.

“So you’re seeing two men now, huh? Bruce and Batman?” the woman asked. Andrea was about to blurt out that she was an idiot- they were the same person, but she stopped herself.

“Yeah, I guess I am,” Andrea murmured. How did she… She must have been watching, Andrea told herself.

“You know what my mother used to tell me?” the woman asked. Andrea didn’t humor her. “She used to tell me about the hussies who lived in the apartment next to ours, and how they saw two men at the same time. Hopefully you’re not like that?” she purred. Andrea just stared at her.

“I’m nothing like that- what are you talking about?” Andrea blurted. Who was she, and what right did she have to be in here. Andrea began to walk toward the bathroom, but the sharp crack of Catwoman’s whip wrapping around her body kept her from doing so. She felt herself being yanked backwards, and forcefully seated in a chair. She could have gotten free easily, but decided to play the part of the damsel in distress and see what this woman wanted.

“I’m Catwoman, by the way. So, you and Batman have a history together?” she questioned curiously. Andrea stared at her.

“History. You could put it that way,” Andrea murmured.

“Well Batman and I have quite a history ourselves,” Catwoman announced. She looked around the hotel room thoughtfully. A history, huh? Andrea thought to herself. “How close have you gotten to him?” Catwoman asked. She’s clearly jealous, and not happy about seeing Batman in here kissing me, Andrea decided. It certainly didn’t take the world’s greatest sleuth to figure that out.

“Well he proposed to me once,” Andrea said confidently. Catwoman’s eyes went wide, and she was clearly irritated by this.

“I don’t believe you. He would never propose to someone. He’s not like that,” Catwoman growled. Apparently Andrea had ruined the “closest Catwoman had gotten to Batman” story. Oh well, Andrea chuckled to herself.

“I’m not asking you to believe me, I’m just answering your question. I think I know him just a little better than you. You’re just not his type,” Andrea retorted. Catwoman hissed in rage and drew back her claws, ready to tear Andrea’s head off. As her hand came down… Andrea caught it. Catwoman was shocked as Andrea defended herself with ease. Moments later Andrea’s leg came shooting up, making contact with Catwoman’s chin. She’d had enough of this. Catwoman lay on the ground, at first surprised, but it faded to a smile.

“Ah, another woman who can fight. A challenge perhaps. But I like challenges,” Catwoman snarled as she bolted to her feet. She went like she was going to slash at Andrea’s face, but quickly ducked and sucker punched her in the gut. Andrea gasped in pain, and a high axe kick to the back of her neck sent her crashing to the ground. Catwoman smiled.

“Just when I get myself up for a fight…” BAM. Catwoman felt her legs taken out from under her right before she was sent smashing to the ground. Instantaneously Andrea was on top of Catwoman, pinning her arms to the ground. Andrea overpowered Catwoman and forced her onto her belly before she bound Catwoman’s wrists with a shoelace string.

“So I wasn’t a challenge? Glad to know, seeing as you lost,” Andrea mocked as she got up. She began to walk to the bathroom to get stronger restraints…

BAM. She fell to the floor, unconscious. The lamp fragments were shattered over her hair, Catwoman standing over her, picking the shredded shoelace strings from her wrists. She retracted her claws right afterward, smiling at Andrea.

“Nice try sweetie. Batman is mine for the taking,”

* * * * *

The Batmobile blared into the night, its occupants ready for anything. Batgirl was at the wheel, driving quickly down the street.

“Call Batman again. See if he responds,” Batgirl instructed. Robin set his jaw.

“We don’t need him,” he murmured.

“Just do it!” she screamed.

“Fine,” he grumbled. He was, however, actually thinking about how much he liked it when she bossed him around. In a weird way… Nice job Tim, he thought to himself, you’ve gotten her mad at you. He snatched the handset radio and set it to Batman’s personal radio.

“Batman. Batman, come in, Batman,” he moaned into the radio. There was no response, just as he suspected. He placed the radio down and looked out the windshield. He wondered what they were responding too. Hopefully there were some lame villains he could kick around. That would make him look good… He would really impress Batgirl, he knew it…

They pulled into the alley, and the roof slid open. The two young crime-fighters jumped out, and headed toward the warehouse. Batgirl went up the ladder, Robin eagerly following her as the scaled the building. Batgirl hoisted herself to the top, her yellow glove clutching the side of the building…

“Help! Batman! Come quick… Huh?” Harley Quinn sounded disappointed at the sight of Batgirl and her young companion. “Where’s Batman?”

“Making a social call,” Robin growled. “What’s the problem?” Harley looked at them angrily, but gave in.

“It’s Mistah Jay, he’s, and he’s… In trouble. This smoky guy with a knife is here… He needs help!” she exclaimed as she glared at the two caped crimefighters. They didn’t react. “Go help him!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. Batgirl frowned.

“Sure, just as soon as I…” Batgirl walked over and handcuffed Harley to a pipe. “…Do that. Where is he?” she asked. Harley didn’t look happy.

“He’s on the other side down in the alley. Our thugey-henchy guys are fighting him, but they’re not winning! Hurry, go help him!” she screamed. Like a flash, Batgirl and Robin sped across the rooftop, and down into the alley. It was dark… Suddenly a brilliant blaze blew over them, and a familiar voice came over a PA system.

“Why hello Batsy, looks like you’ve walked right into my trap and… Wait a minute! I’m not trapping you! Go get lost, I’m here for the big kahuna!” Joker snarled into the microphone. Batgirl scowled at him.

“You’re not in trouble?” she asked, angrier than disappointed.

“Afraid not. But you are!” Joker screamed with a cackling laugh as he emerged from the shadows, a machine gun in his hands. Bullets sank into the wall behind Batgirl and Robin as they darted out of the way, scrambling for cover. The Joker’s insane cackling came to an abrupt halt as Batgirl looked over the crate she was hiding behind. Smoke filled the alley, and soon she found out why.

“Joker, your angel of death awaits!” came the chilling monotone of the Phantasm. Seemed to freeze, and seconds later his weapon was sliced cleanly in two by the blade the Phantasm wielded. Whatever it was, it was scary, Batgirl thought to herself. Suddenly she heard a cry of war, and looked over just in time to see Robin lying out of the shadows, trying to attack the Phantasm. What was he doing!? He went for a kick to the head of the Phantasm, but it was easily countered, and Robin fell down to the cement, cracking his shoulder on the ground. The cloaked figure snatched Robin by the cape and yanked him to his feet, placing the blade to his throat as it prepared to execute him…

Nice job, Robin told himself. Not only did you just get taken to school, but also there are only two solutions: Batgirl saves you or you die. He tried to decide which one was worse. He was close to the Phantasm’s body, and the creature was surprisingly cold, its chilling breath blowing against the back of his neck as he tried to catch his breath- the cold steel rubbing against his neck.

“Stop!” came Batgirl’s cry. The Phantasm spun to see her, but it wasn’t affected by her presence. Robin squirmed a little, trying to get free but trying to avoid getting cut… Batgirl jumped into action, sprinting at the Phantasm. She leapt in the air ready to strike, but the Phantasm dropped Robin and with startling ease, it snatched Batgirl by the neck. He held her clear off the ground, crushing her neck as she gasped for breath. Robin saw his chance… But he didn’t want to risk anything… So he planted his boot squarely in the Phantasm’s crotch.

The Phantasm gasped for breath and dropped Batgirl to the ground. It choked and began to stutter as it slowly faded into smoke. Robin turned to Batgirl.

“Are you alright?” he asked. She nodded but looked around. But both Joker and the Phantasm were gone.

“How’d you get him to drop me?”

“Nothing a shot to the gonads couldn’t fix,” Robin explained with a smile. Batgirl got a strange look over her face.

“But I thought that the Phantasm was a woman?”

* * * * *

“Where have you been?” Tim snapped unhappily. Bruce stared at his ward, who had a strange, uneasy look on his face.

“Visiting a friend. Why?”

“Tell me everything you know about this Phantasm!” Tim demanded. Despite being amused by Tim’s demands, Bruce was overcome with a feeling of concern. Was Andrea up to something?

“Why? What happened? Is Barbara okay?”

“She’s fine. We just ran into this Phantasm, and she got all confused. She said the Phantasm was a woman- or at least that’s what Alfred told her. What’s the story?”

“What makes you think she’s not a woman?” Bruce questioned.

“Well, maybe she’s a woman, a woman with some male gonads!” Tim snapped. “I kicked him down low, and he nearly passed out!” Bruce had strange look come over his face, a look of strange confusion and fear.

“Are you sure?” he asked. Andrea… She must not have been lying… She must… Who could this Phantasm be?

“Yeah, or else she’s a very good actress. I’d put money on the fact it’s a guy, though. Why is this such a problem?” Tim questioned. Bruce’s face went back to its normal dark scowl.

“No, it’s not a problem, it just… I just… It’s a little surprising if you know what I mean,” Bruce murmured softly. “I have to go see someone, see if they’re okay and if they know what’s going on. Someone in this city is trying to catch me off guard,” Bruce explained as he stormed off, toward the cave. Tim wanted to ask him about who this woman was, but he was gone in the shadows of Wayne Manor.

* * * * *

The window blew open, Batman avoiding his usual stealthy entrance. His cape flew around his shoulders as he marched into her hotel room, looking around in desperate exasperation.

“Andrea!” he cried out, knowing she was gone. There was a shattered lamp- torn sheets, and make-up scattered across the floor. But he wouldn’t believe it as he looked around.

“Andrea! Andrea!” he called once more, before sinking to his knees in hopelessness.


On February 19th, nothing will be the same again...

[Coran]

You've got a really cool story going here game. When I was reading through this I was amazed by the amount of responses. Very well done!

And now, if you don't mind a shameless plug. People... i ask you... please read the "Justic: Vengeance Style" story and reply. I would appreciate your comments. Thanks!

I can't wait to read your next chapter game. Keep up the good work.

[The Guitar Slayer]

Don't tell me I have to wait til February 19 for the next chapter or for the conclusion of this. Don't freakin' tell me! :eek:

[The Game]

Hehe, no I wouldn't be that cruel, GS ;) Tommor will be the next update- 2/19/02 will be...

... Well that takes away from it. Just wait and see...

[Daughterof_Evil]

That was great, Tim kicking Phanstasm in the groin and Barbara getting all confused. And the "cat-fight" between Selina and Andrea was interesting and funny. You're getting us all hopped up for Feb 19th, aren't you? Well, whatever works.

[Panther]

Ohhhhh - the plot thickens....

Ra's kidnapped Nightwing (what is he planning now!) and who on Earth could this Phantasm be? I hope you don't keep us in suspense for too long! BTW - loved the catfight 'tween Andrea and Catwoman.

later,

[The Game]

CHAPTER 6:

It had been more than a long week of searching, and Bruce Wayne just wanted to drop. But instead, he was lucky enough to have to host a charity ball. He stared at the security camera monitors, the rich and famous of Gotham City flocking into the main ballroom, laughing and gossiping as the went… Oblivious to Bruce’s situation. He swiveled in his chair slowly, thinking deeply as he looked around the pitch black of the Batcave. How could I let this happen? He asked himself. How? I was there with her… And now she’s gone, gone from your life again… Bruce put his head in his hands. Not only that, but there was another maniac running about the city- a new Phantasm apparently just as dangerous as the last. On a mission. A mission Bruce had to stop.

“You okay?” Barbara asked quietly from behind him. Bruce spun quickly to face her.

“Oh, yes, I’m fine, really, just getting ready to go up and face the mindless socialites of Gotham. What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to stop by and make sure you’re okay. I’m sorry about…”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Bruce interrupted. He looked at her, her soft blue eyes wide as she looked back at him. “I’m just upset with myself. I feel like I should have been there to save her. To do something. God knows where she is now. God knows if she’s still alive now,” Bruce continued. He turned to the stairs that led up to his mansion. “I should get up to the party,” he murmured.

Barbara watched him go and wanted to say something. But she didn’t. She just stared at the ground and waited for him to leave, before slipping into the darkness herself.

* * * * *

Veronica Vreeland slipped her way across the posh dance floor over to the bar. I need a drink, she told herself.

“Can I help you?” asked the bartender, a thick, meaty man with a large moustache.

“Scotch on the rocks with a twist,” she murmured softly. The night was just getting started, and she was already in the middle of a potential disaster. She took her drink and took a long sip of it, waiting for the liquor to go to her head.

“Don’t you think it’s a little early to be drinking?” came a familiar deep, sensual voice. Rats. She’d been caught.

“It’s never too late to begin drinking, Bruce. Not in the life of Veronica Vreeland, anyway,” she explained with a sigh, before turning to face Bruce. He was smiling at her, and it comforted her to be with him. Now if only she could get herself out of this mess…

“Having a problem?” he asked.

“How’d you know?” she snapped sarcastically. “I have this girlfriend who wanted to come to this event, but she didn’t have a date, so being the matchmaker that I am, I told her I’d set her up with someone. Well the jerk I was planning on is a no show, and she’ll be here any minute, ready to dance the night away with him, only he isn’t here so…” suddenly a light bulb light up in Veronica’s head.

“So Bruce, you’re not here with anyone, are you?”

“Don’t even think about it!” Bruce snapped. “The last thing I need is to be set up with a woman I don’t know and be stuck in a situation that requires forced socializing- its just not my thing!” Bruce explained, but Veronica was already waving the woman over. “C’mon Ronnie, I’m serious here…”

“Hey you! How are you? Oh I’m fine. Yeah? You don’t say? Well that’s great. The guy? Why he’s right here, Bruce Wayne, I’d like you to meet Selina Kyle,” Veronica touted with a wide grin, as she’d been able to get her out of a possibly sticky situation. Bruce gazed into Selina’s emerald eyes, and was overcome with her beauty, and for the first moment in a week, he completely forgot about Andrea.

“We’ve met,” he murmured softly. Selina smiled at him broadly as Veronica began to duck away.

“Okay, okay! I can take a hint!” she chuckled as she quickly vanished into the crowd of partygoers, leaving Bruce and Selina together.

“You look good, Bruce,” Selina complimented.

“You look good too,” Bruce added, as he stared into her eyes. Those eyes… There were as transfixing as ever. If there had ever been a woman whose presence could push his buttons in the way Andrea could, it was Selina. No, not in the same way. In a different way, one that was just as good. The only problem he had had with her was the alter-ego situation. Those beautiful green eyes were the same ones Catwoman possessed, and whenever he had sent hem, he could only think of her troubled other side. But not now. Now all he could see were her emerald eyes gazing at him, and the smile on her face.

“So what have you been up to?” she asked.

“Oh you know. Same old same old,” he explained softly.

“It’s been awhile. I didn’t know you knew Veronica,” Selina thought aloud.

“Me? I’ve known Ronnie for a long time, I was actually surprised to find out you knew her. I mean, not that there’s any reason why… Not to insinuate… Well you know…”

“Yes I know!” Selina chuckled. Bruce smiled at her.

“It’s just that when I’m around a beautiful woman I jumble my words sometimes. You know, a nervous thing,” he enlightened with a grin.

“Ooh, Bruce, turning on the charm, are we?” Selina grinned sarcastically. She stared into Bruce’s eyes. “Really though, I do appreciate the kind words. You’re not looking…” she looked him over. “Too bad,” Bruce smiled. She loved his smile. No, not only did she love his smile, but also she loved everything about him. There was just something about him that drove her wild- he was the only man she could think of that came close to Batman in terms of sexiness. She wanted him right then and there, and she came close to his face as she whispered.

“Do you think there is somewhere we could go?”

It was against every moral thought and obvious common sense Bruce Wayne could ponder, but he couldn’t help himself. He cared about Selina, and right now she looked amazing, her long blonde hair shimmering golden over her shoulders.

“Follow me,” he whispered. Quickly, holding hands, Bruce and Selina slipped out of the noisy Ballroom, making their way to a small bedroom few people knew about. Bruce closed the door behind them and as he turned his lips made contact with hers and the kissed passionately, the two of them backing onto the bed, both caught up in the moment.

* * * * *

The sharp light of the Batsignal was stretched across the crimson Gotham sky as Tim stared out the window. Tim ran down over to the clock and pulled the dong, the clock sliding open to reveal the long flight of cut stone steps. He began to march down the heavy stone steps preparing himself mentally. Okay baby, this is it, he told himself.

“Master Timothy?” came a familiar British voice.

“Alfred?” Tim asked, as he spun to face the butler. “Did you find Bruce? Where is he? What’s he doing?” Tim blurted out the questions at a lighting pace. Bruce had been acting weird lately, but this was extremely strange- Bruce was always the first one to spot the Batsignal.

“I’m afraid I was unable to locate Master Bruce. Perhaps he stepped out for a moment,” Alfred explained. Tim pondered this for a moment.

“I’m going out by myself then,” Tim decided, and turned to march down the long stone steps. Alfred was more than surprised.

“And how are you proposing to do that, Master Timothy?” Alfred questioned, a skeptical tone in his voice. An annoyed Tim turned to face Alfred. It suddenly occurred to him he wasn’t exactly sure how he’d go about heading to the city- Barb wasn’t here and Bruce was busy- but hey, he could drive, right?

“I’ll take the batcycle!” Tim groaned impatiently.

“But Master Timothy- I don’t think you’re of legal age!” Alfred continued.

“Alfred, think about this- the batsignal is flying high in the sky. Crazy psychos and goons are running about, ready to attack the city we all love. I’m driving down the street- the savior Robin, and some cop is going to pull me over and tell me I’m too young to be doing his job for him? Yeah, right, the day that happens is the day that…” Tim tried to think of something clever but he couldn’t. “…That… Well it doesn’t matter, the point is that they’re not going to pull me over,” Tim continued, and marched down the cold stone steps into the dank darkness of the Batcave.

Without hesitation he strode over to the case that contained his suit, and it opened with a whoosh. With the flash of a glove finding its fingers, and the darkness fading as the mask found its home, Tim was no more and instead Robin walked over to where the vehicles were kept. He came up to the batcycle, and got excited just looking at it. He hopped on and revved it up.

“Well Tim, here goes nothing…”

* * * * *

Barbara made her way up the stairs, thinking as she went. She had so many things she had wanted to say before- she’d planned on discussing so much with him. Now, of course, as she rounded the stairs, facing the room to his apartment, she had drawn a blank. His door seemed very big now, as she slowly stepped toward it, and she felt very small. She… She wanted to let him know how she felt first and foremost, that was the most important thing that he understood where she was coming from. She walked forward, and stood in front of the door. Well, here goes nothing, she thought to herself.

Her knuckles made contact with the door, and instead of hearing the steady beat of her knock, Barbara watched as the door was pushed forward, ever so slightly. The door was open. Barbara didn’t wait to be invited, marching right into the room, looking around quickly. Lights were on. Tables smashed. Furniture depleted to ruins. What had happened here? Where was Dick? A handwritten letter lay on the desk in the far corner.

“If you ever want to see Dick Grayson again, come to GothCorp laboratories immediately!”
* * * * *

Robin darted over to the edge and lifted his batgrapple toward the other side, and with the swift, yet soft explosion of propulsion, the grapple sank into a structure on the other side, and he flew across, cape waving in the wind. It was certainly and interesting experience being out here alone- one he didn’t get to feel very often. Always with Batman, or Batgirl. Just weird, in a good kind of way. He was also a pretty good driver, considering the fact that he’d never touched a bike before tonight. Only three major accidents.

Robin’s boots made contact on the rooftop and slipped across, making his way to the other side. One skill he had mastered was stealth. He could slip around undetected with the best of them- very sneaky. He looked ahead of him, into the darkness of the Gotham night. Maybe three more…? Damn, how could he have miscalculated! In fact… Was the Police station even on this street? Yes, there it was, he could see the brim of the bright blaring Batsignal right on the edge… Robin flew across and landed on the roof of the police station, darting forward.

“Commissioner Gordon?” he asked, looking around for the head of law enforcement in Gotham.

“Beloved?” came a soft female voice. Robin spun, to face the voice, a trusty batarang ready to slice through the air. A well-formed woman emerged slowly from the shadows. She had close to a perfect body- Robin noticed this specifically, and supple, delicate features, partially covered by a cascade of silky, ebony hair. She glared at him, her broad smile fading to one of disgust and confusion.

“Who are you?” she asked with contempt.

“I’m a crimefighter responding to a distress signal. And exactly who are you?”

“Where’s my beloved?”

“I don’t know, that really isn’t my problem lady. He’s probably off with some other chick, go look around in the bars of the city or something,” Robin muttered as he turned into the night. A fake call? He’d risked his life in three major accidents for a false alarm?

“You don’t know where Batman is?” she asked, in fretful disappointment. Robin’s ears perked up at the sound of this. Batman? Beloved? Clearly this must be some kind of a mix-up.

“Batman is your beloved?” Robin chuckled. “Yeah, that’s a good one. I know where to find him, want me to relay a message,” Robin offered, giggling softly. Bruce, you dog you. This Phantasm lady and weird-haired false alarm chick. He certainly got around more than I thought, Robin considered. He stared at the woman, waiting for her to respond.

“I am Talia, daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul. Take me to Bruce Wayne, now!”

Now that caught Robin’s attention.

* * * * *

The shadows of the night danced as a clown shaped woman pranced across the rooftops, he soft feet padding on the surface. She had a wide smirk stretched across her face as she made her way over- she had a plan. Harley Quinn lifted her pistol and admired its gleam in the dark light. The perfect weapon- the perfect revenge.

“No one touches my puddin’!” Harley screamed into the night, as she continued to search Gotham for the Phantasm.

* * * * *

On top of the wide bridge Batgirl whisked herself across the ledge, looking down. The slick, futuristic look of the GothCorp building looked intimidating, but she didn’t let it get to her. Who could it be? Who had captured Dick? It was strange. He was more than capable of defending himself from an array of possible villains… Either way it would be tough for Batgirl to compete with whoever it was. But she was ready.

Her batgrapple sank into the side of the building and she propelled herself down, her short cape flying in the wind. She was pretty tiny, even for a woman, but she was tough, smart and prepared- she was ready for anything.

Batgirl busted through the doorway, not caring who was inside. She was ready. Ready for anything. Except what awaited her.

“Hello Barbara. Glad you could join us,” Ra’s snarled bitterly.

[The Guitar Slayer]

Oh, mama mia, he's juggling three of 'em now...both Bruce Wayne and Batman. What a mess... Al Ghul vs. Phantasm...either one. That could be fascinating.

[The Game]

Now it's chapter seven. Thanks for the respones, anyone who responded. Well, here we go.

CHAPTER 7:

Selina Kyle smiled as she entered her apartment- nothing could have soured her mood. She had a happy aura around her; she was just content with her life at the moment. Everything looked pretty, everything smelled nice, and she felt wonderful about herself. Bruce Wayne… Things just might work out this time. He was just- well if there was someone out there for her, it was him.

She was snapped out of her wonderful daydream by the muffled grunts of her prisoner. She looked over at Andrea. She was seated in a wooden backed chair, bound to it thoroughly with thick white rope, gagged with a strip of tape. Selina angrily walked over and reached to her captive’s face, tearing the tape away with a loud rip.

“You do have to feed me you know,” Andrea grumbled as Selina continued into her bedroom.

“Do I?” she asked, just to annoy.

“Unless you want to be charged with murder,” Andrea snapped. She wasn’t in the mood to play games with this her Selina. She was in the mood to get free, something she was working on at the moment…

“Yeah, I guess I do need to feed you. You and Isis can share her dish,” Selina chuckled to herself. She glared at the captive Andrea with a broad smile. “No, on second thought, you’re not good enough to drink from her dish,”

Andrea frowned. “What exactly is your gripe with me? I mean, do you have a reason to hate me, other than the fact that you’re a jealous fool who can’t accept that Batman might be more attracted to me than you? I mean think about this for a second. You don’t really have an argument,” she explained, slowly and clearly to Selina.

“Oh, Right,” Selina growled sarcastically as she made her way to the kitchen.

“Envious?” Andrea called after her. Well at least it was making her skin crawl. Probably because she knew it was true. Selina reemerged moments latter, the roll of silver duct tape in her hands.

“Who knows? It seemed like a good idea at the time. Either way, I’m sick of your lip,” Selina murmured. She tore off a long strip and walked toward Andrea. “I’ve met someone new anyway, so you can probably go free soon. Bruce Wayne. Certainly no Batman, but he’s an amazing guy,”

“Bruce Wayne? But Bruce…” Andrea felt her words stopped as the strip of tape was pressed against her lips, holding them fast, rendering her silent. Bruce? Bruce? How was this possible? She was dealing with Batman and Bruce Wayne and she had no idea that they were the same person? Andrea eagerly tried to inform Selina of her situation, but the gag stifled her cries effectively.

“There. That aught to keep your mouth shut,” Selina said as she headed to her room. “I need some rest,”

* * * * *

The car slowed to a stop.

“So you and Bruce were an item?” Robin questioned.

“I suppose you could put it that way,” Talia murmured as she opened the door to her jet black Mercedes. She stepped out, Robin following suit. They stood in front of the vast, brooding Wayne Manor. It was the middle of the night, and Robin tried not to seem tired, but he was. He waited for Talia to continue, and explain her answer, but instead she began to scale the large stone steps to the front door to the mansion. Robin darted up behind her.

“This is weird. I never come in the front door, and when I do, I never wear my costume,” Robin thought aloud. It was really weird. Talia certainly wasn’t one for making conversation. They walked up to the large door, and Talia didn’t hesitate to march right in, opened the door and in taking the tremendous power of the front hall to Wayne Manor. Talia felt her beloved’s young partner grasp her arm.

“Hold on lady. You’re not going anywhere until I get some more answers than you’re giving me!” he said forcefully. She yanked her arm free and continued on her way. The kid came after her but she countered, flipping him onto his back. She ran up the velvet-coated steps, she could hear the loud echoing of her loved one’s voice. The kid cried after her, but she could no longer hear him. Bruce Wayne stepped out from his bathroom, in his robe. His jaw dropped.

“Talia?”

“Beloved!”

* * * * *

A swirl of brilliant colors spun in a lightning blaze as a groggy Batgirl allowed her eyelids to slip open, slowly. She moaned softly and her eyes adjusted- but it was still dark. The room was bare, except for a large steel cage opposite her, in which a figure was standing. Things where too hard to make out… It looked like a man though. She felt tired, but she couldn’t get comfortable… It was strange, she could barley see. The room was very cold, and she suddenly realized she was seated against a stonewall, its chilling limestone against her back. She tried to get up, but realized her wrists were shackled- thick iron cuffs encased her thin wrists, and she realized she was chained against the wall. She had very little strength, but she struggled against her restraints. She could barley move, completely helpless.

“You okay?” came a familiar voice.

“Dick…?” she asked. She was shocked at how distant her own voice sounded- it was like she was speaking through a third party. She could barley formulate all the words- she wanted to ask him a million things at once, but she could barley make her tongue move. The lights continued to make their way to her vision as it sharpened. Nightwing sat on a small bench inside this large cage, his head in his hands as he stared at her. He didn’t move, he just stared. As Barbara stirred she felt the bruises on her cheek rub against her shoulder and she remembered how she had gotten here. Her muscles were sore, and she was tired and defeated.

“Yeah, I’ll live. What happened?” she questioned meekly.

“They sent a couple of their Secret Society guys after me. They got me when I was coming out of the shower at home. I woke up the same way you did,” Nightwing explained as he leaned against the bars of his cage. He didn’t look comfortable either. “Why are you here?”

“I found a note,” she explained. “It said to come here, that is, if I ever wanted to see you again,”

“That was stupid, Barb,”

“What?”

“You came here with no backup, on some note? I mean, if you can’t figure out that it was a trap, you’re in the wrong business. That was stupid,” he explained, not moving. He looked like he was thinking deeply.

“I came here to save you!” she yelled at him.

“Yeah, well you did a bang up job,” he snapped sarcastically. Batgirl stared into his eyes fiercely, and the two continued to glare at each other. Defiantly. Angrily. How could he be like this?

“I want to smack you,” she screamed after a moment. “Have you ever been grateful for anything in your life? When was the last time you said thank you to anyone?” Dick’s dark eyes lowered from Batgirl to the ground.

Suddenly the large door on the other side of the room blasted open, and in came a large burly figure- Ube. He looked back and forth between the two masked crimefighters, and a broad grin came over his face.

“Aww. Are you two having relationship problems?” he s******ed sarcastically. He walked over in between them.

“What do you want?” Nightwing growled.

“Oh, I’m sorry, was I interrupting something? Would you two like some privacy? Sorry little boy, but when you’re a prisoner, you sort of lose your privileges!” Ube bellowed. Nightwing just stared at him from inside his cage. Ube smiled at the captive crimefighter. “I know how you think, punk. Right now, you’re imagining what you’d be doing if you were free. Why, you’d be beating my head in!” Ube explained with a sarcastic grin. “Well that doesn’t matter, because you’re not free. You’re a caged animal. Your counterpart however,” he turned his attention to Batgirl. “Is not,”

Batgirl cringed as Ube brought himself down next to her. “I’ve got something special for you, my sweet,” he snarled, his odoriferous breath blowing into her face. Her expression was one of extreme disgust.

“Yeah, right,” she snapped. He reached forward and grabbed her face by her chin, squeezing her face harshly as he slammed her head into the stonewall behind her.

“Shut up. I’ll do whatever I want!” he bellowed. One of his hands snatched her breast and squeezed it as he pressed his face against Batgirl’s. He ran his tongue up the side of her face, licking her as she turned her face away.

“Ube!” Ra’s screamed. Ube turned to face his master, quickly, forcing himself off the defenseless Barbara. “What do you think you are doing?”

“Nothing… I… I apologize sire, it won’t happen again,” he stammered nervously. Caught in the act. Ra’s actually smiled.

“No, you can do it again. I’d like you to. I’d like you to have her, right before you slit her throat,” Ra’s hissed as he glared at Nightwing. Blood boiled throughout the room as Ube and Ra’s made their exit, slamming the door behind them.

* * * * *

“Talia?” Bruce asked, his head spinning. Andrea, then Selina, now… Talia? The past few weeks had been among the strangest he’d experienced- and it was getting stranger. Seeing her, standing full figure, her beautiful features and dark hair cloaked over her face made all kinds of memories rush to mind, and he didn’t realize he was gaping at her.

“Beloved!” she screamed and ran forward. She embraced him tightly, and more out of instinct than anything else, he returned the hug. Robin came tearing around the corner, gasping for breath.

“Hey, lady!” he yelled. She turned back to face him.

“This is your partner?” she asked Bruce. He smiled and nodded.

“That’s right,” Robin grunted. “And I want some answers!” he glared angrily at Bruce in his own red fury. Bruce wasn’t sure how to react to the situation in the first place, and he certainly wasn’t sure how to explain it to Robin. He just stood there, staring into space for a moment. His young ward looked around exasperated with his mentor.

“What are you waiting for? An invitation?” Robin snapped.

“She’s a friend,” Bruce explained slowly. Talia turned to him, her long, flowing ebony hair swooshing.

“A friend? Is that all I am to you?” she questioned. Bruce looked around nervously.

“Well of course you’re more than a friend,” Bruce whispered into her ear. He turned back to the perplexed Robin. “I think Talia and I must talk… Alone,” he explained as Robin frowned. Bruce and Talia entered Bruce’s room slowly, and as soon as the door closed on an annoyed Robin Talia pressed her lips against Bruce’s and he felt himself inhaling the rich fragrance of her hair. But then he pushed her away.

“Talia, what are you doing here?”

“I’m seeing you!” she said with a smile, attempting to kiss him again. He held her away.

“I mean, in Gotham. Why are you in Gotham? You didn’t travel across the world to see me. You came with your father, didn’t you?” Bruce questioned after a pause. Talia looked bewildered.

“What are you talking about? It’s the first time we see each other in years, and all you can ask about is my father? How about the moment? Why can’t we just be together for once and not even think about him!” she said with a quick frown. She turned away, but Bruce had already noticed the hint of glossiness that had formed near her eye.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry,” he apologized softly. She turned to him.

“Apology accepted. I just… It’s wonderful to see you beloved,” Talia cried as she embraced Bruce. He needed to explain to her that he had no time for this- that the Phantasm was on the loose, Andrea had been kidnapped, and he hadn’t spoken to Dick in days. But he didn’t. He just smelled the rich scent of her hair, once more. He loved her embrace, feeling her there. But he needed to find Andrea. He needed to.

“I have to go, Talia. I have to find someone- someone who’s been kidnapped,” he whispered.

“Who?” she asked. There was no harm in telling her.

“Andrea Beaumont,” he explained.

“Do you know her?” Talia asked.

“Yes,” Damn. She hadn’t expected this answer.

“Do you love her as much as you love me?”

“Yes,”

“What?” Andrea Beaumont? Who was she? Who was this woman he loved as much as me? Talia thought. She looked into Bruce’s eyes and although he had the look of loving remorse, he appeared determined to go- his dark vigilante side was burning inside. “Who is this woman you love as much as you love me?” Talia asked as she withdrew from the man she loved. How could this be?

“She was my fiancée. My first love. I’m sorry, but I have to search for her. I feel guilty staying here, with…” he trailed off.

“With another woman? So I’m the other woman? She is your first love and I am the other woman?” Talia demanded, in a fury. She didn’t find herself mad with her beloved often, but when she did, she always had a good reason. She stared at him. How could he do this? How? She loved him so much. All she ever wanted was for him to love her back. To be with her. But he couldn’t. He had his mission, and her father… But he could be with Andrea Beaumont? No. Not while Talia was here! She pulled out a sleek black revolver and pointed it at Bruce.

“How could you?!” she screamed in rage. She would have him, or no one would have him.

* * * * *

Harley Quinn looked down. She was a smart woman, and she could sense the dark, shadowy presence before the smoke began to roll in slowly. It was truly a thick fog, very ominous, very intimidating. But Harley was on a mission. A mission to kill the Phantasm. She readied the gun and watched for the figure to emerge from the rolling smoke, but it didn’t right away.

Suddenly it appeared. It was dark, cold, and fighting, and if it had been any other situation, Harley might have turned back. But instead she leapt down, flying through the shadows, her female harlequin clown shape landing in front of the Phantasm. It send chills through her spine to be standing in front of this figure, its menacing blade glistened in the lamplight. Its sharply grooved mask seemed to stare through her as it approached. She gulped loudly.

“All right lady! Not another move!” Harley announced as she directed the gun at the Phantasm. “No one’s hurting my puddin’!”

The Phantasm rolled forward. Its voice was chilling.

“No. I haven’t come for the Joker. Harley Quinn, your angel of death awaits!” Harley was scared beyond her wits, but she managed to pull it together in time to fire off two bullets. They whizzed through the air just in time to plow through the thick smoke, as the Phantasm was gone. But as the smoke faded… It was back, its blade lifted to the sky, ready to strike.

Fear pumped though Harley’s veins as she fled in terror. She made her way down the alley, until she saw the ladder. She bolted up it, not looking back as she scaled the steel beamed ladder, escaping from the cold chill of the Phantasm. The plot had seemed perfect, but the Phantasm was after her… It knew the plan. And it couldn’t be shot. She stepped onto the roof and looked around gasping.

“Time to pay for your sins, Harley!” the voice echoed. She turned just in time to see the blunt side of the steel blade slam into her chin. She fell backwards, flying off the ledge, the wind whistling in her ears as she plummeted to the pavement.

[Batgirl_2005]

EEK!!!! HARLEY!!! Don't let Harl die! She's too amusing to die! :(

Anyway.... great story... I am loving it! very shway. more soon please!

I gotta ask... what's happening on the 19?

ta-ta

Batgirl_2005

[Panther]

“No one touches my puddin’!” Harley screamed into the night
Well, *that* I think is basicly Harley in a nutshell. Determined, agreesive, stupid in love, possesive - and crazy as a loon. :rolleyes:

Hats off to juggling so many characters so well! I've always wondered what would happen if a hero had to juggle several villions with different henoius scheames at once - never thought of the twist of dealing with several ex's who also happened to be criminals with seperate plots! :D And I love the interactions between Selina and Andrea.

And Dick is being very ungrateful! Somebody should spank him! :p

I can't wait for more - I smell major confronations coming up! Yeah!

later,

[witness]

wow! i love your stories, thegame! this one's shaping up to be a real nasty piece of work! (in a good way, of course) I have my suspicions on what's going on here. especially with ra's. if you're doing what i think you're doing, then i'm grateful. i think it's about time that someone wrote about it. if you want to hear my thoughts thegame, i'll give them to you in a private message.
anxiously awaiting your next chapter!!!

[The Game]

Yay! Thanks for all the responses.


And Dick is being very ungrateful! Somebody should spank him!
lol. You'd like that, wouldn't you Panther? ;)

Well, here goes...


CHAPTER 8:

Nightwing looked around the room, this time more carefully than before. He didn’t see anything obvious: the room had clearly been stripped of anything that could have been made useful. It was deathly quiet- neither he nor Batgirl had spoken a word since Ube’s departure. Neither wanted to be the first to speak. He studied the walls and ceilings- the only thing in the room that he could make out were some scrap hooks on the wall, just out of reach of his cage. He spat in frustration.

“What did Ra’s mean when he said he wanted Ube to… You know. Why would he say that?” Batgirl asked softly.

“He means it as punishment for me,” Nightwing explained without making eye contact with Batgirl.

“For you?” Batgirl asked, confused. She studied Nightwing’s facial features- even behind the mask she could practically see what he was thinking. How he felt. She knew him that well; she could study his dark features for hours, and be completely at peace.

“Yeah. He thinks it would be more painful for me to watch it happen then for it to happen to you,” Dick said slowly. He had a distant, depressed tone in his voice. It appeared that he had given up.

“Would it be?”

“What?”

“Do you think it would be hard to watch?” she asked. She had no idea how he would respond to this- the truth being that it wasn’t really a very fair question. But she wanted to know.

“Of course it would be hard. How could it not be? I mean, I care about you Barb. A lot,” Nightwing told her with a brief smile. She stared back at him, and she smiled as well.

“Well, I care about you too. I always have,”

“Yeah. Even when I don’t show it. I mean- I’m not really fond of showing my emotions, but if…” Nightwing trailed off as he found himself looking up again- he was lost, staring into the baby blue eyes of Batgirl. There was a spark between them as the sat in their respective conditions, just peacefully admiring each other. Batgirl was the first to snap out of it.

“We’re not doing anyone any good in here, though,” she said as she looked around the room. Nightwing nodded.

“Yeah, but there’s nothing we can use to get free. I mean- look around. Ra’s stripped this place bare,” Batgirl continued to look around.

“What about those hooks and wires over there?” she asked thoughtfully.

“I thought about those. I don’t know if I could pick the lock on the cage with those, but it doesn’t matter. I mean, I can’t reach them,” Nightwing explained. Batgirl set her jaw as she thought. She looked around, her eyes dancing around the room… And eventually her sights rested on her own feet. Nothing. Wait…

“Here, use this!” she cried as she sent her boot flying. It landed at the foot of the cage and Nightwing snatched it, bringing it within the confines of his own private prison. He inspected it carefully.

“What am I supposed to do with your boot?” he asked, obviously not impressed.

“Use it to reach the hooks!” she exclaimed.

“With your boot?”

“Yes!”

Nightwing extended the boot out through the bars of the cage, holding it outwards, toward the hooks, which dangled on the wall. He was a few inches shy, still. He moved his grip on the yellow boot slightly in order to hold it out farther, pressing his body against the steel bars of the cage. He strained and felt a trickle of moisture run down his brown as he pushed himself against the cage, reaching with all of his might. If I could just get a little… He pressed as hard as he could as the almost lost control of the boot. He just caught one of the hooks and it swung towards him. He snatched it with his spare hand and withdrew into the cage, boot and hook in hand.

“Ah ha!” Nightwing declared, victoriously as he held the hook to the sky as if it were a diamond. He grinned at Batgirl, but she wasn’t all too impressed.

“Let’s go Romeo, we’re not out of the woods yet,” she declared as she looked around the room nervously. Nightwing walked to the door to the cage and inserted the small rusty hook into the iron of the lock, and began to twirl it- fidgeting it around. Batgirl listened to the quiet metallic clanking of the picking of the lock and closed her eyes in near meditation. She needed her strength for the battle she knew was coming.

“There!” Nightwing’s voice was satisfied as she heard the clank of the lock hitting the floor. Batgirl opened her eyes as Nightwing came down to uncuff her. He paused and smiled.

“Or maybe you could spend some time like this,”

“Uncuff me Dick!” she screamed.

“Geez, all you had to do was ask,” he mumbled as he began to work on her cuffs. Moments later, the two crimefighters were free of their restraints, and ready to go. Nightwing turned to Batgirl.

“You ready?”

“I’m always ready,”

* * * * *

“Talia, please, I…”

“You don’t understand, beloved!” Talia insisted as she stalked toward Bruce. “No one loves you the way I do. No one. It’s not possible. I care for you so much- and there is no way you can’t appreciate that. I will make you appreciate that!” she cried as she forced herself on him. Their lips brushed together as the fell backwards onto the bed and Talia’s flowing ebony hair was blanketed over Bruce’s face as she held the gun to his side.

“You don’t understand. I can’t do this, I…” he thought about what he was saying. “I have other obligations.”

“What, Andrea?” Talia asked scornfully.

“It’s not that I don’t love you- I do. I have to make a choice here, I have to be with you or search for her. This hurts you, but I have to look for her. Every time you make a gut-wrenching choice between your father and I- that’s what this is like for me. But I have to go after her. She was my first love Talia, can’t you understand that?” He tried to make her understand.

“Beloved- you are my only love. Can’t you understand that?” Talia asked desperately. Bruce thought for a moment, but was unable to draw out a response. “It doesn’t matter! If you can’t understand, I will make you understand! You are not going anywhere!” Talia exclaimed as she clutched the pistol. Her hands were damp with perspiration and the slid over the cold metallic pistol, but she was ready to fire if need be.

“Talia, I’m only going to tell you once- I have to go. I am needed. Andrea needs me,” Bruce said slowly. Darkly. Talia wasn’t convinced.

“NO! I’m afraid I’m not good with competition…” she whispered as she relaxed slightly. Bruce made his move, and with lightning quickness he grabbed Talia’s wrist and overpowered her, wrenching her arm behind her back, disarming her. She struggled slightly as he moved her toward his bathroom. With a powerful shove he forced her inside, and slammed the door. He could hear her fists beat against the door in protest as he propped the chair against the handle to lock it, and he felt bad as he walked toward the door.

Andrea. Selina. Talia. I really do love them all… The only three women I’ve ever felt this way about are here- and they’re not exactly friends. He could feel his soul being pulled in all three directions at once, and he lost the ability to walk as his knees began to shake, buckling under his weight. He grabbed the mantle over his fireplace to regain his footing as he stared at the wall in thought. He had to go.

He walked and opened the door, heading to the hallway.

“What have you been doing in there?!” Robin snapped impatiently. “The guys on the police radio have been reporting that the Phantasm is after Joker again, he knocked Harley Quinn off a building, let’s go!” he screamed at the top of his lungs. Bruce walked right by him, heading to the Batcave. Robin followed silently, ready to take on the world. And the Phantasm.

* * * * *

Ube walked down the hallway slowly, admiring the pictures on the wall. Ah, he couldn’t wait. First he would make-love to the brat- then he would kill them both. Then, they would launch the weapons of the people of Gotham. It would be a productive day. He admired the long, sharp knife he possessed. The perfect weapon to slit someone’s throat with. One quick motion and the blood pours. Ra’s had ordered him to make them slow, though, especially the girl, so that Grayson had to watch. Ube chuckled at this.

He thought of the assault that would take place in mere hours now. All of Ra’s master planning would culminate soon- the destruction of Gotham, the first major steps of the new plan for purification. He couldn’t wait to be up there, watching the explosions, the screaming of the people. His master’s look of approval as all those unworthy perished in flames. It would be wonderful. He continued on his way down the steep stone steps, laughing to himself all the way.

“Hey, you!” came a voice. The startled Ube spun on his heels, but all he saw was black the sharp echoing of a crack to his chin blaring through the hallways. He fell, crashing down the steps in pain as he went, landing, his head with a bang on the cold cement floor. He felt himself groggily look up through the darkly shadowed halls, at the dark figure of Nightwing following him down the stairs. He tried to get up, but a swift kick to the face sent him flying down the hallway. He could taste the warm fluid that was his own blood. He stumbled backwards- until he was kicked in the back. His pain was sharp as he fell to the ground and looked the other way. Batgirl was standing there, hands on hips.

“What the… How did you..?”

A kick to the mouth from Batgirl shut him up.

“We’ll as the questions,” she growled as Ube choked on some of his own blood. He tried to get up and Nightwing punched him in the gut, sending him to the ground again, gasping for breath. Ube choked and stammered to his feet, lunging at Batgirl, the knife he clutched swinging violently at her head. She ducked just in time, the blade whistling past her head. She leg-swept Ube, sending him to the ground right as Nightwing kicked the knife away.

“What are you, kidding?” Nightwing snarled. “Look, Ube, this can be very easy on you, or very hard. What is Ra’s doing with all of those weapons?” he asked. Ube didn’t answer. Nightwing punched him in the face as hard as he could, and he could feel the cartilage in the man’s nose crumble upon the blow. He curled into a fetal position, blood streaming down his face.

“I would never betray my master…” Ube began. He didn’t finish his sentence however, as Batgirl’s knee connected with his rib cage. Ube was a bloody mess as he lay on the ground in pain, Batgirl and Nightwing standing over him impatiently. Suddenly Batgirl’s eyes lit up, and she darted down to Ube’s side. She snatched a piece of paper out of his pocket and lifted it to the light, inspecting it.

“What did I tell you?” she murmured to Dick. “Violence isn’t always the answer,” She passed him the note. Nightwing’s eyes looked it over, suspicious but not surprised. They were planning a terrorist style attack with heavy artillery from the tallest building in Gotham. Frankly it wasn’t the most original plan he’d ever seen, but it was certainly one of a large scale. He smiled at Batgirl.

“Maybe I should listen to you more often,” he grinned.

“Yeah. Maybe you should,” she smiled back.

“C’mon, let’s go,” he said as he spat in Ube’s direction.

“In a second,” Batgirl murmured. She turned to Ube. “This is for kissing me you perv,” she snapped as she planted her foot in his crotch. She turned back to Nightwing as Ube howled in gasping pain. “Let’s go,”

“To the highest building in Gotham it is,” Nightwing said with as he began to scale the steps.

* * * * *

The Batmobile slowed, its wheels screeching to a stop. Robin glared out from the windshield, then looked back at Batman. He actually looked darker than usual, his features cold and expressionless. Robin could tell from his demeanor that he had a million things on his mind right now as he listened for the roof of the car to slide open with a hiss.

“I want you to stay here. I’m going to deal with the Phantasm myself,” Batman announced.

“But…”

“THERE ARE NO BUTS ABOUT IT!” Batman bellowed. Robin fell silent as Batman jumped out of the vehicle, the roof slamming shut with a hiss as he walked away. Andrea. Selina. Talia. And the Phantasm. There was a connection, and he would find it, he thought to himself as he scaled the roof. He made his way across the dark roof, heading to where Harley had fallen. He looked down. A pool of blood, the EMTs and police surrounded her body.

“Batman, your angel of death awaits…”

Batman spun on his heels, his cape twirling in the darkness. The thick smoke rolled forward, the Phantasm approaching, its blade glistening in the light. Batman’s eyes narrowed ferociously. It was time to do battle.

Batman made the first move, flying forward, ready to strike. The Phantasm moved out of the way, but its ensuing slash was countered as well, and Batman struck the Phantasm with a slug to the gut. BAM. BAM. Two shots to the skull of the Phantasm sent him reeling, but it nearly broke Batman’s fist. He didn’t care though, and he went flying through the air, ready to kick the Phantasm’s head in.

Batman was ready to strike, but before he arrived the smoke made its way around the Phantasm, and it vanished into thin air. Batman landed, and glanced around, his eyes flashing around the cloudy area, searching for the Phantasm. He felt the pain before he saw the attacked. He screamed in pain as his head swiveled to see the sharp blade dug into his arm, a small fountain of blood gushing down his arm. He clubbed the Phantasm in the arm, and watched in fall back, the blade tearing out of his flesh. He grabbed his deep wound and gritted his teeth as he stared at the approaching Phantasm, blood dripping of its blade.

Suddenly it stopped.

“No more, Batman,” it growled coldly. It then reached up and removed its mask.

[Batgirl_2005]

~jumps up and down~annnnnnd? andddd!!??! WHO IS IT?! ARGH!!! who?! who who who who who?!

~calms down~

that was a great chapter and you have to post soon or the suspense is going to kill me..

[Coran]

WOW...

That's about all I can really say. Wow. This is an awesome story Game. Keep up the great work!

[The Guitar Slayer]

(bloodcurdling scream) TICKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Panther]

Hey Guitar Slayer - I'll take two tickets; one for me and one for my friend here, 'Jaws'. He really wants to talk to you, Game. :D Look at that smile - not a single cavity!

later,

[The Game]

Wowee! 4 responses! Thanks to all of you for your kind words, I really appriciate them. Well, I'm certainly not charging tickets- I'm just trying to post a good story for you guys. :)

After this, there will be one more chapter to wrap things up, then I will begin to prepare for Feb. 19th. :cool:

Well, here goes...

CHAPTER 9:

Andrea writhed slightly in her bonds, fighting against them lamely. She picked at the knot she was barley able to reach, digging her nail into the creases she felt- she had to get free tonight. She worked on the knot, scrapping her nail against it, trying to loosen it just enough to free herself. She grunted as she moved and tried something else. Maybe she could simply slip her wrist right out… No. It seemed fruitless. She glanced over at Selina’s room. Sleeping. When I get free, you are out of luck, Andrea thought to herself. She went back to working on the knot that she could reach, picking at it furiously.

There! She got it! She pulled the rope from its loop and the bonds that held her wrists unraveled easily. She moved her arms around, and began to work on the bonds that held her upper arms- but it was much easier now with her wrists free. She would be free in minutes now… She worked even harder. She needed to get to Joker fast… Before Bruce captured him and sent him to Arkham. She needed to make her move quickly. She needed to kill him. Then, maybe then, she could be with Bruce. That’s what she really wanted.

The ropes that were wrapped around her chest to the chair fell down, and she was almost free. She reached up and tore the tape from her lips, and sighed in brief pain and relief. She then reached down and untied her ankles quickly, flinging the ropes across the room. She stood up and stretched her muscles. It felt amazing to finally stand after being tied to that chair for so long. She tried to walk forward and made her way to Selina’s room. She looked inside, the bright shadows from the windows projected across Selina’s form as she lay in her bed.

“Oh Selina…” Andrea grinned.

* * * * *

Robin sat in the car. He looked out the windshield, looking for Batman to come back, victorious. No, he couldn’t see anything. He had never been so bored in his entire life- he couldn’t even listen to the radio as Batman had taken the keys with him. The shifted himself uncomfortably in the large leather seat, and he began to fidget with his mask. It felt weird.

There were a million places he should be, and none of them were inside this car. He should be helping Batman fight the Phantasm, hanging out with Barbara, or worse come to worse; he could be at home watching TV, chilling with Alfred. Instead he was trapped in this car, waiting for Batman to come back. His skills were being wasted.

The loud beeping of the communicator blared through the car, and startled Robin out of his trance. His vision shifted to the small beeping red light on the dashboard and he snatched it eagerly.

“This is Robin, come in, this is Robin!” he exclaimed into the small microphone.

“Robin? This is Nightwing. I’m with Batgirl, we’re trying to reach Batman, is he there?”

“Nah. Fighting the Phantasm. I could take a message though,” Robin growled sarcastically.

“Fine. Tell him- now this is important, Tim- tell him that Ra’s Al Ghul is planning some kind of major attack on the city from the tallest building in Gotham. Batgirl and I are going there right now. It’s urgent that he gets this!”

“Alright, alright. I’m not stupid, I’ll get him the message, hang on,” Robin snarled into the communicator. Everyone was so impatient these days. He hated it when Dick talked to him like he was a kid. He wasn’t a kid he was a teenager now. There was really a huge difference between the two. He reached over and pressed the button the sent the roof sliding open with its trademark hiss.

* * * * *

Selina Kyle writhed on the floor, bound and gagged. She grunted into the tape that held her mouth shut and looked up at Andrea Beaumont who stood over her, quite satisfied with herself.

“Sweet dreams,” she whispered as she moved across the dark apartment to the window. She opened it and slipped out into the darkness of the Gotham skyline, flying across from building to building. She was going to kill the Joker. And nothing- nothing- was going to stop her.

* * * * *

Nightwing and Batgirl made their way across the crimson skyline of Gotham, propelling from building to building. They raced at full speed each, neither stopping to acknowledge anyone or thing as they bolted for the Gotham Tower. Shadows moved quickly as they came upon their destination, it stood across from them cowering above all of its fellow buildings. They both stopped to catch their breath, as they looked the building over.

“You called Batman right?” she asked between breaths.

“Yeah, but Tim picked up. He said he’d tell him,”

“Do you think he appreciates how huge this could be? I mean, does he know who Ra’s is?” Batgirl questioned. This wasn’t time for mistakes and she could practically see Tim messing this up right in front of her face.

“No. But he’s a smart kid, I think he’ll get the message to Bruce,” Nightwing told her thoughtfully. He then smiled and turned to Batgirl. “Why, you don’t think we can handle this ourselves? C’mon, Ra’s stands no chance when it comes to Nightwing,” he grinned, pointing to himself. Batgirl didn’t look very impressed.

“I think I could handle this myself. With a handicap like you, well…” Batgirl trailed off with a playful smile.

“Ha ha,” Nightwing grumbled sarcastically. He looked up the building. “I think you might have to give me a ride. I can’t exactly glide upwards, if you know what I mean,” Batgirl nodded as she sent her batgrapple flying upwards after a blast of light. It sank into the wall somewhere near the top of the building, and Batgirl motioned Nightwing over. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, ready to fly.

“I always liked it when you held me,” she whispered, and with that they bolted upward, flying toward the top of the building. The wind ripped through their hair as they made their way toward the roof, the turbulent currents causing Nightwing to stop looking up. They were there quickly considering the height of the building, and the two crimefighters leapt onto the stone ledge, glaring around the area. There was no one in sight. Batgirl hopped down and walked across. All she would see was a souvenir stand.

“Did we miss it?” Batgirl asked, masked with confusion. She wasn’t sure what was going on.

“No, I think we’re just in time,” Nightwing exclaimed as he gestured over to the main entrance where several black-cloaked figures armed with semi-automatics emerged. He balled up his fists and got ready to fight.

* * * * *

With one motion the mask of the Phantasm was removed, and with a small puff of smoke, there was the true identity of the Phantasm- for the world to see. Batman’s eyed went wide and he gasped in sharp surprise.

It was Ra’s Al Ghul. The smoke seemed to seep out from inside the heavy costume, revealing the devilish Demon’s Head, his sharp eyes piercing Batman’s.

“Ra’s…” Batman said slowly. He continued to glare at his enemy, who stood motionless, with a simple grin spread across his face, clearly he was enjoying the moment. He stepped forward and admired the blood soaked blade on his hand.

“Detective, I’m disappointed in you. I thought you would surely have figured out it was I all along who has been impersonating the Phantasm. Tsk, tsk. Well now you know. It is simply a matter of time before my plan for purification in Gotham takes place. Yet here you are, ready to battle me. I suppose it has worked, seeing as your partners are at this moment dead,” he said slowly, edging the words, hoping to make them painful for the Detective. He didn’t move.

“Then that’s the way it will be Ra’s,” Batman declared slowly. His dark eyes met with Ra’s’ and they continued to stare each other down. Batman readied himself, channeling his ferocity to pound Ra’s head in. Nightwing and Batgirl were dead it seemed. And he was planning to attack Gotham? Not on my watch! Batman growled to himself.

Ra’s moved first, blindly swinging the blade at Batman, but he ducked, and hit Ra’s in the chin with an uppercut. A small squirt of blood emerged from Ra’s mouth upon this blow, but Batman didn’t rest. Instead he sent two kicks in Ra’s direction, the first a winding blow to the gut, the second a smash to the face. Ra’s stumbled backwards, the imposing shadow of the Dark Night coming over him as he crawled to get away.

Ra’s waited for Batman to get close before sinking his blade deep into Batman’s leg. The Dark Knight gasped in pain as he clutched the wound, stumbling backwards. He felt the warm oozing blood trickle down his limb as he staggered to regain his footing, but Ra’s didn’t hesitate. He jolted forward slashing continually, Batman fighting to stay vertical has he dodged the mad attacks of his opponent. A quick slug to the gut of Ra’s sent him back a few feet as he gasped for breath, facing Batman.

“It is truly a shame you refused the opportunity to succeed me. You would have been the perfect heir- instead it appears that I will have to terminate you,” Ra’s hissed with contempt.

“Why Ra’s? Why impersonate the Phantasm?” Batman asked with a hinge of agony in his voice as he and Ra’s began to circle each other.

“It was the perfect way to get at you. To keep your mind off of my operations. Those young fools you sent to watch me were simple and pathetic, while you were wrapped up in your own turmoil with the return of your nearest and dearest. I knew she would come back- your first true love, and planned my attack for what I figured would be the climax of her return. She disappeared however; my men said they lost her. I then took up on the opportunity. The perfect distraction,” Ra’s trailed off as he basked in the glory of his own wonderment.

He broke from his trance and kicked at Batman but the Dark Knight caught his leg and flipped him, sending him smashing down onto the pavement of the rooftop. Ra’s slashed at Batman’s ankles, but he jumped and avoided the attack. As he came down he smashed his foot into Ra’s chest, bringing his other foot across Ra’s face. Blood sputtered from the mouth of the Demon’s Head and Batman stepped back from his enemy to prepare to fight. Ra’s got up slowly; his age of nearly 400 years was showing.

“You’re getting older Ra’s. Slower. It’s only a matter of time now…” Batman taunted. Ra’s gritted his teeth as he glared down the Detective…

“Bruce!” came a familiar female voice. Bruce’s head swiveled momentarily as he glanced over his shoulder. Andrea stood in her black cat suit, her mouth open as she stared at the two men squaring off. Her face was beautiful with any expression and Batman was seconds away from rushing to her side to ask her where on earth she had been, but he resisted. Her auburn hair just flailed about in the wind as her one time lover admired her.

Ra’s saw his opportunity and he took it. He charged Batman full speed and brought the blunt end of the blade cracking into Batman’s temple. BAM. BAM. Batman could only see red as he crashed to the ground. He felt severe pain in many places, but the blinding blare of throbbing emanating from the side of his head kept him down. He groaned as her stirred, trying to get up, but he was helpless as a baby as he lay on the ground. He could hear a cackling Ra’s Al Ghul walk along side him, but all he could see was a blaring crimson mask.

“Farewell Detective. We both knew the end was only a matter of time…” came the cruel voice. Batman could only make out a silhouette of a blade raising toward the night, ready to sink into his heart, and end his existence. Suddenly another figure came into view, smashing Ra’s down. Batman tried to look and see but he was helpless, but he could hear Andrea’s grunts as she punched Ra’s. For moments the only two senses he inhabited her those of touch and hearing- he felt excruciating pain and heard their battle, powerless to take part in it.

Slowly the red began to fade and Batman could see again. The figures of Ra’s and Andrea battling ferociously dissolved into crisp view as Batman dragged himself along the ground, trying to force himself up. He groaned in pain as he attempted to get to his face. His muscles ached all over and he could barley concentrate, everything was still ringing from all those blows to the head. He wanted to help… He watched as Ra’s fist smashed into Andrea’s face and she fell back with a scream. Andrea… His Andrea. He wanted to save her. He needed to save her… But he could barley walk. He stumbled toward them, his world in a blur. He watched in horror as Ra’s had pinned Andrea town, and was holding the blade to her throat…

Batman’s world of dizzy pain exploded into one of physical exhaustion and anguish as he used all the power he had left in his body to propel himself plowing through Ra’s Al Ghul. The two smashed across the concrete, and Batman tried to get up first, knowing it might be his only chance. Ra’s tried to come up fast, but Batman sent his two fists crashing down with all of his weight behind them, cracking into the back of Ra’s neck. He gasped and fell to the ground, and Batman didn’t hesitate. He fell to his knees and continued to bash at Ra’s back, but he could feel his heavy arms were weak- his blows didn’t hold the impact they normally did. This didn’t stop him however- he pummeled Ra’s like there was no tomorrow.

A sharp pain shot through Batman and he looked down to see the blade jutting into his side awkwardly, and Batman could barley breathe as he fell back, blood pouring from the wound. He rolled away from the Demon’s Head, breathing heavily in desperation. A battered Ra’s walked over and stood over Batman, his bruised face smiling devilishly. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but with a loud smack he lurched forward- Andrea’s kick sending him flying over the ledge of the building.

Ra’s clutched onto the edge with his fingertips, looking up in frightened desperation at the night sky. All he saw was Andrea Beaumont looking down on him, unforgivingly. Her face was one of a dark frown as she glared down at him, and without a word she stomped as hard as she could on his fingers. Ra’s let out one gasp of pain as he felt some of the bones in his fingers shatter, slipping away from life. He fell quickly, whistling through the air. He closed his eyes in anticipation of impact and his doom- but no such thing happened.

With a twirling twang, Ra’s felt his ankles bound with a whipping motion, and looked at his feet to see a thick cord binding them- which led up to Batman, supporting him from the ledge. He swung perilously, tangling mid-air. The good old Detective. He would never kill- that was one good thing about apposing him. Ra’s felt himself bouncing up and down, the gentle breeze blowing in his grayish hair. He felt himself being hoisted up; yank-by-yank he bounced higher and higher on the scale of the wall he watched. He readied the blade. He eventually made it to the top. Pretending to be unconscious, Ra’s felt himself tossed across the roof, sliding on the rough plaster roof. He played possum, peering out only through one eye that was slightly cracked, peering over Batman and his lover. The two sat in tired strife. The woman was the first to speak.

“How can you go out of your way to save him, Bruce?” she asked between pants.

“How can you play god and justify murdering another human being?” Batman answered coldly. The two stared at each other for a moment, both rather expressionless. It seemed they were each too afraid to make the first move. Suddenly she went forward and kissed him. They embraced and intimately brought their lips together in passion- a moment they had clearly both been waiting for.

“Fools,” Ra’s murmured softly. He reached down and sliced the cord binding his ankles with the blade, and prepared to make his exit…

“Would you look at that? I think someone around here needs to get a room!” came the powerful cackling of the Joker. If anything could have pulled Andrea out of the moment it was his voice- his arrogant, cackling, craft, horrible, evil voice. She spun away from Batman, her hair bouncing as she did, her beautiful blue eyes burning with a fatal passion at the man who murdered her father. She stood up, and prepared to challenge him, right as he whipped out an automatic rifle. “I don’t think so, sweetie!” he cackled as he opened fire.

The hailstorm of gunfire sent Andrea and the injured Batman flying in different directions, each heading for cover. The Dark Knight found himself bolting behind some sort of structure that had a large heater or cooler on it, and gasped desperately for breath. He took a quick glance around the edge of his refuge to see if he could see what was going on. The Joker was still firing and in a hysterical fit- Andrea was nowhere in sight. Get a grip, he told himself. He had to stop this madman, and get to Ra’s. He also had to protect the Joker- who knew what Andrea was thinking. That didn’t matter at the moment- he could hear the sound of a batarang flying through the sky.

Batman out from behind his cover, just in time to see the batarang send Joker’s weapons to the ground with a sharp “clang”. Joker’s usually wide grin was the opposite right now.

“Why if it isn’t the bird boy ready to spoil my fun…” he grumbled.

“Sure is!” Batman heard Robin’s cheery voice as his young comrade came flying in, swinging on his batgrapple. His foot cracked into Joker’s chalk white chin, sending him flying back, a squirt of blood bubbling out of his mouth. Despite Robin’s appearance, Batman wasted no time in heading for the Joker in an all-out sprint. His feet pattered against the surface of the roof as he sped on his way- out of the corner of his eye he could see Andrea racing toward the man she hated like no other, a knife in her hand. Batman continued to race at full speed as he came closer and closer to the clown prince of crime…

BAM. He smashed into Andrea full speed and she crashed to the ground with a sight. The wearied caped crusader pounced on her and with one quick motion he batcuffed her. She writhed in fury at this- she was helpless and irate. She struggled, squirming violently.

“Bruce! No! Let me go! You don’t understand! Let me GO!” she screamed with everything she had as she began to move.

“I’m sorry Andrea. I can’t,” Batman whispered softly. He watched as Andrea simply began to scream at the top of her lungs, screaming and screaming until she could scream to more. She squirmed in emotional pain; tears of anguish streaming down her face. Batman stared at her, wanting to apologize, but he could bring himself to find any words. An uneasy Robin carefully batcuffed the Joker as he watched Andrea scream her way through an emotional hell.

“Batman… I… Nightwing told me Ra’s has been planning… He’s going to attack the city, from the…” Robin felt as though his words didn’t even pass through Batman’s ears as he stared at the screaming Andrea. “…Highest building in Gotham.” He finished. He wasn’t even listening to himself.

“Ra’s!” Batman snapped back to consciousness as he spun to face where he’d left the Demon’s Head. Ra’s Al Ghul was long gone. Batman narrowed his eyes in anger. You’ve just proved Ra’s right- you allowed personal problems to interfere with his proper judgment. He was furious with himself. “Then we should go. Batgirl and Nightwing are okay then, I assume?”

“They were fine like, five minutes ago,” Robin murmured.

“The police will find them soon,” Batman said as he glanced at the Joker and his one-time love, in agony. “I think Batgirl and Nightwing will need back-up,”

[witness]

Now that was truly awesome. I had no idea that it was Ra's impersonating the Phantasm, but now I understand. Only Ra's would dare to push Batman's emotions like that. Only Ra's has the cunning to pull off such a scheme. You've portrayed him well. Right now, I'm thinking of when I read Tower of Babel and remembering just how far Ra's would go. He truly is a sick man.

Right now, I'm wondering why you didn't have the Joker face Ra's? I would think that the Joker would want to pay him back after trying to mess with him. But, it's ok. I don't mind too much.

This has been an excellant story. I can't wait to see how you'll wrap it up.

P.S. I like your avatar! Really cool! :D

[Daughterof_Evil]

That was incredible! I had a feeling it was Ra's, but anybody else find themselves saying his name as Raz since Batman Beyond? Damn that Terry McGinnis!

Anyway, just have to have to have to compliment you on your wonderful work! The fight scenes are engaging, the emotional sequences genuinely emotional. I mean, the scene between Talia and Bruce in his bedroom was awesome. Talia's right: she is the other woman here. But then again, so is Selina.

Robin, like always, was portrayed with honest humor. I mean, him yelling " What were you two doing in there!?" cracked me up. And the part where he couldn't find anything clever to say was just hilarious. You really know his character.

All around great. I can't wait till Feb 19 for whatever it is you have to dish out!

[The Game]

This is the final chapter. Please read and review.

CHAPTER 10:

With a soft chime the icon lighted, and the doors parted, revealing Ra’s Al Ghul. The members of the Society of Shadows all gasped and bowed at their leader as he stormed his way toward the stairs, his soldiers lining the halls. They parted like the red sea parted for Moses, all murmuring slightly, all in fear to raise their voice above a whisper.

“Master, we have visitors,” the head of the soldiers said to Ra’s has he reached the end of the hallway, facing the stairwell to the roof.

“Visitors? Of what sort?”

“Nightwing and Batgirl, my lord. They escaped and came to thwart your plan,” he murmured nervously. He felt the eyes of the Demon’s Head penetrate him as he stared at the ground.

“Imbeciles. How could my guards have allowed the escape of two kids in chains and cages? This is ridiculous! I will handle this myself, once and for all!” Ra’s bellowed down the hall. “Where are they now?” he snarled.

“On the roof battling a few of our squads, master,” the man grumbled softy.

“Fine. I will kill Nightwing, Batgirl, and the Detective all in one night. Why must I do everything myself?” Ra’s growled as he began to scale the stairs to the roof, his thick cloak swirling behind him.

* * * * *

There were too many. Batgirl kicked one of them in the jaw, and he tumbled to the ground with a thud, but simultaneously she felt herself struck in the gut by another. She backed away from her next attacker, looking to strike him with an uppercut, but she backed right into another who kneed her in the back. As she gasped in pain she fell forward only to be punched in the face. She lost control of her balance with this blow, and hit the floor, her hip taking most of the impact. There were just so many of them… And they were very well trained.

She tried to roll away, heading toward the only clear area she could see, but the quick feet stomped near her, threatening to crush her. She instead swirled herself up directly, sending all three of them down with a leg sweep. Before the first could get up she sent her foot into his face, and with a crack and a squirt of red, his head smacked backwards onto the roof. Batgirl sighed slightly in relief before two powerful arms came wrapping around her body. One of the thugs at grabbed her from behind and his powerful grasp was pinning her arms to her sides. She tried to jump backwards, over him to escape his grasp, by the held on tight, holding he steadfast. She then used her amazing skills of balance and leg strength to throw him forward, off of her, by planting down her feet and thrusting her body forward. Her attacker flew, landing on top of the first thug she knocked out, but the next thug was already on her. She swung at her head, but she blocked in and sent her fist smashing into his nose. There were too many simply too many, Batgirl thought as she watched another three attackers close in on her. They were simply relentless. She stole a quick glance at Nightwing- he was battling furiously as well- he was also just as swamped as she was.

She looked over at the guns- several Society of Shadows members were pulling large, sleek cruise missiles up toward the center of the building, preparing them as though in pre-launch conditions. She needed to stop them- but several angry Society members stood in her path.

She charged the first one, two shots to the skull sending him reeling- she was determined now. Two more came but shots to the faces of her attackers- but she didn’t see the third one. He clobbered her over the head with a crowbar he’d found near some of the crates. She didn’t make a sound when she hit the floor, breathing heavily as she stared at the goons who slowly surrounded her. One of them raised the crowbar, high into the air as he prepared to bring it down and end her life…

“Enough! Get out of my way you fools! I want to finish her!” came a powerful voice. At his whim the men scattered, and a new, lone figure stood cowering over Batgirl’s defeated figure. She could feel the blood trickle out from her nose. She could feel the bruises forming on her body. She could feel the desperation of absolute hopelessness as she watched Ra’s reach down for her. His fingers wrapped around her neck roughly and squeezed tightly, grasping her as he lifted her up. She could feel the crushing of her larynx as she desperately choked, searching in vain for air- all she could see was the horrid grinning face of Ra’s Al Ghul. She reached up and grabbed his arm with her hands, trying to pull it away, but she was too weak.

“Does this grip feel familiar? This was the same way it was in the alley- when I was acting as the Phantasm. It was I all along. You certainly didn’t suspect me, did you?” Ra’s snarled at his voiceless victim, who struggled to breathe and stay alive. She was fading though. And fast. He brought her over to the ledge, thrusting her out. She dangled above the moving traffic, the cars whizzing past her bellow as she choked the final seconds of her life away…

“Goodbye Barbara. Look on the bright side- it won’t be long before you see your friends again,” he growled as he released her. Batgirl fell from his hands, plummeting to the streets below.

* * * * *

Andrea Beaumont felt the click and the tight encasing steel that was wrapped around her wrists disappeared. She’d picked the lock. The handcuffs slipped off, clanking to the roof, and the redheaded bombshell slowly got up- her deathly glare staying with the Joker as she went. At first the expression on his chalk white face was one of fear and uncertainty. With one motion she reached down to her boot and withdrew a small, silver, snub-nosed pistol. The expression on the Joker’s face changed, his gasping frown slowly becoming a maniacal giggle as his grin widened.

Slowly she raised the pistol level to him, tears streaming down her face. This is what it has come to, she thought to herself. This was the end, either way. She used all the strength she could muster to pull the trigger- and an explosion of sparks and fired erupted through the night. Andrea closed her eyes on the loud bang of the fire- she only opened them afterward. The Joker laid there, a hole in the center of his chest, a pool of blood surrounding him. She looked up slowly to see the wide yellow grin plastered on his face, just like always.

It still hurt. The pain hadn’t gone away. She didn’t even feel relieved to see his dead face. She felt worse. Now she had no purpose in life.

She quickly placed the pistol in her mouth and fired one round, which sank into the base of her brain. She was dead before she hit the floor.

* * * * *

Batgirl fell for a few seconds, and she knew she was going to die. Her life flashed before her eyes in the way she had heard about so many times. Her mom. Her dad. Her childhood. Dick. Bruce and Tim. The villains she’d faced on her crusade for justice… They each blasted through her mind with powerful blares of energy as she fell. She didn’t bother to open her eyes- she didn’t want to know when it would happen.

With a bit of a start she felt something hit her, smashing into her sides, and she felt arms wrapped around her waist. Her eyes opened briefly as she glanced around, the glossy surface of the building shining at her. She looked up to see who had grabbed her.

“Need a lift?” Robin asked with a smile. She could only smile back as she looked up- Robin was holding her while hanging onto a rope ladder, which was… Hanging from the Batwing. Yes! If there was ever a time she needed back up, this was it. The plane lifted, as did Tim and Barbara, flying toward the top of the roof. Batgirl could see the look of surprise on Ra’s face, even from this distance as the Batwing calmly landed on the roof, Batgirl and Robin ready to fight. With a sharp hiss the windshield to the Batwing slid open, and the Dark Knight himself hopped out, glaring right at the Demon’s Head.

“Take care of the partners. The Detective is mine!” Ra’s announced to his men, who obliged without having to be told twice. Batman watched out of the corner of his eye as Batgirl and Robin scampered into the fray, joining Nightwing in his battle. His main sights, however, were set directly on Ra’s Al Ghul, and nothing could have deviated them. Ra’s removed his trademark green cloak, tossing it to the side, removing his tie, and rolling up his sleeves.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Ra’s hissed as he and Batman began to circle each other.

“Right back at you,” Batman snarled back. Batman moved first, vaulting himself through the air. Ra’s countered his flying kick by blocking it, but Batman anticipated this, and landed nimbly on this other foot, while smashing his fist into Ra’s face. He didn’t let up. BAM. BAM. BAM. Batman’s fist crushed into Ra’s face three more times before the Demon’s Head was able to duck away, grabbing his fractured cheekbone. He swung at Batman, but the Dark Knight caught his arm and flipped him over, sending him crashing hard onto the ground. Ra’s got up slowly, his demonic eyes glaring at Batman.

“I see you’ve prepared for our battle Detective,” he mumbled softly. “Luckily, so have I!” he screamed as he lifted a small piece of rock out from his pocket. He admired it with a playful smile.

“The stone from the Shaman’s staff. After the encounter with Superman it didn’t serve its usual purpose. But it certainly gave off an interesting side effect,” Ra’s snarled as he raised the stone toward Batman. With a sharp blaze of powerful green energy, Batman felt every bone in his body vibrate with burning pain- it felt as though every muscle in his body was being slowly torn, fiber-by-fiber. He screamed as he fell to his knees, sinking into a pathetic fetal position. He was helpless as he stared up at a laughing Ra’s Al Ghul.

“That is the power of Superman in pure energy form. Not very comfortable, is it?” Ra’s mocked with an evil grin. Batman began to drag himself along the ground using all the strength he had left…

BAM. Ra’s knee sank into his ribcage. The Dark Knight gasped for what it was worth. The energy had stopped, but the pain continued. Batman lay in agony, trying to escape Ra’s… He began to roll; he could see Ra’s following him as he did. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the Society of Shadows members loading the missiles, armed with the guns. Gotham was on the verge of an apocalypse, and he couldn’t even sit up…

“And now, perhaps, another healthy dose of pain…” Ra’s trailed off as he raised the rock to Batman. Just as the beam of emerald fire erupted from its rock, Batman flipped out the small switchblade knife he kept in case of an emergency- he knew it was his last chance. The beam cut into the reflective surface of the blade and was sent flying back at its sender. With a bloodcurdling scream Ra’s was sent flying through the air, glowing green as he crashed into a large pile of stacked crates. Batman looked over at the missiles. They had started the countdown.

Still lying in agony Batman snatched a batbomb from his utility built, and with much difficulty thrust it in the direction of the missile.

BOOM! A red blaze tore across the roof, Society Member corpses flying with the fire. Nightwing saw this at once and moved quickly. He screamed over the roar of the explosion for Batgirl and Robin to follow him, and they did, squinting into the inferno as they made a mad dash for the Batwing. The attackers were too scared to move, staring in awe at the brilliant burning detonation. Nightwing raced alongside his comrades as fast as humanly possible, sprinting for their only escape. He saw Batman lying in a heap near some crates and made it his mission to save his former mentor.

“Start the ship! I’ll catch up!” Nightwing screamed at Batgirl as he motioned to Bruce. She nodded and screamed something back, but over the earsplitting explosions he couldn’t hear a word of it. He raced for Batman, and arrived, the Dark Knight was out cold. Nightwing reached down and pulled him up, desperately slinging him over his shoulder, turning and running for the Batwing, which was preparing to take off. Batman was heavy, and the fumes made Nightwing dizzy as he pushed himself to make it. Only a matter of feet between life and death… The heat was unbearable.

The Batwing lifted into the sky, Nightwing ran and grabbed onto the rope ladder as it hovered away. He held onto Batman with everything he had as they pulled away from the tallest building in Gotham, which incinerated into rubble moments after.

* * * * *

Tim sat at the table, studying. It wasn’t something he liked to do. It wasn’t something he did often. It was just something he was doing right now. He concentrated on the page of math problems before him, but all of that ended when Barbara walked into the room. Without a word she walked over to the table and took a seat next to him. She looked as beautiful as ever, but very serious as she looked into his eyes.

“How’s the math going?”

“Good. I got a 92 on my quiz yesterday. I suppose those study sessions helped me out a little,” Tim explained.

“Well I’m glad to hear that,” she whispered as she moved forward, bringing her face close to his. He was in wonderment at what she was doing- if it had been anyone else he would have backed away on instinct. But he didn’t move as she slowly planted her lips on his cheek. They stayed there for about a moment, which he wanted to last an eternity before she pulled away.

“What’d you do that for?” he asked sheepishly. He could feel himself turning beet red with overwhelming embarrassment as he stared into her eyes.

“Just a thank you. You saved my life last night, Tim,” she said, before getting up, and leaving the room. Tim sat in wonderment, simply thinking over what had happened. Did she just…?

“She’s a good kisser,” Dick said quietly, as he emerged from the shadows.

“Oh. Fine,” Tim said anxiously, trying to change the subject.

“Aw, c’mon, I know you have a crush on Barbara,” Dick chuckled at Tim.

“Who told you that?” Tim asked, petrified Barbara knew about his feelings.

“Alfred mentioned something. Besides, you’re not exactly subtle about it,” Dick said with a smile. Tim thought about this for a second. “I mean you’re obvious. You might need her to tutor you in English too, squirt,”

“I know what subtle means,” Tim snapped. “I did have a crush on her. I guess. I mean, if you call it that. But it’s most definitely over. I mean, it’s so over. It was just a faze kinda- not that she isn’t great, but I mean…” Tim paused and looked up at Dick. “I wouldn’t want to have to fight with you over her. I mean- for your sake, I wouldn’t want to embarrass you,” Tim explained.

“Yeah, whatever kid,” Dick said with a grin.

* * * * *

The shadowy halls of Arkham Asylum lurked uneasily as its shady inhabitances glared through the bulletproof glass keeping them from the rest of the world. They were looking at the new arrival. The beefy security guards were dragging a man down the hall. He was bound with a thick Mylar straightjacket, and he was mumbling to himself. No, laughing to himself.

“Mistah… Mistah Jay, is that you?” Harley Quinn asked in desperation as she hobbled over to her window- broken leg, arm, ribs, and all. She gleefully pressed her face against the glass, staring out at her puddin’ as the guards tossed him into his cell. The glass closed into place, and Harley got a good look at her puddin’- bruised, battered, and beaten.

“Oh it’s so great to see you, puddin’ you had me worried sick!” she exclaimed happily. “It’s great to be near you again! The time will go by fast, now that you’re here!” she cried joyfully.

“Hey, shut up over there!” came a menacing voice from the next cell.

“Yeah, really lady,” came another.

“Hey! No one talks to me like that! Sweetie! Do something!” Harley cried.

“Hopefully my stay here won’t be extended this time…” Joker chuckled to himself, before breaking into a fit of laughter.

* * * * *

Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson embraced tightly, staring into each other’s eyes point blank.

“I love you, you know,” Dick murmured softly. Barbara smiled widely, her white teeth glistening in the moonlight.

“Yeah, actually I do know,” she whispered. Dick frowned slightly before sliding his hands over her buttocks.

“I like it when you play hard to get,” he shot back.

“Hard to get? How about this- I’m pretending you are someone else right now,” she joked. He wasn’t impressed.

“Are you saying that you don’t find me irresistible?” Dick asked with a grin. Barb smiled.

“Well… Maybe I’m not saying that…” she said softly as their lips began to massage each other. The young couple passionately kissed in the moonlight, and each could have honestly claimed that moment was among the greatest so far in their life.

* * * * *

The ceremony was far from crowded- the funeral of Andrea Beaumont was a quiet affair.

“And how did you know Andrea?” her friend asked.

“From a long time ago,” Bruce murmured softly as he strode into the church. It was dark and musty- there were maybe twenty people there, and Bruce didn’t recognize anyone. He took his seat on the long velvet coated bench, alone in the front. He sat there in absolute silence, he didn’t hear anything, he didn’t react to anything. The ceremony ended, and those who were there left, off to the reception.

Bruce didn’t go anywhere. He sat in silence for an hour more. At that point, he broke into uncontrollable tears- the first time he could remember crying since the death of his parents. The tears rolled down his face as he sat in emotional agony, and nothing in the world could make him stop.

THE END

Well there it is. Please respond to the story as a whole.

[Coran]

Game... that was just awesome. Your plot line was incredible, your characters were perfect, and the twists were totally unexpected. I give you full marks for this story. A+!

[The Game]

Whoa. I went for four responses to two to one. Ouch.

I guess the ending wasn't too popular, eh? Oh well. :( February 19th will be much better, don't worry!

[The Game]

BTW- Thanks for responding Coran! :D

[witness]

game, give people a chacne to respond. it's only been one day since you've posted. I usually wait two or three. some of the people that do respond don't come online as often as others. i'm sure that you'll get more than one reply to this.

as for your story, it was truly an amazing piece of work! i liked how you used the shaman's stone from the last encounter. that was a nice way of showing continuity. did you kill ra's in this story? i couldn't tell. i do know that you killed andrea!!!!! grrr..... i just like her character so much that i hate to see her go. but that was really good to show that even after she shot the joker that it didn't make her feel any better. nice way of showing emotion there.

i can't wait to see what you've got cooked up for the 19th, but i guess i'll have to wait, won't i? until then!

[Batgirl_2005]

ACK!!!! that was... oh my gosh... i mean.... WOW!!! That was fabulous, Game. I can't wait to read more stories by you. You are an amazing write, as is everyone on this board. ~applauds~ you did a great job on this story.

[Panther]

I am awed and amazed at the dexterity with which you juggled all these characters! And now one got slighted! Everyone was fleshed out and given proper amount of attention. The craziness of the antagonsits - especilly Quinn and Ra's - was written wonderfully and I loved how our heroes really shown!

I'm intrigued that your willing to mess slightly with continiuty (i.e. kill off Andrea, almost a major charcter) which makes me VERY curious as to what your planning for the 19th. Very poignant funeral scen. Poor Bruce! :( But Dicka nd babs made up - how sweet! I loved that save Robin made! You're a great writer.

Good luck on the next story!

[Kali]

Wow! :eek:

That was a rather interesting and heartbreaking story! I loved the Mask of the Phantasm movie, and I haven't seen any fan fiction with the character, until now. Poor Bruce, torn between the three women, only to lose one of them tragically. :bosko:

A very well written romance piece with surprising twists and turns. :D Great job!