untiled JLA Fic: Prologue

[lilandriss]

ok, i got me an idea the other day and finally had some time to start writing it. (New here btw Hi!:)> Anyway, here is the pro. Tell me what y'all think so far.

Untitled: Pro/?

The night was dark and cold. But for the creature that stalked the inky black streets and alleys, the conditions were perfect. Cold darkness best inspired fear. And fear was what the creature craved most. and death. Before the night was over, it would have both.

**********

The alley was marked off by yellow police tape, hiding the horror that lay in the darkness beyond. Barricades kept the morbidly curious back, allowing the police to do their jobs. Nobody, as usual, was watching the rooftops and so nobody saw the dark shadow land silently to investitgate the scene below. When the crowd began getting rowdy enough that it drew the attention away from the body, the shadow took advantage and dropped down for a closer look. it was as he had feared. the woman's throat had been torn out, all the blood drained from her body. the only trace of the life source left was the small amount that clung to her fear frozen, white face and some spatter on the walls.
He melted back into the shadows as medics entered the alley, preparing to remove the body. He shook his head. This was the fifth death in three nights and whatever was responsible had been leaving no clues behind. But wait. What was that? Night vision slipping into place, he discovered bloody, animalistic footprints going up one wall. So it could walk up buildings huh? Hm. Kind of blatant. whatever this was, it wanted him to find it. or maybe whoever was controlling it wanted him to, if someone *was* controling it. Taking out his grapling gun, Batman returned to the roof and followed the trail.

tbc....
(ok, so more of a teaser, but still, whatcha think?)

[lilandriss]

Here is the rest of the pro:

Half an hour later found him in the one of the more dangerous areas of Gotham City, which didn’t surprise him in the least. The people in this area tended to be closed mouthed. Keeping a secret here was easy, as people didn’t see anything beyond their own, pathetic lives.

The tracks led to one of the many buildings that should have been knocked down years ago and would probably come down on its own any day now. Silently, almost invisible, the Dark Knight, gained entrance to the building through the roof access. He moved carefully through the darkness, every sense alert to unseen danger. He stopped when he saw light pouring up from a room below. As he crept toward the opening to see what lay below, a familiar laugh rang out, prompting an inward sigh.

“Figures,” he muttered as he looked down on the room. Sitting in a chair, giggling like a psychotic school girl, was Batman’s most deadly enemy, the Joker. Draped across him, stroking his face lovingly, was his girl, Harley Quinn. The pair had broken out of Arkham months ago and had simply vanished into thin air. Now that they had resurfaced, it was time to shut down whatever they were up to and send them back.

His eyes carefully scanned the room, looking for the pet Joker was obviously keeping. Finding no signs of anyone or anything but the two of them, Batman decided to drop in and get things started. Taking out a batarang with a rope attached, he sent it soaring. Harley shrieked as it wrapped around her and he yanked her off Joker, then sent another batarang flying as he dropped down into the room. It plowed into Joker, knocking him and the chair over backward.

“Batsy!” he exclaimed in a happy voice, watching Batman approach from where he lay. “I knew we’d run into each other sooner or later.”

“You led me here, Joker,” Batman growled back softly, reaching down and pulling his adversary to his feet. He pushed him up against a wall.

“Lead? Now how could I do that when I’ve been here enjoying a quiet evening with my sweet Harleykins?” His eyes moved to where Harley lay on the floor, struggling to untie herself.

“Don’t play with me tonight Joker!” Batman snarled back, slamming Joker against the wall. “Tell me what the hell you set loose on the streets!”

Joker grinned. “Don’t want to catch up eh? All right then. Harley dear, show our friend our little pet.”

“Sure thing puddin,’ Harley replied brightly, springing to her feet as she got free of the rope and skipping out of the room. She came running back in a moment later, spinning around to watch something else come into the room.

The…creature looked like a brutal cross between a wildcat and a hyena. It was strangely hairless and dark gray in color. Its yellow cat like eyes gleamed with madness and a terrible pain as if every moment it lived with agony. It opened its mouth, revealing two razor sharp, blood stained fangs. All other teeth were missing. Oh God.

“What have you done?” Batman whispered, tightening his grip on the madman.

“Well, you know how you’re always hearing the Hospitals and such crying out for donations? It broke my heart hearing how they’re continually running short and are in desperate need, so I decided to help. And in the process, I created life!” Joker talked as though he were giving a ground breaking speech. “Batman, meet my pride and joy…George! He’s a revolutionary breakthrough! He’s the ultimate blood collector. Granted, he’s still got a few bugs in him. I haven’t quite figured out how to get the blood he collects out to give to the hospital but…” he shrugged and giggled.

Batman responded by hitting the lunatic hard, tossing him into Harley and then rolling out of the way as ‘George’ attacked. The beast was amazingly fast and, naturally, extremely angry. Batman took a few hits, but thankfully its claws didn’t penetrate his armor. The fight went on for several minutes, with Batman managing to inflict a few wounds before the unnatural creature turned the tables and brought him to the floor. Batman cried out in pain as fangs sank into the vulnerable part of his shoulder, attempting to rip down and take him apart. He struggled one handed with the blood sucker while his other hand rapidly searched his utility belt for a weapon. He came out with an electricity gun, which he jammed into the ‘George’s’ side and turned on to full power.

A horrible scream split the air as the electricity coursed through the mangled body. The eyes grew impossibly wide and blood began to ooze out of them. Batman kept the electricity going a few seconds longer, then turned it off. ‘George’ shuddered, eyes rolling into his head as fell to the side. A shudder of breath ran through his body and then all was still.

“Huh,” Joker said from where he stood next to Harley. “Weak against electricity.” He looked at her and shrugged. “Who knew?” Looking back at Batman who was struggling to his feet he began backing away. “Well Bats, the reunion was fun, but we gotta split now. People to see and all that.” Both of the two criminals turned to run, but Batman sent another rope flying, wrapping around the both of them and tying them tight together. “Oh no!” Harley shrieked as they went down, landing with a heavy thud.

Batman grimaced as he pressed an alert button that would bring the police, then pressed a hand to his wounded shoulder. His gaze raked the couple over, satisfied that they wouldn’t be getting loose anytime soon without assistance. He wrote a quick note for Commissioner Gordon, who he knew would be coming, then slipped out of the building. Time to head for home and care for his wound.

tbc...
so, what do you guys think so far?

[lilandriss]

feedback people!

Part 1

Two Nights Later:

Batman perched motionless on the roof of a warehouse, watching a couple men on the dock below. “You don’t look well. Are you all right?” He managed to retain his control and therefore did not jump. Damn Martian. Without taking his eyes from the men below, he said, “I told you I hate it when you do that.”

J’onn J’onzz, also known as the Martian Manhunter, nodded. “I apologize. But you have not answered my question. Are you all right? You look decidedly unwell.”

“I’m fine,” Batman replied shortly. Truth be told, he felt terrible and had since his fight with the Joker’s creature two nights earlier. But tonight was too important to stay home. The League had been working on taking down a major smuggling ring for several months and tonight was going to see the end of it. This ring had been responsible for a large amount of drugs circulating Gotham streets that had resulted in the deaths of several kids, both street and ‘normal.’ Nope. It didn’t matter how he was feeling. Nothing was going to prevent him from sitting this night out.

J’onn let the matter drop for the moment. “I will check on the others,” he said and slipped out of sight. The ‘others’ he was checking on were Flash, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. Hawkgirl could not be reached this night and Superman was on the other side of the planet, fight back a deadly flood. It was all right. They wouldn’t need all seven of them. They were dealing with mortal scum, not super powered scum.

“Look alive boys and girls,” Green Lanterns’ voice came over the comm. Link, pulling Batman from his thoughts. “We got lots of company coming.”

“Bout time,” came Flashes’ voice. “I’m dying for some action here.”

“Quiet,” Batman murmured, watching as four cars arrived on the dock. From the water, two motorboats approached. All in all, twenty men had gathered. The cargo from the boats was quickly unloaded and placed in the cars while the leaders of the two groups shook hands and talked like they were old buddies. Probably were.

Batman waited patiently, ignoring the throbbing in this shoulder and suppressing the annoying urge to throw up and when he heard the cue, gave the order to attack. The group swooped down and all hell broke loose. Batman threw all his concentration into the fight and, oddly, the ache in his shoulder and the turning in his stomach abated, replaced by…excitement? No, that couldn’t be right. Battles and hurting people, even evil people, didn’t excite him. So what was this he was feeling?

The sound of a boat gunning its engines reached his ears. Looking up, he saw three men in one of the boats, about to attempt a desperate getaway. With a growl, he finished off his current opponent and ran to the dock, jumping and landing hard in the speeding boat, immediately disarming one of the men and tossing him carelessly over the side. He took out the second man just as easy, but the third gave him a run for his money. Both combatants were so involved in the fight that they didn’t notice where the speeding boat was heading. Even when Batman got the upper hand and had the other man pinned to the floor, crying out in terror, he still took no notice.

On shore where the others were securing the rest of the men, Flash called out in alarm, “Hey! What’s the Bat doing? He’s gonna crash!”

Instantly, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman took to the air, rushing as fast as they could after the runaway boat. Just seconds before it was going to go up in a ball of flames, Green Lantern let loose the power of his ring. The field of light surrounded the boat and picked it up from the water and Batman still didn’t seem to notice anything beyond the terrified man beneath him.

“Get him off me! Get him off me!” the man was screaming.

“Diana!” Green Lantern exclaimed, opening part of the field. Wonder Woman soared inside and grabbed Batman, pulling him away. Batman responded with a savage growl and began struggling violently in her grip. “Batman!” she exclaimed, “Batman stop!”

When Green Lanterns’ energy field went out, Wonder Woman leapt from the boat, slipping into a fighting stance as an enraged Batman jumped out after her. As the others started toward him, Batman stopped moving, swayed, then slipped bonelessly to the ground.

J’onn quickly knelt by his side, pressing two fingers to the side of Batman’s neck. “He’s burning up!” Wonder Woman exclaimed as she pressed a hand to his cheek.

“He’s insane!” the man in the boat, being held firmly by Flash, ranted, eyes wide, skin as white as a sheet. “He’s not human! He’s a monster!”

“J’onn, you and Diana get him back to the tower. Flash and I will wait for the police to pick this bunch up,” Green Lantern said and J’onn nodded, carefully picking Batman up and heading for the nearby, hidden shuttle.

“What do you think is wrong?” Flash asked and Green Lantern shook his head. “Don’t know. But I got a real bad feeling.”


“I came as soon as I could,” Superman said an hour later as he entered the room outside the medical lab. “What happened?”

“The Bat went nuts!” Flash replied, then went on to explain what had happened.

Superman frowned, then looked to the door as it slid open and J’onn emerged. “How is he?”

“Gravely ill,” J’onn replied. “He has a dangerously high fever and is in a state of delirium.”

“What’s causing it?” Flash asked.

“I’m not sure. I’ve found traces of some kind of toxin in his system but I’m having difficulty isolating it. Hopefully it will be identified soon.” He turned and went back into the room, the others following. He moved to Batman’s side and pulled back the sheet covering his sweating, trembling body. “I believe whatever caused that is responsible for his current state,” he said, pointing to the man’s exposed right shoulder.

The group pressed closer to have a look and discovered a stitched up still very angry, nasty looking wound that resembled the bite mark of a large animal. Flash whistled low. “Wow. Would hate to run into whatever did that.”

Green Lanterns’ eyes were narrowed as he gazed at the wound, then snapped his fingers. “Wait a second. Computer, access news archives for the latest out of Gotham City concerning Batman.”

There was a pause, then a beeping as a TV screen was lowered down and a news cast from Gotham began playing.

“Our Top story tonight,” the anchorwoman was saying, “The killer that has been stalking the streets for the past three nights has been brought down by Gotham’s own, The Batman. The mind behind the killings, the infamous Joker but it was not he who had been doing the actual killings that claimed five. It was a creature he had created. The beast,” the screen switched to a picture of a very gruesome, very dead thing, “had consumed all the blood of its victims which, according the Joker, was a simple attempt to collect needed blood for the hospitals.”

The screen went blank as Superman switched it off. Shaking his head in disgust, he said, “Think I’ll go have a visit with Joker.”

“I’ll go with you,” Green Lantern said, heading for the door. Superman nodded, lightly touched Batman’s good shoulder, then followed his friend out.

As Wonder Woman looked at Batman’s shaking form and listened to his unintelligible ramblings, a deep sadness filled her. She sat down and put a hand on his arm, looking up at J’onn. “I will not let him go without a fight,” the Martian answered her unasked question, then turned to study the readouts the computer was reporting.

Flash sighed inwardly, an image of the dead beast slipping into his mind, causing him to shiver. ‘You’ll pull through, Bats,’ he thought. ‘I know you will.’

[lilandriss]

k, i got parts 2 and 3 now.

Part 2

Superman and Green Lantern stood in front of the cell that housed the Joker, ignoring the activity of the other inmates in the cells around them. “Joker!” Superman called out.

Joker raised his head from where he lay and broke into a wide grin. “Well, well!” he exclaimed, jumping up onto his bed and sitting on his haunches. “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise. What happened boys? Did ya finally commit old Batsy?” He giggled and bounced a little.

“No,” Superman replied, his voice cold. “We’ve come to ask about that pet of yours Batman took down.”

Jokers’ face crumbled. “Poor, poor George,” he moaned, flopping over with a sob. “He was just a baby! A baby has to eat ya know. And that mean old Batman killed him!”

“Cut the dramatics!” Green Lantern snapped, causing Joker to raise his head inquiringly. Green lantern took a step forward. “What kind of poison did you put in that thing? Some kind of snake venom?”

Joker stared at them, then grinned. “Old Batsy not feeling so good eh? Serves him right I’d say, killing an innocent little baby.”

“We’ve seen pictures of that thing Joker. Saw the chunk it took out of Batman. That was no baby. What did you put in it?” Superman demanded, his eyes glowing a soft red.

Joker burst out laughing. “Uh oh! The Boy Scout is getting angry!” He stuck his tongue out. “I hereby exercise my right to the freedom of no talking!” He grinned. “I’ll never teeeeellll,” he sang, before bursting out in a fresh round of hysterical laughing.

Superman sighed and looked at Green Lantern. “Come on. We’ll never get anything out of him. Let’s get back and see if J’onn came up with anything.” Green Lantern threw a disgusted look at the Joker before turning and following Superman out.

Joker stopped laughing and got up, moving to the door and peering out. In the cell across from him, Harvey Dent, AKA Two Face, called out to him, “Just what did you do to the Bat?”

Joker grinned. “Harvey my boy, the Bat is about to go through an identity crisis he won’t soon forget.” As the Joker went back to insane laughter, Two Face shook his head and turned his back, flipping his coin.

++++++++

Batman didn’t know where he was, or what was going on. He hated that. Hated not being in control of a situation. Hated not knowing where he was. Hated….everything. But no…he didn’t. Not everything. Just those who preyed on the weak. Who lived to cause death and pain.

Where was he?

He was surrounded by darkness. Normally, he had no problem with that. The darkness was his friend, his ally. But this darkness was different. It was thick with malice. With discomfort. And, he suddenly realized, he wasn’t alone. There was something there with him.

“Who’s there?” he demanded sharply. Show yourself!” He tried to activate his night vision but it wouldn’t work. He would have to rely on his senses.

A cold breeze washed over him, causing him to shiver. Then a voice, soft and silky whispered, “I cannot show myself, for I have no form.”

“Who are you?”

“I am everything, and anything.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

The breeze moved over him again, caressing his face. “I am you innermost desires, your fears….your darkness.” The breeze became warm and seemed to penetrate his body, wrapping around his heart and his soul and causing him to gasp in pleasure. ‘I represent what you truly are.”

“I…I don’t understand,” Batman whispered.

“I know you don’t. It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. Everything will be fine. Rest now, rest…..”

+++++++

J’onn was injecting Batman with something when Superman and John got back. “Find anything out?” Flash asked and Superman shook his head.

“No, he refused to say what he did.” He moved to stand next to J’onn. “How is he?”

“I think I managed to isolate the virus. I just gave him what will hopefully be the cure.” Superman nodded, patted J’onn’s shoulder and left the room. He went to the communications council in another room and dialed in a number. After a moment, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s butler, appeared on the monitor. “I’m sorry sir,” he began, “Mr….”

“He’s here, Alfred,” Superman interrupted, then explained what was going on.

“Oh dear,” Alfred responded, worry plain on his face. “I told him he didn’t look well and should have stayed home. Is he all right?”

“We’re working on it. I thought you should know, though.”

“Thank you sir. I shall inform Master Robin at once.”

“I’ll keep you informed,” Superman said, then cut the connection. He sat down with a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed when a voice said, “The serum is working.”

He looked up to find J’onn had slipped into the room. “I think he will be all right,” the Martian continued.

“I sense a ‘but’ in there somewhere,” Superman replied warily.

J’onn was silent for a moment, then said, “I am troubled. I have sensed the movement of a shadow within him three times now, but when I scanned, I was unable to find anything.”

Superman frowned. “Are you suggesting that we keep an eye on him when he wakes up?”

“I think that would be wise until we are certain beyond any doubt that he is completely normal.”

Superman was silent a moment, then sighed and nodded. “All right. I’ll let the others know.”

As the Man of Steel left the room, J’onn sat crossed legged on the floor, clearing his mind as he slipped into a meditative state.

+++++++

The darkness was becoming tiresome. The voice had been silent for some time now, causing Batman to question whether there really had been something there, speaking with him. He had no idea how long he had been in this place and, with a growl of annoyance, decided it was time to find a way out.

He began walking. True, he had no idea where he was going, but at least he was doing something. He judged about a half hour had passed when that cold warm breeze washed over him and that voice whispered, “This way.”

“Where?” Batman asked and felt himself being turned to his right. Straight ahead, a pinpoint of light appeared.

“Go to it,” the voice said and again, he felt that warm pleasure wrap itself around his heart and soul. He began walking toward the light. As it grew brighter, the pleasure coursing through him began melting away, replaced by pain. He stopped and moaned softly.

“Batman?” He looked up as another voice echoed around him. One that he knew. Diana?

“Yes, it’s me. Can you open your eyes?”

He frowned. How had she heard him say her name? She wasn’t a telepath. Unless she had been keeping something from them….

Soft laughter floated around him and then suddenly J’onn was standing before him. Batman took a startled step back. “What?”

“Easy,” J’onn said then held out his hand. “Take my hand. I will guide you back.”

‘Do it,’ the voice whispered faintly and automatically, Batman reached out and took J’onn’s hand. A bright light enveloped him and then pain and grogginess assaulted him. Slowly, faces began swimming around murkily above him. He blinked a few times and the faces of his teammates slowly came into focus.

“Hey, welcome back, Bats,” Flash said with a grin. “You gave us a real good scare there.”

“What happened?” Batman asked, his voice weak and more gravelly than usual.

“You went a little crazy at the dock and passed out,” Flash replied. “Don’t you remember?”

“You were poisoned,” J’onn said before Batman could reply. “The creature you fought the other night,” he added at Batman’s confused look.

“How long?”

“Four days,” Wonder Woman supplied.

“What!” Batman immediately started trying to get up, but Superman easily held him down. “Easy,” he murmured. “Everything’s fine. Your boy Robin has been looking after things and we’ve been pitching in too. Relax and rest.”

‘Everything will be fine. Rest.’

Batman frowned as those words echoed in his mind. Something was trying to make itself known, but he couldn’t grasp what. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get his thoughts together and when he opened them again, was startled to find only J’onn in the room. “Where did they go?”

“Left to allow you time to rest,” J’onn replied, coming over to the bedside. “How do you feel?” He must have sensed Batman’s state of confusion for he added, “You have been asleep for an hour.”

An hour. He had closed his eyes for a moment and an hour had passed? Damn, he really had been knocked for a loop. He looked back at J’onn as the Martian began speaking again. “I want you to stay here overnight so that I might observe you. Make certain there are no side effects.”

“I’m fine,” Batman replied, carefully sitting up and fighting back the dizziness.

“I request that you remain,” J’onn said, putting a hand on Batman’s shoulder. “The virus you had been infected with was highly unusual.”

Batman slowly got to his feet, putting a hand on J’onn’s own shoulder and squeezing lightly. “I’m fine, J’onn. Thank you for all that you did, but I can look after myself from here.”

J’onn stared at Batman for a few seconds, then nodded and stepped aside, allowing Batman to leave the room. As he watched the man go, the sense that not all was right crept over him, leaving him with a sense of foreboding.

Part 3

He crouched on the edge of a high rooftop, looking down on the city, listening and watching for trouble. After a while, he decided to move on and stood, leaping from the ledge. The realization that he wasn’t using his grappling hook to soar through the air hit him after about thirty seconds. Looking around, he discovered he had wings! Not wings like Hawkgirl, though. These were leathery and were attached to his arms. Like a bat. Exhilaration filled him as he flew through the air, feeling more and more like his namesake. Feeling more powerful than ever before in his abilities to inspire terror.

A scream reached his ears and he looked down, catching sight of a man running from a couple, one of whom was laying motionless on the ground. With a growl, Batman tracked the running man into an alley, swooping down after him. He landed silently behind the thug and crept up to him, grabbing him when the man turned and slamming him up against a wall. The man screamed and Batman grinned, enjoying the pure terror in his prey’s eyes. The next thing he knew, his teeth were sinking into the man’s neck and sweet, sweet blood was flowing down his throat, giving him strength …more power to inspire fear.

When he finished, he dropped the body and looked down, finding blood pooling at his feet and rising rapidly, getting deeper until it was waist high. Laughter slipped from his lips, slowly getting louder and more fearsome until it was all anyone could hear….

With a sharp gasp, Bruce bolted upright in bed, breathing hard as he looked around. A dream, his rational mind told him, just a dream. He lay back down, slowly regaining control, hands covering his face. A dream, but so real…

His eyes strayed to the door as it opened and Alfred slipped inside. When he saw the younger man was awake, he smiled and said cheerfully, “Good morning,” as he crossed over to the massive curtains. “How are you feeling?”

‘Lousy,’ Bruce thought but out loud said, “Better.”

Alfred made a noise of approval as he pushed a button and the drapes slowly pulled back, letting the bright morning sun fill the room. Bruce winced at the light and put a hand up to shield his eyes, holding back a groan. Alfred switched on the TV, then went back into the hall, returning seconds later with a cart holding breakfast and the morning paper.

At the sight of food, Bruce’s stomach rumbled but he wasn’t sure if it was from hunger or revolution. He sat up, however, as Alfred brought the food over, accepting the tray. He frowned as he looked at a little bottle full of dark liquid. “Alfred, what’s this?” he asked, picking it up for a closer look.

“Ah yes, Mr. Kent was here earlier. He said that your Martian friend, J’onn, had been studying the virus you had been infected with and believed this concoction would kill off anything that may be lingering. He recommended you take that following a good breakfast.”

‘Poison,’ something whispered in this mind. ‘They’re trying to get control of you. They’re up to something.’

Bruce blinked and shook his head to clear it. What the hell was that?

“Master Bruce? Are you all right?” Alfred asked, concern crossing his features.

“Yes, Yes I’m fine. Thank you, Alfred.”

Alfred studied Bruce for a few seconds, then nodded and left the room. Bruce turned his attention to the food, wondering at the sudden loss of appetite despite being ravenous. He managed to eat the majority though, then picked up the bottle J’onn had left. Ignoring the voice whispering nonsense in his mind, he downed the contents, then got up and slipped on a pair of sweat pants. He got down on the floor and began his morning ritual of pushups as he listened to the news, stopping when his shoulder began protesting too much. At that point, he put on a sweatshirt and headed downstairs, intending on going for his morning jog.

He opened and the front door and hesitated, staring at the sunlight outside, beyond the shadows of the door. Finally, he shook himself and growled, stepping outside and continuing his morning exercise.

++++++++

A week passed and The dreams persisted, each a little different but always ending the same way. Batman up to his waist in blood, laughing hysterically. And things changed.
Day three ended Bruce’s morning jog. His appetite was nonexistent, making it an extreme chore to eat. By day four, he was sleeping until sunset, leaving strict orders not to be awakened. By day five he was sleeping in the cave. Alfred was becoming deeply concerned for his health and Tim Drake, also known as Robin, who had been watching one to many horror movies of late, continually made references to the ‘undead’ which Alfred repeatedly told him were ridiculous. Robin kept a close watch anyway.

One night, a couple of hours before dawn, Batman interrupted an attempted rape. He perused the offender, catching him easily and throwing him roughly into an alley. “Time for a lesson in how to treat a lady,” he growled as he picked the man up and threw him against a wall.

“I…I was only kidding man!” the punk cried out. “I…I wasn’t really gonna…gonna hurt her!”

Batman smirked. “And I’m not really going to hurt you either,” he snarled before smashing the goon into another wall. The man groaned, slumping limply in Batman’s grip, blood tricking down from a hidden head wound. Batman froze at the sight, watching the red substance slowly making its way down the thug’s neck. He stared at the neck, could see it pulsing…racing with fear that he could smell…

The sound of sirens startled him and he jumped back, allowing the rapist to fall to the ground. Moving quickly, Batman tied him up, then took to the roof tops, watching the police search the area until they found the piece of scum. Feeling a little shaken, Batman then turned and headed for home.

+++++
Surprisingly, Alfred was waiting for him when he returned. “Master Bruce, we need to talk,” he stated the second the door to the Batmobile slid open.

“Not now, Alfred,” Batman replied wearily as he left the car.

“Yes now. Master Bruce there is something wrong and I am deeply concerned. Your behavior lately has been highly erratic, even for you.”

Batman turned and fixed Alfred with a stony stare. Alfred stared back, not the least bit intimidated. After a moment of staring at each other, Alfred said quietly, “Bruce, this is absurd. This aversion to the sun you’ve developed, not the mention food, is unhealthy. Have you looked in a mirror lately? You look dreadful!” He paused, then began to fight dirty. “Think of Tim. If you won’t seek help for yourself or for me, then do it for Master Tim. That boy needs you, Bruce. You have a responsibility to him, one that you can’t possibly acknowledge while on the path you are currently walking.”

Batman stared at Alfred, then sighed and removed his cowl. “Alfred,” he said softly, closing the distance and putting a gentle hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Alfred, I want you to take some time off. Go home. Visit with your relatives and your old friends.”

Alfred gave him a startled look. That was the last thing he had expected to hear. Before he could protest, Bruce continued, “Something is happening, Alfred. I’m not sure what but I’m certain it’s dangerous. I don’t want you here where you could most likely get hurt.” He paused, then added, “Take Tim with you. I’m sure he’d love to spend a week or two in England.”

“And what do you plan to do?”

“I’m going to see J’onn. If there’s something in my head, he’ll know it.”

Alfred went through an obvious internal struggle for several minutes, sorting through Bruce’s words and his options. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. I will pack immediately.” Bruce squeezed his shoulder gently, offering a ghost of a smile. Only when the older man was gone, did he sit down heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. Through the entire conversation, he had watched the pulsing in the other man’s neck and had imagined he could hear the beating of his heart.

God, what the hell was happening? ‘I’ll say goodbye to Alfred and Tim, then go to the tower and talk to J’onn,’ he thought. That decided, he stood and headed for the stairs, stopping half way as his mind clouded and his body began demanding sleep. Almost in a daze, he turned and went to the cot he kept in a corner, asleep the second he laid down.

++++++
Superman followed the signal to a deserted back road near the Gotham City Airport, wondering why Bruce hadn’t used the comm. Link or why he hadn’t just gone to the Tower. ‘Find out in a minute,’ he thought as he touched down lightly near the waiting car. “Bruce?” he called out.

The door opened and Alfred Pennyworth, followed by Tim Drake, stepped out of the car. “Master Bruce is not here, Mr. Kent,” the Englishman said.

Superman raised a brow. “What’s up?”

“I have something of importance to discuss with you.” He looked down at Tim. “Master Tim, would you kindly wait in the car, please?”

Tim looked up at Alfred in surprise. “What? How come?”

“Master Tim, you are my charge. Please do as I ask and wait in the car.”

Tim grumbled something, but did as he was told. Superman had a concerned look in his eyes. “Alfred what’s going on?”

“I am deeply worried about Master Bruce. He’s been behaving very strangely ever since his return from the Tower.” He went on to reveal everything he knew. “He insisted Master Tim and I go to England for a couple of weeks. Said he was going to seek help from Mr. Jo’nnz, but I felt I should alert you just the same.”

Superman frowned, remembering his conversation with J’onn nearly two weeks earlier when Batman had still been unconscious. “Thank you, Alfred. We’ll certainly watch him and I’ll have J’onn do a scan.”

“Thank you, sir,” Alfred said and the pair shook hands.

“Have a safe trip,” Superman said, then took to the skies, heading back to Metropolis.

+++++
Batman moved silently through the halls of the Tower. His mind felt numb…cloudy. He was having trouble clearing it. And he was hungry, but he didn’t know for what. Noise in the Rec. Room drew his attention and looking in the doorway, he found Flash parked in front of the TV, junk food all around him. A predatory smile played across his Batman’s lips as he slipped silently into the room and moved in the shadows, watching Flash. He waited until there was a few seconds of silence on the TV, then said, “Shouldn’t you be in the comm. Room?” as he melted from the shadows.

A startled exclamation escaped Flash’s lips and he jumped from the couch, ready to face his opponent. When he saw Batman, he relaxed a bit, putting a hand over his heart and saying, “Geez Bats! You trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Sorry,” Batman replied, his tone mocking and amused. Flash regarded him for a moment then asked, “What are you doing here anyway? You aren’t scheduled for a few days yet.”

“Looking for J’onn.”

“He’s not here. I think he’s with G.L.” He seemed to hesitate before asking, “Is there something I could help you with?”

Batman was about to decline when he realized something. There was a hint of fear in the room. He knew he made the Kid nervous but this time, Flash was actually feeling fear. Something stirred within Batman and his mind clouded a little more. The sound of a heart beat filled his ears and an instinct began to take over.

“Actually Flash,” he replied softly, moving toward him in as non threatening a manner as he could manage, “There is something you could help me with.” The fear rose ever so slightly, but Flash didn’t show it as he nodded and said, “Sure. Name it.”

The tiny stun gun Batman had palmed dug into Flash’s side and high currents of electricity shot out. Flash called out in shock, eyes going wide and the smell of fear rose. Batman smashed Flash into a wall before cutting the electricity. He ripped Flash’s mask off, instinct now driving him. He never felt the fangs slide down, but he most certainly felt them sink into Flash’s neck.

He began to drink, suddenly understanding what it was he had been hungry for all this time. The life source felt wonderful, exotic. It filled him with strength he had never felt before. He drank until something compelled him to stop. The fangs retreated as he stepped back, letting Flash fall limply to the floor.

And Bruce Wayne disappeared beneath a dark, thick shadow and a new bat emerged. One that would bring terror upon the world like none ever had before. He knelt down next to Flash, replaced his mask, then picked him up and put him back on the couch. When he woke, the boy would know his new mission in life. To serve and protect his Dark Knight.

tbc...
Thoughts?
lil

[lilandriss]

Part 4

“Flash! Flash!” Superman shouted as he, J’onn and Lantern raced down the halls of the Tower, searching for speedster. He turned a corner and just managed to avoid crashing into Batman. The Dark Knight regarded them with a raised brow. “What’s all the yelling?”

“Flash,” Superman replied cautiously.

“I felt great distress coming from him,” J’onn added. “There was much fear, like he was facing great danger.”

Batman frowned. “Last I saw, he was fine. Sleeping in the Rec. Room.” He turned and led the trio back to the room, nodding at the form on the couch. “Probably having nightmares,” he said, gesturing to the scattered remains of junk food.

Green Lantern scowled. “What’s he doing sleeping? He’s supposed to be on duty!”

“Understandable after watching the news,” Batman replied. “His city’s been going through a massive crime spree. Even the fastest man alive gets tired.”

Superman had been studying Batman, knowing J’onn was subtly scanning the other man’s mind. ‘His defenses are up and going strong,’ the report came a moment later. ‘I am unable to find anything conclusive.’ Superman tore his gaze from Batman and entered the room. He knelt down in front of Flash, putting a hand on the other’s shoulder and gently shaking. “Flash,” he called softly, eyes moving back to Batman, almost challenging him to interfere. Batman simply watched, looking completely unconcerned. “Flash wake up.”

A soft moan escaped Flash’s lips. “Go away,” he mumbled, attempting to turn away.

“Flash, wake up,” Superman persisted. “Need to talk to you.”

Flash sighed and opened his eyes, sitting up a bit and looking around as he slowly remembered where he was. “Aw hell,” he mumbled, looking up at Superman. “Fell asleep.”

“You all right?” Superman asked. “J’onn got some pretty heavy distress feelings from you. Was certain you were in trouble.”

“Yeah I’m fine,” Flash replied, pressing a hand to his head. “Must have been more tired than I thought,” he added with a small smile.

Superman studied him, easily judging him to be telling the truth, then offered a smile of his own. “Why don’t you go home and get some rest?” he suggested. “You look like you need it.”

Flash nodded. “Think I will. Been a long week.”

As Flash headed for the transporters, J’onn once again tried probing Batman’s mind. He got a little further in this time but before he could attempt to go further, Batman turned and fixed him with a stony look. “Get out of my head, J’onn.”

As J’onn pulled out, Batman moved so he could glare at both him and Superman. “All right, what’s going on?” he growled.

Superman exchanged a look with J’onn, then said, “We’re….concerned about you.”

“Why? I’ve been back on my feet for over a week now.”

“We’re not worried about your physical health,” Superman replied. “More like your mental health.”

“I believe there may be something in your mind,” J’onn clarified. “I have felt a shadow of sorts that concerns me.”

Batman scowled. “There’s nothing in my mind but me.”

“Prove it,” Superman challenged. “Let J’onn do a full scan. If you’re really all right, then I apologize and we can move on. And if you’re not….” He trailed off.

Batman regarded them stonily for a moment, then nodded curtly. “Fine.” He looked at J’onn. “Go ahead.”

J’onn’s eyes glowed as he sent his mind into Batman’s for a thorough look around. When he came upon a block that wouldn’t give, he said, “Take the block down.”

“No. That information is private.”

“Batman,” Superman said warningly and Batman glared coldly at him.

“I am prepared to use force,” J’onn stated and Batman, knowing what the Martian was capable of, grudgingly lowered the shield. J’onn immediately saw images of Batman’s identity as a child, watching his parents get slaughtered. A dark shadow was lurking here that J’onn carefully examined. Finally concluding that this was, unfortunately, a part of Batman’s mind, the Manhunter moved on. A few minutes later, he was finished. “I found nothing,” he reported.

“Happy?” Batman growled at Superman.

Superman nodded shortly. “I apologize.” As Batman turned and stalked away, Superman looked at J’onn. “Are you sure?”

“If there is something there, it hid it’s presence well,” J’onn replied. He turned an intense gaze on Superman. “I am still not convinced all is well.”

Superman sighed. Great.

+++++

Batman was amused to no end. The fools. Did they not think he wouldn’t be at least one step ahead of them? Still, the Martian had come fairly close. He would definitely have to go. As would Superman. It wouldn’t be possible to bring the Man of Steel over to the dark side anyway. He was too pure. Too…invulnerable. Nosey pain in the ass. He’d enjoy killing the Boy Scout when the time came.

He rounded a corner and stopped, seeing a transporter in the process of bringing somebody up. Deciding to observe whoever it was in secret, he swung himself up into the rafters and perched in the shadows, watching. Seconds later, Diana and Hawkgirl stepped out. A smile played across his lips as he watched them, focusing in on one in particular. Beautiful and strong with a blood lust begging to be set free from the tight control kept on it. She would make a perfect mate. A perfect queen. He would take her first before taking anymore of the others. Tomorrow night, she would join him in the darkness.

Part 5

Hawkgirl frowned at the warning light blinking up at her insolently. She checked the computer and cursed. Communication and transport were both down. Wonderful. ‘J’onn,’ she thought, ‘Can you hear me?’

‘Yes, Hawkgirl,’ J’onn’s voice responded in her mind, ‘What is it?’

‘Communications and the transports are down. Could take me a bit to fix it. Would you let the others know so nobody gets worried?’

‘Certainly. Do you require assistance?’

‘No, I think I’ll be all right.’

‘Very well. I shall alert the others.’

“Thanks.’ She cut the telepathic link and glared at the equipment. “Expensive hunk of junk,” she muttered.

“What’s wrong?” She gasped and spun around, automatically slipping into a fighting stance. Batman remained completely still, as usual showing no emotion. She gave him a cold glare. “Dammit Batman!” she spat, “Where the hell did you come from?”

“I’ve been up here for a couple of hours now. You didn’t know?”

She shook her head and gestured to the council. “Your damn machine is on the fritz. Communications and transport just went down.”

Batman over for a closer look and Hawkgirl moved out of the way, watching him cautiously. She had been told of the team’s concerns over the Dark Knight and had been told to watch her back around him until they were sure he truly was normal. She watched him examine the system and said, “How you feeling? Heard you were pretty ill for a while.”

“I’m fine.” He gazed at the readouts and shook his head. “This is going to take a while.”

“Good thing you’re here then.”

Batman glanced up at her and she was sure she saw a smirk cross his lips. Pushing aside her annoyance, she sat in the other chair and prepared to help.

+++++++

Four hours and much cursing later, the system was back up and running. Hawkgirl ran a communications check, then sat back with a sigh. What a fun way to spend a night. Although it hadn’t been all bad. Two breaks had been taken and, to her surprise, she and Batman had actually talked. She wasn’t sure what had the others so concerned. He seemed fine to her. More than fine actually. More than once, she had found herself staring into his eyes and each time it had been strangely difficult to look away and get back to work.

Her mind felt fuzzy as she stretched and stood. Coffee. Maybe that would clear it. She turned and came face to face with Batman. Her eyes met his and locked, and as she stared up at him, her mind grew just a little more foggy.

What was going on?

Batman reached up and gently put a hand on her check, lightly caressing it. He leaned in, his lips hovering barely an inch from her own. This…this wasn’t right. She didn’t know why though. She couldn’t focus. Couldn’t slow her pounding heart and racing pulse.

His lips met hers and her eyes drifted closed as the kiss quickly grew passionate. She tilted her head back and his lips left hers and moved down her neck. Somewhere deep in her mind, something tried to break past the fog that was rapidly thickening, to stop this. To alert her that something was very wrong….

Her eyes shot open and a gasp escaped her lips as sharp pain penetrated her neck. It lasted only seconds and then she felt herself falling away from the world of light and entering the beautiful darkness of the abyss.

+++++

Batman lowered Hawkgirl’s limp body to the floor and gazed at her a moment as he wiped her blood from the corner of his mouth. A smile played across his lips. That had been fun. Well worth the sabotage he had instilled from the cave before coming up. Bringing her into the darkness had been easier than he had thought. Then again, she had been pretty close in the first place.

Time to cover up the physical evidence of her crossing. He removed a tiny disinfectant bottle from his belt and cleaned the little wound on her neck, then covered it with material he used for making masks. It blended in perfectly with her skin. Unless a trained eye was actually looking for it, nobody would be able to tell something had happened.

Picking her up, he carried her to one of several rooms set aside in case occupancy was required and lay her on the little bed. He then activated his comm. Link. “She’s mine now. Get up here and cover in case someone decides to visit.”

He cut the connection and gazed down at sleeping form. When Flash arrived, he would go hunting. His new queen would be hungry when she woke up. Unlike the others he would take, she would be just like him. She would need the life source of others to survive. And there was an entire world waiting to give it to her.


Part 6

2 Days Later:

…. “In other news tonight,” the anchorwoman said, “A series of attacks similar in nature to the creature the infamous Joker had let loose on the streets a couple of weeks ago have led police to believe a copycat is on the rampage. The difference is that, so far, no actual deaths have occurred. Nine men and three women, all connected to Gotham’s underworld, are all in comas in the hospital, all in comas with the majority of their blood gone from their bodies and blood transfusions desperately required. All twelve victims had two needle sized holes in their necks, that Goth groups are claiming is the work of the fabled Vampire. Police are asking….”

J’onn turned the TV monitor off and stared thoughtfully at the blank screen. Could it be?

++++++

Something was different. Green Lantern could feel it as he looked around the meeting room, only half listening to the meeting. Batman looked no different than usual, but Hawkgirl and Flash, they both seemed a little off. A little dark. Hawkgirl’s eyes held a hint of something that unsettled him. When the meeting was over, he’d take her aside and find out if she was all right.

When at last the meeting was dismissed, he moved quickly to her side and put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, talk to you a minute?”

She looked up at him and nodded, for some reason glancing over at Batman before she followed him to a private corner of the room. “What is it?”

Lantern hesitated a moment before asking, “Are you okay? You seem…I don’t know, different.”

She cocked her head, a smile playing on her lips. “Different? How so?”

Lantern lowered his eyes as he tried to figure out what to say. “You seem…I don’t know…..”

She laughed softly and put a hand on his cheek. When he raised his eyes to hers, he found them bright and full of light. “I’m fine, John. Really.” She smiled. “Maybe you should get some rest. You look tired.”

He stared into her eyes, nodding at her words. “Yeah. Been a busy few days,” he agreed.

She kissed his cheek, patted it, then turned and walked away. He watched her leave, jumping when a voice said, “John, a word?”

He turned and found Batman next to him. He blinked a few times and shook his head to clear it, then said, “Sure, what’s up?”

“I’ve been working on a new defense mechanism and I need you and your ring to test it.”

John looked at him curiously. “Why me? Why not Superman, Diana or J’onn?”

“I intend to test it with J’onn later, but for the moment, I need someone with your particular talents. Can you meet me in a few hours?”

Lantern’s mind began growing fuzzy again and he shook his head to clear it again as he said, “Yeah sure. Where?”

Batman gave him a location, then left the room. Lantern began to follow when he was stopped by J’onn. “May I ask what you and Batman were discussing Lantern?”

“He just wants me to help him test some new defense thing of his,” John replied, then frowned. “Why?”

J’onn put a hand on Lantern’s shoulder and began to guide him toward a chair. “Think we need to talk.”

++++++

Batman watched Green Lantern enter the secluded park, a cold smile crossing his lips. Fools. He knew exactly what they were up to. Damn Martian didn’t know who he was dealing with. He’d take as much pleasure in killing him as he would Superman. But not now. Now was not the time. Not until he had Lantern in his possession.

He stepped into the open, exchanged greetings and then led the imposter through exactly what he had said was going to happen. Just for fun, he made things a little rough, eventually calling a halt and declaring success.

“Thank you, John,” he said, shaking the other man’s hand. “Appreciate the help.”

“Anytime,” Lantern replied, a little breathless.”

Batman squeezed the other’s shoulder, then turned and disappeared into the shadows. He swiftly climbed a tree and watched John carefully. As he knew he would, moments later, Lantern’s form melted away, replaced by J’onn wearing a thoughtful expression. Seconds after his true from was revealed, the other five made an appearance.

“Looks like you were wrong, J’onn,” Hawkgirl said, glancing at Flash. “He didn’t do anything more than he said he was going to do.”

“Maybe he really is normal,” Diana agreed.

“Perhaps,” J’onn replied, staring off into the darkness, knowing Batman was out there, but unable to pinpoint him due to a heavy block. “Still, something does not feel right…”

A cold smile crossed Batman’s lips. Soon, very soon. His mind reached out and lightly caressed Hawkgirl’s before he turned and vanished into the night.

++++++

John groaned as an insistent beeping filled his ears, invading his restful sleep. Turning over, he pried his eyes open and grabbed his communicator. “This had better be good,” he mumbled.

“John,” came Hawkgirl’s voice. “Something’s up. We need you.”

Hearing the urgency in her voice, Lantern sat up, quickly coming out of his sleep induced fuzziness. “What is it?”

Flash and I need you. We’re having trouble getting a hold of anyone else but hopefully by the time you get here we’ll have gotten through. I’m transmitting coordinates. Hurry!” The coordinates came through the second she stopped communicating and Lantern immediately powered up and rushed out of his apartment VIA his bedroom window. He flew as fast as he could to the area Hawkgirl had transmitted to him, wondering what was going on.

Nearly half an hour later, he landed in a very dark, secluded area, bare of any trees and filled with rocks. “Hawkgirl? Flash?” he called out, looking around cautiously.

“GL! Over here!” He turned and saw Flash, sitting on a bolder and looking a little worse for wear. “What happened?” he demanded when he reached the speedster. “Where’s Hawkgirl?”

“Right here.” Too late did he realize something was very wrong as he turned around. His command for a shield was too slow as pain exploded in his head, and then all was black.

+++++

Hawkgirl stood over Lantern’s still body, a chilling smile on her lips and bloodlust in her eyes.

“Quick and easy. The way to go,” Flash said as he knelt next to Lantern and felt for his pulse. He then slung the unconscious man over his shoulder and looked at Hawkgirl. “Meet you there?” he asked, seeking permission to take their catch back to the master.

Hawkgirl nodded and Flash sped away. ‘We’ve got him my love,’ she thought. ‘Flash is bringing him to you. I’ll be there soon.’ She closed her eyes as she felt his mind caress hers, then took to the air to join him.

tbc....

[LadyM]

Hey, I recognize this fic! I reviewed it on Fanfiction.net! *G*

Great stuff . . . excellent description, dead on characterization. Two thumbs up! :D

~LM~

[lilandriss]

Originally posted by LM1313
Hey, I recognize this fic! I reviewed it on Fanfiction.net! *G*

Great stuff . . . excellent description, dead on characterization. Two thumbs up! :D

~LM~

Thanks LM. I remember you :) I won't be posting this here anymore tho so if you want updates, watch for them on Fanfic.net. Won't be for a while tho. going through finals at school :(
lil :)