Disclaimer: This is a my perspective on characters who belong to DC comics. So all rights and stuff go to them except for the character(s) that I make up.
Author's note: If you like this story, please write me and tell me so, or I'm going to focus on my other stories. I am thankful for those who did write, but I need more input and just acknowledgement.
Chapter 6: Against the Middle.
I stood, watching Catwoman and Batman fight. Robin had stayed behind. I had been following them for days, hiding from them also. I had made sure that they couldn't see me. Not at home, at work, or anywhere else. Dick had blown my phone up, as did Bruce and Tim. Alfred had even called me. The revelation that my father had been a mafia leader had humbled me. It made sense. But I didn't care. Bruce knew this and said nothing. I had been training with my powers and I was ready to take him on. Ra's Al Ghul and Talia had helped with my fighting skills. They educated me on Bruce, on how he'd run away and how Bruce had once been his apprentice. My assignment was not to fight him, but to watch him. Batman. The greatest detective in the world. He moved so gracefully. Or, as graceful as he should be able to. There was something to his fighting style. I looked for any flaw. Catwoman's agility was unreal. Selina Kyle's agility was unreal and unmatched with Batman. I watched for any flaw. I saw Catwoman's flip and stopped. Batman's back! No, his back! It had been broken. I had what I needed.
Memory:
I stood in my sweat pants, ready to absorb whatever he was going to show me. Ra's Al Ghul had taught me basics with my powers. I asked if I was a meta-human and he said no. He said that I was mystical. I found myself watching and listening to him explain how to disappear. He told me to manipulate my others' fear. He said to show no mercy and that criminals deserve to be punished. That nothing can hold you back but yourself. All the lights turned off.
I closed my eyes and opened them, " I am ready." I sighed.
Ra's Al Ghul did not come after me, instead, he flew back into the shadows. One lone light shone on me, but I could still feel. I could feel the ninjas all around me. I could feel the movements the ninjas made. Most importantly, I could feel Talia and Ra's. I put my head down and brought it up, concentrating on the light and it flipped off. I slid out of the way and kicked the cloaked figure, the only other African American in the room and kicked him to the middle of the room. When the light came back on, they all pointed their swords at the uncloaked man. He trembled as everyone looked around. Talia and Ra's walked into the light and the light went off again and when it came back on, I was in the middle of them, two swords aimed at either of their necks.
"I'm ready." I panted, wiping blood from under my nose.
Ra's smiled. Talia grimaced.
"Bruce, he's out there somewhere." Dick said angrily.
Bruce groaned, " I know! But he doesn't want to be found, Dick, whaddya want me to do?" he asked.
"Something. Anything." Dick sighed, " You're the greatest detective in the world."
"We have been trying!" Tim protested, " Between the Teen Titans and looking for your lost love, I'm exhausted."
"Sorry, guys, but there's gotta be something we can do." Dick pleaded.
"Dick, there's nothing we can do. He's been all over the city." Barbara said quickly.
"I do wonder how he does it." Bruce uttered.
"This is like Hansel and Gretel, Master Bruce." Alfred said, bringing a tray of tea, " Maybe he leaves bread crumbs."
"Now, now, now." I said, causing them to turn to me, " I've never believed in fairy tales. They all end oddly. I mean, where's violence."
"Phoenix." Dick said.
"Where have you been?" Bruce demanded.
"Sir." Alfred warned.
I chuckled, " Better listen to Alfred...I would hate to have to show you up in front of your posse." I smirked.
"Are you alright?" Tim asked.
"I've been tortured and had people in my life taken away and been lied to for longer than that..." I said quickly.
"I...." Bruce stammered.
"Uh uh, Brucie. My turn to talk." I said, waving a finger in the air, " Or should I call you Bats? Kinda funny how losing can make you crazy."
"Crazy?" Barbara asked.
DING DONG
"You should get that." I smiled.
Bruce walked to the door and was about to open it when the door exploded, causing him to fly backwards and crash into the dining room table! The rest of the gang hit the floor.
I walked in, " Astral Projection. It's a kicker." I smirked. I was wearing my costume, plus a red cloak that Ra's had given me.
Bruce tried to get up, " Phoenix." he said.
I walked over and kicked him in the face, " Come, you can beg better than that." I said angrily.
"What're you doing?" Dick asked.
I looked at him and nodded, causing him to fly backwards, " I'm giving the people what they want to hear, or at least what I want to see." I chuckled. The smile on my face was so comfortable for me. Tim pulled out his bo staff and ran after me. I concentrated on him, holding him in mid-air. I felt something and stopped, I raised my hand in time to catch the batarang, " Nice. But Barbara, if you can't place nice." My eye illuminated with red energy and Barbara held her head and moaned.
Dick stood, watching me, " Who are you?" he asked.
"You can call me Reaper...Hell, you can call me Red Riding Hood." I smirked, " Remember when you got back in town? The recliner?" I said, moving closer. I touched his lips and saw flashes of something. The past. Now I was remember the recliner. I stopped and moved back, spin kicking him. I turned to Bruce, " This is all your fault!" I said, punching him in the chest. I hit him again and again and suddenly, I got weaker and weaker. He wrapped his arms around me.
"It's alright." Bruce said, hugging me tighter.
I sat in the dark room, looking down at the yard. The humungous yard. What happened to me? I had the chance to do it, why couldn't I? He deserved it! It was fully justified. Never show mercy. Criminals depend on the mercy of others...but Bruce wasn't a criminal, he was Batman. He'd saved so many people. Alfred walked in, tray in hand and I looked away.
"Master Fox, are you alright?" Alfred asked, going to turn on the light.
"Don't." I said quickly.
"Master, you can't stay in the dark for the rest of your life." Alfred said calmly.
"Who said?" I asked.
"The sun." Alfred said, pouring tea.
"Got anything stronger?" I asked.
"Like coffee?" Alfred asked.
"Like Vodka." I answered.
Alfred chuckled.
"I'm serious." I said very seriously.
"You have to prepare yourself, sir, I feel an inevitable fight coming." Alfred said, still pouring tea.
"I can't." I said, looking up at him slowly, " I'd rather be in Arkham."
"Why would you say such a thing?" Alfred asked.
I stood, " I have done some bad things. I can't be redeemed." I said through gritted teeth.
"I have known you since you were young enough to fit in a matchbox. If anyone can be redeemed, it is you, Master Fox." Alfred said, " I remember when you were younger. You hated spiders and one day you had an unfortunate run in with a black-widow...you killed it. You cried for hours."
"It's not that black and white. I didn't kill...He knows. I was supposed to kill Batman. I was supposed to set this place on fire and kill everyone in here."
"Why didn't you?" Alfred asked.
I put my head down, " I don't know. Because I'm weak." I said slowly.
"Mercy is not a weakness. Mercy is a strength." Alfred explained, " Sir, I've seen a lot of people come and go through this Manor, but I've only seen a hand full of heroes."
"Alfred, I'm no one's hero." I said quickly.
Alfred smiled, " You should join the rest of the house, they are trying to find your father's murder." he said.
"Who isn't." I said.
"Your best quality is that you seek redemption, not vengeance." Alfred said.
I nodded, " I have to know." I said, walking with him out of the room.
Bruce, Barbara, Dick, and Tim sat in the Batcave, discussing their next plan of action. There was an uneasy tension in the room.
"So, who killed his father?" Barbara asked.
Bruce turned his chair around to them for the first time, " I don't know. There is all kinds of evidence that suggests many different villains." he said.
"What about Two-face, we know he had involvement with Carmine Falcone." Dick said quickly.
"But police reports say that they were killed in totally different ways." Barbara said, " There was definitely someone else there."
"Of course, but who?" Bruce asked, " It all doesn't add up."
Tim did a flip on the bar, " Maybe we're thinking too hard. Could it have been Carmine?" he asked.
"No," I said, coming into the Batcave for the first time. I looked around at it's dark beauty. The free flying bats and the dank, isolated feel. I was at home. I walked over to the group that had assembled by a group of computers. I watched my step as everything looked like a long fall, " He didn't have time. By the time I got downstairs, I was delayed, but not long enough for him to do something like that."
"So, who killed your father?" Barbara asked.
I shook my head, " I don't know. But I do know where we start." I said.
"We?" Bruce asked.
"We." I nodded, " Whether I'm with you or on my own, I'm solving this case."
Bruce slammed his fist down, " This is dangerous! You could get hurt!" he shouted.
"Look at me! I'm dangerous! Me getting hurt isn't a worry anymore." I said quickly.
"I agree with Bruce." Dick said.
We all looked at him in shock.
Tim walked to me, " I agree with Phoenix." he said.
"Look, you need a partner! Another one." I said, " The only person who would know is..."
There was a loud beeping noise. The monitor came on and it showed Harvey 'Two-Face' Dent robbing a bank with his thugs.
"Everybody suit up." Bruce said, standing, " Except you." he said.
"Bruce. I'm trying to be a good person...I am, but my life is on hold for this. You lied to me." I said, looking around, " You all did. For as long as I've known you."
"We're sorry, but that doesn't give you free reign." Bruce said.
Everyone else left to suit up.
Bruce began to walk away, " Bruce! I hit on you. How could you let me hit on you? I feel naked and exposed. And stupid." I said angrily.
Bruce's expression softened and he looked into my eyes.
"I can't mourn until I know." I said slowly.
"Did they ever tell you what happened to Jason?" Bruce asked, " He was the second Robin. Joker killed him in cold blood."
"Sooner or later, you're going to have to trust those around you." I said, turning away.
"Alright, but you stay by Tim, no matter what." Bruce said darkly.
"Thank you." I said, hugging him. I let go and backed up, " When I kissed Batman...he kissed me back."
"Batman kissed you back." Bruce nodded, " Not Bruce."
"Dick can't know. You two are just getting back to talking and I'm not going to mess that up." I smiled.
"Suit up." he said.
I nodded and left.
I stood in the mirror, trying to figure out who this was. The hood. The catsuit...the utility belt. I felt like a bad superhero cliche'. There was no words to describe what I saw in the mirror. The blood red...it just fit.
"You're not a good person." I said into the mirror. My reflection frowned, " You were supposed to kill him...You're too strong to be bad, too weak to be good. You're just another freak in a costume."
"Are you ready?" Batman asked, his silhouette standing in my door.
I placed the hood over my head so that my face wasn't visible anymore, " Do you feel different when you put the mask on?" I asked.
"How do you mean?" he asked.
I turned to him, " The mask. The suit...the cape." I said, standing in front of him.
"We should get going." Batman said stiffly.
I grabbed his hands and put them around my waist, " You try to pretend as if you are cold, uncaring...but you're not." I said, looking into his mask, " This is who you are, isn't it? Bruce Wayne isn't the real you...that's your secret identity."
Batman looked away, but I grabbed his head and kissed him. We shared a long, passionate kiss and I felt his hands invade my costume and suddenly we pulled apart.
"Ahem, Master Bruce, Master Phoenix." Alfred coughed, " I believe the rest of your party is waiting for you."
Batman swept out of the room and I stood there, wondering what I had just done.
"Are you alright, sir?" Alfred asked.
"Alfred, is it possible to disappear completely?" I asked.
"No." Alfred answered.
I nodded, " I didn't think so." I said, walking past him, " Night, Al."
"WE DID IT!" Two-Face shouted, throwing money in the air, " The Bat couldn't find us, thanks to our friend."
"I wouldn't say that." Batman's husky voice came from the shadows.
Two-Face drew his gun, " Come out, come out, wherever you are." Two-face growled.
"It's no use." I said, hiding too, " Our friends took out your thugs."
"Who hasn't." Two-Face chuckled maniacally.
"What do you know about the murder of Fox." I asked, stepping out of my shadow.
He looked me over, " Who are you?" he asked.
"Doesn't matter." I said, " What do you know."
He brought the gun up to my face, " I know you're pretty dead." he smirked.
Batman came out of the shadows, " Think about this, Harvey." he warned.
I looked down, gathering my power, then looked up to the gun. By the look on his face, I'd say that my eyes were glowing again. I swatted the gun away telekinetically, " Tell me what I need to know!" I said angrily, looking into his eyes. I went into his mind, deeper and deeper into his mind, " The one who killed your father is...Ra's Al Ghul..." I spoke, reading his thoughts.
"What?" Batman asked.
I kicked Two-Face in the stomach and spin-kicked him in the face, grabbing his collar, " I want answers!" I screamed.
"I was hoping it would not come to this." Ra's said, showing up from nowhere. Talia stood beside him, machine gun held in mid-air.
"I am going to kill you." I threatened. I saw him for the first time, his soul was faint and his aura evil.
"You're bleeding." Talia smiled.
I wiped blood from my nose and looked at it.
"I knew you would be a failure, just like Bruce." he said, looking at Batman, " He was also my apprentice."
I looked at Batman, who looked at me as if he'd just been caught with mom's cookie jar. Talia began firing from nowhere and I lifted my hand, causing a shield to raise in front of us. Batman looked around, wondering where to go. I did the same. I glimpsed the open of my cloak and saw Gotham in it. I grabbed Batman and let the shield go as a red burst of energy shrouded us and we fell into it!
As I sat at my desk, writing the Headline, I thought about the past few months. All the lies and deceit and there was a certain paranoia I couldn't shake. I got a really weird letter, urging me to show up at a warehouse. It was suspicious, but I had to check it out. As I grabbed my coat and made my way to the door, Bruce walked in.
"Hi." he smiled.
I frowned, " Hey Bruce." I said quickly without looking at him.
"I just came to see if you were alright." Bruce said, shutting the door.
"Like two different people." I said.
"What about your powers?" Bruce asked.
"A really big headache." I nodded, " I kinda miss the days when you saved me."
"Ditto." he said, causing me to stare, " I, umm, just meant that I always knew where you were."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.
"You didn't ask." Bruce said quickly.
"You really should have told me." I said, " I don't trust you."
"I'm Bruce Wayne, the same one I've always been." Bruce said calmly.
"But he wasn't the Bruce I've always know...I don't know who you are." I said distantly.
"Get used to being a hero." Bruce said, his husky voice taking ahold of me.
Something in me shouted and screamed when he said that. I fought hard to keep from ripping my hair out and running around the room, " I'm not a hero. In all this, I'm the villain. If I were a better person, I would have gotten there in time. I wouldn't have come to kill you..."
"And we wouldn't have known any of this." Bruce said, " I've been in connection to the Justice League..."
"No." I shook my head.
"You have to, it's the only place safe enough until Ra's Al Ghul is gone." Bruce said.
"I'm not running. He tricked me worse than you did. He...took my life away from me. He made me into a monster and now he's gonna deal with it." I said, gritting my teeth.
"Well, at least stay at the Manor with us." Bruce pleaded, " Alfred'll fix you some homemade doughnuts."
"Alright." I nodded, " I do need a read on my powers, though."
"Done." he said, " The limo's waiting for us downstairs."
"Right." I nodded, walking away with him.
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