[Ranma/Batman][FanFic] The Dark Knight - Chapter Five
Fiona Lim
A "Ranma 1/2" "Batman" crossover
by Fiona Lim
fanta...@gurlmail.com
---
It was late, and this street was dark, the lights long since
destroyed by random gunfire and other acts of vandalism. He stood
in the alleyway, straining to hear anything even as he forced
himself to stand in utter stillness, knowing even as he did so that
he could not be distinguished from the shadows. A chill wind blew
dirty flecks of snow into the alley, but the cold went largely
unnoticed by all that was witness to the scene that began to unfold.
Two men talked in the dimly lit doorway, their eyes flashing in
the darkness; they looked about nervously as money changed hands.
"This had better be pure, Nobo =96 or you're gonna get it from the
Boss."
"You know me, Carter. I ain't about to double cross the Boss.
That'd be stupid, and I ain't THAT stupid." Nobo replied, "You sure
this place is safe? I don't like runnin' much."
"Don't worry about it. Any coppers around here are well paid to
avoid the place. They're all holed up in a doughnut shop somewhere
round the corner." Carter replied and laughed, "Best of all, they
think it's their Captain doin' the orderin' as well, most of 'em
reckon that a stake out is happenin' down this 'ere street."
"Some day you're gonna have to tell me who your leak in the
police is Carter." Nobo said as he laughed as well.
"Yeah =96 some day. Soon as the Boss says you can be trusted 'nuff
and not before, Nobo." Carter replied, "Now give me the stash. The
Boss will be wantin' it today and not when you can finish with your
gossip."
He watched as the packages exchanged hands and it was then that
he moved. Swinging up a fire escape soundlessly, he followed Carter
to the unmarked brown car and watched as the man took a long sniff
in the white powder of the packages before he started the motor.
The brown car moved slowly down the street and down another =96 and
then another =96 as it travelled through a series of deserted streets
till it reached the wharf. He followed easily, leaping from rooftop
to fire escape, and back, and then waited till Carter had exited the
car and was greeted by the police officers.
"You got our payment, Carter m'boy?" The man wearing the marks
of a lieutenant on his epaulette demanded.
"Right here, with the Boss's compliments, O'Corin." Carter
replied, patting his jacket with a smirk, "Forty guaranteed pure and
best on the market for you and your men when Lord's 'gift' is on the
way down river." He laughed as he nudged the uniformed man, "You
just keep up your end of the bargain, and Lord'll keep you 'appy as
such."
"Yeah whatever." The lieutenant said, "Just pop the booth and
let's get unloading. My wife is waiting for me - this ain't a night
to be out."
He watched as the men began to take out the boxes that were stacked
neatly in the booth, bile rising in his throat. They moved with the
speed only practise brought.
"Half now, half later. Same as usual." Carter said with a grin
as he threw the brown package over to the officer casually, and
opened the car door, "When 'Him' gets word the cargo's arrived,
you'll get the rest - same drop off point."
The lieutenant caught the package before it could land on the
ground, ripping open the covering eagerly. He took a sniff and
groaned appreciatively, "Whoever the Boss's pet chemist is, Carter,
he's worth his weight."
"You just keep your end of the bargain and you'll keep getting
your stuff." Carter said as he tipped an imaginary hat and turned
to walk away.
He struck while their backs were turned. Scum did not deserve
warnings.
Gotham City Police Department Headquarters (GCPD HQ)
Police Commissioner Gordon looked up as the door of his office was
thrown open, "What is it, Johnson?" He asked.
"You know the mole in the department that kept leaking
information on when we were about to hold a raid on the drug ring in
Lower Gotham, Commissioner?" Johnson smirked as he jerked a thumb
to where a large group of police officers were gathered around the
length of large windows that covered one wall of the GCPD
Headquarters, "You have GOT to see this."
Commissioner Gordon strode past the man and stalked to one of the
windows and felt his jaw dropping.
"Well, I'll be."
At eye level with the window were several men, gagged and bound like
livestock in a large net that had been tied to the flagpoles on the
top of the building.
"O'Corin, Grady, Macarthur, Henderson, Tang and Mcers. All of
them on Harbour Raid patrol - we know how the goods were getting in
and out of Gotham now." Johnson said and then added with a grin,
"And the cherry on *this* little pudding, Carter O'Carter, the
Boss's main druggie." He added, "And check THAT out,
Commissioner!" He added, pointing to something.
Commissioner Gordon watched as the net swung around once more to
reveal that a paper wrapped parcel was connected to the net by a
strange bat-shaped clamp.
"With my compliments." He read slowly, and stared at the symbol
that had been sketched on the white paper, "Is that a bat?"
"Either that or black bird crap, Captain." Johnson said
cheerfully, "Looks like the 'Boss' has a traitor in the ring."
"Yes. It does, doesn't it." Commissioner Gordon said
thoughtfully, "Well, what are you waiting for?!" he demanded to the
crowd of police officers, "Get them down and book 'em!" He stifled
the laughter till he had entered his office - and then the worries
began on precisely who had decided to take the law into his own
hands.
*Why do I have a feeling that something is beginning?* he wondered.
[cue opening credits]
[Skyehawke Archives and Fantaghiro Visions are proud to present]
[fading to black as guitar riff begins]
Hello - over there
New comer?
Yeah, you've got the signs.
How can I tell?
You still look up there -
Where the birds can't even fly
You still think you'll see the sun.
Around here, nobody looks no more,
Too easy to see something -
But we haven't y'hear?!
You've heard of the City of Angels?
Well yeah - oh yeah!
Let me say it straight,
This here's the city of darkness.
Welcome to Gotham!
Place where you can buy a way to die
With an easy hundred -
Want a knife in the back?
Or a bullet in the front?
City of evil - City of night
Place where the rich are scum
And the poor would be saints -
If they knew who to pay!
Hello - you there,
Walkin' down the street
You've got no reason to destroy your life.
So if I were you I'd turn right round
Leave this old place
And head over to Metropolis
Where the sun can shine.
[The Dark Knight]
Chapter Five
By Fiona Lim
Fanta...@gurlmail.com
***
Wayne Manor
"Ah, Master Ran, so glad to see you home." Alfred said as he
reached out agilely to catch the coat Ranma had just thrown off,
"How was your day?"
"Fine as always, Alfred." Ranma said cheerfully, "Saw some
glorious babes at the club =96 unfortunately most of them were
married. You know what they say, those who you want are never
available, those you don't =96 well, better not to find *that* out."
He flashed a grin even as he lowered his voice, "Is there any reason
"I hired a cook today, sir." Alfred said softly.
"A *cook*?"
"A cook."
Behind them, there was a sound =96 too far away to be distinguished as
anything in particular, but near enough for comprehension. Both men
reacted without saying a word.
"I say, old man, you look as if you're flushing." Ran commented,
his voice rising slightly, "I never would have thought you the sort
=96"
"It is nothing of the sort, sir!" Alfred said, affronted,
"Actually, I came across her in one of those dreadful restaurants.
You know the sort, sir. They use illegal immigrant workers, pay
below the legal wage, and get away with it. I saw immediately she
was far too innocent to realise, and =96 well. . . A girl such as
her =96 in a situation like that =96" he trailed off darkly.
Ranma nodded grimly, "I understand =96 and you are right. But we
can't have her here, it will be =96 awkward =96 to explain certain
things."
"We can always move her to one of your other houses, Master
Ran." Alfred said softly.
"*Other* houses?"
"You have five. A townhouse on Park Lane, Gotham City, an
apartment in New York, a mansion on Rhode Island, Wayne Manor and a
lodge in Switzerland."
"From homeless to a sufferer of home'itis'." Ranma remarked,
"Well, we'll see what happens, Alfred =96 for now let's go =96"
"Hello." The voice was soft and calm, seeming to shriek =96 or
more accurately, considering the adjectives, *project* - serenity
and grace, "You must be Master Ran."
Ranma turned around and mentally, felt his jaw drop slightly,
"Please, call me Ran =96 or Ranma. Or Bruce. Take your pick, I have
several names, any of them will do!" He said smiling as he walked
over to the young woman who stood in the entrance of the hallway,
"You must be the cook Alfred hired."
"Oh my." The woman blushed slightly, "My name is Kasumi." She
added, "Tendo Kasumi."
"Tendo =96" Ranma said with a smile, "How nice to meet you." He
added, "Welcome to my humble home."
"Oh my." Kasumi flushed again before her brilliant smile
appeared, "I just wanted to say that dinner is ready, Mas =96 Ranma."
She said before leaving.
"Is anything wrong, Master Ran?" Alfred asked, "You seemed
rather surprised when you heard Ms. Kasumi's last name."
"Everything's fine, Alfred. Just a strange sense of =96 dej=E0 vu."
Ranma replied, "I must say though, old man, you *do* have good taste
in babes. She's GORGEOUS =96 and what a voice!" he added as he
walked towards the dining hall.
Alfred remained behind, frowning as he hung the retrieved coat and a
discarded scarf in a nearby closet. *He's hiding something.
Otherwise WHY use the 'Bruce Wayne, international playboy' persona
with ME?*
***
"So where you gonna go now that we're leaving Gotham?" Dick asked
casually as he leaned against a haystack.
Akane glanced at him as she pulled on a heavy jumper over the garish
outfit she was wearing, and wriggled into a pair of jeans, "I really
don't know. Go back to looking for a job I guess. Maybe I'll
finally find that martial arts dojo that needs a teacher." She
shrugged as she tightened her belt and sat down cross-legged on a
low crate, "Hand me my brush would you, Dickie?"
"Sure thing 'Connie'." Dick replied, the usual antagonism that
came from her bastardisation of his name missing.
Akane began to brush her long hair and rebraid it with a practise
and ease that spoke of many minutes spent doing exactly that, "Why
do you ask anyway, Dick? Want me to stay on with the act?"
"Even if I did, you wouldn't would you, 'Kane?" Dick said
finally, "Though I wish I knew why. You were born to be in a
circus. You have all the talent to make it big with the Flying
Graysons =96"
"And two sisters who need me here. We're a family, Dick =96 I
can't just leave them." Akane finished as she tied the end of her
braid with a snap.
"Yeah."
Akane looked up, a light blush flickering over her face though her
tone was light, "Why Dick! You sound almost as if you want me to go
with you and the Graysons!" she said, laughing as she stood up.
"Well, what's so wrong about that? You're one of the best =96 next
to me of course." Dick said, grinning.
"And so modest too." Akane added with another smile before she
shook her head, "Your dad already asked me if I wanted to join for
good, Dick. And I can't. Kasumi and Nabiki mightn't need my
paycheck =96 but I can't leave them here. We're a family, we're all
we have."
"So next week will be the last show then?" Dick said finally.
"Well, seeing as the circus leaves town week after, yeah." Akane
replied as she slung her bag over her shoulder and walked towards
the door.
"So I guess I really shouldn't do this, then." Dick said as he
grabbed Akane's hand and pulled her close enough to kiss her on the
lips, "You know, make it awkward for the both of us to work and all
that." He murmured as he stepped away.
Akane stared at him for several seconds, her hand touching her lips
before something flickered in her eyes and she turned and walked
out, her words floating in the air behind her, "See you for
tomorrow's practise and show."
***
"And in the local news, more reports have entered city files on two
strange figures seen wandering city streets after night fall.
Citizens have labelled the two 'Batman' and 'Catwoman'."
On the flickering television screen, the glossy reporter laughed
gaily to his counterpart, white teeth flashing in it's expensive
splendour, "You can tell that *some* people have been reading just a
*few* too many comic books lately."
"Well one never knows, Adam, perhaps the reports have *some*
credentials. The Commissioner has been heard to comment on the
influx of crooks giving themselves 'up' in mysterious
circumstances."
"As I heard it, several of them 'gave themselves up' thirty feet
above the street, tied to a flagpole."
The laughter echoed through the room before the sound was destroyed
"Did you *have* to do that?" the golden haired woman drawled as
she looked up from her position on the couch, "Neighbours was coming
on next. I so wanted to watch it today."
"Go buy her another television set." The voice was rough, filled
with what might be considered power, but could also be called pure
violence and a love for such things.
There were several moments of movement in the darker corners of the
room before the sound of a door opening and closing rapidly could be
heard.
"And turn on the lights!" The voice snapped.
A light was turned on hastily, and brightness flooded the room. The
owner of the voice was as ugly as his voice sounded. Large and
exhibiting a remarkable lack of fashion sense in vibrant, neon green
better suited to a billboard's undercoat. In contrast, the woman
who half reclined in his lap seemed to be as worthy of the position
of 'Beauty' in 'Beauty and the Beast' as he would be of the title
'Beast' =96 or perhaps, more correctly, 'Monster', 'Godzilla' or even
'beyond hideous'. It would have been no surprise to onlookers to
realise his parents had named him 'Fredrick Jeremy Dalton the
Third'- at least they would have expected a name along such a line -
though in the here and now, he went by the title 'Lord', although he
was known more widely by the anonymous 'the Boss' - followed by the
usual amount of threats or warning (such as: 'the Boss is REALLY
unhappy'). A name that better befitted his position in the Gotham
underworld =96 and was less likely to start an epidemic of deaths
caused by laughter and the embedment of lead thereof.
"Lord, 'orald's back with news on what 'appen to Carter 'o'
Carter."
"Honey, go back to your room." Lord rumbled
"But Neighbours =96"
"Leave us."
"Yes Munchkin." Honey sighed as she shimmied out of her position
and flounced gracefully out of the room, every movement calculated
to attract as much attention as possible.
"Now there's one classy case you 'ave there, Lord." Ace
commented as the door was shut once more.
"The others expect me to have a beautiful girl." Lord replied,
"Honey is brainless but beautiful. Perfect for any position in
other words." He laughed slightly at his own joke, "How did Carter
end up confessing all to the police in the holding cell?"
"As far as I've heard it, what the news report says is the truth,
Lord. Carter didn't need to say nothin'. Some guy in a fancy
costume took the whole lot out after the pick up."
"Explain =96 'fancy costume'."
"Word on the street 'as it that 'e looked 'xactly like a man in a
bat suit. But no bat suit you can pick up at some corner dime
costume store."
"There's no way a costume like that could be loaned or bought in
Gotham without the press discovering the store and then the one who
has hired it." Lord said as he stroked a chin slowly.
"You mean that this 'Batman' is one of the rich people, Lord?"
Ace asked cautiously.
"The circus leaves Gotham next week, Ace."
"Yes, Lord =96 seen the posters."
"All the rich will be gathered for the final night's regalia
under the big top =96 for a night of entertainment." A pause, "Let's
give them something to remember."
"Yes Lord."
"And Ace?"
"Lord?"
"Hire the best. I'm loosing money - I don't LIKE loosing money.
I want this Batman person so frightened he has to change his clothes
every time he remembers."
***
"So what's wrong, Akane? Your timing is off today." Dick asked
curiously as he wiped sweat off his face.
"Amazing how it is always *my* timing that's off, and not
yours." Akane remarked as she began to run through several
limbering exercises.
"Privilege of seniority. The teacher is always right, if the
teacher is not right, refer back to first rule =96 and all that."
Dick quipped immediately, "Seriously though, what's bothering you
Akane? You've been in a bad mood all day."
"Why you complaining? It's not as if I malleted you or
anything." Akane snapped.
Dick shut his mouth, remembering the customer who had thought the
female acrobats were selling more than stunts =96 most of the other
actors had been use to such crude propositions, and had learned to
pick out the more likely candidates of such beliefs, and avoid
them. Akane hadn't, and had been literally dragged behind several
haystacks before Dick and Andy had realised. They had followed the
screams only to find Akane with the large mallet the strong man had
lost, and the perpetrator =96 with several bruises, a concussion and
four broken fingers. Suffice to say the man hadn't pressed charges
=96 though whether it was because Akane could have accused him of
attempted rape, or from abject fear was something that was left
largely to the imagination of those who knew.
Dick sat there, watching Akane as she continued through her
exercises, and finally regained enough of his courage to ask her
what had been hounding him all day.
"It isn't =96 you're not angry because of the kiss are you?"
Akane paused and then slid smoothly into the next set of movements,
"No."
"I mean, I didn't mean for it that way =96 or anything else. I
don't think you're easy or anything like that =96 I just =96 what do you
mean no?!" Dick exclaimed, slightly shocked =96 and a trifle hurt
that his kiss hadn't meant *anything* to her after all.
"Just what I said. No."
"Then why are you so damn angry?!"
"Look, if you really want to know, my sister Nabiki has to move
to Metropolis because of her new job." Akane snapped as she turned
to glare at Dick, "But Kasumi is working for a rich man =96 and
there's probably legal contracts involved =96 so she can't quit. So I
have to stay in Gotham because we can't leave Kasumi alone here.
And Gotham has to be one of the WORSE places to be in!"
"Can't lie to you there." Dick remarked, "Of all the places I've
been, Gotham has to be the ugliest. Not to mention dangerous." He
frowned, "Rich man you say =96 do you know who? Word off the street
says that the majority of rich men in Gotham aren't exactly legal."
Akane turned pale, "We didn't think of that." She whispered, "His =96
Kasumi's boss =96 she was hired by his butler. His name =96 the boss I
mean =96 is Wayne. Bruce Ranma Wayne." She stared at him anxiously.
"Ah."
"'Ah'?"
"He's that playboy teenager. Rich as that rich guy from ancient
times =96 what's his name =96"
"Crocus?"
"Who? No, that other guy - the one who had lots of gold? He's
rich as anything anyway, and as young as us. He hasn't been in
Gotham long enough to get involved with the dirt, and anyway, it's
all inherited money =96 from his parents."
"So Kasumi's safe?"
"Seems like it." For her sake, Dick was glad that he hadn't
heard anything about the man.
Although, he thought he shouldn't mention the fact that young Wayne
was already gaining a reputation as a regular womaniser.
***
"I'll pay you double next time, Michie! I promise - double - just
please give me some - I NEED some -"
The pusher leered at the young teenage boy standing before him, "I
don't see why I should, Eric. Who's to say you won't up and leave,
and me down a couple of grand?"
"A couple of GRAND?"
"The price went up - didn't you hear? EVERYBODY knows. It's a
thousand dollars a pop now. But a rich kid like you should be able
to handle that easy - right?"
"I guess - I guess I can steal some more from my parents." Eric
whispered, lifting his haggard eyes to 'Michie', "I've got a rolex -
it's worth at least a thousand dollars -"
"No can do, Eric. Two thousand dollars, or no dice.:"
"But I need -"
"Everybody needs Eric. But you ain't got the cash, I ain't got
the stuff. The way the world works, little boy." Michie replied
easily as he turned to leave, "Now you go get a couple of thousand,
and I'll give you the stuff. You don't, I won't."
Eric fell down to his knees in the grimy street, for the first time
in his life ignoring the fact the dirt and slush that was seeping
into clothes that had cost more than a blue collar family's weekly
pay check, "Please -" the words froze on his lips as he looked up
to see Michie's face.
For the first time in their short acquaintance, Michie looked
scared. His usual cool facade frozen into abject fear.
"Michie -"
"What do you want?!" Michie demanded, staring not at Eric, but
at something behind him, "You're HIM aren't you - that guy
everybody's talkin' about."
"Yes."
Eric turned around slowly, staring at the figure that stood behind
him. He couldn't make out anything, except that it was probably a
male, and it wasn't human - or at least, wasn't dressed as one. In
the light casting from the overhead street light, he could see the
outline of a bat on the figure's chest - at least, he hoped it was a
chest.
"Michie Delcardo, small time pusher." The figure said then as he
- moving faster than Eric could follow - grabbed Michie by the front
of his jacket, "I KNOW you - I know where you live. I know your
hideouts, I know where your kid sister goes to school."
"W-what do you want?!"
"I want the name of your supplier. Locations and times." The
figure said softly, "Then I want you to vanish."
Michie gabbled something too fast for Eric to understand and was
dropped onto the ground. A car roared past them, and when Eric
looked up again, the figure was gone, and Michie was scrambling to
his feet.
"Michie -"
"Look, I ain't been here okay?" Michie shouted at Eric, "I ain't
here, you never saw me - and if you said you did, I'll make sure you
never get stuff ever again!" his voice was shrill.
"But where you going? Will you give me the stuff later - when I
come back?" Eric begged desperately.
"Didn't you here what the Batman said? I'm going to vanish!"
Michie shouted as he dashed past Eric down the street, "And if I
were you, rich boy, I'd do the same."
"At this rate, we're going to run out of space." Commissioner
Gordon remarked as he leaned against the window, "You fellows want
to go and cut them down?"
"What's going on?"
Commissioner Gordon turned to the young woman standing before them,
"You must be new around here." He commented, "The Batman just
dropped off another load of crooks for us. Third time this week -
we're running out of cells to stick them in."
The young woman blinked, "I thought the Batman was just some tabloid
nonsense"
"Tell that to *them*." Commissioner Gordon replied, pointing to
several shaking men being led back into the station in hand cuffs,
"What do you want here anyway, miss? Report a burglary or
something?"
"Ah, no - I was wondering how somebody became a cop." Akane
Tendo admitted.
"Got to go through the academy first, takes about two years or
so, if you're very good. Why don't you go down to PR and talk to
the folks there?" Commissioner Gordon said in a level tone instead
of biting off her head with sarcasm for bothering to ask a question
like that to him - a police officer at work, when it should have
been OBVIOUS where to go to ask questions such as that.
Since the Batman had taken to bringing in the crooks, the police
force had found their load lightened. Gordon had found that his
usually scarce patience had improved because of that.
***
"Did you have a pleasant evening, sir?" Alfred asked neutrally as
he placed the newspapers and a plate in front of the young man.
"Very productive." Ranma replied as he glanced around the table,
"Where's Kasumi? Surely not in the kitchens again? I did mention
that I'd enjoy having her join me for breakfast didn't I?"
"I am sure you would, Master Ran. She ate earlier with me and
went down to the market to gather more supplies."
Ranma sighed, "Good. I wanted to keep you up to date with what's
been going on - 'downstairs' lately. How soon before we can
transfer her to another one of the houses without hurting her
feelings?"
"Several more weeks." Alfred sat down at the table, "How was
your sojourn yesterday, Master Ran?"
"Don't know about this sojourn business, but I caught up with
Michie Delcardo, and got everything I needed to know to nab those
pushers. The 'Lord' of the north Hemp-Raidil line will be going out
of business in a month tops if I can keep this up." He added
expansively, "Oh, and boy did I frighten that oily gaijin Delcardo
when I appeared like that. You were right - that costume frightens
the hell out of everybody I catch."
"Don't count on it continuing to have such a response, Ran."
Alfred warned sternly, "When they grow more familiar with the suit
and your creation, they will cease to react with such fear, and you
will have to use other talents to capture your criminals."
"Sounds as if they want to go to sleep with me or something."
Ranma grinned before he sighed under Alfred's stiff expression,
"Yeah yeah - but till then, I can have some *fun*!"
"Just as long as you don't enjoy it too much." Alfred said,
"Remember, *you* are the guard - the police officer if you would.
. ."
"And who will watch those who watch, right?" Ranma said with a
smile, "Don't worry Alfred - I'm not enjoying myself TOO much. This
is just - something that has to be done, is all." He said as he
finished off his breakfast, "I've got to go - " he glanced upwards,
"Got to see Lucius up at WEC headquarters to sign some boring
papers." He stood up and flashed a smile, "And then perhaps you
would like to have a luncheon date with me, fair Kasumi?"
"Oh - no, Ranma. I have to finish rearranging the kitchen, and
then cook dinner." Kasumi said from where she was standing at the
entrance of the dining room, "Will you be back for dinner tonight?
You missed yesterday." She flushed slightly.
"Probably - depends if Lucius is going to be a bore again, and
make me sit through all the meetings with the new executive board."
Ranma shrugged easily as he bowed slightly, "Till then, oh fair
Kasumi." With a tilt of his head he strode out, followed by Alfred,
"Do you think she heard anything?"
"Unlikely sir."
"I think she would like the town house - we could make her
housekeeper - a promotion."
"I believe she would like it more if you hired her as a live-in
at the town house, and allowed her two sisters to join her there,
Master Ran."
"She has two sisters?" Ranma whistled slightly, "The mind
boggles at three girls as beautiful as Kasumi - I wonder if they can
all cook like her!"
*Now how do those Japanese cartoons Barbra always talks about,
describe something like this? Oh yes. Sweatdrop. . .*
***
December 20th
"Welcome one and all to the greatest show on Earth! Welcome to the
Christmas Regalia!"
Bruce yawned politely as he sat in one of the 'charmingly rustic'
seats that had been arranged for the 'creme de la creme' of
Gothamite society. The fact that it had been billed as both
'charming' AND 'rustic' didn't detract from the fact that the
cushions were threadworn, and useless since anybody sitting on them
could feel the hard surface of the wood beneath.
"Oh, Bruce, isn't this *lovely*?"
Bruce blinked as he glanced down at the blond head leaning on his
arm. For several seconds, his mind drew a blank to the name of the
head's owner. Days and dozens of similar occasions whirled through
his memory, each with their own - amazingly - similar dates.
"Bruce?" two crystal clear eyes stared up at him, "Is everything
all right?"
A name appeared from the pool, "Ah yes, Diana. Perfectly fine." He
flashed the best smile he had, "Late night is all - that new club on
Lake Avenue, ever been there? Great music, fantastic dance floors.
. ."
"My name is Diane, Bruce." The tone was flat, warning of raised
syllables in several seconds.
"But you shall always be Diana to me, darling," Bruce replied
smoothly, "Greatest of all women, the goddess Diana. You have
always reminded me of her - strong, dependable. . ." his voice
dropped slightly, "Beautiful."
Blue eyes flashed with a strange tint and Diana - or Diane - leaned
back on his shoulder with a soft murmur.
Below the customer stalls, Dick and Akane glanced at each other and
rolled their eyes.
"What a line." Dick murmured, shaking his head.
"What a JERK. Though to his credit, the girl's as stupid as they
come for not seeing it." Akane added, "So when's curtain time, and
why are we here underneath the stalls instead of in the wings?"
"Just for this -" Dick grabbed her and before she could move,
kissed her gently on the forehead, "Good luck and all that."
Akane stared at him for several seconds in silence, "You know where
I come from, when a girl gets a kiss like that from a boy -"
Dick winced, "Don't tell me. He gets a mallet on the head?" he
asked as he backed away.
Akane moved faster than Dick as she reached up and placed a gentle
kiss on his lips, "No, she kisses him back." She said and then ran
off towards the wings, "See you when the Ringmaster calls, Dickie!"
Dick rubbed his chin thoughtfully, staring after the laughing girl.
He didn't notice the eyes that had watched the entire scene from
above, as he walked away.
Bruce looked down at the departing pair with an inward smile,
*She's right, I was a jerk, and Diane was rather stupid to fall for
that old line - but then, that's what Bruce Wayne IS. An
international playboy, teenage millionaire extraordinaire, and as
'jerk'ed as they come.*
"You ready?"
Adams jumped slightly and tried to control his rapidly beating heart
as he put one hand to the expensive headset hooked to his head and
mouth.
"You wanna turn down the volume a bit? I don't need to be
deafened or anything." He whispered.
"Sorry. You know what you have to do, Adams?"
"Yeah. Shoot a bit, miss a bit, leave a sign, scare them till
they need a change of underwear." Adams whispered, "You got
everything ready on the other side?"
"Yeah, the car will be waiting outside. Hack's got the cameras
lined up - just do your part and we're in for a good amount of
Lord's cash."
"Okay then, give me another half hour, I'll be ready after
that." Adams replied.
"Good luck."
"Yeah, whatever."
"For our finale - we are proud to present the Flying Graysons!"
Bruce hid another yawn as Diane snuggled more deeply against him.
*How long before this is over? If I skip out on the party
afterwards, I might be able to get a patrol done over several more
drop off points.*
"Oh Bruce! Look!" Diane shivered against him, "How dangerous - I
wonder how they manage!"
Bruce glanced at the troop of acrobats that were whirling through a
series of 'death defying' acts on the high wire.
"Very." He said with a slight smile to take the bite out of his
words as he continued to watch the act.
*Finally, some entertainment!* though the tricks the troop were
going through weren't precisely 'death defying', they were certainly
intricate and difficult. Bruce stored the movements away to analyse
later.
"And now, for the last act of the evening, Ladies and
Gentlemen." The Ringmaster paused grandiosely for a ear shattering
drum roll, "I would ask for your complete silence as Dick Grayson
and Akane Tendo perform - without a net - " Bruce stared at the
girl standing on one of the platforms high above the circus floor,
his eyes narrowing, *Tendo. . .* " - the Escalion Triangle - a
truly death defying act, perfected by an ancient school of martial
arts for ariel combat. For the first time in over two HUNDRED
years, to be shown to the public!"
There was thunderous applause as the boy and girl standing on the
opposite platforms bowed to the audience.
*Ariel combat? I thought the Anything Goes was the last style that
deals in air combat - and Master Happosai is the last Master. Master
Happosai once mentioned a school devoted to the study of birds and
the form of fighting they developed based on their flight - maybe
they're from THAT school. But I thought he said the last dojo was
closed because the heir was defeated by one of those old fashion
dojo-destroyers. . .*
"Isn't this so COOL, Bruce?" Diane chirped as she straightened
and stared avidly at the performers.
"Very." Bruce frowned thoughtfully.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen - complete silence please -"
"Y'here what he said! Complete silence please! We gots a message
Bruce jerked as the strange voice suddenly echoed throughout the
large tent, followed by the unmistakable sound of a gun being fired
repeatedly. Even as the elite of Gotham began to scream and rise
from their seats, Bruce rose and slipped away, *Damn it - from now
on, I'm going to wear that utility belt Alfred made for me
underneath my clothes or something.*
*He's using some sort of transmitter and amplifier - that means he
can be anywhere - but hidden that nobody saw him and started
wondering why he's wearing the tech-gears.* Bruce thought as he
jumped down one side of the stalls, *There - that man- *
The tent was suddenly cloaked in darkness, the only illumination
from several spotlights that had not been connected to the main
light switch.
"What the hell!" Dick swore viciously, "Damn it - I can't see
anything!"
Akane frowned as she kneeled on the wooden surface, ignoring Dick's
swearing, "Where is he?"
"What?"
"The gunman - he's using some sort of amplifier right? Oneechan -
Nabiki I mean - she use to deal with technological gadgets. He has
to be somewhere hidden - but not too hidden because he's plugging
into the sound system in the tent." Akane hissed, "Damn it - I
can't see -"
She paused as she caught two running figures, barely shadows against
the darkness.
"Did you- "
"Yeah." Akane glanced around and caught sight of the nearest
spotlight on a secondary platform five meters below them, "Dick -
you know the Triangle?"
"Well, we WERE going to perform it, so yes - I do know it."
"Do you think we can get down to the spotlight from up here using
it?"
Dick whistled softly, "Maybe - with practise yes - but -"
"Come on - we need to get some light on this situation." Akane
said as she stood up, "On three?"
"One, two -"
"Three!"
Akane shuddered as empty air flowed around her - *Baka! A new trick
- no practise - HALF A MILE at least between you and the ground!
You're okonomiyaki batter!*
The wooden platform shuddered slightly as they both landed lightly
on the surface.
"Bloody damn hell -"
"Yeah -" pushing the thought of how much she had risked, from
her mind, Akane flipped the spot light around from the platforms
above and down in a sweeping motion, "Where are they - there!"
"Batman! The Lord wants you to know we KNOW whom you are -" the
voice was abruptly cut off even as Akane brought the beam of light
towards two scuffling shadows.
She caught two people - one in the formal gear of a customer, the
other one running, but not before the first in formal gear had
grabbed something from around his head. It was only then that he
realised the spotlight was on him, and looked upwards - Akane
stifled the urge to shy away from the back-flow of the spotlight
illuminating her face. *Who is he?*
"Mr. Wayne? Commissioner Gordon for the Gotham City Police
Department."
Bruce turned around and smiled genially to the man in the grey
coat. "Evening, Commissioner. What an exciting evening huh? I
should go to the circus more often!" he said with a carefree grin.
"It seems as if you've saved the day, Mr. Wayne. Though I must
advice you that your actions were a little - shall we say -
presumptive?" Commissioner Gordon said neutrally, "We generally
don't encourage civilians to enter dangerous situations."
All around them, paramedics were leading Gotham's social crowd out
of the tent, and reporters were flocking around like vultures after
a major battle, their cameras and microphones bristling.
"I heard gunfire, and I guess I reacted." Ranma shrugged as
easily as he could, "To tell you the truth, I was scared to death,
and just wanted to get out of the tent long enough to use my mobile
and get the cops down here. I ran straight into this person, and
then I heard that message thing he wanted to give to -" he frowned,
"That strange name - you know - something to do with a bat?" he
waved one hand irritatedly.
"Batman?"
"Yeah him - anyway, ran right into him, and I heard him give that
message. Next thing I knew, he was throwing a punch at me, so I
threw one back, and then the spotlight hits, and he's gone - I
reacted like anybody else would. Grabbed him - but all I got was
that wire thingy -"
"The amplifier."
"Yeah, whatever." Ranma shrugged again, "So what was all that
gunshots for anyway? Is anybody wounded?" he allowed a hint of fear
and horror into his voice even as he glanced down at himself as if
to look for bullets embedded in his own chest.
"No. We've picked out several bullets from the ground - the man
just shot into the ground. We've ruled that it was very likely a
very public way of warning off Batman."
"Batman?"
"The person the message was for."
"Oh yeah." Ranma shrugged off the reminder as he looked around,
"Hey, I've lost my date - really cool girl, Diane is. Pretty too."
He said to the Commissioner, "Oh by the way - you caught the guy
didn't you? I mean, I don't want to suddenly have a vendetta gang
members on my back like in the movies and all that. Bodyguards are
- like - SO uncool."
"I doubt it very much, Mr. Wayne," Gordon said, his voice even,
"You didn't stop the perpetrator from his job, nor did you see his
face. It is unlikely that you'd recognise him. Any move against
you on the other hand, would have too much police attention directed
to the wrong areas."
*Yeah, that's what you think.* Ranma thought as he tried to looked
relieved for the Commissioner's sake, *Lord obviously thinks that I
was one of the Gotham socialites - and he isn't far from wrong
either. And if they recognised ME as the attacker of that guy. .
.*
"In any case, Mr. Wayne, you are to be commended -"
"Ah, it wasn't just me - that girl - what's her name? Akane
Tendo? One of the performers - a really beautiful woman as well, by
the way - she got that guy off me with the spotlight." Ranma waved
one hand negligently into the air and then his eyes widened, "Shoot!
I'm *late*!" he exclaimed as he whirled around on the Commissioner,
"Look, if you find that girl - Akane Tendo? She's one of the
performers? Tell her that I want to give her a reward or something -
you know? For saving my life and all that." He grinned and winked
at the older man, "And while I'm at it - maybe I can get her to go
out on a date with me - you know what they say about acrobats!" he
smiled and walked off.
*Gotham really brings in the scum of the world.* Commissioner
Gordon thought in disgust as he watched the scion of the Wayne
fortune saunter off, expensive jacket slung carelessly over one
shoulder. *And the worse of the lot usually ends up like him -
though I have to admit, the Waynes seem to be on the legit.*
"Commissioner?"
Gordon glanced up to see Captain Raily appear escorting two circus
performers, "What is it, Captain?"
"These are the two you wanted me to find. The performers from
the Grayson act? The two who got the spotlight up."
"Thank you Captain." Gordon stood there for several seconds as
he stared at the two, surprised to realise that they were probably
no older than the millionaire teenager who had just walked away.
*What is the world coming to when, in a tent filled with adults,
three teenagers manage to save the day?*
"What do you want with us, copper?" the boy demanded, his voice
rising in the usual teenage challenge of authority.
"Dick Grayson." Gordon said, "And you must be Akane Tendo?" the
girl nodded silently, "I don't want anything, Grayson. Captain
Raily has already taken your statements I expect?" both nodded,
"Very well, then the only thing that is left is to congratulate the
both of you for managing to save Gotham's high society -"
Dick snorted, "Yeah, for what its worth."
"True. And also to add that Mr. Wayne - the other young man
involved with tonight's interesting entertainment, wishes to gift
you, Ms. Tendo with a reward for her bravery this evening." Gordon
nodded to the two and walked away.
"You going to take that reward from Wayne?" Dick asked quietly
as he followed Akane out of the sawdust-scattered ring.
Akane shrugged, "Maybe." She slipped between the scattered groups
of talking circus performers, police and the few customers who had
remained for the belated arrival of the police.
They walked in silence back to the 'dressing room', a space between
towering crates.
"You heard what the rich boy said didn't you, 'kane?" Dick said
finally as Akane buttoned her jeans over the costume and pulled on a
long jacket.
"Yes."
"So what're you going to do then?"
Akane looked up at Dick as she flipped her braid back, and
involuntarily, Dick took a step back at the strange emotion glowing
in her eyes.
"Nothing. He's in a different world from us. He's one of the
high society," she said, "The baka can say anything he wants about
me - and I can't do anything about it."
"You going to take the money though?"
"If I'm desperate." Her words implied that if she was starving
and on the streets in the middle of a snowstorm that had lasted
eight weeks, she would not be 'desperate enough'.
Dick watched as Akane picked up her backpack and walked out through
the narrow corridor between the crate-piles. At the corner she
turned to look back at him, the backpack dangling in front of her as
if she were a schoolgirl.
"Dick?"
"What?'
"What DO they say about acrobats?"
". . ."
Wayne Manor
"You're home early, sir." Alfred said as he caught the great coat
in one hand and the scarf in the other, "Will you be joining me and
Kasumi for dinner tonight?" he added as he followed Ranma through
the long hall, "She decided to clean out the silver closet today,
sir. Accidentally spilt water on the security box."
Ranma stopped as he turned to stare at Alfred, "Are you telling me
-?"
"The batcave entrances are frozen till they dry out, Master Ran."
Ranma sighed, "When it rains, it pours, as you English say." He
said, "I guess I will join you two for dinner tonight, Alfred."
"Very good, Master Ran. Kasumi will enjoy the conversation."
Alfred said as he opened a half closet and hung the coat and scarf
up with the expertise found in one whom could do the chore fast
asleep - and probably had at one point. "I take it that the date
with Miss. Diane did not proceed as planned sir?"
"You *could* say that. Lord sent a man with an amplifier, a
taped recording of a gun being fired and a message to the Batman to
stay away." Ranma said.
"Did you do anything sir?"
"I tried to catch the man but got hit with a spot light -"
"Hit? Oh dear - are you hurt, Ranma-sama?"
*Where did she come from? Why didn't I hear her?* Ranma thought as
he steadied his rapidly beating heart and turned around, an easy
smile on his face, "Good evening, fair Kasumi.. As beauteous as
always I see - you are certainly a sight for sore eyes - and mine
most definitely are."
"Are you hurt, Ranma-sama?" Kasumi asked again worriedly.
"When Master Ran said that he was hit with a spotlight, Kasumi,
he meant that the light from the spot light hit him, not the
spotlight itself."
"There was a man playing games at the circus - I ran out to phone
the police, and would you believe I collided with him?" Ranma
laughed as he took Kasumi's arm, "Looks like I'll be joining Alfred
and you for dinner tonight after all."
*How did she get there without me hearing?!*
***
"Well?"
"We got some suspects, Lord." The man who was known collectively
as 'Hack', said as he took out a folder and placed it on the table
where the shadowed figure sat, "The pictures are included - free of
costs as usual. The main one is the guy who grabbed Adams. He's
the right height, right build, young enough to do think he can
change the world. And nobody seems to know anything about his
past. There are several others in the crowd and one who almost
caught Adams as he entered the van."
Lord nodded to one of his men in the shadows, "You've earn your
first pay check." Hack was silent, "What if I wanted you to find
out who the Batman really is instead of just giving me suspects?"
"It would cost you another million." Hack replied calmly.
"Shouldn't it be personal by now, Mr. Hack? Word on the street is
that you don't particularly like any of the elite of Gotham.
Wouldn't you find some pleasure in bringing down several of them?"
"This is business, Lord. If you want us to find out who the
Batman really is, you'll have to pay us again. Either in cash or
into the allocated Swiss bank account." Hack replied, his voice
still an even, bored tone.
Lord sighed as he opened the folder and picked up one of the
photos. It was a black and white, and the subject had obviously
been captured from quite a distance away. Despite that fact, it was
still quite clear.
"To tell you the truth, Hack, with the way the Batman has been
interfering with business lately, I can't afford to hand over a
million 'just like that'."
"You will get results for your money. We never fail."
"We've known each other a long time, Hack. Surely this time you
could -"
Hack turned abruptly away, "You know the line, Lord. No credit -
ever." He began to walk out of the room.
Lord stared at Hack for several seconds before he spoke again, "You
know, Hack. I think you're bluffing. I think you *know* who this
'Batman' is, and you just want to charge me more money." He
gestured to Ace, "Now let me put it this way, Hack. Why don't you
just tell me, and gain some good will - or -" he trailed off.
"Or what, Lord?" Hack said calmly, "We're the best. If you
want, you can try getting an out-of-towner to give you what you
need. It'll cost you more though. Of course, you could always just
pay us." He buffed a hand on his shirt.
Lord sighed again, "You leave me no choice then." He nodded over to
one of his men before standing up and leaving the room, "Try and
convince him other wise Ace."
"And if not, Lord?" Ace asked even as two men grabbed Hack's
arms and shoved him onto the floor despite his protests.
"Everybody dies. I don't like it when I get over charged." Lord
said.
Hack's struggles were cut off abruptly as the door snapped shut.
"Munchkin, can we go watch that new movie at the cinema?" Honey
asked as she looked up from the ever-glowing television set.
"Not right now, Honey. Maybe in a little while." Lord said as
he sat down on the couch, "Come lie down on my lap and tell me about
your day." He said, closing his eyes and allowing her inane chatter
to wash over him.
Behind the locked door, the sounds of physical violence were muted,
almost overpowered by that from the television set.
Some man turned forty-two
Won the lottery -
got killed for three dollars.
Call her 'Miss Play it Safe'
Cause she never dated in high school -
Wanted to become a doctor - a surgeon
A lawyer in some nice apartment.
Studied her whole life,
The day she walked out with her doctorate -
She got knocked down by the
Booze bus bringin' in drunk teens.
Now she can't walk, and can't talk -
And her parents are going to turn her off.
Doesn't it just figure?
Isn't it ironic?
This is a parody of a hit song -
But it ain't funny -!
Cause it's real.
Lots of people out there
Walking around spouting 'bout a 'great world'.
Lots of people out there,
Talking about fantastic things.
Just wanna know if they ever talked to
The girl who lost her future,
And the man who lost his dream.
Just wanna know if they
Ever see the people begging -
Instead of the glittering city streets.
Just wanna know if they -
If they -
If they -
Ever listen.
1999 Copyright Fiona Lim and any other name she may use.
"Ironic" belongs to Alanis Morresette
"Ranma 1/2" to Rumiko Takahashi and "Batman" to assorted owners
including Warner Brothers and DC Comics.
Thanks to Oni no Akuma for *amazing* pre-reading help, and Ted for
TONS of ideas to do with Akane and Dick.