[Ranma][FanFic] The Dark Knight: Epilogue
TJ Lim
The Dark Knight
By Fiona Lim
fanta...@gurlmail.com
Epilogue
To: drgc...@hotmail.com
From: kte...@WEC.com
Time: 20:27:34 (EST) 3/18/1999
Subject: [none]
Dear Dick,
A flying man? I'm not as gullible as you think, baka. That's as
believable as that purple man Anyaka said she met while in Africa.
How is the Circus? You staying in Los Angeles for the winter? Have you
visited Disneyland again yet?
Nothing has happened in Gotham. My submission to the GCPA went
through - and we're waiting for the paperwork (baka bureaucrats!).
But I'm a sort of cadet in the GCPA (that's the police academy) so
maybe the next time the circus is in town, you'll be calling me
Officer Akane! Maybe.
Kasumi is worried about Wayne - she's still insisting on working
as his town housekeeper even though Nabiki sends back enough for us to
survive now. Well, maybe. I just don't like the man okay? His -
well. . . There's just something about him. Like he's - I don't
know. . . Anyway, he seems to have keyed down on his womanizing and
perversions lately - at least I haven't read about his latest
girlfriend (hah! Mistress more likely!) committing suicide over him in
the tabloids. Kasumi's taken to driving up (did I mention she sat for
her license and Mr. Pennyworth gave her one of the cars to use since
she got it? Kasumi's so smart) to the manor (can you believe they
actually call that old house a manor?!) to cook and stuff. Kasumi's
too nice for her own good. I say let the baka bastard starve to
death. The whole world is better off without people like him.
Anyway, I guess you heard about that drug lord dying in downtown
Gotham. It's on the news all the time lately. Good riddance to bad
rubbish. They say his mistress (can you believe she calls herself
Honey?) has gone crazy. Wayne cashed in on publicity by using his
money to send her to the crazy house. Hah! Charity my foot! Kasumi
says he's got a little scrapbook with a newspaper picture of her. The
pervert.
I've been taking English classes at the community college. Normal
ones I mean - I'm not doing very well, but my English is getting
better. Or my spelling is anyway. Not that you'd be able to tell -
this computer has a great spell-check function. Email me.
Akane
*
The measured steps were slightly out of beat with the staccato clip
of Doctor Adatachi's heels. Outside, steady rain created a third to
the tapping duet. Ranma glanced briefly out of one of the large,
barred windows. Meteorologists reported that Gotham City was expecting
a warm winter this year - which basically meant that there would be no
more snow for the season. The gray, dismal sky outside matched his
mood perfectly as he turned back to the Doctor.
"How is she?" Bruce Wayne asked softly as he matched the slow pace
of the woman by his side through the gray hall.
The white robed doctor shrugged as she pushed her glasses back up her
thin nose, "As best as one can be after such a traumatic experience,
Mr. Wayne." A pause, "Might I add that it was extremely commendable
of Wayne Enterprises to sponsor her entrance into the asylum, sir. I
know it is a trifle unusual for a major corporation to back a single
patient."
The unstated question was left hanging as curiosity flashed behind
the steel rimmed glasses.
Bruce flashed the - by now - famous smile that had been displayed from
four tabloid newspapers in the last month.
"It's nothing. What's the use of having tons of cash if you don't
use it?" he shrugged and added more seriously, "And anyway, she's
barely older than me really. What's the use of having money if you
don't spend it?" He stopped before one of the doors that periodically
appeared in the monotonous bare, gray walls and peered into the tiny,
barred square of glass at eye-height.
"Is this -?"
"Yes."
The girl inside looked heartbreakingly young, despite her almost
old fashioned movie-star features. She sat curled up on the single
bed, leaning against a corner of the cell as she stared out the barred
window at the pouring rain.
"Kodachi is a good patient. We expect that once she gets over her
experience she -
"Kodachi?" Bruce turned with a frown to the Doctor, "I thought her
name was 'Honey'?"
Doctor Adatachi frowned, "She introduced herself as Kodachi and since
no other records -" she shook her head, "It will be a matter to be
brought up at the next session." She said.
"Kodachi." Bruce whispered as if he was tasting the name, and then
nodded, "I - I would like monthly reports of her progress please,
Doctor." He said, his tone belying his youth, "She -" he shrugged,
"She seems very young. It doesn't seem fair that she's stuck in
there."
"It *is* for her own good, Mr. Wayne." Doctor Adatachi said, "But
she will likely be leaving soon. In our last session, we spoke of how
she was often lonely while 'Lord' did business. I believe a
breakthrough will occur before long."
Bruce nodded, "I hope so too -
Their voices faded as they continued down the corridor and out
into the main foyer. Bruce strode out of the large building and
climbed into the car.
"Well, Master Ran?"
"She seems well." Ranma said tiredly, "But -" he trailed off as
he stared out the window, tracing the symbols of the large embossed
sign created on the iron gates as they drove past. The double 'A'
burned into his mind, ghosts that flared with more meaning than the
letters ever had before. *Arkham Asylum.*
*
To: kte...@WEC.com
From drgc...@hotmail.com
Time: 12:04:57 (PST) 4/5/1999
Subject: Re:[None]
Hey Connie!
Considering that you're using the baka's computers and house,
shouldn't you be a bit more nicer to the poor man? He's a wimp, a
bastard and probably rather useless but still, I don't understand why
you hate him so much. What's a 'baka' anyway?
For your information, the 'flying man' does exist. Jason took
Andy to Sandy in Metropolis for her allotment and they both saw him.
The newspapers are calling him 'Superman'. And before you start
enumerating on the macho idiocy of males, there's also talk of him
being an alien, so he probably isn't human.
I heard about the drug lord's murder. It reached frontline news
over here. Bunch of left-wing radicals are claiming it's the only way
justice can be done. The police have been putting down vigilante
groups lately. There was this one shooting several blocks away from
where we're rooming. Several pimps are dead and there's a lot of
cops. Let's just say things are really strange around here. Usually
LA is - well, crazy, but not THIS crazy. The circus is moving into
the smaller towns in California for the winter instead of trying and
get the high society like we did in Gotham. We might be 'carnie'
folk, but we aren't stupid. Then in the spring we're headed for
Metropolis - so I'll get to see this flying man for myself hopefully.
Andy's rather lonely without Jason and the Flying Graysons are a
little lopsided since we don't have you. Got to go.
Dick
*
*Gotham Manor.*
*Home.*
Hack flung himself onto one of the wing chairs, "Man, I think I'm
taking up claustrophobia as a hobby. Those cells are OVERCROWDED as
hell." He said as he glanced at Ranma, "Thanks for that lawyer by the
way - anonymous sponsor my ass." He smirked.
"Fill me in. What's the Batman up to lately? There was a lot of
rumours but nothing concrete. The police wanted to keep us from
rioting I guess."
He twisted - a feat in his sprawled position - as the library doors
swung open.
"Welcome back to Wayne Manor, Master Hack." Alfred said, "Would
you like a cup of tea?" he held a large tray laden with various
accruements of domestic liquidity.
"No thanks - a beer would be good though." Hack replied before
frowning, "What's up with the silence, Ran?"
Ranma put down the folder he had been reading when Hack entered, "It's
good that you're back, Hack. There's something I want you here for."
He stood up and walked over to the library entrance to the Batcave -
the old grandfather clock; it swung open as he pressed a recessed
button on its polished surface.
"Please follow me."
"Definitely back home - nowhere else would there be this much
melodramatic secrets intersped with stunted silences and mysterious
pauses." Hack said as he stretched and pulled himself out of the
chair.
"After you Alfred."
"No please, sir - after you."
"Really -"
"Would you two please just get down here?!"
The darkness of the steps receded to be replaced by the low lights
that were constantly left on to light the motorbikes, computers and
exercise equipment.
"So what's up, Bat-boy?" Hack asked as he ran a hand down the side
of the terminal, "I'm back babies." He murmured with a grin, "Oh
yeah, I got this fantastic idea while I was in the pen. I reckon it's
ahead of what your hired-egg heads at Wayne Technology Research and
Development probably thought of actually. For intercity communication
that will reduce the interference from all those radio waves." He
trailed off as he realised Ranma was not listening to him.
The young man was standing at the precipe of the computer platform,
staring across to the various lit plateaus.
"Submit a report to me on Monday. It'll be your first official
project as head of WTR&D." he said finally.
"What?"
"As CEO of Wayne Enterprises Conglomerate I am officially hiring
you to head Wayne Technologies's Research and Development sector."
Ranma replied.
"But - what about - well, all this?" Hack's voice dropped as he
realised what Ranma was doing, "No - you can't do this - I mean, we
succeeded!"
"Precisely. There's no more reason for us to do this. Lord is
dead."
"Yeah but -
"There is NO 'but'." Ranma turned, and Hack took a step back as he
met the burning eyes, "A man is dead - and - and -" he shook his
head, turning away again as he stalked back to the stairs where Alfred
was standing silently, "The Batman doesn't exist anymore."
Hack followed helplessly after the young man, "All the work we did -
he stared at the equipment which lay, collecting dust, "My babies!"
"There will be better 'babies' at your new office. More advanced -
far superior and linked through to the official sattelite lines rather
than the slower back doors you've been using." Ranma met Hack's eyes,
"Make no mistake, I am not hiring you for any other reason but that
you *are* the best." He added, answering a doubt far before it was
even sub-consciously formed.
Hack sighed as he followed Ranma back up the stairs. *This can't be
the end. I thought - well, I thought this would somehow go on and
become - more. . .*
*Funny. I still feel loyal - so maybe it isn't just the funny suit
and the shadow games. . . There's something about that boy - being
around him. . .*
*Ah well. At least I get a job out of it. Head of WTR&R. Who'd have
thought.*
*
To: drgc...@hotmail.com
From: kte...@WEC.com
Date: 19:36:28 (EST) 4/9/1999
Subject: [none]
Dear DICKIE
Haven't heard from you in a while. How's Metropolis? I'm sorry I
didn't believe you about that flying man. I saw him in the news reels
yesterday. Do all Americans have this obsession with tights or
something?! He seems very - good actually. I think you Americans
would call him 'boy scout'. Nabiki has met him - she says anyway -
and says he's very nice. 'Very polite' were her words - pleasant
change from some people I know. Though he doesn't seem to know his
own strength (funny that). The newspaper article written about him
said he was an alien and all that, but then what with Gotham City's
Catwoman and Batman (if he even exists - they're still not sure)
everybody sees it as passé over here. Hah! Managed to use that word.
I'm getting better at English. The teacher suggested I try the
writing class next semester but I'll be in the GCPA by then so I'm not
sure. Kasumi is thinking of taking up a course at the college since
there's nothing much to do for her nowadays.
That baka Wayne more or less told her that he doesn't need her to
cook or anything! Bastard. How can he do that to poor Kasumi?!
Akane
To: kte...@WEC.com
From: dgrc...@hotmail.com
Date: 11:46:11 (EDT) 5/1/1999
Subject: re:[none]
Met Nabiki yesterday. She's very nice - though not like you or Kasumi
at all. Mother and Father says hi. Jason is going hyper in the
background since Andy and Sandy promised him they'd take him to see
the latest place Superman was last seen. Metropolis has a proper
little tourist route going over Superman sightings lately. To give
the Big Blue credit though he doesn't seem to look for attention.
Just sort of zooms in and out - all the time. It's so common place
lately we just sort of ignore it when we hear the sonic boom
overhead. Tomorrow is our eighteenth performance. It's strange
working with Sandy again - she's slightly out of practise. Andy and
her are thinking of reconciliation, though nobody is to tell Jason in
case it turns out like last time.
By the way, I thought you hated Wayne for making Kasumi do so much
work? Last time you were talking about him taking advantage and all
that extra cooking not being in her contract?
By the way, congratulations about that scholarship into the GCPA -
Kasumi sent me a message to pass it on to Nabiki since she changed her
apartment again. Nabiki says hi and to tell you she can be contacted
at ad...@dailyplanet.net under 'Personal for N Tendo'.
Dick
**
Kodachi was startled from her foetal position on the gray hospital
bed as the door slid open to reveal two hulking men in the Asylum's
uniform. She winced, wrapping arms around her long legs as her eyes
widened.
"Your anonymous admirer strikes again, dear." The white coated
Doctor paused to push her glasses back up her nose - a habitual
gesture - before placing the small brown basket onto the floor,
"Remember - we have a five o'clock appointment today, Kodachi."
Kodachi nodded, but didn't move till the door was closed again and the
tapping rap of the Doctor's heels vanished into the silence with the
accompanying 'thump' of the two orderlies' rubber soled shoes. Then
she crept towards the basket and opened it with quick, shaking
fingers. The box of chocolates was there, along with several current
issues of various magazines - and this time, lying atop the pile, was
a dark, blood-red rose. The note remained the same - as it had for
the past uncountable weeks she had been trapped within the nightmare.
'A gift from one who is sorry.'
**
To: drgc...@hotmail.com
From: kte...@WEC.com
Time: 20:21:35 (EDT) 12/18/1999
Subject: [None]
Dear Dick,
Got to be short - the storms acting up with the net (again).
Anyway, its almost Christmas and would you believe baka Wayne had the
gall (discovered a new word - you Americans have such weird sounding
words) to invite Kasumi and me up for a dinner next week. Bet he
wants us to cook. Kasumi accepted but I'm not going. I hate
simpering men - and he's as worthless and simpering as they come.
By the way, I managed to find a part time job for the next week
before I go into the academy at a dojo. Well, not really a dojo.
More like this club for rich idiots. I run them through really simple
katas and I don't teach them anything of the Anything Goes style. I
wouldn't waste good training on them. I guess if they're stupid
enough to believe all this alternative stuff, than I can cash in on
it.
Akane
PS - so when are you and the Circus coming back to Gotham?
*
Ranma stared at the cavern. The hum of the computers filled the
silence, while overhead, several bats fluttered their wings, disturbed
what the hell I was doing in the first place.* He touched the
lever-switch and, after a second, flipped it.
First the overhead lights turned off with a 'clang' that echoed. And
then, slowly, the stand-alones winked out. Finally, the hum of the
computers ended on a high pitch.
"'Foul beastie begone, retreat to the darkness that spawned thee;
though thou lieth in waite once more for unwary travelers.'" Ranma
stood there, staring into the darkness for several seconds before he
turned and walked back up the stairs.
*
To: kte...@WEC.com
From: drgc...@hotmail.com
Time: 15:26:04 (CST) 1/6/2000
Subject: [none]
Dear Akane,
Short letter cause don't have much cash for the computer café this
time. Sandy and Andy are back together, Jason is ecstatic. Mother
and Father are taking a holiday weekend at the Ramada here in
Metropolis. Good news though, the Circus is heading towards Gotham
City next week. We cut our stay here short cause of low ticket
sales. Everybody is more interested in Superman sightings anyway.
Heard about the Catwoman taking in those robbers yesterday. Cool -
haven't heard about the Batman for a while though. Maybe he doesn't
really exist? Or it was all just Catwoman from the beginning. The
Metropolites keep asking anybody who's been to Gotham about those two
since they appeared same time as Superman. Anyway, see you in a
week. Sandy says she can't wait to meet you, and Jason wants to know
if you'll teach him how to flip like you do.
Dick
**
Doctor Adatachi was worried. Rather than improving as she had
expected, Kodachi - patient 401 - seemed to be worsening. She stared
through the tiny window where the young woman sat on the bed, cradling
something as preciously as if it were a child. Sighing, the doctor
walked away to write another unproductive report. If she had stayed,
she would have seen the petals floating to the ground, the dark red
already darkening into the black of death.
The End
---
"The Dark Knight" copyright Fiona Lim and any other names she may use
"Batman" and associated ideas from affiliated "Batman" products
(including television shows, cartoons, movies, comic books and
novelisation) belong to Bob Kane, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, the WB,
assorted companies and all other legitimate producers. "Superman"
property of above mentioned companies and assorted creators.
"Ranma ½" and associated ideas regarding "Ranma ½' products (including
manga reproductions, English translations and subtitles and comic
books) belong to Rumiko Takahashi and assorted companies.
Author claims all characterisation, plot and storylines other than as
mentioned above. Also, the author formally acknowledges that this
work would have been impossible without the help of Oni no Akuma.
(The Author would formally acknowledge that this work would not only
be unreadable but also indecipherable to everybody without the help of
Oni no Akuma, but that would be making a statement she has no proof
Fiona Lim, September 1999