Chapter: 2

[Batman POV]

-Gotham Docks-

Another night in Gotham City and like usual something illegal was going on. About two dozen men scurry around the docks moving a variety of cargo, guns, drugs, and from the muffled voices in some of the containers... people. On the roof of one of the buildings crouched Gotham's caped crusader observing the movements of the new crew that recently came to Gotham. They had made quite a debut by robbing a stash house of Carmine Falcone. This location not only had money and guns but also ledgers with info on shipping roots for smuggled cargo and names of cops and government officials on the payroll.

This caused Falcone to react with the full night of his family but the Vultures knew exactly where to hit Carmine to make it hurt. This created a balance between the two Carmine had more men but the Vultures had the info needed to fight back even with a lesser force. According to some info he managed to get while infiltrating one of Carmine's main bases of operations. He heard that there using his smuggling roots and blew his top. When he regained his calm he asked one of his top men to hire a hitman to take out the Vultures that would be at the dock tonight and if possible retrieve or destroy the ledgers. Extra would be paid for their retrieval. If they were at the dock they made an example of the Vultures present and gained the location of the ledgers from one of their members. Clear and detailed instructions were given in the contract.

But that wasn't what troubled the Dark Knight. It was the identity of the hitman or lack thereof. Batman expects Dead-Shot, Deathstroke, Lady Vic, David Cain, Cheshire, Lady Shiva, or Constantine Drakon. Known deadly and efficient assassins and bounty hunters. But he heard no whispers if any of them it anyone affiliated with the League of Shadows in general being hired.

So here he was begrudgingly waiting for the assailant so he could get all parties involved on this end detained before sunrise.

"Let's hurry it up. I don't want to have to deal with an ambush from Falcone. And the Boss wants up to avoid the Bat's attention" shouted the third in charge. He goes by the Lucky Charlie. He's survived every shoot he's ever been involved in unscathed.

"Got it,"

"Yes sir"

"Yeah, yeah"

"Please the bats one thing but the boss has got Falcone on the ropes. One decisive move is all we need and the Falcone Family will be under new management" said a grunt with a chuckle at the end.

"Hmph, be that as is may we still have to get the goods from this shipment back to base? This will give us the firepower necessary to match Falcone. You add the info from the ledgers and The Vultures will be the new owners of all the territory under the Falcone Family" replied Charlie.

"Hell yeah" x5

"Enough back to work"

They become filled off to sort out merchandise and load the shipment onto a truck for transport.

Batman notices a figure crouching on one of the containers observing the gang members. The lights in that area were either not working or intentionally disabled. The only thing visible beyond the silhouette of the figure was the playful yet menacing amber eyes that shined in the dark. Eying the gangsters below like a predator does prey. Seemingly done with observation they pounce into action landing on the nearest grunt before slashing the neck with some sort of sharp object before anyone notices he dashed the next, then the next, then the next. He was at his fifth victim by the time I got closer to the area. But the remaining gangsters finally noticed the individual.

"Who the hell is that"

"I don't know"

"Where is Roger"

"Search for him later open fire"

~Ratatatata~

As they open fire on the assailant hoping to take him out or at least slow him down. Neither of which they accomplished. They weaved through the onslaught of lead with grace and agility before grabbing the nearest grunt and tossing him into the assembled firing squad. Breaking their formation and knocking down a few from the sheer impact. They we given no receive as the assailant seem to thrive in the chaos bodies were falling with slit and ripped throats. The lucky few had what looked like claw marks on the chest and back some groaning on the ground while bleeding profusely, others trying to crawl away from the carnage while leaving a trail of blood behind them.

I threw five bearings at the individual, reacted immediately threw the grunt in the hand in the way, and jumped back to gain distance. The figure stood up and could finally see their appearance. He was 6'1 Dark skin with and broad shoulders but a narrow waist giving him power by not sacrificing speed and dexterity. He wore a black fur jacket reminiscent of a lion's mane and black combat pants. He wore no gloves or shoes but he da some kind of black fabric probably gauze wrapped around his ankle and foot exposing his heel and toes. He looks about His gaze locks onto me and he smiles exposing fangs.

(MC Looks)

(MC Fit)

I got into a stance and prepared for a confrontation. He flexes his finger and his claws extend. They were about two to three inches long, curved for ripping and menacing. It happened too fast he was upon me as we exchanged hits which was mostly me dodging his claws and trying and falling to relate. His reflexes were superhuman, yes but it was more than that he was experienced in combat and was weaponizing his meta-human abilities to suit his combat style.

But then he spread up and slashed my stomach I grunted and tried to counter with a kick he grabbed my leg and slammed me into the ground. I was dazed but got up I blocked his claws with blades on my wrist and punched him in the gut he didn't budge.

He played at my face I leaned back but felt a searing pain in my leg. He had followed up with his other hand. The kick hit my chest and I flew into the warehouse.

I woke up to the sound of screens and then silence reigned at the docks. I got up with some effort, retrieved some disinfectant from my belt, and sprayed my wounds.

I heard footsteps approaching. I looked and saw him flicking the blood from his fingers.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. He took some convincing" he said with a menacing smile on his face.

"Introduction then I know who you are. You can call me Sabertooth mercenary extraordinaire. Well up and coming. But after tonight. Well I imagine more jobs lined up." he said with a smirk

"Shall we continue"

I hit a button on my belt turning the lights in the warehouse off. Then hid behind one of the crates. I positioned myself to get the drop on him. I took out three electric and three low-explosive batarangs.

Then I heard him chuckle. The audacity of this bastard.

"You think darkness is your ally," he said the menace in his eyes enhanced by the dark. It added a malevolent glow.

"You're a well-trained warrior your masters would be proud. But you're not being of the night. You use it to your advantage yes. But you are not emboldened by it or empowered by it. " he said while waking.

"You measly adapted to it. I, however...." he said and his voice faded. Where'd he go? I could no longer see him on night vision or infrared. He moves too fast. I looked around but couldn't keep up.

"Thrive in it" I heard his voice behind me before everything went black.

[Sabertooth POV]

I exited the warehouse. Well, that was disappointing. The famous Dark Knight only amounted to so much. I didn't even get to go all out. Maybe next time he'll entertain me longer than. The only reason I left alive is because he was who I was paid to kill. Never do anything you are good at for free. Although I did work up and appetite.

"I'm craving pie"