5 Kill the Bat (1)

With nothing better to do, I found myself tailing that woman I had rescued a few nights ago.

I didn't want to get involved since I was wary of drawing attention to myself this early in the game. So, as a compromise, I decided to follow her around for a few days, and try and make sure she didn't get herself killed or something.

Imagine my surprise though, when I saw her walk into in an apartment on the east side of Gotham; the rich part and came strolling out looking completely different from what she looked like yesterday.

Gone was the blonde scantily dressed woman and in her place was a woman who was refined, with black hair instead of blonde and an elegant demeanor.

I watched as a few minutes later, a black limousine came and picked her up. And, drove her all the way to a large mansion on the city's outskirts.

She spent the rest of the night at some charity event for the rich and I even saw her chat with a tall dark-haired man. Curious about their conversation and about who this woman was, I took out the monkey talisman and used it to shape-shift into a bat by whispering its name.

I could feel a warm wave of energy wash over me, and as my body shrunk and my perspective changed. I found myself standing on a tree, my hands turned into leathery wings and my feet into claws.

The first change I noticed was that my eyesight was shit now. The second was my hearing. I could suddenly hear sounds hundreds of feet away as if they were right beside me. It took me a few minutes to focus my hearing and when I finally succeeded I started hearing snippets.

"You know me. I am always careful..." She said.

" You know that's not what I mean.." He said.

" Oh please, Bruce I'm only doing what I..." She said.

" It's still wrong and I can't let..." He said.

" You don't get to tell me what to do, not anymore! You made that decision a long time ago. " She said.

" Selena wait. I didn't mean... "The man said.

As the noises of the crowd grew louder I lost my focus I eventually gave up and used the talisman to turn back again. Even though I was a bat, merely holding the talisman and focusing on turning back was enough for me to transform back into a person. Weirdly enough the clothes, that had disappeared with my transformation were still there when I turned back again. " Huh, neat." I noted.

Just as I suspected, this was Bruce Wayne's mansion and the woman who just walked away was Selina Kyle aka Catwoman.

Their conversation hinted at them being in a relationship at some point in the past but judging by what I could gather which I admit wasn't much due to my unfamiliarity with my bat-hearing I missed quite a few details.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a gunshot going off, broken glass, and the sight of Bruce Wayne doubling over in pain, as he clutched at his chest. Panicked shouts of fear and chaos immediately swept over the hall as everyone ran out in fear.

' Holy shit! Batman just got shot!' was the only thought I could think of as I saw him bleeding to death.

Breaking out into a run and with help of the Rabbit Talisman, I was instantly inside the mansion.

Unlike the other Talismans, the Rabbit Talisman proved a bit challenging since I wasn't used to moving at such speeds. I overshot a bit and found myself at the end of the dance hall a bit further away than what I intended.

No matter what I planned on doing in the future. Bruce Wayne biting the bullet would be really bad.

I know for certain that there are threats out there that will require his intellect and leadership. Threats I am not sure the world can survive. After all, I couldn't remember a continuity where things turned out okay with the Bat's Death. Sure there were some realities where he was evil, but dead? Who knew what would happen?

I was still under the Snake Talisman's invisibility so as soon as I arrived near his bleeding form. I quickly rummaged in my bag to find a talisman that would help me in this situation.

" Where is it? Where is it?... Ah! Here it is!" I muttered.

To the outside world for those who weren't running for their lives at least, the sight of a bag floating in mid-air would normally be alarming, but amongst the confusion and panic the only one who noticed was Selena and Bruce, who was about to pass out.

"What... *Cough* is going on? *wheeze*"

"Shh...don't talk Bruce." Selena said.

" I'm going to go on a limb here and say you're that kid from last week. " Selena said, out loud.

Choosing to stay silent I ignored her question and approached Bruce. All they could see now was a floating stone with the image of a horse etched upon it approaching them. By that point, Bruce had finally passed out.

" Bruce! Bruce! Wake up!" Selena said, in panic.

She then turned to me, " You have to get him to a hospital! You can fly, can't you? Quickly."

" Don't worry I'll help him just step back." I said.

She seemed a bit hesitant but then stepped back seeing there was nothing she could do.

I crouched beside Bruce and quickly realized he was wearing some sort of armored vest under his suit, which probably saved his life.

Still, it seems the person who shot him was prepared, since even though the vest slowed down and diverted the bullet from his heart. It still had enough momentum to puncture his left lung and fragment inside his body. If left without medical assistance he would die within minutes, drowning in his own blood.

' Huh, I guess spending most of my life in hospitals was good for something.' I mused to myself.

Without delay I held out the Talisman over Bruce's chest and focused my intent on healing the damage done to his body.

Bruce started glowing. I ignored Selena's startled cry of surprise, and focused on healing him. It seemed I was doing something right because it didn't take long before I could see Bruce's wound started to close up.

By the end of it his injury was nowhere to be seen and even the damage done to his suit was gone.

" How...?" I could hear Selena say.

I quickly stowed the talisman in my pocket and said, " He looks like he's about to wake up."

Still in shock, she quickly snapped out of it.

Noticing my tone of voice, she figured out I planned on leaving and quickly tried to stop me. " Hey! Wait, who are you? "

I paused for a bit before picking up my backpack. " You can call me... Zodiac. " I said, before speeding away.

Not far from the mansion the assassin was packing away his rifle and preparing to disappear. What he didn't notice though, was the fact that his target was saved from certain death and had already recovered.

As he prepared to leave, he took out his phone and dialed, and after a single ring the call was answered.

" The job is done." The assassin said, before hanging up and discarding the phone.

(Chapter End)

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