|
|
Post by Batman on Oct 13, 2010 20:44:32 GMT -6
His fist landed square against the thug’s jaw with a thud and crack as the force of the blow broke the man’s jaw. Reeling back from the blow, the Dark Knight pressed on, and soon he landed a kick against the side of the mob thug’s head.
From behind him he head the sound of switchblade and quickly he turned to face the man charging at him. When the man was close enough, he tried to thrust the blade into Batman’s chest, but the vigilante had already sidestepped to avoid the thrust. Grabbing the man by the wrist, he twisted the arm tightly by the wrist before flinging the bruised man across the alley into a large steel dumpster with a metallic bang.
From behind, he felt two massive arms wrap around him, and try to squeeze the life out of him. Using his head, Batman slammed the back of his against the thug’s, and felt the sickening crunch of a nose breaking from the impact. Immediately the man let go of him from the pain and started staggering away from him. Turning towards the man who had him in a body lock, Batman charged, and leapt into the air. Locking his hands behind the man’s head, the Dark Knight drove his knee into the man’s face.
Hearing the sound of hammer of a pistol being pulled back, he quickly pulled out two batarangs from his utility belt, and threw them at the thug who was pointing the gun at him. The first landed inside the barrel of the gun and unleashed a small explosion that destroyed the weapon. The second exploded just before it reached the man’s face and unleashed a concentrated dose of sleeping gas to finally knock out the thug who’s jaw he head previously broken with his fist.
Casually he walked over to the man who was crawling to his feet, still disoriented from slamming against the dumpster, and grabbed him by the throat. Lifting him up off the ground, he slammed him into the dumpster, and moved his face within inches of the goon’s.
“Alright, here’s what is going to happen. You are going to tell me everything I want to know starting with who this new mob boss supposedly is,”[/b][/I] he growled.
He saw the fear in the man’s eyes. Fear of both him and of his new boss. Luckily that was information that was still useful. It told him that whoever this new player was, was somebody with power and influence.
“Who!?”[/b][/I]
“Maroni. Sal Maroni Junior,”[/b] the thug replied as he soiled his pants.
Headbutting the goon, he knocked him out, and let his body fall limp the ground with a thud. Part of the Dark Knight was rather unhappy as he had hoped the thugs would have put up more of a fight for him, but at least he did get the information he was after.
|
|
|
|
Post by cronus on Oct 13, 2010 21:39:54 GMT -6
Cronus stood on the roof of an apartment building looking down into the ally below, using his control of magnetic fields to bend light around him rendering him invisible. Originally he had come to Gotham to check in on his informant, a mutant with the ability to take on the forms of others after touching them. Cronus had recruited the young mutant and augmented his power's, allowing him to pick and chose his own form, and Cronus had created for him the identity of Sal Maroni Jr. Building an army required resources, information and manpower; organized crime offered all of these. Through his minion Cronus had hoped to gain a foothold in this city, Gotham city, but there was one man that could derail his plans for Gotham, the Batman.
This Batman was below Cronus right now, fighting thugs that were working, in a sense, for him. Two were already out of the fight, laying on the ground unmoving. Cronus watched as this Dark Knight seemly effortlessly dispatched tow of the remaining thugs while pressing the third for information.
'He's better then I expected, exceptional for a mere human. He's power, speed and reaction time all abnormally high for your average human, but not super human. He might even require further study."[/i]
When the Batman finally knocked out the last thug after getting the information he was looking for, Cronus knew it was time for him to intervene. 'But how to proceed? I cannot reveal my true self, yet I don't know enough of this Batman or his foe's to properly impersonate one of them. Perhaps a new form?'
Changing his form Cronus reduced his size so that he stood 6 feet tall and had the body of a top athlete, waring a black Armani business suit with a white shirt and red tie, gold cuff links, brown leather shoes, with slicked brown hair, bright blue eyes and a chiseled jaw. Stepping off the edge of the building he gently lowered himself to the ground six feet behind the Batman. Once his feet touched the ground he dropped his invisibility field and smiled a dazzling and charming smile.
When he spoke his voice was deep and smooth "Well, well, well. So this is the Batman?" Cronus made a 'tisk' sound as his head turned slightly to the left and then back to it's original position, the smile fading from his face as he moves his hands into his pants pockets. "I must admit, you're not exactly what I was expecting. Then again, I wasn't sure just what to expect, after all, if one were to believe all the legends you'd be immortal. But we both know that that's not true, don't we?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Oct 13, 2010 22:27:33 GMT -6
He couldn’t help but feel like he was being watched and it wasn’t just paranoia he was feeling. After years of learning at the hands of his father, his mother, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain, and Dick Grayson he knew when he was being watched. And sure enough when the man in the fine suit appeared, Batman wasn’t surprised at all.
“Who says I’m not immortal?”[/b][/I] he replied back with a calm demeanor. “Batman is an idea. A symbol. You can’t kill that. No matter how hard one tries to.”[/b][/I]
Tailored suit, slick hair, and definitely in shape. Confident. Can become invisible. So that means meta-human or portable cloaking device. League of Assassins maybe? No. This guy is a different breed altogether. Definitely not Maroni.[/I]
From behind his cowl he continued the study the man as he pocketed tear gas pellets out of his utility belt from underneath his cape as it covered his body. There was something about this guy that made him feel uneasy, something that rang in his head telling him that this guy was more than what he appeared to be.
“So it seems you have me at a disadvantage. You know who I am, but I do not know who you are. I know you don’t work for Maroni. That much is obvious.”[/b][/I]
In reality, he wasn’t sure if this guy worked for Maroni or not, but he knew he was certainly no relation to the late Sal ‘The Boss’ Maroni in any way. Which ruled him out as being the new crime boss he had been hearing about.
|
|
|
|
Post by cronus on Oct 13, 2010 23:14:49 GMT -6
Cronus took a single step forward, hands still in his pockets, a smile still on his face, but he made no threatening movements. He chuckled a bit at the Batman's mention of symbols and ideal's, it almost sounded like a speech. It likely was, given to this new Batman by the previous man behind the mask. Cronus knew that whoever the man behind the mask was, he wasn't the original batman. For one thing their voices were different, similar yes but Cronus had studied the old clips of the original Batman thoroughly and could tell there was a difference. Besides if this were the original Batman he'd have to be almost 100 years old.
Chuckling still he gently shook his head and looked into the white eyes of the Batman's mask. "Is that what you really believe? Or something that you were told and are just repeating? After all, everyone knows that the original Batman never killed. It was the one thing, the one line, he refused to ever cross. No matter who the villain. No matter what the crime. Batman never killed."
Cronus ignored the unspoken question about his identity and took another step forward, his bright blue eyes seeming to grow cold as he continued to stare into the Batman's eyes, the smile fading from his face. "But we both know you are a different breed of Batman, don't we? After all, you've done something the original Batman would never do. You've crossed that line, you have killed."
Cronus stopped moving forward and looked the other man up and down as if silently judging the man, settling his gaze once again on the white eyes of the mask. "If Batman truly is an symbol, an idea as you claim, then in my personal opinion that you fail to live up to this ideal. I can only assume that you were either once the Batman's student, or someone that idolized the original Batman. Either way, you've failed. You've broken the one rule the Batman set for himself, never to kill. You're not Batman, you're something new."
|
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Oct 14, 2010 8:41:46 GMT -6
This guy was definitely intelligent and informed. That certainly ruled him out as being apart of the mob. So that then left the Dark Knight wondering and thinking more about who this guy was or could be.
“Your personal opinion doesn’t mean squat,”[/b][/I] he said through clenched teeth. “Yes, you are correct and I’m not the original Batman. Hell I’m not even the second, but don’t think for a moment you understand what Batman is or represents.”[/b][/I]
From underneath his cape he clenched his left fist so tight that he thought he was going to drive his fingers into the palm of his hand. In his right hand he still held the tear gas pellets, waiting for a chance to use them. He was ready for this guy to try something, especially as he casually started taking slow steps towards him. Whoever the guy was, he was trying to be as nonthreatening as possible towards Batman. It was obvious he wanted to talk, but judging from how the man carried himself he had no doubt the man had no issues with getting physical.
Every word that this man was saying, albeit true, still struck a nerve deep inside Thomas. He knew that three years ago when he killed Hush that he had undone what Batman stood for, what his father and brother stood for, and that killed him inside. It was why in the years since he hadn’t killed another man. Sure there were times he wanted to, times he came close to doing it, but he still reined himself in.
“And you still haven’t answered the question. Who are you and why are you in my city?”[/b][/i]
|
|
|
|
Post by cronus on Oct 14, 2010 10:00:14 GMT -6
Cronus stood there while the Batman talked, observing him silently. 'Clenched teeth, rigid posture. I struck a nerve. He admitted that he's the third man behind the mask, a usefully piece of information I doubt he wanted to be revealed.'[/i]
Cronus allowed his eyes to slowly drift over the form of the masked man before him, a charming smile crossing his face again. 'He's keeping his left arm hidden, trying for a surprise attack maybe? Given his posture I'd say he's got a weapon in his right hand, likely a "Batarang" or some-such given his fighting style. He's cautious and cunning but his anger is threatening to break through his control.'[/i]
Cronus slowly took his hands out of his pockets, pulling an old style flip cigarette case from his right pocket, gold inhaled with silver, and opened it. Taking a cigarette from the case he put the cigarette to his lips while sliding the case back into his pocket, then pulled a light from the pocket over his heart in his suit. Cronus lit the cigarette and took a long drag while placing the lighter back in his breast pocket and chuckled as he pulled the cigarette from his lips with his left hand, putting his right back into his pocket, all the while his eyes never leaving the Batman's.
"Who am I? Well that is a very loaded question, isn't it? Who are any of us? Take you for example, are you Batman? Or are you just a man waring a mask? Or better yet, are you the man beneath the mask? Who we are is to complicated a question to be answered by a simple name or title. But I will tell you what I am. Like you, I am something new. Born from the ashes of the old I shall raise to power an glory greater that any other in history."
Cronus took another long drag off his cigarette before continuing "As to why I'm here, in this city of the damned, I would have thought it obvious. I'm here for you. You see I was intrigued by the stories of there being a new Batman stalking the streets of Gotham, even more so when I started delving into the lore of the Batman. I meant what I said, you're not Batman, not as he was once known. You are something new. something different. something better. You understand that some people are beyond help, that not everyone can be saved. Batman's greatest weakness was that his foe's always knew no matter what they did, who they attacked or killed, no matter how many hundreds, thousands died, the Batman would never kill them. Now they know different. Now even the most hardened of criminals of Gotham will fear the Batman like never before, wondering if their going to be the next kill on the Batman's list."
Taking one jast drag off his cigarette Cronus then flicked it off to his left side into a small puddle. "I came here to meet the man that took the mantel of the Batman and made it into something new, something better, something terrifying. I came here to see if you were worth my time."
|
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Oct 14, 2010 12:59:15 GMT -6
He watched every move the man made like a hawk watching it’s prey. He still had no idea what the man’s intentions were or how dangerous he could be as well. So when he had moved his hands to his pockets, Thomas was ready to act, but it seemed he didn’t need to.
As the man started ranting, Thomas found himself getting annoyed. Instead of being upfront, the mystery man decided to continue being mysterious. If Thomas was interested in mystery than he wouldn’t have bothered asking who the man was.
At least the man had revealed to him his reasons for appearing in Gotham. Whether or not it was the truth he would have to wait and see. He wasn’t entirely sure that the man was being completely honest, but the man was hard to read.
“So why are you here to see if I’m worth your time? What is it that you want from me?”[/b][/I] He asked as he unclenched his fist. “What is it you want from Gotham?”[/b][/i]
|
|
|
|
Post by cronus on Oct 14, 2010 18:47:03 GMT -6
Cronus grinned as the Batman asked him more questions. He really was very sharp for a normal human. Perhaps he should even be told part of the truth. It couldn't hurt, after all the Batman knew nothing about Cronus other then what he looked like, and even this form was a facade.
Taking his right hand out of his pocket he lightly stroked his chin in though, his eyes looking up and down Batman as if trying to measure him. After a moment he put his hand back into his pocket and nodded as if coming to a decision.
"Very well, I shall tell you. At least I'll tel you what I want with you. The Batman is a legend, thus you are a part of that legend. As a normal human your predecessors were able to do things, defeat enemies many times stronger then themselves. They have shown intelligence, cunning, and preparation abilities far superior then your average Homo sapiens. Normally this alone would not warrant my interest in an inferior being, many others have accomplished the same thing. What make's you different, what make's Batman different, is the reliance on your superior training and skill as opposed to technology like say... Iron Man. It is this that has drawn my attention to you, and the thought of how much better you could be, with just a little help."
|
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Oct 14, 2010 20:03:32 GMT -6
Interesting choice of words. At least now I know that this guy is either a mutant or an alien now. One who certainly thinks very highly of himself at that.[/I]
The fact that this guy had taken notice to his skills wasn’t exactly all the great a feeling. While many humans, meta humans, mutants, and aliens had shown interest in his father for his superior skills, training, and will none had ever offered to improve him. Whatever this guy was after from Thomas made him feel uneasy and the fact that he claimed he was able to improve Thomas didn’t help that feeling either.
“You have an intriguing offer, but it seems you never learned anything from studying all the files available on Batman. Because if you had, you would now that neither my predecessors nor myself would ever accept that kind of offer,”[/I][/B] he said in response to the man veiled offer. “But I do have an offer for you in return. Leave. And never come back.”[/I][/B]
Whoever this mystery man was, Thomas wanted him out of Gotham. The fact that he had made him uneasy was reason enough, but something else about the man didn't feel right either. He didn't know what it was exactly, only that his gut was telling him it wasn't good.
|
|
|
|
Post by cronus on Oct 14, 2010 20:50:53 GMT -6
As much as Batman might believe otherwise, Cronus had expected this reaction. Only the desperate and the weak accepted the offer of greater power the first time. Batman's suspicion and skepticism would serve him well. There was however one thing that this Batman was overlooking, that he was not really Batman. Eventually something or someone would come along that this Batman couldn't handle. Hush had obviously done something that had triggered this Batman to cross the line and kill and it was only a matter of time before it happened again.
Cronus grinned again as the Batman finished his speaking. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps you are limited, like your predecessors. But we both know different. You are not the old Batman. You're something, someone, new and perhaps it is time for a change."
Cronus took a step back then and looked around. The thugs were still out cold and it seemed that he had gotten as much information out of Batman as he was likely to get. Turning his focus back to Batman he nodded.
"Regardless this is not something you should dismiss out of hand. We could make a formidable team you and I. I'll respect your wishes for now, but before I leave this city know this; should you ever desire to be more that what you are, more then what your predecessors could ever have been, you need only ask. Farewell for now Batman.
With those words spoken Cronus once again rendered himself invisible and began to slowly raise himself off the ground and away from Batman.
|
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Oct 15, 2010 20:19:54 GMT -6
He watched the man turn invisible as he stood there in silence contemplating what the mystery man had said. Something inside him told him this guy certainly couldn’t be trusted, but then he still didn’t know just who’s side the guy was on either. It was very possible that he was one of the good guys, but it seemed highly unlikely. Hearing a groan off to the side, he turned his attention to one of the thugs who was trying to get to his feet. Walking over to the man, he looked down at the mobster as he tried to crawl to his feet. Once he was up, he shook the grogginess from his brain, and looked at the Batman in fear. Grabbing the man by the collar, Thomas lifted him into the air, and slammed him against the brick wall. “You tell your boss Maroni that I’m coming for him. You got that?”[/b][/I] Dropping the man to the ground, he turned away from him as he pulled out his grappling gun. Firing it to the rooftop above, he left the scene behind him as his mind continued to wonder just who he had encountered only mere moments ago. End of Thread |
|
