“Gotham really is a filthy hoard for crime,” I commented after smashing a final henchman’s head into a nearby brick wall, knocking the criminal unconscious.

    I imagined Carson nodding as he replied, “It is, indeed, sir. Please keep in mind they are still human, and we are in America. Due process is still supposed to be a thing and murder is still a crime.”

    I chuckled, scanning the group of unconscious drug runners I had just dispatched as a way of releasing stress, “You’re very right, Carson. I think the only injuries these guys will have will be major concussions.” My eyes fell upon a guy whose arm I’d broken during our tussle, “Oh, and maybe a broken arm or two.”

    Carson’s tone of voice changed to one of urgency, “Sir, there is a figure approaching behind you—”

    Someone behind me kicked my knee, knocking me off balance, and then ruthlessly proceeded to pummel me as I fell to the floor. When I found a chance to do so, I rolled out from under my attacker and stood up to face him. Carson’s holograph readings scanned the figure and quickly detailed his known identity.

    “Batman?” I exclaimed in surprise.

    The bat creature stood still, facing me with power and confidence, “What’re you doing in my city?” His voice cracked through the night air and instilled a high amount of fear in my spine, giving me a quick shiver.

    “Your voice changer is really impressive.” I deflected, foolishly inserting a marvel amount of levity.

    Batman didn’t respond and just sat there without expression.

    “I came to help you out—” I retorted.

    “I don’t need any help, nor do I want any.”

    “Robin?”

    “He’s dead.”

    “Oh, I’m sorry.”

    “…”

    I shifted my weight uncomfortably, “Listen, I don’t see what the problem is with my being here and beating up a few criminals. Wasn’t like you were here.”

    “That’s the point. I was, but you jumped in and started beating these guys up with your high-flying maneuvers and weightless flips.”

    “Oh. I can’t say I’m sorry, cuz I’m not.”

    “You will.” Batman then yanked something from his belt and aimed it toward me, firing a device into the wall behind me. Disregarding it, I charged toward him with a hooking punch. Batman effortlessly ducked beneath it and jumped up toward his device. He kicked off it and literally bounded into my face with his fist, throwing me into a garbage can. I thrust myself back up onto my feet.

    “What kind of gadget is that? Mini-trampoline?”

    Without replying, Batman chucked a second one of those devices onto the wall opposite the one that already had the device. I leapt toward him and he sidestepped, allowing me to fly past him. Whipping out a third device, he dropped it onto the floor, lining it up with the other two gadgets. I ejected one of my wrist-blades, cocked it back, and fired it at the Batman who blocked the attack with his right forearm. Seeing as how my blade passed over the gadgets, I assumed they still didn’t do anything, so I rushed toward Batman and leapt into the air to attack him. The moment I passed over those gadgets, I stopped in midair, unable to touch the ground.

    “What in Cloud Cuckoo Land!?” I cried in shock.

    “During our little chat, I evaluated your composition. I found that it is reinforced with Kryptonian cells which gives you your weight-reduction abilities. This trap you’ve fallen for is a prototype I designed for Superman to trap him in flight. It seems to have worked on you, so I’m going to assume it’ll work on Superman.”

    I nodded, “Impressive.” I then yanked out my semi-automatic pistols from their holsters and blasted the devices to bits. I landed on the ground with a self-pleased grin. “You’re good, bat guy. Unfortunately, I have a mission, more important than you, to get back on.”

    “Is it about a girl named Talitha Creed?”

    My jaw muscles tensed at the mention of her name, “And how—how do you know that?”

    “Black Widow released Hydra intel all over the internet, including S.H.I.E.L.D.’s. It wasn’t hard to track you using that information.”

    “Blast it,” I hissed under my breath, “well, what about her? You’re obviously here for a reason.”

    “I’m here to tell you not to go back to Joel Kennedy.”

    “How, the devil, do you know his name!?”

    “I’m Batman.”

    I sighed, “Ok, and why shouldn’t I?”

    “Hydra’s waiting for you there.”

    “Probably with guys that I can beat up using my thumb.”

    “Probably. I just thought I’d let you know while we were talking.”

    “Very thoughtful of you. So, how long will you be spying on me?”

    “Until you’ve heard my proposition.”

    I groaned, “What proposition?”

    “I’m assembling a team of enhanced individuals. You see, I think there’s a threat coming from another world and according to my research, it’s already here.”

    “Stop right there. I’m not interested. I only want to save my daughter.”

    The bat slowly shook his head, “You won’t be able to, Kestrel. You won’t.”

    “We’ll see.” With that, I blasted into the sky.