Alley Stories [Open]

[Wolverine]

Gotham wasn’t familiar grounds to Wolverine, he had mostly been around New York, but not far beyond that. Either there or Canada. Needing to get some air and some space he had wandered outside and into the alleyways. Like New York these where the darker parts of town, the parts where no one would come, beside low life which mostly wouldn’t be missed by anyone. Thugs who didn’t even wear a name. He had his civilian clothes on now, not wanting to attract any attention… that was until a scream sounded through the alleys.

Quick as he could he made his way over to find the source, a woman, not that old. Surrounded by what seemed to be some sort of gang. How nice. He didn’t have his gloves with now which normally would hide the small fact his claws came from his fists. He let them slide out, causing a metallic sound to echo through the alley, causing them to look up, in this split second, he bolted into action. Slicing at guns, hands, legs and arms.

By the time he was done, the woman had fled, and only one of the was standing. He walked up to the man until he had backed him up into the wall. Grabbing his collar he pushed him up against the wall. ”You like picking on weaker people? Try picking this.” He was about to bring his claws down when…

[Batman]

Gotham City was unusually quiet that night, which would make District Attorneys and Police Commisioners proud. Thing is, Batman wasn't either of those things so he wasn't proud that his hard work over the years cleaned up the streets. Rather, Batman was angry he had nothing to do. It wasn't a great reason to be angry but his emotions never needed an explanation ever since the death of his parents. Being angry, he was more moody than usual. Gruff, quiet, and stern.

A scream echoed through an alley nearby him and he acted instantly; he quickly turned around and ran towards the edge of the roof. Judging by the sound, he figured he was about three buildings or so away. Batman jumped from rooftop to rooftop, trying to get there as quick as possible. A metallic sound echoed out and Batman stopped. His eyes widened and he began running faster than before to reach the alley. He stopped on a rooftop and looked over just in time to see a man with metal claws coming from his knuckles.

"You like picking on people? Pick on this!"

"With pleasure."

Batman threw two batarangs at the man's wrist and jumped down from the roof. He pulled his cape out and glided to the ground. He touched the ground softly and pulled his cape around his shoulders to cover his body. The Dark Knight stared at the man holding the thug by his collar. His eyes narrowed, signaling that he was angry with the man's behavior. Finally, Batman walked closer to the two men and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Let him go."

[Wolverine]

The sudden voice behind him made Logan stop his motion for a moment, he looked back over his shoulder, his blue eyes falling on some caped freak who either was thinking he really was a hero… or on his way to a costumed party, either way, he had guts coming dressed up like that. As the two objects flew in his direction Logan simply let them his wrists. The wounds they caused healed up instantly. Now the man came down from the rooftop, probably wanted to take it personally.

Logan dropped the guy to the floor towards the caped freak. ”You wanna take him? Fine by me.” He shrugged and looked at him wondering how he would react to this. Of course he wouldn’t let the thug get away. He still had to pay for what he tried to do to the lady who had already ran off.

[Batman]

Batman watched the man throw the thug down towards him. Batman looked down at the thug, who seemed dazed and confused, and then back to the man in the jacket. Why did he have metal claws sticking out between his knuckles? Was he a villain? He couldn't be a villain; after all, he took down the thugs and saved the woman. Batman picked the man up by his collor and elbowed his nose. The man collapsed to the ground, out cold.

"Killing isn't necessary."

Batman pulled his cape back around his shoulders and over his body. He watched the strange man standing in front of him in the alley. Batman reached into his utility belt and pulled two smoke pellets out. He held them between his fingers as he stared at the man. He would only use them if he needed to. Batman honestly assumed the man would attack him since he had threatened to kill the thug. Would he try to kill Batman, too? Only time would tell ...

[Wolverine]

”Would they have thought twice to kill the woman? I couldn’t have done worse things to them than what they could’ve done to her. An’ you know it.” He replied and let his claws slide in once more, sides, he wasn’t about to kill the guy, just give him a reminder he wouldn’t be doing stuff like this again, his eyes went to the thugs lying around the alley now, some of them where coming to again, crawling away from Wolverine as he stood there, he wasn’t that tall. Yet his attitude made up for that. In New York he would be known as Wolverine, in costume. To very few, Logan.

”You wanna drag em to court fine, but you know as well as I do they be out on the streets in no time at all. Doing the very same thing.” He added and suddenly looked to the side as a guy ran down the alleys and away from him. He shrugged and looked back at the man in cape before him. As one of the thugs accidentally brushed his leg as he tried to crawl off once more his claws slid out and he looked down staring in a terrified face. ”Pray I don’t meet ya again.” The man got up and ran off as well. Not bothering to watch after him Logan looked at Batman once more, his claws still out, his hands relaxed now however showing they truly came from his hands, and weren’t some weapon he was holding,

[Batman]

Batman watched the man as he began speaking. It was true, they wouldn't have hesitated to kill the woman but that doesn't give the heroes the right to kill them. He, being a hero, should know that! As the man was talking, some of the thugs began to wake up and two of them ran off. Batman didn't move as they ran past him and didn't flinch when a car horn screamed through the night. A loud collision sounded right after and the shatter of the windshield quickly followed. The thugs had been hit by a car.

"Sometimes you have to let nature take care of things."

Batman could see that the claws were actually coming from the man's hands. It wasn't a weapon he was holding. Rather, they were claws shooting out from between his knuckles. How did the claws get in there and it had appeared he could control when then came out or when back in. Batman would have to study this man when everything was all said and done.

[Wolverine]

Logan to heard the sound of the horn and the screeching of tires up to the gasp one of the men had let out, the slight scream. Then the hit. In his mind he could just see what was happening. As Batman spoke up he looked to the man, one words echoed from what was said, bouncing through his mind like some pinball game. The very word Nature. His gaze became a bit glassy as he stood there and soon his claws slowly began to slide in. His lips parted a bit and then without warning he fell over slumping to the floor.

Unlike what most people knew, Logan had been set with a safe word when he was created. The word Nature was what could set him off. The one thing which could disable him anytime they would want. By accident Batman had spoken the word and triggered the reaction. Lying on the ground he just gazed ahead, or what seemed to be gazing. He didn’t register anything at this point. He would be out for some time until he would be calm again.

[Batman]

While studying the man before him, Batman noticed his stare began fixed and his eyes were glossy. The claws between his knuckles slid in and he fell to the floor. Batman's eyes widened and walked over towards the man. He leaned down and put his fingers to his neck to check for a pulse. He was still alive but something harmed him enough to cause him to collapse. There was no one around and there was nothing in his skin. Batman stood up and paged his Batmobile via a remote in his utility belt.

"Can you hear me? If you can, wiggle your fingers."

There was no response and Batman let out a quiet gasp. The Batmobile roared into the alley, causing Bataman to stand up. He opened the doors and pulled the man into the car. Batman shut the door and walked around the front of the car. He slid in and sat in the driver's seat. The engine roared and Batman pulled his JLA communicator out. He turned it on as the Batmobile drove towards the Batcave.

"Clark, meet in the Cave in five minutes."

[End Thread]

[Continued in the Batcave]