Gangs and Gunshots [Spoiler]

[Batman]

Problems in Gotham were far from uncommon. In fact, the city itself seemed to have problems as the very foundation of this great city. All sarcasm aside, Gotham was in fact a decent city, if you didn't get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. It had its quirks, and it had its downfalls. As they said, nothing was every perfect, and Gotham, well it was far, far from perfect.

There was no such thing as a “quiet night” in Gotham. If there ever was one, then it was because of some strange and otherworldly miracle, or someone was plotting something really, really big. That someone varying from the many Arkham inmates or “colorful” Batman foes. Gotham had suffered from many different types of attacks. Each ranging from the Joker's laughing gas attacks, to penguins great heists. Gotham always had something “fun” and “exciting” going on, on behalf of all the villains in the city.

Of course, there was someone to clean up these huge messes that were made in Gotham. And aside from Gotham's finest, the Gotham Police Department, there was the dark and brooding figure known as the Dark Knight of the city, otherwise known as, the Batman.

The Batman was a figure that many villains feared, that many villains were terrified of, and that others constantly competed with. The Dark Knight was what kept most heinous villains running amock, and was the reason why Gotham was still standing. He was the beginning of the massive chain reaction that was Gotham; there was no Gotham without the Batman, for he was the very thing that kept a stronghold on the city of Gotham.

He fought for Justice, something he had sought since the loss of his beloved parents. And by this time he had released his hold on the other reason behind his heroic motives, Vengeance, something which he had learned to deal with and finally let go, because he had learned that harboring his hate only made him as cruel and reckless as the very criminals that harmed the innocent. He stuck to his own philosophy and ideals on fighting crime, and even had his own methods. So long as he held onto the “humane” side that he had, the one that separated him from the criminals that he fought day in and out. The Dark Knight had compassion, consideration for others and their well being, it was why he was a hero, and why despite his methods, he could never be compared to the criminals that committed such evil crimes.

Tonight, gunshots rang throughout the slums of Gotham. Blazes of fire overwhelmed the slightly desolated streets as Muerto gang members and D Dawgs ran through alleyways and behind anything that could be considered cover, opening fire at one another as well as throwing objects that were practical weapons towards one another.

Damn gangs.

[Spoiler]

He was out every night like clockwork. Stephanie could, and sometimes did, set her watch to hit. He was a one-man gang busting machine. "One-man", being the key phrase, for as Spoiler had come to notice he often had not a single member of the Bat-family with him. Tim and Dick were busy with the Titans, besides...Dick was pretty much useless after his mishap. Barbara and Batgirl were busy with the Birds of Prey.

Steph didn't step in and help though, for she knew he didn't want her around. He would not accept her help, not in a while. And yet she always followed him, making sure he wasn't injured too badly. It was like an addiction, really. She needed his approval, and would go to great lengths to get it. Besides, that whole fiasco where he had both hired and fired her as Robin had happened years ago. She was a far better fighter and detective now.

But tonight was one of those nights. One in which if she didn't step up and offer a hand to him, he may just not live through the events. And so, as he stood on a rooftop, she dropped right next to him. Stephanie did not make eye contact. She was not here for any kind of mushy reunion or anything like that. She was here to protect and serve. Besides, to really examine the situation, they were all eachother had.

"Plan?"

[Batman]

In his crouched position on the roof top, he could see anything and everything that went down in the street fight below. With his Marine binoculars, however, he could find weak points and strike when needed. However, when Spoiler joined him, things changed. He pulled his binoculars from his face and continued watching the fight. The purple-clad woman had worked with Batman numerous times before but mostly as another Robin. That job was given and taken by Batman for reasons of his own. He wasn't expecting anyone to join him, especially not her.

"They're not guarded from behind. Stay in the shadows; don't let them know you're here."

Batman stood up, his cape wrapped over his shoulders and therefore covering his body, and walked over towards the side of the rooftop. He jumped down and landed softly on the ground. Batman pulled out two batarangs for each hand and lurked towards the streets. In front of the alley opening was a over-turned car. Apparently men were using that as a shelter. Batman threw the two batarangs he had in his left hand at two of the men; they both knocked the guns out of the men's hands. Now they could tremble in fear, knowing Batman was here.

Just as Batman approached the way to get out of the alley, the other gang Spoiler was told to take down pulled a bazooka from behind their "coverings". Batman's eyes widened and his mouth opened wide. He quickly pulled a grappling gun from his belt and fired it towards the men hiding behind the over-turned car. It wrapped around each of their legs and Batman pulled tightly. Unfortunately, he couldn't get them to safety in time. The other gang fired the bazooka and it soared towards the over-turned car just as Batman was pulling. The missile hit the car, exploding on impact.

Anyone and everyone near the car flew in the air, most of them dying. Batman was propelled backwards from the force of the explosion. He flew back, eventually crashing into a pile of old metal trash cans. The Dark Knight lay on the pile of garbage cans, breathing slowly to take in the pain that existed in his back. He opened his eyes and looked at the burning mass that used to be a car. There was fire everywhere, dead bodies scattered across the street, and two fire extinguishers had been busted and were now shooting water into the air. This gang fight turned into hell-on-earth.

[Spoiler]

Spoiler stared up at the tall man as he began to speak. She wanted so badly for him to accept her. Not as Robin, but as Spoiler. As a legitimate crime-fighter. But that would likely take years. She didn't like him very much at all, but she could not help but respect him. His angry ways and methods had chased off almost every member of his little bat-family, but Stephanie was a determined young woman and had stuck it out.

She nodded once, signaling that she had understood his orders and she shifted back into the shadows as he began to act out his plans. Things went very wrong very quickly however, as one of the gangs started a huge fire and killed many people with the usage of the bazooka. She was far enough away so that she was not impacted, but quickly began running and jumping until she was in the midst of the bazooka toting gang members. Fueled by rage and determined to prove herself, she was able to fight off and knock out several men before she leaped over the covering and headed for the fire. She skidded to a stop when she saw Batman sprawled out on metal trash bins.

"Get up", she said simply as she approached him. She reached down and pulled one of the fallen batarangs from off the ground and quickly bounded to the nearest fire hydrant. With a series of quick and painful jabs with the metal instrument, Steph had managed to pry off the bolt from one side of the hydrant. Water now gushed into the belly of the fire, and Stephanie occupied herself by searching for survivors.

[Batman]

Batman watched as Spoiler made her way towards him and used his batarangs to shatter one of the fire hydrants. That was smart thinking and he'd have to tell her that later. Water gushed from the red hydrants and the fires died down. Unfortunately, the fire hydrants weren't enough to put out the fires and they began to spread. Men in various places moaned and groaned, some even standing up in utter confusion. It occurred to Batman that Spoiler was okay and he was amazed by that. With a groan of pain, Batman stood up and wrapped his cape around his shoulders. He stared at the horrific scene in front of him as he spoke.

"Smart thinking with the fire hydrants. How did you survive that explosion?"

Batman didn't wait for an answer as some of the gang members noticed the two heroes and assumed it was their fault half their men had died. Gunfire rang through the night once more and bullets began to rattle against brick walls, metal trash cans, and glass windows. Batman dove behind a dumpster and looked past the corner of the dumpster. Walking into the alley were five men wearing tattered and ripped suits. Each was armed with a machine gun and were ready to fire. Batman sat back behind the dumpster and grasped his shoulder. That explosion had popped it out of socket but Batman snapped it back in, with a gasp of agony, and pulled out three smoke pellets.

"Follow my lead."

He hoped Spoiler heard him as he jumped out from behind the dumpster. While in the air, he pulled his cape out so he appeared to be a bat and glided towards the men. As he had jumped up, Batman threw the pellets and caused a smoke screen to scare the thugs. Batman landed in the middle of the men and began to take them down one by one. He started by swinging his elbow backwards, knocking the gun from one of the thugs' hands. Batman thrust his leg upwards, crushing one of their skulls and knocking him out. He threw his right fist forward, breaking another man's nose, and kicked his left leg backwards to shove a man away.