Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2015 20:17:04 GMT -5
Gotham City Cemetery 8:30pm
A harsh, cool breeze blew against a caped figure standing beneath an oak tree, which overlooked a lonely grave. As lightning lit the sky it illuminated the name written on the headstone:
Helena Rosa Bertinelli
A True Hero
The sky darkened as clouds quickly rolled over Gotham City. The Huntress thought of the millions of souls in her city that feared the night. Gotham had always been a dangerous place as it seemingly attracted the strange. Pulling her wind-tossed hair from her masked face, the Huntress thought of the heroine she was named for. Helena Bertinelli was actually the second Huntress. The first was a villain who had fought the Justice Society of America. Helena Wayne did not know why the second Huntress, a true hero, chose a name that had formerly belonged to a villain. All she knew was that this woman whom she had never met had saved her parents, Bruce and Selina Wayne years ago, and that at a later time she had sacrificed her life helping to save many other heroes during the Black Orchid massacre. When Helena Wayne read the sad report of Helena Bertinelli’s death she made a decision to honor the woman for whom she was named by taking up her vigil as the new Huntress. It was the Huntress’ rescue of Selina Kyle that solidified Helena Wayne’s destiny to enjoy the happiness and joy of her parents’ continued presence. Helena Wayne had hired one of her father’s employees to tailor make her black, purple, and navy uniform which she wore nightly in her quest to keep Gotham safe for others to enjoy the peace and happiness she had known. Her armory consisted of “H” styled bat-arangs, nearly unbreakable “bat-line”, a whip identical to her mother’s, a wrist-launcher which shot drugged-tipped darts (in honor of Helena Bertinelli), and her trade-mark weapon: a vanadanium steel cross-bow. As she prepared for her evening watch of her beloved city a gush of wind threw a portion of newspaper propelled by a gust of wind wrapped around her leg. It included an obituary that reported a recent murder of Gotham High’s track star exchange student. Helena’s thoughts moved to the grief that his parents back in the Ivory Coast must have been feeling. “Don’t worry, friend,” she said as she started her motorcycle, “I will find your killer…and the Huntress always gets her prey!”
_______________________(-)_________________________
Titans of Justice: Classified
Proudly Presents
The HUNTRESS
In
The Night of the Stalker
_______________________(-)_________________________
A Forested Area Near the Gotham City Tennis Courts 9:07pm
Rain pounded on a singular male figure as if to punish him for a forbidden act of violence. Pushing aside curls out of his face he gazed down at the lifeless body at his feet. Conflicting emotions tormented him. “I shouldn’t have done this. This is wrong.” he thought. “But only one more and then its Janine’s turn…then I’m done.” Thinking of how killing his younger sister would hurt his father stirred a perverted sense of victory in his mind. But the girl he had just killed had nothing to do with his father or his sister. Thoughts of guilt burdened his soul as his mind wandered to thoughts of this tennis girl’s loved ones. Surely they would be devastated! “But who gave any kind of a care about me when I was in school? I didn’t get any kind of free breaks like little miss “tennis star” here.” he thought. “All dad cares about is dumping cash on these stinking foreigners so they can come over here and play sports…and, of course, he cares about Janine.” The storm intensified as the tall and muscular murderer stepped over the body. “Ah, she got what she deserves.” he said aloud as his body seemingly vanished into thin air.
_______________________(-)_________________________
A Well-furnished Living Room in a Gotham Brownstone 9:58pm
Helena Wayne enjoyed her nightly workout in her apartment. Her rigorous routine kept her in top physical shape. Each piece of furniture in Helena’s apartment doubled as gym equipment, but was well-concealed being out in the open. Her parents were kind enough to allow her to stay in her own place in Gotham City during the week while she attended law school. Every Friday she drove home to Wayne Manor to enjoy the weekend with her family. After her workout she always watched the evening news.
“klik!”
…the second murder of a Gotham City High School student this week. British exchange-student Amy Blumenfeld was favored to win the upcoming Gotham Tennis…
“klik!”
“The hunt begins…” said Helena Wayne as she donned her navy and violet uniform, “…no more deaths.” she vowed as she secured a bat-line to a neighboring building and leaped out her window.
_______________________(-)_________________________
Gotham City High School 10:34 pm
“Finally!” whispered the Huntress as the last janitor left the school building. “Now my work begins.”
Entering the locked building and getting past the security system was no challenge to the daughter of the Catwoman. Tediously digging through school records and files was all in a night’s work for the daughter of the Batman. First she browsed the files of the two victims. Then she leafed through more files looking for other exchange students.
“Digger Andrews…” she read aloud, “Australian exchange student…high scholastic achievements…not bad looking…scholarship funded by Nicholas Martin…”
“Isn’t he that guy who travels internationally looking for under-privileged sports talents to train here in America?” she questioned herself. “His daughter is that swimmer set to go to the Olympics…”
Looking back at Digger Andrew’s file she read aloud again, “…archery expert…
…I think I may have found a candidate for the next target.”
_______________________(-)_________________________
The Back Yard of a Two-story Home Outside the City Limits of Gotham 12:15pm
A caped figure watched a lone teen as he practiced archery by moonlight. “This guy is good...” thought the Huntress as she adjusted the night vision lenses in her mask, “…and even better looking in person that on his photo. It looks like the competition doesn’t stand a chance if this Digger Andrews can shoot like that in the stormy dark! I wonder how long he is going to practice before he decides enough is enough for one night?” The Australian exchange student had consistently hit the target for fifteen minutes straight left-handed, and then he changed positions and proceeded to hit the bull’s eye right handed. Helena Wayne was impressed. Then she noticed movement in the small flower garden near the handsome young archer. She didn’t see a person, but plants continued to move. Three flowers flattened to the ground, but there was nothing there to trample them. Something strange was happening, but she couldn’t decipher it. The Huntress aimed her crossbow in front of the pattern of the disturbances and shot.
“AARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Both Digger Andrews and Helena Wayne aimed their weapons toward the flower garden in alarm. There was no man in sight, but someone had obviously screamed. After seven minutes of silence Digger moved cautiously toward the garden.
“Stay back!” warned a female voice coming from the oak tree, “Don’t shoot! Put your bow down. I’m a friend.”
“…Who’s that!” shouted the teen in an obviously Australian accent.
“You can call me the Huntress.” she said as she swung from the tree to the garden area. She investigated quietly for a few minutes. “Have you been following the news?”
Digger thought for a moment. “Ah, you mean the murders?”
“Yes. I think you may be next on the list.”
“Yeah, I can see that, that’s why I’m practicing.” he said.
“…and here I thought you were practicing for the upcoming Gotham archery competition.” she answered. Digger grinned.
“Listen, I think he got away. I am going to have to hunt him down. I can’t promise that he won’t be back. I don’t normally do this, but here.” she said as she offered her crossbow to the tall young man.
“What? For kepts?” he asked in surprise. The Huntress nodded as she collapsed the crossbow and tossed it to him. “Nah I can't accept it.” he said as he looked at it thoughtfully, “How do I know that you ain't the murder and yeah want'n ta pin the murders on me by given me the murder weapon?” Digger walked closer and offered the weapon back to the Huntress.
“According to the news report your classmates were beaten and strangled to death.” she said as she held her hand up in refusal, “Whoever this killer is he is dangerous. I suspect that he is a meta-human with invisibility powers. Your bow is large and bulky. A crossbow is a better weapon of defense. Keep it. I have another lead I have to look into and I cannot stay. Don’t worry about a murder being pinned on you. The commissioner knows me. Here are some darts. They are laced with a sleeping drug. Aim for his neck.” she instructed, “…and Digger…”
“A? How'd yeah know me name?” Digger asked in surprise.
“Don’t make me sorry that I gave you my crossbow. Use it wisely.” she warned. She launched a bat-arang to the treetops and disappeared in the shadows. Digger looked at his new crossbow in disbelief. He went inside the house of his sponsors, triple-bolted the doors, secured all of the windows, and slept with a smile on his face.
An invisible figure watched from the neighboring forest as Digger Andrews turned the lights off in his attic bedroom. The watcher thought about what had transpired as he pulled the dart from his left bicep. It hurt badly, but it was worth it. She was so beautiful. He had never seen such a fierce and beautiful woman in all of his life. The mask and cape added a very attractive air of mystery to her. Her voice was so powerful, and yet betrayed a concern and love for her fellow man. She seemed so good. Seeing the Huntress in person made him forget his loneliness and grief. He had to have her. He quickly mounted his motorcycle and rode it to where he had watched the Huntress park her own. She had already left, but maybe if he hurried he could catch up with her by following the trail her bike had left.
_______________________(-)_________________________
A Posche Bedroom 2:30am
Helena Wayne stepped out of a steamy bathroom clothed in a lemon yellow robe. She wrapped her hair up in a towel and glanced towards the continental breakfast waiting for her on the tray resting on her bed. She thought of Alfred as she attacked the first croissant. Picking up the cup she smelled deeply and said, “Orange pekoe…mom’s favorite.” She wondered what her parents would think if they knew that she was the Huntress. Her alter ego must be kept secret at all costs. Her parents’ years of protecting Gotham City had earned them some peace. Helena didn’t want to take that from them. They had given her a wonderful life and she was very grateful. She kept her grades high, not only for the sake of her education, but also because she wanted to please her parents. They had been so kind in providing this apartment for her during the week so that she could be close to her school. She spread some apple-pear jelly on her second croissant. Helena was so happy. She had a wonderful family, she was doing well in school, she was enjoying the pride of carrying on the Batman family tradition, she had been accepted in the Titans of Justice, and she loved the quiet security of her own home away from home.
Then she saw it. The shadows on the wall cast by the plant given to her by “Uncle Dick” were moving. She quickly threw the pot of hot tea in the direction of the plant.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!” screamed her stalker as he turned visible.
Helena Wayne was horrified. It was him. The night stalker who had already killed twice was watching her in her own bedroom. She leaped to the wall where one of her many crossbows hung and shot at the intruder. Her eyes widened as the stalker split into two identical men before her eyes. The arrow shattered her bedroom window as both men faded from sight. She could hear that they both jumped out the window into the night.
Suddenly, the peace and security that Helena had once enjoyed seemed so far away. She looked out her broken window as the storm seemed to mock her.
“I will hunt you down and find you…” vowed the Huntress, “…and the Huntress always gets her prey.”
_______________________(-)_________________________
He knew that he had made a mistake. He understood that he was taking this much too fast. He watched the woman robed in yellow as she gazed out her window. “We will take this slowly," he whispered with a tender smile on his face, “ and you will love me as much as I love you. You’ll see…
…Helena.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
A harsh, cool breeze blew against a caped figure standing beneath an oak tree, which overlooked a lonely grave. As lightning lit the sky it illuminated the name written on the headstone:
Helena Rosa Bertinelli
A True Hero
The sky darkened as clouds quickly rolled over Gotham City. The Huntress thought of the millions of souls in her city that feared the night. Gotham had always been a dangerous place as it seemingly attracted the strange. Pulling her wind-tossed hair from her masked face, the Huntress thought of the heroine she was named for. Helena Bertinelli was actually the second Huntress. The first was a villain who had fought the Justice Society of America. Helena Wayne did not know why the second Huntress, a true hero, chose a name that had formerly belonged to a villain. All she knew was that this woman whom she had never met had saved her parents, Bruce and Selina Wayne years ago, and that at a later time she had sacrificed her life helping to save many other heroes during the Black Orchid massacre. When Helena Wayne read the sad report of Helena Bertinelli’s death she made a decision to honor the woman for whom she was named by taking up her vigil as the new Huntress. It was the Huntress’ rescue of Selina Kyle that solidified Helena Wayne’s destiny to enjoy the happiness and joy of her parents’ continued presence. Helena Wayne had hired one of her father’s employees to tailor make her black, purple, and navy uniform which she wore nightly in her quest to keep Gotham safe for others to enjoy the peace and happiness she had known. Her armory consisted of “H” styled bat-arangs, nearly unbreakable “bat-line”, a whip identical to her mother’s, a wrist-launcher which shot drugged-tipped darts (in honor of Helena Bertinelli), and her trade-mark weapon: a vanadanium steel cross-bow. As she prepared for her evening watch of her beloved city a gush of wind threw a portion of newspaper propelled by a gust of wind wrapped around her leg. It included an obituary that reported a recent murder of Gotham High’s track star exchange student. Helena’s thoughts moved to the grief that his parents back in the Ivory Coast must have been feeling. “Don’t worry, friend,” she said as she started her motorcycle, “I will find your killer…and the Huntress always gets her prey!”
_______________________(-)_________________________
Titans of Justice: Classified
Proudly Presents
The HUNTRESS
In
The Night of the Stalker
_______________________(-)_________________________
A Forested Area Near the Gotham City Tennis Courts 9:07pm
Rain pounded on a singular male figure as if to punish him for a forbidden act of violence. Pushing aside curls out of his face he gazed down at the lifeless body at his feet. Conflicting emotions tormented him. “I shouldn’t have done this. This is wrong.” he thought. “But only one more and then its Janine’s turn…then I’m done.” Thinking of how killing his younger sister would hurt his father stirred a perverted sense of victory in his mind. But the girl he had just killed had nothing to do with his father or his sister. Thoughts of guilt burdened his soul as his mind wandered to thoughts of this tennis girl’s loved ones. Surely they would be devastated! “But who gave any kind of a care about me when I was in school? I didn’t get any kind of free breaks like little miss “tennis star” here.” he thought. “All dad cares about is dumping cash on these stinking foreigners so they can come over here and play sports…and, of course, he cares about Janine.” The storm intensified as the tall and muscular murderer stepped over the body. “Ah, she got what she deserves.” he said aloud as his body seemingly vanished into thin air.
_______________________(-)_________________________
A Well-furnished Living Room in a Gotham Brownstone 9:58pm
Helena Wayne enjoyed her nightly workout in her apartment. Her rigorous routine kept her in top physical shape. Each piece of furniture in Helena’s apartment doubled as gym equipment, but was well-concealed being out in the open. Her parents were kind enough to allow her to stay in her own place in Gotham City during the week while she attended law school. Every Friday she drove home to Wayne Manor to enjoy the weekend with her family. After her workout she always watched the evening news.
“klik!”
…the second murder of a Gotham City High School student this week. British exchange-student Amy Blumenfeld was favored to win the upcoming Gotham Tennis…
“klik!”
“The hunt begins…” said Helena Wayne as she donned her navy and violet uniform, “…no more deaths.” she vowed as she secured a bat-line to a neighboring building and leaped out her window.
_______________________(-)_________________________
Gotham City High School 10:34 pm
“Finally!” whispered the Huntress as the last janitor left the school building. “Now my work begins.”
Entering the locked building and getting past the security system was no challenge to the daughter of the Catwoman. Tediously digging through school records and files was all in a night’s work for the daughter of the Batman. First she browsed the files of the two victims. Then she leafed through more files looking for other exchange students.
“Digger Andrews…” she read aloud, “Australian exchange student…high scholastic achievements…not bad looking…scholarship funded by Nicholas Martin…”
“Isn’t he that guy who travels internationally looking for under-privileged sports talents to train here in America?” she questioned herself. “His daughter is that swimmer set to go to the Olympics…”
Looking back at Digger Andrew’s file she read aloud again, “…archery expert…
…I think I may have found a candidate for the next target.”
_______________________(-)_________________________
The Back Yard of a Two-story Home Outside the City Limits of Gotham 12:15pm
A caped figure watched a lone teen as he practiced archery by moonlight. “This guy is good...” thought the Huntress as she adjusted the night vision lenses in her mask, “…and even better looking in person that on his photo. It looks like the competition doesn’t stand a chance if this Digger Andrews can shoot like that in the stormy dark! I wonder how long he is going to practice before he decides enough is enough for one night?” The Australian exchange student had consistently hit the target for fifteen minutes straight left-handed, and then he changed positions and proceeded to hit the bull’s eye right handed. Helena Wayne was impressed. Then she noticed movement in the small flower garden near the handsome young archer. She didn’t see a person, but plants continued to move. Three flowers flattened to the ground, but there was nothing there to trample them. Something strange was happening, but she couldn’t decipher it. The Huntress aimed her crossbow in front of the pattern of the disturbances and shot.
“AARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Both Digger Andrews and Helena Wayne aimed their weapons toward the flower garden in alarm. There was no man in sight, but someone had obviously screamed. After seven minutes of silence Digger moved cautiously toward the garden.
“Stay back!” warned a female voice coming from the oak tree, “Don’t shoot! Put your bow down. I’m a friend.”
“…Who’s that!” shouted the teen in an obviously Australian accent.
“You can call me the Huntress.” she said as she swung from the tree to the garden area. She investigated quietly for a few minutes. “Have you been following the news?”
Digger thought for a moment. “Ah, you mean the murders?”
“Yes. I think you may be next on the list.”
“Yeah, I can see that, that’s why I’m practicing.” he said.
“…and here I thought you were practicing for the upcoming Gotham archery competition.” she answered. Digger grinned.
“Listen, I think he got away. I am going to have to hunt him down. I can’t promise that he won’t be back. I don’t normally do this, but here.” she said as she offered her crossbow to the tall young man.
“What? For kepts?” he asked in surprise. The Huntress nodded as she collapsed the crossbow and tossed it to him. “Nah I can't accept it.” he said as he looked at it thoughtfully, “How do I know that you ain't the murder and yeah want'n ta pin the murders on me by given me the murder weapon?” Digger walked closer and offered the weapon back to the Huntress.
“According to the news report your classmates were beaten and strangled to death.” she said as she held her hand up in refusal, “Whoever this killer is he is dangerous. I suspect that he is a meta-human with invisibility powers. Your bow is large and bulky. A crossbow is a better weapon of defense. Keep it. I have another lead I have to look into and I cannot stay. Don’t worry about a murder being pinned on you. The commissioner knows me. Here are some darts. They are laced with a sleeping drug. Aim for his neck.” she instructed, “…and Digger…”
“A? How'd yeah know me name?” Digger asked in surprise.
“Don’t make me sorry that I gave you my crossbow. Use it wisely.” she warned. She launched a bat-arang to the treetops and disappeared in the shadows. Digger looked at his new crossbow in disbelief. He went inside the house of his sponsors, triple-bolted the doors, secured all of the windows, and slept with a smile on his face.
An invisible figure watched from the neighboring forest as Digger Andrews turned the lights off in his attic bedroom. The watcher thought about what had transpired as he pulled the dart from his left bicep. It hurt badly, but it was worth it. She was so beautiful. He had never seen such a fierce and beautiful woman in all of his life. The mask and cape added a very attractive air of mystery to her. Her voice was so powerful, and yet betrayed a concern and love for her fellow man. She seemed so good. Seeing the Huntress in person made him forget his loneliness and grief. He had to have her. He quickly mounted his motorcycle and rode it to where he had watched the Huntress park her own. She had already left, but maybe if he hurried he could catch up with her by following the trail her bike had left.
_______________________(-)_________________________
A Posche Bedroom 2:30am
Helena Wayne stepped out of a steamy bathroom clothed in a lemon yellow robe. She wrapped her hair up in a towel and glanced towards the continental breakfast waiting for her on the tray resting on her bed. She thought of Alfred as she attacked the first croissant. Picking up the cup she smelled deeply and said, “Orange pekoe…mom’s favorite.” She wondered what her parents would think if they knew that she was the Huntress. Her alter ego must be kept secret at all costs. Her parents’ years of protecting Gotham City had earned them some peace. Helena didn’t want to take that from them. They had given her a wonderful life and she was very grateful. She kept her grades high, not only for the sake of her education, but also because she wanted to please her parents. They had been so kind in providing this apartment for her during the week so that she could be close to her school. She spread some apple-pear jelly on her second croissant. Helena was so happy. She had a wonderful family, she was doing well in school, she was enjoying the pride of carrying on the Batman family tradition, she had been accepted in the Titans of Justice, and she loved the quiet security of her own home away from home.
Then she saw it. The shadows on the wall cast by the plant given to her by “Uncle Dick” were moving. She quickly threw the pot of hot tea in the direction of the plant.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!” screamed her stalker as he turned visible.
Helena Wayne was horrified. It was him. The night stalker who had already killed twice was watching her in her own bedroom. She leaped to the wall where one of her many crossbows hung and shot at the intruder. Her eyes widened as the stalker split into two identical men before her eyes. The arrow shattered her bedroom window as both men faded from sight. She could hear that they both jumped out the window into the night.
Suddenly, the peace and security that Helena had once enjoyed seemed so far away. She looked out her broken window as the storm seemed to mock her.
“I will hunt you down and find you…” vowed the Huntress, “…and the Huntress always gets her prey.”
_______________________(-)_________________________
He knew that he had made a mistake. He understood that he was taking this much too fast. He watched the woman robed in yellow as she gazed out her window. “We will take this slowly," he whispered with a tender smile on his face, “ and you will love me as much as I love you. You’ll see…
…Helena.”
TO BE CONTINUED…