BlueOysterCult

Thanks for reading, I had a look at your site and found it very impressive in layout and it's feel. Liked the story too, good stuff. Thanks for reading, glad you liked it

This picture works well, conveys what you wanted too I imagine. Nice one

Has to be the theme tune to Superman!!! Blows anything away. Try it, has to be done

I think this is a good sketch. Bare in mind that this is from someone that has trouble drawing stick men. What maybe you could do is put a bit more expression in the face and a bit more of a jazzy pose?

Thanks for reading

The beginning?...

The docks are cold and unforgiving like a jilted lover. They smell real bad like something has died. The sad reality is that something or someone probably has. I’m spending a lot of time here chasing shadows and like a Rick Astley record it’s getting to me. Five days ago a kid goes missing and most of the cops say she’s dead. I’ve not given up, but busting the usual heads trying to find answers, clues, anything that will get me to this kid has kept me at the docks for five long miserable and fruitless days and nights. My codpiece is beginning to smell like the docks.

My purple codpiece.

The light shows three men playing cards. I’m on the outside looking in. The rain is dripping of my mask and cape. I can take ‘em I know I can. I close my eyes and remember…the death of my parents, the years of pain, Batman stealing my car and my outfit..BATMAN..BATMAN.

Ahhhhhhhh I burst through the window and come up in a neat roll and kick the first [censored] in the head. He goes down more quickly than some chicks I know. The second one I stun and then leap into a spinning roll, kicking out at the third. I connect, he’s finished, job done.

The second is beginning to come out of stun. I hit him a few times but keep him conscious. I need answers. I throw him against the wall and it feels so good to do that. Makes me want too eat donuts. “Where’s the child?” My voice is brooding with menace. I practised this effect and my accent for two years. But don’t tell anyone. The rage I’m feeling is real.

“What child?”

I slam him against the wall. “Don’t play games.”

“Ok, ok. She’s in Steel Canyon.”

“Where?”

“I don’t-“ I slam him again. I feel good now, I feel like eating donuts. “She’s at the station, but you can’t get there in time. Something big is going down.”

I smash his head against the wall. Blood trickles from his nose and I leave with the warm feeling of a job well done. I leave through the smashed window. With one leap I’m away into the night, leaping over buildings and jumping through clouds. At last a lead and if I still had my car, the car that Batman stole, I’d be there by now. One day Batty boy I’m gonna come and get my ride.

Steel Canyon’s road network is far below me looking like lines on a map. Skyscrapers that almost reach the force fields look beautiful against the sunlight and for a second I remember good times with my parents-a day at the beach, wrestling with my Dad, but the memories slowly fade like a sunset, leaving nothing but the night.

I land on the roof of one of these monolithic skyscrapers. I walk to the edge and can make out the station far below. Damn it! there are two stations why didn’t I bust his head some more to find out which line. Damn it! I’m always doing that. I pace up and down wishing I had some bat binoculars so I can see what’s going on. One day batty boy.

I leap off the edge and as I rise into the air I touch the force field with my hand. It burns a small hole in the armour but it will be fine. It’s this kind of thing when you’re a hero that keeps you alive. The wind whips around me fiercely but this just adds to the effect. I land on another skyscraper and then the station. The yellow line station. It’s deserted like a Rick Astley concert. Not even the odd weirdo hero is hanging out here at the moment.

The green line it must be the green line. Damn. I leap away and pretty soon I’m jumping over buildings to get to the station. If only I had my car.. Forget the car, forget the car.
Before me the green line station comes into view and with it a war zone. There are paragon protectors and tanks everywhere being battled by heroes. We’re winning but something isn’t right. I can’t put my finger on it… I run through my mantras the death of my parents, Batman, Batman… then it hits me.
The train is the key. I don’t know how I know but I do. In the distance I can hear it rumbling along. I leap along the track. I’m praying I’m not too late. As I get closer to the train I can see the glass at the front has been smashed. I take aim and propel myself through the window and come up covered in glass. Pretty neat if I do say so myself.
Then I feel the first blow from a protector and I’m on the deck. A Crey Tank is kicking me in the ribs and I kinda wish I’d never worked it out. I manage to surprise both of them with the spinning dragons tail move which buys me some time. I can see the kid hooked up to some kind of generator gizmo.
The Protector is getting to its feet. I kick it in the head and then unleash punches into its chest. The tank charges and I see it late. It slams into me and I fall into the seats. God that hurt. I manage to get past the tank before it can pin me and I kick the Protector out through a window of the train. It’s just me and the juganaught now and the scrapper in me wants its blood.
The tank charges again but this time The Blackmark is ready. I sidestep and just watch the thing charge out the window. What a muppet. I leap to the kid. She’s no older than ten and she is crying. She must have gone through hell. The machine she’s rigged up to is flashing all different colours and energy is crackling in the air. The station is approaching fast, we can only have seconds.
She looks beyond me and I realise just as the blow lands there are bad guys behind. Two Protectors looking ugly. I don’t rely on nambi-pambi spider senses or anything like that but I know form the purple haze around them these are mean.
“You’re too late Blackmark. When the train reaches the station the child’s energy will deactivate the forcefields and we will conqueror this city a little piece at a time. HAHAHA”
“Oh I doubt it” I reply and simply undo the restraints that holds the child to the machine. “Oh look you were wrong” I say and laugh.
The two Protectors look at each other. The child climbs onto my back. They mog and I know my time could be approaching. Still, if I survive I’m going to get my car…
Yellow writing appears in my mind. “Batman. We’re on our way. I’ve always wanted to meet you! This is such a thrill for me!” It’s a woman’s voice. Batman! How dare she!
“Just keep your eyes off the codpiece and get ready to catch this kid.” I can see two heroes just to the right in the air. One must be the woman that sent me the message, the other looks like he’s been shot out from a cannon. I throw the child towards them and leap into the air and kick with a satisfying crunch on the first Protector. It collapses and I land neatly. The second attacks and I can’t stop it. I’m bashed around like a ball inside this carriage. The train races through the station and the machine’s hum so loud it’s all I can hear. Then the explosion. I’m thrown high into the air and my left side is in pain... not just a little bit of pain, but agony. I look to the left and a Protector is right next to me. It grabs my arm and pulls me towards it. I try to resist but its hands have locked onto my neck as we ascend like rockets into the sky. It blocks my view of the sun as I manage to manoeuvre underneath it and try and break its grip. I feel my breath fading and my eyes closing. Oh my god is this it? Then heat, intense heat. The grip falls away and I see the Protector jammed into the forcefields and I’m falling away from it and everything is in slow motion. The Protector is fizzling into nothing getting slowly smaller. I’m showing it the bird with a smile on my face…Then…
In an instant I land on the road face down. I look up to see a truck just as it hits me full on the head. I scrape along the floor and then slide down a verge into a cesspool. Marvellous. I dust myself off and climb slowly to the roadside. [censored] and god knows what else is oozing its way to the floor. God that hurt, everything hurts. It’s like I’ve been in a fight with evil doers and have been blasted out of a train. Oh I have. I rest and let myself heal. Then I leap to the station where the female hero is being interviewed by reporters and the girl is clinging to her.
“Yes myself and the Human Bullet saved the child.”
What!
“But Batman deserves the real credit. He solved the mystery and saved the child. I just pray he got out of that train alive.” The crowd hushes in silent admiration. There thoughts are for the Caped Crusader and then for themselves, though they all buy into the mutual solomness that something like this brings. I know they’re thinking about life the universe and everything at least their own personal life, universe and everything, but they all share one question: Did he make it?
Of course he made it he was never on the train! It was me. No no no no. I collapse onto my knees and beat the ground with my cesspool covered fist. Then I just give into whatever is going on in my head and lay down in the grass.

I was ten when it happened. I came home from school and there they were. Dead on the sofa, their throats cut and a word smeared from their own blood on the wall. “DEALER.” Moments before I was calling for Mum, wondering why the house seemed deserted. I remember saying nothing and staring before I walked out into the street. The world seemed muted and unreal, like images on a TV. I turned corner after corner, passed house after house. I don’t know how long I was walking but eventually I came to the docks.

“Are you dead?” Yellow writing appears in my mind. Dark Remedy, the heroine that saved the child just sent the tell. HA!
“You’re the medic you tell me.” I’m in no mood for pretenders.
“I’m not a medic, I’m a controller.”
“I really don’t care.” I stand up. “Do I look familiar by any chance?”
“Well you do look like Batman. Why didn’t you come up with an original costume like the rest of us?”
“Don’t ever say that to me again.” I yell. I have to walk away I can barely speak.
“Do you know what Batman did today. He saved all of us!” She’s marching behind me and tugging at my cape.
“Leave it lady.”
“No no no. He saved every man, every woman, every child.”
“Wasn’t that Flash Gordon?”
“What?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“How dare you impersonate him.”
That does it. “Listen lady. I was the one that threw you the kid. Ok? Not the wannabe in Nylon tights.” I suddenly realise I’m pointing at her. She’s staring at me trying to work it out. “Keep your eyes off the codpiece and get ready to catch this kid.” I say. Then smile. I’ve won, woo. I turn and walk away. I need a dounut.
“My god.” She says. I’m feeling so good. “Well it isn’t over Blackmark. We’ve found something to show that the Crey is still planning something.”
“I work better alone.” I say.
“Cause of the smell no doubt.” I’m covered in s h i t, I have no answer.
“No, because I’m too much of a distraction to women heroes.” I turn and face her again. She has an eyebrow raised. “I wouldn’t like your death on my conscious.” She raises the other eyebrow. “I take it you caught the kid?”
She looks at the floor. “Actually it was Bullet but don’t get any ideas.” I smile.
“So what’s this clue?”
“We found an unconscious Protector over there. We think you fought it on the train. It had an address. Me and Bullet are going to check it out.”
“Show me.” She hands me a piece of paper. I leap into the sky.

I land on the balcony of my apartment to find the doors that lead into it no longer exist. For a brief second I’m transported very far away to Hackney and I’m that ten year old kid again coming home to find…
I cautiously step into the room. The blood at the far end of the hall shows one word. DEALER.
I’m standing still and the air is frozen and all noise has been muted. The ceiling fan is going and I stare intently at the word DEALER. I swallow and fight back a tear. I walk to the word and touch it. The blood it’s written in is still fresh. I rub it in-between my fingers and it slowly smears the memory fabric of my armour. A tear forces its way out and I wipe it away quickly feeling relieved that no hero or villain saw me.
I didn’t have many possessions but what I had now lay in pieces all around me. It was practical stuff and had no real value to me except for some things I keep in a floor safe. I need to check the safe out but I see a ninja in the shadows and I know that the Mastermind that did all this is still here. Da Dealer is still here. The man that murdered my parents…
I spin to the left in a blur like a spinning top and kick the ninja in the chest. It flies back into the wall. Instantly, two more appear springing up from the floor along with two journin’s. Bring it on, I can almost taste the donuts. I unleash several blows against the ninja and it falls to its knees kinda theatrically for my taste. Death stars fly from all directions destined to hurt but I’m a head of the game baby, my codpiece is in action and it feels good. I hit the first journin with a deeply satisfying power kick but
this is pointless unless I find Da Dealer, the Mastermind that controls muppet incorporated.
The Ninjas fly at me with kicks and punches which I deal with by kicking one out of the apartment via the balcony. The other I stun before dispatching with my usual cool.
Then he’s there, in his red suit looking swaz and hideous at the same time. His hair is pulled back into his familiar pony tail. His bow isn’t raised but his web grenade is flying in my direction holding me in a hideous bond. Ahh my power’s gone.
His two journins pin me against the wall and his three new recently cast ninjas take up positions with their swords drawn. “What do you want Dealer?” I say as gravely as I can muster. He nods to one of the ninjas and he kicks me in the nuts. I show no pain but god that hurt. Bet he feels like a donut. “That’s Da Dealer to you.” His voice is posh with bits of cockney plastered into it. Every time he speaks I want to hit him. I need to get out of here. He nods again and the pain is worse.
I speak because if I don’t he’ll win. My spirit will be crushed. “If you had any guts Dealer, you’d get rid of these ninja whingers and it would just be me and you.” I snarl. Da Dealer nods his head twice as simultaneous roundhouses kick me in the head. My head is spinning and I’m shaking it like a booty to try and clear it.
“Shut up and listen.” He walks over to me and grabs my mask and pulls my head back. I look into the coldest grey eyes I have ever seen. “I need you to work for me.”
I laugh. “What!” I manage to say.
“Don’t laugh in the presence of greatness!” He nods again. Oh no. All three kick and punch and use weapons. Blow after blow and cut after cut. I’m powerless and close my eyes. “You will listen to me Blackmark or your parent’s fate will be yours. There is a hero. One I need you to bring to me. I need to…well that doesn’t matter I just need you to get him. Bring him here.”
I open my eyes. I’m weak. “Good at haircuts is he?” He glares at me and unconsciously strokes his pony tail. He nods again.
I’m nearly finished. A chill has descended over me and when I look at Da Dealer I feel I’m looking at my death. “I’d rather die.” I spit blood onto the floor.
“I know. And nothing would give me greater pleasure. However, the train incident that you did so well in has changed my plans somewhat.”
“Plans?” I ask. Hope he reveals more..
“Oh very good.” He applauds. “I’m not one for monologue Blackmark but nice try.” Damn, I thought I had him. “But when the train failed to detonate with the child attached a virus was unleashed!” He throws his hands wide.
“Virus?”
“Yes, a virus that was spread once the train exploded. It was carried in the hearts of the protectors.” This can’t be. It just can’t. I’m feeling so weak from the blows but this is nothing compared to the feeling of crushed spirit.
“What does it do?” I have to get information though it can’t be true.
“If it’s inhaled it will kill a hero within three months. It will kill non heroes within four. I kind of like it.”
“You can’t expect me to believe that.”
“Oh you will believe Blackmark. Fetch me the Human Bullet and I’ll give you an antidote. Bring him here in two days. Or suffer the big children.” His smile chills and hurts me more than the blows of the ninjas. He flies out of the window shouting “Human Bullet in two days.” Soon the pets vanish and I fall on my face. I don’t feel like a donut.

I open my eyes as I feel my wounds closing and life begin to beat within me again. Dark Remedy has just revived me, and I land on my feet but I still feel nauseas and quite frankly like hell. She stands there with The Human Bullet. Both have their arms folded and are looking quite smug. My head clears, how long have I’ve been out. Minutes, hours…days?
“Feeling better are we?” Asks Remedy.
Human Bullet looks around an all my smashed possessions. “Nice place. Did you get this stuff from Habitat?” They both laugh.
“We need to talk, all of us.”
“Well I’m no style guru.” Says Bullet. “But I’ll do what I can.” His voice is quite husky from what I can tell. I’m placing him in Glasgow. But I don’t really care.
“What time is it.”
“Three AM.” Replies Remedy.
“What day?”
“Monday.”
“Can’t you buy a watch pal?” His smirking face is an admirable target. But that’s for later.
“Ok I’ve been out for six hours.”
“What about it?”
I clear three spaces on the floor from my smashed possessions. We sit in the middle of the spaces and I tell them of Da Dealers appearance in my apartment and I reveal a bit of history of mine and his connection. It brings a sombre air to us, and it stops the Annoying Bullet, I mean the Human Bullet from breaking out in one liners. It’s about time he realised the one liner job is taken.
I tell them about the virus and its effects. I tell them about the antidote. I then say.

“He said bring me the Human Bullet in two days and I’ll give you the antidote.”

Bullet is speechless. Remedy looks at me with her mouth open and I feel like a donut. Guess the virus can’t be biting just yet. I stand up and move through the remains of my flat. I stare from the balcony over the great city I like many others have sworn to protect. In the darkness lights are shinning and I realise that if there is a virus views like this wont be being seen by Blackie boy for much longer.
“What do we know about Da Dealer?” Asks Remedy. The air has turned cold and a presence has entered the room. It reminds me of the feeling when someone you intensely dislike enters.
“He deals hence the name. If he wants the Human Bullet that means he’s a broker for someone else.”
“So Bullet.” Remedy turns to him. “Who are your enemies?” There’s something not quite right here. Dealer wants something else not just Human Bullet but something more. What can it be?
“I have a few but who doesn’t.” Bullet’s happy demeanour has returned. So annoying.
“You always look like you’ve had a few.” Remedy says. Is everyone a wiseguy now?
“Da Dealer supplies things at the right price. Sepradine, weapons, files, he seems to be able to get his hands on anything. So if he wants you for someone else the question is who would want you and who would go through Da Dealer to get you?” My thoughts race, I’m onto something. “But why use me.” I speak aloud. “Dealer could find you easily enough.”
“Indeed. You look like you’ve come from the circus.” Says Remedy to Bullet. “A flea circus. Black is right.”
“See what I have to put up with Blackie boy?” Blackie boy?
“Then there’s the virus…It just doesn’t fit.” I start pacing. I think better this way.
“Well whatever the answers are to these questions it doesn’t give us a plan.” Says Remedy. She’s right. An eerie silence descends as we get lost in thoughts of our own mortality.
The night wares on like guilt. It hangs around our necks and invades our souls. Even when it surrenders to dawn none of us feel any better. Even Bullets annoying cheerfulness has been chipped away. No birds can be heard. Remedy looks directly at me. Her eyes show desperation. “What are we going to do?” She asks, I hear a slight crack in her voice. I shrug and Bullet looks at the floor.
From out of nowhere I realise I’ve forgotten to check the safe. Urgently I dig through the remains of my computer console and then stop. I had a chat thing going on with another hero: Ms Mash. She always laughed when I said Mash ‘em Mash. I feel a twinge of sadness that it’s gonna be a while before we can talk again. I hope she wasn’t around when the train exploded. I resume searching.
I uncover the safe but there is no need to unlock it someone already has. The picture of me and my parents is safe and I look at it. From over my shoulders Bullet and Remedy peer over to see what I’m doing. “This is private.” I say and gesture them away. They nod and take some steps back.
I tuck the picture into my belt and examine the safe. He’s taken it. YES!

From the wrist compartment on my super suit I take out a small receiver unit. I switch it on. It’s about the size of a fifty piece coin but it projects a three dimensional view of the city. There is no red dot winking away which means Da Dealer, if he still has the tracking device, is in the Rougue Isles. I explain this to the other two who’s spirits rise instantly.
“Right, what we need to do is trick the Dealer.” Declares Remedy. Who rattled her cage?
“Not easy.” I say, pondering what she just said. Impossible I would say.
“No”, says Bullet, with an almost alien assertiveness. “I’ll go to him find out what he wants. You two come in and save the day.” He and Remedy smile. A red light flashes on the map. Instantly, we’re all drawn to it. I feel excitement and fear.
“He’s by the docks in Talos.” I say. Judging by the confused looks from these two I’m the only one that can read the map. Great, just great.
“We better move fast.” Says Remedy. Bullet and I share a glance.
“Ok”. I say. “This guy is dangerous.”
“Do you think we could take him?” Asks Remedy. I nod my head but knowing I’m going into battle against the man that killed my parents turns my stomach to knots.
With leaping, teleportation, and flying we’re in Talos and we assemble on a warehouse roof. Below us the Da Dealer has his pets out and they’re opening crates and sprinkling something on them before…what? Hmm. Da Dealer disappears inside one of the warehouse. Time to take charge. “Ok, you two find out what those pets are doing, I’m gonna track the Dealer. They nod and I slip in the building through a window. I’m in the rafters and I’m glad of the shadows to hide me. Stealthily, I move, looking for the man that murdered my parents. There image fills my mind and this makes me move faster. Whatever happens here today will decide so many things.
Then I find him and he’s not alone. I can’t make out who he’s talking too as her face is hidden in shadows, but from what I can see she’s kinda green and yet eerily sexy. Hmm. Psychiatry hmm. I creep forwards and from where I am I can just make out what they’re saying.
“Are you sure darhling that this Blackmark will help you?”
“Yes, he has no choice, he believes the virus has been unleashed.”
“Good, then the Bullet will be ours. Delicious.”
“Are you sure we can create a super pet from his DNA.”
“Oh yes darhling, oh yes.”
“Imagine it, pets as powerful as the Human Bullet. But why him of all the heroes?”
“DNA sequencing g-nome alpha 6. It’s what turned a dreary circus act into a powerful hero. The beauty is darhling, the scientists that came up with this miraculous find are all dead.”
“I know. I killed them.” They both laugh.
“Delicious.”
“And the Blackmark will spread the virus once we have used this g-nome alpha 6 to activate it.” They laugh again. I feel sick.
“Are your pets ready Darhling?”
“Yes, they are loading the last of the crates in warehouses, caves, and office blocks throughout the city. Once we have him the city is ours.”
“Oh Dealer, you are delicious.” He moves towards her. I can’t believe he’s getting action and I’m not. “Not now, you have work and so do I.”
“You are going back to Rougue Isles?”
“Yes darhling. Will you miss me?”
“Yes, as he is missing you now.” Da Dealer looks angry. Good good GOOOOD!
“Cheer up poodle pie. Your turn soon.” She disappears. There’s something in the way she runs tells me she’s a brute. Easy to hit but hard to take down. Not good.
Da Dealer takes to the air and flies towards the exit.
“Bullet, leave straight away. It’s important.” I say telepathically. Yellow writing should be appearing in his mind.
“What?”
“Just do it. If they get you we’re finished.” Bullet doesn’t reply and I’m praying he’s taken to the air.
“Black, what’s going on?” Remedy’s writing appears in my mind.
“No time to explain, slow down the Dealer but be careful. I’m on my way.”
I emerge from the warehouse into the bright cold day. Remedy is pinned down by the journin. I see Da Dealer above her in the air and I leap up and..CRACK. My kick lands perfectly and he flies into a crane. I summersault and land next to Remedy. The journin’s focus on me now which buys her sometime. I leap to the Dealer and unleash a flurry of punches into his vile head, chest and stomach. I’ve hurt him and I’ve got plenty more in the tank. Another kick and he flies into some boxes, smashing them to bits. Then he’s in the air. His journins are flapping at my heals. Remedy takes care of them with voodooesq controller powers I don’t really understand. Damn it, he’s escaped.
“Black he’s coming your way.” It’s Bullets yellow writing in my mind. From the sky the Dealer lands at my feet. Bullet circles and salutes from in the clouds and I return it. I stun the Dealer and wait for him to pull a trick. He doesn’t do anything. I feel a hand on my arm. It’s Remedy. Bullet lands and puts a hand on my shoulder. They don’t want me to kill him.
Da Dealer stirs and gets up. I don’t carry any kind of restraints and these two barely carry themselves. Suddenly there’s something in his hand. Then the noise. My god it goes through you. I can’t see anything. I’ve got my hands clapped over my ears because it has to stop. I force my eyes open and Da Dealers boots are in front of my face. I can see Bullet being dragged off by two ninjas. God knows where Remedy is and I can’t move. But I must.
I swing my leg out wildly and Da Dealer falls to the floor. I slam my fist with what little strength I have on that box he’s holding and it smashes to pieces. The sound vanishes. Da Dealer kicks me in the face and ushers the two Ninjas to bundle Bullet in the crate. Da Dealer throws a web grenade at me and I’m held fast. Damn him.
Suddenly one of the ninjas flies into the air and then rammed into the floor. Da Dealer looks around frantically to see what is happening. Who is doing it. I know it’s Remedy doing that voodoo thing. The ninja grips its chest before flying into the air once more. The other ninja draws its sword. Bullet falls to the floor. I can make out a dart sticking out of his leg.
I struggle free of this bond. Da Dealer isn’t messing about. He’s cast his three journins and two ninjas and they’re out for blood. I leap to Bullet and remove the dart.
We can make no more mistakes. If we do Da Dealer will win and we’ll be finished. Not just us three but the whole of Paragon City. Remedy isn’t looking so good she’s in one of his webs and he’s taking aim with one of his bows. I throw one of my Blackorangs at him and it connects sending him sprawling on the floor. His five cronies come at me but I leap over them and stun their master. I take out one of his web grenades and put it in his mouth. “Don’t get too tied down poodle pie.” I push the trigger and watch him fly back choking against some wooden crates. Boris, Remedy’s pet attacks the first Ninja. I leap into the air and crack come down hard on the second. And so does the Human Bullet. We land, we hi five, we’re the biz.
We dispatch the journins easily enough, not much more than a scratch between us. Da Dealer is coughing and choking and spits his web stuff onto the floor. I hit him again with my Blackorang and he falls on the floor again. Ha!
“They want you Bullet so they can use a gene in you to give Dealer type pets our powers and strength. Da Dealer thinks he can use the same gene to spread the virus he was talking about. Spreading it through me.”
“So this virus he was talking about before?” Asks Remedy.
“Was a rouse to get me to help him find you.” I gesture at Bullet. They’re both shaking their heads.
“Very good Blackmark.” Says Da Dealer.
“No one asked you to speak Poodle pie.” He doesn’t like it that I know of his conversation. He isn’t the best at hiding emotion. I throw another Blackorang at him and he sprawls all over the place. I want to do it again. Man, I feel like a donut.
“This isn’t over Blackmark. Not by a long way. You think you’ve worked out all the answers don’t you, you think you’re so clever, you think you’ve got it all now and all you need to do is cuff me and throw me in a Villain cell and then you can get all the glory but you’re forgetting one thing.”
“And that is?” Asks Remedy. I wish this chick wouldn’t try to take charge so much.
“That why I was speaking I’ve cast my pets.” His evil smile returns and two ninjas and three jounins attack from behind him. Damn this Dealer and damn us. We just fell for the monologue trick. He flies into the air and I can see he’s heading for the station. The three of us instinctively go after him. He’s on the roof of the express heading for Independence Port. I land next to him and go to kick him. His two ninjas appear and we’re wrestling before I know what’s happening. Da Dealer jumps to the next carriage. The three journins are here and then so are Bullet and Remedy. I see a low bridge from the corner of my eye and I throw myself to the floor. Bullet isn’t quite so lucky and the train whizzes through leaving him impacted on the bridge.
I kick one ninja off the train and stun the other. The journins are taking a pounding from Remedy’s pets. I leap over them to the Da Dealer. He fires his web grenade but it misses. I kick him and he flies back but not off the carriage. His ninja comes at me but I stun it again. As I do, I see Remedy held fast by the web grenade. He wasn’t aiming at me.
An arrow flies past my ear and it impacts into Remedy’s chest. “Black.” She mouths before she falls and slides off the train. Her pets vanish. There’s nothing I can do. Sorrow and anger boil in my blood. It’s up to me now. As Da Dealers pets gang up on me I use my dragons tail move-spinning round with my leg out. They fly in all directions and off the train. I fly at the Da Dealer and unleash a flurry of punches. Then kick him again. I see another bridge and leap over it backwards. That so must have looked cool. I land next to the Da Dealer and head butt him hard. “Oh nice move Blackie. But there’s something more impressive.”
“What’s that?”
“My daemon.”
“What?” Suddenly a burning sensation ignites my body. A vile looking ugly daemon is there. A new Dealer pet. It flies at me and grabs my face. When did he get one of these? It’s got me pinned to the floor. From it’s eyes red laser beams burrow into my chest. Ouch!
I roll one way then the next. Ahead I can see a train coming in the opposite direction. I try and flip it up and away but it’s got my legs pinned too. With all my strength I manage to push it off just as the train passes us. The head of the daemon flies off as its hit by the oncoming express. The thing disappears in my hand. I fly at Da Dealer and collide with him head on. We both fall off the train and crash through a warehouse roof and hit the hard floor below. Him first, and me second, landing on him. He’s unconscious.
In all Superheroes and Villains there’s a winking light that revives us when we’re dead. If, however, the hero or villain has taken so much punishment then that light goes out, then the hero or villain is just as dead as anyone else.
I stagger to my feet. I take aim…then suddenly I’m flung to one side. Possibly receiving the worst blow I’ve ever had. I get up and take a fighting stance. Then my mouth drops open. BATMAN!

“I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you kill him.” How dare he interfere after what he’s done. I clamber to my feet. The spot where he hit me still hurts like hell. Has he really no superpowers?
“You.” It’s all I can say. I’m pointing at him. “You.”
“I’m sorry Black.”
I shrug my shoulders and then… I fly at him with kicks and punches but he just seems to disappear. I look up and I can make out his silloette. His eyes are pupil less and just white triangles are staring at me. It’s like they’re boring into my soul. How does he do that? The he leaps.
I see it late and another crippling punch..Kapow! lands on my chin. I fall over into some crates. This is not good. “Remedy, Bullet, I need help.”
“We’re coming Black.” Replies Bullet. I kick out at The Dark Knight but he just seems to deflect everything I have. This is so humiliating. He then lands another punch…KASOCK! I’m on the deck again. I go to stand but I know it’s no good. He’s beaten me again like he always does. I move into a crouching position and neither one of us says anything to the other for a long time. “So how’s my car?” I ask
“It’s good. Those 2CV’s sure know how to corner.”
“Suspension?”
“Well I’ve made a few mods to handle the jet but yeah it can fall over a hundred feet before it cracks.” We both nod our heads. That’s pretty good.
“The suit looks good. You’ve tweeked it a bit?”
“I had too. Never liked the purple.” I nod again.
“You owe me.”
“I know. That’s why I can’t let you turn into a murderer.”
“But he… you know what drives me is inside you.”
“Yes, our daemons. But Black, they’ll only get worse. Do you really want to be a killer?” It stops me in my tracks, I don’t want to show it though.
“So what happens to him?”
“I take him back to Gotham and to Arkham asylum.”
“Are you nuts? They all escape from there.” Has this just annoyed him. God I hope so.
“No, you have bigger problems.”
“What do you mean?”
“Da Dealer is a small small part of this. Tullulah has been pulling the strings. You’ve heard of her?”
“Is she green?”
“Yes.”
“Great, just great. How?”
“That’s what you, Bullet and Remedy have to find out. I’m kinda busy with…things? But..nothing.”
“What, what is it?”
“I need a new…Robin. You interested.”
I burst out laughing. “I’ve spent my life being in your shadow. I don’t want to do that anymore and defiantly not through choice.”
“Fair enough.” He looks at me with a chilling coldness. Those SuperVillains in Gotham have got balls alright. He takes out a device from his belt and presses a button. The batmobile smashes through the wall and stops right in front of him. The wheel arches and wheels still have that unmistakable 2cv quality.
“Oh you’re giving it back.” I say.
“The one liner job is taken. It’s about time you learned that.”
I help the Caped Crusader bundle the cuffed Dealer into the back.
“So what do you know of Tullaluh?” I ask, the detective in me returning.
“She’s dangerous. Here.” He throws me a memory stick. “She’s ambitious, hopefully you can use it to your advantage.” I nod. What the hell is he talking about?
He holds out his hand and I shake it. I feel I’ve become more…
“Good luck Black. You’re no longer in my shadow.” With that he gets in his car. He does a 180 and is away disappearing into the distance.
“Was that..” Remedy is almost fainting. I never heard them land.
“Yes.” I reply. She’s dreamy, oh so dreamy. I feel sorry for her.
“What did he want?” Asks Bullet.
“He offered me a job.” The two of them stare. “I turned it down.”
“Da Dealer?” Asks Bullet.
“With Batman, going to Arkham Asylum.”
“You did the right thing. Not killing him Black.” Says Remedy. The arrow in her chest has left a whole in her suit.
“You’re ok?” I ask. She nods. “Told you not to stare at the codpiece.” She ignores me.
“I’m fine too.” Says Bullet. I ignore him.
“What’s he like?” She asks.
“Alright”, I say. “Doesn’t have taste in codpieces though.” She glares at me.
I throw her the memory stick. “Anyway folks we’ve got problems. Her name is Tullulah, she’s green, she’s mean and she’s a fighting machine.”
“Batman, told you that?” Asks Remedy.
“No, he said she’s ambitious. He also said we have to stop her.”
With Batman’s orders ringing in their ears they disappear off to the nearest computer. I leap to the highest building with fresh pure air in my lungs, sunshine on my face and a bag full of superpowers. Can it get better than this? In the distance I can see the speeding Batmobile leaving Paragon and I realise that The Dark Knight is right and that killing Da Dealer would have been the wrong thing to do. He has helped me for once instead of hindered. I owe him.
The car is his.

~~Hope you enjoyed it, feedback welcome. Thanks for reading~~~