Waking up in a haze, Batgirl lifted her head slowly, opening her eyes. She expected to be trapped by Penguin, but blinking in disbelief, she was still lying in front of the Bank where he had gassed her. She slid her arms and legs to make sure, no bonds. Confused yet relieved, she stood and brushed herself off.
Suddenly, Batman and Robin sprang out from around the corner. She flexed quickly to defend herself.
Robin: "Ah good, your awake."
Batgirl: "*gasp* Why were you sneaking up on me like that? I could have punched you...the last thing I remember the Penguin's thugs had me..."
Batman: "Exactly Batgirl, as did the rest of us, or so they thought. When Robin and I saw them release the sleeping gas on you we quickly took our Bat gas antidote pills and acted as if we had been put to sleep as well. However, when they came to apprehend us we sprang to our feet and fought them off. The only thing we didn't know...as we were pretending to be knocked out, your employee friend from the Bank made a valiant effort to ward them off, it seems, at the cost of his life." Batman motioned to the still body of the man.
Batgirl turned and to see the employee's face, and what was left of his mangled figure
Her eyes weld up with tears "You couldn't have done something?! I.. I should have.. listened to him."
Batman: "No, Batgirl...this was a brave man, he did what he could to ensure we would have a chance to bring these criminals to justice. Lets not forget his sacrifice, that it not be in vain..."
Batgirl wiped the tears from under her eyes with the sleeve of her glove, trying to regain composure. She put her hands on her hips and spoke softly "Alright Batman, what do you purpose we do now then?"
Batman: "Well Batgirl, I was able to place a tracking emitter on Penguin just before he escaped. Using the scanner on my utility belt, Robin and I will follow the signal back to his lair and arrest him."
Batgirl cocked her head slightly: "And where do I come into play in this?"
Batman: "Wait here until we return...please Batgirl...don't disagree with me on this. We need someone to make sure they are not going to strike here again. We'll be in touch over our Batcommunicators. Come Robin!"
Batgirl folded her arms without a word, watching the Batmobile drive away. Normally she would argue with him...but this time she could tell it wasn't worth the energy. She was tired of being treated like a weaker crime-fighter...just because she was a girl (I might not be as strong...but I can move circles around them...) she thought.
Taking a seat on her Batcycle, she clicked on the Batcommunicator with a sigh, settling in to wait (I'll do what he says.. THIS time..)
"Excuse me? Excuse me miss?" a stranger began to say as he approached her. Batgirl turned to see a bald man in a white coat. "Pardon me, miss. Are you working with Batman and Robin?"
Batgirl glanced at him skeptically "Yes...I'm Batgirl..."
"I know who you are, please! You have to take me to them..." the man urged putting his hand on her.
Batgirl moved her arm away "Who are you? And why do you need to see them? They are busy with an assignment right now..."
"Then can you help me?" the man begged "I was mugged by some thugs in an ally...I saw where they ran off to..."
Batgirl shook her head "Your fortunate all they took was your money...look, I would help you, but I need to wait here for Batman and Robin."
The man looked down poutfully "Ah yes, that's why I needed their help - you don't do any of the crime fighting, do you?..." he said with a smirk.
Batgirl turned her head swiftly glaring at him "Why the nerve...of course I do! I fight just as much crime as Batman and Robin...if not more. Alright, fine! Get on the back and show me where these thugs are. I'm going to prove I can fight crime by myself!"
The man hopped on with a grin "That's the spirit, Batgirl! I'm so happy you decided to help."
Batgirl rolled her eyes: "Hold on!"
With a kick she started the Batcycle and sped off - the man clutching onto her side "Whoaaa..!"
Later, they arrive at an old warehouse on the far side of Gotham City.
"This is it Batgirl, the man ran over there...and into that broken window." the stranger pointed out.
Batgirl: "There was just one man? No others with him?"
Stranger: "No...not that I saw."
Batgirl looked the stranger up and down "No offence, but no wonder he mugged you! Its not a good idea to wear a suit in this part of town."
"Well pardon me for having a sense of fassion..." the man scoffed.
Batgirl: "Hey, I'm just trying to help you. If you would rather I leave I would be more than happy t-"
"No, no! I'm sorry Batgirl, your right. I should have worn something more...discreet..." he looks down at her costume. Her purple body suit glistening in the sun - forming perfectly to her body, her utility belt fitted well at the waist, her bat symbol gleaming on her chest, her cool and confident cape and cowel, and even her lovely gloves and boots... "I can't wait to get my hands on you..." he said quietly.
Batgirl raises an eyebrow looking up "What?..."
"Uhem, I mean, I can't wait to get my hands back on my wallet!" he grinned.
Batgirl started to get a funny feeling this was a trap...she looked around skeptically, then back at the man "Show me the entrance, your going to help me catch him."
The man took her behind the warehouse "Here...I think this is the back way in. We might be able to sneak in on him." he said in a whisper.
Batgirl peered around the corner, then back at the man "You better be right...stay here while I sneak inside, then I'll motion for you."
"Excellent Batgirl!" the man said gleefully under his breath.
She went around the corner, then slowly stepped through an open window, being careful not to make a sound.
Once inside she looked around the room quickly... (Funny...they left this window open...yet all the others have been blocked off...)
(...coast looks clear though, I'll motion the man in...I never did get his name...) she just thought as a thug came around the corner "Batgirl! We've been waiting for you!"
Batgirl gave him a puzzled look "Waiting for me? So this was a tra-" just then the window shut behind her. She could see the man in the white coat running away as the thug ran at her!
She quickly jumped onto a chair and planted her high heel in his nose! SMACK! He went down.
"Haha!" laughed Batgirl "I'm not as easy a catch as I might look!"
Suddenly two more thugs came up from behind her! One put his hands around her waist and picked her up off the chair. Batgirl quickly tossed herself back at him to make him loose balance while spreading out her legs to kick the other thug away. To her surprise, he set her down and pushed her across the room...
...right into the arms of the man in the white coat, now holding a sword! "Ahahaha! Good show men, good show!" the man laughed as he tucked Batgirl into his arm with the sword.
(He.. he betrayed me...why did I come here?...I should have listened to Batman..) Batgirl thought regretfully as he pulled the sword up close to her neck.
The man looked down at her saying in a whisper "I told you I couldn't wait to get my hands on you!"
Batgirl wrinkled her nose "You slimy coward...I knew this was a trick! Who are you anyway?"
"Oh come now, you should have known who I was from the start...as if my baldness doesn't give it away...you don't remember the infamous Egghead do you?"
Batgirl's eyes widened. How could she have been so clueless? This was one of the most nefarious criminals of Gotham City! With her help, Batman and Robin had put him in Arkham years ago. She was so busy trying to prove herself she didn't realize the danger she was in. With a swallow she glanced nervously at the sword "errgh, Egghead...you rotten egg, I should have remembered you by that foul stench! Infamous indeed."
Egghead: "Now now Batgirl...you wouldn't want my slimy fingers to slip and relocate that pretty head of yours, would you?!" he snarled pulling the sword even closer.
Batgirl gasped feeling the blade inch across her chest: "Mmmrh...I'm surprised yours hasn't fallen off yet, like your friend Humpty Dumpty..."
Egghead tensed his grip on the sword pulling it right up to Batgirl's throat: "You think your clever little purple pest?! I think you forgot what edge of the sword your on!"
Batgirl clenched her teeth as she held her breath feeling the sharp blade press against her throat (Mmm...maybe I should have tried to 'sweet talk' my way out of this...instead, it seems I've worn out his patience...)
Egghead reached into his coat pocket and brought out a handful of rope. He tossed it to one of the men standing by "Here! Tie her arms up good and tight!" He kept the sword affixed under Batgirl's neck as the henchman grabbed her hands and held them behind her, tying her wrists together.
Batgirl moved her arms uncomfortably as the henchman worked on her bonds "Make sure you make plenty of knots! I don't want her slipping free..." Egghead ordered. The henchman wrapped more rope up to her elbows and sinched her arms together tightly. Batgirl gasped and flinched slightly as she felt the ropes get tighter. "Good!" Egghead took the sword away from her neck and pushed her. Batgirl stumbled forward, then twisted herself around to look back at him defiantly.
"Ahahaha..." laughed Egghead "Now Batgirl, before you perish, you will perform for us...a saber dance!"
Batgirl gave him a puzzled look "Saber dance?..."
Egghead: "Don't tell me you've never danced before! I've seen you, your like a ballerina the way you fight. Now move, or you'll be sliced to bits!"
Suddenly the henchmen encircling her drew their swords. She glanced nervously around as they walked in towards her.
Two men stepped forward and lunged their swords at her. She quickly stood on the heels of her toes as the swords clashed down beside her feet.
Another man slid his sword across the floor at her left foot. She stood on one heel as other two continued to poke the ground beside her.
She picked up her other foot to avoid a swipe, then the other to dodge a jab at her leg. Back and forth she went as the men swung their swords at her.
As she avoided their blows, Batgirl found herself doing a sort of tap dance in the middle of the frenzy of blades (...how humiliating!...) she thought with a huff (...so this is a saber dance...I dance for their amusement...until I've spent all my energy...and then I suspect...when I can't dance anymore...they will kill me!...) She struggled to move her wrists and loosen her bonds as she danced, trying to think... (There must be a way out of this!)
Glancing around the room she saw a boarded up window on the other side of the henchmen encircling her. (That's it! If I can run past them as fast as I can and jump through...I can yell for help!) She sprang to one side to avoid their jabs then turned to bolt for it!
Two men took a swing at her feet as she started to run. She avoided them with a leap, continuing forward as she landed. The men began to notice what she was trying to do...
...and swung all their swords in at once! Batgirl stopped as quick as she could when she felt a blade touch her knee. She stood on the tip of her heels as two more flew in...
...and clashed just above her waist! Batgirl looked down as the sword's edge pressed lightly against her side. She swallowed (...that was too close...)
She quickly spun herself around and hopped to the side as another sword swished past her sholder. This gave her an idea (...alright, if I can't escape, maybe I can cut my hands free...) she thought glacing at the men encircling her again (...that would give me a fighting chance...if I could just twist over as their bringing their swords up...I might be able to catch the blade between my wrists...)
She huffed (...it's a long shot, but I have to try...) Bouncing backwards she held her arms out toward one of the men raising his sword. He flicked his blade away from her hands, then poked her lightly on the hip. "AH!" she yelled, more startled than hurt (...how can they do this?!...I'm not just some play thing...those are reallysharp!...)
Batgirl danced on for what seemed like hours. Twirling, twisting, ducking, and dodging her way through the flurry of swords. No matter which way she went the men would send her back into the circle with a poke or jab. Her legs felt like rubber, her feet were so sore she couldn't feel them. Panting, she did her best to keep moving, knowing she couldn't for much longer.
Seeing she was slowing down, the men started to flick their swords at her one by one in a circular fassion. Batgirl spun out of the way as each one dropped - but they kept repeating their blows, making her spin round and round in circles.
(...I..I, just can't...keep..going..) her legs now felt like jello. Batgirl stumbled backwards overcome with exostion and dizziness. One of the men moved his sword aside as her back landed against his sholder. In a daze, she turned to look at him hoping for some kind of sympothy...only to find herself the next moment being thrust off his sholder into the middle again. Her head still whirling, she started to collapse.
One of the men grabbed her arm before she completely fell on the floor. Two more quickly drew their swords and placed them against her stomach. She looked up at them weakly, trying to muster the strength to stand, but couldn't. Defeated, she hung her head sorrowfully as they raised their swords, preparing to cut her fatally.
Just then, there was a loud crash as two figures dropped in from a skylight: Batman and Robin!
Batman: "I think the lady is tired of dancing with you, boys. We're here to CUT in."
Egghead: "What?! How did you you-?! Penguin was supposed to keep you busy!"
Robin: "Obviously your little trick didn't work, Egghead!"
Egghead: "We'll see about that Boy Wonder! Men! Run those two through!"
The men encircling Batgirl quickly ran at the Dynamic Duo! They lept out of the way as they swung their swords at them, then jumping forward they held their fists high, delivering powerful uppercuts. WHACK! POW! SLAM!
Batgirl regained enough stamina to pick herself up. She watched them fight in frustration, struggling to loosen her bonds. CRACK! She saw one of the men flop to the ground, his sword lying on the ground next to Batman.
Batgirl: "Batman! By your foot, kick it over to m-"
Egghead sprang up from behind her, grasping his arms around her stomach tightly.
Egghead: "Now, now my dear. I didn't go through all this trouble for you to get away now!"
Batgirl: "Erruph! Keep your hands off me you creep!"
Egghead tensed his grip, lifting her off the ground.
Egghead: "It's a pity you say that, I would have taken you with me...but now I have an even more deadly plan in store for you!"
Batgirl squirmed in his arms "Urgh, NOoo!"
Egghead held her ear up to his lips as he spoke in a whisper "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever hated. Why do this to yourself? Think. You could be with me, us, together. We would be unstoppable. With your charm and my wit, nothing could stand in our way. Think. Are these bafoons really worth dying for?"
Batgirl tharshed definently "I'll always fight for justice, Egghead! No matter what, I won't lower myself! Mmm! If I could just get my hands free, you would be the one in Batcuffs right now!"
Egghead's face grew red as he carried her toward a large vat "FINE! Let's see you pull that off from in here!"
Batgirl continued to struggle frantically in his grip. Glancing across the room she noticed the men still had Batman and Robin occupided, swinging their swords at them as they tried to advance.
(I have to stall him for as long as I can...) Batgirl thought as Egghead shoved her up to the edge of the vat. She looked at the black substance within, trying to contimpate how deep it must go. It smelled of salt and fish. "w-what is this?" she questioned him nevously as he kept a tight hold on her arm, stepping up beside her.
Egghead put one arm under her leg, scooping her up and holding her over the edge "Caviar. One of my favorite delicacies...and soon...your about to have more than you can handle!"
She glanced down at the caviar, feeling a slight chill come over her "I...I feel cold all of a sudden.."
Egghead laughed "It might be because your scared, your staring at your demise after all! Or maybe it's because this vat has a very low temperature!"
All of a sudden he plunged her into the vat. Batgirl quickly sank into the cold, slimy orderve.
Batgirl: "GASP! S-s-soo.. C-c-cooold!"
Egghead: "Ahahaha!! Ta-ta Batgirl. Enjoy your appitizer, it will be your last!"
Egghead quickly made his escape out the back of the warehouse as Batgirl continued to sink.
"e-e-Egghead y-you f-f-fiend!" she stretched her legs out as much as she could, trying to touch bottom, but she could only feel her feet sinking further.
"Ullgghhh d-d-drowning in f-f-fish eggs? W-w-what a horrible way to d-d-die!"
She held her head up as much as she could, trying to wiggling her wrists out of her bonds. She gasped again, the chill was beginning to make it hard to breath. She could still hear the scuffling of Batman and Robin fighting with the men.
She felt herself sink even more, the caviar was now up to her chin. She spread out her legs trying to touch the sides of the vat, but she was too far away. Her arms were of no use, the bonds wouldn't give, as she kept her head up trying to wiggle to the surface. (...come on! If they don't hurry up I'm done for!...) Lifting her head up as much as she could, she gave out a shout "HELP BATMAN! I-I-I'm d-DROWNING! I-I'm alllso f-f-FREEZING!"
Her head disappeared under the caviar.
Moments later Batman's hand dove into vat and gripping her sholder, followed by Robin's.
Batman: "Together ol' chum!"
They both pulled at once lifting her up to the surface. Robin reached in with his other hand and untied her arms, placing one over his sholder as they hoisted her out of the vat.
Still shivering and dripping with caviar, Batgirl coughed.
Robin: "Are you alright?"
She swallowed, looking a little queezy.
Batgirl: "I'm f-fine.. but I j-just discovered I d-don't like c-caviar..."
Batgirl: "...what took you so long?..."
Batman scratched his cowel "Well, there were six of them...with swords."
Batman: "Besides, didn't I specifically tell you to stay at the bank?"
Batgirl adjusted her belt aragently "...and when have you ever known me to follow such boring orders?"
Batman ruffled his brow "Those 'boring orders' could have meant the difference between life and death!"
Batgirl looked at him, her eyes drooped regretfully as she didn't know what to say.
Batman turned, putting his hand on her "Still, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't. Knowing you like I do, I expected you were going to. But with your Batcommunicator on we were able to track the position of your cycle here and find you." He unclipped a brush from his belt and handed it to her "Clean yourself up, we have work to do."
A smile slowly came to Batgirl's face as she removed all traces of the orderve from her costume. She handed it back to Batman confidently placing her hands on her hips "I'm ready!"
Batman took it with a quick smile "Good. Now, Egghead may have escaped, but I have reason to believe another criminal is in this vicinity. Robin and I saw two trucks parked behind this facility as we arrived. They looked busy loading them with something."
The trio snuk up to a door, footsteps could be heard on the other side.
Batman turned away from the door saying in a low whisper "Robin and I will go in first and surprise them, then you jump in and take any that try to attack us from behind." he nodded at Batgirl.
Batgirl nodded back "If you say so, Batman."
Batman turned back to the door and slowly turned the knob. Then he shoved it open running in with Robin close behind. Batgirl waited with her back to the wall, listening...first there was a snap, then a large thud!
What could it be? Find out in the next chapter: part-3-cats-plan.php!
