The Shadow: A Renegade Sory

Paths Cross

Batman first ran into the man on a dark quiet night on the top of the Wayne Enterprise building. He was dressed in all black skin-tight t-shirt and black cargos and a blood red mask covering his eyes. The only thing Batman could really see where the weapon's crossed over his back and the chillingly playful smile on his lips. Batman to his own surprised paused "Who are you?" he said as soon as he got his baring's the boy's menacing grin widened just slightly "Oh, wow the B-man of Gotham made his appearance. I did wonder when you were going to show up honestly, I'm surprised our paths didn't cross sooner. I have been here for a while after all." Batman's frown deepened at the younger man's nonchalance "Who are you?" he repeated not taking any notice of the teasing tone. "Who am I? Wow my gosh I think I should feel offended that you don't recognise me but that's okay...Brucie" he said pausing laughing as the man in front of him looked shocked but before Batman could say anything the young man spoke again "Yes, I know who you are don't worry your secrets are safe with me. I wouldn't want the likes of anyone...uncouth to have that knowledge. Not when I can have so much fun with it"

Batman sucked in a breath "Who are you?" he repeated trying not to show how truly unnerved he was that his identity had been found out. The boys chill fall to rest against his chest hair covering his face "So little words, so many boring words...Who am I? Who am I?" he pondered for a moment before lifting his head slightly so Batman could see the boy's sly smile "Who am I?" he repeated again spinning around palms raised to face the sky before suddenly stopping "I could tell you I suppose...but that would take the fun out the game. I will give you a clue though because well I am nice like that are you listening carefully" he asked leaning forward slightly hands behind his back "Cause ill only say it once" Batman watched him carefully waiting for any sudden movements "I am a ghost from your past".

As soon as the last word left his mouth smoke surrounded them before Batman even had the chance to react. When it finally cleared the Boy was gone and in his place was a piece of paper. Batman approached it carefully before fully crouching to pick it up on it was a simple black line drawing of a cartoon ghost and a speech bubble that said "See you soon B – S" Batman patrolled the city for a while longer hoping to find the black clad man to no avail. With a deep frown on his face he used the Zeta tubes to return to the cave.

As soon as he returned to the cave he removed his cowl and turned to his three son's Tim was on the computer typing up a report, Damian was using a practice dummy and Jason has his feet kicked up on a table reading a book. "Bring up the Roof top CCTV on Wayne Tower" he told Tim standing behind him. The younger boy did exactly what he was told no questions asked. Bruce leaned on the back of the chair watching the screen. Tim paused "Bruce..." he said but he didn't even have to finish "Can you see how it was done?" Bruce asked. The younger boy shook his head "I...I can't be certain but it looks like it was hacked" Bruce wasn't surprised "Bring up the code" the sound of clicking filled the room and his other Son's joined him watching the screen.

Tim finally opened the coding screen and it was blank except one word "BOO".

"B what is this?" Jason asked, Bruce shook his head "I don't know. I found a man on the roof top of Wayne Enterprise. He knew my identity and said that I knew him to" Bruce said sitting down with a sigh.

"Did he do anything other than erase the footage?" Tim asked turning in the chair Bruce shook his head "Not really that is all he said but he had said he had been in the city for a while an was waiting to run into me"

Damian tsked "What did he look like father?" Bruce glanced at his youngest son before looking back at Tim "Run his description through the system" Tim nodded turning back to the computer typing as Bruce spoke "He was about 20ish say 18 – 25, dark black hair, slim physic, Escrima sticks possibly electrified, guns one strapped to his thigh possibly more, wearing all black top and cargo's and a blood read mask" Bruce was so busy concentrating on the computer that he didn't notice the thoughtful look pass over his older son's face.

Bruce sighed as the computer came up with nothing "Until we find out who this is. I want all of you to be careful, he is not to be trusted, he is most definitely dangerous and until we know who, why and what he is capable of we must all be on high alert. Jason when you are down in death row, I want you to keep an ear out for information." The oldest nodded picking up his book "Anything else?" he asked Bruce pulled out a piece of paper and laid it on the table for the others to see "He left this behind" Damian raised an eyebrow "A drawing?" Bruce nodded before turning around and heading to get changed.