Gotham's Descent

Chapter Four: the Cat & the Bat (p2)

Bdubs got home, heart still full from the night's dance. But... still, he wanted something more exciting. He knew Doc, he was sweet but... his style didn't exactly scream the kind of thrilling experience he wanted at the moment. He could save the calm moments for Doc though.

He glanced at his TV, remembering what he'd seen earlier... maybe the Bat would be willing to come out and play tonight. That could certainly be a thrill, if even a smidge of the rumors about him were true...

Doc came home to the Batcomputer alerting him of a silent alarm. "Really?"

Zloy chuckled, "Perhaps I should put a five minute buffer on the alarm?"

"No... give me a moment-" Doc rushed to change into his suit. "Just- one minute-"

He switched out into the Batman suit as fast as he could, then ran to his car to get details on the issue. A few silent alarms from one of the richer areas of town...

Theories ran through his head as he drove to the location. Was it a normal burglary? It didn't seem like an accident with how many there were. He checked the police radio and there wasn't anything on it yet. Maybe the residents were all still asleep, or not home... could be something planned.

He parked in an alleyway, grappled up to the nearby building's roof, and took out his binoculars. He looked around the building, trying to spot any thieves or otherwise unusual activity in the apartment... nothing. No forced entry. Nobody sneaking around. Absolutely nothing inside the buildings.

"Hey handsome." A voice teased from above, and Batman immediately looked up as his hand jolted to his utility belt. "Ooh... those pictures really don't do you justice. You're much better in person."

A smaller, slimmer man stood next to a billboard, whip in hand. He wore something similar to Batman, just with more of a cat theme. And more fit for thievery rather than detective work.

"Excuse me?" The hero tried to not seem as flustered and confused as he was.

"Oh come on now, who do you think tripped the alarm?" The thief chuckled. That much was obvious.

"But why-?"

"To get your attention of course." Cat chuckled, messing with his whip. "Catch me if you can!"

And then he ran off. Batman stared after him for a moment before chasing. Was this guy really just looking for his attention?? Or was this a ruse to cover up what he'd stolen?? He leapt between the gaps of buildings, struggling to catch up for a minute and having to weave between scaffolding.

Black Cat glanced back, smiling as he saw the Bat chasing after him. Someone could keep up with him after all. He leapt off the roof, unaware of the near heart attack he gave the vigilante.

'WHAT IS HE- Oh god-' Batman watched the thief swing to another, lower rooftop with his whip, sighing and going to glide after him. 'Time to really put this gliding mechanic to the test-'

His cape stiffened to act more like a hang-glider as he leapt off the building to be able to catch up with Cat. He wasn't sure if he could grapple fast enough just yet- not without nearly getting himself killed. Gliding seemed least likely at the moment to end with him faceplanting.

Fortunately he managed to get ahead of the thief, stepping in his way while Cat checked behind him for any sign of the Bat.

"That's enough."

Black Cat jumped a bit. "Whoa- Hehe, you are sneaky, aren't you?"

"Enough of the games. Why did you actually set off the alarm?"