Soaring Eagle

Chapter 6: I'm in Trouble

I awaken early the next morning and slip down to the Batcave. I walk over to the gymnastics equipment and pull myself up onto the uneven bars. After getting hit in the wing the day before I realized that I need to work on my agility. I begin to swing from the bars, twisting and flipping. When I go for the dismount, however, I hear a faint crack and topple to the mat as pain shoots through my ankle. 'Calm down!' I think, 'You can heal this.' I steady my breathing and put my hands on either side of my ankle.

I sigh and stand up. I walk over to the tumbling floor where I had seen Tim and Jason sparring the day before. I launch into a routine of flips, rolls, punches, and kicks, mimicking what I had seen the boys use. I mess up again, though, as my wrist twists to an awkward angle during a handspring. I ignore it and complete the routine. Once I'm done, I examine my wrist.

Sighing I heal it, "You okay, Em?" A voice behind me asks.

Whipping around I see Tim, "Oh, hey Tim. Yeah, I'm alright." I finish healing my hand. I start to explain, "I'm just trying to teach myself some ground maneuvers in case someone manages to clip my wings again."

"Those were some very advanced maneuvers," Tim says, "Batman didn't teach them to me for ages."

I shrug, "I just copied what I saw you and Nightwing do the other day."

"Did you hurt yourself?" Tim asks.

"Uh..." I glance at my wrist then my ankle. Sure I had healed them but that didn't excuse the fact that I had, in fact, hurt myself.

Tim notices my hesitation, "Emily," he steps closer, "Did you hurt yourself?"

I hang my head, "Yes... I broke my ankle on a dismount and sprained my right wrist while doing a handspring. I have healed them both though."

Tim stares at me, "That's why you shouldn't practice alone!" he yells.

"What's going on?" Tim and I turn to see the rest of the Bat-family.

"Emily was being an idiot and attempting moves beyond her skill level. By herself!" Tim explains angrily.

"I healed myself! I'm fine!" I yell.

"As annoying as it is, he's right." Jason says.

"You should have had one of us teach you." Dick agrees.

I stare at them in shock. Then I whip 'round and head for the Zeta-tubes. "Where are you going?" demands Damien

"For a fly," I growl, not looking at any of them, "I need to clear my head." I finish programming the Zeta and warp before anyone else can say anything. I emerge from the Zeta and take off, streaking through the early morning sky. I keep flying only pausing to take out the random mugger or thief. I'm flying over a larger building when a vulture flies out of one of the windows and rakes me with its talons. I cry out in pain and land on the roof of the building. I start to heal myself but then I hear a whirring sound. I tense but before I can react I'm zapped with a jolt of electricity. It's so strong I black out before the cry of pain can even leave my throat.

When I come to, I'm tied to a chair. I'm blindfolded and my wrists are bound behind me. My legs are free but since I can't see my surroundings it doesn't change my current situation much. "Well, it seems you're awake." My head snaps in the direction of the voice. It sounds like a honking bird.

"Who are you?! Where am I!" I yell. I pretend to struggle against the ropes but I actually maneuver my wrists around and activate my emergency beacon.

"There's no need to be rude, my dear. My name is Mr. Cobblepot also known as The Penguin." The voice explains.

'Well, that explains his voice.' I think. "Why am I here? What do you want with me?" I keep struggling.