Zumi: The Tiger and The Bat

Chapter 14: The Rescue

Zuri's pov:

We brought Langstrom back to the Batcave, Batman covered the doctor's eyes so he didn't see the entrance. I took the blindfold off of Langstrom "Start talking." Batman ordered Langstrom. "Ra's wanted me to splice animal DNA to human using advanced mutagens He would provide volunteers for me to work on," he explained. He knew the price to pay if he was discovered working on the mutagen. I remember Ra's talking about having the ultimate warriors, he called it Operation Airstrike.

No military could withstand an army of flying super-powered ninjas using sonar in the dead of night. "Until Deathstroke took over," I said. "The formula was my ace in the hole. I kept working on it, making improvements. If I completely finished it, I didn't know what he might do." Langstrom explained. I do feel bad for him, Deathstroke threatened him to complete the formula or his family would pay the price. I asked him where his family is but he didn't know, Deathstroke only let him speak to them once.

"My daughter mentioned something about snow and two mountain peaks that she said looked like cat ears." Langstrom spoked. Robin's eyes went wide open, he knew where they were "Interlaken, grandfather's compound." he answered. That had to be where KC, Kim, and Ron are too. Langstrom agreed to help us create an antidote to the Man-Bat formula. Batman, Robin and I would go rescue his family. "Spider-Man, you coming with us?" I asked. "Nope. I have a rule where I never go back to places where I've been kidnapped," he stated

(Meanwhile)

Carmen's pov:

Another night, another V.I.L.E crime spree to crumble. Zack, Ivy, and I had to stop V.I.L.E from getting their hands on a priceless painting in the New York Art Museum. The painting was called starry night van Gogh, a painting done by Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. That painting was worth 82.9 million dollars, which makes it worth something for V.I.L.E and their plans. Player made sure that the security cameras were off that way I can sneak in and stop the art heist.

El Topo and Le Chevre tired to steal the painting but I stopped them. We just about to head out when Player found something else or rather someone. "Red, there's been a report that five teens were kidnapped by ninjas. It's Zuri and her pals," he explained. Zuri and KC were the ones who helped me with one of my capers in Virginia. I always saw Zuri as a little sister, we both wish to find out where we came from. I had Player track them down but they were being held in a compound in Interlaken.

We finally arrived in Interlaken and found the compound "Why would Zuri and KC come to this kind of creepy place?" Zack asked. "Something must have happened," I said. We snuck into the compound then we headed to the cells where KC and the others were held. However, I tried to ask Player to map out the compound but something was cutting off the transmission. Then out of nowhere, snakes came out of the shadows and wrapped around us. "Oh come on! Is there one place where it isn't crawling with reptiles?!" Ivy shouted.

That was when I saw Connie AKA Deadly Viper walk out of the shadows "Great, the Queen of Snakes is here." Zack remarked. Deadly Viper's eyes glowed bright red then commanded her snakes to drag us into the same cell with Kim and Ron. KC was in her own cell with a woman named Talia.

Damian's pov:

Zuri, father and I took the bat jet to Interlaken. During the whole ride, Zuri revealed the truth about why she was with the League.

Batman: "I hope you're right about this."

Damian: "I know these mountains well, I've been climbing them since I was four. It was apart of my training."

Zuri: "That's some training for a four-year-old."

Damian: "First time I climbed I fell, broke my wrist. I made it to the top anyway. It was expected, I was Ra's Al Ghul's grandson."

Batman: "Was it all like that Damian?"

Damian: "I was groomed to lead humanity, like my grandfather. We were going to create a whole new world."

Zuri: "By killing."

Damian: "If's that what it took."

Batman: "But how do you hope to lead humanity when you've never been apart of it?"

Damian: "What about you? From what Zuri and I heard, your childhood wasn't a lot of fun either."

Batman: "I had my traumas, but I also had people around me to help, Alfred, Dick, others, I had friends."

Zuri: "He's right Damian. I have friends I can depend on for help, KC, Peter, and others. As far as we are concerned, you've only had trainers. There is a difference Damian."

Damian: "There's the stronghold, beyond those peaks."

Wade: "Wow! That's bigger than Drakken's lair and Killigan's lair."

Zuri: "Wade! Did you call in again without me knowing?"

Wade: "Sorry. Player called me a few hours ago, Carmen and her pals tried to rescue KC and the others. They got caught by Viper."

Zuri: "Great. I think I preferred the Man-Bats."

Once we landed near the compound, father checked out one of the rooms but said that there was nothing. We continued walking through the halls "This is too weird. Connie would have her snakes guarding the halls and catching us by now. Somethings up." said Zuri. I thought they abandoned the place until my father found a hidden room behind a false wall. Inside was Zuri's friends and Langstrom's family. "Tigeress! I told you she'd come. Who's the guy besides you?" one of the boys asked.

"Long story. But right now let's get you guys out of here," said Zuri. Langstrom's daughter, Rebecca ran over to me and hugged me. I felt that it was unnecessary for her to do that. She whispered into my ear that Deathstroke left a message for me and Tigeress. Father led Langstrom's family out then Zuri's friends who are coming with us. I pulled Zuri aside from the others "Your father left a message for us." I told her.

(The message)

Deathstroke holding Talia and KC.

"I have your mother Damian. I also have your friend here as well daughter. This is their location. (Shows Talia and KC's location) Perhaps you've been there, boy. This is between you, me and my daughter. Tell her to come, I have some unfinished business with her. Both of you come alone, leave the bat out of it. I'll give you both forty-eight hours before I end Talia's suffering and Viper ends KC's suffering. Be worthy of your heritage boy, make your mother proud. Daughter, you will either join us or suffer the same fate as your mother.

The message was done then I crushed it with my bare hands. My blood boiled "Dami, We'll get them back. I promise." Zuri said, gently. She then kissed my cheek and left. For the first time, I actually felt her love.