Zumi: The Tiger and The Bat

Chapter 20: Takes Two to Tango

Zuri's pov: 

Damian and I were struggling with the whole "Official Lovers" incident. Ever since we admitted our love to one another at the Cotillion Ball, we've hardly tried to be a couple. We train together but we don't do any normal couple outings. Damian planned a special date for us but that was when we got a call from Player. "Looks like we might have to reschedule our plans for tonight. What's the problem Player?" I said. "Carmen needs you, Kim, Ron, and Damian. Meet her at the Hotel Único Madrid in Spain." Player explained.

We were lucky that Bruce has a business meeting in Madrid so he agreed to let us come. Peter couldn't join us since he was with Tony Stark for the internship. KC has a case with her mom to infiltrate the Other Side as a new recruit. Once we landed in Madrid, we headed to the hotel room that Carmen checked in. Carmen explained that Player decrypted a hidden file on a V.I.L.E. caper here in Madrid, Spain. Countess Cleo is planning to steal the rare Rose Quartz gem in the museum during the festival.

"Why would Countess Cleo go after a rare gem?" Damian asked. "She what I call a collector of rare and unique items and sells them for 1 billion dollars. This gem is known for not only its beauty but in many ancient cultures, rose quartz was considered very powerful. Powerful as a symbol of ownership and also thought to prevent aging. Plus self-awareness and acceptance are two of the most beautiful healing powers of rose quartz. It's also an excellent stone for people who find it difficult to accept love from another as they feel unworthy."  Carmen explained.

The gem will be displayed in the center of the festival tonight after the museum transport it, that's when VILE will make their move. We need to make sure that no operative steals the gem and make sure that it's guarded well in time for the end of the festival. "What happens at the end of the festival?" Ron asked. "At the end of the festival, the two winners of the Tango contest are given the chance to be rewarded a small piece of the Rose Quartz as a way to announce their pure love," explained Wade.

So now two of us have to go undercover and win the contest "Small problem, I can't dance and we aren't dressed for it either." said Zack. "Luckily, I know someone who can help. Plus we're lucky that he's here in Madrid," said Carmen.

Damian's pov:

I didn't know what I was getting myself into. But that was when Carmen said that she knew someone I didn't think it would be an old VILE operative. Graham was called Crackle during his time at VILE, Carmen always thought of him as a brother. After his memory of VILE was erased, Carmen figured he could use a better life so they stayed in touch. Graham gave us a few lessons, but I'm a quick learner and so was Zuri apparently. Carmen had us enter the contest and to practice while Carmen, Kim, and Ron check on the museum.

I guess this counts for us being a couple, plus I was surprised that she could tango "Where did you learn those moves?" I asked. "KC and I had a case in Spain so I took a few dance classes. I guess they came in handy," she said to me. We were still practicing are routine when Kim and Ron came in looking like they went into a war zone.

Zuri: "What happened to you guys?"

Kim: "Someone beat us to the Quartz. They switched it with a fake in the museum."

Damian: "How did they get passed the security?"

Zack: "Players looking at the footage now."

Bruce: "Where's Carmen?"

Ron: "She's..."

Zuri: "What happened?"

Ivy: "She's in the hospital."

Zuri: "WHAT?! How did that happen?!"

Kim: "We don't know. Carmen saw a man in a red hood and thought that he might be the thief. She ran after him but when we found her, she was in pain."

Ivy: "That hood guy knocked her out cold! She's in no condition to help with this mission, she hasn't waken up yet. If I ever find this hood guy I'm knocking his teeth out."

Zuri: "Ok. Plan B, I'll call Peter and see if he can come quick." 

Peter: "No need I'm already here."

Ron: "How in the world did you get here?"

Dick: "I gave him a lift."

Damian: "How did you even know where we were?"

Dick: "I might've snuck a tracer in your bag in case of emergencies."

Zuri: "I should have put a lock on mine."

Peter: "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go gem hunting!"

Dick: "Did he just..?"

Zuri: "Yep. Kim and Ron will enter the contest if you see anything then let us know."

Zack: "Why can't you two do it?"

Damian: "VILE already knows your on to them. They won't see the rest of us at the festival."

Zuri: (Already in her Tigeress uniform) "Damian's right, we'll take care of it here."

Ron: "OK seriously?! Are you ever gonna tell us how you do that?"

Zuri: "Do what?"

So while Kim and Ron were in the contest, the rest of us were on the lookout. "Any chance we can stop for nachos after?" Spider-man asked. "You Ron's twin or something?" Tigeress sassed. I always loved my beloveds sassy comebacks, 'Focus Damian.' I thought. We saw a VILE operative with the real gem. "Spider-Man, think you can set up a little trap for our thief here?" I asked. "One game of bug and spider, coming up." he joked. Now I know why my beloved can't stand his jokes and one-liners, they're annoying. 

Spider-Man caught the VILE operative then me and Zuri snuck the gem back onto the pedestal right when Kim and Ron received each a piece of the stone. "So anyone up for nachos?" asked Ron. "Later. Let's get to the hospital and tell Carmen the news. Plus if we run into the red hood guy, I'm gonna give him one heck of a black eye." said Zuri.

Carmen's pov:

I woke up a few minutes in a hospital bed, I have one heck of a headache. The last thing I remember was chasing after that strange hood guy. I cornered him but then someone or something knocked me out. I could hear a male voice telling me to try and stay awake but that was it. A bandage was wrapped around my head then I remembered that tonight was the festival, my friends need me. I was just about to get up when someone gently pushed me down on my bed "I wouldn't move. You hit your head very hard." said a male voice.

I know that voice, it was the man that saved me in the alleyway. He has black hair and blue eyes that looked like the ocean. He kind of reminded of Dick Grayson "Are you related to a man named Dick Grayson?" I asked. "Actually yes, by adoption. I'm Jason Todd, Bruce's second kid," he explained. I remembered reading about a seven-year-old street kid that was adopted by Bruce but I didn't think it was him. He was kind of sweet, what am I saying? I'm Carmen Sandiego, I don't fall in love with a guy that I just met.

My friends came walking into my room "Carmen, we have good news. We stopped the VILE operative and the Rose Quartz is saved." said Zuri. She stopped when she saw Jason, she tried to cover it up but that was when Dick and Bruce saw him. "Hey dad, long time no see," he said. Jason told us that he was Red Hood, he wasn't stealing the gem, he was trying to protect it. I guess me and him have a lot in common. The festival was still going on so after I was clear to go, we headed to the festival.

I was lucky that I wore my red dress for this dance. Tango is my favorite dance to do out of all of them. "Hey Carmen, do you want to dance?" Jason asked me. I agreed to dance with him and boy is he good.