Fic: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (36/61)
Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (Justice Arc) (36/61)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Kathy Kane, Dick, Barbara Gordon
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. Clark begins training under the Bat and secrets are uncovered as the Abolitionist Movement makes rapid progress with old and new methods. Can Freedom outrace rumors of War as the Galactic Empire rushes headlong to a new future?
The entire series can be found here.
Genres: AU, Drama, Slavefic
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: While Gotham suffers a heat wave, the Bats break up a robbery with an unusual angle.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): July 9, 2011
Date Of Posting: September 24, 2012
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1450
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: The magnificent story cover is by the wonderfully-talented ctbn60. Thanks so much, luv! :)
Heat shimmers
On concrete,
As the city
Melts.
Get out
The eggs!
E.E. Carter
"There’s An Alien
In My Soup!
And Other Poems"
1972 C.E.
XXXVI
HEAT WAVE
Spring came, and gradually turned to summer. The Underground Railroad chugged along, and life settled into a routine around that. Clark continued re-acquainting himself with his powers, serving as The Blur (“I have to get a better name!”) in tandem with the Dynamic Duo. Dick still was unhappy with his Veiling but had resigned himself to the necessity, and he was growing fast now, all coltish arms and legs though his sense of balance was still perfect, as befit a Flying Grayson.
In Boston, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern were keeping the city safe and the Amazon was keeping up an ambitious schedule of speaking appearances for the National Abolitionist Society.
The Arrows were keeping Star City quiet and plans were moving forward for the wedding of Ollie and Dinah. Roy had e-mailed Dick that it was a madhouse and that he was ready for the wedding to be here already!
Heat shimmered on sidewalks and danced on the waves as a wave of humidity and high temperatures settled over Gotham. It was always the worse time of the year, Batman thought grimly.
He could see Batwoman’s cape fluttering in the breeze. He did not see Batgirl, his memory calling up what Clark had told him a few months ago:
& & & & & &
“Batgirl is Barbara Gordon.”
“What? How do you know that?”
“I overheard a conversation between her and her father. Accidentally.” Clark blushed with embarrassment.
“Hmm, I see it now. She’s very acrobatic as befits an Olympic champion.” He cocked his head. “I take it that Jim’s not too happy about it.”
“To say the least, especially with the Joker on the loose.” Clark shuddered. “Which I can’t blame him, especially after what happened to Dick.”
& & & & & &
Batman and Robin alighted on the rooftops next to Batwoman, their capes swirling in the wind. Her red hair fluttered, giving her a very artistic look.
“Hello, Batman. Robin.”
“Hello,” Batman answered.
“Hi! Where’s Batgirl?” Robin asked. He knew her true identity, too, delighted to learn that Barbara was behind the cowl. Neither he nor Batman had let Batgirl know they knew her secret. It was hers to reveal.
That did get Batman wondering about Batwoman. Was she connected to the Gordons? Or…he frowned.
“She’s around. Everything okay?” Batwoman asked.
“Hmm? Oh, yes.”
“Good.” She wiped her face with a handkerchief from her utility belt. “Gah, it’s fry-eggs-on-the-sidewalk-hot.”
Robin grinned at he colorful language. He went over to the edge and looked down, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.
“Just Gotham in summer,” Batman said.
“Where’s the Blur?”
“Patrolling the West Side.”
“When is he going to get a proper name?”
Batman flashed a quick smile, amusing Batwoman. “Soon.”
She nodded, flexing her gloved fingers. “Well, it may be an early night. Even the criminals are too hot to commit crimes.”
“Good.”
Batwoman quirked a smile. Suddenly, the flash of a yellow cape alerted them to Batgirl’s presence.
“What is it?” Batwoman asked.
“Something’s going on at the pawnshop!”
“Hmm, interesting. Lead on.”
Batgirl leaped gracefully to the next rooftop. Batman wondered how he hadn’t noticed the resemblance to Barbara before this, but that was the way of things, because now he couldn’t unsee it.
They arrived at the alley where the pawnshop was located, and immediately saw the activity around the back door. Batman made a decision.
“Let the junior partners handle it.”
Robin and Batgirl smiled excitedly and quickly conversed, swinging down to startle the ragged gang in the process of cleaning out the pawnshop.
Batman and Batwoman watched their protégés attack the gang, easily dodging punches and even a few bullets. The guns were black market, since private citizens were not allowed to possess them, and the younger Dynamic Duo made quick work of the squawking robbers. Pride shown from their mentors.
“Good work,” Batwoman praised as she alighted on the ground.
Batman followed and nodded his approval. Both younger heroes beamed at the praise. Batgirl stooped down and picked up a small, shiny object.
“What is that?” Batwoman asked.
“I’m not sure. It’s a…joy buzzer?”
“Odd.” Batwoman took it from Batgirl and examined it closely. “I wouldn’t think that this was worth anything.”
“Unless…” Robin licked his lips. “…it belongs to the Joker.”
Eyes widened and chills went down spines as Batman took the buzzer from Batwoman. He approached the leader of the gang, a stout, grizzled lifer whose brown eyes narrowed. He stood his ground, but Batman could see the infinitesimal tremble in his limbs.
“Is this raid for the Joker?”
The man shrugged. “I don’t care about that freak.”
Batman doubted that as he registered the perspiration trickling down the leader’s face. He growled, “Wrong answer.” He loomed over the man, letting the full force of the Bat impact his target.
The leader had guts, Batman had to give him that. He stubbornly scowled at the Bat and refused to speak, until the Dark Knight grabbed the front of his cheap shirt and lifted him up, his toes a few inches above the ground as he was slammed into the wall, wincing at the pain.
“Is the Joker involved in this robbery?”
The leader huffed. “I’m not tellin’ nothin’!”
Batman pushed his face close to the thug. “I would suggest you change your mind.”
“He’ll kill me!”
“And I’ll just break every bone in your body,” hissed Batman.
The leader swallowed audibly. “Good try, Batman…urk!” A bone snapped in his forearm. He howled in pain.
“I can do this all day,” Batman said silkily.
The leader gasped as a gauntlet closed around his other forearm. “All right, all right!” The sweat was really pouring down his forehead now. “The Joker asked us to do this robbery and get his joy buzzer. Guess he’s bored or somethin’.”
“Where did you meet him?”
“Nowhere! He sent some new floozy he’s got.”
“Floozy?” Batwoman frowned.
“Yeah, some chick in one of them jester’s outfits.” He groaned. “Can I have a painkiller now?”
“The paramedics are on the way.” Batman’s voice grew demanding again. “Where are you supposed to meet him or his gang member to give over the buzzer?” At the leader’s reluctance he said, “Looks like the paramedics will have to treat two broken arms.”
“Okay, okay!” The man babbled out the address and time. A siren could be heard in the distance.
Batman let him go, and he slumped to the ground. “If you’re lying to me…”
“I’m not!”
Batman and Batwoman melted into the shadows and left Batgirl and Robin to greet the paramedics.
Batman smiled as he saw Johnny and Roy emerge from the squad. Both men looked healthy and happy, and he was glad that Bruce Wayne’s influence had brought them a happy ending.
Both were very professional, treating the gang leader’s broken arm and the cuts on the other men.
“Busy night?” Johnny asked Robin.
Robin grinned, “Yeah.” Another siren sounded in the distance. “You guys good here until the police arrive?”
“You’ve trussed ‘em up real good for us. There should be no problem.”
Robin nodded, and he and Batgirl shot grapple hooks up, and they flew off to the rooftops.
Roy and Johnny exchanged a grin.
Up on the rooftops, Batgirl and Robin caught up with their mentors. Batman was grimness itself as he pushed them all to reach the warehouse where the Joker was planning to meet the robbers, or perhaps his new minion.
They reached the old warehouse, crumbling and abandoned in one of the worst sections of Gotham. Batman made a note for Bruce Wayne to push harder to revitalize this neighborhood. Despite all the talk of economic prosperity, the city still had its share of poverty. It was why Batman was needed: poverty bred crime.
“How do you want to play this?” Batwoman murmured.
“We watch, two on the roof, two in the warehouse.”
“Batgirl and I will take the roof.”
Batman nodded. He hesitated a moment, remembering the last encounter with the Joker.
Batgirl pointed and said, “Look! A fire!”
The orange glow of a major fire could be seen on the horizon.
“Looks like the Blur will be busy,” Batwoman drawled.
“You bet,” said Robin as he bounced on his toes, eager for action. If he was nervous about meeting the Joker again, he didn’t show it.
“All right, this is the best vantage point to observe,” Batman said. “Robin and I will go in the warehouse through the northeast corner.”
“Good.” Batwoman flipped her hair back. “Be careful.”
Batman nodded, and he and Robin melted into the shadows.
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