Chap.1: Gotham's Rodent Problem
(POV GENERAL)
The sounds of titans clashing echoed like a violent symphony across the heavens, dancing amid the storm-filled sky. Each successive blow, whether it landed or was countered, brought forth the roaring of thunder and the crackling of lightning, illuminating the heavens in brief, violent flashes. The battle above remained hidden behind dark, churning clouds, as heavy raindrops cascaded down in mourning, as if the sky itself wept at the spectacle.
Below the distracting cascade were copious amounts of people walking along the streets and sidewalks of the city. As the smoke of undiluted chemicals breached the moisture within the air and likely cause disease or infection of some kind. Most would sue a company for such carelessness, but within this city of crime ridden disasters remained as the constant of day and night. As this was natural as the rain drops reached the ground from the sky they fell from.
The raindrops fell downward in recompense to the tears that have likely shed within this city if not barely exceeding that threshold. As the lives lost within this hellscape of a city were natural. When the loss of death itself was caused mostly by the people whom lived within. With this picture cascaded in black and white causing most to see the grey in-between of crime and luxury. Took up this mantel in hopes of a better existence one where they possibly mattered and not one where they could die a rats death.
In accordance with this mindset most of the population joined gangs embracing the chaos instead of fixing it. Hoping to earn the easiest way in life then trouble themselves with the earnest one. With laziness and fear tied the gangs they joined were led by psychopaths the biggest was a man without a name but instead of scouring away this secret he laughed in the face of society earning its ire instead.
Most assumed this Clowns rising was due towards the natives mindset of this putrid city of Gotham, but in actuality was due to another man. Who he thought shared his scope of grey and became obsessed with him. This wild card no-Joker became the cities Clown Prince of Crime. And his enemy was none other than the Gothamites legend The Batman. Plan after plan and battle after battle the Joker continued this charade in hopes of making his arch foe a smile.
However this story isn't based upon these two Villain and Hero, no but of another who shared within their grey of thought compromising both his right of justice and injustice into one that suited his ideals. None knew of his face as his face hasn't been revealed into the light instead he hid within the shadows of night and day searching for the sole reason of his being there.
"Ah pardon me." Called a kind elder with a long overcoat and denim jeans tossed by the wind and rain. While his grey hair and glasses were wetted by the very rain the populace has been embraced with. The gentleman looked to the stranger in hopes his conveyed apology was genuine. Only for his eyes to dart at the figures face as it was covered by a mask. Seeing this oddity the gentleman played it off as he stealthy moved his right hand towards his side arm asking curious "What brings you to Gotham stranger?"
The man looked slightly downward towards the man he knew as the Gotham Police Commissioner James Gordon as there height difference was a simple three inches. Where when compared to Gordon whose height was five nine made this stranger six two. But that was a simple distraction as this strangers way of dress gave him a simple edge of boots.
That weren't discernible the stranger wore only black with the exception of his mask similar to that of plague doctors from ancient Europe during the Black Death which was geared out from its once pure white color. The man before Gordon wore a long black suit like the doctors of ancient time wore covering their entire bodies leaving no room for skin to be shown or bare. above his adorned black clothing and white greyed mask was a pilgrim hat seemingly covering his head only for small bristles of black hair to poke out from the back not seeable through the rain but provided enough air for his head to breath. The stranger in his boots covered by long black slacks looked to Gordon and spoke with an odd squeak in his voice opposite towards his dark demeanor he had set through the outfit. "Searching."
"Searching? Searching for wha-" before Gordon could finish the stranger heard a sound and turned transitioning into a run. Gordon feeling his nerves Blair out followed him screaming "Wait!" The stranger ignoring Gordon continued his pursuit after the mysterious sound with a battered Gordon after him passing streets and populace. The Stranger simply shoved and pushed his way around the citizens of Gotham not batting an eye as they all screamed in complaint.
"Hey watch it!"
"I'm Walking here!"
Gordon unlike this historical dressed stranger continued to follow him but apologized to each citizen as they passed saying simple worded response in order not to lose his focus. An odd thing he did notice was the Strangers view as he seemed to focus on the sign boards of stores they ran past "Gizmos Gems" "Brewers Crystals" and "Charles Charms." Gordon tried coming to conclusions on what this man's 'Searching' was but only came to the conclusion of Thief due to the passing stores and their alluring titles.
Then suddenly Gordon noticed something as they ran this stranger carried a briefcase with him. A handheld brown briefcase with old etching all over it yet again wasn't noticed due to the storm. Gordon doubted his eyes until he saw its clear fainted image through the rain and heated breath. 'Why didn't I see it before?' Was Gordon's soul thought as he began to close in on the stranger with both their stamina's wearing thin. Only when Gordon slowly closed in did he notice that this 'Doctor wore an overcoat like his own except for the fact it was pure black and while he was talking to him could barley notice his gloved hands holding the briefcase that now swayed with his as they ran.
After a nearing ten minute run the stranger stopped and so did Gordon who began to bend forward and take in heavy breathes and noticed something peculiar. 'That Briefcase? Did it just move?' Gordon in a moment of pause saw the briefcase in the stranger's hand suddenly jolt with life and then as quickly stiffened at the stranger's touch. Gordon wasn't the only one out of breath so was the Stranger but with his face hidden by his mask his facial expressions weren't shown as he looked towards the next sign simply stating "Cornered."
Gordon curious looked up matching the stranger's viewpoint and read the signs name "GlomGolds Gold" Seeing the names absurdity Gordon removed his gun from his holster and pointed it saying "Stop in the name of the law!" For once during their entire confrontation the strange looked towards Gordon and spoke first in a more mature tone compared to their fist chat "No…"
With but a blink of his eyelids Gordon saw something utterly peculiar a golden orange circle appeared from the air and. Rain moisture forming with sigils and glyphs taking his attention only momentarily nearly costed him greatly as from the sigils and glyphs formed a pillar of crimson flame shooting towards Gordon's feet. Seeing the on coming attack Gordon jumped back and pulled his finger over his trigger firing a small round from his chamber. Rookie Mistake. Was all Gordon thought as his years on the force learned.
The bullet that left its chamber firing through the air breaking any and all raindrops that fell into its wrath cutting through almost anything. This attack was unexpected but when the shot was heard the stranger tried moving away as his own attack provided no sight in witness of it. Relying solely on his instincts a motion was followed and a crisis was averted with a cost.
A piece of dark cloth fell off from the bullet as the Stranger dodged but a valuable lesson was learned even if this attack wasn't intentional. As the flame of crimson dissipated as fast as it arrived Gordon was a foot away from a wall of fire spanning five feet tall within the circumference of the store proving a barrier of flame around the store. Preventing any entry of any kind. Gordon shellshocked steeled himself and mentally slapped himself "Get it together Gordon!" Was his mantra the forced his focus on his enemy at hand.
"All units report to GlomGold's Gold in New Gotham I've stumbled on a meta with flame abilities! Caution is advised!" With the commissioners orders given several patrolman responded giving Gordon their ETA's of arrival while Gordon himself looked at the store asking himself "Why this Store from the numerous others?" However to Gordon's dismay this wasn't the thought thief's goal from its items, but what remained inside was another matter however.
With the chime of a bell leaving a welcoming emotion within most its guests. The Stranger however walked into the store opposite in the demeanor that was showed as the door seemed melted from acid as a form of smoke melted off its locks. Once inside the stranger adjusted his mask tightening it as he checked the piece of cloth that was shot off of his hat. Feeling this difference in attire the Stranger spoke a word fueled with annoyance "Damn…" with the dent felt the Stranger mentally recorded within his thoughts was to find a new hat for his ensemble, but turned his attention back to focus.
Inside the store several glass boxes were stationed all with several prices of jewelry with different gems of Sapphires, Rubies, Emerald, and more gleamed yet no interest was shown from the Stranger. After walking past this ensemble a scratching and scuttling sound of webbed feet on the stores tile echoed like a drop within a cave. Hearing this sound the Stranger's fist over his briefcases hand tightened. With his left hand free the Stranger began to feel his stress and rage teeth through it, but with a calming breath he seized this behavior and walked forward showing little to now caution.
After five paces the Stranger was met with a safe similar to ones you'd see in movies of high action dramas stood tall seemingly normal protection from Gotham's numerous criminals. If only this was a normal criminal. The Stranger looked towards the source of all his trouble a creature in size similar to a dog. Where for paws were claws similar for digging used by moles and a snout that would match if not for its duck bill and black beady eyes. This creature once it noticed the stranger looked at him and back towards the safe wondering which was more important.
Resolved the creature began again in digging its way through a steel safe ignoring the Stranger. Causing a sigh from him as he massaged his masked head placing his fingers on the tip of the masks bridge hoping to sooth himself as he spoke drained "All because of a Niffler."