5 October 2012
I was lucky.
I'd managed to pull the nose up slightly so the infernal thing skimmed along the street before crashing into and up the steps of the cathedral.
I knew it wasn't ready, but he'd forced my hand, and I'd had to use it. Don't thing I'll build another one.
The cathedral. He was here, and it was going to end tonight, somehow. I pulled myself out of the cockpit and staggered over to the great heavy oak doors, one of which was hanging off its hinges. At least I could get in.
I stole a look to the cathedral's spire, under which was the old brick roof, which was where he was going to be. He would have her with him. I'd have to be smart.
My ribs were painful. Even the body armour of my suit wouldn't have completely protected me from a crash landing. I'd just have to hope none of them were broken. I could hear the police sirens, far off but getting louder. I went in.
It was dark, but I could see enough. I crossed the floor to the stairwell. Looking up into the gloom, I could hear him cackling flights above. Surely he knew I was coming. Making sure my cape was behind me I set out in earnest.
I was tired, but I'd found a second wind and was taking the steps two at a time. The ribs weren't feeling too bad and I'd covered about half the stairs when a metallic clanging started to sound. I realised what he'd done, judging by the manic laughter I could here. I pressed myself against the wall just in time as the great cathedral bell flew past me bouncing off walls and taking parts of the stairs with it as it went.
It hadn't had the effect he'd hoped. I was still here. I could see the bell had left plenty of stairs so I doubled my efforts.
Had he hurt her? What was in store when I reached the roof? Would I have the strength to fight him, beat him?
All these questions started to fill my mind as I reached the hatch to the roof. I stopped, and cleared them from my mind. Then I slowly pushed the hatch open and peered into the darkness, which was now being intermittently pierced by the police searchlights that had been set up far below, and were now crawling up and down the cathedral.
I pulled myself up through the hatch and found myself standing in the dusty ancient atmosphere of practically the highest point in Gotham. I felt ok, and as I stretched I suddenly heard him, from somewhere in the dark.
'It seems I truly have Bats in my belfry. '
I whirled, and a useful beam of a searchlight briefly showed me her, in the far corner. Hands tied and gagged, but alive. And in the other corner, there he was. I could see his bone white face and the madly painted red slash that passed for a mouth. He was standing very still.
Me and him.
As it always was.
Neither of us said a word. We didn't have to.
This was only going to end one way.
Battle Joined • Opuss № I