“Excuse me, Master Bruce. Where did you say you were going?” Alfred asked.
“Austin. Austin, Texas. To visit Dominique Sanchez.”
“The Firefly?”
“Right,” Bruce nodded.
“Isn’t he a terrorist?”
“Oswald inspired me to take a second chance on him,” Bruce said, “And with Oswald gone… Well, I think it’d be therapeutic to see him again.”
“Very well, Master Bruce. Will you be going as Batman or Bruce?” Alfred asked.
“Batman. Bruce Wayne can take a sick day or two.”
Alfred nodded, and descended to the Batcave to prepare the Batplane.
Bruce continued to just sit at the dining room table, and stir his bowl of bland oatmeal. He smiled, wondering how Dominique was doing.
After finishing his breakfast, Bruce headed to the Batcave. A sleek black jet was waiting for him. He said a quick goodbye to Alfred, and climbed in. Then, he flipped on the engines, and shot down a long tunnel that eventually led to a hidden door on the side of a mountain.
Once in the air, Bruce stood up to undress. Then he hit a oval button on the yoke. A protective helmet came down from the ceiling, and clasped around Bruce’s face, leaving only his eyes and mouth exposed. A gray suit made with carbon nanotechnology emerged from the front of the plane. Bruce slipped into it, and grabbed a steel utility belt that was wrapped around the pilot’s seat. Boots clamped around his feet, and he slid gloves up onto his hands. He then sat back down in the seat, and regained complete control of the plane.
Batman soared through the skies in the Batplane, hoping to eventually reach Austin, Texas.
A few hours later, Batman zipped over Austin. He circled the Ember, the small metal building that Firefly was based out of, and finally landed. Firefly came out to meet him.
Firefly looked different from when Batman had last seen him. His suit was midnight black, except for veins of neon orange. On his back was a red jetpack, that was hooked up to two steel pistol-sized flamethrowers that were holstered along Firefly’s legs. Three little orbs were lined up on each of Firefly’s arms.
“Hello, Firefly,” Batman smiled, shaking the hero’s hand.
“Batman. I wasn’t expecting you. Nice to see you again.”
“Indeed it is. How have things been here in Austin?” Batman asked.
“Decent. Until recently,” Firefly admitted.
“What happened recently?”
“Well, my presence here seems to have forced criminals to step up their game. Surely you can understand.”
Batman nodded.
Firefly continued, “Some hombre decided to kick his hijinks into high gear. He uses tech that seems to be copied off mine. He calls himself Flicker.”
“And I take it this Flicker is up to no good,” Batman finished.
Firefly nodded, somberly.
“What can I do to help?” Batman asked.
“Really?”
“Really,” Batman assured.
“¡Bien!” Firefly exclaimed, “Let me introduce you to my team.”
“You have a team? Already?” Batman asked, following Firefly into the Ember.
“Of course, amigo. Everyone needs a team,” Firefly said.
Firefly typed in a quick 4-digit passcode at the doors of the Ember. The lock clicked, and the doors unlocked. The two heroes passed through the doorway, and into the building.
The Ember was nothing special. There was a raised platform filled with computers and monitors. To the right was a rack with three mannequins. Two of them had suits on them, one of them was empty. To the left was a training space. Pull up bar, punching bag, bench press. Everything.
A man with slicked back blond hair and thin lips sat on the platform in a rolling chair. He wore a yellow polo with khaki shorts.
“This is Cody,” Firefly said, introducing the blond man. He looked to be in his early twenties. Probably just out of college.
“Pleasure to meet you, Batman,” Cody said with forced enthusiasm.
“Nice to meet you too.”
Firefly then introduced two other people. Their names were Parker and Liz. Parker was mixed, African-American and caucasian, and had buzzed black hair. He had a bit of stubble hanging off of his chin. Liz was Korean-American, with olive colored eyes. Her black hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail. She had high cheekbones, and no hint of a smile.
“Batman, I’ve always wanted to meet you,” Parker beamed, shaking Batman’s hand vigorously.
Liz shrugged, and muttered, “You seem pretty chill.”
“What do you all do?” Batman asked.
“I just sit here and make sure they don’t die,” Cody said, “Their eyes in the sky.”
“I help out in the field,” Parker explained, “I go by Crusader.”
“Ditto. The fieldwork part, that is. I don’t go by Crusader. I’m Wild Dog,” Liz said.
“How’d you manage to get a team together so quickly?” Batman inquired.
“Wild Dog was already a pretty well known superhero when I came along. She taught me how to go about this hero biz,” Firefly said.
“Until eventually, the student surpassed the master,” Liz chuckled, “Mostly because of his jetpack.”
“And I had been training to become a hero like Wild Dog. When Firefly and Wild Dog teamed up, I saw the perfect opportunity to make it a trio,” Parker interjected.
“What about you?” Batman asked Cody.
“I needed something to do,” Cody said.
“Interesting,” Batman said, “Firefly, I’m proud of you.”
“Don’t get proud yet. Flicker is still out there. He’s serious about this chaos and anarchy vibe he’s got going.”
“Firefly, I told you- I’ll help,” Batman said, smiling. He put a hand on Firefly’s shoulder.
“Flicker’s been spotted. At the Capitol!” Cody exclaimed.
“Suit up,” Firefly ordered.
Parker and Liz nodded. They raced over to the mannequins, and began to put on their costumes.
Batman roared towards Flicker in the Batplane. He narrowed his eyes, and slid his finger over the button that would fire the small guns on the underside of the plane. Then he realized that firing the guns at a person would surely result in their death. Killing was a big no-no. Batman had only used guns on his vehicles when he had to take out heavy machinery. So, Batman peeled off from Flicker, and landed the Batplane. Wild Dog and Crusader rolled up on a motorcycle moments later. Firefly was already on the ground.
Wild Dog had a blue jersey with a red dog on the front, and the number 87 on the back. She wore green combat pants, with thick boots. On her face was a white hockey mask.
Crusader was dressed in a black and gray jacket, with a kevlar vest underneath. He wore sweats and tennis shoes on his bottom half. A bala clava was pulled down over his face. He was the perfect example of how anyone with dedication could rise up and become a hero.
Flicker gazed at his competition. Flicker wore a red windbreaker with an orange biking helmet around his head. On his back was a clucky jetpack that led to two massive flame cannons stuck to his arms.
“You cannot stop me, fools!” Flicker roared. He unleashed an inferno from his cannons, and the flames leapt at the four heroes.
Wild Dog leapt out of the day. Firefly flew upwards to avoid the fire. Crusader froze up, terrified. Batman sprinted for Crusader, and wrapped him up in his cape. The flames scorched his cape, and seared his back. He cried out in pain.
Firefly rushed Flicker, and knocked him into the capitol building. Wild Dog drew two pistols, and fired away at the downed Flicker. Flicker ignited his cannons, easily melting the bullets.
“Crusader, are you okay?” Batman asked, trying to ignore the burning pains on his back. The back part of his suit had been burned through entirely, revealing charred flesh.
“Y-Yes. Thank you,” Crusader nodded. He hadn’t been touched by a single ember.
“You can’t freeze up like that,” Batman scolded, “You’ll get yourself or your teammates killed.”
“I understand, Batman sir,” Crusader nodded.
“Now let’s go take Flicker down,” Batman grunted.
Crusader rushed towards Flicker, taking his two pistols out of their holsters. Batman limped towards Flicker, arming himself with a Batarang.
Flicker spotted the oncoming Crusader, and blasted his with a heat wave. Firefly swooped down, taking Crusader out of the way. Wild Dog took the opportunity to fire away at the distracted Flicker. She caught him in the chest. Flicker screeched in pain, and whipped around to engulf Wild Dog in flames. Batman flicked his Batarang at the cannons on Flicker’s arms, and it tore through both of them. Black fuel spurted out of the cannons, and the fire died down. Wild Dog was burned, but not too severely.
Firefly lowered to the ground, and dropped off Crusader. He then marched over to Flicker.
“Flicker, you lost,” Firefly said, crossing his arms, “Now tell me, why did you do it? Why try to throw Austin into chaos?”
“You- You wouldn’t understand,” Flicker spat.
“Try me.”
“A few years ago, my friend and I were in a house fire. The feeling that coursed through us… that was true chaos. Fire fighters didn’t get to us quick enough. We had to rely on ourselves. I made it out. My friend didn't. If this city can’t help me, why should I help it? I want it to feel the same fear, experience the same chaos, as my friend and I did.”
“There are so many other ways to honor your friend,” Firefly countered, “You don’t need to try to destroy Austin.”
“This isn’t about honoring my friend,” Flicker growled, “This is about forcing Austin to feel what I felt.”
“Well it won’t work. You’re going away for a long time,” Firefly sighed.
The police, who had been standing by to watch, rushed over and arrested Flicker. Firefly turned to thank Batman, but he was nowhere to be seen. The police commended Firefly, Wild Dog, and Crusader on their work.
“Why’d you leave?” Firefly asked Batman when he got back to the Ember. Batman had been chatting with Cody.
“I wanted the police to recognize the true heroes of Austin. You three.”
“Four,” Cody piped up.
“Thanks, Batman,” Firefly said, shaking Batman’s hand.
“If you ever need help, just call me,” Batman said.
“How will I do that?” Firefly asked.
“You’ll find a way,” Batman said.
With that, Batman left the Ember.
“What were you two talking about?” Firefly questioned Cody.
“Well, he was asking me why I was so cold to him at first,” Cody admitted.
“And why were you being cold to him?”
“Have you seen the news recently? This is the dude that brands people!” Cody shouted.
“Right. I guess he’s gone down a bit of a dark path,” Firefly agreed.
“He told me he realized that it was the wrong way to go about being Batman. He’s turning over a new leaf. I’m proud of him. Maybe next time I’ll be just as emphatic as Parker and Liz.”
Firefly laughed.
“Austin. Austin, Texas. To visit Dominique Sanchez.”
“The Firefly?”
“Right,” Bruce nodded.
“Isn’t he a terrorist?”
“Oswald inspired me to take a second chance on him,” Bruce said, “And with Oswald gone… Well, I think it’d be therapeutic to see him again.”
“Very well, Master Bruce. Will you be going as Batman or Bruce?” Alfred asked.
“Batman. Bruce Wayne can take a sick day or two.”
Alfred nodded, and descended to the Batcave to prepare the Batplane.
Bruce continued to just sit at the dining room table, and stir his bowl of bland oatmeal. He smiled, wondering how Dominique was doing.
After finishing his breakfast, Bruce headed to the Batcave. A sleek black jet was waiting for him. He said a quick goodbye to Alfred, and climbed in. Then, he flipped on the engines, and shot down a long tunnel that eventually led to a hidden door on the side of a mountain.
Once in the air, Bruce stood up to undress. Then he hit a oval button on the yoke. A protective helmet came down from the ceiling, and clasped around Bruce’s face, leaving only his eyes and mouth exposed. A gray suit made with carbon nanotechnology emerged from the front of the plane. Bruce slipped into it, and grabbed a steel utility belt that was wrapped around the pilot’s seat. Boots clamped around his feet, and he slid gloves up onto his hands. He then sat back down in the seat, and regained complete control of the plane.
Batman soared through the skies in the Batplane, hoping to eventually reach Austin, Texas.
A few hours later, Batman zipped over Austin. He circled the Ember, the small metal building that Firefly was based out of, and finally landed. Firefly came out to meet him.
Firefly looked different from when Batman had last seen him. His suit was midnight black, except for veins of neon orange. On his back was a red jetpack, that was hooked up to two steel pistol-sized flamethrowers that were holstered along Firefly’s legs. Three little orbs were lined up on each of Firefly’s arms.
“Hello, Firefly,” Batman smiled, shaking the hero’s hand.
“Batman. I wasn’t expecting you. Nice to see you again.”
“Indeed it is. How have things been here in Austin?” Batman asked.
“Decent. Until recently,” Firefly admitted.
“What happened recently?”
“Well, my presence here seems to have forced criminals to step up their game. Surely you can understand.”
Batman nodded.
Firefly continued, “Some hombre decided to kick his hijinks into high gear. He uses tech that seems to be copied off mine. He calls himself Flicker.”
“And I take it this Flicker is up to no good,” Batman finished.
Firefly nodded, somberly.
“What can I do to help?” Batman asked.
“Really?”
“Really,” Batman assured.
“¡Bien!” Firefly exclaimed, “Let me introduce you to my team.”
“You have a team? Already?” Batman asked, following Firefly into the Ember.
“Of course, amigo. Everyone needs a team,” Firefly said.
Firefly typed in a quick 4-digit passcode at the doors of the Ember. The lock clicked, and the doors unlocked. The two heroes passed through the doorway, and into the building.
The Ember was nothing special. There was a raised platform filled with computers and monitors. To the right was a rack with three mannequins. Two of them had suits on them, one of them was empty. To the left was a training space. Pull up bar, punching bag, bench press. Everything.
A man with slicked back blond hair and thin lips sat on the platform in a rolling chair. He wore a yellow polo with khaki shorts.
“This is Cody,” Firefly said, introducing the blond man. He looked to be in his early twenties. Probably just out of college.
“Pleasure to meet you, Batman,” Cody said with forced enthusiasm.
“Nice to meet you too.”
Firefly then introduced two other people. Their names were Parker and Liz. Parker was mixed, African-American and caucasian, and had buzzed black hair. He had a bit of stubble hanging off of his chin. Liz was Korean-American, with olive colored eyes. Her black hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail. She had high cheekbones, and no hint of a smile.
“Batman, I’ve always wanted to meet you,” Parker beamed, shaking Batman’s hand vigorously.
Liz shrugged, and muttered, “You seem pretty chill.”
“What do you all do?” Batman asked.
“I just sit here and make sure they don’t die,” Cody said, “Their eyes in the sky.”
“I help out in the field,” Parker explained, “I go by Crusader.”
“Ditto. The fieldwork part, that is. I don’t go by Crusader. I’m Wild Dog,” Liz said.
“How’d you manage to get a team together so quickly?” Batman inquired.
“Wild Dog was already a pretty well known superhero when I came along. She taught me how to go about this hero biz,” Firefly said.
“Until eventually, the student surpassed the master,” Liz chuckled, “Mostly because of his jetpack.”
“And I had been training to become a hero like Wild Dog. When Firefly and Wild Dog teamed up, I saw the perfect opportunity to make it a trio,” Parker interjected.
“What about you?” Batman asked Cody.
“I needed something to do,” Cody said.
“Interesting,” Batman said, “Firefly, I’m proud of you.”
“Don’t get proud yet. Flicker is still out there. He’s serious about this chaos and anarchy vibe he’s got going.”
“Firefly, I told you- I’ll help,” Batman said, smiling. He put a hand on Firefly’s shoulder.
“Flicker’s been spotted. At the Capitol!” Cody exclaimed.
“Suit up,” Firefly ordered.
Parker and Liz nodded. They raced over to the mannequins, and began to put on their costumes.
Batman roared towards Flicker in the Batplane. He narrowed his eyes, and slid his finger over the button that would fire the small guns on the underside of the plane. Then he realized that firing the guns at a person would surely result in their death. Killing was a big no-no. Batman had only used guns on his vehicles when he had to take out heavy machinery. So, Batman peeled off from Flicker, and landed the Batplane. Wild Dog and Crusader rolled up on a motorcycle moments later. Firefly was already on the ground.
Wild Dog had a blue jersey with a red dog on the front, and the number 87 on the back. She wore green combat pants, with thick boots. On her face was a white hockey mask.
Crusader was dressed in a black and gray jacket, with a kevlar vest underneath. He wore sweats and tennis shoes on his bottom half. A bala clava was pulled down over his face. He was the perfect example of how anyone with dedication could rise up and become a hero.
Flicker gazed at his competition. Flicker wore a red windbreaker with an orange biking helmet around his head. On his back was a clucky jetpack that led to two massive flame cannons stuck to his arms.
“You cannot stop me, fools!” Flicker roared. He unleashed an inferno from his cannons, and the flames leapt at the four heroes.
Wild Dog leapt out of the day. Firefly flew upwards to avoid the fire. Crusader froze up, terrified. Batman sprinted for Crusader, and wrapped him up in his cape. The flames scorched his cape, and seared his back. He cried out in pain.
Firefly rushed Flicker, and knocked him into the capitol building. Wild Dog drew two pistols, and fired away at the downed Flicker. Flicker ignited his cannons, easily melting the bullets.
“Crusader, are you okay?” Batman asked, trying to ignore the burning pains on his back. The back part of his suit had been burned through entirely, revealing charred flesh.
“Y-Yes. Thank you,” Crusader nodded. He hadn’t been touched by a single ember.
“You can’t freeze up like that,” Batman scolded, “You’ll get yourself or your teammates killed.”
“I understand, Batman sir,” Crusader nodded.
“Now let’s go take Flicker down,” Batman grunted.
Crusader rushed towards Flicker, taking his two pistols out of their holsters. Batman limped towards Flicker, arming himself with a Batarang.
Flicker spotted the oncoming Crusader, and blasted his with a heat wave. Firefly swooped down, taking Crusader out of the way. Wild Dog took the opportunity to fire away at the distracted Flicker. She caught him in the chest. Flicker screeched in pain, and whipped around to engulf Wild Dog in flames. Batman flicked his Batarang at the cannons on Flicker’s arms, and it tore through both of them. Black fuel spurted out of the cannons, and the fire died down. Wild Dog was burned, but not too severely.
Firefly lowered to the ground, and dropped off Crusader. He then marched over to Flicker.
“Flicker, you lost,” Firefly said, crossing his arms, “Now tell me, why did you do it? Why try to throw Austin into chaos?”
“You- You wouldn’t understand,” Flicker spat.
“Try me.”
“A few years ago, my friend and I were in a house fire. The feeling that coursed through us… that was true chaos. Fire fighters didn’t get to us quick enough. We had to rely on ourselves. I made it out. My friend didn't. If this city can’t help me, why should I help it? I want it to feel the same fear, experience the same chaos, as my friend and I did.”
“There are so many other ways to honor your friend,” Firefly countered, “You don’t need to try to destroy Austin.”
“This isn’t about honoring my friend,” Flicker growled, “This is about forcing Austin to feel what I felt.”
“Well it won’t work. You’re going away for a long time,” Firefly sighed.
The police, who had been standing by to watch, rushed over and arrested Flicker. Firefly turned to thank Batman, but he was nowhere to be seen. The police commended Firefly, Wild Dog, and Crusader on their work.
“Why’d you leave?” Firefly asked Batman when he got back to the Ember. Batman had been chatting with Cody.
“I wanted the police to recognize the true heroes of Austin. You three.”
“Four,” Cody piped up.
“Thanks, Batman,” Firefly said, shaking Batman’s hand.
“If you ever need help, just call me,” Batman said.
“How will I do that?” Firefly asked.
“You’ll find a way,” Batman said.
With that, Batman left the Ember.
“What were you two talking about?” Firefly questioned Cody.
“Well, he was asking me why I was so cold to him at first,” Cody admitted.
“And why were you being cold to him?”
“Have you seen the news recently? This is the dude that brands people!” Cody shouted.
“Right. I guess he’s gone down a bit of a dark path,” Firefly agreed.
“He told me he realized that it was the wrong way to go about being Batman. He’s turning over a new leaf. I’m proud of him. Maybe next time I’ll be just as emphatic as Parker and Liz.”
Firefly laughed.