Gothams Shadow

Chapter 1

She felt the early morning air brush across her face, how easy it was to get from A to B today with out her journey being disturbed by another super villain. Only a week ago she had to wait an hour as the bank up the road had been half blown to bits the night before, giving a sigh she carried on into the Gotham Richmond Bank. Banks were always looking for people to work in them, nine times out of ten the poor people who work there suffer at the hands of the villains. She was lucky in a way, five years in the GRB and every time she missed any action and the last time was Two Face. Her pass was checked, her hair shined a magnificent dark colour as she went under the lights. She was stopped again by a guard and he asked as she removed her green rain coat

"How are you today Miss Shine?"

"Fine thank you Tony, no major incidents last night for a change" she replied and he smiled and said back

"Yeah, to be honest Stella I think the bad guys are all more or less locked up"

She smiled, the only time she had seen one of these super villain for herself was when she had only just been promoted three years ago. It was Poison Ivy, she had smashed the building across the road and quickly as light gone by. Stella, walked toward the main hall where everyone collected their money. She walked up the stairs, to the left of the door once again using her pass to get up there. Her job consisted of her making sure that everyone else in the vault rooms were doing as they were told and making security checks. She entered her office, placed down her suitcase and sat at her desk. On the mantel across the room was a Riddler trophy, it had sat there for a while as she had walked into some kind of trap a while ago. Tired from the days work it was the last thing she needed, but she read the green paint and figured out what the riddle was. Stella looked for a moment at the trophy, she recalled the riddle 'No matter how much you run I will always be at your feet, yet at night I'll be gone'... a shadow. Stella walked to the darkest part of the box room, felt in the darkness and found a switch. She flipped it, then came a green light and a Riddler trophy showing her way out. It was strange, she had read up about the Riddler and then found that the trophy was meant for the Batman. Stella had looked over the trophy, it seemed of no harm so she brought it into work. The bosses instant reaction was that he panicked, asking her to remove it from the premises. Tony had seen one before, he had worked in Arkham Asylum before they closed it down and made the city. He checked it over, there was a message engraved on the base that simply read 'Fine, Heavy, Hard'. Mr. Richmond (the boss), was amazed that she made it through one of Riddler's traps. Richmond had the item checked, the police had the best check it and word even had it that the Batman himself had checked it. A week after it sat proudly under her large mirror, it had been deemed as safe and was rumored to have helped the Batman in getting closer to finding the Riddler. Stella never did find out if anything came of the investigation, but the trophy was only ever moved to be cleaned or cleaned under.

The day passed as it always did, with Stella making the checks that had to be made and another new person brought into her office so she could give the do's and do not's. This one was strange to say the least, a male that looked more like a thug than a banker. Stella sat at her desk, he sat across looking very uncomfortable and when he caught sight of her Riddler trophy he seemed to shrink. Stella was not a fool, she had not uttered a word since he walked in and finally he said sitting down

"I'm 'ere to see you about the rules of the bank Miss"

"Indeed, Rule number one... no one touches my Riddler trophy" Stella always said that first, the man looked at it and asked

"How did you get it Miss?"

"I was smart, stupid but then smart" Stella replied and the man nodded and she said looking at his name badge

"Now then... Myers. Rules are as follow, you need a pass to get into the bank. You are to carry heavy goods down to the vaults, under my watch... you will have your partner which is Brian Moats. He and you will take the items down, place them in the vault where told and once you have both been checked walk out. The Vault doors are to be closed after each delivery, even if there are several parcels... protection is key"

"So if there is bout' twenty boxes of stuff, we take one in... we have to close the door go back and get something else and re-open the door" Myers asked and Stella replied

"Correct, today is part of the dry season... we have very few heavy things going into the vault. You collect them from one of the four scanner sections, as you must have already been told. We shall hold a trial run tomorrow as we do have a couple of things to go into the Elliot vault, nine o'clock sharp in the morning" Stella replied and Myers replied trying his hardest not to look at the trophy

"Yes Miss"

"Any questions?" Stella asked and he nodded and then asked

"What happened to the man I'm replacing?"

"Ben Cash, he retired... not every security guard gets blown up or shot by super villains" Stella replied

Myers left the room, Stella carried on working into the night and once she was sure it was safe turned on the personnel files. She was quick off the mark as she pulled up Myers file. She knew she was not meant to look up security workers files without their supervisors say so... but this one was acting to scared. She got as far as BlackGate when the power sparked out, the only light was the glow of the Riddler trophy. Stella knew that this was something bad, but was in no fear at all. She knew her greatest flaw was being young and fearless, the door began to slowly open and the end of a gun started to creep through. Stella had already grabbed her trophy, not the Riddler one but another that stood near the door. It was the one she had for an agility course she had done the year before, she was happy to see Tony walk into the room. He closed the door and placed his finger over his lips, they walked over to her desk and using the green light found her desk phone. He lifted it up, then muttered

"Damn it"

"What is going on Tony?" Stella whispered to him and he looked at her and whispered back

"That new blood Myers, got to the bottom of the stairs and just as the power went he was shot dead"

"Who by?"

The pair of them heard several footsteps coming toward the door, then a louts voice say from the otherside

"Woo look this room has green in it"

"Knock Knock" said another voice

Stella and Tony dived behind her desk and a barrage of bullets smashed through the door, Tony fired back but was caught through the shoulder. He went back and the door was kicked in, a bunch of thugs rushed the pair. Before she knew it, Stella was on her knees in the main hall after stepping over Myers. Stella knew she could take these morons, but it was who was running the show that concerned her the most. Joker would be the worst case, Stella knew that he had Harley Quinn and she had known her from before she became insane. Tony was bleeding, next to her and on the other side was a young woman named Tia. She was trying not to cry, but tears were falling down her cheeks. Stella, then heard the clunk of something behind her and a thug voice say

"Hey boss, we found this in her office... Myers was right. Bitch must have stolen it"

"So you have one of my trophies, you managed to find it in a vault as a keep sake or are you smart enough to have actually out smarted one of my traps?"

Stella had shut her eyes at soon as he uttered his first syllable, it was Riddler himself. Edward Nigma, the man she had looked up all she could on and even used his question mark in green as her desktop cover. Now he was there, she paused for a moment and Tia whispered

"Say something, you might get him too leave"

"Shut up, he's talking to her" a thug yelled and Stella answered

"No, I can not out smart a trap... I completed a task"

Stella answered back still facing the ground, Riddler was now stood before her she knew as his shoes were in front of her. He used his cane to lift up her chin so he could see her, then he read the bottom of the trophy. A smile flickered across his face, for the first time Stella could make out what he really looked like. He was wearing his trade mark suit, brown hair not overly short. He was clean shaven, in her mind that meant he had escaped Arkham City somehow. His glasses were just below his eyes, that were focused on the trophy. He was slim, she could tell though that he was strong with it. She looked over his face, if only he wasn't a criminal, he would have been worthy of this bank and then a thought crossed her mind... he is almost handsome. Stella didn't dare look away, even with that rouge thought and Riddler said looking at Stella now

"You have already solved this, I can tell. Let's see if any of your co workers have too"

He pointed his cane at Tia, a thug hoisted her up and she let out a scream of surprise only to be slapped across the face by another thug. Riddler showed the poor girl the bottom of the trophy, he returned his cane under Stella's chin and Tony hissed

"Let her go"

"Oh I will, you can all walk free... if she guesses the riddle correctly" Riddler said back

Stella knew this was all nothing but an elaborate ruse, the vaults were being emptied as they played these silly games. Tia was sobbing now, she looked around to see if anyone could help her. Stella was furious in her mind, she was screaming the answer... then Tia looked to Stella and Riddler. She thought for a moment and answered

"Metal"

Stella could have face palmed if it wasn't for the fact she had that cane under her chin, Riddler grimaced and looked down to Stella. He nodded, as if to give her permission to answer and Stella said up

"Rain"

"Correct, you I'm afraid get to live while you..."

Riddler went to carry on, but a shower of bullets exploded through the door and killed half the workers and thugs alike. Riddler was stunned, this was not the work of the Batman and everyone knew it. Then gas canisters flew into the room, they exploded near the back and started to seep along... this time Stella knew she was in trouble as the people began to laugh. She looked around, Riddler was still there but a bullet had cut his forearm and she stood up and said seeing that the gas was coming closer

"You want to fight him or get out of here in once piece"

Riddler was paused, Stella had lifted up Tony and with him limping started towards the back wall. Riddler had no choice but to follow, his men were fighting Joker's goons and by the sound of it Joker had brought his happy hounds with him. Stella knew that Tony wouldn't last too long if they didn't get him help, so led the super villain and her friend out of the building through the vaults themselves. It was a touch and go time, as the hyena's could smell the blood and were giving chase. Tony had finally had enough, he pulled away from Stella and he said looking at her

"Look I can hold them back for at least three minutes, the Batman will be here soon... he can handle the rest"

They all heard distressed screams, gun fire and Hyena laughing getting closer. They knew Batman was on the level above, but the Hyenas would kill them first. Riddler had no time for sympathy and shouted seeing two halls

"Which way?"

"Tony, I can't..."

Even though she had tried to shut the vaults, the Riddler's goons had broken them beyond shutting again. Tony lifted his gun at Stella and said back

"I can take those flea ridden mongrel's with this... go and I'll see you on the otherside"

Stella nodded, then ran to the right and towards more hallways. It was only when she heard gun fire that she knew she had to speed up, then she also realizes the only one with her now was the man who broke in in the first place. Riddler kept up with ease, they were out into the car park when they came across a bunch of Joker's thugs. They were unarmed and like a pack of wolves circled in on the pair, Stella had had enough and slammed a crowbar into the door to stop anyone following. Riddler lifted his cane, Stella removed her jacket and said flexing her shoulders

"You boys are going down"

"You have no idea what you're..."

Riddler began, but Stella quickly high kicked a thug in the face and as one went to punch her she ducked his arm and elbowed him in the ribs. As the thug went down she used him to vault over and smashed the head of another thug through a car window. Riddler was walloping thugs with his cane, it did not take the pair long to take care of Joker's goons. Stella was good but she had been cut by one of the goons, also Riddler had a new cut across his chest. They rushed out of the car park, Riddler lifted his cane in a threatening way and said

"Take me somewhere to get patched up"

"Oh for the love of... I was going too anyway. Come on" Stella sighed back

Riddler was stunned for a moment, but followed after her toward her home. They walked into her apartment, it was a cosy little place and had plenty of green to make him feel at home. Riddler was not a fool, he knew that she would call the police the second he left her alone and he would be thrown back into Arkham City. The thought of that place was not disturbing to him as it was to so many others, Stella had not left the room he noticed but was looking over at Arkham city from her window. Riddler was still stood up, but now his blood was dripping on her floor and she said opening up a cupboard

"Sit down, I have a first aid kit in here. I'll patch you up and then you run off to wherever you want to go. I'll tell the police it was a hostage situation, I had to fix you up and then you told me to wait for an hour in the apartment or else I'll get shot"

"Wouldn't it be easier for me to shot you after you have helped me?" Riddler played back and Stella sighed and said back laying the first aid kit on the table

"Nope, there is no fun in it Mr. Nigma"

Riddler had to agree, he does like to make his victims prove their minds and he only really punishes the foolish. Stella turned around, she had bandages in her hand and wipes too. Riddler was hesitant at first, but sat down after a moment and snapped as she walked toward the kitchen

"What are you doing?"

"The wound needs cleaning, I have to patch myself up too you know" Stella replied and Riddler said back

"I've had worse than this, just use the wipes"

Stella twitched a little, she hated being told what to do and this was insufferable. She knelt before him and said looking at the shirt and jacket

"Right, take these off"

"No" Riddler said back grumpily and Stella said back

"Riddler I can't work with this all in the way, come on we don't have time" Stella argued back Riddler lifted up his cane at her and said back

"Why don't I just shot you and... what?"

Riddler could see that Stella was not impressed, she looked over his shoulder for a moment as if something or someone was there. Riddler turned his head, then she ripped open his shirt and ducked the cane swing that came swiftly after. He growled and she raised an eyebrow at him and said back

"Shall we"

Riddler put his chin on his palm in a grump, she wiped away the grit and dirt from his wound as best she could. The wipes were painful but he didn't flinch at it, but when she looked at the other side she spotted bruises. He had been in a fight recently, then she looked at his muscles and quickly back to the job at hand. Luckily the wound was not bleeding to bad now, she pressed a thick cloth to the wound and as if out of nowhere he clonked her on the head with his cane. She didn't see it coming and rubbed her head as he snapped

"Ouch"

"I didn't even touch you... such a baby" Stella said back rubbing her head and he grunted with amusement and asked

"Aww, did I catch you with that last shot?"

"Put that thing down and hold this to the wound" Stella instructed once some of the stars had faded

Riddler held the cloth onto the wound, Stella put her arms around him and straightened his back. Riddler was for a moment enjoying the attention, but he quickly dismissed it as his wound feeling better and the though of being able to roam free once this woman was dead. She started to wrap around the bandage, then finally taped him up and admired her job for a moment. He stood up, then went to get his gun but found it was missing. He looked at her, she had hold of it and said as he picked up his cane

"I know you'd like to shot me, try and put me in one of those traps for the Batman but it's not going to be today. Let's just stick to the original plan, take the gun and exit the room you will find the cartridge in the alley below. I will keep them talking long enough for you to get back to Arkham or wherever you want to go"

She threw the cartridge out of the window, with one look out the window Riddler smiled and said as he backed toward the door

"I truly hope we meet again Miss..."

"Shine... Stella Shine" Stella answered and he opened the door and replied

"Please next time we meet, call me Eddie. (he walks over to her and he hands her the Riddler trophy from her office, then clunks her hard on the head) I am sure we will meet again, my bright lady"

Riddler lifted up his gun, but did not have the heart to pull the trigger (even if the gun was empty) as she was already dizzy on the floor. He left the scene, collecting his bullets and then heading back toward Arkham city.

Stella was woozy for a while, but she felt wind rush over her as if the large balcony window had been opened. She felt a arm wrap under her chest and help her up, she was sat on the chair where Riddler had been sat before. She held her head, then a male voice asked her

"Are you injured?"

"I've got cuts on me, also an egg on the back of my head... double vision"

Stella replied and she shook her head a little, the feeling was not good. She looked up, if she had been a cat her fur would have flown up in shock at the man before her... The Batman. He looked her in the eyes, she placed her hand on his forearm and he looked down and she said taking it back

"Just making sure, I'd hate to be a ScareCrow victim to finish off the night"

"What happened at the bank, a witness said you and the Riddler got away with a security guard?" Batman asked and she said back

"I and Tony were his hostages, he didn't want to face Joker or his pets. Tony opted to stay behind and Riddler kept hold of me till I fixed him up. He clocked me on the head, then ran off"

"He left you? no Riddles... you're still alive. This does not fit his MO, he would have at least placed you in a trap of some sort" Batman said back and Stella replied laying back

"I'm lucky, or it was because I solved that trap of his"

Batman looked at the Riddler trophy, he picked it up and remembered the time he was handed it and it helped him catch Nigma time before last. He looked at Stella, she was still bleeding and everything she said matched. Still he thought, how did she survive? The Riddler might come back to this one or leave her be, either way he knew this wouldn't be the last time they would meet. Stella opened her eyes, she looked forward and the dark Knight was gone. Her trophy back on the table by her, she closed the window and started to patch herself up. Then it hit her, would she even have a job the next day?