Batman: Building a Legend #5

[Spider-Man Beyond]

Batman: Building a Legend #5
Canary’s Song

Written and Edited by Daniel Dyer (Spider-Man Beyond)

A lone figures stood, perched on a rooftop ledge. The figure was very noticeably female. She wore a black leather one piece with leather knee-high boots and fishnet stockings. She also had on a blonde wig to help conceal her true identity, with a black eyemask over her eyes as another means of protecting who she really was.

There’s a murderer in Star City. My city. My name’s Dinah Lance. I’m Black Canary. Yeah, that’s right, the Black Canary. The same one from the 40's. Pretty good figure for a gal pushing 90, huh? How I’m still active is a long story. A story I’d rather not go into at the moment. Needless to say, I still got what it takes.

Recently there has been a string of serial killings. The thing is, the victims have nothing in common. Even the method of death isn’t consisted. The cops think the deaths are unconnected. My gut tells me different. I’ve learned to trust my gut.

“HEEELP!” was heard from below.

Canary looked down to the street below. A young couple were being harassed by a man with a gun. The couple stood in front of their young boy.

Dinah was about to attack, when, seemingly from nowhere, a man wearing a cloak, his hood pulled up, with a green eyemask over his eyes, attacked the gunman.

The mystery man seemed just past 20, and did have some skill. It was rough, but it got the drop done.

Having knocked the mugger unconscious, the hooded man said, “Go. You’re safe now.”

The young boy could barely make out a smile beneath the man’s hood as his parents hurried on their way.

“Who are you?” questioned the Canary as she dropped, soundlessly, to the sidewalk.

“Black Canary?” he said, turning around.

“That’s my name, stud.”

“I have a proposition for you.”

Black Canary just stares in astonishment. How come men always think I’m a prostitute? “Look, I’m not...”

“I need training.”

“Oh... in that case... still no.”

She turned to leave but the hooded man stopped her. “Did you see what I stopped here? Years ago... a similar scene played out, only no one was around to stop it. I want... need... to ensure it can’t happen to another... to anyone else.”

Is he... crying? “Your parents...”

“Dead,” he said flatly.

“This is a very dangerous reason business. There’s a murderer in town and...”

“That’s part of the other reason I’m here.”

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

The mystery man turns out to be billionaire Bruce Wayne, Dinah thought as she led Bruce into a gym that she used as a base of operations. His parents were killed the same year I... returned. Upon finding myself in a new era, I needed to learn as much about current events as possible. The Waynes were in a place called Crime Alley and killed, leaving only their 8 year old little boy. What he must have went through. It looks like the pain hasn’t faded yet.

Bruce says a man going by the name of Drakon is the one responsible for the recent murders. He says this Drakon has been following him and attacked two of his acquaintances. After Drakon’s last attack, Bruce set up an investigation into Drakon. It didn’t turn up much. Just something about the League of Assassins. I haven’t heard of them, but now he’s going on his instincts and thinks I’m the next target. That these killings are all about drawing me out.

“He won’t go down easy,” Bruce spoke up.

“They never do. Why would he be after me? I never even met you before tonight.”

“Because,” started Bruce, “you were on the list.”

“List?”

“Yes,” Bruce answered. “I created a list of people who had skills, skills I wanted to learn.”

Dinah could see that he blamed himself. “It isn’t your fault.”

“I was careless! Your life is in danger because of me!”

“Hun, my life’s in danger every night.”

“Not like this,” Bruce said coldly.

***

[Spider-Man Beyond]

I agreed to teach Bruce what I knew. He’s showed real progress in only a few weeks. Something about him... He had such determination. But no more playing hero for him while in Star City. He decided to sleep at the gym. Why would a billionaire choose to stay in a run down hold gym is beyond me.

There has been another murder. That’s where I’m off to tonight. The cops have left the scene for the night. They did their search, now it’s my turn.

The scene smells of blood and sweat. I know it’s not Drakon’s sweat. From what Bruce said, Drakon’s too good for that. It was the victim’s. A young woman, gutted. What kind of a man would do such a thing just to lure me out.

Then, with no warning, a spear was thrown, slicing into Dinah’s shoulder.

“AHHH!”

Drakon then came into view. “The famous Black Canary.” He stepped up to the Bird and rips his spear back out.”

“UGH!” she screamed again. Canary watched as Drakon licked her blood from the spear. “You sick son of...!” she screamed while charging at Drakon, her arm limp at her side.

Drakon stepped to the side, and grabbed her sore arm, flinging her into a wall.

“Your fate has already been decided, Bird.”

“By who?”

“Me,” he stated as he pulled out a blade.

Dinah watched Drakon approach. She started getting to her feet and into a fighting stance.

Drakon scoughed at that. “HA! Look at you. You have no chance.”

“Well,” Dinah grinned as she continued, “there is one.” Dinah’s mouth then opened and what came out what an earsplitting cry. It was her Canary Cry.

Drakon’s hands clasped to his ears as he fell to his knees.

That won’t keep him long, Dinah thought while running down the stairs of the building.

Suddenly a bola was thrown, wrapping around the Canary’s ankles, causing Dinah to tumble, hitting her head as she fell to the bottom of the stairs.

Drakon’s grin widened as he approached the unconscious Bird.

Continued...