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Ronin: Ghostlight, Part 3

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Ronin: Ghostlight

By Daniel Kalban and Rhys Horton

Ronin/Joseph Kane and Sam Kane belongs to Daniel Kalban

Ghostlight created by Daniel Kalban and Rhys Horton

Batman and related characters belong to DC Comics


PART III

We resume from where we left off. Ronin, shirtless, is bound against a steel pillar in Ghostlight's hideout.

Ronin: *narrating* When did I become Nightwing? Shirtless, bound up...that's HIS thing. But this is what I get for storming the castle, or in this case, consulate, without backup. Now he has the perv Consular General in his clutches. And that's the freaking appetizer. Whoever hired Ghostlight will have me as the entrée.

He tries to stay calm and focused, looking at the chains and the pillar, wondering if he focusses maybe he can tap into his meta-humanity

Ronin: *narrating* Okay, focus. Remember what Bruce said about focusing on control. Chains look rusty. A nice surge of super strength should shatter them. ....Easier said than done.

Ronin begins attempting to break the bonds. The chains give no sign of giving but he keeps at it, almost despairing but then he hears a small snap, like one of the links has given way but not enough to break. He then smiles smally and calms himself as he hears the sound of Ghostlight returning. Ronin's eyes narrow as Ghostlight drags the Kravian Consulate General across the floor, whistling a merry tune. What made it worse was Ronin knew what the tune was, it was “sing for your supper”.

Ronin: Rodgers and Hart fan?

Ghostlight: It pleases me to no end that you know that

Ronin: Oh?

Ghostlight finishes his whistling and dumps the Consulate general into the middle of the floor.

Consulate General: oof!

Ghostlight: Now stay there, someone's dying to meet you. That's not true, it's likely you'll be doing the dying

Ronin: is the bad jokes part of the assassin service or is it extra

 

Ghostlight: funny, I often wondered the same about you vigilantes

Ronin: Nightwing's quips might stink, but mine's top notch vaudeville

Ghostlight: Quick with a riposte, very nice.

Ronin raises an eyebrow, feeling a little unsettled by how they seemed to be having what approximated a polite conversation. GL's computer then switches on and he gets a call, his face shifts back to the blank professionalism as he answers the call

Ghostlight: Pity, and things were getting interesting.

Red Claw: *on screen* Report.

The client's face is obscured and the voice is digitally covered but s/he can see GL

Ghostlight: I've decided to offer a personal guarantee, so you can see your prey die in front of you. Assurance your money was well invested

Red Claw: *on screen* And paid in advance. I expect a show.

Ghostlight: so do we want quick and easy or do I need to get the A-Z on torture?

Red Claw: *on screen* You know how I like to see my prey suffer.

Ghostlight: even if it's vicariously it would seem, oh well when you pay you say

The Consulate General whimpers as Ghostlight approaches. Ghostlight kicks him down, to the floor so he's on his back

Ghostlight: So...slow and painful it is. We can start by teasing out his small intestines....

Ghostlight takes out a knife and stabs into the CG's gut. The CG screams and writhes in pain

CG: AHHH!

Ronin shakes more violently and this catches the eye of the unseen client

Red Claw: *on screen* Who is that in the background?

GL is almost lost in his work then he snaps to attention

GL: what??

Red Claw: *on screen* I can hear the clanging and see a bit of movement on the screen. You have another guest

Ghostlight: Oh yes *he positions the camera to show Ronin* one of Gotham's finest, tried to interfere with my work

Red Claw: *on screen* ...Why is his shirt off?

Ronin: Sister, I want the answer to that question as much as you do.

Ghostlight: as if it's obvious his shirt is off so he can't conceal any weapons and also I have easier access to his kill spots

Red Claw: *on screen* And WHY are you letting him live? I told you, I don't want the Batman involved.

Ghostlight: That is correct, however this one got close...very close, and that's not something you just rush

Red Claw: *On screen* he has to die

Ghostlight: ...*almost dejected* really?

Ronin: *narrating* Wow, he actually sounds crestfallen. ...What am I saying! Powers, better trigger pronto!

Ghostlight: well I'll deal with our paid target first before going to the extra if you don't mind

Red Claw: *on screen* Very well.

Ronin keeps straining at the chains. His arms tense with the strain. Ghostlight sighs and proceeds to slice open the CG's belly.

CG: GRK!

He then slices the CG's throat

[11/4/2015 1:59:36 PM] Rhys   Horton: Ghostlight then lets the blood splatter, some even hits the camera

Ghostlight: There. One less slaver in this world

He turns to face Ronin. Ronin looks at the dead consulate, feeling coldly angry

Ronin: So, who is the bigger monster? You or him?

Ghostlight: given I've only killed scum and stayed away from kids and nuns...admittedly...you will be the first good guy I kill...and I'll be honest, I'm going to miss you

Ronin: *exasperated* MISS ME?!

Ghostlight: misplaced idealism and antiquated morality aside...you make for such charming company

Ronin: Well, you've been a rotten host.

He strains again

Ghostlight:...true, if I had known I'd have to kill you I'd at least have got a meal prepared

Ronin's meta humanity reacts. With one large strain, the chains snap. Ronin falls to the ground and lands on his feet.

Ronin: *narrating* Rush of power? Check. Super strength? Check. Control of powers? Eh, we'll work on that.

Ghostlight instinctively lowers his helmet and takes stance. Ronin gets into stance as well. They circle each other.

Ghostlight: good, it would be in poor taste to down you without a fight

Ronin snarls and launches a power punch, GL dodges and elbows him in the jaw. This would normally stun a regular foe but with his meta powers on Ronin was able to react fast and side sweep his opponent.Ronin proceeds with two gut punches and an upper cut. He staggers Ghostlight back. Ghostlight gets his gauntlets on and begins to get back into the field. Ronin blocks one punch, only to be hit hard in the gut.Ghostlight then draws out his hidden blades, going to land some killer strokes. Ronin tries to dodge, but gets cut on his torso. He raises his arm to defend himself, only to get sliced.

Ronin: *narrating* Damn it! I'm letting the powers get to my head. Without my armor, I'm vulnerable.

Ghostlight makes another move but this time Ronin grabs his gauntlets. The blades still cut his hands but he uses the pain to urge him to rip them off. Ronin jabs Ghostlight right in the faceplate of his helmet, his fists bleeding from the cuts.

Ghostlight:...you got something special about you

Ronin: Yeah you can say that.

 

Ronin spin kicks Ghostlight. Ghostlight dodges and tries to lay down a beating, he's hitting in all the vulnerable places which is winding Ronin but not stopping him. Ronin does an open palm strike, knocking Ghostlight back. He grabs his former chains and starts using them like a whip. Ghostlight then disappears, he's turned invisible. Ronin pauses and looks around. He's suddenly struck from behind.

Ronin: AHH!

He turns and can't see anything

Ghostlight: all that power is pretty useless when you can't see

Ronin tries to calm himself down

Ronin: *narrating* Flailing around won't do me any good. I need to figure out a way to detect him.

He tries to hear GL out, but his senses are a little dulled from his wounds and then his head starts ringing when he is kicked in the back of the head. He struggles to stand up. He spits a bloody wad.

Ronin: I need to clear my head....

Ronin leaps, landing behind several boxes

Ghostlight: I'll find you.....

Ronin: *narrating* Okay think, think....Wait, he left my mask on...oh, you fool.

Ronin flips through various options

Ronin: *narrating* Infrared won't work, he's heat shielded. So, let's go with motion sensing....

He looks out and although he doesn't have a complete image, he can see a sort of vibrational outline of a human shape (imagine how Russell captures Vampires on camera).

Ronin: Bingo.

He wraps the chain around his arm.

He circles around, keeping an eye on Ghostlight

GL: Come out, I won't bite.

Ronin: *off panel* Bite this.

Ronin whips the chain around Ghostlight's throat

Ghostlight: what the?!

Ronin pulls Ghostlight toward him and then kicks him into a wall

Ghostlight's armour sparks and he returns to being visible

Ghostlight:...okay, enough

Ghost cracks his knuckles,  and Ronin does the same. Ghostlight charges and socks Ronin right in the jaw before kneeing him in the chest. Using the stun to his advantage he finds his broken wrist blades and rolls to the floor to pick them up and tries to go for Ronin's throat. Ronin blocks and grabs his hands as he tries to plunge the blades into his neck...and he slowly grips his wrists harder until he snaps the left one.

Ghostlight: AHHH!

Ghostlight drops one blade and gets headbutted back. Now with just one arm, he is on the defensive as he tries to evade Ronin's blows. He then kicks Ronin's chest before stabbing the other blade into his leg and tries to charge him and knock him to the floor. Ronin's wounds then begin to heal at a quicker rate and he loses what composure he once had and punches Ghostlight head on while he charges and launches him into the air before he lands on the floor. Ronin then rushes him and kicks him in the ribs, hard. Ghostlight splutters blood but Ronin doesn't stop, he keeps kicking even after he's heard an audiable crack. Ronin stares down with a vicious look on his face. And then he becomes puzzled as Ghostlight laughs

Ghostlight: *splutters* I'm almost disappointed...which is weird now that I think about it...all that idealism and pro-system and it all goes to hell...which is where you intend send me...

He smiles a little wider

Ghostlight: still...it's been nice to feel something...

Ronin pauses.

Ronin: Are you....*ACTUALLY HITTING ON ME?!*

Ghostlight:...*genuinely surprised* are you only getting this now?

Ronin: I hate to disappoint you...but I don't swing that way

Ghostlight chuckles and splutters once more

Ghostlight: funny...I thought you liked musical theatre too

Ronin: Straight people like musical theatre too, you know.

The sound of police sirens then go off

Ghostlight: urgh...couldn't have been ten minutes slower...this is the part where you leave right, and I being unable to escape get arrested?

Ronin: I'd call that justice...assassin

Ghostlight: yeah well...maybe next time I'll let you see me with my shirt off

Ronin suddenly feels a little more self-conscious. He immediately looks around to see if he can find his gear. Fortunately it's all on one chair, he bundles it all together and finds his grappling hook. He goes up to a beam  And he watches the police take the beaten assassin into a police medical transport. He's in the process of putting his chest armour on

Batman: *off panel* I see you handled the problem

By this point he is almost used to his disappearing and reappearing act

He turns to face his boss

Ronin: He was...trickier than I expected

Batman: I suppose when you go by a name like ghostlight you wouldn't be easy pickings

Robin: consider me actually impressed, you took down a fully fledged assassin

Ronin: Thanks

Robin: don't worry, I won't tell Grayson about your shirtless experience

Ronin goes white as a sheet

Ronin: ...how long have you been watching?

Batman: you grappled out without your shirt, not a huge leap

Ronin: oh yeah...also you could have warned me, Robin!

Robin: about what?

Ronin: ghostlight being...he was coming onto me!

Batman and Robin look blank at that

Ronin: What?

Robin: I'll be honest, I didn't know that

Ronin: what your assassin database didn't account for his sexuality?

Robin: I don't think they particularly cared, it made no difference

Ronin looks a little dumbstruck

Ronin:...wow who knew the league of assassins could be so forward thinking

Robin: Well we aren't the Order of St Dumas after all.

Ronin straightens himself

Ronin: I don't know about you two, but I've had a VERY long night. If you have the car nearby, I'd like to head back to base.

Batman: Before we do, do you have any idea who he was working for?

Ronin: Funny enough, he was in contact with his employer. Didn't see her face, but heard her voice. But it was so distorted, all I know she was female

Batman: doesn't narrow it by much, but we'll find out.

Ronin: Can that wait until tomorrow.

Robin: It IS tomorrow

Batman: yes, come on time to go home

Ronin staggers out into the dawning light, followed by the Dynamic Duo

We cut to a submarine, cutting through dark waters.

CAP: Somewhere under the Persian Gulf

Inside, a figure in shadow watches a Channel 52 broadcast

Newsanchor: *on screen* The assassin, known only as Ghostlight, was successful in killing his target, the Consulate General of Kravnia to Gotham City. However he was apprehended by the Gotham PD under mysterious circumstances. Commissioner Jim Gordon has not confirmed that one of Gotham's famed vigilantes is responsible for Ghostlight's capture.

The figure turns off the television

Red Claw: *face in shadow* I told that fool to kill that masked interloper before it was too late. But it is no matter, we are successful....

She slides into the reddish light. She is a strongly built woman, with long black hair with a white streak. Of notice is the Red Claw tattoo on her shoulder.

Red Claw: With Kravnia in chaos as their government loses a major source of revenue, my men can go in and cause a bit more....

She smiles darkly

Red Claw: everything is going according to plan

The End

Part 1: Ronin: Ghostlight, Part 1
Part 2:Ronin: Ghostlight, Part 2

Ronin is in the clutches of Ghostlight! How will he escape this devious Assassin

Ronin/Joseph Kane and Sam Kane belongs to me

Ghostlight created by me and Rouge-Fox 

Batman and related characters belong to DC Comics

© 2015 - 2024 Dkalban
Comments6
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13BatScorpion95's avatar
Oh, gosh! I did NOT expect Ghostlight to have the hots for Ronin. An admiration towards him, yes, but not a crush! XD