Jackie walked back to his hotel room feeling as if he had won the affections of both Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. He was so caught up in his own thoughts and euphoria that he failed to notice the group of thugs that had gathered around him.
"Hey, you!" one of them shouted. "You look like you got money."
Jackie was taken aback. He had fun the previous night and had a good night out, he was annoyed that these guys was ruining it with their presence. He stood his ground, however, and prepared to take them on.
"I don't think that's very wise," he said in a low voice. "I won't be so easy to take down."
The thugs laughed at him.
"You think you can take us all on?" one of them taunted. "You think you're tough enough?"
Before he could answer, a voice came from out of the shadows.
"You don't have to fight them," it said.
Jackie turned and saw Batgirl standing behind the thugs, her cape flapping in the breeze.
"Leave him alone," she said firmly.
The thugs looked at her and then at each other before finally deciding to disperse.
Jackie was glad he didn't have to get his hands dirty and that it got resolved easily. But also embarrassed that he had to be aided by a woman in a Batsuit. He thanked her for her help.
"No problem," she said with a smile. "I'm just doing my duty."
Jackie smiled back at her. He wanted to say something clever, but all he could manage was a simple, "Thank you."
Batgirl nodded and flew away into the night. Jackie watched her go, feeling a sudden wave of admiration and respect for her he had a thing for capable women. He knew that if anyone else had been in his shoes, he wouldn't have had such a lucky escape.
He then turned and continued walking back to his hotel room, grateful for the newfound trust he had in the vigilantes that lived in this city.
Jackie arrived at the hotel lobby with a heavy heart. As he stepped through the automatic doors, he was met with an array of noises and smells. He noticed a newspaper stand and something caught his eye. He walked towards it and saw a headline that read "Bruce Wayne is Dead, Batman Nowhere To Be Seen". Jackie was taken aback by the news and grabbed a copy of the newspaper.
Jackie headed towards his room he opened the door and was greeted by the soft light of the sun peeking through his window. Jackie was exhausted and decided to take a quick nap before exploring the mysteries of Bruce Wayne and Batman.
Jackie placed the newspaper on the nightstand and fell asleep. He woke up a few hours later and decided to take a look at the paper. He picked it up and started reading about Bruce Wayne, his life, his death, and the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Batman. Jackie had never heard of either of them before but was captivated by the story. He read on, intrigued by the facts presented in the article.
The article suggested that Bruce Wayne had been killed in an accident that was later found to have been caused by a mysterious figure in a black mask. The article went on to say that Batman had disappeared shortly after the death of his billionaire benefactor. Jackie was surprised to learn that Bruce Wayne and Batman were two separate people and it left him with more questions than answers.
He read on, learning more about Bruce Wayne's life and trying to piece together the story of Batman. He read about Bruce Wayne's charitable works and his dedication to helping the people of Gotham. Jackie was amazed at how much good he seemed to do as well as be amazed of how little actually helped. "It seems like Gotham is just unhelpable even with all the work this guy did". Jackie said out loud to himself with a sigh.
The article also said that in the wake of Bruce Wayne's death, Batman had become a symbol of justice and protection for the people of Gotham. Although Batman had disappeared, his legacy still lived on and his memory was carried on by those who fought for justice in Gotham.
Jackie was amazed at the story he had just read and he couldn't help but wonder what had happened to Batman and if this Batman is related to that girl he met earlier. He was determined to find out more and he knew the only way to do that was to explore Gotham for himself. He finished the article and put the newspaper down on the nightstand. He was determined to uncover the mystery of Batman and Bruce Wayne.
He reached under his bed and pulled out the familiar pistol, its black metal cold and smooth against his skin. He held the gun up in his hand and admired the weight of it, feeling the power it held in his grasp, and his heart started to beat a little faster.
Jackie checked the chamber to make sure the gun was loaded and undisturbed. He smiled as he saw the full magazine of nine bullets ready to go. He had always been good with guns, skilled enough for the mafia who had hired him as a hitman. He had been in many battles before, and now he was ready to take on new challenges.
He carefully laid the pistol on the table in front of him and examined its condition. He checked the sights and trigger, looking for any imperfections or inconsistencies. He ran his finger along the barrel, feeling the cold steel against his skin.
He closed his eyes and tried to imagine a different kind of power coming alive in the gun. He thought of the darkness, The darkness that he embodied. He thought about the shadows, the demons, and the mysteries that it held. He could feel the energy around him begin to shift and swirl as he imagined his power taking form.
He opened his eyes and saw that the gun glowed a deep, dark Black with Skulls on it. He smiled, knowing that he had done it. He felt the power of the darkness radiating from the gun and he knew that his bullets would be imbued with it.
Jackie also took the knife from underneath the bed the one he got from the thugs he first met in the alleyway. He took it in his hand, feeling its weight and coldness against his palm.
He closed his eyes, and let his power of darkness flow through the blade. A chill ran up his spine as he felt the knife absorb his energy, turning it into something powerful. It seemed to pulse with the rhythm of his heart as it filled with an air of darkness. He opened his eyes and saw the knife had taken on a dull black sheen and also seems to have a jewel or eyeball in it.
Jackie had long been skilled with using knives. He worked in the mafia, and knew full well the power of such a weapon. He admired the knife's craftsmanship and knew it would serve him well.
He slid the blade into the pocket of his coat, and felt the power that the weapon seemed to possess
Jackie picked up the gun from the table and felt its power flow through him. He took a deep breath and held it for a moment, feeling the energy around him. He then turned and walked over to the window, taking a moment to look out at the stars. He could feel the darkness as it swirled around him and he knew he was ready.
He tucked the pistol into his belt and headed out the door. It was time to make his mark on the world.