Looking at his indifferent looking expression on his face, the urge to go up and give it a few punches was never so prevalent.
Barbara wanted to speak, but slight pants escaped from her lips instead of words.
This showed just how far she had to run to get here. How could someone not play by the books?
The classic way this works, a phone rings in a phone booth on the street. You, as the only person around, should pick it up.
It's fine if you ignore the first. But you still ignore several more?
The atmosphere was quite embarrassing. Especially when looking at his amused look that was a dead giveaway of his inner thoughts.
She was underestimated.
Barbara had never felt so scorned before. The only one who could look at her that way was Batman.
The costume's female put her utmost focus into maintaining her composure.
She had to look as strict, imposing, and intimidating as possible.
"You're the recently famous "Otherworlder".
"And the fact that you're still standing means you're not paralyzed yet". The reply to her sentence almost caused her mind to explode.
Barbara's mind went blank for a moment.
He couldn't be serious, right? Paralysis? Was he cursing her or making fun of her?
The night was dark and under Amari's gaze, Barbara's face hidden under the cowl grew darker.
The eyes under the cowl narrowed intensely as she clenched her fists with a gloomy expression.
"What are you doing here?" She uttered, her voice laced with suspicion, caution, and a hint of anger.
"Why do you want to know? Last time I checked, coming to Gotham didn't need to pass through a security checkpoint". Amari replied, tilting his head slightly to the side.
"And last time I checked, I'm not an illegal immigrant".
"This is my city". Barbara answered coldly. Clearly not thrilled by his unexpected presence..... or presence in general.
Batman's gruffness was almost imitated halfway, and the broody aura had already begun to take form.
"Shifu [Batman].... Taught you well". Amari thought to himself, seeing her trying and failing completely to emulate The Dark Knight.
"No it's not". Amari shook his head. "It's not yours, neither is it Batman's, nor Bruce Wayne's or the Bat family's. Point being, the reason I'm here, is none of your business".
Evidently, the redhead wasn't thrilled with his remark.
"Don't say his name". Batgirl snapped sharply.
"He protects this city. We all do. And now that he isn't here, it's my job. You made it my business when you strolled in here". Barbara said irritatedly.
"Hehehe". Amari chuckled. "Sure he does. As I can see, you've done a pretty good job protecting it".
Amari spread his hands in a signalling gesture indicating the situation of Gotham.
Barbara's face turned red from anger and embarrassment.
"This city is chaotic enough as it is. The last thing it needs is something like you running rampant".
Ok, at this point, Amari was a bit surprised.
That tone was no longer just vigilance, it was plain hostile.
But why? Frankly speaking, this was the first time they've met. His eyes narrowed and the amusement he felt disappeared.
All that was left was a cold gaze.
"You know who I am, right?"
"... Yes..." Barbara felt slightly uncomfortable.
"So you should know..... That your tone could get you killed, or worse" Barbara froze up.
The chill running through her like an electric current stopped the evasive reflex actions she was about to carry out.
The hand reaching for her weapons didn't dare to move a centimeter further.
The next moment, the cold wind blew against her face. Barbara was stunned to discover that the mask that concealed her identity had been directly taken off.
"....."
When?
Barbara touched her face and moved her gaze forward. He wasn't a distance away anymore, but was standing right in front of here.
The distance was close enough to gab her by the neck, slit her throat... All sort of scenarios passed through her mind, giving her goosebumps.
"Honestly, I have to ask. Is everyone in the Bat Family this impulsive?" Playing with the mask in his hand, Amari asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Or is it just the teenage hormones?"
To be honest, Barbara felt greatly unsettled at this moment. Despite that, she tried as much as possible to keep composure.
That angled face that was particularly close to hers, she didn't have the luxury to admire it.
"You stalked me through the cameras, put up a ridiculous phone booth act, confront someone who's many league's above your power level..... Why, Though? Is it stupidity? A momentary impulse? I could kill you right this second, have your body mutilated, or just make you disappear. No one would be the wiser".
The originally angry Barbara Gordon shivered subconsciously. He seemed to be talking casually, as if assuming but the possibility always existed.
Amari stretched out his hand holding the cowl.
"I mean, it's a perfect setting, wouldn't you agree. Like you said, Gotham's chaotic. If one little bat were to disappear, who would know that I did it".
"Well, even if someone knew, there would be no evidence to suggest such. So tell me. Quite frankly, what do you want".
Amari asked with undisguised curiosity.
".... I don't think you will.....". However, the reply he received was not what he was expecting.
"Oh?" Amari exclaimed.
"Please, do tell why you would think that".
Seeing his eyes light up with interest, Batgirl continued.
"I've read your files..... Justice League files and Batman's personal additions on you. From there, I drew a preliminary judgement on your character.....".
"The summary was rather clear. Basically, you won't provoke when unprovoked".
Barbara said softly.
Amari's lips curled up.
"That's a lot of trust put on nothing more than data".
"Ok, let's say you're right on that. Still doesn't explain why you're here".
"You won't kill anyone just for the sake of it, but you will return everything with equal measure. From what I can tell, you're a vengeful person".
"And your point is?"
"I watched what happened at the park earlier".
"You mean the explosion".
"...". Batgirl nodded solemnly.
Amari looked at the redhead with narrowed eyes for several seconds before chuckling.
Then, the chuckle turned to plain laughter.
He couldn't help it. It was just so funny.
How could he not understand what she was saying? Or rather, asking for.
"You want me to not kill the Joker?" Amari asked with a smile on his face.
Barbara looked at the man in front of her that was smiling, yet not smiling at the same time.
"I hope you can stay out of Gotham's affairs". Barbara uttered with all the courage she could muster.
Amari didn't respond, but just looked at her blankly with the expression of looking at an idiot.
The stare lasted for dozens of seconds, moving on to a full good minute.
"So you risked the possibility of me killing you to say this?" He asked with a bit of disbelief, to which the redhead nodded.
"Then sorry but no". Amari shook his head in refusal.
"Since you can evaluate my character, then you should know I don't skimp on payback. That clown was down to his last act the moment he blew up that park with me in it".
He said indifferently.
"The Joker will be brought to Justice.....".
Barbara frowned, seeing that things were going the way she expected.
"Put in Jail for who knows how long before he performs another breakout. No, thank you. And who's going to bring him in? You?"
Amari asked indifferently. Batgirl's face grew dark.
There it was. She was being underestimated, yet again.
Barbara was annoyed.
"You can't kill the Joker". She shook her head, portraying a rather strong stance. "This is my city. I'll be the one to hunt him down".
"And what gives you the courage to think you can?"
Amari found it funny. Batgirl, wanted to hunt down the Joker and put him in jail.
Tsk Tsk..... What's that saying? Newborn calves aren't afraid of tigers.
She had a better chance of arresting Lex Luthor for tax fraud.
"Because I'm Batman's partner".
Amari squinted his eyes slightly.
"Do I look like I care who you are?"
"..."
Barbara opened her mouth, but no words could come out.
Seeing the speechless expression on her face, he frowned inwardly. Why?
Everything that had happened still didn't make any sense to him.
Barbara Gordon appeared for a confrontation, just to tell him not to kill the Joker? It was a bit far-fetched to believe.
It wasn't just an impulsive and reckless action, it also made no sense.
Even if she didn't want him to kill the Joker, there was no reason to risk her life to tell him so.
Someone who studied under Batman wouldn't make such a stupid move.
Then why?
Had Batman's No Kill Rule been so deeply embedded that the thought of the Joker's death made her uncomfortable and rash?
No, that wasn't it.
She didn't want him to kill the Joker, not because she wanted him to live, but because she wanted to be the one to arrest him.
She wanted to be the one to stop the Joker's plan while Batman wasn't available.
Quite frankly, she wanted to prove a point. Prove that she could capture a villain as big as the Joker on her own, without the help of Batman.
Prove that she was not just Batman's partner, but also his equal. Prove that she was worthy of fighting beside him.....
Just Like Bruce, she didn't want anyone to interfere in Gotham City, but for slightly more different reasons.
"This...." Completing his deduction, Amari felt slightly weird.
Barbara, on the other hand, was quite distressed. Although she knew this might be the result, the fact that it was happening left her with no good ideas.
When she watched the scene through the camera, she had an ominous premonition of what would happen.
Unable to sit still, she decided to come and test Amari's attitude.
Sure enough, the Joker now had a death warrant on his head. From someone as strong as Superman, no less.
For a moment, she considered informing the league on the issue. This action could possibly stop Amari from killing the green-haired clown, but it also left her slightly unconvinced.
If the League had to step in and solve the issue, how could she prove herself?
All she needed was some more time.
"You're in Love with Batman, aren't you?" It happened then.
Amidst her deliberation, a simple sentence caught her off guard.
"What!... I....." Barbara exclaimed in shock before she found herself unable to form a coherent sentence. Stuttering constantly.
Seeing this scene, Amari was certain of his thoughts. His eyebrows narrowed to form a rather cold gaze.
All this was simply so she could get Batman's attention.
"Why... you…. can't be serious…".
"One hour". Amari interrupted her plainly.
"What?" Barbara was stunned.
What was going on?
"You want to prove yourself so badly? Fine. You have one hour".
Amari tossed the cowl in his hand towards her and walked forwards.
"If you can find the Joker and arrest him yourself within that time frame, I'll let him live. If not...". He didn't continue, but Batgirl picked up what he was putting down.
Barbara stood there for a moment in silence before nodding to show she understood.
BOOM!
At that moment, there was an explosion several blocks away. Batgirl turned around, looking into the distance.
One hour had passed. The Joker kept to his promise.
"You should hurry, your time starts now". The bland words fell into her ears.
Barbara turned around only to find that Amari was gone.
...
Standing on top of a nearby building with his hands by his sides, Amari watched Barbara Gordon look around in confusion before taking out her grappling hook and firing towards a building.
Her body was pulled up, disappearing from the alley.
"Will you seriously let the Joker live if she can arrest him in time?" Alice's doubtful voice fell into his ears.
"Sure, why not? I always keep my word". Amari answered nonchalantly.
Of course, that was "if" she could complete her mission.
"That's The Joker. She's walking into a deathtrap".
Alice's voice sounded again.
A small smirk crept its way up to his lips.
"That's what I'm counting on".
...
Been preparing for exams for the past six days. Been tormented by it since the beginning of the year. Thank God, it's finally over. I'm feeling good.
Enjoy the chapter. Sorry it's late.