Crimson liquid trickled, tarnishing the fur. Nathaniel felt a mix of bewilderment and satisfaction; his body had acted as if on autopilot, yet he finally grasped the reason. This man was the one who had assisted in his premature demise, and now he lay lifeless, unaware of the true identity of his killer.
Before Nathaniel could fully find enjoyment in the kill, a sharp pain erupted from his back, a searing sensation that rocketed him toward the ground. The force of the impact tore through his fur, leaving patches of charred hair behind and exposing the raw, swollen skin underneath.
Suddenly, a dark silhouette blotted out the moonlight, casting an ominous shadow over the scene. The figure, known to all of Gotham, descended from the heavens like an Angel of Justice, its presence both foreboding and awe-inspiring.
The air crackled with tension as Nathaniel struggled to comprehend this unexpected turn of events, his instincts screaming at him to flee or fight.
Three bat-shaped projectiles hurtled toward Nathaniel, slicing into his skin as he cried out in agony, his body swayed slightly while he glared at the figure with unrestrained bloodlust.
Hastening ahead, Nathaniel swung downward, but the figure responded with terrifying swiftness.
A vicious kick struck Nathaniel's midsection, the force of it driving the breath from his lungs and doubling him over momentarily. Before he could fully comprehend the situation, a punch landed hard against his abdomen, sending a jolt of pain radiating through his body.
Just when he thought he might regain his footing, a bat-shaped projectile pierced his torso, exploding on impact with a deafening crack. Blood seeped from the wound, warm and sticky, yet he still managed to stand tall, defiance burning in his eyes as he bared his teeth at the dark figure before him. Thoughts of vengeance coursed through his mind, fueling his rage; with a fierce determination, Nathaniel rushed forward once more, swinging wildly and uncontrollably, desperate to land a blow.
The silhouette's arms ignited with electricity before crashing against the creature's neck, sparks erupted as Nathaniel's scream pierced the night."AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
His flesh sizzled and popped, the sound a grotesque melody of agony, and with that, his body fell limply to the floor, a broken marionette whose strings had been severed.
"Another mindless monster," the figure murmured, its voice dripping with disdain, "it seems I'll need to contact the League." the words reached Nathaniel's ears, sending a shiver down his spine.
Nathaniel's form started to transform anew, his fur giving way to a dense, scaly skin, his head shrinking while his body expanded more than ever, accompanied by a larger tail adorned with scales.
The figure clearly recoiled in surprise, its eyes widening as it hastily retreated at the sudden and dramatic sight of the transformation unfolding before it.
"A metahuman? No, that seems improbable," the figure remarked, its voice laced with incredulity and a hint of fear, as it struggled to comprehend the sheer magnitude of what it was witnessing.
Nathaniel, however, disregarded the figure's astonishment and surged ahead with a velocity that far exceeded his former self, each powerful stride propelling him forward with an intensity that felt almost otherworldly. In a swift, fluid motion, he struck the shadowy figure with a fist that now carried the weight of his transformation, sending it hurtling through the air and over the rooftop of a nearby building, its silhouette a mere blur against the night sky.
Seizing the fleeting moment of advantage, Nathaniel's body contorted back into that of a dog, the familiar form granting him a renewed sense of agility. With a burst of speed, he dashed off into the shadows, the cool night air brushing against his fur as he melted into the darkness, leaving the stunned figure behind.
The figure twisted, in midair and landed against a garbage container nearby, a sickening crack was heard upon impact.
"Well, you told me to stay out of this one. I thought you meant you wanted the fun to yourself but damn that thing messed you up."
A young boy dropped from the heavens and elegantly touched down in front of the figure, his face obscured by a black mask with white eye patches. A cape flowed behind him, black on the outside but lined with yellow within. He donned a red leather vest emblazoned with a prominent R on the left side, paired with black trousers and sturdy black boots.
"Robin," the darkened figure said, his voice low and gravelly.
A small smirk crossed Robin's face, an expression of obvious amusement at his partner's current predicament.
"So, what did you figure out about the big bad wolf? Or should I call him a lizard now?" Robin quipped, his tone teasing yet filled with concern.
No emotion registered on the dark figure's lower face, but a huff escaped him before he stood tall and resolute.
"We need to get back to the cave. This might be an issue not even we can handle," he stated, his voice steady, betraying a hint of urgency.
The boy nodded in understanding, his playful demeanor shifting as he grasped the seriousness of the situation. Just then, a large battle-armored car roared into view, its imposing presence cutting through the darkness, and in an instant, they disappeared into the night, leaving behind a street plastered with blood and the sounds of sirens.