Gotham

"Have you? Well, I'm glad we finally got this chance to talk," Bruce replied with an easy smile

I didn't even try to probe his mind, he has trained with several masters, and his mental fortitude is probably high enough that he can sense something is amiss. I'm not martian manhunter level.

A soft smile spread across my face as I nodded my head, "Likewise,"

"How is your injury, I saw it on the news. How terrible it must have been, did they catch the shooter?" Bruce said, his voice sounding concerned

"I did try to figure out but, I think some vigilante called the hood took care of him," I replied shaking my head in exasperation

"Vigilante?" Bruce asked with interest

I took a sip of my champagne and shook rolled my eyes, "yeah some guy with a hood, he carries a bow like he is some type of robin hood,"

Bruce nodded his head, "I recall hearing of him, didn't your brother get accused of being this vigilante?"

Scoffing I replied, "yeah he did, he was proven innocent the hood attacked whilst he and I were at the house. If you ask me I think Detective Lance just has it out for my family,"

Bruce chuckled, "I can feel your pain,"

Gotham police, corrupt as can be.

Shrugging my shoulders I conveyed my apathy toward the situation, "but what can you do? Sometimes life just doesn't roll the way you want it to,"

"But enough about my cities vigilante, I heard Gotham has a bat," I said in an amused tone

Bruce chuckled, "yeah, some guy dresses up as a bat. The criminals treat him like the boogie man,"

I sighed, "I leave civilization for a couple of years, and now people dress up and play hero,"

"The world is changing Mr. Queen," Bruce said with a thin smile

"That it is," I nodded my head in understanding a small sigh escaped my lips

"I heard about another one, Azreal is it?" Bruce asked seemingly amused

"Haha, yeah that guy is even more outlandish, he somehow drains the blood of his victims," I chuckled in response

"I heard, he seems dangerous," Bruce said taking another sip of his champagne

"Tell me about it, that guy just kills whoever. Someone needs to catch him," I replied with clear annoyance

"Ah, it seems that Lex is taking the stage, it was nice talking to you, I do hope we can meet again," Bruce said holding out his hand

I clasped it and replied with a faint smile, "of course, and please call me Lucas,"

"Then call me Bruce," He replied amicably

After Lex went up and performed his speech, I conversed with a couple more people. Some of which said they were looking into expanding into the entertainment business as well.

These type of events weren't anyone's favorites but the hosts but, the good thing about them is the networking and connections. In my past life, I was so timid and afraid to meet new people. I was relatively fine once I knew someone but before that, I could never find my voice.

Then the island happened, then I turned into a vampire. I got confidence, I grew to have some pride in who I was. And for that, I am thankful, so utterly thankful. I can look at people in the eyes whilst I talk about business, I am charismatic, and I feel free.

The island might have taken so much from me but, I gained something I can never lose.

Self-worth.

Dembe and I drove back to the airstrip, the charity event was over and I'm finally going to be able to make so serious moves in this world.

Not as Lucas Queen, but as Azreal.

And Azreal will get that book.

-break-

The flight wasn't terrible, I spent most of my time rearranging meetings and planning the actual act of getting the book.

I noticed the value, so others must have as well. I wasn't worried per se, but I know that in Dc anyone can be dangerous.

After the plane landed Dembe and I drove back to my house, I wanted to double and triple check the information I have, luckily I can be absent from Starling City for a couple of days. Thea is the only one who actually comes here and I told her I was staying in metropolis for a couple more days.

[the next day]

Dembe and I set off toward Gotham early in the morning, the drive was relatively quiet as he was driving and I was working out some business details. Finding actors to play in my movie was hard, some people fit the role looks wise but they couldn't act and others didn't fit at all but were great actors.

It was quite an annoyance.

After hours of driving, I looked up from my phone, I saw the ominous sign of Gotham,

'NOW ENTERING GOTHAM' it read the city part was riddled with graffiti and bullet holes. It was nice to see Gotham really lived up to its reputation.

As we drove through the streets I saw many homeless men, women, and children. It was almost saddening seeing their expressions of absolute sadness, you could tell who has been on the streets for a while by the soulless look they gave off like nothing even mattered anymore.

We pulled into a relatively nice-looking parking lot, I bought an apartment in Gotham under the name Anthony Davis of course I paid in cash. This would be one of my safe houses if I ever need one.

Dembe and I both got out, my face was covered as was his, I didn't want to be seen. I carried along with me a large case, it looked like one of those sniper cases. Dembe also carried a case, his was more like a larger briefcase. Both carried important components of my gear.

Walking inside the apartment, I began to open my cases, Dembe pulled out a laptop and some devices to keep what he will be doing secretive.

I began to get my gear on, looking into the distance I saw the moon at its zenith. Tonight was more of a casing night, I wanted to fly overhead to see if I can spot anything.

The book will be on display in two days meaning it will be placed inside the museum tomorrow night.

-Bruce Wayne pov -

I looked over the bat computer files I had on Lucas Queen, everything about him is a mystery, no one but his brother knows what happened on that island, and something about him unnerves me. Like he was a predator and everyone at the charity event was his prey.

He tried to hide it, and he did a phenomenal job of doing so but, I saw it in his eyes.

The absolute disdain of everyone in the room.

Everyone but Luthor and I, it was like he respected us just a little bit. Probably because Luthor and I are richer than him but, something in my gut tells me that's wrong.

"Alfred is this all we have on him?" I asked slightly annoyed

"Yes sir," Alfred replied in his ever-so-present professional tone

I will be keeping an eye on Lucas Queen.

-Lucas pov -

It was now the next night, the book was being moved into the Museum as of right now, "sir, I don't see anyone around you," Dembe said through the earpiece

"Keep a lookout," I replied

Dembe was on an adjacent building, his sniper rifle ready to fire.

I transformed into a bat and flew down above the museum, I began to descend rapidly as I saw the book being out inside a case. Shifting into my smoke form I phased through the glass, right as I approached the men putting the book in I felt an overwhelming sense of danger.

Quickly I jumped back *BOOM!* the area in front of me blew up

*crashhhh!* the glass shattered in every direction

"Sir, you have company," Dembe's voice rang in my ear

"You don't say," I replied in a hushed tone

"Who are you?" a voice said sounding distressed

"Competition obviously!" another voice sounded his voice was cheerful

And young?

I looked over to the second voice and froze.

Fuck.

Is that Klarion the witch boy?

Yes, that is.

"Damn mate! I just wanted a blimey book!" the third person spoke

Swiveling my head I caught sight of the speaker.

Ah, double fuck.

-end -

So, should I have Zatara or Zatanna? I'm in a toss-up.