[size=1](MechMarc was already promised a spot in this thread, but I will accept one other if asked)[/size]

North Town, at night, was no less bustling and busy than in the day.  The airlanes were still dominated by the various kinds of hovercraft that carried the citizens of the more upper-class part of Haven to and from their destinations.  There were other similarities, too.  Like the oppression of the lower and middle classes, and the constant crime, despite the boasts that it was the “cleanest” part of Haven.

Above even the highest traffic lanes, high enough to be the same height as some of the smaller skyscrapers, a dark figure flew.  It was man-shaped, so it was no craft, but it also bore wings, like a bird.

Or a bat.

The figure’s shadow flew across skyscrapers, giving it the appearance of being both near and far, as it grew larger and smaller.  Hovering next to one of the tall buildings, hunched so close to it that it was practically touching the wall, was a two-man hovercraft; upon which sat two members of the Krimzon Guard, on a nightly patrol.  Most of their job was really about finding those who spoke against the Baron’s rule, and putting them out of commission.  It was rare that any actual crime was stopped by the KG, despite the constant reassurances by the oppressive government that the crime rate was at a constant fall.

However, as if in a show of complete defiance of this tyrannical rule, the shadowy figure flew right past the patrol.  The one in front fell back in surprise.  The figure had been going so fast, it was hard to make out any distinct features other than the man-like shape and the wings.  He elbowed his partner, who had been snoozing.

“Did you see that?!”
_______________________________________

“Help!  Someone, please help me!”

“Quiet!”  A loud thump, the sound of a body hitting a wall.  “We’ve heard you’ve been spotted going into meetings.  Meetings of conspirators against the Baron.”

“No!  I didn’t do anything wrong, I swear!”

“That sound like a lie to you?”  One of the men clad in red armor looked to his compatriot, who nodded.  “Me too.  Looks like we’ll have to get you to confess.  The [i]hard [/i]way.”

More terrified screams.  “Please, stop!  Don’t hurt me!”

[i]Whump![/i]

The two members of the Krimzon Guard turned to the sound, which had come from the direction of their third partner.  Instead, they saw their compatriot on the ground, unconscious.  There was a figure clad in black standing on top of him, evidently having jumped on him from quite a height.  However, with how dark it was in the alley, it was hard to make out anything.  The most they could tell about their attacker was the red symbol on his chest.

A bat, wings spread.

The mysterious figure waved to the guards, almost amicably.

“Hi, I’m new around here, and I’m a little lost.  Could you show me around?”

Instead of answering, the remaining two conscious guards reached for their weapons, took aim at the man, and fired.

However, the man moved with incredible speed, diving behind a nearby dumpster, which took the laser blasts.  The temporary cover wouldn’t last long, though.  The lasers were eating through it like a wet napkin.  He would need to act quickly.  Luckily, whoever the KG had been attacking was smart enough to flee.  That gave him a lot more room to work.  A small, bladed weapon appeared in his hand, a red light blinking in its center.  Aiming carefully, he threw it out from behind the dumpster, its flight path curving towards the guards.  However, it hit neither of them, and instead imbedded itself into the wall.  The light on the weapon blinked more rapidly, and was now accompanied by a beeping sound.  Soon, it exploded, taking a good portion of the wall with it.

The mysterious attacker was safe behind the dumpster, but the two guards were left exposed to the explosion.  Their armor protected them from the brunt of it, but they were still bowled over and out of the alley by the force of it.

The quickly got up, and looked at each other.  Was it a smart idea to take this person on, when he so obviously had advanced weaponry?  Not even the rebels they had faced had this kind of tech, and explosive that was powerful enough to blow open a wall, yet small enough to be thrown.  No, they decided it was not a smart idea, and ran off to find backup.

Multiple times they looked behind them for any sign of the figure.  There was none.  Their flight led them to a ladder, which they quickly climbed to the top of a building.  There was still no sign of their mysterious assailant.  They had most assuredly lost him by now, in the maze of side streets and back alleys.

They ran across the rooftop, knowing the base wasn’t far.  Suddenly, out of nowhere, the figure appeared from the sky, and landed to stand right in front of them.  How had he been able to follow them?!  Could he fly?!  Regardless, both of the guards retrieved their weapons, pointing them at their attacker-

Only for their laser weapons to be knocked out of their hands by another thrown weapon, thankfully without an explosion this time.  Their attacker leapt at one, tackling him to the ground and banging his helmeted head own on the rooftop.  [i]Hard[/i].  The Krimzon Guard lay unconscious, and the figure flipped off, landing in a crouch to face the second guard.  The guard rushed his attacker, throwing punch after punch, all of which were easily dodged.  After his last swing, the guard was too late to realize he had thrown himself forward too much, leaving the perfect opportunity for his attacker to counter with an incredibly strong punch, strong enough to knock the remaining guard across the roof, head ringing from the punch.

“W… what [i]are [/i]you?!”  The guard asked, crawling away in fear.  Oddly enough, he noticed, as his attacker approached, he seemed to be whispering to himself.

“Can I say it?  You know I’ve always wanted to say it.”

Unheard by the guard, the reply his attacker got was short and stern.  [i]“No.”[/i]

“Oh, [i]come on[/i].  He’s giving me the perfect set-up.”

Suddenly, before his attacker could give the final blow, a spotlight lighted up the man, showing him to be wearing a mask with pointed ‘ears’, a bodysuit with the same red symbol of the bat, and belt with disc-shaped buckle with a red button in the center.

Many Krimzon Guards had landed on the rooftop, several more were above on hovercraft, one of which carried the spotlight.

“I’m saying it.”  The man whispered, before turning to face the Krimzon Guards.

“I am [i]vengeance[/i]!  I am the [i]night[/i]!  [i]I!  Am!  [b]Batman![/b][/i]”