The Silhouette and The Forge 
Chapter 59

All my work and wrongdoing would be for nothing if he got away, and he didn’t. Leaping back into the water, my form shifted into a fish with parts from the fastest swimmers on the planet. 

Not long after with me knocking the clown out courtesy of a lack of oxygen before keeping him in a bubble of air making my way deep into the underground network of abandoned and forgotten tunnels of Gotham's railways and sewers.

Slinking along before with a great heave launched Joker against a wall with some of my slime still clinging to him. The remnants of me began to act like a severed arm that was still under my control. I will have to explore that more down the road when I don’t have to handle the Joker and give him the biggest insult he would take with him to his grave.

Taking form as a random pedestrian in Gotham I had seen before, a middle-aged balding man with a beer gut. Changing my voice going through a few different voices before settling on a typical New Yorker style voice.

Grabbing the weapon I had asked to be here for the occasion out of the duffel bag enjoying something I had made all myself. The pistol was big, black, and looked like something that would unleash pure devastation on whoever was on the receiving end of it.

Anyone who looked at it wouldn’t be wrong on that assumption. The only thing that would surprise them would be what comes out of it. Unlike conventional ballistics or even a rail gun, which was something it did, just not in the conventional method a rail gun did and its main difference was the payload it delivered.

Unlike a simple hunk of metal the pistol in my hand would be a weapon that even the likes of Superman would have cause to be worried if it were ever aimed in his direction. The pistol was inspired by an old anime I remembered seeing on occasion when I was little on Toonami.

Good old Outlaw Star. The main character had a pistol that acted as a medium for magic through the use of caster shells. So with my newfound knowledge in so many fields, I decided to make something that as a fan of a series like that, and as a means to combat people even with my enhancements I would still struggle to overcome myself.

Despite becoming a slime I was a human. Humanity has proven time and again that when you can’t overcome something physically, you make something that could. The pistol was loaded with enchanted metal shells each with a different rune inscribed on them while also having each bullet first bathed in potions to cool it off during the crafting process.

It was a test to see if the metal could have some properties from the potions imparted on it and retain them permanently. So far the effects albeit minor unless strong enough potions were used or enough of the same type were added to the mix the metal or material retained it. 

It was an idea I had after going through the documented tests the scientists of the old Court of Owls had conducted when creating the upgraded talons. If a revived body could retain the effects of my potions even if they were reduced permanently, why couldn’t a piece of metal during the forging process do the same thing?

So now I have magic metal bullets with magic runes carved into them that will be shot by a magic gun. From a magic man… That’s a lot of magic. 

Joker started to move thinking I didn’t notice he was awake with my pieces of myself tipping me off. He was subtly keeping his muscles and micro twitches of his body from showing to an outside observer palming a knife that came out of his sleeve. If it wasn’t for my pieces restraining him with surprising strength that belied the small residue covering him he would have thrust the blade right into my throat for a kill shot.

Or he would if I had such a weakness any longer. He snarled and growled but the grin remained on his face as he stared into my eyes. “Who the hell are you?” He said between fits of manic giggling yet it did nothing to hide the anger and sheer desire to kill me in those eyes riddled with madness.

Lazily raising my pistol and aiming it at Joker who hadn’t stopped trying to get out of my grip keeping him stuck to the wall, his knife furiously carving away at the slime. I idly wondered if he was even aware that his blade had been dulled down; it may as well be no better than a butter knife. I’d go so far as to say it was even duller than that after those parts had hardened enough to chip away at it.

“Just a guy with a gun,” I said with a lopsided smile that looked down on Joker. It was something I had gone out of my way to practice because Joker deserved this. To be looked down on and laughed at. Not because he was funny, but because of how pathetic he was for doing all of this for years.

My comment earned me a bark of laughter that was more derision than it was humorous. “Real funny and how original.” He said mockingly, having given up on his knife.

“Better than you.” Lazily lining up the shot deciding which shell to fire at the soon to be forgotten nobody.

Joker froze before his smile turned into a deep unsettling frown. “Who do you think you're talking to?!” 

“A sad excuse for a failed comedian desperate for attention like a stepson after his alcoholic father's approval.” My chuckle cut deep as his eyes widened and his pupils turned into pinpricks.

“Don’t play games with me-- agh!” He hissed before a pull of the trigger had a blue bolt fly right into his right leg making whatever he was about to say die on his tongue before a scream escaped his lips.

He screamed for nearly a minute as the electricity coursed through his body and flashes of blue light illuminated the dark tunnel and made me smile when I saw in the flashes his skeleton appearing for brief moments. Every twitch, grimace, raw nerve, or muscle moving I saw it all.

His heart raced as his muscles spasmed contorting and in some cases breaking his limbs from the uncontrollable twitching and movements his body underwent. His leg was becoming charred black from the potency of the electricity yet his heart wasn’t giving out. 

My body parts that had kept him pinned had long since removed themselves instead using several bent pieces of metal pipes no longer in use and sections of the wall melted away to trap his limbs.

After learning I could secrete acid yet my body wasn’t naturally acidic in nature it forced me to do some tests. So long as I understand the chemical or concoction whether that is its atomic structure or how it works and is made like my potions I can secrete it. That made me laugh thinking about a dirty joke.

The light show eventually came to an end and despite the voltage he was subjected to Joker was still very much alive. Courtesy of the health fortification he was given and his body being mildly healed by an incredibly watered-down version of the stimpack. He breathed heavily with each breath painful and labored his head was dipped low. 

For a moment I wondered if I managed to break him. Instead, his hanging body began to shake as his breath came out in harsh whistles. “Well looks like I managed to get you to stop laughing… for a few seconds, must be a new record.”

My flippant comment and complete disregard for Joker showing not even the smallest ounce of fear made his hands dig into the wall, his fingernails chipped and coated in blood like it was paint as he tried to lunge for me in a mad attempt to bite my throat out.

Completely unfazed and uncaring of the display of animalistic insanity before me despite how close he was to me. Even without the slime body I would still have no fear of him. The only thing that I would give him was his reaction and the unpredictable attack he made. I could see why Batman would have trouble with him since he was hard to predict and despite how scrawny he is he was a lot stronger than his appearance would suggest.

Not that he ever had a chance to overpower me. But feeling his struggles against my body when traveling with him showed that he was stronger than your average Gothamite. “You must be the new guy. Silhouette.” 

Joker said with a grin growing far wider than what would be considered natural as a laugh bubbled up out of him. One that was silenced by my next words. 

“Nope!” My cheery voice and emphasis on popping the p had Joker fall silent for a moment. “I was made by Silhouette and given only one purpose. Be a complete nobody with no name and nothing significant about me beyond my nature and take you to a discreet location and kill you with a gun.”

Joker froze. It was almost unnatural how his body stopped all unnecessary movement that all humans have. Every fidget, twitch, even something as simple as breathing had stopped. 

“How… how dare you! I am the clown prince of crime. The greatest villain this city-- No! The World has ever seen. You think I would allow some random upjumped science experiment cooked up by a nobody kill-” He said with spit flying from his mouth going into what would have been a long rant. 

Before he could say another word the gun barked in my hand another shot hitting him right in the gut. Blood came out but soon it was followed by a blackening of his clothes and body. Like a paper lit on fire, his body had become kindling traveling from his gut to the rest of him. Figured it would be best for my own sake to just end it. 

I had humored him long enough even while tormenting him I should have just shot him and been done with it. Could anyone blame me for at least giving him a small taste of what he had done to so many others?

Joker was stunned and silent watching as his body turned into nothing but ashes. It was almost like the effect the Martians’ laser guns had on people from Mars Attacks. “Bye Jester, have fun being forgotten by everyone like a bad memory.” My hand lazily waved over my shoulder.

Didn’t even bother looking back knowing Joker wanted to say something to me but couldn’t with his body all but turned to ashes and I knew he was glaring at me hatefully. It wasn’t long after that his body was nothing but a crackling smoldering pile of ashes that was quickly cooling on the dirty floor.

Stepping through the various tunnels pausing for a fraction of a second, I realized I wasn’t alone. Walking towards a pathway connected to many different tunnels several figures stepped out of the shadows.

“A rather impressive display of determination, capability, and resourcefulness.” A man’s voice said, sounding like it was coming from everywhere. 

Out of the shadows stepped none other than Ra’s Al Ghul himself, wearing a clasped cloak looking regal and refined despite the disgusting surroundings he was in.

“A shame then that I didn’t get a chance to meet Silhouette, and instead one of his creations. Since your purpose was to kill the Joker, what will you do with your life now?” He asked yet gave nothing away whether he believed that or not. The man was possibly even better than Batman at hiding his inner thoughts.

I was even more surprised he was willing to show up here himself in person. In a deep forgotten sewer tunnel. Kind of figured he was beyond coming to places like this, viewing it as beneath him. But it would show what I knew of the Demon's Head.

“Simple. Go find a life for myself, maybe find someone I could settle down with and live a fulfilling life-- hrggk.” I made a show of my body bubbling and shifting while my hands clutched at my body as it twisted before freezing.

Ra’s was passive, not moving or showing any signs of concern, when his guards and an attractive woman in a form-fitting black suit, whom I could only assume was Talia, moved to intervene and act as shields for Ra’s who stopped them with a single gesture. The woman stared at him for a long moment before she slowly nodded looking between me and Ra’s.

“ThAaT’s better,” My voice shifted from the New Yorker accent to my modified voice anyone could see as Silhouettes. My body shifted into my iconic black-clad form. Arms clasped behind my back stepping forward looking towards the sound of steel leaving its sheathe had me stare down one of the assassins who looked at me unflinching without even a trace of fear.

“Impressive. You have trained them well. Not often do I see someone with no fear when faced with something they have no chance of beating.” My hand nonchalantly waved and gestured at each of the assassins.

“I expect nothing but the best from those trained to serve me… intriguing.” He looked over my form taking in every little detail as if he was noticing how even minor details of my clothes were made to look as real as possible. “You have developed a way to take control of your creations remotely.”

“A man of good taste, my creation was something I created some time ago should the court jester's time to bow out come after leaving his box. It’s a mimetic polyalloy made specifically so anything he did would be of no consequence to the unit.”

All lies and borrowing the iconic phrase from Terminator 2 to help explain how what they were talking to wasn’t me. Would they believe it? Who knows, but it’s enough to hide my new nature while also putting myself on a higher level to deter any attempts to get in my way.

Ra’s gave a small smile and nod of respect. “You thought this through. Though I would have preferred to talk to you in person.” 

“You know I have been trying to reach out to you and your organization for some time now. Even asked the Court to see if they could contact you. So why show up now after you have gotten your agent, Sportsmaster,” Ra’s hid it well but those around him shifted at my comment of one of his better-trained enforcers, “Back, and then for some reason decided to do a mass breakout of Arkham Asylum. Why?”

Ra’s had a small knowing smile and a twinkle in his eyes that conveyed an age and experience most men couldn’t. Like he had all the answers. “When I come to meet another, I prefer to do so on my own terms. As to why I am here now is to test you. To see if you were a man of principle willing to do what needs to be done. You proved that by chasing and eliminating Joker while Sportsmaster was aided in escaping.”

He walked with measured steps, his guards and who I assumed was his daughter Talia stayed close by. Some even got close enough that they could try to attack me but it mattered little to me since my body would shrug it off.

His next words gave me pause and even made me want to cave his skull in. “Your agents are quite adept and capable. They had managed to keep an eye on the transport until my forces intervened. I had to use certain resources I don’t normally bring out.”

A large part of me didn’t believe him. I had far too many hunters stationed there along with Smith for him to get away with no means to track them and see where they were going. Combined with the drones sent to act as extra eyes and ears they couldn’t have escaped with us having no means to track them.

But another part of me acknowledged he may be correct. I had been in such a hurry I hadn’t grabbed a means of communication or given any orders so I was in the dark. 

“Should I be flattered?” My question earned me a small smile from Ra’s. “To go through all this trouble for me. Well since I have you here I may as well ask. What would it take for Sportsmaster’s daughter Artemis to be returned?”

The man was starting to get annoying with how little he gave away. The others with their outfits helped and they seemed to have realized not give away any subtle tells to me. When and how they learned is beyond me.

“… No. I am afraid Artemis is far too useful to return.” He finally spoke. 

His words were calm, the kind you would hear at a market stall when someone was haggling for a product. “You can’t be serious…” 

“I am quite serious. It takes time and resources to train each of those who are a part of my Shadows,” He walked around looking over each of his assassins, who all had kept their eyes on me. “Artemis in particular has shown that her bloodline is quite capable and since her older sister has no interest in us any longer then I settled for the younger one.”

“You say this like you don’t have another couple of centuries to live with your… spa treatment,” I said thinking of anything I could do or offer to Artemis back. 

The temptation to just kill him and completely disintegrate him like Joker crossed my mind. The best of luck to anyone trying to be brought back when they are nothing but a pile of ashes. But it wouldn’t get Jade's sister back. 

“I see you know about the Lazarus pits.” He said giving me a long look while the others, particularly the woman watched me with an interested expression.

“What would it take to get Artemis back to her sister? What do you want? Weapons? Magical supplies? Don’t you dare say money.” I wagged my finger at him getting him to look down at my finger like it personally offended him before he then gave me a playful smile with a quirked brow.

“Do I look like I need money?” He asked back.

I hummed playing it up like it was highly debatable. The others around us seemed to take offense when some weapons were partially drawn from the sheathes and even Talia glared at me. But it didn’t have any heat or real anger behind it, more akin to mild offense.

“Well you are in a deep dark, forgotten tunnel in Gotham… that also happened to be a sewer once upon a time. Now what do you want? You must want something, otherwise you wouldn’t be wasting both of our time. Time you could have used to save nature instead of chatting with a dangerous wanted man like me.”

I walked back and forth arms clasped behind my back doing my best to copy Sherlock Holmes' physical mannerisms or something close enough.

“I have come with an offer.” I paused looking at him curious about what he was talking about. “One that I think you may appreciate. Of course, you still have another test to prove you are worthy.”

“What’s the offer?” 

“You don’t care to know what the test is?” Ra’s questioned me back looking like he was having an enjoyable conversation with an old friend instead of talking to someone who could easily rip his head off. Say what you will about Ra’s Al Ghul but the guy had balls.

“More interested in the offer. Whatever the test is I am sure I will pass it with flying colors. If I am interested, that is…” I trailed off showing I had only one thing in mind and with that not being an option whatever interest he could have had is now dead in the water.

Ra’s chuckled. “I would admit I am curious about why you are so interested in Artemis, but considering who her sister is and the few friends she has… I take it the boy is your son?”

“And if he is?” My voice gave nothing away.

“You have nothing to worry about so long as you do not cross certain lines with me. I prefer to avoid harming others' families. I don’t kill without purpose, and if I have a problem with someone we keep it between one another.” He said with finality. 

That caught me off guard. Of course, he could be lying. But I don’t think he was. So the whole stupid plan to separate the adults into another dimension he may not have been happy about the idea and only went along to avoid dissent amongst the ranks. Doesn’t change the fact that he had no issue standing back while it happened.

Not that I could judge him without being a hypocrite myself since people had died because of me. Letting that go because of the guilt growing stronger and I needed my head in the game.

“I can respect the confidence even if you shouldn’t be so hasty to believe you would pass it. The reward is to be allowed a seat at the table beside me and several other like-minded individuals. Your recent actions have garnered our interest and we believe you may be worthy to join us.”

“…” I stared at him for a good long moment. A seat at the Lights table. “Nah. Not interested.” 

I turned around to change back but his next words gave me pause. “Are you certain? If you truly seek to return Artemis then I am willing to see that happen if I could find a worthy successor.”

His words earned a gasp of surprise from the woman who quickly rushed to his side, speaking quietly and quickly enough using a foreign tongue that I surprisingly didn’t know. Not that it stopped me from comparing it to many dead languages and using cross-comparisons to get a vague idea of what she was saying.

Something along the lines of father, certainties, and trust. The rest of it would take time to decipher. She is silenced when he places both of his hands on her shoulders, and her expression softens. 

He turned back towards me, uncaring of me being a witness to that tender family moment. “I have been looking for someone to continue my work. Should you succeed me then Artemis and what becomes of her is your decision to make.”

“Really?” I asked, not happy at the idea of how long that could take. When Sportsmaster and who knows how much physical and mental abuse that girl would be subjected to for even a few months would make that a nightmare for any therapist to unravel. If it becomes years, I doubt any therapist is going to be capable of fixing that.

“That’s what it’s going to take to get her back to her sister?” I threw my hands up in the air showing just how thrilled I was about that. “She can’t be that good. Her father is maybe slightly above Batman physically, but otherwise, Batman beats him in every other category. And just because he can do it doesn’t mean she can.”

Ra’s was unbothered by the display of annoyance. “Sometimes descendants have displayed skills and abilities around what their ancestors could do or even beyond them. Artemis will make a fine Shadow regardless.”

He was completely unbothered by my comments on how ridiculous this all had become for one little girl. Yet he wasn’t wrong to use her like he is because I would move heaven and earth to get Artemis back to her sister and as nice as it would be to vent my frustrations on Ra’s he might be my only means to figure out where they had her.

If I killed him now then Artemis is potentially stuck with them for the foreseeable future, I just made a big enemy when I could instead if he is telling the truth and completely serious take control of the League of Shadows, become a member at the table of the Light, and stop them from doing the most idiotic forms of evil possible.

As much as I wanted to kill them all here and now, I restrained myself and began to play ball with them. It made me angry at myself and the entire situation that I had to leave Artemis to her current fate for now. I just hoped Batman or some hero managed to find her soon. Another part hoped Ra’s was wrong about my hunters.

But better to be safe than sorry. “I have to say Ra’s, I disagree with your methods even if I understand where you're coming from.”

“Oh? I thought you of all people would understand working towards the greater good.” He said not sounding disappointed but more curious about my thoughts.

“I understand the greater good, I just don’t agree with wiping out the vast majority of humanity. Sure the environment should be protected since it helps sustain us and keep everything functioning but surely there are better methods. Someone as long-lived as you surely had tried such things or at least put some thought into the ideas.”

He nodded slowly. “I have.” Was all he said before turning away with the others acting as barriers to his exposed back staying between us. “The offer remains for now until I and the others decide on another. I hope you change your mind about joining us. The test should be simple for someone of your talents. You need to challenge the Justice League and overcome them with yourself being present there personally. How you best them is up to you.”

They walked away while I put on an act as my body shifted back to the previous form acting a little dazed before catching up with what happened before heading back to the water. It seemed I was going to have to face the heat instead of letting it die down like I had hoped to. 

But considering what was up for grabs as a prize and I could prevent some of the stupid ideas they had originally, why wouldn’t I try to circumvent that?

The only sign that anyone had been inside the long-forgotten tunnel was the cooling pile of ashes that was all that was left of the Joker. One of the greatest insults and fears he ever had was being forgotten and dying a quiet death with no race to the finish line with Batman.

Kill the Joker +50
Meet Ra’s Al Ghul +50
Receive a test to join the Light +100

Perks gained: Archamada Book of Spells (Ben 10) (600CP) In this book you will find some of the strongest spells in the known universe. You can find spells that summon town destroying storms, bring statues to life, and even allow you to travel through time. These spells require a lot of power and skill to use, so you better be ridiculously strong (or at least have a strong source of magic to draw on) and really good if you plan to use them. The time travel spell won't actually work until you're done jumping, though.