Chapter 23
About a week after Tombstone’s conviction, crime activity has been relatively light... and simple. Any crimes that have happened have been nothing but common robberies or muggings. Though, any hopes of no new super villains would be dashed pretty soon after this next crime. A small bank front wall was blown off, and two robbers enter. One was a man with orange hair covering one of his green eyes wearing dark grey turtleneck, white open jacket, black pants, brown shoes, light grey scarf and a bowler hat with a small feather holding a cane with a black stick, light grey hook handle and a red bottom in one hand and a cigar in the other. The other was a short woman around my height with half pink half brown long hair and pink and brown eyes wearing a white suit with pink lapels, dark brown pants, white high heeled boots, black gloves and a bunch of bead necklaces holding an umbrella with black hook handle and the cover having pink at the top and brown at the bottom. They were well known notorious thieves around Vale known as Roman Torchwick and Neo Politan, who have been at this for years.
Torchwick: “Alright people, you know the drill. Just stay down while we take what we need.”
Neo: “Or else I’m going slice your throats open.” She says almost cheerfully as she casually pulls out a knife.(And yes, Neo can talk in this. Deal with it.) They spend the next while clearing out the safes before walking out with each of them carrying a large bag of Lien.
Torchwick: “Ahh. Nothing like a heist gone right. Eh, Neo?” And he wasn’t paying attention when I grab the bags with my webs, pull them out of their hands and web them to the wall above them, thus out of their reach.
Ruby: “Then maybe you didn’t take me into account.” I said as I land on the lamp post across the street.
Neo: “Oh brilliant. The Spiders real. First, we have the Cat to deal with, and now this!”
Torchwick: “Sheesh. This town is becoming a real freak show. Neo, if you would.” She draws her knives and charges in my direction. I jump down and enter a quick brawl with her as I dodge her knives a few times before disarming her and giving her a swift kick back to Torchwick’s side.
Neo: “Ngh... She is good. What should we do?”
Torchwick: “Not get caught. That's for sure. Well, Red, I think we can all say it’s been an eventful evening.” As he drops his cigar and stomps it out with his cane. “And as much as I’d love to stick around...” As he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a pistol. “I’m afraid this is where we part ways.” Aaaand he starts shooting a few rounds that I have to dodge before I grab the gun and fling it hard at the wall, breaking it.
Neo: “Okay. That's it. I’m calling it. We’re getting out of here.” As she throws down a smoke bomb.
Ruby: *cough, cough, cough*”Hey! Where did you-?”*cough, cough* And of course, they’re gone when smoke clears. *sigh*”Dang it.” To which I hear sirens coming. “And that’s my cue.” I swing out of here and rest up until tomorrow. The next morning, the city is full of news on my encounter with Torchwick and Neo. I meet up with the others at lunch like usual to discuss it a bit.
Blake: “Yeah, I’ve faced those two a few times. Even caught them once, but then they broke out after about two months in prison.”
Weiss: “Even Father has felt inconvenienced by them since they have also targeted banks that work with the SDC.”
Blake: “Though what most people don’t pay enough attention too, is the fact that Neo Politan is also an established serial killer. Torchwick isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty if needed, but he’s more known for relying more on Neo for physical combat.”
Ruby: “He did send her after me first before pulling his gun.”
Yang: “Definitely sound like the type of guys we need to keep an eye out for.”
Blake: “Exactly. Let's prioritize our patrols around the banks in case they hit any of them again soon.” However, we aren’t the only ones keeping tabs on them, as someone else has been seeing the recent reports about the two, as we cut to Glass in his office.
Glass: “Hm. A thief like him could probably make great use of my latest piece. And with a few hacks into the city surveillance systems, it should be a cinch to pinpoint where their hiding.” Later that night, we cut to a dead neighborhood where Torchwick and Neo have holed up in one of the abandoned buildings.
Torchwick: *sigh*”Can’t believe we lost our haul last night.”
Neo: “Maybe we need to change our tactics a bit. You handle the robbery while I keep an eye out for the Spider and keep her busy. At best, it just means we won’t leave with as much as we usually do if it means we can get away with any money at all.”
Torchwick: “I guess. But with her being as good as she is, that plan can only last so long before we do get caught. Especially if she ends up teaming with the Cat. What we really need is a way to fight on par with her.” That’s when they had a knock at the door.
Neo: “Huh? Who the hell could that be?”
Torchwick: “Be on guard.” As he grabbed his gun and she draws her knives. They cautiously approach the front door and ready themselves as they open the door... only to see two boxes. A small cardboard box and large crate. “Did either of us order anything without realizing?”
Neo: “How would that even be possible?” As Torchwick picks up the folded paper on the box and read the front.
Torchwick: “’To Roman Torchwick from a mutual friend.’ A mutual friend?” Neo opens the box to find some kind of suit, helmet and manual inside. “A suit?” He looks at the manual cover to see it only contain the words... “’Project Nevermore’, eh? Hm... Take this to the table, then help me bring the crate inside.” They bring the stuff inside, and Torchwick works to pry the crate open with a crowbar while Neo unfolds the paper and reads the letter inside.
Neo: “’Dear Roman Torchwick. I understand your current plight in committing your crimes unimpeded by these vigilantes, and believe you to be best suited in testing my latest device to both aid you in fighting on par with your foes and in pulling off your heists with greater efficiency. I hope you will graciously accept my gift and use it well. Signed, the Tinkerer. PS, enclosed in the box with the flight suit is the manual on how to operate the-’” That’s when the crate finally opens and she rushes to his side to see a high-tech wing pack and strange claw devices. She looks back at the letter to find the sentence ended with ‘wings’. “So, this whole thing is some kind of wing suit?”
Torchwick: “And from the looks of it, a very impressive one at that. Maybe we shouldn’t look this gift horse in the mouth and take it for a spin. I have a feeling this is going to be VERY Exciting.” As he walks over to the box and pulls out the helmet.