//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - An Unknown Vigilante // Story: The Knight Returns // by Gleaming //------------------------------// [/hr] Chapter 2 - An Unknown Vigilante [/hr] The two masked vigilantes were standing with their backs facing each other, looking up on the rooftops and down on the ground where the henchponies were started to surround them as an attempt to get the jump on them. The Mare Do Well and Batman had to think of a plan and fast. ''I don't know you, but if we want to get out of here,'' Batman scanned the area around them. ''we have to work together.'' ''...'' The Mysterious Mare Do Well was known for being around when danger is present, she was never afraid to put her life on the line to protect citizens who are defenseless against criminals, but she will learn that this is no defenseless citizen. She has been off the radar for a few months now after an accident that almost killed her, but now she was back in action. The henchponies lunged at both of them from each side, to take them out quickly. But before they could even strike a blow, Batman charged at them and swung his cape to stun them in their place. He connected with a barrage of punches while they were staggering on their hooves, he lunged his head forward to knock them out and knocked all of them to the ground. He reached into his utility belt for one of his gadgets, a batarang propelled out of the belt and into Batman's mouth. Using his teeth, Batman threw the batarang straight at the remaining sniper, with the batarang smacking off the top of his head as she dropped on the rooftop's floor. ''Muahahahaha,'' The Mane-iac stood arrogantly on her doomsday device, as her henchponies added the final part to power-up the doomsday device along with the powerful orb to charge the device. ''After being imprisoned in that wretched asylum, I can finally exact my revenge on Maretropolis by giving all of the residents unmanageable and out-of-control manes, it is fool proof!'' [/hr] The two heroes stormed to the metal gate that was keeping the interior of the shampoo factory a secret from wandering eyes. There was only one thing to do for the gate to open, use an explosive substance to blow up the gate. The explosive gel in Batman's utility belt is the only gadget powerful enough to blast a hole in the gate, it was time to put the plan in action. Batman took out the explosive gel from his utility belt, applying the gel to the hard, metal surface of the gate. A slight push on the button of the explosive gel dispenser triggered the gel to explode on contact with the metal gate. They walked through the gaping hole of the metal gate that the gel left behind, where they were now in the Mane-iac's Shampoo Factory lair. ''Since we made it this far, we're going to need a plan.'' Batman looked at the balcony of the factory, as his eyes peered over to the Mane-iac's henchponies watching the doomsday device fully powered up by the powerful orb. ''There is a way for us to get to the Mane-iac, but taking out her henchponies or in this case flamboyant hair stylists.'' Mare Do Well jumped on the balcony that was consisting of metal bars, long, black suspenders, and henchponies that were guarding the doomsday device. ''Batman, you should drop your smoke bomb to keep them distracted while I attack from above.'' she said. ''You got it.'' Batman took out a smoke bomb from one of his pouches, throwing it down on the ground near the henchponies. A cloud of smoke started to expand around them with their vision completely blurred, due to the low visibility levels of the smoke that rendered whatever actions they were planning completely useless. Batman and the Mare Do Well crouched on their knees for the element of surprise, sneaking behind them without them knowing. They grabbed their heads to bang them with each other, throwing the henchponies' heads against each other, as their heads bashed together while their bodies dropped to the floor. ''Done and done, now we have one final objective... the Mane-iac.'' Batman's eyes were locked on the doomsday device that was pointed towards the satellite dish atop of the Maretropolis Police Headquarters, the insane, psychotic villain's intention was to shoot the satellite dish so that the waves of the dish would spread all of the power from her Hairspray Ray of Doom doomsday device, to give the city's residents crazy mane tentacles just like her own. ''My doomsday device is finally powered, now it's time to exact my---'' The Mane-iac came to a complete pause, as she turned around as Batman connected with a hoof to her face. ''I figured you would find me, as a villain of insane proportions, I'm prepared.'' The shadow of a pony with a mask, militaristic ballistic vest, camouflage pants, and combat boots emerged from the shadows while he held on his ballistic vest straps arrogantly. ''She is not alone, only Mr.Wayne knows who I am.'' This particular pony has squared off with the Dark Knight in past where he was close to killing him, even when he broke his back. ''Let's cut to the chase, I cut a deal with the Mane-iac, so that her and I would share the conquering of Maretropolis together.'' Bane said. ''And since I couldn't take over Gotham City on my own or even with help, I've decided to move on to a another universe that has weak, pathetic citizens that would be on their knees at our mercy.'' Mare Do Well kept her eyes glued on Bane, looking at his physical physique as he looked back at her. [/hr] BANG! A loud explosion came from the walls of the shampoo factory with the area surrounded by the reinforcements, sent by the Maretropolis Police Department. They had their weapons in their hooves, aiming them at the two villains. ''Get down on the ground now!'' ''With pleasure.'' the Mane-iac sat down in her chair in front of the controls of the doomsday device, aimed at the police's reinforcements, and pushed the big red button that fired a huge blast of radioactive hairspray goo at them. ''That will keep them busy.'' The police landed hard on the cold ground with their manes stretching out into tentacle-like strands, which their manes festered into green, long tentacles that they could not control. We can't get up, need backup now!'' Batman charged towards Bane with a mean look on his face, throwing a punch at his mask which did not do any effect. Mare Do Well ran behind Batman following his attack while she ran on his back like a flight of stairs, jumping into the air, and connecting a kick off of his mask. Bane was really unimpressed at their tactics of taking him down. He grabbed their legs with as much strength as he could muster up, throwing them into the doomsday device, as they collided into the bottom of the device. They laid on the floor with her heads lowered and their eyes looking down at their hind legs. ''I was expecting more effort from you, I guess I was wrong.'' Bane's armored men came out from their hidden positions, dragging their unconscious bodies over to Bane. ''Sir, what do you want us to do with them?'' Bane crouched down near the bodies, rubbing his chin with a slight interest. ''Leave them here, make sure that they are tied up, and so that they do not interfere with our plans.'' The masked mercenary pointed his finger to the convenient chairs and ropes, his men grabbed Batman and Mare Do Well's bodies and threw them on the two chairs where they tied their bodies to the chairs with the ropes. ''Excellent. Now that everything is going smoothly, this world will soon be ours!''