HL: Chapter 33

Jackie had only been in New York City a couple days when shit started up again for him. It'd started with a quick bite to eat. He'd just gotten done with a couple business meetings to buy a pair of factories for conversion into breweries. One'd been a former Matzah Factory out in Williamsburg, and the other'd been a former File Cabinet Factory out in Red Hook. He'd paid above market rate for both joints, since they'd make him a shitload of money anyway, and he more than had the cash. Then, he'd headed out over the Brooklyn Bridge to a dinner meeting on the Upper East Side with Karen Starr, CEO of Starrware Industries in Manhattan.

She'd apparently patented some sorta process that was supposed to cut down on emissions for factory work that she'd claimed would help his breweries cut down on emissions by as much as thirty percent. That meant some pretty big tax credits, so it ain't like Jackie minded the hassle buying the tech from 'em would be. He'd agreed to meet 'cause of that, and she'd set 'em up at a table at a place near Central Park she claimed had the best Thai Food in the City, plus cocktails, and with Jackie's faked credentials plus his Glamour Magic, he was good to go on that front.

He'd been almost there when it'd started up again. He'd been passing by Sotheby's, about to hang a left toward the Thai Place, when there'd been a big-ass explosion from Sotheby's York Avenue building. Up on one of the upper floors, sending glass shattering across the street and forcing folks to scurry for cover. Jackie swore under his breath, turned his Camaro into a nearby parking garage, and immediately began to change into his Black Tiger Gear. It was pretty clear that this sorta shit'd happen to him sooner or later, so Jackie'd picked up a spell that helped him change into his uniform quick.

Once he was geared up, Jackie left his Camaro in the Garage and headed for the Sotheby's building. He jumped off the parking garage and used the Resplendent Crane Takes Flight technique to fly his ass over to the Sotheby's building. There was smoke coming from the tenth floor of the building where the damned explosion'd come from, and Jackie flew on in through the busted window. Inside, he saw a buncha wounded Security Grunts employed by the Auction House. They looked like they'd all been pretty badly burned, almost like whatever'd caused the explosion that'd taken out the window and set the floor on fire'd hit 'em too.

"Damn it, why's this shit always gotta happen to me?" Questioned Jackie with a grimace.

With no answer, he went to look over the Grunts to see which of 'em would need his intervention to keep breathing till the Cavalry arrived. The answer, it turned out, was all of 'em. There were eight Security Grunts here, and all of 'em looked like they were struggling to cling to life. Now, Jackie ain't exactly a Doctor, but he'd had some kinda abridged combat medic courses drilled into his skull by his Uncle. He could tell when something was gonna be fatal. All these Gruns were gonna die without help.

"This is gonna suck if I need healing pills after dealing with whatever this is, but I ain't gotta choice. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, after all." Grumbled Jackie to himself.

Then he reached into his pill chute and began force-feeding each of the eight wounded Security Grunts a healing pill. It wouldn't heal 'em fully, they were all burned enough that it was gonna take more than one pill for that, but it'd get 'em all part of the way there, and that was good enough to stabilize these Grunts till an ambulance could come by. Unfortunately, that'd eaten up the majority of his healing pills. He had one in reserve he could take, just in case, but that was it. As soon as the Security Grunts were stable, Jackie headed out, moving through the floor toward the sounds of shouting. Whoever'd done this they were clearly from the Saturday Morning Cartoon School of Supervillainy.

"I'm not going to warn you again! Your bodyguards were powerless to defeat me, and it will only take a few moments for me to burn through the Security Door on your executive panic room! Surrender and give me what I want, and this can all be over!" Shouted a Man's Voice.

Jackie's mystic radar was going off now, letting him know that whatever this guy was wielding was magical in nature. He passed by what looked like some kinda busted camera that'd been paired with some sorta LexCorp Autoturret of some description that'd been partly melted through, like if Big Blue'd used his heat vision to burn out the circuits on the thing, but cruder. Jackie'd heard that back when Superman'd been alive, he could target that shit more or less like a scalpel. The guy that'd burned out this turret had been more of a broadsword. The only reason Jackie could tell what the turret'd been was cause the LexCorp Logo was still visible and the barrel was only partly slagged.

"All right, gonna upgrade this guy from Mystic Threat to Mystic Threat powerful enough to burn through advanced LexCorp Alloy." Muttered Jackie before continuing on.

As he did so, however, he passed by one final badly wounded Security Guard. This one was wearing some kinda high-tech armor, though judging by the single bit of carbon scoring on the wall in front of him, it'd only let him get a single shot off from his LexCorp Model Laser Carbine before he'd been downed too. Jackie sighed before force-feeding this guy his last healing pill and heading further into the floor.

"I've played as nicely as I can. Give me the Code for the safe! I'll count to three, and if you haven't given me your safe code by then, I'm cutting this door open, and we'll do this the hard way!" Snarled the Villain once again.

Jackie moved past the hallways and into a row of offices, where he immediately locked onto the red-clad form of what seemed to be a Supervillain talking to, presumably, some kinda executive who'd forted up behind some sorta reinforced alloy door in an office at the end of the hall. The Villain was clad in Red Scale Armor and wore a helmet that seemed to evoke some sorta dragon or something. His hands, though, were very clearly wreathed in flame, and as he counted to three, the dull-orange flames began to go white and then blue, as he prepared to cut through the security door. Jackie figured it was time to step in here.

"Who the fuck are you supposed to be?" Queried Jackie as he made his presence known.

"What? Who's there?" Asked the Supervillain, turning around and blasting white-hot flames in Jackie's direction.

Jackie dodged pretty easy, using the Quicksilver Stepping Method to jank to the side. Problem was that the flames burned right through a buncha the interior walls, catching some of the office furniture alight as it blasted through 'em. That ain't good, this place was already on fire. A building could only take so much of that shit before it started collapsing in on itself. That went double for buildings where a buncha load-bearing walls were being burned through. He was gonna haveta finish this fast if he wanted to avoid that sorta thing happening. The loss of life would be bad, but the property damage'd be just as bad in a joint like this.

"Cut that out!" Scowled Jackie.

"Make me!" Spat the Villain.

As he said that, the Villain flung another fistful of flames Jackie's way. This time, when he dodged, Jackie incanted a mystic syllable and flung a blast of water at the Villain's flames with Wuxing Elementalism. White hot flames met ice-cold water, and both spells cancelled each other out in a rush of hissing steam. Jackie frowned, ducking back down as the office area filled up with a bigass steam cloud. His Wuxing Elementalism was at Archmage Level, but it'd just cancelled out against this asshole's flames. That was some power this guy was putting behind his blasts. Thing was, he ain't seeming like he knew how to use that power 'cept for pointing and shooting. It was almost like he'd been given that power apropos of nothing instead of working his ass off to learn it. That was something Jackie could exploit, and he'd haveta do it quick before the asshole decided to burn down the whole building with his power.

Already, the Asshole seemed like he was just flinging fireballs about, hoping that he'd hit something. This guy clearly didn't even have a third eye or anything to help lock onto where Jackie was in the steam cloud. That was an opportunity, one Jackie took. He blurred forward, enhancing his speed to the best he could before smashing a Dim Mak strike into the Asshole's armpit. The Dim Mak strike disrupted the flow of Chi and Mystic Power through the meridians in his right arm. The flames winked out as the Asshole's Arm fell limp at his side. On instinct, Jackie already pulled himself into the Great Sand River Bears Away the Serpent Technique, discorporating in a puff of sand even as the Asshole let a belch of white-hot flames outta his mouth. That woulda cooked Jackie something fierce, and that would've been that, especially with no more healing pills on him.

As Jackie reappeared behind the Asshole, though, he was already moving through a Resplendent Crane's Wing Block as the Asshole wheeled about and flung a fistful of flames at Jackie. Jackie's technique parried the fist out wide, causing the flames to burn into the security door, melting a hole in the alloy metal rated for stopping laser weapons and explosives. Inside, an Old Executive with Sotheby's ducked down away from the hole. Jackie ain't really able to pay much attention to that, though, because he was forced to leap up with the Qirin's Flighty Leap Technique to avoid a jet-propelled kick wreathed in blazing flames. When he came down, however, he did so with an elbow drop to the top of the Asshole's head.

Dragonlike Mask or no Dragonlike Mask, that blow was fucking decisive. The Asshole's eyes rolled up in the back of his head as he was blasted to the floor, unconscious. Jackie'd pulled his blow just enough that he wasn't about to blast the asshole through the floor. As Jackie landed, though, he realized just how on fire the brief skirmish'd made the tenth floor of the Sotheby's building. He spent the next few minutes using Wuxing Elementalism to extinguish the flames. When he'd finished, the Asshole was getting to his feet, shakily.

"Damnit! You haven't heard the last of the Salamander!" Spat the Asshole.

As he said that, the Asshole launched himself into a rocket-propelled dash with his flames for the window. Jackie chased after him, only to be forced to immediately pull up short as the asshole overpowered his rocket boost to both try and roast Jackie as well as pick up speed. Jackie immediately put up a wall of water with Wuxing Elementalism to counter the fireball the Asshole had inadvertently managed to kick into his face at point-blank range. Steam filled the office space once again, and by the time Jackie cleared it with a gust of wind, the Asshole'd already crashed through the window on the other side of the building and was rocketing away.

Frowning, Jackie moved back to the Executive's Office. The Man in question was Older, slightly pudgy, with a white beard and glasses. The man let out a sigh as he exited his Panic Room, shaking his head.

"Thank you. I don't suppose you've seen my security detail?" Questioned the Executive in a British Accent.

"They're in the hallways outside the office space. They'll live if they can get to a hospital." Nodded Jackie.

"The Authorities should already be on their way, thankfully. You're Black Tiger, yes? From Gotham?" Queried the Executive.

"Formerly from Gotham. I felt a change of scenery was in order." Confirmed Jackie.

"Doctor Richard Minerva, PhDs in Archeology, History, and Linguistics. I wish I could say it was a pleasure to meet you, but under the circumstances, I'd rather have met some other way." Sighed the Executive.

"Some resume. You got any clue what this Salamander asshole was looking for?" Asked Jackie.

"I do. He wanted the combination to my safe. There is a good deal of money from last night's private auction, along with a rare book bound in leather dating back to Byzantine Greece, which a Private Collector sold to us in advance of a special auction slated for the end of the month. The True Hygromanteia, a Grimoire of Magical Spells written by the Sorcerer Josephus in the eighth century. It contains formulae, instructions, and spells for the creation of Magical Items, the Summoning and Binding of Spirits, Ghosts, and Demons, as well as the Divination of the Future via Astromantic Spellcraft." Informed the Executive, Doctor Minerva.

"I see. You probably shouldn't be selling that sorta shit, Doc." Pointed out Jackie.

"Perhaps not, however, it is out of my hands. The CEO wants this auction to continue." Shrugged Doctor Minerva.

"And money talks." Grunted Jackie.

"Indeed." Nodded Doctor Minerva.

Before Jackie could say another word, however, there was a knock on the remaining glass of the window, as if someone was outside. Jackie turned and saw a chick with shoulder-length blonde hair and a pretty fucking distracting costume with a bit cut out in the chest area, showing off her ample assets. Power Girl, a Kryptonian from another timeline, or so Bruce'd said when floating the Idea of New York City to Jackie. She flashed a dazzling smile at the pair of 'em and nodded to Jackie.

"Black Tiger. I'd heard you might be coming by. Got a second to talk?" Questioned Power Girl.

"Sure, I had a meeting, but I guess that's pretty well fucked now, ain't it?" Queried Jackie with a sigh.

"You never know. Something might come along to surprise you." Grinned Power Girl.

And with that, plus the fact that he heard the sirens closing in on the building, Jackie felt he could leave the scene and head off with Power Girl for whatever it was she wanted to talk about. He leaped out into the air, flying up with the Resplendent Crane Takes Flight Technique, as Power Girl began to fly away. Jackie followed after her.

After all, he doubted meeting with another hero'd be as stressful as the fight he'd just finished. . .

XXXX

Meanwhile, as Jackie was meeting with Power Girl, the Salamander made his way to a hidden location in the Sewers of New York City. A hideout where he had cached a few medical supplies, civilian clothes, a couple of extra bucks, and a satellite phone. He had to change, bandage the cuts he'd taken from breaking through the windows, then call his Benefactor, the Man known only as the Professor. The Professor wasn't going to be happy with him for failing to retrieve the Book for him. It had been his ticket to paying off his debt for these flame powers. Between the Flame Powers, the Armor, and the Physical Enhancements, he owed the Professor more than he could ever hope to repay if he tried doing things the Normal Way. This heist had been his ticket to getting clear of that debt.

Now, after he had bandaged himself up and dressed in civilian clothes, the Salamander picked up the satellite phone and dialled the number to make the call he had dreaded making ever since he had been forced to run from the Sotheby's building. The phone rang once, twice, and then the other end was picked up.

"You failed the task I set you." Came the voice on the other end, practically growling.

"It wasn't my fault. There were complications." Protested the Salamander.

"There are always complications. That is why you were granted powers, Mister McKnight." Intoned the Professor.

"Not these complications. What's Black Tiger doing in New York City?" Asked the Salamander.

The line went silent for a few long moments. Enough to give the impression that his question had surprised the Professor. The Salamander knew that didn't happen often. He couldn't imagine a man like the Professor being surprised easily, after all. Just before the pause had gone on for long enough to feel awkward, the Professor spoke up again.

"I see. This was completely unexpected. We had anticipated Power Girl's arrival and took steps to delay that, but this is a new variable. However, that does not excuse you for failing to discharge your debt to me. I know you cannot pay me with money. You simply do not have it, nor do you have the means to obtain it." Mused the Professor.

"I can try for the Grimoire again." Offered the Salamander.

"And you will. In time. For now, however, I own you. You work for me until I am satisfied." Commanded the Professor.

"Understood." Agreed the Salamander.

"As such, I will only warn you once. Do not attempt any foolishness with me, Mister McKnight. If you do, you will find yourself considerably worse off than when you came to me a petty thief, hunted by the Police and the Russians who run the streets of Brighton Beach alike. They would only kill you. I will do considerably worse." Warned the Professor.

"I get it." Affirmed the Salamander.

"Good. I will be in touch." Intoned the Professor.

Then the line went dead, and the Salamander, formerly Christopher McKnight, petty Brooklyn Thief, let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. That man was the scariest person he'd ever met before in his life, and now he was in his pocket. Only one thing was truly for certain, it was Black Tiger's fault he was in this jam.

And the Salamander would be all too willing to wreak vengeance on the Man for that slight. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we have the next chapter. Jackie's first week as a resident of New York City is turning out to be pretty eventful. Not only is he advancing his brewery business, but he's also gotten his first taste of getting a proper nemesis of his own, instead of just borrowing villains from other people to fight, and has also met up with Power Girl. There are also a few seeds being planted in the background for things. Especially in regards to the Professor.

Speaking of, the Professor is essentially a crime lord who sells magic powers to various criminals. Both he and the Salamander are OCs. This introductory arc in New York City is going to essentially be Jackie versus the Professor's organization. There will be other characters flitting in and out. Power Girl definitely, along with Wesley Dodds and Courtney Whitmore, though you haven't seen how they tie in yet. I'm doing something I think is interesting here.

At any rate, the next chapter will be an interlude back in Gotham as Etrigan and Bruce try to get rid of Wu Ping's Ghost. Then we'll be back with Jackie for his discussion with Power Girl. I'll also have a few images out before then as well, something I haven't done in a while for this story.

Stay tuned. . .