Lady Shiva

Legend tells of a caped crusader Batman, guardian of New Gotham and his one true love Catwoman, the queen of the criminal underworld. Their passion left behind something extraordinary: A daughter, Huntress. Half-metahuman, she has taken up her father's mantle and fights to protect the innocent and helpless. Joining her in this struggle, Oracle once Batman's protÂ¨Â¦gÂ¨Â¦e, Batgirl. She was caught in the crossfire of the war between Batman and Joker. Now she fights crime a different way: A master of the cyberrealms and trainer to heroes. Together, they have taken in Dinah. A metahuman herself with powers that she is only beginning to explore. These three are the protectors of New Gotham the Birds of Prey. My name is Alfred Pennyworth, and this is their story. You can't hide from me, Shiva. Not here, Batgirl. You don't get to choose where I take you down. I won't lose. Not to you, not to anyone. Someone's gotta lose, Shiva. Ladies first. Shiva? Maybe it'll be fun. At a high school dance? I'm not holding my breath. "School" and "fun" don't belong in the same sentence. You've been working too hard, we all have. - A little fun could be a good thing. - High school dances are for normal girls. Girls who worry about outfits and makeup tips. Did someone say "makeup tips"? Because I got a brand new blusher you'll love. Covers up battle bruises like you wouldn't believe. Witness lack of normalcy. - I think you should go. - Still talking about the dance? - Yes. And tell me you're on my side. - I don't know. Barbara's got a point. We all need to find people from outside the life. Take me, for instance. I'm gonna go hang out with an old pal from high school. - Yeah, that is, if she ever shows up. - Still no sign of Sandy? No, not yet. And to be honest, I don't even know if I'd recognize her. It's been eight years. It's so weird, thinking of you in high school. Pep rallies instead of pummeling guys, friends other than Barbara. Helena and Sandy were practically inseparable. Well, that was then. It's not like we're just gonna pick up where we left off. - Sandy. Kyle? - Oh, hi. - Hi. Oh, my gosh, it's so great to see you. - You look great. - Thank you. You too. Oh, thank you. - Barbara, you remember Sandy? - Of course. Nice to see you. You too. And this is Dinah. Dinah, meet Sandra Woosan. Nice to meet you. A pleasure. So eight years. What'd I miss? Oh, let's see Oh, they tore down The Hole and put up a Jerry's Juice. And Mr. Loeb from fifth-period English class he's now a she. - You're kidding me. - Uh-uh. Oh, my God. They built a shoe emporium on Lee Street, 60 percent off. - Hmm, very hot. - Those are the headlines. - I've really missed you, Kyle. - And whose fault is that? You did kind of disappear suddenly. No phone call, no letters. I'm sorry. Things got crazy. Family stuff. I had to clear my head, you know, get away. I found some distant relatives and moved in. Before I knew it, years had gone by. - So, what have you been doing? - Uh, job-wise? Oh, I'm sort of a headhunter. I freelance, mostly. Actually, I'm working on a project here in New Gotham. - If things go as planned, I may stick around. - Oh, that would be amazing. Well, how about you? You own this place? I'm the bartender. The exciting world of the service industry, huh? Heh, anything to freak out the parents. Your mom must be going nuts. Uh Hard to say. She died seven years ago. Oh, Helena, I'm so sorry. What happened? Um, she was murdered. I can't imagine anything worse than losing your family. Huntress. We're getting a signal from Detective Reese. Delphi reports there's been a murder. Sandy, I gotta go. Oh, I hope it's not something I said. Oh, no, not at all. It's family stuff. - But tomorrow night, we're partying. - Absolutely. The two coolest chicks from New Gotham High are together again. This town won't know what hit them. Hey, where you been? I was in the middle of something. Armed robbery? Breaking and entering? What? I was actually visiting an old friend. Really? You have friends, huh? - Is it that shocking that I have a social life? - Hey, hey, hey, I'm sorry. But, you know, you are always kind of Okay, never mind. Heh. We got a homicide. Victim's male, late 20s. Got a rap sheet, but mostly small stuff, robbery, assault. Looks like somebody assaulted back. Heh, yeah, big time. We found this embedded in the guy's skull, right between his eyes. Ouch. - So that's why you rang. - Actually, no. I was more interested in what you might think of this. You know anything about it? No. Remember that guy, Morton, the bad cop? Yeah, well, he was telling me about some vigilante who used to roam the streets of New Gotham, and, uh, heh well, he called himself the Batman. Now, he said he vanished a while back so I'm thinking maybe this guy decided to return. It's quite a theory. Glad to see you're putting to use all the valuable information provided by Morton, the meta bigot. So is that your way of saying you don't know anything about the Batman? A man dressing up like a bat. Kind of far-fetched, don't you think? Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous? Heh, I mean, imagine the headlines: "Batman Returns to Save New Gotham from Evil Grip of Street Punk. " It is ridiculous, isn't it? Of course it is. And even if he did return Batman sacrificed everything for the pursuit of justice but he never crossed the line. I mean, even after the Joker did what he did he wouldn't kill. Not like this. Not ever. So you're telling me in the pursuit of justice, no one ever dies? Sometimes things go wrong, things can't be avoided. Okay. So it wasn't my father. Who was it? We got a murder charge plus an open-and-shut case of copyright infringement on our hands. - Maybe we're looking for a ghost. - What? There was a thief years ago who left throwing stars as kind of a signature. - This can't be her. - Why not? Because she's dead. - Right. - Yeah. Well, let me know if you need me. No one's heard of them, but they're amazing. And, um Hey. Matt Kendell, huh? Not bad. - Am I that transparent? Oh, please. You are so obviously, desperately infatuated. You should ask him to the dance. Uh, but I thought we decided the dance was gonna be lame. Oh, I'm changing the forecast. The dance is looking up due to the possible slow-dance potential between you and the hottest guy in school. Carpe diem. Right. Hey, do me a favor? Switch lab partners with me? - Seriously? - Initiative. It's the fine line between satisfaction and regret. Matt? I'm Dinah. Um Gabby and I had to switch lab partners, so you have me now. Sure. Whatever. So frogs. I'm not sure how analyzing amphibians is supposed to get us ready for the real world. Not that high school in general prepares us for anything we're really gonna do. Heh, um So you wanna cut this thing open or what? Love to. What was that? Um, static electricity? You know the Mighty Toms? Sure, I mean, their latest CD was awesome. But no one's heard of them. Wow, that's pretty cool, Donna. Dinah. It's Dinah. Tea? Oh, I didn't hear you. You're picking up Helena's bad habits. My apologies. I thought you might want a break. Of course. Thank you. So you think Lady Shiva has returned? Um, eavesdropping isn't very polite, Alfred. A good butler does not eavesdrop he discreetly overhears. Remember Shiva's calling card? A rather unique Chinese throwing star, as I recall. Exactly. Well, I've just run a search and found that a throwing star has shown up as the murder weapon in several high-level assassinations in the last two years. Top-dollar mercenary jobs. Doesn't make sense. Shiva was a thief, not a killer. And besides, she's dead. Are you certain of that? No one could've lived through that blast. And there was a body, a Jane Doe. All these years I thought it was Shiva, but now Now? But the body was not identified. It was never claimed. So now all I really know is that somebody died in that explosion but what if it wasn't her? Okay, you've had your soda. Don't you have homework or something? Uh-uh, I haven't finished pumping Sandy for information. What are you telling her? A little ammo for the sibling wars. Your top-10 most-humiliating moments in high school. - We're at number five. - Number five. - First day, sophomore year. - Uh-huh. I spill lunch-lady special all over Nathan Werther, the cutest guy in school. Only slightly less embarrassing than number four which involved the homecoming game, a hot dog the school mascot and even I have the decency not to repeat the details. - Thank you. - You're welcome. What are best friends for? My shift's over at 11. You wanna go out and hit clubs? I'm in. Or out. I am sorry, Kyle. I know I said I'd hang, but, uh, I've gotta run. I've got work. - This late? - It's my most creative time. I'll call you tomorrow, okay? As for you, we've got three to go. And you won't believe what number one is. All units, please respond. Security guard down, New Gotham Bank. Another throwing star. Looks like your ghost has risen. Zoom in on it. I wanna get a closer look. Some kind of Chinese character. Odd dialect. No. What is it? It's nothing. - See if you can get the star from Reese. - Okay. But, Oracle, what does the Chinese letter say? Oracle? Are you there? Oracle? Fine, disappear on me. I'm going in. What's up, detective? I was hoping you might be able to tell me. - No more bat symbol. - No, but that doesn't mean it wasn't him. - How much did they take? - Actually, nothing. The vault was open but nothing was stolen. - That's strange. - Yeah, tell me about it. Now, I did a little research, and I found out this bank was hit eight years ago. Back then, somebody did clean out the vault and left nothing behind except for a Chinese throwing star. This time, they don't touch the money but they leave a throwing star in the guard's forehead. Question's why? I remember the first time I fitted you for that cowl. So do I. When you and Master Bruce and young Master Dick used to haunt the rooftops until dawn. Oh, it was a different city then. We thought we could do no wrong. We ruled Gotham's nights. And answered to no one but ourselves. Maybe that was our mistake. But you did what you thought was best to protect people. And you were magnificent at it. But if I may be so blunt, Miss Barbara this mask this suit no longer fits. I know that. The latest throwing star has a Chinese character on it. Translated, it means "life. " Or, "to be alive. " Then it's true. Shiva? She's not dead. Then the body found in the wreckage, the Jane Doe sent to the morgue It had to have been somebody else. Because of me, my recklessness, someone died that night. Someone Shiva knew. Someone close to her. That's why she's back. But, nevertheless, she's got to be stopped. Innocent people are dying. I'll just have to give her what she wants. A fight. - Perhaps Miss Helena - Uh-uh, no, this is my responsibility. I need to do this alone. - Is that wise? - Maybe not. But it wasn't her mistake. It's not her fight. - What the hell's going on? - What are you talking about? Last night. One second you're on coms deciphering foreign languages and the next, you're gone. Yeah, well, something came up. What's up with the gear? - And why are you home? - Called in sick. You called in what? All right, now I know something's wrong. Who's this ghost you're talking about? And why is she killing people? Just let it go. I don't even know who you are lately. You're not Barbara, you're not Oracle, you're certainly not Batgirl. Batgirl. The bat symbol. This has nothing to do with my father. It has to do with you. That's right. Which means this is my mistake. So if and when I decide to deal with it, I do it alone. You're not dealing at all. You're keeping it bottled up inside. - Let me help you. - You can't. No one can. Wow. Dinah, you look great. Why, thank you, Matt. Are those tickets to the Knights game? Oh, these? Yeah, I scored some box seats. - I'm a huge fan. - Seriously? - Yeah. - Me too. This is amazing. We have, like, the same exact interests. That is so cool. Definitely. So, Dinah, you going to the dance? - Can I buy you a drink? - No. But I'll buy you one. You look like you could use it. It's Barbara. She's, uh She's acting strange. Something's going on and she won't tell me what it is. Whatever it is, it can't be good. You two are close. She, uh She's family. You ever wonder what your life would be like you know, if your mother were still alive? I think about it all the time. There's even that split second just as I'm waking up in the morning before I remember that she isn't there anymore. You lose someone, and it changes you so much. How you think about life and death. It makes everything different. Sandy, is everything okay? It will be. Barbara. - Dinah. - Everything all right? - Yeah, fine. You sure? You, uh, look a little different. - Something happen at school? - Well, heh, actually, yeah, um I pretty much think I'm a danger to myself and others. Do you care to be a little more specific? Okay. There's this guy, Matt Kendell. Smart, cute, funny. And I read his mind, a few dozen times. - Anyways, all this is for him. - Dinah. I know. I think the superhero thing skipped a generation or something. Reading a guy's mind to get him to like you is the lowest form of metahuman existence. You used your powers on a civilian. - A cute civilian, but still - I just wanted to get to know him. And it worked, the first time. Heh. But then I just kept doing it. Now you think maybe it's gone a little too far. Exactly. Can't help you with that. Sorry. Shiva. Hello, Batgirl. - Happy to see me? - Surprised. - I thought you died that night. - Part of me did. Who was she? My sister. She was 15 years old. The brightest eyes you'd ever seen. So full of promise. It was all over before she even knew what happened. Shiva This debt can only be repaid in blood. I didn't come here to fight you. I came to apologize. If I could undo what I did, I would. But what happened was an accident. And I am sorry. Apology not accepted. Get up. I can't. You're Batgirl? No. Not anymore. What are you doing here? Bribed Alfred. Besides, it looks like fun. Bad guy, ax to grind. All the makings for a party. So, what's it gonna be? What? Petrified? Afraid of pain? In way over your head? You had no right to interfere. - And you had no right to commit suicide. - It wasn't suicide. You had your neural-response thing make you walk just enough to get yourself killed. I had to stand to apologize, so she'd know it was real. Or else she'd think I was afraid to fight. And if that didn't work, I figured I had once shot at a disabling blow. But I missed. She's gotten too good. Who's gotten too good? Who was that woman, and what is going on between the two of you? You told me that thing hurts like hell when you use it that it could make you worse. What made you so damn desperate? Barbara, tell me, please. Her name is Lady Shiva. Eight years ago that burnt-out building is where Shiva lived. I found her there one last time. There were signs there was somebody else living there. Not here, Batgirl. But I was so blind. I couldn't see past my job my duty who I was. I thought I killed her. I had no idea what happened was so much worse. You see, capturing Shiva beating her, bringing her to justice, was all that mattered. I understand. But she chose her own life. What about her 15-year-old sister? What choice did she make? I've made Shiva into a monster. What does that make me? Hey, Sandy. Is something wrong? No, I was just, uh, walking around, thinking. I've missed so much of your life, Kyle, how you became who you are. And that thing about your mom Yeah, it was It was hard. - Do they know who did it? - No. He got away clean, not even a description. Ever think about what you'd do if you found him? I'm not sure. Part of me wants to tear the life out of him. Even if he asked you for forgiveness? Yeah, maybe especially if he did. Not really a live-and-let-live kind of girl are you, Kyle? No, not these days. More of an eye for an eye, or any available limb. I know what you mean. Thanks for the talk. Oh, hey, did you decide if you were gonna stay in town? - Hmm, I'm thinking, yes. - Good. Guess who's headed our way. - Hi, Matt. - Hey, Dinah. So you made it, huh? Yeah. Look, I kind of have to tell you something. Shoot. Okay, um, I lied to you. About what? Uh, heh, just to make a short list I've never heard of the Mighty Toms and I have no idea who the New Gotham Knights are. I just pretended to like that stuff to get you to notice me. How did you know that I liked them? Um, I looked in your PDA? - You what? - I'm sorry. That's a total violation. I mean, you looked at my most private thoughts. Everything. Wow. I gotta go. - How you doing? - Hey, pretty good. Wanna go dance? Sure. This Shiva lady seems like the determined type. It's Lady Shiva. You have no idea. You know, part of me understands what she's going through. The need for - Vengeance? - Yeah. She won't be satisfied until she kills me. Or kills your sister, namely me. I'm gonna get ready for sweep. Shiva and I are gonna have one hell of a fight. Wait a second. Shiva saw my face. She could easily figure out I'm Barbara Gordon. And if she knows who I am, then - Then she knows - Dinah. Dinah. Who are you? Sort of a friend of a friend. What's the matter, see a ghost? We really should stop meeting like this. What are you gonna do, Helena? Sandy. - Why? - You said so yourself. An eye for an eye, a life for a life. Barbara did not mean to kill your sister. It was an accident. Sorry, Kyle. It's like Batgirl said years ago: "Someone has to lose. " - Sandy, I won't fight you. - Then this should be easy. Go ahead. Do it. Why can't you? I would've killed you all. I know, Shiva. Sandy. That's the difference between us. Did you hear what happened last night? There was some sort of fight. Oh, yeah, you know, I heard some teachers got overbeveraged and, uh, went berserk or something. Oh, God. So, what happened with you and Matt? Nothing, we danced. I don't even know why he asked me. It's pretty obvious. He must like you. Okay, well, don't stress, because the feeling's definitely not mutual. He's sweet, he's just not my type. Gabby, he is cool, sensitive, extremely easy on the eyes. - He's every woman's type. - Dinah you know when I agreed to switch lab partners? Yeah. I didn't just do it for you. Yeah, but Matt's lab partner was that girl, Gina. You and Gina? Oh. Heh. She rocks. Matt. - Hey. Still mad? I don't know. I mean, at least you're interested enough to look. It's sort of a compliment stalkeresque kind of a way. - Heh. Yeah, I guess. Do you forgive me? On one condition. You promise not to tell anybody about the unique and personal dream I had about the cheerleading team. Oh, the PDA. Yeah, heh, your secret's safe with me. Sorry my mortal enemy turned out to be your best friend. Hey, that's the life of a crime fighter. Besides, Sandy was my best friend. I'm not sure who she is anymore. You miss it? Being Batgirl? You know I don't think I do. That's a good thing, right? Yeah. Yeah, it is. Barbara, I saw you walking. Just for a minute. I'm not gonna give up trying though. I'll get it to work. Alfred, I wanted to talk to you. You told Helena I was going to meet Shiva. Did I? Goodness. I must be getting senile. I forgot it was a secret. Tell you what. You start keeping secrets and I won't tell Helena that you had so little faith in her that you called the cops. Not a lack of faith, merely prudence. - I should fire you. - And who would do the cooking? Miss Helena? I shudder to think. I see your point. - I'm not the hero I once was, Alfred. - Oh, thank goodness. Batgirl was strong but impetuous. You've grown into a thoughtful, beautiful woman with the capacity to care more for others than you do for yourself. Now, if that's not a hero, I don't know what is. How is it you always know just the right thing to say? Years of practice, my dear. Years of practice. Dinner will be ready shortly.