Feral at Heart [Black Serpent]

[Deleted]

--A few days earlier--

Robert chuckled to himself, watching the large, black bat as it fluttered around in it's cage. It's eyes were fascinating, a deep copper color that almost seemed red in the dark. He'd never, in all his years, seen a bat quite like this one. It was unusually large, with sharp teeth and claws, but it was still just a normal bat. It had no outstanding qualities, not mutations or powers. It wasn't like him, the Man-Bat, with the strength to smash concrete and the speed to outrun a helicopter, or atleast one confined by the city. Often, Robert found himself hating the bat, it often got the best of him, but sometimes, it could offer him so much more. So much raw power, that he couldn't find himself to let it go.

So he wouldn't. He'd passed that thought by long ago, despite the urges of Batman and his own family, he simply couldn't give it up. There was so much potential it had, if only he could find a better way to control it! It was like an obsession now. Everyone saw it, but Robert refused to acknowledge it. He didn't care anymore, if he had to hurt people. The Man-Bat was the key to everything, it was his dream. It was why, every waking moment since his break in at Wayne Industries, he'd strived to improve his formula, to give him more control, and now, he finally believed he had it. Robert turned away from the bat and looked out his window, imaging soaring between it's towering skyscrapers once more, with the wind rushing through his fur, and remembering it all, no longer faced with the thought of loosing control. His face stretched with a rare smile, and Robert turned to his desk to pick up the vial of his new formula. There was only one way to find out if it worked. He had to test it.

---Present time--

People screamed, terror obvious upon their features. Some scrambled to hide while other's fled with desperate haste. A few stood, frozen, and it wasn't from the frigid winds that buffeted them from monstrous, leathery wings above. The snow coated creature let loose a shrill shriek, predatory gaze washing over potential victims, picking out the weakest. Fangs gleamed in the light of the pale moon, the icey streets alive with the scent of fear. Many had been on their way home from work, behind the nightmarish bat was still a thin streak of pink in the sky, fading quickly as the moon climbed higher. But now, not everyone woukd make it. Some would fall victim to the Man-Bat gone wild.

He looked far more menacing then usual, far more dangerous. His eyes were wild, feral even, and they gave no hint of reason or control. It's maw was stained with gooey, brown fluid that stuck like tar, but the beast was not rabid. He had a purpose. Man-Bat dove in with talons stretched, and they dug deep into the shoulders of a young man who gave a shout if alarm and pain. Blood seeped suddenly through his clothes, and the metallic scent made the bat's nostrils flare in greed. He drug the struggling man high, circling for a moment to get a better grip before, with a mighty flap, banking toward the outskirts of Gotham as if on a set path, eyes narrowed against the assaulting snow flurries.

It didn't take long, the Man-Bat flew quick and with intention, dropping into a sudden dive as his victim flailed in both agony and fear, but Man-Bat had a firm grip, he wouldn't drop his prey, that would be a waste. He liked fresh, warm blood from a live host, the meat was out of his diet. In a few moments, they emerged from the thick clouds to slow at a rocky shoreline, and the Man-Bat hugged the large cliff that rose above the bay, slipping into a steady glide that took him into darkness. The large cave sat upon a cliff, overlooking the water and well hidden by stone and shadow. But despite the extreme location, the Man-Bat felt perfectly at ease in his new home.

A flurry of small wings greeted him upon entrance, hundreds of bats fluttering out of his path as he flew deeper until the only light came from a small crag in the ceiling of a great cavern. But that wasn't the only thing thing on the cave ceiling. Small pods hung from the rock, brown and sticky cocoons. Heads and limbs were visible, and Kt was clear what they were. They were people. They were hosts for the blood thirsty Man-Bat. His victim, still hung in sharp claws, horrorfied by the scene, but despite the fight he put up, he couldn't escape. In an instant, he too was pinned against the ceiling, staring into the open jaws of Man-Bat, transfixed by the sharp, vampire like fangs.

Man-Bat threw back his head, pushing the sticky, mucas like fluid into his jaws to spit the sticky glob like a spider used web. In an instant, it hardened, and he was stuck like helpless prey. Luckily for the Man-Bat's new victim, he wouldn't feed until the man was more subdued. He didn't want to risk unnecessary injury, although he felt entirely at ease in his cave. Despite the man's shouts for help, Man-Bat wasn't worried anyone would hear him in such a remote place. He simply leapt away to a dark corner and hung there in a comfortable position, parting his jaws in a strained yawn before wrapping himself in his warm wings and settling in for a needed nap.

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This was the city of bats. Yet even in the looming darkness that generally was carried throughout the city of Gotham. There was still beauty. There was stillness. Within the last moments of the day and the sky grew with a faint blanket of a pink sunset. Upon the darken building of the apartment, sat Serpent in a calm and alert state. Meditation, after an essential training session. One needed to be connected not just through the body, but through the mind. Centred. Patience. With legs crossed as she sat. Tailored in black attire. Legs covered in sheer black tights that in places almost had the look of scales, black rather tight leotard, that left the dark tone of her skin bare at the sides and most of her back. Finished off with a black leather jacket, after all the cold wasn't the snake's best friend and lastly black slightly pointed heels with some spikes. Her dark hair slicked back in a high, but lengthy pony tail. Face wasn't heavy with make up, save the black smokey eyeshadow that surrounded her eyes. Enhancing her dark compelling eyes. The mind had wandered in a state of comfort. There was the general noises in the city, but she didn't hear them. It was still. As though she was in a state of relaxation, it opened her 5 senses alert for the right target… With the random places throughout the city, people had been going missing and she was getting closer tracking it, but falling a tad short. Tonight the Serpent was prepared. She could feel and pick up the very faint vibrations beneath her, through the roof, down through the ground. Every bump a car made or the different placing of a footstep. She let it not consume her, become an extension of who and what she was.

Not soon after did a scream come, from a deep reach within the city some blocks away. Serpent's dark eyes opened where she sat and head turned into the direction of where it came. Lifting her nose, she could faintly catch the scent. Feel the faint vibrations from the distance, as if she could sense the ground shake just a little. Her dark fingers ran along the handles of daggers that laid either side of her. She was trained to use a range of weapons, herself was the main one, but this was for added measure. Strapping them in place against the black straps at her thighs. Before rising to her feet and rising within the darkness, with the light of the moon above. With a little flip of the collar of her jacket, soon came off the edge of the building and scaled down. To soon fall upon her black motor bike. Kicking it into gear and a spin, The Serpent drove through the blocks and dodging through the smaller alleys. Even catching the rising symbol, the call of the bat, it didn't sway her from the target, but swerving to a stop with her dark eyes stretched down the alley. Caught the shadowed large creature already on the move. Building to building. With the victim at hand, but this time. Serpent had the target clear. The scent was so strong as she locked on to it. The movements were strong and swift through the city, but the Serpent was at a length following the trail. With the humming of her machine lost within the city's noises

As they skidded by, it was becoming clearer the trail was leading them more in the outskirts of the city. Most of the city sounds were vast behind them. With dark eyes focused a head. The scent had grown stronger, it was rather intoxicating, there was that familiarity, but something differently entirely. Black wings fell rather blended in the sky, save for the faintest outline from the last bit of the sun, then as if in a swift moment. The black figure in the sky. Like a black blanket fell out of the sky. Disappeared. Serpent could already traced the cliff edges before skidding her bike to a stop. Left in a well camouflaged spot, that it wouldn't stand out, but as her eyes trailed around. There wasn't the greatest audience. Save the crashing waves below. Which carried the cooling sea breeze. With as little sound as possible. Serpent crept over to the rocky edge. With enough balance she wouldn't simply slip, but she sniffed out below. Opened her mind and could almost make out the cave below simply from the vibrations, despite the waves lapping at the door, a little discouraging. The smell of death was also there, over powering, but not so much so that she couldn't smell the living either. Well, this little camping vacation was going to stop. Serpent crouched at the edge, her hand lightly supportive as rocked her shoulders faintly to relax any unwanted tension. There came a large crash of a wave to the edge and then the Serpent was gone from the edge.

Feet planted silently at the entrance of he cave door. It was like a rush to her senses. It was like a pit of death. Darkness. The eery feeling, it was there. With the faintest sounds of water drops. The screeching of bats, that a couple that had been spooked by the movement inside, flew past her shoulder. Into the moonlight sky above the beach. Serpent then stalked her way inside. Her feet making very little sound and as shortly as she had entered. Serpent then left the floor. Taking herself in the darkness of the walls. Not exactly straight. The trail seemed to curve a little before the first cocoons swayed in faint light from the roof of the cave. The display of human remains was clear as Serpent slithered close by. Stopping in a dark spot as her eyes caught the sudden movements. It wasn't so easily take not all at once. With the shape of the wings. The creature had turned to restrain its prey. Claws and fangs. As he step enough in the moonlight. Serpent could see the large bat. Different of course from Batman… Was this even a man, something in the scent presented that case, but how much of that was left? Serpent recoiled in her spot, so not to be caught out just yet. Watching as the creature himself moved off to another dark spot in the cave. As if to rest. Tired? Curious? Serpent smirked at the sight as if it wasn't aware it was in itself being stalked. After a few moments of silence. Out seeped the growling hiss from her lips not too loudly, but enough it echoed nicely around the cave. In her quick movements, Serpent had moved from that spot. Potentially coming to another spot, still covered in the shadows and darkness, she had so easily proclaimed in a city like Gotham, or even a simple cave. As growling hiss seeped. Not exactly for a lengthy growl, defiantly a sign there was another creature lurking within these walls. With the faint echoes, it stopped. Finding finally a spot higher in the cave above the Man-bat's head. Her eyes looked sharply at it from her position and in her attempts stalked a little by little. Crawling a little closer. Her skin gripped at the texture of the rocks. Fingers lapped and felt every beat in the surroundings of the cave. There was a plan. To subdue the bat! Serpent gleamed darkly as she approached it within the shadows above.

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It was so faint, the sound. The slight, light step of something lurking, hidden, hunting. Perhaps it was nothing, perhaps, rats? No, the scent, it was misplaced. Different. Unfamiliar. Nostrils flared, hidden in shadow, taking it in to assess it's unfamiliar trespasser. Who would dare? Black, leathery wings unfurled in dramatic display, eyes bright as they assessed the darkness, searching for the brazen creature that lurked nearby, menacing, stalking. Ears twitched, an intimidating, serpentine hiss rising into shadow. Man-Bat angled in, listening for the slightest disturbance, his gaze raking the darkness for prey. Then, he saw it, creeping close, and teeth clicked together in triumph. His next meal, clinging to stone in a challenging crouch.

Even so shrouded above, the shadow was surprisingly easy for the monstrous creature to pick out, and in once, fluid movement, the Man- Bat dropped from his perch. He dove, straight for the floor, and in the last second, with terrible strain, pulled up into a flap and raced back toward the cavern roof in eerie silence. Wings beat the foul air, great limbs of power driving him into extreme speed with teeth caked in crimson stains and parting for fresh meat. Talons stretched from oddly human feet, reaching out like sharp, deadly fingers that sought to grasp their prey from deep within and rip at tender flesh and muscle. His eyes were clear, wild orbs. Predatory, deadly, they swirled with the thoughts of an animal, with no trace of human. No trace of Robert.

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This was the doom lit cave. Housing bats. They hadn't been so easily disturbed by the creature's presence. Not when it was so subtly. So craftily done. Much like the fly on a wall, but a much darker fly. Frankly a snake. She after all was the one without wings in this cave, but where she lacked she gained elsewhere. Even with the subtle droplets. The faint vibrating sounds seeped from the darkness of the shadow. It wasn't made to go completely unnoticed. Perhaps stir a little more than skin deep. A little more to make ones skin crawl. Because mixed within the snake was also tactics of a spider. Of a praying mantis. After all one didn't want to play with such revealing cards and she just wasn't your typical anything or anyone. There was no rush of teeth chattering, but the little darkened heads had certainly peaked with interest. She certainly carried a scent, but it wasn't filled with anything over the top. Mix of her human cells blended in with the cobra. Just as with the corner of her eyes, some of the small bats flew out. They had been smart. Much smarter. As within the simplest light form, glimmered a hint of the grin of her teeth. Who she really was trying to attract had now caught on… Mostly. As her eyes focused in the dark. For what ever the reason was, she just had better eye sight when it was dark. His wings expanded. Only causing the alertness of her stance. She could be quick to react more than he knew. She could be both quick and patient. Very few had such discipline.

As the creature watched down upon the cave wall. Above the Man-bat's head. Although she wasn't to really know he was part human, but it wasn't much of a leap. The scent was mixed, not to mention the obvious bats generally aren't so large and to be frank without offence he seemed to obtain a different logic. Not that she gathered he was a brain surgeon. Whether or not that was something on his menu… It wouldn't be for much longer. As through the study below. Further across. Was there only one remaining victim, Zahira could actually save, but she would at least ensure there would be no more victims. As with its own menacing bravery. The creature crawled bit by bit within and out of the shadows. Closer. Inspecting the marvellous bat below. Certainly giving Batman a run for his run as far as a better gimmick. Soon its eyes as it was seeking her, it fell upon her. Within the instant felt the excitement rush over her skin. Like scales. Feeling the crude change in the vibrations she could feel beneath her touch on the stone. Certainly a different pace. This was going to be no picnic trip. Nothing like the ballet, but it would be a brawl. Creature vs creature. Staking its territory. With the grin turning more into an intent smirk. It was becoming clear the bat saw her as prey. As dinner. Only it was her prey… Not entirely dinner, least not in the literal sense, but defiantly fed her urges. Then in swift agility of the beast it had fallen from its perch. Now running away would be foolish, but would only excite the creature more. She had no flash boots. Not super speed, but she was quick. Sharp. As it dove. It didn't head for the entrance. Nor the hole in the roof. Wings. Teeth. Claws. Every bit of the large body of the bat was now in full head on collision of the shadows in which housed the creature. With hisses still in point. Not in such display. Given it was clear he knew where she was. There was the rumbling beneath her grip. The rush. The deadly scene. Least the scene the could unfold. Her heart pace had grown with more intense beats, but not so much raced. It churned the cold blood. Darkened eyes look target as the bat broke between the space between them. But as from mere inches. So close her skin could just feel the scrap of its claws against her flesh. Almost. As well as the breath. The scent was so much more evident now.

It was hard to say how exactly, because it wasn't the generally quick speed. More it was like the creature disappeared. Within the shadows. Almost gone. Leaving the slight eerie feeling, reminding she was there and just as that was a rational thought. Echoed the hiss, bouncing off the cave walls. Growing and declining in different directions. She had only begun. The bat had shown his cards so early, it was a little telling. He had the advantage of size and strength. Serpent just needed to keep to her cunning instinct. Eventually within her patience. Her own shadow returned. Only now she was the one below. Appearing in her mantis stance, a crouch in a way at the cave's floor some feet below. Her lengthy black ponytail streak over and down her shoulder. Framing the dark toned skin of her cheek and the dark set of her eyes. Encased in dark clothing. She was maybe not hard to easy, but she was hard to focus on. Any second it could fool you. It wouldn't be only cat and mouse games, the battle had barely begun. As if for the slightest moment it seemed she all but a tangling tease. Just before the bat may have realised. It wasn't so easily seen. At least where it started from, because of the darkness and the shadows that surrounded her. The trick of light and dark had a lot of advantages. As if a cut of the dark itself, so subtle it was almost questionable where the dagger had come. To slice through the distance. If not the Bat's fall attention, she might now. Her aim wasn't exactly to a spot to kill, but at least aim to make a mark of some kind. She wasn't so foolish as to throw away her weapons. It wasn't out of reach to get them back.

[Deleted]

Wings beat, great, leathery membranes stirring the foul air into violent gusts. Teeth gleamed, gums crusted crimson, eyes glowing hellishly as they focused on the shadow that was his prey. Powerful pistons, sheathed in slabs of rippling muscle and matted fur, struck out toward the rock with ebony razors arched in tense expectation. The darkness might have worked in her favor in former situations, but the vicious Man-Bat had a fierce gaze that could cut right through it. This was his cave. He knew every nook and cranny. Every crack, and every stone. Even without his eyes, his great, pointed ears served their purpose, tracking every sound. The distinct drop of water, the groaning of his cuccooned victim, and his ragged breath.

With every reverberating shriek, an accurate map of the entire rock structure came to mind, and he could sense every new object, every misplacement. There was no where to hide. No way of deceit. Every movement made was studied by the creature's cold and calculating gaze, every twitch of muscle, every breath, every blink. In a flash, he could comprehend even the most uncanny things. He could sense things. It was to late, when his subject dropped from her perch. He saw the shadow descend, but knew better then the alter his course, to tangle himself within his own limbs. His talons clashed with the stone, dragging deep grooves into the rough surface as it scraped the tender flesh of his feet. Rage boiled, another terrible shriek echoing throughout the cavern.

There was something...he could hear it. A whistle, as air parted around a sharp, penetrating object. His mind comprehended within that moment, and with a great push of effort and a showing grunt, his legs, before the muscle had settled, shoved the monstrous beast off again. The bat's wings struggled to move with the speed of his mind, it's great body twisting around the plummet to the shadows below. There was a sudden agony welling upon the edge of his right wing tip, the scent of his own blood clouding the air as small, red droplets showered the ground below. The blade that had nipped his flesh smashed point first into the stone he had marked just moments ago, the loud clang vibrating deep within the bat's ears as he searched out his target with a call for her blood.

There were no tricks of the dark and light here that she could hide in. With another shrill, verbal attack, her position rose clearly into his mind. Though her scent may have mingled with the earth, there was still the salty smell of her that was human, and of course, though her breathing may be near silent to her, it was clear within his ears. Man-Bat found his wings, stretching them out to stop his fall, swooping down at her once more with his talons in the lead, his teeth chattering together, his wings beating around her. The speed at which he fell was blinding, letting gravity pull him forward to his target. His eyes followed her movements within the dark with perfect clarity, and a glob of sticky mucus rose in his throat. The Man-Bat took aim, and spat, hoping to pin her down at his mercy.

[Deleted]

These were the creatures of the night. With different thirsts, but very much in full range. Serpent wouldn't fooled, she knew the enlarged creature she eyed and mark was not a dumb bat. There was cunningness. Senses multiplied. The thing really that separated them was the mess. He was the pure feral one. With his victims strung up to anyone to see had they entered. Limbs. Where as the snake was subtle. It took its time. When upon a target, there was less full on charging. There was the game of stalking before. Sizing the opponent out. Which was what she was doing. Between physical and mind games. Tests before just jumping in with little to go on… It was risky. Serpent liked to keep to her strengths. Shadows were generally a good strength… As in the moment of near slaughter. Her slithering black self had slipped from above. To eventually land below. It hadn't been overly missed. Which was hardly a flaw, because it still presented the Bat with a little unsettling. He was still confident in the upper hand. She could give him that much, but it really didn't matter if she didn't have it… She was after all a snake. If he'd challenger her aggression, then she could get down and dirty with him. As the darkness of her finger tips pressed with almost dangerous grace at the cave floor. Between a harden surface with the thinly layer of water. That gave it the rough edgy feel. With drips falling subtly in random places around Serpent. As well as upon her. Droplets running slowly, as if it would generally tickle the skin as it did, but Serpent paid little attention… Dark eyes watched from the shadows below.

With a glimmer of what moon lit this cave upon her smirk. 'Come on, boy' Serpent whispered in her thoughts, although pretty much spoken ing her stilled expression. Challenge… She was the one putting it upon him. Spooked him in his own domain, but she was here to put a mark on it. From the smell of the rage building… He was not so happy about it. "You've over stayed you welcome! Now I'm here, to drag you out if I have to or will you go more peacefully?" Words Serpent spoke darkly. Toying with the Bat, though she was more than sure they'd be just falling on def ears. At the very least she was sure he understood the tone. As mixed within her darken hiss voice, was a chuckle. That weirdly bounced off the stone walls around. Before they abruptly stopped. Within the air by the skull of the bat. Flew one of her blades. Best with the slice and dice, but she generally didn't go so combat. Unless she felt it needed it. But as she had expected the bat had been upon it. Keeping him in the game was sort of the point right about now. There was a hint of pleasure in blood that did manage to trickle from his wing. There was no great target hit, but it opened a look in how he could be taken down. Eventually. Finally his attention came to her. A little more head on. Very heads on. Brilliant she was but a piece of meat with a spotlight. Least that was the impression he gave. "That would be a no." Serpent stated with the curl of her tongue. With her position. Felt the sensation run over her shoulder blades. Along her neck. The thudding in her chest at the soothing sounds as his wings beat down. As fast as he was moving. Serpent heard every beat they made against the cold wet air. Yet she wasn't quick to move. With the wings coming down. Around her. She felt the aggression building. Where the snake coiled, now getting cornered. It was not a safe move. Defiantly was not. Being tiny wasn't as bad as being single minded.

The shots from the drool of his mouth. His fangs came down like rockets. Big disgusting balls. Which Serpent was sure mostly the smell of decay. Eating flesh as he did would do that. But as they came. Now they were with great aim. She would give them that. As inches serpent rolled or jump in some varies way to not get hit. She wasn't a fly. Snakes do not get stuck in webs. If anything she was more like the spider. Because her training was a little more than just with the snake in mind. With gripping jump as his wings swooped down as he flew down in her direction. Serpent was not about to ruin that, rather instead help him along. Aiming for leverage with his own left wing, to help her climb. May have led to some initial small tears as her nails dug a little for the support. Until her slithering grip could sustain her. Her nails were digging a little from the swift movement. His wing made it a little rocky, but Serpent with her keen reflexes. Kept her movements, not so much waiting so he would be so quick to gain from this position, but being pretty much attached to him, was probably not what the bat had in mind. Slithering up the skin of his wing. Jumped shiftily upon his chest. Slithering up and around his shoulder. Oooh! Serpent just a little from where his jaws could snap, she was making it hard for him to just reach up and grab her. As in moments. She was out of sight. Behind. As in her quickness of when he was still flying down. Serpent with a strong leap. Slammed both feet into the back of his skull. Too keep him going that direction to hopefully slam him into the ground or least rise a moment of panic. The dagger she still had she took aimed it in the back of his neck as she slammed her weight into him. it was just a dagger so it was to small to do great damage, but she was aiming for a little pain. She did not have the greatest strength, but like every sense being enhanced. So was her strength. Defiantly above human peak, but undoubtedly easily matched by others, but in this case gravity had hopefully aided in it. There was not a lot of time to simply waste here, before his temper really aimed at her. But she did unleash her fangs, to bite him on one of his eats. More an irritation. Rolling off before he would fall badly or grab her. Crawled out of the way so she wouldn't squished. Aiming for shadows behind him. Before jumped up to a leverage on the wall. Slithering up with a little more jump to jump. Her hand grabbed for the dagger from the stone. With a summersault backwards, Serpent landed back upon the ground below. Fallen with a crouch. With the twist and swipe of her daggers in the air. Before claiming her scarecrow stance on one leg.

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Man-Bat was fast. He reflexes were incredible. His agility was uncanny. But it seemed he had met his match. A snake. They were slippery and hard to catch, and they were just as good as seeing in the dark as any bat. There was no hope of hiding for either creature. Both could detect the other with ease. Scent, sight, taste, sound. The serpent moved just as she should. Like a snake. Hard to grasp, and hard to track in close range. She could strike in an instant, far quicker then the bat's mind to comprehend, even as most others wouldn't stand a chance.

She moved in a fluid dance, avoiding his attacks with swift steps. Her words meant little to him, being little more than the animal that he was now. His attack continued as planned, but it never went as planned. It hardly did. In an instant, she was in the air. And then a heavy weight gripped his wing, and he tipped, folding the limb. She was to quick, her nails sliding into flesh, her fingers slipping through matted fur.

Suddenly, the weight was lifted, only to come slamming back down upon his skull. Gravity, once his friend, now betrayed him. The Man-Bat was lucky that his wing had been attacked, rolling him in mid air. The dagger sliced into his wings, which were foldes over his head and chest. It cut straight through the membrane to slam into his shoulder, just seconds before his back slammed into the rock and he skidded backwards in a bloody heap of scraped flesh and torn fur. The beast shrieked, but never lost his motivation for attack.

The Man-Bat sent another glob of mucus rushing for the female as he lurched sideways in an attempt to regain his footing. His shoulder stung, ripped, punctured flesh slick and gleaming with crimson fluids. Rage. He felt rage. It was overcoming. Controlling. It spurred him on, and he lunged for his opponent. His wing swept forward to connect with the leg she stood balanced upon, and his shoulder slammed into her hips to bring her to the ground as teeth sought flesh anywhere he could find it. Hoping to latch onto something, hoping to draw some of his opponents blood. Revenge drove him forward.

[Deleted]

Deep within the bat cave, darkness still engulfed from within. With only the minimum streaks of the moonlight. It was perfect playground, for either creature… They were matched, though equally, they also contrasted. Put in any environment, the insane bat could find some way through destruction, but unable to get to or from the places the Serpent could. It could use the environment in ways he couldn't. There was little way of saying whether that favoured either creature. The bat certainly didn't seem to have a lot of losses on his belt. Though if you put any creature before it, Serpent could find a way to adapt to them… Someway. Somehow. Even with his beady eyes straight down upon her. If he made her skin crawl it wasn't in the way he intended. Serpent was the creature many feared, was it ever afraid itself? Absolutely, it just reacted as a snake should. Fight for itself. Which in this case, was certainly an element. It always was, there always needed to be a base in order to move, but it was also fighting for much more. Maybe more in ways words couldn't entail. As the Serpent's sharp fell upon the Bat's big yet, dull ears. There was the very faintest touch, realisation of the woman entwined with the snake, but she hadn't spoken for it to be heard… Sometimes it was just a matter of tone. Of course as the Serpent soon found, wasn't a problem. The bat judging towards its own target, but Serpent had already zoned in.

Dancing was certainly on way to describe it. The Serpent was about movement and often tricks of the mind as well as more straight forward. Adaption and change. Though her style was tailored to her, it wasn't basic by any means. There was no real plan. More feel and the plan sprung. As it was to attach herself to the bat. Using him as a ladder for another means to hopefully closer to victory, but oh no. Serpent didn't hope for victory. She went until after the conclusion. Often when one is sure the fight is over, it is only the beginning. The Serpent needed no loose ends, of course that didn't include killing. Though often included a great deal of pain, it was rare for someone to just die of pain… So why not? Of course didn't mean just bashing someone's skull in repeatedly, that sort of preceded the point. Nearly anyone could do that if they really wanted to. Serpent though remained overly mysterious left her mark in one way or another. Climbing a huge bat wing, was certainly a first. It couldn't be much different than climbing the wall… Save this wall kind of moved. Thus her instinct didn't have her linger long. Eventually coming behind his neck and with the intended slam of her feet meeting the back of his skull. It had been a slight gamble, but as unexpected for her, it was unexpected for the bat. Who's head was pushed by the force and pulled by gravity. Hitting the hard slick rocky floor, with chips flying past both their heads. Little bit of rubble and dust. There were sounds, perhaps a little of pain, but Serpent knew a creature that. This. He was a creature that didn't like to get his pride knocked back. Unfortunately for him, she wasn't about to quit until his pride was all but gone.

After Serpent had recovered the dagger thrown earlier, there wasn't a telling sign she needed it or both her daggers. Which she now processed both in her well, but not overly gripped palms. Standing with some distance, but not out of range. With more still approach, with balance on the point of her foot. Whilst the legs closest to the target was bent at the knee. The arm faced away with dagger, whilst the other arm faced towards with the second dagger. Eyes targeted. Challenges and as could be expected. He was not a happy bat. Serpent could smell the exposed flesh, even see the droplets of blood. Trickling, getting lost within the droplets of water randomly from above. His brute nature…. Perfect! With all but the echo of Serpent's chuckle, more on the sinister side than purely from joy. Her lips then did come to form a smile. A smirk as you were, but not so vast it strung from cheek to cheek. More subtle, but the intent was still there. The Serpent did not come into a fight with emotions attached. Nothing clouded it. Not that risks weren't there and as the enlarged Bat now charged by his shear will, it was a will. Not surprising he didn't so much think, just reacted. Supposedly he just wasn't as cunning, least not when he'd been knocked down a few pegs… There were certainly more to take down. When the time arose and he was in range. Serpent smooth and direct glided the dagger in the hand closest to him horizontal in the closing space between. Whilst her planted toe, swept around twisting to her other foot, missing his wing by inches. Into a Serpent style roundhouse kick along with the second dagger, her hand glided upwards in the air. In the flow, Serpent ended in the same position as she had started, it had accounted to a possible attack, but Serpent couldn't account to the shear force behind his shoulder. Meeting at her hip just at the last second in her twist. Slamming her backwards until the impact against the stone behind. So much that her head even bounced a fraction. Enough to leave someone bewildered. Enough for blood. As the warming sensation spread somewhat at back of her head. It defiantly stopped the creature in her tracks. Her body mildly limp as it slid to the ground. The subtle murmured sound seeped from her darkened lips. The impact of her back against the stone, did scratch, just splitting the skin a little, but nothing deeper. With the rocking of her head. It was not the time to worry about a concussion, her fighting instinct was still in the forefront. As her eyes sprung open. In what seemed moments. Plenty of time for the bats to find his own ground. The serpent in its own aggression eventually fell forwards. Hands catching against the floor, much as it did when crawling towards him up above. Only now it looked across from the floor. On the same level. As the Serpent stared the bat down.

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There was no pride the mutant bat sought to protect. No big ego to knot his throughts with the rage that shook his body. Adrenaline boiled within his blood, a spurring, crimson magma. His gaze burned kindred with the precious fluids coursing through his veins, sparkling with hatred and malice. An intent driven by the need to defend territory, rather than personal emotion.

His breath came out as strong huffs, saliva dripping from parted jaws that displayed stained rows of sharp teeth and blood trimmed gums. There was little fatigue, however. Only the aches of the beast's wounds. Faced with such a challenging opponent, Man-Bat chose to ignore the gashes and the bruises. His focus was trained on the serpentine woman that had so stealthily slithered into his home.

The gleam of flesh cutting blades dilated sharp pupils. He recognized their deadly visage as they reached greedily for his skin, seeking to slice deep. He could have twisted away. Saved himself the sudden, blinding agony. But that would have put him at a disadvantage the creature knew he couldn't afford. So he charged straight through, letting an angry, piercing shriek fly from dark lips, pursued by a spray of spittle, as the daggers pierced flesh.

The thin, yet deep wounds spurted warm liquid as the blades tore from the grasp of Man-Bat's punctured muscle and severed veins. He vaguely noticed the foot passing just inches over head, but having ducked down to brace himself for the impact of her daggers, the limb glided past through empty air. His grave wounds did not stop him, as he slammed into his enemy as planned. With the Serpent's angle, his crashing shoulder twisted her about to knock her painfully to the ground, and the crack of her skull against stone echoed within his ears.

Triumph had his wings raised in delight, his jaws parted into a victorious, animal grin. His tongue lolled, strings of saliva dangling disgustingly. His fur was spotted with blood, but his was not the only spilled. The fresh, metallic scent of his foe's blood had his mind in a frenzy. As she glared at him, he stared back, contemplating his next attack, his eyes alight with an ambitious flare. His powerful frame trembled with a sadistic glee at the Serpent's pain. He lunged.

His teeth clashed together and he grinded them in concentration, his wings pushing him into the air. His body twisted suddenly, pivoting around Black Serpent in a swift effort the throw her off balance from the side as he dove in to pierce her flesh with ravaging talons. His wings beat about her with the strength to bruise, if they whipped against her skin, and a glob of mucus once more rose in his throat. The beast spat, aiming again to pin her down and disorient her, so he could finish the fight once and for all.

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For a moment in time and in place set deep in darkness of shadows. Where it seemed only a slither of minutes or even seconds. There was careful precision, least from one stand point and determination from either side. To rush it, would be pointless, unless there was purpose. It was all feel. Instinctual. Often little if no reason could be put, because who would easily understand unless put in the situation not to mention bodies. The Serpent had taken far greater than just a risk, but not without knowing she stood somewhat of a chance. It was not of her concern why it took only her to take this leap… But naturally not everyone was as in tune or as aware…. Simply cared… Not that Serpent brought any deal of emotion. She was what she was. A cold blooded creature. With that stigma, it just brought a lot of confusion… Something Serpent knew was a waste of time, in trying to clear. One could either get it or they didn't. It can be hard to change someone's mind, when they are so certain…

Just as the Serpent was certain in her opening threat to the Bat, that she would attack him…. It wasn't with any thought process visible… There wasn't any hesitation. The daggers.. Her leg. It all had come swiftly, in some attempt to get some reaction and result. As in the precise moment, the Bat shrieked in agony. In pain at the inflicted wounds at very embedded slices from the daggers to his flesh. Blood… It was only a start to an end, but Serpent was sure it was all heading in the correct direction. Despite the drawback in her actions to attack. That resulted into the collision of the Bat crashing into her body. Her head injured in the process, but not without complete mobility. She was a creature with a lot more bite in her, to simply give up. Because at some point the survival mode kicks in… Her body had slid. Slumped against the cold. Harshness of the stone's edges. Dazed for sure. She was not without flaws of her own or simply put, she was less likely to have a high immortality rate. Sitting here like a coward. Completely weak, was not a safe move. It may not come quickly with its own injuries, but the Bat wasn't completely stupid. Well, that really wasn't why she was here. To debate about it, but she wasn't about to give up her space for him. She did not care for the cave, but she cared enough not to allow injustice to keep continuing. As in natural reaction. She had come back upon her fours. Fingers just touching the cave floor and ever so shifting of her shoulder blades. Undoing some of the tension and well to give the challenge back. He stared back. In delight to a degree in the pain he causes, but looking at him. There was yet to be enough inflicted on him, to truly satisfy her desire to bring him down. She didn't crawl. She was silent. Patient, but she turned shiftily a little as the Bat, took more vertical. It wasn't to be completely unexpected he could fly, but it be a lie to say there wasn't something about. The shear size, it defiantly added to his presence. Not that it created a great deal of fear, but she'd be stupid not to give it was a benefit he had. A challenge? Sure…

Serpent just needed to find a way. For the Serpent. The challenge had the excitement factor for her, if one was to ask. There defiantly was not a breeze aided by his shear wing span beating down and around her. A little toyed at the hairs on her arms, but one shouldn't completely mistaken that as nerves… You back a snake in a corner, your asking to be bitten. Its a natural mistake many make too often… In the swift action the Bat made. Diving down towards her side. The Serpent in her crouch, summersaulted out of the way/ merely feeling the slight drag of his his claws, but nothing quite he had hoped in terms of tearing her insides out. Just as swiftly she'd moved. His wing was met. They were not without some difficultly completely escaping, but Serpent did hit back with the swipe of her daggers and a couple of turns across the floor in order for the right aim. Though she wasn't aiming to a point, just more defence. The Serpent couldn't resist it all. Get struck a couple times, once a little more damaging than the others as her dagger was knocked. Slid somewhere across the stone flooring. The hits the Bat made, were enough to leave welts and to tear at a little blood, but no real wound. Dropping her second dagger. With another swipe with his wings after some eyeing for the right time and she took hold. Taking a minor balance upon his arm, of course with great possibility he'd shake, but this was all in swift motion. As soon she motioned to take a decent bit on the lower part of his arm. He was on the massive scale, so if she was to aim to knock him out by her venom, it would take a great deal. But certainty a small amount, he's perhaps at least feel. It was a matter of finding out now… As her hands then fell at his wrists. As she had unexpectedly pulled up a dark rope, when she had dropped her dagger. In effort now to knot it firm enough around his wrist. Least it was a start. Swiftly when the unsettling started, Serpent jumped from his arm and back to the ground. Very closely missing as the Bat spat at her. As the Serpent had slid between his legs. To appear somewhere behind him. Her hand with some of the rope still in hand… She was not attempted to bind him so quickly now, because well it mostly likely wouldn't work. Keeping it more slyly and patiently. There was more likely a chance. As if she was successful at all with her venom would also wait to be seen. Even the slightest show. It could great utter chaos from him or maybe the complete opposite. There was little way to tell. How human was he within?

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There was always some dissapointment to be had in a fight. Things never went exactly as planned, so why bother planning them? Man-Bat merely acted on instinct. He dove in for the kill because he had a chance too, not because he took thirty seconds to plan too. That would have been as waste of time. A waste of effort. When you planned, and your plans crashed, all you could do was hope. But for Man-Bat, all he ever did was react, to the best of his ability in that instant. When his claws grazed flesh, he immediatly calculated a new route. His teeth sought her flesh as she leapt into the air.

His wings still beat at her, but as always, his enemy struck back, drawing blood. He was bleeding from more than just a few slashes now. His own blood stained his fur. His brutish habits had thrown him to the own destruction of his flesh, despite the slight advantage it gave him. To charge her, he knew, was only met with more pain. But it was also met with a few powerful hits of his own delivery. To the Man-Bat, victory was worth risking himself. When one of his wing tips threw away one of her pestering daggers, the Man-Bat gave another shrill squeel of success.

Then his wing tips met a little more solidly than intended. Once more the serpent had a grip of his life line. His precious wings. Without them, Man-Bat was nothing. The threat was clear and frightening. He flapped hard, but he was teetering, leaning to one side. The higher he flew, the greater chance of a sudden, deadly plummet to the stone below. Still, he climbed higher, bucking and shaking in an effort to fling her away. His muscles ached with the strain. His wings were not meant for so much weight, not on one side. If he was holding her in his talons it would be different. He felt her teeth sink into his arm, and in a desperate effort, clapped his wings together, using her as an anchor, and dropped.

The air whistled around them as they twirled in gravity's arms. He vaguly felt the rope slide around one of his wrists. He didn't care. His teeth would slice through any normal rope in seconds. The serpent leapt away when they drew near to the ground, and he still sent a glob of mucas in her direction. She avoided it as he strained to expand his wings. He leveled with the floor just seconds before impact, and was able to swoop back into the air with some effort. His wings ached, and he felt oddly fatigued. Man-Bat gave a small chirp and retreated higher, into one of the dark crevices of the cave. He landed sideways upon the stone, staggering, and turned to scan for his opponent.

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With success the Serpent had found a position upon the huge Bat's wings. It evidently made it safer with not being in reach of his teeth nor claws, but it certainly wasn't that stable. With all his efforts to be rid of her, Serpent defiantly could feel the shakes and trembles beneath her feet. Her hands, but she managed to balance. Even as the giant beast took flight with what effort he could without Serpent completely hindering his flight path, but it was easy to tell, it just wasn't easy for him. He was gifted with great wings, but without. Was he nothing but a rodent? A giant rat! All Serpent needed was just that small window of time. Just enough, as the grip was done and her teeth sank into the flesh of his giant arm. Not a long hold. There was no telling only feel she could try to see how long a bite he needed to drop… Odd just in seconds, he dropped. Literally. Of course most likely not in the way Serpent had in mind. All in due time. Rushing this would mostly ruin the party. As the fall came. Twisting like the oddest pairing of leaves. Twisting and turning. Though of course. The falling wasn't entirely feeling it would have an end button. To which Serpent's bite let go and snagged a moment to tie a rope. It dangled a little from his wrist and lengthy disappeared within the shadows. What be the point if it was a short rope?

Of course the chances of him tearing the rope off, was defiantly there, but one had to have many options up their sleeves. Or so you'd hope. Feet once again planted firmly upon the ground. Summersaulting and position in a low crouch with her knee to the floor. Not leaving her back to face her opponent for too long. The dark eyes pierced through the levelling shadows. Looming over the grand Bat. Finding his balance before crashing into the stone floor. Serpent waited for his next move, but he retreated. Did not fly off and away. He certainly could. That wouldn't be unwise, but that would mean Serpent had to track him now. Though unable to fly, she could find away to tail him. In the darkened holes deep in the stone walls of the cave, she could see his shadow disappearing into. Just remaining a little view, but he felt safer high above. Looking down. Trying to find his prey, that had bitten him back. Against the wall to the floor. Dangled the lengthy rope. Much like a trail. If he wasn't huge. Pulling him down would be easier. Serpent was only so strong and there were many things that could over come strength. As the bat would look down. Upon the creature below. The creature had all but disappeared. Was this a turn around? Serpent come to the Bat? Was this a wise move? The was no room for second guessing. No doubting. Just the target in question.

As cunning as a Serpent could be, but evidently wasn't hiding. As hand by hand. The Serpent slithered her way up the cave wall. At not a heart beating rate. Though she could feel his underneath her as it vibrated through the floor and walls. She could feel the pain. Though minor, it was still damage. They both were. As her head was still pulsating from behind, but one need to push it out of mind. As much as she could. As well as the couple of cuts. The faint blood that trickled down the wall. Mingling with that blood of the Bat. It would have smelt viral, but it already did, with the bodies below and about the cave. Inch by inch she made her way to where the beast hid. Following the path of the rope. Although a few paces below the opening. The Serpent stopped. Her gaze staring at the hiding spot of the Bat, maybe even the bat himself. If it was the gleam of his eyes she caught. With the sinister smirk upon her darkened lips. A hand lightly placed upon the rope. Just on the chance, there maybe a moment to tangle him. Too a degree. It would take a lot and he wasn't out enough, Serpent was sure not to kick. Scream and he did not just scream. It would possibly be painfully sharp. In swiftly motion, silently. Serpent had moved in a way around the opening With a hold of the rope, though loosely so less likely to be felt, maybe just a touch. Before the Serpent appeared a few paces above the opening of where the Bat sat within.

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Silent as the serpent was, even her breath could not be masked. The Man-Bat heard each inhale and exhale, gentle whispers, so out of place in the stale air of the cave. The light tug of the rope tickled his fur as it slid just a half inch at his enemies touch. The beast was alert, his ears standing tall, picking up the slightest of sounds. His eyes were wide, piercing the darkness, but not a shadow emerged near to his vision, in the darkness of the cave and the constrictions of his crevice, nothing was revelealed. Nothing but the slightest sound of nails sliding against rock.

The serpent was closing in, but the Man-Bat was ready. With the strength to tear a man to shreds in just seconds, his blood thirst drove him forward despite the rush of fatigue that accompanied every movement. He could hear her breathing more clearly now, right above him, and the gentle tug of the rope that may not have alerted other creatures, but that Man-Bat's sharpened senses surely noticed. He didn't have much longer left, darkness was creeping into his vision. He knew he needed to wrap up the fight. To escape.

Suddenly, he sprang from his shadowy perch, out into open air as to stretch his wings wide and give an ear splitting shriek. Man-Bat spiraled for a moment before flipping back toward the female on the wall with blurring speed. His feet slammed into her, talons wrapping around her limbs to pin her to the rock as his wings flapped fiercly about the fighting pair. Man-Bat attempted to sink his teeth into flesh, to draw blood in revenge for his own lost fluids, and pull her from the wall in a tight grip so that he could drop her to splatter against the ground far below a few seconds later.

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Silence, maybe not… Precision? More than likely. Whether sound really could fool him, was seemingly harder than others. Could she trick him with echoes? Surround sound. So to speak, but really it was a little past hide and seek. Well, despite the current literation, someone just wasn't very good at hiding… Ding. Ding, on who that winner was. Maybe there wasn't one. Not yet until one dropped. It really didn't matter how precise he knew. Felt. Saw. It all was benefiting to the fact there was a target in set… Really? She'd go through all this, for the bat to turn heel and the snake simply call it day. Come back somewhere down the line… No.. No. The time had been bidding enough. It was now… Was it now or never? The brink wasn't there… Yet!… There was defiantly the vibration of blood possibly curdling, but most of which hadn't been spilt yet. That tiny pull from the mix on the foreign, but he was feral enough to still be no where near tame enough. The little men in blue wouldn't have a clue how to properly leash him, not unless his claws were out of action and his jaw bound. Perhaps even the clipping of his wings. Or would that just be cruel? At this rate with the stench of rotting flesh, cruel had already been set at his doing.

Ceasing to be ended at the creature in black and shadows. There was something warm somewhere wrapped within the cold blood. Fingers and limbs at the stone wall above the bat cave. Fingers still lingered at the rope. very loosely now up and around the entrance of where the bat bursted out. In a gusty flight. Flying away. The Serpent merely let the rope gently glide out, until the Bat flipped and turned. Facing the target… Though quite loose. The rope bound at his left arm was now in a loose position across his body, towards his right shoulder, around his the back of his neck and around a little at his left shoulder. To which trailed to the where the Serpent sat with the rope at her grasp. Of course it was all risky, but worth the risk if it paid off. The Serpent kept at her spot as the the crazed Bat came at her. With his wings still in abled motion. Teeth. Possibly claws once he was closer. Some inched, the Serpent motioned to move, something was snagged on the stone walls. It generally didn't happened often. Though not panicking. The bat was certainly getting closer. After a little tugging and he was close enough the Serpent could smell his breath. Serpent simply motioned and ripped the part of her costume from the snagging position. Not quick enough she felt a grip around her, More than her clothes getting ripped now, she was sure of it. As soon as the squeezing started. With what she could, moved her fangs out to bite him on the hand, multiply. Not at all holding back the venom. If not out of annoyance or simply to drop her too some remotely death.

In a matter of seconds after feeling close to having walls squeezing her lungs out and possibly her eyes. It certainly wasn't the most welcoming hug one would wish for. Wasn't even close. The grip then disappeared, slowly and then altogether. She felt a possibly shake, on the off chance the Bat maybe thought she'd hang on. Like he was her life source, beg too differ. As the Black Serpent didn't so much disappear, but fell. Her fingers still on the rope. It was loose, but she didn't let the rope pass through her fingers anymore. Instead held it as she fell. So what was loose at his wrist up and over his shoulder and neck. It was tightening. Motioning a quicker tug given she had the speed from the fall. For it to catch and bring his left arm, wing up towards his chest. Whilst where the rope rested and was getting also firmer at his neck, pushed down on him with a decent amount of force from her fall. Of course this still wasn't a wrapped up deal, but the Serpent was certainly taking the chance if she could manage it. Once the rope had finally stopped enough in effort to bound his wing to him and his head down. With what agility she had, swung across in the air with a little help from a push from some of the stone she had been pushed in. Coming at the other side of the cave walls. Perhaps if she was quick enough, she could bound more than just one wing, thats if she was successful and how more of a threat could a one winged bat be? If more than revenge set in his talons?

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The Man-Bat had managed to pin her to the wall, he hardly noticed the bite as he attacked. It was obvious the woman had lightning quick reflexes to be able to sink her teeth into his flesh with his wings beating so furiously. One of the claws of his wings carved a thin, bloody line across her cheek as he dragged her away from the wall to let er plummet to the rock below. He didn't take into account the rope that quickly tightened around him, pinning his wing to his chest. With one wing out of action, Man-Bat spiraled toward the ground with his other wing flapping uselessly in the air. He crashed painfully into the ground, struggling with the rope, and giving a loud shriek of rage and pain. Though Man-Bat had high durability, it was likely he had broken something in the fall, and the pain of his injuries was exhausting. After a moment, he ceased his struggle in an effort to simply breath, and his eyes closed as darkness took hold of his vision. Though he refused to sleep, a few seconds of rest wouldn't hurt.