Batgirl: Breaking the doll

Ch 1: Rooftop meeting

Barbara Gordon jumped off a twenty story building. Usually such an action could have only one outcome, her becoming a pancake on the pavement and "Commissioners daughter commits suicide" on the next days Gotham times. But this was not normal; Bab's tossed a grapple line catching a gargoyle on a nearby building. The line turned her fall into an arc and she landed on the flat roof of the Gotham museum of art. Bab's was clad in a sleek black body suit which hugged her body in all the right places. Her face was covered by a distinctive black pointy eared cowl that suggested a bat. And a black cape flowed from her shoulders. A yellow bat symbol covered her upper chest, joining with the yellow of her gauntlets and yellow boots. Finally a yellow belt snaked round her waist. This suit was the uniform Barbara had adopted as the crime fighter "Batgirl". Frankly she would have preferred "Batwoman" but after her first adventure (facing Killer Moth) the press had called her "girl" and it had stuck.

Bab's liked to claim that she was dressing up like this to fight crime and make a difference but in truth she mainly did it because it was fun. In the suit she was so hot a lot of the villains she went after had trouble deciding if they wanted to fight her or sleep with her. And she got rushes like soaring over Gotham on a rope. Bab's yanked on the grapple retrieving it before she swung onto the next building on her patrol route. As she prepared the hair on her back suddenly stood on end. She spun round and found herself face to face with another woman in costume. In this case a purple body suit that included a cat like mask and a tail. "Catwoman," she said simply. "Can I help you; say with directions to the police station?"

"My you're a feisty one aren't you? Replied the older woman with a purr in her voice, "I'm not here to rob the place, I just noticed you and wanted to say hello,"

"Hello," Bab's replied coldly, "You're a jewel thief I'm a crime-fighter why should I want to meet you, other than to toss you in Black gate, I mean?"

"I thought I was the cat?" Catwoman sighed, "I get enough of this from Batman, hey don't suppose your single are you? I like girls as well you know."

"Wha... weirdo," replied Bab's, "I don't mind girls but I hardly know you. Now rob the museum or go home, I've got stuff to do."

"Sure, whatever," Catwoman replied, and then dropped something, a flashbomb! Bab's staggered blind and fell over. By the time she could see and think straight again Catwoman had vacated the area, and committed a theft. Bab's belt was gone! ... Two hours later Bab's snuck back home, having had a fun time dodging cop's, crooks and a couple of drunk tourists, the loss of the belt had left her stuck at ground level and it had taken five minutes just to get herself off the roof top. I really don't like her! Bab's though while at the same time admiring the woman's tenacity.

Her father was still at work so Bab's stripped off her uniform and then hid it at the back of her closet. Then she turned on her computer and started to hunt down her belt. Bab's had taken the precaution of hiding a Bluetooth phone in her belt. With the help of some plans off the internet she'd been able to set it up to broadcast a "Here I am!" call every few minutes. Bab's now connected another phone to a computer and used her (highly illegal) crack to break into a government tracking program so she could triangulate where the phone was.

Another ten minutes work traced the call and Bab's sighed as she realised where it was coming from, East Gotham, the vice district. Bab's was actually a bit surprised from the stories her father told Catwoman had always seemed well classy, so what was she doing in the vice district, another possibility was she'd ditched the belt which was a problem Bab's didn't want to think about, at least Cats would know how dangerous the thing was, if a kid got hold of it Bab's though mentally cataloguing the stuff inside it, Bat-a-rang's (mostly on loan from Robin), stun gun, picklocks, even a small baton. Thankfully Bab's had another belt (though no replacement Taser, those things cost more than a normal gun!) but still it was dangerous and if it got back to the police, her finger-prints were all over it. Her father would hit the roof if someone else didn't just toss her in jail!

Bab's went back to finding out about where the belt had fetched up. She logged into the internet and accessed an address site. Inputting the belts location she found it was an apartment building, relatively well maintained and under the ownership of one Selina Kyle. Bab's next accessed (alright hacked) the police crime database, and input the details. Kyle had a file, solicitation, immoral earnings, Bab's figured on adding bribery since Kyle had been tried before one of the most corrupt judges in Gotham. Result slap on the wrist. She noted that the solicitation charge had been dropped due to "Mitigating circumstances" Yeah the judge's wallet or his dick Bab's thought. She scrolled down to the section related to this. She read...

"In mitigation of the charge of solicitation Miss Kyle informed the court that she was not a prostitute but rather a "Dominatrix" offering certain "services" for money but not including the sexual act itself. This fact was testified to by several clients. This charge was therefore dismissed and Kyle received a caution for public exposure and a warning to wear more suitable clothing in future. (Bab's chuckled at that, from what she had seen Kyle hadn't learned a thing) In the case of the charge of immoral earnings Kyle admitted that she had taken money in rent for a group of prostitutes who lived in her building, however she stated that if this was a crime then so was taking the money from her more "Legitimate" clients. However by her own admission Kyle had taken the funds knowing their origin. She elected to change the plea to guilty and was fined $1000 this she paid in cash.

Barbara had read enough. Pulling her costume back on she shut off the computer and headed for her bat cycle...

Ch 2: The Capture

Barbara was still new to the hero game and as such she didn't check the apartment building as well as she should have. As such the fact she was gassed the moment she entered the door was really Bab's own fault. She woke up in the worst mess of her career. Apart from her Bat mask she was naked, and someone had forced a ring gag into her mouth. She had been stood up but her ankles were chained to the floor and a thick leather collar encircled her throat. This connected to a short chain that pulled her entire torso downwards forcing it almost horizontal. Chains encircled her wrists and pulled her arms upwards. This ensured that she stayed as she was, breasts exposed and rear in the perfect position for penetration. She looked around the room and noticed that a camera was pointed at her held by a blonde who couldn't be more than sixteen. "Selina, she's awake!" the girl called out. Catwoman walked in,

"Thank you Holly, I'll take it from here. Get some nice shots."

"Oh yes! Later," the girl left. Babs tried to swear at Catwoman but of course the gag mangled the words.

"Well, well Batgirl, you really should have taken my offer earlier. We could have been lovers but now I have to punish you,"

Bab's did her best to convey what she thought of that. "Language, well I bet your just dying to know what's in store for you. Yes of course you are. But first I like to see my enemies faces when I work on them." She reached up and pulled off Bab's cowl Barbara screamed as her identity was revealed. "Commissioner Gordon's daughter this is too rich." Selina spun round and beamed with happiness, "And now your mine." Selina walked around and then said, "Actually I won't say what's coming just wait and see,"

Selina walked over to a corner and picked up a garden hose with attached spray gun, "You've been in that tight suit all night, so let's get you cleaned off." Selina pulled the trigger and pointed the gun straight at Bab's face. Bab's screamed as a high pressure jet of ice water played over her naked form. Selina poured on the water battering the domino daredoll as she was soaked from head to toe. Then Bab's screamed even louder as Selina turned the water on her privates. It felt like ice daggers ripping into her most sensitive spot. Selina kept that up for a whole minute until Bab's couldn't feel her privates. Finally Selina came around the front and pointed the hose at Bab's mouth, she turned the jet on low and allowed Bab's to drink.

By the time this was done Bab's was shivery, sore and very angry. How dare Selina do this to her, she'd see Catwoman burn in hell for this! "Well I guess you're very cold now Barbara but I know what will warm you up." Selina picked up another object a chain with two clamps on the end and a large weight in the middle. The clamps went onto Bab's tits and as Selina had said they quickly woke up. Sharp pain shot through them as they took the weight. Bab's fought the pain refusing to cry out but then Selina pulled on the weights. Bab's screamed in agony until finally Selina let go.

"This can end now Barbara; all you have to do is agree to be my lesbian lover and sex slave. If you do I'll free you and we can start your new life. Yes or no?"

Bab's screamed a barely audible "Never!"

"Oh well I'll break you eventually!" Selina picked up a cat-O-nine tails and went round Bab's rear end. She pulled back her arm and smashed the whip into Bab's butt cheeks. Bab's cried out in pain, as red welts appeared on her behind. Selina repeated the action four more times before saying, "By the way all of this is being taped, either you give in or the whole world gets to see you as a porn star!" Bab's was shocked, now even if she escaped she still had to get those tapes. But how and she was being weakened by Selina's torture. Bab's was more humiliated than she had been in her life she was tired sore and starting to be physically hurt and what if she never gave in would Selina torture her to death? Another cycle of whipping began and Bab's began to scream again...

Ch 3: Turning the tables

For the next several hours the cycle continued. Bab's was whipped, beaten, had things clamped to her and was regularly hosed down with ice water. By dawn she was in agony from her bruises and very distressed. Finally around dawn, Selina stopped and draped a blanket over Bab's battered body. "You can rest for a couple of hours while I eat, Holly will bring you some food." Bab's slumped forwards her arms and feet were sore from hours stuck in her bonds but at least she could rest for a little while. What's going to happen to me thought Bab's. She was trapped in this sadist's dungeon and she had no idea what Selina would do next. After a few minutes Holly walked in, she came over and unbuckled the gag before removing it. "Let...Let...me...go" croaked Bab's.

"No chance, Selina will do that when she decides you can go. She really enjoys this stuff and it rare she has an unwilling participant to play with."

"If you don't then I'll see you charged as an accessory to rape,"

"I'm not stupid Barbara. Selina's gonna keep you here until you worship her as mistress then when she knows you won't talk she'll let you go. Oh and I like seeing you like this as much as her."

"Why?"

"Why? I'm state raised you stupid bitch or rather not raised. I ended up on the streets at 13 because of the system and look at you, silver spoon in mouth because her daddy's head cop!"

"Oh so you think, just because Dad's commissioner I've got it good. Huh."

"Yeah," replied Holly with a smug look, clearly loving the idea of lording it over Babs.

"Well it's a good thing, I'm not listening to you isn't it?"

"What the heck are you...Your bleeding, but Selina didn't touch your hands."

Barbara smiled, and jerked her right hand hard. It was an old escape artists trick one that she'd picked up when she joined the circus during her rebellious teens. Cut your palm and use the blood to lubricate the shackle so you don't lose your skin when you jerk it through. Bab's right thumb dislocated as her hand broke free and she drew it back. In microseconds it became a forward arc as Bab's hit Holly with a very nasty martial arts trick. Holly toppled to the floor knocked out.

Babs listened waiting to see if Selina had heard. Seconds later she jammed her right thumb into one of the neck chains loops. Holding her breath she snapped it back into place. It was bruised, sore and likely broken but it would work. Babs fought the pain as she went to work on the strap holding her left hand in place. It took over a minute but she managed it. Her good hand free, it took seconds to release the collar allowing her to stand up. First she went to work on the ankle straps. She was free! Sore and hurt but free! Babs stood up and stretched. Her body was a mass of aches but it was working, anyone else would have fallen down but Babs was running on anger and adrenalin. A quick look round produced her shredded uniform which Selina must have cut off. However her spare belt was still intact and even betters her main belt was there still fully loaded. Babs guessed Selina had planned to use the stuff later in her tortures. Lacking other clothing Bab's stole Holly's sweater and pants. They were far too small but they would do for now. Leaving Holly tied up in her underwear; Bab's donned both belts, the main one round her waist, the spare one over her shoulder so she could use it as a sling. Bab's then pulled on her cowl. It was easily the crapist costume in history but it would do, Babs reached into the bucket holster on her belt and drew out the Taser gun she kept there. Quickly and deliberately, she stole out of the cell.

The door was clearly sound proof and her prison turned out to be around the fifth floor, she could hear the sounds of breakfast being consumed in the distance. Bab's dry mouth moistened as she smelled food. She ignored it and walked towards the open door. She heard Selina call, "Ah Holly done already, didn't you want to play with her?" Bab's stepped out and raised the gun.

"I persuaded her otherwise," She pulled the trigger, twin steel darts snapped out trailing wires. Catwoman never had a chance; she crashed to the ground stunned. Babs reloaded one handed. Snapping the wires off the end, adding a new reel, checking the battery, and returning it to the holster. Babs quickly tied up Catwoman, and then looked around. Her eyes spotted a syringe and bottle. The bottle was a potent knock out drug and the syringe was loaded. Babs wasn't worried about Holly getting loose but Catwoman was still dangerous. She stuck the syringe in Selina's heinee and injected the lot. She laid Catwoman on her back, and made sure she could breathe while knocked out. Part of her wanted to return the favour Catwoman had done to her, but Bab's wasn't like that and she knew what she had to do. Even if it cost her Batgirl she had to see the two of them go to jail. She reached for Selina's phone and sat down at the table, wincing as she did. She then started punching in a number Batman had given her weeks before. "A number to call," he had said, "For when you get in to far over your head and you will," She had gotten angry with him when he said that, but she had kept the number. He had been right she wasn't cut out for being a superhero. Hell he must have trained for years; she'd been fighting crime with circus skills and judo. NO! She had to go on, if she gave up Selina won, she'd survived this night she'd survive the future. But first she had to get through the day. She dialled the number.

Babs waited; she heard clicks rather than the dialling tone and figured the signal was being routed to prevent it being tracked. Finally she heard his gravel like voice, "Batgirl?"

"Help me," she said simply,

"We're coming," he hung up. She ate some of Selina's food and then noticed the TV in the corner, the remote was beside her. She turned it on; she was looking down on the cell. Selina must have turned it off while she ate. Lucky, lucky Barbara, she thought to herself. Then she noticed the video tape machine below which was clearly recording. She got up and ejected the tape. Another one was beside the machine labelled, "Training Batslut Part 1." She tossed both tapes in the microwave, thoroughly wreaking them.

Five minutes later Batman burst through the door, along with her father. "Dad!?!" she exclaimed as he ran to her,

"We're been looking for you all night, Oh Barb," he hugged her tight.

"Dad, hurts." She moaned.

"Oh Barbara," he repeated.

"I'm sorry Jim," Batman told him. "I should have stepped on Kyle sooner," his voice changed, became softer "I just..."

"You fell for her Batman," Babs replied, "Happens, Just make sure those two stay in jail,"

"We will," her father told her, "We will." ... After treatment Barbara spent a week in bed recovering and that's where her father found her one evening looking at her mask. "You're not going to put that back on?"

"I have to," she said softly,

"Why?"

"Because Selina Kyle wouldn't want me to, she wants me to be broken, to be incapable of doing the thing I love most ever again. I'm Batgirl; I knew there were risks when I started Dad. I run the same risks as any lawperson, I knew something like this might happen Dad, but if I let it break me then Kyle wins."

"You knew?"

"Well I worried more about straight rape, but we both know you could be killed or tortured tomorrow."

"I never wanted this life for you,"

"I'm here Dad and I can do more good out there than in here. I will never be able to forget what happened, but I won't let it destroy my life! But I am making some changes."

"Changes,"

"As soon as I get well I'm going to ask Batman for proper training, and I'm keeping this off my head until he thinks I'm ready." She gestured with the cowl.

"Well I understand, I don't like it but I understand. If I can't talk you out of this just remember I'll be having a cardiac every second your out there."

"Welcome to the club Dad," ... Selina Kyle was sentenced to twenty years in jail, she escaped but the Batman hunted her down in hours. Holly got five years for accessory to rape. The details were kept secret, the public knew Barbara had been attacked but only five people knew the truth.

Batgirl vanished for over a year, when she returned she was a much better fighter and never fell for so stupid a trap again. In civilian life Barbara found herself "Catwoman's victim," and gradually began spending far more time in the mask, using it as an escape into a world she controlled. She continues to fight crime in Gotham City.

THE END

Note: Well that's two stories in a week. As I said hopefully I'll have Lois Lane 2 for you all soon.

Babs escape trick is the same used by Black Canary in BOP #59. The idea for Babs having joined a circus comes from her back story in the else world Batman: Thrillkiller. This story is unrelated, but I always liked the idea and she had to pick up the trick somewhere, (after all she hasn't been training for years like Batman or the Black Canary). It's a Deus Ex but I still feel its possible.

Echotango

Somewhere in darkest England

September 2006