A/N: Love the feedback I got from the first chapter. Hopefully you guys enjoy this chapter just as much? Review and let me know if you did.

XXX

Gotham City…

A coastline megalopolis that was a cesspool of crime, corruption, and chaos. The murder rate, compared to other cities, was so far above the national average that the crime itself was almost as mundane as something like car theft. How this hellhole of a city managed to attract any new residents or businesses was quite possibly the 8th Wonder of the World.

It was midnight, and the city never slept… meaning it's criminals didn't either...

A long black car shot down the streets of a sprawling metropolis. Every car that saw the intimidating vehicle coming, quickly swerved off to the side to allow it passage.

They were smart to do so, all things considered.

This car, practically a tank, was heavily armed with bullet resistant plating, radars, built in police scanners, missiles, and machine guns loaded with tranquilizers and plastic bullets installed above the headlights. This machine belonged to this city's protector; it's Dark Knight that sent every thug, criminal, and lowlife scattering like roaches back into the shadows.

Unless, that is, they were dumb enough to try and fight this man and his boy sidekick. Those that did, normally wound up in the hospital unconscious; with numerous broken bones, internal bleeding, and sometimes brain damage.

A tall, muscular man in a black, bat-themed costume was behind the wheel of the car. In the passenger seat was his sidekick, a boy dressed in a red-armored tunic, yellow hooded cape that covered his head, and green boots and gloves.

"As always, you're too aggressive, Damian." The Caped Crusader said, not taking his cowled eyes off the road, "What you did to that thug was-"

"Completely justified, father." the man's sidekick and son said, eyes never leaving the passenger window, "He was a piece of garbage that stole and killed for a bigger piece of garbage. He's lucky I only paralyzed him."

"You deliberately paralyzed him out of anger, Damian." Batman said, "Your temper's only been getting worse, and it's showing in how you fight."

"So what do you want me to do, old man, prop up some pillows and gently knock the vermin unconscious?" the boy asked, "You forbid me from killing, so now are you implying I can't so much as break anything on them?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying." the Bat said, "I'm trying to make you aware that you're walking a very thin line right now. You know what happened to Jason."

"I'm no Jason Todd." the sidekick said spitefully, "Why are you even bringing him up? He's not even a member of this fam-"

An alarm blared from the GPS, a message appearing on the screen that read, GCPD ALERT: SOUNDS OF GUNFIRE REPORTED IN AN ALLEY OFF 38th and 6th ave.

"We'll continue this talk later." Batman said as Robin cracked his knuckles, readying himself for action. The Batmobile made an aggressive U-turn into the next street, before blasting off down the road.

XXX

The car stopped at the entrance to the reported alley, the crime fighters having arrived before any of the city's police force could. Batman and Robin exited the car and entered the alley, their eyes instantly taking in the gruesome aftermath of an altercation that may as well have been called a slaughter.

Bodies lined the musty alley floor, riddled with bullet holes or slashed with some type of blade.

"If I were one to guess," Damian said upon first glance, "I'd say gang war. Maybe a deal gone wrong?"

"At first glance, I'd say that too." The Dark Knight said as he took a closer look at the corpses, "But, they don't look like any members of the big three." the "big three" alluding to Cobblepot, Two Face, and Black Mask.

"Could've just been random junkies." Damian said.

"Not likely either, Robin," The Dark Knight took a knee, his eyes scanning over the bodies. "Gun shots, but nobody here was wielding a weapon." he said as he looked over the alleyway, a lack of guns anywhere in sight, "Cuts and slash wounds," the Dark knight noticed, "large and deep."

"Knife or machete?" Damian asked.

"Try sword." A new voice cut in.

The two vigilante's looked up to a fire escape that hung above the alley, seeing a man lounging leisurely on the rusted metal gratings.

The man held a large metal broadsword in his hand, casually looking at the blade before standing up. He leaped over the railing, flipping and landing gracefully down on the alley floor, red trench coat flapping from the wind that blew through the alley.

Batman and Robin eyed the man who had his back turned to them, the murderer starting to walk out of the alley.

"You killed these people?" Batman asked, to which the man stopped.

He turned to glare at the bat, blank expression turning to a smirk, "What if I did?"

Dante immediately dodged the batarangs thrown at him, smirking all the while as he blocked a right hook from the vigilante.

Batman's eyes widened in surprise, his punch having been stopped cold by the man's open palm.

A chuckle escaped Dante's throat, "Well damn, aren't you touchy." he said, eyeing the man, "And what's with the stupid outfit? Halloween come early around here?"

Batman attempted slamming his elbow into Dante's face, but faster than the Dark Knight could comprehend, the half-demon grabbed his arm and Judo threw him to the opposite end of the alley.

"Batman!" Robin shouted before pulling a small rod from his utility belt. Dante turned to the boy, curious what he was going to do with the rod before it instantly extended into a bow staff.

"I think you'll need a bigger stick, kid." Dante grinned as the sidekick charged at him, taking a swing with the staff that he weaved and dodged half-heartedly. The son of Sparda grabbed the staff in a tight grip, before swinging Damian into a metal trash can. "Chillout Birdbrain," Dante said as he turned back to Batman, dropping the staff in front of Damian, "mommy and daddy are trying to talk."

Damian grunted as he clutched his sore head, "Which one are you?"

"Awww, that's cute." Dante smirked. He focused on the Dark Knight who stood back up to his feet, "So tell me, Nosferatu, why are we not keeping our hands to ourselves?"

"You're a murderer." Batman said angrily, "I'll make sure you see justice."

"Whoa-ho-hooo, me? A murderer?" Dante said in faux hurt, "Me, kill a person? Nooo, I would never, ever- well, actually," The white haired man acted like he was thinking, "maybe I'd ice the guy who keeps putting olives on my pizza's, but-"

Dante immediately blocked a combination of punches from Batman, the swordsman barely trying at that point. He used his leg to sweep Batman's own, before kicking the vigilante into an alley wall.

"You know what," Dante dusted his hand on his pants, "you seem like you're in a bad mood, you and Woodstock over there." he nodded to Robin, "So," Dante pointed up, "I think I'll take my leave and let you two cool down." He jumped from the Alley-floor all the way up to the building roof above. He looked down at the two crime-fighters, "Adios, birdies!" he said with a slight wave.

"Wait!" Batman called up as he and Robin fired their grapples, shooting themselves up to the empty rooftop.

The two looked around, no sign of the man in red anywhere.

"Who was that guy?" Damian asked Batman, who's cowled eyes looked off into the cities skyline.

XXX

The next afternoon, the massive door to the Wayne Manor pushed open, Damian walking back into his father's home. The boy was dressed in the blue uniform of his private school, backpack slung on his back.

"Ah, Master Damian," Alfred asked the boy as he took his backpack from him, British accent just as heavy as it always was, "How was school today?"

"Pointless, Alfred, as always," the boy shrugged off the blue dress jacket, handing that to the butler as well, "Where's father? The cave?"

"Hasn't left since last night." The butler said, "Do check on him, I believe he could use a distraction from his research."

Damian glared at the butler before sighing, "Fine."

The boy headed into the Bat-Cave, the headquarters of Batman located deep below Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne himself sat at his computer, eyes glued to the screen as he rapidly typed away at the keyboard.

As Damian approached the man from behind, he could see what he was searching on the web;

MAN IN RED

WHITE HAIRED META-HUMANS

WHITE-HAIRED SWORDSMAN

MEN IN RED-COATS

A few of his searches resulted in articles of the Flash, and Slade Wilson.

"I can tell your search isn't going so well, father." Damian said from behind Bruce. His father was still dressed in his costume, but without his cowl, revealing a near middle-aged man with black-hair and a strong jaw.

"No," Bruce said, continuing to type away at the keyboard, "whoever this man is, he's done a good job at keeping himself off the radar."

"Impressive for a guy that likes to slaughter random junkies." Damian said.

"Too impressive." Bruce said as he rubbed his chin, "I couldn't name too many meta-humans with white-hair."

"Neither can I." Damian said, looking from the computer screen to his father, "Where are we going to go from here?"

Bruce didn't answer his son. The Billionaire closed his eyes, thinking back on the man in red, 'Just who are you?'

XXX

"Dante, lady. The name's Dante." The Son of Sparda moaned tiredly to the woman working the motel front desk. Having had (from his perspective), a long, long night, he attempted getting a room where he could… though, as usual, a lack of money was his greatest challenge in that regard. He'd managed to find what may be one of the seediest motels in all of Gotham.

"Could give a damn what your name is pal," the woman said rudely. She was old and skinny, though she may have looked older than she was due to years of smoking and drinking, if the cigarette she had in her fingers and cheap beer in her breath were any indication. Her skin was like wrinkled leather, heavy eyeliner painted on her face. She took another hit of her cigarette and blew the smoke in Dante's face, the demon-slayer unfazed, "we ain't no charity. We don't just give out rooms to whatever broke-ass schmuck comes waltzing in." She jerked her thumb to the front door, "You want charity, look for Bruce Wayne."

"Well what if I just slept in a bathroom?" Dante asked, trying his best at negotiation, "I've never been one for comfort so I can settle for a bathtub as a bed."

The lady cut her eyes at the demon-hunter, "Do you have the money to rent the room that the bathroom comes with?"

"Tsk, what do you think?"

"I think," the Lady glared at Dante, "you should get the hell out before I call GCPD on your dumbass."

Dante gave a slight huff, and turned on his heel, "Fine. I can see you people aren't much for customer service." he strolled over to the door, "I'll just take my business elsewhere."

He left out the motel… for a few seconds,

"If you want I could take care of your rat problem for a-"

"OUT!"

XXX

"Women..." Dante thought out loud as he walked the squalid streets of Gotham. While he was in one of the poorer districts, the streets were still packed with civilians during the day; cars zipping down the streets, families walking with their kids, businessmen hurriedly passing by with briefcases in hand. Despite the streets being packed, the devil-hunter was able to walk unperturbed, the Gothamites trying their best not to bump into the guy who had an evil-looking bigass sword strapped to his back.

Obviously, nothing Dante wasn't used to. Though normally, he'd have certain… qualms, about waking up in an unfamiliar city, but in his line of work, he'd gotten used to 'portals to various wonderlands'. Since he lacked money for a payphone, he couldn't call Lady or Trish to pick him up, much less order a taxi. And, him being the pinnacle of... moral absolutism… it's not like he could just steal someone's car or phone anyways.

He'd have to put up with the dickheads in this city until he could scrape up enough cash to get himself a ride or flight home.

A rough sigh blew from Dante's throat. He needed a drink. Out of his peripherals he saw what looked like a cheap bar coming up on his left; a small two story building, windows cracked with motorcycles parked out front.

'Noonans Sleazy Bar' The sign above the building read.

"Sleazy." Dante scoffed with a smirk, the hunter stopping in front of the building, "Just my kind of spot."

The door to the bar burst open, all conversation among the patron's instantly dying as their eyes shot to the new comer.

Dante stepped into the pub's dark interior, the stink of cigarette smoke in the air.

Boy, did he hate that.

His blue eyes skimmed over the various sleezeballs that occupied the bar, all of their eyes glued to him like he were a deer, and they were wolves. Dante wasn't scared of these men, but he could tell they were hardened; street gangsters, common thugs, hitmen, ex-mercenaries, and various other scum being among the patrons.

"Not bad." Dante said as he swaggered up to the bar counter, leaning against it as he knocked on the wood, "Yo, what's it take to get a drink around here!" he called out.

"I am Baytor!" A shrill voice shot back from a door behind the bar.

The door burst open, out walking a… thing with gray skin and a mouth for a face. It's build was knee high and scrawny. At first glance, Dante's eyebrow raised and a smirk slid across his face as the creature sauntered up to the counter, "I… am Baytor!" the bartender repeated as it slammed it's bony hand down in front of Dante.

The Demon hunter didn't flinch, instead eyeing the ghastly creature up and down, "You're a demon." he said with a nod.

If the creature had eyes, they'd be narrowing dangerously at the white haired man in front of it, "I am Baytor…"

"Who is a demon." Dante said plainly, "So, how 'bout you get me a drink, and I don't smack those pearly whites outta your head."

The bartender grumbled, before reaching into a fridge and grabbing a bottle of Heineken. Slamming the glass bottle down in front of Dante, the demon stormed off back through the door behind the bar, all the while grumbling.

Dante snickered and shook his head. He popped the bottles top against the bar counter, the cap landing on the counter. Dante looked to the busted up box T.V mounted against the wall, before flicking the bottle cap at the on switch.

The screen turned on to a running news channel.

*"And here we have the hero known as Wonder Woman back in the news!"*

*"That's right Tom! The latest reports say that the superheroine just stopped a meteor from landing into Coast City!"*

A picture of the heroine in topic appeared on the screen, Dante's eyebrow raising when he got a good look at her. She wore a gold tiara with a red star in its center, a red and blue mini-dress with a golden 'W' going across her chest plate. She wore extremely short blue briefs, littered with white stars designed into the fabric. A lasso made of gold hung at her side looped around a hook on her gold belt.

"Hmph, weird chick... Stupid lookin' outfit." he thought out loud as video was shown of the woman giving a slight wave and smile to a group of cheering citizens, before flying off… an act that truly caught Dante's attention.

One of the bar patrons, drunk and irritable, stumbled up to the TV, "What the hell is this shit?!" he asked no one in particular. He turned off the TV screen before stumbling back passed Dante.

"You know I was watching that?" Dante asked the man without turning to him, who responded by giving the son of Sparda a nasty grin,

"Well, you aren't anymore, are ya'? Rockstar." the drunkard said spitefully with a dry chuckle.

Dante nodded before he grabbed the man's wrist, casually flipping him into the floor.

Baytor stumbled out from behind the bar, wanting to get a look at the commotion.

"You mind turning the TV back on?" Dante asked the demon as he disregarded the dazed man. Nobody else in the bar seemed to care, everyone going about their business.

Baytor grabbed the remote from the counter and turned the TV back on.

*"-residents of an apartment fire saved by The Flash just early this morning!"* The TV showed the image of a man in red full-body tights giving a thumbs up to the press before running down the street in a red blur and yellow lightning.

*"Nothing but good news today Marge, all thanks to the-"*

Dante zoned out, the demon slayer eyeing the events on screen incredulously. "The fuuuuu-" he walked over to a pay phone in the bar's wall.

He patted his pocket for coins, "Oh, right." He walked up to the barely conscious bar patron he flipped just minutes ago, "Hey buddy, bum a quarter?"

The drunkard grumbled before scrambling around in his pockets, the man handing Dante the coin.

Dante took the coin, depositing it into the coin slot before dialing a number he was all too familiar with.

He waited out the ring, before the line connected,

"Hey Trish," the half-devil immediately said, "it's Dante! I think-"

"Trish? Trish?!" It was instead some angry sounding man with a heavy Jersey accent, "This ain't no Trish! What are ya' some kinda-"

Dante immediately hung up the phone. He put a hand to his head,

"I may just be in more trouble than I thought…"

XXX

(Gotham City Police Department)

Batman and Robin entered the GCPD morgue, the Dark Knight receiving a tip from the Chief of Police earlier that night.

The two vigilante's met up with Commissioner Jim Gordan outside the Coroners room down in the Department's underbelly.

"Batman, good of you to come." Jim said as he walked with the Dark Knight to the embalming table, "Hopefully when you see it, it'll give you less of a scare than it gave us." though, the commissioner knew it wouldn't. Batman, in his line of work, dealt with unnatural scenes on a night to night basis.

The trio stood over the table with the Coroner, a man dressed in a blue medical examiner gown. The table held a covered body, coroner peeled back the white sheet over the body, revealing to the two vigilante's a corpse… that they immediately noticed something wrong with.

The corpse was of a man, middle aged and balding, bullet holes in his chest and a deep cut going diagonal across his gut. That was normal… as far as corpses go.

His flesh, was still as peach as it was when he was still alive… almost 24 hours ago.

Batman touched the man's throat, and while there was no pulse, he noticed the warmth coming from the man's flesh.

"Still warm… hot, almost." Batman said, Robin passing him a surprised glance.

"And these corpses were brought to me exactly 22 hours ago." the coroner said. He nodded to the shelved bodies, "Make no mistake, they're all dead. One of the bodies I stored, I took one step further by removing every major organ and half its digestive tract."

Batman's scowl deepened, "Still warm."

"Right." the coroner nodded, "And that's not all. The organs were rotted, as if they had been decomposing before the victim was ever deceased."

Gordon and Robin looked to the Dark Knight and the medical examiner, neither knowing what to make of this information.

"Whatever these people were..." Batman said, now having a whole different perspective on this stranger he was hunting, "they weren't human..."

XXX

(Last Night)

Dante woke up near the Gotham docks, his neck sore and his head throbbing painfully.

"Ugh, aye aye aye." he sat up, rubbing his neck as he shook his head, "Where do these guys come from?" he stood up to his feet, the man looking around the docks. Rebellion lay on the wooden docks, hanging off slightly above the water. Ivory lay on the dock as well, a few feet away from the gunslinger. Dante felt for Ebony, the gun still strapped in its holster. He turned behind himself, eyeing the massive city of Gotham.

"Convenient." Dante smirked as he grabbed his gear; strapping the sword to his back before walking down the street, entering the city.

The streets of this part of the city were near barren, hardly any civilian strolling through. The occasional car would cruise on past, the sounds of wheels against asphalt one of the few sounds Dante would hear. The sounds of people arguing in nearby apartments were also heard, as well as the distant wailing of police and fire truck sirens.

A massive tower off in the distance was noticeable, its location near the heart of the city. Dante noticed an illuminated 'W' designed above the words, 'WAYNE ENTERPRISES' built into the tower for all of Gotham to see. Several massive blimps hung around the tower and the rest of gotham like massive gnats around a trashcan.

"What a dunghole." Dante thought out loud.

Someone else walked the streets, heading towards Dante. He called out,

"Hey buddy," he got the man's attention, "You know what city this is?"

The man stopped, looking to Dante questionably, "What are you talking abo-" it was then the man's eyes widened, "wait, you're some kind of mugger, aren't you!"

"No, ya nut," Dante tried to reason, only for the man to turn and run away screaming for help. Dante shook his head, "What a cheesehead." he kept walking until he passed a nearby alleyway.

He stopped when he noticed a strange smell emanating from the alley.

"Dante~..." A deep demonic voice called out from the darkness.

'Eh, I got time to kill.' Dante smirked and stepped into the back alley, the man pulling a pistol. He could feel a burning sensation at the back of where his neck met his shoulder, a sensation he ignored.

From behind dumpsters and trash cans, almost as if they materialized from the darkness itself, Dante was surrounded by 6 junkies, or at least they looked like junkies… sort of.

While dressed in filthy street clothes, these people were all scrawny, their faces twisted, morphed, and sore littered.

Their eyes glowed yellow in the dark.

"You rang?" Dante asked, not the least bit phazed.

"You… bear the mark…" a junkie woman said, voice unnaturally deep as a sign of her possession.

"Your life… is forfeit…" a possessed vessel in the form of a man growled.

"Hm, just so we're clear, I have no idea what you're talking about." Dante said as he pulled his sword in one hand and ebony in the other, "So why don't we just cut to the chase?"

The demons lunged at Dante, the sounds of gunshots and slashed flesh filling the alley.

XXX

A/N: Yeah, stories not dead folks!

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