The Last Bat

NO POV. MANEHATTAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Detective Bullhorn and his partner Twitch were currently in their office looking at a board with all of the evidence and information they currently have on the Red Hood. From what they've gathered so far there is one solid conclusion.

This is a monster.

Multiple bodies were covered in holes from his strange weapons, bodies strung up like display with brutal but precise cuts showing that he knew exactly what he was doing, bodies burned to a crisp, and many more beaten to death by blunt force. Not to mention that this monster can easily take down dozens and dozens of ponies all by themselves. Bullhorn groaned as he rubbed his temple and unwrapped a sandwich and started eating.

"Any leads on that witness?" Bullhorn asked Twitch who was looking through files on the criminals that the Red Hood had killed

"Not yet, sir, but I may have a lead." Twitch told him

"What the Tartarus are you waiting for? A medal? Spit it out!"

"The area we found the last scene was near a bakery."

"Oh Celestia, we're looking for a murderer, not bucking cakes!"

"This specific bakery was known to reject the offer of the local gangs for protection. And I heard that the daughter was approached by this gang numerous times. She may be our lead." Twitch explained to his partner

"Let's hope so, get your stuff. We're heading out." Bullhorn said as he walked over to his desk and grabbed his weapon, a hoofheld crossbow with metal arrows that had at least fifteen bolts. He tucked it in the holster in his trench coat as he and Twitch left the office to follow up on this possible lead.

Twitch and Bullhorn both stepped out of their carriage and looked up at the bakery

"You sure this is it, Twitch?"

"Yes, sir. This is it." The two detectives walked up to the door and walked inside, a bell rung when they entered, and a voice called out

"Hola, welcome to Sweet Treat. Let me know if there's anything we can help you with." Estrella was working at the counter. The two detectives walked up and flashed their badges

"Hello there, little mare. I'm Detective Bullhorn and this is my partner, detective Twitch. Are your parents here?" Bullhorn asked

"U-Uh... I-Is something wrong?" Estrella asked hesitantly

"No, young one. We merely just need to ask some questions. No one is in trouble." Twitch gave Estrella a small smile to show her that nothing was wrong. Estrella looked between the two detectives and was nervous but after a few seconds of thinking she agreed to their request

"Mama! Can you come up to the front!" Estrella called out to her mother in the back, a few moments later Estrella's mother walked out. She had tannish colored fur, a black mane held up in a ponytail, and a muffin wearing a chef's hat for a cutiemark.

"Que, mi... H-Hello?" Estrella's mother looked over at the two detectives "Is something wrong?"

"No, ma'am. We simply need to ask a few questions. I'm Detective Bullhorn and this is my partner detective Twitch."

"I-I see, my name is Luz. What kind of question do you want to ask?" Luz asked as she was a little nervous about this situation

"Is it true that you deny the offer for protection from any of the local gangs and families?" Twitch asked while pulling out a notepad and pen

"Yes, my family can take care of ourselves and don't plan on working with criminals." Luz said firmly

"Has anypony approached you or any of your family members? We have reports of gangs trying to recruit young colts and fillies." Bullhorn asked

"No! I make sure my children stay away from them." Twitch noticed Estrella had tensed up at the question and looked away nervously

"Are you sure, ma'am?" Twitch asked although he was looking at Estrella when he asked this. When Estrella looked at Twitch her eyes immediately darted away. Luz looked over to where Twitch was looking and her face turned into concern when she saw the look on her daughter's face

"Estrella? What happened? Did those gangsters approach you? Did they hurt you?" Luz questioned

"... W-When I went out to buy the flower, I... I ran into the Poni de la Muertos. They... They stole my money and I followed them to get it back, then I-I saw him..." Estrella confessed

"Saw who?" Twitch asked, wanting to hear a full confirmation

"The Red Bat." Estrella said "H-He saved me. There was a bomb and I-I thought I was going to die, but he saved me! He took the force of the blast and shielded me with his body." Estrella explained

"You weren't hurt, were you?" Bullhorn asked

"No, B-But he was. He had a limp when he left. But he's a hero!" Estrella said, staring at the two detectives. Twitch wrote it all down and nodded

"Thank you, young filly. You were a big help to us." Twitch smiled at Estrella and turned to walk away, Bullhorn stared at his partner with confusion as he followed him outside

"The buck was that? That's it?"

"We got what we need."

"Oh please, enlighten me."

"We know that this is now not just a pony looking to muscle out the competition. It's a vigilante with a crude sense of Justice."

"Which means we can form a list of high-profile criminals that he may target next. Huh, guess you are pretty smart, Twitch." Bullhorn joked

"Thank you, sir," Twitch said as the two went off to their carriage and drove off.

//Detective Bullhorn, do you copy?// Bullhorn then got a call over the radio and answered

//Yes, chief.//

//Where the hay are you two?//

//Sorry, sir, we were following up on a lead about the uh... Stranger.//

//And? Did you find anything?//

//Yes, sir, we did. Turns out that he's not some new crime lord, but instead a vigilante.// Bullhorn told him, a few curse words were over the radio before hearing the chief speak up again

//Come back to the station, the Princesses have sent some of her elite soldiers here to help with this. Over and out.// Bullhorn looked over at Twitch as the two nodded and made their way back to the station.

The two detectives arrived at the station and walked into the chief's office. At the desk with the name Chief Hardcase sat a large, muscular stallion with black fur, a gray flattop, a black goatee with bits of gray hair, and light green eyes. In the room stood two ponies. A unicorn and a batpony, both taller than any normal pony. The unicorn was a mare with a lean yet toned physique, white fur, a blonde mane that was cut short and a tail, bright yellow eyes, and wore golden armor with dark yellow outlines on it with a symbol of the sun on her breastplate, her cutiemark was a sword behind a shield.

The batpony was a mare as well, she had dark gray fur, pointy furry ears, a dark blue mane and tail, and a pair of bat-like wings. She wore dark blue armor with a dark purple outline and a symbol of the moon on her breastplate. She had two daggers in the form of an X for a cutiemark.

"Gentleponies, let me introduce you two to Athena and Night Shroud. Both of Celestia and Luna's elite soldiers and hoofpicked by the two to help us." Hardcase said

"Nice to meet you two, I'm Detective Bullhorn. This is my partner, Twitch." Bullhorn and Twitch both shook hooves with the two mares.

"Pleasure to meet you, Detectives. Chief Hardcase told us that you two are the ones on track of hunting this vigilante?" Athena asked

"That's right, follow me. We'll show you everything we got." Bullhorn said as he led the two mares out of the chief's office and toward their own office. Athena and Night Shroud look over at the bulletin board the two had set up

"So what exactly are we dealing with?" Night Shroud asked

"A monster with a dark sense of Justice." Twitch said as he walked over to the board and pointed at the photos, showing all the current victims. At least, all the ones they can find

"Multiple victims were found littered with small holes all over their bodies or in the heart and head. The suspect isn't some messy amateur neither, able to take out entire rooms or buildings covered head to hoof with armed gangsters and kill every single one. He also mutilates some victims that have a dark criminal past." Twitch explained

"What kind of past?" Athena asked

"Rapist, pedophiles, serial killers, pony traffickers, and any other crime that involves kids. If somepony like that is out there then the suspect makes it... Personal." Bullhorn said, taking out a folder and handed it to Night Shroud, opening it the two mares looked down to see said criminals after being visited by the suspect. Their bodies were mutilated beyond recognition, heads and body parts torn off, stomachs cut open and guts spewing out, heads bashed in with heavy blunt force trauma, corpses burnt to a crisp, and countless other displays of violence

"Whoever this monster is, they're clearly merciless." Night Shroud said, putting the folder away

"Did you discover anything else?" Athena asked while looking over the board

"He was recently involved with a shootout last night involving the Poni de la muertos where he killed at least a dozen or so and saved a young filly." Twitch briefed them

"He saved a filly?" Night Shroud asked with a puzzled look

"That's right, we questioned her but couldn't answer every answer due to her mother being there. But now that have confirmation that he is a vigilante, a violent one, we can work on how to catch him." Twitch said

"And how would we do that?" Athena asked

"Bait." Bullhorn said, Night Shroud looked at the files and the photos before turning to face the Detectives

"You plan on using a big worm to lure the vigilante in, aren't you?"

"Correct, although the only problem is we don't know which one he's going after first." Bullhorn groaned as he sat down at his desk and opened a bag, eating a hay-burger and some hay-fries.

"There may be one..." Twitch said as he walked over to a filing cabinet and opened one of the drawers, skimming through the files inside he pulled out a folder and handed it over to the two mares

"The Fuse family." Night Shroud and Athena looked over the files on the family

"They were caught up in numerous scandals and court cases, but all were dropped due to lack of evidence. They got the best PR team in Equestria by how they're able to sway public opinion on their side, but if there is any bait that the vigilante would bite it's them." Twitch said. The two mares looked at the Detectives and nodded

"Let's get to work, colts."

NIGHT TIME. JASON POV

I sat on the edge of a skyscraper while looking down at the city, the clouds moved in, or I guess the pegasus pushed in the clouds and made it rain heavily tonight. I don't think I'll ever get used to the fact that they can just casually control the weather whenever they please.

"You have to admit it's simply fascinating. The ability to completely control the weather was rare even for metahumans and the way these pegasus do it is intriguing." Tim couldn't help but be amazed by this phenomenon

"Nerd." I snickered while ignoring Tim glaring at me "Go geek out somewhere else, I'm a bit busy tailing this asshole." I said while looking through the scope of my sniper rifle, my target was a stallion with orange fur, black hair and tail, who was currently at some sort of house warming party in a penthouse. The reason I was following this moron is because he's in bed with the Fuse family, he handles a couple of protection rackets for the Fuse family as well as a few moving caravans for them. I watched as he talked and flirted with some of the other party guests before he started to leave, watching as he left the room. I looked down at the exit of the building and watched him step outside, hailing a cab and heading off

"Finally." I sighed as I slung my sniper over my shoulder and fell off the building, free falling down before taking out my grappling and using it to swing from building to building, tailing after the cab and staying high above to avoid being seen. After tailing him for about half an hour I saw him step out in front of some hotel, must be where he's staying at.

"Any ideas on how to find what room he's staying in?" Batgirl asked

"He's on the top floor, the Fuse family doesn't go cheap for those close to them." I told her as I waited for him to step inside. Once he walked into the hotel I made my move, moving up to the side of the building and clung to the wall near a window at the top floor. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small device and placed it on the glass, it quietly cut open a hole inside and I took out the now cut glass and reached inside, unlocking the window and stepping inside. I used my helmet to scan the room, there were guards stationed outside in the hallway near the room and my target was taking a shower. I smirked as I then hid up on the ceiling of his bedroom and waited for him to come out.

I heard the bathroom door open and watched as he stepped out, drying his head with the towel as he yawned. Right before he climbed into bed I jumped down and grabbed him, one hand over his mouth while holding my knife up to his throat. He screamed into my hand as I pressed the knife closer

"I'm going to ask you some questions and if you lie to me they'll have to clean up your blood all over this room." I whispered into his ear, I heard him whimper and nodded his head in cooperation "I'm going to move my hand, scream and I'll tear your throat out." I then slowly removed my hand to allow him to speak

"W-What do you want?"

"The Fuse family, you close with them, aren't you?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about? I just do business with them, nothing more." I rolled my eyes and covered his mouth again as I then stabbed him in his left hoof, his screams muffled by my hand as I dug the blade deeper inside

"Let's try this again. What do you know about the Fuse family?" I demanded as I slowly moved my hand

"T-They have a shipment coming into the docks tonight! Green container with a black star logo on the side!" He whispered

"What's inside?"

"I-I don't-MMMF!" I twisted the blade inside his hood and slowly carved up his foreleg

"Don't lie to me, you son of a bitch."

"O- okay! Okay! Mares from Prance! And a few drug mules!"

"What else?" I glared at him

"There's going to be an auction in one of the warehouses at the docks. They're going to bid on the mares!" My eyes widened at this as I narrowed my eyes at him "T-That's all I know! I swear to Celestia!"

"... Do me one favor."

"A-Anything! I swear it!"

"When I kill you, say hi to the devil for me." I said as I held his mouth shut and started to repeatedly stab him over and over again, craving his chest and then tearing out his heart, shoving it into his mouth and then leaving his bloodied corpse on the floor.

I felt the eyes of the others all on me, disappointed and ashamed... I couldn't care less. A monster is gone. That's all that matters. I left through the window and started to make my way to the docks

"I hope they enjoy my gift." I said as I used my grappling hook to swing through the city, heading towards the docks.

Reaching the docks I hid above some shipping containers while keeping an eye out, seeing a large cargo ship coming into port. Able to see armed guards stationed on the ship and around the docks.

"They definitely aren't your typical security guards." Nightwing stated

"You'll have to take them down before that ship comes in." Batgirl said "It doesn't matter if you save those girls if those guards are still around to catch you." I looked back at the incoming ship and down at the guards around the dock. They're already spread out so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle, I ran across the shipping containers and jumped down, slamming my feet on the head of a guard, killing him instantly as I reached down and took his weapon

"Heh, automatic crossbow? You would've loved this, buddy." I said as I used it to silently take down the guards. I hid behind a corner and overheard two guards talking on an earpiece

"The cargo is coming in, tell the other to get here now."

"Yes sir, we're on our way." I heard them drawing near my corner and once they were close I jumped out and shot them both in the head with an arrow. Picking up one of their ear pieces I used my helmet to perfectly mimic one of the guard's voice

"We heard something moving nearby, we're going to investigate."

"Hurry it up and make sure it won't become a problem."

"Copy that." I dropped the ear piece and made my way towards the ship, seeing a crane lift some of the containers off the ship and saw the one with the Black Star. Jackpot. I waited until it dropped and watched as three guards went over to examine it, I could hear them laughing and what they said made me feel sick to my stomach

"They don't mind if we have a bit of fun with them first, right?"

"Heh, just hurry it up."

"I'll take her, I always did love the young ones~" I growled in anger as I jumped down from a container and landed behind one of the guards, grabbing his neck and snapping it in one quick motion. I then tackled the other one against the container and shoved the crossbow into his mouth, shooting bolt after bolt after bolt down his mouth. The other guards shot at me so I used the now dead guard as a meat shield while marching towards the last guard. Once I got close enough I grabbed him by the throat and started squeezing. Glaring into his eyes as I watched the light slowly leave his fearful eyes. He tried kicking and punching me but it was useless as he drew his last breath, and with that I snapped his neck to make sure he never gets up again. I walked back over to the container and saw the mares

"Oh my God..." Nightwing gasped in horror. Inside the container was covered in filth, there was pissed and shit all over, the mares had lashes on their backs, they looked dangerously malnourished as I could see their ribs, and there were even three dead mares inside. They all cried and begged to be let free, some even coward to the back out of fear. I slowly removed my helmet and knelt down

"I-I'm not going to hurt you, okay? I'm here to help. I promise." They all kept cowering in fear as I tried to think of something, that was when I heard a gasp from behind, I turned around and saw two guards, two royal guards, behind me aiming their spears at me.

"Freeze! Don't move!" One shouted as me "Light the flare, quickly!" He ordered his partner, a unicorn, as his horn lit up and fired up a flare with his magic.

"This place will be swarming with guards." Batman pointed out. I stood up and put my helmet back on, ignoring the orders shouted by the guards.

"That's the idea." I said as I immediately rushed at the two guards, grabbing one of their spears and yanking it from his hooves before using it to disarm the other guard. Once they were both unarmed I kicked one in the chin and smacked the butt of the spear at the other's hoof, bringing them down and quickly using their handcuffs to cuff them both to each other

"Make sure those girls get the proper treatment." I told the guards as I heard the sirens blaring in the distance. Seeing this as my cue to leave I looked back at the mares inside and nodded at them "You'll be safe... They won't hurt you anymore. I'm going to make sure of it." I promised them as I used my grappling hook to quickly leave the area.