It was close to three am on the Friday after Thanksgiving when the door to the warehouse slipped open. Winslow Schott wriggled his pear-shaped body through the door, pushed from behind by Julian Gregory Day. The two felons giggled in near hysteria as they brought in the loot from their latest job. Day stopped long enough to pop on a light as Schott continued into the center of the room. He banged his leg on something and swore, "Jehosaphat!"
Behind him, Day snapped on the lights, "Thus dividing the night and the day. What the...?"
On a large crate sat a beautiful red-haired woman in a tight form-fitting, dark gray catsuit. A dark blue cowl with bat ears covered her face and flowed down her neck, where it met and was covered by a flowing dark blue leather cape.
"Bu... Batgirl?! How did you find us? How did you know it was us?"
The dominoed daredoll came lazily to her feet, stretching, and standing on tiptoe, then she placed her hands on her hips.
"Well who else but the Toyman would steal truckloads of Play Cubes, Tickle Me Gumbos and Jessie dolls weeks before the Christmas rush?" She shot a glance at Day. "For starters, you don't don't rent a warehouse under your real name. Even Detective Chimp could have found you. And Calendar Man? Calendar Man? You actually got Calendar Man to help? You must be desperate. "
"Not so, Batgirl, brilliant. Why we've got the market cornered, we'll make millions at Christmas by selling this overpriced junk and ...UNNNGGGHH!!" A finned glove struck the Toyman in the throat and the flabby felon tumbled backward, clutching his neck and gasping for breath.
"I can see the day has come for me to rise to the occasion," said Calendar Man. "Let's see if I can seize it and you." He pulled a large DayTimer from his costume, and said, "I'll see if I can pencil you in." He held a large pen in his hand and squeezed the pocket clip. A bright red laser shot out of the pen at Gotham City's costumed cutie.
"Yipes!" said Batgirl, dodging to her left. The laser hit a nearby crate, setting a gross of Tickle Me Gumbos into hysterical laughter. Unfortunately it also set the crate ablaze. A reddish glow limned the macabre scene as the little furry blue puppets laughs pealed raucously. Their laughs grew deeper though and sounded more like a banshee's keening into as the flames began melting the plastics and distorting the electronics.
Batgirl took advantage of the acrid smoke, sweeping behind the laughing Calendar Man and flinging a batarang into his neck. Day's head snapped back and his eyes bulged, crossing stupidly. "Must be naptime." he mumbled, falling to his knees, then pitching face first to the floor.
Batgirl dropped to one knee behind Day, fumbling in her utility belt for her Batcuffs. As she reached gracefully behind her, she felt the snap of metallic pincers on her arm. She glanced in time to see a metal monster, all pincer claws and missiles bearing down on her. "What the?" she queried.
A second later and the caped crimebuster was hoisted into the air. A second pincer claw deftly cut her utility belt from her trim waist, carrying it out of reach. From behind the robot, she heard the cheerful chuckle of the Toyman.
"Say hello to Commander Clank, Batgirl. I created him for the Whizzo toy company, but they decided a boomerang would be more in keeping with their image this year. So Clank and I pillaged the company, and he's been working with me ever since."
Batgirl hung high in the air, her feet kicking uselessly beneath her. Her right arm was uncomfortable and her flailing was getting her nowhere. She drew a calming breath, muttering a mantra under her breath. Then she spoke up. "You're crazy Toyman, you're never going to get away with this. Now that I'm here, you know that others will be able to track you down and stop you."
"You mean like your friend Supergirl? We have ways of stopping her. Don't we Julian?" A much chastened Day stood next to Schott, laughing.
"Indeed we do Winslow. Indeed we do. It will be a Red Letter day for her."
A dark shadow passed overhead and the skylight suddenly crashed open. A graceful vision in the famous red and blue livery dropped daintily to the floor. Supergirl tossed back her tawny blonde hair, hands on her hips. "Well then, why don't you show me what you have boys?" she said, with a little smirk. She glanced at Batgirl and gave a little wave. Pursing her lips slightly, she blew, and the fire went out.
"SUPERGIRL!" shouted the villains in tandem. The two failing felons gazed at the cutie from Krypton, as she straightened her cape. The sleeves of her v neck blouse belled at the elbow, then closed at her wrist. Her tight hot pants rode high on her hips, accentuating her curvaceous bottom. For a moment, neither man moved.
Batgirl cleared her throat. "Um boys? I think Supergirl asked you a question."
Schott punched Day in the arm. "Go on Julian, show her what we have planned."
Day nodded and held out a lead lined box.
"There's an old saying Supergirl, that today is a good day to die. Die well." He pulled the lid off the box, revealing a glowing green rock inside. Supergirl's eyes grew wide in shock.
"That's not...it can't be...Kryptonite?" She stepped back, her hands covering her face.
"Oh yes it is, Supergirl," said Day. "And we all know it's the one substance that can destroy you completely." Calendar Man felt his confidence returning. Sure, Batgirl had gotten in a lucky shot, but Supergirl was completely powerless against this stuff. She kept clawing her way back from Day's advances, falling on the floor, then crabwalking her way back behind the crates of Play Cubes. Day followed, faster with each step, eager for the kill.
Batgirl squirmed, actually fearing for her friend. "Don't worry Batgirl, we're not just going to kill her, but you as well," said the Toyman. He ran a hand over his balding pate, then pushed a button on the control panel of Commander Clank.
A large pincer approached the undulating Batgirl, snapping at her midsection. Batgirl shrieked as the claw caught her, then Schott laughed.
"That's right Batgirl, we're going to cut you like a Christmas ribbon. Ha ha ha HUH?" The Toyman adjusted his pince nez glasses as the claw tore into the fabric of Batgirl's costume, then bent on the exposed skin beneath it. "What the deuce?"
Batgirl yanked her arm down, bending the robot's arm like a cheap radio antenna, then shearing it off. "Your plan might have worked Toyman, except for one little fact. I'm not Batgirl." Schott's face was completely white with fear, he'd been exposed to muscles from Krypton before.
"Y..you..you're Supergirl?" he stammered seconds before the first fist hit his bulbous nose. Schott's eyes shut tight and he hit the floor. His bedraggled hair hair hung in little wisps around his shoulders as he sagged unconscious .
"Is it safe?" called the disguised Supergirl.
"Almost," came the reply, followed by a loud thud. A moment later Supergirl saw her Doppleganger trot out from behind the crates, the lead lined box under one arm and dragging the Calendar man by his cape. She left the unconscious crook slumped next to his equally unconscious partner in crime.
The two heroines looked at one another and simultaneously said, "Not bad, but..." then they both broke out in peals of laughter.
Two hours later, the two young heroines sat, (in their civilian attire of course) in Barbara Gordon's trendy midtown condo, sipping tea in front of a warm fire.
Barbara Gordon sat in a large overstuffed chair, her feet curled in under her as Linda Danvers recounted the events of the evening. "I could tell almost immediately you weren't Supergirl, Babs."
The gorgeous Supergirl had been transformed into a brunette, and she wore a terry cloth bathrobe over her long cotton nightgown. Fuzzy slippers adorned her feet. Though no less attractive, Linda Danvers was certainly a lot less visible in her current garb.
"Well then, Linda, what gave me away?" Barbara Gordon's eyes sparkled in merriment. The sexy redhead was in her satin pajamas, with an oversized silk bathrobe reading GCPD Gold Gloves around her shoulders. The faint scent of Wellington # 5 still clung to the robe and Barbara smiled every time she thought of her father.
"I knew you weren't Supergirl when you came through the skylight."she answered. "You were too athletic, and you landed way too hard. I land more gracefully than you." The young girl from Midvale smiled. "Now its your turn Barbara, what did I do wrong?" asked Linda.
Barbara took a sip of her peppermint tea before answering. "Well, I think the biggest tip-off was when you were fumbling in my utility belt. Often in a fight, I don' t have the privilege of looking for the item I need, I have to know it by touch. You took just a bit too long and Toyman had you upended in short order." She stretched her long lithe legs, feeling the heat toasting her, and wishing Gotham winters weren't quite so cold.
"Well I guess I can see that," said Linda. "I just have never had to think about it as Supergirl. After all, there aren't too many ways to stop me. But you have Bat everything..how can you possibly know where everything is?"
"I have an eidetic memory, remember? Total recall. And for your information, not all of us can defy gravity either, smarty," retorted Barbara. She threw a pillow at her houseguest. Linda dodged quickly and the two women began laughing again. But Barbara yawned deeply and stretched. Linda nodded in agreement.
"Thanks for having me for Thanksgiving, Barbara. Santa Augusta is still a mess after the move from San Francisco, and my parents are still off in Europe with my Dad's work."
"It's nothing Linda, I like having friends over. And you're about the only one who could understand my late night conquests."
Linda laughed merrily at that thought and she hoisted her teacup. "To the World's Finest Ladies Auxiliary" she said. Barbara grinned and raised her cup to clink against Linda's.
"I think we should be the World's Finest team period." she said. "But your cousin and Batman have that one tied up. So I guess I'll settle for the Ladies Auxiliary, for now anyway." She yawned again and said, "This is one lady though, who needs her beauty sleep. After all, we may have a full day tomorrow."
"Shopping? For Christmas gifts?" asked Linda eagerly.'
"What?" asked Barbara. "Oh, no. I did all that on line a month ago. Just point click and done. Very efficient. No we're going to the Gotham City University football game, then to the Shield and Helm for cocktails and Maury's for steaks afterward."
Linda shuddered visibly."But don't you miss the crowds, the contact the sheer girlish joy of shopping?"
"It will be crowded at all those places Linda, and we may get some information on the Bookworm's latest escapades. Why must you be so girly all the time anyway?"
"Well at least I'm not trying to be a man to impress a man!" snapped Linda. She stormed out of the room and slammed the door of Bab's guest room. Barbara followed quickly, but by the time she arrived, Linda was gone. Supergirl stood in her place, with a fully packed suitcase in hand.
"Goodbye Babs, its been swell. But I'm leaving. I'll call you, k?" And with that the last daughter of Krypton disappeared into the icy Gotham night.
Supergirl flew swiftly south, reaching Santa Augusta just as the dawn was breaking . She slipped her suitcase into her apartment, ran a hand down Streaky's soft golden fur and opened a tin of cat food for her beloved pet. Glancing at the clock, Supergirl stepped into her bedroom, stripping from her Supergirl uniform and into a comfortable pair of jeans and a spring weight sweater suitable for the warm Florida morning.
Six hours later, laden with packages, Linda Danvers sat back in her Volkswagen and smiled. She'd gotten gifts for all of the Danvers' many relatives, and even managed to find a few gifts for Zor El and Alura. She also had some packages for Kal, and had managed a special surprise for the Midvale Orphanage.
She drove through the streets of Santa Augusta, missing her friend Barbara. Maybe she did need to learn more about earth, and some of the customs. Sports were such a mystery to her, so much hurting. She was so lost in her reverie, she almost missed it. A large billboard in front of the Tennyson Center Arena for the "Cosmic Cowboy Wild West Show and Rodeo." The poster was especially gaudy, featuring cowboys , horses, and cattle. But one image burned itself into her retinas; that of a flying horse. Her heart fluttered.
"It's awfully macho," she said to herself, "but I do love horses, and clowns can be funny. Maybe I should go." So the next evening, Linda found herself in the Arena with about 10 000 other people. She was appalled by the bulldogging. And the calf roping left her shuddering, peering out at the plight of the helpless bovines through her fingers.
But even a Supergirl could be impressed by the beauty and skill required for barrel riding and bronco busting. She stood and cheered as the cowboys (and a few cowgirls) rode and bucked with amazing dexterity. As she watched, uncertain of the scoring, she noticed one man, Manuel Tobias, winning event after event.
Bull riding was the final event. Linda was astonished at the size of these large moving sides of beef. And more impressed by the dexterity of the Rodeo Clowns to distract the bull from the fallen riders. Rider after rider flipped, only to have the clowns draw them off.
"Ladies and Gentlemen...our last rider, Anton Hegland has drawn Toronado Rojo. Please focus your eyes on the center of the floor." Linda's eyes were drawn along with all the spectators to the ring. Hegland entered the chute, and the gate was opened. Toronado Rojo bucked out of the chute, eager to throw the annoying weight on his back. Anton held on for five, six ,ten seconds, then was thrown forward. Toronado Rojo ran forward and two clowns stepped between him and Anton, protecting the fallen rider. But one clown fell forward, and Toronado charged. The crowd shrieked, as the bull charged, then bellowed in pain.
The crowd's shrieking turned to cheers as they recognized the familiar blue and red costume of Supergirl. She pulled the bull back, then tossed him into the air. Toronado Rojo was surprised, but suddenly became docile as the Maid of Might locked him into his pen.
"SU PER GIRL! SU PER GIRL!" shouted the throngs.
She waved at them, then flew out the main entrance of the arena. "It's a good thing I took the bus tonight," she thought as she headed into the dark Santa Augusta night. As she glanced toward the beach, she was shocked to see a flying horse in the crystal clear night.
"Comet?" she wondered, flying closer. As she drew near, she noticed a rider on the flying horse's back. His bright yellow western shirt and poncho seemed familiar and Supergirl recognized him as Manuel Tobias. As she drew to fifteen feet though, she realized something that had been nagging her all night long. Manuel Tobias was really Toby Manning.
"TERRA MAN!" was all Supergirl had time to squawk before the Western Villain shot at her. A glowing tracer burst across her chest, followed by a glowing lasso dropping and cinching tight around her neck. The last daughter of Krypton grabbed at Terra Man's lasso, but felt it squeezing and constricting her neck.
"Mah lasso is a special conductive coil Supergirl," said Manning. "One part is designed to drain yellow solar radiation from whatever it circles. The other part is replacing that with red solar energy. In short, its drainin' your powers right from your body."
The crazed cowpoke played the Kryptonian Marvel like a prize trout. Supergirl flitted back and forth, all the while tearing at the lasso around her neck and finding no slack. Terra Man's horse paced Supergirl tirelessly as the maid of might drooped lower and lower into the Santa Augusta skies. He headed the caped wonder toward the Piranhas' stadium, and there between second and third base, Terra Man hogtied Supergirl in a perfect three leg tie.
She flopped feebly on the ground, wiggling her hand trying to break free. "You may have caught me Terra Man," wheezed the exhausted heroine, her once pristine costume covered with dust and grass stains. "But you'll never be able to keep me. One this lasso is gone, I'll take you apart!"
Terra Man didn't answer. Instead, he unrolled a clean red bandanna from his vest pocket. He stuffed it into the helpless heroine's mouth and tied it tightly behind Supergirl's head. Then he hefted her and draped her over the pommel of his saddle.
Mounting his horse behind Supergirl, he said, "Let's go, Nova!" The crooked cowboy rocketed into the night, with only the rustle of Supergirl's cape in the breeze giving any indication of his passing.
Terra Man brought his horse down at the rodeo, where the vans were silent and idling. He led Nova into a large horse trailer, with the girl of steel still slung over the saddle. He dropped Supergirl to the floor, then pulled the saddle from Nova. He tied the horse to the side, promising to return.
But first things first. Terra Man hit a large switch on the side of the trailer, then gave a tug at his belt buckle. Supergirl felt the pull of gravity increasing on her muscles. Yet Terra Man seemed to move with grace and ease. The light in the trailer was a dimmed red and Supergirl felt weaker still. Terra Man kicked Supergirl in the ribs and scooted her to a railing on the far wall.
"Ah've increased the gravity here, Supergirl. It seems to keep Nova happy when we drive. Additionally, the red light is solar radiation, as you may have guessed.
Now I c'n move, cuz I have nullifiers. But I reckon these horse hobbles on your wrists and ankles, wrapped through the tight rail here...ought to keep you nice an' quiet. No one will know what happened to ya here, because t'morrow we'll be headin' north ta Tallahassee, then on ta Gotham, where you'll help me rob the mint."
"Never," groaned Supergirl, "I'll never help you."
Satisfied that his captive was completely trussed, Terra Man returned to Nova and began brushing the white stallion down. "We'll see Supergirl, we'll see."
Early on the Sunday following Thanksgiving, dawn was just breaking through the blinds in Barbara Gordon's apartment. A secret panel pivoted in her bedroom, turning her wardrobe. A scant second later, Batgirl emerged, with a heavy scent of lavender and musk clinging to her costume and almost every open pore. As she pulled the cowl from her head, Barbara looked at her pet cockatoo and smiled.
"Whew Charlie, I don't think I'll ever forget Louie the Lilac any time soon." Wherever she moved the scent hung on her like a heavy fog, and it was only after considerable time in the tub with a loofah that Barbara had brought the scent from retching to mildly annoying.
As she stepped from the tub, Barbara wrapped a towel around her moist hair and drew her father's Gold Gloves silk robe around her shoulders, knotting it loosely around her trim waist. She padded quickly to the hallway, and drew in the paper from her front door. The front page of the Gotham Gazette had a photograph of Supergirl lifting Toronado Rojo, and setting the cowed beast into his bullpen. Barbara noted the Santa Augusta dateline.
"I see Linda made it home," she said to herself, stifling a yawn. "Though I would have thought a rodeo would have seemed to cruel and macho to appeal to her." Barbara sipped a cup of decaffeinated coffee, glancing at the crime headlines. (Neither the joint arrest of Toyman and Calendar Man nor the capture of Louie the Lilac made the news. Batman's recent problems with Chandell got top coverage of course.)
"Typical," thought Babs. "Men still get all the attention. Maybe I should fight crime nude, that might get attention." She smirked and felt the robe around her. "Of course Daddy might not approve."
She stretched, her tiny, graceful body glowing in the silhouette of the rising sun. With a yawn, she tumbled into bed, eager for a long nap to restore her body. But an hour into her power nap, the phone rang. The special phone.
"I'm sorry to wake you, Barbara," came the world famous bass voice. "But my cousin said she was spending the holiday weekend there. Is she in?"
"Superman! Wow, I mean, ummmm no." Barbara was suddenly conscious of her pajamas and how distracted she sounded. She quickly brought her brain up to speed.
"Kara left earlier for Santa Augusta. Have you tried her there?"
"Yes but all I found was Streaky, mewing for more food. And now Adam Strange is here telling us he needs the JLA to help against Kanjar Ro again." There was a heavy sigh. "I hoped she was still with you. I'm afraid something bad has happened to her."
Barbara felt her blood go cold at the thought of her friend in peril. "I...I'm sure she's fine Superman. After all, she's Supergirl right? What could possibly happen to her? Maybe she went to France to visit her parents? Or to Kandor?"
"Hmmm, maybe," said Superman. "But just in case, could you follow up for me? I could be gone a while. And school starts back this week, she doesn't need to miss any more time. Just leave a message with Clark Kent, he can generally get in touch with me."
Barbara laughed to herself. Kara had trusted her with Superman's secret a long time ago, and Barbara had protected it since. "Absolutely Superman. And don't worry, we'll be laughing about this soon. Good luck on Rann."
She set down the phone, her heart racing at the hero worship she felt. After gathering her breath, She picked up the phone and started dialing.
Three phone calls and a cab ride to the airport later, Barbara Gordon was in the seat of a 727 bound for Santa Augusta. She'd called in unused vacation and sick time to care for an elderly and entirely fictitious relative. The third call was to her master mechanic, to ensure a special package would be waiting for her at the air freight dock.
By five in the afternoon, the long shadows were forming and Batgirl found herself in the city room of the Santa Augusta Clarion, speaking with Jack Larsen, the cub photographer. He chatted excitedly with the dominoed daredoll as he filled her in on the rodeo pictures.
From the stack of photos, Batgirl picked out two familiar faces. "Who's this?" she asked, pointing to one of them.'
"Hmm? Oh that's Manuel Tobias," said Larsen. "Funny thing, he won most of the events, but he wasn't around for the trophy awards. Mr Ladd, the rodeo owner says Tobias is a drifter, goes from show to show."
"Where can I find Ladd?" asked Batgirl.
"He's got a cattle export business here in Santa Augusta. Most likely you can find him at the stockyards," replied Larson. "But look, about Tobias, is he important somehow?"
Batgirl gathered a few pictures, with Larson's permission. "I think he is," she replied. "Contact the Daily Planet if you don't believe me."
She reeled off the photo morgue's phone number from her eidetic memory. "Tell them Batgirl sent you and ask if they know where Toby Manning is." She blew Larson a kiss, then hopped outside to her new Batcycle. Kickstarting it, Batgirl rode into the late twilight to the Santa Augusta stockyards.
Supergirl felt filthy from riding in the back of the horse van all day long. The gravity had tugged on her bones and muscles, and quite frankly, her bottom was sore from the poor shocks on Manning's trailer.
The red solar energy in the trailer left her alive, but she felt feeble, especially with the added gravitational pull. She also was desperately thirsty, hungry and was uncertain how much longer she could bear up without a break.
She felt the motion of the van come to a stop and wondered where Manning was putting them for the night. She heard the side door open, and swiveled her head as Terra Man approached with his lasso, a feed bag for Nova and a portable Coleman grill.
He set the grill onto the farrier's table and lit the propane. A moment later a thick ribeye was cooking in the blaze. Terra Man added a can of beans to a pot and set it to heating as well. He patted his horse, then tied the feedbag over Nova's muzzle. The winged horse whickered and began munching the oats and hay.
Terra Man grabbed his food from the grill, leaving the fire going. In the dark glow of small lamps , Supergirl could see something on the grill still heating. The scent of the steak and the beans caused a rumbling sensation in the stomach of the Maid of Steel.
"Sounds like you might be hungry, Supergirl," said Terra Man.
Resolving not to surrender to him, Supergirl didn't reply, only shook her head.
"Aww, don't be that way, girl. I know how to treat all my critters right." He stepped toward Supergirl, with a biscuit in his hand. She shied away, but the hobbles holding her hands and feet to the side of the van made it impossible to move too far.
Terra Man caught Supergirl by her gorgeous long mane and snapped her head back. "I'll break ya yet Supergirl. I've broke mustangs far tougher than you Kryptonians. Now here." He set the biscuit on a precarious perch in front of Supergirl.
Linda reached for it, but her chains knocked it free and she watched in horror as the biscuit rolled on the floor of the trailer and into a manure pile. Terra Man laughed rudely and loud, and Supergirl felt her face growing redder and redder.
"Guess maybe you ain't hungry after all, Supergirl." Manning finished his food, while Supergirl watched as he took every bite. Conscious of her attention, Terra Man savored each morsel, while Supergirl could only lick her lips hungrily.
Terra Man finished eating, and stood up, cleaning his dishes with a bit of water from the tap. "'Bout done here tonight, Supergirl, just got one item of book keepin' that needs to be done."
"What about me? I need to eat and drink and...and..."
"What? You're nothin' more ta me than one o' my pack animals now Supergirl. An' that last item is this. I gotta mark you." From the grill, Terra Man picked up the metal rod that had been heating the whole time.
"Those hobbles ought to hold you, I reckon," he said, approaching Supergirl. The iron glowed in his big hand. He caught Supergirl by the hair again, and pulled her back. The craggy cowboy knelt over the weakened heroine's shoulders, pinning them to her side. Supergirl could squirm but she couldn't move.
She screamed as Terra Man placed the blazing Firebrand high on her thigh. The acrid scent of burnt flesh and hair filled the small horse van as Terra Man marked the Maid of Might's perfect skin with a flying TM. In a moment it was over, and the Cowpoke Crook cupped Supergirl's breast, squeezing it slightly as he stood up and put the branding iron away.
"There, that'll show the world who's your owner now, Supergirl." He laughed again, then disappeared into the sleeping loft of the horse trailer.
Supergirl was aghast. Villains had tried to seduce her, kill her, rape her and generally defeat her, but no one had ever claimed her or reduced her to mere property. The hot tears rolled down her face as she felt she might never fell the warmth of the yellow sun again. She cried for what seemed like hours from pain, from fear, from hunger and from humiliation. She wasn't aware of it though, when she dropped off to sleep.
Back in Santa Augusta, Batgirl was roughing up Mr Ladd at the Stockyard. The tall, slightly stocky cattleman was currently bent back in his swivel chair with his hands up. "You ain't got nothin' on me Batgirl! I done my time an' I'm an honest businessman now."
"I still remember the fear gas, Shame, and I don't forgive as easily as the state parole boards. As to your honesty, I turned up six federal and about twenty state violations just walking in. I wonder what they could find if the IRS ran your books?"
Shame trembled. "Well then, what do ya want from me? You didn't come all this way jest f'r little ol' me."
Batgirl laughed, "You're right Shame, I'm after bigger fish." She slapped the stack of photos down on his desk. Pointing at the pictures of Manuel Tobias, she said, "Like him. You know where he is...or at least where he's headed."
Shame looked at the pictures, then back at Batgirl. "Manning? You're after Manning? HAW HAW HAW HAW!"
"What's so funny Shame?"
"He's done fought Superman! How can a plain l'il gal like yourself expect to stop him? No offense m'am, but you're not exactly in Superman's league."
Batgirl had to agree with him on that assessment. "I'll be able to handle him, Shame. But I need to know where he's going, first."
Shame rubbed his sore jaw. He'd needed some convincing to even open discussions with Batgirl. Still he mulled it over for a moment then said, "He's headin' for Gotham. Big Rodeo there next weekend at the Monroe Square Garden. But I also think he's got a bigger job planned."
"Do you know what that is?" asked the Gotham Crime Queen.
Shame shook his head, his polka dot bandanna moving in slow tempo with the shake. "Nope, I got no idea. He said originally he was a gonna rob the rodeo but when he saw I was runnin' it he left. An' that's all I know; I swear it."
Batgirl nodded and let Shame go. As she headed out the door though, she said, "Thanks for the help Shame. For your help, I'm holding the information on the violations for a week. Get them cleaned up before then, because the feds are coming to inspect, just to make sure your an honest businessman." Shame shook in rage, but nodded respectfully. Batgirl had given him fair warning, and that was good enough for a straight shooter like him.
Batgirl rode out on her Batbike, accessing the Batcomputer in the Batcave. Batman had given her access , and while she didn't know the location, she did find the computer useful. From the link on her Batbike, she ran the name and location of the rodeo coming to Gotham. Apparently, it was just outside Tallahassee that night, with a special show for Monday and Tuesday. Barbara figured that if she rode all night, she could reach the rodeo just before dawn.
She pointed her bike north and ran the highway, her cape billowing out behind her the whole ride. Her concern for Supergirl was growing, and Batgirl's visage grew grimmer the further north she rode.
A dim glow could be seen on the eastern horizon as Batgirl motored slowly into the Tallahassee fairgrounds. She left her Batbike in a parking garage, and leapt from rooftop to rooftop until she had dropped into the still closed fairgrounds.
She prowled toward the buildings, passing the Ag building and the 4H buildings moving closer toward the Expo center and livestock halls. Despite the early hour, Batgirl could sense the energy of a small circus or other animal show coming to life.
Horses whinnied, cattle lowed and the hard voices of hard men rose over the pavement as the delicious detective crept closer. Barbara gave the main pens a bypass, heading toward the caravansary, where the majority of the rodeo workers were parked. Yet even here, there was a lot of activity going on.
Batgirl studied the comings and goings, watching as strong men drove pylons and spikes into the ground. Others were setting up concession booths with shirts, hats, and posters. Somewhere, she smelled the scent of fresh food being prepared and her own stomach answered with a rumble, reminding Batgirl it had been several hours since the food on the airplane.
Batgirl finally spotted Manning's horse van out of sheer luck. It was parked slightly away from all the others, but she had spotted Terra Man. The lanky cowboy was coming out into the early dawn, leading his winged horse Nova down the rear of the trailer. In the dim light, Batgirl thought she saw a red and blue bundle drooping over the horse's neck. Manning threw his leg over Nova's back, mounting up and flying off into the early sunrise. Batgirl gaped in astonishment.
"I don't know how he did that, but I'll bet my batboots that was Supergirl," she muttered to herself. Aware the trailer was likely to be empty, Batgirl moved across the parking lot towards it. The gate was still open and Batgirl slipped into Terra Man's mobile lair without difficulty. It was difficult for her to determine if anyone besides the horse and rider had been present in the trailer until she spotted the hobbles, dropped on both sides of the trailer.
"He wouldn't need two sets of hobbles for one horse," thought Batgirl. She found the flying TM brand as well, and shuddered, wondering what fates had befallen her friend.
"Hey, what are you doing in here?" came a gruff voice. Batgirl whirled, angry that she had let her defenses down. Her spinning snap kick missed however, going over the head of the voice. She looked down to see a midget with a red nose glowering at her. "You ain't supposed to be here," he reiterated.
"Ummm rodeo groupie?" she said with an embarrassed smile.
"I don't think so," said the clown, charging at the dominoed daredoll. Batgirl was surprised at his brazen attack but timed herself. In a moment, she put both hands on his shoulders, then did a perfect pommel vault over the diminutive clown. The clown plowed forward, slamming into the wall of the trailer. Batgirl rushed out the back of the trailer.
And into the arms of a wall made of sinew and bone. She looked up at a man mountain, just as his arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders, pinning her arms to her side. In a moment, Batgirl felt herself yanked high into the air, her yellow booted feet treading on air. The Goliath squeezed tightly and Batgirl yielded a whimper of pain.
"Take her down Tiny, keep squeezin' her," shouted the dwarf. "I owe her big time for the pain she gave me.
Tiny was good. He shook the crimson tressed crimebuster like a rag doll. Batgirl shook helplessly in his squeezing arms, feeling a brief respite when Tiny adjusted his grip. Seizing the moment, Batgirl slammed her head backward, her Kevlar cowl making contact with the bridge of Tiny's nose.
"OWWWW! BY DOSE!!!!!" shrieked Tiny, dropping Batgirl. She landed gracefully, and ran toward the sawdust circle. A growing group of clowns chased her. Batgirl stopped, then came to a crouch as she realized that the small collection of rodeo clowns had surrounded her. They were not pleasant to look at, and Batgirl realized she would have to fight her way out .
From behind, a tire dropped over her shoulders, and Batgirl felt herself yanked off balance. She landed on her shoulder, bouncing as she did. As Batgirl wriggled to escape the tire, two more rodeo clowns dropped onto her. She fought like a wildcat, but was no match for the burly saviors of the rodeo. With practiced expertise they quickly restrained the darknight damsel.
"Time" shouted the dwarf as the two men stood up. One of them held Batgirl's utility belt aloft. "Thirty seconds," said another clown. Beneath the two rodeo clowns, Batgirl lay. Her wrists were securely tied in front of her, while a second set of lashings bound her wrists though the undersides of her knees. The rough hemp bit hard through the spandex and Batgirl squirmed uncomfortably in the glare of the morning light.
"What do we have here, Spanky?" one of the clowns asked the midget.
"I think its another stray," said Spanky. "We know how to bulldog a stray don't we fellers?"
A roar of hurrahs rolled through the small crowd. Batgirl felt herself being lifted by two men as they shouted, "Take her to Tiny's , he's got the biggest place!" Batgirl was helpless as she was carried toward a large Winnebago on the perimeter of the parked vans.
Meanwhile, Terra Man landed Nova in a desolate swamp, deep in the woods and far away from any roads. He set the winged stallion to graze, then lifted Supergirl over his shoulder and carried her to a tall Cypress tree, nearby. He pulled the hood from her head and smiled at her.
"Time ta start trainin' ya Supergirl," laughed Terra Man. Supergirl's muscles were stiff from sitting uncomfortably for the past 24 hours, and the brand on her leg was still tender. She unconsciously began to rub her thigh, glancing down at the brand's still bright red scarring.
"Its still there, Supergirl. It ain't never going away. Now stand up!" Terra Man tugged on Supergirl's restraints, forcing the Santa Augusta sensation to her feet. She ached from the pain, and felt weak from hunger and loss of yellow sun energy, but she was determined not to let Terra Man defeat her totally.
"Have you brought me out here to kill me,Terra Man?" asked Supergirl. Her voice was hoarse and raw from the crying jag the night before and she detected the tremor in her voice from fear.
"No of course not. I need your help for something first. I'm gonna rob the Gotham City Mint, and I need your muscles to carry it off."
"I...I can't do that. I WON'T do that!" shouted Supergirl defiantly.
"Oh I think you will, Supergirl. That's why we're out here, for your training.
Terra Man moved closer to Supergirl, patting his palm with a large cylinder in his other hand. The Maid of Might followed his leering eyes as he circled her. She flinched as he moved her cape aside and felt her buttocks through the red hot pants. "Nice withers," he said, as though she were nothing more than a piece of horseflesh. "And you're a damn sight prettier than your cousin."
Supergirl tried to run as Terra Man mad the snide comment. But he tugged on the lasso and she fell backwards, into his waiting arms. Terra Man slipped a hand around her breasts and squeezed right at the "S" shield. Supergirl gasped in astonishment, then tried to be defiant again.
"Get your cheap thrills while you can Terra Man, I'm never going to be your slave....AAAAAWWWWWWPPPP" Supergirl convulsed as Terra Man brought his cylinder in contact with her pussy. The pain was overwhelming, in her weakened state and Supergirl's eyes rolled at the exquisite agony. Then as soon as it had begun, it ended. She dropped to her hands and knees, her chest heaving against the soft blue fabric of her blouse.
Terra Man straddled the Girl of Steel's back, wrapping a loop of his special lasso in a loose noose around Supergirl's neck. He seated himself on her delicate posterior and shouted "Giddyap!" Supergirl felt a heavy swat against her already sore thigh and she jumped.
She soon fell forward though, her face landing in the thick ooze of the swamp. "I...I can't," she whimpered.
In reply, she felt a pair of spurs jabbing into her groin. Supergirl jumped again, and felt herself rising into the air, with Terra Man still on her back. "What's happening?" she thought. "Apparently Terra Man has some means of regulating the lasso." Armed with this new knowledge, Supergirl grinned to herself and found her head. She rose gently, then dove at a dizzying speed toward the ground. All at once though, her power slackened, and the two of them crashed hard into the swampy loam. The lasso cinched tighter around her throat.
"That's enough of that, Supergirl," said Terra Man. The cattle prod found her breasts this time, and the current was higher than the last touch. Supergirl danced in convulsion, dropping to her side in the mud again.
"I'll...never....give...in...Terra Man," she said through gritted teeth.
"We'll see Supergirl," said Terra Man, remounting the Last Daughter of Krypton. "Now Giddyap!"
Back at Tiny's Winnebago, the rodeo clowns were plotting what to do with Batgirl. Not that they needed much planning. Already, Spanky was directing the line of clowns. Batgirl had been retied, her legs bound to each side of Tiny's bed. Her arms were still bound criss cross fashion and pulled out in front of her, drawn through an eyebolt; pulling her onto her ample chest.
"We don't like snoopers around here much, Batgirl," said Spanky. "In fact, we have a special way of warning them not to come back." The other clowns laughed at this. Batgirl shivered as Tiny approached her with a large bowie knife. But tiny caught the back of Batgirl's costume and cut deep, first across the waist, then through the crotch seam. Batgirl's face grew red as the cool air hit her exposed fanny and twat. She felt a pair of hands grabbing her waist then felt something bumping against her cooch, eager to find her vagina. She squealed when Spanky's shaft entered her.
"Hey look! Batgirl has a little man in her after all," shouted Spanky. The clowns laughed, eager for their turn at the storied crimebuster. Spanky pumped Batgirl quickly and eagerly, spending himself in a short time. Then he rolled off as Tiny took his place.
Batgirl's agony was intense as the behemoth took her. Tiny was neither tiny nor gentle. She screamed and howled as his massive cock drove deep into her pussy. Bound as she was, Batgirl was unable to move in anything more than matching rhythms to Tiny's powerful thrusts. The man mountain had a long reach and his hands cupped Batgirl's B cups fondling her breasts through the soft spandex of her remaining costume.
Supergirl was covered head to toe in mud and slime from tumbling into the swamp. Each time she allowed herself to obey Terra Man, she had a bit of her strength restored, allowing her to fly, allowing her some chance to think. But almost as quickly, if she even hinted at disobedience, the lasso drained her, and the cattle prod reinforced the punishment.
"Now one more time Supergirl, let's take a lap around the swamp," said Terra Man. He too was covered in mud and swamp water, but still possessed the confidence of a man who was winning. Each time it had taken Supergirl a bit longer to resist; and he could feel her becoming more compliant to his wishes.
He straddled the Girl of Steel one more time, fondling her butt as he mounted. Supergirl squealed but didn't resist. Her breasts and twat were sore from the repeated cattle prodding and she didn't want any more.
She allowed Terra Man onto her back then waited for the glow of energy to fill her. There, that was it. She kicked excitedly into the air at his command and followed his reining to turn to the left and right. They looped around the swamp, Terra Man riding Supergirl's back like he would Nova. Supergirl turned her head toward the glade they had started from. Nova was still grazing contentedly.
Supergirl smiled and focused her eyes on the white winged stallion. A burst of heat vision shot from her eyes, and she focused it on Nova's flank. The mighty horse whinnied and leapt into the air in pain. Supergirl kept her eyes on Nova,watching as he flew off.
"Tarnation!" shouted Terra Man. He yanked the reins, turning Supergirl toward his fleeing horse. Supergirl responded quickly, and inertia yanked Terra Man from her back. As he fell, he let go of Supergirl's restraints and the Maid of Might burst through the lasso, shattering Terra Man's evil device into a million pieces.
"FREE!!!" she cried, diving after the wily cowpoke. But there was no sign of him on the ground or in the swamp. Supergirl stayed on site for a few minutes, using her super vision, her super hearing, but was unable to locate the crooked cowboy. Dismayed, she flew back to the rodeo, intent on seizing Terra Man's van as evidence.
As Supergirl neared the rodeo parking lot, her super hearing picked up the fading shrieks of Batgirl in Tiny's Winnebago. She focused her X Ray vision on the Winnebago and saw Batgirl in her predicament. The clowns were about to unmask the Gotham Crimebuster. "Can't have that," said Supergirl. She dove through the Winnebago, interposing herself between Batgirl and the clowns.
"Get her!" shouted Spanky.
The clowns took one look at the Maid of Might and the dark visage she presented. One by one they slunk out. Supergirl managed to grab Tiny and Spanky, leaving them tied to the front the Winnebago. She then turned to her captive friend.
"Well hello there, I didn't expect to see you here," smiled Supergirl.
Batgirl's eyes were tear filled with pain and joy at seeing Supergirl. "Oh Supergirl, I came looking for you, thinking you needed to be rescued. It turns out I needed a spot of rescuing myself." Supergirl laughed hard as she scooped up Batgirl and flew her to Santa Augusta.
Late Monday afternoon, Linda had called the Santa Augusta Progressive school, apologizing for the delay in returning, but a late Sunday snowstorm had left her in Gotham for one more day. Dean Merrily was sympathetic, and accepted Linda's excuses. "We'll be looking for you Wednesday then, Linda. Don't worry, you aren't the only one late. Andrea Thomas hasn't checked in yet, and Ray Palmer was supposed to do a week of lectures, but he's had to reschedule from Ivy Town. I guess they got the same snowstorm that hit Gotham." Linda put the phone down and headed back to her living room.
Barbara was still sitting curled in Linda's papason, an untouched cup of tea on her lap. She stared out the window at nothing in particular.
"Barbara?" asked Linda.
"They took me down like a beginner, Linda. I can't believe that. I broke every one of Batman's rules for combat. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a heroine."
"How many of them were there, Babs?"
"Seven, eight? Who knows? I lost count," said the depressed crimefighter.
"Look, Terra Man got me without even a fight. I'd say you did well. Just think of this as another death trap."
Barbara turned to her friend. "It's not the same Linda. After this, the crazy schemes of the Clock King or Kite Man won't be the same. The world is changing. Batman has moved on, with Robin up at Hudson University. Maybe it's time for Batgirl to do the same."
"What do you mean?" said Linda.
"There are some politicians who think the Congressional seat in Gotham is vulnerable this fall. They want to draft Dad, but I'm thinking about putting my name out instead. Dad's supporting me in it too."
"Congresswoman Batgirl?" smirked Linda.
"And why not. A woman's place is in the House, so I've heard." Barbara smiled for the first time since her ordeal earlier that day. Linda brightened at that, then rubbed her thigh.
"How is it for you?" asked Barbara. "Is the brand still there?"
"Its fading," said Linda. "The yellow sun seems to have a healing factor for me and for Kal. They say, time heals all wounds. But I'm not certain this one will heal anytime soon. And I'm certainly not happy Terra Man got away."
Barbara patted her friend's hand. "If it makes you feel any better, I could use some company this weekend. I hear there's a great rodeo coming to Gotham. And I've got it straight from his horse's mouth that Terra Man plans to hit the Mint."
Linda threw a pillow at Babs for that.
Epilogue...a week later...
A stillness filled the Gotham Mint on Saturday night. Ricky Johnson was just finishing his 11:30 rounds when the wall crumbled. Terra Man ran in, his sci fi six shooters glowing with red hot plasma. "This here's a hold up!" he shouted.
Terra Man forced Johnson to lead him to the vault, where the local gold reserves were stored. He stunned Johnson, then blasted the vault, melting the heavy metal door from the frame.
"Ha," he laughed, stepping into the vault. He saw Supergirl standing in front of him, her feet slightly apart, her arms crossed in anger.
"Supergirl," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I owe you big time!" He aimed the guns at Supergirl.
Two gleaming golden batarangs whirled through the air, slicing Terra Man on the wrists. "Ahhhh!" he cried, dropping the guns and clutching his wrists.
Supergirl didn't waste any time, stepping in and finishing the high plains grifter with a rapid succession of superpowered punches. The final blow drove Terra Man into the waiting arms of Batgirl who cuffed Terra Man with a special restraint from STAR labs. The darknight damsel dragged the unconscious cowboy out of the vault while Supergirl used her strength, speed and heat vision to rebuild the vault and the wall.
Supergirl landed next to Batgirl as Terra Man was loaded into the Black Maria. "Thanks for letting me put a close to my nightmares Batgirl," she whispered.
"Not at all," replied the flame tressed crimebuster. "After all, you taught me I needed to get back on the horse."
Supergirl grimaced, but allowed the comment to pass. It was good to see her friend recovering so well.
The End.