DC: Crystalizing

The underground train station echoed with the distant hum of electricity and the muffled chaos above. Maya clutched her side, catching her breath as she leaned against a column. Her scarf had fallen loose, and her hair clung to her sweat-dampened forehead. The crowd had thinned, panicked civilians scattering to find shelter, leaving the station eerily quiet.

Batgirl stood in front of her, a protective barrier between Maya and the advancing Guardian. His golden helmet gleamed under the flickering fluorescent lights, and his dark blue jumpsuit seemed to ripple with power. On his left arm, he carried a heater shield, its golden surface reflecting the light like a mirror.

"You need to go," Batgirl said firmly. "Find somewhere to hide. Now."

"But what about—"

"I'll handle him," Batgirl cut her off. "Just go."

Maya swallowed hard, nodding quickly before darting toward the station's maintenance tunnels.

Batgirl turned back to Guardian, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. The G-Elves were crawling back from the shadows, their glowing red eyes fixed on her like wolves stalking prey.

"Last chance to walk away."

"You are obstructing a government operation. Stand down, or be treated as a hostile."

"Funny," Batgirl replied. "Because from where I'm standing, you're the one trespassing."

Guardian didn't reply. He lunged.

The head of security at Cadmus closed the distance in an instant, his heater shield raised. Batgirl dodged to the side, the edge of the shield narrowly missing her ribs. He spun with surprising agility for someone his size, using the shield like a battering ram to drive her toward the wall.

Batgirl threw down a smoke pellet, the small device exploding into a thick, black cloud. The sudden lack of visibility forced Guardian to pause, his stance shifting as he scanned the area.

But Batgirl didn't wait. She grappled to a nearby overhang, pulling herself up silently as she activated her infrared lenses. The smoke didn't impede her vision, and she took full advantage, launching three batarangs in quick succession.

The first two clanged harmlessly against Guardian's shield, but the third struck his exposed shoulder, emitting a burst of electrical energy that caused him to stumble.

"Annoying."

Batgirl dropped from the overhang, landing behind him with practiced precision. She swept her leg low, aiming for the back of his knees, but Guardian pivoted, using the shield's edge to deflect the strike. He retaliated with a powerful backhand, his shield arcing toward her head.

Batgirl ducked, the shield grazing her cowl as she rolled to the side. She pulled out a small device from her belt—a sonic emitter—and activated it. The high-pitched whine filled the station, causing the G-Elves to screech and recoil.

Guardian, however, was unfazed. He slammed his shield into the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the floor that disrupted the sonic frequency and sent Batgirl stumbling.

Barbara quickly regained her footing, darting toward the nearest pillar for cover. She assessed the situation, her mind working rapidly. Guardian's shield made him nearly impenetrable from the front, and his strength and training meant she couldn't rely on brute force.

He's disciplined. Methodical, she thought. But he's not used to improvisation. I can use that.

She pulled a handful of gadgets from her belt: a flashbang, a mini smoke pellet, and a grapple hook. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the flashbang toward Guardian's feet.

The blinding light forced him to raise his shield, and Batgirl used the distraction to grapple to the ceiling, positioning herself above him. She attached a magnetic device to one of the metal beams and released it directly onto his shield.

The magnet locked onto the shield with a loud clang, and Batgirl immediately fired another batarang—this one trailing a cable—at the device. She swung herself toward him, using the momentum to kick the shield out of his grip.

The shield clattered to the ground, but Guardian didn't falter. He turned, catching her mid-air and slamming her into the wall.

"You can't win."

Batgirl gritted her teeth, pulling a small vial from her belt. "Watch me."

She smashed the vial against his chest, the chemical inside releasing a burst of adhesive foam that hardened almost instantly. It locked his arms against his torso, restricting his movements.

Guardian struggled against the foam, his enhanced strength slowly cracking it. But before he could break free, Batgirl activated another device—a small EMP emitter. The pulse disrupted the neural link controlling the G-Elves, causing them to freeze momentarily.

The pause didn't last long. The G-Elves, recovering from the EMP, snarled as they advanced on her. Batgirl spun, tossing a cluster of explosive pellets at their feet. The small explosions disoriented the creatures, forcing them to scatter.

One of the G-Elves lunged, its claws swiping at her leg. Batgirl jumped back, using her cape to block its second strike before delivering a precise kick to its head.

Another leapt from the side, but she was ready. She spun low, using a collapsible staff to knock it out of the air.

Guardian finally broke free from the adhesive foam, his movements more aggressive now. He charged at her, grabbing a loose metal pipe from the ground to replace his shield.

Batgirl switched tactics, pulling out a grappling line. She fired it at the ceiling, using it to swing around him in tight circles. The line wrapped around his legs, pulling him off balance and sending him crashing to the ground.

Then she heard the shout. 

"No!" 

Author's Note:

If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at [email protected]/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support