Chapter 4: Jaws of Defeat

On the streets of Gotham during the time of night is a terrible place to be. Roaming these streets can be many things: girls looking to sell themselves, men looking for easy money, homeless looking for shelter and warmth.

And they all have secrets to hide.

The Underworld of Gotham can be a place where one can go to find money or information, but if you make one wrong turn, it is more than likely that you will end up dead.

But, only if you don't know where to go.

Maggie: "Bullock. Why are we here under the Gotham overpass?"

Detective Maggie Sawyer and unofficial detective Harvey Bullock stopped their car underneath the Gotham bridge near the motorway. The surrounding area looked like city clean-up services wouldn't come within 200 feet of this place as trash, filth, and maybe even human waste was this place's clear feature. The lights weren't even maintained, as the only light seemed to come from the trash cans that the homeless used to light fires for warmth.

They were here to find information on Bane. A terrorist which, according to both General Wade Eiling and Commissioner Quentin Harrison, likely has possession of a nuclear weapon. The GCPD are stretched thin, hunting down criminals and vigilantes alike, so the unlikely duo was called upon to locate Bane before he makes any attempt to use his nuke. To that end, Bullock started to look in a place where everyone has something to hide: the slums of Gotham.

Bullock scoffed at Maggie as he opened his driver side door.

Bullock: "Gee, ever been a detective before, Sawyer? We're trying to find a crazy, big man who's got a nuke in his back pocket. We need information first."

Maggie: "And you think we'll find it here? Bane must have a few known associates, ex or otherwise, locked in Blackgate. They would know more than whatever we'll find here."

Maggie spoke rather impatiently as both she and her 'partner' left the car.

Bullock: "Well, ye of little faith. I happen to know some people around here that haven't let me down yet."

Maggie: "Wow, I feel so much better knowing that."

With her sarcastic tone, she walks close to Bullock who eagerly walks towards two girls in tube tops, short skirts, and high heels. One girl was clearly bigger than the other.

Maggie: "Men…"

Maggie mutters under her breath as Bullock approaches. It was times like this that she was glad that she preferred women over men.

Bullock: "Hey, ladies. Hope you're not doing anything you ain't supposed to be doing."

One of the girls, the smaller one, smiled flirtatiously at the ex-cop.

"Oh, don't worry about that. What could we do for you?"

Bullock: "Have you heard anything new from the locals? We hear that something big is going down, maybe one of you has seen or heard something."

The girls shared a quick glance and smirk to each other before looking back at Bullock. One of them stepped forward, being sure to shake her hips as she did so.

"Now, honey, we'd like to help you. We REALLY do. But, we have our own living to make. Maybe if you could make it worth our while, we might be able to… Make it worth your while."

She ran her finger down Bullock's chest as she spoke. The ex-detective chuckled and made an expression of mock hurt.

Bullock: "Come on, ladies. You're really gonna do this, to me, of all people?"

"It breaks my heart, Harvey, but a girl's gotta eat."

Bullock turned around and walked towards Maggie.

Bullock: "That's not all you eat, I bet."

He mumbled under his breath as he made his way back to his "partner" who folded her arms and stared at him through half-lidded eyes.

Maggie: "So, how's the investigation going, detective?"

Maggie said sardonically. She honestly didn't want to be investigating the slums when she could be interrogating one of Bane's old associates, but she had to supervise Bullock who can't even be called a cop anymore.

Bullock: "Ah, shut up, Maggie. Have you got some cash?"

Maggie: "For what? I'm not giving you money to go and mess around with skanks! If you try playing that game, you're going back to jail."

Bullock waved off Maggie's warning.

Bullock: "No, I need to loosen their tongues a little."

Maggie sighed audibly and rolled her eyes as she handed a handful of dollar bills to Bullock, who promptly returned to the women of ill repute. He handed most of the money to them while keeping some for himself, hoping to be able to buy a drink later. After counting the money, she slips it into her tube top and motions for Bullock to get closer.

"Okay, I don't know much, but I did hear that something big was going down over by the old dock. Some kind of exchange."

Bullock: "Of what? When?"

"Don't know about what. But, I heard that it was happening on Wednesday night at 11 o'clock. And The Maniac was gonna show up personally."

Bullock had no clue who The Maniac was, but he was guessing that he was some new hot shot player in Gotham.

Thanking the girls who winked and blew a kiss at him, Bullock returned to the car with Sawyer in tow.

Bullock: "See? Found us a lead."

Sawyer made a sceptical look. She didn't like where this was going.

Sawyer: "You really going to trust those girls? How would they know about any sort of deal that may or may not involve Bane? We don't even know if this "Maniac" has any connection to the nuke in any way."

Bullock: "Geez, Maggie! Have some faith! Even if The Maniac doesn't know Bane personally, he might know something that no one else knows."

Sawyer folded her arms and stared at Bullock.

Sawyer: "Then how do you expect we get to him? You think that the two of us alone can handle criminals who may be protecting a stash of drugs or weapons and will likely be armed to the teeth?"

Bullock: "What do you suggest? You think that the old General and the new Comissh is going to send help while we're conducting an off-the-books investigation? We'll think of something. We've got till Wednesday to come up with a plan."

Sawyer didn't want to admit it as she wanted to remain a professional, but she didn't trust Commissioner Harrison anymore than she trusted Bullock. Even though he said that she was to tell him if they found something, the last thing the city needed was the military rushing in and having a war with Bane's men.

Sawyer: "If we're gonna do this, we need to stake the place out and plan a course of action. We do this your way, and we'll likely end up dead."

Sawyer stated bluntly as Bullock shut the door, or more like, slammed the door. He was aware that he would receive this sort of reaction from his former colleagues, but it was getting past the point of ridiculousness. Deciding to bottle this feeling, Bullock turned the key in the ignition.

Bullock: "Yes, ma'am."

Speaking through gritted teeth, the ex-cop drove the car away from these forsaken slums. As the car drove off, the flirty demeanour of the girls changed completely.

Smaller Girl: "Father's information was correct in assuming that foolish man would come here for information."

The bigger girl tugged uncomfortably at her skimpy clothing, almost disgusted.

Bigger Girl: "I can't believe you persuaded me to wear these rags. This has far less my style than my usual clothes. At least, it had practical uses for fooling those weaklings."

The smaller girl pulled a bag out from behind a nearby column of concrete holding the motorway overhead. Inside were black clothes and green armour that was somehow just as sultry as the clothes that the girls wore.

Smaller Girl: "Get dressed. We better go see the iceman."

A nearby homeless watched from behind a lit bin and saw the women undress before his eyes. A toothy grin from ear to ear etched itself onto his face, even as red fluid trickled down his brow and the back of his head collided with the concrete.

Smaller Girl: "(Sigh) Men…"


Antigen Pharmacy

In the large back storeroom of the Antigen Pharmacy, there was a stunned silence as the sickening sound of steel being removed from the neck of a man with a bandaged face reached everyone's ears. Emma Grace pulled the small blade she used to impale Hush from his neck and looked down at the shackled corpse of Thomas Elliot.

She smiled.

Emma: "There. It was a long time coming."

Those callous words came from Emma's mouth as she used her non-bloody hand to pick out a handkerchief from her other pocket. She used it to clean the blood from her hand and the knife.

Red Hood: "Even by my standards, that was rather brutal."

Red Hood was the first one among the spectators to this killing who broke the silence with a witty remark, but the other members of the Bat Family were more serious about what just transpired.

Nightwing: "There was no need to do that!"

Emma scoffed at Nightwing's words.

Emma: "Thomas has more than served his purpose. Considering that he was nothing more than a dog that has been passed around and locked into different kennels, euthanization was a mercy to him."

Ever since Winston Grace's reign over Gotham City, Hush has been used as a hostage or a prisoner. Drugged by Winston, locked in Arkham by Batman, kidnapped by Emma Grace, returned to Arkham, and now, being tortured and eventually killed by Emma.

Nightwing: "That still gave you no right!"

Emma turned to Nightwing with a look of scorn.

Emma: "I had every right! This man shot my father dead in your cave!"

The Maniac walked over to Emma with a revolver in hand and ran his hands gently over her shoulders to relax her.

Maniac: "Please relax, honey. As aroused as I am when you get angry, it won't do you any good right now. Besides…"

He loaded an extra bullet into the chamber of the revolver and spun the cylinder which now contained two bullets and four empty chambers.

Maniac: "There's so much fun to be had here. I mean, we have five superheroes directly in front of us. Let's play this game."

Raising his arm, Maniac pointed the barrel of his gun towards Damian who flinched.

Maniac: "The game here will be classic Russian Roulette. Two bullets, four empty chambers, five people. At least one person is guaranteed to die here, who will it be? The gun decides."

The Maniac giggled with sheer sadistic joy as he took light steps towards Damian who could do nothing as the trigger was being pulled back, but he took note of Bruce who was pushing against the restraints as far and as hard as he could, trying to save his son from a 2 to 6 chance in being shot. The Maniac released the trigger, sparing Damian, and spoke to Bruce with a grin.

Maniac: "Do you not like that I'm aiming a gun at your son, Batman? He has the best shot at survival than all of you right now? Would you rather that I save him for later?"

Bruce bared his teeth in response to The Maniac's taunting.

Bruce: "I'm warning you, Troy."

Emma walked next to The Maniac and she looked down at Bruce.

Emma: "You aren't in control, Mr Wayne."

Bruce turned his attention and hateful gaze on Emma.

Bruce: "Is this what you want to be remembered for, Grace? Drowning in filth just like your father did?"

SMACK!

With a loud crack, Emma slapped Bruce across the face.

Emma: "Don't speak to me as if you know anything, Wayne. When my father ran this city under your watch, I was already being groomed to take his place, and you were nothing but putty in his hands. You were saved from death only because my father underestimated Avenger. If it weren't for him, the Grace Family would own Gotham. I will not make such mistakes."

Emma shoved the tablet just out of reach in front of Bruce's eyes. The download of his shares was now at 95%, meaning that Emma Grace was about to own his entire company.

Emma: "Your family was never a match for mine. My father almost destroyed you, and now, I will finish what he started. I will return Gotham to its rightful owners, and no, it's not the Waynes. The time of men in rodent costumes is now over. The era of Grace is now."

The Maniac made an exaggerated pout, pushing out his lower lip, staring at Emma with a fake expression of sadness.

Maniac: "Don't I fit into your vision, Emma?"

He spoke with a childish voice. Emma walked over to his and wrapped her arms around his head and ran her pristine fingers through his hair.

Emma: "Of course, Rick. How could I ever forget you, my sweet?"

The Maniac leaned in for a kiss, but Emma pulled her head back, flicking her head in the direction of the captive Bat Family.

Emma: "Kill them first."

Releasing The Maniac, the crazed criminal walked over to Damian first and aimed the gun at his head.

Bruce: "Stay the Hell away from my son!"

Bruce yelled at The Maniac who didn't even flinch.

Red Robin: "You're in over your head, Troy. You haven't got the slightest clue of how being a criminal even works."

Red Robin wanted to unbalance The Maniac, give him a reason to think about what he's doing, as every second is precious time for the Bat Family. Instead of being rattled however, he placed the gun to his head, to the surprise of everyone in the room. With his smile still on his face, he pulled the trigger…

CLICK…

The chamber was empty. Emma took a sigh of relief, seeing that he didn't inadvertently kill himself, only to watch as he positioned the gun to his cheek.

Maniac: "Now, the thing about being in over your head is…"

Pulling the trigger…

CLICK…

Another empty chamber.

Maniac: "You have nowhere to go but up. But, sometimes…"

The Maniac approached Bruce and got face to face with him with the gun pressed up towards his own head under the chin. Pulling the trigger once again…

CLICK…

The third empty chamber.

Maniac: "You have to swim deeper."

The Maniac had made the mistake of getting too close to Bruce as he was able to headbutt him, causing him to be knocked backwards while holding his nose which began to bleed as it had been broken. Bane, with heavy footsteps, walked over and grabbed Bruce by the neck.

Bane: "Unwise, Mr Wayne."

With only one hand, Bane began to choke the billionaire. Smiling in delight as he felt the life drain from his long-time foe, Bane was about to apply enough pressure to break his neck. The cries from the other Bat Family members fell on deaf ears, however he felt the cold metal of a gun barrel being pressed against his head. A smiling Maniac with blood dripping from his nose waved the index finger of his free hand around.

Maniac: "Tut, tut, tut, Bane. Remember who's the boss here?"

Bane groaned in frustration. After all these years, he had the Batman at his mercy and this crazed fool was going to take the chance to kill him away. Even he couldn't survive a gunshot, so he released Bruce's neck, but settled on punching him across the face so hard that he instantly bled.

With Bane walking away, The Maniac, still with a smile and a broken nose, used his hand to pull Bruce's face to look at him. He was barely able to see straight as Bane's punch disoriented him.

Maniac: "Now, it's my turn."

The Maniac places the gun to Bruce's forehead. With three empty chambers already used up, there was a 2 to 3 likelihood that the next time he pulled the trigger, it was going to be a bullet…

CRASH!

From above was the sound of glass breaking and a figure clad in black dove straight down from the Gotham night. The Maniac stared upwards and, for a split second, met the eyes of the one diving towards him.

Avenger.

He dove onto The Maniac, grabbing him by the shoulders, and pinning him to the ground. Knocking the gun out of his hand, Avenger was finally face to face with his brother, now turned insane crime lord, Rick Troy.

Avenger: "That's enough, Troy. This game has gone far enough."

Avenger, for the first time since The Joker's demise, looked into the eyes of his brother and saw… Nothing. The Rick Troy he knew wasn't there. He was just smiling back as if he was happy to see him. The Maniac was just that: A Maniac.

Maniac: "Enough? Why, my dear and delusional Guardian of Justice, it hasn't even begun."

Avenger looked up to see that Bane was approaching fast, forcing him to get off The Maniac and dodge a punch aimed for his skull.

Emma Grace still at the sidelines, watching the events transpire before her, but more importantly, the download on her tablet had reached 100%. With that done, she made her exit from the storeroom, leaving The Maniac and Bane to deal with the situation here. Before leaving, she took one look at Avenger and made a grin before walking out of the storeroom.

Bane: "So, the Avenger returns. I knew that I should have dealt with you when I had the chance."

Avenger: "What? You're not gonna run like last time?"

Avenger taunted Bane. Not because he was feeling overconfident, but since Bane hits harder than any of his previous opponents, he had to take any advantage he could get and that meant making Bane angry enough to make mistakes. He didn't take the bait however as he grinned darkly.

Bane: "No. Before I kill the Bat, I'm gonna make an example of you."

Bane switched a dial that was on the back of his hand from 0 to 10, activating the Venom delivery system that laid on his back which caused the substance that resembled green fire to flow through the tubes and into the injectors that were attached to Bane's upper body. As the strength-enhancing drug flowed through his veins, Bane's body grew ever so slightly in length and width.

Avenger watched, trying not to let any feeling of fear enter his head, however he had broke his own rule and something slipped in. Without the Venom, Bane was the most physically imposing opponent he had faced, and now, he had just become much more imposing.

Bane: "You will die here, and the Bat and his comrades, then I will burn this city."

Avenger remained silent, raising his hands up, ready to fight.

Bane: "Silence? Good. Then we shall begin."

Bane charged like a unstoppable force and Avenger was a very moveable object, so he rolled out of the way. Managing to stop in his tracks, the big man threw a solid punch towards Avenger who was able to dodge and retaliate with a uppercut to the jaw. This did absolutely nothing to Bane who grabbed Avenger by the shoulders and threw him into the wall. Impacting the wall at high speeds made Avenger feel as if every piece of his body had been broken, even though it was a miracle that it was only pain and not a broken bone. Falling to the ground after a large crater had been made in the wall, Avenger looked up to see Bane standing over him, ready to crush him underfoot, so the smaller of the two rolled between Bane's legs and used his baton to whack him directly behind the knee.

Bane: "Gah!"

Bane grunted as he was forced to one knee which gave Avenger an opening. He climbed on top of Bane and jumped off of him, using his enemy's head as a springboard, which forced Bane's head right into the concrete wall. With him dazed, Avenger tried to yank out one of the tubes which was pumping the Venom into Bane, but the brute recovered quickly and, spinning around extremely quickly for a man his size, punched Avenger square in the chest which knocked all the way across the room and into a medical cabinet, shattering the protective glass. Grabbing at his side, Avenger was certain that he may have a couple of broken ribs after that punch.

Red Hood: "This is our rescue?!"

Red Hood could do nothing but complain as it seemed that Bane had the upper hand.

Red Robin: "We have to do something. Taking on Bane alone isn't a good idea."

?: "Shh!"

Behind the seats which the Bat Family were strapped to, Spoiler and Crow was trying to remove the shackles that bound Red Hood.

Red Robin: "Stephanie?!"

Red Robin was stunned that Spoiler was there, but she placed a finger to the bottom of her mask, showing that she was putting her finger on her lips.

Spoiler: "Quiet, Tim. We don't want Bane to realise we're here."

Bane charged towards Avenger again who, despite the intense pain in his stomach, leaped over the the terrorist who collides with the medical cabinet, causing the chemicals to fall out and at his feet. One of them was Hydrochloric Acid and some of it splashed into Bane's eyes.

Bane: "Ahhhh!"

Bane placed his hands over his eyes as the pain felt as if his retinas were being seared by the acid. Taking advantage, Avenger began to focus his attacks on Bane's right arm, avoiding the swipes that was made by the blinded man. With the Venom coursing through his opponent's body, it felt like Avenger was punching lead. Bane's body felt so incredibly hard that Avenger had trouble finding the nerve points that he wanted to, in order to disable Bane.

Back with Red Robin and Spoiler, the former had his mouth agape when his real name was said by Spoiler as he never revealed his identity to her.

Red Robin: "H-How do you know who I am?"

Spoiler: "Riley told me. Saying that we were likely going to find out once we got here anyway. Bruce Wayne and his son here, along with three other costumed heroes? It was obvious when we got here."

Damian: "Damn that Rivers! He had no right…"

Bruce: "Damian."

Bruce spoke to his son to silence him. Damian wondered why his father was taking the fact that their secrets were revealed to outsiders to the Bat Family this well. But, in truth, Bruce was more angry than Damian was. However, he could deal with it after their rescue.

Crow: "Avenger… Needs help."

The girls turned their attention to Avenger and Bane's fight. Bane had regained his sight and was trying to hit Avenger who was moving back and forth to avoid another direct hit. After a failed attack, Bane was hit with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head and quick-fire body blows which slightly winded him, but a single boot to the head knocked Avenger down.

Crow was about to make a move to help him, but Spoiler held her back.

Bluebird: "No, Crow! Remember what he told us. We have to get everyone out first."

Crow: "But…"

Crow looked back at the fight. Bane picked up Avenger by his collar and pulled back his fist.

Bane: "I expected a bit more of a fight from you."

Spoiler saw the same thing that Crow was seeing. Avenger's plan was to distract Bane so that the two girls could free the Bat Family and escape, but he didn't take into account exactly how strong the Venom would make the criminal.

Bluebird: "Damn it!"

Spoiler was about to suggest getting involved, but Avenger managed to break free of Bane's grip by kicking him directly in his collar bone with a desperate attack. Now free, Avenger jumped and kneed Bane in the jaw which caused him to fall down to the ground.

The Bat Family were impressed that Avenger was able to knock the big man down, but Bane was still conscious and ticked off that he had been humbled by this child.

The Maniac, who had been hiding for this entire fight, resurfaced and ran towards the revolver that was knocked aside.

Maniac: "Forgetting someone?"

The Maniac aimed the gun towards Bruce before anyone could react and…

CLICK…

The final click which meant the chamber was empty.

Maniac: "Ah, come on!"

Avenger quickly threw his baton which knocked the gun out of The Maniac's hand, but that distraction gave Bane the chance to grab him from behind and lift him off the ground, tightening his massive arms around his waist, attempting to crush Avenger. He threw his head back, slamming the back of his head into the nose of Bane, but he held on. Slowly but surely, Avenger was being crushed by Bane's superior power.

At that point, Spoiler and Crow managed to free Red Robin and Bruce respectively. With them free, Spoiler and Crow ran towards Bane.

Red Robin: "No!"

Red Robin tried to stop Spoiler, but she charged in with Crow. Bane thrusted his foot forward and knocked back Spoiler by hitting her in the gut. Crow jumped up and, with a single lightning-fast kick, sliced one of the tubes that connected Bane to his Venom supply.

Bane: "No! My Venom!"

The green steroid fluid flowed out of the severed tube onto the ground, significantly reducing Bane's strength, allowing Avenger to deliver another headbutt which freed him from the criminal's grasp. Both Avenger and Crow looked at each other for a second and nodded, both understanding what the other was thinking. Both ran at Bane and Avenger jumped and kicked Bane in the head while Crow kicked Bane in the leg which caused him to fall to one knee. Both heroes ran towards Bane, but he reached out and grabbed both of them by the neck.

Bane: "Do you know who I am?! You think mere children stand a chance against me?!"

Above Bane, a shadow in the form of a bat loomed over him, shielding him from the moonlight. Looking up, he saw black and red. A woman with red hair in a black skintight suit and cape dove down towards him. As he was distracted, both Avenger and Crow kicked Bane in the jaw, stunning him.

Batwoman: "Do you know who we are?"

Batwoman dove down and planted her boots into the face of Bane, causing him to fall back and land on his head, knocking him unconscious.

Batwoman: "We're a Family."

With the big man down, Avenger quickly pulled out the second tube which pumped the Venom into Bane, stopping the flow of the strength-enhancing drug completely.

Avenger: "That was a tough one. Thanks, Batwoman."

Avenger said this breathlessly. A small trickle of blood came out of his mouth and the back of his right arm had been cut by the glass earlier.

Batwoman: "No problem. You're lucky Batgirl contacted me and gave me your location. Sorry for the wait but I got here as soon as I could."

Bruce and Red Robin freed the remaining members of the Bat Family. Nightwing, Red Hood, and Damian Wayne. With everyone now free, the nine heroes gathered together around Bane.

Nightwing: "Avenger. Is Batgirl safe?"

Avenger: "Don't worry. She's safe. She traced Troy's phone and led me straight here. I picked up Crow, Spoiler, and Bluebird to help me on my way here. Mr Pennyworth is also safe. I had him taken to a hospital."

Avenger stared back at Hush's dead corpse.

Avenger: "We didn't get here in time, though."

Damian: "Yeah, you can't do anything right, can't you? And what gives you the right to reveal our secrets to outsiders!?"

Avenger ignored Damian, but Spoiler got annoyed with him.

Spoiler: "Hey, we saved you guys! I know that you're a rich kid, but can't you cut us some slack?"

Damian: "Cutting slack often leads to death."

Spoiler was fuming. She was being sassed by some ten year old. Red Robin placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her a bit.

Red Robin: "Ignore him. He can be like that sometimes, but I'm sure he's grateful anyway."

Damian: "Don't speak for me, Drake."

Damian said with his arms crossed.

Batwoman noticed the fact that Bruce and Damian were dressed in civilian clothing. Which meant that Bruce was kidnapped in Chinatown during the event that was crashed by Solomon Grundy.

Batwoman: "Who managed to get the drop on you?"

Bruce: "Norman Blake, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn got ahold of me when I left the party. They knew where I would be and what I would do once Grundy arrived."

Red Hood: "How did they get a zombie like him to do what they wanted anyway?"

Bruce: "Penguin's had possession of Grundy's body for months now. When Rick Troy took over, they must have found the body and revived him. After that, it was just pointing him in the right direction. And Bane… He used my Batcomputer to hack into the Stock Market and steal the shares to my company."

Bruce's hand tightened into a fist. Knowing that he had lost his parents' company to a criminal like Emma Grace lit a fire inside him.

Avenger: "You mean… Emma Grace now has control over Wayne Enterprises?!"

Bruce nodded, much to Avenger's horror. This development effectively made Emma one of the world's most dangerous criminals.

Nightwing: "But, how was she funding this operation? I thought her fortune was confiscated by the state after her arrest."

Batwoman: "Batgirl told me what Avenger told her. That Emma Grace was able to redirect her liquidated assets into legitimate businesses. That's how she was able to access her money."

Bruce then stared directly at Avenger.

Bruce: "When did you intend to tell me this?"

Avenger: "You never asked. Besides, why didn't you think of that when I told you what happened here while you were in Kahndaq? What exactly have you been doing?"

Damian stepped towards Avenger with evident hostility.

Damian: "We've been fixing your mess!"

Nightwing stepped between Avenger and Damian.

Nightwing: "Enough of that. The last thing we need to be doing is fighting each other."

Red Hood: "Where's Bluebird anyway?"

Avenger: "I asked her to keep an eye on Emma Grace."

Bruce: "We need to catch her now."

Avenger looked around frantically. During the struggle with Bane, The Maniac had seemingly vanished, and so did his gun.

Avenger: "Where's Rick?!"

BLAM!

A gunshot rang out from the front of the store and, when it did, the colour drained from Avenger's face.

Avenger: "Bluebird!"

Avenger quickly ran out of the storeroom and into the main store area, where he found Bluebird hiding behind another medical cabinet, while The Maniac was running out of Antigen Pharmacy and into the streets.

Avenger: "Bluebird, you okay?"

Bluebird: "I'm fine. Grace got away though. It was like she just vanished from sight."

Avenger wondered how that was possible. There was no way out of the Pharmacy… Unless…

Avenger: "The Fatherbox!"

Avenger wanted to chase Rick, hoping that by recapturing him, he could get him the help he needs. But, Emma were the brains of this operation. Taking her down was far more important right now, especially if she had the Fatherbox which was stolen from S.T.A.R Labs.

He was too late however, when a Boom-Tube appeared underneath Bane, causing the other members of the Bat Family to back away as the terrorist fell into it. On the other side, Emma Grace smiled up at Avenger and blew a kiss at him as Bane fell though the tube.

Avenger: "Oh no, you don't!"

Avenger was about to jump into the Boom-Tube that had opened, but Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin restrained him.

Avenger: "Let me go! I can't let her get away!"

By the time the three released Avenger, the Boom-Tube closed.

Bane escaped. The Maniac escaped. Emma Grace escaped.

This just turned from a victory to being thrown into the jaws of defeat.

Avenger: "Darn it! Why did you stop me?! Now, we've lost Bane, Emma, and Rick!"

Bruce: "Don't be rash, Avenger. If you dove into that Boom Tube, who knows where you could have ended up. But, how did she get a Motherbox?"

Avenger stared at Bruce incredulously.

Avenger: "Do I have to explain that to you too? Seriously, what have you been doing for the past few days? The Bullet Club broke into S.T.A.R Labs last night and stole a Fatherbox. They likely were working with Emma, which turns out to be exactly the case, since we just saw her use it to retrieve Bane."

Red Robin: "A Fatherbox? That might explain how Grace got a direct link to the Stock Market servers. Use the Fatherbox and pretty much anything's possible."

Things went from bad to worse very quickly. Emma Grace was now the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and she had an object as powerful as a Fatherbox at her disposal. As well as The Maniac and Bane.

Crow: "Avenger…"

Crow went over to Avenger and lightly touched his arm as if trying to comfort him.

Avenger: "Crow, don't worry about me. We'll find a way to stop them."

Crow, who was a master at reading body language, could tell just a tiny bit that doubt had slipped into Riley Rivers' mind. His brother was falling deeper and deeper into madness and he didn't know how to stop it.

Bluebird: "Spoiler!"

Spoiler was having trouble moving after being struck by Bane and she was being helped around by Red Robin.

Spoiler: "Hey, Bluebird. Got my ass kicked, but we saved the day."

Spoiler gave a thumbs up before quickly taking a selfie with Red Robin who was caught off guard.

Red Robin: "Steph! Make sure that Bruce and Damian aren't in that!"

Spoiler: "Yeah, of course. I'm not stupid."

Spoiler rolled her eyes as she posted the picture online to her social media site: Spoiler Alert. Posting that she and her friends kicked ass and took names, beating the bad guys, and saving the day.

Then the sound of police sirens could be heard through the neighbourhood…

Bluebird: "And the police show up late to the party."

She sarcastically stated, but Avenger knew better.

Avenger: "We need to go. Now."

Nightwing: "You think the police are here for us?"

Avenger: "I think Emma is the one who called them. A backup plan, since the police want our heads."

Bruce went over to the chair that he was strapped in and got into it.

Damian: "Father?"

Bruce: "Get back into the chair, Damian."

Avenger understood what Bruce was doing. If Emma mentioned that Bruce was being held hostage, then if he left, that might be cause for suspicion. But, if he's still here…

Damian: "… Okay."

Damian got back into the chair and sat down. Red Hood and Red Robin also understood what was going on and retightened their shackles.

Avenger: "Everyone. We better leave now before they get here."

Everyone pulled out their grapnel guns and retreated out through the skylight and back onto the Gotham rooftops, departing the area before GCPD arrived. A fleet of cars blanketed the neighbourhood in blue and red lights from the sirens as a small army of officers cordoned off the areas from any public interference. Commissioner Quentin Harrison exited the lead car and carried out whatever protocols that he had to. Once that was done, he entered the building and went into the back room where he found Bruce and Damian Wayne seemingly unconscious and sitting right next to the dead body of Hush. Along with three empty seats… And a broken skylight.

Quentin: "Captain. Have a squad of officers search the perimeter and get a chopper in the air."

Captain: "Yes, sir."

Quentin then approached Bruce and Damian.

Quentin: "Get Mr Wayne and the boy out of these chairs. Take them to the station."


Iceberg Lounge: Office

Maniac: "Well… That could have gone better."

In the office of the Iceberg Lounge, The Maniac was slouching in his chair behind his desk as Emma Grace was standing by the window overlooking the city.

Emma: "Don't fret, darling Rick. We still have what we need."

In one hand, Emma had her tablet and in the other hand she held the Fatherbox that was stolen by Bullet Club.

Emma: "With Wayne Enterprises at our disposal, Batman will never be able to challenge us. Once Bane recovers from his beating at Avenger's hands, he can get to work on our Weapon of Mass Destruction and then we will not just own Gotham, but beyond that as well."

Upon hearing that, The Maniac perked up.

Maniac: "Oh, I like that. I wonder what I'll do when I'm king of the world? So many things could be possible. I would love to pay my bitch of an ex a visit and just grind my new found success in her face."

The Maniac threw a lone dollar bill, that was on the desk, to the ground and began to stomp on it.

Maniac: "You like that, you slut!? Leave me, will you?! Now look where I am! I'm king of Gotham, and soon, everything else!"

Emma glanced at The Maniac in the corner of her eye. She didn't really care what he was doing, only that it distracted and amused him to do so. She had the whole world in her hands at this point and her plans were only gonna get grander.

As The Maniac was distracted with his rant, Emma pulled a phone out of her pocket and dialled a number. Placing it to her ear, she waited until the person on the other side picked up.

?: "Batman is still alive."

An authoritative voice with the tone of someone who commands respect spoke to Emma who made a slight gulp, taking care that the person on the phone didn't hear it.

Emma: "There was some complications, but Batman will be dealt with. I have seen to it. And I now own Wayne Enterprises just as we planned. I will be able to provide what you need, and the plan is going as planned."

?: "It better, Grace. For your sake. And I discovered that you haven't finished your side of the operation. In case you're confused, I'm talking about the nuclear weapon."

Emma: "I told you. We're trying to be discreet and that takes time. After all you did to redirect my company's assets, I wouldn't dare break my end of the deal."

?: "See that you don't."

The call then cut off. Emma grimaced and scowled at the phone as she tightened her grip on it.

Emma: "Uncivilised swine!"

She tucked the phone away in her pocket and cursed. Whoever that was on the other end of that phone was responsible for Emma's confiscated finances being available to her, meaning that she was indebted to them, but Emma's plan was for something more than what her benefactor was planning…

Maniac: "Hey, babe. Who was that on the phone? You seem really pissed off."

The Maniac began massaging Emma's shoulders, causing the woman to sigh.

Emma: "No, it was no one. Just more incompetence."

Maniac: "So no one special, huh? Okay."

Ceasing the shoulder massage, The Maniac jumped back into his chair, stretched his arms, yawning audibly.

Maniac: "Is our other guest here?"

Emma: "Of course. Just let me leave you two alone for a while. I need to make another phone call anyway."

Emma left the office and, a few minutes later, someone was brought in by two smartly dressed men. Whoever they brought in was tied to a chair with vines and his head was wrapped in a small Venus flytrap. Muffled screaming could be heard from within the flytrap which The Maniac found amusing as he casually made his way over to the man.

Maniac: "Can you hear me in there?"

He tapped on the flytrap and spoke again.

Maniac: "You're gonna have to be quiet. Otherwise…"

The Maniac pulled out his revolver and pulled the hammer back which made an audible clicking sound.

Maniac: "I'm gonna have to shoot ya."

The screaming and resisting from within the flytrap then ceased, although the man was shaking in terror uncontrollably. Yanking the plant off the head of the man, it turned out that this was Mayor Sebastian Hady.

Maniac: "Hello, Mr Mayor. I'm glad we finally have a chance to talk. I mean we practically share ownership of this city, so it's good to start a working relationship on the right foot, right?"

Hady: "Y-You're insane."

Hady spoken shakingly as his eyes glanced at the gun in the hands of The Maniac who shrugged his shoulders.

Maniac: "Well, I can't deny that. Although, aren't all people that want to be ambitious in a city like this insane?"

The Maniac went back behind his desk and sat down, placing the gun on the desk with the muzzle facing Hady.

Maniac: "Anyway, shall we talk business?"


Gotham Streets

Driving on the roads of Gotham was an armoured GCPD prisoner transport that was driving through the city. Earlier that night, Crimson was detained by Avenger after he held both James and Barbara Gordon hostage on the orders of The Maniac. He was taken into custody by GCPD when they arrived.

In the back of the van, Crimson was in handcuffs seated at the back while two heavily armed GCPD officers had their guns trained on him.

Officer 1: "Why are we back here guarding this guy? He's handcuffed, what can he possibly do?"

Officer 2: "This isn't the first time that this guy's been arrested. He's supposed to be the one who killed Black Mask."

Officer 1 took his eyes off Crimson for a second and stared at his colleague with amazement.

Officer 1: "This guy?! Killed Roman Sionis?!"

Crimson stared at his handgun which had been confiscated after his arrest which rested in the holster of the first officer. If he could get it, he could shoot these two dead. However, moving for it would only result in getting shot. Besides, he had no way of getting out of the van unless it was opened for him. Like it or not, he was returning to Arkham Asylum.

That was until the van stopped without warning.

Officer 2: "Hey! What's going on?"

A sliding panel which connected the back of the van to the driver's cab opened and the passenger peered inside.

"Some crazy person stopped in front of our van. We'll take care of it."

Crimson's eyebrow raised when he heard 'crazy person'. He took another glance at the gun. His return to Arkham Asylum may have to wait after all.

In front of the van, a black car was positioned across the road, preventing the van from going past without a potential collision or driving on the sidewalk. The passenger of the van, who was dressed in body armour and held a machine gun, left the gun and cautiously approached the car with the gun's sights fixed on a darkened figure sat in the driver's seat.

"You there! You are holding up GCPD business! Get out of the car and identify yourself!"

As he got closer to the car, he heard slight giggling from the driver. Before it could be questioned, the driver slowly opened the door with feminine hands outstretched to signify surrender. As the figure came into view, it was revealed to be a woman with blonde twin-tails.

Harley: "Sorry, officer. I've been rather naughty today."

Harley spoke with amusement in her voice as she walked closer, but the passenger of the van kept his gun trained on her.

"Quinn! Stay where you are! We're taking you back to Arkham."

A small smile was on the officer's face. He was about to make an easy arrest, but Harley made a wink at him.

Harley: "That sounds nice, but no dice. Isn't that right, Pammy?"

Behind the armed officer, vines shot up from the concrete and wrapped themselves around the van. The driver and the two guards inside could only hold on helplessly as what could be their steel coffin was being suspended in mid-air.

Crimson quickly lunged forward and pulled his gun out from one of the officer's holsters. Even while handcuffed, using a handgun was easier than a rifle. Before the officers could react, Crimson aimed his gun at the two.

BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM!

He quickly fired four shots in succession which downed the two immediately. Just as he was about to get the keys, the van was dropped suddenly and the force of the crash caused Crimson to fall onto the cold hard steel.

Crimson: "Damn you, Ivy…"

Crimson groaned as he crawled to the officers and pulled out the keys to his handcuffs, managing to unlock the shackles.

Harley: "Hey, Norman! Are ya in there?"

Harley was banging at the door and calling for Crimson who staggered to his feet.

Crimson: "I'm here, Harley."

He heard a sigh on the other side of the door while a childish cheer was right next to it. The doors swung open and Harley burst through, leaping into Crimson's arms.

Harley: "Ah, Crimsie. I'm glad you're alright."

Crimson: "Relax, Harley. You're talking as if I died. Thanks for the save by the way."

Crimson looked over at Ivy who was standing outside the van with her arms crossed, staring at Crimson through the corner of her eye.

Ivy: "You broke me out of Arkham before and I don't like being indebted to the likes of you. So this will be the last time I help bail you out."

Ivy spoke harshly as she turned away and walked over to the black car both she and Harley used to stall the van.

Crimson: "She looks sweet as anything, but she's more prickly than a damn cactus."

He spoke through hushed tones. Harley broke off the embrace and stared at him.

Harley: "I think she likes you, Norman. If she hated you, she would have just killed you in your sleep, even if I was against it. She just doesn't know how to take to you yet."

To Crimson, that sounded like the most unlikeliest possibility that he heard so far. It was no secret that Harley had a screw loose in her head, but she was closer to Ivy than anyone else. Maybe she had a point… She could have killed him at any point after all.

Crimson: "I'll take your word for it, but we better go before the police show up."

Crimson followed Harley back to the car where Ivy was in the back seat waiting.

Ivy: "Can we go now? I don't want to trouble the plants with destroying more vehicles."

Crimson: "Sure. Didn't want to hang around anyway."

Crimson and Harley got into the car and, starting the ignition, drove the car away from the wreckage left behind.

Crimson: "Hey, Ivy?"

Ivy: "What is it?"

Crimson: "Just gonna say thanks for bailing me out. I don't know how Avenger found me, but if you and Harley hadn't come to my rescue, I'd been taking Fear Toxin shots from Arkham again. So thanks."

Ivy glanced at Crimson again from the corner of her eye before looking out the window. He was sure that he was gonna be insulted again by the Queen of Thorns…

Ivy: "Don't mention it."

Ivy responds without her usual irritated tone. Crimson, a little surprised, looks at Harley for a second who grins from ear to ear. Maybe she had a point after all.


GCPD Headquarters

In the East End of Gotham was considered the main HQ of GCPD where they conducted their operations against crime. Following the incident at Antigen Pharmacy, both Bruce and Damian Wayne were taken for a debriefing. Damian had been taken elsewhere while Bruce was waiting in an interrogation room.

He stared all around the room noting the two way mirror behind him where he was likely being watched, or the camera in the celling corner of the room. Above all right now, Bruce wanted to know where Damian was, standard police procedure shouldn't for the police not to tell him where his son was.

Then the door opened. In stepped the Commissioner of GCPD, Quentin Harrison. The man who was against criminals and vigilantism alike. So far, he seemed to be doing a good job unlike many of Gordon's replacements throughout the years. Before he sat down, he quickly rubbed a small piece of cream that was on his cheek into his face until it was invisible.

Quentin: "Good evening, Mr Wayne. I'm sorry to have kept you for so long."

Bruce: "That's quite all right, Commissioner. May I ask where my son, Damian, is?"

Quentin sat down opposite Bruce, resting his arms on the table, but never once taking his eyes off the billionaire and never losing his aura of professionalism.

Quentin: "Don't worry about your son. We have someone speaking to him separately. You'll see him soon enough."

Bruce knew that the look in Quentin's eyes and the way he said his words was suspiciously eerie. There was something about it that seemed off.

Bruce: "Then can we get this interrogation out of the way, so I can return home? After a night such as this… With that zombie creature attacking the Chinatown reopening and being kidnapped by renegades, I just want to have a nice long drink and maybe come home to a woman waiting for me in bed, if you catch my drift."

Bruce was playing the usual playboy billionaire routine. He had played it to perfection hundreds upon thousands of times in his years since returning to Gotham and now was no different. Play the idiot who knows no better then return to the streets as Batman and save Gotham.

But, Quentin wasn't buying it.

Quentin: "So that's your routine. I see."

Bruce: "I beg your pardon?"

Quentin: "You see, Mr Wayne, I've spent many months before I transferred here, learning as much about this job as possible. I always wanted to come here, because I believed I could have made a difference to an otherwise broken city. I suppose I have Mayor Hady to thank for such an opportunity. But, when it comes to you…"

Quentin relaxed in his chair, his eyes fixed on Bruce.

Bruce: "What about me? I don't understand what you're getting at."

Quentin: "Okay. Since you aren't going to drop the act, I'll come right out and say it."

Quentin leaned forward as far as he could with his backside still on the chair and stared deep into Bruce Wayne's eyes.

Quentin: "I know you're Batman."

Any semblance of sound was drained out of the room with that statement. Tension seemed to replace the oxygen in the air as both men stared into the eyes of the other.

Bruce: "Pfft… Hahahaha!"

Bruce suddenly erupted into laughter.

Bruce: "Me? Batman?! Why, you must be tired from all your work, Commissioner. To say that I'm Batman is absolutely absurd."

Automatically, the defences came on for Bruce Wayne. He didn't know who Quentin Harrison was or how he knew his secret, but what he did know was that he was likely being watched and whatever was being said was on camera. He had to continue the act to have any hope of escape with his secret intact.

However, Quentin again leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.

Quentin: "I see that you're committed to this act, Mr Wayne. So allow me to cut this short."

Quentin leaned forward again, his eyes still fixed on Bruce.

Quentin: "Earlier tonight, the fire department responded to a report that your manor was on fire. Did you know that? There wasn't much left by the time they finished putting out the fire."

Bruce was horrified to learn that his family's home had been set ablaze, likely by Bane. For his parents' hard work to be in the hands of a criminal and, now, his home had been destroyed. He silently vowed to make Bane pay once he got his hands on him.

Bruce: "No, I didn't."

Then it dawned on Bruce why Quentin brought up the fire.

Quentin: "We were alerted by the station chief when they found no bodies and by Gotham General when a mysterious flying vehicle delivered Alfred Pennyworth to them, smelling of smoke. I personally went to check the damage and I found that, beneath the manor, was a layer of steel."

Bruce: "…"

Bruce remained silent as he realised that Quentin had discovered that something was below the house, but that wasn't enough to accuse him of being Batman without evidence.

Quentin: "I know what you're thinking. He doesn't have proof. Am I correct?"

Quentin stood up and slammed a folder in front of Bruce who promptly opened it and his eyes widened in shock. The folders were filled with photos of what was underneath the manor.

Looking up toward the stare of Quentin, Bruce realised that he had been inside the Batcave. Somehow, Harrison had gotten inside.

Quentin: "How nobody discovered this sooner is beyond me. WayneTech is practically all over the Batman. You had a good run over this city, Mr Wayne, but your reign is over."

Bruce: "You don't understand what's going on."

Quentin: "Tell it to the jury. It's too bad that young Damian is gonna have to spend the rest of his young life in a juvenile detention centre. Alfred Pennyworth will also be transferred to Arkham as well."

Bruce stood up out of his chair and approached Quentin with rage boiling in his eyes. His entire world had been destroyed. He lost his company, he lost Batman, and now, he may just lose his family.

Bruce: "Leave them out of this!"

Lashing out uncharacteristically, having reached his breaking point and unwilling to be sent to Arkham, Bruce tried to knock out Quentin with a quick thrust to the neck. Quentin, with incredible quickness, grabbed the billionaire's arm with one hand and slammed his head to the steel table with the other. Bruce was taken aback at the skills of which he was immediately restrained by the Commissioner.

Quentin: "So unwise, Mr Wayne. Of all the crimes you committed over your many years as Batman, now you want to assault an officer of the law? Is this really how you want your son to remember your last moments as a free man?"

Quentin taunted Bruce who broke free from the grip and began angrily lunging out at Quentin who evaded each punch and kick sent his way and then swiftly jabbed the billionaire in the throat with his fingers, cutting off his flow of oxygen temporarily, before spinning around and kicking Bruce with enough force to send him against the wall. Now slumped against the wall, Bruce looked back up at Quentin with questions running through his head. 'How could Quentin be such a fighter?' 'How did he know how to enter the Batcave?' But, more importantly: 'How can I stop Bane and Emma Grace if I'm locked away in Arkham?'

Quentin turned his back to Bruce and opened the door out of the interrogation room, revealing a squad of S.W.A.T armed with thick black batons. The Commissioner took a single look back at a defeated Bruce.

Quentin: "Take him."

Quentin walked out of the room and allowed the S.W.A.T to enter and surround Bruce who made it back to his feet and tried to fight back, but he was eventually overwhelmed and beaten back down the the ground.

Bruce: "Damian!"

Quentin heard Bruce scream for his son as he walked away from the interrogation room and he smiled.

The era of The Batman was over.

Chapter 4 End.