Chapter 4: Enter Spoiler

-Third Person-

It happened shortly after the events of the previous chapter.

The man with the skull mask was standing on front of an empty cage. He simply stared into it, doing nothing.

Behind him, David Cain appeared.

Cain: "You allowed Cassandra to escape?"

?: "I had to. The Demon's Head is still... Doubtful that Riley Rivers has what it takes to suit his role. Simply defeating the Detective was not enough. He demands more proof of his skill."

Cain: "What does allowing my daughter to escape do? We kept her drugged all these years to prevent an escape attempt!"

?: "She has no allies in Gotham. She will seek out the one man who she believes could help her."

Cain: "She will find Rivers."

?: "Exactly."

Cain: "Does Ra's Al Ghul know of this plan?"

?: "He does not. The escape is to be an accident. You will find her cell door open and you will ensure that she is punished for her insubordination. It's time we tested Yami Keshin."

David Cain had a big smile on his face.

Cain: "You could be just as dangerous as the Demon's Head, Assassin."

The man addressed as Assassin turned to Cain.

Assassin: "That isn't possible. You will try to kill Rivers. If he survives, then it will prove to the master that Rivers has earned his role as his heir."

David Cain turns to leave, but he asked a final question.

Cain: "What about The Batman? He has met Cassandra before. If he finds her first..."

Assassin: "Rest assured. I have made sure that he has other things to worry about. It should cause two of our biggest problems to destroy the other."

-Batman-

Harvey Dent is back in Gotham. And he's been given his old role as Gotham's District Attorney. He claims that Two-Face is no longer him and that he wants to help me.

He mentioned that it was Avenger who he told about Hush. Rivers must have captured Elliot and Barbara took him to the safehouse. I'll have him brought to trial as soon as I can. For now, I can't risk him going to Arkham or Blackgate. I'll have to form a false identify for Thomas at Arkham and a prescription medication.

Alfred: "Sir, do you believe you can trust Harvey Dent? He was a crime lord less than a year ago."

Batman: "I can't trust Dent, but I can use him. He says that Gotham is being taken over by the Order of St. Dumas."

Alfred: "Dumas? Isn't that the same order that Jean-Paul Valley belongs to?"

Jean-Paul. I had an encounter with him years ago. He works as Dumas' enforcer.
He's known as Azrael, and he's very dangerous.

Batman: "Yes. He says that the Order manipulated Hush to fix Harvey Dent's face.
Hush has been working for the Order on the pretence that they would give him my company when the Order completely took over, but they would have killed him when it was said and done. Harvey betrayed them and he wants to help me take them down."

Earlier tonight, someone shot down the Batwing. All evidence points to the Order of St. Dumas. They had Hush pose as James Gordon in order to endorse Theo Galavan, their representative, and to turn the police attention on me.

If Galavan become Mayor, he and the Order will be untouchable.

-Stephanie Brown-

Stephanie: "(Yawn)"

Man, I'm beat. I've been working on tomorrow's history paper for hours now and I finally finished. Just need a drink.

I go downstairs and I find the light on in the kitchen.

Crystal: "Why are you here, Arthur?!"

I hear my mom talking. She sounded pissed, but she was trying to be quiet. Maybe so that I wouldn't here.

Arthur: "Don't embarrass me in front of my friends, Crystal. You wouldn't want me to get 'displeased', don't you?"

I snuck up to the door and I saw that both my mom and my dad were here. Why was my dad here?! He was in Blackgate!

When I heard 'friends', what I thought off were criminal scumbags that my dad often invites over to discuss heists. He's not back for two seconds and he's back into his old ways again!

I opened the door and stormed in.

Stephanie: "What the hell is he doing here?!"

Crystal: "Stephanie..."

My dad didn't really care that I came in, he just smiled.

Arthur: "Hello, little girl."

Dad got up from his seat and he came over to me. He's been in prison for more of my life than he has outside of prison. He's known as Cluemaster, a ripoff of Riddler.
But, after he was taken down by Batman and Robin a few years back, he stopped leaving clues to his crimes, but he still got taken down anyway.

Arthur: "Be a good girl and go to bed. Daddy has business downstairs with a few friends."

Stephanie: "Go to hell."

Dad smiled for a moment. Then his expression changed and he grabbed me by the head.

Crystal: "Arthur!"

Arthur: "Get away from me!"

Mom tried to stop my dad, but he batted her away with his free arm.

Arthur: "Go."

He threw me through the door and I landed hard on the floor.

I couldn't stop my tears. I couldn't believe that me and mom are gonna go through this all over again.

-Kieran Troy-

I honestly can't believe the turn of events. This morning, I woke up thinking the bar association was going to revoke my license, now I'm the Assistant District Attorney.

I made sure to tuck Charlotte into bed early that night so I could read her a story. I haven't done that in a while, since I felt like everything was going wrong...
I feel like I projected it towards Charlotte, but I finally feel like thing are going my way for once.

I then check my phone to see a message from Becca, Rick's girlfriend and mother of his child and my grandchild, Hunter.

'Tell your idiot son that he needs to come home! He's properly screwing around with his friend, Craig!'

Rick is at it again.

I phone Rick.

Rick: "Hello?"

Kieran: "Rick. Becca just messaged me. Are you with Craig?!"

Rick: "What's it to you?"

Kieran: "Rick, you're not a teenager! You're a father and your baby's mother needs you right now. Go home and be a father!"

Rick: "What? A father unlike you?"

Kieran: "Do not go there, Rick! I made mistakes. Mistakes, you should have learned from by now, instead of following them."

Rick: "I guess I'm my father's son."

Kieran: "You know what Rick? I've had it with you. Do what you want. If you lose your child and your life to your own stupidity, don't come crying to me!"

I hang up. D-Did I say the right things? I mean he's a man, not a boy, I had to put my foot down.

I sat down and rubbed my forehead.

I feel like I've lost Rick forever.

-Rick Troy-

Who does that ! *& think he is?! He's always disappeared into his work and he made the decision to leave mom and he lectures me about my life choices?!

Craig: "Hey Rick, aren't you gonna have a drink?"

Right now, I'm in one of Gotham's strip clubs in Old Gotham with one of my friends Craig. He has a really tight group of boys working with him. They say that they work for a really fun kind of guy, but he's in prison right now. For now, Craig is in charge and he treats me fairly well.

Rick: "Yeah. Hit me."

Craig hands me a beer.

Craig: "Are you able to make a transaction for me tomorrow?"

Rick: "Yeah. The usual?"

Craig: "You got it. Here's the stuff. A little extra for the road, I'm sure the client won't miss an ounce."

Craig smuggles drugs to customers through my carpet fitting job. A customer hires me, i take the stash, and they give me the money on arrival. It's enough to keep my boss and Craig happy and he gives me some for myself. I find myself lacking funds, but that's alright for now. Becca can take care of Hunter herself, right? She doesn't need me.

"Hey honey. You doin' alright?"

One of the girls who serves me regularly comes up to me.

I grab her by her butt and bring her close.

Rick: "I am now."

This is my home away from home.

-Lauren Winters-

Vicki: "This symbol. I think it may have a connection to Galavan."

Miss Vale and I have been talking at the Gotham Gazette for a few hours now. We've been discussing the police conference and Miss Vale thinks that Commissioner Gordon was forced into endorsing Theo Galavan.

Lauren: "What has the symbol got to do with Theo Galavan?"

Miss Vale has one photo. A mark that's been carved into a man's wrist.

Vicki: "I looked up places that Galavan has been and guess what?"

Lauren: "What?"

Vicki: "There's not much on Galavan, but a man matching his appearance in several other countries, but under different names. Rollo Dumas, Daniel Maris, Dennis Keith. Different names, same man."

Lauren: "But, what has that got to do with the symbol?"

Vicki: "Wherever Galavan has been, this symbol has been seen as well. I don't think this is a coincidence."

Lauren: "So what does it mean?"

Vicki: "If I had to guess, it means that Galavan must be linked to a secret organisation that's trying to take over the city."

O-Okay... That was a really to the point explanation.

Lauren: "Isn't that a little far-fetched?"

Miss Vale smiled as she put down the photo and sighed.

Vicki: "Lauren, we're journalists. We're supposed to be far-fetched and investigate it. Besides, this is Gotham. A lot of crazy stuff happens here."

Lauren: "I see. So what's our next move?"

Vicki: "We find any connections to Galavan. We start by investigating Gordon.
He's a good man, so I doubt that he's in on this, but we should find out for sure."

RING RING.

My phone started ringing. When I check, it's Riley.

Vicki: "Whose that?"

Lauren: "It's Riley."

Vicki: "Your crush."

Lauren: "He's not!"

I don't want to be teased by Miss Vale, but I don't want to ignore Riley either.

I answer the phone.

Riley: "Hello? Lauren?"

Lauren: "Yeah, Riley?"

Riley: "I found some information I think you and Miss Vale may want to hear about..."

*One Week Later*
-Riley Rivers-

Nothing eventful has happened in the past week since Harvey Dent became District Attorney and Hush was captured.

I told Lauren about Harvey Dent becoming District Attorney and about an imposter posing as James Gordon. When Vicki Vale went to confirm it with Gordon during another police conference at City Hall, he confirmed the details. The public is understandably split between the decision for Harvey Dent to be in such a position of power considering his previous occupation as a crime lord.

I couldn't mention Hush to Lauren since that's information Riley Rivers wouldn't know. Besides, last week I read in the newspaper that Arkham has a brand new patient. Tom Edwards, a man whose face is bandage after suffering third degree burns. Chances are it's a false ID fabricated by Batman.

Batman will pay for this, but I need to get my own life on track first. Batman will come later.

I stood inside the office building where I worked before as a member of Kieran Troy's law firm. But, now it's mine.

Rivers Attorney At Law.

The building was empty except for Kieran's old office. A desk, a computer, a bookcase containing various law books. Everything I need to work as a lawyer.

There's a lot of space in the building so I asked Rick for a favour. He has a work van which he uses for his carpet fitting business and I got him to deliver my dad's gym equipment to the building. I had to pay him $100... Money I can't afford to spend, but I just need to start getting clients.

I decided I was gonna go out for a walk for a bit. I didn't know how I was going to advertise the firm...

?: "Oh my God. Riley Rivers?"

I looked to where the voice came from. It came from a blond, blue-eyed woman. She looked around my age. She looked really familiar and I did recognise after a few moments.

Riley: "Hang on. Are you Stephanie Brown?"

Stephanie: "Yeah! I haven't seen you for a long time."

Riley: "Nearly three years now."

Stephanie Brown. She's someone who I knew during my brief years at Gotham High.
I didn't have many social skills in High School and I didn't really speak to many people. I guess that's why I don't have many friends now. But Stephanie was one of the few that I spoke to more than once, but after I got a Law scholarship and graduated at 14, I never saw her after that until now.

Stephanie: "It's been that long. Time really does fly, huh? What are you doing now?"

Riley: "Lawyer. I have my own law firm now."

Stephanie: "Didn't you just finish your course about a few months ago? How did you manage that?"

Riley: "It's a rather long story. What about you? You should be in college about now."

Stephanie: "College girl, alright. I had to submit a history paper this morning. I was up most of the night finishing it."

Riley: "Glad I never took history."

Stephanie crossed her arms and frowned at that.

Stephanie: "Lucky..."

Riley: "I'm glad you remained as cheerful as ever. How's your Mom doing?"

Stephanie went silent at that. She seemed a bit hesitant to answer that.

Stephanie: "She's fine. Things are fine."

She's lying. She's avoiding eye contact and she's reluctant.

Riley: "Stephanie. It may not be any of my business, but if there's something I can help with..."

Stephanie: "It isn't any of your business!"

I thought I was being tactful, but I wasn't.

Stephanie started to walk away, but then she stopped. She turned around and walked back towards me.

Stephanie: "Sorry, Riley. Can I ask you something?"

Riley: "Come with me for a moment."

I brought Stephanie back to my office. Something told me that this was something she wanted to discuss in private.

Stephanie: "Wow, this place is big. How did you afford this?"

Riley: "I know the previous owner. He's gonna become the Assistant District Attorney so he gave me the building to use."

Stephanie: "Sounds cool.."

I gave Stephanie a seat to sit down.

Riley: "So, what's going on?"

Stephanie then told me the story. Her father is Arthur Brown, also known as Cluemaster.
He recently was released and he returned to the house. He's bringing in other criminals for poker nights as well.

Riley: "Stephanie, tell me. Has he physically assaulted you and/or your mother?"

Stephanie was a bit silent again.

Riley: "I need to know."

Stephanie nodded in response.

Stephanie: "My dad's name is on the mortgage form, so Mom can't kick him out. And we don't have much money."

Riley: "You can't hire a lawyer..."

That means she can't pay me. But, Stephanie needs help. And besides, what better publicity than going against a former super-criminal.

Riley: "Okay. You want to take me to see your mother?"

Stephanie looked at me with a look of disbelief.

Stephanie: "You mean you'll help? We can't pay you."

Riley: "Doesn't matter. First one's free. You got lucky, Miss Brown."

Stephanie jumped out of her seat and hugged me.

Stephanie: "You don't know how much this means, Riley! Thanks! Really!"

Riley: "I still need to see your mother first. You can't hire me yourself, Stephanie."

After that Stephanie took me to her house to see her mother, Crystal Brown. When I arrived and explained to her my reason for being there, she wasn't too happy with Stephanie.

Crystal: "Stephanie. Why have you been going around talking to lawyers?!"

Stephanie: "Mom! I know Riley from way back, he's cool. He's a good guy and he can help us."

Crystal: "We don't need help!"

Miss Brown turned towards me.

Crystal: "I'm sorry to waste your time, but I have to ask you to leave."

Stephanie looked at me in a panic.

Riley: "Miss Brown. Could you at least hear me out? You don't have much to lose by listening to me for a moment."

Crystal: "(Sighs) A few minutes."

Miss Brown, Stephanie, and I go into the kitchen. Miss Brown puts on some tea and gives me some. She drinks a bit of her coffee and she makes eye contact with me.

Riley: "Miss Brown. Stephanie has given me some details. Arthur Brown's name is on the mortgage form and that means you can't have him removed from the house."

Crystal: "That's true. I'm handling it though. He promised me that he'd get a job soon."

Riley: "Judging on his history, Miss Brown, do you really believe that?"

Miss Brown rubbed her forehead.

Crystal: "Of course I don't. But, what can I do? Look, Mr Rivers... I can't pay you, so there's no point of trying to convince me. Besides, you don't look like you've had much experience in a courtroom. No offense."

Riley: "None taken. Miss Brown, Stephanie also told me about the lack of funds as well. You have no money, but I have no clients. Maybe we can help each other with that."

Crystal: "So you want this case as a way to advertise yourself."

Riley: "Something like that. Besides, you're in need of help and want to help.
Please let me."

Miss Brown's expression softened for a moment. I could tell she was considering my offer. She took a look at Stephanie who looked as if she was pleading with her and Miss Brown sighed.

Crystal: "Okay, Mr Rivers. I'll take you up on your offer."

Riley: "Thank you, Miss Brown. I promise you won't regret it."

My first client. I didn't expect to get one so quickly, but I guess I lucked out.

-Lauren Winters-

In the past week since Miss Vale broke the news, provided by Riley, that Harvey Dent is once again District Attorney. Since then, reporters have been swarming the DA's office, but Mr Dent hasn't made a public announcement.

Miss Vale used her connections to schedule an appointment with Mr Dent, so we took a trip to the DA's office. Both me and Miss Vale were taking her car... Since i don't have a car.

Vicki: "First most of Gotham's politicians are killed in one fell swoop which opens an unopposed door to the Mayor's office for Theodore Galavan. Next, Harvey Dent.
A crime lord known as Two-Face becomes the District Attorney. That isn't a coincidence."

Lauren: "You think that the two are connected?"

Vicki: "I know they're connected. So does any reporter worth their salt. That's why Dent won't talk publicly. He's only let me and you in, because we can only spin the story one way."

Lauren: "Well, Riley didn't seem happy when he told me about the news. He has doubt as well."

Vicki: "Has he spoken to you since then?"

Lauren: "Well, yeah. But, he's been busy with setting up his own law firm, so he hasn't been able to speak to Kieran Troy."

Vicki: "Kieran Troy used to work for Harvey Dent before he became Two-Face. Maybe Dent went to the only person he can trust to be ADA."

Lauren: "But, what has Mr Dent been doing this whole time?"

Vicki: "That's what we're here to find out."

We finally arrived at Gotham's DA offices where several reporters were camping out to wait for Mr Dent. We were parked a few blocks away to avoid the mass media.
I'm sure that a bunch of media outlets will be jealous to know that the Gotham Gazette will have first dibs on Harvey Dent.

Miss Vale's phone started to ring and she answers it. After a few moments, she looks at me.

Vicki: "It's Kieran Troy. He wants us to enter through the building next door."

I didn't understand properly, but I followed Miss Vale into a building next to the DA office. We went up to the roof and Kieran Troy was there waiting for us.

Kieran: "I'm sorry for this, Miss Vale, Miss Winters. But, the other reporters are making it difficult for Mr Dent to work securely."

Vicki: "Considering who Harvey Dent is, it's no wonder why that's happened."

Kieran: "I won't speak for Mr Dent, Miss Vale. You can ask him yourself."

Lauren: "Where is he? Is he in the DA's office?"

Kieran points to the DA's office. There is a ladder in between the roof and the building. Mr Troy then climbed over the ladder and in through the window.

Lauren: "You're kidding, right? There's no other way in?"

Miss Vale simply walked over to the ladder and started to climb across it and into the building.

Lauren: "Oh God..."

I took a deep breath and followed Miss Vale. I couldn't chicken out after coming this far.

When we got into the DA's office, Mr Dent was standing there waiting.

Harvey: "Pleased you could make it, Ms Vale."

Vicki: "It's been a long time since I've seen you look... Whole, Mr Dent."

Harvey: "I had some work done."

Mr Dent starts to laugh a little.

Vicki: "We wanted to ask a few questions."

Harvey: "Sure. Fire away."

Miss Vale went on to ask a few normal questions like: "What does he plan to do as District Attorney?" or "How do you feel the public view you as District Attorney considering your past?" Mr Dent had no issue with answering them as calmly and as reasonably as possible.

But, those were just the warm-ups.

Vicki: "What is your connection to Theo Galavan?"

Harvey: "Galavan? He's a mayoral candidate that I feel may not have Gotham's interest."

Vicki: "What makes you say that?"

Harvey: "I don't know too much about Theodore Galavan, but I do know that he works for a secret organisation called the Order of St. Dumas. They've coveted Gotham for generations now."

Vicki: "Do you have any evidence of this?"

Harvey: "That's what I've been working on. But, since Riley Rivers told you about by being here, I'm having some trouble leaving the office."

They know that Riley told us. Mr Troy knows that I'm friends with Riley, so he must have known that Riley would tell me and I would tell Miss Vale.

Harvey: "Young Rivers is entitled to say anything to whom he wants, but it has made things more difficult."

I didn't know if I was in a position to speak, but I wanted to defend Riley's actions.

Lauren: "He doesn't trust you. None of Gotham does, Mr Dent. The fact that you were trying to hide, doesn't make the matter any better."

Harvey: "You can understand my position. I'm sorry for the crimes I've committed,
but I've been on both sides of the law. Talk can be a waste of time, and actions speak louder than words."

There weren't any more questions that Miss Vale wanted to ask. We got enough anyway.

Before we leave... Through the same window we came in, Miss Vale see a picture of a young girl on Mr Troy's desk.

Vicki: "Is that your daughter, Mr Troy?"

Kieran: "Yeah. Charlotte."

Vicki: "Is she yours and Ms Rivers'?"

Now that I have a good look at the picture, I can see a resemblance.

Kieran: "No. I don't really remember who the mother is..."

Mr Troy started to have a far-away look in his eyes.

Vicki: "Good day."

Harvey: "Good day, Ms Vale."

-Kieran Troy-

After Miss Vale and Lauren Winters left, I took a good long look at Charlotte's picture. I didn't realise it before, but there's a bit of Kerry in Charlotte's picture.

But, I know that Kerry isn't the mother, she was married to Michael since before Riley was born.

So who is Charlotte's mother?

Harvey: "Kieran?"

Kieran: "Oh, sorry Harvey. Just in thought."

Harvey: "Well, snap out of it. We have work to do."

-Emma Grace-

It's been a little over a week since Avenger and Batman broke into my family's manor. Since I've lost both Doctor Tetch and Waylon, there are members of the criminal underworld that seek to take my position. If something is not done soon,
another gang war could spark up.

There is one gang that could tip the scales in my favour. One that's been in hiding since the fall of Chinatown.

The Yakuza.

Harrison: "Miss Grace, are you sure we can trust the Yakuza? They are a dangerous gang of maniacs."

Emma: "Your concern is noted, Doctor. The Yakuza sided with my father during the last gang war, so I'm certain that they will help me."

The Yakuza recently sent themselves up in Cape Carmine where they've been in hiding for the past month.

The limo that I'm riding in, pulls up to an abandoned building near the lighthouse.

I exit the limo with a couple of bodyguards and Doctor Harrison and we enter the building.
Upon entering, I can see that the interior is decorated with various Japanese designs.

The Yakuza are expecting us, so the guards let us through into the main hall.

We see a Asian man with dark hair sitting on the ground at a low table at the end of the hall. Around him are other Japanese men wearing suits. They have tattoos on their necks and hands. I did hear it is traditional for the Yakuza to tattoo themselves,
not the best way to remain hidden but they have their ways.

Yami: "Emma Grace. Daughter of Winston Grace. You reach out to us, wishing for an alliance because your position of power is threatened."

Yami Keshin. My father took me that he was one of the people who help design the drug version of the Black Sky drug. He is also the leader of Gotham's Yakuza faction.

He motioned to me to sit down and I do. This man may tip the balance of power in my favour, so I need him to cooperate.

Emma: "I am here to ensure your loyalty, Doctor Yami. You helped my father in his plan to take over Gotham. He succeeded, but he didn't live to see his work finished.
I want to know if you are with me or against me."

Yami: "I'm not with you. But, I'm not against you either. I serve the master's will."

Emma: "Your master?"

Yami: "The Demon's Head."

Emma: "Never heard of him."

Yami: "He has plans for Gotham City. Plans that do not include the likes of Theo Galavan."

Galavan? The man whose running for Mayor? What importance does he have to the Yakuza and their master?

Emma: "Who is he?"

Yami drank the rest of his tea and placed the tea on the table.

Yami: "A dead man."

*Theo Galavan's residence*
-Third Person-

Inside the house of Theodore Galavan, the man himself was speaking to a man in a hooded cloak.

Theo: "The plan is a complete success. Although Doctor Elliot failed to deliver the head of The Batman, he boosted the public's opinion of me. I'm sure that anyone that dares to try to oppose me are being dealt with."

"Yes. Our influence spans beyond the borders of Gotham. No one can resist. However,
we still have a problem in Harvey Dent. He knows too much about us."

Theo: "Of course. But, Dent is a man of the law. He will not dare touch me without evidence which Doctor Elliot disposed of. The Batman may know that the Order is here in Gotham, but I have become too public a figure for him to simply attack me. I assure you that I and the plan are safe."

"What about the Demon's Head? He lingers here in Gotham. He is the biggest threat to us right now."

Theo: "The League of Assassins won't dare attack our Order. They would risk war if they do."

Meanwhile outside the building, Yakuza drive up to the residence in three black SUVs. Theo's men spot them and begin to open fire with machine guns.

The Yakuza also open fire as well and push through Theo's men.

Theo: "What is that?!"

"The Demon Head has made his move."

Theo looks outside and sees the Yakuza. They see him and shoot at the windows,
forcing Theo to take cover.

Theo: "These are Yakuza, not the League!"

Theo looks back at the hooded man only to see that a stray bullet had hit him and he was dead.

Theo runs towards a painting of a Templar flag and presses a switch in the centre of the flag. The painting opens and reveals a safe...

It was then that Theo heard gunfire and screaming and Japanese. The Yakuza were in the next room, he didn't have time to take the documents. He quickly pulled the painting back down.

By then, the Yakuza reached the office. But, Galavan was gone.

-Emma Grace-

I was still sitting in front of Doctor Yami. One of his Yakuza bodyguards came up to him and whispered into his ear. Afterwards, Yami looked at me.

Yami: "Emma Grace. You wish for our allegiance. We wish to kill Theodore Galavan."

Emma: "Did your men fail to kill him?"

Yami: "He escaped. If you can track him down through your contacts, then we will be grateful."

I smiled. Finding one man would be simple.

Emma: "Consider it done."

*A few nights later*
-Spoiler-

My mom's court date is due tomorrow and Riley has been speaking to both me and mom about anything that could help our case. Mom gave him some medical records that show she's been treated for abuse. Riley is confident that we have what we need to win the court case tomorrow.

But, when I was in my bed about to sleep, I heard someone leave through the front door. It was dad. Wearing his old uniform.

I knew that he was going to slip back into his old ways from the start and he wasn't going to spoil his 'perfect' crimes.

I decided that it was gonna be my job to do that.

Luckily, I prepared a little something just in case...

My purple outfit that I'd been working on for a few days now.

My dad thinks he's gonna get away with whatever he's got planned?

Spoiler alert: No damn way.

-Avenger-

It's been arranged in a civil court that Miss Brown will take her case to court.
Arthur Brown has a history of abuse to both mother and daughter and a criminal record to boot. I find it doubtful that I'll have a problem dealing with Arthur Brown. In fact, since he's a known criminal I came to check on him as Avenger. Chances are he'll make one last score...

That's when I saw a woman in purple leave through the window of the Brown residence.

Blond hair, blue eyes... Yeah, I know who this person is.

She was following Cluemaster out of the house through the window and is following him.

If Cluemaster really is planning another crime, then Stephanie may get herself in trouble.

I followed Stephanie who was following Cluemaster. I didn't let Stephanie know I'm following her yet, in case she accidentally lets Cluemaster know we're here.

We ended up at a garage just down the street and down a deserted alleyway. I was on a rooftop while Stephanie laid prone on the garage roof. She looked like she was recording Cluemaster with her phone.

Cluemaster: "Okay, you called me here. Why?"

Out of the garage, out stepped a man holding a briefcase... It was Theo Galavan! Why was he here?!

Theo: "I called you here because I'm being hunted, Arthur. I heard that you were willing to take a job for a big pay-out."

Cluemaster: "I don't have a choice. My wife is trying to kick me out of the house using a judge. Last thing I need is to be on the streets with no money."

Theo: "Don't worry. Do me this one favour and I'll pay you any price."

Cluemaster appeared to like that deal very much. Galavan said that he was being hunted...
Hunted by whom?

Theo: "The Yakuza have placed a bounty on my life. I want them driven out of Gotham."

Cluemaster: "You're kidding right? The Yakuza? You want ME to take on the Yakuza?
You're out of your mind."

The Yakuza?! Impossible. Surely after Roman Sionis destroyed Chinatown, they must have been wiped out.

Theo: "You didn't expect that I was going to send you alone to fight the Yakuza.
You'll have some backup. You'll find them much better than your usual co-workers."

Behind Galavan, six men dressed in all black body armour, night-vision goggles,
and armed to the teeth with various weapons. Pistols, machine guns, shotguns.
These men weren't messing around... I could see that Stephanie was trying harder to stay hidden.

Theo: "Meet the Bullet Club."

Bullet Club. That's the name of these men collectivity.

Theo: "They will help you kill Yami Keshin, the leader of Gotham's Yakuza."

Cluemaster looked impressed by the Bullet Club and he crossed his arms.

Cluemaster: "Show me the money."

Galavan opened the briefcase that he was holding. Inside was a LOT of money. There had to be more than a million in there easily.

Cluemaster stared into the briefcase and ran his fingers across the money.

Cluemaster: "I'll kill whoever you want for this much."

Theo: "Good."

Galavan closed the briefcase and went back into the garage along with Bullet Club and Cluemaster. That's when Stephanie decided to get down from the roof and at the side of the garage.

No! She was too close already! They might spot her there!

A black van came out of the garage and passed by Stephanie. That's good. She's safe...

Cluemaster: "Hello, little girl."

Cluemaster came out of the garage and grabbed Stephanie! He tried to drag her into the van.

Spoiler: "Let me go, you d-list freak!"

Cluemaster: "Careful. I might just break your neck, little girl."

I quickly used my grapple gun to swing down and kick Cluemaster in the chest and into the van, causing a dent.

Spoiler: "Who are you supposed to be?"

Avenger: "You're welcome."

BRATATATATA!

The Bullet Club members then came out of the van and started shooting at me and Stephanie with machine gun fire. We had to take cover inside the garage.

Cluemaster: "Damn it! Get us out of here!"

I peeked out and saw that Cluemaster got into the van and the van drove off. I tried to toss my baton

Stephanie ran after them, but she wasn't gonna catch them on foot.

Spoiler: "No! He's getting away!"

Avenger: "I'm aware of that."

Luckily, I dropped off my bike just a few block away from here.

We managed to get to my bike and we picked up the van's trail. They left a few tire tracks, they must have been trying to put some distance between us.

I was driving and Stephanie was riding on the back.

Spoiler: "Anyway, who are you?"

Avenger: "I'm called Avenger."

Spoiler: "That sounds like a bit of a scary name. I'm..."

Avenger: "Stephanie Brown."

Spoiler: "H-How did you know my secret identity?!"

Avenger: "I know who Cluemaster is. He called you 'little girl' so I put two and two together."

I can't say anything about me staking her house out. She might find out that I'm actually her mom's lawyer.

Spoiler: "Look, while I'm in costume, call me Spoiler."

Avenger: "Sure, Spoiler."

Up ahead was a black van that had a dent in the side where I kicked Cluemaster earlier.

Avenger: "Up ahead."

Spoiler: "Umm! Don't these guys have guns? Shouldn't we have a plan?"

Avenger: "Can you drive a motorbike?"

Spoiler: "Yeah, I guess."

I wasn't confident in her response, but I need to get onto that van.

Avenger: "Get ready to take the wheel. And do NOT crash my bike."

Spoiler: "Wait a minute!"

I had to time this right...

The doors at the back of the van opened, so I jumped off the bike towards the van.

Spoiler: "Wait!"

I managed to get into the van before the Bullet Club fired their guns. I was instantly surrounded by several men. Five men in body armour and Cluemaster. Fighting six men in a close space.

Not too much of a problem for me.

Quick chops to each person kept them down for a bit. I had to be quick. If they pin me in this closed space, I could expect a bullet through the head the very next second. I took down a few members of Bullet Club, but Cluemaster grabbed one of their pistols and shot at me. I dodged the bullet, but I had to jump backwards,
causing me to almost fall from the van. I clung to one of the back doors and climbed onto the roof of the van.

Cluemaster tried to chase me, but Spoiler caught up on my bike and pushed on the van door,
slamming it into Cluemaster.

Spoiler: "Did that hurt, daddy?"

I could hear Spoiler speaking sarcastically to Cluemaster.

I jumped onto the front of the van and landed in front of the windshield. One member of Bullet Club was driving while Galavan was in the passenger seat.

Avenger: "You're done, Galavan."

Theo: "Is that so?"

The driver aimed his pistol at me, but I moved quickly to avoid being shot.
I then reached down to the driver's seat, breaking open the passenger's window with the baton. The driver tried to shoot upwards, but I moved away from the driver's cabin.

Spoiler: "Woah!"

A Bullet Club member that I didn't take down completely started shooting at Spoiler,
so I swung down and kicked him in the head. The driver by this point, tried swinging back and forth, trying to shake me out of the van, but I held on.

The van started to spin out of control and it started to overturn! The van landed on it's side and it skidded down the road.

I landed hard, so I felt disoriented when I got out of the van. Spoiler drove my bike up to the wreck.

Spoiler: "Are you okay?"

Avenger: "Fine. Where's Galavan and Cluemaster?"

Me and Spoiler went over to the driver's cabin. Galavan was gone!

Avenger: "Darn! How did he just walk away from that?!"

Spoiler: "Forget that! Where's my dad?!"

Cluemaster was gone too.

Spoiler: "No matter. Everyone's gonna know what he did. I just spoiled his plans tonight."

Avenger: "What do you mean?"

Spoiler: "I uploaded everything that was said back at the garage to the internet.
everyone's gonna know about him. About Galavan. Everything."

I didn't really mind what Spoiler did. But, Galavan's still out there, but I doubt he'll have a mayoral campaign after this. The Yakuza's after him and now the GCPD will be as well.

I then heard the sirens on their way. With all that gunfire, GCPD would have been alerted by some point.

Avenger: "Come on, Spoiler. We better get out of her before GCPD show up."

Both me and Spoiler got onto my bike and I drove away from the van. I'm sure GCPD can deal with Bullet Club.

*The Next Day*
-Stephanie Brown-

Ahhh... Man, I'm really beat.

Being a superhero can be a lot of work and it can be very exhausting.

When I get to the Gotham library today, I'm gonna check the internet and see my spoiler alerts. Ha! I want to see the look on my dad's face when he realised that his plan for a big payday is leaked all over the internet.

I went downstairs, pleased about my handiwork. And I could smell waffles for breakfast.

But, I could hear crying in the kitchen... It was mom.

Stephanie: "Mom? What's wrong?"

Crystal: "Stephanie? Sorry. Nothing's wrong."

She's lying. Something bad has happened. I notice that the TV is on and it was up louder than usual.

It was Jack Ryder's usual morning report.

Ryder: "Breaking news this morning, a video uploaded by an unknown source, showed mayoral candidate Theodore Galavan and several armed men meeting with Arthur Brown AKA Cluemaster. Galavan is seen hiring Galavan to kill alleged Yakuza crime boss, Yami Keshin. Yesterday afternoon, eyewitnesses reported that Yakuza shot up Galavan's home and now Gotham next hopeful mayor is now on the run. Any information to his whereabouts could be crucial, but it is highly doubtful that Galavan will recover from this clear evidence that he was hiring a known criminal to murder another. Since the video's release, Arthur Brown was arrested earlier this morning attempting to leave the Gotham city limits..."

They caught him?! That's wonderful news!

Crystal: "If he wanted to pull a job, he couldn't have waited till after the trial?"

Mom was still clearly upset.

Stephanie: "Why's that?"

Crystal: "Now that Arthur has been arrested, there's no way that they'll let him attend a civil court. That means he'll go to prison and his name will still be on the mortgage form."

Stephanie: "You gotta be kidding me..."

That means when he finally gets out, he'll simply come back again. Is there no getting rid of my dad?!

And it's my fault. I shouldn't have uploaded the video yet. And now, me and mom have a nightmare waiting for us.

*District Attorney's office*
-Riley Rivers-

After I heard the news that Arthur Brown was arrested, I knew what that meant for my case. It would be thrown out and that means Arthur Brown will go to prison again without signing over the mortgage transfer. That means that Arthur still has power over the Browns.

I promised that I wouldn't let Miss Brown regret her decision to hire me,
and I'm gonna keep that promise.

To that end, I went to the District Attorney's office. Once a criminal is incarnated, it becomes the District Attorney's job to prosecute. Only Harvey Dent can help me at this point. So, I called Kieran and asked if I could meet with Dent. Kieran said that Dent also wanted to meet with me, so it was easy to arrange.

It took some doing, since there's a bunch of reporters blocking the entrance to the office, but I managed to get inside.

When I got in, I headed to the District Attorney's office room. To get there, I had to walk through the Assistant District Attorney's office where Kieran now worked.

Kieran: "Riley. Had trouble getting in?"

Riley: "I did."

I suspected that Kieran knows that I was the one who tipped off the Gotham Gazette.

Kieran: "Look, Riley. You really made things difficult by telling the press. Harvey is trying to save this city, but now he can't even leave the office now."

Riley: "I had a friend that needed a story, Kieran. Besides, until I see something from Dent that tells me that he wants to help this city, I can't trust the man...
But, I need his help now."

Kieran: "You need his help? After what you just said? Did Michael train you to be a hypocrite as well?"

I ignored the jab at my dad. Kieran has the right to be angry, but I'm not gonna lie to him.

Riley: "Aren't all lawyers hypocrites?"

When I said that, the door to the DA's office opened.

Harvey: "You seem well-versed in law, Mr Rivers."

Harvey Dent entered from his office. He comes up to me and holds out his hand,
wanting me to shake it. I was a bit hesitant. I didn't mean to be rude, but knowing that this man was Two-Face really made it hard to think of Dent respectfully.

I still shook his hand though. I had to be respectful at least.

Harvey: "You're hesitating. I understand. I haven't met many people face to face for a while. Even meeting Ms Vale today, she was weary."

Riley: "Miss Vale? And a strawberry blonde was with her?"

Harvey: "Miss Winters? Yes. She told me that you don't trust me. That none of Gotham does."

Lauren took Dent that I don't trust him? I-I don't know really how to feel about that. I mean, she's right, but to say that to the District Attorney... It could make things a lot harder.

Harvey: "Let's forget about that and get to business. You wanted to see me, Mr Rivers?"

Riley: "I have a favour to ask, Mr Dent. I know that it's a lot to ask."

Harvey: "That depends. What type of favour is it?"

Riley: "Arthur Brown was arrested this morning. He has a trial in civil court coming up this afternoon. I want to ask if you could ensure that Brown makes it to that trial instead of going straight to supreme court."

Harvey: "I'm curious. Why?"

Riley: "Arthur has a wife and a daughter. Thier home's mortgage form is under Arthur Brown's name. Meaning that Arthur has the legal right to stay at the home despite Crystal Brown's protests. The trial is so Miss Brown can have the mortgage transferred over to her."

Harvey: "I can't just let him leave for a civil court case now that he has been arrested."

Riley: "You can't unless the civil case conflicts with any criminal actions that he may have undertaken. Arthur has been meeting with known criminals within the premises before. I've seen the legal records as well. It's been documented before that this is the case. I even have up to date evidence provided by the client."

The pictures sent to me by Stephanie and Arthur's prior criminal record is all i need to win this case.

Harvey: "Why are you so worried about this? Arthur Brown is looking at a long time in Blackgate. Your client shouldn't be worried."

Riley: "She is worried. You know that in Gotham, criminals don't stay behind bars for too long. He'll get out and he'll hurt my client and her daughter. If you really want to help Gotham. You'll help me give a single mother and her daughter peace. Are you really here to help Gotham, Dent? Then help me."

Harvey thought about it for a moment. I don't know if I can trust Dent, but I need his help if I'm gonna help the Browns. I can only appeal to the man, Harvey Dent.

Harvey: "Okay. I'll get him released to the trial. Any evidence you provide however,
I'll take for his prosecution."

Riley: "Deal."

*Courthouse*

After my meeting with Dent, I called Miss Brown to let her know that the trial was on again and she was to meet me with Stephanie at the courthouse.

At the courthouse, I sat with Miss Brown at the Plaintiff's table, and Arthur Brown who was dressed in Blackgate prison orange and in handcuffs is sitting alone at the defendant's table.

This is my second case that has gone to court, since my case with Gordon ended before it went to trial.

The opening started out like a standard trial. The lawsuit was about the fact that Arthur Brown's abuse of both Stephanie and Crystal Brown and that Arthur has been using the house as a safehouse for criminals as well.

Judge: "Attorney for the Plaintiff, do you have any evidence to support the charge?"

Riley: "I do, your Honor."

I stood up from the table with my file and I handed it to the judge.

Riley: "What you're looking at are the criminal records of at least four of the men that Arthur Brown invited to the house. At least two of them have outstanding warrants for their arrests. One of them has assisted Arthur Brown while he worked as Cluemaster. The rest are pictures that were taken just days ago of them inside the house."

The judge looked over the file closely and after a few moments, he looked at me again.

Judge: "Mr Rivers, you also mentioned that Mr Brown has physically struck Miss Brown. Do you have aforementioned evidence?"

Riley: "Of course."

I went back to the table and I took medical records for Miss Brown's wounds and a statement that I had Stephanie fill in beforehand. I was a bit concerned with her being close to Arthur after last night. Last thing we need is Stephanie anywhere near Arthur right now. Arthur won't attack anyone since he's also facing criminal charges, but in case Arthur tries to out her as Spoiler, I want to make sure that she's nearby so I can provide an excuse for her.

Riley: "This is a statement from Miss Brown's daughter, Stephanie Brown."

Arthur: "You mean my daughter who wants to dress up as some superhero."

Stephanie looked a bit panicked, but I gave her a stare. She seemed to relax a bit.

Riley: "Mr Brown. Did I just hear you accuse my client's daughter to be a vigilante?"

Arthur: "Yeah. She was running around last night recording me and chasing me with her friend, Avenger."

Riley: "That's funny. Your daughter was chasing you last night. Last I heard from this morning's news, was that you were traveling with heavily armed men in a van.
Your Honor, right here is a desperate man doing desperate things so that he doesn't lose his safe haven to go and torment his wife and child."

Judge: "That's a problem, Mr Rivers. Why hasn't Miss Brown gotten any divorce papers?
If this mortgage form was that much of an issue, would she divorce Mr Brown?"

Riley: "Because, she doesn't have the money to afford an attorney, your Honor. I',
representing my client free of charge. I can do that since my law firm is run privately."

Judge: "I see. Mr Brown, do you have a comment?"

Arthur: "What's the point? The justice system in Gotham is bogus if you're gonna listen to a kid instead of a grown man. She hasn't divorced me yet, so I should be able to keep MY house."

Riley: "A house you lost by deciding to run around dropping clues everywhere."

Judge: "Based on the evidence I've seen, the court runs in favour to Crystal Brown. The property will be transferred over to Crystal Brown."

I could see the smiles on both Crystal and Stephanie Brown as the gavel bangs on the judge's desk.

Later that evening, I just came from the Brown's house. Crystal and Stephanie couldn't be more happier that the nightmare is finally over.

The family is now safe from Cluemaster now. I didn't get money out of it, but I feel that this is a first step towards a better Gotham.

Just like... Dad wanted.

I still don't know if my dad is who he said he is. Honestly, it wouldn't hurt if someone could give me some answers...

GASP...

Next to me, down an alleyway, I saw a woman around my age. She looked multiracial to me. Asian and Caucasian. Black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a black outfit with yellow trimmings and a hood tied to the back.

I went up to her and she looked dehydrated and exhausted.

Riley: "Hey! Are you okay?"

She looked at me absentmindedly. She reached out to me and...

She fell.

I managed to catch her in my arms. She's in bad shape. I should call an ambulance.

?: "Rivers..."

She whispered my last name? Who is this woman? Does she know who I am?

For some reason, I had a feeling like this person was looking for me. I don't know why, but I better take her somewhere safe and wait for her to wake up.

-Third Person-

While Riley was carrying the woman in his arms, David Cain was watching from a distance.

Cain: "Finally, Cassandra's found her way to you, Rivers. Now, your true test will begin."

Chapter 4 end.