Chapter 10: Fall of the Family.

Many events have transpired in Gotham: A family reunion of sorts for the Gordons, a gala for the high class of Gotham, a death in the family, and the return of a formidable foe.

-Batman-

Crouched down on the floor, lying next to Selina's gunnery, in front of my former best friend: Thomas Elliot.

It made sense. Resources, opportunity, and knowledge about me both as Batman and Bruce Wayne. Hush is one of the few people that have all three.

Hush: "Shhhh, Bruce. Every thing will be over soon."

Batman: "You killed her, Thomas."

Hush: "Necessary for my plan."

Batman: "To what? Draw me here? Kill me? Then why didn't you do this in the beginning?
You set up all these disasters to draw Catwoman back here and then you killed her, just to get my attention?"

Hush: "As usual, you're missing the whole picture, Bruce."

Tommy was always the type of person who bided his time. Planned out every detail and carried it out with surgical precision.

Hush: "Selina Kyle had always got your attention. Always held your heart wherever you knew or not. Getting her back into Gotham while systematically tearing down your city's foundations made for the sweetest revenge. As Aristotle once said,
'Patience is bitter, but it's fruit is sweet.' I had to accelerate my plans when Riley Rivers came into the picture. I never imagined there would be someone like you out there."

He's talking about Rivers like he knows... This is Hush after all. He knows about Riley as Avenger.

Batman: "You had his father killed."

Hush: "As I said, necessary."

Batman: "You pitted Black Mask against someone who wasn't even alive. That body that hasn't been ID'. That's the real Winston Grace, isn't it?"

Hush: "Congratulations, you figured it out."

Hush then puts the gun to my face.

Hush: "I won't just stop with you. Everything you own, everything you have,
everything you are. It will be mine, Bruce, all mine."

KNOCK!

"The doors locked! Who's in there?!"

The guards heard the earlier gunshot from Hush. He must have locked the doors to slow them down. He's taken his attention off me for a moment...

I kick the gun out of his hand and I get behind cover. Hush also has a second gun ready.

Hush: "Not this time, Bruce!"

Hush starts firing his gun at me and I stay behind cover.

Hush: "You got lucky, Bruce. There will be another opportunity to destroy you."

Hush then quickly left through the window. I was about to go after him...

?: "Bruce..."

I heard a voice. Selina's voice.

I ran over to Selina.

Batman: "Selina? Selina!"

Catwoman: "Bruce..?"

She couldn't open her eyes, but she was speaking. Her life signs were low though.
She was alive, but barely.

I took Selina and carried her out of the morgue. I placed her in the Batmobile.

Catwoman: "Bruce..."

Batman: "Don't talk, Selina. We'll get you some help."

-Bullock-

The situation in Blackgate has been dealt with, we have all the criminals in about 50 crosshairs. We're dragging them back to their cells.

Maggie: "Harvey. I heard that you authorised the release of Killer Croc."

Margaret Sawyer, head of the MCU (Major Crimes Unit).

Bullock: "Why are you worried about something like that?"

Maggie: "Waylon Jones is guilty of murder and cannibalism and you just left him in the sewers?"

Bullock: "If you wanted him arrested, then why don't you try catching him yourself?!"

Maggie: "Careful. Bullock. I don't know in what world that you were chosen to be the Commissioner, but that can be taken away."

Maggie walked away and went towards Blackgate prison... Honestly, I'm starting to dislike being the Commissioner.

But, we did catch Gordon's son and Cobblepot. Gordon's son is being transferred to Arkham Asylum, while Cobblepot is being returned to his cell. I knew that the Bat had something to do with it, but those two were already in custody.

RING!

My phone started to ring... It's Fish.

Bullock: "Bullock here."

Fish: "Bullock, were there any causalities at Blackgate?"

Bullock: "Gordon's still alive, Fish."

Fish: "What do you mean, still alive!? Sionis sent in Gordon Jr to kill Gordon Sr! Why didn't he get the job done?!"

Bullock: "Batgirl went in and got shot, but escaped when the new guy came in."

Fish: "Avenger?!"

I heard sounds of a chair being thrown against the wall. Fish came back to the phone with rough breathing.

Fish: "Harvey, you need to deal with this situation."

Bullock: "I'm not doing this anymore, Fish."

Fish: "What are you talking about, Bullock? The only reason that you're the Commissioner is because of me. You played a part in Grace's plan as well."

Bullock: "You're working with Roman Sionis, not Grace."

Fish: "Grace is a old man, he isn't going control Gotham for too long. Sionis will rule it for years to come."

Bullock: "Well count me out. I'm done with this."

Fish: "You want out? Then you're out, Harvey. But, you'll deal with the consequences. Won't you?"

Fish then hung up her phone. Did I do the right thing?

I want to get the real Commish out of prison.

-Kerry-

Something was going on with Riley as of late. I could feel it in my bones.

Going out with a girl wasn't like him and inviting two people into my house... Was he starting to like women or something? He's always been silent and always into his studies. It's how he a got a balchor's degree at such a early age. His eighteenth birthday was only a month away.

I didn't like doing this. Rick didn't like it either when I went through his room.

But, Riley was hiding something and, for some reason, it kept him out late at night. I've also noticed that my first aid equipment is brand new...

I was afraid that my little baby was hurt. And I didn't know about it.

I went into Riley's room and I searched everywhere for any sign of what could be happening. I wanted to check his computer, but Riley always felt a need for safety. It was password protected and Riley always used long passwords that made no sense.

The only thing I found that was abnormal was a ski mask that was stuffed at the back of the wardrobe.

I felt panic in my chest. I remember seeing this before. I think it was in the papers before...

?: "Shhh..."

Kerry: "What..!"

I then felt a sharp stabbing pain in my head as if something was stabbed directly into my brain!

Kerry: "Aaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!"

?: "Hush. That's it, it'll be over soon."

-Avenger-

After the break out at Blackgate and the arrest of James Gordon Jr, I regrouped with Batgirl and Nightwing.

Avenger: "Where's Batman? And Red Robin?"

Nightwing: "We can't contact them. And besides, why are you here again?"

Batgirl: "Nightwing, give him a break. He just helped me."

Avenger: "Don't worry about it. I had my reasons for showing up."

Nightwing: "Which are?"

Avenger: "I received a tip off that Black Mask hired James Gordon Jr to enter Blackgate Prison. I think they wanted to either kill Gordon or they wanted to break a prisoner out. It was a diversion either way."

Nightwing: "Well, I stopped the Penguin from escaping and Batgirl saved Gordon,
so..."

Batgirl: "Avenger saved me and Gordon, Nightwing. But, what I don't get is who gave you the tip?"

Avenger: "... I don't know yet. I don't trust the source, but I couldn't pass up the possibility that it was the truth."

I didn't say anything about Emma Grace just yet. I can tell that Nightwing doesn't really like me that much. Batgirl has been really grateful to me as if I saved her dad...

Nightwing: "So you decided to take a unknown's word for it."

Avenger: "Well, I'm glad I did. But, I don't know for certain how Gordon Jr got into the building."

Batgirl: "He was able to control the security, but when he was arrested, no device was found on him."

Nightwing: "Someone must have been controlling them from the outside."

Avenger: "Cleary someone on Sionis' payroll..."

I remembered the last time we were gathered together. And also what Cullen said as well, about Batman's Batboxes. That they were able to cut camera feed, which you can't do by remote.

Avenger: "Batgirl, didn't you say that Black Mask had the technology stolen by a hacker?"

Batgirl: "Yeah. Ethan Sawyer was hired by Black Mask to hack and steal Batman's tech from the cache. Why?"

Avenger: "Batman is able to use black boxes that are hooked into the electrical system, right? If he can do that, then why can't Sionis?"

Nightwing: "How do you know about that?"

Avenger: "I have my ways, Nightwing. But that doesn't matter right now."

Batgirl: "Are you saying that Black Mask may have hacked into Blackgate's systems?"

Avenger: "Exactly. But, I don't know what his play is. I know he wanted GCPD and us distracted, but for what? That's what I don't know."

Black Mask wanted GCPD and us distracted... What could he do while we're helping out with Blackgate?

There is one place...

I quickly run off the rooftop and using my grapnel gun, I reach the ground.

Nightwing: "Hey, where are you going?!"

I quickly get on my motorbike and sped off. Before long, Nightwing and Batgirl catch up to me.

Batgirl: "Why did you run off like that?"

Avenger: "The Grace Gala."

-Third Person-

At the Grace Manor, the celebration was filled with Gotham's best and wealthiest people. Everyone was enjoying themselves, but one question was on the mind of many... Where is the host?

Emma Grace then stood at a podium overlooking the grand hall.

Emma: "Ladies and gentleman of Gotham. We are all gathered here today at the behest of a man that rose from ashes to become a mightily phoenix. A man whose sole intention is to transform this city into something beautiful. Something we all can be proud of."

A man was peeking out of the darkness at Emma as he slowly approached, gun in hand.

Emma: "I would like to introduce to you a man who bled and cried for our city.
And I'm honoured to call this man my father..."

As Emma was finishing his speech, men and women who were drinking wine started to faint. Panic started to unfold as Emma started to notice.

Emma: "What's going on?!"

?: "That would be me, little Grace."

Behind Emma, Black Mask was aiming a gun at her head. While this was happening,
other men burst into the hall, wielding automatic weapons and wearing similar masks to what Black Mask is wearing. They started taking hostages as Black Mask started interrogating Emma.

Emma: "Well, Roman... This is a pleasant surprise."

Sionis: "I think that my invitation was lost, so I thought I would make an appearance."

Emma: "You weren't invited, because this is a business and you're my father's rival."

Sionis: "You know what, kid? You're right. This is a business. So that would make this is a hostile takeover. Where's Winston?"

Emma: "At the old folks home."

Black Mask pressed the muzzle of his gun against her head.

Sionis: "Funny, kid. How's this? Tell me where Grace is, or he'll be collecting pieces of your head for the rest of the night."

Emma simply smirked at Black Mask.

Sionis: "Have it your way."

Just as Sionis was about to pull the trigger, smoke builds up all over the Grand hall. Under the cover of smoke, Avenger came and got Emma out of the way before Sionis pulled the trigger.

Avenger took Emma to cover and put her down.

Avenger: "Stay here, Miss Grace."

Emma didn't say anything, but as Avenger went back into the smoke, she grinned.

Sionis: "It seems like the family have arrived."

"Black Mask! We can't see them! Smoke's too thick!"

The sounds of fists, sticks, and kicks connecting with skulls filled the room as Avenger, Nightwing, and Batgirl started to clear the room.

As the smoke died down, most of the armed guards were taken out, but a few who managed to evade the three heroes started shooting at them. The hostages were able to escape since the attention was now off of them.

Sionis: "Fools! The hostages are escaping!"

Black Mask started shooting at Nightwing as he got off the podium, but Batgirl was able to quickly dive on him to another cover spot. Avenger took the chance to sneak out of cover and started disabling guards with his baton as their attention was on Batgirl and Nightwing.

Sionis: "Do I have to do everything myself?!"

Black Mask took out another gun and started shooting at both where Batgirl and Nightwing were and at Avenger, who took cover.

Avenger: "You're gonna run out of bullets, Sionis!"

Sionis: "You'll have a hole in your head by the time I do."

Batgirl threw a batarang at Sionis and he shot it out of the air, but Avenger and Nightwing both took the opportunity to dive at Sionis who wasn't able to react fast enough to shoot both men accurately. Both men took Sionis down and disarmed him.

Nightwing: "No bad, rookie."

Avenger: "Glad I impressed."

Batgirl: "If you boys are done patting each other on the back, we should be interrogating Black Mask."

Sionis: "Ha, did you think it was that easy?"

Sionis removed his mask and revealed his face... It wasn't Sionis, since Roman can't remove his mask from his face. Nightwing whacked the guy in the head with one of his sticks.

Nightwing: "Should have known Black Mask wouldn't show his face. He never does his own dirty work."

Batgirl: "He's always been paranoid, Nightwing. It's how he's lasted this long."

Avenger didn't really speak, he approached Emma who was standing in the corner just watching it all unfold.

Avenger: "Miss Grace, where is Winston?"

Emma: "I don't know, darling. Father isn't here."

Avenger: "... You knew that Black Mask was coming here. That's why he isn't here. Seven people are dead, Emma!"

Emma: "Regretful, but it was Roman that poisoned our drinks. I had nothing to do with it."

Avenger didn't show any emotion on his face. Instead he walked away from Emma.

Emma: "Just so you know, darling, a GCPD squad is outside waiting for you."

Emma said that as she walked away upstairs.

Nightwing: "So this whole thing was a setup."

Avenger: "It was a trick. Grace must have wanted Sionis to come here so that we could take him down. We'd take him down and GCPD would arrest him and us."

Batgirl: "By the sounds of it, Sionis was ahead of all of us. That's why he didn't come here personally."

Nightwing: "And now, we're stuck in a trap."

Batgirl: "Not quite..."

She held a remote in her hand.

Nightwing: "Remote control for the bikes?"

Avenger: "I see your plan. But, my bike isn't augmented like that."

?: "I can fix that."

Everyone turned to see a girl riding on Avenger's bike into the Grand Hall.
She was wearing a black and blue costume with a

Avenger: "Har... Who are you supposed to be?!"

?: "Call me Bluebird."

Nightwing: "Is it me or do we seem to be handing out costumes to everyone?"

Meanwhile outside, Captain Maggie Sawyer was outside with a squad of GCPD officers in tow.

Maggie: "What's the situation?"

"Well, we've spoken to the party guests. It seems that Black Mask raided the Grand Hall with several armed guards, but then thick smoke came out of nowhere."

Maggie: "That's Batman's M.O."

"Should we call Commissioner Bullock and the AVTF?"

Maggie: "No. We'll handle this. Have all exits been sealed?"

"Yes, Captain. We've confirmed at least two people in there, maybe three."

Maggie: "Then we move on my go..."

At that moment, two motorbikes come racing out of the Grace Manor. They burst past the GCPD there and they sped off.

Maggie: "What are you waiting for?! Get in your cars and pursue!"

Maggie and her squad then got into their cars and chased after the bikes.
One bike was carrying Batgirl and Nightwing, while the other carried Avenger and Bluebird.

Avenger: "We should spilt up."

Batgirl: "Good idea, we'll meet up later."

Both bikes then spilt up down separate roads.

Maggie: "All squad cars, focus on one target. We don't need all of them."

"Which one?"

Maggie: "Pursue Avenger and his helper. We know where the other two stand already."

The squad cars then started to chase Avenger and Bluebird.

-Avenger-

I never expected for GCPD to focus on one target. I didn't know how I was gonna get away while I was being chased like this. I didn't want Harper to also get involved as well,
I never expected for her to end up coming back and wearing her own costume at that!

Bluebird: "Keep her steady."

Avenger: "What are you doing back there?"

Bluebird was holding a gun! A eletronical gun at that...

Avenger: "What is that?"

Bluebird: "It's a pulse gun. It can disable cars."

Avenger: "Okay, but it isn't gonna hurt them?"

Bluebird: "Of course not! I'm not a monster, I just want them to stop chasing us."

Harper fired the pulse gun at the lead squad car and it just stopped in it's tracks.
I turned the corner and I took the opportunity to hide in a nearby alleyway as the police drove past.

After hiding the bike, I took Bluebird to the nearby rooftop.

Avenger: "Why are you here?"

Bluebird: "You're welcome by the way."

Harper looked at me as if I was ungrateful.

Avenger: "I'm grateful, Harper. But, at the same time, I'm not. If anything went wrong just now, you'd be on your way to prison."

Bluebird: "I can take care of myself. Besides, you didn't say no to training me."

Avenger: "Right now, I'm dealing with something. We'll have that conversation later. For the time being, lay low."

Bluebird: "I can't do that. I can help you. In fact, I've been helping you this whole time and yet you aren't helping me at all!"

Avenger: "I didn't want to involve you, Harper. I needed your help in order to save Gotham. I don't have the resources that Batman may have, so I needed someone that could help me."

Bluebird: "And that was me. Look, you can't stop me from doing this, Avenger.
You're not like Batman. You're someone who is tired of waiting for everything to sort itself out and you've taken justice into your own hands."

As a lawyer, I made a vow to uphold the law and to never abuse it. However, I break that vow every night. That's what I've taken on. So in a way, Harper is right.

Avenger: "Look, Bluebird. Try to understand. What's going on in Gotham is more than you're understanding now. We can have that talk after I've done what needs to be done, but I can't be worrying about you every time I'm out there. So please, hang up that costume of yours, stay with your brother. As soon as this is over, we'll talk."

I turn to walk away. I think Harper should understand if I explain it like that.

Bluebird: "Wait... Forgetting something?"

I turn back to Bluebird, she hands me a memory stick.

Bluebird: "There wasn't much on her. I didn't know what you were looking for,
so I pulled everything. The file was encrypted so it took some work."

Avenger: "This means you were able to get into Batman's network."

Bluebird: "I know. It was incredible. I could access so much without worrying.
Batman is clearly using Wayne Tech for his equipment."

Avenger: "I know."

Bluebird: "Huh?"

I heard Bluebird say that in confusion, but I was gone. I dove off the building and got to my bike.

I need to see what's on this memory drive and also the one that Lauren gave me.

-Maggie-

After my team failed to capture any of the four vigilantes that were at the Grace Gala, I was called back to GCPD by the 'Acting' Commissioner (In case anyone forgot...)
Right now, I was in 'Bullock's' office, speaking with Bullock.

Bullock: "You didn't call for the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, Captain."

Maggie: "No, because there was insufficient evidence that any of the masks were there."

Bullock: "The way I see it, Black 'Mask' is wearing a mask! You should have called anyway, because we could have put four vigilantes away by now."

Maggie: "And your AVTF has done such a good job at that."

Bullock does his usual sneer as I continue.

Maggie: "What you're doing is a waste of resources, Bullock. Street crime has gone up since the AVTF came in, because we're paying so much attention to the masks,
that everyone else is taking over Gotham. You may not realise this, but there is a gang war coming! And you're not doing anything to stop it."

Bullock stood up and slammed his fists on the table.

Bullock: "I know that there's a coming war! I'm doing more than you think! But,
that doesn't mean I'm gonna let vigilantes run the show while we are the law here!
I'm not gonna let some costumed freak do my job!"

Maggie: "Like it or not, Bullock... This city needs those masks."

I then left the office and I walked into my office. I got sat in my chair and just took a deep breath. God, it's like no one understands what's going on in this city.

?: "Tough day?"

I quickly grabbed my gun and aimed it at whoever was speaking, but to my surprise,
it was Renee Montoya.

Montoya: "You're tense, aren't you?"

Maggie: "What are you doing here, Renee? You're suspended."

Montoya: "Thanks for reminding me. You're a good friend, Maggie."

Montoya sat at the chair opposite to my desk and held up a cigarette.

Montoya: "You mind?"

I got out a lighter and held it to her cigarette.

Montoya: "You won't believe the day I've had."

Maggie: "Why are you here, Renee?"

Montoya: "I didn't know who else to turn to. Maria Mercedes. She's been brought off."

Maggie: "That's a serious allegation, Renee. What evidence do you have?"

Montoya: "I followed her and I saw her with Roman Sionis."

The District Attorney with Black Mask?!

Maggie: "Do you have any solid evidence?!"

Montoya: "No."

Maggie: "Then we can't do anything, Renee! We can't just charge the District Attorney with corruption charges without proof."

Montoya: "I paid a visit to Grace Enterprises. She apparently worked there, but when I went there, I was attacked by armed men. I managed to take one down, he mentioned that she knew a Kieran Troy."

Maggie: "Kieran Troy? He runs one of the best law firms in the city."

Montoya: "So, if we find Kieran Troy, we may find evidence that suggests that she's dirty."

Maggie: "But, who is she working for?"

Montoya: "Have you asked Bullock?"

Maggie: "You find Bullock has something to do with this?"

Montoya: "I wouldn't put it past him..."

-Nightwing-

Nightwing: "Shouldn't we go back for them?"

Batgirl: "We won't be able to find them. They don't have the communicators or the suit monitors."

Nightwing: "I guess. But, I don't know where all these rookies are coming from!
First we have Avenger, and then some punk kid with dyed hair."

Batgirl: "Why are you annoyed about that?"

Nightwing: "Come on, Barb. They don't have the training for this kind of thing.
They're gonna get themselves killed."

Batgirl: "You saw tonight that Avenger can hold his own. The fact that he took out the Russians and has been the one fighting against what's going on in Gotham before we knew what was happening... Even I find that impressive."

Nightwing: "Makes me wonder who trained him. There aren't that many people who can train someone to be that good."

BLAM!

At that moment, a gunshot was heard and all of a sudden, the bike started turning uncontrollably!

Batgirl: "Dick!"

I wasn't able to hold on and I fell off the bike. I landed hard on the ground!

For a moment, I didn't know where I was. My vision was blurry and I didn't know what happened. I could tell that someone grabbed me by the neck.

When I looked up, I saw a man with a brown long coat and his face was covered in bandages.

?: "Shhh..."

He placed his finger to his lips and said that.

-Batgirl-

Alfred: "Miss Gordon? Are you alright?"

I woke up in the Batcave's medical bay with Alfred standing over me. He was wearing a black outfit as if he'd been breaking and entering.

Batgirl: "Alfred..? What happened?"

I tried to sit up, but Alfred stopped me from getting up.

Alfred: "Miss Gordon, please don't get up. You and Master Dick were found in the middle of the road with the Batcycle. I came to find you and destroy the bike, but I only found you."

Batgirl: "Dick?.. I remember! Someone shot out our tyre! Whoever it was dragged Dick away!"

Batman: "It was Hush."

Hush? I wasn't too aware of that name, a new enemy?

Batman: "I haven't told you about him before or anyone."

Batgirl: "Why, Bruce? Who is Hush?"

Batman: "His real name is Thomas Elliot. We used to be friends a long time ago."

Batgirl: "Okay, so you know him... But Bruce, does that mean..."

Batman: "He knows who I am. Who all of us are."

What?! He knows?!

Batgirl: "So he knows I'm Barbara?! He knows who Nightwing, Red Robin are too?!"

Batman: "He knows who Avenger is. Hush has been planning this for a long time. He took Winston Grace's identity and killed anyone who could have been a problem and then using his own wealth, paid off the GCPD and the District Attorney's office. Even the media."

Batgirl: "To put it simply, he owns Gotham. And he did before you even knew what was going on! How could you have kept that kind of information from us?"

Batman: "It was personal."

Batgirl: "And it didn't affect all of us?! Have you told Avenger what's been going on?"

Batman: "Avenger still thinks it's Grace that's behind this whole ordeal. He hasn't been listening to me."

Batgirl: "... Hang on a moment. How do you know that Elliot knows who Avenger is? Did he tell you?"

Batman: "I've known who he was for a while now. I didn't tell you, because I wanted to wait until he wised up and quit."

Batgirl: "Wait?! You wanted to wait for him to quit?! Bruce, after what happened when I first started, did you really think he would quit?"

Bruce didn't say anything. When I started, I didn't even think that I was in over my head. I became Batgirl and nothing was going to stop me.

Batgirl: "Where have you been anyway? Why did Alfred come to save us?"

Bruce turned towards the second medical wing in the Batcave. Selina Kyle was lying in a bed, hooked to an IV.

Batgirl: "What happened?"

Batman: "She's been overdosed on a drug. Hush must have forced it into her when he captured her. I've identified the drug as Black Sky. It's being sold on the streets now by the Yukuza. After analysing it, it's effects are the opposite of Scarecrow's fear toxin. Instead of hallucinations of a person's fear, it shows them everything they want to see. Red Robin was investigating it when he..."

Batgirl: "He's got Tim too?!"

I understood our situation. Hush was hunting us down one by one.

But what was he doing with Dick and Tim?

Batgirl: "We need to warn Avenger. Hush could be after him now."

Batman: "... Alfred, could you look after Selina for me?"

Alfred: "Of course, sir. You can leave Miss Kyle's wellbeing to me."

Bruce and I then got in the Batmoblie and sped off.

-Riley-

I got changed back into my suit and tie on a fire escape a few blocks away from my house. As usual, I left my mask for last in case someone was watching me.

As I came out of the alleyway and walked down towards my house, I did get the feeling that someone had eyes on me. Was someone watching me just now?! Who?!

Could it have been paranoia? It must have been. The whole ordeal must be making me crazy.

Getting out my key from my pocket, I opened the door. Normally, mom would say 'hello'
or 'did you have a good day?' But I didn't hear anything.

I looked in the living room and she wasn't even there on Facebook looking at animal recuse sites...

Where would she have gone? Maybe upstairs...

I went upstairs and she wasn't in her room. I should call her and make sure she's okay.

I called her cell, but I heard a ringtone coming from... My room?

Did she go into my room?! Why would she do that?! A joke or something?..

When I went into my room, I found mom face down on the floor!

Riley: "Mom!?"

She was unconscious. There was blood coming from her head. Was she hit by someone?
But, who!? Why would someone attack mom like this? How long has she been like this! N-No, I feel like I'm having a panic attack...

C-Calm down, Riley. You need to call an ambulance. And now!

At the hospital, I was waiting outside of mom's room.

... It was Grace. It had to have been Grace. That would mean that he knows. I don't know how, but whoever did this knows that Riley Rivers is Avenger.

I've tried to call Kieran, but I haven't got an answer. I don't know where he's gone.

Kieran didn't want me or himself involved. Chances are, he's taken Rick and Charlotte and left Gotham.

I don't know what I'm going to do next. When I started this whole crusade, I knew that it would be dangerous. I knew that I wasn't chasing a two-bit thief or a mugger or purse snatcher or even just a killer.

I was fighting someone who has Gotham in the palm of his hand. Someone who even outsmarted Batman who's been protecting this city for years. I know who Batman is, who they all are. To the outside world, I'm a lawyer who just got his law degree and the time I've been practising law is in the early double digits at best. Yet, I'm trying to save a man in prison and stop someone who controls everything.

How do you do that? What do I do?

As I pondered this question, a letter came through the window next to me. It was addressed to me?

I picked it up and opened it. 'Come to the roof.' And at the bottom was a bat symbol.

Had to have known that he would know.

I went into the nearest rest room and I pulled my shirt off, revealing my 'other'
suit. I put on my gloves and pulled on my mask.

Let's see what he wants.

-Kieran-

Right now, I was packing our things away. Gotham is not safe for me or my family anymore. I can't stay here or Fish is going to kill us.

Charlotte: "Daddy, where are we going?"

Charlotte is clinging to my leg, asking me where we're going.

Kieran: "We're leaving. Pack your things."

But, Rick has taken a more aggressive approach. He's shouting at me from across the room.

Rick: "Dad, I can't leave yet. I've got work with the carpenters going on. It's one of our busiest times."

Kieran: "We'll be gone just for a few weeks, I'm sure they can cope."

Rick: "They won't, dad! I can't just up and leave! What about your law firm?!"

Kieran: "They can survive without me for a few weeks."

Rick: "So you think because of that, that you can just drag me from my job? Charlotte from her school?! Do you really think that you're allowed to be that selfish, you arrogant bastard!"

This selfish brat! I couldn't take his abuse anymore. He walked up to me as I was packing.

Rick: "Answer me, you stupid twit!"

Kieran: "Enough!"

I turned around and punched Rick in the face. My own son. I hit him hard enough to knock him to the ground.

Charlotte: "D-Daddy..."

Charlotte looked at me in horror. That was enough to snap me out of my anger.

She went to Rick's side and she cried at his side.

Rick: "So that's it. You're so afraid of this city that you would hit your own son. Classy, dad, classy."

Kieran: "It's not like that, Rick! I'm trying to protect you."

Rick stood up and started chuckling. He pointed to a now apparent bruise on his eye and his giggling soon turned to anger.

Rick: "DOES THIS LOOK LIKE PROTECTION TO YOU!?"

I was stunned. I didn't know what to say. I hit my own son. But, he doesn't understand.
He'll never understand even if I explain it to him.

Rick: "We're not going anywhere. Charlotte, come on."

Rick picked up Charlotte and he left.

Kieran: "W-Wait! Where are you going?!"

Rick: "To Kerry's place. The one place where you aren't welcome."

Rick walked out the door and he left with Charlotte. My children just left.

Was what I did wrong? They don't know what really goes on, don't they?

RING RING.

My phone started ringing... Wh-Who could this be, at this time?

My caller ID. Fish.

I answered the phone and slowly put it to my head.

Kieran: "... Hello."

Charlotte: "Daddy?!"

Kieran: "Baby?"

I didn't understand! Why was Charlotte calling from Fish's phone... The next voice gave me cold sweats.

Fish: "Hello, baby."

Kieran: "Fish?!"

Fish: "Hey, Kieran. Look out your window."

I went to my window and I saw a limo hidden in the opposing alleyway.

Rick: "You bitch! You think you can get away with this!?"

Fish: "Kneecap him."

A sound of a silenced gunshot came through the phone, followed by a sudden loud screaming and then the sound of a man being gagged. The sound of my daughter screaming and then crying came as well.

Kieran: "What are you doing to them?!"

Fish: "Treating them as if they were my own, Kieran. But, this is business, you know that."

Kieran: "Let my kids go."

Fish: "Oh, baby. You're in no position to make demands. But, I am."

Kieran: "What do you want?!"

Fish: "Two cops are coming to your house. They'll be there any minute."

Kieran: "Cops? Why?"

Fish: "They're onto me. They know about our history together and they want to know about it. So, this is what you're gonna do: You're gonna tell them nothing. Not a thing. If you do, I'll know. We'll never talk again, but I'll send you postcards.
They'll be filled with love and little pieces of your children."

What have I done? I've allowed my past to affect my children! And now, a gun is being put their heads, and I can't do anything to stop her.

Kieran: "If I do this, will you let them go?"

Fish: "Cross my heart, Kieran. I can see them driving to your house now."

I covertly looked out the window. A car pulled up next to the house. Inside were two women. One of them was Captain Margret Sawyer and the other was Renee Montoya...
But I heard she was suspended from the force.

They got out of the car and were walking up to the door.

Fish: "Keep the phone on and hide it. I want to hear this entire conversation. The second you say anything out of line, the girl dies first."

I heard the doorbell ring as I slumped to the floor. What should I do?! What if I say the wrong thing?! C-Calm down, you need to follow Fish's instructions or your kids die, how is this a choice?!

Maggie: "Open up, Mr Troy. GCPD."

Montoya: "I could just kick the door in."

I quickly hid my phone inside my chest pocket of my shirt and I went to the door.
Please let this go well...

I open the door.

Kieran: "Hello, Captain Sawyer. Officer Montoya."

Maggie: "Hello, Mr Troy. We had some questions to ask you. May we come in?"

Montoya: "What's the point of asking? We're coming in anyway."

Officer Montoya just pushed past me and went into the living room. I could only smile and nod, as I remember that Fish can hear everything.

Captain Sawyer then came in and joined Officer Montoya, who was smoking, on the sofa.

Montoya: "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?"

Kieran: "I guess not."

The Captain started glaring at Officer Montoya as she got out her notepad.

Maggie: "We wanted to ask about your relationship with one Maria Mercedes."

Kieran: "The District Attorney? I know about her and I've met her. A normal working relationship."

Montoya: "Is that so? So the two of your haven't had a relationship at all,
you haven't been in each other's bed?"

Kieran: "Excuse me, Officer?"

Maggie: "Renee!"

Montoya: "Because I heard that you and Mercedes knew each other years ago. You were her go to guy. What about the other night? Mercedes came to your law firm and then after she left, you shut down the firm for the day."

Kieran: "She was asking who I had available for the Gordon case."

Maggie: "Isn't that a conflict of interest?"

Kieran: "That's what I said, so I asked her to leave. That was it. I shut down the firm for the day, because I was frustrated. But, that's it."

Maggie: "Are you sure, Mr Troy?"

Kieran: "Yes, Captain. Now is that all?"

Montoya: "Hang on... Where are you going?"

Officer Montoya pointed at the luggage that I was packing.

Kieran: "I was thinking about going on vacation with my family. Gotham's been quiet as of late, so I thought I would take this chance to go."

Maggie: "Quiet? There was the riots, Mr Troy. There are hundreds of cases in progress right now, surely this would be the best time for you to work."

Kieran: "I'm not the only business in town, Captain. There are other law firms picking up the cases. Right now, I need some time with my family."

Maggie: "Where are your family now?"

Inside a mad woman's limo across the street with a gun to their head. How could I just tell them that?!

Kieran: "I had a disagreement with my son, Rick, he took Charlotte and left. I think he went down to my ex's house."

Montoya: "Your ex, huh?"

Maggie: "I think we have what we need. Renee."

Montoya: "Yeah, yeah."

The Captain and Officer Montoya then left. I escorted them to the door and as they left,
i closed the door...

I slumped down again to the floor. I did it... I took the phone out of my chest pocket and placed it to my ear.

Kieran: "There, I did it. Let them go, Fish."

Fish: "You were going somewhere, Kieran? We can't have that."

Kieran: "What do you mean? I did what you asked."

Fish: "Yes, you did. But, I can't have you leaving Gotham. I'll miss you. So I'll look after your kids for a while."

Kieran: "N-No! Please! I'm begging you, let them go!"

Fish: "Nah, I'll keep them. I like this girl as well. The boy needs to have his mouth sorted out, but this girl has potential."

Kieran: "Fish, please! If you want me to stay in Gotham, I'll stay. Heck, I'll trade places with my kids, just let them go."

Fish: "That sounds tempting, but no. Goodbye, Kieran."

Kieran: "No, Fish!"

The phone cut out. I tried to phone again and again, but I watched Fish's limo drive away. I knew if I annoyed her, she'd hurt one of them...

Rick and Charlotte were in the hands of that psychopath. What am I supposed to do?

I can't do anything. Rick, Charlotte.

I'm so sorry.

-Avenger-

After hiding my two-piece suit in the vent of the hospital, I went up through the vents up towards the roof.

When I came through the air conditioning unit on top of the hospital, I looked around for Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl. The only thing I found was a bat-shaped metal object on the ground. I picked it up off the ground and I inspected it.
Did Batman leave this for me to find? If so, what does it mean?

BLAM BLAM!

Two gunshots ringed out and it narrowly missed me!

When I looked, a man wearing a trench coat and bandages that covered his entire face.

?: "Shhh..."

He was holding two guns, one in each hand and trained on me. .45's I think. Back when my dad was training me, he said that .45's have twelve rounds inside them.

Avenger: "Who are you supposed to be? A friend?"

?: "Me? A single soul dwelling in two bodies."

That's a quote from Aristotle, a Greek philosopher. This guy must be a poet or something like that. A poet with guns, two of them.

Could this guy know who I am? He must do, if Batman isn't here. The batarang must have been a distraction to get me out in the open.

Could this have been the guy sent by Grace? The one attacked my mother?

Avenger: "Look, I don't know why you're here, but I'm warning you... I'm not in a good mood."

?: "I don't care if you are or not, I'm just here to get rid of Bruce's little helpers."

He knows. He knows who he is.

Avenger: "I'm not easy to kill."

?: "Easy enough for a bullet."

BLAM!

-Batman-

We arrived on the rooftop opposite Riley Rivers' house. We heard on the emergency services chatter that Kerry Rivers was taken to a hospital after a attack. Yet,
no police here investigating.

Batgirl: "Wait. Rivers, who is my dad's attorney, is Avenger? How long did you know this?"

Batman: "If Rivers isn't here, chances are he followed his mother to the hospital.
If Hush is behind this, he must have went here."

BLAM!

A gunshot ringed out from nearby, and Batgirl went down...

Batman: "Batgirl!"

BLAM!

I go into cover as I looked for my attack... It didn't take long as Hush was standing right there.

Hush: "Now it's just you and me, Bruce."

Chapter 10 end.