Chapter 10 : The Beginning of Chaos

Selina Kyle was in her apartment packing up her suitcase while Holly stood by the bed with her arms crossed.

"Explain to me why you're leaving?"

Selina placed her whip on top of her leather jacket. "I don't belong here Holly. This city is not my playground anymore."

"You're going to have to come up with a more suitable answer than that Lina." The blonde haired teen stated. "What about Bruce Wayne?"

"Bruce Wayne." Selina said zipping up the suitcase. "He'll be nothing once the storm hits." She stated. "Right now it looks peaceful out there." She said looking out the city. "It's going to liven up in a bit Holly. My suggestion to you is to clear out while you still have a chance."

The teen shook her head.

"No. I'm staying." She said. "Unlike you I have to work for a living."

"I giving you money to take care of yourself, only spend it on things you need."

"Will you come back?"

Selina shrugged. "I don't know."

She turned from her task and hugged her teenage friend. "Good bye Holly. I will see you again I promise."

Holly nodded and then walked over to the dresser, opened up her treasure box and took out a small necklace.

"I want to give you this." she handed it to Selina. "What's this?"

"I found it in Crime Alley one night when I was making my rounds. I thought you would like it."

Selina looked at the cat-shaped necklace that Holly placed in her hand. "It's who you are Selina." Selina managed a small smile and tied it around her neck.

"Thank you."

Selina walked over to the door and paused, she turned around. "Holly... do you think I'm a bad person?" She asked wanting a straight forward answer.

"No. You just like to bend the rules a little bit."

Selina lowers her gaze. "I've done something wrong Holly. Something that is unforgivable."

"Care to explain what it is?"

"I hurt a good man." She said. "Now I feel that I helped send him to his grave."

Selina opened the door and left, leaving Holly to contemplate her words.

Bruce Wayne entered the study of Wayne Manor and saw Alfred sitting by the bookshelf reading the Gotham Times.

"Another kidnapping sir. This one at downtown Gotham."

"A lawyer's son." Alfred said looking at the headline on the front page. "It's says that the father was found dead in his apartment at 3 AM. Cause of death: a fractured skull and internal bleeding."

Bruce didn't look like he was concerned.

Alfred looked at his master's grim face. "Master Wayne, is something bothering you?"

"You were right about Selina. She lied to me."

"I am sorry sir."

Bruce shook his head. "I guess Batman can't love." He walked out of the room with his hand made into a fist. He was angry at himself for opening his heart to an distrusting woman who played him for a fool.

The lonely billionaire walked up the stairs with deep sorrow wedged in his heart. Memories of his past flashed through his mind as he began to strut towards the master bedroom.

As he entered the dark room, he walked over the dresser next to his father's bookshelf which held all the medical dairies Fox kept for safe-keeping. Bruce opened the drawer off the dresser and looked at his mother's pearl necklace. A priceless treasure that should be given to the person he loved. He lifted the necklace and ran his fingers against the white pearls. Then he thought about Selina. How they danced on the roof tops and kissed in the dining room. She brought life back into his dark world. Bruce looked down at the pearl necklace and then ran out of the room.

Alfred was standing at the bottom of the stair well as he saw his master hurry down the steps. "Master Wayne, where are you going at this hour?"

Bruce said nothing, he walked down the hallway, entered the study, pressed the middle of the clock and vanished into the passageway leaving his butler with a puzzled look.

Alfred walked down the stair-well only to see his master zipping up a brown leather jacket and pulling a black motorcycle helmet over his head.

"Sir, at least tell me, where you are going?"

Bruce hopped on his silver and blue ninja sports bike and fired up the engine. "Master Wayne!" Alfred yelled. "Where are you going?

Bruce turned his head and looked at his butler. "Following my heart." He placed his hands on the steel handle bars and zoomed out of the cave and into the afternoon rain.

Park-side Avenue

Commissioner Jim Gordon was standing behind the yellow police tape as he looked at the blue body bag being loaded into the ambulance. Officers were standing by the squad and patrol cars wearing their rain coats over top of the uniforms.

John Blake walked up to Gordon with a folder in her hand. "Sir."

"Find anything detective?" Gordon asked.

"Forensics team can confirm that the victim has suffered the same fatal injuries as the lawyer. The only difference is that his John Doe's blood had been drained."

Gordon felt his acid level rise in his throat as he heard those words. "Drained? With what?"

"Tubs and needles. The forensics team found plastic tubes in the bath tub with his blood spattered all over."

Gordon rubbed his temple. "I want a blood test done. And the report on my desk by the morning."

"Yes, Commissioner." Blake answered back handing him the folder.

On the streets of Gotham, Bruce maneuvered the bike through the heavy afternoon traffic. The rain was making it harder to see the stop lights and the cross walk signs but he slowed down once he reached a back alley way. He dismounted as he pulled the helmet off his head and slipped deeper into the alley that would lead him to the backdoor of the jewelry store where Selina lived above.

Bruce went through the back door and walked up the stairs as he counted the numbers of the doors in the hallway. Finally he found Selina's door.

Selina was getting in a taxi as Holly watched from the window above. She waved and Selina blew her kiss.

Bruce knocked on the door.

"Coming." Holly answered, jumping off the windowsill and running to the door. She unlocked it and slowly opened it.

"Yes?" She said looking up at the handsome man standing before her. "Can I help you?"

Bruce smiled. "I'm looking for Selina Kyle? It's important."

"I'm sorry. Selina is not here."

Oh." Bruce replied with a heartbreaking tone. Holly peered closer at him.

"Who are you?"

"Bruce Wayne."

"Yeah right, the billionaire playboy whose face is on the Gotham Fashion magazines?"

"That would be me."

Holly crossed her arms. "Selina told me about you. Listen I'm sorry Mr. Wayne but Selina is gone."

Bruce looked shaken. "Gone where?"

"Gotham Airport. She wanted to get out this city."

All of a sudden Bruce heard something. He pushed Holly out of the way and raced towards the window. He looked through the curtains and glanced out. "Girl get flat on the ground now." He ordered.

"For your information. I have a name. It's Holly and another thing I don't take orders from strangers no matter how cute they me be." Bruce turned his head and glared at her.

"Holly. Do you value your life?"

"Yes."

"Then get on the ground and cover your ears."

On the balcony across the building a sniper spotted Bruce and started to shoot. Bruce ducked as the shots erupted the window. Holly covered her ears and screamed as bullet shells landed on the floor and glass shattered everywhere. He crawled to Holly and shielded her with his own body.

"Why is this happening!" Holly screamed. Bruce looked at the doorway.

"Holly I need you to crawl to the door. I'll be right behind you."

"I can't."

Bruce looked at her frightened blue eyes. "Yes. You can. Now go."

Holly began to slowly crawl on her stomach; glass was cutting her leg making her leave a trail of blood smeared on the floor. She finally reached the opening of the door and crawled outside. Bruce was right behind her when he saw a black cat under the bed. He called for it.

"Here kitty. Come here." The black cat glared at him with her yellow eyes and then walked over to him and rubbed against his face. Bruce scooped the cat with his hand and crawled out of the door way and then leaned his back towards the wall outside. Holly was breathing heavy, her eyes full of tears and body shaking in fear. He placed his hand on her shoulder. "You're a brave girl Holly."

Holly gulped down. "Who was that? Why were they shooting at us?"

"I don't know." He handed her the black cat. "I think she belongs to you."

"Midnight. Thank you Mr. Wayne."

Bruce stood up and wrapped his arms around the teen holding the cat in her arms. He carried them down the stairwell and through the back doors that lead them to the alley. Blood was dripping down his leg; he looked down at Holly and saw a huge deep cut.

"You're bleeding." He said looking at the pale faced teen. "Holly?" He felt her forehead it was starting to burn up. "Holly I'm going to take you someplace safe. "

"OK."

Bruce jumped on his bike with Holly seated in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her pale body and as she held on to the cat tightly. "Hold on Holly," he said. "It's going to be alright."

Bruce rode his bike through the gates of Wayne Manor; he kept his right hand around Holly's body for support as he guided the motorbike to the front steps of the manor. Carefully he scooped the teen up in his arms. The cat jumped down on the cement steps and rubbed against his shoe.

Holly was shaking from the effects of the infection as Bruce turned the knob and entered manor.
"Alfred!" he called out. "Alfred!"

Alfred Pennyworth came from the hallways that lead from the kitchen. He has flour on his cheeks and hands. "Master Wayne," he looked at the sick teen." I see you found a new woman. She's a little young don't you think?"

Bruce inwardly rolled his eyes at Alfred's comment as looked down at Holly. "She's Selina's friend. We were attacked in her apartment. A piece of glass cut into her leg. She's running a fever."

"Oh my. Bring up stairs and put her in the guest bedroom."

"Thank you Alfred." Bruce said as he walked to the stair well with the black cat following behind. Alfred pointed to the cat.

"Another cat in the manor?" Bruce looked at Midnight. "She belongs to Holly. Besides I couldn't leave her in the apartment."

"Her?" Bruce smirked. "Yes Alfred it's a female cat. And no jokes not now."

"Understood."

A few minutes later Bruce placed Holly on the bed and rolled up her pant leg to get a better look at the seeping cut that was turning blood. He placed his hand on her forehead. "Don't worry Holly, you're in food hands with Alfred."

Alfred entered the room with a bowl of cold water and clothes. He looked at Bruce. "I'll take it from here sir."

Bruce nodded. "I'm going to find Selina."

"Why?"

"Because I have a feeling she has been betrayed by the shadows."

"Shadows?"

"I'll explain everything once I get back."

Gotham Airport

Selina was walking through the airport, pulling her black suitcase behind, looking at all the people who were in the lines or waiting rooms. She sighed as she stood in the line ready to confirm her plane ticket.

Bruce hopped back on the motorbike pulled the helmet over his head and fired up the roaring engine. He still had time to stop her from leaving. He just had to find a different route to take to the airport.

Meanwhile in the basement of the East End Gotham Treatment Plant, the Mistress was loading up at rifle while Bane was standing behind her, arms crossed.

"I have an important mission for you." She said placing the gun down. "I want you to create chaos and send a message to the people of Gotham that their moments of peace are fading."

Bane nodded. "As you wish."

Bruce parked his bike on the curb next to three waiting taxis who were yelling at him to remove his bike. He raced through the automatic doors, his heart pounding while he moved through the crowds looking for any sign of her.

"Selina!" He yelled out. "Selina !"

Selina was in the line waiting for her suitcase to be checked when she heard her voice. She turned around and saw Bruce running towards her.

"Bruce? What are you doing here?" She yelled out.

Bruce ran up to her.

"Selina don't go on the plane."

"Why?" She growled. "There is nothing for me in this heartless city. No when cares about me. I'm leaving and never coming back."

Bruce grabbed her arm. "Selina listen to me. Holly was attacked in your apartment. I saved her and Midnight from open-fire. She's at the manor fighting a high fever."

Selina looked into his deep sorrowful loving eyes. She had no words to say. "Bruce I ..."

"Selina. Please don't go on the plane. She needs you."

"...Alright."

Bruce nodded and grabbed her suitcase.

Both of them slid on the seat of the motorbike, Bruce wrapped his arm around her and held her close to his chest. She could feel his heartbeat.

2 minutes later…

The plane that Selina was going to take off in before Bruce came to her rescue was making its way down the runway of the Gotham International Airport when all of a sudden it burst into flames, making the ground shake. The wings blew off, landing on the cement. The tail fell on the field, twisted and bent out of shape.

Bruce and Selina were in the parking lot ready to make a turn to the overpass when the ground underneath them shook making the bike sway onto the grass island of the lot. Selina fell off and landed in the grass.

"Selina!" Bruce shouted as he got off and knelt down beside her.

"What was that?" She asked looking at the rising smoke. Bruce turned his head and gazed at the black smoke, suddenly having a bad feeling. "Stay here."

"Oh no." She said in a direct tone. "I'm coming with you."

"It could be dangerous."

"Hah. I love taking the risks handsome."

"Alright."

A few minutes later both Bruce and Selina entered the smoke-filled airport. The walls were crumbling and glass was everywhere. It looked like a war-zone .People were on the ground bleeding.

"Bruce," Selina said looking at the orange glow from the wreckage of the plane. "There nothing else we can do here. I'm sorry but we're too late."

Bruce just lowered his head, absorbing her words in dismay.

He heard a sound of a child whimpering. Right a way he acted and climbed over the rubble. He removed boards and dug through the wreckage until he reached a small hand and pulled down out a little boy covered in ash.

"It's Ok." He said. "You're safe."

"Where are my parents?" The boy coughed, looking frantic.

Bruce shifted his eyes to the dead bodies lying in the rubble. Looking at the two bodies of the child's parents made him think that horrible night when he was split into two. "I'm sorry." He said. "They didn't make it."

At Wayne Manor Bruce and Selina were in the guest bedroom, Selina was sitting on the bed putting a cold cloth on Holly's forehead. Alfred entered the room with a tray of tea and oatmeal cookies.

"I prepared a little something to calm the nerves." He said as he placed it on the dresser. "Miss Holly will be fine Miss Kyle. She just had to bring the fever down."

Selina nodded. "Thank you Alfred."

"You're welcome. I will be in the kitchen if you need me Master Wayne."

Bruce nodded and then he looked at Selina. "I will leave you alone with her." He walked out of the room and went down the stairs trailing Alfred.

"Alfred?" he said in a whisper.

"Yes. Master Wayne?"

"Do you think it be right to ask her at spend the night? Her apartment is destroyed."

"I think it would be a good idea. Besides Holly needs to proper liquids to bring down the fever."

Gotham Police Headquarters

Gordon was in his office trying to sort through all the paper work that needed to be filed. John Blake entered the office.

"Sir,"

"Yes detective?"

"Dispatched received a 911 call. A man was founded stabbed to death in his Gotham Park Towers penthouse."

Gordon rubbed his temple. "Alright. Send a unit over there right . No one removed the body till I get there."

Blake nodded. "Understood."

Bruce Wayne entered the living room of Wayne Manor as Alfred and Selina were sitting down having cheese and crackers.

"How's Holly doing?" he asked walking over to the coffee table and grabbing a piece of mild cheese and a cracker. "I think she will be fine. The fever is to be sweated out."

"Good." Bruce sighed in relief." Alfred looked at the two of them.

"Well I'll be in the kitchen cleaning up and watching the news if you need me."

"OK Alfred,"

Back at Wayne Manor Bruce sat down next to Selina who looked nervous."Selina why did you lie to me about being the Cat?" Bruce asked looking into her eyes. "If you told me the truth I would have helped you."

"The truth. My sister was killed two weeks ago, poison with unknown compounded. I'm not lying to you handsome. I'm done with that. "She paused. "When I was teen living on the streets of New York City I met a woman, she offered me a path of justice and my own satisfaction in life. I accepted the offer. She trained me how to fight and how to steal. I was her little thief." She did a frown. "I took everything I wanted and left nothing behind without getting caught. It was enjoying experiencing the thrill of the hunt but then she went too far. "

"How?" Bruce asked sipping his soda in a wine glass.

"She started killing the people I stole from. Taking away their children and putting them away from the outside world. When we came to Gotham, she only wanted you Bruce. I don't know why, something about revenge for her father's life."Bruce became tight lipped. "Her plan is something Gotham has never experience before. She will destroy this city handsome, take the children of the wealthy away and then burn down everything that made this city worthwhile."

Selina stood up. "I'm sorry I tricked you and lied to you about who I am. I guess I'm a cat who walks by herself." Bruce grabbed her hand and stood up , he brushed the hair off her face and lifted her chin.

"You're not alone Selina." He said as his lips pressed against hers. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him. Both were embraced in yet another passionate kiss until Alfred entered the room with grim news.

"Master Wayne , I think you should see this." Alfred turned on the plasma screen to Gotham News . On the screen images of wreckage and flames were from the news camera , framed by a graphic that read 'Plane Explosion Claims Many' The image cut to Newscaster Julianne Jackson sitting at her desk in the studio with a frighten look.

"…Police can confirm there were no survivors …"

Bruce walked over to the clock and placed the hands on the hour of his parents murder and then pressed the middle as Selina watched.

"Selina stay here with Alfred and Holly. I won't be gone long." Bruce said with an assuring tone as he entered the passageway .

"Where are you going?"

"To see an old friend."

Back at Police Headquarters Gordon stood up and grabbed his jacket." I'm going down there."
"Sir , with all due respect . I urge you to stay here. It's sickening." Blake said
Gordon removed his glasses.

"Alright. I'll be in the roof. I need some air."

20 minutes later. Gordon was leaning his body against the cement ledge with his arms folded and face grim. He could hear the sound of fire trucks wailing down blow heading to the airport.

"Where are you?" he said under his breath. A sound of fluttering from behind entered in his ear
drums. The commissioner turned around and saw Batman crouched down on the air conditioning vent, cape flowing in the wind." It's not safe to be here."
"I know."
"So what do you think a terrorist attack?"

Batman shook his head.

"A warning."
"For what?"

Batman jumped down and land on the broken glass that belonged to the searchlight. "Gotham is not safe anymore. This attack was just a preview of what is to come."

"Do you mean that Gotham...

Gordon looked and found himself alone. He shook his head.

"Just like old times."

Gotham General Hospital

Lucius Fox opened his eyes to see Miranda Tate standing beside the hospital bed.

"Miss Tate? What are you doing here?" he asked sitting up.
"I've come to check up on you Mr. Fox and tell you that the R and D department has been shut down.

Bruce Wayne signed the papers this morning."

"What? He would have told me."
"He said the reason why he didn't tell you is because he doesn't trust you."
"You're lying ..."

Miranda leaned her head in closer to his and whispered softly. "Don't worry soon he'll be removed just like his father."

Fox's eyes went wide.

"You don't know Mr. Wayne. You think do know everything about him but the truth is he knows everything about you .He'll find out the truth."

"I'm counting on it." she walked over to the door. "Get some rest. You work for me mow unless you want your sweet little wife to become another fading name on a gravestone." Fox made his hand into a fist.

"I will never work for your kind. I work for Mr. Wayne."

Miranda gave a small chuckle.

"We'll see."

Two hours later...

Gordon was at the plane wreckage talking with a FBI officer named Harry Strait about the cause of the bombing.

"We think it's the work of a terrorist we've been trying to track down for years. Last time one of your field officers tracked him down in Brazil but it ended with grim results. The plane that was used to transport the prisoners he rounded up was ripped in half and dumped into the ocean. This leader is cunning, ruthless and will destroy anything in his path. He has many followers that give their lives for him when needed."

"So you think this monster is in Gotham."

"Yes. He will destroy everything and everyone once he gets what he needs."

"And that would be?"

"Revenge."

"Does this leader have a name?"

Harry looked at the charred pieces of metal. "He goes only by one name. Some say that he was born and raised in Hell. They call him Bane."

"Bane."