Arkham Rising

by AuDC Productions

"How are you Mr. Cross? Are you still seething over your sister's death? Are you done cowering while your mother is murdered? Have you seen the pits of hell? I am Professor Hugo Strange, Ra's true successor. I look forward to burying you with the rest of Gotham. Protocol 10 is ready to commence. And the only way to stop it, is to kill me..." *Sequel to Shattered Persona*

14. NW Arc: Chapter 5

Author's Notes: Hello everyone and welcome back to a long overdue chapter of Arkham Risings. Of course this story follows the OC Jake Cross and several other characters as they all face on the dangers of Protocol 10 which won't happen for a while now. Feeling much better than last time I updated, physically and mentally, and in the best mood to do the review corner. But before that, I want to give big thanks to all of you who has now put Shattered Personas over the 100 review mark. Thank you a thousand times over! As I said in that rant that I removed, it is really hard to create a likable OC for you guys and I hope that I'm doing a good job at it. But enough about that. Let's answer the reviews that I have received since chapter 8 of Arkham Risings, as well as the last few on the other stories as well. As always there will be a spoiler or two in these reviews so it might be a good idea to read some, not all. And for those of you who don't want to read them, hit the lovely CTRL button, hold it for a second and tap the just as lovely "F" button and in the box type in the word "Games". After hitting enter twice, you will magically be guided to the beginning of this chapter. For everyone else, here are the answers and responses to your wonderful reviews.

Astronomical-Aversion: In no shape or form am I in the process of abandoning the story. It might take a while between updates thanks to this cursed holiday season that starts earlier and earlier every year, but I'm going to continue to try to update this story and the AuDC Showcases and much as possible. I am glad that you liked this story and its prequel and thanks for the reviews and favorites/follows.

Panda Pulse: I want to confirm some of the Marvel characters that did not make the cut for this story. Again, I started the outline for Arkham Rising last November-ish and completed it in January so these are the guys that would just throw the entire script into the flames. Tony Stark won't be here sadly neither will Dr. Strange (though your idea about him being the brother of Hugo was golden!). Ultron also won't be here though there will be a ton of references of him. Everyone else is either written to appear or can appear without stretching or changing the original story line. Venom and Carnage are the original names for the Black Spider and Scarlet Spider suits respectively so they are sort of here already. Moving on from that, you get one of the spoilers of the day. Roy Harper will eventually die in this story. How, when, why, and by whom is something that I won't say. But he will die and it will be completely seen in one of the upcoming New World chapters. I'm not looking at the outline now so my guess is three or four chapters, but I know it's soon. Ocean Master's death (and Trident's) plays on Kaldur's transformation. He still detests killing but has to for the sake of his cover. Later you will see Kaldur expect the same from Jake which will result in a very interesting way. Echo will continue to pop up and aid Jake (and piss Jade off) from time to time and further reveal more of Jake's past and possible future? Who knows? Kyle's ring's power will go through several investigations though most of them will only be mentioned and not seen. The reason is because there is a Kyle Rayner fight in the nearby future where I want his ring's abilities to surprise you. No spoilers on that though. Currently Raven is away. I can't reveal much more as the next chapter will start and finish with her. But her disappearance ties in to the Green Lantern's departure for Oa. And then there is Slade's granddaughter who will be mentioned in this chapter. That will be a major development in Jake's character for a ton of reasons. Oh, before I forget, Jake just can't kill Hugo for several of reasons. The most important reason is because Hugo works on Protocol 10 and we need the story to lead up to something right? But whether or not the two meet in Arkham City will not be revealed just yet. In the meantime, let's just enjoy Hugo pissing Jake off and Jake somehow getting the last word. I hope I answered everything. Thanks for reading.

JD SPARKS: Hi there and welcome to the review corner. For a strict canon reader to even enjoy my story and say so in review is big to me. So I am seriously a bit giddy that you even reviewed as strictly canon readers are very objective to OC stories unless they read them in secret- without following/favorite/reviewing. So thank you for even giving this a chance. Because of this I will also reveal a spoiler here in your response as well. Jade's comment "What will your wife think?" means nothing at all. In the upcoming chapter, titled "Codes", you will see that she and Jake have tons of aliases, a few of which where they are married, widowed, divorced, dating, etc. In fact, Jake Cross is an alias itself. Therefore her comment could very well be about herself. Again, Jake separates "Jake Cross" and "Black Spider" much like he did with himself and "Red X." It is a common theme that will go on for a while. So your hopes of a Jake/Jade (pairing name for them?) future isn't as hopeless as you think. To further assure you of this, in Jaded Willow Jade also comments "I knew I should've killed you back then instead of going through this." She isn't referring to Lian's birth in the least bit. Also, Jade will be here in the NW Arc quite a bit, her storyline starting in this very chapter. Her character is needed greatly in the growth of Jake's and it would be foolish of me to write her out one way or another. And to comment about Jake's love to Artemis, sorry. The thing about Shattered Personas was to show the difference between Jake's want of normality after avenging his mother (Artemis) and Red X's need for excitement and action while not taking life seriously (Cheshire). The Crock sisters and Jake will be in this triangle up until Jake understands who he is and pick one or the other. Or maybe neither? Thanks for reading and reviewing and following this and remember that I read Anon's reviews. Your reviews are nowhere near as long as his/hers so write as much as you want.

DarkLord98: A lot of people don't know about Hugo Strange's rewrite in the comics due to the cartoon's portrayal of him. However, in the comics and in this Hugo Strange is shown to be quite fit and well knowledge in hand-to-hand combat. In this story, Hugo is able to hold himself against a common thug or any other lowlife with relative ease. Even Jake had commented that Hugo was in shape, so he isn't just all mental games. That being said, Hugo is the only one of the four possible heirs- Bane, Batman, Black Spider being the others- that does want to shape the world in Ra's eyes. However, his reason isn't just to make a new world but to finally rid the world of the criminals that Batman has failed to do. He then wants to kill Batman to do what Bane failed to do. And then eventually kill Jake to cement him as Ra's true heir. So he does have the physical abilities (though not to the level of the other three) to do Ra's bidding while being the closest one to have Ra's mindset as Bane doesn't want to "cleanse the world" and Jake and Bruce doesn't kill. But because Jake has better skills as an assassin, Hugo is simply a replacement if Jake dies and neither Bane nor Batman steps in. And I'm glad you enjoyed Kaldur's pain in watching Melvin, Timmy, and Adam (Teether). The poor guy never really stood a chance. Then again, Raven and Monsieur Mallah didn't either, right? Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Pixies Between The Pages: In all actuality I was not going to add Batman's speech the way it was in the end of the TYL Arc but I felt that there needed to be something of that sort there, you know? It just felt right. As for Jake thieving and fighting again, there's a nice little fight from our favorite thief in this chapter and it is quite the battle. Up until I read your review, I never thought about Jake, Nyssa, and Talia acting like siblings and now I can't stop seeing them as siblings. As seen earlier and later, they will normally group together when they are up against a common foe or annoyance like Hugo Strange while maintaining that mutual rivalry between them. Kassidy's character was a mixture of Kassidy Savage (Kass Sage), Catalina Flores, and Scandal Savage from the comics. While she does not have a large part in Jake's character storylines, she will be there for a lot of Dick's/Nightwing's. She will, in a way, become a character similar to Talia in the future but I won't give out too much information on that now. And yes, it is about time for Jericho to make his Arkham Risings debut. But which side he will be on won't be revealed until later.

MajorDarkblade: Yes, there will be a lot of thieving and fighting on Jake's part in this arc starting with this chapter. While the next chapter will focus a bit more on Cheshire, I won't completely leave Jake out. And I guess I should have mentioned that every prologue will be smaller than the standard chapter. They really are there just to set the arc up or explain what happens during the time skip from the previous arc to the present. While there are various medias that I did get some ideas from, a lot of it comes from just reading the old school comics and cartoons and putting a different twist to them like Kassidy Flores's character. Though, I have to admit, when I first saw the Purge years ago, I was thinking that it looked like something the Joker would do to show people's true colors. But when I was visualizing this back December (last year of course) I just envisioned the Arkham Origins Anarky standing at a podium in a burning city surrounded by thousands of supporters and bam. That's the Purge and the aftereffects of it. As always, thanks for reading and reviewing and I'll try to update as soon as possible.

Timijaf: Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Guest on Chapter 8: Jake and Raven's dynamics will be a constant theme throughout this arc. There is an undeniable trust between them that grants them both leniency from the other that normal people don't receive. Plus, with Jake's seal, they are connected in more ways than one. Now as for Raven being the future Mrs. Cross... I won't give out any details about that. But all will be revealed in the future. I promise

PrettyKitty Luvs U: Because Shattered Persona is completed I'll respond here. Thanks for reading it and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Shipping Jake and Jade is great if only I had a name to call them as Jake and Artemis is Crossbow (see Don't Call Them Red Arrow for more details on that). So if you or anyone else has an idea on what to call them, I'm all ears. Meantime, thanks and see you next time.

Alright, I think that's all. If I've missed one on Arkham Risings or any other story, I apologize but I'm sure you really want to read the story now so I'll get to it. Enjoy.

---

Arkham Risings

New World Arc

Ch. 5: Games

[The Pentagon: Washington D.C.]
[September 29, 10:23:50 EST]

Slade Wilson, the famed assassin, was still not in a good mood. Weeks after learning of his missing granddaughter, he was still just a few ticks away from exploding. He had not forgiven Waller or Wintergreen for what they had done and he doubts that Jake would when he finds out. As for Jade, Slade thought about paying her another visit and putting two bullets into her this time. This was her fault after all.

"There better be a good reason you're here." Amanda said as Slade enters her office.

"Lian," Slade said. "I want her."

Amanda's brows rose in shock. "Really? I never expected you to be the loving grandfather type."

"Don't play dumb with me Waller. I'm really not in the mood." replied the mercenary. "You don't think I've been through this before? With Ra's? I know exactly why you want her. I won't allow it."

"And people said that the serum made you inhuman." Slade closes the door behind him, the sound of it locking resonating off of the walls. "You think you're going to scare me?"

"I don't have to scare you to kill you. But I'm sure you already knew that." Slade said.

"I know that with a push of a button," Amanda said. "I could have both of your sons in front of me on their knees with a firing squad ready to execute them for your crimes."

Slade holds a laser-sighted handgun out at Amanda, aiming directly at her at the center of her forehead.

"Let's see what's faster," The assassin remarks. "Your button or my trigger. I'm not one for gambling but my money is on the bullet."

Amanda stared at the maskless man before leaning back in her seat. She knew that Slade was by no means an idiot and could figure out a way to kill her, kidnap Lian, and live the rest of his life in hiding if needed be. And the last thing she wanted was for the Black Spider and Deadpool at her door as well. She didn't know who would be harder to kill; the skilled assassin who has a way of dodging everything (including death) or the mercenary who could not die.

"I may have a solution that will help us both out." Curious, Slade lowers his gun.

"I'm listening." Slade says.

"As you know," Waller begins. "I cannot let this Protocol 10 thing go down. However, I don't necessarily have the information to shut it down before it begins." Amanda leans on her desk. "I need you to get in touch with that son of yours and find out exactly what it is. Do that for me and I'll take Project Wilson off of the grid and give you your granddaughter."

Slade crosses his arms and leans against the door. "And just how soon will I get her?"

"As soon as we know for certain what it's about." Amanda answered. "You can do that, can't you? Preferably without the Black Spider trying to steal anything from my office." Slade simply nods and turns to exit. "I'm curious. You obvious don't want Jake or Jade to know that we have created an X-men based off of their genetic material. So what are you really after here Wilson? That protégé that Robin couldn't become?"

"Every Superman has his kryptonite." Slade responded before exiting.

Slade knew that Amanda bought the lie, then again who would ever doubt that Slade wanted an apprentice? In truth, there was much more to having Lian with him than another protégé. For starters, she would be the closest thing to Jake and Dick that he could grab. Therefore she could probably do all the things the two could and then some. With time she could become one of the greatest fighters, loyal only to him. Secondly, she was his granddaughter. No matter how she got here or who her mother was- he was pissed that Jade slept with Roy- Lian Nguyen Wilson (the Wilson name not there yet) was his granddaughter. His first grandchild. She belonged to Slade and he would have her soon. Whether he got the information or not.

Like he said, every Superman- and Superwoman- has her kryptonite.

---

[Cross Enterprise: Gotham City, New Jersey]
[September 29, 10:38:15 EST]

Talia stood behind Jake in minor awe at the sight in front of her. Down in the R&D area, there now sat a solar-powered energy vortex. The name itself baffled Talia but when she heard that it was truly a solar-powered EMP that could absorb solar energy and then unleash said energy to either disable electronics city-wide, she was quite impressed. However, the device in front of her was a prototype that could barely shut down the power within the building.

"Now, when deployed from a plane," leading engineering, Anthony Reed, said to the pair. "The bomb will fall to the ground appearing to be a dud while secretly absorbing power. When activated, the devices closes to it will lose power first and then those farther away-"

"Like a vortex." Jake inputted.

"Very similar, yes." Dr. Reed continues. "It will not only be practically quiet while charging, but it can revolutionize modern warfare as we know it. Disabling planes flying overhead and knocking cities off of drone maps."

Jake nods. "I like it. But of course, before we put all of our resources into it, I want to see you develop a prototype counter. The last thing we need is for our enemies to find out about this and use it against us."

"Right away Mr. Cross." Mr. Reed said.

"This way Miss Tate." Jake says as he heads for the steps. Talia follows while taking a mental note to "acquire" the prototype of Jake's latest creation. "I take it that you were impressed by that, huh?"

"I'm not surprised that you had someone working on something like that." Talia replied as they ascend the stairs. "But wouldn't something like that hurt your little friend?"

"Why else would I need a counter?" Jake's question causes Talia to mentally slap her forehead. He was a shrewd man who never did anything without a reason. "Your old man hasn't called recently. I'm starting to think Sensei has finally put Ra's in his grave. For good."

Talia snorts as the two exits the stairwell that led to the R&D room and boarded the elevator that heads to Jake's office.

"That is highly unlikely. My grandfather may be able to defeat the likes of you, but he will not be able to beat my father." Talia said.

Jake grinned. "Were you actually trying to make a joke or was that just naturally funny?"

"You should be more worried about Nightwing finding you." Talia said as the elevator begins to ascend.

"I know. You can't have your future husband beaten by some guy in a leotard right?" Talia glared at Jake angrily, the young man only smirking. "Well unless you want him to win. Then in that case, sorry to disappoint you beforehand."

"You seem to be in very good spirits with the knowledge that Hugo wants to kill you." Talia quips as she brushes out wrinkles in her skirt. "It makes me wonder what you have in store for him."

"Wasn't it you," the young man responds. "That taught me that the best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury? Hugo wants me dead so he can take the mantle. I say, let him take it. I say, let him have it, free of charge. If the job or the Justice League doesn't kill him, whichever one of you stuck being his wife until he dies surely will."

Talia found herself smiling at the fact. True, she and her sister have already debated how they would kill Hugo if Hugo ever did succeed and become the new leader of the League of Assassins. There was no way in hell that Talia would degrade herself and be the dutiful wife of Hugo Strange and Nyssa was worse. The man was odd and had a deep twisted fantasy locked somewhere in his brain.

"Any word from our Chinese friend?" Jake asked as the elevator doors open and he exits for his office.

"He's in Gotham. Probably digging up everything he can about us." Talia answers as they near Jake's office doors. "Should we be worried? If he goes public with-"

"What? A few farfetched theories saying he has joined an outlaw vigilante?" Jake interrupts with a smirk. "Don't get your panties in a bunch Miss Tate. If Lau is as dumb as I think he is, he'll come here with what he finds. The blackmail is too tempting."

"You sound certain."

Jake enters his office before turning and walking backwards towards his desk.

"You act like you're not." Jake said stepping towards his desk while facing Talia. "Let's face it Talia, I have successfully mastered you and your sister's evil plotting ways and have developed my own style."

"As if there is such a thing," remarks the woman. "But we do need to talk business. League business." Jake sighs and sits at his desk. "With the death of Ocean Master, the Light is now down one of its prime players. That means that we, the League of Assassins, must step up to show that one minor death cannot and will not affect us."

"Aren't we supposed to talk over a plan with Professor Strange?" Jake mused.

"Did you want to?" Jake shrugs as he kicks his feet up onto his desk. "It's no secret that you two do not like each other."

"And if you weren't the hottest woman I know over a century, I wouldn't like you much either." Jake's response earns him another glare from Talia. "You can keep staring but looks can't kill."

"My sword surely can…" Talia mutters.

"I have two blades too. And they can kill with just a small scratch so…" Jake lets his words trail off before shrugging his shoulders once more. "But hey, it's your call Boss Lady."

"You are in a good mood because…?" Talia realized that something must be going the man's way for nothing, not even a very likely event in her stabbing him, to get to him.

"Rumor is," Jake answers. "That Deadpool and Sportsmaster are in Bludhaven. One is looking for Nightwing and the other, well I don't know what Crock is after. But I'm sure that whatever it is, I'll have more fun making sure he doesn't get it."

"Are you crazy or just suicidal?" questioned Talia.

Jake smiles. "Just a man living up to his word. I told you what would happen if Lawrence ever hurt Artemis. And apparently he did a little something while I was off training with your dad." Jake's smile disappears. "Let's hope that you have nothing to do with that or I'm going to start early."

Talia snorts but says nothing in response. Red X had a lot of empty threats. Talia never really thought of him as any threat to the League or to her. However, she always questioned the potential of Jake Cross. He has never had severe cruel intentions but Talia has always wondered what he would do if he had. He beat Kid Flash brutally just to put on a show. What would happen if he actually wanted to hurt the guy?

"Should I call Cheshire? The man is still her father, you know?" Talia asked.

"No. I'll get her before I leave." Jake sees Talia's brows rise. "What?"

"Ever since you saved her from Deathstroke, you've been quite agitated." Talia expounds. "Your performance with Cheshire has risen, but that's only due to your growth in anger. You have clearly not been yourself as of recent."

"Maybe it has something to do with the jobs I'm getting. They require me to be at my best." Jake pointed out.

"You can lie to many people, but I am not one of them. I've seen you like this before. Right after you found out that your ex was dating Kid Flash. Right after Shiva was done with you."

Jake smirks a little bit. "Hugo put you up to this? Because if he did-"

"This is my genuine concern. If the Heir should run off and does something absurd that gets him killed, a part of the fault would fall on Nyssa and myself." Talia said. "So I have to be concerned for my sake."

"Well take a breath. I'm just a little tense because I have a big plan that's about to unfold pretty soon." Jake responds.

"I'm sure." Talia remarks dryly before asking. "And how do you feel about what Roy has done?"

"Like a cat waiting for the mouse to step out of its hole." Jake answers. "Now Miss Tate, if that's all, I do believe you have some work to get back to doing."

"Right away Mr. Cross." Talia stated neutrally. "Is there anything in particular I can do? Lau's latest report perhaps?"

"I want to know everything William Wintergreen bought in the past year. I don't want to be surprised by any of my own weapons." Jake responded. "Oh, and it might be good to book a board meeting."

"Will do." Talia said as she dutifully turned around and walks out.

Jake removes his feet from off of his desk and turns around to stare at the city through his windows. He knew he had been different, but it was nothing Shiva had done. It was Raven. The fact that Raven must put a bit of her soul into every object and spell made his emotions twice as strong as they once were, especially anger and hatred. So it comes to no surprise that he wanted to kill Roy Harper. But he wouldn't. He would find some way to overcome this hatred. And he's going to start by taking some of that frustration out on Sportsmaster whether Jade allowed it or not.

---

[Sherman Apartments: Bludhaven, New Jersey]
[September 29, 11:03:50 EST]

Dick stretched as he moved for his door, the knocker being as persistent as ever. The door opened to reveal Barbara.

"Hey Babs," Dick casually said as he stepped aside. "Come on in." As the redhead did as instructed, she could tell that something was off. "Want something to drink? Eat maybe?"

"What happened?" Straight to the point. Barbara realized that the last time the two had spoken about Bruce, beating around the bush did nothing. So now she was just going to dive right in it and ask.

Dick shrugs. "I don't know what-"

"You went to see Bruce when he was out. What happened?" Dick lets out a breath of exhaustion and frustration before eying the redhead.

"I think Jake is alive." Barbara frowns at Dick's words. "I know it sounds crazy, but some things make sense. Cheshire's apparent like of her partner. The reason he didn't attempt to hurt Artemis when we were searching for Cheshire. The real reason he was searching for Cheshire. It all makes sense."

Barbara's frown deepens. "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"Because I spoke with Nyssa, Jake's former boss and mentor." Dick answered. "She told me he was alive. She also said…"

"Said what?"

"That Bruce knows." Barbara gasps and moves to take a seat on the couch. "I know. Talk about keeping secrets, right?"

"No… No, I remember looking at the reports. It was his blood, his body, his death. You did the reports. Artemis confirmed them. The Team confirmed it. The hospital confirmed it. He's dead." Barbara said.

Dick shakes his head. "No. Nothing else makes sense other than he somehow has been brought back to life. And as much as it bothers me, I keep thinking that if I can persuade Jake to tell me how, then Jason-"

"Dick, no." Barbara interrupts. "You know that messing with the dead is bad news. I miss Jason as much as you do, but that's not going to solve your problems."

"How do you know?" Dick's question gains a shrug out of the woman. "Look, just think about it like this. If Jason is alive, what do I have to be angry about?"

"Nothing I guess… But what if he comes back- if he comes back at all- hell bent on destruction or something? You know, like... A…" Barbara felt embarrassed under Dick's amused glance as they both knew what she was going to say. "Zombie…?"

"A zombie?!" Dick laughs.

"It's possible!" Barbara argues.

Dick continues to laugh, a smile on Barbara's face. It was good to hear him laugh again. What was once one of the most annoying sounds in her teenage life was now so rare that she searched for it near constantly.

"Okay Babs, say Jason does come back as a zombie," Dick chuckles. "What's the absolute worse that he can do? Suck out our brains through a straw?"

Barbara simply rolls her eyes. While the thought of a zombie attacking them seemed quite silly, it was not impossible. With genocidal clowns, a man with a freeze gun, a reptilian human, a half-man/half-bat thing, and then a man dressed in a bat to frighten people a part of their everyday lives, a zombie seems to fit right in. However they knew that Jason returning as a zombie was farfetched. And in Barbara's mind, that was just as impossible as Jake returning from the grave.

Finally the two settled down and Barbara realized that despite this, Dick was still certain that Jake had somehow walked away from falling off of an incomplete hotel after being stabbed in the heart.

"So what are you going to do? Are you going to find him?" Barbara questioned.

Again Dick's shoulders rise and then fall in a small shrug.

"I don't know. A part of me thinks that with him alive…" Barbara's eyes caught a small gulp made from her male companion and she quickly spoke up.

"You aren't responsible for his or Ravager's deaths, Dick," Barbara stated. "Things like that just happen. You know that. You tried to stop him and-"

"I shouldn't have tried to stop him. I should have stopped him." Dick argues. "I could have fought harder but I… And then when he had Wally…! I know that I didn't push him over the edge but Artemis could have caught him and I could have caught her and then… Then…"

Barbara releases a quiet breath. This was nothing new to her. Dick blamed himself for Jake's death for multiple of reasons. She and a few others had tried to tell Dick otherwise, but he never paid them much attention. In his eyes, he should have done more to pull Jake out of the League of Assassins by either telling Artemis or revealing Jake's identity to the cops. That would have either gotten the boy arrested or in trouble with Artemis.

And the latter was something that Barbara knew Jake avoided at all costs.

"Calling all available officers!" the police radio Dick had "borrowed" announced from beneath the flat-screen TV. "We have a situation downtown. Deadpool has been spotted."

Barbara saw Dick tense and not like he did when something excited him or shocked him. He knew that Deadpool would be here and he looked somewhat angry… And anxious…

"Dick…?" Dick shook his head and walked past her to head for his bedroom. "Deadpool's kind of a big target, right?"

"Someone sent him after me." Dick said from his bedroom. "And if I can stop him, I can find out two things. Who Blockbuster is… And if Jake is actually alive."

Barbara remained quiet but stood up. She cautiously moved to Dick's bedroom door, seeing him putting on his Nightwing attire. It was only when his door creaked open wider that he looked at her unbuttoning her shirt.

"Uh Barbara, what are you doing?" Dick asked as he paused in his changing completely.

"I'm going with you." Barbara said removing her shirt to reveal her Batgirl top beneath. "Unless you don't want me to."

"Sure." Dick replied before clearing his throat. "Um, just be careful, okay? Blockbuster has a few of the BPD on his side so you could wound up a civilian 'caught in the line of fire' if you know what I mean."

Barbara bobs her head up and down in agreement. Gotham City was no stranger to dirty cops and detectives. Her father has tried to remove as many of those men and women off of his police force, but it was impossible to completely clean the precincts of scum like them. That's where Barbara came in. Batgirl didn't need a badge to beat a few bad cops and reveal them to the city.

As for Dick, he was questioning why this was awkward for him. As Dick Grayson, there was quite the number of naked female bodies he had seen up close in person. As Robin/Nightwing, he had changed into gear in front of Zatanna and Starfire before. Yet somehow seeing Barbara shed her civilian clothes (civies is what he used to call them) into her Batgirl uniform was making him a bit… Uneasy. Not a bad uneasy but uneasy nonetheless. He wasn't uncomfortable but he was surely not comfortable. Maybe discomfortable? No. Discomfort meant to make one uncomfortable, there for something discomfortable made one uncomfortable. This was not discomfortable. So maybe he just needed to be recomforted?

Yeah, that's it. He just needs to think of something other than fantasize about a naked Barbara Gordon (or would Batgirl be more tantalizing picture?) and recomfort himself.

"Ready?" Barbara asked as she pulled her cowl down.

"Born ready." Nightwing replied. "Let's just be careful sneaking out. My neighbor Mr. Law catches almost everything."

"Almost?" Nightwing smirks at Barbara's question.

"He hasn't caught me yet."

Barbara grins as the two goes to the window. Call her a sap or whatever, but she was getting to spend some time with her friend no matter how they were doing it. That was more than anyone else could say. None of the former Titans or the members of the original Team had spoken much to Dick since Jason's death. Now Barbara was going spend at least an hour with the guy fighting Deadpool. That was a record at the moment.

Who knows? Maybe she could show him how great a team they are and get him to rejoin the YJL? It was a stretch, but a possibility right?

---

[Cross Enterprises: Gotham City, New Jersey]
[September 29, 11:35:00 EST]

Jake stared at the city below as he stood on the roof of his company building. He was reliving the events of life, though not his events or his life. Despite the limited time she wore it, Talia was still the Black Spider. Unlike other suits of the same name, this suit had a special bond between wearers. Jake was sure that Talia saw some of his memories as he most definitely saw some of hers when Ben reattached to him. And now he had the answer to his search.

"The Lazarus Pit… I can't believe that it actually exists." Jake said.

"Talia's mind did not give you an exact location. We would have to search the entire world ten times before we found it." Ben replied, obviously not fond of going on a wild goose chase.

"No, she didn't." Jake answers. "But think about this. Ra's said that I couldn't beat Sensei without the suit, right? However, I can hold my own against the old guy for at least an hour. We've proven that. Putting those two numbers side-by-side and that means that Ra's will have to go to a pit pretty soon if he found his father. So if Talia leaves to go find him…"

"Then she's going to the pit. Smart. Though it's very unlikely that you can tag along without her and/or Nyssa finding out." Ben says. "It's like they have spider-senses when it comes to you."

"Whose side are you on anyway?" Jake asked.

"No ones. I remain on the back of the wearer. Jarvis is technically on the side." Jake grunts at Ben's joke. "Artemis and a Martian approaches. M'gann, I think."

Jake was somewhat surprised when he turned behind him and saw the two phase onto the roof via the floors below. The ghost-like maneuver was somewhat eerie and yet completely awesome at the same time. However, before Jake could comment how he approved their entrance, Artemis- in a white t-shirt and jeans- stepped up to him angrily.

"You gave her the suit anyway?!" Jake sighed. He knew this was coming sooner or later. "I thought we agreed not to give it to her until she was ready."

"Hey," Jake said holding his hands up. "I told her to use it for emergencies only. If she thought that whatever she activated it for was an emergency, then that's on her."

"Sure, blame Mia. I know how you word things Jake. You probably enticed her somehow." Artemis said.

"Me?" M'gann could not help but smile as Jake sounded somewhat offended. These two made the oddest of parents. "Where were you when she activated? When I woke up from being head-butted by a super powered alien she had already activated the suit."

Artemis crossed her arms. "Oh really? Then tell me how the Black Spider robbed a few TYGER guards for some tech?"

Jake shrugs. "I don't know. Ask Talia. She was wearing the suit at the time." Jake saw Artemis's eyes narrow and he knew that his lie- though partial true- statement did not buy her over at all. "Did you really ditch classes just to come onto the other side of the country and shout at me?"

"Yes." Artemis answered. "Mia isn't ready for the suit Jake. She could get hurt."

"She can get hurt walking up the steps but I'm not going to hold her hand so she can safely leave her apartment to catch the bus." Jake states with a sigh. "She's a big girl Goddess. Let her make her own decisions from time to time."

It was awkward. Really awkward. When M'gann first met Gemini and heard the woman and Kaldur snickering behind Jake's back, she initially thought that all of their jokes were Raven-centric. However, now she sees otherwise. The two (Artemis and Jake) did act like parents when it came to Mia and Jake- one of the deadliest fighters of his time- was completely defenseless against an archer he has beaten before.

"Now that that's over," M'gann said. "We do need to talk about something else. Something important."

"Like?" Jake asked with his brows raised.

"Kaldur," M'gann said. "He killed Ocean Master. That was never a part of the plan." Jake's lips thinned. "Or it was and no one told us."

"Jake… What's going on…?" Artemis questioned.

Sighing, Jake explained. "He had a mission to kill Ocean Master from Savage and Luthor. He did it. Mission over. Problem solved.

"No. No, that's not like Kaldur that we-"

"Trust me," Jake cut M'gann off before she could speak. "It hurt him a lot more than you think. Killing for nothing but a pat on the back is nothing that he likes to do, but it keeps his cover secret and our plan rolling." Jake saw the look Artemis gave him and sighs once more. "Artemis, I wanted to tell you guys, I really did, but he made me promise not to. Plus with all this commotion about a leak within the Light… I couldn't risk it. Not again."

Artemis simply nods. She didn't need him to further explain his reasons for keeping her in the dark. During her recent time with him she had come to learn that some things were better left unknown. His return, for example, was one of those things. She knew he was up to something. She knew that he probably had another one of those schemes somewhere. But she did not necessarily want to know why he returned although glad that he did.

Besides, last time it was Artemis who had left Jake in the dark about Jade's affair.

"If you two don't mind," Jake said. "I have to make a trip to Bludhaven for a second."

"Really? Going after Nightwing or something?" M'gann questioned.

"Actually," Artemis frowns, not liking Jake's tone at all. "I'm going down there because a certain former high school athlete did a certain thing to a certain blonde after I told him not to. And now I have to go down there and, you know, do some Heir of the Demon stuff."

It took Artemis all but two seconds to remember one of her last missions three years ago that was to intercept Sportsmaster and a client of his. After the man escaped, Lawrence tracked his daughter down where they had a verbal dispute that got a bit physical. And by a bit, Sportsmaster merely pushed his daughter despite being capable of doing much, much worse.

"Jake…" she begins but stops when his playfulness left his demeanor completely.

"I told you that I didn't want Sportsmaster near you, let alone hurting you. And if I'm nothing else, I am a man that keeps his word." Jake said. "I'm waiting on your sister so we can find him together."

Artemis glares. "Jade is helping you beat our dad?" Jake shrugs. "Even you can see how dirty that is."

"I hate to break it to you Goddess," Jake responds. "But you and I are prime examples of a dysfunctional family with dysfunctional love."

"But it's still family!" she barks.

"You're mad, I get it. Get over it." Even M'gann was shocked at Jake's response. "I'm not going to kill him. But I warned him."

"He's my dad. He has a right to talk to me when he wants to and I allow it." Artemis said. "You don't tell him when he can or can't talk to me."

Jake's eyes gave Artemis a harsh stare, one the two women compared to the likes of Batman or Deathstroke. However, his gaze then softens before he speaks again.

"When I learned that I had to tail you," he begins. "It was after you had sat down at my table and spent lunch with me. I relayed the message to Jade who threatened me not to kill you. I promised her that under my watch, you will be safe." Artemis's gaze left Jake's as she stares at the concrete beneath her feet. "If I can't keep you safe for myself, then allow me to do it so I can live up to my promise to Jade."

M'gann could practically read Artemis's emotions right now without reading her mind. So like earlier, she decided now was the best time to interject.

"We have to go." M'gann said. "Where should we meet up next?"

"You pick." Jake replied as he turned to face the city.

"And Kaldur?" M'gann asks.

Jake looks at her over his shoulder. "I can't remain in contact with him like you think. The Heir of the Demon is loyal to the League of Assassins first before anyone else. I can't just call him without giving a reason."

"I understand." M'gann said "What about Raven and Gemini?"

Now Jake sighs. "I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't-"

"Artemis, don't." Jake cut the blonde off before staring at the city. "I don't know where Rachel is now and it bothers me." Jake's hand went to rub right below the back of his neck. "Like burning the hell out of me, bothering me."

The two women have both seen the seal and understood that Raven had to have put a piece of herself into the spell as she did everything else. Therefore a bit of Raven was put into Jake somehow, someway.

"You'll find her. We'll help." Artemis said reassuringly as she backs towards M'gann. "Just make sure you call the next time you want to give Mia some ultimate-weapon as a toy."

Jake smiles. "The girl's got to learn how to live somehow. Might as well be from your friendly neighborhood Black Spider."

"Friendly my ass." Artemis jokes back.

"Good bye Jake." M'gann says before eying Artemis. "Let's go Mama Bear."

"Mama what?" was all Jake heard before M'gann gently grabs Artemis and the two become invisible and flies off.

Smiling and shaking his head, Jake eyes Gotham City once more as the Black Spider suit takes over him. His smile slowly fades before the suit covers his face. Closing his eyes, he steps towards the edges and inhales deeply. Replaying the night of his "murder", Jake simply leans forward, free falling towards the ground. He listened to the wind roaring as he drops before opening his eyes and swinging off towards Jade's apartment.

---

[Bludhaven, New Jersey]
[September 29, 11:56:33 EST]

Deadpool broke into an electronics store for equipment. Saying that inside of his head, Dick wondered if he was dealing with the Merc with the Mouth or his possibly deceased nephew. Either way, Nightwing and Batgirl's first stop was to the electronic store that had recently been robbed by Deadpool.

"He came in, killed everyone in line, and then made off with several cameras." The shaken cashier said. "And then…"

Nightwing stares at the frightened middle-aged man. "And then what?"

"He bought three candy bars…" If this was a cartoon of sorts, Dick was sure that he and Barbara would have both face-vaulted into the ground like some anime characters. However it wasn't so the two could only stare with confused and shocked looks.

"He paid for the candy?" Batgirl questioned. The balding man behind the counter nods, his glasses nearly falling from his round face. "Well I'll be…"

This was a very confusing matter. Deadpool waltzed into an electronic store, stole a couple of cameras, killed a few citizens, and then bought candy bars? This guy was really insane.

"I know this may seem strange," Nightwing said. "But did he tell you where he was going?"

"No. Just that he had a show to do." Nightwing and Batgirl exchanged looks at the information. This guy just got weirder and weirder.

Before any other question could be asked, every television in the shop began playing a broadcast showing Deadpool at the docks.

"Welcome Bludhaven to the greatest show on Earth!" Nightwing stared at the assassin on screen with a stern look. "This is Pain Factor! The only show where you compete for your life! And I am your host, the guy who won't die, Deadpool!"

"Something tells me that this won't be good…" Barbara comments quietly over the applause coming from the TVs.

"Before we begin, I'd like to take this time to give a shout out to our sponsor, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions! Get it today… Or die!" Deadpool states before speaking again. "Now today, we'll have a special guest running a very special course down at the Bludhaven Docks."

"Oh no." Dick groans.

"Oh yes! That's right, Bludhaven's own masked hero, Nightwing!" More applause was simulated with a couple of cheers. "If Nightwing can come down and survive all of the course's traps, he will get," The screen showed a moped, Nightwing dropping his head. "That's right folks! The Tidwell 3000- as seen from Titans episode: Employee of the Month!"

Batgirl eyed Nightwing. "You guys had a TV show?"

"Yeah, and Trigon wears a suit." Nightwing sarcastically responds.

"But," Now the screen showed Deadpool. "If he fails then this amazing lady here," Nightwing tenses when he sees a bound Kassidy seated in a chair behind Deadpool. "Will die her ultimate death in a spectacular fashion. Only spider-nerds will get that one!"

Nightwing growls. "Deadpool…"

"Oh, and uh Nightwing," Deadpool says into the camera. "Don't keep me waiting. I hatethat."

Deadpool's face vanishes off screen, the screen now showing a small Deadpool-like mask.

"What are we going to do?" Batgirl asked.

"We're going to go save Kassidy." Nightwing answers. "And find out more about this Blockbuster guy. He hired Deadpool. He is the reason that this is happening now."

"Will you get the cameras back?" The cashier asked.

Nightwing walks out of the store, leaving the man unanswered. Batgirl could only stare at the young man's retreating figure as she tries to figure out what was going through Dick's mind. She then looks at the cashier with a reassuring grin.

"We'll get them back." Batgirl assures. As she leaves she breathes out a quiet, "I hope." Under her breath.

---

[Gotham City, New Jersey]
[September 29, 12:25:03]

Talia watched as Jake walked into the large all-white room with nothing on but some black jeans and tape around his fists. Scattered amongst the room were various weapons, ranging from swords and shields down to bows and arrows. A long time ago, Red X detested this sort of training as he always lost to Nyssa- the person who used this method of training. The teenage Jake Cross felt that his suit was a better weapon than any that were found here. And truthfully, he was right. The Red X suit was dangerous. But she digresses. Now she stared at a man who was practically begging for this training session to release some unseen anger and stress.

This should be interesting, Talia thought to herself.

"What? No Ben?" Talia questioned in a mocking tone.

"I wanted a challenge." Jake's response ends all mockery in Talia's system, the woman scowling at his words. "Come on. We both know that if I were to put him on, you wouldn't stand a chance to hit me. Spider-senses, remember?"

Talia idly nods. She remembers the forewarning system that came with wearing the Black Spider suit. She could see how that would ultimately play in her defeat if Jake used it.

And then she sees him searching the floor. His posture was odd, a small sway in his body that she had seen once or twice before. He was obviously not paying her any attention anymore. But the sway was something that put her on high alert- higher than she already was. What few realized was that Jake Cross was a fully-qualified assassin, bested only by a handful of people. His mind was most noticeably his most dangerous weapon as his plans to rob or maim people were nearly flawless. Red X was a good opponent and Black Spider was one that Talia would never battle unarmed, but Jake Cross intrigued her. No matter what others say or thought of the guy, she and her sister knew him as the always calculating man that stood before her, memorizing the weapons spread around them.

"Well," Jake said as his dark brown eyes locking onto her green ones. "Shall we begin?"

The woman in black smirks. "Eager to lose already?"

"No," Jake says tilting his head to the side to pop his neck. "More like ready to see if you were even worth me being here without your sister to back you up."

Once more the words hit Talia hard with disrespect and she sprung into action. Unsurprisingly Jake moved for a weapon as well. The two both dove and rolled, standing up almost simultaneously. Talia now held onto two twin blades while Jake was holding a metal staff.

How Slade-like, Talia mentally comments.

The two ran towards one another, neither being their normal defensive selves today. It was Talia who would swing first and miss. Jake would step left, the pole twirling in his hands before he swatted for her midsection. Talia's right hand moves faster than she can think, the blade in her hand parrying the strike. Jake would strike again and again Talia was able to block it. It wasn't long before Talia was forced to backtrack. The staff was a weapon Jake had mastered as a child being the student of his parents. While considered a non-lethal weapon, the staff of any kind was considered deadly in his- or his father's- hands.

Crossing her blades to form a protective X in front of her, Talia blocked a blow that would have nailed her on the top of her forehead if she had of allowed it. The two was now in a small standoff with Jake trying to outmuscle her while Talia attempting to regain some control of this spar.

Taking advantage of a small window of opportunity, Talia pushes Jake away with a front thrust kick in his gut. The man backs away but she knows how enduring he can be. She lunges for him to turn the tables, and it works. Soon it was Jake stepping backwards while blocking her dangerous sword dancing.

One fatal mistake on Jake's part had Talia slapping his staff out of his hands. Talia did not relent though. Sparring with the Heir of the Demon was never one to take lightly and if she lost the will to kill him, then she would definitely lose the match.

Even without his suit Jake proved just how evasive he naturally was. Every deadly strike that Talia swung with her blades, precise with years of training and hard work, was effectively dodged by the young man as he moved his body skillfully and cautiously. It was that damn sway of his body that seemed to slither around every strike and blow she could deliver. Yet what harmed Talia's ego the most was the fact that he was not even watching her blades. He was locked onto her eyes.

Jake soon flips backwards, delivering a kick to Talia's exposed chin as he does so, to put distance between them. The rookie mistake on her part made Talia smirk inwardly. She wasn't expecting that maneuver. But when he stood with the escrima sticks he had been moving to this entire time, she had been expecting it. In fact, she had been counting on it.

"I was wondering when you would move to your treasured weapons." Talia said.

"…" His silence was unnerving. She was used to the mocking and taunting Jake, not the serious one that had ultimately beaten the Teen Titans and then Justice League's sidekicks on his own.

Talia took in a deep breath and released it slowly. Jake just settled in a stance she had seen far too many times during the past few months. What was just a "spar" between the two was now a full out fight with the only rule was the no-kill rule. Talia knew that Jake had the home-field advantage now. For her to use her full potential she had to kill- or at least attempt to kill. He knew moves to maim. He knew moves to disorient. All in all, his arsenal of tricks would not be hindered by the no-kill rule. Hers would.

Jake came for Talia quickly now. He was fast and she knew it. Her blades came to her defense with the mere thought of it, she now blocking his strikes with the most concentration. And Jake merely smiled. Not a full out grin, but a small half smirk could be seen now. Talia idly wondered what he was smiling about but chose to beat it out of him instead of just asking. At least she could get the satisfaction of putting the arrogant brat back in his place.

Unfortunately, they were practically evenly matched. Her century of training could not completely dominate with his mere years. Worst, she was once again on the defensive, afraid to swing in fear of him finding another opening. If the staff was a danger in Jake's hands, then the escrima sticks- weapons he has used to beaten Nyssa with- were a national-level threat. This was seen as Talia's sword wielding abilities were nullified by the metal stick swinging Jake.

After three minutes of canceling out each other's attacks, the two leapt away from one another. Talia, with mild frustration now, flung one blade at Jake only for him to send a stick in her direction. When the two weapons clanged in mid-air and fell lifelessly onto the ground away from them, Talia's eyes widened.

"Took you a while." Jake comments as the woman grows angrier than before.

In all of her years, she had never been toyed like this. Jake was not sparring with her. He was not fighting her. He was matching her. He was holding back so his speeds and strength matched hers. It only made sense after he slung one of his escrima sticks at her blade, though she had aimed her throw to barely graze his shoulder if he did not move. He could have move. He should have moved. That was the logical choice. But he mimicked her.

"You think that I need you to be weak to beat you by myself?" Talia hissed.

"If you want to know so badly," Jake says as he drops the second pole in his left hand. "How about we fight on my terms then?"

Talia dropped the blade. "You will regret this."

The smirk on Jake's face returned before he walked towards her. Talia settled in a defensive stance while momentarily hating his arrogance. He walked to her as if this would be easy- as if she would be easy. She was not easy by any stretch of the definition. She was Talia al Ghul.

Stepping directly in front of her and getting into a stance that rivaled her own, Jake's smile grew.

"Ready?" he teased.

"You're enjoying this a bit too much." Talia remarks. "Why?"

"That former thrill I used to get before I died," Jake answers. "Is coming back to me now. I don't know if it's the fear toxin before I came here or the thoughts of having you beaten where your father can't save you," Now Talia's eyes narrowed. "But it's clearly back. And now-"

Talia doesn't let him finish, attacking him now with powerful kicks and punches. She could tell that this shocked Jake as he actually backtracked with wide eyes. She had finally surprised the ever so cocky and calculating Jake Cross.

And then he countered with a palm strike to her abdomen that had her stepping backwards.

"Ah, ah, ah." Jake chided with a wag of a finger.

Talia, now with more purpose than ever in her life, lashed out again. She would beat Jake here today. She would prove to her father that she could do anything that his handpicked male heirs could do.

A flush punch lands on his cheek, but a backhand gets her in retaliation. A knee to his gut had him folded over for a moment only for him to grab her attacking leg and twists his body, executing a dragon screw legwhip. Talia's body was forced to turn as well, throwing her off balance and onto her back. She would recover quickly, landing a kick to Jake's chest as he went to mount her and effectively end this spar. He stumbles back which allows her to stand.

The two take few deep breaths before charging again. By now there was a deep magnetic attraction between the two that neither could understand. It wasn't an attraction as most would think, no, this attraction was to prove dominance. For Jake, he had had years of planning on defeating Talia then Nyssa in front of Ra's before ultimately leaving the organization. For Talia, she wanted to show that Jake was still but a child and unfit of her father's time. The need to beat the other- that attraction- is what made them throw all of their patience out of the window.

Talia's mind failed to think of a time where she felt a fiery passion to beat someone before. Such sadistic nature was better left to Nyssa. But her mind, body, and soul craved to have Jake lying at her feet beaten. But why? Was it out of jealousy? Was it her anger of his taunts to Bruce? Was it just her pent up frustrations for even having to work with him? What was it?

"Focus!" Talia blinked before feeling Jake's hand come across her face a second time, this one harder than the first. "Shiva told me that you had a hard time getting your mind off of your precious detective. I wouldn't believe it if you hadn't have spaced out there."

Spitting blood, Talia watched as Jake slowly stalked around her like one-man pack of wolves around an injured caribou.

"Is this the side of me that you so longed to see, Talia?" Talia glared at Jake's circling form. "I warned you, remember?"

"What have you become?" Talia asked carefully.

Jake chuckles. "I guess I can tell you. The mark on my back that you are so interested in came from Raven. It had some side effects." Talia's head tilts slightly leftwards in confusion. "You see, my emotions are now people inside of my mind. And like Raven, I have to either defeat hatred and rage every day or let them consume me and become… Well like my dad and uncle. Insane… Blood thirsty… Angry."

As Jake spoke, Talia spots a crossbow and the arrows needed for it behind the man. If she was smart, she could grab it and end this battle with a win.

"I need you to get serious." Jake said to Talia. "Even your father wasn't able to toy with me without suffering for it. So please, take me seriously."

Talia doesn't answer, diving for him. As she predicted, Jake sidesteps her attack, allowing her to roll for the crossbow. When she gets to a knee and takes aim with an arrow to where Jake should have been, she was slightly surprised to see that he too had moved for a weapon.

She smirks. "Is your aim as good as Nyssa says?"

Jake loads the bow in his hand with an arrow.

"Let's find out, shall we?" Jake responds.

The two fired simultaneously. The two arrows seemed to move in slow motion to the two combatants. Their aim was practically second to none now and both knew that their shots hit their desired mark.

The two arrows collided in midair, a smile coming on both of the fighters' faces.

But the smiles would not last long as Jake quickly reloads and fires again. Talia evasive rolls left, releasing her crossbow and the two arrows she had picked up for it and grabbing a metal shield in the process. When Jake fires two more arrows with quick succession and precise aiming, Talia was able shield herself from harm.

Jake pauses and searches for an open area to fire at. There were seven arrows for the bow and he had just fired four. That left him with three arrows before he was forced to either find a new weapon or fetch any of the fallen arrows. His eyes then spotted the pistol loaded with rubber bullets and narrowed.

So that was what Talia was moving for…

Talia kept the shield ready as she inched her way for the gun. Ten rubber bullets would be enough to finish this. Without Ben on his back, there was no way that Jake's reflexes could out speed her shots. Problem was, she had to get there.

An arrow was fired high, Talia bringing the shield up to block it before jumping over the second arrow that followed, aimed for her legs. Landing on her feet, she sent a glare at Jake before spotting the third arrow already flying towards her. She hadn't heard him prepare this one, let alone seen it. It was aimed to perfection, her eyes widening a she knew that this may indeed be the day that she died to Jake Cross…

The arrow whizzed by her, the breeze of it eerily cold, before lodging into the breaker of the room.

Now there was darkness.

Talia releases a soft breath. She was comfortable in darkness. Every assassin was trained in this environment, Talia and Jake being no different. But what made her relax more was the knowledge that the backup generator that controlled the entire hideout would give her some light in the next sixty seconds. There was not enough time for Jake to devise a plan and then execute it.

The smallest of sounds alert Talia and she brought the shield up to protect her from the fist that came from the young man. Sounds of his fists and legs bouncing off of the metal shield resonated in the darkness before Talia gave one strong push, shoving her target away. She figures he would recover quickly and moves for the gun with the shield held to protect her from any and all attacks. Her right foot feels for the object seconds before the lights come on and she's startled.

A jumping superman punch knocks Talia flat on her back, the shield dropping instantly. Jake's movements were now pure silence though it did not remove any of his speed or power. Talia rolls onto her feet and sees him coming again. She blocks the first punch before spinning around the second one. Now with his back, she locks on a rear neck choke. She squeezed tightly while trying to get him to back towards the gun.

Yet, unsurprisingly, the young man was able to weaken her hold by pulling on her arms and leaning forwards. With her feet dangling off of the ground and arms a bit sweaty from this entire ordeal, her grip begins to loosen. With near lightning speeds, Jake was able to flip her onto the ground before backing away and taking deep breaths. Apparently she had done more than she expected.

"You lose." Jake looked to see that Talia had picked up one of her discarded swords and scowls. "Or do you have another reckless battle strategy?"

"One way to find out." Jake said.

To her surprise, he came for her. With no other choice she took a few steps at him. Her blade was ready and she was more than positive that his hands were just as ready. Her strike came perfectly as well as his. She barely got a cut on his left shoulder, gaining nothing from him. His palm strike on her got her to yelp and skip in surprise and stinging pain.

With their backs towards one another, Talia glares over her shoulder at the smirking man.

No one slapped her on the ass and got away with it.

"Pretty firm there for one over a hundred." Jake said as he turned his body to completely face the irate woman.

-Bastard!- Talia hisses in Chinese.

"Bitch."Jake retaliates.

Talia looks down at her feet to see the gun there. She looks up to see Jake's smile is once again missing from his face and he was prepared to stop her. Talia then looks at Jake's legs to see one of the escrima sticks from earlier perched near his left foot.

The standoff lasted for a minute before Jake kicks the escrima stick towards her, not even wasting time to pick it up. Talia swats it away and reaches for the gun. Her defensive maneuver, however, gave Jake enough time to cover the distance and grab both her wrists, effectively making the gun and sword completely useless. Talia felt her body being backed towards a wall where Jake held her firmly.

"Looks like I win." he taunts. He moves his lips near her ear and whispers silently. "Give up now Miss Tate."

Talia knew she would never out power him, so she used her only advantage over him. And when her tongue slides smoothly across his jaw, stopping below her ear, she could feel his body tense and his grip weaken a bit. He was stunned. And with that she instantly kneed him in the gut before head butting him for safety measures. With a bleeding nose, Jake stumbles backwards while Talia aims the gun at Jake.

"Looks like I win, Mr. Cross." Talia said.

Jake looks up at her before smiling. Turning around he begins walking towards the door.

"Let's call it a draw for the sake of your pride." he said.

"What are you talking about? You are unarmed and facing down a gun. Had this been a real hit, you'd be dead." Talia argues.

Jake reaches into his pocket and reveals the rubber bullets for the gun Talia held. With a flick of his wrist, he scatters them on the floor.

"Don't look so surprised," says the thief without even looking at her. "If this was a real fight, you would have put your last burst of energy going for an empty gun while I would have simply beaten you with my bare hands."

"You've gained cocky." Talia points out. "And you fight dirty now."

"You licked me." he replied. "If that isn't dirty dancing then I don't know…" Jake pauses as Hugo enters the room. "What do you want Strange?"

"I just wanted to come and see the great Heir of the Demon in action." Hugo says. "I'm sure that despite your accolades, you were still no match for Talia."

Talia watches as Jake turns to her before looking back at Hugo.

"She got lucky." The young man said while wiping his blood nose on his palm. "Real lucky."

Talia spats some blood as Jake exits. Despite physically losing, she felt rather pleased. First, she had gotten to see some of what Shiva had taught Jake. That was a goal she had since the man returned from the grave. Secondly, she now knew what the mark on his back was and who gave it to him. That was another victory in her book. Finally, she now knew that a woman's charm was enough to freeze Jake in his tracks. He could have snapped her wrists. He could have turned her hand so that the gun was pointed towards her. Yet, a simple lick to the face and whatever he was going to do ended.

"Are you alright Talia? I do hope that that child did not do too much." Hugo said.

Talia scoffs and struts towards the door.

"As if he could." she spats. "Clean this room. I'm going to go rest."

Hugo's eyes narrowed. "As you wish…"

Hugo sneers as the woman leaves. When he becomes the leader of the League of Assassins, he would make sure that Talia and Jake never forgot who the superior one amongst them was. The same went for Nyssa as well. Hugo would make sure that they all groveled at his feet along with Batman and Bane and watched as Ra's al Ghul praised Hugo Strange for being the greatest intellectual of all time.

And then he would kill them all as Gotham's greatest defender.

---

[Bludhaven, New Jersey]
[September 29, 12:33:56 EST]

There were several underground arenas that held the illegal cage fights in Bludhaven. Dick believed that these blood sports were the only thing that Bludhaven had more than Gotham did; though Gotham did have quite a bit. And now Nightwing and Batgirl found themselves walking into an unsanctioned arena with an octagonal cage surrounding the fighting ring and hundreds of people cheering in the surrounding bleachers.

"Welcome back to a special edition of Pain Factor!" Nightwing and Batgirl heard as the two walked into the arena with annoyed expressions. "And for those of you who just joined us because the author put in a random fight scene, here's what you missed! Our two heroes went through four amazing gauntlets, destroyed half of my production crew and cameras, managed to escape a few giant tidal waves that somehow missed the coast of the city, and destroyed a glowing rock fragment from another dimension!"

"What is he talking about?" Barbara whispered to Dick.

"I have no idea." responds the former Boy Wonder with a shrug.

"Now," Deadpool said appearing in the center of the octagonal ring speaking into a microphone. "It is time for the main event of the evening. Sponsored by Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D… Man I love those guys!"

The two heroes stared at one another in utter confusion.

"Now, making his way to the ring," Deadpool announced. "He is the Boy Wonder, the Arial Avenger, the Renegade, Nightwing!"

Nightwing heard a loud jeer from the audience and frowned before felling a shove from behind that pushed him towards the cage door. Grunting, he walked into the ring only for the cage door to close behind him. Batgirl made a move for the door but Dick just stared at her. The stare alone was enough to make her back down and she instead settled for being in his corner.

"And his opponent, fighting out of the red corner," Deadpool continues. "Standing in at six feet, two inches and weighing in at two hundred and ten pounds! He is the Merc with the Mouth, the Regenerating Degenerate, the Crimson Comedian, the better than his older brother Deathstroke, Deadpool!"

Unsurprising to Dick, the audience applauded and cheered loudly for the masked mercenary. He looked over to "his corner" and found Batgirl standing there with her arms folded. Obviously she was not amused by this.

"When the bell rings, the referee in charge of the match is," Deadpool disappears before reappearing with a man Dick recognized instantly. "Herb Dean."

Batgirl was stunned. How did Deadpool find Herb Dean of all people? Worse, how did Deadpool get the guy to referee this illegal fight between Nightwing and Deadpool?

In the cage, Nightwing looked around. The cage walls were at least six feet high and padded at the top. He then scanned the ring itself. There was plenty of space for him to move around in. The small run-in with Deadpool's men outside had lowered Nightwing's wing-ding count by three and the young man was already feeling the drawbacks of having a light breakfast. A really light breakfast.

"Let's fight!" the referee called.

"Now," Deadpool said in a darker tone as he grabbed for his twin blades. "You die!"

Nightwing was unsure how to respond to the verbal assault, but knew how to roll out of the way of Deadpool's physical attack. Nightwing pulled out his escrima sticks and prepared himself, only for Deadpool to vanish. Nightwing was able to move out of the way of another would-be fatal slash from the assassin and frowned harder.

"Since when can you teleport?" Nightwing asked angrily.

"Since… I don't know. I just woke up and bam! My suit can teleport!" Deadpool said. "Now hold still. I just want to kill you!"

Batgirl was forced to hold her breath and release small gasps every time Nightwing barely dodged a teleporting Deadpool. Dick was fast but this was like fighting a sword-wielding Red X. And now a Jason Todd/ Red X or a Jake Cross/Red X but a Red X unlike any of the two before. Every swing Deadpool made got closer and closer to actually cutting Dick. She wished she could get in there and help, but the silent conversation the two had earlier told her to stay put.

For now.

Dick flips out of the way of another strike and then another before dropping a small sphere at his feet. When he dodged Deadpool's next attack, the small sphere released a small explosion that knocked Deadpool against the fence. Nightwing was quickly to capitalize, firing a wrist dart that landed in the mercenary's neck.

"Nighty night…" Deadpool says before falling onto the mat.

Dick sighs. "Well that was-"

"Psyche!" Nightwing groaned as Deadpool quickly jumped onto his feet. Nightwing growls before a bell rings. "Oh look at that, the end of round one."

Nightwing ignores the man's words and begins to fling a myriad of wing-dings at Deadpool. Deadpool calmly (as calm as Deadpool can be that is) swats them away with his blades, never moving from his spot against the cage. Realizing that Deadpool was as skill of a swordsman as Slade was, Nightwing flung a smoke pellet in the shroud of wing-dings that covered the cage in a thick haze.

With the diversion tactic working, Dick stealthily stalks his opponent with the night vision granted by his mask. He could easily read Deadpool's body language, knowing that the assassin was now in a state of disarray. Nightwing knew that Deadpool would never step away from the cage thus protecting his back. But Dick realized he could still surprise the merc. First he would have to jam his guns. And then…

Deadpool was ready for anything. The first thing that remotely looked like another person he would dice into small perfect cubes. Or maybe pyramids? He didn't really know which geometric shape would please him more, but he would do it. However, a small beep at his feet caused him to look down in confusion.

"Hello?" The assassin question before the flash bomb went off, blinding him. "Shouldn't have answered!"

Dick attacked at that moment, beating Deadpool against the cage with his electric-charged escrima sticks. Every impact with his treasured weapons let of a bright spark that could be seen through the smokescreen, one right after another. The onslaught quicken to the point that it looked like one giant light show going on. With a shout of anger, Dick thrust both sticks towards Deadpool, electrocuting the man greatly before tossing him over his shoulder onto the mat.

"Nightwing…" Barbara gasps, questioning if she had witnessed her friend murder someone.

"Get up," she heard Nightwing speak. "You said it yourself, you can't die. And I doubt that I've knocked you out. Not yet."

"Okay," Deadpool growls. "No more Mr. Nice Assassin." Nightwing crosses his arms when Deadpool brings out his guns. "Now it's time to ground you Bird Boy!" An audible click was heard followed by several more. "What the hell? The gun jammed? Fucking Hammer Tech!"

The distracted Deadpool was hit in the head by one of Nightwing's escrima sticks, followed by an acrobatic jumping kick that knocked Deadpool across the ring.

"Three things," Nightwing said. "One, you're going to free Agent Flores. Two, you're going to tell me who Blockbuster is. And three," Nightwing bent down to pick up his thrown weapon. "You're going to tell me how Jake's alive."

"Jake's alive?" Deadpool's question caused Nightwing to put his escrima sticks up. "Wait a second, you mean that sometime since this story started he came back?! Where the hell was I?"

"You nor Slade seems to be able to die. So what's your secret?" Nightwing asks.

Normally Batgirl would never approve with questioning a high-end assassin during a fight as it was suicidal. However, she knew that Dick knew what he was doing. Not only that but Deadpool did not look completely genocidal at the moment. Jake's possible return from the dead (though Barbara still highly doubts it) had put a pause on the fight.

"The League of Assassins has him and-"

The always unpredictable Deadpool appears next to Dick, another automatic gun pressed against the young man's temple.

"I hate the League of Assassins!" The mercenary hissed.

"They have Jake. They know where he is…" Dick said. "I need to find him."

"Why?" Deadpool questions in curiosity.

"…" Dick stays quiet as he thinks about his current predicament. Saying the wrong thing- if there was a right thing- would be fatal. His suit could take a few shots but his head was not protected. "Because he knows."

"He knows what?" Dick releases a breath, hoping that this would work. He had done his research on Deadpool and right now he was praying that the assassin did not kill him.

"It. He knows it." Nightwing speaks. "I need to find it."

"And what is this it?" Deadpool's voice was wearing thin with anxiety and Dick knew that he would have to take a risk with his next words.

"When we spoke three years ago," Nightwing lied smoothly. "He said something about 'it' and how Deathstroke was getting 'it' as well." Nightwing paused and went for the largest gamble in his life. "I think someone may be doing a movie or documentary about Deathstroke or Red X. Maybe even a game-"

In that instance, Nightwing found himself being knocked to the ground by the one gun he did not jam in Deadpool's left hand. Looking up after his blow, he saw the mercenary pacing around.

"A game? A game?! Where the hell is my game?! I sent in manuscripts! I had voice actors! Where the hell is Stan Lee?!" As Deadpool goes on and on, Nightwing slides towards the cage door carefully after spotting the referee exit as well.

In the back of his mind, Nightwing had to thank Bruce for all of his training. Knowing the enemy weeks before the actual fight gave one a considerable advantage over the other, even if they was a psycho, gun-wielding, sword slashing, mad man of an assassin.

"Ooh I hate it when he gets something first!" Wade shouts in anger before glaring at Nightwing through his mask. "And I hate it when people snitch on my brother."

By now, Nightwing had two of his treasured wing-dings in his hands behind his back, ready to throw them to disarm Deadpool and move in before Deadpool can pick up his blades. His game plan was simple. Keep Deadpool unarmed. That was the main strategy. He had no idea how many weapons that Deadpool had and doubted that anyone ever did. But if he could keep the mercenary preoccupied, he could easily make a mental count.

Three guns, two of them laser-sighted like the ones Slade uses and a larger automatic one. Two swords, also similar to Deathstroke's. And a teleporting device that strongly resembled Red X's. Knowing the weapons made fighting a little bit easier.

But only a little bit.

Several small explosions around the door caught Deadpool's and Nightwing's attention, Batgirl's as well. There was silence before gunfire rang out, several of Deadpool's spectators dying in the spray.

"What the hell?" Nightwing murmurs.

"Hey," Deadpool called, swords now in hands. "Who the hell I interrupting my show?!"

"Forgive me," Nightwing flinched at the voice. Entering the room now filled with chaos, flanked by several armed men, was Vandal Savage. "But I am afraid that your show is now canceled."

"Savage…" Nightwing hissed.

"I came to question Agent Flores on some very important information." Vandal spoke. "Of course, you both can see the problem that when I got to retrieve her from her job, I find out that she has been made the prize to your fight."

"What do you want with her?" Nightwing asks.

"It doesn't concern you." Nightwing and Deadpool braced themselves as the armed men continued to pile into the arena. "Besides, you should be more worried about getting out of here alive. I promise you that it will be a fight for all of your lives."

Nightwing watches Vandal exit the arena before looking at Deadpool.

"Alright," Deadpool said. "Now I'm mad." The gunmen exchange looks amongst themselves. "Now, who wants to ride Deadpool's one-way trip to hell first?"

---

[Gotham City, New Jersey]
[September 29, 13:02:48 EST]

There were several of things that an assassin was told to know firsthand before their first mission. One of those things was going undercover to meet up with a client in broad daylight. Some people, like Shiva, did it with little to no trouble. She did not wear a mask nor did she have the need to hide her face. But for Jade, she had to keep her face covered at all times. Sure, with how many cops and heroes have seen her face, a mask was pretty pointless now. But to the general public, keeping a low profile was a must. She would hate it if she walked into a bar for a drink and everyone went into a frantic because Cheshire- not Jade- had entered.

But this was not a bar. This was a hotel. And inside her targeted room was her so-called client. When he had called earlier she was going to blow him off and forget about it. But the information he had…

After knocking three solid times she opens the door and creeps into the one-bedroom hotel room.

"I was afraid that you were going to miss our appointment," Slade, who stood next to the glass doors that led to the balcony, speaks. "We have much to talk about."

"On the phone you said something about it…" Jade said in an unsure voice.

"Yes that," Jade felt a little uneasy that Slade had yet to turn to face her, but let it go for the moment. She did have her weapons on her and had laced her nails with poison this morning. "I take it that Jake has no idea of your child."

"M-my what?" Jade stammers.

Slade chuckles. "And to think I once respected you." Now Slade turned to her, his eye patch somehow glaring as much as his normal eye was. "You attempted to abort my grandchild."

"It wasn't a decision I was discussing with you and considering its father was dead-"

"You're selfish, Jade. More than I thought." Deathstroke interrupts. "What you don't know is that due to your selfish and stupid decisions, you inevitably gave Amanda Waller the child she has been waiting for."

"What are you talking about?" asks Jade.

"Amanda Waller has your daughter." Jade lets out an audible gasp, the first time that anything has ever caught her off guard on duty. "Apparently they took that little embryo of yours and made a genetic clone of it. By the way, she's five."

Jade's eyes narrowed. "So what do you want me to do?"

"I have two missions. One requires me dealing with the Russians and the other involves me going toe-to-toe with the League of Assassins. I'll let you choose which one of them you would rather do." Slade answered. "I need an answer before you leave."

"Russia. No way in hell am I going through another battle with the League again." Deathstroke only nods. "I take it that you have another plan to get my daughter away from Waller. One that doesn't include Jake."

"The Spider isn't my concern. Not at the moment." Deathstroke says in a light tone. "In fact, he's the ace up my sleeve."

"Figures…"

"Oh yes," Slade said. "You see when he finds out that you attempted to abort his daughter, he'll most likely kill you. That means very little to me, but when he gets a hold of Waller and kills her, Ra's will turn things over to Jake. I could easily get in touch with Jericho to have him spy on my old friend Wintergreen for me while having Jake and the League of Assassins behind my every plot and plan."

"World domination? What is this, a child's comic book?" Jade taunts.

"No. No world domination. Insurance. Something you don't have." replies Deathstroke. "Tell me this, what were you looking to accomplish by ridding yourself of her?"

Jade sneers. "I don't have to explain myself to you. I'll do the job."

"Without Jake. Remember, we wouldn't want him to have another reason to hate you." Slade's words were not calming Jade down at all. "I doubt that he's forgiven you for Roy… And I know he'll hate you when he finds out that Lian is Roy's daughter-"

"Bastard!" Jade hisses. "You know damn well that it isn't Roy's. Why else would you be doing this to me?"

"I'm doing this," Slade begins. "Because I see how the two of you interact. I don't like it."

"Get over it." Jade shot back.

"I need Jake to become Ra's replacement for plans that far exceeds your thinking process." Slade said. "And to do that, he must not have his mind worrying about if his fuck-buddy no matter how good the sex is." Slade sees the smallest looks of hurt on Jade's face and smirks. "Oh? Did I hit a nerve in you?"

Jade stands quietly. Did everyone have to pick on her feelings for Jake? Hugo Strange did. Her mother did. And now Deathstroke was doing it. She admits, she cared for the guy. Hell, she loved Jake to a degree. It frustrated her to no end but she could not just deny the truth. And a part of her believed wholeheartedly that he felt the same.

"I'll get the job done." Jade said quietly. "Is that all?"

"Report to Lex Luthor when you're ready. He'll arrange the traveling and a plan." Deathstroke answers. "Oh, and Jade. After you're done, if you survive that is, come find me. I'll allow you five minutes with my granddaughter."

"Keep them."

The door slamming shut was the only sound that followed Jade's words. Deathstroke thought quietly to himself about the number of outcomes that could happen. Of course, he really wanted to know what would happen when Jake- and Artemis for that matter- found out. He wasn't one for drama but was searching for that specific straw to break the metaphorical camel's back. Jake has apparently endured a lot up until now and Slade was willing to bet that this would be the one event to turn Jake Cross into Jake Wilson and the new head of the League of Assassins.

That is, of course, if Jake didn't love Jade. Because if he does, then Jade will somehow be forgiven and Lian would somehow wound up in Jake's possession. And that was something Slade was not looking forward to, another waste of potential.

---

[Gotham City, New Jersey]
[September 29, 13:20:02 EST]

Hugo's face twisted in disgust as he watched Talia and a few others watch Jake meditate in the gas chamber. How pathetic, he thought to himself. He had no idea why people thought that meditating in fear toxin was a smart idea, let alone innovative. Ra's only forced one to do it once to see their limits. That made sense to Hugo. But to train in it as if one had no limitations was foolish. Everyone had fears, even the Heir of the Demon. Meditating in fear inducing gasses was not going to make those fears either any less frightening or any less real.

"Your break is over," Talia's voice barks at the others. "You all have certain missions. Go do them."

"Yes mistress." And like that the group scatters like roaches in a spotlight.

Hugo watched Talia now. Her demeanor was colder now as if she was ready to strike someone. Taking recent events into account, Strange put together that whatever happened during her sparring sessions with the Heir has made Talia quite angry.

Jake rises and the chamber begins to vacuum any access fear toxin back into their containers. Thirty seconds later, Jake opened the door to the chamber and steps out with a heavy sigh.

"Feeling better?" Talia's tone was quite snarky.

When Hugo gets a good look at Jake's eyes, he sees that they are momentarily redder than normal. He blinks before looking back. Now they were the dark brown that they usually were. A frown mars the man's face momentarily. Was he seeing things?

"I was until I heard your voice," Jake's response comes without the malicious intent that Talia's had yet somehow held the same value of anger. "Seriously Boss Lady, looking at you is all fine and dandy but hearing you…? I'd rather be deaf. Again."

Talia crosses her arms. "Cheshire has been called by Lex Luthor for a mission." Jake apparently doesn't care and stretches his arms over his head to loosen up. "I thought you would be running out to either catch up to her or stop her."

"Nah," Jake said popping the joints in his arms and shoulders. "I think she can handle it. Besides, I'm hungry."

"You know," Hugo spoke. "Your father had-"

"How about," Jake interrupts. "You go find my dad and tell him this? Seriously you talk about that guy every time I'm around you. Do you think I don't know I hate him? Are you thinking that I'll begin to cry and spill my life to you?"

"No need. I have all the information about you that I need." Strange tells the younger man. "However, I do think that we should talk about your attitude towards Ra's and his daughters. It is unfitting of the Heir to be so… Rebellious and belligerent."

"You are so right. I'll start taking it out on you." Hugo grunts, not a big fan of the idea. Jake then takes his left hand and rubs at the back of his neck. "In the meantime, I'm going home."

"You are needed here. Nyssa will call in and tell us of their findings." Talia said. "All three of us need to be here when that happens."

"…" Hugo waited for Jake to say something sarcastic and snide before leaving. However, the thief seemed to surprisingly relent. "Fine."

Talia gives a nod and that was it. Hugo looked between the two, neither of the assassins breaking their eye contact off of each other. Any blind man could tell that something was definitely off between the two. Once more, Strange realizes that the spar between the two must have either built or destroyed a barrier between them.

"And about your rematch," Talia continues. "Just call."

Jake's brows rise. "Are you granting me a rematch or you?"

"Don't be ungrateful. Be glad that I'm even giving you one period." Surprising Hugo once more, Jake laughs.

"Right, right," Jake says. "And whenever you want your pride back, call. But in the meantime, I'm going to go lie down. Call me when we find out whose funeral we're going to: Your dad's or your granddad's."

With that Jake walks off. But that isn't what Hugo was caring about. He was caring about the uncaring look that Talia had. Talia should have been pissed at the disrespect that Jake showed her and her family but she wasn't. In fact, she seemed rather alright with it.

"Forgive me," Hugo said, gaining Talia's attention. "But may I ask what exactly happened during your spar. You two seem… Friendly."

"If you want the truth," Talia said. "I lost."

Hugo stuttered. "Ex-excuse me?"

"He beat me fair and square." Talia continues. "Why he lied to you, I don't know. I figured it was to prove that he could."

"You mean to tell me…" Hugo paused. Had Jake somehow passed Hugo's expectations? Could he very well best Ra's daughters without the Black Spider suit?

"His training with my father and Shiva has made him quite the formidable opponent. Due to what I saw today, I believe that he has been holding back a lot. Maybe not at Batman's level just yet, but defeating Deathstroke fully armed should be something that the Black Spider may be able to do on a regular basis. Even I would caution to fight against a fully motivated Black Spider." Talia stated. "You could probably learn more about that if you move away from his troubles with Deathstroke."

"No. I'm quite sure that seeing him angered-"

"Angered? You've yet to make him angry." Talia interrupts. "We're talking about a kid that defeated the Teen Titans and the YJL singlehandedly. He did those things when he was angry. You've just annoyed him."

Hugo hummed in thought. "Hmm… Perhaps you are right."

"I know I am." Talia's confidence had returned tenfold now and Hugo was certain that it was due to her knowing more of his subject that he did. "I've been around him long enough to tell the difference of him being annoyed and angry."

"Then, perhaps, you could help me with my experiment." Talia's brows rose in curiosity. "I want to know the limits of the Black Spider before the launch of Protocol 10. How far can he push his mind, body, and spirit before he ultimately crumbles? Bane has done a great job in finding Batman's while exposing his own. The Spider though… That is my new target."

"You will place Jake within Arkham?" questions Talia.

"Protocol 10 will cement my legacy by not only wiping out the filth of Gotham City," Hugo answers. "But I will also prove that I am the one true heir to Ra's kingdom. I will become as feared as Batman, Bane, and the Black Spider combined."

"Good luck. You'll need it." Talia nearly spats. She was more than alright with Hugo practically telling her that he had the intentions of killing Bane and Jake, but Bruce is where she drew the line. No one killed her beloved except for her.

"No. Not luck. Knowledge." Hugo says as he walks off.

Talia snorts and begins to follow before she pauses. Looking over her shoulder seemingly at the gas chamber door, she smiles slightly before turning and exiting the hall altogether. Seconds later, the Spider ended his cloaking device, leaning against the door to the gas chamber.

"She so saw us." Ben comments.

"No my problem." Jake replies. "Strange and this Protocol 10 is becoming a nuisance. We're going to have to find these files before too long."

"Another wild goose chase? We just found the exobyte information!" Ben exclaimed. "Then there's Grundy, the pits, and now Strange's files?"

"But of course my dear friend. Better prepared than caught off guards, right?" Jake responded. "Besides, those three robberies should give us enough thrill to last for a long time."

"…Maybe you're right."

Jake grins. "Trust me on this one. This will not be easy by a long shot and Rachel will not be pleased if we ask her to heal us. But it will be exciting. Really exciting."

"I guess I don't have a choice…" Ben remarks. "Onwards!"

"Onwards." Jake mentally says calmly.

---

[Bludhaven, New Jersey]
[September 29, 13:40:23 EST]

Barbara could not believe what she had just witnessed. Then again, who would? Deadpool and Nightwing had just taken down a horde of armed men as a team before getting Vandal to retreat. It took both of them in a fight against one Vandal to get the man to simply retreat. And to top it all off, Deadpool leaves to find his brother about some fictional video game while debating on calling it "Ultimate Deadpool" or "Deadpool: Arkham Knight". All of this happened over the span of an hour.

Now Batgirl and Nightwing sat in Nightwing's headquarters at the docks where he attempted to find any signs of Savage.

"This doesn't make sense," Nightwing comments. "Savage appears and goes through all the trouble to kidnap Kassidy just to give up easily and disappear. Why?"

Batgirl shrugs. "Who knows? Maybe he didn't want to further piss of Deadpool." It was a valid argument as the mercenary seemed to go bat-shit crazy when Savage interrupted his show. "So how do you know Agent Flores?"

"She's my partner." Nightwing answers as he busily stares at a map of Bludhaven on the large screen in front of him.

"Dick Grayson's partner or Nightwing's?" The question broke Dick's concentration and he looks at the redhead to his left. "I'm just wondering."

"Would it make a difference?" As soon as he saw her facial features tense, he realized that that was the wrong thing to say. "Look, she helps me find clues on Blockbuster and helped bring in the Swan Killer. Nothing more."

"Didn't seem like that by the way you ran to her rescue." Barbara quips. "But hey, I'm just pointing out the obvious."

Dick sighs. "Babs… She hates Dick Grayson."

"But loves Nightwing? Can you say Selena Kyle?" Dick smiles at the joke. Everyone knew of Selena Kyle's small attraction towards Bruce but large affection for Batman. Well, not everyone. Just Dick, Barbara, Alfred, and… Jason…

Seeing Dick's smile falter, Barbara recognizes that he must have had a thought about Jason. A part of her knew that it was best to change the subject but she doesn't. She just sat there silently.

"Speaking of Agent Flores," Nightwing said after a minute or two of silence. "I need to prepare for her training."

"Training?" Batgirl echoes with confusion.

"I'm giving her some training. Not all." Barbara nods a bit. "Did you want to stick around? We could, I don't know… Get something to eat afterwards maybe?"

"No. I don't want to intrude." responds Batgirl. "Besides, I need to head back. No telling what has happened at the Cave." Nightwing only nods as she rises. "Maybe you can visit me for a change? And we can talk about you installing a Zeta tube in here."

"It would make life easier…" Nightwing lightly comments. "We'll see."

"Right. See you around Dick."

Nightwing turns his attention back to the screen and replayed today's events. Blockbuster hired Deadpool to kill Nightwing. Deadpool kidnaps Kassidy to do such thing. However, Vandal Savage appears to take Kassidy away from Deadpool for unknown reasons and when Deadpool and Nightwing met up with the immortal, he simply caves in and releases her.

Something was definitely wrong.

A buzz on the table next to him had Nightwing rolling his chair towards his phone.

"Yeah." he says answering.

"I'm ready for my training." Kassidy answers. "And I have information on Blockbuster."

"I'm on my way." Nightwing said before ending the call.

Something was completely wrong. Not just on Vandal's part, but Kassidy also seemed rather okay with today's events. Being kidnapped by one of the most unpredictable assassins and then by an ageless conqueror was not something to just sleep off. The average person would be spooked for days, months even. But she seemed alright by it…

Maybe there was a connection between Kassidy and Savage?

---

[Star City, California]
[September 29, 12:56:41 PST]

The Scarlet Spider crept into the abandoned and mostly destroyed auditorium where she found Anarky's so-called secret meeting. Her goal was not to apprehend the guy just yet but to learn of his new plans and then, as Speedy, get the aid of the YJL to bring him in. Said plan came when she got an angry call from Artemis warning her of misusing the suit's power and the drawbacks that came from it. Once again, Mia was not surprised that Artemis was finding a reason to hold her back, but when Jake agreed, she backed down.

The parents were together on this one, she figures.

But they didn't say anything about sneaking around and gathering information as the Scarlet Spider, right? Therefore it was alright.

"Miss Artemis will not like this at all, Master Mia." Jarvis warns.

"Blah, blah," Mia replied. "She acts like she hasn't broken a rule or two before. Now quiet. I'm trying to listen."

Anarky had roughly fifty supporters here and surrounded on stage by three gunmen. Mia knew that if she had more experience using her suit that she could probably take these guys out. But at the moment she was not going to try it.

"They think that they have stopped us!" Anarky roars to the crowd. "But they can't stop evolution! We will constantly change and adapt, beating them around every corner! For tonight, I unveil one of the greatest inventions of my mind."

Mia watches as a projector creates a picture behind Anarky on the white screen there, showing what appeared to be a really large glass tube.

"This," Anarky spoke in a calmer tone. "Is a picture of a Boom Tube. It will allow us to spread our fight, our cure, across the world. For every crooked cop, for every corrupt politician, we can now send someone there and correct that problem. We can bring the world's corporations to their knees and use the money that they bleed to better our world. Not just Star City. Not just Jump City. The world!"

The men and women there cheered loudly for their leader. Even Mia was quite impressed. Sure, she did not think his tactics were just, but his overall want to better the world by bringing down corrupted officials was sound.

"But first," Anarky continues. "We'll take down the Justice League's gun in the sky. No one will forget Covenant! And we will not be silenced about it any longer!"

"That's my cue to leave." Mia says as she stealthily scales the ceiling using her cloaking device to exit via an opened window. "Need to warn-"

"Incoming call from Master Jake." Jarvis interrupts.

"You know," Mia heard Jake say. "I do know every time your suit is activated. So you'd better have a good reason for this Mia or I swear to you, you're grounded from using it."

"Just snuck into Anarky's meeting and found out that he's got a freaking Zeta tube. How's that for a 'good reason'?"Mia returns.

"You are talking to an assassin. I don't care about Anarky or his plans." Jake responds. "Just get back before Artemis realizes that you went patrolling as the Scarlet Spider. The last thing we need is for her to go on her 'I was worried' speeches. Archers…"

"Hey!" Mia exclaims.

"Right, forgot. See you around kid. Maybe next time we can just swing around?" Jake offers.

"So long as you're paying for dinner." Mia said. "Scarlet out."

"Black out."

And like that, the call was over. Mia smiles as she swing for her home, hearing some children gasp in awe as they saw the new hero above them.

"You know Jarvis," Mia said. "Sometimes it's great to be us."

"Before or after Miss Artemis gets a hold of you?" Mia groans.

"You are just a ray of sunshine Jarvis." Mia points out.

"I'm just protecting my wearer." Jarvis responds. "No need for the sarcasm, Master Mia."

Mia just smiles. It was odd to think of him as such, but Jarvis was a good friend of hers. Then again, they sort of shared her mind and body. She had to get used to his company or else. But he did make things, such as cooking, so much easier for Mia with his inputs and knowhow's. He was her common sense when she wanted nothing but excitement and her conscious whenever her anger got the best of her. So in a lot of ways, he was to her what she was to Jason. They just didn't argue as much as she and Jason used to.

Mia shakes her head. There was no time to dread on the past, but to live for the future. She had to stop Anarky and give him a Jason Todd ass-kicking. But first she had to beat Artemis to her house or else. Having Oliver Queen, Dinah Lance, Artemis Crock, and Jake Cross as guardians and mentors was a great thing when it came to getting gifts and life lessons, but was a complete bitch when they were angry. Because they were the best at what they did for a reason and no one was dumb enough to go against all four of them at once.

Not even their dubbed daughter/sister.

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Author's Notes: There we are, the latest chapter of Arkham Rising. Next chapter will be focused on Cheshire mission for Slade as well as showing the lengths she will go to keep Lian a secret. As I said in the earlier answers and responses, if you have any idea what to call Jake and Jade, please let me know as I am completely stuck thinking of a name for them. I'm always up to listen to your ideas. So like always, leave a review or PM for any question, thoughts, ideas, or comments that you have and I will see you next time. Ciao.