Diana thought she had misheard, that this man in front of her wasn't talking about a genocide of biblical proportions. Surely no one was insane enough to do such a thing. Yet, one look into Ra's al Ghul's eyes told her that yes, there was at least one person in this world that was more than willing to commit such an atrocity.

A wave of revulsion hit the Amazon. She had been warned by her Sisters on Themiscyra of the depravities of Man; their endless need for dominance and taste for evil knew no bounds. This was the man they had been talking about, she was sure of it.

"You're a monster," she said lowly and with disdain. "For all of your self-gratificating words, you're just a wolf in sheep's clothing."

Ra's face fell, being replaced with one of disapproval. "Of all the people in this world, I had thought you'd understand," he spoke stoically. "The cruelties that your people faced surely prove what I have been saying."

"Some, yes," the Amazonian princess acknowledged, "but there is more to mankind than just the evils of a handful."

"Does a rotten apple not ruin the bushel?" Ra's retorted.

"People are not fruit!" she shouted back.

"Perhaps if they were, then there would be no need for people like me."

Diana arched an eyebrow. "Sociopathic murderers? Yes, the world could do with less of those."

Ra's glared at her. "Saviors, Amazonian. Saviors that are willing to make the necessary choice to save not only their world, but their future. Rarely are these choices black and white and bloodless. Though unfortunate, it is needed when evil has consumed everything good. I had expected someone of your station to know this well, but now it has become apparent to me that you are nothing more than a charlatan. The world needs saving, yet you do not wish to cure of it of its disease."

"You do realize your daughter is one of those people you detest so," the dark-haired woman pointed out. "Are you willing to sacrifice her for this madness? Is she willing to die for you?"

"Actually, she wish to dispose of me."

The way the man casually said that gave Diana pause. For someone with such a high opinion of himself, he seemed unconcerned by this news—in fact, he looked rather proud of the thought. What sort of twisted thinking did this man follow? "But that would mean she would—"

"Usurp, possibly even kill me, yes."

"And you're...okay...with this?"

Ra's familiar haughty look reappeared on his face. "I have lived for 700 years, Amazon. I have seen the rise and fall of many empires, leaders, and fools. To see the drive in my own flesh warms my very blood. If she proves herself worthy, I would gladly allow her to take my place—her rightful place with the world as a gift. Even now, she plots with the Detective to overthrow me. It is something I have been expecting—even encouraged—for some time now."

What...what was going on here? Did Ra's want global dominion or to be overthrown? Nothing was making sense. "I do not understand," she admitted bluntly. "You plot your own demise? Is that what this is about?"

"Have you not been listening?" he responded, his voice taunting her. "Or have I overestimated your ability to comprehend the obvious?"

Diana scowled. "Do not insult an Amazon, little man. I am not the one seeking my own death while dragging the rest of the world with them. I did not train a broken man to eliminate the world's heroes just so he would defeat me."

"Yet, is not how your culture used to function?" Ra's challenged. "Only the strong rule—the ancient world is rife with such rulers. Alexander, Caesar, Hannibal, they are only a few such men. The same existed with the Amazon as well before they vanished into the mists of time, I would imagine."

"Perhaps for men, but not Themiscyra," Diana shot back. "There is a reason those societies do not exist any more."

"True, but the world has suffered for it."

The princess snorted. "I find your contrived plot bothersome. Say what you will about genocide, in the end this was all just some way to find yourself an heir, nothing more."

Ra's was silent for a moment, something that the Amazon took as a victory. Obviously he was not used to others standing up to his insanity. That thought was dashed though when electricity began searing through her body, courtesy of the collar around her neck. The unexpected jolt caused her to convulse in her restraints, a pained scream ripping out of her lips.

Then, as soon as it began, it ended. As she panted, trying to recover from the attack, she caught out of the edges of her eyes the green-cloaked man holding one of those damned triggers. "I'm sure you recognized this," Ra's said in a bored tone. "One of the Detective's inventions, much like the restraints that hold you."

So Batman had made these. It made sense as to why she had been unable to free herself. However, Ra's did not appear to be finished with his taunting. "It would seem the Detective's assessment of you was more accurate than I thought: 'bright, but lacking in imagination. The Amazon's ingenuity extends as far as her fists can reach and no further.' I believe that's how he put it." As Diana seethed at the jab, Ra's leaned towards her, the shadows within the room covering his face and making him appear more insidious. "No matter how your simple mind comprehends it, the world will be reborn, regardless of whether it is I or the Detective who unleashes it. My will shall be done, be it in victory over my enemies, or failure at the hands of my daughter and her chosen."

There was a knock at the door, interrupting their conversation before Diana could respond. Stoically, Ra's turned to regard the door as it opened, a burly bald man poking his head through the doorway. "Master, the Secret Temple has been located," he informed him.

"Impeccable timing, Ubu. Prepare the helicopters immediately." With a bow, Ubu withdrew from the room, closing the door. Ra's returned his attention to Diana. "It seems our time together has drawn to a close, Amazon. I must say, I expected so much more from you."

"Sorry to disappoint," Diana retorted snarkily.

"As you should be. Now if you would excuse me, I must claim my destiny."

Watching as Ra's moved to the door, pausing long enough for the door to be opened for him, and disappeared through the doorway, the princess considered his words. Whatever this temple was about, the man clearly saw it as important in his mad quest. That didn't even include the complicated plot that surrounded his kin and her potential groom. Even now she couldn't fathom the relationship between father and daughter, considering Ra's admission of intrigue between them.

That was of little concern though, especially in light of the Lazarus Pits and the bombs that would effectively destroy the world. Family discourse fell a distant second to that. If only Diana could free herself; the others needed to be warned of this calamity and then an effort to stop this evil from happening.

Something was up. There was an unusual amount of activity in the halls, men hurrying up and down the corridors, steadfast in their missions. The Detective observed it all with a critical eye.

There were only a few instances where the Demon's Fang would be riled up so. The first would be the incursion of an enemy on the facility—though considering that most of the men traveled by themselves or with one other, that was highly unlikely. If there was a siege occurring, there would have been men rushing in droves to stem the attack.

The second instance would have to be at the order of the Master, and this one was far more likely. The Master did not travel all that often and when he did it was a mission of the utmost importance. The Detective had seen two such instances during his time in the Demon's Fang, both of which occurred early on in his training. He never found out what the reason for those were, but it was safe to say they involved matters that deeply concerned the Demon's Head.

Eyeing more soldiers racing through the hall, the Detective identified one as belonging to Talia's Order. Waiting until the man drew closer, the black-clad man raised a hand and clasped the man on his shoulder. "What's going on?" he demanded to know.

The assassin did not hesitate in his answer. "The Secret Temple of Rama Kushna has been discovered. The Master is overseeing the operation to lay claim to it."

The Detective gave a sharp nod and dropped his arm, letting the man go. The moment the ninja disappeared out of his peripheral vision, the black-clad man felt dizzy.

He hadn't expected for the temple to be found. The Secret Temple of the Shifting City had always been a legend to him—wishful thinking of aged old men desperate to stave off death. Even if it did exist, what need would the Master have for it since he had access to the Lazarus Pits? They had served him well over the centuries, had they not?

Leaving the corridor, the Detective sought the counsel of one he was sure would have answers. It was awhile before he entered a large hanger, multiple helicopters being prepared for launch. Towards one end of the room stood Talia, directing the preparations. Striding towards her, he soon stood next to the woman, coolly watching the work of countless men before them. "Rama Kushna?" he asked questioningly.

Talia nodded in response. "Yes, it seems one of my excursion teams was successful in their objective. Naturally it had to be the one team I viewed as frivolous."

"It seems I was wrong."

"We both were, Beloved. And now the Fountain of Life will be in the palm of Father's hand."

"This complicates things," the Detective surmised.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the dark-haired woman give him a coy look. "Thinking small again, Beloved?"

The black-clad man tilted his head to a side to look at the dark-haired woman, who was giving him a small smile. It didn't take him long to realize what her implications were. "I suppose you wish to take the temple," he said lowly.

"Naturally. If we were to take command of the Shifting City, it would deal a blow to Father and provide us a launching point to depose him."

The Detective glanced at the rest of the room before gazing down at Talia. "May I have a word in private with you."

"By all means."

The two left the hanger, heading to an unused room. The moment they entered it, the black-clad man locked the door and then did a quick survey of the room, searching for any prying ears, or hidden receivers. They were playing a dangerous game here and he would not let something as simple as an eavesdropper foil them. Once he was sure they were by themselves, he turned to face the dark-haired woman, who regarded him with amusement.

"It'll take more than simply stealing a city from him," The Detective stated calmly. After all, they were only usurping a man that was a veritable military genius. "Unless we open two fronts, we don't stand a chance."

"A wise idea," Talia agreed with a nod. "Where would be the second front?"

"Right here." Staring down her surprised look, he continued, "If we are successful in taking the Shifting City from your Father, he would undoubtedly return here. Just imagine that upon his return he was greeted at gunpoint. We would have captured him and have the Demon's Fang under our control."

"Brilliant, Beloved," Talia praised him, much to his satisfaction. "If you would stay here to arrange—"

The Detective immediately shook his head. "No, unfortunately that is not an option. If this were before my failure in Gotham, then I could rally the men. As of right now, I have no standing."

"But I must go with Father," she pointed out. "As his daughter, it is expected of me to be at his side on this momentous occasion."

"You're the one that can command the Order though," the black-clad man replied. "You could snatch the base up with mere words. I, on the other hand, can drive the Demon out of the Shifting City. It's the only way for this to work."

Talia eyed him carefully before she nodded her agreement. "You are correct, Beloved. Very well, I will stay behind while you force Father's hand."

Good, now that that was settled, they needed to discuss logistics. "How long do you think it'll take you to get control of this facility?"

The dark-haired woman tilted her head back confidently. "No more than an hour to seize control and eliminate the resistance."

Perfect. "That should be plenty of time then. I'll alert you to my success in the Shifting City; which will be your signal to begin the takeover. No need for you to put your neck out in case this venture fails."

Instantly, Talia closed the distance between them, placing a caressing hand against his face. "We will not fail," she said sternly.

He gave her a nod in response. "We will not," the black-clad man agreed. "I only say this in the off-chance something goes wrong."

A smile appeared on the woman's face. "You're concern for me is touching, Beloved. Just remember that it is our time now. Together, no one will be able to stop us."

On impulse, the Detective leaned down, Talia reaching up as they met in a sweet kiss. Slowly pulling away, Talia dropped her hand from his face, still looking at him lovingly before her face dropped. "There is one thing you should be aware of," she said with resignation. "Father is taking all seven of his Men of Death with him."

A cold shiver ran up and down the man's spine. The Seven Men of Death, the Master's most elite group of assassins. Each one was more than formidable on their own, capable of handling any one of the Demon's Fangs single-handedly. They were only given the missions that the Master deemed too important to lose. Normally he would send one, maybe two of the assassins—it was unheard that he called on all seven. In fact, it had never happened before.

Damn it, this just complicated things.

"Keep as many of the Order here as you can," he told Talia. "Anyone that leaves for the Shifting City is as good as dead."

Talia widened her eye at him. "But what of you, Beloved? Even you cannot fight them and my Father alone, especially in your condition!"

She was right of course. His ribs had only just begun mending. A physical confrontation was not advisable. To him though, it just meant he needed to seek help elsewhere.

In fact, he could think of one right off the top of his head.

"Don't worry about me," the Detective informed her. "I have a plan."

Her smile returned. "I would worry about you regardless, Beloved. Go now; I await your signal."

It wasn't long after the departure of Ra's al Ghul that Diana received her next visitor. Door swinging open, Batman—or was this the Detective?—strode in, closing the door behind him. "I see that you are well, Amazon," he greeted her.

Diana just leveled him with a wary look. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I wish to talk more of your companions," he stated simply.

"Or do you mean dishonoring them with vile comments and unworthy remarks?" she challenged. "If so, you can leave right now. I have no more to say to you."

Batman gazed at her in amusement. "Considering that they're all still alive, there is hardly any need to further insult them. You really must work on your temper, Amazon, or else you will betray your comrades again and again."

The princess shot him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"During our last conversation, you revealed to me that your friends are very much alive and reside in Gotham for the time being. I assume this is due to the efforts of the witch, Zatanna."

Diana hesitated at that. She didn't remember telling him any of that, yet somehow he gleaned it out of her words. She wouldn't be making that same mis—

"It was your tense," he suddenly interrupted her musings. "You spoke of them in the present, as if they were alive. You didn't realize it at the time since you were caught up in defending their honor."

Why was he telling her this? So she would second guess her words? Cause her to pause when he began interrogating her again? The options were limitless at this point. In that case, the Amazon needed to turn the tables on him. "I met your 'Master'," she retorted then.

"Did you?" Batman actually sounded surprised to her, much to her satisfaction. "For what reason would he honor your with his presence?"

"Oh, you know, some chit-chat, talk of world domination. The usual."

He sounded skeptical as he asked, "He told you of his plan?"

Diana shrugged her shoulders. "Of course, since apparently I will not be leaving this facility alive." She then leveled her gaze at him, daring him to contradict her next words. "He's insane."

Whatever reaction she was hoping for, she didn't get much to her disappointment. Calmly, he replied, "If that's how you feel. Lesser men have been killed over less than that."

Anger exploded inside the Amazon. "And what of the millions of people he intends to kill? For what? Merely living their lives the best they can, no fault of their own that they somehow slighted your so-called Master?"

That seemed to catch the man off-guard. "What are you talking about?"

Diana felt stunned at this admission. Did he not know what Ra's was planning? No, of course he did. He was playing games with her again. "The bombs over the Lazarus Pits, I know about them. How he intends on using them to wash mankind away."

Batman stared at her before she fell under the impression that he was rolling his eyes at her. Don't ask her how she knew that. "That isn't the plan," he rebutted her. "The bombs are a fail-safe option should the world powers attempt to bluff us. The bombs won't go off so long as every country accepts the Master's ideals and quits destroying the planet."

Seriously? Ransoming the planet? That's what he thought this was all about? Perhaps Ra's had given him too much credit concerning his intelligence. "How naive of you," she drolled. "Use your head—if you went to the expense of placing bombs at as many pits as possible, would you not intend to use them?"

"Not if they were a deterrent," he shot back irritatedly.

"Whoever said they would be a deterrent," Diana countered.

That caused Batman to pause. Seeing this, Diana pressed on with her sudden edge. "Whether you admit it or not, you're being used. I may not understand whatever debt you believe you own this master of yours, but it should not come before the lives of people."

His jaw tightened at this. "People die everyday. What difference would a few more make?"

"You do not believe that."

"Oh? What makes you think that?"

Diana tilted her head back haughtily. "If killing meant as little to you as you have just claimed, then you would have ended me at Etemenanki instead of leaving me to die. The same for my comrades. Yet, we are still standing, not by the grace of the Gods or good fortune, but by your stilled hand." She then softened voice. "I can see you are a man that does not kill indiscriminately. Somewhere within you is a person that values life—that is not a weakness, whatever else you've been told."

Staring him down, Diana sought some sign that her words were reaching him. As far as she was concerned, this was her best chance of being set free. She just had to make sure this fallen hero sided with her.

"You're certain about this?" Batman asked, much to her relief. "The Master intends on unleashing the pits?"

"He told me himself that is what he intends to do."

There was silence before the black-clad man spun around and walked to the door, much to Diana's dismay. "I'll be back," he grunted before leaving the room, the door slamming shut behind him.

Damn it.

The princess had thought she was reaching him. Maybe she had, but her predicament remained the same. In her frustration, she jerked at her restraints, once more having her efforts wasted.

However, she wasn't by herself for much longer before the door reopened, Batman returning much to her surprise. Once he had closed the door behind him, he moved an arm out from under his cloak and tossed something to the floor. Looking at it, Diana was overjoyed to see her Lasso of Truth before her, lying on what appeared to be some sort of uniform.

"We don't have much time," Batman said as he approached her, pulling out a key from his belt. "As we speak, the Master is on his way to the Shifting City, Nanda Parbat. If he gets his hands on it, there's no telling what sort of damage he could do." As he placed the key in a lock, he paused. "Don't even try attacking me," he added, looking her in the eye.

"You have my word I will not strike you," Diana promised him.

With a twist, the restraint around her hand loosened and Diana pulled her arm down. Flexing her fingers she felt her strength returning to her. A moment later and her other hand was free, her legs following suit.

Before she could pull away though, Batman reached up took hold of the collar around her neck. Holding still, Diana waited impatiently before she heard a click and the blasted device came off, much to her joy. The violated feeling she had felt as she had been treated like an animal no longer gnawed at her insides. Stepping away from her, Batman gestured to the lasso and suit on the floor. "Put on the suit," he commanded her, causing Diana to raise an eyebrow at him. "You can't exactly sneak out of the compound, not without being seen."

Seeing his reasoning, Diana knelt down and picked up her lasso, attaching it back to its place at her hip. She then began dressing herself in the disguise, finding it fitting tightly around her. When she was finished, she found Batman holding out a pair of boots, gloves, and a mask. "I made sure to get you larger sizes to fit your costume in," he told her perfunctory.

As she began putting on the boots, the Amazon asked, "What is this Nanda Parbat?"

"A city out of legend," he answered her, watching her as she completed her dressing. "It is the site of the Secret Temple of Rama Kushna, a deity of great power and knowledge. It is said the goddess blessed the temple herself, leaving behind what is known as the Fountain of Life. Supposedly this fountain could stay the hand of death for all who bathed themselves in its waters."

"Why would your Master seek this place out?" Diana questioned him as she stood up, sliding on her gloves one by one. "He seems to have already found his own fountain, so to speak."

"I am not privy to that information." Batman paused to hold his hands out, a small device in his hand. "But the Shifting City is a place not easily found. The Master has been searching for this place for some time now. If you and your friends are going to stand a chance at stopping him, you'll need this."

The princess took the device, looking at it intently. "It's a GPS locator," the black-clad man explained. "Calibrated to locate a tracking device within three feet. I'll be wearing the tracer and head to Nanda Parbat. Use that to find me and I'll brief you on the situation."

Nodding, Diana placed the device in a pouch on her belt. "You are doing the right thing," she assured him.

"Say that to me after this is over," he retorted bluntly. He then turned away from her, marching over to the door. Seeing as this was the end of their conversation, Diana slid her mask over her face and followed him. Time was of the essence and she had to fly to Gotham as quickly as possible.

Thanks to the disguise, it took little effort to lead Wonder Woman through the complex, reaching one of the many entrances. Cool air hit the both of them as they exited into a cave. Still, that did not stop the Detective until they reached the cave's mouth, giving them a view of the Himalayan Mountains.

"I'm sure you know the rest of the way," he said to the Amazon, not bothering to look at her.

"I do," came her reply, slightly muffled by her mask. "You will see me again."

She was trying to be encouraging, but they did not have the time for that. Not with the Master set to leave for Nanda Parbat at any minute. "Go," he ordered her gruffly. "Before someone realizes you're gone."

With a nod, she lifted up into the air, gliding out into the air before pouring on some speed. The Detective watched her until she was nothing more than a dot at the horizon. Turning around, he made his way back to the complex's entrance.

This was a big risk he was taking, but he was sure it would be a gamble that paid off. Once he was successful at the Shifting City, he'd finish off the heroes then and there. If any of them managed to escape, he'd know exactly where they'd go, courtesy of the GPS locator. While it would trace him as he had told her, it also had a tracer installed inside it as well so he'd know exactly where she went to find her companions. Two birds, one stone as they say.

That just left him the issue of hitching a ride on one of the transport helicopters. He couldn't sneak aboard the one with the Master on it—he would know of the black-clad man's presence in midair and that would end his and Talia's plan before it began. The same with the Seven Men of Death.

Entering the facility, the Detective weaved his way through the halls and corridors, making his way to the hanger. If he knew the Master as well as he thought, there would be a team stationed at the entrance of Nanda Parbat, in case anyone managed to escape the temple. Escapees would be quickly apprehended and killed before they got too far. This would be the team he would have to infiltrate.

The Detective steeled his nerves; it was too late to back down now. Everything was in motion and the slightest slip up meant death. The reward was well worth it though, and he was determined to get it.