A/N: 11.17.2017

So, after a LOT of personal trials, I'm finally back with an update. This whole NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) isn't going the way I want to but I got this updated and, for you faithful readers, that's what matters! Enjoy!

Chapter 21

Basem sat in the cave on the edge of one of the cliffs. He had his head bowed, trying to come to terms with everything he just learned. And the death of a very good friend.

After the battle with the Graves, Gordon and the police arrived on the scene. After tearing Runner away from Stephen's body, the coroners took the corpse away and Batman explained everything in private to Gordon. Needless to say, she put out an APB for the Graves and promised to let the Gotham knights know as soon as they found them.

Bruce was staring at the computer screen with his fingers interlocked and resting his chin on them. Hayate were sitting near Bruce while Terry was pacing back and forth in front the costume display cases. Max was upstairs, sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms, and Sally was asleep in her own room as well. They both had been told about Stephen but Terry advised them both to get some sleep. There was enough grief going around and someone around here needed to rest. Neither Max nor Sally had the strength to argue with Terry and went to sleep.

Terry glanced over at Basem and wished he could make him go to bed, as well.

"Stephen," Hayate whispered. "Gone. Just like that."

"I can't believe that," Terry said.

"They played us," Bruce said. "And they did it very well."

"I can't believe that I missed that," Hayate said. "Rene was alive, all the time. I didn't even recognize him. The fault is mine."

"No, the fault is on all of us," Bruce said.

Terry looked over at them, still pacing. "So, how are we fixing it?" He saw that no one had answer and that made him even more impatient. "Come on! Come on! We need to figure this out! We can't let them get away with this!"

Bruce looked at him, impressed. "More and more, you sound like Batman."

Terry appreciate the compliment but he couldn't take any pride in it, right now. "Yeah, well… I'm just as much responsible for this as anyone. I saw what was in front of me and thought Stephen was guilty. I didn't look at any other angles. Didn't even occur to me to look into Rene's death. That's my fault."

"Like I said, it's on all of us," Bruce admitted.

"Any idea on how to find them?" Hayate asked.

"Not yet."

Terry folded his arms, "Bruce. There's something I thought about. Something that's really got me worried."

"I know," Bruce said. "We took precautions anyway but now… it's almost a certainty."

"What certainty?" Hayate asked.

Terry looked at him, "If the Graves know who Basem is, they know who we are."

Hayate's eyes widened. "No, that… Rene already knew of mine and Basem's identities but…"

"And he probably figured out ours and told the rest of the rest of his kill squad."

Hayate's breath was stolen from him. "No. He…" He couldn't speak, realizing that Rene could very well use that against them.

"We might need more security for the Manor," Terry said.

"I'll take care of it," Bruce replied. "And I'll have more security measures placed at your house. Think there's a chance to convince Max not to go back home until this is over?"

Terry shrugged, "Hard to say. She's independent but… with Grace…"

"We'll make it work, either way. Protecting Max and the baby are my top priority, Terry. Always know that."

Terry managed a small grin, "Never questioned that." His smile faded away, "We have to find out how the hell Rene became such a monster." He looked at Basem, who still hadn't moved yet. "And we better do it fast."

Later the next day, Max and Sally had gotten off of work and went straight back to the Manor, on Bruce's insistence. They were sitting on the bed in Sally's room, watching Frozen, trying to relax after everything that had happened.

Max looked over at Sally, seeing how distraught she was. "Wanna talk now?"

Sally was going to decline but sighed. "Basem won't talk to me. He's been a zombie since last night."

"He just needs time."

"Yeah?!" Sally said, with some edge to her voice. "Well, I've been giving him time! That's all I've been giving him! What about me?" She sat back, folding her arms.

Max stared at her. "You're not done. So, go ahead and get it all out of your system."

Sally stared back at her, unsure.

"It's okay. Go ahead."

Sally growled and jumped to her feet, "I have been patient! I have been understanding!" She started pacing, "But he won't let me be there! He won't let me… be his girlfriend. Like at all! He shuts himself off and shuts me out!" She groaned, "And, not only is keeping me out, a friend of his was a suspect and he didn't tell me!"

"That's what keeping you out means," Max said.

Sally stopped and narrowed her eyes, "I'm ranting, Max! I don't need a grammar critique of my ranting!"

Max put her hands up in defense. "Fair. Continue."

Sally grunted, "I mean… I get it. Stephen died. That's… horrible. And Rene… Rene killed him. Rene's alive. He's behind everything." She exhaled, starting to calm down. "So… I guess… I kinda get it."

Max noticed that Sally get most of it out of her system and decided to weight in. "This is really hard for him, Sal," she said. "The only thing I hope is that you both don't… break up over this."

Sally shrugged, "I don't want to."

"Then don't let it. Let him grieve. Let him be mad." Max sighed. "He needs to be right now. He's got to be. Because… if he was okay after everything that happened… I don't think I'd want to be dating him."

Sally sat back and nodded. She watched the movie and chuckled, quietly. "I wish I was Elsa. She was cool and that dress she made was killer."

"I always wanted to be Moana," Max smiled.

"Halloween costumes after you have the baby?"

"Does it have to be Halloween?"

Sally giggled and shook her head, "Nope. You in?"

Max smiled, "Definitely."

Terry walked down the street where he and his allies battled the Graves last night; he was wearing his sunglasses as he looked over the area of the fight. He was observing everything without seeming to do so as best he could, in case one of the Graves were watching. He surveyed the damage, once again in horrified awe of Tumulus's strength. While certainly not on Superman's level, the villain's power was well-beyond anything Terry and Basem could handle on their own. While they did have Hayate, they couldn't rely solely on him, especially with the rest of the Graves at Tumulus's side.

What was needed was information. Terry remembered that Tumulus mentioned something about people who hated the League. While those were a dime a dozen, there had to be a small list of who could turn a normal man into a beast of a superhuman.

He needed answers.

And he had one idea of where he could get them.

Terry pulled out his cell phone and dialed.

"What is it, Terry?" Bruce asked.

"I have an idea," Terry answered. "And you're not gonna like it."

"Try me."

"I'm going to see Amanda Waller. I think she might be able to help."

"You're right. I hate that plan."

Terry shrugged, "To be honest, I don't like it either." He sighed. "But…"

"Do it. It's our best shot."

"Heading to Metropolis," Terry said. "Call you when I learn something." He hung up and surveyed the damage once more before returning to his car.

Basem sat in his room, alone. Everyone, sans Terry and Bruce, had knocked on his door to check on him but Basem never responded and no one had dared walk in. Until that evening when Bruce, with Ace at his side, walked in carrying a tray food.

"You need to eat," Bruce said.

Basem looked at him, annoyed, but noticed that Bruce's cane was hanging on his arm. "You shouldn't be carrying a tray when you have a cane."

"Ace was watching out for me."

Ace barked once in confirmation.

"Besides, my house. Get over it." Bruce set the tray down on the nightstand.

"Thanks," Basem whispered.

Basem's cell phone vibrated and he looked at it to see it was his father calling.

Bruce looked at the phone, as well. "Have you talked to them yet?"

Basem shook his head.

"You should. And soon." He headed for the door, calling for his dog, "Come on, Ace."

"What would you do?" Basem asked.

Bruce stopped at the door, with Ace looking up as though he was curious as well.

Bruce looked back at him, "Don't forget: I'm not as lucky as you to have parents who are worried about me." He walked out of the room without another word with Ace right behind him.

Basem looked at his phone. But he just couldn't reach out and pick the phone up. He couldn't speak to his parents. His father was a hero, his mother was strongest woman he knew.

How could face them when he was such a failure?

Hours later, Terry drove up to Amanda Waller's house. He parked in front the gate and got out of the car as the guards aimed their rifles at him.

Terry put his hands up, "I came to see Amanda Waller. My name's Terry McGinnis."

The guards looked at each other then back at him.

"Wait here," one of the guards said. He got on his communicator and, after a minute, he looked back at Terry. "Follow me."

Terry nodded and they walked toward the house. Once inside, he was lead to the common room where Waller was sitting in her easy chair, having a cup of tea.

Waller looked at Terry and smiled, "Ah! Young Mr. McGinnis."

"Ms. Waller," Terry smiled.

"He doesn't seem have any weapons him, ma'am," the soldier said.

"I didn't expect him to," Waller said. "Besides, if he did and he didn't want them found, you wouldn't find them."

The soldier seemed distraught at that.

"Leave us be. I'll entertain my guest."

"Ma'am," the soldier saluted. He left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Tea?" Waller asked Terry.

Terry considered it then shrugged, "Sure. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Waller started to pour the tea, "Have a seat."

He walked over and sat in the easy chair next to hers.

"Didn't think that I would be seeing you again so soon, Terry," Waller said.

"Yeah, kinda got an emergency," Terry said.

"Ah! I heard that some… rabble-rousers were causing trouble in Gotham."

"'Rabble-rousers.' Yeah, that's one way of putting it."

"What seems to be the issue?" She handed him the cup of tea on a saucer.

"Thank you," Terry took the tea. "These guys, calling themselves the Graves, have a hard-on for Nightrunner."

"Basem Asselah," Waller took a sip of tea.

Terry shook his head, "You know I know you know who he is."

She smiled. "Maybe I like to show-off."

"How come you can admit that but Bruce can't?"

"He's far more stubborn than I am. It's why he'll outlive me."

Terry shook his head, "Well, anyway, their leader is guy calling himself Tumulus but he's really Rene Leblanc."

Waller took another sip of tea. "His death six months ago was a fake."

"Yeah."

"I hate it when people don't stay dead."

"That's a problem I don't have as much," Terry said.

"Yeah," Waller said. "Your generation has it easy. You kill a villain, they stay dead."

"Aaaand now you've jinxed me!"

Waller smirked, "Sorry, kid."

"I need your help," Terry said.

"See? You need to work on being Batman. Bruce would've manipulated or threatened me."

"Bruce isn't afraid of you; I am. And I'm nowhere near smart enough to manipulate you."

Waller chuckled. "There's hope for you, yet, kid. Describe Tumulus's powers to me."

Terry proceeded to describe his abilities, along with the rest of the Graves and their connection to Malum.

Waller sat back, interlocking her fingers. "Hmm. That does sound familiar. In particular, that Thalia woman."

Terry narrowed his eyes, inquisitively. "For real?"

Waller nodded. "I'll look into it and get back to you when I have more information."

"Thanks, Ms. Waller," Terry said. He stood up, "I better get back before something else happens." He started for the door.

"Terry."

He looked back and stared at Waller.

"This isn't something Bruce will solve for you," she declared. "You being here proves that. I know you have a kid on the way but these are the moments that will define you and prove why you're needed. It's these moments I always feared would come for you when you became Batman."

"Don't worry. I knew they were coming too." He sighed. "Just not this much, this soon."

"I'm sure. But be careful, kid. They may know who you are and they may not but, regardless, they don't need to know you. They know Nightrunner. And that could be all they need to break all of you apart."

"Yeah," Terry said. "Let 'em try."

"Good attitude but, still, watch yourself. And watch Basem. This is all being done to break him. Tumulus wants him dead that bad, he won't quit until he's dead. Tumulus will kill Nightrunner, no matter the cost."

Terry clenched his jaw. "Over my dead body." He walked out of the room.

Waller took a sip of tea then whispered, "That's what I'm afraid of, Terry."

A/N: So, Waller is going to look into the Graves and Tumulus. What is going on? Who are they?

Actually, I'll give a little bit away because I don't want to forget to do this later. There is a GREAT writer called The Bloody Red Lantern and he has series of Batman Beyond stories called "The Rise of Nightwing" and it inspired me when I was creating Tumulus and Thalia. I'll go into more detail later but, for now, let's just say that CADMUS isn't the only group experimenting with super powers. And go check out The Bloody Red Lantern's stories! They are GREATNESS!

Big shouts out to Watership, chocolate1, and, my homegirl, Ryoko for sticking with this story and faithfully reviewing. I know usually save thank you's for the end but I just wanted to do a quick one now. And, hey! For all of you guys following and reading and not leaving reviews, thank you, too! You rock! Thanks for reading! And to those reading this later, thank you, too! You are also awesome!

Okay, that's all for now! See you guys NEXT TIME! Take care!