A/N: 04.04.2018

Okay, even I'm shocked that this is done already! But, no need to drag this out further. Enjoy!


Chapter 28

Night was just beginning to set in on Gotham when Max went to Sally's door and knocked on it. "Sal?"

There was no answer.

Max opened the door and didn't see her. Instantly, Max started to worry. She walked around the house until she found Sally sitting in the living room with her head bowed.

"Hey," Max said.

Sally turned to look at her then looked away in shame.

"Hey. Come on, sis. Talk to me."

"Why would you want to talk to me?" Sally asked. "After the God-awful things I said to Terry…"

"You're scared, Sal," Max sat down next to her and put her arm around her. "He gets that. We all do. Hell, we're all scared. It just makes sense that you're more scared than we are."

Sally stared at her. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"What?!" Max asked, confused.

"Why are you being so nice?! Damn, woman! Can you, just once, hate me for my bull and not be comforting?! I need someone to yell at me right now and everyone's being understanding! What is this?!"

Max giggled. "I said something like that to Terry after the whole 'worried he'd be like Dad' thing."

"Guess all his damn sweetness rubbed off on you," Sally said.

Max smiled. "A lot on him rubs off on me. In one way or another."

Sally stared at her and, despite her best intentions, she smiled. Then she laughed. She laughed hard. Max joined her. The laughed for a few minutes before leaning back on the couch. It felt good to smile and laugh about something, anything at this point. It didn't make anything better but it was a relief. Max pulled Sally in for a hug as they calmed down.

Sally took a deep breath then whispered, "I'm really scared, Max."

"I know," Max said. She pulled Sally closer. "So am I."


After Hayate came back to the cave, they looked checked all of the relay signals, closing on airfields in and outside of Gotham. They discovered there was one airfield that had the same kind of dead spots as the bombs. It was about 80 miles outside of Gotham in a secluded area out in the country. The airfield had been closed for years but was recently purchased and listed as private property.

The evidence was clear as was the conclusion it led to.

Terry stared at the screen and nodded, "That's where they are."

"Yes," Bruce said.

All three men began to mentally prepare themselves for the fight that was coming. It was going to be the fight of their lives and fight for their lives and Basem's.

Terry took a deep breath. "That 'ace in the hole' ready?"

Bruce nodded. "Already equipped to your suit."

"Okay."

"We should prepare to move," Hayate said. "We may not have much time to waste."

Terry nodded, "Yeah." He looked toward the stairs leading up to the house. "In a minute."

"Sally?" Bruce asked.

"Yeah." Terry headed toward the stairs. "I'll be right back."

"I'll come with you," Hayate said, walking behind him. "It may help her to see our combined resolve."

"It just might," Terry agreed.

After they left, Bruce had a communication come through to the computer. He answered, "Hello."

"Good evening, Bruce," the voice said.

Bruce's eyes went wide as he recognized the voice, immediately.

"We hear you guys in Gotham have a problem. I have some people on the way to the cave right now, should be there in about five minutes or so. They'd like to offer their assistance."

Bruce smiled. "We'll gladly take it."


Terry and Hayate walked back into the house, their minds riddled with thoughts about this battle against the Graves. When Tumulus first captured him, Basem begged Terry and Hayate not to come after him. And it wasn't just for the sake of Gotham.

Basem didn't want to see his friends killed by Tumulus. And as psychotic as Tumulus is, he would kill them without a second thought. He did with Stephen, Le Grande, and so many other innocents. Terry and Hayate understood what was at stake and why Basem wouldn't want them to come after him. Basem was trying to protect them, Sally, Gotham, and everyone else he could. That was fine. However, they refused to let Basem sacrifice himself while they just sat by and did nothing about it.

They walked into the kitchen and found Max getting a glass of water.

Max looked at them, "Hey!"

"Hey, babe," Terry said.

"Maxine," Hayate greeted, giving her a bow. He looked them both, "I'll leave you two to talk."

"We won't be long," Terry assured.

Hayate nodded. "If you'll excuse me…" He walked out of the kitchen.

"Any news?" Max asked.

"We found them," Terry replied.

There was a tense silence that filled the kitchen. One they had dealt with on many occasions before, but this one hit them way worse than any other. Not only was this a case of a madman taking of their family hostage but they had a baby on the way.

Max took a deep breath. "You're going after them."

Terry nodded.

"You're worried," she concluded.

"Beyond," he answered. "And, so are you."

"Ya blame me?"

"Nope."

Setting the glass down, she walked up to him and leaned on him, resting her forehead on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"You should be sitting," Terry said.

"Not yet," Max replied. "Talk to me. What's on your mind?"

He took a deep breath and exhaled. "We have to go after them. But, we'll be horribly outnumbered. Plus it's been a whole day. I'm really worried if Basem's still alive or not."

"He is," she insisted. "I know it."

"I'm trying to hold on to that hope, too. It just gets hard in some moments."

"I know."

He was silent for second before taking a deep breath. "Max. You know what I need to do."

"Yeah. You need to save him."

"No matter what."

Max looked up at him, "Be careful. Bring him home and bring your ass back, too."

Terry nodded then kissed her. "I love you, Max. More than you'll ever know."

"Right back at you."

He took her by the hand and they walked out of the kitchen. They saw Hayate standing in the hallway, waiting for them. They all went into the living room, where Sally was sitting with her head bowed.

"Sal," Terry spoke up.

Sally lifted up her head and turned to see Terry as he guided Max back to the couch. Max sat down next to Sally, setting the glass of water down in front of her, and Hayate stood by the couch.

"We know where the Graves took Basem," Terry said.

Sally gasped. "You… you do?"

"Yeah." Terry motioned toward Hayate, "We're about to leave to go get him."

Sally looked at them both, "What? Just the two of you?"

"It's what we have to do."

"Terry, no! If you do that, Rene's gonna kill you guys!"

"Let him try," Terry said. "There's no way in hell we're not going."

"But you don't have to do this," Sally said. She closed her eyes as tears started to form. She looked at him, "I'm sorry for earlier. I didn't mean what I said about you saving Max! I mean, yeah, you'd save her but I know you were doing everything you could for Basem, too. You'd never abandon him! You'd never abandon any of us! I was just mad. I was freakin' crazy! I am so sorry, Terry."

He smiled warmly at her, "I know you that, Sal. And it's okay. But we still have to go."

"Terry, please!" Sally begged. "I'm sorry. Don't go! If Basem's gone… I'll… I-I'll be handle that… someday. Maybe. But… if you… I mean, Max… she needs you."

"Would ever be okay without B?" Max asked.

"Like, actually?" Sally shook her head, "Hell, no."

"And that's just one more reason why we have to go," Terry said. "Don't worry about me or Hataye. We can handle this. And B's not gone. He's alive. That's one thing I do know about that bastard Tumulus. He kept Basem alive. Besides, B's one of the best friends I've ever had. He's my brother." He looked at Hayate then back at Sally, "We won't let him die."

"We cannot," Hayate declared. "I do not abandon my friends. It goes against my code and everything I believe in."

Sally looked at them both, "But… but…"

"I know, Sal." Terry squatted down in front of her. "But you can trust us. We can handle this. Hayate's got my back and I got his. And, not to brag, but I did go toe-to-toe with Superman once."

"He waxed your ass," Max smiled.

"I call it a draw!" Terry smiled. "Anyway, I've been to the edge before. This won't be different. We're going to save Basem. We'll bring him home."

Sally stared into his eyes and saw that he meant every word. "Wow." She looked at Max, "Is this what you got you to marry him?"

Max smiled at Terry, lovingly. "It was one thing, yeah."

"I don't blame you." Sally looked back at Terry. She threw her arms around him. "Please, Terry. I love him. Just… just bring him home."

"You got it."

"And bring yourself home, too."

He nodded.

Sally released the hug. She got up and hugged Hayate, "And you come home, too."

Hayate smiled and hugged her back, "I will do my best."

Terry smiled and gave Max a kiss.

"I'll be back," Terry assured.

"I'll be waiting," Max answered.

Terry stood up and looked over to Hayate.

"We'll be outnumbered," Hayate pointed out.

"And?" Terry asked.

Hayate chuckled, lightly. "More and more, I see why you and Basem get along so well. As long as you're fine with it, I am as well." He sighed. "It's an honor for a samurai to fall in battle."

"Probably always the way people thought Batman would bite it, too," Terry said. "But, screw that noise! I got a daughter on the way. Outnumbered or not, we're coming back."

Hayate nodded. "Your resolve is impressive. Yes, we shall!"

"You won't be alone," Bruce said as he walked in the room.

Everyone looked at him, confused.

"What do you mean?" Terry asked.

Bruce moved out of the way and the Justice League members from Paris walked in: Alex, the gun-wielding Outlaw; Ari, the possessor of the Vixen totem; and Lance, the elastic hero Plastic Man. They were wearing they're civilian clothes but Hayate's smile and Terry's relieved and ecstatic expression immediately told Sally and Max that backup had arrived.

"Alex!" Hayate said, happily. "Ari! Lance! You're all here!"

"You boys didn't think you could have this party without us, now, did you?" Alex asked.

Sally's eyes widened, "Terry, are-are they really…"

"Yeah," Terry smiled. "Say to hello to the Justice League Unlimited."

"Some of us, anyway," Lance said. "We just so happen to live in France."

"Malum and Blitzkrieg's goons kept us busy in Paris," Ari said. "If it hadn't been for them, we would've been here already."

"What freed you guys up?" Terry asked.

"We'll give you a hint," Lance said. "He wears a big 'S' on his chest and can punch a hole in the moon by sneezing. While standing on Earth. When the sun is shining."

Terry smiled, "Damn, I love Superman."

"Superman called after you two walked out of the cave," Bruce explained. "He'd been in space for a while and returned to Earth yesterday. He's keeping an eye on Paris while the League helps us deal with the Graves."

"Also, we brought a friend," Vixen said. She looked behind her but didn't see anyone else. "Where did…?" She looked around, "Hey, Zee!"

Just then, a burst of light flashed amongst them and a woman with long dark blue hair wearing a tuxedo shirt and jacket, a bowtie, a goth-styled skirt, a top hat, and carrying a magic wand appeared.

"Zaria?!" Hayate said.

"In the flesh!" Zaria said with a smile and tipping her top hat.

"Why'd you do that?" Ari asked. "You came on the Javelin with us!"

"I'm a showman. I have to make an entrance."

Ari rolled her eyes and groaned.

"Where have you been?" Hayate asked.

"Visiting Mom, at first, then we had to help Dr. Fate with a demon invasion in Peru," Zaria said. "Long story. But, when I heard Troy was back at it, I had to get here!" She paused and looked at Bruce. "Hey, Uncle Bruce."

"Hello, Zaria," Bruce said. "How's your mother?"

"She's great. Wants you to come visit."

"Tell Zatanna I will and soon."

Zaria smiled, looked at Terry, ran over, and hugged him, "Hey, cuz!"

"What's up, cuz?!" Terry hugged her back.

"You two know each other?" Hayate asked.

"We met on a case a while back," Terry said as they released the hug. "Bonded over our mutual misunderstanding of Bruce."

"Plus, I tried to hook up with him," Zaria teased.

"Zee!" Terry chided.

"Kidding!" She laughed. "Wouldn't have happened anyway. It's impossible to compete with Max, even if they didn't know it at the time." She walked over to Max, who stood up as they hugged, "Impossible to compete, now."

"Damn right," Max smiled. She released the hug. "Glad you're here, Zee. Miss you, girl."

"I know," Zaria said. "Sorry I haven't come around more. I'll fix that. Magician's honor."

"I'll take it!"

Terry smiled, "Well, looks like we got a crew."

"One hell of a crew," Max smiled.

Terry and looked at Sally, "How do you feel about our chances now?"

She was grinning from ear to ear, "Slightly better than I did before." She stood up. "I… I can't thank all of you enough. I know you're doing this because you're heroes and this is just what heroes do but… saving Basem means… so much to me. It… he means everything to me."

Ari shrugged, "Yeah, we're heroes but… we're friends, too. Basem's our friend. He'd turn the world upside down for us. We'll happily do the same for him."

Sally felt tears start to come back up. "Thank you all."

"So, this is the infamous Sally, the girl who tamed the Runner's heart," Alex said.

Sally laughed, "Yeah. I guess that's me. Huh. I sound like a J.K. Rowling book. Or a Stieg Larsson book. I'm okay with both, actually."

"I would be," Max said.

"She's the girl Basem fell for?" Lance stretched over to her and looked her up and down. "I can see why. Meow!"

Ari punched him in the gut, causing him to recoil to his normal posture.

"OW!" Lance shouted. "I was joking!"

"Keep your overly-sexual, inappropriate self away from Basem's girlfriend!" Ari yelled.

"Again… JOKE!"

"Yeah, right."

Terry laughed and looked at Hayate, "Man, I love these guys!"

"As do I," Hayate smiled.

Terry scanned his group of allies, "You guys ready?"

"To save our boy?" Alex smiled. "Always."

"Then, let's get moving!"


Twenty minutes later, Tumulus drug Basem out of the room to the outside, revealing to Basem that they were on an airfield. Basem also took note that they were somewhere far from Gotham. He couldn't hear any city noise or even see the city lights in the distance.

Tumulus drug him to the middle of a runway where three floodlights came on. Tumulus sat Basem on his knees, threw Basem's mask on the ground next to him, then Tumulus stepped back to glare at him. Basem looked up to see Thalia, Malum, Blitzkrieg, Flicker, Troy, and host of soldiers were gathered around with Tumulus. He knew his mask was off but his identity hardly mattered at this point.

"This is Nightrunner?" Malum asked. "He's nothing but a boy."

"Boys can sometimes get more done than men," Blitzkrieg said. "Can we get this over with? I've already spent way too much time and money on this endeavor."

"You'll be compensated."

"It's the soldiers that are currently in lock-up, too, that are a problem."

"We'll be done soon," Thalia said. "And all accounts will be settled." She walked up to Tumulus and whispered, "This is your moment, Rene. Complete your mission. Achieve your destiny."

"I will," Tumulus nodded. He knelt down and placed a picture of Marie next to Basem's mask.

In the picture, Marie was showing off her engagement ring. Basem started shaking a bit as he stared at the photograph.

"I actually regret that I had to kill Stephen," Tumulus said. He dropped his own mask next to Basem. "But you wouldn't learn otherwise."

Basem said nothing.

"After I kill you, I'm going to drop your corpse in front of Batman."

"I don't care." Basem slowly lifted his head. "But my final word of advice to you, Rene: run. After you kill me, run and never stop running. Once you kill me, Batman will unleash hell. And he will hunt you. If you stop, he will find you. If fight back, he will break you. He might even kill you. But whatever he does… he'll make it hurt."

"I'm not afraid of him," Tumulus shook his head.

"You should be."

Tumulus shook his head, "Enough of this. Your time is at an end, Basem."

Basem bowed his head, prepared for the worse. There was nothing else to do. He couldn't fight. He couldn't run. And, with his death, he was protecting everyone: Terry, Max, Bruce, his family, his friends, and Gotham. And Sally. The best thing that had ever happened to him. Her protection mattered the most. This was how he could keep her safe and he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Terry would protect her from here. It was a comforting thought, actually; it almost made him smile.

"It's interesting, Basem," Tumulus declared. "You tried to escape your horrible crime against someone you saw as 'family'. So, you come to Gotham, partner up with Batman, get a little girlfriend, and live life just fine. But it all meant nothing. And now… now, you're going to die. Alone."

Basem closed his eyes.

Tumulus raised his fists, "Au revoir, monstre."

It was a good night to die.

"You're wrong about two things," Batman's voice echoed through the runway.

The Graves and the soldiers looked around, confused, as they didn't know where the voice came from. Basem's eyes flew open as he started to look around, as well.

Batman turned off his cloaking device as he walked out of the shadows and stared down the Graves. "He's not gonna die and he, sure as hell, isn't alone."

Basem actually smiled a bit as a wave of relief came over him.

"Not now, not ever." Batman drew two batarangs then declared, "Now, I'm gonna say this once: get the hell away from him!"


A/N: OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, SNAP! YEAH, BABY! HERE WE GO!

Yes, Zaria is a new OC and, yes, she is the daughter of the one and only Zatanna. I LOVE Zatanna. She's hot, interesting, clever, and uses magic, what's not to like? Anyway, in this canon, Zaria and Terry have met before. I'm currently working on a story about that in the "Unpack Your Heart Chronicles" so be on the lookout for that.

Yes, the next chapter will be the final battle! Who be left standing? More importantly, who will be left alive? You won't wanna miss this!