Chapter 34 : Unfinished Business
Gotham Century Towers
Both Bruce and Diana returned to the Century Tower's penthouse in a flash of red light where Alfred Pennyworth sat in the living room sipping a cup of Earl Grey. He looked content knowing that Gotham was spared from the trials the two destructive gods had planned.
All around them, the sounds of normal life sounded off in the distance from the opened windows. The sound of a city that was untouched thanks to Diana's strength in both her body and heart.
The old butler looked at the dying Selina Kyle and started with horror. He arose placing his cup on the table "Master Wayne," he gasped peering at the young woman in Bruce's strong arms. He was relieved to see his master returned, alive and in one piece. Miss Kyle on the other hand he was apprehensive.
"Alfred..." Bruce was choking up. "She's dying. We need to venom extracted."
The butler nodded and quickly paced for the medical supplies in the cupboard near the kitchen sink. Diana and Bruce settled Selina on the couch and Bruce knelt down next to her while Diana rested her hands on his broad shoulders.
"Don't die on me Lina. You said that cats have nine lives..." he said frantically.
Diana was beginning to weep. Being a strong warrior she couldn't show weakness but she loved Selina as her friend and didn't wish to see her life slip away. Not now, not now when it seemed they'd reached an understanding and friendship.
Alfred raced to the couch and took out a needle from the kit. "We have to do a blood transfusion."
Selina opened her eyes faintly and looked at her friends. She looked disoriented and had difficultly keeping eye contact with either of them. Bruce swallowed stiffly and forced a faint smile to his lips.
"Hey beautiful," Bruce said as he placed his warm hand on her cold cheek. It wasn't much, but enough to show he wasn't giving up. He would be strong for her. Diana reached forward and held Selina's hand in her own and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
She looked at her arm and then gazed at Selina. "I got her into his mess and I'm going to get her out." She said with a firm voice .
"Handsome..." Selina said in faint whisper. "You're back..." Bruce watched her brown eyes close.
"Hold on Selina."
Diana closed her eyes as she felt the needle pierce her flesh. Alfred placed the tubes into the opening of the veins and then placed a needle into Selina's pale white arm. He then began to dig another plastic tube in the young woman's arm.
Diana sat there on the floor feeling the blood drip from her veins. Bruce placed his hand into her palm and grasped in firmly. "You're doing great princess," he spoke with an inspiring look.
Alfred jammed the syringe that had to anti-venom toxin into Selina's forearm. All three of them waited for the results.
One hour later...
Bruce closed his eyes and began dug his head into her chest. "No! Damn it Selina, don't do this! Come back to me." His heart was breaking. "Come back to me..."
Diana closed her eyes with remorse, tears on her cheeks as she lowered her head. "I'm sorry Bruce... I'm so sorry," she whispered.
A deathly silence filled the room as Bruce and Diana clung to Selina's body, both of them filled with grief and regret. Both of them knew they would've lost this fight without Selina yet the cost of victory felt too high for both of them.
Bruce felt the same sting of loss he felt over twenty years ago when he'd lost his parents and had been unable to do anything about it. He failed another he loved and held close to heart.
After a mournful silence passed, Bruce slowly stood up and walked away into his despair, Alfred followed him trying to back his tears.
Diana sat there alone with Selina carrying only a blank stare though on the inside she was filled with turmoil.
"Selina," she whispered as she knelt down at placed her hand over the woman's chest, feeling for a heart beat. To her amazement it was faint meaning that Selina was still live but fading fast.
Diana knew there was perhaps only one way to save her friend and ally. Diana closed her eyes and began to speak. "Athena goddess of wisdom, I kneel here humble before my friend. I need you right here. I need to save her."
A warm presence entered the room as Athena materialized in front of her. "Diana."
Diana turned her gaze to the goddess with piercing steel blue eyes dressed in battle armor.
"I did what I had to do to spare the lives of Gotham." The princess stated. "Eros is defeated by my own blade. His defeat came with a price Athena, a good friend of mine... Selina Kyle."
The goddess looked at Selina's body. "What are you asking Diana?"
Diana looked down at Selina's face. "I don't want to lose her Athena. I've lost many friends along the way by careless choices that were made in battle. But Selina is different. She deserves to have a better life."
Athena could see the tears in the Amazon's eyes. The healing bruises and cuts on her face were a proof of the battle she'd endured. She'd suffered greatly for the sake those she loved and cared for. Her request was well intentioned and deserved to be granted.
"Very well."
The goddess walked over to Selina and placed her hand over the young woman's chest. A blue flame entered Selina's body as Diana could she that color was coming back into her face and she was breathing normal.
Athena pulled away. "There. It is done. Her health is fully restored."
Diana looked at Selina and could see her pale skin returning to its healthy tone. "Thank you, Athena."
The goddess nodded however her thoughts were elsewhere. "The battle is not yet over Diana. Now you must go and help your mother defeat Erebus."
Diana stood tall and determined. " I understand."
Athena disappeared just as Selina opened her eyes and looked Diana. "What happened?" She asked, feeling a little uneasy.
"You were poisoned." Diana replied, as she came to her side and helped her into a sitting position. "You're fine now Selina."
Selina blinked repeatedly to clear her vision. Once she did she noticed only she and Diana were room. "And Bruce? Is he..."
Bruce Wayne entered the room. His dark hazel green eyes widened as he looked at Selina. "Selina," He said with a surprised tone to his voice. He walked over to her and embraced her in his arms. "You're safe."
Selina kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks to Diana." She replied.
Bruce looked at Diana and gave her a grateful nod. Diana smiled warmly in response.
Once Bruce and Selina part, she places her hand on his cheek. "I can see that you got your looks back handsome. I never liked spiders that much anyway," she joked.
He smirked just before they all heard a boom in the distance in the city. They move out to the balcony and hear police sirens wailing. The fight wasn't won yet they all realized.
Diana lifted up her blade. "I have to go, I am needed for another battle. One that involves my mother."
Bruce stepped forward immediately to interject. "Diana-"
She held her hand up to placate him in front of her. "I'll be okay Bruce. You'll be needed elsewhere. I suspect more than one threat remains at large."
Bruce understood her implication and hesitantly nodded his compliance.
"You be careful," he said with a tender look that spoke volumes towards the woman in front of him who went through hell to save him, his city and someone he cared for. He felt it wasn't enough to convey what he was truly feeling but somehow she seemed to understand him.
Diana gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me Bruce. I'm a tough girl that won't be taken lightly," she quipped with a
Selina watched them with a smirk.
Diana gives her a nod then turned and flew out into the air. Bruce watched her fly off then turned and looked at Selina. "We have a battle to finish," he said with a firm tone.
He moved to the stairwell with her following.
Twenty minutes later...
Batman came down the stairs, his cape dragged on the steps, looking powerful and determined. His dark eyes were burning with intensity.
"Bruce," Selina called out trying to stop him, knowing that he was still feeling the effects of the transformation. She could tell by his movements. "You're in no condition to take to the streets. You're not focused."
He looked at dark sky outside. He remembered how helpless he felt during the transformation and afterward. He'd been idle for too long from defending his city. "It doesn't change anything Selina." He headed to the balcony and disappeared into the shadows.
"You coming?" He growled.
Selina grabbed her goggles and followed him.
Meanwhile...
In the sewers, Batman and Selina were making their way through the tunnels. Selina could feel her high heel stilettos touch the bottom of the murky water as rats swam past her legs.
"Disgusting," she hissed.
"Focus." Batman growled as his eyes gazed at the gated bars ahead.
Eros' might've been defeated but those that served him were still at large within Gotham and so long as they were the battle wasn't finished. Since he put his cowl back on after hearing Diana's suggested tactic, Batman's mind had been filled with only determined thought: payback.
"Are you sure that he's in there?" Selina asked with a sour look. She hated sewers.
Batman was silent as he walked through the gated bars. "Stay here," he instructed Selina.
Selina narrowed her eyes at him. "Listen Dark Knight, if you think that I'm just looking to wait on the side lines. You've made a big mistake."
Batman turned his head and gave her an intense glare. "If things get out of hand. Move in." He commanded as he walked onto the grated platform. His eyes focused on the shadows.
The smell of stagnate water filled the air. A familiar feeling of dread and confrontation filled him as he surveyed the area.
"Bane," he rasped with a powerful growl. "Come out and fight me," he challenged.
Selina kept her gaze focused on Batman as he moved closer to the draining pipes. She placed her gloved hands on the bars and watched as a massive figure emerged from the shadows.
"Welcome back Mister Wayne." Bane spoke in a harsh tone as he walked towards Batman. "Did you enjoy your imprisonment in the shadows? In a pit that blocked out the sunlight Where darkness molded you and made you become immune to its power."
Batman eyes looked at his surroundings while ignoring Bane's taunting words. "There's always a shaft of light." His gloved hands formed into fists as he was preparing to strike. He looked at Bane's mask: his weakness and saw two large tubes that connected all the other tubes over the mouth.
"Now we finish this," Bane snarled under his mask. He looked at Selina standing near the bars. "I see that you brought a spectator."
Selina glared but held firm to Batman's wish.
Batman made his move. He threw the first punch aiming directly at Banes skull. Bane was too quick and grabbed the fist and smacked it into Batman's forehead and the jammed his fists in the armored midsection.
Batman stumbled backwards. His hand strongly grasping the railing as Bane punched him near the collarbone knocking the wind out of him. He fell to his knees gasping for air.
Bane followed up with a kick aimed for his head. Batman was quick to dodge and caught the behemoth's leg and swept his other out from beneath him. Bane falls onto his back with a loud crash against the metal grate.
It barely gave him pause as he moved to stand back up before Batman throws himself down with a low drop kick to his chest. Once Bane is back down, Batman quickly reaches for his mask and attempts to remove it.
Bane growls and seizes Batman's wrists then throws a headbutt at him to force him away. Batman falls backward as Bane rises to a kneeling position across from him.
Not giving his foe room to recover, Bane throws a right fist across Batman's face sending him falling back a pace. Batman retaliates with a swing of his own against Bane's head. The angry beast shrugs it off and rushes to tackle the dark knight.
Batman had him scouted as he dodges and lets Bane collide shoulder first into the railing. Bane releases an audible groan as he pulls himself to his feet. He collided with the railing hard enough to leave an impression against its surface.
Batman could see the frustration building in his eyes and knew this was where Bane tended to be most dangerous but also reckless. Bane inhaled deeply into his mask then stood up to his full height before advancing on Batman with clenched fists.
He tried a wind blowing swing across the head, which Batman ducked, then followed up with a side punch rib, an knee to the gut then a chop down across Batman's armored spine. Batman groaned at his attack.
Bane lifted him up by the neck with a deadly look. "You've always been weak Bruce. No matter what form you were."
Batman was struggling to break free from Bane's grasp. He removed a sharp-edged throwing star from his belt and dug into Bane's hand. It was hard enough to make blood appear. It gave no sign of pain from his enemy.
"You know that I am immune to pain." Bane laughed under the mask as he threw Batman into the steel draining pipe.
Bane circled his prey with slow steps, toying with him. Batman ignored the pain in his side and slowly shifted onto his knee.
"You've never been really good at fighting the pain Bruce. Both physical and emotional. You let it consume you until it makes you weak. A weak little bat that has many weaknesses." Bane continued to taunt him.
Batman was breathing heavy as he tried to pick himself up.
"Get away from him!" Selina growled as she walked on to the platform. She'd watched Batman get tossed around enough while standing by and doing nothing. She stood unafraid of the massive monster across from her.
Bane sneered under his mask. "I can see that you are lusting for a challenge Miss Kyle."
Selina looked at his weakness. His mask. She remembered what Bruce told her to do. The only way to defeat this monster was to break the tubes in his mask. Bane took her silence as a form of uncertainty.
"Tell me Miss Kyle, are you afraid of staring at death right in the face? When I get through with you..."
Batman lifted himself up. He knew that Selina was distracting Bane.
Selina stood her ground. "I know what you fear Bane. You fear the feeling of veins burning as the venom slowly leaks out while the breath of life fades with a single heart beat."
She lunged at him and then did a high kick into the mask. Bane grabbed her ankle and threw her down. Selina landed with a gasp of pain. Bane sneered down at her.
"Now we end this." He was ready to pound his fist into her skull when he felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned his head and saw a fist coming straight for the mask.
"Leave her alone," Batman snarled as he uppercuts Bane in the mask and then used his booted foot to the push the monster to the floor.
"How can this be?" Bane snarled, trying to pull himself up as Batman closed in on his body and starting pounding at his mask. He tried pushing him off with his bear like hands but Batman had his legs locked around his sides. The Dark Knight eyes met his and he ripped off the mask.
"Consider yourself..." Batman threw one last punch breaking the tubes, "defeated."
Bane's eyes closed as Batman turned around and looked at Selina who was standing behind him rubbing her aching arm. She moved in closer to Bane kicked him in the side of his head.
"What was that for?" Batman questioned.
"Sorry handsome," she said. "He deserved a little pain."
Batman shook his head he surveyed his fallen foe.
"Come on. Let the police deal with him." He grabbed the grappling wire around Bane's feet and hands and disappeared into the shadows with Selina trailing behind.
On the roof top of a complex near the Gotham Radio Towers...
"Die like all the wretched souls that withered in the pits of darkness." Battas snarled as he swiped his claw at Diana who blocked it with her blade. He licked his mouth, lusting for her blood. "When I'm through with you princess. I will squeeze every ounce of your blood until you're dry."
Diana clenched her jaws and lunged at the demon. "I don't think so foul demon!" She screamed at him as he disappeared within the shadows of the rooftop. Her ocean blue eyes remained steady as she heard movement from behind.
"Come out and fight me demon. Unless you are a coward." She mocked.
Erebus and Hippolyta were fighting on the other side of the roof. "You've always been weak Hippolyta. That's why the gods cursed you to be the guardian of the well of souls." He laughed. "You betrayed us."
Hippolyta headbutted the god into the dome of his head then jammed her blade into his side. He howled in pain, sounding like a wounded dog. She pushed him off and looked at Battas who was ready to strike her daughter down.
"Diana behind you!"
Diana turned quickly and used her sword to block Battas claws. She used her strength and pushed the sword high above her chest.
"No mortal woman can defeat me."
Diana pushed harder and then smacked her head into the dome of his black furred head. She waited until he was showing signs of being lightheaded and then she jump-kicked him into the chest.
Battas fell onto the cement hard.
Diana stood above him with her blade touching the side of his face. "Be gone demon," she declared.
Battas' red eyes widened as he felt the blade enter his chest. He raised his claws and screeched in pain as Diana pressed harder with no mercy in her eyes. "This is for all those souls you devoured through your own blood lust demon."
She pressed harder until he wailed and jerked his body around.
"How does it feel to taste the bitterness of defeat demon?"
Battas snarled with defiance. "You will pay for this. By your blood you will pay!"
Diana pulled out her sword and placed the blade over his neck. She looked and saw Hippolyta lift herself up and hold her ground with her body while positioned to battle mode, eyes burning as she peered at the Erebus.
"You're little girl is weak. Just like you Hippolyta," the god hissed.
The queen held her blade high. "My daughter has the blood of the Amazon's running through her veins Erebus. She will not fail."
"Maybe not this hour. But one day. She will taste the failure as she watches all those she loves die without mercy."
Hippolyta clenched her jaws and jammed her blade into the gods right shoulder. "I know your own weakness Erebus. You should never underestimate the power of love." She elbowed him into the face and twisted her body around until the tip of her sword was at his throat.
"Be gone out of this realm Erebus. Go back to where you dwell. Tonight you are defeated and this land is not your Hell."
She struck the sword into his chest and pressed hard. He screamed and threw her to the ground.
Hippolyta lifted herself from the cement rooftop as her steel blue eyes watched the god dissolve into the cement, leaving her sword.
"Never return to the moral realm Erebus." She yelled as Battas looked at his defeated master.
Diana looked down at the demon. "You're master is defeated demon. Be gone," she ordered.
Battas hissed and melted into the cement leaving a haze of black smoke.
Diana stood still a long moment staring at the space the demon once occupied. Small traces of smoke blew in the wind across her. The Amazon took the moment to let the cool air caress her battle-weary face.
She released a shaky breath as she turned her gaze away and looked at her mother.
"It is finished mother." She threw her blade to the ground.
Hippolyta gave her daughter a proud gaze and nodded.
"The battle is done for now my sun and stars. A war is brewing. We need to be ready," she announced.
Diana said nothing as they both take the moment to look out over the city they'd just managed to save through sheer will and devotion. In the distance the could see the sun was close to fully setting.
"Are you coming back home my daughter?" Hippolyta asked.
Diana shook her head. "I have a few things to take care of mother. I will be returning soon." She gave her mother an assuring look, which the queen accepted with a smile of approval. Diana paused as she thought about Selina Kyle. "Mother remember what you said about Selina, how you think that she would be a great warrior if trained..."
Hippolyta nodded. "Yes?"
"I have seen Selina in action. She is strong and very wise."
"It is her choice. We cannot choose for her," she affirmed.
They say nothing else as they continue observing the city, both proud they'd not only triumphed against the forces of evil but that they'd defended and saved those they loved and cared for.
Eight hours later...
The cool wind was blow through the updrafts of downtown Gotham City. Batman was crouched down on the edge looking over Gotham with his intense eyes searching for any sign of movement in the shadows of the mist covered streets. He was ready to take the night. He was glad to be alive and to be human.
The battle could not have ended better, he knew. As he thought over the obstacles he'd faced and the pain and suffering he'd endured, he felt he'd go through it all over again just to to have the same outcome. Gotham was saved and everyone he loved and cared for was still alive.
He released a deep sigh and closed his eyes. Wonder Woman touched down on the cement behind him. He could smell her pleasant fragrance from his perch and smiled to himself.
"You wanted to see me?" She asked looking at the brooding crusader.
Batman stood up and moved closer to her. His long cape draped over his shoulders.
"You think that it is a good idea?" He asked. "Selina can be a handful."
Diana smiled. "I think my mother and sisters can handle a head strong woman."
She could tell that Batman was disheartened with the fact that Selina would not be his ally in Gotham anymore. She knew that he had deep feelings for the young alluring woman. That would never change. "You have nothing to worry about Bruce. Selina will be safe on the island and she will come to understand how disciplined her body and mind can be when in battle," she assured him.
Batman nodded. "You will check up on her and let me now how things are going?"
"Of course."
Batman moved in closer and faced her. "Princess," he said in a softer tone as he pulled her close to his armored chest. Diana could smell his aftershave as her eyes looked at his m shaped lips.
"There's something I need to tell you..."
Gazing into his eyes she could see the mask lifting from within himself. She inwardly swallowed with anticipation. She'd had her doubts ever since that day she'd let him drive off to face Bane alone that he would ever address what happened between them before.
It was as she'd come to know it as "typical Bruce" who after letting his feelings be known would withdraw immediately out of fear or timidness concerning matters of the heart. She didn't press him as she never doubted he knew the true depths of her feelings and the reason why they weren't spoken in words, by him nor herself.
Diana looked at him with excitement in her eyes as he pulled off the cowl to reveal the face of Bruce Wayne.
"I know that we've been through our trials and I've went through various transformations, but something kept me going..."
He looked deeply into her ocean blue eyes with loving affection. "It was you." He ran his gloved hand through her thick raven hair before caressing her cheek warmly. Diana leaned into his touch.
"You were my strength."
He paused as he felt his familiar fear of telling her the truth. Afraid to reveal his deepest secret that he wanted to confess but he knew the punishment for Diana. She would become a mortal like him and he could not risk that. Not now at least. "Some day," he thought to himself with certainty. Right now the world needed her blade and strength but also her heart.
"And you were mine," Diana replied with a tearful but cheery smile.
Bruce swallowed softly at the loving, passionate look in her eyes. All he could do to show show her that he loved her the same...
He crashed his lips against hers and closed his eyes. Diana wrapped her arms around his neck and it was like time froze around them. He ran his hand down her back and pressed his lips harder. Neither of them felt more complete than they did now.
It was one of their greatest connections in being able to communicate without words as often a single look, gesture or action was enough to speak plainly what they we're thinking or feeling. The idea sometimes frustrated Bruce to no end since he'd didn't like being transparent, but with Diana it made him feel glad to be understood.
As they part for breath they stare at each other with mutual looks of joy before the sound of a police siren sounded off. The sirens were calling the Batman. Bruce pulled on his cowl.
Diana rubbed her lips together and said. "So I'll see you around?" She asked.
He was gone. She stood there with a knowing smile as her eyes gazed at his haunting shadow bouncing off the brick walled buildings.
Batman glided towards the red and blue flashing. His eyes burning as he heard the sound of the eerie laughter echo in the shadows. He landed on the rooftop of a patrol car and spoke in a raspy tone to Commissioner Gordon as he saw playing cards on the ground near the crime scene.
"Him again?" He rasped.
Gordon nodded, sipping a cup of coffee. "He has his own crowd. Poison Ivy and the Scarecrow. They killed two security guards and stole a large amount from the bank's vault." He rubbed his temples. "Looks like it's going to be another long dark night ahead."
Batman stood up and fired his grappling gun. "It always is." He shot up and disappeared into the shadows of the rooftops.
Gordon turned his head and smiled.
A few minutes later...
Batman was standing on the ledge of Wayne Tower; on leg on the ledge and as his cape danced in the wind. He looked at the playing card in his hand and then looked at the city below. His city.
"Time to go to work." He thought as waited for a police chopper to fly by and then stood on top of the ledge and looked at the direction of the Narrows and did a swan dive into the air, his wings spread out wide as a little eight year old boy walking with his parents looked up with amazement and saw the dark protector above
He smiled and held onto both of his parents hands knowing that tonight he had nothing to fear.
THE END
A/N: A big thank to my wonderful editor and friend.