Chapter 54: Her Choice
Gotham
Year 2010
January 20th
Jason is 10
Cass is 9
Tim is 7
Robin is 12
Batgirl is 14
Batman is 29
Having Tim living with them had been an adjustment. The young boy missed his last month of 4th Grade (he was advanced) after the trauma. He had been very shy and quiet at first. Mostly he only talked to Dick. He avoided Jason, who he was sure disliked him, as much as possible. Alfred and Bruce were always addressed as Mr. no matter how much everyone told him to call them by their first names.
The nightmares continued as well for a good few months. Unable to sleep Tim had started to come down to the cave every night to watch their progress on the computer. The first time he'd called up at them over Comms had been a shock. It had had been a night they were chasing Poison Ivy down around the time Tim had turned seven. Tim had quickly called and told them where she could be found based on C02 levels.
When Batman, Red Hood and Robin got back that night he was quickly ambushed in a hug by Dick. "You got into the Batcomputer!"
Bruce had ruffled his hair. "Good job."
"No kidding! Now he can help us all the time. Right replacement?" Jason asked raising his hand for a high five. Tim gave it hesistantly.
"I can help?"
"I'm going to teach you everything," Dick declared.
"You won't be allowed in the field," Bruce said. "But yes, you can help from here in the cave."
Tim's grin was brighter it had been since his first night at the manor. Their missions seemed to get even easier after that. Tim's brain was a huge help to all of them. The team of Bats was able to fight better than ever.
Though most nights it was just Robin, Batgirl and Batman there were a few nights Red Hood joined as well. They fell into a comfortable pattern which wouldn't seem to be training anytime soon.
Then one night it did change. Robin, Batgirl and Batman were out on patrol together when they heard some screams from somewhere nearby. Immediately all three of them swung over to help. A bunch of large men were surrounding two women. They were keeping their purses clutched to their chests and cowering against each other.
The Bats moved forward to help but before they did a small shadow appeared from nowhere. She moved swiftly in between each of the thugs. Touching a point on one's neck so they collapsed and then powerfully kicking another. She made moves before they could even throw a punch.
Batgirl and Robin tried to jump in and help but Batman put an arm out to stop them. Batgirl groaned and Robin just rolled his eyes. He was so overprotective. All the thugs were now unconscious, and maybe even dead. The women gazed over at the girl and ran. Batman suddenly dropped down. Batgirl and Robin exchanged glances and followed.
The girl who was short and looked like she couldn't be older than ten stepped forward. Her feet adjusted into a fighting stance. Batgirl looked at her. "Who are you?"
The girl attacked. She moved fast. Robin tried to throw a punch but she was already on his other side. She grabbed his arm and flipped him. Batgirl aimed a kick but the girl slid under it and tripped her. She stood up to face Batman as the two teens behind her scrambled to their knees.
Batman didn't aim a punch. The girl just stared at him as if waiting. Batman growled. "Your movements are swift. You should be lethal but you're holding back. You've killed before haven't you? Been trained for it? Who are you?"
The girl just continued staring. Then one of the Thugs moved. She kicked him in the stomach before disappearing. Robin stepped forward. "Batman, wait. We need to—"
"Start tying these men up," Batman ordered suddenly before holding a hand to his ear. "Cave and Red Hood."
Jason's voice crackled over the comm. "Sup, Dad?"
"New case file. Subject is of Asian decent, between 7 and 12 years of age. Brown hair and brown eyes. Black clothes. Possible run away and subject of abuse."
"Is this a body?" Tim's voice asked. "A murder case."
"No. Kidnapping? Unconscious girl?" Jason asked.
"She took down a good seven men on her own as well as Batgirl and Robin. She has training. Probably from assassins. Start looking through my files to find anything on a girl of that description."
"Did she say anything or give any hints that might help?" Jason asked.
"No," Batman said glancing in the direction the mysterious girl had gone. Then he turned to Batgirl and Robin following them as they took off.
That night with cowls now off and bruises iced Barbara, Dick, Bruce, Tim and Jason sat around the cave. Jason pulled out some files as Tim typed some more into the computer. Dick looked at them both pleadingly. "Please tell me you found something. That girl is not something I want to have fighting us."
"She could be an ally," Barbara argued. "She saved those women."
"But she has assassin training," Dick shot back.
Bruce's glare quieted them both. He looked at Tim and Jason with exhausted eyes. This girl was something that needed to be dealt with, fast. "What did you find on her?"
"Nothing certain," Tim said. "But there is a possibility."
"David Cain," shared Jason. "There's been sightings of a small black haired girl with him. We think she's his."
Bruce nodded looking at the file and reports of the sightings. The girls fighting style was of League of Assassins in origin. It made sense. Though that didn't explain all of it.
"Mother?" Barbara asked.
"Well you said she was of Asian descent. The only person we know for sure that David Cain was affiliated with in the past ten or eleven years was Lady Shiva," Dick said looking at the files. "That's not good."
"A kid is not their parents," Bruce argued. "But yes. We should be wary. This girl is now our top priority. Was there anything else that you two found that might be helpful?"
"Actually," Jason said. "Yeah. Tim was able to get into one of your encrypted files on the League."
"Nice!" Dick said high fiving the six year old who's grin grew wide. Bruce gave them both an exasperated look.
Jason continued. "David Cain helped the League train several children to be something called the 'One Who Is All.' No clue what that means."
Dick who had been briefed on everything League of Assassin's related after the whole issue with Talia cursed in Romani. "That means he was looking to train a bodyguard for Ra's. One who couldn't be beating. Probably couldn't find one so he made one instead. This girl has probably been trained since she was born."
Glances were exchanged all across the cave. Bruce looked at them all. "Get some rest. All of you. Barbara take the Zeta tube to the other one near your home. You all have school tomorrow. I'll take care of this."
"What!"
"But-"
"We can help!"
Bruce glared at all three of his boys and pointed to the stairs. Dick sighed and started going upstairs. Jason and Tim followed. Barbara gave the cave one last glance before following Bruce's orders as well. Bruce collapsed in his chair. He had a feeling what would happen next.
There was no news of the girl for another few weeks. January passed quickly and they returned to normal keeping an eye out for her. Then they got word that David Cain was in town looking for someone. Bruce came downstairs to see Barbara, Dick and Jason suited up. Tim was already handing out comms in a brief.
"You're not coming," Bruce told them. "David Cain is too dangerous. So is this girl who I know for sure now is his daughter. You won't be fighting either of them."
"Not fair," Jason groaned.
Bruce sighed. "You can go on patrol together. Call me or Alfred if anything comes up. You all have to stay together and discreet. Understood?"
Three eager heads nodded. Jason sat behind Dick as the Robin cycle took off with Batgirl and her cycle following. Batman looked back at Tim. "You run comms and interference. Alfred will help if you need. Understand?"
Tim nodded and Bruce took off in the Batmobile. He found David Cain in an apartment alone surrounded by numerous weapons not soon after. The assassin turned to look at him unsurprised. "Batman."
"Cassandra?" the man laughed. "So you've seen her then. Isn't she perfect? I finally completed my mission and soon she will be initiated to serve Ra's as she is destined."
"No child should have to kill. Especially for Ra's. Does Shiva know about your daughter?"
"She knows. She just hasn't done anything. Cassandra is mine to train and order. The perfect weapon. You've noticed her skills haven't you?"
Batman didn't reply. "Why are you in Gotham?"
"I want my daughter back," Cain replied. "I thought that was obvious."
"She ran then. Probably for a good reason. What did you do to the girl?" Batman growled.
That's when said girl leapt through the window. She looked around her to see Batman and her father. She scowled seriously at them both. Cain grinned. "You've finally come home. Good, because I already have your next job lined up."
Batman growled. "You're not going anywhere Cain. Neither is she. I need to know first if she wants it. Tell me you want to kill for him and I'll let you go."
Cassandra looked at them both. Her eyes were wide and filled with pain and hurt. She scowled at her father as he laughed. "She can't talk. That's what makes her so perfect. Cassandra talks the language of fighting. Her brain understands a body's movements, that's her language. She won't be able to tell you in speech or writing."
Batman watched the girl silently and spoke to her slowly. "Do you want this?"
Her eyes widened as he stepped forward. She made no move otherwise. Batman looked at her and spoke softly. "You're afraid."
She stepped back. Cain laughed. Batman ignored him knowing he was no threat at the moment. He continued. "I don't know if you understand me but I want you to listen. I know what he made you do. I know it hurts you and maybe always will. But you make the choice now. Who do you want to be? Their. Weapon?You ran for a reason. I don't know what it is. You might. Whatever it is it's the path you took for yourself. The path you get to choose to continue right now."
The girl's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. She made a fist and touched her heart. Then she reached for him. Cain seemed to realize what had happened. He stood up and screamed. "No!"
He raised his guns at Batman and aimed. Leaping in an arc Cassandra kicked both out of his hands before punching him in the chest. Cain crumpled to the floor. She looked up at Batman to see him reaching out a hand. "Let's go Cassandra."
