Batman entered the cave did in much the same way he always did, and went down the stairs to go semd a message to the watchtower. If he didn't, well, the league might think something was wrong. When he got to his computer, Batman entered his password just as fludily as he always did, before starting his message. He couldn't directly connect to the watchtower, as he needed the tower to do that at a certain distance, like now, when it was hovering over the other side of the world. He had to settle for a recorded message.
"This is Batman. Green Arrow and Black Canary are staying with my family to spend time with Red Arrow, who only wants to see him before you all try piling into my house. The rest of us are working cases. We can handle them, but we won't be able to help with league or personal business for a while. I'll tell you when we get some free time. Batman out."
Send
Matt had to restrain a laugh at the end, but thankfully he was the greatest actor on the planet, so it refused to physically show, without any willpower on his part even being necessary.
He then morphed his form from Batman back to himself, and left through the sewers. He would've explored, but everything there that they could fit through the sewers, the Paladins and Knights had already taken. Including all the suits, even the big, bulky one and the Robin suit that the boss hadn't worn since he was a kid. The vehicles were all gone as well, except for the Batwing, as there was nowhere they could store it without it being discovered, not where they could actually use it. The only parts of the cave that were untouched, in fact, were the medical wing and the massive space used for trophies that didn't actually do anything useful to them, like the giant penny or the dinosaur that they could just make a better version of if they wanted to.
While Rose and he had both been upset at what they'd had to do at lunch, Jason and his fiancee were still happy about the fact that now, Jason ruled supreme in Gotham City. So happy in fact, that for the second time that day, they wound up holding each other under the sheets, sharing a cigarette.
"So what, do I have to call you "King", now? Sire? Leige?"
"Please just call me what you already do. I'm almost certain pretty soon it's gonna be hard to get people to just say my damned name."
"Sure...that's one of the prices of the crown. People act like you deserve it, whether they think you do or don't."
"Huh...when did you get all Arthurian on me? My Queen?"
"Don't call me that, and I guess it must be from being engaged to a guy who is such a nerd he uses the word Arthurian in common conversation."
"Sure. And, if not queen, what?"
"How about just "Rose"? What's so wrong with that?"
"Alright. I just don't think it's fair that I have to deal with the "King" comparison, but you're just "Rose"."
"Yeah, well, not happening. Now get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow. We gotta plan out the next step for us."
"Yeah, yeah."
Michael was not a patient man, but something told him it was good that his training still hadn't begun. He hoped it would, and soon, but he had lost so much muscle mass that he'd honestly been glad he'd had a day or so to gain a little of it back. He was not happy, however, about the fact that, apparently, the US had just won a war or something, because even on the "isolated" floor he was on, he could hear people celebrating something. Soon, he'd gone outside to find out what was going on, only to receive a very cryptic answer.
"We won."
The only other person who looked as uncomfortable as he was, was an older man with white hair, a white beard and an eye patch, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans like he was, leaning against his own door. The older man looked like he was about to go inside until he noticed Michael, who was already walking over, then he looked like he was staying more out of curiosity than of anything else.
"Do you know what's going on?"
"They won."
"Yeah, but, like, what does that mean. What did they win?"
"Gotham. Your standing in the criminal hideout of the gang that now controls this entire town."
"Wow...what about Batman?"
"From what I understand, the Bat and his soldiers are being held somewhere. So they can't interrupt anything."
"Oh...sorry, Michael Lane."
"Slade Wilson. Now, what are you doing here? I thought I was the only new guy."
"No, I just got here last night."
"...okay. For what?"
"The guy up top promised to 'train me', I-"
"And he hasn't had time yet."
"No."
"Well I do. I know more than that kid anyway, more than enough to get you started."
"Right now?"
"Sure, come on. I'm dying to do something worthwhile."
With that, Slade and Michael walked into Slade's room, as the celebration outside continued on without them.
After making sure that his friends were all okay, Chris joined up with Matt by accident, drank himself into a stupor, and went off to find some companionship elsewhere, eventually sinding up at the brothel a few blocks away that the Outlaws protected. Matt stayed behind, just drinking more and more, eventually falling asleep at the bar.
Antonio and Luciana just stayed up, talking, trying to work through their issues before Valeria woke up in the morning. Luciana came to the conclusion that she needdd to have a talk with the man who rescued her, and Antonio came to the conclusion that he needed to start sharing with her move often, it was as if a weight lifted off his shoulders the more the night went on, and by the time the two went to sleep, he almost felt better about what had happened.
Floyd, on the other end of the spectrum, explained to his wife what had happened while he'd been at work, and his wife was over the moon. She may not have liked that he was in harms way, but still. He was now working for the guy who owned the city, through and through. They were so happy in fact that they probably would've gotten drunk, if not for their daughter waking up, thankfully without overhearing exactly what it was they were talking about.
Alexi and George, along with almost all their men had to celebrate later, but once they got back, the two groups partied as one, the two commanders ending up in a bit of a druken brawl.
Fries and the Watchmen all just took the time to sleep, and be with their families, most of them being family men like him.
Garret and Jason's other old friends still felt a bit snubbed, but they joined in with the other militia men in a huge party, with Garret personally finishing half a barrel of whiskey, before vomiting on some poor lass who happened to be standing by him.
Rachel and the other victims of the "business" ran by the Club and the mask celebrated as well, from Rachel and the others at the hotel to the mayor himself, his older brother having been killed by Carmine years ago.
Jim Gordon had a midnight drink to his old enemy, before praying to God that this time around, the guy claiming to want better for Gotham wasn't lying, and that his child would be okay.
Alfred and Leslie just held each other and did their best to look after the others during the diring the all night flight, never speaking more than a few words. Leslie because she was afraid for Alfred's mind, Alfred because he was afraid for them all, especially Ms. Kyle if they were truly headed to that dreadful Al-Gual woman. Eventually, though, they did have to fall asleep.
Bruce was finally awake, mumbling as he held a hand up to his head, which felt like it was shaking. Then he realized he was, and looked around at his surroundings. His entire family, as well as Ollie's were both knocked unconscious by...Jason. He remembered now. They were now on a plane he was the only one awake other than...he looked over, and saw a woman sat in the corner on the other side of a small table, dressed up in the garb of Talia's honor guard. Fantastic.
Before he could get up, the woman held up her hand in a "stop" signal, before motioning to the chair opposite hers. Bruce got up, slowly walking over, and sat down. She said nothing, as expected, but got out a small, circular device which she placed in the table, before a green hologram of Talia lit up on it. Bruce was shocked, the League usually didn't use technology this advanced for just talking. Noticing his shock, Talia spoke first.
"Hello, bel-...Bruce."
"Talia."
"Jason tells me you know some of what happened, that-"
"That you turned my son into a killer while I mourned him?"
"If Jason could be so easily molded, you would've done so, and he would never have been in such a state that I needed to intervene. He made his own choice, nothing and no one made it for him."
"...So, what happens now?"
"Soon you will arrive here. You and all of them will be well behaved and respectful, or instead of the bare minimum, you all will be locked in a dungeon. Either way, you will be staying. For as long as Jason and I view it as a necessity."
"Jason and you...so, which one of you is the pawn?"
"Hmm...I will see you soon, Bruce, do not try anything foolish. Please. Believe it or not, Jason will be most displeased if you are harmed again, even with reason."
With that, the masked woman took the device back, the talk apparently being over. Instead of putting it away, however, she pressed a button and then placed it back down, a new hologram came up. It was a timer, counting down from 2 hours. No sooner then he had realized this was a warning that he had 2 hours to explain their position to everyone before they arrived, the woman then took the device back, this time actually putting it away.
Soon, everyone was awake, and they were all obviously worried for Selina. It was obvious to all who'd ever known about Bruce and Talia's "relationship" that the woman didn't move on easily. Selina, though, seemed more offended than anything. It was like she spent a couple days out of her depth and all of a sudden she's chopped liver. Like everyone had forgotten who the hell she was all of a sudden. Bruce saw through that however. He saw it in her eyes. She was terrified. Just not for herself. The thought that even though they were going to Thalia Al-Ghul's stronghold she was scared for him, made Bruce even more upset than he had been.
It was another hour before they finally landed. Out of the windows, Bruce could see that they had landed on a dirt runway, not in an actual airport, or in a League stronghold. He did, however, see plenty of assassins, and Talia, along with plenty of vehicles. Bruce was the first one out, walking to Talia.
Soon, he, Dick, and Selina were all in the front car, being driven by Talia, while the others were in cars behind them. The small battalion of assassins followed closely behind, in case they tried anything, which they didn't, not wanting to risk Alfred and Leslie's "safety". It was Talia who spoke first as they drove through the morning, in whatever jungle they happened to be in this time. Japan by the looks of the fauna.
"So, Richard, I've heard you have a new brother. I've seen him before, but I do not think we've been acquainted."
"..."
"*fake gasp, Bruce! Did you finally teach him how to be silent?"
"Talia."
"I'm kidding, Bruce. Alright fine, Richard, what would you like to talk about?"
"Jason."
"Ahh, yes, the prodigal son whom I've manipulated into my clutches."
"Are you saying you didn't manipulate him?"
"My dear boy, if I manipulated him to do anything, it was to give life a second chance. It's not my fault that he has chosen the life he has, whether or not I approve. After all, as I told your father here before you arrived, you are the ones who tried manipulation, and how exactly did that end up?"
"..."
"Yes, that's what I thought. Now, back to Jason. What would you like to know?"
"Why did you bring him back if you didn't want to manipulate him? You never do anything unless there's something in it for you."
She slammed on breaks, stopping the entire convoy, before turning around and backhanding him.
"You are not that stupid. Do not act like it."
Without another word from anyone, both of the other passengers afraid to intervene, Talia turned back around and they continued on their way, Dick holding his red jawline.
"If you must know, I saved him because I owed your father. It was Jason who refused to return."
"Why?"
"What was there to return to? By the time he'd healed enough to go back to Gotham, another boy had taken his place as Robin, you still owned his old home, and even the other mantle that wasn't his, Red X, had been taken from him by someone else."
"Did you-"
"I tried to tell him that his home was with you, Bruce. He wouldn't have it. He forced himself to move on. And he has."
"By becoming an assassin."
"Gang leader. And no, that was a side effect of his moving on, I was referring to Rose and his other friends, such as Alexi."
"...I always knew he had to be X."
"Hmm. Quite. I'm surprised you never caught on, Bruce."
"Why do you think he stopped?"
"Ahh, yes. Only pretty thieves are allowed to operate in Gotham. No offense, Ms. Kyle."
"None taken, rebound girl."
Raising her eyebrows, Talia grinned, before 'whispering' to Bruce, "I can see the appeal."
"But how did he start killing? That can't have been something that he just accepted in a lesson or two."
"Actually, it was. And I didn't give him that lesson. A man named Felipe Garzonas and a woman named Gloria Stanson beat me to that punch, as it were."
"He told you about that?"
"He told me of it, when asked how what I thought was his first kill came so easily."
"Who was that?"
"A man I sent him to learn from, who had been smuggling children without my knowledge. He found out, and butchered the man."
"You sent him alone to a child smuggler. Wow, why don't we trust you again?"
"I never asked you to trust me. Now is there anything else you must know? We're almost there."
"Yes. Why are you and Jason still working together with the League of Assassins after the two of you killed Ra's?"
"The League of Assassins has disbanded, most of it's members willingly. Long live the League of Shadows."
"What's the difference?"
"The old league was corrupted by my father and his many obsessions, lead astray. The new one is not."
"So, if you don't want what your father did what do you want?"
"Jason told me he told you that he came to the realization that my father's end goal of destroying humanity was wrong, that controlling and nurturing it was what he should've focused on. That's what we want. While Jason controls the underworld, we control the "real" world. Until Jason realizes his true place is here, and he leads us to do both."
"So that's the play. Jason ruling over both the criminal world and the political world. Ambitious."
"Haven't we always been, Bruce?"
"The Justice League will stop you if we don't."
"You have always had too much faith in them, Bruce. I'm sorry to be the one to crush it, but no, they won't. Jason will make sure of it."
"If you say so."
Tim felt a bit overwhelmed. One second, his predecessor and idol has returned from the grave, and is sitting right next to him at lunch. The next, that same idol starts spouting off supervillain rhetoric and knocks them all unconscious with the help of heavily armed soldiers. And now, Tim, his whole family, and Green Arrow's family, are all being driven to somewhere snowy in Asia, by members of the League of Assassins. So yeah, he was overwhelmed and a bit scared.
But when they finally got there, he was just confused. Where he'd expected a Bastille-like prison to be was an enourmous Japanese castle, straight out of a Samurai novel. Only, it had been revamped for defense in modern times, archery posts being replaced with heavy machine guns.
Again, not exactly the league's style.
They unloaded, and were almost in a single-file once they did so, quickly coming together to form practically a mob, Bruce up front, Ollie in the back. Selina and Roy, who was carrying the still unconcious Dinah, were in the middle, and while he looked thankful, she looked insulted. Tim knew why. She had always hated people putting her below Bruce. That had been why Clayface had gotten under her skin so easily. She barely worked with them unless emergencies occurred for that very reason, and now even they were treating her like that.
She knew the reason, though, otherwise she would've already lashed out, surrounded or not. She did, however, force her way through the crowd until she stood right behind Bruce, beside Dick. Silently refusing to hide behind anyone or anything, just like always.
They followed Thalia further into the castle, beneath an archway, and eventually found themselves in a courtyard. In the middle of said courtyard, was a young boy in a white tunic, dueling an older man with a wooden sword.
"Damien. It's time for your lunch. Go start it, I'll come in just a moment."
The boy looked around, and froze in his tracks when he saw who followed behind Talia, his jaw dropping as he stared at Bruce. The boy's skin looked like a lighter shade than Talia's, closer to Ra's, whom Tim assumed to be his grandfather considering this boy was the first child he'd seen with the League of Assassins, and the way Talia got gentler when she spoke to him. He had blue eyes, not a trace of his mother's vibrant green, and he had short, raven hair. What surprised Tim was how small the kid was, he couldn't have been more than five or six at most.
"Go on, child."
"Yes, mother", the kid said, hesitantly, before running off into a different section of the castle.
"Come."
They all continued following her, until they eventually reached a large dining room, with food prepared and enough space for each of them. As they all sat down, Talia stopped Roy. She took a black, thin collar from her pocket, holding up a jand to shush Roy and Ollie before snapping it around Dinah's neck. After that was done, she looked to the honor guard that had been on the plane with them and nodded to Dinah, and the honor guard stepped forward. She got out a small vial of orange liquid, which she then poured into Dinah's mouth. Immediately, the woman sprung to life, punching at Talia, missing, and attempting a canary cry. When she did, however, barely any sound came out and she collapsed to her knees, the cry having no effect
"Valiant effort, but you really should stop. Look around. This is not a fight you can win."
Dinah tried talking, but no sound came out. When she panicked and tried to remove her metal collar, it shocked her like a joybuzzer, making her jolt without inflicting enough pain to make her genuinely writhe. Ollie kneeled down beside her, but that wasn't necessary. The point had been made. Dinah, with absolute loathing in her eyes, nodded at Talia, and got up, walking over to the table with her adoptive son and her husband.
They all sat and began eating, the majority of them having gone a couple days without a real meal. Steph, for instance, was so busy eating her food, she temporarily forgot that she should be cautious of it.
After they'd eaten, Talia told them to follow her again, and, again under constant watch, they followed her through the castle.
Jason would've loved to sit in bed all day with Rose, but it was past time. The men needed new orders, especially now that everyone is back in action. So, getting dressed in his suit, he kissed his fiance on her sleeping fourhead, and called for a meeting of all his lieutenants on his way out of their room, to be held in his living room, asap. It wasn't long before everyone came stumbling in. There was Alexi, George, Fries, and Antonio. The others weren't needed for now, the four present could pass the orders on.
"Okay, Fries. Fill us all in."
"The sentinels, the knights, and the militia are all across town, watching for trouble. The paladins are dismantling the gangs we've needed to dismantle, and telling the rest as to what we want from them. The drugs and illegal arms traders have almost all already signed on, the rest will soon. The city officials that were in the pocket of Sionis or the Club all work for us now, not a single one pushed back more than expected."
"Even the DA?"
"Yes."
"Good. Continue."
"None of the businesses we protect got hit, and our handywork has been cleaned up. The cops are still trying to find a spot for a new HQ. Xavier says that the commissioner seems conflicted about everything and didn't go home last night."
"That's to be expected."
"Recruits for the militia are pilling through the doors, but we're being more careful than ever. The cave and the tower have already been cleared out, the computers there left operational to not arouse JLA attention, which there has been no sign of. Ms. Talia called and said all is well there, the Bats are playing it safe for now. Arkham and Blackgate are secure as can be, what with minimal rioting and panic. The operations there are ready to commence. The missing inmates from Arkham that have been on the lose since last month's breakout are still at large, and no one has the time to look for them anymore. Wilson has been training that man Michael how to fight."
"Good. I don't have time for that yet either, I'm afraid. Right. Is that everything?"
"One more thing, I've been recieving urgent messages from a James. It's about the business, I'm sure."
"Alright, I'll call him back before I go talk to Slade and the new guy. In the mean time, Antonio, I want you, Floyd, Chris, etcetera, to help the Paladins out however Alexi thinks is best Alexi, now that you have them, send four men to Star City for that mission I told you about involving the arrows. Matt will help you with that. Now all of you, keep up the hard work."
The men nodded, before leaving him. The second the door closed, his bedroom door opened, revealing a fully-clothed Rose.
"Hey, I'm gonna go talk to my dad, I'll jump on that grenade. I'll give new guy something to do. You stay here, talk to James. Relax. Maybe get some more rest, you still have some slight bags under those pretty eyes of yours. I'll see you later, yeah."
"Yeah. Love you."
"Love you", she said before kissing him, walking out to let him deal with whatever crisis James Wintergreen had gotten into this time around, stubbornly trying to run Todd Industries alone.
Clark was heading back from the Vega system after dealing with one of Brainiac's drone fleets, not being able to find the real Robot himself. He came into the tower in his white S.T.A.R. labs space armor, as he'd known he would pass by a red sun or two on the way home.
The hangar was as full of noise as it often was. Clarck and the other original members did miss when the tower was tiny, had no defences, and the 7 of them were able to just hang out, (Clark especially liked it back when Bruce was happier and had a less complicated love life, and Diana's playful nature towards him was still appreciated) but they all had to admit to the comfort that now, they had a small army to call in times of true crisis.
He quickly changed back into his regular uniform, opting for his Kryptonian style suit over his classic uniform. He got filled in on what had happened with Dianah and Circe, how Bruce had to "fight" her. It took some debating in his head, but after hearing that Diana would be fully recovered in a few days and that Bruce had already sent a message saying all was well, Clark decided to go on home to Lois, who was no doubt angry for his leaving without telling her. Bruce'll be fine, it's his city, anyways.
"Hey, Jace."
"Hey, James. What's up? New troubles?"
"Look, it's been so long, I need to-"
"I got time, brother. Give me the full update, come on."
"Alright, well. Outside of Gotham, all is well, business is proceeding as always, our numbers are just going up. It's two major things in Gotham I need to talk to you about, Jace."
"Okay, lay the first one on me."
"Okay, first, Wayne Enterprises. Now, I now, the whole, 'Us vs Them, and nobody focuses on either of us' thing. I do know, but i just think-"
"I don't play to lose, James, but as I've told you, having no reverse button, no safety net for something as important as world order? That's no bueno. Just keep going along as planned, nothing's changed."
"...Alright."
"Now, what's the next thing?"
"Well, I knew eventually you and the paladins would need new battle suits, so I sent some spare suits and equipment for them, and some stuff for you. I was gonna tell you about it now, actually."
"...And?"
"The boat was just found by the coast guard. Our men from the company are all dead."
"The cargo?"
"All of it. Trackers disabled."
"Goddamnit."
"I'm sorry I-"
"You didn't do it, man. Alright. We'll deal with it as soon as we can. Did this happen in town?"
"At the docks in Bludhaven."
"Alright, well. We'll keep it in mind, I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle."
The Arkham sisters Victoria and Astrid had only ever wanted was vengeance. Upon the Wayne family, upon Gotham City, upon Batman. Ever since their father had abandoned them, and they went to live in the abandoned wing with the "other inmates". Their new family.
They were hidden, just like every other boy and girl that mister Joker helped. They had been there when mister Joker had killed their father, spilling his blood all over the place for them. They had been watching when he was beaten again and again by that horrible Batman. They had been there when that horrible Bruce Wayne had helped Batman hurt their family with his new rules and oversight. And over the years, the two sisters and all of their fellow Children of Arkham, as their uncles called them, had grown to hate the two evil men and the city that created them. They'd used that hate, training with the fellow children to one day rise, and reak beautiful havoc in their true father, mister Joker's name.
But recently, they'd all gained a new level of hatred. All their uncles were gone now, thanks to the Red Hood. As evil as Wayne and the Batman had been, they'd never killed their daddy. Well, now someone had. And he would pay for it.
Victoria was about to go meet her sister and all their brothers and sisters. They'd mourned together, now they would plan together. Plan the downfall of the mysterious Red Hood. Just as she got into her car, or Vicky Vale's car, technically, she noticed the Red Hooded man sitting in her passenger seat. She froze, already having sat down in her car, when he looked back at her, and she saw the Anarchy symbol branded onto the white mask that obscured his face.
"UNCLE! It's-"
"Hey, Vic!", he said, hugging her before continuing, "I know it's been hard. I heard about Joker. It's tough losing a man like him in our cause, even if we disagreed on certain things."
"You called him a lunatic. Threatened to kill him. Helped Batman beat him up."
"Yes, I did. I did. And I'd do it again. But still, I know how important he was to you, so I am sorry. And, lunatic as he may have been, he served his purpose. So, in the name of his bond with all you children, however little he or any of the others deserved you, and in the name of the part he was to play before all this 'Red Hood' nonsense, what do you say, I help you, Lady Arkham, and all your Arkham Knights get some good, old fashioned revenge? Not only for Joker, but for him taking away your chance at revenge on the Waynes, or Batman. For standing between you kids, and this city you all deserve to tear apart!"
"Yeah!"
"Alright then. I've got a big truck parked a couple blocks away, full of new toys, for all of us to share! Let's pick those up, and head to the Asylum. I've got a plan to teach you kids."
"Yes sir, Uncle Anarchy!", the grown woman said, child like glee in her eyes, only there because the mask hid from her the hate-filled expression on the face of her "Uncle", which always came out when he had to do something he hated. Further fuel years of systematic torture for his own ends being a huge one.
He would've loved to help the Children of Arkham, he was the last one alive who even knew about them, but he could not lose here. His chance at winning had just went up exponentially, but failing to kill the Hood here, as he had in South America not too long ago, that would drop it right back down.
With the technology he'd stolen from the man, Jason Todd if he was correct, all he needed were willing bodies he didn't have to pay. Unfortunately, that meant the children would need to be pressed into action, and most likely die. Lonnie hated that, but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make, just as Joker and the others had been. When he'd fed the streets that bullshit story about their plans to blow the city and leave, he'd wanted the Batfamily to show up alongside the Red Hood that night, and for all three groups to kill or severely weaken each other. But, thankfully, the children and and the other Arkham inmates were still usable.
You can't save everyone, Lonnie. They were never going to be okay in the first place.
When Rose got to Slade's room and opened the door, she found the him and the man she assumed was Michael Lane, sweaty and worn out, but still awake, practicing Michael's punching.
"Hey, Dad!"
"Hey, Rose. Kid, take five."
Michael responded by collapsing on a nearby chouch, falling asleep immediately.
"What's up? This about the engagement?"
"W-What? What do you mean I-"
"Save it kiddo. Either he was desperate after I left and you used your body to get that ring which I know you didn't, or he proposed and you said yes."
"...I was gonna tell you."
"I wouldn't have."
"Well I would've. So...whaddya think?"
"I think with him you'll be safe, so I'm fine. Besides, you seem to be good for him. That chip on his shoulder is a lot harder to notice if you're not an asshole like me."
"Yeah...So, are you sticking around?"
"Not forever, but...I think I can stay a few weeks. Where's David?"
"Disappeared. Or in military custody."
"Or dead?"
"That's a possibility."
"Damn it. Everyday, another old war dog goes on."
"Yeah, well. I would much rather it be that bastard than you."
"So would I, kid. I'm just sayin. Anyways, you get back to Jason, tell him I've got Michael's training for now."
"Alright.", she surprised him with a hug, which he slowly returned.
"Love you kid."
"I love you, too dad."
It was near sundown when Lonnie Machin, in his new suit of armor customized from a backup suit of the Red Hood's, stood in the bowls of Arkham Asylum. Two stood beside him, Lady Arkham, and The Arkham Knight. Before them, stood the Children of Arkham. All of them, like Lonnie, were dressed for war. In modified versions of the gear the Outlaws had used to win the city so quickly, only their uniforms were blue, had the Arkham logo in place of the bird, and Astrid's armor had a cape, much bigger pauldrons, and a place to put her sword. Unlike the Outlaws, they also had gear from every supervillain in the building, and had been preparing for this moment their entire lives. They had a drive unmatched, even if their training was iffy at best.
"Alright, everyone! Now, I've already explained the plan. Are YOU READY?!"
"*cheers"
"Are you ready to avenge your father? Are you ready to avenge your uncles? Are you ready, to TEAR THIS PLACE APART?!"
"*louder cheers"
"Alright, then go! Go, children, ANNOUNCE your RETURN!"
"even louder cheers as they all run, weapons ready, right behind Astrid to the populated wing"
"Go on ahead, Victoria. I'll be there shortly."
Lady Arkham, in armor retrofitted from Ravager's gear and a security officer's, nodded, running off after the crowd.
After she was gone, Lonnie looked around the massive, 1800's atrium where the all the children had lived most of their lives, all except Victoria, who'd lived in Gotham as Vicky Vale for some time. It was a huge structure with brilliant architecture, and was about as filthy and inhuman as he remembered, back when he'd tried to lead Batman here and failed because of Joker. Looking at the dank, dark, filthy place, he only had one thought.
This ends tonight. No matter what.