AN: I can't even overstate how much is happening in this chapter. Very exciting! Isn't that title ominous... A fitting name for chapter 13.
Guest: Thank you for understanding! I'm happy to be back now that the personal stuff is taken care of. I love Stephanie so much (She is my favorite Batgirl though I adore Cass and Barbara as well of course. In this house, we don't pit Batgirls against each other as many like to do). I feel like her relationship with Bruce is very underexamined so it was a lot of fun to write this scene. I'm glad you liked it!
Summer314: You don't piss off Oracle if you have any braincells left. She can make your life a living hell with the click of a button. Jason will be conflicted definitely. He has his brother back but at what cost? You picked up on the hints about Dick I dropped! Respect for that. It's gonna be addressed in this chapter ;)
13. Sacrifice
Bruce's mind was racing as he watched the scene in front of him. Dick was still fighting the ninjas around him. Their katanas barely reached him.
"Does the Pit enhance fighting abilities?", Jason asked, "And be honest with me on this. I know that Dick was an acrobat but where the hell did he learn ten different kinds of martial arts?"
Bruce had a terrible feeling about this. Dick jammed his fingertips into one of the ninjas throat taking him down. The ninja stopped breathing as his trachea was smashed. It was a lethal blow executed with a calm rage. Batman had shown this move to his first Robin on a dummy, telling him that he always had to dodge it.
Bruce's throat felt dry: "The Pit doesn't enhance fighting abilities. It just makes you very angry and juices you up for a bit."
"So, why does he fight like this?"
Bruce felt a dark sense of foreboding.
But he simply said: "I don't know."
"We need to contain him", Black Canary said over the comms.
"How?", Jason said.
"Tranquilizers", Bruce said.
"The first sensible contribution you made today", Black Canary said.
It stung but Bruce had to endure it. He had lied to them all.
The last ninja that circled Dick fell. A pile of bodies was surrounding him, some of them not breathing. More streamed out of the League's headquarters.
"I'll distract him", Black Canary said, "Jason, you jam that tranquilizer into his neck."
Black Canary jumped into battle with a high kick, hitting Dick in the head. Bruce could see the power behind it. But it didn't faze Dick in his enraged state. Green eyes turned to Black Canary.
"Focus on me", Canary said.
And Dick did. He dodged Dinah's blow with a flip and struck at her clavicle. Dinah blocked it with her right arm. She kicked Dick in the stomach making him fall towards the floor. He caught himself in a bridge, going up again and lunging at Canary.
Bruce knew these moves because he had trained the boy who used them. He had seen Dick learn what Bruce taught him and incorporate his own acrobatic flair into them.
"He fights like Nightwing would during pit-madness", Bruce said.
Which wasn't possible because Dick wasn't Nightwing in this timeline.
Ninjas were running at both fighters. Jason took out his gun and shot at them. They sought cover.
"Fuck", Jason cursed.
He hurried towards the fight. Dinah was holding her own – she could give Batman his money any day - but Bruce could see her tire. A well-trained pit-mad person was nearly impossible to fight. And Dick was very well-trained despite the impossibility of it.
Dinah's exhaustion allowed Dick to catch her right arm. He held it in his grip kicking against it. There was a loud crack and Canary soaked in a breath. He arm fell uselessly to her side. Broken. But Canary continued with the concentration of a true professional. She got some distance between herself and Dick. He bridged it through a flip and they were involved in close combat again. It got dirty. Canary kneed Dick in the stomach making him buckle over. But it only stopped him for a moment, his pit-mad eyes focusing on Dinah once again.
One of Dinah's blows took Dick to the floor. Jason tried to jam the tranquilizer into Dick's neck. But Dick rolled out of the way and was soon on his feet again. He focused on Jason's throat, striking towards it. But Dinah put herself between the attack. She blocked it with her left arm.
"Focus on me", she said.
And Dick did. He and Canary continued in their brutal throwdown.
The ninjas were close now. Canary and Jason were too focused on Dick to keep them off. Jason tried to get the tranquilizer into Dick's neck while Canary distracted him and shielded Jason from Dick's potentially lethal blows.
Bruce hurried towards the ninjas as quickly as his heavy suit allowed. He took out the prototype Batarangs and threw it at the closest ninja. The Batarang embedded itself in the ninja's shoulder and at least slowed him down. Bruce threw more Batarangs but his aim was mediocre and the ninjas soon caught on and dodged them.
They were encircled. Bruce tensed and reached for another Batarang. But his pouch was empty. Bruce doubted that they would be able to take on all these ninjas even if Jason managed to get Dick unconscious. Canary, their best fighter, was already exhausted and injured.
Dick dodged another one of Canary's blows and kicked her against the knee. There was another crack. Canary soaked in a breath.
"He knows my moves", Canary screamed, "How the hell does a social worker know my moves?"
Bruce's suspicion solidified.
Bruce narrowly dodged a katana that was coming dangerously close. He couldn't avoid a shuriken that hit him in the shoulder. Bruce readied himself for the pain to run through his body. But Lucius' body armour did its job. The wound was only surface-level.
It only gave him a short respite. The ninja raised his katana for a killing blow. But he stopped mid-strike. A crossbolt pierced his chest.
"Finally", Canary muttered.
She was on the defensive now with her right arm broken and her left knee injured. Dick was too quick to land a blow on now. Canary couldn't reach him with her injuries. So, Dinah could only block and dodge his swift strikes. She used her Canary cry to gain some distance between them. Dick was thrown back and landed on the grass. He covered his ears, his eyes turning even greener afterwards.
Huntress, Catwoman and Damian were running towards them. They looked roughed up but still mostly functional. A shuriken was embedded in Selina's thigh slowing her down.
Huntress let out a battle cry and jumped into action. Half a dozen ninjas went down when she hit them with her crossbolts. The ninjas turned away from Bruce and focused on her instead. Catwoman lashed out at them with her whip. Bruce winced in sympathy when she hit one of them into the face. He knew from experience how much it hurt.
Damian froze in the middle of the fight. He stared at Dick who was still holding his head: "Grayson?"
Dick looked up. His green eyes met Damian's. The glow became fainter and some of the aggression faded from his body. He flipped over Canary and hurried towards Damian.
"Little D", Dick screamed and pulled Damian into a hug.
"That's a mood-swing", Canary was gasping for breath.
Damian laughed and Bruce swore he saw a tear or two. It took a lot to make Damian cry. Bruce could count the instances on one hand. But he was crying tears of joy when he saw that Dick was alive.
The aggression had faded from Dick's body as he embraced his younger brother. His Robin.
Jason snuck closer to Dick and Damian taking out the needle. Bruce followed.
Dick swung around. He must have heard them. Jason flinched and raised his arms to dodge another hit. But Dick's eyes zeroed in on Bruce. The green glow flared up. Dick jumped up and lunched at Bruce. A kick to the chest took Bruce down. Bruce soaked in a breath feeling some of his ribs crunch under the pressure. He was sure the kick would have killed him if it wasn't for Lucius' work.
"YOU DID THIS TO ME", Dick was looming over Bruce, his face twisted up in hatred.
He seemed more lucid than when he had come out of the Pit which could tilt the situation either way.
"Dick", Bruce raised his hands, "Nightwing."
It made Dick freeze for a moment. He frowned as if the word 'Nightwing' meant something to him. He reached for his head, squeezing his eyes shut. What had happened to Dick? What had the Pit done to him?
Black Canary appeared out of nowhere. She used Dick's distraction to pull him into a grip and push him down. Dick struggled but Canary held him down with her whole body. Jason jammed the needle into Dick's neck.
Dick's eyes opened again. More unfocused and glassy. The green stopped on Bruce.
"Where 'm I? What's happening?"
Bruce crouched next to him: "You are with me. You are safe."
"Wayne?", Dick mumbled, "Dad?"
Bruce froze. Hope and fear stirring into his chest. This should be impossible. Bruce had erased the old timeline and he had erased the old versions of his children with it. Bruce forced himself to go over all the clues – to come to the most logical conclusion no matter how farfetched.
Dick fought incredibly well and he fought like Nightwing – which should be impossible for social worker-Dick Grayson even if his body was juiced up from the Pit. There was only one possibility to explain these sudden capabilities: Social worker-Dick's juiced up body contained Nightwing's consciousness somehow.
It fit together with all the other pieces of evidence. Dick recognized Canary's moves. Dick had called Damian 'Little D' which social worker-Dick had never done. Dick recognized Nightwing. And most importantly: Dick had called Bruce 'Dad'.
Bruce allowed himself to hope. He had his son back - the boy he had raised. It made Bruce feel relieved. At least one of his children would look at him with recognition and love. Only when his children had looked at him like a stranger had Bruce realized how much he craved the connections he shared with them. He could have his connection with Dick back. And with his other children he would build something new. Maybe Bruce could have it all. His old family and his new one.
Bruce pulled Dick's unconscious body into an embrace. His son was still a bit Pit-mad but he had shown signs of lucidity and they would work on it. Everything would be fine. Bruce had his son back.
"I hate to break up your reunion but we're still in a fight with dozens of ninjas here", Jason reloaded his gun.
Bruce looked up. The Team had built a circle around him. Selina still had that gash in her leg but she was holding herself up valiantly. Canary's right arm was useless and her knee shaky. Huntress looked furious and Damian couldn't help but stare at Dick. He looked so small – nothing like the al Ghul-heir. In this moment, he was just a desperate little boy.
Damian visibly soaked in a breath and righted his back. He was trying to put up an illusion of arrogance. Bruce followed his gaze. Talia and Ra's were standing at the entrance of the Compound watching the scene. Their presence would make everything more complicated.
Bruce bit his lip. It didn't look good for them. Batman could take both of them even if it was a challenge. But Batman wasn't here. Canary could take them, but she was in no condition to do so at the moment. There was no sign of Stephanie and Cassandra was still captured. Even if they made it, it would be close.
The ninjas ran at them and the team fought. They managed to hold them off – barely. Bruce tried to get his own hits in but found them mostly inconsequential. It was frustrating – infuriating. He had taken Batman's abilities for granted.
Behind him, there was a scream. Canary. One of the ninjas had sliced her thigh above her weak knee and she went down – her arm still limp at her side. Huntress dragged her into the circle to relative safety.
"What is going on?", Oracle asked.
"We're overwhelmed by ninjas", Huntress kicked one of them in the throat, "Canary is down and needs medical attention. Catwoman is injured but holding on. No sign of Spoiler. Wayne is useless and I'm out of fucking bolts. But hey, we tranquilized Mr. Social Worker – who is suddenly a kung-fu master and trying to kill us. Overall, it's a fucking disaster."
Oracle was silent for a moment. Bruce assumed she was calming herself.
"I'm piloting the jet to your location. Hold on", Oracle said.
"We're trying", Huntress glanced at Ra's and Talia who were watching with no sign of distress.
They had to make it. Bruce wouldn't accept anything else.
"Go into the circle and do first aid on Canary, Wayne", Huntress said, "You are useless to us in this fight."
It stung but Bruce didn't complain. Huntress was right. He left the circle and crouched next to Dinah. She was pressing her fingers on the gash on her leg. Blood was dripping out of it staining her skin red. Bruce took out a bandage from his suit and wrapped her leg.
Canary seemed barely lucid.
"I'm sorry", Bruce pressed his hands onto the bandage to stem the blood flow.
Dinah let out a cry of pain at the pressure.
"This is all my fault", Bruce said.
He had closed his eyes to it until now but it would all be his fault if the Birds and his family died here tonight.
Huntress spoke a quick prayer while she shot another bolt in a ninja's chest.
Stephanie reached the cell block. It was a dark corridor that was lighted with electric torches – probably for evil ambiance. Only one ninja was guarding it. Steph assumed that the rest had run out to the fight.
Steph took a deep breath and threw a smoke bomb at the ninja. It encased the corridor giving her the advantage. She took out her staff and jumped at the ninja. She hit him against the head. The ninja withstood the blow and lunged at Spoiler. He was stronger than her, but the Birds had taught her to use her speed. Spoiler rolled through the gap between his legs and kicked him in the back of the knee.
The ninja swung around and screamed something into his comm. He threw a shuriken at Steph. It ripped off part of her cape.
"Now you really pissed me off", Steph said, "I look fabulous in that cape."
She dodged the ninja's katana with her staff. He ran at her, but Steph pushed the staff in front of his legs. It made him stumble. The ninja was disoriented for a second. Steph punched him the way Wayne had taught her – directly into the face. The ninja went down and Steph stared at her hand amazed by the force of the blow. Steph smiled to herself. Now, she just had to get Cassandra before a barrage of ninjas arrived here. Piece of cake. Right?
Steph took the keys from the ninja's belt. She hurried along the rows of the cells opening the little slits that allowed the guards to peek inside.
"Are you Cassandra Cain?", Steph asked into the cells.
She was greeted by a scowling middle-aged man. Definitely not Cassandra Cain. Steph considered freeing him but he looked very hostile and very deadly. His teeth were stained red and a dead guard was lying in the corner of his cell. His throat was ripped out.
"Never mind, dude", Steph hurried to the next cell.
The ninja she had taken down had called his compatriots. Steph wouldn't have much time until this place was swarmed with angry ninjas.
She opened the next slit. There was a girl inside. Probably around Steph's age – maybe a bit older. Her black hair was short and ragged at the ends. The League had hunted Cassandra for a long time. Steph wondered if she had cut her hair off with a sword – which would be cool. Steph could see herself be friends with someone who cut their hair off with a sword.
She used the key to open the door to Cassandra's cell. The girl looked up. She bared her teeth. Her feet and hands were encased in shackles and chained to the wall. It barely left her any leeway. There was a collar around her neck that was connected to the wall as well. Steph frowned in sympathy. They had chained her up like a rabid dog.
"Hey", Steph raised her hands, "I come in peace."
Cassandra snarled at her and tried to lunge at Steph. The shackles held her back. Steph winced in sympathy as the collar pulled at Cassandra's throat.
"Spoiler?", Oracle sounded desperate, "Are you there? I need to know if you are okay. I can't see you. There are no cameras in the compound. Please give me a sign of life."
Steph bit her lip. Barbara sounded completely wrecked – as if she was genuinely scared at the prospect of losing Steph. But what if Steph answered and Oracle would demand of her to go back?
"Please, Stephanie. I know I haven't been the most understanding mentor lately, but I've always come from a place of concern – not of doubt in your abilities. I can't lose you and every minute of not knowing is killing me."
Steph soaked in a deep breath. Barbara cared and Steph was hurting her with her silence.
"I'm sorry, Oracle", Steph said.
"Stephanie?", Oracle sounded relieved.
"I'm okay. I'm in the cell block – trying to free Cassandra Cain."
Oracle was silent for a moment. Steph expected another lecture about how she was being irresponsible and stupid. But it didn't come.
Instead, Oracle said: "How can I help?"
Steph froze for a moment. Too surprised to answer. Then, she smiled. Oracle had never shown her so much trust.
"I took down a ninja", Steph said, "But he alerted others. It's only a question of time until his friends are there. Time I don't have because I need to convince Cassandra that I'm a friendly and not trying to hurt her."
"I'm putting down the iron gate in front of the cell block", Oracle said, "It should buy you some time. I believe in you, Stephanie. Free Cassandra and get both of you to safety."
"Thank you, Oracle", Steph chocked out.
Barbara believed in her. It meant a lot. Steph couldn't disappoint this trust. She turned to Cassandra again. The older girl was watching Steph closely for any threat. Steph could see the fear in her eyes.
"Hey Cassandra", Steph said, "I'm Spoiler. I'm here to free you."
Cass didn't react. She couldn't speak – couldn't understand words. Steph had to show her intentions through her actions. She took off the mask that covered her face, revealing it to Cassandra.
Steph took out her staff. Cassandra flinched. Steph could see bruises on her arms and see the way Cassandra was curling in on herself as if to protect her stomach. Steph wondered if the Assassin's had beat her. She looked at Cassandra in sympathy and gently put the staff on the floor. Her other weapons were next. Her batons, the shurikens and the whip Catwoman insisted she carried.
Cassandra looked at them with wide eyes. Her eyes darted from the weapons to Steph.
"You spared Damian", Steph crouched and held out her hand with the key, "You know the concept of mercy."
Cass sat up. She lost some of her defensive posturing.
"It's time someone showed you some mercy", Steph held her hand out to Cass.
Cass was watching her closely. Reading every miniscule gesture Steph made. Steph had to trust that Cass would see Steph's good intentions. She had to trust in herself.
Cass's scowl vanished. She raised her chin, baring her throat to Stephanie. It was the biggest sign of trust Cass could have shown her.
"Thank you", Steph said.
She carefully approached Cassandra – careful to stay in her field of view. Slowly, Steph tried one key after another. Something clicked and the collar opened. Cassandra whimpered quietly. Her skin was irritated under the collar. Bruises encased her throat.
"Let's get you out of here", Steph said softly.
Cass seemed to have lost her apprehensions towards Steph. She held out her shackled hands. Steph opened them and then the shackles at her legs. Cassandra was free again. Immediately, she jumped to her feet. Her dark eyes watched Steph with curiosity. But then she nodded. Steph nodded back.
Steph pointed at the cell door. Cass didn't need to be told twice. She slipped out, happy to leave the place of her imprisonment behind. Steph picked up all her weapons and put her mask back on. She left the cell. The cell block was cut off with a metal door. Someone was banging against it. Oracle had shielded them for now.
"I have Cassandra", Steph said, "You can open the metal barrier, Oracle."
"Good job, Spoiler", Oracle said.
Cass was already in a fighting stance. She bared her teeth at the door. Steph almost felt sorry for the ninjas who were about to charge at them.
The metal barrier moved up. Cassandra lunged at the ninjas before it had even completely opened. She was so quick that Steph could only see a sliver of her. None of the ninjas got in a hit on her. It looked like she knew their moves before even they knew them. Cass landed precise strikes on them that took them down. All of them were lying on the floor before Steph could even jump into action.
Cassandra turned back to Steph and smirked. There was a teasing glint in her eyes. So, Cass had some attitude. Steph could respect that. She smirked back.
Cass waved at Steph to follow her – already impatient. Steph could see them becoming friends.
Bruce heard another scream. He looked up from where he treated Canary. Selina was down, holding her thigh where the shuriken was still embedded. Bruce suspected that one of the ninjas had kicked her there. The shuriken had buried itself even deeper inside Selina's leg.
Selina crawled into the middle of the circle with a last bit of energy. It wasn't much of a circle anymore. Selina collapsed in the middle. Bruce looked at her leg but there wasn't much he could do. The shuriken had to stay inside to stem the bleeding.
Only Damian, Huntress and Jason were left to fight. Ra's and Talia were still watching in the distance. Ra's smirked – his face dripping with smugness. He knew that they had lost. Talia's face was blank but Bruce knew her well enough to see a sliver of concern in her eyes. Damian was fighting for his life in front of her. Talia said something to Ra's. He seemed dismissive of her barely sparing her a glance.
Jason only held himself up because his guns kept the ninjas at a distance. He hit maybe a third of them – most of them dodging his bullets. Jason was shooting like a madman. It went against Bruce's core, but he wasn't in a place where Bruce could complain about Jason's actions. They were fighting for survival and Bruce was nearly useless in this fight.
Suddenly, Jason cursed: "I'm out of fucking ammo. We are so dead."
He threw his empty gun at one of the ninjas in annoyance. It hit the guy in the face.
Ra's' smirk widened. He held up a hand. Immediately, the ninjas stopped and bowed to their master. Ra's strode towards them. The ninjas slunk back making space for him. Talia followed, the doubt on her face becoming more visible.
"What an entertaining display – though a fruitless one", Ra's looked at their downed allies in the middle, "I have a proposal for you. How about one of you faces me in a direct duel and in the unlikely case you win, I shall let you go?"
Bruce's throat felt dry. Winning against Ra's al Ghul in a swordfight was incredibly hard even for Batman. Canary likely would have been able to do it but Dinah was in no state to fight.
Bruce felt the urge to volunteer himself but he bit himself on his lip. Bruce would doom them all if he fought Ra's al Ghul as Brucie. He would be dead in a second.
There was silence. Jason looked at Ra's sword with the knowledge that he stood no chance either.
"I shall fight you, Grandfather", Damian raised his chin.
"No way, kid", Jason said, "Dickhead wouldn't want you to risk yourself like this."
Damian looked at Dick. The confidence on his face crumbled.
Huntress stepped forward: "I'm fighting him. I'm our best chance."
Huntress was right. She still looked at Ra's with resignation in her eyes. With the knowledge that she probably would die in this fight. Huntress said a quick prayer, touching the crucifix around her neck.
Damian handed her his katana, "This weapon shall grant you luck, Huntress."
"Thank you, kid", Helena said.
She raised the katana and approached Ra's. Huntress was walking with a limb - already disadvantaged because of her exhaustion.
They faced each other. Huntress struck first. She launched at Ra's with a battle cry. Bruce had always admired Helena's ferociousness. It didn't faze Ra's. He sidestepped her strike.
It went on like this for a while. Helena attacked Ra's with rage and swiftness. She put up a good battle but Ra's was fighting in another League of his own. He cut Helena with his katana multiple times – toying with her. Helena knew. Her desperation made her even more enraged.
"Stop this charade, Grandfather", Damian screamed, "Let them go. I shall stay here."
Ra's continued toying with Huntress. Bruce forced himself to look. Helena was making this sacrifice for them. The least Bruce could do for her was honour it by watching.
Ra's turned to Damian, barely paying attention to Helena who was pushing together her teeth in pain: "I shall stop this charade as you call it."
He stabbed Helena through the stomach. The katana pierced through her whole body. Huntress chocked. Blood spluttered out of her mouth. She looked up at Ra's as she went to her knees. Helena collapsed, blood pooling around her midsection.
"HELENA", Selina screamed and forced herself to her feet.
She fell at Huntress' side and clasped her hand.
"Hang on", Selina desperately looked over Huntress' wounds, "You will be fine."
Huntress shook her head weakly: "My neck."
Selina frowned but reached for Huntress' neck. She pulled out the crucifix on it. Selina wordlessly took the necklace off and put it in Helena's hand. Helena smiled softly. Her eyes drifted shut. More blood dripped out of her mouth.
Bruce reached Helena. He didn't know what to do.
"You were very brave, Huntress. I'm sure your God will recognize the sacrifice you made", Damian said.
Helena muttered: "Don't throw me into that Pit."
With her last energy she opened her eyes again and looked at Dick unconscious form: "It's u- unnatural. We- We did not see."
Her eyes drifted shut again and her chest stilled. Her exhausted breaths grew silent. Selina reached for Helena's neck desperately feeling for a pulse.
"She is dead", Selina's voice broke – her body shaking with sobs.
"Stop this now, Grandfather", Damian screamed, "See what you did. You had your entertainment. Now spare the others. I shall stay and be the heir you always desired."
"I don't intend to spare them", Ra's approached Damian, "And I don't intend to spare you. You are unworthy. A failure."
Damian flinched back. He looked terrified. Ra's raised his katana. Damian didn't move. Didn't even try to defend himself.
"Leave him alone, you piece of shit", Jason put himself in front of Damian, shielding him with his body.
Bruce was proud of his son. Jason had his rough edges, but he would always protect those he perceived as vulnerable even if it cost him his own life.
"And you are?", Ra's smirked as if he was amused about a cockroach.
Jason looked like he wanted to curse at Ra's but Bruce interrupted him: "I'm the one behind all this. Kill me if you want and let them go."
"So many self-sacrificial lambs here", Ra's taunted, "However, it is no use. The boy shall die as a traitor to the al Ghul-name."
He raised his katana - ready to slice through Jason to get to Damian. But Ra's stopped mid-strike. He froze and blood spluttered out of his mouth. Talia stood behind him – her cheeks wet with tears.
"Daughter", Ra's chocked out, "Y- You betray me."
"I'm protecting my son from you, monster", Talia said, "Something I should have done far sooner."
Ra's collapsed. Talia stabbed him in the neck – finishing the job. Her hand was shaky as she dropped the blade.
"Mother", Damian screamed and ran into her arms.
Mother and son were full-on crying now. Damian hid his face in her shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Damian. I failed you for too long. A name should never mean more than my boy. I love you, my son."
"It is all right, Mother", Damian's voice shook, "I love you, too."
Talia pulled Damian as close as she could.
She looked at Bruce: "You came for him."
"Always."
"Maybe you are a better father than I originally judged you for."
"I- I can't say that I'm perfect at parenthood but I'm trying."
"Trying is the best we can do. Leave with him", Talia looked at Damian wistfully, "Keep him safe. Take your allies and your dead with you."
"Thank you, Talia", Bruce said, "What about you?"
"I need to stay here", Talia said, "I need to get the League under control to ensure that none of them will attempt to revive my Father or harm Damian out of revenge."
Bruce nodded. He was conflicted towards Talia. She had caused incredible harm – killing Dick in cold blood. But she had also saved them tonight. It was never black-and-white with her. Bruce would need some time to think through his feelings towards her.
"Mother", Damian looked up at her.
"You are safe with your Father and Grayson. Despite my actions, I must admit that Grayson took good care of you. He was a better parent to you than I have been for a while", Talia said, "I shall visit you as soon as the situation is secured."
"I'll miss you, Mother."
Talia kissed his forehead.
A shadow hovered over them. The jet landed on the field next to them. Bruce exchanged a glance with Jason. They left mother and son some space as they carried Canary onto the jet. Selina insisted on carrying Helena's body. Jason helped her. They put Helena into the coffin that used to be Dick's. Bruce stood aside, too ashamed to even look at Helena. Another casualty that should not have been.
The doors to the compound were kicked open. Steph and Cassandra hurried outside. Bruce froze at the sight of his daughter. Cassandra was alive. Stephanie had saved her. Bruce would be forever grateful for Stephanie's bravery.
The realization hit him. All his children were alive and would come home with him. It made his chest feel lighter. Bruce felt guilty about his relief. This triumph had cost them Helena. She had fought valiantly – undeserving of death. Bruce wanted to throw her into the Pit and revive her. However, this would go against her final wish. Bruce had to accept Helena's wish despite his need to right his wrong.
Jason and Bruce carried Dick towards the jet. They were sombre. Quiet. Bruce hadn't expected the mission to go like this.
In the jet, Bruce took off his Batsuit and walked towards the cockpit. Canary was too injured to fly and Huntress was… Bruce didn't want to think about Helena. Selina silently sat down in the co-pilots chair. She looked pale but Bruce didn't dare to deter her.
"I'm sorry", Bruce said.
"Tell that to Oracle", rage simmered in Selina's voice, "Or Stephanie."
Steph and Cassandra entered the plane. Bruce could hear Stephanie soak in a breath. She must have seen Huntress' body in the coffin. Then, he heard painful sobs. He turned around. Stephanie had collapsed over Helena's body. Cassandra stood behind her, sadness evident on her face. She put a careful hand on Stephanie's shoulder.
Jason was restraining Dick with zip-ties. He kept his head down, granting Steph some privacy to mourn.
Damian entered the plane last. He looked at Steph with sympathy on his face.
"I'm very sorry for your loss, Spoiler", Damian muttered.
Bruce couldn't help but be amazed by his son's open display of empathy. Damian was opening up.
"T- Thank you, Damian", Steph chocked out.
Damian nodded at Cassandra. She nodded back. It was the first time they had seen each other since Cass had spared him. Bruce could sense a quiet respect between them.
Damian silently approached Canary who was lying on a gurney. He did as much first aid for her as he could – pressing his hand on her thigh wound to stem the bleeding.
"What is going on?", Oracle asked, "I- I need to know."
"We lost a Bird", Selina's voice was shaky, "Helena is dead."
Oracle didn't answer. She stayed silent for the rest of the flight.
They landed on the mainland and brought Dinah to a hospital. She wouldn't make it all the way back to Gotham. Bruce hoped that she would survive as the paramedics wheeled her into the ER. He couldn't have another death on his conscience.
AN: I promised you a lot would happen and it did. I'm so sorry, Helena. Bruce screwed up with the Birds.