OUTSIDE THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF GOTHAM…
Ventriloquist and Scarface were loaded with bags of money, along with Baby Doll.
"It worked just like you said, Mr. Scarface!" Ventriloquist said, "No Batman in sight!"
"Of course it did, Dummy!" Scarface said, "Dat's why I'm the grains a' this operation! Not even Gatman can stop us now!"
"Don't be so sure, Scarface!" came a voice, as a winged shadow loomed over them.
"Gatman!" Scarface shouted, "Rhino! Mugsy! Get 'im, goys!"
"No problem, boss!" Rhino said. The brutish behemoth charged at the Caped Crusader, his attack strategy resembling that of his animalistic namesake. Batman quickly leaped above him.
CRASH!
Rhino crashed into the wall.
"Can anyone join this party?" came a voice. Mugsy looked in horror as he saw a slick looking motorcycle directly above him and heading straight for him, with Nightwing in the driver's seat
WHAMMO!
Mugsy was hit directly by the motorcycle, with the front wheel hitting him square in the face.
"Thanks for the assist, old chum!" Batman said.
"Always happy to help, partner!" Nightwing said.
"Mean ol' bats!" Baby Doll said, "You spoiled all our fun! Now we gots to go!"
"I don't think so, Baby!" came a female voice, as she was kicked by a pair of legs out of the shadows of a nearby ally.
"Catwoman?" Batman asked.
"Barbara?" Nightwing asked.
"Wrong on both counts, boys," the woman said, as she stepped out of the shadows. She was wearing a yellow skintight outfit and a fiery red mask over her eyes. "You're looking at the new Batwoman."
Bruce remembered he had seen this woman before, in a hallucination courtesy of the Siren. But it turned out to be his then-girlfriend, Kathy Kane. But she couldn't be Kathy now, could she?
"Thanks for the assist, miss!" Batman said.
"We had this handled, though." Nightwing said.
"Sure you did," Batwoman said.
"Ain't no dame gonna take me!" Scarface said, as he and the Ventriloquist pointed a gun at the 3 heroes. Batwoman knocked them out with a swift batarang toss.
"Holy precision!" Nightwing exclaimed, "Where'd you learn these moves?"
"Trade secret, Man Wonder," she said. "We'll meet again." She blew them a kiss goodbye and ran off into the night.
"Alluring woman, but…strangely familiar," Batman said.
"Familiar?" Nightwing asked. "In what way, Batman?"
"When I was entranced by the Siren's hallucinogenic spray, a woman helped defeat Siren wearing a similar costume in the hallucination, but it couldn't be her." Batman said.
"Who?" Nightwing asked.
"Kathy Kane," Batman said.
"You mean your ex?" Nightwing said, "You never know. We never suspected Barbara was Batgirl at first."
"Still, that's a mystery for another day, old chum," Batman said, "What matters is she's on our side…at least for now. I'll meet you at the house." Batman got in the Batmobile and sped off while Nightwing followed close behind on the nightcycle. Unbeknownst to the Dynamic Duo, a mysterious figure was watching from the rooftops.
At Police Headquarters, Barbara is talking with Chief Monica O'Hara.
"Commissioner, I just got a call from Batman and Nightwing. They apprehended Ventriloquist and Baby Doll and their gang, and we're taking them in for questioning." Monica said.
"Good work, Monica," Barbara said, "Glad to know that crime in Gotham has gone down since Batman came out of retirement."
"And Batg-, er, woman, too, right?"
"Right," Barbara said with a wink.
"I'll go oversee the proceedings." Monica said.
As Monica left, Barbara felt an eerie presence walk in the room. She grabbed her gun and quickly turned around.
"Don't move!" she said, "Stay where you are!"
"I see you've taken your father's position, my dear…" the dark figure said.
"Who are you?" Barbara asked.
"Just a gentlemen's gentleman…" the figure said. She gasped.
"Alf—" she started to say, before being swiftly knocked out cold.
"Now, now, my dear, I can't have you giving away my secrets just yet."
Moments later, Kathy Kane walked in the room. The mysterious stranger vanished as quickly as he had come. She raced over to the unconscious Barbara, lying on the ground.
"Commissioner Gordon!" Kathy exclaimed, "Barbara, are you ok?"
"Kathy?" Barbara asked groggily, "What happened?"
"I could ask you the same thing." Kathy said.
"I was confronted some mysterious stranger," Barbara said, "He knocked me out before I could get a good look at him, but something he said made me think he might somehow be my old friend, Alfred."
"He must've really hit you hard," Kathy said, "Alfred Pennyworth's been dead for years. Besides, he was your friend."
"I know," Barbara said, "Something seemed strange about him though. Anyway, what brings you here, Kathy?"
"I've been meaning to talk to you, Commissioner," she said, "about your extracurricular nocturnal activities."
"You mean Batwoman?" Barbara asked.
"Yes, I'd like to take over that name for you," Kathy said, "I had an idea to become Batwoman before you renamed yourself, but never took it. Besides, you should focus on your police duties."
"I have to admit," Barbara said, "It is challenging trying to juggle the responsibilities of being the new police commissioner while still trying to be part of the bat-family."
"Then let me take over," Kathy said, "It's been a secret dream of mine, ever since I helped Batman take down the Siren at that nightclub 12 years ago."
"Alright, Kathy," Barbara said, "you have my blessing. I'll let Batman and Nightwing know."
MEANWHILE, AT AN ABANDONNED WAREHOUSE ON GOTHAM'S EAST SIDE, THINGS ARE TAKING AN UNEXPECTED TURN!
"The Ventriloquist and Baby Doll's diversion worked flawlessly father," Talia Al Ghul said, coming out of the shadows. Before her stood a young boy, once an adult male known as Ra's Al Ghul.
"Excellent," Ra's Al Ghul said, his child form looking less than intimidating, "It was most fortuitous of Baby Doll to unwittingly free me from the juvenile wing of Arkham. The Demon's Head does not belong with the likes of children!"
"But Father, for all intents and purposes, you are a child!" Talia said.
"Still thy tongue, daughter," Ra's said, "I am well aware. We must find a way to reverse-engineer the Lazarus Pit properties which did this to me. I must be restored to my former glory. Is our agent in place?"
"Yes, Father," Talia said, "Our operative is in position and ready to strike at your command!"
"Then give the signal!" Ra's commanded, "The lives of the Detective and his young compatriot end tonight!"
BACK AT STATELY WAYNE MANOR, DICK IS THIRD-WHEELING ON A BATCAT ROMANCE!
"I thought the little birdie flew a coup!" Selina said, "Why'd you bring him along?"
"Holy third wheel, Bruce!" Dick said, "I don't want to interrupt your date! Do I need to be here?"
"Go make yourself useful and whip us up something nice in the bat-kitchen." Selina said.
"Please, Selina!" Bruce said, "You're needed, Dick, because of the call I received from Barbara earlier. We need to figure out who her mystery assailant was."
"But dinner first, Brucie," Selina said.
"Yes, if that's one lesson I've learned from Alfred over the years, it's to never sacrifice the benefits of a good meal while crime fighting." Bruce said.
"Holy entrees!" Dick said, "If only I could remember some of Alfred's recipes, or even Aunt Harriet's!"
As Bruce and Selina sat across from each other at the candlelit table in the Wayne dining room, Dick prepared dinner. Suddenly the lights flickered and everything went dark save for the candlelit dining room.
"Holy power outage!" Dick exclaimed.
"What is it, Dick?" Bruce asked, "Has Mr. AC/DC the electric brain struck again?"
"Wrong, Caped Crusader!" an ominous voice bellowed from the shadows, "You face a new foe: The Outsider!"
"Holy secret identities!" Dick exclaimed, "How does he know who you are?"
"Will you stop with the incessant 'holies'?" Selina asked, annoyed.
"I suppose you told him, you hateful hussy!" Dick said.
"So you don't believe the lady leopard changed her spots?" Selina asked.
"Please, Dick, Selina," Bruce said, "Arguing amongst ourselves will do us no good! Let's get to the Batcave!"
They raced to the study, but were surprised to find the Shakespeare bust missing.
"Holy Sto—"
"If you say one more 'holy' I'm gonna claw your eyes out!" Selina snapped.
"Nevermind Selina," Bruce said, "Unlike when Minstrel stole the Shakespeare bust before, we now have the opportunity to use Alfred's private service elevator."
They entered the elevator and the door slammed shut behind them.
"Holy boxed can—"
"WHAT DID I SAY?!" yelled Selina.
"Farewell Batman & Nightwing and you feline fatale," the Outsider said, "This elevator is on a one-way trip to the afterlife."
"Gosh, Bruce, how do we get out of this one?" Dick asked.
"Very carefully, old chum," Bruce said, "Fortunately, the Outsider didn't realize I keep a spare utility belt under my civilian clothes for emergencies, equipped with my bat-elevator jammer. I just have to flip the switch and presto!"
Suddenly, the elevator stopped.
"Holy nick-of-time!" Dick said, "Just in time!"
"How is it that you're even more annoying as Nightwing?" Catwoman asked, "I thought you had matured."
"Well, to be fair, I'm Dick right now," he said.
"Yes, you certainly are." Selina replied.
"And you said I'm immature." Dick said, "which I'm not, by the way."
"Even though I've reformed, I still might be open to killing you." Selina said.
"Enough squabbling you two," Bruce said, "We need to get to the bottom of this situation and figure out what the Outsider wants and who he is."
"I believe I may be able to help with that," came a female voice, as they turned to see Batgirl slipping in through the window.
"Batwoman!" Bruce said.
"No longer, Bruce," she replied, "It's Batgirl again. The 'Batwoman' moniker has been repurposed by another woman with my permission, of course. She told me not to reveal to you who she is, at least not yet."
"We know what an expert you are at keeping secrets," Bruce said, "Is that what you came to tell us?"
"As a matter of fact, no," Batgirl said, "I had an encounter just recently with this…Outsider in my office. Something he said reminded me of…Alfred."
"That's preposterous!" Bruce snapped, "Alfred has been gone for years, God rest his soul. Even if he was Alfred, Alfred was our dear friend, mentor and surrogate father; he'd never betray us!"
"I know it's hard to hear, Bruce," Barbara said, "but we have to consider the possibility that maybe—"
"What proof have you?" Bruce asked.
"When I first encountered him in my office, he said something about being a gentlemen's gentleman." Barbara said.
"That sounds like Alfred if I ever heard him, Bruce!" Dick said.
"Ridiculous!" Bruce said, "Any one of our fiendish foes could be impersonating our stalwart servant. We know nothing about this Outsider, and until we do, I suggest you return to your duties as police commissioner, Barbara."
"Very well, Bruce," Batgirl said, "I know when I'm not wanted."
She flipped her cape around and exited through the window, exactly the way she came in.
"Gosh, Bruce, you didn't have to be so mean to her," Dick said, "She was only trying to help."
"Making erroneous accusations that our deceased loved ones are now our diabolical adversaries is hardly helping anyone, Dick," Bruce said, "What puzzles me is why the Outsider is suddenly nowhere to be found and not even a hint as to his whereabouts or his true identity."
"Well, you're the World's Greatest Detective, after all," Dick said, "Figure it out. I'll be at my loft in Bludhaven."
He walked off, leaving Bruce alone with Selina.
"I suppose you'll want to abandon me, too?" Bruce asked.
"No," Selina replied, "You didn't give up on me when I was just a cat burglar, and I'm not giving up on you, Bruce."
She eased closer towards him as they embraced.
MEANWHILE, AT A WAREHOUSE ACROSS TOWN…
"The Outsider has just given word that phase 1 has been completed, father." Talia said.
"Excellent, daughter," Ra's said, "Did you recover the chemicals I require?"
"Yes, father," Talia said, "While the Terrific Trio was dealing with our distraction, I was able to rob the Gotham chemical labs and gain access to an experimental new formula that should be just the thing to restore you."
"Splendid," Ra's said, "With this chemical agent, plus the help of the Outsider, I shall finally be restored to my glorious, adult form! Alert the Outsider to make the call."
In the Batcave, the Bat-phone buzzed. Batman answered it.
"I'm sorry I was so harsh with you earlier, Barbara," Batman said, "But I can't abide by—"
"Save your breath, Masked Manhunter," a sinister voice said on the other end of the line.
"Outsider!" Batman exclaimed, "You fiend! What have you done with her?"
"She's safe, for now…" the Outsider replied, "but if you want to make sure she stays that way, meet me at the old Gotham movie theater in Crime Alley. Come alone." He hung up the phone. Batman looked forlorn.
"I won't let another loved one die on my account," he said to himself. "This calls for an alert to my friend in Washington."
Meanwhile, at IADC headquarters in Washington DC, Diana Prince answers the phone.
"Yes, Batman," Diana says, "This sounds like a tricky situation. I should be in Gotham in about an hour."
She hung up the phone and Steve Trevor walked in.
"Who was that, Diana?" Steve asked.
"Believe it or not, Steve, it was Gotham City's very own Caped Crusader." Diana said.
"Batman?" Steve asked. "Some people have thought I was secretly Batman for some reason, if you can believe that. People have said I do bear a passing resemblance to Millionaire Bruce Wayne."
"I don't see it," Diana said.
"Me neither," Steve said. "Speaking of Bruce Wayne, I remember my father telling me stories of when he and Wonder Woman saved a young Bruce Wayne from Nazis and an immortal madman at the Wayne mansion back in the 1940's."
"Yes, so I've heard," Diana said, "And it's possible that immortal madman might've struck again. C'mon, you're coming with me. Batman says you could help us."
"Wait, we're going to Gotham?" Steve asked.
"Yes," Diana said, "and if we hurry, we can make the next flight."