Chapter 6

Family Reunion

We dragged Penguin back to the main room where Mr. Freeze who got his suit back and examined the female assassin in her cage who I recognized as one of my sister's personal guards.

"Where is Cobblepot?" Freeze demanded

We tossed Penguin to Freeze who had a grin on his face.

"Well, look who it is. Mr free.." Penguin was cut off when Freeze broke his hand with his foot.

"Enough Freeze." Freeze ignored Batman's warning

"Freeze, Enough!"

"Of Course." He said cynically as he grabbed Penguin and shoved him against the case.

"You will regret for what you did, Mr. Cobblepot." he dragged Cobblepot into his own personal cage and locked him inside.

"The cure, Freeze." Batman demanded

"There isn't one." Freeze answered

"What?" Batman and I asked in shock.

"Perhaps I should elaborate." He said as he typed into his wrist-mounted laptop. "Creating an antidote to the disease that deflects the clown was easy, unfortunately it degrades too quickly. It needs a restoring element, some kind of reforming enzyme. Without it, it breaks down before it can help it's host." He explained as Batman took a closer look at the ingredients.

"I've seen this before."

"Finding a suitable enzyme, it needs to be adapted, bounded to human DNA. That will takes decades, time it appears you do not have." Freeze explained.

I let out a sigh regretting what I am about to do next.

"What if we told you we know a man who's been exposed to that enzyme for centuries?" I said

"What man?" Freeze asked intrigued

"His name is Ra's Al Ghul." I answered.

Every time I say that name, It makes my skin crawl knowing the sins that I have done in my past because of my father.

"Bring him to me, all I need is a sample of his blood. It is your only hope."

"Ra's Al Ghul is dead." Batman said

"Then you and the clown are doomed." Freeze stated.

"Not exactly, I need someone to tell me where the body is, then I can go waking him up."

Just then we heard the assassin trying to break out from the case and she used full force to break through the glass. She stared at both Batman and me while holding her bleeding shoulder.

"Blasphemers, you're not worthy to speak of the great Ra's Al Ghul!" She snarled as she leapt on top of the display and left the museum.

"You are a fool Batman. You let your only hope escape." Freeze insulted.

"No Viktor, if Ra's Al Ghul is in Arkham City," I said as Batman kneed down and touched the blood trail. "We have a trail right to him."

We left the museum and pursed the assassin. My glasses like batman's cowl has scanned the blood trail, so we know where she's going. We found her eventually and she gave us a good run for our money. She settled on a nearby rooftop, batman charged at her when she tried to attack him he blocked the attack and from what I could see, he planted a tracking device on her back before she pinned him down.

"We let you'll live because Ra's Al Ghul allows it." I cocked the gun and aimed at her.

"Back off."

"Silence, whelp. You shouldn't have left your father's side. You're a disgrace to the name of Al Ghul." She said as her three assassins showed up.

"Father?" Batman asked confused.

"Not now, I'll explain later."

Suddenly one of the assassins was hit with staff, Before the other had a chance to respond, one of them was knocked out with a bird like boomerang. The last one tried to swing her sword at me but I drew my quickly and blocked it. I turned her around and pointed the blade at her throat as Robin walked over.

"Call him off." The assassin demanded

"I can take her." Robin said

"Stand down." Batman ordered and he did reluctantly as I let the other assassin go.

"Do not follow us." She stated the terms and she disappeared into the night.

I gave Batman and Robin some privacy. Batman gave Robin a vial of his infected blood. Robin tried to convince him that Batman needed his help, but Batman refused, saying that he needed robin to go to every hospital in Gotham and search of Joker's blood.

"You'll rather let him help you than me? You don't even know him." that was my cue.

"Tim, have you heard of the expression don't judge the book by its cover?" I said as I took off my glasses for Tim to recognize me.

"Jericho how did you know who I was?" he asked in shock.

"Tim, even with your mask on, I still recognize you any day of the week. Now it's not the time for a talk. Head to Gotham General and look for joker's blood. That's the first place I'll go to." I said as I put my glasses back on

"Ok, I will." He said as he turned around. "If you need anything."

"We know. Now go." Batman ordered and Robin headed back to the city

"Explain. Are you Ra's son?" Batman demanded knowing that he wanted the truth.

"Yes, I am."

"What?! And you didn't tell me this why?" Barbara exclaimed in the earpiece, I bet she throwing a fit right now, can't say I blame her.

"Calm down, sweetheart. I was going to tell you tonight. Just let me explain why I left." Barbara let out a sigh calming her down

"Go on."

"Moscow December 15 I was 21 at the time. I was given an assignment by Dad to take out a Russian mobster. Goal was simple, take out the target without been seen. I entered his house easily and killed him instantly in the bedroom but that's where it gets interesting."

"What do you mean?" Batman

I found a kid and his mother who was hiding in a closet and it turned out that they was the mobster's son and wife. They saw when I killed him in cold blood. It changed my life forever"

"Oh my god." Barbara said in shock

"One thing I have been taught is to never show any emotions but on that night I did. When I got back I broke down. I cried for hours thinking about how I have destroyed his family. I haven't told anyone about it except Talia. Everyday I get constantly reminded of what I have done. For four years I've taken lives of criminals and caused pain and suffering to their families and I did it with a song in my heart. " This was the hardest part for me to tell anyone about.

"Is your mothers death the reason why you joined the League?"

I didn't say a word, which meant yes.

"I'm sorry, Jericho. I'm the last person who should be judging you. It's just so.." Barbara was in loss for words.

"Overwhelming?"

"Yeah. I get it why you didn't tell me, because you weren't ready. But the reason why I love you is not because of your past, but who you are as a person and what you do. You're a good man."

I smiled knowing that she was right "you're perfect, you know that?"

Barbara chuckled a little embarrassed "I'll try. Just remember be honest with me next time."

"I will. I gotta go. Love you Barbara"

"Love you too." She ended transmission and we followed the assassin into an underground town called Wonder City.

"Oracle, we're heading underground. Our signal's getting weak, try to stay locked on."

"Rerouting additional satellites right now. Good luck Bruce."

"Still time to turn your back, you don't have to do this."

"I have to, I want to settle this once for all." I sighed knowing that wouldn't be easy. "Let's just go, we're wasting time here."

After what seemed forever of following her, we finally made it to the League of Assassins hideout. But by the time we got there, Batman's condition has taken a turn for worse as he collapsed to his knees coughing up blood.

"Barb he's getting worse. How much time does he have left? And don't sugar coat it."

"At this rate, I'll say minutes. Seriously, Bruce. What do you want me to do? you know, if you don't?"

"Don't say it he's not going to die on my watch. Come on Bruce, we're almost there."

I encouraged him to get up, but he was too weak to do that, I helped him up and dragged him not willingly. But before we made it to gateway, the assassin from the encounter on the rooftop showed up with company and surrounding us. We were outnumbered.

"You should listened to my warning. Your friend can not save you down here." She said as they were about to kill us.

"Stop!" they backed up as ordered. Then came an attractive woman wearing a leather outfit that was stunning but I knew whom she was, she has the eyes of our father, my half-sister Talia.

She moves toward us as we got up slowly and slapped batman's face.

"Hello Talia." Batman

"Hi, Sister" I greeted

"How did you find us?" She asked

"We met your personal guard at the museum. It was just natural to… follow her." I answered as the tracking device beeped on her back.

"Please Mistress, they tricked me."

"Leave I will deal with you later." She said cold, some things never change.

"You didn't need to get yourself arrested to see me, Bruce." She said as she turned from being a cold blooded woman to a long lost lover. "After that night we spent in Metropolis, you could just call."

"I take it you two know each other?" I asked to Batman

"Long story." Batman answered and I nodded not pushing the subject.

"And I'm not here for you, where's Ra's? If he's dead again I need you to wake him up."

"Only a true successor may stand before the Great Ra's Al Ghul. My father always intended us to be together, to command his army." Oh yeah, there's definitely history between Batman and my sister.

"Just imagine it, you. Me. My brother. A better world." She removed his mask and leaned for the kiss, but stopped as she saw his pale face. He put his mask back on.

"Your face. What happened?"

I'm here to take my place at your side."

"You wish to become an assassin,why should I thrust this change of heart?"

"You saw my face. Does it look like I have a choice?"

Talia turned to me and I shrugged.

"Don't look at me he insisted." I said and she knew that I would never lie to her.

"Are you prepared to take the demon trials? You must show you're willing to take a life to save the world."

She said and I knew what she meant. When I completed my training back then, I took the demon trials myself, barley passed it and I had to take a young's farmers life that became a murder to join them.

"Are you up to it, Bruce?" I asked him.

"I'm ready." He's determined; I'll give him that.

"Then let the trials commence."

She said and they went to the demon trials entrance. I didn't follow them he would do this alone. A few minutes later she returned and she hugged me, I returned the favour. Even after three years since I left, our bond is still strong.

"Hello brother, it's been too long."

"Likewise sister."

"You changed, I remember when you were the young and rebellious boy I met. Now you have grown to become a deadly warrior. I just wish that you hadn't left."

She got a bit emotional thinking about the day I left. I broke the family code; family stick together

I nodded "I know, but we can't change the past can we?"

"Of course not. May I see your sword, Jericho?"

I took off the sheath and gave my sword to her. She admired it and did a few swings before she gave it back to me. "Magnificent. Where did you get this?"

"I got it from a friend of mine. Japanese swordsmanship, it was made in 19th century. I couldn't help but notice that you have a personal interest in Bruce. Are you love in him?" I asked curiously. She blushed so I knew that was true.

"Oh, Talia, you always blush every time I ask a personal question. Don't worry I'm not going to tell him." I said with a smirk and in return, she gave me a death glare. Batman eventually returned from the demon trials which means he succeed.

"You did it." She said relived

"Did you have any doubt?"

"Of course not, I had faith in you." Sure she did.

"I need to meet Ra's. I don't have much time."

"Behind that door lies your final challenge, I'll pray that the sprits will be kind." Talia then turned to me

"You're ready to meet our father, brother?"

"Not really. Let's just go before I'll change my mind." I said as we entered the chamber of the demon. We saw a man kneed at the Lazarus pit that reminded a bit of Dracula. a bit old but pale and he was slowly dying but I knew who he was, the leader of the league of Assassins, my father Ra's.

"Ra's Al Ghul." Batman snarled

"Father." Talia and I announced in unison

"Detective, son." Father greeted

"Welcome, it's time for your final challenge. Kill me and take my place as head of the demon."

"No, I will never kill not even you."

"What! You lied to me!" Talia was upset,

"All I needed is a sample of your father's blood. This was the only way."

I could tell he didn't wanna do this to Talia or me. But what choice did he have?

"Well then, if you need my blood, then use my sword." Ra's said as he stabbed it into the ground.

"Take. It. All."

"No!" Batman and I snarled. As much as I wanted to kill him, I made a promise not long ago that I would never become that my father wanted me to be, a monster.

"Hmm. If you don't then boys, the only one who can take my place." He said as he entered the pit.

The whole room was starting to erupt with electricity as he slowly got out of the Lazarus Pit. His eyes and tattoos was glowing green as he walked forward.

Now only one can leave this chamber alive." He said in a demonic voice

"Don't count on it, father" I growled as we appeared in some sort of wasteland. I charged at him with my sword drawn and attacked him but he turn to sand and disappeared.

"Damnit!"

Ok, remember what your sister said on your training, focus on your surroundings.

So I did and it payed off as Ra's came from nowhere and set a barrage of attack but i blocked every single attack.

"Familiar. Didn't you learn anything new?"

"How about this!" I shouted as I kneed him in the groin and gave him a head-butt. He disappeared again

and I looked around too see Batman was still there.

"Batman look out!" I shouted as Ra's lunged at him, but Batman rolled out of the way and Ra's reappeared at me and exploded into five men. Batman rushed to my aid and took care of three men with his hands while I took out two. Just then the giant Ra appeared and it threw charkrams and swords at us but we dodged them.

"Witness the power of Lazarus."

His voice echoed as I saw an opening, I threw an flash bang while batman used his remote charge at the giant RA's and it crumbled as it disappeared. I waited patiently for jumped out of the ground and rushed at me. I held my sword in a defensive stand as he set another barrage of attacks before we locked our eyes on each other.

"Surrender!"

I punched him and drew my gun at his head.

"Never!" I growled as we returned to the chamber.

"Jericho no!" Batman shouted at me standing behind me trying to reason with me. Talia circled around us slowly.

"Our fathers time is up, it's our duty to wipe clean the scum of humanity and only we can do this. Embrace your destiny, my dear brother and put our father to rest. Then we can rule together as brother and sister, Jericho."

"Tempting, but I think I'll pass on that offer."

"Then you, my brother will die." Talia said as we reappeared in the wasteland once more. Ra's thrust kicked me in the stomach and vanished.

"What now?"

"Expect the unexpected." Batman said looking around

"True." I said.

Multiple RA's Al Ghuls jumped out of the ground and ambushed us. They overwhelmed us for a split second before we threw them away and then the real Ra's jumped at us and attacked at me one more time. but I turned things around by grabbing his sword and stabbed it into the ground. He swung a punch at me but I caught it in time and landed punch of my own then smashed his head into the hilt of his sword knocking him off his feet as we went back to the chamber again.

"That's end of The Demons Head." I said as Talia helped our father getting back to his feet and batman came to me.

"You ok?"

"Just peachy. But I think I'll be alright." Then Ra's held a knife to Talia's throat.

"What are you doing?" She asked and we rushed there, keeping our distances.

"This is your last chance, detective. Kill me or I will kill the only person you ever loved."

"Damnit, father. Don't do this or I'll swear on my mother's grave I'll rip your fucking head off!"

He let out a chuckle but then got hit in back of his head by a batarang, Talia broke free and Batman landed a final blow. He then pushed Ra's to a column and took a sample of his blood. Me, I took a syringe and snatched some of the Lazarus chemical while no one was looking.

"Detective, son." He grumbled "You should kill me when you had the chance."

"Yes they should have. What of man sacrifices his own daughter and you," Talia turned to Batman. "You lied to me, I thought you loved me Bruce. I.."

Talia," I put my hand on her shoulder in an attempt to clam her down. "Calm down. Head outside, I'll talk to you later, alright."

She let out a frustrating sigh. "Fine, you three deserve each other." She said as she left the chamber. I didn't even bother to follow her because she needed some time alone.

"You're getting old, Ra's. What's really going on here?" Batman asked

"I have used the Lazarus pit too man times. I've lived for over 600 years. My mind and body can not take much more. Each time I enter the pit, I am frightened of what will come out."

I've never seen my father like this, he became addictive to the pit but that's what Lazarus will do to you I guess.

"Lazarus pit has corrupted your mind, think about it. If your pit falls into the wrong hands, you will be powerless to stop centuries of destruction. This is your chance for the redemption father. Call off your crusade or we'll be back for you." I stated as Batman and I left the chamber.

"Alright. Head back to Freeze, I'm going have to talk with my sister."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, you go ahead. Tell Freeze that I'll drop by later, ok."

He nodded and left while I went looking for Talia.

I found her with arms crossed and her head lowered outside of the gateway as I moved towards her carefully. "Hey, look at me."

She shook her head. "Look at me."

She did finally and from the look on her face, she was hurt and tired hard not to cry.

"I'm sorry that you had to go through this, Bruce didn't want you to get hurt. He cares a lot about you." I then pulled her into a hug with her head resting on my chest.

"You know he loves you, right?" She nodded.

"Do you love him?" she nodded again

My heart ached for her, she loves Bruce more then anything in the world but she was having problem of making a decision, our dad or him. It's horrible to see her like this, but she would not break down, she has to be strong for herself. I admired her for that. There were times that I would fall apart when I was an assassin but she gave me the extra support because she understood where I was going through back then.

"Do you wish that your mother was still alive?" Talia asked softly

I let out a sigh. "Everyday."

We broke apart after sometime.

"Come, let's go to my place. Is it ok with you?"

She nodded and we headed out to the safe house, which was not far from the museum. It would take a couple of minutes to get there.

"Our lives are so messed up, Sister."

Talia chuckled with a small smile in agreement.

"Without a doubt, Brother"

Even though we didn't grew up together when we were kids, the truth is we're not that different because no matter what happens between us, we'll always take care of each other. Yep, the Al Ghuls are one big dysfunctional family.