A/N: 2022.10.22

So! My plan is to have three chapters uploaded before the weekend is over. If all goes according to plan, then this war between the Bat Clan and Bane's Scourge will see its conclusion.

For now, enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 31

Nightwing, Catwoman, and Banshee continued battling Switchblade, Bulletstorm, and She-Bat, eventually coming to a stalemate. Everyone was short of breath and shaky on their feet.

"I'll admit it," Switchblade breathed out, "you fossils are damn hard to put down!"

Nightwing chuckled, "Keep livin', kid! Ya might be lucky enough to get where we are."

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Banshee growled.

"Oh, give it a rest, Athol!"

"We need to put an end to this soon," Catwoman declared.

"Agreed." Nightwing looked at Catwoman. "You up for something dangerous?"

"Am I not wearing my suit?"

Nightwing smiled. "And you wear it well."

"Flatterer."

"I try." Nightwing looked at Banshee, "Hey!"

Banshee looked at him.

Nightwing then said something in Gaelic.

Banshee's eyes widened and she jerked her head back. Then she sneered. "Oh, yeah. I like that."

"Oh, shit!" Bulletstorm grunted. "Childs, what'd he say?!"

"The hell should I know?!" Switchblade replied, irritably.

"Can't you understand that?!"

"I'm an Aussie, ya racist git! She's Scottish! That's literally the other side of the planet!"

"I'm Scottish and Irish, ya prick!" Banshee shouted.

Switchblade swallowed, nervously. "I knew I was forgetting something."

Suddenly, Nightwing threw over a dozen small black, metal orbs than bounced along the ground. Banshee took a deep breath and unleashed a scream that pushed the orbs toward their opponents and caused the orbs to detonate with the force of small grenades. The elites barely had time to dodge the explosions as a thick smog covered them.

As soon as She-Bat was in the air, Banshee was right in front of her, tackling her hard enough to crash her into the wall. Once she had She-Bat pinned, Banshee sneered again and screamed right into She-Bat's face. The force was so strong and the sound so overwhelming, She-Bat passed out, even reverting to her human form.

Bulletstorm backed away from the smoke enough to aim his guns on either side of the smoke for signs of Nightwing or Catwoman. He didn't expect Nightwing to emerge right from the smoke where the heat from the grenades could still be felt.

Bulletstorm's eyes widened, "OH, SHIT…!"

Nightwing's collided electrified-Escrima sticks against either side of Bulletstorm's head, knocking him out, immediately.

Switchblade stumbled away from the smoke and saw his comrades were down. His shoulders slumped, "Well, shit!"

He turned around to see Catwoman slowly strutting towards him.

Switchblade took a hesitant step back. "Look, lady… no disrespect. I was just kiddin' around!"

"That so?" Catwoman asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, I mean…" Switchblade continued retreating as Catwoman advanced, "I was just playing with ya. Had to see what the legend was about, ya know."

Catwoman shrugged, "Guess I can't blame you for that."

"Right?!" Switchblade chuckled, nervously. "But… I guess this is kinda my own fault. Ya know what they say, 'curiosity killed the cat'!"

Catwoman groaned and chuckled. "Boy, do I ever. But, at the risk of sounding even more cliché… 'satisfaction brought it back'."

Switchblade smiled.

"And I'm about to be… very satisfied."

Catwoman revealed she was holding the handle to her whip.

Switchblade gasped.

Catwoman yanked on the whip, causing the metal net Switchblade was standing on to ensnare him and thrust him toward the ceiling. Switchblade screamed as he was hauled to the ceiling.

Switchblade was rushing toward Banshee, who was drew her fist back and screamed, "AND THIS IS FOR STEALING MAH RED STUDDED BELT, YA ARSEHOLE!" She swung hard enough to knock Switchblade out in one punch, causing Switchblade to swing listlessly back and forth.

With the battle done, Nightwing and Catwoman gathered the elites up and tied them up, leaving them nearby.

"Well, that was rough!" Nightwing admitted.

"I like it rough," Catwoman smiled.

"Gross, Grandma!" Crow shouted.

"Shut up!"

Banshee looked at Nightwing, "How do ya know Gaelic?"

"I had two great teachers who were real men of the world," Nightwing answered.

"And how did ya two plan all that shit in two seconds?" Banshee asked.

"Oh, sweetie," Catwoman grinned, "Grandma and Grandpa been doin' this a long, long time!"

Banshee scoffed, "Heh! I see everyone likes y'use two. You're loads of fun!"

"We try."

"By the way," Nightwing said, "'red studded belt'?"

Banshee shrugged, "It was me favorite."

Nightwing smiled. "Crow! You good?"

"Still alive," Crow replied, exhaustedly, as she walked over toward them. "Could you make the explosions louder next time? I still have 75% of my hearing."

"Where did you get that smart mouth?"

"You and Catwoman."

"That's true," Catwoman confirmed, proudly.

"What now?" Banshee asked.

"The others are dealing with Bane," Nightwing answered. "That's their fight. We should find Nyssa and Azrael and the control room and shut this thing down!"

"Right." Catwoman looked at Banshee, "You in?"

Banshee nodded.

Catwoman looked at Crow, "You wanna sit this one out?"

"No, I'm good," Crow answered. "I'm just a bit weaker."

"Well, suck it up, buttercup! This is the job!"

"I was going whether I wanted to or not, wasn't I?"

"Yup!" Catwoman, Nightwing, and Banshee rushed for the control room. Crow rolled her eyes and followed after them.

After another bout between the unrelenting heroes and mastermind villain, Batman, Runner, and Huntress all strived to push through the pain they were in just to get to their feet, with Batman managing to stand first though that took noticeable effort.

"So much fervor," Bane noted, though he was a bit winded as well. "I must admit, Young Bat… were it not necessary to kill you to solidify my power… I would, in fact, let you live."

"Gee…" Batman breathed out. "…thanks."

"Loves the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?" Huntress asked.

"He's been preaching since I got here."

"At least he didn't take a full text," Runner joked. "That would just be sacrilegious."

Bane chuckled. "I already fully intend to be in hell when my time comes, Nightrunner. No sense in mocking God further than I already have."

"Can't argue with that logic," Huntress used her staff to steady herself.

A wall exploded and everyone turned to see Koutetsu and Ember walk through the destroyed wall.

Bane chuckled, lowly. "This night has proven full of surprises!"

"About time!" Runner joked.

"Apologies," Koutetsu replied. "But we were held up."

"Got here in time to see his grotesque ass!" Ember jerked her head back as she studied Bane. "Jesus Christ, you got uglier!"

"Did you just say 'grotesque'?" Batman asked.

"I started reading books more. Do you know there a lot of ways to cuss someone out and not use cuss words?"

"You still cuss."

Ember shrugged. "I like cussing."

Bane chuckled. "Your attitude is unexpected to be a member of this Clan, Ember. But a welcome addition, I'm sure you make."

"I do my best. But, for real, why do you look like a bigger, uglier version of that guy from Baki?"

Runner considered for a moment. "Yujiro?"

"No, not Yujiro!" Ember countered, agitatedly. "I know the main bad guy, Runner! Give me some credit! I meant that one bald guy!"

Koutetsu blinked. "You mean Doppo Orochi?"

"That's him!"

"Another good comparison," Batman smiled.

"It's because he took Titan!" Runner called out. "Koutetsu, he completed the formula!"

Koutetsu looked at Runner, in shock, then back at Bane, whispering, "Oh, dear…"

"Not good?" Ember asked.

"Very, very not good."

As Bane studied Ember and Koutetsu, it was all too easy to deduce what happened. "You prevailed against my elites," Bane concluded.

"Your jackasses are strong, I'll give you that," Ember admitted. "But once we punched 'em harder, they dropped like rocks."

"I see."

"We're here to, finally, put an end to this madness, Bane," Koutetsu declared.

"Unlikely, Koutetsu," Bane countered. "You seem to know of the power the Titan possesses."

"All the same… we will defeat you."

"Do you believe that to be an easy task?"

"Quite the opposite."

"But a hard fight never stopped us before." Ember punched her palm, causing a spark of flame. "Won't stop us now."

Bane looked over at Batman, "You have truly assembled an incredible team, Batman. Nothing like the old man."

Ember rolled her eyes and groaned, "Well, what'd you expect him to do, ya jackass?! You put him through hell, lined up your soldiers all over the city, and you're on some super version of that Venom crap. Who the hell wouldn't need help fighting you?!"

Batman, Runner, and Huntress actually had to keep themselves from laughing.

"All puns intended, Ember," Bane said, "I like your fire."

Ember scoffed. "Whatever."

Bane regarded Batman again. "Tell me, Young Bat: does it ever concern you that you rely on your team so much?"

"Not a damn bit," Batman answered without a single bit of hesitation.

Bane looked at the rest of Dark Knights. "And what say all of you?"

"We'll fight any battle with him and for him we need to!" Runner declared.

Ember lit a small flame in her palm and scoffed. "Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Even Batman. And that's where we come in."

"I could not have said it better," Koutetsu entered a fighting stance.

"Me, neither," Huntress agreed.

"Amazing loyalty," Bane noted. He turned to Ember, "Nothing like your father, Ember."

The team all silently gasped. Save for Ember, who just held her glare on Bane.

"Did you know he was a drug addict? As well as a drunk. A meager nothing of a man who lived in your town. Melvin Carter, if you know the name."

Ember narrowed her eyes. She actually did know the name. And she never liked the man.

"They…" Bane continued, "encountered one another at a party, from what I understand. Not that either of them knew the difference, nor did they care, I'm sure. Not your fault, of course. Your parents are… rather pathetic. He talked himself into an overdose more than ten years ago. Despite the terrible stock, you've risen above such refuse. Ms. Prince."

Ember stared at Bane. "Soooooo, was that suppose to throw me off-game or some shit?"

Bane smiled and chuckled.

"I don't give a shit about my sperm donor. The family I got right now? That's who you're threatening. And I'll tell you right now, I'll rot in hell before I let you keep hurting them."

The rest of team smiled, proud of Ember.

"Are you certain you can prevent that?" Bane asked.

"Watch me, dipshit!" Ember threw a fireball at Bane.

Bane just barely dodged the fireball then growled. "Then come at me. All of you!"

Tiana was typing, running several programs at once. She managed to activate some of the Castellum's propulsion, beginning the process of sending it back toward the bay. But the countdown until its default attack activating was close.

"Crap!" Tiana growled. The phone rang and she answered, "This is Oracle."

"This is Commissioner Gordon," Barbara replied.

"Hello, Commissioner. I'd ask how you're doing but given the threat of assured destruction…"

"Tell me about it! I just wanted to let you know the area you wanted clear is clear. At least, we're as sure as we can be."

"Alright, thank you," Tiana replied. "Get all of your people to safety, just in case."

"How's it going in there?" Barbara asked.

Tiana paused for a moment. "Do you want accuracy or an approximation?"

"Say no more. I'll leave you to it. Good luck, Oracle!" Barbara paused then whispered, "We appreciate all of your efforts, Ms. Fox."

Tiana smiled. "I do my best. Be careful, Commissioner. Side note: Grandpa always loved you and your dad."

"Your grandfather was worth ten times his weight in gold. Believe me."

Azrael and Nyssa continued to battle through Ikram, Athanasia, and the rest of the Scourge. Eventually, after dealing with waves of enemies, Nyssa and Azrael stood back-to-back.

"While I admit to the thrill of fighting alongside you, son…" Nyssa began, causing Azrael to chuckle. "…this is becoming a bit of a chore."

"Moreso, Mother," Azrael added, "if Oracle is correct, which I have no reason to doubt, we need to end this. Soon."

"Agreed."

"But I did feel the ship move a bit. So, Oracle and Batman's plan is working somewhat."

"Yet with a weapon this powerful…" Nyssa began.

"Agreed," Azrael replied. "It won't matter much."

"A brave effort, Aunt Nyssa," Athanasia moved to a control panel. "But all your efforts are for naught. For if we cannot rule Gotham… we will raze it to the ground!" She pressed a few buttons.

"She's speeding up the countdown!" Azrael shouted.

"Athanasia!" Nyssa called out. "If you set fire to this city… there will be no power that can protect you from me!"

Athanasia stared at Nyssa.

Nyssa looked at Ikram. "Brother. This is your final warning. Do not… I repeat… do not… launch this attack!"

Ikram glared at his sister, considering her warning. A number of things came to his mind, but all of his thoughts led to one final conclusion. He growled, "If we cannot kill Batman… the true one or this boy… then…" he looked at Athanasia, "destroy this damnable city!"

Athanasia smiled. "Finally, you say something remotely sensible!" She hit a button.

"Dammit!" Azrael whispered.

The Castellum's outer hull began to shift. Cannons began to emerge, and small missile silos revealed themselves all over the ship's exterior.

The gears of the ship whirred as the weapons prepared to fire.

Lincoln had joined Tiana inside her control room as they stared at the screen. Tiana had even stopped typing, distracted by the potential destructive power of the Castellum, as she whispered, "My… God!"

"Tia…" Lincoln whispered.

"Right!" Tiana started typing again. "Getting back to work!"

Barbara stared at the ship in shock. Despite the Castellum's distance, there was no guarantee that no damage would be incurred to GCPD headquarters.

"GET EVERYONE OUT AND AWAY FROM THE BUILDING!" Barbara shouted over her comms. "CLEAR HEADQUARTERS! CLEAR DOWNTOWN! ALL OF IT! NOW!"

Seconds later, the Castellum's opening volley began. The weapons fired indiscriminately, demolishing the closest buildings in just under a minute.

Bruce and Diana were watching some satellite feeds and news footage.

"No…" Diana whispered.

"God helps us all," Bruce whispered.

Chelsea sat in her house, steadying her breathing. Her house was not near downtown, but she could clearly hear all the explosions from the attack.

"Terry…" Chelsea clasped her hands together, "Max… everyone. Please, please, please, come back alive!"

Standing at the bay, Bennet looked toward the city as the buildings were struck by Castellum's barrage.

"My God…" Bennet whispered. His phone rang and he answered, "Bennet.

"Oh, thank God!" Tiana said, relievedly. "Bennet, this is Oracle! I was hoping you were still alive!"

"Here and alive."

A rocket hit a building a few blocks down from where Bennet was standing.

"For much longer is anyone's guess…"

"Just…" Tiana said, nervously, "just be careful! If it gets too hot out there, get outta there!"

Bennet ended the call and held his gaze on the destruction. "You've won every other fight, kid. You won't lose now."

One of the Castellum's rockets even sailed passed the Wayne Enterprises building.

"WHOA!" Tiana shouted.

Lincoln ran and grabbed his helmet.

Tiana looked at him, "Linc!"

"I have some weapons left! And the armor still has power." Lincoln put his helmet on and reactivated his armor. "I can shoot down some of the missiles!"

"But…"

"You keep working, Oracle! Batwing has to get back to work!"

In Bane's chamber, Bane had just punched Koutetsu back when the screens showed the attack the Castellum was launching on Gotham.

"Oh, God…" Huntress whispered.

"No!" Runner shouted.

Batman stared at the screens in horror then he growled and turned to Bane, enraged, "BANE!"

"You've lost, Young Bat," Bane replied. "This is the fate of your city. This is your fate. Accept it. Accept… death."

A/N: So. That's bad. The Castellum is attacking but the main team is reunited and launching a full-on assault on Bane.

What will happen next? Wait and see!