A warning that this chapter is not for the feint of heart…in PG terms anyway…
Also thanks to "A. Non." for mentioning the error with Ch. 6. It was much appreciated.
Chapter 8: Armageddon II
The Story Thus Far: Harley is compelled to attack Bruce by Ra's al Ghul, and Ra's can't believe his eyes. Her willingness to obey means someone had given Harley a dose of the Lazarus Pit and that he, Ra's, has been betrayed. Ra's leaves the scene to do some thinking on the matter. Upon his exit Harley starts an assault on Ra's' horde of assassins, showing her loss of will was all an act. Bruce, Ivy and Harley make it past the horde when Bruce detonates their captured vessel, the Somnambulist, crippling Ra's' floating fortress/island and causing it to start to sink, drowning a large number of the horde in the process. The trio then meet up with Talia, Ra's' daughter and long time love of Bruce. Bruce asks Harley and Ivy to follow her as he takes another path to have a final 'talk' with Ra's; Meantime, Gordon and Bullock arrive to a warehouse and using Det. Allen's file are able to gain entry. Inside they discover equipment they believe was used to firebomb the Commissioner's home. The lights go on and they're discovered by the Penguin and Two-Face as "Two-Face pulls back on the hammers of his guns and sneers…"
…
Whirling about he trains both guns to side of the Penguin's skull, nudging their cold tips to the side of his temple. The Penguin is justifiably enraged, "Dent! What the HELL are you DOING?"
The Commissioner breathes a sigh of relief and Bullock is left scratching his head as handcuffs are placed about the Penguin's wrists. The cagey bird is still irate, "I should have known! I should have known! Waugh! Not once, not once did you toss that damned coin of yours to make a decision! And at the jewellery exchange, you didn't let me kill the guards! You even made sure everyone was out when we blew the damned place up! I let it pass, I thought your time in Arkham had made you soft, but I should have known better! You…you…" and for the first time in his life the Penguin is at a loss for words.
Bullock is still perplexed, "Let me get this straight Commish, when you said we had backup, he was it? I mean…him…? How…?"
Gordon merely smiles at the question and taps Harvey Dent, Gotham's former district attorney, on the shoulder. Dent's demeanour changes from one of sheer intensity to soft-spoken and suave as his handsome half manages a meagre smile, until he notices Gordon's blood stained coat and hands. Dent tips his two toned hat, "Sorry for the scare. I take it since you're here that Det. Allen is in some difficulty?"
Gordon frowns and looks down at his hands, "No…not anymore..."
"So, wait, then Penguin was behind the whole thing, right?" Bullock questions as he points to the bomb making equipment.
"No," Dent answers, "Neither of us was."
Bullock is unimpressed and provides a long, drawn out, "Right…it wasn't your idea to have Allen or one of your other cronies burn the Commish's place to the ground. You didn't just do the same to the jewellery exchange. You didn't leave little notes and clues for Allen to hunt down so he'd know what's next on the menu. Cripes!" Bullock growls as he levels his gun at Two-Face's skull.
Gordon stands in-between them, "Put that down Bullock!"
Bullock doesn't budge, "I don't know what garbage that file of Allen's fed you Commish, but I ain't buying. He's trying to mess with us, get our guard down…"
"Don't be dense," Gordon mutters, "If he wanted to kill us, well, he just passed up a wonderful opportunity."
"It could still be a trick," Bullock snarls, "Trojan horse."
"This is what our mutual adversary wants," Dent pipes up, his voice a sincere whisper, "Two forces set against each other, divide and conquer, a very old and effective strategy…unless one side knows of the plan. Sow seeds of mistrust, a fictitious grudge, an unlikely alliance and a depraved act. See, our mutual adversary WANTED Oswald and I out of Arkham so we could meet headlong with the forces of law and order and be eliminated in the process. Our adversary used our natural mistrust and hate against each other, and would have succeeded were it not for the existence of the proof…the file…and something else…"
Bullock sneers, "Spill it..."
"We were supposed to raise hell," Dent replies, "We were inured to destroy. My…condition saved me, but Oswald, well, Oswald isn't himself…"
"Yeah, right," Bullock coughs.
"Suppose we believe you, Harvey," Gordon mutters as he turns towards the former district attorney, "Then who is responsible?"
"I wasn't sure at first, but, well, 'When is a man dead on, but not what he appears to be…?'"
As Dent speaks Bullock notices a large shadow begin to form on the ground behind the former district attorney and the Commissioner. He mutters a silent curse and dives for Gordon. Naturally, years of experience on the force have sharpened Gordon's reflexes so that when a large, unkempt man lunges at him, his first instinct is to move out of the way. Bullock, missing his target, careens into the two-toned former DA, toppling both of them over a nearby table. And then it suddenly drops down from one of the metal beams above, landing with nary a sound in the centre of the room. A huge human like creature garbed in black, with a large sword in each hand and eyes of blazing death. As it lands one blade lashes out at where Dent would have been had Bullock not acted so quickly. Turning, the creature makes its way to the upturned table.
Gordon gasps before drawing a bead on the monstrosity, "Freeze!"
The creature turns and Gordon fires several shots into its chest. The creature staggers momentarily before continuing to advance towards the startled Commissioner. He fires several more rounds, emptying his gun with little effect. "Damn it," he curses as he begins walking back, trying to reload his gun with blood slicked hands. The creature raises its two swords in the air and is poised to strike when the skylight shatters high above their heads. Instinctively both Gordon and the creature look upwards, and both behold the site of a jet black figure flying down on ebony wings through the broken glass, and smashing into the creatures head! Gordon falls back to avoid the shards, continuing to load his gun as Batgirl engages the creature, "Damned Shaftie…"
Batgirl enters a fighting stance as the Shaftie repairs what damage she had wrought. It then meets her face to face, gurgling in a slimy voice at the sight of her, "You should have stayed out of this, my dear…" The creature is met with two swift kicks, one to the head, and the other to a sword wielding hand, before it can complete the sentence. The Shaftie continues to hold the blade Batgirl struck and lashes out with the other one. Batgirl avoids the strike and drives a fist into the creature's throat to no effect. Its eyes suddenly shift their focus away from Batgirl, and then the impossible happens. Its arm grows in length and flies at its new target, the sword it wields pointing straight at the Commissioner as it whispers at the girl, "Better hurry."
She shoves at the creature with a ferocity that belies her small frame, but her hands merely embed themselves within its malleable form as the sword continues to fly. Gordon's instinct tells him to look up at the last instant and he dives to one side, barely avoiding a lethal strike. Unfortunately the honed edge does connect with his side and he winces in pain. The creature's arm recoils partway and prepares to lash out once more as Gordon covers his wound the best he can. He's lost his gun, and if he doesn't get up he'll soon lose his life. The blade flies once more as Gordon struggles to his feet. "This time," the Shaftie whispers, "I won't miss."
Gordon makes it to his feet mere milliseconds before the sword is to impale him. He braces himself just as Batgirl leaps between him and the oncoming onslaught. With lightning reflexes she tries to parry the blade away, but its velocity is too great and it rends her armoured suit and skewers her flesh. She falls limp in Gordon's arms and he screams as the Shaftie's arm recoils.
The primal scream rouses Harvey Dent and he in turn nudges Det. Harvey Bullock as he reaches for his guns. The two of them rise in unison and let loose with their weapons at the Shaftie. Each projectile appears to explode on contact with the creature's hide and it snarls at having been so rudely interrupted. Without warning it turns and lets its sword fly forward, missing Bullock and Dent by hairs as they duck behind the upturned table. The creature then begins to advance.
"Thanks, by the way," Dent manages as he reloads.
"Just returning the favour," Bullock answers as he reloads, "Think we'll make it?"
Dent grins, "Pair of Harveys, how can we lose?"
Bullock sighs as they prepare to head up once more, "You know Harvey was a giant invisible rabbit, right?"
And they begin shooting, their barrage having as little effect as before. Dent notices the Penguin to one side and watches in amazement as the felonious fowl snaps his handcuffs with as little difficulty as a toothpick. The cagey bird then grins and begins to flee as Dent screams after him, "Oswald!" Dent changes his aim away from the Shaftie and fires several rounds at the Penguin, each one incredibly missing its fleet footed mark. Bullock then runs out of ammunition and ducks behind the upturned table, pulling the distracted DA down with him as the creature attempts to repair this latest salvo upon its person.
"Such strength," Dent whispers, still unable to comprehend what he just saw, "Such speed…impossible…" and he continues to reload.
Meantime Gordon still holds Batgirl's limp form in his arms, his concern for her slowly being replaced with an insurmountable anger. He's unsure if she's alive or dead because her thick costume prevents analysis of the wound, but in his mind the worst has happened. He knows what it's like to have a loved one die while in his arms and he'll be damned if he'll let this freak of nature do it again!
Gently setting Batgirl to one side he staggers to his feet and makes his way over to a fire alarm, complete with extinguisher, and axe…
Bullock and Dent are having little success with their repetitive assaults, only managing to delay the creature's inevitable attack. By now it has come within striking range and its blades slam down, cleaving their only cover in two. They look up in awe as it prepares for the killing blow when a sick sound is heard, the type of noise one might hear in a slaughterhouse when a hunk of meat is cleaved in twain. There is a single thud on the ground as the creature's head bounces to one side of the room. This is followed by a louder thud as the body falls, revealing the Commissioner with axe in hand behind it.
"Jeezus," Bullock gurgles as he saunters to his feet, "That was nuts! But that axe, what the hell's the brown stuff on it? It ain't human blood."
"No…it isn't," Dent interjects as he points towards the Shaftie's torso, "Look." They stare in unison as it writhes and moves, trying to search for its missing head.
Gordon glances incredulously at the axe blade and tosses it to one side. He then limps towards Batgirl's fallen frame, "We're getting out of here."
Bullock looks about, "Hey, where's the Penguin?"
"Forget him!" Gordon yells, "Just help me get her out of here, she might still be alive!"
As the trio make their way out Bullock calls back, "You coming, Dent?"
"In a second," he answers as he stares at the still moving creature. Turning to the cylinders filled with explosive mixtures he rotates each switch to the open position. He then removes a book of matches from his pocket and makes his way to the exit. Taking one last look back he lights a single stick and throws it at the cylinders. As he makes his way to the car there is an explosion of concentrated heat and flame, followed by a large, intense fire that lights up the night sky in perverse hues of gold and red.
"They say the Phoenix rises up from the ashes, a creature capable of two lives for the price of one," Harvey Dent remarks as he gets into Bullock's car, "Hopefully that thing's not a relative."
…
"Aw, what a cute little bugger."
The tiny baby giggles approvingly as it tries to grab Harley's blonde pig-tails with chubby little hands. She lifts him high into the air and back down again, and he claps his hands joyfully while laughing. Harley smiles, "I've always loved children, but Mr. J…uh…wasn't really a family man." Harley tickles the young tot's belly, "Where's mommy? Where's mommy?" She then turns the child towards Talia, "There's mommy! And I can guess who daddy is," Harley finishes in a cold voice, "The big jerk."
Ivy is still clutching at her side, the wound throbbing violently, "Yes Harl, we can guess who the father is…"
"And you would be mistaken," Talia responds with an eloquence and grace that would put any member of royalty to shame. She gently caresses the child's head, "You must leave. Follow the path; it leads to the surface and a small craft…"
"…and the goon squad…" Harley remarks with disdain.
Talia takes her hand away from the yawning infant and moves towards the wall, "They have been disposed of by he who is loyal to me."
Harley is unconvinced as she continues to question everything Talia mentions, "Who?"
Talia bites her tongue, "He whom I sent to slay you, to save my beloved…"
Harley's face grows red with anger, "You sent that sword slashin' psycho? You wanted him to knock me off? Why you…if I wasn't holding the kid…!"
"Don't you understand? My beloved knew you were given the immortal serum of the Lazarus Pit, a serum which my father has refined by adding an ingredient to make the human mind weak and malleable to his will! You were destined to betray your comrades and I could not allow that!"
"But drugs don't work on me, you little…!"
"Easy Harley, down girl," Ivy motions, "She didn't know that, did you Talia?"
Talia shakes her head ever so slightly, "I apologize. The Lazarus Pit is still a mystery to science and may have functioned while the additive failed, whereas I believed both had you under their sway. I only did what I thought was best, as I do now. Please take good care of him…little Beal…"
Ivy gives Talia a grim, commanding frown, "You're coming with us."
In answer Talia depresses a secreted button on the wall and it rotates on hidden gears, "I wish I were." Before either Ivy or Harley could make a move, Talia is gone.
"Well, that was unexpected," Harley notes in a humbug fashion. She turns to Ivy, the slumbering child in her arms, "It's your call Red, what do you want to do?"
Ivy winces in pain as a faint echo of thought passes through her brain from across the sea, 'Two forces set against each other, divide and conquer, a very old and effective strategy…unless one side knows of the plan…'
…
Bruce Wayne could feel the change in the air about him as he continues onwards, his mind nagged by a festering conundrum that he can't seem to answer. There's something disheartening about this, something about this path, this dangerous trek through the darkened corridor…
He pauses and peers into the inky blackness towards the archway, making out a familiar silhouette. It's like clockwork; with every third arch a guard is stationed. With every guard he faces an adversary with skill that rivals his own. With each battle he finds his resolve diminished ever so slightly, his muscles aching just that much more, and his precious resources being depleted. And yet he's managed to dispatch each one, and with each routed foe he's been tempted to stare underneath their mask, and each time he's thought better. He can surmise what's underneath, fantastic as it may be, and it disturbs him to no end.
The guard's heightened senses could feel it in the air, a slight change in pressure signalling the arrival of an unwanted presence. He draws forth his blade and saunters to one side, taking silent steps towards the blackness, and Bruce Wayne. A sudden, rapid cut of air is taken, cleaving nothing more than hairs as Bruce dips down. He then gives the guard a tremendous uppercut, sending him back a few paces. A thin sheen of blue then streaks across the darkened hall and strikes the dazed guard before he can react, encasing him in a clear sheath of ice. Yes, Bruce has defeated each one, with a little help…
Bruce glances at the weapon in his hand. Built on principles from Mr. Freeze's own design, it is just as capable of stopping someone cold in their tracks as its larger parent. It's a weapon that has gotten him this far, but no farther it seems. The red indicator is now flashing incessantly to signify the weapon's charge has been spent and that it's nothing more than dead weight now. Tossing it aside he makes his way forward to the end of the corridor, and Ra's al Ghul. His arduous passage near completion he takes a moment to gather himself. He's sweating profusely and could even feel the moist warmth penetrating through his mask. He frowns, tempted to remove the latex façade of his own face to cover those scars he would sooner forget, but thinks better of it. He will simply have to grin and bear it. With a heavy sigh Bruce Wayne depresses the entry button and the door hums as it slides open. He enters the well lit room cautiously, slowly, and finds it bare save for the far end. There his quarry stands at the ready, rapiers in both hands.
"Come in, detective," Ra's gestures, "It is as it should be, you and I, no outside distractions. Shall we begin?"
"I have no weapon," Bruce remarks.
"Oh?" Ra's grins, glancing at the bright yellow belt about Bruce's waist, "How forgetful of me." He gingerly tosses one rapier to Bruce's waiting hand. Bruce takes several cuts in the air to weigh its balance.
"You approve?"
Bruce nods.
"Excellent!" Ra's calls as the two of them begin circling one another, "I must warn you, detective, I have been preparing for this moment." Ra's takes a preliminary stab at Bruce, who parries it expertly. Ra's nods his approval, "Very good. I've always preferred the blade, detective. In the proper hands it can be eloquent…swift, silent, deadly and to the point, if you will…"
"Unlike you," Bruce smirks, taking a swift thrust of his own which Ra's blocks with ease. Bruce takes a few steps back.
Ra's is not amused, "Do you know the depth of the task you've just undertaken, detective? I fear you've never fully realized. The Lazarus Pit is a curious wonder, one in which the very essence of life can be transformed into a complete whole. My daughter must have provided you with details of my experiments, as she's want to do. I've taken creatures, limbs, ground bones and even a single drop of blood, and each time the Pit restored life to a whole. I am of the Pit, detective," Ra's grins, "You cannot succeed."
"And the Lazarus Pit traces in Harley's bloodstream?" Bruce asks as the two enter a battle stance.
"Ah," Ra's pauses, "As you've probably known from the start, thanks to Talia, I've procured a concoction that makes slaves of men from a…mutual source. He must have obtained a sample of the Pit and used it on the girl; although why he would I do not know. Fear not, once you are eliminated I shall slay the thieving troll myself. Such unmitigated gall shall not go unpunished!"
Ra's drives forward at Bruce, who parries each blow.
"Excellent, your skills have not diminished in the least. This shall be a battle for the ages!" And he strikes again with a swift cut through the air that Bruce ducks, only to be kneed in the face. Bruce staggers back, his nose dripping blood.
"Dirty pool, I know," Ra's frowns, "But one must do what one will to draw first blood. After all, that is why you've come, is it not? My blood? Normally you are content with destroying my plan for global genocide, after which you scurry back to that hole beneath the earth you call home. But now is different, why? You killed the Joker, did you not? And now you have turned to number two…"
Ra's drives forward and Bruce parries the thrust with his blade. He then follows through with a punch on Ra's' nose with his free hand. This time Ra's staggers back and Bruce grins, "Tit-for-tat, Ra's. I didn't come for you; I came for Talia's son, Beal."
Ra's smiles right back, uncaring about the blood trickling down his lip, "Beal?" And the Demon's Head laughs, "I would never harm a hair on my grandson's head, nor my daughter for that matter. He is as safe with me as he is with you, detective. Beal. You just continue to tell yourself that detective, but I can see the true driving force in your eyes, I can see the bloodlust…"
This time it's Bruce who lunges forward, and Ra's is waiting. His rapier skins across the shoulder as Bruce tackles the Demon's Head. Ra's falls on his back and uses Bruce's own momentum to hurl him backwards into the wall. Bruce manages to twist midair and slow his flight enough that he lands on his feet mere inches from the wall. He grasps his shoulder and looks at the blood on his palm. Ra's leaps to his feet and presses his advantage, trying for a killing thrust. Bruce sidesteps it at the last moment and Ra's' sword tip is embedded in the wall. Bruce cuts the air with his own blade and Ra's falls backwards to avoid the strike, using the momentum of his fall to draw his own trapped blade from the wall. Bruce slashes downwards but Ra's rolls away. Ra's then cuts at Bruce's legs, only to watch his potential victim leap over the blow. Ra's takes the moment to rise to his feet and tries for a strike of his own. Bruce blocks the attack with his sword, but Ra's presses and the blades draw close to Bruce's face.
"A duel of skill is no place for anger, detective. It requires finesse…strategy," Ra's mutters through clenched teeth, "Beyond this room is the largest Lazarus Pit I have ever constructed. My horde was fashioned from it, detective, with blood donated by a most eager participant. Each member identical to the last…immersed in immortal waters…completely under my control…an army of perfection..."
"Madness!" Bruce yells as he thrusts Ra's back with newfound strength. He touches his bloody shoulder once more and shudders, 'A most eager participant.'
"Yes," Ra's answers as he balances himself, "Of course I let Talia keep one of them. Anything to make a daughter happy, you understand..."
Bruce growls as he dives at Ra's once more, and this time Ra's avoids the attack all together and cuts a deep slash across Bruce's back as he passes by. Bruce turns and barely blocks another slash aimed for his chest. Ra's then punches him in the gut and kicks him once more in the face, sending him reeling backwards.
"Such eagerness," Ra's comments as he wipes Bruce's blood on his sleeve in an effort to clean his blade, "From eloquence to bloodbath, what a disappointment. Where's your mask, detective? You've always fought with such tenacity when that ridiculous cowl was upon your brow. Not like this…this buffoon. Such a pity…"
Ra's drives forward at the exhausted Bruce Wayne. Although Bruce tries to parry, it is done so less successfully with every thrust, jab, cut and slash. Bruce could feel his life's blood leaving him as Ra's presses on, until Bruce finds himself up against the wall. With a twist of his rapier Ra's cleaves the utility belt in twain, and a second rapid slice flips Bruce's weapon out of his hand and to one side. Ra's steps back for one moment before drawing his sword up and pointing it square at Bruce's chest, "Farewell Bruce."
So enamoured were they by conflict that they did not notice Talia's presence until it is too late. Within the blink of an eye she is in-between the two combatants, the pointed blade now squarely pointed at her heart, "No father! I cannot allow this! I love him, and if you love me, as you claim to, then you shall let him be!"
Ra's shakes his head ever so slightly, his eyes narrowing, "He is my enemy and must be destroyed. You know this…you've always known. Now step aside daughter."
"No."
"I said, step aside."
"No," she whispers, looking her father straight in the eye.
Ra's' demeanour changes then, and his visage begins to soften. Talia is about to breathe a sigh of relief when his face contorts into a twisted form of rage and Ra's screams as he drives the blade home! So furious is his thrust that the point passes through Talia and lodges itself in Bruce as well! With a whimper Ra's pulls the blade out and watches his daughter's limp body crash to the floor. Bruce merely slides down the wall, smearing it with his own blood until he lands, sitting upright, one hand trying to stem the loss of blood as he whispers, "Your own daughter…"
Ra's actually manages a grin as he bends down to look at her still features, "Come now, I expected better of you young man. I've only to carry her a few meters to the Lazarus Pit and she will live anew. Granted she never wanted to immerse herself in the pit, claiming that it distorts the senses, but it is no longer her choice to make. As for you…" Ra's grips his blade tightly, rises and turns, expecting to see an exasperated Bruce Wayne barely clinging to life. Instead he's met with a hideously marred visage, Bruce's true face beneath the mask, with its grotesque scarring forming a permanent, bizarre grin. Ra's is stunned by the sight, "Good lord man! Your face!"
Bruce takes the momentary distraction to toss a small bat shaped dart procured from his discarded mask at Ra's with an unerring accuracy. It embeds itself in Ra's' jugular and pumps potent toxins into his veins. Within moments Ra's could feel his muscles begin to spasm and tighten. He drops to his knees and tries to reach for the dart. With a Herculean effort he manages to grasp and remove it, but by then it already is too late. The drug has taken its toll and he is frozen to the spot, and although his senses remain as sharp as ever his muscles are trapped in a form of rigor mortis. He watches in amazement as Bruce grasps his nearby sword and slides himself against the wall with his legs pushing on the ground, forcing himself to stand. With sheer willpower he makes his way towards Ra's al Ghul, blade in hand and a fiery glare in his eyes.
"No mask? Heh," Bruce whispers as he saunters forward, "What's a Demon, Ra's," he pauses as he raises the blade back, "without a Head?" And the sword comes down. A sick sound is heard, the type of noise that one might hear in a slaughterhouse when a hunk of meat is cleaved in twain, and Ra's' body topples over.
Bruce then drops his sword and falls as well, his face meeting Talia's. Remarkably she's still alive and manages a faint, "Beloved…" before closing her eyes for the final time. He tries to reach for her but doesn't have the strength. He sighs, "My fault Talia…everything…my fault…forgive me," and the world fades to oblivion as the entire island slowly sinks beneath the waves…
TO BE CONTINUED…
Also thanks to "A. Non." for mentioning the error with Ch. 6. It was much appreciated.
Chapter 8: Armageddon II
The Story Thus Far: Harley is compelled to attack Bruce by Ra's al Ghul, and Ra's can't believe his eyes. Her willingness to obey means someone had given Harley a dose of the Lazarus Pit and that he, Ra's, has been betrayed. Ra's leaves the scene to do some thinking on the matter. Upon his exit Harley starts an assault on Ra's' horde of assassins, showing her loss of will was all an act. Bruce, Ivy and Harley make it past the horde when Bruce detonates their captured vessel, the Somnambulist, crippling Ra's' floating fortress/island and causing it to start to sink, drowning a large number of the horde in the process. The trio then meet up with Talia, Ra's' daughter and long time love of Bruce. Bruce asks Harley and Ivy to follow her as he takes another path to have a final 'talk' with Ra's; Meantime, Gordon and Bullock arrive to a warehouse and using Det. Allen's file are able to gain entry. Inside they discover equipment they believe was used to firebomb the Commissioner's home. The lights go on and they're discovered by the Penguin and Two-Face as "Two-Face pulls back on the hammers of his guns and sneers…"
…
Whirling about he trains both guns to side of the Penguin's skull, nudging their cold tips to the side of his temple. The Penguin is justifiably enraged, "Dent! What the HELL are you DOING?"
The Commissioner breathes a sigh of relief and Bullock is left scratching his head as handcuffs are placed about the Penguin's wrists. The cagey bird is still irate, "I should have known! I should have known! Waugh! Not once, not once did you toss that damned coin of yours to make a decision! And at the jewellery exchange, you didn't let me kill the guards! You even made sure everyone was out when we blew the damned place up! I let it pass, I thought your time in Arkham had made you soft, but I should have known better! You…you…" and for the first time in his life the Penguin is at a loss for words.
Bullock is still perplexed, "Let me get this straight Commish, when you said we had backup, he was it? I mean…him…? How…?"
Gordon merely smiles at the question and taps Harvey Dent, Gotham's former district attorney, on the shoulder. Dent's demeanour changes from one of sheer intensity to soft-spoken and suave as his handsome half manages a meagre smile, until he notices Gordon's blood stained coat and hands. Dent tips his two toned hat, "Sorry for the scare. I take it since you're here that Det. Allen is in some difficulty?"
Gordon frowns and looks down at his hands, "No…not anymore..."
"So, wait, then Penguin was behind the whole thing, right?" Bullock questions as he points to the bomb making equipment.
"No," Dent answers, "Neither of us was."
Bullock is unimpressed and provides a long, drawn out, "Right…it wasn't your idea to have Allen or one of your other cronies burn the Commish's place to the ground. You didn't just do the same to the jewellery exchange. You didn't leave little notes and clues for Allen to hunt down so he'd know what's next on the menu. Cripes!" Bullock growls as he levels his gun at Two-Face's skull.
Gordon stands in-between them, "Put that down Bullock!"
Bullock doesn't budge, "I don't know what garbage that file of Allen's fed you Commish, but I ain't buying. He's trying to mess with us, get our guard down…"
"Don't be dense," Gordon mutters, "If he wanted to kill us, well, he just passed up a wonderful opportunity."
"It could still be a trick," Bullock snarls, "Trojan horse."
"This is what our mutual adversary wants," Dent pipes up, his voice a sincere whisper, "Two forces set against each other, divide and conquer, a very old and effective strategy…unless one side knows of the plan. Sow seeds of mistrust, a fictitious grudge, an unlikely alliance and a depraved act. See, our mutual adversary WANTED Oswald and I out of Arkham so we could meet headlong with the forces of law and order and be eliminated in the process. Our adversary used our natural mistrust and hate against each other, and would have succeeded were it not for the existence of the proof…the file…and something else…"
Bullock sneers, "Spill it..."
"We were supposed to raise hell," Dent replies, "We were inured to destroy. My…condition saved me, but Oswald, well, Oswald isn't himself…"
"Yeah, right," Bullock coughs.
"Suppose we believe you, Harvey," Gordon mutters as he turns towards the former district attorney, "Then who is responsible?"
"I wasn't sure at first, but, well, 'When is a man dead on, but not what he appears to be…?'"
As Dent speaks Bullock notices a large shadow begin to form on the ground behind the former district attorney and the Commissioner. He mutters a silent curse and dives for Gordon. Naturally, years of experience on the force have sharpened Gordon's reflexes so that when a large, unkempt man lunges at him, his first instinct is to move out of the way. Bullock, missing his target, careens into the two-toned former DA, toppling both of them over a nearby table. And then it suddenly drops down from one of the metal beams above, landing with nary a sound in the centre of the room. A huge human like creature garbed in black, with a large sword in each hand and eyes of blazing death. As it lands one blade lashes out at where Dent would have been had Bullock not acted so quickly. Turning, the creature makes its way to the upturned table.
Gordon gasps before drawing a bead on the monstrosity, "Freeze!"
The creature turns and Gordon fires several shots into its chest. The creature staggers momentarily before continuing to advance towards the startled Commissioner. He fires several more rounds, emptying his gun with little effect. "Damn it," he curses as he begins walking back, trying to reload his gun with blood slicked hands. The creature raises its two swords in the air and is poised to strike when the skylight shatters high above their heads. Instinctively both Gordon and the creature look upwards, and both behold the site of a jet black figure flying down on ebony wings through the broken glass, and smashing into the creatures head! Gordon falls back to avoid the shards, continuing to load his gun as Batgirl engages the creature, "Damned Shaftie…"
Batgirl enters a fighting stance as the Shaftie repairs what damage she had wrought. It then meets her face to face, gurgling in a slimy voice at the sight of her, "You should have stayed out of this, my dear…" The creature is met with two swift kicks, one to the head, and the other to a sword wielding hand, before it can complete the sentence. The Shaftie continues to hold the blade Batgirl struck and lashes out with the other one. Batgirl avoids the strike and drives a fist into the creature's throat to no effect. Its eyes suddenly shift their focus away from Batgirl, and then the impossible happens. Its arm grows in length and flies at its new target, the sword it wields pointing straight at the Commissioner as it whispers at the girl, "Better hurry."
She shoves at the creature with a ferocity that belies her small frame, but her hands merely embed themselves within its malleable form as the sword continues to fly. Gordon's instinct tells him to look up at the last instant and he dives to one side, barely avoiding a lethal strike. Unfortunately the honed edge does connect with his side and he winces in pain. The creature's arm recoils partway and prepares to lash out once more as Gordon covers his wound the best he can. He's lost his gun, and if he doesn't get up he'll soon lose his life. The blade flies once more as Gordon struggles to his feet. "This time," the Shaftie whispers, "I won't miss."
Gordon makes it to his feet mere milliseconds before the sword is to impale him. He braces himself just as Batgirl leaps between him and the oncoming onslaught. With lightning reflexes she tries to parry the blade away, but its velocity is too great and it rends her armoured suit and skewers her flesh. She falls limp in Gordon's arms and he screams as the Shaftie's arm recoils.
The primal scream rouses Harvey Dent and he in turn nudges Det. Harvey Bullock as he reaches for his guns. The two of them rise in unison and let loose with their weapons at the Shaftie. Each projectile appears to explode on contact with the creature's hide and it snarls at having been so rudely interrupted. Without warning it turns and lets its sword fly forward, missing Bullock and Dent by hairs as they duck behind the upturned table. The creature then begins to advance.
"Thanks, by the way," Dent manages as he reloads.
"Just returning the favour," Bullock answers as he reloads, "Think we'll make it?"
Dent grins, "Pair of Harveys, how can we lose?"
Bullock sighs as they prepare to head up once more, "You know Harvey was a giant invisible rabbit, right?"
And they begin shooting, their barrage having as little effect as before. Dent notices the Penguin to one side and watches in amazement as the felonious fowl snaps his handcuffs with as little difficulty as a toothpick. The cagey bird then grins and begins to flee as Dent screams after him, "Oswald!" Dent changes his aim away from the Shaftie and fires several rounds at the Penguin, each one incredibly missing its fleet footed mark. Bullock then runs out of ammunition and ducks behind the upturned table, pulling the distracted DA down with him as the creature attempts to repair this latest salvo upon its person.
"Such strength," Dent whispers, still unable to comprehend what he just saw, "Such speed…impossible…" and he continues to reload.
Meantime Gordon still holds Batgirl's limp form in his arms, his concern for her slowly being replaced with an insurmountable anger. He's unsure if she's alive or dead because her thick costume prevents analysis of the wound, but in his mind the worst has happened. He knows what it's like to have a loved one die while in his arms and he'll be damned if he'll let this freak of nature do it again!
Gently setting Batgirl to one side he staggers to his feet and makes his way over to a fire alarm, complete with extinguisher, and axe…
Bullock and Dent are having little success with their repetitive assaults, only managing to delay the creature's inevitable attack. By now it has come within striking range and its blades slam down, cleaving their only cover in two. They look up in awe as it prepares for the killing blow when a sick sound is heard, the type of noise one might hear in a slaughterhouse when a hunk of meat is cleaved in twain. There is a single thud on the ground as the creature's head bounces to one side of the room. This is followed by a louder thud as the body falls, revealing the Commissioner with axe in hand behind it.
"Jeezus," Bullock gurgles as he saunters to his feet, "That was nuts! But that axe, what the hell's the brown stuff on it? It ain't human blood."
"No…it isn't," Dent interjects as he points towards the Shaftie's torso, "Look." They stare in unison as it writhes and moves, trying to search for its missing head.
Gordon glances incredulously at the axe blade and tosses it to one side. He then limps towards Batgirl's fallen frame, "We're getting out of here."
Bullock looks about, "Hey, where's the Penguin?"
"Forget him!" Gordon yells, "Just help me get her out of here, she might still be alive!"
As the trio make their way out Bullock calls back, "You coming, Dent?"
"In a second," he answers as he stares at the still moving creature. Turning to the cylinders filled with explosive mixtures he rotates each switch to the open position. He then removes a book of matches from his pocket and makes his way to the exit. Taking one last look back he lights a single stick and throws it at the cylinders. As he makes his way to the car there is an explosion of concentrated heat and flame, followed by a large, intense fire that lights up the night sky in perverse hues of gold and red.
"They say the Phoenix rises up from the ashes, a creature capable of two lives for the price of one," Harvey Dent remarks as he gets into Bullock's car, "Hopefully that thing's not a relative."
…
"Aw, what a cute little bugger."
The tiny baby giggles approvingly as it tries to grab Harley's blonde pig-tails with chubby little hands. She lifts him high into the air and back down again, and he claps his hands joyfully while laughing. Harley smiles, "I've always loved children, but Mr. J…uh…wasn't really a family man." Harley tickles the young tot's belly, "Where's mommy? Where's mommy?" She then turns the child towards Talia, "There's mommy! And I can guess who daddy is," Harley finishes in a cold voice, "The big jerk."
Ivy is still clutching at her side, the wound throbbing violently, "Yes Harl, we can guess who the father is…"
"And you would be mistaken," Talia responds with an eloquence and grace that would put any member of royalty to shame. She gently caresses the child's head, "You must leave. Follow the path; it leads to the surface and a small craft…"
"…and the goon squad…" Harley remarks with disdain.
Talia takes her hand away from the yawning infant and moves towards the wall, "They have been disposed of by he who is loyal to me."
Harley is unconvinced as she continues to question everything Talia mentions, "Who?"
Talia bites her tongue, "He whom I sent to slay you, to save my beloved…"
Harley's face grows red with anger, "You sent that sword slashin' psycho? You wanted him to knock me off? Why you…if I wasn't holding the kid…!"
"Don't you understand? My beloved knew you were given the immortal serum of the Lazarus Pit, a serum which my father has refined by adding an ingredient to make the human mind weak and malleable to his will! You were destined to betray your comrades and I could not allow that!"
"But drugs don't work on me, you little…!"
"Easy Harley, down girl," Ivy motions, "She didn't know that, did you Talia?"
Talia shakes her head ever so slightly, "I apologize. The Lazarus Pit is still a mystery to science and may have functioned while the additive failed, whereas I believed both had you under their sway. I only did what I thought was best, as I do now. Please take good care of him…little Beal…"
Ivy gives Talia a grim, commanding frown, "You're coming with us."
In answer Talia depresses a secreted button on the wall and it rotates on hidden gears, "I wish I were." Before either Ivy or Harley could make a move, Talia is gone.
"Well, that was unexpected," Harley notes in a humbug fashion. She turns to Ivy, the slumbering child in her arms, "It's your call Red, what do you want to do?"
Ivy winces in pain as a faint echo of thought passes through her brain from across the sea, 'Two forces set against each other, divide and conquer, a very old and effective strategy…unless one side knows of the plan…'
…
Bruce Wayne could feel the change in the air about him as he continues onwards, his mind nagged by a festering conundrum that he can't seem to answer. There's something disheartening about this, something about this path, this dangerous trek through the darkened corridor…
He pauses and peers into the inky blackness towards the archway, making out a familiar silhouette. It's like clockwork; with every third arch a guard is stationed. With every guard he faces an adversary with skill that rivals his own. With each battle he finds his resolve diminished ever so slightly, his muscles aching just that much more, and his precious resources being depleted. And yet he's managed to dispatch each one, and with each routed foe he's been tempted to stare underneath their mask, and each time he's thought better. He can surmise what's underneath, fantastic as it may be, and it disturbs him to no end.
The guard's heightened senses could feel it in the air, a slight change in pressure signalling the arrival of an unwanted presence. He draws forth his blade and saunters to one side, taking silent steps towards the blackness, and Bruce Wayne. A sudden, rapid cut of air is taken, cleaving nothing more than hairs as Bruce dips down. He then gives the guard a tremendous uppercut, sending him back a few paces. A thin sheen of blue then streaks across the darkened hall and strikes the dazed guard before he can react, encasing him in a clear sheath of ice. Yes, Bruce has defeated each one, with a little help…
Bruce glances at the weapon in his hand. Built on principles from Mr. Freeze's own design, it is just as capable of stopping someone cold in their tracks as its larger parent. It's a weapon that has gotten him this far, but no farther it seems. The red indicator is now flashing incessantly to signify the weapon's charge has been spent and that it's nothing more than dead weight now. Tossing it aside he makes his way forward to the end of the corridor, and Ra's al Ghul. His arduous passage near completion he takes a moment to gather himself. He's sweating profusely and could even feel the moist warmth penetrating through his mask. He frowns, tempted to remove the latex façade of his own face to cover those scars he would sooner forget, but thinks better of it. He will simply have to grin and bear it. With a heavy sigh Bruce Wayne depresses the entry button and the door hums as it slides open. He enters the well lit room cautiously, slowly, and finds it bare save for the far end. There his quarry stands at the ready, rapiers in both hands.
"Come in, detective," Ra's gestures, "It is as it should be, you and I, no outside distractions. Shall we begin?"
"I have no weapon," Bruce remarks.
"Oh?" Ra's grins, glancing at the bright yellow belt about Bruce's waist, "How forgetful of me." He gingerly tosses one rapier to Bruce's waiting hand. Bruce takes several cuts in the air to weigh its balance.
"You approve?"
Bruce nods.
"Excellent!" Ra's calls as the two of them begin circling one another, "I must warn you, detective, I have been preparing for this moment." Ra's takes a preliminary stab at Bruce, who parries it expertly. Ra's nods his approval, "Very good. I've always preferred the blade, detective. In the proper hands it can be eloquent…swift, silent, deadly and to the point, if you will…"
"Unlike you," Bruce smirks, taking a swift thrust of his own which Ra's blocks with ease. Bruce takes a few steps back.
Ra's is not amused, "Do you know the depth of the task you've just undertaken, detective? I fear you've never fully realized. The Lazarus Pit is a curious wonder, one in which the very essence of life can be transformed into a complete whole. My daughter must have provided you with details of my experiments, as she's want to do. I've taken creatures, limbs, ground bones and even a single drop of blood, and each time the Pit restored life to a whole. I am of the Pit, detective," Ra's grins, "You cannot succeed."
"And the Lazarus Pit traces in Harley's bloodstream?" Bruce asks as the two enter a battle stance.
"Ah," Ra's pauses, "As you've probably known from the start, thanks to Talia, I've procured a concoction that makes slaves of men from a…mutual source. He must have obtained a sample of the Pit and used it on the girl; although why he would I do not know. Fear not, once you are eliminated I shall slay the thieving troll myself. Such unmitigated gall shall not go unpunished!"
Ra's drives forward at Bruce, who parries each blow.
"Excellent, your skills have not diminished in the least. This shall be a battle for the ages!" And he strikes again with a swift cut through the air that Bruce ducks, only to be kneed in the face. Bruce staggers back, his nose dripping blood.
"Dirty pool, I know," Ra's frowns, "But one must do what one will to draw first blood. After all, that is why you've come, is it not? My blood? Normally you are content with destroying my plan for global genocide, after which you scurry back to that hole beneath the earth you call home. But now is different, why? You killed the Joker, did you not? And now you have turned to number two…"
Ra's drives forward and Bruce parries the thrust with his blade. He then follows through with a punch on Ra's' nose with his free hand. This time Ra's staggers back and Bruce grins, "Tit-for-tat, Ra's. I didn't come for you; I came for Talia's son, Beal."
Ra's smiles right back, uncaring about the blood trickling down his lip, "Beal?" And the Demon's Head laughs, "I would never harm a hair on my grandson's head, nor my daughter for that matter. He is as safe with me as he is with you, detective. Beal. You just continue to tell yourself that detective, but I can see the true driving force in your eyes, I can see the bloodlust…"
This time it's Bruce who lunges forward, and Ra's is waiting. His rapier skins across the shoulder as Bruce tackles the Demon's Head. Ra's falls on his back and uses Bruce's own momentum to hurl him backwards into the wall. Bruce manages to twist midair and slow his flight enough that he lands on his feet mere inches from the wall. He grasps his shoulder and looks at the blood on his palm. Ra's leaps to his feet and presses his advantage, trying for a killing thrust. Bruce sidesteps it at the last moment and Ra's' sword tip is embedded in the wall. Bruce cuts the air with his own blade and Ra's falls backwards to avoid the strike, using the momentum of his fall to draw his own trapped blade from the wall. Bruce slashes downwards but Ra's rolls away. Ra's then cuts at Bruce's legs, only to watch his potential victim leap over the blow. Ra's takes the moment to rise to his feet and tries for a strike of his own. Bruce blocks the attack with his sword, but Ra's presses and the blades draw close to Bruce's face.
"A duel of skill is no place for anger, detective. It requires finesse…strategy," Ra's mutters through clenched teeth, "Beyond this room is the largest Lazarus Pit I have ever constructed. My horde was fashioned from it, detective, with blood donated by a most eager participant. Each member identical to the last…immersed in immortal waters…completely under my control…an army of perfection..."
"Madness!" Bruce yells as he thrusts Ra's back with newfound strength. He touches his bloody shoulder once more and shudders, 'A most eager participant.'
"Yes," Ra's answers as he balances himself, "Of course I let Talia keep one of them. Anything to make a daughter happy, you understand..."
Bruce growls as he dives at Ra's once more, and this time Ra's avoids the attack all together and cuts a deep slash across Bruce's back as he passes by. Bruce turns and barely blocks another slash aimed for his chest. Ra's then punches him in the gut and kicks him once more in the face, sending him reeling backwards.
"Such eagerness," Ra's comments as he wipes Bruce's blood on his sleeve in an effort to clean his blade, "From eloquence to bloodbath, what a disappointment. Where's your mask, detective? You've always fought with such tenacity when that ridiculous cowl was upon your brow. Not like this…this buffoon. Such a pity…"
Ra's drives forward at the exhausted Bruce Wayne. Although Bruce tries to parry, it is done so less successfully with every thrust, jab, cut and slash. Bruce could feel his life's blood leaving him as Ra's presses on, until Bruce finds himself up against the wall. With a twist of his rapier Ra's cleaves the utility belt in twain, and a second rapid slice flips Bruce's weapon out of his hand and to one side. Ra's steps back for one moment before drawing his sword up and pointing it square at Bruce's chest, "Farewell Bruce."
So enamoured were they by conflict that they did not notice Talia's presence until it is too late. Within the blink of an eye she is in-between the two combatants, the pointed blade now squarely pointed at her heart, "No father! I cannot allow this! I love him, and if you love me, as you claim to, then you shall let him be!"
Ra's shakes his head ever so slightly, his eyes narrowing, "He is my enemy and must be destroyed. You know this…you've always known. Now step aside daughter."
"No."
"I said, step aside."
"No," she whispers, looking her father straight in the eye.
Ra's' demeanour changes then, and his visage begins to soften. Talia is about to breathe a sigh of relief when his face contorts into a twisted form of rage and Ra's screams as he drives the blade home! So furious is his thrust that the point passes through Talia and lodges itself in Bruce as well! With a whimper Ra's pulls the blade out and watches his daughter's limp body crash to the floor. Bruce merely slides down the wall, smearing it with his own blood until he lands, sitting upright, one hand trying to stem the loss of blood as he whispers, "Your own daughter…"
Ra's actually manages a grin as he bends down to look at her still features, "Come now, I expected better of you young man. I've only to carry her a few meters to the Lazarus Pit and she will live anew. Granted she never wanted to immerse herself in the pit, claiming that it distorts the senses, but it is no longer her choice to make. As for you…" Ra's grips his blade tightly, rises and turns, expecting to see an exasperated Bruce Wayne barely clinging to life. Instead he's met with a hideously marred visage, Bruce's true face beneath the mask, with its grotesque scarring forming a permanent, bizarre grin. Ra's is stunned by the sight, "Good lord man! Your face!"
Bruce takes the momentary distraction to toss a small bat shaped dart procured from his discarded mask at Ra's with an unerring accuracy. It embeds itself in Ra's' jugular and pumps potent toxins into his veins. Within moments Ra's could feel his muscles begin to spasm and tighten. He drops to his knees and tries to reach for the dart. With a Herculean effort he manages to grasp and remove it, but by then it already is too late. The drug has taken its toll and he is frozen to the spot, and although his senses remain as sharp as ever his muscles are trapped in a form of rigor mortis. He watches in amazement as Bruce grasps his nearby sword and slides himself against the wall with his legs pushing on the ground, forcing himself to stand. With sheer willpower he makes his way towards Ra's al Ghul, blade in hand and a fiery glare in his eyes.
"No mask? Heh," Bruce whispers as he saunters forward, "What's a Demon, Ra's," he pauses as he raises the blade back, "without a Head?" And the sword comes down. A sick sound is heard, the type of noise that one might hear in a slaughterhouse when a hunk of meat is cleaved in twain, and Ra's' body topples over.
Bruce then drops his sword and falls as well, his face meeting Talia's. Remarkably she's still alive and manages a faint, "Beloved…" before closing her eyes for the final time. He tries to reach for her but doesn't have the strength. He sighs, "My fault Talia…everything…my fault…forgive me," and the world fades to oblivion as the entire island slowly sinks beneath the waves…
TO BE CONTINUED…