SHOT DEAD

CHAPTER TWO: CITY OF CRYME

Batman was terribly uncomfortably inside the Batmobile, his ribs were aching severely he needed to see Dr. Leslie. She could patch him up and he wouldn't worry about her taking a peak under his mask. As the Batmobile flew towards her clinic; a predator sat peaked on a small building over looking the oncoming Batmobile. Pointing his wrist launcher at it he fired and sent a missile under the right wheel and overturning it. His head rattling Batman crawled out from under the Batmobile to see the scarlet and silver armored feet of Deadshot stand before him.

Rolling to the side he jumps in the air and dodges the oncoming twin hand gun fire as bullets graze his heels, Batman dives behind a parked car and hits hard on his chest. Pulling at his Kevlar he can barely breathe, he peaked around the corner to see David Cain standing along with Deadshot now; meaning almost certain doom for him. Hurt; barely able to breath and outnumbered by two of the world's best assassins Batman couldn't believe how in such a short time so much had happened.

"Batman…?"

Looking up he saw the out stretched hand of Nightwing; Dick Grayson. Helping him up the two divided into a pair of destructive winds. Batman dove forward and fired his grappling hook attaching to Deadshot and yanking them both together Batman pushed his feet forward and they collided. Foot to face. Nightwing pulled his staff out and extended it twirling it in his hand as the massive force of Cain moved toward him charging with gun firing dagger blazing Nightwing smacked the gun out of his hand, but was cut deep by the dagger across the chest.

Batman got to his feet watching Deadshot do the same. As a mini-rocket came at him Batman ducked and the car behind him exploded knocking Deadshot off his feet. Hurling his batarang as Deadshot leaned upward and was struck under the chin by the batarang. Nightwing wrapped his staff around Cain's neck and yanked him to the asphalt and placed several punches into his chest and then flipped to his left side to shove his knee hard into Cain's temple; knocking him unconscious.

"You alright Batman?"

"Fine. Nightwing I need you in the search team for Oracle."

"No you don't. That's why I was here so quickly Batman.. Oracle has been missing for two days I came here in hopes of finding her… I found nothing."

Looking around and scanning the skies Batman met eyes with Dick. "What is going on... this is so analytical the everything that has unfolded is so.. familiar yet so far apart. Everything that has happened in the past for hours has been calculating, cunning and so far I haven't been able to keep track."

Nightwing paused for a few seconds pondering the facts. "Another one of your War Games?"

"No, but something like it. Someone has gained control of the world's deadliest hit men and assassins… I.."

"What?"

"Incoming Police scans. Gotham Bridge… We need to get there now."

Firing his grappling hook Batman shot off in the night sky, Nightwing soon joined next to him.

"You were saying Batman."

"What I was saying isn't important now we need to concentrate on getting to the bridge.. or what's left of it."

Gotham Bridge

Batgirl flung herself off her batline and dove into the icy waters of Gotham Bay. Grabbing two small children she swam to the search and rescue boat, close by and propped them on the side.

"There's two children trapped inside a car under water.. divers can't get to her."

Looking at the water she grabbed her breather from her belt and went under kicking her legs as hard as she could, she saw a multitude of head light shining at her. She didn't know which and was afraid she'd lose the children when a diver pointed to the sinking car. Swimming as quick as she could she placed a small Batgirl insignia shaped sonic on the window. A tiny shriek let out and the window shattered completely; pulling the children through it she placed her breather on one of them and the Rescue's teams on the other. The burst through the surface and Batgirl took a deep breath of relief.

Looking out the corner f her eye she saw Batman and Nightwing dive in near by. "Batman? Nightwing?"

"Were here to provide aid Batgirl. Any word from Tarantula?"

"No Batman I haven't been in contact since she started on her way here."

After no answer came she dove back under to search for more survivors.

Gotham Observatory

The shadowy figure stood up from his seat and Lady Shiva walked with him into the darker rooms behind them. The figure's deep resounding voice spoke. "Deathstroke you and Bane stay here; our heroes and heroines will arrive here shortly. You will allow only two or the four to leave."

Gotham Bridge

Batman, Nightwing, and Batgirl stood on the left side overlooking the bay; they had done all they could, the survival rate was barely half the original number. It was all they could manage, but it was no where near enough. As they watched a foe snuck up behind them and delivered a horrifying message. A single shot and they all turned, Batman was struck in the chest and thrown into the water. Nightwing and Batgirl both dove into Deadshot, Batgirl braking the arm the gun was in and Nightwing snapping his knee cap in.

Diving in after him Nightwing brought Batman to the wooden docks. Helping him up Batgirl and Nightwing got him on the dock and prepared to move him. The shot was bleeding bad Batman was coughing up blood and going into convulsions.

"Batgirl we gotta get him to Leslie."

Nodding Nightwing picked him up and looked around, he saw a parked car just of the dock and rushed to it. Smashing the window open he placed Batman in the back seat. And he jumped in the front jumping the car and peeling out. Batgirl tied up Dead shot and brought him over to Gotham police.

"Hold on Bruce… don't give up now."

Slamming on the accelerator he flew dangerously through oncoming traffic and red lights, before making it to Leslie clinic frantically honking the horn. He didn't have much time and when she came through the door and saw his blood soaked costume she knew what was going on. Pulling his chest costume down, the bullet wound was clear as day, it had pierced directly through the Kevlar. It would be a short time now, Leslie had to act quickly.

"I need immediate triage, get him to the E.R. Gun shot wound to the chest, possible heart tissue."

Gotham Point

Batgirl met there with Tarantula, and Huntress already waiting. Robin came in a few seconds later with Catwoman not far behind they stayed for a few short seconds all in silence all looking grim. Then Nightwing walked out of the darkness, his face with a terrible look of disdain and anger he looked up to his small army.

"I'm taking charge here."

No one disagreed or even said anything.

"Batman has been shot and might not make it. Oracle is missing and thousands just died in the Gotham Bridge collapse. Today is not a day for arguments just do what I tell you."

Looking around he turned to Catwoman and Robin. "I need you two to search out for Oracle… find her and tell me what happened." He turned to Batgirl and Tarantula. "You two go find he set off the explosions to the bridge I want to know who it is we're dealing with."

As he turned, Robin stepped forward. "What about you?"

"Huntress and I are going to find out who's behind all this."

Without another word he flung his jumpline and flew off Huntress curiously following behind a few seconds later. Turning to one another the groups separated and broke off going into their duties.