Chapter 8

The sun rose over the distant mountains. It was now January 23rd. Ra's made his way toward the couple's apartment. All the waiting and planning came down to this. Today would prove to be Sportacus' last.

The above-average hero woke up. He hadn't really slept that much that night. He was still thinking about what Bruce had said. Over the past three days, things had been getting worse instead of better.

Stephanie was still asleep. Sportacus looked at his wife. She doesn't deserve this. Always having to wonder if we'll be safe and what tomorrow will bring. What have I done? Stephanie said,

"Don't think like that. I've seen that look before." Her husband's expression changed.

"I thought you were sleeping."

"If you don't sleep, I don't sleep. Don't think I didn't notice you tossing and turning. You haven't done anything except love me." She put her arms around him.

"I just wanted a nice happy life together, without all this craziness." He replied holding her in his arms.

"Well then life would be pretty boring. I knew what I was signing on for and yet I did it anyway. Being in love doesn't always mean being safe." Stephanie smiled and kissed him. Her hands roamed over his body until they met with the scars left by the gunshot wounds. Those would always be there to remind them of how close they had come. Their kissing was interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Quickly Sportacus pulled on a shirt and went to the door.

Opening, the bedroom door he found an imposing person standing there. The cowl and cape gave away who it was.

"I hate to interrupt but I believe the enemy approaches. The sensors I set out have been tripped. Get ready as fast as you can. Today we fight." Batman turned and walked back down the hall. Sportacus pulled off his clothes and pulled on his uniform.

"I'm afraid I must leave, Stephanie. I love you. Whatever happens remember that." He kissed her forehead. Then in a flash, he was gone.

"I love you, too." She whispered. Silently, Stephanie sat in bed and wished that he didn't have to do this. She didn't want him to join his father in Valhalla.

Ra's reached the playground. His samurai sword was still in its sheath. He had a feeling that someone was hiding, watching him. Ra's' suspicions were confirmed when Batman stepped from behind the slide.

"I see you're still using the theatricality I taught you. Let's see how you've improved since we last met." Ra's taunted his ex-student.

"I seem to remember you telling me that training didn't mean anything unless I had the will to act. I believe that you'll find I don't fight alone." Batman replied. As if on cue, Sportacus stepped behind Ra's.

"I think he's right." He said. The villain smiled.

"So you brought him to me. How very kind of you." Without saying another word, Ra's withdrew his samurai sword.

"Let it begin." The sharp sword came crashing down on Batman's forearm. The scallops on his arm deflected the blade and sent Ra's backward. Again Ra's swung at the Dark Knight. This time the Caped Crusader kicked his legs out from under him. The sword went up into the air and landed point down in the playground's gravel.

"I have disarmed you." Batman stated.

"But you forget how dangerous I am without my sword." Ra's replied, knocking the hero down. He then made a grab for his weapon.

"Looking for something?" Sportacus answered holding the blade in his hands.

To Be Continued…