Dick Grayson made his way out into a dark alley in the Narrows a few blocks away from Arkham Asylum. He slipped his suit off, revealing his Batman uniform and slipped the cowl over his head. He pushed a button on the remote and activated the Batmobile. He climbed in and drove away. He noticed the Batwave was active and looked to see where the signal was coming from.
He picked up his Communicator and dialed the Titans. "What's going on?" he asked. "Any sign of Bane?"
"No, but we did have a lead, someone reported to the police that they saw him at Robinson Park," Cyborg replied.
"He's probably long gone now. No doubt he left after word got out that he was wanted by me as well as the Gotham PD."
"Azrael says he wants to help us find him."
"Good. Strength in numbers, have you called Batgirl and Robin?"
"No, not yet."
"I'm going to stop by the library, see if I can get a hold of a recent map of Gotham City."
"Okay, what do you want us to do? I was thinking about canvassing the city, and splitting up into teams to search for Bane."
"Good thinking, Cyborg, you go and do that. I'll rejoin you when I can."
"Okay," Cyborg signed off. Batman made his way to the Gotham Public Library and ducked inside. He slipped by unwary readers browsing through shelves of old books. He headed towards the back where he knew a certain redheaded librarian was working.
"Babs, you busy?" he whispered. She jumped in surprise and whirled around to face him.
"Don't scare me like that! You almost gave me a heart attack!" she hissed at him.
"Sorry, couldn't help it."
"What are you doing here?" Barbara asked.
"Since when did the gymnist who was an Olympic hopeful become a librarian?"
"The Olympic hopeful became a librarian since the Olympics are a few years away. Can I do something for you, Bats?"
"I'm looking for a recent map of Gotham. I need it to help me search for Bane."
"I see. So where are your friends?"
"Out canvassing the city for Bane," he replied. "I'm going to join them as soon as I get a hold of this map."
"Okay, let me go take a look," Babs ran off to search the archives for a recent map of Gotham.
She walked back carrying a bundle of larch rolled up maps. "So what do you need? Blue prints or the plans for the utility construction?"
"Both. Is there a way to check this out?"
"I don't think it's allowed…but I think that I could make you copies," she said, making her way towards the copier. She began running the plans through the machine. Soon, they were ready and she handed it to him.
"Do you think that will help?" she asked.
"Sure will," Batman replied.
"I'll join you as soon as I get off work," she added.
"Good, I can use all the help I can get."
"Are you sure you can do this Babs?" Batman asked gently, "Ever since your experience with the Joker, I've been worried about you."
"Thanks, but I'll be fine," she gave him a warm smile.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure, you better go on, your Communicator's activated."
He ducked out the back door and leapt into the Batmobile. "Titans, what's the situation?"
"Still no sign of Bane, but we do have another problem."
"What's that?"
"Downtown's mysteriously flooded, and it's not raining."
"Are you there now?" Batman asked.
"Yes."
"Do you see anything?"
"Not yet—Wait! I saw something, down in the water."
"Do you know what it was?"
"Looked like an alligator."
"Killer Croc," Batman muttered.
"He's an escapee from Arkham, right?"
"Yes, and be careful he's smarter than he looks."
"I'll keep that in mind," Cyborg signed off and stared out a cross the flooded square. He used his visual scanner to search for Killer Croc. He peered into the dark, murky waters. He frowned, and stared over the landscape.
He watched as the Batmobile pulled up and parked at a curb. Batman stepped out and strode over to the Titans. "Any luck finding Croc?"
"No," Cyborg replied. "I saw him once, but he disappeared.
"No, he hasn't, we just have to sit back and wait." Batman began scanning the area with his optic cable. "I knew it. He's swimming into the Gotham First Federal bank."
"They really like that place don't they?" Beast Boy quipped.
"This is not the time for jokes, Beast Boy!" Batman looked over at the others. "We need to get over to the bank."
Batman pushed a button on his utility belt and watched as a boat pulled up to one of the docks. Cyborg whistled as they ran over to it. "I must admit Bats, you got some nice toys."
"Thanks, now get in."
"Why are we taking a boat across?" Raven asked. "He'll spot us for sure!"
"He'll spot you, which is what I want. I don't want him to suspect I'm coming."
They began making their way towards the bank in the boat. Batman pulled out his grapple gun and aimed for the roof. He latched it onto a ledge and shot across the water. He hoisted himself up and quietly peered down at Killer Croc, who began sniffing, sensing his presence. He scooted back out of sight as the supervillain looked up at the glass skylight. Shaking his head, he turned back to the gigantic money vault and continued putting stacks of bills into a large sack.
"Hurry up, Croc, we don't have all day," a voice said impatiently.
"I'm going as fast as I can Eddie, I've only got two hands, you know!"
"Fine, Waylon, just keep moving. We don't have much time."
"The Riddler?" Batman muttered. "Why would he be working with Killer Croc? He likes to work alone." Batman continued to watch, waiting for the Titans to storm into the room and create a diversion for him to take down Croc.
The front doors trembled and shook as Cyborg slammed into them with his large mechanical body. The wooden frame shattered as he and the others burst into the room, weapons drawn and at the ready. "Croc—and the Riddler?" Cyborg asked in surprise, he recovered quickly. "Step away from the money now!"
"And what makes you think I'm gonna listen to a bunch of pipsqueaks like you?" Killer Croc growled fiercely. "I'm not interested in a fight, I just want some cold, hard cash from my bank account."
"Yeah," Beast Boy smirked. "Your imaginary bank account. Does that count for your intelligence too?"
"Don't go messing with Killer Croc, kid. I have a nasty bite."
"Can't be anything special."
"Well Green Kid, let's see what you've got!" Killer Croc assumed an aggressive stance and was ready for a fight. Beast Boy held his confident smile and morphed into an alligator.
"Ooh, he is clever."
"Only about as much as you are," Raven smirked.
Killer Croc charged forward and Beast Boy moved to engage him. Beast Boy staggered back, still in alligator form and swung himself around, his leathery tail connected with Killer Croc's face and he barely raised his hand to block it.
Much to Croc's shock, Beast Boy transformed into a kangaroo and slammed his tail into Boy snapped at Croc, barely missing with his razor sharp teeth. Killer Croc avoided the attack and smashed his fist into the green changeling's midsection, his head. He landed on his feet and morphed into a tiger, biting and slashing the supervillain.
Croc slammed his fist into Beast Boy, sending him flying across the room and into one of the vaults. Beast Boy regained his footing and charged back, morphing into a rhino, rammed into Killer Croc like a freight train. Waylon Jones felt the impact as he smashed back into the wall, leaving a huge crater in the concrete structure. Waylon Jones suddenly leaped forward and kicked Beast Boy as he tried to climb to his feet. He morphed into a boa constrictor and looked himself around the villain's torso.
Meanwhile, the Riddler twirled his Question Cane and charged the Batman. He struck viscously with the metallic staff and Batman barely avoided the flaming, green rod. He somersaulted back and executed a quick kick aimed at Riddler's stomach. The Riddler jumped back, dodging the blow as he swung his Cane around, smashing Batman in the face. Startled, Batman stumbled, this foe prepared to bring the Cane smashing down on his head when suddenly Cyborg wrenched a pipe from the wall and blocked the blow.
Riddler and Cyborg remained locked in combat, neither refusing to back down, there was no give in Riddler, no backing down with Cyborg. Cyborg hauled back and struck as hard as he could. Riddler managed to block and strike back. Cyborg brought his knee up and slammed it into Riddler as he gasped and punched out hard, jarring the robotic Titan's sensors, he shook his head trying to get himself back together.
Raven summoned her powers and picked up a table. She brought it looming over the Riddler's head and let it drop on him. He looked up in time and brought his Cane slicing through it. The table split in two and crashed to the floor.
Starfire rushed forward and slammed into Riddler, knocking him off his feet. She unleashed her eye lasers, burning the villain with flaming green energy. Batman leaped up and removed a Bat-a-Rang from his utility belt. He hurled it at the Riddler and watched as it knocked the Question Cane from his hands. He dove for the weapon as Cyborg moved to stop him. Riddler grasped the Cane and unleashed a stream of green laser fire at the Titan.
Cyborg reeled back and managed to hold his ground and retaliated with his Sonic Cannon. Blue met green as both fighters tried to outdo one another. The lasers ricocheted off the walls and the rest of the team dove for cover to avoid the beams.
Raven shot out a stream of dark energy, blasting the Riddler off his feet. Starfire summoned a gigantic ball of green energy to her, stretching out her hands to encompass the mass of green light. Edward Nygma stared in shock and awe as she hurled the green ball of fire straight at his head. He flew back into the wall, completely dazed as Batman charged forward, executing a flying kick; he knocked the Riddler unconscious.
Beast Boy and Killer Croc were trying their best to win against each other. Beast Boy transformed into a gorilla and grabbed Killer Croc by the scruff of his neck and slammed him into the floor. Killer Croc used his large tail to sweep the green changeling's legs out from under him, tripping he fell to the floor. Dirty sewer water filled his mouth and he spat it out quickly as the amphibious villain clamped his jaws around Beast Boy's torso and pulled him under.
"B.B., hold on, man!" Cyborg said as he saw his friend go under. He began firing his Sonic Cannon into the water, hoping he would hit something. He knew it probably would ruing his circuits, but he dove down into the two feet deep water and began feeling for any sign of his friend. Raven used her powers to part the waters like Moses at the Red Sea and Killer Croc, was lying down at the bottom of the floor, his jaws clammed around a squirming green octopus.
Killer Croc's eyes snapped wide open just as Cyborg grabbed a pipe and brought hit smashing down on his head. The villain slipped into black oblivion as Beast Boy pried his mouth off his body.
"That was one of the grossest things I've ever experienced," he laughed.
"How can you laugh like that?" Cyborg demanded. "You about died on us! Are you okay?"
"Is a ten pound robin fat? Of course I'm okay! Just chill, dude, I was okay down there. I was beating him with my tentacles while you all were trying to find me. I was fine."
"Don't scare us like that again, okay?"
"Like I said, I was just fine."
Cyborg and Beast Boy walked over to the Batman as he interrogated the Riddler about the location of Bane. "Come on, talk! Where is he?"
"Do I look like I know where Bane is?" Riddler asked. "And even if I did, why would I tell? There's nothing in it for me. And who's to say I know where he is?"
"Stop talking in riddles!" Batman roared. "Tell me where Bane is!"
"Batman, we do not even know if he saw Bane when he escaped," Starfire said quietly.
"I know he saw Bane. He was in Arkham Asylum with the Joker. We sent him there after we caught him trying to break in to City Hall's computers."
"Does that mean anything?" the Riddler asked.
"Yes, it means you know where Bane might be."
"How could I tell you something I don't know?" Nygma asked.
"What makes you think I'll believe you? How do I know you're not lying?" Batman asked.
"You'll have to trust me," the Riddler said calmly. "I don't know where Bane is."
"Very well," Batman said. "I'm sending you back to Arkham."
Edward Nygma said nothing as the police arrived and put him in cuffs. They also grabbed Killer Croc and placed him in an Police transport. Captain Yin walked over to the group of superheroes after most of squad cars drove off. "We haven't seen any sign of Bane anywhere, but I'll let you know if something turns up."
"Thank you, Captain," Batman said. "Have you contacted Azrael?"
"No, no word from him at all. Is he searching for Bane?"
"I assume so, he said he wanted to help," Batman frowned. "You haven't seen him?"
"No, but I'll inform you if I do," Captain Yin replied. "The Commish sends his regards. He's picking up Barbara from the library."
"At least the man has his priorities straight," Batman laughed.
"Yes, especially since we know of his daughter's nightly activities."
"We? As in the police?"
"No, just the two of us."
"I have to go now."
"Thank you for your help, Captain, I appreciate it."
"You're welcome," Captain Yin climbed into her car and drove off.
Batman turned with a flap of his cape and began moving toward the Batmobile. "Titans, spread out, split up into pairs of twos and canvas the city for Bane. Batgirl and Robin will join you shortly. I'll let you know if I find anything."
Cyborg began patrolling the streets and Beast Boy took to the sky as a large green eagle. Starfire and Raven scanned the city from a lower altitude, searching for any sign of the elusive mercenary.
Beast Boy landed on the street and morphed into a bloodhound. He began sniffing around, zigzagging through the narrow streets as he made his way through the city. Hr felt as if he were running around in circles. He hadn't found a single clue and he felt that if he didn't get a new lead soon he was going to go crazy.
He changed back into his human form, and picked up his Communicator. "Dude, I've gone all over the City and I haven't seen one glimpse of Bane. Can we all have a break? I'm going to drop."
"Let me check with the others," Batman replied. He contacted Cyborg, Raven and Starfire. "Have you found anything?"
"No, I have not;" Starfire replied. "The Bane has not resurfaced. Raven and I have not found anything amiss."
"Alright," Batman said in an exhausted voice. "I suppose we'll search again tomorrow. I'll finish my rounds and then we'll go home."
"I'll be on my last round," Batman said as he finished speaking. He shut off the Communicator and turned the street corner. He was beginning to wonder if this was turning into a wild goose chase. He began scanning the area, never knowing when his enemy might be found. He would bring Bane to justice. He promised Bruce he would, and that as a promise he intended to keep.
Azrael finished his extensive search of the east side of Gotham, looking in alleyways and abandoned buildings. There was still no sign of Bane there.
Azrael moved into Crime Alley, unsheathing his sword. He assumed an aggressive stance, prepared to attack. He moved softly through the street, looking around at the homeless sitting on the side of the street. Some of them were looking for a handout; some were looking for an opportunity to take advantage of the innocent. Many shrunk away from him as he passed by.
Suddenly, a figured tackled him to the floor. He looked up in time to see Bane reaching for his throat. He barely managed to throw him off as he jumped to his feet, grabbing his sword. Bane smashed his fist into Azrael's face as He kicked him viciously. Azrael blocked the blow and slashed at him with his sword. He grabbed a cell phone and hit the speed dial button. The number dialed 9-11 and the police dispatcher responded.
"Hello, this is the Gotham City Police. What is your emergency?"
"Get a hold of Commissioner Gordon or Captain Yin!" Azrael shouted. "The mercenary Bane is in Crime Alley!"
"Where is the mercenary Bane?" the dispatcher asked. Azrael thought that the man must have been dense if he hadn't understood him the first time. "He's in Crime Alley."
"I'll send your message to Commissioner Gordon as soon as possible. Could you please hold on the line and—" Azrael hung up. He didn't have time to deal with the police and their politics. He continued grappling with Bane; he hoped that his message would get through to Batman and the others on time.
"Commissioner, we have a sighting of Bane," the dispatcher sad as the Commissioner walked into the room.
"Good, Captain Yin, tell Batman the good news."
"I'll call him, Commish," Captain Yin pulled out the Batwave and punched it. She hoped they would be able bring in Bane; then they could all rest peacefully with a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.
Azrael tackled Bane to the ground as the homeless scattered away, trying to avoid the two combatants. He slashed at the mercenary with his gauntlets but Bane blocked his blows. Bane slammed his head into Azrael, stunning him. He picked him up by his neck and hurled him across the street, sending the armored vigilante across the street into a light post.
Azrael felt pain shoot through him as Bane's fist connected with his face. He felt his teeth rattle as he coughed up blood and spit it out.
"No one can defeat Bane. Not even the Angel of Death, Azrael!" Bane picked him up and held him high above his head. Azrael felt that he would be split in two at any second. He desperately hoped that the police would contact Batman. If they didn't, he was going to end up in the hospital like Bruce Wayne.
He looked up as he saw a familiar vehicle pull into Crime Alley. He saw the Teen Titans pull the T Car up on the other side of the alleyway, blocking Bane's way if he should try to escape. He looked over as Batman leaped out of the Batmobile. He saw Robin and Batgirl jump off their motorcycles and join him. They had come at last! He hoped they would all come out of this alive….
The Batwave suddenly came to life as Dick turned the corner near the Time Out Café. He pushed the button and responded, "Batman here."
"Good news Batman. Azrael found Bane, he's in Crime Alley."
"I'm on my way," Batman replied. "I'm going to summon the Titans as well." He punched in the code for their Communicators.
"Titans, Bane has been found. I'm sending you the coordinates where he is. He's in Crime Alley, meet me there, I'm going to try to cut Bane off before he can escape from Azrael."
"We're on our way," Cyborg said.
"And make sure, Batgirl and Robin come with you. We're going to need all the help we can get."
He ended the communication and quickly pushed a button on his utility belt, summoning the Batbot. He was going to need the giant piece of machinery to battle the Venom powered mercenary. He hoped that it would be enough.
He careened around the corner, speeding by streaming traffic. He pushed the pedal down to the floor and made his way across the city toward the northwest side of Gotham to Crime Alley. He was joined on the highway by the rest of the Titans; he noticed that Robin and Batgirl were on motorcycles. The seven vigilantes sped through the streets to Crime Alley.
"Titans, go around to the other side of Crime Alley. Block Bane's path so he can't get out." The two groups split up and The Titans took the back roads into the notorious known street. It was in that very alley that a mugger had murdered Bruce Wayne's parents.
Batman saw people scattering out of Crime Alley as they fled in panic. Bane was fighting Azrael with everything he had. Dick watched as Bane picked up Azrael and threw him into the wall, leaving a huge hole in the side of a building as Azrael unsheathed his flaming gauntlets, ready for a fight.
Batman watched as Bane picked up Azrael and held him above his head. He knew what was going to happen. He was going to break Azrael's back just like he broke Bruce's. Dick didn't want to see that happen to anyone else. He knew how Bruce had suffered, and even if he didn't completely trust the vigilante, he wasn't going to let Bane break someone else if he could help it.
Tires squealed as they pulled to a stop on both sides of Crime Alley. Batman pulled the Batmobile to a stop and leaped out. His cape fluttered in the wind as he landed, gliding softly to the ground. "It's over Bane! Justice has found you at last. A trial and a long prison sentence to Arkham Asylum await you."
"And an early grave awaits you, Batman," Bane powered up his Venom steroid. His muscles ripped and bulged as he grew in size. He now had double the strength had when he fought Azrael and soon towered over the Batman, Batgirl, Robin and the Titans.
"This is your end now…prepare to meet your doom!" he bellowed as he charged forward. Batman knew that this would likely be his last stand. He moved his hand to his utility belt, grasping two Bat-a-Rangs, he prepared to attack. The Titans stood at his side, ready to fight. This was Bane's day of reckoning, and everything had led up to this moment, this was going to be Dick Grayson's revenge for what had happened to Bruce, he had promised himself he would defeat Bane, and that was a promise he intended to keep…