Perseus: I'm glad you're interested in Dark Bat. I am just as excited for it as you are. Unfortunately, it did not win the vote, but I promise the finer details of the story are being worked out. I can't promise it will be out any time soon. But there is progress on the creation of it.

Life Unexpected

Chapter 20

Wayne Manor

Following what had transpired with Dean and his friends, Elissa cut herself off from every single one of them. She blocked Dean's number and was staying at her father's house for a while. She somehow doubted that Dean could make it all the way to Wayne Manor. It was at least an hour outside the city and that was knowing how to navigate the roads.

Dean had the audacity to call her the night she ditched them at the restaurant. She didn't even hesitate to decline the call.

From what Diana had told her, the jerk even showed up at the house looking for her. Diana shut the door in his face, not even bothering to see the shocked look on his face when the door shut.

Elissa recalled collapsing into her mother's arms and crying. Bawling at what had happened and told her mother everything even when she told Bruce she did not want Diana to know yet.

But things don't always go as planned. The girl desperately needed her mother. Bruce was great. But he did not offer the level of comfort and affectation that Diana warmly gave to Elissa on a daily basis. Elissa could only chalk that up to living with Diana most of the time.

Elissa drowned in embarrassment as she recalled falling into her mother's arms, breaking down. It just didn't sit well with her. So now she was just lounging around the big house her father had. She needed to be away from people for a while.

She felt hollow as she strolled the grand halls of stately Wayne Manor. She was not really paying attention to the décor of the place. Suits of armor, paintings, vases, stone busts of old guys. She never realized the manor had so much stuff. When her father and Dick gave her the tour of the place, they told her that most of these objects have been around since the first Waynes moved in.

At the time Elissa really didn't get it. Even now, she doesn't. When she asked why, Bruce told her it was about legacies and remembering where you came from. He told her that he did not really care for what his ancestors did in their life. His parents were the ones that made him decide how to define himself and what he wanted to be remembered for.

Elissa… still didn't get it. But that was probably because she didn't grow up in a mansion surrounded by family. All she took from Bruce's explanation was detached connections. They were just pictures to her, although she did not voice her thoughts for fear of upsetting the man. He took the time to explain their family to her, she thought it best to pay attention and listen and keep any rude comments to herself.

Although, she wished she got to meet her grandparents. Bruce made them out to be saints.

Alfred wandered the halls of house that he had been tasked with guarding for decades, in search of the young lady of the manor. Alfred had been ecstatic that Bruce would not be the last of the Wayne family when he learned of Elissa.

The butler realized this child had an even better affect on Bruce than Dick. Elissa was a cheerful yet reserved girl when she chose to be. But when she was with her father both were alive. The Bat never reared its head when the man was with his daughter. The old man prayed that his charge could one day put his monster to rest.

He found the girl hanging by the pool wearing a black one-piece swimsuit. He stepped out the backdoor to witness the girl put her legs into the water, sitting on the edge. She casually kicked her legs back and forth occasionally. He discerned that her heart wasn't in it.

She stared at her reflection in the water as it shimmers deep in thought. Abruptly, she steeled herself and stood.

Suddenly, he watched as Elissa stood on the ledge and just jumped into the deep end of the pool. Alfred's old eyes widened as seconds ticked by and Elissa had yet to resurface.

Urgently, the man raced to the pool, panic-stricken. He quickly asked himself in Elissa knew how to swim. To his shame he had no idea.

Stopping at the edge, he peered into the water as the teen was starting to move her limbs erratically indicating she did not know how to swim.

Panic had surged within her as she feared she would drown. And then she felt the arms.

Water splashed everywhere as the old man reached into the water grabbing the teenager and pulled her out. It was difficult as she was flailing around so much. Water had soaked his dress shirt and jacket. His sleeves soaked close to the shoulders.

He was relieved when he heard the teenaged girl erupt into a coughing fit as she took in air as he pulled her a couple of feet from the pool.

"Miss Elissa, are you alright?!" the butler exclaimed in fright as he was hunched over her ready to over aid.

Elissa panted, taking in greedy gulps of air. Water dripping off her and onto the stone ground. She stared at the older man with wide eyes as she did not have an answer just yet.

"I'm… I'm okay," she managed to say.

The butler grabbed a towel from the nearest lounge chair and draped it over her, drying her off, the man still hovering over her prepared to assist her further.

The man patiently waited to be certain that the teen was out of danger. Although, his curiosity was piqued on why she would do such a thing in the first place in she did not know how to swim.

Water droplets hung from her eyelashes as she quickly wiped them away clearing her vision. Silence accompanied them as Elissa was not in a very talkative mood. While Elissa was polite to the butler, she did not have much experience dealing with a butler. Or having even meet one before. The man seemed to be quite welcoming with her when she they first met. And had come to accept the man that was a second father to hers. But the man was so damn formal! She lost count the number of times she had asked him to just call her Elissa. But the man would not have as he was unbending in his station as a valet.

She had finally noticed the man's soaked sleeves and was suddenly hit with regret. "Sorry about your sleeves, Alfred," she apologized. When she turned her head to face him, she noticed his soaked front as well. "Sorry," she muttered her voice deflated of any positive emotions.

"I have plenty others, Miss," the older man dismissed. "You are very lucky I was on my way to check on you. What were you thinking? Jumping into the water like that when you don't know how to swim?" His voice was filled with inquisitiveness, not one iota of harshness or reprimand. "Why not use the stairs to get in? That way you could hold on to the railing?" he inquired softly.

"Uh…" she blanked on the questions. She did not register the railing in her little plan.

Slowly, Elissa's mood deadened as she was even more depressed than before. Her head hung low as her head was filled with all the questions that Alfred had bombarded her way.

The man sensed that he may have overstepped. Somehow, his saving her had upset her.

Chastising herself for being so stupid. Again.

Her throat tightened as she felt that she was on the brink of tears. Swallowing, she started to say, "I… I used to have this stupid little girl fantasy. Where whoever adopted me would teach me how to swim," she suddenly started spilling her guts to the older man. "We'd laugh, I'd fail. And they would congratulate me as I learned," a phantom smile on her lips. "I would be so proud that they would race me," her voice cracked as one of the most intimate secrets of herself was out in the open.

She was lost in her fantasy for a while as the man gazed upon her in sympathy as he realized that no one had bothered to teach her in her life let alone ask her about it.

"I thought if I jumped in, I would take to it like a fish to water, but no, I can't," her smile had faded and an aura of disappointment.

She remembered where she was as she returned from within her mind. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly got up, drying her legs. "Thanks again, Alfred," she said quickly, if not hollowly as she wanted to get away and hide. "I'm going to shower," she told him, walking back into the manor.

Old eyes followed her, as the man recognized her emotional circumstance. A circumstance that needed to be rectified immediately.

Later as evening was approaching, the sun still in the sky, the light on the house orange-like. Elissa was lounging on the couch dressed in a red t-shirt and jean shorts listening to music on her phone. Her state melancholy after the turbulent days she had.

She did not notice Alfred enter the sitting room, nor hear him clear his throat asking for her attention. Trying a different approach, he tapped her on the shoulder startling her.

"What's wrong?" she pulled an earbud from her ear.

"Master Wayne is on the patio, he wishes to speak with you," he informed her.

Inwardly, dread wrapped around her as she expected her father to scold her for what happened earlier today. No doubt Alfred told him.

With resigned sigh, Elissa dropped her phone on the couch and dragged herself to the patio. She was dumbfounded when she found her father standing by the pool wearing swim trunks.

"So, I hear you need someone to teach you how to swim," he smirked knowingly.

Immediately, she brightened up and raced to get her swimsuit. When she returned dressed appropriately for the pool her excitement changed and was now hesitant. "Maybe we could do this another time? I don't want to bother you," she reasoned.

"Elissa," his voice stern, she stiffened, "get in the pool," he commanded her. Obediently, she went over to him and was about to jump in before he succinctly pointed to the staircase. She hopped down the stairs and fought against the water with her father soon joining her.

"Okay, so, you are going to want to start with mastering floating," he began to instruct her in the art of swimming.

While she was being instructed, Elissa noticed the scars all over her father's body. She mentioned that they looked painful. She worryingly asked what happened, he said was they were the result of driving fast cars and polo.

"Polo?" she parroted skeptically.

"Very competitive."

She left it alone as the man told her to start kicking her legs.

When they were finished practice, they sat on the ledge, legs in the water. She had a good time and learned a lot.

The sun was finally beginning to set, sitting in silence. Elissa found out that she liked the silence. So did Bruce.

"Thanks," she said gratefully.

The man nodded, "You're welcome. Don't hesitate to tell me what you want, Elissa. I'm not a mind reader," he told her. "And thank Alfred for telling me about this."

The teenager nodded her head.

"Come on," he beckoned, "it's getting late."

The two got out of the water and retreated to the manor.

Gotham Docks

Bane inspected the dock as he noted the warehouses and shipping containers that littered the area. Boats and ships were docked there, he also noted the lack of people. Suspicion rose in his mind as he figured something was imminent.

Bane had commandeered one of Penguin's warehouses for his own personal use. Whether he would use it was still up for debate.

With but a gesture of his head, he beckoned his lieutenants to follow. Almost an hour passed before three cars raced up to the warehouse, headlights beamed light towards the structure. Armed men exited the cars and cautiously approached the warehouse. They noticed that the lights were still on, and the door was ajar.

They peaked inside to see the contents of the warehouse which still consisted of Penguin's goods, yet no sign of the masked wrestler they were told to ice.

They entered eyes darting to every inch of the warehouse. Crates of illegal goods were undisturbed, the lights bright and unrevealing any sign of the target.

Waiting in the car was one of the men on lookout duty. The window of the car was down as the air conditioning was on the fritz. Completely unaware of being watched as a knife flew through the hot night air and stuck itself into the driver's head, killing him instantly. His head slouched to the right, his body following, falling into the passenger seat.

"There's no one here," one of the gunmen announced the obvious.

"No shit," another rudely exclaimed.

Suddenly, gunfire erupted, bullets spraying into the warehouse taking out the gunmen effortlessly.

Bane strode into the warehouse, a machine gun in hand, noting the dead men. Until… he noticed one was grunting in pain and blood pooled under them.

Seeing Bane, the mortally wounded man tried to raise his gun, but his strength left him along with his blood.

Bane expressionlessly dropped his weapon and clutched the sides of the man's head.

"No…" the dying man uttered weakly.

A sickening snap echoed inside the warehouse as Bane delivered the final blow, killing the man.

Suddenly, Zombie and Bird entered awaiting Bane's next order.

"What do you want to do, Bane?" Bird inquired, stepping carefully to avoid the blood.

Red lenses stared intently at the corpses as he pondered his next move.

"Send a message," he said cryptically.

All three were unaware of another trespasser at the warehouse. A lithe figure with a fixation for felines and stealing watched the whole thing from the rafters. Luckily, she was unnoticed as she blended in with the shadows. A small bag of diamonds strapped to her waist as she thought Penguin wouldn't mind losing a handbag of diamonds.

Silently, she snuck out of the warehouse unnoticed, desiring not to be killed by the big guy.

Iceberg Lounge

Penguin sat behind his desk feeling good about himself. By now, that muscle bound newcomer should be dead and he will be getting a phone call any moment now. Satisfaction filled him as the affront dealt to him would be righted. No one disrespected the Penguin. Not in his own establishment and not get a bullet in their face as retribution.

He puffed out smoke as there was a knock on his office door.

"Yes?"

An underling entered; a nervous expression written on their face.

"What? What is it?" the little man snapped at the lack of response.

"Th-There's something you should see," the underling disclosed to his boss. They started to leave with Cobblepot a few steps behind them.

They stopped at the front entrance of the lounge and the monocle popped out of his eye as utter shock formed on his face.

Before him was one of the cars his men were issued and inside was the bodies of over a dozen men shoved into the car. Some of the bodies had to be folded to fit into the tight squeeze as the car was not designed for so many people. The car had crashed into a streetlamp and was up on the curb as witnesses saw the car had lost control.

Some of his man that worked the lounge turned away from the gruesome scene.

Penguin knew what this was. A message. Bane was still alive, and things were not looking good for Cobblepot.

Instantaneously, Penguin felt that it was best to get off the street. As he hobbled inside, and the doors shut behind him a thunderous roar startled him as the car exploded taking a few men's lives and ruined the sign of the lounge and front entrance. Cobblepot was thrown from his position and fell flat on the floor.

He faded in and out of consciousness as his ears were ringing, smoke filling the room as people were screaming and running. Others were trying to put the fire out.

As Penguin was losing consciousness he conceded.

Okay, message received. You win.

Everything went black as smoke filled his lungs.

Wayne Manor

Bruce was getting ready for his date with Diana as they had plans for dinner at her place. Unfortunately, it seemed Gotham had other plans for him.

As he was getting dressed, he heard Alfred clear his throat. With a questioning brow, he silently asked what was pressing.

"Sir, I'm afraid you have a prior engagement," the older man informed. He nudged his head towards the nearest window and saw the bat signal shining high in the night sky.

With a sigh, Bruce uttered, "Diana is going to kill me," he bemoaned as he knew she had her heart set on date night.

"Would you like me to call her?" Alfred offered. Although, the older man knew this was the billionaire's battle.

"No, I'll call her," the dark-haired man said, taking off his dress shirt. "Is Elissa here?"

"She is out with a friend and sleeping over," Alfred explained.

"Good," the man nodded, pleased that his daughter was getting out of her funk. He still wanted to throttle that little punk.

He grabbed his phone and started making a very uncomfortable phone call. The man noticed that Alfred had made himself scarce.

The phone rang in his ear a few times until he heard the most beautiful voice in the world answer.

"Hey, you," Diana greeted. He could hear the smile in her words. "Are you on your way?"

Wincing, "I… I can't make it."

Dead silence.

A few seconds passed, before Bruce spoke up. "A new investor just called and wants me there for a face to face. I can't really get out of it," he explained, his face twisted in a grimace as he hated lying to her.

All he heard was her steady breathing before she responded.

"I understand," she responded coolly. "A raincheck," she offered.

"I'm really sorr—" the phone clicked as Diana abruptly hung up on him, expressing how much it bothered her that he canceled again.

He sighed, knowing he had some serious groveling to do afterwards.

Diana's House

A scowl was written on the woman's beautiful face as she had just hung up on her boyfriend. Displeasure coursed through her as she was very excited to spend time with him. The fact he had to cancel yet again soured her excited disposition.

She was all dressed up in her midnight blue dress that glittered. Her gaze turned to the dinner resting on her dining room table, the candlelight burning bright.

Seeing as how her date was cancelled, she saw no reason to hang around.

"Bruce Wayne, you are one dead duck," she swore, blowing out the candles and going upstairs to change.

GCPD HQ

When Batman arrived, he noticed two things. One: the signal was lit and two: there was no Gordon. Like second nature, he grew suspicious. Was this the police coming after him again like in the beginning?

He dismissed it as Gordon would have told him about it. The mutual trust between them entailed some courtesy.

He stiffened when he heard a… meow?

He glanced up at the contraption that summoned him and saw a lithe yet athletic body lying on top of it, fingers playing with the top of the device.

He hadn't seen or heard from her in almost two years. With a sigh, he said, "It's not a toy," he chided, hands on his hips in an authoritative fashion.

Catwoman smirked at him sultry, "Well you know cats and light beams," she responded nonchalantly. She slid off the signal, her every movement oozed seduction. Her hips swayed as she approached tall, dark, and handsome.

Her black leather attire fit her snuggly, the zipper down exposing an abundant amount of cleavage. Her green eyes stared at him intently as he stared back at her, his eyes never leaving her.

They used to… date? It seemed like an appropriate word, but they haven't been together for a while now.

"What do you want?" Batman asked as she got a little too close.

Her fingers traced the bat symbol on his chest. Like always she was teasing him. Pushing the boundaries until he reacted. But it was different now. Diana was in the picture now and he doesn't have the time to deal with an ex.

He gripped her wrists to stop her ministrations, to which she gave him a curious look.

"What do you want?" he said again more forceful. If she called just to try and rile him up, then she was going to be disappointed.

Sensing something different about him, Catwoman pulled back, his grip loosened on her. Turning her back to him, she started to respond, "I saw something tonight. At the docks, some new guy just killed some Penguin goons."

Batman stared at her alarmed by what he had just heard.

She continued, "Big guy in a mask along with some other ugly looking guys. I was there because I'm me," she put some levity into it to lighten the mood. She knew he understood what she meant. "I thought I'd give you a heads up because he was taking one of Penguin's warehouses," she informed him.

Batman stood silent as he processed. A new player? Was this man responsible for the Stock Exchange robbery? He dismissed the idea as speculation until evidence proved it.

"Did you get a name?" Batman finally spoke.

His question startled her slightly. "No, I cut out before they noticed me," she explained. She turned to leave and let him to his hero thing, but he stopped her.

"Why tell me about it?"

She turned her head back to him, "I'm a thief not a killer. Sure, I won't usually stick my neck out, but I just got a feeling that things are going to be very difficult if this guy isn't stopped," she expressed earnestly, pulling her goggles down over her eyes.

"Whoever she is I hope you're happy," Catwoman told him, her voice failing to mask the hurt that she felt as she read him clearly. He was seeing someone else. And it hurt her deeply.

The dark clad man didn't say a word as she leapt off the roof leaving him alone.

His mind was already working a mile a minute as a new player was in town and was already making enemies. He had to get to work.

He took off for the docks already getting word that someone attacked the Iceberg Lounge, Cobblepot's 'legitimate' business. He will investigate that later, right now he wanted to check the warehouse; it wasn't hard to find. The vigilante kept himself abreast of all of Penguin's illegal rackets. The little man's shell companies and fronts could not withstand the tenacity of Batman.

He knew exactly what warehouse; the doors were wide open, and a trail of blood lead out of the warehouse. He noticed tire tracks but no cars. Two other sets of tracks but they lead nowhere.

And the worst of it all: the warehouse was empty.

What ever Cobblepot had inside now belonged to this new player.

Bane's Safehouse

Bird was sitting pretty counting all the money they stole from the warehouse. They had moved all materials from the warehouse to their ship that was housed in the harbor before they sent that colorful message to Penguin.

Bane was staring out the window, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Plans were now in the works and the first blow had been struck.

Zombie was playing with his knifes and Trogg was tinkering with the weapons they pulled from one of the crates.

Suddenly, Bane spoke to his henchmen.

"Bird," said man whipped his head to the masked man, "send word to our forces in Santa Prisca," the commanded. "It is time to go to war!" the man declared with deadly intent.

He will have Gotham City. And the Batman will lie broken at his feet.

NEXT: First Encounter

Thanks for all the reviews, favs and follows! Please continue to do so!