Life Unexpected
Chapter 22
Weeks had passed as mid-summer approached. And in those weeks, Gotham was at war. Bane and his militia laid siege to the city. Casualties on both sides as Bane went after the GCPD. Officers were either killed or hospitalized. But the GCPD gave as good as they got as they sent dozens of Bane's men to the morgue. Bane was even so bold as to attack GCPD Headquarters. He tore through police officers one after another like they were nothing.
In his mind, Gotham was all but his at that point. And Batman was helpless to stop him. The Santa Priscan man burst through the roof access door and with his own hands aided by Venom he tore the bat signal from its stationary position on the roof and threw it over the edge, smashing into the street, missing any bystanders. The searchlight was reduced to smashed glass and bent metal. Bane did it all just to rub it in Batman's face as well as getting back at the vigilante for exposing his latest safehouse.
Bane was a man on the run thanks to Batman.
The city was on edge. It didn't help that a thunderstorm was approaching.
The mayor was debating whether to get the National Guard involved. However, the governor intervened and made the call. Not interested in debates. Gotham City was under siege and the time for debate or waiting for polls was over.
Unfortunately, Bane had prepared a contingency beforehand. His men raided parking lots hotwiring vehicles and plugged up the tunnels leading out of the city. Bridges were blown up just as soldiers were making their way into Gotham. Casualties were still being calculated.
What the police and Batman learned over the course of these stressful weeks was that Bane was a master strategist.
If the Guard tried to enter by boat, Bane's men were waiting for them. All but one avenue was open for them: air.
During a rainstorm, the National Guard sent out troops aboard helicopters. With the Robinson Park their designated landing point. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned.
On the rooftops, armed militia hid behind roof doors, billboards, chimneys, and the like. Even hid on fire escapes, watching as the copters sailing along the city in the rain.
Echo two-one-four, we are approaching the park.
Copy. Be alert. These militia have serious hardware.
Roger.
Helicopter blades drowned out the sound of rain hitting the ground as an entire fleet hung over Gotham.
Over the radios of the militia, Bane spoke, "The story of Icarus heralds a man that took to the skies. Now man can reach further heights, my countrymen, send them crashing down to the cold realty of the earth," he ordered.
"Yes, Bane," was the resounding response from his followers.
Armed with RPG's, the militia aimed their weapons.
"Hail Bane!"
They fired the missiles as soon as they had the helicopters in their sights.
The pilot of one of the copters saw the missile.
"RPG!" they shouted as they tried to evade, swerving only for the missile to destroy the propellers in a fiery explosion.
The copter tumbled from the sky crashing into the street before being claimed by fire as it exploded, killing all occupants.
More RPGs were fired as they took out so many of the Black Hawk helicopters. Destroying tail rotors, hitting the occupants of the copter.
They were swatted out of the sky effortlessly. Falling into the city in smoldering coffins. Copters fell into the streets, losing control, the helicopters crashed into buildings, tearing out chunks of stone and mortar. Crashing atop apartment buildings and businesses.
Fire escapes ripped from buildings as explosions resulted in buildings catching fire.
Over the National Guard's radio were screams from soldiers.
"OH MY GOD!"
"Incoming!"
"EVADE! EVADE!"
The only upside to it was that some of Bane's men were caught in the crossfire.
"Damn it!" Batman roared as he took to the skies guided by his cape.
Desperation drowned him as he struggled to take out as man of the militia as he could. Swift punches and kicks were delivered to the men. Urgency spurred him on as he took on the ones that had already used up their ammo.
Batman made sure to leave them hurting for quite some time as he dispatched them. When he left them unconscious, he went to rescue those trapped by the fires.
First responders were already alerted and mobilizing as they were pushed to the brink during these dangerous times.
It was getting so bad that Batman was forced to bring Robin in. He was reluctant to bring the young man into this… war. But he was left with little choice as innocent lives were on the line. They were busy clearing buildings as they raced from one fire to the other.
The pouring rain offered little aid in extinguishing the flames.
Panting, the dynamic duo stood atop a building covered in soot looking at the city before them. A hint of smoke in the air as the fires released black smoke into the sky like a pillar. Sirens blaring in their ears as Gotham's finest went to work.
Gotham City. A city of crime and corruption. A city that was burning. A city at war.
Staring at the city before him, he clenched his fist tightly as he scowled at what he saw. His city was burning, the people he charged himself with safeguarding were hurting. He fumed at his inability of bringing this to an end.
There was a war on the streets, and they were losing.
They worked well into dawn before Batman and Robin had to retreat to the cave for rest as well as to maintain cover as they do not go out before dark.
The initial body count was in the hundreds, which included soldiers. More reports were coming in those that were caught in the crossfire. On top of everything that was already occurring, now people were homeless. Forced from their homes as they were declared unsafe due to structural damage. Businesses had to close as well because for some… they didn't have a business anymore.
It was just utter chaos.
A mandatory curfew was in effect by five pm everyone was expected to be off the streets for their own safety. Businesses were told to accommodate the order.
It was not out of the realm of possibility of evacuating the city. The only downside was that almost all forms of transport was blocked by Bane. He had the city by the throat by destroying the bridges leading out of Gotham as well as filling the tunnels.
Airplanes were still viable, however, after what happened with the National Guard, Gotham was officially a no-fly zone for the foreseeable future.
Park Row
Night have fallen over Gotham once more and the 'War of Bane' as the press was calling it had yet to end. Batman and Robin were leaping off rooftops as the batdrones that Batman had deployed had picked up militia in Park Row.
He called the drones off and investigated personally with his partner at his side. Thermal imaging showed a few bodies gathered around a tunnel.
A preliminary scan showed a sniper on guard duty atop the tunnel.
Sharing a nod, Robin took off, his cape changing into a glider. He glided overhead and landed atop a billboard towering over the tunnel. He dropped down silently, his cape slowing his descent.
Kicking the back of the sniper's knee, Robin quickly wrapped his arms around the man's throat and mouth, silently taking him down all without the rifle firing a shot off.
He struggled at first but soon darkness swallowed him up.
With the sniper out of the way Batman charged down onto the unsuspecting militia. He landed on top of one of them, startling the rest.
Batman swiftly grabbed one of the rifles and whacked the butt of the rifle into their face. Momentarily stunned, Batman used the rifle as a crutch to help break the man's arm.
Disabling two now, Batman went after the others.
One mercenary threw a punch only for the vigilante to catch it with his hand. He turned his body so that he was facing the same direction as the mercenary before he kicked the man's leg right out from under him. He watched as the man fell on his back his head thumping onto the wet concrete.
Sensing two more incoming, Batman pushed off the ground, twisting his body as he was almost flying towards them, kicking one of them in the head.
When he landed on his feet, he turned to face the other one. He used his cape to stun him, before he laid a beatdown on him, his fists like bricks pounding away at his face before he grabbed one of his arms and threw him over his shoulder and on to the ground. He then used his boot to break the man's arm.
"Die!" the one conscious mercenary had recovered and had picked up a rifle. Before he could fire, Robin leapt down and landed right on top of him planting him on the ground. Robin finished him off by punching him in the face, his head bashing into the concrete rendering him unconscious.
The young man turned back to his partner with a triumphant smile.
"Come along," Batman beckoned turning towards the tunnel.
"Thanks for saving my bacon, Robin," the young man put on his best Batman impression. "Hey, no problem, Batman," he said in his own voice. He then followed the man down the tunnel.
They soon found a door that was locked by a digital locking mechanism. It took Batman a few seconds to hack it before they went through the door. Instantly, they were assaulted by the fumes of a sewer. They ignored it, or at least Batman had, Robin on the other hand was struggling not to gag.
Proceeding down a set of metallic stairs they found that their path was obstructed by a metal fence. It did not appear that they could get past until Robin pointed out a metal grate in the wall to their right.
They tore it right off the bolts and went through one at a time before Batman kicked out another grate. They had reached the sewer access for Park Row.
The fumes were getting stronger. Climbing out, the duo went down yet another flight of stairs until they came across an open in a metal bar fence. Silently, they looked down and saw more militia.
They came to realize that this was Bane's hideout or at least an outpost for his men. Either way it could turn the tide in their favor. The dark clad man had asked Alfred to alert Gordon of the location.
Analyzing the situation, Batman noticed one had a baseball bat, a riot shield, another looked like they were wearing body armor. He noted one was wearing a heavy coat covering their person.
He eyed the man with suspicion.
He gave a curt nod to Robin that told him to be weary of the one in the coat.
The dynamic duo took off from the railing their capes enabling them to glide down. As they glided down, Batman dropped down onto the one with the shield. When the vigilante landed, he dropped back onto the man and bashed his head into the ground knocking him out. Robin plopped onto the one with the baseball bat and performed a similar takedown.
The armored one went straight for the kid, swinging a right cross, to which Robin ducked. Hitting nothing but air, the armored mercenary had his legs swept out from under him that knocked him on his back.
Batman gave the coated one a cursory glance as he waited for him to make the first move.
The man gave a haughty air of confidence, tearing his coat off him revealing some sort of pump connecting to his body from his wrists.
Instantly, the vigilante felt a bad feeling go down his spine. He watched as the man pressed a button on his wrist and watched in horror as the man grunted as his body grew larger, the pumps glowing green.
Venom, Batman realized. The man was on venom. Bane started giving his men venom. The idea seemed ludicrous; Bane didn't appear to like handing off a portion of his power to others. While he brings out loyalty in his men, venom seemed to present an opportunity for dissent.
The venom powered man charged him. Batman instantly dove over him, already understanding that he couldn't stand up to him in a straight up fight. The man threw a swipe, to which Batman countered by taking a leap backwards. The venom charged man had momentarily exposed the pump. Using the opportunity, Batman used his blades on his gauntlets, he tugged on the tubes and sliced them.
Instantly, green fluids spewed out of the tubes splashing everywhere. The man's body shrank as the drug lost its effect somehow.
Seizing the moment, Batman delivered a right cross followed by a left. He kicked the man square in the solar plexus that sent him flying and crashing into a wall.
The man turned to witness Robin finish up on his opponent.
Seeing all hostiles down, the pair opened a set of double doors. As they proceeded forward once more, they were assaulted by the pungent scent of the sewer that nearly knocked them backwards.
"I hate this part of the job," Robin groused.
They were greeted to the sight of a pair of rowboats that lead down a tunnel. The duo boarded one and went down the tunnel to see yet another door. Disembarking the boat, they walked forward to the door only for the door to be kicked open by Bane himself.
Bane had been alerted to unwanted guests when he heard a rambunctious commotion. Suspicions made him investigate and here was his prey. He had plans for Batman, but after the last few weeks, Bane had grown tired of the game and desired to put this to an end.
"Robin…" Batman uttered, "Run!" he ordered, charging at the masked man.
Bane easily used the man's momentum and threw him over his shoulder having him crash into the open door back first.
Batman felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, his back aching. Inwardly chastising himself for being too reckless. He blamed Robin's presence for the stupid move.
Red lenses concentrated on the down man already trying to stand.
Unfortunately for him, he took his eyes off the wildcard.
Robin.
The teenager flipped forward, the soles of his green boots slammed into the back of the man's knees, bringing him down to his knees. In a flash, Robin was standing and performed a right hook kick that connected with the man's masked face getting a decent blow to his nose.
Bane grimaced but barely seemed dazed by the attack. Looking over his shoulder, he sneered at the teen, who gave a sheepish smile and took giant leaps backwards to get some distance.
Thankfully for the teenager Batman was back on his feet. He tackled him on his back and wrapped his arms around Bane's throat in a chokehold.
Bane countered by backing into the wall and smashed the vigilante against the wall to shake him off.
Robin seized the moment to get in a couple of body blow punches to the large man's torso. The mercenary grunted losing more oxygen, however, he shot his knee upward a high knee delivered to the teen's chin. The knee was followed by a high kick that sent the red and green teen flying backwards.
"Robin!" Batman shouted in concern. However, his brief distraction allowed Bane to break the chokehold. He reached backward clenching handfuls of ebony from the cape, he threw the man forward off his back and Batman crashed into Robin.
Suddenly, Bane saw through his rage, silhouettes of people coming from the tunnel ahead of him.
"Quickly! Down here!"
More voices were heard and the crackle of radios.
Policia, Bane scowled. Sneering at the downed duo before turning back through the door he just left from, he raced to his HQ and grabbed a walkie talkie abandoned on a steel table.
"We've been discovered. Scrub the location and retreat," he ordered. Pocketing the walkie talkie, he raced to an emergency exit. He slammed the door shut as soon as he armed the explosive charge to the door to discourage pursuers.
Damn you, he cursed Batman for once more exposing another hideout. His militia were starting to run low on spaces. He raced down a tunnel for some time before reaching a ladder to a sewer grate.
Quickly, he left the sewers to the putrid air of Gotham, the scent of rain heavy as the thunderstorm was approaching.
His body went rigid when he saw shadows approach him. He relaxed when he saw that it was Bird and few of his men behind him.
"Bird, we must get off the streets," he told one of his lieutenants.
"That's gonna be hard, Bane," the blonde scratched his wet hair. "We've lost a lot of locations in the area. Us cutting off the city dwindled or options."
Scowling, Bane voiced his displeasure. "That is not something I want to hear, Bird." His voice made it clear Bird would soon be 'retired' if he did not offer suggestions.
"Get a vehicle," Bird barked at one of the armed men, who took off in search of one. Turning back to Bane, "At least we'll be mobile," he said casually.
Bane was silent. A vehicle… was a start.
Once a car had been procured, they raced off to put distance between them and the police.
Batman and Robin were stalled but as police joined them, they went in search of Bane. The police did a search of the hideout. Medical supplies, ammo and guns were around. Maps of the city were posted on boards by thumbtacks.
Out of the corner of his eye, Batman noticed a few officers inspecting a door. When one reached for door, Batman cried out. "Don't!"
BOOM!
Gotham Morning Madness
Racing out of the pouring rain Diana and Elissa ran towards the woman's place of employment. They had been caught inside the city when the curfew went into effect. It didn't help that Diana's car got totaled in an accident. How the hell does someone crash into a parked car?
She didn't know. All she knew was she needed to get out of the rain and quickly as things in the city was heating up. She should have called in sick instead of going to work. But Elissa had wanted to see Diana's workplace, so she let her come along. And they had spent the day together, but with the sundown and Bane on a warpath they needed to get out.
The radio host really wasn't thinking to well about the whole thing. She should have stayed home—had Elissa stay home but she wasn't one to live in fear of tomorrow. That just wasn't her.
Steve had done his usual rant about Batman along with their usual antics in the early morning. He even had called out Bane for being a reject wrestler.
Diana didn't think it was wise, but she had never been able to stop the man from doing what he believed in. He thought himself a reporter that spoke the truth no matter what. She respected him on that.
"Quickly," Diana urged her daughter as they were both panting from running so far.
"I'm coming," the teen rudely returned as she was annoyed at being soaking wet.
Diana had opened the door and lead the teen inside before following her, the door shutting behind her.
Both were drenched, droplets dripping from their forms, shivering when hit by the cold air from the air conditioners blasting.
Unbeknownst to the raven-haired woman, a certain group of individuals had seen them enter the building lit by lights. The lights on inside the building alerted them that there were more people inside.
The building was remote as there was not much around, the parking lot nearly absent of cars. There didn't seem to have much security.
Perfect place to hide out.
"There should be some towels around here somewhere," Diana stated absently as the duo went further into the building.
Both were shivering, their arms wrapped around themselves to offer some warmth.
"I hate this," Elissa complained. She wished she stayed home instead of coming into the city with Diana. Unfortunately, she was a little worried about her mother being in the city alone and tagged along to keep her company.
"I know. Just be a little patient."
They moved around a bit searching for something to dry themselves off with. They nearly crashed into Steve, who was staying late.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, taking a step back to stop from crashing into the pair.
They stumbled a moment before Steve asked, "What are you doing back here?"
"We kinda got caught in the rain without a ride," Diana sheepishly put.
"Oh. Well, try the break room," he instructed. "We don't have towels here, but some napkins could at least dry you off some," he reasoned.
"Thanks," Diana responded, grateful for the idea.
He nodded his head. "Let me turn the A/C down so you don't get sick," he stated, going in search of the thermostat.
"Thank you!" Elissa called out in appreciation.
The blonde man raised his hand in a backwards wave never turning back.
"Come on," the mother beckoned her daughter. And the two went for the break room.
Park Row
Batman and Robin were just finishing digging themselves out of Bane's former headquarters. An officer had triggered the explosive rigged to the door. It was too late to save the two officers, but Batman had tackled Robin out of the hideout and back into the sewers.
It was a miracle that the explosion didn't make the whole sewer line go up. It must have been a controlled explosion to deter pursuit rather than kill everyone. Bane must have been concerned about getting caught up in the blast.
"You okay?"
Robin was just crawling out of the sewer when he was asked. He hesitated at first, but then he responded. "Yeah," he nodded.
The man held a blank look on his face as he stared down at the teen. That gaze made the red and green clad teen uneasy.
Batman was debating whether to send Robin home or not. But he needed backup on this one. So grudgingly he accepted him in this endeavor.
"Let's move," he ordered, pulling out his grapple.
Robin was a second behind as he followed his partner ascending back into the night air. The rain helped in a cleansing manner. But the teenager knew he needed a two hour long hot shower to get him feeling clean again.
Gotham Morning Madness
Diana and Elissa were lounging in the break room taking a breath. The napkins were crumpled up in front of them as they sat at a table. A bottle of water in their hands as they had become parched from all the running.
They felt the air conditioning lower as they felt warmer. Suddenly, things started to change.
They heard a noise at first, then a crash. Shouting. A lot of shouting. Multiple men's voices and Steve mixed into it.
The raven-haired woman went rigid as the yelling came closer. Sensing something was wrong, she grabbed Elissa and went under the table, the thick chairs obscured them from sight.
"Don't make a sound," Diana whispered to Elissa, who nodded. Both were breathing heavily as the anticipation of the arrival of the voices became greater. Diana gave her daughter a stern look, a finger to her lips and they both relaxed their breathing.
Just then the men entered the break room with Steve leading them. Diana and Elissa could hear them but not see them.
The blonde man had blood on his shirt from one of them punching him, he sported a bloody lip. A rifle was pressed into his back and a hand was on his shoulder keeping him close.
"I told you no one else is here," Steve said exasperatedly.
"What about those two that entered not too long ago?" Bird pressed; his eyes narrow in suspicion.
"They left through the door on the other side of the building," Steve lied. "I'm telling you, it's just me!"
Bane didn't spare the man a glance as he took in the break room. It was… adequate for their needs at least for the night.
"Why are you here?" Bane suddenly spoke to the bloody man.
Taking a breath, Steve answered, "I'm working late."
"When will your coworkers arrive?"
"Four maybe five in the morning."
"Good." That offered Bane plenty of time to rest and plan. All that was left was to tie up a loose end.
With swift hands, Bane snapped Steve's neck like it was nothing. The snap made the women flinch under the table. When his body fell to the ground lifeless, Elissa whimpered as tears welled up in her eyes from the fear.
Diana's heart broke as she saw Steve's body in front of her. He tried to protect her and Elissa, she would never be able to tell him how grateful she was of him doing so. Never be able to apologize.
Unfortunately, that whimper was all that was necessary to alert Bane and his soldiers.
With a narrow look in his eyes, Bane kicked the table causing it to slide across the floor, knocking over chairs before it crashed into the counter with a bang.
Terrified was what could be described on the women's faces as men grabbed them pulling them apart from one another.
They struggled, pulling their arms away from the men but they were not deterred and grabbed them more forcefully.
"Well, aren't you lovely," one man commented wolfishly as he checked Diana out.
"Hey!"
Diana whipped to Elissa as one man was getting rough with her.
"Let her go!" she yelled at them. Elbowing the one holding her, surprising him.
Bane quickly grew bored and started walking away.
The men started talking about what they were going to do to them. Some were pent up and needed some relief and the women seemed like the perfect opportunity as they were running on fumes.
Bird was more interested on what was in the refrigerator.
The soldiers started pulling the women apart, they desperately struggled against them, terrified of what was happening. Elissa's eyes were wide in terror as a couple of men were pulling at Diana's clothes.
The Greek woman didn't scream or plead. She refused to give them the satisfaction as they pawed at her chest, pulling her shirt down by the collar revealing her black bra.
Another pair started to pull Elissa out of the break room for their pleasure to be private.
Fearful of what was happening, the scene of her mother being assaulted plus herself, she tried to fight back. Kicking with all her strength, her arms flailing blindly. Her arms didn't seem to hurt them more like irritate.
She was only a few steps away from leaving Diana before Elissa just did whatever she could to stop.
"MOM!" she screamed in fear. Not for herself but for her mother as she was more concerned for Diana's fate then her own.
MOM! Echoed in Bane's head as his body jerked as he froze in place. Slowly, he turned his head to the one to say such a term of endearment. He looked upon Elissa and then to Diana.
Suddenly, he found himself not in Gotham anymore. Instead, he found himself in hell on earth, Pena Duro. He recalled as a boy, how the prisoners would take turns with his mother. He remembered how he called out to her, clutching his toy teddy bear when she gave him a pitiful look before she disappeared into another cell block. It was not long after that his mother threw herself to the sharks unable to endure the tortures of her life sentence.
Bane had returned to the present no longer reminiscing about the past. Red lenses stared at the women before he started to move.
"Come on, chica," a mercenary pressed abrasively as he tried to tear Elissa's shirt off.
Only for a mighty large hand clutch his shoulder.
The mercenary turned his head and almost paled as Bane was staring at him personally.
"Enough," he ordered curtly, taking his hand off the man's shoulder.
"But Bane…"
"Enough. No one will touch the women. Release them," he ordered, staring at the pair holding Diana.
The raven-haired women were confused. They weren't about to offer gratitude to the large man.
The militia shared the women's confusion, yet they complied and released Diana and the others followed letting Elissa go.
However, there was one hold out.
"But Bane, we have served you faithfully. Can we not enjoy the spoils of this campaign?"
Bane gave him a hard stare. In an instant he snapped the man's neck. As the body fell with a thud to the floor, Bane inquired, "Any other dissenters?" he looked around.
They all shook their heads no enthusiastically.
"Take their phones from them and put them in a room," he ordered. He turned to the women, "Be uncooperative and I will rescind my order to leave you untouched," he warned them. He saw them nod.
Satisfied he left the break room.
The women raced to one another embracing the other as tightly as they could for fear of losing the other.
Bird walked up to them and interrupted the tender moment. "Phones," he demanded with disinterest.
Resentfully, the women handed them in. Only for Bird to toss them into the sink from across the room.
"I should have gone pro," he quipped. With a jerk of his head, he directed two men to escort the women to a room.
They found an empty office and locked them inside. The sound of the pouring rain was deafening inside. Although the women couldn't hear anything over the pounding of their hearts.
They stared at one another before they hugged each other again.
"Are you okay?" they said simultaneously, their worry highly evident.
They pulled back apart and started to fix the other's clothes. "I'm okay," once more they said at the same time.
They started checking the other over.
"We have to get out of here," Diana whispered.
"How?" Elissa whispered back.
Diana separated from her daughter and started to search the office for anything of use. Elissa was like her shadow as she didn't want to be away from her mother.
She quickly realized that they were in Etta's office. And she remembered Etta was sometimes a scatterbrain. She pulled out draws from the desk and found one of Etta's phones. She had so many because she kept losing them.
She checked to see if it were charged and pocketed it. "Okay, we need to go," she said lowly.
"How?"
She scanned the office. The door was out of the question, but the windows…
The woman moved to the windows inspecting them. Opening them to the summer rainstorm as thunder rumbled and lightning struck. She poked her head out getting drenched, squinting to protect her eyes she noticed the gutters above her head and the downspout to her right leading to the street.
Getting back in she faced Elissa, who waited with bated breath.
"I have a plan," she announced.
Five minutes later, Elissa was debating with her mother about the reliability of her plan. "Are you sure about this?" uneasiness in her voice.
"You're sitting on the windowsill," the Greek woman pointed out. Her hands on her hips as she was growing tired of debating. They were running out of time.
"Can't you go first?" Elissa wondered incredulously.
"I am not leaving you here for one second without me," Diana asserted heatedly. "Now go," she urged forcefully.
Swallowing, Elissa went into fight or flight and chose flight. She stuck her leg out the window before the other one joined, her grip on the window tightening. Taking a breath, she reached for the downspout with one hand gripping it tightly. Apprehensively, she let go of the window and grabbed the metal object with her other hand, she hooked her leg around it taking herself off the ledge.
Her breath caught in her throat, she struggled to plant her feet onto the brick wall around the downspout, eventually she started to walk backwards lowering herself to the ground.
She breathed a sigh of relief as she made it. Drenched by the rain, she looked up to her mother and beckoned her down with her hand.
Diana said a pray and hoped the downspout would hold her weight. It was one of the reasons Elissa went first, girl was around a hundred pounds, while Diana was… in the low one hundreds!
"Here we go," she murmured to herself. She started to climb down with Elissa on lookout. Eventually, she made it without the downspout breaking down. With took a breath, almost home free. "Quickly," she urged.
And the two sprinted getting as far away from the building as they could. They didn't think about what happened at the studio. They didn't think if anyone saw them running. They just kept going and going.
Eventually, they stopped as their legs got too tired to carry them any further. They took cover under an awning in front of a closed restaurant, taking a moment to catch their breath.
As they were taking a break, Diana scanned the area, on the lookout for soldiers. A thought occurred to the woman, and she dug into her pocket.
She pulled the phone out and made a call.
The phone rang a few times before someone answered.
"Hello?" Alfred's voice answered.
"Alfred? Alfred, it's me, Diana," she started urgently.
"Miss Diana, are you alright?" the Englishmen responded concerned.
"Alfred, where's Bruce? I need his help. Elissa and I are in the city and we're on the streets with no shelter," she spilled out.
"One moment, Miss. Stay on the line," he told her.
Batman stood atop of rooftop scanning through surveillance footage searching for Bane.
"Master Bruce?"
"What is it, Alfred?" his voice was curt as he was busy. Robin was at his side staring at the street.
"It's Miss Diana and Elissa." The man's heart skipped a beat.
"What's wrong?" he demanded alarmed.
"They are in the city," he disclosed. "And they apparently need help. I am connecting you to her now."
"Bruce?"
"Diana, are you okay?" Bruce asked quickly.
"We're okay," she breathed. "But we need shelter."
He took a second before he replied. "Are you close to my penthouse?"
"I… I think so."
"Go there," he told her. "You know the code to get in?"
"I do."
"Go there and I will be there as soon as I can," he promised.
"You're not there now?" she sounded scared.
"No," he said sounding ashamed. "I'll get there as soon as I can," he promised. "Can I speak to Elissa?
"Bruce?" He heard his daughter's voice on the line.
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm not hurt," she hesitated.
Not hurt, the way she answered made him suspicious. "You look after your mother, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded.
"I love you," he said surprising Robin.
"I love you too."
"This will be over soon. I promise," he assured her. "Put Diana back on," he said to her.
"Bruce?"
"What happened, Diana?"
"Bruce, this isn't a good time…" she reasoned.
"What happened?" he demanded forcefully.
His tone surprised her, leaving her stunned. She quickly regained herself. "Bane. He… was at the station. He…" her voice cracked, "He killed Steve," tears began to fall from her eyes.
"Get to the penthouse. I'll be there as soon as I can," he repeated. His voice was apathetic when he said it. He didn't hear anything about Steve. All he heard was that Bane had gotten too damn close to his daughter and he was about to face a reckoning.
He hung up and turned to Robin. "Gotham Morning Madness," he spoke to the teen ferociously. "Get to the car," he ordered as he had murder in his eyes.
Bruce's Penthouse
The door flew open before it was slammed shut just as fast. Diana and Elissa were drenched and panting as their hearts beat so fast, they could have popped out of their chests. They even leaned against the door, fearing someone was chasing them, but there was no one doing so.
Slowly, they left the door and ran to the living room grabbing at furniture pressing it against the door barracking themselves inside. Elissa was shaky as the adrenaline was wearing off, her hands shaky, recalling what had happened. She and her mother were almost raped.
And Steve…
He was dead.
She had never seen a dead body before. Two in fact as Bane killed own of his own for them.
She somehow found herself in the living room, standing on shaky legs. Her stomach in knots as she recalled what happened at the radio station in a loop.
Diana had busied herself by closing the blinds, fearful from what they escaped.
They left the room dark playing it safe.
The events of the last few hours were too much for the teenager. Diana found her doubled over, heaving.
"Easy, easy!" she cried, racing to her. Her arms embracing her daughter, following Elissa as she fell to the tiled floor.
She whispered a few kind words to her as Elissa ended up vomiting.
"It's okay," the woman whispered, parting the teen's hair.
When there was nothing left to come out, she stared weakly at the mess she made. "I'm sorry," she whimpered, looking at her mother.
"We'll clean it up later," she soothed, rubbing her back.
Elissa's whimpers evolved into sobbing as she couldn't control what happened mere hours ago.
"Shh," Diana comforted her. Holding her tightly never wanting to let her go. She shifted until she was sitting on her bottom and soothingly started rocking Elissa. While Elissa was dealing with her trauma, Diana was dealing with her own.
The snap of Steve's neck made her stomach turn, as reality was setting in. Steve was dead because he was trying to protect her and Elissa.
It was all her fault.
I'm sorry, Steve. She thought to herself. So sorry.
She cried silently as she processed Steve's death and how she desperately tried to survive.
The only upside was what Elissa called her.
She called her mom after all these months. It didn't happen the way she wanted but she would take what she could get. She would swoon if she was up to anything else tonight.
She just hoped this nightmare ended soon.
Gotham Morning Madness
"Shit!" Bird cursed, racing out of the office. "Bane! The women escaped!" he yelled.
Bane didn't get a second to respond as a loud crash was heard outside and suddenly the lights in the building shut off, eclipsing the building in darkness.
The militia were clamoring to get the lights back on. Bane was the only one level-headed at that point.
Bird was cautiously heading for the light switch.
A flash of light as a crackle of lightning cracked the sky. Before Bird got to the light switch, he felt a hand grab his head and he felt darkness as his head was bashed into the wall.
Heads whipped to the thumping noise and armed men surveyed the vicinity cautiously.
It's him, Bane thought as he uncrossed his arms and had them at the ready.
Armed men surveyed the area, rifles at the ready.
Suddenly, one of them felt something attach to their back and dragged them backwards to the dark, flying and screaming.
The men tensed, turning to the direction of where their brother vanished. Firing off rounds, spraying to hit something.
One tensed as they felt something grab their ankle, they shot at the ground, crying out as he shot himself in the foot. He did not have long to scream as his leg was taken out from under him and pulled away on the floor vanishing.
Before the other two could make a move, two computers were thrown at their heads, leaving them dazed.
A large shadow leapt across the room tackling both men to the floor. Grasping their heads, Batman bashed their heads into the ground hard knocking them out.
Lifting his head, he was once again face to face with Bane. But unlike before, Batman was fueled by unrestrained rage.
Bane had stumbled upon his family. Him and his men don't ever threaten his family.
"Bane," he growled, rising to his feet.
"Finally," the masked man's voice held delight at facing Batman one on one after so long. "I wanted you broken and weak at my feet, but this will suffice. I have grown tired of this battle of attrition. "
Not letting Bane make a move, Batman kicked a desk towards Bane, it slid across the floor.
Hands at the ready, Bane stopped it in its tracks, only for another desk to fly towards him. Crashing into him, Bane stumbled until he fell out of the window, broken glass spraying out as Bane fell from the third floor.
Spinning his body, Bane used the desk to cushion his fall.
Batman was at the window watching as Bane looked up at the vigilante and darted away from the building.
Leaping out the window, Batman was chasing him.
The rain offering little resistance.
As Bane was running, he noted the turned over car he had used. Instantly understanding what the crash was earlier.
Batman had managed to catch up with Bane. They struggled for a bit. A few blows were exchanged that lead to a construction site.
Batman landed into the mud as Bane had thrown him from his back.
A muddy Batman stood tall as Bane raced towards the man, countering, Batman dove to the left evading the charge.
Bane fell to his hands and knees as the mud was slippery. He got back on his feet just in time for Batman to deliver a flying kick to his face, knocking him to the ground.
Batman scrambled to his feet.
Bane rose like a titan, a grimace on his face. He wiped mud from his face with an air of disgust.
Pocketing a batarang from his belt he threw it at the man his arm like a black streak. Bane caught it effortlessly with his hand. Opening his fingers, he examined the projectile weapon. "Toys," he said contemptuously. "You fight me with toys," he towered over the man. He bent the weapon in his hand easily and dropped it in the mud.
He took a step forward and instantly Batman was on guard.
Steadying his body on one leg, he performed a front kick to the man's gut, but he didn't seem to faze him. Sensing it, Batman's legs were on the ground and took several steps back, keeping his distance.
Unfortunately, Bane had a long reach. His hand shot forward; a palm thrust to the front of the vigilante's masked face sent him flying onto his back.
Before Bane could get his hands on him again, Batman had his feet upwards, double kicking the man in the face, sending him on his back, a grunt escaping him.
Swinging his legs backward, Batman was back on his feet.
Bane to get back on his feet in an instant. He did so just in time as Batman flew at him legs first. Wrapping his dark legs around his neck, Batman pulled all his weight backwards throwing the Hispanic man forward.
Seeing the move was working, Batman performed the move again and threw Bane back on his back, only this time he rolled with it and stood tall.
When Batman tried for a third time, Bane was ready. He grabbed the dark clad man before the legs could wrap around him. His large hands gripped the underside of his left thigh and his cape. Using his strength, he threw the man down onto his back. A grunt left him as the move left him a little dazed.
Unfortunately, Batman had help with him.
The sounds of a crane coming to life was blocked out by the thunderstorm. I-beams tied together were carried through the air as Robin manned the controls. The I-beams came flying towards Bane, who turned as he saw a shadow come his way. He was sent flying as he was hit by the pile of metal and went sailing before crashing several feet into the mud.
With a grunt, Batman rolled to his feet. Shrugging the stars out of his eyes, he saw Robin waving at him urgently. Sensing something, he turned just in time as a furious Bane shot his right forearm forward, connecting with Batman's armored chest that knocked him off his feet and the wind out of his lungs.
Unfinished, the large man gripped Batman by his shoulders, picking him up.
Bane's mask had been torn around the mouth, unable to hide the sneer on his lips.
"I will break you!" he bellowed in Batman's face, who was having a hard time concentrating.
Thankfully, Bane gave the Dark Knight a few seconds to get his bearings. Using his legs, he pushed off Bane's chest breaking the hold, somersaulting before landing on his feet. Bane, however, stumbled a bit before quickly steadying himself.
As Bane approached, Batman used a side kick that connected with the man's head, yet that did not seem to faze him as he countered with a formidable back-handed punch that connected with his head.
The dark clad man rolled with the punch so that he didn't end up on the ground. Centering himself, Batman crouched low ready to attack again, however, Bane delivered a right uppercut to his chin that sent him flying and crashing into the mud.
Looming over Batman again, Bane grabbed onto his cape dragging him to his feet. "I am somewhat disappointed," he disclosed. "But I still win," he declared. He tried to raise the man over his head, but Batman had other ideas.
Having grabbed some mud, he tossed it into Bane's face, temporarily blinding him. In the confusion, Bane released the man and proceeded to wipe the offensive substance away.
Seizing the moment, Batman delivered a heavy combination of attacks. A right cross to the face, followed by a left uppercut. Several body blow punches struck the man's stomach, who could only grunt and try to put up a defense. His eyes were forgotten as he tried to protect himself.
With his head exposed, Batman used a spinning heel kick that connected to the right side of Bane's head that left him stumbling.
Pulling from his belt, Batman grabbed his electrified brass knuckles and attacked Bane's head once more. With each blow there was an amplified shot of electricity that coursed through him.
With a final uppercut, Bane was downed and hopefully out as Batman stood tall, panting heavily.
Through blurry vision, Bane fumbled for his wrist. With a press of a button, his Venom began to course through his veins, delivering to him the additional gift of strength and durability. His body twitched as his muscles spasmed, and his body grew. A guttural growl escaped his lips as he snarled.
Batman took a cautious step backwards as he observed with wide eyes.
Turning, Bane spoke, "Kill you!" in a deeper voice. Taking a single swing, his fist connected with Batman's arms that were in an x-shaped defensive stance. Even through armor, Batman felt the power behind that punch, his brass knuckles were lost as he went flying several feet into the air and crashed into a pair of saddlehorses.
Stomping towards him, Bane was prepared to finish the battle only to be interrupted by Robin driving a forklift.
Stepping on the gas, the forklift collided with Bane that pushed him back, his boots digging into the mud as both were at a standstill. Bane was trapped in between the forks of the piece of machinery.
Through clenched teeth, Bane held the forklift at bay. Snarling at the teenager in annoyance.
"Ut oh," he muttered as Bane was starting to overcome the forklift. Bailing out just in time as Bane tossed the forklift away like it was nothing.
Robin grunted as he hit the ground.
"Before this night is over you will bow to me, Batman. You and the boy both. I will see you both in hell before I ever bow to you."
"I AM HELL!" Batman bellowed as he came swooping down from above like a demon. His boots crashing into Bane's face forcing him to turn his back to the vigilante.
Grabbing a metal pipe, he used it to take Bane's leg out from under him. Whacking him in the side of the head, Batman ranted, "You fancy yourself a military strategist. But you're nothing. Just a lab rat that escaped its pen. A junkie that is a slave to his dope!" he said in between blows.
Before the pipe connected again, Bane caught it with one hand and bent it making it a sidelong 'L' shape. The left side of his mask was now torn revealing a green iris, no doubt brought on by the effects of Venom.
His right fist came forward connecting with Batman's face, his body crashing down to the ground once more.
Groaning, Batman was on his last legs those last few hits were too much. He had hoped beating the man with a pipe would have beat him. He was wrong.
He had nothing left. His body felt heavy, sluggish. Disconnected.
He felt something grab the collar of his cape and was lifted up.
"No!" Robin shouted rushing over, only for Bane to use his foot to shove him away like he was nothing.
Face to face, Bane growled, "Before I break you, I want to hear it. You begging for your life, your boy's life. Scream my name!" he roared
With weary eyes, the vigilante stared at the white apparatus on Bane's wrist. An idea in his head. Pulling something from the ground.
"Never," he answered with a growl. The last ounce of stubborn refusal to give in reared its head.
Enraged, Bane picked him up. "Then your screams will suffice!"
He lifted Batman over his head, his left leg raised and bend at the knee. Preparing to break Batman's back over his knee. Before he could, Batman summoned the last of his strength, he stabbed the Venom apparatus on Bane's wrist with the batarang Bane had bent previously.
Green fluids began pouring out in earnest.
"Wha-?" Bane uttered as the fluid poured down his arm. His eyes wide as he felt his muscles spasm and enlarge. No, he thought.
Instead of taking the steroid away from him, Batman had accidently set the apparatus to the highest level possible, a level Bane had yet to dare tread.
"No!" he screamed, dropping Batman unceremoniously. His body enlarging to greater heights, his shirt tearing.
Robin watched on in horror as Bane was being destroyed.
"Too much!" he bellowed in a bestial roar.
Robin whipped his head to his mentor only see him down for the count. Who could blame him after what he just survived?
"HELP ME!" Bane begged towards anyone.
Steeling himself, Robin charged forward using his talents to evade the haphazardly swinging limps. Getting behind him, Robin grabbed the tube at the back of the steroid users' skull, his feet planted onto his back and pulled on the tube with all his might. It took a few long strenuous pulls, but he managed to tear it out of Bane's body, green liquid spewing out like a garden hose.
Like a plug torn out of a wall, Bane lost all power, his body deflating and dropping like a sack into the mud with a plop. A faraway look in his eyes.
Curious, Robin got closer and rolled him over. The downed man's eyes were still open but snapping his fingers a few times gave the impression there was not much hope for Bane after this.
Leaving him, he checked on Batman.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Is it over?" the man groaned.
Robin turned his head to Bane, "Looks like it," he deadpanned.
"Call Gordon. And then the car," Batman instructed, still face down in the dirt.
"You got it," the red and green clad man responded and complied.
Bruce's Penthouse
Diana awoke as the sun rose over Gotham. She found herself curled against the couch that Elissa was occupying. A large blanket wrapped around her which she shared with Diana. It took some time for either woman to fall asleep but eventually sleep won out.
Grimacing, Diana got to her feet, slowly padding out of the living room and into Bruce's bedroom. Turning on the television to the news she was relieved to hear the good news.
"It seems the storm in Gotham has passed in more ways than one as Bane had his men were apprehended late last night. His capture is arguably contributed to by the Batman as we are still getting the details. But it is safe to say Bane's terror on the city is over. Sources say that the man was found in a catatonic state contributed by excessive drug abuse. Whether he ends up in Blackgate, Arkham or Guantanamo is anyone's guess," the reporter went on.
"The National Guard is rounding up the remnants of Bane's men and the tunnels are already underway to being cleared by tomorrow at the latest."
"Diana?"
Said woman's head whipped to the doorway. Elissa was staring at her with a groggy look.
"Everything okay?" the teenager asked rubbing her eye
With a relieved exhale, "It's over, Elissa. Bane's been captured," she disclosed. She inched her head to the television, to which Elissa walked further in.
She sat down on the bed with a relieved gasp as she wrapped her arms around her mother.
It's over, Steve. That monster is in custody.
Diana thought as Steve's death still played back in her mind. She could only assume the same could be said for Elissa as she seemed to have fallen asleep on her shoulder.
While it was okay to be relieved in the moment, the rest of the week did not stay a good one.
Bruce had not arrived at the penthouse as he promised. Alfred was tending to his injuries and Dick had passed out in his room.
Bane's condition was considered irreversible. A fate some would say was too good for him.
Bane's militia were arrested and charged. His lieutenants, Bird, Trogg, and Zombie were also charged. They had yet to say a single word.
The feds had come in and arrested Penguin on RICO. His entire empire was toppling over as he was facing life in prison. But knowing him he would cut the deal of a lifetime and be back in Gotham to cause havoc.
They had also taken Bane as he was facing federal charges and would have his day in court. If he ever woke up that is.
In the past few days, numerous funeral processions occurred for all those lost during Bane's siege. One funeral in particular for the melancholic day was the one for Steve Trevor.
Diana, Elissa, and Etta were in attendance as were all his other colleague and friends from the station and Air Force.
Steve's sister had flown in from D.C. with her two children for the funeral. She had put on a brave face but fell apart after the eulogy.
When Diana tried to console her after the funeral as everyone had started to leave, she was slapped.
Stunned and touching her cheek, Steve's sister berated her for having the audacity to come—to even speak to her after the way she treated Steve. Tossing him to the side when her ex-boyfriend came back into her life. She screamed as it was her fault that Steve was dead as everyone had learned he died to protect her and Elissa.
Diana couldn't muster a word in defense as she had already blamed herself. She merely took the verbal beating with a pained look and shed a silent tear when the woman left.
Elissa had other troubles as she was having nightmares about that night. About the men assaulting her. Steve and that other man's death. Diana had sent her to a counselor to get an idea on what to do.
The radio station was on hiatus as everyone was on bereaved leave. Although, with Steve's death the show didn't seem to have much of a future with Diana on it alone.
Wayne Manor
Diana aimlessly had wandered over to the manor as Elissa was with Natalie as the woman needed to see him. He had been MIA for over a week. Not a text or phone call at least. She wanted to check on him or at least have him comfort her a bit.
Her guilt was drowning her, and she needed advice from someone that had been through tragedy.
She rang the doorbell and after a few short minutes Bruce answered the door, which was surprising. The second surprise was that his face was all beat up. Bruises littered his face, a splint lip, and a black eye decorated his face.
"Wh-What… What happened to you?" she stammered in horror at his face. Her hands reached for his head to inspect his wounds.
"I… I kind of got mugged in the city," he said sheepishly. His hands held hers stopping her from touching him. "I got really hurt and Alfred's been taking care of me. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you. It's been… hectic lately."
"Shouldn't you be in a hospital?"
"Alfred's an excellent physician," the man assured. He had not been able to go on patrol since defeating Bane as his injuries made it too difficult to do so.
They wandered into the house, the woman noting the billionaire's limping. They settled into the parlor where they sat next to one another.
"Are you okay? Is Elissa okay?" he inquired worriedly.
"She's okay. Well, not okay but she's seeing someone to help her," the raven-haired woman answered. "And I'm…?" she trailed off finding an answer difficult.
Sensing her distress, Bruce wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.
She welcomed his warmth as she broke down.
"Steve's dead," she told him. Her voice coarse with sorrow and guilt.
"I'm sorry," he apologized with sympathy. He didn't like the man very much, but he knew Diana still cared for him. And Bruce did not wish the man dead.
Slowly, she pulled away sitting up. "I… just can't believe he's really gone," she said hoarsely. "We were just talking before he…" she trailed off unable to continue.
Bruce didn't say anything. He couldn't. He knew the reason Bane came to Gotham was to fight him. He had to live with the guilt that he was at fault for all those lost in the recent siege.
Teary eyed, Diana turned to the man searching for an answer. "Why did he have to die? How could this just happen?" she rattled off questions.
The look in her eyes made his heartache. Her pain stayed with him the most. His head bowed; hands folded.
Before he knew what he was doing, it was too late.
"I'm Batman."
NEXT: Finale!
The sewer hideout was taken from Arkham Origins. The final battle between Bane and Batman had some inspiration from the animated series. I hope everyone like this chapter as it was quite a long one. Thanks for all the reviews, favs and folls! We are just one more chapter away! I felt it better to end the chapter on a cliffhanger. I aim to always leave my readers wanting more.