A/N: 07.23.2022

I'm really inconsistent with how I do these dates, aren't I? Well, anyway! Comic-Con is in full swing! I might as well join in on the fun! Sorry for the delay, folks. Life has been hectic due to family reasons. Thanks for sticking with me. Let's go!

Chapter 19

About 90 Minutes Later.

Bane stood on top of the Gotham Royal Hotel, a few miles from Gotham General. The hotel stood high enough that Bane could see Gotham General in the distance. With no news from his soldiers, Bane figured they must have failed. Not entirely unsurprising but the prowess of Batman and his team remained irritating for Bane. Still, that wasn't the event that had Bane's attention the most at the moment. He looked at the city, once more, then turned around.

To meet Ghost-Wing's gaze.

"You summoned me," Bane reminded. He spread his arms out a bit, "Here I am."

"Yes," Ghost-Wing replied. "You are."

Bane lowered his arms. "An interesting tactic. Threatening lives. Even Batman's. Not very heroic, I must say."

"It worked."

"Hmm," Bane moaned. "More stirred my curiosity than worked. After all, I knew for a fact you'd never cross that line."

"Then why show up?"

"Curiosity, as I said. Why else? I must know. Why desire to meet me? Why challenge me with such… fervor? Do you wish to die, young hero?"

Ghost-Wing scoffed. "I'm here to do what Batman can't."

Bane chuckled, shook his head, and exhaled, "Ahhh! Another fool who believes they can be the Batman. That they are his better. A shame. So many heroes know the power of that mantle… yet fail to recognize or respect it."

"It's just a name!" Ghost-Wing growled.

"No. It is so much more than that."

"No, it's not. And I'll prove it…" Ghost-Wing drew his light batons. "…by defeating you."

"You cannot," Bane countered. "It is my destiny to kill the Bat. You are no more than an irritant in my way."

"NO!" Ghost-Wing shouted, furiously. "I'm not some filler! I'm the one who will beat you! I'm the one who's gonna take you down! And I'm gonna prove to everyone how weak you and Batman really are!"

"Is that so? Interesting. Perhaps you may prove more than an irritant."

"Far more, you arrogant windbag!" Ghost-Wing growled.

"By all means, Ghost-Wing," Bane entered a fighting stance. "Please. Defeat me. If you can."

Ghost-Wing charged at Bane and swung the baton, but Bane just grabbed it, stopping the strike. Ghost-Wing activated the electric current in the baton. While Bane's arm did shake from the current, he seemed to, effortlessly, maintain his hold on the baton.

"What?!" Ghost-Wing whispered, stunned at the feat.

"Did you truly believe a simple man in a mask faced the Batman all these years?" Bane threw the baton and Ghost-Wing's arm back, causing Ghost-Wing to stumble away. "I am no mere criminal, Ghost-Wing. You would do well to remember that."

Bane rushed at Ghost-Wing and Ghost-Wing jumped and went for a diving kick on Bane.

At the hospital, Batman watched the police take away the Scourge soldiers, while Runner and Ember escorted Bruce, Diana, Max, and Helena to the safe house in Kane County. Kane County was a couple of hours outside of the Gotham city limits; just out of any immediate area Bane would be searching. The team figured it was also close enough where Bane wouldn't think to look there. Stevie and Auggie were at Chelsea's, and, with Sally still at work and Basem still on duty, they planned to pick the boys up and bring them to the safe house in the morning.

As Batman was helping get the last of the Scourge soldiers loaded into the GCPD paddy wagon, Tiana called the team. "Guys," Tiana began.

"We're listening, Oracle," Batman replied.

"Bane has been sighted! He's on the rooftop of the Gotham Royal and he's fighting someone."

"Oh, no…" Runner groaned.

"Are you certain, Oracle?" Koutetsu asked.

"Police fly-by confirmed it," Tiana answered. "As they put it… Bane's fighting some guy in a cape and football helmet with glow sticks."

"Ghost-Wing," all the Gotham knights said at once.

"Jeez…" Batman groaned.

"Capt. Valerie is ordering all officers to keep the civilians out of the way," Tiana informed, "but not to interfere in the fight."

"Answers the question of where Ghost's been," Runner admitted.

"What the freak is he doing fighting Bane?!" Ember asked. "And alone?! Is he freakin' suicidal?"

"I'll find out," Batman answered. "Koutetsu?"

"I'm minutes from your position," Koutetsu responded. "On my way. I'll bring Jaguar."

Ghost-Wing rushed at Bane but Bane blocked the batons and punched Ghost-Wing in the helmet. While the punch didn't crack Ghost-Wing's helmet, it caused a brief glitch in the systems. Bane tackled Ghost-Wing, lifted him up, and slammed into the roof, sending them crashing into the floor below. Ghost-Wing was disoriented from the fall but quickly regathered himself before Bane punched him again. Their combat sent them crashing down further through the hotel. After landing on the 30th floor, Ghost-Wing decided he needed some distance and more space to do battle with calculating, powerful Bane; the closed quarters were making the fight too restricted and difficult. By far, more of a problem for Ghost-Wing than for Bane. Where Ghost-Wing was constrained by the walls, Bane just powered through them. After kicking Bane back to get some a small measure of distance, Ghost-Wing jumped out of the window, latched a cable to the side of the building, and swiftly repelled down to the street. After Ghost-Wing was on the ground, he looked back up to see where Bane was. Bane walked to the broken window Ghost-Wing jumped from.

Bane pressed a button on his gauntlet. He growled and flexed his muscles as the Venom pumped through his veins.

What happened next Ghost-Wing could not believe.

Bane jumped from the broken window.

Down 30 floors.

And landed hard in the street, causing a brief shockwave. Bane slowly stood up. Then brushed the dust off his shoulders.

"Wha…" Ghost-Wing whispered, dumbfoundedly, "what…"

"Did you not think I came prepared for a battle?" Bane then, effortlessly, picked up a car next to him and hurled it at Ghost-Wing as though the car was a brick.

Ghost-Wing had to quickly shake off his shock and flipped to dodge out of the way. Ghost-Wing landed the flip and just barely had time to evade a punch from the charging Bane. Ghost-Wing used every move and trick he could, but he couldn't even tell if anything he was doing was registering as painful to Bane. Ghost-Wing managed to lodge several shurikens in Bane's arm but Ghost-Wing realized Bane didn't even notice the pain. As they battled, Bane managed to take Ghost-Wing by surprise, and Bane thrust his shoulder into Ghost-Wing's chest, sending him crashing into a wall.

Ghost-Wing was still stuck in the wall as Bane marched toward him, with a dangerous and deadly-infused stride.

Ghost-Wing felt himself freeze with an emotion he couldn't believe he was feeling. Fear.

Bane plucked Ghost-Wing from the wall, holding him by the collar of his cape.

Bane moved Ghost-Wing, drew back, and punched Ghost-Wing in the chest, sending him flying down the street.

After bouncing once, Ghost-Wing crashed into the middle of the street. He felt his chest and realized his armor had a crack in it. He also knew, even before he felt his armor, he had at least two broken ribs. Ghost-Wing gasped for air as he crawled along the ground.

"It is a shame, Ghost-Wing," Bane declared as stomped toward Ghost-Wing. "Had you known your place… you wouldn't die alone. C'est la vie."

The Batmobile appeared overhead and Batman leapt down, landing between Bane and Ghost-Wing. "That's enough!" Batman declared.

Bane smiled. "Young Bat."

"This little argument is over!"

"Oh, I couldn't agree more. I was just put going to solidify the finality of our dispute."

"Yeah, I think he's got the idea the 'dispute's' over," Batman replied.

"Hm. You may have a point there."

A moment later, Koutetsu and Jaguar appeared. Jaguar looked and saw Ghost-Wing on the ground. "GHOST!" she screamed, fearfully.

Batman examined the damage to the area and looked back at Bane. "You did this?"

Bane chuckled, softly, "Of course! You've made improvements to your strength. Did you not expect me to do the same?"

Batman steadied his breathing as he, mentally, screamed every expletive he knew.

"Well, this has been an enlightening evening for all of us."

"How do you mean?" Batman couldn't help but ask.

"I understand further you and your team." Bane looked over at Ghost-Wing, who was being helped by Jaguar, "And your ally, there, learned the truth of facing me." He looked at Batman, "Do you need a further demonstration of that truth?"

Batman readied himself for a fight. "Just say when!"

"I will. When it's time. For now…" Bane pulled a trigger from his pocket and pressed it.

A nearby explosion was heard in the distance, drawing the heroes' attention. They all looked back at Bane.

"I believe you have… other matters to attend to."

Batman glared at Bane. "We're gonna settle this. Soon."

"Indeed, we are, Young Bat," Bane reassured.

"Let's go!" Koutetsu ordered.

Jaguar helped Ghost-Wing and they all headed to the explosion sight. Batman was the last to leave, glaring hatred at Bane until he turned and flew off.

Bane smiled. "Still prioritizing others' lives above everything else. He truly is your heir, Wayne, and worthy of that mantle in every way."

Batman, Koutetsu, Jaguar, and Ghost-Wing located the source of the explosion.

The GCPD 51st precinct building.

They arrived in front of the 51st police precinct, to find smoke and fire coming out of the middle floor windows.

"Shit!" Batman grunted as he flew toward the affected area.

"Jaguar, set Ghost-Wing down for the time being!" Koutetsu ordered. "We need you!"

"Okay." Jaguar helped Ghost-Wing sit on the curb across the street. "We'll be right, baby! We'll be right back!" She rushed toward the building.

Ghost-Wing just stared, blankly, at the building as Batman and the others rushed inside. Batman summoned the Batmobile to begin to put out the flames. A couple of minutes later, the fire engines flew and extinguished the fire, as well. After the fire was out and it was confirmed there were no other explosives in the building, the terrible duty of sifting the rubble for any victims began.

As the fire personnel kept searching, Batman made his way to Valerie's office. While she usually worked in the main GCPD office, the 51st precinct was her assigned duty station. She spent plenty of time here.

A fact Batman couldn't move past.

Her office didn't receive significant damage, but it was just enough to be potentially deadly. Batman stared at Valerie's desk. If she had been present and was sitting two inches to her left, a piece of flaming cement could've killed her.

Koutetsu walked in, notice Batman's concentrated gaze. "Batman?"

"This is Val's precinct," Batman mused.

"But, thankfully, she wasn't present," Koutetsu reminded.

"She could've been…" Batman turned to Koutetsu. "He could've killed our friend."

Koutetsu looked down, his body language actually showing his worry.

Jaguar came in with Ghost-Wing leaning on her.

Batman looked at Ghost-Wing. "Oh, damn. I'm sorry, man. I almost forgot about…"

"This is my fault…" Ghost-Wing whispered.

"What?"

Koutetsu and Jaguar looked at Ghost-Wing, curiously.

"He…" Ghost-Wing continued. "He… did this… because of me."

"Ghost-Wing, what are you talking about?" Koutetsu asked.

"I called him out."

All three stared at him, their curiosity and worry slowly shifting to anger.

"I beg your pardon," Koutetsu said.

"What?!" Jaguar asked, angrily.

"I…" Ghost-Wing swallowed. "…caught some of his guys by the hospital… and demanded he meet me."

Jaguar moved herself from Ghost-Wing, leaving him to stand on his own. "So you… were by the hospital… where his bastards were targeting innocent people, hospital patients… and instead of helping save anyone… you… challenged that psychopath?!"

"How the hell did you even find them?" Batman asked.

Ghost-Wing looked down in horror. "Once-once it was announced Wayne was in the hospital… I knew they'd go there. I just waited and… and-and I… I… made one of his people contact him. To… lure him out."

Batman blinked. "How did we not think of that?"

"I threatened them."

Batman, Koutetsu, and Jaguar all stared, motionlessly, at Ghost-Wing.

"Actually…" Ghost-Wing looked at Batman. "…I threatened you."

Batman jerked his head back.

"I repeat, I beg your pardon," Koutetsu almost growled out.

"I wasn't…" Ghost-Wing continued. "…going to… actually do it. I just… needed to get Bane's attention."

Jaguar was struggling to control her breathing. "You… you…"

"Bane… only set off the bomb to get away. This… all of this is… it's my fault."

Jaguar glared at him in disgust. "If there weren't people who needed us here… I'd tell you to 'go to hell' and leave you. I'll just have to settle for half that satisfaction…" She walked up to him and growled, "Go to hell!" She stormed out of the office.

Ghost-Wing looked back at Batman and Koutetsu.

"I must say…" Koutetsu began, subtle rage in his voice. "…of all your disappointments… this is your crowning achievement."

"Easy, Koutetsu," Batman whispered.

"I shall join Jaguar, shall I?" Koutetsu left the room.

Batman and Ghost-Wing stared at each other in silence. Until Batman spoke up, "God, man, do you really hate me that much?"

Ghost-Wing stood, silently.

"I mean… why? What did I do? I mean… what is it? Why would…" Batman sighed. "Why do you hate me this much?"

Ghost-Wing looked around, defeatedly. "I… I don't know."

Minutes later, Batman met Valerie outside, as she despondently gazed at her precinct.

Batman exhaled. "Val… I… don't know what to say."

"There's nothing to say," Valerie declared. "Except…" She turned toward Batman with a rage burning in her eyes. "…we are going… to get this monster! When we do… we are going to lock him in a cell until the sun burns out!"

Batman almost smiled. "You still wanna bring him in."

"He only wins if he turns us… into him. And I will not let that happen." Valerie put her hand on Batman's shoulder. "Don't let this bastard make you worse, either."

"I won't. Just…" Batman exhaled. "I can't help but think I did this."

"No. You're not the cause, Batman. You're the good guy. So many more people would've died in the fire if you weren't here."

"The news will blame me anyway."

"Screw them and their half-assed opinions! Like Gotham wasn't a criminals' haven 10 years ago before you showed back up!" Valerie scoffed, "Plus, I don't think you care much about the court of public opinion."

"Not particularly," Batman shrugged, slightly.

Valerie looked back at the precinct. "How many?"

"Eight. The bomb was more scare than death. Still… that's eight too many."

"How many injured?"

"Twenty-two was the last count," Batman answered. "Three of those were critical. They're on their way to the hospital. Not Gotham General."

"And Bane?" Valerie asked.

"No idea."

"We're searching the other precincts for bombs. So far… we've found five. Two in the main headquarters."

"Dammit…" Batman grunted.

Valerie turned toward Batman. "Go home."

"What?"

"It's been a long night, Batman. We all need to go home. Well… you guys do. I'm not going anywhere."

Batman thought for a moment. "Thanks for the advice. But I can help a bit longer. Whatever you need."

Valerie nodded. "Thanks."

After getting to the safe house and seeing Bruce to bed, Max, Helena, Runner, and Ember met in the vestibule at the front of the house, where they received the report of Ghost-Wing, Bane, and the bombing of the precinct.

Ember growled a bit. "That damn son-of-a-bitch could've killed Val!"

"What in the actual hell did Ghost think he was doing fighting Bane alone?!" Runner growled.

"I'm way more worried about how much stronger Bane is," Max noted.

Helena folded her arms. "New Venom?"

"Must be. There's no other reason he's that strong."

Runner thought it all over. "We better get back to Gotham. The situation just changed."

"I need to get home," Max said. "I'm… I'm worried about Terry."

"Yeah, I heard it in his voice, too," Helena mused, sadly.

"We'll get you back to town, Max." Runner looked at Helena, "We can come back and get you later, if you want."

"No. I'm going back to Gotham with you guys."

Everyone looked at Helena, surprised.

"There's nothing more I can do for Dad," Helena replied. "Not right now. There may be something I can do for Terry. And all of you."

"Are you sure?" Ember asked.

"Positive. Dad's got Diana. They need each other. Terry needs all of us." Helena blinked. "Well…" she looked at Max, "he needs you right now. The rest of us will be around later."

Max smiled a bit. "Can we head back now?"

"Let's go," Runner nodded.

A couple of hours later, Terry got home and went into the bathroom. He leaned against the sink, gripping the fixture with all he had. He stared at himself in the mirror, the night's events replaying in his head.

Bane's strength was not at all what Terry was expecting. He was stronger. Much stronger. Ghost-Wing could've been killed. After Ghost-Wing called Bane out because of his anger toward Terry or Batman. Ghost-Wing's resentment was something Terry still couldn't figure out, and, after tonight, Terry realized it bothered him more than he thought. Then the bombing of the precinct. It made him concerned for Valerie. Despite the nature of their relationship, Terry considered Valerie a friend.

All of this just brought everything to the forefront of Terry's mind. Everything he had been suppressing so he could focus and fight. But for some reason, Terry's mind decided to think about every single problem he was dealing with.

Rene's death.

Whatever plan Bane truly had working. The Scourge.

The danger his friends, Helena, his kids, and Max were in.

Bruce.

With everything going on, Terry had to stop worrying about Bruce for a moment. He just couldn't now. No matter how hard he tried.

So much at once. So much death and destruction. He hadn't felt this constricted since his father, Warren, died.

In one strike, it hit Terry like a ton of steel.

He was going to lose another father.

Terry felt something building up. It had been building up for weeks.

He had to let it out.

He screamed. The scream became a roar.

He kept screaming and roaring. He had to let out the rage. And the sorrow.

Eventually, he finished. He was trying to get his breathing back to normal, but now his throat was sore and muscles were hurting. It was nearly impossible to calm down and relax.

"Terry."

Terry turned around, seeing Max standing there. "Max? What are you doing here? I thought you'd be…"

"I just got back a few minutes ago," Max interrupted.

"The kids?"

"Mel still has the kids. Mike's gonna swing by and check on them, and Tia's monitoring them. Runner made a call to have Mary and Matty looked after."

Terry sighed, turned, and leaned back against the sink. "I was hoping you'd… stay in Kane County…"

"You thought there was one chance of me staying out of this while you deal with this much shit at once? Last time you dealt with a face from Bruce's past like this was the Joker. I wasn't here and we weren't even dating. Now, it's Bane. But this time… I'm your wife. Baby, I'm not going anywhere."

Terry struggled to speak.

Max walked up to him. "I know you've been dealing with a lot. You've been dealing with so much and I just wanted… to give you space to deal with it. But… now it's time to be old-school Max and annoy you."

Terry scoffed a bit, almost feeling a possible smile trying to form.

"You can't fight this…" Max declared, softly, "unless you let out some grief." She placed a hand on his cheek. "Talk. I'm here, Terry. I'll never leave you. I'll never leave you alone. If you're facing the end of the world, I'm standing right next to you. But you can take this, Terry, as long as we talk. Just tell me."

Terry stared into Max's eyes, suddenly finding it easy to breathe again. He even regained a little bit of calm. Staring into her eyes, he saw the same woman he fell in love with. So strong, so fierce. So damn beautiful.

"I'm scared, Max," Terry whispered.

"I know," Max replied, understandingly. "And that's okay."

"I… I-I know I'm supposed to be Batman. I'm not supposed to be afraid but… Bruce is gonna die. Bane wants to murder him. He wants to kill everyone Bruce loves. He wants to kill all of us. Max, I… don't want Bruce to die. I don't want you to die. Not the kids, Basem, Sally, Helena, Hayate, Michelle, Tia, Mike, anyone. But Bane, he's… so much stronger than I thought possible. Max… I can't beat him alone."

"You're not alone," Max placed both her hands on his cheeks. "You've never been alone! That's the difference between you and Bruce! Even when Basem wasn't here, you had Bruce. Then me. Now… you have a team. You have a family! And you can be afraid. I know you. You've been afraid before. And you. Keep. Fighting." She exhaled, "And, my God, I love that about you! Baby, no matter the fight, no matter how scared you are, you jump up and you fight. You saved me, Basem, Sally, Gotham and the world! And you didn't do it because you weren't afraid. You did it despite being afraid."

Terry exhaled. "So, you don't think less of me."

"Terry, we've got two kids. You still turn me on when all you do is walk in a room."

Terry chuckled a little.

"What the hell makes you think I'd think less of you?" she asked.

"I can't beat Bane, alone, Max," he admitted. "I'm not strong enough."

"You're strong enough to fight him. Maybe you can't beat him alone. And that's fine. You're not gonna do it alone."

"The whole city's in danger, Max. How can I stop this?"

"By being Batman. Who you chose to be. Not because you have Bruce's blood. Because you and him… have the same strength in your soul. And in your heart."

Terry stared at her. "Max. I love you. You have no idea how much."

"I love you, too," Max replied. "Always."

A/N: A little insight here: one of my favorite things about this series is getting to write Max and Terry scenes in the midst of the chaos. There's a reason they are my favorite couple that never was. One of, anyway.

We're getting close to the endgame, everyone. I know I've said that already but we're absolutely getting there. I believe the next chapter will reveal... a lot of details. Get ready!