A/N: 2022.08.16

This chapter... is extensive. But I could find no justifiable reason to break it up. It just made so much sense as one extended chapter. I hope you all enjoy it. There may be a few editing mistakes (so, what else is new?) but I knew this chapter was done. And I couldn't wait for you guys to read this!

Chapter 23

The next day, with just hours left before Bane's ship launched, the group was doing what they could to mentally prepare themselves for everything. Terry and Max decided to spend the day apart to ready themselves. A difficult decision, but, with Terry needing to be in the mindset for a war and Max not wanting Terry to find out what she and Helena were up to just yet, it was for the best. Sally and Basem stayed home and watched movies, and Hayate and Michelle spent most of the day in bed together. Both couples worried if this would be the last time they would get to enjoy peace, and each other, in such ways.

Terry drove around Gotham, taking it all in. He couldn't help but notice how much quieter than usual the city was. It unnerved him and made him realize Bane's best weapon, so far, was the immediate and powerful fear he created. A strong weapon, Terry couldn't deny it.

As he drove aimlessly, Terry found himself driving by Hamilton Hill High School, which caused him to laugh. Some of the best and worst times in his life were at that place. He kept driving around and, before he realized it, he was in Chelsea's neighborhood. He drove past her house and saw her car was still in the driveway. He studied the car and the house, parked against the curb in front of her house, and activated the phone in his car.

After a couple of rings, Chelsea answered, greeting, "I thought you'd be too busy to be calling me."

"Are you still in the city?"

"Yeah. Why'd you ask?"

"I'm outside your house," Terry answered.

"Oh! Be right out!" Chelsea ended the call.

Terry chuckled and rolled his window down.

A few seconds later, Chelsea emerged, wearing the same smile she always had. She walked up to the car and leaned down, resting on the door. "Hey, stranger!"

"Chels, what are you doing?" Terry asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you still in the city?"

"What?" Chelsea asked. "Bane? You're kidding me, right? You got this. I'm not about to takeoff running."

"Didn't stop half your street!" Terry chuckled.

"They don't know what I know!"

Terry laughed.

"I saw your message. That was all the 'okay' I need to stay here. Besides, you guys might need me." Chelsea blinked. "I mean… I don't know what the actual hell I could possibly do that's helpful, but hey! I'm here."

"There is no way I'd ask you to help with any of this."

"But you can. I'm here, Terry. For you, Max. Sal, B, Shell, Hayate, Helena. Whoever needs me. How ever you need me. Call."

Terry stared at her and saw nothing but sincerity in her. "I'm sorry being my friend is so much trouble."

Chelsea smiled, warmly. "Seriously? Terry. It's so great being your friend, you have no idea."

"Thanks, Chels. For everything."

"You're welcome."

"Lock your doors and call if you need," Terry advised.

"Will do," Chelsea responded.

"See you later."

"Right. And hey. Terry?"

"Yeah?"

"You're gonna beat him," Chelsea declared, confidently.

Terry nodded. "Damn, right. Thanks, Chels."

Alfred was sitting in the small workshop of the yacht, staring at the Ghost-Wing suit. He repaired the damage Bane inflicted, but he wasn't sure about wearing it again so soon. He heard footsteps and was shocked to when Kailyn opened the door.

"Kay…" Alfred whispered.

"Stop getting your hopes up," Kailyn interrupted, immediately. "Nothing's changed between us. Grandpa's here."

Alfred rolled his eyes, "What does he want?"

"If you don't get your ass…" Kailyn growled.

"Alright, alright!" Alfred got up and followed Kailyn back into the living room.

Dick was standing in the middle of the room and Selina was leaning against the doorframe, sipping coffee from a cup. Alfred noted a particularly cold, near-deadly glare in Dick's eyes. Even worse, Dick didn't say a word when he saw Alfred.

"Hey, kid," Selina grinned, greeting Alfred. "God, you look like hell."

"Thanks for the compliment," Alfred said, drolly.

"You're welcome!"

"What are you two doing here?"

"Bane's about to claim Gotham as his personal playground," Dick reminded. "Where the hell else would I be?"

Alfred instantly realized what that meant. "You're not going out there."

"That's adorable," Selina mused. "You said that like you have any say in our decisions."

Alfred looked at Kailyn, "Did you know about this?"

"Found out a little while ago," Kailyn answered. "And like Granny Selina said, it's not our choice. It's theirs. Besides… we need all the help we can get."

Alfred looked back at Dick. "All this Terry's idea?"

"First off, no," Dick answered, angrily. "Second, knock that crap off! Terry doesn't even know were here yet. We'll tell him soon."

"I heard he already has a plan. The great Batman is gonna swing in and save the day himself. Why are you two even bothering?"

"Because he needs help. He knows he can't do it alone. And we've got his back. All of us!"

"Bane's too strong. He's got those soldiers and those metahumans! If Terry thinks he can take Bane… that he has any chance… he's dumber than the old man."

"Bruce would always plan for the fight," Dick argued. "Terry's got one, too."

"He's pushing off his plan on everyone else!" Alfred fired back. "Maybe he knows he can't do it all!"

"Good! That means he learned! And he's planning all he can!"

"If he doesn't have the balls to step up like a man, he doesn't deserve that mantle!"

"You tried that!" Dick screamed. "See how that worked out for you?!"

"So, I prove I'm more of a man than him and you side with him over me?!" Alfred shouted back.

At that, Dick's face went rigid and his entire body stiffened.

Selina could sense a change in her husband and her eyes widened. "Uh-oh."

Kailyn felt a sudden chill run down her spine.

Alfred would've felt it, as well, if Dick had given him the time to.

In a speed Alfred and Kailyn didn't know Dick still had without his suit, Dick rushed Alfred, grabbed him by the shirt, shoved him, and slammed him against the wall. Alfred looked at Dick, his mouth agape and terror in his eyes at his grandfather's strength and speed.

"I'm sick and tired of this!" Dick growled. "Sick. And. Tired! You put on that suit… and act like you're not just better than Batman. But better than everyone! You wanna keep tearing Terry down to what? Feed your ego? Make yourself feel better? Lest we forget: Terry had to save your stupid ass before Bane broke your back! He's had to deal with Bruce dying, Bane attacking, his family, his wife, his kids, his best friends, running a company, keeping the city from going up in flames, and, on top of everything else, keep you alive, and you still have the nerve to INSULT HIM?! YOU UNGRATEFUL JACKASS!"

Alfred and Kailyn looked at Dick in fear while Selina found herself more impressed than anything.

"You wanna know the real thing that keeps you from being as great as Batman? As great as Terry? You think the world owes you something for putting on that suit! You think you deserve that suit! That you deserve to be called the best! You think you've already learned everything you need to. You haven't learned shit! You don't deserve shit! And no one owes you a goddamn thing!" Dick paused to take a breath, to calm down a bit. He mildly succeeded. "Terry may not have Bruce's brain, but I'll be damned if he doesn't have his heart! And that makes Batman! Take away all of the science, gadgets, fighting, and smarts… if whoever puts on that mask, takes that mantle has heart to fight and care at the same time, to put himself last after everyone else, to try and save everyone they can every chance they get, then they are more than worthy to be Batman. Terry is more than worthy to be Batman. Hell! I'll say it… maybe he's better at it than Bruce ever was. I know he's better than I ever could be. And you? With this piss-poor attitude that would absolutely shame your grandmother! Terry's a million times better than you'll ever be!"

Alfred's eyes widened and his lip quivered as he remembered Bea. For Dick to mention her, Alfred realized he really had crossed a line.

Kailyn blinked. "Whoa."

Alfred gazed into Dick's eyes. "I've never heard you yell before."

"You had it coming." Dick let go of Alfred's shirt. "Now. Here's what's going to happen. You're either… going to get your head right, in this game, and remember you're not the hot shit you think you are… or you're leaving. You're either a hero or a liability. 'Cause despite how pissed off I am at you, Al, the last thing I want is to see you dead."

Alfred looked down.

"Make your choice now or I'll make it for you."

Alfred met Dick's gaze again. "I… I can do this."

"You either say that with conviction or get the hell out of this city."

Alfred took a deep breath. "I'm going to do this."

"Terry's in charge," Selina reminded.

Alfred set his jaw.

"That wasn't a suggestion."

Alfred exhaled. "Terry's in charge."

"Get ready," Dick ordered. "We're meeting everyone tonight." He looked at Kailyn, "Mind making sure he gets there?"

"Whatever you say, Mr. Grayson!" Kailyn said with respect and slight fear in her voice.

Dick chuckled, lightly, "'Mr. Grayson'?"

"I have never heard you like that. I'm staying on your good side!"

Dick laughed. "'Gramps' or any variant is fine, Kay. You're always family. Besides… I've heard about the progress you've made with Terry and the others."

Kailyn shrugged. "Trying. They're… pretty nice."

"Yeah, they are."

Selina pushed herself off the doorframe. "Tonight. Don't be late."

About midafternoon, Sally went over to Max's house to meet with her and Helena. While they were there, they made a vid-call to Kane County to speak with Diana, to give a progress report and check on Bruce.

"How is he doing, Diana?" Helena asked, concerning Bruce.

"Sleeping," Diana answered. "I think he's going to be up all night watching the news."

Helena grunted. "I wish he wouldn't…"

"I already tried. It's the one issue he will not concede to."

"Bringing the total of issues he won't budge on to infinity," Max joked.

Diana giggled. She stared at them all. "I wish I could do more."

"You're doing plenty, Diana," Helena reassured.

"Still… there are others we could call for help."

"Basem had the same idea," Sally pointed out. "I won't say who, just in case it doesn't work. Don't wanna get everyone's hopes up. We just have to get them in without Bane noticing."

"It's certainly possible," Diana replied.

"You know who I wish we could call?" Max spoke up. "Zaria."

"Oh, yeah!" Sally said. "She's awesome! Anyone know where she is?"

"We talked to her a few weeks ago," Max answered. "Her and Dr. Fate had something to do at… someplace. She said she'd call when she was back. No word heard from her yet."

"They went to the land known as Skartaris, located at the center of the Earth, to help the Warlord, Travis Morgan, and his family and allies," Diana explained. "Zaria was on the list of magical heroes requested to help. Some of the League had been to Skartaris before, decades ago. Zaria and the others went there to fight Brother Night and the resurrected Deimos. Even Zaria's mother, Zatanna, was summoned. Sporadic reports say it's going well. They just haven't 'won' yet."

"Then Zee's out. Damn. She would've been a huge help. Hope she comes back safe."

"Same."

"I don't know if she would've made much of a difference," Sally said. "Bane's been overprepared for this. He probably had something ready to counter magic in his back pocket."

"True," Max conceded.

A silence fell over them for a minute.

"Well." Helena sighed. "Nothing left to do but… get ready."

"Yeah," Sally said, nervously.

Max looked at the screen, staring at Diana. "Diana… if… if something happens to us…"

"Nothing is going to happen," Diana countered. "All of you will come out of this."

"Thanks. But…"

"I'll protect Bruce. I swear."

"Thank you." Max paused. "And… just in case… look after my babies. Please. Let 'em know…" she took a breath then exhaled. "…that Mama and Daddy love them more than anything."

"And… Stevie and Auggie…" Sally sniffed. "Tell them… Mommy and Daddy… wanted to do the right thing. And the only regret… is we had to leave them."

Diana had to swallow the lump in her throat and take a few breaths. "I swear in the name of Hera… I swear on my life and soul… I will always protect and watch over them."

"Thank you, Diana."

"Thanks, Diana," Max added.

Helena smiled. "Thanks… Mom."

Max and Sally looked at Helena, in shock. But they slowly smiled, Sally having to wipe away a few tears.

"You're all welcome," Diana replied. "But… please… live. Come back alive. I love you all. More than you'll ever know."

"We love you, too," Helena replied.

The time was starting to click closer down to the deadline for Bane's ship launching. At Wayne Enterprises, Tiana and Lincoln were in a hidden lab as she calibrated the armor for the suit Tiana designed. Tiana typed for a few more minutes, adjusting and aligning the last bit of fitting for Lincoln's suit.

Tiana exhaled. "Alright." She looked at Lincoln. "You ready?"

"Ready," Lincoln replied.

Tiana hit a button and small circular platform lit up and rose a few feet off the ground.

Tiana looked at Lincoln. "Last chance to back out."

A look of determination and fearlessness came to Lincoln's face. "Not a chance."

Lincoln stepped on to the platform.

Helena carefully entered the Manor, finding no one inside. She hurried to the study and saw Bane's damage to clock and the door. She walked inside the Cave, turning on the lights. She walked over to the computer, sat down, and started typing, activating the systems.

"I know what you said, Dad," Helena whispered to herself. "But this is personal."

As Helena kept typing away at the computer, she heard footsteps but didn't bother turning around.

Helena smiled. "I knew you both would be here."

Helena, briefly, glanced over her shoulder to see Selina and Dick walk down the steps and toward the computer, stopping behind the chair.

"Just a matter of time."

"Kitten…" Selina whispered.

"I'm doing it, Mom," Helena cut her off, as she kept her focus on the screen. "Bane wants to kill Terry. Over my dead body."

Dick stared at the computer and saw what Helena was doing. He smiled. "I've always missed the cape."

Helena paused for a moment. "Yeah. Me, too. But Terry's style's good. This is my own. With the cape. It just needs to be more… practical."

"How so?"

"You'll see."

Selina exhaled. "Helena… I never wanted this for you. I kept you as far away from this life as I could. Because of psychopaths like Bane."

Helena stopped and sighed. "I know, Mom." She turned and looked at Selina, "And thank you for that. But… my brother is being targeted. And Dad… Dad… I can't stop what's happening to him. But I can protect Terry. I can help them all. I need to." She turned her attention back to the computer.

Selina smiled. "You sound like your father."

"And my mother. Fawzi told me how you went looking for him."

Selina blinked. "Since when do you talk to him?!"

Helena grinned. "I finally got something over on you. Wow, that feels good!"

Dick laughed. "You're definitely more ready than we wanted to admit, kid."

"I get the hesitation, though. Still…" Helena a few more keys, "there's a time to wait…" She turned a hidden chamber rose from the floor in front of the display cases, "…and there's a time to take action."

The chamber opened and Selina and Dick looked in amazement.

"Whoa," Dick whispered.

Selina exhaled. "Helena. Are you sure you're ready?"

"No," Helena answered. "I'm not sure. But I know… I have to. I won't sit by and do nothing."

"So…" Dick said, "is it time for… Batwoman?"

"No. I was thinking… Huntress."

Selina smiled. "Your Aunt Helena is gonna be proud… and kill you."

"I've straddled that line with her since I was 14," Helena smiled. "Why go against type?"

Dick and Selina heard the door to the upstairs open and looked up, ready for battle.

"Don't worry," Helena laughed. "That's my guest."

A second later, Max appeared and descended down the stairs. "Hey, girl!" she said to Helena. She looked at Dick and Selina, "Oh! Hey! Didn't know you guys would be here. Guess I should have. That's on me."

"Max?" Dick asked. "What are you doing here?"

"About to make Terry and Bruce really mad at me." Max walked over to Helena, "You got it?"

"He hid it well." Helena kept typing. "Not well enough. You still sure?"

"Yep. I managed to get around all of the strain of the suit with the program and parts I designed. Just need to reorganize it all but that shouldn't take too long. Should work fine now. Got the remaining data for your suit and the Mark II, too." Max giggled. "'Mark II, too'. I'm hilarious!"

Helena laughed. "Awesome. Found the backup suits and I already got mine, so we should be good to go. Let's put everything together."

"Helena, what the hell is going on?!" Selina asked, impatiently.

"My sister-in-law is as crazy as the rest of us," Helena replied. "It makes her so easy to love."

"Aww, sis!" Max smiled.

An image of Bruce's last Bar Armor suit came on the screen.

"Okay, what the hell?!" Dick asked, crossly. "Bruce never got that damn thing working right! How'd you…"

"It's because Bruce was determined to make his body move the damn thing," Max explained. "He never tried connecting the synaptic relapses and linking free-flowing joint motors."

"All of those updates are dangerous."

"I would normally agree. If I didn't come up with about 50 levels of safeguarding encryptions to kept them from being hacked."

"But doesn't what you just said imply the suit will be connected directly into your brain?" Selina asked.

"Almost," Max replied. "I'm streamlining the armor, making it smaller, and taking a hybrid approach."

"You're gonna love this!" Helena insisted.

"The Batsuit controls the Batmobile, more or less. Hardly any strain on the pilot. Terry told me Bruce explained it to him as 'letting the suit do the work'. Same concept. I still move but the suit and the circuits take the strain. It'll work."

Dick thought that over. "Okay. That's… actually a brilliant plan!"

"Literally, Max doesn't have any other kind," Helena declared. "Her Mark II idea is even better! But that's for Terry. It'll definitely give him an edge over Bane."

Dick scoffed. "Max. You really are brilliant!"

"Oh, I'm loving this praise!" Max smiled. "Can I record it?"

"You're going out there?" Selina asked.

"I am. If only this once. Maybe never again. But… we'll see. I'm doing my part."

"This doesn't have to be your fight, Max," Dick declared.

"Like hell," Max replied. "Bane wants my husband and my dad? He can kiss my ass."

Dick stood still for a moment then had to blink a few times to get back to the present. "You referred to Bruce as 'dad' and it took me a second."

"I don't like calling him father-in-law. Until my dad started acting right, Bruce was all I had. Besides, Joe's 180-degree turnaround wouldn't have happened without Bruce. Bruce's my dad." Max smirked. "Whether he likes it or not."

Dick laughed. "You really are as crazy as the rest of us."

"Told you," Helena smiled.

"But Bruce and Terry are gonna kill you. Then us, when they find out."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Max waved them off. "If they didn't do it already, I highly doubt they're gonna do it now. Not after I produced such gorgeous kids!" She hit a few keys on the computer and machinery parts began to come alive in the Cave.

"This really is gonna be a war," Selina mused.

"Wars need soldiers, Mom," Helena replied. "And I'm done sitting on the sidelines."

It was just after 5:30 and time was ticking down as Terry sat in the Machine Shop. He decided to get there ahead of everyone as he did all the planning he could. Now, there was nothing left to do but wait for the battle to begin. As he sat in his chair, he swiveled back and forth, staring at whatever caught his eye. Then his gaze fell to his phone. He already called his mother, Mary, explaining he and Max were staying to make sure all the Wayne Enterprises employees were safely out of the city. Mary would worry anyway but Terry had to try to assuage her fears, even if only a little.

But there was one more person he wanted to call, even if it was dangerous.

He picked up the cell, selected the number, and hit 'call'.

After three rings, Diana answered, "I didn't think you'd call, Terry."

"Me, neither. Umm… can I talk to him?"

"Of course."

A moment later, Bruce's voice came on the phone, "Terry."

"Hey, Bruce," Terry greeted. "Uhh… mind if I switch to video?"

The screen in the Shop activated, showing the image of Bruce and Diana in the study of the Kane house.

Terry smiled, "Well. You don't look that close to death."

"I don't feel any closer than I always have," Bruce joked.

Terry chuckled a bit. He sobered. "I'm sorry about the video, Bruce. I know that's not how you would handle this. But… I just thought everyone needed a bit of… reassurance, I guess. I didn't mean… I wasn't trying to get attention. I just… I don't know. Tried to… just let the people know I had their back."

"It was the right call," Bruce approved. "It also proved to Bane you're not afraid of him. He needed to know that, even if he already did."

"But that's just it." Terry stared at Bruce. "I am afraid. Not to fight him. Not even to lose. I'm just… afraid he'll… kill one of us. Not me. I'm not worried about me. But… Basem. Hayate. Michelle. They're… they're here because of me, in this fight because of their loyalty to me."

"It's more than loyalty, Terry," Diana reassured. "It's faith. It's a familial love and friendship."

"I just don't know if I deserve it."

"Terry," Bruce said, concernedly.

"Tell me you believe in me," Terry requested, suddenly. "I know. We've never had that talk and you never wanted me to be… this emotional. But… Bruce, just this once, I need to hear it. Like… this has been driving me crazier than I've wanted to admit. And… and…" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and stared at Bruce. "Just… tell me you know I can do this. That I can be the Batman I need to be. That…"

"Terry."

Terry stopped.

"You are… ten times the hero… and the man… I am or ever was. I'm not just proud of you when you wear that suit. I'm proud of you all the time. Bane is not going to be your downfall. All of his planning and scheming will never be enough to stop you. You keep the same heart, mind, and will you've always had. No matter what happens… that will always make me proud… and make you Batman."

Terry felt his will to fight come roaring back like bonfire. He smiled and nodded, "Thanks, Bruce."

"Now, stop this pity party and go kick his ass!" Bruce ordered. Even giving a dangerous smile at the end of the command.

Terry chuckled. Then he thought for a moment, his smile slowly falling away. "All the planning… and scheming…"

Diana blinked. "Terry?"

"I think… I've got an idea. I just need to call Sal and Tia."

Bruce smiled. "There it is. That's the voice and mindset of Batman."

"It is very appealing," Diana smiled.

Bruce rolled his eyes, "Don't feed his ego that much."

Terry smirked. "Jealous?"

"No. I still sound more like Batman than you."

Terry and Diana laughed. Bruce simply held his smile.

A/N: I know it was pretty obvious but who else liked the idea of Helena becoming Huntress? Full discloser: while I did have an idea of Helena joining the team, the idea of her being "Huntress" came from the ever-wonderful, ever-awesome, ever-supportive Watership's Nightwish Rat. Seriously, Watership is so great! Thanks for all the discussion over the years! Also, shoutout and props to RyokoMist for the idea of Max getting a suit. I toyed around with the idea but her practically reading my mind told me it was a good idea. I know I've praised Ryoko and Watership before but they are so awesome that I have to do it again.

Next chapter is everyone meeting up. How will the newcomers be received and who else is joining the fight? I can't wait for all of you to find out! See you next time!