A/N: 2022.10.25

Another chapter?! Wow! Even I can't believe how fast I'm getting these done. Maybe I can have this story done before Christmas!

Chapter 34

The rest of the night and into the next morning were solely focused on rescue efforts. Valerie and Bennet arrived at the site of Bane's fall and, officially, declared Bane's death an intentional suicide. A few hours later, Batman and Runner went to the special holding cells at Site Black where they were keeping Ikram and Athanasia. Knowing Batman and Runner's codes of conduct, Valerie and Bennet looked the other way when Batman requested to confine two specific prisoners. Officially, Bane was the leader of the Scourge and attacked Gotham, and, officially, Valerie and Bennet didn't see Athanasia or Ikram. Impossible to penalize Batman for taking criminals they didn't see.

Batman and Runner stood in front of the two impenetrable glass cells, studying Athanasia and Ikram. While Athanasia seemed to have a sullen expression, Ikram's face was somewhat indiscernible.

"Is my Beloved dead?" Athanasia asked.

"Yes," Batman answered. "I can tell… you actually loved him. Despite everything… I am sorry you lost him."

Athanasia took a deep breath, exhaled. Then smiled. "Do not apologize, Batman. You won the battle and the war. It was one of the most likely outcomes."

Ikram looked up in shock. "What?!"

"Say that again?" Runner asked.

"Bane knew from the start," Athanasia explained. "He knew how strong and, more importantly, how revered you are, Batman. Not just your mantle, not even so much your predecessor, but you. He wanted to face you. The Batman. To see if he was worthy to rule in a world like this." She sighed. "To live in a world like this."

Batman and Runner looked at each other in shock.

Ikram jumped to his feet and rushed toward the glass wall between his cell and Athanasia's, angrily slamming his fist against it. "YOU KNEW HE NEVER PLANNED TO WIN?!"

"He planned to win, Father," Athanasia countered. "But he never lied to me: he knew there was distinct chance he could lose." She stared at Batman. "He never belittled you. He believed there were only a few lines you wouldn't cross to secure the victory. But even with those restrictions… Bane knew you were capable. And he was ready to accept his defeat. For if he had to kill you to win, he had to be ready to die if he lost."

"Whoa…" Runner breathed out.

"He made it clear he would either defeat you or die. There was no middle ground."

Batman stared at her, flabbergasted. "You knew his plan… even that part… the whole time?"

"He was my husband," Athanasia declared. "My Beloved. Now and forever. I waited my entire life to meet a man so strong. Even now… I believe in him. If he died at war with you, then he died the way wished. I could hope for no more than that for him."

Runner looked at Ikram, who's face had given way to shock and dismay. Slowly, Ikram just sank to his knees with his head bowed. Runner and Batman didn't need Ikram to say anything. They could clearly see he was broken.

They looked back at Athanasia.

"Enjoy your victory, Batman," Athanasia said. "You earned it. And I am at peace."

Batman and Runner could do nothing else but leave the cell area, locking the door behind them. Once the door was closed and locked, they removed their masks and stared at each other. "Wow," they said, simultaneously.

"Devotion is one thing but that…" Terry let out a hard exhale. "Damn!"

"Do you think Max and Sally would do that for us?" Basem asked.

Terry stared at Basem, blankly, then blinked and asked, sarcastically, "Would Max McGinnis née Gibson, my wife, and Sally Asselah née Croft, your wife, go along with a plan where they knew we would kill ourselves if things didn't go our way?"

Basem blinked in turn. "Did I actually ask that out loud? I'm sorry. I'm sleepy."

Terry patted Basem's shoulder, "It's okay. We're all tired!"

At the Machine Shop, all the heroes met up, including Sally and Tiana who brought breakfast for everyone, recounting all of the night's events. Bennet and Banshee weren't present for obvious reasons, but Batman and the main team had plans to meet them later. Regrettably, there was a casualty count of some civilians, but, thankfully, it was in the lower half of the double digits, so far, thanks to the team's combined efforts, along with the GCPD. Still, the atmosphere among the group was a relaxed one. The battle was won, and they came out alive; a little battered and extremely bruised but that was nothing new, for most of them.

After discussing everything else, the last remaining concern was what to do with Ikram and Athanasia.

"They know us," Basem reminded.

"Doesn't matter," Terry countered. "We won't kill them."

"I didn't mean that! I just mean we need to… put them somewhere!"

"Like prison?"

"Like a prison where they won't blab to everyone who we are."

"They won't," Terry implored.

"Athanasia won't," Basem corrected. "Ikram, I'm on the fence about."

"I have a solution," Nyssa declared. "Leave them to me."

Terry glared at her, "Nyssa…"

"I owe you several times over, Terry. A debt so great, I'll never be able to fully repay. I'll take custody of my brother and niece. And I will honor your wishes. I swear to let them live. But I will also make sure they never bother you again."

"As much as I'm worried about him talking, I don't think you need to worry about Ikram doing much more than that," Basem noted. "He looked… just plain beaten."

"He wished to be our father. But Ikram knows, for a fact, as I do… Father would've considered the possibility of Bane's usurpation and prepared for it. And how Bane enthralled and enticed Athanasia…" Nyssa exhaled. "I don't know if my brother will ever recover. Some failures… are too definite."

"Weird… I kinda feel bad for him."

Nyssa scoffed. "I don't."

"Cold, Nyssa," Terry smiled.

"We never did get along. I gave up trying years ago."

"I don't mean to change the subject," Michelle spoke up, "but I got a real quick question I gotta ask!"

"What's up?" Sally asked.

Michelle looked at Max, Helena, and Lincoln. "So… how did it feel to be even more badass?!"

"Oh, my God, Shell!" Basem threw his head back.

"Oh, like I'm the only one who wanted to ask!"

"I confess to also being curious," Hayate admitted.

Max smiled, dangerously. "It was everything I knew it could be and more."

"Scary," Lincoln scoffed.

"Felt natural," Helena surmised.

"No surprise on that one," Selina shrugged.

"Would you do it again?" Michelle asked.

"Dammit, Shell!" Basem grunted.

"Shush!" Michelle looked at three, "Well?"

"Hell, yeah, I'd do it again!" Max replied as she laughed.

"Knew it," Terry rolled his eyes and smiled.

"And you love me!"

"Yes, I do."

"Honestly?" Lincoln let out a long exhaled, shaking his head. He slowly smiled, "I was hoping I could keep the suit."

"Deal!" Tiana smiled.

Helena studied the group, "I need a bit more practice. But… I am going to do it again."

Selina smiled at her. "Proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom."

Terry smiled. "Well! All three of you definitely proved yourselves."

"That's unanimous," Hayate agreed.

"Absolutely!" Kailyn said.

"You all kicked ass during this," Basem gave them a thumbs-up.

"In a lot of ways," Alfred chuckled.

"Again, sorry," Max smiled.

"Don't be. I needed it."

"You three are still nuts for this," Sally spoke up, "but…" She couldn't stop the huge smile coming to her face, "yeah, that was so totally cool!"

"What she said," Tiana smiled.

"So, I'm not saying we'll put you guys in the normal rotation," Terry informed, "but… I'm not saying we'll never ask for your help again."

"Hell yeah!" Helena grinned.

"I FINALLY MADE IT!" Max threw her arms in the air. Everyone let out a good laugh.

"You did," Terry nodded, conceding her point. "Congrats. You wore me down."

Max smiled, "In more ways than one."

"Yeah, that's my bitch!" Michelle smiled, causing Max, Sally, and Helena to laugh.

"I so need to hang out with you guys more," Kailyn giggled.

"Yeah, you do!"

Virgil grinned at the group then sighed, "Well! Guess we got this all done, right?"

"More or less," Terry looked at Basem, Hayate, and Michelle, "We need to meet Bennet."

"Mind if we tag along?" Dick asked.

"Sure, if you want."

"Are we picking up another stray?" Alfred's shoulders slumped.

"I like Banshee," Selina grinned.

"You would," Helena and Alfred mentioned, simultaneously. They looked at each other and laughed.

"Oh, look. The Hatfields and McCoys have become friends."

"Speaking of overly drawn-out feuds…" Alfred stood looked at everyone. "I want to apologize…" he looked at Max, "sincerely apologize…"

Max smiled.

Alfred looked at everyone again, "…to all of you for my behavior." He looked at Dick and Selina, "Before and after coming to Gotham." He regarded the group again, "Regardless of my reasoning… I was a jerk. And… I'm really sorry for the trouble it caused."

Terry smiled and walked toward him, offering his hand. "We're good, man."

Alfred shook his hand, "You're amazing, Terry."

"Not quite. I haven't learned it all yet."

"Neither have I."

Michelle blinked. "Dude, how hard did Max hit you?"

"Oh, so hard!" Kailyn answered, happily. "It was awesome!"

Max blew on her fingernails, then wiped them on her shirt, "Not a bad slap, if I do say so myself!"

Alfred threw his head back.

"Don't let it get to you, man," Terry patted Alfred's back. "I married her! If this is what you get, imagine how she treats me!"

Alfred looked at Terry. "You're Batman and married to her? What? Do you just love to be surrounded by chaos?"

"I hate that the answer to that question is 'yes'."

No one in the Shop could stop laughing.

Two hours later, Batman, Nightrunner, Koutetsu, Ember, Nightwing, and Catwoman met up with Bennet and Banshee at a private airfield, outside of town.

"I can't thank you enough for helping out, Bennet," Ember said. "I knew it was a longshot calling you."

"You've come a long way," Bennet replied. "Didn't mind helping at all."

Ember offered her hand and Bennet shook it.

They released the handshake and Bennet looked at the other heroes then back at Ember, "They actually like you."

"More than you ever did," Ember sneered, causing Batman, Runner, and Nightwing to laugh.

"So, what's next for you guys?" Batman asked.

"She's free to go," Bennet pointed at Banshee.

"Yeah, this one was last favor," Banshee confirmed.

"Staying on the straight and narrow?" Runner asked.

"What can I say? Havin' a bomb put in me neck does tend to convert one. 'Sides, couldn't get a bad guy job now if I begged. Got too much 'good guy' all over me."

"A good shower would fix that," Ember joked. She and Banshee laughed.

"As for me," Bennet said, "I'm retired."

"I'd say you earned it," Batman replied. "And, seriously, Bennet… thanks."

Bennet nodded then looked at Banshee, "Need a ride home?"

"Nah," Banshee waved him off. "'Preciate it, but I'll find me own way."

"Want a job?" Nightwing asked.

"Do you actually pay?"

"Kinda."

"I'll take it."

"How do you two keep finding friends in this mess?" Bennet asked.

"We're nice, you're a jerk," Ember teased.

Bennet threw his head back, "Why did I even ask that?" He looked at his plane, "I better get goin' then."

Batman looked at the others then at Bennet, "Actually, one sec, Bennet."

Batman and Bennet walked toward the plane, just out of hearing range of the others.

"Bennet," Batman began, "everything you saw and heard…"

"Is going with me to the grave," Bennet preempted. "Don't worry, Batman. You've got nothing to fear from me. I'm out of the game. As for what I saw… it was dark in Gotham. Couldn't tell you a single face associated with any mask if you put them right in front of me."

Batman smiled in relief. "Maybe you're not so bad after all."

Bennet scoffed. "Besides… all this… I had to do it." He paused. "For Waller."

Batman nodded, understandingly. "For Waller."

They stood in silence for a second, letting their mutual sadness wash over them for a moment before they could refocus.

"Take care of yourself, Batman," Bennet implored. "World still needs you."

"If there are some more guys like you out there," Batman replied, "job's that much easier."

"Careful. That sounded like a compliment."

Batman smiled. "Maybe it was." He stuck his hand out. "Bennet."

"Batman," Bennet shook his hand.

"By the way… my friends call me by another name."

"That's fine. I don't need to know it." Bennet released the handshake. "I'll stick with 'Batman'. After all… doesn't matter what you call a hero… they tend to show up when you need them anyway. Friends, too."

"Damn right."

After getting some rest, the heroes went back out the next night to continue the rescue efforts. They found a few officers and first responders trapped in some rubble, but, thankfully, they avoided any more casualties. It was just after 3 AM when they all met back at the Shop. With Banshee among them, everyone kept their masks on for now. Nyssa was also absent as she was guarding her brother and niece.

"What a deal this was," Static exhaled. "Can't imagine how tough this has been for you, B-Man."

"It's been rough," Batman mused. "For a lot of reasons."

"I heard. Let me know if I can do anything on that front."

"We can talk about it later."

"Sure thing, man."

"Need us around a little longer?" Outlaw asked.

"If you guys wouldn't mind," Runner replied. "Another day should be good?"

"Works for us," Vixen smiled.

"We're gonna stay, too," Nightwing pointed at himself and Catwoman. He looked at Crow and Azrael, "Mind escorting our prisoners outta here?"

"Not a problem," Azrael answered.

Catwoman motioned toward Banshee, "And get her set up at home base."

"I wanted to ask…" Ghost-Wing looked at Batman, then motioned toward Jaguar, "…would you mind if we stayed a helped out, too?"

"You guys want to?" Batwoman asked.

"We had a long talk," Jaguar explained. "Rather productive. And we figured it's the least we can do."

Ember groaned, "Dammit, he's being nice now! There's goes all those good one-liners I thought up."

"I say still use 'em," Ghost-Wing shrugged. "I deserve it."

Ember smirked. "If you insist!"

Batman shook his head then looked at Ghost-Wing and Jaguar, "If you guys wanna help out, I'd appreciate it. Thanks." He looked at the group, "Thanks, everyone. You have no idea how much this meant."

"Happy to do it, Bats," Gear smiled.

"Though, I'm pretty sure you would've come up with something without us," Vixen said.

"Nope, he wouldn't have," Runner joked. "'Cause he's an idiot."

"That's 'cause I have to be smart when you're dumb," Batman smirked. "Which is… all of the time."

"You heroes are weirder than I thought," Banshee declared. "I'm startin' ta like you lot."

"Told you so," Ember smiled.

A little later that night, Runner, Koutetsu, and Ember brought Vixen, Plastic Man, and Outlaw to Basem and Sally's house to eat, while Dick and Selina decided to get some rest. Azrael, Nyssa, Crow, and Banshee had left, taking Athanasia and Ikram with them. Gear went to Wayne Enterprises to help Tiana enhance on her Oracle systems with a few of his own personal inventions. Max went home, getting some sleep, and happy to have the kids home. Chelsea was even over at Max and Terry's, glad to be around her best friend and delighted everyone came out of this alive. Helena and Lincoln went to see Bruce and Diana, preparing to move Bruce back to the hospital.

Batman and Static were sitting on the edge of a downtown building rooftop, overlooking the city. As they observed the rescue workers, incoming construction crews, and returning citizens, Batman just completed explaining everything going on with Bruce to Static.

"Oh, my God," Static exhaled, sadly. "I knew it was bad after his announcement hit the news. But… to know… how bad…"

"We're just preparing for it now," Batman replied. "Nothing else we can do."

Static leaned back on his hands. "I remember when my pops died. Damn. I could've sworn nothing or no one would ever bring me outta that."

"How did you?"

"Family, man. Family. It's the only way. Gear, Daisy, my son, my big sis. Friends who I count as family. That was the only way. The mask can only help you so much. The real feelings come out eventually. And it always hurts."

Batman looked down. "Yeah. The mask." He reached up and removed his mask, holding it in his hands.

Static stared at him then lowered his own mask.

"Easy to be strong as Batman," Terry noted.

"I hear ya," Virgil sighed. "Static's way tougher than Virgil."

"What about without mask, Mr. Hawkins?"

"That's when it's hardest, Terry." Virgil smiled a bit, "And you know you can call me 'Virgil.'"

Terry chuckled a bit. But his smile quickly fell away. "Everyone's trying to be there for me, Max and Helena especially, but… I don't know how to let them. I just flashback to when my dad… Warren… when he died. I… didn't always deal with it the best." He looked around, "I feel like that kid in high school again. Having to deal with this alone because… I don't know how to talk about it." He fiddled with the mask in his hands, "How to admit… how damn painful this is."

Virgil studied Terry then looked back at the city. "Ya know… with the mask? You can make all the cool poses, the great jokes and punchlines, and hide how you feel. That's always easy. But this…" he took a deep breath, "this is when it's the hardest. This is what separates us from the superhero. This is when we have to be like everyone else… because we remember, beneath it all… we are everybody else. And it's hard." He looked back at Terry, "I wish I could change this for you, man."

"I wish he would let us," Terry replied.

Virgil laughed. "Yeah! Yeah, Bruce's always been stubborn."

"And I can't fix it."

"Fix it? Naw. You can't." Virgil put his hand on Terry's shoulder. "But you can handle it."

"Are you sure?" Terry asked. "Like you said… supervillains are easy."

"True. But the best way to deal with it? Don't lie to yourself about how you feel. If you can't tell the others, cool. Honestly, that'll come in time. But for now, the one key thing you can do? Just don't lie to yourself. It's the only way you get through it."

Terry considered that for a moment. He looked back at the city, "This is gonna suck."

"Yup."

"This is really, really gonna suck… and I'm gonna be a wreck during and after it."

"One hundred per cent."

Terry looked back at Virgil. "Thanks, Virgil. For everything."

"Anytime, man," Virgil replied. "I mean that. Anytime."

A/N: I toyed around with an idea and I'm actually gonna do it. Throughout this story, I mention Bruce patching up old wounds. I've decided I'm gonna show some, if not all, of those interactions. But I'm going to do it separate from "Chronicles" due to the subject matter. It's going to be called "My Immortal" and it should debut soon. Perhaps by this weekend.

Also, yes, in my headcanon, Daisy is Static's wife. Terry and Virgil's talk was inspired by the movie Get On Up, from the scene with James Brown and Little Richard talking, kinda cementing a mentor/student relationship between Virgil and Terry. Also, here in the chapter, I mention how the others are off doing their own thing while Virgil and Terry are talking, I may write some of those interactions in "Chronicles" or in "My Immortal." We'll see.

Okay. What's next? We're back to the very heavy stuff. There's no way to sugarcoat that. It's gonna be a very emotional ride from this point out. Get ready.