A/N: 2022.04.24

So, this chapter went a bit long but I promise it's for a good reason. You'll see what I mean.

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Three nights went by with no sign of Bane. Batman and the rest of the Gotham knights continued their standard patrol; their usual awareness was increased to its highest. While they were patrolling, an alert came in about a break-in at Gotham First National Bank.

Batman, who was the closest to the bank, rolled his eyes. 'Is that the only bank in Gotham worth breaking into?! Slag! Can you these guys please, please, break into somewhere else?!'

Batman arrived at the bank and entered it from the roof. He descended down to the bottom floor lobby and saw a guy sitting on a teller's counter. The man had long, dark brown hair, a trench coat, long pants, boots, and gloves, holding a knife in his hand. His attire was all blue and, to Batman's surprise, he wasn't wearing a mask. By all accounts, he was a handsome gentleman, sporting a short goatee. He had one foot propped up on the teller desk while letting the leg subtly swing back and forth. Batman also noted how the man was wearing a coat but no shirt. But that did give Batman a clear picture that this man was physically well defined. He absolutely had less than one per cent body fat, if that much.

"I didn't even hear you come in," the man said with an Australian accent. "I'm usually very aware of my surroundings. But you slipped in like it was nothing! Very impressive! Of course, I'd expect nothing less from the legend himself. The Batman."

Batman blinked. "Thanks… I think. Who are you exactly?"

"They call me 'Switchblade.' A master of the knives."

"Catchy name."

"Isn't it? Came up with it back in high school."

"Cool." Batman stopped and looked off, momentarily. 'Did I just compliment the supervillain?' He focused back on Switchblade.

Switchblade sneered. "You're way nicer than I expected. Bane said the original Batman wasn't that talkative. But you? You're pretty interesting."

"Bane sent you."

"He paid me to join his outfit. Getting to fight you sealed the deal."

"You wanted to fight me?" Batman asked, confusedly.

"Are you kidding me?" Switchblade chuckled. "Fighting you will make me legendary! If I win, I beat Batman. If I lose… I still went toe-to-toe with Batman! No downside."

"Except for prison?"

"Oh, please! Prison. Been there, done that. I only go there when I need to get away from an ex."

"Man, you're weird," Batman noted.

"Tell me about it!" Switchblade scoffed. "My psychiatrist got rich off me!" He took a deep breath and exhaled, "So! I think you know why I'm here."

"You broke in to get my attention."

"Exactly. You are good! Mind if we get to business? I really, really wanna fight ya!"

Batman almost laughed. "Sure! Why not?"

Swiftly drawing a second knife, Switchblade threw the knives at Batman, which he dodged immediately. Switchblade, quickly, hopped off the counter, drew two more knives, and he and Batman charged at each other, entering a battle of skill. Batman nearly landed a punch, but Switchblade immediately moved backward, just before the punch connected. With an incredible burst of speed.

Batman narrowed his eyes. 'He's not a speedster. He would've used that against me from the start. Must be speed bursts, like Hayate does sometimes. Must be able to only use it just to jump. Still irritating as hell!'

Hearing the conversation, the rest of the team was already en route. But, despite the danger Switchblade clearly posed, Batman didn't feel like his life was at risk. To his surprise, Batman felt Switchblade was honestly having fun. They fought for a few more minutes, with Batman gaining some headway in the fight. Switchblade's tactics were starting to become predictable for Batman, much to Switchblade's chagrin. Batman managed to kick Switchblade in the chest, forcing him back against a wall.

Switchblade rubbed his chest. "Ow! Dammit, you managed to land a hard hit!" He chuckled. "I'll give it ya, Batman… you're damn good!"

"It's so hard to take that compliment," Batman admitted.

"I can get that. But I got what I came for! My job is done for now! I'm sure we'll do this again, soon! But, for now, I'll be headed out…"

Suddenly, three shurikens landed on the floor between them.

"Uhh…" Batman said, confusedly.

"Oh, shite!" Switchblade looked up to see two figures hiding in the shadows of the ceiling. "That was fast. Thought it would take 'em another month, at least."

"Thought we wouldn't find you, Childs?" one of the shadows, a female voice, asked.

"Was planning on ya not."

"No such luck, loser," the other shadow, a male voice, declared.

The shadows descended and landed behind in front of Batman, getting between him and Switchblade. They stood straight to reveal a woman wearing a black-and-gold, cat-themed suit. The outfit was forming fitting, coming complete with a tail attached at the lower base of her back. The suit also covered most of her body, except for her mouth and chin. The other figure was dressed in an almost completely armored, white-and-gray suit, sporting a helmet with glowing eyeholes, a white hooded cape, and carrying light batons.

"Ghost and Jag," Switchblade smiled. "I swore I convinced you I died in the Congo."

"You almost had us fooled," Jaguar answered. She revealed her ability to extended claws from her fingernails. "But if you want… we can confirm a corpse here."

"Try it, girlie."

"Come along quietly, Childs," Ghost-Wing aimed a baton at him. "This isn't gonna end well for you."

"While I cannot wait to have fun with you two again," Switchblade said, "you're both being so rude!" He motioned toward Batman. "You didn't even introduce yourselves!"

"He doesn't matter!" Jaguar declared.

Batman's shoulders just slumped. 'Why does everyone hate me right away? Get to know me first then hate me! That's all I ask!'

"Well, that was just rude!" Switchblade declared, seeming legitimately offended. "He's a lot of fun! The audacity! You know what? If you two are going to be so disrespectful, you'll have to wait to fight me!"

"I missed the part where you get a choice," Ghost-Wing declared.

"Funny thing about that…" Switchblade quickly threw two grenades, forcing all three heroes to jump away. The grenades exploded into smoke, filling the lobby.

"Hey, Batman!" Switchblade's voice echoed. "Let's do this again real soon!"

As the smoke cleared, Batman, Ghost-Wing, and Jaguar found Switchblade was gone.

Batman exhaled. "Slag…"

Ghost-Wing and Jaguar walked back over and studied where Switchblade was formerly standing.

"Since when does Childs run from a fight?" Jaguar asked.

"He does that a lot," Ghost-Wing replied. "Using smoke grenades is new."

As Batman walked over, Jaguar looked up at him, "Maybe he was running from him."

"Not likely. Nothing to run from."

Batman jerked his head back.

More movement was heard from above. Batman, Ghost-Wing, and Jaguar looked to see Runner, Koutetsu, and Ember enter the bank and land on the floor.

"Batman, you okay?" Ember asked.

"Yeah, thanks," Batman nodded.

Runner looked at Ghost-Wing and Jaguar. "Oh, my God, what are you two doing here?!"

"Nice to see you, too," Jaguar chuckled.

"Runner?" Ghost-Wing asked. "Oh, yeah. You did move to Gotham, didn't you?" He looked at Koutetsu, "Both of you did. Makes sense." He looked around the bank, "Given the crime rate in this town, I get why."

"Dammit, Ghost," Runner groaned.

"Not your fault. The arrogance of Batman is half this city's problem."

"Excuse me?" Ember asked, with an eyebrow raised.

"You never change, Ghost," Runner exhaled, ruefully.

"No matter many requests are made," Koutetsu added.

"Cold, Koutetsu," Jaguar replied.

"Yet factual."

"Okay, sorry, I'm behind here," Batman said. "Who is everyone again?"

"Couple of jerkoffs, if you ask me," Ember grumbled.

"Not now!"

"Batman, Ember," Runner said, "this is Ghost-Wing and Jaguar. He's… related to Nightwing."

Batman stopped. "He's…"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"And, for the record," Ghost-Wing declared, "we'll be handling this case."

While Runner and Koutetsu showed varying expressions of discontent, Batman glared at Ghost-Wing, "Excuse me?"

"You and what army, ghost boy?" Ember asked, irritably.

Ghost-Wing scoffed. "You really wanna start this with a measuring contest?"

"Get the ruler."

"You don't need one. Or do you?"

"I guarantee I measure up more than you."

"Ember…" Koutetsu said, nervously.

"Who's this girl?" Ghost-Wing looked at Batman, "She your Robin?"

"The name's Ember," Ember growled. "Or does that helmet make you deaf as well as an idiot?"

"Watch yourself, firecracker!" Jaguar warned.

"Or what?!"

"Alright, guys, let's all chill out." Runner looked at Ember, "Pun not at all intended."

"Ghost-Wing," Koutetsu said. "I'm curious as to your exact purpose here."

"Switchblade's my problem," Ghost-Wing explained. "Always has been, always will be. Heard he teamed up with someone else and was headed to Gotham. I'm gonna take him and whoever's with him down."

"Okay, you seem all gun-ho, junior…" Ember said.

"Gung-ho," Koutetsu corrected.

"Whatever. But, Gotham's our slice. Bad guys come across those city limits, their asses belong to us. You want in? Cool. But you play by our rules. And by 'our'…" Ember pointed at Batman, "I mean 'his'."

"Are you his cheerleader?" Ghost-Wing asked.

"I'm sure they've all fantasized about me in a cheerleading outfit it, but no."

"We have not!" Runner glanced at Koutetsu. "Not all of us."

"For the record, I'll wear whatever he wants."

"Guys!" Batman reprimanded.

"This is your crew?" Ghost-Wing asked.

Batman shrugged, "They're crazy, but yeah."

"They don't sound real serious."

Batman scoffed. "Trust me: they're serious."

"Kinda hard to believe," Jaguar said. "It sounds like not even Runner and Koutetsu take things that seriously anymore. Must be all parties and good times here in Gotham."

"Give it a rest, Jag!" Runner groaned.

Ember lit her fist aflame. "Wanna see how serious I can get, bitch?!"

"Stand down, Ember!" Batman ordered.

Ember immediately extinguished her flame.

Batman looked at Ghost-Wing and Jaguar. "Look, you want Switchblade? Fine. He's all yours. But we think he's working with Bane. If that's the case, we need to work together. Otherwise, they're gonna take us all out."

"Bane?" Ghost-Wing asked. "I thought he was dead. Even if he's alive, what harm can he do? Dude's a relic."

"He was until he showed up looking like he was in his 20s a couple of days ago," Runner countered.

Ghost-Wing and Jaguar looked at the group, uncertainly.

"What Batman and Runner say is true," Koutetsu reassured. "There is a grave plot afoot. Switchblade is but a piece of a bigger puzzle."

"Whatever," Jaguar waved off. "He's our piece. Don't worry about him. We got this."

"Jag…" Runner groaned. "Ghost…"

"She's right," Ghost-Wing interrupted. "We'll deal with Switchblade. He's not your problem. Just stay out of that part and we'll stay out of your way."

Ghost-Wing fired a cable at the ceiling while Jaguar made the jump to the high beams, easily. They headed out of the bank, leaving the Gotham knights alone.

"The 'high self-esteem brigade' strike again," Runner groaned.

"Time has neither mellowed nor humbled them," Koutetsu mused.

"Right?"

"Was I like that when I met you guys?" Ember asked. "Why didn't you just kill me and get it over with?"

Runner exhaled, "Sorry about them." He focused on Batman, "Seriously. If I knew they were here, I would've warned you. They're… sure of themselves."

Batman let out a mocking laugh, "Ah-ha-ha, ya think?"

A call came through their comms. "Guys," Tiana said.

"Go, Oracle," Batman responded.

"First, I heard all that. And Ember should've hit one of them."

"Thank you!" Ember replied.

"Second," Tiana continued, "Batman, you're being requested. Concerning information about Bane."

"By who?" Batman asked.

"She wouldn't say. But she used one of the old channels that Waller used to use."

Ember let out a sadden, quiet grunt.

"Sorry, Em," Tiana apologized. "And, this part is really important… she used Batman's real name."

The heroes all looked at each other in shock.

"Where?" Batman asked.

"On top of Galaxy Multiplex," Tiana answered.

Batman paused. "Galaxy…"

"What's wrong?" Koutetsu asked.

"That's… where Waller said my parents were supposed to die. To… start me on becoming Batman." Batman blinked. "I remember going to the movies that night."

The other heroes looked at each other, nervously. "I don't like this," Runner admitted.

"When, Oracle?" Batman asked.

"As soon as possible," Tiana answered. "She asked that you meet her alone."

"How'd you know it was a woman?" Runner asked.

"Because she said to say… 'you'll know her when you see her'. And that she is important to the history of Batman. Both of them."

Runner, Koutetsu, and Ember looked at Batman. "It could be a trap," Koutetsu declared.

"I doubt it," Batman countered. "I just have a feeling. You guys go back on patrol. If you don't hear from me in an hour or so, come looking for me."

"Boss…" Ember said, nervously.

"I know, Em. But if it's info on Bane, I need to chance it. Plus… like I said, I got a feeling about this one. I need to do it alone. See you guys later."

"Be careful, brother," Runner urged.

Half an hour later, Batman stood on top of Galaxy Multiplex. He'd been here tons of times with Dana, Max, Chelsea, Basem, Sally, and others for varying reasons over the years. But one night, in particular, stood out above all the others. He looked down at the street and the memory flashed in his mind, vividly. He could practically see his eight-year-old-self walking with his parents, Mary and Warren, having just left watching the movie The Grey Ghost Strikes. Batman scoffed; so much about his life and Bruce's revolved around the Gray Ghost. He noticed the parking garage across the street from the multiplex. He theorized, if any attack was going to happen, it would've happened there.

"So many years ago," a deep booming voice said from behind him.

But for some reason, Batman wasn't scared. He was barely even surprised. He turned around stared at the shadows.

"So much effort to prevent you from this path. And you found your way anyway."

"Life's funny like that," Batman answered.

"I don't care for jokes, really…" the voice said.

The figure stepped out of the shadows.

And now Batman was surprised.

After all, for all the stories, he'd never met the Phantasm in person before.

"…more like I don't care for… jokers," the Phantasm concluded. "For all of the obvious reasons."

Batman was still stunned. "You…"

"I see my reputation precedes me. Guess I won't be needing the mask then." The Phantasm removed her mask, revealing an aged Andrea Beaumont. "Did he ever tell you about me?" she asked in her normal voice.

"He did," Batman replied. "Just once. Andrea Beaumont. He loved you."

"I never stopped loving him."

"I think the feeling was mutual. He just doesn't like to talk about it."

"I broke his heart," Andrea admitted. She looked at the moon. "Probably the first. I hate that I wasn't the last." She turned to Batman, "Waller told you everything about your conception."

"Didn't spare a detail," Batman replied.

"Then you know I was supposed to kill your parents."

"She mentioned an assassin. Never gave me a name."

"It was supposed to be me," she admitted. "Hate me if you want but you have bigger problems now."

"Bane," Batman replied.

"Not just him. He's formed his own Secret Society. Injustice Gang, Legion of Doom. Whatever name bad guys are giving their team-ups these days."

"He's calling them Scourge. You're a little late, but thanks for the warning."

"It's more than that," Andrea continued. "He's been gathering tech. I don't know what or what for. But he has. Weapons, too."

"I'm guessing he's got an army," Batman hypothesized. "How'd he do all this?"

"That, I don't know yet. Someone got him out of his nursing home and got home back to health."

"How'd you know about it?"

"One photo." Andrea pulled a phone from her pocket. "Only one. Just under a year ago."

Andrea showed the picture of Bane in Somalia with a man and a woman on either side of him. They seemed to be standing with criminals after raiding an armory.

"Who are those two?" Batman asked.

"Not sure about them either," Andrea answered.

Batman looked closer, focusing on the woman. "I saw her. She was with Bane."

"Then she's still with him. Interesting. I'll send you the picture. Maybe you'll have better luck. She nor the other man appear in any databases."

"It's more than what we had. Thanks."

Andrea paused for a moment. "Batman. Terry. Please… let me see you."

Batman considered her request, almost deciding against it. But changed his mind. He pulled his mask back, revealing his face to her.

Andrea gasped, almost crying. "God… you look so much like him…"

"Yeah," Terry replied. "The older I got, the worse it got."

Andrea nodded. "I… I want to ask you something. And I have no right to ask it."

"You heard about the diagnosis."

"Who didn't? I just… how's he doing with all of it?"

Terry paused. "He's… not doing well. No matter how he hides it."

Andrea felt her chest tighten. "H…How… not well?"

"On the outside, he's holding it together. But… well, I'll say if you want to apologize to him any time soon… I'd do it… soon."

"Oh, God."

"Yeah."

Andrea shook her head. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of this at once, Batman. But…"

"It's the job," Terry interrupted.

Andrea studied Terry for a while. "I have to ask you something else."

"Sure."

"What… I was supposed to be… to you. What… I would've done… but I never should've considered…" Andrea stared at the parking garage across the street. "What I almost did… just there. Can you forgive me?"

Terry gazed at her for a while. "You never tried to kill my parents. You knew it was wrong. So… you stopped yourself and told Waller why she was wrong. You didn't do it. Nothing to forgive. In the end, Ms. Beaumont… you did the right thing."

Andrea let out an exhale. Her eyes welled up. "Batman… you have… no idea what that meant to me. Thank you."

"No problem."

"You have a beautiful family, Terry. Please… for the love of God and all that's left in this world… don't lose them."

"Never gonna happen."

Andrea nodded but her face became stoic. She reapplied her mask. Terry did the same.

"Beware of Bane," Phantasm declared. "If he's back… you may need to change the rules to beat him."

"Wouldn't be the first time," Batman replied. "But some rules are unbreakable."

"Understood."

Batman heard a siren and looked to see its source. "Gotta get back to work." He turned back to face her, "Thanks, again, for…" He stopped when he saw the Phantasm was gone, leaving behind only a cloud of smoke. "Oh, God, have I been doing that to people?! That's just plain rude! That feels terrible! No wonder everyone's always mad at me! How'd that old man have any friends?! That's a Batman thing? We just leave in the middle of conversations?! People were still talking! I owe so many apologies!"

A/N: I had to end it on some humor. This was a heavy chapter.

What did you guys think of Switchblade, Ghost-Wing, and Jaguar? Switchblade is based on the New Japan Pro-Wrestling star "Switchblade" Jay White. One of my personal favorites. Nice guy, too. Ghost-Wing is based on Ghost-Maker, a recent addition to the Batman mythos. Ghost-Maker debuted in "Batman Vol. 3" #100 in December 2020. Jaguar is a bit of an amalgamation, as I took bits from various sources. She's basically a Neo-Catwoman and one of my inspirations for her was from Kyoko Kasshu Minamino's story "Sour Cherry". In the story, Kyoko has Max becoming the Neo-Catwoman. The story is still a great read, if you ask me.

When I planned this out, the random thought of adding in Andrea Beaumont came to my mind and it was too good not to include. I rewatched "Epilogue" for this chapter and it really was the perfect Batman Beyond ending… except Terry ended up with Dana and not Max, which still feels wrong after all these years. I apparently ship them very hard.

So! Now, Batman has another lead on Bane. Will it bear any fruit? What does Bane have planned? Can the heroes stop him? Can they beat him? Find out NEXT TIME! See you, Batfans and Dreamers!