A/N: 2022.06.01

Missed the weekend deadline I wanted to hit. But I'm glad I got this done before too much longer.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12

The following night, Batman and the team were patrolling when a call came through from Oracle. "Everyone, we have a Bane sighting!" Tiana informed, urgently. "You guys are seriously needed!"

"Where is he, Oracle?" Batman asked.

"You're not gonna like it…"

Blackgate Prison.

Bane, Athanasia, and Ikram were in an armored hovertruck outside of the prison. The back of the truck was open with Bane standing at the threshold as the truck drifted subtly in the air. Bane stared down at the prison as the guards armed themselves and took aim at the truck.

Bane held his stoic stance. "Do it."

Other hovertrucks appeared, deactivating their cloaking devices, and the Scourge soldiers fired rockets at the prison, setting most of the prisoners free as the explosions not only opened up the prison walls but caused a series of power outages. Moments later, another hovertruck appeared, higher in the sky, and dropped parachuted-crates toward the prison. The inmates immediately ran for the crates and started opening them, finding weapons within. The prison guards did their best to stop the inmates, but too many injuries on the side of the guards caused them to fall back.

From their hovertruck, Bane, Athanasia, and Ikram and the elite soldiers observed the attack.

"This really gonna work?" Bulletstorm asked.

"To its own degree," Bane answered. "We'll get who we need. The rest we'll set loose and keep the Gotham knights busy." He walked to the edge of the platform.

"And where are you going?" Killer Frost asked.

"Batman will be here, soon. If the prisoners begin to get overwhelmed, aid in distracting Batman's team and the police. I'll keep the attention of Batman, himself. He and I need to have a private conversation. Other than that, extract our targets and flee. I won't be too far behind."

"Your 'private conversations' with Batman typically involve a brawl," Ikram noted.

"I sincerely hope so."

"He might beat you," Switchblade pointed out.

Bane smiled beneath his mask. "He just may."

A few minutes later, Ember arrived at the prison, landed on the ground, and punched every inmate she saw. Koutetsu arrived not too long after Ember, launching a similar assault. Batman and Nightrunner flew in a minute later. They fought until Batman got word that Bane was seen near the super criminals' wing. Batman hurried there, noticing along the way a lot of cells were open.

"Slag…" Batman whispered. He hurried until he came to another hallway where Bane was standing with his back to Batman.

"Your response time is amazing," Bane turned around. "Of course, this is to be expected in such modern times."

"Keep forgetting you're actually old," Batman admitted. "Since you don't look it. Speaking of which… why don't you look it?"

"I'm sure you'll find out in time."

"How 'bout now?!" Batman, swiftly, launched himself at Bane.

Bane swung at Batman but Batman dodged the punch and kicked Bane in the stomach. They battled for a few minutes while the rest of team dealt with the inmates and the Scourge soldiers. As the battle continued, Batman gave Bane a strong uppercut, causing Bane to stumble back against a wall then fall to a knee.

Batman stood in a defensive stance, ready for the next attack.

Bane chuckled. "You are strong, Young Bat." He stood up. "A fire burns in you. The same that burns in your predecessor."

Batman didn't know why. But he felt Bane was about to say something else.

And nothing could've prepared Batman for what he heard next.

"Bruce chose well when he selected you to continue his legacy, Mr. McGinnis," Bane declared.

In a move Batman could not possibly explain, he managed to keep his face neutral as the realization of what Bane just said came over him. Inside, however, his mind and heart were racing at Mach 30.

"Who and who?" Batman replied, defiantly. And convincingly.

To anyone but Bane. "You play the role of ignorance well," Bane admitted. "Your conviction would make anyone else doubt. But I know the truth, Terry."

Batman's fist tightened so hard his arm began to shake.

"All of this will be settled in due course, I swear to you. But that will be enough for tonight. I'll give you time to absorb this latest development. But not… too much time. So…" Bane pressed a button on his gauntlet, "until we meet again!"

Batman's eyes widened, "Oh, no, you…!" He jumped for Bane.

The ceiling exploded, sending debris down and blocking Batman's path. A cable lowered and Bane grabbed it then ascended to the awaiting hovertruck.

While he couldn't see Bane's face, Batman knew the criminal was smiling.

A few minutes later, Batman emerged from the prison and saw the others, restraining the criminals they had subdued.

"Batman!" Runner said, relievedly. "You're okay!"

"I'm not hurt," Batman growled. "I'm a long way from okay!"

"Okay, so, we did hear that, right?" Ember asked, her voice dripping with concern.

"Yeah," Batman replied, angrily.

Ember froze. "Oh, shit."

Batman put his hands on hips and started to pace and grumble, irately.

"Oh, this is bad…" Runner whispered, gravely.

"Extremely," Koutetsu agreed, fearfully.

Batman let out a groan of frustration. "Let's go see if we can find the warden or someone. See if anyone escaped."

The Dark Knights headed for the warden's office, and, after arriving, they got a look at the security footage from the breakout. As they examined the footage, they took notice how the Scourge helped some criminals escape while just setting others free to wreak havoc.

"Damn," Batman groaned. He stared at the video of Bane, standing in the super criminals' wing before Batman arrived. Batman noted Bane staring directly at the camera, maybe even directly at him.

Koutetsu looked at the tablet an officer handed him.

"Who did they free?" Runner asked.

Koutetsu looked at the report. "Two names that immediately catch my eye we've dealt with before. Spellbinder, Mad Stan." He blinked. "The Repeller? Dr. Gedde Suzuki."

"I keep forgetting his first name," Batman said, offhandedly. "Only tangled with him once."

"Oh, yeah," Runner remembered. "I read that file. He's got that suit that produces an energy field. Bounces anything off of it, right?"

"Cops had the suit. He probably got it when he escaped or he could make another one. Even if he has his original, it's missing a few components. Plus, I looked it over. I know how to override the tech now."

"Nice," Ember complimented.

Koutetsu kept reading, "Some names are dangerous but nothing we haven't…" He stopped and his eyes widened. "Oh, dear."

"Who?" Runner asked.

"Ket Gold…"

Batman's eyes widened as he swiftly turned his attention to Koutetsu.

"Fiend!" Runner said, worriedly.

"And…" Koutetsu swallowed the lump in his throat. "…and Rene Leblanc…"

"Tumulus…" Ember growled.

Runner froze in place. "Oh, God…" he breathed out, fearfully.

Batman got on his comms, "Oracle!"

"I heard," Tiana replied. "I'm already scanning the city for any sign of them."

"Let everyone know to be on the lookout."

"Got it. Then what?"

Batman paused. "I'm not sure yet."

Two hours later, in a private hangar outside of Gotham, a wheeled-truck parked inside of it. The trailer opened and out stepped Fiend and Rene, both a bit disheveled and still in their prison attire. They looked at the Scourge soldiers, cautiously.

"What the hell's going on?" Fiend asked.

"An opportunity, Mr. Gold," Bane said as he, Athanasia, and Ikram approached.

Rene and Fiend looked at Bane and the others, suspiciously. "Who are you?" Rene asked.

"My name is Bane," Bane introduced.

Fiend narrowed his eyes. "Bane? As in… the Bane?"

"Yes."

Fiend chuckled. "Wow! I thought you were, like, in your 90s."

"I am," Bane confirmed.

Fiend thought for a moment then smiled. "Ya know… that would be weird… if it wasn't for the fact that I'm… well, I'm practically a werewolf."

"Quite."

"You freed us," Rene mused. "Why?"

Bane chuckled and removed his mask. "Such a powerful word, isn't it? 'Why'."

"And one that implies a response. Even requires one."

"Doesn't it, though?"

"We are here to take control of Gotham," Athanasia explained. "A goal we've already begun to achieve."

"Take over Gotham?" Fiend asked. He laughed, heartily. "Okay, that's rich! Do you know how many people have tried that?"

"They…" Bane began, "were not me. Not with what I have in mind. Clear evidence is you standing here."

"Okay, you're good, and a classic, no lie. But what makes you so sure you can do it?"

"By taking Gotham to edge of the brink. By declaring war."

"Okay, and what do you get out of this?" Fiend asked.

"It's a war," Bane answered. "I get victory from it."

"And why us?" Fiend looked at Switchblade and the others sitting off to the side. He looked back at Bane, "Looks like you got your own guys already."

"But they don't know Gotham like you two do."

"I know Gotham. I heard this guy's from France." Fiend motioned toward Rene.

"True," Bane agreed. "But you both have other interests that could line up with my own. In that… I can give you both something you want."

While Fiend, warily, narrowed his eyes, Rene stared at Bane with an emotionless expression on his face.

Bane looked at Rene. "You want Runner. You need to make him pay. I can give you the chance to have your revenge. I assure you… no one will get in your way."

"And me?" Fiend asked.

Bane looked at Fiend. "One name: Maxine Gibson."

Fiend's eyebrows shot up immediately. "You have my attention."

"She's married to Terry McGinnis. Technically, she is Maxine McGinnis now."

Rene remained stoic, not giving any emotion away.

"They're still married?!" Fiend shouted in disbelief. "They went through with it in the first place?! No way! I would've bet money they would've broken up by now!"

"They run Wayne Enterprises, together," Bane informed.

"Well, shit! Getting either of them is a fantasy."

"Hardly. We will devise a way. But under the condition that you may only go after Max Gibson."

"And do what?" Fiend asked.

"Whatever you wish," Bane answered. "As long as her death is what comes at the end."

Fiend folded his arms. He motioned toward Rene, "He wants Nightrunner. Killing Batman's partner, I get. What does me killing Max do?"

Rene, subtly and swiftly, shifted his gaze to Bane. He needed to see and hear how Bane responded.

"Bruce Wayne is a Gotham icon," Bane answered. "He is close to Terry and Max McGinnis. Hurting them, and him by extension… will help destroy Gotham's morale."

"You're trying to hurt Bruce Wayne?" Fiend asked. "And Terry?"

"No," Bane answered, deceptively. "I'm hurting Gotham. I have many similar targets. Such public figures will let the rest of this city know… how dangerous and powerful I am. We are."

It was then Rene knew immediately. Fiend didn't know who Batman and Runner truly are. But this confirmed that Bane did. For some reason, Rene could clearly hear the lie in Bane's voice. Rene didn't know why, but he knew Bane was targeting Bruce and Terry. And Rene felt like it was about more than just Batman.

Fiend, however, was none the wiser to Bane's intentions. Nor did he care. He shrugged. "Works for me."

Bane smiled then looked at Rene. "Mr. LeBlanc?"

Rene slowly nodded his head, "I'm with you."

"Excellent!"

"So what now?" Fiend asked.

"Now we will plan our strike," Bane explained. "We will make sure Batman cannot play a factor."

"Nightrunner's the bigger pain in the ass."

"Hm. Perhaps."

"I heard they're crew got bigger," Fiend said.

"Correct," Bane confirmed. "They will all need to be distracted."

Helena walked into the Cave, activated the systems. She stared at the computer, reviewing the footage from the prison break. She looked at the list of names of the prisoners who escaped. While Mad Stan and Spellbinder were standouts, Fiend and Tumulus left Helena worried. Terry called her, Bruce, and Diana to alert them of what was going on. Everyone decided to meet up in the morning and figure out their next course of action.

"Helena," Bruce said.

Helena looked to see Bruce easing his way down the steps. Ace was by his side, helping him keep his balance.

"Dad!" Helena hurried over to him, putting his arm over her shoulders. "You're supposed to be asleep."

"I couldn't," Bruce admitted.

Helena guided Bruce to the computer and helped him sit in the chair. "Where's Diana?" she asked.

"Still in bed," he replied. "I'm very quiet."

"I noticed," Helena scratched Ace behind his ears.

"Why are you down here?" Bruce asked.

"Terry your only kid allowed near your toys?"

"Helena."

"I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help," Helena answered.

"That's Terry's job," Bruce reminded.

"And he's my little brother," Helena countered. "I have the right to look out for him. Just as much as you do."

Bruce felt his overprotective instincts fight to come to the surface. He knew what Helena was getting at; she is his daughter, after all. But he sighed and his focus trailed to the floor. "Helena. I don't want you involved."

"I know you don't. But…"

"You don't understand," Bruce interrupted. "If… in any way… you became part of this life… all that would do is confirm your mother was right to keep you away from me."

"And that is the biggest load of bullshit you've ever said," Helena replied, immediately.

Bruce stared at her, blankly.

"Sorry, Dad, but you're getting a little predictable. I knew you'd say something like that as soon as you found me down here."

"You expected me to find you?"

"You're still Batman. I'm good. But I'm not that good." Helena walked over and leaned against the console. "Dad, listen to me: this superhero life isn't the kind of thing you get to decide for me. To put me in or keep me out. Especially not at this age and stage of my life. Plus… Bane is after my brother. My friends. I don't take that kind of thing, lightly. I didn't in the service. I sure as hell won't do it now."

"This isn't anything like the military," Bruce reminded.

"Damn, right. We'd all be court-martialed for how we talk to you." Helena smiled.

Bruce shook his head.

"Plus… Dad, Bane knows who we are. Which makes us all targets. Which means we have to be ready for anything, especially if he tries to come after Max or Sally or the kids or you. He'll have to go through me for any of that, anyway."

"Don't make this personal, Helena," Bruce urged.

"He knows who we are, Dad," Helena repeated.

"That's not that surprising. Bane has always been smarter than people give him credit for."

Helena sighed, "Dad, I'm not down here to throw on one of your old suits and race out into the night. I'm down here because… I belong here, too. This is all as much my legacy as it is yours and Terry's and you need to let me accept and embrace that! You and Mom need to start accepting I'm making my own choices. I have for a long time. Like when I came to Gotham in the first place."

"Your sister-in-law gave me a version of this speech before," Bruce reminisced.

"I get that overprotective streak of yours kicking in. Especially for her when she was a teenager. The big difference is… I'm an adult. I've lived a life, before you met me. I was in the Navy, don't forget."

"I know."

"Whatever choice I make, it's my choice to make. Not yours. At all. You can't control me or my decisions, Dad. Sorry to hit you with that truth."

Bruce looked away, a bit downtrodden.

"And, if I decide to put on a suit and something happens to me… that's the result of my choices. You need to accept that people face the consequences, good or bad, for their own choices. And the first way you do that… is you finally need to stop hating yourself for Dick and Tim and Barbara. You made mistakes, sure. But Tim… that was the Joker, Dad. The Joker did that to Tim. The Joker hurt him."

"Because…"

"Stop!" Helena ordered. "You stop right there. The one thing you have done since you started this mission… was believe you could prevent anyone else from dying. That's insane! You took it a step further and believed you keep anyone from getting hurt. That's an absolutely mad fantasy!"

Bruce held his browbeaten gaze.

"Batman and Bruce Wayne could do one thing and both of you did that well. You tried. But… somewhere along the way… you lost your way a bit. Not in the 'so far gone, you can't come back way' but in the… 'you forgot that other people control their own actions' way. Mr. Drake wanted to be Robin. He only stopped caring after you did. Commissioner Gordon? Same thing. Mr. Grayson was still Nightwing, even after he left. Everyone made their own choices, Dad. When are you gonna realize that it was never Batman's job to control everyone? It wasn't even Batman's job to save everyone. It's Batman's job… to fight for everyone."

Bruce stared into Helena's eyes. "You're so much smarter than I ever was."

"Nope. I'm as smart as my parents." Helena smiled, brightly. "And I take personal pride in that."

Bruce smiled and they hugged one another. "I love you, Helena."

"I love you, too, Daddy."

A/N: Oh, boy! The stakes just got raised to a ridiculous level!

A couple of notes, attacking the prison and setting the prisoners free is straight out of "Knightfall" storyline where Bane first debuted in the comics and The Dark Knight Rises film. The Repeller's first name comes from the character's voice actor from the cartoon, Gedde Watanabe. In the cartoon, they didn't give the doctor a first name that I can remember.

So! As I said, the stakes are at an all-time high! What will happen next? Be here next time! See you soon!