A/N: 2022.08.20

SO MUCH of this was inspired by the animated movie, Batman: Bad Blood. If you've seen the movie, you can easily see it. It's one of my favorites of those movies. Also, there is a reference to Batman: Arkham Knight; I'll confirm where at the end of the chapter.

Once again, a long chapter, but, once again, it is necessary. Enjoy!

Chapter 24

The Machine Shop.

The clock hit 6:00 PM.

Completely in his uniform, Batman adjusted his gloves as he heard one of the doors open. Nightrunner walked in, and he and Batman exchanged nods. A few seconds later, Koutetsu and Ember entered the Shop, everyone greeting each other.

Batman sighed. "Alright. Looks like we're all here."

"Still got an hour before we gotta head to Arkham," Ember noted. "So, what else do we need to do?"

"Max called a few minutes ago, asking us to wait around."

"Oh, cool."

"You guys have any problems with your plans?" Runner asked.

"So far, no," Koutetsu replied. "Everything depends on who's at Arkham."

"Same," Ember confirmed.

"I called for help, too," Runner confirmed. "But we gotta disable Bane's bomb and knockout any long-range sensors on his ship for them to move in."

"I actually have an idea for that," Batman admitted.

The team looked at him, astonished.

"Say what?" Ember asked.

Batman jerked his head back. "Well, damn, don't be that surprised!"

"It's not that." Runner thought it over. "Well, it is."

Batman chuckled. "I talked to Sally and Tia. I have some ideas on how to disrupt Bane's Venom and, based on what he stole, I think we can disable some of the ship."

"Nice, boss!" Ember said, impressed.

"There's a catch."

"Of course, there is," Koutetsu said, exasperatedly.

Batman walked over to the computer and hit a few keys, bringing up the image of the Castellum and a quick model of blueprints for it that Tiana fabricated, "Looking at the configuration of Bane's ship, he definitely put together pieces most people thought shouldn't fit. In anyone else's hands, they wouldn't. We can break it apart but it's not as simple as unplugging some cords or ripping out a few wires. The details are intricate and built to withstand attack."

"Bane really thought this through," Runner mused.

"Right," Ember nodded. "So hard do I get to hit it?"

Batman smiled, "Hard as you can. We have to inject a virus into, maybe, four hubs. Might be more, might be less. We won't know until we're on the ship but the basic plan is still sound. One could work, two's a better chance, three's an almost guarantee."

"And four will work for sure!" Runner nodded. "Very nice."

"And hopefully we can fly it far enough away from anything that, if it crashes, it won't cause any damage. Best I could come up with."

"More than enough. Great idea!"

"And the Venom?" Koutetsu asked.

"Bane found a way around its flaws, somehow," Batman reminded. "We're gonna take it back to formula. Or at least as close as we can. We don't need to weaken it all the way. Just enough to take him down."

"Awesome," Ember smiled. "So, where's the stuff?"

"Tia's gonna send a courier, she said," Batman explained. "I'm guessing Max."

"What about the bomb?" Koutetsu asked.

"Tia's still trying to lockdown its location. I'm thinking hacking the ship will help with that."

Runner smiled. "You really did think this through."

"I know what I said before," Batman explained. "But I can't expect you guys to do everything and me not come up with anything. We're a team. And it's as a team that we're gonna win this."

"Damn right."

The radar sensors of the Shop detected something.

"We got incoming," Ember noted.

The roof access of the Shop opened, and the team looked to see two figures descending down.

The first was dressed in a uniform near-identical to that of the Huntress, former member of the JLU, complete with a cape. The main differences with this version of the suit were her entire body was covered and her mask was hybrid of the original Huntress's and Batman's current mask. Her suit also had four purple bands around the forearms and upper thighs and purple utility belt. She also had a vertical dark-purple broad strip with a white outline on the front of her suit, beginning at the base of the neck and stopping at the top of the belt.

The second woman's uniform was identical to Batman's suit, save for a backpack she was wearing. The other notable difference was her bat symbol was blue. She was also carrying a large metal case.

"Uhhhhh…" Runner said, confusedly. "Hello?"

"I can't believe they don't know it's us," the first woman said.

"To be fair, we didn't give them any hint we were doing this," the second woman replied.

In an instant, everyone recognized those voices.

"Wait a sec…" Runner's eyes widened.

"Helena?" Koutetsu asked.

"That's me!" Helena, dressed in the Huntress uniform, answered.

"And…"

"MAX?!" Batman shouted.

"Hey, babe," Max smiled, wearing the second Batsuit.

Ember slowly started to laugh, "Oh! My! Gah-ha-ha-hawd!" She doubled-over in a laughing fit.

"Oh, dear!" Koutetsu breathed out.

Runner shook his head, "I am beyond shocked at this!"

"We'll take that as a good thing," Helena joked.

"So!" Max smiled. "How do we look?"

"Like I'm gonna kill you both!" Batman shouted.

"Yeah, saw that coming," Helena mused.

"He's too easy to read," Max replied.

"I was gonna say they look hot," Ember shrugged.

"Not now, Em!" Runner gritted.

Terry took off his mask. "Are you both nuts?!" he yelled at Max and Helena, "You're not doing this!"

Helena pulled her mask off, "Hey! You're not the only one who's got training around here! And Bane's after our dad, don't forget!"

"Easy, guys," Max said, removing her mask and getting between them. "Easy. Don't fight. Not each other, anyway."

Terry growled, "Max…"

"Hey," Max interrupted. "You wanted a plan, we got you a plan. This? This is happening. Get over it."

"And, before you even get started," Helena interjected, "we both know the dangers. We know it could get us killed. We know this isn't a game. And we're still doing this."

"It's our fight, too, babe. We had a few choices on how to fight. This is how we choose to fight."

Terry glared at her then at Helena. He turned back to Max and his glare softened. "It would be so easy to stay mad if this wasn't the reason we became friends in the first place. And if you didn't look so damn hot."

Max smiled while the rest of the team laughed.

"Looks like this is happening," Runner declared.

"I'd say they know the risks," Koutetsu shrugged. "And we will need them."

"Sounds good to me!" Ember smiled.

"Thanks, guys," Helena replied.

"We appreciate it," Max added.

"We appreciate both of you," Koutetsu grinned.

"So!" Terry looked at Max, "Name?"

Max put her hands on her hips and declared, "Batwoman."

Terry grinned a bit. "Hotter."

"Yes. Yes, I am."

Terry looked at Helena.

"Huntress," Helena informed.

"Classic!" Runner nodded.

"Thank you!"

"Isn't your aunt gonna kill you?" Terry asked.

"Not the first time she's wanted to," Helena replied. "But that'll wait until after we take Bane down."

"And we've got something for you, too," Max said.

"What's up?" Terry asked.

Max set the metal case on the table. "Something that'll give you an edge against Bane." She opened it and everyone looked at what was inside.

In the case sat a series of black-colored armored pieces: a helmet, gauntlets and vambraces, greaves, boots, and a cuirass that covered the entire torso with the red Bat insignia pained on it.

"Bane's upgraded. You need to be, too."

Terry studied the extra equipment. "How does it…"

"You just put it on over your own suit. Go ahead and put it on."

Terry reapplied his mask and put on the armor pieces. The armor covered most of his body, leaving only a few gaps.

Terry looked at others, "How do I look?"

"Like you're gonna kick Bane's ass!" Ember smiled.

Terry looked at Max, "How'd you come up with this?"

"Took the idea of Bruce's last armor and streamlined it," Max answered. "Did something similar with that old armor, too, by the way. And don't worry: I made sure to remove all of the physical strain on both. So, punch Bane to your heart's content."

"Oh, I love you."

Max smiled, "I know."

"Guess we all don't get new armor," Runner joked.

"Sorry."

"I'm kidding. Bane's Terry's fight, anyway. We'll have plenty to do."

"Guys," Tiana said.

"Yeah, Oracle?" Runner asked.

"Sally's on her way via the tunnel so she can stay in the panic room."

"Schway," Batman said. "Thanks."

"And…" Tiana continued. "I'm sending more support. He's bringing the stuff for the ship and the Venom."

"'He'?" Koutetsu asked.

Everyone looked at each other, curiously. "Who?" Runner asked.

The roof access opened again, and an armored figure glided down, landing among the ground. The armor was entirely grey, covering the man from head to toe, with a black bat symbol on the chest. The armored individual had wings that retracted into the suit once he landed. He walked toward the group and his helmet retracted, revealing Lincoln's face.

Lincoln smiled, "Hey, guys."

"Linc?" Terry asked.

Helena's eyes widened as she studied Lincoln, from head to toe.

Ember laughed. "Oh! Oh, this is too awesome! Nice, Master Chief!"

"Linc!" Runner said, surprised. "Wow! Very cool!"

"Thanks," Lincoln replied. "I… hope this'll help."

"It will. Believe me."

"As long as you're sure," Koutetsu said, concernedly.

"I am," Lincoln confirmed, fearlessly. "Believe me. I know what's at stake. I'm only here to help. Whatever you need."

"Oh, this is getting too good!" Ember said, exuberantly.

"Our chances are certainly increasing," Koutetsu smiled.

"Tell me about it!" Max looked at Helena, noticing her gaze at Lincoln. "Uhh, Helena? You okay?"

"What?!" Helena cleared her throat. "Uh, yeah-yeah! Just… um… sorry! The, uh… uniform suits you, Linc."

Lincoln smiled. "Thanks, Helena." He examined her, thoroughly. "Uhh… wow! Yours, too!"

"Oh, none of us better die!" Ember declared, excitedly. "Because this is too good!"

"Em!" Helena grunted as she blushed causing Ember to laugh.

"Well," Runner removed his mask. "Do you know who everyone is?" Batman, Koutetsu, and Ember did the same.

Lincoln shrugged, "Once I knew about Terry, everyone else was kinda easy to figure out. But… Max and Helena, I didn't expect."

"Yeah, that's brand new," Terry explained.

A minute later, the underground door opened up and Sally climbed up. "I'll never get used to that." She closed the door and looked at the group, focusing on Max and Helena in suits. "Honestly? I'm surprised I didn't already know you were gonna do this."

"I thought you did know," Max admitted.

"Suspected. You and Helena were too hush-hush about your ideas. I figured you were giving me the plausible deniability clause. And I can't thank you enough." Sally looked at Lincoln. "And you? You're as crazy as your sister. No wonder we like you so much."

Lincoln laughed. "Thanks, Sally. Oh! That reminds me." A compartment opened on the back of Lincoln's suit and he removed the items and walked over to Terry. "Here's everything you asked for, Terry."

"Thanks, Linc," Terry said.

"Tia said it was the best she could do."

"Same for me," Sally spoke up. "Without knowing exactly how Bane redid his Venom, all I could come up with was my best guess."

"And I can't thank you and Tia enough, Sal," Terry said. "It's gonna help." He handed small USB devices to each of the team. "Once we get on the ship, we find the best places to plug these in."

"Sounds like a plan," Helena nodded.

"Nice, babe," Max complimented.

Basem checked his phone. "Hey. We got others to meet up with."

"We do?" Lincoln asked.

"Yeah." Terry reapplied his mask and the helmet. "The team put some plans together."

"And they're about to be put in action." Basem put his mask on, as well, leading the others to follow suit. "We're gonna meet up where the original Arkham Asylum was located. Far enough outside the city limits. And if anyone we don't like shows up there, we'll know we got dimed out."

"Are you really worried about that?" Lincoln asked.

"Not really. We just wanna be sure."

"Hey!" Ember spoke up. "We didn't get your name, Master Chief."

Lincoln smiled. "Batwing."

"Good one!" Batman noted.

"I thought so."

"Hold up. Batwing?" Ember paused. "That might piss off Ghost-Wing." She smiled. "I like it!"

"I can change it, if it's a problem," Lincoln reassured.

"We'll hear nothing of it," Koutetsu declared. "It's a fine name!"

"And we don't like Ghost-Wing," Ember shrugged.

"That's not… inaccurate."

"We better get going." Runner looked at Sally. "We'll be back."

Sally stared at him, fighting back tears. "You better." She smiled as best she could. "I'm too young and too hot to be a single mother."

Runner chuckled.

"You won't be, Doc," Ember reassured. "Ain't no one dyin' on my watch!"

"Woo!" Batwoman smiled. "Go, Em!"

"Hey! I got everyone's back. Count on me."

"We absolutely do," Batman smiled.

"You better all come back!" Sally commanded. "You got me?!"

"Loud and clear, Sal." Batman looked at the others. "Let's go."

The team made it out of the city with ease and soon arrived at Arkham Asylum. They all stood in front of the building, studying it.

"Once upon a time," Batwoman stated, "this place was a Gotham staple."

"For better or worse," Runner added.

"Let's go," Batman lead the way inside.

"Oracle, here," Tiana said. "The Doc is safe in the Machine Shop. She's in the panic room, all safeguards are on, and I'm keeping the camera feed constantly going."

"Thank you, Oracle," Runner replied.

"No thanks necessary, Runner."

"What about Mel and everyone else?" Batwoman asked.

"All good," Tiana reassured. "Mike's outside of the Gibsons' in the car. He's checking in every 15 minutes. And the monitors around the house and area haven't picked up anything. Chelsea's safe too. She's keeping her phone on her. Mary and Matty are blissfully unaware."

"And you, Oracle?" Batman inquired.

"I'm the last person to worry about, Batman. Trust me. I'll be fine."

"Fair enough. But… hey. How 'bout I worry anyway?"

"Same," Batwing added.

Tiana laughed.

"Seriously, Oracle," Huntress chimed in, "if things get bad, you get outta there."

"Maybe," Tiana replied. "We'll see."

"Oracle…" Batwing growled.

"Older sister. Shut up."

The group had to suppress laughter while Batwing just shook his head.

The team walked further into the ruins of the Asylum, stopping when they came to a central area where part of roof had fallen off. While the team held no personal connection to the Asylum, they somehow felt the history of the derelict institution just by standing on the grounds.

"God…" Batwoman whispered. "If the ground could talk…"

"The old man would find a way to make it shut up," Huntress declared, causing Batwoman to giggle.

"So, who's all coming?" Batman asked.

"A couple of folks," Ember responded.

"We made it," Jaguar said as she and Ghost-wing walked out of the shadows.

"Good to see you both," Batman greeted.

"Half of you," Ember said as she looked at Ghost-Wing. She rolled her eyes, "I was kinda hoping he'd get hit by a truck. Or a train. Or a plane. Or a boat. Or a…"

"WE GET IT!" Runner threw his head back.

"What?! Why are you always yelling at me?!"

"You always make it necessary!"

"This is our team?" Ghost-Wing focused on Batman, "Jag said you wanted people to come up with a plan. Three more than usual? Not much of a plan."

"Dammit, Ghost, will you wait?!" Runner asked, exasperatedly.

"Patience never was his virtue," Koutetsu noted.

"I'm just saying we need more," Ghost-Wing argued.

"Ask and you shall receive," Catwoman's voice rang out. Nightwing and Catwoman walked in, wearing full battle gear.

Huntress smiled, "Hey, M…Catwoman."

"Hi…" Catwoman smiled. "…Huntress."

"Who called you guys?" Batman asked.

"Forgive me," Koutetsu spoke up. "But… I asked them."

"It's fine, Koutetsu," Nightwing reassured. "It's not like we weren't gonna, anyway."

"We can't ask you guys to fight with us," Runner stated.

"Well, we're going to," Catwoman replied. "Get over it."

Runner chuckled a bit.

"I'm sorry," Koutetsu said. "I just…"

"Don't apologize, Koutetsu," Catwoman interrupted. "We really were gonna fight whether anyone asked us or not."

"The Catwoman stubbornness," Huntress mused.

"It's genetic." Catwoman smiled.

"Sooooooo!" Ember said, snidely. "I feel the undeniable need to point out we have three Wings here." She presented Batwing to the group, "Everyone, meet Batwing." She looked at Ghost-Wing, "And, yes, I'm pointing his name out to irritate the crap out of you 'cause I still don't like you."

Ghost-Wing just let out a bemoaned exhale while Jaguar had to keep from laughing.

"Besides, if it helps everyone feel better," Catwoman stepped aside, "we brought another friend."

The Gotham Knights looked to see Priya Persephone Foreman walk in. She was wearing a black coat with a hood, that she lowered as she walked out of the shadows. She also wore goth-themed attire of gloves, a long black skirt, and black, spiked boots.

"Hello, all," Priya nodded.

"Priya!" Batman said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Nightwing and Catwoman told me about this, and I knew I had to help. You saved my life, Batman. I have a life because of you. I'm here to return to the favor and help you out."

Batman nodded, appreciatively, "Thanks."

Priya smiled. "And the name's Black Crow now."

"I like that," Runner smiled.

"An old friend with a similar power set gave Priya her blessing on the name," Nightwing explained. "Also… we found some stragglers on the way here."

Bennet walked in the room with Silver Banshee right behind him. "Task Force X, reporting for duty," Bennet declared.

Banshee scoffed and folded her arms.

"Well, what up, girlie?" Ember said, smiling, to Banshee.

"Oi!" Banshee greeted.

"Heard you did your time, that you were out."

"Eh. Bennet called and I owe you's one. Figured now was a good time ta cash in."

"You have no idea," Ember replied.

"And, I gotta be honest…" Banshee continued. "I got a… personal interest in this."

"That being?" Runner asked.

"I heard Switchblade's here."

"You know him?" Ember asked.

"He's my ex."

"Is that a problem?" Jaguar asked, suspiciously.

"Only because I wanna rip his bleedin' head off," Banshee admitted. "He banged my best friend. I wanna kill him."

"I might let you," Ember muttered.

"Ember!" Runner shouted.

"Again with the screaming!"

"What about you, Bennet?" Batman asked.

"The Agency and a lot of others want Bane dead for all the things he stole, including the bomb," Bennet explained. "I'm here to have an Agency 'presence' and to keep the rest of them out. This is your fight, Batman. And honestly? If you can't take this creep out, no one can."

"Bennet! Was that praise?"

"Hey. You didn't let the Moirai murder me when you could have. I'd say you earned a little praise." Bennet smirked. "If only a little."

"I'll take it. Maybe you can help us locate the bomb, too."

"I'll give it a shot."

Batman smiled but sighed. "I guess… we're just about set, then."

"Not just yet, Batman," another voice echoed.

Everyone turned to see Nyssa approaching.

"Nyssa," Batman said with a small smile.

"Hello, Batman," Nyssa greeted. "Everyone. It is my honor to lend you my aid."

"And she's not alone, either," Fawzi said as he approached.

The team noticed he was dressed in different attire than he had worn before. It seemed to be a hybrid of Ra's al Ghul's old attire and something akin to an old Batman uniform, complete with a Nightwing-style mask and a hood.

"Nice threads," Batman said to Fawzi.

"Thanks," Fawzi replied. "I thought they worked."

"Got a new name?"

"Yeah. Azrael."

Batman nodded, "I like it."

Fawzi looked at Priya. "Hey."

"Hey," Priya smiled.

"Oh, that's so cute!" Runner joked. "That was adorable!"

Fawzi and Priya blushed a bit while Nightwing chuckled.

"What brought you here, Nyssa?" Batwoman asked.

"It's my brother who helped cause this mess," Nyssa explained. "Another family member brings war to Gotham. I will rectify my family's mistakes. It's only right."

"Thank you," Batwoman smiled.

Nyssa smiled and nodded.

Batman looked around, "I know Runner put in a call for some extra backup, just in case. But we don't even know if they can help because of Bane's ship. Either way, this is it. We're doing this. Bane's gonna launch that ship and we gotta take the fight to him. Win or lose." He stopped and whispered, "Live or die."

Everyone considered that for a moment. But no one showed any fear. Nor did they feel any.

"But let me make this perfectly clear," Batman spoke up, "none of you owe me anything. Not like some of you think you do. This is dangerous and possibly… probably… fatal. I'll give any of you a chance to leave now, no hard feelings. But… I admit it… I need all the help I can get. But I won't force anyone to do anything. It's all your choice."

"One person tries to back out of this, I rip their eyes out," Catwoman threatened.

"I second that warning," Nyssa agreed.

"Third!" Huntress declared.

"I'm serious!" Batman insisted.

"As are we," Nyssa replied.

Banshee spit. "Oi! What's all this runnin' talk? If we didn't want ta be here, Bats, we wouldn't."

"You think we don't owe you," Azrael added, "but, honestly… like hell we don't!"

"I'm gonna guess most of us in the room are still alive because of you," Priya proclaimed.

"In one way or another," Ember agreed, sincerely.

"We're here, Batman," Runner declared, "because we want to be. You put your ego aside and admitted you needed some help. It takes a great man to handle things on his own. It's a better one… to know when he needs help. We're here with you."

"Until the end," Koutetsu declared.

"No matter what," Batwoman concluded. Batman and Batwoman smiled at each other.

"So, enough with the kind words!" Banshee concluded. "Let's get ta breakin' their shit!"

"What she said," Huntress agreed.

Batman scanned them all nodded. "Alright." He looked toward the ceiling. "Let's go to work."

"It's almost time, Beloved," Athanasia declared.

"Yes." Bane sat back. "Time to discover… truly what Batman is capable of."

"Do your plans remain the same?"

"Yes. I will face him. This is the truest test. For him. And for me. This will decide the truth. Our fates. And only one of us will survive."

A/N: In case anyone was wondering, the Arkham Knight reference is Terry's new armor. There's a skin in Batman: Arkham Knight where Batman wears an armored-type version of the Batman Beyond suit. I LOOOOOVE that skin! It's so awesome!

Alright! I've teased all of you long enough! Next chapter, the wait is over! Batman and his team versus Bane and his followers! The final battle begins in the next chapter! Be here for it!