Chapter 29

Ember growled as Frost tackled her, sending them both falling out of the Castellum. Ember gritted her teeth as she looked at the buildings they were passing. Ember shifted them around, punched Frost in the face, then used her fire to launch them both into the window of a building. They rolled along the floor, both struggling to get their bearings back.

"Ohhhhhh," Ember groaned. "You friggin' idiot! Was that your brilliant plan?! Get us both killed?!"

"If it worked…" Frost chuckled, coughing a bit.

"You're about the dumbest bitch I've ever met!" Ember pushed herself to stand. "If it wasn't for the fact that you're absolute trash… we could've been friends."

Frost chuckled and smirked, getting to her feet. She let cold surge around her hands. "Ready to continue?"

Ember lit her hands, immediately, "Bring it!"

Ember and Frost launched their attacks at one another.

Tremor sent a shockwave at Koutetsu, who jumped over the attack and dove down with his bokuto to strike Tremor. Tremor tried to throw another shockwave, but Koutetsu swung his bokuto, disrupting the shockwave, then kicked Tremor across the face as he landed. Koutetsu got behind Tremor and used his bokuto to try and choke Tremor, just enough to make him pass out. Tremor struggled then focused his quaking abilities throughout his body to force Koutetsu off of him. The vibration was enough for Koutetsu to loosen his grip on Tremor. Once out of Koutetsu's grasp, Tremor turned around, pressed his hands to Koutetsu's chest, and used his quake to throw Koutetsu against the wall.

Managing to land on his feet, Koutetsu pressed his hand to this chest, grumbling as the pain shot through him.

"You're not bad, samurai," Tremor said, breathlessly. "But I'm ending this. Now!"

Faster than Tremor could react, Koutetsu charged at Tremor and slammed the bokuto into Tremor's chest, launching him back.

Tremor crashed into the ground. He grabbed his chest, moaning excruciatingly. He looked at Koutetsu, "What the…"

"You're a skilled opponent," Koutetsu admitted. He spit out a bit of blood. "But if you think it's easy as that to defeat me, you'll find you are sorely mistaken!"

"There's no way you don't have at least two shattered ribs! Short of being Superman, I've collapsed lungs on metahumans with that move!"

"Yes, it was quite powerful. It would've done more damage had I not prepared for it in time. But you're facing a very different beast in facing me." Koutetsu entered a battle stance. "Come. I seek to end this battle."

Tremor chuckled. "So, you think it'll be that easy?"

"Indeed not. As it hasn't been thus far. Then again, a true warrior doesn't seek ease in a battle… only victory."

While Tiana did have the panic shutters up, she knew when the Man-Bats had arrived as the banging echoed throughout her control room. Though she was still under two more levels of physical defense, the banging told her it was only a matter of time before the Scourge got through. Regardless, Tiana kept typing, doing all she could to keep slowing the systems of the Castellum down.

Sally started hyperventilating, as she could hear the echoes, as well. Tears in her eyes, Sally pleaded, "Tia! I am begging you! Get outta there! Please!"

"Can't do it." Tiana held her focus on the screen. "Runner just got to a third hub! We're almost there!"

The banging got louder.

Tiana looked up at the ceiling, having to steady her breathing.

"Tia!" Sally cried out. "Tia, I'm begging! I'll do anything you ask! Anything you want! Just leave!"

Tiana looked at Sally, "Sally, you listen to me: you are one of the sweetest people ever. You had no ties to any of this besides your love for Basem, Max, and Terry. You're a hero… because everyone can count on you. I know this life is hard… but thank you for being in it. I'm gonna stay on the line as long as I can. But I want to promise me something!"

"What?"

"You live. Those boys of yours? You love them with everything you've got, every chance you get." Tiana looked down in sadness. "I… I wish I had gotten that right."

"Tia…" Sally started crying.

"You keep being the amazing person you are! I know it's hard. I know there must be times you just wanna… breakdown. But please… don't give up. More people need you than you'll ever know!"

"Tiana…" Sally cried.

"Oracle!" Batwing shouted.

Tiana looked up and whispered, "Linc…" She activated the comms, "Batwing! I'm here!"

"I'm here! I'm engaging the enemy! Just… just-just hang in there!"

Tiana laughed, bitterly. "Roger that!" She looked at Sally, "Linc's here!"

"YES!" Sally screamed in relief.

Batwing crashed into the first few Man-Bats, moving them away from the indention they made in the metal shutters, then he flew back up in the air and used some sound-concussion blasters on his gauntlets to force them all further back. One of the Man-Bats got behind Batwing, pulling him down to the roof. From there, Batwing saw the squadron circle him, all screeching.

Batwing didn't know what the likelihood was of someone arriving to help. But he also knew his sister's life was in danger and Terry, the team, the GCPD, and all of Gotham depended on Tiana as Oracle to perform her duties.

Batwing strengthened his resolve, preparing for the fight of his life, and launched a few energy-batarangs at the Man-Bats, then flew at one of them and tackled it.

Batwoman, Jaguar, and Ghost-Wing trekked through the submarine until they found the control room. After searching the room, Batwoman found the main controls of the ship. Batwoman activated a holographic computer that installed on her uniform's right forearm.

"Does Batman have one of those?" Ghost-Wing asked.

Batwoman giggled, "Nope. Installed it myself. He'd never use it anyway if I gave him one. Though it'd be funny to watch him try."

"Installed it yourself?"

"She's a genius," Jaguar smiled.

"Aww!" Batwoman said. "Thanks, girl!"

"Just telling the truth."

Batwoman followed some circuitry to a node. She undid the panels and looked inside. "Like I thought. A bomb this big… they had to keep the rigging simple. Otherwise, even Bane wouldn't be able to properly use it."

"'Simple'?" Ghost-Wing asked.

"I mean… as simple as a bomb powerful enough to blow up a city can be. Then again, you'd be surprised how simple that can be, really."

"Say what?"

Batwoman studied the electrical system a minute longer, removing pieces and wires. Then she cut one last wire.

Ghost-Wing noticed a few lights in the control room go off. "I… I think that did it!"

Batwoman activated her computer again and checked the signal. "Yup! We're all clear. The bomb is disarmed and no signal relays can get through."

Jaguar let out a long exhale. "Girl. You're really good!"

"How do you think I got Batman in the first place?"

"Incredible sex appeal and witty comebacks?"

"Yes, yes, and I've done crazy stuff like this before," Batwoman answered.

Ghost-Wing froze. "Wait… you really did diffuse a bomb before?"

"I told you I did," Batwoman smiled.

"I thought you were kidding!"

"Nope. We were still in high school. Scariest few minutes of my life."

"What about being a mom?" Jaguar joked.

"That's the scariest thing in my life. Period. The bomb was only a few minutes."

Ghost-Wing stared at Batwoman. "You're… a badass."

Batwoman smiled wider, "Thanks, Ghost. When you're settled down… you're not bad yourself."

Jaguar regarded Ghost-Wing with a warm smile. "Couldn't agree more."

Ghost-Wing looked at her. "Thanks. I… need a lotta work."

"We all do," Batwoman declared. "Every one of us is a work in progress. That's the cool thing about life. You always get to learn."

"Everyone's right: you're a genius."

"I dabble in being smart, yes."

Ghost-Wing and Jaguar couldn't stop the laughter that rose up.

"So…" Jaguar got a couple of more laughs out. "What's our next move… boss?"

Batwoman smiled then activated her computer again. "I got control of the autopilot. I'll set the sub to go out to sea, safe enough away from literally everything so no one gets hurt in case it goes off. Bomb can't be remotely detonated by a signal, but we still need to make sure this thing's clear of the city."

"Maybe once this is over, Superman or someone can get rid of it," Ghost-Wing mused.

"That might be the best idea you've had since you got here."

"Sad but true."

Batwoman kept typing on her screen then concluded. "Okay, we're all set. Let's get topside."

A few minutes later, they were back on the pier where Bennet was still keeping an eye on the prisoners. Bennet looked at the heroes, "We good?"

Batwoman activated her computer again and pressed a few keys. Small waves came from the water as the submarine began its journey away from Gotham. "We're good," Batwoman answered. "Can you make sure no ships are in the area the sub's heading?"

"How far out?"

"About 15 miles."

Bennet started typing on his phone, "Got it. Turning off the disruptor, reestablishing the connection."

As soon as Bennet cutoff the signal jammer, Batwoman was notified her personal cell phone was getting a call from Sally. "Hold on, I'm… getting a call."

"You're answering?" Bennet asked.

"It's important. It must be." Batwoman answered. "Hey. What's wrong?"

"Tia's in trouble!" Sally said, immediately and her voice filled with fear. "They know she's at the company. Batwing's there, but it sounds like a lotta guys and…"

"Got it! We're leaving now! Call me if you hear anything else." Batwoman ended the call and looked at Ghost-Wing and Jaguar, "We gotta go! I'll explain on the way!" She looked at Bennet, "Can you make sure…"

"I'll watch the sub," Bennet interrupted. "That sounded important!"

"Very!" Batwoman, Jaguar, and Ghost-Wing hurried off.

Still fighting Switchblade, Bulletstorm, She-Bat, and the rest of the Scourge, Huntress was beginning to get frustrated with the progress of the skirmish, or lack thereof.

"ARGH!" Huntress kicked a Scourge away. "This is getting us nowhere!"

"Aye!" Banshee agreed. "I haven't even snapped Switchblade's neck yet!"

"I'm getting less and less against you actually doing that," Nightwing admitted.

Huntress looked around, only getting angrier at the situation. Tiana was in trouble. Lincoln was fighting the Scourge by himself. Max was gone to take care of what essentially had to be a nuke. The rest of the team was God knows where.

And she could only imagine what Terry was dealing with.

Catwoman got close to Huntress, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "Go," Catwoman whispered. "Find your brother."

Huntress, quickly, looked at her mother. "You sure?"

"I know you're worried. Go find him. We'll catch up as soon as we can."

"I'll need a distraction."

"We'll take care of that."

"Okay."

Catwoman looked at her and smiled. "I'm proud of you, Kitten."

Huntress looked at Catwoman and smiled, fighting a tear. "Thanks, Mom."

Catwoman looked toward Black Crow, "CROW! WRECK SOME STUFF!"

Crow understood what that meant, immediately. She smiled. "GOT IT!" She gathered her energy together and, in one scream, exploded a pitch-black energy dome.

The heroes managed to scatter and avoid the attack, with Huntress rushing to nearby vent, while most of the Scourge were hurled in all directions.

Crow's attack only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough to knock out the regular Scourge soldiers. Switchblade, Bulletstorm, and She-Bat, however, managed to avoid the worst of it.

Seeing the elites still ready to fight caused Nightwing to drop his head, "Of course!"

"Of course, it couldn't be that easy!" Catwoman growled.

Crow was breathing hard and fell to a knee.

Banshee looked over at Crow, concerned. "Hey, you okay?"

Crow, tiredly, shook her head as she tried to catch her breath, "Can… only do that… once. Then… I'm tapped out."

"No worries, kid. Take a breather." Banshee looked at the remaining elites. "We got it from here!"

"Sure you can deliver, Athol?" Switchblade asked. "I mean, even if it is dead even now, ya got the museum pieces there, so, you're clearly outclassed."

Catwoman's eye twitched. "Museum… pieces?"

"Ya did it now, kid!" Nightwing grinned, dangerously.

"Sorry, Banshee, but now I'm gonna break his neck."

"Ya just effed up, Conner." Banshee laughed, "And I couldn't be happier!" She looked at Catwoman, "He's all yours!" She focused on She-Bat, "I don't like her trying to scream louder than me."

"Which leaves me with jughead," Nightwing stared at Bulletstorm. "Great…" He sighed. "Oh, well! Let the good times roll on!"

Runner was racing to another hub when he got a call.

"Runner!" Tiana called out.

Runner kept rushing, "Oracle! Tell me you're alright!"

"I'm fine. Batwing's here! I got the full schematics for the ship! I've got it mapped out!"

"Great! Tell me where to go next."

"I found Bane's chamber," Tiana said.

Runner stopped. "Where?"

"About 8 decks below you."

Runner thought for a moment. "What about another hub?"

"Let me worry about that," Azrael declared.

"Azrael?"

"Go find your brother, Runner. Mother and I are about to have a family reunion. In the central control room."

Runner chuckled, "Sure you can enjoy some family bonding and get a hub connected?"

"I'm great at multitasking," Azrael joked.

Runner thought for a moment. Then decided to go help Batman. "Thanks, man. Seriously."

"You guys did way more for me. Trust me, it's my genuine pleasure to even remotely return the favor."

"Thanks. Handle your business. And Oracle? Stay safe! We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Right," Tiana replied.

"Good luck, Runner," Azrael said. "And God be with you going after that monster."

"Luck, God, prayers, fortune," Runner listed off. "If any of those work in our favor tonight, I'll take 'em!"

"Amen to that," Tiana agreed.

As the Scourge did their best to regain the weapons systems of the Castellum, Athanasia and Ikram noticed the progress of the night's events. Huntress leaving the battle on the lower level was concerning, and they still had no idea where Ghost-Wing, Jaguar, and Batwoman went.

"This…" Athanasia mused. "…something is wrong."

"Athanasia?" Ikram asked.

"What's the status of the bomb?"

Ikram checked. "It… there's no signal!"

Athanasia's eyes widened. "How…?"

Athanasia and Ikram recoiled when the door behind them exploded. They, alarmedly, turned around to see Azrael and Nyssa step through the smoke. Ikram growled immediately at seeing his sister.

"Well, well, well!" Nyssa exhaled. "What do we have here? Two miscreants who bring war to Batman's protectorate. Fools who truly believed they could hold on to the last traces of Ra's al Ghul and his precious cult. The one he loved more than his own blood."

"Only fools hold on to that belief, my dear aunt," Athanasia countered.

"I couldn't agree more."

"Uncle Ikram," Azrael greeted. "Cousin Athanasia. Long time."

"Cousin," Athanasia greeted in return. "Dear aunt, you both look well."

"You, as well, Athanasia," Nyssa nodded. She stared at Ikram. "I can't say the same for you, Brother. Physically, you seem fine. I can't but notice the look in your eyes is… forlorn."

"I need no concern from you, Sister!" Ikram growled.

"I must differ. Then again, you'll get no concern or sympathy from me anyway." Nyssa noticed the Scourge members beginning to surround her and Azrael, regarding them with disinterest. She looked back at Ikram, "You cast your lot with Bane, hoping to achieve the goal Father sought. Perhaps even claim a throne greater than his. But you miscalculated and underestimated Bane. He brought war to Gotham. Not to burn the world to the ground. But to claim a piece of the world as his own. He stole the Society from you. You failed. Utterly." She scoffed and smiled. "From a certain viewpoint, congratulations are in order. You are more like Father than you could have ever imagined yourself to be!"

Ikram began shaking. "You dare… you dare speak to me like that! After you cast your lot with Batman and betray our blood!"

"Betray…" Nyssa scoffed. "Your brain can even form that word when you speak to me? How long were you in league with Gregory, against my wishes?"

"Had you helped me from the start, none of this would've happened! Batman would be dead and we would already be truly realizing Father's dream!"

Nyssa closed her eyes and shook her head, "You naïve fool." She looked back at Ikram. "You don't understand. Father is dead. As well as his dream. It was a fool's dream to begin with. And you… are no more than a fool… begging for his dead father's love. A love that even you must know… was never going to come."

"You speak of love! YOU KNOW NOTHING! YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU ARE JUST A PATHETIC, TRAITOROUS BITCH!"

Nyssa froze. "Bitch. Is that so?"

After the insult, Azrael glowered at his uncle. "Mother. May we hit them now?"

"As a matter of fact, Son… we may!"

Batman punched Bane as hard as he could in the gut, noticing that Bane was a bit hurt by the punch. Bane's Venom was definitely working, but Batman knew he still stood a solid chance. But Batman needed to end this fight as quickly as possible. While he and Bane kept exchanging strikes and dodges, Batman covertly prepared his own autoinjector. After Bane left one punch out a second too long, Batman kicked Bane across the face, got behind him, climbed on his back, and slammed the autoinjector into the base of Bane's neck.

Bane grunted.

Batman held the injector, until the contents of it were empty, then jumped off Bane's back, removing the injector.

Bane sank to his knees, groaning and grabbing at his neck.

"Oooooh!" Batman smirked. "Sorry 'bout that. Actually… nah, I'm not."

"What…" Bane grunted. "…what was…"

"An old Venom cure."

"What?!"

"Yeah. After your old nurse came up with the slappers, medical science… ya know, what you love so much, came up with ways to counteract the effects. But, I figured you thought of that. So I had an old friend look for any ways to counter the original Venom. They found a way. It was crude and fast and may not be pretty. But it had to do."

Bane steadied his breathing and bowed his head.

"It's over, Bane," Batman declared. "Give it up. I know you're probably wanted by every law enforcement agency on this side of the solar system, but just call it here, and I'll make sure you live through this. You've got my word on that."

Bane began to cough.

Batman worried that the Venom cure may have been too much for Bane's system.

Until Batman realized.

Bane wasn't coughing.

He was laughing.

Bane lifted his head, indeed confirming he seemed to be a very jovial mood.

And nothing terrified Batman more. "Oh, crap!" he whispered, backing up a few steps.

"You figured it out!" Bane declared. He slowly rose to his feet, ripping off his mask. "I believed you would only leave the war to your allies… and you still had a plan! YOU HAD ONE ALL ALONG! BATMAN! You are… extremely impressive! A true warrior!" He laughed again.

Batman gritted his teeth, having no idea what more could possibly be coming next.

Bane stopped laughing and sighed. "I must confess… even I underestimated you. But that stops now. And, I swear to you… I will never do it again." He revealed his had another autoinjector in his hand, and pressed it to his forearm, infusing its contents into his bloodstream.

"Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!" Batman roared.

"I was saving this for anyone stronger who would come for me… but you were well-prepared. I understand now… you are someone stronger! Well done, Batman! Very well done!"

Bane's body began to expand even further. He growled and howled as his body transformed. His howls soon sounded more like roars.

"My God…" Batman whispered.

Second later, the transformation was complete. Bane now stood an easy eight-foot-tall, with muscles expanded into an unnatural size and bulk. Batman's shock made him think Bane was as wide, muscle-wise, as he was tall.

"How…?" Batman said, absentmindedly.

"Venom…" Bane growled out, "was never enough. I had been at its mercy long enough to know that truth. I knew… to truly be the strongest… it would take more. Far more. To that end, I discovered a new formula."

Batman's eyes widened even further.

"One known as… Titan."