Lazarus

"...I was never born..."

"...That's what they all said..."

"...they always said that I was created..."

"Made only to fulfil a purpose..."

"That was what I was told..."

"...I'm not human..."

"That I am just a means to an end..."

"To replace Bruce Wayne..."

"To take over his legacy..."
"Everyday, every waking hour, every time I need a break from it all, all the moments that I felt broken..."

"I am meant for something greater, for something that I did not understand quite yet..."

"I'm not human, that's what they repeated over and over again. I was a tool to be used, their weapon - a cold, emotionless, killing machine, who will never rest - who will stand guard over Gotham...They whispered to me, they burned me, branded me with their so-called insignia to remind me of where I belonged..."

"I should be: cold, calculating and unstoppable"

"They said that, over and over until I believed it"

"But I always knew that they spoke of lies, I could always tell when they tried to manipulate me, again and again, I pretended to listen, I acted as they instructed, but deep down...I always knew that I cannot trust anyone in this world, not even the Court of Owls...or her..."

"Because if what they said was true..."

"Why am I full of so much anger? Why have I always lived in despair, why do I enjoy what I do? Why do I love punishing the guilty? Why would they make me like that?"

"Truth be told, I have always wondered about this...it was always at the back of my mind, it drove me crazy...just thinking how they claim to be all-powerful, but they couldn't even control just who I really am? Can they truly be that arrogant? Do they not even think that I have free will? This all has been bugging me since my moment of creation, the very first moments of my existences..."

"The past few days may have finally given me the answer"

"When you play to god be sure not to do such good job, because eventually your creations may very well surpass you to the point where you become obsolete, and thus have no more use in this world. I am not a clone, I am not a copy, I'm not even a reflection anymore...I am..."

"No longer a slave"

Owlman's eyes narrow, the white orbs on his vizor focus upon the city of Gotham. He stands on top of Wayne Tower. His cape flows through the wind, the light of day shines upon him "I have become someone else...I have become perfection" Owlman's eyes focus across the skyscrapers towards the Sirens Club in the distance "No one can understand just how I feel. But they will all witness just what I am truly capable of. That is what she showed me - she gave me a second chance, and I am not going to waste it.

Sirens Club

"Thanks for doing this. It means a lot" Barbara smiles to Lee as they two women stand face-to-face. The redhead held the hand of Barbara Lee Gordon, the daughter of both her and Jim Gordon. The girl looks up to Lee with a smile on her face. Both women stood in the siren's club, low level-tuned jazz plays in the background as they talk. They were the only ones there so they could have the peace that they needed "It's quite the shame that Jim can't be here though; poor Barbara has been waiting all week to see him"

"Don't worry about it, Barbara. I'm sorry that Jim can't be here; he said that he is busy with a case" Lee apologizes as she holds her hand out to the girl "I will be sure to keep an eye on here until Jim can get back" the black-haired woman smiles as the girl to hold out her hand "What would you like to do, Barbara? We can get some pizza if you want, your favorite?" Lee asks. The girl eagerly nods as her smile sizes up into a grin.
"Can we? pleasssssse?" Barbara Lee Gordon adjures to Lee as her eyes light up with joy. Lee and Barbara gave a quick smile to each other to show their thoughts on the girl's excitement, they both give a quick nod to follow up. Barbara places her hands on her daughter's shoulders.

"Alright, go get your things" the redhead chortles as her daughter quickly runs into the next room.

"Lee? Is Jim alright? He seemed a little worked up last night - I hope his job hasn't been too stressful on him" Barbara directs towards the other woman.

"Jim is a very stubborn man and sometimes I love him because of it, but other times? He can be a real pain in the ass. We both know that Jim is trying to do what is right, which is not always the easiest thing to do in Gotham. He would never admit when he feels in over his head, that's just the sort of person that he is. That is the man that people look up to, Bruce, and your daughter. That has worked out well so far, so I can safely say that I have trust in him" Lee replies with a friendly tone, full of respect for the other woman.

Barbara nudges her shoulders as she smiles back "You're right. Jim is such a boy scout. that it is honestly painful sometimes. But I would be doing him a disservice if I didn't say that is one of his most admirable qualities. But with Bruce in hospital, I have a feeling that Jim would rather spend his time with him. Jim always treated Bruce as a close friend - even family eventually. I am just a little nervous that he enjoys spending his time more with Bruce rather than our child...I know that it might sound really stupid - But Jim hasn't been able to take his mind off Bruce ever since he returned to Gotham four months ago..."

"Barb, how can you think that? Jim thinks the world of Barbara. He loves her more than anything. He and Bruce have a history, they are friends - you can't be mad at Jim for wanting to visit Bruce in the hospital. Jim is going to be home later and then he is going to spend all evening with his daughter" Lee shoots a look to Barbara that showcased her feelings to her, upset that she would even think of that.
"You're right. I'm sorry, I just don't want Barbara to think that her father doesn't want to spend time with her..." the redhead sighs as she turns her head "Barbara come on sweetie, mommy's needs to get going" she calls out to her daughter.

"There is no need to worry. Jim will back home tonight and will be more than happy to spend time with her" Lee reassures the redhead.

"I know. Barbara Lee Gordon get back here! Do not make me call you again!" Barbara turns her head to face the direction of where her daughter walked to "Barbara?" she asks again as she did not receive a response from the child. Lee also became slightly unnerved by the silence coming from the next room over "This isn't funny" the redhead calls out once more.

"-I would hope not-" a voice calls from behind the two women. Barbara and Lee quickly turn to see Owlman stood in front of them as he holds the young girl to his chest with his arms wrapped around her waist. Both women look on with horror "After all this is not something to laugh about" he tells them.

"Mommy?" the young girl calls out to the redhead in fear.

"You son of a bitch! Who the hell are you? Let my daughter go, now!" Barbara yells as she spits at the man.

"I was tasked to bring both you and your daughter to her - Leslie Tompkins, I have no business with you; you may walk away from this unscathed. My instructions only demand that I take both Barbara Kean and her daughter" Owlman directs towards the dark-haired woman "I do not like making a habit out of harming those who I do not need to"

"Why the hell do you need me you freak?" Barbara yells.

"You must pay for your crimes, the lives that you have taken - you may have been let free, but true justice must be done today. You must be judged this day" Owlman replies as his eyes turn to the scared girl in his arms. He heard her cries as she screams for her mother to save her "Just know that I do not find any enjoyment in this, it is nothing personal" Owlman reaches into his belt and throws a black ball across the floor. Smoke began to burst out of it as it fills the room to the ceiling.

Lee's eyes begin to focus heavily on her surroundings as she brought into a fit of coughing due to the smoke "Barbara? Barbara? Are you-" she holds her hands over her mouth to stop the intake of smoke into her lungs. The smoke slowly fades and when it does. Lee sees that both Barbara and the young girl were now missing along with whoever took them "Oh my god - what was he?" she throws up a couple more takes of breath as her body was still shaking.

Gotham Undergrounds

"This is it, the Lazarus pit" Talia tells the dark knight as they stand beside each other, standing on the edge of a crater that was full of green stream of steaming liquid "The tale of the Lazarus is echoed all throughout the world, for centuries its power has been sought by all kinds of men and women who desired the gift of immortality...they say that as time moved on, the tale of the Lazarus was eventually reduced to a children's tale, and as such, it's legend has indeed been lost - that is how the tale fountain of youth came about in the world" Talia's piercing green eyes look to the pool as both she and Batman were cast in a ominous green glow "My father always hated that folklore, he found that it made the Lazarus seem like a fairy-tale, when in actual fact...it is a nightmare..." she turns her head to look to the man that stood beside her.

Batman's eyes narrow as his eyes were locked onto the pool under them "Interesting tale, so you are sure that the court of owls used this pit? If so...that means that their base of operations must not be too far away, they can't risking coming to the surface, so there must be a passageway nearby"

"I was thinking the same thing, from what you told me, the Talon must have been in a dire state, though he may not feel pain, his bones can still be broken and he can still bleed - which means death is just as daunting for him as much as the rest of us - I am just not sure why my sister would have any use for him? So he must be someone really important..." Talia's eyes cast over to Batman as he holds his right hand to his stomach "You are still hurt, aren't you? If you persist to keep on track...you must know that there is a high chance that you will die tonight"

"I'm fine. This is what I have trained for..." Batman tells the woman as his hands tighten over his wound.

"What good is all that training when you are not even in the right shape of body and mind to use it? Bruce, I can handle this matter on my own just fine. There is no need for yourself to get involved in this. Go home and rest...recover your strength for when another force threatens the city..." Talia conveys with her soft-spoken voice.

"Talia...you can't take on both Nyssa and the Talon...plus whatever else they have. You need me...we need to work together to stop them both...if we don't...we are practically just handing this city over to them. I will not hand my city over to them...Nyssa already tried to destroy Gotham once and nearly succeeded but unlike before...I can stop her...I can save this city...I can...,..." the man tells Talia and his breaths spikes. The woman's eyes glance down to the Lazarus Pit.

"Even if you do go with me...you are weakened and will be a liability. If the Talon managed to best you when you were at your best...Nyssa could kill you easily with the state that you are in now. I only agreed to do this together as I believed you to be recovered enough to take them on. But you are having trouble just standing, and your breathing is staggered. They will easily wear you out and kill you without a second thought...just what do you expect to accomplish with this suicide mission of yours?" Talia questions Batman.

"I expect to win. Nyssa may have got out of Gotham a free woman before, but now that she is back...I will make her face justice for her crimes. She needs to be stopped and you know that you can't do that by yourself, she isn't someone that you can underestimate...and there is the fact that I still have a score to settle with her..."

"You wish to save the city? You must first be at full strength and there is only one way to that now, I'm sorry my love" Talia whispers as she quickly moves behind the man and holds her arm over his neck "I'm sorry, but the only way to be healed...is to also be reborn through the pit. I only wish that you may one day forgive me for this, Bruce...".

"Talia...what are you...? We don't...have...time...for...you were planning this...the...whole time...weren't you...?" Batman gasps.

"I'm sorry my beloved, but I will not allow you to recklessly throw your life away...and Nyssa needs to die for her crimes...and we both know that you would never allow for that to happen. By the time that you awake...it will all be over, and Gotham will be safe once more. I love you, Bruce...never forget that" Talia kisses the man on the cheek. She kicks the man in the back as he is sent into the pit; being swallowed by the Lazarus water. Bruce's eyes look up to the woman who was looking down to him. He felt his body stop, his heart stopped beating, his breath ceased and soon enough his vision went dark as he blacks out, sinking to the bottom of the pit.

Meanwhile at Gotham City Central Hospital

"My head...it's killing me" Harvey holds an icepack to his forehead as he leans back in one of the chairs in the lobby of the hospital. Gordon stood in front of him with his arms folded over. Harvey sighs as he looks up to the commissioner "I was searching down the hall and before I knew - I was knocked out"

Gordon nods "That is what happened, but you sound like that you didn't get a good look at your attacker? Whoever they were they were happily leaving you alive" he observes causing Harvey to raise an eyebrow in response.

"I think I saw some woman, but I don't recall enough for a description. Just what the hell was she playing at? Hold on, do you think it was the same woman that attacked Bruce that you told me about?" Harvey tightens his grip on the icepack "Did you get a good look at her?" he asks.

"Somewhat, but nothing too much to go one, no name, no address, not even a motive, I barely even saw her face but, I know that it was the same woman that attacked Bruce last night. She wasn't the only one there last night...there was someone else who seemed to be fighting her, I think he was the one who killed our men" Gordon explains to his friend, Harvey's eyes narrow as a frown forms on his lips, readying himself for what comes next.

"Really, Jim? Even now you trying to defend your bestie, when are you going to begin listening to me again? Sure as soon as I am knocked out - you suddenly find evidence that proves our Bat-guy innocence? Yeah, that is awfully convenient for you" the older man sighs.

Gordon leans forward "You think that I am lying? Why would I lie to you, we're partners. You need to trust me on this, just listen, will you? The guy I saw was dressed like an owl, last time I checked - our friend dresses like a bat. Can't you see that this whole thing has been a mess? I think whoever is behind what's going on is trying to frame the bat"

"Just stop, I am done talking about this. Just tell me what you got on Bruce? That woman probably came here to finish the job that she started earlier - I would be amazed if he is even still alive, but thankful at the same time too" Bullock beseeches.

"I have the whole city looking out for him, honestly I don't have much hope to find him so easily and a part of me is thinking that we won't find him alive either" Gordon sits in the seat next to Harvey. The commissioner leans forward and places his palms together "I'm starting to think that this whole thing is my fault. I should have stayed with Bruce to make sure he would have been fine. The last time we talked, I let loose on him, I made him feel terrible - I treated him like he was criminal, why did I do that?"

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Jim. Bruce wouldn't want you to be hitting yourself over this, he would want you to get back out there and find whoever did this - and bring them into custody, and don't act like he wouldn't want anything different" Harvey taps his hand on his partner's shoulder "We may have to face that fact that Bruce could be...you know. He would want us to get to the bottom of this whole thing, and I'm not going to sit around with my thumb up my ass while innocent people could be in danger"

"You're right. We have to find out what's going on. How's Harper doing?" Gordon asks.

"She's stabilized, that's it. Doctors think that she could wake up in the next few days"

"At least there is some good news in all of this" Jim leans back in the chair. His eyes look down to his jacket as he hears his phone ring. He pulls it out and holds it to his ear "Barbara? How's it going with Lee, I know I can't be there, but I should be fine to come home in a few hours. Lee can handle Barbara until then..." Gordon speaks to the redhead on the end the line, or he thought he was. His nightmares come to pass as he hears a voice speak from the other end, one which did not belong to Barbara.

"Hello, commissioner. You do not know me but we did see each other last night"

"Who is this? Where the hell is Barbara?"
"I have both her and your child with me as we speak. If you wish to see them again...alive. Meet me on top of the GCPD building in an hour. If you tell anyone about this...my master will kill your loved ones, I beg of you not to put your loved ones in danger. You are a good man, and I hate that our first time talking is like this. I honestly hoped to work with you to save Gotham - but it seems that she has other plans for you. Before you ask, your spouse is safe and unharmed" Owlman says on the other end.

"Who are you?" Jim asks with a slight growl to his voice.

"I'm the man who does not want any harm to befall your child, but I am afraid that I cannot stop it from happening if you do not do exactly as I say, just know that I wish that things could be different. GCPD roof - 1 hour. Do not try to be hero, I chose not to hurt your loved ones, but she will do it without hesitating" Owlman replies.

"She?" Gordon raises an eyebrow as the call was cut.

Opening his eyes, Batman found himself lying on the grounds of what seemed to be a white abyss with no end, nor a beginning that could be seen with his vision "What the? Where am I?" he groans as he slowly gets up from the ground, His eyes look all over the void with not finding anything else within in "Talia...she threw me into the Lazarus...where am I?" he questions as he turns around and looks to anywhere that his eyes could reach.

"Greetings, detective" a voice spoke from behind the dark knight. Turning around, Bruce was greeted with the sight of someone that he would have lived his life happily with never seeing again. Before him stood Ra's al Ghul with his arms folded behind his back "What a pleasant surprise, I take it that this is the doing of my Talia? She was the one who brought you to me...which means that she is in Gotham and that she ignored my instructions to allow you to forge your own path..."

"Ra's? Are-are you real?" Batman asks slightly nervous.

"Real? I could be, or I could just be an illusion created by the Lazarus. Either way, I see that you finally accepted your place as Gotham's Dark Knight, your rightful place, your legacy in the city. However, it seems that you are still held back by your so-called code, your value of human life - even for the lives of those who wish to destroy and murder" Ra's holds his palms together as he tracks Batman's movements "You appear to be lost in thought? Is this not the path that you have chosen? Did you not willing to take on the responsibility as the guardian of Gotham?"

"I became the man I am today to stop scum like you from every rising again and I will do everything in my power to make sure that I keep that promise" Batman growls.
"Your hostility certainly is saddening but is not entirely undeserved. I helped destroy your city, I made it so that your destiny as Gotham's savior would come to pass. My vision revealed that you would rise from the ashes as a dark knight, a protector but most of all my heir to lead the league of shadows. It was always my intention that you and Talia would rule the league together to bring the world into a new age, one of your legacy, but it has not happened"

"You once told me that you wanted for me to become who your vision revealed to you? Then why did Nyssa come to Gotham to kill me, doesn't that seem like a little counterproductive?" Batman asks.

Ra's raises an eyebrow as he smirks "Ah I see. Once I learned of your true destiny, I went out of my way to tell Talia and warned her that I would not be returning. She understood the levity of what needed to be done to ignite the flame to forge you, however, Nyssa must have chosen to ignore my orders and to get revenge upon you and Barbara...Nyssa was always a disappointment in my eyes, her actions only confirmed it. I am thankful that my Talia heeded my words and was there to help train you...and I see that she did quite well...I believe that Talia got her loyalty from her Mother, such a sweet woman"
"You talk a lot for a dead guy. Now if you wouldn't mind, tell me just where the hell am I?" Batman requests.

"Your body is currently being repaired thanks to the Lazarus pit, but your mind? Well, that is your own doing, just as you summoned me here, I have no control over this place nor what you desire to do with it. I am here because you will demand it. Soon enough you shall be reborn and returned to your full strength and with it...you must stop my fair daughter and the man who stands beside her. Nyssa thinks that a clone of you can be the city's protector. She is trying to bring forth my prophecy with someone that she has control over...she was always so devious..." Ra's explains.

"Why would she want to do that? If she hates me...wouldn't she just want to stop my legacy altogether, rather then forcing a copy of me to go through with it?"

"Nyssa does indeed feel a great resentment for you, however, the opposite is true for when it comes to me. She wants my last will come true, but she will never settle with you going down in history as the dark knight that watches over Gotham..." Ra's replies.

"Once I get out of here...I am going to stop both her and the Talon...the League of Shadows and Court's time is over...and my time will begin as I stop anyone who thinks they can control Gotham with corruption," Batman tells Ra's.

"Is that so? Be warned...the is only one way to stop the court and the league...putting them away in prison? That will never work and you know it. If you wish to save Gotham you must throw away your foolish code...you must be willing to do anything to protect your people...you must kill them...take their lives and make examples of them...show them fear" Ra's smirks as he slowly tilts his head "Show them that Gotham belongs to you...and you alone..."

"You want me to kill them? Your daughter too? I should have expected you to say something like that"

"Nyssa is family, however, she knew of the risks of betraying me. You need to make sure that she can never return Gotham again. Do you really want Talia to be the one kill her only remaining family? Surely you cannot wish for her to go through with that? After all don't you love her?" Ra's coined a grin as he places his hands on Batman's shoulders "What kind of man would do that to the woman that he loves? Kill Nyssa then you and Talia can be together, ruling the League of Shadows however you choose to. We are only talking about taking a few lives...in order to save millions more what reason do you have to deny that?"

"I will never take a life...not even Nyssa's. That is not who I am" the dark knight quickly shot back to Ra's.

"Your arrogance will end up costing the lives of countless innocents...even if you do not take any lives. Those who wish to stop you will do so and have done so already. Do you refuse to do what needs to be done because you truly believe in that code of yours? Or is that you simply wish to spite me, detective? Your hatred for me is rooted so deeply within you that you are willing for many to lose their lives. This is not about either us getting what we want - this is simply about protecting the innocent people of Gotham" Ra's al Ghul tightens his grip on the man's shoulder "To refuse is to only reveal just how selfish your code is, that you rather be a hero than a man who can actually make a difference in the world. You will never save Gotham if you keep to your code"

"I..." Batman responds in an unsure tone.

GCPD Rooftop

The twilight hours set over Gotham as the sun begun to set and with it darkness would soon take hold over the city once more. Jim walks out into the roof by himself, he looks around to look for the perpetrator that called him there "I'm here. Just as you said, I am alone. It is just us" he holds in hands up to show whoever was watching him that he was planning no tricks and that he kept his word, though what was left to be shown as if the other man would keep his promise "Why did you bring me here? To the police station? Not a very clever idea - in fact, it stinks of pride and well on its way to show your arrogance. Why did you kidnap my daughter? What the hell are you playing at?"

"Playing? That's an interesting way to put it, it shows that my intentions are done to enjoy myself, possible even for me to get a thrill from my actions. I am many things, but someone that likes to "play" is not one of them. I never got that part of my life - only what comes after. I bared the front of the cruel world without going through it first as an innocent kid who only sees the world in black and white, instead of my whole life I have only seen the world in shades of greys, so I can assure you that I am not "playing" at anything. I was never taught how to..." a voice calls out.

Gordon turns his head to look at the owner of the voice. Owlman stood on the edge of the roof as the white orbs in his helmet glares at the commissioner. The sunset behind him caused him to become one with the light as he was shadowed by the light behind him. His cape was blown through the gentle breezes of wind through the air. Holding his arms to his sides and his head up high. Gordon turns the rest of his body to face the man stood in his line of view "I knew it. You're not the bat. You are the one who framed him, aren't you? You are the one who killed all of those cops downstairs, what kind of sick freak do you have to be to return to a place where you murdered countless innocents...?"

"The cops that I killed I did in the name of justice. I only killed the ones who were corrupt, the ones who willingly worked for the worst crime bosses of Gotham. I did this city a service by eliminating the filth that plagued the very department who are supposed to protect it. This city deserves a protector who cannot be corrupted nor be ruled by their emotions. You had your time to save Gotham and you have made no progress since the day that you arrived here, your bat friend hasn't made any improvements either - there is only one way to deal with the scum of Gotham and that is having zero tolerance for their crimes" Owlman replies.
"What about Harper? She was not corrupt yet you still tried to kill her" Gordon steps forward towards the shrouded figure that was basked in the light.

"If I wanted her dead - she would be, she lives because she is someone who fights against Gotham's worst"

"Barbara and my daughter have nothing to do with the city's crime. They are innocents in this, how can you claim to be a hero and then kidnap innocents? Tell me where they are, right now"

"The mother of your child is a murderer, a criminal. And you let her walk free. That is an injustice that I cannot allow to continue. She must face the consequences of her actions since you are unable to do your job, it is up to the court and me to seek penance for her crimes against the people of Gotham. They need to know that no longer will murderers walk away from punishments. They need to be shown that no one can be shown freedom after their crimes. If I had it my way...only Barbara Kean would have been taken, but my master desired me to bring your daughter to her too, as punishment for you"

"For me?" Jim questions.

"You have blood on your hands too. You have murdered in cold blood, you have let criminals walk free. You are a lie to the people of Gotham, a false idol that they look to for guidance. You have betrayed this city, its people and most importantly, yourself. You claim to be a beacon of light when in reality you are no more than a curtain of darkness. That is why I called you here - James Gordon, I shall seek justice for the people of Gotham, you must suffer for your crimes"

"Do whatever you want with me, just leave my loved ones out of it, please I am begging you"
"Showing mercy, displaying weakness is what brought Gotham to be the mess that it is today. My Gotham will have no such fault, it will become a sanctuary for the innocent and hell on earth for the guilty. I understand why you have done the things that you have, but that does not excuse your actions..." with a passing moment Owlman had already knocked Jim onto the ground, unconscious "Your city will be in good hands, I ensure you..."

Ra's caught the uncertainty that was in Batman's stance and was quick to act on it "Are you begging to realize just how futile this crusade of yours is when you can't even make the hard decisions? Aren't you seeing how much more you could help the world if you were just to give the guilty what they deserve? The biggest scum of the earth will just keep doing crimes over and over again, no prison is going stop them, no government can control then - you have seen it with your eyes. I'm not saying to kill every lowlife you come across, but the ones who keep committing their crimes must be cleansed if the people of Gotham hope to survive"
"I will never-" Batman growls back.

"He knows that acting just like the criminals will only make the city worse" a voice speaks as another hand places itself on Batman's left shoulder. Looking over Batman saw Gordon by his left side and Ra's on his right. Ra's eyes narrow as he was clearly annoyed by the man's presence "This City deserves better than that. Gothamites need to know that they have someone who will fight the darkness and not bask in it. That is who Bruce is, a protector, not a conquer" Jim tells Ra's.

"Ah, I see. You have put all you hope into the commissioner? You do look up to him, you see a flawless hero whenever you look at Gordon, someone that you aspire to become, however, he has just as much darkness within him as anyone else. He has murdered in cold blood before and yet you look to him to see what is best for Gotham?" Ra's raised an eyebrow as he looks to Batman "You believe that your friend is the ideal Angel to become, hovering over your shoulder? Very curious"

Gordon turns to Ra's "I have made mistakes in my time, I have done things that I regret, but I am willing to admit that. I've looked at my past mistakes and made a choice to right my wrongs, I have chosen to be the best man that I can possibly be. It's true that saving Gotham will be almost impossible, but I didn't choose to because I thought it would be easy - And Bruce feels the same way" the commissioner glares to the other man "We have seen the good in Gotham and we will always fight to preserve it"

Batman's eyes widen "Gordon is right. I will fight for the Gotham my parents dreamed for, not kill for the empire that you desire"

"Very well, detective. You can leave here and continue your foolish hero's journey and witness the death that awaits the people of Gotham and the people who you love - once you have realized this; you will see the truth in my words and the lies that the good commissioner has taught you. Your world will crumble beneath your feet and the skies shall bleed from above - and your loved ones shall vanish one by one before your very own eyes" Ra's smirks.

"I will never kill, I will never give in to you, I will never give up on Gotham. That is all I am, you are dead, long passed. I am just beginning, I am just rising - you have already fallen, Ra's. I am going to put an end to this, I will stop Nyssa and my clone! This city will sleep soundly knowing that I will be there to stop anyone who chooses to hurt innocents. I am the Batman, and I am not scared of you" the dark knight's eyes narrow "Now get out of my head, Ra's"

"So be it, but you will soon come back to heed my words. This may be the toughest battle you have had yet, but it will be far from the last. There is a cataclysmic event heading to this city right as we speak. An evil much more powerful than you have faced before. The ancient one is coming and he will bring Gotham to its knees, no one will be spared from his wrath. Gotham has fallen before but he shall erase it from time itself. Godspeed, detective. May God have mercy on your soul" Ra's tells Batman. The dark knight sees the world vanish before his eyes.

"..."

"The Dark Knight Rises"

From the Lazarus pit, Batman stands up, fully healed. His eyes narrow as he looks up, grabbing his grapple gun and shooting up at the ceiling of the underground cave. he shoots up and rolls onto the surface, he slowly stands up. He tightens his hands into fists and he firmly plants his feet to the ground. Lifting his hand up he presses a small button planted on the neck of his suit "Lucius, I put a tracker on Talia. I need you to send me her location - It's time I put an end to this, once and for all..." Batman tells Lucius.

"Sending corrodents now, Bruce. How are you feeling?"

"Never better. Tell Alfred that my knife wound is gone and that I am back to being normal"

"About that, Bruce...I don't know where he is. He told me that he was going to Gotham Central, but Harvey hasn't seen him and Gordon is nowhere to be found either"

"Nyssa and the Talon must be making their move. I need to find them before they hurt anyone, luckily for me. Talia is leading me right to them. She thinks that killing them is the right thing to do. She may have been raised by the League of Shadows, but she is nowhere near the monster that they are. If she kills her only remaining family...that could drive her over the edge. I can't let her do that to herself..."

"I'm always here for you, Bruce. Let's end this tonight"

"I was thinking the same thing, hold on Alfred. I will save you" Batman looks to his the wrist of his left gauntlet as a man appeared of both him and Talia's location "It has all come down to this. Let's not try to disappoint them..." the dark knight takes off on foot as he runs down the tunnels.

Underground

"Gordon!"

"Bloody wake-up!"

Gordon stirred awake as his eyes shot open. He quickly realized that he was strapped into the wooden chair. His wrists and ankles were tide down. Looking to both his left and his right, he saw Alfred and Barbara who have also been tied down in chairs "Alfred? Barbara? What's happening?" he groans as he feels his head hurting a lot. Like he was bashed in the face with a brick "Where the hell are we?" he asks. They seemed to be on a large stage with a curtain covering their view.

"I don't know. I remember heading to Gotham central, and the next thing I know...I am here with you lot" Alfred replies.

"Just what the hell is this supposed to be?" the redhead hisses.

"This is your trial. We are a court after all" Owlman told the three as he stood with his arms folded "Barbara Kean, you are charged with multiple accounts of first-degree murder. Commissioner, you are charged with perverting the course of justice and bending it to however it suits you, allowing for a known killer to walk free, tampering with investigations, and acting out murders yourself. And Alfred Pennyworth, you are charged with crossing the court's path before and the crimes that you have committed against us. This Trial will reveal if you all should be proven guilty for your crimes" Owlman informs them.

"And what happens if you are convicted as being guilty?" Barbara asks.

Owlman lifts out one of his daggers "I will kill you"

"What did you do with my daughter you son of a bitch?" Gordon yells, causing Owlman to turn his sights to him.

"Oh, Jim. Didn't I say that I had plans for her all those years ago" a female voice called out from behind them. Gordon and Barbara's eyes widen as they see Nyssa al Ghul standing behind them as she walks towards them with a knife in hand "What's wrong? Did you honestly think that you had seen the last of me? See the last time we met...you rammed a knife in me" Nyssa grins as she holds her knife over Barbara's neck, gently running it across, but not cutting her "How I have waited to return the favor"

"Nyssa? I am going to kill you, I am going to finish the job this time!" Barbara yells.

"Oh...are you now? See I figured out what I was doing wrong all those years ago. I had Bane, I had an army on my side - but I still lost. You forced me to leave the city. I thought long and hard since that moment, I always pondered on what I did wrong? How you managed to beat my plan, then it hit me...I tried to destroy Gotham until there was nothing left. I never once thought of what I should do once I accomplished my goal. Gotham can be rebuilt...improved, in my image - in the name of the al Ghuls. I can get revenge on everyone who has ever wronged my family" Nyssa sniggers as she runs the knife across the redhead's cheek.
"Except for Bruce. Didn't you take him too? Where is he?" Gordon directs towards Nyssa.

"Don't worry about that...I'm sure that he will be here soon enough, then the real show can begin. I will kill you all, I will make you suffer, and beg for death" Nyssa leans over Gordon as she grabs his shoulders "And I will take my time making you suffer...you will regret ever crossing my path" Nyssa's eyes focus on the commissioner.

Owlman unfolds his arms as he looks to Nyssa "The plan was to give them a quick and painless death - any other way would be inhumane"

"Plans change my dear 514A" Nyssa coos as she tip-toes to the man in question "You would know that better than anyone else. Your purpose has become so much more than replacing. You will be the definitive dark knight of Gotham. You and I shall rule the city together. I showed you just you can really become, a legend among men. Together Gotham shall be ours...my love" Nyssa kiss Owlman's helmet as her palm is pressed against his chest "We will guide the world into a new age, one where we reign"

Chapter End

A/N

Chapter 9 will be the end of this story arc. So after that on Chapter 10. A new arc will begin. It will be most likely only a few chapters (a mini story arc) and will focus on Batman meeting the Man of Steel as they finally meet in this universe. I will not go over any more details at the moment, just know that the World's Finest is coming in chapter 10.