Having planted a tracking device on that ninja, She contacted her info broker about the latest development of her situation as she went up the stairs to the main entrance. "Prophet, there's been a change of plans. I'm going to locate the League of Assassins."

Prophet was puzzled by the change of goals. "What? Why? Why do they got to do with this?"

"Penguin had one of their assassins captured in the museum." Batgirl told him. "The insignia that assassin had on her shoulders was reserved for Talia's Elite Guard."

"Uh, Huh." There was a dubious tone in his voice aware of Batgirl's personal connection to the Al Ghul. "And why the sudden interest in locating the self proclaimed savior of Earth's eco system along with his daughter who has a high school crush on Bruce?"

Batgirl sighed, reassuring him that she wasn't going on a wild goose chase. "They're not the main priority, Shawn. I have uploaded Freeze's incomplete cure to the BatComputer. It seems to me that the missing ingredient is..."

"In Ra's blood." Prophet finished. "Alright, Barbara. I'll bite. Just try not let your animosity show when you meet them. Wouldn't look good for your future wedding plans."

Batgirl had an unimpressive look at the joke. "You're a real comedian, you know that?"

"I try."

XXXX

Solomon Wayne Cemetery.

The last resting place for those that were that was built in Bruce's ancestor's honor near the Medical Church was final pit stop before looking as Batgirl stood before her mother's grave removing her cowl as Barbara Gordon kneeling down before the tombstone. It could be her last visit if she doesn't follow the tracking device.

Barbara Gordon: Before I came to find my soon to be father in law, I had to pay my respects to the dead for possibly the last time. My mother was around for a short time, by now she had been dead longer than I knew her. I still haven't really forgiven myself for what happened to Jason. But I knew that was just grief. The self loathing that came from losing a brother like figure.

There were so many things she wanted to say to her grave but couldn't, because she didn't wanna to make the unbearable situation a reality so she settled with a simple declaration. "I love you, Mom." Barbara said before putting the cowl back on now as Batgirl standing up. She then went down to the ground on one knee, coughing uncontrollably. The Titan disease was now in the middle stage of the progression as her face had gone considerably paler than normal.

"Barbara! What just happened? Your suit's readings just went completely red."

Batgirl clenched her fist hard trying her damnedest to keep herself from succumbing to the disease. Not now. "Just... give me a moment, Shawn." She grunted, forcing herself to stand back up once again. "I'll be fine. I need to find Ra's... Now."

With great determination, Batgirl picked up where she left off by following the Assassin's trail.

XXXX

Medical Church

Mona Sax chuckled shaking her head in bemusement once Max Payne was done with his recall from what happened following the fall of the Inner Circle 10 years ago. She wasn't surprised to hear that he got himself into trouble after her 'death'. "Only you could piss off a powerful mob leader by being a knight in shining armor."

"That's the story of my life." Max said sheepishly. It always had been his fatal flaw, trying to save fallen women and more often than not it has come back to bite him in the ass. "But right now, I'm just a guy that's trying to live a normal life."

"Why did you move back to the states?" Mona asked. "I mean, you finally had a life without having to look over your shoulders every two minutes."

The answer was pretty straight forward. "When I read the news paper that Anthony DeMarco had a heart attack two years after his son Tony Jr was killed, I figured the heat I had on was dwindled enough, so that I would go back home but knowing that I was unwelcome in both Hoboken and New York, I moved to Gotham where was a job offer as a security Guard at Arkham Asylum. thought that I might as well live out the rest of my days living in the crazy shit hole of a city."

"Out of the Fire and into the frying pan." Mona mused, she looked down at her wrist watch and saw the time. "Shit. I gotta go. Ra's is gonna be on my ass if I don't report back to him."

"Mona! Wait!" Max tried to stop her from leaving but she already left startling him with her newfound agility she used to make her leave. "Damn."

XXXX

Meanwhile

Batgirl was in hot pursuit of trailing that ninja's tracking device near the Steel Mill when she sensed someone behind him. She drew a batarang out of her belt as she twirled only to relax when she saw one of her vigilante allies.

Robin held up his one hand in surrender while the other holding his bo staff was tucked behind his back. "Easy. It's just me."

Batgirl sighed, putting the batarang back into the utility belt. "What you're doing here?" She asked him before getting an idea why the latest man to don the boy wonder Identity was here in the melting pothole. "Alfred sent you to check on me, didn't he?"

"He was worried about you." Robin said, confirming her guess. "We all are."

Batgirl picked a blood vial from her and tossed it to Robin who caught it. "Here. Get this blood sample analyzed and start searching the emergency rooms. Every patient that has this blood in them could be dead within 48 hours."

"Whose is it?" Robin wondered. Batgirl gave him a look that said "Guess." Robin got the hint of who it belonged to immediately, which made it a bit awkward. "Right. Forget I asked."

Robin sighed pocketing it inside the belt. "I'll get it to the hospitals and come back to help here. you'll need it."

"No." Batgirl declined. It's too risky. Especially now. "Stay in Gotham, Robin. Batman and I will handle Arkham City."

Seeing that he wasn't change her mind, he asked her one last time. "You sure?" Robin said. "If it's true that Strange knows who you really are, what's gonna happen if he tells your father. How will..."

Robin was stopped by Batgirl who grabbed his shoulders in a sister like way. Tim always worried too much about her which was justifiable, given how much was at stake. "We'll stop that from

happening, Robin. Now go."

Robin sighed, taking his leave as he made back to Gotham. Batgirl went back to pick up the proverbial bread crumps left by the League assassin unaware that she was being followed herself.

XXXX

Wonder City

Barbara Gordon: Have you ever had a moment to feel that you're slipping deep into the abyss? That's what happening to me right now as the Titan disease was crippling me from the inside. It felt I was wandering deep into the wide ocean sea, my mind was warped and fuzzy. My thoughts and beliefs were scrambled.

The trail had led her to underground that was filled with mazes and old iron work underneath the Steel Mill. There she discovered some of Joker's men brandishing the military grade weapons from the Tyger Guards. Now at first, she thought they pried it from Tyger Guards. However that was not the case as she discovered that Strange was supplying the Joker with the fire power which added another piece to the jigsaw. Initially she thought some Tyger guards were on the take but It appeared that the Warden was trying to control the streets, manipulating the events that would take place to his benefit. But why? Does it have to do with Protocol 10?

Batgirl didn't ponder on it any further as she was now in the Infamous Wonder City that was built in 19th century below the ground that was pre world war 1 Gotham. She crumpled to the ground while looking up to the ceilings, her vision was blurry and she was seeing double. Her symptoms were getting progressively worse. A blurred figured came into her line of sight and her eyes widened in shock.

"Dad?"

Her vision was cleared a second later and "Dad" had faded into really Jericho.

"God, beloved. You look like shit."

Batgirl laughed weakly before coughing some blood out of her mouth. "I feel fantastic."

Jericho sighed taking it in her appearance. She looked like death warmed over. "I should get you to a hospital."

She shook her head adamantly. "No use. I'll be dead by the time I make it to the ER." She groaned, getting back on her feet with his aid. There are some days she wished that her father would've let her join GCPD and this was one of them. "I take it Prophet told you about my visit to my potential father in law?"

Jericho nodded. When he heard over the radio that Batgirl had been poisoned by the Joker, he wanted to go to the Steel Mill and throttle the Clown with his bare hands. But when he heard that there was a possible cure and his father may hold key ingredient as he was located inside Arkham. As much he would love to put a bullet into that clown's head, her health was the main goal. "He did. Are you sure about this?" He quiered.

"I got no choice." Batgirl recomposed herself from the latest bout of dizziness and started look around for clues in the Industrial City. "Your father must be behind the main gate."

"But it hasn't been used for decades. So they must be using another way." Jericho said noting the dust on the gate.

Batgirl glanced at the wall to the left side of the gate. She pressed her hand onto the wall and soon enough a part of the wall lifted up to reveal a slot that a sword would fit into. Just then an League assassin appeared out of nowhere and attempted to kill Batgirl but before Jericho could intervene, Batgirl blocked the sword attack with her right gauntlet and in a swift move, grabbed her arm pushing the sword into socket as a key to activate the secret entrance and used the hilt to bash the Assassin's head in, knocking her out.

The wall opened to reveal a secret hallway. "Voila." Batgirl said as they entered the passage.

XXXX

The Chamber of the Demon.

As they made it to the hideout of the League of Assassins, Batgirl without any warning collapsed to the ground, coughing uncontrollably. Jericho rushed to her trying to wake her up.

"Barbara!" Jericho said hurriedly. "Don't you dare die on me!"

Batgirl continued to cough as she slowly came to her senses. She was getting weaker. "How long have I got?"

Jericho took a moment to think very carefully about his choice of words. "To be honest, from what Shawn told me. I'd say, minutes."

Well, that was reassuring. Batgirl grunted as she stumbled a moment or two while regaining her footing. By this point, her body was nearly ravaged by the Titan disease. Her body was freezing from inside, her eyes were bloodshot and her face was riddled with black veins.

Barbara Gordon: I was on the brink of death about to make my lord and savior as my childhood priest would say whenever I attend the Sunday mass with my dad. I find it ironic though. I'm not much a believer in God but at this moment, I can use a bit of faith in this life or death situation.

Batgirl was pushing herself to find Ra's when the group of assassins appeared, surrounding both her and Jericho.

The assassin that Batgirl followed from the Museum sneered in disgust. "You should have not come here. "

"Halt!" An authoritative but feminine voice spoke in Arabic stopping the assassins. 9 understood the language as a woman wearing a black leather outfit with dark long hair sauntered past her guards and stood before her. Jericho recognized who it was by the green eyes they shared. Talia Al Ghul, The second daughter of Ra's Al Ghul and one of Jericho's older sisters.

When Talia saw her brother for the first time in six years, she punched Jericho in the gut. The

force behind it was enough to make him hunch forward. She still packed quite a punch. "Should've seen that coming." Jericho groaned, rubbing his stomach.

Barbara Gordon: So much for a heartwarming family reunion.

"How did you find us?" Talia al Ghul demanded.

"I met up with one of your personal guards. So I simply followed her… lead." Batgirl said, pressing a button on her gauntlet. She activated her tracking device on the Assassin's shoulder. Talia headed to her and removed it from the assassin's shoulder blade who was trying to plead for mercy of her mistake.

"Please, Mistress I..."

"Enough. I shall deal with you later." Talia commanded, the Assassin nodded in submission before stepping back. She turned her attention to Batgirl who was a bit amused. "So, you must be my brother's beloved as well as The Dark Knight's acolyte. Barbara, Correct?"

Even though she didn't answer, the silence was sufficient enough. Talia look a moment to assess her brother's beloved."I must say, of all the things i have heard from Jericho regarding your accomplishments, I expected you to be more … scholar."

"Don't judge a book by its cover." Batgirl quipped. "Where's Ra's? I need to talk to him. It's urgent."

Talia let out a brief laugh of amusement. "You must have a lapse of judgement to demand such request. Only a worthy successor may speak to the Great's Ra's Al Ghul. My father always intended me and your mentor to be together to command his army." She side glanced at Jericho who was keeping an eye on her. "But of course, he also expresses his wish for his only son to return to his side with you as his betrothed. Just imagine it, you and him replacing your soon to be father in law at the helm. A better world would ensure paradise."

Batgirl sighed before removing her cowl to reveal her sickly face to Talia who gasped in horror.

"Your face! What happened?" She asked.

Having gotten her attention, she made a rather bold request not answering the question. "I'm here to undergo the Demon Trials."

Eyes going wide in surprise, Jericho turned his attention to Batgirl. "What?!"

Talia shared the same sentiment. "You wish to join the League of Assassins?" She inquired incredulously. "How do I know this is not an attempt to deceive me?"

"You saw my face. Does it look I'm trying to?" Batgirl replied, putting the cowl back on. "I've been poisoned and I need your father's help."

Talia's eyes were empathetic as she got the full picture. "Are you willing to take the Demon Trials?" Talia asked one more time to ensure that she was not being played for a fool. "You must show conviction of taking a life to save billions."

Barbara Gordon: Talia posed a good question. Could I do that Bruce would never do? Take a life to save the world? The reason why Bruce became Batman was to stop the cycle of bloodshed and has remained steadfast in his code of never taking a life. But me? I'm more of a realistic hero that understands that there are some life not worth saving.

"I will do whatever I must." Batgirl replied.

"Then the trials will commence!" Talia declared, clapping her hands in theatric fashion as a hidden passage was revealed before them. Talia took the moment to lead Batgirl to a secret room through a corridor leaving Jericho behind. "For centuries, warriors have fallen in pursuit of the demon. Petty suitors that failed to grasp the concept of creation like avaricious children."

Batgirl looked around as she hobbled behind Talia. "I've been through worse."

"Whatever you have experienced in the past means nothing to what is about to happen." Talia said.

"The trials will determine your fate."

"I've been through Hell and back. I won't fail." Batgirl replied.

Talia scoffed. "I have heard those exact words a thousand times. I hope that you are correct." Talia led her to a door. "Your journey begins behind this door."

Barbara Gordon: I didn't know what to expect inside that room, but I had a feeling it wasn't gonna be a male stripper bursting out of a cake.

Batgirl wasn't sure what to expect but given how desperate she is now to stop herself from dying, she's willing to take whatever trials she's going to do. But Talia stopped her by placing her hand on her future sister in law's armored chest. "Barbara. There have been only two that surpassed this ordeal." Talia told her. Batgirl quirked one of her eyebrows in question.

"Trying to convince me not to do this?" Batgirl inquired. Talia shook her head.

"Not at all I just..." Talia trailed off as she tried to find the right words. "I just want you to remain steadfast in your decision. Once the blood of the demon takes control of your mind, you'll be on your own. "

Batgirl smiled. "I spent a night inside an asylum with a crocodile monster, a doctor who dresses like a scarecrow, a, steroid pumped muscle, a fanatical ecoterrorist, a mob boss who has a black mask grafted into his face, homicidal clown and his mad love girlfriend. Not to mention almost being crippled. This should be a cake walk."

Talia couldn't hold back a smirk at the display of determination. She was starting to see why

Jericho likes her. She would make an excellent wife to the next Ra's Al Ghul and a perfect assassin. "Then I pray the sprits would be kind to you." She stepped aside allowing Batgirl to walk through the door as she entered a room. -

Jericho was minding his own business when Talia returned and pulled him close for a hug.

"Hello, brother. It has been too long." Talia said.

"Really? It hasn't been that long. Lazarus pit can detest to it." Jericho quipped, noting that she still looked the same as the day he left.

Talia chuckled a bit at his sarcasm. "I see that you have not lost your sense of humor. Why did you leave us?"

Jericho sighed. Normally any sibling pair would have time to tell each other about what they but not the Al Ghuls. They tend to hold grudges a bit longer. "You know why?"

Talia shook her head in slight disbelief. "While I agree that our father's mind has been not well for some time by his incessant use of the pit, that is not an excuse to abandon your family on short notice."

"Don't give me that BS. It's not a privilege, it's a damn curse." Jericho argued. "At least Nyssa was smart enough to see that our old man is just a walking corpse who died a long time ago and is now a monster."

"How can you say that?" Talia said angrily. "Ra's al Ghul is your father! You should show some respect!"

"Not when he is holding the convictions of a fanatical ecoterrorist that has almost destroyed the world on more than one occasion!" Jericho snarled. At first he thought he was just well intentioned samaritan but as time went on, he showed his true colors that he was a mad man hell bent on subjugating the human race to his will. "How can you stand here and defend his actions?!"

Talia couldn't believe how cynical her brother has come for their cause. "Regardless of his convictions or his crimes, do you not see that he sacrificed a few lives to save millions? He is only securing the future of this planet." Talia stated. "How long must you be defiant to our ways of eradicating evil that killed your mother?"

"How long must you constantly seek for Daddy's approval and make excuses for his abuse?!" Jericho retorted.

Enraged by the harsh truth, Talia was about to slap her brother until next week when Mona Sax, Ra's personal guard for a decade grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"Knock it off, you two! What are you twelve!" Mona Sax scolded. "And I thought I had some serious family issues." She added in her mind. Sure she and her sister Lisa didn't see eye to eye on few things but at least they loved each other. The Al Ghuls though, are one of the most disfunctional crime family she had ever been involved with and that says a lot.

"Unhand me at once!" Talia ordered.

"Sorry, princess but I'm on strict orders from your dad to make sure that no harm comes to his kids and that includes sibling rivalry." Mona said firmly.

Talia huffed as Mona let go of her wrist once she sensed her anger was going to die down. Some things never change.

Barbara Gordon: Yep. One big happy family.

XXXXX

"Welcome, Apprentice." Ra's voice echoed in the room, startling Batgirl greatly. She looked around to find the source but couldn't. "Your first demon trial lies before you. Drink from the chalice."

Deciding not to ponder the possibilities of what it contained, She took the chalice that was on the table in front of her and chugged its contents down her throat greedily. She felt rejuvenated as her face regained her normal color, it was like taking a sip of a energy drink only it wasn't, though she was unaware that the room was crumpling around her and she was now in a wasteland that was once Gotham.

"Perfect. Now feel the demon blood course through your veins as it restores your health, bending your mind and twist your resolve."

Barbara Gordon: Talia wasn't kidding about the mind boggling trip. It looks like Gotham had gone to hell and it's not even sunrise.

Batgirl took a moment to herself to take in her new surroundings. while a Ghost of the Demon's head appeared in front of her. "The next trial is simple. Follow the trail before you. If you touch anything on the way, you will die."

Batgirl sighed as she leaped off the ledge and gilded a great distance to A Iceberg. Ra's ghost appeared again as he laughed wickedly while sand Ninjas popped up in smokes.

On high alert, Batgirl immediately avoided the swords and blocked the attack from one of the ninjas with her blades on her gauntlets before swatting it away before smashing her right elbow and left fist into his face, knocking him out. She leaped over the second sand Ninja before sweeping his legs off the icy ground and grab the sword that fell out of his hands and thrust it into his chest, he crumpled into dust.

"Impressive." Ra's Al Ghul complimented on her fighting style. "You have the skills formidable of the League. But are you worthy though to command the forces alongside my true heir to save the world from the evil that is blighting the humanity? These tests will reveal your true character." Ra's pulled off his vanishing act leaving a cold trail to another Iceberg . Batgirl jumped off the edge and nose dived for a good distance before spreading her gilder pulling up as she flew safely to the second and landed on the platform.

"The Demon's blood has kept me alive for 600 years. Imagine the great work you could accomplish with such a gift." Ra's said. Then there sand ninjas appeared and Batgirl was on the defensive. She blocked the sword swipe with her gauntlet blades before avoiding the third one that accidentally killed one of his compatriots with a sword through the chest. Taking advantage, She batted the sword away and smashed both of her elbows into his face before twirling herself for a spin kick on the last ninja, almost taking his head off. The sand ninjas evaporated into thin air after their defeat.

Barbara Gordon: The word fanatic is often used to describe a man that gives anything in his work while losing sight of his original goal and that certainly applies to the case of Ra's Al Ghul. While he may have noble intentions, it is his methods that doesn't separate him from the criminals he sought to destroy.

"I can see your body is growing weaker." Ra's noted. "The small portion you had ingested will let you live for a few more hours. It is almost time to meet me in person. You will complete the final challenge and with it, you will given a gift of eternal life."

Batgirl ran towards the ledge and gilded a great distance to a oortal below her where she took a nose dive through it, returning to the land of the living.

XXXX

Batgirl gasped as she found herself back in the room, regaining her mental faculties. That was one helluva drink.

"Well done, Apprentice. Now find me to collect your reward." Ra's declared as Batgirl took a moment to let it all sink in before exiting the room, heading back to the main gate where the Al Ghul siblings and Ra's personal guard waited for her return.

"By the sprits, you have done it." Talia breathed in shock.

"You look surprised." Batgirl noted.

Talia dismissed it. "Of course not. I had belief that you would succeed."

Jericho coughed into his fist, muttering "Liar." under his breath. Talia gave her younger brother a slight scowl before looking back.

"Where is your father? I need to meet him now. I don't have much time." Batgirl said.

"The final challenge is behind this door." Talia told her gesturing to the gates behind her back. She gave her a kind smile. "I am looking forward to your induction into our family."

Batgirl let out a sigh before being led to the main chamber where a kneeling man who wore a cloak to conceal his decaying body near a pool filled with green water. Batgirl knew who he was from the pictures she had seen at the Batcave.

"Ra's Al Ghul." Batgirl said, seeing him in person for the very first time.

"Father." Jericho and Talia declared. One greeting was out of contempt while the other was of respect.

Mona Sax went down on one knee. "Master."

Ra's Al Ghul stood up with great effort by using his katana as a cane and revealed his decomposing appearance. Batgirl cringed slightly at the sight. "Welcome, Apprentice. Your final challenge is upon you now. Kill me so that my son can become the next Head of the Demon with you as his consort. It is your destiny."

Batgirl had no second thoughts about her answer as she thought about something that Batman had once said why he doesn't kill. "I don't get to decide who lives and dies. That's for the courts and if I ever go down into that place, I'll never come back." "Tempting but no. Not even you." Batgirl declined.

Furious of the deception, Talia turned her head to glare coldly at her. "You lied!" She snapped.

"I didn't lie! I just didn't tell you the whole truth." Batgirl said looking a bit apologetic about her hidden agenda. "I needed a sample of your father's blood."

Ra's smirked stabbing the katana into the ground. "Very well. If you want my blood, use my sword and take it all." He offered.

Batgirl shook her head remaining firm in her answer. "No."

Ra's let out a maniacal laughter, walking backwards towards the pool. "Foolish child. You will regret for sparing me!"

He fell backwards into the pool, letting the magic of the Lazarus waters to recondition his body back to its physical prime once again.

"Now you've done it. My old man is pissed." Jericho stated the obvious.

Batgirl kinda expected that reaction. "I figured. On a scale from 1 to 10, how screwed am I?"

"11." Mona Sax said bluntly. Batgirl glanced at Ra's personal assassin.

"That's good to know." Batgirl sighed as she prepared for the fight of her life.

Now restored to his pristine form, the Demon stepped out of the pool, his eyes glowing green as he took the sword off the granite floor.

"Now only one of us shall leave this chamber alive." Ra's said ominously.

Batgirl narrowed her eyes in defiance. "Not if I got anything to say about it."

XXXX

Barbara Gordon: I'm starting to get too old for this shit And I'm not even 50.

Before she knew it, she was back in the wasteland once more thanks to the Lazarus magic without Jericho, Talia or Ra's guard to aid her. Ra's came out of the ground, wielding his katana.

"You should have accepted my offer!" Ra's spat charging towards Batgirl who avoided the attack by rolling out of the way. She ducked several sword swipes from Ra's who attempted to cut her head off. She used her agility perfected by years of rigorous training to do so.

She knew that she can't beat Ra's Al Ghul in a fair fight, so she was gonna use some dirty tactics and a bit of improvisation to get the upper hand.

Ra's scoffed arrogantly. "Predictable. Haven't the detective taught you anything new?" He swung his katana for a direct attack.

Batgirl used her gauntlets' blades to catch Ra's sword, halting his attack. "No, but your son taught me this!" Batgirl said as she used the blades to cut his sword in two, shocking the demon's Head. She used the surprise to throw sand into his eyes, temporarily blinding him. She landed a few punches to the solar plexus before spinning around to kick him in the stomach. Ra's staggered holding his stomach as he recovered.

"Beware the Power of the Lazarus Pit!" Ra's thundered, he turned into an enlarged statue of himself as he threw constructed weapons at her direction. She leaped over them avoiding the contact. She saw an opening of him in a mediative state inside Large statue.

"Time to teach you humility." Batgirl quipped as she threw a well aimed batarang, hitting the near immortal Demon's head. It made him lose his concentration as the Large Ra's crumpled into ashes, Ra's fell into the sand, leaving Batgirl cautious of his next plan of attack. Eyes wandering around, she had no time to prepare herself as Ra's appeared behind Batgirl, striking her in the back of her head and hit her a few times with well placed blows to her body, leaving her disoriented. He applied a choke hold by wrapping his arms around her throat.

Entering fight or flight mode, Batgirl back kicked him between the legs, causing the grip to loosen before elbowing him in the abdomen. She used one of her legs to high back kick him in the face several times, causing him to let her go completely. She drew out a batarang and pressed it against his throat. Ra's returned the favor by holding a hidden dagger to her neck. they were at a stalemate as they were back at the Chamber of the Demon where Talia circled around the two combatants trying to convince Batgirl to join them.

"The Al Ghuls have been chosen to protect this planet. To exterminate the vermin from the humanity." Talia stated. "My father's time has passed while his children is just beginning. Kill him and become my brother's betrothed. Accept the destiny you have denied."

Barbara Gordon: I would be lying if the offer wasn't tempting. But I've been in this superhero business long enough to know the fine line between hero and criminal. Plus being the daughter of a police commissioner kinda played a factor in it too.

"You already know my answer, Talia." Batgirl said knowingly.

"Then, Barbara, you have chosen to die."

Suddenly they were back in the ruins as they went to exchange blows with one. Ra's parred Batgirl's front kick and struck her with a back punch. Shaking her head off the punch, she threw a weak strike that Ra's easily blocked and he took a hold of her arm and pulled it out of socket with a sickening crunch. Batgirl howled in pain before being brutally beaten by a series of punches from the leader of Assassin. She took it with a grain of salt before smashing her head repeatedly into his face, breaking his nose.

It caused for some much needed breathing room as Batgirl took a moment to recuperate while popping her shoulder back into place with a cry. Getting a shoulder injury is painful but putting it back to place is also.

Glowering hatefully at the Dark Dame, the Demon's head charged at her with his fist only for Batgirl to parry it and land strikes of her own. Ra's was sent to the ground with a right hook to the temple. Not giving him a chance to breathe, she used her cape to stun him, attacking him with punches and kicks combos. She was weakening the semi immortal assassin considerably before taking a hold of his arm throwing him by the hip to the ground and hit him in the broken nose, incapacitating him.

Exhaustion kicking in, Batgirl collapsed to one knee as she panted heavily while Jericho went to check on his beloved. Talia aided her father back on his feet. Unexpectedly, Ra's went behind his daughters back and held a dagger against her throat.

Mona was surprised at the turn of events. "Ra's!"

"Talia!" Jericho cried trying to come to her aid but couldn't without risking her life.

"Listen to me well, Apprentice." he sneered. "You will fulfill your destiny by killing me. If you do not, Talia's life will be extinguished."

"This is not what we had agreed!" Talia said.

Having to make a quick decision, she took a remote batarang and programmed it to strike the target. She hurled it, missing his head on purpose as it flew back a second later and hit him in the back of the head as he let Talia go before Batgirl ran and spun around, kicking him in the face, taking him to the floor.

"Like I said earlier. Not If I got anything to say about it." Batgirl repeated her earlier statement. She took out a syringe and injected into his neck, extracting a sample of his blood. It was enough to take it to Freeze. She pulled it out, studying the blood sample.

Groggily, Ra's pulled himself to a sitting position. "A foolish decision, Apprentice. You should have killed me when you had the opportunity."

"Perhaps." Talia spoke standing next to her brother and Batgirl. "But if she had not, I would have not seen the damage the pit has done to you. You have become a monster that would sacrifice his children for the sake of power." he turned to glare at Batgirl for her deception. "And you lied to me! I hoped that you would understand the necessity of taking a life to save others, Barbara. I thought you would embrace our ways."

"And become a second in command to an army of killers? I'll pass." Batgirl retorted. "I will not let myself become the very thing your father is. A genocidal madman."

Talia huffed. She stormed off to the exit still infuriated with her self righteous beliefs, while Mona followed her to make sure that she wouldn't get lost.

It was a good thing Bruce wasn't here or he would've groveled at her feet. He always had a soft spot for Talia. Shaking her head at Talia's behavior, she glanced back at Ra's Al Ghul.

"You know, For all your posturing, you sure fight like a old man, Ra's." Batgirl noted referring to their fight. "What's really going on here?"

Ra's let out tired sigh. "Time. The power of the Lazarus pit has started to lose its effect on me. I have used it more than my fair share for over 600 years and in the last decade, it has finally taken its toll on me both physically and mentally. I have been drawing near my mortality closer than ever before, which is why I have been pursuing a heir worthy to replace me."

"Jesus." Batgirl muttered. Even though it doesn't excuse his heinous crimes against the world, she can see that he was a man that was once honorable driven to madness by the Lazarus pit. She feels a tiny bit of sympathy for him. Keyword: bit. "Well, here's your one chance to make sure the Lazarus pit doesn't corrupt anyone else because if not, you will aid in the planet's destruction if you let it fall into the wrong hands. Destroy the pit Ra's or I'll be back to do the job for you."

Batgirl turned back and headed outside the chamber with Jericho throwing one last glance at his father as he followed her.