First off I want to say I'm so sorry to my readers that I haven't been around. Work and life has been... hectic to say the least. I will be trying my best to update this story as often as I can, but as I think I mentioned in a previous post I will not be making any promises.

Peace to you all! I pray you keep those reviews and views coming!

- The Fallen Sun

He tightened the gloves on his hands, securing them around his wrists. With a quick once over he figured he was ready. He pulled out the assault rifle from behind him and with a quick hand gesture to his half dozen fellows they moved in. Three would storm the front and the others would come in on either side. They had one simple mission; collect their pay.

He fired a burst into the security guard, leg, shoulder, hand and he went down. He moved inside, he didn't want to think about it. No one wanted to think about what they had to experience, what they had to do to put food on their table, being a mercenary wasn't what he wanted but money was money as far as he was concerned. As another was about to pull out his radio he shot the hand and double tapped into his leg.

"Get the money, you two know what to do."

They grunted and moved further into the bank. The other three men joined him, taking hostages, smacking the others down that tried to resist. Only a pair of guards, that didn't seem right to him but he pulled out his magazine and pulled back the slide. He didn't want to think about it. More and more he pushed it all down until he became just instincts and anger.

"Someone's coming…"

He looked over to the other mercenary. Bald, clean shaven and his eyes seemed to glow in an ethereal light. A meta? That wasn't expected, that wasn't part of them damn plan. He narrowed his eyes on him. Who would hire a meta for a simple smash and grab? He grunted quietly as he brought a hand to his ear.

"How are we looking?"

"First seal breached, two more with it, shouldn't be long, five, ten minutes at mo-"

The windows above shattered as he leaned back. The assault rifle hefted. Smoke wafted in covering the area. He knew who was here and he felt a bit of fear in his gut. He fired another burst as he backpedaled and took cover behind a counter. The others did the same, they didn't need orders. It was clear it wasn't the first time that the fought him. Every criminal and mercenary in Gotham knew who protected its streets.

"It's Batman!" one of the others shouted.

He heard the rifles going off and through the smoke he could see the caped crusader fly over the bits of cover, and bring the others down hard. He pressed his hand to the communicator.

"Need you two up here now! It's Batman!"

"On the way."

He slid to his feet, taking aim and firing a pair of shots. He saw the silhouette of the hero twitch on the second shot. He held his breath, slowly advancing. He saw one of the other mercenaries walk forward with him. The two from the back now took firing positions behind them. The smoke was slowly dissipating and he saw Batman on the ground, not moving.

"I'll be damned, you got him!"

The mercenary trotted forward and he noted one thing; there was no blood on the ground.

"Do-"

Too late. The mercenary went flying as Batman kicked him hard in the jaw and was sprawled out.

"Shoot him! Shoot him!"

The order came from the meta. His eyes were now glowing purple and with an outstretched hand a pair of chairs sailed forward. Batman jumped over the first but the second knocked him on the ground. He and the other two mercenaries fired on him but the caped crusader moved too quickly and he was the one taking cover now. He knew the man worked with the League, but preferred solo work it seemed. He was reminded a bit of himself. He pulled a grenade from his pouch and tossed it forward. Batman leapt forward and tossed the grenade back. He broke cover and the explosion knocked him into a wall and landed with a grunt.

The other two took aim again but with an audible click they tossed their rifles to the ground and pulled out a baton each. They were old police issue. Strange that the man who hired him brought some old cops in, maybe even crooked current cops? He got his feet, rubbing his head for a moment.

Batman twisted around, blocking the first blow and then kicking out. The knee dislocated and the first crooked cop fell with a groan of pain. The second went into a quick jab, elbow, and jab combination. Batman simply stepped back, blocking the last blow before ramming his knee into his gut. The man keeled over and Batman with another kick put the man on his back unconscious.

The meta threw another trio of chairs at him and wisely Batman went wide around. He threw a pair of batarangs that struck the man in the head and in the legs. The meta hit the ground hard. Batman looked over to him and he brought his hands up, allowing his knuckles to pop.

"Well then… No back up?"

He didn't receive an answer, but that small clench to his jaw told him he was right.

His hand quickly reached down and pulled out his pistol, but Batman was faster. The batarang knocked the weapon aside. He smirked beneath his mask and drew his knife, holding it in a reverse grip.

He was surprised that the other didn't run yet. The mercenary approached cautiously. It had been awhile since he had to fight someone solo. He seemed capable but for all Batman knew he was just putting on a show like most of the would-be criminals he fought. The mercenary charged forward, slashing low. His leg rose and his knee crunched against the man's nose. His head snapped back, but his knife sailed up with his arm, catching along his side.

The mercenary swung his arm out in a forearm smash. His elbow knocked it aside and he jabbed into his chest. He then slammed his forehead into the other. The mercenary stumbled back but then swung wildly behind him as he spun. Batman narrowly missed the blade, but it flickered before his eyes. He tried to jab with the knife in but he caught his wrist, twisted it and slammed a palm against his chest.

The mercenary's eyes widened and he gripped his vest. He sputtered for a moment and he fell to his knees. He stared at him for a moment and then slumped over with a dull thud.

Bruce's heart stopped. No, no, no, this wasn't right. He didn't want to kill, he vowed never to kill. He quickly went forward and pushed the man onto his back. He was about to check his pulse but a fist sailed up and caught him across the jaw. He was on his back now and the man straddled him. He tried to stab down with the knife but he gripped the man's wrist, stopping it just short of his eye.

"S-Smart move… playing dead…"

"Body armor is reinforced. Palm wouldn't…" he gritted his teeth tighter, "stop me."

He flipped the man from him and the mercenary was on his back again. He twisted his wrist, punching his forearm and loosening his grip. He threw the knife away as he tried to slam his elbow down into his face. The mercenary rolled out of the way and spun on his back, the boot struck him along his face again. For a moment, he saw stars. He got to his feet but the mercenary was on him. He was skilled in boxing, both classic and kick it seemed. Batman was actually being tested, and he was doing his best not to smile.

A knee sailed up but he slapped it down and countered with a reverse elbow. The mercenary blocked and jabbed him in the side. Batman rolled with the blow and kicked high. He ducked down and gave a jab of his own. He caught him in the knee and once again Batman was on his back. He quickly rolled upright and blocked a spinning high kick before he grabbed the mercenary's opposite leg and threw him. The mercenary rolled in the air and landed in a sliding crotch.

Batman was panting softly. "You're… very good."

The mercenary shrugged. "I train between jobs, keeps me in shape."

"How old are you?"

The mercenary was caught off guard by the question but with another shrug he answered. "Twenty three."

Batman kept his guard up, circling the mercenary as he interrogated him. "How old were you when you first started… this?"

The police were outside, and knew he was in here. They wouldn't move in until he was clear.

"Sixteen, seventeen maybe… no family to care for me. Picked up a gun, knew what I was good for."

"…What if you weren't good for just killing?"

The mercenary shifted a bit. "What are you talking about?"

Batman didn't know where he was going with this but simply held out his hand to him. "I'm giving you a chance to make a better name for yourself, only if you'll let me."