Chapter 13

Gotham; September 20th, 01:14 EST

Red Robin tore through Gotham on his Batcycle, leaning into his bike as he took a hard right. He narrowly missed a newsstand as well as a trashcan on the corner. A taxicab laid on its horn as it veered out of the way, nearly being sideswiped by the truck that Tim was chasing.

He raced down the sidewalk before finally righting his path and getting back on the street again. He glanced over his shoulder in time to see Red Hood coming up fast and hard behind him on his own cycle, intent on helping him stop the truck. The two cycles sped side-by-side through a red light, a car screeching to a stop to keep from running the bikers over.

Red Hood came up beside him, pointing to his right with his thumb and then circled his forefinger in the air. Red Robin nodded his head in agreement as Hood took off down a side street, hoping to cut them off up ahead. Meanwhile, Tim would stay on their tail to keep them from getting away.

He ducked low as a gun opened fire on him from the passenger side of the truck, flattening himself against his bike as he swerved back and forth to avoid being hit. One bullet hit him in the upper arm, causing him to hiss in pain, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. They couldn't afford to lose sight of that truck regardless of any injuries sustained in the chase.

He gritted his teeth, ignoring the warm blood he could feel oozing from the bullet wound in his arm. He retrieved a Batarang, prepared to take out a back tire when Red Hood came screeching around the corner from the right and forcing the truck to swerve out of the way at the last second.

Taking the given distraction, Red Robin threw his Batarang, expertly hitting the right rear tire. He knew it was a pretty risky action to take given the cargo inside the truck, but they were getting desperate to stop them before they escaped Gotham.

The pickup truck began to swerve back and forth in an effort to regain control, but it was futile with a flat back tire. The truck eventually veered straight for an electric pole, hitting it head-on. Robin and Hood pulled to a stop, immediately jumping from their bikes and drawing their weapons as they cautiously approached.

The driver's side door abruptly flew open, the driver stumbling out first. Disoriented and dazed, he only took two steps before falling onto his hands and knees on the sidewalk, blood dripping from his nose. Red Robin quickly moved to handcuff him, picking him up by his bound hands and slamming him hard into the side of the truck without an ounce of sympathy.

"Where is she?" he angrily demanded, chest heaving with the intensity of the anger pounding through him.

"She…she's in the…the truck," he sputtered, blood pouring out of his busted nose.

Red Robin looked over at Hood who was taking care of the kidnapper's partner, the second man appearing to be in the same condition as the driver. Hood tossed him onto the ground in absolute disgust, opening the back door of the pickup truck to find the little girl huddled on the floor of the backseat.

Her knees were pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around her drawn up legs. Tears streaked her little face as she slowly raised her head, sheer terror causing her to tremble uncontrollably. The site of this little girl so terrified and utterly helpless hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. He couldn't even begin to imagine what she'd been through or how her parents were handling the situation.

"Hey, sweetheart, it's okay," Red Hood gently said. "Is your name Samantha?"

The little girl nodded her head, her hiccoughing gasps making it difficult for her to breathe. She appeared to be Nicholas's age; her eyes bright blue like Kaia's. The similarities to his own brother and sister only caused his gut to twist even more. Her wrists were bound with rope that caused his fury to grow even hotter.

He cautiously reached in with utter disgust, removing the rope that bound her wrists. "I'm not going to hurt you," he told her. "Can I pick you up so I can take you back to your mommy and daddy?"

She nodded her head in agreement, lifting up her arms and allowing him to pick her up. She shook uncontrollably from the heartrending sobs that wracked her little body. She immediately rested her head against his chest as she snuggled into his embrace, sniffling as tears continued to trickle down her cheeks.

Red Robin grinned as he shoved the driver around to the other side. "It looks like you have the touch, Hood," he teased. "I think you should be the next in the fam to have a baby."

"Don't even go there, Rob," Hood warned him with a growl, noticing the blood on his arm. "Hey, they shot you."

"It's okay," he reassured him as he glanced down at his upper arm. "It's not that bad. Just a bullet graze."

"It looks worse than that," Hood decided with a frown as he closed the distance between them, noticing just how much it was bleeding. "You should go back to the cave and have it looked at it."

"Aww, you do care," Tim joked, pretending to wipe away a fake tear.

"No, I don't care," Jason maintained. "If you bleed out, then it's more work for me to cover patrol."

The sound of sirens filled the air as two GCPD cars arrived on the scene just as Nightwing's voice came over their earpieces. "Nightwing to Hood and Red Robin. I need you guys over here ASAP. Got another body outside of Gotham's First National Bank."

"On our way," Red Hood responded, handing the little girl over to Robin. "I'll go over there and let you finish this up."

"Hey, why me?" Tim asked with a frown as he carefully took the little girl into his arms, holding her against his chest.

"You know me and the GCPD don't get along very well," he reminded him. "Best if I leave now before there's a scene."

Tim had to concede that Jason was probably right. Even though he'd been on the straight and narrow for some time now…following the path of the Batclan…the GCPD still didn't fully trust him. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

Jason saluted him as he got on his bike, taking off with a loud roar of his bike as the police cars screeched to a stop. Tim glanced down at the girl in his arms, swallowing hard at the lump that had filled his throat. Cases of children being kidnapped like this always hit a little too close to home for his liking.

Handing the little girl over to the police officer, Red Robin made a quiet exit, knowing he needed to get to the crime scene at the bank. If Nightwing was calling both him and Red Hood in, it wasn't good. It was more than likely the Joker again. It would be every hand on deck for the case.

As he headed towards his waiting bike, he pulled out his cell phone to find that he had a couple of missed calls and a voicemail message. Listening to the waiting message, he was somewhat stunned to hear Stephanie's voice. While they had remained friends after their breakup, they didn't exactly call each other very frequently.

"Hi, Tim, it's Stephanie," she began. "I hope you're doing well. I got a new cell number and wanted to make sure you had it. I was also wondering if maybe we could meet some time so we could talk…maybe over coffee. I really miss you and would love to see you again. Just let me know. Bye."

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Tim climbed onto his bike and started it up, his mind spinning with the unexpected development. He had to admit that it was good to hear her voice and he did miss her at times, but he was with Cassie now.

Why did he feel as though his life had just gotten so much more complicated?

Gotham; September 20th, 02:01 EST

Nightwing stared at the dead body of Penguin's henchman Bossworth, shaking his head in disbelief as he took in the gruesome scene before him. He was strung up on the front door of Gotham's First National Bank, his chin resting on his chest and his arms hanging limply at his sides. He was covered in blood from the deep slash across his throat that had nearly decapitated him. It was obvious that he'd been worked over pretty hard, enduring a lot of torture and pain before ultimately losing his life.

Every time he thought that he'd seen it all, Gotham's worst somehow managed to prove him so wrong. This was the Joker at his absolute worst, on display for all to see. He was basically advertising that he was up to something heinous. It caused an icy shiver to ripple through him knowing this was only the beginning.

"So, what do we do first?" Robin asked, standing next to him with his hands on his hips as if the scene before him was something that they encountered every night on patrol. "Do you want me to start searching the perimeter for clues or search the body?"

"Start with the perimeter and work your way towards the body, but be careful," Nightwing told him. "Some of Joker's gang could still be hanging around here watching us."

"I know…I know," Robin said with a huff as he walked away.

"Whoa! Guess we found Boss," Red Hood muttered as he approached, memories of his own attack at the hands of the Joker surging through his mind and renewing his hatred for the psychotic clown.

This whole case was reawakening the rage and bitterness that he'd been harboring ever since he'd been resurrected. He thought he'd locked it away when he'd agreed to a truce with Bruce in order to be a part of the family again, but now he could feel those same dark emotions beginning to storm inside of him all over again.

"I'm afraid we found him a little too late," Dick stated with a frown. "Things are going to get ugly."

"Penguin won't let this go without retaliation," Jason agreed. "It's only a matter of time before he'll do something worse to one of Joker's men. It'll just escalate from there."

"This blasted mess is going to turn into an all-out gang war," Nightwing spat out. "We're going to have to get a handle on this before it gets to that point."

"Good luck with that," he grumbled. "We still don't know for sure what Joker is up to."

"Well, we know it has something to do with hallucinogenic and mind-altering drugs," Dick said as he considered everything.

"Yah, but he's also torturing his victims as well," Jason pointed out. "He's either trying to get some sort of information out of them or he's trying to make them believe something."

"But what information could a junkie off the streets have that the Joker would want?"

Jason shrugged as he studied Bossworth, abruptly walking towards him. Stopping before the body, he took hold of one of Bossworth's arms and shoved the sleeve of his shirt up to reveal track marks. "I'm guessing then that Joker is trying to brainwash them since Boss isn't a known druggie."

"Well, it's obviously not working."

"So, who do you think Joker will snag as his next test subject?" Jason asked as he released Boss's arm, allowing it to drop to his side. It collided with the door with a soft thud as he lifted Boss's head to reveal a large red smile drawn on his face.

"That's what worries me," Nightwing said. "Joker seems to be working his way up on victims."

"What worries me is how Penguin is going to retaliate," Hood grimly stated.

"Hey, I found something," Robin called as he approached them, carefully holding a syringe between his gloved fingers.

"Good work," Nightwing praised him as he took out an evidence bag and held it open. "We'll take it back to the cave and analyze it to see if it was used on Boss."

Looking back over his shoulder at the victim, Jason didn't have any doubts. "Why do I have a feeling Joker will be coming after us next?"

"Because Batman has been and always will be his ultimate target," Nightwing replied as he walked towards the body to examine him for any clues. "Everything Joker does has Batman at the very heart of it."

Gotham; September 20th, 03:06 EST

Joker sat in the passenger seat of the van, a sneer curling his lips. The last couple of test subjects hadn't gone as well as he'd hoped. While they'd had some success in brainwashing them, it hadn't lasted nearly long enough. They were going to have to increase the dose or get better test subjects. Either way, he wasn't giving up on his pet project.

With a huff of annoyance, he leaned his elbow on the edge of the passenger door window, cupping his chin in his hand as they watched and waited. He knew that she had to be around here somewhere. It was just a matter of time before she showed up.

"You know you didn't have to come along," Harley told him from the seat behind him. "I could have handled it myself."

"She's dangerous, Harls," he snapped. "It'll take all of us to nab her."

Harley scowled, folding her arms against her chest. "I still think I coulda handled it myself."

"You're no match, Harls," he flat out told her, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a moving shadow along the top of one of the buildings. "And there is our little guinea pig now."

"I'll show you," she snapped, grabbing her trusty baseball bat.

"Let's move," he said, getting out of the van with his gang in tow.

They moved to the end of the alley, staying in the shadows to keep from being seen. Harley moved to stand beside Joker, her bat resting against her shoulder. "Let me take her down," she requested. "I'll prove to you that I'm better than her."

Joker whirled on her, rage burning in his eyes. "Don't even think about it," he hissed with deadly intent. "We will take her out together. Do you hear me?"

"Fine," she sullenly relented, fighting back the hurt tears that she felt building behind her eyes.

"Now, I'll make the first move," Joker announced. "Harley, you and the boys come around from behind to make sure she doesn't get away."

Watching as she worked her way down to the street, he moved into position, ready to intercept her before she got away from them. She landed on the sidewalk with a soft click of her high heels before making her way down the street only to stop as if sensing impending trouble.

"What's up, kitty?" Joker asked as he made his presence known.

Catwoman immediately went for her whip, cracking it to keep him from coming any closer. "What do you want, clown?" she hissed.

"Well, you see I've been working on a new plan and I'm in need of your help," he told her, his hands clasped behind his back as he took a couple of steps closer.

"That's close enough," she stated, holding her free hand up. "I've heard you've been causing trouble. Where's Bossworth?"

Joker pretended to think about the question for a moment before finally responding. "He almost lost his head," he responded. "Very sad situation. I'm friend our little bird friend will have to find a new best friend to help him in his crime sprees."

"Why did you go after Boss?" she demanded to know, staring at him with a leery glare. He was up to something, buying time for something. She just wasn't sure what he was up to now.

"No reason," he said with an indifferent shrug of his shoulders. "He just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"I'm sure he doesn't see it that way," she snapped, her suspicious gaze darting about for Harley Quinn or other members of Joker's gang.

"Let's put an end to this cat and mouse game," Joker told her. "I need you and I'm sure you'd be more than happy to help me out."

"I highly doubt that," she uttered with a sneer of pure disgust.

Joker took a step closer as he pulled a gun out from behind him. "I'm not sure you're in any position to say no, Cat."

Harley stepped out from the shadows from behind Catwoman, several of Joker's men with her. "You ain't going nowheres, honey," Harley told her.

The corner of Selina's lips curled into a smirk as she stared down the Joker, knowing that she was surrounded. She was going to have to play her cards right if she was going to find a way out of this. "So, you're going to shoot me?" she asked, unimpressed. "How can I help you if I'm dead?"

"Oh, I don't want you dead, sweetheart," Joker replied with a sadistic cackle. "I just want to brainwash you."

"Brainwash me into doing what?" she demanded to know, her anger rising with every passing moment.

"Into being my personal slave of course…doing my every bidding," he said with a roll of his eyes as if the answer had been glaringly obvious.

Selina glowered darkly, snapping her whip at him. "I think I'll pass."

"I'm not so sure you have a choice, my dear feline friend," Joker retorted, firing his gun at her.

Selina dropped and rolled to the side as gunfire erupted around her. She was going to have to get off this street and back to the top of the building if she was going to escape this surreal situation that she found herself in. She snapped her whip, knocking the gun out of Joker's hand before turning her attention to Harley and the boys behind her.

Joker cursed as he shook his hand in an effort to ease the pain. Her whip had left a gash across his hand, further enraging him. "Get her!" he shouted as he searched for his gun that had skidded away out of sight.

"Gladly, puddin'," Harley said with glee as she raced towards Selina, more than eager to prove herself to her lover.

"You don't want any of this, Harley," Selina warned her as they began to circle one another.

"I think it's you who doesn't want any of me," Harley yelled as she swung her bat, forcing Selina to duck out of the way.

Selina came up with an uppercut that caused Harley to stagger back, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Harley stared at her with a wicked grin on her face as the tip of her tongue snuck out to erase the trail of blood that was now dripping from her chin.

"I'm going to enjoy making you pay for that," Harley told her with a sadistic gleam in her eyes.

"You have to catch me first," Selina bit out, her whip wrapping around Harley's wrist and forcing her to drop her bat.

Selina jerked hard on her whip, causing Harley to stumble towards her. Selina delivered a teeth-rattling right hook before turning her attention on Joker's men. "Come on, boys," she hollered at them, cupping her hand and beckoning them to come towards her. "Let's play."

Gunfire erupted again, forcing Selina to run into an alley and duck behind a large dumpster. Breathing hard, she noticed blood blooming over her left shoulder. She softly cursed to herself, knowing she was going to have to make a run for it before Joker ended up killing her right here in the street.

"Find her!" Joker yelled. "Don't let her get away!"

Joker and his men ran into the alley that Selina had disappeared into, furious to find it empty. There was no sign of Catwoman anywhere. Joker released an enraged scream as he turned and shot one of his men directly in the forehead before storming back to the van.

Underworld; September 20th, 05:51 EST

"I think maybe we should try to make a run for it," Ra's softly said as he studied the scene before him, ignoring the throbbing pain in his broken forearm.

"No, I think we should wait it out a little longer," Batman stated. "I don't want to draw any more attention to ourselves than we already have around here."

"We have no idea how long it could take," Ra's pointed out. "It's could prove to be a greater risk to wait too long. You could have internal bleeding."

"Don't worry about me," he bit out. "Let's just stay low for now. If we see an opening, we can make a run for it, but for now we lay low and keep out of sight."

Ra's rolled onto his back, his fingers lacing together as they came to rest on his abdomen. He stared up at the dark sky, thinking through everything. He didn't like this one bit. It felt as though they were running in circles and getting nowhere. Staying out in the open like this was a dangerous risk, but they really didn't have any other choice at this point.

There was the risk that Hades was watching their every movement, ready to pounce on them and drag them back to his palace at any moment. If Hades didn't capture them, they ran an even greater risk of being killed by one of the hideous creatures that roamed the Underworld.

A horde of winged demons stood in their way, keeping them from crossing the vast desert-like landscape. He only hoped they were headed in the right direction. From what he'd been able to learn from being in Hades' Palace, he felt they were headed for the gate that rested beneath the island of the Amazons.

While having to face thousands of furious man-hating warriors was not something that he wanted to experience, it was the closest gate out of here. Knowing that the Detective's wife might be on the island was also something that he was hoping to avoid, but he would cross that bridge if they came to it. Right now, they just needed to find the gate and get out of here.

He was anxious to escape this prison and find his daughter at their prearranged meeting place. He knew that Talia was still alive; however, he didn't know any more than that. She could be in a coma right now for all he knew. He would have to get her to a Lazarus Pit if she was teetering on the brink of death. Hopefully, Ubu would take care of her until he could there.

He had too much work to do, too much that he needed to accomplish to stay down here much longer. He needed to get back to his daughter and his League of Assassins so they could reorganize and prepare for their next move. They needed to follow up on what they'd temporarily been able to accomplish by harnessing Hades' power.

Ra's glanced at his travelling companion who was laying prone, watching the large horde of winged demons from behind the enormous rock they were using for cover. "How much do you remember of your life, Detective?"

"Enough," Batman cryptically responded, his gaze constantly watching in anticipation of trouble.

Ra's chuckled softly, grunting as he shifted his broken arm against his torso. "Still don't trust me?"

Batman turned a frightening glare on him. "Would you?"

"Probably not, but I assure you I pose no threat to you."

"For some reason, I find that hard to believe."

"So, what do you remember about me?"

A long silence followed that caused Ra's to believe that no answer would be forthcoming. "Not much."

"And yet you still feel I'm a threat?"

"It's a gut feeling I have…and I have a feeling my gut is rarely wrong."

"I have been nothing but forthright with you," Ra's pointed out. "I have made no attempt on your life or attempted to lead you astray."

"Yet," Batman stated. "What's your point?"

"I think you should trust me," he told him. "Afterall, we are family."

Batman turned a narrowed glower on him, trying to decide if he was telling the truth of not. To be honest, he wasn't sure what to believe right now. He would have to continue to hold his cards close to the vest so to speak. Once he was free from this hell hole, he'd work to uncover the truth of his life and recover his memories.

"Whatever you say," the Dark Knight retorted, clearly disbelieving him.

"Talia will be thrilled to know that you are alive and well," he continued. "You are after all her 'beloved'."

Batman froze as a distant memory rose in his mind like tendrils wrapping around his brain, one that took him by surprise.

He leaned down and kissed her slowly, his tongue prodding her lips and finding solace in the warm cavern of her mouth. She moaned softly as her hand slipped up to settle on the back of his neck. The feel of her fingers pulling him closer, the softness of her nude frame against his was exciting him all over again.

"Talia," he murmured her name, his arm slipping around her and pulling her flush against his fully aroused body.

She was the closest to happiness that he had found since losing his parents. She exuded so much sex appeal, tempting him with her exotic beauty and sultry sway of her hips…her alluring accent and inner strength. He felt such a powerful attraction to her, one that he couldn't ignore.

Being in bed with her, tangled in the sheets and in each other's arms, Bruce didn't think life could be any better. He kissed her deeply, pinning her to the mattress as he began to take her all over again. She gasped with the power of his thrusts, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she held on to him.

"Bruce!" she cried out, coming undone together.

He pulled her against him, stroking her hair as they came down from their mutual release. "Beloved," she breathlessly purred. "That was incredible."

He groaned as she slowly stroked his chest, her mouth latching onto his nipple. "I wish we could stay here like this forever," he told her, his eyes falling closed as she assaulted his chest.

"We can, beloved," she replied between sensual kisses against his warm skin.

Bruce chuckled softly. "And how do you propose we do that?" he asked, amused by her suggestion.

"Join us," she proposed. "Join me and my father. We can be invincible together."

Bruce sat up to look at her, stunned by her suggestion. "What?"

"Stay with me and my father," she repeated, sitting up and holding the sheet against her chest. "My father wants you to be part of his plans for a better future…to be his future heir."

"What are you talking about?" he questioned her with a frown. "What plans?"

"My father has a vision for a better world, one where humans live in perfect harmony with nature instead of plundering and destroying it," she explained.

"That's a very noble cause, but I can't leave Gotham," he tried to tell her. "Gotham needs me."

"But what about us…me?" she asked, her expression full of sorrow. "I need you here with me, beloved."

"Talia…I just…" he began, his voice trailing off as he slowly shook his head. How could he possibly make a choice between Gotham and the promise he had made to his parents and this beautiful woman that he cared so much for?

She placed her forefinger against his lips, leaning in close to him. "Please, Bruce, promise me that you'll seriously consider it," she pleaded with him, her eyes filled with adoration. "I love you, beloved. I want you here with me…always."

She replaced her finger with her lips, her hands continuing their earlier exploration that was rapidly heating his blood. All thoughts other than her filled his mind, Gotham a distant consideration as she forced him back against the pillows. His hands slipped around her waist, pulling her firmly against him.

A felt a familiar warmth expand through his body with the sensual memory, but it was nothing more than a flickering flame compared to the blazing inferno that he'd felt with the memory of making love with the raven-haired woman. He just wished that he knew what these two women meant to him and how they fit into his life.

It would have to wait until he could get out of here. Right now, he needed to focus on getting past these creatures and out of the Underworld. He studied the horde of creatures, noticing the way they were beginning to shift their position. With any luck, they would leave this area and allow them to pass without incident.

He had a feeling that his luck never went that way.

"I think we need to make our move now," Batman told Ra's, pulling out a Batarang and a couple of smoke bombs just in case they were going to have to fight their way through.

"There's a narrow gorge to the right," Ra's said. "I think if we stay along the ridge of it, we should be okay."

"As long as they don't attack," Batman pointed out, ignoring the pain in his chest that made it harder and harder to breathe. "If we end up having to fight our way out of here, we'll be trapped between the horde of demons and the gorge with no way out."

"Yes, but the rocks along it could provide protection and help shield our presence," Ra's countered.

Batman conceded it was a risky move no matter how they looked at it. If they stayed here much longer, he was in danger of losing what little memory he still had left and that was if they weren't attacked by any other beasts lingering around here.

"Let's go," Batman said, stifling a grimace as he got to his feet, keeping low to the ground as they quickly made their way towards the edge of the gorge.

Ra's had a tight grip on the hilt of his sword, his eyes locked on the demons who hadn't noticed them yet. The winged demons sniffed at the ground, snorting as they began to flap their wings. Fire shot from their snouts as a couple of them reared their heads back.

Batman ducked low behind an outcropping of rocks, his face contorting with the pain that lanced through his side. His breath came in short pants as he struggled to breathe. Ribs that were cracked were fully broken now, likely puncturing his left lung.

Ra's fell in beside him, wincing with the pain in his arm. "It doesn't appear they've noticed us yet."

"Let's…try to keep it…that way," Batman said between ragged breaths.

"We need to get you out of here and to my home so we can get you the medical attention that you need," Ra's told him. "Talia will be able to nurse you back to health."

"I'm fine," he insisted. "Let's just…keep moving."

Sweat broke out across his brow beneath his cowl, his breathing irregular as they made their move. His heart was pounding in his chest, the pain in his side intensifying with every beat of his boot against the ground. He stumbled as he tried to make it to the next outcropping of rock, righting himself at the last moment. Unfortunately, it caught the attention of the horde they were trying to avoid a confrontation with.

The winged demons roared as they noticed the two intruders, all eight of them quickly taking flight. "Get down!" Ra's yelled at him, moving to take the demons on with his sword in hand.

Struggling to catch his breath, Batman moved to stand next to him, tightly gripping his Batarang. "You can't…fight them off…alone," he growled.

"And you're in no condition to fight, Detective," Ra's insisted. "Stay back."

"Here they come!" Batman yelled, throwing his Batarang with razor-sharp precision.

The Batarang imbedded itself directly between the eyes of one of the winged creatures, instantly dropping it, but it caused him a great deal of pain. His legs nearly gave out from beneath him, forcing him to place a hand on a nearby rock to steady himself.

Ra's ran towards the nearest creature flying straight for him, slicing its right wing off. It wailed in pain, throwing its head back and forth before disappearing over the edge of the deep gorge that stood behind them. The Demon's Head quickly turned, narrowly avoiding a stream of fire that shot past him.

Batman clenched his teeth as he pulled another Batarang out, his knees giving out on him and taking him to the ground as a winged demon flew straight towards him. He refused to allow his life to end like this, to get this far only to be taken down by a demon of the Underworld. His body, however, was beginning to fail him.

The unexpected sound of a warrior's cry split the air as sure a sword's blade, taking both Ra's and Batman by surprise. They watched in stunned disbelief as three women attacked the beasts with a furious vengeance, their bravery in the face of such overwhelming circumstances mesmerizing to witness.

Ra's immediately knew who it was that had come to their rescue. While he was thankful for the help, he was not at all pleased by the Amazon princess's appearance. "Stay back," Ra's told Batman, moving into position to shield him. "These women are very dangerous and aren't to be trusted. They won't stop until we're dead."

Batman watched from his knees as they took down one demon after another, completely transfixed by the raven-haired beauty. She was a fierce combination of grace and strength, fearlessness and skill. She looked so familiar to him…like the woman that he had been with, but he couldn't remember anything about her.

Removing her blade from the last demon, Diana turned towards the two men at the edge of the gorge, but her full attention was locked on the Dark Knight on his knees. Her heart was thundering in her chest as she slowly approached them, doing her best to keep her rising tears at bay.

She'd finally found him. She'd found Bruce.

A/N: So much going on in this update! Hope you enjoyed it! :)

UP NEXT: The Batclan learn more about Joker's plan, Donna keeps Nick and Kaia occupied while Diana and company are intercepted by the Female Furies.