Hello there. This one was a hard to write, since many plotlines are coming together and even more are developing...but also due to the reason how to make ending scene good. When you will reach that scene, scroll to ending notes before continuing read it.

It's all hard to make from logical point. I don't say what I do is perfect from logical point or making justice to characters (since there are not many views and zero feedback, which I really want), but when you look at comics, they have some strange things happening with logic, abilities, morality, etc. The approach I made is something that comic books will not do - sharing experience, vision, traits, and other things that would make characters not just more powerful, but they could be changed for good. The only example I can provide is "Death And Return Of Superman Pitch" by Max Landis (which, now I realize, inspired me. Good stuff btw) who made such thing possible as Batman training Superman.

I repeat. Batman. Trains. Superman. Why this never happened before? Why this never happened at all? I have some ideas why, but hey, this is a fifth dimension, the Twilight Zone, the realm of imagination where everything possible. And here it is possible to make characters influencing each other in different ways. Sure they will hold onto what makes them, but they can change many aspects.

That is all. Enjoy. Death to typos!

- So, how was a sleepover? - Terry asked Max, while they were outside of college on a parking lot.

- At first I was so scared I forgot my name...and her constant threats with lewd implications were also not helping, - Max grumbled, sitting near Terry's bike with her palms pressed to her face, - I mean, she is!..., - Terry shook Max by her shoulder, pointing to college building and Max lowered her voice, - She is someone who nearly got you killed. Several times!...how do you cope with this?

- I wasn't sure myself what to do when we met at the manor, - said Terry, sitting near Max, - She took on a whole team that tried to rob Deanna, and...something inside told me to help her, and later she asked for help herself. Of course it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows - I still had to take some precaution when I was dealing with her...but she wasn't the same anymore, at least to some degree.

- I noticed that, - Max nodded to Terry's words, letting out a long sigh, - She was weird, creepy and scary at first, but later she became something...else. She shared her experience with me yesterday and she wants to take me to trusted black market dealer to buy me new rig, - Max smiled softly, rubbing her neck shyly, - She even praised me for my skills.

- Schway, - Terry raised his eyebrows and pat Max on her back, - Maybe you can win over her heart after all, - Terry looked at his wrist device to check time, and soon he was already starting bike's engine.

- ...Terry, are you sure about her? I know you and Wayne had experience in dealing with such individuals, but...

- She told us her story, - Terry glanced at Max with a serious expression before putting his helmet on, - Maybe she will her to you, but she wouldn't share it if she wasn't sure...and we have something in common, all three of us.

- I know, but still...what if she falls back in?

- She was about to, mister Wayne got her out by taking a huge risk...never thought that he could do something like that..., - Terry closed his visor on the helmet, continuing, - She was treated like a slave or a tool, and maybe for the first time in her life she is treated like a person. And judging by how we are all alive and she kept our secret, she values that.

- What about Curare?

- ...that's much more complicated. Wayne thinks that we should get some allies, because what ever this is, it's bigger than anything we faced before...call you tonight, Max.

- Yeah, I was afraid you say that...

After he left school and went to college Terry got an official part-time internship at "Wayne-Powers" in pharmacology department, since it was the area Terry was most interested of - studying poisons, diseases, making medical drugs and special serums...it felt fitting. Of course, with the Batman life he couldn't study in the college and actively attend to it, but Wayne used his connections and influence to allow Terry appear two times a week for some hours after college, which stretched his internship for a long time. It was also a good thing, since "Wayne-Powers" had a very loyal support program for interns, thus he was paid and from Wayne's own wallet, and for this internship, which will - probably - give him a job at "Wayne-Powers". Today was not the day of internship, and Terry drew straight back home. Mother was already there, it was her day off from the shift, while Matt was already playing some new VR-game in his room. Terry walked into his room and dropped on his bed, staring into the ceiling for a long time, trying to get his thoughts together...but there was something on the ceiling, some piece of paper attached with a blue adhesive tape. When Terry read that letter, his eyes widened and his spine shivered with cold, and it took time to close his eyes back and relax before saying:

- I got your message. You can come out.

- Finally, - Inque appeared under his bed, taking place on his work desk, crossing her legs one over another and taking a quick look around the room, - It was hard to stay hidden when your mother decided to make sudden vacuum cleaning, I had to get parts of myself from the bag, - Inque shivered, trying to get over the traumatic experience, - Yuck.

- Why are you here? - Terry said quietly, approaching Inque and glancing to his backpack where Batsuit was stuffed, - If you think you can come over and...

- "She was treated like a slave or a tool", - Inque suddenly ejected a data-pad from her mass, opening recorded audio-log, - "and maybe for the first time in her life she is treated like a person. And judging by how we are all alive and she kept our secret, she values that".

- ...you bugged Max and followed her to place beacon on me, - Terry hit his face hard with open palm, taking steps back to his bed and sitting down on it.

- That was actually old man's idea - he wanted to see how Max would perform in such scenario, and he needed me to do it as discretely as possible, - Inque gave her data-pad to Terry, - Wipe it yourself, I do not have other copies.

- But that's not why you are here, - said Terry, erasing everything from data-pad, just to be sure, - Because you could've come back to Max and tell her about the exam.

- Could've, - she nodded, placing her hands on the work desk, staring at McGinnis with a stranger thoughtful expression, - But that little conversation confirmed a lot...and, don't be mad now at me, I tracked you even in college to get your ID and peeked around the house, - seeing how Terry changed his face from confusion to suppressed rage, Inque raised her hands in the air, - I said, don't be mad at me, I wasn't stealing or touching or bugging anything...especially when I noticed how your brother and mother were looking at this, - she pointed to small electro display, where a photo of Terry's family was projecting. Him, Matt, mother...and father. Seeing him made Terry calm down a bit, and Inque continued, - ...and seeing how you reacted now...I own you an apology. I learned that original Batman is a cunning fox, and he takes risks when needed, that's why I needed to find proof that your story was a legit one. Now I see it is.

- That is why you are here? - Terry asked, looking straight at Inque.

- That was yet another reason...the final reason you just deleted from the data-pad, - she pointed to it, slightly grinning, - Audio-logs.

- Right...

- I know that you meant that, because it doesn't seem like you lie to Max about such things, - she continued, slightly grinning, - And I can appreciate such kind and honest words...you probably should tell that more often and openly. That's why I think we need to...come with a terms with each other.

- Say again? - Terry now was confused even more.

- You are still uneasy when I am nearby, - explained Inque, now changing her position and resting on Terry's desk on her right side, - That maybe cute, but we need to deal with that.

- I guess we can't just pay for a shrink.

- And we probably need one for married couples, - Inque grinned again, - But I have a suggestion, we can...

- I can already give you better one, - Terry quickly interrupted Inque, who blinked several times in confusion. Taking his time to carefully think about it, Terry continued after a pause, - And we can use your suggestion later, but I want you to tell me about Aaron Herbst.

- ...what?! - she sat on his deck, trying to keep her voice down, but she was nearly hissing in anger.

- You pretty much broke his life and used him, - Terry kept his voice quite, meeting Inque's fiery gaze, - And I want to know everything what happened between both of you and what you really feel about him, - she went silent, still trying to cope with her anger, but Terry knew he hit the right nerve, - You already told about your past, and you could trust this with at least with me. Since, you know, - he nodded to his room, - You are at my place.

- ...I hate him, - Inque sat onto his desk, grabbing her legs with her arms and pressing them closer to her, - That was my first thought when he broke me out of this freezing hell, - she closed her eyes to concentrate for a moment, - ...imagine...that you are stuck, you can't move but you can see, you can think, you can hear...and you are alone, - she quickly glanced at McGinnis, who was listening to her seriously, - And here it comes, Aaron Herdst, - she cringed from his name for a second, - A loser, a loner, very stupid and moronic man with no core to stand up to anyone...he comes to you every day, checking on your equipment, and tells about his boring and pathetic life, - she turned to face Terry, still sitting on his desk, - But I could endure that, no problem with that, but later he started to show his obsession with me.

- ...can you talk about it? - Terry knew what she implied by those words, considering what she already implied about her being very young mother when Inque told her story in hospital.

- I think I should...can I? - she pointed towards Terry's bed and after his nod she slithered there, sitting near him. She let out a sigh, glancing at McGinnis, - I was inside that ice box you put me in, and that was my only barrier from him. He started to approach me closer and closer with each passing day, telling how he worshiped me and my power...later, he started to be even more intimate with me, - she shrugged, clenching her fists together and trying to put it aside, while Terry was waiting for Inque to continue, - And those moments came into sexual fantasies he was forcing on me with his existence.

- ...that is why you decided to use him to your advantage, - nodded Terry to her, - And you gave him messed up formula to take your revenge.

- It felt good, seeing this slithering worm in a state he deserves to be, - she said harshly, waving her hands violently, nearly hitting Terry in the process, - And no, I do not feel sorry for him, I never will, after all that torture he put me through, - Inque stood up and started to walk around the room, rubbing her face trying to stay calm, but her voice kept raising from emotions that were buried long time ago. She stopped after a while and looked at Terry again, - But I know I shouldn't done that to Aaron, should've just break a few bones and scare the living crap out of him...and probably send some messages to GCPD about his perversions. And maybe break another set of bones just to be sure that he got the message clearly...

- But turning him into Cronenberg monster was a mistake?

- ...maybe, - she said with uncertainty in her voice, - I don't know...damn it, how you manage to be Batman with a heart? - she sat on the bed beside him, - How?

- Let's say that I have done things on the streets when I was young, - Terry frowned for a moment, - Joined a gang, was a familiar face at GCPD for some time...and eventually they busted everyone. I was able to escape the sentence - underage kid's don't go to prison, they have JDC for months, not years...and being Batman means I can make up for it and look in the mirror again, - Terry took a look at the picture again before he finished, - Sometimes I can make a difference, save someone, but that's not easy...it never is.

- That's not what I asked, but I got it, - Inque leaned back, now laying on Terry's bed and looking to ceiling, slowly reaching for it with her tentacle arm to get her note back, - ...compassion is a weakness your enemies won't share - that's your old man's words, but that is what makes you different, what makes Batman different from other's...and me, - Inque glanced at Terry again for some time before she sat back and continued, while slightly grinning, - Now I feel guilty for trying to kill you and not guilty at all for forcing myself on you...Gotham Arena?

- ...oh. Right. Let's discuss that in a few eternities later?

- I know you liked it, despite how resistant you were...even are, - Inque got up and stretched a little, looking at Terry with a very familiar smile, - We talked about Aaron, but you killed the mood with it, so my proposition will wait...for now.

- ...that's what she said? - asked Wayne, while he and Terry were working on Batmobile. Terry took the opportunity to talk with him while Inque was on the videolink with Max, explaining how she bugged and tracked her. Max was seriously ashamed that Inque was testing her further.

- Exactly, - Terry nodded, checking sensors and navcomputer.

- Despite what she is going through, she is still dangerous manipulative individual. You should cut it while you can.

- It's going nowhere anyway...

- You sure? - Bruce looked at Terry with a skeptical expression.

- ...now that you asked, I am not so sure, - admitted Terry, glancing at Inque for a second, - ...I know what you did with women in your time, but...I think it's better to see where this is going. She might just play around, as she usually does, or maybe she wants to get some company.

- You should keep an eye on her and keep her close enough to be able to distance yourself...did you checked your apartment for devices?

- I did, nothing. The bug that was on the bike she already took out, nothing else was there.

- Good, - Bruce sighed tiredly, finishing with the repairs, - Gordon called. She wants to speak with both of you in about an hour.

- Should I start to get accustomed to those meetings with her?

- If she continues them.

When Batmobile was finally ready for lift off, Inque quickly slithered inside the cockpit behind the main seat, placing her hands on top of it and taking her "Bat" form. Terry ran the pre-launch sequence and soon left Batcave, flying towards the GCPD. But when both Batman and Inque noticed that bat-signal activated, Batman increased flight speed, trying not to bump into anyone flying around. The rooftop of the GCPD was full with the cops, that were taking away some man that was tied up to the projector. Gordon observed the process of freeing this unknown person, and she turned towards Inque and Batman when they dropped down to her.

- That's not mine.

- I know. He is a coast guard captain, and he already told us that someone was trying to set up his death by accident, - Gordon waved to cops to take this man inside the GCPD, - He said he that someone saved him and took him to unknown location, he couldn't saw who it was...and the feed form security cameras was wiped out, - Gordon turned towards Batman and Inque, continuing after she took a long look at Inque, - And all this happened in their HQ. No one saw anything or anyone, no traces, no bodies, but there was a small hint in his story - a female computer simulated voice that was interrogating him, - Gordon took out her glasses and started to clean them up, - And that interrogation led our captain to confess in many shady dealing and corruption schemes, including the latest episode with the shipment raid.

- Good to know. Anything on our captives?

- Some of them are behind the bars still, we placed some snitches into their cells, some were released after legit bail and suits storming my offices, but we tail them carefully, - Gordon put her glasses back on, glancing to stairway, - Government agents came in this morning and extracted all the corpses of the assassins - the one you brought died from a heart attack, but I managed to make autopsy before suits came in.

- And why they heart suddenly stopped working?

- Some sort of biomechanical implant that is connected to brain, that's all I can tell you, - Gordon frowned, looking at Terry closely, - The same thing was with other assassins..except for those who died in a more violent ways.

- It was Curare, - said Terry without any second thought. He knew that lying to Gordon is impossible, and he had no reason to lie...but he had reasons to drop some details, - We bumped into each other when assassins took on us, had to join forces for a while. For now, she disappeared again.

- I see, - Gordon nodded with a strange look. She noticed that there was something fishy, but for now she had nothing to back up her words, - Let's hope that she will draw their attention...for now we have another problem. Sam is fighting against "New Dawn" - they are pushing really hard to get more contracts inside Gotham, while there are discussions behind doors about using PMC for Gotham's protection, - Gordon frowned again, going towards the edge of the roof to look at sprawling megalopolis, - Recent failure only made our position worse, and I know that there are snitches inside this very HQ. We can't connect those three former "New Dawn" operatives to their illegal activities, but if we had something to make them talk...

- They could provide us information about "New Dawn" agenda and use it to push them back, - said Terry, crossing his arms on his chest, - What about train wreck?

- The investigation was met with many bureaucratic obstacles, - Gordon turned back to face Batman and Inque, taking out a data-pad from her inner pocket and giving it to Batman, - But you just happen to have a location where this train is stationed for expertise...along with other data I managed to discover from my side. Of course, it's guarded - both by police and "Wayne-Powers" personal security forces, and if I will be reported that Batman was spotted there, I will have to act against you again, since you have no clearance to this location.

- That sounds like my specialty, - said Inque for the first time, receiving data-pad from Batman and studying it's contents, - Definitely.

- Another lead about that carbide dealer was also a dead end, - Gordon continued, placing her hands inside her coat's pockets, - And I don't like it - someone has lots of resources to spend on such operations, and we don't have any idea why, beside making "New Dawn" a superstar to replace GCPD...also, Sam prepared a speech about this situation, he wants to come out with it by the end of next week, and I have a feeling that this situation could be used as advantage, considering that both "New Dawn" and those assassins are connected.

- You have a plan?

- Of course I have. I will cut any contacts with you and will made everyone belief that our partnership ended, maybe I will say some harsh things for public to make it more believable, probably will set the GCPD against you, - Gordon smiled, looking at bewildered Batman, - Thus I will have both of you as an ace in the hole.

- Got it. Anything else?

- That's all for tonight, but I won't turn my back to you so you could do that trick...at least this time.

- Fair enough, - Terry nodded, turning towards the Batmobile and flying to it. With Inque jumped inside, Terry closed cockpit and carefully flew away from the GCPD HQ, - Boss, you got that all?

- Of course. Inque, is data-pad wireless?

- I am connecting it right now, - she said, leaning on Terry's seat with her back and working with the data-pad, - It has lots of information on it - interrogation videos, Gordon's personal notes, witnesses testimonies...she even made splicers talk, - her eyes widened, as she was reading the reports, - Now that's some dedication I haven't seen in police for a while.

- I will study it, but right now you need to return to Batcave. We have to prepare both of you for tonight.

- Breaking and entering? - asked Inque with a grin on her face.

- I prefer to call it "private investigation", - retorted Wayne.

- ...breaking with the purpose of private investigation, - said Inque after a pause.

- I just realized. Curare, - Terry widened his eyes, glancing at the monitor.

- Curare? - Inque changed her position, now casually placing her hands on Batman's shoulders.

- You always should keep track of such things, - said Wayne, leaning back in his chair to think it over, - Test her loyalty further, she must wait there until you come back. Maybe even come back not on the third night, but on the fourth or fifth - it is enough time for her to start doubting herself and her actions.

When Inque and Terry came back to Batcave, Bruce started to work with Inque, since it was her night to make "private investigations", and to do that she needed the right tools that would be easily transported inside her mass in order to save her mobility. After some time Wayne and Inque came to conclusion, that it would be better to store devices in disassembled state, which she will assemble only when needed. New radiolink with signal booster was very little in size, but most important thing was a special sensor that used kinetic energy to charge up. With that sensor her periscope vision vastly improved, but there were downsides - with each device stuffed inside Inque's mass her mobility and tactical capabilities reduced, and even small radiolink did not allowed her to slither through small cracks and gaps between doors:

- And I need to carry all that stuff, - Inque crossed her arms together, looking at devices that were on the table in disassembled state, - While this same stuff makes me like feel like a jelly filled with bolts...will improvise on the fly, not my first time.

- And what about "New Dawn"? - asked Terry from Wayne.

- We need to set up a plan to get inside, - he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, - And this includes careful observation from legal point. We will get inside with a friendly visit, I already came up with agenda for Bruce Wayne and set up a meeting, but we should play carefully. After that we will study old building schematics.

- Why we don't get an up-to-date schematics? - now asked Inque, constantly assembling and disassembling some device with her tentacles that came from her fingers, - I know some people who could sell us this information.

- They could warn "New Dawn" about incoming...breaking and entering, - Wayne sighed slightly, closing his eyes for a second, - And we need the advantage of surprise. If Curare behaves like I want her to, this will be her second trial.

- And how many trials should we put her through? - asked Terry, rubbing the back of his neck.

- As many as it takes. But considering the threat we are dealing with, using Curare would benefit us for the time being.

- Do you got any ideas what they want to pull of?

- At least not for now, we need more information.

Next days went pretty quite - Inque managed to infiltrate unseen inside the train depot and filled Batcomputer with needed data, which Bruce started to analyze with Barbara, and both Inque and Batman were busy with keeping piece in Gotham as usual, while also keeping their training, both in combat and outside of it. Inque managed to get Max new rig and software, still training her to be a better computer expert and field operative, while also she continued her education from Max, Wayne and Terry, and to everyone's surprise, she picked up things very fast.

But when time came to visit Curare, Terry decided to visit her on the next night, and right now he was slowly driving his Batmobile to the city outskirts, where an automated water distribution station was located, right near lake and several small fields. The tracking signal from collar was there, as it was days before, but her sword could've easily cut it. Taking a tracking device with him, Terry dropped down from Batmobile when he reached lake, but he already saw her figure in the distance. Slowly approaching her, Batman realized that she was sitting waist-deep in the waters in lotus position without her mask with her back turned to Batman. He noticed how scarred her body was, and some of those scars looked really fresh. The collar was on her still, without a single scratch. She slightly turned her head only to acknowledge his presence, avoiding Batman seeing her face...despite the fact that he saw it in one of their encounters.

- You passed. For now, - Terry said, slightly turning to the side, - You can come out, I won't peek, - he waited patiently for her to come up from the waters, carefully hearing her movement, - Captain told us everything about his survival, but you managed to leave no traces...even the trace of the attacker.

- She is. Buried. Here, - Curare walked from Batman's back without a single sound, making him shiver for split second. She turned to face him, narrowing her eyes, - In a. Vaccum. Bag.

- ...you killed her?

- Merely. Stopped. Her heart. Failed, - she let out a sigh, turning her head to the side and carefully listening to something before she turned back to face Batman, - Accept me. I have no. Other choice.

- I don't think that if they proclaim that you are now allied with me..., - started Terry, but Curare shook her head in negative motion.

- I tried. To rebuild. The League. While you. Were gone, - Curare closed her eyes while she focused herself to speak more, - Hacked. The Device. Left it here. Visited places. Tried to form it. Anew, - she clenched her fists, looking straight at Batman, - Failed. Betrayed. Everyone knows. I am with. You. No reputation. No trust, - she relaxed her fists, keeping her eye contact with Terry, - You are. My chance. My choice. No lies here. Only. The truth.

- So you were about to double-cross me when you failed, - Terry crossed his arm together, answering to Curare's stare with his own glare, - Because your friends were upset that you allied yourself with Batman while you had a death sentence from failing the League...the League you wiped out and basically formed something even worse, that threatens my city.

- It was. Always there, - she sighed again slightly, shaking her head, - In the. Deepest. Shadows. Sprawling. Waiting. Gathering. Power and. Forces, - Curare stopped for a second, looking over her shoulder at the Batmobile for a moment, - There is. No choice. For me. Left. No place. To go, - she turned towards Batman, looking wearily at him, - No lies left. Only the truth.

- So tell me the truth - do you hate me because you failed your mission when I intervened?

- ...Myself. If I was. Stronger. And prepared. I would kill. You. And carried. My mission, - Curare's glare was a firm one, as she was trying to pierce Terry thorough with her eyes alone, - But. Underestimated. You. And Gordon.

- And what about our last encounter?

- ...Did not. Care. About dying. Wanted. To kill. You.

- And what changed, Curare?

- Peace, - Curare turned to face the tranquil lake, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, - Was. Surviving. Killing. Everyone...not thinking. About. Tomorrow...Rage. Misguided. Blinded me. Took...time. To realize. To remember. Myself, - she opened her eyes and glanced at Batman, - My enemies. Are yours. There is no. Turning back. For me...You can. Give me. A purpose. You can. Guide my hand. And this time. I will not. Fa...I will not. Fa..., - Curare couldn't make her device to say the sentence "I will not fail" without a pause, but she tried, over and over, until she made it work, - I will not fail.

- And how am I supposed to trust you?

- I trusted. You. Because. I do not see. GCPD. Or anyone. Else, - she waved her hand around slowly, - You. Could have. Take me. In. Right now...you did. Not.

- ...yeah, you have a point, - said Terry after a pause, agreeing with Curare, - But that means that you have to be in Batcave, you will know our secrets.

- It is. Your choice, - she slowly sat on her knees, bowing her head down.

It was hard. No, not just hard, it was impossible to make a right decision. On one hand, Curare and Batman had common enemies now, and she is a powerful assassin, hunted by whole world...but she was a part of the League, and God knows how many people she killed. There was an idea that struck Terry with how easy it could be to test her, but that test was a serious risk. Wayne took his risk with Inque, and now it was Terry's turn to expose himself. He slowly removed his mask and threw it to Curare, so she could see it. To his surprise, she didn't even flinched while staring at his mask.

- Don't you want to know who I am?

- I do. Not...If I wanted. To kill. You. I know ways. To draw you out, - she took a pause and picked his mask from the ground with her both hands, - And when. My blade. Would be inside. Your heart. I wouldn't care. Even more. About who. Is under. This mask.

- If it's not about who under the mask...face me, Curare, - three last words were harder to say than Terry thought, as he gathered his courage for this act.

- ...As you. Wish, - she slowly began to rise her head, so Terry could stop her, but he didn't. She rose her head up to face him, slightly widening her eyes from surprise, but she quickly composed herself, - We both. Know. It's not about. Who under. The mask, - she extended her arms to McGinnis, giving his mask back, - It's about. What this. Mask. Means. And. Represents.

- And what this mask represents?

- Hope. Courage. Honor. Justice...Vengeance. Fear, - she released her grip when Terry took his mask back, - ...Mine means death. Yours means. Much more.

- I need your help, Curare, - Terry said, holding his mask in one hand and looking right into Curare's eyes, - I am no match for those assassins, and something is coming to Gotham, something I am not prepared for, - he took a pause, looking at her closely before realizing what he wanted to ask from her, - ...I need you to train me, and I need you to fight on one side with me, but on one condition, - Terry raised his forefinger, - You end your previous life completely - no more assassinations, no more trying to rebuild the League. If you are not fine with it, get your sword and strike me now, while you got your chance, because I want to deal with that now and never touch that subject again, - he said, trying to keep his composure, but his blood kept pumping from sheer adrenaline. He knew, that he risked everything right now for a longest shot in his life, but there was a chance that she could agree.

Curare fell silent for a long moment, thinking about what McGinnis just said to her. After minutes that felt like hours she closed her eyes and bowed her head down, while taking out her blade from her scabbard. Terry became tense, since Curare slowly looked at her sword, exchanging looks with Batman for a moment. But then...she suddenly bowed her head again and extended her sword with both hands as an offering to Terry. He slowly put his hand on the sword grip and took it from Curare, remembering how powerful this weapon is. But it wasn't right...something was missing, and Terry remembered the eastern ceremonies all of sudden. Kneeling in front of Curare, he extended her sword back with a respectful nod. Curare slowly took her blade back to scabbard in one fluid motion and bowed to him silently with the same nod.

Gordon came to Batcave next morning by Bruce's invitation. Of course she wasn't happy with Inque and now Curare being part of the team, but she had many other problems of her own to deal with that for now. Bruce performed autopsy on the body of the assassin Curare provided, while also working with data Inque managed to gather, and now we had some results to share:

- What do we got? - asked Gordon, walking towards Batcomputer.

- Those assassins have advanced biomechanical modifications, but not so advanced as you might expect, - Bruce pointed Gordon to vacuum bag, where was the body of the assassin, - Most work and resources went to their heart implant - it's small, almost undetectable. The assassins were triggering it's function by themselves, since there were no transmitters inside at least this one...cybernetic modifications and slight traces of splicing process, the latter is not visible but this particular individual has abnormalities in her muscle and bone structure, - while Wayne was talking, he showed Barbara everything on the main monitor in more detailed state, - Whoever makes those new breed of assassins, he wants to put their abilities even higher by sacrificing their humanity.

- At least I know where to look, if we got our hands on at least one of those, - Gordon frowned, glancing at Curare for a moment, who was standing in the distance on her hands upside down with her legs spread aside. McGinnis was nearby, trying his best to do the same exercise, while Inque was casually lying nearby, reading some book, - ...I can't believe this is happening again.

- What exactly?

- Gathering soldiers to war, Bruce...though they are different from us, - she shook her head, looking at Wayne now, - Remember what was happening in Gotham when there were three, sometimes four of us?

- My mind is not as sharp as before, but my memory is, - he turned in his chair towards the unlikely trio, - And you know, that we need all of them, if not more.

- That is why I am afraid, Bruce, - she lowered her voice, as Wayne turned with a surprised expression back to Barbara, - Afraid that...whatever this is, we would not make it this time, even with new Batman and his new...allies, - she smiled wearily for a moment, - We are getting pressed, Bruce, there are talking that someone is digging under me to get me out of GCPD. It's not big, it's...unimaginable, to even think about replacing police with the PMC's. yet talking about it behind curtains, - Gordon sighed, shaking her head, - Sorry, I kept drifting when I am not trying to hold everything together.

- You are not alone in it, Barbara...shall we continue? - Wayne pointed to the screen with his palm, and Gordon nodded.

- It is clear that train was sabotaged, but what Inque managed to find is that someone wiped everything clean to erase any chemical traces - you forensics would not find anything...but there is a lead. One company that used this train to transport their own merchandise installed a set of hidden cameras inside some of their containers, and those containers were still there, recording everything. Inque managed to copy what they recorded without being seen, and I can give you...something interesting, - Bruce typed something on Batcomputer, bringing up the video he found.

It all started from the moment when train derailed - with a sudden muffled explosion sound. The train's section went on the left side, but all containers were secured tightly, nothing dropped or moved around inside the train car. The camera also showed time, and Gordon quickly took out her data-pad, making quick notes about what was happening. Nothing happened for a short while, but later some men went inside the section, wearing "New Dawn" armor and insignia, while there was someone yelling at them:

- One hour! Everyone goes in except for us - take them out and call the cleaning crew to your location, they are nearby, - Gordon tried to see faces, but those men were wearing closed-off helmets, - Do not touch anything, do not spill even a drop of blood inside. Got it?

- We got it, sir!

- Close it from the inside, - Wayne paused the video and turned to Barbaba, nodding at time that camera showed.

- I can connect the time with this record, but we do not know who exactly was giving orders to whom...of course it's still something to hit them with, - she said, glancing at Bruce for a moment, - ...but if they had a cleaning crew, probably they were using it to cover up murders on massive scale.

- I doubt you will find bodies a this point, but this is something.

- Other angles?

- Same. I can give you all recordings to study.

- Please do that...another place I know where to look for, - she put hands inside her coat, looking at paused recording closely while Bruce was making a copy of those videos, - Do you have a plan to get inside "New Dawn"?

- As Bruce Wayne - yes. As Batman? Not so much - they must use a lot of money on security systems, but there is an advantage - they will not call the police and report about breaking and entering, their reputation and image will diminish.

- I would rather ask you to break in after Sam's speech, not before, - Gordon glanced at Wayne again, - Only after that I can hit them with everything we got.

- Noted. We still need support from public figures.

- Not so many are still with us, Bruce, - said Gordon in lower voice, - And I don't think they will support us.

- Maybe. But we have no choice but to get as many as we can.

- Stubborn as always, - Gordon smiled a little, - I will keep you and Terry informed.

Days went strangely quite - League's assassins went underground, keeping low profile, and they stopped their hunt for other possible witnesses, at least for the time being. Gangs of Gotham returned to their usual activities, like robberies and general debauchery, and they would not be much of a trouble if new gangs wouldn't emerge from the underground. The splicers were also a trouble - though it was still illegal, one could easily splice himself and walk around mid-Gotham without any trouble...or causing trouble without any consequences.

Curare started to share her experience and knowledge with Terry from day one, showing her training routine and teaching combat techniques, of course starting with simple things and concepts. What was interesting, is that Wayne managed to start passing his own knowledge through Curare to Terry about combat, and while it could take years for Terry to learn all those techniques, it was a start to become a better Batman Gotham needs. Inque took notice of those techniques and also shared something with Curare, while keep studying with Max and Terry.

Of course it wasn't all perfect. While on the streets, Inque and Curare were lucky to not kill anyone yet, because in combat they were brutal and merciless, and if Inque learned her boundaries and tried to keep stick with them, Curare still had her killer instincts get in her way. She didn't changed her outfit, like Inque changed her form, and it only showed that she was not ready to even start, but Gotham needed more than one Batman right now. As Gordon warned, she started a campaign against Batman and his allies, up to a point where police aerocars tried to stop Batmobile from time to time, making it harder to do their duties. Maybe it was luck, though, because nothing major was happening in Gotham, if you do not count usual crimes.

And, for the fist time, Wayne invited Max to his manor, eventually showing her the Batcave:

- Schway..., - that were the first words that came out from her, when she saw it all - trophies, computers, Batmobile, science stations, workbenches, training areas that trio of Curare, Inque and Terry made. Of course, there were also the bats, which made Max's spine shiver, - ...and creepy. But mostly schway, even this old oversized duster, - she nodded to Batcomputer.

- Don't judge things by it's interior - that "old duster" has many surprises, - Wayne slowly walked towards the Batcomputer with Max following behind him, looking at everything around her with genuine curiosity, - I want you to assist me and others on the day when DA will have his speech for public, from here, - he pointed to a newly acquired seat that was near his own, - That would require us...a training.

- In what form?

- Many forms. This is hard job, and if you can handle it...you would be a great asset to Batman, - Wayne glanced at Max, sitting in his chair, - But you need a callsign.

- Terry already calls me "Alfred", - said Max, sitting in her chair down and setting up her rig.

- I know, - Wayne grinned at her, while crossing his palms together, - But we will call you...Oracle. Sounds fitting for what you signed up to.

- And when I managed to sign anything? - she asked, raising her eyebrows.

- When you said "Yes" on the phone. Let's connect your laptop to system first and start your training.

The importance of Sam Young's speech only increased when "New Dawn" got it first contract to keep the peace in lower Gotham area. Barbara was more than just pissed off, she was ready to destroy "New Dawn" by herself, but she also knew that they had to stick with a plan. For purpose of safety, Gordon changed DA's location every day by herself, trusting no one in her department:

- There are some clean people, I will put them as his personal security without prior warning, - she was standing nearby, looking at the monitor of Batcomputer while Wayne was working on something, - But at least I can confirm that someone is tracking Sam around the Gotham.

- They will try to kill him before he could start his speech - either on the road to press conference, or right on it, - said Wayne, rubbing his nose-bridge for a moment, - There is a chance they will try to attempt to kill him later if other options failed.

- How do you know that?

- I had an insight, - Wayne nodded to Curare, - And that's what I would do, if I was an assassin.

- Glad you are not one...let kids rest before the storm, Bruce. Gotham will survive a day or two without Batman and his...whatever you can call it, - she sighed, glancing at sparring session between Curare and Terry with Ace and Inque watching them, while Max was nearby, training to gather and compile information, - You trust them?

- I don't even trust myself, Barbara, - said Wayne, slowly rising from his chair and taking his cane to face the group, placing his palms on the cane, - Inque driven by her desire to change and protect her daughter, it's genuine, and she proves it every night...Curare's motivation is desperate attempt to survive by pledging herself to her former enemy, that gave her a purpose to keep fighting. Both of them are extremely dangerous, but have knowledge in variety of fields and abilities for Terry to pick up, - he glanced at Barbara for a moment, - They are nothing like us, but...new times, new Batman...new family, if this works out as I planned. If it will not work out..., - Bruce turned to Barbara, lowering his voice.

- I will do what is necessary, - nodded Barbara to him.

- I know you will.

Two days before the operation Bruce ordered everyone to rest and gather their strength, but he kept working with Max closely to prepare her. Curare still trained herself, but in much more sparing regime and making her versions of kunai that resembled Wayne's batarangs, while keeping their sharpness. With all that, Inque suddenly asked Terry for a meeting...without telling a place, but rather directing him towards it. Placing his bike on the parking lot after circling around the city for thirty minutes, Terry sighed and registered his bike on a lot before continuing forward:

- This all sounds like a trap, Inque.

- Of course it's a trap, - she was talking with him on radiolink, - But you have to find out what kind of.

- Does it include going inside dark alley?

- Not quite.

The place she led him to was a middle ground theme club, that had rather big crowd waiting to enter. A lot of people were wearing interesting suits or full body tatoos, there were even some splicers, but some were dressed casually. The place was called "Chillnight", and it's bright light-blue neon sign was seen from a large distances.

- OK, I got here. Looks schway from the outside.

- Get to VIP entrance, introduce yourself and ask for directions.

- I hope you know what you are doing, - Terry waited for red sign to cross the road, coming right to large door with "VIP" sign on it. Two bulky looking guards took a quick look at Terry without any hostile intentions as he approached them, - Terry McGinnis.

- Wait a minute, sir, checking data-base, - one of the guards was inside special booth with the terminal. After some seconds he nodded and gave Terry small armband with holographic projector, - Take this armband and please wear it all the time you are inside the club. When you are leaving, you must return the band back.

- What's it for? - asked Terry, placing armband on his wrist.

- It is used for access to VIP zones inside the club, sir...Is it your first time in "Chillnight"?

- Yeah, I probably need some directions, since I don't even know where my reservation.

- The guards on the other side will help you to save your time. Welcome to the "Chillnight" and enjoy your time.

When the doors opened, Terry walked past detector and asked a guard to help find the VIP zone. The "Chillnight" was a weird place, even by Terry's standards, but there was something to it - dimmed lights, interesting music, dressed up people, dancers inside slowly lifting cages...the VIP zone was on the upper levels, with a view on main floor and access to personal bar, but Inque went further - she bought a whole lounge for yourself. When Terry entered the lounge, she was there - sitting in the couch in her human form and looking at dance floor underneath with a strange expression on her face. The music also changed, being a more upbeat and active tune.

- Had no idea you would go to such places, - said Terry, closing the door behind him.

- Me neither, - she turned to Terry with a familiar seductive smile, moving a bit on the couch to give Terry some space. When Terry sat on the couch with her, she continued, turning to dance floor, - It was hard to find a right place, but this is the one.

- And you are blending in perfectly, - Terry took a look at the dancefloor and grinned, - Some of those people have costumes to make my enemies a run for their money.

- That was the idea, and I glad it worked, - she sighed, closing her eyes and listening to the music, - ...I never thought I needed that - just sitting here, listening, watching, talking...you have that a lot, do you?

- When job allows, because I have a reputation to sleep even when music is louder than nuclear explosion, - Terry leaned back in the couch, still watching the dance floor, - The job...takes a lot, but that's what I do.

- I know, - she glanced at Terry for a second, studying him thoughtfully, - You can talk freely here. I actually bought this place.

- You what? - Terry turned to Inque, raising his eyebrows.

- You know who you are talking to? - she grinned, turning to him, - I picked some tricks from old man, and he tried to trace my money and this club to me...he couldn't. So this is a first place I bought to wash my money and make some legal business, but that's not as interesting as a person, who will be administrator, - she nodded her head to dance floor, where Terry tried to spot whoever Inque meant...but he noticed it soon enough.

- Deanna? I thought she was in hospital? - Terry couldn't believe his eyes, but Inque's daughter was there, working at the bar as assistant and cashier.

- We never stopped to look into her condition, and we found a solution to get her out of the bed, - Inque was also looking at her daughter with a wearily expression on her face, - She is weak still, and she needs constant injections to keep her alive, along with the examinations at private hospital, but for the time being I decided to give her a job, - Inque leaned into couch, placing her hands on it, - She will be administrator here one day, and not because I want her to become one, but because she liked this place from the moment she entered it, - she suddenly smiled, and that smile was a genuine, warm one, - She liked the music, the atmosphere, the people...and I said to her that this place will be hers if she makes it all the way to the top. I, frankly, cheated by not letting her start from the very bottom as janitor, but she works sometimes as one when she fails at tasks, - her smile slowly vanished as she continued, - She can't work for long, though, and she has problems with her brain functions, but it's treatable...even if it takes time, - Inque now glanced at Terry, studying him closely and turning on the couch to face him, - All of this is because of you and your old man, but mostly because you gave a flying crap about me and Deanna.

- It would be nothing is you weren't determined to change.

- I know, - she turned back to face the dance floor underneath, smiling seductively again, - But not every part of me will change, I like some parts of myself...and if you don't mind, I will get back to them.

- You leading the conversation right now, your rules...but I can agree, that this place is...

- You say "schway" one more time and I am going to yell down that you are B-man, - she interrupted Terry with another smile on her face.

- ...schway, - Terry smiled slyly, nodding to dance floor, - Go on.

- It's too loud, they won't hear me, - she chuckled a little before continuing, - What I was going to ask you at your apartment...I wanted to make a meeting like this, in a place just like this, and have a normal talk, - she lowered her voice, closing her eyes for a second, - Because that is something I was missing. One treats me as a sexualized idol, another treats me as a weapon and means of profit, another treats like..., - she cut herself, opening her eyes and looking straight at Terry, - Yet you see me as a person...as a human. So, if you agree, I want to ask you to stay around and talk to me.

- Aren't we already talking about how this place is schway?

- Alright, that's it, you are officially crossed out from the VIP list, - she let out a short laugh, - ...do you like the music? Because I can order to change it.

- It's not like you are in a mood to dance to it...oh, - when Terry saw Inque's face, he knew what mistake he made, - ...crap.

- Honestly, I have a problem with people trying to invade my personal space or even touch me...but maybe it's right time to let it go just for tonight, - she picked a data-pad from the table, giving it to Terry, - You can play any song to hear what it sounds like before changing. Take your time.

- I walked right into it, - Terry sighed, going through the tracklist and listening to variety of songs in the library.

- Not exactly a fast learner, are you? - Inque grinned again when she saw Terry's face from her catch-phrase.

- ...I guess that will do, - Terry picked one track and placed the data-pad on the table, leaning back into the couch when he suddenly realized, - ...huh.

- Huh?

- It was at least months when I last visited any club to get my head out of the job..., - he said, looking down at the dance floor. He remembered how he visited such places with Dana, how he slept in clubs after long sleepless night...she wasn't calling or writing anything, and what made it worse is the fact that he wasn't thinking about her too much. Maybe he...

- Hey, - Inque leaned in, looking at him closely, - Are you alright?

- Y-yeah, just had some thoughts, - Terry smiled wearily, - Nothing major.

- Liar, - she chuckled and shook her head, - But I won't push you...hear that?

- Yeah, this is the song I picked, - Terry rose up from the couch, looking at Inque for a moment before extending his hand to her. After some hesitation, she slowly took his hand and rose up from the couch. Inque hardened herself to make her less...slimy and to be able to feel more. To her surprise, Terry didn't flinched or showed discomfort, but he was rather dense. She knew, why.

- ...I think I can do it...this way, - she slowly took his arm and placed it on her waist. It was hard for her, her instincts were screaming to push him away, but suddenly to her surprise she found herself slowly moving to the rhythm with McGinnis.

- Is everything fine? If you are not...

- It's perfect, - she cut him with her seductive smile and getting her composure back, - Let's do it.

Everyone were slowly dancing in the area underneath to this tune with slow gentle voice on the background, and both of them had a whole lounge just for two of them - for two former enemies, unlikely allies, creatures of the night. The dimmed blue lights made it even better, creating the desired effect...but that what made Terry think about what he was doing, and during one part of the song Terry quietly asked, leading the dance:

- When we started dating?

- Probably right now, who knows...or you want to end it because you are intimidated by grown up woman? - she slowly changed her stance, placing Terry's hands on her waist and her own hands on his shoulders, keeping same seductive smile on her face.

- Wish I had the right answer for this one...

- Nothing will happen tonight, - she leaned to him, now whispering onto his ear, - But next time you will ask me about a date if you want to continue...for now let's keep quite and make this night a good memory. I have a severe lack of them.

Music for THAT scene - Timecop1983 - Tonight. It fits quite good. Finding a futuristic-esque music for slow dance was a challenge.

I realised that sometimes I want to talk about something relevant to fic and it would be spoiler-ish. Which is not great. But I think that I will be able to close first ark with chapter 6. Maybe.

See you in the next chapter.