Confrontations
"This is quite the establishment you have here Bruce. I am very impressed, your ethics in theatricality are to be applauded." Malcolm says as he tosses the book back on the table, the batarang still lodged in it, "I'm sure you're wondering how I found out about this little crusade of yours? When reports started coming in three months after your...leave of absence about "a man in a bat costume", it was easy to connect the dots."
"What do you want Merlyn..." Bruce gritted, his knuckles cracking as he balls it into a fist.
Merlyn smirks at Bruce's attempt to intimidate him and takes a step closer.
"It's not so much "what I want" as to "what YOU need", and what you need, Bruce, is my help." Merlyn says as he made his way to the giant set of monitors, "I'm sure you are well aware of the recent murders here in Gotham. These killings look familiar to you don't they? Well they should, The League of Assassins is here in Gotham."
Bruce held in his surprise and kept a straight face at the revelation. He looks at the photos on the table of the victims shot with the arrowhead and realized that the League hand-makes their weapons and that they differ from other weapons over the years, that's why he couldn't pinpoint the origin.
"Why would the League of Assassins be here in Gotham." Bruce asks firmly.
"After that stunt you pulled six years ago, it was only a matter of time. You know of Ra's and his traditions, 50 bodies until he has found who he is looking for, though it seems he's being lenient on your city." Malcolm answers.
"If what you are saying is true, my escape from the League would not have caused him to spill innocent blood. Ra's would have sent his assassins to come get me rather than leave a trail of bodies, which means there is something else behind this."
"Which is why we should put our heads together." Malcolm says, folding his arms behind his back, "With my resources and your skills we can-"
"You think I don't know about the death warrant on your head Merlyn? After what happened during the Undertaking?" Bruce interrupts, "I will not be used for your personal gain. You have given me more than enough information."
Malcolm walks up to Bruce, both of them now face-to-face.
"We were the League's top students, you, Shiva, and I. You would be a fool to go against the League on your own." Malcolm says.
"I don't align myself with criminals that have murdered hundreds of innocent people." Bruce replies.
Malcolm smirks, "I remember when you was first brought into the League. Full of hate, anger, despair, just like I was-"
"I am nothing like you Merlyn." Bruce interjects.
They stood before each other with tension that could be cut with a butter-knife when the police scanner in Bruce's monitor station came on, grabbing both of their attentions.
"Dispatch, we have a 211 in progress..."
Bruce walks around Malcolm and turns his monitor to the news.
"This just in, Gotham National has been robbed by the Red Hoods. Authorities say that their attempts to catch the gang has been with no luck due to the fire power-"
"Looks like you're going to be busy for the night. Think about my offer." Malcolm says as he made his way out of the cave, "Oh, and one more thing, my associates told me that your Beloved has made her way back to Nanda Parbat."
Bruce's expression was indescribable as he turns around to see Merlyn disappearing in the west wing of the cave.
Flashback
(8 years ago)
There was a man walking in a desert, wrapped in various cloths to block out the sun's rays and carrying several bags. The man stumbles upon a small cactus and kneels down to it as he unwraps the cloth around his head and face to reveal Bruce Wayne who was sporting slightly longer hair and a full beard.
Bruce was now in his 9th year of training. He has had six teachers over his leave from Gotham, yet he still felt the anger of his parent's murder inside of him. Hoping to transform this anger, he heard of place from various villages of his travel that could transform his anger into something else and went in search for such a place.
Bruce pulled out a sharp stick made of bamboo and plunged it into the cactus. He waits several minutes before water finally started dripping from the bamboo in which he caught in a small bowl. It wasn't much but he got all of the liquid out of cactus and drank it before hearing a noise come from behind him. He turns around to see a boot coming toward him, knocking him out cold.
Moments pass and Bruce finally regains consciousness. He sees that he is being dragged by two men dressed in gray-studded trench coats with black hoods and face masks.
"Where are you taking me..." Bruce asks groggily, neither of the two men giving him a response.
They drag Bruce through a set of doors which led to a dark room lit only by torches. He sees a fight going on between a woman wearing a red Chinese-like top with black leather pants and boots with a long black trench coat. He watches as she battles 3 men dressed like the two dragging him now.
The woman was very skilled as she took down two of the men, who were armed with swords, effortlessly in hand-to-hand combat before snapping the last man's neck. She sees Bruce being dragged to the podium and walks over to observe as the two men violently toss Bruce down to the ground.
"We found this outsider on the outskirts of the mountains." One of the men said as Bruce made his way back to his feet.
Bruce looks around to see many dressed in the same outfit before diverting his attention on a giant podium with people who seemed to stand out from the rest. On the podium was an older man sitting on what looked like a throne, around him were four women.
To the right of the man on the throne was a woman dressed in an elegant variation of the attire that the men wear, she wore a silk hood and face mask that was see-though. Beside her was a woman with the long blonde hair that was obviously a wig, black leather outfit and a domino mask covering her face.
The left of the man on the throne was the woman who had just got through fighting with long black hair who looked as though she was from Asian decent, and beside her was a beautiful brunette in an armored catsuit who, just like the woman beside her, did not cover her face. In front of the podium was another man in a black hood who steps in front of Bruce.
"Kneel before the Demon's Head." He states.
"I kneel before no man." Bruce says.
The two men that carried him in kicks Bruce in the back of his knees, causing him to drop to both knees as the man on the throne spoke.
"What is your name boy?"
Bruce glares at the two men before looking at the man on the throne, "Bruce. Bruce Wayne."
"You are far from home Mr. Wayne. What is it do you seek?"
"Your teaching." Bruce says, "I seek the means to fight injustice. To turn fear on those who pray on the fearful."
Bruce's words caught the older man's attention, as well as his company. He rose from his throne and walks down toward Bruce, who was back to his feet. The older man stops in front of Bruce and looks him in the eyes.
"You are full of anger...and despair..." The man says, "but I see much promise in your words. I will teach you the ways of the League of Assassins."
The older man walks back up to his throne and sits down.
"Al Sa-Her," the older man states, "show our guest to his chamber."
The man who stood in front of Bruce known as Al Sa-Her removed his face mask and hood to reveal Malcolm Merlyn, a face in which Bruce was surprised to see as he knew the businessman.
"Come with me." Merlyn says.
Wayne Manor...
Alfred enters the cave to see Bruce suiting up.
"I'm guessing you heard the news of the robbery." Alfred says enthusiastically, Bruce not paying him any attention, "Is everything alright sir?"
"Where's Dick?" Bruce asks, not answering Alfred's question.
"He went out with some friends, I'll contact him and tell him to meet you." Alfred says as Batman gets into the Batmobile and speeds off.
Alfred turns to head to the monitors when he sees a Batarang lodged in a book in which had him curious, but he did not question as he's seen weirder in this place.
Dick and Barbara had just got in and was at her place. Her father was out on duty so that left them some alone time.
"Well Dick Grayson, I must say the food was delicious." Barbara said with a smile.
"Well you know I'm an expert when it comes to eating things." Dick joked, as Barbara playfully punches him in the arm.
Barbara wraps her arms around Dick's neck and passionately kisses him as he wrapped her arms around her waist and brings her closer to him. A few seconds go by and Dick's phone starts ringing, but he ignores it. It starts ringing again and Barbara pulls herself away from Dick.
"Aren't you gonna get that?" She asks, Dick shaking his head no as he went back for a kiss.
Dick was interrupted again by his phone ringing. He looks at his phone and let's out a loud sigh as he sees it was Alfred, Barbara giggling at his frustration.
"I gotta go." Dick says, not wanting to.
"I know." she says understandingly as she kisses him again.
"You owe me Circus Boy." She jokes as Dick turns around with a smile before heading out of the door.
Author's Notes: I will be updating the Casting List in the "Overview" chapter after this chapter is posted so you guys can refer back to that. To answer some questions, this is not TDK Universe, this Batman is drawn from the Arrow Universe with a lot of cross-canon referencing, but is ultimately a universe to itself, similar to how Smallville had the Superman Returns suit to reference. With that said, I hope you are enjoying the story so far, The Arrow will be coming soon. I will say that you guys will be in for a treat in the later chapters. Reviews are welcomed and thanks for reading ^_^