Batman awoke very suddenly, as if from a long and deep sleep, and had the strangest feeling that he was underwater. He soon realized, however, that he was underwater, and couldn't breathe. He struggled and swam towards the surface, quickly running out of oxygen. He finally broke through the surface and greedily sucked in air. He looked around at his surroundings, and saw that he was in some kind of green water. Upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't water at all.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, my Beloved," he heard someone say.
He swam to shore, and once he was out of the pool and saw the woman who had spoken, he began to put the pieces together.
"Talia, was I just in the Lazarus Pit?" he asked hesitantly, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, you were."
"Was I… was I dead?"
"Yes, you were dead, but you have been brought back. How do you feel?"
"I feel… younger, stronger," he said as looked down at his hands. He was no longer in the batsuit, he realized, and saw that his skin was like new. Every blemish, every scar had been healed. He also felt powerful, more powerful than ever before. "I've never felt so alive, but I also feel strange, different. I can't explain it, but it's like I'm seeing the world in a whole new way, like my eyes have been opened for the first time. It's disorienting."
"That is understandable, considering what you have been through. Tell me, what do you remember of the afterlife?"
He tried to remember what had happened before he had woken up in the Lazarus Pit, but all he could remember was the excruciating pain, and succumbing to the darkness. He could remember nothing of what had happened after he had died. "I can't remember anything."
"That's what they all say, I had hoped you would be different," huffed Talia.
"So you saved me?"
"Yes. The fates were smiling on you today, because had I not been at the hospital not only you would still be dead, but your secret identity would have been revealed to the whole world, as well. I am not sure if the clown girl's revenge counts as a victory because you are alive again, and I'm not sure if it was the knife or the fall that killed you, but either way she did in fact kill you. The fall did not kill her though, for I am sure she's suffered worse, so once she made sure you were dead she took the knife from your body and stabbed herself in the heart. You should have seen the commotion you caused, there were people everywhere trying to get a good look at your face. I almost wasn't able to save you from them, your identity was very nearly compromised. I even heard one or two people talking about stealing your batsuit and selling it on the internet. Fortunately for you Damian and I were at the hospital, he broke his wrist training a few weeks ago and we were having the cast removed."
"How is Damian?"
"He is well, he is still upset at you for sending him back to me. He really enjoyed being your sidekick as Robin, you know."
"You know as well as I do that he wasn't ready."
"I do, but he has grown, perhaps now you could give him another chance."
"I'll consider it." He paused, then asked, "And Selina Kyle? Is she okay?"
"I am sorry my love, but they could not save her. She died only minutes after you did. But it is better this way, I am sure she would rather be dead than trapped in an endless slumber."
"I suppose you're right," said Batman, feeling a wave of sorrow wash over him. "Why did you revive me?" he asked miserably.
"Because I believed the manner in which you died was not fitting of the hero that you are. It was very disappointing, really. A mad woman avenging her dead love your downfall? She got lucky, she should not have been able to kill you. It was insulting to your legacy, so I thought I would give you a chance to do better. You should be thanking me, you should have heard the things the crowd was saying about you. You and your legacy as the Batman would have been the laughing stock of Gotham forever. At least now you have a chance to redeem yourself."
"Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit?"
"A little. Better safe than sorry, right?"
"And what exactly would qualify as a proper death?"
She shrugged and said, "I am not quite sure, but I'm certain that you will not let me down this time."
"Does your father know about this?"
"No, nor does he need to know."
"Talia, you shouldn't have done this. You knew I never wanted to use the Lazarus Pit, you know I don't want to live forever, so what was your real reason for doing this? Giving me a chance at a proper death just isn't enough, you must have some ulterior motive."
"Because I love you, and because I have seen what you have been doing for this city, and I had hoped that you would reconsider accepting my father's offer."
"If you had asked me that two months ago I would have turned you down again, but so much has changed so quickly. I don't know Talia, it's tempting, but I don't think it would be right for me to take his place as the head of the League of Assassins. I'm not the right man for the job."
"My father chose you himself, and he is not a fool. He believes in you, as do I. Think about it Beloved, the entire League at your disposal. They are far more powerful than the Gotham police, think of all the good you could do. And not only that, but you would also have the power of the Lazarus Pit. Someday you will die, and then what? All the good you have done and will do would be undone. You have brought Gotham's crime rate lower than anyone thought possible, but turn your back for one second and it would go right back to the way it was before. Gotham can't keep evil at bay, only you can do that, and with you gone evil would take over once again. But with the Lazarus Pit, that would not be a problem. You could protect Gotham for centuries, and if you ever wanted to retire, you would have all of eternity to find a suitable replacement."
Batman opened his mouth to explain why he couldn't, but she silenced him with a kiss.
"And best of all, we could finally be together," she said softly as she pulled away. "Think of it, the two of us, cleansing this city and the world together. Damian needs his father, and I need you. You have no reason not to accept."
He knew that what she was saying was true, that he really did have no reason to turn her down. He loved her and Damian, and with the League of Assassins and the Lazarus Pit, he would be unstoppable. The police could only do so much, but now a world of possibilities had opened up for him. He kissed her back passionately and then said, "I accept. I will take your father's place as the head of the League of Assassins, and I want you to be by my side. Talia, will you marry me?"
She smiled and said, "I thought you would never ask."
xxxx
That night, Batman, Talia, and Damian went to Ra's al Ghul's mansion in Gotham. When they told him what had happened, he was surprised but very pleased.
"So you have finally seen the light, have you Detective?" asked Ra's.
"I have sir. I am ready to become your heir, and to take Talia as my wife."
"Wonderful. Well then, let's get to work. Talia, go find something nice to wear and Damian, go make yourself presentable. Detective, I would offer to loan you something of mine to wear, but I think the batsuit will do nicely."
"What are you talking about, Father?" asked Talia, confused.
"The ceremony, of course. You must look your best, for tonight will be the most important night of our lives."
"Father, we cannot get married tonight, we haven't even discussed anything yet. These things take time-"
"Nonsense, the sooner the better. Get ready, we shall have the ceremony in one hour."
Ra's left the room to prepare, and Damian muttered, "Gee, you'd think after six hundred years he would have learned some patience."
"Go change your clothes Damian, and when you come down those stairs I expect to see a gentleman," said Talia.
"Then you'll be waiting a very long time. I think I'll come down naked just to see the look on your and Grandfather's faces," announced Damian as he went up the stairs.
Talia sighed exasperatedly and said, "Well, I suppose we might as well do this now. Maybe tonight I will finally have you all to myself for once."
"Are you nervous about this? You do know what you're marrying, after all," he warned.
"I have never been more sure of anything in my life."
Talia left then to prepare for the wedding, and Batman was left alone with his thoughts. He felt guilty about marrying Talia when Selina had died only hours before. He loved them both so much, and because of that he sometimes wished he had never met either of them. They had brought a bit of joy into his dark existence, but for their sakes he wished their paths had never crossed with his. But that was in the past, and not marrying Talia wouldn't bring Selina back. If there was one thing he had learned from losing so many loved ones, it was how to survive. Although he missed Selina dearly, he knew he had to try to move on and forget her. He still had work to do, and he could not let the tragedy of her death become a stumbling block. He needed Talia, and he was sure that Selina wouldn't mind. She would want him to be happy, and even though the prospect of happiness for him was slim at best, perhaps he could have something like happiness with Talia.
xxxx
"And do you Talia, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" asked Ra's.
"I do," said Talia as she held Batman's hands in hers.
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Batman had kissed Talia several times before, but this particular one took his breath away. He had never believed he could be with a woman and still be able to keep up with his duties as Batman, but with Talia, that would no longer be a problem.
Talia pulled away beaming, and left him to stand by Damian, who whispered, "Shouldn't you guys have done this before I was conceived?"
"Pay attention my son," Talia whispered back. "What you are about to see will be difficult to watch, but you must not look away. Today is the most important day of our lives, in more ways than one."
"Detective," began Ra's as Batman kneeled at his feet. "Or perhaps I should call you son now. Either way, you are now one of us. Do you swear to do whatever you must to save this world from the corruption that is consuming it?"
"I will, sir."
"Then I hereby pass on my title as head of the League of Assassins to you." Ra's then drew his sword and gave it to him. "You are now in control of the entire League of Assassins, show them this sword and they will obey your every command without question, even if it means laying down their own lives. Whatever you do do not misuse this power. Now, to complete the ceremony, you know what you must do. Do it, and all my power will become yours."
Batman took a deep, steadying breath and readied the sword, then drove it through Ra's heart. He then pulled the blade back out, letting Ra's collapse to the floor. Talia rushed over and knelt down by her father's body and cradled his head in her hands.
"It is done," she said as she wiped away a tear. "We shall bring peace to this world, now we can finally be together, as a family."
xxxx
Later that night, Batman and Talia lay in bed, enjoying their wedding night.
"I don't think I have ever been as happy as I am now," said Talia as she snuggled closer to her new husband. "Do you feel the same?"
"I think I do," he said as he kissed her head. "How does Damian feel about all this? This can't be easy for him."
"He is taking it quite well. He is only eleven, but he is strong, and he understands why we must do these things. He seemed excited, to say the least, when I told him you would let him be Robin again. You are going to be such a wonderful father."
"You know, with the League on my side, I don't think I'll need the police's help anymore. They helped me take down Zsasz a few days ago and a few other crooks, but I don't think they'll be up to the next task I have in mind."
"Please Beloved, can't we discuss this tomorrow? Can we not forget the world for one night?"
"You know I can't do that."
"Okay then, tell me what you have planned. Knowing you, it will be beyond brilliant," she said as she snuggled closer to him.
"Four days ago one of the patients in Arkham, a man thought to be safe and harmless, snapped and murdered three doctors and six other patients. It got me to thinking that it's about time I did something about the Arkham situation, as well as Blackgate. I'm going to have Arkham Asylum and Blackgate Penitentiary destroyed, along with everyone inside. The way I see it, we have no need of those institutions any longer."
"My, that is a big step up for you. The Lazarus Pit really did the trick, did it not? Oh, I cannot wait to see you fix the world, it will be so perfect. If only father could be here to see it, he would be so proud of you, I'm sure. Goodnight, my love," she said as she kissed him one last time.
xxxx
The next morning, Talia summoned all of the League of Assassins to Ra's mansion, and they arrived three days later. There were dozens of them, some higher in rank than others. None of them knew the reason why they had been summoned, only that it was very important that they be there.
"Greetings, brethren," said Talia, getting their attention. "I know you are all wondering why you are here, and I know you are all wondering where my father is. I summoned you all here to tell you that Ra's al Ghul is dead, and will not be revived."
Everyone in the crowd began to murmur excitedly, wondering what this would mean for the League.
"But before he died, he chose his successor. He chose, the Batman."
Batman, who had not yet shown himself to the assassins, revealed himself then. The assassins shouted in outrage.
"What was Ra's thinking!" called out one man. "How can the Batman lead us if he is incapable of doing what is necessary? Everyone knows the Bat refuses to kill, so how can he be expected to lead us in the fight to bring peace to the world?"
Batman drew out Ra's sword and held it high for them all to see. They all went silent when they saw it.
"The man you speak of no longer exists. I have seen the error of my ways, and I now understand what I must do to save those who need me. I killed Ra's only a few nights ago after he appointed me as head of the League of Assassins, and he gave me all of his power. You are all under my authority, and you will obey my every command, or you can leave now. Make your choice."
In response, the assassins all bowed before their new master.
"Very good, you've made the right choice," said Batman as he lowered the sword. "Now, I have already begun to purify this city of criminals, but it is not enough. Because law-breakers are no longer tolerated, I believe that institutions such as Arkham Asylum and Blackgate Prison are no longer necessary. Tomorrow, I will destroy Arkham and Blackgate. I will destroy both institutions and everyone inside, but if for some reason I am unable to, it will be up to you to wipe them all out. Do you understand?"
"Yes master," they all said in unison.
"Excellent. You will all remember tomorrow as long as you live, for tomorrow will be a great day for the people of Gotham, the beginning of an era of peace and freedom. Gotham will never be the same again, we will make sure of it. Do not disappoint me."