A/N: I have nothing to say in this Author's Note besides, it's the last chapter.
Like last chapter, I'll be using content from The Dark Knight Rises, so WARNING: SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen the movie and want to find out what happens yourself, reading my story wouldn't be advisable. But if you've seen it, or you just want to read and find out what happens, then by all means, read on!
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman, or any of its characters. They all belong to DC Comics and Christopher Nolan… Even though I'd really like to. If I did I would put much more John Blake in the movie. And my characters would most definitely be added.
Reviewers and Replies:
Her Highness Gaki-chan: Haha, I'm glad you're excited! I don't think I'll be writing a Bruce/Selina story. I'm more of an OC writer. Sorry. But anyway, I really hope you like this chapter. Thank you so much for the review! :)
grapejuice101: Thank you so much for the review! I hope this chapter gives you what you'd like to see.
dream lighting: You never know. ;) Thank you for the review!
IaMcHrIsSi: I'm really glad you like Rosalie's character! The reason they speak Swedish will be explained in the sequel. No worries. Thank you for the review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one.
Katara Melody Cullen: Thank you for the review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one!
WinterRain36: Well, you'll just have to read it and find out. ;) Thank you for the review! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
Luli Cullen: I know, I kind of have mixed feelings about this story being finished as well. But don't worry, as soon as this chapter is posted, I'm going to begin the sequel. I can't leave John and Rosalie alone for long. Thank you for the review though! I hope you aren't disappointed with this chapter at all.
Sam0728: Errgh! I wish I could tell you what I have planned for the sequel but… I can't. that would just ruin the surprise. Don't worry though. It will be started soon. :) Thank you so much for the review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one!
: Ouch, I remember how that used to be. I hope you're doing well in your classes though! Thank you so much for the review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one. :)
Rikki18: Well, for the sequel's villain…that all depends on the poll. I'm really hoping for a new villain though. I'll be posting the villain that's been chosen in the 'Thank you' chapter that will be up a little later today. Thank you so much for your review. I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one.
electrogirl88: Thank you so much for your review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one.
kindleflame5: Of course he will. He won against Batman once, and now with Rosalie's help, there's no way Bane can win again. No way, no how. Anyway, thank you for the review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one.
PowerToThePeople23: Yeah, sorry about that. I'm not very good at writing Bruce/Selina. Sorry. ): But I hope this chapter satisfies you! It's the last one. *Sad face* but then I'm going to immediately get started on the sequel! Yay! Thank you so much for the review though. I hope you like this chapter!
NathalieIyper: Thank you so much for the review! I hope you like this chapter as much as the last one!
-IWRU-
Rosalie races back to her apartment, quickly climbing the fire escape when she arrives. She looks back out her sister's window when she gets inside, and is monumentally relieved when she sees the motorcycle still sitting in the alleyway, still partially covered by the dumpster she parked it by the last time she rode it. She looks at the bed and sees Missy sitting up, looking at her with wide eyes.
"Let's go. We have to get you out of here," Rosalie says, and Missy nods quickly, scrambling to get out of the bed. Rosalie notices with approval that Missy still has her shoes on. Rosalie ushers Missy out the window, and quickly follows her out. Once they're both safely on the ground, Rosalie leads Missy to the motorcycle. "You ever drove one of these before?"
"Once. I wasn't very good at it," Missy says.
"Alright," Rosalie says, climbing on the motorcycle. "Get on."
Missy climbs on the motorcycle behind Rosalie as she starts up the motorcycle. Missy hooks her arms around Rosalie as the motorcycle jerks forward. The two girls begin their fast paced journey to the only remaining bridge leading out of the city. They both look up sharply when Batman's vehicle 'The Bat' flies over them. Rosalie looks back at the road and stops the motorcycle quickly when a yellow school bus pulls out in front of them. The bus stops as well, and the doors open, and John steps out.
"Go with him," Rosalie says over her shoulder to Missy. Missy looks at Rosalie unsurely. "Go."
Missy lets go of Rosalie and gets off the motorcycle. "Be careful," Rosalie says to John. John nods a bit.
"You too. This city can't afford to lose you," John says, and jogs over to her. "Do you have any idea where Rosalie is? I just tried her apartment, and she wasn't there."
"I think she's with her sister," Rosalie says, fighting back a smile. John nods a bit and sighs. Rosalie quickly drives around John and the school bus, filled with the boys from St. Swithin's. The boys all rush to the side of the bus, watching the Black Swan drive away.
Rosalie heads in the direction that she saw The Bat go in, and when she reaches the road that leads to City Hall, she's met with the sight of the criminals of Gotham, and Bane's men immersed in battle with Gotham's police force and SWAT team. On the steps of City Hall, Rosalie sees Batman engaged in a fight with Bane. Rosalie smiles as Batman slams into Bane sending the two into the building. Rosalie climbs off of the motorcycle, and starts up the stairs to the building but is intercepted by one of Bane's mercenaries.
The man quickly throws a punch at Rosalie which lands on her jaw. Rosalie staggers backwards a bit, but quickly recovers and kicks the man in the stomach harshly. She uses his moment of astonishment at the force of her kick, to sweep his feet out from under him, and he falls to the ground, smacking his head on the ground, knocking himself unconscious. Rosalie turns the corners of her lips down and shrugs, stepping over the man and completing her journey up the stairs. Once inside the building though, Rosalie is immediately grabbed around the neck. Rosalie prepares to fight back but is immediately stopped when a gun is pressed to her head. Rosalie tenses but stops all movement completely.
Rosalie observes the scene in front of her, and sees Bruce standing in front of Bane, and watches as Miranda Tate walks and stands behind Bruce.
"But he is not the child of Ra's al Ghul," her smooth, accented voice says to Bruce. "I am," she says, and Rosalie's eyes widen significantly when she plunges a knife into his side. "And though I am not 'ordinary' I am a citizen," she says, and pulls the bomb's detonator out of her pocket.
"Miranda," Bruce rasps out.
"Talia. My mother named me Talia before she was killed," she says. "The way I would have been killed if not for my protector. Bane," she continues. "I found my father, and brought him back to exact terrible vengeance, but by that time, the prisoners and the doctor had done their work to my friend, my protector."
Rosalie watches with a scrunched up face as Miranda/Talia reaches to Bane and touches his damaged mask.
"The League took us in. Trained us. But my father could not accept Bane. He only saw a monster who could never be tamed. Whose very existence was a reminder if the hell he'd left his wife to die in. he excommunicated him from the League of Shadows. His only crime was that he loved me. I could not truly forgive my father… until you murdered him," Talia says, shifting her gaze to Bruce at the end of her speech.
"He was trying to kill millions of innocent people," Bruce says.
"Innocent is a strong word to throw around Gotham, Bruce," Talia says. "I honor my father by finishing his work. Vengeance against the man who killed him is a reward for my patience," she says, and twists the knife in Bruce's side, making him grunt in pain. Rosalie struggles against her captor, who only tightens his arm on her, and pushes the gun harder onto her head.
"You see, it's the slow knife… the knife that takes its time, the knife that waits years without forgetting, and then slips between the bones. That's the knife that cuts deepest," Talia says, and presses the button of the detonator.
"No!" Rosalie shouts, and is pleasantly surprised when nothing happens.
"Your knife may have been too slow," Bruce says tauntingly, and Rosalie lets out a low chuckle.
"Just a bit," she chimes in, greatly amused. Talia turns her head sharply and glares at Rosalie, who only smirks at the furious woman.
"You found a way to block my signal," she says, still looking at Rosalie. She turns back to Bruce and shrugs. "No matter. You've bought Gotham eleven minutes."
Talia rises to her feet. "Make sure they feel the heat. Both of them," Talia says, jerking her head in Rosalie's direction. "Goodbye, my friend," Talia says to Bane, who only nods back. Talia takes one long last look at Bane and turns on her heel, marching out of the building.
Rosalie's captor bangs the butt of his gun sharply on the side of Rosalie's head, causing her to drop to the ground. The two, black-clad vigilantes are now left alone in the room with Bane, whose mask is now fixed. Bane casually steps over the Batman and slowly approaches the Black Swan. Rosalie immediately begins pushing herself away from Bane, but he wraps his large hand around her ankle and drags her back to him.
Rosalie uses her free foot to deliver a hard blow to Bane's face. The heel of her boot leaves a deep gash on his face, but it doesn't seem to faze him much. His grip tightens on her ankle. With his other hand, he reaches down and grabs the slender woman by the neck, and pulls the upper half of her body to him. He tightens his grip a bit when she struggles, and he releases her ankle. His free hand grasps her mask and pulls it off of her face.
"Well, well… the younger Kyle sister," he says, and lets Rosalie go. He drops the mask by her side. "I never would have suspected you to be famous Black Swan. You certainly had me fooled. Bravo Miss Kyle," he says, and slowly turns his back on Rosalie, and makes his way back to Bruce. He picks up one of the mercenaries shotguns that were left when they left, and looks at Bruce.
"We both know that I have to kill you now," Bane says, stepping closer to Bruce and Rosalie slowly rises to her feet and starts moving quickly towards Bane when he points the gun at Bruce. "You'll just have to imagine the fire," Bane says and cocks the gun. As soon as the gun is cocked, Rosalie jumps on Bane's back, wrapping one arm around his neck and squeezing as tight as she can. Bane abruptly drops one hand from the gun and grabs Rosalie's arm, and attempts to pull it from his neck.
Bane can't help but be impressed by the girl's grip, for she was actually cutting off his air. Bane takes a couple of steps back, and slams Rosalie against the wall. Rosalie's head hits the wall of the building with extraordinary force, and she lets go of the large man, and drops to the floor.
"That was a noble attempt, but very feebleminded. You'll share his fate," Bane says. Bane now aims the gun at Rosalie, but just as he places his finger on the trigger of the shot gun, Bane is blasted off of his feet. Rosalie and Bruce watch as Bane slowly slides down the wall, his body falling lifelessly on the floor. The two vigilantes both simultaneously look at the culprit who was responsible for Bane's death and are thoroughly surprised to see Selina on the Bat Pod. Selina slowly climbs off of the vehicle.
"About that whole 'no guns' thing? I'm not sure I feel as strongly about it as you do," Selina says, picking up Rosalie's mask off of the floor and walking over to her sister. The sisters smile at each other and Selina carefully ties the mask around her sister's head.
"I need you on the ground, me in the air," Bruce says to Selina. "We have to force that convoy east tot eh entrance to the reactor."
Rosalie watches as the two stare into each other's eyes. She clears her throat impatiently, and the two look away from each other and at her. She gives them both a smirk, and crosses her arms over her chest. Bruce nods to both of them and walks out of the building. Rosalie narrows her eyes at Selina.
"What?" Selina asks her.
"So…you're allowed to like a superhero, but I can't like a cop?" Rosalie asks. Selina rolls her eyes and walks away from Rosalie. "That was a legitimate question!" Rosalie shouts after her, but Selina just climbs onto the Bat Pod and drives away. "Rude," Rosalie mumbles and walks out of the building. She stops short when she sees the dead body of Barsad in front of the building. She shakes her head a bit.
"Poor Billy," she sighs to herself, and walks around to the side of the building and swings her leg over the motorcycle and starts it up. Rosalie quickly drives to the bridge to check how the evacuation is going, and she is unpleasantly surprised when she sees that there is a long line of cars waiting, but not moving. She drives the motorcycle on the shoulder of the bridge, and eventually reaches the front by the school bus where John is standing with a group of boys, Father Riley, and Missy. Rosalie looks at the missing part of the bridge and looks at John.
"What happened?" she asks, and John glares across the gap at the men.
"They blew the bridge," he says through gritted teeth.
"Yeah, that much is obvious," Rosalie says, looking out at the river.
"How much time?" he asks her softly.
"About five minutes. But he has a plan," Rosalie says, emphasizing the word 'he'. John nods, looking a little relieved. "Bane's dead."
John nods again. "Good," he says, and Rosalie looks up at him. He looks back at her, then turns to face the group of boys, Father Riley, and Missy. "Alright, everybody back on the bus. Come on! On the bus!"
"What are you doing?" Father Riley asks John.
"Protection from the blast," John says to reassure the children.
"It's an atom bomb!" Father Riley exclaims in disbelief.
"You think they need to hear that in their last seconds? You think I'm going to let them die without hope?" John asks, glaring at the priest. When the boys, Missy, and Father Riley were all on the bus, John rejoins Rosalie at the bridge's railing.
"You think his plan's going to work?" John asks. Rosalie shrugs helplessly.
"No idea. They're cutting it close," Rosalie says, solemnly.
"Show me who you are," John says, and Rosalie looks sharply to him. "We're probably going to die anyway. Just… show me who you are." Rosalie still looks unsure, and John grins weakly. "Humor me. Please?" he asks, and Rosalie blinks. She sighs largely and raises her hands to the back of her head where the mask ties together. She pulls lightly on one of the strings, but abruptly stops, and turns around when an explosion goes off.
"Get down! That's it!" John yells to the children on the bus.
"No," one of the boys says. "That's Batman."
John and Rosalie both turn back around to see the Bat flying overhead, the bomb hanging from the vehicle. Rosalie frowns deeply at the velocity that the Bat is flying at.
'What the hell is he doing?' Rosalie thinks. She watches, and the farther away the Bat gets, the farther down her heart sinks. Her hand flies to her mouth when the bomb explodes. John throws an arm around Rosalie, as if shielding her from the oncoming blast, but as they wait, they feel nothing. The two of them slowly turn back around and straighten, and look at the mushroom-shaped cloud on the horizon. Rosalie hears all of the boys on the bus cheering in excitement. Rosalie's face remains blank, and she looks at John's face. His expression is a mixture of sadness, anger, and admiration.
"Looks like you're going to have to wait to find out who I am," Rosalie says in an emotionless voice. John looks at The Black Swan, but she turns away sharply, but not quick enough that John didn't miss the tears that were forming in the vigilante's eyes. She mounts the motorcycle and glances back at the bus, and the faces that were watching her. She sees Missy step off of the bus and walk over to Rosalie. Missy wraps her arms around Rosalie's neck.
"Thank you for helping me," Missy says, and pulls away from The Black Swan. Rosalie swallows the lump in her throat and simply nods to the girl, and starts up the motorcycle, turning around, and drives to the end of the bridge and out of everyone's sight.
-IWRU-
A couple of days pass since the death of Bruce Wayne/Batman and the disappearance of Selina. Rosalie enters her apartment, and tosses her new set of keys on the coffee table, and puts the bag of groceries she'd recently purchased on the counter. She takes her time putting away the food she'd bought. She walks into Selina's bedroom, to which Rosalie had taken up occupancy in and stops shortly when she sees two pieces of paper on the bed, one marked with a large black number '1' on it and the other with the number '2' on it. She picks up the first letter and unfolds it.
Rosalie,
I thought writing a letter would be a lot safer for my well being because when you see the signature at the bottom, you'll want to kick my ass.
Rosalie looks at the bottom of the letter and drops it when she sees the name
Bruce
Anyway, I'm writing this letter to, once again, ask for your help. First though, I wanted to thank you for all of your help with saving the city from that lunatic, and for helping to try to keep the peace while I was away in that hell hole that Bane took me to. You may not think that your efforts were worth anything, but I assure you, they didn't go unrecognized by anyone, especially me. I'm more grateful to you than you'll ever know.
But enough with the sentimental crap, because your sister tells me that it rubs you the wrong way. I've left John Blake custody of my 'Bat Cave'. I think you, as well as I, know what he's planning on doing now that I'm 'dead'. He's going to need help, and that's where you come in. I know you care for him, and you have experience with helping to keep the criminals off the streets. You don't have to do this, but I have a feeling you will. As a sort of, last wish thing, I want you to help him. Train him. You can even call him a 'side-kick' if you'd like. He won't like it so don't say it directly to him or anything, but know that you were there first, so technically he would be…don't tell him I said that though. It would hurt his pride, and there's nothing worse than a hero with a wounded pride.
If you choose to accept, which I hope you do, go to the manor. My butler, and best friend Alfred Pennyworth will be there waiting to show, and tell you everything you need to know. And I want you to know, you can trust him with your secret, completely, along with Lucius Fox. He'll be there to help you and John out every step of the way, along with Alfred.
Keep doing what you're doing Rosalie. You make a huge difference in Gotham. Gotham will always need a hero and you can be Gotham's new hero.
I'm not the only one who believes in you.
I'll be in touch soon.
Bruce.
Rosalie chuckles a bit, and wipes away the stray tear that made its way down her cheek and she picks up the other letter.
Lillasyster,
You told me before that staying in Gotham and helping the people was something that you 'had to do'. I understand now. That's why I didn't force you to leave with me. And you know I could so don't roll your eyes.
Rosalie laughs, and rolls her eyes anyway.
I'm writing this to you to let you know that I'm alright. As you've probably guessed, I'm with Bruce. He's taking care of me, so don't worry. That was stupid of me to say because I know you're going to worry about me, just as much as I'll worry about you. Expect a lot of calls from me Rosie, and status reports on how you're doing.
I'll talk to you soon baby sis.
Selina.
P.S. Bruce says to look under the bed.
Rosalie furrows her eyebrows, and kneels beside the bed. She looks under the bed and pulls out a box. She carefully opens the package and inside the small box lays an iPhone. Rosalie picks up the note from inside the box.
Don't worry about the bill. It's all taken care of.
B.W.
Rosalie picks up the phone and chuckles a bit. Rosalie considers what Bruce's note says, and walks back out to where her bed is. She pulls the suitcase from under the bed and grabs a small duffel bag from beside her dresser. She places her Black Swan outfit in the bag and grabs her purse from the counter, and leaves the apartment. Rosalie leaves the apartment complex and quickly hails a cab. She tells the driver where she needs to go, and within ten minutes, the taxi arrives in front of the Wayne Manor. Rosalie hands the driver the money he earned, and exits the cab, throwing the strap of the duffel bag over her shoulder. Rosalie walks up to the door and rings the bell.
In about thirty seconds, the door is opened revealing an elderly man with striking blue eyes. He smiles softly at Rosalie.
"Miss Kyle, I assume?" he asks, happily.
"That would be me," Rosalie says, smiling back.
"You received Master Wayne's letter then?" he asks, and Rosalie nods. "Very good. Come in," he says, and Rosalie enters the manor. He leads her up a flight of stairs and into a large room. "Now, this won't be the way you'll be able to enter the Bat Cave since the manor is going to be turned into an orphanage."
"It is?" Rosalie asks.
"Yes, Miss Kyle," he says, smiling.
"Oh, please, just call me Rosalie," Rosalie says.
"Miss Rosalie," Alfred says, and Rosalie shrugs a bit, not bothering to correct the man. "But there are two other entrances to the Bat Cave. The one you'll want to use is this one," he says, handing Rosalie a small piece of paper with an address written in elegant script. Rosalie nods a bit, and Alfred steps forward and uncovers an old piano. He presses a few keys, and Rosalie raises her eyebrows and turns the corners of her lips down, nodding a bit. They step into the elevator, and Alfred presses button to go down. The two adults stand in silence until the doors open again.
"Wow," Rosalie mutters, taking in her surroundings. Alfred smiles at the girl and leads her across the bridge to the computer area. He explains a bit of the technology, and points out an area that would be good for training John.
"Does Mister Blake know your secret?" Alfred asks Rosalie.
"No, he doesn't," Rosalie answers. Alfred nods, and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out two sets of keys, and hands them both to Rosalie. "What are these for?"
"These, Miss Rosalie," he starts, holding up one set of keys, "are to the Mercedes parked in the garage, and these," he holds up the other set of keys, "are to the Penthouse located on the top floor of the hotel that Master Wayne had purchased long ago."
Rosalie looks at the man with wide eyes.
"I…I can't take these Alfred…," Rosalie trails off, and Alfred smiles at her.
"Of course you can, Miss Rosalie. This was all requested by Master Wayne. I'll be relocating to the Penthouse as well, if that's alright by you," he says. Rosalie stares at the man in stunned silence. She blinks several times before throwing her arms around the man. She hears him chuckle and he returns the embrace.
"Of course it's alright by me. It's more than alright," she says, smiling widely. She blinks repeatedly when she pulls away from Alfred, willing the tears to go away. She takes the keys from the man, and takes a deep breath.
"Thank you," Rosalie says, pouring gratitude into those two words.
"No need to thank me, Miss Rosalie. What you've done, and will be doing for this city makes up for everything," Alfred says. "Now, you may want to change into your costume, because I have a feeling that Mister Blake will be here soon."
Rosalie nods.
"I'll be waiting in the manor for you Miss Rosalie. We'll head to the penthouse when you're finished here," Alfred says, and Rosalie nods. She watches as the man walks into the elevator, and the doors close. Rosalie quickly changes into her Black Swan outfit and hides her duffle bag and purse. She sits down in the chair in front of the computers, and crosses her legs. She fiddles around with the computers a bit until she hears the sound of a platform rising. She smirks a bit, and turns the chair to face the noise. Moments later, she sees the stunned face of John, whose eyes widen a bit, and a small grin forms on his face when he sees her.
"Well, it's about time. Don't you know how rude it is to keep a lady waiting?"
-IWRU-
A/N: And that's it guys. *Sigh* I feel like part of me has died. But it will liven up once again when I begin writing the sequel which will be soon! I'll be closing the poll very soon, so if you'd like to vote one last time, go do it! There will be one last chapter for thank you's and acknowledgements. But I really hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Remember to alert to me or keep your eyes open for the first chapter of the sequel! I'll announce the villain in the next chapter.
Until the sequel everyone,
MaygenLynn