Chapter 2: Avenger vs Batman.

The sound of rumbling thunder fills the streets of Gotham.

Dark clouds blot out the clear dark sky, and with the sound of thunder subsiding...

DRIP...

A single drop of water reached one lone rooftop. And on this rooftop stood two men staring each other down.

Avenger and Batman.

Two heroes that disagree with the other and think that the other is or could be a threat to Gotham.

The rain turns from a light drizzle to heavy in an instant.

As the stage was set, Avenger and Batman ran towards each other.

Both men balled up their fists as they got within striking distance.

-Lauren Winters-

Man... Hard to believe that the "Incident" was only a few weeks ago. Riots, deaths,
explosions, guns... Gotham has it all, doesn't it?

Me and my mom, Elise Winters, have been staying at a hotel after out house was shot up by Fish Mooney's men and we moved into another house just this morning. Mom had to take a second mortgage, because our prior house wasn't insured. She thinks I don't know anything, but I do.

Right now, I'm drying myself off after breaking in our new shower. I feel a bit better after a nice hot shower. Hotels are great and all, but I prefer having a shower in a house I know is mine.

I have to start earning money again. After that whole ordeal with me outing Fish Mooney, the editor, Warren wasn't too happy that he wasn't informed of such a story.
If it wasn't for Miss Vale's support, Warren would have fired me.

Apparently, Grace didn't pay off Warren to control the Gotham Gazette. The police arrested a few reporters in the Gazette that apparently worked for Grace illegally.
It's hard to think about... I worked with those people and had coffee with them.

However, there was one thing that I discovered which no one else knows... As far as I know.

A friend of mine. Dark skin, about my age of 17, black hair, average height for a teenager, a prodigy lawyer in the making... And a hero.

Riley Rivers is Avenger.

When I first started this job and I spotted Avenger riding past on his motorbike,
I wanted to find out more about him. I suspected Riley Rivers to start with, thinking he had the motive for fighting Sally 'The Don' Martini. After Avenger saved me from Sally Martini's men and the Russians, I changed my mind when I met Riley personally. I soon got to know a bit about the man and his passion for this city.
His drive to save it. I don't know, but I felt... Something towards him.

When I found Riley's old ski mask, which was part of his former costume, I was scared for him. Especially since he was saving the city from Roman Sionis who blew up a fraction of the city. But, still I'm sitting on a large story: Lawyer turned Vigilante... And there's not a thing I can do about it.

In fact, I haven't told anyone that Riley is Avenger. I really think that he can do a lot of good for this city as he is, but... I'm scared for him.

After I dried myself, I put on some spare clothes and I leave the bathroom. I want to call Miss Vale and meet up with her, she may have some stories we can chase up.

As I leave the bathroom, Mom is waiting for me. She has that sweet smile on her face and she's carrying two cups of hot chocolate. She passes me one.

Mrs Winters: "How was the shower, sweetie?"

Lauren: "Mom! I'm not 10 anymore. I'm 17 now, why keep calling me that?"

I said this in a joking manner. Honestly, it calmed my nerves when she spoke to me. She really was scared and disappointed in me after I told her what had happened and my involvement during the events Winston Grace was in Gotham. I haven't mentioned Riley as Avenger though.

Mrs Winters: "You'll always be my little sweetie, Lauren."

I hugged my mom really close. I knew I had to do what I can to help her with the debt that she was now in.

All of a sudden, the lights in the house went out.

Mrs Winters: "Oh... What?!"

Lauren: "A power outage"

The sound of heavy raining came from outside. The sounds were followed by a bright flash that lasted for a millisecond before disappearing.

Lauren: "Ahhh!"

CRASH!

I was terrified for a split second. I've always hated the suddenness of lightning as well as the rumbling sounds of thunder that always follows and last for a few several seconds.

I think I also dropped my cup of hot chocolate as well, since I heard it crash to the floor.

Mrs Winters: "Don't worry, Lauren. I'm here. Relax."

Lauren: "I'm sorry about the cup."

Mrs Winters: "I'll clean it later. Just relax. It'll pass."

I felt safe in my mom's arms. Shielded. Safe.

But, I couldn't stop worrying. Riley is out there right now, isn't he?

I hope he's safe out there... I really do.

-Avenger-

My father, Michael Rivers, trained me because I asked for it when I was very young.
I admired my father for his skills and sense of justice. It rubbed off on me. He refused me, but he eventually agreed.

I wanted the skills to help my dad save this city.

Who would have thought that I'd be using them like this...

Batman is easily the most skilled martial artist that I've faced thus far. This is a man who has been fighting crime for about a decade now, so it's not surprising.

As I received a sharp punch to my chest, I realised that I just picked a fight with the goddamn Batman. Batman has had far more experience, training, and his techniques are much more refined than mine.

Yet, I don't feel concerned. In fact, I feel calm... As if I have been in this situation many times.

As another of Batman's fists reaches towards my head, I still felt that although I just been struck in the chest, I didn't feel winded or rocked. I could see the punch coming and I blocked it and then countered.

I threw a kick into Batman's ribcage, knocking the Dark Knight off balance. i then spun around and hooked my right arm around Batman's right arm. With my left hand balled up and one of Batman's arms trapped, I hit Batman over and over.

Eventually, he fought back using his knees, but I blocked with my arm, but that left me open to Batman's left arm. I managed to dodge his first strike by moving my head,
and I then let go of Batman's right arm and sweep kicked his left ankle, knocking him down.

Using his legs, Batman placed both feet into my stomach and flipped me over. I managed to land on my feet though and the second Batman got to his feet, I jumped.
spun around, and kicked Batman in the jaw.

I had the upper hand and Batman knew it.

Avenger: "Your move, Wayne."

-Kerry Rivers-

Normal... My life has been as normal as it gets... That was until I came to live in Gotham.

I fell in love and had my heart broken by one Kieran Troy. One lowlife piece of trash. The fact that he's going to get disbarred from his law practise makes me a bit happy. I had my first child with him, Rick. Rick hasn't been the easiest to get along with. He is my first son and I love him, but just like his father, Rick tends to land himself in trouble and he's a player when it comes to women. I just hope that Charlotte, who I love as if she was my own daughter, grows up better than what Kieran is teaching her... I wonder what bimbo that Kieran got pregnant?

I didn't think I'd fall in love a second time, but I did. That was with Michael Rivers. He was the perfect man.

Fit, loyal, loving, in touch with his feelings. He was everything I wanted...
Until he joined the GCPD a few years after Riley was born. With all the crazy things that have happened in Gotham over the years, being a GCPD officer was more dangerous than diving into a minefield.

After all the chaos going on in this scummy city, Chinatown is a black crater in the ground. Riley no longer is employed after Kieran became stupid and tried attacking a woman with a fire axe. Something about this city caused good men to die and crazy men to become even crazier. That's why I didn't want Michael to be in GCPD. But, he was such a stubborn man.

I pick up a picture of my son, Riley. He is wearing his three piece black suit and holding a briefcase. His short black hair which had been combed and washed... Before,
Riley wouldn't wash his hair more than once a fortnight.

I was proud of what he'd become. I was also pleased of the fact that he'd become a Lawyer, instead of an officer like his father. But, yet why has Riley been working nights? He said he's been looking for a new job all around the clock, but I don't believe that... I wonder if he's been seeing that reporter?

Right now all I have left is Riley.

There's something I feel like I'm forgetting as well. But it had something to do with a ski mask. I don't know why, but I feel ill as of late. Ever since I got back from the hospital. What drugs was I injected with?

I felt the need to sit down, so I did. I had trouble staying awake and I started sweating...

Riley... Where are you? Please come home soon.

-Alfred Pennyworth-

I've been many things in my lifetime: A British Intelligence agent for Her Majesty. An actor. Now a Butler as well as a guardian.

When my father, Jarvis Pennyworth, died, I continued his legacy by serving the Wayne family. That's when I met Thomas and Martha Wayne. That's when I was introduced to a just born Bruce Wayne.

When Thomas and Martha Wayne died, I became Master Bruce's legal guardian. I did my best to raise this boy, but vengeance had taken his heart.

He vanished from Gotham for a long time. I had hoped that he left this rotten city behind and started a new life. But, Master Bruce came back and I found that vengeance still had him.

It's been over a decade since then.

Less than a month ago, a madman named Winston Grace captured Dick Grayson, Timothy Drake, Barbara Gordon, Selina Kyle, Jason Todd, and even Master Bruce. He used Thomas Elliot as a pawn to take over Gotham.

However his plan caused yet another young man to descend into the same darkness that took Master Bruce.

Gotham does that to people... Drags them into darkness and fear. Just like the storm outside.

-Batman-

It's possible for a man to become more than a man. For me, I trained for so long to achieve the level I needed to fight the injustice that killed my parents.

There are few people that have managed to reach this level and even fewer surpass that level.

And that is where Riley Rivers is.

I strike fast and hard, but he blocks with ease as if he's done this all his life... Who exactly was his father, Michael Rivers? Who trained him?

I never even saw the punch to the ribs... Or the palm strike to the jaw bone.

I block another of his strikes and I tackled him to the ground. He's younger and faster than me and he uses his quickness to his advantage. But, he weighs less. That I can exploit.

However, Rivers rolls with the tackle and he ends up mounted on me. I underestimated Avenger's skills. I thought that as he tries punching me in that mounted position,
but I block and head-butt him, causing him to roll off of me.

Avenger quickly took out his baton.

Avenger: "How much money do you make in real estate, Wayne?"

Batman: "Why ask that question? What relevance does that have?"

Avenger: "You have shares in every building that you've helped restore. Considering the damage that Gotham's super-criminals have caused over the ten years, you must own a lot of real estate."

Batman: "What's your point, Rivers?"

Avenger: "My point is: you have hooks in every crevice of Gotham. You own that multi-billion dollar company. You pour all those resources into becoming Batman and in doing so, you set up those weapon caches all over, which Sionis took and used to blow up Chinatown."

I get what Rivers is trying to say. He's trying to say that I've become too powerful in Gotham. What Sionis did was turn my power back on me and the city paid for it.

Avenger: "If you ever felt the need to, you could become just as bad as the villains. What's gonna stop you? Your friends and co-workers are pretty much Gods, and you're training your own army. You and I made the decision to fight injustice outside the law, but we're completely different from each other.
I believe Gotham is redeemable and can be saved and returned to it's rightful place, but you believe Gotham NEEDS Batman and you'll take any measure to ensure it's protection, but in doing so, you're just another crime lord yourself."

As Batman, I've attracted challenge. I've had to get better and improve to protect Gotham. I once thought I could do it alone, but that changed. Riley Rivers is just like I was when I first became Batman. He's young. Too young to understand that Batman is needed.

Batman: "The people of Gotham are scared. They would rather hide than fight against the crime and corrupt. Gotham needs the legend of The Batman."

Avenger: "Tell that to the people who died in Chinatown."

Avenger is stuck in his own thinking, He won't let go of his point. His reason for fighting me. To reject me.

The immediate issue however, is that if Avenger is allowed to leave here, he'll head to the Grace Manor to confront Emma Grace about the White Sky formula. Grace will expect him, so she'll have the manor locked down. Rivers will be walking into a trap.

Batman: "I can't let you just run around unchecked, Rivers. Just go home and I'll figure out how to get the nanomachines out of your mother."

Avenger: "Back to business huh? I don't think there's time. Besides, I don't trust you as I've mentioned. I'm getting my own answers and I've wasted enough time here, so get out of the way right now."

Batman: "If you won't listen, I'll beat reason into you."

Rivers motioned to me to attack.

Avenger: "Try."

I took out two batarangs as Avenger charged at me. I blocked a strike from his baton and I swung my other batarang. He dodged and I grazed his arm. But,
he didn't even flinch after being sliced by my batarang, it didn't slow Riley Rivers down. It could be his adrenaline pumping or he may be used to pain.

Avenger used his free hand and he hit me hard in the chin. The jaw bone is the largest and strongest bone, but when hit, it can causes the head to spin which can cause trauma to the brain. A blow to the jaw can cause even the most seasoned of fighters to be knocked out... A lesson taught to me by Ted Grant.

I felt dazed and confused. Rivers was quick to push the advantage and he hit me again and again. Rivers sweeped my legs, knocking me down, then mounted me and punched me in the head over and over.

Rivers eventually stopped and he slowly got off me. I was still conscious, but i wasn't able to stand and Rivers knew it.

I was beaten and I knew it.

-Avenger-

Bruce Wayne. Batman. He isn't an ordinary person. I thought that he'd be knocked out from my hit to the chin. I had hit him hard enough to knock out a normal man,
but Batman isn't a normal man.

Even when on the edge of unconsciousness, he still fought back. But then again,
I'm not an ordinary person either, thanks to Michael Rivers.

As I realised that Wayne was beaten, I got off of him and I looked down on him.
He was still conscious. I had no desire to knock him out, just wanted him out of the way. There was a lot I got off my chest today though.

I had to see Emma Grace and find out how to get the nanomachines out of my mom's body. Since she had White Sky injected into her body to treat the drug version of Black Sky, it can cause side effects. I don't know if they're lethal or not,
but I don't care.

Batman was right about one thing. Emma will have her manor locked down, but I'll find a way in.

I left Wayne there. He was beaten and I was wasting time with him.

I quickly ran and jumped off the building. I swung through the city using my Grapple gun.

-Third Person-

As Avenger left Batman on the rooftop, someone was watching from a short distance away.

He was wearing a black full-body skin-tight suit. A large muscular man with a utility belt strapped to both of his arms and a harness holding a handgun on his chest. He had white hair.

?: "He's ready."

However, there was another person with him. Standing in the shadows behind him.
he wore a long, black coat with a hood attached to it which was over the man's head. He also wore a grey shirt with a black vest, black pants, and dark brown boots. A small crossbow and a small blade was attached to his hip. On his face was a mask made up of depleted Promethium alloy. It had the appearance of a human skull.

?: "To defeat Ra's Al Ghul chosen successor in combat, I agree. But, what of the Order of St. Dumas? They threaten the Demon Head's plans."

Cain: "They will be neutralised."

The masked man then leaves the rooftop and vanishes. Cain smiles as he watches the prone body of Batman struggle to stand.

fifteen minutes later, Batman manages to get back to his feet. He turns on his comms and contacts Alfred Pennyworth.

Batman: "Alfred?"

Alfred: "Master Bruce. I saw what happened on the camera. You weren't going easy on him, were you?"

Batman: "No. I want you to run a check on Michael Rivers. I want to know who trained him."

Alfred: "What about the crime scene earlier tonight?"

Batman: "I'll go through it when I return to the cave. But, I need to catch up with Avenger before he gets himself killed.

-Harper Row-

Mad Hatter: "Go to sleep... Little bird."

That strange, terrifying voice.

Harper: "Ahhhh!"

I looked around and I was in familiar surroundings. My bedroom in mine and Cullen's apartment.

How did I end up here?

Cullen: "Harper! Thank God, you're aware."

Cullen immediately hugged onto me. He must have been sitting next to my bed this whole time.

Harper: "Cullen? How did I end up here?"

Cullen: "Avenger brought you here. He said you were knocked out."

Harper: "More like gassed out. Where is Avenger anyway?"

Cullen: "He left. And he said he wasn't coming back."

Harper: "He said what?!"

I got out of bed. I don't know why Avenger would say something like that, so i need to find out why?

I was about to grab my grapple gun, but it wasn't in my belt. I turned to Cullen and and he had it in his hand.

Cullen: "Harper, please! You'll gonna get yourself killed at this rate. Avenger made the decision to bring you here, you shouldn't go out like this anymore."

I sighed. Cullen clearly said something to Avenger and guilt tripped him. Cullen is really easy to see through.

Harper: "Cullen, I can't just stop now. I've come so far. I'm helping people out there."

Cullen: "You're helping people by getting yourself killed?"

Harper: "Relax. I messed up a bit, it won't happen again."

Cullen looked down as if he was giving up.

Cullen: "No matter what I say, I can't talk you out of it."

Cullen stood up and walked out of the room.

I know. I messed up bad tonight and got caught by Mad Hatter. I have to be more careful. If my mask was taken off, then how long till Cullen got hurt too?
In fact, did they take my mask off?!

Oh man, I hope not.

*15 minutes earlier*

-Avenger-

I was outside the grounds of Grace Manor. Batman was definitely right. Emma did lock down the manor.

Emma should know enough about the White Sky to know how to get the nanomachines out of mom's body. I can't afford to screw this up. I need to talk to Emma now!

About 7 men in the courtyard, all armed. Wide open space with minimal cover.
I won't survive a direct assault, however if you're patient long enough, you can discover weakness in any strategy... Or in this case, patrol.

Using the hedges as cover, I move past the patrols and make my way toward the side of the building.

Emma has a veranda outside her bedroom. That's my way in.

Two guards are standing underneath the veranda, they'll hear my grapple gun if i leave them there. So, I quickly make my way over with my dad's baton drawn.

I jump on one and hook my arm under his chin and squeeze tightly as I hit the over in the head with the baton. After the guard I was holding passed out, I grappled up to the veranda. The door to Emma's bedroom wasn't locked so I opened the door and walked inside. No signs of Emma being in here for a while. She must be somewhere else in the manor. Too much security for her not to be here, especially after robbing a Wayne Enterprises facility personally.

The door out into the hallway was locked however. I looked into the keyhole and saw that there was a guard outside, he may have a key to the room.

I knocked on the door.

"Hey! Whose in there?!"

The guard opened the door and was face to face with me. He tries to jam his gun into my face, but I quickly rip it out of his arms and I hit him in the face with the butt of it.

I hide the body in Emma's room and I walk out into the corridor. I needed to find Emma Grace and I know she's here somewhere.

I worked my way into the grand foyer of the manor and I notice Emma Grace speaking with one of the guards.

Emma: "Is Doctor Harrison settled?"

"Yes. Like you instructed, ma'am."

Emma: "Lovely, now please ensure that no... Unsavoury elements show up. I've had a enough excitement for one night."

The guard left as Emma started to walk back up the stairs. She's likely going back to her room. She's wearing a bathrobe and has a towel wrapped around her hair. She likely just had a shower.

I hide and she passes me on the way to her room. Better not confront her here.
Last thing I need is her screaming for help before I get my answers.

I follow her back to her room and she stops.

Emma: "Where's the guard?"

Emma opens the door to her room and discovers the unconscious guard.

Emma: "Hmm... You can't hire good help these days."

I follow Emma inside the room and close the door.

Avenger: "Hello Emma."

Emma: "Avenger. I didn't imagine I would see you so soon."

Avenger: "I'm here about the White Sky formula."

Emma: "I thought you would."

Avenger: "I know that the White Sky contains nanomachines that are designed to neutralise foreign bodies in a human being, but it has side effects."

Emma didn't even appear surprised to hear about the nanomachines.

Emma: "I knew that. After all, my father employed Doctor Harrison and Doctor Crane to design it."

Winston Grace was the one who had the White Sky designed?

Avenger: "But, why?"

Emma: "He wanted to keep the real Black Sky formula a controlled substance. The White Sky is so that Black Sky couldn't be used against him."

Avenger: "That sounds like something Winston would do. But, what about the side effects?"

Emma: "Those are easily solved, but..."

Avenger: "What?"

Emma: "If you want to know, then could we negotiate?"

I already felt panicked that my mom could experience those side effects at any time,
but the fact that both Batman and Emma have wasted time...

I ran at Emma and shoved her against the wall.

Avenger: "No, Emma. Tell me now."

Emma: "My. How eager you are. Okay, I'll tell you."

I let Emma off the wall and she reached into her bathrobe's pocket.

Emma: "Ha!"

She then quickly stuck something into my neck! A syringe!

Emma: "This is what happens to people who lay their hands on me, darling."

I started to have trouble staying on my feet. I could feel my mind tearing and boiling in my head.

Emma: "This is a powerful neurotoxin. It should render you immobile for a bit."

Emma placed her hand on my cheek.

Emma: "When you wake back up, you will be loyal to me and me alone. I assure you that it'll be a better life than crime fighting."

Avenger: "Go to hell, Grace."

Emma: "Hmm. We'll have to fix that attitude of yours too."

As I look back at the door, I see Mad Hatter and two thugs next to him.

Mad Hatter: "Hehe! We knew you were coming, we did! Eagerly awaiting your arrival!"

T-They planned this... They knew what I was after.

Emma brings her face to my ear and whispers to me.

Emma: "Soon, you will be mine... Mr Rivers."

She did know! She knew this whole time! She planned everything. Injecting Mom with White Sky, she knew that I would eventually find out about the side effects. Meanwhile she played the innocent act... Just to lure me into a trap? For what?

Before I could do anything... As if I could do anything. I was dragged down the hall by the two thugs as Mad Hatter lead the way.

I was taken into a study room which seemed to belong to Emma's father before he died at Hush's hands. Emma soon followed, now dressed in another white business suit. She went over to a bookcase and pulled one of the books out. The next second,
the bookcase moves to reveal an opening into another room. A laboratory.

The thugs drag me into the lab and I notice someone there. A man. Short dark brown hair and glasses, wearing a lab coat.

Emma: "Have you prepared the device, Doctor?"

Harrison: "It is primed and ready. Just strap the patient to it and we will begin."

I didn't know what was happening exactly. What was Emma going to do to me? What is this device?

I was strapped to a machine of some kind. My arms were strapped to it.

Emma: "Leave us."

The thugs, after strapping me to the device, left the room and shut the door behind them.

Emma came up to me and began to unmask me and managed to take the mask off, revealing my face to Mad Hatter and the scientist.

Emma: "No need to reveal secrets unnecessarily. After all, only the people in this room will know who my new solider is."

Avenger: "Why are you doing this, Emma?! Was this all to lead me into a trap?"

Emma: "Yes and no. You see, Mr Rivers, I'm young as you know. I am in need of trustworthy, powerful associates. You cannot be brought or corrupted, not to mention that I have a feeling that you'll go on to do great things in Gotham. You even defeated my father. That's the type of person that I need at my side."

Avenger: "What sense does that make?"

Emma: "The machine you're strapped to, is a special mind-rewriting device. It will simply rewrite how you think. You will view me as a goddess and will serve my every whim. Doctor Tetch will simply poke around your mind and change it somewhat."

I struggled to move my body. I was able to move my arms and legs, but I had no strength thanks to the neurotoxin.

Emma looked at me with intrigue.

Emma: "You seem to be resisting the toxin. That was quite a strong one too. You really fascinate me, Mr Rivers. I will be pleased to have Avenger on my side.
Losing Waylon will hurt me a bit, but you more than make up for it."

Avenger: "I won't serve you, Emma."

Emma: "You won't have a choice. Doctor Tetch, please begin."

Mad Hatter: "As you wish, my white queen."

Mad Hatter puts on a top hat which connected to the device and turns it on.
Suddenly, I felt like hooks were digging into my head.

I felt my entire life flash by in an instant! I-I didn't want this to happen at all!

And there it was... Back to my childhood. With dad.

I spent 12 years training with my dad. When I first trained with dad. He often trained me in fighting in the garage. He often cleared space so that he'd train me.

Michael: "Keep your guard up."

Riley: "Yes, dad!"

One training session which I had forgotten when I was five. It was one of my first sessions with dad. I was blindfolded and my goal was to defend myself from dad.

I had to fight without seeing. My dad said that if I couldn't accomplish that, then i could only make it so far as a fighter.

I felt movement in the air and I ducked down and evade my dad's strike, but the way the strike was swung... It was clear to me that Dad wasn't using his fists and he meant to allow me to dodge.

Next I felt a blunt object crash into my chest. The wind was driven out of me.
I felt so much pain that I couldn't stand. I took off my blindfold and I could see that I was bleeding... T-This isn't right. Dad did hit me, but not hard enough to make me bleed!

I then felt Dad's shin collide with my head.

Michael: "I didn't say stop. Put the blindfold back on."

Riley: "Y-Yes, dad."

Michael: "Remember: Cry and you're done."

Dad didn't say that to me then. He knelt down and asked me if I was okay.
Not attack me again! What is happening?! What is Emma Grace doing to me?!

Another session that I remember...

I was always interested in dad's baton. It was like the Holy Grail to me. I always wanted to hold it, but dad said that I had no idea how to use one.
That's when I asked him to show me.

Dad was training me on how to use fight using batons. We used bamboo to train with. I wasn't as good at using a baton as I was using my body, but it was good to learn how to use a weapon.

Dad hit me around the face with one so hard that I lost a tooth. I remember being in so much pain that day. It was the first time that mom told me about the tooth fairy. Of course before, mom didn't know too much about how me and Dad trained.

Until that day.

As I got back up from being hit... Mom walked in.

Kerry: "Michael..? What the !%#* are you doing?!"

Michael: "Training, Kerry."

Mom looked at my face and saw that I was missing a tooth.

Kerry: "You just knocked our son's tooth out! Is this how you've been training our son?!"

Michael: "Kerry, calm down."

Kerry: "I will not be calm, Michael!"

I don't understand what was going on! This argument... I never saw it that day. This never happened!

My head hurt. Things that shouldn't have happened are happening in my head!
Grace... Is Grace doing this to me?!

As the agurement continued, Mom's temper rose as Dad tried to defend his actions.

Kerry: "Enough!"

Mom picked up one of the bamboo sticks and whacked my dad across the face with it.

Dad: "You shouldn't have done that."

My dad raised his fist and...

The next thing I see is Mom falling onto my dad's bike and she starched her neck on a loose piece of metal.

All different flashes in front of my eyes. The way dad trained me...

It's all wrong!

Avenger: "No!"

Whatever trance I was in, I returned to the laboratory where Mad Hatter and Luke Harrison were tinkering with the device's console.

Harrison: "He's woken up!"

Mad Hatter: "Impossible! He should be asleep and dreaming!"

I was angry. Too angry. Hatter and Harrison had messed around with my head and i wasn't too happy about it.

Emma Grace was nowhere to be seen, but right now, I was focused on the two in front of me.

I struggled with all my strength and the straps that held me in place broke.

I walked towards Mad Hatter who looked panicked and afraid.

Mad Hatter: "Y-You can't be awake! I haven't even gotten started with you yet!"

Avenger: "You're lying! You changed my memories!"

I grabbed Mad Hatter by his collar.

Mad Hatter: "I'm being honest! I swear that I didn't do anything... Although, i felt like I've met you before."

Met me before?

Avenger: "What do you mean by that?!"

Mad Hatter: "I don't know! I don't remember, but you seem familiar to me."

I had finally had enough of Hatter's games and I punched him in the head. The hat he was wearing which connected to the device flew off.

Mad Hatter: "Gahhh!"

His body began to convulse and he lost consciousness.

I looked at Doctor Harrison.

Avenger: "What happened to him?"

Harrison: "You removed his hat while the device was active! It was connected to his brain."

I should have felt worried for him. I should be demanding that someone call an ambulance,
but right now, I was staring right at Luke Harrison. The same doctor who had the White Sky formula injected into Mom's body.

I went up to him and I punched the wall next to his head. He looked scared after what happened to Mad Hatter.

Avenger: "How do I get the White Sky's nanomachines out of someone?!"

Harrison: "I-I..."

Avenger: "Tell me. Or I'll beat it out of you, slowly."

Harrison: "The nanomachines are vulnerable to electric shock. Simply shock someone with enough volts to fry the nanomachines. That's all I know about it!"

Avenger: "And what about the data that Mad Hatter stole earlier?"

Harrison: "On the desk... Please just take it and leave!"

I saw the thumb drive on the desk. I quickly took it.

Avenger: "Thanks."

I then punch Doctor Harrison in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

Putting my mask back on, I picked up Mad Hatter, who needs medical attention, and I walked towards the exit. However, the door opened to reveal Batman.
Behind him was a bunch of knocked out henchmen.

Avenger: "What are you doing here?"

Batman: "What happened to Jervis?"

Batman noticed Mad Hatter in my arms and changed the subject.

Avenger: "Didn't follow safety. He needs medical help now."

Batman: "Come on."

I followed Batman out through the study and out of one of the manor's windows.
The Batmobile was waiting.

Batman: "Place Jervis in the back."

Seats then came out of the Batmobile's rear, and I placed Mad Hatter into one of them.

Batman: "Get in."

Avenger: "I have my ride here. Where are you taking Tetch?"

Batman: "Arkham. They'll have necessary treatment for him there."

Avenger: "Fine by me. I got what I need."

I got onto my bike.

Batman: "Our conversation isn't over. We'll talk later."

Batman then drove off with Tetch.

At this point, Emma's guards were closing in. I took out the thumb drive that contained the White Sky formula... I think I'll keep this for now. Better off with me than Emma or Batman.

I then drove off myself. I got what I needed, so I better get home as soon as possible.

But still, what I saw from that mind altering device still panicked me.
Now that the adrenaline thinned out, it sent shivers down my spine.

Who was my dad really?

*Riley Rivers' home*

Unlike Batman or, most likely, other people in costume, I don't have a secret hideout to change and recollect my bearings.

I don't live a glamorous double life or a fantastic personal life or a glorious superheroing career.

I'm merely and seventeen year old boy living on the outskirts of the Narrows in Gotham city.

It's been a long night. And right now, I wanted to see if Mom is okay. Thanks to Luke Harrison, I know how to get the nanomachines out of her body. What i didn't know was how was I gonna give her a powerful electric shock? Maybe I should convince her to get a checkup at a hospital?

I took out my key to the house from my coat pocket and I open the door.

Usually, Mom greets me at the door. Since it's late, I was expecting to be scolded.

But, I went into the living room. And mom was on the chair. She looked to be asleep.

Riley: "Mom?"

I went over to her and tried nudging her, but she didn't even respond. I didn't even think she was breathing!

I quickly looked for a pulse. There wasn't a single beat!

Riley: "No, no, no, no, no!"

My first thought was it had to be the nanomachines in her system. I didn't know how long she was unconscious for, I didn't know if calling an ambulance would make a difference, they'd never get here in time.

I quickly rested mom on the ground. If I can just get her breathing...

I started sweating and my own breathing became heavy. I was scared. Scared at losing mom.

I tried opening her airway and I began CPR. I started chest compressions and then I tried breathing into her mouth to try and resuscitate mom.

It didn't work.

Damn it! Damn it! Please no, not her, please not her.

I was in a panic. I didn't know what to do. How to save her.

Wait! There was one thing! Harper's supercharged taser!

I quickly ran upstairs and grabbed the taser. Normally tasers shouldn't be able to penetrate the chest wall, since it's only used to incapacitate. But Harper supercharged this one. It should do the trick!

I quickly took off mom's shirt and I placed the taser on her chest. I switched it on, and mom's body rose for a split second. She still isn't breathing.

Riley: "Come on, mom! You're stronger than this!"

I switched it on again and mom's body rose a second time...

Kerry: "(GASP)"

Mom took in a sudden gasp of breath! It worked! It really worked!

Riley: "Thank God, thank God, thank God."

The anxiousness in my body faded and was replaced by elation as Mom slowly sat up.

Riley: "Mom, relax. You shouldn't overwork yourself."

Kerry: "Riley? W-What happened to me?"

I didn't know whether to tell Mom that she was in cardiac arrest or not. She'll think it's natural causes... But, I can't just hide that from her.

Riley: "You fell into cardiac arrest. I resuscitated you with this."

I showed her the taser.

Kerry: "Where did you get that?!"

Riley: "A friend of mine lent me it."

Kerry: "It wasn't that Lauren girl, was it?"

I helped mom up to her feet and started to take her upstairs.

Riley: "No. Why mention Lauren?"

Kerry: "Aren't you seeing her?"

Riley: "No. We're friends, but we're not that close."

Kerry: "Why do you stay out all night then?"

Riley: "I told you. I have to find work and Gotham is a big city."

Kerry: "You're probably lying, but I can't argue with you now. I'll book a hospital appointment tomorrow. I need to find out why I went into cardiac arrest."

At least if she gets checked out at a hospital, it will clear her mind when it's nothing.

I got Mom into bed and I tucked her in.

Kerry: "(YAWN) Good night, Riley."

Riley: "Night, mom."

As mom started to drift off to sleep, I noticed something on her neck. A scar.

I-It can't be.

Riley: "Mom?! Where did you get that scar?"

Mom was asleep by this point.

I quickly ran down to the garage and check the floor of the garage. Dad used this place for bike maintenance and my training. Was my mom injured here?

I scanned the room, looking for dried up blood.

What I found was oil and some brown stuff.

Blood. It was blood, no doubt about it.

I couldn't contain my rage. Did my dad used to beat mom? W-Why would I not remember something like this?!

I grabbed an iron pipe and smashed it against the wall.

Not knowing what to do, I leaned against a wall and slumped to the ground.

Dad... Who were you, really?

-Batman-
*The Batcave*

After I delivered Jervis Tetch, The Mad Hatter, to Arkham Asylum, I returned to the Batcave.

I got out of the Batmobile and Alfred was waiting.

Alfred: "How was it, Master Bruce?"

Batman: "I delivered Mad Hatter to Arkham. Initial analysis suggests that he suffered severe mental trauma. He's in a coma right now in Arkham's medical bay."

Alfred: "That's terrible to hear, but what about Master Rivers?"

Batman: "I found him making his own escape attempt. Emma Grace seems to be targeting him,
but she'll have to regroup. She's lost both Killer Croc and Mad Hatter in one night. She may start losing control of the gangs soon enough. Either way, Rivers should be safe... For as long as he stays put."

I go over to the Batcomputer and I look up Michael Rivers.

Alfred: "It's quite a thing for someone Master Rivers' age to be as skilled as he is. This Michael Rivers must have been quite the combatant."

Batman: "Michael Rivers. He's been on the GCPD for over ten years. Longer than I've been Batman. He quickly rose to be a detective and served numerous case,
before being demoted to Beat Officer... A few weeks before he was killed by Jack Marco, a corrupt cop."

Since Winston Grace had connections to the GCPD, it would make sense if he used his influence to remove Michael Rivers as a threat. Beat Cops are murdered often in Gotham.

But, before the GCPD there's not much on Michael Rivers. He was born in Chicago,
he was 51 years old at time of death. Where did he go before Gotham?

Alfred: "In case you were wondering, sir, Commissioner Gordon has announced a police conference tomorrow to discuss what happened at City Hall."

Batman: "Several of Gotham's leading politicians all dead and one survives? That can't be a coincidence. And that symbol as well... What kind of organisation could profit from Theodore Galavan becoming mayor of Gotham?"

*James Gordon's home*
-James Gordon-

Ahh... What a day it's been. Murders at City Hall. Not the news that this leaderless city needs right now.

Theo Galavan. One of the few leading politicians left alive after the murders. Coincidence? So much crazy happens in Gotham, that I can't tell anymore.
That mysterious symbol is the only clue we have, and Galavan's testimony. He says that men barged into the room and killed everyone with blades, he was closest to the door and made it out before the killers got to him.

I have a feeling Gotham is in for yet another bloodbath before this is all over.

Barbara's not here tonight. Likely back at her apartment.

I'm tired... I need some sleep.

I turn on the light to my bedroom.

?: "Shhh."

Gordon: "Who!.."

I felt something hit me in the back of the head.

?: "Hush, now."

Chapter 2 end.