Avenger: Silent War

by Buck Ink

Both Avenger and Batman are at odds with each other after Chinatown's destruction in Blind Justice. However, a dangerous enemy has come to Gotham, with an even greater evil close behind that brings with it a shocking revelation that may change Riley Rivers' life forever as well as have ramifications for the entire world. I don't own anything from DC/Marvel or the name "Bullet Club"

7. Chapter 7: Avenger vs Bat Family

Chapter 7: Avenger vs Bat Family.

-Riley Rivers-

Riley: "Yes, mom. I'm fine. I saw the explosion from my office so I stayed and took cover."

Kerry: "Riley, just please come home right now. With all the craziness going on, it's just not safe."

Riley: "I'll come home soon, mom. I just need to finish some paperwork and then I'll come home quickly."

Kerry: "Okay. Just stay safe, please? A lot of things have been going on the past few days."

Riley: "I will. See you at home."

I hung up. Mom said that she saw the explosion from home and she instantly started calling. I didn't tell her a complete lie. I am at my office.

GCPD and Gotham's other emergency services were all over the Gotham Harbor.
The damage could have been so much worse tonight if we hadn't come across the Joker's bomb.

Speaking of the Joker, he apparently attacked the DA's office and hospitalised Harvey Dent and killed over twenty people. He was apprehended, most likely by Batman. He knew where the Joker was going to strike.

It was lucky that Emma gave me the tablet showing Jean-Paul Valley's location, otherwise Gotham would make one heck of a crater. The Joker tricked Jean-Paul into almost blowing Gotham to kingdom come.

Speaking of Jean-Paul Valley, he's been taken back to Arkham along with the Joker and rightfully so. When I fought him, he really thought he was Azrael, the Angel of Vengeance... What did the Order of St. Dumas do to him? Also, his reflexes and strength wasn't human. I was lucky to get out of that one alive.

Stephanie needed to go home before her mother, Crystal, discovers her missing and Harper decided to go home and leave the clean-up to the GCPD after we'd saved the day.

It's only the beginning though.

'- a new heir has been chosen by him to lead the League into Gotham to destroy it!'

A new heir? I don't understand. Who are the League exactly? Something tells me that they are more than just assassins.

After that Cassandra, who was here with me, sat down on a chair and I tended to her wound. She was shot in the arm by a member of Bullet Club who have been returned to Blackgate Prison. Hopefully, they don't break out again.

I would take Cassandra to the hospital, but considering what's going on, I didn't want to risk someone finding out who she is or who I am.

I've been shot before, so I brought a first aid kit just in case. It should have what I need for emergency first aid, even a bullet wound.

I didn't know anything about bullet wound treatment, so I looked up anything I could find on my computer.

Riley: "The bullet is lodged into your arm. I'll have to remove it. I'm reading a how to guide on how to do this, so this could hurt."

I used a tourniquet around Cassandra's armpit to reduce circulation and then I used a pair of sterilised tweezers to enter Cassandra's wound. I tried to remain steady, last thing I wanted was to start digging away inside her arm.

Cassandra: "Used to... Pain."

Riley: "I've been shot before. It's not pleasant. How do you do it?"

Cassandra: "Training."

Riley: "Your dad?"

Cassandra nods.

I start feeling a throbbing pain in the back of my head. I recall my father and I training with knifes... He slashed me with one, and if I showed pain, he slashed me again.

But, that's not the way it went. We did train with knifes, but not like that...
What's happening to me?

Cassandra: "You're in pain."

Cassandra seemed to catch on to how I was feeling. She can probably tell thanks to my body langauge.

Riley: "It's nothing."

I finally managed to grab the bullet inside Cassandra's arm and I slowly pulled it out and placed it into a bowl along with any pieces of shattered bone and metal that I could remove. I sterilised her wound and stitched the open wound closed before wrapping a bandage around the area.

Riley: "That should do it. It shouldn't get infected either."

I think I earned a cup of tea for tonight. Almost being killed twice makes a man thirsty.

I recently brought some Assam tea. I've been heating the kettle while I was stitching up my own wound that Azrael gave me across my chest. Any deeper, he could have killed me.

I couldn't make the tea the way I wanted since I don't have a stove, but it's better than nothing.

I brewed the tea and I made an extra one for Cassandra.

Riley: "Here."

I gave the cup to Cassandra. She stared at it for a few moments.

Riley: "It's Assam tea. I got it a few days ago to try, never got around to it.
You could try it with me."

Cassandra smiled and drank a bit of the tea. She looked at me with approval.
She likes it.

Before I was able to drink, I felt an uncomfortable feeling that someone was coming.
Someone that I knew...

Riley: "Stay here."

I took Cassandra to stay and she looked at me with question.

Cassandra: "Someone here?"

Riley: "Yes. I think I know who it is. You better stay here."

I left Cassandra in the office and I closed the blinds. I closed the door behind me.

The area outside my office was in total darkness, but I knew someone was here...

I reached out in the darkness and I grabbed hold of someone and pulled them to me.

It was Batman.

He broke out of my grip and he stood a bit away from me.

Riley: "What are you doing here?"

Batman: "You knew where Galavan was."

Riley: "His real name is Jean-Paul Valley."

Batman: "I know. This isn't the first time I've faced the Order."

Riley: "You knew about Valley and you didn't tell me anything?!"

Batman: "I didn't have to. I wasn't aware that Galavan was Jean-Paul. The Order must have done something to him to make sure I couldn't recognise him. Facial reconstruction."

Riley: "So they altered Jean-Paul so that you couldn't recognise him. That means you've fought him before? And you didn't say a word to me about it?"

Batman: "We are not partners, Rivers. Do not pretend we are."

Riley: "No, Batman. We are NOT partners. We never will be. But, with the city in danger, I thought a bit of cooperation was in order."

Batman: "How did you know about Azrael's location?"

So he knows about Azrael as well.

Riley: "Emma Grace told me."

Batman: "Why would Emma Grace, Gotham's criminal Kingpin, tell you about Jean-Paul Valley's location?"

Riley: "I made a deal. The White Sky formula in exchange for the location."

Batman then got closer to me and stared right into my eyes.

Batman: "You gave her the formula?! You had it this entire time?!"

Riley: "Yeah. It was safer in my hands than yours. I didn't know what you were doing with it at Wayne Enterprises. I bet if you could, you would find a way to weaponise the formula."

Batman: "I was having it researched to find out what it was and how it worked!
I was never planning to weaponise it and now you've handed it to a seventeen year old crime lord who could far more damage with it."

Riley: "The fact that I did that is the reason Gotham is not a smoking hole in the ground. Face it, Batman. The Joker played both Jean-Paul and you. This city would have been destroyed and under your watch as well."

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

Riley: "That maybe, you cause more harm than good. Chinatown's destruction.
and now this. How many people have suffered because of your actions, Batman?"

Batman: "You don't understand. How could you? You haven't been doing this as long as I have, Rivers. You just put on a mask and you think you're a hero? No.
Heroes are born from the actions they take and how they take responsibility for those actions."

Riley: "Honestly Batman, I don't think that you even know what justice is. You believes in codes and metaphysical philosophies, all so you can continue this war against crime. If you really wanted to take responsiblity for your actions,
then why isn't Thomas Elliot... Oh, sorry. I mean Tom Edwards, standing trial for his crimes? What you actually mean is take responsiblity for your actions until they blow up in your face and then sweep it under the rug."

Thomas Elliot. Hush. A man who Batman had institutionalised in Arkham Asylum under the false name of Tom Edwards and is kept sedated on a daily basis.
Batman did that, because Hush knows who Batman is. Who the Bat Family is.
Who I am.

But just because he knows who we are, doesn't give us the right to keep him drugged and wrongfully placed in an insane asylum for the rest of his life.

Batman: "If Hush was allowed to talk, do you know how many people would suffer?"

Riley: "And so the solution is to turn him into a vegetable?"

Batman and I just glared at one another. Neither one of us was going to win this agurement. I can't even believe this is even an argument...

Batman: "There's no convincing you."

Riley: "There's no convincing you."

Batman then looked towards the office...

Batman: "Who's in there?"

Batman tried to walk over to the office door, but I stop him.

Riley: "Why?"

Batman: "I know someone's in there. You had three girls with you. Harper Row.
Stephanie Brown. And a third. That's the third."

Batman went over to the office door and opened it. Cassandra was sitting there and looked at Batman. I knew I had a bad feeling about this and I was right.
The way Batman and Cassandra looked at each other, told me that they've met before.

Batman: "I know you."

Cassandra: "Batman..."

Batman tries to approach Cassandra, but I pull his cape, pulling him back in front of me.

Riley: "What is this about?"

Batman: "That girl is working with a terrorist organisation, Rivers. You need to stand aside."

I looked back at Cassandra. Her? Working for a terrorist organisation?

Cassandra: "Not with them."

Cassandra looked like she was telling the truth. She's been straight with me thus far. And this terrorist organisation...

Riley: "This terrorist organisation. Tell me. Is the League of Assassins?"

Batman narrows his eyes at me.

Batman: "How do you know?"

Riley: "Cassandra told me. She said that she's escaped from League after they drugged her. She's not with them."

Batman: "I met her in West Africa where she obediently followed Ra's al Ghul's orders."

Riley: "Ra's al Ghul? Is that the Demon's Head?"

Batman: "It's Arabic. Ra's al Ghul is a environmental extremist who believes that humanity is so dangerous to the planet, that he wants to commit mass genocide to 'cleanse' the planet."

We're dealing with an international terrorist?! I now understand why the Order of St. Dumas were trying to take over Gotham. They were preparing for a war...

Batman: "Cassandra Cain is the daughter of David Cain, a member of the League,
and one of the world's most deadliest assassins. She's very dangerous, Rivers.
Far more than you think and what she's told you. It's better if you allow me to take her. I can protect her."

Riley: "You mean lock her in a cage."

Batman: "These men are some of the most dangerous on the planet. You don't know what they're capable of."

Riley: "No. If Cassandra isn't willing, I won't let you take her and lock her in that cave of yours."

I looked at Cassandra who looked down.

Cassandra: "Made friends... Harper... Stephanie... Want to stay."

I looked back at Batman and I crossed my arms.

Riley: "If you haven't got anything else to say, then get out."

I stared at Batman for a few seconds and he backed away into the darkness. He left.

I went over to Cassandra who was slightly on edge.

Cassandra: "Ra's al Ghul... Come for me. Now, Batman."

Riley: "I won't let either of them take you, Cassandra. You can stay with me, Harper,
Cullen, and Stephanie. I'm sure they'll have no problem either."

Cassandra smiled and she hugged me.

Riley: "This is your home now, Cassandra. Welcome home."

-Luke Harrison-

I really don't know why I even work in this city. I came to Gotham with some experimental nanotechnology that I stole from Star Labs back in Metropolis and nobody suspected a thing.

I used to take bribes from Winston Grace to smuggle drugs and the sort out onto the streets to maintain his drug empire. When I showed him the nanotech, he offered a king's ransom for it.

And now, I'm manufacturing it for a seventeen year old Kingpin of crime... How life takes people to strange places.

In my lab, I've ordered that Emma's guards not disturb me. I don't know how Miss Grace recovered the formula, and I don't want to know, but at this rate I should be able to create enough White Sky for little Miss Grace to sell off to people around the world. I'll be a wealthy man by the end of this.

After the mixing process was complete, a single vial of White Sky came out of the containment unit.

One down, millions more to go.

OPEN...

The door to my lab started opening! Are those dumbbells deaf or something?!

Harrison: "I told you not to disturb me! What do you..."

The man who entered was wearing a long, black, coat. And wore a mask like a skull.

He was carrying a blade. Coated in blood.

Assassin: "Luke Harrison. The world no longer needs you."

He started to approach me! H-He's here to kill me?!

Harrison: "Wait! My employer is filthy stinking rich! She'll pay you to spare my life."

Assassin: "I have no use for money."

Harrison: "What about drugs?! I can get you plenty!"

My back was up against the wall! There wasn't a place to run!

Assassin: "Prepare for the end."

He grabbed me by the collar and drew me close.

Harrison: "Listen! Killing me won't solve anything..."

Cold steel suddenly slit across my throat... The man pushed my body against the wall and he looked at the containment unit. He slashed his blade against the mixing chamber, releasing the chemicals.

I started to lose the strength in my body fast. I was choking. On my own blood.

The chemicals started to pour into the electrical wiring... They'll catch fire! And catch fire they did.

The Assassin then walked away from the lab.

Somehow, the end isn't as painful as I feared. Although I was worried what would take me first: Drowning in blood or the fire...

BOOM!

I guess the fire.

-Emma Grace-

This can't be happening...

I watched as my entire manor was ablaze. Everything that my father struggled and fought for... Burning!

All I had was one vial of White Sky that survived the fire.

Emma: "Damn it all!"

My personal driver drove away from the manor.

Someone was gonna pay for this. I swear it...

*The Next Evening*
-Batman-

Tonight, a new mayoral candidate, Sebastian Hady is giving his election speech.

Hady: "In the wake of recent events: Chinatown's destruction, the riots, the release of The Joker, a phony, psychotic former mayoral candidate who thinks he's the Angel of Vengeance, and a cult of extremists trying to take over the City. Gotham is in need for strong leadership and I, Sabastian Hady, is willing to lead Gotham in a golden age of peace and prosperity."

Sabastian Hady is a small-time politician, now he's making a move on the Mayor's office. Using the chaos that has happened since Hamilton Hill's death to sneak in the back door, he'll win by a landslide. There's no one left anyway thanks to Jean-Paul Valley.

Speaking of Jean-Paul Valley, I went to see him in Arkham. He's being treated in the room next to Tom Edwards. A false identity that I created for Hush so that he can be held here safely.

Riley Rivers feels that this is a violation of the laws that he and I fight to uphold in Gotham, but doesn't see the bigger picture. Hush has manipulated so many in the past and he knows too much about so many different people. Allowing him to be treated by Due Process, could put many in danger.

I enter Jean-Paul's cell.

Batman: "Azrael."

Azrael: "Batman. You come to mock me? You sent your acolyte to thwart me and lock me in this place?"

Batman: "No, Jean-Paul..."

Azreal tries to tear himself free from his restraints, but he can't.

Azrael: "My name is Azrael!"

He soon relaxes himself back into his chair. With his amount of training and deadly split-persoanlity disorder which makes him believe he really is an Angel of Vengeance, those restraints could be all that keep him from freedom.

Batman: "Tell me. Why are the Order of St. Dumas fighting against the League of Assassins?"

Azrael: "They wish to destroy Gotham, we wish to save it. The Demon's Head schemes against the world yet again."

Batman: "How? Does it involve Riley Rivers and Cassandra Cain?"

Azrael: "Riley Rivers? I'm unsure who he is. Cassandra Cain is supposed to be betrothed to the new heir. The League had two of it's greatest members train their children to one day, take over the league. David Cain and another... I don't know his name."

I do.

I walked out of Azrael's cell.

Batman: "You helped me figure it all out, Azrael."

I returned to the Batcave where Alfred was waiting for me along with Damian.

Damian: "Father, you've returned. Now, I ask again: Why didn't you take me with you?
I can handle a few freaks in Arkham."

Batman: "Because, Azrael and the Order of St. Dumas have been warring with the League. If I taken you, he may not have been cooperative."

Alfred: "Very good, sir. Did you discover why Azrael and the Order have been fighting Ra's al Ghul?"

I sat down at the Batcomputer and I brought my case file on Michael Rivers.

Batman: "Michael Rivers. 51 years of age, born in Chicago. From a young age, he was studying in criminology and sociology. He demonstrated that he was a prodigy in martial arts, mastering kung fu in less than six months."

Damian: "Pfft. I could do that in six days."

Alfred: "Like Father like Son."

Batman: "It was a matter of time until he joined the police academy and he became an officer of the law at 19 years of age. He became a detective the following year and was one until the age of 24... But, after that, he dropped off the grid."

I looked for any incidents close to the time where Rivers departed Chicago.
He was 24 when he left and the next time he showed up was in Gotham at 27.
He was off the grid for three years, where did he go?

Damian: "What does it matter what happened to Rivers' father anyway? He's some kind of ace detective, but he's dead now, so what does it matter?"

Batman: "If Michael Rivers is connected in any way to the League, that would mean that Riley could be a part of their plans too."

I found something. Before Michael Rivers left Chicago, there was reports of a massacre... Over 50 dead in a gang shootout. The police didn't respond to this due to lack of manpower at the time. But, soon after, Michael Rivers was discharged from the CPD.

I have a theory.

Batman: "Alfred. Send Rivers a message. Tell him to come here."

Alfred: "But, Master Rivers doesn't trust you, Master Bruce. Even if you discover anything, he may not hand over the girl to you easily."

Batman: "He won't have a choice."

-Riley Rivers-

I'm home with Mom now. She's been on edge lately for a few days now. I asked her if anything's happened, but she tells me there isn't. She went on to say that I'm her son and she'll love me forever...

Something has happened and I know it. But, if she doesn't tell me, what can I do about it. I thought it might have something to do with Rick in prison awaiting trial and Hunter in hospital still. Becca is at home now, but whatever the Joker did to her, broke her. She's refusing to speak to anyone right now.

Becca may not be my most favourite person, but she didn't deserve what happened to her.

My mom just cooked dinner for me and she was watching Sebastian Hady's campaign speech. All the danger in Gotham is gone for now, so he comes out of a hole and steals the Mayor's office.

Kerry: "That is disgraceful. Didn't run against that crazy Galavan person and now that the danger has passed, he snuck in the back door."

Riley: "Agreed. I can't believe that we're gonna have this guy as Mayor by default, we don't even know if he'll keep his promise or be just like Hamilton Hill."

Kerry: "If he's ANYTHING like Hill, I'm moving away."

Riley: "I'll pack for you right now."

Me and mom shared a laugh before we heard a knock at the door.

KNOCK KNOCK

Riley: "I'll answer that."

I got up and walked to the front door. I opened it to be faced with a familiar face.

Riley: "Lauren?"

It was Lauren Winters. She was looking at me with worry. She looks like she was scared half to death.

She reached out and hugged me tightly. She had a really good grip on me as if she didn't want to let me go.

Riley: "Lauren? What's wrong?! Did something happen?"

Lauren: "No. Nothing happened."

Riley: "Why are you hugging me?"

Lauren: "Just wanted to."

I didn't know what happened, but Lauren was clearly upset. I didn't know what to do with Lauren right now...

Kerry: "Riley, who's that at the door?"

Riley: "It's Lauren. Just talking to her."

Kerry: "Well, can you shut the door? It's breezy tonight."

I didn't know why Lauren was upset, but I didn't want to talk to Lauren outside and I also couldn't get her off of me, so I pulled Lauren inside.

Riley: "I'm gonna head upstairs."

Kerry: "Nooooooo. Stay down here."

Mom has been through a lot. I did want to spend time with her tonight, but I guess something came up.

Riley: "Sorry. I feel a bit tired."

Kerry: "Okay... Just get an early night."

I whispered to Lauren, who was still gripped onto me.

Riley: "We have to be very quiet."

Lauren: "Okay."

We quietly went upstairs in this awkward position, trying to avoid Mom from turning and spotting Lauren. If she knew that I brought someone into the house, she'd start smashing furniture. She hates people and she's that ashamed of the house.

Once we got into my room, Lauren finally let go of me.

Riley: "Okay, we have to be quiet. Mom can't know you're here. But, we're alone,
so what's happened?"

Lauren: "I told you. Nothing's happened."

Riley: "Then why do you look so panicked?"

Lauren looked straight at me. Right into my eyes.

Lauren: "You scared me last night. I thought you were dead."

Riley: "I was fine. I saw the explosion from my..."

Lauren: "Don't lie to me."

It was at this point that I started feeling panicked myself. What was Lauren talking about? D-Does she know?

Riley: "Lauren... What are you saying?"

Lauren breathed deeply. She looked like she was trying to prepare herself for what was to come and that there was no going back.

Lauren: "Riley. I know."

Riley: "... You do?"

Lauren: "You're Avenger."

She knew. She must have known since last night at least. That's why she looked scared when I ran off with Joker's bomb.

Riley: "How long have you known?"

Lauren: "I found your old mask. Remember, it was me that snapped the first photo of you when you started out. I recognised it and knew it was yours."

Yeah. After Fish Mooney's henchmen shot up Lauren's old house, she came here for safe haven with her mother... Man, explaining that one to mom was a doozy.

But, I thought I burned my old uniform... Maybe I missed a mask or two. Better destroy them later so mom doesn't find them.

Lauren: "You ran off with that bomb, knowing that you may not escape the explosion.
You risked your life to save the city, but I was terrified. I thought that the next time I'd see you, you'd be dead."

Riley: "I'm sorry, Lauren. I didn't mean to worry you."

Lauren: "It's fine... I just don't understand. Why? Why do you do this? How can you fight the way you do?"

Riley: "Lauren, slow down. You're talking too fast."

Lauren: "Right, sorry."

Riley: "But, have you told anyone?"

Lauren: "No. I haven't told a soul. It's not my secret to tell, besides I'm only a journalist in training."

Riley: "Yet, you found out who I was. You've been on to me since the start."

Lauren made a small smile. She and I sat down on the bed and I told her about me as Avenger.

I told her about my dad, that he trained me and how I admired him. He was the reason I became Avenger. I told her about Jack Marco. That I had the opportunity to kill him, but I didn't. It wouldn't be how my dad wanted. He would have wanted justice over vengeance.

Lauren: "Why tell me all this?"

Riley: "Because you deserve to know, Lauren. I've put you in danger before, and I've probably worried you half to death more than once by now. I feel...
That you should know about me."

Lauren: "Everything... Makes sense."

I felt a weight of my shoulders. Talking to someone like this... I couldn't tell anyone anything substantial. But, with Lauren, it's different.

Lauren: "Riley, what about Batman? Have you met him?"

Riley: "I have. Him and his entire Bat Family."

Lauren: "You sound like you don't like him too much."

Riley: "Lauren... If he knew him and seen the things he's done over the past month, you would doubt that he's actually what Gotham needs."

Lauren: "I don't understand. What has Batman done?"

I don't know if I can just come out and tell her what Batman has done. He's been protecting Gotham for years now, but even since I've met Batman, he's done questionable thing after questionable thing.

Riley: "Do you know Tom Edwards?"

Lauren: "No."

Riley: "You wouldn't. He's an inmate in Arkham Asylum that Batman captured. But, his real name is Doctor Thomas Elliot."

Lauren: "You mean the famous surgeon? Why would he be in Arkham?"

Riley: "Elliot is actually a criminal named Hush. He was trying get rid of Bruce Wayne, but Batman stopped him. He tried to kill the Gordons, but I stepped in.
Batman arranged for Hush to be treated in Arkham under a false name and false prescription sedative."

Lauren: "Why would Batman do that?!"

Riley: "Because Hush knows who Batman is. If Hush went to trial or into general population, he could blow the whistle on Batman."

Lauren: "You don't like that because you think Batman put himself above the law."

Riley: "Exactly. He thinks he is Gotham. That Gotham needs him. But, it shouldn't be like that at all."

Lauren put her hand on mine.

Lauren: "Riley. You can't just take on the Batman. He's done so much good for the city."

Riley: "I know. He has. But, if someone isn't around to stop him... Who knows what he's really capable of."

Lauren: "That's too much! You can't shoulder this all on your own."

Riley: "Who else is there?"

Lauren then started squeezing my hand. I looked into her eyes. Her eyes were brown... I've looked into her eyes before, but I couldn't remember the colour.

Lauren and I lean towards each other. W-What's happening right now? What am I doing? I shouldn't do this. I've done enough to Lauren...

RING...

I heard my phone ring. I have a text.

Lauren: "Your phone?"

Riley: "Yeah."

Lauren: "I-I guess you better get that."

Riley: "Yeah."

I got off the bed and looked at the phone. It came from a Pennyone?

Pennyworth. Wayne's butler. This is from Batman.

'Come to the cave. We have something to discuss.'

What could Batman possibly want with me? I have a feeling this could be about Cassandra.

I opened the briefcase and opened the secret compartment. I took out my Avenger suit and showed it to Lauren.

Lauren: "You have to go out?"

Riley: "I do. Why don't I take you home?"

Lauren: "How?"

A few minutes later, I was swinging through the city with Lauren hanging onto my back.

Lauren: "HOW DID I LET YOU TALK ME INTO THIS?!"

Avenger: "Relax! I won't let you fall."

Lauren: "But, what about your mom? Would she notice you're gone?"

Avenger: "She only checks the room when she goes upstairs. If the lights are off,
she just leaves me alone."

Lauren: "But, this is amazing! How do you do this every night?!"

Avenger: "You get used to it."

Before long, I dropped Lauren off near her home at an alleyway. I had to make sure that nobody saw us, or people could make a connection to me.

Avenger: "I have to drop you off here. It'd look weird if I drop you off at the front door."

Lauren: "(Giggles) I guess. Riley?"

Avenger: "Yeah?"

Lauren: "Thanks for confiding in me."

Avenger: "Of course. You're my best friend."

Lauren: "I know... Well, I better go."

Lauren started walking away, but she stopped in her tracks. I wondered if she forgot something, but before I could say anything...

She ran up to me and kissed me. She just placed her hands on my cheeks and kissed me!

Before I could do anything to react, she ran off.

W-What just happened? Did I just get kissed? That's the first time that's happened.
I liked that... I really did. I liked doing that with Lauren. I never really thought about Lauren that way before...

I think my life just got a lot more interesting.

*The Batcave*

After my time with Lauren, I went to the Batcave. I didn't know why Mr Pennyworth contacted me, but it was likely on Batman's instructions.

As I enter the cave, I discover that the Bat Family is here; Nightwing, Robin, Red Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood.

Batman himself is sitting at the Batcomputer.

Avenger: "I got your message. What's this about?"

Nightwing: "We have to talk, Rivers. This is important."

Avenger: "About what, Nightwing?"

Red Hood: "First of all, you're hiding an assassin."

Batgirl: "One that's working for the League."

Avenger: "If this is about Cassandra, stop talking."

Red Robin: "Rivers, this is serious! If the League are behind this, you could be in danger. Leaving this girl loose could be dangerous for everyone.

Avenger: "I will not let you put her in a cage!"

Batman: "Then let's talk about you, Rivers."

On screen, photos of my dad came up. Young photos of him back when he worked in Chicago... Next to them were photos of multiple dead bodies.

Avenger: "... What is this?"

Batman: "I know what happened to your father after he left Chicago."

I didn't know what he meant. Dad mentioned that he worked in Chicago, that's where he was born and was educated.

Batman: "The dead bodies in this photo were victims of your father's."

Avenger: "What are you talking about?"

Batman: "The Chicago Police Department were planning a sting on Chicago's various crime lords, but the mission went wrong and Michael Rivers killed everyone in the room. However, to prevent embarrassment they kept the whole thing secret and dismissed Michael Rivers from the force."

I walked up to the Batcomputer and I looked through all the files that Batman gathered... Dad killed all those people?

Avenger: "It can't be..."

Batman: "For the next ten years, your father dropped off the grid. This is where he joined The League of Assassins."

Avenger: "You're telling me my dad was in the League of Assassins?! How do you know that?!"

Batman: "The training. Your moves are similar to those that operate in the League of Assassins. It would explain a few things."

Avenger: "Like what?!"

Batman: "Cassandra Cain. You said she escaped. Ra's wouldn't let her escape just like that and not come for her. They know where she is and they know she's with you."

Avenger: "What are you saying?"

Batman: "Cassandra Cain is supposed to be the wife of the future heir... That's you, Riley."

After I heard that, I stood there dumbfounded.

Batman: "Ra's wants you to be his next heir, Riley."

Avenger: "Me?! Why me? I didn't even know anything about the League until recently."

Batman: "Ra's is a desperate man, Rivers. If Michael Rivers was in the League, that means that he's been raising you all this time to lead the League."

What Batman is saying makes no sense to me. He's saying that my FATHER joined a organisation of assassins and then struck some kind of agreement that I would marry Cassandra and lead the organisation myself...

Avenger: "Wait..."

I remembered. Cassandra mentioned 18th birthday to me before... What if the reason that the assassins haven't come for me yet is because I'm not of age? My birthday is tomorrow.

Avenger: "Tomorrow."

Batman: "What's happening tomorrow?"

The League was coming for me tomorrow. I didn't know what to do exactly, this was an enemy that I don't have a clue how to fight. I had to go out and patrol. Maybe I'd find them first...

However, as I went to leave the cave, Red Hood blocked my way.

Avenger: "Let me pass, Todd."

Red Hood: "Sorry, but you have no clue what you're up against. You're better leaving this to the professionals."

Avenger: "I don't have time for banter, Jason. I need to get out there."

Red Robin: "And do what? The League aren't any ordinary terrorists. You can't find them by just roaming the streets."

Avenger: "If you're that confident that I can't take them alone, why are you wasting time with me?"

Batman: "The League are difficult to track. For now, I'm taking you to a bunker I keep. I'll bring your mother too."

He wants to leave me in a bunker?!

Avenger: "No! You aren't going to trap me in some bat safehouse! And you're not gonna do that to Cassandra either!"

I tried to get through Red Hood, but when I tried to, he pressed a gun against my head.

Batgirl: "Jason!"

Red Hood: "Relax. This one has rubber bullets..."

I ripped the gun out of Red Hood's hands and flipped him onto his back.

I turned to leave, but I heard Todd go for another gun...

BLAM!

I quickly moved out of the way of the bullet and I tossed the gun I was holding at Red Hood's head.

Avenger: "Enough."

Nightwing stepped up towards me.

Nightwing: "Rivers. Be reasonable. You can't take us all on."

Avenger: "Maybe not, but I can try."

Nightwing ran towards me and started to strike at me. I blocked a few of his punches and then he leaped over me and tried to kick me, but I grabbed his leg and tossed him away.

That's when Batgirl came in and she kicked me in the head, knocking me down.

Batgirl: "Stay down, Rivers."

Avenger: "No!"

I got up with a vengeance. I started to think to myself that the longer I fight the more likely that another Bat Family member is gonna get involved. I can't take on the entire Bat Family. Batman was more than enough to handle, let alone the others.

But, I couldn't let Batman win. I would fight him every step of the way. I won't let him put me and Cassandra in a cage.

Batgirl tried to kick me in the head again, but I ducked this time. She then tried to punch me and I tried to block, but it was a faint... She remembered our brief fight last time. She then tried to hit me with the other arm, but I moved my head to the side and I wrapped my arm around her head, lifting her up and then slamming Batgirl to the ground.

Nightwing: "Barbara!"

Nightwing brought out two baton sticks and started to swing them at me. I had to block using my arms, but since they're exposed, it still hurt... I might need to invest in some gauntlets or something. Nightwing manages to hit me a couple of times with the batons. Nightwing has enough martial arts to match Batman. He's basically an acrobatic version of Batman.

I managed to strike Nightwing's wrist, causing him to drop one of his batons. When he attacked again, I grabbed Nightwing's other arm and twisted it enough to drop the second one. I tried to chop him in the neck, but he blocked and kicked me in the head, breaking free. He started to jump around, evading my attacks.

I had enough with the jumping!

As Nightwing landed, I kicked at his legs. My shin connected with his leg, just above the knee where the peroneal nerve is. This blow should disable his leg temporary.

Nightwing lost balance on one of his legs. He won't be jumping around like that.
Without his leg, Nightwing had trouble evading my strikes and I managed to knock him down.

Robin: "Yahh!"

Robin surprised me with a kick to the chest, knocking me back. And then I was lifted into the air... It was Red Robin. I forgot he actually had tech wings. He was going to slam me into the wall, but I used my own grapple gun to hook to a pillar and both of us ended up into the wall and we landed hard on a balcony.

It hurts... I'm aching all over. I'm fighting probably a group of the best martial artists alive. My arms feel bruised and my mouth is bleeding. I-I can't fight them all for long.

Robin came running up a flight of stairs and he kicked me while I was down.

Robin: "Look, Rivers. Don't make me hurt you."

Avenger: "Funny. I was gonna tell you that."

Red Robin got back up and I was cornered by the two Robins.

Red Robin: "Rivers, we only want to help. You're only hurting yourself and others by doing this."

I got back up.

Avenger: "You'll the ones who are gonna get hurt."

Robin attacked first, but I caught him and threw him at Red Robin who caught him.
I then took the opportunity to punch Red Robin in the face, causing him to fall over the balcony. Batman catches him and starts coming up the stairs. But, Robin was still on the balcony, but I kicked him across the face, knocking him down.

I turned around to receive a punch to the face by Batman.

Batman: "Enough!"

I fell over the balcony and landed hard again! I don't know if I broke something or not. It felt like it...

I started to crawl away from Batman. Give myself some space to get my breath back...

Once I looked up, I found myself surrounded. All of the Bat Family were back up and they surrounded me.

Batman: "Stop fighting, Rivers. You can't win. Don't make me put you down."

I feel dizzy. Dazed. Dad trained me well to last as long as I did, but I could tell that it wasn't enough. But, I couldn't give up.

Avenger: "You think you scare me?"

I got back to my feet.

Avenger: "You want people to believe that you're a monster. You want to rule this city using fear... But, you're nothing but a man, trying to play God. You're the one that needs to be stopped, Bruce."

Batman: "We're on the same side."

Avenger: "No. We're not."

The Bat Family closed in on me. There wasn't a way out and there was no way to escape.

All I could do was hold my fists up and defend myself.

BLAM!

The first shot came from Red Hood, he shot me in the arm with a rubber bullet!

Avenger: "Argggh!"

Batgirl got a second shot by punching me in the stomach. I tried to fight back, but all the Bat Family members started to attack all at once. I did block strikes from both Batgirl and Red Robin and I managed to kick Nightwing to the ground since his leg is still dead, only to be kicked in the stomach by Batman. Red Hood hooked his arms under my armpits, but I headbutted him, knocking him back. However, a single strike across the face by Batman knocked me to the ground. I was rocked... Big time. I couldn't even fight back.

Batman lifted me off the ground and started dragging me.

Avenger: "You control freak..."

Batman: "You can hate me all you want from in here."

Batman tosses me into a glass cell of some kind. I tried to punch the glass cage, but it did nothing.

Batman: "Don't bother. That glass is bulletproof with up to 8 layers of laminated polycarbonate. You'll never break through it."

Darn! How did I let myself get into this situation?!

Avenger: "Batman... You better hope I don't get out of here."

Batman: "You're here for your own good. I'm going to get Cassandra Cain and I'll bring here as well."

Batman walked towards the family and gave them jobs.

Batman: "Dick, I want you to stay here. Have Alfred take a look at your leg.
Barbara, I want you on patrol. If anything happens, call us. Jason, Tim, you're with me."

Robin: "What about me, Father?"

Batman: "Keep an eye on Rivers."

Robin: "Why do I need to babysit?"

Batman: "Because, I need someone to have eyes on him at all times. If he shows any signs of breaking free, gas the chamber."

Batgirl: "Why not do that now? He doesn't care."

Avenger: "Yeah, listen to Barbara. We're beyond common courtesy at this point."

Batman just stares at me. He doesn't say a thing. But, he just walks away.

Batman: "You have your assignments."

Batman, Red Hood, and Red Robin walk with Batman.

Avenger: "Wayne! Get back here!"

He's gonna go after Cassandra and there's nothing I can do about it!

Avenger: "WAYNE!"

Chapter 7 End.