Chapter 10: Dark Tomorrow.

-Lauren Winters-

How did I get from the comfort of my bedroom to once again being taken somewhere at gunpoint? Well, i convinced Miss Vale to look into Tom Edwards. A man that Riley told me is actually Thomas Elliot, a famous surgeon and a supercriminal.

We found out that Elliot had actually been bailed out by Emma Grace and brought to Gotham's tower apartments in the Diamond District. We came here only for us to get caught by Grace's men.

After me and Miss Vale were taken by Grace's men, we were brought back up to the penthouse.

Lauren: "Do we have a plan B?"

Vicki: "Not yet."

Gangster: "Shut up or I'll put two in the back of your heads."

After that, I didn't want to talk anymore. This makes... How many times has a gun been put to my head?

We were forced into the penthouse apartment. Inside was exactly as you would expect a penthouse apartment to be like. Luxurious.

Gangster: "Miss Grace. We found these two trespassing."

Sitting in a leather chair in front of us was Emma Grace herself.

Emma: "I know these two. Victoria Vale and Lauren Winters. You two have been mentioned recently for the whole Order of St. Dumas scandal."

Oh, yeah. Me and Miss Vale were credited for that story... That's not what I should be thinking of right now.

Emma: "The fact that you're here means that you're chasing another story. One that includes me."

Vicki: "Earlier today, you bailed out Tom Edwards. But you know he's actually Thomas Elliot."

Emma looked surprised, but she had an impressed smile on her face.

Emma: "Quite astute. You know about Hush."

Vicki: "Hush?"

That's the name Riley mentioned. So it was true. He really is a villain.

Lauren: "Must be a supervillian codename."

Emma: "You would be right. Hush, Thomas Elliot, is the man who murdered my father and I've chosen him to pay the price for what has happened to my empire in recent weeks."

Lauren: "What do you mean?"

Vicki: "Emma Grace's two enforcers, Killer Croc and Mad Hatter are in Arkham.
Any allies she had in the Yakuza are gone. And now her manor burned to the ground. It hasn't been pleasant."

Emma stood up out of her chair and walked up to Miss Vale.

Emma: "It hasn't. To think that over a month ago, my father ruled this city with an iron fist... In fact, the two of you actually played parts in his downfall.
So it'd make sense to kill you. It'd be just vengeance."

We heard the click of guns behind our head!

Lauren: "W-Wait! I-If you're gonna kill us, then at least explain why Hush is still alive."

Emma held up her hand and the men put their guns down... Did that actually work?

Emma: "So you know that Elliot is still alive back there. Okay, won't hurt telling you."

Emma motioned for us to follow her, so we did. At least we'll stay alive for a few extra minutes... I really have no idea how to get outta this one. Riley saved us last time, but I don't know if that's gonna work this time.

We went into the next room... And there's a man strapped to a chair. His face was covered in bandages. He was shirtless and there were slash marks all over his body.

Emma: "Meet Doctor Thomas Elliot."

Emma went over to Thomas Elliot. She looked at the men surrounding him.

Emma: "You didn't overdo it. He still needs to suffer and then tell us where the Yakuza were manufacturing their Black Sky."

The Black Sky? I think that was being sold as a drug on the streets.

Vicki: "Why do you need to know that?"

Emma: "Whoever burned down my manor did so to destroy this.

Emma pulled a vial of white liquid out of her suit pocket.

Emma: "He failed however and I still hold the last White Sky vial. However,
I will kill whoever tried to my father's legacy. You see, the night he killed my father, Hush found himself drifting down the Gotham River bearly alive. He was apparently found by a man wearing a skull mask. A man fitting a similar description broke into my lab and burned my White Sky formula. This man is responsible for the destruction of my manor."

Hush: "(Coughs)"

Emma: "Ah, he's awake."

Hush: "Damn you... Grace."

Emma: "You brought this on yourself, Elliot."

I didn't know what to do. What could be done? She's gonna kill him and there's nothing we can do.

Emma took a knife from one of her men and went up to Hush. She placed the bladed edge against Hush's chest.

Emma: "Who is this man who saved you? Where is he?"

Hush: "I told you. I don't know! He said that he had powerful friends and that if I worked for the Order of St. Dumas, he'd help me with my goals."

Emma: "The same thing. You've said the same thing. Are you saying that you were some kind of double-agent for this man?"

Hush: "Yes. But, he left me to be drugged in Arkham! I'm gonna kill him when I catch him."

Emma: "You won't get that chance. He's mine. You will see him soon when he joins you in hell!"

She places the knife to his neck.

Emma: "Who is he?"

Hush: "What makes you think I know who he is? I didn't ask questions. I knew he was a member of the League of Assassins, but other than that I didn't care."

Emma: "League of assassins. Ra's al Ghul."

I didn't understand what they were talking about. Who are the League of assassins and who is Ra's al Ghul?

Emma: "Thanks Elliot, darling. Now, do me a favour and die."

KRASH!

Before anything else could happen, we hear windows smashing above us.

BLAM BLAM!

We heard gunfire from above us and Emma's men started going down... But there wasn't any blood splatter! Me and Miss Vale ducked down while covering our heads.

Two people dropped down into the room. A woman in a bat costume and a man with a red helmet.

Red Hood: "I think that was a nice entrance!"

Batgirl: "Show off."

Both Batgirl and Red Hood took down the remaining men in the room. Batgirl would jump around and knock out men with kicks while Red Hood would shoot them with what I thought was non-lethal bullets.

Hush: "I'm not going back to Arkham!"

Hush somehow broke free of his restraints, but i saw a small blade in his hands.
He must have been using that to cut his restraints off.

He grabbed Emma and held the knife to her neck. The vial that Grace was carrying rolled onto the ground next to me. She called it White Sky.

Hush: "Look, kids. Batman isn't going to send me to Arkham under some fake name!
I'm going to leave. You've all been in enough situations to know what will happen if you chase me."

Batgirl and Red Hood were facing Hush, but he wasn't facing us... Oh, I just had a really crazy idea.

I got behind Hush when he wasn't looking. This has got to be the craziest idea I've had yet!

I kick Hush... Between the belt.

Man, my heart is beating so fast... How do I get into these situations?

Hush: "Y-You bitch!"

Hush tries to turn around while he's in pain, but Emma quickly jammed a needle into his head!

Emma: "Sorry, but I can't risk you telling people lies, Thomas."

Hush's body begins to convulse violently!

Batgirl: "What did you do to him?!"

Emma: "Injected a psychoactive drug into his head. The dosage is high enough to permanently shut down Thomas's mind. Payback for my father's death."

Batgirl went over to Hush and poured something into his mouth.

Batgirl: "He needs medical attention now!"

Emma: "He's beyond help. You can take me to jail now."

She looks so calm and relaxed about it!

Lauren: "You could have killed a man! Don't you realise that you'll rot in prison for that?!"

Emma: "Oh, Miss Winters... I'll be out by morning. This city would erupt into gang war without me."

Red Hood: "The night's still young. You'll have a long night ahead."

Red Hood took Emma Grace out of the room, but as she was walking away, she looked at me and smiled.

Emma: "I can smell him on you."

I didn't know what she was talking about, but her look was scary...

I looked down and saw the vial of White Sky. I shouldn't mess around with it, but it may be very important. So I picked it up and pocketed it. I have a feeling it may be important later.

After that, both GCPD and an ambulance was called for Grace and Hush.

I didn't know if this was a happy ending or not.

The Bat family were drugging Elliot to keep him silent, but only to protect their identities. Is that really justice? If Hush dies, wouldn't that solve the problem? He pays for his crimes and everyone's a little safer.

But, the measures one goes to keep other people and themselves safe...
Who are really the good guys in this situation?

Vicki: "Lauren? Are you okay?"

I was about to answer Miss Vale, but i noticed something on the rooftop. A piece of black material and red hair disappeared into the night.

Lauren: "Miss Vale. Does justice ever win in Gotham?"

Vicki: "In Gotham, that depends on your version of justice."

-Avenger-

Ra's tells me the story of Michael Rivers.

My dad started off in Chicago, born and raised. He always had a passion for the concept of Justice during childhood. My dad was even a fan of the Justice Society of America even though they disbanded before he was born.

Michael Rivers was a prodigy in law and mastered criminology and sociology very quickly. He also seemed to be a prodigy martial artist, learning Kung Fu in six months.

At 19, he joined the police academy and became a detective at 20.

My dad was responsible for the arrests of several minor crime lords and historically earned more collars and bravery awards within his four years of service than any other officer in Chicago Police history.

This much I knew already, but Ra's wasn't done yet.

The massacre. My dad was involved in a sting to take down several prominent crime lords... However, something went wrong. One of the officers was bribed and revealed the operation and the police were tricked into a bloodbath.

My dad was forced to kill every man that he saw as a threat... But, he was the only one who survived. As a result, my dad was the only one that could be blamed.
The police commissioner there and Internal affairs blamed my dad and concealed the incident to avoid embarrassment, blaming it on a gang shootout where 'heroic'
police officers died honorably... When in truth, they died thanks to a traitor.

Without his badge, my dad thought that he didn't have the means to fight injustice in all of it's forms. So he journeyed around the world and studied under many experts in criminology and all sorts.

Eventually, he met a woman who offered to train him. Her name was Sandra Wu-San,
one of the best martial artists in the world. Ra's told me that is how my dad met David Cain and the two quickly became best friends. And soon enough, they all joined the League of assassins.

Ra's told me that my dad was one of the best assassins that he ever had in his League. Ra's went on to say that if dad was 100% devoted to the League, which he wasn't, he would have offered succession and Talia's hand in marriage to him instead.

But, my dad did leave the League. He'd learnt what he needed to fight injustice, so it was time to come back to civilisation.

He came to Gotham, which was known as one of the most crime ridden cities in the Untied States. He soon regained his position as a detective, but it was a lot of the same as it was in Chicago.

Carmine Falcone was the Kingpin of Gotham and his hold on Gotham was tight.
Despite my dad's efforts, Falcone and the broken justice system in Gotham was almost insurmountable even for him. Ra's said that it was a waste of his talents.

But, it was during that time that Michael and Kerry met. Dad and Mom, and they soon married with a child on the way: me. Ra's said that because my mother was seen as genetically imperfect, that's why he had to be sure that I was worthy.
That's why he organised it so that I would have to fight the Order of St. Dumas'
champion and fight his Seven Men of Death. Defeating Batman was simply the icing on the cake.

Ra's discovered years later that my dad and Cain made a deal: the first born son of Rivers and the first born daughter of Cain would marry and create a family that would succeed the al Ghuls and create a golden age for the League and the world.

Dad was supposed to bring me to Ra's al Ghul on my 18th birthday, but he was killed by Jack Marco before he could do so... And the rest is history.

That was the story of my dad.

Part of me understood why my dad became disillusioned with the idea of justice after what happened in Chicago...

But, why? Why would my dad teach me about justice like he did? If he was gonna train me to be a killer, why would he teach me something that would get in my way?

The questions I had could only be answered by dad himself, but he was dead.
Gone...

Ra's: "As you can see, it's your destiny to take my place as my successor. Your father raised you to lead the League of Assassins and to save the world. This city is just as much a waste of your talents as it was to your father."

Ra's offered his hand to me.

Ra's: "Will you join me and help create the peace that your father once envisioned? Instead of trying to save one city, help me save this world?"

I stared at Ra's hand. If I take this hand, I'll be joining a group of murderous terrorists...

But, this is what my dad wanted. He wanted me to join Ra's organisation and lead it to help save the world. Dad trained me all my life for this moment... Can I really just say no?

Dad. Did you really believe that this was the right thing to do?

The way Ra's does things is terrible... But, the good I can do with that power...

My hand found itself drifting towards Ra's. The offer was tempting... Maybe I didn't have to do what Ra's does. Maybe I can change the League. Turn it into something good...

No.

I stopped my hand and i pulled it away.

Avenger: "No. I can't."

Ra's: "You refuse? Do you realise what that will mean? You disrespect your father's memory and destroy everything he has worked for?!"

Avenger: "I can see now. My father lost his way. He truly believed in justice.
Sure, his methods became different, but he truly wanted peace... There's no justice in pure, blaent death like you want."

Ra's: "You insolent fool. I thought you a different man than this, Riley Rivers.
But, you're just like the other imbeciles men that destroy this planet for their own greedy appetites."

Avenger: "And you're just another tyrant trying to kill millions using some glorious crusade as an excuse. I won't be a part of it."

Ra's: "Even if it dishonors your father?"

Avenger: "My dad may have given up. But, he still believed in justice. He passed those ideas onto me, and I'll move forward with them."

Ra's: "I'm sorry to hear that. If you're not with me, Rivers, you're against me."

I then felt a bad feeling... Like someone was behind me.

KILK.

More guns? I turned around and saw that the gun wasn't aimed at me.

Behind me was a man with blue eyes and grey hair. He was holding a gun to...
Cassandra?

Avenger: "Cassandra..."

I should have known that Ra's wouldn't just leave her alone.

Cassandra: "Riley. You're... Here?"

Avenger: "Ra's invited me here. Talia said that they wouldn't come after you."

Talia: "I lied."

Avenger: "You once again prove why Bruce Wayne can't be with you."

Talia whacks me in the back of the head with her gun.

Talia: "Slience! Do not speak with such disrespect to the daughter of the Demon."

Cain: "Now, we'll give you one last chance. Marry my daughter and accept the master's offer. Me and your father didn't work for so many years just so you could ruin it at the end."

So this is David Cain. I recognise his voice... I find it hard to believe that dad worked with someone who would aim a gun at his daughter.

Ra's: "This girl here was born to become your wife and trained to protect you to her last breath. You would thrown away all she suffered for?!"

Avenger: "You think Cassandra wanted this?! You robbed her of her life!"

Cain: "I gave her a gift. A gift that few people could match. Even your father couldn't match the gifts I had. Cassandra was the perfect assassin... I had everything worked out. Genetics, the upbringing. I had every variable covered. It was going to be my crowning achievement: To make a better warrior than Michael ever could.
Michael fell in love with a harlot of all people and spawned you..."

Calling my mom a harlot... If Cassandra wasn't being held hostage, I would start breaking Cain's bones.

Cain: "Let me tell you a story of a 8 year old Cassandra."

Cassandra tried to struggle, but Cain put the gun firmly against her head.

Cain: "You think that she fits into your justice talk? Michael's only flaw.
She's a killer, just like me."

Avenger: "What do you mean by that?"

Cain: "She was my finest work. She was so proficient at the age of 8, that I took her to her first target. It was a simple assassination job. A local mob boss in Detroit. Cassandra carried out the killing, tearing the man's thorax from his neck."

Cassandra really did that? She killed a man?

I looked at Cassandra.

Avenger: "Is it true, Cassandra?"

Cassandra looked to the ground and not at me.

Avenger: "Cassandra! Look at me and tell me the truth."

Cassandra slowly looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

Cassandra: "It's... True. I killed that man."

I didn't know what to say or think. Cassandra killed a man... But, she was eight years old, for God's sake!

Cassandra: "I felt him die... Terror and then... Nothing."

Cain: "Since then, she became nothing but trouble. She refused the training,
to eat, to drink! I couldn't trust her anymore, so we put her on a steady does of drugs. And once again, we could put her to work."

Avenger: "You willingly did that to your own daughter?"

Cain: "It hurt me, but I was not willing to lose Cassandra. She was weak from her emotion of regret and became a whiny, ungrateful, little brat. She lacked focus. The drugs helped her, made her better."

Avenger: "You believe that? You really think you could force what you wanted on Cassandra? You don't know what she wants."

Cain: "And you do?"

Avenger: "I can't read minds. But, Cassandra wanted more than what you would give. You gave her a nightmare. She wanted a father, you wanted a warrior.
You forced her to become a murderer when she wasn't capable of understanding what she was doing! And what's worse, you're complaining about her being weak.
You're the weak one here, Cain."

Cain: "You damned brat! Michael made a mistake raising you to take the master's place."

I looked at Cassandra and she looked at me. We knew what to do next.

Avenger: "Cassandra. I trust you. So trust me as well."

Cassandra nodded before elbowing Cain in the rib cage, which gave me a split second to act before Cain could pull the trigger...

I kicked Cain in the head, freeing Cassandra from his grasp. She turned and knocked the gun out of his hand. I ran up and punched him in the head, but that didn't take him down.

He tried to punch me and I blocked it with my forearm.

Cain: "You're definitely your father's son."

Cassandra jumped over me towards David Cain.

Cassandra: "Weak."

She kicked David Cain in the face, knocking him down.

Cain: "I should have put you down when you had the chance!"

Cain got back up and lunged towards Cassandra. She tries to kick him, but Cain catches her leg and elbows her in the head.

Cain: "You stubborn child. You think you can fight your destiny?! After everything I gave you?!"

Cassandra: "You... Gave me nothing."

Cassandra fight back and punches Cain across the face.

Talia: "Enough!"

Talia aimed her gun at me. But, i kicked Cain's gun that was on the ground and it it hit her hands.

FTT!

The sound of a silenced gun went off, shooting a dart of some kind into the ceiling.
It knocked against the cave's ceiling and it fell to the ground.

Ra's: "No!"

Talia quickly jumped and caught whatever was falling to the ground... It was a vial of black liquid... That was Black Sky! I've seen what that stuff can do,
it can clone people using nanotechnology. What is Ra's doing with it?!

Talia: "The vial is safe, father."

Avenger: "How did you end up with Black Sky?"

Ra's: "It was a gift from a loyal acolyte, Riley. It's a weapon to use against those that would subjugate the world. If I can't have YOU, then I'll clone you instead. It may not be heir material, but someone with your skills will be useful in my organisation."

Avenger: "You really are insane."

Ra's drew his sword from his waist.

Ra's: "No Riley, I'm not. Now, are you man enough to face your better?"

Avenger: "I have yet to meet my better, Ra's."

I pull out my dad's baton.

Ra's: "You dare underestimate me?!"

Avenger: "I underestimate nothing and nobody, but I have no intention of losing here."

Ra's struck at me with his sword, but i dodge out of the way. I quickly block the second strike from his sword. Despite being over 600 years old, Ra's al Ghul is as fast as a man in his prime. He has so much experience as well as that fountain of youth he calls the Lazarus Pit. My dad most likely trained with Ra's before, since I can recognise a few of his stances.

I push Ra's back which took me a lot of effort. I was right. Ra's might just be the most dangerous man I'll ever face in my lifetime, the chance of me dying just became all too real to me.

Ra's rushes at me and he kicks me in the head, knocking me back a bit. I couldn't afford to drop my guard with him.

He tried to follow up by slashing downwards at me, but I block his blade with the baton. I then kick Ra's in the chest, but it only pushes him back, doesn't slow him down.

SLIK!

Ra's manages to slash his sword across my lower chest. He's trying to kill me for real. By refusing his offer, I must have wounded both Ra's pride and honor.

I don't plan to remain on the defensive, so I go on offense. Dodging another slash,
I uppercut Ra's and follow up with a punch to the ribcage. I have to be really careful attacking Ra's though, any counter attacks he makes could be fatal.

He dodges one of my punches to his head and he locks my arm in a lock. He tries to dislocate my shoulder, but I block it and knee Ra's in the stomach until he let go.

Ra's: "Be honored, Riley. You have survived longer than most."

Avenger: "Same to you. Normally I've defeated my opponent by now."

Ra's: "You are but a boy. I have lived for over 600 years. There is a great gap in experience between us."

Avenger: "Experience isn't always a determining factor."

Ra's once again attacks with his blade, but i dodge again and I squash his hand between my elbow and knee, forcing him to drop his sword. But, Ra's delivers a hard kick to my chest, knocking me down. I get back up, but Ra's had recovered the sword and he hits me in the face with the hilt of the blade. He may have broken something in my face...

But, I can't let it slow me down. Not against this man. I block his sword with the baton and I kick him in the legs, causing him to lose his balance. I then then hit Ra's in the other leg. Simple tactics; take the legs and the fight is all but won.

I knock Ra's down, but he doesn't stay down. He kicks me away and judging by his face, he's very angry.

Ra's: "RIVERS!"

He charges at me with his sword and he tries to impale me. I would never be able to evade in time, so i try to stop the blade with my hands. It was a delicate situation. Too early, the blade will impale my hands AND me. Too late, and the same result happens.

I time it and I press my hands together and hold the blade between my hands.

Ra's: "I see now. Michael Rivers trained you too well. You are too dangerous to live."

Avenger: "I will bring you to justice, Ra's. I will not allow the world to suffer your terror any longer."

Ra's laughs at that.

Ra's: "No prison can hold me. And I will outlive any sentence."

Avenger: "We'll see."

Ra's tries to press the blade closer and closer to me. I wasn't going to overpower Ra's, he's too strong. I twist the blade and I kick Ra's just beneath the ear.
The blow stuns Ra's and I punch him several times in the head.

Ra's however still doesn't stop. He tries to grab me, but I strike the back of his hands using my knuckles. The pain forces him to let go and I resume my assault.

Talia: "Father!"

I then hear Talia calling out as well as a gun being reloaded behind me! I glanced behind and it was Talia reloading her gun with the Black Sky vial. If she hits me with that vial, it'll create a clone of me! Me and Cassandra are holding our own here, last thing we need is 'me' messing things up!

I toss the baton at Talia's arm.

FTT!

She fires just as the baton collides with her arm. It throws her aim off and the dart misses me and... Hit's Ra's.

Two of Ra's... Even worse! I back away from Ra's waiting for his clone to come out.

But, as i waited for the clone of Ra's to appear, it didn't. Instead, Ra's held his stomach in pain.

Ra's: "Argh! W-What is happening?!"

Talia: "The Lazarus pit... The chemicals that keep Father alive must be conflicting with the Black Sky!"

Ra's opens his eyes and there were filled with black! What's happening to him?

Ra's: "RAAHHHH!"

Ra's screams at me like a mad man and he runs at me, but I move out of the way.
But behind me was the Lazarus Pit. Ra's accidentally fell into it.

He didn't come out... And the green bubbling water of the Pit soon turned black.
Ra's comes to the surface and screams in agony.

Talia: "Father!"

Talia tried to go into the pit, presumably to fish out Ra's, but I stop her.

Talia: "Get out of my way!"

Avenger: "No! I think the Black Sky has somehow changed the Pit. There's no telling what will happen if you go in!"

I pull out my grapple gun and I shoot it into the pit near Ra's who emerges to the surface.

Avenger: "Ra's! Grab on!"

Ra's stared at my line, but he didn't take it.

The cave started to shake and rumble! Rocks started falling around us!

Ra's: "Leave this place, Rivers. I will remain here to return to the Earth."

Avenger: "Not without you."

Ra's: "Then you'll die right here."

Avenger: "Talia. Can you convince..."

I turn around and Talia had ran to the elevator. I see her smirk as she closes the door. She's abandoning her own father?!

Ra's simply laughs as rocks fall in around him. I don't have a choice but to leave him.

I look around and see Cassandra. She kicks Cain to the ground.

Cain: "Cass..."

Cassandra: "Stop."

I run over to her. We have to get out of here before the place collapses around us.

Avenger: "Cassandra! We need to go."

Cassandra: "Okay."

I quickly run up and lift Cain onto his feet.

Cassandra: "Why... Are you... Helping him?"

Avenger: "We can't leave him here."

Cassandra: "He... Needs to pay."

Avenger: "Not like this. I swear, he'll stand trial for his crimes. I'll make sure of it. He'll face justice."

Cassandra wanted Cain to die. I could see it in her eyes, but i could tell that she knew I was right. This wasn't the way.

She came to Cain's other side and helped him walk.

We went over to the elevator, but the door wouldn't open! Talia must have locked it!
Where do we go?! Are we really trapped in here? Are we really going to die like this after all that?!

Cain: "Secret exit... Through there."

Cain pointed to a small opening. We couldn't see down it. It could be a trick.

Avenger: "Cassandra, should we?"

I felt that Cassandra should make the decision. She's suffered a lot at the hands of Cain, the fact that she's helping me move him is impressive.

Cassandra: "Yes."

We head down the tunnel as the caves start to completely come down around us.
Dragging Cain out was difficult especially when we're trying to outrun a cave-in!

We see light at the end of the tunnel and we finally get outside. We come out of the caves, near the Brown Bridge at Gotham River.

I wish I could have saved Ra's, but I can't save someone who isn't willing to save himself. He's been around for 600 years... Have I seen the last of Ra's al Ghul?

But, what happened to Talia?

-Third Person-

Later on, Talia is waiting at an undisclosed location. She is holding a vial of black liquid in her hand.

?: "You switched the vials?"

Talia: "Yes. Everything went as planned."

?: "Well done, Talia. I'm pleased to have you on my side. What of Riley Rivers?"

Talia: "He bested my father in combat. The vial you gave me worked as you planned.
It poisoned my father as well as the Lazarus Pit... You asked me to do kill my father."

Out of the shadows, Assassin appeared and placed his hand on Talia's face. Caressing her face gently, Assassin lifted his mask up, revealing his face to Talia.

Assassin: "I would never hurt you or your father, Talia. The poison will not kill him. It will merely render the Pit inert. The liquid will still maintain the Demon's Head's body for later recovery. But, i needed this vial for my own plan."

Talia slowly pushes away Assassin's hand.

Talia: "What about Riley Rivers? Do you really intend to go through with this?"

Assassin: "I have to. This is mine and Riley's destiny."

Talia: "As you wish. I have lost so much... I do not wish to lose more. I do not want to be disappointed again."

Assassin: "Once I have finished my business, I will return to your side to aid you lead the League. I have done enough to earn your trust. You don't need to appear helpless in front of me, Talia, it is unbefitting of you."

Talia walks over to Assassin and she gently takes his head and firmly places it to her lips.

Talia: "Fulfil your destiny, my Assassin. Then return and serve me as both my Assassin and my lover. Together we will rule over this world."

Assassin put his mask back on and turns back towards the darkness.

Assassin: "If I'm successful, the world will yours sooner than you think. We will inherit it as well as our future children."

Assassin disappears into the darkness.

-Riley Rivers-

Harper: "Cass! I-I'm glad you're okay!"

Cassandra: "Harper..."

I brought Cassandra back to Harper Row's apartment after dropping off David Cain to GCPD. I'm sure they'll find plenty of assassinations that they can tie him to.

I'm proud of Cassandra. In the face of the tormentor, she still helped me save his life.

Stephanie: "I'm gone for five minutes and everything went wrong. You guys need me, you know?"

We all looked at Stephanie... And we laughed. I don't think I've had many good laughs,
but this is one of them.

I told Harper, Stephanie, and Cullen about what happened in Chinatown. I left out the part about my father and Cassandra's past. I don't think I should be the one to talk to Harper about it. Besides, it's the past now.

Harper: "It sounds like you really kicked immortal ass! But, is he really gone?"

Riley: "Who knows? But, Talia still got away, so we may see the League again one day."

Stephanie: "First my father whose crazy, crazy men with guns, crazy cultists,
and now crazy ninjas? Is it me or has Gotham become so much more crazier?"

Riley: "A lot of crazy to go around, Stephanie. But, I think that's just what Gotham is."

We then heard something land on the fire escape outside the apartment...

Batman: "Rivers."

It was Batman. Stephanie and Harper looked like they weren't sure what to do. After what happened the night before, everyone wasn't sure how to deal with this.
Batman is still considered a hero in their eyes.

Batman: "I'm not here to fight. I came here to ask you about Ra's. You found him earlier, didn't you?"

Riley: "I did, at the newly built high-rise building in Chinatown. We fought and Talia accidentally shot him with Black Sky. It did something to the pit as well."

Batman: "The Lazarus Pit? That isn't possible. The Black Sky's properties aren't strong enough to affect the Pit."

Riley: "I thought that it just reacted differently with the Pit. But the reaction was radical, now that I think about it."

Batman: "... What about Talia?"

Riley: "She escaped. Left both me and Cassandra to be buried alive. Lucky for us, David Cain wasn't willing to be buried."

Batman: "Where is Cain now?"

Riley: "Likely on the way to Blackgate. At least I hope."

The look on Batman's face... He looks as if he's missing something. But, what is he thinking?

Batman turned away from us and shot his grapple gun into the distance.

Batman: "Rivers."

Riley: "Yeah?"

Batman: "Good work and Happy Birthday."

Batman then swung away into the night... Did he just say 'Good work'?

And did he just wish me a Happy Birthday?!

Stephanie: "Riley! I forgot it's your birthday today! We should have brought a cake and a present."

Harper: "I don't think we can afford it."

Riley: "I don't mind. I think I've had enough excitement for my 18th birthday."

I actually forgot it was my birthday today with all the craziness going on... I think Stephanie's infected me with the word 'crazy'.

But, still that look on Batman's face...

I don't like this.

*The Next Day*

Mom had spent all night at the hospital with Kieran. Becca is now at home with Hunter, which leads me to stay with Charlotte for the day until Mom gets back.

Charlotte: "Riley! Come on, keep up!"

Riley: "You're gonna tire me out!"

I was chasing Charlotte all around the garden at Kieran's place. Honestly, i did feel a bit tired from past few nights. So far, I've taken on two secret organisations almost back-to-back, with a fight against Batman in between. I managed to get some sleep last night, but not much.

I was worried about my family. Kieran getting shot, Mom was attacked a month ago, Becca and Hunter were traumatized by the Joker, Rick may be going to prison. And more recently, I found out my dad was a member of the League of Assassins.

It's just all falling apart.

POKE!

Charlotte started poking me in the head. I was deep in thought that I forgot we were playing.

Charlotte: "We not playing anymore, Riley?"

Riley: "Oh, we are. Just thinking."

Charlotte: "About daddy?"

Riley: "Kind of."

Charlotte: "Umm, Riley?"

Riley: "Yeah?"

Charlotte: "Is your mom, my mom?"

Riley: "What?"

I didn't think I heard Charlotte correctly, but she asked if my mom was her mom?!

Riley: "Why ask that? Did someone say something weird?"

Charlotte: "No. But, daddy got a letter in the post yesterday. When he saw it, he was crying. He left the letter on the table and I saw it. He was really mad when he saw me with it. He told me to never speak about it to anyone, but you're my brother, so you don't count as just anyone."

Charlotte reads a letter and she thinks that we are blood relatives...

Riley: "What did the letter say?"

Charlotte: "Umm... I don't remember."

Riley: "Please try. Anything."

Charlotte held her head like she was trying to summon her memory back to her.
She looks like she's finding it hard, but she starts to speak.

Charlotte: "I think it said... DMJ?"

Riley: "DNA?"

Charlotte: "That's it!"

Charlotte is in barely into Elementary School, so for her to be born from mom, she'd have to have been conceived... When mom was married to my dad.

-Kerry Rivers-

I was at the hospital outside Kieran's room. I don't even know why I care so much about him right now. I don't even like the man... At least, not anymore.

Everything is a mess. Rick's in prison, so I don't know what's happening with Becca and Hunter. I got injected in the brain with drugs... And after finding out that I must have had some kind of affair with Kieran behind Michael's back,
I get attacked by that man with the skull mask and Kieran's shot in the chest with an arrow.

God... And that happened on Riley's birthday. That's not the 18th birthday he deserved.

How am I going to tell him about this? About me and Charlotte being mother and daughter?
How can I explain this to him? He loved his father so much, he won't forgive me for cheating on him.

Nurse: "Hey, Miss Rivers?"

The nurse came out of the room.

Nurse: "He's awake now if you want to see him."
She allows me into the room. Kieran is awake there and he smiles at me.

Kieran: "Hey, Kerry."

Kerry: "Hey."

I sit down beside him. He came back because he knew I would be upset about having an affair with him and he got shot with the arrow instead of me.

Kieran: "What a past couple of weeks, huh? I lose my job, get an even better one with an old friend and ex-crime lord, and then i find out that my daughter's mother has been right in front of me the whole time."

Kerry: "I don't even remember how it happened. Why did it happen?"

Kieran: "I don't remember. Maybe we were both drunk."

Kerry: "Drunk?"

Kieran: "Okay. Very, VERY drunk."

Kerry: "I can't believe I could do such a thing to Michael. I loved him. I don't know how I'll tell Riley, he'll never forgive me."

Kieran: "Riley will be fine. He's mature beyond his years, he'll understand.
He can't live in his dad's shadow forever."

Kerry: "Riley's always admired his father. Heck, his entire life was molded by Michael,
I don't think it'll be that easy."

Kieran may be a jerk, but he's better than most when he wants to be.

Maybe, he's right. I should just tell him.

Kerry: "I need to get home. Riley's at home with Charlotte. Does she know?"

Kieran looked at me with concern.

Kieran: "She at home alone with Riley?"

Kerry: "Yeah, why?"

Kieran: "Because she saw the document. She may not understand it properly, but..."

Oh God!

I quickly ran out of the hospital room and out of the hospital. I wanted to tell Riley first. Imagine how he'll feel hearing it from Charlotte!

I got home as quickly as I could. Damn Kieran! Why did he let Charlotte of all people know about this?! She's too young to understand, she'll tell everyone about it.

I quickly used the spare key that was hidden in Kieran's front garden to open the door.

Charlotte: "Mommy!"

Charlotte was at the door waiting. She dived into my arms... That's when it hit me.

Riley was standing behind Charlotte and he was clearly confused.

Riley: "What did you do?"

Kerry: "Riley, I..."

Riley: "What did you do?"

Riley repeated his question. Riley has rarely been angry before, but when he gets mad, normally telling him to drop the issue gets him to stop. But,
this time I had no right to tell him to drop it.

Kerry: "Riley, I know you're upset..."

Riley: "You cheated on dad."

Kerry: "Please not in front of Charlotte..."

Riley looked at Charlotte and she smiled at him, causing him to smile back. Riley's always viewed Charlotte as his sister anyway. He loves her to bits. He doesn't care if she's his blood or not, but he cares about his father who he recently mourned over.

When it turns out that your mother cheated on your father, how do you react?

Riley: "We'll talk about this later."

Riley went out the door.

Kerry: "Riley!"

I called out to him, but he didn't listen... God, what have I done?

-Riley Rivers-

It's night time in Gotham and I'm back at my office. It's the one place I can go to when I want to be alone. I didn't want to go out on patrol yet, besides I had a lot of things on my mind. Mom cheating on dad and Charlotte being my ACTUAL sister to name a couple.

How could mom cheat on dad? And with Kieran of all people?! Mom and Kieran hate each other!

I didn't know how I was going to react to mom... I mean, I just want to know why.

Did dad know?

I have two sets of memories. One where my dad is kind, and one of him being abusive...
Could he have known and that's why he was abusive? No, i remember him striking mom when I was five. Mom wasn't even pregnant with Charlotte then.

Did dad do something to my memories so that I don't remember things? That's impossible. I doubt there are any martial artists in the world who could do that.

So why do i remember things in pieces?!

KNOCK KNOCK.

I hear a knock at the door to the office. Did I not lock the door the building?
I did put the closed sign up.

I opened the door.

Riley: "Sorry, we're..."

It was Lauren.

Riley: "-closed."

Lauren: "Riley. I'm sorry to bother you at work, but you weren't answering your phone."

I turned my phone off since mom kept calling me. I didn't want to speak to her right now.

Riley: "Sorry about that. You want to come in?"

Lauren: "Yes, please."

Lauren came in and I offered her a cup of tea which she accepted.

I don't know where my relationship with Lauren stands. She kissed me before which was a shock to me, but a bigger shock is that I actually liked it. I don't know how to ask her about it. I don't know if she even likes me... Don't be naive, Riley. SHE kissed you, not the other way around.

Lauren: "I missed your birthday. Sorry."

Riley: "Wasn't much of a birthday anyway."

Lauren: "Why? Did something happen?"

Riley: "Someone shot Kieran with an arrow."

Lauren: "What?! Is he okay?!"

Riley: "He's fine. I heard that he's awake now. Besides, I had some 'other' business that I had to handle."

Lauren: "Avenging business?"

Riley: "Something like that."

Lauren knows I'm Avenger. She was the first to find out, but I misdirected her.
But she found one of my old masks and she confirmed it.

Lauren: "Does anyone know that you're Avenger?"

Riley: "A few people."

Lauren: "Oh... You mean, I'm not the first."

Oh... Lauren thought that she was the only one who knew. I mean, not that many people know, but Lauren wasn't the first.

Lauren: "Who else?"

Riley: "I train a few other people training to be heroes. I had to share my identity with them, since I know who they are. And Batman knows too."

Lauren: "Batman?! Isn't that bad? I mean he could tell everyone."

Riley: "He won't. I know who he is too."

Lauren: "You know who Batman is?! Who?! Tell me, please!"

She looked really excited. I surprised she isn't more sceptical.

Riley: "That would be telling, Miss Winters."

Lauren: "Oh, don't tease me!"

I laughed for a bit and she started laughing too.

I really think that I like this girl... She's wonderful and I haven't felt like this about someone before. I wonder if I should tell her now. No, not the best of times. My head is swirling with emotions right now.

Lauren: "Riley. I have to confess something to you."

Riley: "What?"

She looked very serious. What could it be that she wants to talk about?

Lauren: "Remember Thomas Elliot? You told me about him?"

Riley: "What about him?"

Lauren: "I kinda... Looked into him."

Riley: "... What?"

-Batman-

The Black Sky drug isn't strong enough to affect something like the Lazarus Pit. I went to the building in Chinatown which Riley Rivers spoke of.

The fact that Riley faced Ra's al Ghul, The Demon's Head, and survived. Once again, I underestimated his skills.

I remember when I first faced Ra's al Ghul. He staged a kidnapping of his daughter,
Talia, and Robin who was Dick Grayson at the time. It was all a charade to test my skills to see if I'm worthy of being his son-in-law. If I had gone up against Ra's as green as Rivers was, I would not have survived. But, Rivers was adamant to not let me stop him from being Avenger.

Michael Rivers is practically Riley's hero. He was a part of the League of assassins,
so I believed that Riley wouldn't be able to resist, but he did.

I wished that I learned more about Michael Rivers while he was alive in Gotham.
I could have helped him and made sure that he was alive today. Riley could have been a lawyer and Gotham wouldn't be down a valuable ally.

Earlier this week, there had been reports that the Justice League members have gone missing. There is no sign of them anywhere. The places where they were last seen have one thing in common.

Whoever kidnapped the League has used a Lazarus Pit. Ra's is one of the few people on the Earth that would have the resources at hand to do anything to the League,
but who could have actually took down the League members? No one is answering my calls, even Cyborg. And I can't track Cyborg's signature anywhere.

Something tells me that Ra's may have had nothing to do with this. He may be bent of dominating the world through mass murder, but he wouldn't take the League for no reason. It's not how Ra's operates. There has to be something else going on here.

But who could possibly manipulate Ra's al Ghul and the League of assassins?

I do have a theory, but I have to make sure that Ra's is still where Rivers left him. If he's still there, then whoever is behind this wanted Ra's out of the way.

It took time, but I managed to enter the cave under the building. The Lazarus Pits are often underground.

The Pit was mainly covered by the rocks, but there were fresh tracks in the dirt...
Someone had been here before me... Maybe to recover Ra's body after he'd been poisoned?

In the black-greenish liquid of the corrupted Lazarus Pit, Ra's body was still there. 600 years old and this is how he ends up...

Talia: "Hello, Detective."

Behind me, stood Talia al Ghul. Ra's daughter.

Batman: "Talia. Here to ensure Ra's death?"

Talia: "You assume that I killed him?"

Batman: "You're the only one with the knowledge and the opportunity to manipulate Ra's. You're the only one who could get close enough to him to betray him at the very end."

Talia: "Well done, Detective. You're right. I did poison my father, because his plan to clone Riley Rivers was flawed at best. Someone else gave me a second option."

Batman: "You mean someone is working with you? Who is it?!"

?: "Behind you, Batman."

I turned around and I was face to face with someone in a black long coat with a hood over his head. He was wearing a skull mask made of metal.

Batman: "Who are you?"

Assassin: "I'm called the Assassin, Batman. And you are the final piece of the puzzle."

Batman: "What puzzle?"

Assassin: "The puzzle to finally fulfilling the al Ghul dream."

I gaze back at Talia.

Batman: "A new pawn for your plans, Talia?"

Talia: "Not quite. This man has loved me more than you ever could, Detective.
You care about your streets and your gutters. Playing games by dressing up as a bat. You even influenced my son to turn his back on me. Assassin works as an equal to me, not a pawn. He chose me over all else and he shares my vision for the world."

Could this man and Talia both be the masterminds behind all of this?

Batman: "That vision is about to be cut off."

Assassin: "I think not, Batman. I'll give you the answers you seek, but the time is not right. I'm still waiting for one more person."

Batman: "Who are you talking about?"

Assassin: "Enough talk. Fight me."

Batman: "If you insist."

I punched at Assassin, but he dodged and chopped me in the neck, knocking me off balance.

I tried to attack, but he evaded my moves effortlessly. This man... His moves remind me of Lady Shiva's. I couldn't seem to get any strikes in, it was like he was toying with me.

I managed to kick him in the ribs, but he grabs my leg and tosses me to the ground.
He walks over to me, but I kick him in the ribs, knocking him back. As I get up,
he kicks me in the stomach and again in the head, knocking me stomach first onto the ground. He walks over to me and grabbed my head.

Assassin: "I would enjoy this a little further, Batman. But, Avenger is the one i want to fight, not you."

Batman: "Why Avenger?! Who are you to him?!"

Assassin: "You'll find out."

Assassin then hits me in the head... And my vision cuts off.

Chapter 10 End.