Merry Christmas! And as always, your presents are 3 new chapters. Enjoy!

The Dark Knight Rises

Gotham

"Ghul's forces are shut up within the city. Supplies come in twice a month switching from by sea or by road. Patrols roam here, here, and here. Our men within the city say that my father was moved out of the city some months ago. They believe to Thanagar and if this is true, then we can expect aid from King Carter by the end of the month. Once Kryptonian aid arrives, we will march onto the city. We have a small garrison inside the city ready to open the gates. Once we defeat the forces in the city, then we march onto the castle. The Queen of Krypton has written that she is sending three of her best knights to come and rescue my father before she leads her army here." Prince Bruce Thomas Alfred Clark Wayne (Al for short) spoke to his war council over a map of Gotham.

"My prince…! Assassins approach from the east!" A knight cried.

"Retreat further into the woods and we shall regroup near the border." His war council rushed out of the pavilion tent. He drew his falchion. "Kara, stay close to me." Al took her hand and they ran out the tent. The far side of the camp was afire.

An arrow pierced an assassin behind them. "Go!" Princess Helena cried as she quickly reloaded her crossbow. Al cut down an assassin in front of them and he and Kara ran deeper into the woods. Damian Wayne shot an arrow at a man rushing Helena.

"Perhaps you would like to change bows, sister." Damian said and quickly shot two more assassins. He preferred a longbow. Damian wore a gray leather cuirass over a black tunic, and dark hair stopped just above his shoulders.

"Not in this lifetime." Helena said and shot an assassin right off his horse. Another assassin was rushing her. She tossed him the crossbow and on instinct he caught it. She drew a throwing dagger and threw it, hitting him in the neck. She drew her falchion and fought off two assassins. Damian shot one of them in the neck and then used his bow to deflect a throwing dagger.

Al and Kara ran through the woods. They could hear the fighting behind them but they kept on going. And then they heard a horse. Kara looked over her shoulder to see an assassin on horseback right behind them. "Go! Go! GO!" She cried. She let go of his hand and they continued running.

Kara then tripped over a rock and she lost sight of Al. Her ankle hurt but she got back up. The assassin saw her though. She drew her sword and deflected his blows. He kicked her and she fell back. On horseback, his sword could not reach her whilst she was on the ground so he jumped down.

"KARA!" She could hear Al calling her name but he sounded far away. She blindly searched for her sword but she could not find it. The assassin walked up to her, twirling his sword as if to taunt her. He put the blade over his head ready to strike. She refused to close her eyes. She would not cower; she would look death right in the eye.

When his sword came down, another sword blocked its strike. A dark haired and bearded man in black had blocked the blow. "RUN!" He cried to her and kicked the assassin back. Then Christopher scooped up his sister, holding her sword, and super sped away.

Al was running back towards the camp looking for Kara, when someone fast and strong grabbed him. Next thing he knew, he was at the rendezvous near the border. "Conner?" Al asked. Conner nodded once to him. "Where is Kara?" Kara and Christopher then appeared. "Kara!" He cried and ran to her. They embraced each other. "I thought I had lost you."

"The man…the man who saved me. Where is he? You cannot just leave him!" Kara said.

"Sir Joseph will be along shortly." Christopher said. "He can defend himself, trust me."

Soon, the Gotham army began regrouping near the border. Some fighting could still be heard but it was far off. "Who is this Sir Joseph? I do not know him." Kara said as they walked through the makeshift camp. Her ankle was feeling much better.

"Well if you visited once in awhile, you would know that Sir Joseph Kent is a newly made knight. He gained his knighthood by defeating a Zoner patrol of Zod's personal guard alone." Christopher said.

"Alone? That is not possible." Kara said.

"Well, he did it. He is mother's new favorite. She even made him a knight of the Red Shard." Conner said.

"I thought the House of Kent was wiped out." Kara said.

"He was fortunate not be in Kansas at the time." Christopher said but Kara got the sense that they were hiding something. Then the fighting grew silent in a single moment. The whole camp noticed this.

"Something must have happened." Al said as he approached them. Christopher and Conner exchanged glances.

"What do you two know?" Kara asked.

Soon, more Gotham soldiers and knights appeared and Sir Joseph was leading them. His sword was covered in blood but there was not a single drop on him. And he carried a bound man over his shoulder. He walked up to them. "Your Grace." He said to Prince Al and dropped the unconscious man.

"Dusan, son of Ra's al Ghul." Al recognized the man's demonic-like helm. "How did you…?"

"He was not hard to find. And the remaining enemy forces have been taken care of, even those trying to retreat. I put out the fires and took care of the smoke. That will buy us some time, my lord." Sir Joseph said.

"And just how did you do all this?" Kara asked.

"I have my ways, princess." Sir Joseph said. "Where shall I put him?"

"Come." Al said and walked off. Sir Joseph put Dusan back over his shoulder and followed the prince.

Dusan was tied to a tree. Prince Al, his war council, Kara, Christopher, Conner, and Sir Joseph watched him. He had awoken a few minutes ago. They had removed his helm. His face was deformed, which is why he always wore his helm. "I shall die before I talk." Dusan hissed.

"Where is my father and where are his knights?" Al asked coldly.

Dusan chuckled. "You think you are your father? You will not break me, boy." He said. Al then drew his dagger. "Plan to do it yourself, boy? Perhaps you are somewhat like your father after all."

Kal-El then used a power he had not used in sometime. He slightly titled his head to the side and listened for Dusan's thoughts. This boy is more foolish than Father said he was. I will tell him Wayne is in Thanagar when he is really at the Pit east of Egypt. Father will break Wayne there and destroy the corrupt city of Gotham once and for all. Talia and Bane will soon send more patrols from Gotham to come and find me.

"King Bruce is at a prison called the Pit east of Egypt. And Ra's al Ghul is questioning him himself there." Sir Joseph said and everyone turned to look at him. Dusan had a surprise look on his face.

"No, he is in Thanagar!" Dusan quickly cried.

"No. He is at the Pit. A man called Bane and Talia al Ghul are in command of the city. They are under 2,000 strong. And the knights are in the Blackgate prison." He said. Dusan struggled against the ropes but Sir Joseph had tied them himself. He was not getting out. Dusan yelled out of frustration as Sir Joseph walked away.

"Gag him." Al said. The group followed him and some knights stayed behind to guard Dusan. "How do you know all this?"

"As I told the princess, I have my ways. Chris, we leave at first light. Conner, stay with the princess. Send word to the queen that I have found King Bruce." Sir Joseph said. He walked off leaving behind only questions.

Later, Kara found Sir Joseph carefully cleaning his sword. "You take great care of your sword." She said.

"When you wield a sword it becomes part of you so you must take great care of it like you would your own body. But my sword is not my only weapon. My best weapons are here…" He pointed to his temple, speaking of his mind. "…and here." He pointed to his heart, as he told the recruits in Smallville.

"My sword master spoke the same words." Kara said.

"Then he was a wise man." Sir Joseph said. He examined the sword and saw no more specks of blood. He stood and sheathed his sword. "Is there something you wish to speak of, princess?"

"I just wanted to give you my thanks. You perhaps saved my life." Kara said.

"I was only doing my duty. I am but a humble servant of Krypton." Sir Joseph.

"But you are my mother's new favorite as well." Kara said. "How is she?"

"She is well. She misses you greatly. Do you not write to her?" Sir Joseph asked.

"My mother and I have not spoken in some months, which is none of your concern." Kara said.

"The queen has been good to me so her happiness has become a great concern of mine." Sir Joseph said.

"Has it?" Kara took a step toward him. "Your thoughts and concerns are your own but be wary of my mother. And make sure your only duty is to protect her." She said sternly. Kara then walked off. She is her mother's daughter, he thought.

"Are you ready?" Christopher asked and then he saw Kara walking off. "Is everything alright?"

"What is the matter between Kara and Lois?" Kal-El asked.

"I am not sure. Neither she, nor mother will tell me or Conner. You can ask mother about it when next you see her." Chris said.

"I will. We shall head back toward the estates and find somewhere where we can fly off away from prying eyes." Kal-El said. Christopher nodded. Conner walked up to them. Kal-El put his hand on Conner's shoulders. "Watch after your sister and no drinking. Understood?"

Conner nodded. Kal-El put his hand on Conner's cheek and then walked away. Conner and Chris gripped forearms and embraced. "Be careful." Conner whispered. Christopher patted his shoulder and followed Kal-El.

King Bruce Wayne of Gotham had been in this prison for four months now recovering from wounds he sustained in the great battle he was captured in with Bane, Ra's al Ghul's general.

"Why not just kill me?" Bruce asked weakly.

"It would not benefit us…and you welcome death. If we want what we seek, we no longer need to torture your body but your soul. Here you will learn despair." Bane stood and looked up to the large hole above to see sunlight. "Many see the sunlight hoping they can climb to freedom believing it to be so simple. But like shipwrecked men turning to seawater from uncontrollable thirst, many have died trying. Here, there can be no true despair without hope. And just know I shall be doing the same to your people. I will feed them the hope of freedom and watch them torture their own souls for that which will never come. But if you refuse my master and when Gotham is ashes…then you have my permission to die." Bane said. He patted Bruce's chest and left leg knowing the great pain it would inflict upon him. Bruce could not stop the scream of pain he let out.

Bruce opened his eyes. He was chained up to the wall of his cell in the underground prison called the Pit. This prison once held the most dangerous and most ruthless of criminals but now it held the enemies of the League of Assassins.

His back and leg had been put back in place so he now no longer needed his walking staff. He trained and built his body every day he was not being questioned. His body was almost back to its full strength again but he was still trapped here. Since he regained his ability to walk, he had tried to climb out of the Pit two times but to little avail. He was preparing his mind and body to make the climb again when he returned.

Ra's al Ghul, the Head of the Demon, entered his cell. He wore black leather cuirass over white linen clothing, a green cloak, and a sword belt. His falchion hilt was solid gold with an emerald in the round pommel.

"Hello Bruce. You can stand. Good." Ra's always spoke to him like they were still master and student; like they were still friends. Bruce held his head high and clenched his mouth shut. Ra's had been visiting regularly for these talks hoping to once again gain Bruce's trust and loyalty. "Come now, Bruce. There is no need to be rude." Ra's removed his cloak and laid it down onto a chair. "Did you give my offer any thought?" Bruce remained silent. "Why so hesitant? It is a good offer. You will be welcomed back into the League of Assassins and you shall be finally able to wed my eldest daughter. All you need do is tell me where you have hidden the Crystal of Knowledge."

"And forsake my children, my city, my people, my allies, my friends… Never! I will not let you destroy so many lives." Bruce hissed.

"Only a cynical man would call what those people have 'lives.' Crime, despair; this is not how man is supposed to live. The League of Assassins has fought injustice in this world for thousands of years. Every time a civilization reaches the pinnacle of its decadence, we return to restore the balance." Ra's said.

"I have heard you say all this before. But Gotham is not beyond saving. I just need more time to restore my own path to balance." Bruce said.

"Oh, yes. The Batman of Gotham fighting injustice in the dark of night. You are defending a city so corrupt that we have crept into the very heart of your city, of your very household… When I found you, you were lost but I believed in you. I took away your fear and I showed you a path. You were my greatest student. And I was overjoyed when you fell in love with my daughter and she with you. And you broke not only her heart but mine when you left. It should be you standing by side, saving this world." Ra's said.

"I am standing right where I belong." Bruce said.

"Chained to a wall in a cell deep in the earth?" Ra's asked.

"Between you and the people of Gotham." Bruce said.

"No one can save Gotham. When a forest grows too wild, a purging fire is unavoidable and natural. Even with obstacles such as your children." Ra's said. Bruce glared at him. "If you will not accept my offer for Talia, then perhaps for the lives your children: Bruce and Helena."

"I once saved your life... Your quarrel is with me. Leave them be." Bruce said.

"I warned you about compassion, Bruce. Like you, your son had the chance to kill me but he hesitated. The men of the House of Wayne lack the courage to do what is necessary. And if someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind them and stab them in the heart." Ra's said.

Bruce then yelled out in anger and pulled against his chains. He was in Ra's' face but he could not touch him, not even to head bunt him. "If you or yours so much as touches them…!"

"Fret not, Bruce, for I shall spare your son, Damian, as you call him. He is of my blood after all. But believe me when I say that I do feel your pain. I would sooner cut of my arm than harm my own children…unless killing them was necessary for the greater good."

Bruce pulled tighter against the chains but to little avail. "Once again I ask you, I beg you to accept your place by my side, wed my daughter, and name Damian your heir. Let us build a new world from the ashes of this corrupt and decadent one."

"NEVER!" Bruce cried. "And if you touch my children, I shall hunt you down for the rest of my days!"

"You cannot truly kill me, Bruce. I am immortal; as are you. You know it is not glory or history that makes us immortal but ours heirs. Our heirs carry on our work, our legacy and pass it on… This is your last chance to accept my offer or I shall take your heirs from you, your legacy." Ra's said. Bruce was breathing heavily and he once again pulled against the chains. Ra's sighed. "Justice is balance, Bruce. You once left me for dead. And I shall do the same to you. You shall die in this prison. You shall slowly die here as your city burns." Ra's grabbed his cloak and left Bruce's cell.

"RA'S!" Bruce screamed.

Bruce awoke the next morning. He picked up one of the boulders in his cells, put it on his shoulders, and did his weight lifting. Tom entered his cell like he did every morning. Tom aided the prisoner physician, Uri, who had gone blind.

"Every day you build up your body. First time you climb hopeful. Second, you climb angry. Now, how you climb this time?" Tom asked.

"Afraid." Bruce answered.

"Afraid?" Tom asked. Bruce dropped the boulder, panting.

"I fear dying down here while my city burns. I fear for the lives of my children, my friends. I am not going to die down here." Bruce said.

"Then you must climb without the rope so fear may find you once more." Uri said in the common tongue, behind them. They turned to look at him.

"Do not listen to him. He does not know what he says." Tom said and walked away.

Bruce rolled up some cooking and eating utensils with some bread and water in a makeshift sack. He patted Tom's shoulder and walked out of his cell. He walked to the climbing wall and the prisoners gathered round. Bruce shook his head to the rope and began to climb.

He climbed until he reached the broken ledge near the top. Below he could hear the other prisoners chanting, "Rise!" He had always felt safe with the rope tied around his waist but now… His heart was pounding in his chest and in his ears. When he took a step forward, a swarm of bats flew out a small crevice in the wall. His heart jumped and he ducked, taking covered. And he found himself smirking and he rose. The bats flew around him for a few moments and flew out.

He went to the broken edge and jumped, kicking his feet off the edge. His held his breath and it grew deadly silent below. Then his fingers grabbed the edge of the other side of the broken ledge. Cheering erupted from below and Bruce pulled himself up. He looked down below and wanted to burst out laughing but first things first. He climbed.

Bruce did not realize he had reached the top until he had climbed out of the Pit and was bathed in the blinding sunlight. There was thick, long rope rolled up at the base of the opening. He grabbed it and tossed it down into the Pit.

Early the next morning, ten men pulled on the rope lifting Uri out of the Pit. He was the last one out. They had gathered up plenty of food and water for a desert journey. And now they all turned to Bruce for direction. When the stars came out that night, Bruce knew exactly where they were.

Bruce stood on the edge of the Pit over the hundred or so former prisoners of the Pit. Many held lit torches. "I am going west to my home. Egypt is northeast from here, that way." Bruce pointed northeast. "There is no need for you all to come with me."

"You go to fight the Head of Demon?" A prisoner asked with a thick accent in the common tongue. Bruce nodded. "Then I will follow you."

"And I." The prisoners chanted.

"Very well… We leave at daybreak." Bruce said.

Kal-El and Christopher dived and landed in the Pit only to see it empty. "Where are they?" Christopher asked. He super-sped throughout the entire prison looking for any signs of life. Kal-El flew out of the Pit and landed. There were some tracks in the sand. He knelt down to examine what tracks had not been wiped away by the wind.

He heard the soft thud of Christopher landing behind him. "They have been gone for days, perhaps longer. They made their way northeast. On foot, Egypt may be a 10, 11 day journey from here. They could have made it if they had enough supplies." Kal-El said.

"Well we cannot fly into the city. We can stop at a village and purchase some camels or horses." Christopher said and Kal-El nodded. He stood and they flew off.

They found a village less than a day's journey from the city of Cairo, where they purchase two Egyptian horses. The village had been pillaged so the villagers were on edge and Egyptian soldiers almost did not let them pass.

"It is a good thing you know the tongue or we would have had to gone back for Conner." Christopher said and scanned the horizon.

"Really, how many tongues does he speak?" Kal-El asked.

"All the tongues of the known world." Christopher answered. Kal-El looked at him over his shoulder and gave him a look. "I speak the truth. He learns tongues so swiftly. It has aided us for many years."

They reached the gates of the city of Cairo soon. Two arrows were shot in the ground before them as a warning. "State your name and affairs!" A sentry yelled down from the gate tower.

"Sir Christopher Kent and Sir Joseph Kent of Krypton here to see the Pharaoh!" Christopher yelled back and there was no reply. "And now we wait."

Some time later, the gates opened and a group of riders exited the city. They were led by a young man with short brown hair and a thin mustache and goatee; he wore a bronze cuirass over linen clothing. Kal-El thought he looked familiar but he could not remember how he knew him. The young man motioned for the soldiers accompanying him to halt and he rode forward. Christopher grinned and dismounted. Kal-El took the reins and Christopher took a few steps forward. The young man dismounted expressionless. "My friend!" Christopher said heartily and with open arms.

"How dare you return here, you no good Kryptonian swine!" The young man snapped. Christopher's grin disappeared and he was deeply confused. Kal-El held both reins in his left hand and put his right hand around his sword's grip. Then the angry young man started laughing. "The look on your face…!" He said between laughs. He and Christopher gripped forearms and embraced chuckling.

Christopher motioned for Kal-El to come forward. He dug his heel into the horse and trotted forward. "Sir Joseph Kent, Prince Hector of Egypt."

"My lord." Sir Joseph nodded once.

"No Conner? This Sir Joseph must be a great warrior." Hector said.

"The best I have laid eyes on." Christopher said.

"Come. We shall go to the palace. My father will be most pleased to see you." Prince Hector turned and walked back to his horse.

Christopher mounted his horse. "I have not seen him since he was a boy. He had grown into a fine young man." Kal-El said.

"He is his father's son." Christopher said. They dug their knees into their horses and galloped after Hector.

They entered the magnificent stone palace. "Good to see your walls still stand." Christopher said.

"My father is careful with Luthor. He will not make the same mistake he made with him 20 years ago." Hector said. They traveled down some corridors until they reached the great doors of the throne room. Hector opened one of the doors and they entered the room.

"Our army stands more than 4,000 strong, my king. The walls can easily be repaired in a matter of weeks. And the dead have all been burned."

"Good." King Carter said.

"Father!" Hector called.

Carter had their back to them. "Hector. Good. Come see what my engineer has built." He was wearing a bronze cuirass. He pressed something on his chest and great black wings sprouted out of the back of the armor. "And it flies as well from the Nth metal used to build the wings. I just used them not long ago."

"Father, look who has come." Carter turned around and Kal-El took a breath to keep a straight face. Carter's hair was now a light gray and his beard masked the aging lines on his face well. He looked like he had gained a few pounds. But he was still looked the same, just older.

"Chris!" Carter greeted happily. He pressed and held down the emblem of a hawk on his chest and the wings folded back into the armor. Carter descended the dias and embraced Christopher. "We have not seen you for a good while."

"Much has happened in Krypton. Allow me to present to you, Sir Joseph Kent." Christopher said. Carter's eyes were suspicious of him but they gripped forearms.

"You must be a great warrior to have come with young Chris here." Carter said.

"I am not dead yet." Sir Joseph said. Carter smirked and likely chuckled.

"Words to live by… Have we met before? I feel as if I know your face." Carter said.

"I believe I would remember such a meeting, my lord. I do not wish to be rude but we are on most urgent business for Her Majesty. King Bruce has escaped his captors and he may have come to you for aid." Sir Joseph said.

"Come." Carter said and led them out of the throne room. They walked down many corridors before Carter led them into a large chamber. "These are my chambers; we shall not be disturbed here." Hector closed the doors behind them.

"He came to you." Christopher said plainly.

"Yes, four days ago. I got him and his men a ship and they sailed west the next day. But I have just learned that Ra's al Ghul has sailed after them. I can give you two my fastest ship." Carter said.

"I thank you but we shall not be needing it. Chris, we must hurry." Sir Joseph said and turned to walk away.

"Are you certain our lives have never crossed paths?" Carter asked.

Sir Joseph turned to face him. "Yes, my lord. Can we hope to expect you in our final stand against Zod?" He asked.

"If the League calls, I will answer." Carter said. Sir Joseph and Chris bowed and left his chambers. "Hmmm…?"

"What is it, father?" Hector asked.

"Sir Joseph lied to my face. He is hiding something." Carter said.

"But Chris trusts him. Queen Lois trusts him." Hector said.

"Christopher is young and so are you." Carter said.

"I am a man now, father. I have a wife, a son." Hector said.

"Your wife is gone and she has taken your son with her." Carter said.

"They are on Themyscira. They are safe. You told me that a man protects his family so I sent them away. Would you have done the same for mother?" Hector asked.

"Do not bring your mother into this and do not change the matter at hand. Queen Lois trusts no one but the House of El." Carter stroked his beard. "I shall send word to Bruce to be wary of him. But now, we must focus on readying our army. I sense that the final battle is upon us."

Bruce Wayne stood on the stern of an old merchant ship called the Eye of Ra. He was dressed in a white linen tunic with short sleeves, breeches, and boots. His eyes were closed and his hands were behind his back as he soaked in the sun's rays, feeling the cool breeze on his skin and listening to small waves crashed against the ship's hull. It was little things about nature he missed while trapped in that hole.

"My lord, a ship approached from the east! It bears the banners of Ra's al Ghul!" Bruce's eyes shot open and he ran up to the bow the ship. He could make out a ship, much larger than theirs. Someone handed him a lens and tube. He looked through it to see a war galley with over fifty men at the oars but half that of assassins on the deck in formation behind Ra's in black leather cuirasses. He could also see cannons chained on the deck of the ship. "My lord, what shall we do?"

Then Bruce surprisingly smirked. "To the boats!" He commanded.

"My lord, the ship has dropped it anchors and boats have landed in the water." An assassin said. Ra's looked through a lens and tube and saw that the deck was abandoned. He saw overturned rowboats in the water.

"Ram the ship." Ra's commanded.

"Ram the ship!" The drums beat faster and the rowers rowed faster. They rowed faster and faster. They ram the bow of the ship and all fell to the floor when the galley hit the ship. The cannons had no clear shot.

"Back!" The drums sounded and the rowers reversed backing up the galley. The bow took a strong hit but the hull was intact. "Get alongside them!" The steered the ship and dropped anchor alongside the vessel. "Board!" Assassins threw grappling hooks onto the opposite ship and swung across. Some moments later, the assassins appeared on the deck with a prisoner.

Ra's and the rest of his assassins swung across to the opposing ship. Bruce was forced down onto his knees with four falchions drawn on him. Ra's sighed and looked disappointed. "I had hoped you would once again join our cause but now I see you will never learn." Ghul said.

"I still believe in what you taught me of fighting injustice but I will not become an assassin." Bruce said.

"Then I am sorry, old friend. When a man stands in the way of true justice…" Ra's said.

"Simply walk up behind him and stab in the heart. It was those words that made me leave." Bruce said and Ra's turned his back to him. He felt a slight breeze on the back of his neck meaning the man behind him was swinging his falchion.

Bruce quickly ducked and the sword swung over him. He quickly did a sweeping kick knocking his four captors onto their backs. He used a quick combination of punches, blocks, and kicks to fight off six more attackers.

"Back away! He is mine." Ra's commanded. His men stepped back into formation in two lines across from each other leaving master and former student in the middle. Ra's removed his green mantle cloak and tossed it aside. "Has it really come to this, Bruce?"

Bruce sighed. "I believe it was always meant to come to this." Bruce said. Ra's nodded once to one of his men, who drew his sword and tossed it down before Bruce. Ra's then drew his falchion. Bruce glanced down at the sword and when he looked back up, Ra's was already upon him.

Bruce ducked under his swing and rolled out of the way grabbing the grip of the borrowed sword. He kneeled and blocked Ra's' next blow. He tried to do a sweeping kick but Ra's was expecting that and jumped over his leg. Bruce quickly stood and they dueled. They moved back and forth and in circles striking and blocking each other's blows. Bruce tried to mix in some punches and kicks but Ra's was ready for him every time. "Familiar. Do you have anything new?"

"How about this?!" Bruce cried. He spun left to elbow Ra's in the upper back and then heel kick him at the base of his spine; an aggressive tactic he learned from Carter. Ra's fell forward but he used his hands to break his fall. He dropped his falchion and he could hear it sliding across the deck. Ra's quickly rolled onto his back and kicked Bruce's bad left leg.

Bruce cried out in pain and dropped down to one knee in great pain. He was panting trying to control the pain. Ra's then heel kicked him in the chest making him fall onto his back gasping. "Still fighting like a young man, Bruce? I taught you better than this." Ra's retrieved his falchion and walked back to Bruce. Bruce tried to rise but Ra's put his foot on his chest and pushed him back down. He pointed his falchion downward with both hands around the grip. "Do not be afraid, Bruce. You are nothing more than a common man in a cape and that is why you cannot fight injustice. And that is why you could not even gain the loyalty of those depraved prisoners." Ra's said.

"Or perhaps I wanted to be caught." Bruce said. At that moment, cannon fire from the war galley violently rocked the ship. Ra's fell down onto the deck. Cannon ball after cannon ball hit the deck and assassins on the deck. Then the cannon fire stopped and one by one, the ropes connecting the ships were cut, all but one.

Ra's al Ghul rolled onto his back but Bruce was already standing over him wielding Ra's' own falchion. "Have you finally learned to do what is necessary?" Ra's asked.

"I will not kill you." Bruce grabbed hold of the last rope to the adjacent galley. "But I do not have to save you." Bruce cut the rope the moment the cannon fire resumed, all aiming for the stern's hull. Ra's raised himself up and kneeled toward the stern to see the stern sinking fast. Ra's closed his eyes as the water overcame him.

Bruce landed on the deck of the galley and saw the merchant ship sink. The last of the bodies of the rowers were thrown overboard. The former prisoners then shouted a single war cry once they saw Bruce was safely on board. The sails were lowered. They caught a fair wind and sailed away from the shipwreck.

Kal-El and Christopher flew high over the sea battle. "Bruce has not lost his wits." Kal-El said. The prisoners were in the overturned rowboats and they snuck onto the ship and quietly slit the throats of the remaining assassins and rowers.

"Now you see why we need him. Since your banishment, Bruce and Mother are the only ones Zod fears. Bruce has bested him in every battle Gotham has fought with us." Christopher said. "What shall we do now? This ship shall take more than a fortnight to reach Gotham if the wind allows it."

"Leave that to me." Kal-El said. He dived down into the water and super-sped beneath the galley. He put his back against the hull and pushed upward.

Bruce and his men fell down to the deck when the ship suddenly jerked. They all braced themselves when the galley began to rise. Christopher flew beside the ship. "Good morrow, uncle! You look like you need a swifter course home!"

"Chris!" Bruce called happily and waved to him. And Bruce actually laughed.

"What is happening?!" Tom cried.

"Help from friends." Bruce answered.

Some Days Later

"Archers will be at the rear. Cannons here, here, and here protect the castle." Prince Bruce was addressing his war council on the plan to siege the city.

"My prince, a ship approaches!"

"Have you been drinking? This is dry land." Al said to the knight outside the tent.

"Come and see!"

Prince Al rolled his eyes and exited the command tent. He froze when he saw Ra's al Ghul's own war galley fly over the camp and land at a large clearing not far from them. "To arms!" He commanded and every man quickly put on their mail and gray leather cuirasses, and grabbed an assortment of weapons from spears to axes. They formed up in the direction of the clearing.

Al, Sir Michael Lane, and Helena were in the mid flank. Soon, a large group of 100 or so men were seen walking over the small hill blocking the view of the clearing. Sir Michael looked through a lens and tube. He did a double take look through the lens and started laughing. "It is the king!"

The whole army began muttering and then Bruce came into view leading the large group of strangers. The army and knights immediately kneeled. He was bearded, his hair was longer and grayer but they still knew the face of their king. Al and Helena were the only ones not kneeling. Damian ran up to him from the rear, where he was with the rest of the archers. They stared at their father unsure of what to do.

Bruce held up his hand and the group halted. He took a few steps forward and made a small grin at his children. "Father!" Helena said softly. She ran into his arms and he embraced like any father embracing his daughter. Al and Damian slowly approached them.

Bruce grinned at them. "My sons." He said softly. He embraced Damian and then Al. "Rise, Sir Michael. Rise!" Bruce commanded and everyone rose. "There is much to be done in retaking this kingdom." Bruce patted Al's shoulder and he followed them back to the command tent. The knights led the former prisoners into camp.

Sir Joseph was by a stream. He cupped his hands into the water and splashed water into his face. He wiped off the water with the hem of his cloak. "How did you do it?" Sir Joseph looked over his shoulder to see Princess Kara Kal-El.

"I did nothing, Your Highness. He escaped on his own. We only caught up to him." Sir Joseph said and dapped off the last speck of water on his face.

"And yet, you have only been gone for some days." Kara took a step closer to him. "I do not know why my mother shared Christopher's blood with you but perhaps it was a wise choice." She said softly and she walked away.

Later, in the command pavilion

"Queen Lois has already pledged her forces to aid us in retaking the city. Word from her knights and they shall sail at once but it will take them perhaps a fortnight to get here." Al said.

Bruce sighed. "That is too long. Talia and Bane will burn the city long before then." He said.

"They will not do so without a command from…" Helena said.

"Ra's al Ghul is dead. And when they find out, they will want to avenge him by finishing his work by destroying Gotham. We must march on the city at once." Bruce said.

"And the men that journeyed with you?" Sir Michael asked.

"Most are men that sided with me when I rebelled against Ra's. They are well skilled and have pledged their swords to me. They are no threat. Now, how soon can we march?" Bruce asked.

"Three, four days at the most. And the Amazons shall be here tonight." Al said.

"Good. Gather all the supplies we shall need for our journey and for the battle. And tell me when the Amazons arrive. Chris, a word." Bruce said and walked out of the command tent. Chris followed him out. Al took a deep breath and clenched his jaw shut. Kara rubbed his shoulder and he relaxed.

Bruce now wore black trousers and boots, a white shirt, and a gray gambeson with the laces untied. Kal-El walked out of the command tent. Bruce and Chris were well out of listening distance so he began using his super hearing. "Who is the knight with you?"

"Sir Joseph Kent of the Red Shard; recently knighted by my mother. He can be trusted." Chris said.

"I feel as if you being saying that to all." Bruce patted his shoulder. "And how is your mother?"

"She is well despite all that has happened. She seems to worry more for others than she does for herself." Chris said.

"Ra's told me of the capture of the prince. I am sorry." Bruce said. "When the time comes, all she need do is ask and I shall go for the prince myself."

"I thank you. I shall tell her this." Chris said.

"And perhaps you and yours should return to Krypton in case we should fail." Bruce said.

"We would never abandon you, Uncle Bruce. And I know Kara shall never abandon Al." Al and Kara were talking in front of her tent. He must have said something sweet because she then smiled so beautifully.

"I have not seen him this happy in so long." Bruce said.

"Nor I with her. Just know that if he should hurt her, I will challenge him." Chris said.

"Not if I kill him first for ruining a good thing." Bruce said and they chuckled.

Helena walked up to them. "Father, may we speak?" Bruce nodded. Chris bowed and walked off. "A letter just arrived by hawk. King Carter writes that we should be wary of Sir Joseph for he is not what he seems."

"And Carter should know that I am wary of every man I meet. Now where is your brother?" Helena pointed to Al and Kara. "Your other brother?" She pointed to a clearing where the archers were practicing on moving targets.

Kal-El stopped using his super-hearing and stroked his beard.