Chapter 8: Backstage Politics.

-Kerry-

Kieran Troy... A definition of scum in the world of men. A complete tosser to say the least.

But even though I dislike Kieran, and that's putting it mildly, that doesn't stop from having a relationship with Rick and Charlotte. My feud with Kieran has nothing to do with them.

Although Rick is Kieran and my son by blood, Charlotte doesn't have a relation to Riley since she was born after I met Michael and had Riley. She'll be ten in a few months. Riley however views her as a sister as if she was blood, since unlike me, Riley has a good relationship with Kieran.

Charlotte: "Is my father working late?"

Charlotte, who was the youngest out of her, Rick, and Riley. She had the closest bond to Kieran.

Rick: "Probably, wasting his money on the bookies again."

Charlotte: "You don't have to not be a lawyer to drink or gamble. But, still why wouldn't he at least call? Now I have to babysit this brat."

Charlotte: "Hey~! I'm not a brat!"

Rick: "You whine like one... The babysitting service doesn't come cheap, you know?
You better pay me!"

Charlotte: "Pay you?! For what?! Stop asking me for money!"

They always argue over money. Rick is older than Riley and Charlotte has more sense than Riley and Charlotte is jus a kid, yet Charlotte has more sense than Riley who often gives Rick what he wants.

I finish cooking and I bring the food into the living room.

Kerry: "Actually, I'm babysitting the both of you, so you can pay me."

Rick: "Where's Riley, anyway? Out with dad?"

Kerry: "Riley is seventeen. He can't legally drink yet."

Rick: "I'm sure dad will get him drinking before then anyway."

I hope not. Riley has been spending a lot of time at night lately...

No, I'm imaging things. It's not like he's Batman.

-Avenger-

Avenger: "Seriously? A blindfold?"

Nightwing: "Suck it up. We all went through this one way or another."

Red Robin: "Besides you're going somewhere few people go."

As said, right now I'm blindfolded and riding inside Batman's car... Tank...

Let's just call it the damn Batmobile.

I can't see at all so clearly I'm going somewhere they don't want me to go...
Or at least know about.

I wonder how many people out there would want to sit in the Batmobile. But, I'm seated next to the one person that I didn't want to deal with.

Batman remained silent ever since we started this trip. To be honest, it's unsettling.

Avenger: "Batman. Where are we going?"

Batman: "The less you know about me, the better, Avenger."

For who exactly?

Avenger: "Then why are you taking me to wherever it is you're taking to? I have my own things that I need to take care of."

Batman: "Because you're closer to this than anyone else. You ignored my warning and acted recklessly. Now that Bullock knows you survived the crash, he's hunt you , you may provide answers to this whole thing."

So Batman doesn't know or doesn't believe that Grace is behind this whole thing."

Avenger: "I already told you. Winston Grace is the one behind all this."

Batman: "So you believe a man who has been stricken with terminal cancer with no criminal background has been able to formulate such a conspiracy against me, Gordon, Hamilton Hill, Black Mask, all without suspicion?"

Avenger: "Keep in mind, Batman, this whole conspiracy was designed so that you wouldn't know what was happening until it was too late."

Batman: "We'll continue this back at the cave."

Avenger: "Oh great... First the Batmobile, now the Batcave."

Batgirl:" Look, can we hurry this up?"

Batgirl seemed very impatient. To be honest, so was i. I'll need to review the Gordon case and prepare a defence.

Batgirl: "By the way, Red Robin, where are the reporters that you spoke about?"

Reporters?

-Lauren-

Lauren: "I can't believe that Red Robin ditched us after that death trap! We were almost shot, for God's sake!"

Both me and Miss Vale were talking after we got a taxi to the Gotham Gazette. After the ambush at GCPD, during which Red Robin called for a jet to arrive on the roof and then we escaped, Red Robin dropped us off in the middle of Gotham.

Vicki:" No surprise. If he's anything like Batman, then at least we saw him leave."

Lauren: "But, at least we have a story! The GCPD shot at that building after Winston Grace funded for the building to be emptied illegally, makes for quite a story."

Vicki: "It'' take more than that to take him down, but more people will look at this."

Lauren "But if Grace has the police department in his pocket, who will stop him?"

Vicki: "As long as the truth is out there, it damages Grace's reputation and that can help."

Grace who owns both legal and police departments, but doesn't own the media (Hopefully)... It seems hopeless, but think if we keep going, we can win!

Both me and Miss Vale then went to her office computer. She started to write out the story and I was ecstatic! All the danger I've faced so far was going to pay off.

Even if Grace owns the legal department. I doubt Riley Rivers is bad. He got beat up by that large man... I almost find it hard to believe that I thought he was Avenger. He can't be a corrupt lawyer.

I wonder what he's doing now?

-Avenger-

After a short drive, the Batmobile came to a stop. I heard the door open, and Batman could be heard leaving the car. Two motorcycles followed close behind.

Batman: "You can removed your blindfold now."

Finally, I can take this rag off... When I did, I could see the inside of the Batmoblie. It truly looked like something from the future. But, when I stepped out of the car... I looked around and saw the cave. I didn't know if I was in awe or in shock. Maybe both.

More Batmobiles... A giant penny? Why a giant penny? I can't even think! This place is massive!

I did notice the massive computer where Batman was standing. I don't even think "super computer" is the way to describe it...

Nightwing: "Overwhelming?"

Avenger: "Don't know. I did expect big, but not this big."

Nightwing: "Who are you anyway? Why are you here?"

Avenger: "You first."

Looking at Nightwing, I can tell he's a relaxed guy but he's more suspicious of me than the others.

I wasn't going to tell him who I was if he didn't know already.

Batman: "Nightwing. I brought him here because he's been closer to this than anyone else. He may be the key to all this."

Nightwing: "But to bring him to the cave of all places?! We don't even know who he is!"

Batgirl: "Nightwing has a point, Batman. Can we really trust him?"

Avenger: "You're gonna have to, or I don't care. But, if you don't want me here, then show me the door. I'll stop Grace myself."

Red Robin: "So you're gonna stop a crime lord by yourself? Not only that, if Sionis is involved, then you're pretty much putting yourself in the middle of a gang war."

Avenger: "I've been fighting against Grace before you all knew about it. If Batman wants to believe that Grace is unable to form a plan to take Gotham, then believe it. But, believe this: We're not fighting to defend Gotham. We're fighting to take back Gotham."

Batman: "The legal department and the police. Grace would have both by now.
But, how could he have such connections?"

Avenger: "He's had both for a long time! Sally Martini was one of his employees and so was Fish Mooney."

Red Robin: "You mentioned her before. Who exactly is Fish Mooney?"

Batman: "She used to work with Carmine Falcone. After he disappeared, Fish went off the grid. Other than that, there's nothing on her.
If she's back in Gotham... Why? And what's her connection?"

Batman reviews her from a file on the 'Batcomputer' and brought it on it's massive screen. The don't know anything Avenger: "you seriously don't know anything, don't you? How serious he situation is?"

Batgirl: "What do you mean? What don't we know?!"

Avenger: "Grace owns the legal department because Maria Mercedes is Fish Mooney."

Everyone's expressions darkened when I said that. Especially Batgirl's.

Batman: "How do you know this?"

Avenger: "I followed Bullock to My Alibi and he spoke with Fish. Another source confirmed who she was."

Batman: "Who?"

I couldn't tell them about mom and Kieran. Obviously, if I do, that pretty much reveals who I am... How did I get this far without being discovered?

Avenger: "I trust the source. Let's leave it at that."

Nightwing: "No, we can't leave it at that! You're asking us to trust this source of yours when we don't even know who you are!"

Avenger: "I don't know who you are, either. Does that mean I shouldn't trust you with this information and be on my way?"

Red Robin: "Even if that's the case and Maria Mercedes is Fish Mooney, shouldn't there be a birth certificate, Bachelor's degree for Law, even the fact that a former gang member would jump from nothing to District Attorney."

Avenger: "Grace may have hidden certain paperwork or pulled strings with someone to get Fish into such a position."

Red Robin: "Nothing lke that can stay hidden like this, who has this kind of influence?"

Batman looked as if he was pondering that very question. I knew Grace was behind it. Everything led back to him, yet Batman thinks that there is someone else is behind this whole thing.

Batgirl: "What about James Gordon?! If Fish is the District Attorney, then how can we get him out of Blackgate? The GCPD shot Sawyer. The man who Black Mask hired to steal that tech from you. Not to mention, he sold all the technology, but we don't know where he is. So how can we prove that Batman didn't kill Mayor Hill?!"

Avenger: "Easy. We find evidence on Fish and we remove her from the D.A's office."

Batgirl: "What will that do?!"

Avenger: "As long as Fish Mooney is the District Attorney, any evidence that could aid Gordon may not even make it to be produced in a trial. Especially since Bullock is Police Commissioner, they control the law and the courts. We take one down and it'll even up the playing field."

Batgirl: "But, Gordon needs to have an attorney appointed to him. If an attorney attempts to sabotage him..."

Avenger: "Don't panic, Batgirl. I know a lawyer that can't be brought that Fish had appointed Gordon's defence."

Batgirl: "Who?"

Avenger: "Riley Rivers."

Red Robin: "Rivers? You mean the attorney that defended Matthew Austin and won that case?"

Nightwing: "Didn't he kill his wife?! That attorney is defending Gordon?!"

Avenger: "Matthew Austin was innocent. And besides, the fact it was an open and shut case only proves that Rivers can defend Gordon. At least, until the evidence which clears him turns up."

Red Robin: "Wait, if Rivers doesn't work with Fish, then why did she have Rivers be appointed defence and how did she even do that?"

Nightwing: "They may have a state official working for them."

Man, this entire situation is a mess. The fact that Grace is behind all this, is starting to get thrown in question... Does Grace possibly have someone funding him?

Avenger: "All I know is that Fish wants to deal with Rivers on her terms."

They may want me to sabotage Gordon... If Emma Grace's visit is any indication,
I may have to put a stop to Grace before they target anyone close to me in an effort to force me to do what they want.

Batman then walks away towards a plane of some kind... A Batplane too! What next?!

Batman: "I may know who's behind this and I'm going to see him."

Nightwing: "You think it's him?"

Batman: "He is one of the few people that can form a plan like this with this sort of precision and has the resources to make it happen."

Avenger: "Who are you talking about?"

They all looked at me as if I wasn't welcome here. They knew something I didn't.

Avenger: "Fine. If you won't tell me, then I won't cooperate further."

Red Robin: "There's more? What more is there?"

Honestly, I don't have ay more information but I know where to find more. And I know someone who can hack into the city database.

Batman: "Avenger. If you know anything else, you should say so."

Avenger: "You keep your secrets and I'll keep mine. I'm done here. Do I get to leave by myself, or do I have to be blindfolded again?"

-Harper-

After leaving the apartment after gathering all my gear, I went into the sewers.

There has been something bothering me. When I researched Avenger, I noticed that he is using backstreets or rooftops to avoid street cameras, but even he can't avoid detection forever, but when Batman is nearby, the camera feed goes dead before coming back online like nothing happened. Batman is able to tap into the CCTV network, but the way it's constructed, Batman shouldn't be able to shut it down remotely. He'd need to have his own network, a ghost grid built into the system that he can access remotely too. I mean, it's not like he's coming down to the sewers to flip a switch whenever he needs to.

I asked my boss what it would take to build a private network, and he said that you would need power. With the grid maxed out, a separate system would crash the entire thing.

As it is, there are fifteen spots on the grid, hubs, that Batman can penetrate the mainframe from and sap power. But, he isn't using his grid to scramble signals, video and all that. He's helping to sustain the Gotham electrical grid. A ghost in the machine.

Using Wayne industries buildings, he keeps these boxes that are stationed at these hubs...
Batboxes. He must use these to access the grid and ghost himself too.

I took one and I placed it in my pocket. Maybe I can have a look at this and maybe I can piggyback of Batman's network...

?: "Who are you?"

I heard a deep voice from beneath me. A voice I knew I remembered.

?: "You were there the other night."

From below the waters, a crocodile head came out and it was watching me intently.

I've seen this before!

I-It's that crocodile again! Killer Croc!

Croc: "You cost me my prey last time."

The large hulking body of Killer Croc then began to come out of the sewer waters and it stood tall over me.

-Avenger-

Nightwing: "We're here."

I removed my blindfold and I got off of Nightwing's bike. I asked him to drop me off near the Narrows so that I can get started on my next move.

Nightwing: "What are we doing here anyway?"

Avenger: "I still have time to patrol the Narrows. After what happened earlier, Bullock and his Anti-Vigilante Task Force shouldn't make a move so soon, so I should be alright."

Nightwing: "It's still not safe out there for a rookie."

Avenger: "Tell that to the Russians."

Using my grapple gun, I went to the rooftops.

Tomorrow night is the gala that Emma Grace said her family are holding. It's a chance to get close to Grace and maybe find out what he's up to.

Tonight, the plan is to talk to Harper Row. But, I'm worried that I'm involving her too much. Not that I have a choice though. I won't be able to find Fish's documentation or what's left of it without Harper, since I would never get access to the city database.

I'm now on the fire escape which led to Harper and Cullen Row's apartment. The window was open as always... But, I heard signs of a struggle inside.

?: "You think you got lucky last time? Too bad, 'Taser Girl' and your pal,
Avenger, isn't here to save you this time."

Cullen: "Please, stop! I don't want any trouble please!"

?: "Scream for me, fairy."

I quickly entered the apartment and found a few people kicking Cullen who was on the ground, trying to shield himself.

Avenger: "Hey!"

The boys turned around and saw me standing there. Cullen looked up and saw me there as well.

Cullen: "A-Avenger?"

"Trevor! Why the hell is Avenger here?!"

Trevor: "Oh, so a hero has decided to join the party, so what?"

The leader of the punks called Trevor pulled out a pocket knife and quickly spun it around.

Trevor: "Can't keep up with this speed? I was gonna cut the fairy with this,
but you'll do."

As soon as he got in striking distance, I quickly hit him in the face and disarmed him.

Avenger: "You shouldn't play with knifes."

Another of the boys ran towards me, but I pulled out my baton and aimed it at him and he froze in his tracks. I then pointed the baton at Trevor.

Avenger: "You better not come back. Or else, I'll be paying you a visit."

Trevor: "M-Moron! You have no idea what you started!"

Trevor got back up and started running away along with his gang.

With them gone, I quickly went over to Cullen and helped him up.

Cullen: "I thought they were gonna kill me..."

Avenger: "They shouldn't bother you again, Cullen."

I helped Cullen into his living room and sat him down.

Cullen: "I can guess that you're looking for Harper."

Avenger: "I wanted to ask her something."

Cullen: "You missed her. She went around into the sewers, I think."

Avenger: "Why?"

Cullen: "She's discovered that Batman has a way to make camera feed go dead.
She wanted to find out how he does it, to help you."

Avenger: "Into the sewers? To help me? She doesn't need to do that."

Cullen: "That's what I keep telling her, but she doesn't listen."

Avenger: "I'll find her. You should stay here and lock your doors."

Cullen: "Sure, I'll do that. Thanks, Avenger. I mean it."

I didn't really like leaving Cullen here after what just happened, but if Harper Row's gone down into the sewers looking for any bat-sewage down there, I should stop her before she gets too deep into this.

I just hope that she doesn't run into Killer Croc down there. She'd need pretty bad luck to meet him there though.

-Harper-

I must have the worst luck in the history of Gotham city... No, the world!

Croc: "I don't know why you came back here, but you shouldn't have since you cost me a decent meal."

Harper: "Ummm... If I say sorry, would you not eat me?"

Croc: "I'll think on that."

Croc then started to approach me. I did slowly back away from him, but he started to pick up the pace.

I tried to run, but he was bigger and faster. There wasn't a way I was gonna out run him for long.

He dived right on top of me and he pinned me to the ground!

Croc: "Dinner is served."

Croc opened his massive jaws, revealing all of his teeth.

?: "Croc, stop!"

Someone dived on top of Croc and he used a taser on Croc's neck. Croc stood up and thrashed around trying to remove whoever was on his neck.

I quickly got up and I saw that it was Avenger! How did he know I was here?

Avenger then pushed Croc into the wall and leapt off of him, landing next to me.
Croc then fell into the waters and after a moment, didn't resurface.

Harper: "You cut it a bit close."

Avenger: "Why are you down here, Harper?"

Harper: "Investigating a lead?"

Avenger: "Into Batman's secret network."

How did he know that? D-Did he go to my apartment?

Avenger: "Cullen needs you to go back home. Those people from before broke in."

Harper: "Cullen?! Is he..."

Avenger: "He's safe. He's lucky I showed up when I did."

Harper: "Thank God... But, why were you at my apartment?"

Avenger: "I need your help, Harper. I need access into the city's database.
I need to look for any documentation on a Maria Mercedes."

Harper: "As much as I would like to help you with that, I can't just hack into the server like that. I would get caught."

Avenger: "Can't you do it remotely using a proxy?"

Harper: "... I think I can, but you'll have to give me some time to work it out."

I remembered the bat-box in my pocket. If I could access Batman's secret network, then I could access the city's mainframe from there. It would make a heck of a decent proxy.

Croc: "You think that little toy helped you?!"

Croc then rose out of the water and he looked pissed!

Avenger: "Get out of here! I'll deal with Croc!"

Harper: "Wait! Maybe I can help!"

Avenger: "Against that?"

Harper: "... Good point."

Croc dived at both of us, but we managed to avoid him. I didn't like leaving Avenger here, but he's the expert on fighting criminals here.

-Avenger-

I'm not an expert on fighting massive sewer animals, but at least Harper is getting out of here.

Croc: "You don't get it, I need to eat!"

Croc ran at me, but I jumped out of the way and kicked him in the face, but I think it only set him off than hurt him.

Croc then managed to grab me by my head and forced me against the wall. He punched me hard into the chest! I think he broke one of my ribs.

Croc: "I'll enjoy feasting on your bones!"

He was going to eat me! The last way I imagined dying was in a sewer with a crocodile devouring me. But, I can't die yet!

I kneed Croc in the jaw as he got closer and it staggered him a bit.

Avenger: "Look, Croc. I'm not here to fight you, but you can't go around killing people. Gotham already has enough to deal with."

Croc: "What about the Gotham Underground?! People are disappearing and have you done something about that?"

Avenger: "Disappearing? When?"

Croc: "The past 3 months. People have been disappearing and coming back dead with their faces torn off."

Avenger: "Faces torn off?! Why didn't you report this?"

Croc: "Look at me! Do you think they'll listen to me even if I were to try and report it?!"

Avenger: "Maybe not."

Croc doesn't seem to want to do harm. He operates the same way as an animal, and that means that he wants his habitat and people safe.

Avenger: "Croc, can you should me where the bodies turn up?"

Croc: "If you want. You'll be sick if you do though."

Croc then started to walk down the tunnels and I followed him. I wasn't exactly enjoying the trip. The smell was nauseating and I don't want to think about how I'll clean this suit when I get home, but if something else is going on that everyone's been overlooking, then I need to know.

Avenger: "Do you really eat people, Croc?"

Croc: "Sure, why not?"

Avenger: "Then what about the people of Gotham Underground? Why are they special to you?"

Croc: "I've had bad days in my life. No one else deserves... This."

When then came to a stop and Croc pointed at all the bodies... I-It was sickening to say the least, but I didn't really show it. Croc may be looking for an opening to attack.

Avenger: "How did the police notice this?"

Croc: "No one notices these people. No one cares about them."

Avenger: "That's horrible."

There was one body that stood out of the entire bunch. There wasn't anything left of his face, but he was wearing a brown suit that was covered in blood. It looked like it's been down here for longer than the others.

Avenger: "Whose this one?"

Croc: "Don't know. Not one of ours."

Avenger: "You haven't attempted to eat him then?"

Croc: "No. Too old and spoiled. I wouldn't touch that."

It was really sickening to talk about these people like pieces of meat, but I had to at least get as much out of Croc as possible.

Avenger: "Spoiled? You mean this guy was sick when he died?"

Croc: "Cancer. Terminal too. He was old and sick. Too bony and too spoiled."

Terminal cancer and old... It's too much of a coincidence, but... If this is him...

Avenger: "Croc?"

I turned around and Croc was towering over me.

Croc: "Did you really think I would let you walk out of here alive?"

Croc grabbed me and he brought my head to his mouth. I used both my arms to keep Croc's mouth open, but he was powerful. I quickly started kneeing him in the stomach.
It took a few times, but I managed to get out of Croc's grip.

Without a moment to spare, I took off down the tunnels with Croc close behind me.
There's no way I can fight him in here without getting eaten.

Croc: "You can't escape me! These are my sewers!"

Quickly, I came up with a simple plan. I managed to get onto a ladder and I quickly took out my taser and I used it on the water that Croc was in.
The electricity from the taser travelled to Croc and shocked him. He was dazed and confused, so I took the opportunity to quickly run up to Croc and I started hitting him as hard and as quickly as I could. Before long, Croc went down and stayed down...

I quickly took the ladder and left the sewers. I had to make an anonymous call to GCPD.

-Harper-

Harper: "Cullen, are you okay?"

I found Cullen sitting down in the living room of our apartment as I came in.

Cullen: "I'm fine, Harper. Just a bit shaken up."

Harper: "Was it Trevor again?! We need to teach those scumbags..."

Cullen: "No, don't. Avenger already took care of them. It would have been worse if he didn't show up. He was looking for you, you know?"

Harper: "I ran into him."

Cullen: "What did he want?"

Harper: "He wants me to hack into the city database and find out about a Maria Mercedes, I think?"

Cullen: "Hacking? That's illegal and you would get caught if you tried."

Harper: "Maybe not."

I pulled out the Batbox and showed it to Cullen.

Cullen: "Whoa, whoa. You found a Batbox?"

Harper: "If Batman has his own network running, then maybe if I access it, I can find a way to get into the city database without being noticed."

Cullen: "Harper, I know that you think it good that Avenger has been asking for your help, but isn't this a little too much? He saved us, but isn't he asking too much?"

Harper: "If I can help him out then maybe it's worth it. I'll see what I can do with this box anyway."

-Batman-

Resources, opportunity, and knowledge about me both as Batman and Bruce Wayne.

Whoever is behind all this has all three of these... The fact that someone is operating in my city, under my watch, and hasn't even made a sound means that whoever is behind all this knows everything about me and how I operate.

Avenger is convinced that Winston Grace is behind it, but I think that we have been shown only what we are supposed to see.

However, I'm not the only target. Gotham City itself is the target. The city has been turned against me and it seems that whoever is behind this, wants the city to turn against me.

There's only one person I know that fits that M.O.

And that search leads me to West Africa.

In the deserts, a man sit near a campfire awaiting me.

?: "Detective. I've been expecting you."

Batman: "Ra's."

Ra's Al Ghul. The Demon's head. The leader of the League of Assassins. A group of eco-terrorists that wish to destory humanity to save the world. Him and I have had many encounters in the past.

Ra's: "Why have you come all this way, Detective? I have heard about the trial that your city has been going through."

Batman: "Are you saying that you've had nothing to do with it? Whoever is behind this knows how to avoid my attention and knows the city as much as I do."

Ra's: "I have had reason to avoid your city for as long as I had."

Batman: "What are you up to, Ra's?"

Ra's: "Observation, Detective. Gotham will burn either by my hand or by it's own doing. But, I'm not behind what is going on."

Batman: "Is that it? This isn't like you, Ra's. You wouldn't come all the way out here for a meeting."

Ra's smiles and he claps his hands.

Ra's: "As always Detective, you continue to show how astute you are."

From behind me, a young girl stepped out. Black hair, blue eyes.

Ra's: "Meet the future of my legacy, Detective."

The girl then quickly ran at me and threw a kick towards my head. I moved out of the way. I didn't know what Ra's' game was.

Batman: "Training children to fight your battles, Ra's?"

Ra's: "You've done it to spend results, Detective. Why not train my own apprentice?
Meet Cassandra Cain. One half of the future of the world."

Batman: "Half? You're training two children?"

Ra's: "No yet, but I have someone in mind."

The girl, Cassandra, threw a quick and fast punch at me which connected. The way this girl moves and how she fights. This is specialised training that few can master.

I tried to fight back, but she avoided me with ease and she was able to kick me serval times, before Ra's clapped his hands together.

Ra's: "That's enough, Cassandra."

Cassandra then stopped and she walked to Ra's side.

Ra's: "As you can see, Detective, children are our future. I will one day pass from this world, but I will leave behind a legacy. Cassandra is a part of that.
Someone who is worthy of standing at the side of my future heir."

Batman: "I don't know what you're planning, Ra's, but I will stop you."

Ra's laughs.

Ra's: "I doubt it. Go back and face your new enemy, Detective. We will meet again soon."

My business was done here for now. Ra's wasn't the one behind what is happening now in Gotham, but I can tell that he's waiting to make his move. But, who is that girl, Cassandra? Where did she come from and who trained her?

-Bullock-

Earlier tonight, I was surrounded by all the costumed freaks that are swarming all over Gotham. I put a lot into this task force, but I'm not getting the results I wanted.

I drove through Gotham after receiving a call from one of the beat cops. He called in something.

"Commissioner Bullock, we have a tip."

Bullock: "What about? Do we have a lead on Batman?"

"No, we believe that he's left Gotham. His plane was spotted hours ago leaving the Gotham limits."

Bullock: "We must have scared him off. Huh, am I right?"

I'm joking, I doubt Batman is scared. But, at the same time, am I really doing what's right? Roman Sionis hasn't been seen for months now, but if he's planning to go to war with Grace, then all of Gotham will be caught in it. And I can't do anything about it, or Fish will ensure that Gordon is convicted for the rest of his life. I just wanted Gordon out of the way for a while so I could do what he wouldn't.

But, now I don't know what's right anymore.

"Commissioner Bullock?"

Bullock: "I'm sorry, Jones. What is it?"

Jones: "Killer Croc. We found him in the sewers out cold and we found a ton of bodies. All homeless and their faces all cut off."

As I reached the Narrows, I found that Killer Croc had been fished from the sewers and that there were plenty of bodies being taken from the sewers as well.

Bullock: "Who gave us this tip?"

Jones: "We don't know, sir. We can't trace it, it must have been from a payphone."

Bullock: "It must have been one of the vigilantes... Set Killer Croc back into the sewers."

Jones: "Sir? Waylon Jones may have killed those people."

Bullock: "If he did, there'd be nothing left. Besides, we don't take handouts from masks."

Jones: "Y-Yes, sir..."

I may not be doing the smart thing, but this is the right thing to do. I'll deal with Fish myself, without the masks' help.

-Barbara-

Blackgate Penetinary. A prison for the worst of the worst in Gotham.

Right now, my own father is locked in here, awaiting trial.

I'm here for a visit. Both of us on both sides of the glass.

Gordon: "Hello, sweetheart. How have you been at home?"

Barbara: "Don't worry about me, dad. But, good news, you have an attorney."

Gordon: "Barbara..."

Barbara: "He's gonna do everything he can to help you, dad."

Gordon: "Barbara, I know you're worried about me in here, but the evidence is against me on this one."

Dad has been police Commissioner for a long time. He's a detective and a good one at that. A good man that has done everything he could to save this city. This isn't gonna be the way he goes down.

Barbara: "Dad, you can't just give up. You know Batman didn't kill Mayor Hill and you know it."

Gordon: "I know that, but there isn't any evidence to suggest he didn't. I'll be fine, Barbara. Just go home and get some rest."

"Visiting time's over."

Dad was forced to put the phone down and he was walked back into the cell block.

I don't know how to feel about Rivers. Dad used to talk about Michael Rivers as one of his best men, hardworking and courageous, an unknown hero. His son, Riley was training to be a lawyer and graduated even at the age of 17.

Dad would trust Rivers better than any other lawyer, but I don't know where I'm gonna get the evidence to save my dad...

-Red Robin-

Batman is out of Gotham, Barbara's gone to visit her dad, Nightwing's on patrol, Avenger has gone back into hiding.

And we're still no closer to finding out who is behind this whole thing. Right now, I'm focusing on what is going on other than the gang war.

The Yukuza, the Japanese mafia, are shipping drugs out of Chinatown at a more efficient rate than before. Normally there would be patrols from GCPD here, but they're doing something else. Apparently, Killer Croc was taken down in the Narrows...
It must have been Avenger. Even without that going on, GCPD has recently halted patrols in Chinatown, something that the local gangs have taken full advantage of it.

The Yukuza are transporting their drug through most stores in Chinatown. Customers are given a secret code word and then they are given the drugs in a package.

However, the Yukuza's distribution has to restock somewhere...

And with that, a van is moving out of Chinatown.

I just need to follow it across Gotham, and it'll lead me to the supplier.

The drug being sold on the streets is called Black Sky. The drug is made out of a new compound mix, that's designed to cause hallucinations with euthoria. More than 10 people have died due to the drug in the past month, but it's not being covered on the media waves.

The police are covering for the Yukuza, maybe on orders from either Black Mask or Winston Grace. No active investigation either.

It makes me wonder if the media is owned by Grace as well...

-Lauren-

Warren: "I'm sorry, Vicki. But the answer is no."

Vicki: "What do you mean no?! Grace's finances are in that building which got shot to nothing by the GCPD with us inside. It was clearly a trap for the Vigilantes and people are now on the streets because Grace illegally removed the tenants without compensation!"

Mr Warren and Miss Vale are auguring over the story being made by us. Warren is refusing to publish it, even though the evidence is there! We looked at known projections for Grace's finances and his money is clearly in that building!

Warren: "Vicki. Right now, the city wants Batman's head. Why don't you write about Batman, like you're good at?"

Vicki: "I'm reporting the news, not propaganda Warren!"

Warren: "You'll report what I've asked. Or you can find another paper."

With that, Miss Vale took the story and walked out of the office.

Lauren: "What now, Miss Vale? If Warren isn't gonna publish it..."

Vicki: "He's being brought off."

Lauren: "What?"

Vicki: "Grace must be paying him off. To sway public opinion."

Lauren: "The legal department, the police, and now us?! Grace owns all of Gotham.
How can we stop someone like that?"

Vicki: "You said that you had a friend in the legal department, didn't you?"

Lauren: "Y-Yes?"

Vicki: "Do you know where he lives?"

-Riley-

After returning home, I locked myself in the bathroom with a bucket of hot water.

I had a bath first, but now that the adrenaline has worn off, the broken rib I got from Croc's fist hurts like hell. After I had a quick bath, I tried to carefully wash my suit. I didn't want to take any chances after going through the sewers.

After cleaning the suit, I dumped the entire bucket bit by bit down the toilet and I then bleached both the bucket and the toilet.

I used the first aid kit, I replaced the supplies the last time I used it so as long as I keep doing that, mom won't notice anything, she didn't notice when she was fixing Kieran up earlier. I taped up my ribcage area and I put on a long sleeve s shirt.

After putting on boxers and some tracksuit bottoms, I went into my room and hid away the Avenge-suit and my equipment. Kieran is still out cold in his room, but I'd check anyway.

When I went into the room, Kieran was still asleep, or at least I thought.

Kieran: "R-Riley?"

Riley: "Kieran?"

Kieran was still groggy, but awake. I went over to him and his eyes opened up wide.

Kieran: "Where am I?! What's going on?!"

I quickly stopped Kieran from thrashing around. He hit me in the ribs, but I blocked out the pain.

Riley: "Relax, Kieran. I brought you to my house. Mom fixed you up and we put you in a guest room."

Kieran: "Your mom fixed me up? I'm surprised she didn't just throw me on the street."

Riley: "She almost did. But, Kieran... Did Maria Mercedes do this to you?"

Kieran: "N-No. I just got myself with some paper cuts."

Riley: "That's stupid. Fish did do it, didn't she?"

Kieran looked at me with shock and she sat up and grabbed my shoulders.

Kieran: "Riley! How do you know that name?!"

Riley: "I've heard that name being used before, and Mom told me that she knew the name."

Kieran: "Of course... She would know."

Kieran relaxed a bit more, but he looked at me with panic.

Kieran: "Riley, you can't accept the Gordon case."

Riley: "Why not? Gordon is innocent and I can't abandon him."

Kieran: "Riley! Enough of the morality! Fish will kill you! She's using the fact that you're a defence lawyer in a case as big as this as cover. If you take this, case she'll kill you."

That's why she wanted me as Gordon's defence lawyer... She wants to have me killed.

Riley: "Look, rest for tonight. I'll think on this."

Kieran: "Riley, I know this is a lot, but I know Fish enough to know what she'll do to you."

Riley: "Kieran, why don't you testify against her? Get her removed from the D.A's office?"

Kieran: "Fish knows someone who owns the cops. If I testify, I'll be dead before it makes a difference."

Riley: "We can't do nothing. Gordon's life is at stake here."

Kieran: "That's all we can do. I'm sorry about Gordon, but between him and you,
i'd rather he get the chair. I'll get some rest."

I walked out of the room. There was no way I was going to let Gordon get sentence for a crime he didn't commit.

Is this what Gotham has succumbed to? Is this the city that dad believed in and fought to protect? Only for people to walk in and claim and own people's lives?

What can I do to save this city?

At that moment, I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door and outside were two people. Lauren Winters and Vicki Vale.

Riley: "Miss Winters?"

Lauren: "Mr Rivers. We need your help."

-Catwoman-

I never realised how easy it was to sneak into the mansion of a spoiled rich girl and a old man. I mean this guy doesn't even have trip lasers... I haven't even broken a sweat over this.

Once again, I entered Winston Grace's main office and in there was his computer.

Catwoman: "A little bit of hacking... And, there."

I was in Grace's bank accounts just like that. Now to transfer the money... Wait, this bank details... Most of this money came from Dr Thomas Elliot?!

Oh no...

In that instant, I felt a needle stuck into my neck and I could feel something entering my body like a fluid.

I felt woozy and I couldn't stay on my feet.

?: "We're just getting started."

With that, I blacked out.

Chapter 8 end.