Avenger: Blind Justice

by Buck Ink

Gotham City. A place where Justice is indeed blind. A shadowy organisation arises against Batman, Commissioner James Gordon, and the entire city. When Michael Rivers is killed by this organisation; his son, Riley Rivers, plunges into Gotham's dark underworld in a battle that threatens to tear the city of Gotham apart. Disclaimer: I don't own DC/Marvel Comics.

12. Chapter 12: Mockingbird

Chapter 12: Mockingbird.

At Sionis' penthouse office, GCPD have gathered to put an end to what they believed was the main problem in Gotham. The crime lord and the corrupt District Attorney.

Sionis: "I swear, I'll be out of jail before the sun's up! I'll be back on the streets soon enough."

Maggie: "Keep telling yourself that, Sionis."

The GCPD prisoner transport truck had finally arrived to take away those arrested, including Black Mask's men and her assistant.

Montoya: "That's everyone. Time to put Fish in."

Maggie: "Where is she?"

Montoya: "Isn't she with Bullock?"

Maggie: "Oh no!"

Maggie ran towards the squad car where Fish was being kept and found Bullock sitting on the ground leaning against the car.

Maggie: "Bullock! Where's Fish?!"

Bullock: "... Long gone."

Maggie: "How? Did you let her out?"

Bullock didn't say anything. Maggie aimed her gun at Bullock.

Maggie: "Harvey Bullock, you're under arrest."

-Avenger-

No matter how many times I look, I don't believe it. On the sofa in my living room, lies an unconscious Batman.

I found him near the docks. It looked like he'd been underwater, he definitely felt like it. Did someone throw him into the docks?

I don't know, but lucky I got to him before someone else did. For him anyway, it was difficult carrying his dead weight to my place without being seen.

I made sure all window were covered before I turned the lights on. Last thing I needed was Batman being fund here. Properly get disbarred for housing a known fugitive.

To be honest, the fact that someone else is here. The fact that mom is in the hospital and may never be the same weighs heavily on my mind.

The only clue I have is the syringe used against mom. The Black Sky clearly was something to do with Winston Grace, but there's no one I can trust on the police force.

The only reason I sent Henry Bow to turn himself in was because since Bow worked for Black Mask, and Sionis is Grace's competitor, Bullock, who works for Grace,
would jump at the opportunity to put Sionis away. The fact that Fish was there was an extra added bonus, especially with the photographic evidence that Harper got for me. But, I'm not expecting Fish to go to prison yet... Unless Grace is aware that she's been working for Roman Sionis, in that case, good riddance.

I still don't know if there's someone on the police force I can trust. It would help if I had those kind of allies. As long as Grace has Harvey Bullock in his pocket. It'll be difficult to trust anyone linked to GCPD.

And I haven't seen Red Robin, Nightwing, And Batgirl or even Jason Todd in a while. Batman may be able to clear up this mystery.

But, now I need to see Lauren. It may be selfish of me to ask her, but she may be able to get the news out there.

-Lauren-

Miss Vale has been in the hospital for a day now and still hasn't woken up. Visiting hours are over, so I have to go home.

I really wish she was still here. She would know what to do.

I've read through her notepad about a dozen times now, but I can't make sense of it. I can't connect the dots.

I knocked on the door to my house. And mom answered me.

Mrs Winters: "Hello, honey."

The second I saw mom, I couldn't control my emotions. I just pulled her into a hug.

Mrs Winters: "Baby? What's wrong? Nothing happened to your friend, right?"

Lauren: "No, mom. I'm just glad you're here."

Mrs Winters: "What are you talking about? Silly girl. I'll always be here for you."

Mom returned my hug and held me close.

After seeing Riley upset over what happened to his mother, holding my mom like this made me feel guilty, but I couldn't bear to lose her or have something happen to her.

After that, I went upstairs and went up to my room. I was just going to get changed and go to sleep. I just didn't know what I can do to help.

I was about to turn the light on, but...

?: "Don't turn the light on."

A voice!? From inside my room! C-Could it be someone sent by Grace?! No! I-I... I can't breathe.

I felt like I was gonna faint, but someone caught me before I landed. Could it be the man inside the room, or mom? No, mom! Get away from here, please!

?: "Calm down, Miss Winters! It's me. Avenger."

A-Avenger... I could feel his warmth as he held me close as if to prevent me from falling through a crack in his grip. He slowly let me go as my breathing returned.
My eyes started to adjust to the dark and I could see him more clearly. It was Avenger.

Lauren: "P-Please don't scare me like that. I thought you were here to kill me."

Avenger: "I'm sorry. I couldn't use the front door."

Lauren: "Never mind. Why did you come to me?"

Avenger: "I need your help, Miss Winters."

Lauren: "My help?"

Honestly, I was surprised. That someone like Avenger would need my help.

Avenger: "I know what happened to Miss Vale and Mrs Rivers. If you don't want to help, i'll understand."

Lauren: "No. If I can do anything, something, to help take down Grace, I'll help."

Avenger: "Are you sure?"

Lauren: "Yes! Please! I can't let that monster run free. What can I do?"

I wanted to protect my mom, Miss Vale, and even Riley. I wanted to help put Grace in a deep, dark hole and hope we never see him again.

Avenger: "I need you to write a story."

Lauren: "A story? You mean publish something?!"

Avenger: "Yes. Earlier tonight, Roman Sionis also known as Black Mask, and Fish Mooney were arrested. I found them after interrogating a man named Henry Bow. He's the one who put Miss Vale in the hospital. He was working for Black Mask and was ordered to 'deal' with people asking questions. Sionis also caused the Blackgate riot by planting James Gordon Jr inside the prison. In addition to this, I need you to out Fish Mooney."

Lauren: "But... Without a viable source, no one will believe me if I publish this. I need something to work with."

Avenger: "What about these?"

Avenger gave me some photos, but I couldn't see them in the dark. He also handed me a flash drive.

Avenger: "These are photos of Fish meeting with Roman Sionis and of her being arrested by the police. The memory stick has everything that the city has on Fish, which isn't anything. Even if the charges don't stick, Fish won't escape investigation.
Something will be found on her. Besides, she's already faced corruption charges.
The state will have to revoke her licence and remove her as Gotham's District Attorney. The best case scenario is her being completely disbarred."

Lauren: "But..."

It was a sound plan. If it works, then Grace would no longer have the sway her does with the legal department with Fish out of the way. But...

Lauren: "I'm not Vicki Vale. I'm not a reporter. What if I mess up?"

Avenger: "You won't. You can do this, Lauren. There isn't anyone else that can."

Lauren: "Really? Do you really think I can?"

Avenger: "You can. I know it."

Lauren: "How? You don't know me."

Avenger: "... I know more than you think."

Lauren: "What do you mean by..?"

He was already gone. What did he mean by that last part?

Miss Vale would write this story without concern for her own well-being.

I should do the same. Maybe if I re-read her notebook...

After I re-read the notebook, I quickly took out my computer and wrote my first story. 'Corrupt Attorney schemes with Crime Lord.'

*The Next Day. The home of Riley Rivers*

I looked online the next morning and I found Lauren's article. I couldn't believe it and I couldn't stop reading it! It was much better than I hoped. Lauren must have went through Miss Vale's notes and found out about her owning a nightclub back in the day... There's enough in here to get Fish disbarred if there's any justice in the world.

Right now, Batman is still passed out on my sofa. I'm waiting for him to wake up so I can ask him some questions about the whereabouts of the rest of the bat family. I'll need to see Kieran later. Ever since the incident with Fish nearly clawing his face off, he hasn't shown up to work. Something is wrong there...

I turn on the TV and switch to the news. There is a news report from the Daily Planet... With the Gotham Gazette under Grace's influence, they won't touch this with a stick. But, it seems the Planet hasn't got such problems.

"We are live from the GCPD building in Gotham City with an special news bulletin.
Earlier last night, a young intern for the Gotham Gazette by the name of Lauren Winters, posted a very controversial story late last night. Maria Mercedes,
Gotham's District Attorney who was allegedly called Fish Mooney, is seen in clear picture meeting with known Crime lord, Roman Sionis. Also known as Black Mask.
There have been past connections linking Miss Mercedes to owning a nightclub during the days of late mob boss Carmine Falcone and the fact that nothing is known about Maria Mercedes. Except there is apparently no Maria Mercedes in Gotham, no birth certificate or anything. Mercedes hasn't been seen since last night and we are now awaiting the arrival of Commissioner Bullock... Wait, that's Captain Sawyer! Captain! Captain!"

Lauren must have put her name on the by-line. Since she works officially for the Gotham Gazette, she'd have to legitimise it, but I hope it doesn't come back to hurt her... I also hope that this whole mess should be cleared up before that happens.

But as the reporter said, Captain of the GCPD's Major Crimes Unit Margret Sawyer's car pulled up next to the GCPD building. She got out of her car, only to be mobbed by a army of reporters. Next to her, was Detective Renee Montoya who I thought was suspended.

"Captain! Is what they're saying about Maria Mercedes true?!"

"Can we get a comment from the Commissioner?"

"Is Fish Mooney in custody?"

"Is this a prank by a teenage girl?"

Maggie: "No comment."

As she said that, the barrage of questions continues. Both Captain Sawyer and Detective Montoya managed to get inside the building.

If they refused to comment, then I knew this may happen. Fish isn't in police custody. Lauren may be a target now... I may have just placed her in danger.

Batman: "Uhhh..."

I looked back at Batman. He was starting to come to.

Riley: "Batman?"

Batman: "Uhh... Where... Where am I?"

Riley: "My house. I didn't have a fancy cave to bring you to."

Batman: "Rivers? You brought me here?"

Riley: "I found you pass out near the docks. I brought you here last night.
It's morning now. Did someone throw you in the bay?"

Batman: "I need to leave."

Riley: "No. You need to stay here and give me some answers."

Batman: "Not now, Rivers. Just stay out of my way and stay home. Keep your head down. Take that costume off and burn it."

Batman tried to leave through the back door in the kitchen, but I had finally had it with him. I was gonna get answers one way or another.

Riley: "No, Wayne! You're answering my questions."

Batman: "..."

He didn't show any surprise that I knew who he was.

Riley: "It's obvious, Mr Wayne. During the incident with Jason Todd, you were trying to protect him. Like a father would his own son. Since Jason Todd was Bruce Wayne's adopted son, I connected the dots."

Batman: "What do you want, Rivers?"

Riley: "What happened to the others? Miss Gordon, Grayson, Drake, and Todd?"

I was trying to rattle him a bit by revealing that I knew who Batgirl, Nightwing,
Red Robin, and Red Hood were. I wanted to get as much out of Batman as I could.
He responded by looking around my kitchen as if he was looking for something or someone.

Batman: "Is your mother here?"

Riley: "No. She was attacked a couple of nights ago. By a man named Thomas Elliot."

Batman: "Hush...

Hush? Batman just muttered that out as if he was disgusted.

Riley: "Who's Hush?.. Or are you telling me to be quiet?"

Batman: "An old friend, or at least he was. It can't of been possible for him to be the one who attacked your mother."

Riley: "It was him."

Batman: "I was fighting him the night he could have attacked your mother."

Riley: "Well, I was fighting him too. He came to the hospital to finish the job and I stopped him. He ended up falling to his death and I saw his face."

Batman: "Fell to his death?"

Riley: "... I tried to save him, but he shot at me and I couldn't save him."

Batman: "If that had been a real person..."

Riley: Don't give me that, Mr Wayne. What do you mean, 'real person'?"

Batman: "Did Hush melt into black liquid?"

Riley: "He did... And what's with the name Hush? Who is he?"

Batman: "He's behind this whole thing. He murdered Winston Grace and has been posing as him all this time. He did it so he could take control of Black Mask's organisation and use the cover of a gang war to turn all of Gotham against vigilantes."

Thomas Elliot. He's behind this whole thing? Sally Martini, the riots, the police's Anti-Vigilante Task Force, Fish Mooney, The Russians, Jack Marco... Dad's murder.

Riley: "Okay, but when I found Elliot that night, the black liquid... It resembled that street drug everyone's talking about."

Batman: "The Black Sky."

Riley: "So that's what it's called. But if it's somehow making these 'Hush clones'
out of it, how is that possible? It's insane."

Batman: "..."

Riley: "So you don't know either. Well that's perfect. Isn't there a chance that you have a analysing device in your Batcave that we can use?"

Batman: "Hush took control of the Batcave. I'll need to go somewhere else. Have you got any spare clothes?"

Riley: "My dad's suits. Upstairs in my mom's bedroom. Room on the right. Don't touch anything else."

Batman went upstairs and after a while, came down as Bruce Wayne. I had prepared a sports bag for his Batsuit and gear.

Bruce: "Can I trust you, Rivers?"

Riley: "Can I trust you, Wayne?"

I gave him the bag and he put the Batsuit inside and zipped the bag closed.

Bruce: "Hush, Sionis, and the police. This is all getting too dangerous. You need to stay out of this."

Oh yeah, Mr Wayne was out cold the whole of last night. He doesn't know what's been going on.

Riley: "Shall I explain the whole story to you?"

Bruce: "The whole story?"

*GCPD building, Commissioner's office*

-Montoya-

Maggie: "I don't know how the press managed to get ahold of the story, but with the growing chaos, we'll be pressured now more than ever to fix this problem."

Montoya: "What are we gonna say about us not having Fish Mooney in custody? I'm sure the press will eat that up."

Maggie: "Easy. We find Fish as quickly as possible."

Me and Maggie are having this discussion in the safety of the Commissioner's office. She arrested Harvey Bullock last night since he let Fish go. He didn't even speak the whole trip back to the station and even when we put him into a cell.

Montoya: "Where do we start?"

Maggie: "Let's start with Bullock."

Montoya: "Alright, but I bet he won't talk."

We left the office and had the interrogation room prepared. Bullock was later placed in there, awaiting interrogation.

We watched Bullock from the next room, hidden behind the one-way mirror

Bullock looked impatient, as if he's bursting to talk. Normally he never does that.
He talks regardless of who it is. When Maggie saw that, she turned off the recorder.

Montoya: "Is there a plan here?"

Maggie: "Yeah. See why he's so desperate."

We left the room we were in and went into the interrogation room.

Bullock: "Finally! How long does a guy hafta..."

WHACK!

I hit Bullock over the head. The recording camera has been turned off, so why not?

Bullock: "Ow! Why did you do that, Montoya?"

Montoya: "Felt like kicking your ass, Bullock."

Bullock: I'm being serious, Montoya. We can't be messing around."

Maggie: "So stop messing around, Harvey."

Me and Maggie sat in front of Bullock.

Maggie: "Why did you release Fish from custody?"

Bullock: "I didn't have a choice..."

Montoya: "Didn't have a choice? Yep, sounds like BS to me."

Bullock: "I'm being serious! I couldn't say anything because I don't exactly know who's dirty or who isn't."

Montoya: "You mean like you or better than you?"

Bullock: "For God's sake, Montoya! Fish has hostages?"

... What?

Maggie: "Hostages? Do you know who?"

Bullock: "She didn't say. A young girl and her older brother, I think."

Straight away, we understood who it was.

Maggie: "Kieran Troy's kids. Rick and Charlotte."

Montoya: "That's right. Troy was acting strangely when we spoke to him. Fish must have kidnapped them to stop him from testifying against her."

Bullock: "Yeah, she's slippery like that."

Montoya: "So now all we have to do is find Kieran Troy's kids and then we can arrest Fish and put her on trial for a change."

Bullock: "But where do we start?"

Maggie: "We? You're staying here, Harvey."

Bullock: "Oh come on, Maggie! Don't do this now!"

Maggie: "You can't be trusted. You're staying here till this is over."

Bullock: "I can't help inside of a prison cell."

Maggie: "Neither can the real Commissioner."

Oh... That has to hurt. Bullock didn't say anything in response and we walked out of the room.

Montoya: "He's right about one thing."

Maggie: "What's that?"

Montoya: "Where DO we start?"

We need to find out where Rick and Charlotte Troy are and save them, but one wrong move and Fish could kill them."

-Riley-

After I explained to Bruce Wayne about the events of last night, he called me a few things: Reckless and undisciplined. I told him about Bluebird without mentioning her identity and having Lauren Winters publish the story after the arrest of Black Mask. However, one thing I agree with is that I could have possibly put Lauren's life in danger. He then left saying he was gonna "End this".

I'll just ignore Wayne for now. I tried to play his game. But, now I'm just gonna play mine instead.

Like every usual day, I went into work. I'm still working on the Gordon case. The trial has likely been delayed due to Fish Mooney being outed, but even so, Gordon is still in Blackgate Prison for manslaughter and aiding a murder suspect.

Video in city hall has been erased from that day in question. Finger prints have likely been destroyed in the explosion. There aren't any witness who can place Fish at the scene.

There has to be something placing Fish or anyone working for her at City Hall that could have placed the explosive.

I sat on my desk and I unlock the draw where I keep my folder filled with everything I've collected so far, maybe I've missed something. But, when I check my draw for the folder on the case, it isn't even here?!

I have backups on my computer and on a memory stick, but who took it? Only I have the key and there aren't any signs of it being broken into. The only way it could have been opened is with the master key and... Only one person has it.

I got up and walked over to Kieran's office. He's the only one who has the master key.

I knocked on the door, but no one responded. But I can see a silhouette of a man inside the office. I opened the door to the smell of smoke filling my lungs.

Kirean: "Hey Riley. Good morning."

Kirean sat there, looking down at a bin with smoke coming out of it. He didn't even look at me.

Riley: "Kirean? What's going on?"

Kirean: "Nothing. Just getting rid of something we don't need."

Riley: "My folder on the Gordon case?"

I walked over in front of Kirean and looked in the bin. It was my folder. Kirean's behaviour change was starting to disturb me.

Riley: "Why are you doing this, Kirean?"

Kirean: "I told you to stop. I said to let Gordon fry, but Michael has filled your head with that justice trash. Too bad, you don't have your case anymore."

Right now, I felt like punching Kirean in the face. I value what dad taught me, it isn't trash. What's happened to Kirean for this to happen?

Riley: "Kirean, I don't know what happened to you, but this isn't gonna stop me.I'm not going to abandon an innocent man... Besides, I can't stop anyway.I've been ordered by the court to represent Gordon. You can't stop me even if you are my boss."

Kirean: "That's why I'll have to ensure that you don't have any evidence to bring with you."

Kirean's voice started to deepen as we got up and walked out of the office.

"Mr Troy?"

Some of my fellow co-workers questioned him, but Kirean simply walked past them and up to an emergency fire axe.

Riley: "Kirean? What are you planning to do with that?"

Kirean picked up the axe and then went over to my computer. I knew what he was about to do.

Riley: "Kirean! Don't!"

Kirean swung the axe down on the computer, chopping it in half.

Kirean: "We need to take care of our own, Riley. You should focus on taking care of your mother and not taking care of old men like Gordon. Take care of your brother and sister."

Riley: "What do you mean?"

As I asked that, a female co-worker then started shouting at Kirean.

"No! Stop! I've called the police!"

Kirean: "What!? No!"

Kirean then lifted the axe and charged at the woman! He was going to kill her!

I dived at Kirean and hit him, shoulder first, in the legs. He fell down safely out of range of the woman or anyone else.

Kirean: "No! You don't understand!"

Kirean tried to get up, but I placed him in a chokehold to keep him still. One of the co-workers took the axe away before Kirean could reach it.

Riley: "Don't fight it, Kirean!"

Kirean: "You don't understand, Riley."

Kirean started to whisper to me.

Riley: "What don't I understand? You tired to kill one of your employees!"

Kirean: "Fish has Rick and Charlotte, Riley."

My heart sank as the reality of what Kirean just said set in. Fish has Rick and Charlotte?!

Riley: "Why?! When?!"

Kirean: "Yesterday, she took them so that I wouldn't leave Gotham. She called me this morning and asked me to dissuade you from continuing Gordon's case. If you help Gordon then she'll kill them both. You have to drop this case. Just... Please."

?: "Police! What's going on?"

I heard someone enter the building. GCPD have arrived. If Kirean goes to jail, would Fish kill Rick and Charlotte? She's already been outed and she called this morning so they must be alive.

?: "Kirean Troy?"

I looked at the officer who arrived. It was Detective Montoya.

Montoya: "Move kid. You did a good job."

I released Kirean and Detective Montoya handcuffed him and read him his Miranda rights before dragging him away.

Kirean: "Riley, please! For the love of God, just drop the Gordon case. You have to!"

I watched as Detective Montoya took Kirean into her car.

If I knew I would break my hand doing so, I would punch the wall right now. I felt my anger well up. Hush had one of his 'clones' attack my mom, and now Fish has my brother and sister.

In that moment, I felt that this was a time when law meets reality. If Gordon goes to prison, Hush wins. But, if I help him, I lose my brother and sister.

I just knew that I needed to end this and soon.

*The Narrows, that evening. Harper Row's apartment*

-Harper-

Cullen: "So he said he'd train you?"

Harper: "Yeah! I showed him where that woman went and took photos so he said he'd come tonight."

I was getting ready to train since Avenger said he would show up tonight to talk about training. I can't say how long I've been waiting for something like this to happen!

Cullen: "I just don't think you should get your hopes up. He may be busy tonight.
As much as I would love to see him training you, I don't think you should become his sidekick or something like that."

Harper: "I see it more as an internship. An epic team up."

As I was talking, we heard a loud noise outside. Someone driving a car with a lot of horsepower.

Cullen: "Can you hear that?"

Harper: "Yeah. I think someone's itching to have their car jacked."

We ran to the window and looked outside from down the road. A black car raced through the streets... Was that the Batmobile?

Cullen: "That was Batman, wasn't it?"

Harper: "I think so."

I quickly logged onto my computer. Using the access I have to Batman's secret network, I can find out where the Batmobile is going.

Harper: "Blackgate Prison. Is he delivering a prisoner or something?"

However, I felt like something is wrong. I manage to hack into the sensors to who's in the car and, according to them, there was no one inside the Batmobile.

Harper: "I better check this out."

Cullen: "Harper, you shouldn't go out after the car! This doesn't seem right.
Besides, what about Avenger?"

I put on my mask.

Bluebird: "Relax, Cullen. I've got this, I'll be back soon."

-Lauren-

I wrote the story and everyone knows who Fish Mooney is, but she knows I wrote the story.

Just sitting here eating with my mom, could be my last moments. Anyone that seems to be against Grace has either been attacked or killed. Not to mention that fact that Warren's left a dozen of messages for me... 'How dare you post this story without my approval' was the gist of it. I could be out of a job soon...

Mrs Winters: "Honey, what's wrong?"

Lauren: "What? It's nothing."

Mrs Winters: "It's something. Ever since you wrote that paper and published it, you're haven't even spoke."

Lauren: "Well... I'm just wondering... Am I making a difference?"

Mrs Winters: "Of course you are. That woman would still be running around as the District Attorney if you didn't print the paper. And don't worry about that stuck-up Warren.
You did the best thing for his business and for this city."

Lauren: "You think so? Thanks, mom. I think I needed that."

Although those words made me a bit happy, that doesn't change anything. Mom is one of the people who believe that GCPD have arrested Fish, but I think she's still out there and she must be very, very angry.

I don't think mom will believe me too much if I told her I was scared that someone was gonna walk in and kill me...

BRAATATATAT!

The sound of machine guns could be heard outside. A millisecond later, the windows were being shredded and holes appeared in the walls!

Mom started screaming and I reacted out of fear by driving on mom and shoving her to the ground as machine gun fire ringed out through the house.

Mrs Winters: "What's going on?!"

It's Fish, I know it is. She's here to kill me!

Mrs Winters: "Oh God! Lauren!"

With tears in her eyes and fear in her face, my mom hugged me tightly as the sounds of the kitchen being cut up by the house!

?: "Hello again, Miss Winters."

This large man... He's the same man who kidnapped me before! The same one that attacked Riley I first met Riley!

?: "It's a shame we meet again like this, but this is business and you're bad for it."

Mrs Winters: "Lauren... What is he talking about?"

I didn't know what to say. 'Hey mom. I enraged a corrupt attorney working for a crime lord.' Not the best thing to say.

Mrs Winters: "Why are you here?! Who are you?!"

?: "People call me Butch. Mrs Winters, your daughter has caused my employer grief. So, she has to die. You too, I'm afraid. Oh, and your lawyer friend too. He doesn't seem to be taking no for an answer"

Butch then aimed his gun at me at me. I was frozen. I was going to die like this?!
Killed in my own home with my mom?! I didn't want this to happen. I just wanted to help. Now they're gonna kill me, mom, and Riley too?! I can't even warn him either!

Mrs Winters: "No! I won't let you kill my daughter!"

Mom shielded me with her body as Butch was preparing to pull the trigger.

Lauren: "No, Mom!"

I closed my eyes as I saw Butch aim the gun at us and he was gonna pull the trigger.
This was it. This was how I was gonna die...

BLAM!

I can't feel anything. Was mom hit first?! I-I was so scared to open my eyes, but I forced myself to. I had to know...

What I saw was Avenger! He was fighting the big guy and tackled him into the living room and smashed him through the table. More guys came in with guns, but Avenger grabbed one of them and used him as a battering ram and then knocked down the rest.

My fear turned to relief. We were saved! Mom simply watched in shock that this one man was fighting people with guns. Mom has been very indifferent when it comes to vigilantes, but seeing one up close must be amazing and shocking.

Avenger finished beating down our attackers and he walked into the kitchen.

Avenger: "Are the two of you okay?"

Mom was in shock and couldn't speak.

Lauren: "We're fine. Just in shock."

Avenger: "Have you got a place to go?"

Lauren: "I-I find so."

The more I look at him, the more familiar he looks. His arms are exposed up to his shoulder so I know he has dark skin. I can't see his eyes through his mask.
But, I know him from somewhere... No, it can't be. I've already thought about it and it's impossible.

Avenger then walked back into the living room and stood over Butch.

Lauren: "Mom, let's go."

Mrs Winters: "W-Where? Should we call the police?"

Lauren: "No. He's got this."

I helped mom get up and we left the house. I just wanted to get clear of here quickly.
But, as mom and I got in the car, I picked up my phone... I had left it on silent and I haven't been checking it.

There are 8 missed calls from Riley... And a message.

'Lauren, something strange happened to me today! I think Fish may be gunning for us!
You have to leave your house now!'

Something happened to Riley?!

I try to phone him, but there's no answer!

Lauren: "Mom, I need to get to Riley's house!"

-Avenger-

I'm glad I got here in time. Lauren didn't answer my calls so I was sure something happened. But she and her mother are safe.

I picked up Butch by his collar and drag him into the kitchen. They really shot this place up bad...

I pour a glass of water and I throw it into his face. We wakes up coughing and as soon as he sees me, he lunges at me, but I take his head and slam it into the cupboard beneath the sink.

Avenger: "Where's Fish Mooney?"

?: "In the Gotham bay at midnight."

He was trying to make a joke. Trying to avoid the fact he was in a situation he wasn't gonna win.

I hit him hand in the face and he falls to the ground.

Avenger: "You either talk to me or I start breaking bones in your body. Your call."

?: "That won't work with me. I know you people won't kill me, so why don't you just knock me out and send me to jail. I'll be out by morning."

This isn't working. I need to find Fish before she has a chance to recover and send out more people after Lauren... Or kill Rick and Charlotte.

I go into the kitchen draw and I pull out a knife. The man looks at it and I can see him sweating.

?: "What's that for?"

Avenger: "This is gonna make you talk."

There's a nerve just above his eye called the Trigeminal nerve. It's one of the largest nerves in the head. If I stimulate it with this knife... This man will talk.

I thought to myself. Riley, don't do this! This is against the law. Everyone has a right to justice. But then I think...

The whole thing with Grace, Hush, Fish, Sionis... It's all caused pain to people I care about.

Mom. Kirean. Rick. Charlotte. Lauren. It caused the death of my dad...

?: "Get away from me!"

Miss Vale and James Gordon even paid their own prices.

?: "Help! By God, help me!"

I was going to end this. First Fish, then Hush. I've already broken my oath as a lawyer to be what I am.

I put the knife to his face. Right towards the area above the eye.

Justice is indeed blind.

*GCPD Building, Interrogation Room*

-Maggie-

Kirean Troy's motive behind what happened at his law firm office is crystal clear, it's because of his children. Before Renee detained him, Troy apparently burned all the case notes that Riley Rivers, who is James Gordon's attorney,
had collected and destroyed his office computer.

With the trial postponed now that federal services are looking into Fish's involvement, Fish must have ordered Troy to either dissuade Rivers from representing Gordon or his son and daughter would be killed.

I'm watching from the screen in the other room while Renee is talking to Troy. Troy looks like he's about to have a nervous breakdown.

Montoya: "Kirean, you really need to calm down."

Kirean: "No! You don't understand!"

Montoya: "That your kids are in the hands of a criminal mastermind? Yeah, I do understand."

Kirean: "No... If Fish finds out that you know, she'll kill my Rick and Charlotte!"

Montoya: "We won't let that happen. But, you need to cooperate with us."

Kirean: "You need to let me go! If I'm here too long, Fish will know I talked!"

Montoya: "We can't just let you out."

Kirean: "Then you'll doom my children!"

Kirean started screaming at Renee, but she remains calm.

Montoya: "Just tell us where she is. Then we can work on saving your kids."

Kirean: "No! Even if that would work, she only sends me instructions by phone."

We had Mr Troy frisked as he came in and I managed to get his phone. But, there was nothing on there.

Kirean: "If you're planning to search through my phone, don't bother. I deleted any and all information that could have led to her."

Montoya: "With that information, we could have found Fish! Why did you do that!?"

Renee was starting to get angry.

Kirean: "Fish forced me to place a program on my phone which lets her look at my messages and calls. If I kept all of the incoming and outgoing calls and messages,
she would know."

She's really through... At this rate, we won't be able to track down Fish and the hostages.

I used the intercom to talk to Renee in the next room.

Maggie: "Renee. A word?"

Renee left Mr Troy and came out of the interrogation room and into the room I was in.

Montoya: "He's not gonna cooperate. Fish has him so intimidated that he'll never give her up."

Maggie: "If we just knew where the kids were... Troy clearly knows more than he's letting on. He could blow this whole thing wide open."

Montoya: "But, first we need to find the kids... Normally this is when we would see Batman on the case, but he's gone into hiding."

Maggie: "Unless that's what he wants us to think."

-Batman-

With Hush in control of the Batcave, I can't rely on the caches I have around the city. Hush would have locked them down by now.

My parents home taken over by Tommy. He always said that I had everything he wanted,
and now he has what I have. My family, my parents' home, and the cave.

I can't risk an assault on Hush without knowing what the Black Sky is exactly.

According to Tim's computer, he was investigating the Yukuza who have been selling Black Sky in Chinatown. Deaths in that area due to overdose or apparently accident while under the influence have increased tremendously in that area, but since Hush has paid off the media, nothing has been said about it.

The Black Sky that's being sold on the streets is a variant of Scarecrow's fear toxin, but the one that Hush seems to be using is very different. Without access to the Batcomputer, I won't be able to find out what is being used in the chemical mix, but I do know that it was manufactured at Grace Enterprises.

The answer is inside their headquarters.

I've snuck into Grace Enterprises' headquarters and I found their chemical lab.

The place seemed to be empty. No security either.

I find the main computer and I try to access it, but it needs a log in from a Doctor Yami.

?: "Grace mentioned that you would be here."

A sword was put to my neck. Japanese style.

Batman: "Doctor Yami?"

Yami: "Yes, dark one. I have heard of your many exploits."

Batman: "I've heard of one of yours. The Black Sky that's being sold on the streets. And the one being used by Hush."

Yami: "Hush? I don't know who you are talking about, Batman. I work for Winston Grace."

Batman: "You're the leader of the Yukuza in Chinatown."

Yami: "Clever bat. There's no point of hiding it now. Gotham belongs to us now."

Batman: "Over my dead body."

Yami: "That's the point."

I quickly turned and kicked Yami back. He was wearing a traditional red ninja outfit. The Yukuza carry a sense of honour and the wish to engage worthy opponents,
but I shouldn't let my guard down.

Yami: "Very good. For one who embodies the spirit of the bat, you live up to your legend. Although your choice of successors is pitiful."

Red Robin was investigating the Yukuza when he disappeared. If he encountered Yami...

Batman: "Where is Red Robin?"

Yami: "Grace was willing to pay an emperor's ransom in exchange for the bird."

Batman: "So you sold him. Winston Grace is dead, Yami. A man named Hush has been acting as him this whole time."

Yami: "That does not matter to me. I seek to further my legacy and the Black Sky will be a step."

Batman: "You never created the Black Sky. Hush brought it from Crane and turned it into something different. You sold it on the street as a drug."

Yami: "But as you now, there is another version as well."

Batman: "What does it do?"

Yami: "Let me show you."

Yami brought out a vial of black liquid and then took off his glove. He injected the liquid into his wrist.

Yami: "This is the power of the Yukuza!"

With a yell, black liquid began to pour out of Yami's mouth! It drained onto the ground and flowed next to Yami...

The liquid began to form a humanoid shape. A person was formed out of the liquid. A copy of Yami was formed!

This is how Hush seemed to be in more than one place. That liquid is completely different than the drug being sold on the streets, yet given the same name.

Yami: "Prepare yourself."

The two Yamis charged at me and started throwing punches and kicks at me. Yami was well trained and acted like the original. If people like this could be cloned using the Black Sky, imagine what Hush could do with something like that.

The difference was that the original Yami used a sword, the Black Sky can't replicate inanimate objects.

However, with one skilled Martial Artist and Swordsman striking me at once, it was difficult to avoid Yami's sword and it sliced me across the arm.

Yami: "First blood, Batman."

I blocked the sword from one Yami and kicked back the other. But as I pushed Yami away, his clone ran at me and Yami swung at me. I moved out of the way and...

Yami's sword swung across his clone's neck, decapitating him. A spray of black liquid came out of where the head was and the body melted into black liquid.

Yami: "A worthy opponent. It will be an honour to end your life."

Batman: "I don't intend for my life to end here."

Yami: "I'm afraid that it's too late for that."

As he said that, my vision started blurring.

Batman: "Poison... No..."

The tip of Yami's blade must have been dipped in poison. I felt like I was losing by strength.

Yami: "Remarkable, isn't it? How quickly poison can shut down the body.
I would guess you have more than 15 minutes to live."

I don't have access to the Batcomputer and there's no one left that can help... I can't die yet! I have to... Have to...

I couldn't stay on my feet.

Yami: "Or maybe I was wrong. But, you will die."

BLAM!

I heard a gunshot, and Yami's sword was knocked out of his hand.

?: "I guess you're new around here, huh?"

When I looked, I saw a figure of someone. He ran at Yami and they started to fight, but my vision was so blurry I couldn't see who it was.

One of the men was knocked down and came towards me.

?: "Hold on, Bruce."

*Unknown building*

-Third Person-

Inside the building, the interior was large but in disrepair. The plaster on the walls was peeling off and the room itself was vacant apart from a bunch of armed men and two people tied to exposed pipes on the wall: A young man and child female.

The girl was sobbing and she was crossing her legs.

Rick: "Hey!"

"What?"

Rick: "She needs to go to the little ladies room. To put it politely."

"She can go there!"

Rick: "Sadistic Bastard! She's just a kid!"

The guard went up to Rick and hit him with the butt of his gun.

"Shut your mouth or have it filled with lead. Your choice."

Rick then spat at the guard.

"You're gonna regret that."

The guard then started beating on Rick while Charlotte watched in horror. However a woman entered the room while the other guards watched her.

?: "Tch. Men have no manners."

The guard who was beating up Rick heard a voice behind him and when he turned,
the woman strached him across the face, causing large lacerations on his face and large amounts of blood flowed down his neck.

"Ahh!"

The woman was Fish Mooney, the former District Attorney.

Fish: "You're being paid to protect me, not to be brutes."

Fish then went close to Charlotte and started to stroke her face. Charlotte tried pull her head away from Fish's hand in terror of both her and what she had witnessed with the guard.

Fish: "Of course you can go to the little girls room... As soon as your daddy gets out of prison."

Charlotte: "I-I can't... I need to go now."

Fish: "Then go."

Charlotte began sobbing even more as Fish moved away from her.

Rick: "You psycho bitch. Why do you have to do this to her?! She's only a kid!"

Charlotte: "She's learning. The sins of the father never die, dear Rick."

Rick: "You're a psycho, messed in the head, son of a..."

Fish then placed two of her fingers in Rick's mouth and gripped his tongue with her sharp fingernails.

Fish: "I should rip that dirty tongue of yours and send it to dear old dad. You could do without it, but then again, that's your choice."

Rick wanted to bite down on Fish's fingers but that would cause her fingernails to slice his tongue off.

Fish: "I thought so."

Fish then took her fingers out of Rick's mouth and walked into the centre of the room.

Fish: "When she does go, can one of you clean it up please? I hate being in this dump as it is, letting it smell of piss."

?: "You're gonna smell your own blood in a few moments."

The voice of someone came from above, and a person did come from above, landing on one of the guards and hitting him in the head with a baton.

Avenger had arrived.

Avenger: "You're going to prison, Fish."

Fish stared at Avenger and fury began to appear on her face.

Fish: "You?! Again! Kill him!"

Avenger rolled into cover while Fish ran out of the room.

Avenger: "You're not getting away this time."

Avenger used his grapple gun to trip up a guard and, when he fell over, his gun kept firing which dislodged a part of the celling which fell on another guard, knocking him out.

Avenger then ran straight for the last armed guard and rolled on the floor to avoid gunfire. Using his baton, he whacked it into the leg of the guard and then whacked him across the face with it.

Fish: "Stop there."

Fish had ran to the other side of the room where Charlotte and Rick were. She had a pistol pressed against Charlotte's head.

Fish: "One step forward and I'll shoot the girl first."

Avenger: "You fire that gun and you'll be wheeled into Blackgate on a gunnery."

Fish: "You won't kill me though. I'm afraid I win this one."

Fish smirked as Avenger had no choice but to stay still. Fish then aimed the gun at Avenger.

Fish: "You took everything that I worked for, Avenger. Once Lauren Winters and Riley Rivers are both dead, Gordon will be sent away, Batman will die, and Gotham will belong to me. Like it should off a long time ago."

Fish smiled widely as she squeezed the trigger.

Charlotte: "No! I can't!"

Charlotte, who could no longer hold her bladder...

Fish: "Ugh! What?!"

Fish was distracted by what was going on and Avenger ran straight at her. Fish saw him at the last moment and tried to shoot him, but wasn't able to hit him and Avenger got close enough and hit the gun out of her hand with his baton. Avenger then hit Fish in the face with his free hand and then grabbed Fish by the collar.

Avenger: "You're gonna answer for what you did, Fish. You're gonna rot for what you did."

Fish: "You think that this is over, Avenger? I was brought down once when Falcone left the scene. I'll find my way back."

Avenger: "Don't count on it."

Avenger then chopped Fish in the neck, knocking her out.

Rick: "Oh God, thank the lord!"

Charlotte: "Hey, Rick! Are we going home?"

Avenger then untied Rick and then he untied Charlotte.

Rick: "Yes, we're going home!"

Avenger: "Your father is down the police station. Just walk out the building, follow the lights, then flag down the first officer you see."

Rick: "Hey, do I know you?"

Avenger: "Doubt it."

Avenger then used his grapple gun to zip out of the building.

As Avenger left, from the rooftops nearby, Emma Grace looked on.

As she watched Avenger go into an alleyway and drive out with his motorbike,
she pulled out her phone and dialled a number.

Emma: "Has the medication be delivered to the hospital?.. Good. Have it administered to Kerry Rivers. Also, I want the release papers delivered to Blackgate now."

Emma smiled as she walked towards the stairwell.

Emma: "The things I do for a man."

*Blackgate Prison*

-Gordon-

I haven't seen Barbara since what happened with James during the riots. I don't know what's happened. I haven't heard anything at all...

What is happening?! First James somehow gets in her and now Barbara's gone missing!

Something must of happened and I can't do anything about it!

Sionis: "Gordon. You do know you're gonna die here?"

In the cell across from me, Roman Sionis is there looking at me.

Gordon: "Are you still here, Sionis? Normally you say you'll be out before the sun's up."

Sionis: "If I get out of my cell, you better hope I don't make you choke on your own blood."

I just sat in my cell. I felt like I was losing everything. My son, my daughter,
my life...

Everything started to appear meaningless.

We started to hear sounds of a car outside... I knew what car that was, I heard the roar of it enough times not to mistake it.

Gordon: "Batman?"

Sionis: "So, the bat's here in his fancy Batmobile. I wonder if he's ready to turn himself in?"

The alarms started to go off! The city was still hunting for Batman for Mayor Hill's murder! Why was he here now?! He's normally better at hiding than this.

However, I watched as something unthinkable happened.

BANG!

From behind Sionis, the cell wall was blown apart! And outside, a type of plane appeared outside... That was Batman's plane!

The guards arrived and tried shooting the plane, but the cockpit opened and nobody was inside.

?: "Sionis. Get in if you want revenge."

That wasn't Batman's voice...

Sionis was hesitant, but he ran for it and jumped to the plane and got inside the cockpit which shut behind him.

"Don't let Batman get away!"

"We need backup. Suspect's name is Batman! He's breaking out Roman Sionis!"

I heard the guards say that, but I knew that wasn't Batman.

The plane then flew away as the guards were shooting at it.

What... What in the world is going on in this city?!

-Bluebird-

I followed the Batmobile to Blackgate Prison and I just saw all of that.
No one was in either the jet or the car. They were being remote-controlled but I can't find out where from. But, I do know that they just broke out an ex-crime lord that isn't too pleased.

In two words...

Bluebird: "Hoo boy."

We could be in trouble.

Chapter 12 end.