"Everything has been lost."

Ra's Al Ghul glared out at his daughter. Talia said nothing as she surveyed the scene below them. The training ground for the League of Shadows was bursting with activity. Fighters from all over the world had converged here, in anticipation of the new war.

"Because of your husband's actions, we have lost one of our greatest resources." Ra's Al Ghul said, his voice cold. "The United States was essential in controlling the vast majority of the planet. Without them, humanity will grow unchecked."

"Father-"

"Enough." Ra's said, his voice cold, and Talia fell silent. "We are running out of time-"

He coughed, raising a hand to his mouth. Blood spurted out in between his fingers. Talia reached out for him, but he pushed her away, scowling.

"There is only one way forward, now." Ra's said. "Mankind must perish before the planet does. There is no other alternative."

"You sound like Eren Jaeger."

Ra's looked up. In the shadows of the lair above them, stood the shadow of a familiar looking silhouette.

"Detective.' Ra's said. "You dare show your face here, after all you've done?"

Batman stepped forward, and Talia had to stop herself from screaming. Four red glowing eyes were on the monster's head.

Ra's scowled.

"So you have sold your soul to Trigon, have you?" He asked contemptuously. "I thought better of you, Detective. Mankind has no need for monsters such as that."

"I am more than a man, Ra's." The thing rasped. "I'm… Batman."

Talia pulled away in disgust and revulsion. Ra's stared forward at him, completely unintimidated.

"I remember when you came to us, calling yourself by a different name.." He said. You thought you could influence us, control us. Use my power and influence to control the world as you saw it. I warned you, Detective. My way was the only way."

The Batman advanced, its powerful limbs and muscles looking as if it was about to rip him apart.

"Talia."

"Father?"

"I am going to die." Ra's said simply. "This world must be destroyed. Trigon cannot be allowed to again walk this Earth. We must destroy all of mankind now, before his servant revives him."

"How must this be done?"

"Eren Jaeger." Ra's said, his voice filled with finality. "Must unleash the Rumbling. The Walls must walk, and this world must be cleansed of all the filth that walk upon it."

"The walls…?" She repeated, puzzled. "Jaeger…?"

Batman roared with rage as he leapt forward. Ra's raised his hand, and the creature recoiled.

"You will not best me with Trigon's power, Detective." Ra's said coldly, as he advanced upon him. "In my time I have studied the magicks that can repel him…"

The Batman recoiled as Ra's advanced. Ra's turned his head.

"Go, Talia!"

Talia turned and fled. Ra's turned back to Batman, his hand still raised. Deep cracks had already begun to appear in the outer shell of the monster.

"If my sacrifice will stop you from walking this earth, then so be it." He said. "If not for you, then perhaps this world would have been saved a long time ago…"

The outer shell shattered. A naked Bruce Wayne shot out from it, his fist raised. In his mortal form, there was nothing Ra's could do. Bruce pummeled the ancient man with his fists. Any reservations about morality or justice long forgotten.

The man was already dead by the time Bruce stopped his assault. But he stood tall, his expression still determined. Bruce Wayne stared at it, rubbing his mouth.

"Eren Jaeger." He repeated. "So I was right. You are a threat to this world."

He turned around and viewed the training ground below. No one had even looked up. No one had realized that anything was amiss.

"What is the Rumbling?" He wondered. "The Walls will walk… what does that mean?"

"Blood…"

Bruce clutched his head, grimacing.

"More…. Blood…"

Bruce raised his head, and as if in a trance, found himself walking. He entered deep into the recesses of the hideout, and came to a small, sparsely decorated room. He stepped inside, and glanced downwards at the baby's cradle.

Damian Wayne

The baby inside was sleeping peacefully, its hand wrapped around a gigantic knife almost as big as it was. Bruce reached out his hand towards the baby's skull.

…

"Historia, we need to talk."

Historia glanced upward at Raven and smiled. Her baby, Maria was napping in a bundle against her chest.

"Why so serious?" Historia asked. "You've been so on edge lately."

Raven gave her a hard look.

"Historia, please don't think me insane. Or think I'm simply making things up. Or…"

"Raven." Historia said patiently. "Speak your mind."

Raven closed her eyes.

"I believe that Mikasa Ackemann is carrying your husband's baby."

Raven couldn't believe it, but she could feel a spark of excitement run through Historia's heart.

"Really?" Historia said. "Wow, that's-" Upon seeing Raven's expression she laughed. "Oh, I'm sorry… I thought you knew."

"Knew what?"

"Eren loves both of us." Historia said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I daresay he loves Mikasa a great deal more, to be honest… the dark, brooding, dour thing is more his type, but-"

"What?" Raven was completely taken aback.

"You look shocked." Historia said, sounding a little sympathetic. "Do these arrangements not happen in America?"

"No, they do." Raven said, her voice quickly. "It's just… I'm surprised… it's never come up… until now…" She shook her head wildly. She had thought she had known her…

Historia laughed. "We haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other personally." She said. "People are different in their personal lives than in their professional ones. For the record the public doesn't really know anything about Mikasa either. I suppose… you can now be considered within our inner circle."

Raven's head was still spinning.

"I'm so sorry." She gushed, looking ashamed. "I thought… the worst of your husband… but if it's truly okay with you then… it isn't my place to-"

"Relax." Historia said soothingly. "You didn't know. You were simply trying to look out for your friend. That's all." She smiled. "I'm lucky to have someone like you."

"Please don't tell Eren." Raven said, a little bit embarrassed. "I… think we should keep this between us."

"Of course." Historia said, with a laugh. "Whatever you like."

It was impossible to be around the three of them after that. Now that she understood the full context of the strong emotions and intense feelings she felt around them, it was impossible to ignore it. The entire thing was too much for her to handle. She supposed she was still concerned for Historia, and perhaps for Mikasa too… was this really the life they both wanted to live? The thought seemed ridiculous, and yet…

…

Batman kneeled his head beneath the great sigil of Trigon. The four glowing red eyes stared down at him hungrily.

"Master." Batman said.

"Bruce Wayne." Trigon intoned. "This is the second time I have had to restore you to life. The first time at the hands of the gunman that first killed you, seventy years ago. And now you return to me, having fallen at the hands of that wretched Levi Ackermann."

"Ackermann is strong." Batman said coldly. "Even Superman himself couldn't-"

"Silence."

Batman sat kneeling in silence.

"You are an anomaly in this world." Trigon said. "For seventy years you have existed outside of time and space, using your unimaginable wealth to shape the world in my image. Because of your actions, I have been able to return to this mortal plane… in spite of my wretched daughter defiling me."

"What must I do?"

"The Island of Eldia must be destroyed." Trigon said. "When I granted Ymir the power of the Titans 1,800 years ago, my expectation was that she would use the power to destroy the world. The Eldian people would become monsters, in my own image. But instead she chose to use her power to impress a man she loved." The voice came out rather like a sneer. "Her successor, Eren Jaeger, is just as weak. He seeks to rid himself of me. Yet he cannot bear to separate himself from the absolute power he wields out of fear that those he loves will be destroyed. With the power of my daughter on his side, he is far more powerful than you."

Batman scowled.

"I can beat anyone if I have enough time to plan."

"Then why haven't you won already?" Trigon growled. Batman fell silent. "Seventy years of absolute power and authority and you no longer have anything to show for it. If you intend to destroy the Eldian people, and pave the way for my return, you must destroy everyone on the island. The Earth must shake, and the land must break apart."

"Yesssssss…" Batman hissed. "There is a girl… we can use for that purpose."

"Use her, and use her well." Trigon said.

…

"Things have been rather quiet lately." Mikasa said. "It almost feels as if it's over."

"It's not over." Eren said tonelessly. "It will never end, until I'm dead."

Mikasa gave him a sharp glance. "Don't say that."

Eren closed his eyes. Mikasa gave him a look.

"I want our child to know its father." Mikasa said.

"It's going to be a girl." Eren said, his eyes still closed. "And her name will be Rose."

"After the wall?" Mikasa asked, bemused. "And I suppose you will want a third daughter named Sina, as well?"

"She will be born a year from now."

"Will she be mine or Historia's?"

Eren opened his eyes. The door to the throne room opened, and Raven stepped into the room.

"Raven." Eren said coolly, as she bowed her head. "What brings you to see me?"

"I would like to take the opportunity to inquire about the current status of my friend, Robin."

"Ahhh." Eren said. "Indeed. Annie is taking very good care of him."

"That's an understatement." Mikasa muttered, under her breath.

"May I… see him?"

"I don't see why not." Eren said. "You both have proven yourselves to be completely trustworthy. I will allow it."

Raven raised her head. She looked somewhat surprised, as if she were expecting more resistance.

"Thank you." She said.

"I suppose you should be the one to let him know." Eren said. "That Batman has returned. And that he must be stopped."

Mikasa gave him a surprised look. Raven gave a small start, and then nodded.

"I will let him know right away." She said. "If this is true… then the island is in danger."

"It is." Eren said, his voice grave. "And it is my believe that your friend Robin may be the only person in the world who can stop Batman. The entire fate of the world is in his hands."

Raven turned and made her way for the door. It shut behind her.

"Is this true?" Mikasa asked reproachfully. "You have said nothing of this."

"It is true." Eren said, as he leaned back in his chair. "A higher power has brought him back from the dead. A power, perhaps, that has no equal…"

"What do you mean?" Mikasa asked. "We have defeated all of those who have stopped us from living in peace. What could possibly be worse than what we have already gone through?"

Eren closed his eyes again, and did not answer.