Get ready for the most action pack chapter thus far! We got stakes, we got tension, we got everything here in this chapter! And also, some surprises too! Read on, true believers! And yes, a rather long one once again, a bit more longer too!
Apparently it's been happening more often than not due to how much is going on as the chapter progresses.
Chapter 11: Soul
November 11
Wilson Fisk was an impatient man when it came down to things not going his way. For the past few weeks, he's been residing in his private home where doctors regularly checked to see if his health was ok. So far, he was healing rather nicely seeing as he was standing firmly on his two feet.
On his two feet, he watches a woman lie on her bed head, tubes in her nose, skin very pale, lips dry, needles in her veins to have her body system needing the nutrients to go on, and worst of all, her eyes close shut as he watches and watches. The woman he loves falling away from him.
His hands clutched between one another, his expression was filled with anger, sadness, but frustrations to no end. All he seeks is a cure for an incurable disease, but so far, nothing was going his way.
Someone knocked on the door, "Come in," Wilson spoke. He didn't need to look at who was meeting him to talk to him about a few things, "Wayne meeting in a few hours. Everyone's ready to do their part in convincing him and Al Ghul?"
"Of course Mr Fisk-"
"You don't need to call me that James," Fisk turned to a man, his confidence, who kept his posture, the suit he wore, and especially the glasses, on a professional level, "You've been at my side for the longest, against the likes of Murdock and spider-man."
"Heh.." James pushes up his glasses, "And because we're friends, you deserve my respect as always. Now, we have a team to expose them, enough where if we went public with not only Al Ghul's past terrorism projects, but also Bruce's ambition on helping Batman when he went on a killing spree last year. It'll surely be enough to gain a better outlook for your partnership with-"
James squinted his eyes, he heard as if a body just dropped nearby, and a few muffled groans coming by the door. Wilson caught it, wanting to ask, but had no time to ask. James covered the door by the side just when Wilson pulled out a pistol near the draw by his dying wife. But even before he could follow James.
James' own head was pierced by a bullet from the window.
Wilson had no time to react, no time to do anything but try to protect his wife, yet the door was kicked open, revealing someone who would have resembled the bat. With the little bit of sun gazing out to the window, and the strength of this person able to grab Wilson from behind his neck, and swiftly trip him where they then were able to flip him right to the floor.
They did resemble the bat in the sense with the pointed ears from their mask. But they had a sword pointing right at Wilson chin, raising up his head, and their armor; mix with bit of blue, red, and all around gray, a symbol of a white A on their chest, shoulder pads and shin pads resembling those of a knight, and a mask that whiles light up blue, it was distorted enough that no one could tell who was under the mask, "H-how…?"
This bat person pushed Wilson to his back to let their sword pass by their chest, all the way down to their ribs where it then revealed an invincible chip that they easily sliced, "If I knew," just as their mask was distorted, so was their voice, "Then they know kingpin. And don't bother calling for help, just like your friend over there, they've been dealt with."
Eyeing his now falling friend for a second, Wilson shut his eyes for a split second before resorting glare at the figure who put their metal boot on his chest. They press on the specific part he was both stabbed and hurt by the carnage killer, making him groan in pain, "Grr…I gave you everything… EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED! YOU CAN'T DOUBLE CROSS ME!"
Adding the pressure by resting their elbows on their knees, causing Wilson to yell out in pain, "Come on Wilsonnnn," they're voice easily switches to a jester-like tone, "Did you really think you will stick to being useful? That I would've given you want to save your oh, so, poor wife right behind me. Or did you really think I want you exposing who Bruce is, or was?" The last sentence thread to threatening territory.
Wilson's eyes softened, turning his gaze to his wife, the only person who was still alive he could love, "...Please…She's all I got," he spoke with desperation, nothing more and nothing less.
The bat-like person moves inches closer to Wilson's face, "Everyone's gotta go sometimes. Least she gets to go peacefully, a gift for having to help me have what I want," they then let go of their foot on Wilson, allowing him to sit up and clutch his chest, "Because now! Everyone will know of my reckoning!" they stood behind the window, where sun was now blistering through it, "Gotham will know of the knights of the sun, they will know chaos once again when I bring him back, and they will remember me, the Arkham Knight," the Arkham Knight pounded there chest, "As I strike down on the people that protect this city. The bat, her family, and her little spider."
And so, out of the shadows comes another threat to Gotham. One that showed no mercy to Wilson, as they plunged their sword right through his heart.
They then looked at the women lying peacefully in the bed, awaiting for death doors. They would walk towards her, but Wilson still had some strength, still had some ounce of life in him as he held their feet.
The Arkham knight's head turns to Wilson, as he struggle to breathe, struggle to hold onto his strength, but all the more fight for the one thing he wants to save. Yet the Arkham knight hums to themselves, "Love is tremendous isn't it? The very thing that can make you fight so hard so that the other person can live," they snickered, the distorted voice only added more to their dark nature as they left their metallic boots big enough for Wilson to let go.
And so, they took the plug off of Wilson's wife, Vanessa. The Arkham knight could see Wilson eyes widen, before it went still, before it looked cold, before its own hand couldn't reach for his own wife.
And so the once kingpin that held Gotham and New York by their throat, is now dead with ease.
And the Arkham knight reckoning shall commence, with no more interruption.
Cassandra rode around Gotham. She's been doing it for several hours now and stopping at a stop light, she raised up her helmet vision so she could rub her eyes. She couldn't lie to herself, she was tired, not just because of the amount of times her and Peter had sex last night, but also how much she's been pushing herself these past few days.
It didn't help that her body was still feeling sore from her fight with Carnage and his family. The costume protects up to a certain point, and even then, she isn't invincible no matter how much Peter had done to give her enough protection from facing meta's or aliens prowess.
But she also couldn't deny if anything, last night was relaxing for her and Peter. The dinner was a great step into fixing up what was broken, and the makeup sex she had with Peter was a bonus. It was those makeup sexes that Selina talks about from time to time that was beneficial for the both of them. It's not to say they're fully back on track when it comes to their love for each other, but it's not lost either. They still have to find time to confront some problems they have with each other.
The when part is the hardest part now that Gotham has to deal with the likes of Carnage wanting full on destruction of this city, and now a potential of this unknown player coming into light after killing Wilson Fisk a few hours ago.
If Cassandra was honest with herself, she got careless, she of all people should've monitored the kingpin properly. But no, she was too caught up in family, too caught up with Peter, too caught up with all those emotions she dealt with yesterday.
If only she didn't go to have dinner with the people she loves, then quite possibly she could've caught this other killer. She would put up her visor and get back to riding around North Gotham island as she was in, but the thought of being so careless was still in the forefront of her mind, "Anything guys?" Barbara asked on the open coms.
"Nothing, so far," Cassandra said.
"Same here, i'm just about to go back to filming some interviews for Vicki," Peter also commented.
"Clear sky up here and nothing going on for the moment," Dick added, "We're we able to track who the kingpin was talking to in the fundraiser?"
"Unfortunately no," Peter said, "What we did find was that they were using some type of networking to bounce their signal from one place to the next. But also, so much happened in the span of a few days that it was something that I never put my focus back to it."
"Careless. Can't be careless," Cassandra said.
"Regardless of what we will apprehend these foe's. We're monitoring on our side here just in case anything else happens where neither of you can't reach," Alfred noted.
While Alfred had a point, she hated that they were becoming careless. And they can't be, not when things are starting to get out of hand. It's like the control she and Peter had for sometime was now being out of their reach.
And into the hands of chaotic foe's approaching them. And she can't help that it might have to do with the likes of the bat family, slowly and surely coming back to fix what was broken.
For years and years of observing, watching, and being mindful of surroundings, something was twitching in Bruce's mind. It was supposed to be a usual meeting he had at Wayne enterprises, mostly about shareholders, business involving ways to make Gotham a much better place to live in, what's new in the technology world, or some other things that should be useful to everyone.
He won't deny that it's been a little difficult with handling those certain things by himself. He used to have Lucius to help him out with this. But he's no longer around, no longer to help him in many ways he wishes he needed. To a degree, sometimes like today when thinking about the smart man that helped create what batman once was, he wishes he never had gotten him into helping him as batman.
But he knew the risk, he knew the stakes, and if anything, he died a hero that day when confronting the clown and saved the rest of Bruce's family. Bruce only wishes he could've at least saved his son, but even he couldn't be able to do that.
Another long list of failures that still protrude through his very thought
Bruce was shaking out his thoughts by his wife, who looked worried at Bruce, "You're doing that usual stare honey."
"Which one?" He pulled out a smirk as he wrapped one of his hands into her's, "I have so many."
She leans close to him, tippy toeing on her heels, looking gorgeous with one of his jackets she took from him and a simple cargo pants that helped to show off the work she still puts in on her lower body, "The one where you're eyeing everyone as a potential threat."
He still kept his smirk when she noted one of the things involving his stares. He would wrap his other hands around her waist, able to feel the leather coat she wore as it was starting to get more chilly with winter coming along. He pulled her in close, kissing her cheeks, as he watched the multiple people coming to the meeting, "Wilson's men are here," he whispered back to her.
She didn't very much like the way he said that, as if they're potential threats more than just annoying people, "Probably wants to trade more tech."
"Unlikely, since all this just so happened on short notice," his eyes squint when seeing a peculiar someone rounding the corner, "You might not want to turn around honey."
The second he said that she might've guessed who he was talking about, "Don't tell me…"
Selina turned around, not because of curiosity, but to truly see if it was who she thought it was. And once she saw her, she scowled at the person that was walking towards them. Elegant as she walked, she held power into the people that walked behind her just as various people couldn't help but stare at how breathtaking she looked, and she breathed in Bruce's own building. Her skin resembled dark olive, her long hair was as brown as her eyes, and her clothing while being a bright white suit along with boots applied to it, she too had a green overcoat on her that was mixed with gold residing the edges.
And the smirk she had at seeing two Wayne's only made Selina scowl harder and Bruce the more curious of her sudden appearance, "Mister and misses Wayne, pleasure to see you again. It's been what? Several months since we last saw each other."
"Should've stayed that way," Selina's tone was kept sharp as she removed herself from Bruce, yet pride in her was so damn high due to her own husband keeping his hands around her waist.
"Why I'm hurt," She faked her discomfort quite easily while shooing her bodyguards away to give them some privacy, "After all, you've won in the end. You've fought for him to the point I lay down my own weapon, I have no need to take what you already have gotten."
"And yet you still forget that I've claimed him before you ever could, Talia."
Talia snorted, "Because he put a ring on it? If I were to say I bear a child for him before you could, you would sim-" Selina eyes widened just as her anger flared momentarily. If it wasn't for Bruce holding her back with his one hand she would've gladly wiped the smirk off her face, "React like that. But sadly, I was never that evil to bear a child with Bruce without his permission. I may be cruel, but I'm not as evil as my father was," there was a small frown that became present for a second at the mention of her father.
Something that still shadows over head till this day of all the things he had done, and all the things she's trying to wash away into making her own legacy away from him.
Selina's eyes roll at the irony of her statement. She would've spat more back to her if it wasn't for Bruce clearing his throat to shed away the tension, "It's good to see you again Talia. I didn't expect you to show up."
"Neither did I, but it seems Fisk wants to see me yet again for another stupid proposition for the both of us," She explained, "He's becoming torn on my side that I would have one of my guards deal with him easily, but, that Parker and his lover of yours wouldn't like it now would they?"
"No, they wouldn't," Bruce said, "And if I recall, you couldn't help yourself but make them dislike you just like almost everyone you cross paths with."
"Even you," her smirk came back, widened just a bit, dancing between playish and a devil kind of smirk, "Beloved?"
"Oh you bitch!" Bruce again held Selina back, seeing that people were watching them with interest.
"Let's keep things professional, especially in front of my wife Talia," Bruce calmly spoke.
A Little small snort came from Talia as she enjoyed infuriating the former feline in front of the former bat, "Only teasing, I wouldn't dare cross your counterpart."
Selina scoffed, "Sure you won't," breathing in and out so she can mellow herself when looking back at her husband, "You'll be fine today honey?"
"Of course honey," she pulled him into a kiss, one that lasted longer than a second, and possibly more than a minute. Selina's eyes couldn't help but share a glance at Talia; she may still hold a smirk but she knows and can see that smirk was not holding well.
Again, her pride and ego went skyrocketing high knowing that Talia will never have this man by her side. Not while she's around. She could have at one point had Bruce, but somehow by god's graces, neither pursued what could've been. Maybe it was because Talia really did respect their marriage, or that Bruce had some common sense into keeping his marriage intact, but Selina never knew.
Only that Bruce came back to her after his battle with Cassandra last year, broken, alone, but also scared at what he had done to his city, to his family.
Slowly but surely, she let go of his lips, smiling and nuzzling his nose, "Call me?"
"On the dot."
"You better," she would depart from her husband, slowly letting go from him and his hands. She exchanges a scowl look at Talia, just as she exchanges a grin on her face while having her arm crossed.
Now it was just Talia and Bruce, "So, onwards?"
They did so, with Talia guards from the league of the assassin maintaining their post by walking behind the two powerful people in front of them, "I don't have a choice in the matter anyhow."
"Because Mr Fox isn't around?"
Bruce didn't answer, but instead went on his phone before approaching the room. He needed to make sure Barbra and Alfred kept tabs on Wayne Tower. All this felt odd and unexpecting that no one was made aware that Talia would be here.
Let alone Fisk men without the man himself, here to talk about something.
In the parade that was being held in Miagani island near Robinson Park, Peter was just about finishing up with Vicki interviewing the people holding up the parade for veterans day, "Annnndddd cut!"
Vicki would thank the person she was interviewing for their time, just before she was able to decompress in front of Peter, "Finally, you know how much I hate doing these?"
"The interview or parade?" Peter asked when fiddling with his camera before turning it off.
"More so the parade stuff. Anyone can do this, even yourself."
"Careful Vick, almost sounds like you're having a superiority complex right there."
Vicki eyeroll at his remarks, "You know that's not what I mean. I hate when Robbie places me for these things when I can be out doing something more, like pursuing more on the carnage killer."
"Robbie has faith in you to not turn it down and make it really good. Plus," Peter and Vick would start moving elsewhere as they watch the amount of military members take to the streets, prepping their movement and rifles for the parade, "Jameson loves his pupil the most."
"Ugh, I know, I know and speaking of," Vicki pulls out a folder from her small bag and hands to Peter, "For whatever time I had, I gotten down some more stuff on the carnage killer from the help of Mr Bullock himself," Peter would let the camera hang on his neck viva the strap when taking a look at what's inside the perhaps big folder.
And just like before, what he found more about Cletus was not something to take lightly about. The folder had images of when he was younger; from kid, to teenager, and to adulthood. Each involved some type of murder or trauma that he went through, "My god…Killed a girl over a rejection? Went foster homes to foster homes.. Each involving the parent mention of his psychopathic characteristics..And finally went to jail at 18 for burning one of the foster home's..? How is he out?!" Peter groaned, and became more frustrated at the notion of someone like him being out.
Peter hated how easily the justice system can fail when it shouldn't. It not only makes people's life much harder, but also their work more meaningless when people like him can walk free so easily, "And look who did it," Vicki flipped the page for him, seeing a more recent picture that was drawn in court of not only a lawyer defending him of sorts.
But also the bald head himself, Wilson Fisk in the background, "Not only that," there were more stuff in this folder that involved Vicki and himself take a seat on a bench so they can properly scavenge all that she got, "This here Frances Barrison," what Peter found odd was how sick this person looked compare to the person he saw helping Cletus; her skin was way more pale, her expressions, her eyes, to her dry mouth displayed the usage of drugs in her system, even her own hair was quite in healthy state with part of it shaved off, "She was a drug addict, same as with her mother, has a few charges of battery and assault, attempted murder, and guess what?"
Peter found the next page to be obvious, an enrollment to a healthward held by the now deceased man, "Fisk."
"Not to mention, from what little of what Bullocks got outside of Gotham; she is a meta, who also likely was experimented on before or even after she met Cletus. Couldn't find much on where the meta came from, but I do know she wasn't born one. It's a far-fetched hypothesis, but do you think Kasady was experimented on too? Just Like Frances was?"
Peter found himself frowning at all that is being known today. Everything was linked to Wilson, everything involving this ravencroft in some way was linked. It was the epicenter of it all and that's where they'll know more about these psychopaths. But, Peter wasn't so sure if knowing about their past was a way to defeat them.
If anything, knowing more, only makes their presence more frightening. And constantly watching as hundreds of people were here for the parade didn't stop his paranoia from going off the chart right now, "Possibly, and oddly enough, it has something to do with Eddie. Because there was no way a new symbiote could be formed without the help of Eddie Brock, but I have no clue where he's at, or if he's even alive."
Vicki in some semblance, wishes she can do something of that far off gaze Peter would do. One that looks to bear the whole world on his shoulder, like it's his responsibility to make sure everyone is safe and the criminals are far away from them. But what could she do but provide some comfort in the fact that he isn't alone? "We'll get them, for better or for worse."
Peter nodded, it was all he could do when he stared at this folder that held the pieces of the past to the only known villains that wanted to bring a reckoning over Gotham head, "Peter! He's there!" Barbara shouted in his ears.
His eyes widened, looking in every direction; front, behind, diagonals, till he saw a specific person on a building far away from Robinson park. Squinting enough, he was just sitting on the tall building, waiting for his plan to come to fruition. Vicki took note of where he was looking, and while her vision was not like his, she can tell he sees the murderer.
It's all written on his scrunched up face, "Vicki, get as far away from the parade and make sure you notify any GCPD that he's here. And get a hold of Dewolff for me!" Vicki had no time to respond as Peter gave back his folder, and even his camera before dashing off to do his thing.
Back in the batcave where the batcomputer had eyes on everywhere, but also important eyes on where it was needed. Barbara on her end was monitoring Robinson Park, already seeing that Peter was swinging in his costume to meet Kasasdy, "Is he still there Oracle?!" Peter asked.
"Yes, please be careful Peter."
Peter didn't say anything in return, only focusing on the task in hand. In the next end, Alfred was monitoring Wayne tower just as Bruce wanted them to do so just in case. It's not until he saw their security cameras being tampered with, all of it shutting down like an emp device, or some outside force shutting down the systems at Wayne tower.
But luckily Bruce thought of ahead as always, there was backup power that showed just enough of what they needed. A small army at the main entrance, either using guns to gun down, shoot arrows, and brutally killing the security guards with their hands. An also smaller army was present on top of the roof that just so happened to also kill a few security guards.
But also a few league of assassin members. And it was led by someone having a similar cowl that was the bat, "Batwomen! You're needed in Wayne tower now! Enemies are fast approaching both high and low level and likely will meet right in the board meeting."
"Moving! At Migani!"
Alfred and Barbara briefly shared a glance, both worried of what is transpiring, and how suspicious are these events happening to one another?
It didn't take long for Peter to reach Cletus, at best, 30 seconds as he had to ditch the clothes, put on his combat shoes, and mask for the incoming rematch.
He landed behind Cletus, who still sat and watched the parade with a smirk, "So this is what a psychopath does for a living nowadays? Watching from afar? Scoping out people to kill?" Peter said, ever the quipper even in a stressful situation.
"Come on spider," Cletus turned his head to Peter, his eyebrow arch, and was very pleased to see his hero once more," No one'e really innocent, not even you."
"Heard that a billion and one times, so hey!" Peter got into his fight stance, "Let's get this over with right here and right now. Cause one way or another, that symbiote is gonna be burned and you're going back into a cell with keys being thrown out."
"Ah ah spider!" He wagged his finger as he stood up. "If you stop me, then how will you save those innocent people on the ground?"
Peter's eyes widened, 'Of course! I knew Kasady would be up to something. But what? My spider sense isn't given out any danger and I was sure to scope out the environment too. What did he miss? What detail was beyond me to even consider?' His brain was computing so fast that it didn't take Peter too long for him to get Kasady's master plan.
The people, the parade, the amount of cars nearby, vehicles that were also moving important people, it was so obvious that Peter couldn't help but deprecate himself silently for not noticing it, "...Don't tell me you've had that symbiote of yours to plant bombs."
"BINGO!" He pointed and clapped at Peter, "I had enough time to understand that tingling in my skull whenever I'm in danger, and I bet you have it too. But then, my symbiote started probing me with info from daddy, and what did I find out? That your little six sense can't detect us so easily. It's why you weren't so fast in our fight! It's why our fight was so, dreadfully, amazing! So tick tick spider. You got people to save, as ever."
"IS ALL THIS JUST A GAME TO YOU?!" Peter shouted, his anger flaring as his tight fist was ready to throw down right here, right now, "WHY! WHY HURT SO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE!"
"BECAUSE IT'S FUN SPIDER!" Kasady shouted back, but more out of excitement than anything else, "AND IT'S FUN THAT I CAN GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO FIGHT FOR BECAUSE LET'S FACE IT! GOBLIN, JACKAL, JOKER, AND DADDY AREN'T HERE ANYMORE TO MAKE YOUR LIFE MISERABLE! MAYBE IF I KILLED THAT BAT GIRLFRIEND OF YOURS, NO WAIT! IF I KILL THE WHOLE BAT FAMILY, I CAN BE YOUR NUMBER ONE VILLAIN! DOESN'T THAT SOUND GREAT?!" Kasady laughed as ask such a derange question.
Peter roars, charging at Cletus, his laughter not stopping, his laughter reminding him of all the villains that made his life filled with utter trauma and misery. But he didn't want to fight him, instead he leapt over Kasady, and nose dive right into the web swinging, 'No one dies! No one dies today! AND NO ONE I LOVE WILL DIE, NOT AGAIN!' he mentally shouted, "Oracle-"
"We heard! His symbiote was able to bypass our early scans of the area, but with enough retooling in our scans, we were able to find those bombs! But spider, there are civilians who're carrying bombs without them knowing."
Peter shook his head, not letting worry, not letting stress, not letting anything stop him from doing what's right, "Nightwing! Gonna need your help here."
"Don't need to ask twice, almost there! You get the civilians, and I'll track the other bombs."
"We need to do this right. We don't play our cards right then we'll cause a mass panic here," Peter mentioned.
"We got this."
Of course they did, but after that, Kasady would be the problem. He was getting a call from Captain Dewolff and had to split the call away from the batcave, "Captain! We got bombs in the area!"
"Shit! My man can't do anything with how everything is going. "
"Don't worry! Just keep the peace where you can! And round up whatever people you can get that have the bomb on them. I'll help point it out! Nightwing and I will handle the rest."
Peter sure hopes he and Dick can get to those bombs in time. Time was of the essence.
Bruce sat with utter calmness in his seat. He knows what's about to go down, he knows from the message Barbara sent him, and the video of seeing what went down in the main entrance and what's going on top of the roof. He knows all of this, but knows he can't do anything about it. Sure, he can leave, sure he can escape, and sure, he can make sure everyone that was an employee either here in Wayne tower or else where can get out safely.
But then he won't know this new foe that is becoming present in Gotham, one that was hidden for sometime, and is now coming out on a day where the carnage killer was outright ready to murder hundreds of people in the parade at Miagani island.
He trusts Peter can handle it, because he's not alone anymore. And he trusts Cassandra will be here when everything will transpire. The worst part was he won't be able to call Selina, but a simple text was efficient enough.
Bruce: Don't want you to worry when you soon see the news, but some nutjob dressed in what seems like a bastardized version of my suit may take me and several people hostage.
Miss Wayne: WHAT?!
Bruce: Love you and see you later.
Bruce also knows Talia was in the same bracket of knowing what happened. But oddly enough, she wasn't doing anything about it, which led to his curiosity, "You're not going to do anything?" Bruce whispered, as the kingpin's man was talking about something boring and not a concern to them.
She kept her eyes glued in front while going to answer Bruce's question, "No, because I know you already have a plan."
"I don't."
Ever so slightly, her eyebrow raised, and she almost felt the need to stare in his eyes as he lie to her like that, "..You're lying and don't want to include me."
"I really don't have one," Bruce again sticks to his guns.
She could only scoff. She wasn't going to patronize him about needing to know whatever plans he had in mind. She simply would have to adapt when things go haywire.
Suddenly, with efficiency, the army came through the window with such speed, entered the door frame with various weapons, and even blew open a section underneath them to grapple into the room, taking some of Talia's guards with them to the ground.
With all this happening, almost everyone panicked, hiding under the table, trying to leave but ended up getting put down. Bruce noted they weren't killing anyone in the room, except for kingpin man and Talia guards that were put down easily with guns, arrows, or gorilla like warfare tactics.
And that was done and led by this new bat figure that creates an opening from the roof, and drops right in front of everyone. Just like this new bat figure; their little squad had similar armor that looked like this bat; resembling a night, having padded armors from head to toe, even their helmets while not hiding their faces depending on them, had a pointy ear established to it.
Bruce and Talia kept their heads down, not hiding, but at least playing like they can't do a thing about it. Bruce took note that one of the soldiers was recording everything that would or had happened in this room, "Ladies, gentlemen," said the distorted voice coming from the Arkham Knight. They stood in front, basking their own presence in the room as fear ripple through and through from other people that weren't Bruce or Talia, "You all ate well," the Arkham knight rested their foot on a dead Fisk member, "All tried so desperately to help this city when it didn't need it, it never did. So as I'm here, making my official presence known. I want to tell you all, and the people of Gotham," they then walk on top of the table, sword and shield now in hand, but also pointing the sword towards Bruce who watched with calm, and stoicness, "None of you are safe from us." their head turned to Bruce.
For Bruce, he would have laughed, snorted, anything of the matter as he knew this person did a bit of research. Not just into the look, but a speech he made in his early career when threatening the underworld of Gotham, "Is that supposed to be a threat?" Bruce asked, almost sounding sarcastic in his tone. He lets himself stand on his own two feet. At the very least, he's showing that as owner of this building and the people here, he wasn't gonna coward away from the enemy.
"Of course mister Wayne! What else would it be? A joke?" They laughed so easily, and just so easily, they stopped, "Not this time," they slapped the hilt of their sword right at Bruce's nose, putting him down on the floor.
Bruce moaned a bit at the pain he felt, but he's been hit worse that it didn't stop him from sitting up, "Why are you here? For me? Or for her?" Bruce gestures to the person in question, that being Talia.
It seems that from their posture alone, the Arkham Knight wasn't surprised by Bruce's deduction of the matter, and wasn't disappointed either,"Intuitive, no wonder you fool Gotham so easily. Sooner than later, you'll be my target," the Arkham Knight plops down, gesturing for their army to grab Talia, "But today someone else is."
Before any of them can grab her, Talia swiftly counters one of their army's hands, taking their gun and shooting at them. She focuses her shots on their exposed mask, or where they expose armor padding could be, that being their ribs or their feets, and swiftly dispatch some of them that are still standing with the sword that was hidden behind her.
Everyone watched, some of the army's didn't move under Arkham Knight order, and the Arkham Knight watched on little longer till Talia directed her weapon at the Arkham Knight, "You think you can take me as so? That I will stand by, weak on my knees, to your power?"
The Arkham Knight tilted their head, signifying that it was indeed a stupid question to ask, "I'm the one with an army that's still alive, even in this room and away from this room."
They were indeed right, but Talia neither cared nor showed cowardness as she stood firm in her own power, "How'd you know where my guards were?"
Arkham Knight scoffed, resting their arms that they're sword was implanted on the table. Their army were still recording, all for Gotham to see, "I have my own network that can find and kill if need be. We are known as the knights of the sun, and I? I'm known as the Arkham Knight."
Cassandra did not slow down a beat when making her way to Wayne tower. It was located down side by Old Gotham since it was made in the very early days of Gotham time. It did have other buildings residing in each island, but this was the main building that Bruce goes to for the many meetings he held there.
Weaving left and right to avoid traffic, taking sharp turns, igniting the afterburner, and pressing a little button in the back of her head making the helmet strapped lock and tight on her whole head, adding two sharp points on the top of the helmet, and adding just a little bit armor to it and her clothes, Cassandra was ready to get down and dirty for this fight she'll be in.
"Take the next turn here Batwoman," She did so without hesitation, "You'll soon be entering a construction site that will have not only works, but also a crane that will get you to the top building where master Bruce and many others reside. I managed to briefly take control of their elevator and crane system that you should be able to squeeze in."
"Only way?"
"It is the fastest way, but also the most unsafe."
"Ok," She went straight through the construction site, slowing down just a bit, she avoided some construction workers, and they too moved out of the way. Somehow, she didn't crash into any of their working material when she did a 360 turn that allowed her to squeeze right into the elevator.
Although, it just so happened someone else was in there who looked at Cassandra just as she did. She waved at him, "Sorry."
But all he could do was munch on his sandwich slowly as the elevator skyrocketed high above in seconds. The elevator opened to the top roof of the construction site and Cassandra was off again, leaving the worker more baffled then anything, "..What the fuck..?"
Cassandra quickly assessed what she can use to get on top of the crane; there was a metallic railing not set up for usage, but if she was able to blast the edge of it, it could send her straight up to the crane that Alfred was lowering for her.
But once she gets there it won't be easy to stay on, the weight of the bike will not hold for too long, both wheels won't be able to stay on either when she begins moving due to the way the crane was structured.. She needed the perfect speed to stay level, the perfect speed for the jump, but also, the reason why she would even need the perfect speed to stay level is cause she needed to perform a wheelie.
It would be the only way to keep her steady when riding the bike.
Flooring it, she took a batarang out from her small utility belt, pressing a few buttons before she arced the batarang right at the railing. Once her bike reached enough to even touch the railing, the batarang provided a mini explosion under the railing, it was enough not to damage the bike, the railing, but also lift the railing and motorcycle simultaneously high enough for Cassandra to reach on the crane, even positioning her at the very end for the jump to be made. At the sametime when reaching the end, she would then turn the bike on the dime, using her weight to move it forward, but move it quick enough where the u turn put her right where she needed to be.
Straight towards Wayne tower.
Alfred was now raising the crane, just as Cassandra rimming up the engine. Once it was beginning to be level high enough, Cassandra activated the afterburner on the bike, sending her forward. She then uses the weight of herself and the bike to perform a wheelie, 'Steady…' The crane was going higher, meaning Cassandra needed more speed, she revved up the engine more, 'Steady….' She was reaching close to the end, and she ramped up the speed even more, making the bike go unsteady.
But somehow.
Someway.
By God's grace.
Cassandra was able to pull it off, smiling ear to ear behind her helmet.
And she was sent flying high.
But her smile falters when she realizes it wouldn't be enough. The distance would still be far and she'll end up in a lower level of the building.
Yet, she was a quick thinker, and with an easy button that both her legs clicked on the lower side of her bike, she was ejected high above right where she needed to be.
"ARKHAM KNIGHT LOOK OUT!"
Arkham Knight had no time to react to Cassandra breaking right through, her light weight armor suit allowed to absorb the damage from how she entered, and also didn't stop her momentum from punching the Arkham knight on the left side where their jaw is.
It knocked them off balance, as Cassandra rolled right into the room, her back impacting from the wall that gave out a loud audible groan. Arkham Knight felt that, truly felt that through their armored helmet, but they snickered, "So she arrives… KNIGHTS GRAB TALIA!"
That wouldn't be happening with Talia smirking and killing more of the knights. And it would take the Arkham Knight to get up quickly, block the sword with their forearms and give a swift head butt that dull Talia rather easily. But before they can do anything, Cassandra was up, running forward, throwing batarangs at the knights of the sun and smoking so it could provide enough cover for the fight to happen, and for Bruce to get everyone to safety.
Cassandra had her grapnel gun out when she tackled the Arkham knight right through a window, and shot the launcher right by the ledge so they could swing right to the lower floor. They both broke through another glass window, and the Arkham Knight pushed Cassandra off as they distance one another.
They stared at each other; one using their sword to get up, and the other wiping off the shard of glass on her suit. Again, the Arkham Knight snickered as they put their sword by their waist, "Should've expected reinforcement, but more so the spider then the bat.. No matter..How I waited…Waited to fight you."
Cassandra didn't respond back, walking, then running, and beginning this fight.
Back on top, Bruce was able to quickly handle the rest of the knights of the sun, especially without killing them, "EVERYONE! FOLLOW ME" They did so, with Bruce looking at Talia to make sure if she was alright. But she waved him off, having a noticeable glare, but also an understanding.
They would need to fight their way out because if the Arkham Knight was truly after her, then she would stop at nothing to get her.
Peter with the help from Captain Dewolff was able to round up a dozen or more people who had little miniature bombs on them. Not only that, Peter had his own spider bots both helping Dick scavenge other bombs both high and low near the parade.
They had no time to call a bomb squad, not only that, but the bomb squad wouldn't be familiar with a bomb tinker by Cletus' usage of the symbiote. And even worse, there would be panic that would cause people to go rampant, "Mommy, what's Mr. Spider-man doing?" A little kid being held by his mother asked.
"Investigative work," Peter answered while his wrist from his suit was putting out a light cyan light to scan every individual that was gathered up here, "Top secret that would make the commissioner so proud," In response, Dewolff simply eyeroll, "See? She loves it!"
The kid couldn't help himself but laugh. The mother especially held a smile at how Peter was able to handle this little situation, because she and the small crowd that was huddling up away from the parade knew something was going on.
Peter scan was done for Barbara to do her work, "Ok, those are probably most of the bombs he planted on. A little micro sonic wave should do the trick and I can dismantle it from here."
"Botta bing, botta boom," with a few notches to his wrist, he put out a sonic wave that wasn't powerful enough to hurt anyone, but enough where little bits of carnage symbiote were affected, dropping from the civilians without them noticing how small they were.
"Taking care of it right now!"
"Got most of the bomb's here, but Oracle-"
"Shit! There duds!"
Peter's spider sense was blaring, turning right back to the crowd to see Frances herself right in front of the army's that were walking with their firearms for the parade, "Dewolff! Evacuate everyone now!"
Peter didn't know what Cletus was planning, hell, he didn't even know what his partner was planning. But he can't worry about that, he has to save everyone here! Jumping up to the sky to web swing forward; he saw Frances left eye brimming green light, both of her hands lighting up as if she was charging up, and before Peter knew it, before any cop could listen to Dewolff command.
Frances ignited her own taste of carnage as she laughed hysterically. Everyone began to be affected by her power; making them scream agony, or suddenly turn to one another in the act of violence, "NO!"
Peter moved fast as he could, using his webbings to stop anyone from shooting from one another, using his webbings to stop the many fights that were happening in the streets of Migani island. From normal civilians, to policemen, to army veterans, everyone was fighting each other no matter what. And all Peter could do was move, move as fast he could, as fast as he can possibly go to save everyone.
He had to try, no matter what it takes.
No one dies.
Cassandra was fighting someone she never thought she would fight. Someone that was on her level, someone that matched her blow to blow, counter to counter, blood for blood.
Where she hit, dodged, the Arkham Knight did the same.
When she tries to go for a take down, the Arkham Knight knows and executes a quick way to reverse it to their own advantage.
But Cassandra did not quit, Cassandra wasn't gonna falter against someone like this. And as the fight went on, Cassandra felt like she was fighting someone more and more familiar. But she had no time to digest it when the Arkham knight ducked under her spinning elbow for an uppercut that landed, and went for a quick grapple from behind for a supreme suplex.
Cassandra grunted on the landing, but didn't give in to the pain. She elbowed the Knight once, twice, and knee their guts enough where it allowed her to get the top mount. She would bring down elbow strikes to dent their helmet, only nailing once while the Arkham Knight head moves easily out of the way from the second attack. They then used their hip to off balance Cassandra just enough to roll and get the top advantage that Cassandra previously had.
But with pure utter quickness and nimbleness, Cassandra legs both slip out under the Arkham knight, and with the strength that took the Arkham knight by surprise, Cassandra would enclose her legs around the Arkham Knight and toss them behind her.
Cassandra kicks herself up.
Arkham Knight rolls back to their feet.
Cassandra pulls out her batarangs and throws it at the Knight while rushing towards them.
The Knight blocks them with their own set of gauntlets, and whips out their shield and sword as they now was going to change up their rhythm of attacks. The Knight went for a simple bash that Cassandra braced herself with her arms crossed, again, displaying the strength that Cassandra had. In doing so, the Knight started taking the offensive initiative; swiping the sword that Cassandra dodge, from gut to arms and legs, Cassandra spent much of this time dodging. What made it hard for Cassandra to attack was the Knight's usage of their shield.
Or the fact their sword can pierce through her light armored suit. A few gashes from the swings nick Cassandra by her arms and waist.
Anytime Cassandra was able to find a small window of opportunity for an attack, the Knight changed their stance into using their shield, either blocking the offensive moves, or pushing Cassandra back enough for them to use their own sword to their advantage. If that wasn't enough, the Knight switches on the fly by slipping the shield right on their gauntlet, allowing to switch their stance with how they used their sword for heavier swings, or easily letting their hands fly straight to Cassandra.
And they did land when they could, a particular strike that the Knight threw did cause Cassandra to dodge, but Cassandra also had to dodge the sword coming downwards on her. Even when she dodge, the tip of the sword slices the top side of helmet just enough for it to create a crack, but not revealing her face either.
All this movement, all this switching and the way it challenged Cassandra got her thinking for a second, thinking of seeing these patterns before. And in that second, she pressed her arms together, quickly turning on her bat gauntlets with one elbow stopping it the sword from hitting its target, and her other arm's bicep locking it in tight for her to real the Knight close to her, "Shiva trained you," Cassandra said.
The Knight again snickered, "Who's not to say I'm not your mother, Cassandra?" Cassandra didn't let that information get to her in their struggle of power over one another. But it didn't go unnoticed that if the Arkham Knight knew who Cassandra was related to, what's to say they didn't know Bruce?
Or Alfred?
Or Selina?
Or Dick?
Jason.
Tim.
Stephanie.
And especially, Peter. And once the gravity of knowing the type of power that the Arkham Knight may know, it means he or she had more cards behind their back. Cassandra couldn't allow that, and fought harder by reeling the Knight closer for the edge of her elbow to impact dead on the helmet of the Knight. The Knight might've been free, but it also meant they are now dealing with Cassandra who understands their move.
One swing with the sword missed, two quick strikes from torso and head. The Knight endured, rotating themselves to smack Cassandra with the shield that only hit air as Cassandra weaved under with the shins of her own legs impacting to the body before she went for a spinning kick.
Even though the Knight was smart to block the blow with their shield, they would try to be even smarter by throwing the shield at Cassandra. Again, Cassandra knew where the direction was going, her head slipping away from the shield being tossed while quickly using her grapnel gun to again reel the Knight in. They caught it, waiting for the shield to bounce and hit Cassandra, but she had ears for a reason, going low for a roll that caused Cassandra to redirect the Knight into getting hit by their own shield.
And then a jerk to pull her close for an added knee to the jaw, and again using her bicep as a weapon; wrapping it around the Knight neck and using the weight of her movement to move over the Knight, and tossing them right to the floor hard.
The Knights helmet had taken enough damage to flicker in and out, and Cassandra would walk up to them as they were rising on the floor to implant their boots right on their head, "Why Wayne! Answer!"
Again, they snickered that only started to annoy Cassandra, "Not so detective huh…? But..You are good, great as your mother said you were.. Good thing I knew that."
"BATWOMAN INCOMING!"
Cassandra looked up in time to see helicopters coming right up to the level they were on. It contained the Knights army and they had their guns aimed at her. They started firing at her, causing Cassandra to move out of their range. She quickly threw a batarang at a nearby wall for it to blow, and she leapt right through it to avoid the bullets.
The Knight got up with their sword on their waist and their shield behind them. They would run and leap inside the helicopter with the Knights of the sun helping them, "Did you get her?"
"We got them surrounded in Wayne's office, they are barging down his door as we speak."
"Tell them to move faster! Wayne has an escape there!"
As known by the Knight's forces, Bruce and Talia were in the main office at the top of the building. Bruce manages to save a good portion of his employees using his years of experience fighting these types of people. And it helped that he had allies in the batcave to not only alert the police, but also use the tower's few combat systems to their advantage.
Yet, Bruce wasn't fond of Talia's more killing route, "You know I did approve when you saw our way of doing things was right?" She commented on how Bruce handled the Knight's forces while also looking at the small frame picture that held his late mother and father.
"Not now," to a nearby chess board, he swapped the knight and king's places, in doing so allowing Talia to hit a red button under his table that revealed an opening that would allow them to move to another section of the building.
Both quickly jogged in, it closed as the elevator immediately scanned Bruce; from eyes to his toes, it recognized he was indeed the real Bruce Wayne to be inside. But it went on high alert, blinking red lights when it scanned Talia, "Warning! Enemy hostile in the area!"
"Computer belay the warning, password 03-30-1939."
"Voice command authorized."
"Hm. Always prepared, wondering what the system would've done to me."
Bruce took off his suit and tie as the elevator brought them down to the laboratory that held countless of techs that were used and unused, "Gas you."
"And if I had a mask?" She had her eyebrow raised.
But Bruce glared at her, "Not. Now," he quickly went over to the nearby computer. The space was a little cramped, but still had enough room for what needed to be done, "By now, they've gotten through, and honestly we have to prepare for the worst if they know of this place."
"You really think this Arkham Knight knows you that well?" Talia questioned.
"If that person knows a simple line I made years ago when I first started wanting to change Gotham a different way," he turns behind him to look at her, his glare still hasn't left his face, "Then it has to be presumed they know more they'll let on. And not to mention, they want you of all people," the computer brought out a generator of sorts that seemed to be something they'll both have to step on for it to work, "That right there breeds problems."
"Everyone still wants the demon head on the platter."
"But they want you alive, which is the very question of today, and it's why you're coming to the batcave with me."
"And that contraption is where it will lead us too?"
"A teleporter, yes. One that works similarly like the watchtowers own," Bruce can see through a security camera that they not only breach into their office, but they are now gonna blow up the elevator that leads to the laboratory, "Get on quickly!"
She did so with Bruce punching a number of key codes for the device to work. He ran right to the teleporter besides Talia, "And what about this place?"
For once, he smirked, "What place?"
The teleporter ended up doing its thing, drawing power from not only Wayne tower, but most likely other places in Gotham itself for it to work.
And as soon as they disappeared, the laboratory blew up.
"Knight! They just noticed that Wayne's secret place had just blown up."
The Arkham Knight slammed their fist on a window, cracking it, "Damn it!"
"Knight! We also got a boogie under us!"
The Knight went and checked what he meant as they saw the helicopter scanner was picking up Cassandra stuck under them via her batarang, slowly climbing to the entrance of the hanger, "Stubborn bat are ya? Fry her!"
With a push of a button, Cassandra was electrocuted, not even enduring it was enough to stay on and she fell from the helicopter.
She began to freefall, drifting between conscious and unconscious. She could briefly hear the likes of Alfred and Barbara trying to bring her back into consciousness. But how could they when it felt just right to feel the air around her, her body flowing amongst the air she was falling, and liking the feeling of the wind pass by her.
But then the cries of her name were getting louder, and a sharp pain was felt on all ten of her fingertips that had to be Barbara activating an emergency tool to awake her. Cassandra's eyes widened quickly as the stark realization that she was falling more by the lower buildings.
Quickly pulling out her grapnel gun and shooting at it from a nearby building, Cassandra heard a loud pop from her shoulder, "AH!" Gasping from the pain of her shoulder literally popping out of the socket, she made sure her other hand held tightly as she could when swing forward at a tremendous speed.
In doing so, she crashed on top of the bus, and her body ragdoll itself falling right into a car windshield, both breaking it and going right through it.
At first Cassandra didn't move, her breathing from her nose being hard, her heartbeat racing, the pain and everything she was feeling from surviving such a long fall, she needed a moment, just a moment to take in that she was alive.
She was alive.
She was alive.
She was alive, to fight another day.
Isn't that what she always wanted? This very moment where she needed a challenge? To fight for her life? To fight death?
Indeed, it was, and behind her cowl, pulling herself slowly from the car seeing as her armor suit, and her quick thinking with the grapnel gun, both absorb and stop the more further damage to her body, she was smiling.
Smiling at the prospect of getting exactly what she always wanted, someone more to fight against for her own survival. But that smile falters at feeling disgusted at feeling that feeling. That same feeling her mother always wants to feel, and the fact that feeling this will only make Peter look at her differently.
Peter. That name, that wonderful man, now he has to worry about another villain possibly knowing who he is.
She has to protect him, protect everyone, protect all that she cares about.
For Gotham.
For.. For all that she loves.
And if she dies, she'll die for them.
Because their life matters more than her's.
"CASSANDRA! ARE YOU OK?!"
"MISS CAIN DO YOU READ!"
Cassandra shook her head, noticing everyone was watching her, recording her, feeling her head being on fire, a little dizzy but still able to stand as she relocated her shoulder back into place. She even noticed her helmet was cracked and that she might be also suffering a concussion of all things.
But she was fine, fine as she can be as she steadily kept walking while slowly moving her hands to press on her wrist to summon her bike, wherever it was in the smoking Wayne tower before her, "...Fine. How's Peter and Dick?"
"BITCH I ALWAYS HATED YOU!"
"AND I NEVER WISH I MARRIED YOU!"
"FUCKING DIE!"
"I NEVER WISH YOU WERE BORN!"
"I NEVER WANTED YOU AS MY PARENT!"
"I ALWAYS HATED YOU SINCE WE FIRST MET!"
"COME HERE YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"
Peter doesn't know how he was able to handle all that was going on. Hearing so many people display their own anguish; from adults to teenagers, to even kids alike being affected by Frances abilities. He's fought people on this magnitude that can reveal the worst part of a person.
But to see it display on this level? Out in the open? On a parade of all times? Where the bridge between friendship and family, from right from wrong, crossed the line? No, not like this, not in a way where it made everyone from various ages fight each other.
To the death.
And it was up to Peter to do what he does best. Save everyone.
From what seems like an eternity, Peter spider sense guided him, made sure he both evaded but used his web shooters to stop everyone from fighting. He needed to stop the source of this, and needed to stop Frances. But how could he? Everyone here was turning this peaceful day into a nightmare.
It almost reminded him of no man's land; when the United States cut Gotham from the land itself after a huge earthquake, allowing for the innocence to fight and kill for survival, the criminals to make a move for what they want, and the super villains to take on him and the rest of the batfamily with more ease than ever before.
Almost though, this was too different to be related to no man's land. But Peter needed help, "Dick! Where are you?! Anyone have eyes on him?!"
"He's in the spider-man area! But we don't have comp-"
"Lord… He's been infected too!"
Peter scooped a kid from being kicked by an adult, the kid was too being affected by Frances' ability, and was trying to break free from Peter's grip by punching him with no effect, "Where?!" His spider sense, thank heavens for it, told him someone was coming at him.
Quickly looking up, he saw Dick; roaring, snarling, and wanted a piece of him, "YOUR MINE!"
Peter curved himself on his webline to avoid Dick from tackling from the air. It allowed him to kick him to a nearby building as Peter dropped the kid on a roof while tying him on a webline, "Stay right there!"
"Fuck you!"
If it was another day, Peter would lecture the bad language this kid had learned at such a young age. But he had no time as Dick grappled himself up to meet Peter up, wanting to fight him, or kill him, "Dick! Listen to me! This isn't you!" Peter said with hands out, not wanting to fight the very brother he looked up too.
"I'm coming Peter!"
The very thought of now having to worry about Cassandra was the absolute worst timing for Peter, "NO! STAY AWAY FROM ROBI-"
Dick was already up close and personal that had Peter blocked his punch, and redirected for a simple throw over his shoulders. Dick being who is, landed on his feet, and flip himself where legs were between Peter's neck to flip him to the floor.
But just like Dick, Peter quickly landed on his feet. Even being mind controlled or whatever Frances did, he was still able to use his acrobatics to its full extent. Coming in fast with strikes and kicks that Peter slipped, ducked, and blocked in a way he redirected to put him in a chokehold, "Look at them Dick!" Peter shouted, showing him the countless people fighting each other, hurting one another, and possibly killing too, "There has to be some part of you that sees this, all this! And knows it should be doing the right thing!"
"Yo…U don't," Dick used the back of his head to hit Peter's nose, but because he didn't flinch due to his durability, Dick ended up having to use his other utilities to gain the advantage, "Get it!" He pulled out his escrima stick, both sticking right at the sides of where Peter's liver and ribs are at.
It put a shock to his system, groaning in pain, to the point it became harder to endure as Peter flung him back. Dick flipped in the air, landing on the water tower, "NONE OF YOU GET IT! THIS IS ME! AND I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BE WHAT I HAVE TO BE!"
"What are you on about?! You're talking crazy Dick! Listen to yourself!"
"I'M NOT CRAZY! I WON'T EVER GO BACK TO BEING A CRIPPLE! I WON'T EVER BE A VICTIM OF WHAT HE DID TO ME!"
"DICK YOUR NOT A-"
"DON'T PITY ME YOU BASTARD!"
Peter spider sense was again on alert, he looked below, and the floor would give out on him with an exploding resembling a sonic blast. Peter jumped in the air to avoid it, but a red tendril pulled him hard down the building.
And it then pulled him, wrapping itself around Peter's neck, meeting face to face with Carnage and his partner Frances. Both had the pleasure of a smile as they had Peter in his grasp in a restaurant that had everyone bashing one another with either fist, and other various tools, "Welcome to my own vision of Gotham spider-man! How do you like it?! It Does have more potential to be grander doesn't it?!"
Peter felt the air leaving him, becoming harder to breath, to see, he truly wanted to just sleep, be done with everything, hell, maybe accept death door.
Not forgetting that he was still in the area, Dick would try to get the drop on them, "Babe!"
Frances was quick to stop Dick from attacking from above, holding him in the air with a mere look and nothing else, "Got him red!" She easily tossed him out the window, and right into the car.
Peter saw this, saw the person he wanted to protect, saw everyone he so desperately needed to protect, all around him getting hurt. Pushing threw it all, Peter grabbed a hold of the tendrils, and with all his strength slowly started prying himself loose, "Grr…! Will…Stop you…BOTH!"
Getting free, he kicked Carnage hard to toss him aside, and he would've gone for Frances if she hadn't used her powers on him. Her left eye is still brimming with power, and Peter can feel her own mind, her own soul in a sense, climbing inside his own mind, "Let's see…What the spider holds inside.." She slowly walked to him, her hands touching and holding his head, "That can be broken."
All Peter could do was watch on, as darkness claimed him, as Carnage sinister laughter could be heard.
Peter's consciousness had him falling, falling into an endless black abyss. He couldn't do anything, he tried steadying his fall, tried keeping his emotions in check, and tried not to let fear broaden into his heart.
But then he stopped falling, levitation even, before being chained up; from his arms, to his neck and legs, he couldn't budge out as much as he wanted too, "Ah ah ah! Spider! Won't let you loose that easily!" Frances spoke, but her speech came from every direction and he couldn't see where she was.
Peter kept calm, tried to escape, tried to use his strength, but to no avail, 'Ok Peter, no escaping this one right now. Gotta think, think.. I must be in my own head, something similar to what Mordu had done at one point. Although.. He used my nightmares against me.'
"Unlike that chaos fool you fought, I'm not such a man," Frances said, knowing what Peter thought was due to her abilities, "Now, let's see.." That's when Peter saw it. In the center of him, like a web connecting to everything he went through, Peter saw all of it, all of his failures, "Let's start with something painful. Oh babe, you're gonna love this one.'
Suddenly Peter felt another presence in his consciousness like Frances, and it was Carnage who sat cross leg to watch it all, "Oo! I so can't wait to see this new movie, directed by none other than spider-man himself!"
Frances put the events in motion. Peter remembered that day like it was yesterday, "No..Please!"
Peter saw it; his younger self coming home in North Gotham, finding the usual police cars in the area. But this day was different, they were at his apartment complex, and again he thought nothing of it. That is, until he went up to where his house was, the cops outside talking by his apartment door.
Peter felt his heart stop, the cops looked at him, walked to him, and then one of them talked, "Your Peter?"
"...W-what happened? Where's my Aunt? My uncle!"
Cop's face turned to one of pity and sadness before speaking what Peter didn't need to hear, "Your Aunt is fine son, but your uncle…There was a robbery, and your uncle… Your uncle tried talking some sense into the guy but… It didn't work out for him."
Peter eyes widen, tears began trickling as he push past them, to his home, where his own an Aunt; an elderly women who didn't look to be too old with her brunette hair still on display, but was getting there, tearful letting out all the sorrow she felt as the a cop and Gwen was there to comfort her.
And it didn't help that there was a body covered up in the living room, in the small place that used to be a solitude away from everything wrong in this city. Gwen looked up, to see Peter, staring at the body that was hidden by a blanket, and that being his own father figure lying dead.
Peter ran, ran with all his heart, putting on his older costume, and looked for the man that killed his father figure, the man that was trying to raise him to be good, and the man that only wanted him to be good and nothing else.
Then the memory shifted and pulled, easily where Peter found the man who murder him as he choked him and pushed him through the window so he could see the face of the man that killed his uncle.
The face of the man that he wanted dead.
But instead, what he found was something he didn't expect, "No..It can't be… You're the guy I let go… You're the thief I could've stopped that day. WHY YOU?! WHY YOU OF ALL PEOPLE?!"
"Please let me go! I'll turn myself in, I didn't mean to kill that guy!" The thief said, begging for his life.
"DIDN'T MEAN TOO?! THAT MAN IS BETTER PERSON THEN YOU'LL EVER BE! I SHOULD DROP YOU HERE AND NOW!"
And a few seconds later, Peter did so, but stopped his fall with the webbing, tying the webbing on the building for the police, "But then he wouldn't approve of it. He wouldn't approve if I used my powers selfishly as I had…"
The current Peter had tears too, trickling down his cheek under his mask, "Boooo! Boring! Should've killed him. But poor spider !Lost his sweet uncle, and still blame himself just like all the other countless people that you couldn't save, such as that blond girl's dad right here!"
"Stop it… STOP IT!"
"Oh, well… HEY BABE! I WANNA SEE HOW THIS GWEN CHICK DIE!"
"Easy and done."
"NO!"
"NOOO! GWEN!"
Peter too remembers this day, the cackling laughter coming from a green man just like a goblin and looked like one as he dropped Gwen off of a bridge, one that was a gap between Gotham and New York City.
Peter, with a good portion of his strength as he was running towards Goblin, punched him hard to the face as he looked to save Gwen with the usage of his webs.
It caught her by the legs, "Oh! Thank you god!" he quickly pulled her up, "Thank you brains of mine for making these wondrous webbing! And thank you spider powers! I'll never doubted you again!" Peter had Gwen close to her, "I know you probably would've had a heart attack but hey! We've been thro-" Peter noticed something odd about Gwen.
She wasn't breathing, blood was running from her nose, and her eyes weren't open, "Hey Gwen!" He shook her, his heart started pounding, faster and faster, "Gwen! Gwen! Hey!" he laid her down, checking her pulse by the neck, and he didn't feel a thing, "No no no! Don't please!"
He started giving her cpr.
1
2
3
Give air
4
5
6
Give air, "COME ON! I SAVED YOU! I SAVED YOU LIKE ALL THE OTHER TIMES!
7
8
9
Give air, "DON'T LEAVE ME! I SAVED YOU GWEN…"
Even as much time as he did it, he knew it wasn't working, he knew his attempts were becoming fruitless, and he knew, the women he loved since he was a kid.
Was in fact dead. And the man responsible, gliding on his glider couldn't help but laugh, "HA! PATHETIC! LOOK AT YOU, UNABLE TO SAVE THE WOMEN YOU LOVE! AND LOOK AT THIS! NO BATMAN OR ROBIN COMING TO SAVE YOU! HOW DOES IT FEEL SPIDER?! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW THAT WITHOUT THEM, YOUR NOTHING!"
Peter's head turn to Goblin, to Gwen, then to Goblin, "..I'm gonna kill you Goblin," He stood on his feet, then ran, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU FOR MURDERING HER!"
"THAT'S RIGHT! COME ON NOW SON!"
Peter roared as he brought the fire, the anger and fury to Goblin.
Carnage clapped from what he had seen, "And you know what still boggles me is why spider?" He turned to him, who held his posture down to the ground, trying to let go of those specific memories that still brought immense trauma to him, "Why keep fighting an endless battle when you will lose everyone yet again? I can give you, no, we can give you what you want," Carnage, place a hand on shoulder, "A family that can last forever."
And because of all this emotion, all the pain he's been through, the bit of what they are seeing, it was enough for Peter to remember why he is who he is, and what he has to keep fighting "I SAID STOPPPPPPPPPP! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
Frances tried controlling him, but his chain was being broken, "No!"
"What the hell is-"
Peter comes back to reality, and palm strikes Frances' stomach before her while backflipping away from the two villains. Peter was already changing modes on his web shooters when Carnage pressed forward, "FINE! KEEP FIGHTING! AND I'LL JUST SIMPLY KILL EVERYONE YOU LOVE!"
"COME AND TRY!" Peter would evade Carnage swipe to get in, aiming his strikes hard to the stomach, and then squeezing his web shooter trigger to burst Carnage on fire.
"Ahhhhh!" Carnage howled in pain, trying to fight Peter, but he couldn't withstand the fire. Before Peter could do anything else, Frances was still in the picture.
And she uses all of her strength to put Peter asleep. In doing so, it did stop everyone from fighting at the parade, and they end up running away together with Frances helping Cletus get away.
As soon as Peter found himself going back to unconsciousness. The only thing he could see was those people that he loved and aren't here anymore, "Ben…? Captain…Stacey?Gwen…?..May?"
They all smiled at him, as they held his body as if they were gonna gently put him to sleep.
Woooooo! Better than 4 weeks right? Hope y'all like the bunch of shit I put into this one. Because this is the point I've been building too where shit get's real. It isn't just carnage they got to worry about, but another villain coming after the bat and its symbol.
All hands on deck for these major villains taking center stage. How will the heroes beat them? Who the hell knows! We'll fine out won't we?!
If you know who it is under the mask, keep it to yourself or pm me if you want to discuss something about this version of Arkham Knight. Probably will try to be tight-lipped since there's a bunch of stuff that this version of AK does and is that is far different from any interpretation of them has put into use with them.
I'm crafting something familiar, but unique in its own right. Till then, see ya whenever