Arkham City
The Bowery
11:58 P.M.
Scanning…
Scanning…
Completed.
The uncompromising eyes of the Dark Knight narrowed into twin edges within his cowl as he came to terms with the results of the virtual canvassing.
Deactivating his Detective Mode, a slight frown briefly crossed the detective's ever stoic grimace as he cast one last look around at what remained of the Maroni family restaurant.
Once the prized hub of the Italian mob, it was now little more than a condemned resting place for one of Gotham's worst massacres.
The seating furniture that once decorated the main dining area was long gone, perhaps looted for firewood, while the once lively atmosphere was as dead as the men who congregated here that fateful night.
Besides faint traces of blood still stained against the wall and visible bullet holes drilled into the now dilapidated infrastructure, there was nothing particularly of interest to the weary vigilante.
After glancing up one last time at the exposed ceiling scaffolding above him, Batman sighed to himself before reactivating his suit's comlink.
"Oracle, he's not here," he reported gravely.
As expected, the sounds of furious typing on the Batcomputer suddenly ceased. "So Selina's lead was another dead end?"
"He was never here. I've scanned this area twice now, and the few DNA samples I did detect never matched Robin's. This restaurant is as abandoned now as it was before Arkham City," he confirmed.
"What now?"
"Now I get answers," he told her simply, stepping on broken glass and discarded menus as he neared the exit. "Poison Ivy's playing a long game in Arkham City, one that I've ignored for far too long. Obviously, it involves Bane's Venom supply but somehow Robin's now figured into her machinations."
"Yeah, and to what extent though? I've been trying for the past hour to get a lock on his location but his suit tracker isn't responding to the Batcomputer. Look Batman, it's a long night and it won't help if we keep running in circles. Maybe we could-"
"Keep trying," Batman cut her off. "Robin's my responsibility. And until I find him, I need someone to keep Gotham safe for the time being."
"Look, all I'm saying is that an extra pair of hands wouldn't help. Plus, this is Dick Grayson who we're talking about," she pointed out.
"Exactly the reason why he needs to remain where he is," Batman retorted, quickly shutting down the argument.
"Fair enough but at least-hold on, someone's contacting me." Switching gears mid-sentence, Oracle listened in to the other caller for just a moment before switching back to his comlink.
"It's my Dad. He says there's a new situation," she informed him.
"Put him through," he grunted in turn, waiting as Oracle patched the police chief through.
"Batman, I hope this isn't a bad time," came Commissioner Gordon's gruff voice just seconds later.
"Has Bane woken up yet?" Batman immediately deduced, detecting the police commissioner's weary tone.
"No, thank God! Giant bastard hasn't even opened his eyes since you dragged him out of the sewers. We've got specialists coming at the moment to hopefully pump that Venom crap out of his veins. Anyways, I figured this would be more your alley."
Stopping mid-step, Batman raised a concerned eyebrow. "What is it, Jim?"
"Well..." Almost still in disbelief of what he was about to say, Gordon took a breath. "What do you know about ninjas?"
Snap! The flash of the forensic camera encapsulated the ghastly image in all its horrific detail.
For a brief moment, the white light reflected in the lifeless eyes of the dead man before disappearing back into the metallic lens.
Having documented enough evidence, the GCPD officer lowered his camera and backed away from the crime scene that had perplexed many passing officers, including Commissioner James Gordon.
Slumped against a dumpster, the inmate's facial expression remained frozen, a mask of fear captured at the very moment of his death.
A single sword, sleek and slender in its design, protruded from his sternum, cutting clean through his ribcage and puncturing his heart.
Crimson red dripped down from the narrow blade embedded in his chest cavity, staining his orange jumpsuit.
Studying the impaled inmate from just a few feet away, Commissioner Gordon folded his arms against his police jacket as his weary eyes sought to make sense of this quite peculiar scene.
Behind him, flashes of red and blue whirred all around as GCPD vehicles began cruising through the dilapidated streets just below the Old Gotham Freeway.
The area formerly known as the political prisoners camp was now an unofficial medical center for those rescued from the previously vine-infested cathedral, with legions of GCPD personnel swarming through the now dissolved protective barrier to assist those still affected.
While continued efforts were made by personnel to dissolve the floral exterior of the cathedral, Gordon's attention remained fixated on the deceased body with another curious officer joining him soon enough.
"Huh, guess someone took that whole 'live by the sword, die by the sword' thing a bit too literally, huh?" the officer joked lightly, only to be met by the Commissioner's sobering glare.
"So uh, what do you make of it, sir?" the officer finally said, switching gears.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Lewis," Gordon sighed, before scratching his forehead. "Given that all of the known psychopaths capable of doing this are currently en route to Blackgate, that doesn't exactly give us much of a foundation to go off on here."
"You don't think Strange smuggled this in, do you?" the officer suggested, only for Gordon to scoff to himself.
"Strange smuggled the mayor of Gotham into this place. I wouldn't put anything past that bald bastard," Gordon replied bitterly.
Grunting his agreement, the officer crouched in front of the inmate and immediately noticed the linguistic symbols carved into the handle.
"Seems to me whoever did this wanted to leave a message," he observed, squinting his eyes at the subtle designs in the weapon before looking up at Gordon. "Chinese, maybe?'
"It's actually Arabic."
The officer nearly jumped out of his boots as the Dark Knight seemingly materialized out of nowhere, now directly towering above him and right next to the Commissioner.
"What-what the hell?" Stumbling back up to his feet as the initial shock wore off, his complete bewilderment was a stark contrast to Gordon's non-surprised and reserved demeanor.
Ignoring the officer's shock and awe, Batman instead focused his stoic gaze on the sword in question.
"What's the story here, Jim?" he spoke, his eyes fixated upon the crime scene as Lewis finally regained his bearings.
"About twenty minutes ago, I get a call from out here. Officer Jones claims to have seen a woman dressed as a ninja come out of nowhere, leave this body here, and then just vanish. I wish it was more complicated than that, but I've a feeling you'll have more luck finding out who did this," Gordon explained.
Nodding his understanding, Batman approached the crime scene and began to examine it closer much to Lewis's surprise.
"Whoa whoa, hold on! Since when is it GCPD protocol to let a vigilante in on an official crime scene?" Lewis started to protest, before Gordon placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"He's a transfer," Gordon told the Dark Knight, who had already taken a knee and now activated his Detective Vision to better scan the object.
Reluctantly stepping aside, Lewis nonetheless kept his peace as Batman employed the Evidence Scanner function of his visor.
This virtual analysis went on for only a moment longer, before he finally stood up.
"I know who did this," Batman announced, turning to the two officers.
"Well, you mind sharing with the class?" Lewis prompted.
"I can't," Batman told him simply. "It's better that you don't know. For your safety and the safety of your families."
"So what can you tell us?" came Gordon's quick response.
"These people work from the shadows. If they wanted it, dozens would die under your nose and none of you would suspect a thing. They definitely wanted me to see this, but the only question is: why," Batman told them.
"What, so you're saying there actually is a secret society of ninja assassins who killed this poor schmuck and then left it out in the open just to get your attention?" Lewis almost laughed, almost amused by Batman's premise.
Batman only steeled his gaze in response, more or less confirming his suspicions.
"That's what I get for leaving Central City," he grumbled to himself, slinking away to disappear into the mass of nearby personnel.
"Any idea on why this inmate was chosen in particular to send the message?"
"I detected trace elements of mud on his boots, as well as bacteria commonly found underground. I assume that's how he survived Protocol 10, by finding sanctuary under Arkham City in the sewer system. Unfortunately for him, these people found him not soon after."
"You don't think more bodies will start showing up like this, do you?" Gordon inquired.
"I'll find out, one way or another," Batman stated matter-of-factly, before reaching for his grapnel gun.
"I know you will."
Typing in a few commands in his right gauntlet to send the analysis to the Batcomputer, Batman then started to turn away. "I'll keep you updated."
Just as the detective was about to take off, the police commissioner sighed to himself before coughing suddenly as if to force his next words out.
"You know I owe you my life. Hell, I owe you my job considering all the times you've stuck your neck out for me when you didn't have to," he confessed, stopping the vigilante in his tracks.
"Jim, you don't need to thank me," he said without even turning around.
"This place is getting the wrecking ball by the end of the week. We'll all be better off for it, yourself included," he continued.
"My job isn't finished yet," he reminded the weary Commissioner.
"No, but it looks to me like that job has done a hell of a number on you," Gordon pointed out, as Batman now faced him. "I'll be honest. You look like crap, like you haven't slept ever since you carried Joker out of that theater."
Batman remained stoic, but Gordon kept going. "All things considered, we've done a pretty decent job cleaning up Strange's mess. This whole ninja business aside, I think maybe it's time you call it a night here. You've lived this nightmare far longer than you've had any right to."
"Not yet. Not until I-" Batman suddenly cut himself off, the corner of his eye catching what looked like something, or rather someone, from above them.
"What? What's wrong?" Jim Gordon asked, noticing Batman's gaze drift upwards.
For just a split second, the detective made out a brief silhouette, distinctly feminine, perched on the edge of a rooftop just overlooking them.
It was gone before he could blink, but that was more than enough time for Batman to prime his grapnel gun.
"We're being watched," Batman finally told the slightly confused commissioner, before aiming towards the building. "Stay here. I'll take care of it."
And just like that, Batman shot off into the air, leaving the commissioner to his thoughts.
"Yeah, good talk," Gordon grumbled, unclipping his walkie and walking off.
Quickly ascending up the edge of the rooftop, Batman planted his feet on the ground before pocketing the gadget.
His eyes darted from left to right as he did an initial scan of the area.
Taking a step forward after detecting no immediate threat, he continued to proceed cautiously towards the middle of the rooftop.
Just before he could reach the the other side, his instinctively craned his neck slightly to catch something moving up his periphery.
Walking as if he was still oblivious, he silently reached into his utility belt as the figure now began slowly stalking him from behind.
He took one more step forward, before stopping.
She did as well.
Then, he made his move.
Whirling around with his cape dancing in the wind, he hurled a lone Batarang in her general direction just as the mysterious figure countered with a weapon of her own.
The projectile only soared a few feet in front of him before it collided with a star-shaped shuriken in mid-air in a single metallic blur of motion.
Cancelling each other out before they could reach their intended target, the Batarang and shuriken instead clanged to the ground harmlessly.
Now facing the woman, Batman remained in a defensive stance with the watcher now fully revealed.
Clad in a crimson-themed variant of the usual uniform worn by the League of Assassins, she kept one gloved hand on her belt and the other on the katana strapped around her back.
Wearing a long-sleeved raven black jacket to conceal her otherwise conspicuous chest tattoos, she maintained her distance with the katana partially drawn.
The detective immediately noticed her completely shaven head, a distinct feature usually only reserved for more higher-ranking members of the League.
Her brown eyes, the only other aspect of her face fully visible, remained fixed on him with her mouth covered by a protective bandana.
Sizing her up within seconds, Batman's eyes subtly darted around his visual field just to check for a possible ambush before returning back to her.
"If you want to kill me, you'll have to try harder than that," he finally said, slightly relaxing his stance.
"Do not flatter yourself, Dark Knight. You are not worthy of facing my blade in combat," she sneered in a distinctly Middle Eastern accent, letting the blade slide back into its decorative casing before facing him directly.
"I'm sure Ra's would beg to differ," he countered, only for her to predictably scoff.
"You should consider yourself lucky I am only here to deliver a message. The Master has spoken for you, and I am nothing if not a vessel to carry out his will," she replied simply.
Recalling the earlier crime scene, Batman nodded towards the streets below. "You killed that man down there. Why?"
"I had to get your attention somehow," she smirked dismissively, confidently matching the detective's piercing glare with her own.
"You have ten seconds to explain yourself. Fill them with words," he growled.
Clasping her hands behind her back, the assassin merely smirked at Batman's menacing threat before stating her true purpose.
"You have something that does not belong to you," she told him.
"You'll have to be more specific."
Her tone grew a little more impatient. "You have his sword. The sword of the Demon."
Batman's eyes betrayed nothing, but in his mind replayed that final encounter between him and Ra's al Ghul, with the hundreds-old terrorist literally falling on his own sword to evade justice.
That sword had already been confiscated by the GCPD upon their initial entry, but there was another one that only he knew about it.
Talia al Ghul's sword, now claimed by the Dark Knight following that night in the Monarch Theatre, had been secured in a glass case within the Batcave's gallery collection until further investigation, amongst other reasons.
"If Ra's wants it, he can come and take it," Batman challenged, eliciting an amused chuckle from the assassin.
"Such arrogance. No wonder you couldn't keep Mistress Talia safe," she chided, her words managing to cut far deeper than her blade in this particular instance.
Subtly clenching his fists as the pain of memory once again resurfaced, he nonetheless swallowed his emotions and continued on.
"I don't have it. If Ra's wants its whereabouts so badly, he shouldn't send a messenger to speak for him. He knows I'm never hard to find," Batman told her, his frank delivery failing to convince the bald assassin.
"There were two swords made for the Master. One to serve the Demon's Head directly, and the other for his right hand. The true heir to the Demon. Daughter of the Demon," she proclaimed, before adding with a particularly taunting sneer, "And your now former beloved."
Knowing of the intent behind her biting words, Batman repressed his initial response through a stoic grimace and gritted teeth.
"I extend to you a simple ultimatum, Batman. The sword belongs to the Demon's Head, that which you are not. If you refuse to relinquish it, your hubris will be met with blood and death on the city streets. You will incur the full wrath of the League of Assassins, and I can assure you that it will not just be bullets that rain down from the heavens this time."
Batman remained steadfast as he countered her bold threat. "It won't be the blood of Gotham. It'll be your own."
"We have blood to spare," she replied calmly, her eyes flickering downwards before meeting his scowl. "But I wonder, can the same be said for your so-called police force?"
"Those are innocent people down there. Killing them makes you no better than the lowlife criminals you claim to be above," Batman pointed out.
"Incredible. I am being lectured to by the man who kept a murderous clown alive just to feed his own ego. Not to mention the fact that it was because of your weakness, your inability to do what is necessary, that the Joker was able to-"
"Get to the point," Batman grated angrily, seething through his teeth with every passing second.
Sensing his impatience, the assassin merely crossed her arms before continuing.
"The corruption of your supposed sentinels of justice has run deep, far more than you allow yourself to believe. But if you do not do as the Master commands, our blades will cut even deeper."
Despite the hostile nature of her words, Batman knew his options in this case were rather limited.
He knew full well what the League was capable of, even without the self-proclaimed head to lead them.
There were many ways that this could go down, but only one in which he could get back to the true task at hand.
And with that, Batman gritted his teeth before begrudgingly allowing the words to come free.
"If I give you the sword, the League leaves Gotham City. Forever."
"That is not for you to decide, outsider," she snapped back. "The Demon's Head heals as we speak. You have his word that no further judgment will come upon your city for the time being."
"The word of a crazed fanatic means nothing to me," he refuted, before taking a threatening step forward. "If another body shows up in my city, I will find Ra's al Ghul and I will shut you down for good."
"Believe what you want," she shrugged dismissively, before gesturing towards the watery depths of Amusement Mile.
"The League awaits your presence at the casino. We will be waiting for an hour, but only an hour. If you do not give us what the Master has requested, you forfeit the lives of ten men. Selected at random and executed without mercy. That number will multiply tenfold every day after, and you will be witness to it. I don't feel I should tell you what will happen if you decide to bring one of your disciples-"
"I'll be alone," Batman cut her off sharply.
"Good." Nodding, she turned away towards the ledge as Batman watched her off.
Pausing just as she was about to leap into the open air, the assassin looked over her shoulder at him.
"She looks forward to meeting you again."
And with that, the assassin disappeared off the edge of the building, leaving the determined Dark Knight to his thoughts.
