A/N:
CRed1988-Interesting start. Can't wait to see what is next!
I only hope I do not disappoint you.
Guest-Bruce's at least physical and mental equals Wrath-William Mallory/Elliot Caldwell, Prometheus, Owlman, Sin/Zin Tzu, Constantine Drakkon, Onomatopoeia, Leader of Kobra, Ra's al Ghul's League of Assassins/Society of Shadows (the people he went to for training) David Cain Lady Shiva, Alpha etc, Men of Death Shellcase, Detonator etc, Claws of the Demon, Kyle Abbot; All Caste, Hush, Black Mask, Catman, King Snake, KGBeast, Deadshot, Zsasz, and Professor Strange, Nobody-Morgan Ducard, Kyodai Ken, Red Claw, Bane, Slade
Bats has never beaten Slade without the aid of his sidekicks and even then after being distracted for like a second Slade escaped and left his sword as proof he could kill him whenever he wanted
Ulysses Hadrian Armstrong should be Sin/Zin Tzu's apprentice, Scorn- Wrath's apprentice, Cricket ten year old master assassin
Insider Bruce's Red X-like ID-amazo like armor
Paladin alternative Bruce Wayne like Cowboy Punisher Bounty
Clone/spliced with Deadshot/Paladin/Grim Knight/Terraman/Serifan cosmic cartridges/Jonah Hex/King Faraday/Slam Bradley/Tommy Monaghan/Terry Sloan/Sgt. Rock/Rick Flag/Sarge Steel/Matches Malone/Lefty Knox
Calamity his protégé
White Canary, Twelve Brothers in Silk, Marque, Annalea
Always wanted the Wilsons a happy family Rose Adeline's kid also, Slade an agent of Checkmate on a Taskforce X with David Cain, Cluemaster, Deadshot, and Sportsmaster perhaps Calculator seeking redemption to make their families proud of them, I ship Rose with Jason "Red Hood" Todd, I think Red X is Grant and he could be with a reformed Blackfire, Wintergreen their Alfred, Rex the Wonderdog or an equally powerful wolf named Tarot
If not the first than Joey is the second best hand to hand combat expert the Titans ever had before he joined the Titans he worked for his mom doing freelance espionage/mercenary work for the U.S. government
Slade does have a code of honor he spends most of his time off panel going after terrorists and the like, he doesn't act against U.S. interests unless his family is threatened he does love them very much, the show made him a bwahaha villain and sadly the comics followed suit though he did state making his children hate him so the Titans would trust them and give them the home he couldn't
You could make the argument Batman is a manipulative fascist (assault, breaking entering, unlawful search and seizure) at best and a paranoid psychotic a hair's width away from his enemies at worst, Penguin once reformed because he'd fallen in love (for real) and Batman's constant paranoia about him reverting to criminality is what eventually leads to him being sent back to jail, when the worst thing he'd done was violate his parole by mixing with criminals (inasmuch as he started a factory which was giving ex-cons a genuine, second chance by offering them a chance to earn an honest living)
the Calendar Man special had him reform, then Batman showed up in his apartment and snarled "I'll be watching you every moment of your life" so he went back to committing crime.
And he also kinda drove Harvey Dent back to being a criminal because he instantly suspected him of being a murderer
"Bats has never beaten Slade without aide." *blinks then looks at the Arkham series* Uh, you sure about that, buddy? Hasn't he also beaten him in the comics plenty of times? Hell, in Beware the Batman, Bats defeated Wilson.
Honestly, it sounds like you have an awesome Batman idea yourself. You've got a far more extensive knowledge of the Batman mythos than I do. I actually want YOU to write your own now.
However, I have plans for certain characters, like the aforementioned Slade and Sportsmaster. You might be disappointed.
For example, I'm not planning on writing a story about a fascist. Honestly, that word has been so overused that it's basically lost its meaning these days. Plus, I actually like Batman, so I can't write him in a bad light.
Also, weren't there several stories where Penguin stopped being a criminal due to love, only to find out the girl was playing him? I think that was a plot point in TAS and The Batman.
Honestly, most of the stories you're referencing sound like they were written by Kevin Smith and last I checked, that guy HATED Batman. There's a fine line between Batman fans and Batman haters, after all.
Guest-Este es un comienzo muy interesante.
No hay muchas historias con batman y lady shiva.
(Translation: This is a very interesting start. There aren't many stories with batman and lady shiva)
Agreed, and that is SHAMEFUL! The only story I can think of is what INSPIRED this fic. Batman: Soul of the Dragon. I fell in LOVE with that Shiva. She's the main inspiration behind my Shiva.
It honestly feels like she should be more integral to the Batman mythos. He's often called the Most Dangerous Man Alive while she's known as the Deadliest Woman Alive. They should have way more stories together. And so, I fix. Hope you enjoy it, my friend!
It was morning in Dubai, and the sun's rays had finally reached the hotel penthouse.
The light washed over the room until it reached Bruce and Sandra, both sleeping peacefully as Sandra held onto Bruce. Both were awakened by the warmth of the morning light. Sandra sat up first, exposing her beautiful body to the world before she stretched. Bruce was massaging his neck, feeling the bite mark on his skin.
"Trying to mark me, Sandra?"
"I'm more possessive than I appear, Bruce," she said as she stood up from the bed, not caring that she was completely naked as she walked to the window to look down at the city. "You know, not many receive the privilege to see me this exposed, let alone share a bed with me."
"Even fewer are your students, I assume," Bruce asked as he appeared behind Sandra, wrapping his arms around her.
"You assume correctly," she says with a smile as she gently holds Bruce's arms, the two looking down at the city.
Bruce's face then became serious. "We can find her together, you know."
"I'm well aware, just as you know that my League and I can find her on our own. However, that's exactly the problem. You don't want me to find her alone, do you." Bruce didn't answer. Sandra looked back at him. "You're afraid we'll kill each other."
". . . I know that if you two cross paths... one of you will certainly die."
Sandra stared at her lover before looking back down at the city. "That might be our fate."
Bruce tightened his hug. "Not if I have anything to say about it. Besides, I've made it a habit of defying fate."
Sandra giggled. "I suppose you have. Also, I can't deny the fact that you would probably find Talia's hideout faster than even my League could. I'm sure you have plenty of leads."
"I do, but I don't plan on disclosing them with your Shadows listening in."
Sandra laughed. "Of course, you'd realize they were nearby. I would like to say it's thanks to my training, but I feel I would be taking the credit of others."
"Well, you did help with some of it."
"Mm, I'll accept that," she said as Bruce released her from his admittedly comfortable hold. Then, in the blink of an eye that only assassins could perform, or regular ol' speedsters, Sandra was fully dressed, with her hair fully fixed. She looked back to see Bruce fixing his tie, the man fully dressed as well.
"Mm, still have much to learn," Sandra said as she walked up to Bruce and properly fixed his tie.
"And here I thought I perfected quick change."
"If you desired to look like a slob who just woke up, possibly from a long night of pleasure, then you've succeeded," Sandra said as she patted Bruce's suit to rid it of wrinkles. "Now then, shall we have breakfast? We did expel quite a bit of energy last night, and the last thing Talia needs to know we've found her are our growling stomachs," Sandra said with a smile.
Bruce chuckled. "Alfred would love you, Sandra."
"I'm sure he would. What better way to get into the good graces of Batman than through his butler," she said as she walked away, unknowingly... or possibly knowingly in a sensual way that Bruce wouldn't help but stare at.
Lady Shiva wasn't the first criminal Batman has had feelings for, and certainly not the first woman, but even he had to admit that this woman was special. More so than even Talia. . . and more so than even Selina.
After that morning, Bruce seemed to be doing his duties as the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, mostly because Lucius would be too busy keeping things in order back in America, and he was still keeping up appearances as the brilliant leader of the internationally powerful corporation. And though it was true that he was doing his duties as CEO, he was doing something far more important, his duties as Batman.
He decided to work with the Dubai Police Force by giving them new police drones, enhanced bulletproof vests, and upgraded tasers, as well as other gadgets; but most of that was a front. The drones were the most important since they had echolocators. Bruce had ample evidence of a cave system hidden even to the Dubai Government, far deeper than the discovered caves. Bruce used the excuse of potential gangs hiding in the cave to have the drones explore the known cave systems.
Oddly enough, he was right about the gangs, receiving much praise from the police force, and though he was happy about it, he was even happier that he found what he was looking for.
At eleven o'clock at night, Batman was walking through the caves, a path of unconscious assassins left in his wake before he reached his destination, a wall.
"Are you ready, Shiva," Batman asked.
"Do you even need to ask, Batman," Lady Shiva asked as she appeared next to him, looking at the wall.
"You didn't bring any backup. You didn't want to involve your Shadows?"
"Truth be told, they might hinder us more than help. When you have a strong ally, weaker ones would get in the way. Sometimes it is best to have one skilled soldier instead of an entire army. I suppose you would know that more than most."
"I would trust them with my life, and they have shown me I was right to do so many times. It's odd. We've never truly worked together until now, so why do I put the same faith I would in Nightwing onto you?"
"Who knows? Your trust in your fellow student? Your faith in your Sifu?" She then looked up at Batman. "Or... the desire to believe in one you have feelings for?"
". . . Or... I instinctively know you're someone I can rely on."
Lady Shiva giggled as she took out her sword. "There's that possibility as well."
Shiva then walked up to the wall and tapped out a pattern.
CLANG
TAP
CLANG-CLANG
TAP
TAP
A secret passage then opened, the stone wall opening up like a door.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same," Shiva said as she sheathed her sword. "I'm sure Talia believes her ambush is well planned out."
"Not necessarily. She could be preparing to tire us out before unleashing the real trap."
"Deathstroke?"
"Or Chesire."
"Well, either way, it doesn't matter. Come what may, we will be victorious," Lady Shiva said as she began to walk.
She stopped when Batman grabbed her hand. "No killing."
Shiva stared before she sighed. "Fine. But only to send a message to Ra's. His daughter is his greatest soldier, yet she could not defeat the woman he expelled. I want Talia to return to the Demon's Head to let him know how great of a mistake betraying me was, and that no matter what he does or where he goes, I will find him. Acceptable?"
Batman released Shiva. "Acceptable."
"Good. Now then, time to deal with some assassins," she said as she walked down the steps with her hands behind her back, Batman following after her in the shadowed stairway as the cave closed behind them.
Batman and Lady Shiva continued to walk down the stairway, neither one bothered by the shadows. Both do their best work in the darkness, after all. However, that darkness was soon replaced by a glow. A familiar green glow. When they reached the bottom of the path, they saw what was the cause of the light.
Lady Shiva sighed. "Of course. I had my suspicions, but I was hoping to be wrong."
"We rarely are, Shiva," Batman said. "My research has shown there to be multiple pits across the globe. The reason Talia wanted a base in Dubai is because she found one of them here."
"An accursed Lazarus Pit," Shiva practically spat out.
"Well done as always, beloved."
The hero and assassin looked past the pit to see a dark cave. Out of it walked a beautiful woman who seemed to be of Arab descent due to her dark skin. She had long brown hair, the body of a goddess, and eyes even greener than Shiva's. Her beauty rivaled that of Shiva's, yet, some would say that Shiva's beauty was superior, yet no one would be able to explain why.
"Hello, Talia," Batman said.
"I will speak truthfully, Bruce, I did not expect you to find this pit so quickly. You are improving," she said with a smile. "My father will be pleased to hear of this. You are becoming more and more worthy of inheriting the League of Assassins."
"That will never happen, Lady Talia," Shiva said. "Especially since the Assassin's days are numbered.
Talia's smile was replaced by indifference. "Lady Shiva. How many years has it been since you've been expelled from the League?"
"About the same amount of years my Shadows have been humiliating your Assassins."
"Humiliating? You have been a minor inconvenience at best."
"Inconvenience? Is that why the Assassins have been sending their best operatives to kill me? Deathstroke? Bane? Chesire? Is that the reason the Demon himself tried to kill me right before your planned attack on Gotham last year? Why the League of Shadows is considered to be the superior clan in the underworld compared to the League of Assassins? Why I am the Empress of Diyu while you are still nothing more than your father's assistant?"
Each word made Talia angrier and angrier, the beauty gripping her fist tightly.
"I know the truth, Talia. My Shadows are a worthy rival to your Assassins. They will continue to be as such until Ra's is finally out to rest. Without him, the Assassins are nothing. No one is truly loyal to your cause. I have more than enough money to pay off Slade, Chesire only wants an excuse to fight me, and Bane?" Shiva giggled before pointing her thumb at Batman. "Bane just wants an excuse to fight Bruce. No one worthy is truly loyal to you, Talia. You have your elite guard, yes, but they are no threats to me. Nor are you. You're just the messenger."
"I have heard enough," Talia went. "You have changed since you left the League of Assassins, Sandra. You've become far more outspoken. As if you have forgotten your place," Talia said with a glare.
"I think I've finally seen the truth. The Assassins were holding me back. Ra's knew I would be too great for him to control one day, and he was right. He should have killed me instead of releasing me into the wild. Now, his former pet is returning to bite the hand that betrayed her."
"We agree on one thing, Shiva. My father should have killed you."
As soon as Talia said that, Batman blocked a sword strike aimed at Shiva's neck. She nonchalantly looked behind her with a bored expression. "Hello, David."
"My name is Orphan, woman," David Cain snarled before he jumped back to avoid Batman's strike.
"Apologies, Batman, but could you deal with Orphan? Talia is mine."
"Fine," Batman said as he took his stance, Shiva nodded before she walked around the Pit to reach Talia, who was patiently waiting for her.
Orphan took his stance as he and Batman paced around each other. "The infamous Batman, the legendary demon of the concrete jungle known as Gotham City."
"David Cain, A.K.A. The Orphan, one of the League of Assassins' top operatives, said to be one of the few fighters who can defeat Deathstroke, and the man rejected by Lady Shiva."
David's eye visibly twitched, his hood barely hiding the rage on his face. "Well, aren't you well-versed?" Orphan roared as he lunged at Batman, swinging his sword to try and slash Batman. Though Orphan was obviously angry, his swings were precise and professional, each attack lethal, showing that he was still in full control of himself.
Yet, he received a surprise when Batman used the blades on his gauntlets to catch one of Orphan's swings and punch him across the jaw. Batman then kicked him in the side of his knee, making Orphan buckle, before kneeing him in the chin, finishing the combo with a palm strike to the throat, Orphan skidding back.
Orphan groaned before he coughed up blood, the red liquid flowing out of his mask as he glared at Batman. "Impressive," he said as he sheathed his sword and took a stance.
Batman took his stance before the two foes charged at one another.
Orphan threw a palm strike, but Batman grabbed it and tried to elbow Cain in the face. Cain slid beneath Batman's attack, grappled him, and used a German Supplex on the hero. Just as Cain jumped back to his feet, he grabbed Batman's ankle and slammed him face-first into the ground.
Still, Batman spun up into a handstand and jumped away from Orphan, redirecting the assassin's Flying Knee Kick and blocking his back fist swing before kicking Orphan away.
Orphan tried to shoot Batman, but he used his cape to block the bullets before throwing a Batarang at the gun, the weapon lodging right into the barrel of the gun, making it explode in Cain's hand.
He looked at his bloody hand before gripping it, taking his stance to continue his fight with Batman.
Batman took his stance as well, preparing for a long and grueling fight against one of the League of Assassins' very best soldiers.
Batman landed many more hits on Orphan, parrying and deflecting Orphan's attacks. One of Batman's punches made Orphan stumble back before a kick made him slide back, Orphan falling to one knee before his mask shattered. He looked up at Batman with a hateful glare and bestial growl, blood pouring down the side of his mouth as he stood back up to continue his fight.
Shiva watched the whole thing as she walked toward Talia, stopping when she reached her foe, but still watching the fight. "He's holding his own somewhat well against Bruce. But only somewhat. Not very impressive for one of the Assassin's top officers."
"How irritating." Shiva looked toward Talia. "Your words do more than insult the League. It overly praises my beloved, as if you have a hand in his talent."
"Oh, but I do. I am his former Sifu, after all."
Talia's gaze hardened.
"Oh, don't give me that look, Talia. You knew Bruce came to me for recovery after Bane broke his back."
"When he should have come to me."
"Go to the master of the one who broke his back," Shiva asked with a raised eyebrow. "Not a very wise decision. Besides, you would have told him to bathe in the Lazarus Pit. The coward's way out."
"You dare speak sacrilege of the sacred Pits?"
"I do. The Pits were enticing, once upon a time, until I learned the truth. Insanity? Loss of self? Mental and physical deterioration over time? Not very enticing. Besides, I am already immortal," Shiva said as she took a stance. "My legacy will live on in many ways. Do not forget who I am, Talia Al Ghoul. As Sandra Wu-San, I am the CEO of one of Asia's most lucrative charity organizations that saved countless lives and the CEO of one of Asia's greatest pharmaceutical companies, Wu-San Pharmaceuticals. I am known as one of the greatest martial arts masters the world has ever known. In the world above, my name will go down in history as one of the world's top doctors, one of the most successful CEOs, and a legendary martial arts grandmaster. Yet, as Lady Shiva, I am even greater. I am the Grand Master of the League of Shadows, a force that even the Demon's Head fears. I rule Asia's crime world as the Empress of Diyu. I am one of the world's most feared assassins and known far and wide as both the World's Deadliest Woman and the Most Dangerous Woman in the World. Oh, yes, I am indeed immortal, and I didn't need to bathe in a pool of chemicals to do so."
"ENOUGH! Your expulsion from the League has driven you mad! Made you disrespectful and haughty! As punishment, I will execute you here and now," Talia yelled as she drew her sword.
Shiva smirked. "You may try, Al-Ghul."
Talia then took out her gun and fired at Shiva in the blink of an eye. However, Shiva was able to avoid each bullet without even trying, mostly just moving her head and leaning to the side.
She then sidestepped to avoid Talia's thrust, bent back to avoid her slash, and then palm struck her right in the chin. Shiva then sweep kicked Talia, making her fall before kicking Talia away before she could hit the ground. Talia jumped to her feet as she slid, glaring at Shiva.
Shiva held her hands behind her back. "Is that it? How unimpressive, Lady Talia."
Talia stood up. "I wouldn't get so cocky, Lady Shiva." Talia then held up her sword and placed her hand on the sword's face near the hilt.
Shiva raised an eyebrow before they widened in surprise. As Talia traced her hand across the sword, it was being covered by a green flame. The green was the same shade as the Lazarus Pit itself. "What is this sorcery?"
"One of the many gifts that can be bestowed upon those who bathe in the waters of the Lazarus Pit. Only those with weak wills will truly lose their minds and bodies. Let me show you what power you dared to cross, my former friend."
Talia then appeared in front of Shiva in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a ghostly trail of green light behind her, sword raised high above to bring down with all of her power.
Shiva looked undeterred as she drew her own sword.
When the blades clashed, a green explosion occurred.
When Batman's elbow clashed against Orphan's, the two looked toward the explosion.
"SANDRA," Batman yelled.
When the smoke cleared, Talia was standing in front of a green cloud, the Arabian Beauty smirking.
"Hmm, visually spectacular, at least."
Talia's eyes widened when the smoke in front of her cleared, revealing an unharmed Shiva.
"Though, admittedly, the power is dangerous. Had I not parried your strike and redirected the energy, I might have been seriously wounded."
"But... HOW?! How is this-" Talia's eyes widened. "That sword!"
"Like it? One of my disciples gave it to me as a gift of honor and a show of loyalty. I had one of my historians validate it. This is indeed one of the Ten Legendary Swords of China, the Sword of Divinity, Xuan Yuan."
"That sword was lost to history!"
"And yet here it is, in my grasp. It has been said that this sword was forged by immortals for the Yellow Emperor himself and passed down to some of China's most celebrated emperors. It is only fitting that it is wielded by the Empress of Diyu, don't you agree?"
Talia growled before she jumped away and took her stance. "That sword will not save you, Shiva."
"Oh, I agree. Though, even if this were the Soultaker, it would not matter. In the end, it's nothing more than sharpened steel," Shiva said as she expertly, elegantly, and beautifully spun and swung the sword around, showing her mastery as a swordswoman before taking her stance. "In the end, I am still the far deadlier weapon."
"We shall see about that."
Shiva and Talia's swords clashed in the blink of an eye, the two glaring into the other's eyes as they continued with their duel.
Shiva and Talia's swords clashed, the two showing off their expertise in the blade. One of their clashes made the two skid away from each other, Talia glaring at Shiva as she stared indifferently at her. Shiva then spun her sword before sheathing, holding her hands behind her back.
"What are you doing? Why sheath your weapon?"
"I already told you, Talia. I AM the weapon."
"You truly are an annoyance." Talia then charged at Shiva and swung precise and fatal swings. Yet, none could hit Shiva.
Sidestep. Lean back. Duck. Hop. A tilt of the head. Shiva dodged each swing, some with her eyes closed.
Shiva then opened one eye. She used one hand to stop Talia's overhead swing, using the other to palm strike Talia right on the chest with enough force to make Talia gag as she skidded away.
Talia fell to one knee, coughing violently before she glared up at Shiva, who was looking down at her, her hands still behind her back. "This grows tiring, Talia."
"SHIVA!" Talia then appeared right in front of Shiva using the abilities granted to her by the Lazarus Pit, thrusting her sword.
Yet, despite Talia's superhuman ability, Shiva was still able to spin out of the way and use her momentum to slap Talia with the force of a whip. Talia touched her cheek to feel blood, turning toward Shiva with a growl.
That growl was replaced by a gag... after Shiva used her fingers to stab Talia in the throat.
Shiva glared at Talia before moving in close to her. "Give your father a message: The League of Shadows will forever be the bane of the Assassins, whether I live or not. However, no matter what force you send my way, it will not matter. I will END you, Ra's Al Ghul. You were right to think of me as a threat. Just remember, YOU created the greatest force of power working against you. Everything that happens to you at my hand... is all. Your. Fault."
Shiva then yanked out her fingers, Talia stepped back while holding her bleeding throat, not realizing she was right in front of the Lazarus Pit. Before she could, Shiva kicked Talia right in the sternum, making sure to do enough damage to not just break her sternum, but rupture her heart and lungs before Talia fell into the Pit with a slash.
"That should be enough damage to keep you busy for a few minutes," Shiva said as she watched Talia sink into the Pit.
Shiva then looked up to see Bruce finish Cain.
Orphan tried to kick Batman, but the hero caught the kick and used his elbow to break the assassin's knee. Orphan tried to stand, and though he was successful, it only helped Batman.
Batman then slammed his hands onto Orphan's ears, his eardrums rupturing. Batman then punched him across the jaw, landed a corkscrew punch to the heart, and finished him with an uppercut that sent Orphan flying.
Orphan coughed up blood before he tried to get up, glaring at Batman as he looked down at him, wiping the blood off of his mouth from the damage Orphan inflicted.
Still, Orphan couldn't believe how outclassed he was compared to Batman. He had enough strength to say one last thing. "What... ARE you?" Orphan then fell unconscious.
But the hero still answered: "I'm Batman."
omake:
A few months before Bruce met Sandra in Dubai, the beauty met another old friend and classmate.
Ben Turner, also known as the Bronze Tiger. He was one of Bruce and Sandra's classmates when they all trained under The Master. He never joins Assassins, but he wouldn't join Sandra's Shadows either. He just promised to not get in her way as long as his neighborhood never gets dragged into her war. She sweetened the deal by promising to protect Central City if it ever comes to that. Ben promised Sandra that he would be there for her if she ever needed his help.
"Even if you can kick my ass to Asia if you wanted to," Ben chuckles.
"Asia? You're lucky I don't send you to Antarctica."
"Ooh, little lady's got the tongue along with the hands."
Ben and Sandra laughed before they cheered with their cups of baijiu and drank.
"Oh, you told me how Richard's doin', but what about White Rice?"
"Bruce? He's doing..." Sandra remembered the last time she and Bruce met, which was when her crime syndicate clashed with Batman, Lady Shiva knocking Batman threw a window before escaping from the cape crusader. "He's doing fine."