A/N: Hey, did anyone have trouble reaching this story? Say, getting a message that said there were no chapters? Weird.
Guest-Wonderdome Swan Fleet/Sunstone/Fortress of Solitude(Kole)/New Themyscira/Thalarion/Mythlands-Cosmopolitan, Multiethnic/Omniethnic/Citizenry of the Empire of the Silver Snake/Zerox/Skartaris/ the Living Dinosaur Island/The Centre/Nth Metal/Mother Box-Element X-Celestial City War World
In such a world of such technology and four digit IQs why in the nine hells are there still poverty and disease a hero doesn't just save people a hero teaches the people to take care of themselves
Hospitals roads universities sewage treatment plants
affordable regular nutritious meals shelter healthcare education
Infrastructure construction engineering electrical engineering industrial chemistry
Logistics bureaucracy communication triage
Implied threat of financial ruin starve malnutrition excessive force torture cruel and unusual
No matter how well intentioned infantilization is also abuse
Abuse isn't always intentional but it's still abuse physical, mental, emotional, social
Realistically, since there are so many superheroes in the DC universe, there should be WAY less crime. There should be at least a few Utopia-like cities in America alone, especially since some of the most brilliant characters in all of DC are in the US. BUT THIS IS COMICS, BABY! NO USE FOR REALISM HERE! HAH!
No, but seriously, later down the line, I did make SOME comments about that. Hopefully you'll like them. But that's WAY down the line. So please be patient with me, would you kindly?
Shiva walked up to Batman, both now looking down at the beaten Orphan.
"It would be easy, you know. Once he regains consciousness, orders from Ra's or not, he'll hunt you down."
"I'll deal with it when the time comes."
"Mm, I suppose you will." Shiva then looked around. She then brought out shurikens and threw them, all of them lodging into pillars or walls in the cave. They then all detonated.
"Trying to destroy the Dubai Lazarus Pit?"
"One less Pit for Ra's and the Assassins to use against my Shadows."
"Fine. Talia should be long gone by the time it begins to collapse anyway," Batman said as he reached for Orphan.
Shiva grabbed his arm. "What do you think you're doing?"
"You knew I was going to try and save him, Sandra."
Shiva threw Batman's arm away, grabbed Orphan, and used a Judo Shoulder Throw technique to toss him into the Lazarus pit. "There. Now he can save himself. Now we leave," Shiva said as she walked away.
"Well, you were certainly prepared," Batman said as he followed Shiva.
"You're not the only one who plans ahead, my student. Don't underestimate your Sifu."
"That's never a good idea," he said as they reached the staircase.
As soon as they began to walk up the stone stairs, Talia bust out of the Pit with a gasp, a bit dazed before seeing Batman leave with Shiva. "Beloved?! BELOVED!" Talia's eyes widened when she saw Shiva look back, an unreadable expression on her face... before she smirked. She then disappeared in the shadows of the stairs. "SHIVAAA!"
Orphan then burst out of the Pit. "WHERE IS HE?!" He then caught a stone that would have fallen onto his head, looking around to see the cave beginning to collapse. "Lady Talia, we must leave," he growled angrily.
Talia also snarled. "SHIVA! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! THIS ISN'T OVER! FOR YOUR INSOLENCE, I WILL KILL YOU!" She and Orphan then jumped out of the Pit, vanishing into the cave Talia first walked out from to continue to fight another day.
CLANG
TAP
CLANG-CLANG
TAP
TAP
The door opened, showing a stoic Shiva and Batman, the beauty sheathing her sword before walking out with her partner.
"Sounds like you have a new fan," Batman said.
"No more than you do," Shiva said as she caught a rock that would have hit her head and tossed it away, Batman just punching a rock away from his head.
The two then left the caves completely, both looking back at where the Dubai Lazarus Pit would have been.
"Dubai hasn't been hit by an earthquake in years," Batman said.
"True, but fortunately for us, this was a rumble at best. Dubai still suffers from landslides, and it rained enough in the past few weeks for the government to write it off as such. No one will suspect a thing."
Batman looked at his beautiful partner. "Ra's will come after you for this, but you already knew that."
"More than that, I'm hoping he does. I am waging a war against the League of Assassins, am I not," she asked as she looked up at Batman with a smile.
Batman stared at her before turning toward her. "Sandra, I will help you take down the Assassins. They are too dangerous of a threat to allow to roam free. However, if for a second I believe you're just as much as, or even more than a threat than Ra's-"
"You won't hesitate to take me down. I know, my student. Just now that I won't make it easy for you."
"You never do. . . This won't be our last meeting, will it?"
"You mean long-term?"
"Of course."
"Then you are correct. As I said, my research has shown various Lazarus Pits around the world."
"And let me guess: one of them is in Gotham."
Shiva giggled. "You truly are quite the detective, Batman. Still, it isn't time for me to make my move to Gotham. There is still work to be done in Asia. I want this entire continent to be devoid of Ra's influence. Once I am done, then I will make myself known."
"And when you do, I'll be ready."
"I know." Shiva then tried to stab Bruce with her fingers, but he was able to redirect her strike, avoid her palm strike, and catch her fist. "Not bad," she said with a smile.
"Hmph."
Batman's eyes widened when he felt Shiva grab the back of his head before she yanked him down to her eye level. "But you still have much to learn."
"No killing intent," Batman realizes.
"Indeed. You still have much to learn, and I still have much to teach. Just know that I will always be ready to train you, Bruce."
Before the hero could say anything, Shiva silenced him... with a kiss.
Batman's eyes were wide before they softened. He then closed his eyes as he brought Shiva in close, the beauty wrapping her arms around the hero's neck as their kiss passionately deepened.
What a way to end the night.
In the Bermuda Triangle, hidden deep beneath an area that not even Batman would look, lay an underwater lair. This lair was carved into an undersea mountain, hidden from even the watchful eyes of Aquaman himself, defended by sharks, Man o' War Jellyfish, and monsters one could only find in the depths of the sea.
With the hideout were scientists, soldiers, and workers fulfilling their duties to their lord and master. As they worked, they bowed when Talia Al Ghoul walked past them, making sure not to anger the already irritated-looking woman. Her irritation faded the closer she got to her father's throne room, Orphan walking behind her the entire time.
When the two finally reached the massive double doors, they both stood at attention.
"Enter."
Talia actually gulped before she pushed the doors open, she and Orphan entered the throne room. They walked up and stopped right in front of the steps before getting on one knee to kneel before the Demon's Head, their heads hung low.
Ra's looked down at the two, his face shadowed, his green eyes being the only thing illuminated. "I must say, daughter, is it quite rare for you to fail, and so spectacularly at that." Talia gripped her fist. "And what's more, you were bested by an expelled member of the League of Assassins. It would have been shameful, had it been anyone other than Lady Shiva. Time and time again, that woman has earned the moniker of the World's Deadliest Woman. It seems she is bent on making me regret not killing her the day I expelled her."
"With all due respect, my liege," Orphan began. "You all but tortured her. Beat her within an inch of her life before throwing her off the mountain of our former Himalayan outpost. That should have shattered her spirit."
"It would have shattered the spirit of a lesser being. But Sandra Wu-San is anything but a lesser being. Her will allowed her to rip her soul away from the hands of death itself. Her charisma brought the traitors of the League of Assassins together to form the League of Shadows. Now, her tenacity has made her as much of a threat to our order comparable to the Detective himself. I would almost praise her for having me compare her to my chosen heir."
Orphan gripped his fist. "Sire, why choose him as the heir? I would even nominate Deathstroke as the next head over Batman."
"You question me, David Cain?"
He quickly looked down. "Forgive me, sire."
"I find you brave in doing so, especially after your humiliating defeat at the Detective's hand." Orphan's eyes widened in rage. "It was by no means one-sided. You have proven worthy of being known as one of the Assassin's commanders. You, Slade, Cheshire; all of you have the honor of being known as my greatest soldiers, but besides your skill, you all have something in common. You were all bested by the Batman. Deathstroke and Lady Shiva are the only ones who truly have the honor of claiming victory against him, but his victories far outweigh his defeats. Even I have tasted the bittersweet drink of defeat at his hands. The moment he bested me was the moment I knew he was meant to succeed me. Once he is truly complete, truly perfected, freed from that curse he calls an oath; only then will he be ready to succeed my throne."
Ra's then looked at Talia. "Which brings us to you, daughter."
"Father."
"Your defeat at the hands of Lady Shiva is... troubling."
"I am sorry, father. Like a fool, a mere child, I allowed my emotions to take control. Lady Shiva used my own rage against me."
"As well as her own skills."
"Father?"
"These words will harm you far more than your battle against Shiva did, my child. Sandra Wu-San is your superior."
Talia's eyes widened, shocked that her father would say such a thing.
"Skills, brilliance, power; Lady Shiva surpasses you in these and more."
"More?"
"Do you not know, daughter? She successfully seduced the detective."
"WHAT," Talia yelled as she looked up.
"And unlike you, she did not need to drug him, as you tried to do in Metropolis. Something she made sure to prevent."
Talia's eyes widened. "It wasn't a failed assassination. It was her. She shot the glass out of my hand. SHE prevented my night with my Beloved!"
"And had a night with him herself," Ra's stated as he rested his cheek on his fist. "It seems the Detective and Lady Shiva have a past. A shared history. One deep enough for the two to share a night together in that Dubai penthouse. Her Shadows made sure they were not to be disturbed. Many of my Assassins were slain, with only Cheshire returning after a duel against Shiva's Tigress."
"Tigress?"
"One of Shiva's former students, now a commander in her Shadows. Tigress would have been one of my commanders had she stayed, but I underestimated the loyalty of others. Lady Shiva had more sway over my Assassins than I believed. When she was confirmed alive, many defected to her."
"Traitors. Once I am done with Shiva, I will hunt them down and gut them myself," Talia growled.
"Their time will come. For now, Lady Shiva is our main priority. If we allow her to roam free, who knows what may become of us."
"I assure you, Father, I will defeat her."
"You had better, daughter. Remember, if you fail... the Detective's heart will belong to her and her alone. I will not lose my heir to that traitor. You are dismissed, the both of you."
Talia and Orphan stood up and bowed before they left.
'Fret not, Father,' Talia thought. 'I will kill Sandra Wu-San. She will NOT have MY Beloved,' Talia thought, her green eyes glowing with the power of the Lazarus.
One month has passed since Dubai.
In Hong Kong, among the skyscrapers, one of the tallest buildings had Chinese characters that translated to Wu-San Pharmaceuticals. On the top floor of the building sat the CEO of the enterprise, Sandra Wu-San herself, the beauty filling out paperwork while simultaneously working on her computer.
"I take it you have something to report, Tigress," Sandra said without looking up from her desk.
One of her top Shadows, the Tigress, landed behind the Grand Master of the League of Shadows. "Grand Master, the Hong Kong Lazarus Pit has been located and destroyed."
"Meaning the only Lazarus Pit in all of Asia is in Ra's possession. Well done."
"Ma'am."
"Now we can deal with the Pits in Europe and the Americas now."
"And Canada, My Lady?"
"And Canada. Anything else to report?"
"Shade has sent in reports from America."
"So he is serious about joining us."
"He dislikes the Assassins, My Lady."
"Considering Orphan all but double-crossed him, I am not surprised."
"The report is ABOUT Orphan, My Lady."
"Oh?"
"He has been seen in Gotham City."
"Still trying to avenge his defeat at Batman's hand. He's as tenacious as Talia," Shiva giggled.
"But like Talia Al Ghul's many attempts on you, he has failed each and every time. The last report stated he was bested by the Red Hood."
Shiva stopped working, putting down her pen before resting her chin on her clasped hands. "Jason Todd. He has potential, that one. All of Bruce's protegees do, but that young man is special." Shiva giggled. "Wouldn't it be ironic if Jason became one of the Demon Head's greatest adversaries, despite being the reason he still lives? Much more so if I trained him and helped him reach the potential hidden away with him."
"My Lady?"
"It is only a thought. Anything else to report?"
"Only this, Grand Master," Tigress said as she respectfully handed Shiva a letter.
Shiva opened the envelope and read the contents, smiling and giggling at the end. "An invitation? Really, Bruce, there are easier ways to ask to see me," she said as she placed the letter on her desk.
"Will you comply, My Lady?"
"Of course. This is the perfect excuse to go to Gotham and find the Pit there. As well as see if I can make some more business deals with the entrepreneurs who will visit Wayne Manor. The Wayne Ball always attracts some of the wealthiest businessmen and affluent women the world over. It would be foolish to miss such an opportunity."
"As you say, My Lady," Tigress said with a bow. Her eyes then widened when she heard Shiva... cough. "My Lady?!"
"It's only a cough, Tigress. I have been feeling unwell as of late."
"My Lady, I urge you to see the physician!"
"For a mere cough," Shiva asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Forgive me, My Lady, but you are the peak of physical perfection. You shouldn't be able to so much as sneeze from fine pepper, let alone cough. Also, one of the banes of an assassin is being discovered from unnecessary sound."
"Mm, I agree. Very well. I shall see the physician," Shiva said as she stood up.
"Thank you, My Lady," Tigress said with a bow.
"Not that I don't know the symptom," Shiva said quietly as she walked out of her office.
Later, a beautiful doctor with long, black hair, dark rings under her eyes, and a slumped posture was reading charts as Shiva sat in her office.
"Ah. Yes. That confirms it," the beautiful yet dark doctor muttered.
"Confirms what, Dr. Chansu?"
The drowsy-looking doctor looked at Sandra. "You already know, Ms. Wu-San. You are with child."
Of course, Sandra didn't look surprised at all. She looked down and rubbed her slim stomach. "Four hours. That's how long we copulated. The number of times he released his essence within me. This wasn't planned... but it is not unwanted."
"Will the father accept?"
"I see no reason for him not to. If by some slim margin, he does reject the child, I will just raise it to be my successor. The Heir of the Shadows. Still, I am able to meet with him soon. He has invited me to a social gathering at his manor that will take place in one week's time."
"The perfect time to leave. After all, you are only over a month pregnant. I estimate five weeks at most. You can fly safely."
"Thank you, doctor," Sandra said as she stood up and left.
Sandra was walking down the hall. "I take it you heard the important parts of the conversation?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Black Spider said as he landed next to Shiva, walking next to her. "Not to worry. I've already gotten your plane tickets. Business seating by the window, just as you like it. No idea why. You've got enough money for your own private jet, boss. At least splurge for First Class."
"The point of an assassin is to be as inconspicuous as possible. However, we must also gather as much information as we possibly can. Sitting among the businessmen, yet not too far from the economic riders and close enough to the First Class area is the perfect position to gather such data. What's more, you don't know who you will run into in Business Class. A deal well made is a deal well struck and worthwhile," Sandra said with a smile.
"Yeesh, you're so smart it's sometimes scary, Boss. Makes ya wonder why the old man wanted to kick ya out."
"You already answered that question, Spider."
"Huh?"
"I'm scary. Even the Demon's Head feared me and for good reason."
Black Spider stopped to think about it. "Huh. That honestly makes perfect sense, actually. Oh! Wait, boss! How many of us are going as your guard?! And who's in charge while you're gone," Spider asked as he ran up to his leader.
"As always, Tigress will be in command. After all, she would rather stay behind and defend the company from Cheshire."
"Man, for a couple of sisters, they really do hate each other," Spider said as he put his hands behind his head.
"As for who will accompany me to Gotham, I've been talking to one of them for quite some time."
Spider pointed at himself before he crossed his arms and nodded. "Again, makes perfect sense. Oh, and henchy number two?"
"Onyx."
Spider stopped. "The kid? She's like, what, ten?"
"She's sixteen."
"Still a kid," Spider said as he followed Shiva again.
"It matters not. All you two will be doing is making sure I reach Gotham safely. Afterward, you will return to Headquarters to help Tigress keep it safe from Ra's."
"You don't want us to stick around?" Shiva glanced at Spider. "Alright, alright. Man, you're scary confident, even for a boss."
"Don't worry. I'll have the ultimate guard when I reach Gotham."
Spider sighed just as he and Shiva entered the elevator. "Batman," he said as the doors closed.