Episode 13: The Vigilante and The Villain
"Oh my God," Carrie said, looking over the monitor while listening to the police scanner with Matt in the batcave.
"What is it?" Matt asked.
"Apparently there's a massacre happening," Carrie explained. "Right now. At the Orchard Hotel."
"You're kidding?" Matt asked. "Where's Batman?"
"I don't know I imagine he's investigating Omen," Carrie said, "but Omen is there, right now, killing tons of people. We have to go!"
"Should we?" Matt asked. "We could die."
"I think we have to," Carrie said. "Besides, if Omen is only after the corrupt we should be safe. At the very least, we might be able to save some lives, stall for time until Batman gets there."
"You're right," Matt said. "We're the closest. These people might have made terrible decisions, hurt people, but they don't deserve to be brutally murdered. I'm with you. We'll watch each other's backs."
"As always," Carrie said.
They nodded to each other before they suited up and used the fast travel devices to get to the Orchard Hotel.
~~~
Red Hood stood over Dak. Dak rested on bended knee. Red Hood waited.
"You done?" Red Hood questioned him.
Dak smiled. He had a busted lip. His blood had painted his teeth. He spit the blood out of his mouth.
"You wish," Dak said. He stood before Red Hood.
A high-tech, hover motorcycle drew Red Hood and Dak's attentions. Red Hood recognized it. Alfred had tried to gift it to him, but he couldn't accept it. He preferred his old motorcycle and thought it was too much. However, he and Alfred rode together from time to time, and Jason took care of the maintenance. Alfred was driving it now, and to Jason this meant something important and troublesome was happening.
Alfred climbed from the motorcycle. He pulled a high-tech brief case from the trunk settled in the back of it.
"Who are you?" Dak questioned him.
Red Hood smacked him in the back of the head.
"You didn't let me finish," Dak said. "Who are you sir?"
"I'm an associate of Red Hood," Alfred said, "and now you Master Darius."
Dak normally would've told an old man not to call him master or Darius, but this man left him speechless, as if it would be rude to tell the man otherwise.
"What's happened?" Red Hood asked.
"Omen attacked the most powerful and corrupt of Gotham," Alfred said. "Once he did, their protectors arrived to assist. Omen has come in person to ensure members of the Court of Owls and their Talons die unimaginable deaths. Batgirl and Robin had gone to the scene, but they weren't aware that the Talons were dispatched. According to Batgirl, a Gladiator Talon codenamed The King is giving Omen a run for his money while she and Robin are trying to keep Omen from killing the guests and the Talons from killing them. Batman and Phantom just reached the Commissioner. You and Arkham Knight are closest to the location. You need to go."
"The Orchard Hotel," Red Hood said.
Alfred nodded. He opened the briefcase and pulled out the Arkham Knight suit.
"I modified this in case you wanted to join Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin," Alfred said. Its primary colors were no longer red or blue. Mahogany was its primary color now: a reddish-brown like dried blood. Emblazoned across the chest was a mahogany bat.
"Do you?" Red Hood questioned Dak.
Dak took the suit without saying a word and put it on.
Alfred handed Red Hood a straight-pull bolt action rifle. Red Hood handed to Arkham Knight, who took it and placed it on his back.
"Am I killing people?" Dak asked: his voice unwavering.
"No," Red Hood said. "The Talons are already dead. They've just been brought out to be used as pawns to protect living corpses. Can you use that?"
"Aim and shoot at anything that tries to kill me," Arkham Knight said. "Not that difficult."
"That and my Desert Eagles will grant them peace," Red Hood said. "Can you ride that?"
"Better than the hunk of junk you rode in on," Arkham Knight said.
Red Hood turned to Alfred but not before he smacked Arkham Knight in the back of the head twice more.
"I'll make it back," Alfred said. "Hurry. I'll be in contact."
Red Hood and Arkham Knight mounted their rides and headed for the Orchard Hotel as Alfred watched them go and was soon picked up by Lucius Fox. Alfred and Lucius monitored Batgirl, Robin, Red Hood, Arkham Knight, Phantom, Batman, and Bruce as they returned to the manor.
~~~
"Tim, Stephanie," Bruce said, preparing to give them instructions. "Go with Aponi and Takoda to get the tribespeople to safety. Tim, have Conner meet with Selina. She'll be facilitating the transfer of the medical supplies and personnel."
"What are you going to do?" Tim asked him.
"I'm going to handle Blight," Bruce said.
"What about father?" Aponi asked him.
"Conner says he's in a trance," Tim explained. "His eyes… They're faded: like no one's home."
"Tell Conner to grab him and bring him back to the house," Bruce said. "All of you go, now."
Bruce watched Aponi, Stephanie, Selina, and Tim leave him. Aponi went to go inform her mother and brother of their plans. Tim and Stephanie went to assist the tribespeople. Conner grabbed Eliwai and headed for Selina's location: as Selina went to go monitor and move the sick and the medical resources.
Bruce pushed the bat symbol on the underside of his bracelet. Bruce suited up. He wore a suit he created inspired by Jason's Arkham Knight suit and the Beyond suit Terry wore: the Batman Dark Knight Beyond suit. Alfred modified it: adding offensive and defensive capabilities against radiation and anything else Blight might be able to throw at him.
Tribespeople ran toward the safety of the land behind the Elder's home while the Original (OG) Batman while not as fast as he used to be ran toward the dangerous threat that was Blight. With the use of his rocket boots, OG Batman jumped high and landed before Blight.
"I knew you were a global menace," Blight said, "but what the hell are you doing here Batman? Shouldn't you be in Gotham taking care of Omen?"
"You should know better Derek," OG Batman said, visibly pissing off Blight by using his actual name, "Gotham is always under watch and always taken care of. I'm obligated to make sure none of its criminal make trouble for anyone else, especially innocent people."
"When I ran into one of your flunkies and his friends," Blight said, "I didn't think you'd honor me with your presence. I'm glad you did. Looks like you got all dressed up for me too. New suit. I liked the other one. If I can wipe this tribe off the planet and you at the same time, that's two problems I'll no longer have giving me migraines."
"I was surprised you came out of hiding," OG Batman said. "I thought you'd be more concerned with your own safety since you're Omen's main target."
"What do you know about it!" Blight shouted: more heated.
OG Batman kept his attention while he stalled for time for the people, but he also hoped he could talk Derek down, so he wouldn't kill these people and ruin their land.
"Based on my investigation," OG Batman said, "he could've appeared before you at anytime and killed you. However, he's been playing with you and making you run. He wanted you to know you were going to die the most painful death of all his victims, and now here you are where he originates. He got you where he wants you. I'm the man standing between you and death's door."
"I thought he was just another Gotham freak," Blight said, "but it makes much more sense that he's from here. If I burn everything down to ashes, neither he nor his people will ever be a problem again."
"You'd want to incur his wrath to the point he'd wipe out your whole legacy?" OG Batman questioned him. "He's been to see your son. He let him live once. I don't know that there will be a second time. I don't think your grandson will escape his wrath either."
While Derek didn't budge at the mention of his son, the mention of his grandson made a crack in his Blight persona.
"You can't be my Batman," Blight said. "Not enough wise-cracking. The other also seems to get a thrill out of our bouts. He likes to get to the violence faster than you seem to. You must be the one from before. He's your successor. You seem older, more levelheaded. When you mention my family, I believe you'd take care of them."
"I will," OG Batman said: not commenting on whether he was a different Batman.
"You're the reason Batman exists," Blight said. "You have a legacy: as a man and a symbol. You have all these people who follow under your ideology. However, you and I aren't different. You're as much a criminal as I am. You might as well be a mob boss: a mafia. When do you get taken in? You get to put me away, then you get to live free."
"I'm necessary," OG Batman said.
"Save it," Blight said. "There's no chance I'd pass up this opportunity. I'll make you a deal."
"You've never made an honest deal in your life," OG Batman said.
"Consider this me showing my elder a sign of respect," Blight said. "You respected me. I'll respect you. I won't ever darken the door of the Red Clay Raven Tribe again if you do one of two things: either give up the name and identity of the current Batman or turn yourself into my custody. Your choice."
~~~
RJ met with Batman and Phantasm on the roof of the GCPD.
"We know Omen's identity," Batman said, "but I had a feeling this was urgent."
"What about him?" RJ asked, eying Phantasm.
"We're working together to stop Omen Commissioner," Phantasm said. "I apologize for any trouble I caused you. I was trying to handle this in-house. Omen isn't a citizen of Gotham, and he isn't exactly in control of his actions."
"I'm pleased to meet you," RJ said. "Batman and I had a good feeling about you. We both enjoy turning out to be right."
"Him more than me," Batman said.
"You both need to go to the Orchard Hotel," RJ said. "Omen is there: in the midst of a massacre. I'll meet you there. I'll explain things on the way. I'll call your private number." He told Batman. He pulled out his cell and left the roof.
Batman took his call and put it on speaker so Phantasm could hear as they left for the Orchard Hotel in the Batmobile.
RJ explained to Batman and Phantasm the situation at the Orchard Hotel and that none of his people could get to the banquet room because they were getting kept out by Talons while Batgirl, Robin, Red Hood, and a new Arkham Knight were taking on the Court of Owls while the dead father of Derek Powers, Warren Powers, was acting as an enhanced Gladiator Talon, wielding a broadsword and shield fighting Omen, who was continuing to kill the banquet attendees.
"According to my people on the scene," RJ said, "Red Hood is taking on Warren, who's trying to kill Omen before he can get to his son, and Omen, who's killing everybody in sight except for Batgirl, Robin, Arkham Knight and Red Hood. Apparently, Omen is a skilled combatant, but they can't seem to get a clear visual of him."
"When we get there," Batman said, "we'll get your people access and take Omen out of the situation."
"I'll wait for your signal," RJ said. He hung up the phone.
Batman and Phantasm arrived. They dropped down on the roof of the hotel. Talons were posted around the large skylight built on the roof looking down into the banquet room.
"These Talons are dead," Batman told Phantasm. "So, don't pull your punches."
"I'll take care of this," Phantasm said. "If you didn't know, I'm an avenging angel of death."
Batman watched a fog roll in over the hotel before Phantasm faded down onto the roof. Next thing he knew, he watched as 10 Talons were all thrown off the sides of the roof. The fog cleared. Phantasm stood looking up to the Batmobile.
"Well alright," Batman said, then joined Phantasm, dropping down beside him.
They saw Omen. The image Batman had didn't do him justice.
"You said you knew who he is," Batman said.
"He's a dead man," Phantasm said. "He's the spirit of the old tribal leader, who's using his son's body to ensure the rich, powerful, and corrupt never hurt the tribe or anyone else again."
"Denali," Batman said. "Court of Owls was on his list. He was working his way up."
"He was waiting for them to gather in one place," Phantasm said.
"Can you drag him out of there?" Batman said.
"I can," Phantasm said, "but we'll need the element of surprise if we hope to separate Denali from his son's body. I'll take care of the Talons blocking the doors. You engage him, and then I'll meet you here on the roof. Then, you can signal the Commissioner."
"Sounds good," Batman said. "Be careful though. Can't lose you on our first mission together. These Talons can be deadly, even if you are a metahuman."
"You be careful too," Phantasm said. "I don't know what Denali will do if sees his plans coming to an end."
Batman nodded as Phantasm faded down through the hotel roof away from the banquet room. Then, Batman looked upon Omen.
Omen wore a white raven mask. It covered the top half of his face. He had a long black ponytail: streaked blond and gray. His eyes were pure black. He was shirtless. He had a chain with a white feather piece around his neck. His body appeared in peak physical condition. He had tattoos all over his body. Most of them were thorny vines or rusty chains. On his back, there were tattoos of black and white raven feathers. He wore black buckskin pants. A rose tattoo was on the back of his left hand. His right hand he morphed back and forth from a man's hand to a deadly raven's claw, which he would use to slash through victims or rip out their throats. He moved like the wind on his bare feet as he dodged Red Hood's bullets and Warren's sword. The Feral Talons and Hunter Talons could keep up with his speed, but he made quick work of them with superior rough, brutal fighting skills. When he was still for any brief moment, a light shined behind his black eyes, then either the air or the soul from a person was pulled out of their body. Every time someone died in that room black feathers were left in their wake.
Batman went invisible with his cloaking device and made ready to act.
~~~
When Batgirl and Robin arrived on the Orchard Hotel, the police hadn't quite been able to get into the building.
"The police are on the scene," Robin said, looking over the side of the building, "but I think they're having trouble getting to the banquet room."
"I bet," Batgirl said, looking down into the banquet room. "There's a reason why Omen chose to finally appear."
"Why?" Robin asked, joining her to see what had her attention.
They looked at each other at the same time.
"The Court of Owls," they said simultaneously.
"This just got a lot more dangerous," Batgirl said.
"Still," Robin said, "we can't allow Omen to murder these people."
"I agree," Batgirl said. "Let's get down there before this gets uglier than it already is."
"Too late," Robin said: when numbers of Feral Talons burst into the room from the vents.
"We can't let the Talons kill Omen either," Batgirl said. "They must've read my mind. The vents will be our points of entry. I've sent you the building's layout, so you can see it through your goggles."
"I see it," Robin said, pulling on his googles." "You take the left side. I'll take the right side. That way I'll come out near Omen. You distract the Talons, and I'll try to talk through to Omen."
"Sounds like the right course of action," Batgirl said. "I'll buy you as much time as I can."
"If things get too hectic," Robin said, "I'll disengage and we'll get out of here. We'll either hold out until Batman gets here or just have to get to safety."
Batgirl nodded in agreement. Without saying it, they both realized the threat level of the Talons, not even taking into account the unknown variable that was Omen, they had to take this seriously. There was no room for errors or mistakes.
They crawled through their respective vents.
"I'm going to send out smoke grenades," Batgirl whispered to Robin via their comms.
"And then I'll make contact with Omen," Robin whispered back.
"1, 2, 3," Batgirl counted before she fired multiple smoke grenades into the banquet room. She used her slingshot.
Right after, using their enhanced vision, Batgirl and Robin entered the banquet room too. Batgirl immediately began to fight against the disoriented Talons. Robin slinked behind Omen. When Robin stood, behind Omen, Omen turned around and met him.
"I'm not your enemy," Robin said: with his hands up. "I'm here to help keep you alive, but I also have to keep you from killing anymore of these people."
Omen cocked his head to the side. Robin noted it was similar to what a raven might do. Omen seemed confused. Suddenly, wings emerged from his back, he turned around, and with a flap of his wings he sent four Talons out of the hotel windows, knocked Batgirl into the wall, and cleared the room of the smoke.
Batgirl hit the wall before she fell to the floor. Robin immediately ran to her side. He helped her up.
"You okay?" Robin asked as they stood together.
"I'm fine," Batgirl said. "I'm guessing talking to him didn't get us any where."
"Doesn't look like it," Robin said.
They watched as Omen walked toward them. Batgirl watched as the banquet attendees that were still alive were calling for help or trying to break out of the doors or windows. It appeared people were trying to get in too: most likely the police by now. Without looking at them, phones were thrown out of hands and people thrown back at the tables they had been seated at earlier.
Robin watched Omen's eyes glow. They glowed when his wings appeared briefly earlier. They glowed as he took the air from the lungs of the attendees, ripped the souls from their bodies, and tossed them around the room when they tried to escape. They glowed while he kept the doors secure too.
Batgirl and Robin took in the blood and the white and black raven feathers that stained and littered the room respectively.
"He's a metahuman with a few powers it seems," Robin said.
"Aerokinesis or Aerogenesis is one of them," Batgirl said. "It's clear he has some supernatural element to his powers too."
"Based on the way he's killing some of these people," Robin said.
"I can't believe we're not dead yet," Batgirl said. She called out to him. "Omen! We know you want to try and purge Gotham of corruption, of evil, but this isn't the way."
Omen cocked his head to the other side this time, hearing Batgirl reaching out.
Robin and Batgirl realized Omen acknowledged their words, but Omen focused on his goal: continued to do so. Omen turned his back to them and killed more guests.
Batgirl and Robin decided on a different plan of action. They focused on getting people to safety. Surprisingly, the Talons let them: allowing them to take care of their people while the Talons themselves headed for Omen.
When the Gladiator Talons entered the room, coming through the very floor, they drew Robin, Batgirl, and Omen's attentions, especially the Gladiator Talon that appeared to lead them.
Robin and Batgirl saw he carried a different weapon than his subordinates: a broadsword. He also did something the others didn't and couldn't do. He spoke.
"So," the lead Gladiator Talon said. "You're Omen. I'm unsure why my son is worried about you, you don't look like much, but I cannot allow you to threaten the Powers legacy or the Court of Owls." He lunged at Omen.
"Who?" Batgirl questioned no one in particular but turned to Robin.
The subordinate Gladiator Talons turned from their leader and eyed them. Robin took notice.
"Warren Powers," Robin answered her. "AKA The King. I watch a lot of TLC, The Learning Channel. They did a special on Gotham Conspiracy Theories. Rumor had it the Powers family was tied to the Court. This is confirmation." He gestured toward Warren and the lot. "Warren, Derek's father, mysteriously disappeared."
"He decided to become a Gladiator Talon to continue to watch over the Court and his family," Batgirl said. "It would be sweet if it wasn't also horrifying for some reason."
Robin nodded in agreement.
The pair watched the Gladiator Talons charge at them.
"Whoa!" Robin evaded one of the giants by jumping back.
Batgirl dodge rolled to avoid the swing of a club, and Robin pushed her out the way when another giant tried to beat her with its club.
"I'll keep them busy," Robin said.
"I'll report all this to RJ," Batgirl said.
"Yikes!" Robin flipped out of the way as a club almost smashed him through the floor but instead just left a gaping hole. Robin had flipped onto his hoverboard and now circled the lot of them.
Robin gave Batgirl and some of the attendees a chance to get free. Batgirl spoke with RJ and provided concealment with another smoke grenade.
Omen jumped and landed on Warren's sword once it was lodged in the wall. Warren threw his shield at Omen, and Omen leapt behind him, which prompted Warren to tear his sword from the wall and swing it at Omen. Omen leapt back again to convey to Warren this was a futile effort.
When Robin had gained the attention of all the Gladiator Talons, he quickly launched an ice cap at them from his utility belt. He froze them in place: solid.
"The utility belt," Robin said. "Never leave home without it."
A Hunter Talon jumped at the wall and off it to bring Robin to the floor. Before she could drive two daggers into his chest, Batgirl hit her in the face with a shock cap. She fired it from her slingshot. The Hunter Talon dropped to the floor paralyzed. Batgirl ran and brought Robin to his feet.
"Shock and Thaw," Robin said. He smiled.
Batgirl shook her head but smiled too.
This meant thanks. They were both taking care of each other. They were both all right.
"Good thing our predecessors are good at coming up with new gear," Batgirl said, speaking of Barbara and Tim.
"You said it," Robin said.
Suddenly, they faced Feral, Hunter, and Gladiator Talons that poured in from the vents in the walls and the holes in the floor. Talons now had gathered against them.
Warren went at Omen with all his might, but Omen didn't fight back. Omen killed guests. Warren grew more and more frustrated, destroying the banquet room, as his silent foe continued to wreak havoc and avoid attacks, saying not a word.
"We're not going to die here," Robin told Batgirl without looking at her.
"I already know," Batgirl told Robin without looking at him.
They faced their numerous opponents.
~~~
Red Hood kicked open the pair of double doors and opened fire on the Feral and Hunter Talons. He shot them all down before they managed three steps toward Batgirl and Robin. He landed precise head shots.
Arkham Knight came from behind Red Hood. He aimed. He fired. He took out the lone Gladiator Talon. He did it with a single neck shot. He wouldn't admit it, but he had been aiming for the head. It helped his target hadn't moved yet.
"Stick with those two," Red Hood instructed. "You protect them. That's your job. Follow their lead."
"You serious," Arkham Knight said.
"As a bullet to the head," Red Hood told him. He wouldn't admit that he found the young man entertaining. "Make sure they update me on the situation. I'll connect us. We'll all be on the same freq: for now anyway."
Arkham Knight watched Red Hood walk, run, then dive between Omen and Warren. He aimed one of his guns at both of them.
"I'm no ally or enemy to either of you,"Red Hood said. "Cease and desist, or both your numbers will be up."
Omen focused his gaze on the newcomer: as if reading Red Hood's intentions. This was similar to Robin and Batgirl.
Warren laughed in Red Hood's face.
"I know who you are," Warren said. "Such a great opportunity to end Gotham's past miscreants and present deviant: in one fell swoop."
~~~
"I'm glad to see him," Robin said.
"He's the big guns," Batgirl said. "He shows up right on time."
"More Talons are coming," Robin said.
Reinforcements were on the way from the Court.
Arkham Knight joined Batgirl and Robin. They had their reinforcements too.
"You're suited already?" Robin said: disbelief in his voice.
"Old guy showed up during my training," Arkham Knight said. "Said it was an emergency."
Robin and Batgirl both knew the old guy was Alfred.
"That's annoying," Batgirl said, crossing her arms at Arkham Knight. "We had it under control."
"I saw," Arkham said. "Not too shabby. Red Hood wants the low down."
"I don't have his freq on comms," Batgirl said.
"He's already on that," Arkham Knight said. "Just talk."
Batgirl frowned at him. Arkham Knight winked at her. They both turned away from each other. Arkham Knight tried to pretend he didn't wink at her, and Batgirl tried to pretend she didn't see it.
Another group of Feral, Hunter, and Gladiator Talons arrived to face them. Robin and Arkham Knight faced off against them as Batgirl explained the situation, identifying Warren for Arkham Knight and Red Hood.
"Batgirl," Robin said. "AK. Let's give them a show!"
"AK," Arkham Knight said. He smirked. "I like it."
"Yeah AK," Batgirl said. "Show us that our faith in you hasn't been misplaced."
"It hasn't," Arkham Knight said. "Just watch."
Robin, Batgirl, and Arkham Knight faced off against their foes. Robin jumped on top his hoverboard. Batgirl took her slingshot in hand. Arkham Knight aimed his rifle to fire.
~~~
Red Hood shot both his pistols. Omen stepped out of the way of the bullet's trajectory. Warren took the bullet to his head. He proceeded to bring down his sword on Red Hood's head while simultaneously heaving his shield at Omen. A three way battle ensued.
"Warren Powers," Red Hood said after dodging Warren's attack. "You let the Court turn you into this. It's clear Derek got his ignorance from you." He charged Warren, shoulder checked him, and shoot him multiple times until Warren stumbled back.
Warren, while on bended knee, grit his teeth. He caught his shield that returned to him and stood.
"Omen," Red Hood said. "I wouldn't stop your mission. I agree all these people should die. However, you don't give people a chance to change: to change their ways. And all people, deserve at least one chance." He got the notion that his words resonated with Omen as much as his words aggravated Warren.
Omen stopped Warren's shield midair before it hit Red Hood.
~~~
The police stormed into the room. Their way was no longer blocked. This had been thanks to Phantasm and Batman.
The police aimed their guns at every criminal in the room: vigilantes and villains. They made their presence known. This did not stop the fighting.
"Denali!" Phantasm shouted. He had phased through the police to stand ethereally before them. The police were surprised to say the least.
Hearing his true name immediately gained Omen's attention after he avoided Warren's sword and Red Hood's bullets.
Something or someone crashed through the skylight. Glass shattered and rained down upon Omen, who had positioned himself there under the skylight after Phantasm called to him. Omen looked up. He saw nothing. Omen looked back. Phantasm was gone. In his place, Omen only saw the police with their weapons drawn upon him.
A cloaked Batman grabbed Omen from behind and used his rocket boots' thrust to carry them back atop the roof.
Omen quickly broke free. They dropped to the roof across from each other. Batman uncloaked himself.
"Denali," Batman said. "You can't use your son for this work. You're dead. You have to move on. Let your son pick up where you left off."
"Batman…" Omen spoke. "I knew it wouldn't be long before you and I met. Let me ask you a question."
Batman heard bullets flying, screaming, and the fighting below. He had to trust his allies to handle it.
"The floor is yours, " Batman said.
"What right do you have to stop me?" Omen asked. "Gotham is a cesspool. Has been for years, decades, centuries. You took it upon yourself to fight an unending war: you and your predecessor did. You took justice into your own hands. So have I. You can't paint me as a villain in this story, or for yourself you'd have to do the same."
Terry thought about his story and he thought about Bruce's story. Omen was wrong. Omen was right but also wrong, and Terry, Batman, knew now after investigating this case how to convey his answer and the truth to Omen, Denali, in the way that would act as a decisive blow.
"This legacy," Batman began. "Batman's legacy isn't about retribution. It was born from that emotion, that concept, but that is not what has ensured its longevity. That is not what has drawn so many good people to continue it. What has, what has made you the criminal, the villain, and what made Batman not just a vigilante but a hero… Omen's dedication to taking lives and Batman's dedication to saving them. If saving were true for you, your role as a hero or savior of your story, if it is, why are you here in Gotham concerned about her people instead of on the Red Clay Reservation attending to your people?"
"What I do will ensure my people's lives never need to be saved again," Omen said: growing anger and frustration now was in his voice.
"You don't believe that," Batman said. "You and I both know you don't."
"You won't stand in my way Batman," Omen said.
"Not only will I stand in your way," Batman said. "I won't do it alone."
The two squared off.
Omen began to take the breath from Batman's body. Batman acted as though Omen's tactic had no effect on him. Batman threw two flash Batarangs. Omen was temporarily blinded, allowing Batman to catch his breath.
"Sorry Batman," Omen said, shielding his eyes. "Your life ends tonight. It must." He unshielded his eyes. Instead of facing Batman, he now faced Phantasm.
"I'm sorry Denali," Phantasm said. "On behalf of your family, your tribe, and your land, no it won't. As he said, we'll stop you."
Omen tried to impact him, attack him, hurt him, but Phantasm had no presence. Batman punched Omen as Phantasm rejected Omen from within Eliwai's body. Batman caught Eliwai and laid him down gently. Then, Phantasm entered into Eliwai and afterward extended his hand out. Batman took it. Batman and Phantasm prepared to take on Denali on his plane of existence.