The war was going viciously.
Bat Wing was getting worried as his onboard computer warned him he was running low on ammunition and fuel, Kiiro overtaxing his suit's capabilities. It didn't help that Firefly suddenly vanished. Still, all Luke could do was fly to avoid Kiiro's flurry of arrows raining toward him.
"THIS IS THE END, FOX-SAN," Kiiro said as he raised his hand, creating a massive meteor that even Luke wouldn't be able to escape from.
"FINALLY!"
"OOF," Kiiro went, his concentration breaking, making his meteor vanish. He looked behind him to see Firefly gripping him from behind.
"I caught you~."
"Watashi o hanashite kudasai, moeta obutsu! (LET GO OF ME, YOU BURNT FILTH!)" Kiiro then felt the heat and noticed a glowing light. He looked toward it, his eyes widening. "Nanishiteruno? (What are you doing?)"
"FIREFLY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING," Batwing yelled.
Firefly looked at the hero and laughed. "Everything will burn, Fox! EVERYTHING! But it won't be done by me. I know that now. BECAUSE I'M GONNA BURN THIS GUY!"
"HANASHITE!"
"FIREFLY, NO!"
"STAY IF YOU WANT, FOX! I DON'T MIND BURNING YOU, TOO! LET'S ALL GO OUT IN A GLORIOUS, BEAUTIFUL BLAZE THAT GOTHAM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM!"
Luke gritted his teeth before flying away, hearing Firefly's maniacal laughter mixed with Kiiro's scream.
Then, the explosion occurred. The force of the blast actually made Luke fall out of the sky, the man bouncing across the ground before sliding across the road and crashing into a car. He got back up and looked up at the explosion. It looked like a miniature nuclear blast, Luke felt the heat from where he was.
Luke sighed as he shook his head. "Dammit, Lynns. You didn't need to do that, you freakin' pyromaniac. You didn't need to die," he said as he looked up at the explosion.
Luke then thought he noticed something in the flames, using his cowl to try and zoom in. But before he could get a good look, something slammed into him, grabbing him by the throat.
Luke was then lifted, the hero opening one eye to see it was an enraged Kiiro, the Assassin forming a Kanabo before smacking Luke down a different road.
"YOU THOUGHT THAT WOULD KILL ME," Kiiro roared as created a stampede of boars to run over Batwing, the hero being trampled. "YOU THOUGHT A WORTHLESS KAMIKAZE WOULD END ME?!" He then created a Kusarigama, using the sickle to slash Luke into the air before viciously slashing him, and slamming him into the ground at the end. "Jibun o ittai dareda to omotte iru nda, amerikahito?! (WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, AMERICAN?!)"
"I AM KIIRO! A PROUD SHINOBI OF THE AKUMA NO SHIMO BE (Devil's Servant) CLAN! ONE OF THE GREATEST LEAGUE OF ASSASSIN MEMBERS TO HAVE EVER LIVED! A FEARSOME MEMBER OF THE SINESTRO CORP! YOU THOUGHT YOU, A MAN IN A TIN CAN SUIT, COULD DEFEAT ME?! KYōKI (Madness!)"
Kiiro then took a deep breath to calm himself. "Though, I must admit, you were a worthy foe. As expected a member of the Bat Clan." Kiiro then created three Japanese samurai, two to hold Luke down with his neck outstretched, the final one holding an executioner's katana. "It won't be a perfect Seppuku Ritual. For example, you won't cut open your own belly, but it doesn't matter," Kiiro explained as his samurai raised the katana. "Just know that I will honor you by keeping you alive in my memory as a true warrior and a worthy opponent. Farwell, Lucas Fox."
Luke gritted his teeth, knowing full well that his armor wouldn't be able to stop the sword, and he didn't have any way to escape the samurai holding him down.
He'd lost.
"GAAAH," Kiiro went after being blasted by purple lasers that sent him sliding down the road, making all three samurai vanish.
Luke looked up in surprise. "What in the- Was that?"
"UNCLE FOX!" He looked up to see Mar'i fly down toward him, the beauty kneeling down to help him up. "Are you alright?"
Luke chuckled. "You've got awesome timing, just like your parents."
Mar'i giggled. "Why, thank you."
"Another one?" The heroes looked to see Kiiro stomping toward them out of the rubble Mar'i blasted him into. "This is starting to get annoying." Kiiro then groaned as he stumbled for a split second which most wouldn't notice.
But Batwing and Nightstar noticed it.
"You saw that," Batwing asked.
"I did. His charge is low."
"Meaning he can't take much more. Ready to end this, kiddo," Luke asked as he took his stance.
"Of course," Nightstar said as she took her stance.
Kiiro growled before he sighed. "Screw it. Yokai, Ayakashi, traditional weapons; I've tried it all. Let's try something a bit more... modern. Mr. Fox, that explosion that burnt fool caused, did it remind you of a nuclear explosion?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Good." Kiiro then punched the ground, using every last bit of his energy left. He was then surrounded by yellow energy that grew and grew until it was taller than the neighborhood they were in, now taking shape.
Batwing and Nightstar both immediately recognized the construct.
"You gotta be kiddin' me," Luke went.
"Eee! I LOVE those movies," Mar'i went in excitement.
The construct then did the iconic roar.
"Godzilla/GODZILLA," Luke sighed while Mar'i cheered.
Nightwing's Escrima Sticks clashed with Deathstroke's sword, making the two push each other back. Deathstroke's mask was broken off long ago by Nightwing, but the hero had plenty of cuts on his body from Slade's attacks, including a cut on the forehead that was still bleeding. Fortunately, it was a cut on the side of the head, meaning the blood was getting in Nightwing's eye.
Still, both warriors were getting tired, which honestly surprised Deathstroke. After all, he had a healing factor. All of his wounds had already healed, but he was so exhausted.
Slade chuckled. "Not bad, Grayson. You've gotten a little better over the years. I still remember the days when you needed your friends to beat me. Now here you are, fighting me all on your own, while your wife and my future apprentice are fighting your father's war."
"It isn't just my father's war. Gotham is my home, too. You're in the way of me saving my family, Wilson."
"Then try and beat me." Slade lunged at Dick.
He was able to avoid Slade's first two slashes, but not his backhand. Slade then grabbed Nightwing's head and kneed him in the stomach before slamming the hilt of his sword onto Nightwing's back, slamming the hero onto the ground. He then tried to impale Nightwing.
However, Nightwing rolled out of the way and performed a sweep kick that tripped Slade and kicked him in the head before he fell. Nightwing then used the momentum of the kick to jump back onto his feet, Slade jumping onto his, sword still drawn.
"Not bad, Grayson, but still not good enough. I'm almost disappointed. Did Lady Shiva teach you nothing in the years she was married to Wayne?"
Nightwing glared at Deathstroke... before dropping his Sticks, making Slade raise an eyebrow. "You actually make a good point, Slade. Sandra did teach me some new moves, and I haven't used even one." Nightwing then took his stance. "Let's fix that."
"Do you honestly think you can beat me without your weapons, boy?"
"That's just it, Slade. Sandra's teachings always start with this fundamental truth: I am the weapon."
Slade chuckled before he charged at Nightwing, jumping up to perform a powerful downward slash. He knew that not even Shiva herself could break the steel of his sword. He didn't care what kind of training she put Nightwing through. He wasn't about to chop through his sword like Shiva would against an average katana.
He was right.
Nightwing instead redirected Slade's slash with a palm strike and used Slade's own momentum to stab the sword deep into the ground. Nightwing then landed an elbow strike right to Slade's temple, dazing him. Nightwing then proceeded to beat down Slade, aiming primarily at Slade's head and two points in his armor. The points covering his kidneys.
When Nightwing was satisfied, he reeled back his arms and shot them toward his kidneys.
However, where Shiva would have used her incredible finger strength and sharpened fingernails to stab through Slade, Nightwing instead performed palm strikes. But Nightwing used his suit's stun functions to bypass Slade's armor and send a shock wave into Slade's kidneys, making the organs burst as the blow sent Slade flying back and landing on his back, the man coughing up blood.
Nightwing walked up and looked down at his arch-enemy.
"Heh. Not bad, kid," Slade went with a smirk. "I would have made you into a damn fine killer."
"I'm not a killer Slade. I'm a member of the Bat Family. We don't kill."
"You sure you don't want to make an exception," Slade asked as he looked at Dick. "You know it will only take half a month at most for my kidneys to regenerate. When I'm back on my feet, I'm coming after you."
"What, without getting paid?"
Slade chuckled. "You made the same mistake as your father, boy. Hell, you made the same mistake as that woman. As your dear mother."
Dick chuckled. "Weirdly enough, it feels natural to call Sandra 'mom'. She is the matriarch of our family."
"And like the patriarch, she earned my respect. Now, the oldest son has earned it. And when that happens, I devote everything I have to killing them. You, Sandra, Bruce; I WILL kill all of you, one day."
"Yeah, I kinda doubt that. Our family just keeps growing bigger and stronger. You're gonna have a tough time taking me out, Slade," Nightwing said as he picked up his motorcycle and reeved it up. "Still, when you show up again, I'll be ready. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wife and daughter to help out, and a family to protect." Nightwing then rode toward Gotham.
Slade chuckled. "Family to protect, huh? . . . I REALLY should go see my kids again."
The elevator dinged. When the doors opened, four Assassins fell out, all of them bloody, one of them with a broken arm, the other with a twisted leg. One was still groaning in pain while another tried to crawl away, only for his eyes to roll back and him to fall unconscious.
Shadow Bat then walked out of the elevator, not so much as a speck of blood on her boot. Her heels clicked as she walked toward the office where Ra's was waiting. When she entered HER office, she saw her old lord, sitting on HER seat. Honestly, she spends more time in that office than Bruce does.
She walked into the massive office and headed toward Ra's. As she walked, an Assassin silently appeared behind Shadow Bat, preparing to slash her, but she backhanded the man, knocking him out.
"I honestly expected you to arrive sooner," Ra's said.
A throwing star was thrown at Shadow Bat. She caught it without looking and threw it back, hitting the man in the shoulder. He yelled out in pain, stumbling around before falling off and landing hard on his head, knocking him out. Ra's could tell that Shadow Bat intentionally threw the star back in such a way, using just enough strength and precision to make sure the man would survive.
"I see you've accepted the Detective's symbol."
Shadow Bat stopped in the center of the office, backhanding another Assassin trying to attack her from behind.
"Have you also accepted his ridiculous code?"
"I can't say I have. I did come here to kill you, after all. But ONLY you. The rest are free to go."
Ra's Al Ghul stared at his former soldier before looking out the window, seeing the war he started unfolding. "Magnificent, isn't it?"
Shadow Bat looked out at the war. "All I see is my city burning."
"Your city. A mere decade has passed and you're already claiming this city as your own, Shiva. Still, look at my work. Years upon years of attempts, foiled countless times by the Detective, but finally a success. And in a way, you are to thank."
"Me?"
"I needed to plan even farther ahead. Put you in as a factor for my foes. What's more, my daughter's hatred toward you drove her to perfect the weapon needed to make this war possible."
Shadow Bat glared at Ra's. "The Lazarus Venom."
"Yes. Your influence has greatly changed the course of history, Lady Shiva. It makes me almost regret attempting to kill you all those years ago. On one hand, had I let you live, I would have had one of the most dangerous and powerful assassins in the world as my right hand. You would have strengthened my League of Assassins, and infiltrated governments in my name, and my daughter would have given birth to my grandson and heir. On the other hand, you creating the League of Shadows and destroying my Lazarus Pits caused me to evolve. I watched you grow stronger and more influential, seducing even the Detective and his family, and humiliating me time and time again. Your actions in Gotham are especially heinous against me."
"You mean how I proved you wrong when you said this city was beyond redemption?"
"Exactly. You cured Dr. Fries of his and his wife's ailments, murdered Two-Face, used your influence to strengthen Gotham's police force, and replaced the corrupt officers with your Shadows that honorable enforce this city's laws to the point people see it as a near utopia, and even recently had your husband kill that vile clown. You basically have this city in the palm of your hand. Yet, even so, you still could not prevent my work's fruition. Look, Lady Shiva," he said as he and Shadow Bat looked toward the burning Gotham. "This is just the beginning. Once Gotham and its protectors fall, who would be left to stop me? The Kryptonian? I have enough kryptonite to enslave him. The Amazon? I still have the recipe needed to make her fight to her last breath. The Speedster? Dr. Fries's technology is within my grasp. The Lantern?"
Kiiro's Godzilla construct roared.
Ra's chuckled. "You, the Detective, and your family were the only true threats I ever had. Once you are gone, nothing will be able to stop me. However, I am willing to give you just one chance. Come with me, Lady Shiva. We will wipe this world clean."
". . . I'm disappointed in you, Ra's Al Ghul. Did you truly believe I would just come running to your side? This city is my home. The people are mine to protect. My husband's family is now mine, and I'm quite protective. Besides, you claim to want to wipe this world clean of evil, but you're no different from what you claim to fight against, only they chose redemption. You're a madman, Ra's. One who needs to be stopped. And I WILL stop you, once and for all."
Ra's chuckled. "I doubt that." He then snapped his fingers, and an entire army of Assassins surrounded Shadow Bat. "Instead... you will die."
Red Hood and Deadshot fired at each other, both using their skills to avoid the other's shot, both of them hiding behind cover.
"You know, I brag about never missing, but you're ruining that rep like your old man does, Todd," Deadshot yelled.
"Sorry, Lawton. Can't exactly let you shoot my head off!"
"Sure you can! Would definitely make my job easier," Deadshot yelled as he fully loaded his gauntlets.
"Aw, that's no fun," Red Hood said as he fully loaded his guns.
The two then jumped out and shot at each other.
The bullets rushed past each other, both targets getting hit. It sent both gunmen flying, slamming against the edges of the roof.
Deadshot rubbed his shoulder. "Burns like hell. Non-lethal rounds, eh? You Bat Pricks really are into that whole No Killing thing. Ironic, since Lady Shiva, of all people, is the Queen of the Cave," Deadshot said as he got back up, his shoulder burning too much for him to use that shooting arm.
"Yeah. The No Killing Rule can be a bit annoying from time to time, but it's worth it," Red Hood said as he got up, his shoulder bleeding from the lethal bullet. "Ironic how Mama Sandra was the one who proved it when she cured three of the old man's deadliest rouge members."
Deadshot chuckled as he aimed his gauntlet at Red Hood. "Good thing I'm not part of that gallery. Just a merc looking for some money. Man's gotta take care of his little girl, you know."
"Taking part in a war like this probably isn't one of the best ways, Floyd," Red Hood said as he aimed his gun.
"Fuck you, Jason," he chuckled.
The two stood in place, waiting. Then, when an explosion occurred, they both fired.
Jason's gun was shot out of his hand, while Floyd's gauntlet was shot off his arm.
"Well, shit," Floyd went.
"Right." Floyd looked at the approaching Jason as he cracked his knuckles with his fingers. "Fun way it is."
"Wait, you really think you can kick my ass with one arm?"
"Yup."
"Heh. Smartass."
Jason then charged at Floyd.
The Assassin tried to punch the hero, but Jason ducked under the punch and landed a powerful uppercut.
Floyd stumbled back, feeling the blood flow down his face from his nose, only to receive more jabs to the face, each of them feeling incredibly heavy for jabs. He then tried to knee Jason.
Jason was actually hoping for that.
The hero caught the assassin's attack before tripping him. Right as he was about to fall, Jason placed his hand on Floyd's chest and slammed him onto the ground, making Deadshot bounce with a gasp. Red Hood then finished his combo with a stomp to the chest.
Deadshot groaned as he opened his eyes to see Red Hood looking down at him before pointing a finger gun at him. "Bang."
Deadshot stared at his opponent before chuckling and then sighing. "Screw it. I lost. I died."
"Yeah. You did," Red Hood said as he stepped away from Deadshot and fell on his butt, sighing in relief.
"You're not tired, are you," Deadshot chuckled.
"Shut up. You're tougher than you look, Lawton."
"Gee, thanks." Another explosion occurred. "No idea how you plan on jumping back from this, hero."
"Don't worry about us. Gotham is a resilient city. It'll bounce back."
"Will you and your family?"
Jason laughed. "You have no idea how tough the Bat Family really is, do you? You really think we're gonna hide now that our identities have been revealed?"
"Not worried about your family?"
"Have you seen Bruce's wife? And if you're talking about Dick, his wife is hot in WAY more ways than one. And I've seen Tim's girlfriend. I like her. Little hellraiser, that girl."
"What, you ain't got a special lady?"
Red Hood leaned in. "Trust me, buddy. There isn't a man or woman or meta in this entire universe who can hurt my girlfriend. God, I love that woman."
Meanwhile in Bana-Migdall.
"Choo," Artemis went softly. "For what reason would I have to sneeze? I am an Amazon warrior. I cannot become ill. And why do I feel as if I am being praised? . . . By the gods, is that braggart speaking of me again?" Artemis looked over at the survival knife Jason bought for her on their first real date.
She blushed at the sight of it, seeing that she practically enshrined her treasured weapon. It was one of her favorite blades since it needed incredible skill to use, telling her how much Jason respected her skill. Anyone can swing a sword at a safe enough distance, but to get up close and personal with such a short yet deadly blade showed true skill in her eyes.
She sighed as she remembered her lover. "Fool," she said with a smile and blush.
"Heh. Lucky you. Guess I'm screwed them," Floyd said.
"Let me guess: Ra's threatened your daughter?"
He groaned. "I seriously can't keep my own kid safe. Waller, the government, and now freakin' Ra's Al Ghul. She's in some ghetto apartment in Star City worrying about her old man while he's over here fighting a goddamn war instead of hugging his little girl. Real Dad of the Year, eh?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Heh. Screw you."
"Still, you can rely on us, you know." Floyd looked at Jason. "Well, more specifically, the League of Shadows."
"Pfft. Go from the Assassins to the Shadows, eh," he chuckled out.
"Got a better idea?"
"Nope. . . Ah, what the hell? Shiva scares pretty much everyone, so we're probably safest under her watch anyway. Deal."
Bruce grunted after being punched by Bane, his punch sending the hero skidding back. It was right in the sternum, Bruce swearing Bane's hit made his heart vibrate, the hero panting in exhaustion from the fight.
But Bane was in an even worse state. He was still physically bigger than Bruce, but much more damaged. He was panting far more heavily, his breathing almost labored. He was covered in ugly greenish-black bruises from the excessive Lazarus-Venom in his system, and his muscles looked smaller than before.
It didn't take long for Bruce to realize Bane's muscles were atrophying, being eaten away as the Lazarus-Venom was being used up. This fight really was slowly killing Bane.
Still, neither one was willing to back down. Bruce didn't want to disrespect Bane. The mercenary had always been one of his smartest, deadliest, and strongest foes. He didn't deserve the fate dealt to him, being used as a guinea pig to perfect a drug that's now killing him. Bruce wanted to give Bane the last fight he wanted... and deserved.
Bane knew this. He had always respected Bruce. Brilliant, powerful, skilled, and with a will stronger than even Nth metal. Bruce had always been Bane's greatest foe. His greatest challenge. His greatest rival. He has always been the only man in the world worth dying to. The only one worth fighting fist-to-fist, strength-to-strength, man-to-man. A truly worthy man to die fighting against.
Bane then roared as he charged at Bruce, Bruce roaring back as he charged at him.
Bruce jumped and landed a dropkick right to Bane's face, breaking his nose. However, Bane grabbed Bruce's leg and slammed him face-first into the floor, making it crack. He then tried to elbow-drop Bruce's back, but he rolled out of the way just in time and sweep-kicked Bane in the face.
Bruce then backflip-kicked Bane in the face, but when he landed, Bane shoulder-charged him into a pillar before proceeding to punch Bruce, who barely held up his arms in defense, but Bane's arms still felt like hammers. Unfortunately, Bruce could feel Bane's punches getting lighter. Weaker.
He was running out of time.
Bane then punched Bruce in the side with enough force to send him flying away from the pillar, falling to his knees before coughing violently. He then spat out glowing, greenish blood.
"Bane." He looked up to see Bruce standing tall and proud. And though Bruce was literally looking down at Bane, there was no disrespect or contempt in his eyes. "Stand back up. You can still fight, can't you? I won't attack you while you can't defend yourself. DON'T YOU DARE GIVE ME A COWARD'S VICTORY!"
Bane stared at Bruce, his breathing still ragged before he chuckled dryly as he stood back up. "No te preocupes mi amigo. Nunca te faltaría el respeto de esa manera. Nunca olvides. ¡SOY! ¡BANE! (Do not worry, my friend. I would never disrespect you in such a way. Never forget. I. AM! BANE!)"
The two then charged at each other with battle roars, both throwing punches. Their fists then collided.
In any other circumstance, Bane's punch would have shattered Bruce's fist, if not his entire arm. At his peak, Bane's punch would have sent Bruce's arm flying.
But that wasn't the case. His strength... was at Bruce's level. And though Bruce was at peak physical strength, practically a superhuman in his own right, it was still a far cry from Bane's prime, even without the use of Venom.
This was truly their last fight.
Bruce and Bane were pretty much having a punch out, neither one relenting. Fists met fists. Punches struck the chest. Blows reached the body. Strikes landed on the face. Blood was spraying everywhere, Bruce's red blood dancing in the air with Bane's green blood.
This wasn't a fight between Batman and Bane. Not a vigilante fighting a mercenary. Not a superhero defeating a supervillain.
It was two men, both with their own sense of honor, both with a great sense of respect for the other, giving the other their all in their final fight.
Then, it happened.
One of Bruce's punches struck Bane's chin, making him dazed. It was more than enough time for Bruce to reel back his arm and throw his strongest punch yet. With a roar, he struck Bane right in the sternum, the mercenary's eyes widening as he felt the force of the punch reverberating throughout his entire body.
Then, Bane felt every last bit of strength he had left... vanish.
Bane then vomited blood, creating a puddle between him and Batman, panting as he looked down at him before looking at Bruce... and smiling. "Thank you."
"Bane," Bruce said with a stoic look in his eyes.
Bane then stepped away from Bruce, a smile still on his face before walking toward the center of the lobby. "I have committed many acts of evil in my life," Bane began. "I have taken countless lives, innocent and guilty alike. I have destroyed far more than I have created, but I left my mark. I was the first man to have ever broken the Bat! I am the man who brought about the creation of the Lazarus-Venom! I AM THE MAN WHO BROUGHT ABOUT THE WAR OF LAZARUS, A WAR THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED LONG AFTER EVEN I AM FORGOTTEN! I AM BANE, ¡Y NO ME ARREPIENTO DE NADA EN MI VIDA! (AND I DON'T REGRET A DAMN THING IN MY LIFE)"
Bane gave one last roar as he threw his fist into the air as if it were absolutely his victory.
Bruce stared at Bane's tall, proud figure; already knowing full well the truth.
Bane was dead, still standing on his feet.
'Adiós, Batman.' Bruce looked up in surprise at the sound of Bane's voice. His ETHEREAL voice. 'Adiós, Bruce Wayne. . . Adiós... mi amigo,' Bane's voice went as it faded away like a whisper on the wind.
Bruce stared at Bane's corpse, looking... sad. "Adiós, Bane. Que encuentres la paz. (May you find peace.)"
An Assassin stepped back before falling back, showing Shadow Bat with her fist outstretched. She then stood back up, her body covered by her cape. She then looked toward the sound of clapping, Ra's still sitting at her desk.
"I would expect no less from the great Lady Shiva."
"Shadow Bat."
Ra's raised an eyebrow.
"As long as I wear this, I am Shadow Bat, Empress of Gotham's Night."
Ra's shook his head while chuckling. "The Detective has influenced you just as much as you have him, I see," he said as he stood up from the desk, walking around it to stand in front of his foe.
"I'm going to make you wish you never messed with my city."
"Hmph. You have no idea how wrong you are... Shadow Bat," Ra's Al Ghul said as he took off his cape. However, he did not draw his sword.
Shadow Bat raised an eyebrow before shrugging and taking her favorite stance.
Moments passed. Then, Kiiro's Godzilla roared.
Shadow Bat charged at Ra's and tried to kick him, but he was able to block her kick with his arms. She then tried to stomp on his foot, but he was able to move back in time to avoid the stomp, but not fast enough to avoid her punch to his cheek, nearly dislocating his lower jaw.
She tried to kick him in the solar plexus next, but Ra's caught her leg and yanked her forward to perform a lariat that sent her to the ground, attempting to punch her while she was down.
Shadow Bat retaliated with two kicks to Ra's face, making him spin away before she jumped to her feet and tried to knee him in the face, which he was able to block. But when Shadow Bat landed, she landed a palm strike to Ra's sternum that winded him while making him skid back. Shadow Bat ran toward him to continue her assault.
However, Ra's was able to block her next two punches and her kick.
She then jumped over Ra's and attempted to chop his nape, but he was able to grab her arm and yank her in front of him before kicking her stomach, then kicking her chin, forcing her head up. Ra's then performed a Yama-Zuki punch that sent her skidding away.
Shadow Bat then threw a Batarang at Ra's, who moved out of the way. "Your husband's toys? Unexpected."
Shadow Bat smirked. "I'm far more unpredictable than you'd expect."
Ra's was then hit in the back of the head, not knowing that the Batarang Shadow Bat threw was a Reversal Rang, a true boomerang of a weapon that made Ra's stumble forward.
Shadow Bat used that opportunity to land a powerful upward palm strike that slammed Ra's lower jaw into the upper, the beauty actually feeling some of Ra's teeth crack before he was sent flying. Yet he was still somehow able to land on his feet.
As soon as he did, he slammed one hand over his ear, glaring at Shadow Bat.
"You timed it just right to make your brain stop shaking within your skull. Impressive."
"Happy to receive your approval." Ra's then jumped high into the air to perform an axe kick, which Shadow easily dodged. But she didn't dodge his next kick, which struck her in the chin, dazing her enough for Ra's to throw her against a wall.
Ra's kicked her in the stomach before trying to punch her, but she blocked both punches and caught the fist aimed at her side. She then yanked Ra's forward to headbutt him, then smacking him around with enough force for her hand to sound like a whip, leaving bleeding marks on Ra's cheeks before she tried to stab him in the neck with her fingers.
But Ra's caught her hand, fell back, dragging Shadow Bat with him, and then kicked her away.
When Shadow Bat landed, she got a kick in the face from Ra's that dazed her.
Ra's didn't let this opportunity go to waste, punching Shadow's chin to daze her more, then a punch to the temple, and finished with a slam to her ears, making her eardrums ring. Then, he grabbed Shadow Bat by her throat.
"As I thought. You do not disappoint, Shadow Bat." He then lifted Shadow Bat before slamming her to the ground with enough force to crack the floor. "You are a worthy opponent. Had I met you five hundred years ago, I am certain you would have been the greatest of my teachers." Shadow Bat groaned before she glared up at Ra's. "Still, that does not change the fact that I am hundreds of years old, and have trained with the greatest teachers in history. Though you absolutely belong on that list, not even your skill and talent are limitless."
Shadow Bat glared at Ra's. "That... and you've been studying me."
Ra's chuckled. "Indeed. You and the Detective both. Only the two of you can be called my enemies. The greatest threat to me. It is an absolute shame to kill you. However, I do not make the same mistake twice," he said as he drew his sword before holding it above Shadow Bat's neck. "Farwell, Sandra Wu-San-Wayne. Know that your daughter will be my greatest Assassin, and your son will be a worthy heir. If not he, then the child created between he and Talia when he has come of age."
Unbeknownst to Ra's, the elevator dinged as he drew his sword, and he monologed as the doors opened, so he didn't hear it at all. So, he was caught off guard when a Batarang knocked his sword out of his hand. Shadow Bat then sweep-kicked Ra's as she got back on her feet, jumping away from the villain.
However, due to being in midair, not even she could avoid Ra's gunshot.
Shadow Bat's eyes widened when the bullet went right through her shoulder as she fell onto the ground, gripping her bloody wound. "How?"
"A custom-made SR-1 Vector handgun. I had hoped to use it on your husband before-" An Explosive Batarang struck the gun, Ra's throwing it away before it blew up in his hand. "That." He looked toward the thrower. "You're late, Detective."
Batman stomped toward Ra's, looking furious.
"I approve of the look on your face, Detective."
"Batman," Shadow Bat went as she sat back up, groaning in pain before reaching into her belt and taking out a syringe, injecting herself with it, feeling her bullet wound freeze over and heal.
"You and your League are destroying my city. You killed countless people. Took over my Tower, sent glorified thugs after my family, threatened to groom my children, and worst of all, you hurt my wife."
Shadow Bat giggled. "Quite the protective husband I have."
"So this is gonna hurt, Ra's," Batman said as he cracked his knuckles. "And I'm going to enjoy it."
Ra's chuckled as he pointed his sword at Batman. "And I'm going to enjoy killing you, Detective."
The two then charged at each other, beginning what could very well be the fight that ends the war.
Batman tried to punch Ra's, but he sidestepped and tried to slash the hero, only for Batman to lean back and avoid the slash.
Batman avoided more of Ra's slashes before trying to use his gauntlet arm blades to block Ra's sword.
He was surprised when Ra's sword slashed through the blade and Batman's armor, cutting into his arm deep enough to draw blood. Batman jumped back and examined his wound before looking at Ra's sword. "So the gun wasn't the only custom job."
"Of course not, Detective. Did you believe I would not prepare for our eventual battle when starting this war?" Ra's then charged at Batman and tried to slash him with great speed and precision.
However, Batman took a page from Shadow Bat and evaded all of his slashes before grabbing Ra's wrist, but Ra's tried to headbutt him. Fortunately, Batman headbutted him back just in time, both fighters canceling out the other's attack.
"This is a shame, Detective. You were the only man to have ever passed the Demon's Trial. The only man to have constantly beaten me in single combat. You could have had anything of mine worth several lifetimes. Yet, you chose my former general over everything I could have granted you?"
"Shadow Bat is absolutely worth everything you have and more."
"I don't remember saying my name around you yet, Qīn'ài de (Honey)."
Batman and Ra's jumped away from each other.
Ra's sighed. "We're done, you and I." Ra's then threw shurikens at Batman, who retaliated with his Batarangs, but the shurikens sliced through them, making Batman have to flip away from them.
When he landed, Ra's almost stabbed him, had another Batarang not hit him in the face, letting Batman beat down Ra's before kicking him away. He glanced over at his wife, seeing her arm still outstretched, Batman nodding in appreciation at her before looking at Ra's.
Ra's bent his neck to crack the joints before throwing a shuriken at Shadow Bat. She easily caught it, but was electrocuted before throwing it away, panting heavily.
"You should know that you cannot defeat me, even with her help. I AM ETERNAL," Ra's roared, surrounded by green energy, before sending a green wind blade rushing at Batman.
Batman actually ran toward the energy and slid beneath it, still feeling the heavy pressure of the attack as it sliced through his building, rushing through the sky.
Batman then lunged at Ra's, trying to punch him, but Ra's dodged all but a few of his blows, one of Batman's punches making him stumble back before he kicked Batman away.
"DID YOU EVER UNDERSTAND THE HONOR I GRANTED YOU, BOY," he roared as he tried to slash Batman, the hero dodging all of his attacks. "I MADE YOU MY HEIR! GAVE YOU MY DAUGHTER'S HAND! PROMISED IMMORTALITY! YET YOU THREW IT ALL AWAY FOR THIS POISONED CITY?! FOR THAT INSOLENT WOMAN?!"
Batman then grunted after Ra's successfully stabbed him in the gut. "With the Lazarus Pit, you may have survived even this," he said with a smirk.
Batman gritted his teeth. "Unlike you," he began as grabbed Ra's hand. "I'm not afraid of dying," he said as he further impaled himself onto Ra's sword. "I'd rather keep my humanity." He then headbutted Ra's, making him fall to the ground.
"SHADOW BAT, NOW!"
Shadow Bat then reached into her utility belt and threw what she knew her husband meant. A Freeze Grenade, the gadget freezing Ra's to the ground, the man growling as he struggled before yelling in anger.
Batman looked down at Ra's before walking over to Shadow Bat, her hand outstretched. He grabbed it and helped her back on her feet.
"Let me guess, comm link in my cowl," she asked as she pointed at her mask.
"Mhm."
"And since you designed the suit, you knew what I had in my belt."
"Yeah."
"Heh. Not bad, Batman." Shadow Bat then glared at Ra's. "Of course."
Batman looked back to see what his wife meant but wasn't surprised at what he saw.
Ra's had taken out a syringe and injected himself with the contents, easily breaking out of the ice and jumping to his feet, letting out a deep exhale before turning toward the couple. "I did not want to rely on this. For this insult, I will slaughter the both of you," said a Venomed Ra's Al Ghul.
Batman and Shadow Bat looked at each other before taking their stances, ready to end the war together.
Batman and Shadow Bat watched Ra's Al Ghul as he analyzed himself, the man looking at his arms, flexing his fingers, before removing his tunic to reveal his muscles glowing with the Lazarus Venom. "So, this is what it is like. This is the first time I have ever injected myself with Venom, Detective, Assassin. Admittedly, it is... intoxicating. Not too dissimilar to the sensation of when I was stealing Superman's life essence. No. That power nearly drove me mad. But I have full control over myself, even with this power."
"Batman, did you watch the recording of my fight with Talia?"
"I did," he answered as he and Shadow Bat readied the Batarangs. They then threw them into the air, making sure to hit each other's Batarangs at the perfect angle, timing, and strength.
Ra's then looked up and smirked at the sight above him, the swarm of Batarangs flying above him. "Like a colony of bats," he said.
"Now," Shadow Bat went. She and Batman threw their Batarangs, causing the needed reaction.
Ra's stood in place as the Batarangs rushed at him, exploding on impact.
Batman and Shadow Bat were on high alert, waiting to see what would come out of the cloud.
When it cleared, Ra's was standing tall, not a scratch on him, the villain chuckling before bursting into laughter. "Magnificent! I could almost become addicted to this power. Almost. I'm not as foolish as Bane. Nor as disposable."
Batman glared at Ra's.
"Now that I've experienced the power of Venom, let me show you the awesome power of Lazarus Venom," Ra's said as he began to glow.
"Lazarus Venom," Shadow Bat went. "He talks as if he's already mastered the concoction."
"Oh, but I have, Assassin. Behold," Ra's said as his glowing energy traveled to his arms. He then swung them, unleashing a wall of green energy that rushed toward the married heroes. There was literally no way to avoid it, so all they could do was cover themselves with their capes.
It blasted them right out the window. They both knew that being in front of the glass windows was the best choice. The force of the blast let them know they still would have been blasted out of the building, but being blasted through walls would have broken even them, giving Ra's an instant victory.
Before the two could plummet to the ground below, they both took out their grapplers and sped back to the building. As soon as they landed, they both rushed to Ra's without a second thought.
Shadow Bat performed a running tornado kick aimed at Ra's head while Batman aimed for a slide kick, but Ra's was able to grab Shadow and slam her onto Batman on time.
Still, Shadow Bat performed a two-legged kick that hit Ra's in the chin, before jumping off of her husband, Batman performed a sweep kick that knocked Ra's off his feet, Shadow Bat jumped over Batman and stomped onto Ra's chest before jumping off and threw a Freeze Blast at Ra's.
He caught it and let it detonate in his hand, shattering the ice, his hand non-worse for wear as he jumped back on his feet. "The same tactic won't work twice on me, Assassin."
"Tch." Shadow Bat then prepared to use one of her more powerful techniques, True Tiger Dances With Crane. It was one of her strongest punches, but a risky move to use in this situation.
Too risky.
Before Shadow Bat could even begin to concentrate, Ra's grabbed her by the face. "Did you think I would let you perform one of your favorite non-lethal techniques, Assassin?" He then threw her at Batman, the hero catching her out of instinct.
Then, Ra's grabbed both Batman and Shadow Bat by their faces, lifted them, then slammed them into the ground with enough force to make the entire tower shake.
He then began to glow again before roaring as he tossed both heroes through the ceiling, the two smashing through the building until they burst onto the roof, the couple slamming down with groans and coughs. They both still jumped to their feet, wobbling a bit before taking their stances as Ra's burst through the roof, making a third hole.
"Truly glorious. I dare say I should have experimented with Lazarus Waters centuries ago. I always believed it was perfect. What a fool I was. Look at how powerful I am with Venom, Detective! Imagine if it was combined with something else. Such as... Kryptonian blood. I would be a god!"
"That's not going to happen, Ra's," Batman said.
"We won't let you even IMAGINE that far ahead," Shadow Bat said.
Ra's chuckled. "Then I suppose I should kill the both of you quickly and start imagining the next phase of my crusade," he said just as thunder crashed, rain starting to fall.
Ra's chuckled again. "Even the heavens fear my triumph. COME, WARRIORS! I SHALL BESTOW UPON YOU A LEGENDARY DEATH!"
Batman and Shadow Bat took their stances.
"Bring it," they said in perfect unison.