After meeting with Gordon, Batman climbed into the Batmobile, hoping to check in his team. The sun was almost rising, which normally meant it was time for the team to call it a night, but the threats written on the wall of Harvey Dent's cell seemed to be just ominous and personal enough to where it seemed serious enough to consider. Firing up the engine and driving back toward the Batcave, he received an incoming transmission from Oracle.
"Batman, there's been another break-in….it's at Lucius Fox's home," Oracle reported, her voice growing more distressed and emotional, "Lucius is missing; the cops think someone has kidnapped him. There were other notes found at the house…it seems to match up with City Hall and Arkham earlier tonight."
Batman's worst fears had been confirmed. Someone wasn't just after Batman; they were after Bruce Wayne.
"Call the team right away," Batman ordered Oracle, "Until we can confirm otherwise, we've been compromised. Have everyone report to the East Bunker right away."
"On it," Oracle said, "Should I contact the League or the Titans?"
"Not yet; for now let's keep the circle as small as possible," Batman advised, struggling to keep his composure as he drove faster towards the Batcave. After hanging up with Oracle, he tried to call Alfred's phone but got no answer. He tried Selina's phone as well, but still to no avail. Batman tried to pull up their tracking information on the Batmobile's console, but was still getting no signal, nor was he able to access any of the security camera feeds across his property.
As he drove toward the secret back entrance to the Batcave, Batman kept an eye on Wayne Manor in the distance. No sign of a fire or a break-in from here, Batman thought to himself, But something has to be wrong. Alfred always answers his phone. Pulling into the interior of the Batcave, there didn't appear to be any damage or signs of struggle, but Alfred was nowhere to be found.
Not wasting time, Bruce immediately exited the Batmobile and rushed up the stairs, through the secret entrance to the Manor. Not bothering to remove the Batsuit, he noticed the front door busted open, the footprints on the floors, furniture turned over, broken glass; the signs of a break-in and kidnapping were unmistakable.
"ALFRED? SELINA?!" Batman cried out in vain, hoping there were some signs of life, searching every room he could, but to no avail. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a car frantically approaching the mansion. Not sure who was in the car or what their intentions were, Batman cautiously approached the front entrance and saw two black, unmarked SUVs speeding toward the mansion and skidding to a halt.
Out of the first vehicle came 4 of what Batman recognized as some of the elite guard from the League of Shadows. Immediately springing to action, Batman engaged the 4 in combat, disarming them and beating them into submission.
"Stop it, Bruce! This is not what you think it is, please listen," a familiar voice called out, causing Batman and the assassins to stop fighting. Turning around, Batman immediately recognized Talia al Ghul, the daughter of one of his greatest enemies, along with 2 more guards.
"Where are Alfred and Selina?! I don't have time for games, Talia," Batman said, "What is going on?!"
"I'm trying to figure that out myself," Talia explained, trying to diffuse the situation, "My father has cut off communication from me; I have been briefed about the attacks on the underworld here in Gotham, and I had to know if he was behind it, or if he is in danger himself. I had reason to believe you might be targeted, so that is why we are here."
"You really expect me to believe that?" Batman asked, incredulously, "You just happened to show up at my home after Alfred and Selina go missing?"
"I had nothing to do with that, I swear it," Talia argued, "Something has caused a rift in the League of Shadows. Whoever is behind this wants to send a message to you, but I don't know much more than you do at this point."
"So, you're here to ask for my help?" Batman asked, angrily, "Why would I possibly help you or your father after everything we've been through? My home has been invaded, my family has been taken, the most dangerous men and women have been set free, and people are being slaughtered like animals. If you have any answers, you had better start talking now!" Talia hung her head and sighed.
"I am truly sorry that things between us had not worked out, beloved. I know you have no reason to trust me or to believe me, but I believe that Ra's al Ghul going missing may have implications much larger than you and I or even Gotham," Talia explained, "He has not been the same since the invasion from Apokalips."
"And where was the League of Shadows when the planet needed defending?" Batman snapped back, "Your father claims to care so much for our world, yet he's been willing to kill billions to preserve the environment."
"Now is not the time for this," Talia retorted, "My father has honored the truce you and he made all those years ago, but now I cannot find him. Either he does not want to be found, or he has been taken by the same people who have taken your servant. Please, Bruce; I know how much Alfred means to you. If not for my sake, or my father's sake, then for his sake and Selina Kyle's."
"If your father isn't behind this, then who else is there?" Batman asked, "I saw pictures of Bane at Arkham Asylum; is he part of the League now?"
"I do not know Bane's status within the League, but I doubt Bane is acting alone," Talia suspected, "There is one other possibility; I have heard reports that Jason Todd is still alive."
"He hasn't been seen in Gotham for over a year," Batman replied, "I suspected he may have behind the Sionis/Zsasz murders; I know he has a grudge against me, but I don't see why he would go after Alfred or Selina."
"If Jason is behind this, then there is a greater chance that they may still be alive," Talia theorized, "He and Bane are the most likely of the two suspects, given their personal connections to both your family and the League of Shadows."
"I need to reconvene with my team," Batman said, "I've already had them retreat to an undisclosed safe house. For security reasons, I can't allow you and your people to follow us there. If you're serious about working together, then we do this on my terms."
Talia spoke with her guards briefly in their native tongue, before they nodded in agreement.
"They have agreed to remain behind until further notice, but I think it would be wise for us to stick together," Talia said, before taking a pause, "I am sorry to do this under these circumstances, Bruce…but there is something else you need to know about. Someone I should have told you about a long time ago. Bruce…this is Damian."
Talia opened the car door and out walked a young, pre-teen boy, who could have been no older than ten years old. The boy was dressed and armed similarly to Talia's elite guards. Batman was shocked as he studied the boy's face immediately; his skin was similar to Talia's Persian complexion, but his face was the spitting image of Bruce Wayne at that age. In the boy's eyes, Bruce saw an intensity and world-weariness far beyond his years. The resemblance was unmistakable, but Bruce was in stunned silence.
"Hello, Father," Damian spoke, in an accent similar to Talia's, "I imagined you would be taller."