Post by HoM on Dec 2, 2009 20:32:13 GMT -5
...Batman landed above the city, and breathed in sharply. The shadows across the building shifted and moved, but he didn't care-- the city played foul tricks on people not knowing of it's dirty secrets, and he knew them all. Everything was going to be OK.
"'Batman'," whispered the voice, and the Caped Crusader span around, batarangs held high, ready to be unleashed. "Such an easy name to take upon one's self, is it not? Have you not just done that yourself, 'Child'? Desecrated the corpse of the great Detective for a title and held it high, like it was your own?"
Dick Grayson's blood ran cold. The shadows shifted and became men-- all clad in black, all wielding weapons that could slice through stone. And he recognized the man who mocked him from amongst the hordes. The League of Assassins split down the middle, and one man emerged from the assassins.
Batman said one word through gritted teeth. The name of a man he had thought dead... "…Ra’s."
“Th-- that’s impossible.” Batman said when he found his voice.
“What’s impossible?” Ra’s asked with a smile. Ra's Al Ghul. The Demon's Head. Draped in a green cape that drifted in the night air, his arrogance plain for the whole world to see if they knew where to look. He laughed as he watched Dick Grayson react to his being. He was enjoying this far too much, and Dick was too shell-shocked to see it.
Batman shook his head. “You--! You are. You can’t be here.”
“But I am,” Ra’s replied, still smiling. Taking some imperceptible cue from his leader, a ninja leaped in front of Dick, sending him flying back by a kick in the chest. Dick sat up and looked around. He couldn’t tell which ninja had done it-- they were all back in perfect order. Ra’s stepped forward, smiling as he fingered the hilt on his blade.
“Proof enough?” He asked, looking down at Dick as the Caped Crusader gasped for breath.
Ra’s expression twisted. “You’re pathetic. Just like Bruce. You have so much potential, but you waste it, just like he did.”
Dick felt a smile form on his lips. “I’ll consider any comparison to Bruce a compliment.”
“Bruce is nothing,” Ra’s spat. “He’s dead. He missed his chance. I offered him the League, boy, and he rejected it. I won't bother to make you the same offer. You're nothing. You're half the man he was. And I'm going to enjoy making an example of you for the whole world to witness. The League shall parade your corpse to anyone who challenges me. A dead bat. Harrowing, no?”
“Bruce always was a smart man.” Batman said. He quickly rolled the side and flipped backward, a batarang in hand. “And he taught me everything he knew. So bring it, Ra's. And see how far it gets you.”
Nightwing
Issue Forty-Three: The Return
Part Six (of Seven): "The Reckoning"
Written by Imari Jade and House Of Mystery
Cover by Paul Johnson
Edited by House Of Mystery
Ra’s blade flew in front of Batman’s face, narrowly missing slicing his cheek open. Batman back-pedaled, tossing one batarang and reaching for another. With his left hand, he threw a handful of smoke pellets behind him, hoping to create at least a minor diversion for the ninjas.
“Ugh!”
Dick flew back as something-- Ra’s foot?-- caught him in the head. His neck hurt. A lot. He was lucky it hadn’t snapped, but luck didn't have anything to do with it-- the neck brace in the cowl was built to protect, that's why Bruce designed it, and that's why Ted Kord had built it. No two ways. Bruce Wayne had just saved his life. Again.
He rolled with the impact, tossing a batarang to where he suspected Ra’s was. He heard it hit flesh, but was convinced it wasn’t Ra’s when the Demon’s Head himself was behind him, wielding his blade. Batman ducked, then back-flipped to a safer distance. The smoke was beginning to dissipate. The ninjas surged forward, baying for the blood of the bat. Dick smiled at that thought. Probably an inappropriate thing to do, and Ra's seethed at the expression.
“Bruce must pay for his rejection,” Ra’s hissed. "And as he's dead... your sacrifice will suffice!"
“You sound like a clingy ex-girlfriend,” Dick said. “Disturbing.” Something swished past him, catching his shoulder. He sucked his in breath in pain, choking down on the sudden agony.
“He’s dead,” Ra’s said. “Which leaves you to pay for his crimes. You and the rest of the pitiful 'Bat-family', is it? Ha! How ridiculous a concept. Bruce Wayne never cared for family! All he cared for was his crusade! His vendetta against what he perceived as injustices across the world! He used me to further his agenda, he used you, that child Jason Todd, that whore Barb--”
Ra's was on the floor before Dick even knew he'd thrown the punch. He'd gone on pure instinct, and caught his opponent squarely in the face, and he was pushed back and prevented from pushing his advantage by another flock of ninjas. They were beginning to become an irritant.
"Touch a nerve, did I?" Ra's wiped at his face with his sleeve and looked for blood. "You didn't even draw blood. Shame. The things I taught Bruce, he could have killed me with that one blow."
"He wouldn't want to. He'd want you behind bars!" Batman flipped forward, faking another blow but spinning it into a kick. Ra’s caught it easily and leaped back, losing no ground.
“Pitiful,” he said in derision. “I thought Bruce would have taught his little orphan brat better. His little pet gymnast.”
Batman ducked Ra’s blade, taking several long steps back. The smoke was completely gone now, revealing once more the still, silent ninjas. Not the most supportive audience.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Batman muttered. He moved quickly, surprising Ra’s and catching him off guard once more. To the Demon’s Head’s immense surprise, his head was suddenly caught in the crook of Batman’s arm, a lethally-sharp Batarang pressed against his neck. “Just try and come back from the dead this time.”
He didn’t have time to say anything else. The silent audience that had been content to watch earlier suddenly moved as one towards one central location--
--Him.
“Daaaang.” Dick muttered. He pressed the batarang more firmly against Ra’s flesh. “Anyone moves, and he’s-- ugh!”
He flew forward as something slammed into his back, the batarang knocked out of his hand. He grunted in pain as something flew across his face, tasting blood. Before he could get off the ground, a ninja’s foot connected with his ribs as another struck his head. He vision blurred to black, and he felt the tip of a blade against his neck. Blood slowly trickled across his throat.
Ra’s. His vision returned, still blurry, and he saw Ra’s demonic visage grinning above him gleefully.
“This is the end, boy.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Then I’m going after your friends. One. By. One.”
"That... that... bastard!" Drakon was pacing the dank apartment that Hush and himself had used as their base of operations. Hush entered slowly, a bloody mess, and Drakon hesitated for a moment. "Success?"
"No," was the masked man's reply. "Nothing of the sort. And you?"
"Gordon had back up. Thought I could isolate him. Thought I could break every bone in his body before those cops of his found him. I was wrong. And then there was Robin. He's on my list now. I'm going to kill him slow and smooth."
"Gordon was never on your list, Constantine. Think back. Your affairs were corporate in nature. Bruce Wayne is already dead. But what of his CEO? What of Lucius Fox? Remember the original brief. And complete that before adding children to your death-list."
"Lucius Fox," Constantine Drakon repeated slowly. "You're right. I'll kill him. Slit his throat from left to right. You keep me sane, Hush. Thank you." He pulled on his jacket, and checked to see if he had all his knives in place. "What about you? What are you going to do now?"
"Think," said Hush, "I need to think. And decide whether my enemy deserves to live or die."
Batwoman lunged to the side, landing heavily on her shoulder. She glanced up to see Talia rush towards the Wrath, parrying a blow. Batwoman grabbed a batarang from her hip and tossed it with deadly accuracy toward the Wrath. He anticipated her, surprising Talia by grabbing her arm and jerking her to the side. The batarang caught Talia’s side, and she doubled over in pain. Batwoman didn’t take the time to check on her, but while Talia was bent, she tossed another batarang that caught the Wrath’s mask. The Wrath hissed, shoving Talia out of his way and heading toward Barbara. Batwoman scrambled quickly to her feet, taking a few steps back before attempting a kick. The Wrath batted her foot away, responding with a kick of his own. Batwoman twisted to the side, avoiding the brunt of the blow. She ducked low underneath his fist and rolled to the side. A batarang in her hand, she slashed at the Wrath. He screamed in pain, then swung at her side, sending her flying. She took a second to check on Talia.
“Talia!” She called. Talia was on her knees, grabbing her sword.
“I’m fine,” she said, wincing in pain as she stood. She wrenched the edge of the batarang from her side, her face twisted in agony. Batwoman leaped to her feet, reaching Talia’s side. The Wrath came over, furious and in pain.
“Ready?” Batwoman didn’t wait for a reply, she grabbed a batarang, tossing it at the Wrath even as she threw herself forward. The Wrath dodged the batarang she threw, but quickly grabbed another from the ground. He couldn’t avoid Batwoman’s double-fisted blow to his chest, however. Batwoman back-pedalled quickly as the Wrath flew toward her, wielding the sharp metal.
“Now!” She screamed. Talia’s blade drove through the Wrath’s back. The Wrath howled in agony, dropping the batarang to the floor as he collapsed. Batwoman and Talia were still for a moment.
“Is it dead?” Batwoman wondered aloud.
Talia knelt down beside the Wrath and checked him. “I think so,” she said grimly.
Batwoman let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. “Well, then.” She stopped. “How’s your side?”
“Just fine, no thanks to you,” Talia muttered. She peeled away the fabric around the wound, examining it.
“Let me wrap it up for you,” Batwoman said, heading for the supplies Alfred had left out when nursing Orpheus.
“Thank you, but I think you’ve done enough. I’ll take care of it myself.” Talia grabbed a roll of bandages and disinfectant and crossed the Cave. “You check on the boy,” she ordered.
Batwoman frowned but checked on Orpheus. He was still unconscious, but didn’t seem to be doing any worse. She re-bandaged his wounds, then glanced once more at the empty costume case, wondering…
"Wait--" said Batwoman, as she turned-- The Wrath was climbing to his feet, and his hand was behind his back, fingers wrapped around the hilt of the blade shoved through his body. There was a horrific noise as flesh and muscle split, blood pouring from the monstrosity's front and back. "How...?" The Wrath reeled back, and tore off what was left of the cape and cowl, his skull-mask gleaming in what little light there was being projected down onto the Cave floor. "...When will this stop?!"
Mickey Fynn drifted slowly back from unconsciousness. The world was a haze, brought on by the simple fact that he was hooked up to the city's best medical machinery, and filled with it's best painkillers. He lifted up his hand, and tried to focus on how many fingers he was holding.
"You're awake," said a voice he recognised, but couldn't place. "We were beginning to get worried."
"Llllucuiusss," he slurred, "took me a sssecond, Goddd." He tried pulling himself up, and Lucius Fox supported him. "They've stitched you back together, inside and out. Your sober, aren't you? Must be a weird feeling."
"Drop it," said Mickey, the world suddenly clear. "Where's my coat?"
"On the door," said Lucius. "I haven't touched it. Why?"
"Bring it over?"
"Fine." Lucius left the seat beside Mickey's bed, and picked up the coat. He paused for a moment, and felt the weight of it. He shook his head, and handed it to Mickey. "Alfred wanted a familiar face to be here when you woke up. With the others about the city, doing their thing, it turned out that it was my turn. Alfred's headed back to the Manor, your expenses have been covered."
"And the con continues, fantastic," said Mickey, rifling through his pockets. He found what he was looking for, and then leaned back into his pillows. "Thank God."
"What?"
"Lucius Fox." The two of them looked to the door, where Constantine Drakon was cradling the broken face of the police guard that had been behind the door. "You're the last one I have to kill before I feel I can leave Gotham. I'll be back, of course, but that'll be for other reasons."
Bang!
"Whhhh?" Constantine Drakon looked down at the hole in his chest, blood dribbling out, and to Mickey Fynn, who held a smoking gun in shaking hands. "Howww?"
"You're not The Wrath," whispered Fynn, "b-but you'll do? I guess?" Drakon fell to the floor, and Mickey dropped the gun into his bed sheets, his eyes wide. "Oh, God."
Dick saw Ra’s arm move slightly upwards, preparing to drive the blade into his throat. Ra’s screamed and hit the ground three feet away from Batman, the edge of his blade drawing across Dick’s throat. Batman’s hand instinctively grasped his throat.
“Augh!” He screamed. A minute later, he opened his eyes and saw Jason looking at him, concerned.
“Y’okay? Talkin' to yourself?” Jason asked, his foot on Ra’s chest. Ra’s blade was pressed to his own throat.
“Fine.” Dick said. “Just a cut.” Jason gave him an unconvinced glance before turning back to Ra’s. “You could have come a little earlier,” Batman said, as a ninja ran toward Jason. His foot flew and caught the ninja with an audible thump.
“Eh, I thought a big boy like you could handle it,” Jason retorted. “Guess I was wrong.” At the last minute, he removed the sword tip from Ra’s throat, sweeping it in front of an approaching ninja. Blood drenched the ninja’s black clothing from the gash across his chest and arms. “Heads up!”
Dick caught the blade Jason tossed him, backpedaling so that his back was close to Jason’s. Jason knelt and grabbed Ra’s other blade from his hilt as the Demon’s Head grabbed at it.
“Nice try, moron.” Jason said in a bored tone. He wielded the new blade in front of him, swishing it in the air. “Excellent workmanship,” he approved.
“Only one way to tell for sure,” Dick replied. Another ninja fell back as Dick tried the sword. “Yes,” he agreed. “Seems to be working just fine.” He half-turned, slamming his fist into the side of a ninja.
“Hey, that one was mine!” Jason complained.
“There’s plenty more where that one came from,” Dick said. He grunted as ninja landed a blow. “You’d better hurry. I’m already up to seven.”
“Not fair,” Jason retorted. “I just got here.”
“I wasn’t counting those,” Dick replied, grinning. He heard Jason grunt behind him and saw his foot connect with a ninja’s head out of the corner of his eye. Jason stepped further away from Dick. With one last blow to a ninja, Batman back-flipped, landing behind Jason as a ninja ran at him, dagger poised. The hilt of Dick’s blade came down on the ninja’s shoulder, causing him to lose grip on the dagger. Jason turned and did a roundhouse kick to his attacker's chest, Dick ducking just in time. Rolling to the side, Dick brought his blade around, catching a ninja aiming for Jason’s exposed back.
“That one counts as mine,” Dick complained. Jason grinned, spinning into a kick to a ninja’s head, his back again moving close to Dick’s.
“There’s plenty more where he came from,” Jason replied. “Hckk!”
Dick whirled around, his blade automatically whirling with him. His blade pressed against Ra’s neck as he saw that the Demon’s Head had a small dagger pressed against Jason’s throat.
“Drop the blade, boy.” Dick didn’t move. “Now!” Ra’s commanded. A thin stream of blood appeared at Jason’s throat.
“Just kill him!” Jason yelled. Dick stared at Ra’s for a second, his cold blue eyes locked on Ra’s. Another ninja pressed a blade against the small of Dick’s back. It was too late now.
Ra’s worked to control his fury. “Destroy th-- ugh!”
The sword dropped from his grip. It never hit the floor. Batman’s gloved hand caught it as he leaped away from the ninja’s blade, grabbing Ra’s blade and pressing it to his chest.
“Checkmate… again.” He glanced at Jason, but Jason wasn’t even looking at him.
“Jase…” He stopped.
Jason stepped forward, oblivious to the ninjas around him. “Bruce?” He whispered.
Dick said nothing, but turned back to Ra’s. The villain’s face twisted in rage. “You survived!” He screeched.
Bruce Wayne, once more wearing the cape and cowl of Batman, stepped forward, ignoring the ninjas that backed away as he approached. “Yes.”
Jason was still in shock. “B-- Bruce?”
Bruce ignored him for the time being, focused only on Ra’s. “You’re finished, Ra’s. It’s over. You’ve lost. Order the League to stand down.”
Jason stepped forward, numb. “Bruce, I-- “ Ra’s hand reached out and grabbed the former Redwing’s ankle, yanking him to the ground. Dick instinctively moved the sword to keep Jason from falling on it and felt it get snatched from his hand. A ninja slammed into him and he landed on the ground several feet away. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he looked up and saw Ra’s blade pointed toward Bruce, a few feet above Jason. Bruce had Ra’s other blade in his hand and stood ready as Ra’s grinned demonically. Ra’s swung his blade, and Bruce blocked it. Jason was still in shock as the blades crossed over him. Ra’s eyes gleamed madly.
“You survived once-- but you won’t this time! I’ll make sure of it…”
"You couldn't kill me before-- what makes you think this time will be any different?" said Bruce Wayne-- Batman-- a look of sheer determination on his face. "Let's do this."
"'Batman'," whispered the voice, and the Caped Crusader span around, batarangs held high, ready to be unleashed. "Such an easy name to take upon one's self, is it not? Have you not just done that yourself, 'Child'? Desecrated the corpse of the great Detective for a title and held it high, like it was your own?"
Dick Grayson's blood ran cold. The shadows shifted and became men-- all clad in black, all wielding weapons that could slice through stone. And he recognized the man who mocked him from amongst the hordes. The League of Assassins split down the middle, and one man emerged from the assassins.
Batman said one word through gritted teeth. The name of a man he had thought dead... "…Ra’s."
“Th-- that’s impossible.” Batman said when he found his voice.
“What’s impossible?” Ra’s asked with a smile. Ra's Al Ghul. The Demon's Head. Draped in a green cape that drifted in the night air, his arrogance plain for the whole world to see if they knew where to look. He laughed as he watched Dick Grayson react to his being. He was enjoying this far too much, and Dick was too shell-shocked to see it.
Batman shook his head. “You--! You are. You can’t be here.”
“But I am,” Ra’s replied, still smiling. Taking some imperceptible cue from his leader, a ninja leaped in front of Dick, sending him flying back by a kick in the chest. Dick sat up and looked around. He couldn’t tell which ninja had done it-- they were all back in perfect order. Ra’s stepped forward, smiling as he fingered the hilt on his blade.
“Proof enough?” He asked, looking down at Dick as the Caped Crusader gasped for breath.
Ra’s expression twisted. “You’re pathetic. Just like Bruce. You have so much potential, but you waste it, just like he did.”
Dick felt a smile form on his lips. “I’ll consider any comparison to Bruce a compliment.”
“Bruce is nothing,” Ra’s spat. “He’s dead. He missed his chance. I offered him the League, boy, and he rejected it. I won't bother to make you the same offer. You're nothing. You're half the man he was. And I'm going to enjoy making an example of you for the whole world to witness. The League shall parade your corpse to anyone who challenges me. A dead bat. Harrowing, no?”
“Bruce always was a smart man.” Batman said. He quickly rolled the side and flipped backward, a batarang in hand. “And he taught me everything he knew. So bring it, Ra's. And see how far it gets you.”
Nightwing
Issue Forty-Three: The Return
Part Six (of Seven): "The Reckoning"
Written by Imari Jade and House Of Mystery
Cover by Paul Johnson
Edited by House Of Mystery
Ra’s blade flew in front of Batman’s face, narrowly missing slicing his cheek open. Batman back-pedaled, tossing one batarang and reaching for another. With his left hand, he threw a handful of smoke pellets behind him, hoping to create at least a minor diversion for the ninjas.
“Ugh!”
Dick flew back as something-- Ra’s foot?-- caught him in the head. His neck hurt. A lot. He was lucky it hadn’t snapped, but luck didn't have anything to do with it-- the neck brace in the cowl was built to protect, that's why Bruce designed it, and that's why Ted Kord had built it. No two ways. Bruce Wayne had just saved his life. Again.
He rolled with the impact, tossing a batarang to where he suspected Ra’s was. He heard it hit flesh, but was convinced it wasn’t Ra’s when the Demon’s Head himself was behind him, wielding his blade. Batman ducked, then back-flipped to a safer distance. The smoke was beginning to dissipate. The ninjas surged forward, baying for the blood of the bat. Dick smiled at that thought. Probably an inappropriate thing to do, and Ra's seethed at the expression.
“Bruce must pay for his rejection,” Ra’s hissed. "And as he's dead... your sacrifice will suffice!"
“You sound like a clingy ex-girlfriend,” Dick said. “Disturbing.” Something swished past him, catching his shoulder. He sucked his in breath in pain, choking down on the sudden agony.
“He’s dead,” Ra’s said. “Which leaves you to pay for his crimes. You and the rest of the pitiful 'Bat-family', is it? Ha! How ridiculous a concept. Bruce Wayne never cared for family! All he cared for was his crusade! His vendetta against what he perceived as injustices across the world! He used me to further his agenda, he used you, that child Jason Todd, that whore Barb--”
Ra's was on the floor before Dick even knew he'd thrown the punch. He'd gone on pure instinct, and caught his opponent squarely in the face, and he was pushed back and prevented from pushing his advantage by another flock of ninjas. They were beginning to become an irritant.
"Touch a nerve, did I?" Ra's wiped at his face with his sleeve and looked for blood. "You didn't even draw blood. Shame. The things I taught Bruce, he could have killed me with that one blow."
"He wouldn't want to. He'd want you behind bars!" Batman flipped forward, faking another blow but spinning it into a kick. Ra’s caught it easily and leaped back, losing no ground.
“Pitiful,” he said in derision. “I thought Bruce would have taught his little orphan brat better. His little pet gymnast.”
Batman ducked Ra’s blade, taking several long steps back. The smoke was completely gone now, revealing once more the still, silent ninjas. Not the most supportive audience.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” Batman muttered. He moved quickly, surprising Ra’s and catching him off guard once more. To the Demon’s Head’s immense surprise, his head was suddenly caught in the crook of Batman’s arm, a lethally-sharp Batarang pressed against his neck. “Just try and come back from the dead this time.”
He didn’t have time to say anything else. The silent audience that had been content to watch earlier suddenly moved as one towards one central location--
--Him.
“Daaaang.” Dick muttered. He pressed the batarang more firmly against Ra’s flesh. “Anyone moves, and he’s-- ugh!”
He flew forward as something slammed into his back, the batarang knocked out of his hand. He grunted in pain as something flew across his face, tasting blood. Before he could get off the ground, a ninja’s foot connected with his ribs as another struck his head. He vision blurred to black, and he felt the tip of a blade against his neck. Blood slowly trickled across his throat.
Ra’s. His vision returned, still blurry, and he saw Ra’s demonic visage grinning above him gleefully.
“This is the end, boy.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “Then I’m going after your friends. One. By. One.”
* * *
"That... that... bastard!" Drakon was pacing the dank apartment that Hush and himself had used as their base of operations. Hush entered slowly, a bloody mess, and Drakon hesitated for a moment. "Success?"
"No," was the masked man's reply. "Nothing of the sort. And you?"
"Gordon had back up. Thought I could isolate him. Thought I could break every bone in his body before those cops of his found him. I was wrong. And then there was Robin. He's on my list now. I'm going to kill him slow and smooth."
"Gordon was never on your list, Constantine. Think back. Your affairs were corporate in nature. Bruce Wayne is already dead. But what of his CEO? What of Lucius Fox? Remember the original brief. And complete that before adding children to your death-list."
"Lucius Fox," Constantine Drakon repeated slowly. "You're right. I'll kill him. Slit his throat from left to right. You keep me sane, Hush. Thank you." He pulled on his jacket, and checked to see if he had all his knives in place. "What about you? What are you going to do now?"
"Think," said Hush, "I need to think. And decide whether my enemy deserves to live or die."
* * *
Batwoman lunged to the side, landing heavily on her shoulder. She glanced up to see Talia rush towards the Wrath, parrying a blow. Batwoman grabbed a batarang from her hip and tossed it with deadly accuracy toward the Wrath. He anticipated her, surprising Talia by grabbing her arm and jerking her to the side. The batarang caught Talia’s side, and she doubled over in pain. Batwoman didn’t take the time to check on her, but while Talia was bent, she tossed another batarang that caught the Wrath’s mask. The Wrath hissed, shoving Talia out of his way and heading toward Barbara. Batwoman scrambled quickly to her feet, taking a few steps back before attempting a kick. The Wrath batted her foot away, responding with a kick of his own. Batwoman twisted to the side, avoiding the brunt of the blow. She ducked low underneath his fist and rolled to the side. A batarang in her hand, she slashed at the Wrath. He screamed in pain, then swung at her side, sending her flying. She took a second to check on Talia.
“Talia!” She called. Talia was on her knees, grabbing her sword.
“I’m fine,” she said, wincing in pain as she stood. She wrenched the edge of the batarang from her side, her face twisted in agony. Batwoman leaped to her feet, reaching Talia’s side. The Wrath came over, furious and in pain.
“Ready?” Batwoman didn’t wait for a reply, she grabbed a batarang, tossing it at the Wrath even as she threw herself forward. The Wrath dodged the batarang she threw, but quickly grabbed another from the ground. He couldn’t avoid Batwoman’s double-fisted blow to his chest, however. Batwoman back-pedalled quickly as the Wrath flew toward her, wielding the sharp metal.
“Now!” She screamed. Talia’s blade drove through the Wrath’s back. The Wrath howled in agony, dropping the batarang to the floor as he collapsed. Batwoman and Talia were still for a moment.
“Is it dead?” Batwoman wondered aloud.
Talia knelt down beside the Wrath and checked him. “I think so,” she said grimly.
Batwoman let out a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. “Well, then.” She stopped. “How’s your side?”
“Just fine, no thanks to you,” Talia muttered. She peeled away the fabric around the wound, examining it.
“Let me wrap it up for you,” Batwoman said, heading for the supplies Alfred had left out when nursing Orpheus.
“Thank you, but I think you’ve done enough. I’ll take care of it myself.” Talia grabbed a roll of bandages and disinfectant and crossed the Cave. “You check on the boy,” she ordered.
Batwoman frowned but checked on Orpheus. He was still unconscious, but didn’t seem to be doing any worse. She re-bandaged his wounds, then glanced once more at the empty costume case, wondering…
"Wait--" said Batwoman, as she turned-- The Wrath was climbing to his feet, and his hand was behind his back, fingers wrapped around the hilt of the blade shoved through his body. There was a horrific noise as flesh and muscle split, blood pouring from the monstrosity's front and back. "How...?" The Wrath reeled back, and tore off what was left of the cape and cowl, his skull-mask gleaming in what little light there was being projected down onto the Cave floor. "...When will this stop?!"
* * *
Mickey Fynn drifted slowly back from unconsciousness. The world was a haze, brought on by the simple fact that he was hooked up to the city's best medical machinery, and filled with it's best painkillers. He lifted up his hand, and tried to focus on how many fingers he was holding.
"You're awake," said a voice he recognised, but couldn't place. "We were beginning to get worried."
"Llllucuiusss," he slurred, "took me a sssecond, Goddd." He tried pulling himself up, and Lucius Fox supported him. "They've stitched you back together, inside and out. Your sober, aren't you? Must be a weird feeling."
"Drop it," said Mickey, the world suddenly clear. "Where's my coat?"
"On the door," said Lucius. "I haven't touched it. Why?"
"Bring it over?"
"Fine." Lucius left the seat beside Mickey's bed, and picked up the coat. He paused for a moment, and felt the weight of it. He shook his head, and handed it to Mickey. "Alfred wanted a familiar face to be here when you woke up. With the others about the city, doing their thing, it turned out that it was my turn. Alfred's headed back to the Manor, your expenses have been covered."
"And the con continues, fantastic," said Mickey, rifling through his pockets. He found what he was looking for, and then leaned back into his pillows. "Thank God."
"What?"
"Lucius Fox." The two of them looked to the door, where Constantine Drakon was cradling the broken face of the police guard that had been behind the door. "You're the last one I have to kill before I feel I can leave Gotham. I'll be back, of course, but that'll be for other reasons."
Bang!
"Whhhh?" Constantine Drakon looked down at the hole in his chest, blood dribbling out, and to Mickey Fynn, who held a smoking gun in shaking hands. "Howww?"
"You're not The Wrath," whispered Fynn, "b-but you'll do? I guess?" Drakon fell to the floor, and Mickey dropped the gun into his bed sheets, his eyes wide. "Oh, God."
* * *
Dick saw Ra’s arm move slightly upwards, preparing to drive the blade into his throat. Ra’s screamed and hit the ground three feet away from Batman, the edge of his blade drawing across Dick’s throat. Batman’s hand instinctively grasped his throat.
“Augh!” He screamed. A minute later, he opened his eyes and saw Jason looking at him, concerned.
“Y’okay? Talkin' to yourself?” Jason asked, his foot on Ra’s chest. Ra’s blade was pressed to his own throat.
“Fine.” Dick said. “Just a cut.” Jason gave him an unconvinced glance before turning back to Ra’s. “You could have come a little earlier,” Batman said, as a ninja ran toward Jason. His foot flew and caught the ninja with an audible thump.
“Eh, I thought a big boy like you could handle it,” Jason retorted. “Guess I was wrong.” At the last minute, he removed the sword tip from Ra’s throat, sweeping it in front of an approaching ninja. Blood drenched the ninja’s black clothing from the gash across his chest and arms. “Heads up!”
Dick caught the blade Jason tossed him, backpedaling so that his back was close to Jason’s. Jason knelt and grabbed Ra’s other blade from his hilt as the Demon’s Head grabbed at it.
“Nice try, moron.” Jason said in a bored tone. He wielded the new blade in front of him, swishing it in the air. “Excellent workmanship,” he approved.
“Only one way to tell for sure,” Dick replied. Another ninja fell back as Dick tried the sword. “Yes,” he agreed. “Seems to be working just fine.” He half-turned, slamming his fist into the side of a ninja.
“Hey, that one was mine!” Jason complained.
“There’s plenty more where that one came from,” Dick said. He grunted as ninja landed a blow. “You’d better hurry. I’m already up to seven.”
“Not fair,” Jason retorted. “I just got here.”
“I wasn’t counting those,” Dick replied, grinning. He heard Jason grunt behind him and saw his foot connect with a ninja’s head out of the corner of his eye. Jason stepped further away from Dick. With one last blow to a ninja, Batman back-flipped, landing behind Jason as a ninja ran at him, dagger poised. The hilt of Dick’s blade came down on the ninja’s shoulder, causing him to lose grip on the dagger. Jason turned and did a roundhouse kick to his attacker's chest, Dick ducking just in time. Rolling to the side, Dick brought his blade around, catching a ninja aiming for Jason’s exposed back.
“That one counts as mine,” Dick complained. Jason grinned, spinning into a kick to a ninja’s head, his back again moving close to Dick’s.
“There’s plenty more where he came from,” Jason replied. “Hckk!”
Dick whirled around, his blade automatically whirling with him. His blade pressed against Ra’s neck as he saw that the Demon’s Head had a small dagger pressed against Jason’s throat.
“Drop the blade, boy.” Dick didn’t move. “Now!” Ra’s commanded. A thin stream of blood appeared at Jason’s throat.
“Just kill him!” Jason yelled. Dick stared at Ra’s for a second, his cold blue eyes locked on Ra’s. Another ninja pressed a blade against the small of Dick’s back. It was too late now.
Ra’s worked to control his fury. “Destroy th-- ugh!”
The sword dropped from his grip. It never hit the floor. Batman’s gloved hand caught it as he leaped away from the ninja’s blade, grabbing Ra’s blade and pressing it to his chest.
“Checkmate… again.” He glanced at Jason, but Jason wasn’t even looking at him.
“Jase…” He stopped.
Jason stepped forward, oblivious to the ninjas around him. “Bruce?” He whispered.
Dick said nothing, but turned back to Ra’s. The villain’s face twisted in rage. “You survived!” He screeched.
Bruce Wayne, once more wearing the cape and cowl of Batman, stepped forward, ignoring the ninjas that backed away as he approached. “Yes.”
Jason was still in shock. “B-- Bruce?”
Bruce ignored him for the time being, focused only on Ra’s. “You’re finished, Ra’s. It’s over. You’ve lost. Order the League to stand down.”
Jason stepped forward, numb. “Bruce, I-- “ Ra’s hand reached out and grabbed the former Redwing’s ankle, yanking him to the ground. Dick instinctively moved the sword to keep Jason from falling on it and felt it get snatched from his hand. A ninja slammed into him and he landed on the ground several feet away. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he looked up and saw Ra’s blade pointed toward Bruce, a few feet above Jason. Bruce had Ra’s other blade in his hand and stood ready as Ra’s grinned demonically. Ra’s swung his blade, and Bruce blocked it. Jason was still in shock as the blades crossed over him. Ra’s eyes gleamed madly.
“You survived once-- but you won’t this time! I’ll make sure of it…”
"You couldn't kill me before-- what makes you think this time will be any different?" said Bruce Wayne-- Batman-- a look of sheer determination on his face. "Let's do this."