Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Wayne Legacy: Knightmare

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 07:

Former Falconè Estate

Bruce met the eyes of his foe, studying her form, the way she held her blade, and which foot most of her weight rested on. From that little bit of information, he determined she was very skilled.

This Tatsu had tracked Talia but not confronted her. Did she doubt her ability to beat Talia and thought she would have a better chance against Bruce? Or did she not want to take Talia head on, knowing other league members would come to her aid, while Bruce obviously had no backup?

He processed these thoughts in the couple of seconds before she swung. Bruce blocked the blade but was amazed at the speed of her strike. She was faster than Talia and not many people in the world could claim that… people that weren’t Amazon goddesses he corrected himself.

This would not be easy. Tatsu showed Bruce her skill with every thrust and came close to landing kill shots. Bruce retreated with every strike, figuring out her moves and settling into a flow.

“Bruce! Your ice maker is broken!” Diana yelled from the kitchen while he fought for his life.

“There are square ice cubes in the small refrigerator by my bed!” he yelled back.

“By your bed? Are you living in a dorm?” He could hear the sarcasm in his twin’s tone but ignored her as the battle continued.

The two traded blows, Bruce avoiding killing shots while Tatsu attempted to kill him with every strike.

Finally, she made a slight mistake and Bruce knocked her down, stepped on her wrist and kicked her katana away, placing his blade to her throat.

“You are very good.” He commended her. “Better than Talia and perhaps better than Ra’s. Shall we talk, or do you wish to end this battle here?”

Diana walked in with a drink in hand, twirling her cubes in the glass.

“Pay him no mind… Tatsu. He won’t kill you. You should continue the battle.” Diana said then took a seat to watch the show.

Bruce cringed and Tatsu knocked the blade from her throat with a hand strike, followed by a kick. She retrieved her sword and continued the attack, putting Bruce on the defensive.

“Damn it, Diana!”

“I wanted to enjoy the show and I missed the first part looking for ice cubes.” She said nonchalantly. “By the way, I’m drinking your Scotch.”

Bruce instantly became angry and went on the offensive. “You’re drinking it on the rocks?! Are you out of your mind? It wasn’t meant to be drunk like that! It isn’t some bottle of Chivas Regal! It’s a sixty-year-old Scotch!”

Diana shrugged it off. “I like Scotch better on the rocks. Stop being a snob, Bruce. Its cliché.”

“This from the girl who personified the rich and untouchable stereotype in high school and walked around with two sidekicks, ruling the school!” He retorted.

“Would you both shut up?!” Tatsu yelled, frustrated by the man’s speed and crispness of his strikes. She was beginning to wish she had taken him up on his offer to talk. He may not kill her, but he was certainly trying to remove some of her limbs. “We are locked in battle!”

“Sorry,” both twins told her.

Tatsu finally found an opening, but when she struck, realized it was a trap. A simple block and downward twist and Bruce had her on her knees, his blade at her throat and hers broken, snapped in half.

“That’s enough. My annoying sister is right, I won’t kill you, but I will take something you will miss.” Bruce told her. “Now have a seat next to her and relax so we can talk.”

“Stop!” a new voice cried out, running into the room. A blonde teenager, perhaps sixteen-years-old, held up her hands. “Please, don’t hurt her. She just wants the sword. It has her husband’s soul in it.”

“Violet!” Tatsu shouted. “I told you to stay outside! Leave at once!”

“No, please stay.” Diana stood and placed an arm around the girl. “This gets better and better. You seem too young to drink but perhaps I can add a bit of Scotch to a soda for you?”

“Don’t touch her.” Tatsu said threateningly.

“Don’t touch my Scotch.” Bruce said at the same time, both glaring at Diana.

“Who is she?” Bruce asked the woman on her knees.

“She is no one. She has nothing to do with this. Let her leave, please.”

Bruce tossed his katana away and motioned to Tatsu to rise. The woman did and rushed to the blonde girl’s side, pulling her away from Diana and placing her protectively behind her.

Diana looked around the room and raised her glass. “Is the fighting done? I came to speak to my brother about matters of his past and here is his past, catching up with him. I feel his pain and not just because we are twins.

“You said your name is Tatsu and you are Violet? I assume from the protective stance you have taken that Violet is very important to you, Tatsu. Let’s all sit down and drink Bruce’s Scotch. Who wants ice?”

The two newcomers sat and waited. Diana brought drinks, a straight up Scotch for Bruce, one on the rocks for Tatsu and a cola bottle for Violet, then sat in an armchair, drinking straight from his Scotch bottle.

“You are paying me back for that bottle.” Bruce told his sister.

“I’ll pay you back from some of the money I made from your shares.” She told him.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. “That was just mean, Diana. How much have you had to drink tonight?”

Diana grinned goofily and stuck her tongue out, telling Bruce what he wanted to know.

“Tatsu, you obviously know who I am.” Bruce opened. “Could you tell me the story of Soultaker? How it came to be in your possession and how Talia had it?”

Diana raised her hand.

“Not now, Diana.” Bruce mumbled.

Diana’s hand remained aloft.

“Violet and I want to know who Talia is.” She demanded, holding back a laugh at Bruce’s frustration.

The blonde shrugged her shoulders. “I kind of know who she is.”

“Enough!” Bruce shouted, making the teenager jump. Diana just placed a hand to her mouth to muffle a laugh.

Tatsu began speaking, telling Bruce the story of the blade and how Talia stole it over a year ago. Bruce had not been with her at the time of that trip, but the theft seemed like Talia’s style.

“So let me get this straight.” Diana interrupted. “Talia is a thief and assassin?”

“Yes.” Tatsu confirmed.

“And she is Bruce’s ex?”

“I didn’t know they split but it was well known Bruce Wayne was her beloved.”

“Is she thin, with long, raven-black hair, dark eyes and moves like an extremely acrobatic dancer?” Diana asked, eyebrow raised.

“You know her as well?”

Diana shook her head. “No, he just has a type. I came here tonight to talk to him about his activities over the past six years. I’m glad to know he wasn’t alone at night. It would have made me so sad if he were.

“Okay, Bruce, I’m convinced. Give her the damn sword.”

Bruce did his best to ignore Diana, focusing instead on Tatsu’s story and whether she was telling the truth. He had no plans to just hand over such a deadly weapon without careful consideration no matter what Diana thought or said.

“How do you fit into this?” Bruce asked the young teen.

“She doesn’t.” Tatsu told him, still protective of the girl.

Violet looked at Tatsu then opened her mouth against the woman’s wishes. “I was captured by a cult in Markovia. Tatsu rescued me. Since I was an orphan, I sort of followed her. She let me stay and has been taking care of me since then. I mean… we take care of each other.”

“And yet she won’t follow directions or shut up when told.” Tatsu said, glaring at the obviously unrepentant girl, then looked at Bruce. “She has nothing to do with our battle.”

The four were quiet for a moment, studying each other.

Bruce noted that Tatsu looked as if she were ready to escape with Violet, Soultaker be damned. It seemed to Bruce that the child was more important to her than the sword and she knew there would be other chances.

Diana, to Bruce’s irritation, was bright-eyed and enjoying herself.

Bruce was tired. He had wanted to go to sleep and instead found himself in a death battle with a woman as deadly as Talia who wanted a sword he didn’t, but he couldn’t just hand over because it was so dangerous.

Diana seemed willing to let her have it and though he wouldn’t admit it to her, he trusted his twin’s ability to read people.

Coming to a decision, he told Tatsu to wait and went to his underground cavern. Ten minutes later, he returned to the room to find Tatsu sitting quietly while Diana continued to down his Scotch and chat with Violet about the nice sneakers the teen had decorated herself.

He placed the box containing Soultaker in front of Tatsu, watching her eyes grow wide in seeming reverence. She opened the box and gasped, relaxing once she grasped the handle.

Bruce watched her warily as she raised the blade.

Rather than swinging it, she spoke to it softly. “Your soul is safe with me again, my love.”

She ran her hand up the blade then looked at Bruce. “What have you killed with this blade? There is a darker power to it than when I last held it.”

“It’s a long story.” Bruce replied. “The blade is yours. When I next see Talia, I’ll be sure to give her your regards and have a talk with her about not stealing mystical objects that belong to other people.”

Tatsu responded with a slight bow of her head. “Thank you, Bruce Wayne. I was told you were Talia’s puppet. I am glad what I heard is wrong. You are an honorable man and a fine warrior, much more noble than anyone in the League of Shadows. I had wondered why you left and now understand.”

Tatsu stood, walking out with Violet in front of her and Soultaker in her hand, leaving the two siblings alone in Bruce’s wrecked sitting room.

“So… thanks for the help.” Bruce said sarcastically.

Diana waved him off. “You totally had that, and I love this dress. I didn’t want to take a chance of ruining it before Steve rips it off me. So… Talia, huh? A ninja version of Selina Kyle perhaps?”

“Not tonight, Diana. I’m tired. How are you not tired?” He whined.

Diana laughed. “Why would I be tired? Steve is tired, Kara is tired, I am wide awake though. I needed to relax so I thought I would drink myself under a table with you since I know what a night owl you are. Or should I say bat?”

Bruce laughed at the absurdity of her statement. Soon they were both laughing loudly, tears in their eyes.

Bruce caught his breath first. “I haven’t seen you this intoxicated in a very long time. You seemed put together at the party.”

“I was.” She confirmed. “I grabbed three bottles of cheap whiskey on the way out. I thought tonight would be a good time to speak about your past and wanted to be prepared and pleasantly toasted.

“So… tell me about this Talia al Ghul and her daddy. Am I going to have to run a sword through them if they become a problem?”

Bruce felt a shiver, knowing Diana was not joking and that would be Talia’s fate if Diana deemed her to be a problem. With Talia being a confirmed assassin and anything but innocent, she would be fair game in Diana’s mind.

“She won’t be a problem. She left town after giving me Soultaker and the charm. I don’t expect her to visit any time soon.” Bruce told her.

“And she is an assassin? I’m a bit surprised that you would be in the company of someone like her. I know how precious all life is to you.” Diana pointed out, the sarcastic undertone unmistakable. “Alfred told me you know about my adventure with Joe Chill. Since I wasn’t there, I can only imagine your disappointed and judgmental gaze.

“What I want to know is how did you manage to spend so much time with assassins and not become one yourself?”

Bruce sighed and reached for the bottle of Scotch in Diana’s hand, drinking from the bottle as well. “A man named Ra’s al Ghul found me when I was in a prison in Malaysia. He knew who I was and knew what I was after. At that point in my life, I wasn’t even sure what I was after.

“He told me to train with him for three years and he would turn me into a weapon… invisible, unstoppable, able to take out armies with my bare hands. I fought him and was subdued in less than a minute. He made me a believer.”

Diana was impressed. She had seen Bruce fight on Themyscira but tonight was the first time she had seen him with a blade against an equally skilled opponent. Her brother had indeed become a weapon. The man who trained him must have been phenomenal.

He continued on, talking of Ra’s and meeting Talia, the daughter who also trained him. He performed missions for Ra’s, collecting artifacts of power from around the world but refused to become involved in assassinations.

Ra’s had finally offered him a deal. Bruce was given one year at the end of which, he would challenge Ra’s. Bruce and Ra’s would engage in combat until one submitted or was dead. Should Bruce win, he would have his freedom. Should he lose, he would vow to obey Ra’s, become his weapon of death and the chosen husband of his daughter.

“Quite a risk you took.” Diana pointed out.

Bruce took another drink and passed it back to Diana. “I had already lost my family. I would either come back to Gotham with the skills needed to carry out my mission, or I would die. I had no plans to submit so it never became an issue. I became better than the teacher. Talia helped me train as well though I believe she truly thought I would stay and take her father’s place.

“Ra’s is many things, most of them not good but he is a man of his word. He won’t bother me again.”

Diana raised an eyebrow. “Considering Talia gave you Soultaker, I imagine she is bothering you?”

Bruce leaned back into the couch. “She doesn’t take rejection well. She would never come after my family though. She just threatened to use my knowledge of the Lazarus pit to tear us apart if I did not come to my senses on my own but other than that, she has caused me no real trouble. She has left town for the foreseeable future.”

Diana thought back to Star City. “I believe I saw her once in Star City. She followed me to the gala, or should I say, she followed you. I caught her staring from across the ballroom. She even gave me a little wave. I suppose she thought it was cute. I know you haven’t told her about me.”

“Only that you are a control freak with a short temper.” Bruce said, laughing.

Diana threw a throw pillow at his face, hitting her target.

“I’m talking to Rachel tomorrow. Is that going to cause problems between us?” Bruce asked, a little wary of disrupting the fragile peace he had with Diana but wanting to talk to their former friend. “I’m doing it regardless… I just want to be forewarned.”

Diana shrugged her shoulders and stood. “On the list of things you do that I would prefer you didn’t, talking to Rachel isn’t in the top five. Just don’t expect me to do her any favors. She betrayed us, Bruce. She didn’t just betray me, she betrayed our family. Try to keep that in mind.

“Okay, I’m going home, waking Steve up and ordering him to tear my dress off. You get some sleep and when you have a chance, buy some more of that Scotch. It was very good.”

“Screw off, Diana.” Bruce said, laying back on the couch. “Close the door on your way out. I don’t feel like getting up.”

Diana did so and took a deep breath of fresh air. The buzz she had maintained that night was all but gone. It was three a.m., and she knew Steve wouldn’t wake up if the world was on fire, even for her.

She supposed now was the best time to take care of an issue Dig had been bothering her about. He wouldn’t be happy that the applicant hadn’t gone through his approval process but once he met her, the man would understand.

“Athena, did you follow her?” Diana addressed her powerful computer system’s voice interface.

“Satellites picked her and the girl up walking two miles away and entering a 1996 silver BMW. Traffic cams show it stopped at a motel at mile marker forty-seven on Interstate Six. With present traffic, destination time would be fifteen minutes based on your usual driving habits. ”

Diana decided to forgo her usual driving habits, instead taking it slow, enjoying the solitude of being on the road after being among so many people. Her mind was on many subjects, but as happened quite often, all her musings led her to focusing primarily on Kara.

Her little sister was growing up, beginning to see the possibilities the world could offer her now. She had overheard Kara’s conversation with Tommy in the garage a few days prior. She had also seen how Kara reacted around a man she was attracted to in the past, the embarrassment and the panic. She had seen neither reaction when her sister had met Tommy and she didn’t see them now.

Diana truly liked Tommy. She knew he loved her sister deeply. He had done so much to improve himself, but she didn’t think he had made these changes for the right reasons. To her, it seemed he had made them to prove himself to Kara, not to necessarily become a better version of himself, though she couldn’t fault his efforts. In fact, Diana was impressed with his dedication to learning his business.

Unfortunately, he had placed a lot of pressure on Kara. He had moved and changed his whole life for her. He was obviously planning a life with her and given his line of questioning, was attempting to figure out where Kara stood on matters that were most important to him.

But Diana knew Kara had no plans, at least she hadn’t given any thought to those Tommy brought up. She had never planned much beyond the now because of her health issues. Without those concerns, her little sister was beginning to live her dreams, do things she had been unable to in the past. Those dreams didn’t necessarily include Tommy or what he wanted.

Tommy was wonderful to her, treated her as she should be treated. He gave her all his attention, he made her feel good about herself, made her confident and his number one priority.

But Diana knew her sister very well and she knew Kara wasn’t in love with Tommy. Kara was in love with the idea of being in love.

Kara cared for Tommy, there was no question about that, but not in the same manner he cared for her. Diana had a feeling this wouldn’t end well and while Steve would tell her this was something Kara would have to work out on her own, Diana wasn’t sure she would be able to allow that to happen. Her instinctive need to protect Kara was driving her to do something, though she had no idea what. For now, she just watched and listened.

She pulled up to the motel and walked to the room number Athena had provided. It was a cheap motel with hookers and truck drivers negotiating business transactions. Not all crime could be erased she supposed.

Her car attracted attention, as she was sure her dress did, but it was dark enough in the parking lot that no one would recognize her without walking closer.

She knocked on the door and it was opened quickly, the tip of a familiar sword pointed at her throat.

Diana gently brushed the sword aside with her fingertip. “I’m not interested in sword fighting. I believe you had enough play time with my brother tonight.”

“How did you find me?”

Diana shrugged. “I’m rich, I can find anybody. May we speak?”

Tatsu looked back into the room, content that Violet was sleeping and motioned outside.

“How old is she?” Diana asked as they moved a few steps away from the closed door.

“Fifteen.” Tatsu replied, obviously wary.

“How do you support her? Do you have a job?” Diana asked.

“I have taken jobs.” Tatsu said vaguely. “I provide her with what is necessary. More than she would get in some foreign orphanage.”

Diana was not surprised. The girl wasn’t a U.S. citizen and orphans did not have the easiest life in the States. She knew overseas was worse and the kid had already been kidnapped by a cult.

“I have a proposition for you.” Diana told her. “If you accept, you will be able to provide for her, whatever she needs. You will be on a work visa until you can attain citizenship and be named her legal guardian. You will make an amazing salary, live in a stable environment, and she will obtain an education.”

Tatsu kept her face stoic, showing no reaction. “What would I be doing for all these benefits you are offering?”

“I need a bodyguard. You auditioned tonight and are brilliant for the role.”

Whatever Tatsu had been expecting, it wasn’t that. Her face showed her surprise. “You need a bodyguard? I don’t think so… you were too relaxed tonight. You sat and watched our battle with no worry. That means you knew you could step in at any time and defeat me. Why would you need someone to protect you?”

“I never said I needed protection. I need a bodyguard.” Diana let out a breath. “You know who I am if you know who my brother is. It is important that I am seen with a bodyguard. You wouldn’t always be with me. On certain trips, I would need you to accompany me, and you can spend your days in the Tower… doing something.

“It’s a simple job. I need you to follow me at certain times for show, back off at certain times and most importantly, I need someone who won’t ask questions and can keep their mouth shut if they should see anything… strange.”

“Strange like the souls of demons inside Soultaker?” Tatsu asked, beginning to get the gist of what Diana was implying.

Diana smiled. “Exactly! See, I knew you would be great. So, do we have a bargain? You can report to the Tower Monday morning. Your full name is Tatsu Yamashiro, and you are a citizen of Japan, correct?”

“I never told you my family name or my country of origin.” Tatsu responded, surprised once again.

“I told you, I’m rich. I can find out anything.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything.” Tatsu pointed out.

“You love the girl. You would do anything to give her the best life. That is something I can understand.” Diana said, a small smile on her lips. “This is better than taking random jobs that are most likely dangerous, living on the run, never stopping long enough for her to make friends or have a true home. You want that for her.

“I don’t expect you to jump on a grenade for me. Just play the part and don’t ask questions. Do we have an agreement?”

Tatsu looked at Diana studying the CEO, finally asking, “She will have everything she needs?”

“She will have more than she needs. You both will.” Diana promised. “Check out of this place as soon as she is up. There is a hotel on forty-fourth street called ‘The Belmont’. I’ll alert the hotel manager to have a room ready for you two as soon as you arrive. You will stay in a suite until we can find you more permanent lodging this week. I will have a shopper meet you tomorrow afternoon to gather your sizes.

“You will need a long, light coat and I want you to carry your katana with you, it brings the look I am going for. My sister’s bodyguard is codenamed Spartan… I’m thinking yours will be Katana .

“Welcome, Tatsu. I see us having a long and promising relationship.”

---

Arkham Asylum

The next morning, Rachel stepped off the subway two blocks away from Arkham Asylum. She had a small car but had no desire to bring it into this neighborhood, even if it was parked behind the gates of the asylum.

She had met Harvey Dent at the D.A.’s office the day before, not exactly someone she wished to see but had no choice. He had given her very small listening devices, one was an earring in a matched set for her to always wear and the others were for her to plant around the asylum when she had the chance. Under no circumstances would she place a listening device if there was a chance she could be caught. This was a long-term mission and Harvey did not want her to jeopardize her safety.

She couldn’t help but smirk at the earrings. They both looked like typical diamond studs. A person would never guess, even on closer inspection, that one was a high-powered listening and tracking device. For someone who did know better, it may as well have had Kara’s initials stamped on it.

Rachel had never hated Kara. She had watched the little blonde grow up and knew of Diana’s influence over her. Influence might not be a strong enough word. Absolute control would probably be more accurate. Rachel knew the blonde had no choice in what had happened to her after Chill’s release.

As she approached the large looming gates of Arkham, she heard her name called, causing her to jump. She found the source of the familiar voice in a Ford Sedan that had seen better days.

Bruce was here.

“Get in.” He said. “I need to talk to you for a moment. Please?”

Rachel rolled her eyes at his pleading tone and moved towards the open passenger door. “Why are you in this car?”

As a younger child, she had always been the meeker one of the three rulers of the school. Silver spoke up much more than Rachel did. It was apparent how much her life experiences had changed her. She was tougher, edgier and backed down to no one. It was a good look for her.

“It’s my car. Who needs sports cars, right?” Bruce smiled warmly at her.

“It’s not your car, Bruce.” She said, not interested in small talk. “Who did you pay off to let you use the car this morning?”

Bruce motioned down the street. “A guy in the parking garage where my Porsche is currently parked. I thought if I showed up in it, you probably wouldn’t get in.”

“You would be right. Now, why am I here now? Want to wish me luck on my first day in the looney bin?”

Bruce took a deep breath then stared at Arkham’s gates for a moment. “How can I talk you out of this?”

“You can’t.” Rachel replied, her voice leaving no room for doubt.

Bruce flinched at the coldness in her tone. She had been bitter at Diana when he last saw her, but she hadn’t seem to blame him for anything, other than not being there to stop his twin sister from destroying her life.

“What did Harvey offer you?” Bruce asked. “I know Diana won’t let him keep you at Gotham’s D.A.’s Office, so I am betting he offered you a spot at any D.A.’s office in the States. I can do the same, Rachel, so don’t do this. Diana isn’t the only one who can throw money at people. I’ll make sure you are hired wherever you want. I can’t help you in Gotham because Diana already owns Dent, but I can get you in anywhere else.”

Rachel stared at him in disbelief, shaking her head. “You are truly an idiot. You may have money, but you don’t have power. You have absolutely no idea how powerful your sister has become. She owns so many more people than just Dent. You can’t do any of the things you just said you can because no one will go against her.”

“And apparently, you are just like her… just another Wayne, thinking that money can buy anyone.” She said accusingly. “The last thing I want is to owe your family anything else. Believe me, if I could, I would pay back every penny the Waynes’ have spent on my education.”

Bruce was disheartened but not totally surprised. He doubted money could change Rachel’s mind, but it was the easiest shot. Her assertions concerning Diana’s influence were troubling, but that was something he could address with his twin later.

“Look around you, Rachel. This is one of the most dangerous areas of Gotham. You are going to be working in an asylum for the criminally insane with a possible mad doctor and spying on him. Your mother needs you here, not dead in an alley, a victim of some afterhours mugging, or a prison riot.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “How do you know all this about Crane?”

“Diana isn’t the only one with resources.” He replied, berating himself for not being a little more careful in what he revealed. “She recently told me I wasn’t a very good billionaire, and I took offense. When she told me what you were doing, I made my own inquiries with people in the know. I don’t know all the finer details, but I know it is dangerous.”

Rachel shrugged. “It is dangerous, so of course Diana suggested me because she is a vindicative bitch who wouldn’t care if I died. Harvey did make me promises and I’m not sure he will follow through. None of that matters though. I would have done this anyway.”

“Why would you want to do this?!” Bruce asked, exasperated.

Rachel’s face showed her determination. “Because it needs to be done. Screw Dent and screw Diana. There is a madman who has already killed, probably experimenting with patients under his care. If it is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn’t, Crane needs to be stopped and I am the one who is going to stop him. Not Dent, not Gordon and not Diana and her government cronies. I am going to stop it.”

Bruce shook his head. “You have nothing to prove, Rachel. If you are risking your life to show…”

Rachel growled. “Do you ever listen!? I’m not doing this to prove myself! This is why I got into criminal law in the first place! I did it to take down bad people, people like Falconè and people like Crane.

I need to go, Bruce. Take care and don’t worry about me, I can handle myself. I lived in a worse neighborhood before I came back to Gotham. I’m not some damsel in distress.”

Rachel got out of the car and slammed the door, walking quickly and purposefully up to the gates. Once there, she took a deep breath and took the smaller gate next to the guard house, showed them her newly minted D.A.’s Office badge and made her way slowly to the ominous main building of Arkham Asylum.

As she approached the large door, she couldn’t help but wrinkle her nose. When she stepped inside, it became worse.

The place smelled. It smelled of antiseptic, of rotten wood, old brick, mildew and overall rot.

The sounds were eerie as well. It was unnaturally quiet in the front parlor, but she could hear a scream from somewhere deep within the building followed by a symphony of voices that sounded more like groans. The door had moaned when she opened it and closed with a loud thud complete with rusty hinges creaking.

She introduced herself to the lone woman in the room, a disinterested older lady who simply took her name and made a phone call before telling Rachel to have a seat in one of the foldout chairs by the walls.

The A.D.A. decided it would be better to stand. For the first time since she accepted this job, she was having serious doubts. The feeling of Arkham was hard to describe. The best word she could think of was oppressive but that didn’t begin to convey the heaviness in the stale air.

“Welcome, Rachel Dawes.” A voice from behind called to her.

Thankfully, Rachel managed not to jump, scolding herself that she had been caught unawares.

She turned and looked at the man she assumed was Dr. Jonathan Crane.

“Dr. Crane, correct?”

The man nodded and offered his hand. Rachel took the hand, wanting to shudder at the cold touch and weak grip.

Crane was not what she had expected. Rachel thought he would be older but the man before her couldn’t have been more than thirty-five. His smile, while charming, made her shiver a bit. It wasn’t sincere… it was almost sinister. He was tall, perhaps six-foot-three or four, but his thin limbs made him less than an imposing figure. There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, like a cat who had just received a new play toy.

“Yes, one and the same.” He confirmed in a dry voice. “Welcome to my asylum. I have prepared an office for you since I understand you will be with us for some time. Allow me to escort you to my office where we can get to know one another better.”

Crane walked off and Rachel followed, despite her entire being telling her to run. She followed him through the halls and several large, iron doors that were opened by security guards. The doors were electric and if the place ever went into lockdown, Rachel knew there would be no way out.

They walked down levels, between rows of closed, steel doors with small windows at face height. Several doors were filled with the faces of individuals who were in obvious despair, though some carried insane smiles that were somehow worse than angry expressions.

“This is the area we keep the truly dangerous individuals. No worries, as your office will be on the ground floor. I prefer to keep my office down here, where I am needed the most.” Crane explained.

“I realize you are to have access to all areas of Arkham, but I would suggest staying out of this particular area. Should the worst ever happen, and the cells unlock, there is no way out. If you need me, it would be better to call me.”

“If the worst happens, wouldn’t you be trapped with the worst criminals the asylum has?” Rachel asked.

Crane smirked. “I can handle myself. It is important these men have a leader, one that demands respect. For them, I am that leader. I am the confidant they can talk to, the one who prescribes medication and gives them any peace their troubled minds may have.

“I also have an escape route through an air vent in my office that leads to the surface. Once I am inside, there is a steel door to the shaft I can close with a very large lock on the inside. While I am confident, Miss Dawes, I am no fool.”

Rachel was frustrated by that news. This area was underground. She had no way of getting to that vent and planting a bug now since her assigned area was on the ground floor. She would need to find excuses to visit his office.

“I am not afraid.” She said, pushing slightly just to see how he might react. “Perhaps I will follow you into the air vent… if the worst happens of course.”

Crane didn’t respond, entering a small but neat office. He sat behind an old, battered oak desk covered with deep gouges.

“This was the desk that belonged to Jeremiah Arkham.” Crane explained as Rachel took the other lone seat in the room. “In fact, this was his office.”

“I’m not sure that is something to brag about, Dr. Crane.”

Crane laughed, a soft, yet high-pitched sound. “There is a very fine line between madness and sanity. Sometimes, all it takes is one bad day to push a man over that line.

“You should know about bad days, Miss Dawes. It is no secret what happened to you and Carl Finch after Joe Chill was let out of prison. Diana Wayne destroyed your life. Now she is sending you into this hell to spy on me.”

Rachel shook her head. “I was recently hired by the D.A.’s Office, and this is sort of a proving ground. Your psychological evaluations have the highest rate of defendants considered insane or unable to stand trial in the United States. It was only a matter of time before the courts looked into this.”

Crane did not seem concerned. “I stand by my diagnosis. If Diana Wayne doesn’t like it, that is not my concern.”

“The District Attorney’s office and the court system are concerned. You seem to be believe Diana Wayne Is involved. Is there a reason for this?”

Crane raised an eyebrow and stared at Rachel for a moment. “Let’s not play games, Miss Dawes. Diana Wayne is the District Attorney’s Office. She is the Mayor’s Office, and she is the judicial system as a whole. I have heard she is the Senate and Congress as well.

“I also heard she cast you out of the Garden of Eden like Eve, because she did not approve of your actions regarding Falconè. You were one of her apostles and she struck you down. Now you are doing her dirty work despite how much I am sure you hate her.”

The man knew too much about her personal situation and Rachel knew she had to dissuade him from this line of thought in order to gain any sliver of trust from him. “I’m here to do a job, Dr. Crane. If your diagnoses are legitimate there will be no reason to worry about anything or anyone, including Miss Wayne who, I reiterate, has no connection to this review.”

“And who is qualified to judge my diagnoses? You, Miss Dawes?” he asked challengingly.

Rachel shook her head. “I am only here to review files and if I find discrepancies or perhaps those who may be able to stand trial or be moved to prison, then I will ask you to reexamine the case. I will then forward the case to a court appointed psychologist for their opinion. If there is conflict, the case can be brought before a judge for court review.”

Crane scowled, obviously having not been aware of this. “And who is this court appointed psychologist?”

Rachel smiled for the first time, feeling she had him on the defensive. “Even if I did know, I would not be at liberty to say. The court has granted anonymity unless it is brought for legal review so he or she cannot be influenced by any personal or professional link to you.”

Crane shook his head. “This is preposterous. She has gone too far.”

Rachel smirked. “I assume you are speaking of Diana Wayne again. She doesn’t know the meaning of too far, but in this case, she doesn’t matter.

“I will need all access to patient files and be sitting in on your sessions with certain patients. I will also have unlimited access to all areas of the asylum. Any failure to adhere to these conditions will be considered contempt of court and neither of us want that, do we? Our relationship does not have to be antagonistic, Dr. Crane, but I am here to do a job and expect no obstacles. Will there be any problems?”

Crane’s face was stoic for a moment then turned into an unsettling smile. “Of course not, Miss Dawes. We are all her puppets after all, dancing for her amusement.

“Let me show you to your office. You will have a desktop computer with the names of all patients, past and present, along with their files. If you wish to see hard copies, you have simply to call me, and I will have them delivered. The computer isn’t Wayne Tech, but I have no doubt her young prodigy, the Commissioner’s daughter, can hack into any computer she wishes, so be careful of your browser history.”

Rachel refrained from saying anything and followed him silently to her desk. She was given a user ID and password, then left alone. The office was small and smelt like the rest of the building, but she quickly became used to it and began scanning over dozens of files, starting with those patients who had been there the longest. Tomorrow, she would look into the files of those who had died of natural causes since Crane became the asylum head, searching for any red flags.

That afternoon, she left for lunch and when she returned had one of the guards give her a tour of the entire complex, including the outbuildings. It was clear to her that if there was a room Crane was performing experiments in, it most likely existed in the underground level, perhaps lower than the one she had seen.

Rachel had not planted any of the hidden bugs she had been given. Today was a day for planning, not a day for direct action. She wasn’t sure where to plant the bugs where the risk would be worth the reward. Planting them at a guards desk may be useless and if found, would lead Crane to search for other bugs, knowing she was the one who probably planted them. She had one shot at getting them each in a strategically sound place.

At three p.m., she left as she planned to do most days. Despite the bravado she showed Bruce, Rachel had no plans to be in this neighborhood after dark. It was a relief to see a G.C.P.D. unit patrolling the area at least.

She stopped by the D.A.’s Office as planned for a daily debriefing.

Harvey had her wait a moment while he ended a call then asked her inside. The large smile on his face indicated something had gone right.

“How did you do it?” he asked.

Rachel was confused. “Do what?”

“Plant a bug in his office on the first day with him there? From the surrounding sound of blowing air, it sounded like it was in his ventilation shaft and escape route. How did you do it?”

“I didn’t. You must have been hearing the bug in my ear.”

Harvey shook his head, confused. “Rachel, we heard everything he said, all afternoon. We know every call he made… if you didn’t plant the bug there, then who did?”

“I still have all eleven.” Rachel argued, pulling out the small bag with the tiny transmitters. When she counted them, there were only ten.

That’s… weird. I must have dropped one. If he finds it…”

Harvey raised a hand. “He won’t. He has been in and out all day and hasn’t found a thing. It’s probably under the desk or some other weird place. It doesn’t even look like a listening device. Kara really knows how to make those things. Keep a closer eye on them though, okay? Good first day. Stop by tomorrow before you go in.”

Rachel left the building, almost stopping at her office but deciding not to. She didn’t want to get comfortable here. This was a temporary stop. She would stop Crane and get away from Diana’s playground.

Her mother was home alone, and she only had a limited amount of time to see her before she was gone forever. Rachel still hadn’t come to terms with that. So much had changed since she was young.

Once upon a time, Rachel had believed that she would be the District Attorney of Gotham City. It was her dream, one she had shared with Silver and Diana. They had encouraged her, Diana promising that she could make it happen, that the two of them would clean up the wasteland Gotham was at the time. Her mother would live forever and cheer her on as she won case after case and eventually support her in the election that would make her the top prosecutor in Gotham.

Rachel’s father had left both of them when she was very young. She didn’t remember much about him, only that he was a heavy drinker and a few fuzzy memories of him hitting her mother and chasing her around the house. Those memories were enough for her to know she never wanted to find him.

But she had hoped for her mother to find love again.

She had hoped to find love herself. She had hoped one day, Bruce would realize what was in front of him. He would return her feelings and they would be married.

Instead, he left without a word, and she was left to the wrath of a woman she believed would never turn on her.

Rachel had loved Diana as her own sister. She felt remorse for letting Chill go but knew it was the right call to take Falconè down.

That one decision changed her entire life. It changed everyone’s life… no one came out of it for the better. Rachel barely made it out and wasn’t convinced she had yet. She drank too much. If she wasn’t angry, she was depressed. She had contemplated suicide often, especially after Carl had killed himself. She had groveled in front of Lex Luther for a job, the only man she knew would hire her to irritate Diana. She owed Luthor for keeping her off the streets and hated that fact, as much as she hated the man.

With Bruce gone and Silver casting her aside, pledging her loyalty to Diana, Rachel had no one and nothing.

At least now, she at least had a purpose. She would take down Crane, no matter the cost. One thing became clear to her today in her brief interaction with him. He was evil and she had no doubt, the man had some sort of god complex. He had killed those patients in Illinois and people like that did not just change their ways. He would also be arrogant enough to think he could get away with it under her nose.

The game had begun.