Thomas: He's ready for visitors, if you'd like to...

He didn't even get to finish his statement before two figures rushed past him. Thomas Elliott sighed as he peeked back into the hospital room where you were resting. While he doubts you'd be playing the violin anytime soon, he was sure you'd recover before long.

It had been about a week since you had "crashed your car" during a stormy night. While the city's underground was trying to rise up, the family has done everything they could to prevent them form doing so. That included Hel and Cassandra which was why they were so dead tired when they got the phone call from Dr. Elliott.

You were still under some heavy sedatives but you could tell someone else was in the room with you. Two people. At least one was female, going off the rose scented perfume.

Hel: D-Y/N?

Cassandra: Y/N? Can you hear us?

Yes. You could hear them. You just...you just couldn't answer right now. Your entire body ached like crazy and you couldn't really form a coherent thought. Cassandra looked at all the bandages wrapped around your body and the one wrapped around your head. Looks like they had to cut your hair a bit to do the surgery.

Hel looked around to make sure they were alone before she leaned in to talk to you.

Hel: I just want you to know that you don't have to worry, Dad. Everyone is doing everything they can to make sure Gotham is safe.

Cassandra nodded as she reached out and held your hand. Hel knew that she was worrying 24/7 waiting for word on your condition. Sleep became rare and her fighting became more aggressive. The only way she slept was when Hel would lay with her. It was some kind of comfort.

Hel: Though, everyone at the Leauge misses you. They'll come visit when they can. Everyone will. You'll have more flowers than you'll know what to do with.

She smiled as she spoke to you about how patrols had been going as you did your best to listen. Cassandra listened to her future daughter but she kept her eyes on you. You were ok. You were alive.
-------
Terry: Shit.

He tried to catch the sandwich he was eating but it instead fell to the dark alley below. He sighed and decided to get back on with his investigation.

He dusted his hands off and pulled the bottom half of his mask back down. He walked through the night air and sighed.

It was day 6 of his investigation. His mind was stuck on Bane and where Waller had taken him. He couldn't find them, for now. Unfortunately, that would have to wait.

He honestly felt like he was letting you down. He had made almost no progress besides that someone else was pulling the strings.

Catwoman: Batman.

Terry stopped and turned around to find Katie flipping his way. She landed in front of him with a smirk and her hands behind her back.

Katie: Hey, handsome~

Terry: Do you hit on every Batman?

Katie just shrugged.

Katie: I can't tell who's who. Apparently there was one that I knew bit now I can only remember the one that looks like you. Which one are you? Why is there so many Batmen?

Terry crossed his arms.

Terry: The Batman from the first timeline is currently....on vacation.

Katie: You guys get vacation?

Terry: Sometimes. We know each other. We're both from 2050. We first met on that ship coming back from the Bahamas.

Katie gave it some thought before she shook her head.

Katie: Hmmmm....no. We met on the rooftop near Lex Corp. You caught me breaking in.

Terry: No. We met on the ship. I was investigating something and you were stealing from a man on the boat.

The two stared at each other before Katie smiled.

Katie: So, I do know you. I just wanted to be sure.

Terry: Why's that?

Katie: It's not that I don't trust the other Batman. It's just, he's so dark and brooding and lame. I know I can trust you and still have fun.

Terry looked at her a bit confused.

Terry: What are you on about?

Katie streached a bit before she let out a satisfying groan.

Katie: I know where Ten is. And I need your help with kicking her ass.

Terry looked at the shorter girl as she walked closer to him. Soon enough, her face was mere inches from his.

Katie: So, how 'bout it? Partners?

Terry weight his options. Not a whole lot of options, if he was being honest.

Terry: Fine. Partners.

Katie: Good. Now a kiss to seal the deal.

Terry: Wha...

Katie suddenly grabbed the ears on his cowl and pulled him in for a kiss. Terry froze up while Katie took full advantage of the situation. This, was new.
--------------
Alfred: Welcome home, Master Y/N.

You gave a weak smile as Cassandra rolled you up the ramp that Alfred had put in. Everyone had agreed that you'd be better off at the Manor while you recovered. Unfortunately, everyone was out trying to deal with the hole that an injured Batman had left.

Thomas had arranged for you to be released earlier than expected since Alfred and Cassandra had pushed him to do so. Luckily, there was at least one member of the family to greet you.

Ace: Woof!

You grinned as the dog walked over to you and sat at your feet. You slowly petted her as she tried to lick your hand.

Y/N: Hey, girl. Ya miss me?

Alfred: We all did, sir. Everyone had done their best at protecting the city in your absence.

Hel: Like, everyone. I kinda became a Robin for Batgirl. Debra, not Barbara. She took up intel duty.

Y/N: What about the others?

Hel: Terry is Batman, kinda, with Debra. Jason and Damien are looking into the Underground organization with Tim. Stephanie is working with Helena to track down Kate. And me and mom are just kinda trying to fill in where we're needed. Though, the Justice Leauge is still without a Batman.

That was a lot to unpack.

Y/N: What do you mean the Underground?

Cassandra: A band of criminals.

Hel: Yeah. Uh, I guess I should tell you about that.
~~~~~~~~~
They were moving prisoners from Blackwater to Arkham. Waller had ordered it but no one knows why. There was four busses filled with some of Gotham's worst.

One of the guards in the first bus was actually a henchman. For Black Mask.

The man held the gun to the driver and forced him to stop the bus. When he did, the other three stopped as well. From the darkness of the road came several SUVs and cars. From them came armed men, led by Black Mask.

Henchman: No one will be sniffing Arkham's new paint job anytime soon. They have the Joker to thank for that. As for your freedom...

Black Mask: Comes courtesy of Black Mask.

The prisoners all filed out, one after another, as they looked at the kingpin.

Prisoner: Black Mask? But you're supposed to be locked up to.

Black Mask: If that were true, you wouldn't be a free man, Crane. But make no mistake. Freedom comes with a price. Repaid to me with a little bit of hardwork and  a smidgen of your time.

Ivy: With you as out leader? I'm not a criminal anymore.

Black Mask: And look where that's gotten you, Posion Ivy. The family life didn't exactly work out, now did it?

One of the prison walked forward with a scowl.

Prisoner: Hey, didn't you hear the lady? We ain't following you.

Black Mask: Watch and learn, friends. M32, activate.

Suddenly, the man began to scream as he clawed away at his face. Slowly, everyone watched as his skin began to peel back and expose his skull underneath. His body fell over, lifeless.

Black Mask: Each of you were given a chemical implant with your sedatives during your stay at Blackgate. Some of you even got a little extra, boom, if you know what I mean.

Croc: You better have a damn good reason!

Black Mask: The reason? Batman is gone. Lick it up, boys.

Behind him, Arkham was blown to bits.

Jason and Damien have been looking into it since. Trying to track down every criminal that's loose. Terry is picking up on your investigation into who was responsible for the kidnapping, and Debra is trying to give people hope while a fake Batman runs around.
~~~~~~~
Y/N: Back up. A fake Batman? How long was I out for?!

Alfred: About two weeks, sir.

Two weeks? Everything went to hell in two weeks?

Cassandra: We are looking into it.

Y/N: I need to get back out there. I need to...

Cassandra: Rest. No Batman.

Y/N: Cassandra, this isn't up for discussion. Batman is gone and now criminals are trying to run the city.

Hel: But you're still injured. You need to rest, dad.

You struggled to get out of the wheelchair before you found your footing.

Y/N: No. I need to protect the city. I need to fight.

Cassandra: You do not trust them.

You looked at her and saw that she had hurt in her eyes. Still, she wasn't going to show it outside.

Y/N: I do. But there's only so much you guys can do.

Cassandra looked at you for a moment before she walked over to you. She gently held you as you stiffened up. What was she....ack!

Hel watched as you fell back into the wheelchair, unconscious.

Hel: What did you do?!

Alfred: It seems Miss Cassandra has knocked out her lover. Well done.

Cassandra nodded as Alfred took over wheelchair duty. You needed to rest and recover. Until you did, they had to protect the city in your stead. That was the vow they had made when they started wearing their symbols.

They were going to honor it.
-------------
Black Mask looked at his fellow thieves, killers, and monsters five hundred feet below Gotham. All now with their proper equipment and weapons. All ready to take the city that was rightfully theirs.

Black Mask: My friends, all your lives you've been labeled as sick, incurable, irredeemable. You've been prosecuted for your beliefs. And desires. And if not for the individual failures that led you to the great tomb known as Arkham, you would be looked upon with fear. Even respect. If you work as one, under my guidance, you will reap the rewards that are rightfully yours. The ones life has cheated you out of.

Crane: Enough chit chat, Mask. When do we get started?

Black Mask grinned as he turned towards the stairs that would lead them to Gotham.

Black Mask: Tonight.
------------
Gotham's Network had been doing everything they can to keep the city under control. No one could argue that. But there were just too many holes to plug. For ever one that they fixed, three more seemed to pop up. It was just a matter of time. Everyone knew it. Gotham knew it. They're ready to topple over like a house of cards.

Debra flew through the city when she decided that she really needed to step up. Terry was now off investigating which meant she was on her own.

First thing was first. This Batman wannabe needs to be a wannabeen....she now understood why Batman didn't tell jokes. Unfortunately, she may not even have the chance to fo that right now.

Damien was driving the spare Batmobile through the city as he tried to track down a lead regarding the Underground. The Penguin and Two Face were at it again, tearing at each other's throats. Black Mask seemed to have used this opportunity to pretty much seize a shipment meant for Two Face. Weapons and explosives.

Damien: For a city now overrunning with Criminals, it's hard to find one.

He would get his wish when the Batmobile was suddenly hit by something. Hard. Damien gripped the steering wheel and tried to gain control but found himself unable to.

Damien: Gordon, there's something wrong with the car!

Before he could get a response, the Batmobile drove right into the side of a building. The hit slammed Damien's head into the steering wheel as Barbara looked at the car's signal.

Barbara: Oh no. Anyone available to help Damien?! He needs help!

Debra: I'm in the area.

Debra flew towards the signal as fast as she could. Meanwhile, Damien dragged himself out of the car with a bleeding head.

Damien: Batgirl, can you hear me? Batgirl?

Ivy: I think Batman just rolled in his grave. Say, Solomon, you wanted a new toy, right?

Damien leaned against the car to try and hold himself up as Ivy and Solomon Grundy appeared from the shadows.

Solomon: Grundy like new toy.

Damien gritted his teeth and reached for a batarang. Ivy went to summon a vine but Damien found himself off the ground when Debra grabbed him.

Damien: Hood?

Debra: Batwoman, for the time being. You alright?

Damien: Tt. We don't have any more spare Batmobiles.

Before Debra could say anything, a missle flew right towards them. Debra held Damien and shielded him with her own body as the missle erupted and sent the two barreling towards a nearby building.

Damien: Ahhhh!

Debra: Ahhhhh!

The two crashed through the window and rolled to a stop. Debra grabbed her side in pain as Damien pushed himself up.

Damien: That could've gone better.

Debra: How does Batman do this?

There was another explosion which sent the two to the ground again. Debra acted quickly and covered the two of them with a spare sheet of metal.

Black Mask: Fan out! Find them!

Debra: Stay down, Damien. Don't let them see you.

Damien: What are you going to do?

Debra: I'm going to step up.

Debra pulled the sheet of metal over Damien and crawled out. Debra held up her hands as the armed men surrounded her.

Debra: I'm here, boys. Come and get me.

Thug: A Batgirl? Oh man oh man. With Batman gone, Black Mask declared open season on vigilantes. But maybe we can have some fun first.

The men began to laugh as Debra slowly slid a batarang out of her sleeve. Before she could react, however, gunfire rained down on the men as a figure crashed through the window.

???: Guess Black Mask didn't get the memo. I AM BATMAN!