Metropolis. How odd that Terry was standing here right now. How odd that his investigation has led him to the shining city with his new....partner. Especially with everything going on over at Gotham.

He stepped out of the car and looked at the tall buildings around him as he tried to get his mind off of....recent events. Katie.....nope! No no no! Focus on the mission.

Katie: Easy there, big boy. Play your cards right and there'll be more where that came from.

Terry shook his head as he checked his phone. Things over at Gotham weren't much better. Especially if Debra's report was anything to go by.
-----------
The night before.

Hellbat: See how much better it is when you fight fire with fire, Batwoman?

Debra: Who do you think you are?!

Hellbat: Isn't it obvious?

Debra pulled out a batarang as the man stood there over the bodies of the thugs he had shot to hell.

Debra: You killed those men, wearing the bat symbol.

Hellbat: It could just as easily be your sorry ass laying there instead. And it still can be.

Debra threw her batarangs which knocked the guns from the attacker's hands. Debra then leaped up.

Debra: I don't think so!

Debra brought her leg down but the man grabbed her ankle and swung her away.

Hellbat: Poor Debra. Still playing by the same rules that sent Y/N closer to his grave.

Hellbat leaped through the broken window and Debra and Damien gave chase. As Hellbat ran, he thought about what led him to this.

Gotham has always been evil. He used to tell Batman this all the time. The devil himself created this city and he damned anyone who lived here. Gotham became worse after Batman appeared. He was the light to bring the criminals out.

People wanted him dead and they were catching every innocent person to get to him. Becoming a public figure was Bruce's first mistake. His second mistake was joining forces with the GCPD. When that wasn't enough, he recruited children to his cause. To his war.

Now he was gone. You had taken the mantle but you were out of the game. Hellbat had arranged that with his partners in the grand scheme. They were going to fix Gotham. Heal it. Do what Bruce has never been able to do.

They were going to save Gotham.

Debra: You're not Batman!

Debra kicked the man's back which sent him rolling forward. He caught himself and looked at the woman.

Debra: Batman has codes, morals! Batman doesn't kill!

Hellbat: Ask Batman if he still believes that.

Debra: You'll be able to dream about wearing a cape and cowl all you want in prison.

Damien: You'll regret tarnishing my father's name.

Hellbat laughed as he threw three batarangs toward Debra. She managed to dodge two of them but the third one stabbed into her chest.

Hellbat: Let's look at the facts, Debra! Batman is gone. Batman didn't need you before, and he doesn't need you now. You and the others watched Gotham burn for all these years yet nothing has changed! You recruited outside help for God's sake!

Hellbat suddenly found a flying kick to his jaw when Damien attacked. The young Robin held his staff outward, ready for another attack.

Damien: You're going down tonight, faker!

Damien leaped at the man but Hellbat grabbed his staff and threw him away and into a nearby wall.

Hellbat: No one asked you, twerp!

Debra leaped up and delivered an uppercut to Hellbat before she swung at him. Hellbat stumbled back before Debra delivered a powerful kick to his chest. Debra grabbed the man and threw him away which caused the mask to crack enough to expose an eye.

Debra: You know my name. You know all of our names. I know who's where right now so I've managed to narrow down who you are. Well, more like pegged who you are.

Hellbat slowly turned towards Debra as her voice changer began to break.

Debra: The gig is up, Kate.

Kate laughed as she slowly pushed herself up. She wiped the stray blood from her lips as she looked at the younger girl.

Kate: So, Bruce's training actually paid off. We want the same thing, Debra. You have to realize what was going on. Y/N is weak. Dick contacted me and told me what happened. The protocol was for him to take over and for him to save Gotham. Not some, kid. Y/N isn't ready.

Debra: He is. I don't know why you all keep saying that. Y/N is worthy of the cowl. More than any one else in the family!

Kate: He's bash and unpredictable! Look around you, Debra! Look at how bad things have gotten!

Debra: This wasn't his fault. Someone attacked him. Someone who knew Batman.

Kate: And now you're all caught in the cross fire of the worst of Gotham. You chose to follow him, and now I'll show you why he's useless. He can beat around the bush all he wants. I'm cutting to the chase.

She raised her spare gun and aimed it at Damien. Before Debra could react, Kate opened fire. The bullet soared through the air before it landed in his chest. Overhead, two figures leaped out of the batwing as Kate smiled.

Debra: Damien!

Kate: Just know that this could've been prevented. You only have Y/N to blame.

Kate leaped off the building as Jason and Stephanie landed. They leaped out as Debra held the bleeding Damien.

Stephanie: Dami!

Jason: Wha...where did they go?! Where are they?!

Debra: She ran. Guys, it's Kate. It's Batwoman!
-----------
The entire manor was in an uproar when Debra reported what she discovered. That wasn't even the worse part of it. You had been on bed rest since you got back and though Hel was checking in every chance she got, it was clear that you and Cassandra were at odds with each other.

Apparently she had knocked you out when you tried to get back into the fight.

It was now officially acknowledged around the manor that Cassandra was fucking terrifying when she wanted to be.

Still, Terry had a job to do. The faster he can handle the mysterious mastermind, the faster he can help with the Underground. It was only a matter of time before something happened and he needed to be there to help when it did.

But right now, he held a bouquet of flowers as he approached a familar desk at the world famous Daily Planet.

Lois: How many "P's" in therapist?

Kara: One, Lois.

Terry: I always thought Y/N and Tim were crazy when they thought about putting a flower shop downstairs.

Lois looked up to see the bouquet of flowers in front of her courtesy of Terry and his charismatic smile.

Lois: Oh! Terry!

Terry: How's my favorite reporter?

The older woman stood up and hugged the young man while Kara peeked over from her desk. Terry hasn't seen her since the days of being an outlaw. Seems that she had taken a break from being Supergirl to focus on being a good reporter.

Kara: Lois, I don't think PDA with one of the dons of the owner of the Daily Planet is a good idea. And no, I'm not saying that again.

Terry: PDA? I wasn't aware you had turned into a middleschool teacher since we left the Team.

Kara rolled her eyes but smiled none the less. You had Conner, Damien had Jon, Jason even had Bizzaro. Terry, he had Kara. While you were busy being a leader and breaking hearts, Terry actually found himself becoming close with Kara and they even had gone a few missions together.

Terry: You mind if I use your computer, Lois? I need to check on some, "Wayne" business.

Lois moved over and Terry smiled as he logged onto the computer using Bruce's password. Lois held out the flowers for Kara to sniff as Terry messaged Barbara.

T: BG?

B: Here. You made it to Metropolis?

T: Yes. On Lois' computer.

B: Good. Tell her I said hi. I found what you were looking for.

T: Good. Send me the location and I'll go there when I can.

B: Sent. Check your phone.

Terry looked at his phone and saw the location and code to get in.

T: Thanks. How are things going back at base?

B: Not good. Everyone is still losing it after the learned K is Hellbat. Now everyone is on a witch hunt to find the other missing members.

Terry winced at the news. Kate was the fake Batman but that doesn't mean that there weren't more. Duke, Azrael, and Dick were still MIA. If they were involved in any of this....that could be bad news.

Terry: Thanks for the computer.

Lois: And if I read that, would I be rich or jealous?

Terry chuckled as he straightened his tie.

Terry: Neither. You'd be bored to tears.

Lois: No, really. Besides yours truly, what brings the Waynes to Metropolis?

Terry: Wayne. No one else is here with me.

Except for the future Catwoman who kissed him and may or may not be now trying to get with him. Oh, and she had a device that would tell him if she found Melanie before him.

Katie: You and me can get a nice dinner after you have your turn with that scheming bitch.

Terry: Yeah. Just me.

Kara: That doesn't answer the question. What is a Bat doing here?

Terry leaned against the side of Lois' cubicle with a sigh.

Terry: I'm picking up on Y/N's latest investigation. The same one that landed him in the hospital.

Kara: I remember Conner telling me about that. How is he doing?

Terry: Not good. But he'll be better once I find who put him there. For now, I should get going. I have work to do.

Terry kissed Lois' knuckle and winked at Kara before he turned away.

Terry: I need to talk to Perry, then I'm heading out. Wish me luck.

The girls watched Terry leave before Kara dropped her smile.

Lois: I know that look. I would think you'd be happy to see an old friend.

Kara: I am. Under any other circumstances. I think there's only one way to find out why he's really here, and who he's with.

Lois: Right. Have fun in that blue and red skirt. Try not to scare him too bad.

Kara: Who? Me? I'd never.
---------
Cassandra looked down at the city below before she leaped off the roof and shot out a line to swing to the next one.

She felt horrible for what had happened. She knew you wanted to help out but you needed to rest before you put the cowl back on. You were broken in a way you'd never been before. Everything had escalated beyond their control and you would only get in the way if you tried to help.

She didn't want to see you get hurt again or, or killed. She couldn't bare to live with herself if she gotten you killed.

She stopped her track and looked around. The Underground has been active and they've been getting worse. Everyone has been in overdrive and now that they knew that a member of the family was now a murderer and an enemy, they had to be on guard.

Things have been getting deadlier. Criminals are now bolder and smarter. They feared nothing anymore. Every low life in town seemed to have a purpose now. One that paid enough to endure some hard times.

That brought her to here. One of the churches that was built in the more outer edge of Gotham. Two men in black masks were talking to a priest. At least, that's what he was supposed to be.

The two men exchanged a case with the father who was smiling smugly.

Cassandra was about to leap out, when a second shadowy figure leaped out instead. One she didn't recognize.

Priest: God!

The two men were shot down by some bullets before the figure landed. The Priest pulled out guns of his own and aimed them at the man.

Priest: In the name of God, I banish you to hell!

???: Keep a seat warm for me.

The Priest opened fire but the Batman was faster. He lifted a hand and fired off a chain with a sharp end. It stabbed straight through the Priest which killed him instantly.

Cassandra: No!

The Batman turned around to find Cassandra now standing there.

Batknight: Ah. Young Cain. It has truly been too long.

Cassandra: You killed them!

Batknight: Indeed. These sinners will no long spread their evil among the land.

Cassandra looked at the man before it clicked.

Cassandra: Azrael?

Batknight: So you do remember me. I must say, I am honored. It is good to see an old ally. However, Kate has told me that you all do not see eye to eye with the rest of us.

Cassandra: We do not kill!

Batknight: No. You do not. We decided to bend the rule a bit. You must see it, Cassandra. Gotham is sick. Gotham is dying. You all failed this city and we are going to fix it.

Batknight aimed his gauntlet at Cassandra who leaped away from his attack. She threw a batarang but Azrael just caught it and crushed it in his hand.

Batknight: I truly do not wish to kill you, but I have seen what needs to be done.

Cassandra: What....

Batknight: This war is just the beginning. The only way this will end is when the true Batman is revealed. The gods have spoken.

Cassandra: The true Batman?

Batknight leaped forward and threw a punch. Cassandra caught it and used whatever strength she had to throw him away. Batknight landed on his feet and threw a batarang at Cassandra who avoided it.

Batknight: Batman requires sacrifice. He will be forced to lose one he holds dear. Only then, will the true Batman be revealed.

Cassandra: Y/N will not let that happen.

Batknight: You don't understand, Cain. Y/N is the Batman now.

Cassandra was confused. What did he mean by that?

Batknight: You must know this by now, Cain. Batman, he cannot be happy. If he is, he cannot be Batman.
----------
Terry landed on the balcony of Lex Corp where he was going to find his contact.

Talia: Batman in Metropolis? You should visit more often.

Terry: This isn't a social visit. And I'm not Bruce, Talia.

Lex Corp used to be ran by Lex Luther before he was elected President. He left the company to Talia, Ra's al Ghul's daughter, and your sister. Of course, the two of you haven't met. That was a terrible reunion just waiting to happen.

Talia: It never is. What does "The Detective" want from me?

Terry: Ethylene. Lex Corp makes it.

Talia: The house plant hormone. Rasing Aztec Galia?

Terry: If someone in Metropolis has a large dose of Ethylene, I need to know.

Talia looked at the young man before something began to vibrate on his person. Terry looked a bit to his left as his HUD showed a location.

Terry: Shit. I'm needed elsewhere.

Talia: Hm. Batman leaving me alone. Seems to be a repeating theme with you all. If you see my son, tell him I said "hello". As for the person you are looking for....

Terry looked at the older woman for a moment as she told him what he needed to know before he leaped out the window. He activated his boots and flew through the city.

It took him about 3 minutes before he spotted the train moving through the city. Ontop of said train, was a figure dressed in black. Katie.

Katie: Does it ever get dark here? Even at night it's brighter than Gotham.

Terry landed behind her and looked at her.

Katie: Looks like your tracker worked.

Terry: You think it wouldn't?

Katie: I know better. I interrupted something, didn't I?

Katie leaned closer to Terry and smiffed him.

Katie: Not many women can wear Channel No. 5 and pull it off.

She stepped back and smirked.

Katie: Sorry. That was....catty.

Terry: I know where Melanie is.

Katie looked at Terry and smiled.

Katie: Looks like you're really falling into the Batman thing. I remember you chasing me around in Neo Gotham and making jokes. You were a lot more, charismatic before.

Terry thought about it and nodded.

Terry: Being Batman requires me to not have fun sometimes. Especially when I'm tracking down the one who nearly sent my friend to his grave.

Katie seemed surpised at the news.

Katie: I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't know. But, you have to understand that I have my own business with Melanie.

Terry: Why? I thought you were running with her and Dee. What happened?

Katie held herself as she reminisced on what had happened.

Katie: Melanie changed. Not in a good way either. Not being able to remember who Batman was drove her to her breaking point. I guess I can't blame her for that. How do you go on unable to remember the one you loved as much as she did.

Terry could almost understand. After your timeline was wiped, so was most of the memories associated with it. Clearly the girls remembered Batman but not you. And if what Booster said was true, you and Melanie were practically star crossed lovers.

Katie: One day, a man approached us and told us that he knew how to fix her. He called himself the Jokar or something.

Terry: The Jokar?!

The same guy that was responsible for all of this?

Katie: Yeah. He made a deal with Dee and Melanie. Of course, I wasn't okay with what he was selling. So, I left. When Melanie reached out again, I thought she was going to switch back. I was so wrong. That's why I need to find her first. No one violates me like she did.

Terry hesitated but he did nod.

Terry: You have a 2 minutes head start. Go.

Katie smiled as she shot him a wink.

Katie: See you there, Bat.

Katie leaped off the train and swung away. Terry stood there for a moment before he leaped off to.