(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
T/N: Guys, please leave some reviews and comments.
****
The sky was clear, not a single cloud in sight.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing Gotham in a rare, golden moment of calm.
A light breeze drifted in, rustling the curtains and carrying with it a fleeting sense of calm, like the city was holding its breath.
Allen had returned to the building he was in before with Harley.
But she wasn't around.
'She must have left after I said I was going, can't blame her,'
However, what he failed to convey was that he was going to go after he dealt with Bane, so she could have stayed a bit more.
He squinted against the morning light, eyes adjusting slowly, and stayed still for a moment longer before finally swinging his legs over the bed.
He got dressed without rush, moving through the motions as he washed up.
Coming downstairs, Allen sighed.
Normally, Harley would've had breakfast ready by now, something weirdly cheerful despite her chaotic personality, pancakes with faces, eggs shaped like bats, that kind of thing.
But now? No Harley Quinn. No breakfast.
Just silence.
"Didn't think I'd miss her already," Allen muttered.
But, even so, he didn't dwell on it.
Instead, he walked into the kitchen and made himself something quick.
Nothing fancy, toast, eggs, and a cup of lukewarm coffee that tasted meh.
Just as he finished his meal, the door swung open without warning.
It was Barbara Gordon in full Bat gear, cape, mask, utility belt, and right beside her, Talia al Ghul.
She was also dressed, but differently, she wore dark slacks and had a poised, no-nonsense expression, like she'd just walked out of a covert op.
Naturally, they were here to prepare for the mission.
Barbara handled the introductions.
"This is Miranda, and this is Allen who agreed to help us"
Talia, ever the tactician, acted like it was their first meeting.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Allen"
"Likewise,"
"I thank you for agreeing to help us in this difficult time,"
She politely requested cooperation and even thanked Allen for agreeing to help.
To save Gotham.
She didn't mention a single word about the night before.
Not a hint of what had happened between them.
No lingering looks. No familiarity in her tone. Just business.
"My father's leading a team to hit the City Hall in an hour," Barbara said.
"You and Miranda will head straight for Bane. That okay with you?"
Allen nodded; his face unreadable.
Barbara checked her gear again, eyes scanning her belt and gloves, nerves showing through her otherwise composed demeanor.
She reminded Talia to stay close, her voice a little too tight to be casual.
But Allen was thinking about something else, as Bane was just a side quest.
'No Harley yet…' he expected she might come back.
Allen had originally planned to say goodbye after he dealt with Bane, maybe crack a joke or thank her, in his own awkward way.
After all, she had contributed quite a bit to his comfort whether by food... or his sleep quality... despite him saying he could sleep without hugging her, he enjoyed it nonetheless.
But since he didn't catch her before leaving, so be it.
"It's almost time. Let's go," Barbara said, glancing at the clock on the wall.
Allen grabbed his backpack and followed them out.
The three of them got into their usual ride, an unassuming black car that didn't attract attention from afar, and headed toward the City Hall.
As Bane's current base of operations, it had become a fortress.
It was crawling with armed thugs, mercenaries, loyalists, and street scum with rifles.
Two prototype tanks from Wayne Enterprises stood menacingly out front, like sleeping beasts, their armored hulls gleaming under the sun.
Dozens of heavily armed men surrounded them, eyes alert, weapons drawn and ready for anything.
Opposing them was Gotham's remaining police force, led by none other than James Gordon himself.
Alongside them stood the city's bravest citizens, former soldiers, ex-cops, and even volunteers who refused to run.
Their faces were hard, serious, and determined.
This was it. Their first and final stand.
They were outnumbered, outgunned, and facing steel beasts that could shred them like paper.
But none of them flinched.
They stood for survival. For freedom. For justice.
James Gordon stood at the front, trench coat flapping in the wind as he glanced down at his wristwatch.
'Almost time.'
'But where were they? Why hadn't they arrived yet?'
Boom!
An engine roared, tearing through the heavy silence.
A car burst onto the scene, tires screeching as it skidded into the space between both forces.
"You're insane!" Barbara shouted the moment the car jerked to a halt.
Allen had just driven straight into a standoff.
The plan had been simple, wait for Gordon's assault, use the chaos as cover, and sneak in.
Now? They were the chaos.
They were dead center.
Before they even saw Bane, they'd be riddled with bullets.
"You want to meet Bane, no?" Allen asked, glancing over at her like it was the most normal question in the world.
"Of course I do!"
Allen looked at Talia, then turned back to Barbara.
"I have a way to get you to Bane. Easily."
"What way?" Barbara asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Got handcuffs? Hand them over." He pointed a finger at her.
Without a second thought, Barbara unclipped the cuffs from her Bat-belt and handed them to him.
"What do you need these for?" she asked.
"To cuff you," Allen replied casually.
In one smooth motion, he grabbed Barbara's wrists and snapped the cuffs shut.
Click.
She was restrained before she even registered what was happening.
"What are you doing?!" she shouted, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Tsk," Allen clicked his tongue.
"Your IQ... it's worrying."
He stepped out of the car, dragging Barbara by one hand and Talia by the other like a scene from some twisted play.
Instantly, every eye turned to them.
James Gordon's expression darkened as he saw his daughter yelling, struggling, and cuffed like a prisoner.
"You bastard! You betrayed u- "
Thud!
Allen's fist slammed into her stomach.
The scream died in her throat as she doubled over like a shrimp, breath knocked out of her lungs.
"Allen, you maniac!"
James Gordon's roar cut through the air like a gunshot.
His face twisted in anger and disbelief.
The sudden twist stunned both sides.
Gordon's people looked on in shock.
Their supposed ally had just taken out one of their most trusted as a hostage.
Their morale dipped instantly.
On Bane's side, the thugs erupted into wild shouts.
One of them bolted toward the back, likely to inform Bane himself.
A mocking voice rang out from their crowd.
"What, you think you can meet with the boss just like that?"
Allen grinned, unfazed.
"Not only meet him. I'll destroy him, wanna bet?"
Kill Bane?
With one hand gripping Talia al Ghul by the neck and the other dragging the cuffed Barbara Gordon, Allen looked like the ultimate traitor.
Like he'd sold them out for power.
For favor. Or rather for survival.
Why would they believe him?
"No way anyone believes that! Only a fool would!"
Laughter exploded from the mob.
The heavy tension cracked, turning absurd.
It almost felt like a joke.
Then, the laughter faded.
The crowd began to part, slowly.
A towering figure stepped forward, emerging from the back like a nightmare given flesh.
Muscles bulged beneath black tactical armor, shoulders broad enough to intimidate an Olympic weight lifter.
A black, metallic breathing mask covered his mouth and nose, hissing with each mechanical breath.
His eyes were sharp and cold.
Like a predator that didn't just want to kill you, it wanted you to understand why you deserved it.
A monster born from Gotham's madness.
Bane.