The sun shone down on Gotham with rare clarity, casting light on a city that had grown used to the shadows. For once, the skies were clear—no smoke, no clouds, no smog choking the skyline.
A soft breeze drifted through the open window. Gotham felt almost... peaceful.
Jack Kadere stretched lazily on the couch, squinting against the sunlight. Harley Quinn wasn't around, which was strange. Usually, she'd be bouncing around the kitchen by now, singing some off-key tune while breakfast sizzled. He got up, dressed, and headed downstairs.
The kitchen was empty. No food. No Harley.
"Guess I'm on my own today," Jack muttered, throwing together a quick meal without fuss. He had just taken his last bite when the door swung open—not Harley.
Barbara Gordon stepped in, suited up in her Bat-gear. Behind her came Talia al Ghul, dressed in sleek, practical clothes. The moment was stiff, professional. Barbara did the introductions.
Talia acted like this was her first time meeting Jack, even thanked him sincerely for agreeing to help save Gotham. She didn't mention last night. Not a word about how they'd met. Or what had happened.
Barbara got straight to business. "My father will lead the charge on City Hall in an hour. That's our distraction. You, Talia—" she nodded toward the woman beside her, "—and I will use the chaos to reach Bane. You ready?"
Jack nodded coolly.
Barbara did a final check on her gear and reminded Talia to stick close. Jack noticed how carefully she avoided eye contact with Talia. Probably didn't trust her—smart girl.
As for Harley, still missing. Jack had hoped to say goodbye. She'd contributed a lot to his… nightly comfort lately. But if she didn't show, so be it. People came and went. Life moved on.
Barbara glanced at her watch. "It's time. Let's go."
The three loaded into their car and headed for City Hall.
When they arrived, the scene was tense. Bane's mercenaries had fortified the entrance with heavy artillery. Two prototype tanks from Wayne Enterprises were parked side by side, blocking access like immovable beasts. Dozens of thugs armed with rifles loitered behind them.
Across from them, James Gordon stood tall, rallying what remained of Gotham's police force and a few brave civilians. Their faces were grim, their resolve unshaken.
This was it—their last stand.
Outnumbered. Outgunned. But not out of hope.
Gordon checked his watch. Where the hell were the reinforcements?
Then—BOOM!
The deafening roar of an engine shattered the silence. A car screeched around the corner and slid between the two factions, tires leaving long black marks on the asphalt as it came to a dramatic stop right in the middle.
Barbara's eyes went wide. "Are you insane?!"
Jack stepped out of the vehicle, calm as ever.
"We were supposed to wait for my dad to attack!" Barbara hissed. "Now we're completely exposed! You just turned us into targets—"
"Relax," Jack interrupted, glancing at her. "You said you wanted to see Bane, right?"
"Obviously!"
"Then I've got a shortcut."
Talia arched a brow. Barbara stared at him, confused. "What shortcut?"
Jack extended a hand. "Got any handcuffs on you?"
Barbara hesitated, then pulled a pair from her utility belt and handed them over. "Why?"
"To handcuff you."
Click.
Before she could react, Jack grabbed her wrists and fastened the cuffs.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Barbara yelled, twisting in shock.
"Tsk tsk... and here I thought you were the smart one," Jack said with a smirk. He stepped out of the vehicle, opened the rear door, and yanked Barbara out with one hand, gripping Talia al Ghul by the arm with the other.
In an instant, the attention of both sides—Gotham's remaining police force and Bane's militia—snapped toward the three figures.
Commissioner James Gordon's expression darkened. A pit opened in his stomach, and a terrible feeling surged up. Across the field, he saw Barbara struggling furiously and shouting at Jack.
"You traitor! You son of a—!"
Thud!
Barbara's sentence ended in a breathless gasp as Jack drove a clean punch into her abdomen. She doubled over like a folding chair, the wind knocked clean out of her.
"Jack Kadere, you bastard!"
The shout came from Gordon, his voice raw with rage.
The entire confrontation threw the resistance into chaos. The morale of the Gotham police dipped hard. They had placed their faith in Jack—an outsider with abilities they couldn't match—but now, seeing him deliver Barbara and Talia into the enemy's hands, they felt betrayed. Crushed.
On the opposite side, the mercenaries began to relax, chuckling as they caught on to what was happening. One of them stepped forward and asked Jack, "So... what exactly do you want with Bane?"
Jack grinned. "Simple. I'm here to kill Bane. Believe it or not."
Kill Bane?
Everyone stared at him like he'd lost his mind. With one woman handcuffed and the other clearly not cooperating, it looked far more like he was handing them over to gain favor.
"Sure, pal," the thug snorted. "And I'm the Joker's therapist. No one's buying that crap."
The crowd broke into laughter, the mood easing as they let their guard down just a little—until the atmosphere shifted.
The soldiers on Bane's side began parting to make way, forming a path. From within the shadows of the city hall entrance, a massive figure emerged.
He wore a black tactical vest, heavy boots, and the signature metal mask covering the lower half of his face—a device that emitted a faint mechanical hiss with every breath. His gaze burned with cold calculation and primal menace.
It was Bane—the man who broke the Bat. Towering, ruthless, and in full command of the moment.
…