In A Secret Fortress-Somewhere in Japan
Thousands of assassins were training. They were all preparing for the, so far, greatest assault in history: The conquest of Gotham City. The League of Shadows was no more, having failed at the same objective, twice. Both Ras Al Ghul and his son had died at the hands of a former student of their shared adversary, Dark Claw, a man named Bruce Wayne. He had progressed even more since being under the tutelage of the ninja master, having assumed the identity of Batman years ago.
On a balcony overlooking the training room, a masked figure in a black leather suit with a quiver full of arrows, a belt around his waist and a deadly sword sheathed on the belt was standing with his Second in Command, silently observing his men training.
"Is everything ready?", He asked, turning to face the other man.
The assassin gave a nod, bowing his head in respect.
"Yes, my lord."
With that, the man left, leaving the leader alone.
He stared down at his ring. A ring which told a story, spanning across the centuries. A story of regret, pain, hate, anger, loss and much more.
It was a symbol of power, much like the Demon's Head Ring to the League of Shadows.
Clenching his hand into a fist, he looked up at the wall with hate, vowing to torture anyone Al Midrib loved or cared for in ways that would break even monsters, before destroying the Batman.
Meanwhile In The Batcave-Underneath Wayne Manor-Gotham City-USA
Bruce was searching for information in the computer's archives, having found out that another organization with hostile intent towards his former master was planning an assault on Gotham.
"This is crazy! Just how many assassins plan to attack this city? This has to be the fifth attack this month alone!", He thought, clearly annoyed.
Not that Batman was ever going to surrender to them. He was going to fight to his very last breath.
Bruce took out a file from a compartment, carefully reading through it. The file contained all known data on the organization.
It wasn't good. They were large in numbers, had an extremely stable command structure and were very dangerous. Actually, that was putting it quite mildly. They were ruthless.
Detecting a signal, he opened his suit's storage compartment, watching as the three-layered Dutronium steel wall slid away, revealing the Batsuit and his arsenal of weapons.
Pulling on the gloves, Bruce then put the belt on, locking it into place and putting his Batarangs, grenades, knives, sonic pellets, and other weapons into various compartments around it. It was extremely important for the locking mechanism to function properly. If the belt fell into the wrong hands, they could control the Batmobile, his other vehicles and every weapon with a remote sensor.
Finally, he pulled the cowl on.
Hurrying to the Batmobile, Bruce got in and activated it, as the loud V15 engine was heard throughout the whole cave.
The tunnel lit up, as the car drove through it.
The secret entrance opened, allowing the Batmobile to drive through, before closing again, so that no one could discover that the Batcave was really underneath Wayne Manor.
Accelerating, Batman drove through the dark city, heading towards the source of the signal.
Meanwhile at the main square, the mayor was hosting a ceremony to honor Batman for his years of tireless work in the name of Gotham City's protection.
The Gotham Media was also present, with several reporters all too eager to get an exclusive interview with the mayor, regarding his opinion on the Dark Knight.
Viper was all over the place, with snippers on the roofs and Special Response Teams all over the premises, senior agents giving orders. Commander Eric Morgan was standing at the front, a few feet from the podium the mayor was standing on, his Second in Command next to him.
A senior agent was on a roof, observing the situation cautiously.
"All units, stay alert. Agent Falcon, take a team with you and secure the east side. Agent Dyson, do the same with the west side. Snippers, remain on your positions. Everyone, stay alert.", He ordered.
Eric looked up at the roof and nodded towards the man.
"Excellent display of coordination and leadership skills, Agent Kylan.", He praised. The agent smiled slightly as the crowd cheered.
"Thank you, sir.", Agent Kylan replied through his communicator.
The mayor was preparing to deliver his speech.
"Citizens of Gotham City! Tonight, we gather here in celebration of a momentous occasion.", He declared, as a familiar symbol was projected.
"Batman has protected us for 26 years now. It is thanks to him those dangerous criminals, such as Bane don't roam the streets anymore. Or that the Joker is gone. We couldn't have even identified him, had it not been for Batman.
I admit his methods are not always by the law, but his heart is in the right place. Many wonder, myself included, what truly happened that fateful night, two years ago. Batman and the Joker's last confrontation was an event of such significance, that it impacted our city greatly. Joker had terrorized our city for years, with the Police unable to stop him. He was the person behind a lot of accidents and kidnappings. His crazy plans had endangered the lives of thousands, more often than not. Throughout these dire times, Batman stood guard over us like a guardian angel, defending poor and rich alike. For him, everyone was equal, and classes were nonexistent. Truly, he's one of the noblest men I ever had the privilege of meeting. To that end, I organized this event. Any questions?",
"Mr. Mayor, do you truly find it wise for us to put our complete faith in a man with the skills to harm us? We have all been witness to his combat abilities and the capabilities of his weapons. How can you say for certain he won't just turn against us or abandon us?", A citizen questioned skeptically.
"I am certain he has contingency plans, should one of his weapons malfunction or fall into the wrong hands.", The mayor reassured, dismissing the man's skeptism.
In that moment however, a shuriken was thrown at the podium, frightening the citizens. Morgan and his agents immediately drew their weapons.
"Get the mayor to his limousine and evacuate the people! Hawk Two, I need a bird's eye view of the situation!", Morgan ordered.
Suddenly, a bunch of assassins swopped down from the roofs, surrounding the people.
"Change of plans: We need to regroup and devise a new plan."
The assassins were about to attack when a projectile was fired at them.
Batman was standing on the roof, his eyes narrowed at the attackers, as his cape fluttered in the wind.
Jumping down, he rolled out of the way of an attack, throwing a couple Batarangs to disarm a few assassins.
Anticipating the next strike, he caught the man's fist, shoving him off. As shuriken were thrown his way, Batman brought up his left arm, allowing his armor to deflect the shots.
Knowing exactly how many assassins were on the roofs and their exact positions, thanks to his cowl's HUD, Batman shot thirty projectiles at various points of the roof, watching as thirty men fell down onto the concrete, completely knocked out.
Grabbing a smoke pellet from a compartment on his belt, he threw it down, disappearing from their view. Stealth, tactics, and speed were Batman's greatest assets.
At Viper HQ
A bunch of monitors were displaying camera footage from the ceremony, as a few agents were trying to get in contact with Commander Morgan and his team, others sending reinforcements or monitoring Batman's fight with the assassins.
"Commander Morgan, come in! Sir, can you hear me? Base to strike team, report!", An agent said into his headset.
A brunette female agent in a combat suit walked up with her team.
"Tell the commander that we're on our way.", She told one of the agents at the computers, who nodded, sending a signal to them.
"Alright, team, we've got a 3321 to respond to, let's move.", She ordered as her team followed her.
Walking into the HQ' garage, they got into a black SUV, quickly driving off towards the location.
Upon arrival, Agent Taylor started giving orders.
"Set up a parameter! We need to make sure no civilians get hurt! You three are with me. The others, help where you can, let's go!", She ordered, running towards the front with her gun drawn.
"Agent Taylor, excellent work. And thank you for getting here so fast.", Commander Morgan stated.
"Sir, what are your orders?", She asked, saluting quickly.
"Save the formalities for later, Agent. We need to get the civilians to safety.", Eric interrupted her.
"I've instructed a few agents to set up a parameter two blocks north from here.", She replied.
"Excellent. Now, come on, we've got work to do."
Back with Batman, he was fighting against the assassins.
"Surrender, Batman. You shall not win.", The leader snarled.
Rather than be intimidated, the Dark Knight stood his ground.
Reaching for a small device in his belt, he threw it, as an ear-screeching sound wave was emitted from it, effectively disorienting the ninjas, and allowing Batman to overpower them.
As for why he wasn't affected, Bruce designed the Batsuit to be impervious to his own weapons as well, that included sound-based ones.
Delivering two more kicks and a final punch, Batman defeated the assassins, handing them over to Viper.
"Thank you, Batman. You have saved us once again.", The mayor thanked him, shaking the Vigilante's gloved hand.
"It was my pleasure, Mr. Mayor. If you'll excuse me, I must leave now.", Batman stated, pressing a button on his belt to call the Batmobile.
He got in and drove off.
Back In The Batcave-Underneath Wayne Manor
Bruce was at the computer, looking at an article from yesterday's attack.
The title was:
Batman Thwarts Deadly Assassins During Public Ceremony-Saving Dozens In The Process.
Gotham City's protector, the vigilante Batman thwarted a public assault against the city carried out by deadly assassins.
Viper commander, Eric Morgan stated that they were attempting to weaken, the city's defenses, by assaulting from all possible points of entry simultaneously. While most of the Viper agents were busy combating them across all of Gotham, their leader was planning to attack the ceremony, which he did.
However, Batman intervened, turning the tide. Following an extremely intense battle, they were defeated and arrested.
After assessing the damage, it was confirmed that only five were injured and no one was dead. The injured were transported to Gotham General Hospital to receive treatment.
Their current state of health is unconfirmed at this time.
The attackers were sent to Blackgate Penitentiary, awaiting trial the following month.
By Nicole Gayvers, Gotham News, 7/24/2027
Bruce was very pleased with himself. Gotham was safe once again.