Two sides of the same coin

Chapter 9 - Ra's al Ghul

After walking through the building for a while, and what he assumed to be something similar to halls, he felt the bag be pulled off his head. He could finally see where Jeremiah had taken him. He was in a rather open concrete building, and in it was the assassins, Jeremiah, and Ra's al Ghul in the same room as him. Jeremiah walked pass Ra's and the two assassins that stood on both sides of him, and Ra's looked towards Bruce with a pleased expression on his face.

"It's true. How did you two-"

"Find each other? I'd like to think it was you, Bruce."

Ra's interrupted him and signaled to the assassin's to walk forward while he also began to walk towards Bruce.

"You brought us together."

Once arriving at Bruce's side, Ra's turned towards Jeremiah.

"I trust things went smoothly?"

"Like clockwork. Did your men retrieve my bombs?"

Jeremiah replied while turning from the window and towards Ra's.

"They are en route to their positions as we speak."

He only spared a small glance towards Jeremiah and returned his attention towards Bruce, placing a hand on his shoulder in the process. Ra's ushered him forward and Bruce walked forward.

"From here, we can take on the full majesty of Gotham's destruction."

Ra's let his hand slowly leave Bruce's shoulder. Leaving Bruce to stand between the two assassins that had stood beside Ra's beforehand, while Ra's continued to walk towards the same window Jeremiah was standing beside. His footsteps were the only thing that could be heard throughout the entire building. But, the only thing Bruce was concerned about wasn't what would happen to him or Gotham city. He was only worried about Selina. Her condition could worsen at any moment and the only way Bruce knew how to help her was through Jeremiah. Despite how much he hated Jeremiah, he knew he had to stay on his good side in order to get the information he wanted. So, he decided played along. Ra's and Jeremiah exchanged glances, taking his silence as some sort of consideration of what the two aimed for.

"I had a vision, that out of this crucible of blood and fire will rise the Dark Knight that your city needs. That I need."

Bruce once again remained silent, not wanting to give away the reason he was here to Ra's. After a moment of glaring at Ra's, he looked towards Jeremiah. Waiting for something that could get Jeremiah to trust Bruce. Jeremiah, noticing Bruce's glare, slowly turned around and, along with Ra's, began to walk towards Bruce.

"To be honest, Bruce. Prophecies, visions, not really my cup of tea. But our friend revealed something to me. That my twin obsessions, rebuilding Gotham and rebuilding you, are one in the same. You're the brother I never had. The one Jerome never could be."

Despite this being a good thing Bruce couldn't help but feel somewhat disturbed, but also guilty at the same time. Disturbed by the fact of how much worth he placed on him and guilty for trying to manipulating him into thinking that he was agreeing with his goal. After a moment he mentally slapped himself for thinking that.

'Why the hell would I feel guilty for manipulating a murderer?'

Bruce quickly snapped out of his thoughts and realized that Jeremiah and Ra's were standing beside him. Jeremiah carefully put his hand on Bruce's shoulder.

"We will create a legacy in this city. Gotham falls. We rise. Together."

For once, Bruce felt comforted by the hand that was placed on his shoulder. He was comforted by Jeremiah's words. And they looked out towards Gotham city, together.

"Civilization, so fragile, Bruce. Gotham is soon to be each man for himself, a more savage place."

Before Ra's could continue, steps rang out across the room which announced that someone else was here.

"Sounds like fun. Sure you wanna leave?"

Everyone looked towards Barbra who held a box in both of her hands. They began to walk towards her while still standing their ground. Jeremiah hand slid from Bruce's shoulder to the back of his shirt collar and guiding him to follow the others.

"Oh, hey, Bruce. Freak."
She greeted the two casually and swiftly directed her attention towards Ra's.

"Hello, Barbra. I'm really glad you came."

Barbra sighed and looked towards the floor then met Ra's gaze again while replying in a oddly glad voice.

"Bad news, baby. I'm not leaving. Gotham's in my blood. And I don't think I can let you leave either."

She opened the box that she was holding and presented a golden colored knife that Bruce quickly recognized as the only knife that could kill Ra's. And only one person could kill Ra's with it. Bruce knew all too well who that person was, and had a hint as to what Barbra was planning to do.

"You re-forged it. Well, now."

Barbra grabbed the knife out of the box, closing and dropping the now empty box afterward. She held it proudly while admiring it, as if everyone would cower in fear at the sight of it leaving her in possession of the power that the knife held.

"You see, you say you're leaving but, i've got a feeling you're gonna be back."

She unsheathed the blade, which caused the assassins to also unsheathe their weapons. Barbra continued as if nothing could stop her.

"And I don't like looking over my shoulder."

"Need I remind you, Barbra, you've already tried using that knife. And also, you're outnumbered."

Ra's continued to talk in a relaxed tone while Barbra scoffed back a reply.

"That demon's head really isn't working out for you, huh?"

As soon as she finished the whole group noticed footsteps approaching the group. Before anyone could react gunshots rang out throughout the room along with a battle cry, signaling that a fight had began. Everyone split into different groups and Bruce's eyes widened when he saw Alfred across the room but, before he could say anything, he was pulled behind one of the large pillars in the room. He was met with Jeremiah's glare

"If given the chance kill Ra's, he's no longer needed."
Not a second after, he was once again pulled towards the center of the room, but released when Jeremiah was pulled forward. Bruce backed away from the fight and slowly realized what he had to do. He had to choose to either stay on Jeremiah's good side for Selina, or fight with the people he believed in. He was on both sides of the fight but, this decision would ultimately determine what side he was really on. Bruce could only stand there as if time froze, realizing what he had to do.

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Words: 1,130

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A/N: We finally have our editor back~~~ They haven't edited since chapter two so they're catching up with us so if you notice any differences in previous chapters that's most likely why.

Also what did you guys think about the Ace Chemicals episode? Personally I would've liked more time for the fight between Bruce and Jeremiah but, I know that might take away some of the impact of the scene and would've given more stuff to film there which I would not want to do that to the actors lmao (with it being so hot there and everything.)