Batman Animated: Rebirth (Continued)

[Trent Lane]

Hello again! This is the continuation of the Rebirth story, the first part was really an intro to the characters, this starts off by wrapping that all up and then moves into the main event. So, enjoy and look for the story to continue on very soon!!!

Batman: Rebirth Part II

Robin rushed into the room. "Everything all right?" he asked. "I thought I heard a noise." Clayface, disguised as Batgirl, looked up and nodded.

"You seen Clayface yet?" Robin asked as he walked toward him. He again nodded, saying nothing. "Where?"

Clayface looked up at Robin and smiled. "Right here." He sucker punched Robin in the face. Robin slid along the floor, surpirsed at what had just occured.

"You?! Where's Batgirl?" Robin said, pulling himself up off the floor.

"Convenietly disposed of for the moment," Clayface shot back. He moved across the floor toward Robin. He threw a punch, easily avoided by Robin. Clayface wrapped his hand around Robin's waist and threw him across the lab. Robin fell onto a counter, obviously in pain. "You're easier than your partner, Boy Wonder!" Clayface laughed as he formed his right hand into a blade. "Any last words?"

"Duck," Robin said. Clayface looked at the boy, puzzled. He was slammed against the wall by two small feet. Batgirl brushed the mud from her boots.

"What a mess," she said, helping Robin up. Clayface regrouped himself and towered over the two of them.

"Two against one? I'm game if you are," Clayface raised his arms up forming his hands into giant hammers. They jumped out of the way as he slammed them to the ground. Batgirl charged him, jumping toward his middle. He opened up a whole and she passed right threw him. "That the best you got?" Batgirl rolled on the ground and jumped back up. She pulled out a remoted and smiled at Clayface. She hit the button and he froze instantly. Batman walked into the lab at that moment, surprised at what he saw.

"Good work," he said, as Robin knocked on Clayface's frozen body. He walked over to the case of viles. The one Clayface would've been after was missing. "We'll let Gordon's people know to retrieve those vials. Come on, our work is done." He opened the window and leapt out into the night, with Robin and Batgirl in tow.

****************************************************

Grace Miller sat down in the living room of her home outside Gateway City. She held her newborn child close to her, trying to get him to go to sleep. Her husband was running late coming home from the office. The news was on, running a report about the retrieval of Clayface's frozen body from the STAR Labs office in Gotham. Gotham City. She thought back to the days when she had lived there. Not very many fond memories of that place. She picked up the remote and went to change the channel when the power went out. She wasn't surprised, since it seemed to do this every time a storm came around. She got up and made her way to the kitchen. She reached up into one of the cabinets and found some matches. She struck it on the side of the box and the room lit up. Two men stood in front of her. One grabbed the child from her arms while the other grabbed her, muting her screams. The match dropped from her hands and the world went black...

****************************************************

The signal lit up the crimson red night sky of Gotham City. Batman swung through the air, his cape streaming behind him in the wind. He arrived at Police Headquarters with Robin and met Commisioner Gordon on the roof.

"Glad you showed up," he said. He held out a picture and passed it to Batman. "Do you recognize this woman?" Batman took the picture and looked at it. He knew who it was. Bruce Wayne knew her better.

"Grace Lamont, Harvey's ex-fiancee," Batman answered. "It's been a while. Didn't she move from Gotham a few years back?"

"Yeah, she moved, got married to Brian Miller, one of those big wheels in computer reaserch and developement," Gordon stated. "He's got his own company based in Gateway City."

"So what's this all about?"

"She disappeared a few days ago, and it looks like one of your 'frineds' is involved." Gordon handed him a envelope with several pictures of a crime scene inside. Counters crushed, cabinets knocked off the walls, and a gaping hole in the side of the kitchen area. "This was also found at the scene." Gordon passed Batman a ransom note. It had the usual demands- they wanted money for the lives of Grace and her son.

"Anything else?" Batman asked.

"That's all their police department came up with. I figured you'd take a look for yourself, though." Gordon turned to see that Batman and Robin had already left.

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

****************************************************

Batman flew out of the cave in the Batplane after looking over the photos again and getting all he could from the ransom note. Miller had come up with some major break-throughs in past months . The list of people that would do anything to gain this knowledge goes on and on. They've obviously hired someone of tremendous strength to do their dirty work. He arrived at the residence of the Miller's and set down the Batplane in the backyard. He got out and slipped into the hole in the wall. He examined it closely, and noticed some fine black powder around the inside of it. He pinched some off and placed it into a small bag and placed it in his belt. He moved over to the counters. There were traces of blood on them, which Batman also collected. He started out of the house when a flashlight shined on him.

"Who's there?" the shakey voice cried. Batman turned to the man. It was Miller. "O-oh, it's you." He fell to the floor, sobbing. Batman walked over to him. "I j-just want them back. My son. M-my wife-" He again broke down at the Batman's feet.

"I'll find her, I promise." Miller looked up to find the Batman had left his home...

****************************************************

Grace woke up to find her feet tied together. She was in a small cell that was very dimly lit. She tired to get up but fell back down to the ground. She heard some people talking outside the cell. They moved to the door and turned the key in it. The door slowly opened up and two men walked in. One, a small man with glasses and a brimmed hat, the other a large man, wide shoulders and a block jaw. She looked up at the men, trying to adjust to the light.

"Where's my baby?" she asked with tears in her eyes. They looked at her and smiled.

"You'll see him soon enuff," the large man stated. "The boss wants to see you now." They picked her up and dragged her down the hallway. They threw her down in what looked to have been a lobby at one point. A man walked out from one of the adjacent hallways to the lobby. He was cloaked in darkness as he moved across the room. The two thugs walked out of the lobby and closed the doors behind them. Grace watched the man as he paced around the center of the lobby.

"Who are you?" she asked, trying to hold back her tears. "Where is my son?!" He continued around the room, lighting a cigarette as he went. He stopped and moved toward her.

"Why, don't you recognize me?" He pulled out a coin and started flipping it in the air.

"No..." He moved into the light as she started to tremble uncontrolably, revealing his identity to Grace's horror.

"Yes, the "Monster" as I remember you calling me, wasn't it? None other than Two Face!"




"Two" be continued....

[Coran]

Very interesting story flhero! Please post again soon!

[witness]

Well, well, well! Two-Face! you've gotten me quite interested in this, flhero311! I'm eager to know more. Will Clayface's robbery have any future significance for this story, or was he just a fill-in guy? And what will Two-Face do? Must know more.

Post again soon!

[Batgirl_2005]

oooh very nice flhero. I like this story. very intriguing. post more soon =D

[Trent Lane]

Thanks for the kind words, ladies and gentlemen! Originally Clayface was going to be a big part of this story, but I used him as a way to introduce our heroes. The Two-Face thing came to me as I read through my back issues of Batman & Robin Adventures and saw Grace, of whom we never really knew what happened. That's when this story came to mind- and it hopefully will only get better from here. I'll try to have the next part up by at least Sunday, so keep an eye out...

[Trent Lane]

"Where's Two-Face?"

Dr. Leeland spun around in surprise from the file cabinet she was shuffling through. "Batman! You scared me!"

"Two-Face. Where is he?" Batman repeated.

"He broke out about a week ago. He had help. Some man we've yet to get a positive ID on cut the power to his section block and he escaped. That's also how Clayface got out."

"How'd this 'man' get in here?"

She turned back to her file cabinet and continued through it. "He was visiting Harvey, said he was an old friend. How was I to know he'd try to break him out?"

"You've got some major security issues here. Try to keep your inmates in here from now on."

"Who the hell are you to tell me how to do my job?" She turned in anger toward the Batman. He had already exited the room. He stood atop the asylum and gave a call to Robin in the Batcave.

"The analyzation of that evidence finished?" he asked Robin.

"Yeah, hold up one second." Robin broke off to grab the readout from the computer. "The hole in the wall was due to a small explosion, the rest was done by someone's fists. The blood sample belongs to a hired gun by Rhino. He used to work for Scarface, I'm guessing you know who it is this time?"

Batman held his head down. "Two-Face, all things point to him. He and Grace didn't part in friendly terms. He's most likely still angry at her. I just hope for her sake and her son we're not too late. Batman out." He disconnected with Robin and called Oracle.

"What's up?"

"Have Cassandra suit up. I'll be there in ten minutes."

**************************************

Rhino sits in the Stacked Deck bar, heavy into a game of poker. Just as he's about to take the game, someone taps him on the shoulder.

"We need to talk," Batgirl says as she pulls the hulking man out of his chair. People in the bar begin to pull guns out of their coats. He pulls out of her grip and stands up, brushing himself off.

"Nice try, whatya gonna do now?" He towers over Batgirl, trying to intimidate her. A man comes crashing onto the table behind him, blood running down his cheek. Batman moves from the shadows. The people in the bar began to scatter out the front doors and windows.

"You think that's bad, Rhino? She'll make it so you can't walk for a month."

"You ain't scaring me!" he shouts. Batman nods, and Batgirl does a sweeping kick sending him to the ground. She puts him in a headlock and squeezes. He starts to turn red.

"Are you willing to talk to us, or does she need to continue?" Batman asks. Rhino nods and Batgirl lets go. He takes several deep breaths and sits up.

"W-what d'ya want to know?"

"Why were you in Gateway City a few days ago?"

"What are you talking about?" Batman nodded again, and Batgirl grabbed Rhino's arm and pulled it up against his back. He cried out in pain. "Okay, okay! We were there to kidnap this woman and her kid!" Batgirl let go.

"We? Who else?"

"Well, me and 'Four-Eyes' McMahon went in the house, and..." He stopped, obviously hiding something else. Batman nodded to Batgirl. She again pulled his arm up.

"And!"

"TWO-FACE!! He was outside!" Batgirl let go.

"So your boss went along with you for the pick-up."

"Boss? No, I ain't working for Two-Face. I'm working with him." Batman drew back, surprised at this latest developement.

"So who are you working for?"

"Don't know, only Two-Face knows. He wouldn't let us in on it. Now if you'll excuse me-" Rhino attempts to get up and leave, but Batman pushes down on his shoulders.

"Where is he?!"

************************************

Grace fell to her knees, scared at what Two-Face might do to her. She had dreaded coming face to face with him ever again.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"It's good to see you again, Grace. It's been a while. I see you've been busy. What's the kid's name?"

"Steven..."

"Steven. Poor kid, doesn't even realize the mess he's in. Well, the mess both of you are in."

"What do you mean? What are you going to do?"

"Me? Not a thing. I was just hired to watch you until my 'boss' got here." A car pulls up outside, and Four-Eyes got out and opened the back door of the car. "That must be him now." The man gets out and walks through the door. His face is cloaked in darkness as he moves slowly toward them. He comes into the light and Grace is again shocked at who it is.

"BRIAN?!"

"Hi honey, I'm home...."



To be continued.....

[Trent Lane]

OOC: I couldn't wait, so here it is, the conclusion to Batman Animated: Rebirth!!! Hope you all enjoy it!!!

Batman Animated: Rebirth

"Brian?! You-?" Grace said, not wanting to believe any of it.

"Yes, I'm the one who had you kidnapped!" he said with pride. "I arranged this whole thing."

"Why?!"

"Why? WHY?! I'm so tired of you and that wailing child! All you do is ask when I'll be home, or why can't I take time off of work and spend it with you. You complain, that brat cries all the time when I am home, and you're not even grateful for all that I've given you!"

"What are you talking about?! Is it to much to ask that you be there for me? For our son? I didn't marry you for money, or-or possesions, I married you because I loved you. I thought you felt the same way!"

"I did, I did- until that child showed up!"

"His name is Steven!" Brian slapped Grace across the face as she continued to sob.

"It won' matter after tonight," he said, trying to compose himself. "I'll be rid of you both, and my hands will be totally clean. I read up about the grudge Two-Face held against you after the last time you were together. Perfect motive for him to kill you and the boy. And he was willing to do it for almost nothing." He pats Two-Face on the shoulder as he turns away. "Well, Grace, it's been fun. But all good things must come to an end. Two-Face, do your thing. And make sure the kid is taken care of as well." Brian heard the hammer of a gun pulled back and felt it pushed against his neck.

"His name is Steven."

**************************************************

Batman got the location of Two-Face out of Rhino after a little extra persuation. He called Robin and asked him to meet himself and Batgirl on the roof of Tommy's Tavern, across from the long abandonned Two Moon Hotel. They arrived there in a short amount of time, with Robin meeting them shortly after. A car pulled up and two men entered the building. Batman shot a mic onto the man getting out of the back of the car. He had the conversation taped by Oracle as they all listened in. Miller was the man with the mic. He was the man behind this whole operation. Batman gritted his teeth as he listened, and clinched his fists as he heard him slap Grace.

"Now?" Batgirl asked. Batman just held his hand up to stop her. Something was happening. Miller stopped talking. Two-Face was in control now. Harvey was in control.

**************************************************

"Drop to your knees, you piece of slime," Two-Face said as Brian turned in shock.

"What's the deal, man?!" Brian asked. "I thought we were on the same side!"

"No, no we aren't. I'm no saint, but I won't kill Grace or her son. Your son. I had no choice but to go along with this. If I didn't, you'd just hire some other two-bit thug and have them do the job. I didn't want to see Grace hurt, no matter how things may be between us. As for you, you're finished."

"That's what you think." Brian pulled out a gun and pointed toward Grace. He pulled the trigger. Then everything seemed to slow down. Batman, Robin, and Batgirl burst through one of the front widows. Batman grabbed a rope out of his belt and threw it around Miller. He fell to the ground. There was a scream, followed by crying. The heroes looked up to see Two-Face laying motionless in front of Grace.

"HARVEY!" Batman ran to him, and turned him over. He was barely breathing and his pulse was weak. The wound was to the chest, it may have punctured the right lung. He looked up at Batman, and then to Grace.

"I....I'm sorry, Grace," he whispered. "I didn't..... want you..... to get hurt.... I still love...." He fell to the floor, unconcious. Batman had Oracle call an ambulance while he did all he could to keep Harvey alive. The paramedics arrived and took him away. Batman went over to Miller, who was softly laughing to himself.

"No more! Heh heh! No more!" He said the same thing over and over until the police came to take him away.

***************************************************

Tim turned on the news while he worked on some homework in the living room of Wayne Manor.

"Good evening, this is Jack Ryder with Gotham Insider. We've got the latest on the incident at the Two Moon Hotel last night. Brian Miller, president of DigitAll Computer's software division, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of assault with intent to kill in the shooting of the former District Attorney turned criminal Harvey Dent, known as Two-Face and the kidnapping of his wife Grace and infant son Steven. Source tell us Dent is in fair but stable condition. Grace Miller and her son have been put under police protection for the time being."

"Wow, who would've thought Two-Face would've ever done something like that," Tim stated.

"Two-Face wouldn't," Bruce said, entering the room. "That was Harvey jumping in front of Grace. Two-Face was in control for the most part, but Harvey would not allow anything to happen to her if he could help it. I just wonder if he's pushed his alter ego out completey, if we've seen a change for the better in him."

****************************************************

Harvey came to just as someone entered into his room. "Grace?"

"Yes, Harvey, it's me." She carried her son with her as she moved to his side. An officer stood by the door just to make sure nothing would happen.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to thank you for, well, saving our lives. That was a very brave thing to do."

"I couldn't go through with it, I couldn't let him hurt you. We may have our differences, but I still love you and don't want any harm to ever come to you." He put his hand on hers. "Things will never work out for us, but for that time they did I can honestly say I've never been happier."

Grace wiped a tear from her cheek. "We're going to be moving away tomorrow, going under new names, all that. I'd like to think we may meet again someday."

"Someday." Harvey smiled, for the first time in a long time....



The End

[The Guitar Slayer]

Now that is how you write Two-Face. A lot of people forget good old Harvey Dent, not Big Bad Harv, can win the battles on the inside. He's not just a disfigured guy obsessed with 2. As always, I have hope for Harvey, especially reading the last paragraphs. Harvey evolves again. This tale gave him even more character depth.

Fantastic job, flhero311.

Peace and Rock 'n' Roll
The Guitar Slayer

[hellraiser765]

Nice ending! A very touching closure to a fantastic story! I hope I'll get to see some more works from you!

[Batgirl_2005]

that was awesome!!!! I love your writing flhero! keep it up! I hope to read more in the future!

[Trent Lane]

Thanks again for the positive feedback. I can honestly say I'm really starting to like this Fanfic stuff This is the first time in a long time I've had fun writing something, and hopefully it is reflected. I think I'll sit down and map out another story in my Robin Adventures thread, or maybe something completely off the wall. We'll see. Thanks again!!!!