“Give me the necklace,” Batman said. “Or else.”

Felicia didn’t want to leave Holly behind, but with the Batman standing in front of her with Robin grinning at his side, it seemed as if she didn’t have much of a choice.

Felicia took a step back, necklace in hand.

Robin grinned. “Didn’t you hear the man?”

Felicia smiled. “I’m not a very good listener.”

She took a short glance back, Selina and The Cat had turned shifted their attention from trying to kill each other to focusing on Batman and Spider-Man, who were closing in on them like animals ready to strike.

It was at that moment Carmine Falcone broke out of his webbed prison, screaming bloody murder.

“I’m gonna get you!” he growled. “I’m gonna get all…”

He noticed Batman and his mouth snapped shut.

She looked around, trying to come up with something, anything that would get her out of this situation.

She saw Holly wink out of the corner of her eyes.

“Well,” Robin said, cracking his knuckles. “You better be a good listener, otherwise you’re in for a world of hurt.”

Batman gave a cold glare at Robin who paused in his tracks.

Felicia stood still. “Fine, you want the Emerald Necklace?”

She flung the necklace. “Come and get it.”

The world around her seemed to slow down. Robin lunged for the necklace. There were two gunshots from Falcone and The Cat. Before Felicia could even think about making a run for it Batman was on to her, Holly leapt up and dashed for the Emerald Necklace.

Neither Holly nor Robin got it. Instead, a stray web latched onto it and pulled. Felicia narrowly avoided Batman as she saw Selina grab the necklace in her clawed gloves. Spider-Man lunged at her but Selina anticipating the blow rolled out of the way leaving Spider-Man to only grab air.

“You’re not taking my necklace away from me,” Carmine said through grit teeth. Spider-Man and Catwoman were forced to scatter as Carmine fired at them wildly.

Robin had Holly in a chokehold, Batman turned his attention to Carmine Falcone, Batarang at the ready. The Cat closed in on him, gun trained on Batman. Felicia was right next to a broken chair. Batman didn’t seem to have his attention on her.

As Batman threw his Batarang, Felicia swung the chair at Batman. The Batarangs struck Falcone and The Cat. Batman turned to her and stopped Felicia mid-swing.

“Oh no.”

Batman yanked the chair away from her and headbutted her in the face.

The world around her spun. All she saw of Batman was a dark shadow closing in on her. She prepared herself for the fist…

But an impact web launched Batman away. Felicia turned and saw Selina hanging on the railings. Selina gave her a wink just as Spider-Man closed in on her in a flash of red. Selina was knocked off the railing.

“Selina!” Felicia yelled. But she didn’t have time to worry about her. Holly was on the cusp of losing consciousness. She dashed towards Robin, ignoring the way the world spun around her. Holly crumpled on the floor. Robin grinned and turned his attention to Felicia but before he could react Felicia knocked him across the face.

Robin stumbled back. Felicia picked Holly up, making sure she rested on her shoulder. She’d be slow but she had to get out of here before things got even worse.

Felicia had to push Holly out of the way as Robin lunged at her. He swung his leg at her, Felicia blocked the kick with her left shoulder. Robin retracted his leg and threw some Batarangs, Felicia ducked only to be greeted by a punch in the stomach.

She was barely running on adrenaline alone and felt more kicks and punches hit her. Pain flared up her body, she was afraid she wouldn’t make it.

And then Holly slammed a chair against Robin’s head.

Robin stumbled forward giving Felicia the chance to kick him in the face.

With Robin knocked out, Felicia and Holly both out of breath finally had the chance to breathe.

“Let’s get out of here,” Holly said through heavy breaths.

“No,” Felicia said, the words feeling like a weight on her throat. “We still… still have to get the necklace.”

“Are you insane?” Holly yelled. “We’re dealing with Batman and Spider-Man. BATMAN AND SPIDER-MAN. Let The Cat and Falcone deal with him. We need to get the hell out of here!”

“No,” Felicia said. “I need answers and I’m sure as hell going to get them.”

Robin started to stir. Behind them, they heard Batman start to rip through the webs.

Holly stared at the exit, it was so damn tempting to get the hell out of here and leave everything behind. And then she looked at Felicia, bruised and exhausted, her one and only friend in this sick mess and made up her mind.

She placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get the damn necklace.”

But they wouldn’t have to make such a massive effort. Selina was on the floor, groaning in pain, emerald necklace still clutched in her hand. Spider-Man was just about to reach for it when a shotgun blast exploded to life. Spider-Man luckily dodged the blast, latching onto the walls.

“What now?” he said in a bored sounding voice.

Carmine stepped into the scene, grabbing the emerald necklace in one hand with his shotgun trained on Selina.

At that moment Batman ripped out of the webs and Robin started groaning in pain. Felicia and Holly dashed to Falcone’s side before the Batman could grab hold of them.

Then The Cat recovered, each of them forming a circle around Selina as Batman, Spider-Man and Robin closed in on them.

“Don’t any of you move,” Falcone said. “If I see any of you move a muscle I’ll blow this girls brains out. There won’t be anything left of her face.”

“Put the gun down Falcone,” Batman said. “And give me the necklace.”

Falcone chuckled. “I know you Batman. We all know you. You wouldn’t let this chick die no matter what she did, now would ya?”

Batman clenched his fist.

“The girl stays with us,” Falcone said. “Let us go and you have my word we’ll give her back to you.”

“I don’t trust the word of a criminal,” Batman said.

“Well, you’re gonna have to,” Falcone said. As they were about to leave the room, Falcone signalled out Spider-Man. “The web-head stays over here. He’s too fast, too unpredictable.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Batman said.

“Either he stays here or Catwoman over here loses her head.”

Batman placed a hand to stop Spider-Man.

“You can’t be serious,” Spider-Man said. “He’s playing you. He’s playing both of us.”

“Until I can make sure she’s safe,” Batman said. “I can’t afford to take unnecessary risks.”

Spider-Man groaned. “Fine.”

He went over to the corner of the room. “I’ll sit here in the corner like a good boy. You happy Mr. Falcone.”

“Sure am,” Falcone said with a grin. They left the room, the door closing on Spider-Man.

They went out of the auction room and to the escape boats. Falcone with his hand around Selina’s throat, shotgun at her temple. Holly and Felicia followed behind. The Cat was surprisingly quiet during everything, he clutched the emerald necklace in one hand and his pistol in the other. They walked over to the backup boat that Felicia and Holly infiltrated the ship with.

Batman, Spider-Man and Robin stopped in front of them.

“Catwoman,” Batman said coolly. “Now.”

Falcone waved his hand. “Ah, ah Batman. First things first let all of us get on the ship. Me first.”

“Not all of us,” The Cat whispered.

Felicia felt a shiver down her spine. What did he mean by that?

Falcone handed over Selina to the Cat.

Please get up, Felicia prayed. Please. Please.

Unfortunately, no God answered her prayers. Falcone descended down the rope with the emerald necklace.

It was Holly’s turn next. Holly went to the rope and was about to descend when The Cat said something that made Felicia’s stomach twist.

“No,” The Cat said. “Not you.”

Holly was pale. “W-What do you mean?”

Batman got into a battle position. “This isn’t the way things are supposed to go, Hardy.”

The Cat ignored him. “You weren’t good enough. You… you weren’t perfect. Things weren’t supposed to go this way. We had a perfect plan and you… you… RUINED IT!”

The Cat had his gun trained on Holly.

“Hardy!”

“I don’t like mistakes, Holly,” The Cat said. “And unfortunately, you made a lot of them.”

“Walter…” Felicia said, her voice shaking. “What are you doing?”

“Goodbye,” The Cat said. The Cat pulled the trigger.

The gunshot was like thunder.

Everything was a blur. Batman and Robin leapt into action but were stopped by a sudden eruption of smoke. The Cat grabbed her and Selina and leapt towards the boat. Batman and Robin tried to pursue but they were too slow. The boat started up and they were off.

“What the hell was that?” Falcone growled. “Why is that chick still with you?”

“She has to be punished,” said The Cat. “For ruining us. For ruining my family.”

“H-Holly,” Felicia said, her voice shaking.

“Shh,” The Cat said wrapping her in a hug. “She was imperfect. She would’ve ruined us if she was still alive. We have each other, don’t we?”

“Yeah,” Felicia said flatly. Her body was still, she wanted nothing more than to rip her father to shreds but she had Selina and Falcone to worry about.

“We’re going to be alright,” the Cat said. “We’re going to be alright.”

Meanwhile, Holly’s still body floated atop the dark waters of Gotham. Her blood staining the distorted reflection of Gotham that painted the sea that surrounded her.

…

The whip ripped through the flesh sending searing pain coursing through her back. The cold air of the dungeon bit into her wounds.

THWACK.

Pain flared up her entire body, still Selina wouldn’t scream. She was hung atop a tightly bound rope. She was barely able to feel her arms. Still, she wouldn’t scream.

“This is what you get for taking my daughter away from me,” The Cat shouted. “This is what you get for ruining my family.”

Felicia was in the room, standing by the door. The Cat brought her along to watch either to set an example or as a display of his twisted sense of love, Selina didn’t know. What she did know was that Felicia wanted to do something but couldn’t. It was in her eyes.

The Cat turned Selina around. Her face was bruised, she could feel her lips swell.

There was a smug look on The Cat’s face as he stared at her. “So, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Selina spat on his face. “Fuck you.”

The Cat took a deep breath. He wiped the spit off his face and let out a long sigh. “Very well.”

The whip struck her again and again, Selina winced but she fought back the tears, fought back her voice. She didn’t know how much time had passed until it stopped.

The metal door groaned shut and Selina heard the locks clamp shut. Finally, some peace.

Later that night (or was it morning?) she heard the door open. She prepared herself for another night of pain but instead it was Felicia, holding a blanket, some anti-bacterial medicine and a lunch box.

Selina’s face brightened up. “Kitten.”

Felicia untied her. Selina took the opportunity to massage her arms.

“Sit down so I can take care of the wounds on your back,” Felicia said.

“How’d you get here?” Selina said. “It’s locked pretty tight.”

“I’m a thief remember?” Felicia said. “I’m good at what I do. Kinda like you.”

Selina chuckled. “Well, if were so good I wouldn’t be in this situation now would I?”

Selina felt the sting of the anti-bacterial medicine touch her wounds, she allowed herself a hiss of pain as Felicia dabbed the cotton on her wounds.

“Is this a part of your escape plan?”

Felicia chuckled. “There’s no way the two of us can get out of here. This place is a fortress. Falcone has his guards on high alert now that The Cat pissed off Batman and Spider-Man. He won’t let up until he knows he’s in the clear and with Batman involved…”

Selina chuckled. “That won’t happen for a long time. Where are we, anyway?”

“One of The Cat’s safe houses,” Felicia said. “Next to one of those small towns a few miles out of Gotham. Nobody is allowed in or out, especially me. I have an escape plan in mind but it’s too risky for one person, let alone two.”

“So, we’re stuck here?” Selina said.

“Yep,” Felicia said. “Stuck here with my psychopathic dad and one of Gotham’s most prominent crime bosses. Aren’t we the luckiest people on the planet?”

Selina chuckled.

The only sounds in the quiet dungeon were the sounds of Selina’s pained hisses and the slosh of the anti-bacterial medicine as Felicia dabbed the cotton in the brown liquid.

“I’m sorry…” Felicia and Selina said at the same time.

They stared at each other and smiled. “You first,” Selina said.

“I’m… sorry I didn’t listen to you,” Felicia said. “That I yelled at you. If I had known I wouldn’t have…”

Selina turned around. “Shh. It’s not your fault. I should be the one apologising. For keeping secrets from you, for preventing you from stealing while I went off and did it anyway.”

Selina sighed. “You see I didn’t have the best childhood, my mother left me and my sister when I was a child with our step-father who…” Selina clenched her fist. “It was only me and my sister Maggy for a while. That was until I found my mother’s journal. In it she said we were Carmine Falcone’s children and that we were special. That she should be living like a queen instead of an apartment like this and for a while I believed that too. I left to go look for answers, leaving my sister behind and alone with my step-dad. I… I ran away instead of being there for my sister when she needed me the most.”

A pained look of regret washed over Selina’s face as she continued the rest of the story. “That’s how I met your father. You see, the only thing I was good at was stealing and your father, he heard about me. Said he was interested in my talents. So, he got me and a bunch of other kids to work for him. They were around two dozen of us in the beginning but as the jobs got more and more serious, the numbers got smaller and smaller until it was only me and a few other kids. That was when he had you. I… I don’t know what happened to your mother but he was so adamant about having the perfect family. I knew what was happening to those kids, those friends of mine who went missing and I couldn’t risk it happening to you. I ran away with you, hoping and praying he’d never find you. Raising you like I’d raise my own kid.”

“And I’m glad you did,” Felicia said, tears starting to form in her eyes. “I’m so glad it was you.”

“And I wanted you to have a good future,” Selina said. “I didn’t want you to end up like me so I stopped you from stealing. I lied to you and kept secrets from you so that you wouldn’t…” Selina sighed. “End up like me.”

Felicia grabbed Selina’s hands. “What’s wrong with ending up like you?”

“Huh?”

“You can go toe to toe with the Batman,” Felicia said. “You take what you want and have the strength to protect it. You’re the kindest, sweetest person I ever know. There isn’t anyone in the world I wouldn’t want to end up as.”

Selina sobbed. “Oh, Kitten.”

Selina grabbed Felicia in the tightest hug, promising herself to never let go of her ever again.

Felicia smiled, gently pushing her away. “Now let’s make a plan to get out of here.”

“You said it,” Selina said.

“I’m going to go and get help,” Felicia said.

“What type of help are we talking about?” Selina asked.

Felicia smiled. “You’ll see. I left a gift for you by the way.”

In her hands, Selina felt the weight of something. She turned around and she saw the keys to her handcuffs. Selina smirked.

…

That night the Bat Signal lit up the cloudy sky and it wasn’t Jim Gordon who switched it on. Instead, Felicia Hardy sat atop it with her legs crossed. Her platinum blonde hair flailing in the wind, her hands on her boots. She had a mask over her face, even if Spider-Man knew who she was she didn’t want the others knowing.

The first to the scene was Gordon, pointing a gun at her.

“Get the hell down from there,” Gordon said. “That is police property you’re sitting on.”

Felicia looked at her nails. “It’s not you I’m interested in.”

“You’re under arrest for your association with the Cat,” Gordon said. “Anything you say or do will be used against you.”

“The big guy told you all about it already, huh?” Felicia said. “Where is he? From what I heard he doesn’t usually take this…”

“Get off the Bat-signal,” said a deep voice. “Now.”

“There he is,” Felicia said with a smirk, doing a backflip off the giant lamp.

Before she could even guard herself the Batman was on her, withing a split second she was pinned against the wall, the less pointy side of his gauntlet pressing into her neck.

“Where is The Cat?” Batman asked in a low growl.

“I… was… just… getting to that,” Felicia said. “If you would… let… go…”

Batman backed off and Felicia fell onto the floor, taking in a deep breath.

“Now where is he?” Batman asked through grit teeth.

“I’ll show you where he is,” Felicia said.

“I don’t have time for your games.”

“I want him as much as you do,” Felicia said. “That bastard killed a friend of mine and I’m not going to sit and wait in a jail cell while he gets away with it.”

Batman clenched his fists. “So why did you come here?”

“I need help,” Felicia said. “If I want to deal with him I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

“And why should we help you?” Gordon asked.

“Cause Falcone is there with him,” Felicia said. “And if you don’t help me, I’ll go back there without you. And then your only chance to nab Falcone vanishes with me.”

Batman and Gordon didn’t buy it. Felicia saw Batman shift his weight.

“If you lock me up, I won’t talk,” Felicia said. “If you try any of your tracker bullshit I will know. Your only choice is to cooperate.”

Batman was still. “Fine we’ll help.”

Felicia lit up. “Okay follow…”

“But not for free,” Batman said. “If you want our help, here’s what you have to do…”

…

The cell door swung wide open, slamming against the wall. The Cat burst in with two guards, the whip curled in his hand before he unfurled it.

“You bitch,” The Cat growled. “Where the hell is my daughter? What the hell did you do to her?”

“I didn’t say anything,” Selina said. “Maybe your family isn’t as perfect as you think it is.”

“No,” The Cat yelled, his face red with rage. “No! You took her away from me, fed her lies. Corrupted that brain of hers. You’re the reason she ran away and for that you’ll be severely punished.”

“Have you ever stopped to think maybe the reason she’s running away is because of you,” The Cat said.

At that, The Cat’s face reddened. “No, it’s you. Filth like…”

There was a ringing that echoed throughout the cellar. The Cat groaned, picking up his phone.

“I don’t want to be disturbed,” The Cat said. “Tell me what the hell you want or else…”

The colour was washed clean from The Cat’s face. “B…Bat…”

The Cat turned to his guards. “I have something to handle. You two wait here. You can do whatever the hell you want with her, just make sure she isn’t too damaged when I get back.”

The guards turned to look at each other as The Cat turned his back on her.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for this, Walter,” Selina said.

The Cat turned. “Waiting for what?”

“The day you shit your pants,” Selina said. “The day everything falls apart.”

The Cat chuckled. “The Batman is just a small thorn in my side. Things haven’t even begun to fall apart.”

“You’re right,” Selina said. “They haven’t begun to fall apart.”

Selina smirked as the shackles loosened and she leapt at the guards, tackling one across the floor and throwing his gun at the other.

Selina smirked. “They already have.”

…

Felicia and Spider-Man were in the garage, slashing tyres. Spider-Man was supposed to be with Batman dealing with the bad guys but for some reason was doing something as boring as cutting tyres with Felicia. Felicia had a pretty good suspicion as to why.

“So, uh… Felicity,” Spider-Man said.

“Told you that’s not my name,” Felicia said.

“Then what is?” Spider-Man said.

Felicia smiled. “I ‘ll tell you if you tell me yours.”

Spider-Man was quiet after that.

“Do you know who I am?” Spider-Man asked.

“If I did, why would I tell you?” Felicia said. “It’s more fun keeping you all flustered like this.”

Spider-Man sighed. “Okay. Okay fine but can we keep this between us?”

“What?” Felicia said with a smile.

“This secret identity thing,” Spider-Man said. “If the Bat guy finds out he won’t let me here the end of it.”

“He’d give you crap for being concerned about someone?” Felicia said. “Isn’t that what you superheroes do? Save people?”

“He has a very different idea about saving people.”

At that moment, the lights went out.

“There’s the signal,” Spider-Man said. “You ready?”

Felicia smiled. “I was born ready.” She got up. “And Spider-Man.”

“Yeah?”

“I think it’s cute,” Felicia said. “You being all worried about me. We should hang out sometime.”

Felicia winked at him. Spider-Man started to stutter and Felicia swore his mask was redder than usual.

…

In Falcone’s office there was the crackle of static on a lone receiver that sat atop an oak desk.

Boss, I don’t know why but the lights are out. Sending a couple of people over to investigate.

Cut.

I’m not getting any calls back. Some of the guys are saying they saw Spider-Man.

Cut.

Catwoman escaped! I repeat Catwoman escaped.

Cut.

Spider-Man’s over here with some chick with white hair. I I don’t…

Cut.

The Batman is here. We’ve been compromised, I repeat the Batman is…

The window behind the desk exploded in a rain of glass as a black shadow descended upon leather office chair.

It was empty.

Batman checked the drawers to see if Falcone took his weapon with him.

It was empty.

He turned to the right, behind a bookshelf with untouched books was a safe. Batman shoved the shelf aside and with a touch of explosive gel. The iron door swung open. Past scattered notes and notebooks there was supposed to be a black briefcase that held the Emerald Necklace. The briefcase was there but when Batman opened it, well…

It was empty.

…

Catwoman dispatched the two guards and pounced at the Cat. The Cat dodged.

“You forgot who taught you how to fight,” The Cat said.

Catwoman held the whip in her hand. “But you weren’t the one who taught me how to steal.”

The Cat realising, he didn’t have a weapon on hand scrambled for one of the guard’s guns but Catwoman the whip slashed the air before The Cat could grab hold of it.

“I could get used to this,” Catwoman said.

The Cat tried to take a step but the whip was faster. Catwoman smirked and took a step forward. “Now it’s time to give you a taste of your own medicine.”

It was at that moment the door barged open and Carmine burst through, emerald necklace in one hand and gun in the other.

“What now?” Catwoman said.

“Walter,” Carmine said. “Let’s get the fuck outta here.”

He fired the gun at Catwoman who rolled out of the way. He fired and fired until The Cat scampered on over to his side. When the gunfire stopped, Catwoman dashed over to them but before she could get to them, The Cat slammed the door shut.

It was an easy job to get it open but Falcone’s gun made a simple task unnecessarily difficult. She hid behind the doorframe as Falcone fired the gun to keep her at bay. When she turned, they had disappeared.

Selina cursed.

…

“Did you deal with all the cars?” Batman asked through the comms.

“Yep,” Spider-Man said. “Falcone and his gang of scumbags aren’t getting out of this place without a good beating.”

Felicia looked out through the windows at the grassy forest beyond and the bright village out in the distance.

Suddenly a bright white light flashed to life and a cheap looking car tore through the grassy landscape.

“Uh Spider-Man,” Felicia said, tugging at his red sleeves.

“What?”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Felicia said pointing at the car.

…

“Woo,” Falcone shouted. “Now that’s what I’m talking about! We got straight the fuck outta there.”

The Cat did not share Falcone’s elation. Instead, there was a sour expression on his face.

“What’s wrong with you?” Falcone said. “We escaped. We got the necklace and my money. You’re getting paid.”

“I lost my daughter,” The Cat said. “Again.”

“Maybe you never had her in the first place,” Falcone said. “Does it even matter?”

“Didn’t you have a daughter?”

“Let’s not go there, Cat,” Carmine said. “I paid you for a job, do that job. We’re not here to be friends.”

“Sofia wasn’t it?”

“Walter.”

“Dent killed her didn’t he?” Walter said. “Shot her in the head…”

Falcone swerved the car to a halt. Walter’s face hit the dashboard.

“Walter,” Falcone said. “If another word comes out of your mouth I will blow your brains out right now. Keep your mouth shut otherwise it will be shut, permanently.”

The Cat didn’t say anything after that. They drove off.

Falcone grinned. “We’re almost at the road. It’s gonna be smooth sailing from here on out.”

Things, however, as they usually do when The Batman was involved, did not go as planned.

A piercing beam of light struck them from the back. Falcone and The Cat turned around to see the Batmobile driving towards them with Spider-Man sprawled across the top, ready to pounce.

…

Selina and Felicia were sitting inside the Batmobile, Selina in the front and Felicia at the back with Robin.

“So, this is what it’s like inside here?” Selina said. “No wonder he doesn’t invite girls over?”

Felicia chuckled.

Meanwhile, Spider-Man who had never been allowed to touch the Batmobile was atop it yelling “This is the greatest day of my life!”

…

Falcone’s car swerved to the right, the Batmobile in hot pursuit.

“Walter!” Falcone said. Just as he said that, Falcone noticed a faint blue glow. The car took a sharp turn to the left as the Batmobile launched an electric beam that spread in the air.

“There’s a machine gun in the back seat,” Falcone yelled. “Pick it up and start shooting.”

Walter shook as the car crashed rumbled through a rocky road. He picked up the machine gun as the car broke into a sudden halt launching him forward. He picked up the machine gun, ignoring the pain in his head. He opened the window and leaned on the door, firing at the Batmobile as the bullets bounced harmlessly off the surface.

The car crashed into a low stretch of woods, splinters and branches flew into Walter’s face. He shifted into the car, firing the gun through the window.

Spider-Man was swinging through the woods as bullets flew through the air. The Batmobile rumbled through the woods like a cyclone, bullets being reduced to mere sparks as Walter fired wildly through the window.

As Spider-Man leapt through the woods he noticed that the forest ended into a sheer cliffside.

“Shit,” Spider-Man said. “Yo, Bats. There’s a cliff at the end of this forest. If Falcone and the Cat keep going at this speed they won’t make it!”

Falcone and Walter made it to a clearing in the woods when Falcone noticed the cliffside.

“OH SHIT!”

He hit the breaks but it wasn’t enough, the car screeched as it reached the cliff.

“You guys really don’t deserve this,” Spider-Man said. He launched a web, digging his feet into the ground as the car groaned to an excruciating halt. Spider-Man felt his muscles burn, the threads on his suit start to tear a little.

Spider-Man groaned in pain as the car’s tyres threw dust in the air. His legs felt like lead as he dug into the floor, he could feel his muscles yell out in painful agony as the car ground to a halt.

The sound of the car engine died out. The car creaked out of the edge. Falcone and The Cat crawled out of the edge of the car. Spider-Man’s instinct started to buzz as The Cat pointed a machine gun at Spider-Man. He felt he wouldn’t be able to move in time but just in time, the Batmobile ground to a halt.

Batman leapt out of the vehicle, throwing Batarangs at Falcone and The Cat. The Cat dropped his gun. Catwoman and Felicity leapt out of the car and now Falcone and The Cat were at a stalemate.

“Felicia,” The Cat said. “You wouldn’t let your father go like this. Think about what they’re going to do with me in Arkham. You wouldn’t let that happen to me, would you?”

“Shut up,” Felicia said.

“W-What?”

“You’re not my father,” Felicia said. “You never will be.”

Walter’s face contorted into a twisted mask of rage. “How dare you?” He pointed his finger at Selina. “It’s you isn’t it? You’re the one who put all those ideas in her head. You traitor, you…”

The Cat wasn’t able to continue after that as Spider-Man placed a web over his mouth. “The lady said shut up so shut up.”

Carmine Falcone was standing at the edge with his hands up in surrender. The emerald necklace dangled from his right hand.

“Hand over the necklace,” Batman said. “Now.”

“You aren’t here only for the necklace are you?” Falcone said. “Hitting my suppliers, burning up my money. You’re not only after me, you want to know why the Falcone family is making their long-awaited comeback.”

Batman remained quiet, though his body was tense.

“Well, Bats,” Falcone said. “If I speak, I’m dead. You won’t get anything out of me and as for the necklace…”

Falcone grinned. “I have a bad case of butterfingers.”

Falcone tossed the Emerald Necklace off the cliff edge. Batman and Spider-Man tried lunging for it. The Cat, too but it was too late. The necklace plummeted into the inky blackness of the sea below.

To be continued…