Planning.

David was in a hurry now, the Batman was on to him, even if he didn't have concrete evidence, he at the very least suspected. He quickly made a trip into his room and pulled out from under his bed a small satchel. And then he ran, leaving his car parked exactly where it was.

More likely than not, Batman had planted a tracking device, and even if he didn't, the chances that the vehicle was rigged were certainly high.

Regardless, David knew that taking the risk was too high.

David instead headed for the bus station and bought a ticket straight out of Gotham.

David's bus ride was quiet and long. And the entire time, David spent it watching for any signs of trouble.

He knew in his mind that the odds of any assassin striking so boldly in broad daylight were low, but that didn't mean it was unlikely to happen. There were some who were just crazy enough to try, especially in Gotham.

Lucky enough, however, that did not happen. An hour later, David finally arrived at his destination.

He quickly departed the bus and started walking back towards the direction he had came.

............

Elsewhere at this time Lex Luthor had reached out to Deathstroke to get an update on his bounty.

" What do you mean it wasn't finished?" Lex asked the man.

" I mean it's not done yet. Simple as that, Lex. I had him where I wanted him, but as expected, Batman arrived. And I wasn't paid to fight the Batman." Deathstroke answered honestly.

" I paid you for a contract in Gotham, what do you mean you're not fighting Batman. My payment naturally includes Fighting Batman!" Lex yelled at the man.

" No, your contract was for the life of the man on the camera. Nothing more and nothing less. And as such, I will provide the service." Deathstroke told the man.

" I know, I've never had a problem with your services before, Deathstroke." Lex replied. " Will you at least tell me his name?"

" No." Deathstroke replied.

" And why not?"

" I am many things, Luthor. But more than anything, I am a businessman. And I have a way of doing business. And a code of honor. There are somethings even I won't tell, Luthor. This is one of them." Deathstroke told the man. " But if I were you, Luthor, I would start walking around with more bodyguards, at least until the contract is carried out. Because, if I know how this is going to play out, and I do have some semblance of it... He's gonna find out who put a bounty on his head... And he will come for you Luthor." Deathstroke told the man.

" Am I supposed to be afraid?" Luthor asked.

" This isn't another one of your petty squabbles with the Big Blue Boy scout, Lex, and it certainly isn't with the Bat. This is a man who mastered the art of killing just like I did. Fear and death are his weapons of choice."

" I see. Well, I do not care, just do your job and everything will be fine." Luthor told the man. " Now, I have a business meeting to attend to, I will call you again in three days."

" Very well. Oh but Luthor, one more thing." Deathstroke spoke.

Just as Lex was getting ready to hang up the phone, Deathstroke's voice pulled him back.

" What is it?"

" Disrespect me, or raise your voice at me like that again, and not only am I dropping the contact. But I'll be paying you a visit myself. Understand?" Slade asked.

" Transparently." Luthor replied begrudgingly. He slammed his phone on the table and turned to Mercy. " Mercy, double the security team."

" Which one Mr. Luthor?" Mercy asked the man.

" All of them." Luthor stated. He then grabbed his briefcase and walked out of his office.

..........

" How did he take it?" A young man with bright blonde hair asked Slade.

" Pretty well, all things considered." Deathstroke responded.

" So, what do we do now? Do we all attack together?" The young man asked.

" Not yet I need time to put a plan together. His guard will be up. He'll be expecting an attack from anyone now. And that makes him dangerous." Deathstroke explained.

" Well, let me take a shot at him."

" No, Grant. You're not ready. Not for this one. But you and your sister might be able to help me get the Bats off my back."

" You have an idea, daddy?" Rose spoke up and asked.

" Yes, baby, I do. There's one place in the entire city, that Batman always has an eye on. Arkham Asylum. When the breakout, Lex had constructed less than a month ago happened, Batman and his entire family showed up to contain it. There are still some notable names locked up. Croc, Clayface, Pyg, Ventriloquist, Calendar Man, and a few others. Not to mention the ones who escaped last time. They should all provide a big enough distraction."

" Is that really all necessary to kill one man?" Grant asked.

" For this one... Yes."

" But you're not talking about killing just one man. The scale of such an event... Dad, you're talking about starting a full-scale war in Gotham." Rose told the man.

" Exactly the point. Sometimes, to win a battle you have to be willing to sacrifice a few pawns. And I know more than a few pawns, willing to get revenge on Batman and his little birds." Deathstroke stated. " Go gather your gear and get ready to leave Gotham for a bit."

" Where are we going?" Grant asked. Rose turned her attention back to her father as she too was curious on why they were leaving.

" Santa Prisca. I told you, there was a list of potential assets. Let's start with the muscle."

.........

In the Islands of Santra Prisca, Bane had returned home after escaping from the Asylum and was searching, looking to regain his lost pride. For his loss time and time again against the Batman had broken him. He was now a far cry from the man he once was.

" I will have my revenge against the Bat. This I swear!"