BACK FROM THE GRAVE

In the Batcave, Peter runs tests on the blood sample he took tonight. He waits for the results, praying that what he believes isn't true. Soon the computer finishes processing, revealing that the blood sample is a match for Jason Kaine. Peter is stunned, wishing that he was wrong, that somehow it was all just a coincidence. He then hears a crash behind him, turning around and seeing Ben, who dropped a plate of food, and Andrea with tears in her eyes.

Peter quickly gets up to comfort them both.

"Ben. Andrea-" Peter starts to say.

"Is that true? Is your computer- right?" Andrea asks.

Peter doesn't say anything for a moment.

"Peter... Is it true?" Andrea asks one more time.

Peter stays silent a bit longer.

"Yes." He finally answers.

Andrea fully breaks down into tears, while Peter holds her in her arms. Ben doesn't say anything and just puts his hand on Peter's shoulder.

Later, Peter sits with Ben and Andrea, talking about how Jason is alive.

"How is this possible, sir? People don't just rise from the dead." Ben says.

"And why is he doing all of these- horrible things?" Andrea adds.

Peter thinks for a moment, getting an idea of where to start.

"I don't know yet. But I think I know the man to ask." Peter says.

Meanwhile, Black Mask is yet again ranting about The Black Spider.

"Are you telling me that scumbag stole from me again!? Damnit! What else did he do?"

"Previously, he was just enlisting anyone under your province to come work for him. Now he just seems to be killing them." His assistant says.

"Oh, so now we've got another Spider-Bat? One who doesn't mind the blood?" Mask asks.

"No sir. He's no Spider-Bat, despite the similar names. He's still taking huge cuts from off the streets. But now he's eliminating the competition. He's coming after you."

Masks eyes widen, soon flipping his desk out of anger.

"You wanna tell me why this guy ain't dead yet?" Black Mask asks.

"We're trying. We sent The Enforcers."

"And look how well they did! Why hasn't Spider-Bat wiped this little smear of the planet?" Mask asks.

"Maybe he doesn't want to. Maybe he's letting you and The Black Spider take each other out."

Black Mask gets angry and storms off to the window.

"You're an idiot. And you don't know Spider-Bat. He's not letting this lunatic just run wild. He can't catch him either... Or it's something else. Maybe we're just stuck in the damn crossfire."

At that moment, Black Mask looks down and sees a red dot on his chest. He looks over and sees Black Spider on the roof of a building across from them, aiming a rocket launcher at him. Black Spider, then waves at him as he is stunned.

"Oh, hell." Black Mask says.

He and his assistant then runs out of the office before he pulls the trigger.

"Oh. He moved... meh."

Black Spider then fires the rocket launcher anyway, blowing up the office and the entire lobby. Black Mask and his assistant slowly get up, dusting themselves off.

"That's it. I'm going to Hells Kitchen." Mask says.

The next day, Peter is on the Batwing, created by Anna Maria, while on the phone with Andrea, Jill, and Ben.

"I'll be back tonight. Keep me posted on Black Spi- on Jason." Peter says.

A silence passes between them all.

"Master Peter, you can't blame yourself." Ben says.

"I was careless. I should have noticed. Someone took the body right under my nose and I didn't even realize it." Peter says.

"Peter, you were distraught. We all were." Jill says.

Peter sighs.

"I'll see you guys when I get back." Peter says, hanging up.

As Peter flies, his mind drifts back to a time before he was Spider-Bat, swinging through New York City, fighting crime.

Four weeks after his parents death, a young Peter found himself in a Bhutanese prison, in solitary confinement for the safety of the other prisoners. As he trains alone, a man walks in the room, causing Peter to pause.

"Are you so desperate to fight criminals, that you lock yourself in to take them on one at a time?" The man asks.

"Actually, there were thirty of them." Peter says.

"I counted twenty nine, Mr. Parker."

Peter is shocked when he hears his name from the man.

"How do you know my name?"

"The world is too small for someone like Peter Parker to disappear. No matter how deep he chooses to sink." The man says.

Peter stares at this mystery man for a moment.

"Who are you?"

The man smirks.

"My name is Ra's Al Ghul. A man greatly feared by the criminal underworld. And right now, I'm offering you a path."

Peter chuckles.

"What makes you think I need a path?"Peter asks.

"Someone like you is only here by choice."

Peter smirks.

"Someone like me? What, a rich kid?"

"No, I mean someone with your strength, speed, agility, and ability to stick to walls." Ra's says.

Peter gets surprised again by Ra's Al Ghul.

"We've been watching you, Mr. Parker. You have been exploring the criminal fraternity, but whatever your original intentions. You have become truly lost."

The stare at each other for a moment.

"And what path, can you offer, Mr. Al Ghul?" Peter asks.

"The path of a man who shares my hatred of evil. Who wishes to serve true justice. The path of the League Of Shadows."

Peter chuckles.

"The vigilantes"

"No, no, no the vigilante is just a man lost in the scramble for his own gratification. He can be destroyed, or locked up. But- if you make yourself more than just a man. If you devote yourself to an ideal. And if they can't stop you... Then you become something else entirely."

"Which is?" Peter asks.

"Legend. Mr. Parker."

Peter thinks to himself for a moment.

"Tomorrow you will be released. If you grow bored of beating on petty thieves. Come find me." Ra's says as he leaves the room.

Present day, two members of the League Of Shadows stand guard infront of their home base. At that moment, Spider-Bat comes up from behind, putting one in the choke hold and chopping the other one in the throat so he couldn't scream. Soon the first man falls to the ground, unconscious, and he knocks out the other man with a knee to the face. Another man comes around the corner but Peter runs at him and punches him in the face, knocking him out. Another League Of Shadows member sees Peter and aims his gun at him but, the hero quickly webs the gun out of his hands and round house kicks him in the head.

Meanwhile, Ra's Al Ghul is in his private study, pouring himself a drink, when he soon notices something and smiles.

"I've been waiting for your return, Detective. Have you come to finally take your place by my side?"

Peter is visibly angry.

"What did you do to Jason? Act like you don't know what I'm talking about, and I break every bone in your body, just to start." Peter says.

Ra's sighs.

"There's no need for threats. I'm willing to tell you everything."

Peter glares at Ra's.

"I'm listening." Peter says.

"Ever since you left us, we've been keeping tabs on both Peter Parker, and this Spider-Bat. Everything from your imprisonment of Carmine Falcon, to the death of your high school love, Gwen Stacy, to the formation of the Avengers. We've kept up with it all, especially how you took up a young ward."

"Get to the point." Peter demands.

"Talia and I noticed how distraught you were when the boy was murdered. It even grieved me. To hear about a boy senselessly murdered. I could only imagine what you were going through at the time. So we decided to attempt to rectify this tragedy." Ra's says.

"Rectify?" Peter asks.

"Yes. I had hoped to return to you what you had lost. You already know that I have walked this world for nearly six centuries. You also know that I've achieved this by bathing in the rejuvenating waters of the Lazarus pit. Along with its healing abilities, it has long been rumored that it is capable of an even greater feat... To raise the dead. I was confident that you wouldn't preform an autopsy. But my plan... well, Detective, it had unfortunate results.

Years ago, Ra's Al Ghul, his daughter Talia Al Ghul and multiple League Of Shadows members stand around the Lazarus pit while Jason's body is being lowered down, being fully submerged. A few moments later, Jason bursts out of the pit, screaming at the top of his lungs. As Jason claws and scratches at the bandages around his face and some of his skin, everyone is stunned silent by this.

"He returned to this world. But returned damaged." Ra's tells Peter in present day.

A confused, hurting, and terrified Jason quickly jumps out of the pit and tries to run away. He easily takes out two League Of Shadows members and escapes all while screaming.

"My army searched for months. But we were never able to find a body or pick up a trail. I thought him dead yet again. But I hear you have been having trouble at home. I have returned your son to you as a blight upon your house. He burns the very kingdom you-"

But when Ra's turns around, he sees that Peter is already gone.

"-Protect. I see he's gotten better at that." Ra's says.

Meanwhile in New York, In Arkham Asylum, alarms go off and guards start to panic.

"Attention everyone, all hands on deck! The Goblin has escaped! I repeat, The Goblin has escaped!" A guard yells from the speakers.