"Hope is the last thing that dies in man; and though it be exceedingly deceitful, yet it is of this good use to us, that while we are traveling through life it conducts us in an easier and more pleasant way to our journey's end."

- Francois de La Rochefoucauld

The Citadel

She could feel it drip down the back of her neck, warm, sticky and oozing. Blood was pouring freely from a wound at her temple, the scarlet river rushing down her face, before bending around her ear and travelling along her hairline. The wound was sending accompanying bursts of pain shooting across her forehead; but she would ignore it; she would push through the murky haze.

Rolling back her shoulders she suppressed a wince, her muscles were beginning to seize up, her wrists chaffing against the rope. She was in rough shape and there was no telling what else there was to come.

"Tell me where they are." The voice was level and cold. Tainted by a faint accent, suggesting the speaker hailed from foreign climbs.

"I don't know."

A pair of almond eyes hardened, within seconds a clenched fist was flying, landing with a thud against the captive's jaw.

"Tell me. Your father cannot protect you, he is nothing but a pawn in this game. The only man that could find you has no interest in doing so. You have no friends, no allies. Only Shadows. Now tell me, where are they?"

"I told you, Shiva, I don't know where they could be."

For the first time the interrogator showed a flicker of frustration, expressed only by the slight clenching of her jaw. A sharp yell was expelled from between her thin lips, before she pivoted on one leg and swung the other into the chest of her seated prisoner. Such was the force behind the blow; the chair was pitched backwards, a shock of blonde hair flying wildly.

Within seconds Shiva was upon the blonde, slamming her head into the floor.

"Tell me Artemis, or I will not spare a seconds thought before snapping your skinny little neck with my bare hands."

"I gave you all I had, and you took it, and you used it, and you probably crippled them. I don't have anything else. But wherever the Justice League of America are now, you can bet that they're coming for you." Artemis let loose a shuddering sigh. Tears were pricking at her eyes but she would not give Shiva the satisfaction.

"The Justice League of America no longer exists," Shiva spat scornfully.

"Then why are you trying so hard to find them? They're only a few stray heroes after all." Artemis whispered, still defiant she spat out the blood that was welling in her mouth.

"A clean break."

"No, it's because you know so long as one of them breathes there's still hope." Artemis growled, wishing she could believe her own press.

"Hope little one? Hope is what fools cling to when they know all is lost. When there is nothing to do but hope."

The conversation effectively done, Shiva threw a punch at the blonde. It was over for now.

Sweeping from the room Shiva entered a dimly lit corridor, flaming sconces flickering in the slight breeze. Pulling her coat further round her chest Shiva suppressed a shudder, it was cold, the mountain top fortress provided protection from the worst of the elements but there were no creature comforts. The Shadows lived frugal existences; it was only some of the more senior members that were granted the luxuries of open-hearth fires and heavy blankets.

Picking up her pace Shiva headed towards the inner sanctum, with every step the corridors grew less crowded. Only a few were allowed past a certain point, and the assassin was one of those few. Pushing against the heavy oak doors that now blocked her path Shiva entered a large, circular room. A fiercely burning fire dominated the floor; tendrils of spoke drifting upwards and diffusing through the thatch. Pacing across the floor, thickly woven carpet masking the cold that seeped from the stone flags.

"Well?"

"Nothing," Shiva replied, bowing deeply as she addressed the speaker.

"Nothing?" Ra's al Ghul frowned ever so slightly before glancing to his right. "Your daughter, Lawrence, is refusing Lady Shiva information. You have appeared to have missed one vital element to her education."

"My lord?" Sportsmaster stuttered, his eyes fixed firmly to the ground as he stood forward under his leader's questioning.

"Obedience."

"I..."

"Silence," Ra's roared. "I will not tolerate excuses. I admit, Artemis did well enough but she has still failed."

"No, please..."

"Lawrence, you are testing my patience. As I was saying, she has failed. But, I have yet to decide what will be held forfeit." Ra's continued his train of thought, his voice at its normal register was one again silky smooth.

"Please my Lord," Sportsmaster was now on his knees. "Spare her."

Ra's studied his fingers, before his dark eyes shifted towards his cowering subject. "Need I remind you Lawrence, I will not be dictated to."

"No... I presumed..."

"Yes, you did presume," Ra's commented mildly before nodding discretely towards Lady Shiva.

It was quick and silent. A sword was drawn from its sheath. Three powerful strides and Lady Shiva leaped into the air, spinning in an elegant circle her sword cut down. A sickening slice was heard, but none in the room reacted. All save Lawrence Crock, a sharp, piercing scream escaped his lips. A twist of the blade made sure he suffered and it was done. He was dead at Lady Shiva's feet.

Wiping the dripping blade Shiva reunited her sword with scabbard. Glancing upwards she waited for Ra's to instruct her further.

"My liege?"

"I need not remind you how important it is to discover the JLA's hiding places. The Detective is still at large, I would expect nothing less of him, and you know he will come for us."

"You think he will be a threat? I myself saw Superman go down."

"Shiva!" Ra's snapped. "You of all people underestimate him? Remember, he is not just a man, he is the night and darkness falls."

Lady Shiva sent a sidelong glance towards her leader, "You seem to be looking forward to it. His arrival."

"I look forward to all our meetings. You are judged by the strength of your enemies." Ra's took a pensive sip of wine, eyeing the woman in front of him before dismissing her with a brief wave of the hand, their audience was finished.

The Batcave

Only a few remained and they were waiting for his move. They all deferred to him and it was not because he was the strongest, the fastest or the most invulnerable. He was just a man after all. But he was a man that possessed an indomitable will, an unflinching desire to see justice done and the unwavering strength to see his convictions through.

A warm hand landed on his shoulder, he tried to shrug it off but its owner was not easily deterred. Instead the fingers around his shoulder tightened, such was the strength of the grip he could feel it through his Kevlar enforced suit.

"Diana..." he began, his voice the unfamiliar baritone of Bruce Wayne.

"We'll find him Bruce."

"I'm not worried about Robin, Diana, I trained him well. I'm more concerned with the fact that the Justice League was betrayed and the Shadows penetrated our defences only to destroy us in our own home."

Diana gasped, before trying her best to cover her reaction with a spate of coughing. Her blue eyes were blood shot from the tears she had shed. Their ranks were depleted and the team that they had so hoped would one day step into their shoes was missing in action.

Diana, Princess of Themyscira, had come to Man's World expecting to find a whole multitude of sins. She did of course see the depraved acts of humanity, actions that made her wish for her Amazon sisters and a life that was simpler. But amongst the anger and the pain there were a few, a few that stood together - the last bastion of truth and justice. One man in particular had showed her nobility and strength she thought not possible. A man that did not sink in the quagmire but fought on.

The Batman sat before her, his mask firmly in place but the cracks were beginning to form. The uncertainties surrounding his protégé's circumstances were working away at him, as much as he pretended he wasn't worried it was beginning to show. Diana bit her lip, she would burn many candles this night.

A/N: Ok guys, I hope this is a decent attempt at a first chapter. I've obviously launched into the thick of things but everything will be revealed in good time. Hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think!