All New Robin - Heir to the Demon #15

Narrowly, I manage to block Ubu’s attack with my blade and before he has time to react, I launch my own. As he adjusts his grip, I launch a volley of rapid swings against him attempting to force him on the defensive. Just as you’d expect from a man entrusted to serve as my father’s enforcer, he blocks every single one of my blows in quick succession and seemingly with relative ease. Naturally, I’d expected him to do so. My father is not one to place his trust in people easily, and he never allows the weak to serve him. So of course Ubu was always going to block those strikes, I’d have been disappointed if he hadn’t, which is why my aim wasn’t to try and hit him with my blade but simply to distract him. It doesn’t take long for him to realise this as well, but before he can respond I throw a pair of bat-shaped throwing stars or ‘Batarangs’ as Bruce refers to them. Ubu successfully manages to block the first, but without enough time to properly respond to the second, the throwing star quickly lodges itself into his left arm.

 

Rather disconcertingly, he hardly reacts at all beyond removing the throwing star and throwing it aside after inspecting it momentarily.

 

Ubu: Projectiles Talia? That really isn’t your style.

 

Talia: Nor is cowardice yours.

 

Ubu: Cowardice? I’m not the one who deserted the cause.

 

Talia: But you lacked the courage to be honest.

 

Ubu: Cowardice and obedience are two very separate things, Talia. Don’t tell me you’re foolish enough to see them as one in the same.

 

Talia: I’m not the one too afraid to challenge my father when he does the wrong thing.

 

Ubu: And look where that has brought us, Talia. Both of us on opposing sides, your child potentially unfit to claim the title of Heir to the Demon due to his lineage. All of this could have been avoided had you convinced the deserter to stay. None of this would be happening now if you had placed your loyalty to the master over your desires.

 

Talia: Does my father also believe this is my fault?

 

I’m shocked by Ubu’s remark that Damian’s claim to the position of the Demon’s heir is in question. Given how much my father has craved a direct line of succession led by male heirs, I can’t help but be surprised that he’s possibly considering denying Damian that right. Has his hatred for Bruce become so great that he’s prepared to cast Damian aside?

 

No.

 

That can’t be right. My father is many things but he’s not irrational. It’s possible Damian may be the only second-generation descendant he’ll have. Surely, he wouldn’t risk the line of succession simply out of spite?

 

Talia: Answer me, Ubu.

 

Ubu: The master does not hold you responsible.

 

Talia: And Bruce?

 

Ubu: The master will not rest until the deserter has paid the price for the damage he has done. Both to the League and the Al-Ghul lineage.

 

As both Ubu and I keep our blades drawn in case the other makes a move, I can’t help but notice the puncture wound from my throwing star slowly disappearing as he heals. Evidently, he’s been exposed to the pit recently. No doubt my father has had the League set up camp near the pit beneath Gotham for this assault. There’s no way that wound would heal so quickly if he hadn’t been exposed to the pit recently.

 

But this does pose a problem. With Ubu having bathed in the pit recently, any moves designed to overwhelm an opponent through excessive pain will be all but worthless against him so I have only one option, and it’s not the one Bruce would like.

 

Talia: Clearly you’ve established camp close to the pit.

 

Ubu: You would expect anything less from us?

 

Talia: No, but I couldn’t be sure. Since I’ve sided against him I wasn’t sure whether my father would try something different to stop me being a tactical asset.

 

Ubu: Why sacrifice a tactical advantage such as the pit simply for a surprise when that can be accomplished using unconventional forms of warfare.

 

Talia: You can stop trying to mislead me, Ubu. We both know the reason my father had you launch this gas attack, and it has nothing to do with trying to best us.

 

It’s nothing more than a red herring. A distraction designed to divert our attention away from the cave where Damian remains imprisoned.

 

Ubu: The boy will fulfil the task given to him by the master.

 

Talia: And if I say otherwise?

 

Ubu: You needn’t. The boy’s destiny will come to pass one way or another. The only question Talia, is whether or not you choose to be on the right side of history or not.

 

Before I have a chance to respond, Ubu momentarily twirls his blade before readying himself for my next assault. Evidently he’s realised that I won’t be easily swayed to his cause, thus he’s instead chosen to restrain me and then take me back to my father. As I glance behind for a moment, I notice Tim unleashing several rapid blows against his opponent in quick succession forcing his opponent onto the defensive. A bold move. Most opponents of the League often tend to use a conservative defence when fighting members of the League, seeing Tim choosing to go on the offensive is an interesting sight to behold and it seems to be working.

 

With Tim seemingly more than managing to take care of himself, I redirect my attention back towards Ubu whose puncture wound has almost fully healed. I twirl my own blade and change my grip so I’m holding the blade’s handle in only my right hand.

 

Talia: You of all people should know, Ubu. There is no right side of history. Everyone believes themselves to be on the right side. But what matters most, is being on the winning side of history, and unfortunately it seems you’ve chosen to not be on that side.

 

As Ubu readies himself, I sprint forward with my blade at the ready. Sadly with his exposure to Lazarus there seems to be no other option but to not hold back. I’m sorry Bruce, I have no other choice…………

 

Done