Fan Fiction: Crossovers
Lineage

  Ra's and his men sprinted through the stone corridor that led to the portal. They could hear the shouts of the crowd behind them as Batman battled the giant. After running for several minutes, they could see a bright light at the end of the tunnel. As Ra's came out of the corridor he could see a huge cavern in front of him. The cavern appeared to be several miles long. The area directly in front of Ra's was a half mile of smooth rock. The rest of the terrain was littered with massive stalagmite, each formation over ten feet tall. To the far right of the cave there was a majestic underground river. Ra's was most astounded that the entire cavern was illuminated by what appeared to be an artificial sun at the top of the cavern. Ra's could see the entire cavern as if he were looking at it from outside on a sunny day. Across the terrain he could see a cliff with an opening to a tunnel. Surely the wonders of Shambala were great if they were able to achieve this living work of art, he thought to himself. Ra's became alerted to the crowd that had quieted behind him. The battle is over. Regardless of the victor, the warriors will soon become aware of the slain guards and pursue us. The time has come for these lambs to serve their purpose, he thought. Ra's led his men deeper into the cavern towards opening.

  Batman surveyed his situation. He was surrounded by hundreds of Aztec warriors. He relaxed his mind and tensed his body. I can't win this fight and I don't have time for it, he thought to himself. Ra's is already on his way to the portal. The legion of warriors began to step closer to Batman. Slowly the defeated giant at Batman's feet began to stir. He sat up, felt the trachea straw in his neck, and looked at Batman in bewilderment. He then shifted onto his knees and knelt down in front of Batman. The other warriors watched the giant, then followed in kind. Batman stood still as the army of warriors knelt down around him. It was like watching a wave pass through the ocean as each warrior fell to his knees. After a brief moment of silence the leader of the warriors stood and approached Batman. "Through the rite of Trial by Combat you have proven yourself not only as a valiant warrior, but also as a merciful one. By sparing the guardian's life with your magic you have proven yourself worthy of the gifts of Shambala," he said. Batman bowed to the warrior as a sign of respect, then said, "The man who claimed to be my squire is an evil warlock who intends to conquer Shambala. He intends to use its gifts to bring great evil into the world. He has already killed the guards to the inner gate and is headed for the portal." The warrior turned his head to the opening which lead to the portal. He eyes widened with anger as he saw his tribesman dead on the floor. Looking at Batman he said, "The gifts of Shambala must not be used for evil. The Demon and his followers must be stopped before they reach the portal."

  Batman looked the warrior in the eye, "You and your men are brave warriors, but Ra's has powerful weapons on his side. You won't stand a chance against him." The warrior replied, "We have been given a long and fruitful life by the people of Shambala. We would gladly die in service to them." Batman gritted his teeth; he was wasting valuable time discussing the matter instead of acting. In a grim voice, he said, "You and your men stay here. I can slip by Ra's guards without begin noticed. Maybe I can catch him before he enters the portal. If I fail, at least you and your men can try to stop Ra's from leaving the temple." Not waiting for a response Batman turned and began running towards the opening to the cavern. Several of the warriors stepped in front of him. Batman scowled at them as the head warrior spoke again, "Warrior hold, we are obliged to protect the portal from all dangers. We are honor bound to fight to the death in doing so. We will pursue this man. However, you have proven yourself a skilled and valiant warrior. There is a way you can reach portal before him." Batman turned and faced warrior. The warrior said, "There is a second shorter tunnel to the portal, but it is filled with the horrors cast from Shambala long ago. They wait to devour any who would try to enter the portal without invoking the rite of Trial by Combat." Batman replied, "Where is this tunnel?" The warrior appointed a guide to Batman and then led his men down the main cavern after Ra's.

  Ra's positioned his men behind various stalagmite at varying heights and positions. His men had M-16's and grenades while the Aztecs wielded spears and arrows. Even with that advantage, his mercenaries would not last long. Fifteen men cannot defeat five hundred, Ra's thought, but I do not need them to win. I only need them to delay the Aztecs long enough for me to reach the portal. Once I have the power of Shambala they will either join me or be crushed like insects. Addressing his men Ra's said, "You have all served your master well. Now he calls on you to perform one more task so that we may achieve ultimate victory! Do not let the Aztecs leave this cave. Exterminate them like vermin so your master may fulfill his destiny! You will be remembered by your master in his moment of glory." Ra's men cheered as Ra's paused for a moment to bask in their adulation. He then scaled the cliff above him and entered the second tunnel leading him closer to the portal.