E53: League of Assassins

League of Assassins is the first episode of season five in ''Batman: Shadow War. ''It introduces Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins.

Plot
During one of Batman's nights at the docks, Batman goes to stop Anarky's group that have reported to be setting up a scheme capable of heavily damaging or even destroying Gotham City in order to avenge their fallen leader, blaming the government and Batman. However as Batman heads there, slices and screaming are heard, with Batman going in only to find the corpses of these terrorists with dismembered bodies, stab wounds and decapitated heads. Batman is shocked and wonders what could have done this, investigating the scene until the screen cuts to a nearby tower with Talia al Ghul and a group of swordsmen, claiming she found him.

In the morning at the Batcave while Tim Drake is at college, Bruce Wayne investigates evidence taken from the murder scene including blood samples. The Batcomputer then reads the possible weapons that could have made these wounds; swords, including the ones used by the League of Assassins. Bruce then had flashbacks, when he was much younger and was being trained by Ra's al Ghul as a potential member of the League of Assassins, where he was trained in many forms of fighting and swordsmanship. Bruce then had a flashback of when Ra's tried to force Bruce execute a prisoner, however he refused, instead saving the man's life due to his code of no killing. Bruce helped the prisoner escape however the assassins caught up, forcing Bruce to fight them and managed to defeat the well-trained assassins. Ra's then confronted Bruce himself and both swordsmen dueled, until an explosion from the building caused them to slide off a mountain. Despite Bruce's attempt to save him, Ra's fell off the mountain and was presumed dead.

Bruce was then notified of a crime being taken place at a rooftop involving a man being held hostage, Batman arrived however found nobody guarding the hostage. Batman discovered the hostage was killed before he could save him, causing the Caped Crusader to feel some guilt. Batman was then ambushed by swordsmen, however they were defeated and then Talia appeared to confront Batman, knowing of Bruce as his secret identity. Batman then unmasked himself and questioned her, Talia stated she arrived to "save" Bruce and that these murders were believed to be the only means of luring him out. Batman refused to go with her, disapproving of her killings and stating he has Gotham to protect in the right way, not wanting to join her campaign in starting a massacre to destroy the criminal element.

Talia, saddened and disappointed, then claims he must die and the two fight each other. It is then revealed Ra's al Ghul is still alive due to be being revived from the Lazarus Pit, making one final attempt to turn Batman to his side. After another refusal, Ra's drags Batman into his world and both warriors duel in a sword fight. Batman ends the fight with disarming Ra's and choking him, then drops him to hold both swords at his neck, keeping him secure. Both Ra's and Talia try to make Batman kill him in order to replace Ra's, however Batman instead gives up the weapons and refuses to kill. Batman leaves the place, warning Ra's that if he returns, Batman himself will stop him. Ra's is then left, bleeding, and is disappointed along with his daughter.

Characters

 * Bruce Wayne/Batman as 
 * Tim Drake/Robin as 
 * Alfred Pennyworth as 
 * Ra's al Ghul as 
 * Talia al Ghul as 
 * Lonnie Machin/Anarky as

Objects Used

 * Batarang 
 * Grapnel Gun
 * Evidence Bags
 * Fingerprint Dusting Kit
 * Batlight
 * Smoke Pellet 
 * Ice Pellet
 * Sword

Deaths

 * 1) Anarky's Terrorists: Dismembered by Talia al Ghul and her assassins.
 * 2) Unnamed Civilian: Impaled by Talia al Ghul.