I Will Always Be Here

Another urgent meeting was called up in the Watchtower.

It was about Batman.

Or technically Bruce Wayne.

At first, Mr. Wayne of Wayne Tech had excused himself for a week. But it was expected. After all, his son had been hit by a car, while Dick had been trying to save a young boy, a car had unexpectedly came out of now where. And it had unfortunately hit Dick.

But when a report on Dick Grayson's faring, it had said that he had awoken and was full well on the way to full recovery. But Mr. Wayne had seemed different, he was colder, harsher and possible even angry at his staff. Even a small mistake could set him off, but as usual, the billionaire had apologized to the man he had shouted at and gave him an extra pay rise. His newest girlfriends had avoided him, he wasn't in the mood¸ they had claimed, just tired I guess.

And so everything seemed alright.

Or so they thought.

There were reportings of Batman becoming more and more violent. Him smashing Joker in a building just because he had dropped a bag. Penguin in full body cast for months after his encounter with Batman. Even close death experience for Two-Face.

Batman was different.

But citizens had barely cared; the villains were not attacking them anymore, why should they care? Instead of noticing the differences, they had rejoiced, villains were too scared to leave their houses even just to get groceries. It was wonderful for them.

But only the Justice League had actually noticed the other point.

Why?

Why is Batman so violent?

Why is Bruce Wayne so closed up?

Why is all this happening?

After all, the collectings about Robin/Dick were all good ones, him recovering well, him almost in full health, him nearing the end of his hospital stay.

Then why?

Alfred was fine, Selina was great and the Wayne Companies were in almost double in the stocks. Everything was almost perfect.

Almost.

They had no idea about what was truly happening. They had no idea why Bruce's façade was crumbling to pieces. They had no idea why Batman was so merciless.

No idea.

Watchtower. Conference Room 5. August 12th. 3.00pm.

Superman studied the faces of the Justice League.

Batman wasn't there.

They had all expected Batman to change back to normal once Dick was alright.

But he didn't.

In fact it got worse; he became more and more cruel and cold. The Wayne Manor's phone had been disabled, the zeta-beam for The Bat-Cave didn't accept the JLA and when they tried to visit Bruce the door wasn't opened, then of course they tried to get through using their powers, and this is what made it stranger than it already was, the manor was completely Justice League proof. It just didn't make sense to Superman. And the rest were all just as confused and scared by Batman's sudden change of attitude.

Superman cleared his throat.

'Justice League.' Their attention all focused on Superman.

'This meeting has been held for the change of Batman's ways. I am confused and personally, slightly hurt since Bruce had not mentioned Dick getting injured. I would like to ask if any of you had any idea what is truly happening within the Wayne Manor.'

Flash had raised an eyebrow,

'Really? You're asking us?' He used a big hand gesture to emphasize 'us' 'We thought that you would be the one telling us what is really happening. Not us.'

They all murmured an agreement.

Superman signed.

'So you all have not heard a word for Bruce? Not even a single mentioning?'

All of them shook their heads somberly. Wonder Woman decided to speak up,

'Bruce had never been like this.' She said, while shaking her wild mane of ebony hair, 'Even when Robin had suffered the worse injuries possible, he had not gotten like this.'

'Maybe an even worse injury than what Dick has suffered?' offered Hawkman 'One that is beyond known cruelty?'

'Perhaps a butchered limb?' said Manhunter 'It would truly cripple Robin forever.'

Superman frowned at those comments,

'But Bruce will still tell us if those are the case. No, it must be something more severe.'

Green Lantern leaned forward, he started to offer another guess when he realized that he had accidentally leaned on the remote and turned the T.V on.

And it just so happened that the T.V was on Gotham Live

'There has been a tragic loss in Gotham. Dick Grayson, the ward of the famous white knight Bruce Wayne, has passed away. Mr. Grayson had saved the life of a seven year old child, he had pushed the child away from the in-coming car, and had taken the full blow for himself. After months of battling against coma, he had finally submitted to death. There also has been an out roar for lies that Mr. Wayne has been feeding us, giving us false information while the truth is hidden. Also-what was that John? A funeral? Really?' the lady giving the report had suddenly turned to her ear-piece, then after what seemed like a few words of argument, the lady had turned back to the camera 'Sorry for the interruption to your daily news, I have been told that there will be a public funeral mourning the passing of late Dick Grayson. And so now, back to our latest news about Gotham villains. Jok-'

Click.

The T.V was turned off, the entire JLA turned to Hawkgirl, who had pressed the button. She was pale faced and was holding the remote till it cracked.

The room was in silence.

No one spoke.

It was another ten minutes before Flash suddenly said,

'No way.'