This is an alternate universe. I will explain latter what makes both Bruce and Jonathan change so much. Two important details: Jonathan is still the Scarecrow and he's still experimenting in the Asylum inmates, but he's not allied with Ra's al Ghul. Thus his toxin is weaker (no access to the blue flower) and, more importantly, Ra's al Ghul's plan is different. The second detail is that Bruce did not kill Chill after the trial as he intended in the movie. I hope you enjoy this. Please leave a review. Any kind of criticism will help me improve, and any kind of compliment will keep me motivated.
"Rub your chest. Your arms will take care of themselves." Ducard said to Bruce Wayne, who was at the moment trying to rub some heat into his body. He had been training with Ducard over the frozen lake, but fell to the ice after sacrificing his footing for a killing stroke, allowing Ducard to break the ice. He listened to Ducard's advice and started to rub his chest, feeling slightly warmer.
"You are stronger than your father" Ducard said. He had been training Bruce in the ways of the League of Shadows for several months now. He was a wise man, and Bruce was very grateful to him. "Yes, I'm stronger than him" Bruce agreed with his mentor.
Thomas Wayne was a good, kind man, but he was also weak and naïve. He tried to help the city, tried to make it better by investing in infrastructure and helping the poor, desperate people. And how was he paid? He was shot and died. His weakness, his lack of will to do what's necessary not only caused his death, but also his wife's. All in front of a young Bruce.
The pain and fury followed Bruce for several years. Nothing could calm it. No matter what he did, how much he struggled, the pain was there, like poison. One day, he caught himself wishing his parents have never existed, so that he could be free of that pain.
"You were able to do what's necessary, Bruce". Ducard continued. "Just like me". Bruce glanced over at Ducard, still too weak thanks to the freezing water. Truth to be told, he knew almost nothing about his mentor, outside of his position within the League. Ducard seemed to read the curiosity in his eyes, and decided to tell him his own story.
"I wasn't always here in the mountains. Once, I had a wife. My great love. She was taken from me. Like you, I was forced to learn there are those without decency... who must be fought without hesitation, without pity." Ducard explained. Bruce agreed once more with his mentor, understanding that Chill was just one of those people. That's why Bruce didn't have any mercy for him. Facolne's laugh still resonated in his ears.
"Anger can give you great power, but it can also destroy you if you don't stop it." Ducard continued. "How did you stop it?"Bruce asked, though he was almost sure he knew the answer. "Vengeance."
Bruce nodded. "I also took vengeance in my father's murderer. That stopped my rage." Ducard approved, and with something very similar to pride in his voice he replied "Now you don't fear your own fury anymore, Bruce. Anger can drive you to do terrible things, but also great things. Join us Bruce, we can clean Gotham once and for all." He them extended his hand towards Bruce.
And Bruce, with determination in his eyes, shook his hand.
