So, I got this request from Bighead98, like, 2 years ago and tried to plan something bigger. After all that time, the only thing I got finished was this short little vignette. The idea was interesting, I just found it challenging but since I did get something out I might as well put it up and thank the prompter for the idea. So, thank-you, Bighead98.
The Only Thing to Fear
When Bruce Wayne dons the cowl everything changes. His mind shifts seamlessly into the new persona as all of the members of headquarters know what to do by now to become the ruthless dark knight. Sadness flexes his hands on the console. It's such a drain on the morose emotion – as is pretty much everything – but he's well-practised at carrying out the motions now.
"Okay everyone, we're going into Bat Mode," he announces.
He turns to Joy sitting at the end of the console. He gives a sunny grin to the leader and waves. Joy is always efficient and eager to work but being Batman is not a time to be happy. "Joy, I need you to get the costumes."
"Right!" Joy says excitedly, springing out of his seat to get their cowls and capes. "Five bat-emotions for one Batman coming right up."
Sadness nods. "Anger, I'm leaving most of motor control with you, especially the major muscle groups. Disgust, I need you to monitor abstract thoughts and imagination, make sure Batman doesn't go overboard out there but please refrain from actually using the console while Bruce is Batman."
"My pleasure," Anger grins, cracking his knuckles while Disgust rolls his eyes and slumps over the back of his chair.
"Ugh. Of course you're giving me a boring job. What's the point of me even being here while we're Batman? Why have an entire other persona if he doesn't even get the full range of emotions?" Even as he says that, Disgust is already putting his feet up and flicking through apps on his MindPhone.
"Capes!" Joy exclaims, brandishing their handmade costumes over his head before rushing around the room to shove the cowls on everyone's heads. He hops back into his seat and yanks on his own. "Alright, what next?"
"The usual; the little things," Sadness sighs but Joy is right on it like it's the most exciting thing in the world. Sadness then turns to the only one left. "Fear… you know what to do."
Fear sighs but takes a piece of chalk out of his pocket as he gets up. He walks all the way to the back of the room to the shelves housing the manuals and draws a circle around himself. Sheltered from the goings on in the front, he can't readily interfere. He slumps down and hugs his knees to his chest.
"Keep the fear inside the Circle of Fear…" he mutters gloomily. It's hard sometimes when he hears things over the console. The fighting sounds dangerous, the stalking sounds creepy, the villains sound horrifying but Fear cannot interfere. His erraticism and panic could cost Bruce so much. In the world of Batman, the only thing to fear is Fear himself.