Hey guys
So, this is a prompt I got from an idea from the old Justice League Unlimited episodes where Batman did some time traveling at one point ended up in his own personal future and besides John Stewart was the only other person to retain memory from the trip.
And of course, due to the writers having already done Batman Beyond nothing could really be changed by Bruce seeing what his life became.
Yeah this me tossing that out the window and having Bruce decide to get his life together the best he can.
Don't own Justice League Unlimited or anything related to DC
Paris during the night
Bruce in a black jacket, a gray T-shirt, and dark colored pants is walking down a hallway. After the recent time traveling events of chasing down Chronos and getting to see what his future is, has shaken him more then he realizes. It has shaken him enough to realize he doesn't want that Bruce of miserable, alone besides a dog and Terry McGinnis. Alone with nothing but a lifetime full of regrets.
So, he has decided to start making some changes in his life, and the first is coming clean to Selina Kyle and trying to repair the damage done. Because Selina is the only one he actually would want to spend the rest of his life with. After all, when Mad Hatter put him under the dream device of his perfect life, Selina was who he was going to marry.
Talia, while he cares for her, will always take her father's side. Despite John's comments about Diana or Diana's own romantic interest in him, she is just a friend. Sure, maybe he is attracted to Wonder Woman, but they are far too different to ever make it work. For Andrea Beaumont, any possible chance ended years ago for a relationship. He loved the woman before she became Phantasm, not whatever is left of her.
Eventually reaching the end of the hallway Bruce knocks on the door a couple of times and after a moment the door opens, to reveal Selina in a gray long sleeve shirt with black jeans. Selina's eyes widen in surprise because she most certainly was not expecting this.
"Bruce… what are you doing here? Is something wrong that you need help with regarding your other self?" Selina asks.
"Wait how do you know I'm Batman?" Bruce asks surprised.
"Please, Bruce I have interacted with both your persona's and I know a playboy act when I see one. Just never saw the point in telling you since you never wanted anything to do with me seriously" Selina says.
Running a hand through his black hair "Right well I came here to talk if you're willing to listen and apologize" Bruce says.
"For?" Selina asks.
"Constantly pushing you away for the sake of the mission" Bruce says.
"Well, you're not completely to blame given I could have tried harder to give up being a thief and constantly on the wrong side of the law" Selina says.
"So… can I come in?" Bruce asks.
"Depends on if your mission as Batman is just going to eventually cause you to leave because if so neither one of us deserve to be put through that heartbreak" Selina says.
"No, it's one reason why I came to you, I'm done pushing people away. I've seen what it gets me" Bruce says.
"Come on in" Selina says with a smile.
Bruce walks in as Selina shuts the door behind them before they walk into the living room. Selina sits down on a chair and letting Bruce take the couch as they face each other.
"How did you even know where I live?" Selina asks.
"Ever since you disappeared after we took down Thomas Blake and his cat cult well I've always known where you've been" Bruce says.
"I haven't even suited up as Catwoman since then" Selina says.
Bruce merely raises an eyebrow at that, not believing it.
"Ok, maybe a couple of times but it was to deal with some scumbag corporations. I don't even really need the money anymore, because the stuff I stole from Blake's cult has set me for life" Selina says.
Glancing around "Where's Isis?" Bruce asks.
"She died a year ago" Selina says mournfully.
"I'm sorry. I know how much that cat was to you" Bruce says.
"So, what did you want to talk about? And what got you so troubled enough to live for more than just the mission?" Selina asks.
"About a week ago a few of the Justice League members and I ended up chasing a criminal called Chronos through the time stream. During that trip, I traveled to the future where I saw what I became" Bruce says with glancing off.
"It was your own personal nightmare?" Selina asks.
"Yes. I had no one, not even Alfred, Dick, Tim or Barbara. I was just a bitter old man who was full of pain and regret. I always figured I would end up alone or dead but seeing the results of sacrificing everything for the mission in person is sobering" Bruce replies grimly.
Giving a nod "So why come to me?" Selina asks.
"Because Selina I love you and you're the only one I would be willing to spend my life with. I want to give us an actual chance this time, if you want to" Bruce says.
Selina seemingly debates for a moment then stands up with walking over to Bruce before sitting down in his lap and embracing him in a kiss. Bruce returns it as Bruce and Selina kiss passionately for the next few minutes, with Selina wrapping her arms around his neck.
Eventually a few minutes later Bruce and Selina break apart for air but grinning at each other. Selina removing her arms from around his neck Selina snuggles into Bruce's body as she gets comfortable as he holds her.
"Relaxed?" Bruce asks.
"Like a cat" Selina replies.
"I hope you're not expecting me to pet your hair" Bruce says.
"Ah your no fun" Selina says teasing then gets serious "I hope your planning on talking to Grayson."
"From all my partners Grayson is the one I have the most to fix. Dick was done with me constantly pushing him away. So, Grayson left… we haven't spoken in years" Bruce says grimly and regret filled.
"You know the media circus is going to have a field day with Bruce Wayne dating Catwoman, and that might prove troublesome when Catwoman is spotted around Batman" Selina says.
"Actually, we don't have to worry about that. I managed to use Thomas Blake's cat cult and called in a favor with Jim at the GCPD to make it seem like Catwoman was just some unknown agent for Blake's cult" Bruce says.
"So publicly Selina Kyle is just some innocent woman Blake threatened into taking the blame for his agent's crimes? Clever but I'm surprised people bought it that easily" Selina says.
"Just look at how easily people are buying the lies Cadmus is putting out from newspapers, government officials and elsewhere. Now, what do you mean Catwoman spotted helping Batman?" Bruce replies curiously.
"Well handsome if you seriously think I'm not going to be helping you stay alive out there on the field then you don't know me very well. Besides, while Paris is nice, Gotham City will always be my home" Selina says.
"It'll be nice having you as a partner again" Bruce says, after a moment.
Meeting his gaze "Wow that trip to the future really did screw you up" Selina says.
"Sorry it's just, I'm not used to trying to act uh normal" Bruce says awkwardly.
"No, it's fine. It's nice seeing you act like a human instead of a constant isolated, brooding machine" Selina replies.
Bruce merely gives a nod in reply. After they remain there for some minutes neither moving but content in the silence of each other's presence, Selina speaks.
"I guess I finally caught you" Selina says remembering a rooftop conversation after Bruce years ago recused her from Harley Quinn nearly killing her in a cat food factory.
"No, you've always had me" Bruce replies before kissing her on the lips.
After breaking off a moment later then meeting his eyes "I love you Bruce" Selina says.
Two weeks later in Blüdhaven
In a near-empty restaurant, Dick Grayson in his Nightwing suit is fighting two of Black Mask's thugs, while the rest remain in an out cold heap scattered about the restaurant. Ducking a blow Nightwing responds by smashing that thug's face with his fist before kicking another one in his chest nearby sending them both to the ground unconscious.
As a thug, some several feet raises up a tommy gun a Batarang hits the man's hands ridding him of his weapon before Batman glides to the ground some feet away from the man. As the thug charges at him, the Dark Knight punches the man in his face knocking a couple of teeth out before giving another hard blow to his stomach. The result is the thug sprawling to the tile floor out cold.
"I had him" Dick says turning to face his former mentor.
"Never had any doubt but I wasn't taking that chance" Bruce replies.
Dick's face has a bit of surprise on it from getting a praise or the closest thing to it from Batman, who fires a grapnel hook through the broken skylight where it latches onto the roof then gets pulled up by his grapnel gun. Nightwing using his own grapnel gun fires a hook onto the roof and ascends to it as well.
Landing on his feet with retracting the cable and hook back into the device Nightwing slips the device back into his hidden belt on the suit. Glancing over he sees Batman with his cape surrounding Bruce entirely some feet away, and partially hidden in the shadows.
"So, what do you need help with and why come to me?" Dick says with a resenting tone.
"Nothing actually. I came to apologize for my actions to you over the years" Bruce says.
"Whoa, are you serious? Not under Crane's new messed up fear toxin, an alien mind control or Ivy's again?" Dick asks surprised.
"Yes, I'm serious" Bruce replies.
"I heard from Alfred the last time we talked about how you were different with Selina Kyle in your life and a trip to the future but seeing it with my own eyes is astonishing in itself" Dick says.
Bruce naturally remains silent without saying anything.
"You know we haven't talked in years, and before you say anything it wasn't all your fault. I have my fair share of being a stuck-up jerk for not listening years back after the whole incident with The Joker and discovering Barbara was Batgirl. You both attempted to explain it to me, but I didn't listen" Dick says self-loathing.
"I could have done a better job at being a parent instead of just a drill sergeant" Bruce says.
"Yeah you could of but for what I did, I'm sorry" Dick says truthfully.
"Thank you. I'm sorry as well" Bruce says then "Let's put the past behind us and have a second start?"
"Yeah, I would like that. So how did the Justice League take to you dating Catwoman?" Dick replies.
"Well, the ones who didn't just believe the cover-up story Jim and I put are not exactly pleased. Explained the Justice League doesn't need Batman dating a thief with Cadmus coming after us. They actually thought I was under mind control" Bruce says.
"I'm not surprised" Dick says.
"What's the situation with the thugs down there?" Bruce asks, his tone serious and grim.
"Black Mask decided to leave Gotham City and set up shop in Blüdhaven four months ago. Then Mask took over the underworld in a surprising short amount of time" Dick says becoming serious as well.
"I did some research of my own. Black Mask pulled a Rubert Thorne and just murdered all the current mob bosses then took over" Bruce asks.
"Yep. Black Mask is Roman Sionis, a wealthy philanthropist in Blüdhaven's social circle. Naturally, I legally can't prove that" Dick says.
"Of course, he is" Bruce replies, and knowing he didn't figure that part out just yet.
"That is a casino Black Mask owned for running an illegal gambling operation and I decided to pay them a visit" Dick says.
Suddenly two men burst from the rooftop access door with raising up their handguns. Nightwing goes to move when Batman raises up a hand to stop him causing Grayson to look at him, only for the Dark Knight to smirk.
Before the men can fire their weapons Selina emerges from the shadows in her black Catwoman suit beside the thugs. Quickly scratching one across his face which sends him down the ground in pain Selina kicks the other in his chest.
Knowing his partner is out of the fight and on a roof with three dangerous enemies Mason decides to flee. Mason begins running across the roof but doesn't get far as Catwoman using her whip trips up his feet causing Mason to go crashing to the ground.
"You knew she was going to show up" Dick asks.
"I knew there were some remaining goons and I wanted to question one of them" Bruce replies.
Batman walks over to Mason as Nightwing ties up the other thug's hands with some rope before Catwoman and him walk over Mason who is terrified. Mason tries to crawl away but doesn't get very far since Batman grabs Black Mask's goon by his left leg with hauling him over to the ledge, before hanging Mason over it.
"Please no, don't" Mason screams out terrified.
"Listen scum bag, it's just me, you and two stories. So, you're going to tell me everything I want to know about Black Mask" Batman says.
"I can't betray my boss, he's worse than Arnold Stromwell ever was. I'll be lucky if killing me is all the Mask does" Mason says fearfully.
"Talk! Now" Batman angrily growls with letting his grip slip a little.
"Well nice to see you haven't changed too much" Dick says quietly.
"Did you actually think he would wonder boy? He's still Batman regardless" Catwoman says.
"I'll tell you whatever you want to know" Mason says obviously deciding to wise up given his current predicament.
"Everything about Black Mask's operations and I mean everything" Batman says coldly.
Needless to say, Mason did indeed spill everything he knew about Black Mask's operations that included a drug shipment coming in at the docks tonight. Which was important since Black Mask would be attending that deal personally to insure better security after getting so much of his operations ruined by Nightwing, over the past months.
Some hours later, Batman, Nightwing, and Catwoman were at the docks to intercept Black Mask's shipment which they did with taking down the men and Roman Sionis as well. So, the Black Mask was finally taken off the streets of Blüdhaven.
Eventually, over the next few months the Justice League's problems with Cadmus heated up until it ended with Lex Luthor and Brainiac merging together to destroy the world. The members of the Justice League ended up stopping it as always.
For Batman's world around a month after the defeat of Lex/Brainiac hybrid, Bruce asked Selina Kyle to marry him which she happily accepted. Preferring to not waste time given their lives a three weeks later they had the wedding.
Dick was Bruce's best man and Barbara served as the bride's maid for Selina as the two had surprisingly grown to be close friends. Alfred was the one who walked Selina down the aisle on that day as well.
For Batman as always, kept protecting Gotham City but by letting people in strengthens his resolve instead of weakening it. Since Bruce is fighting to not just avenge his parent's death but to protect the people he considers a family.
However, the story is not over yet, since the future is still to come.
Hope you all enjoyed that and as always let me know what you think in a review if you want. They are always appreciated.
So, this is going to be a short story with only two chapters and the next one will be in the future during the Batman Beyond era.
Until next time