Chapter 4: Taistil Ama
Self-acceptance comes from meeting life's challenges vigorously. Don't numb yourself to your trials and difficulties, nor build mental walls to exclude pain from your life. You will find peace not by trying to escape your problems, but by confronting them courageously. You will find peace not in denial, but in victory.
Gotham City 2062
They pulled into a cave, looking extremely similar to the one Bruce was familiar with. There were more glass cases on the wall, and they all held costumes, sans one. There was a bigger collection, with more souvenirs, but much of the cave that Bruce had spent his time in remained the same.
Terry jumped out of the Batmobile, Bruce following. An old man appeared from the shadows, his eyes narrowing into a glare as they rested upon Bruce.
"Terry," He growled, his tone gravely, "You have some explaining to do."
Gotham City 2012
"So that's it? No death trap, no threats, just a game!" Snaps Barbara, pacing the batcave irritably.
"Stop pacing. Your giving me a headache." Mutters Nightwing, glaring at the offending computer screen, as he tried to trace the origins of Riddler's broadcast.
"Shut up Grayson!"
"We're back to last names for insults?"
"I don't have time to make up insults! We have to get Bruce out of the future!"
"What do you think I'm working on?"
"Are you naturally irritating or do you have to work at it?" She demands, indignantly.
"Barbara, get whelmed, get traught."
"WHELMED AND TRAUGHT AREN'T WORDS!" She screams.
Dick sighs. Why was Barbara being so difficult? Sure, she was worried about Bruce, but so was he, and he wasn't being a pain in the butt. He was tempted to pull her into a hug, but they were broken up. "Listen Barbara. The only way we're going to get Batman out of the future is to play the Riddler's game. Every time we've went up against Riddler, we have to play his games, it's the only way out of his traps."
"There has to be another way!"
"There isn't. We just have to deal with the fact that we have to do what he wants."
She shakes his head. "Okay. What do we have to do?"
Gotham City 2062
The older Bruce shakes his head. "Time Travel is tricky."
"As we've figured out," Cuts in Terry.
Bruce didn't have the slightest idea how his older self dealt with Terry. The kid was cocky, even his stance held it.
His older self continued. "We know that the Riddler has to be behind this somehow. Which means you two find him, and you go back home."
"Good." Bruce says. "The sooner I get out of my future, the better."
The old man nods, approving. He's about to speak, but is cut off by the sudden beeping of the batcomputer.
"Unknown TV source." The metallic voice reports. "Watch?"
The former Batman presses a button, and Riddler appears on the screen.
The villain smiles. "Batman, if you're watching, and I do sincerely hope you are, your first challenge to get home starts in Crime Alley."
The picture fades. "Let's head to Crime Alley." Says Terry, slipping on his mask.
Older Bruce shakes his head. "You don't know what you might be going up against, or exactly where to start. It's 4:00 in the morning and you don't want civilians to get in your way. Besides," He adds, a little softer. "You're probably tired."
The younger Bruce sighs, looking a little frustrated, but nods, understanding the reasons.
Me: Hey!
Nightwing: Why did you make me and Babs get in a fight?
Me: 'Cause it's fun to write you to while your fighting.
Nightwing: I'll do it!
Babs: It's my turn! He did it last time!
Nightwing: 'Cause you weren't around.
Babs: Grayson-
Me: Don't fight! Dick, you can do the disclaimer, Babs you can do the review.
Nightwing: Shiny owns nothing. She wants to, and she wants to own words like traught and whelmed, but she dosen't.
Me: *Sighs* It's so depressing.
Babs: YoU mUsT rEaD aNd ReVieW
Me: DO YOU WANT ME TO STARVE!
Babs: SHE WILL STARVE!
ME: YES I WILL! AND THANK YOU TO THE LOVLEY REVIEWERS BY THE NAMES OF, Love This Story and Circle of Phoenix! IF YOU WANT CHAPTERS FASTER YOU MUST REVIEW!