DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. As always, I'll point out this was written over a decade ago, when, here in the UK, Season 2 of the JL cartoon had yet to air. So Hawkgirl had not been revealed as a spy, and the massive, every-hero-in-the-DCU roster of Unlimited wasn't a factor. My timeline picks up after the Season 1 finale, "The Savage Time". All my Wayback Wednesday stories are numbered chronologically, if you get stuck.

3. There are aspects of these stories that, in hindsight, I would change. However, I have kept them as I originally wrote them for history's sake. Not laziness.


PART 9

Arkham Asylum.

It had been a long time since any new cases had been admitted in the building. All of the old-school psychopaths were either dead, or already in there. The new breed, for the most part, had yet to be apprehended.

The complex had recently reopened, after a massive escape by every patient. After they had left the building in ruins, the government had decided to let Arkham rot. But it was Clark Wayne, head of Wayne Enterprises, who ensured that the building be reopened, and rebuilt, bigger and better than it was before. Since the rebuilding, the amount of patients who had escaped had halfed.

Jason hovered in the midnight sky, looking over the complex. It had been awhile since he had been there. His father had brought him here, shortly after he had become Robin, to see just where all their enemies go. But it had been so long since they brought anyone here, Jason had to explore the plans and building itself to reaquient himself with the structure.

He reached into his pocket and removed the black bandana. He silently put it over his head and tied it on. It had eye holes over the face… he did not want anyone to know who he was. The person he was going to see… could connect Jason Wayne with Batman. And he did not want anyone to know the family secret.

Not yet.

He flew down towards the building, and looked in every window. He spent several minutes looking in each one, sighing in frustration when he saw the occupant in the padded cell was not the one he wanted.

He had to hurry. It would only be a matter of time before his family found him. He had to find the person he was after, and leave the city. He had to leave no trace… no way for them to find him.

He looked into a window, and instantly recognised the person inside. He smiled.

He put his hands to the bars, and effortlessly ripped them away. The person inside turned his head, and frowned.

Jason slipped through the window, and landed on the cell floor. The person looked at him. "It's been awhile since I've had visitors," it said in a male voice.

Jason went upto him. "I've come to get you out of here."

The man tilted his head. "I've been given life imprisonment."

"I know," Jason said. "But I'm getting you out of here."

"And who, might I ask, are you?" the man said.

"A friend," Jason said. "I understand you've had some history with the Batman."

The man's eyes widened. "And why would you be interested in that?"

"I want to see him suffer. And I think you can help me."

"You're a bit young, aren't you?" the man asked. "He must have hurt you bad if you want revenge at your age."

"My reasons are my own," Jason said. "If you help me, I will tell you them."

"And what kind of help do you want, may I ask?"

"We can discuss that later," said Jason. "Will you join me?"

The man was silent, and looked at the ground. He then shrugged. "Why not? I have nothing better to do."

"Good," Jason said. "We must leave immediately."

"It's always the same way," the man said. "Things have to be done, now, now, now. I remember, in my day, I used to savour the moments, even if it wasn't for long."

Jason smiled. "What did you do?"

The man grinned. "I used to… heh heh…"

"Something funny?" Jason asked.

The man began to shake. "Heh heh… I just… ha ha… it's been awhile since… he he… I've… ha ha…"

Jason remained silent.

The man closed his eyes, his grin widening. "Heh heh… the joke's gonna… ha ha… be on the Batboy… ha ha ha ha ha… HA HA HA HA HA HA… HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

/

Shayera sat there, staring at her husband.

He had changed. In more than just appearance.

"So… what happens now?" Kyle asked.

The Emerald Knight looked at him. "I must accept the mission of the Guardians."

Kilowog held the back of his neck. "And that is…?"

"To protect the universe from the forces of evil."

Tomar frowned. "And how are you going to go about doing that?"

The Knight turned to him. "I must leave this planet… and roam the galaxy, until I find evil."

Shayera's eyes widened, and she stood up. "What? What are you talking about? You can't leave!"

The Knight looked at her. "I must. I have the Guardians' power. I must use it wisely."

"But… what about the side effects?" Shayera asked. "Ganthet said it mustn't be used before the time is right…"

"That is now irrelevant," the Knight said. "I have the ring now… I must use it as it was meant to be used. To fight evil in the cosmos."

Kyle tugged at Shayera's arm, and leaned close to her. "I think I know what the side effects were…"

Shayera shook her head. "Please… don't say it…"

"I'm sorry, Shayera," Kyle said. "But I think John's lost his capacity to feel."

Shayera blinked. It could not be. She could not accept that.

She would NOT accept that.

She ran upto the Knight, and took his hand in hers. She held it to her chest, her eyes watering. "John… you can't leave me…"

He looked at her emotionlessly. "I must. It is the way of the Guardians."

Her lip began to wobble. This could not be happening… she could not end up alone… again…

"John… please… I'm your wife… you love me…"

He stared at her.

"You love me…" she repeated…

"Once," he said. "But I have a new destiny now. I must continue the Guardians' mission…"

"NO!" she yelled. "John, you CAN'T LEAVE ME! I LOVE you! I NEED you! Please… tell me you love me…" She looked down, the tears pouring freely. "Please…"

He looked down at her, then backed away. She flinched as he left her, her hand twitching as his hand ripped away.

He turned away, and looked at the remains of the Great Hall. "The last of the Guardians fell today," he said. "I will not make their loss a meaningless one."

He then walked away, and leapt into the air.

He disappeared into the night sky, never once looking back…

Shayera stared after him, beginning to sob, her eyes filled with tears, her lips trembling, her body shaking…

She was alone…

Again…

THE END