"I want to take him back," Bruce argued as Life pulled him back from ripping Dick's body from Jason's grip. "No, stop it! I want him back!"

"I'm sorry, brother," Life said, sounding upset as well.

"He deserves a proper burial!" Bruce roared, blinded by grief. Dick was dead. Dick, the young, cheerful boy that never stopped smiling and wanted nothing more than happiness for everyone, and had brought more light to the Palace than anyone.

"He will get one," Life said.

Bruce finally gave in. He let Life hold him as he cried. Life watched Jason as he comforted his brother.

"Their souls would have eventually melded, you know?" Life murmured.

"What use is it telling me that?" Bruce asked.

Life shrugged, pulling away. "Maybe that boy is someone special."

Bruce sneered in disgust. "He's just another pawn in Love's games. This is what she was talking about. Death ruining her little plans. This is why she did this. Her plan of revenge finally worked, didn't it?"

"You know very well it was not your fault," Life said sharply. "It was not anyone's fault. Dick's death could have been made by his choice last night or maybe it was last week. Only Fate knows. And even then, it is not her fault either. You cannot blame anyone for this."

Bruce swallowed hard. He suddenly pulled in all his emotions until he was just staring coldly at Jason and Dick. Finally, he stepped forward towards him.

The sudden crunching of gravel made Jason and Tim look up. Both their eyes widened. Their eyes then flashed to the person besides him. Jason bared his teeth.

Life sighed heavily. He knelt down next to Dick's body, ignoring the way Jason clutched him harder.

"Jason Todd," Life said. "I am Life. This is my brother, Death," he gestured to Bruce.

Jason's narrowed eyes shifted between the two of them. "Is this some sick joke for you?" he finally spat.

Life's face became confused. "A sick joke? No, of course not. My brother did not wish for Dick to die either. And all he asks is to take Dick's body back to the Palace for a proper burial."

Jason scoffed. Then, he turned on Bruce. "It's all your fault. Dick's death, my- my mentor's death, the deaths of all those innocent people in this city! Why did they have to die?" he exclaimed. "They did not deserve to! They had no reason to! You just had to take every good person in this world, didn't you? Didn't you?!"

Bruce narrowed his eyes at Jason, not letting his demeanor break. "It is not my choice who's life to take. I take no pleasure in doing so either. I just- I just want Dick."

"Don't pretend you care. You're Death. You killed Dick. You're heartless," Jason spat.

"Jay..." Tim put a hand on Jason's shoulder. "I don't think you want to anger them. They're infinitely more powerful than we are."

"I don't fucking care, Tim!" Jason yelled. "They took Dick, so they might as well take me as well!"

Life sighed. "Jason Todd, we do not wish to do this by force. All we ask for is to bring Dick back home."

Jason shook his head furiously. "Fuck you! He's staying on Earth! He was born here and he died here. You have no right to take him to whatever inhuman place you live in."

Bruce opened his mouth to argue, but Life put a hand on his arm. "He is right, brother. Dick is human. Maybe... he deserves to stay on Earth."

Bruce gave Life a wounded look. Finally, he nodded, not trusting himself to speak. "Okay." He let Life lead him away. Bruce cast one final glance at Dick's body in Jason's arms.

Then, they left Earth.

Bruce stumbled into his room in the Palace of Death. Immediately, Clark was on his feet and rushing over.

"Bruce..." he tried.

Bruce shook his head. "No, please."

Clark pulled him into a rough hug, holding him tightly. Then, Bruce broke down into tears again. "I'm so sorry," Clark whispered.

Life walked in, releasing his human form. Bruce pulled away from a moment.

"Brother," he started with a shaky breath. "Can you...?"

Life shook his head sadly. "You want me to do the same I did with Clark's soul," he guessed. "I cannot. Dick's soul is broken. It is not whole anymore. I cannot reuse it, or put it into another body."

Bruce held out his fist, facing upwards. He slowly opened it. In the center of his palm, a soft white light glowed. It was a ball of white wisps, swirling around. In other words, it was beautiful.

"Then keep him somewhere safe, please. Send him on somewhere good, but- but keep his soul safe," Bruce said, his voice breaking. "He deserves that much."