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Chapter 12: Troubled Child
Batman gasped deeply as he sat up. Looking around he realized he was on the bed in the infirmary. Diana, Robin, Nightwing and Green Lantern stood were nearby around the room. Diana sat closest to him standing up quickly and placing a hand on his chest, the others got up as well making sure that Batman regained control of his mind. With his mask off his eyes found Diana's and that was clear indication for her that he was indeed back. She gave a small fortunate smile and eased him back down on the bed.
"Don't worry, it's him" Diana assured the others happy to see he was back to her, The others then shared smiles amongst themselves. "Rest Bruce, we don't know how the mind control could affect you." Diana spoke, Robin, Nightwing and Green Lantern had then walked up to the bed. Bruce rested on the bed with a small grin on his face, he was glad Diana was there. However visons he saw in his mind were livid. He would have more nightmares to come. He sat up again holding Diana's hand instinctively. Wonder Woman was taken by surprise at this display and only Green Lantern had seemed to catch it.
"Circe is behind all of this." Batman announced, Diana knew he was going to try and go against what she told him and not rest. However his grip on her hand distracted her, he squeezed it tenderly. She couldn't believe his touch of all people could be so soft yet firm at the same time. "She used mind control on me, I'm not familiar with her using that type of magic. She hasn't used it before which tells me she has accomplices. Wonder Woman's Aunt is one of them, I suspect she's acting as a figure head to Circe. She could be using mind control over her as well, I must get to the cave. I've got to play catch up because I have a good feeling she was behind Donna's kidnapping as well. I could be wrong, but I have to start now before it's too late!" Batman explained letting go of Diana's hand and getting up again. Diana still a little stunned had little time to react to his sudden movement. However he was stopped by his two sons and Green Lantern.
"Dad, we don't know if she could repossess you or not." Jason spoke, Dick and John both agreed eagerly. Bruce gave them a stern look, he then felt a hand grip his forearm. He looked over his shoulder to see an upset Amazonian Princess.
"Bruce you're being ridiculous, you just woke up." Wonder Woman chided him, Batman then turned his head to John.
"I kicked her out of my mind personally, I'm fine." Batman assured them, he then turned to Nightwing. "How are my vitals?"
"Stable for now" Nightwing answered him reluctantly, Batman then nodded.
"Good enough for me." He said simply before removing his arm from Diana's grip gently. He then proceeded to walk out before calling out to Robin and Nightwing. "The Cave" Nightwing and Robin nodded before rolling their eyes.
"I hate it when he get likes that." Jason said crossing arms, Dick nodded in agreement.
"Seriously, and we're going to be stuck with him for the rest of eternity..." Richard trailed off, that was when him and Jason looked at each other then Diana. "Why did your Mother do that to us!?" Diana chuckled covering her mouth slightly at the two's expense.
"It won't be that bad, plus you have me I'll keep him in line." Diana replied, that was when Green Lantern decided to speak on a different matter at hand.
"Diana are you and Batman...?" John asked, Diana already knowing what he was hinting at and sighed.
"I would like to tell you yes John, but right now I don't really know." Diana informed him, John nodded in understanding. She then turned to Robin and Nightwing who gave her concerned expressions. They didn't voice it because they weren't sure if they were public yet. She gave them a reassuring smile as she walked past them. "Well I must get back to my home, it definitely needs my attention." She paused at the door and looked back Nightwing and Robin. "Please make sure he rests, you know Batman." She asked of them to which they nodded, John stepped up and stopped her before she could leave.
"Diana wait!" Wonder Woman turned back around and raised an eyebrow. "You don't want any back up going back to your homeland?" Green Lantern insisted, Wonder Woman raised a hand.
"I appreciate the concern John but this is my home, I can handle whatever goes on there..." Diana replied softly, John nodded in understanding although wishing he could be of some use. Robin crossed his arms and sighed shaking his head.
"We all know Batman will be there before we know it." Robin muttered, Diana scoffed taking a step out of the room.
"I'm not allowed in his city right?" She spoke, Robin and Nightwing shared a smirk with her. John was left puzzled trying to put pieces together. "However I must be on my way, John I'll keep in touch with the League. I'll send a report every week as the conflict goes on." Green Lantern nodded Robin and Nightwing followed suit and with that Diana took her leave. Headed to Superman and the rest of the council that remained to fill them in on the situation.
In Gotham Vandal Savage stood on top one of the roof tops on a video message chat with Circe. He was surveying the area not to far from the Wayne Manor. He was about to enact his plan to steal the Talisman and claim the unimaginable power the Goddess had promised him. However he was now upset about the drastic change of plans.
"You want me to lure Batman back to your infernal island?" Vandal Savage then clenched his fist raising it to the camera. "You promised eternal power beyond my wildest dreams!" Circe's face contorted into a snarl as she hissed at him.
"Look you insignificant insect, you remember my ways to get you to comply, you remember what happened to your friend? I suggest you listen and stop talking. After all of this is over you'll get what's coming to you..." Circe spoke, Vandal Savage hadn't liked the sound of that but knowing what powers she possessed he knew it be best to do as she said. Ra's Al Ghul was controlled for mere hours and spoke of the days of torment he underwent. Something Savage wasn't keen on finding out for himself. However he knew he wasn't going to be a slave to no one so he'd devise a plan to get himself out of this situation and having revenge.
"... Very well, I'll lead him to you and what's coming to me better be the Talisman or something equal to it's value!" Savage shot back, Circe dismissed the back and forth and left him with this.
"Just get him here, time is of the essence, things are about to get real serious really fast." Vandal growled his distaste but nodded nonetheless.
"I'm on it." He replied cutting the connection, he then looked down to the Wayne Manor and gave a mischievous grin. He began to make a phone call.
Meanwhile deep in the batcave, Batman was at work going over the past few weeks and the events that transpired. He was typing away trying to figure out Ra's real reason for kidnapping Donna. Until a transmission went through on the Bat computer making him stop what he was doing. He growled as he saw Vandal's face, triggering in his mind that he was after the Talisman. He stood up from his chair a snarl on his face.
"Savage, how did you get this frequency?!" Batman asked right away, Vandal gave a sinister chuckle.
"Oh Batman how pitiful you are, your trying to figure this whole ordeal out and you couldn't be the farthest from it." Vandal intimidated, but Batman didn't show a sign of it. He clenched his fists by his sides and glared at the screen.
"Care to enlighten me Savage?" Batman spoke keeping a somewhat calm demeanor. Savage wasn't going to fall for the simple trap.
"Oh how I would love too, I have to attend to some business on Themyscira. A certain Woman has suddenly caught my attention." He spoke grinning, Batman started to feel himself get angrier. He caught on fast that all Circe was doing was taking his attention elsewhere other than the bigger picture at hand. He knew she was just the middle person, there was someone bigger than her. Something to do with Diana, he knew she was in the middle of it.
"What are your motives Savage? What do you think you'll gain from this? Anything she promised you is a lie!" Batman said, Vandal frowned as he gritted his teeth.
"As long as you suffer! That's good enough for me!" Vandal shouted before cutting the line, Batman balled his fists as he signaled to Alfred through his communicator in his cowl.
"Alfred prep the Batwing, tell Jason and Dick to watch over the city while I'm gone." Batman spoke turning around and heading for the Batwing. Alfred who was in the living room sipping his tea picked up his communicator off the table and responded to the Bat.
"But of course Master Bruce, but if I may, you are familiar with your two sons correct?" Alfred said putting an earpiece in his ear, he then sat his tea down and picked up the tablet beside him. Batman was gearing up with the necessary gadgets fit for the island of Themyscira.
"Yes I am" Batman replied putting tazers in his utility belt, Alfred pulled up the Batwing's engine an started it through the tablet.
"Then I'm sure you're aware that after I tell them where you went they'll be right behind you." Alfred spoke, Batman went over to the Batmobile and opened the top taking a bag out.
"I'm sure you can convince them otherwise Alfred, you can convince me to do something." Bruce said with a small grin on his face, Alfred put the tablet down and picked up his tea again.
"Ha Ha, you should think about being a comedian part Master Bruce." Alfred deadpanned but meant it light heartedly, Bruce then made his way to the Batwing.
"It might take me some time but in the end you've always been right." Batman said truthfully, Alfred knowing what he was hinting at couldn't help the small grin that formed on his face.
"It's not that I'm right I just try to get you to open your eyes is all." Alfred spoke as Batman got in the pilot seat.
"So you say Alfred, I still can't thank you enough for all the things you've done for me." Batman said sincerely, Alfred smiled shaking his head.
"Nonsense Master Bruce, it is the very least I could do, I just wish I gave you better growing up." Alfred spoke, the Batwing then took off into the night sky as Batman continued the conversation.
"Alfred we've talked about this, everything that I've become is not the product of you. If anything you saved me." Batman said, Alfred took another sip of his tea before sighing.
"Bruce everyone thought you had passed, to them the first but for you and I more times I wished I didn't remember." Alfred said quietly, there was a silence between them for a moment. Bruce gripped the wheel tighter, he sighed. "I couldn't save you then, and now you're immortal. I will not outlive you Bruce. And you know the next thing I will say is with a heavy heart..." Bruce felt the sadness that haunted him come over himself again. "However since I am the only one that knows you better than anybody and I also know how you feel about me keeping things to myself. I will appease your wishes and come out and say what you already know. It's that I won't outlive you neither will most of the people you care about will leave you as well. I won't be your voice of reason anymore Bruce. So if you won't let her in so you can be happy, surely you must know that you have to let her in to be your voice of reason." More silence ensued, Bruce was tempted to shut off his emotion and let the Bat show. Although he didn't want to he knew he had a mission to accomplish.
"Alfred..." He started but Alfred had already beat him to it.
"I already know Bruce, we'll continue this discussion another time, but for now be careful." Alfred spoke his peace before the line was cut, Bruce was left thinking about his adoptive Father who always gave him the best life could give. He loved him with all of his being, but right now his mind needed to be elsewhere.
He was skeptical at first to leave Gotham, but knowing Nightwing and Robin would be there in seconds calmed his nerves. Nonetheless, he knew Vandal was working for or with Circe. After they're encounter in Bruce's mind he knew for the most part that Circe would be driving her plan to capture or kill Diana would be rushed. So for that he had to be there, he knew it would probably be against her wishes. He couldn't help but smirk at the look on her face when he arrives.
Back on Themyscira, the Amazons were preparing battle, the second during they're civil war. Wonder Woman and Donna were donning they're amour it was they're turn to attack. Queen Hippolyta was already prepared standing in front of her warriors in the courtyard of they're kingdom. Their numbers weren't near as many as the Traditionalists were it was supposed to catch them by surprise because they would have thought that they were still repairing. Which they were, that was why they're numbers were low and to cover themselves in case they tried to attack again.
Diana and Donna were now prepared and stepped through the crowd to stand beside they're Mother who held a spear and shield. Donna held twin swords that were sheathed behind her back, while Diana bore her famed shield and sword. Three horses were brought to their sides the three got on and Queen Hippolyta raised her spear causing a massive war cry to fill the kingdom. She then pointed her sword toward the other side of the island and galloped away with her small army behind her.
In Circe's secret lair, Antiope and Vandal Savage accompanied her. Antiope shared her dislike of a man being here as soon as she entered the room let alone helping them. Circe decided knew that now she had to switch her plans since she hadn't counted on Batman breaking free of the mind control.
"Listen we must capture Diana at all costs, Antiope you and your forces will focus on that." Circe ordered then turned to Savage. "And you, kill Batman" Vandal scoffed and shook his head.
"Easier said than done, besides why go to the trouble of baiting him here? He's going to know what to expect. This poor decision making and below average planning is setting us up for failure." Vandal voiced his disapproval, Circe's eyes then glowed pink before they went back to normal. Vandal's face then shifted into a even expression, Antiope smiled despite herself giving Circe an approving look.
"I like the way you think..." She spoke, Circe didn't have time however and nodded at the now possessed Vandal. Who nodded back and went out the door, Circe turned back to Antiope.
"Get your best warriors and attack them while they repair and kidnap Diana and hurry." Antiope's smile evaporated from her face.
"My warriors are tired they won't be at their best." Antiope tried to explain, Circe put up a hand.
"Time is of the essence." Circe spoke, which made Antiope raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"Why is it? We have all the time to calculate our attacks, keep casualties and injuries low. To win over my sisters hearts and remind them of our roots. We have time to liberate my people, but that wasn't your goal to begin with was it?" Antiope asked, Circe's eyes started to glow again but she was looking away from her. Antiope raised her had defensively. "Whatever it is leave my people out of it." Antiope said and with that she left.
Back at the Batcave Nightwing and Robin had just found out where their Father had gone and was devising a plan on what to do.
"I think I should go behind him and you can be on call in case things heat up fast." Robin suggested, Nightwing raised his eyebrow at his little brother.
"I dunno, with Vandal Savage being there and possibly Circe I feel like we should both go." Nightwing said with a hand on his chin, then he crossed his arms. "I should go and you stay." Robin frowned while shaking his head.
"I forgot you're just as hung up on Donna, like Bruce is on Wonder Woman." Robin spoke, Nightwing did a double take at Jason in surprise.
"What?! That has nothing to do with it!" Robin just waved him off putting his hood on and readying himself for a night of boring patrol.
"Yeah yeah, save it Bruce." Robin spoke before walking over to his motorcycle and igniting the engine. He looked back to a upset Nightwing and threw up the peace sign. "Be careful out there"
"And you call if you can't handle something, don't go in over your head!" Nightwing called out, Robin rolled his eyes behind his mask.
"I'm not fourteen anymore Dick." He said before speeding off, Nightwing smiled at his adoptive brother.
In the thick vegetation of Themyscira, the Loyalists were two thirds of the way to the Traditionalist foothold. Diana and Donna led them through the forest until they heard footsteps and a lot of them. Diana held up a fist which halted everyone behind her, she crept up behind a tree and peeked. Her eyes widened in shock, it was her Aunt Antiope leading a bigger group of warriors toward them. So many emotions welled up inside of Diana upon seeing her. She wanted a conversation with her Aunt this whole time, she wondered if she was being controlled by Circe. Which would make her feel a lot better about the situation, but wouldn't all of her sisters be controlled as well. Diana quickly dismissed the hopeful thinking, she knew better. Her sisters were prideful so it would make sense for them to be against her and her Mother. However regardless of all of the misfortune she was going to get answers.
Diana discreetly ran back to her squadron of soldiers and informed her Mother of what was happening. Queen Hippolyta looked on to where the footsteps were quickly approaching from.
"Donna can lead a group straight for them gaining their attention while we ambush them on their flanks." Queen Hippoylta suggested, to which the three agreed on. "Just cripple their forces enough to where they don't pose a threat. We'll hit their little outpost another time, for now we must keep them from attacking our kingdom." She announced, Diana and Donna nodded, Donna stood by while her Mother while Diana led the other half of their party.
As Antiope's attack group neared them, Diana an Queen Hippolyta spread apart. Diana took the left while Hippolyta took the right. Once in position they waited, until they passed between them. Diana was the first to emerge rom the trees holding her sword and shield. She looked down upon them with steeled eyes she then lifted her sword and pointed at them.
"Sisters!" She shouted catching the attention of everyone, she then dropped to an offensive stance. "ATTACK!" She yelled, the Loyalists then came from behind her along with Donna and Queen Hippolyta's forces as well. A clash of warriors was the outcome.
Overhead the Batwing was flying in stealth mode, Batman saw the unfolding battle go on from under him. He wondered if Diana was fighting down there, but he knew he had to find Savage before anything drastic happened. Not to far away was the Traditionalist foothold. He figured that was where Circe and Savage were hiding. He landed in a discreet area behind and left his stealth mode on. He stepped off the Bating and took out a scanner. Shaped like a bat it began scanning the surrounding areas. Once clear of any traps he began walking toward the compound.
Inside the waterfall, coming out of her secret chamber were Vandal Savage and Circe. She had a stern look on her face and she knew Batman was already here. She turned to a mind controlled Vandal Savage and signaled him to follow her.
"Let's meet him halfway..." She spoke as they went past some Amazonian guards, who were about to attack him but ceased when Circe raised her hand glowing. They're eyes flashed pink and they looked on as if two women were walking. They exited the waterfall and started walking toward the back of the compound where they knew Batman was coming from.
Batman coming up fast through the trees until he saw two figures coming up from the compound. He paused for a moment realizing who they were, he thought he was unnoticed until he saw they were looking in his direction. He wondered how they knew where he was and how they knew he was here already. He knew it was pointless now to stay concealed in a tree so he shot his grappling hook to the ground and jumped. He landed and stood tall as they got closer.
A few more moments past before they stopped about six yards in front of him. Batman accessed the situation quickly, Vandal Savage's posture seemed stiff and his breathing was extremely even and small. His face also seemed slacked as if he wasn't about to confront him. Circe was looking at Bruce with discontent. A fight was now imminent which he was aware of, but he had to make sure Diana was safe. He wouldn't let them leave, he was going to get to the bottom of who was behind all of this.
"Glad you could join us Batman, I'm afraid you came to your death." Circe called out to him, Batman shook his head.
"Who's over you Circe? What's making you do this?" Batman asked, Circe lifted her finger toward him causing Vandal to advance confirming Batman's suspicions of him being controlled.
"Your a smart mortal, figure it out." Circe taunted, Batman frowned as Vandal Savage charged him. He prepared himself for his attack.
In the sky Nightwing was tracking where the Batwing had landed. Also being in stealth mode, He saw fighting amongst the Amazons. He saw Donna and Wonder Woman also in the fight but no Bruce. He flew over them still trying to track the Batwing. He flew for a few more moments until he saw Bruce and Vandal Savage going at it with Circe there watching. He decided this was where he would make his decent. Putting the smaller size Batwing in auto land before he got out of his seat. He went to the back where the hatch laid out in front of him. As it landed Nightwing jumped off and ran as soon as he touched ground. As Batman continued to go toe to toe with Vandal he saw Nightwing running up from behind. He grunted his dislike for him being here taking it out on Vandal catching him the face making him stumble back. Nightwing came up just in time to hit him again in the face with his club making him fall to the ground. He shared glances with Batman he knew he wasn't happy about him being here.
"Where's Robin?" Batman asked as Vandal stood back up shaking his dizziness away. Nightwing readied himself as Savage ran for the two of them.
"He's back at home," Nightwing spoke as he ducked Savage's punch, Batman swung at the villain with a batarang causing the Villain to back away. "Did you know Wonder Woman and the others are fighting as we speak?" Vandal flipped toward them and threw both his feet to toward them. They both blocked his attack pushing him back a couple yards away from them.
"Of course I know, they lured me in a trap!" Batman explained moving to the offensive, he threw three jabs at Savage which the man dodged. "That's why I told you to stay back" Batman spoke blocking Vandal's counter attack. Nightwing rolled his eyes behind his mask as he moved in to help.
"You tell us to do a lot of things but do we listen?" Nightwing spoke, as he spun around and tried to target Vandal's neck but the latter caught his wrist. Batman capitalized and gave him an uppercut knocking him out. Vandal lay on the ground as Batman and NIghtwing looked on satisfied.
"You all will be the death of me one day..." Batman spoke only to look up and see Circe missing, he blasted his unwatchful eyes not keeping track of his surroundings. They saw a bright pink light beam from the waterfall from the outpost. They covered their eyes as the light blinding them then faded. They then exchanged glances. "We've got to get to Donna and Diana fast."