Wow. Second last chapter. However, this chapter does sort of end, so if you are sick of this story or just want it all to finish on an even number, you can say that this is the final chapter (I am hoping no one wants that option.) A HUGE thankyou to everyone who read, reviewed or supported this story in any way. It is by far my biggest work and I would never have gotten this far without all the support I have recieved.
I hope to write some more in the DC verse at some point. Orihime-San, I would take your idea of a Marvel/DC crossover, except my whole knowledge of the Marvel verse consists of seeing the latest X-Men film and laughing at the UST between Professor X and Magneto, so I don't think I am the best person for that kind of job.
It was over.
It was the only thing Robin could think as he sat quietly in the corner and watched the league work. Wonder Woman and Green Lantern had returned from the Watch Tower with the captured Lords Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and Hawkman. Black Canary had followed them down and was helping drag the still unconscious Lords back to their reality under the direction of the Lord Batman. The rest of the League were milling around the Lab, trying to come to terms with all that had happened. None of them had allowed themselves to think during the night, but now with everything once again normal, the reality of the situation was becoming clear. The Lords had attempted to kidnap a generation of young heroes.
Even with the Lord Batman's co-operation, the League was still weary and tension was high.
Several of the League members unrelated to the situation were also in the base, helping to repair the structural damage while the mentors saw to their children.
Robin glanced around the room, looking for his friends.
Wally was next to him, the speedster having once again fallen asleep. The Flash had disappeared for a few minutes, running over to Keystone City to inform the West Family of what had happened to their son. Now he was back, supposedly working in the clean-up but in reality keeping a close eye on his nephew. On the other side of the room, Megan was ghosting her uncle. The Martian Manhunter was hovering over the whole group, looking for any mental trauma suffered by the younger heroes. Even sitting quietly, Robin could feel the martian in his mind. It was a softer feeling then Miss Maritans mental connections, a strange but not unwelcome experience.
Next to the two martians stood the two atlantians. Talking in their native language made eavesdropping impossible but Robin was sure Arthur was trying to encourage Kaldur to go back to Atlantis to recover. Robin could only hope his leader would agree. After all, they all needed to be around familiar faces at the moment.
Robin turned to look over at another familiar face. Connor was standing by the door, watching everything with a blank look on his face. Robin couldn't help but study Connor. Despite his blank face, Connors body language was one of fear as he looked everywhere but at the Man of Steel. Robin glanced over at the invisible black zone in Connors sight. If the situation wasn't so tragic, it would almost be amusing to watch the way the two Kryptons mirrored each other, Superman's own body language a mess of fear and panic despite his blank face. Robin rolled his eyes, hoping that the Boy Scout would finally get a clue.
Off in another corner, the Arrow family was converging. Or more accurately, they weren't allowed to leave as they submitted to the almost tyrannical nature that was Black Canary when she was upset.
Green Arrow had been forced to submit to an amateur medical as Dinah attempted to bandage his ribs before the whole family had been pulled into a meeting. Both Roy and Artemis were getting vocal, voicing their displeasure at being held in place. Ollie was ignoring then, soothing Artemis as she worried for her mother and staring down Roy when he tried to persuade everyone that he was fine and didn't need to stay. Black Canary had already caught him once as he attempted to leave the base, and now she stood guard over him. However, there was an element of affection among the group, showing it as what it was. A family.
Robin couldn't help but turn to look at his own family. Batman was in a whispered conversation with his Lord counterpart, the two Dark Knights exchanging tactical information. Even as the Boy Wonder watched, the Lord pressed a disk into his younger counterpart's hands. Batman looked at it before nodding and turning back to the computer. The Lord watched for a moment before turning away.
Robin quickly looked away as the Lord walked towards him.
"Dick?" The voice was soft, kind but also sad.
Robin glanced up at the Lord.
"This is goodbye, isn't it?" he asked, trying to keep his voice level. Despite all the anger, all the fear and pain, Robin didn't want the Lord to go. He didn't want to think that once the portal between realities closed, this Batman would be all alone.
"Yes." The Lord replied, slowly sitting down next to Robin's free side. On the other side, Wally muttered something about killer sandwiches before rolling over in his sleep. Both detectives ignored him.
"What are you going to do now?" Robin finally asked, looking up at the Lord Batman.
The Dark Knight sighed.
"The Lords are not fit to rule anymore. It will take some work but I am hoping for a successful transition from our rule, to a proper governing body."
Robin almost smiled at how easily the Lord had worked around the question.
"So what will happen to you and the other Lords?" he asked, pressing the issue.
Lord Batman looked away, staring into the distance.
"I do not know what the others will do. I don't think Clark for one, can be trusted. As for me, I have given up everything for this cowl, even you. I think it is about time I gave up the cowl for myself, if for no one else."
"No more Batman." Robin muttered.
"No more Batman." The Lord agreed.
Robin nodded, thinking hard. Slowly, Lord Batman rose to his feet.
"Goodbye Dick." He muttered.
"Bruce?" the voice was soft, just within the Lords hearing. The Dark Knight turned back to the younger hero.
"For what it is worth, you were a good dad." Robin said, still keeping his voice low. "And I am sure there are lots of kids out there who could use a good dad like you."
The Dark Knight smiled. Reaching to his belt, he pulled out something and tossed it to Robin. The Boy Wonder caught it as it fell. He looked down.
It was a batarang, but not the sort the Leagues Batman employed. It was silver instead of the dark steel Robin recognised. And pressed into the middle, was a sliver of bright green. Kryptonite, Robin realised. This was one of the batarangs the Lord had used when he faced down the Lord Superman.
Robin looked up at the Dark Knight.
"Something to remember me by." Lord Batman said.
Robin opened his mouth, wanting to say something but the Lord had already moved away, strolling back towards the portal. Turning, he nodded once to the Leagues Batman before stepping into the light. In seconds he was gone.
Robin lowered his head.
"Goodbye." He muttered.
Over at the computer, Superman slowly turned.
"It's over." The Man of Steel said. "Shut it down."
Batman pressed a button on the computer and the projector shut down, becoming nothing more than a box of wires.
It was a cold morning in Gotham as Dick Grayson opened his window. Twisting his body, the former acrobat climbed out onto the edge before jumping, catching the edge of the roof. Releasing a small grunt of pain, the boy pulled himself up over the edge and onto the slick tiles. He paused for a few seconds, allowing his ribs to recover from the slight pressure before he continued upwards, to the highest point of the roof. Finally making it to the desired height, Dick sat down and rubbed his chest.
Arrived home an hour before had been hell. Alfred had firstly been angry that Bruce had taken Dick out for an all-nighter on a school night. In order to save himself from the Englishman's wrath, Bruce had quickly revealed the whole story to the older man. Although it had gone a way to cooling the butlers temper, Dick had still found himself at Alfred's mercy as the older man insisted he be allowed to assess the boys injuries.
The resulting medical was full of muttered curses as Alfred mentally punished himself for not seeing the Lord Batman was an imposter, as well as criticising Bruce's makeshift medical knowledge. Bruce had wisely left the pair as soon as was possible, firstly to his study to organise Dick's absence from school, and then back down to the cave to contact the League.
Finally, after all his injuries were cleaned and re-bandaged, Dick had made his escape, ignoring Alfred offer of a sedative to help him sleep as he made his way to his bedroom.
Sleep was another thing which escaped the Boy Wonder as Dick lay on his bed, the familiar surroundings doing nothing to calm his racing mind.
It was because of his racing brain, Dick found himself up on the roof. This was his hiding spot, the place he retreated to when he felt trapped or scared. Looking over at the grounds of Wayne Manor, Dick tried to find peace in the chaos.
There was a thud as below him, a window opened. Dick allowed his mind to go blank as he turned towards the sound, watching as a figure pulled himself up over the edge.
"I thought I might find you up here." The figure said, stepping closer.
Dick couldn't help but smile.
"Hi Bruce." He said.
Gotham's billionaire sat down next to his ward.
"Alfred said you didn't want painkillers." Bruce said casually.
Although well hidden, Dick could hear the concern in his mentor's voice.
"I don't wanna sleep." The boy muttered.
"Dick..." Bruce trailed off with a sigh. He knew his ward was stubborn but the boy was also injured. Bruce didn't want Dick to suffer any more then he had already. However, Bruce also knew that when Dick had decided something, there was almost nothing which could change his mind. Instead of starting a fight, Bruce decided to surrender, pulling the boy closer until Dick's head was against his arm.
The two continued to watch the world in silence.
"This is going to change everything, isn't it?" Dick finally asked.
Bruce glanced down at the teen. There was no need for an explanation.
"I don't know Dick. I really don't know."