Several Hours Ago - Gotham
Batman brings his battered team straight home to Wayne Manor to lick their wounds. The battle against the Justice League had taken a heavy toll on the entire Bat Family, physically and emotionally. Alfred is waiting in the Cave's hangar when Batman lands the jet. He rushes onboard the moment Bruce opens the hatch and starts assessing injuries right away. Nightwing has defensive slashes on his arms from getting clipped by Diana's sword and his nose is broken from the hit he took to the face. Not many weapons are capable of penetrating Bat-grade suits but all of Diana's gear had been crafted by an actual god. Bruce would have to find a way to level the field before his team went up against Clark or Diana again. Wonder Woman had made short work of Batman's pupils while he was busy getting his ass kicked by Clark. Batgirl had been so badly concussed, they'd had trouble waking her at first. After she came round on the jet the Bat Family had to take turns yelling her name to keep her awake the entire flight back to Gotham. Huntress suffered a cracked rib at Diana's hands but pure adrenaline kept her fighting through the pain. Helena had taken one last shot after Wonder Woman put her down and her beloved crossbow paid the price. Diana crushed Helena's signature weapon right before her eyes with a boot like it was made from glass. Catwoman is scraped and bruised but somehow made it out mostly uninjured. Selina and Bruce help Alfred get the others upstairs so the butler can get to work patching up the young Bats' wounds. Once they're settled Bruce sneaks back down to the cave so he can get to work. He needed to get busy if he wanted his team to survive the battles ahead of them. Batman settles in behind his main computer and puts different news channels on some of the smaller screens. At the moment they aren't reporting anything he doesn't already know. The Bat opens a file containing schematics for weapons and suits that he'd hoped he would never have to build. Deep in his bones Batman had always known he would have to go up against the Justice League one day. Now that day had come and he has every intention of making sure his Bat children were equipped with nothing but the best.
"Aquaman is yet to make an appearance on the surface," a reporter says from one of the screens "His representatives tell us his intention is to keep Atlantis neutral."
"Nice Arthur," Batman grumbles without looking up from his work "You picked a hell of a time to be Switzerland."
"Talking to yourself?" It takes everything Bruce has to stay composed. Selina Kyle had snuck up on him while he was distracted. He quickly closes the file as Selina slinks forward and wraps her leather-clad arms around his shoulders.
"How are they?" Batman inquires about the others before she can ask what he's working on. The Cat spins his chair around to face her and plants her hands on the chair's arms, leaning over so she's at eye-level with Batman.
"Bruce," she says calmly "You've been hiding something from me for a very long time and now it's time to spill."
"All right Selina," he plays along "Turns out I unintentionally had a hand in the Suicide Squad's formation."
"How so?" Selina pretends to take the Bat's bait.
"I accepted leads from a tainted source," Bruce does his best to be vague "Next thing I know villains I locked up are being used as living weapons."
"Nice try," the Cat smirks "I knew you were working for the government when I heard Deadshot got busted."
"Damn it Selina," Bruce groans "Why don't you just tell me which secrets you've uncovered since I seem to be running out of them."
"I know you've been planning on proposing for ages," Selina traces a claw down his face "The ring is beautiful and yes by the way."
"Yes," Bruce echoes her "Have I finally caught the Catwoman for good this time?" He takes her hands in his and pulls Selina into his lap.
"Only if you tell me what you're hiding," Selina rests her face against Bruce's cheek "For real this time."
"Fine," Bruce's hand comes up to cup her cheek "I have a contingency plan for each member of the League."
"Bruce," Selina pulls back and looks into his eyes "Of course you do, you're the most paranoid guy I've ever met."
"That nose for secrets is going to get you killed one day." the Bat informs his maybe fiancee. Before Selina can pry any further, they both hear Superman's voice coming from each of the news channels Bruce had left on in the Cave. The lovers look up and see Superman holding a press conference on the White House lawn. The entire Justice League is standing in the frame behind him with the exception of Green Arrow and Black Canary.
"Enough is enough," Superman speaks with a burning intensity "From this day forward my Regime will decide how best to protect this world, we'll be shutting down your corrupt organizations and broken systems to build better ones in their places."
"Oh shit," The final part of Zatanna's prophecy becomes all too clear to Bruce "Don't do this Clark."
"Your governments and militaries are no longer needed," Superman looks straight into the camera "There will be a permanent global ceasefire we only seek to bring peace."
"What the fuck is he talking about," Selina watches Bruce closely "Can he even do that?"
"Crime and violence will no longer be tolerated, all violators past and present will be considered insurgents," Superman spreads his arms "My Regime will ensure justice reigns supreme above all else!"
"He already did," Bruce says absentmindedly "Justice has been lost."
"You knew this was coming," Catwoman sees the guilt written on his face "You've known for a long time, how?"
"I didn't know what would happen to Lois or Metropolis," Bruce finally confides in the Cat "Zatanna warned me a major threat was coming for the League, I had no way of knowing that threat would turn out to be the League itself."
"This is why you have to stop keeping secrets from me," Selina jerks out of Bruce's arms and stands up "I could've told you that your little club of demigods would eventually implode and take the world down with them!"
"You're judging my allies and choices," Bruce stands with enough force to send his computer chair rolling "Let's not forget we wouldn't be here if your former employer hadn't decided to fuck with Superman!"
"Oh hell no don't even go there," Selina points a clawed finger in Bruce's face "The Joker was content being a crime boss until you removed Harley from his life!"
"Of course you'd defend him even now," Bruce grabs her wrist and yanks the Cat closer, getting up in her face "I've never seen you be loyal to anyone but yourself except for when it came to your boss!"
"I watched his back so I could stab him in it if he ever tried to kill or out you," Selina slips out of the Bat's grip "I stayed on his crew to protect you until it killed me, or did the time I bled out in your arms slip your mind?"
"Of course not," Batman lowers his head, pained by the memory of that day "I know you, Selina and I know he means something more to you just help me understand why, please."
"I honestly don't know myself," the Cat reaches out for Batman's hand "I think maybe the three of us have been fighting for such a long time that our fates are bonded now and in a fucked-up way that makes us like a fucked-up family."
"A moving and disturbing sentiment," Batman takes Catwoman's hand and gets down on one knee "Selina Kyle, will you still marry me?"
"Only if you give me the damn ring right now." Selina grins as Batman produces it from his belt and slides the perfectly sized engagement ring onto her finger. The Cat drops to her knees and shares a kiss with her fiancee. Batman buries his fingers in her cropped hair and holds her face in his hands when the kiss ends.
"I love you so much Cat," Bruce tells her "I'm sorry I waited so long."
"Don't be stupid," Selina traces her claws down the back of his neck "Now, tell me all about those contingency plans to murder our friends so we can hurry up and get hitched."
Bruce kisses the Cat one more time before taking her hands and pulling her up to her feet with him. They settle behind the Cave's main computer together and Batman reopens the file of schematics. If Bruce had a therapist, they'd acknowledge this moment as a major breakthrough. He'd finally learned to trust someone other than himself with secrets. Unfortunately, Batman would always have more secrets and one of them comes calling at this exact moment. A transmission alert takes over the screen, beeping relentlessly. The source is encrypted but Bruce recognizes the code and instantly knows who is on the other end.
"Promise me you won't be angry." Bruce says calmly as the screen continues to beep and flash.
"I can't promise that." Selina furrows her brow, puzzled by his reaction.
"I'm going to pretend you did anyway," Bruce rubs his temples "Step back out of the frame, please." Selina isn't happy but she complies with his request, mostly due to her curiosity being piqued. Batman hits a key and the last person Selina expected to see ever again appears on the screen. Happy-go-lucky Raymond Palmer looks out from the screen with utter shock and disbelief on his square-jawed face.
"Batman," the Atom greets his friend "We've seen the timeline, we'll be back to help as soon as our current mission wraps."
"Good, it's all hands on deck here," Bruce rests his chin on a fist "Have you spoken to any of the others?"
"That's against this team's protocol," Raymond is a little thrown by the question "You know we only let the young ones call home."
"Speaking of," Bruce begins formulating a plan in his head "Is Damian behaving himself?"
"We had a minor mishap in Nazi Germany," Ray cringes visibly "Tim's working with him Red Robin's been a pleasure to-"
"Raymond," Bruce cuts him off "Tell me Damian didn't try to kill Hitler."
"Damian didn't try to kill Hitler?" Raymond had always been a terrible liar.
"I'd like to speak with him," Bruce's voice commands authority "And Tim, right away."
"Of course." The way Ray rushes off-screen is almost comedic. Catwoman takes this opportunity to mouth 'What the fuck?' at Batman but he just shakes his head. A few moments later Damian Wayne and Tim Drake's faces fill the screen. When Martian Manhunter came to Batman looking to recruit for an off-the-books time-travel team, Bruce felt it was time for the littlest Robin to leave the nest. Damian had learned all he could from Gotham and the father in Batman wanted to remove his child from such a dark setting. Bruce couldn't exactly turn his killer spawn loose on the timeline so he asked Tim Drake to take a hiatus from the Titans to accompany Damian. Tim was reluctant until he heard the words "time travel".
"Batman, I swear Germany was just a minor setback." Tim is clearly preparing himself to be yelled at by his mentor.
"I didn't even get to kill Hitler what's the big deal?" Damian remains nonplussed even in his father's presence.
"Can anyone else hear me?" Bruce asks.
"Just us." Tim instantly knows this isn't about Germany.
"Still have the communicator I gave you?" Batman would never send any of his family into a place like the Temporal Zone without a way to call home on a private channel, protocol be damned.
"Of course," both Robins know better than to lose a piece of Bat-tech "Why?" Tim asks.
"That ship cannot return to this time," Batman says gravely "Knock out communications and strand the ship until I say it's safe to return."
"What?" Is all Tim's able to say.
"Atom will fix the ship right away," Damian's evil little mind was already at work "Unless we trap him in a jar the next time he shrinks."
"Batman are you sure?" Tim is still wrapping his brain around working against the other heroes.
"If Clark is given access to time-travel he'll rip reality apart," Bruce points a finger at Damian "Do not do that to Ray under any circumstances, is that understood?"
"Yes, Batman," Damian lowers his head a tiny bit "We'll find another way."
"You really think Superman would create a paradox?" Tim asks.
"Once he saves Lois what's to stop him from going back to save his planet?" Bruce drives his point home.
"You're right this just seems so wrong," Tim admits "We won't fail you, Batman."
"The two of you are to stick together and look out for each other no matter what," Batman reminds them "Got it?"
"Yes, Batman." The Robins say in unison.
"Be careful," Bruce looks away from the screen "Batman out."
Bruce ends the call without truly saying goodbye to either of the youngest Bat children. He didn't want them worrying something might happen to him with such an important mission in their hands. Bruce rotates in the chair so he's facing Selina. She has her hands on her hips and the look on her face can only be described as pure, unadulterated rage. Bruce holds his hands up and says "You promised you wouldn't be mad."
"Oh don't even," Selina narrows her eyes "Time travel, Bruce, you kept another huge secret from me!"
"I couldn't tell you," Bruce stands up and takes a few steps toward Selina "If Damian wasn't a minor I wouldn't know about the time ship."
"Wait a minute," Selina holds up a clawed finger "Do any League members know about the time ship?"
"Just Black Canary," Bruce pauses "And Martian Manhunter."
"You better hope, wish, and pray the Martian feels the same way about time travel as you do," Selina walks away from him and starts up the stairs into the manor "Or we are fucked!"
Weeks later - Gotham
While Superman is busy bringing the governments of the world to heel, Batman and Alfred get to work modifying and upgrading the Bat Family's gear. They work day and night in the Batcave for weeks, all too aware it would be a matter of time before Clark Kent showed up. He knew Batman had a chunk of kryptonite in his possession. It was probably the last piece of kryptonite in existence. He'd given it to Bruce himself many years ago as a fail-safe should he ever be turned against the Justice League in any way. Bruce had always known darkness would creep into the League and he'd be forced to stop his friends. Even with all his skills of deduction he never once foresaw coming to love his students and allies like family or what that would mean for him when the time for this fight came. The need to protect his Bat Family drives Bruce like a man possessed. He blows through resources to purchase next-gen tech and materials. To better absorb super-strength blows he layers plates of titanium-dipped, tri-weave mesh armor over the Bat Family's kevlar suits. In Catwoman's case a new suit has to be constructed since her standard leather catsuits provided no protection whatsoever. The armor wouldn't save them from Diana's sword or being crushed with super strength but at least Batman wouldn't have to worry about any of his team members catching a bullet to the brain. Even Dick and Helena's suits are equipped with kevlar cowls. The new masks and cowls are hidden under leather hoods that match the purple and blue on their suits. Nightwing's Escrima Sticks receive a lethal voltage upgrade and isomorphic sensors that would electrocute anyone who thought they could turn the weapons on Batman's protege. For Huntress a fully automatic crossbow is built from the same indestructible polymer Dick's weapons are made of. Bruce personally outfits it with an electronic sniper's scope and a tiny screen that would allow Huntress to take targets from a few miles out. After recovering from her injuries, Batgirl insists on working alongside her mentor to help build ruthless weapons for singling out each League member. Using Batman's schematics, Barbara is able to improve upon the designs and shrink most of the weapons down into automated nano-tech. They make Alfred stay out of this process for his own safety. Once the weapons are complete the Bats scatter and hide the tech cleverly within the Family's suits and gear. When and if the need arose, Batman's children would be able to incapacitate any League member that attacked them. Except for Superman, Wonder Woman, and Hawkgirl. For Clark, Batman builds a kryptonite gun with every intention of ending his friend to free the world at first opportunity. He doesn't tell the rest of the team about it and decides he must be the one to wield it. Bruce can't have Superman targeting his progeny or fiancee to reclaim the kryptonite he'd forged into hollow-point bullets. As for Kendra and Diana, Bruce's plans were far more permanent and would require precise timing. For most of the Regime Bruce was able to devise non-lethal methods that would remove each member from the chess board when the time came. He allows his students to think this about the entire Regime. Bruce isn't ready to tell them he'd ultimately have to break his rule to end this threat. He tells himself and the others that the goal is to save Superman and the rest of the Regime from themselves.
"The Joker and Harley Quinn are still at large," the Bats keep the news on full-time in the Cave "It appears this newly formed Joker Gang is comprised of loyalists and loons."
"Lex Luthor has backed Superman's Regime," a reporter speaks from a different screen "Mr. Luthor will be working closely with Superman to root out the source of these super-pills."
When the Clowns disappeared from Gotham, their groupies and fanatics thought to fill that vacuum of chaos. The Joker Gang wasn't much of a threat but their existence certainly had Superman pissed off. Luckily the Man of Steel had his hands full putting down those fool enough to challenge his Regime's initial takeover. Several governments try and fail, buying time that Bruce was grateful for. Black Adam fights the Regime when they come to enforce the ceasefire in Kahndaq. It was truly disturbing to see a being so powerful defeated with such ease. The battle had been broadcast but no one knew if Black Adam died or was being held in the Regime's fabled prison with the rest of the villains. Not even Batman knew where this prison was located. He did have a hunch where the super-strength pills were coming from. Not long after the Regime was formed, reports of non-powered villains with super strength began cropping up all over the world. It didn't take a genius to figure out they were juicing and someone very pragmatic had to be cooking that juice. Batman had a feeling Lex Luthor was behind the green super-pills or maybe even the Joker himself, wherever he was. Catwoman had managed to score a small stash of the super-pills for the Family using her criminal contacts. Scarecrow sold her the last six he had on him, telling Selina he'd re-up in the next few days. That was weeks ago it seemed Crane had been captured or killed like most of the other villains. Batman hoped Green Arrow and Black Canary had made it to safety with Harley Quinn. The news continued to report them missing in action or at large in Harley's case. The Clown Princess would be a valuable chess piece later in the game when it came time to draw out Superman. For now Batman pushes his team to the limit, training them to go up against the powered heroes with tech, strength, and skill. When they're not sparring or out on patrol Batman gives lectures on each Regime member's weaknesses in the Batcave.
"So why can't we just cut the ring off Hal's finger?" Huntress leans back in her chair, bored.
"The ring has built-in defenses," Batman paces in front of a screen "Do not engage Green Lantern he won't pull punches."
"Then how do we take him down?" Barbara asks.
"You don't," Batman stops pacing and faces them "In his and Cyborg's cases I had to move quickly after meeting them, I could only implant their fail-safes by getting close."
"Damn Bruce," Nightwing takes a moment to absorb what his mentor is saying "So you buddied up to Lantern and Cyborg just to leave yourself a way to off them if they ever broke bad?"
"Not the point of this lecture," Bruce sighs "But yes that's a true statement."
"So are you going to tell us how to trigger these fail-safes?" Helena chimes back in.
"No," Bruce pauses "I'll be the one to decide when and if they need to be taken down."
"You're being a control freak," Nightwing snaps "What happens if you're dead and we need those triggers?"
"Cat has them," Bruce looks up at Selina, she's perched on a railing at the top of the staircase "If anything happens to me Selina knows what to do."
"You can't be serious," the words fly out of Barbara's mouth like bullets "If you die Catwoman is in charge?"
"That's right daddy's girl," Selina drops from her perch and lands on the table Barbara was sitting at, bringing the two face-to-face "Is that a problem for you?"
"Back off of her," Dick slams his hands down on his table as he stands "Bruce, this is ridiculous you've always planned on your successor being a Bat!"
"Damn I should've asked Alfred for popcorn," Helena says to herself as she watches the dispute escalate "Dinah's gonna be so bummed she missed this."
"Shut up and listen," Batman thunders at his progeny "Dick, should I fall you will take up the mantle of Batman and lead this team that was decided long ago."
"Then why does your fiancee have those triggers?" Barbara looks through Selina as she speaks, refusing to lose her composure. Selina hops down from the table she landed on and comes to stand by Batman.
"Selina has more experience fighting heroes than any of us," Bruce nods his head at the Cat "Should the worst happen I trust her to keep the rest of you alive through this fight."
"You're talking about lethal force," Nightwing levels his gaze with Bruce's "You want someone with no problem dropping bodies to call the shots if you can't."
"Well shit then why not me?" The Huntress is glad she stuck around. Things were finally starting to get interesting. She knew exactly how Bruce would respond too.
"Because your-" Bruce is interrupted by Helena.
"Huntress, your methods are too extreme," Helena mimics his Batman voice "I'm always too extreme until one of your asses needs some cover-fire."
"That's why we love you." Barbara cracks a grin at her fellow Bird of Prey.
Before the debate can continue, the Batcave's protocol for containing explosions triggers itself out of nowhere. Blast doors come down, sealing the main hub off from the manor, garage, and hangar. Then the power cuts out, plunging the Bat Family into darkness and the backup generators don't kick in. Killing the power wasn't part of the protocol. Someone with intimate knowledge of the Cave and manor was sabotaging them. Luckily, they'd come from patrol and are still suited up. While the Bat Family scramble to get their masks on, Selina takes a look around with her cat vision. She sees two tiny spots of light hovering around a perch she was fond of near the stairs. Catwoman pulls down her goggles and confirms her suspicions, Red Hood is in the Batcave with them. In spite of having fought him a few times before, the Bat Family know next to nothing about him. His body armor has a red Bat symbol across the chest and they'd never seen his face due to the high-tech red helmet he never takes off. What they do know is that he's obsessed with the Bat Family and targets criminals with lethal force, his weapons of choice are a pair of handguns and he seemed to never run out of knives in a fight. Selina draws her whip and waits for him to make a move. The Cat doesn't want him to start shooting before the Bats can trigger the night-vision in their masks.
"I heard rumors that Batman allows killers on his team now," the tech in Red Hood's helmet distorts his voice "I had to come see for myself."
"Then you must be here for me," Helena is thrilled at the opportunity to hunt with her new crossbow "Cat hasn't killed anyone since she was a kitten."
Batman disappears into the darkness and Red Hood is too engrossed with the Huntress to pursue. Batgirl uses Helena's distraction to fling flash-bang Batarangs at his perch. He draws his handguns and does a flip off the platform before they go off, almost as if he knew exactly how much time he had. Nightwing is waiting for him when he lands and the two go head-to-head. Huntress levels her crossbow and snarls in frustration when she can't secure a clean shot. Nightwing lands a spinning kick square in Red Hood's chest but instead of falling back he latches on to Dick's leg and buries a switchblade into one of the suit's few vulnerable spots on the back of the leg. Dick cries out more so from shock than pain and hits the ground to make a retreat, blood seeping from his wound.
"Stay down," Red Hood tells Nightwing as he rolls away "I didn't come to play with discount Batman."
"You have no right to wear that symbol!" Batgirl loses her temper and starts flinging shuriken Batarangs. She rushes to Dick's side and starts inspecting the stab wound, thinking Red Hood handled. The Batarangs had landed around Red Hood neatly forming a circle that would explode at any moment. Red Hood does a backflip, avoiding the first one to explode with ease. He waits exactly two seconds then does a one-handed cartwheel that clears him from the ring's blast radius. The shuriken explode behind him as his guns come up and aim at Huntress.
"I earned this symbol," Red Hood clicks off the safety on both guns "Where's yours?"
"Gee I dunno," Helena keeps him busy so Selina can stealth her way up behind him "I guess it never really worked with my outfit."
"It's a nice outfit," Red Hood and Huntress slowly circle each other "What's with the cross, are you some kind of Jesus person?"
"Raised Catholic," Huntress keeps her crossbow on him "How do you not know who I am?"
"Maybe I do," Red Hood's distorted laugh filters through his helmet "I know you're gorgeous under that mask, Helena!"
"Are you flirting with me?" Huntress is disturbed but she'd never let that show mid-battle.
Before Red Hood can respond, Catwoman jumps him from behind and gets her whip around his throat. Red Hood drops his guns and his hands come up at the last second, preventing the whip from choking him.
"Well if it isn't the Joker's employee of the month," Red Hood grips onto the whip and uses his body weight to flip Catwoman over his shoulder "Let's find out if you're as tricky to kill as they say!" He brings a boot down on Catwoman's throat, pinning her to the ground so he can retrieve his guns.
"Hold on don't get all excited," Huntress glances down at the crossbow's electronic scope "Or do I've been dying to shoot someone with this thing."
"That's what's wrong with all of you," Red Hood fires both guns twice, hitting Helena center-mast "You think you can fight crime with fear but what about the ones like me that aren't afraid?"
"Huntress!" Batgirl cries out. If not for the new suit Helena might've died but Red Hood didn't account for the pieces of plating over the kevlar. Helena curls up in a gasping ball of pain, completely winded.
"Well that's new," Red Hood adjusts his aim "It's cool guess I'll just have to shoot that mouth of yours."
Dick and Barbara are too far away to save Helena and the Cat is still pinned. Selina musters enough strength to claw at Red Hood's leg, distracting him until the lack of oxygen to her brain makes her vision start to go fuzzy. Just in time, Batman drops from the ceiling and shoots Red Hood point-blank with an EMP gun. The pulse fries Red Hood's helmet, blinding him and sending him stumbling back. Catwoman springs to her feet and lunges, she gets her arms around Red Hood's throat and squeezes until he finally goes down. Catwoman kicks his guns away and stands over him panting.
"Where the fuck have you been?" Selina yells at Batman. He catches her off-guard with what appears to be a sheepish look under his cowl.
"I couldn't find the EMP gun," Bruce crouches down by Helena and starts looking her over for injuries "Huntress, talk to us, are you hit?" Helena tries to say something but doesn't quite have her breath back yet. "What?" Batman still can't understand her.
"I said I should hit you!" Helena sits all the way up and yells before falling back onto her elbows.
"Yeah, you're fine," Batman pats Helena's knee "Batgirl, I need you on the power situation."
"Give me a sec," Barbara says calmly "Am I to understand that Nightwing got stabbed, Cat got choked, and Huntress got shot all while you were looking for that EMP gun?"
"Yes." Bruce recognizes the classic Gordon calm before the storm and prepares himself.
"All of us except for Cat carry EMP's," Batgirl's fury rises with her voice "You went looking for that one because you felt like using it, there's no other explanation!"
"That's not entirely true," Batman holds up the cannon-like gun "I wasn't certain the charges we carry would be strong enough to fry his helmet."
"Bullshit!" Batgirl throws up her hands and storms off to get to work on the power.
"You wanted to drop out of the darkness with that big gun because you thought it would look cool, didn't you?" Catwoman quietly asks her fiancee.
"Maybe," Batman mutters under his breath "Let's get our guest secured before he wakes up." Bruce removes a set of Bat-cuffs from his belt and quickly gets Red Hood's arms cuffed around a pipe. Catwoman pats him down and ends up finding a ridiculous amount of hidden blades in his armor. She goes to remove his helmet but Batman stops her. "Cat, don't!"
"Why the hell not?" Selina's hands fall away from Red Hood's helmet.
"Red Hood's methods are erratic," Batman crouches to take a closer look "I want to be damn sure that helmet's all the way disabled before we unmask him."
"Whatever, Batman," Selina stands up to walk away "He knew all of your Bat tricks, I think you're afraid you'll find a monster you created under there."
Author's note: So I wasn't going to continue posting this fic since it's technically over but somehow this story keeps getting new readers so here's the dealio, kiddos. The story I'm currently working on "We're a Broken People Now" started as a sequel to this fic. I made some minor changes so it could be a standalone story. I'm going to keep posting my new chapters to both stories. I apologize in advance for any contradictions or confusion. Thanks for reading.