Chapter 3
It had been a rough past few hours for Kristoff. One moment, he was waiting for his compensation from the strange man from the shop, and the next he was suddenly in a wide open area, with hundreds of others. He had been looking for someone he recognised, when he had spotted the girl from the shop. He had called out her name, but as he made his way to her, she disappeared. He was left very confused, but he kept looking around, until suddenly he felt himself being ripped from reality. The next moment, he entered a place that looked shiny, and clean, and looking out of a window, he saw a big blue orb. As he looked closely, he realised it was the Earth! It had to be, because surrounding the Earth was a blanket that looked just like the night sky. Was he in space? This was getting to be too much for him, and he quickly scanned the room for familiar faces. He couldn't find any, until he saw the princess and queen speaking to a group of strange looking people. They were wearing silly costumes, he thought, but they seemed to be in charge, or at least know what was going on. And as he tried to get their attention, they disappeared into thin air. He couldn't believe it. Where was Sven? Where was his compensation? And more importantly, where was he?
Kristoff had no idea on what to do but wait. He knew nobody in the huge crowd of people, and he decided to wait and see what would happen to them. After a while of waiting, he felt himself being engulfed in a light, and when he opened his closed eyes, for a moment, he thought he was in a dream world. There were tall buildings, taller than any towers he had ever seen. And the streets, they looked so clean, and everything was organised in a way he never imagined. He really couldn't believe it.
A few days passed, and Kristoff had been assigned to a home, away from the massive skyscrapers. It was a humble home, in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. He thought everything in it was very magical, not knowing what powered any of the devices, but didn't know for sure. Either way, he appreciated the gesture, but he had still not found Sven anywhere. He had asked around, and no one he encountered had heard of a reindeer named Sven. He felt devastated.
Some time after his rehabilitation, he heard knocking on his door. He opened it, and an odd looking woman came in.
"Hello, my name is Zatanna, and I've been sent by the Justice League to give an assessment on your psychological status," she greeted cheerfully.
"Thanks, I guess," Kristoff mumbled, letting her in.
"May I ask your name?" she inquired.
"Kristoff Bjorgman," he replied.
"Very well, Mr Bjorgman. Now, this next part requires cooperation on your part. I'm going to enter your mind, to see if anything's troubling you. Then, I will show you what troubles you, so we can reach an accord on how to proceed to help you manage with your new life. Do you agree to these terms?" she finished.
Kristoff thought it over, and came to the conclusion that nothing bad could happen, and maybe, when this was all over, he could ask her about Sven.
"Yes."
Zatanna put her hand on his head, and she was taken to Kristoff's memories. She saw him sneak up on the trolls as a young boy, and saw he was adopted by them. Zatanna saw his entire youth in only a few seconds, and when she got to his adulthood, she saw an easy-going man, who collected ice to sell it. She saw him meet the princess for the second time in his life, but this is where she experienced something she never had before. The vision split off into two visions. One was the one Barry had told them all about, but the second seemed to be one where he didn't appear. Maybe what an alternate timeline looked like. But in this one, instead of Barry being the one that took the princess to find her sister, it was instead the ice man. He had guided her to the top of the North Mountain, now accompanied by a living snowman, where it seemed the same version of events happened there. The princess was hit by the queen with magic, who was later caught in her castle by the prince from abroad, and the princess was rushed down to the trolls by Kristoff. He was instructed on what to do to save her by them, and he brought her to Arendelle, where he left her in the hands of the prince. The prince had almost succeeded in killing the princess, revealing his master plan to her as she was dying. But the snowman had found her, and saved her. As the prince informed the queen who had escaped her holding cell, he was about to strike her with his sword, when the dying princess stood in his way, and stopped him, freezing to death. Kristoff watched all of this unfold, as he had tried to get to her to save her, but she had choses to save her sister. However, she would be thawed by her queen sister, and Kristoff and the princess would lead a happy life together. And now, Zatanna could see what troubled him. His trusted reindeer, the one he called Sven, was gone, and his 'alternate future', which he didn't know about, was also gone.
Zatanna stumbled as she returned to reality, and Kristoff just stood there, not knowing what she saw. She didn't know this man was so important, and she wasn't sure on what to do now. Should she go to the Justice League and inform them? Should she inform Kristoff about what might have been? No, this was too big, bigger than her, and she would first contact Batman for his opinion. After all, he was the world's greatest detective, and maybe he could pick up something she had missed.
"Is everything fine, ma'am?" Kristoff asked, a little concerned about her reaction.
"Yes! Everything's swell," she responded, nervously. "Listen, there's something I need to report to my superiors, is it alright if I return later, or perhaps tomorrow?"
"Sure, whatever works for you. I've got all the time in the world," he muttered.
Zatanna gave him a handshake, and quickly left his home. She teleported back to the Watchtower, where she would contact Batman for further investigation.
Bruce Wayne had been investigating the Killer Croc case on the Batcomputer, when he received a call from a Justice League member. He was annoyed, as he had made sure everyone knew to only use it in grave situations.
"Zatanna to Batman," he heard over his comms. "Do you read me?"
"Loud and clear," came his rough response.
"Listen, Bruce, can we talk somewhere in private?" she asked.
"What do you have in-" He was cut off by a light that illuminated the cave for a brief moment.
"I had to contact you right away, and in person," she said, anxiously.
"This couldn't wait?" he questioned, irritated.
"I was looking into the mind of one of the guys from Arendelle, for his psychological assessment," she started, "When I saw something in his mind that I have never seen before."
"Which was?"
"I saw two versions of the same event," she explained.
Batman raised an eyebrow, but let her go on.
"In the first, I saw what Barry told us," she continued, "But in the second one, I saw what I believe could be what might have been, had Barry not interfered."
This was not what he was expecting to hear.
"Any idea why he triggered this vision in you?" he probed.
"Well, it seems the man who I used was someone Barry interacted with in the past. His name is Kristoff Bjorgman, and-"
"I know of him. Allen told me enough," he told her. "It seems to me that if Allen hadn't interfered, then Kristoff would have followed suit in his footsteps."
"You're probably right Batman," she concluded. "What should I do?"
"Treat him as a normal patient, but don't mention his reindeer. This will only make his condition worse, and don't mention the alternate path he could have gone down. And next time, go to a psychologist," he assessed.
"Alright Batman, thanks. I'll catch you later." She departed from the Batcave, through one of the secret exits.
Batman knew that if the truth ever reached Kristoff of what might have been for him, he might cause some unwanted problems. He would have to monitor the man, closely. But not today. Today he had another problem to deal with.
Elsa had been reading a book on botany, when she heard knocking at the door. She got off her bed, and opened the door.
"We have work to do," Batman stated bluntly.
Elsa looked surprised. This was a man who was very straightforward.
"Sure," she returned. "But, what may I call you?"
"I," he answered, "Am Batman."
Batman, she thought. What a strange name. Was he a man and a bat? Could he fly like one? He certainly looked formidable, and maybe like something out of a bed-night story, intended to make children fear.
He left her alone, and Elsa returned the book to its bookshelf. She would have to pick it up another time.
She entered the Batcave for the first time since she had been brought there.
"What are we going to do?" she asked, not knowing what to expect.
"We'll start with a simple enough exercise. I want you to show me your powers again," Batman ordered her.
"No, no I can't," she stuttered, and took a step back. "I can't." The only reason she had done it before was because she was pressured by her sister, and the speedster had been there, which she was sure could bring her down in the case of an accident. This man, however, she didn't know, or understand.
"You have to. You start now, in a safe environment, or you start later, when there's danger that requires your powers." She thought he had a point, but didn't want to risk his life, or her own.
Batman knew she wouldn't use them willingly, so he rapidly grabbed something from his utility belt, and then, Elsa saw a black shape flying towards her. She covered her head with her hands, and when she looked up, there was a wall of ice between her and the object, protecting her.
"Hmm," he grunted.
Batman walked up to the wall, and Elsa prepared herself from another attack by him. But he just picked off a chunk of the ice, and put it in a bag, which he then walked over to a safe of sorts, put it in, and locked it.
"I also needed a sample of your ice 'constructs'," Batman informed her.
"So you just tricked me?" she stated, a little annoyed.
"You wouldn't have willingly let me," he said.
She knew he was right, but it still irked her. To her, it seemed he would do anything to get what he wanted, no matter the cost.
"Even though I have the ice powers, it looks to me as if you're the colder one," she voiced.
This seemed to strike a chord, and Batman grabbed something else from his belt, and threw it at her. This time, before she could use her magic, the little bombs went off, and released shards of a material she didn't realise. But it grabbed onto her hands, almost magically, and formed a sort of glove around both hands. She tried to use her powers to get free, but felt a jolt of electricity as soon as she did. He looked at her, and she thought he was about to kill her.
"When I was 8, my parents were killed in front of my eyes by a criminal. Seeing someone so close to you leave you so soon, it changes you. It makes you into something no one should ever have to become. My mission, my war on crime, it's all based on that event. Making sure that no one has to go through that," he detailed, grimly. Elsa was taken aback. She felt speechless.
"So forgive me if I do things that most wouldn't. I do what I deem is right, for the well-being of Gotham, my city. My home."
The material that had formed gloves suddenly fell to the ground, and then flew back to Batman's belt.
Elsa didn't know what to say. He had just 'turned off' her powers! He had already figured out a way to incapacitate her? But also... She had gone through something similar, though admittedly, not at such a young age. She had told her parents farewell only a few years back, before they journeyed into the stormy seas, never to be seen again. But the Batman's story... She had had somewhat of a childhood. Maybe not a normal one, but she knew her parents, and had enjoyed time with them. This man had only lived a short while with his own parents. He was a hardened, cold man who looked to have shut himself in from others. Something that intrigued her, very much.
"You're going to demonstrate your powers, until you can use them with control," he instructed her, as he adjusted his gauntlets. She had no choice but to obey. Maybe, however, she would finally master what she had feared for so long.
"This is Batman. Security Level Omega. Password: DeltaCharlie-27-5-1939. Enable new protocol. Agamemno Contingency, file code name 'Khione'. The introduction of people from other times in our own has happened before, Jonah Hex being a prime example. However, an entire population from the past has been displaced in our time. One particular member of the population, a young woman named Elsa, has shown she possesses magic, with the ability to control ice and snow. This particular set of power, an elemental force, has been seen before, an example being the queen of Atlantis, Mera, who herself uses water magic. However, Elsa has no control over her power, as her display today proved. This makes her possibly more dangerous than we have seen, as of yet. Additional analysis into a blood sample from her has provided no insight into the inner workings of her magic. Red and white blood cell counts are normal. Nothing unusual about her blood's composition has been detected. Another examination, this time on a section of ice she conjured, only turned out to be regular, frozen water. Early testing proves it possible for her to be immobilized by blocking her hands with conductive metal gloves, rendering her magic ineffective if given a jolt of energy. Further testing required to assess a final contingency to permanently put her down. End file recording."
They had been working on Elsa's magic for an hour, before Bruce Wayne had been called by the mayor of Gotham for help with a fundraiser. She only knew he had other business, and didn't question it. Batman had noticed that she had seemed very timid while using her powers. She thought of them as a curse, bringing nothing good, and only destruction. But the detective knew how much of an asset she could prove to be. Her power had not been measured, and her limits were unknown, if there were any. His tests had only brought inconclusive results, and he knew he would have to contact a magic user for help.
Now, during the night, is when the Batman emerged from the shadows, and into the moonlight. Though he felt a little bad for the former queen for locking her in a room underground for most of the day, he knew it was necessary. He had thought of letting her on the Watchtower, where it wouldn't just be a small room, but he wasn't so sure it was a good idea. He would have to consult Alfred about this.
"Master Bruce?" It was Alfred over the comms.
"What is it, Alfred?"
"It seems Killer Croc has returned to the site of your most recent defeat." The Gotham City Bank.
"I'm on my way," he replied, and he geared up, ready to take down the being of his latest loss.
As Batman rode in the Batmobile, he pondered the reason for why the criminal had left him alive. Most likely, he wanted Batman to suffer the most he could. After all, revenge makes you a monster, and Batman knew that far too well.
Upon nearing the bank, The Caped Crusader noticed no sign of the villain, but there were clear signs of forced entry into the bank, again. It had been under restoration since their last battle, but now, the barriers were gone, and the doors had visibly been smashed.
The thunderous footsteps of the beast only alerted Batman to his presence, and it seemed a rematch would take place. But as Batman looked closely at Killer Croc, he noticed he had a hostage. This was going to be more than just another fight.
"Leave the woman, Croc," warned Batman.
"Or what? What will you do?" roared the monster.
"What do you want?" Batman questioned.
"I want to kill you, Batman. You killed someone very close to my heart, and now, my revenge is in order," Killer Croc boomed.
"Just let her go," Batman said, almost pleadingly, as he walked towards him, slowly, and cautiously.
As the Batman neared Killer Croc, he threw the woman into a cage a fair distance away.
"You touch me, and the cage will explode. That simple. If you want her alive, you'll do as I say," he threatened.
The Dark Knight now stood in front of him, and he was twitching his hand to find the EMP bomb in his utility belt, behind his cape.
"I know your tricks, Batman, which is why I won't take chances with you," he said, and suddenly grabbed him by his legs, and carried him in the air.
The Batman was having trouble freeing himself from the beast's grip, when suddenly, he was thrown into the ground, and Killer Croc stepped on him to secure him. He pulled out a pointed piece of metal, and held it like a dagger.
"This is the same weapon you had that demon use to kill her. Poetic justice," he growled, and he thrusted it into Gotham's protector. Batman cried out in pain, and before losing consciousness, he pressed the button on the teleporter to get him back to the cave, something he would never do under almost any circumstances.
"Doesn't matter where you run, Batman. You will die," Killer Croc said, before disappearing into the city jungle.
Alfred had heard a thud in the cave, and had rushed down, afraid that Elsa had somehow escaped her room, and was causing trouble. As soon as he entered, however, he was proven wrong.
"Bruce! What have you done?!" Alfred was panicking. The fright in his voice was clear, and his entire body was trembling. The Batman was laying on the floor of the cave, and was struggling to move even his head.
"The woman," Bruce groaned weakly, as Alfred approached. "The woman."
Alfred helped him onto the exam table, this time fearing it would be the last time he would ever need it.
"Alfred, the woman. Help," he choked out. He was losing blood, and it wouldn't be long before he was gone.
Although he was referring to the woman who had been thrown into the cage only moments ago, Alfred didn't understand this, and thought he meant Elsa. He knew there wouldn't be much more he could do for him, and most heroes that could save his life were off world. Alfred knocked on the door to Elsa's room, and she opened it.
"Batman?" she asked, surprised he was only an old man.
"No, my dear, I'm afraid he's about to pass. He's asking for you." Alfred's voice almost broke, and he gestured his hand towards him. Elsa was confused, and as she made her way towards him, she saw the blood.
"What- What happened?!" she cried out, as she ran to him.
"Alfred," he said, through gritted teeth, "The- The woman. Croc, cage."
Alfred realised what he was referring to, and quickly skimmed the police channels. He heard one of them mention the woman being released from the cage, and he went back to Batman.
"She's fine," he said, nodding.
"Then, my time, is over." He got it out, and went limp, eyes closed.
Elsa had been crying this entire time, amazed that he had managed to ignore her during his conversation with Alfred, and now held his head in her arms. She embraced him in a hug, and rested her hand over his wound.
Alfred kept looking, a single tear rolling down his cheek, in disbelief, that a man he considered as his own son, was gone. He had outlived the young boy he had helped for so long. However, he let out a small gasp, when her hand which rested on the wound suddenly started to shine, and then, there was a bright light being emitted from her hands. All of a sudden, Batman rose, eyes wide open, and started gasping for air. Elsa looked up at him, and cleared her eyes.
"You're alive?" she whispered.
Batman looked down at himself. The wound was gone! She had healed him from his death inflicting injury, and now, he was in utter disbelief.
"You... You saved me," he uttered, softly.
Elsa looked at her own hands, also in shock.
"Yeah, I think I did," she said, almost inaudible.
"I need you to return to your room," he ordered, acting like nothing had just happened.
"Well wait, don't you need me? For your tests," she said quickly.
He squinted at her, and gave his answer. "No." She couldn't believe him! She had just saved his life, and he hadn't even said 'Thank you'? She felt confused, and angry, and walked back into her room.
Alfred looked as if he was about to fall over, and finally had the courage to say something. "Master Bruce, I thought I had lost you!", and Alfred moved towards him, to see if it really was him, or if this was a dream he was having.
"Alfred, I'm fine," Batman grunted, as he was checking the Batcomputer, checking his own vitals. He wanted to know if he had died, and had been resuscitated, or if she had only healed the wound.
"Master Bruce, you can't shrug this off as if it were another mere encounter with a petty criminal! I almost witnessed your death, and there was nothing I could do! The only reason you're alive is because of her!" Alfred sounded angrier than Bruce had ever heard.
"Alfred, I appreciate everything, I really do, but at this moment, I need to focus on what just happened. Once I know, I'll let you know, alright?" he replied.
"I'm going to take a rest," Alfred muttered. Bruce could see this was troubling him more than it was himself, and he wanted nothing but Alfred to not have to worry about him. Unfortunately for him, Gotham would need its dark protector, even past his death.
"Open File 'Khione Contingency'. Add new details. Today, I was defeated by Killer Croc. Laying on my deathbed, the former queen appeared in my vision, and as my eyes closed for the last time, I felt a surge of life in me. I looked around, and her hand, which was placed on my wound, when removed, showed it to be gone. This leads me to believe she possesses healing abilities, and not light ones. The power to heal fatal wounds seems to have remained dormant until now, and further analysis in footage from the cave cameras, synced with my own vitals from my Batsuit proves that I never died. For now, I don't know if she has the ability to raise the death, but I highly doubt it. Conclusion: Subject in file can not only control ice and snow, but also can heal injuries, or at least fatal ones. End file recording."
Batman had been studying the video from the cameras, and trying to assess what had happened. He had just seen himself on the verge of death, knocking at its door, but thanks to Elsa, he was still alive. He was uneasy at that, considering that magic usually had a cost, and a high one. He had seen this multiple times with other magic users, and he didn't know what might possibly happen to him in the near future. Batman had one option: contact Zatanna. She was the only with magical abilities he was on speaking terms with.
"Zatanna, do you read me?" he asked through the comms.
"I'm here," she responded, a moment later.
"Bruce, I was actually going to contact you. We have a problem."
