A/N: This chapter is inspired from watching the episode in the Harley Quinn TV series. Season 3 Episode 8 "Batman Begins Forever". This episode is about Harley Quinn and the group accessing Bruce's brain. But the experience made Harley get trapped in a loop of Batman's memories and Harley Quinn was forced to run with the kid Bruce Wayne away from Joe Chill. Though the Harley Quinn show is a dark comedy show, it did have moments I enjoyed.
Enjoy reading the chapter (:
Transferred into Bruce's mind, everyone arrived at an area of nothingness. The Justice Leaguers wondered where they are because they are not in the Watchtower, and they're not any place in planet Kaiba.
"Everyone okay?", Zelda asked.
"Getting into someone's mind is an unpleasant experience.", Nightwing remarked. He turns to Zelda. "Nevertheless, I'm good.". He glances Zatanna, Wonder Woman and Superman. They are all right too.
"Where are we?", Superman asked. As he looks around, his question is answered: everyone saw a man and a woman. They seem to be enveloped in dark mist. "They're in trouble.". Superman goes to help them.
Zelda stopped Superman by telling him. "It's a memory. You can't save them. This is part of his story to become the Chosen One.", Zelda said sadly.
"The Chosen One?", Wonder Woman wonders.
"Mom! Dad!"
A voice was calling out in the dark mist. The League and the Queen perceived with sight a boy dawdling in the dark mist. The League thinks the boy is searching for his parents.
"Bruce! Don't go any further! It's dangerous! If you can see the ship, go there!", the woman shouted.
"Bruce? Bruce Wayne?!", Zatanna exclaimed.
"Yes.", Zelda confirmed.
"Which means...", Superman realized.
"Yes. The man and woman are his parents: Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne.", Zelda said.
"Histories have never stated the Wayne family experienced an enormous tornado in black. We only know them as a wealthy family in Gotham City", Zatanna said.
"Part of it is true. But the rest are hidden. The family never originated in planet Kaiba. Their specie was never Hyliansapiens.", Zelda revealed. Everyone is astounded learning this fact.
"I'm not... I'M NOT LEAVING YOU!", kid Bruce Wayne said coming to his parents. As soon as he reached them, he held their hands and tries taking them to safety.
"No, Bruce! Your mother and I wanted you to-!"
"Don't worry, father!", Bruce interrupts his dad. "We're gonna be fine. And I told you both... I'm not leaving you.".
The boys' words made the Justice League and Zelda sympathize with Bruce.
Out of nowhere, a figure in dark robes confronted the Waynes. It pulled out a weapon created from the Force he wields signifying his intentions. He wants to kill them.
"Bruce, run!", Thomas Wayne told his son.
"No, I can't leave you!"
Martha uses telekinesis to push the Dark Lord away giving her time to speak with her son for one last time. The mother collapsed to her knees due to her weakened body. But she had little strength to put two hands all over little Bruce. "Son, our time has come to an end. Our future ends here. It is time for you to let go.", Martha said softly.
"I can stop him. Watch me. You taught me-"
"Listen to me, Bruce. You can't be here. He will hunt you too and your chances of escaping is minimal. Now be brave. And don't look back. Don't look back. We will always be with you.", Martha said tearfully. Bruce is shocked she is asking him to leave them die. "GO!". Her shout finally made Bruce run away.
Bruce looked back at his parents. The long distance has caused Bruce to sight the dark mist starting to cover his parents' bodies. But he still sees them. He can see the Dark Lord appearing to his parents. He had a weapon that could shoot energy blasts. With two shots, Bruce saw his parents killed by the Dark Lord. Bruce closes his eyes tightly, and runs far away, as far away as he can from the Dark Lord.
It pained everyone to watch Batman's tragic past. No one had seen a tragedy as worse as Bruce's. He is an orphan.
Suddenly, the entire memory repeats itself. It came unexpected for everyone except Zelda. They watched multiple times Bruce trying to help his parents, encounters a Dark Lord, and witnesses his parents' deaths.
"Why is this happening?", Superman asking about the memory of the event is looping. Despite walking away, they see the memory is showing in all places.
"Bruce has... blocked out all his memories except this one.", Zelda explained in a sad manner.
"Oh...", Superman is speechless.
Zelda raises her hand as she uses the Force to suddenly change everything around him into a cave.
"Where are we now?", Nightwing asked.
"Forcecaves.", Zelda answered. "When we are born, there is a Force that flows in every specie. Kryptonians, Hyliansapiens, Dominators, Apokoliptians, Bizarros, Almeracians, regardless of any specie, they live with flow of the Force. It's the reason why every part of us functions.".
"So, you're saying this Force is within us?", Superman said.
"Yes. But neither of you are Force-sensitive...", Zelda said. She glances Zatanna. "...except Zatanna.".
"Can you repeat that again because I could've sworn you said Zatanna is Force-sensitive.", Nightwing is surprised.
Every Leaguer turned to Zatanna. "It's true. I am Force-sensitive.", she said. She demonstrates by showing the energy covering her hands. "This is Force energy. Never really showed because I've been trying to keep it a secret. Now my secret's out, thanks a lot, Zelda.".
Zelda smiled weakly as though amused.
"So... Bruce knows too?", Nightwing asked.
"Did you really think everything in Bruce's past is a lie?", Zatanna said rhetorically. "Of course, we met-".
"Another time, Zatanna.", Wonder Woman reminds Zatanna they have Bruce to worry about.
"Oh, right, sorry."
Nightwing looks at the memories displayed in screen view. One memory shows little Bruce at the age of 8 speaking with the Jedi Council. Another memory shows Bruce becoming Obi-Wan's Padawan. Another memory shows a young woman, Princess Zelda, giving a speech to Bruce during the ceremony as he is being ranked to Jedi Knighthood. The last glance Nightwing gives is a memory of Zelda and Bruce not getting along at their young age.
"Forcecaves, is there a reason why we're here?", Wonder Woman asked.
"There is a ripple in the Forcecaves. If it continues, Bruce might forever be in a coma.", Zelda said. After that, a tremor occurred causing an enormous light to illuminate everyone.
As the light fades, everyone find themselves in a seeming battlefield. Creatures and Dark Lords beaten though not killed. There are droids smashed or destroyed. Whoever defeated them is very powerful. Zelda, Superman, Wonder Woman, Zatanna and Nightwing turned to discover a girl and a boy sitting together. The girl is tending to the boy's wounds.
"That looks like...", Zatanna recognised the black-haired boy.
"Bruce.", Superman said.
"Who's the girl?", Wonder Woman asked.
"Me.", Zelda answered. Everyone turned to him with a surprise and confusion. She understood why Wonder Woman asks because currently she has pink skin and pinkish-red. "That was me when I had not mastered the power of the Force. My skin used to be white, and my hair was blonde.".
"So what is this you are in now, you're true form?", Superman asked.
"My true form with mastery of the Force.", Zelda answered.
Everyone hears the younger Zelda talking to the younger Bruce.
"That cut doesn't look too bad, actually.", Zelda said as she finishes tending to the boy's wounds. This was a difficult battle for him, but he managed to overcome it. "You're fine for now.".
Bruce looks at her finally. He continues to remain quiet even though he listens to the princess.
Zelda fears Bruce has never thought about caution preferring to go reckless to achieve his goals. "But you know, there's a fine line between courage and recklessness. As brave as you are, that does not make you immortal.", the princess reminded him. She does want to see Skywalker die.
"Regardless of how many troopers he lost, he refused to run away. He fought, bloodied, bruised, came for soldiers that would usually have been abandoned by Jedi Generals. He didn't.", Zelda said to Superman, Nightwing and Wonder Woman.
"Typical of him.", Zatanna remarked remembering his past with Bruce.
Zelda and Bruce stand up and walk over to the last Clone Trooper that survived because of Bruce Skywalker's efforts.
"General Skywalker? You came for me? You could've ran with Princess Zelda. Why me?", Clone Trooper Rex asked.
Bruce lowered his head thinking about the past. "Because it should have been me who went in the first place. You should've escorted the princess to safety. A true leader always leads from the front.", Bruce finally spoke after a long time of hiding away his voice.
It astounded Zelda. Bruce never spoke. What triggered him to speak?
"This was the first time I heard Bruce's voice.", Zelda revealed.
"Well he always seemed the quiet type.", Superman recalled. "Only talks when it's important.".
"I used to think Bruce's silence is due to his resentment toward me. It was a flaw assumption. He never died. The burdens he carried in years of getting involved in wars has made him outwardly cold and silent. But deep inside, he was always a kind person.", Zelda said.
Bruce and Zelda helped Rex to lean on them, They look over the unconscious bodies piled everywhere. "It seems that, not only is the frequency of these types of attacks on the rise but the scale of creatures, Dark Lords and droids we are facing is intensifying as well.", she said. "I fear that- I fear that the Clone Wars will be never-ending regardless of our attempts to end it.". Zelda turns to Bruce. "And, if that's the case, if the war intensifies, I'm ready to expect the worst. We'll need to make preparations as soon as possible.". After Zelda finished talking, the survivors of this battle proceed to walk away from the battlefield.
"The Clone Wars was intensifying to the point it was impossible to bring an end to it. Thousands of Jedi Knights, millions of Clone Troopers whether it's trained or untrained, their efforts were always wasted.", Zelda said, watching her past self, Bruce's past self and Rex's past self walking while the darkness is bound to shut the light over them. "It was how I started to develop caring for Bruce... even... the beginning of a romantic relationship.".
Suddenly the environment around present Zelda, Wonder Woman, Nightwing and Superman changed. They now sight a memory involving the same people: Bruce Skywalker, Princess Zelda and Clone Trooper Rex sitting together by the campfire.
"Rex, how is your legs?", Zelda asked. The Clone Trooper was heavily injured from the battle.
"A little hurt. It won't take that long.", the Clone Trooper assured her.
"Take as much time you need. It is not the end of the Universe.", Zelda said. She afterward turn to Bruce who gazes the skies covered with darkness.
"You've been looking at the skies for almost half hour.", Zelda commented. Bruce did not turn. He heard Zelda talking to him. "The method you use is calling through the Force waiting for someone to collect us. A sensible and only choice, but a risky one. You could summon thousands of Dark Lords on our tail. But there is nothing we can do really.". Zelda lowers her head, expecting Bruce's silence.
"I believe in miracles.", the Jedi Knight Skywalker finally said.
Zelda looks at him with a surprise. He spoke again. Why only her and Rex? Why didn't he speak when he meets the Jedi Council or his enemies?
"After a while staying the campfire, the Republic brought a ship to collect us.", the present Zelda said. "We were taken to safety. But this memorial day reminded us to always stick together.".
Nightwing remembered when the Team was created involving a group of young superheroes assigned to undertake covert operations on behalf of the Justice League, it was Batman who suggested creating the Team after observing Dick Grayson's teamwork with Kid Flash (Wally West), Aqualad and Superboy. Bruce, did you really create this Team because you wanted us to stick together?, Dick thought. If this is true, Dick Grayson never understood Bruce at all. The persona of Bruce Wayne and Batman was all a guise.
Just then, the place began to tremble. Afterward, the League and Zelda get transferred to a different memory.
"Uh... did you do that?", Nightwing asked.
"No.", Zelda said.
They are at the base of a lodge rising on the beautiful island in the middle of the lake.
Zelda instantly remembered this. Soon everyone heard footsteps. They turned. A younger Bruce and a younger Zelda are seen.
Bruce and Zelda walk up the stairs from where the aircraft is parked onto a terrace overlooking a lovely decorative ground. They stop at the balustrade. Zelda looks out across the grounds to the shimmering lake and the mountains rising beyond. Bruce looks at her.
"When I was little, we used to come here for school retreat. See that island? It's where I constantly tried to learn to use my powers. I was taught by Albus Dumbledore, but his teachings could not help me master the Force. And so I had stopped despite my father's wishes I should continue.", said Zelda. She feels Bruce touching her hand.
"Nothing is... easy... Princess. It takes... time.", Bruce said. He had troubles mastering the Force. He is a long way from completing his mastery. But he is able to wield the Force to the point he was considered ready to be a Jedi Knight.
"I've tried..."
"If you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything."
They look into each other's eyes. They realized their faces are close to one another. They could not suppress the urge they have of doing this. They desired it. But they are prevented by their position.
Bruce moves away feeling disappointed with himself. Zelda tried to stop him but he was far gone.
"Forgot he had another girlfriend?", Nightwing asked.
"No, it's our duties. In Bruce's case, it's the Jedi Code. He is not allowed to have close attachments. In other words, he cannot love. Having close attachments would cause a Jedi to fall into the darkness and never come back.", Zelda explained.
"Let me guess, you two never stopped expressing love.", Superman said.
"It remained.", Zelda said.
The entire place unexpectedly changed as they transfer to another memory. In this memory, Zelda and the Leaguers see the Jedi Knight and the Princess involved in a mission in another planet. They are with an army of Clone Troopers called the 501st Legion.
"An army of soldiers commanded by Bruce Wayne.", Nightwing remarked.
"One of the planets in this Universe called for the Republic to save them from an army we had been in war with for years: the Separatists.", Zelda said. Everyone sees Bruce, Zelda and Rex planning together. "In many battles, myself, Obi-Wan, Bruce and Clone Trooper Rex worked closely together, we were so effective that we defeated the armies in various worlds.".
"Bruce was the key to ending battles, wasn't he?", Nightwing asked.
"Yes.", Zelda answered.
Another memory takes them to sight Bruce and Zelda an year older.
"The years of Bruce and I together closely finally made us embrace our love.", Zelda said as she sees the memory: her past self and the younger Bruce kissing in Zelda's bedroom before making love. "This choice was something that needed to be kept a secret from everyone.".
"Did anyone find out about you two having a relationship?", Superman asked. "Out of curiosity.".
Zelda thought about the people who knew about their relationship. "My sister Ahsoka, the Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Clone Trooper Rex.", she answered. Zelda turned to Superman. "Obi-Wan and Rex were involved in our wedding.".
Everyone gets suddenly carried to the memory of Bruce and Zelda's wedding.
Bruce and Zelda kiss.
This is perhaps the happiest moment the Justice League saw in Bruce.
"Yes... isn't it cute?"
A voice of a child caused Justice Leaguers and Queen Zelda to turn to the voice. They are in astonishment when they saw a black-haired boy. They recognised him, the same boy from whom they saw at the memory of Bruce's parents killed by the figure in dark robes.
"Every happy moment. Eventually my life is filled with tragedy despair.", the boy said.
"Bruce?", Wonder Woman wonders if it's him.
Zelda knew this is the young Bruce. It seems Bruce has finally shown himself, but in kid form.
A/N: The adventures of Zelda and the Justice League inside Bruce's memories continue in the next chapter (:
I know in comics the death of Batman's parents happened at Crime Alley where they were shot by Joe Chill. I wanted to change the origins of Batman to meld his origins with Anakin Skywalker's origins because Batman is made in this timeline to be a Force-sensitive who is prophesised to bring peace to the Multiverse.