Chapter 4
Flash sped back into the Watchtower's meeting room to report to the gathered Justice League. "I searched everywhere. They're gone." Superman stood up and said, "Then we need to search the city." "Clark," Flash sighed, "I did search the city. I searched the entire US. Batman and Joker are just… gone. There's no trace of them anywhere. Metropolis Prison showed no signs of where they might've gone. Camera feed was wiped and no one inside ever saw them walking out. It's possible that he used the JL teleporter, but Batman never lets that thing record where it sends him. He could be anywhere." "This is ridiculous!" Hal suddenly exclaimed. "The entire Justice League, the fastest, smartest, strongest people on Earth, and we can't find Batman?" No one answered, and Hal eventually deflated. "Fine, I get it. It's what he does." Suddenly, from the elevator, they heard a familiar voice say, "You don't need to find me. I'm right here." They all turned to see Batman walk calmly into the room to take his seat at the table. They were all shocked to see him wearing an unfamiliar suit, one that was all black and gray like his usual attire, but now also lined with red around the defining parts of the suit, such as around the bat-symbol and on the ears. They waited for him to sit down before Shazam cleared his throat and said, "Well, I'll bite. We've been searching for you for hours, Batman. Where have you been? Clark told us-" "-that I sent him here after visiting the Joker myself. That is correct," Batman said without emotion. "And?" Cyborg asked. "What happened after you sent me away, Bruce?" Superman asked. Bruce looked at him and answered, "I… lost faith in asylums, and with Arkham gone, he needed to be transferred anyway. I've moved Joker to a private facility. I spent years designing it. It's WayneTech, and he'll never escape this time. I'll be taking over the treatment of his illness from now on, and… I sent you away to keep you from finding him after I took him, Clark." Everyone in the room collectively let out a deep breath. Clearly, they had all been somewhat concerned by what Bruce might've done instead. Now, they not only knew that Joker was safely stashed away, but they could also hold out hope that they would never see him again. Bruce explained, "After what he did… This time, Joker went too far. I'm making sure that his madness will never escape and harm anyone ever again. I won't even tell the Justice League where he is. No one but me is going to know, so that I can guarantee that his new home has no weaknesses."
Bruce looked around and took a deep breath before saying, "Now, onto business." The JL looked around the table at each other and Diana said softly, "Bruce… after what just happened to Gotham… we all understand if you need some time away from work. Perhaps you should take some time away to console your family, spend some time with your kids and Alfred." Bruce shook his head and said firmly, "My family are strong, they'll be fine. My only real concern there is… Barbara, and I'm having Dick watch over her for now. I paid her a visit before coming here. She doesn't blame me, but she's still a bit damaged. Besides, now is the opposite of the time to be slowing down. That's the business I want to discuss, how to make sure that what happened to Gotham never happens again." The Justice League were amazed by how well Bruce was able to stay on his feet, but when he mentioned his intentions, they all leaned forward in interest. "First things first," Bruce said with authority, "I need Cyborg to call a press conference at the United Nations. I have to address the world about what happened in Gotham. While we wait for reporters to arrive, I want to get in touch with the Atom. Barry, you'll need to find him and bring him to me. I'll need Dr. Palmer's help to clear the radiation out of Gotham City. Clark, Shazam, and Hal, I want you to bring all Justice League members and reserves to New York. I want us to appear united at the UN. Diana, you're coming with me. Everyone clear?"
The Justice League were all surprised to hear the firmness in Batman's voice. Any lesser man would still be a broken mess after losing his home, let alone the city that he had sacrificed so much for, but Batman was no lesser man. This meeting was exactly like their usual mission briefing, with Batman giving orders so firmly that you just knew that his plan would work, even if you didn't know what the plan was. They all nodded in understanding, only comprehending that Batman wanted to help the world recover from the traumatizing event that had been Gotham City being completely annihilated. The Justice League individually took the teleporter to their assigned locations, and Bruce teleported himself and Diana into an unfamiliar desert. Diana looked to Bruce for explanation, but he simply gave her a certain direction to fly, so she grabbed his hand and flew the both of them in that particular direction. As they flew, Diana asked Bruce, "So, what are we doing here? Come to think of it, where is here?" Bruce glared ahead of them and responded, "Have you heard of Bialya?" Wonder Woman frowned, "It sounds familiar…" "It's the home country of the supervillain known as Queen Bee, but that's not important right now," Bruce told her. "Bialya is currently under siege, and not from another country. Bialya's president is ordering his army to fire on his own civilians. We're here to stop it." Wonder Woman looked down at him and commented, "Bruce, as much as I appreciate your wanting to stop such a terrible act, the Justice League does not interfere with personal or international affairs. That's just not what we do."
Bruce looked up at her and firmly said, "It's what we should do. When you came to Man's World, Diana, you were fighting wherever you were needed. You charged into a war and went wherever you had to in order to get the job done, because the war was all around the world." Diana nodded hesitantly and Bruce continued, "This incident with Joker has opened my eyes, Diana. Joker wasn't the only evil person in this world. His kind are everywhere, and so long as evil blankets the globe, our war is all around the world as well, so we need to go wherever we're needed, do whatever it takes, even kill the enemy. We shouldn't need to ask permission to help innocent people, and we certainly shouldn't take no for an answer." Diana was surprised to hear Bruce condone the use of murder to stop criminals, as he had always been Diana nodded in understanding and increased her speed, filled with resolve for Bruce's plan, finally understanding what this was all about; saving the world, even if it disagreed with them. As they flew over a town in Bialya that was under fire, Diana glared as she heard the terrified screams of women and children with rockets landing all around them. She looked down and met Bruce's eyes, and he told her, "Drop me on the president's front lawn, then come back and help these people. Once they're all safe, come back and pick me up. My conversation with the president won't take long." Diana smiled and nodded, then flew past the town to quickly drop off Bruce. They needed to hurry here. After all, Bruce had a speech to give.
A/N: With this chapter update, I want to warn you all that updates to this story may not be regular or even often, but as you'll see if you read my bio, I won't abandon any of my stories. Thank you all for reading this story, and while you're waiting for another chapter here, I might suggest reading one of my other stories, otherwise there're plenty of other sensational stories to be found!