Metropolis
Claire and Bruce teleported to Metropolis from Gotham, sauntering to the edges of a rooftop whilst seeing flying vehicles which almost gave Bruce the impression they were on Coruscant.
"Claire, I know Metropolis seats deadly threats on par with Superman's handling, I don't see the reason why we're here", Bruce said mildly.
"2 weeks ago, an old enemy of the Justice League resurfaced, after not being seen for decades following peace and justice's restoration", Claire explained. She positions a foot on the ledge as she carries a measured glance at what's bound to show up in due time. "He was once known as Lex Luthor hellbent setting forth a new order using nuclear weapons. Since you stopped him and his evil ways, Lex went off the radar until this year, he went by the name Apex Lex, blackmailing retired criminals to do his bidding, and gaining new powers along the way: trying to disturb the peace and justice you created".
Both of them heard a crash, bringing their eyes down the street where they perceived a white-skinned bald man in green armour with a ragged purple cape, where they saw him slammed at a light pole, where they saw him bled very much.
"Lex Luthor?", Bruce said, recognising his face.
"Yep", Claire said mildly. "Won't be a pleasant parade for him".
Bruce assumed Claire's comment implies Superman went very violent. He was wrong when he noticed the man Apex Lex battles isn't Superman.
Apex Lex groaned intensely. He slow motioned an elevation in the head; an individual surpassing him in strength and speed. He was far brutal than he realised. He instantly spat blood out after bearing a tremendous hit in the abdomen. He felt a huge tremor in Metropolis because of getting hit at the pole. The impact of his fist courses a fierce agony throbbing despite Lex gritting his teeth to bear it. "Damn you!", Lex snarled, watching the figure emerging from the smoke from that building he flew out.
Bruce finally acquired a good view of Apex Lex's enemy: a humanoid, plant-like alien that has an overall green and black colored body, mostly with a red flame-patterned head and root-like feet, seemingly holding black rocks. His eyes are oval-shaped with points at each end with pupils copying the shape but are smaller. Also, his shoulders and head have red petals and his elbows and legs have green frills sticking out. Bruce recognises this appearance. "Wasn't latched on these kinds operating outside of Anodyne", Bruce addressed.
"Actually, this thing right there is a unique Solarmethanosian", Claire said.
Hearing it brought Bruce looking Claire with a questioning facial appearance. He observes this Solarmethanosian pummelling Apex Lex before brutally throwing the latter to a nearby parked vehicle.
"They call him Swampfire by this form", Claire divulged.
"Catchy", Bruce remarked.
"Once meant something to him. Things eventually change", Claire said.
Apex Lex could no longer keep up with Swampfire's superior powers. Each blow hammers his face, and parts of his body in which results in his armour breaking apart. He continuously stumbled away as Swampfire drew hard punches everywhere fixed on him. These countless punches are causing Lex to suffocate. Apex Lex hasn't been able to get one landing hit on Swampfire. Blow to blow, he bleeds. Until one hit smashed his lower chin.
Swampfire's last hard punch sends Apex Lex flying miles across the city where lays a shockwave.
Everyone felt that shockwave, even seeing glasses shattering everywhere.
Bruce watches Lex blown away, plummeting to a road where a crater is subsequently created. "He's brutal", he commented on that Solarmethanosian.
"Who do you think got these traits from?", Claire asked rhetorically.
"Can't really get what you're suggesting?", Bruce said.
"It's not a suggestion, Bruce", Claire said. She sees Swampfire flying over to the crater.
"Then what's the rhetorical question tailored to?", Bruce asked.
Suddenly an earthquake shook Claire and Bruce though they easily maintained balance. They know it's Swampfire who did it, savagely thrashing Apex Lex.
"He's our son", Claire finally revealed much to Bruce's shock, which Claire knew he would give that look.
Few minutes later, Clone Troopers arrived, securely taking Apex Lex inside a vehicle.
Civilians circled the perimeter in which none of them could not cross the lines drawn by Clone Troopers preventing them from getting a closer view of Apex Lex. No can pierce the borderline of seeing Apex Lex badly damaged to the point in the brink of death.
The watchers are the perfect cover for Bruce and Claire, the perfect distraction. Nobody would notice a Supreme Chancellor and a Senator amid them. Some are dressed with robes too.
Earth's era changed. Bruce perceives aliens among humans in Earth. What provision Bruce gave somehow puts a stop to potential wars. Many extra-terrestrials in here, especially Thanagarians, in which in the realm of Batman's existence, the Thanagarians invaded Earth. Bruce sees that his apparent son's brutal infliction on Apex Lex caught the attention of Superman. It's not a surprise if he is the protector of this city. Bothers her mostly about what he is doing with her son. What are they discussing?
Claire noticed who Bruce is looking at.
Not yet known to Claire, so did Bruce took notice without one glance at her looking at him. "What can you tell me about Superman and our son's relationship?", Bruce enquired.
"Stemmed from their sense of justice", Claire explained. "They had an amazing partnership until conflicted interests thus brought their fallout".
"Any reason why?", Bruce asked.
"Our son was never the same he once was", Claire said.
They moved away from the crowd, heading to an alley due to the noise in that area.
"Before, he was cocky and happy. He loved everything there is about being a hero, inspired by Superman's heroics. Until age 20, he changed as you can see by how he operates on the field", Claire explained.
"A certain event changed him?", Bruce asked curiously.
"He won't speak about it to anyone. The only person who knew what happened that day was Superman", Claire said before creating a portal for Bruce and herself to come toward.
Bruce took note of one person other his son who would know what happened that caused a vast change in his persona.
In an apartment, Bruce came for a visit. He rang the bell, and now he's waiting for him to come and open it.
Not a period too long, the door slid open as though there was no doorknob to really open it. Where he eye-directs, a middle-aged man wearing glasses.
"Mr. Wayne", the man said gently in a welcoming manner.
"Clark", Bruce said, sharing a similar manner as if they still carry the torch.
Clark sighs before looking at him. "I'm assuming this isn't a social visit", he said.
"No it isn't", Bruce said sadly.
Clark nodded, understanding. He lets Bruce in.
When Bruce comes inside, he wandered around the room for a short time, coming across a picture laid on table: Lois and Clark with the boys.
Twisted to where he views Bruce, Clark sees him staring at a picture. "Lois and the kids. So happy...", Clark said. Sighing, his head rotates elsewhere. "Distant memories... forever their souls on the other side...".
Bruce understood what Clark said. From the picture, Bruce revolved to Clark's way, sighing. "My sincere condolences for your loss", Bruce expressed sympathy for Clark.
"It's not everyday someone offers me condolences, Mr. Wayne", Clark remarked.
"If you don't mind asking... how did they die?", Bruce asked.
"What do you care?", Clark said, speeding in a fast blur straight into Bruce's face.
Despite the sudden bolt that made Clark closed the distance instantly, Bruce wasn't as matter-of-fact scared. "It's complicated the way I care about Lois, I admit that much", Bruce said. "I understand Lois's death made you isolated. Part of why the Justice League broke".
"Let me spell up the Lois-embargo: don't mention her name ever again", Clark said.
Bruce turns away from Clark. "I know you and I never bonded. Different views, positions in different ponds, you visited my butler's grave. I'm also aware you and my son partnered up till certain events inspired a permanent fallout", Bruce said.
"So that's why you're here, catechizing me?", Clark said. "Mr. Wayne, you've come to the wrong place". He spins around, turning his eyes elsewhere.
"Please, Clark", Bruce adjured. "He's my son".
His please caused Clark to rethink about this. If it was the other way around where Bruce knew what happened to his son, Clark would barge into his office or public meeting and beg him to tell him what happened to his son. Clark sighed prior to turning around.
Bruce readily keeps his ears wide open.
"As you have undoubtedly heard, your son started being a hero at 10. He experienced the difficulties of being a hero, and achieved his own victories, made enemies with Aggregor, Vilgax, Animo, Kex, Khyber. The enemy who was the most fearful enemy of the Justice League, and me is Darkseid", Superman explained.
The world 'Darkseid' crawls an uneasy unpleasant taste on Bruce since he's known greatly about him.
"Darkseid killed Alfred Pennyworth", Superman disclosed.
Horrified Bruce while he finds it unbelievable. "But I was told he suffered from a heart stroke", Bruce recalled.
"That was a lie I spread in order to make sure the entire Wayne family wouldn't come into conflict with Darkseid only to realise Supreme Chancellor Wayne and Senator Wayne's son left him in pieces", Clark revealed.
This truth proves much more disturbing than learning Alfred's death caused by Darkseid, Bruce knew it. His own son fallen down a path he could never submerge himself down in a rough way.
Elsewhere...
In headquarters, a speedy figure prances to numerous control panels, monitoring Earth for any trouble. 20 years of dealing with threats, there's nothing out there for him to blend in terms of fun. He lost a long time ago, realising childish stuff means nothing when more will perish. Infinite time climaxed at a fitting end once that speedster noticed someone metres away behind him. He didn't require a half-circle rotation. "Father", the being said, feeling the connection between him and that man. "Came to reprimand my foul actions against Lex?".
Bruce move toward his son's side whilst scrutinising the green floodlight of this fortified dome. Taking a view of the headquarters rendered his movement a little slower. He then looked at his son, moving over to his end, at the same time, noting he's in different form; a tall muscular-looking semi-armored Velociraptor; black orbs on his feet; black cone-like helmet; a tail; turtleneck-like shirt with a white stripe on the center; clothing had longer sleeves with a pair of stripes under the shoulders; an arrow-shaped symbol on his lower torso; blue face, green eyes, black lips; and stripes running under and in between his eyes.
"If you're here for the report on how Lex became superhuman, it's printing", he said before sensing Bruce stopping. He knew why. "Many eagle eyes in the sea but I knew that I felt you and mother's presence". He finally turned around. "I'm curious to know why the Supreme Chancellor would be in Metropolis instead of Gotham".
He hesitates when expressing his feelings and concern. Bruce's not the most expressive being in the galaxy to rev up his engine, and fling everything forward. He sighs before beginning to speak. "Because I care about you... son", Bruce said, expressing his concern for the boy he never knew because he's far behind in the race of time; his conscious boosted decades into the future, and he's still confused, but he does the thing that ended up sprinkling stardust over the headquarters. "I know Alfred didn't die from natural causes".
Son of Bruce froze on monitoring. Not a soul was given this information about the actual cause of Alfred's death. "You visited Superman, didn't you?", the son asked.
"It's inconsequential of whom my sources speak of the truth", Bruce said. He steadily breathes. "I know you're busy... but... when you're ready to talk, you know where to find me". He turns around, walking over to the exit.
"Why talk to me now, father?", alien-changer asked.
Question immediately stopped Bruce. "Hardships should never make us suffer through follows of tragedies. It's important we're there for each other", Bruce said.
"You gave no meaning of it when you didn't bother asking me how I felt. Both buried in our respective jobs because the Universe was never kind to us", he said emotionlessly even though he felt his heart racing.
Bruce turns around, glancing his son. "This time, I will make it up for it", Bruce said before finally exiting the headquarters.
With his father's departure, his son resumed monitoring the Universe for any signs of danger. The small talk between him and his father left residues slowing his performance slightly.
Wayne Manor, Gotham City
Bruce returns to Wayne Mansion, assembled with Claire. They took a walk along the corridor.
"I sensed your reunion with our son", Claire addressed, looking at Bruce while she swings forth each foot forward.
Turning to Claire. "I'd... like to get better acquainted with him", Bruce said.
"You mean you want to turn over a new leaf with him for making him a lost cause", Claire said.
Bruce stopped, turning to set foot in front of Claire. "Claire... our son lost Alfred. I know what it's like losing the people regardless of what side of reality you're in", Bruce said. He was about to turn only to hear Claire again.
"You should brace yourself the possibility what if this world is a cropped-up fantasy, and you are Batman", Claire advised, shortly later seeing Bruce looking at her. "I felt your pain, Bruce. You were once violent, and had one point almost killed the man who murdered her".
Lightly chuckling, Bruce moved away from Claire. "You really believe that because I'm not Batman, all that overflowing pain uproots to my son?", Bruce asked.
"You both go way beyond borderline brutality, are stubborn, and less of a team player", Claire said, raising an eyebrow, seeking a response to what he would say to this.
Bruce literally has nothing to say to counter her. She's right about her comparison between him and his son. Less difference. He sighs, beginning to acknowledge she is right; he begins to acknowledge implication this here isn't real.
From the shadows lurk eyes catching Bruce and Claire within the corridor.
"That female!", an essence snarled. "With her in the picture, the Dark Knight won't loiter in the deep sea for too long".
In the real world...
Whatever fantasy Bruce sunk in, it all stems from a long-perioded slumber.
Joker and his accomplice watch Batman laid on a bed with black energy wrapping with circling motion around his head, while his whole body envelops in crimson aura.
"Dammit! I've underestimated his connection with that pestering hound", the Joker exclaimed angrily. He quickly lightened his mood a little. "In any case, even if Dork Knight manages to break free of the spell, he'll miss the compelling end to mankind". He giggled, making twice a glance on both Batman and another person Joker planned to use as apart of his little experiment: a lab rat who is one of the most prominent heroes of this world.
"Creating the most deadliest weapon by transferring Superman's powers to Batman's body?", a female regarded. "Such power yet you cannot control it. His kind are very immune to soul-swaps, possessions and mind-controls. How will you manipulate this bastard to doing your bidding?".
Guffawing in response to the female's question, the Joker unsteadily grinned at her. "He won't", the Joker revealing his plan. Unsteady laughs unwrapped from limbic systems stroked by slender threads. "Instilled with determination just by knowing your personal enemies; my reference: the Bat". He moves away from the lady.
"For a deranged sociopath, you have a relative affection to this monster", the female deemed.
The maddest laughter spun swiftly. "You don't know the half of it", the Joker proclaimed. He started cackling. The sound of his laugh elongates to the whole room.
A/N: Yep, what Batman experiences is all in dream.
In regards to whom Apex Lex is, yes, he is Lex Luthor but he is a god-like being with half-Martian, half Human physiology. Didn't really feel like I need to explain it in this chapter since he's only a minor villain only in a dream.
If any of you are wondering what Bruce Wayne's son is an adaption of, it's actually an adaption of the character Ben 10, 000 from the Ben 10 franchise.