A/N: The events of this story take place during the events of the episode on Superman: The Animated Series called 'Legacy'. This Batman is very different from the Batman we all know from DC. In here, while it is Batman, it's not exactly Batman.
Somewhere in the realms of darkness...
Stakes run high. Battles bolt huge prices: injuries among the greatest warriors brought up to fight against the darkness. Damages they have suffered greatly enough for them to be absorbed. They are at the point of nearing death. An enormous smoke shrouds the entire league of guardians. Their combined strength did not avail them against the overwhelming forces of darkness as it assigned its powerful warriors to beat them senselessly.
The only being left more powerful blasted all of them away. Her mighty power proved adequate she could topple any villain in her way. Waves of the hungry mist persist in engulfing her, intending to harm her. This wielder of the Light Side outshines the darkness, overpowering the darkness's greatest warriors.
A figure teleported in fringes of its current form. Afterwards, its dark-purplish aura covers its true appearance. Though red eyes glow. It smiled evilly whilst observing the power Light Side wielder subduing more and more of its decibels down.
Blasts, telekinesis, shields, the Light Side wielder used them three, making sure her fight with the Dark Side wielders would narrow to only her instead of her disciples.
Seconds to beat them, the embodiment of light yet again proves to outshine the darkness. It overwhelmed all of them with a single stroke, discharging a wave, getting rid of the existences of everyone infected by the darkness.
Smoke bursts up widely on the perimeter.
The hooded figure could only watch as it sensed all its fighters are gone. It then came to suspect of a presence nearing him. The figure was right. Something landed close to the the dark figure. It was although unfazed. It stared upon the formidable opponent of the Light Side. A pink-skinned woman having pinkish-red hair, wearing robes while behind those robes are a turtleneck garment.
"You are impressive, Supreme Guardian", the dark figure complimented. "I admire your tenacity and boldness. Regardless, you cannot stop what's about to happen?".
The Supreme Guardian instantly turned, noticing crimson energy emanating the field. She subsequently encloses herself in a sphered shape of pink energy. She also provided shields for her allies only to be too late; her allies consumed by scarlet flames. She gritted her teeth for not being able to save them. She couldn't give time to succumb to guilt. She strengthens her shield, making sure she doesn't get affected.
Universe: Earth-Prime
Arkham Asylum, Gotham City
Beaten and battered the Joker was. Under the firm hand of Batman as he slithers Joker's body across the way to the ones working in this asylum. He grimly tossed the Joker to the staff, to where the criminally insane reside in this dark and gloomy facility.
While Joker begins rolling, Batman glances Two-Face wearing a straightjacket. He hears the horrifically scarred Harvey Dent contemplating on pleading guilty to a non-existing judge. He remembered their previous encounter, Two-Face developed a third personality. Every time he looked at him, he was tempted to use what he had hid to save him. Restrictions are the issue, which made it challenging for him as Batman.
Joker released his faint giggles, rolling near to the staff.
The staff glanced the Joker. The doctors looked up, noticing Batman vanished, as though the he returned to his birth place: the darkness, as though their swells are suddenly removed by the flap of a cape breezing their anxiety away. Knowing the usual action, they took the Joker in, preparing to process him as inmate.
Miles away from Arkham Asylum...
Raging thunders streaked the city, rains plummeted the bleak lands of Gotham, Gothamites screaming in the foundation of where they are held. History tends to repeat itself. Similar aspects; corruption and crime. Also considered notable aspects. Batman thumps the Batmobile across the road, heading to one of the many routes he could take to get back to his base of operations.
Each time, he watches the city like a guardian angel. Never stopped him from thinking too deeply about what might befall his city. A dark city never bright like Metropolis nor Central City. Despite facts being true, around this time, Gotham is clean for now. No ray bursting high up the sky to call upon his presence to the Commissioner. It feels like he can actually take a break. But it shall never mend wounds from his past. The second he thinks about it, it almost fractures him, which just now almost caused him to lose direction and tumble the footpath. Luckily, he managed to return its route along the road.
When out of the streets, the Dark Knight drives the Batmobile in a fast pace. Alfred is probably going to be worried sick. He's always worried. Ever since that event, he wanted to be sure to be by his side. He almost reaches the entrance to the Batcave. He quickly examines Gotham through his special senses, wanting to be extra certain no threat will arise in his brief absence.
Wayne Manor
Arriving at the Batcave, Bruce stopped by the Batcomputer, sitting casually as he inspects on what's happening globally. The second after he does it, he comes to note in a surprising way of a familiar face siding with a legion of bulky fliers storming bases in the entire world. Anyone can wear a face resembling the world's most famous superhero. Why would it be him? Bruce pondered. He worked with him many times. Each time, he had grown to understand him as much as that individual understood him. From Bruce's view, this man would never ally with the same army this man had an utter disgust on since the invasion. He's very different. Had to be someone framing Bruce's friend. Clayface. Jane Doe. There are shapeshifters. But the question is: can anyone pull off realistic stunts like that? Heat vision, flight, super-strength and superspeed, not to mention durability. Without doubt it's a Kryptonian. And Kryptonians don't have shapeshifting abilities. He's starting to believe this is the genuine Superman seen in the big screen.
Bruce immediately stands up. He knows he can't take on Superman. His resources do no damage. His other uses are locked in the dark for now. But now one said using someone's weakness is restricted. Bruce would have to travel to LexCorp to take it. It would kill him. Batman never really intends to kill him. Only for neutralising. Netralising him to prevent the Man of Steel from attacking more militaries.
Twirling around, Bruce stumbles into a very familiar face. The pink-skin blossoms the light Bruce stowed away in the dark. Kept in the dark it was. Lighter tone in the way he acts makes Batman weak. This woman casts the darkness away, giving Bruce happiness no one in his life could grant him. "Clare?", Batman exclaimed in surprise. He saw the bright smile from her face. Throwing his head to hers, Bruce pressed his lips with hers.
Claire, also known as the Supreme Guardian, responded, kissing back to him.
They embraced tightly as though it has been an eternity, as though they never reunited for so many years, and now they are here tightly closed. They already threw one headlong rush of the Universe to their lips.
Once their passionate kiss ended, the sides of light and dark parted, though still keeping each other's arms clinging.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my loveliest wife before my eyes", Bruce said gently.
"Please, Bruce. You know it hasn't been that long", Claire said "Attending a Wayne Charity Function, has it ever rung a bell on our many attendings?".
"Yes...", Bruce awkwardly said. "...after...". He due course looked the erosive bedrock, limestone. He denied himself from mentioning the name. The feeling of pain and guilt could envelop him as if torturing him mentally.
The pink-skinned lady understood what Bruce was saying. She quickly settled to change the subject. "You may be wondering why I'm here", Claire declared.
"I can tell by appearance", Bruce said.
"Didn't we always have our honeymoons together in this form?", Claire said, hand-movement all over her body. "In case you forget, that's the first time we made-".
"Okay. Good point", Bruce interrupted her. "Why are you here?".
"Recruitment", Claire answered.
"Currently, I am burdened with responding to Superman's assault on the planet", Batman said, gesturing her to look at the big screen; Superman destroying militaries.
Claire moved slightly forth, almost passed Bruce. "Darkseid managed to brainwash Superman", he said.
"Darkseid is involved in another attempt to take over Earth", Bruce exclaimed. "He's clever. By not bringing his involvement, and using Superman as the enforcer, he played his cards right".
"Fortunately, it won't last long. He'll eventually be neutralised", Claire disclosed. She's a Supreme Guardian of Time. She has knowledge about the past, present and the future. "All it needs is the trigger point. Lois is the trigger point".
Bruce quickly looked at Claire in worry.
Claire noticed, without marking a glance. "Ah, don't worry. When I say Lois is the trigger point, I mean her appearance will make your partner remember his Earthling memories. Lois doesn't need your help", she reassured Bruce. "But I need yours".
Bruce hesitated. Leaving the planet at the hands of a rogue Superman is dangerous enough. Anything could occur during his absence. Yet he trusts Claire. She knows what happens or what will not happen. He trusts her his life. Looking away from the screen, Bruce looked at Claire, ready to respond.
A couple of seconds of collectively weighing up about whether to join his wife or stay here, Bruce finally nods, providing his help for Claire like always.
The duo soon vanished in fringes of white beams.
Out of Earth-Prime...
As though travelling through the interior side of the vortex, both Claire and Bruce are encased in pink field energy. They are travelling in in-between paths.
Bruce senses this mission is very different from last time. He fixed a measuring glance throughout where he is coming alongside Claire. He carefully examined the area. A tingling sensation of a lust different from travelling to different periods of time.
"I forgot to mention this isn't a time-travel mission", Claire said. "We're hopping to alternate realities".
"Universes?", Batman exclaimed. "It seems this threat has forced your attention on other worlds".
"Our threat calls herself Agatha Harkness, a powerful witch who's intentions are to gather the energy", Claire said.
"What does she want with kind of energy?", Bruce inquired.
"This energy has the destruction of wiping out Universes the second it hits one Universe", Claire explained.
Their journey to the other side is nearing. The Supreme Guardian was aware of it. The soft distortions becoming a little in disarray tell their reach shall be complete.
"Say a human touches antimatter, their bodies would instantly disintegrate. For a powerful witch like Agatha however, she can resist the effects of erasure", Claire said.
"Would it erase us?", Bruce asked.
"Anodites aren't affected by antimatter energy so no we're not", Claire answered.
Bruce took knowledge of it. He stores the knowledge in the big bank of countless knowledges he attained from various existent things.
Universe: Earth-19
A portal beams brightly to an alley.
Bruce and Claire emerged, sighting a whole new world vastly different from theirs. It's like a jewelled version of their Universe. Colourful sparkling reflections gleaming throughout the city. It's as though this Universe represents the future of their world.
"Claire, we aren't in the future, are we?", Bruce asked, wanting to be sure Claire wasn't making a mistake.
"No. We're in the right Universe", Claire reassured him. "And please call me by my alias 'Chronoa' when I'm in this form".
"Mmm, fine", Bruce replied before putting the mask on.
"I wouldn't recommend that", Chronoa advised. She saw the mask enveloping his cranium.
Bruce held the mask off as it almost reached his nose. He glanced Chronoa in an obscure questioning manner.
"Earth-19 forbids those from wearing masks", Chronoa addressed. "Especially costumes". A twilight of sprinkling gesture surrounds her and Bruce, which is what Chronoa undertook.
A veil of small thinly distributed amount of stars move from the level on Bruce's head down to his and Chronoa's feet. They quickly changed as their costumes swiftly change to different forms of attire.
Bruce looked from ground to a Caucasian-skinned lady, has light brown hair, blue eyes. She dresses with long, full skirts that reached the ground. He then examined himself. He's no longer in costume. He wears a white waistcoat, and black tail-coat, and trousers. He quickly notes Claire has modified their dresses more distinct to the Victorian Era.
"Earth-19's strict laws governs clothing to be dressed in same fashion as the Victorian Era clothing", Claire explained.
Bruce responds, emitting a thinking sound. He slowly turns away from Claire. Swallowed in the spectral lights of a city, Bruce inspects the streets. Civilians in similar attires strolling the city quietly. "Earth-19 is full of jumbled up memories", Bruce figured smartly. He then moved forth the route.
Claire soon followed Bruce, slowly reaching his pace.
Feet spreading across the stone setts.
The further they drew their path, the more insight they get to see of Earth-19.
Bruce found the streets to be vaguely familiar yet they are very light as though a new era outshined the gloominess this city once was. It's like Bruce can't feel himself blending into the dark. He gains a familiar sensation he's in another city emanated of starlight. What city would that be? Metropolis or Central City?
Quiet reverberations of footsteps extending towards a large amount of civilians passing through them. Footsteps they drew further to reach an area where majority intersect in connected paths.
"Shares traits from the past but this era; its technologies are quite advanced. Japan would never match this advancement", Claire explained.
"The city here feels like Gotham but it's hard to believe it even is", Bruce commented.
"It is Gotham. Everything here is just like ours...", she claimed. Claire resumed inspection. "...with improvements". Eyes widely beaming the whole area of complex things until perception guided her inevitable direction to the one that might explain the evolution of this city whilst maintaining. "Starting with a monument...".
Hearing Claire mentioning monument, Bruce turns. Upon seeing the monument, Bruce dumbfounds over the sight of a name on that tall statue. He rolled eyeballs up to the statue. He acknowledges the name of who this statue is memorated to; his own doppelganger: Bruce Wayne.