Author's notes: ACTION SEQUENCES! DIALOGUES! MONOLOGUES! BEING ABLE TO MAKE SENSE! This has been a long time coming and some parts in it are rushed. But that's fanfiction. Everything we write here is usually the first draft that, if this was an actual show, movie or a comic/manga, there would be fine polishing and rewrites to make it better. This still what I managed to come up with now in both June and July.
Now... in this chapter I have started to outline something for the next story that will be the LAST AND FINAL story in the continuity that I started back in 2013. I'm still drawing and planning it's plotline, but here it's mostly the how and why Batman Who Laughs and Grim Knight manage to be in it when I start writing it. Also this won't be the last chapter of this story and now to replies.
Replies to reviews:
-Spider-Man999: Yes, it was pretty much the same, except with some tweaks. Thanks Arceus all of these Pokémon exist that I managed to make it happen.
-Guest: What I'm planning next is tied to... well, you can probably guess from the cursive writing in the first scene.
-Sailor Dragonball 87: Yeah, about Zinnia... I'm not sure if I would call it a 'thing' or a one-sided crush that Batman didn't have time to tell her he's not... exactly single. When I wrote that one flashback scene in chapter 7, Batman#50 had not come out yet and... I'm sure Tom King is just using that trope where big weddings like that never go through on the first try and they will get a second try. But otherwise, Zinnia is the more interested party in that 'relationship' and Batman is too much focused on the mission to take notice of her affections. HEY! I just realized that is a similarity Batman and Ash both have as different versions of each other.
Chapter 19: Inactive Observer
November 1st, 1985. Adrian Veidt kills millions to unite the world. On November 2nd, I allow Adrian to walk free and leave my world in his hands. I enter Hypertime, where all the possible timelines exist side by side. For the first time since my rebirth, the visions I have seen of everything are laid before me in clear outlines. I enjoy the nullifying effect Hypertime has on me until I sense a presence and focus on it.
June 26th,1986. A family of four walks through an alley. After three loud noises, one of the four walks out with an outsider while his family lays in a pool of their own blood. The survivor, Thomas Wayne Jr, hands the smoking murder weapon to the outsider to dispose. On June 27th, they they leave far away to let the events of the previous night to calm down. They find a girl at their new location and the survivor takes a liking to her
July 5th, 2009, Annataz Arataz helps Thomas Wayne Jr find himself with a chance to reunite with one of the three he lost and decides to cast that chance aside, instead choosing to send the one lost elsewhere. With more help from Annataz Arataz, Thomas Jr steps outside of the fabric of his reality and I see him in Hypertime. I'm interested to see what he is doing as he is trying to find another reality to step into. I bend the reality around him and let him go on as I observe what he is planning to do. He leaves his brother's essence to meld with a new life born in this reality and then leaves.
September 20th, 2014. I am exposed to an image while working on something else. It is brief, but visible enough to catch my attention. After the image dies out, it blinks out three more times between long intervals.
January 16th, 2015. Thomas Wayne Jr and five others are exiled to another world in the wake of Annataz Arataz's death and they hope to invade it. They are defeated but gain a victory by exposing a group of people to take the attention away from them.
March 16th, 2016. The image blinks in and out of my view, too quickly for me to make sense of it. October 21st, it appears again but I don't get a chance make sense of it again.
November 22nd, 2017. Thomas Wayne Jr is alone. All his friends are gone with only enemies remaining and I see him tired, ready to turn himself over to a man wearing a white ring and fueled with life. Beyond this point I am unable to see what happens next. I don't see him dying here or being held prisoner by these people, but I find this chain of events interesting, so I interfere with his life once again by recalling him to the world in Hypertime where he left his brother in.
September 2nd, 2018. This time I can see it. The image is resembling Thomas Jr's brother, Bruce, so I grab it to understand it better. The Bruce Wayne looks older than the one who died, so I direct him after Thomas Jr in Hypertime to see what happens next.
Sinnoh Region – Mount Coronet's Spear Pillar under the Ultima Thule
~ALL ROADS LEAD TO DARKNESS!~
Barbatos unleashed Armored Mewtwo along with the Primal Legendaries against Ash, James and Zinnia on the top of the mountain. The Primal Groudon landed before them in an intimidating
THAAAAAAAAAM!
while the Primal Kyogre generated rainwater around itself to be able to float in the air with Mewtwo. The Manmade Pokémon's movements were restrainingly slow, empathizing the fact that it was being forced to act against it's own will by Murder Machine's restraints. But the other Legendaries were thriving from the power returned to them in their Primal Forms, ready and willing to go and use their powers for-
''KHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII-A-RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!'' Mega Rayquaza roared charging at the two other Hoenn Legendaries. ''RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!''
''What happening?'' James asked quite confused at the sight which looked like
''That happened before when I got here with Senpai,'' Zinnia spoke answering James' question. ''There was another Dragon Pokémon here before and Rayquaza seemed like it would rather roast and lecture it on why and how it was on the wrong side.''
''Did you understand what it was saying or-'' Ash asked as an incomplete question.
''The other Dragon Pokémon pretty much just flew away like it had been roasted and didn't have comeback fot it,'' Zinnia responded. ''If that happens again now-''
~It won't.~ Barbatos' long arm reached from above and pulled Rayquaza from confronting Kyogre and Groudon. ~Insignificant worm, your world will now be made one of the Dark Multiverse and it's energies will break through the Source Wall. Like my favorite Knight and his chosen, you can serve me on the other side or die here with your world.~
TSHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHP!
The world begun to shake as the Ultima Thule begun to radiate in powered up form. What was happening now, was Barbatos' words coming true as the world was coming undone by breaking into fuel.
''NONE OF US CAME THIS FAR TO DIE!'' Ash yelled throwing two Pokéballs, one at the Primal Kyogre and one at the Primal Groudon. ''SNORLAX, ICE PUNCH!''
''SNOOR-LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX!'' the large Normal Type roared as it was released from it's Pokéball and stroke the Primal Legendary with the status causing attack, incasing it in ice.
''ROWLET!'' Ash kept going as the other Pokéball released the other Pokémon he had thrown out and in synch pulled out the Z-move together. ''BLOOM DOOM!''
''Ko-KOOOOOOOOOOOOWWL!'' the first stage Grass Type Starter Pokémon purred releasing it's highly ampped up Z-Move attack on Primal Kyogre, with the Water Type's pouring rain also powering it up with the Nth Metal to hit the Legendary Pokémon with highly critical damage.
''Mareinie, get out and use-'' James joined it ready to share the figthting with his Dark/Water type Pokémon against Mewtwo, at least enough to free it with, ''BLACK HOLE ECLIPSE!''
Using the Metal armor having grown on him as well, James could make his Mareinie to pull of the Z-move Black Hole Eclipse, which should have been one of the weakest Z-moves. However, thanks to the Nth Metal Armor James had been given and Mewtwo's resisting, the the attack was powerful enough to restraints off.. or atleast enough cause some malfunction for Mewtwo to break itself free of them.
''That was way easier than it should have been,'' James commented on their accomplishments of taking out the Legendaries way too easily thanks to the Nth Metal.
''Hey, don't just fight the Pokémon!'' Zinnia yelled at Ash and James, pointing out Barbatos' presence at them and the fact that it still had ''FREE RAYQUAZA FROM THAT THING! I NEED IT TO TAKE THE HOSTAGES AWAY FROM HERE ONCE SENPAI-''
''ALLÉHOOPARING!'' echoed as a golden ring with a dark blue inside appeared and flipped around, dropping May, Dawn, Brock, Hilda, Hilbert, Jessie and someone in a labcoat down to the rocky floor of the Spear Pillar.
''Brock, May, Dawn!'' Ash called out to his friends as they appeared.
''Jessie, Meowth!'' James did also as he saw his fellow Team Rocket members.
''Ash?'' Brock said responding to Ash's voice and directed the others' attention to him and James. ''What are you and James wearing?''
''This is the Nth Metal that the Sandman told me to get from the Forge,'' Ash answered quickly as he helped them up on their feet. ''Where are Pikachu, Serena and Owlman?''
''They are still onboard that ship,'' Dawn said pointing up at the Ultima Thule, ''along with all the Batmen including our Batman and the Pokémon he brought with him to save us.''
''KHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!'' Rayquaza roared, or more likely screamed, above them to draw everyone's attention to Barbatos, who was pulling the Legendary Dragon Pokémon to separate directions with both hands like a stretching tool. Then Barbatos let go of Rayquaza's tail and sent it fly away like rubberband in defeat.
''Rayquaza was supposed to be out get away ride,'' Zinnia said in a hollow voice and a stale with a face that showed failure as she looked after Rayquaza's leave behind the horizon. ''Senpai asked me to do one thing and-''
''Brock!''
Ash grabbed a piece of the Nth Metal from his armor stuck it onto Brock's wrist. As it formed into a bracelet like with James, Ash took out another piece and hit it to
''May!''
's wrist and let it begun to form as he begun to keep throwing more pieces of the Nth Metal to everyone else.
''Dawn! Jessie! You guys!'' Ash kept sharing the Nth Metal armor to Hilda, Hilbert, Colress and Zinnia too. ''TAKE OUT THE STRONGEST POKÉMON YOU HAVE AND CHANNEL YOUR WILL TO FIGHT INTO THEM! WE WILL PUSH THIS THING AND HIS LACKEYS BACK INTO FORGE THEY CAME FROM!''
Ash's friends and frenemies all exchanged glances with each other while also looking as the Nth Metal on them. Brock, Jessie, Hilda and Zinnia were the first ones to take initiative, while Hilbert, May and Dawn took some seconds to focus themselves.
''Go Steelix!'' Brock yelled releasing him fully evolved Steel Type Snake Pokémon. ''Mega Evolve and use Dragon Breath!''
''Gourgeist, use SHADOW BALL!'' Jessie yelled releasing her Kalos caught Ghost/Grass Type to attack immediately.
''Amanda, create Leaf Storm!'' Hilda yelled releasing her Serperior to throw leafs at Barbatos.
''Salamance, Mega Evolve and use Dragon Pulse!'' Zinnia roared releasing one of her Dragon Types. ''FOR SENPAI!''
~Tryly, you are foolish enough to believe you can win down here!~ Barbatos' voice boomed in the air as the Mega Evolved and otherwise strong Pokémon charged at Him and spread his arms to prepare an attack on them all as they came at Him. ~You are in my realm where all ends IN DARKNESS! I will create worlds to torture you all for eternity!~
KA-BANNNNNNNNNG!
''They say the Eighth Metal is the stuff of Gods. The Ninth Metal uses dark energy to give it's carrier power that defies physics,'' echoed a voice as Barbatos was hit to the back of His head with a large two handed smithing hammer ''But the Tenth, also called Element X, is Metal of the so-called Forge itself. The Metal of pure possibility.''
As these words were being spoken, a being as tall and gigantic as Barbatos rose up from behind the Ancient Dragon. It's appearance was the dark, but it's figure was visible enough to show it's large wings and the large hammer on it was carrying on it's right hand. From it's left,
''KA-ROWWWWWL!''
''KYRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!''
''KHYR-RAAAAAAAAAAGH!''
''KHIIIIII-A-RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!''
were Reshiram, Zecrom, Kyurem and Rayquaza, all four Legendary Dragon Pokémon released out if. Free from Barbatos' and the Dark Knights' influence and free to fight to protect their world.
''They say whoever wields it… 'Let their first words be recorded to the Halls of Kings','' the other being spoke as the Nth Metal pieces Ash had given out to his friends and frenemies begun to shine brightly in response to the approaching Dragons. ''For their Metal can take the shape of whatever is needed. Arm whoever the bearer wishes, so they might cut through the dark and bring their will to life.''
'Arm whoever the bearer wishes.' That was exactly what Ash had already done as the bearer of the Nth Metal armor to his friends. As the other gigantic being had spoken, the Nth Metal give to everyone begun to radiate strong shining light in the darkness as well as form into similar armors that Ash was already wearing.
''I'll take Reshiram,'' Hilbert declared and begun to run towards the approaching Dragon Pokémon, followed by
''I'll take Zekrom!'' Hilda yelled running after Hilbert.
''Well then,'' Colress said expressing passive activity before making a break after them, ''I suppose I'll reclaim Kyurem back to my care.''
THZAAAM!
~TRAITOR! You are the Dragon of Forge!~ Barbatos' voice roared as the Ancient Dragon fired Dark Energy from His hand at Dragon Pokémon and at the other giant who move his wings to reflect the attack on the dragons away. ~Just like I was! You have no authority over me!~
''I have been many things, but NOT YOUR SLAVE! NOT ANYMORE!'' the other giant growled back at Barbatos raising the large hammer against Him and with each swung declared his freedom. ''I am Prince Khufu of Egypt!''
KHOOOOOOM!
''I am Sir Brian Kent, the Shining Knight of Britain!''
KHOOOOOOM!
''I am Koenrad Von Grimm of Germany!''
KHOOOOOOM!
''I am Captain John Smith of Virginia!''
KHOOOOOOM!
''I am Hannibal Hawkes of the Old West!''
KHOOOOOOM!
''I am Pinkerton Agent James Wright!''
KHOOOOOOM!
''I am Carter Hall, THE GREAT HERO HAWKMAN!''
''It's Hawkman?'' Ash said recognizing the other being now in the light of the Nth Metal armors' radience as the giant that he, James and Superman had faced at the World Forge.
''He remembers who is again,'' James said also acknowledging the Hawkman, thinking what he told him back at the Forge. ''Sandman should be proud.''
''So…'' Hilbert said having gotten onto Reshiram along with Hilda, Colress and Zinnia also on their Dragon Pokémon, ''what are we supposed to do if that thing is beating the big bad guy?''
''You said that you were supposed to get everyone away from here?'' Ash asked pointing at Zinnia on Rayquaza. ''May, Dawn and Team Rocket get on with her and go to Alola on Rayquaza. You other three go help Superman at Mount Lanakila in pushing our world from this hellhole!''
''No, Ash. Dawn and I are taking Kyogre and Groudon,'' May said shaking her head and pointed at the Hoenn Legenadaries recovering from Ash's and James' previous attacks.
''Their ship will also have the Sinnoh Legendaries under torture from Merciless and that young Bruce with the power ring,'' Dawn said pointing at the Ultima Thule. ''That same torture is forcing them to undo our world as we speak.''
''You denied me my death, Barbatos!'' the Giant Hawkman growled fighting the Ancient Dragon with his giant hammer. ''Shayera has been reborn by now and lived her life without me. YOU KEPT ME FROM HER!''
~Hear me, my favorite knight! Complete the Siphoning and launch the Ultima Thule!~ Barbatos roared taking the hammer from Hawkman and brought him on the side of Mount Coronet. ~BREAK THROUGH THE SOURCE WALL AND LEAD WAY FOR THE DARKNESS!~
''Hold on, I'm getting us working plan!'' Hilbert said releasing his Musharna and let it gnaw his head, zoning out for a few seconds before handing out orders to everyone with a focused voice. ''Prez, Colress, what's-her-name, USE YOUR DRAGON POKÉMON TO HELP HAWKMAN BEAT THAT THING! May and Dawn, TAKE KYOGRE AND GROUDON TO ALOLA WHERE SUPERMAN IS AND FORCE THE GROUND HE'S PUSHING UPWARDS! Ash and everyone else left, GET BACK ONBOARD THAT SHIP AND SAVE SERENA AND BATMAN FROM THOSE MONSTERS! And then-''
Hilbert drew breath and then yelled out: ''AND THEN HAWKMAN IS GOING TO HAMMER THAT THING WITH EVERYTHING IN IT BACK TO THE HELL THEY ALL CAME FROM!''
Onboard the Ultima Thule
''You can't stop me!'' the Batman Who Laughs yelled kicking Batman to the wound in his stomach and parried the Joker's up coming attack. ''I know both of you too well.''
''HA! Do you now!?'' the Joker said back away and threw his knifes at the Grace and Serena behind the Batman Who Laughs. ''Then stop me if you've heard this one before...''
In the emotional rolloercoaster that had been the last day and a half, or something like that because they had been crossing a lot of timezones, Serena had picked up something a lot of interesting and vital facts about Batman and Bruce Wayne. One thing that had struck at her was about what he had to go against in his world and how it contrasted to Serena's way of life as a Pokémon Performer. When they had been in Saffron and the Batman Who Laughs had subjugated them to the horrors of his creation, Serena had been, along with everyone else, exposed to something that made smiling feel disturbing. Especially as a Pokémon Performer, as when Serena had chosen that profession for herself it had been because she wanted to help people to smile… something that the Batman Who Laughs and this 'Joker' before him seemed to enjoy forcing people to do.
''There's this guy, see?'' The Joker said as Damian used his sword to parry the knifes to protect Serena and her mother. ''And he prepares for EVERYTHING… well, almost… HA!''
This approach, along with the revelation that Ash was a reincarnation of a Bruce and at the same extinction of the Batman Who Laughs AND what the Batman Who Laughs had done to her mother, had hit Serena with a huge shock. That huge, that now it felt like the Batman Who Laughs had taken advantage of turning her into what he, his sons and her mom had become.
''Because the trick is…'' The Joker continued as Batman charaged up from the ground to attack the Batman Who Laughs as he was making sure his 'bride' and 'daughter' were safe. ''That he can only prepare to what Batman thinks up!''
It had begun with a paralyzing depression after Ash had been killed and then revealed to be a younger version of Bruce. The shock had hit her the hardest when she had seen her mom standing next to the Batman Who Laughs and acting like she had. After the intimate moment Serena had had with Ash just before they had all been attacked by Devastator, seeing her mom with the Batman Who Laughs felt like seeing your boyfriend with your mom after…
''And what's the one thing Batman probably never imagined?'' The Joker kept going on as Batman twisted the Batman Who Laughs' arm back violently.
Opening up about it to Dawn and May had not taken that weight off from Serena's shoulders, even with the alcohol provided at the time. Learning from the Dream of the Endless that Ash was still alive in the Dark Multiverse had given small glimmer of hope to hang onto, but coming back from the Dreaming after seeing him felt like she had only seen Ash in a dream. A dream, where he had been at a distance from her and the Sandman had woken her up before she could properly reach out to him. Back in reality Serena had begun to feel stranger and when the Batman Who Laughs had invaded the Team Rocket airship, it had become clear that she had been infected like his Robins.
''Fighting himself… '' the Joker said spraying the same acid he had used on the Grim Knight's bomb interface on the Batman Who Laughs' twisted arm. ''AND ME! Hehehe!''
Fortunately, Serena was smart enough that she had managed to pick up certain things about the infection. For one, the Batman Who Laughs had shown in his backstory at Saffron Gym that he had managed to fight it off for week before giving into it. His son had, alledgedly, given in immediately likely due to loyalty to his father and the younger Robins had done the same. Not sure what had caused her mother to give in as easily, but Serena had decided to resist and wait for the Metal, which she knew had to be coming when Superman had been sighted in the Alola. Knowing that Ash was coming with the Metal, which would stop the infection for both her and her mom, that had been the moment when Serena had allowed herself to smile… which was now impossible for her to stop watching the 2-on-1 battle between Batman, the Joker and the Batman Who Laughs while the Pokémon that Batman had brought with him were attacking the other Dark Knights.
''And the joke here is that for the first time since your ''transfrormation'', you don't actually know what's coming next,'' the Joker kept on as he twirled in a pirouette and sliced the Batman Who Laughs acid burned fingers off his hand. ''OR DO YOUUUUU!?''
The Batman Who Laughs had mortally wounded Batman before he had used Hoopa to bring the Joker, from wherever he had been, onto the Ultima Thule. After the Joker had made his presence known, he had used the acid in the flower on his suit to destroy the Grim Knight's interface controlling the bomb collars forced on the other Pokémon Trainers held hostage by the Dark Knights and Hoopa's rings had sent them away. That had left Batman and the Pokémon he had brought with him, along with the Joker, against the Dark Knights while Serena, her mother and Owlman, who had stayed put after the Team Rocket Airship had been turned into the Ultima Thule. Batman had used Charizard to cauterize his wounds and Pikachu to give him adrenaline to keep up, but-
''Argh… HEH!'' Batman Who Laughs grunted amused twisting Batman's grip of his left hand and used his right hand to lift Batman up and punch his stomped left fist into the barely treated wound in his stomach, before throwing him at the Joker. ''Ha ha ha, I told you, I know you both better than you think. And no matter what you try-''
Batman Who Laughs raised his left hand to show his fingers were already growing back.
''-the home field advantage will never let you win against us. You can fight, then you tire yourselves out and will-''
TSOK!
SLITH!
''I told you would cut your head off,'' unmasked Owlman said with one of his gauntlets' blades sticking out from the Batman Who Laughs' chest while the other one was extended to the side, having swung around to behead the madman. ''If that doesn't kill you, I'll have the pleasure of doing it ag-''
BANG!
Pikachu and Sceptile had been fighting the Drowned, while Charizard and Heracross had been scorching and beating Murder Machine while Greninja and Krookodile had been fighting Grim Knight and Damian. And through all that fighting, the Grim Knight had seen Owlman's attack against the Batman Who Laughs and fired a shot at Owlman's neckarmor, making him let go of the Batman Who Laughs' not-dead-yet body.
''Grace dear, would you attach my head back to my body?'' Batman Who Laughs' head asked vocally enough to mock Owlman for his failed attempt to kill him. ''And while you do that, also-''
''CROW!'' Serena's mom screamed pointing at Batman and the Joker, sending the Robins at them.
''Crow, crow, crow!''
''Robins? HAH!'' the Joker cackled pulling out a crowbar from his large overcoat's pockets and charaged at the rapid boys. ''IT MUST BE MY BIRTHDAY!''
''Aaaaargh,'' Batman grunted coughing blood and forced himself back up looking at his surroundings, at everyone else fighting someone and at Serena standing by herself with a desperate grin on her face.
As the Dark Knights fought Pokémon, the Joker fought the Robins and Serena's mom caring for the Batman Who Laughs, Batman limped his way to her as blood kept pouring out of his nose and mouth while holging onto his stomach.
''Serena… huff, huff… tell me you're still in there,'' Batman spoke gasping for air as he put his other hand onto Serena's shoulders. ''Give… a sign that… that… that you're…''
''Bruce…'' Serena whispered looking at Batman with tears coming out of her eyes as she kept smiling, ''you need the Metal to kill them.''
''Wha- huff, huff'' Batman asked coughing blood as Serena leaned closer to him. ''What Metal? What do you-''
''Owlman's blades weren't made from the Metal,'' Serena whispered in a restraining voice, directing Batman to glance at Owlman on the floor with his face down. ''The Metal is their weakness, that's why he couldn't kill him. You need Nth Metal from the bottom of Dark Multiverse to kill them.''
''Nth Metal?'' Batman repeated as he begun to feel weaker from the bloodloss. ''Where the hell-''
Poff!
Batman's question was cut suddenly as a shining white Bat-cowl was placed onto Serena's head and before his eyes, the radiation from cowl begun to eat away the paleness on Serena's skin as the grin on her face also died down from her face.
''Is… that…'' Batman gasped looking at the cowl Serena was wearing and it's effects on her.
''Yes, it is, Batman, the purest form of the Tenth Metal from Forge of Worlds,'' voice said from behind Batman, making both him and Serena to look and see
''Ash?'' Serena asked from looking at the shining white Batsuit wearing Ash Ketchum through the cowl placed on her head, with tears of happiness coming from her eyes as the previous grin had changed into a more sincere smile.
''How the hell can you be alive?!'' Batman asked coughing out blood as Serena pulled Ash into a kiss before him. ''We all saw you die.''
''Long story, Batman,'' Brock said appearing next to him with a Pokémon and noticed his wounds. ''Chansey, use Soft-Boiled on him.''
''Chanseyy!''
''I don't know what's going on here AND I DON'T CARE!'' The Joker announced gleefully from beating the Robins as he saw Brock's Chansey healing the wound on Batman's abdomen. ''I'M HAVING WAY TOO MUCH FUN TO HAVE ANY OF THIS MAKE SENSE!''
''You're not fully healed, just patched to stop the bleeding,'' Brock told Batman as Serena and Ash broke away from their embrace. ''You should be able to run out of here with us.''
BUDDA! BUDDA! BUDDA! BUDDA BUDDA!
''We are making our way to the Multiverse of Light!'' Grim Knight yelled firing his assault rifle, not hitting anyone he was aiming thanks to Krookodile biting his arm and redirecting his fire while Greninja cut the rifle in half with Water Shuriken. ''I will have my revenge on Gordon!''
''PANCHAM, ISOLATE THEM FROM US WITH STONE EDGE!'' Serena screamed in response to Grim Knight's announcement and threw out her Pokémon to join the fight. ''BRAIXEN, BURN MURDER MACHINE WITH FLAMETHROWER AND BRING THIS SHIP DOWN!''
''CHAAAAAAAAAM!''
''BRAAAA-I-XEEEEEEEEN!''
The Nth Metal cowl charged those attacks stronger too as Serena's Pancham used the Stone Edge move much more power than back in Lilycove's Contest Hall to raise stone pillars from the floor to throw all the Dark Knights ot the roof and stayed up to keep them on the other side. Meanwhile, Serena's Braixen used a Flamethrower so strong that Murder Machine, that had already been beated up by Heracross and grilled by Charizard, begun to melt to the floor he was rooted in.
''BURN IT TO THE FUCKING FLOOR!'' Serena yelled as Braixen kept blowing fire at Murder Machine and Ultima Thule begun to shake off balance.
THOOORMB!
''Where the hell is his A.I?'' Batman asked looking at how Murder Machine melted out without fighting back or the Alfred Protocol assisting him in any way, while also recalling Charizard and Heracross to their Pokéballs.
''You mean THIS A.I?'' Owlman grunted from the ground, one hand showing his gauntlet's interface and the other holding onto his neckbrace where Grim Knight had shot him. ''Grid surprised me too, hid itself from them when Batman Who Laughs boarded the ship and had the Alfred Protocol unmade all the while Murder Machine has been onboard.''
''BRAAAA-I-XEEEEEEEEN!'' Braixen kept shooting flamethrower until Murder machine was nothing but a smelted pile of lifeless metal on the floor.
''And another one bites the dust,'' Owlman said helping himself up as
TSAAAAAAAAF!
Braixen begun to shine similar glow as the Nth Metal in white light and chage her form… into a-
''DELPHOX!''
''Well, how about that,'' Batman Who Laughs grunted from behind the Stone Edge pillars. ''Okay, this has been a minor speedbump and we are going to get you NOW!
The Drowned jumped up on top of the Stone Edge pillars and threw her trident at Serena-
KLING!
but the trident didn't hit her as Owlman had swung his cloak to take the impact. She seemed to have been expecting that to happen however as now Serena, Ash, Batman, Brock and Owlman had been otherwise left open for her to spit Dark Water at them to turn them into her undead minions.
''PiKKAA!''
''Pikachu!'' Ash responded to the call of his first Pokémon partner, who had jumped onto the pillars after the Drowned and then the idea came to him in the form of a Z-Crystal with the Z-moves coming to him as if by reaction. ''GIGAVOLT HAVOC!''
''Piikaa PiiKAA PIIKAA- CHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!'' The Z-move was delivered in synch by both Ash and Pikachu, hitting the Drowned as she tried to abort her Dark Water attack and jump ouf of the way of THE HUGE SEISURE INDUCING LIGHTING COMING AT HER AS PIKACHU SENT IT BY PUNCHING THE AIR TOWARDS HER!
''That was for Misty,'' Ash said in a grim voice as Bryce Wayne's dry charted corpse fell off the Stone Edge pillars and onto the floor next to the pile of cooling liquid metal that used to be Murder Machine.
''You're awfully calm about this,'' Owlman said taking a notice at Batman general attitude towards what had just happened as Pikachu jumped down from the pillars. ''What happened your code against killing?''
''People kill parts of themselves every day,'' was Batman's response while looking at the Stone Edge pillars. ''Greninja, Krookodile and Sceptile, FALL BACK!''
Sound of last few attacks were heard from the other side of the pillars before the Pokémon jumped up onto them like the Drowned had and then down. Sceptile and Greninja did the jumping, while Krookodile as a Ground Type digged it's way under the pillars like it was soft ground. The Pokémon's power levels had visibly been upped to Mega Evolution levels as Sceptile had Mega Evolved, Krookodile had managed to dig it's way through the ship's floor and Greninja had come out as
''Ash-Greninja, I assume,'' Batman muttered at the sight of the Battle Bonded Water/Dark Type carrying Serena's mother struggling and with the Pokémon's elongated tongue wrapped around her as a restraint.
''Mom! If the Nth Metal could cure me, then- HA HAH HAH!'' Serena attempted to give the Nth Metal Batcowl to her mother, but removing it only caused her start giggling uncontrollably until she put it back on. ''What is going on?! I THOUGHT I WAS CURED!''
''YOU ARE MY DAUGHTER NOW, SERENA!'' Batman Who Laughs yelled from the other side of the Stone Edge pillars, that were now beginning to form fractures and break. ''AND YOU'RE NOT-''
''WHY ARE YOU NOT LAUGHING, BATMAN WHO TALKS!?'' The Joker's voice cut over the Batman Who Laughs' declaration with sounds of crowbar hitting the flesh. ''LAUGH, you talker! If you love your own voice that much, THEN WHY AREN'T YOU LAUGHTING!?''
''What are we still doing here?!'' Brock asked, pointing out how they had everyone thay had come to get. ''WE NEED TO GET OUT OF SHIP! NOW!''
''GRIM KNIGHT, SHOOT THIS CLOWN DEAD!'' Batman Who Laughs was heard yelling behind them as they begun to run down to the lower exists of the ship. ''AND DAMIAN, GET MOTHER AND SISTER BACK!''
The Ultima Thule was no longer howering above Mount Coronet in a straight and narrow position pointing upwards, but now it had begun float around in a strange spinning pattern around the Spear Pillar. On the Mountainside, the Legendary Dragon Pokémon flew around providing assisting coverfire for the Giant Hawkman in the figth against Barbatos. The Ancient Dragon of the Dark Multiverse was still able to hold on against the odds against him but seeing the Thule loose it's course before launch alarmed Barbatos enough to loose his focus on the battle.
~SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!~
Barbatos roared in his distracted outrage, giving the Giant Hawkman all chances to attack while also noticing the Ultima Thule's situation.
''YOU MADE ME THE DRAGON OF THE FORGE!'' the Giant Hawkman roared at Barbatos as Reshiram shot Fusion Flare at Him, followed by Zekrom's Fusion Bolt and Kyorem's Dragon Breath. ''YOU MADE ME ABLE TO KILL YOU, JUST LIKE YOU KILLED THE FORGER!''
TZHWOOOOK!
''KHIIIIIIIIIIIII-A-RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!'' Mega Rayguaza roared flying through Barbatos' paralyzed, burning and frozen body, making hole into the Ancient Dragon's chest.
''END TO THE AGE OF DARK!'' Giant Hawkman roared grabbing the Ultima Thule from floating in the air and showed it into the hole in Barbatos' chest before raising his hammer. ''THE AGE OF METAL BEGINS IN HAMMER TIME!''
KLINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
Having made it to the cargo hold leading out of the Ultima Thule, Ash, Brock, Serena, Batman and Owlman came to witness the Nth Metal powered Team Rocket facing off against Merciless and Dawnbreaker, which had mostly been just them using Wobbuffet to use Counter on all of Merciless' physical attacks and Mirror Coat to reflect Dawnbreaker's constructs back at them or literally anywhere else from them. Powered by Nth Metal, Wobbuffet was indeed now powerful enough to stand up againt the God of War and the most powerful weapon in the universe.
''That is not going to last long or go well for them,'' Owlman said looking at the sight before them. ''But if we release Dialga, Palkia, Giratina and Arceus, they should be able to fight too when armed with the Nth Metal.''
''Pikachu and Delphox attack those two from behind and everyone else-''
Batman was about to add to Owlman's plan when Ultima Thule moved so quickly that everyone standing on the floor lost their footing. Whatever onbeard gravity Murder Machine had left online before his demise, that was no longer operational on the ship and any collision from the outside had no positive effects. It affected on the forcefield keeping the Sinnoh Legendaries and released them to attack Merciless and Dawnbreaker before rushing out from the open cargo doors, with
''TEAM ROCKET IS BLasting off again-*''
in their wake.
''No, we need release our Flying Types and get off the ship!'' Ash said taking his Pidgeot out of it's Pokéball. ''Batman, you have my Charizard and can use that. Brock, what do you have?''
''My Crobat,'' Brock said releasing a dark purple Bat Pokémon with four wings.
KLINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
The cargo doors were open, but something from the outside had now blocked it. Something big that was moving. It hit the back of the ship by the cargo doors, moved away and then
KLINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
hit the back again.
''Ash is right, we need to resume the original evacuation plan,'' Batman said releasing Charizard and recalled Greninja along with Serena recalling her Delphox. ''Ash, you take Serena with you, Brock goes on his Crobat, Owlman and I take Charizard while Mrs. Yvonne can be carried from under-''
''BIG SISTER SERENA! MOTHER! UNCLE! WAIT!''
Damian, the jokerized Damian, had followed them and was coming at them with his sword ready. Owlman responded to the approaching Robin by standing in between them and raised his cloak up as a shield.
''Go ahead without me,'' he said without looking back at them. ''I can handle one 16-year-old.''
''Uncle…'' Damian growled raising his sword against Owlman's shield.
''GO!'' Owlman yelled as he started to charge towards the oldest Robin.
Ash and Batman glanced at each other, acknogledging the sacrifice carried by their big brother, before getting on their Flying Pokémon with Serena going with Ash on Mega Evolving Pidgeot and her mother was take on Mega Evolved Charizard Y with Batman. Brock was already on the air carried from his shoulders by his Crobat's feet when
KLINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
whatever that had hit the ship before hitting it again with a massive tremor.
''FLY!''
Giant Hawkman brought his hammer down on Barbatos' chest once more and then kicked the Ancient Dragon off the planet and down at the Forge. The he spread his wings and jumped up in the air, letting go of his hammer and removed his helmet, allowing them both to fall down after Barbatos' corpse and the Ultima Thule lodged into His chest.
Looking up, Carter Hall saw the light greeting him above and let his wings take him to it. Approaching the light, a pale feminine hand reached out to him and welcomed Carter Hall to the embrace of Death of the Endless.
Alola Region
Superman was still pushing the planet upwards. Slowly and carefully, not letting it sink any lower and letting it switch direction so that he could lift it up again. Thanks to Solgaleo radiating yellow sunlight, Superman's powercells were constantly being charged to keep his body from getting tired and newly arrived Groudon was strengthening the foundation the Man of Steel was pushing up.
Now, after the arrival of May and Dawn, Superman finally started to make actual progress as the planet begun to ascend from it's place in the Dark Multiverse.
''CHAAAAAAAAAAR!''
''PIDGEOOOOOT!''
''CROOOOOOOO!''
Charizard, Pidgeot and Crobat had managed to fly out of the Ultima Thule just as the Giant Hawkman had kicked Barbatos down to the Forge with it. At the same moment, the planet had begun to ascend from it's place between the doomed worlds in the Dark Multiverse and return to it's original place in Hypertime. These circumstances now forced Batman, Ash, Serena and Brock to hurry up in order to catch up with the planet so they wouldn't be left behind. Mega Charizard Y and Mega Pidgeot were leading on as Mega Evolved Flying Types with Crobat having its already high speed-stats elevated to new levels.
Another advantage that they also still had on their side was that they had been high on the top of the world on Mount Coronet when they had flown out of the Ultima Thule, so they could have returned to the ascending planet just by flying downwards at it quickly enough and-
''AAARGH!''
''Where do you think you're taking me, BATMAN!?'' Grace screamed stabbing her fingers into Batman's healing stomach wounds. ''YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SAVING ME FROM ANYTHING!''
''KEEP FLYING, CHARIZARD!'' Batman yelled through the pain.
''Do you know what the Batman Who Laughs told me about his life? ABOUT YOU!?'' Grace screamed again trying to attack Batman. ''You precious Selina, YOUR BELOVED CATWOMAN! She is going to answer 'yes' to you, BUT SHE WON'T SHOW UP TO SAY 'I DO'!''
''Listen to me, Mrs. Yvonne,'' Batman said trying to restrain Grace from trying to attack him again and to keep them from falling off the Mega Charizard Y. ''You're poisoned, just like your daughter was, but you can be saved-''
''I AM SAVED! HE SAVED ME FROM MY BORING LIFE!'' Grace screamed and kept trying to rip Batman's wounds open. ''I WAS A RETIRED ATHLETE IN MY 40s, DIVORCED WITH MY KID HAVING MOVED OUT BEFORE BATMAN WHO LAUGH CAME FOR ME! WHAT LIFE DO I HAVE TO RETURN TO!?''
''Mom!?''
''Batman!''
''KEEP FLYING HOME!'' Batman yelled at Ash, Serena and Brock on their Pokémon. ''I CAN HANDLE THIS, YOU SAVE YOURSELVES!''
''Do you want to know something else interesting?'' Grace asked calming down a little but still put up a strong resistance. ''You are the true worst version of yourself. You're stuck, your war will never end and you will never be able to move on with your life WHILE ALL THE OTHER VERSIONS OF YOU HAVE!''
Grace begun to fight back against Batman again, with both insults and physical attacks.
''BATMAN WHO LAUGHS KILLED HIS JOKER! GRIM KNIGHT HAD TURNED HIS GOTHAM INTO A CRIME FREE UTOPIA! MURDER MACHINE HAD-''
''SHUT UP!'' Batman yelled at Grace as Charizard also begun to have enough. ''I AM NOTHING LIKE THEM-''
''OFCOURSE YOU'RE NOTHING LIKE THEM! YOU'RE WORSE THAN THEM!'' Grace yelled back not afraid or scared of falling off while trying to get them both killed. ''YOU ARE THE TRUE NIGHTMARE BATMAN WHO NEVER BECOMES ANYTHING!''
''CHAAAAAAR!'' Charizard roared doing a barrel roll and made them both fall off his back, but quickly caught them to be carried on it's arms.
''GRRRRRRRRR!'' Batman grunted in pain holding onto his wounded stomach.
''THAT IS WHY YOU WERE TO BE THEIR WAGON!'' Grace kept screaming even when Charizard was carrying her. ''YOUR LIFE IS SO MEANINGLESS THAT YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE SUNK INTO METAL- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!''
At that point, Charizard had had enough and decided to prioritize on getting the wounded Batman to the ascending planet by letting go of Grace and let her fall.
July 20th, 2019. Thomas Wayne Jr dies fighting a rapid version of his nephew while protecting two versions of his brother. His spirit is greeted by pale girl with dark hair appearing younger than she is. He leaves the waking world with the Death of the Endless. She tells Thomas Jr that his actions of late do not erase all the bad he has done, but Death is not judging him for any of them. Instead she leads him to a house and reunites him with Annataz Arataz.
I have witnessed Thomas Jr's life ending and turn away, moving on to other things.
Dark Multiverse – Ultima Thule in Barbatos' corpse
''Why the fuck won't you die!?'' Grim Knight asked frustrated after having emptied a full clip of his M4A1's ammunition onto the Joker, who had mostly just absorbed them but not been killed.
''Well, that-'' the Joker said cracking his neck as he got up. ''That is an interesting topic. Before I got pulled here, I was on a big blue police phone box and before that raiding a tower full of wizards. One or both of those two might be related.''
''Hmm,'' Batman Who Laughs muttered taking out a metal card and held it up at the Joker. ''Wizards, you say? I remember that raid, you pulled it off weeks before my transformation in my world and-''
TSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHF!
A flash blue light appeared like localized lightning strike, bringing a blue humanoid being to the bridge of the fallen ship with them
''What is that?'' Grim Knight asked not understanding what he was looking at as he lowered his M4A1.
''Whoever you are, put some clothes on, FOR GOD'S SAKE!'' The Joker said mildly disgusted and covering his eyes from seeing the blue being. ''Or at least for mine!''
''Seconded,'' Batman Who Laughs grunted with a frown, equally uncomfortable.
The blue being didn't mind their comments on it's appearance, instead it looked at the Joker for a focused glare on it's pale blue eyes, that didn't have any irises in them. It walked to him and reached it's hand at the Joker. Then it chuckled.
''Magic,'' the blue being said amused, in a calm and serene voice, before turning the Joker's body purple and transparent. ''It feels good to learn again.''
''I don't like the sound of-''
Tzzzzz!
The Joker having turned purple, dissolved into a purple mist while the brown overcoat and blue suit fell to the floor. The mist on the other hand, flew in the air controlled by the blue being, who then turned to face the Batman Who Laughs and the Grim Knight. It stood there controlling the purple mist that had just seconds ago been the Joker and looked at them like he was waiting for something before speaking. The it looked at the doorway
''Father, Grim Knight,'' Damian's voice spoke coming from the doorway before he walked in with looking sorry. ''They escaped, I failed to get them back. Why is that man wearing nothing but glowing blue body paint and a hydrogen atom tattoo?''
''My name is Jon,'' the blue being said releasing the purple mist at Batman Who Laughs, Grim Knight and Damian, while also sending some of it to fly away elsewhere. ''And I'm sending you to where you're supposed to be next.''
Author's notes: Yeah, that was Doctor Manhattan. From Watchmen. Meaning that the next story after this, will be based on Doomsday Clock. I am not 100% sure about this, but the next chapter will probably be the final chapter where this story ends.
BTW, I have drawn some scenes from this story and posted them on my Instagram account. It's pikashades, same as here. You should be able to go see them if you look it up, but I have set it on private, so if you can't get to see them and want to follow me there, PM me here on the site about it.