Disclaimer: I don't own the DC characters
Claimer: I own my OC characters
Thanks to Geeky BMWW Fan for the help on this story. With her assistance, the writing would not be half as good as I think it is. Thank you to a distant friend.
Always thanks to Bruce Timm and his team for the world of heroes
Chapter Three
What Nightmares Bring
Nothing about tonight felt right.
At first he disregarded the uneasy emptiness of his city, seeing that nothing was visibly amiss. Until he came upon and landed on one of his usual patrol points, Batman had not realized throughout the night, the inhumanly lack of presences of others. Gotham City, populated by many and busily working throughout the night all seemed lifeless to the Dark Knight while he worked above her streets. Though Bruce could see them, the presence of another soul that any being could feel, was missing from the city and the omnipresent sense of life was replaced by an empty void.
A void Bruce was all too familiar with and grown use to having his entire life. Carrying the damnable thing within himself everyday of every night since their deaths and denied him any peace of mind. The void and pain that followed, Bruce forged his life's mission for no one else to share such a fate. To never be forced to carry an existence in avoiding facing the emptiness of their own tormented soul as he does.
It had been with him for so long and unending. Tonight, the painful void in Bruce was felt throughout Gotham.
The question crossed the hero's mind, if after years of being the way he is, would the city and even the world itself would eventually reciprocated the same feelings back to him? Could it be possible to distant himself so far away from the likes of humanity that he could no longer detect its presence?
A chilling and mentally disturbing thought, but a quick reason came to Bruce that the missing sensation of world was probably brought on by the lack of sleep he was getting. He deliberately avoided sleep as much as possible lately, specifically avoiding his dreams that rippled with nightmarish events every second. Though accustomed to having unpleasant dreams for years, Bruce couldn't stand the past few nights. The nightmares he recalled had become so disturbing, that fatigue and weariness itself were more promising than facing such hellish images of his mind while he slept.
The circumstances Bruce found himself forced to endure, a normal person would fall in a state of dread and panic from the lack of restful sleep. His mind, though challenged, was far too disciplined to succumb to the likes of which normal people would. Years of training without rest kept the Dark Knight from giving in to his fatigue. The advanced training and self-discipline of control that Bruce possessed, did not stop him from feeling however much unemotionally attached he was to everything, in feeling the coldness sensation at the moment of being completely alone.
The coldness that surrounded him, engulfed the entire city, becoming even more noticeable when Bruce looked up at the sky. Cloudy as usual, but even the gloomy skies of Gotham held a certain charm to them during the night. A far from being a true feat for this particular night for him and the city. The skies had been stripped of its soul-like presence, as Bruce's eyes unknowingly to him were desperately searching for it.
There was something wrong about everything he looked at; there was something wrong with the world. Trailing thoughts for an explanation and reasoning flood through Bruce's mind to what could be happening that made him feel to be the only thing alive during the night.
A lone shriek of terror was heard, catching Batman's attention instantly. He almost smiled now know that there was, even if he couldn't feel it, life still around him.
Almost.
Firing a grappling hook into a building and once again becoming the Batman, Gotham City's masked protect rushing to aid the screams of a terrified woman. It took only a few blocks before Bruce had come across the source of the screams as he leaped into the shadows of a nearby rooftop.
Three people: a man, woman, and child; the Batman began to analyze the situation. All three were being held at gun point by two punks with handguns, .9 millimeter, easy to disarm. Their life taking weapons were aimed at the person Bruce assumed was the father of the family and demanding that he surrender what valuables they had. The man gave them up willingly, begging his muggers for only for his family to be spared. The muggers appeared to have ignored the man's pleas as they took the stolen loot gladly and stepping back, never letting up on aiming their guns at helpless peoples.
Both of the scum smiled; Bruce knew they were not going to let the family leave here alive to only later identify them to the cops. Killing was the only way that their actions would go unspoken.
Not tonight, Bruce shouted within himself.
Flinging several batarangs at the muggers, effectively disarming them, Batman leap down to deliver his kind of justice to these foul souls. The cape of his uniform was held open on both sides evenly allowing the full image of his symbolic creature of a bat to fall in sights of his fear stricken victims. He dove down to them and tackled the closest of the two muggers knocking the common villain flat on his back and unconscious. Child's play as Bruce used the remainder of momentum from the fall to flip forward to his feet. He was a master with the performance, enough to frighten the remaining mugger motionless as the Batman, enveloped in his cape slowly stepped forward.
A deadly glare and silence was all that was needed for the criminal to shutter in fear at Batman's presence. The man was a common street punk trying to make quick buck of someone else's belongings. And he was a man willing to kill afterwards just so he can enjoy the bounty of his misdeeds. He was in a sadly long list of heartless men that Bruce fought long and hard to purge from Gotham.
The Batman was going to treat the villain no different than any other and make sure the man was shown the errors of his ways. Like the Scarecrow before him from a few nights ago, Batman was going to show just how frightening it was to commit a crime in his city.
He grabbed at the punk's almost senseless appearing body whose knees collapsed from terror, making Bruce's hold on him the only thing keeping the man vertical. The Dark Knight's grip was tight and his face no less determined in planting the seed of fear in the brain of this heartless brute. With any luck, it would be the last time this punk tried anything remotely involving crime.
He readied to break the man from his life of crime, but an alerting noise from behind Bruce caught his attention. It was the clicking of a gun just being readied to fire. He saw the other mugger still on the ground but very much conscious and very much armed with the gun Bruce had disarmed him with from before. Normally a gun pointed at him, Bruce could handle but to the Dark Knight's horror, the now rearmed man lying on the ground pointed his weapon at the terrified family, standing mezemorized in fear.
Bruce gasped as he flung away the other mugger and darted back for the armed one. The man laughed as he saw the bat coming for him. He had enough time to stared back at the quickly approaching Batman and laughed manically about what he was going to do. There was no mistake in Bruce's heart that this man was going to kill those people just out of spite that the two muggers got caught by him. There was no mistaking either to Bruce that was just too few seconds late as the man squeeze down on the trigger twice. In a heartbeat, the weapon delivering two life ending projectiles into the air that soon found themselves lounged into the father and mother.
It was like watching it all over again, Bruce's own parents gunned down in an alley by some heartless thug who though about nothing of the lives he was going to take and destroy. Their bodies falling the same way his parents had. The dying screams and grunts of the life that was being extinguished from them rang in the Dark Knight's ears that last for eternity.
It was too painful to bear again as Bruce remembered how helpless he felt when it all happened to him years ago while still a child. He was young then and still but a child to do anything to stop the killing of his parents. This time however, the circumstances were different, he wasn't a child any longer and he was self-trained for stopping situations like these everyday. All counted for nothing on this night that needed him the most and he was not enough to save them.
The Dark Knight disarmed the villain once more and yanked at him so that they were face to face. Bruce was certain the man was knocked out from his attack for at least a few hours. How did he manage to come to so quickly?
It didn't matter now as his face turned grim, Batman was full of an unquenchable need for blood of the mugger now turned murderer's blood. The villain was still laughing about it too; the existence of life had no meaning to him. Bruce threw the murder to the ground and began to mercilessly pummel him with left and right punches. The hero's hits were strong and unrelenting as the rage inside the Dark Knight demanded for justice. Good thing then, because at the moment Bruce was unsure if he could stop himself.
As the blows to his defenseless opponent continued, sprays of blood trailed out and was tossed in the air by the momentum of quickly drawn back fists. The villain's laughter didn't cease and all Bruce wanted right now was to silence it. To show the murder that taking life was no laughing matter, that it meant something to someone; to him.
The laughter from the man continued but with placed grunts in between every impact he received from the hero. Within seconds the laughter then turned into bloodcurdling noises as the victim of Batman's wrath could no longer breath properly. He still would not stop, slapping in a few more fits of laughter which only infuriated the Dark Knight even further. He was just like the Joker, with the same twisted and unending laughter that he would probably have when he would be sent to his grave.
Madness.
The sickening truth of the Joker's still to come death became a reality for Batman's victim as his life ended under the fists of hero's unrelenting brutality. Bruce continued his attacks, drawing heavy breaths from each movement, tiring and blows coming down slower then before.
He shouted in rage at what this man had done and even more over to what he had just done. The full shock of his actions still yet to reach and be processed in Bruce's mind fully while he continuing to beat the lifeless body of the murderer that laid before him.
This was not how it was suppose to happen Batman realized as his attacks on the bloodied body came to a stop. Gloved hands now saturated with the blood of another held out in front of Bruce's eyes. His shoulders rising and falling with each breath in full awareness of what he had just done. His fear, his rage, became uncontrollable and the results ended with the killing of another. The very action that made Batman into what he was.
He became a monster.
Another realizing fear as Batman's eyes shot at the survivor of the two victims; their child.
The boy was in dead shock and his eyes never left the sight of Batman until Bruce stared back at him. The boy was shell shocked when looked at both of his sides before falling to his knees. His parents, their blood pouring out from their corpses.
Bruce wanted to come to the child's side and offer comfort, but found he couldn't, not after what he had just done. Not after what he had become.
No.
Bruce was unable to stop it from happening again; couldn't stop the same thing that he feared for every other day. The very same damn thing happened that gave birth to the Batman. Bruce couldn't believe his eyes as the boy looked back at him. The child's face turned grim with his eyes filled with hate and what Bruce feared the most would happen to another, the need for revenge. Plainly written on the boy just as it was once in Bruce's eyes.
Another soul cursed with a pain like his own. A pain that could never be let go, that could never be lifted from a soul that would soon turn dark.
No, Bruce thought.
He looked around him, the alley and the other mugger who had disappeared from the sight. Bruce was on his knees, had the entire world gone mad? Did everyone need to be forced in carrying a pain as his own?
"No!" Bruce declared. He looked to the heavens. "Noooooooooooooooooooo!"
"NO!" Bruce shouted as he awakened in front of the cave computer.
He looked around for the familiar sights of the alley. His breathing erratically drawn as his eyes darted around for the life he had just lived.
A few seconds of looking into the darkness of the cave, Bruce found relieve flow through his heart.
A dream.
It was a dream, only a dream.
Though relieved, it felt like Bruce's own heart was about to burst from his chest at the speed it was going. Only being a dream, it felt no less real to Bruce as he placed an uneasy hand on his forehead.
He exhaled deeply and dropped back in his chair wanting to recall when he had so easily fallen asleep. And he silently cursed at himself for allowing such a thing to happen knowing what the results would bring. He was not ready for it and the contents of the nightmare were playing out in detail again to Bruce's analyzing mind.
His eyes closed still able to see the face of the man whose life he took. It was cold to the hero's heart at taking the life of another and a fear that Bruce prayed he would never cross paths with. In his line of work as Batman, the idea had surfaced itself on more then one occasion. The temptation to bring an end of someone in a vengeful exchange for the life of another. Bruce was frightened to think that his fear could come about so easily at the loss of control and kill. And all it took was the laughter of an insane mind at his misdeeds.
The Joker's pasty grinning face came to mind, and before Bruce allowed himself to think any further on the ideas of killing, he found himself well within the confines of Wayne Manor. He didn't feel to remain in the cave and have its surrounding environment serve to remind Bruce of the actions the Batman could very well one day make.
Watchtower
Every attack Diana had taken and received from the morning's battle truly tested her as a warrior. After taking her seat at an empty table in the Watchtower cafeteria, the Princess recalled the event that had happened just outside the city with every detail. Giganta was far less threatening than other characters Wonder Woman went up against, but no less a challenge to defeat as the oversize woman had the upper hand against the hero for the longest time. With no one around to worry about getting hurt other than herself, Diana remembered actually enjoying the fight with the villain. The adrenaline rush that flowed freely through her veins reminded how it truly felt to be a Amazonian warrior. The heat of battle was consuming and if it were up to Diana, the fight would still be going on if not for Giganta falling in defeat after a few more blows to the face and knees.
She was trained for war and the idea of battling for the good of all people was Diana's aspiration with every punch that she gave. It was the idea of battle against evil people Diana had trained to fight against since her creation which had taken a unsuspected turn after entering into Man's World. She was looked upon as a hero figure now, with too many lives depended on Diana's every actions and the welfare of friends had often kept her from simply fighting a warrior's fight. Often it came down in her Justice League exploits to just simply stop a villain as quickly as possible while minimizing the damage.
It was still the same fight for peace and justice, Diana thought, as she took a bite of her food; however the fighting was not what she had expected it to be.
Closing her eyes, the Amazon gave a light sigh. She had a true warrior's heart and if her foes only knew just how much of one, they would probably never lift another finger against Wonder Woman again. But she did make the effort for all of them to know.
With her fists.
And as much as the hero could dish out on a number of villains with her might, Diana's sights turned to her hands that bore her soon to be healed battle scars. The wounds served as to reminded her that she too often took a beating.
Although having healed considerably since the other day, Diana remembered how painful the experience of her wounds felt during the battle. Each colliding contact with another object sent a considerable amount of pain up the Amazon's spin. All of which was endurable, but was something she could very much do without.
Diana looked at them, both placed flatly on one side of the tray remembering the only good thing that had come out of her injuries. To be honest with herself, Diana had not thought of him all day as Giganta had been a serious distraction. Now that she was settled and had time to think, the view of her palms served as a quick reminder of when Bruce held them in his. The memory, however short, was remembered and looked upon to the point where Diana could almost feel her hands being held by Bruce again.
It didn't last long as Diana recalled what had happened to him soon after.
Her feelings of worry for whatever unnatural thing that had happened to Bruce began to surface until, "This seat taken?"
Diana looked up, surprised at who was standing next to her.
"No."
"Mind if I join you then?" she asked.
Nodding her head in approval, Shayera took a seat next to Diana. "Heard what happened."
"It was nothing," Diana turned her attention back to her food. "Giganta put up a good fight but still went down easily."
Diana reminded herself to play it cool. Although things between herself and Shayera had improved since their mission to free Hades, there was still some much needed work from both sides before either of them could really consider being friends again. Diana had her mind set that the first move in repairing the damage that remained to their relationship would not come from her. Shayera was the traitor and she was the one who destroyed their friendship.
The warrior could stand to be in the same room with the winged woman now, but still Diana did her best to avoid interacting with Shayera.
The bad tensions between her and Diana did not sway Shayera from her curiosity. "I wasn't talking about the fight with Giganta."
"Oh?" Diana raised an eyebrow.
Diana could only think of two missions in the past few days that were even worth something of a conversation outside of work. And only one of them were worth the effort of someone like Shayera to come over and talk about.
"Mm-hm," Shayera said tauntingly while watching the liquid in her drink spin around in her hand.
She didn't say another word until she took a drink, allowing the Princess the time needed to see where her conversation was leading. During the quick moment of silence that was granted, Shayera reminded herself before saying another word that she still needed to tread lightly around Diana. She was thick skinned when it came to anything, just as Diana was, but the natural fierceness on both their ends needed to be suppressed for the sake of their friendship.
"I saw you on the radar after Superman left," Shayera said recalling the details perfectly. "I got to say that was no doubt the fastest I have ever seen you fly before. I'll bet Wally would be proud if he saw you."
Both women gave a light smile.
Diana wouldn't have minded the embarrassment of her face turning slightly pink, but because it came from Shayera and her statement, she tried to suppress it. She avoided making any sort of eye contact while taking a bite of her food.
"Bruce was in trouble and I needed to get to him fast. So I guess I just pushed myself harder than normally," Diana said without emotional attachment. For all Shayera knew of her little crush and circling relationship with Batman, it was long set to rest.
The winged hero slyly grinned.
So she still hasn't gotten over him, Shayera thought to herself. Reading Diana's body language was easy enough to show how nervous the Amazon was getting. Taking a bite of her food, she allowed Diana a moment again to compose herself.
"Its not like I wouldn't have done the same if it had been any other member of the League," Diana said knowing she failed in making a believably sounding lie. Though she doubted that Shayera would question the sincerity of her statement.
An unbelieving smile was all that Shayera gave before she said, "I read the reports from Superman. According to you, Batman would have been fried to a crisp if not for your arrival. Pretty brave of you to step in front of that attack for him."
Diana found herself looking at her hands again. Shayera picked up on it instantly. "From that night?"
If not for her remembering how her concern for Bruce's safety had blindly led Diana to step in front of the flames to protect him, the hero might have been angry at Shayera for poking at her business. Yet, all she could remember was that Bruce was in trouble and she needed to help him.
"My armor bracelets didn't exactly protect me from all of the flame's attacks. My hands and upper arms were badly burned."
"But you knew that before hand didn't you?"
Did she know? Diana wasn't sure if the actual thought of her being hurt crossed her mind. She saw the flames coming for Bruce. She recalled thinking while flying towards him that she could survive, he couldn't. Her face appeared to concentrated and a slight smile as much as she fought it, crept onto Wonder Woman's face.
Shayera's eyes widened. "No way!" She knew that face anywhere.
When did this happen and why had she not picked up on it before, Shayera wondered.
"What?"
Shayera's face dead locked in shock at the realization. She knew Diana liked the stubborn Batman and her crush on him was easily noticeable for those who were around her long enough. And it was also commonly known that their relationship had not progressed to much of anything. Mostly due to Bruce being Bruce. But how could any of that lead to this?
"When did- when did this happen?" Shayera had to force out.
The Amazon looked confused.
Shayera's face melted from shock to a sly look. "You actually like him more than a little crush now, don't you?"
Diana was caught offguard and she knew it. But thanks to Bruce, the warrior had learned a trick or two at getting out of uncomfortable situations.
She responded, "I don't know what you're talking about." Cold and emotionless, delivered just as if he had said it.
"Denial, Diana." Shayera pointed at her. She looked around before inching closer to whispering distance. "You're in love with Batman?"
Shayera giggled lightly enough for only the two of them to hear.
That was it. Diana had enough as she rose from her seat. "I don't know where you would get a crazy idea like that, Shayera. We're colleagues, Bruce and I." Just like he would say. Before another comment or giggle could come from Shayera, Diana left.
She didn't leave quickly, but made it clear enough to Shayera that she should not follow. The doors to the commissary closed, leaving the winged woman sitting alone noting that a few heroes were now curiously looking her way.
"What are you all looking at?!" she demanded with a falsely mad tone.
All at once the other present heroes looked away from her, leaving the Thanagarian
alone with her thoughts.
The reason for Diana's actions was clear enough to Shayera. She smiled and leaned back in her chair.
Diana, honest to the end, even if she was making for a lie. She still was new to this whole thing, and from what Shayera gathered, the Amazon was way over her head about the whole thing.
What was Shayera thinking? Her, an Amazon in love?
As heated as Diana wanted and appeared to be as she stormed out of the commissary, she found whatever anger she could muster could not be held onto for long. Her Amazon hatred for men failed miserably to maintain a state of anger and her general despising of the wicked lifted like a puff of smoke over the Princess. Rage that the Amazon wanted to indulge in was settled quickly by a surprisingly more humbling feeling.
Walking down the halls, Diana crossed her arms and lowered her head to avoid eye contact with other passing Leaguers.
She thought about it and because Diana was still very new to feeling for someone in such matters, the difference between the feelings of a crush and the uncharted concept of love were indistinguishable. She had seen what she thought was love displayed in others and on television, but had no personal experience to compare it to.
It was simply not fair of Shayera to say that she was in love. The Amazon didn't know what that was for the most part, at least the intimate kind that she had seen in Man's World.
Diana knew she liked Bruce beyond the boundaries of mere friendship, and she remembered her earlier plans to help bring about something more between them.
But to say that she was in love with him?
Fear crept up inside and the feeling quickly unsettled her. The Amazon didn't know why she suddenly felt afraid, but instantly realized that she didn't like it.
Pulling herself together, Diana found the anger she was looking for earlier. She wasn't sure if it was because of Shayera -who had not exactly regained her friendship yet- had questioned her or the fact that the winged hero's question popped up an unnoticed variable. As pair of heroes walked passed by , Diana popped into action, making herself look as calm and unaffected by anything. Walking and maintaining the look she always carried while roaming the halls.
Checking that they were far away and growing in distance, Diana's face bore the increasing annoyance building up in her and directed it mainly at Bruce. He was the cause of this entire mess and it was confusing the life out of the Amazon. He could be so ignorant sometimes and still yet be ever the charmer. How she both enjoyed and hated that about him.
But to love him for it?
She managed a few more paces before the events of the other night had stormed into Diana's mind. She froze instantly remembering what had happened to Bruce on that night and mentally slapped herself for forgetting.
By the time Diana had returned to the Watchtower the other night, she made a point to contact Bruce and ask what happened. Before the line was secured to talk to him, Diana had decided against it. More likely Bruce was still piecing together what had happened just as she was and would not be in a talkative mood. It would have been better to call later; after she'd given him some time to collect himself and reflect before he answered her concerns about his welfare.
A night to himself seemed enough for the Amazon as she resumed a now quickened pace back to her quarters.
Gotham City
The list of villains who could inflict such enhanced nightmares and causing anything remotely related to these waking terror moments was very short. Bruce was certain as to only one person to be the likely perpetrator when he returned to the cave. Although the Dark Knight was certain Scarecrow's gases was not in his system, the villain's feats and history fit the profile. And the events that were driving Bruce mad had conveniently started after Crane's latest defeat.
He suited up in moments and before long, the Batman made straight for Arkham Asylum.
On the desolate road the Batmobile's engine roared with fury into the night. Its slick black form mimicked the mood that its master was in. Bruce's week, thanks to Crane's interference had gone by horrifying than it normal would. Though Bruce doubted all that he was going through was being caused by a mere chemical imbalance, Crane's gas must certainly have triggered it. It wasn't far in Batman's thinking to suspect that Crane was not entirely behind everything. The images were far too real and far too painful for even his own mind to chemically self-torture itself with.
Since there was no point in his blood testings, there was only one option, go straight to the source.
On that rooftop from before, Batman knew Crane was scared out of his mind that night. If the villain was by any means connected to anything involving the nightmares, after everything was done, the Scarecrow would live in terror at the mentioning of the Batman's very name for the rest of his deranged life.
That Bruce promised himself.
The terrors of his mind continued almost constant as Bruce drove, making remaining in the vehicle very uncomfortable. Passing another road, Bruce sensed his terrors began in overtime in preventing concentrating on work and edged him to indulge in the fears within himself.
If Bruce didn't suspect anything better, the terrors were almost warning him off from investigating Crane.
All the more reason Batman began an accelerated drive to his destination.
Whatever Crane had done to him in the past was nothing compared to what the villain's partner was doing.
He or she, possessing strong mental abilities.
Someone entirely new to Batman's rogues gallery and who really wanted to have a bad day if wanting the Batman's attention that much.
Crane was the first weak link, he would lead to the person responsible and put a stop to the new night and day nightmares.
Turning onto a tree-hugged road leading to Arkham, the terrors lingering in Bruce's mind surfaced, coming faster and harder than before. The quickness was enough to disorientate Batman to put his vehicle on autopilot for the remaining trip to his destination.
Within seconds of the terror's attack, the full extent of the heart attack symptoms rose, making driving in Bruce's sudden condition impossible. He took to breathing deeper and heavier to regain control of himself, compensating for the confines of the Batmobile that was becoming very enclosed.
A simple thought in processing anything further about the reasons for his condition was met with a sharp pain of agony throughout Bruce's mind. He yelled in defiance, attempting to fight off the pain and the terrors that followed.
Whoever was responsible, he or she was obviously ticked off.
Batman squirmed around in his seat, fingers numbed and shaking unresponsively at the stress his mind and body was enduring. His entire chest tightened to the point where breathing became to difficult to accomplish. Bruce was dying and the pain of his mind and body demanded that he give in. Both death and losing himself to the terrors were eating at Batman's will, neither choice he would accept lightly.
Bruce arched his back forward, not willing to give in to the unnaturally made pain, he snapped his left arm across his chest. Desperate to find anything that could help him fight the pain, he pounded the forearm against the glass of the Batmobile hood. He struck again it again and again until Bruce's entire focus was on his own generated pain and of his forceful actions.
The terrors and heart attacking pains made no notice of his actions, but Bruce continued to resist by his own means of inducing pain. He tried to groan but no strength could be summoned for such an action.
Bruce's mind was in turmoil and chaos knowing he would die if not able to draw a breath within the next few seconds. There had to be a reason for this and he wanted to die knowing what caused his death. But before the picture of Bruce's own death entered his mind, another death, another person entered into the hero's mind.
She was on that day as beautiful as she was on any other day. But unlike any other day, Diana wasn't smiling. More a fearful look from what she needed to tell him on that uncertain day. Bruce's mind played the generated memory and stopped at the moment he was to reply to Diana's words. He didn't want to think of her dying, so Bruce quickly imagined the smiling face the Princess would have had if she had heard what she wanted to hear.
Bruce's body shook, but he decided if he was going to somehow die tonight, then at least he would have Diana's smiling face in his mind.
Then.....
He let loose a sigh and intake of much needed air feeling his heart rate decreasing and the terrors returning to a manageable level. The forcefulness of the Dark Knight's resistance left him exhausted and weakening. Should he have to endure another terror attack again, the mental resistance wall created would fail the hero. His eyes closed with the motion of breathing on Bruce's mind.
He focused his mind, creating solid line of defense against any pending attacking pain.
Bruce sat back firmly in his seat and was nearly relaxed to an almost sleepy state before his vehicle controls began beeping. The first urge was to to punch the controls out of service, but reluctantly the Batman had to answer a call if it was that important for someone to call him at this hour.
Bruce waited for his breath to return at a normal level and the constriction of his chest eased.
"Go ahead," he said hinting at his Batman tone of anger. Tonight was not the night for someone to need him.
The caller hesitated, "Bruce?" she asked softly and nearly sweetly if Batman's ears were not deceiving him.
His eyes widened with surprise before returning to the Batman glare. "Princess," he said not quite questioning.
When she didn't reply he continued, "what can I do for you?" As much as he wanted to be alone to deal with this problem of his; Bruce didn't exactly want to hang up. Hearing Diana's voice was adding a soothing medicine to his racked mind.
"How are you?"
"Fine, just like any night. Is there something you need?" He shook his head. Don't encourage a conversation right now. Got to focus.
"I thought maybe to ask about what happened to you the other night. You-"
"It was nothing," Bruce interrupted.
She didn't know about any of this.
"Bruce, it wasn't nothing. Something happened to you and I want to help."
Bruce thought about it, but then, what could she do? This was a mental battle and only he could fight it.
"Sorry Princess, this is something I have to do alone."
"But Bruce, I-"
The Batmobile stopped and the front hood slide open. Batman waited for a moment not really wanting to part from the voice that was soothing his unnerved self, but he was in a mental war now for his very life and sanity. The attacks had reached a breaking point within him and Bruce could not afford to wait around do nothing.
"Diana, there's someone I have to meet now. I have to go."
Fleeing from the Batmobile, Bruce could hear a disappointing 'oh' as the line closed and the hood shut closed.
He knew it was wrong, Diana was his friend, one of the few. But still, even as he fired a grappling hook to get over the site's wall, everyone involved in his life knew friendship was a hard thing to maintain. Whether she took it the wrong way or not, that hardly mattered at the moment. What mattered was that Batman meet Crane and find something about his new foe.
She can't protect you forever, Batman, a darkly voice told Bruce as he made his way to the facility. He wasn't struck by the dark voice as it only served to confirm his theory, there was a someone behind his nightmares.
Slipping in unnoticed was easy enough as Batman put criminals in here on a nightly basis. He had a trick or two in finding a way in to make some interrogation meetings with the criminals that the law would frown upon.
Walking down the halls, Batman noted how bad of condition the place had become. Darkseid's attack had certainly brought a new found scene of despair and loss. The place was in such bad shape now that it forced another place to be built for Arkham's soon needed retirement. Batman didn't care thought, maybe the new place would help these criminals from breaking out so often.
He skipped the scenic route of the other villain's present in Arkham, and headed straight for Crane's cell, and to Batman's surprise when he arrived, the room was empty.
Angrily scowling at the doorway, the Dark Knight grabbed the medical clipboard posted on the steel door. The file details read that Johnathan Crane had been moved to a mental watch room under extreme care. Further reading indicated that Crane was in a vegetable state and his health was declining. Such news killed all hope Bruce wanted to hold for himself at bringing this nightmare phase of his life to a quick end.
He was back at square one.
Examining the cell, at the first glance proved very little of interest concerning Crane's new state. However, as Bruce continued his investigation, the environment of the patted room, he noticed it held a vague similarity of the darkness that was present in his recent dreams. His body tensed slightly to its familiarity and all mental bearing standing ready for another attack. His mind instantly went towards focusing on the task ahead, making best at ignoring the eerie presence of the room.
He patted the rack mattress and checked underneath for anything that Crane might have left behind. Nothing turned up and Bruce in frustration slammed his flashlight onto the ground. Instantly upon reaching for the light giving device, the Dark Knight notice the odd appearance of the farthest retaining wall.
Under the cover of the darkness of the cell, Bruce may not have notice it. Beaming the flashlight against the wall's darkened surfacing that could easily be pasted for mere shadowing, the Dark Knight noticed a covering residue littered all on the matting.
The residue appeared, as he rubbed the substance between his fingers, as a sort of black smooth sand and was too unnatural to disregard.
Taking a few samples for later study, Batman made his way for a quick exit. He noted the cell held nothing of further interest for him, and Bruce, at the moment really wanted to put some distance between him and the room's dark presence.
With each step that Batman took, he could feel the uneasy feeling of helplessness in his body that forced him to stop.
The hero groaned and rubbed at his forehead, feeling a disorientation sweep through his mind and body. He closed his eyes, keeping the hand on his forehead in place while hearing the impossible. The sound of sweeping wind began to form around Bruce which his logical mind denied as possible, given to where he was.
Yet the wind continued and his ears and skin definitely registered some sort of air movement.
The hollowing wind grew louder and louder until it was the only thing Bruce could hear. Until....
Bruce's eyes snapped open and his arm fell to his side.
The gunshots.
The flashlight in Bruce's hand dropped, followed soon by himself onto his knees. Both arms at grasping unresponsively at the air in front of him and face locked in terror. He saw them all over again, being killed and those that he would come to know followed soon afterwards.
The images were fast and devastating in watching everyone be killed in front of him without mercy. Bruce was at the moment, too scared and utterly powerless to help any of them. His body didn't want to move to his friends and loved one's aid. He was locked in shock as he was the day that the ones dearest to Bruce were taken before him.
A rage boiled in the Dark Knight as he remembered the feeling of helplessness of his boyhood. A helpless feeling that took his family's life and cost him the very being of an eight year old Bruce Wayne. How he wanted to do something, anything to stop that man from killing them. But he didn't, he was just a boy back then and he was too afraid.
Bruce's hands numb to his senses began to ball up into fists. His face of terror steadily broke into the angry appeal of the Batman that he was. He hated being afraid and he hated that it cost him his parents' lives. Most of all, Bruce hated the fact that someone was willing forcing him to live through that night all over again.
He growled though his body was still majority unresponsive to the Dark Knight's commands. He felt the pain increase with his growing defiance, trying to strangle him for giving such chase. Batman wouldn't give in as he mustered anew with all the remaining strength he had for his mind and body to obey his commands.
Though his body stiffened and pushed to obey, no other movement part from his now clutched fists and angered face would budge. Bruce resisted the pain, screaming mentally within himself not to give in. He wasn't going to be defeated to the likes of some mind invading force that really wanted to get at him.
He had to win as he growled again.
Bruce had to think of nothing else but overcoming his enemy's hold.
He had to think of, Diana.
Releasing his defending mental front from trying to gain control of himself again, Bruce felt the pain swarm in on him. It screamed as it entered hitting the hero like a tidal wave in his mind and laughed all at the same time. Bruce forcefully endured, all the while pulling himself together into a mentally relaxed state and allowed his mind to drift on something he could concentrate someone that would help.
She was present in the Dark Knight's mind for many of his nights when the terrors struck. Thinking of his fellow Justice League comrade was at best, an oddly means of defense, but nonetheless, thinking of Diana was the terror's cure. Bruce's thoughts dared to quickly venturing about the fate that awaited the Amazon before he had the strength to banish his growing fear over Diana. He screamed for her through many of the terrorizing nights and until the Batmobile incident, Bruce had not even considered the reactions to the terrors that followed.
His eyes, under the strength of his will, closed once more.
He thought about it and about her, any moment that he could recall fondly of.
The day he gave up his very pride of the Batman in order to save her life. The day he sang and would forever more hate that song......
Am I Blue? Batman thought and cursed at himself for singing while on his way back to the Watchtower. He was blue now and hated himself a lot more now then ever after singing that song. Not only did he have to sing, but to a live audience as well. How he hated people looking at him like that.
The only comfort that Bruce held him in place from banging his face into the steel frame of one of the Javelins was the fact he only did such a thing, was for the sake of another team member. One whose life was endangered of being four legged animal for the rest of her life if he didn't do something. Diana was in trouble and he had to use whatever means at his disposal to free her from the spell. Now for his good deed, he had to face the life and consequences that would follow. Zatanna certainly enjoyed such a sight at him preform such a thing, and only by a mere friendly Batman warning did Bruce have any confidence in the woman keeping his secret a secret. Of course, Bruce was well aware that his glares or any type of threat would do the least bit in frightening Zatanna into remaining silent. She was a too stubborn of a supposed friend to let something like him singing go unspoke.
For his own good, the magical woman would argue.
Even as Bruce entered the medical bay with Zatanna following close behind him, the Dark Knight knew he was in for it. His old friend's smile told him all that he needed to know of her intentions. Thanks to tonight, Zatanna was aware of the something he and Diana had and the woman knew he was too hesitate to do anything about it.
"How are you feeling?" Bruce said upon looking at the beautiful Amazon sitting on one of the medical beds.
"The same as always, I guess," Diana said confusingly. "I can't recall much about tonight. All I remember is that we were on the rooftop talking and the next we ran into-"
"Circe," Batman said holding up his hand.
"Circe!" Diana leaped off the bed. "I remember! That witch!"
"Cool yourself there, Diana. Bruce and me took care of the old peg." Zatanna stepped in front of Bruce and smiley pointed. "Well, mostly Bruce did anyway."
"I can't seem to remember anything." Diana shook her head.
"Don't bother. You were under one of her spells," Batman said. "Her magic must have left your mind unable to process the world around you like humans do."
"Like humans?" Diana raised an eyebrow. "What did she do to me?"
"Forget it, Diana. It's over now and we fixed it."
Diana looked at the two intensely. "So what am I doing here now?"
"Well," Zatanna stepped closer. "I want to make sure that whatever spell Circe had put on you is truly gone. Just a little magic check-up of sorts."
The magician turned to Bruce. "A private check-up."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. He didn't know a great deal when it came to magic, but his better half was telling the Dark Knight that Zatanna was planning his doom.
"Really, Bruce. This sort of thing is better done without the presence of an audience." Zatanna smiled sinisterly.
Diana herself now raised a curious eyebrow.
Batman returned her look with a look of his own. A silent and warning glare to his friend at she was putting her better interests in having a pleasant life in danger. To his dismay, Bruce's glares fell short of working at all on Zatanna. With one finally look at a still confused Princess, Bruce spud his cape around and made a annoyed exit.
As the door shut, Bruce could swear he heard Zatanna say, "Diana, have I got something to show you."
He waited for a good hour leaning against the hallway wall opposite to the medical door. Arms folded and not one person to his relief had passed by him, given his sour mood. It was all to obvious as to what Zatanna was showing Diana with that pestering crystal ball of hers, which he was powerless to stop from happening. He could easily have gone in there and smashed the stupid thing before it showed anything of real interest to Diana. Then of course that would only lead Diana to really want to know what happened tonight and leaving a very ticked off magician.
Magic and women, both just as mysterious as the other and both were just as tormenting to the Dark Knight.
Another hour passed until the doors to medical opened to reveal a calm looking Diana. She smiled and told Bruce that Zatanna had taken a faster way back home. A more wiser way by his mindset.
They walked in silence as Bruce dreaded in thinking that the worst that could possibly happen did in fact happen. Zatanna had shown Diana everything. Yet, as he continued his walk next to Diana, she seemed no different from any other day.
Slight quieter then usual, but otherwise the same.
"Zatanna told me that Circe's spell turned me into a pig," Diana broke the silence.
"Yes. She turned you into one right after we confronted her behind the museum." Bruce knew he was breathing faster then normal. His heart rate took a few spike jumps in accelerating. Still, he made sure he appeared as calm as ever.
Diana continued, "She said that I escaped and you both were looking all over town for me."
"You became frightened by the sight of a magic event that Zatanna was preforming to help locate Circe. You were more then likely had only instincts at your disposal then that of your normal thought processing. It wasn't unexpected."
Diana looked at him almost scowling, but then gave a light smile.
She turned away before beginning again. Bruce dared himself to think that Zatanna was his friend and was humbled enough to not humiliate him in such a way. It was hope he had and was one that made him relax as they continued to walk.
"And truthfully," she lifted her arms, looking confused. "its all still pretty much a blur to me." She looked at him. "Did I miss anything?"
He could tell by the way Diana said 'anything' that she wanted him to tell her about the song. Bruce made a face as he bit his tongue. "Not really," He shifted his body weight and looked straight ahead at the ceiling. "the important thing is, your safe."
Her smile began to brighten.
Bruce saw it coming like a bullet as his sights returned to a ground level. And all he could to was act as if though he didn't notice.
"Yeah," she began softly. "Of course, that's not the only important thing."
Bruce lifted his eyebrow and his cowl lenses followed just the same as if by first nature that action should be his response.
Did she know?
She continued to smile and for a brief second, Bruce had one final hope that she didn't know. A confused and boldly daring look to remain at Diana's side as the thought came to Bruce to run in the oppose direction.
She began with her gracefully gifted voice at humming the tune.
Am I Blue?
Bruce stopped dead in his footsteps, but Diana pressed forward. Calmly moving with her hands behind her back all the while continuing with the song. Bruce felt his face daring to scowl at the confirmation that she did know.
However, Bruce's face didn't scowl. He couldn't and to the Dark Knight's surprise, his leftside lip turned upward. Along with his lips, Bruce's left eyebrow rose, both actions were followed by a strange feeling inside of the man. Bruce wasn't sure as if he were upset enough that he couldn't feel his rage overtake his body or if it simply pressed on without him.
He knew it wasn't rage or of the hatred he sometimes forcefully installed with himself. The feeling was of a more lighted nature, one which Bruce found himself strangely lightheaded from. And was a feeling he strangely liked as he stored the image of the humming Princess walking down the hall and out of sight into his memory.
His mind was being torn into two with all the pain Bruce was enduring displayed on his face. The terror pressed harder at his mind; all he could do was groan at the increase in pain and replay the memory over again.
A pridefully painful memory he recalled with unusual fondness as the terror continued. He focused, gradually allowing himself to think solely about his reaction on that day. Though Zatanna was more then likely far less graceful at taking a shot at his pride when showing the Princess such a sight, Diana certainly delivered the fact that she knew with ease.
She didn't want to hurt him or his ego at being the Batman, a cold and heartless weapon used against the villainy of crime. Neither prone or accustomed to such things as to what he had to do for her that night. Whether out of respect or for the fact he had done such a breaking thing all for her sake, Diana had playfully remained silent about it. Only leaving the Dark Knight with a humming tune that confirmed to him that she did know.
There were so many choices and actions Bruce made and hated about himself.
Yet, he could not come to scorn himself for what he did for Diana. He felt awkward about the entire affair, but in the end, nothing further damaging to him came of it. The memory was not so long ago and was enough in recall that the terror attack on Bruce began to lift.
The hero felt the attack resist and try weakly again at making for another stab at him. But the terror failed and the moment of passed, allowing Bruce the regaining control of his senses. He felt sore and slowly made his way back to his feet.
Stealthy the Batman made his way out of Arkham heading back to his dwellings. He would analyze the sample collected from Crane's cell and it would hopefully lead to an answer to this nightmare. All the while the trip in returning, Bruce made sure that his mind was focused this time solely on the memories of himself and Diana.
On the Watchtower
The meeting had been underway for the better half of the hour, and as much attention Diana devoted towards what the others were saying, her utter focus was drawn towards the man sitting next her. When Bruce first entered the conference room, the Amazon noticed something was wrong with him. She doubted as the meeting continued that anyone else had noticed the tension present in Bruce's body when she sneaked a look at him.
His fists remained in a tight squeeze on top of the table and quiet as the Batman often was, Bruce had not said a word throughout the meeting in regards to anything. His attention and stare, Diana couldn't determine was being directed at the actual meeting or at some random spot on the wall. Both his scarcely made breathing and stiffly held posture alarmingly drew back the memory in the Princess of what happened to Bruce the last time she had seen him.
All the more reason she kept a silently closer eye on him.
Ignoring the last mindless comment Flash made concerning his oversize ego at being the fastest man alive, Bruce kept focus on the protection of his mind. He was certain Diana knew something was wrong by the concerned glances she passed at him. All of which he was able to shake off easily for the moment at the more pressing threat that was J'onn. The Martian's telepathic abilities gave nearly him full access to anyone's mind and feelings which Bruce, in his mentally weakened state, had no wish of sharing with anyone.
J'onn was perhaps the only actually living being Bruce could trust with his inner workings both in and out of costume. He could read through people like a book with or without their knowledge, making it all the more pressing reason for Bruce's mind to work in overtime. Every thought concerning the future and current predicament the Dark Knight was currently in, Bruce laced with his own nightmarish thoughts J'onn admitted to being frightened of. The Martian could be trusted, but not enough for Bruce to surrender knowledge that would place the very existence of the future in jeopardy. Not for anything or anyone could he allow any unmistakably made actions that could disrupted the flow of time.
Bruce's fists grew tighter in thinking, not for anyone.
Under the cover of his cowl lenses, Bruce's eyes drew upon the sight of the concerned Princess. Whether J'onn noticed the memories being played over in Bruce's mind about Diana, the man at this point hardly cared.
"And well, that covers mostly everything I can think of that the Justice League needs to be involved with," Superman addressed.
"What about the S.T.A.R. Labs incident?" Shayera gave a sly smile. "Hear some it was some nasty business."
Superman nodded his head. "Batman?"
Bruce remained silent at first not even hearing his name being called. His staring at Diana had inadvertently caused him to turn in Diana's direction, making the two's undivided glances at one another obvious to the onlooking crowd.
Flash couldn't help but snicker.
Superman cleared his throat while suppressing a smile, "Batman?"
"Ethan Delmont," the Dark Knight said without looking away.
"Who?" Lateran questioned.
Bruce snapped back into his Batman persona as he turned away from Diana. The glare in his eyes first directed at Flash signaled for everyone to forget what they think they just saw.
"Ethan Delmont," Batman continued; activating the overhead screens. "A world class metahuman criminal with the abilities of pyrokinesis." Through the corner of his eye, Bruce continued to watch Diana, using the sight of her as a constant suppressant for the lingering terrors. All the while a reminder rang in the Dark Knight's mind, although he allowed himself to stare, the intentions had to business and only business.
"Charming looking guy, ain't he?" Flash said slightly mimicking the grim look of the displaying picture.
John made a scuffing noise, ignoring the Flash as he took a closer look at file. "There isn't much information here. How much is known about this guy?"
"Very little," Batman said typing a few keys. "He appears and disappears at seemingly random places around the world, staying well within the shadows of world information. From what has leaked out, Ethan has a decent amount of funding and has been linked to ties with several crime syndicates."
Superman rubbed his chin. "He's a hired gun? So what was he doing at S.T.A.R. Labs?"
"Ethan is more than a hired gun and knows what he is doing. He broke into the lab looking for one specific item, which suggests that he has something planned in Metropolis."
Superman leaned back, recalling every rumor and crime detail heard on the streets of his city that would hint to Ethan's intentions.
"He's got money and friends, okay. And from what we learned with the encounter with you two," Shayera pointed with a slight smile. "He can fight. Anything else we need to know that might help? Like, what did he steal?"
Diana shot a sharpened glare at the winged hero for her suggestively made smile. Both of which Batman noticed.
"Eight pounds worth of kryptonite."
Superman turned his head at Batman, his eyes widening as he alarmingly spoke, "Eight pounds?!"
Flash leaned over the table. "Ethan's got it in for the big guy? What did he do?"
It wasn't uncommon for Superman to hear about someone possibly having kryptonite in their possession, but it normally came from villains he already knew and in smaller amounts than eight pounds.
"Is there a possibility that he plans on using it at the city event that Superman is expected to attend?" J'onn questioned.
"With what little information on him that we have? Unknown. My suggestion Superman is that you cancel your expected appearance. As I suggest that you all do the same. We don't know what other kinds of weapons Ethan may have."
Diana's eyes opened widely, aiming a blank stare towards Bruce.
"Cancel? But, the party, the food, the ladies!" Flash shouted in protest.
The Man of Steel beamed his sights over the distressed hero. "I'm really touched by your concern for me, Wally."
"Sups, I mean.... I didn't-"
"In any case, I must concur with Batman," J'onn interrupted. "Having Superman appear not only puts him in danger, but the many other people attending."
"I'd have to agree too," Lateran stiffly remarked. "But with us gone, how successful do you think the event will be? I mean, it was the most talked about highlight surrounding the whole thing."
Superman sighed as he placed his hands on the table. "I understand on both sides of the argument." He looked around at his teammates. "I'm not going to ask any of you to put yourselves in out there, knowing you might get hurt. But Metropolis is on her last legs, and this is the only way I can help save it. Regardless of the risk, I'm going."
A silence fell on the room as the other heroes looked at the Man of Steel and themselves.
"Putting ourselves in danger is what we do on a daily basis, Kal. Why should going to the Metropolis Ball be any different?" Diana asked in her calming tone manner. Her eyes looked at everyone, questioning them with her logic.
"The Princess has got a point," Shayera said.
"So we're still going?" Flash hesitantly asked.
Clearing his throat, the Man of Steel happily began, "On a more lighter note, I would like to say than a few things about the upcoming event tomorrow in Metropolis."
Bruce wanted to dart out the door hearing about the Justice League still wanting to attend tomorrow's event. The nerve of them all, placing themselves and the people in harms way for the ball. A tempting of a target for someone at anytime could strike at. His fists tightened even harder against the leather gantlets, sending a clear message to Superman's hearing of the Batman's disapproval.
Batman wouldn't make an appearance, but to Bruce's alter ego being the playboy and businessman, he had very much the option to show or not. The better half of the Dark Knight really didn't want to attend or needed to, Gotham was Bruce's primary concern. And both of his persona were going through far too many issues at the moment to risk a public firestorm.
Bruce gridded at his teeth analyzing the opinions.
There would be no stopping the rest of them from making such a foolhardy move. He wouldn't risk it, but the ball did present a highly advantageous event for Wayne Enterprises in establishing a foothold in the city. A foothold Batman would use, to keep a watchful eye on Lex Corps' still questionable activities.
Such chances of other opportunities at gaining solid grounds in Metropolis were slim for the hero. Attending and making headway at the ball would be Bruce Wayne's best way towards undermining and perhaps ending a long overdue bad chapter in Metropolis' history.
There always were the more personal reasons for going; Bruce paused in his mindset. With the aided shielding of his cowl, the Dark Knight's eyes peered over at her once more.
"... and I want to thank you all for deciding to show up for support. It really means a lot to the city and to myself." Superman said heartily.
"Hey, who'd pass up the chance of being the centerfold of city party shindig?" Flash asked cockily placing his hands behind his head. Wally's sights turned to Batman. "Oh, I forgot. Some of us here hate the spotlight."
The need and temptation to pummel Flash's face in was quickly rising in the Dark Knight, but like all unwarranted things that brewed inside him, Bruce suppressed it.
Superman almost hesitate in asking, "I know not to expect Batman to show up, but is Bruce Wayne still scheduled for an appearance?"
Diana slowly guided her eyes towards Bruce, waiting for his answer.
A silence in the room until Flash spoke, "I should think he would. A billionaire playboy and dazzling heroes. I mean think of everyone that surrounds Bruce Wayne on a daily basis." Flash made a motion as if he had a collar on his uniform to flip. "And the Flash does love the ladies."
The room grew silent and stared oddly at Wally. Lateran, being use to such remarks from his younger comrade then the rest of the room had nonetheless shared in the annoyance as he shook his head.
Bruce otherwise needed to chuck his chair at the boy was near irresistible. He force himself to remain calm for the sake of ensuring the Flash would still be breathing by tomorrow.
"I doubt Bruce Wayne has time to waste remotely close to what your thinking of, Flash," Batman said as calm as he could muster. Both his inner terrors and Wally striking both at once, tested every once of strength left in the hero's mind.
"So you are going then?" Superman asked. "Metropolis really could benefit from having a business like Bruce Wayne's working in its markets."
Diana waited in silence, hoping for the desired answer.
Batman made a retraction look in his face. "I'm not sure if he can make it. There are a few things in Gotham that have some more pressing concerns."
"Oh, come on. Business, party, and beautiful ladies galore, all for a good cause. What more could Batman or Bruce Wayne ask for?" Flash smiled.
Calm as ever, Batman looked at Flash as did everyone else once again. Either Wally was either completely dense about anything that came out of his mouth or he really didn't care what people thought about what he said. Still, Wally's annoying comments presented the opportunity to address Bruce's concerns about the entire Metropolis event that he was opposing himself to attend.
"If Bruce Wayne does manage to make an appearance, there are a few conditions concerning him and the League," Batman said.
"Conditions?" Superman puzzled mind managed to raise an eyebrow. "What sort of conditions?"
"One, every League member is to avoid making any comments concerning the uncommon media knowledge of Bruce Wayne," Batman began.
"Naturally," Flash said nodding his head with a smile.
The Dark Knight continued in his same tone, "Two, each and every member of the League is to stay far away from Bruce Wayne unless they already have connections to him from before. This is namely being only Clark Kent and Diana who can publicly be connect to him. The media doesn't need strings to grab at and question as to how Bruce Wayne knows many of the League members."
Superman smiled. Both at the look at Wally's face and at Bruce's always uncanny way of protecting his dueling identities. Plus, both men knew that Clark Kent was not going to attend, which meant Superman fell under the Batman's terms of Bruce Wayne's appearance.
"But Bats, the-" Flash cut himself off when the Dark Knight shot his sights at him. Batman's glare was too frightening to argue with.
Wally reluctantly caved.
"How far?" the Scarlet Speedster defeatedly asked.
Batman inched closer to the table, his body language speaking for all the intensity that his voice would lack.
"Far," Batman replied darkly.
Flash fell back in his seat with his hands on the table in silence.
"So that basically leaves only Diana as the only unlucky one," Shayera remarked with a smile. Before either of them could questioningly look at the meaning of her comment, the winged hero turned to Wally. "Does Fire know that you talk like this when she isn't around?"
Flash tucked his head closer to his shoulders wanting to be at the moment, invisible.
"Maybe," Flash responded without looking at Shayera. He enclosed his hands together and twirling his thumbs around.
Diana although feeling sorry for her red friend's predicament was thankful that Wally was put in place. He was too much like the general men in this world that she despited, but he was too good of a friend for her to hate. Confident that Wally would remain decently quiet for the remainder of the meeting, Diana looked back to an scowling Bruce.
She made a sly smile at hearing the answer she needed to hear.
Relationships, Bruce mentally cursed at.
The meeting of the original members continued for another several minutes sharing a little bit of more important information on current affairs. Superman's concern regarding their new enemy were made and the redoubling of his speech as the League's spokesmen leader. When at last the gathering came to an end, Batman couldn't be more relieved when he marched out of the room. Other than few major issues, most of the Justice League matters didn't require his services.
Given the current status of his mind, Bruce doubted he would not be able to give a hundred percent. At least there was no world or city level threats that someone else could handle without him for a while. All that remained as far as he was concerned was to get off the Watchtower as quickly as possible before anything or anyone else caused any more distractions.
Flash zipped by them jokingly ranting on about, "Got to pick up my suit."
It would have been easy to simply stick out his arm and knock the kid out as he passed by, for all the trouble he caused in the meeting. There would be some broken bones from the collision, but at least Bruce would know that Wally didn't have the chance to blow anyone's cover at the ball with the overactive mouth he so often possessed.
Both would be at home mending to their injuries. An action Batman was regretting in not doing with each controlling step he took.
Diana knew Bruce wanted to leave without saying another word as she caught up to him. More likely he wanted to avoid her asking about what was going on. From what was seen in the conference room, Diana didn't want Bruce to deal with his current problem alone. It was silly to think that he couldn't handle it himself; he had done well so far without assistance. But as she came alongside of Batman, the Amazon was certain that whatever crisis that was troubling Bruce, he shouldn't have to endure it without someone there, this time.
"Batman?"
Bruce wasn't surprised. Of course she would be the one to catch him when he wanted to make a fast and silent exit. He didn't make any motion to refuse her company, but the moment was not the best time for small talk. Especially now that he needed her around the most.
Diana wasn't sure what to ask, but there was no mistaking that he was still troubled. She wanted to know about everything, about last night, and about the night before. But that was none of her business and Bruce had already made it clear that he was going to handle things alone.
Without another word, Diana placed her hand onto Bruce's arm. Were it anyone else, Diana knew he would pull away. Maybe throw whoever dared to touch him into the next room regardless if they possessed superpowers. Yet Bruce made no ill will towards her touch. He looked at her hand that was nearly healed and than back at her.
It was easy to smile at him, but only a understanding nod was all that she received before removing her hand. If and when Bruce would need any help, he would ask, and Diana would not refuse him the assistance. He was her friend, a charming and strange friend at times, but a friend all the same.
"What's with those two?" John asked looking at his growing in distance from him comrades.
"What do you mean?" Shayera asked, playing dumb with a confused look on her face. Inside, she was smiling and overjoyed at the little knowledge about Diana.
John's eyes remained glued at the sight of the two of the heroes in front of him before they were too far from hearing distance. "I mean, Diana and Bruce. They seem so, uh..."
"Happy?"
He looked at her. "Well, I wouldn't say that. I mean, they seem comfortable around each other lately. At least Bruce has been, more than usual."
"They are friends, John. That what friends do to one another." This time Shayera could not suppress her smiling face.
"Hmm..." John replied not sure how to assess the situation. Although he has in the past suspected and encouraged this little thing between Diana and Bruce, he highly doubted that anything would come of it. The Batman was too devoted to this mission of his to allow any distractions.
But, even Batman's cold stubbornness never stopped the Green Lantern from trying to help.
"So uh," he said needing a change topic that didn't involve his friends' personal lives. "going to hang around after our official appearance at the Metropolis Ball tomorrow?"
She gave a challenging flirt of a glare. "Why? You need company?"
John looked at the winged woman hesitantly.
"No," came the dreaded spoken word. "Vixen and I made arrangements already."
Her smile faded instantly into a sad look. "I don't know. Probably not."
"What? Celebrity life not your thing?" John joked lightly.
"Its not that John. It's the people. Many haven't exactly forgiven me or my people for what we tried to do to Earth. I'm not sure it they ever will. Best I keep as much out of the public spotlight as I can."
"I've forgiven you, Shayera. And as for those people, you shouldn't worry about it. You still do what you always do saving their lives. They'll see someday, what I see, and that is you are a hero."
Shayera nearly faltered in footsteps, hearing John speak to her like that. She walked next to him wondered if she was carrying the same face that she caught Diana carrying so easily noticeable in the commissary.
-The answer to our fears, the salvation to our nightmares is simply hope.- James Luu