AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have changed the story to a crossover. I think this is fair on all sides because 1) Someone made a few points to me about the category. 2) The YJ team does come in later in the story which I had planned on during the final chapters of Crystal Prison.

Chapter 8

"We need to talk."

Dick looked up from his computer terminal. He had been busy going through files on a case in Metropolis. Ever since Superman had been taken down criminals had been on the rise. People had begun to shout for blood for whomever had taken away their protector. Despite the situation Bruce was always at the forefront of Dick's mind. Between Gotham City and Metropolis, however, he was having little luck in helping keep the peace. He was already relying on three heroes to be in the city at all times. Not to mention the world organizations who demanded his attention.

"Barry, I'm kind of busy at the moment. Can it wait?" Dick snapped irritably. The Flash watched his comrade a moment longer. After a minute reaching over in a blur to type a command into the computer. Bringing up a file which Dick had refused to look at for eight months.

Dick,

I'm sending this to through link via Ned. He is recording this as I speak to him.

Please, understand I appreciate everything you are trying to do for me. As the Batman I could have never had a better partner then you. The Batman and Robin team up was perhaps in its heyday with you by my side. Despite other partners over the years none of them had the true skills or passion you did.

You've taken on my mantle now. You are no longer Robin, or Nightwing, but Batman. While I created the persona he is not mine alone to keep. I am no longer physically capable or mentally stable to continue pursuing him. Gone are my long nights as the Dark Knight of Gotham City.

Dick, you have your own life now. You thought me dead. It would be better for the both of us if it remained that way. I've made it my personal responsibility to care for Superboy. He has shown signs of turning out just like Clark. Something I do not wish to happen again. What Clark became is what I truly fear for all of us. That we are not as strong as we think we are, but secretly are weak at heart. Shattering at the slightest loss of the so few we love.

Please, do not tell Alfred I am alive. He spent far to many nights worrying he would have to pick up my dead body off the floor. This time I feel if he was given the news of my true condition it would break his heart. I beg of you to keep the knowledge of my existence to yourself. Alfred doesn't deserve to spend any more time worrying about a man who never truly appreciated the other for being not only a confidant, but a father as well.

By the time you receive this I will be long gone. Do not look for me. Superboy has promised to keep me safe for as long as necessary. There is no threat to my life, what is left of it anyway.

Go live your life. Be happy. Love someone.

-Bruce

"Did you ever think maybe we should just stop?" Flash asked quietly. Dick read the letter grimly. On the day of Wonder Woman's funeral it had come in the form of an e-mail to the Watchtower. When he had read it Bruce had indeed been long gone. Mercy refused to say a word about what had happened to the two men. Stating she was protecting her son and no amount of threats would make her talk. Considering Mercy had nothing to do with the actions Luthor had taken, and technically the woman had not broken any laws, they could not justify her being arrested. Ever since Mercy had quietly gone on her way in running her company.

"Why should I? Barry, he's….it's Bruce. Don't you understand?" Dick snapped rising from his chair. Flash held his hands up backing away from his comrade. They were the only two in the entire Watchtower. The others had gone off to deal with impending threats. Technically, Flash should have been out with them. Ever since Superman's fall however it had been decided two JL members would be at the headquarters at all times.

"I understand completely. The guy was a like a father to you, right? Took you in after you parents died? I get it, I do." Barry said hoping to calm the other man. He wondered if Dick had even gone home to visit with his newborn daughter and wife, Selena Kyle. Catwoman had still been searching but had chosen to focus on her child instead. Laying down her once thieving persona in favor of a life dedicated to motherhood.

"I'm just saying maybe we should give Bruce his space. Do we even know what he's been through? I mean, Dick, he showed up blind for goodness sake! Have you even talked to Clark about what happened those five years your mentor was missing?" Flash demanded.

Ever since Dick had kicked the search for his mentor into high gear he had felt an ever growing sense of guilt. A pain in his belly which refused to go away. Barry could hardly believe he had ever even considered a relationship with such a sicko like Clark. How could the alien smile so kindly only to return home to do who knows what to Bruce? When they had found Bruce Barry had quickly moved. Changed his job, his phone numbers, and at one point even seriously considered changing his name. But that would be useless at this point. Superman knew his name and so did more than half the League. It wasn't as if the Flash could just quit showing up altogether.

"Don't you think I've tried?! The courts are saying Kent isn't in his right mind. Whenever I go to question him I have to do it in the presence of a government official or a representative. When I sneak in Clark still won't say a word. He just sits there and stares at the wall all day." Dick said coldly. He punched the computer terminal in his anger unable to help himself.

Barry nodded, gazing out at the stars from the window. He took a deep breath unsure of how to break the news to his friend. Ever since the incident it seemed as if only him, Dick, and Jonn had stuck together. Having high hopes for finding their shadow king and helping him heal.

"I went to visit Clark yesterday." Flash whispered quietly. He had told no one of what he had meant to do. It had been easy to vibrate through the walls into Clark's cell. As usual the guards had been posted outside. The alien had seemed unaware of his presence. Ever since the break-in to Arkham Asylum the alien had been moved to Blackgate Prison. Technically, he wasn't supposed to be there but there was no other place to put him.

"You what? Barry, are you insane? You were given specific orders not to see him again!"

"I'm aware of that, Dick." Flash snapped angrily. "Trust me, I'm well aware of the danger he poses to me. I thought perhaps he might be willing to talk to me though since no one else in the League can get him to say a damn word."

Barry waited deciding he would let the other man take the bait. For a long moment Dick seemed on the verge of completely ignoring him. Whether it was the fact Flash had completely broken the law when he was a law enforcement himself in his secret identity made it even worse. After a moment the other man took a deep breath. Bracing himself as he turned to look at his friend again. Reaching up to draw back his cowl to reveal long black locks which trailed over his shoulders. Sharp, narrowed brown eyes glaring at his comrade.

"So, did he talk?" Dick asked dropping the usually deep voice he resorted too. Barry sighed reaching up to draw back his own mask. He knew the reason Dick had removed his cowl. It was a silent challenge all most, that they would face this as themselves rather than their personas.

"He did, actually. I managed to get a few details out of him. But, Dick, fair warning…some of what I have to say is going to be hard to hear."

"I've probably heard worst."

"No, Dick, listen…" Flash said giving the other man a sad eyed look. "Like I said before, you have no idea what Bruce has been through. And I can tell you this right now. What I'm about to tell you is just the tip of the iceberg. And whatever it is I tell you, you have to promise me to keep your cool. Understand?" Barry asked him. He wasn't trying to protect Superman, but if he word got out about what he had done it would make it even harder to find the kryptonian. Dick would be denied access altogether and unable to keep the alien in a place where he could monitor him at all times.

Grayson's lips went into a thin line at the other's words. After a minute he slowly nodded his head. Sinking back down into his seat as he indicated for Barry to take the other. The man known as Flash sat down as well. Running a frustrated hand through his hair as he tried to gather his thoughts. His mind felt as if it had scattered into several different directions beyond his control. Swallowing dryly he prepared himself for what he was about to say.

"Do you know how Bruce became blind?" Barry asked quietly. He had decided it would be best to start with the worst part. At least he thought it was. Dick frowned tapping his fingers along the computer terminal.

"I don't know the details. I take it you're going to tell me?"

"Superman um…he held Bruce down when he did it. He used his heat vision to sear the optic nerves in Bruce's head." Barry answered. Dick stayed silent absorbing this information.

"There's more, isn't there?"

"Yeah, a lot more. Remember the day Bruce disappeared? Well, it turns out that same day Clark's parents had died. He got desperate and immediately thought of Bruce. At the time I suppose before he went…Clark had a crush on Bruce. A big one." Barry took a deep breath. This had been in the early days of the Justice League. One not even he had been aware of. Like everyone else at the time he had just assumed Superman and Batman were close friends.

"So he showed up at Wayne Tech and told Bruce he needed his help. That's when he took him to his fortress. Not the new one you guys found me at, but the old one. There he kept Bruce in one room. He didn't let him have any mental stimulation what so ever."

"You mean he just kept him in there day in and day out?"

"Yeah, exactly. With a brilliant mind like Bruce's, Clark needed a way to blunt it. Make him stop thinking so much so it made him easier to handle." Barry tapped his own head for emphasis. Isolation with a torture technique which, over time, could cause a man to go insane.

"Do you remember how thin Bruce was when you found him? I did a few calculations based on the video footage we have of him being in the Tower. It's not exact, but I used you as a template since you and him are about the same body type."

"What's your point?"

"Clark starved him out too. When Bruce went missing he was roughly two hundred pounds. Solid muscle, no body fat, right? Well, after I did the math Bruce must have lost roughly thirty-five pounds if not more. I don't think anyone noticed at the time, but his ribs were showing."

Barry turned to the bank of computers where he began to type. His fingers moving rapidly over the keys in a blur as he pulled up an old video file. He enlarged the screen to show Bruce when he had been in the Tower eight months ago. Pulling it up he compared it to an image of when Bruce had been the Batman. Highlighting certain parts where muscle was apparent in the man, such as arms and legs, and comparing the loss of the muscle on the blind Bruce.

Dick sat on the edge of his seat watching. The entire time his face had become pale as he watched Barry break it down for him. That wasn't the end of it either. After he had shown the other man the comparison he also began to tell Dick about the other "punishments" Superman had inflicted on Bruce over the years. The rapes, beatings, how Bruce would almost be drowned sometimes, and other horrific events which had taken place.

At one point Dick just began to hang his head dejectedly. His head in his hands as he listened to Barry talk. At one point the room began to swim before his eyes and the Flash at first thought he was dizzy. Then he realized the corners of his eyes were tearing up. He wiped his eyes hurriedly continuing to tell what Clark had told him. Barry could not say why the kryptonian had chosen to talk to him of all people. Perhaps after what had happened the alien had finally felt guilty. Or maybe Clark feared Superboy would return to finish the job.

Barry spent at least two hours talking. The entire time no calls from the other League members came in. Which was almost unheard of, but it was as if the world itself had come to stop to witness this telling. After he was done Barry found himself hyperventilating. In front of him Dick had begun to breathe hard. His black gloves fisted into his hair as head sunk lower and lower by the hour. Flash didn't have to ask if the other man was sobbing. He had asked himself for a long time if he should tell Dick the truth. Considering the situation ever and Dick's growing obsession to find Bruce he had finally decided to tell him. While he felt it wasn't his place to tell the former Robin what had happened, Barry couldn't very well go out and force Bruce to tell his former student himself.

"Why? Why would he…?" Dick said raising his head. He sat back in his chair his eyes swollen and red. There were wet streaks down his cheeks as he stared Barry. As if not really seeing his friend but someone else altogether.

"I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything." Barry whispered quietly. He swallowed again dryly. He knew what it must mean to Dick. Bruce had pretty much become Grayson's father after his parents had died. Even when Dick had branched off into his own persona as Nightwing for a time Bruce had still kept an eye on him. Silently offering his assistance without the young man ever having to ask. Always there in the shadows ready to interfere should Dick get into danger.

"I don't understand though. Bruce never…after all he did and Clark did this to him? Why didn't Bruce have the clone kill him outright?" Dick demanded desperately. Flash bit his bottom lip at the question. Secretly, he held nothing against the clone. Despite having helped the League hardly anyone knew next to anything about Superboy. The only people who could tell them that for certain were Bruce, Mercy, and Lex Luthor. Mercy had gone silent, Bruce was missing, and no one knew where Luthor had gone off too.

"Maybe because despite everything Bruce feels sorry for him. It's not unusual to assume Brue may have developed Stockholm syndrome after so many years. Superman is the only person he had contact with the entire time." Barry explained, but it was hardly any comfort to either of them.

"I still want to find him." Dick exclaimed after a moment. Barry sighed, rubbing his temples to combat a growing headache. When he saw the other's reaction he held up his hands to indicate he wasn't done yet.

"I know, Barry, I know. I'll call off the search for Bruce, alright? It's just…I understand he needs his space. Time to heal, right? But is it really healthy for him to lock himself up? Bruce feels what happened is his fault when it isn't. There was absolutely nothing he could do to prevent what Superman did to him." Dick explained.

"Dragging him back to Gotham City won't help. I know that. But wherever he is, I want to at least talk to him. Bruce needs to know no matter what his condition he'll always have family to watch his back. That his presence isn't a burden on other people, but a blessing."

Barry closed his eyes as he tried to think. There had been something else he had forgotten to mention to Dick. He kept thinking the name Nightwing, but that didn't make any sense. There had been a small difference to it which sounded remarkably similar. After a split second Barry's eyes snapped open again. He looked at his friend who had continued talking gazing forlornly at the screen as he spoke.

"Dick, have you ever heard of a mercenary named Dark Wing?" He asked suddenly. Dick paused, turning to give his friend a puzzled look.

"No, not to my knowledge. Why do you ask?"

"Because I think…Clark mentioned the person who had killed everyone in the asylum had a partner with him who kept calling him 'Dark' as they made their escape. I've also heard rumors going around about Deathstroke having a partner who goes by that name." Flash insisted. Dick frowned as he tried to recall the name, but he could not remember having ever heard of it. Other than the fact it was strikingly similar to his own.

"Is this person after Bruce?"

"Apparently so. Superman said he couldn't be sure if this person meant to kill Bruce or not. He seemed rather hell bent on punishing everyone who had ever picked a fight with Bruce during his time as the Batman. Only that he was looking for him." Flash insisted. Dick nodded his head as he stood up. His fists clenched as he reached up and drew his cowl back over his face.

"Barry, I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut this short. I need to make a few phone calls." Dick said crisply. Flash nodded his head reaching up to draw down his own mask. As he got up he noticed Dick had already closed out of a few windows. Busy dialing a number with his head bent.

"I'll call Jonn. Maybe he's found something." Barry said. He didn't know if Dick heard him or not.

On Earth, the man in question they were searching for had already left home. Instructions had been left on how to care for each animal on the farm. The schedule the chickens were used to, the special feeding arrangements for Rave and Penny, and a manner of other small details that needed to be taken care of on the farm.

Sitting in front seat with his arm on the window Bruce felt the wind hitting his face. Beneath him he could feel the rumble of the old truck as Connor drove. From time to time the teen would change the CD track he was listening too. Commenting to his mentor what music he preferred and if the older man minded hearing a certain genre of music. At most Bruce just nodded his head or made a passing comment. The only type of music he refused to listen to being hard metal.

They had left early that morning to drive to London. After having a talk with Ms. Hawthorne again Bruce had told her Connor's "punishment" was to go to the Egyptian Exhibit to write a report. In truth Bruce had just wanted to get the young man away from the farm. He had a nagging feeling the League might find them there. While there was little beyond his control Bruce was reluctant to contact Mercy about moving Connor again. The boy needed stability in his life. If all else failed living in Metropolis was an option. However, that would put the boy at risk of the Justice League coming after him again.

"Bruce, are you alright?" Connor asked after a while. For the last four hours since he had started driving Bruce had been silent. In the back seat Krypto had fallen fast asleep. Curled up on an old blanket having nothing else better to do.

"Just thinking about a few things." Bruce answered. He was hardly paying attention to the boy lost in his own thoughts. Last night he had woken up in a cold sweat. At first wondering what had alerted him only to realize by the sound of Connor's snores it was the middle of the night. He had tried to go back to sleep, but had been unable too. The blind man could have sworn he had heard someone moving around outside.

"What are you thinking about?" Connor asked glancing at his servant while keeping an eye on the road. Bruce's unfocused eyes flickered as if deep in the depths of his mind his brain still thought to make them work.

"The best way I can exploit you for the most cash." Bruce answered bluntly. For a second Connor stared at his servant in disbelief then snorted. Rolling his eyes as he looked back on the road.

"Yeah, right."

"Oh no, I'm quite serious. What are you worth? A couple million? I'm sure I can rent you out to a few building companies. Think of how much they'll save on gas and equipment. You can just lift steel beams and probably have a skyscraper built in a few days. It'll be perfect. I'll never have to lift a finger again."

"You do that now! You're home all day…cooking. And you water your plants. I'm the one who does all the heavy lifting around the farm."

"No, Krypto does that. We both know he's the real man out of the two of you. Isn't that right, Krytpo?" Bruce said raising his voice. While the dog didn't bark he heard the thump of a tail wagging. He smiled when he heard Connor make a disapproving sound in the back of his throat.

"Whatever. You'd cry if you lost me."

"No I wouldn't. In fact, I'd be much happier. I would never have to worry about obnoxiously loud music for one."

"Yeah. Whatever Bruce. Keep talking." Connor said. Bruce chuckled at the annoyance in the young man's voice. Deep down, the former billionaire didn't want the boy to notice how worried he had become over their current situation.

"Did I make you mad?" Bruce teased him. Connor snorted again, but this time couldn't help a coy smile.

"No, but you sure can be mean. Why would you rent me out?"

"Like I told you, money. Maybe I miss the playboy lifestyle. Did you ever think of that?"

"What's a playboy?"

"Forget I said anything."