Mr. Haziq: I've seen it spelt so many ways.
chimera629: He hasn't got much to go off yet, he JUST met Kara
Because he is training her with her powers. She has the scores needed to enroll and it is only temporary. It was all set up before they moved for a month or so.
Bruce get's his gear from a mixture of places, to keep suspicion low.
And no, Bruce and Lex just met up with him. He was asking the Wayne Enterprise employees, wanting to know what most people thought of Batman.
Mighty TAB X: Dick Grayson, age 12.
They are friends and opposites.
Teloch: We will do our best.
te . nellis: The League do not do an all out attack. They stick to the shadows. But trust me, the Victor hero moment is coming.
Here are a few reviews answered by Ghost:
te . nellis: You're going to have to wait and see.
Teloch: Oh don't worry. We won't Snyder this up.
Scattershot98: Well you don't have to wait long.
Mighty TAB X: Read on MacDuff. Read on.
nitewolf423: Have a cookie.
Co-Writter: GhostKaiser23
Disclaimer: We do not own Batman
Author's Notes:
Well here we go, next chapter of the story that expands the DC Universe. Fun!
Batman: A Different Path
Chapter 16: World's Finest Part 2
"Ra's Al Ghoul? Is that supposed to mean something?" Lex asked, putting the gun down.
"I am the Leader of the League of Shadows. We have shaped this world for thousands of years, cutting down rotten branches from the glorious tree that is the world." Ra's said calmly
"Huh...Sounds like you're more a gardener than a leader." Lex commented
"Hold your tongue." A ninja, for lack of a better word, responded in defence
"Easy...I can see why you'd think that, Mr Luthor." Ra's answered
"Tell me... Have you heard of the fall of Pompeii? Of Rome? Those where our ancestors. And they have done so much more. In this modern age we have had no need for such drastic action... Until now. We have tried to destroy Gotham but the Batman has stopped us." Ra's frowned "And if we tried to rid the evil from anywhere else those super humans who call themselves heroes would stop us."
"Wait...You're telling me, that your little..."club" caused one of the greatest catastrophes in human history?" Lex asked
"That we did. But it is NOT a "little club"." Ra's answered
"And you're willing to help me take down our common enemies?" Lex asked
"We need someone with your technical knowledge. We have the skill, you have the resources." Ra's explained simply
"Hm." Lex hummed simply, taking a bottle of ice cold water and poured two glasses. "Tell me...What's your skill with Kryptonians?" Lex asked handing over one to Ra's
*At Wayne Enterprises*
Bruce sighed as he returned to his office, pressing a few secret buttons. Soon his front door was locked and his office began to change around, the window shutters were blacked out so that the interior lighting showed. Bruce's office was like a second BatCave. A very simple, small BatCave as it was not meant for a big situations but it would do "Computer." Bruce spoke to activate the system
"Yes, Mr Wayne." The computer responded
"Bring up everything you can involving the super-powered being in Metropolis." Bruce ordered
"Yes sir." The computer repeated, images flashing over the many screens
Each screen showed a strong human figure wearing a blue and red costume with a red "S" in a shield on his chest.
Name: Superman.
Origin: Kryptonian.
And soon, the list of known powers rolled past Bruce's screen along with the work that Superman has done.. Saving people, fighting robots, stopping villains and monsters alike "He does a lot of good." Bruce pondered, looking at the info. But he was still very VERY powerful. Very DANGEROUSLY powerful "Computer, is there any way to hinder him?" Bruce asked
"Searching."The computer said, beeping away
...
"Found a weakness: an irradiated rock called "Kryptonite"." The computer answered showing a picture of Green Kryptonite "As well as 'magic' being a theoretical weakness."
"Magic? Hmm..." Bruce pondered as he looked at the weaknesses and strengths of Superman. Maybe he should contact Zatanna? ... it had been a while since he had spoken to her
*With Dick*
Classes where over for now, Dick sitting with Kara, Barbara and Betty "Thanks for sitting with us, Dick." Barbara spoke kindly to her friend
"I don't have many friends." Dick shrugged
"Awe..." The Betty and Kara frowned, hugging him making the 12 year old blush
"G-Girls..." He groaned under his breath
"It's fine." Barbara assured
"So, what's next? After lunch I mean." Kara asked
"Next is sports." Barbara nodded
"Oh." Dick answered, seemingly perking up.
"Huh?" Betty blinked
"Dick is a member of the acrobatic team." Barbara answered "He is REALLY good."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!" Betty yelled, slamming her hands on the table lightly and standing up with wide eyes
"Gah!" Dick backed up in shock. Betty was head of the newspaper club and a bit of a gossip, so finding out her friend had a secret? Yeah, expected reaction
"Betty, tone it back a bit. You startled him." Barbara commented "AND you are causing a scene."
"Sorry." Betty blushed, sitting down
"THAT'S why I didn't tell you." Dick said shyly
"Hmm..." Betty frowned in apology and kept sitting down.
"Okay, so Dick's an acrobat?" Kara asked, being new to the 'group'
"I...Grew it in Haley's Circus. I was part of the Flying Grayson's...So I've been raised to BE an acrobat." Dick answered
"Oh... sorry." She blinked
"Yeah...It...It was. Until what happened...Then my new parents adopted me." He answered sadly before perking up. Kara frowned gently and just continued to hug him "Thanks." He smiled
"Alright, with all that awkwardness out of the way: can we get back to lunch please?" Barbara asked
The group nodded with a smile
*With Clark*
Clark was at the Gotham branch of the Daily Planet, working on his report on "The Bat Man" and compiling all he could on the vigilante. From what Mr Wayne told him, it seemed that he was only human. Most saw him as some magical, mystical being. But then again...A human dressing up as some form of magical or mystical being...It COULD be misinterpreted. Especially during the dead of night by people terrified
'Using the cowardice of criminals and the night to instill fear into people...Making the myth of a monstrous figure.' Clark thought 'I do not like this person's approach, scaring people and causing mistrust. But he is doing this city good.'
Clark looked over the information again...And sighed. What was he going to do about this?... And then he heard people yelling for help with his super hearing
'No.' Clark thought as he got changed into Superman and flew out into the city to help.
Looks like this was a job, for Superman!
*Time skip, that night*
Bruce was back in the BatCave, the news report on Superman being in Gotham caught his immediate attention. He had to prepare. Prepare for the worst. That was when Dick walked in
"Hey, dad...What's going on?" Dick asked as he saw the news report on the screen
"Just preparing for the worst. How was school?" He asked
"Um...Good. It was good." Dick answered nervously. Bruce raised an eyebrow and wondered if he should ask him about it "So...How was your day?" Dick asked
"It was okay." Bruce smiled lightly
"Oh...Cool. Is Mum going to be back soon?" Dick asked
"She and Harley are in the garden." Bruce informed "Dinner is in an hour. Alfred is making pasta."
"Great." Dick answered. "I'll be back in an hour."
"Homework?" Bruce asked
"Yeah, homework." Dick nodded
Bruce nodded, letting him run off 'He's a good kid.' Bruce thought with a smile and so he got back to work
He was going to make sure that this contingency was going to work because he knew next to nothing about this 'Superman'
*With Barbara*
Barbara was at her house, she asked her dad if Kara could come over for dinner just as friends and neighbors. The two where in Barabra's room, giggling
"Thanks for having me over, Barbara." Kara smiled
"It's fine." Barbara smiled. The two were dressed in white dressing gowns, doing their own and each other's toes
"So, you've never done this before?" Kara asked
"Never." She chuckled
"Well, glad I'm your first friend to do this." Kara smiled. Barbara nodded, painting Kara's toes red while Kara painted Barbara's toes blue. "That colour okay?" Kara asked
"Yeah, sure." Barbara blushed "I would have preferred purple or yellow, but now we kinda match." She laughed
"I'll remember that for next time." Kara smiled
"Next time?" She blinked
"Well...If you want to come round my place, next time." She answered
"S... Sure." Barbara smiled. It took a while, until the girls were finishing up but they continued to chat and joke and laugh. A knock came from the door later, interrupting their fun "Hello?" Barbara asked
"Barb, it's me. Just wanted to check up on you." Jim, Barbara's father, asked
"We're fine daddy." Barbara smiled
"Well it's getting rather late." Jim warned "Clark said that Kara can spend the night but don't stay up too long, kay sweetie?"
"Okay, thanks daddy." Barbara answered
"Thank you, Mr Gordon." Kara added
"Good night girls." Jim nodded, walking away
"You're dad's awesome." Kara commented
"Yeah." Bab's smiled
*With Bruce, Time Skip*
The man was smiling, the family at the table eating the dinner Alfred cooked "Hmm...This is great, Alfred." Dick commented
"Thank you, Young Master Dick." Alfred answered
"You've outdone yourself Alf!" Harley cheered
"It's exquisite." Pamela added
"Thank you, everyone." Alfred answered before he continued to eat. He felt happy, looking after a FAMILY again. Seeing Master Bruce, the man he raised, grown up... And happy 'Master Thomas, Miss Martha...I hope you're watching.' Alfred thought to himself as they ate 'I know you would be proud.'
"That was great, Alfred." Bruce finished up.
"I am glad you enjoyed the dinner Master Bruce." Alfred nodded
"Always." Bruce nodded "I've got to do some more work."
"But we've got dessert." Harley answered "Desseeerrrrt!" She whined
"... Fine." He sighed
"Yay!" Harley cheered
"Miss/Harley." Both Pamela and Alfred responded sternly
"Sorry." Said woman sat back down and acted cute. She snuggled into Pamela's side, giving her puppy dog eyes
"Oh...Can we keep the puppy?" Dick joked
"Hmm...Good, girl." Pamela rolled her eyes with a small smile. Bruce smiled lightly and chuckled
"I'll go get the dessert." Alfred smiled
"I'll help." Dick answered getting out of his chair
"It is fine Master Dick." He smiled
"Oh, okay." Dick sighed
Alfred smiled and patted his head "I'll be right back." Alfred smiled
"This is nice." Pamela smiled after Alfred left
"Yeah...We almost never do this." Harley pouted
"It is nice being a family." Bruce smiled
As we pan out of Wayne Manor, there was a figure hidden through the window, a woman clad in night, looking in on the family. Seeing them happy and together...How it was foreign, yet she yearned it to be hers. 'Bruce...' The figure thought before she vanished into the night.
*Elsewhere*
Batman was on patrol, arriving at a warehouse where the silent alarm had gone off 'Alright, now what?' He thought as he entered the warehouse through the shadows. He saw the criminals tied up, held down 'Already detained? How?' He thought as he turned on a new feature on his mask: Detective Vision. This upgrade to his mask allows him to scan the area and pick up clues on what had or has recently happened... And he saw a strong blue suited man in front of him 'Oh crap!' Bruce thought as he jumped back
"So... You're the Batman?" Superman said, slowly entering the light revealing himself
"Yes. And I take it that you're Superman." Batman responded, thinking that light reveal on the hero of Metropolis had some symbolism behind him...Probably by accident. The man was tall and strongly built with black hair and blue eyes, his hair having a slight curl to it in the front. His suit was a bright shade of navy blue, like the ocean, with a red cape that went to his knees. The suit covered his entire body besides his face and hands. He had red boots and a golden belt, some red detailing being around his waist and upper legs looking similar to padding for sensitive areas. And finally on his chest was a large red pentagon shaped symbol, the point going down. Inside the shield was a red S and behind the letter was a yellow background. It almost looked like some form of coat of arms from medieval Nobel families
"That's correct." Superman answered
"Well...Not that I don't appreciate the help, but why're you here?" Batman asked
"I am following Lex Luthor, he is up to something." Superman said simply
"Well...Glad we can agree on something." Batman answered, thinking back to Luthor in Wayne Enterprise and his proposal for a merger. "But this is my city." Batman frowned
"But with MY problem." Superman answered
"I can deal with this." Batman frowned "You handle those space monsters. Gotham is my town, I'll deal with these 'normal people' problems."
"You don't know what Luthor is like. He'll use any and all tricks to use against you." Superman answered
"I've studied him, got all his tricks down." Batman frowned "Besides, I'm not alone."
"I know. Children, really?" Superman asked "Dragging children into this dangerous life."
"Don't judge me on my choices. But I've NEVER put my family in danger." Batman answered
"So you ARE throwing your own SON into gunfire." Superman frowned
"I tell him not to follow me if there's anything too dangerous." Batman answered "I protect my son."
Superman frowned as he tried to use his X-Ray vision to see his identity...but it was blocked by Batman's lead-lined cowl 'What the? How did he-? Did he prepare for this?' Superman thought in shock
"Oh? You trying to see my identity?" He smiled. Superman grumbled as he knew he was caught out "I told you." He informed "I researched Luthor. Which included... This." Bruce said, pulling out a small black box which clicked open... Revealing a glowing green rock
Superman's eyes widened as he fell to the floor in pain. He felt his powers slipping away. "K-Kryptonite..." He gasped, trying to stay conscious. He fell to his knee, panting in pain as his body felt weak
"One of your weaknesses. I did my research." Batman answered. He clicked the box closed and put it away
"And you... Are just a man." Superman frowned "If I wanted I could kill you before you even knew what happened."
"But you wouldn't." Batman stated, outright said as fact "You are a good person, a VERY good person. One of the best I have ever seen. Even with your tremendous, world shattering power, you make sure that no one you fight is ever TOO badly injured. And I know that if we fought, I'd lose."
"So...What now?" Superman asked, regaining his strength.
"Leave. This is my job." Batman said, walking back to the shadows
"You expect me to leave?!" Superman snapped and turned around... And the other hero was gone "How-?" Superman spoke to himself in shock.
*with Lex*
"And that is how we'll do this." Ra's ended, pointing out the plans
"Agreed." Lex nodded
"And soon, this world will be reborn." Ra's added
"Yeah yeah." Lex rolled his eyes
In the shadows, the woman that was with Ra's ninja army was staying out of the way. It was the same woman who has been watching the Wayne's "Talia, status report." Ra's ordered to the woman
"The city is clear." The woman, Talia, bowed
"Excellent." Ra's smiled "Everything is going according to plan."
"I will prepare the gear." Lex nodded
"Good. And soon...Gotham will burn and be reborn from the ashes." Ra's spoke poetically.
'This guy.' Lex thought, rolling his eyes
'Father...What am I going to do?' Talia frowned