A/N Don't own these characters so don't sue me.
Special thanks to Lady Isis for the beta. One of if not greatest BM/WW shippers in the whole world. I swear she isn't human. Lol jk Isis.
My pal DaisyJane, sending you my best. Hepburn hope your enjoying the warm weather. KittyBatman, you are the crazy genius. ;) Icha still waiting for your update, I know your very busy but us BM/WW shippers need your experience! Hehehe
To everyone else, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Batman's Gift
Chapter 5: Redemption.
Batman looked down at the broken god and shoved Zeus off to the side. All eyes in the court were on him. He slowly stood up and looked at each and everyone of them in challenge. Hera was the first to speak. "My king. What are your orders?"
The rest of the gods stood and bowed to him.
Batman removed the burnt remaining Batsuit and looked at Hera. He slowly walked in his underwear over to Zeus's - now his - throne and sat upon it. He was quiet for a minute or so looking at each and every person there. His eyes landed on Zeus's weak body. "Leave him, no one is to touch or remove Zeus."
After staring down at the broken king of the gods, Batman spoke once more. "And remove that prison from Gotham. I don't care if it's here in Olympus, I want it out of there."
Hera looked at Batman and nodded her head in agreement to his orders. She looked over to one of the other gods and motioned with her hand for his command to be done. He then looked at Hera and stood up, he offered her his hand the two started to walk away from the court. "I need clothes," Batman told her.
Hera motioned in a direction and the two walked towards a massive white palace. Once out of hearing distance Bruce whispered to Hera. "When I'm getting dressed help Zeus out, I don't want to see him like that. I just said and did so the other gods and goddesses would not think I'm weak."
Hera smiled then nodded her head. "You did right. There is still much you will have to learn, if you allow me I will teach you," she said as they continued walking. Bruce remembered what Dionysus told him, and replied to Hera's offer.
"I would be honored if you show me." Both he and Hera walked up the steps to his new home.
J'onn and Mr. Terrific were still trying to disable the protocol when they heard a familiar voice behind them. "I'm here to turn off the protocol." Both turned to see Bruce Wayne standing there wearing a white Chiton with a woman standing next to him in similar clothing.
Bruce spoke. "Sorry I had to trap you all here," he said as he walked over to the console. J'onn looked at Bruce for a moment and felt something was totally different about his old friend.
After Bruce disabled the protocol he looked at his alien friend. "Could you tell everyone on the station I would like to have a meeting in the commissary in twenty minutes?" Bruce asked his friend.
J'onn looked at Bruce for a moment then said, "As you wish."
Bruce nodded his head and turned towards the woman. "Ready?" was all he asked and then both of them disappeared.
Mr. Terrific looked at J'onn. "What just happened?"
J'onn was still looking at where Bruce had just disappeared and said "Something that will change this world for the better, I think."
Bruce and Hera appeared in the Batcave, Bruce looked at Hera and she smiled then nodded at him to go. Bruce left her standing where they appeared and walked towards the caged Amazon.
Bruce unlocked the cage and Diana's head was down her hair was covering her face, he walked up to her and untied her hands. The moment they were free Diana sprang onto him. Her hands wrapped tightly round his throat as she knocked him into the steel bars.
"YOU KILLED MY SISTERS AND MOTHER!" Diana screamed with some spit coming from her mouth.
Bruce could feel her pain and spoke. "They are all unharmed, Princess." Diana's red eyes looked into his. She could see he wasn't lying to her. The death grip around Bruce's neck was slowly released as Diana took a few steps back away from him.
Bruce turned away from her and walked away, he then moved over to a corner of the cave and retrieved Superman from his suspended animation chamber, Bruce removed the IV from his arm and lowered Superman to a table next to the chamber.
Superman slowly opened his eyes. "Where is the knife?" Superman asked in confusion.
Bruce smiled and said, "Had to use the knife to get the IV in your arm. Even with Kryptonite your skin is too tough to penetrate with a simple needle."
Superman nodded his head and closed his eyes still tired from the effects of the kryptonite, chamber and drugs. Bruce held out his hands and a soft glow came out from them. Superman opened his eyes and watched in amazement as the healing source of sun rays left Bruce's hands and recharged his body.
Thirty seconds later Superman lifted himself off the table and looked good as new. He was about to talk when Bruce interrupted him. "I have to go and release John." Superman watched as Bruce went up the stairs to the Manor.
Walking towards the Bat computer Superman noticed Wonder Woman seating in a chair with her head in her hands. He walked over and placed a single hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and they both gave each other a reassuring nod.
Bruce came back down to the Cave with John Steward, Dick Grayson, Alfred and Tim Drake in tow. Diana finally looked around and noticed Hera standing off to the side. She bowed her head and Hera simply smiled back at her.
When everyone was close enough Bruce finally spoke up. "Bruce Wayne and Batman are no more, there is only Bruce now. Dick and Tim, I'm leaving you two both with 50 percent of my Wayne Enterprises stock. Dick, look after Tim." Dick nodded his head in confusion.
"Alfred, my dear old friend, your services are no longer needed, I have left you a nice retirement fund and I would like you and Leslie Thompkins to enjoy the rest of your lives in comfort." Everyone's eyes were on Bruce, Dick, Tim, and Alfred looked sad.
"I will be back in a few days, Dick, Tim and Alfred to finalise everything."
Bruce then looked at the rest of the people and said "We have an appointment on the Watchtower." Superman and Green Lantern nodded their heads, Diana not once looked at Bruce.
In a flash Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Hera and Bruce were gone. Dick looked at both Alfred and Tim and said, "What should we do?" Both looked at Dick and said nothing as they left the Batcave and turned off the lights. A world without Batman or Bruce Wayne was something none of them ever truly expected.
Back on the Watchtower everyone was waiting in the commissary as Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Bruce and another woman just appeared out of nowhere at the front of the awaiting group of superheroes.
Bruce walked a few feet forward then said, "Sorry to everyone for what I put you through. But I have an announcement to make. Batman is no more and so is Bruce Wayne. My time here is over, I must return to Olympus but if the League is in need I will come and help if I can."
Bruce turned to Superman and held out his hand, Superman looked a little sad. He raised his hand to Bruce's and shook it. Bruce pulled Superman into a hug surprising Clark, Bruce whispered in his ear, "Take this pebble, for your help and friendship over the years. This gift, if she wants it will make sure you have a loved one with you for rest of your natural living life." Superman pulled away and looked at him curiously. "That pebble will make Lois live as long as you will," Bruce said with a wink. He pulled away from Superman.
He offered his hand to Green Lantern. John looked at him a little suspiciously for a moment then grabbed Bruce and gave him a huge hug. When the two separated Bruce handed John his ring back.
Bruce's gaze fell onto Wonder Woman, she still hadn't looked at him. Bruce looked at Hera and then back to Diana. He stepped up to her. "Diana, I know I've hurt you in ways that are painful and not pleasant. But I would like for you to come on a trip with me and Hera."
Diana looked up at Bruce, her red eyes held no emotion at all and she turned to Hera. Hera looked at Diana and nodded her head to come. Bruce looked back at Hera and she smiled at him as the three disappeared.
The three arrived on Themyscira. Diana was a little surprised at being back home. Bruce motioned for Hera to leave the two, and as commanded she disappeared. Bruce looked at the topical island around him and took a deep breath of fresh air. Diana saw her mother in the distance coming toward the two. Once Hippolyta was close enough she bowed her head to Bruce.
"Queen Hippolyta, please don't bow to me, I am the one that should be bowing to you for your forgiveness. For the way I treated you."
Hippolyta shook her head "No god should have to explain his or her actions."
Bruce laughed aloud. "Well this so called god does, please forgive me."
Bruce looked sad for a moment until Hippolyta smiled and said, "You are forgiven, my lord."
Bruce smiled down at her, then turned his attention to Diana. "Queen Hippolyta, is Diana still banished from Themyscira?" He eyed Hippolyta and mouth the word 'NO' to her.
The queen lowered her head and said, "No, she is welcome anytime, her banishment has been lifted." Diana looked at her mother and grabbed her into a hug. Both women enjoyed the bond well Bruce silently watched mother and daughter embrace each other.
"Queen Hippolyta, may I have a few minutes alone with Diana?"
Both released their hug. Hippolyta looked at her daughter for a moment, Diana slowly nodded her head. "Yes, my lord."
Before she could leave the two alone he spoke up, "My name is Bruce, please don't ever call me lord or god again," Bruce said with a pleasant smile.
Hippolyta smiled and nodded her head in agreement. She turned and left the two alone on the beach. Bruce looked out across the vast ocean in front of him. The water had a relaxing effect on him. He turned and looked at the only woman that had truly captured his heart.
"Diana, say something, you haven't spoken to me at all," he asked her.
Diana's fists tightened up. "What would you like me to say, Lord Bruce!?" she spit out the last two words.
Bruce had expected this. "I'm sorry for what I did to your trust, Diana, I for one know how hard it is to trust people and when they break that trust its like a knife in the heart."
Diana was looking everywhere except at him, but at least her fists where not tightened into balls anymore.
"Diana, maybe in time you trust me again, since time is all I have now it seems," Bruce spoke quietly.
Diana finally looked at him her eyes expressing the hurt and betrayal of his past actions. "Time might remove my hatred of what you did to me, Bruce, but my heart will never heal from the love that I once had for you."
It felt like someone had ripped out his heart, her words and body language upset him very much. A frown appeared on his face. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Diana, I truly am. Do you want me to remove your memories of us together?"
Diana's eyes blazed with fury again. "Don't you dare. They might hurt forever but I would never have them gone. Not for anything."
Bruce nodded his head in agreement. "Diana, I have to return to Olympus and get things straightened out. What I have to say isn't something that I know you want to hear at the moment. But I need a queen, Hera is stepping down as queen of Olympus. She said there is to be a competition, the winner will become the next queen. I want you to be in that competition."
Diana looked at Bruce, her usual loving expression was gone - only anger was there. "Don't decide right now, take a few days to think it over. May I call on you in a few days, Princess?" Bruce asked with pleading in his eyes.
Diana closed her eyes and opened them up after making up her mind "If you come... ask my mother to see me. If she says no then you will know my answer," Diana said with every ounce of neutrality in her voice she could muster.
Bruce sighed. "As you wish, Princess."
In a blink of an eye he left Diana to think on the beach. Her mother had been watching the exchange between the both of them. Finally after watching her daughter look out to the sea for over an hour she came up to her side.
"What is the problem, my little sun and stars?" Hippolyta asked her in worry.
Diana still looking across the vast ocean ahead spoke. "I love Bruce with all my heart but he broke my trust in him, he betrayed me and now wants me to compete to become his queen," Diana spoke softly, almost to herself.
Queen Hippolyta looked out at the ocean and said, "I've been betrayed also by the man I loved, each day I wish he hadn't done it. But each day I still wish he was by my side." Hippolyta looked at her daughter. "The choice is all yours. But do not just trust your heart, use your mind also." Hippolyta turned and kissed her daughter on the cheek and left her to her thoughts.
Bruce arrived back to Olympus and Hera was waiting for him. "Bruce, you must return Dionysus's powers to him." Bruce nodded his head as they went to Dionysus's part of Olympus to return what was given.
Commissioner Gordon drove up to Arkham, it had been two days since he last spoke or seen Batman. His bomb disposal squad had tried in vain to disarm the bombs that blocked all entrances in and out of Arkham. Gordon stopped his car and got out. A officer approached Gordon and spoke. "The bombs have disarmed themselves, sir. You have to see what happened in there."
Gordon followed the office afraid to see what had happen inside. Gordon was shocked at what he saw. All the criminally insane prisoners were attached to IV dips. From the look of things Batman hadn't killed off the prisoners just made sure that they were in a comatose state. Gordon looked at one of the detective's that was standing around. "Have the nurses and doctors allowed back in, these prisoners need to be revived and checked out."
The detective looked at Gordan and nodded his head.
Dick and Tim were in the seating room when Bruce appeared out of nowhere. Both nearly jumped out of their skin. "Damn it Bruce don't do that, now that you can appear and disappear could you make some noise before you enter a room?!" Dick chastised Bruce.
Bruce laughed and said, "Sorry, boys, will try to remember to do that next time. Are the papers ready to be signed?" Dick handed Bruce a folder.
For the next five minutes he signed and initialed the papers handing control of his stocks and options to both Dick and Tim. Tim would have to wait until he turned eighteen before he could have some control of it. After placing the pen down Bruce asked "Why is Alfred still here? I thought he would be somewhere nice and warm relaxing in retirement?"
Dick looked at him with a smirk on his face then said "He said he still has a few more years to look after the bat-clan."
Tim smiled. "Yup he wouldn't hear anything of the sort about retirement. Almost as stubborn as you are, Bruce."
Bruce and Dick chuckled together. "Well, boys, if you have to get a hold of me, here is a gem for the both of you. Just think about me and I will come as soon as I can. But I'm sort of busy as of late so don't be calling me for something stupid like wanting to have a heart to heart talk." Bruce smiled after telling the boys.
Both Dick and Tim laughed, Bruce smiled at his family and winked at both of them before he vanished. Alfred came into the room moments after Bruce had left.
"Was Master Bruce was just here?" Alfred inquired from the door way.
"Yes you just missed him, he thinks you're crazy for not taking the retirement plan he set up for you," Tim said.
"Well Master Tim and Master Dick still need someone to look out for their well being," Alfred spoke before turning and leaving the two.
"So, Clark, have you talked to Lois about my offer?" Bruce was standing next to the man of steel.
Superman trembled for a moment and then stared harshly at Bruce. "Do you have to do that still, stop trying to scare me to death," Superman said, then a smile broke across his face.
"She is thinking about it, big step. Do you know how long I will live Bruce? Because she is worried that we will have a couple thousand kids before I die," Superman laughed.
Bruce looked at his friend and said, "I project your life span to be almost a thousand years, my friend."
Superman's eyes opened in shock. "That long."
Bruce looked at Superman then said, "Yes."
Superman looked deep in thought over what Bruce had said. "That is a long time, don't know if Lois would like to be around me that long," Superman said as he looked at Bruce.
Bruce's eyes glowed for a second and a smile spread on his face. "Oh I don't think so, Clark, but tell her not to worry about the thousands of kids. Your three boys and two girls will be enough."
Bruce winked at Clark and left his friend to think about what he had told him.