As I have made a couple side quests now with Robin being the narrator, I have decided to include a little snippet of Bruce experiencing Themyscira before we return to our main story. (See how I deliberately ignored the fact that I haven't posted in like three years)

Sorry from the bottom of my apparently icy, evil heart. When your best friend yells at you for how long you've gone between chapters, you know that you need an intervention. I promise to any of my readers that joined me in the beginning that I have not forgotten this story and I don't intend to leave it without an ending. Even if it takes me years to finish it.

I really do know how I want this story to end and I even have a portion of a sequel written. I just need to finish writing this one so they line up correctly.

I do not own DC or any of their characters.

P.S. - Bruce is very difficult to write. We get to see him so often from the outside, but it is hard to get the perfect balance for his internal voice. Bruce becomes kind of optimistic in this chapter (I know, out of character) but think of it as a character growth moment. And bear with it, the story isn't done yet. :)


Mornings were my favorite part of Themsycira. I know that is very un-Batman like thing to say, but it was true. As soon as you awoke, even before you opened your eyes, you could feel the warm ocean breeze on your skin and hear the calming sound of the waves breaking on the shore. For the first time in my life, I was able to put the horrors of Gotham out of my mind, even if it was just for a split second listening to the surf. Maybe this why people went surfing?

A moment was all the inner peace lasted, however, before my training came back to me. I would hear my assigned guard, Medeia, breathing evenly just outside my door or my mind would formulate another way someone could sneak into such an open bedchamber and cause havoc. After the survival instincts tampered down, my thoughts would jump to Barbara. Yes, surprisingly I had been worried about her more than my city. I hadn't seen her since before the incident and I could just imagine her lying in Gotham General, her spirit slowly ebbing away.

Then, Gotham would come to me. How many times had the Commissioner called since I had been gone? Had people begun to notice I was missing? Batman would be missed before anyone even had a second thought of Bruce Wayne. Would Dick be able to hold everything together in my absence?

Finally, I would think of Diana, and I would remember why I was here. While the urge to return home was almost physically painful, I knew how much this last week with her mother mattered to her. How could I ask her to give that up? To what lengths would I go to for one last week with my own mother?

The burning desire was always there. I had plenty of connections in the League, possibly less favorable connections, that would help me if I asked. I could ask Flash to change the timeline or possibly find me another Earth where they had been spared their fate. I could ask Constantine to dredge up their souls and let me even just speak to them one more time. Some nights, once the cowl was hung in the Batcave and Bruce Wayne had turned off his billion dollar grin, I would lie awake, alone in my mansion, and desperately try to keep myself from succumbing to these temptations. Time travel was never a good idea and conjuring up the dead was highly frowned upon for a reason. As for an alternate earth, they wouldn't truly be my parents, and trying to make them fit that mold would hurt all parties. And yet the thoughts would prick and prod at me for hours. What if...? I was not going to do that to the woman I loved. It was enough to panic a man, once content to live alone in the darkness,now willing to see the woman standing next to him in the daylight.

Maybe one day Bruce Wayne would buy himself a Mediterranean island?

I rose, refusing the let the aching joints and stiff muscles that came from years of abuse get to me and began to get dressed, eager for training with Diana to help drown out some of more depressing thoughts, keeping the demons of my mind at bay. I knocked at my door, alerting Medeia that I was ready to begin the day. When she opened the door, she had a slight smile on her face. "Good morning, Bruce." I was quite glad that the queen had assigned the cheerful blond to be my main guard over Ourania. While the latter showed nothing for disdain for me, purely due to the fact I was male, the former was curious about the world outside. She was an interesting person to talk to and she had took it upon herself to educate me about the Amazons in exchange. Today she was dressed for training with a simple long bow draped over her shoulder. "You are behind this morning. Diana has probably beaten us to the field."

We fell into a companionable silence as she ushered me to the training arena, my mind wandering to breakfast the day before with the Queen. While I questioned the wisdom of separating themselves so fully from the outside world, I found I respected her majesty deeply. She was a wise ruler who truly cared about her charges and she, though in a position of authority, never made them feel subjugated.

The path to the field was long and winding, but it was truly a pleasant walk as we passed numerous fragrant plants and the wildlife wandered around us without fear. Blessings of Artemis and Demeter I supposed. When we reached the grounds, I was surprised to see Hippolyta finishing the last clasp on her breastplate. "You are late, Bruce."

I nodded, waiting for her to continue. "Well, come along then, grab a blade." She gestured toward the dulled training swords before reaching down for a sword and shield of her own. I looked at Medeia nervously. Surely this was some sort of trick? If I were to refuse, it would be treason. If I were to lay a hand on the Queen, it would be treason. Hippolyta noticed my hesitance and smiled.

"I have no ill will toward you, young man, I merely wish to try my hand against you. I have watched my daughter spar you from afar and I am intrigued. Do not fret about Medeia, she will only step in if she believes you truly mean me harm. As for our dear Ourania, well I asked her to help Diana prepare a picnic brunch for us. We should be uninterrupted. Finally, I cautiously reached for a blade and balanced its weight in my hand, getting a sense for the weapon. Since I had been here, the guards would not provide me with anything more dangerous than a wooden child's toy and though dulled, such a metal blade could instill some damage if used correctly. Though swords weren't my my weapon of choice, it felt wonderful to not feel defenseless.

My respect for the monarch grew even stronger as she made precise steps, her gray calculating eyes watching how immune mirrored her own. She was not brash nor cowardly, rushing to meet me or showing fear. Instead she studied. We continued this dance for a few moments before the Queen made a feint to the left. I quickly moved a step back to parry, but kept the defensive, still unsure what would happen if I joined the struggle full-heartedly. "You care for my daughter a great deal. I was set to hate you, mortal, but I have not seen my daughter this happy since she was but a babe in my arms. She has always been curious of the unknown and now one stands at her side that is just as inquisitive, if not more so.

"I have seen you wander the island, Medeia in tow, asking her to explain to you our ways, customs, technology,and beliefs. At first, it was concerning. I have never known a man to not turn against us if not held in a firm grasp, but you were genuine in your heart. You wish to understand."

The queen moved forward, pivoting and driving her blade toward my chest in one fluid motion. I blocked her bade with a solemn nod. "Yes, your highness. I will admit that Themyscira long intrigued me. When Diana first arrived in man's world, I too was cautious. Here was a woman with the beauty and power of a goddess, displaying courage, kindness, and an unwavering sense of justice. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. But Diana is above all truthful. She is straightforward and displays herself for the world to see. Which is why I cannot understand why your goddesses would turn against her!"

I hadn't realized until that moment how much rage I possessed on Diana's behalf. Until this point, my worry was for her and her alone. So much of her identity was interlaced with her ability to protect the innocent and find justice for those who did not have the means to protect themselves. Motives so close to my own, though hers were lily white while mine were heavily weighed by the looming shadow of vengeance. I began to actually respond to Hippolyta's strokes, my tension oozing from my body.

"Why would they!?! They have watched over her their whole life! Surely they can see the difference she makes in the world! Surely they can feel the hope and light she brings! Why now?!? Is loving me so terrible! Surely if it were all men that they hated so fiercely Diana would have lost her powers the moment the decision was made to come aid us during the Martian invasion. Or she would have never been able to leave the safety of Themyscira in the first place. Therefore, barring all other options, I am the issue." That was when clarity struck. It was me. The goddesses weren't mad at Diana, even I (with all my grudges) didn't possess the ability to do that longer than a day or two.

I took a knee and dropped my sword, daring to look the queen in the eye. Her gray eyes looked to be one step from tears and her own sword had lowered almost to the ground. Was I being selfish? Would my actions cause more pain, just as my actions at the theater had so many years ago? So much had happened he in just the last few weeks. The situation with Dick and Barbara, the threat of Akantha in Gotham, Diana losing her powers. So many things that were out of my control. If I could do something to change even just one of those outcomes, didn't I owe it to Diana to do so.

"I love your daughter, your majesty. If I had more time to spend with you, you would realize how rare those words are coming from my lips. I love her and I just want her to be happy. If I walked away, do you think the goddesses would forgive her? Would she be restored to grace?" Hippolytus neared and placed a hand on my shoulder, tears slowly beginning to dot their way down her cheeks.

"Our Goddesses are fickle, Bruce. They shower us with love and affection and then, if we misstep, they remove them like a child becoming bored with a toy. If you were to turn from Diana, they may decide she is worthy once more to bear Wonder Woman's mantle, but they may just as easily decide that she learned her lesson by having the man she loves betray her and leave her broken in the dust. The question isn't whether or not walking away would restore her, but would it make her happy.

"My daughter is all the things you mentioned, but you forgot stubborn as the day is long. No one has ever been able to stop her from doing what she thinks is right. If my daughter thinks you are the man who will make her happy, than who am I to doubt that. If anything, I would believe our goddesses are jealous. They have found that someone else has taken up their favorite mortal's attention. While they used to be friend and confidant, now you are both of those things as well as lover.

"I am going to tell you one last thing, Bruce, something I think my daughter would tell you if she were here. Let yourself be happy. I see the sorrow in your eyes. Don't let it overtake you. You make Diana happy and when she is with you, she makes that darkness disappear just a little more. Don't let your brooding get in the way of something that could be wonderful. Diana has already made up her mind that she is going to return with you to Man's world. She has chosen a mortal man over all the wonders the goddesses have and could have provided her. You have already won and my daughter never fights for something she doesn't believe in." I was shocked as Hippolyta pulled me into a tight embrace, whispering softly in my ear.

"Watch over her for me, young man. I am going to miss her more than life itself, but I am entrusting my treasure to you. We both know she doesn't need a savior, but a protector or ally from time to time is always appreciated. Cherish her." My mind reeled, processing her heartfelt words. People kept telling me to be happy, and they always made it sound like it was something easy, like turning on a light switch. That had never worked. Hippolyta, though her words were similar, had change the nuance. Instead of telling me to flip a switch, her words were like someone handed me a present and told me to open it. I could stand there all day just admiring the wrapping from afar or I could open it. The layers came off one at a time and soon I found a package and inside, there it was after all this time, a small ounce of hope. I wondered what powers Hippolyta possessed that could instantly dispel years of doubts and fears, simply by placing a hand on my shoulder and giving me some honest words, but it should have been expected as her daughter had that same ability. I smiled at her then, a true smile, and she helped me stand. "Now come, son, let's go find our Diana and have a nice picnic." She looped her arm through mine and we continued onward. Though I knew that once I left this wonderful island, many of my doubts would return. Life wasn't easy after all, and it was much harder to learn good habits than forget old, I was confident in one thing. Diana would be in my future. No goddess was going to keep me from standing by her side. Because I was Batman.

As we walked arm in arm back to the palace, I could feel the stares and hear the whispers of the Amazons. How dare a man be so near to the Queen? The woman in question merely raised her head and stared them down, daring the doubters to challenge her. I could easily see how Diana grew to be so strong. I was glad that I was able to see her homeland, even if it were just this once, as it made me understand and appreciate her more than I could ever describe. When we finally reached the palace, Diana had beet us at the door, eager for our brunch. She smiled a grand smile and she seen how chummy her mother and I had become and I swear that if she still had the power of flight she would have soared into the sky. Ourania was less thrilled. If looks could kill, the birds would already have gotten me. She was called off though by a swift look from the queen. "Ourania, we will be dropping our guard on young Mr. Wayne. He has shown himself to be trustworthy and I have given him my blessing for the reminder of his time on the island."

The queen lifted an eyebrow as she gave me a mock glare. "Though that blessing still does not extend to entering my daughter's bedchamber. Now, my children, let us go enjoy our feast. Ourania and Medeia, you may have the day to yourselves. You have earned it. Enjoy your day off." The girls exchanged excited looks before racing toward the beckoning waves.

Together we made our way first to the stables to gather some horses and then toward the forests on the western side of the island. The trail ride was soothing and I was once again amazed by the amount of wildlife that lived here completely at ease with the Amazonian population. We past deer, hare, foxes, and bears alike grazing together in harmony. The forest, too, was a wonder as the trees loomed, ancient and majestic above us, their colors immensely more vivid than their counterparts in my world. Though I had seen how beautiful nature could be on my travels outside of Gotham's smoggy air, they couldn't hold a candle to this. Eventually, Diana and Hippolyta reached a glen that opened before a small waterfall and began to dismount, each of us helping to dispense the meal in a silent camaraderie.

Once we began to eat, the conversation was finally unfiltered as all wrongs had been recognized and forgiven and all emotions had been resolved. Maybe it was the spell of the wood, but once more I found myself at peace. As I thought more about it, it was eerie. I was not unaware of the problems back home, but for a moment they had receded to a niggling reminder, not the normal blaring alarm throughout my nervous system. Eventually, however, it was Diana who brought it up.

"Isn't this place wonderful? It bears the blessing of Pan." I was stunned. "A Greek God?" Hippolyta chucked. "Yes, indeed. Pan is the god of nature, you see. Our goddesses realized that you can't divide yourself from nature and so, after wringing many promises that he wouldn't let his satyrs find their way here, they offered him a spot for a haven. Nymphs of any kind are welcome here as a sanctuary and there is spell over the woods dispelling any sort of panic, which is the other attribute given to Pan though later he passed that ability off to Dionysus. Our council often meets here to discuss major decisions so all options can be considered without judgment or snap decisions being made. I thought you both would enjoy the tranquility before you had to leave the island."

Diana nodded, sprawling out comfortably on the soft grass, her loose dark hair fanning out behind her. "It's lovely. Especially with Barbara being so ill and Akantha spreading terror through the streets. We could use a moment of peace." Hippolyta's face paled and she dropped her apple, the fruit rolling unnoticed into the forest. "Akantha?!?" I nodded. "Diana thinks she is a follower of Artemis. She came to town the night before we left and she spouted something about darkness but she disappeared before we could make her talk." Hippolyta stood hastily, panic evident even in such a blessed place.

"No! That woman is not a servant of Artemis, but someone so much worse. You need to get back to Gotham. Now!" I blinked. Hippolyta had been so adamant about having Diana for this last week and now she was ushering us out. Without a moment of hesitation she ignored the remaining food and began to mount her horse. "Time is of the essence, children! I wish I could explain, but I have been bound by the River Styx to secrecy. I can tell you this, if you do not face her now the entire world, even Themyscira, will be destroyed." She turned to Diana. "Oh my darling, I wish I could explain. Suddenly this whole tribulation makes sense." With those cryptic words, she guided us to my plane, embraced her daughter one last time as tears streamed down her face, and sent us back to the cold streets of Gotham.

As the shores faded below us, the panic began to slowly creep back in to my thoughts joined quickly by the fear, anxiety, and dread that I had managed to shed on Themyscira. That's it, one day I'm getting an island.


Such a long chapter! This one is about double my normal length. I hope by now it's obvious that Bruce's openness is partially due to being in Themyscira. I will probably have another Robin chapter and then we will get back to the main story. Hope you all enjoyed and don't forget to review.

P.S. I read back through my story before writing this as it has been so long and I noticed tons of errors so I'm probably going to set aside time soon to correct them. It's just going to take a while as the documents are no longer in FanFiction as it's been so long since I've posted them. (I know, I know. Post faster lol)