Chapter 23 : Wings of Change

In the realm of chaos full of unwanted nightmares and plots, Eris the sleek goddess of discord was sitting on her stone throne tapping her long finger nails onto of a skull that belong to a great king that once ruled. With her were the constellations of Scorpion, Ox and Lion all three of them were under her control.

She gazed at the golden bowl filled with red wine at the mortal man named Bruce Wayne who was lying on his back sweating.

"Everything is in motion my pets." The goddess said. "Soon blood will be boiling in the water."

"Are you always this disturb my dear chaotic sister?" Athena asked. "Do you find suffering and pain of mortals amusing? I thought you would have learn about the balance of live and death from the time you spent in the pits Hades."

Eris clenched her jaw. "What do you want Athena? You always come to my realm uninvited."

Athena stuck her sword into the sand and walked up the stone steps. "You know something don't you Eris. A hidden secret that you are trying so hard to conceal but you and I both know that this evil that is arising in the heavens is coming for a sole purpose to destroy the mortal realm by collecting all the souls."

Eris nodded in agreement.

"Tell me who unlocked the gate of the eternal pit?"

"I warn you of not speaking that name in my presence Athena. Remember the great battle that we fought the betrayer that once to the oath to protect the seven realms and how he made the deal with the enemy."

"Not millennium goes by when I do not think of that decade of endless bloodbaths and destruction Eris."

"Yes it could have been a time of peace for all of us but the betrayer had to strike that deal with the evil one. Now this evil is going to be release within three days in the moral world."

Athena's ice blue eyes widen.

"Who is released him Eris, I want the name?"

"If I tell you Athena, you must to speak of this between the others."

"You have my word."

Athena crossed her heart.

"For when I goddess gives her word she is bound for all eternity."

"Indeed." Eris sneered. "Two forms of evil will come to the mortal realm before the evil one arrives in full form." She explained. "Eros the god of desire and Erebus the god of darkness and shadows will arrive after the third sunset."

"I can see where this is heading."

"Indeed my sister."

Athena turned her gaze to the golden bowl. "What do you see?"

"A mortal that is transforming into the mighty creature Pegasus."

"How much time does he have before the full transformation."

"He's in the second stage at this very moment . I would say one more hour."

Diana was kneeling down beside the drench form of Bruce Wayne. She placed her hand on his forehead and looked into his deep hazel green eyes. The fever was getting stronger. She ran her hand through his drench thick hair, bent she head down and pressed her lips on his forehead.

"I promise I will never leave your side."

Inside the penthouse Alfred was standing near the French glass doors looking at his young master , the same man that he watched grew from a lonely eight year old to a man on a mission. He closed his eyes and remembered the first time he felt fear for his master. It was years ago when Batman was first starting out his mission to save Gotham from corruption and injustice . He wanted to take the power away from Falcone and the other ruthless men that ruled the streets preying on the desperate and creating new muggers every day.

He remembered the night when he received a phone call from Bruce's cell phone . The voice of the other line was harsh and the words were hard to make out but Alfred knew who it is speaking .

When Alfred arrived at the alley way in the narrows he saw Batman lying on top of a pile of trash bags covered in white powder. His head was jerking from side and side . His voice was mumbling words that made to sense . Alfred felt his heart racing inside his chest . Never before was he so scared in his life. He helped Batman to his feet and placed him on the backseat of the Rolls Royce .

Batman's body was shaking as his eyes widen . His breathing was rapid and his mouth moving with no words coming out. That was first time Alfred realized how dangerous this crusade was going to be. Deep down at the pit of his stomach he knew that he had to be strong for his master no what the circumstance .

Alfred placed his hand on the glass of the door.

"Be strong , Master Wayne." He said. "Remember we find out strength within ourselves."

The door opened at the butler stepped outside with a tray of water in his hands. He walked to the area where Diana was kneeling and looked down at Bruce.

"How is he going , Miss Prince?"

Diana lifted her head and looked at the worried butler.

"He's fighting another fever."

Alfred shifted his eyes to his master.

"How much time to we have ?"

"I do not know." She replied. "It's all up to Bruce now. He's got to let his body release the spirit within him."

Alfred nodded.

"Alfred , I know that this is hard for you , seeing Bruce like this."

"You have no idea , Miss Prince." Alfred said. "I can't have a master that's a horse. I promise his parents that I would never let anything happen to him Miss Prince , but I guess I broke the promise."

Diana shook her head.

"No , you did not Alfred. This was out of both of our hands. This was not your fault."

"I'm trying to be strong for him , Miss Prince. Deep down it's painful to see him like this."

All Diana could do was agree with the white haired butler. She turned her eyes back to Bruce.

"Diana," The billionaire winced as he could feel his bone's twisting inside. He took deep breaths trying to fight the pain. "How much more time to I have to be human?"

"I don't know, Bruce."

He placed his clammy hand on her cheek.

Diana placed her hand on top of his eyes and looked deep into his eyes.

"You're the bravest man I have ever known Bruce Wayne."

"You call this being brave princess." He said. "I've seen stronger men fight the battles that they couldn't win but they never gave up until they drew their last breath. This," He looked at his body. " What I mean to say princess , this is nothing compared to what they've endured. Do not take pity on me ."

"But,"

He placed his hand on her lips.

"Princess, we're going to be fine."

She nodded.

"Of course we will , Bruce."

Hippolyta queen of the Amazons was standing leaning her body against a stone pillar of her place looking at the moonlight reflecting off the shoreline. Deep down she was worried for her daughter. She knew that is was a big test that her daughter had to past.

"May Hera, watch over you my little sun and stars."

"Hippolyta,"

She turned her head and saw Athena standing behind her.

"Athena, what word to do you have on my daughter and the mortal Bruce Wayne ?"

"The transformation is almost complete. The moral is will be in his new form at the top of the hour."

Hippoltya lowered her head.

"I sense that you have feelings for this moral ?" Athena asked. " Feelings that I haven't seen in you before the night of your mother's death."

"I care for Bruce Wayne. He's a strong warrior that I would gladly have fight by my side Athena. Right now I worry for his soul."

"There is nothing to worry about. I have watched Bruce Wayne countless times, he is a fighter just like your daughter Hippoltya. You must not lose hope for both of them. For they will need all the hope that they can receive."

Hippolyta looked at the goddess.

"What's coming Athena?" She asked. "What is my daughter going to face?"

"A great evil."

"That's not the answer I want , Athena."

The goddess nodded.

"I know Hippolyta. I can not speak his name ."

Hippolyta's eyes went wide.

"No , not him. I thought he was locked away for good."

"It appears someone freed his foul soul."

"You expect my daughter to right his evil?"

Athena nodded.

"She does not know what he is capable of doing to morals and immortals. How do you expect her to win this battle?'

"I do not know , Hippolyta."

"How time does Diana have to prepare for his coming?"

"Three days."

"I must go to her at once."

"Hippolyta , you are not allowed to see your daughter. This is her fight."

The queen lowered her head.

"Then you have sentenced my daughter and the rest of the mortals in man's world to die."

Hippolyta walked away from the goddess and headed to her throne.

One hour later Bruce Wayne was kneeling on the ground. His hands were touching the smooth cement underneath. He tired to find something , a crack in the cement to grip. Sharp stabbing pains entered his chest and rig chest .

Diana and Alfred were standing behind him watching his body transform.

Bruce screamed as his jaw bone stretched. Blood was dripping from his mouth.

"Bruce," Diana said walking over to him.

"Princess stay back!" He yelled in growl. ''Just stay back."

Bruce's stomach was beginning to expand as his face grew longer.

Alfred had tears in his pale blue eyes.

Bruce gritted his teeth as his forehead became broad , full and flat. The chest area became larger and formed into a V shape. His shoulders became board and lean while the neck area grew larger.

"I hate magic!" He snarled.

"How much more does he have to endure this?" Alfred asked Diana sobbing. "I can't handle this!"

"Be strong Alfred." Diana said. "We have to be strong."

The billionaire howled in pain , his hands turned in hoofs , hair thicker and longer. He started making growling noises as his jaw grew longer and fuller.

"Come on Bruce , do not give up." Diana said in a whisper. "Let it flow through you."

Bruce closed his eyes.

Within minutes the body of the daring and handsome billionaire was now in a horse form. His long mane was jet black with bits of dark brown on the tips.

There was a marking down his forelock that was in shape of bat.

His hair on his body was jet black with a area of silver on his chest. He did a blow noise while his mouth was closed letting the air come out of his nostrils. The muzzle that was his mouth area was silver.

Diana walked over to him.

"Bruce?"

The black horse made a wincing noise as black bat like wings appeared on the sides of his large body.

"Bruce , can you understand me."

The winged horse felt dizzy , he last his balance but Diana kept him from crashing onto the ground.

"How is he ?" Alfred asked nervous."

Diana looked into the deep brown eyes of the winged horse.

"Bruce , please speak to me ."

The winged horse back up to the ledge.

"I know that you are in there Bruce."

"Miss Prince?"

"Do worry, I can understand him . If he wasn't so stubborn to speak."

"Well I can see that he hasn't change from the inside." Alfred comment."

She held out her hand.

"I know that you scared right now ." Diana said in comforting tone. " There is nothing to be afraid of Bruce , I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

The winged horse moved closer .

Diana placed on her on his forelock.

"Princess," The creature spoke in a wincing voice. " What happen to me?"

"Well," Diana looked at his large jet black body. " You're now a Pegasus."

He turned his long neck and locked at the sharp edge wings and then his long tail.

At first he said nothing.

Diana could tell that he was in shock over his new form.

"This better be temporary?"

Diana was trying not to smirk at his comment.

The winged horse looked at Alfred. "Alfred,"

"Bruce , I'm the only one that understand you."

"Great."

"Tell me what you want to say to Alfred and I shall give him your words."

He looked at his old friend.

"Princess, tell Alfred that he has nothing to worry about. I'm fine."

Diana nodded and turned to looked at the butler.

"Bruce told me to tell you that you have nothing to worry about , he's fine."

"You can understand horse , Miss Prince?" Alfred asked.

"No , it's just a gift Athena gave to me . I'm the only that can speak to Bruce because he is my Pegasus."

The wing horse snorted.

"I am no one's pet princess. Consider me as your ally not a pet."

Diana smiled.

"I think he needs a suitable name don't you think so Alfred?"

The winged horse shook his head.

"Call me by my regular name princess." He growled.

Diana looked into his deep brown eyes.

"I have the perfect name . Vuxta."

"Vuxta?"

"It means night in Greek."

The creature gave a sigh.

"Fine but only when we're in battle."

"Agreed."

Diana moved in closer and pressed her lips on his forehead.

She looked at Alfred.

"Come here ," She said waving him over. "It's safe."

Alfred slowly walked over to the winged horse. "He's such a magnificent creature."

"It's OK Alfred , inside he is still the same man that you raised ." She took the old man's hand and placed it onto Pegasus's forehead. "He's in there , Alfred."

The butler looked into the eyes of his transformed master.

"Master Wayne,"

Pegasus moved his head forward and rested it on his butler's shoulder.

"Sir," Alfred said. "I promise you I will say by your side ."

The winged horse pulled away and walked over to the an empty space near the table. He bent his knees and lowered his body on the cement to lay down.

For some reason he felt tired , Batman never got tired especially during the night hours but now that his was a Pegasus he knew that it was going to take a while to get used to sleeping outside and eating only fruit and oats.

Diana walked over to him .

"Bruce , is there anything you need?"

The winged horse had his head on the ground , he was brooding. He lifted his head and looked at Diana.

"I need you to keep a eye on Gordon and his family, princess."

He sighed.

"I thought I was still going to be a human at some point. But I just that was a lie as well."

He lowered his head back down.

"I can't believe this , Bruce . You're not acting like Batman."

"As you can tell , I'm not human princess." He sighed breathing heavy trying to calm down his body.

Diana bent down.

"I'm sorry , I didn't mean to say those words."

The winged horse moved his knees closer to his V shaped chest.

"I will go and check on your friends." She patted his head. "You should get some rest."

"I don't need to rest. I have ..."

"You're not Batman anymore."

"Don't remind me." He snorted.

"I will go and patrol the city . Alfred will take care of you."

Diana walked to the ledge and dove into the air .

A few minutes after Diana left , the black Pegasus got up and walked to the ledge looking down at streets below.

"My city needs me,"

Alfred came walking out with a bowl of apples and pears.

"I can see that you're up and about , Master Wayne."

The winged horse turned his long neck and looked at his butler.

"Alfred , I can't get use to living in this body. It's eating me alive. I should be out there patrolling the streets not her."

Alfred shook his head.

"Forgive me , Master Wayne , but I don't speak horse language."

He placed the bowl on the ground.

"Now come and have something to eat."

"I'm not hungry." The stubborn creature snorted while his stomach growled.

"Come on , Master Wayne. You've haven't eaten all day."

The black winged horse rolled his eyes and walked over to the fruit bowl. He lowered his head and began to nibble the pieces of apples.

"How are we going to explain this to the members of the board , sir?"

The creature lifted his head and sighed.

'I can't just say that you left the city , I need to think of something."

He looked at the Pegasus.

" You're not helping much either ."

The winged horse moved to the ledge and looked at the buildings that surrounded him. Alfred walked over and stood next to his transformed master.

"Don't worry, Master Wayne. Batman will return."

Alfred gave his master a smile to show that there was hope.

"He always does."