Chapter 29 : Conversations

The air was cool as Diana narrowed her eyes downward at the misty streets of Gotham. She wrapped her arm around Bruce's thick neck, it was warm to the touch. She could feel his pulse elevating. She knew that this was a whole new experience for him, although Superman would sometimes carry him when flying from a burning building, Bruce still hated that.

"How are you holding up?" Diana asked.

Bruce did not respond. He usually didn't when he was gliding through the streets in the Batpod or the Tumbler. He was a very concealed man that liked to keep everything bottled up. Diana wasn't discouraged though.

"Bruce I'm talking to you..."

The horse rolled his eyes. "I'm fine." He quickly said grumbling. "This is just going to take a while to get used too." He admitted. Diana shook her head.

"Oh come on, you jump out of planes and sky hook back into them without any hesitation."

"When I'm a human!" He snapped disliking her comment though was also reluctant to say that he was enjoying their test flight. He wouldn't mind if it was in the Wraith, his aerial stealth vehicle that could hold two passengers in the cockpit, this was different they were unprotected by bullet proof in-cased steel. All he had was hard hoofs, a hard head and wings.

"I know that you're upset Bruce about this whole curse."

"Upset? I am beyond upset. I can't even show my face to the public not to mention go to those long and boring meetings at my company." He ranted. Diana shifted her gaze, feeling the distress in his words. He let loose a hard breath, or perhaps it was a sigh. "Princess do you have any idea what we're up against or are you just going to trust your instincts?"

"All I know from what my mother told me was that this evil that is arriving to Gotham will destroy many souls."

"I already know that part. You've mentioned that to me about five times already."

"Sorry."

Diana gave him pause, as he gathered his thoughts. As usual Bruce felt regret for being cold, but just the same he got the feeling she understood him enough to know that. That much he could tell as he feels her hand caress the side of his neck soothingly. He imagined her warm smile accompanying it and for a moment, he allowed his frustrations to drift away.

"If we had any idea ..." He paused, this time noticing a helicopter, he quickly swift his body and headed towards the roof top of a building. He landed on his hoofs and gently bent his body down so Diana could get off.

"How much time do we have?" He asked, back on point.

"Not long." She replied, now standing in front of him.

The horse nodded. "I'm bringing you back to the penthouse."

"No thanks." Diana said. "I can fly there myself."

Bruce stood still a for a moment, seemingly hesitant before raising his head. "All right if you want it that way."

He turned to the ledge, preparing to glide.

"Where are you going Bruce?" Diana asked.

"To see an old friend."

Diana immediately advanced on him. "I'm afraid I can't allow you to go."

The winged horse turned its head and glared at her. "What?"

"Not with out this."

Diana gave Bruce a golden oat that she removed from her pocket. "This will make those you are close to you understand what you are saying to them."

Bruce quickly ate it.

"Anything else?" He asked.

"Just be careful." She said worriedly, her concern for him evident.

"Just when do you sound so motherly princess?" He was sarcastic or teasing, he wasn't sure.

Diana placed her hand on his long black forehead.

"Just come back to me." She said firmly, though the affection was clear in her eyes.

"I'll try." He inwardly smirked.

He jumped down, his wings became straight as he glided up into the wind heading for Wayne Tower.

Lucius Fox opened the door from the stairwell and stepped onto the cemented-roof of Wayne Tower. A blue scarf was wrapped around his neck, protecting his throat from the chilling updraft wind. He walked across the roof and stood at the ledge looking at downtown Gotham. It had been a while since he took the time to gaze at the mesmerizing city.

Though looks would be deceiving, it appeared very peaceful from this height. Standing there he recalled the time when Doctor Thomas Wayne and he were on the rooftop of the first Wayne Tower. The one that got destroyed during Bruce's first year as Batman.

Thomas Wayne was only 28 years old at the time; a young man with a promising future. He had big dreams to make this city a far better place for the good people of Gotham to live in. "Good people Mr. Fox," Thomas would say. "They are the foundations that we can use to build stronger structures in this society."

"What are your plans for the future Mr. Wayne?" Fox had asked the young man.

"I want to build a better and cheaper transportation for the general public."

Thomas removed a folded up piece of paper from his coat and handed to Fox.

Lucius looked at the design. "You want to create a sky train?"

Thomas nodded. "Yes. I want it connected to Wayne Tower, to unite the city."

"I see what I can do."

Thomas looked at his Rolex. "Great. If you can excuse me Mr. Fox, I am needed at Gotham General."

"Mr. Wayne it's almost midnight."

"That's alright I don't mind the night shift."

As he stood there remembering his good friend who was a good man, Fox thought for a moment how similar Thomas and his son Bruce were. Although Bruce was more stubborn and careless when it came to making difficult decisions, he still had a good heart. And Fox had never met anyone who cared more about his fellow man than Bruce Wayne.

Under that fierce exterior and playboy charade was a great mind that he used to make Gotham a better and safer place to live in just like his father. A sound of wings flapping entered the air ways as Fox turned his sight to the shadows. He heard a clicking sound on the cement. Cautious he kept his guard up and moved closer.

"Mister Wayne?" He asked looking at the shadows. "Is that you?"

"Over here Mr. Fox." A deep voice boomed from the corner near a vent.

"You said that there was something you wished to show me."

"I did. But be warned it's pretty shocking."

Fox prepared himself. "Alright let's see."

A jet black winged horse appeared from the shadows and looked at Lucius with it's dark eyes. Foxed stared, trying to process what he was seeing and while a mixture of emotions swamped him: confusion, shock, uncertainty and fear.

He backed away from the dark creature. "It can't be." He said. "You can't be ..."

The horse lowered his head. "Don't be afraid Mr. Fox." He said, trying to appear as non-threatening as he could but knew that would do little to calm his friend. A man in a batsuit was one thing, but this was a whole new level of strange. It took a moment for Fox to regain his composure before he moved closer and looked at the horse." Bruce you're a ..."

"I know. I don't need to be reminded."

Despite the situation, Fox couldn't suppress the small grin on his face with recognition. "That settles it." He said. "No one in this city has that kind of attitude. I just never thought I would see you in a form like this. Now tell me, how did this happen?"

"Long story." Bruce shrugged off the question.

"Now I see why you haven't been at the meetings."

"Can you blame me?"

Fox chuckled. "No." He looked at the black fur. "I can see that you match your other black vehicles perfectly."

The horse cocked his head to the side. "Was that a joke Mister Fox?"

"Yes it was, Mister Wayne."

The horse shook his head.

"Is there anything you need?"

"Alfred sent you the current results on the DNA scans of the two victims. I need to have another look at them. I know that we're missing something."

The black horse moved to the ledge and spread out his wings.

"Mister Wayne?"

The horse turned it's long thick neck.

"How long will you be like this?"

"However long it takes." Bruce replied. "I'm only like this at midnight. If the moon is out. At noon I change back into a human." He looked at the moon above. "It seems out of the ordinary for the moon to be out every night. It must be a part of what is coming."

"And that would be what?" Fox felt unsettled.

"Trust me you don't want to know Mister Fox."

The horse exhaled loudly, its breath showing in the air, then jumped down and glided through the air, his wings pointed upwards.

"I saw but I still can't believe it." Fox said looking up at the creature flying through the night sky.

Back at Bruce's summer penthouse Diana was sitting on the ledge of the building, her long raven hair blowing in the wind, trying to be focus on the mission she and Bruce and were about to endure.

"Why do you have fear written upon your face Princess Diana?"

She turned around and saw the goddess Athena standing before her, dressed in normal clothes to blend into the mortal world.

"Athena." Diana said bowing her head. "How may I humbly serve you?"

"I did not come here for myself but for you."

"I don't understand. You already told me what I need to know."

"Not everything." Athena corrected.

Diana arched up an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

Athena moved to the ledge and placed her hand on the smooth cool cement.

"Do you remember the stories your mother told you when you were knee-high?"

Diana nodded with recollection.

"Yes, my mother told me about the great battles between the gods and the titans."

"Did she ever speak of the evil one?"

"Hades?"

"No." Athena shifted her eyes downward. "The lord of underworld. Someone far worse than that spiteful demon of bloodshed and painful pleasure."

"Athena what is it your trying to tell me?" Diana asked.

The goddess of wisdom sighed. "I have never let my emotions break free from my stern stature but I have come to tell you what is about to happen within the next 24 of mortal time."

Diana was listening intently.

"Chronos is the god of time and also the deceiver of many. He once took an oath that he would destroy the souls of mortals long before he was cast into the pits of darkness. A place where only evil lurks. He is the father of Zesus and the also the brother of Chaos."

"Eris." Diana growled.

Athena nodded.

"His loyal children are about to release him into this realm. Once he arrives there will be no stopping him for destroying every soul in this city. It is up to you and your Pegasus."

"Bruce. My horse has a name." She corrected firmly.

"Alright, it is up to you and Bruce to prevent his forces from entering this city. There has already been a few demons that have entered secretly."

"Battas."

"The bat demon of nightmares. He likes to consume the blood out of his victims for their life force."

Athena placed her hand on Diana's shoulder. "This is only the beginning but it is also a test to prepare you for what is to come in the future." She snapped her hands and her golden armor appeared on the cement. "This is for Pegasus. It will give him more power and protect his heart."

Diana looked at the armor. "What about the curse?" She asked. "Will Bruce become a human again?"

"Only time will tell."

Gotham Shipping - Yards

"Enjoying your evening snack?" Eros asked, looking at the drained corpse of a night watchmen whose life force had been drained from Battas.

"I would of had a more refreshing meal if it wasn't for that mortal."

"The Batman?"

"He doesn't even look like a bat." Battas growled. "Next time we meet I will drain every drop from that worthless body of his."

"You will have your chance my friend."

Battas glared at the god of desire. "I am not your friend!"

"After all I've done for you? Taking you out from the pit and granting your freedom this is how you repay me?"

"I don't care." Battas growled. "Now tell me where I can find blood-saps to drain."

"I know a few places that might serve a few late night snacks."

"Tell me?"

Eros smiled.

"Gotham General or the Gotham Police Department?"

"I like my food fast. So I will go with Gotham General"

"Excellent choice."

Battas licked his blood stained fangs maliciously.

"Besides, I might lure a bat."

"Not tonight. He is not in a mortal body."

"Oh yes, the little horse curse the gods made him become whenever there is a moon."

"They're all fools to think that a little princess and her fancy pony will stop us from releasing our master."

"What do you want me to do with her little pony? Rip his wings out? Cut off his head and mount it onto Athena's temple wall? Or maybe just break him."

Eros sneered. "Hmmm..."

"What?" Battas growled impatiently.

"You just gave me another idea." Eros grinned.

"I'm listening."

"Blackgate prison holds Gotham's worse band of freaks and monsters behind stone walls. But there is one monster that I know that will help us on this mission..."

"The monster's name?"

"Oh he's more like a Titan with his strength and power. And he's the only one that broke the bat."

"The name?" Battias persisted.

Eros turned and looked at the demon.

"Bane."

Battas grinned and then disappeared into the air like a puff of smoke.

"Than it shall be done."

The black Pegasus was contorted up on the roof top of the Gotham Radio Tower feeling depressed and sleepy . He could not help anyone at the moment. That was eating him alive inside. He rested is head on the cement and mumbled. "How much longer?" He asked in a whisper. "Batman can't abandon Gotham," He said. " Gotham needs him and I can't do a thing about it when I'm stuck in this body."

He boosted up his head and looked at bat signal reflecting in the clouds. His ray of hope, his symbol.

"No." He said in a direct tone to himself." The Batman is needed. It's not the bat that makes the hero it's the man... He looked at his body.. "well in this case its the horse that makes the bat."

The black winged horse arose and walked to the edge. His eyes looked out at Gotham with new-found determination.

"This is my city. I will defend it until there is no air left my lungs. For I am Bruce Thomas Wayne, the son of the late Thomas and Martha Wayne and the Batman. I am the watchful protector in the shadow, the silent guardian waiting to strike." He proclaimed. "I am the Dark Knight."

Lightening flashed through the clouds above as he flew down.