Kori looked him over. "We should probably get you to Bruce now."
Jason nodded his assent and walked into the cave. Kori followed, leaving him alone with Cassie.
He looked down to her. "Lead the way?"
Cassie grabbed his hand and pulled him into the darkness. He could hear the sounds of a door opening and closing ahead.
After a few minutes of walking he felt a tug on his sleeve. Garfield looked down to where he thought Cassie was.
"F-feel wall. Door there." She instructed.
Garfield reached out expecting to feel the rocky surface of a cave, but was met with cool metal. He felt around and found a doorknob. Quickly he grasped it and opened the door revealing a dimly lit hallway.
Cassie walked in and waited for him. Hesitantly he entered and shut the door behind him. He glanced around the hallway, "What's with the lighting."
She gave him a 'Are you stupid?' look. "If you see dark, a-and then see the light. Eyes c-cans not see."
"Oh." He looked down at his feet embarrassed. When he looked back up Cassie was already halfway down the hall. He hurried off after her. She paused at the end of the hallway, in front of another door.
After he caught up she looked to the door and looked back to him. "W-warning this leads to people."
"People?" He questioned.
She nodded and opened the door to reveal what appeared to be a giant living room filled with people. There was a mix of ages and while some of the occupants looked similar it was clear nobody was related.
Jason and Kori seemed to be talking to the group, but as he passed through the door way everyone seemed to turn to him.
Garfield felt his face get hot at the sudden attention.
Kori motioned for him to come over. She gestured at the group assembled, "This is my family."
Jason stepped forward. "I will introduce you to this ridiculous mix we call family." He pointed to a small boy on the far left, "That's Damien the devil-spawn. The little girl next him is Stephanie, a girl who spoils everything." The girl pouted at the remark, but Jason has already moved on. He gestured to a girl who could've been Kori's twin if not for her blue eyes, "The redhead is Barbra, otherwise know as the go-to for information nobody is supposed know." Jason pointed to the boy standing next to her. "Last, but not least is my favorite brother to torment, little Timmy. Otherwise known as goody-two shoes." Jason crossed his arms, satisfied with his work.
Kori grabbed his arm, mumbling a quick 'see you guys later' and attempting to make a hasty exit, but then it started.
"He's cute! Can I start planning the wedding?" Asked Stephanie.
"Where did you guys meet?" Questioned Barbra.
He looked Kori who had faced-palmed. She gave him an apologetic look and took a breath. Realizing her intentions he covered his ears, Garfield noticed Cassie, Tim, and Jason had as well. Despite the precautions he could still hear her yell over the other girls' questions, "WE ARE NOT GETTING MARRIED! HE IS ENGAGED!"
The room went dead silent. He looked down to Cassie, his guide in this strange wonderland, "Is this normal?"
She gave a sigh that spoke volumes. Once more she grabbed his hand. She pulled him to Kori and grabbed her hand. Cassie pulled them into a nearby hallway and released them. She turned to Kori.
"Bruce?" She questioned.
"Bruce." Agreed Kori.
Garfield looked from Cassie to Kori, "Bruce?"
Kori gestured around her, "Bruce is the one who built this, this cave, this family. Everyone here owes their lives to him. He takes in those with no home and gives them one, especially those who have 'abilites'." She paused, "Bruce is also the one who can help you."
He gave her skeptical look, "How do you know he can help me?"
Kori looked down at her feet. "I've seen him do it before."
Cassie grabbed his hand and Kori's again. "Bruce?" She questioned once more.
Garfield finally understanding agreed, "Bruce."
Cassie guided both of them down the hall, making multiple lefts and rights, with occasional trips up and down staircases. Just as he was starting to question how all of this fit in a cave they paused in front of a door. The door itself didn't seem obviously different than any of the others they had past, but on further inspection the doorknob had multiple bats carved into it.
As he studied the door he was slapped across the face with déjà vu …
Young Garfield approached his sister's door.
A nine year-old Garfield knocked at his sister's door.
Garfield stood still in his funeral attire, once more in front of Raven's door.
Garfield raised his hand to knock against the crystal door, but couldn't bring himself to knock.
"Bruce h-here." Cassie stuttered, breaking Garfield out of his trance.
Garfield made up his mind. "I am not going to make the same mistake again." He affirmed aloud to the sisters' confusion. He grasped the doorknob and opened the door.
A man sat at a desk, illuminated by a single candelabra. At the creak of the door opening further, the man looked up at him, his blue eyes piercing Garfield's soul.
"Who are you?" The voice was neutral. Not accusing, which would be understandable considering the circumstances, but only the slightest bit curious.
Garfield tried to gather the bravado he had used previously,but utterly failed. He meekly announced, "I am Prince Garfield of Arendelle."
The man merely nodded, nonplussed. He got up from his desk and walked to the front. He bowed. "I am Bruce Wayne, lord of this Clan and this cave." He straightened, "What can I do for you?"
Garfield stepped forward into the light to make his predicament visible. He gestured to his hair, "I was told you could help me."
Bruce sighed, and for a moment it seemed that he held the wait of the world on his shoulders. "You have darkness in your heart."
"Darkness?" He echoed.
Bruce nodded. "When the darkness fully envelops your heart you will die."
Garfield became aware of a pressure on his chest, on his heart. His gaze dropped to the ground as a sense of hopelessness overtook him. "Then I'm doomed."
"No, you are not." Garfield looked up at the man in disbelief. "There is a cure. A heart of darkness can be unlocked by an act of true love."
"An act of true love?" Garfield echoed again.
Bruce sensed his confusion and elaborated. "True love's kiss is the easiest, but any act of true love will work. Do you understand?"
Garfield nodded.
Bruce smiled, his whole appearance seemed to change. No more was he a mysterious man with unknown intents, but a kind father-like figure. "Then good luck." He returned to his desk.
Garfield bowed, "Thank you." He turned and exited to the hallway.