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Chapter Text

The Young Justice team members were currently training. Aka trying not to get too embarrassed by Black Canary. Unfortunately it wasn't going too well.

Nightwing; fail. Dick Grayson let out a groan as he got knocked to the ground. He had only recently taken up the name and dropped the Robin moniker. "Ow."

"You good?" Kid Flash asked, extending a hand for Dick to grab.

"I'll be fine." Nightwing took the offered hand. "Your turn."

Before he could respond, everyone in the room disappeared in a flash of golden light.

The Justice League was meeting up for a meeting. Everyone was there with the exception of Black Canary and Red Tornado. Before the meeting could actually begin, several members disappeared in a golden flash.

And then they appeared in a theater.

Everyone was instantly on guard.

"What the-"

"Everyone relax," Doctor Fate commanded. His voice carried around the room.

They all froze and looked at him. Zatanna had to resist the urge to sob.

"I have been given permission by Nabu to show you alternate universes," he announced.

"What do you mean by that," Zatanna glared at the man.

"I mean," he took off his helmet, "Nabu and I are going to show you all the future, past, alternate universes, and more."

"Dad?"

"I mean, it's me," Zatara told her.

Zatanna ran to him and wrapped him in a hug. The force caused him to take a step back to not fall but he hugged her back regardless.

"Zatara, what is going on," Batman asked.

"Nabu saw something happen, in the future. Something that wasn't supposed to happen. And it involves him." He pointed at Wally.

"Me? What do I have to do with anything?" Wally didn't show it, but he still didn't want anything to do with Dr. Fate. While he liked Zatara and Kent Nelson, he hated Dr. Fate.

"In the future, you die when you aren't supposed to. You die because you are too slow, but that shouldn't be the case."

"What do you mean, Wally dies because he's too slow," Artemis asked, moving to stand next to her boyfriend.

"In every universe where Wally West and Barry Allen exist, Wally West becomes faster than Barry. It is fate. An absolute. But for some reason, that doesn't happen here, instead, Wally dies and never takes over the mantle of Flash as it should happen."

"Wait, if Wally dies because he doesn't become faster than me, then what normally happens to me?"

"It changes," Zatara admitted. "Sometimes you die, sometimes you get trapped in the Speed Force, sometimes something else happens."

"So because I'm not as fast as I should be, I die," Wally said. "And I'm supposed to be faster than Barry."

"Not just Barry, but every Speedster ever. You are meant to be the fastest being in every universe."

"That's..." Wally trailed off.

"Intense," Barry said.

"It's not just Wally that we're trying to help, though. Everyone in this room will become better. You all will see alternate versions of yourselves. Nabu is hoping this will let everyone become the best version of themselves possible."

He paused before continuing. "But it comes at a price. If you get injured in what we are watching, you'll feel the pain. You won't actually be hurt you'll just feel the pain. And if you die in the event, you'll go into a coma-like state."

"So, what are we watching first," M'gann asked. She felt like she knew, but didn't want to be right.

"Isn't it obvious, we're going to watch Wally's death."

Chapter Text

I don't own this. This belongs to their respective owners. I make no money off of this.

Everyone looked extremely uncomfortable at the prospect. But a few people looked even more worried than the rest. Wally looked extremely pale and was squeezing Artemis's hand rather hard. Artemis herself was also pale.

Dick kept on glancing at Wally and the screen.

The rest of the team had similar reactions.

Barry was vibrating extremely fast and would have caused the chair he was sitting in to catch on fire if they were invincible. Hal put his hand on Barry's shoulder which caused him to stop vibrating.

"I suppose I should explain," Zatara said. "At this point, Earth was invaded by an alien organization called the Reach. After some politics and gaining the trust of the people of Earth, they wanted to colonize it. But you all fought them off. However, they left behind several devices that could flip the Earth's magnetic field."

Recognized: Kid Flash; B-03

Artemis squeezed Wally's hand. He pulled her close. They shared a look and Wally squeezed back. It was comforting to have her there. It made things seem... less bad.

On his other side, Nightwing, someone who was practically his brother, was silently shaking until Barbra placed a hand on his shoulder.

The next shot showed a tornado of energy. Lex Luther: And no matter what, don't slow down until the crystal is neutralized.

"Why is Luther trying to help? He probably helped the Reach," Superman said.

"He did," Zatara confirmed. "But if he doesn't help, then the Earth is destroyed. That's a good motivator for anyone who lives on it to not want it destroyed."

Superman didn't look happy about it, but he didn't comment further.

A shot of Flash and Impulse is shown.

"Who's the kid," Barry asked.

"That is Bart Allen, your grandchild who traveled time to help prevent this mess," Zatara admitted.

"But Iris and I don't have any kids yet, we can't-"

"It's the future, remember, Barry? Plus, times travel," Dinah reminded him.

They started running around the energy vortex.

"Not even the two of you will have enough energy to stop that," Batman said.

"I know," Barry admitted. "Even if he is as fast as me, we'll need more kinetic energy."

"Which is where I come in," Wally spoke for the first time since they started watching. "Even if I'm not as fast as you, I can still help."

Impulse: I think it might be working. Flash: It's definitely slowing, but not stopping. Even at our top speed, I'm not sure the two of us can generate enough kinetic energy.

"Guess you were right, Bruce," Dick said.

"Which isn't good," Wonder Woman added. "If Clark and I could get there, we could help. We're not as fast as even Kid Flash, but we could help."

"Something tells me, you guys won't make it in time."

Wally: Then how about the three of us. I may not be as fast as you two, but I can add my fair share of kinetic energy.

No one said anything. Normally, someone arriving to help them would cause at least a few people to react, considering what they knew, no one felt like cheering.

Wally: Besides, I can't let the new kid take all the credit for saving the world. Flash: Good man. Impulse: Go crash.

"Definitely not going to crash," Wally weakly attempted to joke. While it probably attempted to lighten the tension, it failed.

They started lapping him. Come on, Wall Man, you can do better than that. The Bio-Ship arrived with Artemis, Superboy, Nightwing, Aqualad, Miss Martian and Blue Beetle.

"Who's that," Red Tornado asked.

"Jamie Reyes aka Blue Beetle. Keep in mind the suit is sentient."

Nightwing: Look, it's slowing down. They're shutting it down. Scarab: Earth's magnetic field is stabilizing.

'At a price,' he thought sadly.

But there is a problem, Jamie Reyes. The Kid Flash is in danger. His slower speed is making him an exit valve for the chrysalis' energy. In 16 seconds, Kid Flash will cease. Wally starts to fade. Blue Beetle: Cease? Cease what?

Wally started screaming in pain and flailing about. "Oh God!"

"Wally!"

Artemis and Dick tried to grab him but he was shaking too fast.

Suddenly Barry was at his side and grabbed him tightly. "Hey, Kid. Focus on my voice."

"Barry? It hurts so much." Wally had tears falling down his face.

"I know. Focus on my voice."

Barry glanced around the room. "Just start the video again. The sooner this is over the sooner this'll stop."

'Why is he feeling more pain than his future version,' M'Gann telepathically asked Nightwing.

'That version of Wally probably has adrenaline. That and he has to focus on saving the world. Our Wally doesn't have any of that so it's worse for him. It'll probably be the same for future events,' Dick answered.

Wally  screamed in pain as the energy hit his on screen counterpart. Flash: Bart, we need to slow down more. Try to siphon some of the energy attacking Wally.

"That won't work. Even if you could slow down in time to save Kid Flash, you won't be able to stop the chrysalis," Red Tornado said.

"I don't care. Wally is my nephew." Barry said, he sounded uncharacteristically angry. Iris didn't look much better and was glaring at the robot.

Wally continues to get attacked by the energy. He was now fading from existence and became intangible.

In the room Wally had stopped screaming in pain. Now it seemed like his pain was beyond any way he could express it.

Artemis reached over and grabbed his hand. She had tears falling down her face.

Superboy looked sad and wasn't looking directly at the screen. M'Gann was silently crying into his shoulder. Nightwing seemed to be forcing himself to look at the screen. Zatanna had closed her eyes entirely. Rocket was simply staring off to the side.

The Justice League was all silent.

Wally: It's no good. Oh man! Artemis is so going to kill me for this. And don't even get me started on mom and dad. Barry: Kid! Wally: Just tell them, okay?

'I'll tell them,' Barry thought sadly. 'I made that vow long ago. If anything happens to you, I would personally tell them.'

Wally disappeared.

Wally fell unconscious. Despite this, his breath was still labored and uneven.

No one said anything. They just wanted this over with.

The energy dispersed and the storm cleared. M'Gann: They did it!

No one cheered. No one said anything. They did it, but at a cost.

The fog cleared to show both speedsters panting.   M'Gann: You did it.   Aqualad: Congratulations. You have saved- Artemis: Wait! Where's Wally?

Everyone remained silent.

Flash: Artemis, he wanted me to tell you- Artemis: No. No. Flash: He loved you

Artemis' breath hitched. She glanced at Wally's unconscious form. They have been dating for a few months now. But they haven't told each other that they love each other.

Artemis started crying and fell to her knees. M'Gann Comforted her.

Suddenly, Wally gasped loudly and sat up. "That hurt."

"Wally, are you okay," Barry asked.

"Yeah. I don't feel any more pain," Wally replied. He sounded shaken.

"He wasn't talking about physically," Artemis told him. "You just watched yourself die and went into a coma."

"I'll be fine."

Chapter Text

"I'll be fine."

"Wally," Dick said quietly.

"Fine, I'm not. I just saw myself get disintegrated. That happens in the future, it's not some threat, that's real and it happens in the future."

"No, it doesn't," Zatara said kindly. "It did, but the whole point of this is to get everyone here to be the best version of themselves they can be. In this case, you will be as fast as you're supposed to be."

"And even if you don't get faster, we know about the Reach, we can stop them before they get to that point," Artemis told him.

"Thanks, I needed that," Wally admitted.

"I know." Artemis gave him a quick kiss.

"Oh, get a room," Dick joked.

Without missing a beat, Wally shot back: "Get a girlfriend. Barbra is right there."

Dick blushed deeply and had a sudden interest in the floor. "Shut up. We're not like that. We're just friends."

"Whatever you say," Wally replied.

"Batman, I assume you remember the kid, Jason Todd," Zatara said. "This next story is about him."

"What about him," Bruce asked.

"In the future, he will die, even sooner than Wally," Zatara said. "But in this universe, he lives. I am showing this to you so you can avoid that future."

Batman kept his face stoic, but a few could see the way his face fell, just the tiniest bit. "Very well."

"Bruce," Superman said. He reached over and put his hand on his best friend's shoulder.

"I'll be fine, Clark."

"We both know that's a lie." He said it quietly enough so that only Bruce could hear it. Well, Superboy probably heard it, but he gave no indication that he did.

Batman clenched his fists. This was always his greatest fear when he first started training Dick. And I came true for Jason. The kid he was considering making the successor to the Robin mantle.

Wonder Woman felt uncomfortable. This is what she predicted years ago. When Batman first took on Dick. Then again after Captain Marvel's true age was revealed. Now her prediction was coming true; something she didn't want to happen. Even if he survives in this universe, Zatara said that he was going to die before Nabu had decided to show them this stuff.

'That's what we thought.' Batman noted. 'So that means that we're wrong.  So what happened to his parents?'

"I won't comment on you making him Robin," Clark began, "but you did the right thing bringing him in."

"I could have brought him to the police. Had them put him in foster care."

"We both know you wouldn't do that," Clark told him. "You always had a soft spot for kids."

'That was always the worst part of Gotham,' Dick thought. 'Bruce spent a lot of his fortune on Gotham. Not just as Batman but he built orphanages, homeless shelters, covered the medical bills for the people he stopped and more. Several times criminals who couldn't get jobs would often be given jobs working for Wayne Enterprise, and yet, it was never enough.'

'Are you okay,' M'Gann asked. 'Sorry for the intrusion, but your thoughts were loud.'

'It's fine, M'Gann. I'll be fine,' Dick replied.

There was the tiniest flicker of a smile on the Dark Knight's face, gone in less than a second. 'So he did the right thing in the end. Good.'

"Jason means right, he just... struggles. Just like everyone else," Dick said. 

"Yeah, you could have handled how you treated him better, but you clearly want what's best for him, just keep that in mind, Bruce," Superman told him.

"The same could be said about you and Conner," Bruce replied.

Superman didn't respond.

"She won't make it," Diana said.

"No," Bruce agreed. He couldn't help but feel saddened. He saw all life as sacred. It's not that he wanted to not kill anyone, he wanted to save everyone. Every life he could. And he hated when he couldn't.

"What?" Someone asked. Even Bruce was caught off guard by this.

"Why the Hell is Joker in Ethiopia," Dick asked. "He almost never leaves Gotham."

'A hero, until the end,' Bruce thought. 'An end that shouldn't have happened.'

"Bruce," Clark simply said.

They held a moment of silence for the woman. After it was over, Dinah said: "She wasn't perfect, but she clearly cared for Jason."

"She didn't deserve her fate," Oliver agreed. "No one deserves a fate like that."

"He'll need a hospital, fast," Barry said.

"I know," Batman replied.

"If this happens in the future, you can call Clark or I," Barry said. "That goes for everyone. You all know we're willing to help."

No one said anything. They were all too worried about Jason.

Batman took in every detail he could. Eventually, he would beat the Joker. The Joker would go to Ethiopia to steal medical supplies. He would recruit several people including Jason's mom to help him. He would stop it.

"What's going on," Dick asked. "Why would anyone from Iran want anything to do with the Joker."

Batman's eyes narrowed behind his cowl. "Nothing good."

"What kind of idiot thinks it's a good idea to give Joker any government position," Wally asked.

"If he does accept, he'll have total diplomatic immunity for everything he's done," Barry said, sounding worried. "Bruce won't be able to touch him without causing an international incident."

Batman was deep in thought. If Joker accepted, he would be untouchable. 'I'll find a way to stop him. I have to.'

"What do you mean 'settled between us a long time ago,' Bruce," Clark asked. "You can't be thinking of killing him. That goes against everything you believe in. Your most important rule."

"I know that, but that version of me is considering it," Bruce said. "I'll just have to hope he doesn't kill him."

"He needs to pay," Dick said. "He can't get away with this."

"He will," Wally said. He had met Jason a few times. Wally knew Dick saw Jason as a little brother despite how little he had seen the two together. And he was  sure Jason felt the same way.

Chapter Text

"He needs to pay," Dick said. "He can't get away with this."

"He will," Wally said. He had met Jason a few times. Wally knew Dick saw Jason as a little brother despite how little he had seen the two together. And he was sure Jason felt the same way.

"What's so special about that location in New York," M'Gann asked.

"That's one of the United Nations Headquarters," Conner told her. It was one of the things he was taught when he was still in Cadmus.

"Which means Joker took the job. He's the ambassador to the UN for Iran," Dick said. "He's untouchable."

"Bruce," Clark said gently. "You can't seriously be considering-"

"You know how much evil he has done over the years-"

"I also know how much good you have done over the years. Don't ever throw that away. Don't ever throw away your morals," Clark said firmly but with his patented kindness.

'It's good they did,' Superman thought. 'I don't know what Bruce would do if I weren't there.'

Realistically, both Clark and Bruce both knew he would never kill. But the way Bruce was acting, it was making them question it.

"That may be, but you aren't like them, Bruce," Diana said. "You are a good man. One who would save a criminal even if it cost you your life. Don't ever change that."

Bruce didn't respond.

Several people winced.

'And now I may have broken my hand,' Bruce thought. 

Batman clenched his fists. Despite knowing the fact he knew that the Joker was going to become Iran's ambassador, he still hated it. 'Who in their right mind would ever think it was a good idea?'

They all just stared in shock. Even knowing that the Joker was the ambassador, seeing it was something else entirely. 

"Bruce," Clark spoke up. "We need to talk."

Chapter Text

They all just stared in shock. Even knowing that the Joker was the ambassador, seeing it was something else entirely.

"Bruce," Clark spoke up. "We need to talk."

Clark then looked at Zatara: "Can we talk somewhere private?"

To their right a door materialized out of nowhere. "No one will be able to overhear you in there."

"Diana, you coming," Clark asked. Truthfully, he knew she was.

The three of them went into the room and shut the door.

"Clark..."

"Take off the cowl," Clark said gently.

He did, "Clark-"

Clark cut him off by hugging him. Diana also joined the hug. The three of them simply stood there in silence. Sharing a bond that went beyond friendship. They were siblings.

After several minutes, Bruce pulled away, tears silently falling down his face. "Thank you both. I needed that." He wiped away his tears and pulled on his cowl again.

"Are you ready," Diana asked.

"I am," Bruce confirmed.  Together the three of them walked back into the room. No one asked them anything, but it was clear they were curious.

"Is everyone ready," Zatara asked. When no one said anything he continued. "This next one is about Nightwing."

"What about me," Dick asked.

"This one is unique. It's a rap song written by an outside person based on your perspective."

Music starts playing. 

I can't fight your war
I don't know you anymore
What's right and what's wrong, I feel torn

Dick was starting to feel really uncomfortable. 'Great and this video is going to reveal how I feel to Bruce.' He looked over at Black Canary. She was one of three people he told how he felt. And the first.

"I'm sorry, I can't be what you want me to be."

"Dick." Bruce looked at him.

Dick was looking anywhere but at Bruce.

"I'm not what you wanted from me."

'You are,' Bruce thought. 'You're exactly what I wanted from you. To be better than me.'

I'm not what's expected of me
Couldn't stay under your wings, nah

Dick felt a hand on his shoulder. Wally was looking at him in understanding. Wally was the second person he told how he felt. Of everyone on the team, Wally was the one he was closest to. His brother.

Dick looked away.

I had to fly and be great
I had to fly and be free

'You did, Dick. You're flying better than I could have ever hoped.'

I can't be that boy that you need
I'm man what I'm coming to be
Can't you see that I'm not you

'I can. You were never meant to be me. You were meant to be better. And you are.' Bruce wanted to tell him that but he felt now wasn't the time.

Dick was feeling extremely uncomfortable. 'Why did this have to be made? Why did it have to get shown?'

I can't be just like you
That's not the path I choose
My life is more than yours

Barbra grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He looked over at her and he gave her a grateful smile.

You wanna few that relate to me, you the same as me
Everything changed with me when you came for me, it was plain to see

'Something I'm grateful for. But I can't go to the same level as Bruce. That darkness he has scares even me sometimes. And I'm one of of the people least sacred of Bruce.' 

"That you came cause you saw a flame in me, you claim you was saving me."

'He did save me. But not in the way I expected,' Dick thought. 'And I doubt in the way he expected either'

Barbra squeezed his hand again and he squeezed back. If it weren't for his insecurities being displayed for his entire team and the Justice League, he would probably be blushing like crazy.

But pain was the thing that you gave to me, now you just don't look the same to me
Am I tripping and feel like the vision different
On the same team, but the mission different
I don't know who you is anymore
No, I'm not a kid anymore

"No, you're not," Bruce told him. "You're so much more."

I was sidekicking, nah, I hadn't been there
Never knew there more for me
Now I know there's so much more to be
Ain't no telling what's in store for me

"Dick, after this, can we talk," Bruce asked.

"Yeah," Dick said.

When I was all on my own, you came and showed me how to fight
When I was lost in the darkness, you showed me how to move through the night
You tell me how to see the bigger picture and separate wrong and right

'You did help me with all that,' Dick thought.

Now when you cross a line, I cannot fall in line

'And that's the problem,' Dick thought.

'And I don't want you to,' Bruce thought at the same time.

I'm not what's expected of me
Couldn't stay under your wings, nah
I had to fly and be great
I had to fly and be free
I can't be that boy that you need

'You're the man I expected you to be,' Bruce thought. "Not just a good hero, but a great man."

I'm man what I'm coming to be
Can't you see that I'm not you
I can't be just like you
That's not the path I choose
My life is more than yours

"You're right about that," Bruce said.

I can't fight your war
I don't know you anymore
What's right and what's wrong, I feel torn
I'm sorry I can't be what you want me to be

As soon as the song ended, Bruce looked over to Dick. "We need to talk."

Chapter Text

I don't own this. This belongs to their respective owners. I make no money off of this.

As soon as the song ended, Bruce looked over to Dick. "We need to talk."

Once again Bruce found himself in the separate room.

"Dick," Bruce began. "I never wanted you to become me."

"I know, Bruce, but  keep doubting it," Dick replied.

"Look, Dick, I'm not the best person to see as a role model and a bad person to talk to, but you were never meant to be my replacement. You were meant to be better."

"Bruce, despite what you think, you are a good person. I can't live up to your legacy."

"You will surpass it, Dick. Not as Batman. But as Nightwing and Dick Grayson."

"Thanks, Bruce." Dick didn't say anything, but he didn't believe him.

"You ready to go back out," Bruce asked.

"Yeah."

The two left the room and Dick walked over to where he sat. Wally looked at him. He met Wally's eyes and gave him a nod that was returned.

"What are we looking at next," Zatanna asked her dad.

"We are watching an event based on Nightwing and Batman," Zatara responded. "The two of them team up to stop a kidnapper."

"The Titans," Zatara announced. "Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, Nightwing Starfire, the Flash-Wally, not Barry, and Donna Troy."

"Is Beast Boy..." M'Gann trailed off.

"Yes, he is Garfield Logan. In our universe, he gets his powers from your blood transfusion. In this, he gets an illness while in Africa. To save him, his dad turns him into a green monkey that is immune to the disease. That led to him getting the power to change into any animal he wants but permanently has green skin and hair as a byproduct."

Dick looked away. He wasn't proud of the way he acted then.

"I was the same way," Bruce told him. "When my parents were killed." And probably worse. I still haven't gotten over it.

Dick smiled. He remembered when Bruce gave him that Speech.

A lot of people were shocked to see Bruce had a soft side.

"Since when did Batman have a soft side," M'Gann mentally asked.

"I've seen it several times," Wally admitted. "But I've also hung out with Dick at his house."

"As have I," Kaldur admitted.

"I have a long way to go," Dick said.

"And you'll make it," Bruce said.

"Wait, I'm afraid of heights?" If there was one thing Dick didn't fear, it was heights.

"It's a temporary and recent thing," Zatara told him.

"Still... that's something I thought I'd ever be scared of."

Barbra placed her hand on his. "They'll figure it out."

Dick ignored the heat he felt in his face. He also ignored Wally who he was certain was smirking.

Both Barbra and Dick had matching blushes and looked anywhere but at the screen.

Wally leaned over to tease Dick. Only for Dick to speak first.

"Not a word."

"She clearly likes you too. Just kiss her."

"It's not like that."

"Clearly. Is this what it was like for you guys waiting for Artemis and I to get together?"

"Crap," Nightwing said.

"You'll save him," Barbra said. "You and Batman working together, there isn't much you two can't do together."

"Hate to break it to you, Dick, but cars don't travel well in water," Artemis joked.

"No but we can get a jet and fly there before they get to Vietnam."

"He has a several hour head start," M'Gann pointed out.

Dick Smirked. "You act like that's enough."

"Kinda reminds me of us," M'Gann said. "We all formed together to be heroes, but now we're family."

"Yeah," Zatanna agreed. "We've had our ups and downs. But I wouldn't trade a second of it."

The Young Justice team all shared a look. Each of them had a matching smile.

"We need to just take a day to just hang out. Seriously, when was the last time we did that," Raquel asked. "The entire team, just hanging out."

"Sounds fun," Wally agreed.

"I'm in," Conner said.

"I pity the criminal who commits a crime with all of us around," Dick said.

"Hey Barbra, you're joining us as well, right? You are a member of the team," Artemis Told her. "Plus, I'd hate to deprive Dick of his girlfriend."

"Not you too," Barbra said. "Dick and I aren't dating. We're just friends."

"And Wally and I were just enemies."

"What is Beast World," M'Gann asked. "And what is Garfield's connection to it?"

"Beast Boy beat a being related to Starro the Conqueror by turning into one himself. But a villain named Dr. Hate cast a spell which turned him feral. He attacked Earth and turned Earth into Beast World. Everyone was feral. This whole event was orchestrated by Amanda Waller to turn the world against heroes. It wasn't his fault and he saved everyone in the end, but..."

"Humanity won't be so easy to forgive him," She finished.

"If it gets me cured," Dick said.

"They'll figure it out," Barbra told him.

"Told you," Dick told Artemis.

"Whatever," She responded.

"So there's not enough men to stop us. Got it," Dick said.

"Time to see the dynamic duo in action once again," Wally said.

"Good luck with that," Wally smirked.

"You are into them fighting together way too much," Artemis told him.

"Those two fighting together is always amazing," Wally replied. "Now Nightwing has even more experience. This is going to be amazing."

Chapter Text

I don't own this. This belongs to their respective owners. I make no money off of this.

"Good luck with that," Wally smirked.

"You are into them fighting together way too much," Artemis told him.

"Those two fighting together is always amazing," Wally replied. "Now Nightwing has even more experience. This is going to be amazing."

Black Canary analyzed the duo. They truly were amazing together. It was truly a mesmerizing sight.

Wally leaned over to Artemis. "Told you."

"Pro tip: running towards a guy with a gun isn't good for your health," Wally said.

"I'm sure I have a plan," Dick said. "Besides, isn't running at a guy with a gun kinda our whole thing."

Dick let out a grunt of pain. "Ow."

"Told you, you idiot" Wally said. Despite this, he was clearly worried about his friend.

Dick just held his arm as still as possible. "Nothing I haven't experienced before."

Dick smiled when Bruce called him his son. Sure, he always thought of Bruce as his dad, but he never said anything to him about it.

Bruce was thinking the same thing. He never said anything, but he saw Dick as his son. Just as he saw Alfred as his dad.

"You did good, Dick," Bruce said.

"Thanks," Dick replied.

"The kid will need therapy," Black Canary said.

"Yeah," Dick agreed. "Let's just hope he gets better."

Chapter Text

"Now, you will react to a Batman fighting Joker," Zatara said. "In the far future, when Bruce Wayne is too old to continue to be Batman, a new person will take up the mantle. Terry McGinnis. He is like Bruce in many ways and different in many more. His own Batman."

"So I found a successor," Bruce said.

"In a way," Zatara said.

Batman: Let's dance bozo.

"I like his suit," Dick commented.

"Yeah. Different from Bruce's but still clearly Batman," Barbra agreed.

Batman charges at Joker and knocks him off the platform he was standing on. He jumps away when Joker swings a pipe at him. He ducks when the Joker throws the pipe. The two fight but Joker has the upper hand.

"He needs to find a new way to fight the Joker," Bruce said. "He clearly can't beat him in a head on fight."

"I'm sure he will. After all, he's a Bat and if nothing else, he'll find a way to beat him," Dick said.

"It sounds like you approve of him," Wally teased.

"He does," Dick replied. "He wouldn't have gotten the job if Bruce didn't think he couldn't handle himself."

Batman is forced to backflip away.

Batman to Bruce over comms: He's tough. Any suggestions, Boss?

"Being able to talk to Bruce for help is actually super convenient," Barbra commented.

"Yeah, but you also have to listen to him nag," Dick replied.

Bruce: Joker's vane and likes to talk. He'll try to distract you but don't listen. Block it out and power on through.

Bruce shook his head. "That'll work for me, but not anyone else."

"Seems he has to learn that just as you did," Superman said.

Batman: Wait, I like to talk too.

That got a few laughs.

The two start to fight again but this time Terry starts winning.

Joker: What're you doing?

'Being his own hero,' Bruce thought. 'I can see why my counterpart chose him.'

Batman: Fighting dirty.

Joker: The real Batman would never-

"Seeing the Joker get hurt is always satisfying," Artemis said. The amount of times he terrorized Gotham. He was one of the few villains that scared her as a kid. He didn't anymore, but she would always have a special hate for him.

Wally reached over and grabbed her hand.

Batman bends his arm at an awkward angle, cutting him off.

"Yeah, I agree with you," Wally said. He remembered the first time he had gone to Gotham to help Dick. At the time, he was still Robin. Batman was off-world helping the Justice League and Robin requested his help.

The Joker managed to capture them both. He tortured them both for a few hours before Batman and the Flash found them.

Batman brought them both to Wayne Manor. He expected both Batman and Flash to yell at them, but they didn't. It was the first time he got to see Batman's soft side. He even let Wally sleep over that night. That was the night Dick told him his secret identity.

Batman: Told ya you didn't know me. He sends the Joker flying back.

"While it's fine to fight dirty, he has to remember his training or else the Joker could gain the upper hand," Dinah said.

"I believe in the guy," Oliver said. "Anyone who annoys the Joker is okay in my books."

Joker: Funny guy.

Batman: Can't say the same for you. He dodges the Joker's hit.

"He's trying to rile Joker up. Make him angry and sloppy," Bruce realized. "But it'll also make him that much more determined to kill him."

Joker: You little brat.Q  Who do you think you're talking to? 

Batman: Not a comedian, I'll tell you that.

Joker: Shut your mouth! He grabs a gun and tries to shoot Batman but he dodges and flies away.

"Someone's a little sensitive," Barbra smirked.

"The Joker always was pathetic," Superman said. "Just a sad man, desperate for attention. Killing innocent people just to hog an imaginary spotlight. The lowest of the low."

They stared at him.

Batman: The real Batman never talked to you much, did he? That's probably why you were so fixated on him. He threw a Batarang at the Joker. It disarms him.

Superman smirked. "I really like this kid," Superman declared.

"Bruce really did pick an amazing heir," Wonder Woman agreed.

Joker: Don't play psychoanalyst with me, boy.

Batman: Oh, I don't need a degree to figure you out. He throws a Batarang at a power box knocking out the lights.

"Smart. Prevent him from seeing you," Bruce said. That always was where he did best. When they didn't know where he was. Or if he was even there.

Batman: The real reason you kept coming back was you never got a laugh out of the old man. 

Joker: I'm not hearing this.

"Now he's really getting desperate," Red Tornado said. "Which can make him even more dangerous."

"Or it can expose just how pathetic he really is," Superman said.

Batman: Get a clue, clowny. He's got no sense of humor. He wouldn't know a good joke if it bit him in the cape. Not that you ever had a good joke.

"I love this guy," Dick said.

"He really does get Bruce doesn't he," Barbra agreed.

Joker: Shut up! Shut up! He ran towards the door but he couldn't open it.

"Running away after some light taunting? Why am I not surprised," Clark said.

Several people looked at each other. Since when did Superman straight up hate anyone?

Batman: I mean joy buzzers, squirting flowers, LAME! Where's the 'A' material? Make  a face, drop your pants, SOMETHING!

Joker: Show yourself!

Batman: You make me laugh, but only because I think you're kinda pathetic.  He laughs an exaggerated laugh similar to the Joker's.

"I can't wait for him to become a hero. He has plenty of potential," Barry said.

Joker: STOP THAT!

Batman: So you fell in a tank of acid. Got your skin bleached and decided to become a super villain. What, you couldn't get work as a rodeo clown? He continues to laugh.

The joker runs towards a box and pulls out two grenades. Don't you dare laugh at me!

Everyone narrowed their eyes. 

Batman continues to laugh.  Why? I thought the Joker always wanted to make Batman laugh.

Joker: You're not Batman! He throws the grenades and manages to knock Batman down.

'No,' Bruce thought.

"He'll be fine," Superman said. "He was trained by Bruce after all."

Several people wished they had Superman's optimism.

He throws another one which catches him in the blast. 

Batman groans and looks up in time to see the Joker slam a table on him. He rips off the mask and starts to choke Terry while laughing.

Multiple people were starting to lose hope. Bruce was gripping the arm of his chair so hard it was starting to bend.

"He'll be fine," Dick said.

Joker: Come on, McGinnis, laugh it up now! Miserable little punk! Laugh! I can't hear you. He said the last part in a mocking singsong voice.

Terry: Ha, ha. He reveals he had taken the Joker's buzzer and shocks him with it. In doing so, he fries a chip on the Joker.

"Nice," Clark said. "Using his own gadget against him."

"It's certainly resourceful," Dick agreed.

He pulls his mask back on and lifts the table off of himself. 

Bruce looked at Zatara: "I want to know more about him."

Fun fact, Joker is one of the few people Superman hates and is willing to kill. In turn Joker fears Superman and refuses to go to Metropolis. He also fears Wally and refuses to go to Central/ Keystone City.

Superman making fun of Joker was partially taken from Adventures of Superman #41 by Max Lendis. In it, Joker goes to Metropolis but Superman just roasts him and threatens to kill him should he ever return. Joker even surrenders at the end of the rant because he was genuinely about to cry and was scared. If you search up Superman roasts Joker it should appear.

Chapter Text

Bruce looked at Zatara: "I want to know more about him."

"It starts with Amanda Waller." There were a few groans at the mention of her name. "In this universe, she hated all of the Justice League. Except you, Bruce. She realized that you were getting older and unable to continue being Batman."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. "This involves Cadmus, doesn't it." It was a statement not a question.

"Yes," Zatara admitted. "After a while she took your DNA and overwrote the reproductive genes of Warren McGinnis. Once Terry was the same age as you when your parents were killed, she hired an assassin to kill his parents."

"She clearly knows nothing about Bruce if she thinks that is how he would want to be replaced," Nightwing interrupted.

"I agree," Zatara replied. "At the time, she didn't though. The assassin had a change of heart at the last second and refused. Waller eventually agreed and allowed Terry to grow up unharmed."

He took a breath. "He would join a gang and eventually serve a three month stint in jail. However it would act as a wake up call to Terry and he would turn his life around."

Bruce actually smiled at that. "Good."

"He went back to high school and even got a girlfriend," Zatara continued. "However, his dad still thought he was being irresponsible and they had an argument that caused Terry to storm out of his house. However he and his girlfriend would be attacked by a street gang."

Everyone tensed up.

"He would get the gang to chase him all the way to Wayne Manor. An old Bruce would help him fight them off but put too much strain on his heart. While at the Manner he would find the  Batcave before Bruce kicked him out. When he returned to his house he found it had gotten covered with graffiti and his dad was dead."

There were a few saddened looks at that.

"So he went to the Batcave and stole the latest Batsuit to confront the gang, however Bruce shut the suit down in the middle of a fight."

"That's cold," Dick said.

"Bruce eventually agreed to reactivate the suit. After a while, he even decided that Gotham still needed a Batman and agreed to train him to be the next Batman."

Bruce was deep in thought. Obviously he couldn't be Batman forever, he always knew that. And Dick was never meant to take up the mantle, but Terry was clearly a good fit.

"Next we react to Barry Allen."

Barry looked surprised. "What about me?"

Zatara looked at him sadly. "It has to do with the Speed Force, that's all I can say."

And with that, the screen came to life.

lightning zapping, people screaming, sirens wailing

"What the heck is happening," M'Gann asked.

"The Speed Force, it's been destabilized somehow," Wally answered.

"How do you know that," Conner asked.

"He can feel it," Barry answered.  "Same for me. Even through this... screen. It's drawing us in. Calling us."

They looked at Barry and Wally. They both looked slightly dazed.

"It feels like it's calling us," Wally agreed. "It wants us to go to it. To go home."

"Hey," Artemis said suddenly. She started shaking Wally. "Snap out of it!"

"You too, buddy," Hal Jordan said. He was also shaking Barry.

They seemed to come out of their daze.

"Sorry," Barry said.

"Just try not to do it again," Hal told them.

Barry: The Speed Force is unbalanced. I have to stabilize it.

"But that would mean..." Wally trailed off.

"If it stops the storm, then so be it," Barry said.

"You would never be able to leave again," Wally countered.

Iris: What? How?

Barry: By running into it.

Iris: No, you can't. Barry, you'll be trapped in there forever.

"Listen to her," Wally said. "There has to be another way."

"They're both right," Hal told Barry. "Isn't that what being a hero is about, is that there's always another way?"

Barry: If I don't go, the whole city, maybe even the entire planet, could be destroyed.

Cisco: There's gotta be another way, right? Barry, Central City needs The Flash.

Barry: And they'll have one. They'll have one. He hugs Wally. Right?  Right?

"I guess that's this universe's version of Wally," Barry said. "He'll protect them. Just as you would and one day will protect our Central and Keystone Cities."

"I'm not ready to protect Central or Keystone without your help," Wally said. "I'm not fast enough. "I'll never be faster than you."

"You will one day, Barry assured him. "I wasn't always as fast as I am now. And you got your power much earlier on in life than I did."

Wally : Yeah.

 Dr. Albert: Mate [somber music] They shook hands.

Barry: Do you mind sticking around?

Harrison Wells: Anything for you. They shake hands.

"Who is that," Barry asked.

"Do you not recognize him," Clark asked. 

"He looks familiar," Barry replied. "But I don't know where from."

"That is Julian Albert aka Dr. Alchemy."

 Iris: Barry. Wally and Jay said they were in hell.

Suddenly a portal opened.

Joe: Barry, it's your mother.

Suddenly, the pull on Barry and Wally got even stronger. Simultaneously, they stood up and started walking towards the screen in a dazed state.

Immediately several people jumped to stop them.

"Wally, hey bro, you're starting to scare me. What's going on," Dick asked as he, Conner, Kaldur, and Artemis all dragged him back to his seat. Similar was happening to Barry with Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Lantern and Batman.

"Why is it affecting them like this," M'Gann asked. "It's not doing the same to them in the actual universe?"

"I don't think the Speed Force wants them watching this," Zatara guessed.

"It can do that?"

"I don't know," Zatara admitted. "That was just a guess. The Speed Force is a mystery even to Nabu."

"Oh, that's comforting," Artemis sarcastically said.

Barry: That's the Speed Force.

Speed Force: Barry isn't going to hell. But like all runners must eventually, he's reached his finish line. His race is over.

"It shouldn't be," Wally muttered. He and Barry were still in their dazed state.

Iris: You can't take him with you.

Barry: She's not taking me anywhere. I have to go.

"The Speed Force better not try pulling this crap in our universe," Hal said. "Cause I hate it enough as it is."

Iris: Why? Why are you being punished?

Barry: This, all of this, it started with my mistake, with Flashpoint. This is- this is my penance. This is my redemption.

Speed Force: My beautiful boy. It's time to rest.

"Okay," Barry muttered. He and Wally made another attempt at getting up only for everyone to be prepared this time and hold them down.

"Since when did these two get so strong," Hal asked.

The storm was getting worse.

Barry: Don't mess it up with her.

Cisco: I'll do my best.

Barry: They're all gonna look to you now.

Cisco: I'm not a hero like you.

Barry: You've always been my hero. They hug.

"Anyone who stands up and does the right thing is a hero," Superman said.

Joe: All this time we were trying to save Iris, you're telling me that we should've been trying to save you too?

Barry: You did save me, Joe. You took an 11-year-old boy with a broken heart, and you gave him a home and so much love. No son ever felt more love from a father.

Joe: No father ever felt more proud of a son.

[gentle music]

Speed Force: Barry. It's time.

The people restraining Wally and Barry braced themselves for another attempt to escape but it never came. They just simply sat there and stared longingly at the screen.

Iris was crying now: Barry. This isn't fair.

Several people looked down. Life was rarely fair. That was even worse for heroes.

Barry: I know.

Iris: We were supposed to have our happy ending. I'm ready to be Iris West-Allen.

Barry: And you always will be. But you need to keep living your life. Keep growing. Keep loving. Keep running. For me. Promise me you'll run, Iris.

"Yeah," Barry muttered deliriously. "Run."

"Run," Wally agreed.

The people managed to hold them back again. They didn't know what would happen if they reached the screen, but none of them wanted to find out.

Iris: I promise. They kiss.

Barry: I gotta go.

Barry takes the Speed Force's hand and walks into the portal willingly. Immediately, the storm ceases.

Both Barry and Wally made one last attempt at running at the screen before collapsing. Luckily, they were caught by the people restraining them.

Chapter Text

Both Barry and Wally made one last attempt at running at the screen before collapsing. Luckily, they were caught by the people restraining them.

After a few seconds, they let out a groan and they came out of their dazed state.

"What happened," Barry asked.

"That wasn't like before," Wally said.

"What do you mean?" Artemis looked and sounded calm. But Wally could tell she wasn't. He mentally cursed himself for saying that. She was already worried and he just made it worse. No taking it back now.

"Earlier I was unconscious but aware of what was going on around me. This time, it was the opposite, I was conscious but unaware of what was going on besides the need to join the Speed Force."

"That sums it up perfectly," Barry said.

"Yeah, well, you're not allowed to join it," Dick said. "Either of you."

While he said as a joke, almost everyone could tell just how worried he was.

Wally got up and hugged him. "Relax, Dick. I'm not going to ditch my little brother that easily."

He walked over to M'Gann who was lightly crying. "I promise you, too, little sis." He pulled her into a hug too.

He went back to where he was sitting next to Artemis. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "And I definitely promise you."

Zatara looked around and said. "Nabu wishes for me to issue a sincere apology. He doesn't know why that happened but he assures you that it shouldn't happen again."

"Shouldn't?" Raquel noted. "We had to restrain our friends. We deserve more assurance than that"

"It'll be fine," Kaldur said.

"Next, we're reacting to Robin. All of them.

"What do you mean, all of them?"

Zatara simply smirked.

This is the history of every single Robin from DC Comics.

"What does he mean by DC Comics," Batman asked.

"In this universe, we are fake. We exist in comics and other media," Zatara answered.

"So what, we're just stories for people's entertainment," Hal asked.

"In that universe, yes. In this one, no," Zatara replied.

A picture of five Robins appeared on screen. Including Dick in his OG suit.

"Hey Dick, looks like they got your original suit," Wally teased.

Dick's face turned red. "You promised you would never mention that!"

"It was kinda funny," Kaldur admitted.

"You're taking his side? Aren't you supposed to be our fair and nice leader?"

"I like it," Barbra said. "It kinda reminds me of Robin Hood in a way. Plus it allows for more maneuverability."

Now he was blushing for a different reason.

The original Robin is Dick Grayson. It shows him in his trapeze outfit at a circus. The son of an acrobat family called the Flying Graysons.

Dick smiled sadly at the mention of his family. Barbra grabbed his hand which he was thankful for. He could also feel who he assumed was Wally put a hand on his shoulder.

Everything is going peachy until the circus they perform in makes three very big mistakes. One: Stopping in Gotham. Two: Not paying a mobster protection money. And three: Not assuming someone is always trying to kill circus performers. A picture of Deadman appears.

Dick felt a few tears fall down his face. The guy telling the story was telling it in a comedic way didn't help.

Bruce got up and walked over to his son and pulled him into a gentle hug. Several others stared at the two looking like they wanted to comfort him themselves. None more so than Wally, Kaldur and Barbra.

After several minutes, the two pulled apart.

The two sat back down and Barbra grabbed his hand again.

The trapeze is sabotaged and Dick's parents fall to their death. Dick kneeling next to his parents' bodies. Bruce Wayne witnesses the tragedy and makes a decision.

Bruce: Alfred, I'm adopting the Grayson Boy. I know what it's like to watch your family die so horribly.

Dick smiled again. 'And it's a good thing he did, too. I have no idea where I'd be if he hadn't. I doubt I would be doing anything good.'

Barbra squeezed his hand.

Alfred: I think that's a wonderful idea, Sir. Having him around the manor may do some good for both of you.

Bruce:  I'm gonna let him dress up in a colorful costume. With no pants. And fight murderers and lunatics by my side.

"The lack of pants was for increased mobility," Dick argued."I'm a trapeze. We have to be fast."

Alfred: Sir, have you thought this through?

Batman: Hey kid, you wanna go work out your feelings of turmoil in the dangerous streets?

Robin: Yay!

"And Bruce trained me," Dick said. "It's not like he sent me in with no idea what I was doing."

"We know," Wally replied. "Barry did the same for me. Same for everyone else here who was a partner to a hero."

Batman and Robin become an unstoppable crime fighting team. Unfortunately, as the years go by, their relationship becomes strained.

Several people winced. None more so than Dick and Bruce. They both forgave each other for what they said and did, but it was definitely going to be a sore subject for a while.

Robin: Screw Batman. I'm skipping town and starting my own superhero team.

Alfred: Very good, Master Dick. 

Robin: And it's going to have other teen aged heroes like me.

The Team smiled at each other.

"Not that different from how we formed the Young Justice" Wally commented. "Although with a little less arguing."

"Well, not with our mentors. Between us, we argued a fair bit. Especially you and Artemis."

"And we got over it," Artemis countered.

"Yeah, and now you two are so into each other it's kinda sickening," Dick teased.

"Leave them alone," Barbra told him.

Alfred: Very good, young sir.

Robin: And I'm going to change my name too. I'm going to be Nightwing. It shows the original Nightwing suit.

Alfred: Whatever gets you out of this cave, lad. It's too late for me. Save yourself!

Bruce frowned. Alfred was like a father to him. To hear him talk like that, even this version, was weird. Off putting.

The second Robin is Jason Todd. A troubled kid with no good abusive parents. One night, Batman catches him trying to steal hubcaps from the Batmobile. But instead of a beat down, Batman decides what he really needs is some guidance, and makes him the new Robin

"I still can't believe that he tried that," Wally commented.

"That is something that could only happen in Gotham," Dick agreed. "The only place you could see a car clearly belonging to a superhero and try to steal the hubcaps."

Cut to Jason in the Robin suit.

Unfortunately, there are complications.

Cut to Robin using excessive force while the crook taps out.

Robin beats the crook with a sandwich. Robin: I am so angsty. So much emotional baggage.

A few people couldn't help it and laughed. 

He throws him out a window. 

Then the Joker captures Jason, beats him with a crowbar and blows him up.

Several people winced. They had seen the best scenario where he survived. They also knew that was a rare case.

Jason's fate was left up to a call in pole by the readers of all things.

Batman: No! What sick, brutal hand of fate would let this happen?

Cut to fans hearing this and awkwardly pretending they didn't hear. One whistles the old Batman theme.

"What does that mean," Batman growled out.

"In this universe, the fans of the series got to vote on whether or not Jason should die, they voted for him to die," Zatara explained.

There was an explosion of anger at that.

"They voted to let a child die," Dick yelled.

Everyone looked ready to make similar outbursts.

"Yes, I agree. What they did was awful, but raging about it now will get nothing done," Zatara said.

"That doesn't-"

"All I'm saying is that getting mad does nothing," Zatara said. "What they did was wrong, but getting mad at them does nothing. They don't even exist in our universe."

The group wasn't happy about it, but they moved on.

Jason would eventually return from the dead thanks to some reality altering shenanigans. A version of Superboy flies by.

"Who is that," Clark asked. "Why is he wearing my symbol?"

"That is Superboy. Actually, that is someone who has the name Superboy but other than that, he shares no similarities to the one with us right now," Zatara clarified.

Where he becomes the murderous criminal Red Hood. Later, after some reality altering shenanigans, (Barry Allen runs by) Red Hood becomes an antihero and travels the world killing criminals.

"He still shouldn't kill," Bruce said.

"We'll have to make sure he doesn't get kidnapped by Joker," Dick told him.

The third Robin, Tim Drake, came along shortly after Jason's death.

Cut to Batman putting spikes on his armor. 

Tim: Hey Bruce, are you okay? You seem kinda dark lately.

"You mean more than usual," Dick asked. "We definitely can't have that."

Batman: I don't know what you're talking about.

Just like, ever since you lost Robin, you've been edgy.

Batman: You think so?

Time: I'm just saying maybe a new sidekick will keep you from going full grim dark. 

Batman loads a pistol. I'll give it a thought.

Batman narrowed his eyes at seeing him load the pistol. He knew it was probably just a visual gag but he still wasn't happy. No hero should ever use a gun. Least of all him.

Dick grabbed his arm.

Tim is the brainy Robin and much better at detective work than the two before him. He accidentally sets a bomb off.

There were a few laughs at that.

Eventually Tim grows into his own as the superhero Red Robin. But after some reality altering shenanigans (Barry runs across the screen) Tim gets a terrible costume and leads the rebooted Teen Titans.

"That really is a terrible suit," Dick agreed.

"I don't mind it," Wally said. "It's not the best but it's not the worst either."

"Look at it," Dick told him. "That thing is awful."

"Are you two really debating if that suit is good or not," Barbra asked.

Later, Tim changes back into something better and returns to Batman.

The fourth Robin, Stephanie Brown, was Batman's sidekick for a couple of weeks before dying and reality altering shenanigans.

"How many times has reality been altered," Superman asked.

"Several times," Zatara said

The fourth and current Robin is Damian Wayne. An asterisk points out that Stephanie is no longer canon.

"What does he mean by no longer canon," Bruce asked.

"It means that she no longer exists," Zatara answered. "But she does exist again."

The biological son of Bruce Wayne and the villainous Talia al Ghul. 

"Talia and I... We had a son?" Bruce looked genuinely shocked. As did everyone else.

"In a way."

Bruce: You stole my DNA to create a test tube assassin baby?

"You two got together and she got pregnant. She had him in secret and aged him up artificially. Then she trained him to be an assassin. Eventually she deems him ready to fight at your side," Zatara explained before anyone asked.

"Does he exist in our universe," Clark asked.

"Not yet," Zatara answered.

Talia: He's got your dark hair and my love for killing things. You two will get along great.

Damian: Greetings father, let us bond over a game of catch or by skinning your enemies.

"Make sure you teach him not to kill," Diana said. "He has the potential to be a great hero, but he'll need help after being raised by assassins."

"If you think it'll help, you can always have him go to therapy with me," Dinah offered.

Damian becomes Robin when Bruce dies, and Dick takes over the mantle. But once Bruce comes back to life, he takes back the mantle. Damian finally starts working by his dad's side.

Dick smiled. "The Dynamic Duo, protecting Gotham like always."

"You'll always have a home here in Gotham if you need one," Bruce said. "And fight crime like we used to, if you want."

"I appreciate the offer, Bruce. I really do. But Blüdhaven needs a hero. And you'll have a few Robins to help you."

An image of Dick in just his underwear while Batman and Robin grapple away. 

Several people laughed at the image. Especially Wally and Barbra.

Then Damian gets killed by an evil clone his mom made, his corpse gets stolen by Darkseid and Batman dawns the most metal Batsuit ever to rampage through Apokolips and bring his son back to life.

"Well, that's certainly one way to bring someone back from the dead," Wally said.

"Yeah. Although I'm starting to think death's aren't peppermint in this universe," Barry said. "Not saying that's a good or bad thing. Just an observation."

But eventually, Damian starts feeling rebellious too and pulls a Grayson to start his Teen Titans. 

"I'm going to trademark leaving Batman and forming a superhero team," Dick joked. "That way the others have to find their own thing to do when they get mad at him."

And so, with no Robin at his side, stands alone in his one man crusade against crime. You know, except, Alfred, and the GCPD, and Azrael, and Batwoman, and the Birds of Prey, and the Outsiders, and the Justice League, and- The video cuts off.

They all chuckled at the last joke.

"He would have all of us, if he would swallow his pride and just ask for help," Superman said.

Chapter Text

They all chuckled at the last joke.

"He would have all of us, if he would swallow his pride and just ask for help," Superman said.

This is the history of every Flash from DC Comics. Don't worry, we'll try not to go too fast for you.

Flash number two is Jay Garrick; a college student in 1938. Experimenting with heavy water in his lab. He knocks over a chemical beaker which breaks.

"Pretty standard stuff for you three speedsters," Artemis said.

"Honestly, yeah," Wally agreed. "Chemicals, electricity and depending on how you look at it, good or bad luck. "

Jay: Well isn't this a humdinger. One second I'm relaxing with my physician approved cigarettes and the next second I'm the fastest man alive. 

An ad of a physician saying they approved the cigarettes appears. Jay: Thanks smoking.

"I know this goes without saying, but please don't smoke." Oliver said.

"We know," Artemis said.

Speed Force Smokes the answer to everything.

He collapses.

Jay threw on a ridiculous hat and became the first Flash. But then Reality Altering Shenanigans and Jay was wiped from history. But after more Reality Altering Shenanigans, he's back again.

Wally and Barry looked scandalized.

"That hat is not ridiculous," Wally snapped.

Barry glared at the screen. "That son of a bi-"

"Let's move on," Canary interjected. Her tone made it clear they were not to argue.

Flash number two is Barry Allen. A forensic scientist for the Central City Police Department. One night, in his lab, a lightning bolt struck some chemicals and Barry became the fastest crime fighter with a colorful Rogues Gallery.

Wally and Barry shared a look. They were smiling, their earlier anger gone.

"Colorful is one word for it," Dick said. "You two are practically friends with them."

"Not all of them," Wally said.

"I'm with him on this one, Baywatch. You two are way too friendly with your Rogues. You're even more friendly than Barry."

"She has you there," Barry said.

"Two betrayals for the price of one," Wally muttered to himself before speaking up. "I'm friendly because I want them to redeem themselves."

Captain Cold: I'm Captain Cold. I have a cold gun that'll ice up the roads and keep you from running. 

Flash: Sounds like some cool hijinks.

Everyone but Barry groaned at that.

"At least I don't make those bad puns," Wally said.

Captain Boomerang: I'm Captain Boomerang. You may see my attacks coming,  but will you see them coming back.

Flash: Well I'm gonna turn around your life of crime.

"My second favorite Australian," Barry said.

"Who's the first," Hal asked.

"Steve Irwin."

Reverse Flash: I'm the Reverse Flash. I'm an evil version of you from the future!

Flash: Well we need to reverse that attitude.

Suddenly, the playful mood of the room was gone. Replaced by Barry and Wally's anger. Barry was vibrating so fast the chair began to melt.

No one said anything, despite only the original Justice League, Robin, Wally and Artemis knowing what he did. Everyone could feel the two speedster's hatred for Reverse Flash.

Reverse Flash: Also, I used time travel to kill your mom and frame your dad. 

"Oh, God," M'Gann muttered.

"I don't want to talk about it," Barry said.

Flash: Dear lord, when did villains get so dark?

Reverse Flash: Thanks Geoff Johns. I love origins reboots!

So Barry decides to do some Reality Altering Shenanigans.

Thomas Wayne Batman: I will kill every criminal! He shoots several shots.

Batman narrowed his eyes.

"That isn't you, Bruce," Zatara said.

"Then who is it?"

"That is Thomas Wayne, your dad."

Bruce had no visible reaction. "We're moving on."

Aquaman and Wonder Woman fight in the background.

Superman is trapped in a tank.

"What the heck happened," Clark asked.

"Flashpoint," Zatara answered. "It hasn't happened in this Universe yet. But Barry runs fast enough to go into the past to save his mom. It causes all of this and... worse."

"I wouldn't- I-" Barry was unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Barry, relax you haven't done any of that in our world. You're too slow," Wally said.

"I know but-"

"Barry, don't blame yourself for something you didn't do," Wally told him.

Flash: Oh, uh, I know just what to do.

Noah Sterling walks on screen. Noah: This is a ridiculous and redundant plot device. I'm tired.

Flash: Look man, you signed up for this. Just say the thing.

Noah: Fine, fine! Reality Altering Shenanigans.

If it weren't for the increasingly somber mood, a few people would have chuckled.

Flash number three is Wally West. The excitable young nephew of Barry Allen's love interest, Iris West and oh wait.

Flash number of three is Wally West. The son of Reverse Flash and-

"What," Wally asked.

"It gets confusing," Zatara admitted. "But it'll explain."

Wally: Oh no, it's my greatest nemesis, fan backlash.

Noah: Oh, uh, okay. Okay. So now there are two Wally Wests. Uh, one form before Flashpoint and one from after.

"That- I'm still confused."

"I think we all are," Dick agreed.

Wally West 1 is Flash again and Wally West 2 is Kid Flash. But Wally 1 remembers his wife and children pre-reboot who no longer exist. Then he goes on a journey to find his children; it doesn't end happily ever after.

"I have a wife and kids? Is it..." Wally was blushing badly and glanced at an equally red Artemis.

"It isn't Artemis. In this universe you married a woman named Linda Park."

Wally and Artemis both felt their hearts fall slightly.

"You know what, I don't need to love Artemis in every universe. All that matters is that I love her in this one."

Everyone stared at him.

"When did you get so good at flirting," Dick asked.

"Blame her." He pointed at Artemis.

"And you ruined it." Despite this, Artemis was still smiling.

Wally: Well it's time to sit in the Mobius Chair and gain the awesome reality altering power of Dr. Manhattan.

Ace (the other Wally): Wait, haven't you sent the last year looking for your family. Why are you leaving them now?

'He better not abandon them,' Wally thought.

Artemis interlocked her fingers in his.

Wally: Doomsday Clock ended the HBO Watchman series did Gangbusters. So now we have to capitalize on This property for as long as we still can.

"Do we even want to know," Conner asked.

"No."

Flash number four is Bart Allen. Barry Allen's grandson from the future.

'Finally,' Wally thought. 'I'll get to learn about my cousin.'

"Guess we'll finally get to learn about my grandson. His full story," Barry said.

"Well, yes and no," Zatara said. "His story in this universe is completely different from this universe's."

Bart grew up in a virtual reality simulation because his body grew too fast for his brain. Bart was sent back to the past to learn how to control his powers from Wally. And then Wally he cured his sped up aging a bit the help of Speed Force Smokes. The answer to everything. 

"The Speed Force seems really convenient and awful at the same time," Zatanna said.

"That's actually a perfect description of the Speed Force," Barry agreed.

Flash Number five is Avery Ho. A Chinese American girl was living in Central City when a Speed Force storm struck and turned a bunch of people into speedsters.

Barry and Wally shared a look and groaned.

"That's gonna be a nightmare to deal with," Wally said.

"Hopefully we don't have to deal with that," Barry agreed. "Although our luck is never that good."

Then the villain Godspeed killed all of them except for Avery. So she got a fun pink suit and helps out Barry sometimes. She's also got another group she works with.

"There are way too many Speedster villains in that universe," Dick said.

"I agree," Wally said. "At least we only have Reverse Flash and Zoom. And Zoom isn't a Speedster."

Super-Man: Wow, you're fast. Maybe even as fast as me.

Flash: Definitely faster.

Kenan Kong/Super-Man: Either way, you should join us on the Justice League of China.

"A Justice League based in China? That's actually pretty cool," Superman said.

"It would also be helpful for tactical purposes," Batman added.

Flash: The what now?

Super-Man: We got a Batman who's fat. An Aquaman who's part dragon. And our Wonder Woman is a snake in human form. It's awesome.

"A snake version of me, that's cool. And as long as she truly fights for Justice, she can keep using my name," Wonder Woman commented.

"I think we can all agree that it's a pretty cool idea," Oliver said. "Unfortunately, it looks like I don't have a counterpart for them."

Flash: I don't know.

Super-Man: You join us and nobody can stop you from calling yourself the Flash.

Flash: Deal!

"The only people that could stop her from taking up the Flash legacy are Jay, Wally and I. And none of us would ever do that."

Noah: Well that's it for every Flash in the main DC universe. Now if you-

He's cut off by his phone ringing.

Noah: Oh, sorry. Hold on. Give me a sec. My- My Co-writer, Max, is calling.

Max: Yeah, yeah. So, I was just going through the History of the Flash script putting in the visual references for artists, and uh, I noticed that the script now Says that Jay Garrick's hat is ridiculous and I know I didn't write that. So I guess my question is;  Where the fuck do you think you get off saying that shit?

"Good, someone to get on to him for his wrong opinion," Wally said.

"You make it sound like a child who broke something," Artemis said.

"No, he's right," Barry said. "They need to know they're wrong."

Noah: Oh come on. I was just-

Max: The hat is what makes him the best of all the Flashes. Frankly, not enough superheroes wear hats - the Golden Age had it right- but most of all, this is just a betrayal of my trust in everything I stand for. So I hope you're happy with your little fucking joke. Because this is the end of our creative partnership and furthermore of our friendship you schmuck.

"A fair reaction," Barry said.

"You and Wally are obsessed with what was clearly a throw-away joke," Conner said.

"Next," Zatara interjected before an argument could break out. "We will be looking at a Death Battle between Wally and someone else," Zatara said. "And after that, we'll take a break."

Chapter Text

"A fair reaction," Barry said.

"You and Wally are obsessed with what was clearly a throw-away joke," Conner said.

"Next," Zatara interjected before an argument could break out. "We will be looking at a Death Battle between Wally and someone else," Zatara said. "And after that, we'll take a break."

"Wait, to the death," Wally interjected. "I'm okay with fighting someone, I kinda have to be. But I do not kill. "

"It's not actually you. Rather, it's a simulation of you. How it would happen. The fight is how it would happen, but it didn't actually happen."

"I don't like it, but fine."

"So, who is my nephew fighting," Barry asked. "And should I be worried?"

"He is fighting someone called Sonic," Zatara answered.

I'm skipping the promotion.

DEATH BATTLE logo. 

Wiz: Speed. It's the ultimate sensation on the human body.

"Definitely," Barry said.

"Nothing like a good run at your top speed when you first wake up," Wally agreed.

"I'm not as fast as you two, but flying as fast as I can is definitely an amazing experience," Clark admitted.

Boomstick: And today we're pitting two of the fastest characters out there.

Wiz: With these two, speed is far more than simply moving fast. Wally West, the fastest Flash from DC comics.

"If they wanted the fastest Flash, they should have gone with Barry," Wally said.

"Not necessarily. You could get faster than me in the future. After all you got your powers you got your powers earlier on than I did," Barry said. "I imagine you will get faster than me eventually."

"I doubt it," Wally said.

"Stop doubting yourself," Artemis sternly told him.

Boomstick: And Sonic from Archie Comics. The most supersonic Sonic of all the Sonics.

"Is that a freaking hedgehog," Dick asked.

"Yes," Zatara said. "And he is one of very few beings capable of reaching Wally's top speed.

Boomstick: He's Wiz and I'm Boomstick.

Wiz: And it's our job to analyze their weapons, armor and skill to find out who would win a death battle.

The logo appears again.

Wiz: The year was 1985 and the multiverse was in crisis. Infinite Earths were on the brink of total annihilation. 

"I'm starting to think that the multiverse is always in danger," Hal said.

"Seems that way," Barry agreed with a sigh.

Boomstick: But one man could save the day by running really, really, really, fast. The Flash.

Wiz: To save everything and everyone, Barry Allen sacrificed his life.

Wally glanced at Barry concerned that he might pass out. While it hadn't been relevant for the past few things they watched, it was definitely going to be relevant this time. Luckily, Barry seemed fine.

 Boomstick: But the Flash wasn't all gone. Barry had a sidekick. You might say a pro-t-gege-

Wiz: Protege.

"Damn right," Barry said. "And in my completely unbiased opinion, the best one."

Him and Wally fist bumped.

Boomstick: Wally West

Wiz: Despite the impressive amount of coincidences Barry needed to gain his speed, many others have possessed the powers of the Scarlet Speedster. But for Wally, his coincidence is unparalleled.

"That's... fair," Wally admitted.

Boomstick: Lets see, president of the lash fan club, nephew to Flash's girlfriend who introduced him, visited him while Flash had a chemical lab set up exactly like it was when he got his powers, the just like Barry, Wally got struck by lightning that knocked him into the chemicals and boom! Flash powers! I wouldn't say this kid is super lucky, but he did get struck by lightning.

No one reacted. They were all aware of how Wally got his powers.

Wiz: The true reason; because Speed Force. A dementia of infinite kinetic energy which all Flashes draw their power from.

Boomstick: And the DC writer's favorite escape goat for retcons.

Background info shows up:

-Full name: Wallace Rudolph West II

-Height: 183 cm/6'0

-Weight 68 kg / 175 lbs

-The third Flash

-Married to Linda Park

-Teams: Teen Titans, Flash Family,  Justice League of America

-Wielded Dr. Manhattan's powers via the Mobius Chair.

-Lex Luthor "Has no idea who this is."

Wiz: With his newfound ability, Wally joined Barry crime fighting heroics as Kid Flash. Strong of head and light of heart, he was more than a sidekick, he was a surrogate son.

Wally and Barry smiled at each other.

Yeah, Barry was in many ways, like a dad to Wally. While Wally loved his dad, he and Barry shared a special bond

Boomstick: So Barry went poof, naturally Wally stepped up to be the next Crimson Comet himself.

Wiz: As the Flash-

Boomstick: Ahhh!

Wiz: Stop doing that. -Wally obviously possesses incredible speed. Easily surpassing that of light. Wally is shown running around the world and hitting Lex Luthor.

"Did Wally just run around the Earth in seconds," M'Gann asked.

"Yes he did," Barry smiled. "Even I can't do that."

"I can't do that," Wally pointed out.

"You can in that universe," Barry pointed out. "You need to stop putting yourself down."

A panel of him thinking about how he ran for days on end.

Wiz: He can run nonstop multiple days.

"My record is four hours, and I passed out."

"And you'll get better," Artemis told him.

Boomstick: Forget running, this guy looks at reality and spits in its face before giving it a swirlee.

Wiz: Wally can manipulate each and every one of his molecules to for instance, survive inside a black hole. Barry even once regenerated from a cloud of gas.

"How is that even possible," Clark asked.

"Well theoretically, it is possible. If someone could control every molecule in their body, there isn't much they wouldn't be able to do to themselves."

Boomstick: I bet he never has any trouble with N.A.R.B.s

Wiz: N.A.R.B.s?

Boomstick: No apparent reason boners. They're devious. Always popping up where you least expect them.

No one commented.

Wiz: Wally can create tornadoes, toss lightning and heal from deadly blows. These techniques are rooted in scientific theory and often require a mathematical mindset. For example, by vibrating his body at very precise frequencies, he can turn invisible, phase through objects, tear things apart while phasing through them and even enter fourth dimensional space.

"Again, all theoretically possible, well, I guess not theory any more," Barry said.

"Yeah, and I still struggle to phase through objects," Wally commented.

"You'll get there," M'Gann.

Boomstick: So you're saying he'd never be able to do any of this if he was dumb.

Wiz: Well, that's exactly what I decided to find out when I laced your beer with cosmic kinetic energy. It'll kick in later.

"That is the worst way to test that theory," Bruce said.

"I do not see any way this can end well," Wonder Woman agreed.

Powers:

Super Speed, speed force aura, aerokinsis, enhanced perception, electrokinsis, healing, intangibility, invisibility, phasing, speed stealing, superhuman physique, time travel.

Martial arts:

Boxing, Chi focus, Judo, Karate, Kung fu

"He even knows more fighting techniques than me," Wally said.

"Yeah, but he also wasn't trained by me," Black Canary told him.

Wiz: With a touch, Wally can steal another's speed and use it for himself. Specifically, he can take a person's kinetic energy. Instantly stopping them in their tracks or even freezing them for centuries.

A panel of when he froze Inertia in time.

"What did he do that I felt he deserved that fate ," Wally asked.

"He killed Bart then mocked his death in front you," Zatara told him.

Wally's face darkened. "He deserved it."

Wiz: Even from those who are not linked to the Speed Force like Superman.

Boomstick: And his Infinite Mass Punch can knock you across the whole planet.

Wiz: Applying the laws of relativity, as Wally's fist approaches light speed, its mass technically grows to an infinite degree. Striking with kinetic energy equivalent to a white dwarf star.

"That's something Wally, Jay, and I talked about," Barry admitted.

"The problem is that the speed required for that is literally impossible," Wally said. "So far no speedster has come even close to a fraction of light speed."

"Turns out it is possible," Conner replied.

White Dwarf Star 1.2 Solar Mass (1.989 x 10^30 kg) 2.3868e^30 kg

Wiz: Or about 2.6 octillion tons of force.

2,630,996,640,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons of TNT.

Wiz: In fact increasing  vibrational speed even further could break the universe.

"Another reason we decided to ditch the idea. Nobody needs that power," Barry said.

"Smart move," a pale Hal Jordan replied.

Boomstick: The biggest nuke ever tested was 50 megatons.

Tsar Bomba=50 MT

Boomstick: One punch Wally is like 40 million of those.

Wiz: Even more wild, Wally can change his vibration frequencies to affect alien energies that do not exist in his own reality.

"How is that even possible? If it doesn't exist, then it can't be hit," M'Gann stated.

"The answer to that is probably Speed Force," Zatanna told her.

Boomstick: It's how he helped take out these aliens called Quantum Mechanics.

Wiz: Beings far beyond any physical dimension, and immune to ordinary physics.

Boomstick: So, like a prism, Wally changed Superman's heat vision into super space magic to blast them all.

Wiz: All this is absolutely insane to contemplate, but it is important to remember that Wally is somehow still human.

"I'm starting to doubt that," Wally said.

"You are," Zatara told him. "Almost every single person in this room is more powerful in that universe than in this one."

Boomstick: And a huge dork. But a fun one, not like Wiz over here. I mean, he got married and has kids.

Wiz: Boomstick, I'm married. 

Boomstick: WHAT!?

Wiz: Uh, to my work. And Wally's family became a sorta cosmic lightning rod rooting him to reality when he time travels. Right, Boomstick, he can time travel. Isn't that fascinating?

"Real smooth," Dick joked.

"With all these other powers he has, time travel somehow doesn't seem like that big of a deal," Hal said. "Which is an extremely scary sentence to say."

Wally leaned over and whispered to Artemis. I know who my lightning rod is. She smiled.

Boomstick: I feel like you're trying to give me the runaround. Speaking of which, that's how he time travels. By running.

Wiz: Should Wally become unmoored, he can outrun the Speed Force itself. Even running to the end of reality where the concept of Death no longer exists.

"Did they just say that Wally killed Death," Kaldur asked.

"Not Death. A being called Black Flash. He was created by the Speed Force itself as a way to kill Speedsters and return them to the Speed Force. Other than that, not much else is known," Zatara explained.

"And I didn't kill him. I just ran to the end of time and caused it to be wiped from existence," Wally said.

"You say that like that makes it any less impressive," Dick pointed out.

Boomstick: One time, he beat the gambler gods in a race across the universe, and, uh, they could teleport.

"And that is literally impossible but whatever," Conner said.

"At this point, Wally treats the Laws of Physics like a checklist of things to break," Artemis said.

That got a few chuckles.

Wiz: To win, Wally achieved trans time velocity in less than one unit of Planck Time.

Plank Time: Roughly 1.911^-43 seconds.

Wiz: Which is so infinitesimal, it is the absolute edge of measurable time itself. He was so fast, reality does not have any means to calculate or even comprehend his speed.

Boomstick: That's fucking crazy. 

A note points out he had to steal speed to do this, but refused to use the Speed Force. It also points out he has gone faster without aid. 

"Even if he had to steal speed, that is insane," Barbra said.

"And he has gone faster without aid," Dick said. "Next time Wally or any of us appear in one of these things, we're going to need Bingo cards."

Boomstick: But for some reason, Wally still felt unworthy of the Flash mantle. Come one, man! Look at everything you can do!

Wally found a sudden interest in the floor. That Wally had earned the right to the mantle, he had not.

Barry vowed to have a heart to heart with Wally about this. He had known about Wally feeling unworthy because of how slow he was. He had hoped it would go away once he got faster, but it didn't.

Wiz: Until one day, Barry returned.

Boomstick: Because Speed Force. 

Feats:

Survived the Big Crunch and outran the Big Bang.

Withstood a singularity.

Tore apart the Anti-Monitor's armor.

Faster than fourth denominational teleportation.

Rescued 532,000 people in 0.00001 microseconds.

Given off so much energy he was mistaken for the Source.

Defeated: Reverse Flash, Superman, Black Flash, Zoom, Barry Allen.

"I am not surprised he beat Clark," Diana said.

"I don't think anyone is," Clark responded.

"Who's Zoom," M'gann asked.

"My arch nemesis. The only villain who knows my real name.  He was originally my friend named Hunter Zolomon. He wants to make the best hero ever. And will do anything to make sure I do," Wally told her.

"Is he a speedster, like you, Barry and Reverse Flash," she asked.

"Not really. He can slow time down around himself so that he is fast relative to time around him. But he isn't a true speedster."

Wiz: To determine the fastest Flash of all, Wally and Barry raced each other. This simple contest nearly tore apart the entire multiverse.

Boomstick: But, our Kid Flash finally let it all out and won.

"Which will happen soon," Barry said. "I know it. Although when we race, let's not put the Multiverse at risk."

"You know, Wally isn't the only one who can get more powerful. He has one of the biggest gaps, but everyone here can get more powerful."

Wiz: Even with those unimaginable feats, Wally's greatest challenge was proving his worth to himself.

Boomstick: He's not just another Flash, he's the fastest being in the multiverse.

Wally: Dude, as soon as you finish your drink, turn yourself in.

Trickster: Got me again, Flash!

Artemis remembered when she first met the Flash's villains. How they had a no kill rule and mutual respect for each other. In short, completely different to the villains she was used to.

The Trickster was her favorite too, although she would deny it.

Wiz: Many, many years from now, Earth will be no more.

Boomstick: Yep, 'cause these hentai aliens are gonna drop a bomb that kills everyone and transforms all the animals into furries.

"That's certainly a way to describe things," Oliver said.

"He certainly has a way with words," Dinah agreed.

Wiz: Welcome to Mobius, homeworld of Sonic Maurice Hedgehog, leader of a guerrilla anthropomorphic freedom fighting group  at war with the cybernetic empire of Ivo Robotnik, AKA Doctor Eggman.

"So he's a hero like us," Kaldur said.

"Seems that way," Aquaman replied.

Boomstick: So, yeah, comic book Sonic is a little different from the video games. While leading his care bear VietCong in the fight against obesity and male pattern baldness, Sonic became a super skilled fighter. And he wasn't doin' it for nothin'. Ro-butt-nik had turned his entire family into robot slaves. What a dick.

"I hope that he manages to free them," M'Gann said.

"I have no doubt that he will," Martian Manhunter assured her.

Wiz: Sonic is fast as always, but in this timeline, "fast" takes on new meaning. He's quick enough to create tornadoes, cause afterimages, turn invisible, phase through objects, and boost past lightspeed in a blink of an eye. He can dodge lightning, and even move in between the raindrops of a downpour.

"Wally could do all of that," Artemis said.

"Besides moving in between raindrops but I can't do that for a pretty obvious reason," Wally replied.

Boomstick: Look at this! He grabbed water and threw it like a baseball, in less than .0000- uh, a lot of zeros in a millisecond.

Popup: Throwing water at the roboticized occurred in about 100 attoseconds. It takes 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 attoseconds to make up one second of time.

Boomstick: He can run around the entire cosmic interstate in less than a day, and that's a highway that cuts through the multiverse.

"Not too bad, but Wally could do it in less," Barry confidently said.

A panel of Sonic saying that he had to stop for a chili dog is shown on-screen.

Boomstick: How does he get that fast on an all-chili-dog-diet? I mean, they give me the runs, but not in that way.

"Fast metabolism," Barry and Wally said at the same time.

"We know," several people replied at the same time.

Wiz: Ugh... He could reverse a black hole generator with his momentum alone, which then imploded, somehow sending him 849,000 light-years away. Sonic's speed is so impressive that he can even move through stopped time. Let me repeat that: time was frozen, and he could still move. There is no earthly method of measuring such impossibility. In the words of the comic itself, Sonic's speed is incalculable.

"Not too bad but Wally ran from one end of the universe to the other faster than teleportation," Dick said.

"Thanks for the support, all of you, but you're all biased," Wally told them.

"Of course we are, you're our friend," M'Gann replied..

Popup: Despite being a "Roboticzied Master" at the time, it is directly stated that Sonic's speed alone could resist time manipulation. In the Archie continuity, Wily's robots cannot resist Flash Man's Time Stopper

A panel of Robotnik and Rotor rapidly pulling off their heads, thus revealing the other, is shown on-screen.

Boomstick: I know the Archie Sonic comics can get weird, like, really weird...

Panels of Titan Tails and Sonic and Sally kissing each other are shown on-screen before it then goes back to the panel of Sonic Man moving in stopped time.

"Yeah, that is weird," Barbra admitted.

"You'll see weirder," Artemis told her. "It comes with the territory."

"Like Artemis and Wally making out in random places," Dick told her.

"We're not that bad," Wally told him.

The Team just stared at him.

Boomstick: ...but that's just crazy!

Wiz: You call it crazy, I call it Chaos.

The birth scene from Coneheads is shown on-screen.

Boomstick: Just like my conception, I'm told.

"I didn't want or need to know that," Barbra said.

"Relax, it'll only get worse from here," Dick teased.

Wiz: Ahem, no no no, I mean, Chaos, as in the Chaos Force, an extra-dimensional field of infinite and omnipotent energy. This "Chaos" takes physical form on Mobius in the shape of magical Power Rings  and perfectly hewn emeralds.

Boomstick: And Sonic loves collecting those rings. By the time he'd scooped up a billion of em, the gods  were so impressed, they put him in a book of world records, and gave him a permanent force field that makes him way tougher than anybody else.

"That'll be a problem," Bruce said.

"Not that it'll help him win," Diana told him.

Wiz: Along with shielding his spirit and mind. But that's not all. By gathering a large amount of Chaos Energy, he can transform into the almighty golden Super Sonic.

A scene from Dragon Ball Z is shown on-screen.

Boomstick: Eat your heart out, Akira Toriyama.

Wiz: Super Sonic possesses incredible power. He can use Chaos energy for defensive barriers and beams capable of shattering moons.

"Not bad," Hal admitted. "But half the people here can already do that."

"And we're not from the universe where everyone is absurdly powerful," Dick replied.

Boomstick: Somehow, he's even faster than before, and he's totally invincible...

Boomstick: Like when he fought the demigod, and possible power drink, Enerjak. This guy could rip people apart, molecule by molecule, but no dice with Super Sonic.

Wiz: Like the video games, Sonic's super forms have a time limit, and now this limit can even be cut short through overuse of power. However, he battled Enerjak from day to night, so it must be able to naturally last much longer than the games, potentially over an hour.

"An hour isn't really relevant to Speedsters," Barry said. "I've had fights that seemed to last for hours but are only minutes for everyone else because we react faster so time seems to move slower."

"That sounds awful," Zatanna replied.

"It can be annoying at times, but you get used to it after awhile," Wally told her.

Popup: Super Sonic's extended duration here may be due to his use of the Master Emerald, which is eleven Chaos Emeralds combined. Other instances last a shorter amount of time

Boomstick: But that's not even his final form! If he's got somethin' as good as a Super Emerald around, he can go Ultra!

Wiz: Ultra Sonic appears to possess all of Super Sonic's abilities and then some. Specifically, he can tap into the raw magic of Chaos.

"So he can tap directly into the Chaos energy now," Clark repeated. "If he manages to do that, he could pose a threat with Wally."

"Thanks for the confidence boost," Wally sarcastically said.

"Sorry."

Boomstick: Yeah, there's a bunch of wizards  runnin' around Archie Sonic-land, like this Mammoth Mogul  guy. Turns out, they're all using the same Chaos Force.

Wiz: Ultra Sonic can manipulate matter at an atomic level, changing its fundamental makeup.

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick.

Boomstick: Turning air to water, moving rocks around, opening portals across space-time, that kinda stuff. But while he's never changed other living beings before, it's not totally out of the question, right, DUMMI?

DUMMI floats in.

"Sphere is better," Conner said.

"I don't know, DUMMI is cute," M'Gann.

DUMMI: You're correct, Boomstick. Although Ultra Sonic is not as proficient, this ugly monster wizard uses the same Chaos magic, and he changed a partial robot rabbit into a full regular rabbit. A sentence so absurd, it likely damaged my internal processor.

Red Tornado sympathized with the robot. He hated when any part of him got damaged.

Wiz: Don't worry, it was never great; I took it from a refrigerator. Ultra Sonic has altered his own body to better traverse difficult terrain. With all this in mind, he could, theoretically, be able to change the molecular makeup of others, too. Just like this.

Red Tornado decided he didn't like Wiz anymore.

He takes out a remote and pushes a button, turning DUMMI into fire.

DUMMI: Ow.

Several people decided they hated Wiz.

We cut back to the analysis.

Boomstick: But, if changing molecules isn't crazy enough, we need to talk about something even crazier.

Wiz: Chaos itself. Chaos magic is typically used for one of three things: increasing physical ability, providing lost knowledge, and granting wishes.

"With all that power, why not just defeat Dr. Egghead," Diana asked.

"My guess is that he likes the fight," Dinah replied. "He doesn't know what he would do without someone to fight."

Boomstick: Like a frickin' genie! Sonic has wished to reverse brainwashing, turn back time, revive the dead, and even rewrote all reality in his whole multiverse with a Kamehameha  Chaos beam. Okay, if he can literally just wish his problems away, you'd think he'd have way less trouble dealing with a fat ginger named after breakfast food.

Popup: Chaos Magic has some limits. Acquiring knowledge takes intense concentration with vague results, Sonic could not recreate the Super Genesis Wave on his own, and time travel does not include methods of previewing past or future events.

Wiz: Honestly, he rarely did, but Sonic's a glutton for adventure and action, so over the years, he and the good Doctor formed an unhealthy codependent relationship.

"Looks like you were right, Dinah," Wonder Woman told her.

"Not a time I want to be right," she replied.

Popup: Through use of Power Rings, essentially accessible containers of Chaos magic, has restored speed previously removed from him much to Silver's chagrin.

Boomstick: Just like us. Life's not the same without his oval-shaped enemy to beat up on, so they're back at it every chance they get. Come on guys, just get a room, already.

Wiz: But after being defeated so many times, both Eggman and Mogul independently came to the same conclusion. By collecting so many rings and emeralds over the years, Sonic has become a literal embodiment of Chaos itself. As in, he's a variable that cannot be accounted for, a wrench in the cogs of reality. Without him even realizing it, fate bends to him.

"Fate bends to him? So he has plot armor," Dick joked.

"I got a feeling it's more complicated than that, but yeah, I guess so," Wally said.

Popup: Sonic survived ground zero of the Ultimate Annihilator  firing upon itself. However, all of Mobius was erased for a moment and immediately restored, not just Sonic, as the weapon was programmed to only target Robotnik. It appears Sonic's billionth ring aura may have also transported him away from the location, similar to Chaos Control warping.

Boomstick: You know you're a badass when the most powerful Chaos wizard out there decides the only way to beat you is to just wait until you die of old age.

"Something that would really help," Zatara admitted. "Villains leaving us and all of Earth alone just because we exist."

"Our luck will never be that good," Zatanna told her dad.

"I know. But I can hope."

Wiz: It's ridiculous, it's absurd, it's unexplainable!

Boomstick: It's Sonic the friggin' Hedgehog.

Sonic: Ooh, I'd like to hang, but I've gotta juice!

Wiz: Alright, the combatants are set and we've run the data through all possibilities.

"I guess it's time for the actual fight," Wally said. He was already dreading the pain he was about to feel from this.

"Let's try and keep talking to a minimum. To get through this as fast as possible and not have Wally suffer," Dick said.

No one argued.

Skipped promotion.

Boomstick: But right now, IT'S TIME FOR A DEATH BATTLEEE!!!

Two red and blue streaks speed across the Cosmic Interstate, soon revealed to be the Flash and Sonic the Hedgehog in a race.

Artemis reached over and grabbed his hand. "Squeeze my hand if you need to."

He nodded at her and smiled.

Sonic: You really think you can outrun moi?

Flash: I'm the fastest man alive.

Sonic: Oh yeah, cherry-flavored chump? I'm the fastest thing alive!

"I am so calling you that when you become Flash," Dick said.

"At least try and be original and not steal from some blue hedgehog," Wally reapplied.

Sonic boosts in front of Wally before he quickly follows on, the two starting to pick up the pace of their race, Sonic staying in first. Wally is surprised when he notices that Sonic is not only running backward and facing him, he is also taking a bite out of a chili dog, which he promptly holds out to taunt him.

Sonic: Want a bite?

"His first mistake," Conner said. "Never taunt Wally with food."

"Fast metabolism," Wally said. "If I don't eat, I die. Same as everyone else, just much faster."

However, Wally rushes past him and snatches the dog, leaving Sonic momentarily confused before realizing what happened and scowling as Wally scarfs down Sonic's snack. With his mouth still full, Wally decides to taunt back, food flying out of his mouth as he does so.

"That is pretty accurate," M'Gann said.

Wally grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

Flash: What's the matter? You too slow?

Sonic spin-dashes into the Flash, which results in them going off-road and landing on another piece of the interstate. Wally crashes and tumbles down the road while Sonic lands successfully. Angered, he charges up his speed in place...

Wally winced but didn't give any other indication he was hurt.

Artemis gave his hand a light squeeze.

Sonic: Don't mess with the hog's dogs!

...before boosting forward to catch up. He sprints past Wally while spin-dashing, before halting his momentum to charge back in the opposite direction into Flash, who narrowly dodges. Sonic comes flying in again with a kick, only to miss once more. Anticipating the next attack, Flash throws an electrically-charged punch, colliding with Sonic's own. The two speed up again, becoming blurs as they speed across the Interstate, clashing multiple times as they do so.

"You know, in a weird way, it's kinda beautiful," M'Gann commented.

"Yeah. In a weird way, it kinda is," Zatanna agreed.

Sonic finds himself eye to eye with the Flash, who proceeds to pummel him with a flurry of lightspeed punches. But halfway through the barrage, he blocks and breaks off, landing on a road opposite Wally. Both keep going until their paths converge, which is when Sonic budges the Flash.

Sonic: Say uncle!

Wally knocks right back, with an extra boast.

Flash: Flash fact: I'm out of your league!

"Honestly, I kinda want to see us just race. No fighting, no sabotaging, just light taunting and running as fast as we can," Wally commented.

"That version of you doesn't have a great record with racing other fast beings," Artemis told him.

Sonic knocks him again with more force.

Wally winced again.

but the Flash touches him and absorbs his kinetic energy, rendering Sonic devoid of his own speed and flopping on the ground. Wally immediately zooms off down the long road laughing, leaving a frustrated Sonic in the dust.

Flash: (laughs) Thanks for the speed!

No sooner than Sonic gets to his feet, he notices something appear above him; a conveniently placed Super Emerald.

"Oh come on! That's bullshit," Barry yelled.

"It was inevitable that it would play a role in the fight," Bruce told him.

"I know that. I'm pissed though."

Sonic: Huh? A Super Emerald?

Sonic's confidence bounces back.

Sonic: I'll show you!

The Flash still speeds on, oblivious to the explosion of radiant energy happening far behind him as Super Sonic catches up, ramming into Wally.

Sonic: Surprise!

Sonic kicks his opponent's body up high and punishes him with speed-blitzing body strikes, climaxing with a spin-dash to his back.

Wally let out a slight gasp and squeezed Artemis' hand causing her to wince. He noticed and let go of her hand.

Like a blazing comet, they smash through two of the Cosmic Interstate's roads before ending up in the void of a wormhole.

Sonic: Booyah!

"Ow," Wally said, squeezing the arm of his chair so hard his knuckles were turning white.

On the other side of that wormhole lies the Special Zone, with the Flash crash landing on one of its planetoids.

Just as Wally comes to, he sees his glowing, levitating rival coming straight toward him. He runs away while rapidly spinning his wrist to build up some lightning, before turning back and firing a powerful surge of it that strikes Sonic. But ends up going against his favor as Sonic absorbs it and taps more into the Chaos Force, transforming him into Ultra Sonic.

Some people were beginning to worry that Wally might lose.

"Come one, Wally. You can do this," Kaldur muttered to himself.

Wally is still running and narrowly avoids his lightning redirected by the transformation. He is flanked by Sonic, who starts to charge him. The Flash charges forward himself as he tries to steal more speed from the flying Sonic. But as hand meets head, the invincible Sonic powers through, replenishing his speed and dragging the Flash around the planetoid many times.

Wally let out a scream of pain. "Sorry."

"Dude, don't apologize," Dick said.

"Let's just keep watching," Barry and Artemis said at the same time.

Sonic stops, which allows Wally to cease skidding and compose himself. He rushes back into the fight but Sonic alters the ground's molecules, turning the surface into ice. The Flash rapidly loses traction and helplessly slides forward.

Even more people were beginning to lose hope.

Flash: Woah-woa-woa-woah!

As Wally slides past, Sonic kicks him in the back, propelling his tumbling body further away to the far distances of the planetoid. Impatient, he taps his foot speedily while he waits for his adversary's returning body, coming back from a full lap around the planetoid. By altering the air, he throws a stream of fire toward his target. Wally reorients himself in time to rapidly vibrate his molecules and phase through safely, rearranging himself behind Sonic.

Barry let out a quiet "yes!"

Sonic is caught off-guard as the Flash tackles him, drawing him into the timestream. Once there, Wally slams his rival through one dimension, bringing the pair into Central City at night. They slam through several buildings before Wally drags Sonic back into the Special Zone. With a spinning throw, Wally hurls him through several planetoids. Sonic, however, quickly recovers, flying up high above his opponent. As the Flash lands, he hears Sonic's booming voice and looks up at him.

"I really hate that discount porcupine," Wally growled out.

"Remember, he is still a hero. Even if he is fighting you in this scenario," Wonder Woman reminded him.

"At this point, I don't care."

Sonic: Nice try! But I'm invincible when I'm like this! You've mastered speed, but I've mastered fate! And I wish you gone! Foreveeer!

Harnessing the power of fate, Sonic uses his hand to create a green glowing orb. The Flash notices this, and, grunting with effort, charges up his speed before launching off the planetoid toward his opponent, leaving an enormous crater where he was.

They stared in shock at the crater Wally left. A few, picturing what would have happened if it had been Earth or some other populated planet.

Sonic: CHAOS... CONTROL!

With both hands, Sonic unleashes the Chaos Control blast, hitting Wally directly. With urgency, Wally calls out to his loved ones in order to remain in reality before being consumed by the Speed Force.

Flash: Linda! Jai! Iris! Help me NOW!

Wally reached over and grabbed Artemis' hand again. "You know, it actually kinda helps. Thinking of the people I love."

The gambit works and the Flash powers through, landing a hard haymaker on Sonic. The punch propels them forward, and as they are blasting through the dimension's atmosphere, Wally breaks into the Speed Force again, this time illuminated with intense kinetic energy, his hair igniting like flames. The ascent halts when he suddenly vanishes in a blinding flash, leaving Sonic by himself in the Special Zone, confused as to where Wally went.

"Where did he go," M'Gann asked.

"My guess; he time traveled," Dinah told her.

Sonic: Huh?

In the timestream, Wally sprints onward while observing windows in time. As he moves forward, Sonic's Ultra form eventually wears off, leaving him vulnerable. in more specifically to the exact moment when Sonic's Ultra form wears off. Wally leaps and smashes through that window in time with an Infinite Mass Punch, shattering the Super Emerald and striking Sonic.

"That was smart," Bruce said.

"You sound surprised," Barry pointed out.

"Impressed," Bruce corrected.

Screams of anguish echo through the void as Sonic's form distorts and spasms uncontrollably as the Chaos energy is overloaded and he is forced to relive every second of his life before disintegrating, leaving him to become nothing but dimensional dust. The fight over, Wally powers down and is left drifting alone to witness the inter-dimensional damage around him.

Flash: Woah...

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick.

Wally's pain dissipated instantly. "Thank goodness. No more pain."

Wiz: So... that happened.

Boomstick: Yeah, uh, what happened, exactly?

Wiz: Well, this matchup was incredibly complex. Given their speeds were impossible to calculate, speed alone was, ironically, somewhat of a non-factor in comparison.

"That's pretty accurate. Neither of you were really faster than the other," Barry said.

"I still want a regular race that doesn't turn into a fight," Wally replied.

Boomstick vibrates for a second, Wiz looks at him. We then cut to the post-analysis.

Wiz: Sonic, in his base form, really didn't stand a chance against Wally. Sure, he did seem to survive being launched 849,000 light-years into an alien planet by a black hole imploding. However, considering he's been knocked out by far less, black holes are already imploding stars, and it seems some snow also inexplicably survived the trip, it's probably more likely the black hole acted as a sort of wormhole in its last moments, and sent Sonic directly there. But if we assume Sonic was indeed blasted through space, a black hole's last moment usually results in an abrupt detonation equivalent to five trillion tons of TNT. Impressive, but the Infinite Mass Punch could still deliver over two quadrillion times more power.

"That is seriously an overpowered move," Hal said

"Which is why, even if we could get enough speed, we would probably never use it," Barry replied.

Popup: While Sonic has occasionally broken the fourth wall, he has not done so to benefit himself or others in a fight or other serious situations. These rare moments are likely nothing more than non-canon gags.

Boomstick: But Sonic's super forms were a different story. They had answers to almost all of Wally's skills. His Chaos energy could replenish stolen speed, he was invincible, and he had frickin' wish powers!

"His wish powers were easily the most dangerous part," Bruce said. "Yet Wally was able to counter it."

"Just goes to show how powerful he really is," Barry smirked.

Wiz: Personally, I was expecting the opposite result. Against almost anybody else, Archie's version of Sonic is practically unbeatable. But across a greater percentage of possible scenarios, Wally just happens to be the exception.

Popup: Sonic's attack on the roboticized Flicky took 100 attoseconds. Barry Allen claims he can perceive events that occur in less than a single attosecond, and Wally is proven to be faster. The Flashes have many more impressive feats of processing complex information instantly, such as learning construction and assembling a building in mere seconds.

Barry, Wally and Clark all grimaced.

"What," Hal asked.

"Nothing," Clark said. "Just doing that. Learning how to rebuild a building then actually doing it. That must have sucked."

"Yeah. It might be a few seconds for you guys, but for us, we're actually conscious for all of that. Imagine reading an entire book in one sitting and then actually using that knowledge," Barry agreed.

"It can be painful at times. Because not only do we have to read the books, we also have to memorize what we're reading too," Wally added.

Boomstick: He had every counter he needed, too. The speed steal wouldn't stop Super Sonic, but Wally still got that stolen speed for himself.

Wiz: Super and Ultra Sonic were, essentially, batteries of unlimited kinetic energy Wally could pull from. Even with their speeds being incalculable, this meant Wally could ensure he was faster. Plus, Wally performed a lot more of those incalculable speed feats than Sonic ever did, so he technically held an experience advantage in that field.

Boomstick: Chaos wish power would be an insta-win against basically anybody, but Chaos magic uses physical energy, and guess what? Wally could phase through reality-warping energy.

"I can see what they mean about me having every possible counter," Wally commented.

Popup: For the reboot, writer Ian Flynn  says the Chaos Force was dropped as a concept, implying the Super Genesis Wave may have erased it. Even if true, Sonic likely could not affect the Speed Force in the same way. The DC multiverse is far larger, and it is unlikely Sonic can perfectly recreate the SGW as in "Worlds Unite".

Wiz: And jump through time, or vibrate to a higher spatial dimension to avoid Sonic altogether. Even though he had no way to take down Sonic's super forms, Wally has proven capable of effortlessly moving and vibrating at top speeds for days on end.

"And that is one of the less impressive things he's done, somehow," Clark said.

"And it's still impressive. I don't think even I could do that," Barry admitted.

Popup: By vibrating through the fourth dimension, Wally becomes untouchable by anything occupying three dimensional space, making him virtually invincible as long as he keeps vibrating. He must maintain vibrations at all times while time travelling, and can do at length without issue.

Boomstick: So, it wasn't too hard for him to just wait out the super forms and strike at the first good opportunity.

Wiz: And when it came to Ultra Sonic's ability to alter atomic structures, Wally possessed perfect control over his own individual molecules.

"Yeah, it also prevents N.A.R.B.s," Dick teased.

"That's ironic considering your name," Barbra replied.

Dick sent her a mock look of betrayal.

Popup: As in the battle, Wally could time travel to the exact moment Sonic's super form time limit ends. Note that Sonic has much less experience with time travel than Wally, and cannot glimpse past or future events like the Speed Force grants to time traveling speedsters.

Boomstick: But hey, Sonic's the embodiment of Chaos. Fate automatically bends to him, or whatever.

Wiz: Except, Wally has broken fate a few times himself, the best example being when he ran to the end of reality and forced the concept of death itself to die.

Boomstick: Ugh, because Speed Force.

"That's always a fair reaction when it comes to the Speed Force," Dick said.

"At least you don't have to deal with it. Wally and I rely on it for our powers and I'm pretty sure it doesn't like us," Barry said.

Popup: Super Sonic and Hyper Knuckles once destroyed a Zone, and Naugus merged the Void and Zone of Silence together. However, these Zones were shown and described as small pocket dimensions, not complete universes.

Wiz: Simply put, Sonic's hypothesized nature as an anomaly in reality just wasn't enough protection against someone who could also break the rules of reality.

"A statement that shouldn't be so casually said but we will probably hear several more times throughout this ordeal," Wonder Woman stated.

"Our life would be too simple otherwise," Hal told her.

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick.

Boomstick: And remember, when Wally raced Barry, their speed almost tore apart the multiverse.

Wiz: Both these characters understandably seem overpowered to an extreme fault, but it's important to remember that in their respective worlds, the story comes first. Sonic was impressive, improbable, inexplainable, but Wally had the power, the counters, and the speed he needed to pull ahead in this absolutely mind-bending battle.

Boomstick begins to convulse.

"That's not good," Bruce said.

"What," Clark asked.

"Earlier, Wiz said he laced Boomstick's beer with something that would give him superspeed comparable to Wally's."

Everyone paled.

Wiz: Oh, the drink is kicking in!

Boomstick glows and vanishes in a flash with a flickering scream, soon reappearing a second later, with a white aura, glowing eyes, and partially transparent.

Boomstick: Wiz, I ran to Jupiter! I'm a god! A speed god!

"And he is already calling himself a speed god," Wonder Woman said, narrowing her eyes.

"At least with how stupid he is, he won't be a threat. And I doubt that Wiz would make something as powerful as that permanent," Clark replied.

Wiz takes out a pencil and notepad.

Wiz: Incredible! Tell me, what cosmic insight have you learned?

Boomstick: Just one thing: While Sonic didn't know it, the writing was on the Wall-y.

Several people groaned.

"Yeah, we'll be fine," Bruce said.

We cut to the "Winner" card.

Wiz: The winner is the Flash.

"Now," Zatara began, "it's time for a break.

Chapter Text

"Now," Zatara began, "it's time for a break.

"Great," Barry said. "I could stretch my legs. And something to eat. Where is the kitchen?"

Zatara pointed to a door that previously didn't exist. "There."

"Before he could even start saying 'there' Barry and Wally had taken off."

"Those two..." Artemis grumbled. 

When everyone else made it to the kitchen sitting across from each other. And they each had a plate full of various foods.

"Hey," Artemis said as she sat next to Wally. "Where's the food at?" She looked around and saw there was a plate, cup and various cutlery at each seat but no food.

"Just say what you want," he answered between bites of his steak. "Same for your drink."

She looked down at her clean, silver plate. Might as well, she thought. "Chicken." Sure enough, a perfectly cooked chicken appeared on her plate. "Nice."

"I'll give you two some space. I need to talk to Dinah about something anyway." With that, Barry sped away.

Wally noticeably slowed down his eating to near regular human speed. "So beautiful, what do you want to talk about?"

Her heart fluttered like it did every time he complimented her. "Nothing. It's just, all this seems crazy, you know. One minute, we're training with Canary, the next, we're watching the future and alternate realities. It's just..."

"I know," he told her. "And the first thing we watch is my death. and we'll probably see worse."

"Yeah, Wally about that, how are you feeling," Artemis asked. "And be honest."

"Truth is, I don't know how to feel. I'm scared, uncomfortable, and several other things," he told her. Wally reached over and grabbed her hand for support. He had stopped eating. "And then that video talks about how I can do all these crazy things and I feel worse. Every version of me is supposed to become the fastest being alive but I can break the sound barrier and that's it."

She squeezed his hand. "I understand."

"I know you do." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

"Hey, love birds, we need to talk," a voice behind them said. They turned around and saw Barry, Ollie, and Dinah.

"Um, what do you need," Wally asked. He didn't sound too happy at having his and Artemis' improve date interrupted.

"Barry and I need to talk to you, Wally," Dinah responded.

"Can it wait, Artemis and I were talking."

"I'm sorry, but no, it can't." Dinah really did sound sorry but that didn't do much to ease the couple. "Barry and I will try not to be long." With that, she grabbed Wally by the arm and along with Barry walked off, leaving just Ollie.

"What do you want?" The words came out more hostile than intended.

Ollie slid into the seat next to her on the side Wally wasn't previously sitting in.

"Relax, I didn't want to interrupt your date with your boyfriend," Ollie said. "But Barry interrupted Dinah and mine to talk about Wally. I don't know what, they went out of earshot. All I know, is that Dinah agreed with whatever he wanted and said they needed to talk to him."

"I figured."

"Still mad you two lost your little date, though?"

"Yeah."

"Figured." The two ate in silence.

Over at another table, Bruce, Dick and Barbra Barbra sat next to each other. Across from Bruce sat Clark and next to him, Diana.

They ate in silence for a while until Dick decided to break the silence. "How are you feeling?" He asked Barbra.

"I'm good," she replied. "Just caught off guard like everyone else."

"Yeah, same for me," Dick agreed. "But hey," he leaned over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "This is new for all of us. None of us have ever been kidnapped by a wizard and forced to watch alternate versions of ourselves."

That got a chuckle from Barbra. "Yeah, I suppose so. Thanks for the support." She leaned over and kissed his cheek which caused him to turn red.

"A- anytime." Dick really hated blushing.

"Hey, Diana, Bruce, why don't we go talk to Red Tornado. He looks like he could use someone to talk to," Clark suggested.

They both caught on to what he was trying to do and agreed. Dick sent him a thankful look as the three left. Barbra did the same.

"So..." Barbra began. "We've been dancing around this for a while."

"Yeah, we have," Dick agreed.

"So, what do you want to do about it," she asked.

"Well, I know what I want and I think I know what you want too," he told her.

"I wouldn't mind giving us a try," Barbra admitted.

Dick felt his heart rise. He could feel every beat that his heart raced out, not knowing that Barbra was feeling the same way.

"Then let's give 'us' a shot," he said. He really hoped he didn't come off as too desperate, but he really wanted this.

"Gladly."

The two kissed. When they pulled away, they locked eyes, both were grinning ear to ear.

Unbeknownst to them, several people had watched the whole ordeal.

"Looks like your plan worked," Diana told Clark.

"Finally. Those two have been pinning for each other since I've known them," Clark said.

"It was well before that," Bruce said. "Those two have been interested since they first met. They just didn't know how to express it."

Over with Artemis and Ollie a near silent "crap" could be heard.

Oliver raised an eyebrow. "You didn't want them to get together?"

"I did," She assured. "It's just now a crap ton of people owe Wally a lot of money, including me."

"You bet on when they would get together?"

"Don't act like you wouldn't. I bet they would wait a few months first. The only one who didn't bet was Kaldur and that was because he thought it was wrong." Suddenly, she started to quietly giggle.

"What?"

"Wally is going to be pissed that he missed them getting together."

Oliver laughed loudly.

Over with M'Gann and Conner, things were pretty similar. "I may have lost the bet, but I'm glad that they got together."

"I am too, but they could have waited at least a year." Conner said. "Now I owe Wally fifty dollars."

"With how many people owe him money, he will definitely be happy for a while," M'Gann agreed.

"I blame the Wizard for kidnapping us," Conner declared. "They would have waited if not."

"All that matters is that they got together," M'Gann replied. "Where is he anyway?"

Conner looked around the room and noticed she was right. He was nowhere to be found.

"I have no idea. I don't see Barry or Dinah either."

"Strange. I guess they're off talking or something."

Wally was wishing he had refused to come with them as soon as he saw their faces. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Wally," Barry quickly said. "It's just that, I've been thinking, and Canary agrees, that we think we know why you're not as fast as me."

"What? Why?"

"Wally, do you know what Impostor Syndrome is," Canary asked.

"Yeah." Wally was getting more and more confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"We think you have Impostor Syndrome," Canary told him.

"That's-"

"Wally, just listen to us," Barry pleaded.

"We aren't trying to make you uncomfortable, Wally," Dinah assured him. "But it would explain why you're not as fast as Barry."

"What do you mean," Wally asked, slightly less hostile, more curious now.

"We think that the reason you're not as fast as me is because you don't think you are. Like you subconsciously put a blocker on yourself," Barry told him.

"Are you saying the power is inside me all along and I just need to stop doubting myself? Because that is super cliche," Wally responded.

"Wally, please take this seriously," Dinah said. "But in a way, yes."

"Great, I'll just stop doubting myself," he said.

"That's not how it works and you know it," Dinah said.

"Is there anything else," Wally asked suddenly. "Because I have a super hot girlfriend to get back to."

"You may go, Wally," Dinah said

He ran out of the room before they could say anything else.

"That went about as well as it could have," Barry said.

"Yeah," Dinah agreed. "We'll just have to keep watching him."

With that, they went to rejoin the others.

Wally was already eating and talking with Artemis.

"WHAT!" Everyone turned to face the two. "Sorry."

"Yeah, you missed Dick and Barbra getting together," Artemis told him.

"Damn it. At least I won the best. Pay up."

Artemis grumbled but paid up. "I was hoping you would forget about that."

"Not a chance."

With that he ran over to the various people who owed him money. When he returned, he found Dick and Barbra, hand in hand, waiting for him.

"You bet on when we would get together," Barbra asked accusingly.

"Yeah," he replied shamelessly. "Dick and the rest of the team did the same for Artemis and I."

"He's right," Dick admitted.

Barbra rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"And I made a fair profit on this," Wally smirked.

Barbra and Dick walked off.

"Did you have to collect the money in front of them?"

"No. But I did."

It was Artemis' turn to roll her eyes.

Zatara stood up and gathered their attention. "Everyone, I hope you are well fed. Now, if you will, return to the main room, I will direct you to where you all will sleep."

They all did as they were told. When the last person entered the main room, the door disappeared behind them. Now the room was completely barren except for several doors on either side of the room.

"Men on the right, women on the left. Each of you will have your own room Except for Dinah and Oliver, you two share a room straight across." 

Sure enough, a door straight across from them had a plaque on it that read their names.

"You will find each room to be to your exact liking. They each have soundproofing, the light will adjust to your specific liking at the moment among other things."

They each went to their designated room and opened it to find an exact replica of their bedroom.

"Nice," Wally said. He walked over to his wardrobe and grabbed his pajamas. 'I could really use a shower.' As if to answer his request, a door came into being on the wall next to his bed. Opening it, he found a bathroom. 'Perfect.'

After taking a quick shower he laid down on his bed. Unfortunately, sleep refused to come. He'd been laying there for what seemed like hours but was probably just a few minutes when he heard a knock at his door.

He opened the door and came face to face with Artemis.

"I tried barging in but your door wouldn't budge," she greeted way too casually. "Can I come in?"

Wally stepped aside to let her in. "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting my boyfriend. Besides, I want to know what Barry and Dinah said to you."

He sighed. "I'm not getting out of this, am I?"

She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Please, Wally. It clearly affected you."

They sat down on his bed.

He sighed again. "Okay. They think I have Impostor Syndrome."

"They both said that?"

"Yeah."

"It would make sense," Artemis said.

"Not you too. I just-"

She covered his mouth. "I'm not going to bug about it. You don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." She moved her hand away from his mouth.

"Thanks."

They leaned in and kissed. The kiss quickly grew more passionate.

She broke the kiss long enough to pull off her shirt before kissing him again. This time Wally pulled away. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I love you, Wally West. More than anything." They kissed again before starting to fully undress each other.

That night, they were both thankful for the rooms being soundproof.

The next morning the two woke up to an alarm neither of them set.

Setting up with a groan they looked at each other and smiled.

"I suppose we should get dressed," Artemis reluctantly said.

"Yeah," Wally agreed just as reluctantly.

They both took their time getting dressed, enjoying the view.

"Let me go out first. I'll make sure the coast is clear," Wally said.

"Yeah. we don't want anyone to know about this," Artemis agreed.

Wally quickly stepped outside. A second later he poked his head back in. "Come out."

"Is it safe?" Too late, Wally had already left again.

She stepped out and saw several people staring at them.

"Why did you tell me to come out if the coast wasn't clear," she growled out.

"Because we already knew," Oliver also growled out. He was glaring at Wally and Dinah seemed to be holding him back.

"Um... So, we were all wondering why you two hadn't come out yet," Dick began to explain. "So we went to check your room when they were both gone. We also noticed a new door appeared beside Dinah and Oliver's. So we checked and the plaque has both of your names."

At this point, both Wally and Artemis had matching blushes. Despite this, neither of them could bring themselves to regret it.

"Well, we did it. No one here wants to discuss it. Let's move on," Artemis said.

"Oh I want to talk to him," Oliver said.

"You will not," Dinah told him. "Let's just get breakfast and get back to watching whatever we're watching next."

Thankfully the crowd dispersed.

"Thanks, Dinah," Wally said.

"Don't thank me yet. I also want to have a talk with you, but this isn't the time or place."

They all had breakfast in an extremely awkward silence. The only notable thing to happen was when Oliver tried to separate Wally and Artemis but they both refused.

Eventually they left the room and went to the main theater.

"Now, it is time for our next event," Zatara announced.

Chapter Text

Eventually they left the room and went to the main theater.

"Now, it is time for our next event," Zatara announced.

Batman's eyes narrowed. "Explain. Now."

"Robin isn't actually dead," Zatara explained rather quickly. "Joker and everyone else in this event just think he is."

Dick clenched his fists. "He better be glad I can't get to him..."

Barbra grabbed his hand. "Tim is alive in that universe."

Wally leaned over to Artemis and whispered. "He already sees him as his brother and they haven't even met."

"Not the time." Despite her light scolding, Artemis couldn't help but smile slightly.

Bruce closed his eyes. "We don't take lives. No matter what."

"I know," Dick replied.

"I'm not mad at you," Bruce told him. "And I know you would never kill. No matter how tempting it may be."

"What is he doing with Mr. Mind," Captain Marvel asked.

"Who's Mr. Mind," Wally asked.

"An enemy of mine. And a pain in my butt."

"So he gets resurrected with a different power each time he dies," Bruce asked. He was already thinking of a contingency plan. The problem was he didn't know what every power he could have was.

"You better not die," Barbra warned him. "I don't care that he's not the same you, it better not happen."

"I promise, I'll try my best not to."

"They're trying to rile you up, Make you mad," Barbra warned him.

"I know, it's him that needs to be told," Dick replied.

Everyone glared at the screen. Specifically, at the clown himself.

"A pathetic excuse for a human," Clark growled out.

"So Joker is keeping them out," Batman stated. "How?"

"He put a force field up that keeps anyone he wants out and allows those he wants in through," Zatara answered.

"I don't want you to kill Joker, Dick. But I do want you to make him suffer," Clark told him.

"Superman hating Joker is understandable but he is scary about it," Zatanna whispered to M'Gann who nodded in agreement.

Bruce really hated their plan of killing him until they got what they needed. "Killing him is wrong, even if he can come back to life."

"They haven't killed him again even though he doesn't have the power they need him to have, so they have another plan," Barbra said.

"They still had to kill him to get him to have that power," Bruce replied. "Killing for any reason is wrong."

"I'm not defending them for killing him," Barbra quickly replied. "I'm just saying that they have a new plan. One that doesn't require them to kill him."

After everything he's done, even as he's dying, he still wants to break me, Bruce thought. 

He felt a gentle weight on his shoulder and knew without looking that it was Clark's hand. Bruce hated how well Clark could read him.

Bruce truthfully, wasn't worried about Dick. He knew he wouldn't kill him. Nightwing was a better Batman. What Batman, in many ways, could never be. Despite this, there was some tiny amount of doubt.

Dick let out a few grunts of pain.

"Are you good," Barbra asked.

"Yeah. Nothing I haven't felt before," Dick replied. "Thanks for asking, though."

"No," Billy said firmly. "That's a terrible idea."

"Which is the only plan they have left," Wally told the kid. "Besides, terrible ideas are like 90% of the plans we use."

"Which isn't a good thing," Dinah reminded him.

"I never said it was. Just saying that it's extremely common."

"They're lucky it worked," Billy said.

"Yeah," Wally agreed. "Honestly I was just saying all that to calm you down."

Billy smiled slightly at hearing that Mr. Mind was going to puke. Wait, could worms even puke?

"Uncle J'onn," M'Gann said excitedly.

"It seems I will be helping them now," J'onn said. "Although I am curious as to who I'm carrying."

"He is really testing my patience," Dick said.

"That's what he wants," Bruce reminded him. "He wants you to kill him to get to me."

"I know."

Dick winced. "Great, now I'm questioning my sanity."

"You'll be fine," Barbra told him. "While I never believed you would, at least we can be sure that Tim will never let you kill Joker."

Chapter Text

Dick winced. "Great, now I'm questioning my sanity."

"You'll be fine," Barbra told him. "While I never believed you would, at least we can be sure that Tim will never let you kill Joker."

Everyone felt sick.

"No. I wouldn't. I could-" But he did. Dick glanced down at his hands.

Barbra grabbed them. "You didn't. That was an alternate you. You are not him. We've established that already."

"And there is still time to save him," Bruce said. "Almost everyone here knows CPR and I know that they would too. If they act fast enough they may be able to save him. "

Despite the Joker being saved, Dick couldn't help but still feel awful. He still killed him. He killed a man. The rule that had most been drilled into him by Bruce. 'All life is sacred, no matter what.' And he had broken it.

"Don't blame yourself, Dick. The Joker-"

"I killed him Bruce. He may have been brought back, but I still killed him."

"No you didn't. An alternate version of you did," Bruce said softly.

"Hey Dick, looks like Tim's got himself a girlfriend," Wally weakly joked.

Despite it, Dick actually managed a small smile.

Superman's eyes narrowed. "How did Luthor become president?"

"He managed to convince the public he was a changed man and that all his crimes were committed by a Cadmus clone. Not only that but he helped rebuild several cities including Gotham. He did several other good things to prove that he was a changed man, In the end, it worked."

Clark looked like he was going to laser the screen.

"Hopefully this time he can stay there forever," Clark said.

"Unfortunately, we all know very little can keep the Joker for long," Zatara replied.

"As long as that bug stays contained," Billy said.

"They know better than to let it out," M'Gann told him. "Or at least I imagine they would."

Everyone couldn't help but smile at seeing the Joker's treatment.

"Anything to keep that monster off the streets," Clark said.

Right, powerless. Dick couldn't help but still feel awful. He had let the Joker get to him. The Joker got locked up, thrown in jail... but he still got Nightwing to kill. 

Chapter Text

Right, powerless. Dick couldn't help but still feel awful. He had let the Joker get to him. The Joker got locked up, thrown in jail... but he still got Nightwing to kill. 

"Hey, Dickhead," Wally said.

Dick looked at him and right as Wally ran at him full speed and carried him to a separate room.

Wally hugged him. When he pulled, he took a breath before saying: "I'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't blame yourself. We both know you will anyway."

"Then why did you kidnap me and bring me in here."

"Kidnapping is a strong word, I prefer to call it a surprise trip. But I knew that if I didn't, someone would. So I figured I would be a good brother and help you."

"Thanks, Wally." Dick could tell Wally genuinely meant the best for him and in a weird way, it was working. He still wasn't going to get over him killing someone.

"Yeah. We should wait in here for a few more minutes so that they think we had an actual heart to heart conversation."

"You know, it's been a while since we last had a team up, just the two of us," Dick said. "After all this is over, we should go bully some criminals."

"As long as it's not Gotham. Bruce hates when I come over to fight crime," Wally agreed.

"Let's do Coast City, that way neither of us have a home field advantage and the criminals won't be used to fighting us. Plus the Green Lanterns are pretty much never there."

"It's a deal."

They spent the next few minutes talking about nothing in particular. And when they went back Dick had to admit, he was feeling a little better.

Once Dick and Wally sat down again, the screen came to life.

"Is she giving birth in a crashing jet," Dinah asked.

"It seems that way," Diana answered, just as concerned.

Everyone was saddened at realizing that the mother and pilot were dead, but at least optimistic that the baby survived.

"Making it to civilization is important, but you also need to make sure to rest and not overexert yourself," Bruce said. "And protect yourself and the baby from the sun."

"He knows," Clark replied. "This is Dick Grayson we're talking about."

"He knows my identity but that doesn't matter. That kid needs to get to safety." Dick muttered more to himself than anyone else.

"I like her," Diana commented.

"I think we all do," M'Gann agreed.

"She's a badass," Artemis added.

"No," Zatanna cried out.

"Relax," her dad told her. "She survives."

That mildly calmed everyone in the room down.

Dick frowned. He hated not being able to do more, but she was right. The baby would die without the water and formula. The only thing that eased him was Zatara telling him that she would make it.

Several people smirked at seeing the man get hit.

"The best way to get someone to shut up," Artemis said.

"So much for his enhancements," Ollie smirked.

"Yeah, but now he might die," Dinah pointed out.

Oliver just shrugged.

"It's noble of you to leave water for him, but..." Martian Man Hunter trailed off as he looked over at Dick.

Dick looked sunburned and exhausted.

"Are you okay," the Martian asked.

"Yeah, I'm just tired and it hurts  to even move."

"The only thing we can do is just watch what happens and so he heals," Bruce said.

They all stared at the screen. It was clear that even with all his training, Dick was wearing down. He was human, after all. No matter what, he was bound to die if something didn't happen soon.

"Have you ever had that dream," Barbra asked.

Dick shook his head. He looked like he wanted to say something but he was too exhausted, dehydrated, and sunburned to actually say something.

Barbra felt bad for talking and delaying finishing the event.

"Nice story. I'll be using it," Dick groaned out. His voice sounded extremely hoarse.

"No talking," Bruce told him gently.

"Oh thank goodness," M'Gann said.

"Be quiet," Bruce growled.

"So what's so special about the baby," Clark asked.

"That is the child from a different earth. She is the daughter of Superwoman and Superman. In that universe, Lois Lane was an Amazonian. She married Ultraman, that universe's  version of you," Zatara told them. He also decided to leave out the fact they were villains.

Chapter Text

"So what's so special about the baby," Clark asked.

"That is the child from a different earth. She is the daughter of Superwoman and Superman. In that universe, Lois Lane was an Amazonian. She married Ultraman, that universe's version of you," Zatara told them. He also decided to leave out the fact they were villains. 

"What are we viewing next, " Kaldur asked.

Zatara didn't get to answer as a voice spoke. You will be watching the beginning of a universe as it is reset. The voice seemed to be coming from all around them. From the walls, the chairs, the screen, everything. It was Nabu himself.

"I wish to speak to Wallace West."  When he finished speaking Wally disappeared.

In a separate part area.

"I'm getting tired of being kidnapped," Wally complained.

"There is no time to talk. In this event, we will witness you returning to reality. I have made sure that the Speed Force shall not try to take you or Bartholomew again, but at a cost."

"I should have figured," Wally sighed. "I assume the cost isn't that you had to pay it 20 dollars?"

"It wanted me to show this event, so that you may see what happens to a Speedster when they die. It shall be pain beyond anything you previously felt."

"Thanks for the warning, I guess. But why not tell me with the entire group," Wally asked.

"The cost of viewing this shall not only be worse because of the pain, but they will forget you for the duration of the event. I truly didn't want this, but it was the cost. Even my host will be affected to an extent." 

"I really fucking hate-" He was teleport back to the room. He looked around and saw everything was exactly the same. Even his empty seat in between Artemis and Dick was there.

A part of him knew it wouldn't work, but he wanted to try. "Hey guys." No response.

"Next," Zatara began, "we shall watch events from a narrator. One we don't know."

"What can you tell us about him," Bruce asked.

Zatara opened his mouth to speak, but simply closed it. "I can't."

"What do you mean, you can't," Zatanna asked her dad.

"I don't know, it's like Nabu is blocking me from knowing."

Everyone looked worried at that but the screen came to life before they could say anything. All the while, Wally was desperately trying to get their attention.

Barry frowned. "That's my watch but I didn't give it away. It's at my house."

"Yes you did," Wally said. "You gave it to me."

"Do you have a nephew," Hal asked.

Barry shook his head.

"Does Iris?"

"Not that I know of."

"Yes she does," Wally yelled. He knew that Nabu said that they wouldn't hear him, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying. "Please, Barry!"

"So whoever it is, they were a hero," Superman noted.

"Of course I'm a hero! I would nev-"

"So they're a hero and somehow connected to Barry," Diana said.

"That doesn't help us when I don't have a nephew."

"Nabu, Speed Force, you're both a dick."

"Clark," Bruce muttered before his face hardened again. "So he knows my identity and Barry's. It's safe to assume he probably knows everyone else's."

"Yeah, but to what extent," Dick asked. "Is it limited to just the Justice League or does it expand to the other teams? Does he know about the Titans, Young Justice or anyone else?"

"I do. Man, if I ever see Nabu, I'm going to kill him," Wally vowed.

"Three Jokers," Bruce asked.

"Don't worry, it's a complicated story but there aren't actually three Jokers,"  Zatara dismissed.

"Oh thank goodness," Wally said.

Suddenly Bruce looked directly at Wally.

"Bruce, is something wrong," Barbra asked.

"I thought I heard something," He replied.

"Wait, you can hear me?"

Bruce's eyes narrowed again. "I hear something but I can't make out what it says."

"Who are you," Batman growled out looking directly at Wally now.

"Bruce, you can see-"

"Bruce, who are you talking to? There's no one there," Dick said. However Dick knew better. If Batman thought someone was there, someone was.

"Who are you? I won't ask again."

"It's me Kid Flash. You know, Wally West."

Suddenly the worst pain Wally had ever felt rushed through him. Even worse than when he watched his death earlier. He collapsed to the floor screaming in agony. It felt like his molecules were being ripped apart. Like his DNA was being unwound and pulled apart. It was absolute hell.

Bruce rushed to help him but his hands phased through him. And as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone.

"Bruce, what's going on." Clark sounded genuinely worried. From the way everyone was looking at him, they all were.

"I saw the person narrating." Bruce looked at Barry. "He claimed to be someone named Wally West. His hero name was Kid Flash."

"I don't have a nephew named Wally. And I definitely don't have a sidekick."

Bruce wasn't reassured.

Artemis snorted. "He's certainly a fan."

"Wow, Artemis. Just when I thought we got past all this," Wally muttered, fully aware she wouldn't hear him.

Bruce looked at him.

"Okay, I know you believe me," Wally said. He was desperate. "Bruce, please."

"What do you want?"

"Just try to rem-" Wally cut himself off by screaming in pain and hunching over. It felt like his blood was turned into acid and was boiling and freezing at the same time.  When he looked back at Bruce, tears were in his eyes. "Try to remember!" And with that he was gone.

"You saw him again," Martian Manhunter noted.

"Yes. He wants me to try to remember him"

"And?"

"Nothing. I don't know anything."

"Do you believe him," Dinah asked.

"I do."

They all winced in sympathy at seeing him scream in pain.

"Bruce, my best friend is Dick! I'm dating Artemis! You stalked me one night after you found out I knew Dick's identity! You didn't trust me for months! Does that-" A scream of pain and he was gone.

"Did he appear again," Ollie asked.

"He said he was friends with Dick and knew his identity." Bruce looked at Artemis. "He also said that you two were dating."

Artemis looked slightly disgusted. "I've never dated anyone."

"Babe, I'm hurt that you're disgusted at the thought of dating me," Wally joked. As he felt himself get ripped apart again.

"He's literally being ripped apart by the Speed Force," Bruce realized. That's why he is in constant pain.

"This Wally guy, he's going to die, isn't he? If he can't convince Bruce, no one will believe him," Dick said.

"I won't let that happen."

"Did he show up again," Red Tornado asked.

"No,"

Wally fell to his knees. He felt nauseous. Could he even throw up in this state?

"I hope he finds someone soon," Barry muttered to himself. "No one deserves this fate."

"I doubt I can do anything," Bruce admitted. "It'll take someone with a stronger connection to him to properly remember him. It'll take you, Barry."

"I'm trying, Bruce, I really am. But I have nothing."

"So that's his origin story," Barry said.

"No it's not!" Wally yelled.

"Did he appear for you," Bruce asked.

Barry looked around the room. "No. I guess because this is a flashback and not him actually appearing to me like he did for you."

"I thought when I died, no one took up my mantle," Barry said, confused.

"Wally seems to remember differently," Bruce replied. "Either way, the more he reveals, the more likely we are to finally remember him."

"Like the fact that his parents are neglectful and his dad is abusive," Dick pointed out.

Several people's face darkened. Especially Artemis'. She could definitely relate to having crap parents.

"No they weren't," Wally yelled in protest. "My parents are awesome! It's only like that in that universe!"

Somehow the pain was getting worse. Wally couldn't even describe how it felt. He couldn't bring himself to comment. Not that it would have mattered.

"I really hate other me for causing Flashpoint," Barry said.

"He also falls in love with someone else," Artemis said. "Which means he lied about us dating."

"That is an alternate version of him. He may have never met her in our universe," Dick pointed out. "And even if he did, that doesn't necessarily mean you two didn't date and break up."

At this point, Wally didn't know which he wanted more: the pain to end or for all of them to see and remember him. Tears were freely falling from his face.

"And he is also the only one who can stop it," Diana said. "Unless he can somehow come back into the universe."

"Do you believe him," M'Gann asked.

"I do," She confirmed.

"So do I," Clark added.

At this point, it seemed the majority of people did. But a few still didn't.

Suddenly all the pain was gone. Wally quickly got up and looked around the room and saw they were all staring at him.

"It's over. Good. I don't think I could've taken that anymore." Wally winced when he said that. 'Great, now they're even more worried.' He glanced at Artemis and dread filled his stomach.

"Wally, I still don't know you," She said. "I don't remember anything."

"What do you mean? The thing's over. You wouldn't see me otherwise."

"Sorry, Wally, she's telling the truth." He glanced at Barry and looked away. He couldn't bear to look at them right now. He chose to stare at the floor instead.

"Zatara, I thought when the event was over. Why can't anyone remember me," Wally asked.

"Because this is only a temporary break, the portion you are watching isn't over yet."

Wally couldn't help getting mad. "Are you fucking kidding me? After the hell I went through Surely you are satisfied! Give them back their memories, you second rate Dumbledore!"

"I am, Wallace. But I don't dictate this. The Speed Force does."

Wally glanced around the room at everyone. Looking each of them in the eyes. He wanted nothing more than to hug Barry. To annoy Conner and Kaldur with Dick. To kiss Artemis. But he couldn't. Because to them, he never existed

"Please, just try to remember." Wally hated how pathetic his voice sounded, He looked back at Artemis. He wanted to kiss her so badly. But he knew that would be a mistake. The way she was looking at him, it wasn't hate, but it was pity. And he hated that. Despite that, he had to force himself to look away.

"I truly am sorry, Wallace." With that, Wally was gone again.

"We shall continue watching this event now."

Chapter Text

"We shall continue watching this event now."

Wally wasn't feeling any pain yet, which was good. But he was still pissed. He wanted this event to be over with. He wanted everyone to remember him.

Everyone glared at the caretaker.

"He should be more gentle," M'gann said. "He might hurt the old man."

Wally's pain exploded back in extreme force. It seemed to somehow be worse than before.

"If he can remember his past life, then maybe someone else can. Someone who actually knows Wally," Clark said hopefully.

"It's a long shot, but his best bet would be Barry," Hal stated. "You know him better than anyone else."

Wally let loose a scream of pain that went unanswered. Lost in the void of nothing, with no one to help him. How did the other Wally take it? He could barely string together a thought and the other him was actively trying to fix the whole mess.

Barry gripped the arms of his chair tightly. He may not know the person, but he claimed to be his nephew. And Barry hated when people, especially his family, were hurting. And Wally was literally being ripped apart and made a part of the Speed Force.

The pain actually seemed to lessen for Wally, if only by a slight, tiny amount.

"Someone's sassy," Dick joked.

"And she's probably innocent, and Clark is MIA," Diana said.

"What is that," Bruce asked.

"A Legion Flight Ring," Zatara answered. "It's used by the members of the Legion of Superheroes which forms in the future."

Everyone in the room instantly hated the old hag.

"Racist Bitch," Artemis growled. She wanted nothing more than to shoot her with an arrow.

Wally could feel the pain lessening again. This time it was slightly more. Or at least enough for it to be noticeable.

"Whatever Ray is doing, it must be important for him to cancel class for a week," Ollie said.

"Yeah, and now he and his assistant are going to get fired," Dinah said. "He should have called someone."

"Wait, does that mean he at least has an idea of what's going on?" Of course, Wally got no response.

"Maybe he can help Wally," Zatanna said.

"He knows something is up but he doesn't know what is actually wrong," Zatara answered. "So unfortunately, I doubt it."

"He can't just make him join him, he has no training," Clark protested.

"I'm sure Atom wouldn't have asked him if he didn't think the kid could handle himself," Ollie defended.

"Did you not listen to the 'everything wrong with him' portion of the video," Artemis asked her mentor.

As soon as he started narrating, Wally could feel his pain returning. 

"I trust Palmer, which means I trust his judgement," Diana declared. "If he thinks that he can trust the kid, I do too."

"If he doesn't want to become a superhero, Ted shouldn't force the kid into being one," Clark said.

"But he does become one," Wally protested. "We saw it when we saw my death!" But then again, they wouldn't remember that.

"If Fate says something is bad, that means it is," Artemis said. "He needs to stop."

"Yes, but I doubt he will," Dinah admitted.

"So you're willing to show yourself to him but not me," Wally growled out. "I was even your host, you piece of crap."

Wally's pain was returning. It was nearly back to what it was at its worst point.

"All these people, they're either heroes, or supposed to be one," Barry said. "And they're not. Because of me."

"Stop doing this to yourself. Or I'll make you take therapy sessions," Dinah warned him.

"What the hell happened to her? Who killed that woman," Zatara blurted out?

Zatara opened his mouth to speak but frowned. "I- I don't know."

"Great, just great," Wally said. "My friends, uncle, and girlfriend don't know me and now the only guy who somewhat knows what's going on, doesn't."

They all turned to look at him. He looked at the floor. "Let's just start the next part of the show."

"Wally," M'Gann began. "Could I read your mind and see what you believe happened?"

Wally shook his head. "It won't work. The only way you guys are going to get your memories back is to watch the event. Let's just finish this." He sounded tired more than anything. His appearance was disheveled. His voice sounded hoarse due to yelling out in pain. He was coated in sweat. Not only that, he was shaking slightly.

"Are you okay," Clark asked him.

Wally still wasn't looking at anyone. "No, I'm not."

He disappeared as the next portion began.

Chapter Text

"Are you okay," Clark asked him.

Wally still wasn't looking at anyone. "No, I'm not."

He disappeared as the next portion began.

Wally had enough common sense to sit down so he didn't fall over, but the pain was still hell. He was barely even paying attention, the pain was too great to do much of anything.

"I have no brother," Diana said. "Unless it is a situation like with Wally."

"It isn't. In your universe, you're an only child," Zatara answered.

"Is Clark actually dead," Diana asked.

"In a way," Zatara answered. "The Superman of this universe and the original Superman are actually one being but split into two. This Superman died but the original took his place. He comes back and the two merge back together."

Dinah and Ollie glanced at each other. They reached over and started holding hands.

"You two not being together is just weird," Artemis commented.

"I'm pretty sure we all think that," Dick said.

"Is that my son?" Clark's voice was faint. Truth was he never thought him and Lois would be able to have a child.

"Jon Kent," Zatara confirmed.

M'gann reached over and grabbed Connor's hand. Silently asking permission to mentally talk to him. He nodded.

'Are you going to be okay,' she spoke directly into his mind.

'I'm over it,' he replied. 'We're never even going to talk.'

"So that's how that Clark regains his mantle," Batman noted. "Good. The world needs Superman."

"Yes," Diana agreed. "A world without Superman is wrong."

"I'm flattered, but you guys are important as well. And Earth can get along without me," Clark replied.

"We are important," Bruce agreed. "But you are the most important hero ever."

Arthur smiled. It seems that he and Mara ended up together in this universe as well as his own.

Kaldur glanced at his king. He too, was glad that they got together in that universe as well.

"So what's Wally's plan now," Barbra asked.

"My guess, he's going to try and find his wife," Dick replied.

'So that's who other me fell for,' Wally thought. 'She's beautiful. But she's no Artemis.'

"Looks like he also got a reporter." Artemis rolled her eyes. "What's with superheros and getting with reporters?"

"Why are you asking? Are you jealous," Dick teased.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Be glad I don't have my bow and an arrow."

Wally started shaking as the pain got worse again.

"I wonder if she'll remember him," Clark commented.

"I hope she does," Barry said. "He doesn't deserve what he's going through. Nobody does."

"She doesn't remember him."

"How do you know," Ollie asked.

Dinah didn't respond.

"Damn it," Barry said. "I was hoping that would work. He shouldn't have to go through this."

"You believe him," Hal said.

"Yes. I believe he's telling the truth. I believe he was my partner. I believe he is my nephew. The problem is I still can't remember anything about him."

Barry was starting to vibrate in agitation. Surely someone would be able to remember him. 'What if Wally went to him? What if he didn't recognize Wally? After all, why would that Barry be able to recognize him if I can't?'

"You're going to ruin your chair if you don't stop," Hal warned him.

Barry didn't stop vibrating.

Wally screamed in pain as he fell from his chair. Barry ran to grab him but his hands phased through Wally.

He got up again when the pain stopped, and looked extremely embarrassed. "Sorry."

"Wally, you don't have to be embarrassed," Barry reassured him. "None of us can even imagine what you're going through."

"Barry's right. None of us think any less of you," Clark added.

Chapter Text

Wally screamed in pain as he fell from his chair. Barry ran to grab him but his hands phased through Wally.

He got up again when the pain stopped, and looked extremely embarrassed. "Sorry."

"Wally, you don't have to be embarrassed," Barry reassured him. "None of us can even imagine what you're going through."

"Barry's right. None of us think any less of you," Clark added.

"That's great and I'm glad you guys believe me, but it's not the same," Wally told them. "Until you guys remember me, it won't feel right."

He disappeared again.

Wally didn't hurt anymore. He didn't know why, and he didn't care either. Nobody remembered he existed. Why should he care?

"All these people know him and not one of them can remember him," Barry muttered bitterly to himself.

"He'll be fine," Hal said. "He has yet to find you. You'll remember him."

Wally could feel it. His body getting pulled apart. Becoming one with the Speed Force. And he had no way to stop it.

"Even I can't remember him," Dick muttered.

"There's only one person who can remember him," Hal said. "And Wally hasn't visited him yet."

"When did you become so optimistic," Ollie asked.

"Barry's not being an optimist so I have to fill in for him."

So he ends up becoming Kid Flash, Wally thought. Good as long as someone does.

"Come on," M'gann silently pleaded.

"He'll make it," Dick said. "It's what speedsters do."

"He's accepting his fate," Dinah realized. "He doesn't care if he dies."

"He won't die, though," Barry said. "He'll become a part of the Speed Force. He'll lose his memories, his physical self, everything. He'll exist only as a shell."

"You got this Barry. You can save him," Clark said.

"I hope so," Barry replied.

"I know you will," Clark told him.

Barry looked over at where Wally was sitting. "I can see you, kid. And I'll remember you," Barry promised.

"I know you will, Barry," Wally replied.

Wally screamed out as the pain returned.

"Wally!" Barry rushed over to help him, but like Bruce his hands phased through him. He could see Wally disappearing as he ceased to exist. Despite everything, he seemed to be smiling.

And Wally began to disappear. Not like before where he was simply gone. He was actually fading from existence.

"No," Barry said. He felt hollow. Empty.

"Barry, is he..."

"He's disappearing. I can't stop it."

At the same time as his own screen counterpart, Barry remembered. And he grabbed his hand. "Wally! I remember!"

Barry held on tight, and began pulling. He refused to let his nephew die. "I got you, Wally."

The moment he grabbed Wally's arm, they could see it. And they watched him pull him.

"Barry?"

"I got you Wally. I got you."

And slowly but surely, everyone began to get their memories back.

Barry and Wally looked at each other.

"Thank you, Barry."

"Wally. You don't have to thank me."

"I know, but still..."

If anything, I should be apologizing to you. I never should have forgotten you.

"Barry, shut up."

And at the same time as their on screen counterparts:

They hugged. After they pulled away, the others were smiling.

"Do you guys remember," Wally asked.

"Yes, we do," Artemis answered as he walked up to him. The two kissed. When they pulled away, they were smiling. "I love you."

"I love you too," he replied.

"My turn," Dick said as he walked up to him. "But I'm not kissing you." The two hugged.

The two hugged long enough for M'gann to join the hug. He also felt the wall that was Conner join in. Soon, the original members of the team were in one group hug.

They eventually pulled away but had matching smiles.

"Is that everyone who wants a hug," Wally joked. No one responded so he sat down again between Artemis and Dick.

Wally reached over and squeezed Artemis' hand lightly as a frown formed on his face again. "Wait. Does that mean that you guys don't remember everything?"

"It's a possibility," Bruce admitted. "But the only way to know is for you to recount everything and see what we remember."

"There is no need for that. The deal I made with the Speed Force has been completed. Everyone remembers everything perfectly. We shall finish this event and then move on."

'Good,' Wally thought. 'I doubt I could go through that again.'

"They better find out who it was and they better make them pay," Barry said.

"They will," Wally said. "But in the meantime, they have some catching up to do."

"The person who did this will be powerful. Far beyond anything we're capable of," Diana said. "The entire Justice League, other teams and every hero will have to team up to even stand a chance at winning. We might even have to team up with villains."

"They'll figure out who it is, and they will win," Clark said.

"No way could Thawne do this," Barry said. "I hate his guts and he hates mine, but he isn't capable of something on this level."

"And he doesn't care about alternating the universe, anyway. He only wants to torture you," Wally replied.

"It's multiple people," Artemis commented. "Which means it's either multiple people who can do this or they all have to combine powers."

Dinah frowned at the revelation. "Either way, their job is going to hell for a while."

"And we'll find out who and stop them," Clark said.

"They have been altering the universe for the past ten years according to Wally," Bruce replied. "It will be near impossible. But we will."

"Besides, when have we ever cared about the odds," Hal asked, somewhat arrogantly.

Chapter Text

"And we'll find out who and stop them," Clark said.

"They have been altering the universe for the past ten years according to Wally," Bruce replied. "It will be near impossible. But we will."

"Besides, when have we ever cared about the odds," Hal asked, somewhat arrogantly.

They all stared curiously at the screen. Briefly wondering if they were going to glimpse whoever was controlling everything..

M'gann gasped. "What do they want with Mars?"

"I don't know," J'onn replied. "Hopefully we'll find out."

"My watch," Wally gasped. "Why is it broke?" 

"Someone is repairing it," Bruce noted.

"Could it be a Martian," M'gann asked, though she didn't sound so sure herself.

Dick shook his head. "It's possible but what Martian would know how to fix a human watch?"

Wally glanced at his left wrist where he normally wore the watch. He wasn't wearing it when they were taken so he didn't have it now. But he did have a slight tan line where he normally wore it.

Diana frowned. "Adrian. So we now have a name to look into."

"We do. But they don't," Bruce pointed out.

"It doesn't matter," Zatara interrupted. "Everything got taken care of."

Chapter Text

Diana frowned. "Adrian. So we now have a name to look into."

"We do. But they don't," Bruce pointed out.

"It doesn't matter," Zatara interrupted. "Everything got taken care of."

"Hey, Wally, do you need a moment," Artemis asked.

"No," Wally said. "I'm fine."

Artemis clearly didn't believe him but dropped the subject.

"This next one is about Clark," Zatara announced. "Specificity when he accidentally impersonated Bruce Wayne."

"What," Clark asked. Sure he and Bruce have similar a build and looked similar, but he just couldn't see himself getting confused for Bruce.

"Fate wanted a more lighthearted one after what we just watched." Everyone-not-so-subtlety glanced at Wally. "So he chose this, although there is... something else at the end. I'm not sure how to describe it, so I'll just show it."

Everyone started worrying about the man. They knew Clark was with him, but they still couldn't stop it.

"Relax, he survives," Zatara told them. "He is with Clark, after all."

"Yeah, but this looks like before I became Superman," Clark replied.

"It is but you already have your powers," Zatara confirmed.

"Who's that," Clark asked. "I never told anyone about my powers before I left Smallville. The only people who knew besides me were Ma and Pa."

"That is Pete Ross, he's a friend you have in this universe, but he doesn't exist in ours,"  Zatara answered.

"Real subtle," Ollie joked. Then making his voice sound like Clark's: "I didn't know I could drown."

"I didn't," Clark said. Despite this, he did have a smile.

"Oh great, I'm already being mistaken for Bruce. And on his birthday," Clark groaned while a few people laughed.

"What's wrong with his birthday specifically," M'gann asked.

"You'll see," Diana said, with a slight giggle.

"You need to be careful," Bruce said. "This looks like before I came back from training around the world so I have no idea who all is there."

"I am, but this is also my younger years and before I became a hero," Ollie said.

"I'll be fine," Clark told them.

Clark pinched the bridge of his nose. "I better not."

Bruce smirked. "We all know you do."

Clark just sighed deeply.

"You know, most people don't scream who they are for no reason," Bruce said.

Clark blushed in embarrassment. "Everyone there is too drunk or high or both to think clearly."

"But you aren't," Diana pointed out. "They won't remember, but you have no excuse to do it."

Clark shook his head at the teasing.

"Everyone there is an idiot," Artemis said.

"Yeah, rich people usually are," Wally pointed out.

"Um, there are rich people in the room with us," Conner pointed out.

"No, no. He's right," Ollie said while Bruce grunted in agreement.

"So does Lois know about her," Ollie joked.

"Well this never happened in our Universe, so no," Clark answered.

"Are you sure I shouldn't tell Lois," Ollie jokingly asked.

"Ollie, stop," Dinah warned him.

"Fine, I'll stop."

Clark blushed profusely. This wasn't something he wanted everyone to see. And it honestly made him slightly uncomfortable.

'So this is what Wally and Artemis felt like earlier,' Clark thought.

No one said anything. They all wanted to get past this scene as fast as possible.

'Now I really know how Wally and Artemis felt.

"Is he drunk," Conner asked.

"No. He's just being an idiot," Hal answered with a slight smirk. "He's like our resident Speedsters. He can't get drunk because of his fast metabolism."

"Okay, he might be drunk," Hal admitted. "Which is impressive. How much alcohol do you even have at your parties, Bruce?"

"Not enough to get Clark drunk," Bruce answered. "He's probably been drugged."

Several people froze. They all recognized that voice.

"Slade," Dick growled out.

"He was probably hired to kill Bruce Wayne but because Clark is impersonating me..." Bruce trailed off.

"He thinks I'm Bruce Wayne, just like everyone else," Clark finished.

Dick suddenly smiled. "He has no idea what's coming."

Chapter Text

Several people froze. They all recognized that voice.

"Slade," Dick growled out.

"He was probably hired to kill Bruce Wayne but because Clark is impersonating me..." Bruce trailed off.

"He thinks I'm Bruce Wayne, just like everyone else," Clark finished.

Dick suddenly smiled. "He has no idea what's coming."

"Could Clark take Deathstroke," Dick asked. "This is before he became Superman. And he's already drugged."

"What is Deathstroke going to do? He doesn't have Kryptonite," Clark said. "He's in for a really bad time."

"He's lucky the sword didn't break," Artemis said. Too many times she had lost an arrow or some other piece of equipment because she shot someone too durable.

"Yeah, but he still has to replace that sword either way," Wally smirked. "And anything that inconveniences him is okay in my book."

That got several cheers.

"Serves him right," Hal said with a smirk.

"I love when villains encounter someone they have no chance of handling. It is a great way of humiliating them," Barry agreed.

"And just entertaining," Ollie added.

"What a way to end the day," Hal said. "You humiliate Deathstroke and you get to sleep with the hot girl that clearly likes you."

Clark just shook his head. He couldn't picture himself with anyone but Lois. She was the only woman for him.

"She's not going to. She's too... free spirited," Hal told him.

"I know," Clark said. "Plus if she did stay with me, I might not end up with Lois and we know I do."

"And so ends the journey between Clark and Minerva," Ollie said, making his voice sound like a narrator's.

"And now Clark is on Bruce's radar," Diana said.

Bruce shrugged. "Nothing will probably come of it. Too many people pretend to be me at my parties for me to care."

"That is a sentence you say way too casually," Wally accused.

"Who was that," M'Gann asked, confused and slightly creeped out.

"Mxyzptlk," Clark answered. "He's one of my problems. A Fifth-Dimension god. He's obsessed with me."

"What was he talking about," M'gann asked. "He was talking to us but acting like we were fake. Or like we were real or..."

"It's best not to think about him too much," Clark advised.

"And why is that," A new voice asked.

They all watched as the figure that they had just seen on screen materialized right in front of them.

"Why are you here," Zatara asked. "Nabu will-"

"Please, Nabu is nothing compared to me."

"What do you want," Clark asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Nabu is toying with reality. It was bound to attract my attention sooner or later."

"Are you here to stop me?"

"Nabu, you're toying with reality," he replied in a singsong voice.

"That wasn't an answer."

"No. I find it far more interesting to let this play out."

"Then leave"

"I don't want to, but fine. I'll even help prevent others from finding out. But Nabu, you owe me one."

He was gone.

"What was that about," Conner asked.

"More and more beings are starting to realize what I'm doing. I must go for now. I leave you all to my Avatar. He knows what to do."

"I miss Kent Nelson," Wally muttered under his breath.

Artemis heard and glanced at him. "He's one of the few magic users that actually made sense."

"I suppose I should start the next event," Zatara announced. He was clearly worried by Nabu's sudden departure. "Next you will be reacting to a version of Batman. In a universe, created by Darkseid."

Chapter Text

Artemis heard and glanced at him. "He's one of the few magic users that actually made sense."

"I suppose I should start the next event," Zatara announced. He was clearly worried by Nabu's sudden departure. "Next you will be reacting to a version of Batman. In a universe, created by Darkseid."

"Who?"

"Perhaps the most evil being in the multiverse," Zatara said darkly. "In this universe, things are... different."

Bruce froze. Was that... his dad? It had to be. He hadn't heard his voice in years. But he knew it was him. It had to be.

Clark looked over at him. He had heard Bruce's elevated heart. "Are you-"

"I'm fine, Clark."

Bruce frowned at seeing Gotham. He knew the city better than anyone else and this looked nothing like Gotham. Not just geographically, but it somehow looked worse.

"In this universe, Wayne Enterprise doesn't exist, without your help..."

He didn't need to explain further. Without his money helping Gotham, it makes sense that  Gotham would be in even worse condition than before.

"That's Alfred," Diana asked. "He looks... young."

"Yeah, it's weird," Ollie replied. "It's like having a mean Superman or a Batman who doesn't brood."

Bruce was too deep in thought to reply. He thought about what Alfred mentioned. Sometimes I wonder if he'd invite me back if he knew the things I did in that conflict. Bruce knew full well about Alfred's past in the SAS and even his brief stint as a MI6 Agent before he became a butler. He wondered what exactly Alfred had done.

"Alfred has a daughter," Dick asked.

"Seems that way," Wally replied. "I'm more focused on his love for the Second Amendment."

Barbra waved his comment aside. "Our Alfred has more."

"Bruce allows that," Artemis asked.

"No. But according to Alfred, he'll never find them all."

"Did he really say that to Batman, you know, the World's Greatest Detective," Hal asked.

"Yes," Bruce growled out. And he was right. But he wasn't going to admit it.

"So Bruce has just started out. Or at least he hasn't built up his reputation enough for the government to take notice," Dinah noted.

"And with him and Alfred going after the same person, they will definitely run into each other and probably fight," M'gann added.

"So basically this will go as well as every single one of our stealth missions," Conner replied.

"Welcome to Gotham," Artemis said.

"It's like Chicago meets Detroit but worse," Dick joked.

"With a side of New York City," Barbra added.

"Nice form," Ollie complimented.

"I'd recommend he try managing his anger better, though," Dinah added.

"THAT'S BRUCE!? WHAT IS HE EATING," Dick yelled out.

"The souls of his victims," Wally replied.

"He's bigger than me," Clark commented.

"He's bigger than everyone," Hal responded.

Everyone's eyes widened at the gunshot. None of them were scared or even startled by the sound, they had all heard it countless times, more often than not, aimed at them.

What really scared them was all the kids there. All the civilians there and not a single person to help them.

Again, Bruce's heart began to beat at an unhealthy speed. So this was how it happened in this universe. This was how his dad died.

Dick reached over and grabbed his hand.

While Bruce didn't say anything, he was grateful for his son's support.

"Is that Killer Croc," Red Tornado asked.

"Seems that way," Barbra answered.

"And they're friends," Clark added. Clark couldn't help but think about him and Conner. Conner had made it clear that he had wanted to have some kind of relationship with him. Even if he was just a mentor. And Clark refused to even acknowledge him.

Even when the other League members tried getting him to, including Bruce himself. And yet a version of Bruce was friends with Killer Croc of all people, even if this is before he becomes evil. If Bruce could do that, he could try to mentor Conner. 

He was, after all, Superman. He was seen by many to be the best hero and a good man. And yet he failed Conner.

'So all of us lived and grew up together.' Bruce thought. 'Or a fair few of us.'

"So if those are all your villains, or at least the majority of them, then who are you going to fight," M'gann asked.

"Probably corrupt officials, other villains, everyday thugs and criminals," Conner answered her.

"Or he could go after Black Mask," Barbra said.

"It makes sense. Wasn't Black Mask the first villain you fought," J'onn asked.

"He was one of them. But the other two, Falcone and Marconi, were also among them. I went after mobs first. I wanted to take them out, stop the majority of crime. But then the villains came."

"I'll never understand why villains try to confront each other in that person's base," Artemis frowned.

They all hated it, but she was right. Those two were dead men the moment they stepped on that yacht.

Some people winced or looked away at the brutal murders. Most didn't. They had become used to seeing brutal scenes like this nearly daily. It was a sad, often overlooked part of the job. You grow numb to these types of things.

"If my dad is mayor, does that mean the police force is still corrupt? Or was he a cop and retired to be a mayor?"

"The way this universe is looking, he's probably just a mayor who was never a cop," Dick answered.

"Which will make Bruce's job harder, since he can't get help from the police. But he may still get it from Gordon," Diana added.

"I just hope he's willing to work with Bruce," Barbra replied. "It took him nearly a year to trust Bruce in our universe."

"So my dad was a cop," Barbra said. "But the people don't trust him anymore," she frowned.

"They'll come around," Dick assured her. He grabbed her hand. "I know they will."

"Alfred isn't able to help them," Wally noted. "Which means civilians could get killed."

"But he would kill the Party Animals," Barry told him.

"No," Barbra said weakly. An attack like this would ruin everything her dad was fighting for.

"It'll work out in the end," Zatanna assured her. "Remember, Batman is coming for them."

"DAD!"

"Relax, he survives," Zatara assured her.

Barbra wasn't reassured.

"His cape has hooks," Bruce noted. 'Could be a useful idea. Although his cape was definitely bigger to accommodate his bigger size.'

"It seems that you is obsessed with bats even more than you are," Dina joked.

"And what's with you and hanging from things like that," Clark asked. "I get the fear factor but there has to be other ways."

"Do you feel anything?" Clark's previous joking manner was replaced by concern for his friend.

"No. It feels exactly the same as when I get shot," Bruce answered. 

"I hate how casual we all can say they," Dick commented.

Chapter Text

"Do you feel anything?" Clark's previous joking manner was replaced by concern for his friend.

"No. It feels exactly the same as when I get shot," Bruce answered.

"I hate how casual we all can say they," Dick commented.

"At what point do you not try to fight the bulletproof wall of a man? I seriously want to know what they are thinking," Wally commented.

"It's their first instinct. They are terrified and their fight or flight response kicked in," Dinah explained.

"They chose the wrong one," Wally responded.

Bruce balled his fists. He was a lot more brutal in this universe. To an unnecessary degree.

"Does he kill in this universe," Dick asked. He hated the thought of it. A Batman who kills just didn't seem like Batman.

"No. While he is more... aggressive and brutal, he still doesn't kill," Zatara answered.

"He will if he isn't more careful,"Bruce growled.

"Those people are crazy," M'gann  "How can they see this and not run away?"

"Gotham just makes people like that," Artemis answered her.

Bruise, above all else, hated that he was using knives and blades in general. Sure, he could use them without killing someone, but there was always the risk. And, yes, Artemis, Oliver, and even Roy used arrows but it was usually trick arrows that weren't fatal and the times they did use regular arrows, it was rarely aimed at people. 

Bruce was starting to hate this version of himself more and more. He knew he wouldn't kill them, but he was still taking a chance. And using an ax was way too dangerous.

"Crap like this is why I hate Gotham. You guys will see something like that and still try to take him on," Wally said. "No offence."

"We're with you," Barbra, Dick and Artemis replied.

Bruce was starting to bend the arms of his chair in anger. This Batman had gone too far. He was now risking permanent dismembering. Sure it was to strike fear into the others but there were other ways.

"This Bruce is far more brutal than ours," Red Tornado analysed.

"Agreed. He is going to end up killing someone if he isn't careful," Clark replied.

"Is he crazy," Dick blurted out. "An explosion like that is almost definitely going to kill someone."

"I don't like this Batman," M'gann agreed. "He seems too far gone. And he's only starting."

Bruce really hated seeing himself hitting Alfred. Even if they were both from another universe, he just couldn't imagine himself hitting someone he saw as a father.

Dick, was also mad. No one hit his grandfather.

"So he found out Bruce's identity within a few days, huh," Dinah noted. "That's impressive."

"Yeah, it took months before Dick told us his identity. Which I'm still mad at you for." She aimed the last part at Dick. She was still mad at him for all the pranks he had pulled on her as Dick Grayson when they went to school together.

Dick shrugged. "I would've told you guys sooner but Bruce forbade it."

Bruce froze again. So even in this universe, he had caused his father's death.

Everyone looked at him. Some looked sympathetic, others, sadly, some of them just had a blank face.

Batman glared at each of them and turned back to the screen.

Once again, everyone glanced at Bruce but no one said anything.

Bruce had a perfect poker face. Except to those that really knew him. They could see how his bottom lip trembled slightly. They could see how his eyes were slightly wetter than usual. They saw how he was barely holding it together.

Bruce didn't like that he fell off and became a criminal, but he was glad he found his way back.

Clark smiled slightly, he learned long ago that if it were possible, Bruce would do it. And apparently, that was true across the multiverse.

Diana was proud of Bruce. She wouldn't say it; now wasn't the time; but she was. Him and Clark were one of the men she truly trusted. And it seemed that he was a good man, across the multiverse.

Dick actually smiled. It was a small smile, but it was there. For years, he heard Bruce's one sacred rule. "Don't kill. Ever." Bruce had several reasons, one was that it wasn't their job. Another was that that wouldn't be able to stop. But Dick's personal favorite was that they could be redeemed.

He wasn't an idiot, he knew some like the Joker, Hugo Strange, Ra's and others weren't ever going to turn away from crime, but the small time thugs could. Not all, but many did. And so did this Bruce.

Regardless of how well they knew Bruce, they all knew one thing, he was a hero. In every universe.

"He's going to target Bruce Wayne instead of Batman," Barbra realized.

"I'm starting to hate this Alfred more and more," M'Gann said.

"Mom," Bruce whispered. It was so quiet that only those with super hearing heard him And even they only barely heard it. 

"So his daughter hates him," Artemis realized. Artemis could definitely sympathize with that. She also wanted to know Julia's side of the story. So far she was biased towards her side. After all, daughter of an assassin, who probably had a terrible childhood? Check. Hates her dad? Check. Never want to see him again? Check.

Yeah, Artemis was definitely biased towards the daughter.

Conner rolled his eyes. "Yeah, this'll go well."

"I never understood why villains go after our civilian side. We still have our training and powers," M'Gann agreed.

"It always confused me, too," Kaldur admitted.

"If he killed him," Bruce growled out.

"He didn't," Zatara assured. "Like I said, even in this universe, Batman doesn't kill."

"You stole his favorite gun and ruined it, you also stole his bike, and then you admit to knowing he was there from the beginning. Badass," Wally commented.

"That is pretty epic," Barry agreed. "But don't cuss."

Wally just stared at him blankly.

"Glad to see you're coming around," Dick joked. "Please rate us five stars on Yelp."

"And of course, please tell us which of the times you got robbed was your favorite," Barbra added.

'The Joker is training under my old teacher's,' Bruce thought. 'That's not good. I need to know who all he's trained under.'

"A Joker who doesn't laugh, that's..." Dick trailed off.

"It's weird. But this is an alternate universe," Wally finished.

Chapter Text

'The Joker is training under my old teacher's,' Bruce thought. 'That's not good. I need to know who all he's trained under.'

"A Joker who doesn't laugh, that's..." Dick trailed off.

"It's weird. But this is an alternate universe," Wally finished.

Bruce didn't know how to feel. His mom was still alive, even if his dad was dead. He was... something. He didn't know what. Confused, maybe? He wouldn't show it, though. Dick looked like he was going to ask, but Clark spoke first.

"Conner, can we talk?"

The atmosphere became even more uncomfortable. Everyone knew of Clark's reluctance to even acknowledge Conner's existence.

"Why?"

"I just- Please."

Conner looked reluctant and was probably going to say no, not that Clark would have blamed him, but M'gann placed her hand on his forearm.

'Just give him a chance, please.' She had spoken telepathically to him.

He still didn't want to, but he agreed. "Fine."

The two of them walked over to the door to the separate room. Clark grabbed the door and held it open for Conner. 

"Thanks."

They both entered the room and Clark closed the door behind him.

"What do you want?"

"I'm sorry," Clark blurted out. He wanted Conner to know that. He truly felt bad for how he had treated him. "I know that doesn't make up for ignoring you like I did."

Clark waited for Conner to say something. When he didn't, Clark continued.

"My whole life, I've been scared, terrified even, of hurting people, of not holding back enough. And when I saw you, a clone of me created by Cadmus and  Lex Luther, that scared me even more."

"You didn't even give me a chance."

"No, I didn't. And you deserved better, you still do."

"Get to the point, what do you want?"

"If you want, I'll train you. I'll teach you not just about your powers but also about your heritage, or, at least what I know. I can even take you to the Fortress of Solitude if you want."

"I'll think about it."

"Thank you."

Clark knew that there was a possibility that Conner would say no. That he would reject his apology and refuse to even acknowledge him, just as he had done to Conner. He would deserve it. But he also knew that meant he had a chance. And Clark always was an optimist.

The two of them returned to the main room, where everyone was staring, clearly wanting to know what they talked about, but neither said anything.

"Next, we shall be watching Superman take on The Elite."

"Who are the Elite," Clark asked

"A group of anti-heroes, known for their extreme views and brutal ways."

Clark groaned. He didn't hate anti-heroes but he definitely didn't like them.

Two men appeared on screen. One had on a trench coat and a Union Jack shirt with pink hair and piercings. The other was much larger and had on a grey prison uniform and broken chains hanging from his wrists.

"So these two are the ones I'll be fighting," Clark commented.

"It won't be much of a fight, but yes," Zatara agreed.

Jones: What the hell are you doing? Pam is still up there! We can't just-

Manchester: He won't do anything here. Not with the sheep around us.

Clark narrowed his eyes. He hated when villains put civilians in the way.

"That's a terrible idea," Hal said.

"They messed up by putting civilians in harm," J'onn agreed.

The two get back to back and look around still cautious and afraid.

Lois is shown running towards a massive object in the sky.

Clark's face softened. He knew Lois could protect herself and that she had been in much worse situations before, but that would never stop him from worrying. Just as she did the same for him.

Manchester: Get ready to port again. The second he shows his ass, I'm gonna flatten this whole city.

Hal rolled his eyes. "Why are bad guys always like this? I'm gonna destroy the city. I'm going to kill the hero."

"You'd think they'd learn, but they never do," Barry agreed.

"Like you can complain, all your Rogues do is rob banks. They don't even kill," Hal said arrogantly.

"Do not confuse the Rogues' morals with them not being a threat," Barry said darkly. "They have killed in the past in extremely rare circumstances, but they have..."

"And they aren't our only villains," Wally butted in. "Ignoring the guys we fight with the Justice League or the Young Justice team, we also have Gorilla Grodd. And don't even get me started on the other Speedsters."

Hal shuddered. Yeah, they had a point, especially about speedsters, but he wasn't going to tell them that.

Jones: Chester, wait! Urgh!

Suddenly, Jones disappeared as a gust of wind passed by.

Those that could react fast enough, saw the truth.

"Jeez, he's just gone," M'Gann commented.

 Superboy frowned. "No he's not. Something took him."

Zatanna shook her head. "Nothing took him..."

"I saw it too," Diana admitted.

"Everyone who saw it, raise your hand," Bruce commanded.

The speedsters, Kryptonians, Diana, and a few others raised their hands.

"Everyone who can react fast enough to see things normal humans can't," Bruce noted. "So something did come take him but it was too fast for us to see."

Manchester: Holy shi-

He was cut off by a sudden debris that sent debrief flying at him and the civilians. However he was able to put up a force field to protect himself. The civilians weren't so lucky. Debris flew everywhere and hit them.

"No," Artemis said. "He's killing the civilians!

"Relax, no one was harmed or killed by any of this," Zatara promised.

Manchester: Where did he go? Where did he freaking go?

Superman: Orbit. He went into orbit at mach 7.

Clark clenched his jaw. He didn't have a no kill rule like Bruce, but he still hated it. Killing was a last resort only. Always.

"You didn't kill him. In fact, no one dies in this event," Zatara assured him.

A streak of red flew straight down and slammed into the ground causing the city to shake and sent even more dust everywhere.

There were several gasps at Superman's landing.

"What did this guy do to make Superman mad," Zatanna asked. She wasn't going to pretend she wasn't terrified by this. He was always calm and hopeful. A man who would rather talk than fight. Looking around, it seemed everyone was the exact same way.

We see Superman land and stand up. His suit is ripped heavily and he's even bleeding.

Clark winced as he felt where the cuts should be. It was a minor pain at best though.

"Are you alright," Diana asked.

"I would be a terrible hero if I can't take a few cuts."

"You're also not used to being cut," Bruce pointed out.

"No, but I am fine. I promise."

Superman: If you had super hearing... any second, you'd hear the pop. He opened his eyes to reveal that his left one was bloodshot.

Barbra jumped. "Jesus Christ." No one blamed her. They were all terrified.

Everyone stood still. Frozen by fear. Except for one woman. Lois Lane continued running, trying to reach Superman. Shoving past a few people.

Lois: Oh, no.

"She needs to get out of there," Clark said. He knew no version of Superman would ever kill Lois, but he was still worried.

"Everyone here knows, she's not going anywhere. Especially when you need to be reeled in. Or at least, she thinks you need to be."

Manchester: You crazy son of a bitch! YOU KILLED MY TEAM!.

He yelled the last part out, sending a sonic blast towards the Man of Steel.

Superman: Your team of killers? He dodged the blast, getting closer.

"I would say run, but that would be useless," Dick said.

"No outcome seems ideal. However I would advise his surrender," Red Tornado added.

Ollie shook his head. "Not from his point of view. To him, Superman killed his team and is actively trying to kill him. He's not just fighting for revenge but he's also fighting for his life."

Manchester sent another blast, then another. Each time, Superman dodged and got closer until he was right up on Manchester.

Superman: Now guess what. They won't be killing anyone else.

Everyone felt shivers go down their spines. Even if he was faking it, the sadism in Superman's voice was wrong.

He brought back his first to punch Manchester but Manchester put up a force field.

Superman: SEE! I'VE FINALLY BOUGHT WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SELLING! 

He was constantly punching the force field, causing it to crack and eventually shatter.

Clark stared at the screen. He always knew that he was one of the most dangerous men alive. That's why he held back. Even now, he could tell that his variant was as well, just not as much. He couldn't help but mutter "World of Cardboard to himself."

"What," Conner muttered. It was just as quiet, so that only Clark could hear.

"Nothing. I'll explain later."

Manchester was sent back several meters.

Manchester used his powers to pick up debris and slam it into Superman, encasing him in it.

"Did you feel anything," Dick asked. He was asking more to be nice than actual concern. He knew that wouldn't even hinder Superman, much less hurt her.

"Not a thing,"

Superman easily broke free causing more debris to fly into buildings and civilians.

Manchester  took several steps back, clearly terrified. 

Lois had a determined look on her face before being crushed by a car.

"NO!" Clark knew it was both an alternate universe and fake, that she was okay, but he still hated seeing the woman he loved appear to get killed.

Manchester: YOU BLOODY PSYCHOPATH! He sent even more debris towards Superman, who tanked the blow.

Superman: How does it feel, Black? He took a step forward.

Superman: How does it feel to be deconstructed? TO BE THE VICTIM? TO WATCH YOUR DREAM DIE?

"Again, nothing," Clark commented.

"You're a good actor," Barry commented. "And a scary one."

Manchester: LET ME SHOW YA, YOU SELF RIGHTEOUS HYPOCRITE!

He sent a blast the size of a building at Superman. This time, it sent Superman back several meters. 

"Nothing," Superman commented before anyone asked.

"We know. It'll take a lot more than that to take you down," Wally said.

Superman struggles back to his feet and activates his heat vision.

Manchester: Heat vision? You can barely stand, let alone fry my face.

"You know, I'm kinda impressed by how much he overestimates himself if he honestly thinks he can hurt Superman," Wally said.

"Which says a lot coming from you," Artemis teased.

"Hey!"

Superman: I'm not aiming for your face.

Sure enough, he scans Manchester's brain and found what he was looking for.

Manchester screams in pain, grabbing his head as he falls to his knees.

"You can do that," Arthur asked.

"I've never thought about it, but apparently, yeah."

Manchester: You're not dying! I'm thinking it, but why can't I feel my powers?

Superman: I scanned your brain for abnormalities. And when I found one... He tapped his temple. I cut it out.

Manchester: What?

Superman: Heat vision. Focused through your pupils like a scalpel. Instant lobotomy.

Manchester lunged forward but Superman hit him with a backhand.

He continued hitting Manchester several times before Manchester fell to his knees.

Everyone winced at seeing how casually Superman was beating Manchester. Playing with him.

Manchester: This isn't you. You don't do this. He was crying now.

Superman: I do now.

A civilian ran forward. No! It doesn't have to be that way, Superman. You taught us that.

"I like him," Clark commented.

"He saw something that he thought was wrong and spoke up," Kaldur admired.

"Something we can all admire," Dick agreed. "Because we all do the same. It's a part of the job."

"But he's a civilian," Wally. "It's the right thing no matter what. But we all know we'd do the same. He's stepping to the most powerful hero ever and declaring he's wrong."

Manchester: No. He taught you that he's no better than the rest of us. You all saw. Everyone on Earth saw what you did to us. And they know you're no better. There's nothing special about you.

The civilians look terrified.

Clark looked sad. He had seen civilians scared countless times. But it was never directed at him. It was always the idiot who thought they could beat him and destroy his city. He hated it.

Both Bruce and Diana gave him a reassuring look.

Superman: Yes, they did see. They saw the ugliness of violence as a solution and it frightened them. It frightened me too when I decided to cross that line and do what you do.

Superman: It's so easy. Anger, vengeance. He went to punch Manchester but stop right before hitting him causing Manchester to whimper pathetically.

"But that's not us. It's not our job," Diana said.

"And I bet he's glad this was all a show, otherwise, we'd have a very different outcome," Dinah agreed.

Superman Luckily, I'm not you. And I never will be. He let Manchester fall to the ground and crawl away.

He got back to his feet. Manchester: You killed my team! Look at this place!

Superman: Chester. I thought you were supposed to be the sharp one. Boys. Suddenly several robots flew down, each was holding at least one person. The civilians who were supposedly crushed were revealed to have also been protected by the robots. Even Lois.

Clark felt himself breathing easier at seeing Lois safe. He knew she was, but seeing her unharmed was different. More comforting.

Lois: Hell of a performance. 

Superman: To be fair, I had some help. Your sister, to start. Her files were very thorough. Especially regarding the idiosyncrasies of your brain.

Superman: But I knew they wouldn't be enough. You're right about me.I would never put civilians in harm's way.

"Which should always be your top priority," Batman told the younger heroes. "You can defend yourself, they can't."

Dick rolled his eyes. "We know."

It showed the robots saving Manchester's team and the civilians.

Superman: I Won't kill. But you would. So I made sure I had backup As for your people... they're fine. Nursing headaches I don't even wanna think about. But very much alive as they're stripped of their powers... and prepped for transport to a supermax prison.

"You always were a softie," Hal teased.

"Proudly," Clark replied.

Superman: That's why I had to let you knock me around for so long.

Superman: I didn't have a nifty teleporter. He looked up at a giant spaceship in the sky.

The original team shivered. That ship reminded them of the ship from the simulation. They each shared a look. A rare look of vulnerability and fear on each of them.

Their mentors looked ashamed but didn't say anything.

Manchester: Bunny, you rotten clot, get me out of...

Superman: But I do now. The bots were working on the spaceship. You'd be surprised how fast Bunny agreed to help me ...when one of the super-bots promised to return her to her home dimension.

"Bunny is their living ship," Zatara answered before anyone asked.

No one responded.

Manchester: You...? You think that's it? It's not over, you poncy twit. If you think I'll just go to jail and rot, you're living in a dream world!

Superman: Good. Dreams save us. Dreams lift us up and transform us into something better. And on my soul, I swear that until my dream... of a world where dignity, honor and justice are the reality we all share... I'll never stop fighting. Ever.

The previous atmosphere melted away at Superman's words.

"That may be the most Superman thing I've ever heard," Barry said with a smile.

"And it's absolutely right," Diana agreed.

Clark just smiled. He didn't think he'd end up liking this version of himself. Turns out, he did.

The crowds start cheering as the robots take Manchester away.

Superman flew over to Lois. The two stared at each other before Jimmy ruined the moment by taking pictures of them.

"He just had to ruin the moment," Ollie rolled his eyes.

"Don't act like you haven't had your fair share of times you ruined a moment," Dinah told him.

"Like those times you would call me when Wally and I were on a date right as we were about to kiss," Artemis accused.

Ollie wisely chose not to respond.

Lois: Olsen, get the crowd reactions. Perry loves crowds. Jimmy ran off.

Lois: You ever scare me like that again, I'll kill you.

Clark: If I ever scare me like that again, it's a deal.

"How did I get lucky enough for Lois to fall for me," Clark asked, somewhat dreamily.

"By being a good person," Bruce told him.

Lois: Can we go so I can kiss you now?

The two flew off while sharing a kiss.

"Looks like they got their moment after all," Diana said.

"Yeah, we did," Clark said. He had a massive smile. One that was even bigger than before.

Chapter Text

"Looks like they got their moment after all," Diana said.

"Yeah, we did," Clark said. He had a massive smile. One that was even bigger than before.

"Do you all remember the fight between Wally and Sonic," Zatara asked.

"Yeah," Wally responded.

"Well this is another simulation from them. This time about Nightwing vs Daredevil."

"Great, another person for me to potentially kill," Dick commented quietly.

"Who is this Daredevil," Diana asked.

"He is a hero from another multiverse," Zatara said. "I don't really know much since I'm just the messenger. What I can say is that he is a blind man who uses his other senses to save people."

Wiz: In a world where superhumans can fly through the sky or lift buildings over their head, it takes a lot more than a pair of tights for a mere mortal to stand out from the crowd.

Boomstick: But these guys have it covered.

Wiz: Nightwing, the original protégé of Batman.

"Damn right," Dick joked.

"And extraordinarily humble," Barbra rolled her eyes.

Boomstick: And Daredevil, Marvel's Man Without Fear.

"He stole my title," Hal exclaimed childishly.

"What," Clark asked.

"I'm the man without fear, it's my whole thing," Hal protested. He walked over to Dick and grabbed him tightly by the shoulder. "Kick. His. Ass."

"Sit down, Hal," Bruce growled.

Boomstick: He's Wiz and I'm Boomstick.

Wiz: And it's our job to analyze their weapons, armor, and skills to find out who would win... a Death Battle.

Wiz: In modern times, the... questionable whimsies of the circus are all but dead.

Dick winced. He hated it, but it was true. The circus was dead.

Boomstick: And good riddance, because the world doesn't need any more clowns.

Wiz: Yet, in its heyday, few performances could top the trapeze mastery of the Flying Graysons.

Dick smiled sadly at seeing his parents and his circus.

"Do you need a moment," Barbra asked.

"No. I'm good."

Boomstick: Well, until a mobster cut their cord on life short.

Gasps from an off-screen audience are heard, followed by the sounds of ambulance sirens.

Boomstick: Literally.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine," Dick snapped. "Sorry."

"It's fine. I know you didn't mean it."

Dick could tell she genuinely wasn't mad at him, but that didn't make him feel better.

Wiz: But they had a son; young, yet just as talented as them. Orphaned and alone, all seemed hopeless for Dick Grayson.

Boomstick: Until he scored the coolest foster dad in the friggin' universe: The goddamn Batman.

'Yeah, he was a great dad.' 

Wiz: And under the Caped Crusader, Dick wasn't just a son; he was a sidekick, a superhero. He was...Robin. Until he wasn't.

Robin punches Batman in the jaw, causing the Dark Knight to fall to the ground.

Smokey: You got knocked the f*** out, man!

That got a few laughs and even helped ease the tension.

Boomstick: Robin spent many, many years kicking bad guys around the back alleys of Gotham City with his new dad. Who could forget the time he crushed Blockbuster  under a truck, or when he whipped out that shark repellent? Never leave home without it, kids.

"What? Why do you even need that," Arthur asked.

"Because I clearly needed it," Bruce responded.

Wiz: But then Batman suddenly realized, "You know what? Bringing kids into battle is actually a bad idea!", so he fired him. And then promptly forgot this little revelation.

Popup: As Robin, Dick received similar training that Bruce did to become Batman. This includes studying every martial art known to man.

Boomstick: Holy time to update the resumé, Batman! Probably for the best, though. I mean, come on, the kid didn't even have a proper pair of pants! What's your problem, Bruce?

Wally, Barbra and several others burst out laughing at seeing Robin's original suit.

"That was your original suit? I'm with that guy, why don't you have any pants," Artemis asked.

Dick for his part, blushed from embarrassment and refused to look anywhere but straight ahead at the screen.

We see scenes from the  2018 Titans show trailer.

Nightwing: Fuck Batman.

Boomstick: Whoa-ho! The mouth on this one.

Wiz: Actually, it WAS for the best, though not in the way Batman hoped. Inspired by a story of an ancient Kryptonian superhero, Dick took to the streets by himself with a brand new uniform and a brand new name. From then on, he would be known as... Nightwing.

Clark, for his part, still felt honored that Dick chose the name of a Kryptonian hero, that Clark wasn't even sure actually existed for his name. All because he told him that story when Robin was first starting out. Well, that and to spite Bruce.

Nightwing dodges a motorcycle thrown at him before attacking Blockbuster multiple times.

"Impressive," Dinah complimented. 'This version of him might be able to even beat me. Good.'

"Thank you," Dick said.

Boomstick: Gotta hand it to Bats; he sure knows how to mold a kid into a criminal-crushing machine. With expertise in Taekwondo, ninjutsu, aikido, and a bunch of other styles, Nightwing is one of the finest martial artists in comic book history.

Wiz: No doubt helped by his world-class acrobatic skills.

Wiz: He is one of only three people on Earth who are capable of performing a quadruple flip.

Dick stood up, walked to the center of the room and in front of everyone, did said quadruple flip.

Several people clapped as he walked back to his feet.

"Show off," Wally said. He was doing a slow, dramatic clap.

Boomstick: And between the fancy schooling he got at Hudson U and being a founding member of the Teen Titans, he's got brains and brawn, plus a whole lot of weapons.

Wiz: Nightwing's suit is lightweight, bulletproof, and makes virtually no sound when moving. The blue colors even turn black while in the dark. His mask features a holographic UI, complete with night vision and a spectral analyzer.

Popup: The mask can also deflect electromagnetic waves back to sender. He once reflected microwaves to give their originator a migraine.

"Mine does the same thing," Ollie said.

"I think all of our masks do," Barry added. "Except for those of us who don't wear a cowl or some mask."

Boomstick: He's rocking utility belts on his wrists and ankles full of lock picks, smoke pellets, and staples that are so strong, they can support the weight of a freaking helicopter!

Wiz: He also carries a rebreather, grapple gun, and wing dings.

Boomstick: That weird alien font with all the shapes? Oh, I'll figure out your secret one day, Wing Dings...

"He certainly is a... unique individual," M'gann commented.

"I think it's for the best that we ignore him as much as possible," Conner agreed.

Wiz: No no no, more like the Batarangs, or thrown shurikens. The standard Wing Dings are extremely sharp, but he also carries dulled, ultrasonic, and explosive variants.

Boomstick: But let's get to the good stuff, like his two screaming sticks...

Wiz: Escrima sticks.

Boomstick: ...that are great for beating the shit out of people, and they'll be pretty "shocked" when they find out Nightwing has wired them with 50,000-volt tasers.

Several people groaned at the bad pun.

"I thought it was pretty good," Barry commented.

"It was a 6/10," Wally said. "It was too low of a hanging fruit. Still not as bad as your 'back in a Flash' joke."

"I thought you liked that joke."

"Nobody likes that joke. When I'm the Flash, I will never make that joke."

Barry was simultaneously saddened that people hated his joke and happy that Wally said when I become the Flash.

Wiz: Despite their falling out, Nightwing clearly remains inspired by the gadgets and skills of his batty mentor, and he's put them to good use.

Boomstick: He's strong enough to punch people through solid walls and smash through a sheet of ice from underwater, and hold back the 19,000 pounds per square inch bite force of an orca!

"What was the context of this," Kaldur asked. "Why was Dick fighting an Orca?"

"Yes, I would like to know too," Arthur said.

"I only know relevant information about each event and Nabu didn't see it relevant so he didn't tell me, sorry."

Wiz: And while breaking a car window doesn't sound impressive, Nightwing's done so while the car was underwater, and therefore, pressurized. To pull this off, he needed to impact the glass with over 24,000 pounds per square inch.

Boomstick: He's quick enough to dodge point-blank gunfire, skilled enough to leap through the city while blindfolded, and tough enough to survive falling off a building!

Popup: Nightwing is stealthy enough to successfully sneak around Batman, Superman, and Batman with Superman's powers!

"How do you even do that," M'gann asked.

Dick smirked. "Years of training."

"I still hate that," Wally muttered. "Freaking ninja."

Wiz: Generally, any unsafe landing over 21 feet is guaranteed to break bone.

Boomstick: And Nightwing dropped 140 feet onto his butt, and he was fine! And we've all fallen on our tailbone. That shit sucks.

Wiz: At one point, Nightwing spent 96 hours patrolling city streets looking for the criminal mastermind Two Face, and an additional five or more hours collecting evidence. A 2010 study on sleep deprivation noted that 72 hours without sleep leads to a number of horrendous side effects, including hallucinations.

"Just because you can do that, doesn't mean you should," Dinah said.

"If it solves-"

"Solving the case is important but not at the expense of your mental health. That goes for everyone, I don't care who you are, everyone needs a proper sleep."

Everyone was smart enough to not respond.

Boomstick: But, when it was time to leap between blimps hundreds of feet in the air and give Two-Face the beat down he deserved, you couldn't even tell Nightwing was in desperate need of a nap. And don't forget, he was trained by the number one detective in the world. He's good enough to solve a kidnapping with a single look at the scene of a crime.

Wiz: Even more impressive, he once performed a skydive at 930 miles per hour, which took all of 15 minutes. That puts his starting position around 25 miles high, and free-falling faster than the speed of sound. For reference, real-life Austrian athlete Felix Baumgartner  performed a similar great leap from 24 miles up, hitting a maximum speed over 800 miles per hour. To pull this off, he needed a specialized suit to protect him from the extreme cold, unfiltered sunlight, and lack of oxygen. One mistake in movement could've put him into a rapid spin, rendering him unconscious and causing his blood to boil.

"You bats have too many self-destructive tendencies," Diana commented.

"I'm not like that," Barbra said. "I actually try to make them somewhat take care of themselves. Although Alfred is better at it."

Boomstick: And Nightwing just did it without any of that! Damn!

Wiz: He's certainly tough, but he's had his fair share of losses. His scarred body is proof of that.

They all winced at the scares. Most of them had their fair share of scars. It was an inevitability of being a superhero.

Boomstick: And eventually, him and Bats finally made up. He even took up the cowl himself when Batman was out for a while. Nightwing is one superhero who will always come out on top, along with his partners, Jim and Juan.

Wiz: What?

Boomstick: I mean, it's right here in the intern's notes. Who's Jim and Juan?

Wiz: Oh, that's uh... That's the names these ladies gave his butt cheeks.

"Umm, what?"

"No. we are not discussing this. We are moving on," Dick said.

Boomstick: Oh. Well, guess you can't argue with the ass on that Dick.

Starfire: Robin?

Nightwing: I haven't used that name in a long time. Call me... "Nightwing".

"Aw, is someone feeling a little edgy," Wally asked in a playful voice. One you'd use for a kid.

Dick walked over to Wally, leaned down, and whispered something in his ear.

"You said you'd never tell anyone about that!"

"That was because you knew about my suit, since everyone knows about it now, you can't hold that over me anymore."

Wiz: Before he became the Man Without Fear, Matthew Murdock was the son of a professional boxer named Battlin' Jack.

Hal growled out. "If he wins, I will come for him."

"Dude, you need to chill out," Ollie told him.

"How would you feel if some archer started taking up your gimmick and being the greatest archer of all time? Shut it, and Nightwing, kick his ass!"

Boomstick: Sounds like a badass. But Jack actually boxed because it was the only thing he was good at, and he needed money to get his kid through school so that little Matt would have a better life than he did.  (sniffles) Aw, what a good dad. He's punching people for his kid.

"That's actually a respectable thing to do," Clark commented.

"Doing something he hates just to support his son. Respect," Ollie agreed.

Wiz: Matt still trained in secret with his father's exercise equipment, molding himself into a powerful fighter and an expert acrobat. This new athletic ability would come in handy when he witnessed a blind man  walking right in front of a speeding truck.

Boomstick: Feeling especially heroic that day, Matt dove in to push the guy to safety, but the truck crashed, sending some weird acid stuff flying all over Matt's face.

"So he ran in front of a truck to save someone even as a kid," Wally said. "He was destined to become a hero."

"I really want to like him but we're about to have to fight to the death," Dick said.

"You can still like him. Just because he's your opponent in this simulation doesn't mean he is your enemy," Kaldur told him.

Wiz: From that day forward, Matt was permanently blind.

Matt: I-I can't see! I CAN'T SEE!

They all winced. The kid's cries hurt to listen to.

"I hate when civilians get hurt," Clark commented.

"We all do. It's rare. But it does happen," Barry replied.

Wiz: Still, Matt did not give up on the dream his father wanted. He earned his degree with flying colors and founded a law firm with his friend, Foggy Nelson. Things were actually looking up for him.

"Good for him," Wally said. "And now for the but."

"What do you mean," Artemis asked.

"His motivation. The reason he became a hero. Everyone has one."

Boomstick: Well, except for when his dad was killed by a mobster for ruining a rigged boxing match. Because you can't be a superhero unless you've lost your parents.

Wally winced. "And that's his."

Wiz: Matt was distraught. His world had come crashing down around him, and he couldn't even see it happen. But, he could hear it, smell it, feel it.

Boomstick: Yeah, 'cause turns out that radioactive goop didn't just blind Matt; it gave him superpowers! So, he dressed up like the devil himself and literally scared the mobster to death.

"Why the Devil," Barbra asked. "That's hardly a heroic figure."

"It is for the same reason as me. To scare criminals," Bruce answered.

Popup: In other continuities, it's implied that this "radioactive goop" is the mutagen that transforms four pet reptiles into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Wiz: And so, Daredevil was born.

Daredevil attacks a group of criminals framed inside an abandoned industry.

"I didn't see a single flaw in his form," Dinah admitted.

"Neither did I," Bruce agreed.

"He's a great fighter. Dick will be pushed to his absolute limits, but I think he can still win." Diana then added: "though it won't be an easy task."

Wiz: Many blind people, particularly those born with it, experience a rewriting of the brain to heighten their other senses, somewhat making up for their lack of sight.

Boomstick: Something similar happened to Daredevil, except, like, a hundred times greater.

Wiz: His touch became so sensitive, he can tell when a person's close to him simply from the disturbance in the air. His ears can pick up the faintest of sounds, from the slightest movement of an enemy to the rising heartbeat of someone who's lying. His taste can detect each separate ingredient in any recipe, including poisons. And his nose can track you down like a bloodhound.

"So stealth is useless against him," Dick summarized. "Good thing stealth stealth isn't my greatest asset."

"You will win," Wally assured him.

Boomstick: Who needs eyes when you can sense everything around you down to the smallest detail? But, he couldn't use his blind powers as well as he does without the training under a super secret warrior named Stick. No relation.

Wiz: With Stick's help, Matt mastered several fighting styles, including ninjutsu, Krav Maga, and Kung Fu.

"Impressive. But not on Nightwing's level," Clark commented.

"That doesn't mean he should underestimate him," Zatanna said.

"I don't care what he does, as long as he beats him," Hal growled.

"Dude, chill out," Barry told him.

Boomstick: And get this: Stick has basically the same blind powers as Daredevil.

Stick sniffs.

Stick: Whoa. (chuckles) Silk sheets.

'So that's Stick,' Bruce thought.

"He was able to find out what material his sheets were made of just by sniffing," M'gann stated.

"This is far beyond just enhanced senses. Even I couldn't do that," Clark commented.

Wiz: Thanks to him, Matt learned how to hone his senses to know and maneuver through his surroundings even better than those with working eyes. He also learned how to tap into something called an Atom Induced Radar Sense.

Boomstick: Like that thing that bats do when they bounce sound around to see in the dark or whatever?

Wiz: Sort of. That's sonar, or echolocation, and he can use it, too. But, thanks to his radioactive origins, Daredevil can actually emit electromagnetic energy waves from his body, which bounce off objects in his vicinity, painting a picture of his surroundings in his head. This means he doesn't even need sound to find and take down an opponent.

"Yeah, his hearing isn't as good as mine but everything else is far better. And I definitely don't have that," Clark commented.

Popup: In some ways, the radar sense is similar to Spider-Man's Spider Sense

Boomstick: So, he's got a ton of ways to make up for his eye problem, but he's also got some awesome gear to help him take out the bad guys. Like his devil suit  that's bulletproof, shockproof, flameproof, and a perfect backup plan whenever he forgets to prep for a Halloween party.

"Protection wise, his suit is pretty much the same as Dick's," Barbra noted.

"It's also just as lightweight," Bruce commented.

Wiz: For combat, he built a versatile weapon out of his most innocuous possession: a walking cane.

Boomstick: By day, he's a feeble blind man slowly tapping across the road, but by night, he whips out the horns and snaps his cane into a high-tech Billy club.

"Smart. No one would expect a blind guy to be a hero," Kaldur commented.

"And he can carry his billy club anywhere he needs," Wally added.

Wiz: The club houses a cable, hidden blades, a recording device, and exploding pellets.

Boomstick: It can even turn into a boomerang! Man, where do I get one of these? You don't have to be blind, right?

Cut to a scene from Dexter's Laboratory where Dee-Dee destroys Mandark's lab with Dexter watching from the monitor from his lab.

Wiz: No, but you shouldn't. You already destroy everything without a super club!

"Exactly why Wally doesn't need one," Dick joked.

"Hey!"

Boomstick: Well, I'd need to practice to throw it as well as he does! You know how Captain America tosses his shield  all over the place and it always seems to come back to him? Well, Daredevil does the exact same thing, and he can throw it hard enough to bust concrete! He's super strong; he can lift a 400-pound barbell and chuck it as casually as when I toss a beer away if it's time for a new one.

"I'm starting to think he's stronger," Artemis admitted.

"It seems that way," Dick agreed. "But my strength was always in speed and stealth. Not well strength."

Wiz: He's quick enough to deflect bullets with his billy club and skilled enough to bounce one back so it killed the man who fired it in the first place.

Boomstick: Bet that guy wasn't expecting that! It looks like he's firing a Glock, which has a muzzle speed of about 1,200 feet per second.

Wiz: At just 20 feet away, Daredevil had to react within 17 milliseconds to avoid getting hit. And while he couldn't survive a shot to the head, he's powered through a heck of a lot when compared to the average human.

"Most of us have," Artemis said. "You can't be a hero if you can't take a hit."

"Besides, no matter how much it hurts, no hero is giving up until we win or die," Clark added.

Boomstick: He's survived zaps from Electro, whose power can burn through metal. He's fallen multiple stories and walked away, powered through a napalm explosion, and been hit by a five-foot bar swung by the Ox, who can tear through metal cages and lift more than 800 pounds.

Popup: He also once took down 107 Yakuza members all at once, some of whom were using a superhuman steroid called MGH.

"That's definitely his most impressive feat yet," Dinah admitted.

"I don't care how impressive it is, he needs-"

Hal shut up when he saw Batman glaring at him.

Wiz: His keen control over his nervous system has also helped him resist tranquilizers and toxins, but his super senses are also his biggest weakness.

Boomstick: They may give him way more field awareness than most anybody else, but if his opponent knows how his powers work, they can overload his senses with an extremely loud noise or a really bad smell, like, if you had a truckload of screaming skunks you could throw at him. That'd probably work, right?

"It's the same for me. I can hear across the planet if I'm not focused, sudden loud noises can be really bad," Clark admitted

"At least you're fast enough to dodge them, I'm not," Conner said.

"I can help you if you want. I can even take you to the Fortress of Solitude."

Conner hesitated for a moment before deciding: "I'd like that."

Wiz: But even with those weaknesses, Daredevil is a fearsome foe for anyone who would face him, even if he can't see them.

Boomstick: He even managed to balance his life of law and the crime-fighting, and became a huge success on his own. Papa Boxer would be proud.

"I hate to say it, but considering his dad hated fighting, he probably wouldn't be proud of him. Good."

Everyone glared at Hal.

"What? I'm not taking it back."

"You're starting to sound way too much like Guy," Barry warned.

"I AM NOT! The anger is justified!"

Kingpin: I'M GONNA KILL YOU!

Daredevil holsters his club.  Daredevil: Take your shot.

Wiz: Alright, the combatants are set. Let's end this debate once and for all!

"Time to hurt," Dick joked.

Boomstick: But right now, IT'S TIME FOR A DEATH BATTLEEE!!! Death Battle

In an automobile repair shop at night, Daredevil lands from above in the middle of the vicinity. He uses his heightened hearing to listen to the surrounding area before turning his attention to a white car. He feels around the back of the car and punches it to open the trunk. He grabs a silver briefcase lying in the middle of the back, but before he closes the trunk, he starts picking up on a scent.

Daredevil: I know you're there. You can leave now, or I can drag you out. It's your choice.

"I didn't even do anything and he already knows I'm here. Annoying but impressive."

"I told you that cologne was too strong." Wally joked.

He places the briefcase back in the car's trunk as Nightwing arrives on the scene.

Nightwing: Oooh, I'm shaking in my boots. Especially looking at the Prince of Darkness. But that case is part of an investigation I've been working, so why don't you hand it over, and I'll get out of your horns?

Matt closes the trunk and slowly starts approaching Dick.

"Honestly, I fail to see why this should lead to a fight. Let alone to the death," Zatanna admitted.

"They're not acting like themselves. The simulation needed a reason for them to fight, this is what it came up with," Diana told her.

Nightwing: Is that a no, then?

The two vigilantes take their stance.

After the two run toward each other, Daredevil tries punching Nightwing, but the former Boy Wonder dodges and tries kicking the Man Without Fear. Daredevil catches the kick, prompting Nightwing to flip backwards. Matt punches Dick two times before trying to slam him into the ground, but Dick manages to flip over his arm and punches him back. Daredevil tries kicking Nightwing, but the Dark Knight's sidekick ducks before backflipping to avoid a punch.

Dick winced. "Ow. But yeah, we're pretty evenly matched. I could see either of us winning depending on the circumstances."

"You can do this. You can beat his ass."

"Are you encouraging him because you want Dick to win or because you want Daredevil to lose," Barbra asked. "Never mind. Forget I asked."

While leaping back, Nightwing throws two wingdings at his opponent, who backflips to avoid both of them. The projectiles strike a car right behind him. After they both land on their feet, they resume their fighting stances and rush towards each other. Daredevil blocks Nightwing's punches before ducking down to avoid Dick's spinning kick. Now back to back, the former Titan tries backhanded attacks that the Defender catches.

"It seems that you two have already figured out the other's fighting style," Dinah commented.

"It is of help that they share such a similar fighting style," Red Tornado commented.

After avoiding another kick, Daredevil punches Nightwing and kicks him forward into a car. Dick narrowly avoids Matt's kick, which shatters the car door and window. Nightwing tries kicking Daredevil, but Matt catches his leg and pins him against the car. Dick manages to push him back and tries punching him again, but Matt blocks the attack and flips them both of them to pin Dick on the ground between his legs.

"Yeah, this guy can fight. I know it's not, but it feels like every strike is causing a bruise and I'm wearing armor," Dick complained. "His hits hurt worse than Sportsmaster."

"That's how I felt fighting Sonic," Wally admitted. "Like the fight could go anyway."

Daredevil takes out his billy club and tries swinging it down at the pinned Nightwing. Dick manages to narrowly avoid getting struck on the head before using his gauntlet to disarm Matt. Nightwing manages to turn around and pin Daredevil, but the attorney's leg manages to block his punch. He barely misses Daredevil's head when attempting to stab his opponent's head with his gauntlet.

Dick rubbed his ears. "Some light ringing but nothing new," he explained when people looked at him curiously.

Nightwing then pins Daredevil's right arm down with his legs. While the two wrestle, He activates the scanner in his mask and discovers the electro waves emitting out of Matt's head and an anomaly in his opponent's visual cortex.

Nightwing: What the—?!

"You know about his weakness! USE IT," Hal encouraged.

"You're hating a guy from another universe purely because he has a similar title to him is way too childish and petty," Dinah told him.

"Look who you're talking to. Of course it's childish and petty!"

For once, Hal raised a point.

Dick dislocates Matt's arm, causing the Man Without Fear to yell in pain. When Daredevil attempts to stand up, Dick uses his legs to toss Matt into a dusty crate. Daredevil struggles to stand up while Nightwing leaps off of the ground without using his hands. Matt puts his billy club into his mouth to bite on it as he relocates his arm.

"Why didn't you use the advantage? You should know better than to let an enemy pop their shoulder back into place when you could just as easily press your attack," Dinah attacked.

"It wasn't me," Dick complained. "It was the simulation version of me. I was trained by you and Batman, I know when to attack my enemy."

"I was joking."

Nightwing: What are you?

Nightwing takes out his escrima sticks out of his utility belt and prepares a stance. Daredevil takes out his other billy club and connects the two parts to form a longer stick.

Daredevil: Better.

"Not even on the same level," Hal told him.

"Dude, you're talking to a screen," Wally said,

"I don't care!"

Nightwing counters Daredevil's billy club attack and electrocutes his opponent with the escrima sticks. Daredevil tosses his club into a car which bounces back and hits Nightwing in the back of the head before its owner catches the weapon. Nightwing tries rushing down his opponent with his sticks and manages to hit Daredevil once before getting hit again with the billy club. Noticing a circuit box in the corner of the shop, Dick tosses one of his sticks into the electrical switch, turning off all the lights in the facility.

"That will have no effect on the fight," M'gann noted. "Since neither will really be affected by the darkness."

"Except Dick will be more confident. He'll think he can sneak up on him," Bruce responded.

Nightwing runs away to perform a stealth attack on his opponent, but Daredevil's Radar Sense allows him to see in the dark. He hears three Wing Dings coming at him and counters them into a nearby car. Nightwing tries leaping off a car to perform one final strike with his escrima stick, but Daredevil knocks him down by launching his grappling hook right into the former Robin's face.

"That's a broken nose," Dick complained.

"You'll live and it'll barely affect your pretty face," Wall told him.

Nightwing falls onto the ground face down in pain and drops his remaining stick. Daredevil turns his opponent upward using his foot and plants it on Nightwing's chest to keep him down.

For the first time, people were actually starting to get worried for Dick and even a little mad at Daredevil. Except Hal. He was too focused on hating Daredevil.

Daredevil: I wish I could see... the look on your face.

Nightwing: Me too.

Nightwing pushes a button on his belt and activates the ultrasonic soundwaves in the three Wing Dings he threw at Daredevil in the dark. Matt starts feeling immense pain and steps back to cover his ears while screaming. Nightwing stands back up and charges his fist with electricity to deliver one final punch to Daredevil, snapping the vigilante's neck from the impact. Daredevil's body falls down lifeless.

"Yes!" Hal leaped from his chair in joy. "Take that you second rate-"

"Anyone else in favor of kicking Hal out of the Justice League?"

"Fine. I'll stop."

Nightwing: Hah. See you in Hell...

Dick Grayson walks away, presumably to grab the briefcase still in the car's trunk as Matt Murdock's corpse lies on the floor with his detached Daredevil mask in front of him."

Boomstick: What the... Was that live-action? We can do that now?

Wiz: This was possibly one of our closest matchups to date. Despite lacking a true superhuman physique, both Nightwing and Daredevil were extremely skilled and deadly fighters.

"So I noticed. All the pain is gone but man, that hurt a lot."

Boomstick: When it came to overpowering each other, they were pretty dead even. Sure, based on their previous feats, we can tell that Nightwing seemed a little stronger and more acrobatic, and Daredevil seemed a little quicker to react.

"I guess we were wrong," Artemis said. "You were the stronger one and he was faster."

"Still, this could have gone either way. You all will be training even harder and working out even more," Dinah told them.

The Team collectively groaned.

Popup: Even then, Nightwing's point-blank gunshot dodge indicates his reaction speed as nearly equal to Daredevil's.

Wiz: But these differences were extremely minimal. It's actually feasible that these two could pull off almost all the exact same feats.

Boomstick: Keyword being "almost".

"Which is why you all will be training harder and working out more."

The Team, wisely, did not respond.

Wiz: Right. With such similar physical abilities, this really came down to their arsenal: Nightwing's gadgets and Daredevil's superpowers. At first glance, these could simply counter each other, making this match completely even again. For example, both could take advantage of the dark with night vision or super senses, but only one set was perfectly suited to actively disrupt the other.

Boomstick: Remember Nightwing's scanning mask? There's no way he couldn't notice those electro waves Daredevil's Radar Sense was sending everywhere. Even Mr. Magoo  could've figured out something was weird here, let alone the guy trained by freakin' Batman. You know, the greatest detective in the world?

"While that is an exaggeration, he's not wrong. Dick easily could have figured it out," Clark said.

Dick smiled at his idol's words.

Popup: On top of detecting Daredevil's radar sense, Nightwing's tech could have easily deflected it back upon him rendering the atom induced radar useless and even damaging or disabling Daredevil's other senses.

Wiz: Through a little hand-to-hand action, Nightwing was certainly clever enough to recognize Daredevil's reliance to sound over sight, and had the perfect counter weapon: The ultrasonic Wing Ding.

"That is true. You have far more gadgets than him which does give you an advantage," Red Tornado said.

Popup: Nightwing has used his ultrasonic Wing Ding on enemies with ordinary senses, so even if he didn't deduce they were Daredevil's weakness, he'd still likely use them in the fight. Also, Nightwing uses special dampener technology in his ears to protect himself.

Boomstick: Look, I'm sure there were several possible scenarios where Daredevil could've pulled off the win. But more times than not, Nightwing takes this thanks to his athletic skill, detective training, and high-tech gadgets. All he had to do... was dare to wing it.

Everyone but Barry groaned at the bad joke.

We cut to the "Winner" card.

Wiz: The winner is Nightwing.

"So another win for us with the simulations," Wally smiled. "I wonder who is next, if we see another one."

"I personally wouldn't mind Bruce being forced to fight in one of these," Barbra agreed.

Chapter Text

"So another win for us with the simulations," Wally smiled. "I wonder who is next, if we see another one."

"I personally wouldn't mind Bruce being forced to fight in one of these," Barbra agreed.

"Well you are in luck because there are several of these that we will watch," Zatara said.

"Which one are we watching next then," Hal asked. "Some other copycat?"

"We are watching Lobo vs Ghost Rider," Zatara ignored the latter half of his comment.

Wiz: Whether it be justice, vengeance, or the thrill of the kill, bounty hunting isn't for the faint of heart.

Boomstick: Especially when your usual targets are superheroes.

Wiz: The Ghost Rider, Marvel's relentless Spirit of Vengeance.

"So that's his opponent," Diana stated.

"Looks like it. I wonder what his story is," Red Tornado said.

Boomstick: And Lobo, the spacehoggin' Main Man of DC Comics.

Clark growled.

"Friend of yours," Conner asked.

"Unfortunately. He's the most chaotic one I fight, somehow," Clark answered. "He better lose."

"Don't start acting like Hal," Barry interrupted.

"Hey!"

"I won't. I can actually control myself."

"Hey!"

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick.

Boomstick: He's Wiz and I'm Boomstick.

Wiz: And it's our job to analyze their weapons, armor, and skills to find out who would win... a Death Battle.

Wiz: Even at a young age, Johnny Blaze lived life on the edge. Son to the accomplished cyclist Barton Blaze, he was sadly witnessed to his father's death in a stunt gone wrong.

They winced out of respect for the man.

Boomstick: But he got adopted by another stuntman, Crash  Bandicoo— Uh sorry, I mean Crash Simpson. It's no surprise that Johnny became a stunt performer himself, until Crash's wife died in a stunt gone wrong.

"He really should leave this behind if this many people are dying because of it," M'gann said.

Dick winced at her comment.

Wiz: Only now apparently aware that motorcycles can be dangerous, Johnny swore to never perform again.

Boomstick: And then Crash got cancer. Damn... even I don't have parent issues this bad.

Wiz: Completely devastated, Johnny refused to let Crash die. Willing to risk it all, he turned to the one person who could fix everything.

Boomstick: Everyone's favorite problem solver, Satan!

"Because that's the logical step," Wally commented. "Summon some phony guy pretending to be the devil to save him instead of actual medicine."

Artemis looked at him slightly annoyed. "I thought you stopped trying to deny magic."

"I have. Now I mostly do it to keep up appearances and comedic effect."

"At least you're honest about it now," Zatanna admitted.

A circular window opens and pops up.

Squirrely the Squirrel Squirrely: Hail Satan!

Wiz: This was Mesphistopheles, one of the many lords of Hell, who happened to have a special interest in Johnny's family line. To save Crash's life, he cut a deal with the devil, curing the cancer at the cost of selling his soul. The deal succeeded, and Crash was healed. But, then he died in, well, a stunt gone wrong.

"And that is why you don't do deals with ancient evil deities, they will use loopholes, lies and half truths and worse." Zatara commented.

 "That and they're, you know, ancient evil deities," Billy said.

"Don't you get your powers from ancient deities," Kaldur asked.

"They aren't evil... Hopefully."

Boomstick: I mean, he's a stuntman whose name is "Crash". Should've seen it coming. And after all that, Johnny got stuck with being Mephisto's bitch for eternity.

Wiz: Mephisto even sandwiched him together with a demonic spirit of vengeance named Zarathos.

"So he gets his powers from a devil called Mephisto and a demon called Zarathos. Do you know either of them," Bruce asked.

Zatara shook his head. "Only relevant information. They don't exist in our multiverse so I never have to deal with them"

Boomstick: Zarathos: ask your doctor if it's right for you. Or your exorcist.

That joke actually got a few chuckles out of people.

Wiz: Long ago, Zarathos was a powerful demon who threatened Mephisto's realm. Eventually, Mephisto defeated him, forcing him into eternal servitude.

Boomstick: And with their power combined, Johnny and Zarathos roamed the world, punishing the wicked as the embodiment of a death metal album cover: the Ghost Rider.

We see Johnny's first transformation into the Ghost Rider from the 2007 film play on-screen.

"How can he endure that," M'gann asked.

"He has no choice," Zatara answered. "He must do whatever Mephisto wants."

Boomstick: AAAGH! Oh God, that's terrifying!

Wiz: Well, sure, his visage instills fear onto many—

Boomstick: What? No, Ghost Rider looks awesome! I'm talking about .Nick Cage

We see Cage's depiction of Johnny continuing his demonic laugh.

"Please, can we move on, I'm going to puke, and I don't even have the necessary biology to throw up." 

Wiz: Agreed. Anyway, as the Ghost Rider, he became one of the universe's greatest threats. He has superhuman strength and speed, and his skeletal body can regenerate from practically any amount of damage.

Popup:  Daniel Ketch , another Ghost Rider, has regenerated his entire body from nothing but hellfire, proving complete immunity from physical damage.

"So Lobo won't have any way to harm him. Good."

"Your distaste for Lobo has gotten personal, it seems," J'onn commented.

"He'd annoy you too if you had to deal with him as many times as I had to," Clark replied.

Boomstick: And if Blaze's last name wasn't obvious enough, he can shoot fire! Oh, but not just any fire. Hellfire. The best kind of fire.

Both Martians and Atlanteans winced at that. Neither of them wanted to ever come close to Ghost Rider now.

Wiz: The kind that's infused with magic that burns not just your flesh, but bypasses conventional defenses to attack your very soul. He can throw fireballs, raise walls of flame, rain fire from the sky, and even conjure weapons and objects out of thin air, such as a demonic shotgun  and an infinite stream of chains.

Everyone winced. Nobody wanted to come close to him now.

Boomstick: And his badass ride, the Hell Cycle! This baby can look however Johnny wants, but he usually summons it as a Panhead Chopper.

We cut to Boomstick.

Boomstick: It can respond to Johnny's thoughts, scale walls, and even outrace Thor's hammer, Mjolnir.

Diana audibly growled.

"Is something wrong," Barbra asked.

"Thor. He's nothing but a pathetic, misogynistic jerk," Diana responded.

Everyone else started hating him too.

Wiz: The same hammer that crossed a galaxy and back in a single minute.

Boomstick: Y'know, I lit my chopper on fire once.

Wiz: I didn't know you had a motorcycle.

Boomstick: Well- well, yeah, but... until the fire.

"How is he still alive? He might genuinely be the dumbest person I know of," Artemis said.

"Unfortunately, dumb people can get pretty far in life," Ollie told her.

Wiz: Oh, ohhhhh...

Boomstick: Rest in peace, Roadhog. Least you went out in a blaze of glory, like Bon Jovi said.

Wiz is seen awkwardly looking around as Boomstick says this before we cut back to the analysis.

"How are these two friends, they're complete opposites," M'gann asked.

"Sometimes, opposites attract," Dinah told her. "It's as simple as that. Like how Wally and Artemis were before they started dating. They couldn't go a minute without arguing, now they can't go a minute without each other."

Neither Wally nor Artemis tried to deny it. They knew she was right.

Wiz: But while his hellfire and chains are vicious weapons in their own right, they're often used to ensnare the Ghost Rider's victims as he goes in for a truly diabolical kill, or should I say, a "penance".

Boomstick: The Penance Stare  is basically Hell's timeout corner of pain. Ghost Rider isn't angry, he's just disappointed, and he wants you to think about what you've done and it to hurt. A LOT.

"How many moves does he have that can target the soul, exactly," Conner asked.

"Seems like a lot," Wally answered. "But he straight up gets his power from the Devil so, yeah."

"One of the devils," Zatara corrected.

"What do you mean by that ," Dick asked.

"There are literally an infinite amount of Devils in that universe," Zatara said. "There, every religion is correct, none are wrong. Therefore, every religion that has a devil, it exists."

"That's..."

"It's crazy, yes, but true. It is the same for us too."

"That opens a whole can of worms that my atheist ass is not ready for," Wally said.

Wiz: Under the Penance Stare, the Ghost Rider forces you to relive all the pain and misery you've inflicted on others throughout your entire life. No indiscretion, no matter how minor, is safe from the Ghost Rider's gaze.

Boomstick: So, that time I put ground laxatives in my fourth-grade math teacher's coffee and gave her the shits... Does that mean the stare would give my soul the shits, too?

Wiz: Not literally, but you would experience the anger, humiliation... and the butt cramps.

Boomstick: So, basically eternal damnation, got it.

Wiz: But should your sins be so numerous and terrible, the Penance Stare could even obliterate your soul, leaving you an empty husk.

"Even, I wouldn't want to have to fight him," Diana said.

"I would if I had to, but I don't want to. I don't like fighting," Clark said.

"You're literally a superhero, that's your job," Hal said.

"I became a hero to save people, not fight villains. Unfortunately, the two often intersect. People often forget that. A hero, above all else, should save people."

Popup: The Penance Stare's success ultimately relies on Ghost Rider's own judgement. It has also been used for other purposes. For example, Deadpool  "survived" it because Ghost Rider only used the Stare to show him how to rethink his life choices

Boomstick: The Stare doesn't work on everybody, though. You might survive if you're blind, don't have a soul, draw power from pain, or if you're a weirdo like Thanos  who gets off on that shit. Still, Ghost Rider's grab bag of hell powers let him tear up some of the biggest assholes in the world, and even some of the good guys, like Hulk, Thor, and Doctor Strange.

"So he's not just powerful, but he can also fight others on his level, which means he has experience too," Bruce deduced.

"But is it enough to go on par with Lobo," Barbra asked.

"I hope so," Clark said.

Wiz: He's quick enough to dodge bullets or even outright catch them in his teeth. He's powerful enough to create massive eruptions, blow up mountains, and even tear down a skyscraper. The average skyscraper weighs over 200,000 tons. That's the same weight as 1,100 blue whales.

"That's a weird measurement to equate it to, but okay," Barry said.

"It seems they go for dramatization over anything else. Plus it gives people a reference point. A weird one, but a reference point none-the-less," Zatara stated.

Boomstick: Or one ex-wife! (chuckles) Oh, I'm gonna write that on her next alimony check.

Wiz: And given his hellish heritage, he's rather difficult to kill.

Boomstick: Bullets, poison, fire, he's survived it all. Even a beatdown from World War Hulk just got him even more pissed and extra flame-y.

"We really need to learn more about these characters to actually know what they can do," Kaldur said. "I imagine they're powerful, but we don't know how powerful."

"You're right about that, unfortunately, unless they appear in a future video by these people, I doubt that we will ever learn about them," Arthur replied.

Wiz: Not just that. Remember Zarathos? Johnny Blaze isn't simply a host for the demon, but a limiter for his full power. Throughout his life as the Rider, Johnny has constantly battled Zarathos in the mind, barely holding on to some semblance of sanity. Should his will to resist the demon falter, Zarathos can take full control, and all hell breaks loose. Not literally, but pretty close.

Boomstick: Oh, and plot twist: Zarathos was never actually a demon at all, but an angel of justice, fire skull head and everything! When he's unleashed, he becomes so powerful, even Doctor Strange wets his robes, and this is the guy who pops supernovas like Pez.

"So he's an angel, controlled by a devil to be a demon, who is hosted by a human," Wally surmised. "Crap like this is why I'm not religious."

"You do know, none of this happens in the Bible, right," Bruce asked.

"I do, but I'm still not converting."

"I'm not trying to convert you, just making sure you know the actual truth instead of this stuff."

Wiz: While Zarathos was bonded to another host, they even managed to defeat Mephisto in his own realm. For reference, Mephisto once battled Galactus, Devourer of Worlds. Stars detonated, galaxies trembled, and the entire universe was at risk, simply as a byproduct of their battle.

"That's how powerful they are. That's the power level you were wanting, Kal," Dick asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. It does answer my question."

"Not even I am on that level," Clark said.

"Not this you, but other versions are. And some are more powerful," Zatara said. "Just like how our version of Wally can't run across the universe at all but another version can run fast enough to outrace instantaneous teleportation."

Popup: The new host, Alejandra, required Adams's help in unlocking her full power against Mephisto. This did not amplify or increase said power, merely draw out what she had suppressed. Therefore, this level of power is accessible to all Ghost Riders.

Boomstick: And if Zarathos wasn't terrifying enough, he likes to eat souls!

Wiz: Of course, the Ghost Rider isn't invincible. Johnny is technically vulnerable as an ordinary human being. Even while transformed, the Rider can be killed via holy weaponry.

"But he won't be fighting Johnny Blaze so that's not a problem and as far as I know, Lobo doesn't have any holy weapons," Clark said.

"I wonder if my weapons could work on him," Diana missed. "They are technically considered holy to my people."

"I doubt it. It isn't holy to Christians but since every religion is right, it may," Bruce said.

Boomstick: But Johnny's doin' alright, sittin' pretty on Mephisto's throne. I guess things worked out okay for him, even if he's not too keen on being the devil's bounty hunter.

Wiz: So let this be a warning: Should you ever hear the rumble of a motorcycle in the distance, and the glow of an ethereal flame on the horizon, count your sins, because the Ghost Rider is coming, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Ghost Rider: Sorry. All outta mercy...

He proceeds to use his chains on Gressil, burning him alive and reducing him to dust.

"I am thankful that this guy doesn't exist in our universe," M'gann said. "He terrifies me."

"Yeah, he scares the crap outta me as well," Wally admitted.

Wiz: Let's turn the clocks back to a distant era of sin and debauchery.

Boomstick: The 1990s...

Wiz: Inspired by the financial success of Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, comic writers started churning out grim and gritty superheroes by the dozen, like Cable, Azrael, and Overkill.

Boomstick: Yeah, they were badass lookin'... at first, but I mean, what's even happening here?

Captain America's infamous Heroes Reborn design is shown on-screen.

"What the heck," Barbra giggled.

"That is Captain America. A hero from the same universe as Ghost Rider. He is a lot like you, Clark. A man trying his best to do the right thing because he can."

"Then I like him, even if he does look a bit weird."

"He doesn't normally look like that."

Wiz: It got so absurd that someone needed to knock these roided-out monstrosities down a peg.

Boomstick: The world needed a hero. No, a parody.

Wiz: Enter the planet Czarnia, once the brightest beacon of peace and happiness in the universe until its inhabitants were annihilated by a biological catastrophe, leaving only one survivor: the last son of Czarnia, Lobo.

Boomstick: The one that killed all the rest of 'em. A guy whose name literally translates in Czarnian to "He who devours your entrails and thoroughly enjoys it." What?! Awesome! Why wasn't I named that?

"That is way too edgy, even for me," Hal said.

"Like someone on the internet posting about how badass they are but they've never seen the inside of a gym," Ollie agreed.

Wiz: Lobo is so unimaginably evil that his birth caused the midwife who delivered him to go insane, the first Czarnian to do so in 10,000 years!

Boomstick: Some even think that Czarnia was so perfect and good, the universe made Lobo to balance things out. Hey, didn't you say the same thing about me when we first met, Wiz?

Wiz: That I did. Simply put, Lobo was... unique and desired to be even more so. Thus, he ensured he was the only Czarnian alive in the universe.

Lobo: I fragged the rest of the planet for my high school science project. Gave myself an A.

"Holy crap. How did he even manage that," Billy asked.

"It is best if you don't know," Zatara advised.

Boomstick: Yeah, he's definitely insane...ly awesome!

Wiz: Lobo left the desecrated corpse of his former home to become a bounty hunter. Probably because it's the only profession that legally allows him to murder.

"He seems genuinely incapable of doing any good," Red Tornado said.

"He is," Clark growled out.

Popup: To top it off, his insanity wasn't helped by the micro-radio implanted into his brain that constantly played heavy metal.

Boomstick: Ah, don't worry, he'll murder you illegally, too. Lobo doesn't discriminate; he even has a special gender-neutral insult and the name of my next motorcycle: Bastich.

 Sunny Jim: fires a bazooka at Lobo and totals the Spacehog behind him.

Lobo: My bike! Fraggin' bastich!

Boomstick: Anyway, Lobo's bagged some pretty crazy bounties across the universe, including Santa Claus, two near-omnipotent dwarf gods, and even things that don't exist... apparently.

"I knew Santa existed," Clark said excitedly.

"Wait, Santa exists," Wally said at the same time.

"I knew. He helped train me," Bruce said.

"You knew and didn't tell me." Clark looked hurt.

Bruce just shrugged and Clark glared at him. "This isn't over."

Wiz: And Lobo's Czarnian physiology is just as absurd to match. He possesses god-like strength, speed, and invulnerability, so much so that he can tear through hordes of superheroes like nothing. Should he somehow suffer damage, he also has an impressive healing factor.

Boomstick: He's like if Superman and Deadpool had a baby, which is a lot more terrifying when I say it out loud.

"I don't know who Deadpool is, but I don't want to be compared to anyone who has dead in their name."

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick, who have shocked expressions on their faces as they see Deadpool suddenly appearing on the Death Battle Lab's monitor.

Deadpool: Did somebody say "Deadpool"?

"Is that him?"

Zatara pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unfortunately."

Boomstick: AAAH!

Wiz: NO, GO AWAY!

He yells and promptly punches the monitor, cracking it as panting heavily afterward as the music stops abruptly.

Wiz: There... He's gone... Whew...

"How bad is he that even Boomstick hates him," Artemis asked.

"You'll see."

"That's ominous," Wally commented.

Boomstick: Wow, I didn't think you had it in ya.

The lights dim.

Deadpool: (off-screen) Oh honey, that's not true. Haven't you heard? No one's ever really gone...  See ya later!

The lights return to normal.

Wiz: I swear to God, I'll kill him someday...

Boomstick: So, uh... you had the replacement plan on that TV, right?

Wiz gives another shocked realization on his face before we cut back to the analysis.

Dick made his voice sound like one you'd hear in an audiobook. "He did not, in fact, have a replacement TV."

A few people chuckled.

Wiz: (clears throat) Back on topic, Lobo can regenerate from a single drop of blood, and each one he sheds will actually grow into a completely new Lobo... No, I'm not making that up!

"That could be problematic," Dinah said. "Every injury has the potential to create a new one."

"Ghost Rider could use his hell fire to burn him or cauterize the wound. He might even be able to evaporate the blood before it can mutate," Wally theorized.

Popup: This self-cloning-via-blood ability was later removed by Vril Dax. However, it's an ability that naturally belongs to Lobo. Following Death Battle rule three, this power is included in this analysis

Boomstick: No wonder there wasn't any war on Czarnia. Nobody can kill these friggin' bastiches!

Wiz: It also helps that he's also a super-genius who knows well over 17,000 languages. He can perform complex physics equations in his head quick enough to catch the Flash  and can build planet-destroying weaponry out of garbage.

"I hate to admit it, but that's actually impressive," Barry admitted.

"Yeah, he could do so much more with his abilities and he does stuff like this," Clark said.

Boomstick: His brain is no joke. He can resist mind control because he's too... ornery, and he's got so much willpower, he can literally walk through Green Lantern  constructs. You know, those things powered BY willpower?

"OH, COME ON!"

"Great, now Hal is going to be ranting about this for a while," Ollie grumbled.

"Damn right I am!"

Wiz: And befitting his occupation, Lobo is a master sharpshooter, tracker, and can, by his own admission, deduce the weak point in any opponent.

Boomstick: Ah, like how my shotgun leg jams if booze gets in it.

Wiz: I would've gone with your crippling alcoholism, but sure, that too! Lobo may be a powerhouse on his own, but he also comes equipped with guns, knives, swords, grenades, and a bomb that he sent back in time which accidentally killed the dinosaurs. Whoops!

Popup: He technically possesses a Red Lantern Ring, but there is no evidence that he ever used it, and it cannot be extraneously assumed he is capable of wielding it.

"If Ghost Rider doesn't kill him, I will."

"Hal, calm down," Barry said.

"No! It's like they're choosing fights that has people that can piss me off!"

"Mine didn't," Wally said.

"This one and Nightwing's did! That's more that did then ones that didn't."

"Congratulations, you can do basic math. Now sit down and shut up," Bruce growled out.

Boomstick: His favorite is his enormous hooked chain. But when his job takes him across the universe, he hops on his Spacehog, a customized SpazFrag666, which has automatic machine guns, responds to his whistle, can fly fast enough to escape black holes, and blasts ♫Born to be Wild!♫ Wait wait wait wait, how can he sing in the vacuum of space?

Wiz: Oh, that's where you're drawing the line? Not the time he, say, pulled the alien entity Solaris  out of the sky, which is as heavy as a star, despite lacking leverage?

Boomstick: I like how he even admits that didn't make any sense.

"Okay, now even I hate him," Wally said. He saw the looks he was getting. "Relax, I won't act like Hal."

"Somehow, you're more mature than him then," Dinah commented.

"Hey!"

Everyone ignored him.

Wiz: Using a small to a medium-size star like our own Sun as a reference, Solaris should weigh nearly two octillion tons, over 300,000 times heavier than Earth.

Boomstick: So, pretty tough to bench press. But how about the time he was fighting some rabbits, and then he got so face-meltingly angry, that he just straight up ate a city! All at once! Disclaimer: Don't eat away your feelings, it's not healthy. Drink them away instead!

Wiz: Don't... do that. But that is trillions of tons of steel and rubble condensed into a sphere smaller than the palm of his hand. By my calculations, that compressed ball should be over 20 times denser than a neutron star.

"I still don't know how these two became friends," M'gann said. "One is smart, the other is an idiot."

Boomstick: Oh God, imagine that coming out!

Wiz: This unimaginable strength lets him brawl with the likes of Superman, but that's barely scratching the surface.

Boomstick: Name anybody in DC Comics, and it's likely Lobo's kicked their ass. He can even punch ghosts!

"So at some point, he's probably fought all of us," Artemis said.

"We need to find a way to contain him then. He's caused too much trouble," Diana said.

"I could kill him," Hal suggested.

Boomstick: Sounds like the only thing that can kill this guy is an act of God!

Wiz: Not even that! After rampaging through Heaven and Hell, tearing through armies of angels, demons, and what have you, Lobo's bloodlust on a literally biblical scale got him banned from the afterlife. As in, Death was told that Lobo's soul was not to be collected.

"Nevermind," Hal grumbled. "But I can definitely help contain him."

"Did you forget he can walk through your constructs?"

"I'm trying too."

Boomstick: So, he just can't die now?

Wiz: Not in the traditional sense. He's had his head disintegrated, been reduced to a skeleton, even been turned into a spirit that just kept on fighting until he got his body back.

Boomstick: The only thing that's ever really held the big lug back is his weirdly consistent integrity? Namely, he'll always keep his word, no matter what. Seems pretty weird for a cosmic madman, but he also loves dolphins and will literally go to hell and back to protect them, so... who even knows anymore?

"So he does have some morals," Billy said. "So we can use that against him."

"Are you actually willing to do anything to a dolphin," Conner asked.

"No. But we can make him think we will."

"He was willing to go to hell and back for them. You do not want him to think you'll harm them."

Wiz: He's not without his failures, though. His greatest of which was perhaps something entirely out of his control: his reboot.

Boomstick: What the hell is that scrawny, emo, Edward Cullen-ass lookin' dork?

Wiz: That's New 52 Lobo, a serious, tortured, modern interpretation. Everything that Lobo was meant to be a parody of.

Boomstick: Thankfully, someone at DC developed a sense of irony and literally shelved this loser.

Hal took an unhealthy amount of satisfaction at seeing himself literally shelf a variant of Lobo.

Wiz: The real Lobo returned, better than ever, and got back to doing what he does best.

Boomstick: Kickin' ass across the universe! He's not just some two-bit alien villain; he's the Main Man, and the whole universe knows it.

Lobo: See, someone's payin' me a heap of cash for your carcass, and the Main Man always delivers.

"He can try," Hal growled. "Ghost Rider will win."

Wiz: Alright, the combatants are set and we've run the data through all possibilities.

Boomstick: But first, rev up your engines for this delicious food deal... with Blue Apron!

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick as they read out an advertisement for Blue Apron.

Boomstick: But right now, IT'S TIME FOR A DEATH BATTLEEE!!!

'Wait, before we start, let's take bets on who will win," Wally said.

"We haven't before, why now," Artemis asked.

"Before it was Dick and I. We were obligated to want them to win. These two aren't anyone we care about. You don't have to vote if you don't want to, I just thought it'd be a fun idea."

"Ghost Rider will win or else," Hal growled.

"I also want Ghost Rider to win," Clark said.

"Okay, anyone who wants Ghost Rider to win, raise your hand."

Hal's hand shot straight into the air. Wally, Clark, Diana, Dick, Barbra and Conner also raised their hands.

"And now Lobo."

Artemis, M'gann, Dinah, Barry, Zatanna and Billy raised their hands. "I'm only voting for Lobo because Hal got on my nerves," Ollie admitted.

"Same," Dinah admitted.

"Are you guys not going to vote," Wally asked Bruce, Red Tornado, Kaldur, Zatara and Arthur who didn't raise their hands.

"My central processors have already run a simulation and know who will win."

"I also know who will win," Zatara admitted.

"I just see betting as unnecessary," Arthur said while Kaldur nodded.

"You two are a bucket of fun," Wally grumbled quietly. "What about you, Bruce."

"No."

"Got it. Okay so far we have Hal, Clark, Diana, Dick,  Barbra, Conner and I for Ghost Rider. For Lobo we have M'gann, Barry, Artemis, Dinah, Ollie, Zatanna and Billy. Zatara. Red Tornado and Zatara cheated so they opted out. And Arthur, Bruce and Kal didn't vote because they're boring. Did I miss anyone," Wally asked.

"That seems right," Barry said.

"Anyone have any personal bets they want to make with a person on the opposite side," Dick added. "Just to spice this up a bit."

"Ollie, since you voted out of spite, when Ghost Rider wins, you have to wear bright pink when you next go out as Green Arrow," Hal said.

"Only if you wear a yellow shirt next time you go out as Green Lantern if Lobo wins," Ollie countered.

"You're on."

Artemis looked over at Wally and said: "Whoever loses has to pay for the next date night."

Wally smiled slightly sinister. "You got a deal."

"Hey Barbra, if I win, I get to dress you up if you win I'll be your sparring partner whenever you ask for a week," M'gann said.

Barbra thought for a moment before nodding. "I'll take you on that."

A few other bets were made and soon it was time to actually watch the fight.

In the desert, Lobo straps his latest bounty kill, a Grimace-like alien, to his Spacehog with his chains before abruptly noticing a figure riding a motorcycle in the distance towards his position.

"Did he kill Grimace," Wally asked.

"Can I change my vote," Barry asked.

"No, it's too late," Wally said. "Should've been smarter when we were voting."

Lobo: Huh? What the frag...?

The figure reveals itself to be the Ghost Rider, who proceeds to stop his Hell Cycle at a distance and speak to Lobo.

Ghost Rider: Lobo of Czarnia, your sins are innumerable. I am here to—

Lobo ignores this warning by carelessly running the Ghost Rider over, smashing his Hell Cycle into pieces while laughing and giving his adversary a middle finger as he drives off.

A few people laughed at that.

"That better not be it. Lobo needs to die," Hal said

"Hal, no way would they end the fight after all the build up," Ollie said.

However, both the cycle and Ghost Rider regenerate in a blaze of hellfire before engaging in a chase after the Main Man.

Ghost Rider begins the fight by firing volleys of fireballs at Lobo, with one of them incinerating the Czarnian's bounty. Lobo becomes enraged and swiftly drifts his Spacehog to face Ghost Rider, all the while swinging his chain in fury.

"I can already tell this fight is going to be unhinged," Barbra said.

"And there will probably be little if any hand to hand combat either. These two will probably rely on their powers, which while they are always useful, you should always have hand to hand training as a backup," Dinah said.

"Trust us, we know," Wally replied. He could still feel the bruises from all the training he did. And he healed fast.

Lobo: Fetal's Gizz, my bounty! I'm gonna skull-frag ya!

Ghost Rider summons his own chain in response, dragging it along the rough sand before the two cyclists repeatedly clash their weapons. Lobo gains the upper hand as his hook shatters his opponent's blazing chain and pierces Ghost Rider in the chest. Lobo then drags the Spirit of Vengeance close and knocks him to the ground before dragging him onto his bike and looking him in the face.

"If you'd told me a week ago that I would be watching two people fighting with chains on super powered motorcycles, one of whom was a devil-angel-demon-human hybrid and the other so evil and chaotic he isn't allowed to die... I'd probably believe you and that's the worst part," Dick said.

Lobo: You're one ugly freak...

However, the Ghost Rider holds onto Lobo and attempts to use the Penance Stare.

Ghost Rider: Look into my eyes. Your soul will burn in He—

Lobo interrupts Ghost Rider by headbutting him, destroying his skull in the process.

Lobo: Is that a fact, now?

"I knew it wouldn't work ahead of time, but it's still shocking that he can just shrug off all his sins," Arthur said.

"He's a monster, little more than the Joker. Both are stains upon history," Clark spat out. "Of course he wouldn't care."

Ghost Rider responds by summoning his Hell Cycle, which rams right through the Spacehog and takes the fighters into a nearby empty city. The two bikers crash through a building and Ghost Rider swiftly lands on the road with his skull healing while Lobo is knocked back.

The Main Man gets on his feet only for Ghost Rider to punch him in the face. The two anti-heroes engage blows in a brief fistfight which ends in Ghost Rider uppercutting Lobo away yet again only for the Main Man to land safely on his feet. Seeing this, Johnny decided to switch things up.

"I take it back, they actually did use hand to hand," Dinah said.

"But it's more brute force than training," Bruce added.

Ghost Rider: Burn!

With that command, the Spirit of Vengeance spews out a beam of hellfire from his mouth at the Main Man, who tanks it head-on and powers through it, walking towards his attacker. Lobo then grabs Johnny by the throat slams him on the ground and drags him along the street's pavement before throwing him into the same building they previously crashed through.

Lobo then jumps to the building and starts tearing it down and compressing it into a small pebble which he holds between his fingers.

"Is he really about to do what I think he's going to do," M'gann asked.

"I think he is," Zatanna said.

Lobo: Bottoms up!

And with those words, Lobo tosses the pebble into his mouth and swallows it alongside the Ghost Rider. Lobo then takes a second to relax after supposedly defeating his opponent, burping up a stream of hellfire in the process. Lobo then holds his hand over his mouth before his body swells up and bursts in an explosion of blood and fire, releasing Ghost Rider.

"And you guys say I have an appetite," Wally joked..

"Not the time," Artemis told him.

"Sorry."

Ghost Rider: It's done. About time.

But as he's about to leave, the Ghost Rider hears a familiar voice behind him.

Lobo: Not yet, scuzball!

"How is he still alive," Hal complained.

"He literally can't die, remember," Artemis said with a smirk.

"Ghost Rider better find a way!"

Suddenly, Ghost Rider is hit with a powerful kick in the back, followed by an uppercut to the face. It's revealed that all the piles of blood from his opponent have regenerated into an army of Lobos who laugh at the Spirit of Vengeance before body-piling him. However, they're all knocked away by a pillar of spiritual fire, from which an enraged Zarathos emerges.

Zarathos: YOU WILL ALL DIE SCREAMING!!!

"YES! A power up!"

"The worst part is this isn't even out of your competitive spirit but your pride," Clark said. "I'm on the same side as you and you're even annoying me."

Okay maybe I do have a problem if even Clark is annoyed with me. Hal thought. He wasn't going to say that out loud though.

Zarathos summons a flood of enchanted hellfire which knocks away and sets ablaze all of the Lobos, except for one which whips out a large gun and aims it at the Spirit of Vengeance.

Lobo: Eat this, ya bastich!

Lobo fires the gun at Zarathos, who replies by launching a blast of hellfire at the Main Man before the gun's blast fires right through his chest. The hellfire blast hits Lobo and causes an explosion visible from space which obliterates most of West China and cuts out the music. The camera zooms back to Earth as Lobo's spirit emerges from the ashes.

"Yes!"

"It's not over yet, Hal," Billy said. "Lobo could make a comeback. They said he has before."

Lobo: Holy fragaroli. I definitely ain't picking up that bounty now—

Suddenly, a chain emerges from behind and pierces Lobo through the chest. The attacker is revealed to be Zarathos, who's been reduced to nothing but a flying skull after the explosion. The Spirit of Vengeance then screams at Lobo as more and more chains appear to drag the Main Man to his doom while Zarathos restores his full body.

Zarathos: LOBO OF CZARNIA! YOUR SINS ARE INNUMERABLE!

"It is now, there is no way for him to escape," Hal said.

"Next time you get this annoying, I'm punching you at the speed of sound," Barry warned.

Hal looked him dead in the eyes. "Worth it."

Lobo continues attempting to resist, even trying to drag his teeth on the ground to escape before Zarathos pulls him into his grasp, grabbing him by the chin and holding him right up to his face.

Zarathos: I AM HERE TO WREAK VENGEANCE UPON YOUR SOUL!!!

Hal continued smiling as the horrific scene took place.

Zarathos then uses the Penance Stare, and with no way to break out of it, Lobo is caught in the attack. Then, as Zarahos' eye sockets burn with hellfire, Lobo is reduced to agonized screaming as he hears the unbearable cacophony from his victim's screams and the full gravity of his countless sins finally hits him.

Lobo: No, no, no, no, NO, NO, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Lobo joins in the screaming of his victims and allows the Spirit of Vengeance to eat his soul. Zarathos then stands in victory and burps.

"That might be the most horrific thing I've ever seen," Wally admitted.

"That probably is true for a lot of us, which is saying a lot," Barbra agreed.

The adults shared a look. It was horrifying, yes. But nowhere near the worst thing they've seen.

Boomstick: Damn, that was toasty! Wonder what ghost Lobo tastes like.

Wiz: Being so absurdly powerful, Lobo definitely held a massive physical advantage against the Ghost Rider.

"It didn't help though," Billy grumbled childishly.

"A fight between these two was never going to be about strength or skill," Wonder Woman said. "So that was an unnecessary state."

Boomstick: Yeah yeah, that was obvious. Skullhead took down a skyscraper while Lobo dragged around a freaking sun! But Ghost Rider's survived some pretty incredible things. Almost as incredible as these new shirts from store.roosterteeth.—  Wiz slaps Boomstick before he can finish shilling.

Wiz: Time and place, Boomstick.

Boomstick: Ah, come on, we gotta eat!

Wiz: Even World War Hulk couldn't finish him off, and Lobo didn't typically carry any holy weapons, which meant he really did not have a good way of killing the Ghost Rider.

"Which I'm thankful for," Hal said. "That loser died thanks to that."

"He didn't die, he had his soul literally destroyed," Zatara pointed out. "He simply doesn't exist anymore... Or he wouldn't if that were the real Lobo."

Boomstick: Yeah, but who needs holy weapons when you're strong enough to crush a whole city? Couldn't he just overpower Johnny?

Wiz: A good question. However, do you recall how powerful Zarathos was?

"No. Because I literally don't know," Dick said.

"We'll learn a little bit about him soon," Zatara told him.

We cut to the post-analysis.

Wiz: Zarathos was an equal threat to Mephisto, whose battles tore apart the universe. Once the Ghost Rider released his true power, Lobo's physical advantages hardly mattered anymore.

Popup: Doctor Strange, a being of universal power, was utterly terrified by Zarathos' true might, making this scaling supported and consistent.

"Doctor Strange comes up a lot. Who is he," Bruce asked.

"He would be like his universe's Doctor Fate. He is perhaps the most powerful human sorcerer of all time. And he even rivals a few gods."

"That's actually kinda scary," Zatanna told her dad.

"Yes. But he is a hero, even if an unconventional one. He is what is known as the Sorcerer Supreme, basically the most powerful sorcerer alive. And that title gives him even more power and abilities that are exclusive to him because he is the Sorcerer Supreme."

Boomstick: But, hey, the Main Man was super smart, and probably could've figured out Johnny's weaknesses. But how is he gonna escape to find a holy weapon somewhere when the Hell Cycle outraced Mjolnir?

Wiz: Which once crossed the Milky Way and back in under a minute, a feat more than 100 billion times faster than light. More than capable of keeping up with the Spacehog.

"With how fast people are in these universes, that isn't that impressive, and that's coming from a speedster," Barry said.

"Sadly, yeah, you're kinda right."

"Says the kid that can move faster than instantaneous teleportation," Dick teased.

"That was a variant of me that needed help, not me me."

Popup: Based on feats Lobo's own combat speed was greater than Ghost Rider's. However, greater speed alone was not enough to ultimately survive Zarathos.

Boomstick: They were both as unkillable as you can get. But, since Lobo was banned from the afterlife, how could he ever lose?

"It's in the fine print," Bruce muttered.

"What," Diana asked.

"They said Death was banned from collecting his soul, they never said anything about destroying it. When you're in a corporate job as long as I have, you learn to read every detail and fine print," Bruce explained.

"That's... actually extremely smart."

"It's me. That's also why I didn't vote. I knew they would notice this too and would lead to Ghost Rider winning."

Wiz: This is where the fine print matters. Death was banned from reaping Lobo's soul, but that doesn't mean the soul itself could not be destroyed. This is where our research surprised us the most; it turns out that Ghost Rider had three different methods of specifically targeting Lobo's soul.

Bruce smirked. Told you so.

Popup: It has been said that the only being capable of truly killing a Ghost Rider is the one true God, further supporting said resistance to anything but outright holy damage.

Boomstick: His hellfire could hurt the soul directly, and since it ignores normal defenses, Lobo couldn't really stop it.

Wiz: With trillions of murders on Lobo's hands, the Penance Stare could wield extraordinary power against him. And while Lobo had a high pain tolerance, he did not enjoy fatalistic agony and unending torture so much that he'd survive all of that at once.

"Everybody has a limit. Everybody." It was one of the things Sportsmaster tried to drill in her head. Not as a warning to not overextend herself, but more so that she could be better at torturing people.

And unfortunately, everyone there knew about that. She knew they didn't mean to, but their looks of pity made her slightly uncomfortable.

Wally grabbed her hand.

Popup: The Punisher famously survived the Penance Stare dude to having no regrets. This is inconsistent with its power, and it's more likely Ghost Rider decided to let him live. The Penance Stare even worked on the Punisher in a later story. 

Boomstick: Even if he did, Zarathos could just gobble up his soul for a quick snack. The end, easy as that.

"I wouldn't say easy," Clark said.

"It's easier," Zatara said.

We cut to Wiz and Boomstick.

Wiz: Lobo was undeniably a difficult opponent to take on, but the Ghost Rider's cosmic might, unholy invulnerability, and soul-rending powers gave him the perfect tools to take out the Main Man.

"Basically he had the right tools to actually beat him. Kinda like me and Sonic. We were even but I simply had what it took to beat Sonic where he didn't have what it took to beat me."

"A good observation," Dinah complimented.

Boomstick: That poor bastich didn't stand a Ghost of a chance! Ah-hah, sorry. I know that's a "Lo-bo".

"I like those jokes, I give the first joke a 7 out of 10 and the second an 8 out of 10."

"They were both a 0 out of 10," Wally corrected.

Wiz facepalms before we cut to the "Winner" card.

Wally, following Wiz's example, facepalmed as well.

Wiz: The winner is Ghost Rider.

"Alright everybody, let's claim those bets," Barbra said cheerfully. She looked directly at M'gann.

"Crap." The worst part is, I actually made the bet.

"A short break then, it seems," Zatara said. "We will meet here in an hour."

Chapter Text

"Alright everybody, let's claim those bets," Barbra said cheerfully. She looked directly at M'gann.

"Crap." The worst part is, I actually made the bet.

"A short break then, it seems," Zatara said. "We will meet here in an hour."

"Alright, Artemis, time to discuss where our next date is going to be," Wally said cheerfully.

Everyone dispersed to talk, eat, and various other things.

"Since I'm paying, I get to choose where we go," Artemis said.

Wally rolled his eyes. "Obviously." He was already thinking of places she might pick. He always ate before dates but he ate even more whenever she paid. Wally never wanted to make her spend more than she had too. Especially since she wasn't exactly well off.

Artemis' voice brought him out of his thoughts. "I was thinking that Honduran place in Metropolis."

"Perfect. I love their baleadas," Wally said.

"You love every type of food," Artemis told him.

"Speaking of which, I could grab a bite and then we could go exercise."

"Does this place even have a gym?"

"It probably does now that we need one."

"Fair."

"So, I guess I owe you a week's worth of sparing," M'gann said.

"You don't have to," Barbra said. "Seriously. I was more interested in winning than actually getting something from it."

"No. I'll hold up my end. You would've held up your."

"Are you sure, it's going to suck for you. Especially since you never put much effort into actual fighting."

"I'll be fine."

As soon as M'gann was out of ear shot, Dick said: "You're so going to hold back."

"Yeah. I don't want to hurt her. She's my friend."

"I know. It's one of the things I like about you."

"That was cheesy." Despite that, she was smiling.

Dick matched her smile. "I know."

"Hey, Oliver, remember, you have to wear a pink shirt next time you go out," Hal reminded the archer.

"Hey Hal, nice of you to remind me of something that literally happened minutes ago. And you're interrupting mine and Dinah's mini lunch date."

"That doesn't really matter. Just remember to wear it. And make it bright pink too. For extra fun."

"You think I'd be embarrassed by wearing pink? I'd wear it with pride," Ollie countered.

"Now could you please leave us." Dinah's voice made it clear that she wasn't asking.

"You know, despite how weird this is, I'm glad this happened," Diana said as she and Clark sparred.

Clark threw a punch which Diana blocked. "I get what you mean." He tried feinting a kick.

"First we get to see our alternate selves, but we can also see our postnatal," Diana managed to punch Clark in the gut before jumping back.

"And we also know about the Reach and we can use that to stop them and Wally's death," Clark added as the landed a blow of his own.

As the two continued training, Diana began getting the upper hand.

"Let's call it," Clark said.

"Agreed. Thanks for the spare." She extended her hand.

Clark shook it. "Anytime."

"We need to talk." They looked over and saw Bruce despite the fact he definitely wasn't there a second ago.

"What is it," Clark asked.

"We need to be more careful in the future," Bruce said. "We've already attracted the attention of the Speed Force and Mr. Mxyzptlk. That's two cosmic beings that have noticed something is up. Nabu himself has also gone MIA for a while."

"Mr. Mxyzptlk said he would stop anyone from noticing us," Diana said.

"Yeah. And what if someone even more powerful than him finds out about us? Someone who is actually a threat," Bruce said.

"What do you want us to do," Clark asked. "Nabu is far above all of us and he can't stop them."

"I don't know. But we need to think of something," Bruce said.

"We can try, but there's not much we can do," Clark said.

"It's getting close to time. We should head back," Bruce said.

When they all gathered in the room again they began to briefly converse,

"You know, I'm dreading the next event," Barry said.

'If you don't mind me asking, why," Kaldur asked.

"We've had a few Death Battles and then we had that event about Clark. Something tells me we're about to have a darker story."

"Unfortunately, Barry is right," Zatara told them. "You are aware of the Multiverse, but there is another multiverse. One that mirrors ours, but... darker. In this universe, everything is destined to go bad."

"That's..."

"It's a thing. I don't like it, but it is. Another will explain it better than I ever could," Zatara answered.

Wally's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? The last time someone tried to interfere with this, everyone forgot me and I won't let that happen again."

Artemis grabbed his hand which he was thankful for.

"It's not like that, Wally," Zatara explained gently. "He's just going to explain this to us, and that's it."

When Wally didn't respond, the screen came to life.

"Is he speaking to us? Like directly to us," Wally asked. He was still suspicious of... whoever that was.

"Yes and no. It's like a recording. He knows we are here and may be observing us right now, but he is not actively speaking to us."

"You said he wouldn't interfere."

"And he won't. He is simply observing," Zatara told him.

No one reacted. They all knew Bruce's origin. They've even seen a version of it two events ago.

"Does he become evil," Bruce asked. While his voice was as emotionless as ever, it wasn't hard for those that knew him well enough to hear the slight change from how it usually was.

"I'm not supposed to say, but yes. You deserve to know that much," Zatara answered. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. He made his choices, not you."

"This is wrong," Dick said flatly.

"Yeah," Dinah agreed. She really hated that she was holding Jason's arm. She didn't know the extent of their relationship in that universe, but he was just a kid in hers.

"Let's just move on," Ollie suggested. He, like several others, were glaring at the screen.

Dick shivered. He hated all those fancy galas. Unfortunately, being the son of Bruce Wayne meant he had to go to a lot of them. But at least they were always for some charity fundraiser.

"I hate galas. Just a social event for assholes to pat each other on the back and say what a good job they're doing. I hate rich people."

"Ollie, you're rich. Does that mean you hate yourself," Artemis asked.

"Weren't you listening? Yes!"

"Because it would be such an inconvenience." Artemis rolled her eyes.

"We really need to make them a priority," Diana said. "I say after this, we target them. We should break them up, once and for all."

"Agreed," Arthur said

"Hold on, we better be allowed to help," Dick interrupted. "We have just as much right as you guys."

The Justice League members looked at each other and held a brief conversation mentally through J'onn before: "It won't be easy, but yes, you can help."

"Yes! Rise up against your oppressors," Ollie exclaimed.

"You do realize that if they did this in our world, they'd attack you too, right?"

"I do. And I'll celebrate as they do so."

"Is this what I was like," Hal asked. "I am so going to try and fix how I act."

Bruce had to suppress a growl. This Arkham was worse than the one in his universe.

"That place gives me the creeps," Wally said.

"You've been to Arkham," Conner asked.

"Once. Never again."

Bruce clenched his fists. "He kills them."

"Yes. Like I said, this version comes from a dark version of our multiverse."

"It's not you. Not truly," Clark comforted.

"Like how that one time I killed the Joker before he was brought back. You didn't blame me, even though I did. So you better not blame yourself."

"I don't. But I do want to see him get stopped."

Instantly Bruce collapsed in his chair and would have fallen to the floor had Clark and Diana caught him.

"I thought you said he was the Bat in this universe. How did he just die like this," Barbra exclaimed.

"He's not dead in either universe. He is faking it in that universe and so he is unconscious in ours," Zatara explained calmly.

"Of course Crane would be the doctor in charge of Arkham," Dick said.

"I hate it, but it was pretty obvious from the start. What I'm more curious about, is the ticket," Barbra said.

"The Mark of Zorro? What about it," M'gann asked.

"That's what Bruce was watching when... it happened."

"But that was years ago. How could he possibly have kept that," Diana asked.

"It's Bruce, if he hasn't already found a way to do something, he will," Barry said.

"Joker," Clark growled.

"A variant of him, yes," Zatara confirmed. "And worse he actually helps Bruce in this."

"How? Why?"

Zatara didn't answer him because at that time, Bruce sat up and gasped deeply.

"Bruce? Are you okay," Dick asked.

"I'm fine."

"Do you need a moment," Artemis asked.

"No. Let's just continue."

No one said anything. They all knew what was about to happen. They didn't like it, but they couldn't stop it.

"Holy shit. This version of Bruce..." Wally trailed off.

"Is a murderer," Bruce finished. "One that needs to be stopped. I get that he spent his life in Arkham and that they are far more corrupt in this universe, but that doesn't give him the right to kill."

"How did the revolutionaries get freaking missiles," Zatanna asked.

"Unfortunately, that is related to this event so I can't say. It will be revealed later, though," Zatara assured her.

Bruce's eyes narrowed. He had a suspicion that it wasn't the rebels who shot Elliot down.

"If they're not careful, they'll get themselves killed," Conner said.

"Yeah, but what about all the people in the helicopter? I hate them as much as everyone else here, but the rebels are going to kill them. Someone as high profile as Thomas Elliot would give the higher ups an even bigger reason to oppress them even more," Diana said.

Dick blushed at seeing Barbra leading the revolutionaries. It was kinda hot. Until she said they killed her dad.

"They killed my dad." Barbra closed her eyes for a second and then opened them.

Dick reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Normally I'd be more excited to see Tim in one of these but given the circumstances," Dick said.

"I get what you mean." Wally grimaced as they killed the men.

They all did. Everything that was going on in this; it was wrong.

"Damn it," Hal exclaimed.

"Where are the other heroes? I get Gotham somehow became an independent city-state, but that wouldn't stop the heroes," Clark complained.

There was complete silence. No one said a word. They all just stared at the screen for what seemed like an eternity. It didn't play. It just paused on Dick standing there.

Finally, Dick himself broke the silence. "Let's move on."

No one objected.

Chapter Text

There was complete silence. No one said a word. They all just stared at the screen for what seemed like an eternity. It didn't play. It just paused on Dick standing there.

Finally, Dick himself broke the silence. "Let's move on."

No one objected.

So I've been able to leave before. On multiple occasions, too. It could be relevant later.

"So it couldn't have been Bruce and it wasn't the Outsiders, who was it," Barbra asked.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling we'll find out,"  Dick said.

Dick smiled. "A genius as always."

"You're overselling me," Barbra replied.

"Not really," M'Gann said. "You're easily the smartest person on the team."

"Fucking rich people. They could easily solve this, but no. They'd rather use the money on themselves."

"So you use your money and fame for charities but hate the rich for not doing that," J'onn noted. "But since you do that, why do you hate yourself for being rich?"

"Because there has never been a pure good rich person! We all suck!"

"Human thought process still eludes me," Red Tornado said.

"This Gotham is horrid," Artemis said. "Is there anyone who actually isn't evil?"

Zatara just shook his head.

"It's somehow even worse than that universe created by Darkseid," Barbra complained.

"How many secret organizations are in Gotham, The League of Assassins, the Court of Owls," Ollie asked.

"There's also the Order of St. Dumas, Mirror House, the Black Glove, and the Leviathan,"  Dick supplied.

Several people stared at him.

"Where are the other superheros," Bruce asked. He hated when other heroes showed up in Gotham, but this was the exception. They were needed. Not only was Batman not a real hero here but Wayne Enterprise didn't exist either which meant no charities, or easy jobs for criminals that need it.

"They were ordered to stay away by the president of Gotham or he'd declare war," Zatara answered.

Clark's eyes narrowed. "He could try."

"You'd risk war just to save people," Hal asked.

"I don't represent the United States. I represent myself. If there is a place where I'm needed I'll go there."

"No matter who wins this fight, Gotham loses,"  Diana said.

"You're right, but hopefully they'll at least weaken each other for the Outsiders to take Gotham back to the people," Ollie said. "Sic Semper Tyrannis."

"I didn't feel anything," Bruce noted.

"Since it is from another multiverse, it technically isn't a variant of you and so you don't have to feel anything."

"And Bruce, you did one good thing here. You got Jason and I to get along... temporarily." Dick's joke did nothing to ease the atmosphere.

"So the two of them together can't stop him," Barry said.

"At this point, I doubt anyone in Gotham can," Dinah admitted.

"Thalia is many things, sloppy isn't one of them," Bruce said. "She wouldn't kill in such a public place."

"I hate her, but yeah, you're right about that," Dick agreed.

"He was even able to break into Elliot's house with the League there and they didn't know," Wally stated. "How?"

"It's Batman," Clark supplied. "He can sneak up on me and Wonder Woman when we're both looking for him. It's best not to ask."

The entire Batfamily smirked.

"My house. Wayne Manor. He'll be walking to his death," Bruce said.

"On one hand, one less rich tyrant, on another, you will be the one to kill him," Ollie said.

Bruce didn't respond.

"And I'm there," Dick said. He was really starting to hate the sound of his voice.

"I'm confused by his plan. Was he expecting Bruce to just be at home, relaxing? Not doing anything, with his guard down? That he would just let Thomas shoot him," M'gann asked.

"He's extremely paranoid," Dinah told her. "That Bruce has been toying with him all day. He's been watching him, was there when he was shot down, attacked him at a warehouse, made multiple attacks where he left newspapers of the attack and whatever else."

"Which means he knows everything. Including his plans to take over Gotham," Conner commented.

"No matter what, there'll be a power vacuum," Zatanna said.

"Which is why you always have to be careful when taking down criminal organizations. Make sure you also cripple their competitors," Dinah said. "It won't stop the gang wars but it will slow them down. And if you're lucky, you can capitalize on it."

Several people jumped at the sudden attack.

"Court of Owls against League of Assassins. That's not good," Wally said.

"Countless deaths; all for control of a city that will continue to fall and crumble in on itself," Bruce growled out.

"They will also weaken each other in the war. It could be the opening the outsiders need to take back control of their city," Ollie said.

"That's Alfred." To say dick and the rest of the people were shocked would be an understatement.

"Unfortunately," Zatara said.

They all stared at the empty husk of a man that had become the butler. Like everything else in this universe, it just felt wrong. Like it shouldn't have happened.

"I just realized, where's Dick," Wally asked.

"We both know the answer to that."

Wally looked down. He hated that he knew what happened to his brother. Even this version. "Yeah, I do."

"How long was he planning this," Red Tornado asked.

"Over a decade," Zatara revealed.

"About the same time as me, then," Bruce realized.

"He's the reason my dad is dead in this universe? All for his parents' money?" She found it a lot harder to feel sympathy for him.

"Barbra..."

"I don't want him to die. But he killed my dad. I don't particularly care if he does right now."

Chapter Text

"He's the reason my dad is dead in this universe? All for his parents' money?" She found it a lot harder to feel sympathy for him.

"Barbra..."

"I don't want him to die. But he killed my dad. I don't particularly care if he does right now."

Several people sympathized with him, to an extent.

"He didn't even know what happened to his parents," Zatanna realized. She could relate to that. She knew what it was like to not know what happened to her dad. All the nights she stayed up worrying about him. He is back now... But for how long?

Zatara reached over and placed his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I'm here. I'm okay."

"I went through the same thing. It doesn't give him the right to kill. Nothing does." Bruce hated this variant of himself. No matter what, there was never an excuse to kill. To not save someone's life if you could.

"So a watered down version of Bruce's training," Clark said.

"He was still able to beat Jason and Dick. We don't know how well trained they are, but they must be near perfect fighters to be as feared and capable as they are in this universe," Diana told him.

"What he did was wrong, but that doesn't mean he deserves to die," Bruce stated.

"His death was guaranteed. The Court of Owls wants him dead, the League of Assassins now see him as a liability, the Outsiders want him dead. No matter who wins, he will die," Hal said.

"I don't care. He has a chance to change. And even if he doesn't, that doesn't mean he deserves to die. If you kill one person, where do you stop? What separates the ones who should die from the ones who shouldn't," Bruce asked.

"Good job, Tim! Keep fighting your oppressors," Ollie exclaimed.

Several people rolled their eyes. However, it did help lighten the atmosphere a bit.

"That will always be creepy," M'gann commented.

"I'll definitely hear it in my nightmares," Conner agreed.

Dick shivered at seeing what had happened to his body. He was definitely thankful that he couldn't feel the pain from this universe.

Wally glared at the being. He still didn't trust him and likely wouldn't ever. "You're still here. We still remember you." Wally was extremely thankful for Artemis' words. And that anyone who overheard them didn't say anything.

Chapter Text

Dick shivered at seeing what had happened to his body. He was definitely thankful that he couldn't feel the pain from this universe.

Wally glared at the being. He still didn't trust him and likely wouldn't ever. "You're still here. We still remember you." Wally was extremely thankful for Artemis' words. And that anyone who overheard them didn't say anything.

"I really hope we don't have to view anything from that multiverse again," Zatanna said. "It gives me the creeps."

"Unfortunately, we will. But not for some time," Zatara assured his daughter and the rest of the audience. "For now, we are going to watch someone break down Dick Grayson."

"What does that mean," Dick asked. "I-"

Zatara waved his hand at the screen. "Just watch."

Batman: Robin needed to help bring the man who murdered his family to justice.

Wonder Woman: So he could turn out like you?

Batman: So that he wouldn't.

Everyone winced at the interaction. Those meetings were definitely not the League's best moments with all the infighting.

Bruce looked thoughtful. He was right. Dick didn't turn out like him. Dick had become so much more. And he was still improving. Getting better. He would eventually become the greater of the two. And Bruce was looking forward to it.

Sage: Robin, Nightwing, Agent 37, Batman. These four identities make up the hero but unlike his mentor, whether he is Dick Grayson or Robin or Nightwing or any of these personalities, he remains the same person. There is no separation.

Sage: In costume or not, Dick Grayson is set apart by his charisma and his jokes. By his kindness and his generosity. And he has irresistible charm.  Proven by the dozens of characters he seduced.

Dick immediately started to blush. "I would rather not have him talk about this." 

Sage: And Dick Grayson is one of my favorite DC Characters. And my favorite Robin.

Dick Grayson: Robin

Sage: The Boy Wonder became Batman's first son after his parents, residents of Haley's Traveling Circus, were killed. The young Grayson Boy was taken in by Bruce Wayne, the only man who knew how to consul the young child.

No one commented. They all knew Dick's origin story.

Sage: And soon after, the two paraded the streets of Gotham as Batman and Robin. The Dark Knight and his squire.

Sage: It was in these early years that the role of Robin to Batman seemed so necessary. Not only to the Bat, but the man underneath the cowl. He needed someone by his side to remind him why he does it. And overall, Robin brought tremendous light to Batman's life. One that countered his darkness. It even brought Batman a rare smile.

'Yeah, it did,' Bruce thought. But he wasn't going to say it out loud.

"And I needed you. Not Bruce or Batman. I needed Bruce and Batman."

"I also needed you."

Sage: This was another chance, besides cleaning the streets of Gotham, to make meaningful change to make meaningful change in someone else's life.

Sage: And the original Boy Wonder, to me, would end up being Batman's greatest success.

Clark smiled. Yeah, Dick was easily Bruce's greatest success. He didn't approve of it at first, but it was the right thing. Especially knowing everything he knew now.

He glanced at all the people that had been taken up as partners and how far they've come. How far they have left to go...

Then he looked at Conner. They had made up and Conner had mostly agreed to be trained, but Clark couldn't help but wonder how much further he would be if he had trained him from the start.

Sage: During Grayson's time as the Boy Wonder, Batman gave the young bird a solid foundation. But Dick was in his nature, always a hero. Never just Batman's partner.

Sage: In Robin: Year One, we see these instincts to protect those around him and instincts to protect those he doesn't even know.

"That's something every hero has. It's kinda a requirement to be a hero," Dick said.

"You're right, but you still have to give yourself some credit. One day, you will be among the best," Diana told him.

Sage: Batman taught him to be strong. Watered these roots that would blossom when he led the Titans and later when he became Nightwing.

Sage: While their relationship stayed strong, to Dick, Bruce would always see him as his son. never as his equal. Even and especially in his costume, causing resentment from the new solo hero.

"He always saw you as his equal, even then," Barbra told him.

"I know that now," Dick replied.

Dick Grayson: Nightwing.

Sage: When Grayson becomes Nightwing, and ventures out to Blüdhaven, Dick learns what it's like to be a hero.

Sage: Chuck Dixon's long standing Nightwing run presents Blüdhaven to the new hero. A city that is in a few ways, even worse than Gotham. Nightwing needed to prove himself and to Batman especially that he wasn't a sidekick and that he was strong enough to protect his own city.

"That's pretty similar to what happened in our universe," Wally commented.

"Agreed. Each of us wanted to prove we were better than just sidekicks," Kaldur added.

"And we did," Dick agreed. "And we've done so much more since then."

They shared a look. The three of them plus Roy were the first actual sidekicks. Even M'gann and Conner only became heroes after the Team was formed. The three of them though, they had been heroes for years at that point.

Sage: Dick wanted room to make mistakes and to be his own person not to live in the shadow of the Bat anymore. And in the very first issue, he saves a young girl getting assaulted and even gets her a job. Telling her to go to Wayne Industries and to tell them that Dick Grayson sent her.

Sage: Saving this girl as Dick Grayson shows the kindness and the strength instilled in him by Bruce that would be on display many more times after this.

Red Tornado couldn't help but feel... something. He couldn't feel emotions but he couldn't help but feel something akin to pride, maybe? He had watched these kids grow and learn to be better heroes. Disobeying orders when necessary and even managing to beat them once. Even if the League was technically holding back. "You were always a hero, Dick. You all were."

"He's right," Dinah agreed. "One day, you'll become greater heroes than all of us."

Dick Grayson: Batman.

Sage: When Dick takes on the daunting task of being Batman when Bruce gets sent back in time; there is a case to be made that Dick is the only logical choice.

Dick frowned at that. Sure, he would take up the cowl if he had to. But he didn't want to. He could do so much more as Nightwing than he ever could as Batman.

Sage: Jason was the Red Hood. He held too much anger and was too brutal to be the Bat. Damion was the most skilled of them all but too young and inexperienced to be Batman. Tim was Batman's greatest partner, the family's best detective. Tim was so cerebral, but he joined to be Batman's partner and that connection with Bruce was so close he spent his waking moments trying to find his mentor.

Sage: But Dick was perfect for it. Skilled detective, almost Batman's equal in martial arts abilities. But what really set him apart from the others was his abilities to lead. Dick may be kind but that kindness goes hand in hand with his ability to be a firm and decisive leader.

Kaldur smiled at that. He knew he didn't want to be the team leader forever. Truthfully, he always saw Dick as his successer. Wally rarely thought things through and was known to run into battle without a plan. Artemis was a great fighter and could be a leader, but she still had too much self doubt. Conner, M'gann and Zatanna didn't really want to be the team leader.

Sage: His generosity and strength earn his respect. And when he becomes Batman, he never loses himself, his signature charisma and confidence is on full display even when he's under the cowl.

Sage There is a purity about Dick Grayson. A purity that doesn't exist in his mentor. The difference between Bruce and Dick is that Bruce is motivated by his obsession with vengeance and or justice depending on the writer.

Dinah had to resist the urge to look at Bruce. It was no question that his mental psyche wasn't the best. No matter what she did, he wasn't going to talk about it to anyone.

Sage: Because he hasn't gotten over his parents' death, obsession has plagued the Dark Knight. There is inherent darkness in Bruce that he has to actively and consciously fight off every time he puts on the cape and cowl and it's what gives him that edge that no one else in that universe has.

Bruce looked away. He knew he probably should seek therapy. He just... couldn't.

Sage: But Dick coped with the trauma of his parents' death. Ever since Bruce and Alfred took him in, he's been healing. There isn't any rage that festers inside of him. There's no darkness. And Dick Grayson is the light. He is emotionally available, he's willing to trust others, no matter who he's put around or what situation he's in, he tries to do the right thing.

Sage: At the end of the Grayson series, he sacrifices his body to be a vessel for darkness instead of Helena Bartonelli. And that moment, to me, embodied Dick Grayson. It's that purity that allows him to wear the cape and cowl and understand that it will never possess him. That Gotham will never possess him. That's the strength he has.

Sage: At times his heart rivals even Superman with it's purity and aptitude for goodness.

Dick shook his head. "No one will ever rival Superman."

"Not yet, but eventually. I'm a hero and will be until I physically can't but you kids can surpass me," Clark said.

"Clark as much as I'd love for one of them to surpass us, the chances of anyone ever being seen as a better hero than any of us, especially you, is next to none," Diana said.

"She's right," Zatanna said. "We're heroes. But you, you're the hero."

"It isn't a downplay on us. It's simply that you're the greatest."

Dick Grayson is the light.

Sage: And to continue that point, I stated that Dick Grayson is the light and this extends to his relationships. 

Sage: Nearly everyone he meets, he becomes acquainted with. Almost as if that charm were his hidden superpower. 

Sage: One of the most important relationships in Dick Grayson's life has been with Barbra Gordon. Their evolution best friends in their youth to rekindled love when they were older found them playing off each other's personalities. Dick being more outgoing whereas Barbra was more introverted and a relationship out of necessity when Barbra became Oracle and Dick became Nightwing. Off and on duty they've always needed each other. And Barbra is always an important part to Grayson's story.

The duo blushed.

Sage: Another noteworthy relationship being Dick and Koryander or Starfire. Who is Dick's partner for his tenure in the Titans. Their similar personalities resulted in passionate lovers but also good friends.

"I don't know who that is, but I don't need to. I have the perfect woman."

"First Wally, now you? Is anyone else randomly good at flirting now," M'gann asked.

"Don't look at me," Conner said.

Sage: To the Batfamily, Dick is not only the ideal to aspire to, but a big brother to everyone. And at times such as the Grayson run or the Gates of Gotham run, he's been able to command the respect of each and every member of the family and he's able to bring out their emotion.  knows what makes them tick.

"So basically the successful older brother." Artemis hit Wally. "Worth it."

"I mean, he's kinda right," Barry said.

"Aren't you both single children," Hal asked.

Sage: Jason had huge shoes to fill, and while they weren't as close as everyone else, in the Grayson run, he comes close to calling Dick his brother. And for Jason, that's incredible.

"At least we get to stop that," Barbra said. "We can prevent him from dying. From becoming Red Hood."

Sage: Tim was Robin when Bruce was at his most vulnerable. At his most volatile. Being the protege that followed after Jason. But at every turn, every question he had about the job, Dick was there to lend a hand. To be a big brother to young Robin. Mentoring and guiding him. For life in and out of the costume. Dick was able to help guide Tim to somewhat understanding Batman. And to being the perfect Robin.

"What will we do with Tim? If he wants to be a hero and finds out our identities, what do we do," Dick asked.

"Let Jason be Red Hood without the murder," Artemis suggested.

Sage: and Finally for Damian; Dick was Damian's Batman for a time in the Batman and Robin run. And Grayson was able to get through that tough and cold heart that Damian has. He was able to give Damian what he needed the most; what he never received; reassurance and love. He gave him respect as an equal. Dick was able to openly tell Damian he was proud of him or that he was smart.

Dick smiled sadly. He loved Bruce but he definitely wasn't good at expressing emotions. Although he has gotten better.

Sage: And my favorite moment of the two being their hug in the Grayson run. And this moment right here in Batman Incorporated.

Damian: So far, I'd like to say you've been my favorite partner. We were the best, Richard. No matter what anyone says.

Dick: Hey. We can't help being great.

"Humble," Conner grunted.

"I can't help it if I'm great," Dick smiled at him.

Damian: Ready?

Sage: That to me, is a perfect illustration of their bond. Dick and Damian were so close that Damian leapt into his arms because he was so happy to see him. That's so uncharacteristic for the young Wayne. Dick was the perfect contrast to Damian's aggression and anger. And a fitting opposite of Tim's reluctance and cautiousness.

Sage: Under the shadow of Bruce, expectation can be so heavy, but Dick was always there to lift that weight off their shoulders and to tell them that they were doing a great job. To tell them that they were worthy.

"Bruce can do that too. In his own way," Dick said.

"His very unique way, but in own way," Barbra said.

Sage: That's the unrelenting kindness that dick has. That's his charm. His ability to deeply understand others and their needs.

Sage: In Dixon's Nightwing, Tim tells him that he and Bruce are different but way more alike than either of them would like to admit. Their need for independence. Their need to be a hero. To have their own city to protect. 

"That was always obvious," J'onn said. "The two of you are similar and very different. In ways that matter and ways that don't."

Sage: While it may have brought resentment from Nightwing in the early stages of their relationship, a part of me believes it made Bruce so proud when Dick left Gotham.

"I was. I'm always proud of you. Of the man you've become."

"I know."

Sage: Though they share the same similarities, Dick is everything that Bruce isn't. He has the ability to trust other's and to ask for help. Look at all the people he's been able to help. Dick Grayson is who he is because of the bonds he created. Because he's not obsessed.

Sage: Unlike any other and unlike the Bat, Dick Grayson is able to inspire hope and goodness. And I think Dick is exactly who Bruce wishes he were. Who he would've been had he been able move on.

Sage: But again, Bruce is so proud of his son for what he's become. To all the Robins, Dick is the Golden standard that each Robin looks towards. Someone who is compassionate and kind but also strong and assertive. A true leader.

Artemis thought back to when the Red Androids invaded the Cave. She panicked and probably would have caused everyone to die, but Dick had kept level-headed. He had been a true leader and was the reason that any of them survived.

Sage: In Grayson; Dick spent ten days in the dessert without food or water to protect a baby. The little water he had for himself, he left it for his enemy, Midnighter. To make sure he didn't die either. And one of the men who finds him proceeds to say that this is no god, it's just a man.

Sage: And this moment encapsulates Dick Grayson's heart. Someone who does the good because it is the good. Someone who will save his enemies before he saves himself. Someone who inspires others to be better.

Sage: And through everything, after Dick resented Batman for not treating him as an equal, Bruce sees Dick as someone who can be an even better Batman than him, if he wanted to. And that's the highest praise coming from Bruce Wayne. And that is why Dick Grayson is Batman's greatest success.

"Damn right," Bruce said.

They all stared at him.

"What?"

"Hearing you cuss is weird," Arthur said.

Chapter Text

"Damn right," Bruce said.

They all stared at him.

"What?"

"Hearing you cuss is weird," Arthur said.

"Honestly, the way he talked about me might have been weirder than the Death Battle guys," Dick said.

"What do you mean," Kaldur asked.

"Wiz and Boomstick mostly just went over things I did, they didn't really explain much about me. This guy went into specifics about me. And the way he was listing events and talking like I'm some fictional character was weird."

"Yeah, I can get that," Wally said. Since he was the only other character that had been analysed. And that had been by Wiz and Boomstick. He could fully understand why that would be weird.

As if reading his thoughts, Zatara said. "Now we will be watching him talk about Batman."

Bruce ground his teeth together. He really didn't want every little detail of his life broken down.

Zatara must have realized what Bruce was thinking because he said: "Don't worry. This isn't about your life but your personality. Specifically an often underrated part of it. Your compassion." Zatara waved his hand and the screen came to life:

Sage: Depending on where you've consume the different types of media related to Batman, they all highlight the different aspects of Batman's character.

Sage: Whether it be the detective work and fighting skills in the Arkham series or the more violent brooding Bat on the big screen, the comics that represent the pinnacle of the character, they all help and portray the incredible complex character that is Batman.

"Yeah, being talked about like we're fictional characters is always going to be weird," M'gann said.

"How do you think I feel? We just had a whole segment about breaking me down and analyzing everything about me. My personality, origins, heck I'm surprised he didn't talk about my favorite food."

Sage: I want to focus on the animated version of Batman and how through two different moments in two different series portrayed Batman's compassion.

Sage: Looking at the heart of ice episode of Batman: the Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited's epilogue. 

Sage: A Heart of Ice follows Victor Freeze better known as Mr. Freeze in the pursuit of Ferris Boyle, the man who nearly killed him and ended the life of Freeze's wife; Nora.

Those that knew Freeze's origin all grimaced.

"His origin is different in our universe," Dick said.

"What is it," M'Gann asked.

"His wife has a medical that is slowly killing his wife. The only way for him to save her was to freeze in cryo sleep. He robs people to get money to fund his research and find a way to save her," Dick explained.

"So why not pay for his experiments yourself, Bruce" Ollie suggested.

Bruce hated to admit it, but that was a good idea.

Sage: Mr. Freeze has always been, for me, one of the better of Batman's villains because of his tragic story and how that story brings out the most human side of the Bat.

Sage: In this episode, Batman Discovers what happened to Freeze and he feels terrible.

Batman: My God.

Everyone's eyes widened. If something was bad enough to get Batman to act like that and to feel terrible, it must have been horrible.

Sage: He even apologizes to Freeze. Batman later helps bring Boyle to justice for the scientist and even keeps an eye on him in his cell.

Sage: We can often fall in love with the idea that Batman is heartless. That his pursuit of vengeance is even stronger than his own humanity. Or that he isn't even human. That he is a cold-hearted monster.

"I hate to admit it, but I thought that way when you first debuted," Barbra said. "Before you started working with my dad."

"I was the same way. But then I started working with Dick, Kaldur and Roy. Then I found out that he's a big teddy bear." Bruce glared at Wally. "Except when he found out Dick told us his secret identity without his permission. He was not happy."

"He wasn't that bad," Kaldur said.

"He broke into my room in the middle of the night and threatened me."

"Technically it was only trespassing. To break into your room, I'd have to break something. I didn't."

"And I woke up to a man in a bat costume glaring at me like a freaking paralysis demon."

Sage: The idea that Bruce Wayne is the mask and his true identity is Batman. This idea could very well be true and I do think it is true, but what the Animated Universe portrayal of Batman does so well is retain his humanity above anything else.

Sage: He has compassion, even for his enemies, at the end of the day, he's trying to help them. Trying to help them. See them become better people. And he is trying to become a better person, but again, he is a man motivated by vengeance.

Sage: This internal struggle between wanting to do anything for the mission and helping even his enemies. is precisely what makes him human. And this episode shows this when he saves one of Freeze's henchmen. To which Alfred points out the henchmen wouldn't do the same for him. But that's the type of person that Batman is. He is Justice just as much as he is vengeance, and this conflict and symmetry between the two creates Batman.

Sage: The season two finale of Justice League Unlimited had Amanda Waller reveal she was the one who created Terry McGinnis and the Batman Beyond Project because of how necessary Batman was to the world and she tells Terry of the moment that made her realize this.

Barbra had a feeling she already knew what he meant but still asked; "What does he mean by that?"

"Terry McGinnis was created when Amanda Waller realized you were getting old. So she took your DNA and used nano tech to change Terry's dad's DNA so that he would impregnate his wife with your child. In that way, Terry is Bruce's kid."

"Fucking what," Dick blurted out. "You know what, never mind. I really don't want to know."

Sage: As Ace of the Royal Flush gang's illusions ran rampant, she needed to be killed before her aneurysm destroyed a city. Batman decides to be the one to do it because of the past he and Ace shared.

Sage: I said we could fall in love with the idea that Batman is heartless and even his own teammates do. No one even batted an eye when Batman needed to go kill a child. But it's in this moment where Batman's humanity is greater than any super power.

"I've never thought that," Clark told him.

"Neither did I," Diana added.

"I did at first. But I stopped that when I actually got to know you," Barry admitted.

"Jury's still out," Hal commented.

Sage: He didn't need to or even want to fight Ace. He needed and bravely decided to be vulnerable. He needed to let this girl into his mind so she can see his true intentions but also so she could see the past they shared. How troubled he was and when she tells him she's dying, again Batman apologizes. When she tells him she's scared, he stays with her and even holds her hand until her death.

They held a moment of silence for the girl.

Artemis secretly wished she could have met the girl. She knew exactly what it was like to be trained and forced to be a villain. The only difference was she got out. She would get to live a full life. Ace wouldn't.

"Does she exist in our universe?" Artemis had blurted the question out before she could stop herself. Luckily most people seemed to think it was more out of curiosity than because she related to the little girl. The ones who did catch on didn't say anything.

"No. It is rare for her to be created," Zatara admitted.

"What do you mean," Zatanna asked her dad.

"Different people appear more or less throughout the multiverse. Like Clark, Bruce and Diana are in almost every Universe and almost always become Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. But some people, like Ace, don't appear in most universes," Zatara explained. He also decided to leave out that Artemis was one of those people.

Sage: Terry suggests that he planned it all in advance and we know how obsessive Batman can be. And the lengths he could go for the mission at hand but that ignores how good of a person Batman can be and has shown to be. It ignores the idea that Batman walked without knowing the state Ace was in and regardless of the outcome was going to be, he wasn't going to kill her. Even if he had to die, he wasn't going to kill that girl.

Sage: This moment paints Batman's greatest weakness as his strongest attribute. The fact that he is just a man. But with that fact he, more than anyone, knows that life is precious. That the gift that is the present  is priceless and is forever fleeting. He knows that everyone deserves it. Whether it be Ace, Mr. Freeze, a Robin or his parents.

Sage: Sure, Ace caused trouble in this episode and in the past, but he knows exactly how she feels.

Again Artemis felt herself relating to the little girl. She had no choice in her previous actions, but she still wanted to be good. She hated that the girl was going to die.

Sage: He knows that Ace has never had anyone simply be a friend to her. He knows what it's like to be alone. His compassion is guiding him in this moment. He knows that she's never had anyone embrace her as she cried or be by her side while she was scared.

Sage: Everybody always feared her But here, Batman was fearless. He doesn't hesitate to sit by her side and be a real friend. And now in death, the final thing she felt was the warmth of another's hand.

Sage: The warmth of the cold-hearted Batman.

Sage: Of all the Batmen on screen, big or small, this is my favorite one because it's the most human.

They once again held a moment of silence for the girl. All of them wished that she had gotten to live a better life. A full life.

"I think it's time for another break. A full one this time," Zatara told them. "You all can eat, freshen up, do whatever you want until tomorrow. After breakfast, we will meet again and continue watching."

Chapter Text

They once again held a moment of silence for the girl. All of them wished that she had gotten to live a better life. A full life.

"I think it's time for another break. A full one this time," Zatara told them. "You all can eat, freshen up, do whatever you want until tomorrow. After breakfast, we will meet again and continue watching."

When he finished speaking several doors appeared to their sides and three in the back. "The doors to your sides are your bedrooms, they are each labeled, same as before. Men on the right, women on the left. Behind you are restrooms and the kitchen for you to eat." 

He paused, thinking for a moment before adding: "And couples who share a room, your rooms are where the screen was before. I do ask that no one else decide to consummate their relationship." Everyone turned to face a red-faced Wally and Artemis.

"I still don't regret it," Artemis said.

"Too much information. I am going to get food now. Or throw up, I haven't decided." With that, Dick did an unnecessary flip over his chair and went to the kitchen. Everyone else started to filter towards the kitchen although a few stopped to use the restroom first.

In the kitchen, everyone was ordering their food and finding places to eat. Dick sat next to Barbra and across from Wally who was next to Artemis.

At another table, Zatanna sat with M'gann, Billy, and Conner. Nearby Hal, Barry, Ollie and Dinah were also talking. Well, Hal, Ollie and Dinah were talking, Barry was, of course, eating a whole turkey.

At the far end of the room, Bruce, Diana and Clark were talking and doing their best not to be overheard.

"Zatara isn't here," Bruce noted.

Clark scanned the room looking for the man but sure enough, he wasn't there. "Maybe he had to use the bathroom."

"No he didn't. I was the last to leave the room and he didn't go into the restroom and he didn't slip past me. The only ones who stayed behind were Red Tornado because he doesn't have to eat. J'onn stayed behind to keep him company.  Kaldur and Arthur went to swim since their skin was drying up."

"So what? Maybe he's talking with Nabu," Diana suggested.

"I doubt it. Nabu has been MIA since Mr. Mxyzptlk showed up. Despite that, Zatara still acts like Nabu is still talking to him."

"You're right," Clark admitted. "But we can't exactly do anything about it."

"Yes, we can. The first chance we get, we'll interrogate him. I want answers."

"He won't just-"

Diana was cut off as the trio simultaneously disappeared. No one noticed them disappear.

Over with Dick, Barbra, Wally and Artemis, conversation was just as serious.

"So, Wally, have you thought of a way to get faster," Dick asked as he cut into a steak.

Wally set down his fork with a frown. "Not really. I mean, I've never been fast enough to do much and now I'm told I'm the fastest being in the multiverse, or a version of me is."

"You're faster than when you first started out, though, right," Barbra asked. She had a baked potato, but hadn't started eating it yet.

"Yeah. When I first started, I could break the sound barrier. Now I can get near Mach 2 but it takes a lot of effort. Mostly it's extremely painful and I'm extremely tired afterwards."

"You'll figure it out," Artemis encouraged.

"Yeah man, if you're capable of blowing yourself and your shed up just to get superpowers, then you can get faster," Dick said.  He ate the piece of steak he was cutting then started eating a piece of broccoli.

"Yeah, so I've heard. For the past several- Ouch! Was that really necessary." He glared at Artemis.

"First, I barely hit you. Second, you'd probably do a lot better if you stopped doubting yourself."

"Now you sound like Uncle Barry."

"I imagine he would know about being fast," Barbra pointed out.

"But you could change that," Dick said. He ate a piece of his steak he had cut.

Wally rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Let's change the subject for now."

Artemis gave him a look that clearly said this conversation was far from over but they agreed to the subject change.

Dinah made sure Hal and Ollie were deep in conversation before asking Barry, "Have you thought about what I told you about Wally."

"You know I have. And I agree with you, the problem is Wally doesn't," Barry said. "Unless you've thought of a way for Wally to get his head out his butt, I don't know what to do." He sounded slightly irritated.

"You're his uncle, surely you can think of something."

"And he's a hero. We're all stupidly stubborn."

"We can agree on that. But seriously, nothing?"

"Every time I brought up the subject of his speed he got defensive, now that I told him about our little theory of him having Impostor Syndrome, it'll definitely be worse."

"You think we jumped the gun by telling him." 

"Yeah. And it's only going to get worse. Especially when the Speed Force made us forget him while he experienced extreme pain and fought to keep his atoms from ripping themselves apart." He was definitely irritated, though she didn't know why.

Dinah looked saddened at being reminded of the ordeal. "You're right. But if he doesn't get faster, he could die. Sure we can stop the Reach as soon as they appear now, but they could still place those energy things."

"I know that," Barry hissed, causing Hal and Ollie to stop and look at them. "Sorry."

"What are you two talking about," Ollie asked. He didn't look too happy that Barry had snapped at his wife.

"Nothing important," Dinah lied. 

"I think it's best that I go sit somewhere else for now. I need to clear my head." With that, Barry ran out of the room leaving his unfinished turkey behind.

"Do we want to know," Hal asked.

"No," Dinah said. Her voice left no room for argument.

Neither looked convinced but they went back to playing some board game that Hal had made using his ring. How they  didn't mix up the pieces, Dinah didn't know, and she didn't care. She looked down at her half finished plate but she didn't have the appetite to eat anymore. 

"I'm going to train a little before bed." She kissed Ollie on the cheek and left.

"Hey Zatanna, where's your dad," Billy asked. He was currently eating a burger that looked way too greasy. Why he had requested one with that much grease, they didn't know. But he seemed to love it.

She looked around and shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe he's talking to Nabu." She didn't seem happy about it but she wasn't concerned either. "Why"

"I figured you'd be eating with him since this is only the second dinner you had since you got him back in over a year and you don't know when you'll see him next."

Zatanna looked away.

"Hey Billy, how's your uncle doing," M'gann asked, quickly changing the subject. Zatanna shot her a grateful look.

"He's good." Thankfully, Billy hadn't noticed the sudden change of subject. "He's still supportive of me being a hero. But I can tell he still gets worried every time I go out. Not so much when I'm just patrolling, but he hates me going on League missions."

"Be thankful. I used to hate it too, but now I miss it more than anything," Zatanna advised.

"I know."

Conner grunted as he took a big bite from whatever fish he was eating. Maybe salmon? "Yeah, take it from a guy who has two dads who hate him and no mom, it's nice to have parental figures in your life."

"I thought you and Clark were trying to fix your relationship," M'gann said.

"We are. But he still hasn't earned my trust."

Soon enough, dinner had melted away. A few people stayed behind for dessert but that too, was quickly gone and everyone had returned to their rooms.

"So, what were you and Barry talking about," Ollie asked Dinah as he grabbed a towel.

"Nothing."

"We both know that's a lie."

"We do. But it's not my place to tell," Dinah told him.

"I know it has something to do with Barry and likely Wally as well."

"It may, but I won't say anything."

"Fine. I don't like it but I won't push you," Ollie said. "I'll be in the shower."

Dinah waited for the sound of the shower to turn on before smirking to herself. She got up and decided to join him.

"Can we talk," Artemis asked Wally.

"I'm not in any trouble am I?"

Artemis rolled her eyes as she sat down on their bed. "Wally, I'm serious."

Wally sat next to her. "What is it?"

"Why are you so scared of surpassing Barry?"

Wally laughed uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at her. "What do you mean?"

"Wally, look at me." He did. "You're entire hero career, you've been told you're not fast enough, how you'll never pass him, how you can't phase through things like him or whatever else like him."

"Yeah, so what?"

"We both know how small comments like that can affect someone. Even without them knowing it. If I had listened to those comments, I'd never have become a hero if I listened to them."

"Artemis..."

She placed her hand on his mouth. "Just entertain the idea. Please."

He gently pulled her hand away from his mouth. "I will. But I want to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"How you felt about Ace."

Artemis' face darkened as she looked away. "I saw myself in her. She had been abused her entire life, used for crimes. Forced to do things that she didn't want to do. It reminded me of when I still worked for Sportsmaster."

"Artemis, look at me." She did. "There's nothing wrong with you relating to her. I made the connection myself."

"It's not just that. I was thinking why me? Why did I get to get out and live when she didn't?"

"Just because you got out and she didn't, doesn't mean you didn't deserve to get out. I bet she would be glad you got out. You're a good person. Stronger than the rest of us. We all got to be heroes. You had to fight to be one."

"Wally, thank you." Artemis wasn't fully reassured, but Wally did make her feel a little better.

"Let's make a deal, if either of us is feeling self-conscious about anything or sad, angry or just needs to vent, we stop trying to hide it, because we're both bad at that."

"Deal."

"What the..." Clark trailed off. Him, Diana and Bruce were unceremoniously dumped... somewhere. It seemed to stretch on for eternity in every direction. Including up and down. It was as if they were simply transported to a void.

"Do not be afraid, but listen."

"Nabu, what did you do to us? Where are we?" Diana hated not seeing Nabu. Not knowing where he was. It was like she was surrounded by an enemy. An enemy she couldn't see.

"Where you are is irrelevant. It is a place only I have access to. You are in my Domain and you will listen."

"What do you want," Batman demanded.

"You have wanted answers to why I did this. Why I instructed Zatara to show you the future, past, alternate realities, and more. I will answer and you will listen."

"Okay then, tell us," Clark demanded. "Because you're really starting to annoy me."

"When I first collected you all, I told you it was to correct Fate. That Wallace's death wasn't meant to happen. That he and all of you should have been more powerful. I was telling the truth, but I omitted another part."

"We figured, but why?" Diana really wished Nabu would make himself visible. If only so she knew where to look. And where to attack if necessary.

"Darkseid, the man I told you about, is one of the evil beings in the multiverse, he attacks. And he will win. But Fate wasn't meant for it to go that way. He was meant to lose. But because you all were not at your full strength..."

"So you made us watch all of this so that we could be more powerful, more prepared, Batman stated. "Then why not awaken our full power yourself. Surely the great Nabu could."

"I can. But I can't interfere with Fate so directly. It would attract even more attention than even this."

The three shared a look.

"I will return you three as well as my Avatar but speak not to anyone about this. If you try then you will find yourself unable to as your voice fails to make sound."

The three were once again unceremoniously teleported, this time to their respective rooms.

The next day at breakfast, Zatara made an announcement. "Nabu has felt that since very few of his goals in bringing you all here have been met, he will be making the Price worse. Now instead of just pain, you will feel every single action of your counterpart. The contraction of their muscles from walking to the feeling of if they are eating something. You will feel it all."

The room exploded with noise. Some were protesting, some accepted, Wally audibly cussed out Nabu, but at the far end, three figures resisted the urge to look at each other. They each knew why he was doing this. It was because of them.

"I know you do not like it, but he has deemed it necessary. When you finish eating, please find your way to the theater so that we may continue." Having said what he was required to, Zatara grabbed a piece of toast and left the room.

After the announcement, even the speedsters found themselves without an appetite so they each left the room where Zatara was waiting, having already ate his toast.

"Next we will be a variant of Wonder Woman, the version of her that was created by Darkseid for his Universe," Zatara told them.

Chapter Text

After the announcement, even the speedsters found themselves without an appetite so they each left the room where Zatara was waiting, having already eaten his toast.

"Next we will be a variant of Wonder Woman, the version of her that was created by Darkseid for his Universe," Zatara told them.

Several people winced and covered their ears at the screech. Conner and Clark were especially disoriented.

"What is that? It's not any spaceship I recognize," Hal said.

Diana shook her head. "This story is about me so it probably isn't from space. My guess is that it's something from hell."

"You don't recognize it either," Bruce asked.

"No. It might be something that exists in this universe, it might not be," Diana stated.

"I... I don't know what those things are," Diana admitted. She was silently begging her alternate self to get there as quickly as possible.

"Relax, you'll arrive soon enough," Zatara told her. "Just keep in mind that you will look significantly different from how you look now."

"Even more different than Bruce," Dick asked.

"Yes."

"Is that... Is that Diana," M'gann asked

"Yes."

"Why am I riding a skeleton Pegasus," Diana asked.

Clark raised an eyebrow. "Do you not like it? I think it's awesome."

"It definitely is," Diana agreed. "I'm just curious where it came from."

"That will be revealed later."

"This version of you is badass," Barry said.

Diana frowned. "I don't like her smearing blood on her face. It seems barbaric." It was also weird, feeling the wind blowing against her, the feeling of blood on her hands and it smeared on her face.

"Yeah, and Bruce's used explosives, so that is hardly the worst thing we've seen in this universe," Dick told her.

"It's still gross," Wally told him.

"I never said it wasn't."

"Wait, this version of Diana was raised in hell," Artemis asked.

"Yet she still became a hero." Clark smiled. "It seems Diana is always destined to be a hero."

Diana however, was focused on something else. "What happened to Themyscira?" Diana was worried about the fate of her home. She now knew more about the man that created this universe, and she knew just what he was capable of doing. Just how evil he was.

Zatara looked like he was hoping she wouldn't ask. "It will show later."

Diana frowned. It was clear neither fate or Darkseid were kind to her home.

"Circe," Diana growled. "I should've known she would have something to do with this."

"Actually, she doesn't. Just as several of Batman's villains are good, Circe is also good. And she is the reason you're alive," Zatara assured her.

Diana looked conflicted. "Very well.I will give her one chance."

"Did Apollo just give me to that witch," Diana asked.

"You said you'd give her a chance," Bruce reminded her.

"Besides, I think baby Diana looks kinda cute," Hal said.

"By the gods, what did my sisters do," Diana asked.

"I will tell you later."

Wally leaned over to Dick and whispered; "Man, Jeff Bezos is going to have a nightmare naming his company now."

"Now is not the time." Despite that, Dick had a small smile on his face.

Several people gripped their seats harshly. They knew she survived, but that wouldn't stop them from worrying. After all, it was a baby Diana, in Hell, raised by one of her worst enemies.

There was a moment of silence before several people started laughing.

"I will admit, I wasn't expecting that," Ollie said when he regained his breath.

"Circe does raise a good point, will the gods send more things to kill Diana or was the snake merely a coincidence," Red Tornado asked.

Diana frowned. She had served the gods for centuries. To think that they would ever want her dead... She decided not to think about it.

Diana didn't even wince when the fire hit her counterpart.

"It seems like your variant likes demon animal things," M'gann noted. Garfield would like her. Thinking about her younger 'brother' made her wonder when she last visited him. 'I really need to visit him again. I can also see if he has his powers yet.'

"I guess you were right to have me trust her." Diana was glad that Circe had taken a liking to that version of her. Because that was the only way she would have survived. Even without the demons, there was exposure, no food or water or any other amount of things could kill her.

"If you are domesticating all the animals, then I wonder what the place will look like in a few years," Kaldur said. "The place is rather small."

"I imagine they could expand the house if necessary," Arthur told his partner.

"Circe  is a good mother, despite all her flaws and being in literal Hell," Conner noted.

"This just proves that she could be so much more. If only she tried," Diana agreed.

Diana frowned at the sight of the dead bird demon. She would kill if necessary, but she wouldn't enjoy it. But still, Diana couldn't help but wonder if Circe could change her ways. It wasn't likely, but it was possible.

"I can't get over that you have a skeleton Pegasus," Barbra said.

"Wolf is better," Conner said.

"You think Wolf is better than every animal."

"Because Wolf is."

"Honestly, I was expecting something worse," Hal admitted.

"Honestly, same," Dinah admitted. "But its size doesn't mean it isn't more powerful."

"It isn't the final villain," Bruce reminded. "He is just the boss of all the other goons. Which means it is more powerful than the others."

Diana covered her ears at the screech. Even when it ended, there was still a ringing in her ears.

"Are you okay," Clark asked.

Diana waved him off. "I've had worse."

Diana grunted as all the Harbingers rammed into her. It wasn't painful, but the force did catch her off guard.

"This guy is strong. Do you have a plan to take him down yet," Ollie asked.

Diana shook her head. "Maybe if I had my Lasso but I do not know if I have it in this universe."

Chapter Text

"This guy is strong. Do you have a plan to take him down yet," Ollie asked.

Diana shook her head. "Maybe if I had my Lasso but I do not know if I have it in this universe."

Diana let out a loan grunt of pain as she was hit and flung backwards. 'So he actually can hurt me.'

"Are you good," Dinah asked.

"I'm fine."

"I can say Amazon again. Good, maybe now I can figure out what happened to it."

"You're still a long way from finding out what happened to them," Red Tornado pointed out.

"Dude, not helping," Wally exclaimed. "We're trying to keep a positive mindset."

"I am incapable of a positive mindset."

Wally, along with several others, sighed.

"And now the Harbinger should be worried," Dick said.

"He was scary for a little bit, but now Diana is going to stop him," Dick said.

As the screen cut off, there were a few groans.

"Come on," Wally complained. "I was looking forward to watching Diana beat that thing."

Chapter Text

As the screen cut off, there were a few groans.

"Come on," Wally complained. "I was looking forward to watching Diana beat that thing."

"Unfortunately, that was all Nabu saw fit to have you all see. It was meant to introduce you to her for now," Zatara explained.

"I hate Nabu," Wally commented.

Choosing to ignore Wally's comment, Zatara continued, "Now we shall watch their version of Superman in that universe." He paused for a moment before continuing: "Clark, Nabu wants me to tell you that Krypton will be shown in this viewing, but it is not like our version."

"Wait," Diana interrupted. "Themyscira, what happened to it? To my sisters?"

Zatara frowned. "I do not know."

Diana narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean 'you don't know?'"

"Nabu has decided not to tell me, or else I would tell you."

"What the..." Clark trailed off. He knew this wasn't the same Krypton, but it was also the only one he'd ever seen. And just seeing the volcanoes, the pollution, and no real nature in sight, it left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Remember, this isn't your Krypton," Diana reminded him.

"I never saw Krypton as my home, Earth is, but it is my home planet. And seeing it like this..."

"So only the most powerful have any say and are the only ones who can actually do something," Ollie commented. "This Krypton is a glorified Oligarchy."

"It seems that way," Dinah agreed

"Crap," Clark muttered. He knew all too well what no rain could do to a farmer. He also lived in a place where everyone would come together and help each other when that happened. This place wasn't like that.

"It'll work out," Bruce told him.

"Is that my mom," Clark asked.

"Yes."

Clark was transfixed on his mom. 'So that's what she looks like.'

"Why do they have to pay for rain," Dick asked.

"Rain doesn't naturally happen anymore."

"Doing all of that just to grow crops? How are they able to even feed the population," Barbra asked. "No way is that going to sustain a whole planet. It would barely feed a country."

"It can't," Clark said. "At least, not for long."

"You know, in a weird way, I'm glad I'm a part of the Labor Guild. It means I know what the average person is like. What they go through," Clark said.

"We get what you mean," Barry assured him.

"A mine shaft," Clark asked. "Is that where my dad works?"

"Yes," Zatara responded.

Conner frowned. "It doesn't sound too stable. I can hear the rumbling even through the video."

"I doubt these Kryptonians put too much effort into safety, big guy," Wally told him.

"Looks like the higher ups think they're more qualified for a job than the people who actually do the job. Typical," Artemis said.

"They just want as much money as they can get. That means having the miners work no matter the conditions," Ollie told her. "And they have no choice but to listen or they get fired."

"They need to get out of there," M'gann said worriedly.

"They will," Zatanna said, hoping she was right. She'd rather not see these people get crushed to death by a collapsing mine shaft. Or worse, have them suffocate to death because they weren't rescued in time.

"So this Krypton suppresses any criticism of the government, punishes the people who speak out, crushes any descent, and ignores the truth and warnings," Ollie listed off.

Clark was hating this Krypton more and more. It went against everything he believed in.

Fear filled Clark at seeing all the Kryptonite flood into the room. Not only that but it was melting the man. "Holy crap!"

"This Kryptonite is far worse than ours," Conner said. While he didn't show it, he was just as scared as Clark.

"That'll kill them," Wally exclaimed.

"I doubt the ones in charge care very much. And those guards will force them to mine anyway," Dinah advised.

"All these companies care about is how much profit they can get," Hal added. "It's sad but true."

"Good job, Clark," Ollie complimented.

"Even through all that you went through on this Earth, you still stand up for the little man," Bruce said. "Despite everything Darkseid changed, it seems he is wrong. We are all still heroes."

It almost reminded him of Joker and how he acted at times. How he believed any person could become as insane as him. Both of them were wrong.

"I just thought of something," Barry said. "If that Superman grew up with his dad as a miner, he would know their struggles."

"What's your point," Arthur asked.

"I'm saying that despite not growing up on Earth, he still managed to find people to relate to. He knows their struggles because his dad faced the same ones. In fact, he may have had to be a miner himself."

Clark smiled at him. "That actually makes sense." Good. So I still found a way to be human. To relate to them.

"So this Clark can speak Portuguese," Diana noted. "But who taught him?"

"He probably taught himself," Dick pointed out. "Or at least, he taught himself the basics. He definitely didn't learn from the locals."

Zatara shook his head. "No, his suit translates everything for him."

"Wait, my suit as in it's alive?"

"In a way. It just has an AI that helps you."

"Clark just pulled a Batman," Wally said, earning a few chuckles.

Bruce just glared at him.

"Sorry, Bruce. But I've been glared at too many times. I've built up an immunity. Plus, it's not as scary without your Batsuit."

Clark glared at the screen so hard it was a wonder he didn't accidentally laser it. "I need to wake up and save them," he muttered.

"They'll be fine, Clark," Bruce reassured him.

"I know that, but he's still asleep."

"I know they'll be fine because when you wake up, they'll be protected by you. And that makes them the safest people alive."

"Crap, they got the jump on him," Dinah said.

"Normally, that wouldn't be enough, but now he's also sun-starved," Diana replied. "But he will still try his best."

Clark just hoped he actually got to save the civilians. Maybe if they got him, they'd leave him alone. He doubted it.

Conner actually smiled. "Good luck with that."

'You're actually warming up to him,' M'gann spoke directly into his mind.

"He clearly wants to improve and fix how he acted before, so I'm giving him the benefit of doubt."

Several people smiled at seeing Superman.

"So that's my suit in this universe? I like it," Clark stated.

"Do you feel any of their bullets," Diana asked.

"No. I hope they punch me next. I want them to hurt their hands trying to hurt me. Consider it payback for what they did to the civilians."

Chapter Text

Several people smiled at seeing Superman.

"So that's my suit in this universe? I like it," Clark stated.

"Do you feel any of their bullets," Diana asked.

"No. I hope they punch me next. I want them to hurt their hands trying to hurt me. Consider it payback for what they did to the civilians."

"What about now," Bruce asked?

Clark shook his head."Like an annoying poke. Nothing I haven't felt before. I just hope I can take the fight away from these people."

Clark screamed in pain as the lightning hit him.

"Clark!" Barry rushed to his friend's side and held him up so he didn't fall out of his chair. "Are you okay?"

"I'm good. I just wasn't expecting that. It didn't help that I'm drained of solar energy. He probably would've been able to take it if he wasn't so weak."

Even through his pain, even though it was an alternate version of her, Clark recognized the woman. "Is- is that Lois."

"Yes," Zatara admitted. "In this universe, she became a LAZARUS agent."

Clark was breathing deeply now. He was slouched in his chair and looked like he was going to fall off.

Bruce and Diana reached over to hold him up.

Clark muttered something incomprehensible but made no acknowledgement that the two were helping him.

"Things just keep getting worse," Dick muttered.

"I don't see how he's going to be able to stop all of them and save the civilians," M'gann admitted.

"It wouldn't be so bad if he weren't so weakened," Clark added. The only way to do it would be to surrender. He didn't like it, but it was the truth.

Clark was feeling so nauseous, tired and weak he barely even registered the handcuff getting slammed on his wrist.

"Clark, are you okay," Hal asked. Clark just nodded in acknowledgment.

"She gave me my name in this universe, too," Clark murmured. He still looked dangerously weak. It was a look that seemed so... wrong on him.

"Yeah, she did, now keep watching and we can get you back to 100 percent," Arthur said.

Instantly Clark felt better only for his anger to return. "Brainiac." 'I should've known he'd be behind this. Especially with the suit's AI saying that the technology wasn't from our galaxy.'

"At least now we know who's in charge," Diana said.

"But Clark doesn't. And that's who needs to know," Barry pointed out.

"What did they do to Ma and Pa? What happened to the farm?"

"Well they rescued you but someone reported them for having you as an undocumented migrant," Zatara told him. "So the Peacemakers came and well," he waved his head at the screen. "Did this."

"Who's Rao," Conner asked. If he was finally going to be trained by Superman, he would like to also know as much as possible about Krypton's culture.

"It was the primary religion for Kryptonians. I never believed it myself but I can teach you what I know, which admittedly, isn't much and you can decide if you want to learn more or convert," Clark said.

"I doubt I'll convert but I would like to know more," Conner said.

"They knew Krypton was going to be destroyed," Clark asked.

"Yes. In fact, they do in most universes, it's how they get you to Earth," Zatara answered.

"Krypton isn't a perfect planet, just as Earth isn't, but they managed to save the person they most cared about," Kaldur said. "And in doing so, gave Earth its greatest protector."

Clark smiled. He never got to see his biological parents in person, but seeing them and what they did, how they cared for everyone, just as his Ma and Pa did, it made him happy.

Chapter Text

Clark smiled. He never got to see his biological parents in person, but seeing them and what they did, how they cared for everyone, just as his Ma and Pa did, it made him happy.

"Now it's time to watch a new universe. One where things went bad. As bad as they possibly could."

Instantly the atmosphere dropped. "What happened," Wally asked.

"In this universe, the Joker did the impossible. He broke Superman and turned him evil."

Everyone felt their blood turn to ice. "No. I wouldn't."

Zatara sighed. "You wouldn't. But this version of you did. Joker nuked Metropolis then he tricked you into killing Lois and your unborn child."

Clark shook his head "That can't be it."

"This was a weaker version of you," Zatara said. "Morally speaking, he was among the weakest Supermen out there."

"Who is Lobo fighting," Diana asked. "Because whoever they are, it's causing him to struggle. Anyone that can do that is someone we need to know about."

"This is all in his head, he's not actually fighting anyone," Zatara assured her.

Clark shook his head "That can't be it."

Bruce growled. "How the hell did Harley Quinn capture Lobo?"

"In this universe, while Clark is evil, Harley Quinn actually turns good," Zatara told him. "As for how she captured him, she had help and a pill that makes her physically stronger than Lobo."

Lobo's reaction would have normally gotten a few laughs but now the mood was too somber.

"Not much can get past our defenses," Hal said. "Even fewer things can travel so fast we don't have time to prepare for it."

"Lobo's motorcycle can," Bruce said. "We saw how fast and powerful it was when he fought Ghost Rider."

Everyone sighed. They already knew a lot about Lobo. Now they would see his destructive habits.

"He needs to be stopped as quickly as possible," Diana said.

"The problem is Superman has gone evil, who knows, he might try to recruit Lobo," Dinah 

Several people shuddered at the thought of the two psychopaths teaming up.

"And judging by the trajectory of the bike, he went out of his way to hit the Watchtower," Wally observed.

"He definitely did," Dick agreed. "He probably thought it was funny."

Clark stared sadly at the ruins of his city. How it was once full of life, all gone in an instant.

"That won't happen in our universe," Bruce assured him.

Clark sighed. He barely tolerated Lobo on a good day. This man didn't have any of them.

"That man isn't you, Clark," Diana said. "He is a tyrant wearing your colors and your symbol. But he is just as fake as every dictator. He will fall all the same. And when he crashes from the sky, the world will be free again."

'Even more wreckage, more destruction of my home.

"At least we know he isn't trying to recruit Lobo," M'gann said.

"But now they're going to fight and destroy even more of the city," Artemis replied.

"Did you feel the building fall on you," Hal asked.

Clark nodded. "It didn't hurt, but yeah, I felt the impact."

"Is he going to throw him into the sun," Arthur asked.

"Probably," Clark said. "I don't have a 'no kill rule' and he definitely doesn't. I doubt he has any moral restraint about any unnecessarily killing."

"Wait, you don't have a no kill rule," Artemis asked. "But I've never heard of you killing."

"I only kill if I have no other choice. I can't subdue whoever I'm fighting or if they threaten too many lives. I haven't encountered anyone who met either criteria." 'But Darkseid, him I might have too. Depending on how big of a threat he is.'

Clark hated that smile. It wasn't like his normal calm one. It was malice. The smile of someone who enjoyed tormenting people. Not Superman's normal kind, loving and hopeful smile.

Everyone gritted their teeth. 'Great so now I use fear. I hire people like Lobo. How could I have fallen so low.'

"You didn't fall," Bruce told him. "That man did. And he may look like you, he may wear your suit, but that isn't Superman."

"How did you-"

"It's me, Clark. And I know you."

"Luthor," Clark exclaimed. "How on earth did I ever team up with him?"

"Luthor was never a villain in this universe, instead he was a hero," Zatara explained.

"Then he should be opposing him."

"He is. Luthor is a spy for Batman and the rebel forces."

"So there is such thing as a good Lex Luthor out there."

'So that's how Harley Quinn beats him,' Bruce thought. 'If she were to eat the pill, maybe she'd stand a chance.'

"He really is an idiot. He's been told that it won't affect, yet he still takes it," Ollie complained.

"Weren't you the one that told me stupid people can pretty far in life," Artemis questioned.

"Because Lobo will totally do as you say," Zatanna sarcastically said.

"He will. Lobo is a man of his word, and he definitely won't risk being thrown into the sun," Clark replied.

"Why does he want Harley," Dick asked.

"She help Joker nuke Metropolis and trick him into killing Lois," Zatara explained.

"Which means Harley needs to get outta there," Clark said. "Too many people have died already."

"Is she trying to get him angry," M'gann asked.

"I think so," Dinah answered. "Despite her faults, Harley Quinn was a licensed psychiatrist, she may be trying to make him mad so he makes a mistake."

"I never thought I'd see the day I route for Harley Quinn of all people to escape," Barbra said.

"It feels wrong. Like I'm somehow betraying my morals," Dick agreed.

'And I was right,' Bruce thought.

"So that is how she escapes but now she has to capture him," J'onn noted.

Chapter Text

'And I was right,' Bruce thought.

"So that is how she escapes but now she has to capture him," J'onn noted.

Several people winced. They all had their fair share of crash landings. And dropping several stories tended to hurt. Even people with enhanced durability could only handle so much.

Or not.

"Don't get me wrong, I knew she would survive, but seeing her able to take a hit that even I would struggle against is... unfavorable," Arthur said.

"What do you mean," Kaldur asked his mentor.

"I am able to take a lot of damage, but falling from that height would probably break a few of my bones."

"Yeah, I get what you mean," Barry said. "This is weird."

"I never thought I'd say this, but Harley is kinda scary," Wally admitted.

"She's an idiot, but she's an idiot who managed to get a psychology degree and can fight reasonably well. She can be a threat when she needs to be," Dick agreed.

"Again with the things that would kill someone being minor inconveniences to him," Barry complained.

"You're just mad you can't survive a fall from space," Hal accused.

"Kinda, that does sound cool."

"It is cool. Painful, but cool," Hal agreed.

Ollie instinctively grabbed his nose where he got hit. "Man, that is weird. But hey, Canary and I finally make an appearance."

"I was already in one of these," Dinah pointed out.

"That business with the Dark Multiverse crap doesn't count!"

Ollie arched his back when he got slammed. "I wish it wasn't with us sparring, though. That hurts enough as it is. Now I don't even have to get my ass kicked to get hurt."

Several people facepalmed. "Figures she would try to drive that without knowing what the hell she's doing," Barbra muttered.

Suddenly, Clark's blood went cold. "Wait, she just led Lobo right to them. As good as you two are, you don't stand a chance against Lobo."

"Thanks for the confidence, Clark. What happened to your optimism," Ollie asked.

"I have full faith in both of you, but even I struggle against Lobo at times."

Dinah looked at her with an annoyed expression. "For her, it's always a bad time."

"You do remember she is a hero at this point, right," Zatara asked.

"She still nuked a city."

"You know, she has a pint," Dick said.

"NO! I am not changing the name," Ollie said.

"The Quiver is a better name, you have to admit that," Artemis told her 'mentor.'

"Not you too! The name is Arrow Cave and that's final. I'm not changing it!"

Dick leaned over and whispered to Wally, "We should totally break into the Quiver and spray paint its name everywhere. And invite Artemis and I'll get Babs. Consider it a double date."

"You're on. But make sure you go on a first date before you actually go on a double date."

"Obviously."

"You let Harley Quinn into the Arrow Cave, and only used handcuffs," Bruce asked slowly.

"I didn't. He did," Ollie said, gesturing towards the screen frantically.

Ollie smiled at shooting Lobo in the eyes. It was very therapeutic.

Dinah couldn't wait for her turn to fight Lobo.

Dinah rubbed her throat. It was weird feeling her power activate but not actually activate. She wasn't sure what to think. It felt weird. But still, hurting Lobo was fun.

"That is definitely not what I'm thinking," Ollie said. "I'm just wondering what I did to have to suffer enough to team up with her in the first place."

"I just want to get back to kicking your ass."

"Was that really a necessary comment, you weren't even the one doing it and I wasn't the one getting my ass kicked!"

"She was not good at her job," Barbra said. "Otherwise she wouldn't have gone insane and become obsessed with one of the most insane people to ever live."

"Are you telling me he could've escaped at any time," M'gann asked.

"Yeah, I'm surprised he didn't do it instantly," Clark admitted.

They turned to look at Ollie.

"I don't want to hear it. Not a damn word."

"Is that Darkseid," Diana asked.

"In a way. He is only an avatar of sorts. Every Darkseid across the multiverse is just a vessel for the actual Darkseid to enact his will without destroying the universe."

Chapter Text

"Is that Darkseid," Diana asked.

"In a way. He is only an avatar of sorts. Every Darkseid across the multiverse is just a vessel for the actual Darkseid to enact his will without destroying the universe."

"So he's who we have to fight when we get out of here," Clark said.

"Yes. Even if all of you unlock your true potential, it will be a struggle," Zatara told them. "For now though, we should move on."

The scene opens to a museum dedicated to famous magicians throughout history.

"Oh great, more fake magic," Wally said. He heard someone clear their throat and saw the two magicians glaring at him. "Are you two really surprised? I haven't exactly been subtle about hating magic. It may be real, but the stuff in that museum comes from fake magicians."

"Actually, every single one of those fake magicians were, in fact, real magicians." Zatara glared at Wally. "In fact I trained under and alongside a few of them myself."

A blue blast hit a banner and caused it to come to life and two guards. A smoke bomb went off and Abra Kadabra appeared.

Abra Kadabra: The creations of the world's greatest stage magicians, Houdini, Carter, Thurston and now their mine!

"Abra Kadabra, my least favorite of the Rogues," Wally said. "Ever after all this time, he still insists his magic is real."

"It can get annoying," Barry agreed. "But personally, I prefer him over Mirror Master."

Batman dropped behind him and punched him which sent him flying back.

Batman: Show's over, Kadabra.

"A Batman who quips? Christmas just came early." It was taking every ounce of willpower not to annoy his mentor.

"Much better than our brooding, no conversation unless necessary one," Barbra agreed.

Bruce glared at them which they ignored. They had seen it too many times. Plus, it wasn't as good when he wasn't wearing the Batsuit.

Abra Kadabra:  Batman, your clumsy antics are no match for my sorcery.

"Technology," Wally automatically corrected.

Batman: Don't worry, I brought an assistant. He raised his cape then lowered it to reveal Zatanna.

"Hey, I finally appear," Zatanna said smiling. And a team up with Batman at that. Awesome.

"It's not all it's cracked up to be," Diana said. "But still congratulations."

Zatanna bowed. Surrender  Abra, don't make me say it backwards.

"Does everyone quip in this universe," Artemis asked.

"Almost everyone, yes," Zatara answered.

"Do I," Artemis asked.

"You don't exist in this universe," Zatara said.

"Oh." Artemis was seriously starting to question if she was ever going to appear in one of these. Or if she even existed in these universes.

Abra Kadabra: Ah, yes. Zatanna. Your famous backwards spells. Too bad you can't put everything in one magic word like  Abrakadabra! Batman shoved her out of the way.

Zatanna groaned at feeling Batman fall on her. "Thanks."

Bruce just nodded.

Zatanna cast a spell on a dresser and sent chains flying at  Abra Kadabra. They wrapped around him.

Abra Kadabra: Not bad for an amateur.  He pointed his wand at the chains.  Abrakadabra! The chains went limp and fell of him.  Abrakadabra! The spell hit civilians and forced them to fight Batman and Zatanna. Defend me my puppets.

"Are you sure his spells are fake because they look real to me," M'gann said.

"They're fake," Barry assured her. "He's just really convincing about it."

Zatanna went to fight them but got gagged. That's quite enough out of you.

In the theater, Zatanna instinctively reached for her mouth and found it ungagged. "This is weird." She was just glad that she could speak.

"I'd say you get used to it, but you don't," Clark told her. "Just ignore it and wait for it to be over."

Batman punched someone before throwing a batarang which knocked down several people. However he started getting overwhelmed.

Zatanna managed to rip off her gag and began pulling handkerchiefs out of her mouth.

The civilians managed to chain up Batman and lift him up in the air. Abra Kadabra shot a spell which created a tank of water for Batman to be lowered into. However Batman instantly broke free.

"Did he honestly think that would work? He definitely doesn't know anything about Batman," Ollie said.

"Well normally, he fights Flash," Dinah pointed out. "Yeah, but he should at least know not to try that. It's freaking Batman," Billy countered.

He threw a batarang and knocked the wand flew over to Zatanna who used it to free herself, and break it which freed the civilians.

"Finally, that was a weird feeling," Zatanna said.

"Just be thankful you don't appear more, because seriously, you don't ever get used to that," Dick told her.

She spoke a spell which caused her hate to vacuum Abra Kadabra into her hat and into a tiny cage.

"Good job," Bruce told her.

"Thank you."

Batman: I had to train for years to fight crime and all you do is talk backwards. She put her hat on and wink.

"I also had to train for years," Zatanna told him. "It's a lot more than speaking backwards."

"They know," Zatara assured his daughter. "No need to get annoyed by a quip from an alternate version of Batman."

Skip the intro.

A theater sign shows the Mask of Zorro.

Bruce's blood froze. How many times was he going to have to witness this? Had once not been enough?

"Bruce..."

A family walked down an alley as the kid used a paper to pretend to be a sword fighter.

Bruce: You know dad, that movie was pretty good after all. Can I be Zorro when I grow up?

Everyone was starting to catch on to who the people were. And what they were about to witness. 

Thomas: Absolutely son. We'll need to get you a bigger sword.

Bruce: Take that you wicked tyrant!

Martha: Dear...

Thomas: Martha, let him play.

Martha: Thomas Wayne: when he has nightmares tonight, you can be the one to calm him down.

'Something they would never get to do.'

"Bruce, do you need a moment," Diana asked.

"No."

Thomas: That's enough for now, Bruce. We'll start you on fencing lessons when you're older. Say-

They see a man in the alley. He pulled out a gun. I'll take that necklace you're wearing, lady.

Bruce recognized the man. A face burned into his brain. A face he'd never forget. Joe Chill. Dick grabbed his hand comfortingly.

Thomas: Leave her alone!

BLAME! Thomas was shot followed by Martha.

They all silently watched as the man gunned down Bruce's parents. As Bruce mourned. And as Batman was born.

Cut to Bruce in his bedroom. I swear by the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals. Alfred watched sadly before leaving.

A silhouette of bats, a man lifting a weight, experimenting with chemicals, a man making a batarang. And finally, Bruce put on his Batsuit for the first time.

They continued to stay silent. They knew Bruce had traveled the world to be what he is today. Even if they didn't know the full extent.

It showed him on a scale on one side, with heroes His side was called Justice. The other was filled with villains and called Vengeance.

Phantom Stranger: And so an ordinary mortal conquered tragedy and became the greatest champion for the cause of Justice.

Bruce shook his head. "Clark is the greatest champion of justice."

"No, Clark is hope. You are justice," Diana told him.

The Specter appeared. Justice? What is Justice without Vengeance, Phantom Stranger? Simply a slap on the wrist and an invitation for evil to continue unabated.

Phantom Stranger: What would you have, Specter? Batman to become like you? Dispensing punishment without mercy? Growing just as dark as the villains he fights?

Bruce growled. Never. That was a line he'd never cross.

"We all know Bruce is too good for that," Barry said.

Specter: You know the reason for this meeting. Batman's darkest hour is at hand. Soon he will confront the man who took his parents from him, then the final stroke will be delivered. For vengeance.

Phantom Stranger: For the sake of Batman's soul, I hope you're wrong. Batman must uphold justice.

"And he will," Arthur said.

Specter: I put it to a wager.

Phantom Stranger: Interesting. And the prize?

Specter: If Batman falls, he is forever in my control. An agent that hunts and destroys his prey.

"The Specter gets Batman even less than I do if he ever thinks he would kill," Hal said. "And that says something because I'm pretty sure he hates me."

While Dinah knew Bruce would never kill, she was also worried about what confronting Chill would do to him. It went fine in their universe, but not every one is destined to be the same.

Phantom Stranger: And if I win?

Specter: Batman is free to go his own way. They disappeared.

A priest joins a man on his deathbed.  Louie Moxon: Better late than never, eh, Padre?

"Louie Moxon," Barbra reported. "A mob boss. He lost all his power after Bruce returned as Batman. What does he have to do with this?"

"I guess we will find out," Martian Manhunter replied.

Priest: Do you have anything to confess?

Louie: Confess, huh? He couched violently. When I was nine, I beat up Jimmy Flaherty for kissing my sister. Yelled at my wife once. He coughed again. Lied about my weight on my driver's license. Oh, uh, and there's the 40 years I spent running Gotham's rackets.

The priest said nothing.

Many people were starting to suspect something was up with the priest.

Louie: Okay. I got one more big one. A while back, I took a hit out on Thomas Wayne. Remember him? Big time doctor, rich guy. Did a stint in Blackgate because of him.

'So it was a mob hit in this universe,' Bruce thought. 'What did my dad do to attract the mob?'

Priest: Who did you hire to do it?

Louie: It went all wrong though.The guy got antsy or something wound up offing Wayne's wife too.

Priest: Who was it?

People were starting to confirm it. They knew something was off with the priest.

Louie: I mean, yeah, Wayne had it coming, but I'm no monster.Left their kid without a ma. Felt kind of bad about that.

Priest: What was the man's name?

Louie: Why do you care?

Priest: You're not the only one in need of forgiveness.

Then, they all knew who the priest was. Except if it was Bruce Wayne or Batman.

Louie: Yeah, okay. Some guy named [COUGHING] [BEEPING] Chi- Chill.  [MACHINE FLATLINING]  The Priest leaves and in an alley reveals himself to be Batman. 

At a place called Tiki Tavern.

Dick, Barbra and Bruce made a mental note to check the place out when they got back. Any place that had connections to the mob would be stopped.

Various mobsters had gathered: To Louie Moxon, a legend in his own time. There was never a greater force to be reckoned with.

Bruce: Then you've never reckoned with the force of justice. He jumps onto the table smashing it and causing it to shatter. Several people ran away.

Bruce frowned. If he was going to find Chill, he'd need to interrogate as many people as possible. He couldn't let anyone get away.

"Bruce." Dinah was staring at him.

"I'll be fine." He didn't need to be told he wasn't mentally well. He already knew that.

Bruce picked up a monster. The Wayne murders, years back, that was one of Moxon's contracts. Who did he hire?

Mobster: Get real, Bats, most of us were still in reform school when that happened. What I know is that maybe Moxon ain't the only one checking out tonight. Bruce threw the man at a charging enforcer.

Bruce gritted his teeth. This was taking too long.

Two more jumped him but he dispatched them easily. He held a man over a pit of fire.

"That's too far," Dick hissed. "Bruce, I know you want to find Chill, but we have rules for a reason."

"I already found Joe Chill. I know I went too far at times," Bruce replied. It was the reason he adopted and trained Dick. To be better. And he succeeded.

Bruce: One of you knows something. And I got all night to find out who.

Phantom Stranger: Batman, restrain yourself. He let the man leave.

Several people let out a breath they didn't know they were holding. They knew Bruce wouldn't kill the man. But they still had their doubts.

Clark sent a silent 'thank you' to the Phantom Stranger.

Bruce: Phantom Stranger, this had better be important.

Phantom Stranger: Very. I'm alarmed at the way you're conducting this investigation.

Bruce: Go haunt a house. I'm busy.

Phantom Stranger: Batman, I'm here to offer you an insight into you parents' demise.

'Good, Bruce needs closure,' Diana thought. 'Hopefully at least one version can forgive himself.'

Batman: What do you know:

Phantom Stranger: Most things. Be warned, you might be shaken by what you learn here tonight. He waved his hand and they appeared in a ball room. In the middle of a costume party.

Batman: What does a Halloween party have to do with-

Phantom Stranger: Gotham. More than 3 decades ago. Two people walk down the stairs. Martha and Thomas Wayne.

Bruce's eyes teared up seeing his parents yet again.

Bruce: Wait, that couple...

Phantom Stranger: Yes, Batman, they're your parents.  Bruce had a look of pure shock on his face. I haven't seen them since-

Phantom Stranger: I know. That night. Know that as a visitor to this temporal plane, there is nothing you can do that will alter their unfortunate fates.

No one said anything, but they all knew that was for the best. How much would be changed if Bruce never became Batman? How much death, destruction, and worse if the Batman never existed?

Bruce: I remember that costume of his. It must have been in the back of my mind when I made this one.

Phantom Stranger: It seems your creativity has not gone unnoticed. He left.

Thomas: And here I thought I was going to be one of a kind. I guess great minds think alike. He held out his hand to shake it.

They all noticed the similarities as well.

Bruce personally didn't remember it. Another way this varies from our universe.

Bruce: uh... Malone. Matthew Malone. He shook the offered hand. 

Thomas: Thomas Wayne. This is my  wife, Martha. Bruce hugged her.

Martha: Oh, hi! You're friendly.

Bruce almost smiled. He could feel the hug. The feeling of her hugging him back. He liked it.

Random man: Hey! What are you doing? Whack!

Several mobsters had come to rob the place.

Barry sighed. "I hate when people try to rob charity events."

"Do the Rogues even rob charity events," Artemis asked.

"Normally, no. Other criminals with more guns than brain cells, yes," Wally told her.

Mobster: We'll be outta here as soon as we get what we came for.

Bruce: It's Moxon.

Moxon approached the charity box.  Batman: Hands off!

Batman and Thomas nodded to each other and charged the men. They easily disposed of the criminals.

Bruce would never admit it, but seeing himself fighting alongside his dad... It helped him in a way. He wasn't sure why or how, but it did.

Batman: What was it you said about great minds? 

One of the mobsters took Martha hostage.

Thomas: Martha!

Bruce recognized the man. Bruce: It's him.

Everyone glared at the man.

Moxon: That's right everyone, just take a breather. No sense in gettin' someone hurt over money you were just going to give away anyhow.

Batman and Thomas raised their hands in surrender. Batman noticed a giant bat decoration hanging above them and two knives they could throw.

Red Tornado quickly did the calculations. "Assuming that the knives do cut the cables, the probability of Martha Wayne being hit is-"

"It'll be fine," Hal interrupted the robot.

Batman: How's your aim?

Thomas: Impeccable, old chum.

They grabbed the knives and threw them at the cables holding the bat up causing it to fall. The mobsters and Martha jumped away from the crash. Joe Chill ran.

Bruce: He's getting away!

Bruce chased him until he entered an area that was pure black.

They all guessed what was coming next. It was Specter's turn to manipulate Bruce.

Specter: That moment has passed.

Batman: Specter, what's your stake in all this?

Specter: That depends on you.

Bruce: I don't have time to play cosmic guessing games with you and the Stranger! I finally uncovered the motive behind my parents' murder!

'A motive that was far different from this universe,' Bruce thought. 'This was far more than a mugging gone wrong.'

Specter: Yet, you are restless.

Bruce: I still need to know who pulled the trigger.

Specter: And to what end, Dark Knight? What will you do when you find out?

Bruce: I- I don't know.

And that was the part that worried so many people. Especially Dinah. She knew Bruce wouldn't kill. But there were other ways that he could go too far. If only Bruce would agree to therapy sessions.

Specter: Surely the world's greatest detective has thought that far ahead.

Bruce: You're the spirit of vengeance, Specter. A criminal has walked free for over three decades. You have to know who he is.  Specter smiled, turned, and walked away.  Bruce: Don't walk away from me!

Specter spun around and raised his hand. A flash of light and Bruce was now in a dimly lit room.

Batman: This must be Blackgate Penitentiary.

'If it was a mob hit, then this must be when the assignment was given,' Bruce realized.

A man sat down behind a barred up window.  Guard: Ten minutes, Chill.

Bruce: Chill? Moxon's last word. He named the gunman!

Specter: You've seen that man before.

Bruce: Every time I close my eyes.

'That's Bruce's biggest problem. He would never get over that night. Not like I did,' Dick thought.

Moxon: You got some nerve showing up here after running out on the charity job.

Chill: I'm sorry, Boss!

Moxon: Yeah, when I get outta here, you'll be ever sorrier.

Nobody voiced it because of the circumstances, but they all knew that if he didn't get the job, he would've been killed himself. But he should have run. Gone into witness protection services. Anything but what he did.

Chill: Wait, Listen! I'll make this right! I can even the score with you and Thomas Wayne. He's the reason you're in here, not me! I'll make sure he suffers, him and his whole family.

Moxon: Whatever. Just make it look like an accident.  Moxon left.

Bruce: So just like that, he signed away their lives. So casually. Without remorse. Without blinking a filthy eye. Where was justice!?

'Justice. Not vengeance. So maybe there is hope for him,' Clark thought. 'Bruce will remain a hero after tonight.'

Specter smiled. Where indeed?

Bruce: Take me to the Batcave, now!  The Specter did as he was told. Bruce walked to the batcomputer and began typing. At last I have a name to go with that face.

Specter: So again, I ask, what will you do with this knowledge?

Bruce turned to look at him. This ends before dawn.

Some of the various heroes were starting to get worried. Just because Bruce wouldn't kill, doesn't mean he wouldn't cross some other line. And honestly, some were doubting if he would keep his no kill rule.

Cut to Bruce in the Batmobile. These days, Joe Chill is an arms dealer and turns a profit selling weapons to super criminals on the black market. His GPS beeped. And there's a sell going down tonight.

At the warehouse, Joe Chill had assembled various super villains to sell some kind of weapon to.

"How the hell did he get all those villains to agree to a truce," Wally asked. "It's not like the Rogues, these guys go out of their way to kill each other."

"It's rare, but it's been known to happen, but it almost never stays that way. Especially when Batman arrives," Dick told him.

Joe: This is the big one, friends. The sonic disrupter. Capable of emitting a sound generated pulse so strong, it splinters anything it's aimed at. So come on, what am I bidin'? Nobody said anything. Okay, I'll put it this way. He grabbed the gun and aimed it at an armored car. If it can do this- he shot the car and destroyed it- just think of what it'll do to Batman.

The villains started biding while Batman threw a smoke bomb in the middle of them.

Joker: Wasn't mine. He ran off only for Batman to appear behind him. Batsy, it's just not a party until you show up, is it? Batman punched him.

Poison Ivy: Batman's here, plant him! three thugs took up the task only for their medical bill to get more expensive.

'I wonder why these criminals still try to fight Batman if they know they're going to lose,' M'gann telepathically told Conner. She didn't think now was the time to vocally ask anyone else.

'Hell if I know,' Conner thought back.

Batman threw a smoke bomb at the super villains. He picked them off one by one. First Penguin, then Mad Hatter and Two Face. Next was Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze. Joe Chill ran off while Batman knocked out Grundy.

Bruce chased him into a separate room where he locked himself up. Bruce smashed through a window and threw a batarang at him.

They jumped. While a few heroes were scared of Batman, none of them actually experienced what it was like to actually be hunted by him. And now they were seeing it. And it was from the perspective of the one he hounded after most of all.

Bruce: Joe Chill!

Joe shot at him only for Bruce to dodge the bullets and throw him against a table while the gun flew from his hand.

They winced. Bruce was always brutal. But now, he wasn't holding back.

Bruce: You are the slinking coward who murdered Thomas and Martha Wayne.

Chill: That was a lifetime ago!

Bruce threw the table out of his way as he stalked Joe. Yes. My life time! You took them without mercy or regret and in cold blood, Chill!

Dick grabbed his dad's hand and in Romani asked; "Are you okay?"

In perfect Romani, Bruce replied: "I'll be fine."

"Tell me the truth," Bruce hated how easily Dick could read him. Then again, considering the circumstances, it probably wasn't that hard.

"I don't know."

Chill: How do you know this? How could you possibly-

Bruce: I know because I watched it happen! I know because I am the son of the man you murdered! I am Bruce Wayne.

A few people gasped. Of all the things they were expecting, Bruce exposing his identity wasn't one of them.

Bruce wasn't surprised though, he had done the same thing.

Chill: No. Oh, no. He attempted to punch Bruce only to get punched himself. Bruce continued beating him.

Phantom Stranger: He is beaten. Let your devotion to justice temper your rage.

Specter: He took your parents. Ruined your life. Fulfill your destiny. Become what you have trained to be. An agent of vengeance. He knows who you are, if this man lives, Batman dies.

Bruce: Batman may die, but Bruce Wayne- he dropped Joe Chill- Never. 

Once again, they released a breath they didn't know they were holding. Batman was always scary. But him pissed off was worse.

Joe Chill grabbed the gun and ran away as Bruce put the cowl back on.

Joe: Guys! You gotta help me! Way back I whacked a guy for a job, and now that guys son is back for revenge. That guys son is Batman.

"Idiot," Artemis hissed.

"What," Billy asked innocently.

"Just watch."

Joker started laughing.

Joe: What's funny?

Joker: You're saying we owe Batman's existence to you? That's a killer!

Poison Ivy: So it's your fault Batman's always on our backs.

Billy's eyes widened as he realized what Artemis was talking about. Joe Chill had signed his death certificate.

The villains surrounded him

Joe: No guys- Wait!

Joe Chill received his second beating because his dumbass thought it was a good idea to tell the super villains that he created Batman. Batman stood over him as he fell.

Joker: Oh, yeah. Almost forgot about you.

Clark smiled. That was Batman. Saving lives, no matter who it was.

They tried to jump him but received a very painful reminder of how badass Batman is. Joker grabbed the Sonic gun and Batman tried to wrestle the weapon from his hands but it went off and shot a large hole in the roof. Debris nearly fell on them but they both dodged.

The villains ran from the collapsing building except for an injured Joe Chill who limped away but was crushed under the collapsing ceiling.

"No."

"He wasn't a good man, but he didn't deserve to die," Bruce said.

Bruce lifted some of the debris off of him. 

Joe: Funny, I started you off as Batman... Those other mugs made me pay. Yeah. I guess you got me after all. He died.

Bruce looked away. He forgave Joe Chill long ago. But he wouldn't get past what he did. He couldn't. But he never wanted him to die. Not really.

Everyone noticed, but nobody commented.

The scale was shown again. This time with Batman one Justice and Vengeance was empty.

Phantom Stranger: Batman made the right choice. Ultimately it was karma that delivered the final blow to Joe Chill. Funny how Chill just happened crumbling ceiling when it came down.

They all realized what Phantom Stranger was implying.

"He shouldn't have done that," Bruce said. "There are always other ways."

Specter: I wouldn't know anything about that. His eyes turned into skulls.

Cut to the Batcave. Bruce opened a chest and pulled out a costume. He put it in a display case before shutting it.

Bruce: Case closed. He walked off.

No one said anything. The ending was bittersweet and honestly, none of them knew what to say.

Chapter Text

I don't own this. This belongs to their respective owners. I make no money off of this.

No one said anything. The ending was bittersweet and honestly, none of them knew what to say.

"Do-"

"No. I'll be fine," Bruce interrupted.

"Bruce, you don't have to-" Clark was cut off.

"No. I said I'll be fine."

'Bruce the point of everyone reacting to all of this is to improve, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well,' Zatara mentally told him. 'I won't push it this time, but you need to allow yourself to feel. And you need to forgive yourself.'

Bruce glared at the man. 'Don't use telepathy on me.'

"It's time to move on," Zatara announced loudly. "This takes place after Barry reset the universe but before Wally fixed it." Everyone scowled at the memories. Wally and Barry both especially hated this event already. "During this time, Superman is dead."

"I seem to be dead a lot during these events," Clark said.

Clark turned to Bruce and Diana. "If I somehow die and the public gets a hold of my cape, make sure no one gets it. I want to have a small funeral. For Clark Kent, not Superman. Save that for later."

Diana nodded. "Of course, Clark."

Bruce didn't respond.

"What the hell is he wearing!? Why is he wearing my symbol! My S!?"

"Like I said before, you are dead. And Luthor had taken over Apokolips. He has returned now and used a device called a Mother Box to become... this."

"All he did was perverse the symbol. He of all people should never wear it," Conner growled. He would never understand his "dad." But he would always hate him.

"At this point, I don't care that Lex knows my identity, just take that symbol off," Clark said. "It wouldn't be so bad if he actually wanted to turn good. But I know Lex, he won't ever be good."

"I don't care if he's good or not, that isn't his damn symbol. He has spent billions trying to kill you. He doesn't ever get the right to wear it," Hal said.

"Thank goodness. Now we can actually get that damn disgrace off his sorry ass," Barry said.

"If you try, there will be a fight," Clark said. "Make sure you protect civilians."

"We will," J'onn promised. "We will honor your legacy."

"Literally anyone would be a better champion," Barry said. "Even freaking Bizarro would be better."

Clark smirked. "Now that I've finally decided to stop being an idiot, I could teach Conner to be my partner. And then he can surpass me whenever I stop being a hero."

"No one will ever surpass you," Dick said. "You're the hero."

"Everyone thought the same for Babe Ruth until Hank Arron came. Asafa Powell held the 100 meter record until Usain Bolt beat him. Someone better will come. They always do. And that's a good thing."

Everyone disagreed.

"Just don't give me a holiday," Clark joked. "I would never hear the end of it."

"What about a museum? Central City made one for the Flash. Superman definitely deserves one. The entire Justice League does," Wally said.

Clark shook his head. "Too much glory. I don't have anything against you and Barry having a museum, I don't want one."

Everyone's blood ran cold. "Wait, he's actually attempting to be a hero? I can't wait to watch him fail," Arthur said.

"I can't wait to watch his fall. Even an idiot can see this is a bad idea." Kaldur agreed.

"The problem with Lex is that he's smart. But he is vain. He can't ever be a regular person. It's the same reason he will never learn Clark Kent is Superman. He physically can't," Clark said. "Ignoring this instance which seems to be an exception to the rule, of course."

"NO! These are regular civilians," Clark exclaimed. Dang it. He was worried for the men. Superman pulled his punches for a reason. Lex Luthor didn't.

Bruce was taking mental notes on the armor. Powers, abilities, but he hadn't seen enough. He'd need weaknesses, durability and more before he found a way to stop it should Lex Luthor ever try the same in their universe.

Clark couldn't stop worrying. First about the bullets. They were ricocheting which meant they could bounce off and hit someone. They could blast back at the shooter and kill them. Then about the man Lex attacked.

"He's going to regret ever disgracing Superman's shield," Conner said.

"Our shield," Clark corrected. Conner almost felt like smiling. It seemed Clark really was serious about becoming better. Actually being there to train him.

"That's not enough. It wouldn't stop Superman and, unfortunately, it won't stop Luthor," Red Tornado said.

"Nothing will save these men. Lex is going to kill them or leave them in some fate worse than death," Clark said. He wished there was some way to save the men. They were wrong but they didn't deserve whatever Lex was going to do to them.

Clark actually broke his chair in his anger. "Son of a-" He took a deep breath. "Zatara, is that man..."

"Yes, the man died." Clark kicked the new chair that had replaced the old one and shattered it.

"Sorry, Nabu or Zatara or whoever has to replace the chairs." He sat down in the new one. 

"If he had the ability to empathize, he wouldn't be doing half of what he's doing now," Dianna hissed.

"Lex could never see a fault in himself," Clark said. "It will always be what holds him back from being so much more."

"And that separates the pretender from Superman," Ollie said. "I always liked you, Clark. Your compassion is above anyone else's."

"Thank you, Ollie, that means a lot," Clark said.

Everyone glared at Lex.

"It seems the human forgot the man part of Superman," Ollie said.

"To forget he'd have to know in the first place," Dinah told him.

"People should never look at that symbol with fear. And yet, this is the second time we've seen it distorted," Arthur said.

Clark growled. "That version of me is worse than even Lex Luthor."

Artemis smirked. "I like her."

Several people looked at her. "What? I don't like how she attempted to kill him, but she is certainly no friend of Lex. Which I do like."

"Those men are dead if they don't find a way to save her," Billy said.

"I calculate a less than 4% chance of them finding a way to save her," Red Tornado announced.

"You are such an optimist, you old bucket of bolts," Wally told him.

Clark just sighed sadly. "The worst part is I don't even have one cape. I have several suits. Every time one ends up on the black market, or on eBay or something, it's always 'A piece of Superman's cape,' like I only ever use one."

"Yeah, but that was the one you wore when you died," Zatara said. "So to the world, that is the cape of Superman."

"This is why I bought the Daily Planet," Bruce smirked. "That and the fact that I now pay Clark."

"You say that like it's a bad thing. You may control his cash, but he's technically taking your money," Ollie pointed out.

"No one will ever see anyone but Clark as Superman," Bruce growled.

"I can't be Superman forever," Clark replied. "But maybe I can make it a legacy title, like the Flash."

Chapter Text

"No one will ever see anyone but Clark as Superman," Bruce growled.

"I can't be Superman forever," Clark replied. "But maybe I can make it a legacy title, like the Flash."

"You'll need to find someone else to take up the mantle then. I'm not," Conner said. "I am not Superman material. You might find a replacement, you might not, but it isn't me."

"Zatara, please explain what the heck is going on," Clark asked.

"Ancient style assassin tournament, you had to 'die' to enter," Zatara explained.

Wally sighed. "I hate that this is just a casual thing we can talk about."

"Says the kid who blew himself up to get superpowers," Artemis countered.

"Superpower. I only got one," Wally corrected.

"Lazarus. So Ra's set this up then," Bruce noted.

"Yes. The winner gets sacrificed to a demon," Zatara explained.

"Thankfully, assassins have been known to follow the rules," Barbra sarcastically said.

"Trust me, Ra's isn't the type of person to not notice anyone who breaks his rules. And he will punish it severely," Bruce ominously said.

"Damian wants to join." Dinah guessed.

"No, he already joined," Bruce replied.

"Freaking world's greatest detective," Ollie grumbled.

"I never really liked Talia," Dick said. "And Damian isn't born yet, but what she put him through is unforgivable." Bruce was brutal at times, but he always meant good and never went too far.

"You know, if Dick really wanted to catch him, he would have," Wally said.

"Obviously. I'm calling it now, he'll either let Damian get away or outright help him," Barbra agreed.

Bruce scowled. This was why he didn't like inter-team dating.

"It's not my business to ask why they broke up or took a break or whatever they are, but tying them together like that was cold," Zatanna said.

"That might be one of the most messed up things we have seen so far," M'gann agreed.

"Almost as messed up as cutting my grappling hook," Dick pouted playfully.

"This family is starting to seem crazier than mine. And my dad tries to kill me at least twice a week," Artemis commented.

"That's why I'm going to keep things simple," Ollie said. "You, Roy, Canary and myself. That's it."

Clark blinked. "I was not expecting that." He sighed. "Which means he's using this somehow."

"Yeah. He will more than likely use the electricity built into his suit to shock Jason," Bruce said.

"You could have said your suit had built-in tasers instead of," Clark mimicked Batman's voice. "Electricity built into his suit."

"Now to be proven right," Barbra said.

"We know Dickhead too well," Wally told her.

Artemis rolled her eyes. "You too are insufferable." Despite this, she was smiling.

Wally reached over Dick and held up his hand. "This is why you're my second favorite Bat. Keep it up and you might replace Dickhead." Barbra reached the rest of the way and gave him a high five. "And you're already my favorite Flash."

Dick and Artemis facepalmed.

"I don't get it, why did Dick chase him if he was going to let Damian away," M'gann asked.

"Plausible deniability. Dick can say that he clearly tried to stop him," Conner answered.

The lighthearted atmosphere degraded slightly.

Dick didn't have the bar yet. But now, he couldn't wait for Alfred to give it to him. He was already Nightwing, but he was also way too young to go to college. Officially of course, he already knew everything a college could teach him. Still, it wouldn't be too bad to go. Maybe a local college in Blüdhaven.

The atmosphere got even worse. "Alfred... How did he go?" 

"Bane took him hostage and threatened to kill him if anyone showed up. Damian went in alone, and got captured. He made good on his threat."

They held a moment of silence for the man.

Wally and Barbra didn't feel like celebrating anymore.

"You did the right thing," Hal told Dick. "Damian needs this."

Dick shook his head. "I didn't. That version did."

"I know he is," Bruce muttered.

"We all do. He is the son of Batman, after all," Diana said.

Batman was memorizing the details of the island. When he got back, he'd find the island, and shut it down. Maybe take Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin. They could use the experience.

"Conner Hawks is being manipulated," Artemis realized. She vowed to find and help save the man.

"Yes, he is," Zatara answered. "However, in our universe, he is just a regular civilian. I doubt any of you will ever even meet him unless you go looking for him."

'Never mind,' Artemis thought.

"Man, she really betrayed him like that," Zatanna asked. She was lucky no one on the Team tried to stop her from going with them when she first went on a mission with them. Then her dad put on the Helm of Fate... She reached over and grabbed his hand. She needed to be reminded he was there.

"Why can't cults ever worship mundane things," Wally asked. "It's always some demon or ancient god that wants to kill everyone and take over the world."

"I have an idea, we can give them New Jersey," Dick suggested.

"Both Gotham and Blüdhaven are from New Jersey," Dinah pointed out.

"Even better," Wally exclaimed. Artemis lightly smacked the back of his head.

"Good luck, Damian." Dinah was looking forward to seeing them fight. Getting to analyze their skill and style... then the screen turned off.

"I really hate when you do that," Hal exclaimed.

Zatara just shrugged. "This is all Nabu wanted you to see."

"Fuck Nabu," Wally exclaimed.

Chapter Text

"Good luck, Damian." Dinah was looking forward to seeing them fight. Getting to analyze their skill and style... then the screen turned off.

"I really hate when you do that," Hal exclaimed.

Zatara just shrugged. "This is all Nabu wanted you to see."

"Fuck Nabu," Wally exclaimed.

"Agreed," Zatanna and Zatara replied.

"We should start a club," Wally joked. "Does anyone else want to join?"

"I'm in. I don't like being kidnapped," Dick said.

"We can discuss it later, for now, we should move on," Clark said. "The sooner this is done the sooner we get to go home."

"Fine. But I'm only half joking about this club. I seriously hate Nabu," Wally said.

"As do I. Now we shall go back to "

Tim: "Oh, God. I killed him. I didn't mean to. I tried so hard to forget, but I still hear the shot. Still see the dead smile."

Time began clutching his head, hunched over a table. "Every night, the dreams get stronger. He's there when I sleep, whispering, laughing, telling me I'm just as bad as he is. We're both the same."

"What the hell is he talking about," Dick asked.

"I honestly don't know how to explain it. Just let the video play."

Batman: "I'm calling an ambulance. "

Tim stood up, suddenly fine. "No, I'm all right. Forgive me, Terry. Old nasty memories twisting inside me like bad oysters." He bent down to pick something up. "Nothing really."

'Memories,' Bruce noted. 'Not visions. He had experienced this. But what was it?'

"That is a lot worse than just memories," Dinah said. "What did he do?"

"It wasn't him. Not really," Zatara cryptically said.

Tim: "I'm perfectly fine now."

Batman: "How do you know my name?"

Joker: "There's nothing I don't know about you, Batfake." He threw the sphere at Batman which transformed and clamped around his forearm and shocked him. 

"Did- did Tim just become the freaking Joker," Dick asked.

"Not fully, but yes," Zatara answered. "It will explain how..."

Terry collapsed, screaming in agony. "Terry," Bruce screamed. The camera he used turned to static as the device continued to shock Batman.

"He'll figure out a way to escape," Barbra confidently said. "We already saw that he eventually does take down the Joker."

Clark smiled. "I remember. I enjoyed watching him beat the Joker."

"I keep forgetting how much you hate the Joker," Barry told him. "It's kinda scary."

"Have a timeout, kid," Joker taunted. "Can't let you spoil the party too soon. And Bruce, I'm sure you've got your monkey boy wired, somehow. That's just peachy, because I want you to see every minute of this. It's a killer."

Tim began to laugh. It changed. Becoming more and more like Jokers. He flung things on a table away. Clutching his head and slamming it on the table. Joker stumbled away, still clutching his head. His laugh changed fully. It now sounded entirely like Joker's now.

Then he changed. Physically. His hair grew and turned green. His chin became pointed, his eyes red. Finally his skin turned bleach white.

"I think I'm going to be sick," M'gann said.

"You and me both," Zatanna agreed.

"It's pretty fucking gross," Wally added.

"Oh, I never get tired of that." As Joker said so, he ripped off his lab coat to reveal a black suit underneath.

"Drake, you're the Joker." He was still getting shocked, but it wasn't as intense now. He managed to prop up on one arm so he could look at Joker.

"Terry needs to get that damn taser off himself," Ollie said. "I'm honestly surprised the suit wasn't insulated to begin with."

Bruce hated to admit it, but Ollie had a point. All of his suits, along with Dick and Barbra's were all heavily insulated. Did that Universe Batman not think of that?

He threw the coat aside."That flabby oaf doesn't realize I'm using him as a time share. Beneath this puckish exterior lies the mind of a genius. Years ahead of my time."

"Bull crap. I met the Joker, he's just crazy as hell," Wally said. He still had nightmares from his first encounter with the psychopath. It didn't help that he had captured him and Dick and spent several hours torturing the two of them.

Dick sighed. "I hate to admit it, but the joker can be smart at times. But no way should he be smart enough for something like this."

He began walking off. "In the weeks young Robin was under my tutelage, I used him as the subject of my greatest experiment."

"First Jason, now Tim? We have to make sure he doesn't kidnap anyone else," Diana said.

"This is an outlier. As far as I know, this is only one of a few universes where he manages this," Zatara told them.

He turned back. "Utilizing cutting edge genetics, technology, which I had pinched here and there, I encoded my DNA onto a microchip," he gestured at a spot on his neck, which had a small device, and set it into Bird Boy's bird brain.

"So that was the chip Terry friend earlier," Conner noted. "Back when we watched how he beat the Joker."

"How do you remember that," Hal asked.

"I paid attention."

"So did I. I was too busy enjoying seeing the Joker getting shocked."

"Here, everything that has been me has been asleeping all comfy and cozy in Tim Drake's subconscious. At first, I had to limit the time I spent in Drake's body. He's not aware of what I do, chalking up any lingering memories to bad dream."

Joker sat on a computer. "If his family misses him, I simply call wifey and tell her-" He mimicked Tim's voice perfectly. "I'm working late honey." He switches back to his normal voice. "The changes come at will, now."

"That's just wrong," Artemis shuddered.

"I think we all agree with you on that," Kaldur said.

He hopped off from where he was sitting. "And soon, I'll be strong enough to live in this body pertinently. Mr. Jay is back on the rebound, baby!" He began typing furiously at the computer. "My comeback party's going to set the whole town on fire."

"Good thing Terry kicks his ass and humiliates him," Dick said.

"I wish we could rewatch that," Clark said. "I love the Joker being humiliated,"

"As do I," Zatara admitted. "But for now, we have to move on."

Chapter Text

"Good thing Terry kicks his ass and humiliates him," Dick said.

"I wish we could rewatch that," Clark said. "I love the Joker being humiliated,"

"As do I," Zatara admitted. "But for now, we have to move on."

"I can just tell this next one is going to suck," Dick said. "If you're dreading it, then I definitely am."

"You are right. This has to do with Wally," Zatara answered. "In it', Wally will confess to a crime he didn't commit. He thinks he did it, but he was mind controlled by Reverse Flash and Savitar. He was forced to do it."

Wally and Barry's blood ran cold. "Figures it's those two. Let's just get this crap over with."

"What crime did I commit," Wally asked.

"Remember, it wasn't y-"

Wally cut Artemis off. "I know that. But there is blood on the wall. What did I do?"

Zatara sighed. "You were tricked into killing other heroes."

Nobody said a word as the screen continued.

"If Wally and other heroes come there to recover or whatever, how come we never heard of it," Conner asked.

"It doesn't exist in our timeline," Zatara answered.

"He's talking in circles," Bruce noted.

"Don't do that. Don't treat Wally like a suspect, he's not. Zatara already told us he's innocent."

"I know, Dick. But it's a common way to shift blame while trying not to show it," Bruce replied.

"He keeps on talking about the Sanctuary as if it has a conscience. As if it is sentient," Diana noted.

"It is similar to the Speed Force in a way. They are both a place and a being. Capable of thought but still just a place and a thing," Zatara said.

"Why do I have such terrible luck with sentient place-world-things," Wally asked. "First the Speed Force, now this place?"

Artemis leaned over and whispered. "You know, you really need to stop hating the Speed Force. If it weren't for it, we never would have met." Suddenly, Wally had a terrible idea. And it might just work.

"I get what you mean," Clark said. "For me, that's Lois. I tell her everything."

"I think most of us have someone like that," Megan agreed.

Wally actually smiled.

"He's just trying to find the other heroes," Kaldur realized.  "To prove he's not alone."

"Exactly," Arthur agreed. "But why? Does he want to talk, to fight or has Reverse Flash and Savitar already taken over his mind and is making him try to kill them?"

The room seemed to drop a few degrees at the reminder of what would happen.

"Is he seriously about to do all that just to find all those pieces just to meet the heroes," Billy asked. "That seems a bit excessive."

"Isolation can do a lot to someone's mental health. There's a reason it is only used as a form of torture," Dinah told him.

"A billion things scattered across a billion things," M'gann repeated. "But why? I get isolation can be bad at first, but wouldn't you get used to it after awhile?"

"There is a reason Solitary Confinement is a punishment. Imagine being in a place with no one. With nothing. For hours on end. Humans, Martians, even what we know about Kryptonians show they are all naturally social creatures. Now imagine cutting all that off. It is torture. Literally."

M'gann could imagine. That was exactly how she felt when she first came to Earth before the Team was formed.

"And he also wants to see proof," Zatanna added. "To know above all else, those people actually exist."

"It isn't just a Sanctuary for heroes. It's a Sanctuary for heroes, who in some way, broke their vows," Barbra realized. "Everyone there has done something the Universe deemed wrong, that they shouldn't have done."

"But is it to punish or atone for their actions," Bruce asked.

"It seems to be both," Clark replied.

"Is this where it happens," Wally asked faintly. "Where I kill the heroes."

"Yes. I am sorry."

"It's not your fault."

Artemis and Dick leaned over to comfort him while Barry looked ready to run to him at a moment's notice.

Wally was starting to feel uncomfortable. "Crap... This feels weird. Painful but something else too." He looked at his hands. "More uncomfortable than anything."

Everyone was starting to grow worried for him.

"We should move on. I want this crap to be over with," Barry said.

They all watched wide-eyed as Wally lost control.

Artemis squeezed his hand. "It wasn't you."

"I know, but-"

"No buts," Barry told him.

"What the hell is Harley Quinn doing there," Ollie asked.

"She and the other person, Booster Gold, were the primary suspects in the investigation," Zatara answered.

"Framing Harley Quinn and Booster Gold so no one would suspect him," Bruce analysed.

"Something we've all seen a lot," Barry said. "No way was this ever going to work."

"Good," Wally muttered.

No one commented. Some just wanted to end this event as soon as possible. Others, however, were genuinely curious as to how the rose would come into effect.

They were finding it harder and harder to watch the screen. Unfortunately, there was no way to truly block the audio. No way to block Wally explaining how he did it.

"I hate to say it, but Wally is good at covering his tracks," Hal commented.

"My Uncle is a forensic scientist and my best friend is a detective. I know a few things. But no one is perfect. I must have made some mistake," Wally replied.

"So puddlers was just some meaningless word to confuse whoever was investigating," Conner summarized.

"It seems so," Megan answered. "But surely some random word like that would cause Barry to think of Wally considering how unknown it is."

The room's silence was oppressive. No one dared to speak or even make a noise.

Chapter Text

The room's silence was oppressive. No one dared to speak or even make a noise.

Wally took a deep shaky breath. "I really hate Nabu. Can we just move on? I don't know what..."

"Hey dude, if you need some time-"

"Dick, I do need time, but I'd rather not do that right now."

"Are you sure," Artemis asked. "You just watched yourself kill people. Heroes."

"I'm sure. I just want to put this crap behind us."

Zatara looked somewhat saddened. "Unfortunately, the next few events are particularly bad."

"What the hell is going on," Ollie asked.

"Someone is killing the spouses of heroes. Nobody knows who it is but he wants to protect her, even if they are divorced."

"The only way someone could know that is if they were in the Justice League, or at least a hero," Barry said.

Bruce's eyes narrowed. "Or someone who has access to the information."

"A crossbow won't do crap with someone untrained like her," Artemis said. "I hate guns but that would be her best bet."

"She will have to fight someone comfortable killing people close to heroes. That means she will have to fight someone comfortable fighting heroes. She won't stand a chance," Wally replied.

"Are we going to ignore how Dinah casually mentions that Oliver came back from the dead," Conner asked.

"Honestly, at this point, that is a minor thing to do for them," Clark replied.

"Why am I spying on other heroes," Barry asked.

"Actually, that's Wally, not you, Barry," Zatara answered. "And the reason is... it will be revealed."

"Five years ago," Bruce noted.

"And it has something to do with those six," Diana added. "Hawkman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Elongated Man, Zatanna, and Atom."

They winced at the mention of Doctor Light, taking the name of the hero and disgracing it. Now it was associated with the villain, not the hero before him.

"So we did something that involved Light and we kept it a secret from the rest of the Justice League," Zatanna summarized. "Which means it must be really  bad."

"Unfortunately, it seems that way," Dinah agreed.

Their blood ran cold.

"If she is by herself, he might attack her. She needs to get out of there." Nobody had the heart to tell Billy that that was probably not what he was planning.

Billy's eyes widened. "What is he doing to her?"

Diana awkwardly cleared her throat before growling out: "something he will regret."

The scene was getting too intense for some people. Even Billy had realized what was going on.

"Thank goodness," Megan said. She was just glad someone got there to stop him.

"Nice shot, Ollie," Artemis commented.

"I just wish I had gotten two more in," he growled.

Everyone enjoyed the beating.

"Serves his ass right," Zatanna said.

"If only it were more brutal,"Barbra agreed.

"Light is a piece of shit in our universe, but he never tried to pull some crap like this," Wally said.

"I can take up monitoring him to make sure this never happens," Red Tornado volunteered.

"You do enough as it is. We will make sure he knows not to even think about doing this," Clark replied.

"Guess he's not such a joke anymore," Conner said.

"He is for us, but we will make sure he stays like that," Hal replied.

"We've been pretty much ignoring him up to this point, but who is the other Green Lantern," Hal asked.

"That is Kyle Rayner. He is one of your friends in this universe. Similar to Hal and Barry or Jay Garrick and Alan Scott."

"Are you saying every Flash has some Green Lantern that they're friends with," Dick asked.

"Not every. Such as Wally and Kyle in this universe haven't met. But for the most part, yes."

"Relax, no one will ever top you as my best friend," Wally told him.

"No," Conner growled instantly. "Heroes don't mess with people's brains."

"What choice do they have," Megan asked. "He knows too much and he won't stop."

"Conner is right, that is a line we should not cross," Bruce interrupted.

"M'gann, our culture around telepathy is different. I know you know this. That may be common on Mars as a punishment, but it isn't right for humans or on Earth."

"No," Ollie said instantly. "That isn't our place."

"It's the only way," Megan defended.

"There's never the only way," Bruce growled.

"Bruce is right," Clark added. "Our job as heroes is to find another way. The best way."

"And if that is the best way?"

"It isn't. We don't mind control, alter thoughts, or do anything that will force people to our will. That is how villains operate, not heroes," Diana replied.

"I better not..." Barry trailed off.

"Unfortunately, you will," Red Tornado told him. "We already know that those people did something. This is it."

"I really hate how good you are at analyzing things," Barry sighed. He also hated the fact that he would agree to that. Barry wanted villains to reform, not force them.

"Great, several villains meeting. That's just great," Wally sarcastically said.

"Not just villains, assassins and mercenaries," Dick corrected. "Which means they were hired by someone to be there."

"So both sides are aware of each other," Ollie noted. "Which means we're probably sending false information."

"Obviously, but I'm curious as to who we are actually sending," Artemis replied "And what information we are "accidentally" leaking." She put accidentally in air quotes.

"I agree. Time travelers are the worst," Hal said. "Especially when they lock us in a loop."

"It can get annoying," Arthur agreed. "Mostly I avoid fighting them if I can to prevent that."

"Oh great, him," Megan

"Now he has backup," Zatanna added.

"That depends on how much he's willing to pay."

Chapter Text

"Oh great, him," Megan

"Now he has backup," Zatanna added.

"That depends on how much he's willing to pay."

Barry knew that he would vote for it, but it still hurt seeing himself act so unlike himself.

Conner frowned. Telepathy would always be a sore subject for him. Especially when it was used this way.

Wally really wanted to tease Dick for his old costume, he really did, but now wasn't the time.

"I know I just did, but I wouldn't ever do that," Zatanna said. She seemed uncomfortable speaking out like this considering what happened, but she had to.

"No one here thinks you would. This is an alternate universe. You are not her," Clark said.

"I could easily run down there, take everyone of them down in less than an attosecond," Wally commented. "Do that, then we can get back to arguing."

"Arguing won't get you anywhere," Kaldur said. "They don't see what they did as a mistake"

"Multiple times," Conner roared.

"I hate that they did this as much as you do, but there is no point in yelling about it," Dinah said.

"Sorry," Conner mumbled.

"It's fine," Clark said kindly.

"Deathstroke," Dick growled.

"Look at it this way, with all the League members there, he probably gets his ass beat," Barbra told him.

"That actually does help," Dick admitted.

"Wait, medical examiner. Who died," Kaldur asked. "Was it Elongated Man?"

"No. It was Sue. His wife," Zatara said grimly.

"Light will pay for this," Batman growled out.

"And they will regret it. He went too far," Clark said. "Going after us is one thing, going after our families is a mistake."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. Something was up. This was too obvious. He looked over at Barbra and Dick. They seemed to come to the same conclusion. But who was it?

"Then who killed her," Diana asked. "Her murderer must face justice."

"That will be revealed later."

Chapter Text

"Then who killed her," Diana asked. "Her murderer must face justice."

"That will be revealed later."

Zatara took a breath before continuing, "We are going to skip ahead  a bit. Just to show the end."

"No..."

They held a moment of silence for the man.

"This has gone too far," Dick growled.

"We'll stop whoever did this. We'll make them pay, we always do," Barbra said.

"Fucking Boomerang did this,"Wally exclaimed. "This is not his MO."

"Captain Boomerang only did this one. All the other deaths, those were someone else," Zatara told.

"And you aren't going to us who it is, are you," Barry stated.

"Nabu's magic prevents me from doing so, or I would."

"I've lost count of how many reasons I have to hate that piece of crap."

"You and I both," Zatanna said.

"As do I," Zatara agreed.

"This was a setup. Someone wanted Boomerang to take the fall," Bruce said.

"We know that, the problem is we don't know who set him up," Diana replied.

"I have a feeling we will find out who," Clark added.

Artemis glared at the man. "I get his paranoia, especially with how common it is for people to come back to life, but not letting him see his dad's body is fucked up."

"To be fair, this is a crime scene," Dinah pointed out.

"That isn't the reason they stopped him though," Ollie countered. "He's already at the crime scene, they just won't let him see his dad's body because the guy is a jerk."

"He's going to take up the mantle of Captain Boomerang, isn't he," Megan asked.

"Yes," Barry replied. "He did in our universe and I don't see why he wouldn't in that one either."

"Wait, is his dad dead in our universe too," Zatanna asked.

"No. He just retired."

"Is that my son...." Ollie trailed off.

"Yes. And before you ask, Dinah isn't the mother."

Ollie and Dinah were severely disappointed to hear that, but they both hid it.

"I would like to know how Captain Boomerang knew everyone's identity," Red Tornado commented.

"This whole thing feels off, and that's coming from me. I don't like it," Billy agreed.

Bruce decided that he would find Captain Boomerang and scare him. Make sure he knew not to leave Central City. And that Batman would know if he did. Assuming that Captain Boomerang actually did commit the murders...

"Are the other Rogues planning on attending the funeral," Conner asked.

Wally and Barry shrugged. "Probably. The Rogues have always been the most tame villains."

"That's if you consider them villains, for the most part, they just stick to robbing banks with their gimmicks," Artemis added.

"How do you know so much about the Rogues," Zatanna asked.

"I have had way too many dates interrupted by them not to," Artemis replied. "They even gave me a 'you better treat him right and not break his heart speech.' It was very weird."

"To be fair they did the same for me," Wally pointed out. "And don't let Artemis fool you, they love her. And the feelings are mutual, especially Trickster."

"Trickster is pretty fun if he doesn't shoot acid at me," Artemis admitted.

"This had Waller written all over it," Clark growled.

"Just another thorn in our side. Unfortunately, those thorns are adding up," Kaldur agreed.

"I can't wait to punch his stupid face," Hal said.

"None of us can," Barry agreed.

"Speak for yourself," Zatanna said. "After what he did, I'm aiming lower."

Dick clenched his fists. "One of these days, we'll get that bastard. He can't keep escaping forever."

Barbra grabbed his hand gently.

"How the hell did he get away from Wally," Dick growled.

"I'm good, but Deathstroke is a master ninja. I hate to admit it, but he's good."

"Wait, does that vision include Bruce," Clark asked.

"It does, but he wasn't there," Diana replied.

Bruce realized it instantly. "Unless they lied about me not being there. They messed with my head too."

"So they did," Bruce growled.

"Bruce, none of us would ever-"

"I know. I'm not mad at you."

"Do I ever find out what they did?"

"Yes, you do."

M'Gann tensed. She still didn't see the problem with using her powers on a villain, but a hero was a different story. She glanced at Conner. He had been cold to her since she talked about how she thought it was okay to use telepathy on Light. She tried talking to him with her telepathy, but stopped when he snapped at her.

Clark frowned. "I stay back a lot. I like to make sure everyone is safe and okay.."

"We all do," Diana agreed. "It's a part of our job."

"It wouldn't have meant the destruction of the League, just that we got kicked out," Ollie said.

"And honestly, we would've deserved it," Dinah added.

"Let's just move on. No point in crying over something that happened in a different universe, that realistically, none of us would have done," Barry told them.

"No, I don't," Wally said. "Bruce is many things, but he wouldn't use mind control on us."

"Honestly, even the implication that Bruce would is weird," Dick added.