Chapter Text
Chap 8
“We, like you, detective are beings driven by evidence. We are able to reach all existing information from the past and manipulate it in the present so we may grant the future we believe to be more suitable for ourselves. We have no means to predict it with exact certainty, but based on previous events, our manipulations often bring us the envisioned outcome.” The Empress head brightens the room at the JL Watchtower in a light shade of green. “We bestowed you a gift, one to rise you up above your enemies.”
“Take it back.” Batman barks to the monstrous monitor. Her big, oval shaped eyes glim in a deep black while staring down at him.
“You refuse our blessings?”
“I refuse your attempt to killing. Getting rid of my Robins is no way help at all!”
“I’m afraid you are mistaken, valuable friend. Your time spent with those children has weakened you and clouded your judgement. You became emotionally compromised. The things you could do by embracing your true identity…”
“They are part of my identity. There would be no Batman without Robin!”
“That is a partial truth. We have analyzed your decision making. For you to achieve the entire potential of Justice bringer to your home, you must let go of the people who blindside you.”
“They balance me!”
“They put you in check! We showed you their cracks, exposed them to a some mild situations and look at where they are. They are weak and are a menace to your prosperity and even existence of you and your role! Look at the eldest.”
"Dick never wanted to be Batman." His growl goes deeper, rumbling in his chest.
"But he was once. And he did great, some say better than yourself, Mr Wayne. He is a double threat, a competition and a crutch. You rely on him to fill where you believe can't and that holds you from going further in your quest for perfection."
“You are wrong.”
“What about the youngest? He has your blood, yes, but mixed with the poison of the serpent that burns his veins and whispers in his ears. With him, the mantle would turn into something too terrible and venture much too far from your objectives and legacy.”
“Damian is a child,” Batman’s hands were closed in fists, the muscles in his jaw tight. “You cannot predict what he’ll do. You can’t see the futu-,”
“No. But we access all the information from the past. Jason should have stayed dead. We know of your suffering, but loss is what built you, and once you had processed the grief, you’d be even stronger. Taking him away we give you back the chance to rise higher that was taken from you.”
“They are my sons!” Bruce snarls, teeth bare as he confronts the enlarged face. “You cannot possibly comprehend what losing a child is like!”
“We do have an idea. When a child loses their parents, they become an orphan. But there is not a name for a parent that loses his son. A father changes into nothing, and that is something we cannot spare you entirely from. That’s why we decided to spare you a child. One that showed unwavering support on your darkest days, one that selflessly came for you from a very young age when you were in need, one that still donates himself to both of your persona’s cause. For Timothy’s selfless actions, you may keep him, but in a state he won’t be able to interfere in your path.”
“We appreciate your unfounded concern,” He says through gritted teeth, swallowing the words he meat to yell. Rage rolls from him in waves. Still she is a powerful leader, one that needs to be shown respect. If her doings had been her blessing, he never planned on meeting her condemnations. “But on Earth we rather face our destinies by ourselves. A deal with The Justice League is being put together right now to prevent your interference in our planet again. If accepted, it will be signed according to your culture, against the skin of those involved.”
“I see. Much like the reason we came to meet, our calling on the other’s actions were miscalculated. It seems that to some lifeforms, unbridled chance is better accepted then intervention from those who act for their benefit. I wish you would reconsider our offering. You would be unstoppable and absolute.”
“Thank you, Empress. But I have made up my mind.”
“If this is your wish, you have my sole contribution.” She raised her arms again, both palms turned up against the sky. “What was set once, may take place again. Our interventions on your world were undone, the messages once sent now shall exhibit their true meaning.” She puts her arms down. “I’m afraid we can only give you back the altered information, and not fix the situations they caused. Good luck, my fool friend.”
The video feed ends and Bruce takes a deep breath. The weight of the world seemed to be lifted from his shoulders. He opens a video, crops the part the Empress lifts her doings and sends it to Talia, then the whole thing to Oracle – it isn’t like she wasn’t going to watch it later anyway. He is still talking to J’onn about the deal’s details when Clarks sends him a message about the freeing of Jason and Damian. The pressure against his chest eases.
When he returns to Earth, on his way to the hospital, Tim sends him the link to a video of a reporter outside a police station. The fake Drake lawyer is being dragged inside with a bloodied face and tight handcuffs. He and an accomplice had been stopped by Batgirl from kidnapping the young mister Drake-Wayne. Even though they claim to have been hired to take the teen to a mental institution by his uncle, there is no evidence of the deal, and investigations on the referred David Drake were taking place. The both are facing charges for perjury identity theft, kidnap attempt. Judge Wellington were also to face an inquiry about the record-time case regarding the Timothy.
At the hospital, he finds Alfred and Clark at the hall. They exchange quick, reassuring words and relieved looks before he moves to the room they indicate and finds his family scattered around. Tim and Steph doze on the couch. Jason snores softly in the armchair. Damian is fast asleep curled at Dick’s feet. Babs rests her head inches from a sleeping Dick’s face, her fingers crossed with his slack ones, glasses crooked on her face. The doctors said he'd wake up soon.
He lets out a profound sigh and lets the lets the sharp ache on his heart be replaced by a new warm and tight feeling. They are all safe and together again. Things would be just fine.