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Hello guys.
Following last night's late PMs with Stand with Ward and Queen alongside Aragorn II Elessar resulted in this being rapidly created. This was born out of our disgust over the abusive and overpraised Gary Stu in DC otherwise known as Batman.
If you're a Batman fanatic who thinks he can do wrong or loves to come up with excuses to explain away his abusive behavior towards people, his god status, etc., with being an utter jerk on anybody not singing praises to Bruce then this fic is probably not for you.
Rundown apartment in the early morning
Standing by a faded, blood and grease-stained sink Bruce quietly shaves off his bushy beard while using a straight razor. Grabbed in a dark color T-shirt with a pair of ragged blue jeans plus dirty boots Bruce takes more of his excess hair off but will leave some facial hair.
Which funny Bruce notes how used to privately think on how dumb Oliver's goatee was, but well a lot of things used to be something for looking down at. Never realized how life was so extremely easier than fictional characters his children, or well they used to be tried having conversations with him about. As his life was more escapism than James Bond yet while thinking had sacrificed so much for his crusade only to realize didn't sacrifice anything. Since all his troubles were a result of his creation.
Despite the loss of his parents who frankly Bruce idolized in his head as these messiah figures with never moving on from their deaths because would never let himself move on. Every nightmare for the mugger killing his parents, or other things like Jason's death all became excuses, sick justifications for his war on others.
Not even sure criminals rather just people for justifying a multi-billion dollar, or however rich he used to be, as just left the real financing to Alfred, crusade simply to go beat up others as a way of coping instead of healing.
Despite the truth coming out involving a rather mystical, evil presence in his life there is no escaping how that evil calling Satan, Lucifer, or whatever one wishes to call the namesake of all evil or various users depending on conflicting reporters, was merely allowed for having a stronghold in his life because of his choices. Nobody else's, even though originally attempted to deny it. Always easier to blame others for problems rather than accept responsibility.
It wasn't when his parents died but a few years later as an upset, bitter teen angry at everything. Tried to take over Wayne Enterprises despite nowhere near being the legal age limit or ready at just fourteen.
He had already gone to some martial arts instructors but became frustrated at how the weeks of training were getting him nowhere. Given had tried to beat up some muggers yet quickly got beaten down. Even Alfred who kept a certain level of distance was frustrating as how the board investors were pulling out Wayne Enterprises and making him on the verge of losing everything. After all the world owed him everything.
Since in his spoiled, rotten mindset it felt like his whole world was crashing down for things falling apart with being angry on not getting his vengeance or revenge compared to using his resources to healthy deal with trauma. Even if had lost Wayne Enterprises his family's centuries of wealth would have remained past his lifetime. Bruce bitterly notes it's ironic for no longer having that anymore yet fitting.
Instead, Bruce had managed to convince Alfred to help, or at least stay out of his way while summoning a demon. Maybe it was the devil who claims he is, but frankly, Bruce doesn't care to do any investigating. Because who it was is unimportant but not the last effects it had.
A spoiled self-centered brat that night made a deal with lucifer on giving him everything he wants. The ability to pick up knowledge or skills on everything, never unlimitedly lose fights, have people obey his desire and to be liked, have Wayne Enterprises being an untold success, and never face consequences.
The demon happily granted his every request including erasing Alfred and his memory for ever making the deal so to escape possible future guilt. Only the price was not just his soul, but an untold price which Bruce knows darkly came due.
As the years passed Bruce remembers getting his wish for Wayne Enterprises became a worldwide known company with untold success always rising out of the ashes stronger than before. Became able to learn anything during his years traveling then later returned creating Batman.
Despite supposed to be a normal human well the deal came into exitance for being able to fight literal gods like Darkside and walk away unscathed, go up against Superman or the entire Justice League, able to split his time between the Justice League, Outsiders, or various other teams without issue.
No matter who stood in his way they always came out to be wrong for freely enforcing his zealot no killing views. Or becoming the main leader of the Justice League for even ordering Clark Kent around like Superman was his sidekick.
Then his so-called family who matter how many times, Bruce scowling in guilt, for abusing Dick Grayson, Jason, or Timothy Drake along with his horrible treatment of Barbara, Stephanie, Cassandra, Duke, or whoever else they always stood by him in the end.
Could punch Dick Grayson in the face for any reason, do the same to Tim, or like nearly drive Timothy to insanity by having him spying on his friends all for the sick, twisted purposes of training him to become like him with even Timothy just accepting that's who he is. Not even expecting an apology.
Or he could viciously beat Jason Todd for Red Hood shooting Penguin or throw a Batarang into Jason's neck nearly killing him to save Joker, yet Jason would always later forgive him in the end. Would always be there trying to get back into his family. Even beyond Jason or Tim could be anybody would come around seeing him as right.
Removing some more facial hair Bruce looks back in disgust for knowingly becoming a truly insane monster. Completely unredeemable and frankly should be dead. Given the deal made more or less brainwashed the entire universe into being his play world. The delusional world to a teenage brat.
Only two years ago everything came to a head. Various people started performing evil actions from nowhere all over the world, battles he was in became harder all of a sudden, Wayne Enterprises came under attack and certain heroes became ignoring towards him. Joker yet again escaped from Arkham Asylum however this time is when reality came forth for him.
Joker proceeded to murder various members like Duke Thomas, Luke Fox, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, and Damian Wayne with destroying their bodies for no chance of resurrection. The loss of them still grieves Bruce to this day, but has learned to live with it. However, that's when the truth came out as Joker was empowered not by lucifer being an agent but rather by him personally, all to have somebody to give vengeance on for a forever foe.
Looking back in disgust Bruce knows that might have caused a better person, a more heroic individual for having a realization for trying to admit how much he screwed up. Only it didn't since after all Batman always won, and never admitted any wrongdoing so why should Batman have stopped?
The more Batman fought the more he lost, cities became set on fire, supposed allies quickly fled in disgust, his entire fortune gone as Lucius Fox quickly used his support in the suddenly sinking Wayne Enterprises once more to kick him out, and Jim Gordon federally acquired all of his assets. Even his identity was exposed.
Leaving nothing more than a pathetic boy thinking the world should bow to his every whim, and hopelessly lost like didn't even matter. Because Bruce reflects it didn't matter, since Lucifer didn't even care about him. No grand plan but rather just did all this for giggles. Batman to all these gods and the whole world meant nothing with everybody rightfully hating a crazed nutjob.
Some supporters were around but just dismissed as lunatics desperately clinging to a delusion in constantly trying to defend Batman. Being looked on as nothing more than childish people wishing to escape reality and live a dream life.
What became the tipping point was when Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Timothy Drake, Selina Kyle, and Barbara Gordon broke free of Joker's captivity in Crime Ally with finally killing him.
Only Batman stood there in shock, yelling about them being murders with trying to find a way to bring him back only for Alfred completely overwhelm in guilt for creating a monster had got his attention one last time before blowing his head off with his trusted shotgun. Bruce remembers standing there in frozen shock as being covered in Alfred's blood.
In the alleyway having some light traces of something other than Batman starting to form yet when two others showed up. One is a human form of The Voice, Presence, The Source, or whatever a person chooses to call the creator above of all including multiverses, and is like many texts say is the devil's enemy. The second entity being The Spectre.
Using a mere handwave The Voice quickly undone damages for reversing certain parts of time to restore the cities from infernos to be full of life once more and having no knowledge on the death brought down.
The Source asked The Spectre on what should be done with Batman and while having his ideas wanted to hear his angel of vengeance's thoughts. What best punishment for a monster such as The Batman? A punishment being The Spectre decided instead of ending his life rather have a form of twisted to mercy on allowing him to live yet losing everything something The Voice agreed on.
Leaving a new reality formed around for The Voice restoring the world before the death he helped create, serving lucifer's deal with him and yet leaving the full memories of what went down in his few remaining allies' heads. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Timothy Drake, Barbara Gordon, Selina Kyle, Jim Gordon, and Lucius Fox with scattered memories for certain others such as Clark Kent.
For Alfred, Damian, Stephanie, Duke, Luke, and Cassandra remained dead with being at peace in the afterlife of heaven rather than choosing to live on earth once more. As that would require needing to experience the very deaths again to come back.
Also, The Spectre had removed the curse lucifer placed on Gotham City on causing forever evil plus it extending to Arkham Asylum being a revolving door. Including The Spectre visiting the insane hospital to kill certain members of his rouge's gallery.
Rather quickly upon discovering all his Bat God skills were gone leaving nothing more than a broken, out-of-shape, and easily bested man. Despite the world no longer remembering who he was mostly out of protecting his former allies rather than him, as The Voice explained it still left impacts.
Lucius Fox blaming him for his son's death plus seeing the madness he was an unfortunate unwilling part in left him kicked out of Wayne Enterprises alongside most of his fortune. Eventually, Wayne Enterprises fell further into ruin with the company getting broken up into various pieces while Lucius Fox with his remaining family left for Europe.
Regarding former partners Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Timothy Drake, Jason Todd, Selina Kyle, or Helena Bertinelli want nothing to do with Gotham City anymore. Dick with Barbara remain in Bludhaven for now, Jason Todd, Timothy with Helena have seemingly taken protecting Hub City with Tim having bought some shares from Wayne Enterprises using it to restart Drake Industries.
Naturally, Jim Gordon remaining Commissioner of GCPD has now issued a shoot on sight order for Batman or any of the more dangerous Arkham rouges and Selina Kyle, one of his main lovers, besides his small-time flings, has stayed far out of his life. Selina still checks in with his former family members Bruce guesses but all of them avoid him. Not that he holds a grudge against since everything is his fault.
All the other hero groups want nothing to do with him for the seeming future and Batman once a feared, but respected hero is now viewed with nothing but contempt. Of course, it's not like Bruce knows his body could even have time for all the Justice League or Outsider groups with giving his protection is now gone it's best to stay away from Darkside or Zod fights in general.
Because those threats could easily kill him without blinking, and that thought scares him to his bones. Even Superman, Flash, or Green Lantern since if they wanted on easily doing the same. After all, they are something more than human and he is only human. No amount of planning would ever give him a chance.
Given nothing more than human now. Even notes that his mental capabilities are not what they used to be either for while still somewhat smart is not the impossible, plan on winning every battle before it starts, genesis Batman used to be.
Having nothing left but the clothes on his back is what had him leave Gotham City for eventually finding himself in Nanda Parbat. A place of healing run by Rama Kushna secluded up within the mountains of Tibet, where time moves differently.
In Nanda Parbat, Bruce remembers having no clue how long he spent but began to heal from his parent's death on letting go of his burning need of vengeance with eventually being able to no longer see the nightmares of his parents nightly telling him how disgusted they are and how he is not their son for all the evil caused. Bruce remembers retraining his body and mind but nowhere close to the skills of being a god in human form as he used to be.
Eventually, a year later in normal earth time, Bruce remembers leaving Nanda Parbat with returning to Gotham City a wandering nobody. Only unlike his travels all those years ago there is no Alfred or fortune on returning to, not even a manor which has been made into an orphanage. The Spectre destroyed the cave and all his equipment underneath the manor, plus all his safe houses Bruce notes.
So had to get working at some garage place that doesn't ask too many questions in the East End merely to make ends meet. Having trimmed down his beard yet leaving a visible five o clock shadow Bruce sets the straight razor on the counter with running a damp rag over his face before exiting the bathroom into his small, two-room apartment. Since a fold-out couch that turns into a bed, a small kitchen area and the bathroom is what consists of this place Bruce knows.
Not that Bruce is complaining because this is his punishment. After all, death would be too easy, rather create a hell for the man who once had everything.
Rich beyond imagination, a perfect parent figure in his parents gone with a butler never able to say no to his whims, could have any woman he desired in either of his public Bruce Wayne persona or Batman, could treat his family members or loved ones however he pleased for abuse, yet they always came back.
Not to mention having various expensive gadgets including various near impossible vehicles of land, sea, or air. Could have literal gods and aliens be afraid of one lone mortal, could have people talk about his impossible willpower and skill across the universe, or fight any villain he wanted anywhere. Endless praises of training or skill too.
Only now has nothing to his name or fiancés with nobody knowing or wanting anything to do with him including former friends or family. No expensive gear rather just a pieced together cloth bat suit with a run-down apartment, and lousily job. Having enough skill left to perhaps fight the local gangs or such but nowhere near the legendary feats Batman used to be able to do. No hope of getting anything back from his former lifestyle either.
Finally faced with the reality of something he’s always avoided for years in being responsible.
Deciding it's time to get to work Bruce heads for the door planning on taking the train, and later once nightfall for the Dark Knight, mostly just trying to keep his head down sticking to small gangs and such. No more massive city-wide or world-to-universe-ending threats every other day for crazy villains driving around in stylized cars and complicated death traps. Where afterward once winning the villains are sent back to a revolving prison.
Pushing those thoughts aside Bruce exits his apartment and locks it behind before heading down the stairs.
Once upon a time one of the most powerful beings in the universe with people throwing praises at his feet, even enemies doing so, or other heroes being put down to make him look better. Now Bruce Wayne is nothing more than a ghost nobody cares for.
A fitting punishment for the Bat God.
Hope this was enjoyable and leave a review letting me know what you think. Fair warning flames will be either be ignored or deleted, but I can promise will be laughed at regardless.
Yeah, so drastic changes for something DC will never have the guts to do. Because that would admit they are wrong on needing massive course correction, and we all know that will never happen.
I thought about killing Bruce or locking him up, but eh I wanted a different route.
My killing off Damian Wayne and Stephanie Brown is while neither are really my favorites, they do serve a greater purpose in dying, alongside Duke, Luke, and Cass for ending this ridiculous ever-expanding bat family DC keeps having. Rather scaling down once more I feel is needed.
Even in the Justice League books is just Batman co-staring these other heroes' type of deal.
Now Alfred's death is this guy is a silent supporter no matter how badly Bruce treats people Alfred is always there. While the "Oh Alfred's left Bruce in the comics before" yeah but the guy always comes back no matter what so that renders the argument point moot.
Because Bruce Wayne is living an ultimate escape from real life as more money than knows what to do with, the best parenting system in Alfred in forever a butler on never saying say no unlimitedly, can fight literal gods yet walk away winning with their respect no less, and even knock Superman or other Justice League members around. On top of the Justice League comments on how great Batman is while he's doing it to.
Bruce can have any female he wants with plenty commenting on his good looks or treat family members regardless of abuse without any real consequences while driving out in the best cars, vehicles, planes, and boats fighting any villain.
All of Bruce's so-called "inner problems" or hard life including Batman is a result of Bruce's actions since Bruce is untold rich for easily finding a therapist or other help for dealing with the trauma of losing his parents.
Seriously that's what most people in the real world do. They don't put on a bat suit after training for years due to unlimited money and go out to punch people in the face all-cause "Oh my parents are dead." Boohoo Bruce, get over it. Nobody cares, especially given how overrated and abusive you are.
Despite his deluded fanatic fanbase including the actual writers on "Bruce Wayne is so realistic" is just all kinds of wrong because Bruce is DC's least realistic hero who has no real troubles.
I decided to in story have Bruce get actual bat god status on making a deal with one of DC's demons or the devil, left open to interruption, out of pure selfishness as a spoiled brat.
Having it all explode in Bruce's face spectacularly and lose everything was extremely satisfying to write.
Until next time.