Chapter Text
Dawn the halls, through door after door, blue lightning surged. Then, through the front doors of Site-19 burst Dark Flash, with Batman in tow. Across the lot and toward the exterior perimeter he raced. Then, suddenly, a painful bolt of energy coursed through his body and Barry fell from his feet. Both Barry and Batman tumbled across the ground, before coming to a stop feet from the facility's border.
Barry and Batman pushed themselves up from the ground and got to their feet. No sooner had they stood up before they were faced by a small army of well armed soldiers. Each of them wore tactical gear that bore the insignia of the SCPFoundation.
"Stop! Don't move!" One of the SCP Agents shouted, aiming an advanced blaster rifle at Barry and Batman, the other soldiers following suit.
"You gonna shake it off and help me here?" Barry asked Batman, charging up blue lightning in one of his hands. Batman just stood there, unresponsive.
Before another shot could be fired, a group of six figures ran from Site-19 as fast as their legs could carry them. When they came to the blockade of Foundation agents, the group came to a stop.
"Get out of the way!" He implored, to no avail.
Several of the soldiers turned their weapons on Jason, causing him to aim his gun at them in turn.
"We have to go! Now! Something-" Jason's words were cut short by a rumbling all around them.
It felt as if the earth itself might break open to engulf them all. They turned around just in time to see part of the roof and a section of outer wall crack and break. Through the ever growing hole, massive claws emerged. They were soon followed by the equally large and terrifying head of a reptilian-like creature.
"SCP-682 has breached containment! I repeat: The Hard-to-Destroy Reptile has escaped containment!" One of the soldiers frantically shouted into his comm device.
In response to the massive creature's appearance, the soldiers ran past the group, toward Site-19 and the massive SCP-682. Once they were in range, the soldiers began firing up at the beast. But the energy blasts did little to no damage as it hit the creature's thick hide.
"What are we? Chopped liver?" Ash uttered sarcastically.
"I guess we should let them know who we are." Barry exclaimed with a smirk.
"Well, great. Got any ideas?" Jason asked.
"I have one. But I need you to make sure it stays put for a few minutes." Barry said, before suddenly speeding forward and running in rapid circles, creating a ring of visible blue electricity.
"Okay, you heard him." Jason said.
"Yeah, got it. Hey babe, give a guy a lift." Ash asked of Morrigan.
"Sure thing hun." She answered with a wink.
Morrigan spread her wings wide and grabbed Ash under his arms, before flying the both of them straight up into the air. Once they were over 682, Ash gave a nod and Morrigan dropped him. Ash fell several feet, until he landed with a roll directly onto 682's back. SCP-682 threw one of its massive claws down at the soldiers on the ground. Many dove out of the way; but a few of the soldiers were sent flying backwards from the force of the impact.
Tim ran forward, toward one of the downed soldiers. He hung his head for a moment when he realized that the man had been killed. Then, with a heavy sigh, Tim grabbed one of the blaster rifles and began firing up at the creature. Jason joined in, firing dual handguns at the beast. The surviving soldiers got back to their feet and joined in the assault, firing their weapons at SCP-682.
SCP-682 raised its claw and moved in for another attack against its assailants. But, before its blow landed, Annie dove between the reptile and the soldiers, ensnaring its clawed hand in her clay body.
"Got ya!" She declared.
Ash Williams made a fist with his artificial hand and began throwing punches at the top of the creature's head. In response, SCP-682 began shaking and bucking its body wildly. Ash tried to maintain his footing but, after a few moments, he rolled from 682's head and down part of its body; tumbling onto a section of Site-19's roof. SCP-682 raised itself up, lifting its free hand in preparation for an attack. Morrigan landed on the ground and transformed her wings into chains, wrapping them around 682's arm, holding it back.
With SCP-682's arms both restricted, Ash stared the beast down. He raised his gauntlet and fired a repulsor blast into its mouth. SCP-682 roared in fury, lunging forward to bite at Ash Williams. Ash ran from 682's chomping maw, 682 crashing into and causing the roof to crumble under Ash's feet. Ash's footspeed barely outpaced the crumbling of the roof, forcing him to dive forward, narrowly avoiding toppling down into the rubble below.
SCP-682 raised its head again, preparing for another attack. Suddenly, two figures burst from the ground, encircled in radiating, crimson energy. The figures were Razer and Atrocitus, the still warring Red Lanterns. Atrocitus punched Razer down into the ground with earth shattering force, before landing in front of him.
"Pathetic..." Atrocitus said as he reached down to grab Razer.
In response, Razer sprang up and threw a powerful punch at Atrocitus' jaw. The uppercut sent Atrocitus flying upward, causing him to bounce off of 682's hide, before falling to the ground with a thud.
"It's time to die!" Razer said, his voice dripping with anger.
"Now's not the time for your grudge match!" Jason called out to Razer.
As if in response to Jason's words, SCP-682 reared its head back in preparation for another attack. Razer thrust his hand out, conjuring numerous red energy tendrils, which wrapped around 682's neck and pulled its head down, pinning it to the ground. With 682 temporarily restrained, the fire from Jason, Tim and the soldiers momentarily ceased.
"Now what? Tim asked.
"Now we hope Barry's plan works. And fast..." Jason responded.
***
Owlman approached a still silent and still Batman and gripped him by the cape.
"Are you really going to stand by and let the rest of your friends and allies die because of one mistake?" Owlman asked.
Owlman pulled back and punched Batman in the gut, causing the hero to double over before standing straight again to look Owlman in the eyes.
"It's something I might do. But I don't believe in 'good'. Only 'necessary'." Owlman added, raising his fist for another strike. "Killing you now would be too easy."
Before he could throw another punch, the two of them turned their gaze back toward the entrance to Site-19. Standing there and walking toward them with a slow, methodicall gait, was The Batman Who Laughs. His presence punctuated by his ever present grin.
"Oh, don't tell me: having a touch of sentimentality, are we Thomas? For your dear, lost brother? Dead in your world, but so close in this one. His can be your life to take." The Bat told Owlman.
After a moment that seemed to stretch on for an eternity, Owlman released his grip on Batman's cape and turned to fully face the Batman Who Laughs.
"Sorry. I don't do requests. Besides, you've already broken him. I suppose I'll have to settle for killing you instead." Owlman told him, returning the Batman Who Laughs' smirk with a grin of his own.
Not wasting another moment, Owlman rushed toward The Batman Who Laughs. He threw a series of quick, hard punches aimed at the Bat's face and chest. The Bat took a strike to the face, before catching Owlman's second fist in his palm. The Bat gripped Owlman's arm and flipped him over his head, tossing him behind him. Owlman hit the ground rolling, quickly springing back to his feet.
Ownlman ran back toward The Batman Who Laughs who, in turn, ran toward Owlman. This time, it was The Bat who struck first. Owlman managed to block several strikes by the Bat. But multiple punches got through his defenses, hitting Owlman across the face, and causing him to stagger backwards. But, even as Owlman tried to recover from the blows, he saw the Batman Who Laughs closing in once more.
Owlman held out both of his hands, launching a flurry of exploding discs from his gauntlets. The Bat dove and rolled out of the way, as the discs exploded on the ground. Through the dust and debris, the Bat sprang, tossing a Batarang at Owlman. Owlman tossed one of his Owlrangs in response, the two projectiles colliding and exploding on impact. But The Batman Who Laughs was already running at Owlman once more, grinning like a lunatic.
Owlman responded in kind, rushing the Bat. The pair threw a flurry of punches, striking each other across the face several times over. Blood leaked from the corners of their mouths as they both took a fighting stance.
"You could have been so much more. We could have bathed this world in darkness. Together. As kindred..." The Batman Who Laughs uttered in a low growl.
"I don't work with anyone I don't trust. And, besides, you're not long for this world. You're a remnant of a failed timeline. I've come to realize where I had erred. Finding the true center of the multiverse is impossible. And it's true that, not just every choice we make, but every movement of every particle in our universe results in another world. Nothing matters. But it also means WE will always be. Not you and me. Me and him. Owlman and Batman. I will always exist. But, after I kill you, you will be reduced to little more than carrion. Forever." Owlman told him.
For the first time in their entire engagement, the Batman Who Laughs' smile vanished from his face. The Bat rushed in toward Owlman. He moved so suddenly and so swiftly that Owlman barely had time to throw a punch. The Bat caught his punch and aimed toward Owlman's ribs with a Batarang. Owlman prepared for pain, a pain that never came.
Holding the arm of The Batman Who Laughs back, with their own grip around his wrist, was Batman. Owlman stepped backward, looking down to see that the Batman Who Laughs' Batarang had been sharp enough to penetrate his armor slightly before his momentum had been halted.
"Look who finally decided to step off the bench! Aren't you taking a chance? Maybe I'm not who you think I am. You really ready to beat another of your little friends to death?!" The Bat taunted.
In response to his sadistic taunt, Batman punched his dark counterpart in the gut, following it up with a right hook to his face. The Batman Who Laughs flew from his feet, landing on the ground with a thud. Owlman moved to stand next to Batman, as The Batman Who Laughs got back to his feet.
"Ready to end this?" Owlman asked Batman; but Batman remained silent, gaze locked onto the Batman Who Laughs.
The Batman Who Laughs smiled anew, before tossing his Batarang at the duo. The blade landed on the ground between the pair, before erupting in an explosion. Batman and Owlman put up their arms in a crossguard against the spray of dust and debris. Through the dust sprang The Batman Who Laughs, who leapt into the air and delivered a spinning kick to both of them, causing Batman and Owlman to stagger backwards. The Batman Who Laughs kept up his attack, swinging a punch at Owlman.
Owlman blocked the punch and delivered a combo of punches to The Bat's face. The blows landed with a spray of blood from his mouth. Batman moved in and threw a punch at The Bat; but The Bat put up an arm, narrowly blocking the strike. Batman moved his other fist in and struck The Bat in the throat, causing him to double over in breathless agony. But Batman didn't let up, continuing with another series of punches aimed at the now defenseless Batman Who Laughs.
Batman punched The Batman Who Laughs in the face; again, and again, and again. The gloves of his fists were covered in blood; but Batman kept hitting his dark twin; anger and pure hatred in his eyes. But he still saw that terrible grin; taunting him, mocking him. And that laugh; a laugh that permeated his psyche. Batman reached out and felt his fingers wrap around the throat of The Batman Who Laughs; and squeeze.
"You- agh! Are you ready to kill? To sacrifice your morals, your code? To end my life?" The Batman Who Laughs taunted, even while still being choked.
Batman squeezed tighter, tighter, tighter; until The Batman Who Laughs was incapable of taunting him. Soon, very soon, he'd never taunt anyone again; never hurt anyone again.
"Batman!" Through his rage-addled mind, Bruce heard a voice call out; a voice he recognized as that of Tim Drake.
Batman looked up and saw Tim looking at him, worry spread across his face. He also saw Jason staring intently, silently, as if to see what Bruce might do. He looked down at the pale, bloody face smiling up at him; a face that once resembled his own. And, with every ounce of will in his being, Batman released his grip on the monster's neck.
"Ahhgh!" The Batman Who Laughs coughed up blood, before smiling at Bruce. "I knew you couldn't do it. You're still bound by your shackles. You're still too weak to do what you have to. You can't kill me!" He continued to mock, before lunging at Batman with a Batarang in his hand.
But, before he took more than a step, a blade plunged into the gut of The Batman Who Laughs. Standing beside him, holding the other end of the blade, was Owlman.
"No. But I can." Owlman said with a smile as he slowly ripped the Owlrang from The Batman Who Laughs and watched as the villainous Bat fell unmoving to the ground.
Batman looked shocked for a moment, before he did his best to collect himself.
"Batman, we have a bigger problem than him right now. Much bigger." Jason said as Batman and Owlman turned to look at the massive creature that was SCP-682.
Razer's chains shattered and 682 tossed Morrigan and Annie from either of his arms, as he prepared to go on the offensive once more. But, just as he moved in to attack, a bright surge of energy lit up nearby, followed by a crack of blue lightning. Before their eyes, a massive rift opened up in front of SCP-682. The heroes ran to a safe distance as the portal began to suck in debris from all around. SCP-682 also began to be drawn in by the vortex, being pulled the rest of the way from the building surrounding it.
As more of the building collapsed, Ash Williams jumped from the roof and was caught by Morrigan, who flew them both to the ground safely. They all watched as, little by little, more of the massive reptile vanished past the event horizon. Then, as the last of its body disappeared from sight, the portal winked out of existence. And, standing where the vortex had once been, was Barry. He approached the group with a cocky smile.
"What the hell was that?" Jason asked.
"I created an isolated speed force prison. Hopefully it'll keep the gecko contained." Barry answered.
"Hopefully." Batman said, looking down at his hands sorrowfully.
"It wasn't your fault. He's... gone now. He can't hurt anyone ever again." Tim told Batman.
"But I can..." Batman said, before starting to walk away.
"Batman!" Tim said and took a step, ready to go after him; but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
Tim turned to see Annie standing beside him. "Let him go. He needs time." She told him.
"Yeah, well, we coulda used his help with cleanup." Jason said.
"Well, we still got the owl guy and speedy. Why don't-?" Ash began, only to look around and notice that neither Barry nor Owlman were anywhere to be seen.
"So much for them." Morrigan mused.
Before another word could be said, a number of armored vehicles pulled up to the scene. From each of the vehicles stepped a number of additional soldiers, as well as several individuals in suits. Jason raised his gun, but Tim put up his hand, silently signalling for him to lower his weapon.
Seeing both Jason's trigger finger and Tim's collected demeanor, one of the suited figures put up a hand in a gesture of peace. "We're not here to cause you harm. We're simply here to reestablish containment. We could use the help." The suit told them.
"That's why we're here. To clean up YOUR mess." Jason shot back.
In the days and weeks to come, the five heroes who remained helped sift through the rubble of the now destroyed Site-19 and recontain any remaining anomalies, as well as to search the surrounding area for any sign of anomalies that might have escaped the perimeter. They helped place numerous anomalous items and entities in temporary containment devices, with strict instructions on how to approach and handle each. Once that was done, there was nothing left but reconstruction. To the SCP Foundation's surprise, much of the funding came from donations by Bruce Wayne. Who informed them, via email, that he would be keeping tabs on the day to day operations of Site-19 and any other connected assets from now on.
***
Tim Drake sat on a rooftop, sorrowfully looking down on the city from above. He only broke his gaze, turning his head, when another figure moved to take a seat beside him; that of Annie.
"Bruce hasn't been seen as Batman in weeks now. He's not at the mansion and he won't return any of our messages..." Tim confessed.
"He just needs time. He just buried Stephanie. It can be hard losing someone close to you." Annie told him.
"I know." Was all Tim could think to say in response, looking into Annie's eyes wistfully.
Annie smiled back at him. She knew what he was thinking. After all, she had been dead, in a manner of speaking, until recently. And Tim had mourned her death. She wondered if she had ever truly been alive. But that was a question for another day.
"Do you, I mean... do you know what you'll do now?" Tim finally asked.
"I... I thought I might try and do what you do. Protect the city. Be a hero. What do you think of the name Claydoll?" She asked with a smile.
"I like it." He answered honestly. "What about, you know, your civilian identity. I know you have the name Annie. I know a guy who can get you papers. But he'll need a last name."
"I was thinking... maybe Hagen? I know my father wasn't much of one. Hee might not even see me as an actual child, merely a missing part of him. But he's all I have by way of a past. And maybe I can remind him of what it is to be human. One day." Annie told him.
"Annie Hagen it is." Tim said with a small smile, which Annie returned.
***
Around a table sat twelve figures, clad in shadows. On the round table between them were the words 'O5 Command' They were the O5 Council, also known as O5 Command, or the Overseer Council; the clandestine founders and leaders of the SCP Foundation. Little is known about its members, save for the fact that, at any given time, there are no less than twelve members and as much as fourteen; depending on the source of the information. They had called an important meeting, to discuss the recent turn of events.
"Containment has been restored."
"But at what cost?"
"They're right. Bruce Wayne hasn't just helped to repair Site-19, he's continuing to oversee its function."
"If he traces its operating costs to any of our other facilities, he could assume further control of the Foundation. OUR Foundation."
"And he will. He is Batman after all."
"World's greatest detective."
"Our shell companies will slow him down."
"But they won't stop him."
"Perhaps we should sacrifice the limb, to save the organism."
"We have bigger problems still."
"Yes... a darkness is coming..."
"We must prepare..."
***
In a shallow grave just outside of Site-19 in Portland, Michigan, a darkness passed overhead. Lightning tore across the sky, followed by a deafening crash of thunder. And a figure approached, clad in robes so black, they choked out any light that drew near. A heavy wind swept across the field, moving the loose dirt at the entity's feet, little by little. Until the body buried underneath was unearthed; the freshly dead body of The Batman Who Laughs.
With a hand of blackened skin, the color of rot, the figure standing over his prize conjured a staff. At the very top of the staff was a lantern that emitted an energy that seemed to be made of the darkness itself. And from that lantern was a long, curved blade. As the entity waved the scythe over the unmoving corpse, a small ring emerged from the lantern and drifted slowly down toward the body's gnarled finger...