//------------------------------// // Uninvited Guests // Story: The Knight Returns // by Gleaming //------------------------------// The bats glide off of the walls of the cave and flew around in packs rapidly around the top of the cave, causing a huge amount of noise that echoed inside of the cave. This particularity place was not only the home of the bats but also the secret lair of Batman, where he does his daily scientific research and tests his gadgets in field tests. It has been months since the last time Batman was in Equestria. He has learned a lot from that familiar trip to an unknown world that he knew nothing about, until he noticed that he had three uninvited guests that sneaked their way undetected through a portal. Now, Bruce has to come up with a plan to get rid of them. Bruce turned around to the three fillies, tapping his foot on the floor. ''I never knew that you three would find a way past my security defenses, but I digress.'' The three Crusaders looked at Bruce in confusion. They did not know that they were trespassing on top secret property, not knowing how to handle a situation like this without their big sisters to help them. There was only one thing to do, explain to him what happened. Sweetie Belle stretched her arms out to keep the two at their sides. ''Don't worry, I know exactly how to handle this,'' she cleared her throat. ''We got in here through the portal that Twilight made for you.'' The memory of the whole Equestria fiasco popped back into Bruce's mind, recalling all of the moments he spent together with the six ponies. Twilight Sparkle, was the pony that he missed the most. He promised that he would return if they needed his help once again, it was too hard to not think about the one pony who understands him the most. ''I'm glad that you three care about me, but I keep this cave a secret for a reason.'' Bruce stated. ''So, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you three fillies to leave.'' ''But, we don't know how to get back home.'' The young fillies said altogether. ''I'll find a way to get you guys home, but we should head back into the portal.'' Bruce said. The billionaire son put on his militaristic suit, laced up his black boots, and donned on his mask for the final time. His main objective was to return the three fillies back to Equestria, but that is easier said than done. Batman has faced many challenges in his life, from fighting the Joker to mourning over his father's death, and now he has to deal with this. ''Come on, let's go!'' Batman shouted, while he grabbed the three fillies and jumped through the portal. Batman jumped into the portal with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. As they were spiraling through the fabrics of the two universes, the portal transported them into the populated city known as Maretropolis. [/hr] Maretropolis The skyline of bright lights were very present in a world where comic book villains are present. A city full of chaos and anarchy where the citizens are always put in danger or harm, while a hero steps up to the plate and saves them. Similar to Gotham City, a hero always fights for justice and to protect the innocent. The moral code of a hero has been to fight for what's right, never ask for anything in return, and don't brag to others about how you save others with your selfish desires. Maretropolis was no different, where villains stole priceless artifacts and bits to spend them on maniacal, devious plans to rule the world. A portal opened in the front window display case of a jewelry store, where Batman and the Cutie Mark Crusaders fell out of the portal and crashed down on the silver floor below. As the sound of the impact of the crash echoed through the glass inside, with a hard thud following behind. CRASH! ''I think I hurt my neck on the landing.'' Sweetie held on the back of her neck, moaning in agony. ''Ah' can't feel my legs at all, why did we have to fall so hard?'' Apple Bloom asked, trying to stumble back to her feet. ''Tell me about it, we have hearts as strong as horses but this is pushing it.'' Scootaloo rose up on her hooves slowly. Batman rose up off of the silver floor without a scratch, walking it off like it was nothing. The pain of swords stabbing him in the back didn't phase him at all, he still has a mission to complete. A lot of thoughts were going through Bruce's mind, if he couldn't protect these fillies in a dangerous environment that he was more accustomed to, he could not live with himself. The weight of their lives rests on his shoulders, where he does not want to relive the tragedy of losing someone that he cares about. He could only think about his past, now he must focus on the task at hand. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Batman kicked the glass display case window down, walking out on the sidewalk below as the loud sound of a pony dressed in a black and white striped shirt with a black mask. The mysterious pony lunged over to Batman with a knife in one hoof, looking over at the fillies for one split second. He threw out the knife from his hoof, as the knife flew into the wall of the display case. Batman threw his leg off to the side of the assailant's ribs, connecting off of his side. He grabbed his leg swiftly, launching him into the jewelry store as he crashed through the pearls and diamonds section of the store. Flying through the open display case of the store, Batman crashed into the store and landed on the assailant. Batman towered over the assailant and pressed his boot down on his head. ''Who sent you, and don't try lying to me,'' Applying more pressure to his head, he continued with his sentence. ''I will know who sent you, now talk!'' The fallen assailant opened his mouth, trying to catch his breath. ''The...Mane-iac sent me here.'' Batman tried to collect his thoughts for a moment. ''Good, now you get to take a nap.'' Before the assailant could get one last request or send a message back to his boss, Batman dropped his knee down on his head with enough force to knock him out unconscious. He rose from his body and walked back to the three ponies. ''That was awesome!'' The three fillies cheered with excitement and praise, bouncing up and down as the adrenaline rushed through their bodies. ''So, what did he tell you?'' ''The information that I gathered the unknown attacker is, that he works for the Mane-iac.'' Batman took out his DNA analysis scanner, placing the scanner near the knife that the assailant used. ''Now, I'm going to find her location using his DNA.'' The scanner analyzed the knife's contents and the DNA that he left on the knife, a light blue, squared grid appeared on the scanner along with the data that it gathered. DNA Analysis Results: The residue left on the knife came from the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory, where the Mane-iac's lair is located and it is a few blocks from here. The owner of the factory used to sell hair products all around Maretropolis, until a freak accident caused the owner to fall into a vat of radioactive hair products which caused the owner's mane to grow into long, tentacle - like strands. She started to become completely insane and ever since she was defeated by the Power Ponies, the local authorities apprehended her and sent her to the Maretropolis Prison for the Insane. ''From the analysis on the scanner, we're going to go to the Maretropolis Prison to pay the Mane-iac a visit.'' Batman removed the scanner from the knife. ''But, we're going to need some help. Let's see if we can find some backup.'' ''Are ya' sure if we can find someone to help us, Batman?'' Apple Bloom asked, rubbing her hoof on her chin. ''Apple Bloom is right, we saw you take out that guy with no problem at all and you are saying that we need help?'' Scootaloo asked curiously, walking around in a circle. ''They have a point, Batman. I have to agree.'' Sweetie Belle replied in unison with them. ''Look guys, I know that I was able to take that guy out with no problem. But, even though I don't usually work with others I need someone other than me to protect you from harm. Understand?'' Batman kneels on one knee, holding the little fillies in his arm. ''You got it!'' The three fillies said in unison. ''Good.'' Batman walked down the street, along with the three fillies in his arm headed for the Maretropolis Prison for the Insane. With the journey of the Caped Crusader along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders at his side, they are on a journey of returning the ponies back home in Equestria. But to do that, they must defeat the Mane-iac to open the portal once again or they will be trapped in Maretropolis. They can't do it alone without help, it will only be a matter of time until they meet another mysterious vigilante, The Mysterious Mare Do Well.