//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: “I am Batman” // Story: Batman Restarts // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// The Timberwolves lunged at the Dark Knight. He immediately dived beneath them and shot three batarangs towards their legs. As soon as they stabbed their front legs, they wailed in pain. The three creatures grabbed the accessories with their teeth and tossed them aside. Batman was careful to not fatally wound those strange creatures even though they meant harm to those scared fillies. One of them, angered by the attack, once again sought to harm him by lunging at him, but Batman was too quick for it. He seized it by the throat and threw it against the other wolves with a bit too much force. The leading Timberwolf collied with its companions and crashed against a tree, causing them to explode to pieces of wood. Batman was starting to regret his rash action once he beheld their remains in shock. To his surprise, they magically rebuilt themselves to their normal forms. They looked upon him in total fear now that he defeated them. He was the most dangerous prey to ever face one-on-one. Deciding that he was too powerful to take on, they all fled in terror. Batman didn’t know what to think of what just happened. These creatures of wood were capable of regeneration? What kind of planet was he in? He then turned to the fillies who gazed upon him in awe, especially the orange one. Once he got a good close-up view on them, he was internally shocked and amazed to see their appearance. “Those look like...cartoons? Did that portal take us in a cartoon universe? This has got to be a complete joke.” he wondered. He bent down to meet their level. “Are you kids all right?” Batman asked them. The fillies were stunned to hear his deep intimidating voice. This strange bipedal creature that appeared to be a giant bat of some kind saved their lives and spoke their language. They had never seen this type of creature before. “Y-yes, we are f-fine.” the yellow filly nervously thanked. “THAT WAS SOOO AWESOME!!! THANK YOU!!” the orange filly shouted with downright energy with a large smile and beaming eyes. “You saved our lives!” “Yeah! You took down those Timberwolves so easily! Thank you, Mr...uh?” the white filly spoke. “I’m Batman.” he introduced himself. “Batman? Wow, that’s an awesome name! My name is Scootaloo!” she shouted. “I’m Sweetie Belle!” the other filly nodded. “And ah’m Apple Bloom!” the last one said. “What are you three doing out here in the middle of the forest? It’s too dangerous.” he scolded. “We were just trying to investigate that portal that opened up above those trees.” Sweetie said. “Yeah, we were very curious to see what had caused it to appear in the Everfree Forest.” Scootaloo added. Batman took note of their observation. If they saw the portal open, then the others probably spotted it as well. But he didn’t want to count on it since he wasn’t sure of it. “Is there civilization anywhere in this world? I need to find help as to how I can return back to my home.” Batman said. “You’re from another dimension?! That’s so cool! You’re so cool!” Scootaloo yelled before she hugged Batman’s leg. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle chuckled at her enthusiasm. Batman was starting to get somewhat annoyed with this particular filly. He wasn’t this used to praise and love since he was both feared and despised by the majority of people in Gotham despite the minority who appreciated him such as Gordon. “Take me to your hometown. I need to have the available help to get back home.” Batman firmly demanded. “Oh...um...sure! Follow us!” Apple Bloom said. Batman followed her and Sweetie as they walked down the path that led away from the Everfree Forest whereas Scootaloo trotted close to him with the same fan girlish and grateful attitude. “I’ve never seen you before, and I’m already starting to like you! Is that your cape? It looks so cool! I wonder why you’re called ‘Batman’.” Scootaloo giddily said. “Take a guess.” he flatly told her. She looked at his cowl and the scary bat symbol on his suit’s chest. Then she got the clue. “Ohh, I see! Oh, and what are you? Are you some sort of bipedal bat-creature or something? Where did you come from? Are you an alien or something? Just curious to know!” she smiled. “Just consider me as an enigma.” Batman said. “Eeeeeeee!!! Rainbow Dash is going to be so impressed by you!” Scootaloo squealed. “Who’s this Rainbow Dash?” he asked. “What kind of odd names are those? Are they supposed to represent their personality?” he asked himself. “She’s my sister figure! She’s the most awesome pony in Equestria!! You’ll like her!” Scootaloo replied. “Hmmm, we’ll see about that.” he said. “What were those things you threw at those Timberwolves? They almost looked like boomerangs but shaped like bats!” Scootaloo asked. “I call them batarangs. They are most effective when used to disarm an enemy or to disorientate them to gain an advantage over them. It took plenty of practice for me to master them.” Batman replied. “That’s awesome! What other weapons do you have? I’m sure you have like super powers as well!” Scootaloo said. “This kid asks so many questions. I’m going to need plenty of rest by the end of the day unlike in Gotham. And super powers? What existing hero has powers of a god? Do they even exist? Not from where I came from.” he said in his mind. “I do not consider myself as a superhero. I protect anyone from harm and upholds the good in every way possible. That’s all you need to know about me.” he flatly replied. He had no interest in answering idle questions or indulging in children’s fantasies. The overwhelming irony was that he himself was trapped in a little girl’s imagination. “Oh okay! It’s so great to meet you, Batman! You’re awesome just like Rainbow Dash! I bet you two will become best buddies!” Scootaloo said. Batman silently groaned as they finally exited out of the Everfree Forest. Just before they could go any further, they were met by three other ponies: one with rainbow hair and tail, the second with a cowboy hat, and the third with purple styled hair. They embraced the fillies affectionately after calling their names. “Apple Bloom! Girls! You're all right!” the farm pony said. “We were so worried ‘bout y’all!” “Indeed! Where have you girls been?! You know better than to run off unsupervised in the Everfree Forest!” the white unicorn scolded while hugging Sweetie Belle. “Yeah! We could’ve lost you three!” the rainbow pegasus added. None of the three newcomers noticed the Dark Knight standing behind them. “We’re really sorry, Applejack! We were just tryin’ to figure out that portal that appeared out of nowhere in the forest!” Apple Bloom said, having her head down in shame. “But we were saved from those scary Timberwolves by BATMAN!! None of us got hurt, Rainbow Dash! Truly!” Scootaloo yelled. Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked at her skeptically. “Excuse me? Batman? Who’s this ‘Batman’?” Rarity asked. “See him for yourselves!” Sweetie Belle said as she pointed to him behind their older sisters. Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity looked behind them and beheld the Dark Knight himself. They had mixed reactions of amazement, fear, and confusion. Batman stood before them with the faintest hint of a smirk. Scootaloo looked expectantly at their sisters with excitement, especially Rainbow Dash. “WHO. IS. THAT?!” Rarity cried out. Applejack and Rainbow couldn’t say a word out of too much astonishment soaking their brains. “I AM BATMAN.” he spoke to them.