//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: New Plans // Story: Batman Restarts // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// AT THE CAVE Scarecrow and his thugs were around a campfire within the cave that King Sombra recruited them in. The atmosphere was filled with discontent and distrust considering the recent events that transpired before their eyes. The corrupt doctor himself was both eager and anxious with cooperating with the King of shadows and finally getting his revenge on Batman. “Is this supposed to be our lot? We’re just going to sit here and take orders from a cartoon villain?!” Steiss ranted. “Yeah! I would rather be beaten senseless by Batman then to follow that know-it-all freak show!!” Zach agreed. “What are you guys trying to suggest? Take down this Sombra dude and resume our initial plan in killing Batman? Yeah, that’s not going to happen. You saw how he humbled our boss over here and how he tortured me with my nightmare!!” Zsasz argued. “Yeah, he’s got a point! That guy just wiped the floor with us! I hate to say this but...HE IS LEGIT MORE TERRIFYING THAN BATMAN!!” one of the thugs shouted. His words heated their argument even more since several of them would not agree to the notion of Sombra being more scary than Batman. To them, it was like being intimidated by a kids cartoon than by a real-life nightmare. “Gentlemen, please. Let’s not argue amongst ourselves. King Sombra may be our only chance of giving Batman a taste of his own medicine.” Scarecrow said. “All that we have to do is to follow our master’s commands in taking over this Crystal Empire he mentioned, give him what he wants, and then at the end, he’ll give us the means by which we can take down our enemy for good. Agreed?” The thugs looked at each other until they nodded their heads in agreement. Some of them agreed willingly while the others were very doubtful and hesitant. Suddenly, the dark cloud appeared on top of the ceiling and revealed King Sombra. Large shards of purple crystals appeared in front of them and shaped themselves into a large throne. Sombra then slowly descended until he sat on the dark crystal throne. His green eyes shined brightly in the darkness while he blew out the campfire. “Pardon me if I have interrupted anything, my human subjects.” Sombra spoke in his deep, dark voice once more. “Now that you are all gathered here, I am pleased to reveal to you my new plans for my revenge on my traitorous usurpers and, of course, for the defeat of the Dark Knight himself.” “Great. Eager to hear all about it.” Steiss sarcastically said in a deadpan manner. “For your information, you are all in the land called Equestria which is home to the inhabitants called...the ponies.” Sombra informed. This surprised some of the thugs except Dr. Crane and the rest. “Wait...did you just say ‘ponies’?” Zach asked. Sombra nodded in confirmation. “If you don’t believe me, then see for yourself.” Sombra said before igniting his horn and generating a screen that gave a panoramic view of Ponyville, revealing all the ponies that live there. He even showed Pinkie Pie in Sugarcube Corner, Applejack in Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity in her carousel boutique, Fluttershy in her cottage caring for the animals, Rainbow Dash controlling the weather in Cloudsdale, and Twilight Sparkle in her treehouse library with Spike. Of course, he did not neglect to reveal Batman himself saving the Cutie Mark Crusaders from the Timberwolves in the Everfree Forest. “Wait! I recognize them now! They’re from the show called ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’!! I used to watch that show with my sister when I was a kid and—!” Zach interrupted himself as he looked at the stares of his comrades. Some were confused while others were disgusted. Zach then sat back down in embarrassment. “Ahhh, I take it you’ve seen them before?” Sombra asked. “Well, uh, I-I have—um...(Sigh) yes, I have.” Zach admitted. “I even know their names: Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Oh, and Spike too.” He then turned his head slightly and whispered to himself. “Rarity is my favorite.” “Ahhhh, excellent. Very impressive indeed.” Sombra commended. “The more you know your enemy, the better advantage you have over them.” Crane then decided to get back on topic. “So what are your new plans then...master?” Crane asked. “Why, I am most pleased you asked. We must remember our order of operation as follows: my meticulous takeover of the Crystal Empire, destroying the very ones who defeated me, eliminating the Batman, and finally, your endless reward.” Sombra listed. Crane nodded as he carefully listened. “Don’t you think that Batman will figure out our plans and try to stop us? Who knows if he will gain help from those ponies to take us down one by one?” Crane asked. Sombra evilly chuckled in response. “My dear doctor, you doubt my power? A simple man dressed as a bat is powerless to defeat me, YOURS TRULY!!!” his deep voice shook the cave, scaring Crane’s men. “However, I know better not to underestimate the warrior. He has indeed destroyed your former master, Ra’s al Ghul, and saved Gotham on numerous occasions. However, I do know his weaknesses. Once I exploit them, his downfall will be inevitable.” “Excuse me, dark lord guy!” called one of the thugs. “May I ask a question?” “IT IS KING SOMBRA, YOU SIMPLETON!!” Sombra angrily spoke. “Oh, right! Sorry! I was just wondering... how were you defeated by those pony characters? I mean, for a big, dark, all-powerful being such as yourself, I’m sure it’s not like you to be bested by whatever stopped you in the first place.” the thug said. Some of the men laughed hard when he finished speaking. Sombra gritted his teeth in irritation. He shot forth several pairs of green eyes unto those who laughed including the one who indirectly mocked him and caged them with dark crystals he grew out of the stone ground. They all screamed in horror as they were beating each other up in response to their fears they were seeing as well as beating against the crystal walls in a vain attempt to escape. “Please forgive them, master. They haven’t gotten used to the new chain of command yet.” Crane said, sweating nervously. “Ohhhhh, they will...they will.” Sombra uttered menacingly. “Tomorrow morning, we will initiate our first plan of action: capturing the rulers of the Crystal Empire known as Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence. Once they are out of the way, you will make sure that every crystal pony bows to my will by the time I retake my rightful kingdom. Afterwards, I’ll give you what you always wanted: Gotham City at your disposal while you stand on Batman’s body! His cries of mercy will be music to your ears.” “YES! YES! I will gladly follow your plan! I’ve been waiting for this time of my life! You have my deepest gratitude, master.” Crane thanked, bowing before Sombra. “Oh, you’re more than welcome, Doctor.” Sombra said, smiling wickedly. Once he dismissed him and his men from the meeting room, he chuckled to himself. “Poor human. I wonder if he will like the surprise I’ll give him. Hmmmmmm...no matter. He shall have one whether he will like it or not.” His eyes then glowed in the darkness.