//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Batman Troubled // Story: The Dark Knight Falls // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// It was a sunny and bright morning in Ponyville. Everypony went about their business as they usually do. A familiar unicorn named Twilight Sparkle was with her number one assistant Spike, the baby dragon in their treehouse library. With them were their other close friends: Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to have him around Ponyville, darling?” Rarity asked. “I highly doubt he would keep his promise of using his magic for good.” “Well, if Fluttershy was able to reform him, then I’m certain that he will keep his word. But I do understand your concerns, Rarity.” Twilight said. “I still don’t trust him! I still haven’t forgotten what he had done to us before!” Rainbow said, glaring at the memory. “You can say that again! Ah don’t like him one bit!” Applejack concurred. “Everypony, LISTEN!!!” Fluttershy yelled, startling everypony in the room. “Um...I just want us to still give him a chance. If we just be patient with him and teach him more about the ways of friendship, he will be a better creature.” she finished, speaking softly. “Hmmm, you might be right. I mean, the more we show him friendship, the more he’ll learn.” Spike agreed. “Yeah! Like giving him more parties!!” Pinkie shouted, shooting confetti from her party cannon. “I think we can all agree on the fact that we need to keep a close eye on him. That mostly means you, Fluttershy.” Twilight said, looking directly at her. “Me? Oh, um... yes, definitely.” Fluttershy whispered. At that moment, a white flash appeared in front of them in the room and there stood a familiar draconequus who was sitting in a couch while eating a bowl of cereal with peanut butter and jelly. “Weeelllll, isn’t this a good place to have some fun!” he said. After taking large bites of the bowl itself, he snapped his paw fingers which made his meal and couch disappear and hovered in the air above the ponies and dragon who, except Fluttershy, glared at him. “What do you want, Discord?” Rainbow, clearly annoyed by his presence. “Why, I am here for my dear Fluttershy! Why not? Also, she agreed to show me the Crystal Empire this afternoon and re-introduce me to the ones called... hmmm... Shining Armor and Cadence, from what she told me.” Discord replied. “The Crystal Empire?!? Fluttershy, why didn’t you—!” Twilight yelled in disbelief until Fluttershy interjected. “I just want to introduce him to everypony and demonstrate how far he has changed. That’s all, Twilight. No need to get worried.” Fluttershy assured her. “Yes, Twilight! Why be all so serious and doubtful of my progress, hmmm? Do you not have trust in me?” Discord said while making puppy dog eyes at her. Twilight had that skeptical, unsure look on her face. She was clearly annoyed by Discord’s antics. But when she thought over their course of action, she nodded her head in understanding. “Okay, Fluttershy. I trust you with this,” she said, ignoring Discord before turning her head to the rest of the group. They, except Pinkie, groaned in annoyance. “Ughhh, fine.” Rainbow groaned. “I suppose it will do.” Rarity added. “Same here,” said Applejack. “Sounds like fun!” Pinkie gladly said, jumping up and down. “Fine by me.” Spike said, shrugging. Fluttershy warmly smiled at her friends before turning to the Lord of Chaos. “Come, Discord. Let’s get to the train for the Crystal Empire,” she said. Discord chuckled in amusement. “Hahaha, oh please...why take the train if I, the Lord of Chaos, can just take you to the Crystal Empire?!” he said. “Huh?” Fluttershy asked before Discord snapped his claw fingers, making them disappear. “Ah really hope she knows what she is doing.” Applejack said. “Discord had better not make a mess in the Crystal Empire!” Rainbow said. “I second that!” Rarity agreed. “I’m confident Fluttershy will do fine. I don’t know about Discord though,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes. “Speaking of wellness, I wonder how Bruce is doing right now.” IN THE BAT CAVE Batman entered the bat cave while still riding on his bat-pod. Once he parked his bat-pod, he went over to his butler and close friend Alfred who was standing by the computer in the cave. Bruce took his cowl off with the look of sadness on his face. “I presume things went rough for you tonight, sir?” Alfred asked. “More than that, Alfred. A terrible thing... (sigh) has struck Gotham this night that... needs to be swept under the rug.” Bruce sadly replied. “What would that be, sir?” Alfred asked. Bruce did all in his power to fight back the tears as he was about to tell him of the unfortunate fate of Harvey Dent. “Harvey... is... dead.” he slowly said. Alfred was slightly surprised at the revelation. “Really, sir? Oh... oh, my... that’s—that is terrible! I’m so sorry.” “That’s not all. The Joker actually managed to transform him into a-a... psychopathic murderer. Dent... killed five people, and he was planning to kill Gordon’s son to punish him for failing to... save Rachel.” Bruce emotionally informed. Alfred stood there completely stunned at the more shocking revelation. The thought of Gotham’s White Knight being brought down to Joker’s level was very appalling and disturbing to him. He never thought of even the possibility of the city’s last ray of hope and shining example of justice being terribly dimmed coming to fruition. Alfred put his arm around Bruce and began to sympathize with him. “This... this is disturbing in so many ways. Did you manage to save Gordon and his family?” he asked. “Yes... but at a cost. I pushed Dent off of the high floor of the building in 2552 Street where he fell to his death and broke his neck in the process.” Bruce replied. “How will Gotham survive without the living ray of light shining before them?” asked Alfred. “The thing is that... I took the blame for his crimes to make sure Gotham would not lose hope. Besides, the city needs its true hero.” Bruce said before taking a stern look at his cowl. “Are you sure, sir?” Alfred doubted. “You are willing to base Gotham’s hope and faith on a lie?” “Like I said to Gordon, I’ll be whatever Gotham needs me to be. Sometimes, truth isn’t good enough. Sometimes, people deserve more. And sometimes, people deserve to have their faith rewarded,” said Bruce. He put his cowl back on, activated his bat-pod, sat on it, raised his right arm where his crystal magic once again ignited, and shot a beam at the waterfall behind him that turned into a portal. Alfred looked surprised and concerned at the same time. “You haven’t used your crystal magic in a while, sir, since we faced Sombra! Where are you going?” Alfred asked. “To meet my friends. With the Dent Act in full force, there is not much to worry about in Gotham. Plus, Equestria will be a safer place for the Batman. I’ll see you around, Alfred.” Batman said before taking off to the portal. “Master Wayne! Wait!” Alfred called out to him. But Batman already entered through the portal before it closed behind him. “I was wondering if you needed some dinner after a long night. I guess I’ll have to refrigerate it... again.” he groaned.