Fourteen years passed since the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne. In that time, Bruce, now a young man at age 22, rode the monorail to Wayne station. He picked up his bag and got off the train with the other passengers, he searched the crowd till he saw Alfred and waved to him. The butler reached his side and took his bag.
“You didn’t have to pick me up,” Bruce pointed out.
“Well sir, the red line… well, it’s closed.” Alfred explained hesitantly. “Apparently Mr. Earle thought it wasn’t making enough money.”
Bruce was shocked by the news as they walked through the concourse. He looked around, saddened over how rundown his father’s station looked. The glass cracked, the marble chipped, and homeless bundled shuttered storefronts. He peered through one of the windows of Wayne Tower, which loomed overhead with gold lettering catching the sunlight.
‘How dare he do something like this to my father’s hard work,’ He thought.
“How is Mr. Earle?” Bruce asked aloud.
“Oh… successful,” Alfred answered sourly.
But it was clear to see that Alfred disapproved of the man’s choices, especially when it came to the Wayne legacy.
<>
Later, they were in the Rolls Royce with Alfred driving them back to Wayne Manor. As he drove, he glanced toward Bruce through the rear-view mirror.
“Will you be heading back to Princeton tomorrow or could I persuade you to spend an extra night or two?” He asked, with faint hope.
“I’m not heading back at all,” Bruce answered grimly.
This news surprised Alfred greatly.
“You don’t like it there?” He inquired.
Bruce smiled sardonically as he looked out the window toward all the trees flashing by.
“I like it fine,” He responded. “They just don’t feel the same way.”
To which Alfred sighed with irritation but expected such a response from the young master… even he could see that time hadn’t healed the boy… not after that tragic night.
<>
A full year had officially gone by since Bruce and the Equestrian heroes found and begun their training with the League of Shadows. One year officially since the heroes first landed upon this world. In all that time, they trained vigorously and almost religiously. Each and every day they would train from dawn till dusk and then do the same thing the very next day. They were battered, bruised, scarred, and certainly changed since they first arrived in this harsh world.
This was showcased through their movements, as every member of the Mane Six and Spike sparred with one another. They each used their practice sticks and swung at one another in a practice session. Duscan Al Ghul watched from the sidelines along with a group of assassins, all observing as the Mane Six and Spike fought one another. They weren’t necessarily trying to hurt one another, but Duscan wanted to see how much they’ve progressed in the last year.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash showcased aggressiveness as they smashed their sticks together so hard they actually started to splinter. Rarity and Twilight danced around one another as they clashed. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie actually started showing less of their meek and fun love nature. Instead, what stood before the onlookers were a pair of ponies actually taking the training seriously shown by the way they clashed with each other. Spike fought with a League assassin who actually had trouble keeping up with the way Spike attacked so quickly, so swiftly. It was like fighting against air in a way.
One sudden finger snap from Duscan stopped the girls and Spike mid-fight, as they turned to face him on command. It almost seemed as though they were trained dogs following the calling of a master. The Equestrians approached the front of the Heir of the Demon and actually knelt down on one knee before him. Seeing this actually caused a small smile to come upon the face of Duscan Al Ghul.
“You’ve come a long way since your arrival,” He spoke with admiration.
Twilight was the first to get back to her feet, bowing curtly toward Duscan.
“We do the best we can, Master Duscan,” She replied.
“Well, you certainly exceeded the expectations my father and I had for you all.”
“So… does that mean we’re finally done?” Rarity asked hopefully.
“And we finally get to party?” Pinkie asked gleefully.
“Unfortunately… no,” Duscan shook his head.
“Oh come on man!” Rainbow groaned, standing up. “We’ve literally done everything you’ve put in front of us! We beat the living feathers out of each other, tight roped across a gorge, and even spent a month straight in solitary confinement! What more do you want?”
“Calm yourself, Element of Loyalty,” Duscan assured. “There’s still one last thing you must understand before taking the final step.”
“Oh yeah? What might that be?” Spike asked.
Duscan gave no answer, merely turned on heel before making his way out of the room. The Mane Six and Spike looked amongst each other for a moment before slowly following Duscan. They had no idea what was about to happen, but if it helped them get this training over with then so be it they thought.
<>
Alfred and Bruce walked up the main staircase of Wayne Manor together. The rest of the house was dark and empty, with most of the furniture covered with dust-cloths. Yet despite the dismal state of the house, the old butler had faint hope that the young master would actually stay this time.
“I’ve prepared the master bedroom,” Alfred informed the young man.
“My old room will be fine,” Bruce shook his head.
It was plain to see that the young man had no intention of sleeping in his parents’ bedroom.
“With all due respect, sir,” Alfred spoke sternly. “Wayne Manor is your house.”
“No, Alfred, it’s my father’s,” Bruce argued irritated.
“Your father is dead, Master Wayne,” Alfred frowned.
“And this is a mausoleum,” Bruce stated. “When I have my way, I’ll pull the damn thing down brick by brick.”
That was the last straw as Alfred turned toward the young man.
“This house, Master Wayne, has sheltered six generations of the Wayne family!” He snapped.
“Why do you give a damn?” Bruce asked. “It’s not your family.”
And Bruce immediately regretted his words when the older man turned away, clearly hurt.
“I give a damn, sir,” Alfred spoke quietly. “Because a good man once made me responsible for what was most precious to him in the whole world.”
He fixed the young man with a look that said, ‘I care for you, Master Bruce.’
“Miss Dawes offered to drive you to the hearing.”
“Rachel? Why?” Bruce asked, surprised.
“She probably hopes to talk you out of going,” Alfred shrugged.
“Should I just bury the past out there with my parents, Alfred?” Bruce voiced his doubts.
“I don’t presume to tell you what to do with your past, sir,” The butler responded. “Just know that there are those of us who care what you do with your future.”
Bruce finally smiled after what felt like an eternity.
“You still haven’t given up on me, yet?” He asked.
“Never,” Alfred said with conviction.
Soon they reached the hallway, where Alfred handed the young man his bag and walked away with a smile of his own. Instead of his room, however, Bruce entered the master bedroom, placed his bag on the bed, and looked around the room. Fourteen years past and it hadn’t changed in the slightest. The room still held all his paresnts’ things, including his father’s stethoscope. He moved over to a mantel and stared at a framed photograph of himself as a kid on his father’s shoulders, his arms held up in triumph. He wiped the dust off the glass and smiled over the happy memories connected to it.
Bruce soon moved back toward his bed and opened his bag. He took out a shirt and set it aside to reveal a handgun, which he picked up. He inspected the gun to make sure it was loaded, before stuffing it into the pocket of his coat.
“I’m sorry, Alfred, but I have to do it,” He told himself.
<>
Bruce headed back to the main floor and entered the kitchen. There Rachel, now in her twenties, stood before the front of a counter and fingered some tomatoes in a crate.
“You know, Alfred still keeps the condensed milk on the top shelf,” Bruce pointed out.
Rachel smiled, recalling the times they’d steal the condensed milk with both her mom and Alfred after them.
“Hasn’t he noticed that you’re tall enough to reach it by now?” Rachel asked, smiling.
“Old habits die hard I guess,” He admitted, smiling.
“Never used to stop us, anyway,” Rachel added.
“No, no, it didn’t,” Bruce smiled, over the memory.
“So, you still trying to get kicked out of the entire Ivy League?” She guessed.
“Turns out you don’t actually need a degree to do the international playboy thing,” He confessed. “But you… intern at the DA’s office… quite the over-achiever.”
Rachel giggled… then her smile turned sad.
“I miss this place.”
“This place is nothing without the people who made it what it was,” Bruce spoke sadly. “Now there’s only Alfred.”
“And you,” Rachel added hopefully.
“I’m not staying, Rachel,” Bruce informed her.
“Oh, I thought maybe this time…” Rachel spoke disappointed. “But you’re just back for the hearing?”
Bruce merely nodded in agreement despite the fact he could see how upset Rachel looked.
“Bruce, I don’t suppose there’s any way I can convince you not to come?”
“Someone at the proceeding should stand for my parents,” Bruce responded.
“Bruce, we all loved your parents,” Rachel gently reminded him. “What Chill did is unforgiveable.”
“Then why is your boss letting him go?” Bruce demanded coldly.
“Because in prison he shared a cell with Carmine Falcone,” Rachel responded gently. “He learned things and he’ll testify in exchange for early parole.”
“Rachel, this man killed my parents!” Bruce protested. “I cannot let that pass.”
Rachel turned away from her oldest friend with such a disappointed gaze. Seeing that look on her face, Bruce couldn’t help but sigh.
“Rachel, I need you to understand.”
“Okay,” Rachel agreed unsurely.
After a few seconds, they left together to attend the hearing. If only Rachel had any idea of Bruce’s true intentions that day, she never would’ve permitted him into her car.
<>
The Mane Six and Spike followed Duscan through the lowest depths of the house, until their travels had them wandering through the caverns below. Eventually, Duscan led them back into the Lazarus Pit chamber, a familiar spot they’ve seen on their first day. As they entered the chamber, once again they heard voices calling to them from the pit. Their eyes stared through the glowing waters of the pool, the voices growing increasingly louder the farther they leaned.
“You can still hear them, can’t you?” Duscan asked.
Every pony, even Spike, was so entranced by the voices in their heads they didn’t even take notice of the fact he was speaking to them. Only Twilight was the first to take notice.
“What are they saying?” She asked bewildered.
“They are calling you into the Pit,” Duscan explained. “The Lazarus Pit is the secret to the League’s power. Now it wishes for ‘you’ to partake.”
The Equestirans just looked at Duscan as though they had absolutely no clue what he was talking about. The heir of the Demon looked down toward the pit, then back toward them with a smirk on his face.
“Perhaps a demonstration of the Pit’s full power is in order,” He suggested.
Then, Duscan reached behind him and drew out a long dagger which he held out in front of himself. The moment the group laid eyes upon that dagger, immediately they became worried over the man’s intentions.
“M-M-M-Mr. Duscan?” Fluttershy shook nervously. “W-W-What are you going to do with that?”
But Duscan refused to answer her question; instead, he merely plunged the dagger straight into his own abdomen. Blood spurted from his gut, and he felt to his knees. The girls and Spike all screamed in horror and shock.
“WHAT THE HAY!!!” Twilight screamed.
“SWEET CELESTIA!!!” Rarity screamed as well.
The girls and Spike rushed forward to help, but Duscan waved them off.
“Don’t!” He snapped weakly. “Don’t… interfere…”
Duscan found himself losing blood rapidly, his pulse quickly growing faint. However, he had just enough residual energy within himself to pull himself over to the Lazarus Pit and sunk below the glowing depths. The Pit began to bubble and boil before quickly ceasing entirely. The girls and Spike approached the pool, looking on with worry in their eyes.
“Is he… dead?” Spike asked concerned.
Just then, Duscan burst from the Lazarus Pit with a mighty gasp of air and the whole group jumped back with a yelp. Duscan took in a few gasps of air before ascending from the Pit and stood before the group once more. When the Equestrians looked upon him once again, they were all surprised by what they saw.
Duscan Al Ghul was completely healed.
They had literally just seen him fatally wound himself; how he looked now was like nothing even happened. Not only that but his physical condition looked better than ever. Granted, he was already a physically intimidating specimen except now he just looked… like an improvement of his former self.
“Now you see exactly what the Lazarus Pit can offer,” He said.
<>
At the courthouse, Bruce Wayne sat in a chair in the courtroom. The hearing was currently held before a five-person panel. The DA, Finch, addressed the panel while Chill sat next to him.
“The depression hit working people like Mr. Chill hardest of all,” Finch told them. “His crime was appalling, but it was motivated not by greed but by desperation. Given the fourteen years already served and his extraordinary level of cooperation with one of this office’s most important investigations, we strongly endorse his petition for early release.”
Judge Faden nodded and looked toward the man in question.
“Mr. Chill?” He asked.
Chill glanced around nervously as he stood up to reveal that the years had not been kind to him.
“Your honor, not a day’s gone by when I didn’t wish I could take back what I did,” He confessed. “Sure, I was desperate, like a lot of people back then. But that doesn’t change what I did.”
The judge nodded again, consulting the paperwork before him.
“I gather a member of the Wayne family is here today,” He inquired. “Does he have anything to say?”
Chill’s eyes went wide with guilt and fear, as he turned his gaze toward the young man in question. The cold fury in Wayne’s eyes stared directly toward Chill. The shooter and the young Wayne locked eyes, staring at each other for a period of time. The older man turned away, the guilt getting to him. Bruce stood and left the room, and everyone watched him go, including Rachel, who worried for her friend.
<>
The Mane Six and Spike stood in complete disbelief at the sight of Duscan Al Ghul standing before him since emerging from the Lazarus Pit. He had just fatally stabbed himself, was on the brink of death prior to entering the Pit, and now he looked better than ever. How was this even possible? Neither the ponies nor Spike had any idea. Obviously, it had to be some form of magic at work, but otherwise what kind it could possibly elude the group.
“I-I-I don’t understand,” Twilight said bewildered.
“Witnessing a feat taking place only does show much,” Duscan replied. “In order to truly understand the benefits of the Pit itself… you need only to experience it yourself.”
To which Twilight Sparkle and her friends turned to each other, a hint of uncertainty plain to see in one another’s eyes.
“Meaning…?” Rarity asked nervously.
“You need to experience the Lazarus Pit for yourself by willingly stepping into the very pool itself,” Duscan clarified. “One of you volunteers, and the rest will follow you.”
Slowly, the ponies and Spike look back toward the Lazarus Pit. As nerve-wracking as it was to see the pit itself, at the same time they couldn’t remove their gaze from the shimmering stream either. Perhaps it was due to the fact that it was so bright that it had this hypnotic quality just by looking at the way it swayed in the pit. As if that wasn’t enough, the voices grew the strongest amongst the deepest corners within the pit itself. Numerous voices ringing in their ears.
The frustrating part of it all was finding that urge within themselves to resist such a tempting display before them.
“I honestly don’t feel right about none of this…” Applejack spoke first.
“I’ve taken a dip in the mirror pool many seasons ago,” Pinkie Pie brought up. “I don’t see anything fun about this one.”
“I’m all for a hot dip as much as the next pony, but…” Rarity hesitated.
“Do we ‘really’ have to do it…?” Fluttershy squeaked.
“Hey, I can handle taking a risk as much as any of you guys,” Rainbow spoke up.
“So… does that mean you volunteer?” Spike asked.
“I didn’t say I was going to! Least… not now…”
“Interesting…” Duscan murmured, facing Twilight. “What do you say… Princess?”
The whole time, Princess Twilight Sparkle never took her eyes away from the contents within the pit itself. It was though she was the most hypnotized over the entire stream… or she was in deep thought over what the stream itself had to offer. Either way, her friends had nearly every right to worry for their friend considering the amount of attention the League had on their princess… specifically, an Al Ghul. Who knows just what Princess Twilight would do under this circumstance?
“I mean… technically I’m already an alicorn…” Twilight pointed out. “Princess Celestia and Luna have been around for thousands of years before our time…”
“And you truly believe they are as immortal as the Gods themselves?” Duscan asked.
“Well… I always believe there’s a rational explanation for why such ponies can live so long…”
“Being immortal does not mean you can never feel any pain,” Duscan explained. “True, it’s one thing that you can never truly age no matter how much time passes. But bones can still weaken over time… and you’ll still be exposed to being sick by any form of disease. You can live a long life… but a cursed life. Immortality does not make one indestructible, it just means more weight upon your own shoulders…
“Know this Twilight, your land may have the most powerful magic in the entire universe. But you will never find a power quite like this pit… and there are very few of these left in the world today. If you are truly smart, you’d make the most of this power while you can… if not for yourself… I should also point out that not ‘everyone’ shares the same benefits that only an alicorn has.”
If that was an attempt to strike a nerve of sorts, for a moment Duscan detected a slight reaction from Twilight despite her efforts not to show it. She couldn’t help but cast one eye toward her friends… the familiar sense of dread of her greatest fear. Not of what she fears could become of her, but the fate of her friends… even her honorary brother. True, Twilight Sparkle ‘could’ live as long as time itself much like her mentor and the alicorns before. But her friends… who’s to say they would be around to experience the many changes Equestria could have? Suppose this could in fact be their last adventure together? Suppose… every pony else reaches the end of their journey, and not her?
That maybe… just maybe… what harm would it do? Just one little dip into the pit… perhaps even a small sample of its power could make them open their eyes to something possible. An alternative from having to risk fading away despite all the advancements in modern medicine in their homeland. A chance for grandparents to live long enough to see their grandchildren grow up… to never be sick… never spend days walking with a limp. Everything this pit could offer; Twilight would not deny that it sounded very… tempting.
And yet, Twilight eyes also caught a glimpse of a single twitch from Duscan’s eyes as if within that brief moment she could sense a touch of haste of their master. One moment that was all it took to snap Twilight out of her senses.
“I think we’ll just go…” Twilight began. “… to train! We’ve got quite a bit more training to do!”
“Now you’re speaking my language!” Rainbow agreed quickly. “Could go for a workout myself!”
“Got to keep the guns pumped!” Spike spoke, flexing his arms.
“Thanks for showing us the creepy yet interesting pit, Master Dusky!” Pinkie smiled forcefully.
“Another time, another place…” Rarity bowed. “Come along, girls… and Spikey-Wikey!”
The ponies and Spike quickly made their way back through the path they came from, wanting to get as far away from the pit as possible. An assassin appeared from the shadows, taking a few steps to reach the group. But one hand raised from Duscan, one silent gesture was all it took to keep the assassin from drawing itself any farther. Duscan’s eyes stared intensely toward the group, watching their every move before they disappeared down the path.
“You’re stronger than I thought…” Duscan pondered. “But you’ll find your way back here soon, little princess. They ‘always’ come back… everyone gives in to temptation.”
<>
Bruce waited in the hallway outside the courtroom, turning the gun in his hands before stuffing it up his coat sleeve. Seconds later, the door opened and the reporters, all waiting near the main doors, sprung into actions. Two cops emerged from a different door with Chill, who’s head was down.
“They’re taking him out the side!” One reporter shouted.
Bruce straightened up and made toward the older man, while reporters tried to brush past the cops firing questions toward Chill. The whole time, the older man tried his best to avoid any eye contact with anyone, as though he felt unsafe in this heavily populated room.
“Chill, any words for the Wayne family?”
One reporter noticed Bruce and turned his attention toward the young man, taking pictures.
“It’s Bruce Wayne!”
The reports pulled away, eager for any confrontation between the two men, possibly the biggest story of their careers even. Just then, a mysterious blonde woman squeezes past the cops and made way towards the criminal.
“Joe! Hey Joe!”
Chill looked up, just as she drew out a gun.
“Falcone says ‘Hi’!”
*BAM!!!*
She fired the fun directly into his chest and everyone within the surrounding region screamed in horror. Bruce froze at the sound of the gunshot as Chill dropped to the floor. Reporters dove for cover; cops tackled the blonde to the floor. Rachel pushed her way through the crowd as EMTs raced in and tried to save Chill’s life. As she moved over to Bruce, she found him staring at the dying man, his own gun just a cold piece of metal in his hand… forgotten.
“Come on, Bruce,” She said, taking his arm. “Come on, we don’t need to see this.”
“I do,” Bruce yanked his arm away.
As Bruce’s eyes was fixed upon the scene, there was no mistake that Chill was dead long before any confirmation. Rachel managed to finally pull Bruce away and out of the courthouse. After they were in her car, Bruce sat staring at nothing with his hands in his lap. Rachel worriedly glanced at him several times. Upset as she was about losing Chill and the DA’s best chance at getting Falcone, she was more worried about her friend.
“Are you okay?” She asked, sighing. “The DA couldn’t understand why Judge Faden insisted on making the hearing public. Falcone paid him off to get Chill out in the open.”
“Maybe I should be thanking them,” Bruce muttered, breaking his silence.
Naturally, Rachel didn’t like what she heard.
“You don’t mean that.”
“What if I do, Rachel?” Bruce asked bitterly. “Chill killed my parents; they deserved justice.”
Rachel shook her head, appalled by what she heard.
“You’re not talking about justice; you’re talking about revenge.”
“Sometimes they’re the say,” Bruce spoke emotionlessly.
No matter how hard Rachel tried, Bruce refused to make eye contact with the young woman. She could tell Bruce was avoiding something and yet that didn’t stop her from attempting to find the answer.
“They’re never the same, Bruce,” Rachel protested. “Justice is about harmony; revenge is about making yourself feel better. That’s why we have an impartial system.”
“Well, your system’s broken!” Bruce snapped.
“Don’t you tell me the system’s broken, Bruce!” Rachel yelled angrily. “I’m out here every day trying to fix it while you mope around using your grief as an excuse to do nothing. You care about justice?”
She yanked on the wheel, drove down an exit ramp and onto the surface streets, which were dark, crowded, and threatening.
“Look beyond your own pain, Bruce!” She snapped, gesturing the sights. “This city is rotting. Chill is not the cause, he’s the effect. Corruption is killing Gotham and Chill being dead doesn’t help that, it makes it worse because Falcone walks. He carries on flooding our city with crime and drugs, creating new Joe Chills every day. Falcone may not have killed your parents, Bruce, but he’s destroying everything they stood for.”
She then pulled up in front of a basement club, where a well-suited bounced checked IDs and invited the attendees.
“You want to thank him for that here you go,” She gestured. “We all know where to find him. But as long as he keeps the bad people rich and the good people scared, no one will touch him.
She then gave Bruce a hard look.
“Good people like your parents who’ll stand against injustice are gone, Bruce,” She poked his chest. “And what chance does Gotham have when the ‘good’ people do nothing?”
“I’m not one of your ‘good people’,” Bruce stated, sighing heavily. “Chill took that from me.”
What do you mean?” Rachel asked confused.
Bruce reluctantly took the gun out of his pocket and showed it to his friend. She stared at it, then toward him with complete shock.
“All these years I wanted to kill him…” Bruce confessed. ‘Now I can.”
Rachel stared at her friend in shock, until anger eventually took over. She slapped him across the face several times, but he rewarded her with no response.
“You’re no better than the rest,” She snarled. “No better than Chill. Your father would be ashamed of you!”
Bruce stared at her, hurt that she would bring up his late father like that. He then opened the door, got out, and walked away. As Bruce walked out onto the docks, Rachel drove away in a hurry. He stood and stared out toward the water, rolling the gun between his hands, until he found himself back on the night his parents died. All he could think of was the trembling gun inches from his father’s chest. His body reacted to that fear so much, he hurled the gun straight toward the black water beyond.
From that day on, Bruce Wayne would never use or even hold a gun ever again.
<>
Bruce walked toward the basement club and headed straight for the entrance. Entering the noisy place, he looked around until he spotted Falcone at a table. Eyes narrowed, Bruce pushed his way through the crowd until he reached the table, and Falcone looked up with a sigh.
“Well Mr. Sionis, looks like we’re going to have to conduct further business another time,” Falcon spoke to the person sitting across from them.
“Don’t wait too long Carmine,” The other individual responded. “I’m a very busy man you know.”
The man across from Falcone stood from the booth and made his way out the area. As he passed Bruce, the young man got a good look at the individual. The man was at least ten years older than himself, wearing a rather nice three-piece suit. He had slicked-back dark-brown hair, with an expression upon his face that could shatter a statue. This man was perhaps one of the city’s biggest crime bosses the city of Gotham had ever known:
Roman Sionis…
Sionis and Bruce kept eye contact for a moment before the older man pushed his way past-and-out of the club with an entourage of mobsters following behind. Bruce watched the man and his goon leave before turning back to Falcone. One of his thugs patted the young man down for any weapons.
“You’re taller than you look in the tabloids, Mr. Wayne,” He commented. “No gun? I’m insulted.”
“Only a coward needs a gun,” Bruce stated coldly.
Falcone merely shrugged and gestured to him to sit.
“Could’ve just sent me a thank you note,” Falcone added.
Bruce merely sat down with a scowl on his face.
“I didn’t come here to thank you,” He snapped. “I came to show you that not everyone in Gotham is afraid of you.”
Falcone laughed, as if he heard the greatest joke in the history of Gotham City.
“Just those that know me, kid,” He snicked, gesturing to the crowd. “Look around. You’ll see two councilmen, a union official, a couple off-duty cops, and a judge.”
In a nearby booth, Judge Faden sat and eyed the young man nervously. The older man took out a gun from under the table and aimed it at Bruce’s forehead.
“Now I wouldn’t have a second hesitation blowing your head off in front of them,” Falcone threatened. “That’s power you can’t buy, that’s the power of fear.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Bruce smiled.
“Because you think you have nothing to lose,” He snorted. “But you haven’t thought it through – you haven’t thought about your lady friend from the DA’s… or that old butler of yours…”
He pulled the trigger and Bruce tried, and failed, to not flinch at the clicking sound. His point proven; the older man lowered the gun.
“People from your world always have so much to lose. That’s why they keep me in business. I stop the desperate heading uptown the way Joe Chill did. You think because your mommy and daddy got shot you know the ugly side of life, but you don’t. You’ve never tasted desperation. You’re Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham, you’d have to go a thousand miles to meet someone who didn’t know your name. So, don’t come down here with all your anger… trying to prove something to yourself. This is a world you’ll never understand. And you’ll always fear what you don’t understand.”
With a few nods, two thugs hauled the young man up, punched him in the stomach, and when Bruce turned to fight, they pinned his arms behind his back.
“You got spirit, kid, I’ll give you that,” Falcone added. “More than your old man.”
And Bruce looked at him with a cut lip.
“In the joint Child told me about the night he killed your parents… said your dad begged for mercy,” Falcone mocked. “Begged… like a dog.”
And laughter echoed as the young man was dragged away.
<>
Bruce grunted as the thugs tossed him out of the club and into the street. He sat up, glaring back towards the club.
“Shoulda tipped better.”
Bruce turned to see a homeless man warming his hands over a fire built inside an oil drum, while other homeless people scattered about around the docks. The young millionaire stood up and approached the homeless man as he wiped the blood off his face with his scarf which he tossed into the barrel. He pulled out his wallet and took out every bit of cash within it. He then handed the money to the homeless man, who was utterly surprised by the gesture.
“For what?” He asked warily.
“Your jacket,” Bruce answered.
“Okay.”
Accepting the money, the homeless man took off his jacket while Bruce dropped his wallet into the fire, along with his tie. He then took off his overcoat, which he was about to toss into the fire next.
“Lemme have it, that’s a good coat.”
Bruce looked toward the man, thought it over, and decided instead to hand it over. The homeless man accepted the jacket, which he proceeded to pull over.
“Be careful who sees you with that,” Bruce advised. “They’re gonna come looking for me.”
“Who?” The homeless man asked.
“Everyone.”
And just like that, Bruce Wayne proceeded to walk away. He wandered through the stacks of containers and heard a horn in the distance. A cargo ship was just ready to depart, and Bruce proceeded to race toward it, disappearing into the shadows.
<>
As the year passed, Henri watched Bruce, who faced off against a shaven-headed warrior. They were just in the midst of sparring when a shout across the monastery distracted the young man. He was taken down in a matter of seconds, as the older man shook his head.
“Childish, Wayne.”
But instead of protesting, Bruce watched as two warriors dragged a screaming man toward a cage.
“Who is he?” He asked.
“He was a farmer,” Henri answered, watching. “Then he tried to take his neighbor’s land and became a murderer. Now he’s a prisoner.”
As the man was locked inside the cage, Bruce and Henri watched as the cage itself was winched ten feet off the ground. Inside, the man whimpered fearfully.
“What will happen to him?” Bruce asked.
“Justice,” Henri responded. “Crime cannot be tolerated – criminals thrive on the indulgence of society’s ‘understanding’. You know this.”
To which the young man nodded in agreement, but Wayne still stared toward the man in the cage. For one reason or another, he couldn’t help but feel a troubled expression start to form.
“Or when you lived among the criminals… did you make the same mistake as your father?” Henri continued. “Did you start to pity them?”
<>
“The first time you’re forced to steal not to starve…”
Bruce wandered through the crowded market in an African port town, stopping in front of a fruit stand. He examined a mango while he also slipped a plum into his pocket. He then entered an alley and squatted in a doorway. He hungrily bit into the plum, saving the taste and juice, until he noticed a small boy in rags. The boy sat in the next doorway, staring at the plum.
“… you lose many assumptions about the simple nature of right and wrong.”
Bruce looked at the boy, then at the plum and sighed. He proceeded to hand the plum to the boy, who eagerly took it.
<>
In London, England, Bruce Wayne, now filthy and growing a beard, moved through the crowd with an elderly man.
“I needed to feel the fear before a crime…”
The elderly man spotted a businessman moving in their direction and he stepped directly into his path. This would cause a collision which knocked the elderly man to the ground. Bot the businessman and Bruce crouched down to help the elderly man.
“And the thrill of success…”
Bruce slipped the businessman’s wallet out of his pocket without the man’s knowledge as they helped the elderly man up. As the businessman walked away, Bruce presented the wallet to the elderly man, who nodded with approval. Then the young man hurried after the businessman.
“… without becoming one of them.”
Bruce caught up with the businessman and returned the wallet; the businessman thanked him and handed the young man a banknote in return, which Bruce took and gave his thanks.
<>
Somewhere in Eastern Europe, Bruce Wayne was in a warehouse and tried cracking a safe under the supervision of a young tough man. The man shook his head, spun the dial, and whipped open the safe and showed Bruce what to do.
“I thought I would find something.”
In Shanghai, Bruce was in a backroom with a Chinese boss and seven criminals. They were drinking, laughing, and showed each other their spoils of watches, wallets, and phones.
“I thought I would learn what I needed to do with my skills and my anger.”
It was daytime now, as a truck raced through the door. Two criminals yanked the doors shut after, as both Bruce and the boss jumped down from the cab.
“But the harder I looked the less I saw. The less I knew.”
Bruce turned to the boss with a wary expression.
“Where’s this friend of yours?”
The boss merely shrugged.
“Not friend. Friend of friend.”
Bruce rolled his eyes and looked at the boss with contempt.
“Until I wasn’t even sure what I’d been looking for in the first place.”
The doors exploded open, as cops burst in shouting in Mandarin. Now the back of the truck was open, and the cops performed an inventory of boxes they pulled out of the back and piled upon the floor.
“And I was lost.”
Bruce sat in a line of criminals with his hands cuffed behind his back; a cop yanked him to his feet, hauling him toward the commanding officer.
“He refuses to give his name.”
The officer smirked at the young man.
“Fool – this is China, you’re a criminal, what the hell do I care what your name is?”
“I’m not a criminal,” Bruce protested.
The officer scowled and waved him away and looked at the truck.
“Tell that to the guys who owned these!” He snapped.
The officer kicked a box that had the Wayne Enterprises logo on the very front.
“You traveled the world to understand the criminal mind and conquer your fear…”
Love that you added some stuff in those flashbacks.
I must say, sir, your progress is lacking. I mean, you're 35 and you still haven't graduated.
Dude, that was my kill
Flashbacks and suspense galore with so much taking place during this chapter. Temptation almost gets the best of our heroes as they are nearly driven to use a sacred weapon amongst the League, which offers both positive and negative effects. We also learn more about Bruce and how the effects of that tragic circumstance had its toll on the man. But at this point we also see why he’s determined never to use a gun under any circumstance.
...... About the part I italicized here...... did you mean "only shows so much"?
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(In riffing mode) Honestly, I did not see that lady with the gun coming.
Very cool
Meanwhile, back in Discord's Theater
Lil' Cheese: "YAY! Flashbacks!"
Cheese Sandwich: (To Lil' Cheese) "That's right, son! Flashbacks!"
Diamond Tiara: "The nerve of that guy!"
Silver Spoon: "That's just wrong..."
Fancy Pants: "My deepest condolences goes out to that boy..."
Grubber: "Eh, forget about it!" (Chomps down a sponge cake)
Tempest Shadow: (Sympathizing with Bruce Wayne) "Time hasn't exactly healed a lot of us either..." (Both she and Glitter Drops held hooves for comfort)
Trixie: (Whistles) "One year? What a time skip."
Autumn Blaze: (To Trixie) "I'll say. I just hope Rain Shine's hubby hasn't cracked in that time." (To Rain Shine) "Remember how big of a mess he was since he got back from the previous Cinematic Adventure?"
Rain Shine: (Sighs) "What am I going to do with that husband of mine?"
Meanwhile...
Extra Cut
Since arriving in this harsh world, I – Phantom-Dragon – along with my group, HunterBrony101, and Mina, have spent an entire year in Gotham City, protecting Carrie White and Derrick from three imp assassins and a hellhound, whom we've come to identify them as I.M.P. – Immediate Murder Professionals.
Yeah...it still freaks me out that we're some of the few people lucky and fortunate enough to escape those imps a few times. For an ENTIRE YEAR!
*Ahem*
We cut to a scene of me, sleeping in the bunkers of Shadowshion's hideout.
Me: (Snoring. Practically sawing logs, when Mina woke me up) "OH! Who? What? Where?!"
Mina: (To me) "Morning, Dr. P.D.! Sleep well?"
Me: (Yawning) "Oh, Mina. Hey. I just had a nightmare that we were in Gotham City, being chased by three imps and a rapid hellhound, who are out to kill Carrie White for blood! And we've been stranded here for a whole year, while Twilight and her friends are...in the League of Assassins?" (I shook my head) "Nah. That's ridiculous! It can't be true..."
Krystal: (To me) "Good morning, Mr. Phantom-Dragon."
Me: "AAAAAHHH!!!" (Looks at Krystal) "K-K-K-Krystal? Is it really you?"
Krystal: (To me) "Hmmm. By reading your thought patterns, I'm to deduce that you are...half-awake and confused."
Isabelle also came up to me and spoke something in Animalese...which I still haven't quite understood. Carrie White soon followed.
Carrie White: "Good morning, Mr. Phantom-Dragon! How are you?"
I gasped as the realization soon caught up to me.
Mina: (Speaks to me uneasily) "YYYYeaaaaaahhhhh...sorry, Doc. But...it's no dream. We really have been here for one whole year...give or take."
Me: (Gasps) "It's no dream? I've missed out a whole year with my wife?"
Derrick: (To me) "And you've been wearing the same Mandalorian Armor since last Nightmare Night."
3...2...1...
Me: "...." (Screaming up in the air) "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO–"
Eleven Minutes Later
Me: (Still screaming) "–OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO–"
One Hour Later
Me: (Cuddling up in a fetal position, still screaming) "–OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO–"
Everyone surrounding me all covered up their ears.
Derrick: (Irritated) "Ugh!" (To me) "Will you please SHUT UP!!!"
Krystal: "Is he always like this?"
Mina: (To Krystal) "Let's just say he's still recovering from the trauma of getting kidnapped in the previous Cinematic Adventure. Alright?"
2000 Years Later
By then, everyone's grown tone deaf, and I somehow grew a beard outside of my Mandalorian helmet.
Me: (Still screaming, but weakly) "–OOOOOOOOOO....OOOOOO..."
Mina: (To me, who is still very young, like everyone else) "DOCTOR! GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF!!!" (Smacks my helmet, causing my head to shake)
Derrick: (To me) "Yeah, you've been screaming your head off for like an hour already! We gotta get this story going!"
Krystal: (To me) "And what's with the beard?"
Me: "Oh this?" (Takes off the fake beard) "Comes right off!" (Isabelle says something to me) "What?"
Krystal: (To me) "She said, now that that's over, can we get going?"
Me: (To Krystal) "You're right...we have to keep moving. This side-story of the Cinematic Adventure won't move, without us!" (I got out of bed to do some stretches) "You guys go on up. I'll catch up with you."
I waited and watched until everyone were out of the room and out of sight. I then started to make another Alpha's Log, with my helmet, which has been modified to do a recording.
Alpha's Log #365
We've been stranded in Gotham City for...wow, a whole year? Time really flies fast, when you're having fun. And...we've been leading the fight against crime, agains the Dazzlings, Queen Chrysalis, and just about every criminal elements. We're like the Gotham Knights I played with my friends, back home. And get this...we're still being hunted down by I.M.P. – Immediate Murder Professionals.
•
You'd think after all these time, of failing to catch us, they'd give up by now. But...these imps and their hellhound are tenacious! Though...come to think of it, the dog seemed rather...mellow the last time I saw her. Though, I still highly wouldn't risk winning her over with a chew toy, or even offer to play fetch.
•
Long-story short. We're still committed to keeping Carrie safe. I know it's what Fluttershy would want, if she were here right now. And I still think it's a big irony. Carrie traumatized my childhood...and now...I'm actually protecting her. My friends back home will never believe this.
•
•
•
Also, maybe to Rain Shine, though a part of me hopes she never has to see this recording. Rain Shine, I know I said I'd take a break and devote a lot of my times for you, since the last adventure when I was...kidnapped. But I...I just...I was really hoping I'd pull off one big hurrah to make up for it. But looking back, maybe I was just being selfish. Maybe, all along, I was doing it all for myself and my...love of making a good story just got in the way of our marriage, a little...
•
•
•
I understand if you're mad at me...probably hating me for...running out on you, despite being a noble cause... I just want you to know...no matter what happens, I never stopped thinking of you. Every day, I dreamt I would find you, waiting for me. You are my quest. I love you, Rain Shine.
あなたをとても愛しています。
Next>>
<<Previous
The audience were all watching with mixed reactions of amazement and shocking horrors, as they watch the scenes unfolding on the big screen.
Sandbar: "YEEEESSSHHH!!! A little hardcore, don't you think?"
Yona: "Yona like Professor Applejack and Professor Rainbow Dash's new fight! They smash sticks!"
Yaks: "YAK SMASH! YAK SMASH! YAK SMASH!!!" (Yaks jumping up and down)
Eric Bischoff!: (To the yaks) "Alright you cows. That's enough! Please remain in your seats...STONE COLD!" (To Stone Cold) "Stop those yaks! NOW!"
Stone Cold proceeds to reign in the excited yaks.
Minuette: (At Twilight) "COME ON TWILIGHT! Knock her lights out!"
Moon Dancer: (To Minuette) "Minuette! You do realize that that's Rarity you're encouraging Twilight to beat up. Don't you?"
Minuette: (To Moon Dancer) "Right." (Chuckles nervously) "I just got caught up in the moment."
The looks on most of the audience speaks how much they bought it.
Dumb Bell: (To Hoops and Score) "Is this the same Clutter Shy from Flight Camp?"
Hoops: "I don't know..."
Zephyr Breeze: (To his mother) "Mom? I'm scared."
Gilda: (To Gabby) "You know all that stuff I said about Fluttershy being a coward and a klutz? I take it all back..."
Gabby: "Oh, Spike~" 😍
This made Princess Celestia look rather uncomfortable, which she exchanges between Storm Shield and Princess Luna.
The Audience: "WHAT?!"
Sweetie Belle: "OH COME OOOONNN!!!"
Trixie: "You think you had it rough, Rainbow Dash? Me and my fellow Nightmare Knights had to spend an entire year on Tatooine, slaving away under two suns – TWO! SUNS! We've been living with Tusken Raiders, risking our necks for a pearl in the stomach of a Krayt Dragon, and worst of all, we had to drink up on black melons to stay hydrated. BLACK MELONS! And for WHAT?! Because Princess Luna was trapped in a crystal ball, trying to rescue Sunset Shimmer from Darth Vader and the Empire!"
Princess Luna: (To Trixie) "At least I was trying to help both Sunset and Ani. Also, the black melons are an acquired taste." (Drinks a black melon like a boss)
Pipsqueak: "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Silver Shill: "But until then...flashbacks!"
Random Dude: "Yay! Flashbacks!"
Capper Dapperpaw: "Oh! Low blow!"
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Grubber: "Whoa, whoa. Put the gun...down..."
Tempest Shadow: (To Grubber) "The whole point of a flashback is that it's already happened Grubber. There's no need to try talking to the kid out of it. And besides, it's in the movie..."
Next>>
Future G5
Discord Memorial Cinema
Pipp: (fawning) He looks so handsome now that he’s gotten older!
Me: (disappointed) It’s always the old railway lines that have to go.
Phyllis: It doesn’t sound like this Earle is taking the company in a successful direction.
Alphabittle: That reminds me, what happened to your company?
Phyllis: (shrugging) Lack of products and customer trust. What little was left I filed for bankruptcy and I’m still fighting a court battle to have the old building demolished.
Alphabittle: Why though?
Phyllis: Clear enough room for the next big thing. Retirement’s doing me good actually. It’s more relaxing honestly.
Haven: What is Princeton?
Me: One of the most prestigious universities in the United States.
Haven: (confused) Then why would he give that up?
Me: He’s depressed, more so actually. He’s letting his anger of the night his parents died drive his mindset in the present.
Me: Honestly, I’m starting to become concerned for their well-being.
Hitch: I’ll say. They’re being trained to professionally kill people while also being pushed to their limits.
Sunny: But…they’ll make it out okay…right?
Me: I can’t say. Honestly, I don’t remember ever seeing this movie before, only a handful of snippets.
Me: (groaning) WhyyyyyyyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!
Pipp: Was that…really necessary, Plymouth?
Me: I’m just so frustrated with the whole “treat your superiors like they’re a God” shtick! It’s not gonna solve anything!
Izzy: (calmly rubbing my shoulder) Feeling better?
Me: (calms down) A little, thanks, Izzy.
Me: Because of course not.
Hitch: Why am I not surprised?
Sunny: What’s gonna happen to them?
Me: I don’t know. Like I said, I’ve never seen this movie before.
Red: (thoughts) So much, and yet he is lonely.
Haven: (despondent) He’s trying to be the father young Bruce still has.
Izzy: (crying) I’m so sorry for being mean to you, Alfred! I d-didn’t…m-mean it!
Sunny: (likewise sad, hugs Izzy) Oh, Izzy.
Pipp: Aw~! That’s so sweet!
Haven: (smiling) A true butler of unwavering loyalty.
Me: There’s no turning back now.
Zipp: From what?
Sunny: (worried) What is he gonna do?
Me: Nothing good.
Zipp: That’s his excuse?
Pipp: Zipp!
Zipp: What? All I’m saying is that he has an underlying motive!
Pipp: (unconvinced) Like what?
Me: Carmine Falcone? Oh…doggy.
Sunny: Who’s Carmine Falcone?
Me: One of, if not the, biggest crime boss in the city. Practically has it all under his thumb.
Hitch: Is Gotham really that unlawful?
Me: Part of the worldbuilding, Hitch
Me: That’s not going to end well, not by a longshot.
Red: (thoughts) He is surrounded by people who care for him, and yet he still feels lonely. I understand what that feels like.
Zipp: Yeah, and I don’t like it.
Pipp: It’s kind of scary.
Hitch: I don’t like the sound of that.
Zipp: Uh, Pipp? Maybe you should…put your phone away.
Pipp: Why? I just want to see and remember what happens.
Haven: (worried) Pipp, darling, as your mother it would be imperative that you put your phone away.
Pipp: (likewise) O-Okay, Mom.
Sprout: (likewise as well) I suddenly don’t want to be here anymore.
Me: (cringing) Oh, good God!
Hitch: Don’t look, Sparky!
Posey: What in Equestria?!
Phyllis: What was that?!
Alphabittle: Eesh~!
Haven: (shocked) Goodness gracious!
Sprout: (frozen pale white with terror).
Me: I told you this movie’s not meant for children!
Zipp: You’re literally bleeding to death! What’re you gonna do!?
Zipp: Apparently that.
Izzy/Sunny: (with Spike) Is he…dead?
Zipp: Honestly, I’m indifferent if he is or not.
Me: So that’s what it does.
Zipp: You knew about this?
Me: I only know of the Lazarus Pit by name only, I’ve never really seen it in action. It scares me, to be honest.
Me: It’s like the Devil tempting Jesus.
Hitch: I knew I couldn’t trust that guy.
Sunny: (determined) They would never fall for it!
Zipp: I don’t know…the offer’s really tempting.
Misty: (enamored) So…powerful…I’ll be guaranteed to get…my…
Me: (thoughts, while waving in her direction) Keep your mind to the movie and not your troubles…(to myself) Much better.
Opaline: (unheard) What is going to take for you to PICK!! UP, MISTY!! YOU USELESS WASTE OF SPACE!!
Me: (to Opaline, unheard from everyone else) You…disappoint me.
>>next
<<Previous
Capper Dapperpaw: "Is that so?"
Princess Celestia: "Hmmm. Almost reminds me of the time you snuck of bed once...Storm Shield." (Glares at her boy, who simply shrugged with a sheepish grin)
Starswirl the Bearded: (To Storm Shield) "Hmph. Sometimes, you take after your aunt more than you took after your mother." (Shakes his head) "I still can't go to sleep without dreaming about that Midnight Frenzy you pulled, Luna."
Princess Luna: (To Starswirl) "I don't know what you're talking about..."
Flashback: Princess Luna's Midnight Frenzy
Princess Luna: "Oh! Right." (Sees General Supernova looking like he was about to laugh) "Oh who are you looking at?"
Capper Dapperpaw: "Gee, overkilling as much?"
Gallus: "On behalf of our friend, Harry Potter, he can relate."
Gallus: "An early parole? You serious? That's like giving Voldemort an early parole!"
Sandbar: (To Gallus) "Uh...Gallus? Is it a smart move on your part to being using You-Know-Who's name so causally like that?"
Gallus: (To Sandbar) "Hey. Fear of a name only increases fear for the thing itself. And I'm no coward of some murderer of loving parents."
Gallus: "Exactly!"
Scootaloo: "Whatever Bruce did in the past, I hope he doesn't live to regret it."
Sweetie Belle: "Whatever happened...happened..."
Princess Luna: "Hmmmm. I sense great darkness from the Lazarus Pit."
Ocellus: "What does he mean by that?"
Smolder: (Whispers) "He means for them to actually take a bath in it."
Ocellus: (Startled at Smolder) "AHHH! Smol–" (Smolder stops Ocellus from blowing her cover)
Smolder: (To Ocellus) "Ah-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da!"
Some nearby dragons, griffons, and ponies who are hunting down Smolder and her 24/7 Championship Belt, looked at Ocellus suspiciously, before they resumed watching the movie.
Everyone in the audience were all shocked and horrified at what they saw. Every sensible parents immediately covered their children's eyes, while some others were screaming their heads off, or...lost their dinner.
Cranky Doodle Donkey: "He's alive?!"
Steven Magnet: "It's a miracle!"
Princess Luna: "It's the work of darkness..."
Capper Dapperpaw: "Uh...I'm no fan of taking one of my own nine lives with a stab of a dagger and all that. But if it's just a simple trip to the spa in that Lazarus Pit, then sign me up."
Grubber: "Ditto."
Trixie: "The Great and Powerful TRIXIE would also fancy a dip in that pit."
Starlight Glimmer: (To Trixie) "I don't know, Trixie... Looks way too good to be true..."
Next>>
I have to wonder when the girls will inevitably start to get to know Bruce better. So "Zod" is Black Mask here, huh? Seeing a lot of red flags with Duscan. this is all I can think of when it comes to the Lazarus Pit.
<<Previous
Scootaloo: "OBJECTION! He should continue to rot in jail for the rest of his life!"
Tempest Shadow watched young Bruce with a large amount of sympathy, with Stygian, Trixie, Capper, and Princess Luna sharing the sympathy.
Starlight Glimmer: "...Question: Do they have to stab themselves before entering the pit?"
Shining Armor: "Don't do it, Twilight..."
Princess Celestia: "Twilight..."
Flurry Heart: "Auntie Twilight..."
Princess Cadence: "I hate to say it, but...he has a point."
Princess Luna: "Yes. And where have I been the last 1000 years? Oh! That's right! I was banished and locked away in the moon, Tia." (Celestia simply shrugged in response) "And speaking of which...what happened to my children?"
Starlight Glimmer: "Twilight..."
Trixie: "Yup. It's Sunset Shimmer falling to the Dark Side all over again...unceremoniously..."
Gilda: "That marshmallow's got some real nerves, you know Gabby? I mean, what's with the Spikey-Wikey pet name? He's not her boyfriend! At least...not anymore...and she still treats him like she was never married. She's toying with him again!"
Gabby: (To Gilda)" Nah. I'm sure that's just Rarity's way of being friendly..." (But still, Gabby looked rather doubtful)
The Audience: "Phew!"
Shining Armor: "That was close."
Princess Cadence: (To Shining Armor) "Way too close for comfort."
Big Mac: "Ee...sometimes."
Apple Bloom: "Sometimes I just don't like news reporters."
Tender Taps: (To Apple Bloom) "Speaking from experience?"
Apple Bloom: (To Tender Taps) "Eeyup."
Grubber: (Screaming) "AAAAAHHH!!!" (Jumps onto Tempest Shadow's face) "SHE'S GOT A GUN!"
Everyone in the audience all gasped in horror.
Gilda: "Justice? Revenge? What's the difference?"
Princess Luna: "And as Count Dooku once said: Corruption must be eradicated." (Thinks sadly of Count Dooku) "He was a wise and great Jedi Master, which I can understand wholeheartedly from Qui-Gon Jinn. It's just too bad that he had fallen to the Dark Side..." (Looks down sadly at herself) "Just as I have...and Ani..."
Starswirl the Bearded: (To Luna) "I'm certain they meant very much to you."
Princess Luna: (To Starswirl) "Believe it or not...I've never referred to Anakin as Darth Vader." (Smiles sadly) "He will always be Little Ani to me."
Stygian: "That's not the way. If you kill someone, then you're no better than they are...or were... It just shows that you've become a bigger monster than them..."
Princess Luna looked down with an even heavier guilt.
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
Capper Dapperpaw: "Yeesh! He's worst than Verko!"
There was a moment of silence in the audience.
Capper Dapperpaws: “That’s quite the exhausting story.”
Starlight Glimmer: “I’m one for origins stories, but I have to admit. What happened to Bruce Wayne and his upbringing…it’s heart wrenching.”
Pipsqueak: (To Princess Luna) “What’s going to happen now, Princess Luna?”
Princess Luna: (To Pipsqueak) “I don’t know, young Pip. But I hope for the better…”
Bruce is really coming to terms with his life now that he's an adult, and yet still trapped and haunted by past events. And the Lazarus pits tempting the girls and Spike. Immortality is played out in various ways. True it can offer a lot from longevity and all that. But what of those unlike you not willing to take it, they will pass on while the one immortal lives on, forced to watch others come and go through time. I mean just imagine how many ponies Celestia actually knew and how many of them died while went on living. I mean she'd watch as some ponies start out as babies, grow to kids and then adulthood, and finally senior years before their time came. I wouldn't wanna to keep on living if it mean never being with those you love ever again
Things are coming together at a steady pace, the Mane 6 were almost tempted by the Lazarus Pit, lets hope they can stay strong and resist, makes me so nervous when i think of future chapters coming, fabulous job Drama and Mr. E XD
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Shadow's Extra cut
Me:(radio)"Phantom, Hunter, can you both meet me in the radio room please"?.
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Hunter’s Exta Cut
Me: On my way.
*I head with Phantom to the radio room*
Me: What’s up, Shadow?
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Me:"this old radio table was the only way of communicating with hq, if we get this working again, we can connect with the Theater and the base".
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Hunter’s Extra Cut
Me: Sounds good to me.
my mother Bruce's story is too intense and complicated to be summed up in a few words. But it is noticeable that Chill's death not only made him see the type of man he almost became, but, far from being intimidated, it made him a man more determined to do things right. Far from being intimidated by Falcone, she only gave him reason to fight him. Now it remains to be seen if The League of Shadows converts that determination and mental strength into physical strength. (And is it me, or was Falcone doing business with General Zod?).
While I would normally be happy to see The Mane 6 and Spike go so far in their training, I can't help but worry seeing them act like this. More than a teacher who teaches his pupils, he seems like a dog keeper educating his dogs. Duncan's offer has been very tempting, and he has done it sinisterly well: he shows them the power of The Lazarus Pit and reminds them of all the problems in Equestria that the pit could solve, especially Twilight.
For a moment, I even thought he'd agree because of his friends, but it's clear that despite being with him for a year, Twilight doesn't entirely trust Duscan (or at least suspects he's keeping something from her). Duscan thinks it's only a matter of time before the princess changes her mind; let's hope not. I wonder if, after spending so much time together, Duscan begins to see Twilight with different eyes (I don't know if it's romantic or lustful).
I must say that for a moment I was worried. With so many characters like Luna, Sunset or Discord who fell into the temptation of power, even if it was to try to help others. This time he has passed the test, but who knows what will happen next time (either in this world or another).
Behind the Scenes: Batsuit
The filmmakers intended to create a very mobile Batsuit that would allow the wearer to move easily to fight and crouch. Previous film incarnations of the suit had been stiff and especially restrictive of full head movement. Costume designer Lindy Hemming and her crew worked on the Batsuit at an FX workshop codenamed "Cape Town", a secured compound located at Shepperton Studios in London. The suit's basic design was a neoprene undersuit, which was shaped by attaching molded cream latex sections. Christian Bale was molded and sculpted prior to his physical training so the team could work on a full body cast. To avoid imperfections picked up by sculpting with clay, plastiline was used to smooth the surface. In addition, the team brewed different mixtures of foam to find one that would be the most flexible, light, durable, and black. The latter presented a problem, since the process to make the foam black reduced the foam's durability.
For the cape, Nolan wanted to have a "flowing cloak... that blows and flows as in so many great graphic novels". Hemming's team created the cape out of their own version of parachute nylon that had electrostatic flocking, a process shared with the team by the British Ministry of Defence. The process was used by the London police force to minimize night vision detection. The cape was topped by a cowl, which was designed by Nolan, Hemming, and costume effects supervisor Graham Churchyard. The cowl was created to be thin enough to allow motion but thick enough to avoid wrinkling when Bale turned his head in the Batsuit. Churchyard explained the cowl had been designed to show "a man who has angst", so his character would be revealed through the mask.
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Sorry, everyone for the delay. Communication error from my side. But now that I'm back, I can finally continue from where I left off.
Discord's Theatre, Galaxy Branch
Postwar: Ugh, no matter what world, money is always the issue.
Ahsoka Tano: As is everywhere in the galaxy.
Cal Kestis: Now I know why most folks wanted to live off the grid and isolate themselves from society.
Sunset Shimmer: Such is the sad truth about the others.
Byph: Glad Bruce isn't the only one who feels that way.
Galen Marek: The greedy and corrupt always want to squeeze out more than what the citizens could give them.
Katochi: What goes in in that mind of his?
Postwar: In the mind of a man, it's always very hard to tell what they have planned for the future. Such is the sad truth of our reality.
Cal Kestis: Ain't that the truth.
Zatt: Glad to know that they're taking their training seriously.
Petro: Are you kidding?! The Jedi's teachings may have been hard, but even that's cruel.
Postwar: Remember, people have different ideals when it comes to helping folks. Their goals are the same, only their methods differ from one another.
Ahsoka Tano: You can say that again.
Postwar: Don't count on it pinkster.
Sunset Shimmer: He's right, even when you're hard at training, it can only go so far in life.
Galen Marek: Not to mention training doesn't help you fully prepare for what lies ahead of you.
Ganodi: As a lot of us had learned the hard way.
Gungi spoke in it's native tongue of what they were doing.
Huayang: Oh, I'm sure that you'll find out soon enough my Wookie friend.
Katochi: Ooooh, ouch.
Postwar: The truth always hurts. We can't change fate no matter how hard we tried, as what many had failed to learn the hard way.
Ahsoka and Cal looked down in guilt, thinking about Order 66, knowing that what Postwar said was true.
Galen Marek: He is commited, I'll give him that.
Postwar: Yeah, but in the end, he'll sacrifice too much for the sake of the future.
Sunset looked down, thinking about how she left everyone behind, which left her guilty.
Some were shocked by what he was doing:
Postwar: The path he walks on, Vengeance, it will bring him no peace. I know that better than anyone.
Sunset Shimmer: So not even his childhood friend can talk him out of it.
Postwar: Sometimes when you're in too deep, it can be very understandable. I know that feeling better than anyone.
Byph: Partake in what?
Ahsoka Tano: Power like that tends to lie secret for a reason.
Cal Kestis: What the Jedi had vowed for things to stay secret.
Galen Marek: But the Emperor and Vader had other plans.
Postwar: Too bad the ignorant are always the ones to fall so easily into darkness.
Sunset Shimmer: I know that feeling better than most.
Some gasped at what he was doing, with Sunset shielding Ben's eyes.
Postwar: And so, the demonstration has begun.
Ben Solo: Whoa, a gift of life?
Postwar: Don't be tempted by its power.
Ben Solo: How come?
Postwar: Because the moment you do, your soul ends up being torn, and from deep within your body, you'll end up having a violent side of you that kills without question.
Sunset Shimmer: You've seen this before?
Postwar: Too many times I'm afraid.
Zatt: Wow, he really is guilty.
Postwar: The pain can never be extinguished. You can either choose to let go and move on, or let it consume you.
Sunset Shimmer: As what most of us had tried.
Postwar: Bruce ended up taking the third option. (everyone looks at him confused)
Katochi: What option?
Postwar: To love the fire. They choose to stay in their crucible, because it's easier for them to embrace the pain when it's all that you know. And in a world like that, it's not for the weak. As many had learned the hard way.
Galen Marek: Which is the sad truth of reality.
Sunset Shimmer: Don't do it Twilight. Don't make the same mistake I did. (Galen held her close, not wanting her to feel like this)
Postwar: He does have a point.
Sunset Shimmer: (Looks at him in shock), and you agree with him?!
Postwar: Would you live a long life, knowing that your family and friends will be gone when you outlive them?
Sunset was surprised to hear this and looks down, thinking that it's exactly what she tried to do when she was Celestia's pupil. But now...now she's not so sure anymore.
Postwar: You're mistaking them for Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow. Sunset and a few others have walked that path, but that's not them anymore.
Many nodded in agreement, feeling the same way.
Petro: Wow, talk about Karma.
Ganodi: Even Karma has a way of interfering with life before you had a chance to react to any of this.
Postwar: No, they're not. But there is one realiztion.
Sunset Shimmer: What's that?
Postwar: That sometimes Justice demands that the one responsible has to die. It's not pretty, nor do they agree, but sometimes there has to be balance. An eye for an eye and so on.
Postwar: It's not easy to admit that you're in the wrong. We can't change the world no matter how hard we try. There will always be those who will do whatever it takes to rip everything away from you. Order and Chaos, Life and Death, Yin and Yang.
Ahsoka Tano: Where did you hear that?
Postwar: When you try to help restore balance for as long as we have, you tend to pick up a few things along the way.
Postwar: And that's why Bruce would never wield a gun again. Plus he uses a different approach.
Cal Kestis: Like what?
Postwar: Not only did he not want to use a gun because he'd be no better than his parents, but guns are also loud and clumsy, the weapons of cowards. Which is why he'd prefer to use weapons that are more precise and quiet.
Sunset Shimmer: (Realizes what he meant) Oh, now I get it.
Postwar: Aka, Black Mask.
Some looked at him confused:
Ben Solo: But he's not wearing a mask.
Postwar: This was before he dawn the mask. You could say this was before a hero came along. As heroes are born, in time new villains come along, being more worse than the last.
Ben Solo: Like...something far worse than the Empire? Or Sith?
Postwar: That's right. Evil always takes form no matter where you go.
Ahsoka Tano: Wow, seeing him stand up to a crime lord brings back memories.
Postwar: Jabba the Hutt?
Ahsoka Tano: Exactly. I'm glad he's gone, it's just too bad the rest of his family are a nuisance.
Postwar: There will always be more that will come and that will be worse than the last.
Galen Marek: It's true. My former master and I encountered many criminal empires that would try to take over the next one should their territories fall.
Postwar: <sighs>, clearly they never heard of the expression, "Don't poke a beast with a stick".
Everyone agrees with this and nods with it as well.
Postwar: And thus, the journey has begun.
Katochi: Where will he go?
Postwar: Where everyone who wants to make a difference goes, to require the tools they need to become something better.
Zatt: Like what?
Postwar: You'll have to wait and see.
Postwar: There's also another saying; you can die a hero, or you can live long enough to see yourself become a villain.
Cal Kestis: A lesson many people learned far too late.
Ganodi: Well, at least we know how he got there.
Zatt: And how his journey started.
Byph: And how Twilight and the others met her.
Sunset Shimmer: What will happen next?
Postwar: Only one way to find out.
<<previous
Haven: I’m sorry, what did he say?
Me: The defense is arguing that Joe Chill acted out of desperation when he killed Thomas and Martha, and that it would be the best course of action that he would be released on account of how cooperative he’s been in…other investigations.
Zipp: (disbelief) Are you kidding me?
Hitch: (uneasy) I mean…it sort of…makes sense?
Zipp: He confessed…just like that?
Me: At this point, what good is going to do to him to further deny it?
Haven: Does he have nothing to say?
Me: (unsure) Fourteen years of hating this one man, and he confessed to it all full of guilt and shame. Really…(sighs) Bruce has not been listening.
Sunny: W-What’s he going to do?
Hitch: Don’t listen to him, it’s a trick!
Me: Worse, Sheriff, temptation.
Izzy: It’s like a big melting pot of spooky voices.
All of us were sitting with unease anxiousness.
Sunny: Don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it…
Opaline: (unheard, disappointed) It’s not like I have to wait again. After all, I’ve been doing it for centuries.
Zipp: Element of Loyalty, everypony.
Me: I’m gonna put a pin in that.
Zipp: What is he getting at?
Me: There’s always a catch, that’s the price of temptation.
Me: You’re not the only one, Twilight. I saw it too.
Red: (thoughts) If she were to take his opportunity, will she be alone?
Zipp: Yes, please, by all means…leave.
Izzy: I, for one, don’t want to be near the spooky green pool with the disembodied voices ever again.
Me: At least this time Spike wasn’t unintentionally forgotten.
Me: You’re not giving them enough credit, Duncan Duscan.
Izzy: (giggling) Duncan Duscan?
Me: It’s great alliteration, plus it’s funny.
Zipp: How do you know alliteration?
Me: How else? I went to school.
Zipp: Ugh, nevermind.
Me: (thoughts) Oh well, not all of us can hear the thoughts of others, or at least pinpoint whose thoughts we can read.
Zipp: Is he gonna kill him?
Pipp: Brucie, don’t do it! You still have a life!
Zipp: Who’s she?
Zipp: What the…?!
Me: That is something I did not expect but should have.
Hitch: (shocked) She said, “Falcone says ‘Hi.’”
Me: She was working for Falcone, and had Chill bumped off so as to not jeopardize his criminal empire.
Zipp: All that trouble…for one guy?
Me: Falcone rules the city; he wants nothing alive that can jeopardize his power.
Me: (firm) I don’t care how depressed you are, that was most certainly not justice for your parents.
Zipp: But…Chill’s dead, isn’t he?
Me: (shaking my head) That wasn’t justice; it was revenge.
Me: (quoting Yoda) Once you start down the dark, forever will it dominate your destiny.
Izzy: Hey, Yoda said the same thing!
Zipp: I don’t like where this is heading.
Hitch: There are more Joe Chills?
Me: Sheriff, that’s the thing about humans: they are alike, but oh so different in many ways. The economy is controlled by the wealthy one percent of the population.
Hitch: Sorry I asked.
Hitch: He wants to thank a criminal for the death of another?
Zipp: Well…that guy did kill his parents, so…
Hitch: You’re basically playing favorites with literal criminals!
Me: Falcone is notorious. He’s not superpowered, but human, and that’s what makes him a formidable threat.
Pipp: Don’t say that, Brucie!
Zipp: Hate to break it to ya, buddy, but you missed your chance.
Pipp: How dare she!
Zipp: He kinda deserved it.
Me: This is the beginning of Bruce’s journey, and where better to start than rock-bottom.
Me: Bruce swore off guns ever since that day. It was all about achieving the satisfaction that his parents didn’t have to die. That’s what it’s all about really. (singing) I can’t get no! Satisfaction~!
Me: Carmine Falcone in the flesh.
Haven: He looks more hideous than I ever could imagine.
Me: A lifetime of evil reflects on a person.
Me: Huh, maybe I’ve seen him in passing panels, but I don’t remember him. I have heard his name in passing however: Roman Sionis. (to myself) You know all these Gotham City crime bosses have such on the nose Italian-sounding names.
Hitch: (sarcasm) Business rivals, I presume?
Me: More likely than not.
Izzy: (innocently) Why can’t they be friends?
Hitch and I stare at each other, then Izzy, before bawling out in loud ringing laughter.
Hitch/Zipp: (sarcasm) Yeah, right.
Hitch: Aw, no. Him too?!
Just about all in the audience stiffened at the sight.
Me: This guy’s no pushover.
Zipp: (darkly) Don’t you dare!
Pipp: Brucie!!
Haven: How dare he?! The nerve!
Me: Honestly, despite the fact that Falcone is a feared crime boss, he was right about Bruce being in over his head simply because he was angry.
Pipp: How can you say that?!
Me: Anger is a natural emotion, and like emotions can get out of control and lead to irrationality.
I noticed the whole time that Sunny sat, watching the movie like she was looking somewhere else in her mind. I felt sorry for her.
Haven: What’s he doing?
Me: Hell if I know. Bruce never experienced this life.
Sunny: (smiling) That was a nice gesture.
Hitch: See, Bruce, you’re not so different from everyone else.
Sunny: Where’s he going?
Me: As far away from Gotham. How else did he manage to make it to that prison in Bhutan?
Sunny: (nervous) What’s…happening now?
Zipp: (shocked) Yikes.
Pipp: I don’t even want to know what’s going to happen to him.
Hitch: You call torturing people justice?!
Red: (thoughts) The man looks so lonely.
Me: And here we see the cracks beginning to form.
Sunny: (worried) I don’t like this anymore.
Me: Now begins a montage of Bruce’s exploits in the criminal underworld.
Hitch: He what?!
Me: I didn’t say he turned criminal. Far from it.
Izzy: Aw, that was nice!
Haven: (appalled) How does a child not have the proper nutrition?
Me: (shrugging) Neglect and abandonment.
Hitch: That’s criminal!
Me: That’s the point.
Pipp: What is happening right now?
Me: Bruce is confused: blinded by his anger for his parents’ deaths and how human the common criminal appears to be.
Hitch: Bruce is becoming the very thing he swore to destroy.
Mares: Hitch!
Me: Easy there, Sheriff. Now you’re being premature.
Red: (thoughts) He is lonely. Lost and lonely.
Pipp: What is happening right now?
Zipp: I’m starting to think that maybe Bruce’s dad might have been involved in some shady dealings.
Sunny: How can you say that?! It could just be the new management!
Me: Take it easy, you two. I don’t want another heated argument in my division.
Sunny: (ashamed) Sorry.
Hitch: You can’t deny they have raised valid points.
Me: You’re right about that, Sheriff. Let’s see where it takes us.
To Adagio Dazzle a.k.a. Rouge the Bat.
Me: “Lemme tell you something, missy. I ain’t buying it! You might have Fiona Fox fooled. You might have Sunset Shimmer fooled and looked stupid. You might have the bronies, fooled. But not me! You can’t get pass me! There’s a storm coming, sweetheart. There’s a storm coming.”
To Sunset Shimmer.
Discord: “Lemme tell ya, Sparky. You and I have some unfinished business. Mr. E might have cut you a break. Twilight might have forgiven ya. BUT NOT ME! You ain’t getting away that easy! That’s a 100 points from Gryffindor missy. 100 points. Yeah.”
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Me: *behind him* What are you doing?
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Discord: (Startled so badly, he skyrocketed into outer space) “YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW!!!” (Crash lands into an impact silhouette crater, and popped his head out) “DON’T EVER scare me like that again! I almost had a heart attack!!!”
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Me: Yeah, I can imagine.
<<Previous
Canterlot Mall Theater, Discord's Branch
Arctic: Money is always a problem.
Sci-Twi: (she nods in agreement) No matter where you go or live. You’ll need Money
Juniper: Greed, it truly corrupt one’s who want more then they have.
Arctic: It truly can Juniper (he said to her)
Applejack: I can aswell, (she said as her thoughts move to the Flim Flam Brothers)
Rainbow: Man, they’ve really changed during this training
Rarity: Yes but, surely this is found a bit far isn’t it? They look like they changed a bit
Arctic: Maybe, but they need this training. (He said to the fashionista) They’re helping them for what’s to come. Even, if it’s a rough training this is there way of helping
Fluttershy: S-Still a little rough. I hope they’ll be ok after this (she said softly but understood why they been push through this)
Pinkie: Oh! Oh! Wonder what party get to have? Maybe, we can have special cupcakes (she said happily)
Arctic: Um, Pinkie (he begins to say to the party girl) about that-
Rainbow: Hold on! You’re not about to say their training isn’t over yet are you?
Arctic: They, have been training for a long time now. But, there is more to it then combat and anything else they throw at you
Pinkie: Aw, no party then (she said with a sad tone)
Juniper: Wonder what he is going to show them?
Sci-Twi: Guess we will find out
The Equestrian Girls and Juniper gasp shock hearing Bruce act and saying this
Arctic: The truth can really hurt.
Applejack: Yeah, but still that’s gonna a bit much.
Juniper: His a committed one, I’ll give him that. (She said)
The Girls gasp seeing this
Fluttershy: h-he wouldn’t right?
Sci-Twi: Y-Yeah, he wouldn’t go far as murdering the man. Right? (She ask in a worried tone)
Arctic: The path he is taking is a dark one, he wants vengeance, Justice, but it’s not.. just revenge
Juniper:Not even she could can stop him..
Fluttershy:(clings onto rainbow arc feeling worried
Rainbow: The what now?
Sci-Twi sounds like, it’s something very powerful for the league
Juniper: But, what secrets does it hold? (She ask wondering)
Arctic: Things are kept secret for a reason. Especially, when it comes to gaining something like power.
The Group also scream in shock to seeing Duscan stab himself
Rarity: My Word! Why would he do that?!
Arctic: To Showcase what power the Pit Has..
Juniper: His..his completely Healed?
Sci-Twi: Is that the Lazarus Pit power? The power to heal? Or even give life?
Arctic: I’ll be careful, one shouldn’t give it. We seen what gaining power has done to a person (he said with caution looking at the two girls) you both can understand, right?
Both Juniper And Sci-Twi stare at him and both remember what happened when they gain power. With Sci-Twi almost destroying reality to learn about magic and Juniper seeking revenge on her and the others.
Arctic: Both of you, came far after what happened. But when it comes to something like this..it can be far worst
The two girls could nod and understand what he met. As they have had their minds clouded by power. But worry on how the Lazarus Pit can corrupt those who use it
Pinkie: Poor Bruce (she said sadly) he didn’t say anything
Applejack: I understand that his grudge, I just hope he doesn’t do anything reckless (she said also worried)
Arctic: you’re right Applejack, that’s one of the hardest things with pain. Let it consume you or try to push forward. But, if you choose the former of the two.. results won’t be pretty.
The group worry for Princess Twilight hearing Duscan and what she thinks
Fluttershy: p-please don’t
Rarity: I agree, this..this seems wrong
Pinkie: yeah! I’m getting really bad feeling from it
Sci-Twi looks at her Pony counterpart as she was also worried
Sci-Twi: Please, please don’t the same mistake (she said worried)
Arctic: Sadly, his right about that
Juniper: What?! Ace, you’re not agreeing with him are you?!
Arctic: I don’t wanna, but..what he said is true. Imagine being given immorality. You’ll get to live your life forever. But, you’ll see your love ones gone.
Juniper was about to say something but stops and looks down as the others were also a bit sad by this but don’t know what to say or think about it
The group sigh in relief seeing Princess Twilight and friends didn’t give into temptation
Arctic: And there it is. Karma doing its job
Sci-Twi: That’s not true!
Juniper: Justice is one thing.. but plan revenge. That’s just wrong. Even if they did something horrible as murder
Arctic: It’s sad to know that, that anything or anyone can be taken from you by someone else. And even if we wanna change things, there will be someone else to cause more trouble.
Juniper: At least he got rid of it
Applejack: I agree, now he won’t be tempted to use it again. He could’ve made a big mistake if he kept it
Arctic: And this is why he would never use guns again. And a code he will keep
Pinkie: Unless it’s one of those alternative universes
Arctic: Yeah, let’s not get into that Pinkie..those are some dark times in those universes
Fluttershy: I-I don’t like where this is going (she said softly)
Rainbow:Wow, seeing him stand up to a guy like that takes some guts
Applejack: Fella tough I’ll give him that. No fear at all
Rarity: Those Ruffins shouldn’t treat a kid like that (she said a bit disgusted)
Arctic: Which will be a big mistake, never keep messing with someone unless you want something bad happen to you back
Pinkie: where is Brucy going?
Arctic: On a path to make a difference and make things better in life
Arctic: Better then being someone worst. At least if you’re a hero you’ll known you die for what’s right
The Equestrians and Juniper look at him and nod in agreement.
Sci-Twi: So, that’s how he got there in the first place
Juniper: and how he meet Princess Twilight and her friends encounter him.
Rainbow: Wonder what will be happening now?
Fluttershy: I-I hope that they past training
Rarity: I hope so to Fluttershy, they seem to been through so much now
Arctic: Only time will tell now (he said as he looks to them)
Next>>
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Tommy:(walked in and saw Discord finally)"So this is Discord, the spirit of chaos".
Discord:(looks at Tommy Vercetti)"And you must Tommy Vercetti that Shadow was talking about".
Tommy:"yes,anyway when you guys are done talking amongs yourselves, Shadow got the radio working so contact the theater and the other Branch Theaters".
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Me: Right.
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Me: (To Shadow and Hunter) “You guys go ahead. I need to oversee Krystal’s training, with Carrie, Mina and Isabelle.”
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Me: Phantom, I know another person who might help us. Someone from Hell.
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Shadow's Extra cut
Me:"if you know someone from that place, you better make sure that it doesn't cost you anything, Hunter".
Shadow went back to communications and started the radio up.
Me:"Here's go nothing".
Set up the codes on the radio and start to transmission.
Me:(radio)"Discord's Theater, this is Shadowshion, Phantom Dragon is safe, whoever is in charge, please respond, over ".
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Hunter's Extra Cut
Me: It won't cost me anything, she's a very good friend of mine.
Woah, that was a deep chapter. Looking forward to more!
Also great job on the Discord's Theater Commentary everyone!
Dr.Gangle: " Fourteen years is a long time to recover and get your life back together."
Mr. Squelch: " if he recovered!"
Fleck: "WHAT!? That's preposterous, any railway can easily bring in money."
Myself: " A family's legacy is a great thing to hold on to. It show how tight the family was.
Dodger: " It can also be the breaking point too. Power struggles, greed and jealousy are the most high examples. "
Zatanna: " Ha ha, he always was the trouble maker. "
Lyra: " So you do know him Zatanna."
Zatanna: " Yeah we went to school together in Gotham with that other girl Rachel, we weren't in the same year so I never really got to talk to them much but we always got along. "
Lyra: " BTW, what's Princeton?"
Dr.Gangle: " Princeton is a elite private college that studies in science both natural , social and apply. Engineering and Humanities. The school is also unique for beging one of the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. "
Bon Bon: " The Ameri-what revolution?"
Myself: "I'll tell you another time."
Everyone whistled and moved their heads to try and keep up with the movements.
General Supernova: " An instructor always has a trick up their sleeve the better home their students skills."
Zatanna: " Hey Massager remember all the training father put you through. You once hung upside down for so long you said you were seeing red for hours."
I blushed at the memory of that, my head hurt too and my legs had lost so much blood flow I couldn't walk straight.
Zatanna: " Oh Bruce. "
Lyra: " Aww that's sweet.
Eric: " This isn't a master servant relationship this is a family and a family always cares about one another."
Zatanna: " And never have I."
Dr.Gangle: " Oh that's not good."
Zatanna: It's what she always wanted. To fight crime and put bad guys away. "
>>Next
<<Previous
Lyra: " What, they're letting him go. Why!?
Bon Bon: " But that's not fair. Even if his information is credible he should not be let go after doing a crime of any kind. If you can't do the time don't do the crime. "
Fleck: " Bribes to catch a bigger fish."
This couldn't happen, I myself didn't want it to happen. If they enter that pit they will never be the same again, the corrupting powers of that pit will make all the other things they've face seem like a Saturday picnic.
Dodger saw how nervous I was at this so he asked what's wrong.
So I told him about that pit and what it can do to the mind. Needless to say we prayed Voldemort never got his hands on that.
Lyra: " He's not..... Please tell me he's not. "
Lyra: " AHHHHHHH!"
The scream was loud, long and well expected then the mint green unicorn fainted and her vanilla marefriend had to fan her.
Myself: "Hey guys, do you want to join the others at the main room?"
Fleck: "Huh!? Why do you ask?"
Myself: " Let’s just say, there's a feeling that things will spice up if we share this with the others.
When they saw I had an honest look they looked at each other to think on what to do. After much time Supernova took the first step, old soldiers habits I suppose
General Supernova: I think it's a great idea."
And so we headed out and down the hall to the main room as I was the last to leave i waved my wand and made all the decorations undo themselves and the screen turn off.
>>Next
<<Previous
We all made it to the next theater where where the other guests were watching the movie as we were before.
Luna was the first to notice us.
Luna: " Why Massager what brings you here?
Myself: " Phantom wanted me to bring my group here so we can react together. "
And so we got back to it.
Scootaloo: "OBJECTION! He should continue to rot in jail for the rest of his life!"
Bon Bon: " I agree."
Tempest Shadow watched young Bruce with a large amount of sympathy, with Stygian, Trixie, Capper, and Princess Luna sharing the sympathy.
Dodger looked at him with sympathy too. Some times the worst thing to say is nothing at all.
Starlight Glimmer: "...Question: Do they have to stab themselves before entering the pit?"
Myself: " No you wouldn't need to at least as far as I knew."
Dodger: " Massager, I think our worst fear is going to be realized."
Shining Armor: "Don't do it, Twilight..."
Princess Celestia: "Twilight..."
Flurry Heart: "Auntie Twilight..."
Fleck: No Twilight, please.:
Dr.Gangle: " Don't!"
Princess Cadence: "I hate to say it, but...he has a point."
Princess Luna: "Yes. And where have I been the last 1000 years? Oh! That's right! I was banished and locked away in the moon, Tia." (Celestia simply shrugged in response) "And speaking of which...what happened to my children?"
I heard what Luna said and remembered she adopted twelve orphans a thousand years ago before becoming Nightmare Moon. I leaned to her and whispered.
Myself: " Luna, it's ok they are alright, here see for yourself. "
Before placing my right hand on her head and showed her a vision.
>>Next
<<Previous
Equestria 100 moons ago
Journal log: Tuesday I think. Place unknown, time unknown and year unknown.
Myself ( in thought as I write): My landing has approved sense I left Gotham. John and his daughter Zatanna were really good teachers and now friends I hope to see them again soon. "
I checked my surroundings.
Myself ( in thought as I write): " I appear to be inside a dark cave of sort which really doesn't say much of where I am. From what I can tell there are two paths to take one on the left and one on the right, both long and dark but one is guaranteed to lead me out and the other will lead me further in so which should I choose?"
I chose the left path and began to walk, after what felt like hours walking straight with little to no turns or corners I began to regret my decision when I heard a faint sound on my first corner left. A slight movement who or what could it be.
I ducked down and leaned forward to look ahead with when a candle lit up and I saw a hooded figure just seating there with a journal of their own.
I listened as they began to write in their journal speaking aloud.
https://m.( between 0:00 and 0:08) The voice sounded like that of a child but what would a child be doing here?
( between 0:09 and 0:15 ) From what I can tell a powerful being tried to rule/destroy this girls home now call Equestria... That's a strange name, these two rulers must have been great warriors.
( between 0:16 and 0:42) The plot of the story is lookingat the glasshalf full. Dividing the territory could shatter the kingdom but it could help grow and strengthen the land, a good ruler should ask what the people want not decide for them.
( 0:43 to 0:52) the girl sounded thankful to this young warrior even calling her mother then she lowered her hood revealing her to be a unicorn, then she blew out the candle making it dark again.
I couldn't believe my eyes the Wizarding World didn't have unicorns that talked and quite frankly wouldn't be happy about that especially the pure-bloods.
????: " Hello."
Myself: " AHHHHHHH!"
I pulled out my wand and casted the Lumus spell to light the cave and see who it was. It was the same unicorn, her eyes twitch at my light I guess she's been in here for so long her eyes have grown sensitive. So I dimmed it down to where it was comfortable for both of us.
????: " Thank you sir. My name is Gari."
Myself: "Massager. Gari do you know the way out?"
Gari: " Yes but it is forbidden for us to leave. Our Aunt might find us and take us away from mother. Please follow me my siblings would love to meet you."
I didn't know what to do so I followed the little filly, after more hard walking we saw a light, I thought she was taking me outside despite what she said about it being forbidden but when we got to the end I saw a giant underground land stretching far and wide with crystal trees, a vast river and green grass. Up on the ceiling looked to be something like a Gass pocket illuminating the whole valley
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Starlight Glimmer: "Twilight..."
Trixie: "Yup. It's Sunset Shimmer falling to the Dark Side all over again...unceremoniously..."
Myself ( Telepathy): " No Twilight, that pit is bad. It corrupts your mind and makes you addicted to it. "
Gilda: "That marshmallow's got some real nerves, you know Gabby? I mean, what's with the Spikey-Wikey pet name? He's not her boyfriend! At least...not anymore...and she still treats him like she was never married. She's toying with him again!"
Gabby: (To Gilda)" Nah. I'm sure that's just Rarity's way of being friendly..." (But still, Gabby looked rather doubtful)
Myself ( Telepathy): " Good job!"
The Audience: "Phew!"
Shining Armor: "That was close."
Princess Cadence: (To Shining Armor) "Way too close for comfort."
Big Mac: "Ee...sometimes."
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Apple Bloom: "Sometimes I just don't like news reporters."
Tender Taps: (To Apple Bloom) "Speaking from experience?"
Apple Bloom: (To Tender Taps) "Eeyup."
Dodger: " when was that?"
Apple Bloom: "You don't want to know. "
Grubber: (Screaming) "AAAAAHHH!!!" (Jumps onto Tempest Shadow's face) "SHE'S GOT A GUN!"
Eric: " It's a trap!"
Everyone in the audience all gasped in horror.
Gilda: "Justice? Revenge? What's the difference?"
Dr.Gangle: " Revenge is, by nature, personal; justice is impersonal, impartial, and both a social and legal phenomenon."
Gilda: " Ugh too much big words!."
Princess Luna: "And as Count Dooku once said: Corruption must be eradicated." (Thinks sadly of Count Dooku) "He was a wise and great Jedi Master, which I can understand wholeheartedly from Qui-Gon Jinn. It's just too bad that he had fallen to the Dark Side..." (Looks down sadly at herself) "Just as I have...and Ani..."
Starswirl the Bearded: (To Luna) "I'm certain they meant very much to you."
Princess Luna: (To Starswirl) "Believe it or not...I've never referred to Anakin as Darth Vader." (Smiles sadly) "He will always be Little Ani to me."
Tubby Nugget ( To Luna): " And what ever happened to Count Dooku?"
Luna: " Palpatine ( The Emperor) betrayed him to further Ani to the Dark Side. When they first fought each other Dooku injured but him and Obi-Wan, Ani lost his whole arm. So Ani cut off Dooku's hands then by Palpatine's orders cut off his head with both his and Dooku's own lightsaber."
Stygian: "That's not the way. If you kill someone, then you're no better than they are...or were... It just shows that you've become a bigger monster than them..."
Princess Luna looked down with an even heavier guilt.
Eric: " I killed because I didn't want people to see my face."
Dodger: " And I killed to keep myself alive among the Death Eaters ranks."
Big Mac: "Eeyup."
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camo.fimfiction.net/pBXnHKYpMRBqkS1MLtJ1-wDSjNxf1O9ps4LZK38-mTE?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F53%2F8c%2Ff3%2F538cf3632e27a3674f86859b6af1acae.jpg
Zatanna: " You heartless! Corrupt man. "
She then smiled a wicked grin and casted a spell.
Zatanna : " Esuacub rouy os doul dan edur. Ouy t'now dnim gniyalp htiw rouy doof"
Unknown to Bruce, Falcone returned to his lunch when his diet coke began to bubble and bubble increasingly making him look at it till finally it burst right on his face staining his fine coat.
General Supernova: Well he's become paranoid."
There was a moment of silence in the audience.
Capper Dapperpaws: “That’s quite the exhausting story.”
Starlight Glimmer: “I’m one for origins stories, but I have to admit. What happened to Bruce Wayne and his upbringing…it’s heart wrenching.”
Pipsqueak: (To Princess Luna) “What’s going to happen now, Princess Luna?”
Princess Luna: (To Pipsqueak) “I don’t know, young Pip. But I hope for the better…”
Luna ( To me): " Thank you for showing me that vision of my children. I placed that time slow spell on them incase something happened to me and they had to thrive on their own. ( a tear began to flow down) I have to see them again, I only hope they can forgive me. "
Myself: " It's ok Luna, they will be happy to see you again, Gari even told me that she saw your time slow spell and was greatful to you. She loves her mother very much."