Killed by the Hulk

I was crushed by the Hulk on Hacknor, trying to help out that idiot Conner Kent. Hn. All that, and he lost and was kicked off that stupid game. I woke up and in some regeneration machine with Private Hudson staring at me.

“Wow! Batman is... um who are you again?"

“This isn't real it's only a dream." I tell him.

“Oh yeah... I need to stop eating pizza before bed." He moans.

That was easy; I'd better put on my mask before someone else sees me without it. I use the transporter back to Earth then I return to Gorham, where Alfred decides to play mother hen.

“Master Bruce you were crushed you need to take it easy for a few days, perhaps brag about The Dark Knight's success?"

" Hn. Alfred I'm not Stark. Besides Robin, and Jason are is missing... I need to find them."

“You need to relax after such an experience sir, not beating up muggers that are way too stressful."

Staying here is what's stressful. At least the Titans are gone looking for Robin like I should be doing. Maybe this won't be so bad... what the? Damn it Cassandra put some clothes on!

That's it! I'm off to beat muggers, and whoever asks me what I’ve done to desrve the Steakhouse Burger that's how I relive stress after that I'm finding Both Robins, The lost one, and the good one.

Why did I decide to have a bat family?

Cassandra has picked up a bad habit. She has decided to walk around at night naked. This is a problem normally since the first time she did it, in front of Robin he ran around yelling "No unclean! Unclean!" besides the problem of her being basically my ward, and her being too old to act like that.


Nightwing visited with the Outsiders for a team up, and freaked them out. Not all of them Green Arrow keeps asking "If she's available."

I should punch him for that, but instead said. “If you want to fight a teenage hormonal space alien hybrid that the other day destroyed a Gotham City block be my guest, or better yet go ask Nightwing if she's available."

Since I later found him with a broken nose and an ice pack on his groin I'd say he was actually dumb enough to ask Nightwing. Ollie isn't the only problem there are two other problems named Conner Kent, and Garfield Logan, AKA Superboy, and Beast Boy.

I can do without the constant cat calls and Alfred hitting them with brooms the sooner the new Titan's Tower is built the better. So I had to re teach her to wear robes when walking around the house at night.

I really wish I knew who to blame for her forgetting that in the first place, Vincent maybe or it's a Deathstroke serum side effect. Either way it's a good thing I took the time to reteach her, because some social worker appeared to ask about someone using Jason's social security number, and ID to get credit cards.

That didn't look too good, but if she was playing at being a nudist it would have looked a hundred times worse. God how am I going to explain all these teenagers running around without looking like Caligula?

Cass looks up at me after being called "Sicko" by the social worker. Cass Asked. “Jason? What’s wrong?"

“Nothing it's just I have to not let on I know he's alive, that and know he's Red X, and you let him go."

“He’s my brother... like Dick... and Tim... I couldn't lock him away."

I sigh. "I know I can't blame you for something I've done my self. I could have stopped him at any time, but he's still my son I keep holding out hope he can be reached, and he has been acting somewhat better lately, at least he's not putting people's heads in duffle bags, or running around dressed as Richard, also He didn't kill those security guards at Thorne's someone else did that someone who wanted me to know Jason was in a new costumed identity, and wanted me, confront him. He didn't even kill Thorne just wounded him. There's hope for the boy yet."

She smiles and is about to walk off." Cassandra? Before you go I would like to ask you not bring the rest of Legacy along with you next I ask you to defend Gotham in my absence."

“Can I bring Spoiler?" She asks.

“Yes that's fine." Now to confront Jason.

I had suspected he was using one of my safe houses since I found a torn Green Lantern costume on the floor. While it could have been Huntress and Hal Jordan again, I don't believe Hal has shrunk to about 5 foot 7.

Another child of mine, and another alien I blame Dick, and Starfire for this. Tim will likely be engaged to the Martian Girl in a couple of years. I wait until he enters through the window.

“I should have known you'd figure it out." he grunts.

“It took about five minutes. So you and the saiyan girl? Why?"

He takes off the mask “I don't have to answer to you anymore! Besides its just sex."

“Don’t lie to a liar." I respond. "Red X? SHIELD?"

"Yeah I guess you seen LGS 3?"

I shrug. “No why?"

“Well don't let's just say SHIELD wants me in a mask again.

“The thievery?" I enquire.

" Yeah Throne was selling top secret weapons plans, Hulk Busters that Stark has designed just in case the big Gamma Goof went all ' Take over New Yorky' again. In the wrong hands those things..."

"I get the picture, and the money was just a cover up."

"Yeah." He retorts.

"Hh. I want you to know if you kill in my city, I will bring you, and your puppet masters down."

“Yeah, yeah." he rolls his eyes. “I’m going out to take on whoever is wearing my costume. I guess this is payback for me pretending to be Dick, But hey Lazarus Pits and all that. Later pops."

“Yes in fact me and Diana would like to meet this girlfriend of yours. And I’m not taking no for an answer. I call you with the date and time; remember Amazons do not like tardiness."

" Okay." He swings out into the night. I watch to make sure he doesn't kill as he fights his doppelganger. When Jason tears off the mask, he finds... Talon Owl Man's sidekick.

“I tested you for Granny you fought with Batman, now you will fight for Granny." A Boom Tube opens up and sucks Jason in. I knock out Talon, with a Batarang. The Tube closes before I can enter. “Talon! Where did you send where?"

He just repeated " Granny is Love Slavery is freedom” over and over. It doesn’t take the World’s greatest detective to know who's behind this Darkseid.


Meanwhile

Jason gets up " Ugh where am I? And why am I in Earth 2 Robin's costume?"

An announcer's voice blares. “Weeelcome to the Dark Side Club! In the ring at 6'1 222 lbs. The second Robin! And his opponent...

“Ah you have got be kidding me!" Jason grumbles

A new rouge.. just what I need.

That thing ... in my last post was created by Batmite for...well I can never figure that little freak out. Any way I made Batmite put it back where ever he got it from. Some day I'm going to figure out how to keep 'Mite from getting into this dimension.

After I finally get Batmite to go away. Another thing pops up as Cyclops runs around Gotham naked blasting anything that moves. X-men can be so annoying. I have to chase him down, while keeping my dinner from coming up.

I finally catch him with an inhibitor net that took away his powers. Now I'll let Commissioner Gordon deal with him. Finally I get a chance to go and capture Mobster Rupert Thorn, Who I finally have enough evidence to put away.

When I get to his mansion, I find that many of his gangsters are shot Thorn was being choked by this person.


“Who are you supposed to be?" I ask.

“Red X is good enough. Now mind your own business Bats. I'm taking care of Thorn, unlike you who don't have the guts. "

I see that he broken open Thorn's safe. “Helping yourself to his money more like."

He laughs. “Stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, namely me.” I throw a batrang to get him away from Thorn.

It hits his neck slashing it " Not again!" He shouts.

"Again? I know you?"

He throws the X shaped ninja stars out of a belt, oh great he's ripping me off. Or he's one of the people I've trained. The way he fights confirms this he uses many of my moves. This narrows it down a lot.

After throwing different gadgets at each other, he pulls a gun and fires. I turn and see he shot Thorn in the shoulder. Thorn had a gun himself, and was about to shoot me. " Seems you couldn't resist trying to take me out."

I turn my attention back to Red X, he's already gone. The money is gone as well. A murderer , and a thief. Sigh and the suspects are few my own family.

Second chances and What The?

Sometimes I go down the Bat pole to the cave and I wish the things let you go back up. I walked into to Oracle telling Batgirl “You and the alternate you really shouldn't have done that."


“But it made... Vince happy “Ugh. I do not want to hear anymore. I decided to go onto my new little project. This weirdo sorcerer named Galen has appeared from another Universe, and he seems to act like Terry Long.

If Vegeta is too much of a pansy to protect his granddaughter, and the Alien Vampire morally bankrupt enough to let her young teenage daughter sleep with man as old as I am, that's none of my business.

But what is my business is said girl was recruited for Batgirl's team meaning she will be around Batgirl and Spoiler. And so will the pervert. If he stays with the alien amalgam thing fine, but if he puts his attentions to Cassandra, or Stephanie I need to be able to step in.


The legacy house's computer scanned him it was odd his powers resisted normal means of scanning but the tech of the gods of New Genesis was able to crack it. and after studying his powers I know they are mostly tech based. I have created about 20 ways to defeat him so far and in case "Justice" gets in my way I have 1'234 ways to stop her. The alien Vampire I have about 2,000 Valley may have had an obsession with her; I've always seen her as a potential threat.

Only problem with the Galen protocols is about 12 of them are lethal, I guess eight ways to stop him and leave him alive are good enough for one night before the week is over I want at least 100.

He may be as noble as he pretends and whatever universe he's from has an 1800's mindset, but I always assume the worst first and prepare just in case.

“Master Bruce? Miss Stephanie is here."

“Good Alfred. Bring her here."

He brought her in and stayed good. Because I don't want this to become a scene. I save, and close Galen protocols and put in the CD I found in Robin's room. Stephanie's eyes go wide as she watches herself kill Black Mask. She starts looking at the floor.

"He almost killed me... I was afraid."

Almost? Never mind I'll figure out her meaning later. Though my memories of the events seem fuzzy like I suspected something was wrong with them... Don't tell me someone has re written history again I hate when that happens “That is not how you respond to fear."

“I... know it was just... Am I going to jail?"

“Do you think you should?" I ask.

“I don't know he was such a cruel.... but maybe I do. Can you get my mom to take care of Gwen?"


“Master Bruce?" Alfred gives me the fatherly stern look he gives when he wants me to stop acting like the Bat." You are not going to prison Miss Stephanie. Killing a zombie is not illegal."

“What?"

I still look at her sternly but to tell the truth I'm rather happy, I was afraid she was going to try to justify her actions, or try to black mail me with the her knowledge of my true identity. Instead she took responsibility for her actions, and was willing to take the consequences, good it's a start. “Black Mask's body was still dead when you shot it he was wearing this.” I show her the Black Ring.

“It’s similar to the ones the Green Lanterns wear, I believe it reanimated Black Mask's corpse."

“I didn’t kill him?" She smiles.

“No but you thought you did and that's a problem." I admonish. “I know you've been spending a lot of time in West City but if you want to work for me, and be on a JLA sponsored team you will work by our rules and that means no killing."

“Wait you guys are sponsoring us?" She looks skeptical

“Yes you have proven your selves now we we'll be training you like the Titans. Now as for you I gave the Huntress a second chance and Catwoman as well I'm giving you that chance too. I will be keeping a close eye on you, just one more thing."

“Yes sir?" She looks a little scared.

“Next time Jason comes to you for anything do not go with him but report to me instead."

“Okay." She shakes her head. "For what it's worth I'm sorry."


“Go to your evening training." I respond.

"Alfred Smiles.” Seems you are actually becoming somewhat more understanding Master Bruce a few years ago you would have kicked her out of the cave, and forbidden any of the bat family from speaking to her. Good show."

“Her dying once was enough. If I had done as you said she would be killed by the Joker or someone and Gwen would have been left without a parent. I would never wish that on any child. Now I have to find out who's been impersonating me."

Yes someone is pretending to be me again, what is with these people? Maybe they should spend one night as me or have to listen to Green Arrow and Hawkman argue in a JLA meeting once. They'd stop wanting to be me after seeing that. Or if they had to spend any amount of time with Guy Gardener.

At first I thought it was Jason given the fact that he once ran around in a Nightwing costume. I wish it was Jason and not this.

This is what I tracked down, Great Scott! What is that? Why is that? No just... no

Sometimes I just don't want to know.

I returned to Gotham after my adventure with Wolverine in Japan went south and somehow Rishou ended up dead. So I was a bit distracted when me and Tony Stark , had enacted out plan, to rid the planet of Skrulls.

It seems Bulma Briefs, had found some way to make them go back into their own shapes with a beam. We set satellites to fire this beam all over the planet, Where ever a Skrull appeared they were captured or died in battle with some of the more murderers in the metahuman community, many of which were super villains.

After a hard day of fighting the Skrulls left Earth. Now is the time. I take out a device from my belt press the button. And Tony Stark starts flailing like he's drunk, or perhaps he actually was, he may have a mini bar in that suit, His armor changed colors several times as he was flailing around.

His armor fell off." What the? When did she get in here?" he asked pointing at Batgirl.

“She’s just here to make sure we're not disturbed." I say cracking my knuckles. "The Extremis won't help you now Stark. I suggest you defend yourself."

“So it's come down to this huh Wayne? You and your little family are safe from prosecution you have my word, you don't have to do this."

“If you’re going to talk it will just make it easier for me. But one way or another you have pain coming, and have had it coming for a long time now." I punch him in the jaw to let him know I'm serious.

“Fine!" he spits out blood and throws a right cross that I dodge. I’m actually surprised when he lands a kick in my gut. “I recognize those moves Captain America so he taught you to fight did he? And you repaid him by killing him!"


This enraged Stark and had him flailing at me with haymakers it's so easy some times. I grab him by his arm and toss him into a computer desk as he slowly gets up I punch him a few more times. Until finally he just falls and takes it. I think my point came across.

“I can neutralize your armor anytime I want. If you ever come after me or any of my charges I will do just that and the beating you received today is just a small sample of what I can do to you. If your change of heart lately is for real I'm glad for you, but if not just think of this next time you want to force metahumans to become weapons."

“I never wanted that!" Stark spits out more blood. “This it all... just got out of my control."

“Hh, I suggest you get it back under control or we'll chat again, good day Mister Stark."

So I felt later that night, that I could sit in the Batcave with a glass of scotch (Yes I'm hiding it from Robin.) I'm not a big drinker but every once in a while I will indulge especially when a case goes bad , like how the Rishou one went.

I let my self relax for a second that's where I made my mistake. Gwen Brown's shrill little girl voice startles me. “You not mommy not mommy!"

I should hope not. “Alfred I thought I told you not to let Gwen in the cave unsupervised.”

Yeah that brat is annoying isn't partner? I can't believe they're trying to tell me she's mine."

I look up to see Stephanie Brown in a variation of the Robin costume. “There had better be good explanation."

The one she gave me was... insane Anthony Stark the kid one taking over the world, and changing everything, and Hank Pym as the Hulk. Blue Lanterns, just what we need another color of power ring and some things I don't even want to mention.

In the middle of this Nightwing appears on the Batcomputer to tell me the Outsiders. Had some interesting info for me. When he suddenly shouts, “Holy evil twins Batman!"

Good he sees it too I'm not seeing double.



The one in the Spoiler costume picks up Gwen and starts with the inane baby talk. I look at them both “Do I need to be involved in whatever this is?"

“Nope." Spoiler responds as she smiles at her look a like “Let’s get you back to your life and outta mine huh?"

Dick asks" What is going on?"


“I don't even want to know." I shake my head. As the two Stephanie Browns with Gwen use the telporter to West City. Suddenly Diana’s face comes up on screen “I see you're back alright."

Oh right I have to make up for the last missed date." We can do whatever you want as long as there are no clones of Robin’s girlfriends involved."

Diana gives me an odd look. Nightwing just laughs. "Believe me you don't want to know Diana."

Later

This is nice...



I'll worry about confronting Spoiler over the Black Mask thing later

Damn...

I watched the CD over and over that I found in Robin's room. I kept wanting to believe it was faked. Though my intuition told me it was not. I put it through every test on the Bat computer.

No it's real, but it makes no sense Black Mask has been dead for a year. And it was Selina that tossed him off the roof. So Spoiler shot an animated corpse but she didn't know that. I somehow suspect that it has something to do with this black ring that Bruce Cain was clutching when we defeated him.

I scanned it. It's like Hal's John's and Guy's rings. But for the life of me I can't figure out what its source of power is. That’s not my concern right now what is that Spoiler was willing to commit murder.

No she couldn't get arrested for it, because there are no laws against shooting zombies, and I could maybe understand why she would want to kill Mask he killed her. But what I want to know is will she do anything like this again?

I don't want another Red Hood running around Gotham. Diana walks up behind me Blast! I forgot our date.
“Somehow I knew I’d find you in the cave Bruce. You know Gotham or the world won't fall apart if you take some time off." She looks at the screen "Hera!"

“Yes seeing one of the young heroes go astray is startling." I groan.

“Well yes there is that but look how scared she is her hand is shaking. She seems terrified of the skull faced man."

Part of me thought "Of course Diana wouldn't have a problem with killing look what she did to Max Lord." That part I stifled immediately. Because last time I mentioned Max Lord this happened.

Not an experience I'd like to repeat. "I don't want her ending up like Jason." I say instead. "I hope I'm not too late."

"She doesn't seem as comfortable with lethal force as Jason. Though I would suggest you not fire her or try to take away her costume this time." Diana suggests.

“I did those things to try and save her life, but in hindsight it made her want to prove herself more. Sigh. Richard was such a good kid he grew up to be an even better man, I'm not sure I was ready for more difficult children like Jason."

“Stephanie is not yours Bruce like Dick and Jason, and now Tim."

" Yes but I'm still responsible she was Robin as well, I have to find out if she can be redeemed or if I'll have to take her down one day."

Alfred runs down the stirs “I’m sorry master Bruce! I couldn't stop him from coming in."

Wolverine busts in and tries to claw at me; Diana grabs his wrist and slams him against the cave wall “You are a guest here, act like it!"

"Hidin' behind yer girlfriend eh?" Logan growls.

“I’ve beaten you a couple of times already Logan, as you have defeated me as well. I didn't bring you here to fight with her I had actually forgotten she was coming here. No I called you here to show you this message.

I show him a printout of a computer message I had gotten earlier in the day. It reads "Rishou is in Kyoto." signed?.

“The Question? Yaw believes 'im?"

“His relationship with reality maybe somewhat strained, but yes I believe he may have uncovered something."

“Then what're waitin' for? Let's go bub."

Looks like Spoiler will have to wait as will Diana. “Can we take a rain check?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “I understand, if you need any help..."

“I’ll call." I assure her. You know I must be as insane as some people think I am. Instead of going out on a date with Wonder Woman I'm on the Batplane with a smelly short mutant. Yes I am insane but after Rishou is taken down hopefully I'll never have to see Wolverine again.

When we land in Japan, however our progress is impeded when Logan is immediately attacked by ninjas.

What is it with him and ninjas? Hh. This is going to be a long trip.

Cain goes home.

We found Bruce Cain; oddly he was in the morgue hovering over the body of Black Mask. Why is he still in the Morgue? He was killed over a year ago. I look at it and oddly the body has a gun shot whole in the forehead, what is Jim Gordon letting them do in here?

Then a thought came to my mind, zombies? I hope not I really hate zombies. I push that thought to the back of my head. “Bruce it’s time for you to return home."

" Heh. No matter what time I'm in you always want to get rid of me Grandpa."

I ignore that. “You’ve killed way too many people, to be allowed to go free. I'm sorry Bruce you have to pay for your crimes."

He laughs. "Any 'crime' I committed was undone by the Dragon Balls. I asked the dragon to restore anyone I've killed that didn't deserve it. I've had a change of heart I changed my history and am no longer the same person..."

I stop him." You being here disrupts the timeline."

He punches me out the window of the morgue. "Bah! I go where I want to go."

Terry flies in to Cain. “If you've hurt him... "

Cain kicks McGuiness off of him. “Don’t worry he's only bruised. I don't kill family , lucky for you Terry."

What does he mean by that? I'm still adopting kids however many years into the future Bruce comes from? Hh Forget about that I have to worry about defeating this saiyan.

It turns out a boy with Saiyan powers, super strength and speed, along with Cassandra's is rather hard to defeat. What's worse, he knows how I work I reach for my belt and he blasts at me before I can use Sonics, or sleeping gas.

I leap over the blast and he grabs me and tears off the belt then tosses me across the alley. “Enough of your toys gramps."

Terry fires those Batrangs from his suit. Cain dodges them oddly he has the same look on his face Cass does when she dodges bullets. He then blasts Terry in such a way to destroy his suit, but not Terry.

“Last Warning you two! Back off!"

Terry looks over to me “Any ideas?"

“Always. The things against us he’s as powerful as Superman his first language is body language he knows what we're going to do before we do. But we do have an advantage for whatever reason he won't go all out against us, I need a distraction so I can get to my belt."

Almost as if on cue Wolverine pops up and yells " You and, me are gonna talk about why ya didn't give Ana backup!"

Wolverine again? This guy is worse than obsessed ex girlfriend. (Stop calling me Talia!) It doesn't matter when he tries to jump over, and slash me Cain backhands him away. "Don't you touch him Rodent!"

Logan makes a swipe at Cain "Why do ya care saiyan?"

Cain grabs Logan's arm and slams it into the mutant's chest. “This is a family spat Freak!"

While Cain was blasting Logan I run over and grab the belt, I find the tranq gas capsules and toss enough to knock out a herd of elephants. Cain passes out.

We leave Wolverine to heal in the alley. I really don't have time to deal with his whining right now. Terry drags Cain to a clearing then smiles. “When the time comes doesn’t be such a bastard to me huh?"

" Hn. I can't guarantee that, If you are to survive in the Mean streets of Gotham you need to be tough."

He rolls his eyes you never did change did you?" he pushes a button on his belt and vanishes. Well that's one less problem stalking around, now to take care of Iron Man.


Meanwhile in the Future Terry appears in New Gotham. “Okay Cain let's get you to the cave Ibn Al Xu'ffach. Is going to have a fit when he knows you're back. Hope the LOA still considers you the true heir to their leadership, or The Old Man's plan is going to go down hill fast. That and if you'll cooperate.

All of the sudden the two are surrounded. “Good work Batman! Now turn over Mr. Cain to us."

“And who the frak are you?" Terry asks.

“We’re the Chronal law enforcement agency, Cain here created a major disruption in the Timeline one that's having ripple effects all up and down the time stream, Cain wake up! You are under arrest!"

As they pull Cain away Terry growls “Crap! Wayne isn't going to like this."