Gotham - Batcave
"Master Wayne, dinner is ready," Alfred announced as he entered the Batcave, his eyes resting on Bruce, who was deeply engrossed in his work.
Bruce was hunched over the main computer screen, running algorithms based on the equations he had scanned from Team Flash's boards when Cisco explained their calculations for the breach. Since returning from the league meeting, he had been analyzing various scenarios using different assumptions to account for possible variables. Despite his efforts, he couldn't trace where Orach had been pushed to, dashing his hope to find a way to rescue him and bring him back to Earth. His focus was so intense that he lost track of time, prompting Alfred to fetch him for supper.
Hearing Alfred's voice, Bruce leaned back in his chair, pinching his temple to alleviate the headache from the fruitless analysis. "Understood, Alfred. I might as well go and have dinner. This isn't yielding any good results."
As Alfred approached, he sighed, noting the tired and pensive expression on Bruce's face. He glanced at the large screen, observing three tasks the machine was performing. A major part of the screen displayed the analysis Bruce was running to find a way to bring Orach home. He also noticed the second screen was researching Empire Enterprise's activities and attempting to hack the company's servers for confidential details. Lastly, there was a smiling picture of Barbara Minerva and a running query pulling up any news regarding her expedition and her team.
"No news on Miss Minerva, Master Bruce?" asked Alfred, concerned.
"No. The Wayne Tech crew and the plane were instructed to return from Africa by Orach. I am guessing he must have used his mastery of space law to bring her back. But..." Bruce paused, considering the likely scenario that had unfolded with Orach's intervention.
"...I see. For Master Orach to make a move, something terrible must have happened. You haven't heard from her, have you?" replied Alfred.
Bruce shook his head. "No. I haven't. The call goes through, but she doesn't pick up."
"Whatever might have happened, she may need time to collect herself, Master Bruce. It's best to give her space. She should come around. I could tell that she truly enjoyed spending time with you. Besides, with what happened to Master Orach in Central City, she might be with Miss Diana right now, in support for her. After all, Miss Diana may not show it, but with Master Orach's whereabouts unknown, she must be worried," said Alfred.
Bruce, after a moment of contemplation, nodded. "I thought as much. But here's another thing that intrigues me, Diana asked me to provide information on Empire Enterprises. It makes me think whatever happened with Barbara might have something to do with Veronica Cale and her company. Diana might need this information in prepping for a response against Veronica."He paused for a moment before continuing,"Alfred, remind me to monitor Diana's activities in the coming days."
Alfred, after a moment of thought, replied, "Master Bruce, do you think that's truly necessary? Do you suspect them to directly confront Miss Cale if they don't get the information they want through your help?"
Bruce rose and nodded, carefully removing his cowl and battle gear. He changed into the casual clothes Alfred had laid out for him. As he hung his suit on the display stand, he said, "Yes. Diana has been known to act impulsively at times. Especially now, with the loss of contact with Orach, she might be emotionally driven and could confront Veronica demanding answers. I don't want her to make a mistake she can't come back from, due to her volatile emotions. Plus, after the stunt Barry and his team pulled, despite their good intentions, the resulting devastation has shaken my trust in superhuman individuals. Perhaps…" He paused, a sudden thought crossing his mind, reminding him of a project he had once considered after first encountering Mother Empress but had set aside, wanting to believe in the hope that these heroes represented for the people of Earth. He then continued, "…based on what Diana told me, with Mother Empress's main body gone and the backup's capabilities limited, this might be the perfect time to revive my satellite project."
Hearing these words, Alfred, who had been aware of the idea for some time since his master had discussed it with him and had even been a significant reason for Bruce's decision to shelve the project, became alarmed. "Master Bruce, do you truly think that is necessary? I understand Mr. Allen and his team made a terrible mistake, but they suffered for it as well. If you work on that satellite project and launch it successfully, and if the other league members find out about it, they will most likely see it as an affront to their trust and privacy."
Bruce narrowed his eyes at Alfred and commanded his computer to show the news coverage of Central City. He continued in a serious tone, "Look at that! Look at the devastation, the injured, even the names listed as dead because of this incident. All of this was due to a single individual with powers. People with powers must be responsible with them, not act on selfish desires. If they do, these incidents will continue to happen. This very incident had the potential to destroy not just Central City but our entire world. If Orach didn't act…" He closed his eyes, took a deep breath to calm himself, and then looked at Alfred with clear eyes. "If Orach didn't act, we would be facing a cataclysmic event. So, while I sympathize with their loss of a teammate, they weren't the only ones who lost loved ones. With the satellite, at least we can monitor and anticipate powered individuals and stop them from creating these situations in the first place."
Alfred opened his mouth but couldn't deny the points Bruce had made. After a while, he simply asked, "Master Bruce, what about the day Master Orach returns? What then? Since you shelved this project for so long, a part of you must have been worried that Master Orach would be against such a project. How will you explain this to him then? Because I am sure, as soon as he comes back, nothing will escape Mother Empress's eye."
Bruce, after a moment of contemplation, replied, "While Orach has helped us by intervening during crisis events before, he generally holds a non-interference policy with the natural flow of our civilization. Also, I'm being rational here. He... should understand my point of view."
Alfred could only sigh. He recognized how shaky that logic was, but he also knew Master Orach was like a force of nature. So, he sighed again and nodded in support of his master.
Bruce then made his way to the dining room with Alfred and sat down for dinner.
Diana's Apartment
After returning from the league meeting, Diana was still grappling with the anger and sense of loss from losing contact with Orach. Barbara, who was staying the night, noticed her friend's serious expression and decided to make a suggestion. "Di, how about we have a girls' night? Some dancing and drinking might do you some good. Plus, one upside to my transformation is that I'm stronger now, so I bet I can hold my liquor better. What do you say?" proposed Barbara with a hopeful smile.
Diana, despite having a lot on her mind, realized her friend was trying to lighten her mood. She sighed, shook her head, and said, "I'm not in the mood to go out. However, I do have a nice bottle of bourbon. Let's drink that if you want to have a drink."
Barbara nodded, "Sounds good. Go take off that armor and get into some casual clothes. I'll take out the bottle and pour us two drinks on the rocks."
Diana nodded and went into her room to change while Barbara found the bottle. Fifteen minutes later, Diana came into the living room to find Barbara in her human form, sitting on the sofa and raising a glass to offer it to her.
Diana took the drink, sat down, and after a clink of their glasses, they began to enjoy the bourbon.
"Smooth. Good stuff. Didn't know you collected liquor this fine," remarked Barbara after taking a few sips.
Diana, after taking a sip, swirled her drink and said with a wry smile, "I got it for Orach to try... he became intrigued by a cocktail I made him, so I wanted to expand his palate. I'll make sure to get another bottle for when he comes back." She then took a big swig.
Seeing this, Barbara sighed internally and continued drinking with her friend.
After a while, Diana suggested, "Let's take the day off from work tomorrow and go to the families of your team to offer our condolences. Once that is finished, hopefully by the time Rachel joins us, let's head to Themyscira together. It's time you get some training. You need to learn about your powers and have proper sparring partners to hone your skills. Plus, I need to continue my own training, and I'll get a chance to show Rachel my home and introduce her to my sisters and mother."
Hearing this plan, Barbara's eyes went wide. First shock and then excitement hit her, she then said, "Di, are you serious? Didn't you say I couldn't before? Then how and why can I go now?"
Diana's expression became complicated before she sighed and continued, "I couldn't bring you there before since…you didn't have the strength to surpass the trials meant to test the outsiders before being granted entry. No exceptions were made before, but considering you are now powerful and as someone declared a protector of nature and women by Orach, I don't think it'll be an issue…" Before she could continue, Barbara jumped on Diana and hugged her before saying, "Thank you, Di. Seriously, thank you. I get to see Themyscira instead of just reading and hearing about it. It's a dream come true."
Diana could only give her friend a complicated smile. She had wanted to make this dream of her friend a reality for a while and had been thinking of a way, but never did she want her friend to go through such an ordeal to be able to gain qualification to enter her home. She then said, "Sorry I couldn't bring you sooner."
"Wait! Di, you just said outsiders have to go through a trial, right? I can somehow deal with that if I have to, but would Rachel also have to go through those trials?" Despite her excitement, a fleeting thought occurred to Barbara, and she raised a question in a worried tone.
Diana could only give her a wry smile and said, "Her identity is even more special. She is mine and Orach's daughter. Trust me, I have a feeling even the gods would welcome her and not obstruct her path. Since they know offending her is offending me and even more so her overprotective father. But, knowing how she was raised, that little girl would most probably jump at the challenge."
At the end, she couldn't help but chuckle, imagining how her Aunt Artemis and Aunt Antiope would have a tough time dealing with Rachel if Rachel did decide to undertake the trials. Barbara, too, after hearing this, also joined Diana in laughter.
Diana, after a while, separated from her friend's hug and in a serious tone continued, "While we are training at Themyscira, I've asked Br... Batman to dig into Empire Enterprises for us. Hopefully, we'll get some dirt on her to use as a reason to meet her. But if he doesn't succeed in getting something we can use..." She paused, narrowing her eyes before continuing, "We'll immediately come back with Rachel's help and just go and pay her a visit at her estate and demand the answers we seek."
Barbara, hearing the plan to approach Veronica Cale for answers about what happened to her and her team in Africa, thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Veronica Cale's Estate
Veronica Cale lay on her bed, propped up against the headrest, a glass of whiskey in her hand. Her eyes scanned articles about the recent events in Africa and the terrifying, angry voice that had resonated across the globe. Jomo had informed her of the ambush's success on Barbara's team, but she had no idea if the ritual intended for the professor had succeeded.
Her mind raced as she awaited an update from the beings she despised—the ones who treated her like a pawn in their twisted game. Hours later, an email finally arrived, confirming the plan's success. The presence of a Cheetah avatar on the mortal plane had been sensed. As soon as she finished reading it, the email vanished from her inbox. Veronica ignored the disappearing message, focusing instead on the success. She planned to reach out to Barbara, offering her support in her time of need and persuading her to join a new team against Wonder Woman, ultimately aiming to locate Themyscira.
With a sigh, she turned off the lights and went to sleep. The next morning, she woke early, got ready, and headed to her company's headquarters.
Empire Enterprise
Upon arrival, she decided to visit her friend and partner to discuss their future plans. However, as she approached her partner's office floor, she was shocked to find the usually quiet, organized, and efficient department in utter chaos. Team members scrambled between monitors, a sense of urgency hanging in the air.
Spotting Adrianna, Veronica hurried over, alarmed by the frantic expressions on everyone's faces. "Adrianna, what's going on?" she demanded.
Startled by her partner's voice, Adrianna turned, dark circles under her eyes. "Veronica, we have a problem. We were hacked. We're doing our best to assess the damage and strengthen our firewalls, but the attacker was highly skilled. Although we eventually managed to drive off the hacker, a significant amount of our data was exposed. So far, we've reviewed only 40% of the compromised data, but we haven't been able to trace the source."
"What? How did this happen, Adrianna? We've spent millions on securing the best infrastructure for your team," Veronica said, her tone edged with anger.
Adrianna's expression grew complex. "I thought we were secure too, but now's not the time to argue. My team and I need to focus on assessing the damage and recovering our data. So either shut up and leave or sit down and help us."
Stunned, Veronica realized the gravity of the situation. Adrianna only used this tone when things were truly critical. Without another word, Veronica took a seat and joined the team, working to assess the damages from the hack.
Gotham - Batcave
The next morning, after breakfast, Bruce was in the Batcave, meticulously sifting through the information he had gathered on Empire Enterprises via his hacking program. He ensured that the countermeasures implemented by Empire Enterprises were being effectively neutralized to prevent any trace of the hack leading back to him. Bruce knew that Diana would soon confront Veronica Cale, and he wanted to provide all the necessary support for that encounter.
As he reviewed the files, his thoughts drifted to Barbara. He was determined to uncover any information regarding Veronica Cale's involvement in Barbara's expedition, hoping to understand what had happened and to ensure her safety. While scanning the data, his attention was drawn to a few folders on Greek gods and a partially downloaded folder labeled "Project Godwatch."
Putting aside his concerns for Barbara for the moment, Bruce refocused on the task at hand, delving deeper into the files to gather every possible piece of critical information.
Diana's Apartment
Upon waking up, Diana flew Barbara to her home, dropping her off with a plan in place. They both sent out-of-office notifications to the museum, claiming to be on vacation for two weeks. Later, after freshening up in their respective apartments, Diana drove to Barbara's apartment to pick her up. Together, they began visiting the homes of Barbara's fallen team members.
Throughout each visit, Diana stood steadfastly by Barbara's side, offering unwavering support. Despite mentally preparing herself to face the emotions and reactions of the family members, Barbara found it incredibly difficult. Even with Diana's presence, the raw emotions of sadness and anger from the families took a toll on her. By the time they visited the third family, Barbara was overwhelmed, wanting to throw up and cry. Guilt gnawed at her, knowing she had led her colleagues into an ambush by trusting the wrong person.
Diana, sensing Barbara's distress, gently guided her away from the heart-wrenching scene. "Barbara, stop and take a moment. Breathe," she said softly, her eyes full of concern.
Barbara nodded and said "I thought I could handle it, Diana. But seeing their faces... it's too much."
Diana placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're incredibly brave for facing this. But you don't have to do it all at once. We'll get through this, I promise."
Barbara took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "You're right. I can't let this break me. This is my responsibility. But Veronica and those behind her... they will pay for what they've done."
Seeing the exhaustion etched on Barbara's face as evening approached, Diana suggested they head back to Barbara's apartment. "Let's call it a day. You've done enough for now," she said gently.
Back at the apartment, Diana prepared a comforting meal. The warmth of the food and Diana's companionship brought a semblance of peace to Barbara's troubled mind. Diana offered to stay the night, but Barbara, though grateful, declined. "I appreciate it, Diana, but I need to start facing this on my own. I have to get over this hiccup. As Orach stated, I am not just Barbara Minerva anymore; I am also Cheetah. I need to be stronger mentally as well."
Diana nodded, respecting her decision. "Alright, but if you need anything, I'm just a call away."
After Diana left, Barbara sank into her couch, feeling the weight of the day's events. As she reached for her phone, she noticed several missed calls from Bruce. Her heart skipped a beat. Despite her doubts about whether she would be accepted by a normal human like Bruce, she still wanted to see him. She had ignored his calls out of fear but, after facing so much today and remembering Orach's words about Bruce, she couldn't hold it in any longer.
"I need to see him," she whispered to herself, determination filling her voice. "Even if it's just from the shadows."
With that thought, she resolved to find Bruce, hoping that seeing him might bring her the solace she desperately needed. She tapped into her inner realm, transforming into Cheetah, and leaped from her apartment window to the rooftop of the neighboring building. She then sprinted towards Gotham at great speed, living up to her title.
Gotham City - Night Time
The news of the disappearance of the higher realm being, Orach, had spread like wildfire. The criminal families of Gotham, though superstitious and fearful of the Bat of Gotham, knew that Batman never kills. There was always hope to live another day, even if they ended up behind bars. But Orach was a different story. They all knew that provoking him meant certain death. With Orach gone, the criminal underworld rejoiced. They could finally breathe, thinking their only worry now was Batman.
Tonight was a particularly busy night for the GCPD and Batman. From the Riddler to Firefly, and even Killer Croc, Gotham's rogues were out in full force. While the Riddler had the GCPD running in circles with his confounding riddles, Killer Croc and Firefly focused on looting banks. With so many villains causing chaos simultaneously, the GCPD and Batman had their work cut out for them.
Batman decided to handle Killer Croc and Firefly personally, leaving the GCPD to chase down the Riddler.
Gotham City Bank
"Hahaha! Finally, some nice loot! God, I've been waiting for that bastard to be gone!" Croc said, hefting bags of gold bars.
"You can say that again. That guy was scary as hell!" Firefly agreed, his hands also full of cash.
Suddenly, two objects struck the floor, releasing thick smoke that blinded them. They knew instantly who had arrived.
"Well, now, here I thought I scared you lot," Batman said, swooping in through a broken window pane. He landed a powerful kick on Croc while sending a Batarang towards Firefly, aiming to sever his equipment wiring.
Killer Croc roared in pain and anger as he was sent sprawling to the ground. Firefly, meanwhile, struggled with his malfunctioning equipment, sparks flying as the Batarang did its job.
Croc, now enraged, charged at Batman with renewed ferocity. Batman dodged effortlessly, reading his movements to stay one step ahead. "Stay still, you bat freak!" Croc bellowed, finally managing to swipe at Batman's cape, pulling him closer.
Just then, Firefly, who had been temporarily grounded by Batman's well-aimed Batarang and was frantically attempting to fix his malfunctioning gear, finally managed to get his flamethrower operational. "Time to burn, Bat!" he yelled, as flames spewed from his weapon.
Batman, noticing the flames, quickly used his grappling gun to pull himself away from Killer Croc's reach and evade Firefly's fiery attack. "You're both going back to Arkham," he declared, his voice unwavering as he threw another Batarang, this time hitting Firefly's fuel tank. The villain stumbled, flames sputtering out. "You're done, Firefly," Batman said coldly.
Desperate, Firefly attempted to flee, but Batman was relentless. He used his grappling hook to ensnare Firefly and yank him to the ground. With a swift motion, he secured Firefly with reinforced Batcuffs.
"You're going to pay for this, Bats!" shouted Croc, charging at Batman in a rage. Batman's mind raced as he dodged with agility, but he knew he couldn't keep this up forever. Croc managed to pin him against the wall, and just as Batman seemed to lose the upper hand, a blur of motion streaked across the room.
With a fierce growl, Cheetah pounced on Croc, her claws raking across his back. "I thought you could use a hand, Batman," she said, her voice a mix of amusement and determination.
Batman took the opportunity to regroup, using his grappling hook to pull himself free. "Cheetah, what are you doing in Gotham?" he asked, landing beside her, ready to continue the fight.
"Saving your hide, apparently," Cheetah replied with a smirk, her eyes never leaving Croc as they prepared for the next wave of attacks. She had just arrived in Gotham, driven by her desire to see Bruce. As she made her way toward Wayne Manor, she witnessed the fight between Batman and Killer Croc. Seizing the chance to gain some experience and repay Batman for helping Diana and her gather information on Veronica Cale, she lunged at Croc. Now in the thick of it, her agile movements made it difficult for Croc to land a hit. "Come on, big guy. Is that all you've got?" she taunted, slashing at his arms and legs.
However, Croc soon managed to grab Cheetah and was about to slam her into the ground. Her inexperience in fighting showed. Batman acted quickly, launching himself at Croc and delivering a powerful kick to his head. The impact forced Croc to release Cheetah, who landed gracefully on her feet.
"Thanks for the assist," she said, slightly breathless but more determined than ever.
Batman nodded. "Let's finish this."
Together, they launched a coordinated assault. Cheetah's speed and ferocity seamlessly complemented Batman's precision and strength. Killer Croc, overwhelmed by their combined efforts, quickly found himself at a significant disadvantage. With a strategic final blow from Batman and a well-timed tranquilizer dart, the massive villain roared one last time before collapsing to the ground, unconscious. Croc was swiftly subdued and secured with reinforced Batcuffs.
As the dust settled, Batman turned to Cheetah. "You did well. But next time, give me a heads-up before jumping into a fight."
Cheetah chuckled. "Where's the fun in that?"
Batman couldn't help but narrow his eyes and give her a stare before saying, "Just be careful. Gotham is a dangerous place."
"I can handle myself, Batman. But thanks for the concern," she replied with a wink.
With the villains apprehended and the immediate threat neutralized, Batman and Cheetah took a moment to catch their breath.
The GCPD arrived shortly after, securing the scene and taking the subdued villains into custody. As the cops approached, nodding in acknowledgement to Batman one of them began saying "Good work, Batman. And... thanks, Cheetah," he added, somewhat uncertainly.
Cheetah smirked, crossing her arms. "Don't mention it, glad to assist the GCPD."
As the police led the villains away, Batman turned to Cheetah, his expression serious. "Why are you in Gotham, Cheetah?"
Cheetah looked at Batman, her gaze unwavering. "I needed to see someone. But it looks like I ended up helping you instead."
Batman studied her for a moment before nodding. "You did help. But Gotham is my city. If you're staying, you need to stay out of trouble."
Cheetah rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated. "Oh, come on, Batman. I just helped you take down a rogue, and you're lecturing me? Can't you at least say thank you?"
Batman simply stared at her for a moment before saying "Thank you, Cheetah. But the rules still stand."
"Ugh, you're impossible," Cheetah muttered, shaking her head. "I really don't understand how Wonder Woman and you are friends."
Batman remained silent and simply stared at her.
Cheetah smirked, "Sessh. I didn't come here to see your brooding figure. See you around, Batman. Try not to get yourself killed."
With that, Cheetah turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Batman to ponder the unexpected alliance. As he watched her go, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity with her. This made it twice he felt her familiar. However, with Riddler still at large, he decided to concentrate on helping the GCPD.
Wayne Manor
Cheetah soon arrived at the gate of Wayne Manor Estate. She initially thought she would just observe Bruce from the shadows, but after a moment of contemplation, she transformed back into her human form. Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the Manor and rang the bell.
The door opened, revealing Alfred. Initially surprised by her visit, he smiled and welcomed her in. Barbara returned the smile and thanked Alfred as she made her way to the living room, asking if Bruce was available. Alfred informed her that Bruce was working late and probably wouldn't be back until much later. He offered her snacks, tea, and a room to stay in until Bruce came home. Disappointed but grateful, Barbara accepted his offer and made herself comfortable in the living room, waiting for Bruce's return.
As she sat there, sipping her tea, Barbara couldn't help but reflect on the night's events. She had come to Gotham to see Bruce, but fate had led her to assist Batman instead. Now, she was left wondering if Bruce would be surprised or even happy to see her.
Hours passed, and the clock struck midnight. Seeing no sign of Bruce, Barbara finally decided to leave. She informed Alfred that she would be back at a later date, then excused herself and made her way out of the estate. Transforming back into her Cheetah form, she suddenly caught a familiar scent, blood. Her senses told her it was Batman's blood. This raised an alarming question in her mind: why was she suddenly sensing Batman near Wayne Manor?
Worried for Alfred and Bruce's safety, she immediately took action, following the trail of the scent. Soon, she found a well-hidden waterfall. Using her new physique, she jumped over the crevice and went through the waterfall. On the other side, she was stunned to find a cavern filled with sleeping bats, a car, a jet, a laboratory section, and a workshop section. Recognizing the design of the car and jet, she murmured, "Batcave." The realization of what she had discovered near Wayne Manor was startling. She recalled Orach's joke during their double date night about the Bat of Gotham being a billionaire with eccentric tastes.
Just then, she heard noises. Concentrating, she listened in, "Argh. Now that every criminal knows Orach is missing from Gotham, they are coming out of the woodwork... Argh."
"Bear with it a bit more, Master Bruce. That's one nasty scar," remarked Alfred.
"Got it, Alfred," replied Bruce, who had just returned from his patrol of the city after helping the GCPD capture the Riddler. To save civilians from Riddler's riddles, he had gotten injured. Now, he lay on a med bed inside the Batcave, with the top portion of his battle suit and mask off, while Alfred tended to his bruises and wounds.
"I must say, Master Bruce, it might be a good idea to call back Master Dick and Miss Gordan to assist you. Robin and Batgirl should be here assisting Batman. Even with your upgraded suit, you are still human. Dealing with multiple rogues will always be challenging," said Alfred as he addressed Bruce's wounds.
"Maybe you're right," said Bruce. He then asked, "By the way, I thought you mentioned Barbara came to visit?"
Alfred nodded as he finished up, "Yes, Master Bruce. You just missed her. You both really need to sit down and have a nice long chat to catch up." Just then, Bruce sensed another presence besides Alfred's and became alert. He shouted, "Who's there?"
Cheetah stepped out from the shadows, her clothes soaked from the waterfall, her expression one of disbelief. "Bruce... you... you're Batman!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.
Bruce, realizing that Cheetah had discovered his Batcave, felt a surge of alarm and anger but maintained his composure. Rising to face her, he demanded, "What are you doing here, Cheetah? Is this why you came to Gotham, to uncover my..." His words trailed off as he watched in astonishment while Cheetah transformed back into her human form, revealing a face he knew all too well. "...Barbara?"
Their eyes locked, each reflecting the shock of the other. Barbara closed her eyes momentarily, taking a deep breath before offering Bruce a complex smile. "No wonder Batman's scent seemed familiar to me. I just couldn't connect it to a face... or maybe I subconsciously refused to believe you could be the same person. It's been a long time, Bruce. I... I wanted... no, I needed to see you, to talk to you after everything that has happened. But I never expected to discover this about you."
Bruce forced himself to calm down and, with a complicated glance at Barbara, motioned for her to sit down. "Come, sit. Let's talk. I want to understand how you became this way."
Barbara nodded and they both took seats on the couch. Alfred went to fetch fresh tea for them, using the moment to steady his own nerves after seeing Barbara's transformation. Barbara's gaze fell on Bruce's injuries, and she could feel her anger rising. "How did you get those injuries? No. Just tell me who is responsible," she demanded, a growl escaping between her words, clearly showing her fury at seeing him hurt.
Bruce, despite being shocked by her drastic transformation, was relieved to see her feelings for him hadn't changed. However, the killing intent she was releasing bothered him. As a trained warrior, he recognized that Barbara's hands had spilled blood. Only those who have killed many could release such potent killing intent. Trusting in Barbara's feelings for him and knowing her personality from before, he hoped she had good reasons for her actions. He began by reassuring her, "It's fine, Barbara. This level of injury comes with the territory. Now, please calm down and tell me what happened to you."
Barbara, hearing this, reined in her killing intent and forced herself to calm down. She was surprised to see Bruce remaining composed in the presence of her killing intent. Yet, remembering that the man in front of her was also Batman, her surprise turned into understanding. She then began to explain everything that had happened since they last saw each other, including her transformation into Cheetah and the events that led her to Gotham. Bruce listened intently, his eyes never leaving hers.
"I've been through a lot, Bruce," Barbara said, her voice trembling slightly. "That's why I didn't answer your calls immediately. I needed time to gather myself. I was... I am still a mess. But I am getting better. Orach helped me regain my sanity and gave me control. Diana is going to train me to control my power. But I... I needed to know if... if we still have a chance. If we can still be together. If you can accept this broken me." She ended her statement with a sad smile.
Bruce took a deep breath, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "Barbara, no matter what you've been through or how you've changed, you're still you. Also, I have been broken ever since I was eight. We've both faced our demons, and we've both come out stronger. I won't lie and say it will be easy. You are now essentially a demigod and I am still a man, but I believe we can find a way to make this work. I still care about you, and I'm willing to try if you are."
Barbara's eyes welled up with tears, but she managed a genuine smile. "Thank you, Bruce. That means more to me than you know. Also, I think Orach can teach you how to cultivate as well once he comes back. Even if he doesn't, I'm willing to be by your side."
Just then, Alfred returned with fresh tea. "Here you go, both of you. I trust you'll find a way to work things out," he said, giving them a reassuring smile before leaving them to continue their conversation.
As they sipped their tea, Bruce and Barbara began to discuss their future plans. Her trip to Themyscira and their plan to confront Veronica and uncover the truth behind the incident in Africa.
Planet Thanagar - High Command Room
In the dimly lit high command room on Thanagar, the tension was palpable. High-ranking officials gathered around a large table, holographic projections of star systems casting eerie glows on their stern faces. The discussion was intense, focused on their faltering war effort against the relentless Gordanians.
"We are losing ground. The Gordanians are unyielding," General Talak growled, slamming his fist on the table. "We need a new strategy, a decisive move to turn the tide in our favor."
Commander Thal, one of the most respected tacticians, leaned forward with a contemplative look. "If this continues, we will need additional resources, advanced technology, and new allies. We need to deploy the hyperspace bypass generator soon for a strategic strike."
General Talak nodded grimly, then turned to the communication channel connected to Earth. He addressed their sleeper agents, "Kartar and Shayera, report on the situation on Earth. Can we initiate our plan? We must be prepared to make sacrifices for the survival of our race."
Kartar smirked confidently. "Rejoice, all. Glory to Thanagar. We are presented with a golden opportunity. You must have heard that voice reverberate throughout the universe. That was our greatest obstacle disappearing, and we don't expect him to return anytime soon. In addition, a recent incident has created some friction amongst the defenders of this world. We no longer need to wait. We can begin our plan to deceive them."
Talak clapped his hands in approval. "That's indeed great news. Even if he returns, he'll come back to an empty space, and no one will tell him anything about our actions. Prepare the prisoner Gordanians and their ship. We'll give the Earthlings one hell of a show and present ourselves as allies needing assistance against a common enemy. Once we have their trust, we can utilize their resources and then seize control by force to build the hyperspace bypass generator. All hail Thanagar!"
"GLORY TO THANAGAR!" echoed the excited shouts throughout the war chamber.
Earth - Hawk Residence
"Kartar, are we truly prepared to go through with this? You've seen the projections; this planet won't survive. There are so many innocent lives at stake. This isn't right!" Shayera's voice trembled with anguish.
"Shayera, I don't take any pleasure in this either, but what other choice do we have? Our duty is to protect Thanagar," Kartar replied, his tone laden with resignation.
Shayera turned away, wrestling with her conscience. "There has to be another way. We can't just sacrifice an entire planet for our own survival."
Kartar sighed deeply, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I wish there was another option, but we're running out of time and choices. Our people are relying on us to secure their future. If we fail, Thanagar falls."
Tears welled up in Shayera's eyes, and she nodded reluctantly. "I understand. I just hope that one day, we can atone for what we are about to do."
Seeing her distress, Kartar embraced his wife and led her to their bed, hoping to forget, if only for a moment, the heavy burden they carried. The weight of their decision pressed down on them, knowing the stakes were immense and the cost of their actions would be high. Yet, they also understood the desperation of their people and the dire need for survival.