Chapter Text
Before the Hall of Justice, before the Watchtower, before the Legion of Doom and Starro and Darkseid and God knows how many apocalyptic threats, before the many friends Bruce could call his own, the Justice League was an idea on a rainy night in Gotham.
He had just turned over the Riddler to the GCPD. A prior injury left Dick in bed, so he was on his own returning to the cave. Without him, slinking over the rooftops of Gotham back to his manor was a quiet journey back. But it did allow him to hear the wind change behind him as he leaped onto the clock tower.
A man and woman, both in red and blue. The man with a cape and “S” on his chest, the woman with a Grecian suit of armor tailored after the American flag. Superman and Wonder Woman. Two heroes he’s encountered before. In time, Batman would come to know them as the closest friends he could ever have. Two pieces of his soul that form the perfect trinity. But at the moment, they were unwelcome guests in his city.
A crowd started forming below them. Spectators cheered and began to pull their phones out. The floating pair waved politely, but Batman had clenched his teeth. Many believe the tight grip Batman has around Gotham is a wariness of intruding metahumans or an egotistic claim for sole protectorship of the city. But Batman simply knows how Gotham works. The Rogues of Central City have a stricter honor code. The villains at Coast City have a shinier, greener target, and are more concerned with cosmic affairs. And Superman is far too powerful to let anything happen to citizens in Metropolis. The dark forces of Gotham won’t hesitate. The minute his job becomes a spectacle, people will die.
“Superman. Wonder Woman. Is there an inbound threat I should know about?”
“Nothing of the sort. We won’t be long, Batman,” Clark said politely.
“You may have heard news of a few heroes banding forces to tackle a metahuman trafficking ring on the West Coast. Many of them new incarnations of members of last century’s Justice Society,” Diana paused briefly in pride, then continued. “Their recent victories inspired us to recreate the Society’s mission of teamwork. We’ve come to proffer our first invitation to you.”
This left Bruce in silence. A silence that the Kryptonian saw as a sign to continue. “The emergence of more prominent threats presents a real danger. It won’t be enough for just one hero anymore. A united front could give people hope.”
“With all due respect, I believe that’s what the rest of you are for,” Batman responded. “I’m already at hard work in this city. To step away from Gotham would leave it in chaos.”
Diana cut the men off with a hand before a debate could ensue. “Your role need not be on the battlefield. Your detective work and intellect are valuable tools as well. Nevertheless, we won’t press the issue. You can reach out to us with a formal answer at your convenience.”
The pair began to leave, but Superman turned his head for a final message. “I hope you give it some thought. We could really use you on the team, Batman.”
“...Batman.”
“...Batman?”
Bruce glances up, awake from his daydream. The rest of his new companions, the Avengers, have all turned to stare at him. So similar to the League, yet so different. But sentimentality will only slow him down. Think. At best, these people are well-meaning heroes who can be convinced to help find his family. At worst, a sinister group like the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3 that would need to be incapacitated. The best plan of action is to prepare for both.
The mechanized man turns to his teammates. A localized EMP could work, but he’s probably prepared for it. That suit can’t be cheap though; it might be time to lean on that billionaire playboy banter. “Now that I think about it, his name’s pretty on the nose, huh? I mean, a guy dresses up as a bat and that’s the best he can come up with?”
The green woman rolls her eyes. If her muscles are an accurate testament to her strength, she would pose a significant threat in combat. A dosage of Crane’s fear gas could disorient her long enough. “You’re Iron Man, and I’m She-Hulk. We don’t exactly have a leg to stand on here.”
“We can workshop names at another time.” That’s the star-spangled captain, who then turned to Bruce. He appears to be the only one without powers, but Bruce knows firsthand how easy it can be to underestimate him. Even then, an aerial foe with a shield would be difficult to reach. He’d need his fighting skills as sharp as ever to take him down. “Batman. If we’re going to help you out, we could really use your focus here.”
“My apologies,” Bruce replies. He puts on a charming expression, one he usually saves for his other black-suited affairs. “You all remind me of some friends back home.”
She-Hulk smiles warmly. “Don’t worry. We’re tangled with far worse. We’ll get you back home in no time.” A gentle giant, then. Perhaps it’s for the best. Appealing to empathy is much more preferable than a fight.
“You’re assuming he’s telling the truth,” the Atlantean scowls. If the sea-dwellers of this world also relied on water for their strength, the fear gas could knock out two birds here. And if conversation is the way, well, all royalty appreciate being deferred to. “We have no proof of his claims, nor can we rule out the possibility he could be planning an attack.”
“There are ways to rest our doubts, Namor.” The energy wielder. If she can absorb energy like Clark, subduing her would require more creativity. He really doesn’t want to go full Scarecrow on the building, but confronting a team this powerful leaves few options. The blonde alien then turns to their final member. “We do have a telepath on our team. Any readings, Sersi?”
The witch (possibly much more) has regained her composure following her brief startle, filing her nails. Of all the members, her powerset is the most troublesome. If they rely on sight as he suspects, a constant barrage of flash bombs can prevent her transmutations. But he would need to maintain that while combating the other five supers. It’s settled. An attempt at dialogue has to be his best play here.
“Well, that’s a little complicated. He has some kind of psi-blockers under that mask of his. We may have another pesky inventor on our hands.” A brief glance at Iron Man did not go unnoticed. “I tried to take a peek after transforming his cape, but he’s had mental training too. From what I could pick up, there was no malicious intent.”
“And what of the force that brought him here? Can we trust their intentions as well?” Namor grows more frustrated. “An unwitting pawn is still a pawn. One whose controller can bring us down if we let our guard slip.”
“I believe I could be of some help for that,” Batman finds a chance to try and pacify the Atlantean. “The metahuman who brought me here goes by the name of Axel Asher. He claims to have worked with the heroes of this world before.”
A holographic screen emerges from Iron Man’s arm, and he begins to scroll through several citizen registries. Victor’s technology comes to mind all too easily. How did transporting to another universe make him so nostalgic? Is it something in the oxygen here?
“Well, there is an Axel Asher in this universe. But he’s not on our database as an ally or any type of metahuman threat. Seems like a normal kid to me.”
“He stated some unknown force caused both our universes to forget him and his powers. He only recovered them moments ago.”
“This all seems a little too convenient for you, don’t you think?”
“Maybe we should hear him out some more, Captain Marvel-”
“Or perhaps she’s the only one taking this threat seriously.” Namor stalks up to their leader. Did the League argue this much when they started out? “To risk our lives or the world’s for a stranger’s tall tale is absurd. He should be in a holding cell by now.”
“We all know the dangers an incursion can bring. To hear him out is the least we can do. I refuse to imprison someone who came to us with open arms.” The man refuses to back down from the Atlantean’s gaze. “And while I value your insight, I would appreciate you not questioning my leadership in front of a guest.”
“Do not confuse my prudence for disrespect. When Steven wanted to pass on his mantle to you, I agreed with his judgment. And as great of a Captain America you are, the burden of leadership, especially with a group like the Avengers, brings threats that require more ruthlessness than those on the streets. Take it from a king.”
“When I first started the superhero life, I wasn’t royalty. I didn’t come from the military or a billion-dollar company or some cosmic powers.” This was directed at the rest of the group, most of whom begin to straighten in their seats. “I was a social worker. I helped those in need with an open hand, not a fist. And I won’t give that up now.”
Now, that is a man Bruce can respect. Someone who sticks to their values, especially when the pressure is on. Clark himself couldn’t have sounded more boy scouty (And that was a good thing. This time). The speech allows him to pause, and let out a sigh of relief for the first time since he’s arrived. Perhaps he really is in good hands.
“We understand, Cap.” Captain Marvel intercedes, straight to business. “Batman, it’s clear we have no concrete evidence of your claims. Would you be willing to let Sersi read your mind fully, to let us verify what you’ve told us?”
Batman freezes in hesitation. “I’m grateful for your hospitality, all of you. But I must admit, I share some doubts. You all seem well-intentioned, but I’ve run into sinister groups claiming to be heroes before. I’m afraid opening my mind to your sorceress is a risk I’m unwilling to take.”
Namor lets out a dark chuckle. “Perhaps there is a spot for you here if you can not return to your universe. Someone with your diligence could be useful here.”
“If we can’t confirm how you got here, maybe we can check the other part of your story.” Captain America turns to him. “You mentioned your family has been transported as well?”
“Yes, my children.” Bruce’s mood quickly sours with worry. He’s trained his family the best he can, but the sheer unpredictability of their arrival leaves too many variables unknown. Their safety is his full priority. “They should all have bat insignia on their chests, like mine, except for one of the girls. I can give you full descriptions for all of them.”
“And what guarantees that this isn’t a trap as well?”
“We don’t need to hunt them down ourselves, Captain Marvel. All of us have connections we can contact to corroborate his claims. If any of them have had similar encounters as us, hopefully, they’ll let us know.”
She-Hulk gets up and sighs. “The lawyer work never ends, I suppose. I’ll go through my lists and see if anyone’s seen anything. Some people might be more willing to share than others.”
“The denizens of the sea will reveal all. If one of your apprentices arrived in the ocean, then I will soon know.” Namor then flies out of the base, presumably to convene with the marine life.
Before the room empties out, Iron Man spares a glance at Bruce. “Someone should stay with Bats. Just in case he gets a little snoopy or world-destructy. You know how it is, I’m sure.”
Sersi smiles and leans back in her chair. “I’ll remain here. I’m afraid the rest of the Eternals haven’t seen anything yet. Gilgamesh says hello.”
“Tell him he still has a spot on the team if he wants it. You can never have too much muscle.”
With that, the inventor flies off, leaving Batman and Sersi alone. Normally, Bruce would be perfectly content with sitting in silence. He’s been held captive before. But with his captor staring at him in wide-eyed curiosity and fascination, rather than hatred, the silence feels different. More awkward. Besides, starting a conversation with this woman has several benefits. He could bring himself into good graces with these Avengers, and learn more about the seemingly most powerful member of the team.
“From your name and your powers, you appear to be just like the witch of Greek legend.”
“The one and the same!” Sersi then frowns in mock disappointment. “You don’t seem too happy about that.”
“The Circe of my universe was a dangerous foe. She nearly ended our world several times.”
“Well, I promise I won’t do anything drab like that. Where would all the fun go?”
Okay. Time to switch topics. “You mentioned being part of a group, the Eternals. Are they all sorcerers like you?”
The woman laughs brightly. “I’m afraid my powers aren’t really magic. None of us are magical at all, really. The Avengers have several magical allies, but we’re not one of them. The Eternals are a group of immortals, placed on Earth a million years ago to protect the human race.”
“Placed? As in, not of your own volition?”
“Indeed. We were created by Celestials, cosmic beings with power beyond your comprehension. The body of a Celestial is what we built this base out of, actually.”
“Hmm. You’re more forthcoming with your background than the rest of your team.”
“I have nothing to hide.”
“So you don’t share the idea I’m a sinister villain here to conquer this world?”
“Oh, darling. I’m sure you’re some kind of hotshot back in your universe. Maybe you are here to destroy us. But I’ve faced all kinds of powerful foes for millennia.” Something in Sersi’s eyes shifts, and a chill runs through Bruce’s body. “I could turn you into a statue with a single thought. You’ll need something pretty dazzling in that belt of yours to scare me.”
He swears his heart skips a beat, but Bruce manages to keep his composure. “It seems you have the power to do anything you want. Why keep this kind of company? You seem to be the only one of your kind with this group, the Avengers.”
“At the moment, yes. For the most part, the Eternals’ protection of humanity only involved fighting off Deviants, our malevolent counterparts. But with their recent pacification, we’re free to pursue a life beyond our duties.”
“Then why continue to fight for the human race?”
“Because I love them.” Her tone grows solemn for the first time since they began talking, and she looks downward in contemplation. “And when you love something, you have to fight for it.”
“And these Avengers, they’re the best place to do that?”
“I believe so. This world has other heroes. The mutants have their X-Men, but they fight out of necessity. The Fantastic Four are always a delight, but first and foremost they are scientists. Explorers. And while there are several others who unite on occasion, the Avengers were the first and most notorious.” Sersi shakes her head and laughs to herself, reminiscing. “I’ve seen them fight off forces far beyond their comprehension, standing up and standing together because they realized the strength of their combined power. How they could protect those who could not do so themselves. Maybe it reminded me of the Eternals, and how we once helped humankind. Whatever compelled me to them, it was enough to make me stay.”
This could all be a lie, of course. Bruce is fully aware of that. But an immortal woman so full of compassion and dedication to the human race is an all too painful reminder of Diana. Finding mirrors of his two closest companions in the League imparts him with the smallest sense of hope.
She turns back to Batman, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. “Well, I hope I’ve sold our good intentions to you. How about you, tall, dark and handsome? What’s your story?”
The flipped interrogation shakes Bruce awake. There’s that nostalgia again. What is happening? No matter their resemblances, putting his trust in these strangers could prevent him from keeping himself and his loved ones safe. Focus.
“With all due respect, I’d like to keep my cards to my chest.”
Sersi pouts. “Aw, after I poured my heart out to you? What a tease.” Oh, God. If Constantine was here, the two would probably never stop flirting. Or maybe they would to do…something else.
“I have no way of verifying what you’ve told me. As inspiring a story as it is, I have no guarantee it’s true.”
“Well, I can’t affirm anything you say if you won’t remove that device of yours. Or let down your mental defenses.” She tilts her head, a foxy grin across her face. “Think of it this way. Either we both tell each other some fascinating fairy tale, or we’ve both shared a piece of ourselves that can bridge a new bond. Or maybe of us is deceiving the other! The fun is in the mystery, my new friend.”
Batman contemplates this. He could pull out a long-winded narrative from the several tens - no, hundreds - he’s created. He doubts any two henchmen in Gotham have heard the same version. There was no real reason to risk revealing his identity, and any weaknesses with it, to Sersi. But as he thinks, an urge in the back of his mind pushes its way to the forefront. The truth will set you free. And as memories of his time in the League, and the fondness for his friends, begin to resurface, he decides to act against every well-trained instinct in his body. It was time to reveal the truth so few knew, and even fewer heard from Bruce himself.
“I was…a child. A little boy who had everything. Loving parents, wealth beyond comprehension, and a future full of opportunities. One night, we had gone to watch a movie, and I wanted to walk home. I was naive to the darkness of the world. So I lead my parents into an alley…and they were killed. Lost to a common criminal on the street. And now I act to ensure no one loses those they love to crime as I did.”
“A dark knight of vengeance.” The Eternal hums in interest. “I think I’m liking this origin story.”
“Not vengeance. Justice.”
“Hmm. A line mortals cross far too often, and far too easily.”
“I almost did. Growing up, I still had the money, the opportunity. I just couldn’t see my responsibilities. To myself and the world. Even when I finally decided to become a vigilante, to train with detectives and martial artists and scholars all over the globe, it was all for revenge. To hunt down the thief when all of the city’s police couldn’t, and deliver retribution with my own hands. But when I found him…”
Bruce’s voice begins to shake. He turns away and steels himself to continue the narrative when a soft touch causes him to look up. Unexpectedly, Sersi has taken his hand. A kind, but encouraging look in her eyes, urging him to continue.
“...he was a drunkard. Homeless. Murdering my parents had traumatized him. He had lost his job and the little income that provided. His wife divorced him, and the court denied visitation to his children. He couldn’t even remember why he robbed my parents that night. For food? Rent?” Bruce chuckles ruefully. “Whatever my father’s wallet and my mother’s pearls earned him, it wasn’t enough to last. When I told him who I was, he couldn’t stop apologizing. He begged me to kill him.”
“At that moment, I realized I squandered everything my parents had given me. Their wealth, their love, and the lessons they taught me. To leave this world a better place than I found it.
Vengeance was the easy choice. To kill this man, to take my pain and inflict it on others. But I held onto the willpower of every fiber of my being and sent him to jail. To face true justice.”
“From then on, I dedicated myself to saving the citizens of Gotham from the clutches of crime. At night, I use my martial prowess and deduction skills to protect the innocent from criminals as Batman. And in the day, I use my wealth and knowledge to create resources and opportunities away from crime -” Batman hesitates for a split second, then pulls down his cowl. “- as Bruce Wayne.”
Sersi’s eyes widen. This leap of faith could get him harmed, and Bruce steels himself for a psychic probe. If he could fight off J’onn’s brother, surely he can resist her powers until her companions return. But as he waits, he realizes he feels nothing. She’s choosing not to read his mind.
“You-”
“Believe your story? I do. It could be a lie, yes. And I could try to wrestle the truth from your brain, though it’d be hard. But I want to respect the immense trust you’ve placed in me. Besides, we both know my experience with humans. I can see how sincere you are. Though if you’re simply that good of an actor, I’d encourage you to ditch the capes for the cameras.” Her gentle smile returns, and she squeezes his hand once more before letting go. “Thank you, Bruce. Truly.”
“Revealing my identity was a great risk. I’m not sure why I decided to tell you, honestly.”
“Well, if it makes you feel better, I can assure you there is no Bruce Wayne in this universe. Or a Gotham. I’ve never heard of a city by that name before.” She laughs at the brief confusion that covers his face. “Before I joined the Avengers, I established myself as a socialite in New York. I threw parties that would make Dionysus himself green with envy. Anyone who was anyone would come. I would certainly remember your face. Or at least hear a mention of your name.”
“Then perhaps Axel was right. If Gotham itself doesn’t exist, this universe lies outside our own concept of the multiverse. I wonder how dimensional travel is even possible between the two. Could it be magic?” Bruce can’t help himself from muttering like he’s back in the cave.
“Interdimensional travel sounds outside the job description for a city crimefighter.” Sersi raises an eyebrow.
“As my notoriety grew, so did my duties. I was eventually called upon by other heroes to become part of a team, to respond to threats we couldn’t defeat alone.”
“So we do remind you of your friends.”
“There are similarities; I can’t deny that,” Batman sighs. “Ever since I arrived in this world, I’ve become uncharacteristically nostalgic.”
Sersi narrows her eyes in thought. “You say the metahuman that brought you here had newly regained his powers, that they were beyond your control. Could something be orchestrating this entire thing? Restoring these superpowers, bringing you and your family to this universe, manipulating your emotions to force you to confront your life’s journey up until now?”
Bruce doesn’t know what to say. “It…It’s possible. I-”
Before he can try to dive deeper into her theory, the rest of the Avengers begin filing back into the room. Namor lands at the front of the group, the wings on his feet fluttering to a stop.
“The creatures of the seas have seen nothing. If your apprentices truly have arrived on this planet, they haven’t landed in the waters.”
Captain Marvel frowns with sympathy. “The Guardians haven’t heard anything. Neither have the Inhumans. So there’s a pretty low chance any of them were dropped off in outer space.”
Iron Man steps forward. “S.H.I.E.L.D. says they couldn’t confirm or deny any sightings. I tried to get them to budge, but no dice.”
“Which means they’re hiding something,” Captain America finishes his train of thought. “It’s likely they’ve gained a hold of at least one of your disciples. If need be, we can send in a recon squad, or reach out to members who have a closer relationship with them. But without solid proof or S.H.I.E.L.D.’s cooperation, it’s a shot in the dark.”
The prospects were getting grim. Bruce tries to prevent his mind from wandering, but imagining his children being deposited in some deep cavern or held captive by a government agency made him nervous. Desperately, he turns to their last member.
She-Hulk tosses her hair and puts on a bright smile. “Looks like I get to give the good news. The Fantastic Four have encountered someone in a similar predicament to you. A young man dropped in the middle of New York City claiming to be from another universe. He called himself Nightwing.”
“Dick.” Bruce gasps in relief. His son was safe. That was enough for him to work with. The two of them have taken on the world before, they could do it again here. “He’s my eldest son. Please, if I could see him-”
“Unfortunately, we can’t.” Iron Man puts a hand up to stop Batman before he can protest. “Look, our understanding of incursions is still very limited. For all we know, contact between members of your Earth could send it on a collision course with ours. Until we know more about how you got here and the ramifications of your presence, it’s better to keep you all apart for now.”
“It’s also a necessary precautionary measure for public safety,” Captain Marvel chimes in. “There could be diseases you’ve built up immunity to in your world that could run rampant in ours. Running some tests will ensure we prevent that.”
“I understand. Then, could I at least call him? Just to hear he’s alright, please.”
“I would like to remind you that you have no concrete evidence this is not some ploy to take dominion over our world,” the sea king scowls and stalks over to Batman. “Any type of contact between you and your group is a chance to enact the next step of whatever plan you have. You can spin whatever sympathetic story you like, but our trust in you has yet to be earned.”
Batman can feel himself bristle up for a fight. “Perhaps I should say the same. I only tolerate smug royalty in my world because I’ve worked beside them. All I’ve seen from you is that you can fly and talk to fish.”
Namor raises his trident. “I would be perfectly willing to give a demonstration of just how much I can do, you mortal cur.”
Before any action can begin, the trident suddenly blooms to life, lilies and roses coating the weapon with color. Everyone’s attention is pulled to Sersi, grinning widely as she rises from her chair.
“Enough posturing, please. It’s never attractive.” She puts an arm around Bruce’s shoulders. “I would like to vouch for our new guest. We had a wonderful heart-to-heart while you all were gone, and I find him to be a man of great character.”
“Your affinity for humans makes you a poor judge of character, Sersi. The way you dote on them and their whims, they may as well be pets to you.”
“Oh? Shall we ask Susan Storm what you think of mortals and their whims?”
An argument begins to arise, but Batman is carried away by the two more sympathetic members of the Avengers. The green giantess and winged captain take him to another room. Bruce expects to be placed in a cell but instead finds a small kitchenette. The room holds its own stove and a fridge, where She-Hulk fishes out a bottle of water.
“Sorry about all that. New lineup, new arguments, you know how it is.” She hands it to Bruce and sits on the couch beside him. “Batman, I promise you that your son is in good hands. He has three of the smartest people on the planet studying him. If the people from your universe bring any danger here, they’ll find a solution for it. Better yet, they have the most experience with the multiverse out of any of us. Maybe they’ll find out how you got here.”
“If you’re a hero like us, then you know the hardest thing to do is sit still and do nothing,” Captain America sits on the other side of Bruce. “So though I’m sure you’re itching to go out there and find your family, we’re asking you to put some trust in us. Believe that we’re doing everything we can, and that the best way to protect your world and ours is to stay put.”
Batman nods solemnly. “I can do that. Thank you for your help, all of you.”
But as he opens the bottle and begins to drink, Bruce can’t help but notice something dark gnawing at his stomach. Opening up to Sersi had re-opened some old wounds, left him vulnerable. Slowly, Bruce comes to the bitter realization that he’s in the same place he was all those years ago, on the night of his parents’ murder. He’s lost his family and been thrust into a strange new world with responsibilities he never planned on taking. And the only thing he can do is sit and think.