(Bruce POV)
Meeting Hal was a strange thing. During my brief time as Batman, I encountered a wide range of criminals and became aware of the emergence of 'heroes' all over the world. I was naturally aware of Green Lantern before he appeared in my city. I had started to create profiles long ago, but when he came to my city, I understood he potential threat they could prove to be. It was surreal. I had been working day and night, chasing after both the Joker and Riddler, stopping criminals on both sides and minimising the deaths of innocents as much as possible. And then, he arrives.
I realised that something was wrong when more and more green police and SWAT cars appeared, carrying policemen and saving people all over Gotham. I tried to fight them, but no matter what I did, they didn't react at all and only stood before me and the people, carrying them and subduing criminals. So, I stopped fighting and observed them."
"I remember that day. No one seemed to realise what was happening at first." Cat says.
"In the span of a few hours at most, he repaired buildings, saved civilians, fought both Deathstroke and Deadshot and flooded the city with his constructs, who acted like real policemen. I should have been relieved, but I was concerned. An individual with such power in his hands ... on his finger. And not only that, he 'revived' victims of both Deadshot and Deathstroke to defeat them. When he saw me, he raised his hands as if he was surrendering and told me that he didn't mean any harm and was just there to help."
"Truly? He explained himself to you?"
"He did. He told me that he was searching for volatile promethium at first, but when he saw what was going on, he decided to help. He seemed to be embarrassed and showed me honest emotions."
"I thought he wears a helmet. How could you see that? Did you read his body language?"
"I did. But he lowered his helmet and showed me his face, shielding us in a dome he created for us to talk. There was a door, which I could have used to leave. In everything he did, he did not appear threatening and was as open as possible towards me. I found that strange, of course. I tried asking some questions, and he answered all of them. I checked later on, when everything was over, and it turned out to be true. I realised later that he was aware of my personality in advance and simply wanted to expedite things. He didn't care that I knew about it. He was just there to help. However, I was foolish back then. My distrust towards him and the power he wielded made me tell him to leave Gotham. He didn't. At least, not really. He simply flew into the sky and disappeared from my view.
After that day, after Deadshot and Deathstroke and after telling Green Lantern to leave, I realised that the only way to stop the war was for one side to win it. I arranged a dinner between them at the same time to judge them. To see them up close. To see which was worse, and after, I knew which would get the real help he needed to defeat the other. I knew which man I'd go to as Batman, which man I'd fight for. Which side I'd join."
"Riddler."
"Yes, I 'joined' the Riddler. We had a man on the inside, Kite Man. But it wasn't working the way we wanted. Or at least, that's what I thought back then. As I worked to take down more and more of Joker's men, so did someone else, but with Riddler's. Green Lantern was having none of it. He didn't leave and instead started his own little 'war effort' or 'rescue effort' if you will. He used the power of his Ring and used his policeman and SWAT teams constructs to flood the city once again. But this time, it was more precise and strategic than before. Instead of just 'flooding' the city, he saw Gotham as a board where he placed his constructs to occupy certain areas and offer the most protection while not fully hindering my efforts. He was far too informed on our moves."
"But it worked. Didn't it? Hal usually approaches things levelheaded and doesn't put others at risk.
"You're right. It did work. The Riddler didn't think that it was me who was doing it since I wouldn't have worked against myself that way. It caused the war to take longer. And the Riddler knew that I wouldn't make this any longer than necessary. But there was something else that was changing. Ever so slightly, the darkness that seemed to affect Gotham ... it was like it was being pushed back somewhat. The people looked different, more ... hopeful. Eventually, Kite Man had given us Joker's final sanctuary. The Tower was where it started. I think you remember that, don't you, Cat?"
"Of course I do. I climbed up the tower and saw the Joker on the ... seventy-third floor, as you said, stabbing someone. And when he saw me, he just shot through he glass."
"I'm sorry I put you in that position."
"Bat, how many times have I told you? Never apologise for a position you put me in."
"Nygma knew me. He wouldn't let me near the Joker without being near the Joker as well, and he didn't want to go inside with me alone. We had to bring his army to watch the Joker and me. He told me that should I disagree, he would burn the city. Thankfully, I was prepared for what he suggested next. Kite Man provided us with kites to fly through the window on the Joker's floor."
.
.
(3rd Person POV)
*KKKRASSH*
Riddler's villains crash through the window.
"Knock Knock." The Riddler asks.
"Who's there?" Joker answers.
"Cows go."
"Cows go who?"
"No you-- what was it? ... You twit. Cows go moo. What? Isn't that funny? Shouldn't you be laughing?"
"AAAAH!"
The Joker attacks the Riddler, but he simply places him in a handhold, subduing him easily.
"I'm so sorry, probably told it wrong. You see, jokes just aren't my thing."
"AAAARGH!"
*POW*
"How about a riddle instead? You're running a race, and you pass the person in second place. What place are you in now?"
*BANG*
"Well, you didn't pass the person in first place, so you're in second! You're in second place!"
*BOOM*
"You're always in second place!"
Batman grabs Nygma's shoulder and stops him from further harming the Joker.
"Enough. It's over."
"Yes, you're quite right. It certainly is ... over. Right, friends?"
The villains turn towards Batman and point their weapons at him. Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, Clayface, and Two-Face, to name a few.
"Little Tommy is dead. A metal bar is on his back; There's a bit of food on his lips. What happened? Little Tommy is nothing but a little mouse. Caught in a trap."
"Hm."
Batman doesn't react to this. He naturally knew this would happen; he counted on it. He turns to Kite Man.
"Kite Man."
Kite Man had given the criminals their packs. Made minor adjustments to Firefly's armour to compensate for the wind. Jet-propelled inverse parachutes. Chuck Brown's own invention.
*SWKRSSSHHH*
The villains are all pulled back and shoot through the window. But instead of falling to the ground and having their descent slowed down, the new invention quickens their ascent. Batman didn't worry about them. He wanted to have Alfred wait in the Bat-Blimp, waiting just high enough that they would all be passed out when he gathered them, but that wouldn't be necessary. There was someone else who was waiting in the sky for them. Hal had observed all of it through his drones and smiled as he saw what went down.
"Kite Man?" The Riddler looks at the man in question.
"Plans within plans," Batman says.
"You took my boy. So I took your war." Kite Man says to the Riddler. The Riddler had killed his son, and this was Kite Man's revenge. The Riddler punches Kite Man, knocking him out and leaving the three of them on their own. The Joker was getting back on his feet.
"My wife asked me what I was doing today. I said, 'nothing'. She said, 'You did that yesterday.' I said, 'I wasn't finished.'"
In the sky, Hal is waiting for the rising criminals. He was well aware of Batman's plan, but he didn't know a rather shocking, important detail.
"Welcome, everyone. This is Green Lantern speaking. I have good news and bad news. The good news is you'll be landing immediately. The bad news ... you're crash-landing."
A large green scissor appears and cuts their kites, causing all of them to fall down.
""" AAAAAAAHHHHH!!! """
They were screaming in fear and shock. Nothing that had happened in the last few minutes was under their control, and they were not used to being manhandled this way. Usually, it was Batman who instilled fear into them. But here was someone they hadn't ever heard about before a few weeks ago who was about to kill them. For all they knew, at least. Green Lantern dives in a relaxed position, keeping up with their speeds.
"When it comes to air travel. I know you had no choice whatsoever. But thanks again for choosing Air Kite Man."
Everyone was still screaming, and some of them, the weaker ones, had already fallen unconscious.
"You know, you're looking somewhat troubled. Isn't the air becoming you?"
""" AAAAAAAHHHHH!!! """
"Would you like me to help you?"
""" AAAAAAAHHHHH!!! """
"Is that a yes?"
...
*BOOOOOOOOOOM*
.
.
- Some time in the future -
(Bruce POV)
"What happened when we were alone, when it was just us, no one but the insane know that fully. But I have to tell you. You have to know, Cat. Because, then, you'll know me. Who I am. And then you can decide. If I'm worth your live, your love. If you can forgive me. If you can marry me."
"..."
Cat looks at me with a smile and encourages me to say what I want to.
"We fought. They attacked me, trying to fulfill their long with, to get rid of me and enjoy their schemes and cruelty however they wish. Riddler attacked me, and I punched him down. Then the Joker was on me, and I did the same. They used chairs and lamps and tried to kill me, tried to hurt me as much as they could. I retaliated and knocked the Joker down first. Then, I focused on Nygma.
I punched him ... over and over ... and over again. He started to grunt in pain and ... fear. And then he spoke. 'Mercy ... please ... Mercy!' He repeated that over and over again. I was angry, so angry.
.
(Flashback)
"Mercy."
"Yes. I lose. You win. Fine. Marvelous. Now tell me ... I can't see ... over your thighs ... is he laughing?"
"What?"
"The Joker, you twit. He should be laughing! Is he laughing?!'"
Riddler asked Batman whether the Joker was laughing.
"I don't know. What do you think?"
"No! NO! Why ... it ... it should've been enough. Wage a war. Take you ... the city, the bat - all to the brink. Only to lose because of ... what? KITE MAN?! I'm humiliated, defeated, beaten. In front of you. Because of Kite Man, do you know how much work it took to create a foil named Kite Man?! To set him up as the informant. To kill his kid. To convince Batman to leave him for last. Knowing you'd come here, knowing Kite Man could lead everyone here. Me, defeated by Kite Man, begging mercy from Batman? That's funny! You should be laughing!"
"Knock Knock."
"Enough." Batman interrupts.
"This isn't about you, you idiot! How did you ever- not every story is your story! Do you really think it bothers me that you're alive? I could kill you. Easily. I could kill everyone you love. If I wanted, you'd all be in a ditch tomorrow. I keep you alive for the reason we all keep you alive. You're the first riddle you hear when you're a child. That you return to as an adult, though you know the answer. You're not a challenge. But you're fun."
"Hrm."
"But you, the man who laughs at anything ... but who now can't laugh at anything."
"Who's there?" the Joker asks.
"That is an ... opportunity."
"Incompetent interrupting cow." Joker continues.
"That's a riddle I want to solve that I did solve. By making this war. By losing this war. And you ... you should be laughing!"
That was what the Riddler had planned. He had manipulated everything to solve one riddle: How to make the Joker laugh again. Kite Man's son, Charlie. Riddler had killed him, poisoned him just to tell a joke. Charlie asked his father if he said that word, the bad word, would he go to the bad place? His father told him no. But Charlie didn't hear that; he had already died at that point.
Batman grabs the knife lying on the table and turns towards the Riddler.
"Wait -- what are you - No. NO!"
"Hell yeah."
(Flashback end)
.
"It wasn't an accident. I didn't think I'd fail. I wasn't out of control or insane. I knew who I was. I knew what I was doing. I understood the choice I'd made. I thrust the knife out, to KILL the Riddler."
"..."
"... but someone stopped me."
"Hal?"
"Yes. He appeared in front of me and stopped the knife from piercing the Riddler, taking the knife instead. The Joker... well, he thought it was funny. That was something he thought was funny, and he started to laugh, just as he used to, as hard as ever before. So, what separates me from them? I have lines, right? I have limits. They can't control themselves. I can. I'm good. They're bad. They kill. I don't. That's what everyone thinks. But it's not true.
What separates me from them ... is a body in front of a knife, Hal's body. And now you know. I'm not noble. I'm not some knight in the dark. I am what they made me."
"Bat."
"Cat, I ... I love you. I have to love you. But that doesn't mean ... It isn't ... I'm ... You don't have to love me."
Selina stands up and looks out the window.
"So you want to tell me that you were tempted to kill the cruel, sadistic man that is the Riddler? I say, who cares? You are what they made you. Fine. I am whatever the horrors of my life made me. Fine.All our sis, our earned tragedies, all of it. All that damn pain. It's all here with us. It is us. And I'm sure it's all meaningful or hilarious or deep or something. We could spend our whole lives mired in the complexities. But really compared to us- compare to you and me - what we have, or could have... all that pain we have ... honestly. Who cares?"
"Selina."
"Bruce, say it again. But this time, you poor boy, don't demand. Please. Just ask me."
"Will you marry me?"
"Yes."
Suddenly, there is a bright light outside. We walked out and saw a lot of fireworks. All of them are in cyan. Then, one of the fireworks explodes and writes 'Congratulations.'
"He can't help himself."
"He really can't."
"How did he know?"
"... I don't know at this point. He probably just hoped it would happen."
___________________________________________________
This talk between Bruce and Selina takes place in the future.