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Clash of Realms	By : RaphaelTMNT Category: -Misc Anime > Crossovers Views: 3294 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Justice League, Rosario Vampire or Dark Stalkers nor the characters from either of the three series. I do not make money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 24
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- 26
Clash of Realms
CHP25: Three Phases of Control

She was bored. She was lonely. She was thirsty. And she needed a distraction. The great thing was that she knew exactly what distraction she needed. Energy intimacy and physical pleasure. She walked down the grim, narrow alley inhaling the vile scents of stale alcohol, human urine and trash. To put it simply, she wasn't in the upper class section of Germany. The blue lights from the scuzzy bars and clubs were flashing, the feel of human souls reverberating from her perspective and it caused her throat to burn and her mouth water, the tensing of her muscles preparing to spring, to massacre the entire crowd of humans, to give into her monstrous, animalistic impulses. One thought stopped her, the instinct for self- upholding, not desire to stay alive, purely the instinct. It wasn't long ago that she'd been imprisoned, but broken free from a prison escort. Against the wishes of her newest employer she found herself in man's world and didn't care. She was a parasite; a creature that depended on the soul energy of others to live. Except she was worse, evil, sadistic and a succubus. She took advantage of innocent men, not just human but other monsters and consumed their life force while in the process of pleasure. None of them ever realized happened until it was too late, she was a expert. She came off as compassionate, but it was all a lie and she used that to make her way in. She was a selfish creature who had needs, both human and inhuman, ensuring she was satisfied. That was her existence, instant gratification, aside from having a good time.
She was pulled out of her internal lecture by the thoughts of appreciation toward her attire. She wasn't exactly elegantly dressed but as a fellow succubi friend said, 'the predator must trap its prey'. She wore an outfit with a leather miniskirt, low-cut gray vest and purple stiletto heels, the color that emphasized her legs and to be frank she more or less had the appearance of a hooker, but whatever she needed to do to attract the boys. She pushed the stiff door open with ease and strolled through the hordes of people. She made physical contact with some and peeking into their thoughts and minds. The men were either disturbingly gaudy or disjointed and most of the females where avid with jealously for her beauty. She personally loved it all, especially the attention. She couldn't help but wonder at similarity between each human mind, some so narrow, longing like her to fulfil urges, or obtain the latest material item. She judged humans and monsters but really had no right too, all of them, even the mass murderers and rapists were better than she, by far. Over four centuries she lost count of the numbers of deaths from her feeding. Once she'd finally reached the bar, the woman ordered a drink, and appeared lonely to ensure her victim a way in. She looked toward the crowds, scanning with no real interest, just desire, for her next meal. That same urge for something different was also in her head, like an incessantly chattering parrot, never ceasing. She set her glass down before while still scanning and her silver eyes connected with a startlingly bright pair of brown ones.
Her next victim, she thought while licking at her lips. Her interim lover for the night. They stared at one another and he was shockingly attractive, or maybe it's just that it'd been so long since she enjoyed the pleasures of intercourse or fed. She'd been imprisoned for longer than she could remember.
"Hey," he approached.
"Hi," she responded, lifting one leg over the other. "Name's Eleonora Moretti, would you like to have a drink?"
"Sure, hope it isn't a bother. Some ladies like their peace and quiet and space."
She resituated somewhat as he took a seat over the stool next to her. She had long brown hair and silver colored eyes and her skin somewhat pale.
"Not a problem at all and does handsome have a name?" Eleonora asked.
"Ryan," he replied. "Drinks are on me."
XXX
The ride to the emperor's estate was a quiet one as he sat in the back of a motored carriage with his hands overlapped and eyes closed. Others of his colleagues were likely already there or just as himself on their way. He wasn't alone in the wagon as his daughter was beside him with her head over his leg and fast asleep. It had been an extended ride and she must have dozed off at least halfway through. Bruce smiled down over her as he rubbed at her side and Sasha's body shuddering, but she remained slumbering. There was no one more anxious to get this over with than himself and no matter what the harbinger threw at him he would see his way through.
It seemed the trip lasted nearly half an hour more before the engine stopped and the vehicle jerking forward somewhat. Sasha's body almost flew forward but Bruce held her in place with a single hand and he was overly surprised that she didn't wake from this, but recalled she was opposite of himself. At just the slightest sound or move he was awake in the flicker an eye, but that was due to how he trained himself. The left door to the vehicle was pulled open and two yokai standing in suits.
"We're here," one informed. "Get out."
His gaze fell over Sasha who he shook awake and the child yawning as her eyes fluttered and opened as she yawned looking up at her father.
"Are we there yet?"
"We are," Bruce smirked and running a finger through her hair.
The vampire sat up over the seat and stretched with another yawn. Bruce was the first out and Sasha hopping out after him and skipping along out in front of her father. Her tiredness seemed to disappear all in that one second. He looked passed her and up over the massive estate which was comparable in size to the Bloodriver castle if not more so. Sasha was fast approaching the gates but slowed up as she realized her father was standing still.
"Come daddy, let's go!" the energetic vampire hollered.
With a smile over his face Bruce picked up the pace and sided with his daughter at the gates as they were escorted through by two guards and met by another few as they passed through. Eyes of onlookers peered over the two, deducing they were foreign to the area and some speculating what sort of business either had with the emperor as they were being guided by his pupils. Bruce looked all around and especially taking in every detail of the surrounding capital which was very different in structure and style to that of Hiklorhan, but equally as remarkable and quite the sight. He marveled at the view as they walked and Sasha skipping along ahead as her arms dangled from side to side.
She had little clue to the purpose of their relocation and didn't care to ask, but she did however recognize this place. It was the very estate of her grandfather, located at the center of the entire yokai realm. Sasha visited this place at least once or twice during the period before she ran away. The servants and guards had been so kind and loving, just as those under the Bloodriver castle. There were no complaints she had and Bruce smiled down over her as she moved so graciously and seemingly without a care in the world. Eyes of surrounding monster inhabitants remained over them but only for so long before they continued down the dirt road and in a matter of minutes standing in front of the emperor's estate. It was very much like some of the taller buildings in Gotham, tearing right through the skies.
The double doors seemed to be at least twenty feet in height slowly opened and the guards entering first as Bruce and Sasha followed. Her steps became slower as the child fell back slightly and taking hold of her father's hand.
"You scared, daddy?"
"Scared," Bruce chuckled. "Why would I feel that way?"
"Because momma said you will be tested, what'll happen if you don't pass? Moka-nee said they might lock you in a cage, like animal. Me don't want you jailed," Sasha groaned.
Bruce chuckled at this and with a shake of his head.
"No one is going to get locked up, I'll be fine. You'll see."
"Okay."
They were guided floors up and into a living-room like space which Sasha separated from Bruce and took off running across the room where she leaped up into the waiting arms of her mother. With his eyes surveying the entire room Bruce inspected each individual, which included Clark, Diana, Starfire, Cyborg, Zatanna, Wonder Girl, Arthur Curry, Richard Grayson and someone he didn't expect to see.
"Tim..." Bruce whispered.
Both Tim Drake and Grayson approached him, wishing him good luck on the upcoming test. Just as himself and everyone else in the room, no one knew the full details of what he'd be put through. Aside from his teammates from man's world, Tsukune, Ruby, Yukari, Selene and Moka were also in the room. Most were already conversing amongst each other, but Clark, Diana, Akasha and Tsukune separated from the bunch and over to where Bruce stood.
"You about ready for this?" Tsukune asked, feeling nervous for him. "I've been through this myself."
"Much as I will probably ever be," Bruce responded with a grin.
Tim rested a hand over Bruce's left shoulder and breathed out.
"Thankfully I could be here for this. I've been so engaged lately that we haven't had very many opportunities to talk or work together at doing what we do best but that's going to change. Tried reaching out to Barbra but got nothing. She did however wish you luck and is in your corner like the rest of us."
"That means a lot, I won't disappoint," Bruce was with a nod of his head.
The conversations were short from then as the entrance door opened and a woman appeared before them and standing at 5'7 with pale skin, dark green eyes, light blue hair which was tied loosely with a bow of purple silk. She wore a shimmering breastplate made of both bronze and silver with high knee boots.
"It is time," Eris looked all throughout the room eying everyone. "Follow me."
Grayson felt unease for his surrogate father though he wasn't taking the test himself, while Bruce was calm and focused. There were no questions as the entire room followed the Valkyrie down the hall. They made a few turns along the way and Zatanna intensely looking to some of the arranged displays, antiques and paintings hanging from the walls. This walk seemed to last forever for some and Clark occasionally looking to Bruce from the corner of his eye and discerned the focus and determination in his face and with this he had no doubts or worries as to the outcome.
"We're here," Eris only partially looked back at everyone.
She was with a knock at the doors which slowly unlocked as she stepped back. The quarter was spacious and very much built like a dojo and in the middle of the room and awaiting them was an individual at 6'0, averagely built with dark blue eyes and waist long, platinum blonde hair tied in a low tail with two lengthy strands making their way down both sides of his chest. He was dressed in dark brown robe, but didn't smile nor say anything even as Akasha waved at him. His expression was one of focus and intensity, so much in fact that it caused some to shudder. There was another beside Apollo, but its face covered, dressed in black and carrying a scythe.
"Who the hell is that, the grim reaper?" Grayson chortled.
"Close," Akasha moved in just passed him. "A soul reaper, I know one when I see them and I expected one would be summoned for this day."
Yukari bit over her tongue and swallowed back.
"What's a soul reaper doing here... hopefully not to collect someone's life force," the witch trembled.
Moka couldn't help but laugh at her expression and the way her legs shook. But just as her mother she'd seen Apollo put Tsukune through this exact test and so had an idea about what was to come. Everyone moved further into the room and stopping short of the emperor.
"Father," Akasha bowed her head, as everyone else followed her lead except one.
Distinguishing this from the corner of her eye, the Dark Lord bit down over her tongue and shooting him a glare.
"What're you doing?!" she unintentionally growled.
Eris felt exactly as Akasha, not entertained by his antics but also not surprised.
"Unnecessary," Apollo stepped in to defuse the situation. "Mister Wayne is here to prove himself stable, not to praise or show loyalty to myself. What do you say we get this over with, boy?"
The harbinger looked at him directly and Bruce with a nod.
"Good," he turned his back to them as he rubbed his hands together. "Then stage one shall commence."
"Stage one?" Diana walked forward.
"Yes," Apollo responded, but with his back still to everyone. "Mister Wayne will go through three stages and must pass two out of the three. He does that... and he's free to go. I deliberated holding the entire test inside the arena, but inside this room will do just fine."
Half the group was with their eyes over Apollo and the other half staring at Bruce. Sighing aloud, Apollo returned his gaze to the subject of interest.
"Then we shall delay no further, there is a room just ahead where your first test awaits you."
Clark, Diana and Grayson all attempted to speak simultaneously but were waved off by Bruce who sided with Apollo and the two of moved across the room and everyone a couple steps behind. There was a door in a far corner of the room which Bruce entered through on Apollo's order. There was a one-way glass window that enabled the emperor and everyone else to see through, but only from that end. The room was empty and lighted from various sections of the ceiling.
"What's happening?" Cyborg asked as he peeked in through the glass window. "What will he be up against?"
"Sssshhh," Apollo silenced him as he too looked into the room that was mostly empty. "Observe."
"Observe what?!" Grayson marched forward and in front of the window. "You're setting him up to fail! You sent him in without giving even the slightest idea of what to expect!"
"Silence!" Eris glowered over Dick. "You all seem to have so much faith in Wayne and we shall see if you were right."
Dick didn't know what to make of this statement and nor did he want to argue and so he instead kept his mouth shut and watched. Inside the room Bruce was with his eyes closed and no one watched more closely than Apollo. Seconds later small platforms rose from the ground and the test officially beginning. Darts, arrows and numerous other projectiles were fired from those setups and Bruce quickly on the move as he moved around eluding the projectiles coming his way.
The entire space was dead silent and watching what went on the other side of the glass as Bruce wasn't tagged once by a single of the projectiles and even catching some. Eris was with her mouth halfway open in surprise and Apollo standing with his arms crossed. It looked easy for him, almost as if it were practice and he'd been through this routine before, but that couldn't be. Though she showed no reaction on the outside, Selene was silently jumping up and cheering. His training with her really paid off and it was showing. Akasha was also puzzled by the performance, as he was doing so well when exposed to such training exercise for the first time
As time passed things became more difficult as the density inside the room intensified and Bruce having to raise his yokai to adjust. Lasers and other projectiles fired off at him from the ceiling, floor and even different sections of the walls. No matter which direction he looked something was coming directly at him, but he avoided it all doing so with, patience, precision and speed. This went on for minutes before a loud buzzing sound and the door popping open which indicated the conclusion of the test and Bruce stepping out to everyone applauding him. Apollo was silent and staring Bruce down, before eying Akasha and then others of the league. Who was it; he thought. Which of them was responsible for this display of proficiency. He couldn't have reached such levels on his own, that much Apollo was certain of. He waited patiently for everyone to quiet down and Sasha jumping up with her legs and arms wrapped around Bruce.
"You were so cool daddy!"
She lowered herself just as quickly and Apollo approaching as Bruce looked to him.
"Well done Mister Wayne, you've passed phase one. Let us move onto the next step, shall we?"
"After you," Bruce replied.
Apollo led them to the middle of the dojo where the reaper hovered off the ground and instructing everyone that wasn't the testing subject to move back.
"I leave the rest to you, friend," Apollo nodded his head as he looked to the soul reaper and stepping back himself.
The reaper waved its free arm out in a circular motion and a massive cloud appeared in front of them, occupying more than 1/5 of the room.
"Follow me into the void, brave one," the reaper offered its hand to Bruce which was much liked the atmosphere in front of them.
"What is this?" Bruce looked back and to Apollo. "What'll happen when I pass through?"
Apollo was unmoving in both expression and stance.
"Enter, boy and you shall see."
That didn't ease him in the least, but he was certain Apollo wouldn't do anything to endanger him, especially with a majority of JLA members in attendance. Bruce took a deep breath as he followed the reaper into the cloud of nothingness and that's when he lost consciousness and seemingly blacked out. Tim stood close by the Dark Lord and tapped at her shoulder while she looked back.
"Any idea what this is about?"
The pink haired vampire took a deep breath as not only Tim listened in, but Clark, Diana, Grayson and a few others.
"It's called the void of pain. I've been through it, father and so many others throughout the history of our realm. The person is subconsciously taken through past memories of their greatest failures, heartache, fears and relieving it without realizing it is simply a dream of sorts. Essentially he'll go through this as if he's reliving these moments as they were happening and it'll feel so real."
Zatanna bit over her tongue as she too heard.
"As you can see the cloud surrounding the room is much like what you see in the skies, a bright milky white. Pay close attention as it will eventually turn gray swamped by electric current. This will indicate fright, torture, anger and rage as he passes through these events and to his worst pain of all which will come last. The reaper will then take control of and feed into the anger and waiver Bruce to give into his darkness. No one has ever resisted this, all of us have darkness and regrets. This phase of the test is not meant to be passed."
"Not meant to be passed!" Grayson shot as he stepped forward. "If that's the case, then why the hell is your father putting him through it?!"
"Watch your tone!" Eris shot over at him.
Dick only halfway got his mouth open to retort but kept quiet as he remembered exactly where he was.
"Father wishes only to see how Bruce reacts when it's done and he snaps back into reality, overwhelmed with emotion and realizing he committed a terrible deed. This reaction will determine if he passes or not, overcoming our inner demons is virtually impossible. I still remember the days after my time in the void of pain and how small and useless I felt, but in the long run it made me stronger just as it will do him," Akasha added.
"How will we know when it's over?" Diana inquired.
"The clouds will turn red when the terrible act is committed, when Bruce crosses the line. But it isn't really him, the void plays with your mind and forces you to do the unthinkable. Now let us watch in silence and you shall see."
Everyone did exactly that and with their eyes over the cloud like atmosphere.
XXX
Gunshots bounced off the chemical tanks and ricocheted dangerously around the room, pipes broken, scalding steam whistling up through the atmosphere, and all the while the gang continued to run along the catwalks, peering behind them as they shot. A dark figure dressed like a bat jumped beyond their view, only being seen in glimpses from their perspectives, and it seemed like it could disappear and reappear at will. A demon controlling the shadows. He was there to collect them all and there was nowhere they could run or hide. The Red Hood was on GCPD's most wanted, his heists pulled off without a much left behind. It was sloppier than he had come to expect and perhaps it was because of his recent success. It was all so easy and so a little bit of cockiness wasn't farfetched. The figure in the shadows scanned the area to find the dark, rounded shape of the hood that was all that designated the leader, and found him standing at the edge of a catwalk. During the chase he had gotten separated from the group somehow. He didn't even run, just stood and watched, hands clenched tightly around the rail. The bat in the shadows changed direction suddenly, grappling to the next walkway and landing with silent feet. The man started, as though sensing his presence, and turned toward him. For a moment they stared, mask to mask. The vigilante bat was already stepping forward with his eyes over the target.
"No, Not you! You're the Batman!"
The Red Hood stepped back, heels skidding on the metal, raising an arm as if to ward off a blow.
"No no no no no!" he said, mumbling in a half-crazed voice. "This can't be happening!"
The masked vigilante ran forward and grabbing the man roughly by the front of his suit. "Give yourself up," he growled.
"No!" the red hood retorted.
Somehow the man in the hood broke away from him and took off running but tripped over his own cape and fell forward off the railing and faster than Batman could hope to catch him as he dropped into the green acid.
The vigilante bat stood, forgetting for a moment the rest of the fleeing gang, or the policemen bursting in from the side doors, guns held at him.
"It's over, yield!" the leading commander yelled.
Some watched the figure sink into the green acid and the struggling form disappear under the surface while others shot at the fleeing vigilante. But there was someone else, or rather something else that lurked in the shadows carrying a scythe and with a black hood over its head.
"The night Gotham's most notorious maniac came to be, a making of your own. A great catastrophe indeed, but let us take this further... Wayne."
XXX
He looked on in shock as the warehouse exploded. His only thought was, Jason. He was too late but there was still a small chance he could have survived... or at least that's what he convinced himself of. The smell of smoke drifted into his nose as his eyes shuttered through the smoke, nerves shooting throughout his entire body. Pieces of brick and wood laid all around his boots with rubble from the decimated warehouse. A body was up ahead but it wasn't his, but Jason's birth mother. The whole reason they were here, was gone. He moved passed her and continued his search for Jason throughout the rubble. His search was rewarded when he found a hand sticking out of the rubble.
"Jason!"
He pushed the rubble off the boy wonder, revealing his battered body.
"Oh, Jason. I'm so sorry I wasn't quick enough to save you, son."
He pulled him in close before laying his body out over the ground and pushing at his chest. He did so for half a minute but then stopped, looking into the boy's face one last time, and closed his eyes. Smoke surrounded him and everything was dim. His body felt broken and cold. The knight felt tears stemming from his eyes but held back. His son was dead and there was nothing he could do to save him. He lifted Jason up into his arms and walked towards the batmobile. Father and son, Batman and Robin would have one last ride together.
Off two the side and nearly twenty yards away was a lone individual that watched; a black hood over its head in all black and carrying a scythe. It was the soul reaper once again and his cloak blowing back and forth with the wind.
"And on this day that same monster of your making took away your boy, another of your flops, connected to the first. But this is far from your greatest pain... your greatest low. No, I can feel it. We must go back further, yes... to the night this all began. The night that set in motion your crusade. But first, times of happiness."
XXX
A woman and man sat over a blanket, the woman in a purple summer dress and a sun hat, and the man wearing shorts and a short sleeved button down brown shirt. They were Thomas and Martha Wayne and sat over a patio out back. The weather was perfect and the food was delicious, courtesy of Alfred and their young son was running out on his own and having fun.
The boy was curious about what lied in the trees, and he wasn't afraid to climb. He wanted to venture out for himself, as he was prying and daring. Thomas was proud of his spirit, despite the faint urgings of his overprotective side. They were watching him climb and enjoying the slight breeze and smooth sun when he moved onto a smaller branch, slowly so as not to scare the bird inches away, when the limb cracks silently and Bruce finds himself falling feet below where he plummeted and the air knocked out him.
"Bruce!"
Both were up in an instant, and running out over the patio and to their son.
He was already up and grimacing by the time they reached him. Thomas checked him over while Martha loomed over them both.
"You alright?!" Martha asked
"Good," Bruce mumbled, looking up at her with concern, like maybe she's the one who's hurt.
"No broken bones," Thomas reported vaguely, continuing to search his son.
"Stand up for me, son. Can you do that?"
Bruce nodded and was up on his feet.
"You suffered a nasty cut on your leg," Thomas murmured with worry while he inspected the bleeding, inch long gash on the back of Bruce's calf.
He inspected his son a little while longer and then they walked back to the house, Alfred having keyed in on the commotion and hurrying to greet them. Martha explained what happened and then they took Bruce up to his room, settling him in bed.
"You'll heal just fine, buddy," Thomas said solemnly, lovingly patting him on the back. "All you need is some rest. Good news, Giovanni Zatara is heading over tomorrow. But this time he'll be with a playdate for you."
"Playdate?" Bruce looked up at his father.
"Yes, my boy. Her name is Zatanna."
Martha leaned in and kissed at his forehead just as both she and Thomas stepped out of the room. The reaper peered in through the window and watched, but needed to go further.
XXX
Martha wore a pearl necklace Thomas gave her as a gift, and Bruce grinned at the memory of his father's excitement when he first revealed it to him. Father and son were in matching black suits, standing beside one another in front of a mirror. Next thing he knew they were off to the theater for a showing of Zoro. Bruce was in awe of the magnitude of it all and the well versed plot. It's grand and breathtaking and flagrantly embellished, and it was unlike anything he'd ever seen before.
The music surged and wept, lifting the audience in awe and dragging them down to the depths of gloom, and the sword fighting and action sequences captivated him most. The entire film was a joy and Thomas reaching out and running a hand through his son's hair. Just as a handful of other moviegoers, the family of three were out of their seats and headed for the exits.
"What did you think, Bruce?" Martha asked.
"It was great!" the boy, looked up at his mother in delight.
Martha laughed as the three of them walked side by side in stride. Bruce managed to get in front of them as they headed down a dark alley. But that's when he showed himself, a man in all black and wearing a hat, his features mostly covered by the shadow and darkness. The boy didn't really comprend how it happened as the action was so quick and the man in black with a gun aimed out over them. Thomas was with his hand extended outward and pulling Bruce back and behind him.
XXX
It was back inside the dojo that the clouded atmosphere in front of everyone turned gray and an electric current surrounding the clouds and Tim biting over his lower lip as he knew what this meant. Akasha was with her hands clasped together and wishing that whatever Bruce was going through would soon end. She couldn't bear the thought of him going through pain and suffering.
"How much longer, do you think?" Morrigan moved up on the Dark Lord.
"It varies from person to person," she looked back at the succubus. "But it won't be long now, the sooner the better."
Grayson was with clinched fists and fuming that Apollo would put Wayne through his past worst memories and make him suffer through the worst of them and for what? According to Akasha there was no way of conquering it, so it was as if Apollo was making him suffer for no reason at all. Kori noticed his tightness so she leaned up against Dick and an arm wrapped around him to try and ease him.
"There's nothing you can do and getting all worked up won't help. Relax and wait, it'll be over soon."
XXX
Right before his eyes the young Bruce Wayne witnessed what no child ought to, the pearl necklace ripped away from Martha's neck as she was shot down by a single bullet and her body dropping. There was a downpour of rain and a storm upon him. She fell just inches from Thomas who was gunned down just seconds earlier. The rainstorm grew more viscous as the child dropped to his knees and beside his parents who were bleeding out. He shook and pulled at them but with no reply as incredible sensation flowed over him, an emotion unlike anything he'd undergone. It hit him so fast and without warning. A sense of devastation, helplessness, rage, fright and sorrow. Tears bowled down his cheeks as he bawled and that's when the unthinkable happened. A hooded figure in all black with no legs hovered up on him to his left and carrying a scythe.
Young Bruce Wayne's immediate response was dread, which for a child was plausible seeing the dark entity which very much resembled the grim reaper. Bruce fell back on his side and shouted, screaming at the dark figure and ordering it stay away. The soul reaper was unmoving and dropped an object down in front of the young boy. Bruce looked at it momentarily and realized it was a handgun as thunder struck in the distance.
"An eye for an eye, little one," the reaper's voice echoed. "He took them from you... will you let that pass?"
Young Bruce trembled as he looked up and lightning striking again as the man who gunned down his parents remained standing in front of him. In fret Bruce reached out and took hold of the weapon, but his hands shaking and quivering the entire time. He was confused and frightened, having just watched his parents murdered.
"Stand boy," the reaper spoke again. "Stand and have your vengeance, do not let their deaths go in vain. Avenge your family, show this man true justice."
The downpour was relentless and showed no signs of slowing up and Bruce put his fears aside as he took a stand and facing the murderer who took the lives of his family. No matter how much he treid, the boy couldn't stop his hands from shaking. He had never held a gun before, nor pondered the idea of taking another life.
"He took them from you, don't be afraid to pull the trigger. Shoot him where he stands just as he did them. Do not let them down, kid. Take aim and pull the trigger," the reaper's voice sent shivers up his spine.
But it was enough to grant him determination and he knew that he needed to be brave and so he raised the weapon. The barrel was aimed right at the head of the murdering mugger that took their lives as Bruce cried and his finger over the trigger.
"Make mommy and daddy proud, kill him... Do it for them."
The boy waivered as tears fell from his eyes and did exactly as he felt he should do and his finger pulled back over the trigger. But then came a light in the sky impeding the child from pulling all the way. It was much like a search light, but there was a shape at the center of it, a symbol. He didn't know how or where he'd seen it, but the sight of it was soothing and put him at ease.
"What is happening?!" the reaper looked into the sky and eying the signal. "This isn't my doing…"
Next came a loud echo and what looked to be a bird flying through the sky, diving downward. And the closer it got the bird was revealed to be something more terrifying, much darker and larger. It was a bat and dropping over the top of a close dumpster in the alleyway and squealing at the boy. It was just as the shape in the sky and somehow just the sight of the flying rodent gave him strength and clarity as his pain and sorrow were replaced by another emotion... fortitude.
"This is impossible," the reaper hovered backwards in astonishment. "Pull the trigger boy, do it now!"
The boy so badly wanted to, but it was as if some greater influence was holding him back and as he looked down to the bodies of his parents they were gone! Completely vanished and in the place of the corpses was a cape and cowl. Bruce dropped the gun which fell to the ground harmlessly as he lowered himself and took it into his hands. There were no words or sounds, but he could feel it calling out to him somehow, as if it completed him and they were one, ire separable. Bruce wiped the tears from his eyes and pulled the cowl up and over his head. And just like that the gunman standing across from him glowed bright, just before dissolving and then came the hordes of them filling the skies. Bats chirped and sung as they rocketed down submerging both the reaper and Bruce.
"This is beyond iron will alone, what is this man?!"
That was the reaper's last thought as the entire environment around them dissolved.
XXX
A wind current erupted in the dojo as some lost their footing and the electric current in the clouds vanishing and the atmosphere itself brightening into a sky blue in tone. Apollo's eyes expanded, whilst Akasha's mouth dropped open and Selene biting over her tongue. A gust of wind followed as the soul reaper shot out of the cloud and its body far more transparent than it had been before and took several moments before it turned to normal and Apollo immediately marching towards the reaper.
"What happened in there?!"
The emperor had seen countless thousands go through this same phase and with the same result, but on this day a something entirely different had occured. Eris was also on her heels and observed from her position, and just as her master she inspected many of these proceedings.
"Your majesty, he... he beat it."
"Beat what, there is no beating ones darkness when taken to the lowest point of his or her life. Now I'll ask again, what happened in there? Were there complication?!"
Members of the league became somewhat uneasy and on edge, questioning what had become of Bruce but held their ground until things settled.
"No complications sir, something within him intervened... a greater force than anything I've witnessed. In the moment of his greatest low it came and showed him the light, his light in the darkness. I shaped the world inside his thoughts but that something overpowered my abilities. This man, monster... or whatever you want to call him is of a new breed."
"You expect me to believe he conquered the void of pain through just sheer will alone? If it were that simple, others would have done so..."
"No, your majesty. Something deeper, more grueling and at the center of his soul was at work. I do not know how, or why."
Akasha marched forward and towards her father, but then stopped as the cloud like atmosphere dissolved and on a knee was Bruce. He was with a hand over his face and looked to have shed tears. Both Tim and Grayson immediately raced to his side and dropped down beside him while others remained standing where they were.
"Bruce, are you alright?!" Tim shouted.
He took a few moments to collect himself and swallowed back as he removed his hand and looked up at both persons that he considered his own sons.
"I saw them," his voice came out in a whisper. "Mom and dad..."
"And what happened?!" Grayson lowered a hand over Bruce's shoulder, and he could see how overcome with emotion Bruce was.
Bruce didn't respond and instead looked passed both Tim and Dick, with his eyes over Apollo and the reaper. In a quick burst Bruce was up on his feet and in the faces of both.
"That is the first and last time anyone goes inside my head!" Bruce's fists were clinched, but he took a deep breath and controlled himself. "Test me however you like, but my mind is off limits."
He came off as calm and collective, but tense and aggravated but in control of himself. Just what sort of pain did he experience, and how was he able to maintain himself as such with vampire blood coursing through his veins. Apollo might not have known a whole lot about this man and his experiences, but he knew pain and sorrow by just looking into a person's eyes and he saw much of this when he looked into the eyes of Wayne.
"Very good Mister Wayne," the harbinger applauded him. "You've successfully passed."
That really isn't all Apollo wanted to say, in fact he had hundreds of questions it seemed if not more but there was still one final phase of the test that needed completing. Apollo looked over to the group of leaguers standing around, inspecting them all and pondering if one out of the group was a telepath and got into Wayne's head and enabling him to accomplish the impossible what no other had done before him. But he quickly put that notion to rest, knowing full and well the reaper would have felt any outside interference.
"The circle over there," Apollo pointed to a space in the dojo. "You will face myself in one on one combat and your yokai raised to its height. A winner is determined once one has fallen out of that circle, yields or knocked out, understood?"
"Yes," Bruce nodded.
"Good, then let's be over with this," Apollo looked to the reaper from his left shoulder. "We shall converse later, but you're no longer needed. You may take your leave of absence."
The reaper bowed before disappearing through a wall while Bruce and Apollo headed for the circle. Everyone else followed as the two positioned themselves inside the circle and Bruce focusing himself as he tapped into his aura and yokai. Apollo watched as he powered himself up and especially took note of how fluent his control of energy was.
"And so this is your full power," Apollo smiled. "Not bad."
"What about you, old man," Bruce said with a grin. "You going to knock it up a notch?"
"Unnecessary, come at me Wayne."
Everyone watched in anticipation as Bruce shot out a couple of kicks that Apollo dodged. Bruce kept up with quick attacks keeping the harbinger on the defense. Apollo used this time to observe Wayne's movement and performance, holding off on any offensive maneuvers. But then surprisingly he shot backwards before jumping forward with a double kick knocking Bruce to the ground. Bruce rolled to the left and quickly rose before twirling around striking the harbinger's jaw, which was also the first hit he managed to land and then a knee to the gut. Apollo stumbled back, but didn't lose his balance for long. Bruce changed his stance from Judo to Muy Thai before launching his knee at the emperor. Apollo moved to his left and letting Bruce pass by before kicking him in the back and forcing him to one knee. As Bruce stood Apollo rushed forward with a hard kick across the face. Bruce then rolled with the attack as he extended his leg and sweeping Apollo to the ground. Both stood as the harbinger was with a smile and picked up the pace, tapping into his inner aura energy. He was throwing out different looks and countering all of Bruce's following attacks. Starfire, Wonder Girl and Diana especially valued the display of combat prowess by the emperor who had taken a heavy advantage and Bruce falling back.
"He's good," Wonder Girl said.
"You don't say," Starfire responded.
There was no one more nervous than either Tim or Grayson, both wanting to see Bruce succeed but this Apollo person looked to be a tough outing. Bruce found himself on his back several times over and it was not only Selene, but Akasha who watched with suspicion. Something just didn't seem right. Bruce was managing a couple dozen hits here and there but none with any real effectiveness. He ran forward at Apollo but the harbinger grappled him before being pushed back and taking a hit in the abdomen. Apollo regained his composure before launching himself at Bruce with a hard right to the side of his face and then a spinning kick which sent Bruce flying.
"Noooo!" Grayson shouted.
Bruce was out of the circle and on his side with Apollo staring down over him and especially paying attention to the look in his eyes as he stood, lowering his aura completely. Tim bit over his tongue, wondering what all of this meant. Bruce had fallen out of the circle, defeated and that also meant he failed the test! Zatanna, Grayson, Clark and Diana particularly were with similar feelings and all they could do was wait and see what would happen. The Dark Lord was also very tense, but even more so surprised by some of what she saw. Had the stress of it all gone to his head, and therefore resulted in such a lackluster outcome? Or had he gone in too confident and failed because of it. She could only speculate like everyone else, and now his fate was in the hands of her father.
"You fought honorable, boy. So much fire, tenacity and grit. I applaud you for that and though you failed to gain victory and force me out of the circle... you pass. Victory was never the true goal, but a sense of restraint, balance and accuracy which you showed much of in every regard."
The entire room right away applauded with Tim and Grayson high fiving and Zatanna running up on Bruce from behind and wrapping her arms around him as she hugged him.
"You did it, I had no doubts," the magician was with her chin over his left shoulder.
Apollo was still with his eyes on Bruce, scratching at his chin. It was quite the sight to see and coming from a vampire a breath of fresh air, the way he was yet again taking defeat so humbly. Morrigan was also over him in a hurry with her arms around him tightly as a smiling Zatanna backed off and gave them space. Most the group moved in on Bruce and congratulating him for exceeding all three phases of the test. They were up and all around him but one person was back and away from the group, being Selene Kayeda who had far too many questions. Apollo waited and watched, taking in all that transpired with the subject and the outcome.
And even he wasn't without questions, and the one that was most avid in his mind was the energy/spirit control that Wayne possessed over his body. The very idea that he had reached such a point in a short period of time was almost inconceivable and as he inspected and looked over the teammates of the Dark Knight there was no one among him to his knowledge that would have been remotely capable of training him to such a level. Those difficult questions could be asked later.
"I've got a treat for you all," Apollo spoke up getting the attention of them all. "There's a special parade to take place within the hour, I'd love for you all to join me in my box."
Wonder Girl was especially happy to hear this and it was Tim that cleared his throat.
"And what about Bruce, is he free to..."
"Yes," Apollo cut him off. "Wayne's time in this realm has concluded, and he's free to come and go as he pleases. He is vampire, and therefore a member and part of this community. And just because you've passed this test, routinely checkups on you will be a thing. You may view it as a hindrance, but it is necessary. Believe me, Mister Wayne. But we shall retire this conversation for now, you at least deserve that much for what you've accomplished today."
XXX
XXX
The woman laying atop the bed was what Ryan kept his eyes on, brown eyes never leaving those grey ones as she inched closer and closer to the bed. Stripping off his jacket, he let it fall out of his hand and drape itself over the edge of the bed, working on the button of his dress shirt without even so much as a look back to see where it landed. Ryan shrugged off his pants and let them drop to the ground in the same sort of uncaring fashion. Putting first one then the other knee up on the bed, Ryan crawled on his hands and knees towards the woman that was awaiting him, had beckoned him, called him here to have such loud amazing sex that it'd be downright filthy and memorable. The woman was Eleonora Moretti and she had invited him back to her place as things escalated between them in the bar.
She smiled and changed from her previous position of laying and forced Ryan on his back as she removed what remained of her clothing. Sprawling out so that Eleonora could get a good look at all of him, he waited those last few seconds for the woman to finish undressing and positioning herself atop him.
"Trust me, you've never experienced a night like what you're going to experience with me."
The purr came out in a sexy far off sort of way, Ryan believing every word of what she said. The words seemed to have an immediate impact, as there was a quick jerking motion and Eleonora reaching down and straddling his hardness and looking down so she could continue to stare at him with that lust clouded unblinking gaze of his.
"I shall Ride you now and you'll become mine, forever."
The succubus didn't seem to hesitate, lifting herself up and slamming down on that wonderful piece of meat that was throbbing under her, just pleading to be buried deep inside her. Her own body twitched with happiness and both moaned loudly as the succubi inserted him inside her and started riding him like there was no tomorrow.
The bed rocked back and forth with her hands over his chest and her toes curled. They went at it like that for minutes, but she was a pro at this and no subject lasted for very long when she wanted his seed. Both came to a screaming climax as Ryan's eyes flew open, his body sweating and heated just before the very life was sucked out of him as his body grew cold, pale and with wrinkles, completely lifeless. Eleonora drooled from the side of her mouth, feeling rejuvenated by his life force she just devoured. It had been such a long time since she fed like that, and the feeling was exhilarating.
XXX
It was over a small balcony that he found himself and away from everyone else who took off with the emperor, but he needed some fresh air and time to himself. He'd just been standing there for minutes with his arms crossed and looking down over the kingdom and just relieved that it was all over and that he'd finally be able to concentrate on what was essential. This alone time was short and he wasn't surprised, expecting a certain person and or persons to confront him. He gazed over his shoulder at the combined footsteps of three persons. The first was the purple haired vampire and not far behind her were both Cyborg and Clark.
"You gonna tell me what the hell happened back there?!"
The medic didn't waste any time getting right to the point, but Bruce kept quiet and instead reached into his pocket and pulling out a small slip of paper. He was also with a pen in hand and wrote down a quick not which he handed to Cyborg, but both Selene and Clark reading it over as well. Nothing needed to be said as Cyborg reshaped his left arm and created a boom tube off to the side of them as the entire group stepped through and reappeared seconds later inside the bat cave.
"Sorry about all that, I can't risk any of what we say being overheard," Bruce spoke as the vortex closed behind them and facing the persons standing in front of him. "You must all have questions, and I'm willing to answer but it'll need to be fast."
"Before someone realizes we left, was just thinking the same," Cyborg added.
"Fine, then I'll start!" Selene's voice came out in somewhat a snarl. "I haven't any clue what you went through inside that dark cloud and what that reaper did, but you stunned me, our emperor and everyone! That isn't what I'm not concerned with, but more so what you didn't do in the one on one against him. I trained you myself, and I've seen you fully powered up to your height and what you demonstrated back there was nothing near! And your friends can also attest to my second complaint. You didn't fight him to the best of your..."
"I showed focus, control and stability, all while fighting at my current max," Bruce cut her off.
"Current max?" she looked at him with query.
Bruce simply nodded his head.
"I showed him much, but really nothing at all. The objective was never really about gaining victory over him that would have been extremely unlikely. Say I were to gain the advantage in combat and had him on his heels, he could have extracted small portion of his yokai and overpowered myself. Understanding the purpose of the test and meeting those expectations is all that's essential, and I did just that."
Selene was only halfway satisfied with that answer, but not completely and even shaking her head.
"At the very beginning of the final phase, Apollo specifically stated he wanted your absolute best in every regard! I didn't see that! I've seen you at your best through the months in Alvasleha and for crying out loud you defeated my master, Bloodriver Akasha! Even she must realize your intentional waver back there. You didn't fight to your potential, not really... you're far better! Didn't it hurt you to do it, you're a vampire and to do something like that must have..."
Bruce breathed out with his arms crossed.
"I felt nothing of it, what I did was necessary. I'm not one of your so called vampires."
Clark immediately smiled at this, as did Cyborg.
"Pride is good, but too much of it will get you killed. And you're again missing the point. I wasn't being tested for my combat ability, but rather the control I had over myself and maxed out. A dog never shows all his tricks with a potential storm ahead. I've been doing this for long enough to know one day an ally or friend might be your enemy the next. There's that and far as he knows, I lost the bout to Akasha. I couldn't show anything passed what might have contradicted that statement. Apollo is far too keen."
The vampire medic didn't know what to make of this and so she sidestepped it, and went for another angle. This man was way clever and didn't seem to detour any details. But she also knew Apollo, and if he were in battle against an opponent and that said opposition was holding back he'd know. So either he chose not to call out Wayne, or Bruce covered this up through movement, and frequent changes in pace. Both were professionals at what they did, so it was a tough call.
"That wasn't your max, not even close. What did you do, how did you hide it?! You might be capable of deceiving many, but not him. He's literally one of the grandest at detecting masked yokai and aura."
It was then Clark that stepped forward and adjusting the glasses over his nose.
"He received a visit by a very trusted source, an ally of ours. Doctor Fate. He's a very powerful magician and with Bruce's consent he made adjustments to his body, particularly his yokai."
Selene's eyes budged as she bit over her tongue.
"What you and all of us saw just a little while ago was what he's capable of reaching, currently," Cyborg added. "Give or take it was roughly twenty percent of his actual full yokai that you've come to know."
"Slightly above your average vampire," Bruce added.
"It's just as you said before," Clark again spoke. "Bruce would have failed the test before it began with his high levels in yokai. Apollo seemed impressed by just that small amount. Believe me, no one is more hurt than myself by this... if it were my call nothing would have been kept from your realm's emperor. But in this case there seemed to be no other way around it."
Settling in with her back against the countertop of the bat computer, Selene breathed out.
"For how long," she looked to Bruce.
"A month. The effects should then wear off, but there's also another way to undo it," Bruce replied.
"Being?"
"A spike in emotions. What Fate did was almost undone in phase two of the test, but somewhere deep in I held it together. Or maybe it was something else… I don't know."
The cave was quiet for the next couple moments as she chortled.
"You're remarkable, Wayne," Selene also looked to Cyborg and Clark. "All of you."
She pushed away from the countertop and pacing about.
"All these abilities, resources and connections. You bunch are far greater than anything this world, or the realm of monsters has ever beheld. Phase two was your greatest accomplishment today, Wayne. No one has ever passed that test, Apollo expected you to fail. I've been through it, Akasha-sama and thousands of others alike who've sought military positions of such have also been through it. The most stable and powerful monster minds, all crushed under their own fears, regrets, pain and sorrow. Apollo is arguably our realm's most willful warrior and even he was incapable of breaking through his pains and tragedy."
And just like that all eyes were over Bruce.
"You've done something worth talking about for ages. Again and again you continue to turn heads. All the talk about the Justice League and your greatness has all been warranted, the lot of you are incredible. You're free to go, so what will you do now?"
"What we have been. Stop Fairy Tale in its tracks, but I've also got something personal to take care of. Demitri Maximoff and the court of owls. I believe he's tried expanding his influence, or will soon and I'll put an end to it before it really takes off. We've been gone long enough, I should head back. Starting tomorrow, we focus in and tackle the mission."
To be continued
- 24
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- 26
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Clash of Realms