DC: Don't Utter A Word

Chapter 230:

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[David Lance POV]

After our drink, Lucifer opened the portal to our universe. And with Raven and Dex by my side, I stepped through the threshold into my universe.

The portal connected to a park, inside Gotham City. I knew it, I had come with Robin here before.

I sighed, closing my eyes tightly. Finally, after so much, after so much pain, I was back.

"Do you want to take some time?" Raven asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

~Not really,~ I replied. ~I don't even know how long it's been since I left.

Lucifer had told me that time doesn't stay the same between universes, that sometimes a week can be a year or an hour, and that everything changes daily.

Raven sighed. "When we met again you were already gone for over a year."

~Use your magic to summon a newspaper,~ I suggested.

Raven nodded, summoning a newspaper. And as she read it, I noticed her face go into shock.

~How bad is it? I asked.

"It's been almost three years since you left," Raven replied.

Three years. I can deal with that. Now to deal with the one watching me from the shadows.

~Batman, aren't you going to say hello? It's quite rude to gossip, and rather unbecoming of you,~ I smiled, sensing the Dark Knight's presence within the darkness of the forest.

"Bolt, I.. never lost hope you would come back," Batman said, emerging from the shadows.

~Glad to know you missed me,~ I smiled.

He nodded his head in acknowledgment. "I did, we all did. Are you okay?"

I looked at him and smiled. ~I've been better.~

Batman showing concern, this really is a different universe.

Batman remained silent, and I could tell he was fighting against his primal need of interrogating me about where I had been, and what I had seen.

It was in Batman's nature the need to know everything, unfortunately for him, this adventure of mine would be something I would keep shut.

~So, who's your partner?~ I asked, letting Batman know I knew he hadn't come alone.

"It's me," A voice replied as a man stepped out of the shadows. Nightwing.

~Oh, new suit. Definitely an improvement,~ I smiled, and it was the truth. Anything was better than the Robin outfit.

"Thanks. Talking about outfits, what happened to yours, it's... in a terrible state," Nightwing asked, his tone of worry evident in his voice.

~It's a long story,~ I replied with a shrug. ~One I rather not tell.~

Nightwing nodded, before taking a step forward. "I know this might not be the best time, but seeing what happened last time, is now or never."

~Don't, I know you feel bad for the Joker thing, apology accepted, water under the bridge,~ I said, knowing where he was going. Honestly, after my time in that accursed universe, the Joker incident was something I could even learn to remember fondly.

"Still, I would like to apologize," Nightwing sighed. "I'm sorry, for everything."

~I already forgave you. Though if you still want to do something for me, how about you pay for my dinner tonight? I haven't eaten anything good in a while,~ I replied with a smile.

Nightwing chuckled. "Sure, hotdogs sound good?"

I nodded, which made Raven shake her head with a smile.

"Bolt, I would like to speak with you alone," Batman interjected.

I suppose he resisted his urge to butt in as long as he could, credit where it's due. ~Sure.~

At this, Dex began to yowl at Batman, keeping his rings hidden, but threatening to use them if needed.

But before he could jump and tear the poor Dark Knight apart, I reached down and petted my furry companion, letting him know everything would be okay.

Once Dex calmed down and Raven took him off my arms. I walked with Batman to a secluded spot.

~I'll save you some time, I don't want to talk about my time out of here, now or ever,~ I signed, giving Batman a look that said I won't budge.

"If you don't want to talk it out with me, it's fine. But you need to open up to someone," Batman replied, and to his credit, he actually sounded concerned.

~I will if I ever feel like it. Was that all?~ I replied, tilting my head to the side.

Batman sighed after a few moments. "For the time being, and until proven you are in the right space of mind, you are suspended from any missions."

~Oh, about that. I quit,~ I replied with a smile. It was almost adorable he thought I wanted to take on missions, if anything my body language should've told him otherwise.

Batman paused, his eyes and body language showing a vast array of emotions, with the most predominant one being his shock. "You quit?"

I nodded, keeping my smile in place. ~I had a lot of time to think about this, about what I wanted to do. And, well, I came to the realization I'm done with this life. You once told me this life was one of suffering, and you were right. The point is, I'm done.~

Batman paused once again. "If that's what you want, I will respect your choice. I can't say I understand why you came to this decision, but I can see whatever you lived through was enough to push you into this corner."

I was done playing the role of a hero.

Heroes, villains. I was done playing that game, that never-ending war of stupidity. I was tired. I had my fill in the Injustice Universe.

The reality of everything was that nothing ever goes as planned.

Wherever there was light, there would always be shadows to be found as well. A simple concept, a simple thing that stated that long as this broken system remained, nothing would change.

My time in that accursed world had shown me that if I kept playing this game by the rules given to me, all would remain in the same state it was.

Change was needed if I was to sever this idiotic cycle.