SHATTERED WORLDS | DC (2022)

Year 4: Healing Old Wounds

Batman/Gods

The lofty peaks of Olympus, glistening under the ethereal radiance of celestial constellations, played host to an unprecedented gathering. The gods, paragons of power and influence, were convening to weigh a matter that had caused ripples even in their exalted realms. The world of mortals was in flux, a pseudo-deity now proclaimed ruler, and Olympus was on the brink of a divide.

"Superman's regime is a slap to our eternal reign," argued Hercules, his voice a rumble that echoed through the grand amphitheater. "The arrogance of a mortal, assuming the mantle of a deity, defies our age-old edicts."

Poseidon, lord of the ocean depths, scoffed, a surge of dismissive laughter resonating around them. "You worry about a fleeting mortal reign, Hercules?" He rose, his trident a gleaming beacon in the luminescent assembly. "The ebb and flow of human power is as transient as the tides of my realm. We have no reason to interfere."

Hades, the somber monarch of the underworld, shared Poseidon's sentiment. "We are gods," he stated, his voice as cold and unmoving as his subterranean kingdom. "It is beneath us to meddle in the fleeting whims of humanity."

Zeus, the Sky Father, simply nodded in agreement with his brothers and then stood up, his departure a silent indication of the decision of Olympus' high command. The dismissal by the elder gods was disheartening, but the assembly had one surprise yet.

Hera, the queen of the gods, gracefully rose to her feet. "Brothers, while your indifference resonates with wisdom, it also echoes complacency. This mortal has not only assumed power, but he has also usurped our revered status amongst the humans. This, I believe, is worth our attention."

There was a murmur of speculation through the assembly, with many wondering if Hera's standpoint veiled a deeper motive. From afar, Batman, the mortal who dared to broker this divine coalition, observed the proceeding closely. His silent ally, Ares, stood beside him, exuding an aura of steadfast certainty. "They will see the wisdom in this, Batman. Trust me."

As the assembly debated, the weight of arguments began to tip. Passionate discourses about preserving their honor and the delicate balance of power exchanged hands. Finally, when the conch of decision, an artifact as old as the gods themselves, sounded its clarion call, a consensus had been reached.

"We will intervene," declared Apollo, the god of sun and music, his voice echoing the resolve of the assembly.

With this decree, Batman's audacious plan found the divine momentum it needed. He watched as Olympus, the heart of divinity, pulsated with a renewed purpose, preparing to challenge the might of Superman's regime. A cosmic chessboard was being set, and the pawns were beginning to move.

Renee/Superman

The busy hum of downtown Gotham was shattered as an eruption of chaos threw the bustling city into a pandemonium. Buildings shook and sirens wailed as shockwaves of destruction radiated through the heart of the city. Racing to the scene, Yellow Lanterns found themselves overwhelmed, swiftly and effortlessly cut down.

Cyborg and Damian arrived, their eyes widening in disbelief as they recognized the source of the turmoil: Renee Montoya. Cyborg's scans revealed an unsettling truth; her veins coursed with the power of super pills. "Damian, we can't stop her. Our best bet is to buy time for Superman."

Their struggle was a valiant display of courage, pushing back against a force akin to Superman. But even they had to retreat when Renee's rage showed no sign of subsiding. Just as they fell back, Superman and Black Adam arrived, their imposing figures cutting through the smoky haze.

Renee was a picture of unadulterated fury, a tempest of power that refused to be tamed. But her human body was no match for the immense stress the pills imposed. Her movements slowed, and confusion began to cloud her eyes. Superman recognized this and pleaded with her, his voice barely rising above the noise. "Renee, stop! You're killing yourself!"

His words fell on deaf ears. Renee was lost in a storm of her own making. Suddenly, like a sputtering flame extinguished, her body gave out. Renee crumpled onto the debris-littered street, her breaths coming out in ragged gasps.

Superman's group moved towards the fallen woman, her hand weakly reaching out for help. Black Adam, his face unreadable, lifted her by the neck, delivering a swift, lethal snap. Renee's body went limp, her life extinguished as suddenly as the chaos she had caused.

A shrill scream pierced the air. Selina Kyle emerged from the crowd, rushing towards Renee's lifeless body. Tears blurred her vision as she cradled her fallen friend, her heart breaking with each silent second that passed.

Black Adam suggested arresting Selina, but Superman hesitated, unable to harden his heart. "She's not a part of the resistance anymore. She's just a civilian."

Disgruntled, Adam left the scene, followed by Cyborg. Superman offered a strained condolence before taking his leave, leaving Damian alone with Selina. 

The silence that lingered was heavy, the tableau of loss stark against the smoke-stained skyline. Damian, who had watched the entire scenario unfold in dumbfounded silence, finally found his voice. He stepped towards Selina, his eyes not straying from Renee's lifeless form.

"I... Can I help?" He asked, his voice breaking the uneasy silence. "Help take Renee... to bury her."

Selina looked up at him, her eyes bloodshot and her cheeks streaked with tears. She studied his face for a moment, looking for any sign of deceit, but all she found was a sincere offer of help. Silently, she nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

The graveyard of Gotham was silent as they laid Renee to rest. Damian and Selina worked together, their usual animosity forgotten in the wake of shared grief. The bitterness of loss hung heavy in the air, a sorrowful end to a day of chaos. Their hearts ached, but in this quiet moment, they found a shared strength. 

Selina/Damian

The cemetery was quiet as Selina and Damian strolled down its somber paths. Selina broke the silence first, her voice carrying in the still evening air. "What do you miss most about being Robin?" she asked. It was a simple question, one that seemed trivial in the face of recent events. 

But it opened a door that hadn't been pried open in years.

Damian's eyes flickered, a silent moment passing before he answered, "The simplicity...just being a hero. No politics, no lines to toe."

A sad smile danced on Selina's lips as she listened. The conversation meandered from trivial subjects to deeper waters. She asked about his relationships within the regime, the burden of leadership, and his views on morality. Damian's answers were honest, revealing a depth of introspection rarely seen in him. As Selina pushed deeper, Damian found himself opening up more than he'd ever done before.

"How's my father?" Damian's voice cracked at the mention of Bruce. Selina, caught by surprise, took a moment before replying, "He misses you, Damian."

Damian's disbelief was evident, recalling the harsh words he'd overheard in the House of Mystery. But Selina was insistent, "It's true, Damian. He misses his son. I miss him too."

They walked in silence for a moment, the weight of Selina's words hanging between them. As they turned a corner, Selina broke the silence, "Raven, how is she?"

Damian was visibly affected by the mention of Raven. He took a deep breath before admitting, "She left. She couldn't...deal with everything."

Selina offered a sympathetic nod before shifting the conversation again, her voice soft and compassionate, "Damian, Dick's death...you can't let that guilt keep eating at you. Your family, your real family, they've forgiven you. Your father, your mother, your sister... they want you back. Whatever you heard, whatever you think you heard, they want their son back."

Damian stood still, the weight of her words hitting him like a punch. He felt a lump in his throat, a choked sob threatening to escape. For a moment, he was just a boy, grappling with the burdens of guilt and grief.

Selina moved closer, her arms encircling him in a comforting hug. She gave him a light kiss on the cheek, whispering, "Take care, son." With that, she stepped back, a sad smile on her face. Damian watched her leave, the silence of the cemetery enveloping him once again. The impact of their conversation echoed in his mind, leaving him with a lot to think about. The chapter closed on a note of hope, a possibility for redemption hanging in the air.