SHATTERED WORLDS | DC (2022)

Year 4: Death of...

Alfred

In the grand old mansion, Alfred Pennyworth was gathering his belongings for a significant mission of his own. He'd agreed to act as a courier, delivering a heartfelt letter from Barbara to her estranged brother, Damian. He could not help but look at the letter with a solemn expression; he was aware of the deep wounds that needed healing within the family. However, unbeknownst to the loyal butler, he would be denied this humble mission.

From the corner of his eye, he caught a slight flicker of movement, a shadow skirting the edge of his vision. Instincts honed from years of service in British intelligence kicked in, and he deftly spun around, just in time to block a sudden, swift attack.

Victor Zsasz stood there, his signature, sinister smile stretching across his face. His eyes, cold and ruthless, stared at Alfred with an unhinged delight. The air hung heavy with a palpable menace. "Hello, Alfred," Zsasz sneered, his tone dripping with cruel mirth.

The fight that ensued was nothing short of brutal. Alfred, despite his advancing age, fought valiantly, utilizing every ounce of his combat knowledge. His fists struck out, connecting with Zsasz's torso, his legs weaving a complex pattern of defensive moves. But Zsasz was a trained killer, his deadly strikes vicious and unrelenting.

Even as Alfred blocked and parried, it was clear that he was fighting an uphill battle. Zsasz's attacks were relentless, each blow landing with more force than the one before. Yet, Alfred didn't falter. The elderly butler fought on, fueled by a potent mix of duty and desperation.

His body was screaming in protest, but his spirit refused to break. He fought for the family he served, for the love he bore for the children he'd helped raise. He fought for the chance to deliver Barbara's letter to Damian, a symbol of the potential for healing within the family.

But alas, even the bravest of warriors must fall. With a final, brutal strike, Zsasz's blade found its mark, slashing across Alfred's chest. The loyal butler crumbled to the ground, clutching at his wound. The pain was intense, but his heart ached more from the knowledge that he wouldn't be able to deliver the letter.

He fell onto his back, staring up at the high, ornate ceiling of the mansion he'd tended to for so long. His hands clutched at Barbara's letter, a beacon of hope within the pain. Even as his vision blurred, he clung onto it, his final act before his grip relaxed and his life ebbed away.

Victor Zsasz stood over Alfred's lifeless body, a cruel smirk on his face, victorious. But for the loyal butler of the Wayne family, his final thoughts were of hope, a plea for reconciliation within the family he loved dearly. His final act was a testament to his enduring spirit, and in his end, Alfred Pennyworth remained true to his noble heart.

Batman

A sigh of relief was barely expressed as Batman welcomed the survivors of his Suicide Squad back to their secret base. The immediate sight of Deadshot and Ravager was telling, their spirits shaken, bodies marred, their determination evaporated. As if the violent melody of combat was still ringing in their ears, both announced their withdrawal from the entire operation. Harley Quinn, though, was the complete opposite, her chaotic nature finding a twisted delight in being part of something again. Boomerang, having nowhere else to go, decided to stick around. Batman, knowing full well the danger they had put themselves in, advised them all to lay low until he contacted them for the next step.

As he was coordinating the next steps, a message pierced through the white noise of his tactical communication network. It was Cassandra, her voice strained with urgency, urging him to return home immediately. Abandoning everything else, Batman raced through the darkness, his heart pounding with an unfamiliar dread.