SHATTERED WORLDS | DC (2022)

Year 5: Dick Grayson

Batman

In the dim, flickering light of the Batcave, Batman, meticulously went over the intricate blueprint laid out before him. Each line, each curve, each minute detail was intensely studied. The facility, fortified like a modern fortress, held within its walls the final piece of the puzzle for Batman's multidimensional teleporter, a device with potential to change the dynamics of the ongoing struggle.

Hal Jordan, once a close ally, now stood in his way as the guardian of the high-security facility. Batman knew the Green Lantern’s capabilities well. Underestimating him would be a fatal mistake.

Lost deep in thought, Batman weighed the risks of a direct confrontation. This wasn't him. The Batman he knew would never leave anything to chance. The weight of desperation, however, had altered his calculus. Every passing day, the regime grew stronger, and he needed that device.

Before he could act on his desperate plan, Adeline's voice echoed through the cave, piercing the silence. "Bruce, this isn’t the way," she began, her tone urging him to reconsider.

He looked up, his eyes cold and tired, yet burning with determination. "I've run out of time, Adeline. I need to act now."

She walked towards him, her footsteps echoing softly. “I’ve seen what happens if you go down this path, Bruce. The future isn’t set in stone, but this... this will not end well for you, or for any of us."

Batman's brows furrowed. "Seen? What are you talking about?"

Her gaze was unwavering. "Since the incident, I've begun to see glimpses of future events. They come to me in flashes, vivid and clear. I can't explain it, but I know it’s real."

He observed her intently, skepticism evident in his posture. But as she recounted specific visions, the realization slowly dawned upon him. She was genuine. The detail, the clarity, it was impossible to fake.

"I saw you there, at the facility," Adeline continued, "and it's a bloodbath, Bruce. Hal won't hold back, and neither will the others. There's a better way. We just need to find it."

He took a moment, letting the weight of her words sink in. Finally, he sighed. "Alright, Adeline. I trust you. Let's find a better way. Together."

With renewed vigor and hope, Batman, with Adeline by his side, began plotting a strategy. The battle for the future was far from over.

Billy/Harley

Gotham’s streets, ever buzzing with life, now glowed in the golden hue of daylight. Among the throngs of ordinary folk walked Harley Quinn, though without her signature costume and makeup, she was virtually a ghost of her well-known self. Every face that passed her by was oblivious to the once-iconic villain, now just another face in the crowd.

Her steps were directed, and after traversing several lanes and byways, she reached a rather modest dwelling and checked the address scribbled on a tiny scrap of paper. Confident, she rapped on the door, her heart thudding with anticipation.

Billy Batson, the young hero known as Shazam, greeted the knock with curiosity. Opening the door, he was greeted with an enthusiastic, "Billy!" and the next instant found himself with an armful of Harley, her embrace strong, unexpected.

"Billy, ya silly goose! Don’t ya recognize little ol' me?" Harley's voice, even without its usual dramatic flair, was unmistakable.

"Harley?" Billy's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What are you doing here? And…you look different."

Harley smirked and swatted him playfully. "A gal can have her days off, can’t she?" Not waiting for an invitation, she breezed into the living room, settling into a worn-out couch with the familiarity of an old friend. "So, what’s been cookin’ with you? It’s been ages!"