Chapter 22: Zero Year
(3rd Person POV)
[Accepting . Rerouting . Backup . Data . Operation . Phoenix . Initiated]
The sound of the AI was heard as the body of Bruce was seen inside a container filled with fluids. The door to the container opened and Bruce opened his eyes. The fluid was drained and he fell to the ground.
*Cough*
"Oh wow. What a thrill this is.", Bruce said.
"Well I hope it was worth it, Master Bruce.", the voice of Sebas said. He stood next to Bruce with a towel and some spare clothes.
"It was worth it. Not only could I test 'Project Phoenix', but I also could see what the deal was with our universe."
"So that's all it was? A test? I know that you are far too paranoid to try something like this with your real body. So why not use a robot for the tests?"
"I have multiple backups of my mind and creating a body isn't hard."
"*Sigh* ... So what did you find out, Master Bruce?", Sebas asked.
"Well ... something very concerning. We are not part of the normal Universe. We are in the Dark Universe!!"
"I don't believe I can follow."
"The Dark Multiverse is a shadow under the primary Multiverse, one formed of every fear and bad decision ever made or dreamt. Worlds in the Dark Multiverse are fragile and constantly deteriorating, inevitably doomed to destruction by their own malformed construction. And in this one ... I believe that I am the main character."
"Main character? ... Like in a story? I didn't take you for the arrogant ... oh right."
"Haha, no that's not what I mean. You see it always depends on WHO's fears and nightmares manifest. And our world is a manifestation of Bruce Wayne or Batman's nightmares. That's why I say that I am the linchpin to the destruction of our world. If I had to guess, I'd say it was the thought of losing Alfred Pennyworth as a child as well and being one and alone, that created our universe. But there is a key difference..."
"And what would that be?"
"Because I'm a genius scientist. I invent, transform, create and destroy for a living and when I don't like something about the world I change it. Why would I let myself be pulled down by that?"
"... haha ... I see. I agree Master Bruce, you are one of a kind. So what now?", Sebas can't stop himself from that small chuckle.
"As I said, if I don't like something about that world I change it. And that's what I'll do. Being in the dark Multiverse brings with it a lot of problems. Problems that I have no interest in solving. So I'll just pull out the roots of this problem and plant a new tree."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"Simple. If I'm in the dark Mulitvers, then I'll just switch with one from the primary Multiverse."
"You mean ... you'll leave this one? Are we-"
"Haha, no Sebas. We will switch with an earth from the primary Multiverse. I will switch out our places. Transfer our world to a primary Universe and transfer the other one here. I'm going to pull an ol' Switcheroo."
"... Haaaa ... I wonder why I am still surprised at this point. Very well, Master Bruce. If you are going to do that, I guess you'll need some food. I'll try out another of your recipes."
"Thank you Sebas."
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(Bruce POV)
Well, that was quite the revelation. But not a surprising one. I was suspected to be part of the Dark Multiverse and had something planned if I was right. I have no interest in staying here. So I'll have to do what I have planned and now turn theory into reality.
But I'll need more space for this. I can't make it here in the Batgarage. So I'll have to set up shop somewhere else. Maybe the South Pole? That could work.
"BATCOMPUTER tell me about the most recent news."
[AFFIRMATIVE. Crime families have been laying low for a while. But the vacuum has been quickly filled by a new group of criminals who call themselves the 'Red Hood Gang'. Their leader is someone who calls himself 'Red Hood One'.]
"Interesting. But also not surprising. Do you have pictures?"
[Affirmative. Loading them now.]
I could see the pictures and videos of the Red Hood Gang. It seems to be the same one as from the 'Zero Year'. So then it is already time ... The darkness is affecting this world, since I am not the abomination that was expected. It is time I act fast. But if you want to tussle, I'm more than ready. F*cking dark Barbatos. I'll shishkebab you, motherf*cker.
"Zoom in on the suits please."
[Zooming in now.]
"Hmm ... It looks expensive. I guess these are the same middle- to high-class individuals as ... hmm. How weird. The origin of the Joker is unclear and there have been more than one. I guess I'm getting the aggressive one, instead of the sad 'my pregnant wife died' one. Does this change anything?
... No. It doesn't matter. No matter the sad story, if you end up like the Joker, the solution is still the same one I have prepared. I'll just have to wait for Jack Napier to show up. We'll see how it goes. I have 523 ideas on how to deal with the Joker and not one of them is me killing him."
Haha, I guess I am also a bit crazy. But what would I do with something as useless as sanity? Well, I should better take care of this soon. Otherwise, they'll get arrogant.
"COMPUTER ... I need a new name for you. How about JARVIS? No, that is already used a lot. I guess I could use ALFRED ... yes I think I'll use that. COMPUTER, change name to ALFRED."
[ACKNOWLEDGED. Changing name to ALFRED.]
"Good. Now give show me a map of their robbings."
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I began to calculate the most likely place they were going to attack next. And surprisingly it was another Bank. I'll trust my brain on this one and go there next. But I have to begin with 'Project Switcheroo'. Better get started on that one for now.
"ALFRED open a new file. Project: Switcheroo is what we'll call it. Upload the contingency protocol #21 - 739 to that file. They are the same and we'll have to push it forward."
[File created. Project: Switcheroo, named. Uploading existing contingency protocol #21 - 739, name: Dip. Successful]
"Good. Now how far are we on the 'Earth coat'?"
[The device named 'Earth Coat' has not been fully completed. Approximation at roughly 71%.]
"What do you mean estimation? Can't you say how far we got?"
[Task: Impossible. Calculation of needed time to finish Device: Earth Coat not possible.]
"Why not? I'm pretty sure you're close to a level 12 technology. But you're telling me you can't figure out how long until the device is finished?"
[Affirmative. A rough algorithm was created to understand the creator. Satisfaction level: unsatisfactory. Impossible to grasp the thought process of the creator.]
"Are you calling me unpredictable? Or just a genius?"
[Answer: ... Both.]
"..."
[...]
"Ohhhh you know me so well~ Anywho, let us continue this beauty. I thought that it might be important to one day cover the earth as a means of protection but didn't know what to call it. So Earth Coat was all I had. Pretty bad."
[Affirmative]
"Oh shut it you. With that sass, I should have called you Kenobi. Now pull up what we have on the device."
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(3rd Person POV)
Bruce went over the device and realised that the estimation of ALFRED wasn't bad. It was indeed about 70% done ... if he wanted to be happy with mediocrity!! What a bad AI he had created. He trashed most of the things he already had and began anew.
What was the 'Earth Coat'?
Well, Bruce thought about something that would protect the earth in case extraterrestrials thought it would be smart to invade their countries. To do that he wanted to create a device which could coat the entire world in an energy field. He would power this with his Nuclear Circles. He had more than enough to power something like this.
It wasn't a small project but he didn't think it might be so useful this early. Why was it useful? Because Bruce had an idea of what to do with it. He wanted to use the 'Earth Coat' to move the earth. That's right. Bruce thought about possibly moving the earth around, should something like that ever be necessary.
And now, was the best time to use something like that. He was working on something else as well. He called it the 'SpaceLink Nexus'. This beauty would allow him to link the space where his earth was and another earth, and link them together.
Why would he want to link two spaces, in two different Universes together?
Well, that was simple. He was going to program the space of his and the other earth and then switch the (-) of his earth with the (+) of the one he will switch with. He will literally switch his earth in the dark Multiverse with one in the primary Multiverse.
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(Edward Nygma POV)
"What did you do to Bruce?", Kane asks me. He doesn't seem angry at all. I was expecting him to be a lot angrier than this, when he heard that his nephew Bruce Wayne was attacked by the Red Hood Gang, in his apartment. How did they know where Bruce Wayne had an apartment? Well, that's the riddle.
"I did nothing, Mr. Kane. What happened to him is a tragedy. But he wouldn't have come around to give you all the rights to the company. Isn't that what you wanted? I helped you. His parents were killed in an alley with a gun. He would have come for the company and taken it from you. I did you ... a favour."
"I was wondering when you'd show your true colours.", Kane says with ... a smile.
"Oh? Were you perhaps expecting me to betray you? Then why didn't you fire me?"
"Well that's the Riddle isn't it?", he says.
He DARES!!! He dares to say my phrase?!
"I see. Well did you see this coming as well?", I ask him and turn on the magnets in the room. I prepared these beforehand, knowing the good Philip Kane had implants in his body. I see him falling to the ground in pain and a smile appears on my face.
"It doesn't seem like you have seen this com- what?"
Kane just stands back up as the magnets turn off. I press the button again and again to turn them back on. But nothing happens. What is this? What is going on?
"Surprised?", a very deep, almost sinister voice is heard from behind. I turn around and see the 'vigilante' that everyone has been calling the Batman standing a few centimetres away from me.
"WHAT?! Batman ... what are you doing here?"
"I'm here for you. What did you think you could take matters of Wayne Enterprises into your own hands without alerting me?"
"Ha ... Haha ... HAHAHAHAHAHA ... oh this is rich. This is hilarious. I always wondered what you would be like. So you are a sma- *ARGH*", I begin to say but I feel a force on my throat that makes me choke. I hold my throat and look up ... surprised.
"Tell me Edward ... are you afraid?"
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My eyes widen in ... fear ... no not fear. I am not afraid! I will show you! I will show YOUUU!!
I pick up my cane and press another button. Slowly a narcotic gas is released. I use this for emergencies and now I have to get away.
"Where do you think you're going?", I hear the voice again. I turn around and try to hit him. But there is nothing there. I lost my orientation due to the gas. I need to get out of here, quickly!
"Edward Nygma ... son of Dana and Tierny Nygma. A poor nobody who needs recognition and tries to hide himself behind riddles. You were laughed at, weren't you? You were ridiculed and now you think ridding the world of idiots will help humanity."
The dark voice is everywhere. I can't see him. I also can't talk because he hurt my pharynx. Oh no ... the gas ... I'm losing conscious- ... ness. Shit.
"Sleep well."
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