Wonderbat
Legacy Name: Wonderbat

For every ending there is a new begining.

He was dying. Finally. No rebirth, no Lazerus Pit, it was all finally coming to an end. Nearly everyone was gone, having finally succumed to old age. Alfred, Gordon, Selena, even Talia was gone. Most of his sons, the Robins, were also gone. Damian still lived, fighting as Batman now. Still collecting stray animals. Bruce smiled at this thought. In all the years he's lived, all that he's been through, he was glad that this trait of his son's had never changed.

Bruce sighed. His remaining "friends" and aquaintances had all come in the last few days to pay their respects and say their goodbyes. Even Clark came though Bruce knew that he had been silently watching him for several days now. Bruce considered Clark as one of his few real friends in his life. He and... Well, at least Clark had made the effort to come.

He could feel his heart slowing. He had an hour at most, probably less. Bruce's mind kept drifting more and more to times in the past. Foes, friends, comrades, regrets. He didn't really want to die. There was always something more that needed doing. But he was so tired. Couldn't he rest? Just for awhile?

He must have drifted off to sleep. He opens his eyes and wonders if he is dreaming.

"Hey Bruce." She smiles down at him, the last rays of the sun shining through the window and illuminating her face. She was someone who could never be. She was too pure, too good for someone like him. He had surounded himself with cat burglers and daughters of phycopaths. Women who were comfortable with the dark. He had always wondered though what it was like in her world, surrounded by light...

He opens his eyes. He does not remember them closing. Time is short. He feels it. He focuses on the face still leaning over him. She has not left him. Perhaps she has always been there, a small piece of light keeping the darkness just at bay.

"Still there? I had hoped that I would not be too late."

Bruce smiles weakly. "You're right on time. Where have you been?" His voice is quiet and raspy. Her voice is strong yet soft at the same time. He feels so old. He must look like her great-great grandfather.

She smiles like she knows what he is thinking. She probably does. She was always good at that.

"I was at Themescara. I brought a gift for you Bruce." She pulls out a small round fruit from a pouch at her belt. It is a creamy pale gold color and glows softly in the fading light.

Bruce tries to raise an eyebrow. "Did you steal it?"

She looks afronted but there is a twinkle in her eye. "No. I earned it, but it did take me a very long time." She holds it out to him. "Will you accept this gift from me?"

There is something in her eyes that he has rarly seen. Uncertainty. But there is also so much more, so much is promised him in those eyes. Dare he step into the light? Move away from the shadows and begin something new?

"Where is Damian?"

She looks at him tenderly. "I have already spoken to him."

"I'll need your help."

"Is that yes?"

"Yes."

She helps him eat the sweet fruit. It is like a thousand suns coursing through his body. Painful but joyfull at the same time.The light is there, shining before him. He embraces it. The years fade away from his body. He feels young and strong. Lighter than he has ever felt before. He looks at the woman before him and knows that he will enjoy this new life in the light.

"Come my love. There is much I wish to share with you."

The last light of day has now faded. Damian walks into his father's room, Alfred the 4th twining his body around his feet. A breeze gently blows the curtains. A smile plays acros his lips. "Good luck father."

Credits: Profile and Story by: Ringo | Song lyrics on profile from I Remain by Alanis Morissette