AN: I'm back! Can you smell, what the Homeless King is cooking?! To let everyone know, yes, I always planned on having what happened last chapter to occur, just to put Subaru in the ultimate ride of despair. Let's see if he brave through this one. I also just learned about the Crime Lord Subaru story line, it was goood! And it got my ideas running...

And if anyone wants to read a coll fanfic also featuring the Caped Crusader; check out "The Dark Knight of Chiba" by 502nickster, it's good stuff that I've already blasted through!

Anyways! So without further ado, let's get on it. ENJOY!

ARC Ten: Return to Life

Chapter One Hundred and Seven: A Story That's Just That

It had been just about a week since the Void was closed shut, and the entire team had returned to the capital...with a giant block of ice.

Bruce Wayne looked over the intricate design of the room where the ice would be kept. It was beneath the main estate under Felt's jurisdiction, in a newly constructed basement.

All around it were incantations woven onto the wall, sealing stones protruding out of the ground and several metias mounted on the floors. These were all to keep Emilia and Rem safe from outside harm or those who would wish to see Envy freed.

The metias would attack anyone who did not know a secret password.

The sealing stones would bring out powerful barriers to keep anyone from getting closer.

The incantations would unleash hallucinations against any intruders.

Combined, even a Great Spirit would have a hard time getting through. Shaula also put in some of her knowledge from her time in the Pleiades Watchtower, to make it even more intricate, and thus much more impossible to get through.

For now, only Bruce Wayne and Beatrice were being given total and complete access to this room. Everyone else had to be accompanied by one of them to enter.

"Er…"

He could only stare at the ice that encased his two friends.

Quietly, he sighed with remorse in his voice.

The overbearing guilt, that his very existence caused this to happen; hurt him. A sense of betrayal on his own part was festering inside him, that fate itself had once again continued to take things away from not just him, but his allies.

Not only that, but it had now abandoned him in this world.

Bruce suspected that the last of his connection to the Algol Tree was now severed, especially with it being destroyed, and that since there was no reliable spell in interdimensional travel; or one that could be used without possibly further damaging the space time continuum...he was forced to stay here.

"Yeah…"

Moreover, he theorized that one of his other selves, from one of the splintered timelines took his place back at his city of Gotham, preventing a paradox, thus there would be need for him to return.

This city, this country, this world...it would now have to be his new home, forever.

It wasn't so much that he didn't mind, he had a feeling something like this would occur...but it was the fact that his friend, Natsuki Subaru, was a complete mess.

Beatrice was sitting at the table after finishing a cup of tea...then, Bruce had arrived after his inspections of the 'Sealed Room'.

"Everything looking alright, I suppose?"

"Yes, we'll just need you to finish making the room inaccessible through Gate Crossing."

"As soon as Betty finds the appropriate locations to teleport intruders to, then it'll be done, I suppose."

Bruce nodded to her.

Since he was now in normal civilians clothes, he was able to blend in more especially from prying eyes. He sat at the table with her…

"Beatrice, where is Subaru?"

"Where do you think he is?...He's in his room, drinking up a storm, I suppose."

Beatrice's voice lowered as she said this, trembling from regret saying it. Bruce had to ask.

"Have you spoken to him today?"

"Yes...Betty tried to get him out of his room."

"And you-"

"-HE THREW A BOTTLE AT ME! SUBARU...TRIED TO HIT ME, I SUPPOSE!"

It grew silent in the room after Beatrice painfully yelled that out. Bruce shot up from his chair and was making a beeline for Subaru's room. Beatrice caught up and grabbed his sleeve.

"What are doing?! Let go, Beatrice!"

"And what do you think you are going to do with Subaru!?"

"I want him to knock this off! He needs to steel himself and not let out his emotions on other people!"

"...He has every right to be angry with Betty.!"

"Betty was the one who suggested the entire trip in the first place, I suppose. I allowed this to happen! I GOT EMILIA AND REM FROZ-"

"-STOP IT!"

He turned himself to hug Beatrice, causing the little spirit to widen her eyes in shock.

"Bruce?"

"No one is to blame for what happened. It was all equal amounts of mistakes made, but the one we can place blame squarely on, is Envy...and me, for being the bait. I am sorry Beatrice, but thank you for saving me."

Beatrice buried her face into his chest, letting out her hurt emotions. Bruce gently patted her head, looking down the hallway…

After his meeting with Beatrice was over, Bruce calmly walked over to Subaru's room. The door was shut and he had every intention of knocking...but after hearing what he did to Beatrice, he simply threw open the door.

Once he entered, he was struck by the pungent smell of alcohol that covered the room. The entire room was basically destroyed. Cabinets impacted into the wall, a table broken in half, every single mirror was shattered and his bed was ripped to shreds with blood covering the sheets. From the corner of the room, Subaru stood up, his usual black shirt stretched out and some puke covered the edges of it.

Subaru's eyes were low and droopy, and he had some drool slowly escaping his lips, his face was completely flushed and red. He twirled his hand to him, showing the hideous wounds on his hand, presenting him the sight of the muscular tissue of his hand and some bones in his knuckles. The wounds were darkening, meaning they were starting to get infected, though, it seemed to be the least of Subaru's worries.

"H-Hey, look everyone. It's, it's the BATMAN! Great hero of the city, hyukk, hehehe."

"Subaru."

"What's with the...visit?"

Subaru leaned over and picked up a bottle of whiskey, taking big chugs out of it, spilling most of it onto the floor. Subaru stumbled his way to him, making an apparently mocking smile to him, making Bruce hold his breath.

"Wha? Not g-going to...say anything?"

"Subaru, you need to get out of this room, and you have to stop drinking already-"

"-Don't stand there...and tell me what to do, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

Subaru flung the bottle at him, missing completely and hitting the wall behind him. The bottle shattered and Subaru lost his balance and fell on his behind. He tried picking himself up, but he instead grabbed some pieces of glass on accident, shredding apart his palm.

"Subaru! Wait let me-"

"-FUCKING TOUCH ME!"

He slapped away his hand and quickly, but drunkenly, got up. He then shambled himself to the destroyed table and pulled out a bottle of Scotch, he tried opening it, but his bloody hand was making things difficult for him. Bruce quickly made his move and tried yanking the bottle away from him.

"LET GO!"

"SUBARU! STOP! GIVE ME THE BOTTLE!"

"FUCK YOU!"

"SUBARU!"

He finally got the bottle away and Subaru fell to his hands and knees. Subaru chuckled in a stupor as he glared up at him.

"Gonna take away everything from me...aren't you?"

"DAMN IT SUBARU!"

Bruce tossed the bottle away, breaking it and grabbing Subaru by his collar, slamming him into his bed, breaking it in half.

"YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING FROM THIS! EMILIA AND REM WERE MY FRIENDS! I HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS REGRET IN ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE...BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE JUST GIVE UP AND DROWN IN OUR SORROWS! WE CAN'T GIVE UP!"

"BEATRICE AND EVERY MAGIC USER HAS TRIED, YOU FUCKING IDIOT! NO ONE CAN SAVE THEM, NOT WITHOUT EITHER FREEING ENVY OR GETTING MY...My...Kids, killed."

"THEN WE'LL LOOK FOR A WAY! DISCOVER ONE! WE'LL KEEP GOING UNTIL...Until we find a way to free them."

"...So stupid. Grasping at some forlong hope. Dragging me down to your level."

"Subaru, I made a promise to Rem and Emilia that I would take care of you, and I don't intend on breaking that vow. I can't let you keep going like this…"

Subaru pushed Bruce off as he straightened his hair, to get up from the bed. Bruce took up his natural stance as he watched Subaru stare at him with anger in his eyes.

"I'll deal with my grief, in however god damn way I please! I don't need you or anyone else telling me otherwise."

"...It's not what they would have wanted."

"Bruce…H-"

Subaru trembled as his eyes began tearing up and he snapped his teeth straight onto his lips, cutting them open.

He quickly reached down and grabbed a piece of the broken bed frame.

"HOW FUCKING DARE YOU?!"

He tossed straight at him, only for Bruce to tilt his head away from the attack. They still both heard the projectile snap at something, as well several things shattering.

"OW!"

"...!"

Both men turned around and saw a certain little maid on her knees holding her head in pain, several cups shattered across the floor and tea spilled on the floor.

"P-Petra!?"

"Ow, ow…"

Subaru panicked when he saw blood trickling out of her forehead, so he tried to rush over...stopping when he saw Petra was beginning to cry.

As soon as he took one more step forward, Bruce landed a hook on his chin, making him tumble to the floor. Bruce grabbed him by his collar yanking his face close to his, giving him a vicious scowl.

"This has to stop Subaru! Stop it!"

"Fuck off!"

"NO! I will-"

Suddenly, both men stopped when they heard-

"-STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOOOOOP!"

Both men turned to see Petra, now standing at her feet, her face drenched in tears and blood.

"Please...please just stop it...I…"

"Petra…"

"...I HATE THIS!"

Petra put a hand to her mouth and sped off, Bruce called out to her, but she was already out of sight. He let go of Subaru, as he too got up.

"Subaru. You are not the only reeling from all this. We are all suffering…"

"I'll leave you to your 'business' then. Right, before I cause more trouble."

Bruce quickly left, in an understandably bad mood.

Subaru sat there, putting a hand to the bottom half of his face, which was covered in blood. He rolled over to the floor, before looking over and pulling out a bottle of sake from the destroyed desk. But once he opened it...the harsh smell made him want to puke. Still, he began to move it close to his mouth…

"This...smell…"

He recalled the stargazing party they had so many years ago. All of them in the Roswaal mansion sipping on some drinks they had found...and the image of Emilia and Rem drunkenly hugging each other, laughing and moving around clumsly, but with a air of cuteness to their actions…

Subaru began to cry again.

He tossed the bottle to the wall, breaking it apart. He got in the fetal position and just laid there.

"Emilia...Rem…"

He stayed there for the rest of the day...puking out the last contents of his empty stomach, before falling back asleep.

Bruce was sitting in his desk, looking as defeated as could be. He held his forehead, looking as exhausted as one could in the situation, even for him.

Thinking of Subaru, the sight of which made him glad he made his decisions.

Though he would love to have talked more...he had Mimi and Garfiel go back home to Kararagi and asked Sarah and Frederica to take Sekhmet and stay back at their complex, if not to make sure Carmila and Daphne had not burned down the place already. Shaula stayed with Felt for a small while..

It was so they wouldn't see Subaru in such a miserable condition.

He glanced to his side and saw a box. In it was containing a gift that Felt had given him a few days prior. She claimed it was, " a thank you gift", for all the work he has done and the pain he endured in his time trapped in the void. He sighed, especially when he remembered how Felt was hugging him almost every second they saw each other, drawing the ire of Sarah and Frederica.

Still…

"There you are, I suppose."

He turned to see Beatrice moving to sit next to him. As they sat there, they looked out the window and could see in the far distance the reconstruction of the capital still continuing. Beatrice put a hand on his, to which he looked over at her.

"How...are they?"

"Petra is doing fine, she's in her room now, Betty just finished healing her, I suppose. As for Subaru...he's asleep right now, but he's doing terribly, even with his wounds now healed, he has no food in his stomach, and I worry about his mental state, I suppose."

"Yeah, those two were the most important people to him in this world...now this has happened. With Return by Death gone and no way to go back in time...he's out of options at this point."

Bruce got up from his seat and patted her shoulder.

"I'm going home, please watch Subaru and Petra."

"Betty will take care of them, I suppose."

"...Thank you. Goodnight Beatrice, see you tomorrow."

"Yes, goodnight."

She sat there, the orange sky shining on her, as night would fast approach. Looking over, she saw that the box Bruce was given, was also gone.

Bruce made it through the apartment complex doors, getting random hellos from the residents.

"Oh, um, h-hello B-Bruce."

"Hey Carmila. Is Frederica and Sarah nearby?"

"They're um, in their room…"

"Alright...wait, where's Daphne?"

Carmila sighed as she pointed to an open room, he glanced inside and saw that Daphne and Sekhmet were asleep on the same bed.

"...Weren't they only up for a few hours though?"

"Y-Yeah...that's the case."

"I'll need to work on their self care."

He then turned to her as he put the box down.

"And I'll need to work on your self confidence."

"Oh no um, that's just...um.."

'Carmila, you don't have to worry about a thing. You no longer have the Witch Genes in you...are you worried that's why I'm trying to help you?"

"...I was used to it back in the old days…"

"Well don't worry. All of you girls have had your inhibitions out of control for all these years, due to your Authorities, so we're going to help you all function back into society. You were all a big help in the past, so we owe you."

"That's not necessary!"

"You've helped Frederica and Sarah while I was gone, it's more than enough."

Carmila sighed...before she smiled at him.

"Thanks."

"Any time."

He grabbed the box again and waved her goodbye as he entered his room.

There he sat down to eat with Frederica and Sarah, they conversed about a few things here and there.

Mainly about how criminals have of course, suddenly started coming out less and less due to the memories of the Batman reemerging in their heads.

There was also the fact that the Barghest was being spotted more and more frequently around the forests around the capital. Bruce told them he'd take care of it, if it came to a battle with it. Sarah was able to mention how rumors were spreading of Priscilla Barielle about to be inducted as the Empress of Vollachia, Bruce hoped this would lead to a much more friendly relationship between the two rival nations, especially with things at the borders being tense.

"Um, Bruce, how is Subaru doing?"

"...Federica, he's...still a wreck."

All three of them fell silent. Only for Sarah to place her cup down.

"Yes, it's nothing to worry about."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well Frederica, even if I haven't known him as long as the rest of you, I think he is a man who pulls through no matter what he sets his mind on. Rem did say that was his best quality."

"...She did."

It became silent once again, only for Bruce to look down at the table.

"I'm not giving up."

"..."

"Not on Subaru, or freeing those two. Never; as long as I'm alive, I can't do that."

Both ladies walked over and hugged him, comforting him as best they could. He sighed a bit, letting his hands rest on their shoulders.

Soon the two ladies began to head to bed for the night...they both gave Bruce a kiss on the cheek as they knew he wasn't getting any sleep. Not after all this time that his body was rusty.

Bruce opened the box.

Once he finished preparing, he opened the rooftop door and looked out into the vast Lugnica city that made up his new home.

"I need to learn every nook and cranny of this capital."

Standing there, Bruce wore the gift bestowed upon him by Felt and her orderlies.

As dark of a suit as ever, this time, his Batsuit now incorporated red. His eyes were red, his belt, and his bat symbol were as well, with a red triangular design around his symbol and pitch black inside it. Even the inside of his cape was blood red.

He moved around in it and found it to be quite well fitted, but did miss the old feeling of his usual suits. He sighed as he whispered an incantation, letting the cape's magic activate and he flew off to patrol around the city.

Felt took a sip of tea as she was now in pajamas...gazing out the window, she could see a certain someone flying around the sky.

"Heh, I guess, he likes it."

Beatrice walked through the dark halls of the silent estate. She made it to Subaru's room, when she opened the door, the alcohol smell indeed hit her hard. She looked inside and found Subaru resting...his head on Petra's lap. She was sitting up, but asleep nonetheless. The little spirit let out a small breath of comfort. She carefully went over and laid next to Subaru, hugging onto to him.

The night continued…

Outside the walls that protected the capital...there were trees moving strangely.

It was morning, Subaru was slowly waking up from his slumber. He lifted himself up and could feel the withdrawal of alcohol strike his body. He felt nauseous, his heart was racing and his teeth felt tingly, and not in a good way. He was also covered in sweat, even if it was chilled day. He knew what would make him feel better, a nice glass of whiskey. Enough to make him numb enough to ease the pain and maybe even forget his surroundings. But when he looked to the broken desk...there was nothing.

"Huh?! What the…?"

He searched frantically, but found nothing. He then crawled over to his destroyed bed and also found nothing through his frantic digging.

"I threw them away, Subaru."

"...Huh?"

He turned around and saw the little girl who stayed with him all of last night.

"Petra…"

"And don't try to look around the estate. I go trid of every bottle I could find."

"...And why would you do that?"

"Because I can't stand to see you like this."

"See me...like this?"

He slapped his face and left his hand there, giving Petra a crazed look, but she would not back down.

"The hell is that supposed to mean Petra? How am I supposed to look huh? HUH?!"

"Back to your normal self."

"THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!"

He walked over and stared down the unflinching girl. Finally, he screamed out his tearfilled response.

"I lost it, my will and drive to keep going in this world! I had Emilia to keep me going forward and I had Rem to stay by my side! Now they're gone! I'm so sick of this shit! I try and try, and yet everything keeps going against me! Nothing has worked out! I'm lost! So fucking lost! I can't do this anymore! I lost Return By Death, I can't go back to save them! I cannot do this anymore! It's all pointless! I surrender! YOU HEAR ME!? I...I give-"

SLAP!

Subaru held his cheek and saw that, indeed, Petra slapped him.

"Petra-"

SLAP!

His other cheek was slapped, before he was tackled to the ground by this young girl. She got on him and pummeled him with countless slaps, before finally she was out of breath, tears falling from her eyes and onto his face.

"Don't…"

"Petra…"

"DON'T EVER SAY THAT AGAIN!"

She gripped his shirt tightly and rested her head on his chest.

"You are someone who would NEVER give up! Not since the day we met and not during those years we spent! Don't ever give up! It would belittle everything you did and everything we all believed in!"

"But...I failed...I failed to save them."

Subaru had tears welling up as he felt the sting of his failure in saving those two, his guiding stars.

"But you saved me."

"Eh?"

"Yeah, you saved me. Right? And the Sanctuary and the Watergate City, Batman-san and everyone elsethat can say for certain that you helped them."

"But…"

"Subaru, listen to me. If you give up, what happens to the people that are fighting for you right now?"

In his mind, Subaru saw everyone that was alive and well, his friends and acquaintances that were still around.

"If you surrender, what does that do for the memory of those we lost?"

Again. This time Emilia and Rem were just part of a group of people that Subaru had lost in the years since he came to this new world. Friends, allies and people from both this world and Bruce's.

"And wouldn't giving up, mean all the fights we've had were meaningless?"

Now, he saw the faces of all the enemies and monster he has fought against...with Anti-Monitor and Satella being in the forefront.

"And then...I wouldn't feel the same about you anymore."

"Feel about me?"

"Yeah stupid."

She leaned over...and gave him a small kiss on the lips. She removed herself and patted his head.

"I love you, Subaru."

Subaru shook his head in fear.

"No Petra...no, it's just-It's just a crush, you'll get over it!"

"Nope, I love you Subaru. Ever since the day you saved me and when you showed me how kind you are."

"God...no, you can't love me."

"Of course I can...but I know that...I don't stack up."

Subaru looked at her confused, as she trembled, letting go of him and playing with her hair.

"I'm not as pretty as Emilia, and I'm not as inspiring as Rem. I know that my age is also something that is a problem for you. You've told Beatrice about it before...but just like you, I will never give up."

She got off of him, touching her chest as she smiled down at him.

"I don't care if I have to wait a few more years. Nor if you simply never love me, like I do you, or just outright reject me...I'll stay by your side Subaru. I will never give up on the kind person who made his way into my heart. So please, don't give up on yourself."

"...I…I'm"

She then quickly walked over and kissed him on the forehead. Something sparked in Subaru, this warm feeling on his forehead...he felt it before, he couldn't tell where, but it comforted him.

She then rubbed his hair and nodded.

"Food is ready at the table...please come and eat."

Petra left Subaru there to sit with his own thoughts, as she turned the corner she locked eyes with Beatrice.

"How did it go, I suppose?"

"...I think it went well."

Petra moved past her and continued to her duties. Leaving Beatrice to her own thoughts…

Shaula made it to the kitchen and saw Petra washing some cups. The former Sage watched silently…

"Can I help you Shaula-san?"

"Oh...it's just, I was wondering if you need help with anything?"

"Nah, it's not much, so I should be fine. Thank you."

Shaula was about to leave, until she regained her composure and turned around to speak.

"Petra."

"Huh?"

Petra turned around and their eyes locked.

"..Did...you confess to Subaru?"

"...Of course I did."

"Well, um...ahem! Just so you know, I intend to get with him as well!"

"Oh! You like Subaru as well?...Well I don't have a problem with that...but…"

She made a cute smirk.

"I'm going to win him first."

"A-As if, you're still a kid to him. Me, I'm an A-D-U-L-T.! So I have the advantage!"

"No no, I've known him for quite a while...so I have the edge on that part. Besides, I still have time to grow, so once I'm an, A-D-U-L-T, he won't be able to take his eyes off of me."

Shaula gritted her teeth, while Petra gave a challenging smirk.

Then both of them let out a good laugh about it.

"We should make a bet on who he gets with first, Shaula-san."

"Yes, that kind of sounds fun."

So they did. And with that, the two ladies who decided to stay by Subaru no matter what, eased themselves into a battle to see who would win his heart first.

Subaru was now drinking...a glass of warm water with lemon and salt mixed in. A perfect solution for cleansing, since there was no electrolyte based energy drinks in this world.

"Maybe I should talk to Anastasia-san about that…"

He rubbed his head, only to gaze at his already healed hand. He knew that Beatrice had healed him...and he hadn't thanked her yet.

"Shit! What have been doing?"

He needed to thank her. Not just her, but also Bruce for trying to take care of him, even Shaula for checking up on him every once and awhile.

But he most importantly needed to thank Petra for trying to save him; and apologize to her for hitting her head the day before.

"What do I even-"

He then heard a loud noise, instantly recognizing it such.

An explosion.

He looked out his window and saw a large plume of smoke...moving through the city.

He hesitated. He wondered what he should do...if he should get involved. The he looked into his cup seeing the reflection shimmer in the light, allowing him to imagine the two bright smiles he missed, from the two people who trusted him. Then, he closed his eyes and saw the smiles of those, RIGHT NOW, that trusted him.

Subaru opened his eyes and went over to the closet, slamming open the doors, he looked inside.

"Emilia...Rem...I…"

He tossed away his cup onto to the destroyed bed.

"For you...I...WON'T!"

Subaru grabbed his tracksuit and marched his way out of the room.

In the streets, Julius was ordering his men to evacuate as many people as possible, only for loud thundering footsteps to make him turn his head. Ahead of him was a girl with pink hair that was twirled on the sides of her head , a badger demi-human, a tall man in a dark red robe...and the Inflamed Barghest making their way to them.

The badger scratched his fangs as he retrieved his giant claw weapons.

"Aloysius, tell me, are we gonna have a problem here?!"

"Even if we did, we are going to either fulfill our duties...or at least kill a few of these nuisances. Regardless, we'll put fear into this city's heart."

"Heh, the purpose of all life is death."

"Indeed, the purpose of all life is death."

The tall man also muttered this, before the Barghest let out a roar and charged, pummeling through the soldiers sent to deal with them.

On the other side of the block, Julius, now adorning white clothing similar to his old knight uniform, except with white and gold shoulder pads, was observing the spectacle.

"All units, prepare to keep this line held with a barrier! Keep them from reaching any further into the estate where Felt-sama is!"

But as he ordered this...he noticed they were heading after a certain monument. The loud clashes resounded in Julius's head as he saw where they were going fior.

The Astrea Monument.

"JULIUS!"

Julius heard a call and looked behind himself, seeing in the sky, the one person he knew could help out in the fight.

"Batman!"

He glided down and landed fiercely, punching the ground with a dramatic pose. As he got up Julius went over to him, ignoring the whispers and awe the knights around them were doing.

"It's good to see you arriving!"

"Yeah, I heard the commotion and made a straight line here...it's the Anti-Life Society, isn't it?"

"Correct, it seems they have control over the Inflamed Barghest and are making their way to the Astrea Monument. But why-"

"-Reinhard."

Julius froze when he heard the name of his old friend being said, but realized what he meant by that.

"Reinhard."

"They're after his body, it's stored deep below the Monument, especially since the Astrea grave-site was destroyed after the Crisis."

"Are they-"

"-Possibly, but we both know bringing people back from the dead is dangerous in this world, even if Od Laguna is still low in power, it would react."

"Then...what?"

"...Whatever it is, we're stopping it."

"Right!"

Batman used his cape to fly over to the fight, meanwhile Julius brought half of his men with him to accompany Batman into the battle.

Beatrice looked out the window and saw the giant plume of smoke, specks of light firing into the sky and obvious booms of air filling the sky. She shook her head, before she noticed Shaula racing off.

"Where are you going, I suppose?!"

"What does it look like Beako?! I'm going to help in this fight!"

"Firstly, I told you only Subaru can call Betty that, I suppose! Secondly, why are YOU heading out there!?"

She lowered her running stance and looked back to her with a serious expression.

"Beatrice, for the longest time I thought that what I was doing at the Watchtower was important, that it was keeping the world safe and that I was fulfilling my teacher's duties. I only got one of those right."

"Beatrice, I'm strong! I can do so much! Make up for all the people...I killed, and the lives I've ruined…"

A flash of memory for the both of them, saw Ovidius.

Shaula shook her head, before smirking at her.

"It's what Subaru and Bats would do right?"

The little spirit seemed quite impressed that she would decide to do something like this. WIth that, Shaula waved her hand before she shot away from her and opened a dimensional portal to the fight. Beatrice continued standing there, grasping her dress. She sighed sadly...before she was patted on the head softly.

"Oh come on Beako, this ain't the time to be so glum."

She looked up and her eyes welled up with tears, before she gave a big wide grin up at him.

"Stupid! You took too long, Betty was starting to get annoyed, I suppose."

"Well, I can't have my princess be that hateful towards me...Beatrice…."

He then softly took her hand.

"Let's go."

"Of course."

But before they could leave Beatrice hesitated and lowered her pace against his.

"Subaru...I...Betty is-"

"-Beatrice."

He looked over at the frightened spirit, squatting down to be eye to eye with her.

"Beatrice, I bet you feel guilty, about...what happened."

"Th-"

"-But don't. What happened has happened, even if I can't use Return by Death to go back and save them, I can find a way in the future. I promised them to never give up, and in order to do that, I need you Beatrice."

"You need Betty?"

"Hell yeah! Beatrice, were you afraid I was going to hate you?"

Beatrice nodded timidly, but her face went red when Subaru kissed her forehead.

"S-S-SUBARU?"

"Beatrice, I could never hate you. I care for you so much, and like that, I want you to be around for a long ass time, okay?"

"...O...Okay, I suppose."

She wiped away her tears and felt overwhelming joy to see that Subaru had forgiven her for what transpired and put on a determined face.

"Ready, Subaru?!"

"Yup! Let's go!"

Subaru and Beatrice stood proud as they were now about to leave, one hand holding hers and the other grasping his Helmet of Divinity. Petra watched from a corner of the hall, beaming with happiness in seeing Subaru come back to his senses.

Batman soared around the sky as he dodged blasts of rapid fire flames. Each one passed by him as he continued the assault against his enemies. The man in the red hood continued his onslaught, his face still mostly covered by it. Then he formed his hands together and made a bright surging ball of fire.

"AL GOA!"

Batman saw this and actually dived past it, startling the man, before he focused and created two daggers of fire in his hands. Batman rolled past two swipes of his knives and landed a powerful uppercut on his lower jaw, then kicked his chest and released a volley of punches against him.

His hood finally removed, Batman instantly recognized the figure, from a picture...Linnea had in her home.

"You're Linnea's grandfather, Arthur Helena!"

"That's right! My little angel was taken from me, her body gone from this world and now I'll help punish this world! Especially punish you!"

"All she ever talked about was you! She would go on and on about how much you were her hero! How she looked up to you...how she-"

His voice choked up, making even Batman feel remorseful to him...but he didn't excuse him from his actions for attacking the capital and killing so many people.

Batman charged forward, Arthur fired balls of fire against him, but Batman ran low against them, only to be stopped by Arthur slamming his hands onto the ground. He tried to engulf Batman in flames, but he soon saw Batman braving his way through the flames, having activated Al Mabakka, shielding him from damage.

Arthur squinted his eyes in contempt, before he ate an immense punch to the mouth by Batman. His mouth covered in blood, the innocent meek looking old man fell into Batman's arms. The fire behind them, Bruce looked down at the unconscious grandfather, seeing that a tear escaped the side of his wrinkled eye.

Batman cuffed him and left him with some knights, to take care of him. Batman muttered something before he flew up and noticed the Inflamed Barghest was running through several buildings, dodging some familiar needle like attacks.

He looked at a nearby rooftop and saw Shaula there, tossing away her light needles at it.

"Shaula!"

"Bats! Hey!"

Batman landed next to her as she aimed a ball of magical energy at the Barghest, but it fired it's beam from it's one eye and it made both attacks explode mid air, sending a giant shockwave throughout the block. Then, Batman noticed that the girl from the group was making a beeline for the Monument, he looked over and saw Julius battling the badger demi-human that had huge claw weapons, their trading blows sending sparks high up into the air.

He had an idea.

"Shaula! Go to the monument! Stop them from reaching Reinhard's body!"

"What about you?!"

"I'll be fine, just hurry! I'll take on this over sized mutt right here."

The Barghest was walking through the rubble of buildings, fire continuing around him, snarling at the both of them.

Shaula gave it some thought, but then nodded.

"You better not die! I'll kick your ass in the afterlife if you do!"

"Right."

Batman smirked at her comment, as she leapt from rooftop to rooftop, heading straight to the sword shaped monument. The Barghest flung itself to the building, destroying it under its weight, but Batman soared around him and prepared a special attack just for it.

"Yang Spell! Descending Justice!"

He fired the ball of light and it exploded to an unyielding stream of light that crushed the Barghest. Only for the smoke to clear and the fire covered dog to be covered in small holes, but shallow ones , that did not even reach into its flesh.

"Damn."

The Barghest barked loudly and shot a funnel of fire out of its mouth, even as magic cannon bombarded it from across the street. The Barghest shut its mouth, growled, and then charged at the knights and mages manning the cannons. Only for Batman to use his other spell.

"Yang Spell! Gotham Swarm!"

The bat constructs of light, attacked the giant dog and slammed him into a shop front, sending glass and concrete into the air. Batman dragged his feet across the floor as he landed in front of the knights, signaling them with a look to make a run for it.

From the debris cloud, the Barghest was fuming mad, it's single eye focusing squarely on Batman. Batman steeled himself for more coimbat-

"EL MINYA!"

Then, purple spears showered down against the God Beast, even destroying the street floor. Batman looked up and grinned.

"You're late."

"Sorry, I was making sure some idiot got his shit together before I headed out."

"Well, it seems it worked out."

Subaru and Beatrice floated down next to him, facing as the Barghest was now drooling in rage, it's teeth visible to all.

Beatrice scoffed at it.

"Filthy beast. Prepare to face the trio that has come to bring an end to your wretched existence, I suppose!"

The knights several yards away...began to cheer and yell out their praise.

Natsuki Subaru.

Batman.

Beatrice.

Two heroes of Lugnica and their resident Great Spirit had arrived to contend with the God Beast.

Batman jumped across and ran up a building side, kicking off the wall he tossed several magical gems into the Barghest's eye, but the heat emanating from it, burned away the gems. Just as it was going to slam it's jaws down on him Beatrice summoned her staff and aimed it right at him, firing a barrage of beams from it, knocking him away, just enough for Batman to glide past him. Subaru put on his helmet and created the King's Reach whip spell. He whacked the creature in the face with a whiplash from the end of the whip. Then, Beatrice and Subaru floated in the air and leered down at their opponent. Batman created a sword of light and spun it at the monster, but it only bumped his skin, so Bruce had another idea.

"Beatrice! Subaru! Keep him bottled up in this block, until I come back! I'm going to get something!"

With absolute trust in their friend, they responded.

"Go for it! We'll hold it off!"

"Hurry! Betty will just destroy the whole block along with it, if you don't make haste, I suppose!"

Bruce nodded and he opened a tear in space to get what he needed.

Subaru and Beatrice aimed their palms at the Barghest as more flames surrounded the pouncing beast.

Batman made it to a secret room underneath the complex Frederica owned, once he touched a wall, some magic runes lit up and a secret room opened up. Inside, he found them…

"Alright, time to end this."

The only two things he was able to bring back from his old home, his world.

The Hellbat Armor.

The Godslayer Sword.

Now Batman removed his mask, as he gritted his teeth.

Julius continued his clash with the Badger demi-human, his sword striking his giant claw weapons. He tried a sweeping kick against the knight, but he actually stepped on his leg and flipped back tossing a dagger at him, only for it to be blocked. Julius knew his knife throwing was rusty at best, but he took up lessons again, now remembering he was inspired by Batman to do so.

He kicked off the ground and clashed with the Badger again, only for the badger to bite into his shoulder. Braving through the pain, Julius kneed him away, and then hit him across the face with his sword hilt. Before he then blocked a barrage of counterattacks by him, sending him flying back. Julius then got to his feet and calmed his nerve. The badger sneered at him and his black eyes turned red and he flung himself forward, using his natural rage to boost his strength and speed.

Julius let out a small breath.

He lunged forward and released a volley of slices against his opponent. Once it was over, the badger demihuman was sliced to ribbons, falling over dead. Julius took a deep breath as he cleaned his blade well...then noticed that the person, whose name he did not even know, had a slight grin on its face.

A small breeze blew around him, before he focused his eyes where Subaru and Beatrice were battling the Barghest.

Shaula was in the deepest catacombs of the monument, an area where no one besides royalty or those with high status were allowed to venture to. She reached the inner room where squares in the wall had markings on them, with plaques featuring every member of the Astrea Family, all the way up to Reid. As she made her way forward, she saw a single concrete coffin illuminated by light...the grave where Reinhard's body rested.

Also there was the girl who came with the rest of the group attacking the city. She looked over to Shaula and smiled.

"Well good day."

"Hey...I wouldn't have the chance to ask you to surrender quietly would I?"

"I'm afraid not. I've come willing to die to succeed in this mission."

Shaula tapped her foot as she readied herself, before noticing the girl's outfit.

"That...looks like a kimono, sorry to ask, but are you from Kararagi?"

"Why yes, I was a former slave from there. Well, until the Amazo Virus Epidemic caused enough mass panic for us to not only escape, but to run into Scarecrow-sama. He was able to free us completely...giving all of us a goal in life."

"Hm, wasn't asking for your life story, but it was interesting."

"Interesting? I would guess so…"

She then moved her way toward the former Sage and put up a Judo stance. Shaula thought about it for awhile...then obliged as she put up a karate stance. Shaula charged forward, having her kick blocked by her forearms. Then Aloysius tried to counter with a quick knee, it was blocked, followed by rapid palm thrusts, all of which were defended against. Then Shaula swiped at her, only for her arm to get caught and she was tossed away...but kicked the air and missed an axe kick, destroying the ground. Aloysius soon dashed to her tried landing some consecutive chops and punches against Shaula, all of which were blocked, she tried to counter some with her own hits but she moved her head out of the way every time.

Aloysius then tried a sweeping kick, but she expected Shaula to flip in the air to dodge, so she quickly dashed forward and had her kick collide with hers. The shockwave shook the entire monument, cracking the walls around them. Shaula and Aloysius jumped away from each other, before they carefully walked back to combat. Shaula tried to jab her several times, but Aloysius used her judo stance to swat them away and kicked her in the thigh. Shaula saw her moment.

She shifted her body with the new momentum and landed a blow on Aloysius's collar bone. She countered with a chop to her face, then used her shoulder to flip Shaula over her, then landed kick to her back. Shaula, now angered, landed her feet at superhuman speed and landed two punches to her face. She then countered with an uppercut and slap to the cheek. She then spun kicked her away, making a charge for the grave. Shaula then hopped to her feet and dashed forward, breaking apart the ground further under her feet. Aloysius frowned as she turned her blood soaked face around and locked eyes with Shaula. She also dashed against her and their hands grabbing one another, the impact from the tackle causes a crater to form underneath their feet.

Both struggled against the other's strength, until Shaula took a deep breath. She broke free from her grasp and landed three punches against her, then kicked her in the ribs, Aloysius sliced her cheek open with a chop, before Shaul punched right through her upper chest.

Shaula growled as yanked her fist out of her opponent. But as Aloysius started to fall forward, she was caught by Shaula and let down gently. Through her ragged, pained breathing, she looked up at the woman who had killed her…

"How much...did...you hold...back…?"

"All I can say is though you're no Sword Saint...you were commendable, I think."

"Heh...looks….like...it's my...t-"

Aloysius's eyes lost their light and she stopped breathing. She was right. She would die for her mission, and she did. Shaula closed her the girls eyes and picked her up, carrying her out of the destroyed mausoleum, with the only thing truly entact, Reinhard's Grave, still standing.

Subaru and Beatrice glided through the air, as the Barghest continued firing it's fire breath. Subaru looked through his helmet as they fired a shockwave at it, destroying the city street more than actually hurt the God Beast.

"Damn, magic seems to be useless against this thing!"

"The flames around it's body nullifies mana down considerably, thus attacks that could slice it in two only cut his skin, I suppose. Vice versa."

"Hope Bruce gets-"

Sure enough, a tear in space appeared in the air, and out leaped a Hellbat outfitted Batman wielding the God Slayer Sword. Subaru and BEatrice grinned seeing this.

"Alright, Bruce!"

"Subaru! Get him distracted! I'm gonna end this!"

"GOT IT!"

Subaru, Beatrice and Batman charged down from the sky. THe beast snarled at the three, before he noticed some Minya spears around it's feet. They exploded and made it jump back, giving Batman the time to kick off the side of a building and slice open the side of the monster.

The Barghest shrieked in pain, letting out a beam from its eye into the sky. The horrible wound was more than the perfect opportunity for Subaru and Beatrice to fire several Minya blades into the open gash, even if they were lowered in power, once inside the wound the explosions did their thing and the monster was further injured. The giant canine fell to its side right on top of a shop. It kicked around in pain, foaming at the mouth as its blood sprayed all over the streets and onto the sides of buildings. It barked and howled...only to see Batman turning the blade into a spear and launching it right into the upper side of the beast, making it enraged, firing a beam at the flying Batman...he took advantage by turning his wings into a swarm of bats, throwing the beast into confusion. Breaking away from the blast and landed on the monsters back. The falmes did nothing to him, as the suit was forged on the sun and the heat this creature was giving off, was nothing to him. He ran for his spear, grabbing it and changing it into a large curved blade. He ran at full speed, until he was on the shoulder of the beast, jumping up into the air...He twisted his body in the air, until he finally began to fall forward, lunging at the Barghest.

Julius simply stared on.

Beatrice watched with a held breath.

Subaru took off his helmet and gazed in suprise.

"You tried to attack my comrades while I was away! BIG MISTAKE!"

The Barghest let out a defiant roar.

Then, its head was chopped clean off by the Godslayer Sword.

Batman did a roll as he landed, the head of this decapitated enemy, landed right behind him. As the beasts body stopped moving the flames around its body dissipated, until it was nothing but smoke.

The Inflamed Barghest, scourge of the world and responsible for the deaths of thousands of lives, was no more.

Killed by the heroes of Lugnica.

Countless knights were clearing up the damage done by the sudden attack. Some knight helped up injured comrades and even guided civilians to temporary housing due to the damages sustained in the battle.

Batman was still in his armor, when he looked over and saw Beatrice speaking with Julius. Most likely, they were discussing how to best counter another attack by the Anti-Life Society in the future. Bruce knew he would have to bring up the idea of cremating Reinhard's body in order to keep whatever the Society had planned for it. Looking back, he saw Subaru standing there surveying the destruction that had occured, holding on tightly to his helmet.

"Bruce."

"Yes?"

"...I would like to see them."

"...Alright."

Subaru was now in the Sealed Room.

Looking up at the gigantic block of ice, with the two people he cherished most in the world...asleep inside of it. He touched it, feeling the odd pulsating cold emanating out of it.

"Bruce."

"Hm?"

"I...I miss them. I'm going to miss them for every day that they're not here."

"I know."

Subaru put on a determined face as he stared up at the slumbering faces of those two.

"But I'm not giving up."

"Subaru…"

"As long as I'm alive, I'll keep my promises. That's what Emilia would have wanted. I'm going to continue being the hero that Rem would always look up to. And one day, maybe tomorrow, maybe when ninety, we're going to find a way to free them. MARK MY WORDS."

"Of course."

Subaru turned his head around and showed Bruce his weeping face.

"But it hurts."

"...It's going to always hurt Subaru. The real task is living with it, not ignoring it or trying to forget. You just can't."

Subaru wiped his tears away and nodded to Bruce. He vowed that no matter what, he would see them again.

Now they were outside, on a hill overlooking the vast city. Subaru looked to his side...he saw the square where he first emerged into this other world. He also saw the ruins, the very ones he spoke with Rem, ready to give up, but pushed forward to face the tribulations of this new life. Bruce looked up at the bright blue sky, the clouds moving ever so slightly.

"It's going to be hard, being a hero that is."

"Naturally, but I think once Emilia and Rem are fredd, they'll be proud of you."

"I'm sure they will."

A small breeze blew by them as they saw everyone walking up the hill to meet them.

Petra's smile beamed with Beatrice holding her hand embarrassingly.

Julius sighed as he saw Felt gunning up the hill.

Sekhmet had Frederica carry her, much to the amusement of Sarah.

Otto had to handle all the luggage as he was being laughed at by Meili and Typhon, with even Minerva holding back a laugh.

Carmilla pushed Daphne's wheelchair as she was speaking with Joshua, Tivey and Kaya.

Subaru and Bruce could only imagine Garfiel being dragged around by his fiance Mimi, making Anastasia giggle at their affectionate display.

Priscila making her way through the busy streets of Vollachia, with proud smile on her face.

Crusch being spoon fed by a smiling Ferris.

Scarecrow was sighing at the loss of Barghest and several of his members, before looking at a fleshy wall in the cave, which was growing an embryo of another Barghest. He wickedly smiled down at his table as he looked at a large sword, quite similar to the Dragon Sword, only this one was bright red and gold. Nefarious goals of his would still continue, making him the sworn enemy of Batman and Natsuki Subaru for years to come.

The people of Gusteko gazes from the snowy hills, as they could swear...they could see new mountainsides.

Under the Deep Sea, something moved, a gigantic turtle like creature.

In the skies, a white armored, giant eagle, soared through the skies.

All over the world, things were changing, just as it always would.

"Bruce Wayne."

"Hm?"

"Will you help me? Protect them, stop all the evil this world has to offer...and make it a better place."

"...Thought you'd never ask."

He reached his hand to him.

"I'd be happy to, Natsuki Subaru."

"Thank you, Dark Knight."

The two shook hands, and with that, they were ready to protect this world. Save it. Guard it. So that one day, when two shining stars shined again, they would be in a better place, one where they could raise two small lights in relative peace…

Natsuki Subaru, a young boy with no future ahead of him, had raised himself to be recognized as something more; Batman, one of the greatest heroes on Earth, had found a new calling to fight for and people he could finally look to for support...both found themselves looking to a brand new future and becoming good friends. And together, they would change things and make themselves known throughout the lands.

To become saviors. To become defenders. TO BECOME HEROES.

Heroes in Another World. And that is what is.

A Story That's Just That.

And as this world's time skipped forward, so did the others…

Time would begin moving forward, but before the viewing of one certain future...there would be one last look at the current events; of other worlds.

AN: Next time, Chapter 108, "Goodnight IFs", we will be taking one last look all the IF timelines, including the Wrath route that just came out. Salivate my friends. Until next time!

Three Chapters left...