AN: The Summit begins. And Swamp Thing (Costume based on his design in the new 52 form) is here! ENJOY.

ARC Ten: Return to Life

Chapter One Hundred and Three: A Warning

Subaru and the others sat on a large blanket as they all were now in attendance to the Spiritual Summit. The sounds of the waterfall were still nearby as they looked at the Five Great Spirits in a circle…

Beatrice. Great Spirit of the East. Known in Lugnica as the Noble Goddess, while outside she is known as the Child Empress. Her domain was that of time and space, her specialty was mastery of Yin Magic and access to Subaru's Helmet of Divinity and the last remaining of Roswaal's private collections.

Gustav. Great Spirit of the South. Known in Vollachia as the Jawed King of the Earth, while outside he is known as the Magma Overlord. His domain was that of the Earth's crust and ground, as well as keeping watch over the core of their world; his specialty was mastery of Earth Magic and has access to stones that eliminate mana from the atmosphere for several days.

Aja. Great Spirit of the West. Known in Kararagi as the Enigmatic Lord of the Skies, outside she is known as the Firebird Typhoon. Her domain was that of the weather of the world, and her specialty was Fire and Wind Magic Mastery, as well as having access to the mysterious floating island Argonauts and several Metia she keeps to herself.

Vasilisa. Great Spirit of the North. Known in the currently war torn Gusteko as the Baroness of Purity, while outside she is known as Specter of Ice. Her domain is that of the waters of this world and to keep guard the Great Waterfall, her specialty was mastery of Water Magic and has access to a lake deep in her mountain home that is said to grant mastery over magic.

Swamp Thing. Great Spirit of the Center. Known throughout the world as the Green Guardian. His domain is the protection over all plant life of this world and to see balance with living beings and their natural homes. He controls the mysterious powers of the Green, but is also a master of Yang Magic.

Now the delegations would start.

"Now then, I Swamp Thing, will start this meeting."

They all nodded, all the while the others were watching intently. He scratched his wooden horns, which almost appeared to take the shape of antlers atop his head, before coming up with his decision.

"We will go in order of North, West, South, East and Center. Now, is everyone alright with this order of requests?"

"Sure."

Aja fanned herself as she responded, getting Swamp Thing to motion his hand to the Spirit who would start.

"Then, Vasilisa, please start."

"Thank you. My biggest issue to resolve is the current civil war going on in my territory."

Gutsav slammed his tail on the ground, startling Emilia and Rem.

"So those fuckers are still at it huh? Damn man."

"Of course Gustav-dono, the people's frustrations with the inequality set by the royalists was too much to bear, especially after the ending results of the Convergence War. So much devastation and destruction would be too much for anyone to bear. Tempers years in the making would flare up."

"Well...yeah, it's the same with my home."

"The reason I bring this up is that many innocent people are being caught in the crossfire between the Loyalists Storm Army and the Separatists Solar Army. I want help in getting them to safety. But even the Separatist Leader, Umbra Liam, is unable to spare his time."

Aja shook her head.

"Sorry, but I can't do much, the Kararagi City States won't bring in any refugees, due to fear of them bringing in the Amazo Virus with them."

"But wasn't it contained?"

"My oh my...Yeah, but human paranoia usually takes precedent doesn't it?"

Vasilisa looked despondent about it…

"Well shit, sorry, but since you're country is alllll, theeee, waaaay, on the other side of the fucking world, there isn't much I can do. And if I did, it could cause a ruckus."

"...Thanks anyways."

"Yeah."

Gustav scratched his neck with his clawed fingers. Swamp Thing decided to give his own participation.

"There is not much vegetation in Gusteko, thus I have no way of completely intervening."

"No, at least you were thinking of helping...thank you Swamp Thing-dono."

At this point there was a heaviness in the air, no was able to help in the first request of this meeting. Vasilisa seemed quite depressed that there was no-

"How foolish, I suppose."

"Beatrice-dono?"

"Hmph, create an ice path to the Lugnica border, I will talk with the Queen of Lugnica and have them start a refugee program. You're people might be uncomfortable for a while, but they will still be alive, I suppose."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, you have my word, I suppose."

Vasilisa smiled as removed her scarf from over her mouth.

"Thank you Beatrice-dono."

"Y-Your welcome."

Beatrice blushed embarringly at her happiness.

Subaru was more than proud that Beatrice had changed into such a trustworthy person, one that helped whenever she could. He could only wink at her, to which she smiled back at.

"Now then, I suppose. Aja, what's your issue?"

"Hmmmmm...well, I need some help dealing with my floating island."

"Huh? Why would that be an issue-"

"-I lost it."

It was quiet as everyone just stared at Aja's bashful smile. All the while Beatrice face-palmed herself, while letting out a groan.

Gustav and Vasilisa clenched their fists and yelled at her.

"How did you lose a floating fucking island?! It's in the damn sky! Shit!"

"Can't you just find it yourself, Aja-dono?"

Aja played with her hair.

"Well I've been busy as of late, and so when I turned around lately...zi saw it wasn't in the air."

"That's incredible neglectful. Still...how is losing it an issue?"

"I stored a powerful magical item on it...I think it'd be dreadful if someone found out and they tried to steal it."

"Oh Aja-dono, please be more mindful."

Swamp Thing sighed.

"Since the island is filled with vegetation I will be able to sense it's whereabouts, after this meeting, I will aid you in finding it."

"My oh my, thanks Green Guardian! I will owe you something in the future!"

"Just do us all a favor and keep a closer eye on your property."

Everyone nodded with annoyance clearly on their faces.

Aja seemed to laugh about it.

Gustav nodded his head as he yawned.

"I just need some advice on how to deal with the mother fucking issue with the rulers of the country."

"Firstly, stop it with the language already, I suppose. Secondly, how is it going with that?"

"Badly, everyone and their fuckin mother wants to take the country, and for some damn reason I got to be the one to mediate it all. Shit, this sucks."

He snarled a bit as he twisted his tail around. Vasilia scratched her hair as she glanced at him.

"Are the ones coming forward that bad for the country or something?"

"Well, the thing is there are at least five damn candidates of worth, of which I have given express blessings for being in the running. This is especially due to the fact that their stupid ass process of the previous emperor fucking different broads across the empire, and then having them battle for the throne...is not a damn option anymore."

"Hm, and who are some of these candidate?."

"Eh. Three of them are just some nobleman kids, at least they have some fucking intelligence to them. As for the other two, there's a girl named Lordi Garza, she's okay, though in my fucking opinion, she's not at all that physically strong, so she has an ass-ton of soldiers around her."

"For you to know her name speaks volumes though. And the last?"

"Hm...oh yeah, some chick named Priscilla Barielle."

Emilia stood up in total loss of composure.

"Priscilla is running for the throne Gustav-sama?!"

"Yeah...oh that's right, she was with you during the Convergence War; then maybe…"

"Maybe…"

"Alright, thanks...Emilia was it?"

"Ye-yes...I guess you could say I'm um, uh...Natsuki Emilia."

Subaru looked away as he began to feel faint and hot, hearing her say that. Rem let him rest his head on her shoulder as she giggled at his embarrassed reaction. Petra pouted as Sarah patted her head.

Gustav titled his head and…

"GRAGHAHAHAHAHAHA! This group is fucking hilarious, Shit! I wish I had these kind of people around me back home. But alright, Natsuki Emilia...thanks to you, I've decided to make her take the throne."

"...HUH?! Seriously?! You're going to make her the King of Vollachia?"

"Yup, she seems the most qualified in my own amazing opinion. And her participation in the War shows she has a backbone! Fuck, that makes things easy!"

"Well, um, doesn't that mean she'll need a knight to protect her?"

"For the meanwhile, I'll have the shitty guards protect her when she's in public places, as for a knight...heh fuck yeah, there's someone I found that I've been training in combat. To replace Blue Lighting Cecilus."

The other spirits were indeed surprised to hear this.

Swamp Thing had to ask about it.

"And who that would be?"

"A kid I discovered, his name's Zulu Creed. The fucker has potential, so I've begun training him in combat, and have had instructors teach him how to use weapons and magic."

"Can he reach the Blue Lightning's level of strength?"

"Sure, at his current level he's not there...but he's also as strong as Royal Guard from Lugnica and the little bastard is only eight years old."

"My, eight was it? Then he has the talent for it."

"Hell yeah! Then that's that. My request is done."

Gustav looked over at Emilia one last time and nodded to her, to which she bowed respectfully at him.

And so the meeting continued.

Swamp Thing had the floor go to Beatrice.

"Okay...the thing I need help in, is to find Bruce Wayne and free him from the void."

The spirits nodded as they heard her request to bring back a hero who sacrificed themselves to an endless suffering, all to save the world. Their answer was clear and unanimous.

.

.

.

.

"NO."

.

.

.

.

Subaru and the others froze as they gave their answer. No..it was less they said their answer, but just spat it out. They didn't even deliberate on it, or think for even a second about it...they simply just said it.

Beatrice tapped her foot as she gave a disappointed look.

"And why is that, I suppose?"

"Beatrice-dono, while we all admire and respect Batman-dono for his actions back at the Algol Tree. His fate is clear and done."

"Then if you all admire him, help me get him back!"

"It's not that easy…"

"Of course it is. I just need even one of you to help track the point where we breach the space time continuum and reach where he is stuck in."

Gustav slammed his tail on the floor.

"Sure, do that then! Do the same fucking kind of shit that the Apocatastasis Society was doing then! Mess around with goddamn structures of space and time!"

"This is different Gustav, I suppose!"

"Maybe the goals are different but the outcomes would be the same!"

"No, that's not accurate at all!"

"The fuck it isn't! Reality, is in a sense, still healing after what the Anti-Monitor did! Shit...Look around at what's happened! If you break the dimensional structure of our world...then you might do something to the Multiverse!"

"Not at all, Betty is the Yin Master of this world, I can make sure it doesn't go that way, I suppose!"

"...Then what about Envy?"

She twitched a bit.

It was something she didn't really want to think about, and it was evident she almost hardly planned for it.

"Envy is still in there most likely, if you breach through; that fucking asshole will try and get back as well! What are you going to do then?!"

"We'll grab Bruce and make it out of there before it can escape-"

"-THINK THIS FUCKING THROUGH, BEATRICE!"

Everyone flinched at his roaring voice.

"With all the damn trouble we already have going on around us, the fucking last thing we need is that thing making its way out back here and causing more destruction."

"...Bruce needs us."

"...I know. Fuck! I'm sorry, but I'm not helping."

Gustav growled at her, informing her that his decision was made.

Vasilisa closed her eyes as she nodded.

"I apologize Beatrice-dono, even though you are going to help me with the refugee situation...I find myself with my own decision on this matter...forgive me…"

"...Vasilisa…"

"I agree with Gustav-dono. The danger is too great, I refuse to help as well."

Beatrice was now downtrodden, seeing half of her allies deny her help. Aja closed her fan as she looked over at Beatrice.

"My oh my, such a terrible thing...but...Kararagi needs my assistance more than anything at the moment, I call it my territorial home and thus will never participate in something that could bring it further ruin."

"Even you huh?"

"Sorry fellow Great Spirit...but I Aja, also will not help you."

She sat on her Peacock's back and returned to fanning herself.

"How could you all…?"

"..."

"How could you all turn your backs on Batman, I suppose!?"

"..."

"Bruce has done everything to save this world, so much of his body broken, so much of his soul tarnished, so many sacrifices made...even now, he suffers, and when he learns that he can truly never return back to his original world, he'll be more distraught than ever, I suppose! He's saved all of us...he's...that man is…"

Beatrice held back as tears formed in the corner of her eyes, something Aja noticed first.

"Betty sees that man as one of her greatest friends! Next to Subaru and Lewes, I have not felt such respect to a person in the last four hundred years, I suppose!"

"Beatrice…"

"...I don't care. Betty doesn't care! Betty will do this on her own, I don't need your help to find him or rescue him! We'll all do just fine on our own, I suppose!"

Beatrice gave them all a sour look as they looked at her out of pity more than anything. All of this for just one person, they simply couldn't fathom it.

Swamp Thing sighed.

"Beatrice."

"What, you too? You're also going to abandon Bruce as well, I suppose?"

"...I will help you."

Everyone in attendance was shocked by his shifting declaration.

"Swamp Thing-dono are you sure you should be doing this?!"

"Vasilia, I'm doing what I think is right at the moment, and as such, I do not see this being a threat to the Green of this world."

"Still-"

"-I feel that I personally owe Batman this as much. I will simply help her find the place she needs to go, nothing more."

Beatrice wiped away stray tears, she did a courteous bow to him.

"Thank you swamp-"

"-Do not get the wrong idea though."

"Huh?"

The toine in his voice and atmosphere changed instantly.

"Though I will aid you in finding the place where he is trapped...I expect nothing to go wrong in his retrieval. Though I am merely a piece of consciousness of the original Swamp Thing, that has found itself in this world, I have made my own body and have absorbed enough spiritual powers to make myself this world's new Green Guardian. As such this world is now my new home."

"Betty understands, I suppose."

"So...if a disaster results in this...know that even if it is resolved…"

Swamp Thing had a yellow glow around him as large venus fly traps sprung out of the ground, snarling at Beatrice. Gustav had magma leaking out of the ground under his feet. Aja had a her Peacock feathers surround themselves in fiery wind. Vasilisa had shards of ice form around her shoulders.

The pressure nearly crushed Subaru and the others.

The Spirits were all glaring at her.

"If something like that happens, you will be held accountable, Beatrice. And that means, imprisonment...or death."

"...Beatrice accepts."

She bowed.

The other spirits relaxed and dissipated their strong powers, gving Subaru and the others a chance to breathe.

"Thus, as I personally have no inquiries to resolve...this Summit is adjourned."

The first ever Spiritual Summit was now at an end.

"Then I best be going now. Subaru-dono, everyone, best of luck to you all!"

They waved Vasilisa goodbye as she hopped into the pond and simply vanished.

Gustav stomped his foot on the ground, and the very earth below him broke apart, showing the light of magma and such emanating out of it.

"Alright ya crazy bastards, don't get the world fucked up now! See you again someday!"

"BYE!"

Everyone watched as Gustav went into the giant crack and walked down...as he disappeared from view, the crack closed shut.

Aja blew a kiss at them.

"My oh my! It was interesting to meet you all! Hopefully you come by in six months for the next Summit! Ta ta!"

She tapped her Peacock on the head with her fan, and in a burst of flames it became a giant radiant Phoenix. Everyone was stunned into silence. She hopped on it's back and it let out a loud chirp. It rose into the air and flew away high above the clouds.

Swamp Thing took deep breath as she held one of his hands. He focused as he sot out countless vines from his feet. They went far away in a rapid pace, Beatrice opened her closed eyes as they emenated a pink glow...soon that pink golow traveled all along the vines.

After a few short seconds, they stopped this odd ritual and bowed to each other.

"Then if it is all done-"

"-Yes, Betty has found him. Thank you Swamp Thing."

"Not to worry, just helping an old friend is all."

"Yes."

"Just...remember what we spoke of today, please. And this as well...a warning."

"What you desire...might come at a cost."

"...Betty...will prevent that from happening."

Swamp Thing sighed as he rubbed his head, but soon nodded, Beatrice nodded in compliance as well and the two shook hands.

He stepped back and took in a deep breath.

"Respect the Green everyone, and luck shall be on your side!"

He then punched the ground next to him, and grass sprung up, flowers bloomed and the ravaged village of Midas had large trees spring out of the ground. They covered the wasteland, save for the small plaque Subaru and the others set up...and now it looked as though, that very village never existed in the first place.

Subaru was left speechless by his overwhelming power.

Swamp Thing nodded at them with a smile, before he calmly fell backwards onto the ground and he became a tangle of vines and flowers, then it calmed down and the Great Spirit left.

Beatrice then pointed west to where they were.

"That way, I suppose."

Garfiel looked at the direction she pointed.

"So, he's ther' huh?"

"Yes, it will be a four day journey at most...but in the end, that's where we'll need to be."

Everyone nodded, and soon enough they began to move out once again, leaving the forest that replaced Midas and the large mountain known as Deacon Blues, behind.

"Hey Beatrice."

"Yes, Petra?"

"Did we meet him before?"

"...During the conflict, he helped us...why?"

"...Don't know why, but he seemed familiar, somehow."

Beatrice shook her head and smiled, taking Petra's hand as they made a run to the carriage.

It was another night out in the forest, Beatrice finished setting up the barrier around them, as to protect them from unwanted attention...then she heard something.

"Who's there, I suppose?"

"Hey Beatrice...san."

"Oh, Shaula."

Shaula stepped wrapped in a blanket, leaving only her long slender legs to be seen. She stood atop the carriage, jumping down to speak with Beatrice. She was now kneeling down to whisper.

"You sense it too right?"

"Correct, something has been following these past few days, I suppose."

"What is it?"

"Don't know just yet, but soon...we should prepare to chase it away or-"

"-Confront it."

"Yes, I suppose."

They both nodded as they made their way back to their own sleeping arrangements.

All the while several yards away...some tall bushes moved erratically.

Beatrice was asleep nuzzled to Subaru. Even if she grunted as it was quite uncomfortable...due to being in between Emilia and Rem who were also nuzzled to him on each side. Subaru whined a bit in his sleep.

Darkness, this was all Subaru could see…

Then he was hearing a muffled voice, one that he thought he could recognize…

"...m...l…"

More and more he traveled through the darkness...until he could see a light shoot down and shine on something.

"P...e…"

Now he was close and could see a dark armored individual kneeling on the ground, his arms hung low; his helmet was off, revealing his face. Handsome he thought, but it was bruised, cut up and cracked. His bright blue eyes, were filled with no light and he had large bags under his eyes.

As he looked up at him, the eyes began to bleed and widen hideously. A hissing sound escaped his open mouth.

"PLEASE HELP ME."

"HAGGGHHHHHH!"

Subaru woke up screaming from the odd dream he had, but it felt more than a dream for sure. As he looked around, he saw Emilia were also sitting up, fear drenched on their faces.

Rem held her chest as if her heart was going to jump out.

Emilia held her head as if it was ready to fall off.

Subaru of course asked…

"You saw him didn't you?"

Their terrified nods were all the answer he needed. Beatrice sat up, calm and collected but understanding to their plight.

"Betty thinks as we get closer, we'll see more visions of Bruce I suppose."

"But why?"

"Betty theorizes he could probably sense us, and is using whatever mana he has left to try and communicate with us, I suppose. To have us help him get out of there...it would seem even a mind as strong as his, has a limit…"

As they tried to deliberate further.

They heard screaming coming from the carriage.

Frederica was in the dark void seeing the dark armored man kneeling on the ground, a single source of light revealing him. He looked up at her, making her heart beat so hard she feared it would interrupt her breathing.

Then she felt a tug on her sleeve...she looked down and a young cute girl with long black hair, green eyes and in a long dark dress. She smiled at her, revealing her own sharp teeth…

"Help papa, okay?"

These words broke her heart.

"EYAGGHHHHHH!"

Frederica sat up, screaming and crying as she did. Petra did her best to stop her from hurting herself, just as Sarah rushed into the carriage.

"Yes, Frederica, Stop it!"

"Frederica- onee sama! Calm down it's okay!"

Frederica could only snivel in response as she held her shoulders, trembling from the sight.

"You saw him right now didn't you?"

"I…"

"We all just saw him right now. It's okay to-"

"-It's not just that Sarah...I saw her too."

"Her?"

"A little girl, black hair, green eyes...so cute...it hurt seeing her. IT CRUSHED ME. IT BROKE MY HEART. WHY? WHO WAS THAT GIRL?!"

Beatrice was now at the door...she hugged her elbows, looking away slightly as she did her best to answer.

"Frederica."

"Hm?"

"Does the name, Miliana, sound familiar?"

"...Yes...No...I don't know."

She clenched some of her long flowing blonde hair.

"That girl was...the daughter you and Bruce were supposed to have, I suppose."

"Huh?"

"You were pregnant right before the Convergence started."

"I was...with child? His child?"

The shock spread all around the people gathered outside the carriage.

Beatrice nodded sadly, looking down. She also didn't want to remember.

"The scar on your stomach…"

"...THEN-"

"-Yes. During the conflict you received a wound there, I suppose. While you survived. The baby did not."

"...I see…"

She grabbed her stomach…

"Then that girl...that precious little thing…"

"...Most likely, that is what your daughter would have ended up looking like, I suppose...I'm sorry."

Frederica silently cried as Petra and Sarah hugged her.

The idea that a memory of a precious gift became also lost, was something unsettling for the rest of the team...they also felt the returning pain of when the child was taken from them. So everyone crammed into the carriage and made a group hug.

Beatrice joined in...all the while talking to herself.

"Betty will fix things...Betty will save us all, I suppose...SAVE HIM."

Funny enough the entire group, exhausted, piled into the carriage and slept there, even if it was uncomfortable.

Three more days passed as they traveled along the roads leading to their destination. Frederica was able to calm down exponentially and continued taking care of everyone's needs along with Rem. Also with luck, their dreams stopped that night and they were able to get a plentiful rest...even if Sekhmet kept falling asleep for no better reason than bad habits.

Forcing Garfiel to drag her around.

Beatrice was sitting in the passenger seat when she furrowed her brows.

"Stop the carriage, I suppose."

"Beako?"

"SUBARU! STOP THE CARRIAGE!"

The carriage came to a sudden halt. Everyone inside was understandably cautious of what was happening.

Beatrice leaped down, just as Shaula jumped out of the door and faced due south of them. Everyone else came running out as well.

"Hey what's going on Beatrice?!"

"Petra! Stay close to the others, I suppose!"

Petra looked quite scared but still held onto her yet released bo staff, all the while being hugged by Sekhmet. Frederica guarded Petra and Sekhmet as she faced the same direction.

Garfiel slammed his fist into his palm and Mimi spun her trademark staff around.

"Wha's up, somethin' itchin' for a figh'?!"

"...Something has been following us these past few days, I suppose."

"...WHA?! And ya' didn' say nothin' abou' it?!"

"Originally me and Shaula were going to take care of it, I suppose...but now it suddenly got too close. Now we have to confront or it will grow bolder by the day!"

She summoned several Minya spears, Rem readied her morningstar and Emilia summoned an ice warhammer. Subaru got his whip ready just in case and Sarah got a forearm blade ready from her armor. Shaula sighed as she brought out one of her hell snipe needles out, spinning it around at a rapid movement.

"Come out, I suppose!"

Nothing.

Silence.

"We all know you are there! Betty can smell the mana leaking from you!"

Nothing.

Everyone was on guard.

"Don't be a fool and just get out here you fool-"

"-And here I was trying to surprise you all."

An hideous and eerie voice cret out from the woods in, with it a sudden feeling pressure began pouring out of the trees. Soon, they saw countless animals running for their lives in the opposite direction.

Even Shep was holding back its instinct to run as far away as possible from this threat.

Subaru grabbed the handle for his whip as sweat drenched his face.

Then a tree fell several yards in front of them. Emerging from the shadows of the forest...eyes and mouth glowing bright orange, something akin to a jack o lantern.

"Beatrice, what is the little spirit like you doing all the way out here? I am curious."

"...YOU!"

"Is that any way to speak to someone who has been dying to see you all again?"

As the being moved closer, they could hear the rattling of chains follow suit. Everyone was ready to fight...until they saw the large imposing figure step out of the shadows.

A tall being, easily eight to nine feet tall, but more of a nightmarish creature. With features resembling those of a demon and a skeletal corpse, his eyes and mouth glew bright orange, , he fights with a chained hook-like sickle. Belts wrapped around his elongated clawed arms, a brown vest he had on torn up, along with the bottom of his grey pants, revealing his monster like feet.

A monster, yet human as well.

He looked strong, yet his stomach appeared like he suffered from some form of malnourishment, caving the gut in a bit.

Bits of crow feathers were poking out of his shoulders...and a noose was wrapped around his neck.

"After all these years, have you forgotten me?"

"How could Betty forget something like you?! Everyone in this world knows of the evil you have caused, I suppose!"

"It's all for a unifying principle goal, is it not?"

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"

The being chuckled as he picked up the large hook like sickle attached to the chains he was dragging earlier...with an eerie green aura expelling from his body.

Everyone was tense. They had never seen something like this monster before…especially…

"Betty despises you, I suppose! You! Leader of the Anti-Life Society. Scourge of the new world, and first of the four Vile Spirits! Tell Betty, I suppose! Why have you followed us here, Amygdala?!"

"Hahhhhhhh…"

"No...you don't go by that name any more do you, I suppose!?"

It was creepy. Horrifying. Dreadful...how his face was a sack like mask.

"Then answer Betty now! ANSWER ME! SCARECROW!"

Ever closer to their final point, they encounter an evil that should not exist...

AN: Guess who's back, and this time in his Injustice 2 costume? What is this Scarecrow capable of?...Tune in next time, to find out!