AN Fun Fact: If anyone is interested, the costumes I used for the DC characters in this story, for visual purposes. are almost all exclusively their "New 52" costumes, except for Scarecrow. His costume is the one featured in "Arkham Knight". Just letting you all know for fun. Enjoy.

ARC Five: Trials of the Sanctuary

Chapter 33: Trust

Emilia had eventually awoken from her fainting and they all decided to finally go see Roswaal. Otto stayed behind to take care of the dragon carriage, so Batman decided to do him a favor.

"Otto here take this."

"What is it?"

"It's a metia of sorts, put it in your ear and you can easily communicate with me if anything should occur, the villagers here don't seem too hostile, but we can't be too sure."

"Oh understandable."

Batman and Otto tested out the comm link, which startled Subaru as he heard it as well. Though he understood the reasoning behind it.

Eventually they met with the others in a house in the middle of town. Once inside, they were greeted by Ram who walked over to a bed that was next to her and they saw a very familiar face, one that seemed to heavily injured.

"Aha! Batman-san it is soooo good to see you again! I was worried thaaaaat you would be hurt from helping Subaru-kun fiiiiight his battles."

"Ohhhhh? What's with the silent treatment?"

Batman walked over next to Subaru and Emilia and leaned his back on an adjacent wall. Ram walked over and handed him a cup of tea, he nodded and took a sip from it.

"Thanks Ram, I needed that."

"If it calms you down than that is all that matters, try not to lose your composure, and set a good example for Barusu."

"Alright then."

As Ram nodded, Batman looked in the corner of his eye to see Garfiel glaring at him with an annoyed expression. Batman just ignored it and continued sipping on his tea.

As the talks continued, Roswaal explained that once Emilia entered the Sanctuary, she became trapped by its barrier that does not allow halfs to leave. If they even attempted it, Emilia would lose consciousness again and could potentially never awaken again. This, of course, unsettled Subaru as he felt he brought Emilia into a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile Batman squinted his eyes at the comment as he felt it was all too coincidental in the way events played out…

Roswaal continued by explaining that the tomb they saw outside of the town, was the tomb of the Witch of Greed, which piqued Batman's interest.

"Witch of Greed? As in one of the witches that was consumed by Satella?"

"Oh myyyyy! To speak of her name so publicly, you truly are a man with no fear."

"Right...so my assumption is correct then?"

"Yesssss, indeed that is the case. Also I should let you know-"

"-Her name is Echidna right?"

Roswaal's usually composed expression shattered, as he stared at Batman with one of absolute shock.

Seeing this, Batman gave a devious smile at the sorcerer before him.

"Did you really think I'd spend those two days wasting my time and not trying to figure you out, Roswaal?"

"...You...YOU WERE IN MY STUDY?"

"Yeah, I also found the secret door in your bookcase, as well as some interesting notes you've been leaving behind. Don't worry, I didn't break into your locks or anything, I'm sure you may have had some spells in there or something, so I just lock picked into them. When I was done, I put them back in order."

Roswaal slammed his hand on the wall that was behind and him and glared at Batman.

"Who do you think you are?!"

"Someone who will speak his mind, right here….RIGHT NOW."

Batman walked over to Roswaal, Garfiel and Ram attempted to get in his way, but a wave of Roswaal's hand stopped them. Batman was only a feet away from the injured Roswaal, as he spoke his mind.

"I don't trust you Roswaal L. Mathers."

Everyone silently let out air of disbelief as they heard this.

"I never trusted you, since the day we met in fact. Those eyes of yours, your very words and actions...they were incredibly suspicious."

"And let's just say, I've had bad run ins with people in clown makeup."

Batman then got in a squatting position as he stared eye to eye with Roswaal.

"I'm getting close to you Roswaal, just as close as I am right now to you...and if you put anyone here in harm's way, the injuries you have now-"

Batman then leaped over and punched Roswaal right in the jaw as his body flew back into the wall behind him.

"-will look like child's play! And no healing spell in this world will save your broken body!"

Ram shoved Batman away as she helped Roswaal back into the bed. Garfiel put himself between Batman and Ram, making a vicious face as he did. Batman sighed as he walked back and signaled Emilia.

"Could you go over and help Ram heal Roswaal for a bit, we still all need to talk."

"Oh...right."

Emilia rushed over to help heal Roswaal, all the while Ram was glaring at Batman. Batman looked over at Subaru who was very clueless to what had occurred.

"Batman, just what is going between you two?"

"...Nothing, I can't explain later."

Later, the healing was done as everyone was sipping on a glass of tea to calm their nerves. Batman finished his cup and set it down next to his feet and narrowed his eyes at Roswaal. Subaru finally continued the conversation.

"So let's cut to the chase...why are we here?"

"...With Emilia-sama trapped here, the only way for us to leave is to complete the Trials."

"The Trials?"

"Yessss, a set of challenges presented only at night at the Tomb of Echidna. Only those with the qualifications may actually take them. Annnnnd only when those trials are completed can we truly be free from this predicament."

"Hmmmm...so who do you think has the qualifications?"

"Whyyyy, none other than our beloved Emilia-sama."

Emilia seemed confused about this.

"Huh? Me?"

"Yessss. Though any half that tries tooooo leave the Sanctuary goes unconscious, you lost your consciousness when yoooooou began to enter, IIIIIII believe that is the surest sign that you have become qualified."

"Well, if everyone is counting on me, then I have to give it everything I got! Right Subaru?"

Subaru nodded in agreement, though he was obviously worried about one last thing.

"What about the other half of the villagers from Irlham, the ones that were sent here?"

"Unfortunately they are under house arrest for the moment as well as I am."

"Wait, let me guess, they won't let them go unless we complete the trials, huh?"

"Myyyyy, you truly have become a dependable man instead of the naive boy ooooof yesterday!"

"Ignoring that slight insult there, I can see that we have some problems still."

Subaru facepalmed a bit as he realized the predicament they were in.

Batman then began to walk to the door as everyone became curious by his actions, especially Ram.

"Batman-san...where are you going?"

"...I'm going to go find the villagers."

"And why would you do that?"

Batman turned around right at the doorway and smirked at everyone.

"Other than Roswaal over there...I'm sorry about this everyone."

That was when Garfiel heard a rolling noise right under him. He looked down to see a small metallic sphere roll towards him, he looked over to Roswaal and saw that near his bed was another one.

"Th' fuck is th-?!"

Before anyone had a chance to think, the spheres released grey gas into the house, in a flash Batman ran over to Emilia and Subaru and grabbed both of them. He quickly fired a grappling hook out the door and took the two out of the house. He then ran back and slammed the door, breaking the door handle in the process. He could hear coughing and banging from the other side and of course.

"YOU PIECE A' FUCKIN' CR...I...I…!"

Then he heard something drop to the ground and he looked over at Emilia and Subaru who were staring at him.

"Let's go get the villagers."

Subaru stepped forward and began yelling.

"Are-ARE YOU INSANE?! What the hell did you just do?!"

"Nothing much, I used some Sleeping Gas to knock them all out. In the case of Garfiel, he seems to also be a half demi-human, so I slipped some muscle relaxant into his tea when he wasn't looking."

"...But why?"

"If we tried to save the villagers now, they would have done everything to stop us, this way we can properly save them in the cover of night."

"...Yeah, it does seem that's one of the things we needed to care of immediately. Though I wanted to see if we could've negotiated with them tomorrow."

"Optimistic, but in reality we can't always be that way Subaru. For now, let's get a move on."

Emilia then walked over to the two with a determined face.

"I'm going to help! Those people have been here long enough. I want to send them home to their families."

Subaru and Batman couldn't help but smile at the determined girl before them. Subaru huddled the trio together…

"Alright, I think I have an idea…"

In front of the housing the villagers were being kept in, there were two guards with dog ears instead of normal ones.

Subaru walked over to them and waved his hands.

"Yo! Long night fellas?"

"Huh? And just what do you think you're doing here?"

"Nothing just being the good citizen and checking up on his fellow neighbors and any plights! Speaking of which...you guys seem tired so I wanted to see if you needed to take a load off!"

"HUH?! Be a good youngling and scram! We know you're one of Roswaal-sama's guests, so go before we stop being courteous!"

"Oof! Alright catch you two in the morning!"

Subaru sped off as the two guards grimaced at the young man who went away, unaware of the small sphere on the ground next to them. It released the Sleeping Gas, frightening the guards before they both collapsed onto the ground.

Subaru ran back as the gas dissipated, Batman ran over and sat the two next to a wall next to them. Batman was glad that Plan B wasn't needed, where in the chance the gas didn't work, he would leap down and knock out the guards by force. Emilia noticed the signal and made a run for the doors. She opened them up and saw the villagers resting as Emilia tapped the shoulder of a young villager.

"Wuh?"

"Quick, get up."

"Emilia-sama?!"

Emilia shushed him as she looked around to see if anyone else heard them.

"Wake everyone up, we are getting you all out of here."

"By why would you-"

"I am doing this of my choice, I want everyone to be with their families again."

"Emilia-sama..."

The young man nodded as he began quietly waking everyone up.

Minutes later, the villagers were boarding the carriages that they came in originally. Otto spoke to the ground dragons the directions they needed to take in order to get to Irlham Village, making everything go more smoothly. The eldest lady, who Subaru and Batman recognized too well, was seen going up to the two of them as she bowed.

"Thank you both for helping us all."

Batman and Subaru shook their heads as Subaru lightly took her hand.

"It wasn't a hundred percent our idea of doing this...we were mostly following Emilia's will after all."

As Emilia was helping out a nearby villager, she overheard this and became confused. The two men walked over to her and faced her head on.

"Since Emilia-tan heard the villagers were being held captive, I could see in your eyes that you wanted to do something. I just listened to that strong will of yours and followed suit is all."

"Subaru…"

Batman nodded in agreement.

However a nearby villager spoke up against this.

"No way! She's just doing this to look good for the Royal Selection! That's all this is!"

The villagers began to murmur and whisper as well, Emilia became a bit distraught hearing this. However a quick nod from Subaru relaxed her as she spoke.

"My actions have nothing to do with the Royal Selection. Whether I am voted by you all or none of after this, is of no concern to me whatsoever."

"What does matter to me...is seeing the village I have grown to cherish, that Subaru has grown to love, and Batman-san has chosen to protect, be reunited and safe. That, and that alone is what will truly satisfy me."

Emilia then put on a quaint smile as she looked over at the villagers, who seemed to be surprised by it all.

Batman and Subaru then faced her. Subaru looked over at Batman and winked, making him make a light sigh, but understood the signal.

Subaru and Batman than took a knee and bowed in front of her. Emilia was stunned by this as she looked almost unsure of what was happening.

Subaru and Batman took their turns making their "vows".

"Emilia-tan, I promise to use any and all resources in my body and soul to help you with your dreams and goal."

"Emilia, I swear that as long as I am here, you, Subaru, the patrons of the mansion and Irlham Village are under my watch."

Subaru and Batman looked at each other for a few seconds before they looked back to Emilia and said at the very same time.

"WE SWEAR ON OUR VERY LIVES."

Emilia nodded and stared at the two, she then narrowed her eyes as she spoke up.

"Then I accept your vows and as such, I hope you two will uphold your promises."

The two men stood up as with each of them nodding in agreement.

The villagers stayed quiet as they were witnessing the entire affair, some of them seemed have a guilty expression on their face.

Batman then out a moved to the carriages and gave a thumbs up to the drivers, providing the signal they needed to start moving.

Now the carriages had begun to move out of the town, one by one, many of the villagers looked back at the town, focusing their sights on the three people that helped them escape. The same villager from earlier, who questioned Emilia, then stuck his head out of the carriage. He watched as the village was becoming ever more distant from view, he looked down for a moment before waving his hand to the three who were watching them leave.

"Thank you!"

Emilia put a hand to her chest as she heard this, letting out a small surprised breath as she did. The rest of the villagers followed suit as they began to wave goodbye to Emilia and the others.

Soon, the villagers disappeared from view, having successfully escaped.

Emilia was wiping away tears from her eyes, even while Subaru comforted her with light hand on her shoulder.

Batman looked behind them to see many of the Sanctuary's villagers had been watching them the whole time. Batman looked away and back to Subaru.

"Let's call it a night."

"Yeah, we still have to worry about these 'Trials' tomorrow. It does make me nervous to wonder how the others will react when they wake up tomorrow."

"...We'll cross that bridge when it comes. Let's get some sleep, I'll keep watch around in the morning."

When Emilia began to walk away Subaru leaned in to whisper to Batman.

"Did you mean everything you said right now?"

"Most of it. I really just wanted to help Emilia, especially with her public image with Irlham Village."

"Hehe. You sure are one pure-hearted guy Batman."

Subaru said goodnight to Batman as he ran to catch up to Emilia, leaving Batman alone with a single thought.

"...A pure hearted guy huh?"

Batman seemed saddened by what Subaru had said.

Subaru walked Emilia to her temporary house as Batman perched himself on a rooftop looking out at the village, then turning his attention towards where the Tomb would be.

It was now early dawn as the sun was beginning to rise from the horizon, Batman was patrolling the village, every corner he took, a villager would see him and flinch, before walking the other way. It would seem that Batman was the most feared by the village. As Batman looked at a well that seemed situated in the middle of the village…

"WHERE TH' HELL IS HE?!"

Batman eyes widened at the familiar voice, as he turned around he saw something fall from the sky and cause the very ground to shake. From the cloud of debris, emerged an enraged Garfiel.

"So the drugs ran out of his system."

Batman walked over to him, but was stopped when Garfiel slammed his foot onto the ground, causing a crater to form around it.

"Ya sly bastard. Ya thinkin' you're gonna get away with what you did last night?!"

"Not really, I only did it to buy time for the villagers to leave."

"And just what th' hell were you planning doin' that, huh?!"

"...Nothing."

Garfiel's eye sunk as he continued to stare at Batman with a perplexed look stuck on his face.

"Listen to me Garfiel, we did this with the best of intentions. Had the same thing happened to the denizens of the Sanctuary, you would've done everything in your power to save them, wouldn't you?"

"..."

"Then alright then. And to ease you a lot more, I'll have you know we are still going to accomplish our goal of freeing the Sanctuary."

"..."

"Emilia will take the Trials and defeat them...just watch."

Garfiel stood there unable to say anything as Batman simply walked away from the young man.

Garfiel watched on as he simply walked away from him, with only a few whisperz escaping from his mouth.

"Tha's what y'all think…"

Ram was finishing preparing some tea for Roswaal, a face now inherit of worry was on her face. She turned around to see Roswaal was uncharacteristically grumpy. She could tell he was still seething mad about Batman freeing the Irlham villagers. He kept looking out the window in his room as if he was waiting on news of Batman.

Garfiel knocked on the door and was allowed in by Ram.

"Did you find Batman-san?"

"Yeah, th' bastard is just strollin' around like nothin' is even goin' on."

"He's never been here before, so he's probably trying to find anything he may find suspicious."

"How do ya' figure that?"

"I've known him long enough to know that."

Garfiel was quiet as Ram grabbed her trays to give to Roswaal. But she was stopped by Garfiel.

"Ram...do ya trust this guy?"

"...It's difficult to say…."

"Huh?! This ain't a hard question. Do you trust th't creep-"

"-Let me stop you right there."

Garfiel trembled as Ram's tone of voice lowered.

"I have known that man for about a month now and I can say that I do and do not trust him."

"What th'…"

"I am in servitude to Roswaal-sama, with all my body and soul, thus anyone who should show such hostility to my master is to be viewed as a threat."

"So yeah, then ya do-"

"-But Batman is different."

"...!"

"That man is a kindhearted fool who puts the needs of others before his own. Same as it was here, what he has done for Emilia-sama, Barusu, as well as the villagers of Dunharrow."

Ram moved past Garfiel as she looked over her shoulder and whispered to him…

"I will wait and see how I should act accordingly…"

Ram opened the door and made her way to Roswaal. Garfiel looked downcast at this point, unsure of what sort of answer he was expecting.

A small feeling welled up in his chest as he thought over it, he knew Ram for the longest time, and he had never seen her show such concern for someone other than Roswaal.

It made him upset…

Ram stepped out of the room and motioned to Garfiel.

"Roswaal-sama wishes to have a private audience with you…"

Garfiel looked behind Ram to see Roswaal sitting on his bed, as his abnormal eyes peered at Garfiel.

It was now nighttime and the group had now met outside of the Tomb and were being briefed by Garfiel on what was to occur.

"So basically, once tha' princess here enters th' Tomb, the torches inside will light up. Th's the signal th't she has qualifications."

Everyone nodded at this.

"Next none of us are to gonna go inside no matter wh't happens. GOT IT?!"

Everyone nodded at this.

"And most importantly anythin' I says goes, down with th't?!"

Everyone shook their heads at this.

"BASTARDS! WHERE DO YA GET OFF MAKING A FOOL OUTTA ME?!"

Subaru finally was able to interject as he noticed someone was next to Garfiel.

"Um, Garfiel, who exactly is that next to you?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, Granny you didn't show up yesterday did ya'?"

The young lady with pink hair, sharp edges ears and blue eyes looked up at Garfiel and nodded.

"Yeah, I was pretty much takin' care of some things aroun' town."

"Busy as always huh? It's like they say 'Hoshin is as busy as the flies to waste'!"

Subaru and Batman only put on a dejected look as they realized the facts.

"A Granny-Loli has finally appeared huh? Magical worlds are such a perplexing place."

"I can see this girl helped in raising Garfiel...most likely improperly. Magical worlds are such a harsh oddity."

Garfiel looked at them with annoyed expression.

"HEY. Don't be dissing us behind our backs!"

Batman and Subaru looked each other in the eyes as they let out a long sigh. Garfiel only became more agitated. Only to be met with a quick whack to the head with the girl's staff.

"Enough Garf'. I still haven't introduced myself!"

The young "old" girl nodded her head politely to the rest of the group.

"I am Lewes Meyer, I am the caretaker of the Sanctuary and deal with Garf here."

"Th' way you say that Granny, it makes me feel like ya see me as a nuisance."

"...I do not think so."

"Th' pause right there makes me think otha' wise!"

Subaru couldn't help but smile at the two, seeing what would easily see as a family.

"Tch. Whatcha smilin' at?!"

"Nothing, nothing. You two just look cute together."

Lewes seemed to be blushing brightly at the comment, while Garfiel seemed to be quite disgusted. Subaru, Emilia, Otto and even Batman soon introduced themselves to Lewes, who seemed happy about meeting new people.

And so, the time had come.

"Alright. It's time princess, make yer way to th' entrance."

Emilia nodded but turned one last time to Subaru and Batman, who could only give her encouraging looks. Emilia smiled as she began to enter the Tomb, the torches in the halls began lighting up as she moved forward, showing that she indeed had the qualifications.

As Emilia continued further, Subaru looked over at Batman and nodded, giving the signal for what was to come.

Batman pressed on his earpiece to speak with Emilia, who had been given a comm link that belonged to Subaru.

"Emilia, it's Batman are you okay in there?"

"Huh? Oh um, yes. I seem to be doing alright."

"Can you see anything yet?"

"No nothing yet...wait...something is happening."

Batman listened closely to anything that could be suspicious.

Garfiel and Lewes seemed to be utterly confused by Batman and whatever strange thing he was using.

Subaru wasn't paying attention to anything around him as he continued watching the Tomb…

"-WHAT IS THIS I DON'T-!"

"Emilia?! EMILIA!"

Subaru overheard Batman scream Emilia's name, so he raced over to the tomb to see what was happening to her.

"Subaru, stop!"

Batman chased after him, not noticing Garfiel whose eyes widened in fear. Then he remembered what Roswaal warned him about earlier that morning.

"You must noooooot let Batman enter the Tomb. It could mean disaster fooooor the Sanctuary, I am sure of it."

Garfiel leaped out at Batman, hoping to grab his cape, not noticing small pellets that fell out of Batman's hand.

The pellets exploded, releasing bright flashes that blinded everyone behind Batman, as he continued to run forward. Batman fired his grappling gun into the entrance of the Tomb and glided inside, giving him a running start.

Garfiel rubbed his eyes as he ran after him. But when he turned around, he could see Lewes's eyes wide as she stared at the Tomb.

"Garf...look…"

Garfiel turned around and looked at the Tomb, only to see a sight, which made him tremble in panic.

"Huh?"

The torches of the Tomb were fluctuating randomly, some would light up then fade, while others did short bursts….it was if the Tomb was breaking.

Batman was now running deeper into the Tomb as he could clearly see two people laying on the ground ahead.

"Subaru! Emilia!"

The very ground fell apart and Batman fell through, plummeting ever deeper into the abyss. As Batman pulled out his grappling hook to reach back on the top...he saw there was a blue sky above him.

"...?!"

Batman felt grass under his back and raised himself up seeing a grassland that could stretch on for miles. He looked around and wondered to himself where exactly he was.

"Huuuuu, so you're the one who's been causing so much trouble huh?"

Batman heard the voice behind him and quickly turned around with a few Batarangs in his hand, to see who spoke.

"Care not to be so defensive? Huuuuuu...so much energy wasted there."

Batman looked at the woman sitting on the table, in a way as if she was struggling to even relax on it.

She was a tall woman with absurdly long reddish purple hair, an unhealthy complexion and a black clerical-like robe. Her spiritless eyes analyzed Batman up and down.

"Huuuuu...you are a strange one dressed like that."

Batman narrowed his eyes at the woman in front of him.

"Who are you?! Where am I?!"

"...Huuuuuu...Isn't it rude not to tell someone your name first, before introducing yourself?"

Batman continued staring at her, unsure of what to do. However, he figured that she was of little threat to him and decided to put his Batarangs away.

"Alright, I'm Batman. Now could please tell me who you are exactly?"

"Huuuuuhuuuuu...if it didn't take so much energy to do so, I would laugh. But alright, if you claim that is your name…"

She slightly raised her head as she peeked at Batman.

"The name's Sekhmet...huuuuuuu...hello."

"...Now can you tell me where I am?"

"...The Tomb...more precisely the dream of one who is buried here."

"...Echidna."

Sekhmet nodded slightly as she looked again at Batman.

"From what she told me….huuuuuuuu...the half-elf girl from before had the qualifications to enter, the boy has been given the qualifications...but you...huuuuuuu…"

"What about me?"

"...You entering here has caused a disturbance in the magic that control this place been affected...huuuuuu...something to do with the odd energy around you."

"What?"

"The boy also had an energy similar to you but...huuuuuu...yours is mixed up really badly...as if you've come in contact with powers none of us have ever seen."

Batman looked at Sekhmet in a questioning manner as he rubbed the back of his head.

"So, you mean to tell me that me coming into contact with all of my allies and enemies over the years, has left some sort of energy residue that is affecting the Tomb?"

"Something...huuuuuuu...like that."

Batman then looked out at the world around him as he began to think of what to ask next. Then, something came to mid.

"Sekhmet, I need to know something."

"...?"

"Do you know anything about some black vines...ones that are hard to see?"

For the first time since the start of the conversation, Sekhmet had an expression other than boredom, it was suprise. Genuine surprise.

"...You've seen it?"

"WHAT? What is it?! I've seen it on that girl Rem and its covering Subaru! Tell me, what is it?!"

"...Huuuuuuu...sadly, I cannot."

Suddenly, the floor under Batman fell apart as he began falling at high speed. As he fell he could hear Sekhmet speak one last time.

"I suggest you stop getting involved in all this...huuuuuu...if not, you will surely break."

Batman could only scream one last thing as he was enveloped in darkness.

"All men have limits, Sekhmet! They learn what they are and not to exceed them! I IGNORE MINE!"

The world closed around him…

Sekhmet sat there sipping on some tea as she looked out at the grassland.

"...That man was very interesting."

She put on a tired smile as she continued observing the situation, when six other shadows appeared behind her. She ignored them as she looked over one important detail...

"So Batman, you've seen the Algol..."

Batman was now in a completely white room that seemed to have no end in sight.

"Now where-"

-past...

Batman then heard a distinct voice echoed throughout the room.

"Who is-"

Face...your…

Batman then realized who exactly was saying this, unable to hide his shocked expression.

"It's my voice."

Face your bygone past…

Batman lost consciousness.

Subaru awoke, looking at a ceiling that was all too familiar with him, but one he had not seen in over a month.

"This is-"

"-Good morning!"

Subaru suddenly found himself caught in a sudden armlock, being at first unable to free himself. But the training he aquired with Bruce, helped him out of the tight spot. He used his upper body and chin to dig into his opponent, to better get control of his arm and finally sprung his body free, rolling on the ground away from his surprise opponent.

"Ahaha! Did one of those animes you recently watched actually teach you something useful?"

"What are you talking about-"

Subaru stopped mid-sentence as he recognized the handsome man with glasses that was shirtless in front of him.

"Dad?"

The door to Subaru's room opened up as a pretty woman with what one would call an evil gaze looked down at the two of them.

"Oh come on you two. Breakfast will get cold! And cold food won't compliment the mayonnaise at all!"

Subaru's eyes twitched as he looked up at another person he had missed for quite some time.

"Mom."

Subaru was home. In his original world...

Batman finally awoke, he rubbed the back of his tired head as he looked around and with absolute terror in his eyes, realized where he was.

"I'm in Gotham."

And when.

Several of the buildings were on fire and police sirens could be heard in the distance. Explosions were sounding off, screams echoed all around and helicopters were flying overhead.

"No...not today."

They were terrible nights Batman had hoped he could try and put in the past, but much like the death of his parents and the corruption of Jason Todd, he was unable to do it.

A night in which nearly all of his rogues gallery went to war for control of the city.

"...Damian."

It was The Gotham War.

Now the Trials had begun and the examined would suffer greatly, as they faced their painful pasts...