Mockingbird Finale

=====Wayne Manor====

 

Bruce- Selina. What have you-?

 

Selina- Bruce, let me talk first. I *don't* regret killing him. He's hurt us both a hundred times over, he's cut out my heart before for the love of God. He was going for me, and I shot him in self defense.

 

Bruce- The bullet went *right* through his heart Selina. You didn't just kill him. You shot him.

 

Selina- He deserved it. I know you don't believe in killing, I don't even blame you. But he had to die. How long before he killed Alfred, or Dick or-

 

Bruce- Don't. Just... don't.

 

Selina- It was hard for me too you know. I look at that corpse on the ground and that's you. That's your face, eyes open, lifeless, killed by a bullet *I* fired

 

Bruce- I- I know Selina.

 

Selina- Then you know what has to happen don't you?

 

...

 

Bruce- Yes

 

====Arkham Asylum====

 

*David Cain has been in custody for a while now, ever since he botched an assassination six months ago. When Blackgate Prison fell at the hands of the Music Meister, presumed dead in the riots, Cain was transferred to a high security cell in the lower levels of Arkham Asylum. With those unwitting pawns keeping the police occupied, tricking the GCPD into thinking Jonathan Crane is the intended target, I can strike undisturbed and retrieve him*

 

Cain- Hn. Shiva. Of course, those hicks upstairs were your doing. *sigh* He *would* send you, wouldn't he?

 

Shiva- Come now Cain, we both know you could escape anytime.

 

Cain- I needed an up close look at the inner workings of this place.

 

Shiva- And?

 

Cain- The doctor, Strange, is hiding something. But, I'll give him this- he is as devoted as ever to the project. The inmates on the other hand- they're depraved, vicious animals. The guards- no better. The conditions they keep that scarecrow in rival even Penã Duro.

 

Shiva- And... what of the child?

 

...

 

Cain- I never took you as the sentimental "my love"

 

Shiva- Don't be absurd Cain. You know well enough what I meant.

 

Cain- She fought well. More than well. She was excellent. A performance to be proud of.

 

...

 

Shiva- I would expect no less from her

.

==The Batcave. A Week Later==

 

*He's buried himself in his work again. I know the signs all too well. He was the same after he lost Jason. He's grown out his stubble, he's reading through his case files again and from the way he's hunched over I can tell he hasn't slept in days. He handed Captain Stingeree- a pirate themed C-Lister of his over to the GCPD last night, his arm broken. That was when Lois said it was time for us to step in. Diana has come with me, despite my reservations, I hope we can help him, even if by now I realise that the only person who can help Bruce is himself. Even though he's grieving he doesn't miss a beat*

 

Bruce- Alfred let you in?

 

Clark- Tim actually.

 

Bruce- Hnm.

 

Diana- Bruce, are you ok?

 

Bruce- Just. Fine.

 

*He says it through gritted teeth, his heart rate tells more of the story. I whisper to Diana*

 

Clark- You were right, we should have given him some space. Bruce, are you sure-

 

Bruce- I oversaw the autopsy myself. It was Tommy. Not Clayface, not this time. Hagen's good but he was never Karlo... I *need* a case. Something I can-

 

Clark- Listen Bruce, if you need space we can go, I understand that- Tommy Elliot-

 

Bruce- Was a murderer. He murdered his father. He murdered his mother. He tried to kill me and Selina more than once. Believe me, I don't blame her, I just-

 

*He sighs heavily, and finally turns around to us*

 

Bruce- Whatever he became Tommy was one of the last remnants of a better time. Even after my parents died, I could still take comfort knowing that my... friend was out there. Somewhere.

 

...

 

Bruce- I can't even pretend that there's a mastermind to punch. It's simple- Elliot took advantage of the riot to come here, to kill Selina. His Bruce Wayne face having fully healed. Maybe he hoped he could steal my wealth- it doesn't matter. Any scheming died with him, and a part of me too. His final cruel act? Driving me and Selina apart.

 

*He rises, and pulls his cowl back on. I try to put a comforting arm on his shoulder, but he rejects it*

 

Batman- I have to go. Gordon says there's a gang meeting somewhere in the Bowery.

 

Diana- Perhaps we can help Bruce.

 

Bruce- No, I- Thank you.

 

*And so the three of us fly into the night. Hurt. But together*

Done