Fade To Black (Theme 39: 20 Years Later)
Title: Fade To Black
Universe: DCU (DC Universe)
Genre: General
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent
Word Count: 832 words
Summary: Clark learns the hard way that things can never be the same. Time will march on...
He sat there in his chair feeling old, week and unable to even do the basics. He watched the screen in front of him and witnessed the events that he would usually partake in but was medically unable to. Twenty years ago he was a young, fast and lethal crimefighter. Today he was battered fossil. A collection of broken bones, scars and other medical problems that only a hockey player would be proud to show off. He hands were sore, his knees were shot... this wasn't the way it was supposed to end for him. Usually retirement was not the superhero's preferred exit of choice. Many preferred to go out in a blaze of glory, sacrfice yourself for the greater good, to save lives and make meaning out of your death. Bruce would have no such exit.
He was going quietly into the night, like a retired officer of the law except he wasn't getting a cheezy gold watch from the force for his efforts. His replacement was more than capable of taking the torch and running with it. He had afterall been preparing for it since he was a teenager. Bruce knew this day might come, but he was unable to believe it. His line of work was far too dangerous to even consider stepping away due to old age. It was just too much for his body to take. He told Dick about his decision about a month before stepping down, and the young ward was more than happy to take over, but he was in the background watching and making sure everything was all right.
All was quiet in the Batcave, and he was monitoring the police signals for Dick when he heard a familiar sound that hadn't graced his home in quite some time. Bruce turned off the scanner and sighed. "It's been a while since you last visited. What brings you to my corner of the world?"
"I came to see how retirement was going." the visitor replied.
"Well, you know me. I'm not happy unless I'm part of the action." Bruce said as he slouched back in his chair. "I'm not enjoying this one bit."
"I didn't think so."
"So what the hell are you doing here, Clark?"
Superman floated over to the platform where Bruce was sitting and touched down to his level. "I came to see if you had a change of heart. That position I offered you is still available if you want it."
"Are you sure they all want me back?" Bruce asked with a hint of remorse. "Last I remember, they were all pretty adament when they kicked me out of the League."
"They were very upset about your gadgets, and that decision was made out of emotion and anger." Superman said as he plead his case. "That was a very long time ago. They're wiser and understand your motives and why you did it."
"I didn't do it to hurt them. That was no my intent."
"I know that Bruce, I've always had your back. That's why I'm here and asking you to reconsider. They all want you back. The watchtower is yours if you want it. No one will trust the command with that place more than they would with you. Retirement doesn't have to start now. Your best weapon was always your mind and the last time I checked that is still working really well."
"You could check in more often, my friend." Bruce said as he swiveled his chaira around to face his friend. "I retired because my mind is going. Several months ago I started to foget things. Small at first, and then bigger things as the months passed on. I can always buy the biggest toys that could make up for my physical limitations, but my mind is irreplaceable and it's going. Soon there will be nothing left."
"What is it?" Clark asked, "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"No, there is no cure for what I have." Bruce said without any hint of emotion. "Alzheimers is slowly going to take away the one thing that makes me what I am: the Batman. And there's nothing anyone can do about it."
Superman stood there, unable to find the words that would comfort him. He had tried his best to make Bruce part of the team again. He had come too late. "I'm very sorry, my friend."
Bruce turned his chair away and said nothing. He know Clark meant what he said but it was too little and far too late. A few moments later, Bruce turned his chair back around and looked back at Clark with a different look on his face. "It's been a while since you last visited. What brings you to my corner of the world?"
Universe: DCU (DC Universe)
Genre: General
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent
Word Count: 832 words
Summary: Clark learns the hard way that things can never be the same. Time will march on...
He sat there in his chair feeling old, week and unable to even do the basics. He watched the screen in front of him and witnessed the events that he would usually partake in but was medically unable to. Twenty years ago he was a young, fast and lethal crimefighter. Today he was battered fossil. A collection of broken bones, scars and other medical problems that only a hockey player would be proud to show off. He hands were sore, his knees were shot... this wasn't the way it was supposed to end for him. Usually retirement was not the superhero's preferred exit of choice. Many preferred to go out in a blaze of glory, sacrfice yourself for the greater good, to save lives and make meaning out of your death. Bruce would have no such exit.
He was going quietly into the night, like a retired officer of the law except he wasn't getting a cheezy gold watch from the force for his efforts. His replacement was more than capable of taking the torch and running with it. He had afterall been preparing for it since he was a teenager. Bruce knew this day might come, but he was unable to believe it. His line of work was far too dangerous to even consider stepping away due to old age. It was just too much for his body to take. He told Dick about his decision about a month before stepping down, and the young ward was more than happy to take over, but he was in the background watching and making sure everything was all right.
All was quiet in the Batcave, and he was monitoring the police signals for Dick when he heard a familiar sound that hadn't graced his home in quite some time. Bruce turned off the scanner and sighed. "It's been a while since you last visited. What brings you to my corner of the world?"
"I came to see how retirement was going." the visitor replied.
"Well, you know me. I'm not happy unless I'm part of the action." Bruce said as he slouched back in his chair. "I'm not enjoying this one bit."
"I didn't think so."
"So what the hell are you doing here, Clark?"
Superman floated over to the platform where Bruce was sitting and touched down to his level. "I came to see if you had a change of heart. That position I offered you is still available if you want it."
"Are you sure they all want me back?" Bruce asked with a hint of remorse. "Last I remember, they were all pretty adament when they kicked me out of the League."
"They were very upset about your gadgets, and that decision was made out of emotion and anger." Superman said as he plead his case. "That was a very long time ago. They're wiser and understand your motives and why you did it."
"I didn't do it to hurt them. That was no my intent."
"I know that Bruce, I've always had your back. That's why I'm here and asking you to reconsider. They all want you back. The watchtower is yours if you want it. No one will trust the command with that place more than they would with you. Retirement doesn't have to start now. Your best weapon was always your mind and the last time I checked that is still working really well."
"You could check in more often, my friend." Bruce said as he swiveled his chaira around to face his friend. "I retired because my mind is going. Several months ago I started to foget things. Small at first, and then bigger things as the months passed on. I can always buy the biggest toys that could make up for my physical limitations, but my mind is irreplaceable and it's going. Soon there will be nothing left."
"What is it?" Clark asked, "Is there anything we can do to help?"
"No, there is no cure for what I have." Bruce said without any hint of emotion. "Alzheimers is slowly going to take away the one thing that makes me what I am: the Batman. And there's nothing anyone can do about it."
Superman stood there, unable to find the words that would comfort him. He had tried his best to make Bruce part of the team again. He had come too late. "I'm very sorry, my friend."
Bruce turned his chair away and said nothing. He know Clark meant what he said but it was too little and far too late. A few moments later, Bruce turned his chair back around and looked back at Clark with a different look on his face. "It's been a while since you last visited. What brings you to my corner of the world?"