Chapter Text
"I will be back Martha... I have some papers I have to finish going through. I promise I will be back as soon as I can." Thomas said. He tried to keep his voice calm and steady. He held his wife's hand rubbing the back of it with his thumb.
"It's alright do what you need to. I won't be going anywhere." Martha chuckled at Thomas trying to act calm. She knew he was scared. She couldn't blame him it was a scary situation.
"Ate you sure?" Thomas asked.
"Yes im sure. Nothing will happen while your gone." Martha reassured her husband.
Thomas lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. He let go making sure she was comfortable in the bed. He took a deep breath, looked at Martha, and left. It was a long drive back to the manor. It was quite to quite, it was late nothing good was on the radio. Thomas had a lot of time to think over his plan.
He finally made it to his manor. He got out of the car and made his way inside. He closed and locked the door. He stood in silence for what seemed like minutes. He finally got himself to move. He made his way up the stairs and into his office.
"Im sorry for lying to you Martha." Thomas mumbled pulling an older book from a shelf. He flipped through the pages stopping closer to the end of the book.
He walked around to his desk, pulling out a red marker from one of the drawers. He sat the book and the maker down on top of the desk. Walking back in front of the desk he bent down pulling up the rug moving the furniture if needed. He grabbed the book and the marker, drawing a circle, then some other shapes, and then writing random symbols. Closing the marker putting on the desk he replaced it with a pin. He glossed over the words In the book before placing it down. He chanted the first few lines as he stabbed himself with the pin. His blood dripping into the circle he made. He picked the book up and finished the chant.
It was quite nothing happened. Thomas huffed and punched the wall. He closed the book and placed it back on the shelf where it lived. He made his way behind his desk taking a seat on his chair. He pulled out a first aid kit from another desk drawer. He wiped the blood off and sanitized the wound before placing a bandage on it. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. Looking at the scene he made disappointedly.
Of course it didnt work why would it have worked. Summoning a demon the idea was stupid and reckless. He scoffed his thoughts berating him. His eyes closed, he brought one of his hands to his face resting on his nose and covering his mouth. After a few minutes the silence was broken.
"Who dares to summon me." The voice almost inaudible. Thomas eyes shot open as he sat up in his chair. Eyes growing wide looking at the... thing infront of him.
"I do." Thomas stated standing up.
"... how much do you want? Or how long?" The voice asked.
"What?" Thomas asked back.
"Money or business." The voice said.
"I dont want any of that." Thomas claimed.
"A rich white man doesn't want any of that?" The voice asked. If it had a solid form it would be squinting looking confused.
"Yes." Thomas sighed. "Look my wife, shes currently pregnant... a son.." Thomas smiled dreamily.
"But its to complicated ether I lose her or we lose him and the chance to have kids. All we want is to have a family and to show them how to help this city... all im asking is you protect my family at least until they reach there adult years." Thomas proposes.
"Intreaging... you know with this big of a request this will require a bigger payment." The voice chuckled like he got Thomas in a gotcha moment.
"So I figured, they can hate me later on so be it. You may have my soul as well as my children's and grandchildrens. Until you are satisfied." Thomas offers.
"You are unusual." The voice claims. The was more silences.
"Mm yes the payment doesn't benefit you at all but... id like to Add my own part." It broke the silence."And that would be?" Thomas questioned.
"The souls stay the same but. You quote unquote higher me as your butler... you need one obviously. And Im quite curious about you." The voice said. Thomas took time and thought.
"Very well... I will accept this." Thomas responded. His eyes shut and a burning pain went through his entire body.
"It is done. Now go back to your wife she is waiting." The voice spoke in a whisper.
Thomas opened his eyes once the pain went down. The thing in front of him no longer there. He gathered his thoughts and agreed. He left his office and made his way out of the manor. Making his way back to his wife at the hospital.
It took a few weeks but Marthas condition got better. She was back on track to a healthy pregnancy. One where both her and there son would be alive.
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The shots rang in his ears. He couldn't tare his eyes away from his parents. His parents who are on the ground bleeding. He finally looked up his eyes met the barrel of a gun. The gun. The gun that had taken his parents. He had blacked out. His eyes closed and when they opened someone was wrapping a blanket around him. The guy had disappeared but his parents were still there.
"Come on sport... you like hot chocolate?" A voice asked behind him. He slightly nodded.
"Alright lets get you some then." The guy pulled bruce along his turning as they walked away. He only stopped looking when he couldn't see his parents anymore.
He was sitting on the back of an ambulance. Holding a Styrofoam cup of hot chocolate. Its just a bad dream his mind kept repeating. He started hearing yelling and sounds of cameras taking pictures. There were 2 types of yelling the, 1st yelling and shouting questions, and the 2nd was trying to push the 1st voices away. Bruce just sat there looking at the cup ignoring everything, everyone, every-
"Master bruce!" His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar welcoming comforting voice. "Alf-Alfred?" Bruce looked at the older man. His eyes once shown as bright as the sky when the sun shone. Now dark as ice at midnight after a fearce ragefull snowstorm. Bruce looked at Alfred, he looked different. He didnt know why or how he just did. "Master Bruce... Come let us go home." Alfred said holding out his hand. Bruce nodded grabbing his hand. Alfred led him back to the car. Blocking the young traumatized boy from the paparazzi. The ones who didn't know boundaries. Alfred made sure bruce was comfortable once in the car, before getting into the drivers seat and driving away. The bodies were taken and looked over. But that took days before they could hold a funeral. In those days there was a simple schedule Bruce held. He would sleep for an hour or two. Wake up go's to find Alfred and stays by his side for about an hour. Go's back to sleep for another hour or two. Gets up again eats breakfast dose a little bit of homework. Go's to sleep once again for an hour or two. Wakes up spends two and a half hours in his parents room. Eats lunch. Stays by Alfreds for an hour. Heads back to sleep for exactly two hours. Wakes up, walks around the manor,eats dinner, and for the next few hours studys Alfred. Until Alfred has had enough and has bruce head back to his room. There he will ether read, tinker, draw, or write until he passes out. And it starts all over again. Sometimes they did have to leave the house. Bruce would end up falling asleep at some point. And if anyone questioned about anything, he just played it off as this is how he's grieving and prossesing his parents deaths. Which isn't a lie but its not the full truth. Alfred tried his best not to leave the manor. The press was still out to get a story and talk to bruce. Something he didnt need. "For goodness sakes he's an 8 year old child who watched his parents die." Alfred would say keeping Bruce out of sight. Even if they could talk to Bruce he probably wouldn't talk back.
Since that day bruce barely talked and when he did it was more of a whisper and always to Alfred.
Finally the day came. His parents body's were released and the funeral was planned. Alfred did most of it knowing what they would've wanted. Bruce helped to but he mostly helped with flowers. Once it was time Alfred dropped Bruce off at the church.
"Aren't you going to come as well?" Bruce asked Alfred.
"Im afraid not... I have some last minute things I must do. But I will meet you at the cemetery." Alfred explained.
Bruce nodded walking up to the doors. There were 2 guys standing at the doors. Most likely security, Bruce pulled out a card and showed it them. They both looked at each other before nodding and opening the doors. Bruce walked in the doors being closed behind him. This is his first time coming in alone. He walked to the door frame of the sanctuary. Stain glass windows lined the walls. Rows and rows of pews. Bruce made his way to the front where the caskets sat. Both were close all the way. He didnt say anything he just looked at them. After a few minutes he took his seat in the first row of pews. Other people Family friends, distant family members, and co-workers started filing.
After everyone arrived the preacher gave some words, he prayed, and read some verses. Some other very close people got up and spoke. Bruce wanted to leave. Right now he wish it was just a small funeral just him Alfred and maybe really close family. But this was to much taking to much time. Not to mention how uncomfortable he felt. He was burning up like he was in a pot of boiling water. So much talking. Finally the priest gets back up and communion is done. Bruce hopped this would help with the heat but it only made it worse. He started getting sharp pains in his body. Once communion was taken the preacher started up what felt like an hour of prayer.
Finally the service was done. The paulbaers came and got the caskets caring them to the hearses. Bruce followed right behind. As did everyone else behind him. A security member drove him to the cemetery. Where indeed Alfred was waiting. He got out of the car and went straight to him. While the caskets were being taken care of to be lowered into the ground.
"Alfred... I think im sick-" Bruce whispered to his butler.
"Is that so?" Alfred asked, adjusting his Glover he put the back of his hand on Bruce's forehead.
"Yes i was extremely hot during the service... and everyone once in a while i got a pain." Bruce added on.
"I see, perhaps its just your body reacting your hot but not sickly hot." Alfred said. Bruce nodded he's learned to trust Alfred. Of he says he's not sick then he's not sick.
Not everyone from the church came to the cemetery. Thankfully. There was more talking and some prayer. Martha was lowered first, Alfred made sure bruce wasn't standing to close as the preacher sprinkled holy water. The same was done for Thomas although bruce was standing closer then he should have. With a slight gasp he held a spot on his arm. As the funeral ended everyone gave Bruce there thoughts and prayers. Slowly everyone left leaving him Alfred and the workers.
"Its been a long day what do you say about heading home master bruce?" Alfred asked looking at the child.
"Yes please..." Bruce responded a hint of pain in his voice.
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"What?"
"Finally we meet."
"What just happened?"
"You know the saying, your life flashes before your eyes."
"This wasn't that. Whatever the beging was I never witnessed."
"2."
"What?"
"Bruce you have died twice now."
"Thats not possible."
"That night... with your parents."
"I didnt die. I went to there funeral."
"No. You did die Bruce. You got shot in the head."
"Then how was i at my parents funeral? How come I was put into the ground with them?"
"Because you were brought back. Per Alfreds contract."
"And the second time then?"
"Tonight while on patrol."
"And you doing all of this because?"
"I need you alive Bruce."
"Why?"
"Your the only one protecting me. I need you alive to continue to protect me."
"Sorry mis I protect everyone not just one person."
"Well its a good thing im not one person."
"Right."
"Im lucky... Alfred would get into trouble bringing you back this time."
"Is this only benefiting you? Do I even get a say in this decision?"
"No everyone benefits from it, and again no... this is something that needs to be done."
"...hm."
"Im just here to explain."
"Explain what?"
"Well reviving someone doesn't mean they come back 100%."
"What dose that mean."
"You will be going through some changes, they will start out slow but eventually they will come rapidly.... this is my blessing to you Bruce."
Bruce's eyes were forced shut. They opened with him gasping for air. Once he got ahold of his breathing he sat himself up. He was on his bed in his room.
"Ah good morning master Bruce." Alfred greeted
"Alfred..." Bruce's voice trailed off.
"How was your talk with lady Gotham?" Alfred asked.
"Lady Gotham?" Bruce looked at Alfred like he was crazy.
"Yes she told me what happened... and that she had to talk to you." Alfred explained.
"Lady Gotham...." bruce repeated.
"She does her own thing but she means well. No surprise she had eyes on you." Alfred said.
"... do you know what she did to me?" Bruce asked.
"Im afraid not we will just have to wait and see." Alfred responded. Which just got a hum from Bruce in response.
"Alfred is it true I died with my parents?" Bruce asked.
"... Yes that is true." Alfred answered.
"Alright..." Bruce looked away. He wanted to get out of bed but Alfred most likely wouldn't allow him. So when Alfred left Bruce got up. He walked around trying to see if anything was different, but everything was like nothing had happened.
Eventually he was able to go back on patrol. Like the voice... Lady Gotham- said. The changes started out small. Bruce noticed he was faster, could jump higher, and fall from a higher points. Tho it was just slightly. Another small detail was the people in Gotham started to trust him more. Before people thought he was an idiot, a crazy person, someone suicidal. And while a lot of people still thought that now he has some fans mostly kids but it was a start.