DC: My Name Is Not Billy Batson [New]

Batman soon arrived at the ACE Chemical Plant—a place he knew all too well.

"Ra!"

He turned his gaze toward the man he once called a teacher, then his attention to the bandaged man standing beside him.

"So, you orchestrated all of this? Who are you really? And why?"

The man in bandages, Hush, ignored the question about his identity. Instead, he smiled wickedly at Batman.

"You already know my name," he said. "Call me Hush, Batman."

Hush's eyes gleamed with malice, and only faint glimpses of his features were visible beneath the wrappings.

"As for why I did," he continued, "that's a foolish question. Is there a single criminal in Gotham who doesn't want you dead?"

"And you?" Batman turned to his former mentor. "Do you feel the same way?"

He couldn't forget how deeply Demon's Head once despised sin.

"Times have changed, my son," Ra replied with a smile.

"Sometimes, you must compromise to eliminate a greater evil. Isn't that what you taught me?"

Batman's prepared for combat. "Then I suppose there's nothing left to discuss."

But Ra raised a hand to stop him, gesturing for his men to open a large door behind him.

Batman tensed, wary of a trap. The door creaked open. Behind it, however, were no weapons, no hidden mechanisms—just two coffins suspended high. Batman as he gritted his teeth.

"Let them go! Let go of my parents!"

His roar echoed through the plant. This was only the second time he had lost control—the first being when he had nearly killed the Joker.

Ra's expression remained calm as he spoke. "You misunderstand me," he said. "I had no intention of desecrating the Waynes. On the contrary, I respect them. They were the first couple who truly tried to make Gotham better."

He stepped forward. "But you and I both know how that ended, don't we? Gotham is a hopeless city, Bruce, and it always has been. But you… you aren't hopeless."

Ra's piercing gaze locked onto Batman, his words carrying both temptation and conviction. "You still have a chance to make the right decision. Do you know how I escaped the clutches of death?"

Batman's body tensed, his sharp eyes narrowing at Ra. His expression betrayed a mixture of disbelief, longing, and internal struggle.

Ra offered a knowing smile. "Yes, Bruce. You've heard the legends of the Lazarus Pit, haven't you?"

Ra gestured toward the glowing green pool beneath the suspended coffins. "What if I told you those legends are true?"

Batman's shoulders sagged as if the weight of the revelation had drained his strength. His voice, hoarse with disbelief, barely escaped his throat. "Impossible. They've been dead for more than twenty years!"

The thought pierced him. For over two decades, the bodies of his parents had returned to the earth, reduced to nothing but bones.

Ra continued, "That may have been true once. But my understanding of the Lazarus Pit has evolved. I can tell you with absolute certainty—your parents can be resurrected, Bruce."

The impossible suddenly seemed within reach. Could it really be true? Could Thomas and Martha Wayne return?

Images filled his mind: a family reunited, his parents alive and smiling as though nothing had ever gone wrong. After all these years, their voices and faces remained vivid, untainted by time.

Seeing Batman falter, Hush burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the plant. "Hahaha! Look at you—you're actually considering it! You're shaken, Batman. You're no better than the rest of us. You're just a mortal man!"

His taunt struck a nerve, pulling Batman from his reverie. The hush's glee was a stark reminder of the dangerous game being played.

"So," Batman said, "what's your real goal? It can't just be to help me."

Hush grinned, "The only one I want dead is Batman, not Bruce Wayne. Do you understand now? I couldn't care less about Bruce. As long as Batman is gone, I'll consider this a victory."

His eerie laughter filled the room again. "A mutual friend told me that, and now I think he was right."

But Hush's smirk didn't fade as he continued. "Don't get me wrong, though. What your dear teacher said is true—this pit can resurrect your parents."

Yet something in Hush's voice, in his sly and sinister tone, made Batman uneasy. The promise sounded genuine, but the intent felt warped.

Ra's words echoed in his mind, a tantalizing offer that pulled at his heart.

From the shadows above, Damian Wayne watched intently, hidden from sight. His heart pounded as he observed the scene.

He knew what was at stake. His father had the chance to reclaim a normal life, to step away as Gotham's protector. He could stop being the man who fought an unending war against crime and instead become Bruce Wayne, the son of Thomas and Martha, once more.

But Damian's unease grew. Something about this situation felt wrong, though he couldn't yet place why. The crackle of static broke Damian's focus. A faint voice buzzed through his comms.

"Da..mian…"

"who…" Damian muttered under his breath.

"Okay, the signal should be stable now," Dane's voice came clearer. "What's going on over there? I just noticed your suit went offline."

Damian's eyes narrowed, torn about whether to explain the situation. He didn't realize that the very suit he wore—designed by Dane—was riddled with hidden backdoors. Every visual feed Damian's suit captured could be accessed remotely by Dane, who was now watching everything with great interest.

"I see," Dane mused. "Batman's father-in-law and a bandaged villain… looks like they've got your old man in quite a bind. So, what's your plan, Damian? Gonna help your father?"

Help? Damian hesitated. Help with what? He didn't think Ra's plan was wrong. On the contrary, Bruce's hesitation frustrated him. Was fighting Gotham's endless parade of criminals really more important than bringing his parents back to life?

But a faint unease lingered in Damian's heart. Against his instincts, he found himself asking, almost nervously,

"Do you think the Lazarus Pit can truly bring someone back from the dead?"

Dane replied without hesitation. "Yes, the Lazarus Pit has that power. But—"

Damian exhaled sharply, cutting him off. "Stop dragging it out! Just say it!"

"Patience, Damian," Dane said calmly. "The Lazarus Pit isn't what it seems. Sure, the name sounds biblical, but it has nothing to do with anything sacred."

"In fact, I suspect it's closer to something demonic. Tell me, Damian, what's your grandfather's nickname?"

Damian didn't miss a beat. "The Demon's Head."

"Exactly. Now, think—why does Ra have that title? Is it just because he's killed countless people? If he's as righteous as you believe, why isn't he called something like The Savior?"

Damian felt a knot tighten in his chest. Dane's words chipped away at his confidence. He stared at Ra's distant figure, his grandfather now a symbol of doubt.

Dane pressed on, "Here's a question for you, Damian. After countless dips in that accursed spring, is Ra's mind and soul truly intact?"

The realization hit Damian. Dane said his final piece. "Resurrection is no small feat. Even in the world of magic, it's a miracle few can achieve. And it comes at a price, Damian. A steep price."

Meanwhile, Ra grew impatient with Batman's hesitation. He revealed yet another card.

From the shadows, Catwoman was hoisted into view, suspended unconscious just beside the coffins.

"Selina…" Batman's voice was barely above a whisper.

"You've spent long enough deliberating, Batman. Allow me to decide for you."

"What are you planning?" Batman demanded.

Ra's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Let me demonstrate the power of the Lazarus Pit for you."

He gestured toward Catwoman, leaving his intent unmistakable. Batman's voice dropped to a growl, laced with fury.

"She's not some tool for your experiment!"

Ra ignored him entirely, said with disdain. "In my eyes, she's nothing more than a petty thief. A life like hers isn't wasted if it showcases the pit's greatness."

"NO!" Batman desperation in his voice. His choice was made. But the distance between him and Selina was too great—he couldn't reach her in time.

Just as hope seemed lost, Damian went into action. With his suit's systems fully restored, the enhanced nanosuit allowed him to swoop in effortlessly. He cut Selina free, cradling her as they landed safely.

Damian barked sharply at Batman, "The coffins!"

Batman snapped into action, hurling two batarangs with precision. The projectiles struck the operators manning the ropes, halting the crane's movements.

Hush turned toward Ra with a scowl. "You're rushing things."

Ra sneered, unfazed. "You don't understand him at all."

Ra strode toward Batman. Before anyone could move, a deafening shock boom rocked the chemical plant. The walls caved inward as dust and debris filled the air.

Emerging through the chaos was a Dane, his voice echoing with mock amusement.

"Did I miss the party?"