JLA Watchtower (Archive)

In the Cave, head bent over a file that is closed and put away at the new voice, Batman says coldly, "Try contacting me first next time."

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"You might have left. I imagine I'm not high on the list of people you're interested in talking to right now."

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"You imagine right." He stands up and glares at Hal. "But you're still here."

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Hal moves down the steps, giving Batman plenty of time to put away whatever he was working on. His goal here isn't to snoop on Batman, but to talk to him.

"I didn't want the League to wipe your memory, Batman. And I was hoping, once I was alive again, that I could find a way to have that memory restored to you. What happened to you wasn't right, Batman. And it's a secret that's been chipping away at the heart of the League for far too long. It needs to be fixed."

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A silent, stone-cold stare is Hal's answer.

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"I could have stopped them from doing it to Dr. Light. And I could have stopped them from erasing your memory. I didn't, because to do so would mean the collapse of the League. The loss of all those lives the League has saved since then. The damage to your memory could be undone someday. The lives that would be lost if I dissolved the League to save your memory and the alteration of Light could never be brought back. It was a gamble in human lives, Batman. Perhaps, in hindsight, it wasn't the best choice. Maybe it saved billions of lives. It's impossible to say. All I can tell you is that I never wanted this to happen. And now that it's out, I want to fix it."

He approaches closer. "I can't change what happened. I can only apologize. And hope that somewhere, despite the League's betrayal of you, you still believe in the principles of what the League claims to stand for."

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"You get to fix nothing."

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"You'd rather I not try?"

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"I'd rather you, Zatanna, and the rest of the League stay the hell out of my mind and out of my life." Arctic fury comes in every word.

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"I'd like everyone to stay our of your mind, Batman. And I want to make sure the League never does that again." He steps closer. He's never been afraid of Batman. "I know you, Batman. You don't trust the League, and I don't blame you. But you also believe in the same things the League should stand for. Protection of the innocent. Justice."

He observes Batman carefully.

"You have every right to hate the League. You have every right to hate those people who did this to you, or who let it happen. But the League can be repaired, Batman. With your help."

He shrugs. "Or, the League can fall apart. And people like Carter can do whatever they think justice is, and so can you, and so can all of us. One on one. And you can watch as the costumed community tears itself apart. And we both know how many innocent people would die in a such a struggle."

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Batman's muscles tense. He knows what the Green Lantern can do. He's prepared, just in case. And he doesn't like proximity that he didn't choose. "I don't give a damn about the League, Jordan. I resigned."

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"If you give up here, Batman, then those who wiped your memory win. And worse, Dr. Light wins. You can resign... but that doesn't change anything. You're still involved in this." He shakes his head. "If you don't take back your resignation, you're giving the League your permission to do it again. You don't want anyone else to go through what you did? Come back to the League. Stand up for what you believe in."

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The Bat's eyes narrow dangerously, in the way that makes criminals soil themselves. "Insufferable, posturing bastard. You come here to lecture me about helping people just like you, who claim to know what's best for everyone? Your arrogance stinks. The League's arrogance stinks."

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The insults were expected, and they slide off Hal. "Not to lecture you, Batman," Hal corrects. "To apologize. And ask for your help. The League can only benefit from your assistance in correcting this." He shakes his head. "I don't think I know what's best for everyone, and if you had been listening instead of stewing in your anger, I told you as much. I've made a mistake. I am sorry. Now I need to fix my mistake, and I will do the best I can with or without you. But I'd prefer your help."

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"You weren't listening to yourself. Now get the hell out." Batman appears to be intractable.

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"Alright," Hal nods, turning to go. "I just wanted to make sure you understood why I did what I did, and that I don't think it's an excuse. And that I'm sorry."

He begins stepping towards the exit. "I hope you consider what I've said."

And he's gone.

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Robin has been listening for some time, in a secluded section of the cave.

He ponders on what he has heard, a lot of his unvoiced questions suddenly finding their answers....

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"Damn it." Batman slams his fist into a harmless panel near the computer banks, standing and fuming for a moment and muttering obscenities under his breath.

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Knowing Batman knew he was there all along, Robin slowly steps out into the light.

Well...that could have gone better.

Have you really quit the League?

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"Yes," is the flat response. The kind that says, don't ask more questions. "Anything crop up in your research?"

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If he dared, he would have rolled his eyes at Batman's response. Instead he sighs

Some - gonna be going out in a moment to follow up on it.

Roxy and Ms Duquesne both have reason to have issues with Penguin and, if we work on the theory she's 'Batwoman', Ms Duquesne is likely to want to interfere with her father's operations. Since he has business dealings with Penguin, it provides her with a nicely convenient double target. Roxy would be an ideal source of tech for her.

What I haven't found out yet is if the two of them know each other. And if so how, as the circles they run in are very different.

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"Good work. Keep on it." He seems to think about saying more on that subject, but instead he notes, "I'm focusing on Gotham from here. That means I'll need you more often, if the Titans can spare you."

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He hides the momentary guilty annoyance at that, knowing that ultimately his place is here. Not off playing with his friends.

You know you only have to say the word.

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The Dark Knight's gaze focuses on Robin for a beat, then another and another. "Gotham deserves to have us protect her first, old chum," he states quietly. "We've both forgotten that."

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I know. I hadn't forgotten, just...it's a balancing act, isn't it?

Do you need me for anything, or shall I head out?

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"Say something to Alfred on the way out. He misses you." Batman has already turned back toward his work, though implied in his statement is the possibility that he, Bruce, might miss Tim too.

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