The Knight Returnsby GleamingChaptersUninvited GuestsChapter 1 - A Trip to InsanityChapter 2 - An Unknown VigilanteChapter 3 - Out of OptionsEpilogue - A Tyranny EndsUninvited GuestsThe bats glide off of the walls of the cave and flew around in packs rapidly around the top of the cave, causing a huge amount of noise that echoed inside of the cave. This particularity place was not only the home of the bats but also the secret lair of Batman, where he does his daily scientific research and tests his gadgets in field tests. It has been months since the last time Batman was in Equestria. He has learned a lot from that familiar trip to an unknown world that he knew nothing about, until he noticed that he had three uninvited guests that sneaked their way undetected through a portal. Now, Bruce has to come up with a plan to get rid of them. Bruce turned around to the three fillies, tapping his foot on the floor. ''I never knew that you three would find a way past my security defenses, but I digress.'' The three Crusaders looked at Bruce in confusion. They did not know that they were trespassing on top secret property, not knowing how to handle a situation like this without their big sisters to help them. There was only one thing to do, explain to him what happened. Sweetie Belle stretched her arms out to keep the two at their sides. ''Don't worry, I know exactly how to handle this,'' she cleared her throat. ''We got in here through the portal that Twilight made for you.'' The memory of the whole Equestria fiasco popped back into Bruce's mind, recalling all of the moments he spent together with the six ponies. Twilight Sparkle, was the pony that he missed the most. He promised that he would return if they needed his help once again, it was too hard to not think about the one pony who understands him the most. ''I'm glad that you three care about me, but I keep this cave a secret for a reason.'' Bruce stated. ''So, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you three fillies to leave.'' ''But, we don't know how to get back home.'' The young fillies said altogether. ''I'll find a way to get you guys home, but we should head back into the portal.'' Bruce said. The billionaire son put on his militaristic suit, laced up his black boots, and donned on his mask for the final time. His main objective was to return the three fillies back to Equestria, but that is easier said than done. Batman has faced many challenges in his life, from fighting the Joker to mourning over his father's death, and now he has to deal with this. ''Come on, let's go!'' Batman shouted, while he grabbed the three fillies and jumped through the portal. Batman jumped into the portal with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. As they were spiraling through the fabrics of the two universes, the portal transported them into the populated city known as Maretropolis. Maretropolis The skyline of bright lights were very present in a world where comic book villains are present. A city full of chaos and anarchy where the citizens are always put in danger or harm, while a hero steps up to the plate and saves them. Similar to Gotham City, a hero always fights for justice and to protect the innocent. The moral code of a hero has been to fight for what's right, never ask for anything in return, and don't brag to others about how you save others with your selfish desires. Maretropolis was no different, where villains stole priceless artifacts and bits to spend them on maniacal, devious plans to rule the world. A portal opened in the front window display case of a jewelry store, where Batman and the Cutie Mark Crusaders fell out of the portal and crashed down on the silver floor below. As the sound of the impact of the crash echoed through the glass inside, with a hard thud following behind. CRASH! ''I think I hurt my neck on the landing.'' Sweetie held on the back of her neck, moaning in agony. ''Ah' can't feel my legs at all, why did we have to fall so hard?'' Apple Bloom asked, trying to stumble back to her feet. ''Tell me about it, we have hearts as strong as horses but this is pushing it.'' Scootaloo rose up on her hooves slowly. Batman rose up off of the silver floor without a scratch, walking it off like it was nothing. The pain of swords stabbing him in the back didn't phase him at all, he still has a mission to complete. A lot of thoughts were going through Bruce's mind, if he couldn't protect these fillies in a dangerous environment that he was more accustomed to, he could not live with himself. The weight of their lives rests on his shoulders, where he does not want to relive the tragedy of losing someone that he cares about. He could only think about his past, now he must focus on the task at hand. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Batman kicked the glass display case window down, walking out on the sidewalk below as the loud sound of a pony dressed in a black and white striped shirt with a black mask. The mysterious pony lunged over to Batman with a knife in one hoof, looking over at the fillies for one split second. He threw out the knife from his hoof, as the knife flew into the wall of the display case. Batman threw his leg off to the side of the assailant's ribs, connecting off of his side. He grabbed his leg swiftly, launching him into the jewelry store as he crashed through the pearls and diamonds section of the store. Flying through the open display case of the store, Batman crashed into the store and landed on the assailant. Batman towered over the assailant and pressed his boot down on his head. ''Who sent you, and don't try lying to me,'' Applying more pressure to his head, he continued with his sentence. ''I will know who sent you, now talk!'' The fallen assailant opened his mouth, trying to catch his breath. ''The...Mane-iac sent me here.'' Batman tried to collect his thoughts for a moment. ''Good, now you get to take a nap.'' Before the assailant could get one last request or send a message back to his boss, Batman dropped his knee down on his head with enough force to knock him out unconscious. He rose from his body and walked back to the three ponies. ''That was awesome!'' The three fillies cheered with excitement and praise, bouncing up and down as the adrenaline rushed through their bodies. ''So, what did he tell you?'' ''The information that I gathered the unknown attacker is, that he works for the Mane-iac.'' Batman took out his DNA analysis scanner, placing the scanner near the knife that the assailant used. ''Now, I'm going to find her location using his DNA.'' The scanner analyzed the knife's contents and the DNA that he left on the knife, a light blue, squared grid appeared on the scanner along with the data that it gathered. DNA Analysis Results: The residue left on the knife came from the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory, where the Mane-iac's lair is located and it is a few blocks from here. The owner of the factory used to sell hair products all around Maretropolis, until a freak accident caused the owner to fall into a vat of radioactive hair products which caused the owner's mane to grow into long, tentacle - like strands. She started to become completely insane and ever since she was defeated by the Power Ponies, the local authorities apprehended her and sent her to the Maretropolis Prison for the Insane. ''From the analysis on the scanner, we're going to go to the Maretropolis Prison to pay the Mane-iac a visit.'' Batman removed the scanner from the knife. ''But, we're going to need some help. Let's see if we can find some backup.'' ''Are ya' sure if we can find someone to help us, Batman?'' Apple Bloom asked, rubbing her hoof on her chin. ''Apple Bloom is right, we saw you take out that guy with no problem at all and you are saying that we need help?'' Scootaloo asked curiously, walking around in a circle. ''They have a point, Batman. I have to agree.'' Sweetie Belle replied in unison with them. ''Look guys, I know that I was able to take that guy out with no problem. But, even though I don't usually work with others I need someone other than me to protect you from harm. Understand?'' Batman kneels on one knee, holding the little fillies in his arm. ''You got it!'' The three fillies said in unison. ''Good.'' Batman walked down the street, along with the three fillies in his arm headed for the Maretropolis Prison for the Insane. With the journey of the Caped Crusader along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders at his side, they are on a journey of returning the ponies back home in Equestria. But to do that, they must defeat the Mane-iac to open the portal once again or they will be trapped in Maretropolis. They can't do it alone without help, it will only be a matter of time until they meet another mysterious vigilante, The Mysterious Mare Do Well. Chapter 1 - A Trip to InsanityChapter 1 - A Trip to Insanity Batman and the Crusaders followed the path where a huge structure, where they imprison ponies who are deemed insane by the Maretropolis government and keep them incarcerated for their own safety. The huge, mysterious asylum institution stood upon a hill behind a gate that marked: The Maretropolis Asylum. They walked in front of the asylum's front gates, placing their hooves on the identification scanning stations to prove that they were not inmates in the institution. The gates slid open as they walked onto the asylum grounds, the group headed towards the front entrance of the asylum's interior, but they paused for a moment. ''I can't believe, that we're actually going into an asylum!'' The young vibrant pegasus, Scootaloo, hopped on her hooves in excitement. ''Scootaloo, ya' do know that these is no laughing matter right?'' Apple Bloom asked. ''Of course I know that, but this is a golden opportunity,'' Scootaloo pulled her two crusader friends next to her. ''especially in an asylum institution that has insane ponies incarcerated, including the Mane-iac.'' ''Well, if you guys say so.'' Sweetie Belle shrugged her shoulders. The front entrance of the asylum opened as the gates lifted over their heads, while they walked into the ground floor of the asylum. As the gates descended behind them, they walked through the security clearance gate with a security guard to accompany them. ''The asylum's warden sent me to accompany you guys, just in case things get out of hand.'' the security guard stated. ''That's fair then, if you can take us to the Mane-iac's holding cell that would be very helpful.'' Batman said to the security guard. ''Will do.'' the guard escorted them to the Mane-iac's holding cell where the authorities threw her in there a couple of weeks ago, after she was defeated by the Power Ponies in her shampoo factory. ''There you go, but I must warn you that she is very dangerous, so it would be best not to get too close to her.'' Before they could even thank the security guard, the guard vanished at the blink of an eye. In the contents of the holding cell, was a mattress, a dirty toilet, a very-detailed map of the asylum, and an escape route. The villainous Mane-iac laid down on the white mattress in her straightjacket, that prevents her from any means of escaping. Sadly, the one mistake in the construction of the asylum was that inmates used spoons to scrape holes in the walls of the asylum. ''Hello, Mane-iac.'' the caped vigilante said to the insane villain. ''Ah' never knew that, today we would be meeting a villain with a crazy mane.'' Apple Bloom looked in shock at the out-of-control mane tentacles. ''Tell me about it, this is really awesome!'' Scootaloo's hooves bounced off the walls of the asylum, in a very energetic, sugar-crazed matter. The adrenaline was rushing through every fiber of her being, not only to meet a villain in person, but to actually be in an asylum for the mentally insane. A weird feeling, but a feeling nonetheless. ''Hello there, I hope you're not one of the Power Pony hooligans that defeated me a while back.'' The Mane-iac rose from her mattress as she stepped up to the metal bars that prevented her from lashing out in an uncontrollable rampage. ''I'll be seeking my revenge on them when I get out of here, what do you want?'' ''I found some residue from your shampoo factory, when I was fighting one of your henchmen.'' Batman threw an analysis report under the holding cell door, with all of the information of the DNA and her background information. ''Now, talk.'' ''I sent my henchmen out to pick up some supplies, which you attacked one of my henchmen that was delivering said supplies to my cell that I was going to use to build up my doomsday device.'' The Mane-iac announced. ''Tell me what you were planning to do with the device, now!'' Batman slammed his hooves on the cell's metal bars. ''Well if you really want to know, I suggest you get the security guard back here.'' The Mane-iac looked up at Batman, with her devious eyes glaring at him. A loud scream near the Mane-iac's cell was heard throughout the asylum, which signaled the guard to stand near her cell where the guard swiped her identification card as the cell door opened. All of a sudden, a loud bang echoed in the halls of the asylum as the wall behind the charismatic villain had a big hole in it. ''Everything is going, according to plan.'' A huge spray can emerged from the wreckage of the wall, with a grappling hook attached to the top of the can. The hook was shot forward with the center of the hook as it wrapped around the Mane-iac's body, the straightjacket ripped apart in the process in the clean getaway. ''This has been a mane raising event, but I really must be going.'' ''MUAHAHAHAHAHA, I shall have my revenge!'' Her maniacal laughter was heard through the streets of Maretropolis with a well-planned escape plan, now she is heading towards her shampoo factory to finish building her doomsday device. ''I've seen worse security standards, so I'll have to enlist the help of a hero that can assist us.'' Batman said, looking in awe at the big hole in the walls. ''Are you sure about that?'' the Crusaders said together. ''I'm sure, but I'll have to keep you guys safe and sound.'' Batman said. ''If you say so, Bruce, we will take your word for it.'' A security guard from the Security Wing of the asylum approached the three fillies, saluting the Caped Crusader with a hoof across his forehead. ''I would be more than happy to protect those three fillies, in our high-tech Security Wing.'' The guard took the three Crusaders to the Security Wing of the asylum, where he placed the young ponies into a glass-protected, spherical dome that can keep them safe from danger. ''Thanks for keeping us safe, we really appreciate it.'' ''The pleasure is all mine, make yourselves at home.'' the security guard walked away from the dome, as the doors closed behind him. ''One more thing left to do.'' A cloud of gas started to fill the inside of the dome, poisonous contents of the gas spread around the dome until it was completely covered from top to bottom. ''What the hay--'' Apple Bloom coughed as the fumes started to spread throughout her body, she collapsed onto the floor. ''You trader---'' Scootaloo said, as she collapsed to the floor as well. ''Just wait until, Batman hears about this.'' Sweetie Belle dropped to the floor without her body moving an inch, her vision started to fade away as her eyes slammed shut. ''You won't be hearing from him anymore, because he will be out of the picture very soon.'' He took off his mask, revealing his identity. ''I'll be sure to pay him a visit.'' Batman landed on the top of a rooftop, scouting the area of the henchponies that were surrounding the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory to keep the doomsday device and their boss safe. Snipers stood upon the rooftops with night vision goggles, and their weapons locked and loaded with their scopes in the line of sight, anxiously waiting for ponies to take down with no hesitation. ''Any sign of the Power Ponies or Batman?'' The Mane-iac said on the radio communication system. 'No sign of them yet, ma'am. We will keep a close eye out for them, and alert you once we have spotted them. Once Batman sets a hoof on the factory, we will take him down. Over and out.'' He turned off the radio, and kept his eye near the factory for Batman. As he turned his back as the lookout, Batman stood behind him without making a noise, and wrapped his arms around his neck to suffocate the oxygen from his throat. The sniper slipped into an unconscious state, slipping out from his grip while he laid on the rooftop, knocked out. ''One down, four to go.'' He glides down from the rooftop, flying in mid-air to the next sniper across from him, kicking him down to the ground. ''I never knew that I would say this, but I need help.'' A shadowy, mysterious figure with a dark blue mask, light blue reflective circles on her mask, a dark flowing cape, and her dark purple suit flew into the air while she propelled down on the ground. She stood side-by-side with Batman, as they looked at the snipers. Chapter 2 - An Unknown Vigilante Chapter 2 - An Unknown Vigilante The two masked vigilantes were standing with their backs facing each other, looking up on the rooftops and down on the ground where the henchponies were started to surround them as an attempt to get the jump on them. The Mare Do Well and Batman had to think of a plan and fast. ''I don't know you, but if we want to get out of here,'' Batman scanned the area around them. ''we have to work together.'' ''...'' The Mysterious Mare Do Well was known for being around when danger is present, she was never afraid to put her life on the line to protect citizens who are defenseless against criminals, but she will learn that this is no defenseless citizen. She has been off the radar for a few months now after an accident that almost killed her, but now she was back in action. The henchponies lunged at both of them from each side, to take them out quickly. But before they could even strike a blow, Batman charged at them and swung his cape to stun them in their place. He connected with a barrage of punches while they were staggering on their hooves, he lunged his head forward to knock them out and knocked all of them to the ground. He reached into his utility belt for one of his gadgets, a batarang propelled out of the belt and into Batman's mouth. Using his teeth, Batman threw the batarang straight at the remaining sniper, with the batarang smacking off the top of his head as she dropped on the rooftop's floor. ''Muahahahaha,'' The Mane-iac stood arrogantly on her doomsday device, as her henchponies added the final part to power-up the doomsday device along with the powerful orb to charge the device. ''After being imprisoned in that wretched asylum, I can finally exact my revenge on Maretropolis by giving all of the residents unmanageable and out-of-control manes, it is fool proof!'' The two heroes stormed to the metal gate that was keeping the interior of the shampoo factory a secret from wandering eyes. There was only one thing to do for the gate to open, use an explosive substance to blow up the gate. The explosive gel in Batman's utility belt is the only gadget powerful enough to blast a hole in the gate, it was time to put the plan in action. Batman took out the explosive gel from his utility belt, applying the gel to the hard, metal surface of the gate. A slight push on the button of the explosive gel dispenser triggered the gel to explode on contact with the metal gate. They walked through the gaping hole of the metal gate that the gel left behind, where they were now in the Mane-iac's Shampoo Factory lair. ''Since we made it this far, we're going to need a plan.'' Batman looked at the balcony of the factory, as his eyes peered over to the Mane-iac's henchponies watching the doomsday device fully powered up by the powerful orb. ''There is a way for us to get to the Mane-iac, but taking out her henchponies or in this case flamboyant hair stylists.'' Mare Do Well jumped on the balcony that was consisting of metal bars, long, black suspenders, and henchponies that were guarding the doomsday device. ''Batman, you should drop your smoke bomb to keep them distracted while I attack from above.'' she said. ''You got it.'' Batman took out a smoke bomb from one of his pouches, throwing it down on the ground near the henchponies. A cloud of smoke started to expand around them with their vision completely blurred, due to the low visibility levels of the smoke that rendered whatever actions they were planning completely useless. Batman and the Mare Do Well crouched on their knees for the element of surprise, sneaking behind them without them knowing. They grabbed their heads to bang them with each other, throwing the henchponies' heads against each other, as their heads bashed together while their bodies dropped to the floor. ''Done and done, now we have one final objective... the Mane-iac.'' Batman's eyes were locked on the doomsday device that was pointed towards the satellite dish atop of the Maretropolis Police Headquarters, the insane, psychotic villain's intention was to shoot the satellite dish so that the waves of the dish would spread all of the power from her Hairspray Ray of Doom doomsday device, to give the city's residents crazy mane tentacles just like her own. ''My doomsday device is finally powered, now it's time to exact my---'' The Mane-iac came to a complete pause, as she turned around as Batman connected with a hoof to her face. ''I figured you would find me, as a villain of insane proportions, I'm prepared.'' The shadow of a pony with a mask, militaristic ballistic vest, camouflage pants, and combat boots emerged from the shadows while he held on his ballistic vest straps arrogantly. ''She is not alone, only Mr.Wayne knows who I am.'' This particular pony has squared off with the Dark Knight in past where he was close to killing him, even when he broke his back. ''Let's cut to the chase, I cut a deal with the Mane-iac, so that her and I would share the conquering of Maretropolis together.'' Bane said. ''And since I couldn't take over Gotham City on my own or even with help, I've decided to move on to a another universe that has weak, pathetic citizens that would be on their knees at our mercy.'' Mare Do Well kept her eyes glued on Bane, looking at his physical physique as he looked back at her. BANG! A loud explosion came from the walls of the shampoo factory with the area surrounded by the reinforcements, sent by the Maretropolis Police Department. They had their weapons in their hooves, aiming them at the two villains. ''Get down on the ground now!'' ''With pleasure.'' the Mane-iac sat down in her chair in front of the controls of the doomsday device, aimed at the police's reinforcements, and pushed the big red button that fired a huge blast of radioactive hairspray goo at them. ''That will keep them busy.'' The police landed hard on the cold ground with their manes stretching out into tentacle-like strands, which their manes festered into green, long tentacles that they could not control. We can't get up, need backup now!'' Batman charged towards Bane with a mean look on his face, throwing a punch at his mask which did not do any effect. Mare Do Well ran behind Batman following his attack while she ran on his back like a flight of stairs, jumping into the air, and connecting a kick off of his mask. Bane was really unimpressed at their tactics of taking him down. He grabbed their legs with as much strength as he could muster up, throwing them into the doomsday device, as they collided into the bottom of the device. They laid on the floor with her heads lowered and their eyes looking down at their hind legs. ''I was expecting more effort from you, I guess I was wrong.'' Bane's armored men came out from their hidden positions, dragging their unconscious bodies over to Bane. ''Sir, what do you want us to do with them?'' Bane crouched down near the bodies, rubbing his chin with a slight interest. ''Leave them here, make sure that they are tied up, and so that they do not interfere with our plans.'' The masked mercenary pointed his finger to the convenient chairs and ropes, his men grabbed Batman and Mare Do Well's bodies and threw them on the two chairs where they tied their bodies to the chairs with the ropes. ''Excellent. Now that everything is going smoothly, this world will soon be ours!'' Chapter 3 - Out of Options Chapter 3 - Out of Options The Crusaders started to open their eyes while they came back to their senses, looking around at the gas starting to fade away in the space around them in the dome. Gas in the dome completely vanished due to a slight malfunction for being active in a long amount of time. For a few hours now, they were betrayed by Bane in which he kept them out of the picture to ensure his hostile takeover of Maretropolis along with the Mane-iac. ''This has gone long enough, time to get out of here.'' Scootaloo had some trouble getting on her hooves, until she saw a batarang left behind in the dome. ''I wonder how this got here.'' A flashback started playing back and forth in her head, while she turned her head to her two friends still laying on the floor. She stretched her arm out to grab the batarang, struggling to reach a considerate distance, finally she was able to grab it. Staggering back on her hooves preparing to throw the batarang, she spun around in a circle keeping her eye on the locked door, throwing it with ease as the propelled gadget crashed into the control panel. Sparks flew from the control panel that controlled the locked door, as the door switched from ''locked'' to ''open.'' The door's turbines swung open with the door opening as well. ''We're free, now let's go help Batman!'' The Crusaders said, running out of the asylum heading towards the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory. Batman and the Mare Do Well opened their eyes while they looked up at the ceiling. They tried to wiggle their arms and legs to free themselves, but to no avail with the tight grip of the ropes preventing them from getting free. While trying to collect themselves, Bane appeared in front of their eyes. ''Feeling comfortable, I hope not because you get a front row seat of your own destruction.'' Bane walked a few feet away from them, turning around back to them. ''This might even be your last night alive, but don't worry we'll take good care of this city for you.'' The expert strategist walked with his men outside to keep the factory secure and protected. ''Ms.Mare Do Well, I know that we might not survive this, but if I do die I want you to tell the Cutie Mark Crusaders that I didn't die in vain. Make sure to give Scootaloo my batsuit, if I die.'' A tear rolled down Batman's face, trying to keep his emotions in. ''Time for this city to pay for what they did to me!'' The Mane-iac shouted up to the sky, raising her arms along with her menacing laugh. ''And nothing will stop us, Muahahahahaha!'' The doomsday device pointed upwards to the satellite dish with the two villains rubbing their hooves menacingly. Their victory was getting closer as each minute went by, nothing could possibly go wrong. With just a slight moment of the device preparing to fire, three fillies crashed through the gaping hole that the police left behind and kept their eyes on the targets: Bane and the Mane-iac. Scootaloo rushed over to Batman and Mare Do Well's side, sliding gracefully under the chairs, and knocking down the chairs with her arms. Her camouflage pants and boots gave her good support to keep her balanced, she took out a knife and held it with her teeth, cutting the ropes delicately to release them. ''Cutie Mark Crusaders, let's get them.'' Scootaloo said, looking back at her crusader friends. She ran over to Bane without thinking of a strategy, throwing a punch that sent Bane flying through a vat of hair products. Batman emerged from the chair that held him captive, he lunged over at Bane at a very constant speed, and jumped up in the air with his arm around Bane's neck. He dropped Bane down on the top of his head, while the other two Crusaders came rushing out with their own attacks and kicked Bane in the spine. Mare Do Well dodged as Mane-iac threw out random attacks with her tentacles. Her attacks could not penetrate or connect at all, until Mane-iac took out her huge hairspray can which can render her attacks useless. She looked across at Mane-iac in shock and held up her arms to surrender, winking her eye over at Batman. A clever plan was brewing in her head to pretend that she would surrender, her adversary would be unaware of what happened next. The Caped Crusader of Gotham sneaked behind the insane mare undetected while she aimed her hairspray can at Mare Do Well. He came up behind her with his arms wrenched around her neck, she struggled for air along with her arms flailing for him to let go of his grasp around her. He kicked the back of her hind legs to keep the pressure on her neck. ''Give up?'' ''Not yet.'' Mane-iac answered. One of her tentacles grabbed Batman in a split second to keep the pressure off, and the rest of the tentacles followed soon after while they attacked the Cutie Mark Crusaders and kept Mare Do Well restrained to a wall. ''Pfft, I don't need Bane to takeover this pathetic city.'' she arrogantly stated. ''I can handle you insolent pests on my own, because you are nothing but the dirt beneath my hooves.'' ''I didn't think we would be defeated by an insane villain, brings back memories.'' Batman said, taking out his batarang for an attempt to cut off one of the tentacles. ''I never knew that this would happen at all today, did y'all?'' ''As a matter of fact, not at all.'' Sweetie answered back. ''If you ask me, I'm always open for an awesome adventure with you guys.'' Scootaloo cuddled with her two friends on the floor, brushing her muzzle against their coats. ''One more for old times sake, what do you say?'' The three fillies prepared to shout out the catchphrase that they have said ever since they first came together to hunt for cutie marks, the inevitable was about to happen but ruining the moment would be terrible. ''CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CRIME FIGHTERS, YAY!'' The shampoo factory became a shamble of destruction with good and evil fighting it off in one last battle. Debris and the fragments from the wall were left in the lair of the Mane-iac, but now she was left alone without Bane by her side. A villain with a tragic past from being an owner of a hair product that was sold all over Equestria to one of the most notorious villains in Maretropolis, she felt that this was a step up in her life. It just wasn't the same... She thought to herself. Epilogue - A Tyranny Ends A Tyranny Ends The Mane-iac's tentacle lashed out at the Mare Do Well with extreme force and intent. But before the tentacle could even make contact, Mare Do Well grabbed the tentacle in her hooves and spun her around in a complete circular motion, hurling the insane villain straight into one of the four chemical vats of hair products. Batman dragged Bane's unconscious body out of the factory, to the only place nearby that can imprison the intelligent mercenary, The Maretropolis Police Department. On his way to the facility, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were following him silently without making a sound, so they would not alert him or cause him to turn around. The Caped Crusader entered the police building, waiting for a police official to come to him. Elevator music played in the waiting area of the building, Batman was already annoyed about having to drag Bane's body to the department, now he has to listen one of the most annoying musical sounds in the universe. A police official walked over to Batman with a pair of handcuffs and a baton, tapping his hoof on the floor impatiently. ''Sorry for the inconvenience, I'll be sure that this criminal is behind bars for a long time.'' the police officer grabbed Bane's body with his hoof, dragging Bane and throwing him into his holding cell. Batman nodded his head to thank the officer, then he proceeded to exit the building. His eyes looked over at the Crusaders with a surprised look on his face. ''I didn't think you guys would follow me, where's the Mare Do Well?'' Apple Bloom gulped saliva down her throat. ''Ah' think that she is still fightin' the Mane-iac.'' Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck, nervously. ''Well, we had to get out of there since we thought that she could handle her on her own, but we'll take your advice and stay put.'' ''That is very mature of you girls, I'll go help her.'' Batman disappeared from their sight before they could say another word, he trotted back to the shampoo factory. ''He totally fell for it.'' Sweetie Belle giggled. ''Hook, line, and sinker.'' Scootaloo said, gingerly gestured for them to go help him. ''Eeyup, but let's stay here to show that we weren't trying to trick him.'' Apple Bloom said. ''Oh, alright.'' the two fillies said together. Mare Do Well kept the Mane-iac on her hooves during the entire fight, both of them were evenly matched with neither side showing an inch of remorse or any sign of backing down. Both of their bodies were battered and bruised as their scars were clearly visible on their cheeks. Heavy breathing, with no breaks or any timeouts, something had to give without a winner. Batman flew into the air while he looked down at Mane-iac and Mare Do Well from above, flying down to the two mares with the speed of a bullet with his fist out, smashing the Mane-iac down into the floor of the factory. Fragment pieces of the floor flew around rapidly while the Mare Do Well watched all of it occur, looking down at Mane-iac's crushed body. ''...'' A period of silence filled the air with not a single word being said. Mare Do Well grabbed her body and threw it on her back, flying back to the Maretropolis Asylum. She vanished without saying a word. Meanwhile, Batman took Bane out of the holding cells to take them back to their universe. A portal appeared near the jewelry store in the beginning of his journey with the three fillies who helped him. He hurled Bane's body through the portal, but first he needed to say his final goodbyes. ''I'd like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.'' Batman pulled them closer to his chest, rubbing his muzzle against their heads. ''This might be the final time that you see me, here is something to remember me by.'' He reached into his utility belt and took out his trademarked batarang, giving it to them. ''I have a huge storage room full of them, remember me for who I am and what I did... farewell.'' Jumping into the portal, as the portal closed within itself for a slight moment, the Crusaders jumped into the portal to go back home. They floated around in a dark space as there were two portals, one portal leads to Gotham City while the other one leads to Ponyville. The Crusaders jumped into the right portal while Batman took Bane through the left portal. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were finally back home, trotting to their schoolhouse to tell everypony about the adventures that they had with Batman. They held the batarang close to their coats, as a reminder of a friend that fought for what's right. Batman delivered Bane to the Gotham City Police Department, they dropped Bane inside of Arkham Asylum into Joker's cell. A sound of rustling chains woke the Joker out of his slumber, dreaming of taking over Gotham City, as usual. He looked over at Bane waking up in his cell, looking very confused. ''Let me guess, Batman defeated you too?'' Joker said, raising an eyebrow. ''Yeah.'' Bane hung his head low in a slump, in a depressing matter. ''At least you have me as your cellmate.'' Joker said, smiling. ''Oh, good.'' Bane turned his back to Joker, refusing to look at him. The batmobile drove straight through a waterfall that was the secret entrance to the batcave. A platform rose from under the armored vehicle, as it spun around with the vehicle securely on the top of it. Bruce took off his mask and his suit, he laid it on the control panel of his supercomputer. ''Are you okay, Master Bruce?'' Alfred Pennyworth asked, setting the table for dinner. ''I'm okay, Alfred. I'm just remembering the three friends I met today, they will always be with me even when I'm defeated or alone.'' Bruce shed a tear from his eye, looking up at the moonlit sky.
Uninvited GuestsThe bats glide off of the walls of the cave and flew around in packs rapidly around the top of the cave, causing a huge amount of noise that echoed inside of the cave. This particularity place was not only the home of the bats but also the secret lair of Batman, where he does his daily scientific research and tests his gadgets in field tests. It has been months since the last time Batman was in Equestria. He has learned a lot from that familiar trip to an unknown world that he knew nothing about, until he noticed that he had three uninvited guests that sneaked their way undetected through a portal. Now, Bruce has to come up with a plan to get rid of them. Bruce turned around to the three fillies, tapping his foot on the floor. ''I never knew that you three would find a way past my security defenses, but I digress.'' The three Crusaders looked at Bruce in confusion. They did not know that they were trespassing on top secret property, not knowing how to handle a situation like this without their big sisters to help them. There was only one thing to do, explain to him what happened. Sweetie Belle stretched her arms out to keep the two at their sides. ''Don't worry, I know exactly how to handle this,'' she cleared her throat. ''We got in here through the portal that Twilight made for you.'' The memory of the whole Equestria fiasco popped back into Bruce's mind, recalling all of the moments he spent together with the six ponies. Twilight Sparkle, was the pony that he missed the most. He promised that he would return if they needed his help once again, it was too hard to not think about the one pony who understands him the most. ''I'm glad that you three care about me, but I keep this cave a secret for a reason.'' Bruce stated. ''So, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you three fillies to leave.'' ''But, we don't know how to get back home.'' The young fillies said altogether. ''I'll find a way to get you guys home, but we should head back into the portal.'' Bruce said. The billionaire son put on his militaristic suit, laced up his black boots, and donned on his mask for the final time. His main objective was to return the three fillies back to Equestria, but that is easier said than done. Batman has faced many challenges in his life, from fighting the Joker to mourning over his father's death, and now he has to deal with this. ''Come on, let's go!'' Batman shouted, while he grabbed the three fillies and jumped through the portal. Batman jumped into the portal with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. As they were spiraling through the fabrics of the two universes, the portal transported them into the populated city known as Maretropolis. Maretropolis The skyline of bright lights were very present in a world where comic book villains are present. A city full of chaos and anarchy where the citizens are always put in danger or harm, while a hero steps up to the plate and saves them. Similar to Gotham City, a hero always fights for justice and to protect the innocent. The moral code of a hero has been to fight for what's right, never ask for anything in return, and don't brag to others about how you save others with your selfish desires. Maretropolis was no different, where villains stole priceless artifacts and bits to spend them on maniacal, devious plans to rule the world. A portal opened in the front window display case of a jewelry store, where Batman and the Cutie Mark Crusaders fell out of the portal and crashed down on the silver floor below. As the sound of the impact of the crash echoed through the glass inside, with a hard thud following behind. CRASH! ''I think I hurt my neck on the landing.'' Sweetie held on the back of her neck, moaning in agony. ''Ah' can't feel my legs at all, why did we have to fall so hard?'' Apple Bloom asked, trying to stumble back to her feet. ''Tell me about it, we have hearts as strong as horses but this is pushing it.'' Scootaloo rose up on her hooves slowly. Batman rose up off of the silver floor without a scratch, walking it off like it was nothing. The pain of swords stabbing him in the back didn't phase him at all, he still has a mission to complete. A lot of thoughts were going through Bruce's mind, if he couldn't protect these fillies in a dangerous environment that he was more accustomed to, he could not live with himself. The weight of their lives rests on his shoulders, where he does not want to relive the tragedy of losing someone that he cares about. He could only think about his past, now he must focus on the task at hand. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Batman kicked the glass display case window down, walking out on the sidewalk below as the loud sound of a pony dressed in a black and white striped shirt with a black mask. The mysterious pony lunged over to Batman with a knife in one hoof, looking over at the fillies for one split second. He threw out the knife from his hoof, as the knife flew into the wall of the display case. Batman threw his leg off to the side of the assailant's ribs, connecting off of his side. He grabbed his leg swiftly, launching him into the jewelry store as he crashed through the pearls and diamonds section of the store. Flying through the open display case of the store, Batman crashed into the store and landed on the assailant. Batman towered over the assailant and pressed his boot down on his head. ''Who sent you, and don't try lying to me,'' Applying more pressure to his head, he continued with his sentence. ''I will know who sent you, now talk!'' The fallen assailant opened his mouth, trying to catch his breath. ''The...Mane-iac sent me here.'' Batman tried to collect his thoughts for a moment. ''Good, now you get to take a nap.'' Before the assailant could get one last request or send a message back to his boss, Batman dropped his knee down on his head with enough force to knock him out unconscious. He rose from his body and walked back to the three ponies. ''That was awesome!'' The three fillies cheered with excitement and praise, bouncing up and down as the adrenaline rushed through their bodies. ''So, what did he tell you?'' ''The information that I gathered the unknown attacker is, that he works for the Mane-iac.'' Batman took out his DNA analysis scanner, placing the scanner near the knife that the assailant used. ''Now, I'm going to find her location using his DNA.'' The scanner analyzed the knife's contents and the DNA that he left on the knife, a light blue, squared grid appeared on the scanner along with the data that it gathered. DNA Analysis Results: The residue left on the knife came from the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory, where the Mane-iac's lair is located and it is a few blocks from here. The owner of the factory used to sell hair products all around Maretropolis, until a freak accident caused the owner to fall into a vat of radioactive hair products which caused the owner's mane to grow into long, tentacle - like strands. She started to become completely insane and ever since she was defeated by the Power Ponies, the local authorities apprehended her and sent her to the Maretropolis Prison for the Insane. ''From the analysis on the scanner, we're going to go to the Maretropolis Prison to pay the Mane-iac a visit.'' Batman removed the scanner from the knife. ''But, we're going to need some help. Let's see if we can find some backup.'' ''Are ya' sure if we can find someone to help us, Batman?'' Apple Bloom asked, rubbing her hoof on her chin. ''Apple Bloom is right, we saw you take out that guy with no problem at all and you are saying that we need help?'' Scootaloo asked curiously, walking around in a circle. ''They have a point, Batman. I have to agree.'' Sweetie Belle replied in unison with them. ''Look guys, I know that I was able to take that guy out with no problem. But, even though I don't usually work with others I need someone other than me to protect you from harm. Understand?'' Batman kneels on one knee, holding the little fillies in his arm. ''You got it!'' The three fillies said in unison. ''Good.'' Batman walked down the street, along with the three fillies in his arm headed for the Maretropolis Prison for the Insane. With the journey of the Caped Crusader along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders at his side, they are on a journey of returning the ponies back home in Equestria. But to do that, they must defeat the Mane-iac to open the portal once again or they will be trapped in Maretropolis. They can't do it alone without help, it will only be a matter of time until they meet another mysterious vigilante, The Mysterious Mare Do Well.
Chapter 1 - A Trip to InsanityChapter 1 - A Trip to Insanity Batman and the Crusaders followed the path where a huge structure, where they imprison ponies who are deemed insane by the Maretropolis government and keep them incarcerated for their own safety. The huge, mysterious asylum institution stood upon a hill behind a gate that marked: The Maretropolis Asylum. They walked in front of the asylum's front gates, placing their hooves on the identification scanning stations to prove that they were not inmates in the institution. The gates slid open as they walked onto the asylum grounds, the group headed towards the front entrance of the asylum's interior, but they paused for a moment. ''I can't believe, that we're actually going into an asylum!'' The young vibrant pegasus, Scootaloo, hopped on her hooves in excitement. ''Scootaloo, ya' do know that these is no laughing matter right?'' Apple Bloom asked. ''Of course I know that, but this is a golden opportunity,'' Scootaloo pulled her two crusader friends next to her. ''especially in an asylum institution that has insane ponies incarcerated, including the Mane-iac.'' ''Well, if you guys say so.'' Sweetie Belle shrugged her shoulders. The front entrance of the asylum opened as the gates lifted over their heads, while they walked into the ground floor of the asylum. As the gates descended behind them, they walked through the security clearance gate with a security guard to accompany them. ''The asylum's warden sent me to accompany you guys, just in case things get out of hand.'' the security guard stated. ''That's fair then, if you can take us to the Mane-iac's holding cell that would be very helpful.'' Batman said to the security guard. ''Will do.'' the guard escorted them to the Mane-iac's holding cell where the authorities threw her in there a couple of weeks ago, after she was defeated by the Power Ponies in her shampoo factory. ''There you go, but I must warn you that she is very dangerous, so it would be best not to get too close to her.'' Before they could even thank the security guard, the guard vanished at the blink of an eye. In the contents of the holding cell, was a mattress, a dirty toilet, a very-detailed map of the asylum, and an escape route. The villainous Mane-iac laid down on the white mattress in her straightjacket, that prevents her from any means of escaping. Sadly, the one mistake in the construction of the asylum was that inmates used spoons to scrape holes in the walls of the asylum. ''Hello, Mane-iac.'' the caped vigilante said to the insane villain. ''Ah' never knew that, today we would be meeting a villain with a crazy mane.'' Apple Bloom looked in shock at the out-of-control mane tentacles. ''Tell me about it, this is really awesome!'' Scootaloo's hooves bounced off the walls of the asylum, in a very energetic, sugar-crazed matter. The adrenaline was rushing through every fiber of her being, not only to meet a villain in person, but to actually be in an asylum for the mentally insane. A weird feeling, but a feeling nonetheless. ''Hello there, I hope you're not one of the Power Pony hooligans that defeated me a while back.'' The Mane-iac rose from her mattress as she stepped up to the metal bars that prevented her from lashing out in an uncontrollable rampage. ''I'll be seeking my revenge on them when I get out of here, what do you want?'' ''I found some residue from your shampoo factory, when I was fighting one of your henchmen.'' Batman threw an analysis report under the holding cell door, with all of the information of the DNA and her background information. ''Now, talk.'' ''I sent my henchmen out to pick up some supplies, which you attacked one of my henchmen that was delivering said supplies to my cell that I was going to use to build up my doomsday device.'' The Mane-iac announced. ''Tell me what you were planning to do with the device, now!'' Batman slammed his hooves on the cell's metal bars. ''Well if you really want to know, I suggest you get the security guard back here.'' The Mane-iac looked up at Batman, with her devious eyes glaring at him. A loud scream near the Mane-iac's cell was heard throughout the asylum, which signaled the guard to stand near her cell where the guard swiped her identification card as the cell door opened. All of a sudden, a loud bang echoed in the halls of the asylum as the wall behind the charismatic villain had a big hole in it. ''Everything is going, according to plan.'' A huge spray can emerged from the wreckage of the wall, with a grappling hook attached to the top of the can. The hook was shot forward with the center of the hook as it wrapped around the Mane-iac's body, the straightjacket ripped apart in the process in the clean getaway. ''This has been a mane raising event, but I really must be going.'' ''MUAHAHAHAHAHA, I shall have my revenge!'' Her maniacal laughter was heard through the streets of Maretropolis with a well-planned escape plan, now she is heading towards her shampoo factory to finish building her doomsday device. ''I've seen worse security standards, so I'll have to enlist the help of a hero that can assist us.'' Batman said, looking in awe at the big hole in the walls. ''Are you sure about that?'' the Crusaders said together. ''I'm sure, but I'll have to keep you guys safe and sound.'' Batman said. ''If you say so, Bruce, we will take your word for it.'' A security guard from the Security Wing of the asylum approached the three fillies, saluting the Caped Crusader with a hoof across his forehead. ''I would be more than happy to protect those three fillies, in our high-tech Security Wing.'' The guard took the three Crusaders to the Security Wing of the asylum, where he placed the young ponies into a glass-protected, spherical dome that can keep them safe from danger. ''Thanks for keeping us safe, we really appreciate it.'' ''The pleasure is all mine, make yourselves at home.'' the security guard walked away from the dome, as the doors closed behind him. ''One more thing left to do.'' A cloud of gas started to fill the inside of the dome, poisonous contents of the gas spread around the dome until it was completely covered from top to bottom. ''What the hay--'' Apple Bloom coughed as the fumes started to spread throughout her body, she collapsed onto the floor. ''You trader---'' Scootaloo said, as she collapsed to the floor as well. ''Just wait until, Batman hears about this.'' Sweetie Belle dropped to the floor without her body moving an inch, her vision started to fade away as her eyes slammed shut. ''You won't be hearing from him anymore, because he will be out of the picture very soon.'' He took off his mask, revealing his identity. ''I'll be sure to pay him a visit.'' Batman landed on the top of a rooftop, scouting the area of the henchponies that were surrounding the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory to keep the doomsday device and their boss safe. Snipers stood upon the rooftops with night vision goggles, and their weapons locked and loaded with their scopes in the line of sight, anxiously waiting for ponies to take down with no hesitation. ''Any sign of the Power Ponies or Batman?'' The Mane-iac said on the radio communication system. 'No sign of them yet, ma'am. We will keep a close eye out for them, and alert you once we have spotted them. Once Batman sets a hoof on the factory, we will take him down. Over and out.'' He turned off the radio, and kept his eye near the factory for Batman. As he turned his back as the lookout, Batman stood behind him without making a noise, and wrapped his arms around his neck to suffocate the oxygen from his throat. The sniper slipped into an unconscious state, slipping out from his grip while he laid on the rooftop, knocked out. ''One down, four to go.'' He glides down from the rooftop, flying in mid-air to the next sniper across from him, kicking him down to the ground. ''I never knew that I would say this, but I need help.'' A shadowy, mysterious figure with a dark blue mask, light blue reflective circles on her mask, a dark flowing cape, and her dark purple suit flew into the air while she propelled down on the ground. She stood side-by-side with Batman, as they looked at the snipers.
Chapter 2 - An Unknown Vigilante Chapter 2 - An Unknown Vigilante The two masked vigilantes were standing with their backs facing each other, looking up on the rooftops and down on the ground where the henchponies were started to surround them as an attempt to get the jump on them. The Mare Do Well and Batman had to think of a plan and fast. ''I don't know you, but if we want to get out of here,'' Batman scanned the area around them. ''we have to work together.'' ''...'' The Mysterious Mare Do Well was known for being around when danger is present, she was never afraid to put her life on the line to protect citizens who are defenseless against criminals, but she will learn that this is no defenseless citizen. She has been off the radar for a few months now after an accident that almost killed her, but now she was back in action. The henchponies lunged at both of them from each side, to take them out quickly. But before they could even strike a blow, Batman charged at them and swung his cape to stun them in their place. He connected with a barrage of punches while they were staggering on their hooves, he lunged his head forward to knock them out and knocked all of them to the ground. He reached into his utility belt for one of his gadgets, a batarang propelled out of the belt and into Batman's mouth. Using his teeth, Batman threw the batarang straight at the remaining sniper, with the batarang smacking off the top of his head as she dropped on the rooftop's floor. ''Muahahahaha,'' The Mane-iac stood arrogantly on her doomsday device, as her henchponies added the final part to power-up the doomsday device along with the powerful orb to charge the device. ''After being imprisoned in that wretched asylum, I can finally exact my revenge on Maretropolis by giving all of the residents unmanageable and out-of-control manes, it is fool proof!'' The two heroes stormed to the metal gate that was keeping the interior of the shampoo factory a secret from wandering eyes. There was only one thing to do for the gate to open, use an explosive substance to blow up the gate. The explosive gel in Batman's utility belt is the only gadget powerful enough to blast a hole in the gate, it was time to put the plan in action. Batman took out the explosive gel from his utility belt, applying the gel to the hard, metal surface of the gate. A slight push on the button of the explosive gel dispenser triggered the gel to explode on contact with the metal gate. They walked through the gaping hole of the metal gate that the gel left behind, where they were now in the Mane-iac's Shampoo Factory lair. ''Since we made it this far, we're going to need a plan.'' Batman looked at the balcony of the factory, as his eyes peered over to the Mane-iac's henchponies watching the doomsday device fully powered up by the powerful orb. ''There is a way for us to get to the Mane-iac, but taking out her henchponies or in this case flamboyant hair stylists.'' Mare Do Well jumped on the balcony that was consisting of metal bars, long, black suspenders, and henchponies that were guarding the doomsday device. ''Batman, you should drop your smoke bomb to keep them distracted while I attack from above.'' she said. ''You got it.'' Batman took out a smoke bomb from one of his pouches, throwing it down on the ground near the henchponies. A cloud of smoke started to expand around them with their vision completely blurred, due to the low visibility levels of the smoke that rendered whatever actions they were planning completely useless. Batman and the Mare Do Well crouched on their knees for the element of surprise, sneaking behind them without them knowing. They grabbed their heads to bang them with each other, throwing the henchponies' heads against each other, as their heads bashed together while their bodies dropped to the floor. ''Done and done, now we have one final objective... the Mane-iac.'' Batman's eyes were locked on the doomsday device that was pointed towards the satellite dish atop of the Maretropolis Police Headquarters, the insane, psychotic villain's intention was to shoot the satellite dish so that the waves of the dish would spread all of the power from her Hairspray Ray of Doom doomsday device, to give the city's residents crazy mane tentacles just like her own. ''My doomsday device is finally powered, now it's time to exact my---'' The Mane-iac came to a complete pause, as she turned around as Batman connected with a hoof to her face. ''I figured you would find me, as a villain of insane proportions, I'm prepared.'' The shadow of a pony with a mask, militaristic ballistic vest, camouflage pants, and combat boots emerged from the shadows while he held on his ballistic vest straps arrogantly. ''She is not alone, only Mr.Wayne knows who I am.'' This particular pony has squared off with the Dark Knight in past where he was close to killing him, even when he broke his back. ''Let's cut to the chase, I cut a deal with the Mane-iac, so that her and I would share the conquering of Maretropolis together.'' Bane said. ''And since I couldn't take over Gotham City on my own or even with help, I've decided to move on to a another universe that has weak, pathetic citizens that would be on their knees at our mercy.'' Mare Do Well kept her eyes glued on Bane, looking at his physical physique as he looked back at her. BANG! A loud explosion came from the walls of the shampoo factory with the area surrounded by the reinforcements, sent by the Maretropolis Police Department. They had their weapons in their hooves, aiming them at the two villains. ''Get down on the ground now!'' ''With pleasure.'' the Mane-iac sat down in her chair in front of the controls of the doomsday device, aimed at the police's reinforcements, and pushed the big red button that fired a huge blast of radioactive hairspray goo at them. ''That will keep them busy.'' The police landed hard on the cold ground with their manes stretching out into tentacle-like strands, which their manes festered into green, long tentacles that they could not control. We can't get up, need backup now!'' Batman charged towards Bane with a mean look on his face, throwing a punch at his mask which did not do any effect. Mare Do Well ran behind Batman following his attack while she ran on his back like a flight of stairs, jumping into the air, and connecting a kick off of his mask. Bane was really unimpressed at their tactics of taking him down. He grabbed their legs with as much strength as he could muster up, throwing them into the doomsday device, as they collided into the bottom of the device. They laid on the floor with her heads lowered and their eyes looking down at their hind legs. ''I was expecting more effort from you, I guess I was wrong.'' Bane's armored men came out from their hidden positions, dragging their unconscious bodies over to Bane. ''Sir, what do you want us to do with them?'' Bane crouched down near the bodies, rubbing his chin with a slight interest. ''Leave them here, make sure that they are tied up, and so that they do not interfere with our plans.'' The masked mercenary pointed his finger to the convenient chairs and ropes, his men grabbed Batman and Mare Do Well's bodies and threw them on the two chairs where they tied their bodies to the chairs with the ropes. ''Excellent. Now that everything is going smoothly, this world will soon be ours!''
Chapter 3 - Out of Options Chapter 3 - Out of Options The Crusaders started to open their eyes while they came back to their senses, looking around at the gas starting to fade away in the space around them in the dome. Gas in the dome completely vanished due to a slight malfunction for being active in a long amount of time. For a few hours now, they were betrayed by Bane in which he kept them out of the picture to ensure his hostile takeover of Maretropolis along with the Mane-iac. ''This has gone long enough, time to get out of here.'' Scootaloo had some trouble getting on her hooves, until she saw a batarang left behind in the dome. ''I wonder how this got here.'' A flashback started playing back and forth in her head, while she turned her head to her two friends still laying on the floor. She stretched her arm out to grab the batarang, struggling to reach a considerate distance, finally she was able to grab it. Staggering back on her hooves preparing to throw the batarang, she spun around in a circle keeping her eye on the locked door, throwing it with ease as the propelled gadget crashed into the control panel. Sparks flew from the control panel that controlled the locked door, as the door switched from ''locked'' to ''open.'' The door's turbines swung open with the door opening as well. ''We're free, now let's go help Batman!'' The Crusaders said, running out of the asylum heading towards the Maretropolis Shampoo Factory. Batman and the Mare Do Well opened their eyes while they looked up at the ceiling. They tried to wiggle their arms and legs to free themselves, but to no avail with the tight grip of the ropes preventing them from getting free. While trying to collect themselves, Bane appeared in front of their eyes. ''Feeling comfortable, I hope not because you get a front row seat of your own destruction.'' Bane walked a few feet away from them, turning around back to them. ''This might even be your last night alive, but don't worry we'll take good care of this city for you.'' The expert strategist walked with his men outside to keep the factory secure and protected. ''Ms.Mare Do Well, I know that we might not survive this, but if I do die I want you to tell the Cutie Mark Crusaders that I didn't die in vain. Make sure to give Scootaloo my batsuit, if I die.'' A tear rolled down Batman's face, trying to keep his emotions in. ''Time for this city to pay for what they did to me!'' The Mane-iac shouted up to the sky, raising her arms along with her menacing laugh. ''And nothing will stop us, Muahahahahaha!'' The doomsday device pointed upwards to the satellite dish with the two villains rubbing their hooves menacingly. Their victory was getting closer as each minute went by, nothing could possibly go wrong. With just a slight moment of the device preparing to fire, three fillies crashed through the gaping hole that the police left behind and kept their eyes on the targets: Bane and the Mane-iac. Scootaloo rushed over to Batman and Mare Do Well's side, sliding gracefully under the chairs, and knocking down the chairs with her arms. Her camouflage pants and boots gave her good support to keep her balanced, she took out a knife and held it with her teeth, cutting the ropes delicately to release them. ''Cutie Mark Crusaders, let's get them.'' Scootaloo said, looking back at her crusader friends. She ran over to Bane without thinking of a strategy, throwing a punch that sent Bane flying through a vat of hair products. Batman emerged from the chair that held him captive, he lunged over at Bane at a very constant speed, and jumped up in the air with his arm around Bane's neck. He dropped Bane down on the top of his head, while the other two Crusaders came rushing out with their own attacks and kicked Bane in the spine. Mare Do Well dodged as Mane-iac threw out random attacks with her tentacles. Her attacks could not penetrate or connect at all, until Mane-iac took out her huge hairspray can which can render her attacks useless. She looked across at Mane-iac in shock and held up her arms to surrender, winking her eye over at Batman. A clever plan was brewing in her head to pretend that she would surrender, her adversary would be unaware of what happened next. The Caped Crusader of Gotham sneaked behind the insane mare undetected while she aimed her hairspray can at Mare Do Well. He came up behind her with his arms wrenched around her neck, she struggled for air along with her arms flailing for him to let go of his grasp around her. He kicked the back of her hind legs to keep the pressure on her neck. ''Give up?'' ''Not yet.'' Mane-iac answered. One of her tentacles grabbed Batman in a split second to keep the pressure off, and the rest of the tentacles followed soon after while they attacked the Cutie Mark Crusaders and kept Mare Do Well restrained to a wall. ''Pfft, I don't need Bane to takeover this pathetic city.'' she arrogantly stated. ''I can handle you insolent pests on my own, because you are nothing but the dirt beneath my hooves.'' ''I didn't think we would be defeated by an insane villain, brings back memories.'' Batman said, taking out his batarang for an attempt to cut off one of the tentacles. ''I never knew that this would happen at all today, did y'all?'' ''As a matter of fact, not at all.'' Sweetie answered back. ''If you ask me, I'm always open for an awesome adventure with you guys.'' Scootaloo cuddled with her two friends on the floor, brushing her muzzle against their coats. ''One more for old times sake, what do you say?'' The three fillies prepared to shout out the catchphrase that they have said ever since they first came together to hunt for cutie marks, the inevitable was about to happen but ruining the moment would be terrible. ''CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CRIME FIGHTERS, YAY!'' The shampoo factory became a shamble of destruction with good and evil fighting it off in one last battle. Debris and the fragments from the wall were left in the lair of the Mane-iac, but now she was left alone without Bane by her side. A villain with a tragic past from being an owner of a hair product that was sold all over Equestria to one of the most notorious villains in Maretropolis, she felt that this was a step up in her life. It just wasn't the same... She thought to herself.
Epilogue - A Tyranny Ends A Tyranny Ends The Mane-iac's tentacle lashed out at the Mare Do Well with extreme force and intent. But before the tentacle could even make contact, Mare Do Well grabbed the tentacle in her hooves and spun her around in a complete circular motion, hurling the insane villain straight into one of the four chemical vats of hair products. Batman dragged Bane's unconscious body out of the factory, to the only place nearby that can imprison the intelligent mercenary, The Maretropolis Police Department. On his way to the facility, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were following him silently without making a sound, so they would not alert him or cause him to turn around. The Caped Crusader entered the police building, waiting for a police official to come to him. Elevator music played in the waiting area of the building, Batman was already annoyed about having to drag Bane's body to the department, now he has to listen one of the most annoying musical sounds in the universe. A police official walked over to Batman with a pair of handcuffs and a baton, tapping his hoof on the floor impatiently. ''Sorry for the inconvenience, I'll be sure that this criminal is behind bars for a long time.'' the police officer grabbed Bane's body with his hoof, dragging Bane and throwing him into his holding cell. Batman nodded his head to thank the officer, then he proceeded to exit the building. His eyes looked over at the Crusaders with a surprised look on his face. ''I didn't think you guys would follow me, where's the Mare Do Well?'' Apple Bloom gulped saliva down her throat. ''Ah' think that she is still fightin' the Mane-iac.'' Scootaloo rubbed the back of her neck, nervously. ''Well, we had to get out of there since we thought that she could handle her on her own, but we'll take your advice and stay put.'' ''That is very mature of you girls, I'll go help her.'' Batman disappeared from their sight before they could say another word, he trotted back to the shampoo factory. ''He totally fell for it.'' Sweetie Belle giggled. ''Hook, line, and sinker.'' Scootaloo said, gingerly gestured for them to go help him. ''Eeyup, but let's stay here to show that we weren't trying to trick him.'' Apple Bloom said. ''Oh, alright.'' the two fillies said together. Mare Do Well kept the Mane-iac on her hooves during the entire fight, both of them were evenly matched with neither side showing an inch of remorse or any sign of backing down. Both of their bodies were battered and bruised as their scars were clearly visible on their cheeks. Heavy breathing, with no breaks or any timeouts, something had to give without a winner. Batman flew into the air while he looked down at Mane-iac and Mare Do Well from above, flying down to the two mares with the speed of a bullet with his fist out, smashing the Mane-iac down into the floor of the factory. Fragment pieces of the floor flew around rapidly while the Mare Do Well watched all of it occur, looking down at Mane-iac's crushed body. ''...'' A period of silence filled the air with not a single word being said. Mare Do Well grabbed her body and threw it on her back, flying back to the Maretropolis Asylum. She vanished without saying a word. Meanwhile, Batman took Bane out of the holding cells to take them back to their universe. A portal appeared near the jewelry store in the beginning of his journey with the three fillies who helped him. He hurled Bane's body through the portal, but first he needed to say his final goodbyes. ''I'd like to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.'' Batman pulled them closer to his chest, rubbing his muzzle against their heads. ''This might be the final time that you see me, here is something to remember me by.'' He reached into his utility belt and took out his trademarked batarang, giving it to them. ''I have a huge storage room full of them, remember me for who I am and what I did... farewell.'' Jumping into the portal, as the portal closed within itself for a slight moment, the Crusaders jumped into the portal to go back home. They floated around in a dark space as there were two portals, one portal leads to Gotham City while the other one leads to Ponyville. The Crusaders jumped into the right portal while Batman took Bane through the left portal. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were finally back home, trotting to their schoolhouse to tell everypony about the adventures that they had with Batman. They held the batarang close to their coats, as a reminder of a friend that fought for what's right. Batman delivered Bane to the Gotham City Police Department, they dropped Bane inside of Arkham Asylum into Joker's cell. A sound of rustling chains woke the Joker out of his slumber, dreaming of taking over Gotham City, as usual. He looked over at Bane waking up in his cell, looking very confused. ''Let me guess, Batman defeated you too?'' Joker said, raising an eyebrow. ''Yeah.'' Bane hung his head low in a slump, in a depressing matter. ''At least you have me as your cellmate.'' Joker said, smiling. ''Oh, good.'' Bane turned his back to Joker, refusing to look at him. The batmobile drove straight through a waterfall that was the secret entrance to the batcave. A platform rose from under the armored vehicle, as it spun around with the vehicle securely on the top of it. Bruce took off his mask and his suit, he laid it on the control panel of his supercomputer. ''Are you okay, Master Bruce?'' Alfred Pennyworth asked, setting the table for dinner. ''I'm okay, Alfred. I'm just remembering the three friends I met today, they will always be with me even when I'm defeated or alone.'' Bruce shed a tear from his eye, looking up at the moonlit sky.
