The Dark Knight Triumphs

IN GOTHAM

“Words can not express how wonderful this city of Gotham looks! I feel like I want to live here forever!” Thorax exclaimed.

“Are you sure about that? Even after the way those ill-mannered people treated you like you mentioned to me before, you still want to dwell in this God-forsaken place?” Bane asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I know, the way they treated me was horrible. But still, I want to give it another chance. There may be more to this city than meets the eye.” Thorax reasoned.

“Oh, there is more to this city all right.” “Believe me when I say that this ‘great’ city is not what it looks like from the outside. It may be glorious and appealing on the surface, but inside, it is full of wickedness and vice. It makes you wonder as to why these people still exist in this world today.” Bane said.

“Well, even if that is true, I would rather be insulted and mistreated by strange creatures than by ponies. Those ponies are heartless when they deal with dangerous creatures like a changeling. They don’t show mercy to changelings!” Thorax said.

“You have my sympathies, Thorax. Whatever those ponies you speak of believe in, they should realize how important diversity and variance are in the history of civilization.” Bane said.

Bane and the little changeling wandered throughout the streets of Gotham while the former wore a ragged coat and a hood to avoid discovery from the people and the police. During the early afternoon, they reached to a subway down below the streets and waited for a specific train to come.

“Umm, Bane, what are we waiting for?” Thorax asked.

“We will be taking a train to a particular building I’m familiar with. It is a special place I want the both of us to go to.” Bane replied.

“A train? What’s a train?” Thorax asked.

“A train is a series of connected carriages or wagons moved by a locomotive. It is one of the mostly used means of transportation.” Bane answered.

“Oh, I see. I’ve never actually been in a train before or seen one.” Thorax said, rubbing the back side of his head.

“Not even on your world?” asked Bane.

“I’m not really sure. Maybe.” replied Thorax.

“Well, no matter, my little friend. Once our train arrives, we will head to the building called Wayne Enterprises. It is a place where someone I know used to be the head thereof. I know you will love its admirable beauty very much.” Bane said, smiling underneath the mask.

“Great! I’m looking forward to seeing it!” Thorax said, flying around in excitement.

“Indeed, Thorax. Plus, I might need plenty of help in extracting the necessary resources to annihilate this entire city with all these corrupt people with it. You will be of great assistance to me.” Bane thought. He was determined to persevere in his goal of destroying Gotham for good by any means necessary. In one way or another, he planned to succeed and, if possible, exact revenge on Batman for possibly stopping him.

“Speaking of assistance, I do wonder what happened to Talia? I haven’t heard any of these people mention her name or her fake name. I do hope she is alive and well.” Bane hoped. Whenever I get a chance, I must find her and release her from prison if she is there.”

IN THE EVERFREE FOREST

“How is this possible?! I know for sure this Bane went to this forest, yet there is no sign of him!” Clawbreak irritably shouted. “We have been searching everywhere almost all night looking for that guy!”

“I know! I know! Jeez, you obviously have not gotten any sleep at all, haven’t you?” Clavicle asked, lifting a boulder with his green magic.

“Of course not! Although I enjoyed poaching several manticores though. Anyway, I’m now starting to think that Bane has bailed on us and just left us here for nothing! What in Vorak’s name was he up to last night?!” Clawbreak cried.

“I never trusted him to begin with. Plus, it is highly unclear as to where in the Everfree Forest he headed. That makes him even more suspicious in my perspective.” said Clavicle, dropping the boulder.

“Neither did I. Look at us now! Lord Tirek and our army are probably getting ready for the revolution, and we’re missing out! We need to find this Bane guy before they commence the war!” Clawbreak determined. He closed his claws in frustration.

“Agreed. But just hold on for one second...” Clavicle said as he spotted a squirrel crawling on a nearby tree. He immediately grabbed the critter through telekinesis and drained the poor squirrel of its love.

Once he finished devouring its last ounce of love, he dropped the motionless squirrel on the grass while licking his mouth in satisfaction. Clawbreak stood still while trying not to vomit in disgust.

“Ahhhh, delicious breakfast. I really needed that since I had no dinner last night. You want some, buddy?” Clavicle asked, levitating the drained squirrel to his comrade.

“I am not a changeling, Clavicle! Are you blind or something?! I am a hybrid of crab and spider, the last of my kind before King Vorak took me as his captive!” Clawbreak shouted.

“What? He massacred your precious people and took you alive?” Clavicle guessed.

“Of course! That moron thought that electing me as his royal advisor would magically wipe out my horrible memory of watching my people die!” Clawbreak said angrily.

“He must’ve felt very sorry for you, huh?” asked Clavicle.

“Don’t get me started on that. Compassion is a weakness our enemies will not share. That’s why it felt so good killing all these changelings in that hive. Chrysalis sure got what was coming for her.” Clawbreak evilly smiled.

“Indeed, Clawbreak. That was a moment of pure triumph—what is that?” Clavicle saw a shining light coming from a river in a distance. Clawbreak followed his gaze and spotted it too.

“Is something shining over there? I wonder what that is.” he said.

“Well, there is only one way to find out.” said Clavicle before spreading his wings and flying off. The crab-spider hybrid followed his lead to the river.

Once they reached to the river together, they saw a whirlpool spinning continuously as before and recognized it as a portal. “Wooooowww, that looks...dazzling! I wonder where this portal takes us to.” Clawbreak said, gazing at it.

“This has to be the path that Bane took. If that is the case, we better go through here. Let’s go!” Clavicle ordered as he jumped right into the whirlpool.

“Wait for me! I’m not that fast, mind you!” Clawbreak yelled, jumping right after him.

The two villains ejected from the portal and landed on the watery surface of the Atlantic Ocean in a new world. They looked around idly as they saw a vastly different atmosphere and view of reality they discovered themselves in. After they finished gazing on the sunny sky and the vast ocean filled with several boats, cruises, and ships, they then feasted their eyes on Gotham City. Again, they wondered in confusion and surprise.

“Where in the name of Equestria are we?!” Clavicle shouted.

“I have no clue! But wow, that city looks quite attractive! I bet Bane is in there! I think that is where he lives! We will definitely find him for sure now!” Clawbreak smiled.

“Precisely. Come on!” Clavicle said before flying speedily toward the city. Clawbreak opened his long legs and sped through the ocean surface like a cruiser.

IN THE TRAIN

Bane and Thorax sat next to each other while keeping silent in the midst of many people either sitting or standing within the train. Bane had to hold Thorax carefully to not be tossed back and forth as the train was in motion.

“Enjoying the ride so far, Thorax?” Bane whispered to his ear.

“Well, aside from being shaken back and forth in this...train, yes, I’m enjoying the ride. A lot of these humans are so quiet. Why is that?” Thorax asked.

“Because it is respectful and courteous to be mindful of each other’s peace. They don’t like it when others are being noisy and loud on their phones or music of some sort.” Bane whispered.

“Ohhh, I see.” Thorax understood.

Moments later, they arrived at their destination. As they got off the train, they walked up the stairs out of the subway where they saw the particular tower they were looking for. “Here we are, my wonderful friend. This is Wayne Enterprises!” Bane pointed.

“Whoaaa, that looks fantastic! Let’s get inside!” Thorax was about to fly until Bane held out his arm in front of him.

“Hold on, there. They have security guards stationed at the front doors to prevent uninvited guests from entering inside the tower.” Bane warned.

“Really? So, how are we supposed to get in there?” asked Thorax.

“We need to create a plan. We must strategize a way through which we can gain access to the tower.” Bane advised. “You said you could disguise yourself as anybody you desire, correct?”

“Yeah! That’s a good idea!” Thorax complimented. “It could be possible that I could disguise myself as a human or as one of those guards. Maybe I could—!”

“Well, well, look what we got here!” a familiar voice called out. Bane and Thorax turned to see Clawbreak and Clavicle standing in front of them with sinister grins on their faces. “It appears we have a survivor from the destroyed hive! Plus, he’s made a friend here!” Clawbreak said, not recognizing him as Bane.

“How pathetic—trying to cope with the loss of your precious mommy and friends, huh Thorax? Don’t worry, you’ll be joining her soon!” Clavicle threatened, sharpening his fangs.

“CLAVICLE!! IT’S YOU!! We need to run, pal!!” Thorax shrieked in terror before pulling Bane’s arm. Bane was somewhat confounded as to how his own allies even discovered the hidden portal and discovered him and Thorax in such an inconvenient time.

Bane found himself struggling with what to do next. “Should I expose myself to my comrades and explain myself with the high potential of betraying my vulnerable friend?” he thought. “Or will I pull a Batman to protect Thorax as I need him for my plans?”

“Your time is up, Throax! You and your pathetic friend won’t be able to escape our grasp! Hahahahaha!!” Clawbreak menacingly approached with chopping claws. Clavicle hissed hungrily at his prey while hovering in the air. The Gothamite bystanders fled the streets in panic.

Bane then made his decision. He looked back to his quivering friend. “We need to run. Go! GO!!” Bane sternly advised. Both of them ran away as fast as they could.

“GET THEM!!” Clawbreak shouted as he and Clavicle gave chase in the city.