IN GOTHAM

“Get the body out of here! Do not allow anybody to go near it!” Gordon commanded.

“Yes, Sir!” an officer complied.

The police officers had already wrapped the corpse of Clawbreak with a large tarp and chains, and they carried him by the helicopter’s hook. As they were about to fly off to their location to dispose and decompose his body, Bruce and Selina set their eyes on the dead hybrid’s head from several blocks away since his head was poking out.

“What is that thing? Wait...” Bruce said. Moments later, the realization came to him. “Is that the creature who was chasing that hooded person with a bug-like pony earlier?”

“He wasn’t alone. That big changeling was by his side to catch them too.” Selina informed.

“That’s what they’re called?” asked Bruce.

“You really need to watch the show more often to know that.” Selina smirked.

“(Chuckles) Okay, fine. Anyway, I wonder what happened to those pursued individuals. I just hope they survived those ferocious beasts.” Bruce said.

“Me too. If there is anything that Gordon needs to find over there, it should be clues that can explain what happened here.” said Selina.

“You got that right.” Once he said that, he started to grow somewhat curious of where those creatures came from. Then he remembered that the changelings are also from the same world which Selina mentioned. “Why was the big changeling chasing down its own kind? Was it trying to kill it? Eat it? There has to be more to the story than what is shown.” he reasoned.

Thorax saw the helicopter take off with one of his would-be murderer’s body as he hid in an alleyway. “(Sighs) I am so glad he’s out of the way. Unfortunately, Clavicle is still out there to hunt me down. I think he returned back to Equestria to resume his work for Tirek. I hope Bane comes back soon. I can’t survive without him.” he said.

Then he turned his attention to the police forces to see what else they were going to do. Gordon was encountered by several news reporters and journalists who kept pressing him to answer their questions. Sighing in frustration, he lifted his head and spoke to them.

“Please be informed that the injured civilians are being treated in the hospital at this time. I am sad to announce the deaths of our several officers who died in the line of duty. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time. The whole construction site is now under police investigation as we speak. We have yet to ask ourselves if these creatures who could be from Equestria are either seeking something from us, or they just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thank you.” Gordon finished.

The crowd still pressed their core questions to him as he turned his back and left. “He will be taking no further questions at this time! Thank you!” a police detective spoke.

Before Gordon could do anything further, he spotted Bruce and Selina on a sidewalk. “I’ll be right back, Detective Bullock.” he said to him.

He walked toward them with a smile of slight surprise and relief. “Wow, I never thought that the Batman would arise from the dead. After all these years, I never imagined I would see him again.” he said. He shook Bruce’s and Selina’s hands in welcome.

“Commissioner Gordon, pleasure to see you again. I take it that another trouble arises from the dust?” asked Bruce.

“Probably. Having ponies visiting from Equestria is one thing, but to have potentially Equestrian troublemakers to reck havoc in our city is another thing—a very bad thing.” said Gordon.

“Tell me about it. Did you see those two guys being chased by those monstrosities?” Bruce asked.

“Yes. One of them was a half pony and half bug. The other one looked like he was in poverty. What could they possibly want from a poor man?” Gordon asked.

“Changelings. They are called changelings—a race of bug creatures who feed on love as a source of food to survive. They can blend and disguise themselves as anything they see and find.” Selina informed. Gordon had the puzzled look on his face.

“Really? You know that?” Gordon asked.

“I wouldn’t know all that if I hadn’t watched the show long enough. The more you watch it, the more you learn.” Selina said.

“My question is why was that huge changeling chasing after one of its own kind? What did he really want with it?” Bruce asked again, putting his finger and thumb below his chin as he pondered.

“Plus, it said something about this...’Lord Tirek’ taking over Equestria. Do you realize what that could mean?” Gordon asked.

Both Bruce and Selina widened their eyes in shock as they realized what it could dangerously mean. Before they could speak again, they were suddenly interrupted by the approaching changeling. “Hey! Over here! I might be able to help!” Thorax called out.

Once they turned to him, Gordon and Bruce recognized him as of the victims who were chased by Clawbreak and Clavicle. Bruce knelt down to his level to make appropriate eye contact with him. “Hello there. I’m Bruce Wayne. What’s your name?” he kindly asked.

“My name is Thorax, the last good changeling of my kind.” he sadly introduced. He lowered his head.

“Nice to meet you, Thorax. I’m Selina, and this is Commissioner Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department.” she said. Gordon nodded in acknowledgment to Thorax.

“What do you mean by ‘last good changeling’?” Bruce asked.

“My entire family, ruled by my mother Queen Chrysalis, was slaughtered by the centaur named Tirek. He and his gargoyle army killed all of my friends and family within our hive. Clavicle, the changeling you saw chase me, betrayed me and our family and sided with Tirek. Now they are making plans to take over Equestria! I’m afraid to go back there because Clavicle will kill me once he sees me!” Thorax explained.

Bruce, Selina, and Gordon felt very saddened by what they heard. But they were also shocked to learn of another dangerous threat rising in Equestria who could possibly endanger the lives of Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Selina knelt down to comfort the sad changeling. “Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your family. I’m very sorry.” she said. She stoked his head comfortably.

“I know what that is like, Thorax. I know how it feels to lose a family...people who you care about. It hurts deeper than a cutting knife.” Bruce said. He got brief flashbacks of the murder of his parents and his former girlfriend, Rachel.

“Thank you so much, guys. I’m starting to like you guys already. It’s good to know there’s more good humans like you here in this city.” Thorax smiled.

“You can say that again.” Gordon chuckled.

“But don’t just worry about me! Worry about my other friend too!” Thorax said.

“Who? That hooded figure who was with you?” Gordon asked.

“Yes! His name is Bane! He’s a great friend of mine! He helped save me from Clawbreak, the giant hybrid whom you took away earlier! After killing him, he told me to stay put because he had to take care of business to manage elsewhere.” Thorax happily replied.

The very second when Bane’s name was dropped was the same second that made their hearts stop, facial features change, and mood swiftly alter, especially Bruce. Being overwhelmed by shocking confusion and bewilderment, Bruce presses his face against Thorax’s. “WHAT? Bane? THE Bane? Where exactly is he right now?” Bruce sternly demanded.

“Ehhh, he could be in Equestria right now. Maybe.” Thorax nonchalantly replied, unfazed by Bruce’s changed attitude.

Then Bruce got up from his knees and turned to Gordon. “I need you to take me and Selina a ride to Wayne Tower ASAP with Thorax coming along.”

“What for?” Gordon asked.

Bruce looked back to Selina to see her reaction to all this. She had the smug look that said “Mmm-Hmm, now you are going to get back on the wagon again.” He remembered the past conversations he had with her of his work as the Dark Knight and what he had done for Gotham and Equestria. Realizing that he can never truly rest from his life’s work and solemn duty, he then fully understood what he had to do. That one man whom he buried long ago—who sacrificed himself for all Gotham and saved it from destruction—must be revived.

Turning to Gordon, Bruce put back on his stern demeanor. “I need to pay Lucius Fox a visit.”

Author's Note

I truly wonder how Thorax will react when he learns of Bane’s crimes in Gotham.