The Magic of Friendship, Love, and Guns

Canterlot

Batman escorted Freeze to a dungeon cell and put Freeze inside. Dr. Freeze turned back at Batman and spoke.

“Remind Red Hood of our deal,” Freeze said.

“I promise,” was all Batman said as he walked away. They had also stored the Joker-infected Griffons inside the cells and restrained them.

Up in the throne room, Bender was finishing up a story from his past to the Princesses.

“And so, that’s how I became a gold medal-winning Fembot, dated Calculon, and broke off the engagement with a half-assed scheme,” Bender said. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both glanced at each other with a confused expression on their faces and smiled awkwardly at Bender.

“Uh…how wonderful?” Celestia said with a forced smile. The doors opened and Batman came inside.

“Freeze has agreed to help with tracking down the other villains as long as we keep our end of the bargain,” Batman informed everyone.

“Batman. May we have a word with you?” Celestia asked. “In private.” Batman looked at his sons and nodded at them to leave. Once gone, Celestia looked down at Batman from her throne.

“Explain to me why I shouldn’t have this Dr. Freeze, as you call him, on trial for his crimes?” Celestia asked with authority in her voice.

“Victor isn’t a man who takes joy in senseless murder, nor does he find pleasure in the suffering of others. He is a broken man doing whatever it takes to desperately save the one he loves.” Batman explained. “There is a chance for redemption for him, a chance to be better. I won’t forgive myself if I take that chance away from him. Too many times have I chosen the easy method of locking him away in Arkham during our past encounters. I should’ve been more patient with him and tried harder to convince him that I could help him. I won’t waste this opportunity Jason provided for us.”

"What exactly do you mean by that? That this Dr. Freeze is doing this for a loved one?" Luna asked.

"His wife, Nora, was stricken with a deadly disease that was killing her. Victor couldn't find a cure fast enough to save her in time, so he froze her in order to keep her alive until he can find a cure. He worked at a company to try and save his wife, however, due to altercation Victor was covered in a specialized cryogenics gas that altered him. Turning his skin blue and he can only survive in low temperatures."

Celestia’s gaze soon turned soft after hearing Freeze’s reason for doing what he did. “You’re a good man for wanting to help him.” She and Luna rose from their thrones and walked down to speak with Batman directly. “We cannot condone what he has already done and the lives he’s taken. But if he truly wishes to help, then we shall welcome it.”

“But while Freeze may have a warranted excuse for his actions, we can’t help but notice this Joker character has none.” Luna crossed her arms and gave Bruce a furrowed brow. “So tell us, why have you not simply killed him and been done with such a menace? Especially after what he did to Jason?"

“Be very careful with the next thing you say,” Batman warned the princess of the night with a glare.

“I have seen Jason’s memories, all of us have, and while we love and accept him and are forever grateful for what you have done for him, I cannot see it. Why? Why do you continue to let that…that…monster live? According to what we know, he has killed countless people in your world, including our own ponies, even those you love. And countless more loved ones that he has ripped away, so tell me, why does he still live?” Luna demanded to know why Batman would let such a horrible monster to continue to roam free and kill more and more innocent people.

Batman glared at Luna as she said this, his fists clenching tightly at every word she spoke.

“You don’t understand,” Batman said in a low tone. “I don’t think you ever will.”

“What? That it is too hard to cross the line of killing somepony?” Luna argued.

“No! God almighty…! No…” Batman sneered. “It’d be too damned easy! All I’ve ever wanted to do is kill him. A day doesn’t go by when I don’t think about subjecting him through every heinous and horrific form of torture and pain he has put countless others through and then…end him.” Batman was silent and took a breath to compose himself. “But life isn’t a game, and death should never be a choice. To make it so would be my undoing. if I fall down that path, if I allow myself to go down into that place…I’ll never come back. I know what I am capable of, what I can do. Furthermore, if, god forbid, if I cross that line, it won’t be about killing just Joker. Soon, it will be just Two-Face, just Lex, just Shiva, and so many more. The bloodshed will never end. That is why I can’t kill him, why I teach my sons to not kill, because I fear what we may become after everything.” Celestia’s glare returned before stepping toward Batman.

“Even the kindest of creatures know that killing another can mean the difference between others living and dying. I understand the decision is a difficult one, one Luna and I have had to make countless times during our rule,” Celestia said.

“‘Tis true, it is difficult to stop, but only time and discipline can quell the urge to make the final judgment,” Luna chimed in.

“If you two dare to cross that line while I’m still here, I promise you this. I won’t hesitate to bring you both down. So for both your sakes, don’t let that happen,” Batman said before turning away. “Oh, and be sure you keep your end of the bargain with Freeze.” As Batman left, Celestia and Luna gave out a heavy sigh before slumping on the stairs to their thrones.

“How did Jason ever survive that man’s gaze all these years?” Celestia asked her sister.

“However he did, he better teach us.” Luna went and fanned herself with her hand. “That glare was worse than any nightmare I have ever stopped.”

“We will help them, but our subjects must have justice for those lost,” Celestia said, remembering the outrage her subjects had when they discovered the hospital bombing.

“Yes, Tia, but for now we must work together,” Luna said as she placed a comforting hand on Celestia’s shoulder. Celestia smiled at her sister and nodded.

“You’re right. For our ponies. And our family.” Celestia smiled as the two stood up and looked out the window. Fearful of what is to come, but will be brave in the face of it.

Ponyville

The Bat family returned to Ponyville with Bender and they were just about fed up with him.

“This was great. Kicking ass and traveling with my new best friends,” Bender said while draping an arm around Jason. “Makes me not even want to leave.” Just as Bender said that a portal opened and Joe stepped through the portal.

“Please tell me you’re here for him?” Damian asked Joe while pointing at Bender.

“Uh, yeah. He wasn’t too much trouble, was he?” Joe asked.

“Gasp! What, me? trouble? When have I ever-?” Bender tried to say.

“You stole Ash’s family jewels, Kai’s helmet, and my airship, and used all three of those things to throw a party with seventy Fembots. And you didn’t even invite us!” Joe snapped.

“…Did you make that robot off of Todd? Because that sounds like something he would do,” Damian inquired.

“Hey!…Actually, no, he’s kinda right,” Jason said, “But are you taking him back? Things are getting a little hectic here.”

“Yeah. It’s nice to see you again, Jason,” Joe said before heading back through the portal with Bender.

Before Bender could leave completely, he turned back to the Bat family. “So long, meatbags. Remember everything I’ve taught you.”

“Hey, Tincan!” Damian called out, Bender turned back and caught a bottle of one of Celestia’s personal wine. Bender gasped and smiled at Damian. “For your troubles.”

“You’re alright, little meatbag,” Bender said as he followed Joe through the portal. Jason and the others smiled as they watched him leave and the portal closed.

“You know something? Despite everything, he actually seemed like a nice guy,” Dick said.

“Yeah,” Jason admitted. Suddenly Scootaloo came up to Jason and held up a little plushie that looked like Bender.

“Dad! Look what the robot gave me!” Scootaloo tickled the little plushie and made it laugh.

“Quit touchin’ my junk, ya pervert!” The plushie shouted.

“BENDER!!!” Jason and his family screamed in anger