Chapter One Hundred: Full Circle

Dick Grayson looked on with a very evident smile popping over his face. The world changed and Dick could not wait to change with everything in the world. There had been a new number of recruits. The combined forces of the Justice League and the Avengers turned up and started to talk to each other. There might be many colorful personalities involved.

"Diana," Dick said.

Diana turned around and offered Dick a smile. It seemed like a very long time. Given her connection to the goddesses, Diana understood something happened. She was certain Dick really had something to do with it. Regardless, Diana moved in and gave him an embrace.

"I don't know how to explain it, but you saved the entire universe," Diana said. "And now we live in a much better world."

The praise coming from the Amazon Princess just made Dick brim from ear to ear to be perfectly honest. Everything changed, and for the better as well. The young warrior leaned back and waited for the people to show up. He saw two of the founding members of the Avengers, at least according to what he found out, Iron Man and Captain America, standing back.

"These gatherings are getting more and more crowded," Iron Man said. "Can't say I blame you…..and….well, you actually show up in the light. I'm very honored."

The two gentlemen moved forward. Batman and Iron Man locked hands with each other and shook hands. Everyone in the crowd moved around to the exciting meeting between two of the chief members of two of the most premier superhero teams.

"Everything changed," Iron Man replied. "And I'm glad they are. I'm always looking to see how the future could be changed. The more brilliant minds we have out there, the better. I swear, I think I've just given this speech to the shareholders at Stark Industries last week, when they tried to lay a bunch of people off."

"No matter if you're trying to run a company or a super hero team, same matters applied," Batman said.

"Hey, you're a lot more sunnier than people give you credit for," Iron Man said. "Not, that I'm trying to say you're a miserable, grim bastard, or something, but you do have a reputation. I don't even know what to say right now, except for the fact….."

Batman gave Iron Man the long look. A familiar redhead in the shadows smiled and gave Dick an encouraging smile. Captain America just smiled.

"We'll be going, we have a lot of work to do," Captain America said. "Let us know if the League needs anything. We need to stand together, and not allow ourselves to be divided if we can build a better world."

Both men shook hands and parted ways from each other. The various Avengers moved, with Natasha stopping short from greeting Dick. She looked towards him with a smile.

"I can't believe you've shut down Tony Stark with a simple look," Natasha said. "I've been giving him the side long glare for years, and he just won't take a hint and shut up. You're going to have to tell me the secret."

"Years of practice, and being mentored by someone who makes me very glad looks couldn't kill," Dick answered. Natasha just smiled. "And almost makes you think that if he put enough time and effort into it, he could really master one of the best death glares ever."

Natasha smiled and leaned towards Dick. She kissed him briefly, and then pulled back, slipping a card into his hand, with a key attached to it. Dick lifted up the piece of paper in his hand, and smiled. The address written on it showed, the hint on it.

"Hey."

Dick turned around and came face to face with Spider-Woman. She offered Dick a drink and he took it, smiling in response.

"So, how much of that do you remember?" Dick asked her.

"Well," Gwen responded a few seconds later. "I was in the middle of the blast zone when it happened. I remembered the world being ripped apart. It felt like years before it got put back together. Even though, it was maybe, what, only about fifteen minutes?"

"In an area like the nexus of time, you can't be for sure, "Dick answered.

"Right, you can't," Gwen agreed. She moved closer to Dick and wrapped an arm around him. "So, we really have done it. Two worlds connected, and maybe some bits and pieces of other worlds. It's weird, it almost feels like everyone else has a sense things have changed. They just don't know what has changed."

"There's the thing," Dick said. "It's hard to hide changes on a cosmic level."

"Hey, you're not leaving without me having my say, are you?"

Everyone in the party turned their attention to a gentleman who showed up, dressed in red and black, with a sword sheathed over his shoulder blade. Gwen's eyes narrowed and she allowed a very frustrated sigh to come out of her mouth when this gentleman showed up.

"Okay, who invited this guy?" Gwen asked.

"You know him?" Dick asked.

Gwen tried to relax, even though she never knew. The man who needed no introduction, but would likely demand one anyone turned up in the shadows. The one and only Deadpool popped into the picture, and waved to everyone.

"One cameo, in this entire hundred chapter story," Deadpool said. "Well, I better make it count, or I'll never been invited back to this party."

Wonder Woman, Black Canary, and Hawkgirl all stepped over towards him. Spider-Woman sighed, and looked at Deadpool. This could get very ugly if none of them were careful, and Gwen hated the fact it would get ugly. Her fingertips clutched together very nervously when walking over.

"Hey, Spider-Woman," Deadpool said. "Figured you would be here, but I'm surprised a couple of other…ah there's Supergirl, I figured she be there."

"His name is Deadpool, and he's public nuisance number one," Gwen said. "He's a man who is completely insane."

"Hey, hey, no need to be mad, I'm making a cameo," Deadpool said. "Oh, finger sandwiches, I love those."

The mercenary reached over and snagged an entire plate of sandwiches. Everyone locked eyes on Deadpool and gave him one of those looks. The mercenary just responded with a very knowing smile when looking at the eyes looking at him. He had been very much sized up.

"Did anyone invite this guy?" Supergirl asked.

"No, I show up where the action is, and then the food, and also I'm gone just like that."

Deadpool snapped his fingers in a very dramatic way. He stepped out, making his way out of the front door of the Hall of Justice, making sure to take the empty plate, and a bottle of wine on the way out. Dick looked on for a moment and then turned to Gwen. Gwen rolled her shoulders back and gave one of the most prominent sighs ever.

"Don't ask," Gwen said. "Just please, don't ask. It's a lot better off if you don't"

Dick decided to just allow it to go. He had a few more familiar faces. He came face to face with Laura, who looked agitated. Dick smiled when looking towards the mutant who took a step closer towards him.

"Thought I smelled Deadpool," Laura commented.

"Well, you did, but he's gone," Gwen said. "Just seemed like he dropped in just enough to cause a stir, and then he's gone…well, I know that we'll see him again all too soon."

Everyone who knew Deadpool, knew the score. Dick decided to take the words of those people who knew better, because he didn't really know better.

"And this is Vicki Vale, trying to figure out the source of the strange events going on in Gotham City over the past couple of days," Vicki said. "There are those who think things have changed. Scientists are more than baffled by the sudden influx of chaotic energy. Many wonder what's happened, what could be causing these dramatic changes."

Gotham City's finest reporter looked out and just as always, the sound of an alarm going off caught Vicki's attention. Several men made a break for it, looking very excited.

"Batman's busy dealing with the League, this is going to be a piece of cake," one of them said. "Man, I love being a small time thug…."

A figure came in front of the thug to force the thug to stop short with a thud. The thug dragged out a knife and pointed it forward.

"Okay, I'm not afraid of you!" he yelled. "I bet it's just another one of his junior protectors. You think you're something, don't you? Well guess what, without the Bat, you're nothing. I'm here and I'm going to wreck your day. Come on, you want a piece of me? Bring it on!"

A figure swept between the thug who spun around in a blink of an eye. The knife extended and the thug came face to face with Batgirl. Batgirl grabbed the thug's arm and dropped him down to the ground with a very violent attack. The thug dropped down to the ground, the energy knocked out of him from where Batgirl planted him headfirst into the ground.

"Consider it brought."

Vicki watched one of the goons who whipped a chain out. Batgirl blocked the chain with one attack. The vigilante protector whipped the thug down onto the ground and caused him to bounce head first down with a violent, sickening impact. Batgirl pulled back away, a soft smile over her face in response. The Detective stepped back and looked at the last two thugs.

Robin flipped down and she nailed one of the attackers in the back of the head. The attacker withdrew a gun and tried to blast Robin with it. Robin returned fire, nailing the goon in the wrist with the wooden staff. The goon dropped down onto the ground and Robin flipped herself into the air. She used a spectacular attack to curb stomp the goon's face into the ground.

On the other side, the final attacker tried to go forward. Talon jumped up, hooked the arm, and brought the goon directly into the wall, bouncing him head first down onto the ground. Talon stepped back and drilled her adversary in the face with a violent kick which rattled him hard.

"So, good work," Talon said.

Thanks," Batgirl said. "We better go."

Talon, Batgirl, and Robin all left. Rebecca Grayson felt good busting the heads of people who deserved it. Some would not blame her for being down for the count after what happened. Rebecca would have blamed herself though if she allowed this suffering to go unpunished. She needed to do what she could to stop the people in Gotham City, who would prey on the innocent. It wasn't anymore than any decent person would do at any time.

"Right," Vicki said. "There are protectors here in Gotham City, as you've seen right here, in this unplanned exclusive. And the world will not stand by while those who were harm the world. Some people might disagree with the necessity of a Batman, but you can't disagree with his results. And I'm sure he would be happy as anyone if he wasn't needed. Until that moment though, most deep down are very glad to have him, as am I. This is Vicki Vale signing off, and have a pleasant night."

Vicki looked up to the sky and saw a brief hint of him standing by. She responded with a smile and he nodded, disappearing off into the night in Gotham City.

Hope took in a deep breath, and let out the breath as well. A very long time passed on her journey, and Hope hoped for something really good to happen. She had the intention of accomplishing something great, especially when the universe stopped cracking apart. Hope became at peace and became one with reality. She could not help, but offer one little smile at how everything turned out.

"You can come here, I know you're there," Hope said.

"You're not having any problems with the thoughts in your head, are you?" Dick asked.

Hope rose up and smiled. She moved over and gave Dick a very reassuring kiss. She had been more in line with her emotions as of late, a very good thing. Hope milked the kiss for pretty much everything it was worth, leaning into Dick's lips. Her tongue danced, teasingly, at the edge of the young man's lips, and tried to seek enough entry into his mouth. Dick reached behind Hope's head and guided his tongue further into her mouth.

"I take it that is a yes," Dick said.

"A very big yes," Hope answered with a smile. "It's a brand new world, and I can't wait to be a part of it. Jean's helping me here as well."

"Where is Jean anyway?"

"Oh, I'm around."

Dick turned around just in time to come face to face with the one and only Jean Grey in all of her glory, and she was very glorious when turning up. The alluring glow brought Dick's attention towards the woman. The taller, more mature redhead, sauntered over, looking Dick in the eyes.

"I took the Dark Knight off guard," Jean said with a playful smile and wink. "I think that I can cross that one off of the list and die a very happy woman."

Jean wrapped an arm around Dick's waist and pulled him into a very hungry kiss. She knew what she wanted, even though Jean milked it with every second. Her tongue sought entry. Dick decided to milk it as well, resisting for a little bit, and pushing Jean's own tongue back with his own. Jean clutched onto the back of Dick's head, the two of them kissing deeply, and with passion.

The two of them joined each other with the kiss, with Jean pulling back from him. She gave Dick a very solid pinch on his backside before pulling completely away.

"There will be plenty of time later," Jean said. "We have an entire new world, and the dust is settling. Along with the few paradoxes which will be left behind."

"Paradoxes?" Hope asked.

"Nothing that you can't handle, sweetie," Jean said. "Well, nothing you can't handle, after I teach you to be able to handle it. It will be fine, trust me."

Hope's arms folded in response. Did she trust Jean? In a sense, Hope did trust the older girl. In another sense though, Hope did not have any idea what would be happening next. She just had to roll with the punches and more importantl see where life took her.

"I'm glad," Hope said. "I'm glad you think I could handle it."

Jean just smiled, proud out how the new generation of the Chosen One of the Phoenix Force would pan out. The world changed, and Jean could not wait to change with it.

"So, are you sticking around for a while?" Dick asked.

"Yes, for a while," Jean replied.

Heroes, they came in many forms. Some of them chose the life, and others, it took a nudge to get them in the right direction. Unfortunately, most of those nudges ended being more on the tragic side of things. Each challenge brought heroes together, and stronger than ever.

Spider-Woman suffered great loss during her time, as the friendly neighborhood web slinger. She bounced back stronger than ever. Every time a new threat came on the board, she prepared, and was ready. She made some friends, even though Spider-Woman worked best along.

'Deep down, even I know it's important to have help some time.'

A figure dressed in black, with pale skin, dark hair, and fangs made his way out of a science lab. He held several vials in his hand. Spider-Woman dropped down and recognized the man, at least in passing, as Doctor Michael Morbius. Only, it appeared Morbius had an accident.

"No, we will lead to a new age, "Morbius said. "I will make them perfect."

Those chemicals, Spider-Woman guessed they intended to create some kind of plague of super vampires, or really in reality give people a really awful case of the rabies. Spider-Woman dropped down to the ground and shot her web lines out of the air.

Morbius moved in to attack, but received a baton shot by Batman. Batman dropped down and hurled a gas grenade at Morbius. Morbius fled into the darkness of the alleyway.

'It's amazing how this entire adventure started with a vampire plague,' Batman thought. 'And now it ends with one as well.'

Morbius disappeared into the alleyway, to receive a staff shot in the face from Nightwing. Morbius swung towards Nightwing who ducked the attack and came forward with a series of attacks. Batgirl and Robin put up an energy mine, which caused a wall of thick energy to cover the back end of the alleyway. Morbius jumped to the wall, but bounced back after his failed attempt to connect with it.

"So, I could have said that I had it handled," Spider-Woman said.

Batman dodged the attack from Morbius. He had no intention of being an actual literal Batman. The hand blocked and Batman discharged a miniature grenade. The yellow solar energy, used to empower Kryptonians during times where they had to be on planets underneath red suns, caused Morbius to stagger back. He dropped to his knees, weakened.

Another jolt brought Morbius down to the ground. Batman took a sample from the side of Morbius's neck.

"We did it," Spider-Woman said. "No, wait, I'm sorry, you did it."

Batman gave Spider-Woman a stern look which caused her to shudder. "No, you got it right the first time. Let me secure him, and let's see if we can't find an antidote to this...Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, check out to make sure no one has been infected by Morbius."

Batman collared the living vampire, when the trio of crime fighters made their way off. He looked towards Spider-Woman. The adventure continued, and there would always be heroes to stop them.

For now, another chapter in the nocturnal hero known as Batman had been written, and he slipped onto night, ready to punish crime. Dick Grayson thought he came a long way from that young boy who watched his parents fall on the highwire from Haley's circus.

Batman and Spider-Woman disappeared into the night, taking Morbius between them.

End.