You see, this is exactly why you shouldn't make friends with someone like Batman. People like him have absolutely no sense of boundaries—if a secret isn't in his hands, he'll always try to dig into it.
People like Batman usually share a very obvious psychological issue: an extreme lack of security. To them, it always feels like someone out there is plotting against them.
Joey had long been able to vaguely sense that Starfire was hiding something from him—but he never used his super senses to pry, nor did he press her for answers unless the situation truly demanded it.
He also knew that Aquaman was currently suppressing extremist factions within his kingdom—some were attempting to recreate a superweapon capable of threatening the surface world.
There was also the Shazam family—now reverted to their human forms. Especially Billy, who already had a history of trouble; he was currently being reprimanded by his principal for skipping classes.
And the old Bat? He was undergoing his annual psychological evaluation… with a certain psychiatrist named Harley Quinn.
…Even though Joey had only accidentally seen or heard all of this, he realized he didn't exactly have the moral high ground to criticize Batman anymore.
This was a crazy and dangerous universe.
Atlantis was too vast, and its people too divided—constant vigilance was necessary.
The Shazam family, once transformed back into children, were incredibly vulnerable—they needed protection.
And as for Thomas Wayne—that old man was outright dangerous. He had once shoved Barry Allen—the source of the Speed Force into the dionysium, summoning Barbatos and nearly destroying the entire universe.
Once you decide to justify something like that, you can always find endless excuses.
Since Batman had asked so earnestly, Joey decided to answer him.
"Yes… but also no."
Even Joey himself wasn't entirely sure how to define it.
His body belonged to this universe—but his soul came from an ordinary Earth. After being reborn, he had grown up in yet another universe.
"I do come from this universe. But I was raised in another—and in one of them, you're all just characters in comic books."
Batman showed no surprise after hearing this.
"That… explains things."
He had seen enough in his life. The concept of parallel universes was nothing new to him.
Talking about unrelated matters during a solemn funeral for a respected hero was certainly inappropriate—but just like the funeral itself had been simplified, time was running out.
"You got a plan?" Joey asked.
Batman assumed he was referring to the Kryptonian invasion. He had already overheard Kara's warning to Joey through surveillance footage, and his answer was purely pragmatic:
"We need to surrender to your father—for now. That's the only way Earth has a chance to survive."
The Kryptonians clearly operated on a cosmic scale. If they could persuade Jor-El to withdraw and leave Earth—this insignificant planet—out of it, then there might still be a future, whether through resistance or cooperation.
"You're wrong, Batman. It's not that simple anymore."
Batman was unaware of Joey's deeper conversation with Starfire, leaving him behind on crucial developments. Joey had no choice but to explain:
"The Life Entity is hidden somewhere on Earth—in a dimensional rift. The Guardians of Oa buried it there themselves. Now think—what does the Kryptonians' arrival mean in their eyes? And what kind of consequences will it bring?"
Batman knew exactly what the Life Entity was.
In his own universe, while competing with an immortal named Vandal Savage for a White Lantern ring, he had once glimpsed a fraction of that being's true nature.
For the first time, he felt a chill run down his spine.
Things on this Earth were spiraling out of control far faster than he had expected.
"That means… in a few days, the entire Green Lantern Corps will arrive in the solar system—and fight the Kryptonians to the death."
"You'll get used to it. That's just how our universe is."
Joey had always kept the secrets of the Dark Multiverse buried deep within himself. This was hardly the right moment to reveal them—but Batman had clearly picked up on the implication.
Batman's ears seemed to perk up slightly.
"What do you mean, 'our universe'?"
"I can't explain that right now."
Joey sighed, then turned the question back on him.
"How long have you been in this world? Two days? Three?"
"Your attempt to change the subject is as clumsy as your fighting skills."
Batman suddenly recalled how Joey, after following his guidance, had gone from holding his own to being completely overpowered by that Kryptonian girl. That brief moment had been one of the few lighthearted instances since his arrival in this world.
He used to guide Superman and Wonder Woman in combat like that too.
Clark… Diana…
Even through the lead-lined cowl, Joey could sense it.
The visible drop in Batman's mood.
"You look a little down."
For someone like Batman—who rarely showed emotion—to reveal even a trace of sorrow meant that he was truly struggling.
Had withholding that harsh truth from him really affected him this much?
"You should get some rest, Bruce."
Joey figured Batman had been under strain for far too long. He himself was no different—ever since the old Bat had unleashed Barbatos, the past two days had been nothing but nonstop battles.
Batman, meanwhile, had been occupied with rebuilding the Watchtower and handling the funerals of his fallen comrades.
John Stewart's body had been returned to Detroit for burial—his birthplace in another universe.
At Central City, Nora Allen, the long-deceased mother of Barry Allen, wept before her son's grave—unaware that within it now rested two equally great heroes.
The ashes of Martian Manhunter had been interred within the pyramids of Egypt—structures that Martians had once helped build in ancient times, now finally serving that purpose.
And as the flames rose, the funeral of Wonder Woman—now nearing its end—became the final farewell for these heroes from another world.
The body of Superman remained preserved within the Watchtower. No one knew whether he was truly gone.
So Joey decided it was time for both himself and Batman to take a break.
"Since you've already decided to keep living in this world… why not take some time to be with your family?"
Batman shot him a deeply disapproving look.
If Joey knew he was Bruce Wayne, then he certainly knew everything else about him.
In his own universe, a line like that—bordering on a cruel joke—would only ever be said to Batman's face by someone like Joker.
But Bruce understood what Joey really meant.
In this universe, Bruce Wayne had not survived—but his father, Thomas Wayne, was still alive.
Batman instinctively resisted anything connected to Bruce Wayne in this world. Without hesitation, he rejected the suggestion:
"We should be rational. You know he isn't my father—and I'm not his son."
Joey knew that was nothing but stubbornness.
This wasn't logic—it was fear of the unknown.
"If that's really what you think, then why did you bury Green Lantern, the Flash, and Martian Manhunter in the places that correspond to their lives in another world?"
More importantly, if Batman wanted to uncover the truth about Joey—and about his own universe—then he needed to see just how different this world's Gotham truly was.
"Go, Bruce. You're the world's greatest detective. The truth of both our worlds is hidden in Gotham."
"You can see and hear every corner of this world."
Batman was supposed to be the one who mastered fear.
Yet now, he hesitated.
"You could just tell me directly."
Joey could hear everything—but some truths had to be discovered firsthand.
Still, there was one thing he could tell him now:
"I can hear your father's heartbeat. Years of alcoholism have already damaged his heart. If he keeps living as Batman—staying up all night, pushing his body like this—I don't think he'll survive the year."
Hearing this, Bruce gave a slight bow toward Wonder Woman's resting place, then turned and activated the Watchtower comms:
"Cyborg—beam me to thirty thousand feet above the Watchtower."
Above the Watchtower… lay the skies over Gotham City.
"One last piece of advice."
Joey placed a hand on Batman's shoulder before he left, scanning Gotham in detail. This city was going to give him… a lot of surprises.
"You're going to encounter things beyond imagination. But I believe you'll get through it."
Joey had no doubt Batman could uncover everything about this Gotham in a single night. Compared to a normal Gotham, this one was almost easier.
After all, this Gotham wasn't nearly as… talented. Arkham Asylum wasn't exactly overflowing with infamous figures either—because the ruthless Thomas Wayne had already ended many criminal careers in a very literal, biological sense.
Except for one.
One crucial figure he had deliberately left untouched.
Because of that one person, this version of Gotham would be even harder for this Batman to accept than his own.
If this Batman truly was a hero, then only after witnessing this Gotham—and still choosing to stand firm—would Joey be able to share with him the truth about the Dark Multiverse's inevitable slide toward self-destruction.
[ There is only one kind of heroism in this world: to see the truth of life—and still love it. ]