April 22nd, 1995
General POV
The next day, Trey, Alexandra, and Lois meet up with Bruce for a meeting. He had his interview with Lois earlier in the day. Trey had just shown Bruce his entire collection of children’s books. He had the whole Dr. Seuss collection and How to Catch a Mermaid.
“Your son has an impressive set of talents, Mrs. Carter. Getting these books published is a simple matter. Trey’s singing talents are a different story. Recording in the studio and potential live performances will take up his free time. I want your thoughts on Wayne Entertainment signing him to a record deal.” Bruce inquired.
“As long as it doesn’t affect his grades, it works for my husband and me. Honey, what do you think would you like to sign with Mr. Wayne?” Alexandra asked.
“Can I leave if I don’t like it? I love singing, but I'll quit if it keeps me away from my family someday.” Trey asked. He appeared to be nervous. Of course, this was just him using his cuteness to his advantage.
“Bruce, you should add a clause to the contract so he can leave. We can do a 70/30 split on royalties in your favor. He should have the right to buy back publishing and his masters when he gets older.” Lois added. Her minor in business was finally paying off.
“That seems reasonable. I think we have a star in the making on our hands. We can start with a cash advance of 5 million until his works pay it off.” Bruce said.
“Yes!” Trey shouted, interrupting Bruce. He was thinking of all the ways to invest the money.
“Honey, your not getting all that money at once. Isn’t that right, Mr. Wayne?” Alexandra said sharing a knowing look with Bruce.
“Of course. Sorry kid, the money will be put in a trust. I’ll have the money diversified in multiple brokerage accounts. Basically only your parents will have access to it until you turn 18.” Bruce said shut his hopes down. Trey decided it was time to use his unique ability again. He jumped into his auntie’s lap.
“I do all the work and get nothing. Auntie Lois there bullying me.” Trey sobbed into her arms. Bruce and Alexandra were stunned at what they heard. Lois rubbed her nephew’s back, calming him down.
“How about we give him a separate bank account with 5% of his earnings? He can use it for whatever he wants with supervision, of course. I can’t let you all bully my nephew.” Lois suggested falling for his trick.
“Auntie Lois is the best. I’ll buy you and Kyla lots of Superman toys!” Trey exclaimed. Lois blushed at the mention of Superman. Inwardly Trey was thinking about how this allowance was gonna make him rich. In less than ten years, he’d be wealthier than Bruce, without a doubt.
“I agree. I can’t have my new star saying I bullied him,” Bruce replied wryly.
“Honey, I’ll agree only if you promise something in exchange,” Alexandra commented.
“I love you, mom. I’ll do anything you ask.” Trey absentmindedly replied. His mind was still focused on the future.
“No going back on your word. I want more pictures! No more running away. No more complaints. I get to take all the photos I want.” Alexandra said with a evil glee.
“Sure, mom….. Wait, I take it back! Mr. Wayne, keep your money. I never agreed that doesn’t count!” Trey pleaded. All the money & fan points in the world weren’t worth keeping that promise. She’d have endless material to embarrass him with if he went through with that. Damn, his obsession with money made him not pay attention. He can’t break his first rule. He decided to make a run for it. Trey ran out of the office with his mom after him, camera in hand.
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“What was that about?” Bruce questioned, thrown off at how they both ran off.
“A mother in love with her son,” Lois replied, shaking her head.
Later that night, Bruce and Lois had another date. They were enjoying themselves on the balcony of a fancy restaurant when the Joker crashed the party.
“My, you do live dangerously, Wayne. Don’t you realize your moving in on Superman’s main squeeze?” Joker mockingly said. All of his goons pointed their guns at the couple. Before Bruce could react, the Joker snuck behind him, tasering Lois.
“Take your hands off her!” Bruce growled. Joker then ordered his men to shoot.
SMACK. SMACK. SMACK.
All the goons fell to the ground. A hooded figure in all white appeared beside the Joker, kicking him away from Lois.
“Who the hell are you?” Joker demanded to know getting back up.
“I told you he’d be after her.” The hooded man replied.
“Brucey, you used the blue boy scout’s girl as bait! Color me surprised.” Joker assumed. Bruce smirked, seeing the person the man was actually talking to. A prominent figure landed behind the Joker.
“This ends now, clown,” Superman declared, furious that Lois had been hurt. His hand tightly gripped the Joker’s shoulder.
“Ohh, Poo!” Joker mumbled, knowing his next stop was Arkham.
“Bring him with you when you come to the meeting later.” The hooded man whispered for only Superman to hear and disappeared.
Soon after, police arrived, apprehending everyone involved. Superman and Bruce made statements and then were free to go. An hour later, Superman and Batman landed on an empty rooftop.
“Where is he?” Batman asked.
“I don’t know. He appeared in my apartment telling me Joker was going after Lois. He told me we needed to talk later on when we were on the way there. I can’t sense him when he does the same disappearing act you do.” Superman replied.
WHOOSH.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I come baring a few gifts for my favorite cape crusaders.” Desmond said with a chuckle. He appeared with a black box and a knocked-out Harley Quinn on his shoulder.
“Thank you for your help saving Lois. Can you tell us who you are? Also, what’s in the box?” Superman asked.
“Kryptonite that Bruce needs to take for safekeeping. Also here, take her back to Arkham along with the clown.” Desmond said. Handing Harley to Superman.
“You still never answered who you are. You show up out of nowhere and know both our secret identities. What’s your purpose?” Batman questioned. He gave his patented Bat-Glare.
“Well, if you must ask, I’m here to ensure you two don’t destroy the multiverse. I have seen futures where you are the universe's greatest heroes. I have also seen universes destroyed by you. Bruce, your contingency plans aren’t as thought out as you think. It's not who I am but what I am. I’m your warning that this universe will drastically change in the next couple of decades. The earth is at the center of most of it. I will do everything in my power to protect this planet. I can’t, however, afford an evil Superman or Batman on top of what we might face.” Desmond stated seriously.
“Why would either of us ever go bad? I can’t speak for Bruce, but I know he’s a good person. Were both only trying to help people?” Superman said, in disbelief.
“In one universe, Joker infects Bruce with a toxin that makes him a mix between Bruce and himself. All of Bruce’s talents and smarts are influenced by the worst parts of the Joker. He destroyed that entire universe, including his children.” Desmond divulged solemnly. The heroes had dark looks on their faces hearing that.
‘Your wife and son as well, Clark. I won’t mention that now and ruin the blooming bromance.’ Desmond Thought.
“Let’s say we believe you. Will you tell us why and when we turn?” Batman replied, changing from his hostile stance. Hearing that terrible future made him take this seriously.
“No certain things I can’t say without messing up the timeline or this universe. Even saying this now is a bit of a risk, but I’m not willing to take a chance on the alternative. Stop being so on edge, guys. Believe it or not, your both are a big inspiration to me for this hero gig. I won’t let my heroes turn evil.” Desmond smirked at them & vanished.
‘So that’s how that feels.’ Batman thought. He noticed a USB stick with a note on the ground. The message read, “Proof Baldy was working with the Clown. Take him down. I already shorted my LexCorp stock.”
“Ha-ha. He’s helping us take down Lex & the Joker. I’d say he’s a good guy in my book.” Superman said with a chuckle. Batman sighed at how easily the man believed in people.