Burn the Memories
”
Wayne Manor — Batcave, Hours Later
Damian paced in front of the monitors, his jaw clenched, fists trembling.
Nightwing watched from the stairs, arms crossed. “Are you going to tell me what that was?”
Damian didn’t look at him. “I knew that stance. That blade technique. That was League. But not just League — it was his.”
“Who?”
Damian stopped. His voice cracked. “Peter.”
Dick’s eyes widened. “Damian, Peter—”
“I know he’s dead.” Damian’s voice turned bitter. “I killed him.”
The silence was thunderous.
“But that was him. Or his ghost. Or something she—” he growled, “—she did.”
Dick stepped closer. “You think Talia resurrected him?”
Damian didn’t answer. He just turned to the screen, pulling up facial recognition, body scans, combat footage. He played the rooftop encounter on loop.
“I’m going to find him,” he said. “I don’t care what he remembers or what she’s done. I’m bringing him home.”
League of Assassins Stronghold — Underground Pit Chamber
Peter knelt before the Lazarus Pit, his breathing shallow. His mask was off. Sweat glistened on his skin. His hands trembled, not from fear — but confusion. Fractured thoughts.
Flashes. Visions. A boy’s voice. Laughter in a garden. Blades clashing, but not with rage — with joy. Someone like him. Someone who mattered.
Talia’s voice pulled him back.
“You faltered.”
Peter looked up. “That boy… the one in green. I know him.”
“No.” Her voice was like ice. “You don’t. Those are lies in your blood. Old ghosts trying to chain you to a past that betrayed you.”
“But I knew his name.” Peter blinked. “I almost said it—Dam—”
“Enough.”
She gestured.
The guards grabbed him by the arms.
He struggled. “Wait—no! He knew me! He knew me!”
“You are Ash,” Talia said firmly, stepping toward the Pit. “You are my sword. My legacy. And you will not be broken by memory.”
Peter fought harder. “You lied to me! Who was I?!”
Talia’s eyes flashed, pain buried behind steel. “You were a boy who died. A boy who chose wrong. I gave you another chance.”
“No—please—”
They plunged him into the Lazarus Pit.
The green waters swallowed him whole. He screamed — but his voice disappeared into the bubbling surface.
Talia turned away. She couldn’t watch.
Because the Lazarus Pit always gave something back.
But never the same.
.
Elsewhere — Damian again.
He stood before the ashes of the old League compound where Peter was buried.
The tomb was empty.
Damian dropped to his knees.
“No grave. No peace. No end,” he whispered.
He looked up at the sky, as rain began to fall. A storm was coming.
“I’m coming for you, Peter,” he swore.
“Whatever she did to you… I’ll undo it. Even if it kills me.”