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Bruce Wayne was a smart child, born to honest and hardworking parents.

Thomas Wayne was a respected elementary school teacher, and Martha Wayne was a social worker. Together, they raised a good son, who from a very young age proved to be… exceptional.

They had him tested, and his scores revealed a near-genius intellect. The boy grew up influenced by good parents who always carried that desire to help others.

In fifth grade, Bruce won a science competition by designing a foldable bridge that could be used to deliver aid to disaster-stricken areas. The design was unusual, made with origami techniques and inspired by the wings of a bat. His reward was a trophy, his parents' pride, and a trip to the Gotham Zoo, where everything began…

At the zoo, Bruce spent time with his father—even though he logically had to avoid calling him that in school. But that day was not like any other. Out of nowhere, gunshots rang out.

Thomas immediately showed his character, protecting the children by leading them into the bat house. He locked them inside along with his son and stayed behind to confront the shooter.

— "Bruce, no matter what you hear, don't come out." —

Those were the last words of a great man.

That day, Jim Gordon, still just a police officer, rushed to the zoo and managed to apprehend the shooter. As if fate had mocked them, it was Joe Chill in this universe too. But this time, he only claimed the life of Thomas Wayne, leaving Martha Wayne a widow.

Jim Gordon saw the killer being arrested, but that didn't improve his mood. He immediately went to the bat house, where he found a swarm of bats that initially seemed to be attacking someone. But when Jim looked again, he realized they were covering the boy, almost as if to shield him from being seen.

After that tragedy...

The young Bruce changed. He grew colder, more aggressive. He even left Gotham for a long time, searching for a place to unleash his rage—turning it against himself and against the world.

Years later, he returned. Not as a child blaming himself for his father's death, but as an axe determined to cut away the rot from the most corrupt city in the world.

....

The system screen went black as the video—if it could even be called that—ended. More like a projection of memories than anything else.

Allen and his viewers saw the story of the massively muscled Bruce Wayne of this universe.

This had been sent by none other than Lucifer, and Allen had watched it to figure out what the bastard was planning. Of course, Allen and many in the Chat already knew Batman's story, so while it differed in some points, it wasn't impossible within the multiverse.

Batman – I see… my mother is alive…

As expected, the Batman Allen knew couldn't remain indifferent after seeing this alternate version of himself.

There weren't many comments at that moment, since most already knew what this meant.

If there is one constant that repeats itself in every DC universe, it's that for Batman to exist, Thomas and Martha Wayne must die. It's an inevitable event, like the destruction of Krypton for Superman or Uncle Ben's death for Spider-Man. Something that must occur as the trigger for the birth of these heroes.

"..." Allen narrowed his eyes. The fact that Martha Wayne was alive was certainly strange.

Allen, leaning against the wall, used 'Auris Arcanum' to peer through it once more.

This Bruce was different. He was huge, far more muscular than any other Batman Allen had seen—whether with his own eyes or in stories he'd read. Bruce also looked younger, maybe twenty-five, which was unusual. All of this left no doubt that this was a unique universe.

But…

Allen clenched his teeth, holding back his anger. Because all of this was secondary.

"What do you want?!" Allen snarled. He had every reason to be furious. He was supposed to be able to return home, but now Lucifer had interrupted him abruptly, sending him to a world without his consent.

Lucifer – Allen, I had no intention of bothering you—for a while, at least. But your little trip to the world of your pink-haired girl piqued my curiosity, and by chance, I discovered this universe nearby…

"That doesn't answer my question!" Allen's irritation was growing. He definitely hated the way Lucifer thought he could manipulate him at will.

Lucifer – Very well, I'll get to the point…

As he finished his words, the world froze. But this time, the system kept broadcasting. Lucifer appeared before everyone. This man was despised by the viewers, most of whom liked Allen, and to them, Lucifer was without question the enemy.

Lucifer was fully aware, but the masses' shouts fell on deaf ears.

He smiled at Allen, who remained seated against the wall, refusing to show even the slightest respect. But Lucifer didn't care.

"Allen, this universe is peculiar. I've seen countless worlds where Batman exists, and while their stories differ, certain constants always remain. But now… that changes." Lucifer's smile sharpened, his gaze piercing. "It's as if someone created this universe deliberately..."

"Someone? You can't tell who? Some Omnipotent being you are…" Allen mocked.

Lucifer laughed and shook his head. "I can do anything, but I don't know everything or exist everywhere... You should know that by now… I am not the Presence."

"…"

"Still, I could sense that this version of Batman is unique for another reason. It's as if something was stolen from him long before the story even began… as if someone wanted him to suffer, but not enough to kill him."

"Money…" Allen said unsurprised.

Observing Bruce, Allen noted his callused hands bore injuries unlike combat scars. This aligned with the memories everyone had just seen—this Bruce wasn't a billionaire. He was a worker like an ordinary person.

"I see why you want to protect this world. But I don't get what I'm supposed to do. Just look at the guy back there—do you think he needs help?"

Allen's words made sense. No matter how you looked at it, this Batman seemed dangerous enough to handle any villain. What kind of help would he need?

Lucifer sighed and snapped his fingers, making a screen appear before Allen. At first, it showed nothing—just black.

"When I discovered this world, I couldn't help but enter out of curiosity. My very presence caused a butterfly effect that altered it. Not by much—just enough to make this possibility tangible…"

"So it's your fault…" Allen said coldly.

Lucifer touched the screen with his fingers. "I possess absolute free will, which allows me to travel to any DC world without causing problems. But that didn't happen here. That only occurs when I step into a creation outside of the Presence's or my own design…"

Artoria – Which is why he suspects it's a world created by someone else.

"You…" Allen began to speak, but the screen lit up and began to play. Was it a memory… or perhaps a vision of the future?

On it, Bruce was seen facing a terrifying Bane with glowing veins, even more muscular and massive than Batman himself.

At first, the fight seemed balanced. But before their eyes, something incredible happened—Bane began utterly thrashing Batman. The beating was so brutal that it was practically one-sided. And then, Bane started growing, until he was three times Batman's size.

He was bigger than the Hulk!

Batman pulled an axe hidden in his chest plate—apparently, the bat emblem had that function. His last resort against such a terrifying enemy. But Bane was stronger. It wasn't just raw power—Bane was terrifyingly skilled, predicting and countering each move as if he'd mastered all martial arts.

With the strength of the Hulk and the skill of Tai Lung, this Bane was a monster. Effortlessly, he snatched the axe from Batman, and before everyone's eyes, he severed Bruce's arms. Blood sprayed everywhere, and Batman's scream made it clear this wasn't part of a plan. He had been defeated—pushed to the brink of death.

....

Batman – Damn you, Bane!

Superman – This can't be!

Barbara – Impossible!

Gwen – Batman losing to Bane?

MJ – Not impossible… but I've never seen him beaten with such devastating consequences…

Eve – Defeated? He's clearly about to be killed…

....

The Chat exploded upon witnessing Batman's defeat, but even then none of them believed Batman would actually die. He always had plans for every situation, and when those failed, some miracle would appear to save him. But this time, it didn't happen…

Bane grabbed the head of the massive axe and smashed it against Batman's face, crushing his jaw and splintering teeth. He did it over and over while shouting, "Open your eyes!" In the end, even this Batman—who seemed like the embodiment of violence—began to beg, though his words came out mangled through broken jaws.

Bane stopped and stood up when the ice axe shattered in half.

Completely outclassed, completely defeated... no one could believe it, not even the other Batman... but it was reality, at least what Lucifer showed.

The scene ended…

....

As the memories faded, Allen's focus shifted to Lucifer who had brought him here.

Allen's expression grew grim. Of course, the death of superheroes wasn't something unheard of. Allen had seen zombie superheroes in another world, witnessed Darkseid's inevitable victory, and knew the miserable fate of Spider-Man at the hands of the Inheritors. Superheroes, no matter how immortal they seemed, could die in the end.

"So what do you want? Does the devil want me to help a mortal?"

Allen looked silently at Lucifer. His words sounded indifferent, but there was a trace of genuine interest in Lucifer's goal.

Lucifer shrugged. "Like I said, this world is unique. I wouldn't like to see it disappear…"

"…"

....

Angelica (Gil) – So that's it…

McDragon – Again with the whole 'understand but not explain' thing?! I wanna know too!

The Emperador – Lucifer mentioned this world might've been created by someone on purpose. That means if he intervenes without knowing who did it, this mysterious figure could take extreme measures—even destroy it…

Orihime – Mmm… So Lucifer will avoid acting until he knows who created this world…? ~

Erza – That's right... But to be honest, I didn't expect your adventures to be so extreme. I don't even have words, Allen.

Gwen – Don't worry Erza you'll get used to it~

Allen – I'm sorry.

Erza – Don't worry about me, just be careful.

Allen – Thank you.

....

Turning his attention back to Lucifer, Allen asked.

"And what do I gain?"

Many could tell by now that Allen had already made a decision, but he hated to accept Lucifer's whims so easily—otherwise, they wouldn't be seen as equals, or as enemies.

"Of course…" Lucifer manifested a fragment of his power: a mysterious crystal oscillating between states of matter, at once illusory and intangible. Unlike Fairy Tail's hypercube, this one was spherical.

"I'm not doing another treasure hunt in this world…"

"Of course not. I wouldn't use the same method twice. Allen, I'll give you this fragment directly if you agree to interfere in this world under certain conditions…"

Allen studied the fragment of power. It was incredible that Lucifer was willing to sacrifice part of his own strength to protect this universe. But it made sense—he had once said that the greatest enemy of a transcendent being like him was boredom, and for this Lucifer, a unique universe was too valuable.

Allen stood, extended his hand, and the Fragment of the Fire of Will flew into him, merging with his body. His power instantly skyrocketed. So much that Allen lost control for a moment, shaking everything—from the origin of the universe to the end of time, from the first dimension to the eleventh, from the depths of hell to the infinite heavens. Of course, no one noticed, because Lucifer had kidnapped everyone's time.

"Urgh…" Allen gasped, feeling like he was going to explode, but soon the pain subsided and he could breathe.

[Host, Lucifer's power is too great. I had to seal 80% of it. You can adapt over time… Also, for future Fragments, I suggest you don't absorb them directly.]

'I understand, thank you…'

Allen glanced at Lucifer, who looked indifferent to his sudden surge of strength. Allen could crush the entire universe in his hands, and Lucifer didn't seem impressed.

Allen shook his head and returned to the matter with a mocking smile. "Tell me, what are the conditions this time? Will you erase my memories?"

Lucifer crossed his arms. "Ungrateful brat. The amount of power I just gave you is outrageous, and you won't even thank me?"

"We're enemies," Allen replied coldly.

"Yeah, yeah…" Lucifer grew serious and created a small orb. Unlike the previous fragment, this one was fragile and harmless. "Allen, someone is behind this world. If I can find them, the danger disappears. Until then, it's best not to alter things too much… so this is your limit. You can have "her" absorb it so you'll get a better idea of how it works…"

Allen looked at Lucifer, then at the orb. 'System, is it safe?'

[It should be. Lucifer has no reason to lie… Beginning absorption… completed.]

[Safe Limit 0/100]

"What's this?"

"That's your limit. There should be a default value. Choose the superpowers and magic you want to use; each will have a value. Just make sure not to exceed it…" Lucifer pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it. "I don't have to tell you that only abilities and powers that could exist in this world are allowed, right?"

Allen shrugged. Pulling out a Bankai out of nowhere in a world like DC was surreal, but thinking about it, magic, superpowers, and chi should also count.

'System, how much does The One cost?'—Allen's name for One Punch Man's limiter.

[Error: The One is beyond the metric…]

Allen wasn't surprised. Even as a superpower, it could bring someone up to Dragon Ball levels.

He sighed and tested multiple times while the Chat remained silent. Aurora Flame was rejected. Molecular Manipulation. Sentry's Legacy. Void's Darkness. Reality Alteration. All of it was rejected for exceeding the limit.

Allen didn't feel frustrated. After all, his power had already skyrocketed instantly compared to when he was in Fairy Tail. It took him ten minutes to choose.

[Skill Selected: "Telekinesis" 30/100]

[Power Selected: "???" 50/100]

[Power Selected: "???" 60/100]

[Skill Selected: "???" 95/100]

[Power Selected: "???" 100/100]

Allen nodded, satisfied, though he felt his power being restricted by the system. Of course, he had to allow it—at this point, even the system couldn't enforce it without his permission.

Once done, Allen let out a dramatic sigh. "I hadn't even gotten used to being omnipotent, and here I am mortal again."

The Chat looked at him with disdain—they knew Allen was just bragging. Lucifer only smirked before vanishing, restoring the world to normal.

"I suppose the next step is getting Batman out of here…" Allen murmured with a grin.

Amanda – What's so funny?

"This," Allen said, glancing at the neighboring cell, "It's funny that even without billions of dollars, Bruce Wayne still chose to be Batman… doesn't that say something?"

Batman – …

"Hey, buddy, how about we get out of this hell?"

Bruce didn't reply immediately. He had been listening to Allen talk for a while, assuming he was insane. Still, he answered:

"If you pull it off, I'll apologize for calling you a stupid lunatic…"

"Hey, when did you call me that?!"

"I didn't. But I thought it…"

Allen's left eye twitched. He had expected this Batman to be less talkative, but thinking it over—this Bruce was only a few years older than him, so it made sense he still had a bit of humor.

"Whatever…"

Allen approached the reinforced metal door and clenched his fist before smashing it open effortlessly. He had absorbed plenty of abilities from "The Boys". Though limited to five abilities, he wasn't lacking in superpowers, including super strength. Of course, compared to his real power, this was barely worth mentioning.

He then went to Bruce's cell, but before he could open it, Bruce stepped out on his own. He held a bloody metal pin in his hand, one he had hidden in a molar.

The two men exchanged a glance before dashing down the corridors.

…

In a distant control room, a woman observed without the slightest worry, as if calmly waiting for this to happen.

"Log: Subject 27 and Subject 28 have escaped, just as predicted. Call the 'Supreme.' The experiment is beginning…"

At that moment, Allen failed to realize he was underestimating this universe—its villains, and the brutality it carried.

He underestimated the Absolute Universe.

====

A/N: Despite not yet having adaptations outside the comics, the Absolute series, which have positioned themselves at the top of the popularity charts, are a hit due to their new vision of the DC universe. 🗿

If you want to read more, there are up to ten chapters ahead on Patreon.

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