Marvel: Batman x Ironman

[Night]

Hela sat before Bruce and Selina stood near the window...

"Odin still alive, huh?" Bruce muttered after hearing Hela's story of how Odin banished her to the Earth without any power. As far as he remembered, Odin died a few years earlier than Thano's attack. 'That old coot's still kicking.'

"And he wants you to learn mercy?" He asked.

Hela nodded, "Yes, I understand it's not going to be easy to change overnight, but I've been in this world for quite a while now and I think I have learned some things about humans. Maybe even started to understand why my father is so fond of this race."

"And what do you want from me?" Bruce asked.

"I want you to tell me about this New Gods... 'Darkseid' that's what Allfather said before throwing me down here. Tell me, Bruce Wayne, the man who faced Darkseid once, just how strong is this creature really?"

Bruce was quiet for a moment, thinking before he answered, "The one we fought was an Avatar form of Darkseid and he was strong enough to smash the three most powerful beings of that universe. As for his true form, let's just say, he can annihilate anything and everything. Odin or the Gods of this Multiverse won't stand a chance against his true form. But the one that came in this multiverse was the avatar form and if I were to take a guess, he'll try to open up a pathway to the other verse to bring his true form and we gotta find him and kill him before he succeeds."

"Damn," Hela muttered under her breath, "I thought the old man was playing another one of his tricks, but it seems like I might have gotten into something even bigger than I'd imagined."

"So, what's your plan now?" Bruce asked after a moment of pause.

"Well, without my power, I am just a regular human. So, I plan to learn the ways of humans and learn mercy, which I doubt is going to be easy for me."

"I agree," Bruce nodded. "Learning mercy won't be an easy task for the former Goddess of Death. But I doubt you have any other way to regain your power back, right?"

"True. So, where do I start?" Hela asked.

"You are asking me about mercy?" Bruce chuckled as he leaned back on the sofa. "You, the Goddess of Death, asking me about mercy? I never thought I'd see the day."

Hela gave him a humorless smile. "I'm as surprised as you are, believe me. But this isn't just about regaining power anymore. I'm starting to understand that perhaps my father's punishment was more than a mere exile. It's a challenge, a trial of my worthiness."

Bruce leaned back, crossing his arms as he considered her words. "Odin's tests always had a deeper purpose. He wanted Thor to learn humility and selflessness. Maybe he wants you to learn restraint and compassion."

Hela's gaze darkened momentarily at the mention of Thor but then softened. "Maybe. But mercy... that has never been my strength. I was forged in war and chaos, born to conquer, to end lives. It's not easy to shed centuries of that mindset."

Bruce nodded, understanding the weight of what she was saying. "Mercy isn't just about saving someone. It's about understanding them, giving them a chance even when they don't deserve it. It's about seeing potential where others see only a threat."

Hela looked thoughtful, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. "How does one start practicing mercy then?"

Bruce smiled. "You can't decide to be merciful overnight. It's the small choices made every day. Always listen before striking. Give people a chance to explain themselves before judging them. And trust me, it ain't that easy."

"Small choices," Hela muttered, almost as if testing the concept in her mind. "It sounds almost too simple."

"It is simple," Bruce agreed. "But it's not easy. Especially for someone like you."

Hela narrowed her eyes, but there was no hostility in her expression, just a quiet acceptance. "So where do I begin?"

"Start with yourself," Bruce suggested. "Show yourself mercy first. You've been through a lot. Accept that you can change, and don't be too hard on yourself if you make mistakes along the way."

She looked as though his words were sending shockwaves through her mind, for it hit her harder than she could ever have envisioned. "Forgive myself. I never thought of it that way."

Selina, who has been quietly listening from her window side seat interjected, "Mercy is not taught in only how you treat others but also how you treat yourself. We can only extend the compassion we have for ourselves. So, if we are not kind to ourselves, how do we expect others to be?"

Bruce looked at Selina, a look of understanding passing between the two. He then turned to Hela again. "You can start with just about anything simple enough. Help someone without expecting anything in return. Show kindness to someone who can't pay you back. It might feel unnatural at first, but it's a step."

Hela frowned, clearly struggling with the concept. "And who exactly should I show this kindness to? Do you expect me to go find a helpless mortal and offer my services?"

Bruce smiled slightly. "Well, you could start right here in this house. There's someone who could use a hand adjusting back to life."

Hela followed his gaze and realized he was referring to Morgan. The young woman was in the next room, still slowly adjusting to her new reality. Hela's eyes softened just a fraction as she considered it.

"Morgan... the daughter you lost," Hela said thoughtfully. "She's been through her own version of Hell, hasn't she?"

"Yes," Bruce confirmed quietly. "And she could use a friend, someone who understands what it's like to be trapped, to be forced into a life they didn't choose."

"Oh, blind trust can get you killed," Hela muttered.

"True. Goddess of Death or not, I still believe people are at their core self-interested," Bruce agreed. "But sometimes, we need to take a leap of faith and hope that others won't take advantage of it. It's the only way to move forward. Besides, you won't be able to hurt my daughter. She's stronger than what you were in your prime and you can't kill or hurt innocent mortals, can you now?"

Hela looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Are you mocking me, Bruce Wayne?"

Bruce shook his head. "Why would I mock you? I'm merely stating the truth. Besides, if you are truly trying to learn mercy, you must understand that everyone has their own weaknesses and strengths. Morgan is a special girl. She's strong, smart, and compassionate. And I believe that with the right guidance, she can become a force for good in this world. Share your wisdom and experience with her... Show her what's right and wrong and what she needs to work on. And who knows, maybe in the process, you'll also learn a thing or two."

Harley entered the room. She was listening to their conversation from the living room.

"Hey, I thought I got the nanny job?" She pouted.

Bruce suddenly got another nice or probably insane idea.

"Oh, Hela, try to get along with Harley and two of you will be looking after Morgan, when I'm not around."

"That clown? You must be jesting with me," Hela muttered.

"Don't underestimate the jester," Bruce smiled. "Besides, Harley has her own share of wisdom too. You'll see soon enough. Well, it's already getting late. So, Harley, show our new member her room."

"Sure thing, Brucie!" Harley exclaimed.

She then grabbed Hela by the arm and pulled her towards the stairs. "Come on, Ms. Death! Let me show you your new room!"

Hela looked back at Bruce, confusion and bewilderment on her face as she was dragged away.

"What is this madness?" Hela tried to protest. "Unhand me, clown!"

Harley just laughed at her antics as she continued dragging her up the stairs. Selina couldn't help but smile as she watched them go.

"I've never thought I'd ever see the day when the Goddess of Death would be at the mercy of Harley Quinn," She shook her head. "Looks like there's a lot more to that girl than meets the eye."

Selina locked the door and walked over to Bruce. She sat on his lap, pressing her forehead against his. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

"Morgan is a sweet girl," She whispered softly. "You raised her well."

"I just did the best I could," Bruce replied with a sigh. "But I..."

Selina smiled, kissing his nose tip. "Bruce, you are too hard on yourself. No one is perfect, not even you. But you try so hard, and that's what matters in the end."

"Is that so?" He whispered feeling her breath against his lips.

"Yes," She breathed as he kissed her tenderly. "And I love you for it."

"I love you too," Bruce murmured as their kiss deepened and he pulled her closer.

His hand trailed down her back, feeling the soft curves of her body beneath his fingertips. His other hand traced the outline of her jaw before tangling in her hair.

*****[Reviews and PS]*****

If you want to support me or read advance chapters, check out my Patr éon. 

Support Link: https://www.patr eon.com/XcaliburXc

⭐As of now, Pat reon is 17 chapters ahead⭐ [No double billing] 

[Reborn as Ironman> 9 chs]