Chapter 5 Rescue Plan Failed
Thomas Wayne Jr. is a born eccentric.
This applies to this planet as well.
Thomas found himself in this new world like a black sheep among a flock of white sheep.
But he didn't care.
He's not a child anymore; he won't be upset about these little things.
On the contrary, he should thank himself for being different, and thank the cruelty and suspicion he developed on Earth III, for giving him the ability to kill that robber.
-
That day, Thomas and Martha had intended to leave little Thomas at home. Little Thomas was too young and disliked crowds and noise (which the Waynes had observed), so going to the movies wasn't suitable for him.
But for some reason, little Thomas showed unusual enthusiasm for watching the movie that day. He didn't cry or fuss; he just quietly hugged Thomas, then took Martha's hands with his little hands and whispered, "I want to go to the movies too."
Thanks to his genes, little Thomas has an adorable face. When he's not speaking and just quietly looking at people, he's like a beautiful porcelain doll (when he speaks, he might resemble a porcelain doll in a horror movie, discussing death and corpses with a blank expression, especially at banquets, where he uses this skill to scare away many annoying people). His sapphire-like, sparkling, and watery eyes never blink, as if the person being watched is everything to him... Who could resist him? Thomas and Martha certainly couldn't.
They readily agreed to Thomas's request, quickly buying him a ticket and hoping to coax him into saying a few more words. But they were clearly unsuccessful; little Thomas showed no intention of speaking, and having achieved their goal, he quietly nestled in Thomas's arms, lost in thought.
The Waynes were relieved by Thomas's rare request, while Bruce was overly excited to hear that his brother wanted to go out together.
Bruce always loved his younger brother, Thomas, who always brought him joy. Unlike his parents, Alfred, and the other children, Thomas was always agreeable and never went against his brother.
So Bruce pestered Alfred, who was about to prepare clothes for little Thomas, and stood with him in front of Thomas's wardrobe. Alfred picked out an outfit suitable for a little gentleman, while Bruce grabbed a handful of brightly colored clothes.
Alfred folded the red cashmere sweater and blue trousers in Bruce's hands again: "No, Master Bruce, if young Thomas wears something like that, the audience in the movie theater won't be in the mood to watch the movie."
Bruce countered confidently, "I believe Tommy would be willing to dress like that."
Alfred remained noncommittal, only rummaging through the wardrobe with some concern.
Isaiah Thomas has always been obedient to Bruce.
In Alfred's eyes, Thomas was an owl who had accidentally been born human. Society could hardly accept such a strange child, and he never wanted to integrate into society. So he regarded Bruce as his standard, using Bruce's thoughts to restrain his behavior; he regarded his family members other than Bruce as half-acquainted strangers, and hardly made any demands on Martha and Thomas; and he regarded people outside his family as nothing, ignoring them and never taking the initiative to join activities with many people.
His behavior today is particularly thought-provoking. Thomas Jr. did three unusual things at once: he took the initiative to do things that Bruce had not asked him to do, participated in activities with many people, and asked Martha and Thomas for it.
These three unusual events are like dark clouds gathering over Wayne Manor...
“Sorry, are you upset, Alfred?” Bruce tugged at Alfred’s sleeve. “Did I interrupt your work?”
"No, Master Bruce."
His thoughts were interrupted by young master Bruce. In order not to pass on this ominous premonition to the excited and sensitive Bruce, he picked out a cornflower blue outfit from the closet, which combined a bright color that children like with an elegant aesthetic of adults: "How about this one?"
“It looks good, Alfred,” Bruce said honestly, though his face clearly said, “I think the color of this dress is too dull.”
So, with Alfred and Bruce each taking a step back, they finalized Thomas's outfit for the day. Alfred carried the clothes to Thomas, while Bruce excitedly followed behind him.
But today, a fourth unusual thing happened.
Isaiah Thomas wore a black tracksuit and firmly refused to change into the clothes that Alfred and Bruce had chosen together.
...This is so strange, so very strange.
Isaiah Thomas, who never refuses Bruce's requests, is now unwilling to even change his clothes.
Alfred, unusually, distracted the somewhat puzzled Bruce with kitchen snacks, then asked Thomas, "Young Master Thomas, what's going to happen today?"
This astute housekeeper is the one in the family closest to the truth.
The rest of the family were either blinded by blood ties or lacked the experience to see the true nature of Thomas's abnormality.
Isaiah Thomas did not answer directly: "I don't know. I only have a vague feeling that it might happen, or it might not."
Do you need me?
"It's best not to." Thomas didn't fully trust Alfred yet, after all, the crime on Earth III was committed by the two of them together.
"Can you tell me what exactly happened?"
“I’m sorry, I can’t.” Thomas walked past him. “It’s a very complicated matter. Maybe one day I’ll tell someone else about it, or maybe I’ll take this secret away from the world.”
“If you ever need me,” Alfred turned to the child, “you can always come to me.”
"……Thanks."
-
Worry is never an emotion that can be generated out of thin air.
As the day of Bruce's death drew closer in Thomas's memory, Batman's words resurfaced in his mind.
"We both come from hell..."
Thomas made a slight deduction based on what he said.
It is known that Batman suffered some terrible events and was therefore recast.
...One of the most notable horrific events in Night Owl's life was the death of Bruce.
Therefore, even in a normal universe, the Wayne family could experience the tragedy of losing a family member.
So Thomas, while Bruce was at school and away from home, got a stone that was the right shape and weight, polished it a little with the sandpaper and file he had in the tool shed, and then practiced throwing the stone for several days.
...What else could we do? Were we supposed to let four-year-old Thomas steal a gun from the strict old butler and then hide it?
Moreover, guns seem to be a key element of Batman's tragic life; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have sworn never to use guns, so he tries to avoid their presence as much as possible.
Asking to go to the movies together is the easiest step. If Thomas wants to, he can easily manipulate anyone. Besides, Martha and Thomas in this world are enlightened parents who never refuse their child's reasonable requests.
He changed into his most convenient and inconspicuous black tracksuit, and abruptly refused Bruce's request.
On his way home, he walked at the very back, cautiously guarding against anyone attacking him from behind.
But the robber came from the front, and Thomas, who was walking at the back, was naturally protected by Thomas and Martha, who were eager to protect their son.
Bruce was also gathered around Thomas by his parents, looking dazed.
The robber reached for Thomas's money, then for Martha's pearl necklace. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he opened fire. He went all the way and killed the other adult as well.
The broken pearl fell to the ground.
Firing several shots with one hand causes significant recoil damage to the robber's hand, which is why four-year-old Thomas was able to use his skill to knock the gun down.
What happened next was exactly as Bruce had seen.
Now, only Bruce and Thomas are left alive in the alley.
There was one bullet left in the gun.
After going around in circles, we've come full circle.
The Wayne couple in this universe are still dead.
Is it inevitable that Night Owl or Batman will be born?
Isaiah Thomas despises these inevitabilities.
Perfect, we're still missing one child, there's one child missing underground.
In truth, whether he lived or died was irrelevant to Thomas, but he still raised his gun again and pointed it at himself.
Why? The reason isn't really important. Maybe he wanted to truly take control of his destiny, or maybe he was just fed up with the world.
Unsurprisingly, he was stopped by Bruce.
He was also promised that Thomas would not leave as long as Bruce needed him.
The air was thick with the stench of blood; his clothes were soaked through, clinging wetly to his body and gradually drawing away his warmth.
Bruce was crying behind him, and Thomas could easily feel his warm body trembling.
Thomas's wounds throbbed, but he didn't care. He just looked up at the Gotham sky.
There is no starlight. Gotham has no starlight today.
-
The two were taken back to Wayne Manor by Alfred, back to their home that had been cut in half.
Bruce is a real kid. He just lost his parents, almost lost his brother, and now he has to cover for his brother in front of the police and reporters. His mental and physical strength have reached their limit.
He nestled on the sofa, letting out intermittent sobs, and even in his sleep, he wouldn't let go of Thomas's hand.
Thomas sat quietly beside him, seemingly without any sadness or fear, as if nothing in the world concerned him.
He could clearly sense the fear that the police, reporters, and servants had towards him.
He made no attempt to hide his abnormality, and dealt with everyone with the same indifference as always.
Alfred dismissed the servants and took the first-aid kit to treat Thomas's abrasions on his leg and his dislocated right hand.
"Now can you tell me what exactly happened?"
Alfred cut off the clothes that were drying on Thomas and used them to clean his wounds.
Now that things have come to this point, there's no need for Thomas to hide anything anymore. Even if he didn't say anything, Alfred would probably guess what was going on.
Moreover, he also needs Alfred's assistance.
“I have witnessed their deaths.”
Alfred's subordinates remained motionless: "Who is the real culprit?"
"You and me."
Alfred stopped: "Excuse me?"
Alfred had initially thought the boy had some unusual experiences, but now he was starting to think that Thomas actually had some mental problems.
“You and me,” Thomas repeated, “Thomas Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth.”
A note from the author:
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Soybean flour rice cake sundae is so delicious.
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