Author: JoPo

Summary: An alternate ending to Only A Dream. Dr. Destiny and Batman face off, but Dr. Destiny doesn't heed Batman's warning.

Note: To those of you who are reading my other story Far Too Many Scars my Beta is putting the finishing touches on chapter 9, so expect that soon.

Enjoy.

Dr. Destiny smirked, "To bad you won't join me, looks like you're out of luck." Dr. Destiny lunged towards Batman who rolled under him and sprang back up. Dr. Destiny spun around and threw a punch, Batman was a second slow and was hit in the gut. Dr. Destiny took the opportunity and hit him again. Batman fell back into the stair railing, Dr. Destiny kicked him in the chest and sent him over the railing. On the way down Batman hit his head on a ledge and was knocked unconscious.

Dr. Destiny rushed down to his side and grinned wickedly. "Time to dream, let's see what your worst fears are." Dr. Destiny loomed over Batman and touched his head and closed his eyes in concentration.

After a moment Dr. Destiny's eyes shot open, "...wh...?" He looked at the awakening Batman.

Batman stood up, "I told you my mind wasn't a nice place."

"No one can defeat me!!" Dr. Destiny jumped towards Batman and grabbed his head once more.

–

"AHHHHHH! AHHHHHHH!" The screams echoed in the warehouse.

"What did you do to him?" Flash asked taking a step back from the screaming Dr. Destiny who was lying on the ground flailing around.

"Nothing, he brought this upon himself." Batman said.

"What do you mean he brought it upon himself?" Superman questioned.

Green Lantern nodded, "You don't just start screaming bloody murder for no reason." Batman watched as Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman helped strap Dr. Destiny and his waving limbs to a stretcher, while J'onn tried to reach the man's mind to calm him.

After the medical team left Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman joined the group. "Did you find what was wrong J'onn?" Hawkgirl asked.

"No. His mind is full of horrible, unfocused thoughts and I couldn't penetrate his defenses, I would have helped him if I could have, I believe he will have the same fate as his ex if his nightmares don't stop." J'onn explained.

"What happened?" Wonder Woman asked Batman. They all turned to the dark knight.

Batman hunched his shoulders so his cape fell over him hiding the kevlar beneath, "I warned him."

"About...?" Flash asked.

Hunching his shoulders even more, Batman's voice was cold and hard as ever, "My mind isn't a nice place, but he had to find out for himself." Superman laid a hand on Batman's shoulder, but he shrugged it off, "I have to go enter this into the database," and with that he left soundlessly.

"His mind did that to Dr. Destiny?" Flash asked fear evident in his voice.

"Yes." J'onn confirmed, they glanced at the martian and gave him questioning looks. "I have never been in his mind, and never will for that same purpose. Batman's mind is a dangerous place filled with horrible memories and pain that would drive any normal man to insanity."

End.

Note: Please review I'd like to know what you though of this short fic, helpful criticism welcomed.