Prime Universe Bruce: Is Barbatos a Dog?

How did things go so terribly wrong?

Why don't I tell you?

Sometimes, the truly helpless parts didn't even come from some malicious mastermind's careful planning. They simply happened naturally, like flames often being born on a hot, dry summer afternoon, followed by...

A wildfire sweeping across the plains.

The Over-Time Stream grew weak...

The World Forger had never been more delighted to feel it.

After years of weakening, scheming, and futile effort, ever since a Batman defied the fate of the Dark Multiverse, the Over-Time Stream had finally weakened to the point where it could no longer steer the outcome toward [Hero Success].

Of course... of course...

The World Forger still needed to interfere.

Prime Universe.

Bruce Wayne, Batman, began to dream, and dreams often cared for prophecy.

He dreamed of the Joker again... but not the Joker who had fought him for so long before they perished together. This was the one from much earlier... older, and more evil.

(Note: The Joker and Batman dying together refers to Batman: Endgame from the end of the New 52 era. After that, the Joker was absent for a long time.)

He saw the giant dragon that had once appeared in his dreams... the Dark Multiverse Dragon.

He screamed and roared, losing out by a narrow margin in the struggle where monsters tore into one another. He lay in wait, diving deep into the ocean like a fish.

He remained deep and dark, but Bruce felt only a chill run through him.

He saw the Black Death Emperor. He saw countless planes and universes struggling and wailing in the palm of that green giant... Even in his dream, Bruce Wayne was deeply struck by that enormous skull-like face... It was Brainiac.

He forced his eyes wide open. Even in the dream,