[Western Crossover] Please Tell the World Goodnight: Old Version

"What do you want to do when you grow up, Heidi?" His parents once asked Hyde this question, back when he still didn't understand the world. Back then, he was a hapless child whose mutant ability had manifested too early. He'd been forced into a state of self-isolation, unable to see things clearly and only able to make out a blurry, pixelated world. But after his parents specially trained him to understand how to answer questions about something called a dream, he thought for a while and then looked at those two bright lights as he answered: "I want to change the world." "That sounds like a wonderful dream. Do you want to create a whole new world, like discovering a new continent? It sounds like everything around us would suddenly open up and become brighter, Heidi." As always, Sally Mom encouraged Hyde with a hug and a kiss, as if she approved of every word he said. And she meant it. "Daddy can't wait to see our little Heidi make that happen. When the time comes, will our little genius take Daddy along to the new world?" Sully Dad chimed in with Sally Mom, just as sincere. Sincere in deceiving a child into thinking he had a great dream, and could make it come true. By all rights, he shouldn't have noticed. "I hate Daddy." But Hyde seemed to realize something. He blinked, reached out toward the other, softer light, and buried his face in it, receiving a hug that smelled of pastries. "Huh? Heidi, little Heidi, why do you hate Daddy?" Daddy hadn't expected that answer at all. Surprised, confused, and flustered, he began appealing to Sally Mom for help. "It's okay to hate Daddy. Mommy's little Heidi has every right to hate anyone he doesn't like." But Mom only smiled slyly, held little Hyde close, and kissed his cheek, dealing Sully Dad a crushing blow... "Wait, Sally..." "Because Daddy's an idiot." "Daddy's really smart, little Heidi. If you don't believe me, I can build a castle with you." "Daddy's an idiot!" "Little Heidi!?" Everyone laughed and played around together. And now. "What do you want to do from now on, Hyde?" Timothy Drake leaned against the corner, covered in blood, and turned to ask him the same question, his eyes burning with fire. They had just made a desperate escape, risking their lives and sacrificing everything. Betrayed by the person they trusted most, they'd all been caught off guard and rounded up. As they ran toward an escape route prepared in secret from everyone else, this former Robin, the one most like a detective, had taken several bullets for him. Half the knife's handle was still embedded in him. "Me?" Hyde simply answered with a puzzled question. He was in no better shape, his hair faded on one side, half gold and half black, tousled across his forehead, ears, and neck. This hero had been meant to send him down the one path to hope. But Hyde didn't know what piece of information in his head had knocked the main system off course. He'd actually turned back to scoop him up and run, badly damaging his two main "legs" in the process. When he'd used his left hand to block a knife thrust, the tendons in it had nearly been severed. Now only his right hand remained, barely able to carry his equally battered partner as they continued to flee. He tried to gather his wits. He thought that if Timothy had the strength to ask that question, he could use it to rest a little longer instead. Still, he let himself go limp and lay flat on the ground, thought for a moment, then gave this answer: "Get off work early." Once I've dragged this world, full of nothing but lunatics and madmen, down with me, I can clock out. Theme: Overcoming life's hardships and setbacks