In this AU the 'ra's' Bruce faced was an  partially exiled acolyte of the true demons head on a long mission.  Matches Malone was not able to kill himself. 

" Four men were like fathers to me after my biological one was gunned down with my mother in an alleyway.. Barry Allen and Oliver Queen tried to help me find closure over their passing by tracking down their killer and making sure he payed for his crimes, by the book in a cell.. But I wanted more than that after they entrusted me with their secrets. I wanted to become a hero, a symbol a legend like them..... Despite me repeatedly assisting them they refused to let me risk my life or let someone create a costume under their watch... despite their own children following their footsteps."

"But every few weeks, months I was tested.  I had to step up for my city making sure it wouldn't fall, acting as a savior... All because of the Monitor creating, twisted complicated challenges.. Turning friends into enemies..  I chose to interfere, relying the friends within Gotham to prepare myself. Going into overdrive, as I eventually inspired by a creature of the night, and told part of my destiny by one of Ra's al Ghul's followers, and an Arkham Asylum Inmate known only as Psycho Pirate." 

"I was stunned myself to learn during one of the yearly calamity's nicknamed crossover that I was essential to saving the Multiverse, the Paragon of Courage... As Batman I put up with one of the most selfish, short minded geniuses on earth, and visited half a dozen doomed earths. What I saw could have broke me but I rose above it trying to save as many earths as I could.. But when earth one was lost so was nearly every soul I knew. Selina, the only true love of my life, Alfred and Jim my other father figures.. And even Barbara Lee Gordon.... The Vanishing Point was my hell... But the restoration of the Multiverse, waking up in the manor was worth it..Only to discover the man who taught how to inspire fear, to fear a bow, a crossbow.. My greatest teacher in the forms of combat, languages, and loss Oliver Queen truly was gone for good..."

" I mourned with his city, his family and his team... I worried about Barry Allen despite him surviving the sacrifice he should have made... But I fear that he will ride the lightning for the last time in order to make sure there is any kind of a Speed Force."

" My name is Bruce Wayne and I'm going to protect not just this City but my own because of who I looked up to, because of the light they were.. And I am Batman."