#Jason is trained there and upon his arrival back to Gotham makes one thing clear: he will keep the innocent people safe at any cost.

[sophiasrant]

JASON TODD PROPAGANDA

The Batman we know and love today is where he is in part because of Jason. Jason Todd was Batman’s second adopted son and (by fan request) was kidnapped, tortured, and ended up dying in Batman’s arms bc Batman was a second too late to save Jason from the Joker exploding the building he was in. It made Batman vengeful and violent. Jason was a good student, a good person, and a great robin. His goal in life was to help people and that’s what he did. An innocent kid who died for Batman’s cause. And that haunts Bruce to this day.

Batman spiraled and nearly killed the joker and broke the no-killing rule, a central part of Batman’s character. Bruce makes it clear that if he starts killing, the line will continue to move and he won’t stop. Superman and co. stop Batman from killing the joker, a new robin (who came into the role against Bruce’s will to help Bruce cope) takes up the mantle, and Batman continues his regular Batman activities with the looming weight of the loss of his son over his head.

Forgot to mention the part where Bruce hangs up his dead son’s bloody robin suit in the cave so he has to see it every day and remind himself. Also forgot to mention that Jason was FIFTEEN was he was kidnapped, tortured, blown up, and died in his adoptive father’s arms.

Haunting the Narrative Round 2 Side B

Haunting the narrative means that the character’s absence heavily impacts the plot. They’re not present or active in the story when their influence is most strongly felt, whether they’re alive or dead!

[remakethestars]

Being Batman’s Daughter Would Include:

Headcanons.

❝Listen, Robin. At their core, people are cowardly and self-serving. Trust no one until you know them. And even then, never completely.❞

— Bruce Wayne, “The Lesson Plan”

TRIGGER WARNING: Plant murder. Mentions of drugs/tranqs (stopping dealers), violence/physical harm, broken bones (knee cap), limb dislocation (shoulder), (Jason’s) death, smoke, waterboarding/drowning?

Headcanon masterlist.

You know how every teenager has that paradigm shift because as much as they love the people around them, they’ll never know the inner workings of your psyche? And they realize they’ll never truly be known? And it makes them feel really lonely?

Yeah, you never come to feel like that because you know Bruce digs so far into everyone around him he probably knows you better than you do.

Honestly, he probably reads your diary. At least, he reads the fake one you hide under your mattress. And the second decoy in the A.C. vent above your dresser.

If you’re as paranoid as Bruce, you probably don’t have a diary, and the aforementioned “decoys” are just to mess with him.

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War was practically your Bible growing up.

You’re torn between giving yourself the tactical advantage of being underestimated & being non-reactive, which — besides giving you the lioness role in the lion–gazelle dynamic — gives you the advantage of having time to think carefully on the repercussions before speaking.

Because, as Sun Tzu said in chapter seven, verse twenty-one, “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”

Seeing as Bruce and Damian both have eidetic memories, I’m guessing you do too. 

Which means you totally read the dictionary when you were young and whip our big words nobody’s heard of.

Bruce always assured you it’s okay to be scared. As a matter of fact, like he told Dick (seen in flashbacks in “The Lesson Plan”), he taught you to “Let terror embrace you. The better you know fear, the better you can use it against others.”

And we all know Bruce is the paragon of using fear against people.

Take that, Scarecrow!

(See, I chose that gif because earlier in that move, he displays a fear of bats, & in that scene, he summons them to use as a distraction and walks through them completely unperturbed. No? Okay, I’ll see myself out.)

You started into the vigilante business young, a little bulge under the back of Batman’s cape that made the rest of the Justice League in the meeting think Bruce was host to an alien parasite until your little mask-covered eyes poked up over his shoulder.

The League’s known you since you were young, so they kind of all see you as their niece. That just quadruples the amount of people who are overprotective of you.

Eventually, in your tweens, you think enough’s enough and start out on your own — being underestimated may be an advantage, but it’s getting ridiculous — and you tackle unsolved cases.

You set up various safe houses around the world for your own disposal (using the zeta tubes) and anyone who sees the inside of one in an emergency is always surprised. You don’t really understand why; what serious vigilante doesn’t have secure, state-of-the-art safe locations scattered across the planet?

Sometimes, it gets you into danger, but you always get yourself out of it. If there ever comes a time you can’t, well, you’ve got a direct link to Batman, and if communications fail, you can always yell for your Uncle Clark at the top of your lungs.

If the latter ever comes to fruition, you ask Bruce if he’s disappointed you had to call for back-up or that you called Superman instead of Batman, and he says, “It takes a strong person to admit when they’re weak, [Y/N]; if anything, I’m proud of you. Besides … you’re not the only one who yells for Uncle Clark when they get in over their head.”

Your training entailed hacking and mechanics, so you like to fix computers and sell them on the internet Hugh Jeffreys style. It started out with Macs from the dumpster behind Gotham Academy and turned into a surprising side hustle. Large portions of your profits go into either savings or funding your extracurricular activities. 

You’re using a MacBook that’s running Linux and an iPhone 4 that’s running your own program. 

At some point, your phone falls into the wrong hands, and someone asks why it has such high security. You deadpan and say, “I have three older brothers.” No further explanation required.

One such solo case led you to a ring of drug dealers working in a small town outside of Gotham. You made some tranquillizers and heavy-duty smoke bombs and busted out your shinobi-iri training.

After sliding on a mask covering the bottom half of your face that filtered out smoke, you set all of the bombs off at once in the ventilation system, filling the building and using the infrared in your domino mask to sedate everyone before the cops arrived so no one got hurt (because there would inevitably be a firefight if the cops got involved).

You never go into a situation expecting to go hand-to-hand with someone; you always have a plan to take our your targets quickly an efficiently.

One night, when you’re working on a cold case in Gotham, you stumble across some intel that Poison Ivy’s been stockpiling chemicals and is going to wipe out all human life on Earth.

Luckily for you, Bruce’s paranoia is hereditary; you just happen to carry some white kryptonite in your belt, so you won’t have to go all the way back to the cave to obtain some.

You type out a quick debrief on your wrist computer in case you end up needing to send out an S.O.S., pop on your bottom mask to filter out spores or pheromones she might send in your direction, and bust out your shinobi-iri training again.

Of course, you try the peaceful approach, explaining to Ivy that you agree with her on the tree-hugger front to build rapport (T.B.F., who doesn’t?), but it comes to physical confrontation. You kill every vine that comes your way with a quick punch from your kryptonite ring, toss an expanding polyurethane foam bomb (see Batgirl #38) at her feet, and manage to get an inhibitor collar on her.

Gordon takes her away, and by the next morning, it’s on the news.

“You took down Ivy by yourself?” Bruce asks when you come down for breakfast.

“… Yeah,” you say after a moment, expecting a tongue-lashing.

“Are you hurt?”

“No. She didn’t get a hit in. And before you ask, I had a contingency set up in case things went sideways.”

“… Good job.”

Your dad has the article framed in the batcave, which is the bat-equivalent of having your drawing on the fridge or getting a sticker back on a test.

You’re fighting a grin for the rest of the day.

It bugs you you can’t tell anyone why you’re so happy, so you visit Dick in Blüdhaven while he’s on patrol and give him a play-by-play. You even get a hair-ruffle!

Deathstroke targets you at some point. One of Batman and Nightwing’s worst villains, and he targets you because he knows they love you. You’re the smallest bat at the time, the weakest; he thinks you’ll be the easiest to take.

Boy, was he wrong.

He was trained by the League of Assassins, so you know dropping a smoke bomb’s not going to give you cover (and his mask probably has infrared). His brain processes faster than yours, so tricking him is improbable. He’s probably done enough research on you to know you favor foam bombs and has fast enough reflexes to dodge before they go off.

And he’s jammed your comms so you can’t call for backup. You’re worried he’s got kryptonite on him and will hurt Superman if you call for help.

It’s just you and him.

He has enhanced stamina, so he tries to wear you out. You maintain distance to avoid taking damage and wearing faster.

You always admired Tim for his ability to plan ahead (see, like, the entirety of the Red Robin comics). He doesn’t know how he does it; he just does. He can’t really teach you, so you just watch and learn.

You realize your fight with Slade is just a matter of managing the distance and immobilizing him, so you strike. You duck behind a pillar or grab onto a railing or something and shoot him through the thigh with your grappling gun, reeling him in. He, of course, draws his sword or a knife to cut the line, but you’re already throwing high-density expanding polyurethane bombs.

And, just like that, you’ve single-handedly taken Deathstroke.

It sends a clear message to the rest of the Gotham villains, Blüdhaven’s villains, the League of Assassins — don’t mess with the bat’s little girl. She can hold her own.

Now it’s time for you to come up with another plan to take him down; you doubt the same method will work twice, and you’ve just made a very powerful enemy.

As Wonder Woman’s said, “Do not mistake a desire to avoid violence for an inability to deal with it.” You might go into most situations with a plan to take down your opponent already in motion, but when it comes to an all-out brawl, you’re perfectly capable and don’t pull your punches.

You’re working on an unsolved case in Blüdhaven (Dick’s got enough on his plate) when you get an S.O.S. from the aforementioned along with the feed and recording from his mask. You listen to the mission briefing while you ride back to the cave and then the audio from the Young Justice mission. They got jumped by the League of Shadows in an abandoned factory, and Talia’s trying to coerce Damian into joining the League or whatever.

The usual dropping some smoke bombs and tranqing everyone isn’t going to work on thirty armed League assassins who were trained to fight blind, so you load up on polyurethane foam bombs and call Jason and Cassandra.

The three of you take out the guards outside before splitting up and taking either end of the building (Cass stays with you). You meet in the middle, in the room the team’s being held in.

You highjacked the speakers, so they’re blasting AC/DC’s “Shoot to Thrill” upon Jason’s insistence. You wanted Zayde Wølf or Alice Cooper’s “Hey, Stoopid,” but big brothers will be big brothers.

Jason pops them with rubber bullets from above to slow them down for you while Cass demolishes them and you drop foam bombs, slinging your signature custom shuriken, bonk them over the head with Tim’s staff you picked up along the way, dislocate their arms, or shatter their kneecaps. 

You and Jason get a couple slices from swords that got a little too close, but it’s nothing compared to what you’ve had before. 

When the fighting’s done and the building’s quiet, the team’s, like, “Who the heck are you guys?” 

And Dick’s, like, 😏 “They’re our siblings.” 

Speaking of siblings, you’re older than Damian, and as such, you take upon yourself the honor of teaching him all things pop-culture.

“I have a lot of amazing older siblings. I want to be a good big sister.”

First things first, you give him one of your refurbished e-waste phones and take him to Target to pick out an OtterBox or a LifeProof case or something that’ll keep it safe in the pocket of a vigilante.

Vigilantes are always coming to you when their phone’s broken anyway; you’ve got a stack of spares you’ve repaired.

Then you help him set up a Spotify account (follow me at @remakethestars 😉) and try to help him find his rhythm.

Poor child’s never had Oreos before, so you drag a pack of Double Stuffs out of the cabinet and a glass of milk and show him the best milk-dunking method you know.

You think about handing him a cookie and telling him to waterboard it until the bubbles stop coming up, but cookie-dunking is something every kid does; it’s sacred, and you don’t want him to associate it with violence.

You show him how you and Alfred feed the bats in the batcave.

And you show him Vine compilations and your favorite shows and movies and as many classics as you can, and you put up with him pointing out the inaccuracies and calling them stupid.

Every time he doesn’t get a reference, you write it down so you know what to show him later.

If anything ever happens to you, Damian finds your list and makes it his personal mission to watch/read everything on it. It makes him feel close to you.

You build a relationship with him that’s similar to his and Dick’s, and he comes to you with things he might not be able to come to anyone else with.

Plus, since you live in the manor still and he doesn’t want Bruce to think less of him, it’s you he comes to after a nightmare.

If you know Alfred has pictures of him curled up in your side, you ask him to send them to you. Not for blackmail purposes; just to have.

You’d never use the need of comfort or the sharing of emotions against him because (A) it’s perpetuating toxic masculinity and (B) you don’t want him to think it’s wrong or confirm any of the stupid “strength” things the League of Shadows taught him.

You gave him a stuffed cat that looks like Alfred (the cat, not the butler) with some of your perfume spritzed on it. He verbalized his revulsion when you gave it to him, but on nights he has a bad dream and you’re not home, it brings him comfort.

Titus comes to get you when Damian’s upset. 

Even when he’s not with Damian, he seems to know. Pets are like that.

You’ve learned to trust Titus’s instincts. Damian thinks it’s suspicious when he’s feeling down and you just happen to call.

You never realized it until a long time later, but Ace was acting weird the day Jason came back from the dead.

And he was acting weird the day Jason came back to Gotham too. He ran to the door and began barking. Alfred swept security, but nothing seemed to be off. The whole family was on edge that day.

You were the reason Jason knew he wasn’t completely forgotten; he spotted you through a café window, and you were wearing his jacket.

Visit my headcanon masterlist.

[highonchocolate]

Take Two: The Guardian in Gotham Chapter 3

First   Previous   Next   Ao3

Bruce sat at the head of the long oak dining table and waited for his children to make their way into the room for dinner. They came in as a staggered group; Jason arguing about some novel with Dick while Tim and Damian brought up the back as they discussed their patrol routes for the night. After Alfred and Damian helped serve the food, Bruce cleared his throat pointedly and waited for everyone to pay attention. 

Once everyone had looked up from their discussions he spoke. “Alfred has a friend named Gina; and she had called this evening to see if her granddaughter could stay with us. She lives in Paris; but her classmates were bullying her and her parents thought a change of scenery would do her some good. I have agreed to let her stay with us in the Manor.” Even before he had finished speaking the table erupted with different questions from his children.

“Bruce are you sure this is wise?” Tim questioned over Dick’s ecstatic squealing (“I’ve always wanted a little sister!!!”), and Jason’s grumbling (“Shut the fuck up Dickhead. I don’t know why the fuck B is bringing someone into this house to live with this dysfunctional family.”). Ignoring his siblings; he pressed on “I mean, how are we going to hide Batman and the vigilante stuff from her?” As Bruce paused to answer Damian stood up and scowled. “Tt. This is a moronic decision. Inform me of when this girl is to arrive and inform  her to stay out of my way.” He lifted his chin and crossed his arms before marching out of the room.

After Damian’s outburst, Jason looked over from where he was arguing with Dick and added his input “Timbo’s right, B. How are we going to hide that from her?” 

“We’ll have to make sure at least two of you remain in the manor each night so that she doesn’t get too suspicious.” He answered. “Now, the only reason I agreed to letting her stay here was namely for Alfred, and also because of what her classmates did to her” 

“What do you mean, Bruce?” Dick questioned. “Did they like assault her or something?”

“Or something” He responded grimly before sending the photo to all three of them. 

As they looked at the photo, he observed their reactions to the image. Dick was not smiling for once, and his sunny blue eyes had darkened to an icy frost. His whole body was tense; and his jaw was so clenched his teeth were grinding together. Jason was standing up with two guns locked and loaded in his hands. He had also managed to procure a knife from somewhere, which appeared as he leant forward and asked “What were the names of the people who did this again?” in a completely lethal tone. Tim, already hacking away at his computer responded “Not there yet, but from what I can find out, she goes to College Francois DuPont and she’s fifteen.” He briefly looked up and made eye contact with Bruce before asking “How fast do you think we can get our lawyers onto those kids B?” At the declarations of his children, Bruce closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “We can not file any lawsuits yet, not without Marinette’s permission.” He answered, sighing tiredly. “Marinette?” Dick questioned. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” Tim responded instantly. “That’s her name.” 

“She will be coming on Monday, and Alfred will be picking her up from the airport. She is also going to attend GA, so someone please tell Damian.” Bruce said as he stood from the table. “Now hurry up, we have patrol tonight, and there have been rumors about a drug ring near Crime Alley.”

---

After coming back from the hospital and having a sleepover Thursday night, Chloé and Adrien were completely sleep-deprived as they trudged into school the next morning. Settling into her usual seat beside Sabrina, Chloé silently thanked all the Kwami that she didn’t have to sit next to Lila. Halfway though class, Mrs. Bustier suddenly frowned and looked at the back row. “Does anyone know where Marinette is? She still hasn’t arrived yet!”

“Probably still sleeping at home! She’ll come in completely late as usual!” Alya cackled. At her words, Chloé felt her entire body heat up with righteous indignity. She opened her mouth to tell that wannabe tabloid reporter to get her facts straight, but then Adrien caught her eye and shook his head. He then pointed at his phone, and mimed unlocking it before pointing to her. Catching the hint, she checked her messages to see that Marinette had sent them a text.

FashionableBug: Mari said to tell Chloé and Adrien not to do anything to Lila or anyone else that starts making stuff up. (From Luka btw)

You’reUnderAgreste: Me-ouch, My Lady. I would never!

QueenofMean: shut it with the puns, Noir. Maribug, I will only listen to you because you’re injured and I’m not going to go against your wishes.

Putting her phone away, Chloé resigned herself to a miserable school day. 

---

After school, she walked into Marinette’s room and flopped dramatically onto the chaise, before letting out a long groan.

“That bad?” Mari chuckled as she scribbled sketched one-handedly in her design notebook. 

“You have no idea.” Chloé responded. 

Their conversation continued into mundane things, such as everyone’s patrol routes, and various theories on who Hawkmoth was. Totally normal topics for teenagers. As the day drew to a close, they made plans for everyone to come over to start packing the next day before Chloé left the bakery and headed home.

---

Come Saturday, Marinette, Chloé and Luka spent the morning playing board games one handed “to level the playing field” as Luka put it and eating lots of cookies and pastries-provided by Marinette’s parents of course. Adrien and Kagami were attending their various classes until afternoon, so the remaining three spent their time relaxing, and coming up with a list of things to pack for Mari’s stay in Gotham. Two o’ clock rolled around, and the bells over the bakery jingled to announce the arrival of the final members of the packing committee.  

Any plans to begin their assignment of somehow fitting all Marinette’s fabrics into the suitcase were cut short by an Akuma. 

They all transformed, even though Kagami and Luka has been  extremely reluctant to let Mari go even though the suit temporarily healed her injuries. Climbing through her roof hatch, they set out across the rooftops to defeat their latest villain.

---

Five hours later, the teen heroes dropped into her room, and detransformed in various flashes of multicolored lights. They collapsed onto the bed and chairs and silently agreed to just  sleep , and get the packing done the next day.

---

All of Sunday was spent throwing various clothes and accessories into Mari’s pink and black suitcase. There were several sweaters and hoodies (added by Chloé), as well as several leggings and many thick pajama pants (Sabine).

Adrien (with the help of Tom) had somehow managed to pack over ten different pun-covered t-shirts, and by the time they were discovered, they had been buried under piles upon piles of fluffy socks from Kagami. Luka also threw in some scarves before Marinette added some toiletries, her sewing kit, and her computer.

Picking up the backpack she had decided to use as a carry-on, Marinette rifled through it to make sure she had everything in there as well.

Spare change of clothes in case she loses her suitcase? Check. Phone, headphones, and charger? Check. Sketchbook and pencils? Check. Disguised Miracle Box? Check.

She turned to her family (Not her teammates, not her friends, but her family.) and smiled. It was small, and bittersweet, but it was a smile. “Alright guys, I guess I’m all set.” She said, before joining them all in a group hug. They offered her soft, tearful smiles before Tom carried her big suitcase down the stairs. 

That night, Marinette fell asleep surrounded by all the people she loved, and she couldn’t have been happier.

---

The next day, her Papa carried her downstairs and placed her into her wheelchair (since she had a broken foot, and couldn’t use her leg, they had given her a wheelchair) before wheeling her outside and placing her into the car waiting by the street. 

Her friends were all inside, and she gripped Adrien’s hand tightly as they drove to the airport. 

As she stood to board the plane, she turned back to catch one last glimpse of them all. Chloé was leaning into Kagami’s side who was holding her girlfriend’s hand tightly. Adrien was waving wildly, and Luka and her parents all raised one hand in farewell. Her Maman and Papa has some red rimming their eyes, but they smiled at her as she was wheeled into the plane. Next stop: Gotham, New Jersey.

Since her flight left Paris at 10 AM, she was set to arrive in Gotham at around 12 PM/noon. With that in mind, she decided to stay awake for the entire flight so that her body could adjust better. 

As they crossed the Atlantic, Marinette, sitting in first class thanks to Chloé and Adrien’s combined nagging; popped her earbuds in, and began to sketch. 

She stared out the window as she touched down, shocked by all the dog and darkness in the city. As she collected her bags, and wheeled her way outside to look for her host family, she couldn’t help but notice how everyone in this city was much more on edge than most normal people. ‘They act as though they are expecting an attack at any second of the day.’ She mused to herself. Her train of thought was cut off by the sight of an elderly man with a powerful aura standing next to a limo with a sign saying “Marinette Dupain-Cheng”. She wheeled her way over to him and smiled brightly. “Salut! My name is Marinette! What is yours, Monsieur!” She questioned, holding out her hand for a handshake.

“It’s lovely to meet you Miss Marinette, my name is Alfred Pennyworth.” Alfred responded, smiling gently down at her. “Now let’s get you and your bags in the car, shall we?” He reaches out to shake her hand, and the moment their fingers touched her vision was filled with dark blue and red. She laughed and smiled up at him. “It is an honor to meet you, noble Peacock.” She greeted him in the Guardian language, honoring his position as a True Holder. “And it is an honor to meet you as well, Ladybug.” He answered. She grinned and allowed him to help her into the back of the limo before he climbed into the driver's seat and they sped off to Wayne Manor. 

---

When he saw the young girl, Alfred was shocked to say the least. She was roughly 5’ 4” (162.5 cm), and was very petite. Her stature, combined with her wheelchair, wrist brace, and the cast on her leg, all strengthened his resolve to protect the young girl from any further harm. That was only intensified when their auras recognized each other. How could anyone place the responsibility of upholding balance on such a young child? 

As he drove to the Manor, she informed him that the Cat, Bee, Dragon and Snake were active on her team. Before he could ask her what the threat they were battling was, they had arrived at the Manor, and she had immediately tensed and gone silent.

Deciding that it was better to ask more questions later, he got out of the car to retrieve her bags and chair. Master Bruce and three of his children except for Master Damian were waiting in front of the doors to the Manor, and they all waited patiently for her as she exited the car. 

---

Marinette was nervous. Sure, taking to Monsieur Alfred was really fun, and she couldn’t wait to tell him more about Paris, but now she was meeting her actual host family! What if they didn’t like her? What if they decided to send her back?! Then what would she do?? A small cough interrupted her downward spiral, and she looked up from her lap to see Monsieur Alfred waiting in front of the open door with her wheelchair. Grabbing her backpack, she awkwardly maneuvered herself into the chair and allowed herself to be wheeled out in front so she could meet Monsieur Bruce Wayne.

---

Note: Alfred doesn’t know that Marinette is the Guardian. He just knows she’s a Ladybug holder.

[awhitehead17]

Whumptober 2020: Day 5 - Where do you think you’re going? 

Prompt: On the run

Summary: When a bunch of thugs crash a gala, Tim and Damian find themselves running through corridors to escape them. It would be easy if they didn’t have different opinions on how to handle the matter. 

Enjoy! :D

“There is no reason for us to continue running Drake! We are more than capable of defeating three idiots with guns.”

Tim huffs in annoyance, that’s the fourth time Damian’s brought up the three men chasing after them with guns in less than 5 minutes.

Yes, they can in fact handle three idiots with guns. Yes, there was in fact a reason on why they had to continue running. 

Just over five minutes prior Tim had been having a normal night. The evening started out with him, Bruce and Damian all attending a charity gala in the heart of Gotham at a hotel, they didn’t want to go but being public figures meant that they needed make the appearance. As the three of them attended the gala, the rest of the family were on patrol duty as they wouldn’t be available.

Tim had been sipping a small glass of champagne, laughing without humour at dull stories by Gotham’s elite’s and counting down how long he had left until he could go back home, collapse on his bed and curl up in his blanket.

His night took an unexpected turn once he excused himself and went to the bathroom. He did his business but upon returning back to the function hall where the gala was, he found a handful of thugs with guns forcing everyone to their knees and barking out orders and threats. From where he had been standing, Tim couldn’t see Bruce, he didn’t know how the man wanted to play this. There’s no doubt about it, he’s already alerted Dick and Jason about what’s going on as soon as the thugs entered the room.

Just as Tim was about to make a disappearance act, he had been spotted. They shouted at him but in a spontaneous decision, he bolted. The thugs cursed and Tim could hear them instantly run after him. Tim sprinted down a corridor before turning onto another one, trying to make as much space between him and his pursuers as possible. It was a few moments later gun shots could be heard, Tim instinctively covers his head but doesn’t stop running.

He finds a stairwell and scrambles up the stairs to the next floor. The hotel was huge, surely there’ll be an easy way to lose them. It was on the next floor where he unexpectantly bumps into Damian. The boy had just strolled out one of the rooms when Tim came crashing onto the corridor.

Damian simply watches him with a look of something close to disgust as Tim does his best to avoid crashing into him. They stare at one another in question for a few beats.

Tim breaks the silence first. “What the hell you are doing up here brat?”

Damian narrows his eyes and glares at Tim. “I could ask you the same question Drake.”

Tim opens his mouth to retort however he doesn’t get the chance to because the door he burst through moments ago slams open and reveals the men he had been running from.

“There!” They point their guns at the two of them and open fire. Tim and Damian both duck the bullets and scramble away with Tim shouting, “That's why I’m up here!”

The two of them run together through the floors of the building trying to get away from their pursuers. Throughout that time Damian repeatedly brings up about fighting them, when he brings it up a fifth time, Tim’s had enough.

They’ve been running continuously for far too long and it’s only a matter of time until one of them gets hits by a stray bullet. They’re lucky they haven’t been hit yet, but Tim knows their luck is wearing thin.

When they get onto the next floor Tim makes a decision and stops running, he grabs the back of Damian’s suit and drags him into a small closet. It wasn’t ideal but they couldn’t keep on running forever. The closet had shelves lining two walls which were stacked with towels but other than that it was empty. The door in front of them was solid with no way to look in or out, the only gap it offered was the tiny one at the bottom where the door doesn’t quite reach the floor.

“Why are we hiding? Hiding is for cowards, we can fight them and take them out.” Damian scoffs after a few moments of silence.

Tim takes a deep breath in attempts to control his anger before turning to face his brother behind him. “We can’t fight them because right now we’re not vigilantes. Instead we’re Wayne's, who don’t know how to fight.”

Damian scowls, “Tt. This is a disgrace to the family name!”

Tim opens his mouth to retort but commotion coming from outside of the closet they’re in gets his attention instead. Though it’s slightly muffled, there’s no mistaking it that the noise was their pursuers, they were being incredibly loud and obnoxious as they make their way through the corridors. Tim holds his breath and prays they simply walk past this closet.

“Hiding in a closet is dishonourable and I will not stand for this!”

Suddenly Tim is shoved out of the way as Damian barges pat him and towards the door. Just outside of the closet the men were getting louder meaning they were getting closer. There’s no way Tim could let Damian jump out of the closet, it would end terribly for them whether they get out of the situation injured or not. There was just too much at risk.

As Damian reaches for the door, Tim lunges forward and grabs the collar of his suit. He yanks Damian towards him and wraps his arms around the kid, slapping a hand over his mouth and using his other arm to restrain him.

Damian thrashes in his hold, trying to fight him to get free but Tim simply holds him tighter. Just before the kid could make any noise, Tim ducks his head so he could talk into Damian’s ear.

At a low, hushed whisper he hisses, “If you make a sound, we’re good as dead. If they open that door we have nowhere to run or hide. We’re Wayne’s right now and we don’t know how to fight, we’re vulnerable rich civilians, if we were in our suits then yes we could take them.

Use your brain Damian. We are not in a position to fight. No doubt about it that Dick and Jason are on their way here now. Do not put us in a jeopardising position because you couldn’t handle the idea of ‘looking weaker’.”

Once he was done talking Tim stays silent, glaring at the side of Damian’s head and waits for him to do something. It looks like he’s using his common sense because the kid stays silent, not even making a peep to argue against Tim’s words. Tim removes the hand from Damian’s mouth but keeps the restrictive hold on him.

From outside the closet the men could be heard stomping past their location and down the corridor. Tim doesn’t let Damian go until he’s absolutely certain they’ve disappeared, when he does finally let the boy go, he pushes Damian behind him and goes to the door, gently pushing it open enough so he could peek out into the corridor. Sure enough the coast was clear. Tim opens the door wider and gestures to Damian.

“Come on, lets go find a computer and work out what’s going on while we wait for the others to arrive.”

Without waiting for the kid, Tim starts heading down the corridor where they originally came from. he gets a few feet ahead when he’s called for.

“Drake.” Tim stops and turns around, he watches as Damian strides to meet him and as he carries on past him, Tim quickly continues to walk to meet his pace. “I realise that my actions were irrational and not thought through at all.”

Tim looks down at him with surprise. He hadn’t been expecting that, however that seems to be all that Damian was offering up because he doesn’t elaborate.

They get to the end of the corridor and together they start making their way down the stairs, staying alert for any potential thugs lingering around. Tim takes the lead on the stairs as he does he glances over his shoulder at Damian behind him.

“I know it’s hard Damian. Trust me, I do know. It takes every inch of your willpower to stop yourself from lashing out at the nearest guy with a gun, fully knowing you can take him out in a heartbeat. It’s impossible to just stand by, to act scared and pretend everything you train for day in and day out doesn’t exist. But we do it because it protects us, it protects our family and everyone we know who aren’t in the capes community. Us especially, have an image to maintain where our secret is the most important thing to keep.”

Tim takes a deep breath and very pointedly keeps his gaze ahead of him. “I’m proud you choose to stand by, it was a mature decision to make. Bruce and Dick will be proud too.”

There was silence behind him, not that Tim had been expecting Damian to respond to him. There was a lot of emotion packed into that speech, a lot more than Tim would rather there be but it’s all true.

Eventually Damian seems to want to respond because a couple floors later he says, “Thank you Drake. Both father and Grayson have been trying to help me understand why it’s important that we maintain a public image despite how infuriating it is. You have also helped that knowledge come along.”

Tim doesn’t say anything to that. He doesn’t really know what to say. Damian was thanking him, Christ the world must be ending.

“Now get a move on Drake, we’re wasting time when we could be making ourselves much more useful, even in these personas we play.”

That makes Tim grin, it’s something he can easily agree to. “Let’s go.”

[iamtheotherdarkknight]

Make Right (BruDick RP)

In Response to “It’s Killing Him” 

@notyouraveragedickgrayson

If Bruce had to choose a moment when things really started to fall apart, he’d say was the day he pulled Jason’s still, broken body from the rubble of that abandoned warehouse. That surreal, numbness lifting as Bruce peeled away Jason’s mask to see his face for the last time.

That’s when the pain really hit him.

It was just like watching his mother and father bleed out in an alley - except it hurt so much worse. Maybe it was because parents aren’t supposed to outlive their children… And blood or no blood, Jason was his first child.

Watching strangers lower his boy – his son – into the ground that day is what finally broke him. By the end of the funeral service, it was just him and Alfred. Like it’s always been. And perhaps that has been Bruce’s mistake – maybe this is the way things were supposed to be. Maybe this cruel act was the universe’s way of reminding him of his place. It didn’t matter how long he trained, how much he learned or how many resources he devoted to his mission, he had to walk this path in solitude. ‘… or else…’

That night, Bruce stopped fighting the darkness - the Batman consumed him.

The carnage that followed Jason’s death couldn’t be called justice. Just needless bloodshed that falling short of killing. Violence that knew no shame. Batman wanted the Joker and he didn’t care what he had to do to get him. Batman had to make him hurt the way Bruce hurt. Torture him the way he tortured Jason. And the darkness only crept in further the longer Joker hid. There was nothing left to separate Bruce from the Bat anymore, no anchor. Just all-encompassing rage and an empty pain he prayed never went away. He needed that ache more than he needed food or air; it was the only thing getting him out of bed anymore.

Bruce couldn’t blame Dick for staying away. He deserved better than an emotionally crippled, hypocrite. How could he dare hold Dick accountable for his actions towards Zucco? Bruce knew full well what would happen when he finally found Joker. Arkham wasn’t enough. Blackgate wasn’t enough. Bruce knew that, and still couldn’t stop himself. That was until a young Timothy Jackson Drake appeared at his door, venti Americano in one hand and a tablet with a litany of evidence of Bruce’s double life in the other. More than that, the kid deduced Dick and Jason’s identities as Robins.

It was strange. All the information the young man had amassed over what had to be years – the eerily familiar singlemindedness Tim displayed in his pursuit. And all he wanted to do with it was convince Dick to become Robin again. “Because Gotham needs Batman. And Batman needs Robin.” The words rolled off the boys’ lips like an obvious truth he repeated one to many times. Like all whole world’s issues were nothing more than an uncomplicated problem to be solved over a cup of coffee and a few strokes of the keys.

A petty part of Bruce expected Tim to fall apart after failing to reunite the ‘Dynamic Duo’, Nightwing making it clear that he could never take the Robin mantle again. Imagine the Wayne’s rare look of shock when Tim came down the stairs of the cave, fully fitted in an altered Robin’s uniform. And when Bruce tried to protest, Tim simply shrugged it off and told him it was Nightwing who suggested he take the uniform. Tim would just have to do until Bruce found an adequate replacement… And if he resisted Tim’s help, he’d blow Bruce’s cover right out of the water.

It’s been years since that fateful day. Bruce would have loved to say that in that, he’s gotten better over time. That he had found a way to overcome the wounded savagery that overwhelmed him. That he didn’t slip back into those dark moods and was learning to be whole after having his heart picked apart, racked with guilt, shame and fear he concealed in anger. But that would be a blatant lie and nights like this he just didn’t care enough to keep up the front.

Tonight’s patrol had been taxing for the Bats.

The night ended early with the successful sabotage of Black Mask’s weapon shipment, but the win didn’t come without a fight. Batman had no idea where Sionis found the revenue to hire the mercs he had, but there was no way the people he and Robin encountered on that freight were anything ex-military. If it weren’t for his own decades of experience and Red Robin’s help tonight, the mission would have failed.

Damien left the fight with a concussion, Bruce ordering the boy go upstairs and rest. Tim, per usual, proved more resistant to his first dismissal, but his cracked ribs and broken arm and leg won out in the end. Between that and the three days Tim spent without sleep, operating the Bat near impossible. Not at Bruce was fairing much better. By the time they returned to the cave, the man sported several burns, bruises, and gashes from the explosion. The only way Alfred could get Bruce that stay still long enough to clean and dress the wounds when Bruce was sitting at the computer, typing up the reports for tonight. That was when Bruce saw the comm flash on his screen. The call came from Dick’s encrypted number.

… But he could feel ice in his veins when he heard the voice on the call.

“It’s me.”

And Bruce knew that voice anywhere.

It was a sad fact, but because couldn’t bring himself to open-up to Tim or Damien the way he had with Jason. Bruce had let his guard down with the young man and let himself be a father to him – something he could never bare to be to Dick. He could never presume to fill the void John Grayson left in Dick’s heart when he passed. Seeing Jason grow as an individual and Robin, principled and proud in the face of adversity. It always filled Bruce with pride… Perhaps that’s why seeing Red Hood stand over a fresh corpse, baring the face long dead son left him numb. Seeing that viciousness in Jason, felt like a cruel sick joke. Bruce’s only solace in Jason death was knowing the boy he cared for so much left this world with cleaner hands then him. But seeing Jason returned from the dead to become what felt like a reflection of Bruce’s darkest hours.

I was like he failed to save him all over again.

“Where is he?” Bruce demanded, his voice low and fierce. The logical part of his brain knew better than to think Jason would hurt Dick. In fact, the only person Red Hood hadn’t reconciled with was Batman. But Bruce didn’t always think rationally when it can to his first ward. Jason knew that better than anyone….

“With me and doesn’t wanna talk.” He clarified, adjust his hold Dick’s shaking form. “I’m calling a truce, old man. Let us in.” There was the briefest pause before Bruce overrode the security protocols and allow Jason to enter the cave. Bruce didn’t know could have happen to have Jason, of all people, to knock on his door and call for a truce, but he would be prepared it all the same. In the five minutes in took Jason to traverse the tunnels to central area, Bruce had covered his injuries and erased at trace of weakness. Not that it mattered once Jason ascended the steps to his platform.

Bruce’s stoic façade fell apart the minute his eyes came upon a harrowed Dick, bundled up in Jason’s arms. It’d been months since the he last saw his former ward – the two of them not necessarily on speaking terms. In fact, he and Dick had been on the outs ever since Bruce budded in a case in in Blüdhaven, stating under no uncertain terms what he thought of his ‘partner’, Catalina Flores. The actively avoided one another ever since.

Before Bruce could demand an explanation, Jason locked his green-blue eyes with his silently warning. It was always amazing how the two of them could communicate with out uttering a single word. It was part of the reason they worked so well together. So, when Jason eyes narrowed and gestured past Bruce, the man stepped aside and waited for him on the other side of the room. Once Jason was finished propping Dick in the same chair Bruce had occupied before their arrival. Despite Jason’s best effort, Dick still slumped over the edge like a ragdoll. And he was coming apart at the seams. It’s all Bruce can do, his brain running through every possible scenario, trying to deduce a reason for Dick’s state. Jason could come to him soon enough.

“He a panic attack.” Jason finally explained, his pulling a cigarette out of his pocket, but not reaching for his zippo yet. A nervous tick, just wanting something to chew on while he organized his thoughts.

“…What triggered it?” His mentor asked cautiously, trying to understand. His former ward had attack in the past. Bruce would care for Dick through the worse of them in the beginning, whenever the boy would have a nightmare or close call. But this was the first he’s ever seen the Dick since he became an adult. He was practically catatonic.

“You.” Jason spat out, as if to apply it was obvious. “Like it or not, all of this,” Jason gestured toward Dick. “Is on you.”

Without give Bruce an inch, Jason unloaded, recounting all that Dick confided in him. The young man’s mental health was in shambles and Bruce, whether he realized it or not, had only made it worse pushing Dick away. Especially when Bruce fired Dick. The older man had to admit, he was blinded with anger the night he fired Dick and all but kicked him out of the manor. Anger, and if he were being totally honest, fear. Fear of the unknown as Dick grew into the man, he was becoming, fear for the way he was started to see Dick. Because in all the years he raised Dick, he couldn’t see him as a son. And that terrified him to the core. Bruce had only realized the terrible mistake he made when the heard the Dick pulling out of the driveway for the last time.

And then Jason and the bomb happened…

“Pull your head out of your ass, old man. Your hot-and-cold attitude might work for the ladies, but that man behind me, feels fucked up enough about wanting you without your mile-thick wall of bullshit. And I know you heard me. Now, something has to change because I am not kidding around when I say that this situation, this denial, whatever ego or pride is in the way of you two... its killing him”.

Bruce was at a loss. Looking at Dick again, he felt a surge guilt run through him. Was it his fault that Dick developed this infatuation with him? Did he somehow poison the younger man’s mind and manipulated him -

“Stop, I know what you’re thinking old man. Stop making this about you and just make this right. If either of you were as sick as you think, you won’t be so scared of this.” Jason hissed, making his way to the stairs from where he came. “He’s in your care. Make it right, Bruce.” Jason repeated, warning the older man.

Bruce waited until he couldn’t hear Jason’s footsteps, steeling himself before approaching Dick for the first time in so long. He looked so out of it. Depressed and tired and just… gone. Bruce would have given anything wrap his arm around him like he had back when his thoughts towards Dick were innocent. But right now, it wasn’t about what Bruce wanted. It was about what Dick needed.  So he knelt down on the ground before Dick so they were at eye level. Dicks eyes were downcast, but Bruce didn’t make a thing of it. Just spoke in the clearest voice he could manage, hoping that Dick would respond to him.

“Dick. Can you hear me? Do you know where you are?”

[rhub4rb]

Home is Where the Heart is

AO3

[First chapter] [Previous chapter] [Next chapter]

Thank you to some lovely people on the discord for helping me edit this!

-_-_-_-

"Are you Alfred Pennyworth?" The girl's voice was soft, hesitant. "I'm here on behalf of Master Fu."

A sinking feeling rooted itself in Alfred's stomach at the severity of what this visit could mean. Stones dropping as he wondered why his friend wasn't there himself. Rather than voicing his concerns however, Alfred just opened the door wider and beckoned the girl inside.

He lead her through the halls of the manor, thinking up any possible explanations to give Bruce and the boys. He could gather from the expression of the girl, that this was important, and the lack of Fu's presence confirmed as much.

Miraculous matters would be discussed, he had no doubt about that, but he had no clue what it could be.

Was this tied in to that feeling he had gotten two weeks ago?

Looking back at the young girl behind him, he could only feel worry growing from within him. She was so young. Why was she here in Gotham on her own? Fu wouldn't leave her to find Alfred by herself, would he?

Finally, they reached the room and Alfred opened the door for her, leading her into the kitchen. Wordlessly, he pulled a chair out, asking her to sit, before excusing himself quickly.

As soon as he arrived in the living room again, he was bombarded with questions.

"Who was at the door?"

"Did they leave?"

"Do you know what they wanted?"

Alfred held up his hand to silence the Wayne brothers,  sans Tim, looking at them patiently.

"I am afraid that I cannot tell you," The sounds of their questions grew louder, and Alfred could feel his patience slip. Normally he would be more composed, but whatever the girl had come to talk to him about was important, and he didn't like leaving her alone in the kitchen for too long. "I will explain what I can when I'm done, but for now, please stay away from the kitchen."

With that, Alfred gave the family a final bow, walking back to the young miss in the kitchen. When he stepped inside, he saw her fiddling with something, but didn't get the chance to see what, as she snapped to attention by his entering. She sagged in relief and smiled at him tiredly.

"I'm sorry for the wait miss, I had to take care of some things for a moment." Alfred started preparing tea, glancing back at her before focusing on what he was doing.

"Of course, I understand. Thank you for talking with me," The girl said, bowing politely from her seat.

There was silence as Alfred finished making the tea, before he sat down in front of her, placing two warm cups of jasmine tea down for them.

"I'm Marinette, by the way," She said in haste, probably realizing she had yet to introduce herself.

"It's wonderful to meet you miss Marinette," Alfred said. "You said you were here on behalf of Wang Fu?"

The girl, Marinette, nodded, looking down with somber eyes.

"He passed away six days ago," She said quietly, Alfred looking down as he took in the information that he had feared. "I'm the new Guardian of the Miraculous."

Silence overtook the kitchen for a few moments as Alfred processed.

"I take it you are not here to simply discuss a fellow friend?" Alfred asked, Marinette shaking her head with a serious expression. "I thought as much," He said with a sigh.

She looked apologetic for a moment, biting her lip in hesitance. It seemed she was about to speak up, opening her mouth, but she closed it again and her eyes furrowed. Alfred was about to ask what was wrong as realization dawned in her eyes, and she held up a hand to stop him from talking.

She looked at him, her expression unreadable as she mouthed words at him.

'They're listening at the door.'

Alfred's eyes widened before he quickly rose, walked towards the kitchen door and opened it, blocking Marinette from the view of Jason, Dick, and Tim, who must have gotten up from the Batcave.

"H-hey Alfred! Didn't know you were here..." Tim tried futily, Alfred just raising an unimpressed brow.

"I do believe I instructed you to stay away from the kitchen," His expression hardened as Jason tried to look inside, and Alfred promptly stepped out, closing the door behind him. "Leave."

Tim and Dick were quick to listen, and forcefully pulled Jason away from the door before he got them into any more trouble.

Alfred let out a tired sigh, before opening the door and returning to Marinette.

She smiled at him sympathetically as he sat down in front of her, and Alfred could see that she had calmed down considerably compared to when she arrived.

"So," Alfred started. "Where were we?"

Marinette seemed to consider her words before she spoke, swirling the tea in her hands in thought, brows furrowed. Giving herself what seemed to be a determined nod, Marinette looked up at him again, set her tea aside and pulled something out from her pocket.

"Per request of Master Fu and as the new Guardian of the Miraculous, I ask you to be part of the new order," Marinette bowed deeply, raising up her hands with what seemed to be an amulet resting in her palms. "Help me rebuild the Order," She said, and her voice took on a pleading tone. "Please."

Alfred looked at the girl in sympathy. She was alone with one of the biggest responsibilities in the world, and she didn't even seem that old.

"Please rise, miss Marinette. It's usually me who bows around here," Marinette rose, but her eyes were furrowed. He hadn't taken the amulet. "Tell me, how old are you, miss Marinette?"

She seemed taken aback by the question, but she answered him nonetheless.

"I'm seventeen..."

 "For how many years have you been training to take over as guardian?"

Her brows furrowed.

"Around four years...?"

Alfred mulled over her answers. She was too young to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders alone.

"Then it would be me an honor to become part of the new order," Alfred said, and he saw how her eyes lit up with joy. "I would like you to meet my family as well," Alfred immediately noticed her hesitance.

"I don't know about that Alfred. I've done what I came here to do," Marinette said, confusion ringing clear in her voice.

"Miss Marinette, what do you plan on doing once you leave?"

Marinette shrunk in on herself, not looking Alfred in the eye.

"I don't know..." She whispered.

Alfred sighed.

"I will accept the amulet after you have met them," Alfred stated, cutting Marinette off before she even got the chance to open her mouth. "And after you have taken a shower. You don't exactly smell of roses, miss Marinette."

The young miss seemed to take offense to that.

"I haven't exactly been staying somewhere with running water, you know," She grumbled, crossing her arms. Alfred narrowed his eyes at her, worry forming in his chest.

"Where exactly have you been staying, miss Marinette?" Her eyes darted around, refusing to look him in the eye.

"You don't have to call me miss..." She said instead of answering him.

"Marinette," His tone was hard.

"An abandoned apartment, in Gotham Village," She shrunk in on herself again, shoulders rising. "I don't exactly have any legal documents."

Alfred was torn between prying more information out of her, and simply offering help.

He chose the latter.

"I will help with the documents and you will stay here until then. Understood?" Alfred could tell that she was about to protest, but when he raised an eyebrow at her, she simply sighed.

"Only until we have my documents figured out," She mumbled out, but Alfred took that as a victory nonetheless.

-

"Alfred's keeping secrets," Jason pouted, slumped in his seat with his arms crossed.

"Well, what did you expect?" Damian asked with a raised brow. "He told us to stay away from the kitchen."

The other boys didn't listen, focusing instead on sulking and wondering what was going on.

"Do you think he's quitting?" Jason wondered aloud.

"Alfred wouldn't quit," Dick said with a shake of his head, voice firm and resolute.

"Think it's a family member?" Tim asked.

"He would tell us if it was family matters, besides, does he even have any family outside of us?" Dick questioned.

The group fell silent again.

"This is very out of character for Alfred," Jason said, being the first to break the silence. "He's usually not this mysterious, is he?"

"He seemed distressed when he told us to stay away from the kitchen," Added Tim

"And angry when he caught us snooping. He normally doesn't get angry," Voiced in Dick.

The trio nodded to each other, Damian watching the conversation perplexed. It was like the group just shared one brain-cell at times.

Bruce walked into the room, and upon sight of his three eldest sons, immediately understood what was going on.

"They tried listening in on the kitchen, didn't they?" Bruce asked Damian as he sat down in his favorite chair with a book. Damian just nodded his head, and Bruce sighed tiredly. "Alfred already told us that he would explain as much as he could when he was done."

"Well yeah but-"

Bruce cut Jason off.

"No buts. We will respect Alfred and his privacy in what is clearly something important. He will tell us what he can. Understood?" Bruce's voice left no room for argument, and Tim, Dick, and Jason were quick to start sulking again.

The living room was left in silence after that, Bruce reading his book, Jason playing a game on his phone against Dick, Tim reading an article, and Damian studying. The quiet atmosphere was broken however, by the sound of approaching footsteps and the living room door opening.

"If I could kindly get your attention?" Alfred spoke, and immediately all eyes were on him, before traveling to the petite girl standing beside him. "I would like to introduce you to Marinette. She's the granddaughter of one of my dear friends, who passed away recently."

A pin could be heard drop as Dick stared at the girl wide-eyed, recognition burning within him.

"Master Bruce, if it is okay with you, I would like for Marinette to stay for a while. I do not feel it is very responsible of me to leave her alone in Gotham," Bruce tried to see if he could find answers in Alfred's eyes, but all he saw was a look that said Alfred would explain later.

Bruce smiled at the young girl, noting how she seemed to hold herself like he was about to throw her out.

"Of course," He simply said, nodding politely at the girl. "She can stay for as long as she needs."

It seemed as if the boys would protest, but the swift glare Bruce sent their way shut them up.

"I'll be showing her to a room then," Alfred said with a bow, before heading to the door, Marinette following him, looking a bit like a lost puppy.

-

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Marinette asked hesitantly.

It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the offer. In all honesty, the thought of not having to return to that awful apartment was a relief to Marinette. However, she didn't like this. It felt like she was intruding.

Then, of course, there was her certainty that the family was made up of the very same vigilantes she had run from. The reason she knew who they were wasn’t obvious. In truth, she would probably be the only person to pick up on it.

It was the corrupted magic in the boy with the white hairstreak that gave it away. It was the same magic she had felt in Red Hood the night before. She was unsure of what the magic actually was, but it felt familiar to her, like the Miraculous Cure, but perverted in some way. Asking Alfred about it seemed inappropriate though.

"I will not inform them of the Miraculous or the Order, I understand that it has to remain hidden. If anyone reveals anything about it, it will be you," Alfred stated, trying to reassure her. Marinette just sighed.

They continued their walk in silence, Alfred because he had nothing to add, and Marinette because of uncertainty.

"This will be where you are staying," Alfred said, opening one of many doors, leading her into a room that was larger than the one she had back home. "I will bring you some clothes that I think might fit you, the bathroom is to your left, just come back down to the living room once you are done."

With that, Alfred left, leaving Marinette alone in the rather extravagant room. The walls were a cream color, the doors made of dark wood in contrast. The bed was queen-sized and centered against the right wall, and tall windows took up the back wall, allowing the light of the setting sun to enter the room. Marinette put her backpack down on the bed, feeling the silk covers with her fingers, marveling at the fabric quality. A desk made of dark wood was placed at the left wall, along with a shelf filled with books, as well as a door that lead to what Marinette could only assume was a bathroom.

"Well, you heard what Alfred said Marinette, time for you to shower," Marinette jumped, startled by the sound of Tikki's voice behind her. She hadn't even noticed her kwami fly out of her jacket.

"Geez, don't scare me like that Tikki," Marinette sighed, taking her jacket off and folding it on the bed. "And don't think I've forgotten what you did when I ran into Jon again," She scolded, wagering her finger in her kwami's face. Tikki just rolled her eyes.

"Oh, don't act like you didn't enjoy your date," Tikki said fondly, causing Marinette to stutter a response that was interrupted by a knock at her door.

"Marinette? I believe I have clothes that will fit you," Came Alfred's muffled voice. Marinette opened the door, accepting the clothes from Alfred. "I will retrieve your own clothes to be washed once you're done," He simply stated, before giving her final nod of his head and leaving, Marinette looking at his retreating form.

With a sigh, she closed the door and locked it, before returning her attention to Tikki and giving her kwami a playful glare.

"We're not done with this argument."

"Whatever you say Marinette."

Marinette rolled her eyes and headed to the bathroom to shower for the first time since she arrived in Gotham.

-

It was quiet in the living room as the Waynes watched Alfred and Marinette leave. No one really knew what to say.

Dick was the one to break the silence.

"That's her," He said, voice small and confused. "That's the girl from yesterday."

Bruce furrowed his brows as he looked at his eldest son.

"Are you sure?" Bruce asked. "You said you didn't get a good look at her face."

"I'm sure," Dick nodded his head, eyes still fixated at the door. "The jacket's the same, though her hair is shorter than when I first saw her."

Bruce shook his head. These things seemed more circumstantial than anything.

"How can you be so sure then?" Damian questioned. He hadn't seen the girl himself in person, but Marinette was tiny, and from the brief exchange they just had with the girl, she seemed way too meek to be the one able to beat the vigilantes.

"It makes sense. Alfred says she's alone in Gotham, all of her clothes are exactly the same. Even her backpack's the same!" Dick exclaimed, Tim nodding along.

"I actually think Dick is right about this. I only got a glimpse of her eyes, but I was the one who actually fought her. That's the girl."

It seemed that Bruce was more willing to listen after Tim's input, and suddenly wondered if it had been a good idea to let the girl stay in his home. He sighed.

"Regardless of that, it seems Alfred knows her, or at least knows of her. He'll explain the situation once he gets her situated."

Damian's face scrunched up in disdain at the reminder that the girl would apparently be staying with them, almost like he had bitten a lemon.

"Why did you even agree to that?" Damian asked, looking at Bruce with furrowed eyes. "We don't even know her, and now you're letting her stay in our home? Isn't that kind of risky?"

Bruce shook his head.  Alfred seemed to trust her, and even if he decided that it was too dangerous to allow her to stay, he had already agreed.

"I trust Alfred's judgment. If he starts to believe the girl is a threat, we'll take things from there, but for now, she's a guest and I want you to treat her as such," The look Bruce sent his sons made them stop complaining.

When Alfred returned, so did chaos, as the room exploded with questions once more.

"Who is she?" Bruce asked, voice cutting through the rest, effectively shutting his sons up.

"Like I told you before, Marinette is the granddaughter of a dear friend of mine who has recently passed away," Bruce could tell there was more to it than that, but Alfred didn't say, sticking with the original story. "As far as I know, she's been looking for me for the last five days."

"What was she doing up on the roofs?" Jason asked, raising a brow. "Not exactly where I would look for a person."

"I don't know," Alfred admitted. "But she's not a threat. I still have some things to discuss with her, and I would like to keep her close until we are done."

Bruce didn't seem too happy about the lack of information, but if what Alfred said was true, then he would be fine having the girl stay at least a couple of days.

 -_-_-_-

@constancetruggle @mojos-biggest-fan @lysslovesanime @heredmaquam @luciferge @scribblinggraveyard @thatfandomsgirl @eliza-bich @ki77h3dr4g0n @crazylittlemunchkin @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @skyel0ve @serenacross200 @valeks-princess @thebananathatwrites @aurordraws @nothernbluetongue @bluerosette23 @xxmadamjinxx @graduatedmelon @tritaledkitsune @tinybrie @shamefullove @screechingflapbiscuitpeach @danielslilangel @vivilakitty 

[darkxknight]

IC INFO

Character Name: Bruce Wayne Alias: Batman Age: 45 Face Claim: Matt Bomer Species: Human Home Earth: Earth-49

History:

▸ Born the only son and child of Dr Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne (nee Kane) in Crest Hill, Bristol Township, Gotham City, New Jersey. His parents were well respected within the community and gave Bruce a life of privilege as well as tried to instill a good moral code within him. His early childhood was quite idyllic until one night when his parents took him to the Monarch Theater where they saw The Mark of Zorro. After the film, a mugger named Joe Chill attempted to rob them at gunpoint, and panicked, shooting both Thomas and Martha dead.

▸ After the death of his parents, Bruce was raised by the family butler (and Bruce's godfather), Alfred Pennyworth. He was also checked in upon by one of Thomas' friends and co-workers, Dr Leslie Thompkins. He was allowed to remain in Wayne Manor under Alfred's care. He continued to attend school and excelled in his studies, but Bruce's primary focus was no longer that of a young boy. Tragedy had stolen what innocence he had.

▸ As time past, he became obsessed with learning the meaning behind his parents death. At the age of 18, Bruce used the relationship he had with a girl - who was the daughter of a mob boss - to locate Joe Chill. Bruce learned that there was no deeper meaning to his parents' deaths, Joe just simply needed money.

▸ Bruce took an avid interest in martial arts and sword fighting and after discovering what he had from Joe Chill, he decided to travel the world and expand his knowledge. At 21, he spent a great deal of time studying martial arts off masters like Shihan Matsuda in the Himalayas. He studied the ins and outs of technological gadgetry under the guidance of a brilliant inventor, Sergei Alexandrov. He also learned how to drive cars in life-or-death situations from Brazilian criminal, Don Miguel. Bruce also delved into criminology, chemistry, and even acting to hone his skills in becoming a one man army to bring justice back to his home city. He was gone for three years before he returned to Gotham.

▸ Upon his return to Gotham, Bruce wanted to keep it a private affair but his Uncle, Philip Kane, had other ideas. While Philip appeared happy his nephew had returned home, he was also dubious of the young Bruce and plotted against him behind his back. Bruce was able to obtain his inheritance, which was not only the Wayne family fortunes but also controlling power over the family's main corporation, Wayne Enterprises. Bruce had idealistic goals on how he wanted to run the company, which was a huge shake up to how the business had run since his parents death.

▸ Bruce Wayne became Batman. He took the fight to the Red Hood Gang and was immediately successful in defeating the criminals at the A.C.E Chemicals factory. During the fight, Bruce's Uncle, Philip Kane, was found out to be a secret member of the Red Hood Gang and was unfortunately killed in the battle. Red Hood One was also believed to be killed in the fight, falling into a vat of chemicals below where he and Batman had fought. 

▸ Despite leading a double life, Bruce kept up many public appearances so people were completely unaware of his nightly habits. One such outing was to The Haly Circus, where a fun night out turned into tragedy for the acrobat family known as the Flying Graysons. The only survivor of the family being the Grayson's son, Richard (or, as he preferred, Dick). Being able to sympathize with Dick's tragedy and knowing that the crime committed against the boy's family was no accident, Bruce came forward with an offer to become Dick's legal guardian.

▸ The relationship between Bruce and Dick didn't get off to the easiest of starts and one night Dick ran away to try and solve the case of his parents' murder on his own. Bruce went out as Batman and managed to pick the boy up and brought him back to the cave, where he then revealed himself as Batman. Bruce offered Dick the chance to become his partner and train with him but Dick had to play by his rules. Dick accepted and took on the mantle of Robin.

▸ Over the years, Batman and Robin were a formidable duo against the criminals of Gotham but one night Robin was shot by the Joker. Despite all they had been through, Bruce called an end to Dick's career. This put a huge strain on their relationship, which had grown more than that of partners but also father and son. Dick left - he would still return to Gotham as needed but there was a definite tension in the air.

▸ Sometime later, Batman catches a bold kid trying to steal the tires off the Batmobile. Jason Todd was a little punk but Bruce was impressed with his spirit, cleverness, and tenacity. After an attempt to place Jason into child protective services failed, Bruce stepped forward and took Jason in as his ward and later adopted son.

▸ Bruce trained Jason to be the second Robin and it is clear from the very beginning that Jason was a completely different style of Robin to Dick. Jason was a fighter and knew how to handle himself in a brawl but his finesse and detective skills needed work. When Jason was 15, he ran away after hearing that his birth mother was still alive. Bruce was too late in working out that it was a well laid trap for the young man and barely arrived in time to see the building Jason was held captive in explode. Devastated, Bruce took Jason's body back to Gotham and buried him in the Wayne family's plot - vowing to never take on another Robin.

▸ In the wake of Jason's death, Batman became more ruthless. Just teetering on the edge of the "no kill" rule he had established for himself. Several allies the Batman had worked with along the way (including the Justice League, which he had founded along with Superman, Wonder Woman and other heroes) noticed the change in Bruce but seemed to be clueless on how to curb the rage the Dark Knight felt.

▸ Tim Drake had been following Batman's career as long as he could remember and it was the 13 year old that picked up on the problem. Batman needed a Robin. After a failed attempt to get Dick to come back and be Robin, Tim offered himself for the role. Bruce refused - afraid that tragedy would strike again. Eventually though, Tim - with the assistance of Dick and Alfred - stole the Robin suit and managed to save Batman. This action spurred Bruce into considering Tim to be the third Robin.

▸ Out of all the Robins, Bruce trained Tim the hardest, sending him off to exotic places to develop his martial arts skills and partnering him with other Batman allies to push him further. Tim never backed down but he also had a level head and a maturity that was beyond his years that made him a valuable partner. Unlike the other Robins, Tim still had parents when he started in the vigilante life but as was the way with heroes, tragedy has its way of catching up. After Tim's father was killed by Captain Boomerang, Bruce made the offer to adopt him. Laws had changed that he couldn't just make Tim a ward like Dick and Jason had been, so adoption papers were filed and Tim became Bruce's legal son.

▸ Talia al Ghul, daughter of the demon and long time enemy of Batman's, Ra's al Ghul, dropped the 10 year old bombshell of a son in his lap. 10 years before, Batman and Talia had a lustful affair which ended abruptly and with Bruce having no knowledge that a child had been conceived. Damian was an assassin without remorse, a fact his mother took great pride in, and was originally unimpressed with Bruce and didn't understand the "no kill" policy his father had adopted in regards to his enemies.

▸ Things have returned to normal for Bruce and his family for the moment. As normal as they get when you're a family of vigilantes. As always, Bruce has several different cases on the run and as long as crime doesn't sleep, neither will justice.

Positive Traits: Focused, strong moral compass, protective, extremely sharp mind Negative Traits: Closed off, secretive, rarely shares true emotions or feelings

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

What Clouds The Mind - fic

For @lil-nest! Thank you so so much for donating! Their reward request was an alternative first meeting between Dami and Tim where Dami decides it will be profitable to gain Tim's trust (better to defeat him later) and then accidentally befriends him.

Characters: Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Ra’s al Ghul, bits of Dick, Jason and Cass Summary: He was going to destroy Tim Drake one day, he thought. A/N: Slight references to Batman&Son, Resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul and some Red Robin storyline that I THINK happened. Like mentioned, they aren’t the best of friends but still pretty okay. The Hit List arc never happens. Dick wanted them to be closer, like he was with both of them, that’s why he’s all smiley at the end. Tim doesn’t let anyone untie Damian until he can coddle him for like ever. Dick takes lots of pictures. Tim becomes extra protective of Damian after this, Damian a little mellower. Dick is a happy big brother. 

~~

“Umm…‘Here on my world, we call this gesture a handshake…’”

Damian bit his tongue, pressed his lips together as tight as he could. He hated him already, this one called Robin. He was a buffoon, an imbecile. How dare he mock an al Ghul. How dare he patronize him like this.

Damian should kill him. He’s killed for less. He was expected to kill for less.

…But.

His grandfather spoke highly of this Tim Drake. Clearly, his father respected him, if they were partners. If he trusted this…child with his life.

There was something about Timothy Drake. There had to be, for the Demon’s Head and Batman to be so…enamored.

And if he killed Robin now, he’d never find out what that something was.

He stared at the proffered hand, pursed his lips a little bit. Drake kept that condescending smirk on his face, watching Damian just as carefully.

…Defeat would have to come later. Damian had to know what made this lanky teenager so special in the first place, before he destroyed him.

So he returned the grin with a bitter one of his own, and shook Tim Drake’s hand.

~~

This…this wasn’t…

What was this?

He and Grayson had gotten word that Ra’s was in town. It was a little odd, but not unexpected. Damian had defected after all, so he was probably here to kill him, teach him a lesson, or drag him kicking and screaming back into the League.

It appeared to be Grayson’s first thought as well, for as soon as he signed off with Oracle, Batman turned to him and made him swear to never leave his side. Made the ridiculous and overly sentimental oath that he wouldn’t let Ra’s or Talia or anyone hurt Damian ever again. That no one was taking Robin from Batman; over his dead body.

Damian had scoffed at that.

But then Oracle came crackling back over the line with more information. That through maps and trajectories and other obvious indicators – it was clear that Ra’s al Ghul’s target was the Red Robin.

And instantly, Damian’s stomach has sunk.

But why? Why was he suddenly feeling dread and concern and…fear? More fear than he’d ever felt for himself, or even Grayson or his father?

Was it because he thought Ra’s wanted Red Robin to work with him in his crusade? Was it because there was the chance that Ra’s really was here to take Damian down, and that Drake could – or would – sell him out immediately? Or was it because his grandfather was going to kill Drake before he got the chance to?

And maybe that was the dread – because Damian knew it was none of those things.

It was because he didn’t want Drake to die. He didn’t want his grandfather to kill him. He didn’t want anyone to kill him.

And for the first time he realized – not even himself.

But…this didn’t make sense? Sure, he and Drake were cordial. Got along well enough, with only a little amount of tension over the Robin mantle. Enjoyed silence over tea or research. Could stand being in the same room.

But Damian was only doing this to learn about his predecessor. Only to learn his weaknesses and gain his trust, so it was that much sweeter when he delivered that final blow.

…Right?

Because it’s not like they were truly friends. It’s not like they were actually family. Actually brothers, despite all of Grayson’s flowery words and wistful thoughts.

…

…Right??

As Oracle continued to explain locations and evidence and even motives, Damian tuned her out, more focused on the churning of his stomach, the speed of his heart, the want to pray to any god he knew of to stop this now before it’s too late.

Grayson said something, he didn’t hear what, and Damian found himself agreeing to the begged request of ‘please stay here no matter what you hear or see, and get the med bay ready for Tim.’ Watched absently as Grayson ran as fast as he could to save his brother from certain doom.

…Their brother?

The machines beeped around him, the chatter on the open comm. line a low buzz. Damian just stared at the tunnel Grayson had just sped their Batmobile through.

…

…

……

…Right?

~~

Damian was livid. Damian was…petrified.

This isn’t what he wanted. This isn’t what he ever wanted.

Ra’s had tried this before, tried to get to Damian and Tim, pit them against each other, make Batman choose who he loved more, who he’d sacrifice to be the next vessel for the Demon’s Head.

But he didn’t get this far last time. Batman – Bruce – had made sure of that. And his mother was there to protect him, leaving Grayson and his father to protect Tim. So it was all fine. Everyone lived and went home. Ra’s was made a fool and went into hiding. The end.

But this time.

This time Bruce Wayne was dead. This time Talia al Ghul had disowned him and disappeared. This time Ra’s thought ahead, and took out Grayson and Brown and anyone who might save them first, before coming for them.

So now here they were, each tied up like animals for slaughter, dumped next to each other on the floor like trash, while Ra’s loomed over them, thinking out loud while he made his decision.

One would become his new vessel. The other would die. Probably. He was still deciding that.

And for all Damian’s own personal turmoil, Drake looked poised and prepared. There was no fear in his face, or weakness in his already beaten body. He just stared at Ra’s in near boredom.

Damian was almost jealous of that. Jealous of the time he could do that, and would. Was silently cursing Grayson for taking him in and undoing all his training, unleashing his emotions and allowing him to feel them.

But Damian was distracted in his regret. Was distracted staring at Drake, and drowning in how much better the older was than him. Reveling in the realization that…maybe he didn’t hate him as much as he told himself upon that first meeting. Lamenting that he didn’t want to destroy Red Robin, didn’t want to kill him at all. He just wanted to go home. Wanted to go home and be with his family. His brothers.

So he was confused when the color suddenly drained from Drake’s face. When Drake’s eyes widened and he looked over at Damian in terror.

“…Yes.” Ra’s hummed. Damian blinked and looked up at him. “I think I choose Timothy.”

Drake gaped, shaking his head. “Ra’s.” He tried. “Ra’s, come on. You…you can’t. He’s your grandson, you’re not going to…”

Ra’s snapped, and called to the guards at the doors. “Please bring me my sword.”

“Sword…” Tim gasped, wriggling in his bonds now. “What…what do you need that for…?”

“If he’s not going to be my vessel then I have no use for him.” Ra’s shrugged. “And things you have no use for, you dispose of.”

Drake was full-on thrashing now. Trying to squirm over to Damian, though what he was going to do when he got there, Damian didn’t know.

He still wasn’t fully focused himself, though. Because his heart was sad now. Not for himself, but for Drake. Because, honestly, he’d rather death than being his grandfather’s vessel. It was a painful process, an immortal torture. Drake would be alive, physically. But mentally, spiritually, he’d have no control. Would be in a cage in his mind, a dark lonely void, screaming forever.

In truth, Damian was the winner of this. Death was easy.

He wouldn’t wish being a vessel on his worst enemy. And Drake was not his worst enemy. Drake was his…

The sword arrived, presented to Ra’s like it was sacred. Drake was shouting now. Pleading. He’s only a kid, he cried, I can’t let you do this.

Damian only glanced up as Ra’s raised the sword.

“A suggestion?” Damian asked quietly, before the blade came crashing down along his throat. Ra’s paused in position for a moment, then lowered the weapon.

“As a last request, I’ll grant you that.” Ra’s agreed.

“Make me your vessel. I will go freely.” Damian offered. “And in exchange, you let Red Robin live, and return to Gotham.”

In the corner of his eye, he saw Drake’s jaw drop. Even Ra’s had the decency to look mildly surprised.

“…I know what being your vessel entails. I know what the process is. It is painful, bloody, dark and everlasting.” Damian pushed. “…And I will not let you hurt him.”

Drake was silently shaking his head again. There were tears in his eyes. Damian didn’t quite understand why.

Ra’s frowned. “The circus boy has done quite a number on you, hasn’t he?”

Damian shrugged.

Ra’s looked at Tim, who seemed to be still in shock. But he looked up at Ra’s. “Don’t.”

“Honestly, Detective, I don’t wish to.” Ra’s admitted. “After all, you are stronger, wiser and older. Much better of a use to me than this scrawny child.” He looked back to Damian. “But he is my grandson. And even if I wasn’t considering his offer – this is what he was bred for.”

“No. No.” Tim shouted, kicking his bound feet again. “I can’t- I won’t-” He looked at Damian angrily. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Damian didn’t answer, because that was a question he’d been asking himself for years.

“Consider, Grandfather.” Damian continued. “If you let Drake live, there is still the chance he will join you as an advisor. Isn’t that something you’ve always wanted?”

“Perhaps.” Ra’s agreed.

“And two bodies are always better than one.” Damian explained. “Then you’d have me as your vessel, and Drake as your right-hand man – the most successful scenario.”

“Though unlikely.” Ra’s looked at Tim once more.

“But not impossible.” Damian glanced at Tim too. Not his face, but at the wounds Ra’s had already inflicted, ignoring the pain of his identical ones. “Give him a few years, Grandfather. He’ll come around.”

“Oh I’m sure.” Ra’s hummed. There was silence for a minute. Then a loud sniff, and Ra’s shifted his sword to the other hand. “Alright, Damian. I’ll take your suggestion.”

“No.” Tim screamed. “No, no, no, no-”

Suddenly - shouts from the hallway. Thumps, cracks…gun shots?

Then the room’s door was kicked in – literally – to reveal a hobbling, bloody, injured, yet fiercely determined, Batman, flanked by one Black Bat and Red Hood.

“Mine.” Grayson hissed, limping forward. “How fucking dare you take my-”

“Shut up, Dick.” Jason growled from behind his helmet, stepping forward and shooting in the Demon’s Head’s direction.

As Ra’s blocked the shots with his sword, or ducked out of the way, more assassins entered the room, and an instant war erupted. Cassandra jumped into action, Jason kept shooting, and Dick fought as he slowly made his way towards them.

“Get me first, Dick!” Tim yelled over the noise. Dick seemed to nod, shifting a little to head his direction. And as he crouched and pulled a knife to cut Tim’s ropes, Tim glared over at Damian, “And do not get Damian’s.”

“What…?” Dick mumbled, glancing over. “Tim, he’s…”

“I’ll get him out, don’t worry.” Tim promised. “I’m just pretty sure if you untie him, he’ll continue to be an idiot and go sacrifice himself for me again anyway.”

Dick looked between them for a moment, in absolute confusion, then shook his head, the hints of a knowing smile flashing on his bruised face. “Well, we can’t have that.”

“Hey, that’s-” But by the time Damian got that far, Tim was free and lunging at him.

“The ship is waiting outside.” Dick explained, as Tim scooped Damian up in his arms. “We’re not here to defeat Ra’s right now. I can barely move and our numbers are too small. But as soon as I know you and Damian are safe, Bat, Hood and I are right behind you.”

“I’ll give you four minutes and then I’m coming back.” Tim snapped, but turned to obey Dick’s orders anyway. They exited the fray to the sound of Dick laughing.

As soon as they were out of the building, and the waiting jet was in sight, Tim huffed. “What the hell was that back there?”

Damian, who wanted to squirm and pout and be as indignant as possible, but knew he couldn’t, not still bound as he was, just shrugged. “I just wanted my brother to get home safe.”

Tim didn’t respond to that. But when they reached the ship, and Damian felt a small kiss pressed against the side of his head, he didn’t say anything either. Just settled into the comfort of his brother’s arms.

[chronicbatfictioner]

Exchanges and Compromises - Chapter 3

Crime Alley, Seven Years Ago

The instant 13-year-old Jason Todd saw the blood rushing out of the girl that his buddy had just shot, he knew it was wrong. The shopkeeper of the shop they were robbing was doing the right thing, pressing on the wound hard while screaming at the phone with EMTs. Hopefully the girl would make it - so Jason hoped as he chased after his buddy Chris. His 'buddy', air quotes included. Chris had promised that the gun would be empty. Instead it spat out a bullet right to the girl's chest.

They had ran, scared. But Chris was no match for Jason and he caught up easily. 

"You promised the gun would be empty, Chris! You said it was all about the money!" he growled as he punched Chris, again and again and again. "You lied!"

"Stop it, boy!" an adult voice barked, caught his arms, and bodily lifted him up.

"I'm just...!" he sputtered. "He-- he shot the girl and I'm... I'm... he shouldn't hurt anyone ever again!"

"Yeeeah..." the cop who hoisted Jason away drawled, "...doesn't look like he can hurt anybody now, does he? Dispatch, get me the medic to the alley a few blocks from the shop..." he added, calling into his walkies. "The girl will be okay, kid."

"It's not... he shouldn't..." Jason swallowed around the lump in his throat. "She's someone's daughter..."

"Ain't we all. So how about you come with me, now..." the cop was not threatening. But Jason knew better. Gotham City's cops are not to be friendly with, not especially for people like him. Not especially when he looked like he'd been beaten up on top of having beaten up someone else.

So he dodged the cop and hightailed it out of there, ignoring the yells and skipped left and right and up the fire stairs and into opened windows and door and get out the other side. He was still huffing and puffing, trying to catch his breath, when he realized that he'd made good gains on the cop - obviously too rotund and not designed or trained to do a little jogging.

It had been nearly three months since his mother died and left him alone to fend for himself. Yesterday, he had gone and actually helped someone - a pretty black-haired lady - from attackers. He had bricked one of the stealthier attackers that the lady did not see. She then taught him how to punch in a way that would not hurt his wrists - in case there are no bricks in the future where he would find himself in the same situation. 

He had not used the punch on Chris, largely because it was rather specific and Jason was rather frantically angry while he was punching Chris. The woman had said that the punch would eliminate evil from within someone. Or was it immortality? Regardless, he was pretty certain that Chris was not immortal - he seemed pretty shocked and in pain from Jason's punches.

He wondered what would happen if he'd punched Chris and it had been the 'evil' in him that got away. What would evil look like, Jason pondered inwardly. Would it look like an ugly monster, or a shiny pretty devil? Or is there no evil and just Chris himself? Would Jason have killed Chris if the 'evil' turned out to be his soul? What would that make Jason, then - evil, too?

Jason finally slumped down as he leaned on the walls, feeling the immense weight of his remorse. It was his fault. He shouldn't have agreed with Chris to rob the convenience store. But he needed money, and convenience stores would always have money. It was supposed to be empty, too, and it was his fault that he didn't check to see if the store was empty or not.

"You have seen the error of your ways, I presume."

He would have jumped in surprise if he had not recognized the voice. The lady again. The black-haired, pretty lady from yesterday who rode a really fancy motorcycle that she had left in an alley - unlocked and didn't even occur to her that someone could haul it away within seconds. It was until Jason saw her fighting a good dozen of people in ninja suits - the comical movie ninja uniforms in all black and head scarves and all; not actual stealth suits like the history books would describe - that he realized that this lady was not concerned for her bike. She probably could beat up whoever-stupid-enough-to-take-the-bike to pulp.

Much worse than what Jason did to Chris. 

"The girl... she shouldn't have gotten shot. Chris was just... He just did it for the sake of it..." Jason muttered. A drop of tear fell from his eyes, and he brushed it off brusquely. "I'm not... she didn't even do anything..."

The lady stood in front of him, bending a little to look at his face. She was still quite young - probably about her early 20s. Her eyes were green, Jason noted, looking rather crystalline even in the dim lighting of the alley. "You are pure at heart, boy, but your journey cannot begin here." she said. "Come! Let us clean you up and perhaps get some calories into you. Allow me to lead that good heart toward its righteous place."

A small voice in the back of his head warned him that there are bad people who would take young children like him - boys or girls - and sell them off to be prostitutes.

But then again, what difference would it make for him, anyway? He was already selling himself some. Maybe with this woman as his pimp, he would at least get some form of protection.

He was still worried, even after a week of lavish and luxurious hotel rooms across the Eastern Seaboard, in which the lady - Talia, that was her name - had set him up in while she "tends to business." He was not being sold, yet. Probably was still being groomed to be sold to the highest bidder or whatever.

Either way, Jason tried hard to mind his manners. This lady could be his meal ticket out of hell, --or the embodiment of Charon and would personally deliver him to Hades. Whatever. Things looked nicer than back in Gotham, anyway. There were plenty of books and internet and reading materials for him to spend his time with; and then food and nice clothes that looked simple, yet he knew each piece would have paid his old apartment's rent for a good several months. Plus the travel. Jason knew that he would need something called a 'passport' to get out of the country; but he never seen or know whether he has one or not. The travel used private jets, he and Talia would simply walk through a private airport, get into a private jet, and off they go. Jason only knew where they were because the pilot would call out the name of the airport and country they would land in before actually landing. 

When they finally arrived at where Talia claimed to be 'home', a small child of about three years of age toddled toward her gleefully just as they went past the massive front door that Jason tried so hard not to gawk on.

"This is my son, Damian," Talia introduced. "You shall teach him the ways of the world out there, yet under no circumstances will you take him in person out of these gates; am I clear?"

After the lavish and luxurious things he had seen in the past two weeks, Jason had come to a conclusion that Talia is a very, very rich woman. Her warning about not leaving the gated complex that is located somewhere in Africa sounded quite logical to Jason. Hell, even if this place is in the middle of Manhattan, Jason knew he still would not want to get out; not especially with a toddler. Not unless they're in a fully armored vehicle with about a dozen of armed guards, maybe. "I get it." he replied. "Where shall I start?"

Talia nodded. "First, we dine. And then you may rest for the remainder of the day. Tomorrow morning, you shall start your training. I would also prefer my son's caretaker to be adept, not just smart."

"Sounds good to me." Jason remarked. "Thank you, for everything. I mean... for trusting me and all..." he added, feeling a little embarrassed at his lack of manners.

Talia's glare at him seemed a little sad. "Once upon a time, Jason Todd, I had wished for someone to be the ultimate warrior; the strongest of them all... My Champion. Alas, he was not to be. And then you walked in to my life." she said. "You shall be the strongest of them all, and teach my son to be strong at all cost, yes?"

"Definitely." Jason nodded, looking at little Damian - black haired and green-eyed, just like his mother. "We're gonna be good buddies, aren't we, Damian?" he asked the little boy. Damian lifted an eyebrow in a near perfect imitation of Talia's haughty glare, changed the glare's direction toward his mother, and back at Jason.

"You shall be more than buddies, Jason," Talia gave him a wry smile. "For now, let us dine. Father might join us later for supper.”

[thecomicsnexus]

BATMAN #360-361, DETECTIVE COMICS #527-528 JUNE - JULY 1983 BY DOUG MOENCH, DON NEWTON, DAN DAY, GENE COLAN, KLAUS JANSON, PABLO MARCOS AND ADRIENNE ROY

SYNOPSIS (FROM DC DATABASE)

Two police officers have been murderer in Gotham City and a third victim managed to survive the attack of a new serial killer on the loose.

Meanwhile, it's been a month since Bruce Wayne has become Jason Todd's guardian and the kid has been training hard, hoping to become the next Robin; and idea that Batman doesn't like. After their training session, Batman is contacted about the recent murders and he summons the Dark Knight to interrogate the only survivor.

The police officer can't remember details about the attack and Gordon provides Batman with a list of police officers that share similar background to the victims. Like this, Batman starts investigating all the possible victims, without a clear answer. However, one of the officers he interrogates mentions a former partner, who shares a similar background, but that no longer works as a police. After learning about Jack Crane, Batman goes to interrogate the former police officer, but the man who provided the information is soon attacked by the serial killer.

Batman finds Jack Crane's home and upon entering, he realizes it is the place of the serial killer, who now calls himself Savage Skull. From looking at the place, Batman learns that the former officer has a hit list and the last man on the list is Commissioner Gordon. When Skull returns home, he confronts Batman, but is unable to defeat the Dark Knight and instead chooses to escape with the murder weapon that he will use on Gordon.

Batman rushes to Gordon's home, where he finds his friend alive and well, except for medical complications that have started with the age. Batman informs Gordon about Crane and his new identity as Savage Skull and he tells Batman about Crane's past and the reason why he was removed from the force after a terrible incident, in which he lost his face skin. Despite his tragedy, Crane was still found guilty because of the use of excessive force. Batman finally deduces that Crane is out to kill all the officers who denied him his rights and has set out to murder them.

At that moment, Savage Skull breaks into Gordon's house and Batman immediately attacks the killer, taking the fight outside. After a brief chase, Batman confronts Skull near the river, where Skull acts out of desperation and jumps againt Batman, who dodges the attack, forcing Skull to plunge into the river. With the killer gone, Batman asks Gordon to tell his men to drag the river and find Savage Skull.

Robert Langstrom has been working himself too hard back at his old job at the Gotham Natural History Museum. His drive has been so strong that Langstrom forgot to take the antidote that prevents him from changing into Man-Bat. For this reason, Langstrom once again turns into Man-Bat, and his madness returns, believing that all his problems are caused by Batman.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gordon has not being able to locate the body of Savage Skull and Mayor Hill is giving Gordon a hard time for the lack of results. Noting Gordon's declining health, Hill decides to give Gordon and assistant, a person who will make things worse for the Police Commissioner.

At Wayne Manor, Jason Todd asks Bruce to go out to see a movie at night and unable to deny the kid such request, Bruce is forced to cancel a date with Vicki Vale, who is not too happy about the situation.

At night, Bruce and Jason prepare to go out, but Man-Bat has returned to the Batcave, the same place where he last confronted Batman. Making his way to Wayne Manor, Man-Bat strikes and Bruce goes into action as Batman. The struggle is taken back to the Batcave and Jason follows them, hoping to help in any way. When Man-Bat gets the upper hand on the fight, Jason attacks the monster, saying something about his "father". Man-Bat realizes that there is a connection between Batman and the kid, and he kidnaps the boy to make Batman suffer in the same way as he had suffered after the loss of his daughter. Batman realizes that Man-Bat has lost his mind once again, but the kidnapping of Jason makes him lose his temper and vows to find and kill Man-Bat once and for all.

Jason Todd has been kidnapped by Man-Bat, who expects to transform the kid into a bat like him, in revenge against Batman for "taking away his daughter". After the abduction, Batman starts looking in the caverns nearby the Batcave, knowing that Man-Bat is already long gone.

In fact, Man-Bat has taken Jason to a small town near Gotham, where the townsfolk become aware of Man-Bat's presence in the church's belltower. When the Gotham City Police Department arrive to investigate the "monster", Mat-Bat flies away with Jason and one of the officers fire his weapon, creating a big explosion in the nearby gas station. The fire attracts Batman, who picks up Man-Bat's trail.

Moments later, Batman visits Francine Langstrom and asks her assistance to help her husband. After explaining the situation, Bruce contacts Vicki Vale and asks a favor, which would help him against Man-Bat.

Meanwhile, the monster has taken Jason to the basement of the Gotham Natural History Museum, where he starts preparing a new strain of Man-Bat Serum to turn Jason into one like him. Batman eventually finds Man-Bat at the museum and after a brief confrontation in the upper floors, he descends to the basement laboratory, where Batman uses cardboard cutouts of Francine and Rebecca Langstrom with a recorded tape of her voices. The shock of the images and sound combined, make Man-Bat unstable and Batman takes the chance to attack. A struggle starts once again and knowing that Batman might need assistance, Jason breaks free from his bonds and attacks Man-Bat from behind, giving Batman the chance to inject the antidote on Langstrom and returning him to human once more.

After these events, things seem to be going normal for almost everyone, except Commissioner Gordon, who learns that Mayor Hill has assigned him a new assistant and it is none other than Harvey Bullock.

As the new Assistant Commissioner, Harvey Bullock re-opens the case of the Savage Skull and he sends members of the Gotham City Police Department looking for the criminal. As expected, Skull is still alive and he murders yet another police officer.

The next day, Mayor Hill summons Commissioner Gordon to discuss the recent events and how bad the whole situation looks for him. Back at the GCPD Headquarters, Gordon is unable to concentrate as Bullock has taken control of his offices and he takes the lead on the investigations. At night, Gordon is visited by Batman, who gives him words of encouragement and after their "pep talk", Gordon uses Bullock's notes to crack the case.

Later, Bullock goes to an abandoned building that was formerly used by the GCPD to train young officers. As Bullock deduced, Skull is waiting inside and he attacks Bullock, despite their former friendship. Gordon arrives in time to save Bullock, but as a result, he is stabbed in the shoulder. At that moment, Batman appears and confronts the Skull, who challenges Batman to a hand-to-hand combat. The fight is pretty even, but in the end, Batman defeats the killer, allowing Bullock to arrest the criminal, while Batman takes Gordon to receive medical assistance.

The next morning, Harvey Bullock summons a press conference to inform about the capture of Skull, but the takes the chance to bash against Gordon, making him look bad in the eyes of the entire city.

REVIEW

And this is how Doug Moench’s (first) Batman run started. I think it’s a good start, he is warming up with a detective story, some character arcs, political intrigue, and a crazed villain. Bringing back Bullock is just a bonus (it’s hard to remember that Bullock wasn’t a good cop).

The art is getting darker and darker. The issue illustrated by Dan Day made me check twice that it wasn’t Paul Gulacy.

And speaking of that issue, I used to have the spanish version of it, signed by Denny O’Neil. Wasn’t perfect though, he got my name wrong and he signed again in the interior :p

Thanks anyway, Denny ;)

Bringing back Gene Colan is also a very pleasant surprise. I know this is the last part of the pre-crisis Batman, and it includes some of the first Batman stories I ever read.

Now, let’s talk about Jason Todd. Gerry Conway did a good job introducing the character, but here... it feels a lot like a Dick Grayson replacement (I think many adaptations and later retellings of Grayson’s origins, include the things happening in these issues). Jason manages to get kidnapped!

You gotta give it to Jason, even when he is not an annoying brat, he makes you want to scream.

I give these issues a score of 8

[thefemalethatwrites]

Nightingale (Gabriel Reyes/Reaper x Reader)

Requested; Nope.

Prompt; You’re Bruce Wayne’s sister who joined Overwatch but now back.

Relationships; Bruce Wayne/Batman x Sister! Reader, Batkids x Auntie! Reader, Gabriel Reyes/Reaper x Reader, Jesse McCree x Mother figure! Reader, Genji Shimada x Mother figure! Reader.

Word Count; 4184

A/N; So I’ve been wanting to write stories/one-shots for a couple games I play (Assassin’s Creed and Overwatch). So I thought I’d trial it and combine it with DC at first then drift of on to doing them separately. I’ll still be writing DC things don’t worry. So enjoy!

~~~

(Y/N)'s POV

"(Y/N) stop! I told you in confidence that you wouldn't blow up!" Jack yelled after me as I stormed through the corridors of the Overwatch base,

"I don't care! How else would you expect me to react when you tell me something like that?!" I yelled,

"Hey Mom-Captain" Jesse corrected as he noticed the mood I was in,

"Where's Gabriel?" I asked,

"He said something about Doctor Ziegler" Genji replied, I growled as made my way towards the medical wing, 

"God dammit. (Y/N)!" Jack yelled as the three of them followed me, I entered the medical wing and was met with the evidence of what Jack had told me,

"You mother-fucker" I growled announcing my presence making Gabriel push Angela away from him,

"(Y/N), it's not what it looks like" Gabriel attempted as Jack, Jesse and Genji appeared behind me,

"Not what it looks like?! Do you think I'm blind and dumb?! You were clearly making out with this whore!" I yelled, his face turned dark as he mumbled something, "What?" I asked,

"Apologise" He repeated in a demanding tone, I glared at him

"You can go to hell" I spat as I went to leave but he grabbed my wrist making quickly react by punching him across the face then knocking him onto his back where I climbed on top and punched him repeatedly,

"(Y/N) enough!" Jack demanded as he pulled me off and restrained me, Moira had appeared within the commotion and stood in front of me,

"(Y/N) relax. This could cause some undesirable side effects" she said,

"Get off me!" I demanded pulling myself from Jack's hold, I glared down at Gabriel as Angela crouched down to him, my chest rising up and down, "I quit Blackwatch" I spat at him as I ripped the totem from my neck and threw it to the floor then turned to Jack, "And I quit Overwatch" I asserted before leaving.

***

I arrived outside the Manor and sighed, it's been over 20 years since I was here, I opened the front door and walked in, I was greeted by silence making me raise an eyebrow as I approached the bottom of the stairs, I quickly turned around and caught a kitchen knife that was thrown at me, I looked in the direction it came from to see a young boy stood at the kitchen with his mouth slightly agape,

"She caught it" he commented,

"Who's she? The cats mother?" I retort before another three males along with three females came from the kitchen, 

"Who are you?" the tallest male asked, I raised an eyebrow

"I should be asking you that" I comment,

"Oh god" the third tallest male mumbled as he pinched the bridge of his nose,

"What Drake?" The youngest asked,

"You just threw a knife at Auntie (Y/N)" 'Drake' stated, my eyes widened

"Aunt?!" The others exclaimed before Bruce and Alfred entered the Manor, both of them freezing as they noticed me,

"Miss Wayne?" Alfred muttered,

"Father! Why didn't you tell us we had an Aunt?" The youngest asked,

"I didn't think it would information you'd be interested in" Bruce answered, I rolled my eyes

"I wouldn't be surprise if he forgot me within the 'playboy' and Batman training" I comment making all their eyes widen,

"You know? How'd you know you haven't been here for 20 years!" Bruce snapped coming over to me, I narrowed my eyes at him,

"Did you think I'd leave my little brother without keeping tabs on him? Plus it was a little convenient that Nightingale left Gotham and Batman replaced her" I mused, he grunted and turned towards the children,

"Everyone meet (Y/N) Wayne, my older sister. (Y/N), this is Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain and Damian Wayne" Bruce introduced,

"Wait you're Nightingale?!" Steph exclaimed, I hummed

"Hello Bat. Bat-family" A female greeted as she entered the door and froze upon seeing me, "Who's she?" She asked looking me up and down, I raised an eyebrow at her,

"Selina-"

"(Y/N) Wayne. Bruce's big sister" I introduced extending my hand to her,

"Selina Kyle. Bruce's Fiancé" she introduced shaking my hand, I tightened my grip making her wince,

"Look at me like that again sweetheart and I'll have to remove your eyes and feed them to you. Understood?" I hissed in her ear, she nodded so I let go and stood back,

"Master Wayne, I believe it'd be wise to start getting ready for the charity Gala" Alfred piped up.

***

"Mister Wayne over here!"

"Miss Kyle!" The paparazzi yelled as they spammed Bruce and Selina as my car pulled up to the carpet, the door was opened and I climbed out,

"Miss Wayne!" The paparazzi yelled as they ignored the other 'celebrities' and hounded me, I gave a couple of poses before entering the event,

"Miss Wayne, I wasn't expecting you here tonight" The Mayor said, 

"Well you know me, I love to be a surprise" I replied, he hummed before disappearing, I sighed as I removed a champagne glass from a waiters tray and entered the room more.

***

I shut the car engine off as I came to a stop in the garage and answered my phone,

"Hello?"

"Mom?" Jesse's voice asked from the other side,

"Jesse? What's wrong?" I asked as I got out of the car heading upstairs to my room,

"It's Gabe. He's dead. Him and Jack alongside other members were blown up in the Swiss base" he informed, I froze in my steps at my bedroom door becoming speechless, "Mom? Are you there still?" He asked, I hummed not relying on my voice to not break, "Their funerals are at the end of this week" he said,

"Right...I'll be there tomorrow..." I trailed off,

"See you later Mom" he said before hanging up, the grip on my phone tightened before I launched it at a wall letting out an agonising scream, I began throwing things around my room as tears flowed from my eyes then I collapsed on to my knees and sobbed, there was a light knock on my door,

"Leave me alone" I mumbled, whoever it was made their way over to me and crouch down next to me, I glanced to my side to see Selina, concern was etched into every feature in her face,

"I know we're not the best of friends but I couldn't ignore that scream and the state you're in" she commented, I turned my head in her direction,

"It'd be safer if you did" I replied, she sighed and sat cross-legged

"You and Bruce think you can handle everything by yourselves. You're human. You're allowed to have emotions. You're allowed to ask for help" she stated, I looked around my trashed room and sighed, "So can you tell me what happened?" She asked,

"A young man I've come to see as my own son just called informing me that my ex-partner, of ten plus years, and my close friend had been killed in an explosion" I said, her face saddened as she motioned me into her arms,

"I'm not much of a hugger" she commented as she pulled me into her arms,

"Neither am I" I replied making her chuckled,

"You still loved him, didn't you?" She asked,

"I'd hope not after he cheated on me but feelings like that can't disappear within a couple months" I commented.

***

It was after the funeral services and everyone was giving their regards to me, as Jesse and Genji stood at my sides, holding my hands as comfort,

"What you gonna do now, Mom?" Jesse asked as the main crowd had disappeared,

"Return to Gotham, return to my life before Overwatch" I say, Easier said than done since I'd been at Overwatch from 18 to 42

"Mother?" Genji asked pulling me from my thoughts, 

"Sorry, what?" I asked,

"Would you mind if McCree and myself join you?" He asked, I raised an eyebrow

"Why?" I questioned,

"Just to make sure you're alright. We'll be on our ways after a month or two" Jesse answered, I gave them a small smile and nodded

"I'd appreciate that boys. Thank you" I say.

***

"You're doing it again" Jesse whispered gaining my attention, I raised an eyebrow

"Doing what?" I asked,

"Searching the room for enemies. Like you'd do when we were on an uncover mission" Genji replied, I sighed looking around the room again, my breathe caught in the back of my throat as I saw Gabriel,

"Mom? What's wrong?" Jesse asked, I shook my head

"Nothing. I thought I saw someone" I replied, they both eyed me with suspicion, "Anyway you don't need to stand with me. Go enjoy yourselves" I say, they both reluctantly left me, I raised an eyebrow as the security were having problems with their ear pieces,

"Ladies and Gentleman could I have your attention please" the Mayor called out, I approached the podium, "As you all know tonight's event was organised by the one and only Bruce Wayne. So I'll pass this over to him" He said and left the podium as Bruce made his way up to the middle,

"Well as a first I'd like to thank you all for coming. Second, tonight's event may have been organised by myself but it was actually Tim's idea. Tim why don't you come up and explain what and why we're all gathered here" Bruce said as he mentioned Tim to the podium.

Tim did and Bruce stood back as Tim cleared his throat, I looked over the crowd once more but caught a glimpse of a red light, I looked towards Tim who had a red dot on his chest, my eyes widened as I ran towards him and tackled him to the ground as a bullet flew past, I looked back up through the window to see a figure retreating on an opposite rooftop, I got up and began pushing my way through the panicking crowd, 

"Mom!" I heard Jesse yell, I got outside and removed the skirt part of my dress, revealing my Nightingale suit and ran in the direction of the sniper, I clambered up to the rooftop and chased them, I jumped into cover behind a chimney as the sniper turned to shoot at me, I heard an aircraft engine making my eyes widen as a Talon aircraft hovered for the Sniper to climb in, I got out of the cover and my eyes widened

"Amelie" I muttered as she glared down at me as they flew away,

"Mother!" Genji yelled as he and Jesse ran up to me,

"Come on" I demanded as we may our way back to the event where Bruce and the others were waiting in front of the limousine, we all piled in the limousine and was driven home.

"What was that about (Y/N)?" Bruce asked,

"What have been searching?" I asked Tim,

"Bruce wanted to know what you were doing within the years you left" he answered,

"What exactly did you look into?" I interrogated,

"Blackwatch" he answered, all three of us tensed up, I glared at Bruce

"Do you understand the danger you've put him in?! There's a reason why I didn't tell you anything! But you couldn't keep your nose out!" I yelled shoving him,

"How was I supposed to know? You randomly disappear then reappear 20 years later!" He snapped,

"My skills were noticed by the Government! They wanted me in Overwatch! Then we made a behind closed doors organisation called Blackwatch!" I yell before backing away towards Genji and Jesse, running a hand through my hair,

"Your skills? You mean your killing?" He scoffed, I stopped and glared at him,

"What did you say?" I growled as I turned to him,

"You heard exactly what I said. You're no better than the man who murdered our parents" he retorted, I let out a yell as I tackled him to the floor punching him in the face, he kicked me off and stood up, I stood up, he charged at me picking me up and slamming my back against the floor, I grunted before getting him in a headlock and flipping over him,

"You better not move Bruce, unless you want to join our parents that is" I hissed,

"Mom let go" Jesse said as he and Genji pulled at me, I sighed and let go of Bruce and allowed them to lead me away.

***

I jumped down from a roof and landed on a police vans roof making the police jump,

"Nightingale. It's been awhile" Gordon said as I jumped down in front of him,

"Jim I'm going to need you to evacuate the city" I demanded as I heard the omnics getting closer, 

"Why?! What exactly are we up against here?" He asked, 

"War machines that have their own mind. They'll kill any human in sight" I say before my eyes widened "Get down!" I ordered as I pulled him down as some bastion's began firing at us, I growled as I slid over the car bonnet and ran towards the machines shooting my mini-guns at them before throwing a grenade at them before returning to Jim,

"Alright everyone listen up! I'm going to need everyone to be quick and evacuate the whole city. Be aware of them machines!" He ordered, they all began rushing, I gave him a nod,

"You best get out of here before more come" I informed he nodded

"Good luck...(Y/N)" he said making my eyes widened as I removed my eye mask, he climbed into his car and drove off.

***

Gabriel's POV

"Hey Gabe. I think you might want to see this" Sombra commented as she pulled up a screen in front of me,

"This is ex-Blackwatch Captain (Y/N) Wayne requesting for any remaining Overwatch members to come to Gotham-Shit!" (Y/N) exclaimed as she took cover behind a wall sending the camera away from her as bullets flew by, "Omnics are attacking! I've set the city on an evacuation and I'm going to hold them off the best I can! However I don't think I can do it forever!" She yelled before the video cut out making my eyes widen,

"So what's the plan?" She asked raising an eyebrow,

"I'm going to Gotham" I informed standing up and going to leave,

"Alone?" She asked,

"Yes. You heard her; Ex-Overwatch members. That includes us dead ones" I replied, she hummed 

"Well I may not be an ex-Overwatch member but I do want to stop the omnics" she said, I sighed

"Gabriel. Have you seen?! (Y/N)'s in trouble. We need to go!" Moira yelled as she appeared next to me,

"Go where?" Amelie asked as she approached us with Akande,

"To Gotham. The Omnics are attacking" Sombra answered, Akande hummed as he eyed me suspiciously

"This could be the beginning of a second omnic war" Moira added gaining Akande's attention,

"I'll join" Amelie stated, Akande nodded 

"Let's go" Akande demanded as we made our way to the air crafts.

***

(Y/N)'s POV "Shit!" I exclaimed as I momentarily shielded my face from the flames as the car exploded, the shockwave sending me on to my back, I groaned as the robots began to close in, "Maybe if I lie still enough they'll think I'm dead and leave me the fuck alone!" I mused,

"Mom!" I heard someone yell before a young woman appeared next to me,

"Hola" she greeted before grabbing a hold of me and throwing something before we teleported, she sat me against an armoured police truck as a group approached us, I scoffed rolling my eyes

"My video call was for ex-Overwatch members. Not Talon" I sneer glaring at them,

"So you don't want healing then?" Moira asked, I raised an eyebrow

"What do you think?" I asked as I forced myself to stand,

"Sombra, Widow let's keep these bots off Moira while she tends to her wounds" Doomfist ordered, they both nodded before they disappeared,

"Just like the old days" Moira commented as she healed me, I grunted in response as I eyed Reaper,

"Perhaps you'd like to say something instead of staring" he snapped, Moira finished with me so I squared up to him,

"Take it off" I demanded narrowing my eyes at him, he remained silent, "Are you deaf? Remove the mask. I want to confirm my suspicions" I growled, he still remained silent making me sigh, "Fine be a stubborn arsehole" I stated,

"(Y/N) take this" Moira said holding out my totem, I tilted my head as I took it from her hands and put it on, "I may have made a couple of adjustments to it" she said giving me a small smile, I hummed,

"Let's dispose of these bots" I ordered as I reloaded my mini-guns, I noticed some ex-Overwatch members had arrived, "Unless you're too afraid to fight alongside the people you once called friends" I commented before joining the fight.

***

The number of bots were decreasing but not as fast as I would like, I heard a yell of pain gaining my attention as Mercy fell to the ground as a group of bots surrounded her, I quickly touched my totem and flew over to her using the wind, I landed in front of her as they took aim before I threw my hands up creating a rock wall in front of us, I turned to her and held out my hand, she took it and helped her up,

"You saved me. Why?" She asked, I raised an eyebrow, "After everything I've done to you why did you save me?" She repeated, I rolled my eyes 

"I don't hold grudges on the battlefield" I answered turning away from her, "Now prepare yourself to escape" I ordered as I raised my hands and the rock wall began shaking violently before exploding outwards taking out some of the bots.

Gabriel's POV

(Y/N) and Mercy flew up into the air unharmed,

"We're being overpowered easily!" McCree stated,

"We need (Y/N) to loose her shit!" Moira yelled making me raise an eyebrow 

"Why?!" I asked,

"Just trust me. You need to piss her off big time" She demeaned, I sighed and nodded

"Everyone retreat!" Morrison ordered.

(Y/N)'s POV

"Everyone retreat!" Soldier 76 ordered making me raise an eyebrow and flew down to him,

"And why are you retreating?" I asked,

"We'll have an advantage further down the street" he answered, I hummed looking down the street they were all going,

"If you go a block and a half down you'll be best there" I informed, he nodded, "You best get on your way and prepare yourselves I'll hold them here" I ordered,

"I'm staying" Jesse and Genji asserted in unison,

"As am I" Reaper informed, Moira grumbled something,

"You will need someone to watch your backs" She commented, Soldier 76 nodded and joined the retreat,

"I don't want another Venice incident" Reaper growled making my eyes widened, "Does that confirm your suspicions Mi amor?" He mused, I growled before igniting myself in flames and flying up into the air, throwing fireballs at the machines,

Not another incident like Venice. Who the hell does he think he is?! He was the whole reason that-Wait! Venice...

"I've got a plan!" I announced landing next to them, extinguishing myself and putting up a rock wall to protect us,

"What's the plan then?" Genji asked,

"I'm going to pull a Venice incident" I answered,

"What?! No!" Jesse exclaimed,

"In order to do that you'd need a lot of rage" Moira commented,

"Believe me. I've got that covered" I retort side-eyeing Gabriel, to which he folded his arms, "Just stay behind this cover" I ordered before igniting myself again and flying over the wall.

***

I groaned as I opened my eyes, I slowly made my way to sitting up and hunch over holding my head

"What the hell happened?" I mumbled as I stood up, I observed my surroundings and raised an eyebrow, "Why the hell am I in the Cave's containment cell?" I grumbled as I approached the door and opened it making me hum and leave, I overheard mutters from the main area of the Cave so I made my way over, Bruce, Selina and the batkids were listening to Moira, Jesse, Genji and Gabriel,

"Mom!" Jesse yelled as he noticed me making my way over to them, he and Genji tackled me with a hug making me smile and return it, they pulled away when Gabriel cleared his throat, I narrowed my eyes at him,

"What happened to doing another Venice incident?" He questioned, I raised an eyebrow

"What do you mean? I did do, didn't I?" I replied, he shook his head

"Unbelievable she doesn't even know what happened?!" He exclaimed,

"Gabriel now is not the time to tell her. I need to run some tests-"

"You're not running any tests on me until you tell me what the hell happened!" I snapped cutting Moira off, she sighed

"Instead of repeating what you did in Venice you had a nuclear explosion, if it wasn't for the rock wall that you created the whole city and it's people would've been wiped out by it. And your totem absorbed itself into your skin" Moira explained my eyes widened as I went to reach for my totem only to find it not there,

"So you're telling me the totem is inside my body and I have all the abilities I had before?" I asked, she shrugged

"More than likely but if I coul-"

"You're not running any tests on her Moira" Gabriel stated cutting her off once more, "Head back to the others and tell them I'll make my own way back to the base" he ordered, she grumbled and left the Cave,

"And why are you staying behind?" I asked approaching him,

"Could we talk about this in private?" He grumbled,

"No what you can say to me can be heard by my family. Could've been our family" I retort, he sighed dropping his head,

"Wait this is the man you were with? The one that died?" Selina asked, I nodded

"(Y/N) listen-" 

"No you listen here. She spent hours crying because of your death. You were together for years then you cheat on her! Then you have the nerve to fake your death!" Selina snapped cutting Gabriel off as Bruce held her back, "And now you think you can explain yourself?!" She continued,

"Thank you Selina" I say giving her a genuine smile, she stopped fighting against Bruce and stared at me, "As for you Gabriel. Follow me" I demanded as I lead him away from the others.

***

I sighed as I watched the joy on Bruce's face as he and Selina cut their wedding cake, everyone bursting into cheers, smiles and laughter as Selina smashed Bruce's face into the slice of cake, the wedding had gone off without a hitch to say that the criminal friends of Selina and the Justice league were in the same room obviously as their civilian identities,

"You okay, mi amor?" Gabriel asked as he appeared at my side, I rolled my eyes

"What have I said about calling me that? We're not together Gabriel" I retort, he sighed

"What do I have to do to be back with you?" He questioned, I turned to face him and raised an eyebrow before the doors burst open and the windows shattered as Talon soldiers came in and surrounded everyone, 

"What the hell are they doing here?!" I growled to Gabriel as we were 'guided' to the other guests, he shrugged 

"I don't know" he replied,

"(Y/N)" Bruce hissed as he grabbed my arm gaining my attention, I faced him and Selina,

"Who are these?" Bruce questioned,

"And why've they crashed my wedding?" Selina growled, 

"Talon soldiers. Let Gabriel, Genji, Jesse and myself handle them. Just get everyone out" I ordered, Bruce grunted I'm agreement as Genji and Jesse approached us, 

"Don't you dare ruin that dress" Selina warned, I held my hands up in defence,

"Genji, think you can slice a path for everyone to escape?" Gabriel asked,

"Of course I can" Genji scoffed as he withdrew his dagger from under his suit jacket as Jesse removed his pistol, and Gabriel removed another two pistols from his back holders, I crouched down and removed my heels,

"Now!" I ordered as I sent fire streams towards the soldiers on the right as Genji headed forwards, Jesse went left and Gabriel went behind,

"That's everyone out of the building" Genji informed as he returned before Jesse let out a yell of pain catching my attention,

"Jesse's injured!" I commented as I ran over to him,

"This place is going to blow!" Gabriel yelled making my eyes widened as I picked Jesse up and leant most of his body weight on to me,

"Keep us covered!" I ordered as I made my way outside where everyone was waiting, Alfred came over with a medical kit as I set Jesse on the floor, I turned towards the building as Genji was coming out, he came over to me, "Where's Gabriel?" I asked,

"He said he was right behind me" Genji said, my eyes widened as I ran towards the entrance before I thrown backwards due to the explosion of the building, I went to get up to my feet but Bruce and Selina held me back so I was on my knees, tears pooling out of my eyes as I stared at the destroyed building that was burning,

"Gabriel!" I screamed, it fell silent as everyone looked at me, Gabriel stumbled out of the entrance making me sigh in relief as I pulled from Bruce and Selina's grip and ran over to him, jumping into his arms, he grunted but caught me and squeezed me,

"What was that screaming for, mi amor?" He asked as we pulled away,

"I lost you once before I don't want that again" I confessed, he smiled before he pulled me closer crashing his lips on to mine which I immediately returned wrapping my arms around his neck, closing whatever space there was between us.

[crazyfreckledginger]

The Girl’s Pack ~ Chapter 1: A Runaway

[Princess][Archer][Wolf][Wally][Jason and Roy][Dick]

A/N: I’m already loving this!

Your PoV

I ran, that’s all I could do, run for my life, hoping that I wouldn’t get caught. I couldn’t let that happen. Not after everything we’ve been through, I can do it, I’ve able to do so until now, I cannot give up now.

I raced down the big abandoned shipping port. It was raining heavily, and it was freezing cold. Luckily, they wouldn’t find me in the cold rainy night, I was a fast runner, I could outrun them and stay free. But I couldn’t, I needed to find Grey and get him out of here before it’s too late. I turned around a corner and hid in an empty container. 

Crouching down and sitting on the floor, I attempted to make as little noise as possible. I took a deep breath as I listened to faint footsteps around the port, their sounds muffled by the heavy rain. I shivered in silence, hoping that I could warm myself up in my soaked hoodie and jeans. I wrapped myself in my arms as heavy footsteps resonate outside. My breath hitched as a silhouette appeared at the entrance, the neon street lamp accentuating the figure's soaked hair and features. He walked in, not distinguishing me in the darkness. His warm breath escaped his lips in an attempt to breathe in a less humid environment, but the little cloud quickly dissipated, taken over by the cold once again. I slowly stood up, not making a single sound as he lifted his gun up, pointing it at the darkness that surrounded him. Then, he completely stopped, trying to hear anything that might put him on the right track. I ceased to breathe, staying as immobile as possible, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of finding me above everyone else as I quickly made a decision, knowing he wouldn't leave until he found what he was sent for. And I did what had to be done. I shapeshifted in my tiger form and pounced on him, stabbing his shoulder with my fangs. Fortunately, I cut off his breathing before he could release a groan. I applied pressure until he fell unconscious, unable to inspire. Stepping back, I breathed heavily as I changed back into my human form. It had to be done, I thought. I scurried out of the container, looking in every direction to see if the coast was clear, then running towards the city, I had to find Grey and get out of here before they get to us.  

Meanwhile, in The Watch Tower…

3rd Person PoV  

"There has been a lot of criminal activity in the neighbouring city, but only in one particular area!" Black Canary explained.

"Any more details?" Martian Manhunter asked.

"They all seem to be after the same thing, but we don't know what it is!" She answered.

"I'll contact Nightwing to send a team in and find more details on what we're dealing with!" Batman informed. His colleagues nodded in agreement. He paced to the computer and contacted the first Robin.

Your PoV

I dashed in the city, running as fast as I could, turning into alleys and main roads. I heard the sound of faint chatter as a number of big cars arrived in front of my apartment block. I hurried to the alley, pulling the rusty metal staircase down, and hurried up the stairs, opening my bedroom window. I landed on the floor with a little thump and tiptoed around my apartment.

"Grey? Where are you?!" I whisper yelled. Turning around as I heard shuffling from behind me, a little silver furred body drunkenly wandered towards me.

"(Y/N)?" He pronounced in his sleepy state.

"Stay close honey okay? They've found us, we need to get out of here!"

I darted to my room, taking all the necessities in my bag, along with my cash and food. I stuffed all of it in a bag as I ran and put my warm coat on. Grey sauntered to me and I picked him up, placing him in my coat as he made himself comfy in the little pocket I made him in it, just above my chest. I slung my bag over my shoulders and jumped out of the window, out onto the staircase and slid down it. I marched around the corner, hiding in my coat as I walked towards the train station.

Back At Mount Justice...

3rd Person PoV

"All young Justice members are unavailable at the moment, I will be asking you, Canary, to take Zatara with you and transfer information on this USB key. They are hiding in an abandoned warehouse a few miles away from the abandoned port in the neighbouring town." Batman explained, handing Black Canary a USB stick. She nodded and proceeded out of the Watchtower, towards the Hall Of Justice.

Your PoV

I relaxed upon arrival at the train station. Not wanting to be involved in facilitating my capture, I decided to go the bus station a few minutes from the big terminal, away from cameras. I walked up to the cashier, clearing my throat before I spoke up.

"Excuse me, when is the next bus to New York?"

"Oh, you've missed the last one honey, it left an hour ago!" She soothed. I bit my lip as I tried to think of a solution.

"Do you have any buses that leave soon?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes, the coach to Gotham leaves in 3 minutes!" She smiled.

"Great! I'll take a one-way ticket then!" I sighed. She nodded as she printed the ticket.

"43.43 dollars please!" I guided a wad of money closer to my face and shakily took a 50 dollar note and slid it across the counter. After she handed me the change and the ticket, I paced towards the terminal and quickly got on the coach. I sat at the end of the bus, against the window.

"Where are we going?" Grey asked as he laid his head on my collarbone.

"Away from here!" I explained, closing the small curtains to hide my face. The bus soon started and we were on our way to Gotham.

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