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downthe-f4ndom-rabbith0le · 8 months ago

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Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) - Prologue

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) Reader Insert: she/her pronouns Word Count: 7839 Warnings: death, violence, fighting, bloody wounds, angst, infuriatingly oblivious love interest, slowburn Spoilers: Young Justice Seasons 1-3 plot partially, but it ended in 2022 so catch up.

Y/N Prince - miracle daughter of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor - and Dick Grayson - first adoptive son of the Batman himself - have been best friends since day one. They went to school together, trained together, kept each other's alter ego secret from everyone else, and they founded the Young Justice alongside their friends together.

But as time progressed, Y/N and Dick grew up and Y/N found herself wanting more than friendship with Dick. But he never seemed to indicate that he reciprocated her feelings. And when Wally died and Dick abandoned the team, Y/N realised he never would. So she heads to the one place she knows will help her become a stronger warrior so that one day she can take her mother's place: Themyscira.

Two years after his leave, Dick reaches out to his old friends to help him with a mission. But when he finds out Y/N left too, he chases after her in the hopes to bring her back.

However, when the two finally reunite, it isn't as warm as he hopes. Not to mention Themyscira becomes under siege as they go to war against Echidna, the Mother of Monsters in Greek Mythology, and her army of monstrous children.

Will Dick and Y/N be able to put their past behind them and save the Amazonians' homeland? Or will they fall, unable to tell one another their true feelings?

Long summary I know, but I'm attempting something that I haven't tried to do in a long time and I've had this thought in my head for ages so I've just got to get it out now. This story will cover the plot from Season One to the beginning of Season Three. Apologies if anything is vague or inaccurate, I haven't watched the show in a while and cannot be bothered going back to get it right when the main plot of this story is entirely of my own design and not canon. Also, for the sake of the growing-up-together part, I've brought Dick's family's death up so he is taken in by Bruce earlier than 12 years old. I've always loved this version of Dick Grayson (Nightwing) in Young Justice and I hope I do him justice for those of you who also loved the show and him xx

~~~

(10 years old)

'Don't worry, my beloved,' Diana said in a soothing voice, patting her daughter's head gently as the car pulled up. 'It's not so scary on the inside.'

Wayne Manor was made of grey columns and dark shadows it seemed to little ten-year-old Y/N, who couldn't shake the feeling that the house was full of ghosts. It was an imposing structure, making her wonder how anyone would choose to live in such a cold and lifeless place.

'I want to go home, Mother,' she whimpered, backing away from the car window.

Diana turned her daughter's head to face her, giving her best reassuring smile to alleviate some of her daughter's worries. 'We will, but I need to take care of something first and I can't leave you at home alone. My very good friend has kindly offered for his butler to look after you while we sort our business out. He has a son that I think you will get along with quite well.'

Y/N couldn't believe that a child lived in the scary house outside, but she knew when not to question her mother.

Her mother was always busy, it didn't matter what time of the day or night. Y/N didn't quite know what her mother did, but she knew it was dangerous, as her mother would come home with cuts and bruises, exhausted from whatever she'd just been doing. The partial truth of it all came out just last week, as Y/N and her nanny had been attacked in their small apartment in Washington DC. The nanny had locked Y/N in the bathroom when the men attacked so Y/N didn't see what happened to her. But Y/N had heard her screams, had heard the men laughing at her anguish. She'd heard her mother finally arrive and slaughter the men. And when Y/N was finally let out of the bathroom, her mother's red, white, blue and gold metallic outfit was covered in blood, as was the sword she'd dropped as she pulled Y/N into her arms tightly.

Whatever kind of work her mother and her mother's "good friend" were involved in, if she said Wayne Manor was the safest place to be when she worked, then Y/N wouldn't argue.

It didn't stop Y/N from squeezing her mother's hand to the point of cut off circulation as they walked from the car into the scary house.

'Miss Prince,' a man in a tuxedo said in welcome. He was partially bald and his moustache twitched when he spoke.

'Alfred,' Diana said, giving the older man a warm smile. 'So good to see you again. And please, I am Diana to friends and family.'

'Of course,' Alfred said, a cheeky smile on his face, 'but forgive me if I prefer to be a little old-fashioned, Miss Prince.'

'Very well,' Diana said, turning her gaze down to Y/N. 'This is my daughter, Y/N.'

Alfred smiled warmly down at Y/N, crouching ever so slightly to hold out his hand. 'A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Y/N. Welcome to Wayne Manor.'

Y/N hesitated in taking his hand. She'd always been taught to be cautious around strangers.

'Come on, Y/N,' Diana insisted. 'Don't be rude.'

Y/N, with her free hand, accepted Alfred's outstretched one, giving it a firm shake like she'd seen her mother do with people she had meetings with at work and at home.

'My, you certainly have your mother's strength,' Alfred commented as he stood back up, shaking his hand a little. 'I'll be sure not to mess with you when you grow older.'

Y/N didn't have time to process what Alfred meant when two dark figures walked down a grand staircase into the lobby they stood in. As they drew closer to the light, Y/N distinguished one as a tall and broad-shouldered man with dark hair, neat attire, and a stern face. Beside him was a small child close to her height, also with dark hair and flashing blue eyes. Unlike the taller man, though, his face was bright with intrigue and mischief.

'Diana,' the tall man said by way of greeting as he reached the ground floor with the boy.

'Bruce,' she replied, walking herself and Y/N over to him and the boy. 'Thank you for offering to look after Y/N tonight.'

'Well, it won't be me personally,' Bruce replied, 'but I'm sure Alfred will be able to look after them while we're gone.'

'If I could raise you to be the man that you are today, Master Bruce, I am sure two beautiful children won't be much of a task,' Alfred called out casually as he closed the front door and exited the room.

'I've contacted Clark,' Bruce continued. 'He says he'll meet us at the rendezvous point. We should leave soon.'

Diana nodded. 'Okay.'

To her surprise, Y/N found Bruce's gaze on her, and his stern expression softened as he looked her over. 'This must be the famous Y/N I've heard so much about.'

Y/N remembered her mother's lessons on etiquette and nodded politely. 'Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne.'

Bruce surprised her again as a small smile broke out, making him look younger and less intimidating than before. 'It's nice to meet you too, Y/N,' he said, looking down to the boy beside him. 'This is my ward, Richard.'

The young boy groaned in annoyance. 'It's Dick, Bruce. You know I don't like it when you use my real name.'

Bruce sighed, but conceded. 'Sorry, this is Dick. I hope the two of you get along tonight, Y/N.'

Before Y/N could reply, Dick stepped forward so that they only stood a step apart. His blue eyes were so bright as they scanned over her, and it took all of her will not to hide behind her mother.

He squinted sceptically at her. 'Do you like sparring, Y/N?'

'Dick,' Bruce exclaimed, eyes wide with horror. 'That's not something you should ask-'

Y/N ignored Bruce's protests as she locked eyes with Dick. She saw the challenge in them, and whatever fears she had about coming here faded away. A fire sparked in her, and she couldn't help herself but grab Dick's unsuspecting wrist and flip him over her and land him on his back. Before he could get up, she pressed a knee to his neck softly as she held him down.

'Y/N!' Diana exclaimed. 'That is not how we treat-'

She was cut off by the sound of Dick laughing, a sound so pure and light it brightened up the gloomy interior of the manor. Dick looked up at Y/N, not even bothered by the fact she was an inch away from cutting off his airway. 'Oh yeah, we're going to get along just fine, Bruce.'

The last of her apprehension to the arrangement disappeared as she released Dick from her death grip and helped him to his feet, a bright smile gracing her features.

'Where'd you learn to flip like that?' Dick asked.

'My mother,' she answered proudly. 'We've practiced for thirty minutes everyday since I was eight. I've also been taking classes back in Washington in judo and karate.'

'Cool!' Dick said. 'Maybe you can teach me some moves?'

'Sure!' Y/N answered.

Without even hesitating, Dick grabbed Y/N's hand and took off running to who knew where, words falling from him like a dam that had just been broken. 'Awesome! And then I can show you some of the cool gymnast tricks I picked up in the circus.'

'You were in the circus? That's so cool!'

The two of them were lost in their own world as Bruce and Diana remained in the lobby, looking after their children lovingly before they disappeared completely. When silence filled the room once more, they turned to each other.

'How much does she know?' Bruce asked.

Diana sighed. 'Enough to know that she will never have a normal life. Not after the incident last week. I thought I had a bit more time.'

Bruce placed a hand on his friend's shoulder comfortingly. 'I'm sorry, Diana. Truly. It's hard enough protecting a child who isn't your own. At least Dick has known death before. He knows everything.'

Diana nodded her appreciation, patting Bruce's hand before he let it drop. 'She will know, one day, what all this means. What her destiny is. Until now she has shown how much of Steve she has in her.' Diana paused at the memory of her fallen lover, feeling the tears rise up whenever she thought of him. 'But I fear she will grow to inherit my power, my responsibilities. I don't know if I'm ready to let her become that for the world. Not yet.'

'Diana,' Bruce said softly, 'she might not have a choice one day. I fear the same thing for Dick. You and I won't be around forever. The world will look to them to help, one day.'

Somewhere in the distance, Y/N and Dick's laughter resonated through the manor, giving it a warmth Bruce hadn't felt in a while. He smiled at the sensation. 'But for now, they have a choice. They can choose to be kids. Until the world no longer needs us.'

~~~

(11 years old)

'Uuuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhh,' Y/N groaned as she flopped onto Dick's bed, textbook flattening over her face in defeat. 'I give up. I'm never going to pass this infuriating maths exam next week.'

All Y/N received was an amused laugh from the dark-haired boy, resulting in her throwing her textbook at his head where we sat on the floor. But Dick had always been quick, dodging the book easily. He was even more quick since they'd started training with each other since she moved to Gotham permanently for school.

She was enrolled at the same school as Dick: Gotham Academy. It was the best school in the area, and when she'd received her scholarship, her mother couldn't refuse her wishes to move. Y/N stayed in the boarding house for the most part, but being friends with the Bruce Wayne's only son certainly had its perks. Such as getting out of the boarding house whenever she needed to study and train without prying eyes.

Dick laughed again. 'Come on, Y/N,' he said, picking up her strewn textbook and offering it back to her. 'It's not so bad. We're just trying to find x.'

Y/N rolled over onto her stomach so Dick wasn't upside down anymore. 'Yes, and it is impossible! I mean, they give us nothing to try and figure out a and b, but we need them both to find out x. How?!'

When Y/N didn't take her book back, Dick put it on the ground and shuffled forwards. He did so until he was half an arm's length away from Y/N's face where it rested in her hands.

'All right, let's have a break,' he said. 'Focus on something else. How about... Ooo, I know! What would your vigilante name be?'

Y/N's eyebrows furrowed. 'What?'

'Your vigilante name,' Dick reported. 'You know, like a code name for ordinary people to refer you by. Like Bruce for example, he's Batman.'

'So like my mother too, who is Wonder Woman,' Y/N added.

Dick nodded. 'Correct. When we start fighting bad guys - and we will some day - we will need alter egos so villains don't pursue us outside of an ordinary mission.'

Y/N sat up as Dick jumped to his feet, pulling out all kinds of ninja-karate moves, many of which Y/N had taught him herself over the last year. 'I think I'll be something winged too. Batman needs to be accompanied by another flying animal, don't you think?'

'That is... logical,' Y/N admitted, though not understanding his motives for the specific topic. 'I haven't given much thought to the matter, honestly. I'm too busy trying to find this dumb x value.'

Dick landed a slam kick against thin air before he took up a normal standing position in front of Y/N. He smiled down proudly at her. 'I was thinking of just bird,' he confessed, taking a seat beside her on his bed, 'but then I thought that was boring. Batman and Bird, yeah sooooo intimidating. So I was thinking maybe Hawk, or Sparrow-'

'Why does it have to be intimidating?' Y/N asked.

Dick paused for the first time in the conversation and looked at her as if she was crazy. 'Because Batman is intimidating. I don't want to be seen as a sissy when I rock up beside him to fights. I defs won't feel the aster, then.'

'But shouldn't a hero be giving people reassurance and hope when they come to save people?' Y/N countered. 'Why would you want to be something that all people dread when you enter the door. I think a hero's name should be strong and encouraging. Something like my mother's.'

Dick rolled his eyes. 'You're just saying that because she's you're mum.'

Y/N shook her head. 'No I'm not. I've seen it first hand. When my mother shows up to lend a hand, the people cry with joy and relief because they know she will do all that she can to save them. I'm not saying Batman - Bruce - doesn't do the same thing, but I just know that when I have to be a hero, I would hope my name inspires people to keep hoping. Not fear me.'

Y/N watched Dick process her words, saw his piercing blue eyes grow distant as he looked down at his hands. For a moment, Y/N worried she'd ruined everything. That she'd overstepped. Dick and Bruce's relationship - it was more of an arrangement, in her opinion - was tenuous to say the least, the two of them always dancing on a very thin line that could snap at any moment when push comes to shove. Either way, it wasn't her place to comment on how Dick should handle his relationship to Bruce.

However, when Dick looked up to Y/n again, she was relieved to find he wasn't angry at her. In fact, a soft smile had bloomed on his lips.

'You're right,' he said softly. 'I don't have to be scary. Bruce has that all covered.'

'Glad to hear it,' Y/N replied with a a reciprocal smile. 'So... anymore ideas on your name?'

'Well, I still believe it's got to be a bird of sorts,' Dick answered. 'But let's steer clear of the birds of prey, shall we? Maybe Jaybird, or Bluebird. No, that's stupid. Raven? Nah, that's going backwards...'

'How about Robin?' Y/N suggested, and Dick's smile broadened to the point Y/N was scared he'd split his mouth right open.

'That's perfect!' he exclaimed, bringing her into a hug. 'Batman and Robin. It's got a nice ring to it, doesn't it?'

'It sure does,' Y/N said, grateful to have helped.

When Dick let her go, he said, 'Now how about you? What do you think your vigilante name should be?'

Y/N thought about it for a moment, but could only come up with one name. 'I like Wonder Woman, but mother already has that. I don't think two of us would make it easy for the public, especially if she is still working.'

'That is true,' Dick replied, turning away from her as he delved into deep thought. Y/N could tell he was thinking deeply as his tongue was poking out ever so slightly - the thing he always did when he was concentrating really hard. Y/N always found it amusing since the day she met him.

Y/N jumped a little when Dick suddenly cried out with excitement. He turned back to her and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look directly at him. 'How about we take inspiration from your mother? Use part of her name to create yours. Like Wonder Girl!'

Y/N shook her head. 'No, that's really lame, Dick.'

'Wonder Kid?'

'No.'

'Wonder... Child?'

'No!'

Dick snapped his fingers and his eyes brightened as Y/N assumed a great thought popped into his head. 'I've got it: Wonderess! You know, like Wonder Woman and goddess put together!'

'Wonderess...' Y/N tested it out on her tongue, and she smiled at how easy it rolled off. It was simple, it was to the point. She could just hear the world now, shouting and screaming and crying her name for joy, for help.

She couldn't stop her smile from widening and matching Dick's. 'I love it.'

'Great!' Dick slid back down to the floor and grabbed the forgotten textbook she'd thrown at him earlier. 'Now, oh mighty and powerful Wonderess, time for you to conquer the alluding and difficult enemy that is mathematics.'

Despite her earlier anguish, Y/N felt rejuvenated and took the book from Dick and opened it back to the page she'd failed to understand. 'Then conquer mathematics we shall, oh sneaky and charming Robin.'

Dick flashed her one of his dazzling smiles. 'Oh yeah, I can see it now. Robin is going to be popular with the ladies when I'm older.'

Y/N rolled her eyes, but couldn't contain her smile. 'Don't make me throw this book at you again.'

Dick raised his hands in mock surrender before they both dove back into their respective homework. But after five minutes of work, Y/N had another thought.

'Dick. What does "aster" mean?' ~~~

(13 years)

When Y/N had walked into the Hall of Justice earlier that day, she never imagined that she'd end up helping her best friend and the sidekicks of the Flash and Aquaman break into a top secret and highly secured lab centre, get captured by the mad scientists running the show down there, break out and now be standing in front of the Justice League as a Superman look-alike (that they'd broke into for and out of with) stared down his creation's inspiration.

'Start talking' Batman said, finally breaking the tense silence.

Between Kaldur, Wally, Dick, and Y/N (Superboy, Y/N realised early on, didn't talk much), the story of how they ended up at Cadmus and pretty much destroyed it was eventually told. Afterwards, the blockbuster monster they'd fought was taken away by Green Lantern and some other League members. Y/N couldn't help but peak at her mother as Wonder Woman herself conversed with Superman and Martian Manhunter. For a brief moment, Diana looked her daughter's way then quickly averted her gaze. But Y/N knew from that one look that her mother was unimpressed by her actions today.

'Cadmus will be investigated,' Batman said, after Superman said a frosty goodbye to his younger clone. 'All fifty-two levels. But let's make one thing clear-'

'You should've called!' the Flash finished, crossing his arms, clearly disappointed in his sidekick's efforts.

'End results aside, we are not happy,' Batman continued. 'You hacked Justice League systems; you disobeyed direct orders; and you endangered lives. You will not be doing this again.'

Y/N's heart faltered at the very notion. Despite the wreckage and the stress and the struggles they had faced, Y/N very much liked working with Dick, with Kaldur and Wally too. Even the Superboy was enjoyable at some points. To never work with them again was not something she expected she would miss after one mission.

Kaldur and the other boys must've read her mind, as he stepped forward, standing tall and speaking with a strong voice well beyond his years. 'I'm sorry,' he began, eyes never leaving Batman, 'but we will.'

'Aqualad,' Aquaman started, stepping up behind Batman. 'Stand down.'

'Apologies, my King. But no,' Aqualad replied. 'We did good work here tonight. The work you trained us to do. Together. On our own. We forged something powerful. Important.'

'If this is about your treatment at the hall,' the Flash started, 'the four of you-'

'The five of us,' Wally corrected, looking directly at Superboy as he did, 'and it's not.'

'Batman,' Dick said, stepping to the front of the group. 'We're ready to use what you taught us. Or why teach us at all?'

'Why let them tell us what to do?' Superboy interrupted, pushing past Dick to take the lead. 'It's simple, get on board. Or get out of the way.'

Y/N joined her friends in staring down the heads of the Justice League. It was an intimidating figure they all posed, but Y/N knew she was doing the right thing. That her and her friends had done the right thing tonight.

Diana joined Batman, the Flash, and Martian Manhunter, her face unreadable and voice monotone. 'Are you sure this is the path you would like to forge, Wonderess?' she asked, her voice echoing in the crater they stood in.

Apart from Dick and Bruce, no one else (to Y/N's knowledge) knew that Wonder Woman and Wonderess were related in any manner. Not that either disguised themselves like other heroes did - purposefully hiding their faces to conceal their identities like Batman and the Flash - but neither outwardly acknowledged their true relationship either.

However, Y/N could tell her mother wasn't just asking her as her sidekick, but as her daughter. Was Y/N really prepared to risk all she had trained for, for some... strangers?

Y/N eyed the golden lasso that hung at her mother's hip, and opened her hand to summon the seemingly never-ending rope into her hand. It wrapped around several times, then glowed as Y/N clenched a tight fist around it.

'I am more certain than I have ever been, Wonder Woman,' Y/N replied, feeling the lasso urge her to speak all her truth. 'While I still endeavour to one day be your successor, my place is with my friends right now. We need to walk this path together, wherever it leads. I know this to be absolute truth.'

Y/N sucked in a breath as she let go of the lasso, feeling slightly drained from the power it had over her. Dick put a hand on her back to brace her as she recovered. Once Y/N had caught her breath, she spared Dick a grateful smile, which he reciprocated.

Just as it had been from day one, they would ride this wave together. No matter how rough.

The very next day, the five of them were taken to Mount Justice, the backup facility for the Justice League as Batman explained. Upon arrival, they met M'gann, Martian Manhunter's niece, and soon after Artemis was brought into the mix.

Soon, they were the Young Justice.

~~~

(13 years old)

'Congratulations team, you have won the day,' Red Tornado said as he laid dismembered on the ground.

The rest of the team had just reconnected as the Justice computer phased a date and time code onto one of the glass walls of the Watchtower. It read: January 01, 00:00 EST.

'Happy New Year, Justice League,' the computer announced.

To no one's surprise, Wally picked up Artemis and pulled her in for a long-awaited kiss. M'gann and Connor paired up, so did Rocket and Aqualad surprisingly.

Y/N felt uncomfortable watching them all making out, so she turned to her best friend so they could give them all some privacy. 'Hey Dick, let's go-'

But as she turned around, Y/N saw that Dick had also paired off with someone: Zatanna. This time, Y/N couldn't help but stare as the two of them made out.

Since day one of Zatanna joining the team, Y/N had noticed Dick had a thing for her. Who wouldn't? She was beautiful, she was just a year older than them but that just made her more desirable, and she was good with magic!

Something stirred inside Y/N, something that twisted her guts to the point she thought she'd throw up. Was it jealousy? No, she wasn't the jealous type. Besides, Dick was her best friend, no one could change that. He could kiss whoever he wanted to kiss. At the end of the day, they'd still talk and laugh and spar and go get ice cream together.

...Right?

'Human customs still allude me,' Red Tornado said from his place on the floor.

'You're not the only one...' Y/N mumbled to herself, standing all alone.

~~~

(16 years old)

Y/N was just sparring on a test dummy when Dick entered the training ring looking a little worse for wear, his usual mischievous smile not visible.

'Hey,' Y/N said, finishing up her combo of kicks and punches, heaving in deep breaths. 'What's up, bird brain?'

He didn't reply straight away, instead standing on the edge of the fight ring as if afraid to step out of the shadows and into the light. Y/N raised an eyebrow in confusion. 'Dick?'

When he didn't respond again, Y/N walked over to him. And when she got closer, she realised why he remained in the darkness.

'Have you been crying?' she asked softly, scared to speak too loud in case he ran away.

Dick wasn't an emotional guy. He just wasn't. He was the mischievous gremlin who kept the team together with his witty remarks, charm, and sheer intelligence. And even though Kaldur had been the leader of their team for years now, Dick always wanted to be a leader like Bruce was for the Justice League. He never gave himself room to be emotional.

So for him to stand in front of Y/N with red-rimmed eyes and tear marks streaking down his face, whatever had just happened had to be so impactful it finally broke his resolve.

He averted his eyes. 'Zatanna,' he started, biting his lip to suppress sobs falling out between the words. 'She broke up with me.'

Subconsciously, Y/N had been dreaming about hearing those words for a long time. She didn't quite understand why, as Zatanna was a close friend and Dick was by far her best friend so of course she only ever wanted happiness for them. But now that Dick stood in front of her so broken and sad, Y/N only felt sorry and remorse.

'Oh Dick,' she said. 'I'm so sorry... How can I help?'

Dick shook his head vigorously, eyes still averted from her. 'Can you just... Can we spar please? I think I really need that right now.'

His tone was restrained, as if he were holding back what he really thought. Y/N had half a thought to suggest they just talk, but when he finally looked directly at her, how could she refuse her best friend? After all, she was the only one he never wore his glasses around. Even after all these years with the team, he trusted no one else but her with his identity.

The original members knew, but even then he still wore his shades around them half the time if he wasn't in his vigilante suit. But not around Y/N, though. Never around Y/N.

'All right,' Y/N conceded, walking with him back to the centre of the fighting ring. She stood in her usual starting position, hands raised and feet split ready to fight. 'Same rules as last time?'

Dick nodded. 'No flying from you, no gadgets from me. Just us.'

'Perfect.'

Y/N launched into a heated sparring match, much more heated than any other match she'd had before with him. Sparring matches are usually to practice a skill, usually some punches can be pulled. But not now, Dick was throwing himself into everything, becoming sloppy, opening himself up. While the first few jabs Y/N got in were small victories, she soon grew worried as he grew more and more reckless as the match progressed.

'You're opening yourself up too easily, Dick,' Y/N commented between heavy breaths. 'Tighten up your stance.'

Dick groaned with frustration in answer, throwing another punch at her which she easily ducked and palm-punched his abdomen hard. He stumbled back as he caught his breath, but Y/N took it as her chance to end the fight as she charged at him, crash-tackled him to the mat with a bit more super-strength than she'd been using and pinning his limbs to the ground.

Dick struggled under her, but she refused to let go. 'Concede, Grayson. Now,' she demanded.

She rarely used his last name, only when he was in serious trouble or when she really needed him to listen. So he stopped, and he looked up at her and he nodded. 'I concede,' he said between huffs of air.

Y/N nodded her head in acknowledgement before stepping off him and helping him to his feet. For years they had been the same height, but once Dick had hit fourteen, he shot up fast. He was still lean and more on the skinny side, but he was toned in certain places and he now stood a head taller than Y/N. But she didn't let his new height stop her from locking eyes with him.

'Do you feel... somewhat better now?' she asked cautiously, feeling that Dick was on the brink of an explosion, she was just unsure what kind it would be.

To her surprise, Dick's piercing blue eyes welled up with tears. 'No,' he said.

Y/N immediately wrapped her arms around him, and Dick fell into her and wrapped himself around her as if she were a warm blanket on a cold night. They stood like that - with Dick crying silently into her shoulder and Y/N rubbing soothing circles into his back - for who knew how long. A minute, two, an hour maybe. It didn't matter, Dick needed Y/N'S help so she would stay there as long for as it took.

'She said she couldn't do it anymore,' he said finally, tears finally finished running, but he still didn't break from Y/N's embrace. 'The long distance.'

'Being promoted to the Justice League is a huge commitment, Dick,' Y/N offered.

'It's not just that, though,' he said. 'I think she couldn't take me anymore. Ever since Jason-'

His voice cracked on the mention of his fallen brother, the next ward Bruce had taken under his wing. When he joined the team, Jason took over the Robin mantle, giving Dick freedom to explore a new path of vigilante identity. One outside of Bruce's shadow and the dynamic duo of Batman and Robin. He'd settled upon Nightwing - another name Y/N helped come up with - and he'd taught Jason everything he knew about being Robin and how he could find his own meaning for the role.

But Jason never got the chance to do the same for the next Robin, who Bruce mentioned would never be found after Jason's death. Jason had been killed on a mission with the Batman himself only a month ago, and Dick had secretly been a wreck ever since. He'd learnt from his sponsor who to hide his emotions, but Y/N assumed he had to let it out to someone or someones every so often. Those people were herself, and no doubt Zatanna.

Despite her bubbly and adventurous personality, Zatanna knew death, knew grief. It suddenly angered Y/N at the thought that Zatanna had dumped Dick because he was grieving and couldn't give her the attention he had become known to give her daily.

Y/N held her tongue as she pulled him tighter, though. Now was not the time to rub salt into his open and bloody wound.

'You don't have to explain yourself to me, Dick,' Y/N reassured him. 'I understand.'

He squeezed her tighter. 'First my family, then Jason, now Zatanna. Promise me you won't leave too. Promise.'

'I promise, Dick,' Y/N answered. 'I'll always be here if you need me.'

Dick finally pulled away from her, but only far enough that he still held her in his arms and she had to angle her head harshly upwards to look him in the eye. Despite the redness, Dick's eyes still shone a blue that didn't seem quite real - like the colour of the purest, cleanest ocean.

So beautiful.

'You're my best friend, Y/N,' he said softly, a grateful smile finally breaking through his sadness. 'You know that right?'

Once upon a time, Y/N wouldn't have hesitated in answering. Yes, she would say, because it was the truth. It was the truth still, but a discomforting feeling in her stomach squirmed at the words "best friend". What he meant to her went past the simple label, at least in her opinion. But she just couldn't quite put it into words yet.

'Y-Yeah, I know,' she stammered out quickly. She had paused way too long to answer. 'Just like you're mine, bird brain. Don't think a bunch of tears is going to scare me off so easily.'

She was so glad to be the one to make him laugh then. It was the most melodic sound she'd ever heard, even though she'd heard it a thousand times before. Dick could never be tiring to her.

Finally - and thankfully - Dick stepped out of her arms, allowing her to suck in air that had previously been missing from between them. But he stole it all right back when he flashed her that charming smile of his.

'Guess I'll see you tomorrow, Wonderess,' he said. 'Thanks again for the sparring. I'll be sure to tighten up for next time.'

'G-Great, good, excellent,' Y/N stumbled over her words, unable to breathe when he smiled so causally yet so beautifully at her. 'See you tomorrow.'

Dick gave her a tiny wave as he left the room. As he left, Artemis and M'gann strolled in wearing civvies. They greeted and farewelled Dick before continuing to walk to Y/N, who stood frozen where Dick had left her staring after him.

'You okay, Y/N?' Artemis asked, waving a hand in front of Y/N's face. 'Helloooooo. Earth to Y/N?'

'Maybe she's fallen into a hypnotic state,' M'gann suggested. 'Or worse! A mind ant has taken over her brain! I'll have to go inside her mind to weed it out.'

That finally disrupted Y/N from her stupor. 'No! No need for that. No mind ants here,' she frantically said just M'gann was about to enter her mind.

'Then why were you looking like Medusa had risen from her mythical death and frozen you in place?' Artemis asked, deadpan.

'First of all, Medusa was a real person. Greek Mythology is real, or therefore my mother and I wouldn't be here today,' Y/N countered. 'Second of all... I think I a have a crush on Dick.'

As soon as she said the words, she knew them to be true. She didn't need to discuss it with the girls, she already knew.

Y/N Prince, daughter of Wonder Woman, had a huge, fat crush on her best friend, and son of Batman himself, Richard 'Dick' Grayson.

'Shit,' all three girls said at once.

~~~ (18 years old)

Y/N watched with sad eyes as two of her closest friends walked away under the cover of darkness. Again. Kaldur and Artemis - the latter now legally dead - waved farewell before they entered a small submarine, on their way to continue infiltration of the Light on Kaldur's father's ship.

Two figures stepped up beside Y/N. 'Well,' Wally started, 'I guess that's that.'

'For now,' Dick said. 'I promise, Wally, we'll bring them both back.'

'Yeah, whatever,' Wally said, turning to leave. 'You're my bro, Dick. But if Artemis is really killed because of this, I will never forgive you.'

Wally's footsteps resounded through the empty fishing warehouse as Y/N continued to stare out at the ocean. Soon, it was just her and Dick.

'We should head back to headquarters,' Dick suggested. 'Someone might start to wonder where we are.'

But Y/N didn't turn to leave, still transfixed by the ocean. 'I thought I was okay with all this,' Y/N admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. 'I convinced myself that this was for the greater good. But now I'm not so sure.'

'What do you mean, Y/N?' Dick asked.

'The lying, Dick,' she answered, finally turning to him. 'The secrets, the faking of deaths and undercover betrayals. If we keep this up, it'll tear the team apart.'

'It won't,' Dick reassured her, his voice so certain and sure. 'When this is all over and we explain it all, they will understand. I expect some disappointment and hostility for a while, but one day they'll understand why we did what we did. But this team we've built, Y/N, it is stronger than all this. I know it.'

Y/N shook her head, wanting to believe him but unable to put aside the horrible feeling in her gut. 'I know they are strong. I just wish there was another way for us to win.'

'Trust me, if there was, I would've taken it,' Dick said, and even with a mask on, Y/N knew he was telling the truth. 'I want all of us fighting this together. For now, we've just got to trust in Kaldur and Artemis that they will succeed.'

Y/N nodded, her gaze returning to the flat ocean waters where her friends had long since left behind. 'Maybe you should've sent me like I suggested,' Y/N said half-heartedly. 'You're a great substitute for leader, Dick. Truly. But the team took Kaldur's betrayal heavily, and Artemis and Wally were out of the game. We shouldn't have brought them back in. Wonder Girl is trained up enough to take my place. You don't need me.'

'Don't say that.'

Y/N could barely react as she was grabbed by her shoulders and forced to face Dick, who had crouched so he was eye-level to her and leaned in so she could see the slightest gleam of his pupils through the white mask.

'Don't say that,' Dick repeated, his grip on her shoulders firm and grounding. 'We do need you. You're a founding member too, Y/N. Regardless of if it were Kaldur or not, the team would've struggled without any one of us. And the only reason I was able to lead this team this past year is because I knew you had my back the entire time.'

'Really?' she asked, the one word a struggle to get out.

His expression softened and he loosened his grip. But Dick didn't release her yet. 'Y/N, you are always the one giving hope to the team whenever I can't raise their spirits. You were the one to console them after Kaldur leaving. You are strong and brave and you never give up, especially when the chips are down. And they have been down on us a lot lately.'

Y/N caught her breath as Dick released one shoulder to use his pointer finger to hold her chin up, making her look directly at him. 'It kills me that you don't see yourself how everyone else sees you. Which is amazing, Y/N. Amazing and wonderful.'

Y/N swore Dick could hear her heart thudding rapidly against her chest. In the two years since realising it, her crush on her best friend hadn't faded like she'd hoped. Instead, it had grown and blossomed but Dick still couldn't see how much she absolutely adored him. She'd resigned herself to the fact that he would never feel that way about her, and also if they were to date, then it would just make working together all the more complicated. She couldn't compromise on the team's relationship.

But as Y/N looked into Dick's eyes now, a little spark of hope flickered inside her. He was so close to her, he had to feel her heartbeat. He had to know... right?

A wind of doubt blew out the spark and she stepped away from Dick so her head would stop spinning. 'You just had to get a pun in there, didn't you?' she said, surprised at how calm and casual her voice came out all things considered.

Dick took a moment to gather himself, as if he too had been lost deep in thought. But soon that infamous smile of his stretched his lips and Y/N knew she could never say no to him. 'What can I say? I'm an opportunist.'

'I thought you were a gymnast.'

'I am also your best friend, and so I am legally obliged to slip in puns about you whenever possible.'

'Oh, do you now?' Y/N asked, lightly shoving him as she made for the warehouse door. Dick was right, they needed to head home before anyone started questioning their whereabouts.

Dick quickly caught up. 'I mean it Y/N. You are my best friend.'

'I know,' Y/N said nonchalantly, trying not to let the words sting too much. But she managed a soft smile as she said, 'And you are mine. Always have been...'

Dick flashed her a genuine smile, no charm, no hidden agenda behind it. He held his pinky finger up, to which Y/N linked her own with. '...Always will be,' he finished.

As they went home, Y/N felt better about Kaldur and Artemis' mission, as well as her place in the team. But she was now even more confused about Dick and how he felt about her. They were best friends, had been through so much together, it wouldn't be wise to ruin all that now.

But the way he'd looked at her, maybe there was a chance after all.

~~~

(18 years old)

'You're leaving?'

Y/N and Kaldur couldn't believe what they'd just heard. One minute, the three of them were discussing the team's next move after foiling the Reach's invasion plans and splitting the Light in half, and the next...

'That's correct,' Dick said. 'I just... I think I need to take a break for a while.'

'For how long?' Y/N asked, finally getting over the initial shock of his announcement. It had been a hectic day, full of surprises and sacrifices nobody saw coming. Right now, in her opinion, everyone needed to band together, not... leave.

Dick shrugged his shoulders. 'I don't know. But it definitely won't be quick. This team has been my whole life for five years now. I think it's time I stepped away, let Kaldur take the reins again.'

'The team will not be the same without you,' Kaldur offered.

'The team already isn't the same,' Dick said solemnly, and the slightest crack in his voice indicated to Y/N what he was referring to. 'You, me, Y/N, Wally. We founded this team. Without him...'

Dick didn't need to finish. Y/N had felt Wally's absence since the moment he fazed out of existence. He saved the world, but he'd been too slow to combat the chrysalis' energy. Not even the Flash or Impulse could save him. It made Y/N so mad, because Wally must've known he wouldn't come out of it alive. He knew he was too slow, having been out of the game for so long.

And yet he did it anyway, because that was who Wally West - Kid Flash - was.

'I understand,' Kaldur said, placing a comforting hand on Dick's shoulder.

'Thanks,' Dick said, then looked to the boom tubes of the Watchtower. 'I should probably go.'

'What? Now?' Y/N asked. 'At least see the day through, Dick.'

'There's nothing else for me to see through, Y/N,' he countered, already making his way to the boom tubes to make his exit. 'Kaldur is back, and so is the Justice League. I am no longer needed.'

Kaldur didn't follow Y/N as she chased after Dick. 'At least let the team know personally you'll be leaving. Don't you think they deserve that much from you after all we've done?'

'All I did was sign Wally's death sentence,' Dick answered harshly, not even bothering to turn around and face her. 'Yeah, the team really deserves that from their substitute leader.'

The two of them stopped before the boom tubes, facing each other one last time. Y/N grabbed Dick's wrist before he could dial in his code to exit the Watchtower.

'Dick, please,' Y/N pleaded, voice tight with desperation. 'I know you're hurting right now. We all are feeling Wally's death. But the team needs you right now. I need you...'

It was a last ditch attempt at convincing him that he meant more to her than just a friend. That he was her glue, that he was important to her and the team. That, even if he was nothing else, he was her best friend, and she was his.

Always have been... Always will be.

Don't go, she wanted to say, but the words never came out. It's like Dick had always been a part of her life; she now couldn't imagine her life without his witty remarks, without his odd use of words like "aster" and "traught", without his charming smile and kind eyes. She couldn't imagine life without him. Please, don't go.

Dick's sad expression told her he'd made his mind up before he even spoke the words.

'I'm sorry, Y/N,' he said softly, pulling her into a gentle embrace where he pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead. 'But I can't deal with this right now.'

As if in a dream, Dick stepped out of the embrace and dialled in his code for the boom tube.

'B:01 - NIghtwing,' the computer announced as the boom tube activated.

Dick was a step away from leaving Y/N behind when she called out, 'Don't be a stranger!'

She knew he had already made his mind up. But that didn't mean the two of them couldn't still be what they had always been. Best friends.

To her joy, Dick stopped and turned back around, a melancholic smile on his face as he held up his pinky finger. 'Always have been...'

Y/N reciprocated his smile as she too held up her pinky finger, imagining hooking it with his. '...Always will be,' she replied softly.

And then he was gone, and Y/N was left standing alone in the Watchtower.

She didn't realise she was crying until Dick was gone, until her senses had returned fully and felt the sensation of tears rolling down her face. That's when she acknowledged she was truly, utterly, hopelessly sad.

Because for the first time in seven years, Dick was no longer by her side. She didn't have Dick to fall back on when things got tough; she didn't have Dick to talk to about her issues with the new recruits; she didn't have Dick to laugh with after a night out at the arcade where he had failed epically at every game; she didn't have Dick reassuring her that everything would be okay, even when the world was telling them otherwise.

Dick was gone, and that was something Y/N had never expected to deal with.

'Wonderess.'

Y/N wiped her tears away before she turned to see who had called her. It was Kaldur, and based on his sympathetic expression, she knew he had heard everything.

'Batman and the rest of the Justice League wants to speak with us all,' he said.

'Right,' Y/N said, composing herself before walking over to join her friend.

Dick was gone, but she was still an integral part of Young Justice, and they needed her more now than ever. Whatever was to come their way now, they had to be strong, a united front.

Even if her heart yearned for someone who had completely abandoned her.

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recreationalfanfics · 2 years ago

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Record of Justice: Wonder Woman! Reader HCs

I am so gay for Diana.

- Brunhilde doesn't HESITAITE to choose you as one of her champions, seeing as you're both demi-gods who come from a warrior race of women, I can see you and her honestly having a lot in common together.

- But yeah, no, Diana's whole thing is that she wants to save the world of man so even of Brunhilde didn't choose her, you would have still chosen to fight because it was your duty.

- So Wonder Woman has multiple origins: Her original one being that she was born from clay by her mother but there are versions she has a dad which kinda switches between Hades and Zeus. Zeus will be your father in this case because I genuinely like the idea of him blowing his fucking gasket when he sees you enter in the side of humanity.

- "YOU KNOW HER, YOU LOVE HER: LADIES AND GENTLEGODS, GIVE IT UP FOR THE AMAZONIAN PRINCESS AND SAVIOR OF MAN: (Y/N)!!!"

- Ares and Wonder Woman have so much beef in the comics so you and him definetly don't see eye to eye now. In fact, Ares would fight you himself if he could but like, you're also kinda scary when you're mad.

- Zeus and Poseidon are literally about to blow a fucking gasket when they see you. Zeus is more subtle as usual as he's all: "Oh, well she's always been the black sheep of the family!" but in reality, he feels deeply betrayed. Poseidon isn't surprised honestly, he genuinely believes you should have grown up with the Olympians instead of on Themyscira because then maybe you'd learn to look down on those pathetic humans instead of protecting them.

- Tbh, Poseidon does have a bit of a soft spot for you as his niece because you're the only one whose ever DARED to back talk him despite knowing his power. He wishes your mother, Hippolyta, wasn't such a stubborn woman. I can totally see moments when you're absolutely destroying Gods and Poseidon just smiling proudly at you but then quickly scowling so no one can see him.

- However the Greek Gods who explicitly still care for you are definetly Hermes, Hercules, and Aphrodite.

- Aphrodite, being your big sister, absolutely adores you even if you two aren't on the same side. She smiles when she sees you and if she can, she will try to catch you in the hallways and pull you into a hug, meanwhile you're kinda suffocating in her bosom. She compliments you on what a strong and beautiful woman you've become, the only reason she isn't upset with you for "betraying" the family is because...well, you've always been like that. It's just nice to see you again♡

-As for Hercules, you both are Demi gods and while you acknowledge humanities faults, you welcomed him with open arms and appreciate his dedication. You two might not be bound by blood but the way you carry each other's ideals and respect and tease each other, its very clear you two have an unbreakable bond.

- Hermes adored you since you were born. Despite Themyscira's laws that men weren't allowed on the island, he was a God, and would happily come and see you to play with you. Taking on a big brother role in your life, he smiles softly as you glare at your father and he thinks you're just as cute as when you were a little toddler struggling to walk on the sandy beach coast of your island.

- As for the human side, they're all in literal wonder of you...which makes sense regarding your hero alias, but when they watched you at work: you impressed everyone while Brunhilde smiled at you and it pissed Zeus off even more when you both shook hands and sent him smug smirks on your faces.

Enemies/People Who Dislike You:

- Ares is a huge hater as I stated before, maybe you humiliated him in the past in front of Zeus, or maybe it was that one time you stole his helmet in a fight and became the New Goddess of War for a while but either way: you and him should never be in the same room together because not even the Gods can predict that disaster.

- Loki thought the rope thing was kinda hot but found out the hard way WHY it was called the Lasso of Truth. Even when he is shaped shifted, he will revert to his normal form if you ever catch him with it AND YOU ALWAYS FUCKING DO. He also can't even try and mislead you by telling you half truths because he just blurts out the truth right away. Everyone absolutely adores you for it, ngl since Loki doesn't even bother pulling tricks when you're around and when he sees you fight for humanity, he throws a huge tantrum...He still finds the rope thing hot tho...

- Zeus. He has conflicted feelings for you, he does love you but he wishes you wouldn't always go against his wishes...though he supposes thats what he gets for having your mother raise you instead of him. You show him respect but you clearly harbour bitter feelings for him betraying your trust and wanting to wipe out humanity and he understands that. It still doesn't give you the right to laugh about him with Brunhilde and he'll be sure to get you back for it.

Allies/Friends Who Trust You:

- Brunhilde is honestly a good friend of yours, I genuinely think she sees you the same way she sees Hercules but she relates to you a little more. (The Valkyries and Amazon's would have martinis on the beaches of Themyscira, fight me on that-)

- Shiva, honestly. He likes that you're strict but you can definetly be fun and silly in your own way. You honestly remind him of Rudra, who he totally tries to set you up with so because you two really have a lot in common!

- Obviously Hercules, Hermes, and Aphrodite but also: Poseidon, surprisingly...sometimes. Again, he does soften a bit when it comes to you and he wonders if you're simply stubborn and brave or stubborn and stupid. You are his favorite niece but also, the one that causes him to roll his eyes the most.

- Honestly, all of the Valkyries. When you heard about Brunhilde and her Völundr's, you knew that it was clever but also: that you couldn't just stand to let your fellow sisters in battle fall, the odds being against them. Also, the will all hug you and tackle you to the ground.

- Sasaki Kojiro is a human you take a liking too, he reminds you of a friend whose clad in all black...except he's more cheerful and happy and might have lost in life, but still: he never gives up. You admire those skills in a human and he gets all shy and flustered when you compliment him but I can totally see the both of you practicing sword fights and even moments where he beats you, which you're proud of him for doing, honestly.

- Adam. He genuinely just is the dad Zeus never was, even though you're not one of his own children, he'll fight like you are. Tbh, the only man that deserves to set foot in Themyscira and the other Amazon's would agree. Eve also gossiping with your Hippolyta in the crowd and complimenting her on raising such a wonderful daughter and they talk about mom things.

Admirers/Characters Who Have a Crush on You:

- Thor, just straight up. Since you're a fellow immortal, you two have somewhat known each other, you didn't really care much for the godly affairs so it wasn't often, but he's had the biggest crush on you. When he saw you fight so fearlessly in the crowd, those feelings came back 10 fold. Definetly wants to fight you because that's his way of flirting. Zeus and Odin 100% want to pair you two together to create an official alliance and while Thor wants you to choose him out of your own volition, he will suggest that it is a good idea.

- Jack the Ripper. HE HAS BISEXUAL PANIC BECAUSE HERCULES WAS ALREADY SOKIND TO HIM BUT YOU?? OH, YOU'RE TRULY DESERVING OF THE TITLE OF GODDESS, your color is so gorgeous; filled with such love and passion. After his battle, after he killed Hercules, he is ashamed to face you. But, amazingly, you do not look at him in disgust or shame. You kneel down and gently hold his face, you are in mourning, but you still kiss his head gently and tell him: "You fought well. Rest." and he just short circuits as you begin to carry him.

- BUDDHA, BABY. He loves how serious you are but also, that you can be pretty goofy honestly. Also loves how you stand up to Zeus constantly. Not to mention he certainly has a thing for strong women. But also, he finds your work inspiring, trying to guide humanity to a better life of enlightment. HIPPOLYTA ALSO TRYING TO SET YOU TWO UP BECAUSE SHE'S A COOL MOM AND SHE'S ALL: "You know, that Buddha has been staring at you~" and you have to be all: "MOTHER!" And he walks over to you and offers you a snack and you take it. Zeus hates him because he thinks Buddha would be a "bad influence" on you.

#Record of Ragnarok x reader #crossover #Recreational Crossovers #record of ragnarok #ror x reader #shuumatsu no valkyrie x reader #snv x reader #ror buddha x reader #ror buddha #ror thor x reader #ror thor #ror jack the ripper x reader #ror jack the ripper

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artbyblastweave · 8 months ago

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Hey so, thought exercise, how do you think Taylor would fare if she got dropped into the invincible universe? For the sake of mechanics let's say she literally gets dropped in via doorman portal or something.

So one thing about Invincible is that I think it's setting is protagonist-centric in a way that Worm's isn't. To the extent that Invincible's setting has worldbuilding- worldbuilding that isn't, like, ported in from the books's early association with the confederated Image Comics shared universe- it's worldbuilding that exists to convey the impression of a big-two-flavor universe. Here's our spin on the undersea kingdom, here's the riff on the Martians, here are our riffs on SHIELD, on Gotham, on Themyscira, on 70s blaxploitation-adjacent heroes, and so on. This is the entire ethos underpinning the Guardians of the Globe in particular- piggybacking on pre-existing audience affection for the Justice League to convey that it's a Big Fucking Deal when the guardians get blendered in issue 7.

You have flashbacks demonstrating that there was capital-S Superhero Stuff going on in the seventies and eighties, or as far back as the thirties with Immortal, you create the impression of a status quo, a big pond in which Mark is a little fish. And to Kirkman's credit, some effort clearly went into making sure that the non-Mark capes are sufficiently fleshed out that you can believe that they've got other stuff going on in their lives. But at the end of the day, it's the Invincible universe. You don't see a lot of people talking about the Guarding the Globe spinoff. Many of the most interesting characters- Cecil being a big example here- are interesting because of the ways in which they bounce off Mark specifically, the ways in which he chooses to deal with them. The universe is less of a character in the story the way that Earth Bet is- it's just the place where Mark's story, specifically, is happening. If there's a codified setting bible, I'll eat my hat.

Now of course the world of Worm is, in many ways, equally Taylor-centric, because that's what it means to be the protagonist. But owing in part to the themes of the story, and in part to the sheer number of false-start protagonists Wildbow played around with before settling on Taylor, it's very good at conveying the idea that there are many stories happening in this setting and Taylor's is just the one this particular work happened to focus on. There's an actual point to doing OC worldbuilding for what the superhero scene looks like in Wormverse Denver or Seattle or whatever- whereas you can come up with superhero teams for Invincible-verse Denver, but what actually ties them to that universe? What are you getting out of putting them in Invincible specifically, that you wouldn't get from whipping up a barebones MASKS setting to support your OCs? Anyway. This is a really long way of getting to my real point, which is that I think the question is less "how does Taylor bounce off the Invincible setting" and more "How does Taylor bounce off Invincible the character, around whom the setting orbits even when it pretends not to."

This I'm unsure of, because where do you stick her in his life where you get an interesting dynamic? One thing that's interesting here is that Mark's overall character arc already involves learning a lot of taylorisms- the strategic ruthlessness, the shift from a good-evil dichotomy to a helping-not-helping dichotomy-so what about his arc is going to change if they spend time together? Why would they spend time together? Given the different power levels on display, what would differentiate her, in his experience, from the dozens of filler capes that exist for him at the level of "vague acquaintance?" This is assuming she's active as a cape at all, which she might not be if this is Post-GM. Mutual association through Cecil and the Global Defense Agency might be a hook- maybe they're paying for her new arm or something- but would she latch her cart to Cecil's wagon in the first place, barring some obvious crisis situation? Hard to say. If she's depowered, and present in his life somehow in a civilian context, well, that's a fast-track to not being part of the story anymore either, given how Mark's civilian connections slowly fading away was kind of a quiet plot point.

There's some configuration of these pieces that could be interesting, but I'm not quite sure what they are. Soliciting input here.

#parahumans #worm #wildbow #invincible #taylor hebert #mark grayson #thoughts #meta #ask #asks

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rubydubydoo122 · 7 months ago

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In every universe Jason Peter Todd dies young. It’s a fate sealed across the multiverse. Maybe he could hope that there’s one universe where he doesn’t. aka, Jason, Dick, and Bruce go multiverse hopping, and are not having a fun time. (Ps, when I started writing this fic I hced Jason as Latino, but I don't really believe in that hc anymore, so just a heads up if you don't like that hc)

TRIGGER WARNING -> Child Death (it's Jason)

Currently, they were standing in front of a Palace. And they were definitely sent back to Medieval times, but not really because the clothing didn’t really match up with the architecture, and the weapons.

Oh, there was also a strong sense of magic, so probably more Dungeons and Dragons vibes. Sick.

Dick took a couple breaths, clenching his fists and releasing them. “Our money’s gonna be useless here. And we should probably get different clothes so we blend in more, but we can’t get those things because we don’t have money.”

So they were going to ignore the fact that the cashier’s name was Jack White. Like… Jack Oswald White. Like the Joker.

To be fair, Jack White is a common name. Jason tucked the comic books into a hidden pocket in his jacket, “We should go deeper in.”

“But this universe’s Bruce is probably in the Castle.”

“It’s a Palace. Castles have defense structures. We can collect gossip from the maids.”

Dick raised an eyebrow, “Gossip?”

“Yeah. How else are we supposed to get information on the Royal family? Use a computer?”

So they went deeper into the palace, sticking to the shadows, and listening to people.

Kal-El was the current King, but before that it was Jor-El, and before that it was Thomas Wayne. Bruce still has prince status, but he– he didn’t abdicate his claim to the throne, because he was fourth in line– Clark, Kon, Jon, and then Bruce, but Something something, the Els were gods, better if they had the throne, blah blah blah. So it was more like the Els were ruling because the people thought very highly of them.

Dick frowned, “Does that mean he’s Uncle Kal, not Uncle Clark?”

“Just call him, your Majesty .”

The Els practically adopted Bruce after Martha and Thomas died, which made all three of them frown, because what about Alfred? There was something about all the Robins– guess there weren’t secret identities here either– being back together in the palace for the first time in a while . That also implied that Royal Bruce had already adopted all– if not most–of them.

Jason snorted, “Dick, do you think you go by Knightwing?”

“I’m pretty sure we all just go by Rob– Oh fuck you.”

Apparently, Dick was usually traveling around, helping whoever needed help along the way. Cass was in Themyscira, (Which, lucky Jason wishes he could go to Themyscira) but came back that morning, with Diana. Tim had been undercover in an enemy kingdom. Damian and Duke had been staying at the palace.

Then, Jason felt an energy. It wasn’t a bad energy, like an Untitled or a bad vibe from someone. No. It actually felt really familiar.

He could feel the energy calling to him. Not luring him in a malicious way, but in a guiding way. He knew it was his energy, but it felt so much stronger. It was so much stronger than his own.

They came to a courtyard, where Steph and Cass were sparring with each other, Jon and Damian were seated in front of Dick as he did some flips, Tim and Kon were climbing a tree, and Duke and Jay were sat crisscrossed in a corner with blindfolds over their eyes. Though, Jay was grinning while Duke was frowning.

“ Jason… I’m tired of this.” Duke whined. He was really young. Maybe, 9? “Aren’t you supposed to be teaching me?”

“I can not teach you, only guide.” Jay backhanded Duke.

“ Ow! What was that for? ”

“I am trying to guide you through foresight. Obviously, you didn’t see that coming.” Duke tried to hit Jay back, but Jay shifted just out of the way so he wouldn’t get hit, “I saw that coming days ago.”

Duke straightened a bit, “Really?”

“No, it was just predictable. I can only see bigger things, remember?”

Dick (his brother) immediately turned to him from where they were hiding, and whispered “Can you read the future?”

Jason made a so-so gesture, “Not often.”

Dick frowned and looked like he was going to say something, when Cass stopped sparring and looked straight at them.

“Hold it Cass, it’s part of Duke’s training.” Jay also turned to face Jason, even though he had his blindfold, and grinned, “Alright, Duke. Your way of seeing into the future is different from mine. The way I can do it is through space, and astral projection. Your powers work by…” Jason trailed off so that Duke could finish the sentence.

“Changing light.” Duke chewed at the side of his cheek, “But how does that relate to me being able to see into the future?”

Jay took off his blindfold, “There was light yesterday, there is light today, there will be light tomorrow.”

“I hate it when you speak all cryptic.” Duke huffed and crossed his arms. “You’re like an old man trapped inside– Oh! Oh! Wait! You mean I can see the light of tomorrow, today!”

“Or, like, a couple seconds from now, right now , but yes.”

“Then why am I wearing a blindfold?” Jay let out a snort, while Duke ripped off his blindfold and swatted Jay with it, “You’re an a–” Duke cut himself off as his eyes flashed golden, and turned to face Jason, Dick, and Bruce.

Jason raised his hands and entered the courtyard, “Hello. We come from a different world, by the way. It’s kinda in the future, but it’s not this future…” He looked over to Jay, “Was that our cue? We didn’t really have time to plan this all out.”

“Yup. You guys are right on time.” Something… resigned flashed over Jay’s face, though was quickly covered up with a welcoming smile.

Cass to Jay worry clear on her face, “There’s that look again.”

“I’ve got all kinds of looks.” Jay made a silly face, but immediately stopped when Cass gave him a don’t do that look. “Don’t worry. If it was important, I’d tell you.”

Cass visibly softened for a second, before placing her hand on her hips, “You better.”

Jay looked at his brother Dick, “I already told Bruce and Uncle Kal that we’d have guests.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“That’s because you’re here right now. And you know Bruce would probably put them in the dungeon if I didn’t warn him beforehand.”

“I’ll put you in the dungeon.”

Jay opened his mouth like he was about to shout something, but Dick quickly covered it with his hand. Jay then bit Dick’s hand, “I wasn’t even going to tattle.”

Cass snickered, “Lies.”

Jay gasped, “You’re supposed to take my side. I’ve known you for longer.”

“Quality over quantity.” Cass shrugged. Though, she was smiling in a playful way.

“Wait, how long have you guys known each other?”

Jay threw an arm over Cass’s shoulder, “Since birth. We’re practically twins.”

“We’re not twins. I’m older.” Cass shoved Jay away, but then frowned, “Are we not close in your world?”

Honestly, Jason was surprised they were in this one.

…It was probably because Jay didn’t kill. That always seemed to be the main issue between Jason and his Cass. Initially, Cass absolutely despised Jason for killing. If anything, her lines were even harsher than Bruce’s when it came to that, and because Jason knew she hated him for killing, he just… stayed away.

Then, one night after patrol, he walked into his safehouse to see her waiting for him. She told him why she didn’t kill. How she saw every life as valuable. She asked him why he killed.

At first he said because the people he killed deserved it. And that he didn’t think the same way as Cass did. That some people deserve to die because they are scum.

But she didn’t believe it. Because she said that she saw him seconds before Jason had killed someone. She said his body language looked like he was convincing himself to kill. So she asked him again, why did he kill?

He had to think about it for a moment, but eventually he said ‘Because the people I kill have made victims. And those victims deserve peace. Peace that I can give them.’

Then she nodded, and looked at him like she was looking through his soul, ‘Because you haven’t been given that peace.’ And then she just left.

Since then, it’s been better between the two of them, but Cass was still the person he got along with the least out of the whole…team. And Jason didn’t get along with a lot of them. There was Tim– which he seemed really close with in the fourth universe, and the Wings universe. He didn’t really get along with Damian– but the kid seemed to adore him in the last universe. Even Dick seemed a lot closer to Jason in the Wings universe. Maybe if he had never died he wouldn’t be alone.

“Um… no, but I haven’t known you since birth. With time we’ve gotten closer.” Which, technically was true, but it was a half lie.

If Cass picked up on it she chose not to say anything.

“Well that sucks. Anywho, I wanna talk to Giant Jason.” Jay grabbed his hand and dragged Jason out of the courtyard, out of earshot from everyone else.

“Won’t the Kryptonians still be able to hear us?”

“Kon and Jon’s powers haven’t come in yet. And Uncle Kal won’t eavesdrop unless we shout.” Long gone was the Jay who was happy and joking around with his siblings, as he pressed a palm to Jason’s sternum and closed his eyes. “Ok, good. You’re also a master of the All-Blades. Yours are a lot more powerful than mine.” he could see relief flood into Jay.

“Kid, I’m pretty sure you’re a lot more skilled than I am.” Obviously if he was helping Duke with his precognition, Jay looked at All –the past, present, and future– better than Jason was. And he was pretty sure that Jay astral projected for Jason to find him.

Jay shook his head with a smile that made him look much older than he actually was, “You have a lot more soul than I do. Kinda like you have two.” they started walking farther away from the courtyard, “Have you seen what happens next?”

Jason scratched the back of his neck, “Um, no. I only look at All when I have a chance to sit down and meditate." He doesn’t do it often. It makes him a bit unhinged for the next couple weeks after he does it. The last time he looked at All had been right after Bruce’s disappearance, and he almost killed Tim and Damian. Jason may be the lone human able to master the art without going insane, but… he kinda does, every time he tries.

“A group of Untitleds are going to invade the palace looking for Duke in fifteen minutes. It’s too much for me to take on.”

Jason almost stopped in his tracks, does he know he dies? “I’ll fight beside you. Should we get Duke someplace safe? All of your siblings, actually.”

Jay’s eyes darted around the room, probably looking at all possibilities, “No. They’ll be safest where they are. The Untitled will appear at the Eastern entrance. We’ll get to them before the alarm sounds, and then they’ll come rushing, which will give us enough time to slay most of them.”

Jason nodded, as they continued to speed off in silence. “So, if you knew Cass from birth, but you also have trained with the All-Caste… What's the timeline?” It was meant as a distraction, but also, Jason was really just curious.

“My father was a mercenary, and he learned from Lady Shiva. So I knew Cass from when I was younger, but it was more like we were acquaintances. After my father died, Essence found me and brought me to the Acres of All and I was there for two normal years. I left once for a.. It wasn’t a mission, because I was nine, but Ducra sent me out to get familiar with the feel of magic outside of the Acres of All. I found Cass on the run, and I decided to stick with her. I’m sure Ducra knew this would happen.

"We were on the streets together for three years. We also met Duke out there during our later years. We were kinda a little family of our own. Bruce caught me stealing from him, Cass helped me get away. Then Bruce found us helping people out of a burning building and decided to take us in. I go back to the Acres of All every once in a while, but usually I stick to home base. What about you?”

They had gotten to a set of double doors, so Jason assumed they were at the Eastern entrance. “Hmm, well, I was also living on the streets by the time I was nine. Bruce also caught me stealing from him, but took me in after I helped him stop crime school. I think my Papi also knew Lady Shiva, but I didn’t know he knew her until I was 15. Then I died, but I came back to life. Talia brought me to the Ducra, and I learned under her for six normal months, but then I–” Ice slid down his spine, making the hairs on his arm stand up and his stomach twist.

They both summoned their blades.

And the doors opened.

And they attacked

There was something so oddly natural about fighting alongside this version of himself. It felt almost as natural as fighting alongside Bruce.

It could just be because Jay knew how Jason fought because he saw All and, despite this version of him being from a universe that was vastly different from his own, Jason still knew how he fought. The blend of a martial stance and a street brawl stance. The combination of flashy acrobatics he’d learned from Dick and the practical dodges and rolls. The mix of the analytical eye from Bruce and the intuition he had gained over the years.

“ Where is the son of Gnomon?” the Untitled hissed in unison.

Jason landed a kick on top of an Untitled’s knee, launching himself up to get a good opening for a stab, “An Omen? Didn’t realize omens could have children.” Obviously, Jason knew who Gnomon was. He remembers Duke, pft, duking it out with him a while ago.

But this Duke was still young. And if these things kept coming after him… he needed someone to protect him. And yeah, they had Superman, but Superman and magic don’t mix.

Jay needed to stay alive .

Jason jumped on the Untitled Jay was currently fighting and sunk his blades into its shoulders, catching a glance at Jay.

He– he was translucent. Which was not good. “Kid, take a breather!”

Jason was sure he could take the rest of the Untitled. There were only five left. He could take them. Jason could take them. Duke needed Jay. Jason could take them.

He willed the blades to change form– into knives– and threw them, hitting one in the ear and one in the heart.

Jay’s eyes widened like he realized something and whipped his head around to the door, where the rest of his family were prepped with swords and armor, rushing out to help. Jay turned back and narrowed his eyes at the Untitled in front of him.

“Jay! Stop! I’ve got them!”

There were three Untitled left. Two near Jason, but he wouldn’t be able to get to the last one. Not while fighting these two. Not before Jay.

Jason summoned his blades back to his hands and he slashed an Untitled across the thigh.

Jay closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, before gripping his swords harder. “It’s me or my family. I can’t have that happen.” He looked back and locked eyes with Duke, “ Shine for as long as you live, Don’t be sad about anything,” Jay looked away and lifted his chin towards the Untitled, “For life is short, And time will demand its due.” Then he charged.

And as Jay’s blade sunk into the heart of the Untitled, the blade started to dim until it evaporated into thin air. And then his hand faded away, followed by his arm, then head, then chest, until nothing was left.

Jason slit the neck of the last Untitled.

The silence.

The silence felt too loud.

Until, “Where’d– where’d Jason go?” From Stephanie, voice wavering.

Duke frowned, eyes glowing golden, “What are you talking about? He’s right there!”

Tim blinked a couple times, but it didn’t cover the fact that his eyes were glossy, “Duke–”

“He’s right there! I can see him! Cass, you can see him, right?” Duke looked to the spot Jay used to be in back to Cass, “Cass?”

Cass looked at the spot Jay had disappeared from and shook her head no , once. Then twice. Her blank expression crumpled into pure grief as she fled back into the Palace.

“No!” Duke glared at everyone, “He’s right there! I can see him! Why can’t you guys see him ?” His eyes flickered from gold to brown, back to gold then back to brown, leaving the kid confused, “He’s– he was– he was right there!” He closed his eyes tight , and then opened them, “He was right there ! Where’d he go? Jason? Jason!” He ran over to where Jay was last standing, “JASON!!! ” Duke spun around in a circle trying to figure out where Jay went, but he couldn’t find him. He couldn’t find him.

Duke balled his hands into fists as his breathing began to speed up.

Then–an ear piercing scream.

And everything around them got brighter and brighter and brighter. They couldn’t tell what was Duke’s doing, but they also knew it was time to leave.

#jason todd #batman #batfam #dc comics #red hood #dick grayson #bruce wayne #tim drake #damian wayne #duke thomas #cassandra cain #stephanie brown #alternate universe #dimensional travel #all caste jason todd

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darthvashtique93 · 8 months ago

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A Cosmos In The Sand

Chapter 18

Maya cowered before Slaede, Graent, and Mara. "You know where Themyscira is?" Slaede stared at her skeptically while circling her. "And how, may I ask, were you able to do this when Raven, who is way better than you, could not?"

"I-I-I," Maya stuttered.

"Isn't obvious?" Graent sneered. "If Maya was able to find Themyscira so easily, this just proves Raven has been manipulating us. She's known where Themyscira has been all along."

"N-N-No," Maya tried to speak.

"Should have carved her face when you had the chance," Mara said.

Slaede folded his arms, his mouth in a straight line. Had Raven been playing him all along? The thought churned Slaede's stomach. I gave everything to her, and this is how she betrays me? "Gather the troops," Slaede said to his son. "Feed them. We ride at dawn."

Maya stood silently in Raven's room, biting her nails. After their initial conversation, Raven had told Maya to tell Slaede where Themyscira was. She was then supposed to tell Slaede that Raven had escaped her captors and was on her way. She'd told Slaede where Themyscira was, but Graent interrupted her before she could say tell them that Raven was on her way. She placed a hand on her bruised cheek. She had frozen in fear when Graent sneered at her. With a sigh, Maya looked out the window. The sun had just finished rising. I just hope I haven't ruined everything by keeping my mouth shut. Maya prayed Raven got here soon.

It wasn't exactly a feast, but it was not not a feast. Slaede knew the way to his soldiers' heart was their belly. Thus, the lavish meal. Looking around the open courtyard, Slaede took note of the League of Shadows members standing quietly in the shadows. He looked to his right, where Maya sat dutifully, stiffly, and quietly. Her face didn't show a single emotion. Turning to his left, he scowled at what he saw. Graent was all but forcing himself on one of the serving girls. Slaede rolled his eyes. He didn't mind what his son did or who he did it with, but "Have some decorum," Slaede muttered to himself. He turned his attention back to the fancy dinner, raising an eyebrow when one of his captains boldly strolled up the aisle, stopping a few meters from Slaede. He bowed on one knee respectfully. "Rise," Slaede commanded. The captain obeyed. "Speak," Slaede ordered.

"Sire," the captain spoke loud enough for the men to hear. Slaede tilted his head curiously, and even Graent ceased his groping. "The men and I were wondering – will the sorceress be joining us tonight?"

"The sorceress is right here," Slaede gestured to Maya.

The captain smirked. "She is not the sorceress of which I speak. She is merely a child. No, I speak of Raven."

Slaede frowned. It was an unspoken rule that Slaede was the only one allowed to call Raven by her name. He glared at the captain. "She is resting," he said through clenched teeth.

"Of course," the captain smirked, "or is it that she's no longer here?"

"Excuse me," Slaede glared.

"The sorceress hasn't been seen or heard from for days. Yet, we are supposed to blindly believe your words promising us victory? We are supposed to march on Themyscira on the word of this child," he looked at Maya in disgust. "We would like to hear directly from Raven herself."

Slaede slowly stood from his golden chair, his furor growing. "Is my word not enough?" he glowered at the captain.

The captain didn't back down. "It is not that we don't believe you, Your Majesty. It's that the sorceress, Raven, is a sort of…symbol…for good fortune."

"And?"

"Symbols are only useful when they are seen."

"This is so uncomfortable," Jhon whispered as he adjusted the top part of his bedlah.

"Stop fidgeting," Damyan whispered back, laying as a still as a statue.

"The things I do for family," Jason muttered, "do girls really wear these things? It's so uncomfortable," he adjusted his top too.

"Guys!" Viktor shouted from outside the carriage, "I can hear you! This will only work if you're quiet!"

"Easy for you to say," Jason whispered loudly, "you're not wearing a tiny shirt and skirt."

"Will you shut up!" Damyan whispered loudly.

"All of you be quiet! I'm crossing the bridge," Vicktor said.

"Here goes nothing." A few minutes later, Damyan heard Viktor say to a guard at the gate, "I have the women for King Slaede."

"The king didn't call for any women," a guard replied. Damyan watched the silhouette of another guard approach the covered wagon. The guard grabbed the curtain with his free hand.

Raven quickly adjusted her top as she dashed down the stairs, the task made more challenging by her unfamiliarity with the castle's layout. Sneaking in had proven difficult, never having been allowed to roam freely within its walls. After finding a hidden entrance and winding up in the kitchen, a place she'd never before visited, Raven had to acclimate to the iolite decorating the palace walls and the slightly toxic atmosphere, a stark contrast to the clean air she was accustomed to.

Despite the confusion of the kitchen staff upon her arrival, Raven pressed on, spending nearly an hour navigating the castle's corridors, avoiding guards, before finally stumbling upon a familiar hallway. Getting dressed without assistance had been a struggle, the intricate ties of her top proving a challenge for her limited powers, nearly causing her to ruin the garment. Now, standing before the giant doors leading to the courtyard where Slaede's soldiers were feasting, Raven whispered to herself, "Here goes nothing," before flinging the doors open.

#robrae #robin x raven #damian x raven #damirae #demonbirds

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torntruth · 9 months ago

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TIMELINE --

* let's note that this is my preferred headcanon of events scaling down the overall comics, especially of what i know. it would be wonderful to remember that if you want a different version of her , this is not the place to be.

-- heavy in greek mythology timeline , what happens before the amazons and the humans actually don't particularly matter , but it's how the greeks believed humans came to be and the gods before them. the titans existed, fell apart, gods existed, fell apart. now humans rule. blah blah, anyway, hippolyta is the queen of the amazons after they were formed with the backing of aphrodite as the main god they worshiped. the amazons and mankind once lived together until a feud between ares and aphrodite was also the ignition of a fight between the amazon women and men. the men tried to capture them, so they escaped and formed Paradise Island, aka Themyscira. paradise island is also heavily an island for women abused by men and either found their way there in life as escape, or unfortunately was killed violently by a man and live their in a blessed afterlife. therefore ceasing a reason why they need men at all to give birth. their numbers are all equal this way.

-- hippolyta wanted a child and often created dolls as a hobby, aphrodite granted hippolyta a child made from clay : diana .

also please note that i'm not going to put a whole ton of effort into exact dates for the timeline up until WW1.

-- there was peace for quite a bit until ares started a new war, this time against the newly created humankind. he mostly just liked war, but this time it was under the threat that the amazons working peacefully with humankind could be bad for the gods. blah blah, prophecy. ares always worked discreetly, which means in my timeline he can always pop back up as a bad guy. he orchestrated a plot with antiope and artemis to hatch a chaos door and disrupt the amazons. hippolyta sacrified herself in the process of closing the door. antiope and artemis now guard the door as a redemption that it will never be opened again. duly note that diana got at least 500-800 years with her mother.

-- nubia and diana are not directly related, diana can not physically be blood with anyone, but nubia was also extremely close to hippolyta at the same time aphrodite granted diana's life. nubia was adopted to be raised directly by hippolyta and for awhile they just shared the thrown. they are not extremely close by any means, but they do work well together.

-- world war 1 breaks out and a man named steve trevor somehow accidentally crash lands on themyscira. while they aren't my favorite ship, i have come to appreciate them, and that he is the spark that ignited her love to help humans again. after some trails with him being a man and language, they finally learn to communicate just in time to help him. diana adopted the only kill when necessary rule around this time, but because of the events of ww2 as well, it should be duly noted that she always kills a nazi without batting an eyelash.

-- 2020: events of suicide squad kill the justice league. brainiac starts invading earth. she dies still and my current headcanon is that they find a earth variant where brainiac barely succeeded and transfer that diana back into earth 1. i'll work out the kinks, but i'm sure with the upcoming dlcs they'll find something as well.

#[ 𝐜𝐡. ] - the wonder woman‚ 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐚 .

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dctitansdaily · 2 years ago

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Titans showrunner talks White Raven, Brother Blood, and Connor Luthor at season 4 midpoint

WARNING: It contains spoilers about the first six episodes of Titans season 4.

Several Titans characters are looking a little different than we're used to. As season 4 of the HBO Max superhero series hit its midpoint on Thursday, multiple members of the team have changed up their looks. EW caught up with Titans showrunner Greg Walker to discuss these changes and where things might be going in the back half of the season.

We'll start with Raven (Teagan Croft). Famous for her purple hair and dark clothing, Raven went all white-haired earlier this season after an encounter with Mother Mayhem (Franka Potente). During the battle this week, the change went even further, transforming her outfit to an all-white color scheme as well. Does this mean she's turning into White Raven, the incarnation made iconic by the classic Teen Titans animated series?

"It wasn't intentional. We weren't going, 'we'll do the 'White Raven story' or 'we'll kind of turn her into a different character,'" Walker tells EW. "But post-Themyscira, she both has more confidence in who she is, but less certainty as to what she should be doing. We didn't want to get bogged down with her powers in terms of what exactly they represent for her right now, but what's happening is that she's transforming and changing into somebody who I think is way more connected emotionally to both the Titans and the world around her. I mean, this is a season where we explore magic and the world of the supernatural. This is where she's kind of reawakening in that area too."

Raven also has an opposite number this season: Sebastian Sanger (Joseph Morgan). But while Raven rebelled against her destiny as the heir of the demon Trigon, Sebastian is embracing his role as Brother Blood.

"They're siblings, first and foremost. So it felt natural to develop their affinity for each other, and also put it to the test," Walker says. "Rachel went to a family who would protect her and a colleague in Dick Grayson. In the case of Sebastian, he felt very unseen in the world and feels very unseen in the world. He believes he is destined for greatness, and his mother has told him this the entire time. At some point, when that doesn't happen, you start to feel very small."

Walker continues, "So when you get an opportunity like he has for greatness and you're convinced that it really is going to be something that will let you do what you wanted to do, it's tough to say no to that. We are really, really interested in watching him struggle with that up to the point where he finally decides, 'if I say no, I'm going to go back to what I was before and I don't want to be what I was before.'"

This season started off with the arrival of Lex Luthor (Titus Welliver) into the Titans' lives. But for all his scientific genius, Luthor couldn't understand the magic of Mother Mayhem, and was soon killed by her demonic serpent. But even in his short screen time, Luthor clearly made an impact on Connor (Joshua Orpin), who started sporting a shaved head look this episode and acting like a swaggering supervillain. He even embraced "Luthor" as his last name.

Connor was created from both Superman's DNA and Luthor's, and Walker told EW earlier this year that season 4 would see Connor experiment with his Luthor side. Now we see the results! Even Superman is wary of magic, and now that Connor has seen its horror up close, it makes sense that he'd cope by exploring his other self.

"He's confused by magic. It's a vulnerability that doesn't make sense to him," Walker says. "You see Jinx kind of needling him about that in a scene that I really quite like. He's struggling with that and he starts to get very insecure. So a lot of his reaction is like, oh, I'm freaked out. So I'm going to adopt the persona that is tough and aggressive and maybe filled with some anger and it's going to be scary, so I can scare people back and that will make me less scared.'"

Speaking of Jinx (Lisa Ambalavanar), viewers bid goodbye to the charming antihero this week when she was killed by Mother Mayhem. But as Walker notes, death has always been a "slippery concept" on Titans.

"We're loose with death," Walker says. "I think that it's transitory. It's a state that you're in for a while and that you come back and we continue on. So I would love to have Jinx and Lisa back on the show. She's such a breath of fresh air. The cast loved her and we loved working with her."

The first six episodes of Titans season 4 are streaming now on HBO Max.

Source

#titans #titans spoilers #titans season 4 #titans season 4 spoilers #dc titans #dcu titans #dc #rachel roth #raven #conner kent #super boy #sebastian sanger #brother blood #jinx

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crazycatgirl420 · 10 months ago

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"Your experiment is flawed and therefore invalid. You've abducted me with a half-assed summoning, and clearly no means to send me back. By abducting foriegn Royalty I can only assume you mean to declare war on the Infinite Realms," Danny said, watching the group of Living beings in front of him.

The adults were a range of ashamed, the red-suited dude with a lightning bolt on his chest; horrified, an alcoholic in a trenchcoat; Determined, the man in black; Disappointed the woman in red and blue; and uncertain, the man in red and blue.

Two young-looking women were trying to figure out the summoning circle, while another man was making a list of the things tossed into the circle.

The teenagers were a mess of emotions, all muddled and tired and scared. The one who summoned him was terrified.

"Tell me Mortal," Danny asked. "What would you do in my situation?"

"As a Princess of Themyscira," the woman in red and blue said. "Being held against my will by another nation would be enough reason for my mother, the Queen, to declare War. It is a reasonable response."

"I'm sorry," the teen who summoned him said. "I'm sorry, I just don't understand magic. It doesn't make sense to me and I just- I don't know," he sat down, tears falling off his mask.

"Magic is another area of study, with just as many specialties as any other. If you ask a biochemist to explain nuclear physics, they'll have something to say since it's all science but asking a nuclear physicist would be better,"

"But chemistry and physics are so different-"

Danny nodded, crossing his legs to make himself comfortable floating in the circle.

"You want to learn summoning, fine. I had to learn the art of summoning as part of my Realms education. I'll teach you."

A contract materialized in-between them.

"Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at four in the afternoon until six in the evening, Danny Phantom of the Infinite Realms will teach you," Danny looked at the contract, "Bart Allen of the Earth Flash Family, the art of Summoning as per the Infinite Realms Mastery Test. In exchange, Bart Allen of the Earth Flash Family will grant Danny Phantom of the Infinite Realms permission to enter and leave the Realm of Earth as he pleases." Danny stared the teen down, ignoring the adults trying to be heard. A contract was being discussed, they would hear no one but each other. "Do you accept these terms?"

"I guess...yes, I do, I accept."

The contract glowed, their names and terms clearly written. It vanished, the energy dispersed to settle in their souls, now binding them to the contract until the terms are met.

"It's a Saturday, so lessons will start on Monday. Please be sober when I arrive." Then he used the contract, permission to leave as he pleased granted by Bart Allen, to return himself home.

He had to create a lesson plan to teach an obstinate non-believer summoning magic. His weekend plans were ruined.

You ever fuck up so bad, you accidentally kidnap someone?

Imagine, if you will, the players of our scene. Young Justice. Perhaps the Teen Titans. It matters not, really, only that they are young. Too young, in fact, for the booze they have smuggled in, to celebrate still being ALIVE.

They didn't think they would be, approximately seven hours ago.

They didn't think ANYONE would be, by this time, seven hours later.

The world celebrates. Families hug, children cry and laugh, lovers desperately reunite. They did it. They saved the day. Survived.

With new wounds and some fresh new trauma to show for it, too. Perhaps... Perhaps it is that. And the looseness of alcohols effect on the tounge. Combined with their new closeness... that gets them talking. Sharing.

Talking of skills. Training. Histories normally not mentioned. Perhaps even bitching about this mentor or that old teacher, and OH, weren't they a NAG! "Fundamentals~!" The magic user mocks in drunkin parody of their old teacher. "it's all about the FUNDAMENTALS! Practice circles until you puke!"

But...

Oh? Oh DEAR~

Drunks have such POOR impulse control, don't they? The Speedster scoffs. He doesn't mean harm. Truely, he doesn't. But to him? It is a constant irritant against sore skin, that his team mates have access to such powerful and strange powers... yet choose not too study them at ALL! Ask questions. That they haven't considered the advancements humanity could make if they just TRIED.

Everything has an answer.

Just because you don't know what it IS yet, doesn't mean it doesn't EXSIST out there.

But this is an old argument. They ALSO a sore spot for the magic user and (by the many gods they know better then to swear by) they are SICK of it! You- *urk!* You think you can do BETTER? Explain it then, Mr. "Magic isn't real"!

And oh dear, oh dear~

The usual mitigator has already fallen asleep. Passed out, really, having amongst other things, texted their Ex and decided they NEEDED to dye their hair. Which leaves no one to stop what about to unfold. As the Speedster slams down his drink, his hyper accelerated metabolism leaving him, ironically, one of the LEAST drunk in the room.

But... sometimes all you NEED to royally fuck up?

Is to be just buzzed enough to ignore your better instincts.

And the argument kicks up. Again. Heats up. Again. But this time? Goes further. They are standing, yelling, in each other's faces. The Speedster certain they are just "making things up". The magic user hissing that the arcane is a field of STUDY. A SCIENCE and ART. Just because YOU don't-

But?

Well... One must ask. Have you ever FOUGHT a Speedster? Can you even conceive of what a pico-second FEELS like? What the Speedforce, once active, makes the world LOOK like? It is like statues. Silence. Calling a timeout on reality itself.

You can walk away.

No one can really stop you.

You can walk out the door, up the stairs, to your friends room, and grab books from their shelf. Sit and read them. ALL of them. The whole shelving unit. In the time it took a fraction of a second to pass. Then get up, put everything back, go back down stairs, search for supplies, find them, and return to your conversation. Having studied everything they have in the building.

And for them? It's like blinking. You just... have the supplies now. Air is displaced.

And you're ready to fuckin PROVE it.

You looked up all the symbols they used. So NOW? You can use nonsense. No chance that ANYTHING will happen, right? It's not "official magic"! He says, talking over a buzzed magic user. Who's staring at him blankly, mind churning as they try figure out why... why it sounds like he's saying he's about to do the One Thing they were... told.. to never...

Oh God.

WAIT!

DONT!

But it's too late. Our dear Speedster has made his "gibberish" circle. Chanted randomly strung together magically charged NONSENSE. Then? Let her rip! See? Nothing happ-

The world seems to suck in it's breath and wind up, as though preparing to PERSONALLY punish such hubris. The magic user us screaming. Back! Every GET BACK! Move, move, MOVE! Green hisses and crackles from the circle.

As.

Reality.

CRACKS.

!!!BOOM!!!

Glass shatters and electronics are beyond salvation. The couchs many dove behind are shredded, but hold. Sections of the ceiling and floor collapsing. The Radiation alarm deeper in the base kicks in with a clicking wail. There is SOMETHING casting a looming shadow... and it has a CROWN.

The air burns like arctic winter wind and ozone.

Before anyone can think of what to DO, a harsh golden light rips open reality and out steps most of JLA Dark. The are standing in front of the now completely trashed Zeta-tube. Which they could not USE. They do not look amused.

"What. Did you. DO!?" Snarls an exhausted John Constantine from the front of the line up, his normal rougish face is still half bruises and the cigarette he's holding looks like it's the only thing keeping him from strangling someone. "We could feel that from FUCKIN SPACE! We're you trying to blow up the PLANET?!"

"Good QUESTION!" snarls another voice, from the direction of where the circle should be "Here's another one! Where the HELL am I and who are you people?!"

Every spins to look.

There, floating above the green glowing circle, is a teen in a crown.

@the-witchhunter @hypewinter @hdgnj @dcxdpdabbles @lolottes @mutable-manifestation @hdgnj @nerdpoe

#dpxdc #dp x dc #dc x dp #dcxdp #ghost king danny #bart allen #Summoner #magic #teacher danny #tutor danny #impulse

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eziosofia · 5 years ago

Photo

Bruce and Diana in Batman: Last Knight on Earth #2 (#1):

You’re welcome. I had it under control. Heh. Of course, you did. It’s good to see you again, Batman.

#comicedit #dcedit #batmanedit #wonderwomanedit #wonderbat #diana of themyscira #bruce wayne #dc comics #DC #edits*#comics*#otp: i don't need faith princess when i have you #scott snyder said wonderbat rights!! 😘#diana believing the world can't be saved #but still deciding to follow bruce and fight next to him even if it kills her #hmm dare i say.....love?? 😏😭#first panel looks so romantic out of context 😍

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the-broken-truth · 2 years ago

Note

i have a good one, this is really far fetched but. yandere parents bruce and dinaa where they have a son together, due to neglect of both parents the boy is basically raised by alfred, but the thing is, the son is at the same time ridiculously overpowered and a reincarnator, that upon his death, got back to when he was about 10 now knowing that his quest for parental love is a lost cause, he just says fuck it, drop them and just starts treating alfred as his reals dad.

Broken Truth: So, a reincarnated son of Bruce and Diana who treats Alfred as his father instead of them. Okay, I can weave those words.

The 10-year-old boy looked at the dark ceiling in his room as the rain hit the window from the storm going on outside; normally, the rain would soothe him and help him get some sleep but his mind was everywhere right now. So many things and so little time...well, that was the case for the life he once lived before he was reincarnated into his present body - The Heir of Two Factions.

On his maternal side, he had warrior's blood in his veins, the essence of a proud people that hated his gender, thus his mother sent him here to live with his father, completely ignoring the boy's existence. His mother was Diana Prince - also known as Wonder Woman - The Heiress of Themyscira, the island of the Amazons.

As for his father, he wasn't any better at taking care of his son...well, maybe he cared for the boy's older brothers but that was all. The Dark Knight of Gotham City and the Richest Bachelor of said city - The Batman - also known as Bruce Wayne.

[Name] growled to himself at the thought of his parents before throwing the blanket off his body and getting out of bed. He marched to the door and opened it before leaving the room and marching down the hallway, to the stairs, and down them.

'I need something to drink. My blood is getting too hot.' [Name] growled in his mind - the last time his blood was this hot was on a battlefield in his past life. He walked into the kitchen where the light was on and the Family Butler was standing there with a cup of coffee and a newspaper.

"Young Master, what are you doing up? It's past your bedtime." Alfred said as he closed the newspaper.

"Sorry, Alfred, I just wanted something to drink; my blood feels like it's boiling right now." [Name] said as he walked over to the butler with a tired look. Without words, Alfred rose from his seat and walked over to the fridge with an empty glass and began to pour some apple juice - the young master's favorite - before handing the glass to the boy who smiled at him and started drinking the glass's contents before the butler, who smiled at this before offering the boy to sit beside him.

"Now, tell me, Young Master, what has your blood boiling at this time of night? Are the memories of your past life bothering you again?" Alfred asked with a raised eyebrow. Yes, [Name] told Alfred about his past life and the butler believed him - he knew things that no child should know if not living those memories again.

"Yes, once again, I find myself plagued by my past life's choices because I'm living through them again - trying to get my mother and father to love me...but nothing is working." [Name] exhaled as he looked down at his drink as Alfred placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I am aware of your strife, Young Master, but sometimes some battles aren't worth fighting because it's a waste of our time; I don't think Mast Bruce would notice you as his son because he has others, and Diana's people aren't fond of men. Please, live your life and forget about Master Bruce or Lady Diana." Alfred said as he smiled at the boy who suddenly hugged him, "Master [Name]?"

"Screw them. I don't care about them anymore. You can be my dad, Alfred, at least you care about me." [Name] said as he snuggled in Alfred's stomach with a smile on his face. The butler smiled and rubbed the boy's back and hugged him.

"It would be my honor, son."

#platonic yandere #alfred pennyworth #son reader #reincarnated reader

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cipheress-to-k-pop · 3 years ago

Text

Supernova (Chapter 10)

Pairing: Dick Grayson as Robin x Reader

Warnings: Injuries. Blood. Death. The usual.

Word Count: 2.6K

Summary: As the daughter of Wonder Woman, you always knew you were destined for something more than the life of a mortal. It seemed like your wish for a life of adventure came true but whether in the form of a blessing or curse, you didn’t know. All you know is that you were the sole witness for a chain of murders that would begin. It’s up to you to find out who was the murderer before it’s too late……

A/N: Don't you just love cliffhangers?

Supernova Masterlist

“If you don’t stop talking, I’m going to climb over M’Gann and sock you in the throat.” You grumbled, pushing your face further into the pillow to drown out the noise of Wally speaking. Ever since Robin had brought up the possibility that the killer could teleport out of nowhere, the team had taken to sleeping all together in the living room; girls on one side and boys on the other.

Zatanna had cast a protection charm around the room and Wolf was a few feet away from you to make sure no one snuck in. While it did make you feel slightly safe, it also was incredibly annoying because M’Gann snored like a pig and Artemis had a bad habit of kicking you in her sleep. Zatanna was the only one you didn’t mind sleeping beside and you’d usually wake up cuddling each other.

Robin wasn’t having much better luck, stuck in between Conner’s sweating (he usually slept without a shirt, but it was a unanimous vote from the boys to keep the shirt on) and Wally’s restlessness, he hardly got any sleep.

“I’m sorry, I have trouble sleeping in places other than my room.” He sheepishly admitted and you groaned because even though he was apologizing, he was still talking, “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Hey, what happens if you visit Themyscira? Like do you have tourist spots?” He asked curiously and you sighed, knowing that if you didn’t answer he would continue to badger you. Everyone was still trying to fall asleep, aside from Kaldur who knocked out the second he lied down.

“A weeklong party in honour of the princesses.” You replied sleepily, hoping it would stop there but it seemed like your answer had caught the attention of the Superboy.

“Do you know them?”

“Know who?”

“The princesses. I mean, they’re holding a party when you return, you must be close.”

If your arms weren’t still throbbing from the amount of training, you had done today, you would have thrown your pillow across the room blindly and hoping it hit either one of them, “I am the princess. Can you please stop talking?”

“Woah…” Conner mumbled, completely in awe since he hadn’t read your file before. He had no idea you were a princess and it kind of baffled him that you were so normal. It was finally silent, and you sighed in delight, your muscles finally relaxing as sleep took over you.

“I can’t believe that you’re the granddaughter of Zeus, like the actual Zeus, god of thunder and king of Olympus.”

You sighed, shrugging as much as your shoulders could allow in that position, “It isn’t that big a deal. There are many children of Zeus, and consequently lots of grandchildren too, even half-humans like my mom and me.”

“So does that mean if you marry Robin, he becomes the king of Themyscira?”

“No. It means he’s killed and thrown into the ocean after we produce an heir. Now go to sleep.” You hissed, brows scrunching together in annoyance even though you didn’t bother to wrench open your eyes.

Robin sat up, “How can you expect me to go to sleep after you just said that?!”

You groaned.

***

The team stared apprehensively between you and Zatanna. Robin stayed quiet in the back, not sure if he should say something when the topic came up that he and Zatanna used to go out. It was awkward for a few moments with everyone wondering if this was going to turn tense very soon.

It had been a long day of training and you all were unwinding in the living room after showering. You were all just talking about random stuff, and you weren’t even sure how the topic of Robin’s past relationship with Z even came up but when it did, the entire conversation stopped.

They were looking at you expectantly, wanting you to carry the conversation on without any awkwardness and you briefly wondered how all of them managed to have such bad ideas of social cues.

You turned towards Robin with a dramatic gasp, trying so hard not to burst into laughter at the half startled look on his face, “You dated other people before we even met?! How dare you!? I thought we had something special.”

He scoffed out a laugh, rolling his eyes at your obvious over exaggeration, not wanting to admit that for a second, he was worried things were going to get a little awkward between everyone in the team. But now he felt stupid that he ever doubted you; like you were the coolest girl he had ever met.

“I have a question,” Zatanna spoke up, turning to you with a smirk, “Is (Y/N) a good kisser?”

You mirrored the look on her face, “Why don’t you come over here and find out?”

Zatanna winked at you, which you responded to by blowing her a kiss and Robin suddenly felt threatened and also a weirdly attracted to you. He was so cute. Robin was usually so calm and collected during battle, had contingency plans for almost every scenario but when it came to serious dating, he was still testing the waters. Though he was bolder when it was just you both, it was still obvious to everyone that you two were still figuring things out at the moment.

Wally laughed loudly, throwing his head back before speaking up once again, “Dude, you’re so lucky (Y/N) fell for you first.”

You giggled, “I mean it’s no secret I have a thing for cuties with black hair. That’s not specific to boys.”

Zatanna made a kissy face at you, and you laughed, “In another life, my love.”

***

The one thing that made you equal parts relieved and frustrated since receiving the tarot card was that neither you nor Robin were allowed to take part in missions anymore, unless through the comm set back at base.

You couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for it. Granted, you were well aware that none of this was your fault, but it always ended up feeling like someone was paying the price instead of you. Though you couldn’t put your finger onto why. Dinah supposed it was survivor’s guilt, your mother imagined it was your conscience.

It was a relatively normal day, until an earthquake struck.

Not a figure of speech but an actual earthquake.

The team along with the Justice League were doing damage control in the various parts the tremors had hit, trying hard to make sure that all civilians were safely evacuated from the area until they could clear a lot of the damaged houses, cars and even some unsound buildings that managed to crumble.

You and Robin were sitting behind the computer, very calmly sipping juice while you watched Conner lug a very overweight man across the chaos to try and get him to the boats that were evacuating some of the people.

You shivered when you heard the sound of wind through the headset. It was probably M’Gann flying or Conner doing a super jump, but you could hear it so clearly that you couldn’t help the shiver that went down your spine. Robin spared you a glance at your sudden squirming, but you just gave him a small smile.

Wally sped from one end of the site to the other and you squirmed again, feeling like someone was blowing right into your ear. Robin glanced at you again. It was like there were multiple winds all converging and overpowering your hearing, you could hear it in the background as Batman’s voice cut through it and he gave orders.

The whistle of the wind had goosebumps rising on your arms and this time it was a little more prodding, a little more deliberate. Your brows furrowed when you heard the sound of the wind began getting louder and louder and louder until your friends’ voices faded away.

“Megara.”

The whispered word cut through all the wind, piercing through your eardrum like an arrow and you nearly fell out of your seat, knocking the headset off your ears. It clattered to the ground and your boyfriend turned to you, alarmed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Megara.”

Your eyes widened and when you looked at Robin, he was only looking at you with an expression of concern. You held onto his arms as he tried to steady you, “Didn’t you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“Megara.”

“That?! That voice?!” You cried, hysteric at the voice that was apparently just in your head. You felt something electric pump through your body. The same mix of adrenaline and fear that you felt the day Mary-Anne and Valerie died.

You looked Robin in the eye with panic, “Someone’s in the cave.”

His face steeled over, “I’ll call Batman.”

But when he moved to the computer, it shorted and nearly sprayed sparks over you. He tried his comm set but it emitted a high-pitched squeal and he ripped it from his ear before it shorted and exploded on the floor.

“The zeta tubes.” He muttered and you nodded, grabbing him and running at your top speed to the zeta platform. As you ran, the metallic doors of the other rooms began slamming shut and you only pumped your legs faster to try and get to the platforms before you were locked out.

Just as you saw the entrance to the main hall, the door began to close shut and you quickened your pace, pushing Robin past it into the room before you slid down and landed just as the metal door slammed shut.

The lights flickered above you and when you spared a glance to the corner of the room, it almost felt like you saw a shadow moving. You watched carefully, trying to pinpoint what it was that had you feeling so on edge and waited for Robin to activate the back up generators so you could zeta away, but the sound of him cursing had you pushing the thought back to your head.

“I can’t reactivate it. We’re trapped.”

The lights flickered shut, bathing you in darkness.

“Megara.”

Black shrouded your eyes and all you could hear was Robin cursing underneath his breath before he turned on a flashlight from his utility. You were panicked too but Robin’s reaction was starting to freak you out. Usually so cool and collected, what could possibly make him this way?

Something brushed up against your leg and you gasped, turning around and trying to see just what it had been. Now that there was only limited light, it felt like the shadows from earlier were bigger, darker, and more taunting as they flickered and moved with the flashlight.

Call it intuition. Call it a gut feeling. Or maybe even a crazy vision but you couldn’t help the feeling that the two of you weren’t alone in this room.

Suddenly, Robin grasped you by the arms, pulling you into a searing kiss. Your eyes shut gently, forgetting where you were for a second and just enjoying the passion-filled kiss. Robin was holding you tightly against him, kissing you like it was your last day on Earth.

When he pulled away, you were dizzy. It felt like you were smelling the sweetest thing on earth, like syrup was filling your mouth.

“I love you, okay?” He murmured and it felt like you were coming down to Earth, now more confused than ever. Why was he saying this? Why was he kissing you? What was wrong?

He turned away and you thought he was going to leave you. Your heart pulsed in alarm, and you grabbed his hand before he could take another step. Turning around to find you looking at his with wide and panicked eyes, his expression softened.

“Just one more.” He muttered, stepping closer to kiss you again. This time it felt different. It felt longing and sombre though you couldn’t tell why. Why was your heart filling with cold, obsidian instead of sweet sugar this time? Why did it feel like you should be crying?

He threw one of his smoke bombs onto the ground and through the soft glow of the light you could see that the fumes erupting from the bomb was a wispy purple instead of the usual white. One sniff of the sweet-smelling substance had your head spinning and when you glanced at him and realized he had a rebreather in, you had realized what happened.

“Why…?”

“It’s just a precaution. Everything is going to be okay.”

You didn’t know why, but you believed him and slowly everything around you turned to dark as you descended into a deep sleep.

***

When you woke up, every muscle in your body was screaming and it felt like you were stuck to the ground. Your head pulsed and you felt something run down the side of your face. Your vision was filled with black, and you felt so dizzy that you were almost lulled into another sleep.

Your fingers were twitching as you tried to regain control of your body and gain sense of where you were. When the dizzy spell wore off, you realized that your nose was throbbing horribly, and your lip was split, and blood had dried on your face and down your neck.

Your fingers were bruised as well and with a shaking hand, you tried to push yourself to sit up, only to scream and land on your back as your abdomen felt like it was piercing you from the inside.

All you could smell and taste was the metallic stench of blood that made you want to throw up. Your ears had long stopped ringing and you wondered if you had lost the ability to hear at all. Your eyes were unable to see anything, still trapped in the darkness of the cave.

You breathed shakily, trying to reach for something, anything but all the tips of your fingers came in contact with was smears and drops of blood on the floor. Tears were slowly streaming down the sides of your face and getting lost into your dirty hair.

Through the rush of your blood through your ears almost had you missing the pounding on the metal door and screams from your teammates.

“(Y/N)?!! Robin?! Are you in there?!”

They were banging on the door before you heard a couple slams. No doubt it was Conner trying to slam his way into it.

“Wal—” You choked, crying at the taste of metal in your mouth, “Wally.”

“I can hear her, guys.” Replied Conner and you couldn’t help but sob in relief. They’d be getting you out now. You’d get out of this darkness. Your body slowly turned numb, the pain overwhelming you to the point where you couldn’t feel anything and but simultaneously felt everything.

The sound of metal hitting the ground filled your ears and you were finally bathed in light. Wally’s eyes landed on you, lying on the ground in the middle of the hall. You were bleeding, heavily, he could see your hair matted to your head with blood. When you looked up at him, your eyes were red, and face wet with tears.

His eyes strayed away from your body for a second, landing on another figure sprawled across the floor. It was still hidden in the shadows but when his eyes focused—

“Robin!” Wally shouted, speeding over to him. He was in a much worse state, face bruised in and dried blood on his neck in the shape of handprints. He flopped limply in his arms when Wally tried to wake him up. With ice filling in his veins, Wally pressed his ear to his best friend’s chest. Nothing.

“What,” He murmured at a loss for words, “What happened?”

Your bottom lip quivered as memories began flooding through your head.

“I—I killed him.”

Forever Taglist:

@simonsbluee

@hanbedumbaf

@superheroesaremyjam113263

DC Taglist:

@emmacata

@p--e--a--c--h--e--s

@sometimeseverythingsucks

@sokkas-honour

@unstable1902

@lostgirlheart

@missdisapear

@tadpole-san

@isawachickeninatree

@uxavity

@battlenix

@capricorn-stark

@evermoore580

@dumbbitchgalore

@fuckingjinkies

@some-lovely-day

Supernova Taglist:

@tinybeantm

@adc2016

@seoulnights5

@renjunvrse

@brightjimini

@mad4hugs

@uniyasi

@wierdlypineapple

@mono--moonchild

@smol-book-nerd

@marshmallow12435

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neo30deck · 4 months ago

Photo

Here's the fic: Green Hills, Clear Skies

It's actually written in the Justice League 2017 universe, and I do have mixed feelings about that version of Barry. He is cute, and I do enjoy him, it's just something about him feels like the writers are making him more incompetent than he actually is?

I thought the premise of the fic was cool, so we'll see how long it takes for me to actually start writing one like that.

They're all upset that Diana brought a man onto the island. So even before Barry actually arrives with her, they've already planned out how to deal with (And possibly kill) the invading man. So they plan out how to counter the expected flirtations, the overly masuline behavior, etc. And then they proceed to be hit with awkward midwestern Barry Allen.

It is pretty realistic to think that the Amazonians will briefly connect to Hermes when they see Barry and his speed. Especially since the wings on his cowl are based on Hermes' wings on his helmet (And Jay Garrick's helmet is literally a recreation of that helmet).

Because Barry doesn't fully believe in his speed coming from a mythical source (Basing it more on the scientific reality of the speedforce), his hesitation regarding their assumptions is accurate. Barry doesn't want to deny or act like their belief in the gods is stupid, so he just goes on the not-a-real-answer route.

It would be so funny if Hermes just showed up like “Oh hey, waddup Barry!”. It’s even funnier if you want to lean into Barry’s skeptical side, because he’ll treat this god like a completely normal guy as if they were old friends. And all the Amazonians are watching, getting their minds blown that apparently this mortal man can actually run faster than the fastest Greek god.

That whole Hermes part is based off another fic where he challenges the different Flashes in a race. Fic here: Hubris (It's really cool)

On the topic of Diana picking him up- uh- yes. The general reaction is 'Man allowing himself to be dominated by woman? Man isn't upset? MAN ENJOYS IT????'. It's made even worse because Diana wants to bring her favorite speedster everywhere, so she'll just grab Barry from whatever he's doing and direct him to the next thing she wants to show him. Everyone else is having a seizure in the background with how easily Barry goes along with everything and matches Diana's enthusiasm.

Magitech is a bit more complicated because I don't know that much about Wonder Woman lore, and it seems to have changed a lot over the years regarding the way the writers have written Themyscira.

I would like it if the Amazonian 'scientists' take a liking to him easier that the others. Barry is really interested in the way their 'science' or technology works, so he listens to what they say, ask good questions that don't demean their intelligence, and he's even willing to share his own knowledge on different subjects to help them! Free info! He's so easy to talk to, and his interest in their magitech would probably mean he spends more time around them.

Once iris gets brought up, it's game over. All of these warrior women get to watch him rant about his amazing wife, in a respectful, loving way. They can all see how much he cares about her just from the way his eyes soften, and the warmth in his words. If they ever meet Iris, they'll see how healthy their relationship is, Iris will also 100% rant about how amazing Barry is too.

I think if they did something close to a lasso check on Barry, it would make Diana really mad that they're treating her friend like that. Honestly the both of them would probably pick up on the animosity the Amazonians feel towards Barry, but they're both willing to work through it.

The Diana moment she sees the interrogation? She is going to be pissed. Because she spent the past - week?- showing them how great of a guy Barry is, and they still act like he has some secret plan? They'll all have a fight, maybe Diana will storm off as well.

Hippolyta would be upset that her daughter is angry at her, and maybe a bit guilty over the assumptions they made about Barry, so she'll go in a corner to sulk. And you might think she and Diana will reconcile after a while, but it's actually Barry who decides to go have a talk with her, and ease her worries too. Maybe it's this heart-to-heart that has Hippolyta actually see Barry as who he is.

AHHHH, I dunno, I have ideas. It's all a jumbled mess in my brain.

This was the fanart that started it all, lol It was inspired by The New Frontier, the part where Diana just picks up Barry and carries him around and it was so cute, I couldn’t pass up the chance to draw it~ I was trying some different coloring styles here, not entirely happy with it but oh well. Practice makes perfect aha

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ms-starflower · 3 years ago

Text

Young Survivors — Part 2 — Maribat

So, I had a very productive sunday. Tadaa.

I had no desire to write about Hawkmoth so I just… zipped over it. This part is really just about what happened in the years between the moment she became Ladybug and her return to Gotham. Good news, tho, I already started on writing the Gotham trip! So there is going to be a next part!

< Previous | Next >

Taglist: @frieddonutsweets @queenz-z @emistar0 @jayjayspixiepop @imarivers8 (not sure why it don't work??)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was Ladybug for three years, the Guardian for two, when she claimed back the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous.

She had had suspicions about Gabriel Agreste since the whole debacle with the Miraculous Book and his convenient Akumatization, but both Chat Noir and Master Fu weren’t convinced at the time. Still, she kept an eye on him, trying to find something, anything, that could prove that she was right or wrong. But every time something that could incriminate him came up, something to clear him happened right after. That was damn convenient, though, and it was enough for Master Fu to let her keep investigating, but when she would bring it up with Chat he would end up taking it badly and calling her paranoid. (Today she knew why, of course, but at the time she had been hurt by the apparent disregard her partner had toward her.)

When she lost Master Fu, she became the guardian and lost her only adult support as Ladybug. That was enough for her to stop giving a fuck about what the Mayor and Chat (and Master Fu) thought about it and asked the Justice League for help. It took a little bit of time, but Wonder Woman called her back, surprised to hear that Ladybug wasn’t the one that asked Paris’ Mayor to put a non-miraculous-hero-ban on the city. The Mayor, the coward, had told the JL she didn’t want them here because of the Miraculous’ hocus pocus. It was a lie, but she still couldn’t do anything about the ban. Politics.

Though she couldn’t help in person, Diana arranged for Ladybug to be able to go on Themyscira, using the Kaalki’s miraculous, to receive training from her people. Her trips to the island, short as they were, were really helpful for her mental help; the Amazonians helped her through her emotions, helping her grieve for her brother (they helped her bring Mei back to life, bit by bit) and with the problems she was facing as Marinette.

Chat wasn’t very happy about involving outsiders, but he still let her train him a little. Not as much as she would have liked, but he didn't have much free time to spare in his civilian life. (Looking back on it, Marinette really wondered how she didn’t find out his identity sooner. The wonder of magic.)

Then, Diana put her in contact with Batman (and wasn’t that a slap in Mei’s Marinette’s face, to talk with the man that had haunted the street of her first home, the first person that thought that Gotham and its habitants weren’t all lost). He and Robin not only believed her suspicion toward Gabriel to be valid, but they also actively tried to help prove her theory one way or the other. It took the three of them a little over a year, but they finally gathered enough evidence to be a hundred percent sure of Gabriel Agreste’s culpability.

(Chat Noir broke down in tears when she told him, with proof to back it up, who was Hawkmoth. Still, it took him calling off his transformation before she understood why, and too many things made sense after that, poor chaton. She hugged him so tightly, she almost broke his ribs, and they spent that night sparring on their rooftop. She had wanted to tell him who she was then, but he was too afraid he would be akumatized and didn’t want to risk it.)

In retrospect, Hawkmoth’s defeat was a bit anticlimactic. There was no epic and public battle to the death, there wasn’t even a fight. Ladybug unified her miraculous with Trixx’s, becoming Lady Vixen, and sneaked into Agreste’s house through Adrien’s window. After that it was just Chat and her entering Gabriel’s room under Mirage and taking the Miraculous off of him while he slept. He woke up as soon as he felt it, but he honestly hadn’t held a chance against the both of them while not being transformed.

Everything after that happened quickly; they called the police, got both Gabriel and Nathalie arrested for terrorism, and found a comatose Emily Agreste in the basement. (Adrien broke down again. Understanding why his father had decided to become a terrorist only made it worse.)

Ladybug and Chat Noir gave a press conference to announce the end of Hawkmoth's reign and his identity, keeping only his motivation quiet. (During which Ladybug thanked the Justice League — Wonder Woman, Batman, and the newly dubbed Red Robin in particular— for their help bringing him down. At the Mayor’s, and Paris as a whole, visible surprise.)

Then Adrien told her he was going to step down from being Chat Noir. Definitively.

“I can’t be Chat Noir anymore,” he had told her softly, looking down at his ring. “People are looking at me now, wondering if I worked with my father to terrorize Paris. I… I think that the only way I could possibly reassure the people that I didn’t would be to tell them that I was Chat Noir. Only if you agree, of course. And I know that I would need to renounce Plagg if I did that, but…”

“Are you really sure it’s what you want, Adrien? You know that I… If you do that I...” She stopped herself, tugging on one of her pigtails.

“You could not tell me who you are? Yeah, I thought about that too,” he told her with a hollow laugh. “I’m going to get a lot of attention, whether I reveal that I was Chat Noir or not, and I don’t think it’s the sort of thing you will need as the Guardian. I don’t think it’s safe for me to know your identity either way, Bugaboo.”

So, they held another press conference, where Ladybug announced that she was stepping down from Hero works until her graduation at the very least, barring a world ending event. She didn’t specify which graduation, but people assumed she was talking about college (because they all assumed Ladybug and Chat Noir were adults, nobody wanted to acknowledge that children fought their battle alone), but, frankly, she hadn’t even known herself.

Chat Noir announced that he was stepping down definitively and relinquishing his Miraculous, before markedly taking off his ring and giving it to Ladybug. The crowd went wild, shocked to see Hawkmoth’s son being the hero that had protected them for years. Ladybug had only fiercely hugged her best friend (another best friend that she wasn’t strong enough to protect) before taking off, letting Chat Noir Adrien handle the rest of the conference.

After that day, Ladybug was only seen the day she testified against Agreste in court (he got a life sentence but she still thought he got out easily) before totally disappearing from Paris.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

(A couple of days after Adrien moved to London, Ladybug asked Diana if she knew someone that could help Emilie Agreste. If she was surprised, she didn’t let it show and only gave her the contact of a couple of magic’s practitioners.

John Constantine said he could probably help her, but he wanted a copy of the Miraculous’ Grimoire if he pulled it off. After a long discussion with the Kwamis, where she had Plagg support, she accepted his deal. (There was a lot of begging in her discussion with the Kwamis. A lot.)

It took him five months to wake her up, and Ladybug had no regrets when she handed him the promised copy.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette’s life hadn’t been as smooth sailing as she would have hoped it to be.

Sure, she knew that it wouldn’t be a boring life the second she became Ladybug, but she had thought the most draining part would be the superheroine part. Not her civilian one.

Although, it probably would have been easier if she hadn’t made herself Lila Rossi’s enemy.

Not that she regretted it, of course not, but it was, admittedly, the roots of all her problems.

Her last year of collège had been hell, and despite the disdain that she had felt when Rossi had first threatened her (Rossi had threatened her, and had genuinely thought herself intimidating. What a joke), the girl did deliver what she had promised.

Marinette didn’t see it coming, too preoccupied with her responsibilities as Ladybug, at first, then as a Guardian, but her friends in class started to shut her off. Slowly growing (being pulled) apart from her, leaving her behind.

Looking back at it, she couldn’t really tell when she stopped being friends with most of them. There hadn’t been a clean break, a day or an event that would have caused the split. It was gradual, little by little. But by the end of collège, the only one in class she could have called a friend was Alix. (Losing Nino and Alya friendships had been the most painful. The first because she had known him the longest, he knew her when she was still Mei only. The latter because she thought she was her best friend, she thought they had clicked like she hadn’t with someone since Jason.)

Then she started lycée, and the only people of her old class in her new one were Alix, Chloé, and Max. (Alya and Lila were in the same lycée, though. She saw them, sometimes, in the hallways or the cafeteria, still attached at the hips. That hurt more than she wanted to admit, the first few months.)

Her first year of lycée had been a blessing, though. A pause in the frenzy that was her school life (her life, period). She enjoyed this first, unproblematic year at its fullest. Even became closer with Chloé, the girl becoming a better person (not a nice person, but she wasn’t unnecessarily mean anymore).

She started dating Kagami then, but, between all the secrets Marinette was keeping and Kagami's schedule growing more and more heavy as the Olympics grew closer, they both decided that it was better for them in the long run to split while they were still friends. (And they stayed friends, even when Kagami and her mother moved back to Japan, a couple of months before Gabriel was publicly revealed to be Hawkmoth.)

Alix became like a sister to her in those times, and the only person, beside Tikki, who knew about Jason. She knew almost everything about her, probably even more than Marinette thought.

(Two day after the defeat of Hawkmoth, Alix came to her in her bedroom and gave her two cookies. A big one with “Congrats” written on it, and a smaller one with a cartoon ladybug and just the size of the ones Marinette usually gives Tikki. She didn’t ask anything, but when Marinette asked her when she had found out, she answered that she had guessed at the beginning of lycée.)

But it was her life, so of course it couldn’t last.

For her second year, not only she wasn’t in her only friends’ class, but she was with both Alya and Lila.

But it was fine.

She kept her distance, and they did the same. It helped that most of their professors didn’t really take shit from the students, so Lila’s drama was kept at a minimum. And most of Marinette’s time was spent on hers and Robin’s investigation on Hawkmoth/Gabriel, so she didn’t really invest much in her class’ social hierarchy, and Lila didn’t really feel threatened by her.

When she started her last year, still on the high of finally defeating Hawkmoth, she wasn’t really surprised to end up in Alya and Lila’s class again. ((Red) Robin and her had tried to prove that Lila had worked with Hawkmoth, letting herself be Akumatized voluntarily, but there was no real way to prove that. After all, Ladybug had always been adamant that Akumatized people weren't responsible. Usually.)

Still, she wasn’t prepared for her homeroom’s teacher to be as bad as she ended up being.

Valérie Petit was a tall brunette, with a cheerful attitude that was so false it was painful, and who tried very hard to push her own beliefs on her students. She clearly had favorite students and wasn’t afraid to let it show. And, of course, Lila made herself into the teacher’s pet to end all teacher’s pets, and used that to make Marinette’s life hell once again.

Marinette didn’t know exactly what she did to reignite Lila's hatred of her, but she was betting that it was the class repretentative’s election that did it. Lila had been elected last year, but did a poor job of it, and the class didn’t really change, minus a couple of students. They knew she had been terrible at it. But nobody had wanted to take the place, most because they didn’t want the responsibilities (like Marinette) but some because they didn’t want to hurt Lila’s feelings.

So they decided to elect Marinette. She didn’t even want to be class rep! She wasn’t supposed to have responsibilities this year, beside her commissions!

And if Lila was livid that Marinette got elected (as if it was a popularity test! Most of the class knew nothing of Marinette beside her name), she also clearly understood that Marinette would be glad to be rid of the job. So, of course, she did everything in her power to make her keep it.

That’s how Marinette ended up with the task to come up with propositions for their graduation’s trip.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Marinette? You had something to say to the class, didn’t you?” Mlle Petit asked with an overly cheerful smile, making some of her classmates start to chatter excitedly.

“Ah. Um, yes Mlle,” she grabbed a piece of paper from her notebook and walked toward the front of the class. “I came up with different propositions for destinations, all in different budgets. The cheaper one would be to go to London, we could go for ten days if we do really well in the fund raisings, but only a week would be great too. There is also Rome, and it would be only a little more expen—”

“Um, Mlle Petit?” Alya cut her off, raising her hand like it would excuse the fact that she cut her off. Marinette only blinked at her, wondering what she could have against her now.

“Yes, Alya?” Mlle Petit asked, tilting her head slightly but still smiling.

“Some of us actually thought of a destination for the trip,” she said, sharing an excited smile with a couple of their classmates before putting her arm around Lila’s shoulder. “Lila has been so amazing with us, we thought we could use the trip to make her reconnect with her childhood friend.”

“My… Childhood friend?” Lila asked, and Marinette was probably the only one to see the unease on her face.

“Yes! Damian and you are made for each other! You grew up together, then fell in love as teenagers, it’s like a movie,” Lucie, a brunette with glasses, said with a squeal, an honest to god squeal, making some of their classmates roll their eyes. “And you said that your summer relationship, two years ago, was the most epic one you ever had. It would be so romantic if we could use our graduation trip to reunite the both of you!”

“Yeah,” Michel, a blond guy in the basketball club (or was it the chess club?), said with a smile. “Plus, if we could score a tour of Wayne Enterprise it could help you contact Damian. He is Bruce Wayne’s son, after all.”

“I’m sorry,” Marinette cut in with an incredulous laugh. “Bruce Wayne, as in Gotham’s Bruce Wayne? You-- You want to go to Gotham.”

“Yeah, why do you find that so funny?” Alya asked, frowning when Marinette only laughed harder at the answer.

“Sorry, sorry,” she said, trying to calm her laughter. “It’s just… The lot of you wouldn’t last a day in Gotham, let alone a week!”

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t, we grew up in Hawkmoth’s Paris, Gotham can’t be that bad,” Sophie, a redhead and Lila other best friend (her father worked in the movie industry, she was very useful for Lila now that Gabriel wasn’t an option anymore) told her with disdain.

“Oh. See, that’s how you end up killed in Gotham.”

“Marinette,” Mlle Petit started with a disapproving tone, only to be interrupted by Alya's angry exclamation.

“And how would you know? I doubt you ever put a foot there!”

“Um… Alya, you do know that I grew up there, right?” Marinette asked slowly, her eyebrows raised. Judging by her surprised expression, she hadn’t. (Of course she hadn’t, their friendship had been in a time when she couldn’t mention Gotham without thinking of Jason and breaking down. When she had been able to talk about it again, Alya had long since left her behind.)

“Well… Gotham is a lot safer, now, with Batman and all the Robins. And we have experience with supervillains!”

“Whatever, even if we wanted to go to Gotham, I doubt that our parents would be very happy to let us,” Marinette said, still fighting down her laughter.

“We are all above eighteen,” Pierre said from the back of the class. “And I think it would be fun to go to Gotham for a week!”

“Fun?” she started, but the bell rang before she could add anything.

“Alright everyone,” Mlle Petit said, clapping her hands. “Time is up, so just think about it alright? London, Rome, or Gotham, and we will vote next time. And try to think of ideas for the found raisings we could do!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took two days for Lila to corner her in the school library after that.

“Marinette,” she started with a sweet smile.

“Don’t bother with the sugar, Lila. Why don’t you just jump directly to what you came here to tell me,” Marinette hadn’t bothered to look up from her book before answering.

“We both agree that it would be ridiculous to go to someplace like Gotham when we could spend this time in Rome.”

“Why, Lila, don’t you want to reconnect with your childhood friend, turned summer love, Damian Wayne?” Marinette asked with a mocking smile, finally looking up.

“Don’t play this game with me, Dupain-Cheng,” Lila said with pursed lips. “You need to do something to stop that.”

“But, you see, I haven't thought about going back to Gotham in so long. Looks like this trip is the perfect excuse, and even better if you don’t want to go.”

“Listen, Dupain-Cheng,” she hissed, leaning forward on the table. “If we end up going to Gotham, I swear I’m going to make this trip a living hell for you. Is that clear?”

“Well, Lila,” Marinette told her with a smile, grabbing her stuff and standing up. “I look forward to your reunion with your Damian.” With that, she turned around and got out of the library.

She was going to organize the best trip to Gotham ever. She wondered if there was a way to spend one of those days at Gotham Academy. (Last time she had been there, it was to steal from their students, it would be fun to see if they improved their security.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, Fun Fact people (and story time! You can skip, tho, that’s not really relevant to the story): Mlle Petit is totally inspired by my middle school homeroom teacher! She was a super racist bitch who pushed her beliefs (religious, politic… all of them really) on us, and would be upset if someone had the audacity to not agree with her (guess who didn’t agree with her? Yay!)

It was not helped by the fact that she was my bully’s mother’s best friend, not at all. One time, she called the social services on my parents because of scratches she saw me get, when I fell in front of her. Having her as a teacher for two years had been fun.

#maribat #mlb x dc #gothamite marinette #street kid marinette #platonic jasonette #eventual timari #eventual timinette #I'm still thinking about it tho #hesitating between timari and roynette #still thinking about it

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