#There was also a Robin and Superboy duo as well

[theredhoodedcryptid]

Nothing beats the time me and my bro went to a comic con and as we were leaving we passed by a Joker cosplayer. No biggie right? But as we exited the doors a Robin cosplayer (potentially Jason but idk) came through and went “ya want to go bro?! Let’s go!” at the Joker. No clue if they actually knew each other or how it ended, but it was amazing.

[ectonurites]

Are Tim and Cass Cain actually close in canon? Or is that more of a fanon thing that gained canon status?

Alright, so the tldr answer is that yes pre-reboot they were close—but it wasn't something that happened immediately/right off the bat, it took time, and they didn't always perfectly see eye-to-eye. But like, it's not just some totally fanon thing, they were absolutely close.

I'm using past-tense in the above though because it's like... all the actual content with them becoming/being close is pre-reboot. Anything post-reboot with them either had them back at square one (during N52 stuff) or like, just sort of handwavey 'oh they're close again' without much actual elaboration/explanation. Theoretically nowadays everything's canon again so all the old stuff applies, but as far as I'm aware nothing has really dug all that deep back into the two of them/their dynamic.

Now, to give a brief crash course on Tim & Cass's relationship in canon...

Early on they weren’t all that close because Tim was absolutely intimidated by her & her background and like, in general seemed to just find her kinda off-putting:

(Robin (1993) #73)

However Tim eventually gets over himself & after working side-by-side with her a little bit realizes he shouldn't let being intimidated by her stop them from being friends and working together:

(Batgirl (2000) #18)

After this point they work together on several occasions, definitely communicating much better than in their initial appearances together and clearly getting along well. They're a fun lil duo:

(Superman/Batman Vol. 1 #5, Superboy Vol. 4 #85)

Then… after a while, War Games happens. Gotham goes to shit, Steph dies (well, we nowadays know she didn't really, but they sure were both grieving) and so they both independently move to Blüdhaven, which leads us to the Robin/Batgirl: Fresh Blood crossover. Which has some fun little moments with them:

(Batgirl (2000) #58)

As well as some on the more tense side, as they both navigate mourning Steph and the clashes in their ideologies/approaches to hero work—the fact that Cass wants to be & be like Batman, and the fact that Tim absolutely does not:

(Batgirl (2000) #59)

After the crossover they mostly do their own thing staying out of each other's ways in Blüdhaven—though they do get another little story together in this timeframe in Batman Allies: Secret Files & Origins that sort of rehashes the above conflict during some training together & a team-up.

And we DO also get the cute (and oft-mentioned by the fandom) moment where Tim mentions she frequently breaks into his house to shower & steal rice krispies (just for clarity sake, while fandom almost exclusively calls her 'Cass' largely to avoid confusion with Cassandra 'Cassie' Sandsmark, within the comics themselves both Cassandras get called 'Cass' and 'Cassie' at various points—considering Cass is the one who lives in the same city as Tim at this point in canon, that's definitely who he's talking about here)

(Robin (1993) #138)

So like, at this point they are absolutely comfortable with one another and pretty close, but just, they don't see eye-to-eye on everything so it's not some flawless friendship (and I say friendship specifically because at this point we're still a few years out from them actually becoming siblings). But it's absolutely an interesting dynamic!

Then… after Infinite Crisis we get to the One Year Later/OYL era which is... bad for Cass. Terrible horrible character assassination we all refer to as the 'Evil Cass arc' which began in Tim's book. I don't wanna pull panels from it because it's just... it's bad!!!!!!!!!!!! There's a reason it got retconned into Cass having been brainwashed—because it was bad.

I guess the only thing worth bringing up here in relation to Tim & Cass's relationship though (because as mentioned, Cass gets retconned into it having been brainwashing so anything from her in this era is irrelevant/moot) is the fact that Tim was obviously very upset about the whole situation because Cass is someone he cares about and he even says he considers family.

To fast forward through that mess, when we get to the end of it and the 'oh it was brainwashing haha!' retcon, Tim was the one to have on hand a counter-serum that could free her from Deathstroke's control:

(Teen Titans Vol. 3 #44)

Once Cass is no longer forced to be evil and ooc, she gets a little mini at the end of which Bruce formally offers to adopt her (and Tim, who had earlier been adopted by Bruce, is present for this—so from this point on they go from a more general 'we're like family' to actually 'we are adopted siblings').

Buuuut then Final Crisis & Battle for the Cowl both occur and Cass gets extremely pushed aside by DC, giving up the Batgirl mantle to Steph and heading off to Hong Kong.

At which point we find out that Tim & Cass have actually kept in contact (just... off-panel) during this time when she's been out of Gotham and he's been off doing all sorts of stuff:

(Red Robin #17)

When they see each other in person again, Tim urges her to be a Bat again. Maybe not Batgirl if that's not what she wants, but to wear the symbol and be part of the family. (Which she does take him up on, keeping the suit he brought her and becoming Black Bat).

She pops up again at the end of Red Robin to save Tim & also help him pull off a fake assassination attempt on himself—ya know standard stuff.

And then right before the reboot we get to see them working alongside Damian and Dick in Gates of Gotham, and see one final time that yeah—these two have kept in touch after everything, and are definitely far more on one another's wavelength nowadays than they were back in the 'fresh out of War Games' era:

(Batman: Gates of Gotham #2, #5)

So like, does fanon over exaggerate them and their relationship? Aaaaabsolutely—that’s what fanon does. But they did definitely become close after everything they went through and had a fun dynamic together!

Sadly though, as I mentioned at the start of the post, the n52 wiped everything back to a clean slate. And while nowadays post-Infinite Frontier everyone’s histories have been restored their dynamic has never really been the same again.

[freedvmrouge]

Dynamic Duo Spectulation: Oct 2, 2024

I'm posting this for posterity (and even if it doesn't happen, I'm interested in writing a fic based on it). I initially wrote this all to @beemotionpicture the afternoon she sent me the announcement, which I then spiraled into several news articles in my rush to verify. This has been heavily cleaned up for clarity lol

Links to the sources should be attached to the screenshots.

I think it's fascinating that they titled it Dynamic Duo actually, because that's typically what Batman and Robin are referred to as.

This gives me hope of a really good relationship between Dick and Jason, though. Like, you wouldn't be nicknamed DYNAMIC DUO if you didn't get along. Also, it IS NOT connected to Battinson or the Penguin TV canons.

This quote makes me think that Dick is going to be Jason’s Batman. It's going to be a unique Batman and Robin story, and yet articles continuously describe the animated film as a Robins story. They've both been Robins, but only one has been Batman in an official capacity (do not talk to me about Battle for the Cowl).

As such, I think it's going to be sort of an amalgamation of Jason, Tim, and Damian's stories.

Side note: I think, because animated works need to be planned out in so much more detail, make sure every frame counts, they can't go implementing long-winded explanations you could get in live-action or even comic books with supplementals. For instance, Batman: The Long Halloween. The reason for the Holiday Killer's tenure is different in the comic book and animation because the real reason would be too long-winded and complicated for a one-shot film. The reason why Jason was resurrected is also different in comic (superboy prime) vs. animation (lazarus pit).

Jason was the second Robin, he was what made Robin a legacy. Most people don't even know that there's more than one Robin to begin with, so DC might as well start from the (relative) beginning.

Tim and Dick in canon are more friendly and brotherly, and Bruce being gone was what forced Dick to become Damian's Batman.

Bruce is not going to be in the Dynamic Duo movie bc there are already two other movies with Batman in them (Batman II and Batman: Brave and the Bold with Damian—which, side note again, I thought was going to be Dick and Damian again like in the DCAMU briefly), which forces Dick to be the newly minted Robin Jason's Batman.

Then: “...becomes tested by their diverging ideas for what their future should be.” This seems to support my idea that it's going to end up being a Robin Dick ideology vs. Robin Jason ideology.

It could start off as Dick telling Jason what a Robin should do, how a Robin should be. But then they clash and Jason makes Robin his own, that kinda thing.

They both love Robin, but due to their different backgrounds, priorities, and experiences, they would have different ideas for what the future of Robin should be.

However, I think that they'll already be friends/brotherly before this transition even happens.

So, the switch up in roles is going be an exploration of what Robin means to Dick as the original holder and how it means to Batman, now that that's him. But along the way, it showcases what Robin means to Jason, the current holder, because this Batman and Robin duo are naturally going be vastly different to the Batman and Robin of Dick's tenure.

If you've read this far, thanks ✌️

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

I’m glad you like the rewrite for Superman & Lois! :D I’ll think some more down the road ;)

1: what’s the duo’s opinion on the whole goku vs Superman & Superman vs Batman debate?

2: in-universe, what’s the most misconception the public have of the duo? Like Nightwing Chris being the son of the Nightwing of bludhaven for example.

3: do they have a “what’s the password” entry to the starcave?

4: do you have a group name when titans of tomorrow & starknights team up all together? I recommend young titans or Star Titans

5: don’t know if I said this but what’s their tickle areas?

6: is there any honorable members on the team? Like I can see Jon & the super twins on the starknights group if gained permission.

7: who’s the leader in both groups.

Happy New Year’s Eve to you friend @pin-crusher2000

I’m looking forward to those S&L ideas you’d have XD

Anyways, on with the show

1) Those debates can be fun to watch and consider but the Duo know that it’s better to appreciate the heroes involved in said debates for what they are as people/characters rather than take it all too seriously and to the point of zealotry and fanaticism as they’ve seen online too many times.

2) The public mistaking Chris as a junior Nightwing and a literal son of the Dick Grayson one via the two splitting the mantle evenly is one common misconception the two have seen time and time again. Also, being called biological brothers, Jake getting confused as a de aged Dick Grayson and being mixed up with Robin and Superboy from YJ just smaller and with differing colors are all also commonplace on newspaper tabloids and magazines.

3) I bet they would, mainly used for special occasions including parties for their friends and relatives taking place at their base. Jake is the one answering the door and The password would be ‘Crusader-Landing-Azule’

4) Star Titans is ideal and common enough to work well with them. It’s short, sweet and to the point. Though in full it’ll be The StarBurst Titans of Tomorrow, as a nice combination of their respective names.

5) On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being barely any sort of tingle and 10 being guaranteed of very loud laughter and thrashing around if not being held still….

Chris;

- Sides of the Neck: 6

- Ribcage Sides: 4

- Back of his Knees: 9

- Abdomen: 5

- Tops of his Feet: 7

- Heels and Soles: 7

- Toes: 8

Jake;

- Sides of the Neck: 5

- Ribcage Sides: 7

- Back of the Knees: 5

- Abdomen: 7

- Tops of his Feet: 10

- Heels and Soles: 10

- Toes: 10

6) In particular Green Lantern Tai Pham, Baby Wildebeest, Flamebird (Thara), in a later point in time both Osul and Otho, Jarro the Starro and from alternate Earths both Johnny Grayson aka Firepattern from Earth 2 and Matt McGinnis aka Robin Beyond from Earth 12

Maybe at a later point in time, the Duo would also have an ally and friend from outside the DC multiverse or even it’s dimension….like maybe from a completely different dimension (coded for franchise) in a future crossover *hint**hint*

And oh yeah, Jon too is a frequent help for both teams whenever the help is needed, akin to how Supergirl is a big help to the Legion of Superheroes if need be

7) Both teams have de facto as opposed to officially stated leadership but often times Mar’i and Bobby share having control of the Titans of Tomorrow. The both of them inherited their respective parents’ leadership skills but Bobby a tad bit moreso from Donna and even his Grand Aunt Diana

As for the StarKnights, Chris more or less makes the most prominent decisions of them all, with both Jake and Cerdian being second in commands to him.

[baambastic]

I'm doing @broosepayne's poll tag game.

Rules: Make a 24-hr poll with the names of your WIPs and then for whichever wins, write one sentence for each vote it gets.

Check under the Keep Reading for summaries.

Chris Kent, Kathy Branden, Maya Ducard, & SuperFamily Members - The World Didn’t Stand Still

Kathy Branden decides to use her shop’s teleporter to peer in on the Phantom Zone. She comes back with Chris Kent in tow. But this isn't the Earth Chris knows, and the Phantom Zone wants him back.

Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, & Damian Wayne - The Cola Caper

The United States government has placed an embargo on the island of Santa Prisca, along with a recall of all recent Santa Priscan commercial imports. Tim and Dick are more concerned that the embargo means no more Zesti Cola for them. They decide they have no choice but to infiltrate Santa Prisca and the headquarters of the Zesti Cola Company to acquire the Zesti Cola secret recipe.

Original Male Character, Garfield Lynns, Selina Kyle, Victor Fries, Stephanie Brown, & Tim Drake - Fly High, Little Firefly

Fusing The Batman (2004) with the main continuity. Back during Dick’s days as Robin, Garfield Lynns, AKA Firefly, worked with Dr. Jane Blazedale, a partnership that ended with Lynns becoming Phosphorus and being remanded to Arkham Asylum. To the knowledge of neither Lynns nor the Bat, however, the partnership between Lynns and Dr. Blazedale also resulted in an unexpected pregnancy. Dr. Blazedale named the boy Benjamin, Benji for short. Following a revelation about his father's identity, Benji decides to sneak into one of Lynns's old hideouts and steals the Firefly equipment.

Tim Drake, Young Just Us, Caitlin Snow, & Batfamily Members - Snowfall

Tim is investigating a case involving Mr. Freeze and a dangerous ice machine powered by a Self-Sustaining Thermodynamic Ultraconductor Engine. During the fight, however, Tim gets knocked into the STU engine, taking out the coolant system and causing the whole thing to explode. In the aftermath, Tim discovers that he has become a heat vampire, much like Caitlin Snow, AKA Frost.

Damian Wayne, Jonathan Samuel Kent, Kathy Branden, & Maya Ducard - Young Titans: Beginnings

Damian Wayne, AKA Robin, was well aware that each of his older brothers has had a super hero team to call their own. Richard led the Teen Titans and later the Titans. Todd led the Outlaws. Even Drake led Young Justice, as laughably immature as that team was. Damian, though, has yet to lead a team of his own. He decides to change that. Enlisting the aid of his friend Jon Kent, AKA Superboy, Damian sets out to form his own team of superheroes: the Young Titans!

Jason Todd & Damian Wayne - Gotham's New Dynamic Duo!

Talia al Ghul sends Jason Todd away from the League of Assassins with a Damian Wayne in tow. When they get to Gotham, however, Damian stays with Jason instead of meeting Bruce. Damian eventually starts fighting at Jason's side as a vigilante.

Talia al Ghul, Bruce Wayne, Damian al Ghul, Alfred Pennyworth, Ravi, Ra's al Ghul, and Ace the Bat-Hound - Flight of the Demon's Daughter

Jason Todd stays dead, and Tim Drake doesn't become Robin, so Talia al Ghul is forced to take matters into her own hands, even if it means betraying her father. She brings her son along for the ride.

Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Billy Batson, Anita Fite, & Others - The Echoes of Our Unjust Deaths

Tim Drake, Jason Todd, and Billy Batson keep having nightmares about their own deaths. Only, the nightmares feel so real that they can actually feel the pain. Billy realizes that the source of the nightmares is magical in nature, and so the three of them, along with Anita Fite AKA Empress, work together to get to the bottom of it and stop whoever's doing this to them.

Batfamily Members - The Gotham Grand Prix

The Batkids have a race through Gotham City.

Billy Batson & Dick Grayson - Batson and the Bat’s Son

Dick Grayson has tracked a labor trafficking ring from Blüdhaven to Fawcett City. Witnessing some of the ring's thugs kidnapping a kid off the street, Nightwing follows them back to their base of operations. He busts the trafficking ring and frees all of the kidnapped persons, including that night's victim, Billy Batson. With Billy unconscious, though, Nightwing turns him over to Child Welfare Services. On a gut feeling, he asks Oracle to see what she can find on the kid. After discovering Billy's homelessness and looking into his history with foster care, though, Dick decides to foster him. Billy allows it (for now) only because he knows Dick is Nightwing, and so Billy trusts him. Dick, for his part, slowly realizes that Billy reminds him way too much of himself when Bruce took him in. And Dick doesn’t even have an Alfred to help. Oh no.

Selina Kyle, Billy Batson, & Tim Drake - Stray Tiger Cub

When Selina Kyle finds a kid passed out in an alley, skin and throat laced with Lichtenberg scars… well, she’s always had a fondness for strays. Told from Selina’s perspective. Something has gone wrong with the Rock, turning the magic lightning against Billy’s body. It leaves him powerless and without a voice.

Billy Batson, Kent Nelson, Khalid Nassour, Marvel Family, & JLI - Crossroads

JLI era, Billy Batson is taken on by Doctor Fate as an apprentice alongside Khalid Nassour.

[episodeoftv]

Round 1 of 8, Group 5 of 8

propaganda and summaries are under the cut (May include spoilers)

Kamen Rider W: 1.31 The Beast Must Be Persued / 1.32 Now, in the Radiance

A mob friend of Sokichi asks Shotaro to help him settle an old score and get what he came back to Futo for. / While under pressure of being abandoned by Philip as his Double partner for not keeping up, Shotaro tries to decipher the truth behind Bito's framing.

the show revolves around the idea of two person working together to become a one superhero entity (Kamen Rider W/Double), and this entire arc is about the hardest challenge in every relationship; what if one of us is changing and it's affecting our relationship? what would you do if that happen? would you go, would you stay? in this episode, there happens to be physical change between one half of the duo (Philip), leaving the other half (Shotaro) become incompatible to form as Kamen Rider W anymore. a mysterious entity suggested a thing to Philip; partnering with the more compatible guy, who happens to be their friend and a fellow Kamen Rider Accel, Ryu. would they reform W? or is this the end of W? Well, the answer is no, LOL. Philip considered that idea only to be shoved off immediately by Ryu. Shotaro, who was devastated with their previous battle (which they got lost terribly due to their incompatibility) decided to solve the current case all by himself, which didn't end well. He then were found by Philip who started to gave a speech who basically is just "fuck incompatibility. I want to be your partner. If that means we can't form W again, that's alright. when I choose you as a partner, that means I'm accepting not only your strength, but your flaw as well. why? because nobody's perfect*" *"nobody's perfect" was a message from Shotaro's mentor. it's actually meant for their client who took the blame of all of his friends' crimes and got sent to jail for several years. (the client asked the mentor, got sentenced, freed, returned to the detective agency cause the mentor told him he has something for him).the mentor's message is like a closure for all of things he had done for the sake of his friends. because nobody is perfect. Somehow, that message also fits the entire incompatibility narrative of the episode, and it's beautiful. so they return to fight the monster. are they still incompatible? of course. but they were so stubborn and keep fighting it, they could surpass it. thus, the main form was born, as they became more synchronized than before, and saved the day. so, for the question on the above, what is the answer for both Shotaro and Philip? they choose to stay and find a way to make it work. all of that shown on parallel with their current case's narrative, and if that's not the episode of all time, then idk what it is. idk if this could explain the episode enough, it's pretty complicated LMAO

Young Justice: 1.16 Failsafe

When the Justice League is defeated during an alien invasion, the Team has to step up and fill their mentors' shoes.

This episode genuinely rewired my brain when I watched it back in 2011. Like? It became clear by halfway through the episode that what is going isn't "real" because of course all those characters wouldn't have died, the whole plot wouldn't change like that, so it leaves the audience in a state of suspense of what's really going on. It's like an insidious feeling. Through this end of the world scenario we really see things in these characters that we wouldn't otherwise, things that disturb us. That Superboy would be willing to sacrifice his own life for others so easily without a second thought. That Robin would be so ready to let his friends & himself die. That Kidflash isn't even mad when he dies with Robin though he knows Robin planned it all along. And the gut punch at the end of the episode when you realize not only was it not real (which we predicted) but that the hallucination was because of MISS MARTIAN. The mental toll that this takes on her because she didn't mean to and the mental toll it takes on the other characters having to deal with this knowledge of themselves and their friends it just... ugh. There's great follow-up in the next episode, too, but in general I wish the show on a whole actually followed up on it better. Anyway great episode.

[violetswritingg]

Canary Cry

Robin/Nightwing (Dick Grayson) x OFC!

Description: Her violence was silent. Until it wasn't.

"I'm fine."

"Fine is just another word for drowning."

Rating T-M (mentions of blood, child abuse, mental health, cannon situations of violence and the like. Loss of parents, hard of hearing/deaf character, poorly written fight scenes lol)

Want to read the other chapters?

Click here

12

MOUNT JUSTICE

August 19, 19:39 EDT

"Initiate combat training." The computer's monotone voice assistant spoke over the intercoms, counting down from three. Goldfinch, Miss Martian, and Artemis standing off to the side as Kaldur and Superboy go at it in the lit up ring.

"Kaldur's nice, don't you think?" Artemis asked coyly, looking at M'gann out of the corner of her eye. Kate's eyebrows scrunching in confusion at the seemingly random question. "Handsome, commanding... You should totally ask him out."

"He's like a big brother to me," M'gann denied, "But you know who would make the cutest couple? You and Wally." Kate wanted to be anywhere else right now but she could see it. The whole opposites attract thing. Like something out of a book, or movie.

She didn't hate boy talk, it's just something she has zero experience in and therefore would prefer to not do it. But just because she didn't want to be here doesn't mean she didn't appreciate romance; she was still silently rooting for Superboy and M'gann to become a thing.

The three girls all turned to look at the speedster standing a couple feet away, practically inhaling a burrito, "You're so full of passion, and he's so full of..." The Martian trailed off awkwardly.

"It?" Artemis asked with a smirk, the three sharing a look before laughing. Kate had been working to actually see Artemis as a part of the Team and Arrow family, per Dinah's request and multiple occasions of meddling to get them to hang out outside of training and the cave.

"On the topic of cute couples, how about Kate and Robin?" Artemis asked slyly, raising an eyebrow at the songbird of the group. Watching her cheeks turn a baby pink as she blushed and recoiled like she had been burned.

"What are you talking about. We're friends-"

"Friends don't go on ice cream dates after school, or constantly check in on each other just because they want to talk." Kate hated that Artemis had overheard that conversation.

"That was not a date, and friends talk all the time." Kate defended herself, her cheeks growing redder as she was knocked off kilter emotionally and mentally at the insinuation.

"That's adorable!" M'gann awed, "Honestly, anyone could see how much you two like each other."

"Oh my gosh, their ship name could be Songbird." Artemis added on enthusiastically, mainly just to see Kate's reaction, but also finding the thing going on between the youngest members of the team sickeningly adorable and just wants them to admit they like each other so they would stop making her feel lonely.

Before Kate could shut down the older girls' completely insane thoughts the computer's voice assistant's monotone filled the room again.

"FAIL: Aqualad."

"Black Canary taught me that." Superboy proudly said as he stood over Kaldur with a grin. Kate fought off the green eyed monster that wanted to rage over anyone spending time with Dinah that way, she was also working on sharing. It was still a work in progress.

Red Tornado came down from his apartment and landed in front of the Atlantean and Kryptonian clone, turning away but being stopped by an overeager Wally who sped in front of him, asking if the android had a mission for them.

"Missions are the Batman's responsibility."

"Yeah, well, the Batman is with the Robin doing the dynamic duo thing in Gotham," Wally said, Artemis nudged Kate with her elbow lightly at the mention of, just to annoy the younger blonde. It worked. "But you're going somewhere right? Hot date? Or-or a mission?"

"If we can be of help." Aqualad offers more maturely than the speedster. Red Tornado opening a holo-screen with a picture of an older man with grey hair and a cane.

"This is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is one hundred and six years old." RT says.

"Guy doesn't look a day over ninety." Wally whispers to Kate and Artemis.

"And he has been missing for twenty-three days. Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, the precursor to your mentors Justice League." Kent Nelson's picture changed into a picture of some guy in a golden helmet. Goldfinch had no idea who he was, but Kaldur seemed to have the answer.

"Of course, Nelson was earth's sorcerer supreme. He was Doctor Fate." That name rung a bell for Kate, she remembers one of the boys in one of the many group homes she had been in being obsessed with the Justice League before the Justice League. Specifically, Doctor Fate and his mystical abilities. The only reason she even remembered was because he was so annoying about it, it was the only thing he would talk about.

"More like Doctor Fake, guy knows a little advanced science and 'Dumbledore's' it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes." Wally whispered again, sounding so sure.

"Kent may simply be on one of his walk abouts, but he is care taker of the Helmet of Fate. The source of the Doctor's mystic might and it is unwise to leave such power unguarded." Red Tornado says, Kate wasn't totally on board with the whole 'magic is real' thing just yet, mainly because she hadn't seen it with her own eyes and she wasn't a person that held a lot of blind faith (none actually). But she wasn't going to pull a Wally and just shoot it down completely. But as it stood, she could only really think about magic in the terms that it was something in the books she read and not something in real life.

"He's just like the great sorcerer priests and priestesses of Mars. I would be honored to find him." M'gann says admirably, probably happy to find some familiarity to home on Earth. Her response had Wally changing his tune real quick.

"Me too! Sooo honored, I can barely stand it. Magic rocks." Wally did cheesy 'rock n roll' hands, making Kate roll her eyes, equally annoyed and amused with Wally's usual antics of trying to get M'ganns' attention.

"Take this, it is the key to the Tower of Fate." Red tornado handed Kaldur the golden key he showed the group of teens.

"What are the chances we both so admire the mystic arts?" Wally asked M'gann in a way he probably thought was being suave. Artemis and Kate shared a matching look of exasperation and disbelief.

~~*~~

SALEM

August 19, 20:22 EDT

They all dressed down into civies, Kate wearing her usual light wash, ripped, mom jeans and long sleeve shirt. The toe of her Doc Martens scraping against the floor of the Bioship in boredom as her hands played with the sleeves of her new leather jacket. It was a little strange not wearing her old one, the worn material of the too small piece of outerwear had become like a weighted blanket to the teen.

Giving it up was akin to shedding the last piece of her old life, and it was a lot harder than she thought it would be.

"So, Wally, when did you first realize your 'honest affinity' for sorcery?" Artemis asked sarcastically.

"Well, I-uh, I don't like to brag but before I became Kid Flash, I seriously considered becoming a wizard myself." Wally leaned back in this chair, his arms crossed behind his head, everyone in the Bioship beside M'gann looking at him with disbelief and annoyance.

"We've reached Tornado's coordinates but..." M'gann trailed off.

"Nothing's there." Kate realized, seeing nothing but an empty plot of land.

"Take us down." M'gann did as Kaldur told her and parked the Bioship on the side of the road like it was an actual car.

Kate didn't know why she found this funny, but she did.

Wally ran the perimeter and came back looking highly disturbed, "Nothing, this isn't simple camouflage."

"So, what do you think? Adaptive micro-electronics combined with phase-shifting?" Artemis asked, trying to trip up the deceitful speedster. Kate standing a little way off but still close enough to hear.

"Absolutely... not!" Wally changed his answer as M'gann walked up beside him. "Clearly mystic powers are at work here." Wally was as bad of a liar as Oliver was. Kate was no longer amused by Wally lying through his teeth, it was a Thursday, she had school tomorrow and homework she should be doing right now.

She's not stupid, not by any means. Not to brag, but she's actually pretty smart, she's just not used to using her smarts for anything other than survival and combat tactics. So, to sit through a math lesson on advanced algebra or an English class focused on creative writing was a new experience. One she found too not be totally unwelcome.

"A test of faith..." Kate turns to look at their leader questionably, the Atlantean looking intensely at the key Red Tornado gave him, "Stand behind me." He weaved his way through the group and walked up to the empty space of the field, inserting the key into the air and turning it.

Kate was convinced he was losing it before a loud clicking sound filled the air, the sound of a lock unlocking, and a giant building appeared out of thin air. Correction: a giant tower. Kate's eyes went wide as plates, her jaw dropping to the grass under her feet as she stood there stunned.

Aqualad pushed open the door and lead by example by entering the creepy looking tower first, the rest of the team following.

"Uh where'd the door go?" Superboy asked and Kate instantly got bad vibes, feeling like a trapped animal. Every fiber of her being screaming she shouldn't be here.

"Greetings," A hologram...? Of Kent Nelson appeared in a flash of golden light and Kate almost yelped in surprise, "You have entered with a key but the tower does not recognize you, state your purpose and intentions."

Kate waited for Kaldur to say something, her eyes constantly shifting around the space like a junkie searching for a fix. "We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate." Wally, the ginormous idiot that he is, spoke up for the group. Which was a very big mistake judging by the frown that plagued the holograms face before it disappeared. Kate internally (And externally) panicking about what that meant.

Her question was answered when the floor broke up underneath them and the team started falling, Kate screaming, normally. Barely controlling her sonic scream as her worst nightmare came to life. M'gann grabbed Wally, Kaldur saved from a fiery death by Artemis and her cross bow, Superboy digging into the rocky walls with a yell.

Kate? Kate was free falling, flipping in the air, no way to save herself and no one able to save her. She honestly thought she was going to die.

"Kate!" Artemis yelled as the blonde fell past the archer and Atlantean.

"Superboy!" Aqualad yelled, the clone reaching out and catching the song bird by her waist, her boots almost touching the superheated lava inches below her and her savior. The blonde looked traumatized, her eyes wide with horror and unshed tears as a green tinge colored her lightly tanned skin.

The clone could hear how fast her heart was racing in her chest, how shallow her breaths were. She was having a panic attack.

The clone growled, holding onto her tightly as he dug his fingers into the wall deeper for a better grip. "This Nelson guy better be worth it." Superboy called up to the other's.

"Having trouble... maintaining altitude... I'm so hot." M'gann said, slowly succumbing to the heat of the lave below them.

"You certainly are." Wally said, looking at the Martian with heart eyes.

"Wally!" Artemis scolded.

"Hey! Inches above sizzling death, I'm entitled to speak my mind!" The speedster fought back. His words only making Kate's panic worse, her and Superboy being the closest to the 'sizzling death' Superboy feeling the blonde begin to practically vibrate in his hold.

"My physiology, and M'ganns are susceptible to extreme heat, we must climb out quickly." Aqualad wipes away the sweat on his forehead.

"Hello Megan, we never truly answered the question," Miss M realized, "Red Tornado sent us! To see if Mr. Nelson and the helmet were safe!" A dark brown tiled floor slid over the lava, the heat instantly disappearing, Superboy jumped off the wall and set Goldfinch onto her feet, which didn't last as the blonde fell back against the wall and slid down till she was sitting on the ground. Wally and M'gann dropping right next to her, Kaldur and Artemis swinging down.

"This platform, it should be red hot." Kate knew this, but her mind was still processing the fact she wasn't dead, her panic slowly fading the longer she had solid ground under her. The weightless feeling of falling never leaving her as she shakily stood and looked at the clone with an openly terrified look on her face. This was the first time he had seen her this vulnerable. Even when she was hurt, she had the look of a warrior, continuously pushing forward through the pain.

But this wasn't physical pain she can push away with mind over matter or adrenaline, this was a type of pain that was caused by the fear spurred on by adrenaline, it was psychological. She didn't look like a warrior, she looked like a kid, for the first time ever since he had known her.

She turned away from the clone after opening and closing her mouth a couple times, unsure of what to say, hanging her head between her knees, "I think I'm gonna be sick." She was still shaking and her shoulders heaved with labored breathing just shy of hyperventilating.

Artemis looked at the girl, that always seemed so unshakeable, reduced to a panic induced mess and she got angry.

"Don't worry Megalicious, I got you." Wally flirted with M'gann, which set the blonde archer off.

"Enough! You're little 'impress Megan at all costs' game, nearly got us all barbequed!" Artemis shoved Wally back against the wall.

"When did this become my fault?!" Wally got defensive.

"When you lied to that... whatever it was, and called yourself a true believer!" Artemis got in his face, Superboy coming up behind her in silent support.

"Wally, you don't believe?" Kate straightened up, forcing herself to calm down (and failing), as M'gann asked her question. Sounding incredibly naïve.

"Fine! Fine! I lied about believing in magic," Wally broke under the pressure of his team mates disapproving stares, "But magic is the true lie! A major load!"

"Wally, I studied for a year at the conservatory of sorcery in Atlantis. The mystic arts created the skin icons that power my waterbearers." Aqualad tried to convince the red head civilly, still crouched down and feeling the cool temp of the floor.

"You ever hear of Bioelectricity? Hey in primitive cultures fire was once considered magical too, today it's all just a bunch of tricks." He denied, Kate just shaking her head, if she wasn't convinced of magic before she sure was now. And she wanted out and to never deal with it ever again.

"You sure are pretty closed minded for a guy who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers." Artemis rebuked, her anger doing nothing but growing the more he continued to deny the truth right in front of him.

"That's science, I recreated Flash's laboratory experiment and here I am. Everything can be explained by science." Wally's mic-drop moment falling flat with the audience of his peers.

"Let us test that theory." Aqualad spoke from the floor, reaching for a handle sticking up and lifting a hatch in the ground.

"Wait! The back draft from the lava will roast us alive!" Wally's words fell flat when powdery white flakes of frozen water flew up into the air. The crisp air helping Kate come back to earth from the emotional roller coaster she just went on. Reminding her she was alive, if she was dead surely, she wouldn't be able to feel the sting of the cold air in her lungs.... Right?

"It's snow!" M'gann said with the enthusiasm of a kid on Christmas.

"Do you ever get tired of being wrong?" Artemis smirks at Wally as the team starts to go through the hatch, the short weightless feeling not doing anything great for Kate's peace of mind as she lands next to Superboy. The five of them looking to Wally to see if he had a scientific explanation.

Kate knew he did, because it's where her mind wanted to go, just to give her some sense of normality.

"Ever hear of string theory? We're in a pocket dimension." Artemis let out a sound of pure frustration.

"What's that?" M'gann asked, making them all turn to see what she was looking at, a cane floating in the air. Yeah, Kate has had enough of magic and mystic forces to last a lifetime. Can she go home now? Homework seems like a better option to the teen right now.

Artemis and Wally grabbed the cane, "I got it," They said in unison, "I can't let go! Ahh!" The remaining four team members watched in shock and worry as the archer and speedster were dragged up into the sky and disappeared in a flash of light.

Kaldur, Superboy, M'gann, and Kate all sharing looks of 'what the fuck just happened?' before shrugging and walking through the snow. Kate still shaking but for a different reason, she wondered how the other's weren't so affected as she was, she figured it was because none of them were as fragile as humans when it came to the cold.

"I don't understand Wally-" Kate snorted a laugh at M'ganns words.

"Does anyone?" She interrupted, her snarky tone earning her a scolding look from Kaldur. The teen visibly deflated, her shoulders caving in as she tried to retain any body heat, she could.

"It's almost like he needs to believe the impossible can't happen." M'gann finished her thought with no more interruption from the songbird.

"Hey Superboy?" The blonde asked quietly beside him, gaining the clones attention, "I should say thank you, you uh- you probably saved my life back there. I'm not sure if I would have actually been roasted alive by Lava or not because magic is confusing but if you hadn't of caught me-" Kate wasn't normally the type to let people see her be vulnerable, especially not people she was iffy on trusting. She also wasn't a big words person, preferring action, physical proof, over pretty words and false promises. But this was necessary. She was trying to be different, more open, less defensive.

That moment as she was falling and then suddenly wasn't anymore...

It was the first time she had ever been afraid to die. Now that she had things to live for, friends, family, a life that consisted of more than fear and survival.

Superboy had lengthened her time on this green planet of theirs, that was the final puzzle piece she needed to fully trust the quiet clone she didn't really talk to as much as a friend and as a teammate.

The clone just grinned at her, an understanding look in his eye, no more words needing to be said between the two.

A loud crashing sound grabbed the four teens attention, all of them turning to see a doorway and stairs open at the top of a slope in front of them. Looking at one another with furrowed eyebrows and walking through the door, falling through it (Kate was really tired of falling) and seeing their long-lost teammates with Kent Nelson. A large bell hanging behind them, it was very hunchback of Notre Dame.

Artemis ran over to her teammates and helped them up, just in time to dodge a blast of lightning shot in their direction. "What the fu-" Kate cursed, turning and seeing two guys, obviously bad guys. One holding a wand like he was freaking Harry Potter and they were Voldemort, the other looked like a boy, extremely pale with greasy black hair, horns coming out of his forehead and a cat curled around his neck. Think love child between Satan and a rat.

"Professor Snape? Is that you?" Kate asked under her breath, taking out her batons from under her jacket, barely conscious of the fact that Wally and Kent had just disappeared into the bell.

Well, wasn't that just splendid, Kate and the others continued to dodge the blasts being sent their way, the blonde getting an idea. "Superboy! Could I get a boost?" The clone smirked and nodded, making a platform with his hands and tossing her up and at knockoff Harry Potter... or would he be a death eater? To be determined at a later date.

She reared back an arm, ready to knock some common decency into the wizard dude, but was hit with a lightening blast in the stomach and thrown back, her clothes smoking as a cage of electricity came over her.

"Goldfinch!" Superboy yelled as sonic waves distorted the air from her screams of pain. The clone running over to try and help but getting caught himself. The pain didn't last long though, a blinding golden ankh appeared behind the evil wizard and stripped him down to his delicate's.

Goldfinch got up with the other's, watching Superboy approach the almost naked charlatan "Show's over." He said before punching the man, knocking him out cold.

~~*~~

STAR CITY

The Lance Apartment

August 20, 00:45 PDT

Looking at the clock as she quietly entered Dinah and Hers' apartment, Kate just shook her head at the time zone difference. Zeta-ing back and forth seriously messed up her circadian rhythm, not that she slept much to begin with. But still.

Kate took off her boots by the door and tiptoed through the spacious kitchen in the dark, her socked feet padding down the hardwood hallway and pausing before a slightly open door. Dinah's room. Before she could think too much about it the teen was peeking into the older woman's bedroom cautiously, getting caught red handed by a still awake Dinah Lance.

"You're back early." The older blonde said with a small smile, sitting in bed with a book that Kate had recommended to her.

Goldfinch was free falling, flipping in the air, no way to save herself and no one able to save her. She honestly thought she was going to die.

"...If you hadn't of caught me-"

she had things to live for, friends, family, a life that consisted of more than fear and survival.

"Hey, is everything alright?" Dinah pulled the covers off her legs and got out of her bed, seeing Kate zone out with a look the older woman had never seen before on her young face. Dinah laid a calming hand on the teens shoulder and a tense paused ensued before Kate was shooting forward and wrapping her arms around her mentor, shocking and almost knocking the woman over. "Woah, hey, hey." Dinah cooed softly petting back the girl's hair as she returned the hug.

The teen didn't say anything, just held onto her tighter, the woman who had quickly filled the role of a mother-figure in her life when she needed it most, burying her face into Dinah's shoulder.

Left over panic and anxiety from the fall making her vibrate like the flash trying to phase through a wall as it all came crashing back down. Her thoughts spiraling until she was having a full blown panic attack in Dinah's arms. The woman keeping a calm face on the outside while she was internally in shock, running her fingers through the teens hair and talking softly to her.

"Just breathe, you're okay now. I'm right here, you're safe." Once Kate had stopped hyperventilating Dinah pulled back, holding the girl's face softly, seeing her ocean blue eyes all red and bloodshot, tear stains on her flushed cheeks.

"Can I-" Kate's voice cut off, her lips pursing as she looked down, sniffling quietly as her walls were slowly being put back in place and shame started to pool in her stomach. She tried not to let Dinah see her like how she felt right now. A weak child. Dinah didn't need her to finish her question to understand, being able to read what was happening in her head with the clarity of crystal.

"Come on." Dinah gently led Kate to her bed, helping the girl out of her jacket before they settled, Kate curling into Dinah's shoulder hesitantly, falling asleep almost instantly.

Dinah's calm façade fading into a strange look that was a mixture of worry and joy. Worry about what had caused Kate's panic attack and how it was going to affect her moving forward. Joy, because Kate came to her, albeit subconsciously at first, but she still looked to another person for comfort rather than turning inward and self-destructive. It was progress. She was starting to fully trust the people in her life, the team, Oliver, Her, Artemis even.

And for just a split second, looking down at Kate, Dinah saw her sister. It was nostalgic in the best and worst way.

"Hey D?" The six year old Sarah Lance whispered into the dark room of her older sister, "I had a nightmare." Her baby blonde hair resembling a mane from sleep, her big, deep blue eyes scared and tired.

"Come on," a ten year old Dinah Laurel Lance turned on the lamp beside her bed and lifted her dark blue covers. Her little sister racing forward with her blanket she's had since birth, golden wings embroidered into the corner shining in the low light of the room, and dived in next to her big sister. Curling up into Dinah's side and falling back to sleep almost instantly.

Sarah Lance had been missing for fourteen years, declared dead after five, and it had killed Dinah when she got the call that the police had stopped looking. But then... a little ray of hope shone through the dark clouds.

Kate.

A girl, basically a carbon copy of Sarah, with the ability to sonic scream... it was too big of a coincidence to be a coincidence. Even with only circumstantial evidence to back up the theory, Dinah knew in her bones.....

Kate was Sarah's daughter.

And Dinah would take care of her like she was her own. Protect her the way her sister had failed. Sarah may be gone but Dinah would be dammed if she were to let Kate, her niece, her family, slip through the cracks.

~~*~~

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Explaining Batfam lore to my sibling

(and also explaining Batfam lore for people who need a general idea of what’s going on)

Me: I’m meshing together multiple timelines so --

Them: timelineS?

Me: yeah, timelines plural, keep up

~

“The Rogues aren’t really important in explaining any of this but it’s important to me that you know them”

~

“So either Riddler was a guy who became a jewel thief for the gimmick or a guy with split personality where one side had a crush on a very nice lady and the other had a crush on murder”

~

Me: Poison Ivy got mad because Bruce got her lab torn down

Them: ew!

Me: well, it’s more like Harvey Dent got the lab torn down and Bruce was like “that’s my friend!”

~

“Joker is a bitch that fell in acid and then decided to make that his entire personality”

~

Me: Penguin just likes money

Them: good for him

Me, nodding: good for him

~

“Bane had a point about capitalism but then they realized that he did and made him decide to blow up a bunch of people to make him evil”

~

“Bruce was a happy child... until he wasn’t”

~

“Bruce was there when Dick’s parents fell because he was out with Girlfriend Number 454825 and he was like :(″

~

“After a few years of Bruce not figuring out much about the people who killed his parents Dick said ‘know what? Batman ain’t shit’ and then he became Robin”

~

“Babs appears around here and... does stuff. Kinda”

~

“And Dick — sick of Bruce’s shit — went off to Bludhaven, which is just Gotham but a little bit to the left”

~

“Bruce saw this kid stealing his tires and instantly decided to take him in”

~

Me: Jason is super sweet and he genuinely wants to help people because he doesn’t want them to suffer like he did

Them: aw... he dies, doesn’t he?

Me: I’M GETTING THERE

~

"Jason gets his birth certificate and he was like ‘wait a minute, Catherine doesn’t start with an S’"

~

“Bruce gets all angsty after Jason dies and almost kills the Joker for killing him but Superman stopped him because he’s a BITCH”

~

“Somehow Tim, at age 9, was the only person ever to figure out Batman’s identity”

~

“He essentially bullies Bruce into making him Robin”

~

Me: you see, Tim has a parent problem... his problem that his parents are still alive

Them: really?

Me: yeah... anyways his mom dies

~

“Tim’s dad decides to be better dad after his wife’s death. Which is unfortunate because he realizes Tim is Robin and immediately decides to keep Bruce away from him”

~

“Bruce gets another Robin, her name is Steph and she dies within 100 real world days for the crime of... being a Girl and a Robin”

~

“Tim goes back to being Robin despite his dad’s wishes but that’s okay because his dad is promptly killed off”

~

Me: there’s a new player in town and it turns out that it’s Jason

Them: but isn’t he dead?

Me: he’s alive because Superboy Prime punched the world really hard and broke reality, you’re just going to have to accept that

Them: ...

Me: ANYWAYS he’s bitter because Batman hasn’t killed the Joker yet to avenge him and so he decides to kill people that aren’t going to reform... he doesn’t succeed, unfortunately

~

“Steph’s actually alive, by the way, just unimportant”

~

"Alright, a guy named David Cain saw this lady called Lady Shiva and he wants to have a master martial artist for a daughter so he’s like ‘I’m a martial artist... you’re a martial artist... I’m going to kill your sister’”

~

“He raised this kid to be an assassin, do you really think he cared enough about her to teach her to speak?”

~

“Cass kills a guy and then promptly decides she doesn’t like that shit and runs away and ends up adopted by Bruce... because of course she does”

~

Me: Cass is suicidal for a while until Lady Shiva kills her and cures the problem

Them: no!

Me: but then Shiva wants a rematch because Cass wasn’t trying and then Cass beats but doesn’t kill her

Them: yes!

~

“She just kinda vibes with Babs and Steph for the rest of this. I’ll give you three guesses why they aren’t used more”

~

“Now we’re onto the murder child, Damian Wayne. He was raised by the League of Assassins and is Bruce’s blood son”

~

“He tries to kill Tim to get Robin from him a few times but it’s just kinda brushed aside... just like I’m going to brush it aside right now”

~

“Bruce dies and Dick is made Batman and his first act as New Dad Of The Family is to kick out Tim and make Damian Robin which I don’t like but I deal with because Dick and Damian are the cutest duo”

~

“Tim ruins everything between Dick and Damian by bringing Bruce back from where he was trapped in time...  no, I don’t really get it, either”

~

Me: Bruce and Damian are the Batman and Robin for a while but then Damian dies

Them: does he come back?

Me: of course he does it’s DC but first... it is time to introduce The Boy: Duke

~

“Duke and a bunch of other kids decided they were going to help out Gotham as unofficial vigilantes and a lot of them get seriously hurt but they’re irrelevant”

~

Me: I forget a lot of what happens during his plotline but he jumps out of a police car and jumps off a bridge and gets superpowers so --

Them: SUPERPOWERS?

Me: yeah, he makes comic history by being a black guy with powers that aren’t lightning or fire... instead he gets just plain light powers

~

Me: Duke has parents still

Them: do they die?

Me: no, actually

Them: wow --

Me: they go insane because of Joker Gas and try to kill him

~

“Alfred dies via Bane around here but because that’s a stupid decision I’ve elected to ignore it”

~

Them, after I finished: wow, a lot of people died and came back

Me: yeah, I actually left out a bunch of fakeout deaths along the way

Them: YOU LEFT SOME OUT?

[jiabeewrites]

Pretty sure the Devil isn't a Devil

Or, The Devil Doesn't Bargain, Pt 3

Pairing: Namor x OC

TW: ummmmm dc x marvel, she/her pronouns, threats being made, possible sexual innuendos, canon typical violence, canon-divergent shit, loss of marvel universe… swearing? IF THERE’S MORE TELL MEEEE

A/N: gif belongs to @unicornspwnall

Italics are Yucatec Mayan

Bold is Mando'a (translations at the bottom)

Blue is Atlantean

Normal is English

Italics and Bold is for emphasis

(I’m sorry if anything is incorrect! also dividers are made by the lovely @firefly-graphics)

MASTERLIST

Namor led her to an underwater cavern, and looking closer, she could see a strong current leading from one...was that hole? to the next.

"What exactly am I supposed to be seeing here?" Ara asked.

"Go in." Was Namor's helpful reply.

"G-go in? To the current?"

"Yes."

"Aha, no. I'd probably die hitting my head onto that rock over there."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Do you seriously think that we'd use it if it wasn't safe?"

She pondered that for a moment. He had a point.

She sighed.

"Fine."

"Excellent! Now just let the current suck you away."

She winced in anticipation and slowly swam towards the current.

"Oh, this isn't so baAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Namor chuckled.

"NAMOR YOU BASTAR- whoa."

She stared at the city in awe.

"Welcome to Talokan."

A bright ball of light shone in the middle of the huge underwater city. Down below the "hills" where the duo was, people were gardening, playing a game with balls, and doing all sorts of activities.

"This..." She turned to look at him. "I can see why you fight so hard to keep this place safe."

"So I take it that you like it?"

"Like it? It's amazing, Namor!"

She grinned ear to ear, and her eyes were wide with fascination.

"Come," he said, beckoning with his hand, "There is so much to show you."

They swam down towards the people. A couple of children giggled and swam around Ara.

"Je'elo'oba' hola, mejen," she said. (A/N: I know that Yucatan Mayan probably does not have hola in their language, but that's what the translator said and I can't find an alternative ;-; Sorry!)

Well hello there, little ones.

"Máaxech?" One of the children asked.

Who are you?

"Eternidad, ba'ale' je'el u páajtal a t'anik in Ara," she replied.

Eternity, but you may call me Ara.

"Ta eternidad wáaj. Lelo' jump'éel k'aaba' jela'an!" Another child said.

Eternity? That's a weird name!

"Bejla'e', mejen paalalo'ob, ken amables. Ara jach jump'éel invitado. Leti' ku quedará yéetel to'on tumen jump'éel k'iin," Namor said, sternly but playfully.

Now, children, be nice. Ara is a guest. She will be staying with us for a while.  

"Ma'alob, k'uj. uk' ulkan!" The children exclaimed in unison, and made a shape not unlike a clam shell with their hands.

Okay, K'uk'ulkan!

"Come," he said, turning to the deity, "There is still much more to show you."

*timeskip brought to you by my lazy ass who doesn't wanna write slow burn*

A year later...

The Mayan god and the cosmic entity sat together at the edge of the water, in the cavern.

"May I ask you something?" He asked.

"Of course."

"Why did you sacrifice yourself for those children?"

She stayed silent, drawing figures in the water with her finger. After a while, she spoke.

"When I first met them, they were much younger. Robin was nine at the time, he was the first one I'd met. The next was Aqualad, the one who went missing. Then it was Miss Martian, Kid Flash, Superboy, Artemis, and finally Zatanna. Over the years, I came to care for them as if they were my own. I love them." At this point in her story, she looked over at him. "They are the people I was talking about. They are my people. I would do anything for them."

"I understand."

"I know you do. I've seen the way you interact with your people. You care for them, Namor."

He looked at her, and smiled lightly.

"I have something to tell you."

He began to explain how his people were getting sick, and dying from the colonizer's disease. He told her how they had found a vibranium-enriched plant, and how his people had been saved from the disease. He recounted how they had built a city underwater, and how he had taken his name from the colonizer priest.

"He called me 'El Niño Sin Amor', or the Child Without Love. I took my name from that, and became Namor to my enemies," he finished.

"Namor..." She smiled at him. "You are not without love. I have seen the way that your people view you. They care about, love and respect you. You have earned that." She paused, then took his hand and squeezed it. "You have earned mine, too."

He looked up at those words.

"Ba'ax u k'áat ya'al yéetel lelo'?"

What do you mean by that?

"In wa'alike' tech a wóojel le núukik le k'áat chi'o'."

I think you know the answer to that question.

And slowly, he brought both hands up to her face, holding her head in his palms. She put a hand on his wrist.

And then they fucking kissed.

He leaned his forehead on hers. Her lips curved upward at the action.

"Namor-"

"Call me K'uk'ulkan." She raised an eyebrow. "We are not enemies anymore, in yakunaj."

My love.

"Ni kar'tayl gar darasuum."

I love you.

He pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Teen xan in yabilmech."

I love you, too.

A/N: BEFORE YALL COME ATTACKING ME BECAUSE YOU EXPECTED A KISS SCENE, PLEASE READ:

I literally cannot write a kiss scene to save my life. I SUCK at romance, I'm sorry, but I think I made it pretty fluffy at the end :)

Please forgive ;-;

YES THERE IS ANOTHER PART PLEASE BE PATIENT

IT'S ALMOST FINALS WEEK AND I'M SUPER STRESSED SO I'M PROCRASTINATING BUT I SHOULD REALLY GO BACK TO STUDYING SO BYE

(part 4 is here)

[neakco]

The Lost Temple

Ao3 ch.2 Masterlist

Marinette and Adrien just wanted to find the temple and go back to pretending they were normal young adults.

Tim just wanted to find out what was going on for Batman and go back home.

Konner and Bart were just along for the adventure.

Neither group expected the other, nor did they expect the complications that followed.

Ch.1: Meetings

Marinette stepped carefully along the jungle floor as Adrien bounced through the trees. Every once and a while she would stop to examine a plant just as he would stop to listen.

 

Eventually he dropped down beside her without a sound.

 

“Are you sure this is the right area M'lady?”

 

“The monks said there were signs of people stopping around.”

 

“And them being worried about people snooping means this should be where we find the temple.” He nodded sagely before hopping back into the trees. “Did they ever decide to tell you at least what this temple is guarding?”

 

She shook her head as she stepped over a drowsing snake, “I only know that we need to find it first.”

 

Adrien hummed quietly before opening his mouth to taste the air.

 

“Anything?”

 

“Nothing new. We still have moss, damp, plant, running water and the normal animal smells.”

 

She sighed to herself, “keep up the good work Kitty, I know we'll find something eventually.”

 

She glanced around briefly for a flash of red that would indicate Tikki and Plagg returning. She wasn’t worried about being without their power source., not since the final battle. They had been something more than human for years now, but there was still something reassuring about the tiny gods' presence.

 

She looked up to see Adrien staring down a tiger and shook her head with silent laughter. So maybe he was a lot more cat than human. She thought back on everything as the tiger bowed to let her partner by.

 

All his physical abilities had been enhanced to the point she was jealous. Her strength had increased a little but for her it was the non-physical that had increased. Everything constantly in balance.

 

She brushed her hand along a small plant but still received nothing new, the temple either didn’t give off enough residual magic or it was still too far off.

 

 

As they continued their search the surrounding animals watched peacefully. They all knew better than to interfere with destruction and creation. It is almost a shame this protection didn’t extend to the trio following them stealthily.

 

“Rob, they are kids like us. Are you sure they're the ones B sent us after?”

 

Red Robin sighed, “Batman said he had picked up unusual activity and these two are the only ones we have seen.”

 

Kon grabbed a snake that was about to drop on Tim and gently tossed it back into the trees.

 

A small wind picked up as Bart came to a stop and offered them some burgers. “What did I miss?”

 

Tim pinched the bridge of his nose, “This is supposed to be a reconnaissance mission. Stealth.”

 

Bart laughed and moved to avoid a brightly coloured plant, “But that is so boring.”

 

“This was also a solo mission, you two weren’t invited. So please either leave or be quiet.”

 

Bart held out a mug of coffee that Tim accepted instantly.

 

“Fine, just cause chaos quietly.” He pulled out his binoculars again before putting them down to rub at his eyes. He would have sworn he saw the teens talking to some large bugs.

 

“I still don’t think they're dangerous.” Kon whispered almost to himself.

 

Tim really wondered some days why these were his best friends.

 

 

Tikki and Plagg hid quietly as Adrien grinned chaotically, “Plan mouse trap?”

 

Marinette returned the grin, “You know me so well Chaton.”

 

 

 

Tim was so close, just a little farther and he would be able to hear the teens.

 

Kon suddenly stuck out an arm to stop him.

 

“What?”

 

“I can’t see the guy anymore.”

 

Bart glanced around, “Isn’t he just in the treetops again?”

 

Tim reached for a weapon when a collapsible baton lightly smacked his wrist.

 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

 

The blonde had somehow gotten behind them.

 

All three heroes turned but before any of them could react a rope dropped around Bart and pulled him to the ground.

 

“You heard my partner.”

 

The girl was fast. Tim couldn’t figure out how she had gotten to them so quickly, until he looked down. There were at least three more loops of rope. They had walked into a trap.

 

Kon looked to Tim for the signal to attack but Tim wanted more information.

 

The blonde dropped gracefully from the trees but skillfully kept the baton pointed at Tim. “Why are you following us?”

 

“Why have you been disturbing the jungle?” He countered.

 

The girl walked up to stand beside the blonde, “We haven’t disturbed anything.”

 

The blonde glared, “We’re only here because you have been digging around.”

 

“But we only just got here.” Bart spoke suddenly out of confusion.

 

Tim kind of wanted to hit him.

 

The girl and boy exchanged a look before speaking in a language Tim had never heard before finally the boy collapsed his staff and put it away.

 

He offered a hand to Kon while the girl untied Bart and gathered up the remaining rope traps.

 

“I think we have both suffered a misunderstanding.” The girl held out a hand to Tim, “Marinette.”

 

“Impulse.” Bart had moved to take her hand in a blink, “It is always a pleasure to meet a lovely lady.”

 

The blonde laughed as Kon finally accepted the handshake, “Adrien.”

 

“Superboy.”

 

Tim could see his friend putting more strength then necessary into his grip but the blonde, Adrien, didn’t even flinch. Interesting.

 

Since Bart hadn’t stopped shaking the girl’s hand yet he decided to cross his arms and smile as politely as he could. “Red Robin. May I ask what misunderstanding you think we've had?”

 

The girl, Marinette, pried her hand away from Bart before glancing back to spot the starring contest between Adrien and Konner.

 

“Kitty!” She scolded before turning back to him.

 

He watched Adrien smile innocently at Kon before sitting down at Marinette’s side.

 

“We were sent to investigate the activity in this area and put a halt to it if necessary. If you just arrived then you are likely not our target.”

 

“They're here for the same reason we are Red.” Bart grinned widely as he bounced up and down.

 

Tim wanted to growl in frustration but knew that was something only Batman could get away with, so he settled on pinching the bridge of his nose. “Impulse, we are only here to gather information. We are not supposed to interfere with anything without orders to do so.”

 

 

Marinette and Adrien exchanged another secretive glance before conversing in Mandarin.

 

“Do you think we could recruit them M'lady?”

 

“That’s up to them. It would be nice to have help searching though, this is a large jungle.”

 

“Do you think they can even help find the temple? Superboy is supposed to have x-ray vision but, well, magic.”

 

Impulse was pouting, “It’s not fair that I can’t understand you. In fact it’s rude. Isn’t it rude Red?”

 

“I'm sorry. We aren’t used to others around us being.. “ She paused for a moment.

 

“Friendly?” Adrien supplied.

 

“That's one word to describe them.” She grimaced.

 

“Helpful? Polite? Non-hostile? “ Adrien's grin kept getting wider but also slightly more malicious with each suggestion. “Smart? How about, not complete and utter assholes bent on dictating every breathe? I can keep going.”

 

She started laughing but she could feel the concern coming from the American heroes. “I think that's good Kitty, don’t want to scare them away.”

 

“Sorry Mari.”

 

She looked back to Red Robin and Impulse in front of her. “I am sorry, we were discussing working with you three if you wanted to. We would be able to cover more ground and hopefully locate our target in under a week.”

 

Superboy spoke upfront behind them, “Why mention my name and not the others?”

 

Adrien contorted to look at the floating boy, “I was wondering if you actually had x-ray vision and if it could be useful in the search.”

 

Marinette was proud of Adrien, neither of them were the best at lying, so it was nice to see Superboy accept his sincerity and not ask for more in depth details. Red Robin was a different matter entirely, she could see him analyzing them. So she held out her hand.

 

“What do you say Red, alliance?”

 

 

Tim stared a moment before reluctantly shaking, “Agreed. We can discuss the terms as we find a place to camp for the night.”

 

The two teens looked confused.

 

“Were you seriously planning to keep going? The sun is setting.”

 

“Don’t you have night vision goggle or something?” Adrien asked.

 

Tim was flabbergasted, did these two think that the dark was the only danger they faced. “I do, but this is a jungle. Most of the predators are nocturnal “ The two still looked confused so he elaborated, “I don’t want to be eaten.”

 

He watched their eyes slowly widened in understanding. Marinette hit a fist into her hand, “I had totally forgotten “

 

“Predators are a normal threat.” Adrien finished for her with a grin.

 

Tim eyed them suspiciously, he had been following them all day, and all day he had been avoid snakes and large sleeping felines. Were these two really that lucky to have not encountered anything or was there more going on?

 

Kon also eyed them suspiciously as moved to no longer be behind them. “How do you forget about predators? I am immune to their attacks and I still remember that they’re dangerous.”

 

Tim watched the duo have a silent conversation before Marinette sighed, “We forgot because there is nothing in nature that would attack us.”

 

He and his friends waited for one of them to say more but the duo just blinked at them.

 

He mentally pinched his nose, this was going to be a long mission. “You aren’t going to elaborate.”

 

“Nope.” The duo replied in perfect tandem.

 

Adrien grinned mischievous, “You need to earn the favour of our gods for that.”

 

Marinette planted her face into her hands, “Kitty, no.”

 

“Kitty yes.”

 

“How do we earn their favour? Do they take prayers, food offerings?” Bart asked excitedly.

 

Kon looked sharply towards Adrien as the boy laughed, “Depends on the food.”

 

“Camembert.” Kon supplied.

 

Tim blinked. What god would want that? Then he noticed that the duo had paled considerably. So Kon had either heard or saw something that led to that answer. Interesting.

 

Bart, of course, noticed nothing. “Ew, that cheese stinks. Cheese whiz is far superior.”

 

Tim and his friends all jumped as Marinette slapped Adrien hard enough in the chest to cause the boy a coughing fit. What the hell had he missed? It looked painful yet Adrien was smiling and thanking her. He filed this away to think about later.

 

“So are we making camp?” Marinette smiled sweetly at him.

 

It was official, Tim hated this mission.

I have the story finished it is just a matter of typing it all up and convincing myself not to scrap the epilogue. There should be 7 chapters in total.

Let me know your thoughts, I am happy to answer any questions that don't give away the plot.

[detectivedamian]

Detective Conan/Batman Crossover ---> Starling AU

Before I go to bed, imma flesh the Starling AU out a little bit.

After the events of He Wanted To Talk for Awhile, Damian would find the truth about Conan being Shinichi looong before Ayumi did. But he can see she wants to find the truth herself, so he guides her through the mystery. It’s tough, but he keeps his comments to himself unless she needs help. He begins to see how good her heart is, and how she’s refusing to acknowledge the obvious because it paints her friends in a bad light. She’s like Jon, and it hurts him to think that, because Jon CHOSE to leave him. And he can’t help of being reminded of what he’s lost when Ayumi looks proud of herself.

She’s still smart, and finds the right clues, so he keeps quiet and lets her come to the correct conclusions on her own (mostly)-- until she finds out Conan and Ai were lying to her the whole time. Suddenly, the reason they just disappeared would make more sense-- because she and the rest of the Detective Boys were always just a cover to them. (????)

Ayumi feels hurt, ad betrayed. Damian, seeing how similar he and Ayumi really are, decides to offer a hand: He’ll train her to be the best, so nobody will ever pull the wool over her eyes and fool her again. Ayumi is unsure at first, and might be for a few days. This would change when Shinichi tries to interact with the Detective Boys the first time. He’s all smiles, happier than Conan ever was.

Ayumi takes Damian’s offer.

Multiverse messes things up a little. Time passes for Damian ad Ayumi but not for Batman, batfam, and Superboy. By the time they find Damian, he’s 17, Ayumi is 11, and they’re both certified, greatly-loved vigilantes in Tokyo.

There’s a possibility Ayumi has either kept a secret identity this whole time, or Ayumi has been missing for four years and Shinichi Kudou and Shiho Miyano are pulling their hair out searching for their missing detective boy.

I imagine Ayumi taking the codename Starling, after the violet-backed starling which can be found in Saudi Arabia. Suitable for Damian’s origins, right? Purple because it is the color of bravery, dignity, creativity, devotion, and mystery-- the qualities a Robin embodies. Purple also signifies royalty, and under Damian’s care, she’ll learn to be a fucking QUEEN.

And the word “star” is a reference to both Ayumi being a light in Damian’s life, and a reminder of Damian’s eternal source of sunshine: Jon. You know, to signify his first love, and his first real heartbreak. Also to signify how she’ll fly higher and shine brighter without Conan. As referenced previously, I think the duo of Ayane and her brother Hayate would embody their visual dynamic (not their relationship dynamic, because Damian would be harsher than Hayate and Ayumi would be less yelling and more pouting). I imagine her aesthetic, as both a girly girl BUT also a student of The Demon’s Grandson, she’d look something like:

Ya know, kinda like a magical girl, all cute and feminine, with a matching domino mask! This reminds me of Mew Ichigo a little lmao

And Damian goes by a different codename since he gave up Robin: Pandion. It’s a bird, otherwise known as a Osprey. These birds are hunters, fish-hawks specifically, and they’re also one of the fiercest animals when it comes to protecting their young. Damian is not only growing up and becoming his own man, he’s also allowing himself to care for somebody again, and trusting himself to look after her after he “failed” to save Alfred. It signifies what he’s become to Ayumi: a protective older brother, the one who cared and stayed when Shinichi never did, not really. These birds are also white, the color of purity, a reflection of Damian’s fresh, new life.

Of course, I had to pick one of Hayate’s costumes that also had red and gold, little touches to remind himself he was Robin. Also I’d love for that ninja mask to be his new hero mask, because I think his piercing green eyes could very well scare the ruffians of the multiverse. Also, he’d just look SO BADASS IN THAT COSTUME!!! LOOK AT THE SCARF! THE SWORD! HELL YEAH!

He may have some ginger love interest, but he’d only really exist to cause Bendis Jon pain. He deserves it.

Bruce seeing how his son has grown, lamenting that he lost that time with him (AGAIN), but he sees how good this time has been to him. Damian smiles more, he’s talking again, and he’s so gentle with Ayumi, same as he was when he adopted Dick. Proof that Damian really is his son, and that he’s always been a hero at heart. Now he’s Tokyo’s hero, and Ayumi’s.

[winstrum-asylum]

Patient #6532 has been admitted

He has been assigned to room #100, and given his patient uniform.

OOC Information:

Name: Robin

Age: 19

Pronouns: they/them/he/him or essentially, anything but she/her

Triggers: explicit mentions of suicide/self harm

DMs(open, closed, ask):  Open!

Would you like the NSFW role in the server?: Not until I app a muse 18+ please!

IC Information:

Name: Damian Wayne Al-Ghul 

Source: DC Comics, primarily BatmanAbilities:  - Combat Skills - Damian has excellent combat skills. He knows several kinds of martial arts, is efficient in hand-to-hand combat, and can deliver powerful hits without much thought.  - Detective Skills - Damian is great at sleuthing, solving puzzles, making connections, and understanding complex thingsSwordsmanship - Damian can make use of pretty much any pointy object. He is best with Katanas, as it is his signature weapon Intellect - Damian excels at academics, has a great memory, and good comprehension skills. He is by no means a genius, but much smarter than the average kid his age. 

DOB & Age: August 9th, 2008 | 13 years old

Faceclaim: Arsalan Ghasemi(Young)

Role color: Green

Brief Bio: 

The son of Batman and the daughter of infamous Talia Al Ghul, Damian had big shoes to fill before he was even born. Brought into the world to be the eventual heir of the League Of Shadows, Damian was expertly trained by his Grandfather and Mother through early life to become the ultimate assassin and soldier. He was put through martials-arts training, combat, swordsmanship, as well as intricate academic studies ranging from languages, history, literature, and more. At the age of 9, Damian’s existence was brought to his father’s attention. Talia desperately wanted her child to have a better and safer life than she could give him with Ra’s tight grip controlling their lives, so she told her beloved of Damian’s existence and asked him to raise their child from here.

Damian was brought into Bruce’s home and had immediate trouble adjusting to his new life. Raised in a rigorous environment, he adamantly disagreed and hated the things Bruce stood for. The two fought often, mostly over the morals Damian was taught to have and the way he was conditioned from Birth. However, shortly after Damian’s arrival, Bruce “died”, leaving the child in the care of his adoptive eldest brother Dick Grayson. Dick had a different approach to parenting and well, everything, even though he was raised by Bruce after his parents’ tragic death many years earlier. Initially, Damian did not get along with Grayson and went out of his way to do things how he deemed fit. But, through months of bonding, shared experience, and his first real experience of unadulterated love, Damian grew fond of his brother, and saw Grayson as his proper partner, saying they were the best Robin and Batman duo to grace the Earth. 

Bruce was eventually revealed to be alive, redawning his cape and cowl, much to Damian’s distaste. However, despite their disagreements, Damian still loved his father. Family was a big matter to the child. Through years and years of events, from Damian dying to other strange experiences, Damian began to change his behavior and outlook on life. He decided to use his teachings and skill to fight for those who could not fight for themselves and uphold Justice in the world rather than mindlessly killing for power.

After turning 13, Damian became an important figure in the Teen Titans. Also at this age is when he met Jonathan Kent/Superboy. They two did not get along at first, but through their adventures together, became best friends. He is very fond of the boy, and would go to the ends of the earth for the kryptonian. 

Miscellaneous Stuff: 

- I portray Damian as gay/homosexual. But, he is only interested in Jonathan Kent (Superboy from DC) so it most likely won't show up or be relevant too often as he is a pretty closed-off person

- He’s the #1 Nightwing fan! :) My own interpretation is that.

- Damian is EXTREMELY tiny for his age. Going off of the fact he is about half/3/4th’s Batman’s height (which is 6’ - 6’2), I headcanon him to be about 4’ 5 ft ( 134 cm) and 69 lb ( 31 kg ). 

- Despite his general skinny appearance, he is quite muscular for his size due to years of combat training. 

[hauntedbythefanficsofmypast]

SuperChat September 12- Angst

Masterlist

Everything had been going fine, it was just a small mission. Nothing big or life threatening, just a drug bust that Wonder Woman had assigned them. Only four would be going so they were quick to volunteer. After all they rarely got time to work together as a team anymore just them. So they took it and soon Ladybug, Robin, Superboy, and Chat Noir we’re flying to a small town on the outskirts of Metropolis. No one knew that it was a cover up for Deathstroke’s operation, no one knew until it was too late. Chat Noir and Ladybug agreed to be the one to confront them, while Robin and Superboy waited above. Together the duo burst in taking down the men in there until clapping started. They were back to back circling around the room unable to spot the man until he stepped out.

“Deathstroke.” Robin growled out before dropping down besides Ladybug, sword out and ready. That just caused the man to chuckle though as he looked Robin up and down.

“Well if it isn't the newest boy wonder, I always preferred the first. He was so fun to mess with, he had excellent control and I loved tearing it apart till he was filled with anger.” Robin growled glaring more as the man talked about his favorite brother. “It is a shame really I could have made him great, but he cared too much, loved too much. He turned out to be so weak.” Ladybug glanced at Robin nervously before glaring at the man, Chat and Superboy shared a look. They both knew of the man, but didn’t know as much as those in the Batfamily. The two shifted to the back knowing that their best friends were the best defense against the man.

“My brother isn’t weak, he is better than you will ever be and that makes you jealous. Though you’ll never admit it, so instead you follow him around trying to corrupt him at every turn. Isn’t that right Slade?” They all saw the man tense and glare down at the newest Robin, this made the group raise their hackles.

“You know brat, I was simply going to send you and your friends back to your brother bruised and battered. Now though, now I’m going to make him find your dead bodies.” The man was quick to open a pouch on his belt and watched amused as Superboy immediately looked ill and fell to the ground holding his stomach and mouth. Ladybug and Robin went into the immediate attack while Chat Noir grabbed Superboy getting him as far away from the green rock as possible. Deathstroke dodged a swipe from Robin and grabbed Ladybug’s yoyo giving a hard pull, dragging the woman close enough for him to kick her in the gut. Knocking the breath out of her and pushing her a good ways away from the two. Superboy leaned weakly against Chat the two of them watching the fight with bated breath.

“It's going to be okay.” Chat whispered rubbing his back softly wincing when Deathstroke landed a particularly hard punch on Robin. He pulled out his communicator immediately sending out a distress signal. He knew that Wonder Woman would see it and send help immediately, but to be safe he also messaged Nightwing with their coordinates and one name, Deathstroke. He slipped his communicator away, turning back to the fight wincing when Deathstroke didn’t hesitate to punch Ladybug in the face, they could see blood running from her nose. “Possibly broken nose.” He muttered softly tensing when Deathstroke pulled out his own sword and successfully knocked Robin’s out of his reach, leaving their only defense Ladybug’s yoyo. “I need to help.” He said leaning Superboy against a pole, studying the fight trying to determine when to jump in. He used his staff to launch himself into the fight, kicking Deathstroke in the side of the head before landing gracefully in a crouch in front of Ladybug and Robin.

“Don’t mind me just dropping in!” He said with a smirk glaring slightly at the man. Ladybug wiped the blood from her nose holding her gut tenderly, while Robin pulled out a few batarangs. Deathstroke smirked watching the three, confidence and amusement shining in his unhidden eye. This caused the three to glare more, they really don’t like being underestimated. He sheathed his sword standing nonchalantly.

“Very well, I shall beat you all into the ground, just as I did to Richard before you.” This caused Robin to launch himself at Deathstroke engaging him in hand to hand combat the other two following after him.

“Keep his name out of your mouth!” Robin roared, aiming a punch at Deathstroke’s gut. Deathstroke grabbed his arm flipping him over his shoulder and throwing him to the right. Chat Noir attacked next, faking a punch before violently scratching his arm. Tearing open parts of his weaker armour, Deathstroke growled punching Chat hard in the face before kicking him away. Then grabbed Ladybug’s arm, flipping her over his shoulder and slamming her into the ground. He turned, grabbing Robin’s ankle twisting it violently, throwing him far enough that he hit the ground a few feet away knocking the breath out of him. Deathstroke smirked walking towards the downed bird pulling out his sword as Robin got on his hands and knees.

“Bye bye birdy, I’ll make sure Richard knows how you fought so hard, yet were no match against me.” He said before going to stab his sword through Robin’s back.

“Cataclysm!!’ Adrien shouted hand brushing against Deathstroke’s sword causing it to dissolve in seconds. “Oops, did I break your sword? Sorry, not really.” Deathstroke glared causing Adrien to smirk as Cataclysm powered up in his hand again. He crouched before running at the man again, determined to hit one of his gun holsters. He was not prepared for the man to drop to the ground and kick out a leg sweeping at his legs causing Chat to fall to the ground on his stomach. He turned on to his back quickly but it was too late, Deathstroke was on his feet gun in hand.

“Interesting power, shame that I have to kill you.” Ladybug and Robin stumbled to their feet running towards the two. Adrien’s eyes widened as Deathstroke leveled the gun at his chest. “No hard feelings kid, but I need you out of my way.” He pulled the trigger and searing hot pain filled his chest as his ears rang from the gun going off. He gasped in pain hand coming up to touch the wound, pulling his gloved hand back to see blood. His face went pale as he fell backwards unable to hold himself up, Ladybug dropped to the ground bent over him protectively. Robin stood in front of them panting heavily, while Superboy attempted to drag himself over to them, tears falling. “Don’t worry Birdie, you’re next.” Deathstroke leveled his gun at Robin’s head but a wing-ding hit it away. Nightwing dropped down in front of them with Red Hood, Red Robin, and Batgirl landed next to Ladybug and Chat Noir quickly getting to work patching him up.

“Get the fuck away from them!” Nightwing growled out seeing red as he landed a solid punch causing Deathstroke to stumble back. He was quick to advance, landing more blows on Deathstroke before he finally began to block. However after that he also had to dodge Red Hood’s bullets. Deathstroke was stunned, he had never seen Richard, the original boy wonder, the kid that could clear the streets of Gotham with one cackle, this angry. Not even when he had the boy as an unwilling apprentice, the young man had never been able to land so many hits on him before. Deathstroke knew then and there that he was going to be sent back to Blackgate, for a second he regretted his decision to shoot the cat themed hero.

Blackbat gently picked Superboy up, carrying the weak man over to the downed hero. Red Robin was working quickly to stop the blood, but everyone could see the panic on his face.

“I think it may have hit his heart, or grazed it, we have to get him to the Watchtower now.” He said seriously, carefully picking up Chat, wincing at his groan of pain. Batgirl grabbed Ladybug helping the girl walk following Red Robin as they left the building. Blackbat paused turning to look at her older brothers before turning and leaving the building Superboy in her arms and Robin following.

Nightwing and Red Hood were escorting a very badly beaten up Deathstroke to Blackgate, while Chat Noir was in surgery. Meanwhile Jon was sitting outside the operation room, running their conversation on the Batwing through his head.

“I love you.” Chat whispered softly looking over at Superboy with pain filled eyes, “I love you so much Jon.” and just like that names are shed and it's not two hero’s talking. No this is Jon and his wonderful boyfriend Adrien. His wonderful boyfriend with a bullet wound in his chest and possibly dying.

“Don’t say it like that.�� Jon whispered back tears in his eyes but he wasn’t willing to let them fall. “Don’t say it like you're dying.” Jon grabbed Adrien’s hand, squeezing it weakly still struggling with the effects of the stone.

Jon flinched when he heard Adrien’s heartbeat drop extremely low and the Doctor’s began to panic. He squeezed his eyes shut begging for Adrien to survive.

Adrien smiled weakly, his beautiful eyes slowly dulling, he squeezed back as he took a shuddering breath. He looked over at Marinette and Damian, smile still in place.

“Don’t even think about it Agreste.” Damian growled out but everyone could tell he was extremely upset. Marinette shook her head as she let her transformation fall.

“You’re going to be fine, you hear me. You’re not allowed to leave me damnit.” Marinette choked out holding back tears, she refused to look away from her brother.

“I need you to take care of Jon for me.” He said, still smiling, tears falling from his eyes. “I need you to take care of each other.” Jon shook his head as tears fell.

“You are not dying, you hear me Adrien Agreste!? You are going to go into surgery, the Doctor will fix you up and once you’re better. Once you’re better I’m going to propose to you at our favorite restaurant, because I can’t see a future without you in it.” He said kissing Adrien’s hand gently.

‘Doctor! He’s flatlining, we need to work fast!’ Tears fell from his eyes as he heard everything from the room. The distinctive sound of a defibrillator buzzing in his ears, his only relief being Adrien’s heart beating again, though weakly. ‘He’s back!’

“That sounds nice...you know I’ll say yes.” Adrien said weakly, his eyelids drooping. “I want a summer wedding, nothing big though maybe we could have it on Kent farm. Think Grandma Kent would like that?” Jon smiled nodding his head kissing Adrien’s forehead.

“Grandma would love that. Marinette will be your best woman, and Damian my best man. Your favorite cow Rita will be the flower cow.” He said earning a weak laugh from the blonde, as their ship landed in the Watchtower. Doctor’s rushing in to get Chat Noir, Jon kissed his forehead one last time. “I WILL see you after this. You will go in there and come back to me.” Adrien smiled before his transformation fell, he placed the ring in Jon’s hand.

“I love you.” Please take care of him.

“I love you too forever and always.” Please don’t leave me.

Jon slipped the ring onto his finger and Plagg appeared floating silently eyes looking down at the floor. He slowly lowered himself to rest on Jon’s knees, thinking of his kitten. “It’s always my kitten.” He whispered softly, looking up at Jon. “My kitten is fated to die before his Lady. If she dies before him, the power drives him to insanity. I knew he’d die first, but not this young.” Tears fell from Plagg’s eyes,as pain filled his chest. “I always watch my kittens die but not this young, never this young. Adien deserves a long happy life, not this, I’m sorry kid.” Jon tensed again as Adrien flatlined, but this time the Doctor’s didn’t get a heartbeat.

‘He’s gone...time of death..’ Jon screamed in anguish, curling in on himself tears falling rapidly as other heroes came running to him. Plagg crying into his hair, everyone crying at the pain the usually happy boy was displaying, and it only meant one thing.

“It was just supposed to be just a drug bust. There was nothing about Deathstroke, it was just a drug bust. I sent them on it.” Wonder Woman said when she heard Black Canary walk up behind her.

“Diana, this is not your fault.” Dinah started as she touched her friend's shoulder, but Diana quickly turned anger and guilt in her eyes as tears streamed down her face.

“I SENT THEM ON THE MISSION!” She screamed balling her fists up as she punched the wall once. “I sent them on the mission. I told them it was just a drug bust and Deathstroke was there! And now-and now he’s-he’s...my mother will be so disappointed , Herakles will be so disappointed. I got one of his brother’s killed, I got a black cat killed.” Diana curled in on herself as she tried to wipe her tears away, only succeeding in scratching her face with the bracelet of submission. Dinah stepped forward determined, pulling Diana’s arms down before gently wiping her tears away. Pulling her into a tight hug, feeling the woman pull her closer as she sobbed into Dinah’s shoulder.

“It's not your fault Diana, none of us knew.” She whispered softly.

Jon starred down at the fresh grave, his body numb as he remembered all the good times they had together. All the jokes, smiles, hand holding, hugs, and kisses. When they would sneak around the Watchtower trying to find new places to make out. He kneeled down laying a bouquet of special picked flowers down.

Arbutus Thee only do I love.

Azalea Take care of yourself for me.

Bells of Ireland Good Luck.

Pink and Red Camellia Longing for you./ You’re a flame in my heart.

Pink and Red Carnations I’ll never forget you./ My heart aches for you.

And Red Chrysanthemum I love you.

“I’ll see you again, that's a promise.” Jon turned slowly walking away from the grave. Plagg remained floating beside the grave staring at the engraved name.

“We made a great team kitten-no we made the best team. I’ll miss you, and don’t worry I’ll keep an eye on Jon for you. Maybe one day-maybe one day we’ll see each other again.” Plagg said before flying off after Jon settled down in the boy’s jacket pocket, patting his hand gently.

@superchat-september2k20

[vln-vibes]

Watchtower Woes

Week 1 Day 4 of Maribat March

Special thanks to @little-kitty-kanny , @ethelphantom and @the-navistar-carol  for beta-ing for me

It was a normal day at the Watchtower, well as normal as a space station for superheroes could be. The Watchtower looked down upon their home planet, making it seem so big yet so small amongst the sea of stars surrounding them. Today it was just Wonder Woman, Black Bat and Ladybug on monitor duty.

“Sister.” 

Ladybug, otherwise known as Marinette Drake nee Dupain-Cheng (the 23-year old designer behind the Lady Luck designs by MDC company), turned to see Wonder Woman looking at her with concern. She and Diana were rather close as the Amazonian princess had practically taken her as blood sisters when she learned of a new Ladybug; seeing as her mother had once worn the mantle as well.  Diana had also been her business partner when her company first began to take off.

“Are you feeling alright? You seem to be under the weather”

“She’s right,” Cassandra Cain-Wayne added in “Your center is off, you seem uncomfortable.”

“I’m fine. It's been a little stressful with the upcoming line with Wayne Enterprises,” Ladybug sighed, finding herself massaging her temple, feeling a headache already developing. “That and the team has been acting strange lately, I’ve been trying to investigate the cause, but the Miracle Book isn’t saying much, and I can’t exactly ask Master Fu anymore”

“How so, Ladybug?” Diana asked, taking a seat next to her while Cass took charge of looking through the security footage for them, still focused on the conversation.

“Well, most of them have gotten dangerously overprotective of me. Just yesterday Roi Singe took a hit for me against Hawkmoth 2.0’s latest creation. I asked him about it afterwards, and he just said that nothing could harm me? It was rather strange, especially seeing as Ryuuko and Abeille got more ruthless afterward. Chat was also hissing at people who approached me,” she explained with a troubled look.

“Even as civilians, Viperion, Monarch, and Paon were coddling me: Mari are you warm enough? Have you eaten today? No, Mari, let me get you a natural juice instead of coffee. It’s been so frustrating having to deal with their constant  babying.”

“It’s honorable for your team to care for your well being” Diana commented, heavens knew  how the JL got  whenever one of their members was  ill or was unable to perform their duties. Ladybug’s eyes just seemed to water at the implication, wiping the tears before they even fell.

“B-But that could just mean they don’t trust my abilities… what if they think I’m not worthy of being leader or even worse… of being Ladybug?” 

Diana did her best to console the younger woman while Cass looked at her skeptically.

She had seen the sudden change in emotion Ladybug had gone through like whiplash, from tired to content to worried to saddened. As Diana combed through Marinette’s pixie cut, Cass continued to think of the things happening these past few weeks.

Tim had once asked Barbara if there was anything that could help with back pains, stating that Marinette had been experiencing some rather hard period symptoms.

She recalled Adrien purring along with Alfred the Cat when they had gone to Wayne Manor last week along with Tim and Conner. Even Ace and Titus were acting like her personal bodyguards, not too different from normal, though Damian admitted that it was a bit more overkill.

Just last month for the Wayne Charity Gala, during the ladies’ final fitting, she had complained to Steph that her own dress felt a little tighter than she expected... though not unbearably so, so she had just decided to leave her own dress as is.

Had it really been so obvious?

She needed to recheck whether Tim deserved the title of Detective after this. Cass stepped out of the room momentarily to make what was potentially a life changing call.

“Robin and Superboy, do you read?” she knew her baby brother, almost eighteen years old, would be hanging out at the Titans Tower in the east coast with Superboy, now sixteen, but seeing as it was a quiet day and the other Titans: Green Lantern (Milagro Reyes), Nightstar (Mar’i Grayson), Scarlet Flash and Kid Speed (Dawn and Don Allen), and Speedy(Lian Harper) would be on standby.

“Is something the matter Black Bat?” Damian responded almost immediately.

All Bats were rather keen on making sure their comms were on in case of emergencies, even when silenced, they’d have the notifications on to see who was trying to contact them.

“Do you mind coming to the Watchtower with Superboy, there’s something concerning Ladybug𑁋”

“Is she alright?” she almost giggled at how concerned her brother was before keeping her cool and responding.

“I believe she’s alright but perhaps not aware of her condition”

“We’ll be there in a minute”

Not even a full minute after stepping back in with a much calmer Ladybug, did she hear the announcement of Robin and Superboy’s arrival before the two skid into the communications room with the three heroines.

“Robin and Superboy? I wasn’t aware you boys would be passing by today,” Diana asked curiously as Damian just puffed up.

“Black Bat called about checking Ladybug’s condition” he said eyeing the scarlet hero to see if anything was amiss; other than her red rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks he found nothing unusual.

“My condition? Cass what are you talking about?” Ladybug asked confused and a bit protective.

“Superboy,” Jon perked at his name before turning to Cass “Can you hear the heartbeats in this room?”

“Uh sure…” to say he was confused was an understatement. He was rather familiar with their heartbeats, having known them for years at this point. He could hear Diana and Damian’s rather war drum like beat, Cass’ steady and rhythmic beats, Marinette’s calm and slightly faster than usual heart and then there was𑁋

Wait, what?

“That’s weird” he whispered to himself before focusing again. Sure enough it was still there a soft echoe of duhn-duhn… duhn-dun as the fifth heartbeat. But he had never heard it before… and it was coming from…

Oh duh!

“Holy schmoly! Congrats Ladybug.” He flew up to her and gave her a huge hug, conscious of his strength now more than ever. Ladybug seemed confused while Cass smiled at her.

“You’re expecting!”

Suddenly everything made more sense, Marinette thought in that moment of realization, as she felt Diana give her her own congratulations along with Damian, who wished to both brag and inform the rest of the family.

This was really happening.

“Can— can we see Doctor Mid-Nite or Doctor Thompkins, please?” she heard herself whisper. The group looked at each other, Diana contacting the Watchtower’s doctor while Damian called for Tim and the rest of the Bat Family to come as soon as they could; was that overkill? Perhaps, but no one that was even associated with the Bats could be anything less than dramatic. Jon was the one who called Conner who called Adrien to go meet them at the Watchtower as well.

Half an hour passed and Ladybug found herself lying on one of the Med Bay beds with Doctor Thompkins, the woman having to be pulled until they mentioned Marinette requesting her assistance, making the last few configurations to the ultrasound machine.

“Are you ready, dear?” the kind doctor asked.

 Ladybug lifted her uniform, which she learned she could do at that moment, nearly squirming at the cold gel spreading at her softening abdomen.

“As ready as I’ll ever be” she laughed nervously before taking a deep breath. She couldn’t help but close her eyes, unsure if she wanted it to be true or not, before hearing the curtain open. Tim looked disheveled, most likely having come out of a W.E business meeting he had mentioned yesterday evening.

“Mari, what’s wrong!?”

Duhn-duhn…. Duhn-duhn… duhn-duhn

Marinette had never heard such a life-altering sound, feeling the tears swell in her eyes as her husband looked dumbfounded.

“Is— is that?” Marinette could only nod before being enveloped in a hug by him. He whispered sweet nothings and reassurances to her as the beautiful sound echoed in their heads.

“God, we’re going to be parents, sunshine”

“So it would seem, moonlight”

“M’Lady what’s—!” Chat Noir had sprinted from the zeta entrance having heard the far too soft heartbeat coming from the monitor, the Bats not far behind him. Suffice to say that the Watchtowers usual quiet was interrupted for the rest of that evening as cheers and congratulations went around the Med-Bay.

They would later learn that she had been nearly three months pregnant by the time they found out, explaining her team’s odd behavior due to the animal characteristics of the Miraculous. However, the worst news was to come a week later on one faithful morning.

“Oh kwami, get that away from me!” Marinette exclaimed as soon as she came out of their room in their studio apartment in Gotham. The scarlet hero having to rely on Pegasus for travel to and from Paris for the time being. Not that her team even wanted her on the field in the first place at the time but she was anything if not stubborn, a necessity for the Wayne family.

That was how the coffee obsessed duo discovered that Marinette and baby were disgusted by the mere smell of coffee. Truly, it was the hardest part of the pregnancy.

Six months later, when Thomas Louis Drake-D.C was born, his aunts and uncle would continuously call him the ‘Second Coming of Christ’ for doing the impossible and getting his parents to cut off their caffeine addiction, much to their annoyance. 

For now they were just a family of three, looking at the infinite stars of their baby’s eyes.

My AO3

Ko-Fi

[otpnessmess]

Daminette December Day 1: "Just A Friend"

Here we go my darlings! Hope you like this and a giant thanks to @little-kitty-kanny for being awesome and beta reading this <3

Ao3 - Masterlist

-

When the new french student arrived in their class at Gotham Academy, Jon had made it his mission to befriend her before anyone else, and unfortunately for Damian, he had dragged him along. It wasn’t really that hard. Once she found out they spoke French as well as English, she was much more willing to engage in conversation with them. Had it not been for the Wayne boy dragging both of the giggling idiots back to class after lunch, they would’ve probably missed it altogether.

After that first day, wherever Jon and Damian went, so did Marinette. She was joined at the hip to the boy who looked so much like her that everyone took to calling them twins (not that they were aware of it since they kept to themselves, mostly for Damian’s sake).

Weeks went by as they explored this new found dynamic between them. Jon, being observant as he was, found it more and more amusing to witness what he was very sure was his best friend falling in love with their new friend.

The blue-eyed boy took it upon himself to get them together because, even if he would tease Damian mercilessly about it, the truth was he was worried about how closed off his friend still was, despite having lived away from his mother for the better part of 5 years already. Hell, he was not about to disregard this opportunity, seeing as how comfortable the pair were together effortlessly. Marinette had been drawing out a side of Damian that he hadn’t ever seen before. He was laughing openly in the cafeteria. If the looks everyone was throwing at their table were anything to go by, they were all as baffled as he was.

The next day, Operation “Oblivious Idiots” was a go. The first phase was set to start immediately.

Jon began discreetly giving them more and more space, making excuses to leave before lunch ended to see if they could work it out by themselves. If he was honest, he didn’t think he was lucky enough for the operation to be done before phase two, but Jon could at least hope he would have to do the least work possible.

After a week, he had to admit his current plan was going nowhere. With a defeated sigh from behind the pillar he was using as a cover to spy on his friends, he mentally kept the tally: phase two takes off right now. With that, he put on a smug expression and sat next to Marinette, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leaning into her side. “Hey, my dad just needed to ask me something, so I’m back to bless you both with my presence.” Mari’s smile could have eclipsed the sun as she snuggled against his side comfortably under the scrutiny of Damian’s eyes, who looked ready to murder his best friend. He couldn’t have known that was exactly what Jon wanted.

Superboy would be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying riling up Robin. Just watching as his face contorted, while trying to hide the fact that he was very much bothered about how close and touchy Jon and Marinette had been the last few days, was incredibly entertaining in and of itself. With each passing day Jon tried to lay it on thicker and thicker each passing lunch, until one day, Damian finally reached his limit. He had been trying to keep his touches platonic enough to not make Mari uncomfortable but not innocent enough that his best friend would ignore it. This day in particular, he had started to feel a bit frustrated. It seemed like he would have to start planning out a phase three if the two dumbasses he called friends decided to keep ignoring their feelings, so he decided to just land a low blow as a last resort.

It hadn’t been a grand gesture like he had done a couple days prior, just a sassy comment whispered in Marinette’s ear that made her laugh and a soft kiss to her temple. Nevertheless, it was more than enough for Damian to scoff and take a quick leave in the direction of the stairs that led to the roof. Jon saw him leave with a little smile. ‘How predictable.’

“You should go see what’s wrong. He usually trusts you to talk about these things.” With a nod and worry etched into every nook and cranny of her face, she got up and followed in Damian’s footsteps, leaving Jon to silently root for her.

By the time Mari reached the roof, he was leaning over the railing with a scowl on his face. She wasn’t completely sure why that was, like sure, Jon had been acting sweeter to her that week, but it wasn’t really that strange. A lot of her friends back in Paris were just like that. Damian seemed angry at something, which made her approach him the way one would a sleeping bear, careful not to poke it with a stick.

“Dami?” Her soft voice made him glance at her, and for just a second she could see the anger dissolve into something she didn’t want to put her hopes on. “Are you okay?” Marinette walked closer and leaned on the railing next to him, not wanting to invade his personal space right now.

“I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry.” He tried to make it sound nonchalant, but she could see his white knuckles as he was gripping the railing, as well as his furrowed brow. Gathering courage from the deepest parts of herself, she gently ran her fingers over his clenched fists trying to get them to relax. “I don’t believe you.” Once she felt his hands give way, she wrapped them in hers, not caring how this could come across, as long as it helped calm down the boy she had fallen for during the course of the months since she came to Gotham. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed something has had you on edge the whole week, Dames. What is it? Maybe I can help.”

Green eyes met blue ones, and he didn’t know how to explain it to her. The word jealous was something he would never acknowledge could apply to him, but seeing the worry and need to help the tiny French girl was harbouring within herself made him feel guilty about it. She wanted answers, and he wasn’t about to back out like a coward.

“You’ve been awfully close to Jon.”

Once blurted out, the words hung out in the space between them, freezing them for a moment. Damian could see a shadow of confusion clouding her eyes and could only sigh before elaborating. “He’s always touching and hugging you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he hasn’t been able to keep his hands off of you.”

Marinette’s face quickly morphed from confusion, to understanding, to (surprisingly) smugness. “Damian Wayne, are you jealous?” A smirk wormed its way to her lips as Damian’s brain short circuited, supplying only the thoughts of ‘Danger’, and ‘That’s...kinda hot’. However, his face remained stoic as ever out of sheer muscle memory.

“I am absolutely not jealous about whatever little thing you and Jon have got going on. It just annoys me that I have to spend my lunch watching you two make googly eyes at each other and clinging to whatever body part you can.”

A flash of hurt across her face was all it took for Damian to want to hit himself for being an idiot. “No, wait, I didn’t mean-”

“Then, you probably don't mean that if the situation was reversed you wouldn’t mind it if it was you clinging to me?” ‘Wait what.’ Damian was left reeling in an uncharacteristic manner while Marinette looked like she was about to hit him. “Tell me Dami, would you still be complaining if you were the one that got to hug me?”

Despite the bravado display on the outside, she was positively terrified on the inside. What if he really was just annoyed at her hogging his best friend all to herself? If she went through with her plan and messed it up… There would be hell to pay. But, she wasn’t willing to back off now, and she held onto whatever confidence she had left.

Hearing a mumbled no fall from his lips made her incredibly relieved and made her giggle. “Are you laughing at me, Dupain-Cheng?” His remark only made her giggle more as she looked at his rosy cheeks. That was new.

“Maybe” she chuckled. “I only wish you had told me before, it might not have taken me so long to do this.”

Damian had a grand total of 0.5 seconds to register how Marinette stood on her toes, reaching to cup his face and gently pressing her lips to his. Once he did, though, his possessive side appeared. He pulled the girl closer by the waist and pressing their foreheads together the moment they had to break the kiss to breathe. The boy knew the nagging in the back of his mind wouldn’t cease until he cleared his doubts, so he stared into Marinette’s eyes as he asked. “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you and Jon?”

She looked extremely amused at this. “100% He’s just a very good friend to me, almost like a brother. Now, you on the other hand…” She just had to blush and avert her eyes, didn’t she? As if the overload of cute would help Damian organize his jumbled thoughts.

When the duo came back down from the roof, lunch had finished, as well as the class they were supposed to attend after it. Jon was waiting for them next to the doors with the biggest grin he could muster. “You’re very welcome you two. Now I’ll be happy to accept ice cream, and an invitation to your wedding as payback, if you don’t mind.”

-

Woo! And there you have it. I am planning to write at least something short for each day and maybe swap out some prompts I don't feel too confident in doing so look forward to that! Also if anyone wants to be tagged in whatever I make during this month feel free to ask. Much love <3

@daminette-december2019

[rhub4rb]

Home is Where the Heart is

AO3

First Chapter Previous Chapter Next Chapter

-_-_-_-

When it became night and it was time to head back to the apartment, Marinette decided to stay out again. If she was being honest, she wanted to spend as little time there as possible.

It wasn't that it was necessarily bad, it wasn't like she was sleeping on the streets, but there was just something about it that felt wrong to her.

For all intents and purposes, it was just an abandoned apartment building that she had chosen to reside in, but the emptiness of it all, it made her uncomfortable. After being used to a normal home, where she had a room and a warm bed, with the knowledge that her parents were just downstairs, sleeping in an empty and cold apartment felt weird.

But maybe it was just the lack of a bed that was talking.

Still, that meant Marinette was hopping around from roof to roof again, running the risk of meeting some of the vigilantes once more. The thought of the apartment made her continue with jumping around the roofs anyways.

Marinette was careful. She pulled up her hood, covering her now very short hair, in hopes that maybe the vigilantes wouldn't notice if she did run into them, also putting on her surgical mask. She didn't stay at one building for too long, she kept her eyes and ears open, and she even tried to be quiet. (Or as quiet as she could be when free-running.) There was a certain freedom in it all. Now that she wasn't spending every night patrolling and fighting, it was nice to be able to do what she always did without too much thought or care. The vigilantes were a threat, sure, but it was easy to become distracted by the city lights.

Maybe it had been a mistake for Marinette to go out again after already having a run-in, or maybe it was fate, but whatever it was, Marinette was cursing it as she brought herself to an abrupt halt.

Being as quiet as she possibly could, Marinette walked backward, keeping her eyes on the two forms of Robin and Superboy. Faintly, she wondered what Superboy was doing patrolling in Gotham, as she was certain it was only the ones associated with Batman who did that.

When she reached the edge of the roof, a couple buildings away from where Superboy and Robin were, she threw her legs over the ledge and grabbed hold of a rusty latter, hoping to every kwami that it would hold, before slowly and carefully lowering herself.

When she knew she was no longer visible to the duo, she let out a sigh of relief, before looking for a way to leave quickly and not grab their attention.

Marinette found that with a fire-escape. The fire-escape platform was metal, and there was a two-meter long drop from the latter to it, but she would rather do that then try her luck with the vigilante and hero not noticing her when they finally left.

Marinette crawled down the fire-escape as quietly as she could, looking down at the platform and taking in a breath, before letting go.

She landed on her feet, crouching down to distribute the impact, the clang of her shoes hitting the metal making her wince and hurry.

She breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw that the two didn't seem to follow her.

-

Nightwing took the same route he had the night before, hoping to spot the girl that had run away from him.

The sound of running footsteps brought Nightwing back to the present, just in time to see the same girl from the night before, come to a screeching halt. For a second, they just looked at each other, and Dick thought that maybe she wouldn't run away this time.

It seemed he had come to that conclusion too soon.

Just as he had the thought, the girl took off again, but this time, he knew better.

"I've found the girl from yesterday, she's running in Red Hood's direction!" He yelled into his comm as he took off running, finding himself surprised by the fact that the girl seemed to be faster than he was.

"Do we even know why she keeps running from us?" Red Robin asked.

No. No, they did not, which was part of the reason why they even decided to keep an eye on her. The worry that she could be associated with the villains was real, and Dick hoped that they were wrong in thinking it.

"Does it matter?" Sounded it from Red Hood.

With an ease he didn't expect, she jumped down from the roof and onto a fire-escape several meters away, not slowing her pace. They kept it up like that for a good while, her jumping and diving, Dick just keeping up with her.

Then Red Hood joined the fray, standing ready at the next building. Dick had fully expected her to come to a stop after that, but she didn't. Rather she sped up, and when she reached the edge, she jumped, grabbed a pipe that was along the corner, and swung herself in a third direction, away from the two.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Red Hood yelled.

"She's getting away!" Dick replied in panic.

When the two finally caught up to her, Red Robin was there as well and they surrounded her, giving her no place to escape.

"Now listen here, Little Lady-" Red Hood discovered that was the wrong thing to say, as the girl grabbed Dick who had slowly been walking towards her, and threw him over her shoulder and directly into Red Hood. Red Robin jumped into action, taking a swing at her with his bo staff. She evaded with ease, until finally, she wasn't quick enough to dodge his strike. Instead, she brought up her arms in an 'X' and ended up being pushed back by the force. Before Red Robin got the chance to hit again, she swiftly kicked him in the chest, sending him flying into his two brothers that had just gotten back up.

Sending the trio one last glance, the girl took off, disappearing out of sight before Robin and Superboy could arrive at the scene.

-

Marinette clutched her backpack close to her chest as she sat on the cold floor of the apartment. Her heart was hammering, blood pounding in her ears as she tried to calm herself down. That had been far too close to comfort.

If there was anything she was certain about now, it was that she wouldn't go roof jumping any time soon again.

The fighting had been a kneejerk reaction to the nickname. She hadn't meant to hurt them but...

Images of Chat Noir and Hawkmoth filled her mind, and she swallowed the bile that rose up in her throat.

Maybe she should have stayed and talked with Nightwing the first time she ran into him, but too many things depended on her finding Alfred. She didn't have any record or papers, she had no idea what Nightwing would do with her. She didn't even have a proper place to stay!

Now she had just drawn more attention to herself.

Marinette let out an irritated sigh, rubbing her face with her hands in frustration.

She would have to find Alfred and quick, no more distractions, and then leave Gotham as soon as possible. Hopefully, the vigilantes would just forget about her after she'd been gone for a while.

"We have to be careful," Tikki said, once Mariette opened up for her backpack. "We can't risk running into them again."

Marinette just nodded numbly.

Chat Noir constantly being on her mind wasn't good. There was no point to it anyways. If someone else made the mistake of using one of her former nicknames, she couldn't just attack them. Marinette would have to get some self-control, more than she already possessed.

"It's not your fault Marinette," Tikki said, trying to console her chosen.

"I know," Marinette said with a sigh, though Tikki doubted she actually meant it.

There were few things Marinette would talk about since Paris, and one of the things was Chat Noir. It had been a sore spot for Marinette, something Tikki understood. Chat Noir had a happier life now, things just didn't turn out the same for Marinette. Marinette knew who Chat Noir had been too. It wasn't as big of a shock to see Adrien Agreste as her pun-loving partner as she thought it would be.

Of course, it soured his betrayal just a bit. By the final battle with Hawkmoth, Marinette had moved on, decided that romance could wait until Paris was safe. She had thought that maybe, after the fight, something would happen between her and Chat. Maybe. But that was all in the past now, and it did her no good to keep thinking about it.

"No more distractions Tikki, no more free days. We can't risk it," Marinette said sternly, her eyes showing that she meant it. Tikki sighed in defeat.

"I know..." Tikki flew into the backpack slowly, head held down. Tikki understood that Marinette was stressed, it was the very thing Tikki was trying to prevent, but with everything that had happened in the last two weeks, it was undoubtedly inevitable. That didn't make it any better though.

-

"And that's about it, I think," Dick said, having explained what had happened when they met with the mystery girl again.

"You got beat by a little girl?" Damian asked in disbelief. When he and Jon had arrived to help, the girl was already gone, and the trio was sulking.

"Yeah yeah, just bruise our egos more, will you?" Jason grumbled, rubbing his chest as he remembered how Dick had been thrown at him.

"Now we know that she's a threat," Bruce cut off, before an argument could begin.

It was silent in the Batcave, Jon looking worried between the Wayne brothers, none of them seeming very happened by how the short fight had turned out. At first, Damian had cackled in disbelief by what happened, but now he found it more annoying than anything else.

"Do you at least have any clue as to who she is?" Damian asked. "Do you think she might be from the League?" A tension filled the air, Damian's expression dark and unreadable.

After a moment, Tim spoke up.

"I don't... think so," Tim said hesitantly. "If she was, why didn't she just kill us when she had the chance?"

"Maybe she's doing recon and it would compromise her mission?" Jason guessed.

"Maybe, but that doesn't explain her crying when Dick found her the first time." Tim pointed out.

"She could be forced into doing-" Dick waved with his hands as he tried to look for a word- "whatever it is that she's been doing."

No one in the Batcave seemed happy about the lack of information, least of all Bruce and Damian.

Bruce's eyes were furrowed in thought as he contemplated their next course of action. They could just ignore the girl. She hadn't actually done anything to harm anyone, as far as he could tell, but it was worrying that she didn't trust the vigilantes. Her fighting experience also set off warning bells in his head, and that her immediate reaction to being surrounded was to attack.

He let out a tired sigh.

"Tim, see if you can find her on any cameras. The rest of you, keep your eyes open. If you see her, get her. We need to know who she is."

"She'll be a little hard to track," Tim said as he turned his attention to the computer.  "We couldn't see much of her face. She covers the bottom half with a mask, and she wore a hood tonight. We only really got a look at her eyes."

Bruce just sent Tim a look that said everything he didn't say out loud. He didn't care. He wanted results. Tim couldn't see the look that Bruce sent his way, but he knew it was there. It wouldn't be the first time Tim pointed out a possible flaw in Bruce's plans were Bruce didn't care about the details.

Sometimes, it was hard being the smartest Wayne in the household.

-_-_-_-

@constancetruggle @mojos-biggest-fan @lysslovesanime @heredemaquam @luciferge @scribblinggraveyard @thafandomsgirl @eliza-bich @ki77h3gr4g0n @crazylittlemunchkin @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @skyel0ve @serenacross200 @valeks-princess @thebananathatwrites @aurordraws @nothernbluetongue @bluerosette23 @xxmadamjinxx @graduatedmelon @tritaledkitsune @tinybrie