#looking at the new batman game in disappointment

[sugarr-circus]

i always hate how a lot of modern interpretations of Bruce Wayne make him out to be a greedy billionaire who hates the poor. It’s canon he spends thousands— if not millions— of dollars donating to charities to improve life in gotham. Iis family’s business just has and continues to make SO MUCH money. He’s not greedy.

[savanir]

DP x DC prompt [3]

during one of the final psych evals at Arkham right before he gets to be released, the whole thing wrapped up so tidy, just a little relapse which involved a robbery. Getting sent back to Arkham, but he got to stay at the asylum so long that he no longer has to serve a prison sentence, score!

But during that eval his overseeing psychiatrist recommended him to have a change of scenery, some fresh non polluted air.

Riddler was rather convinced the guy was making this recommendation to everyone in Arkham in their own weird way to convince them to just leave Gotham and become someone else's problem. should he notify Batman about it somehow? nah, it’ll be more interesting to see how this is gonna turn out in the long run.

But can he leave the state? Can he even leave the city? he never really bothered to look into it, at least not legally, up until now if he felt he needed to leave for one of his plans he just did it.

Turns out he can, it’s a whole hassle and a half though, first a judge and then a probation officer and he’s pretty sure both were like “what the hell is this psychiatrist guy thinking!?” but at the same time, shrink probably knows what he’s doing (WRONG) so he’s allowed to go visit out of state family or whatever.

he had to wear this nice ankle monitor though, Wayne Enterprises™ tech, not overly bulky but still very present. real fancy, and a fun extra challenge heh.

now as for a good reason to leave New Jersey he’s going to need distant relatives, and he finds some, great grandpa walker also has a son, who had a son who had a daughter Madeline, who married some guy Jack Fenton, and she lives somewhere out in the boonies Illinois. great he’ll visit her.

far enough away in all sense of the word that there is no way she knows anything about him. it would be best to call her first though, be polite about it.

“hello, you have reached Fenton works, this is Maddie speaking” 

“Riddle me this-” ah whoops, habit, oh whatever, “we don’t share parents, but certainly a part of your life, from laughter to strife. Who am I?”

there is a pause …  he’s going to be a bit disappointed if she hangs up if he’s honest.

“cousins~” comes the cheery reply.

“correct! the name is Edward Nygma, we are distantly related you and I and well-”

“oh you simply must come visit!” 

well this was rather easy, perhaps a little too easy, but she lives in the midwest so maybe just going with whatever some guy says over the phone is normal there? stranger danger not really a thing in a small town where everyone knows everyone?

things start to make a little more sense once he gets there and he’s starting to think some things might run in the family. like a preference for the colour green and weird hyperfixations and genius bordering on insanity. Though that remains to be seen, Jack does not seem like a very bright light after his very enthusiastic welcome.

their kids however are observant and sharp. young Jasmine is wasting no time trying to psychoanalyze him. and the boy, Danny, he had not really meant to and he swears he’s sticking with calling the kid Danny so he wouldn’t seem overly familiar, but he might have called him little bird a couple times now.

but that’s all whatever, he’s playing nice here. and he doesn’t even have to worry about his eccentricities tripping him up because this place is insane.

There actually is a local teen vigilante active but he seems about as loved as he’s disliked. and the ghost boy’s enemies are basically all his own kind, which another crazy thing to now know about. ghost. they are real actually, how is Gotham not completely overrun? and how do they even work? and where do they keep coming from?

Edward might be getting a little sidetracked here. He had fully intended to sneakily get his next big game plan underway all the way out here, ankle monitor be damned. but he hasn’t made any progress at all.

Instead he’s been listening to Madeline and Jack to maybe figure out what the deal is with these ectoplasmic entities, he has to know, at this point he might go crazier if he doesn’t. 

He’s making Jasmine promise him not to get her doctorate in Gotham, he’s going back and forth with space riddles with Danny.

so yeah the whole thing kinda just became a vacation, maybe the psychiatrist had the right idea after all? hmm nah, probably not. but this is fun. He’s thinking about recommending this place to some of the others.

It's different enough to get the vacation feel, but enough crazy shit happens to make it all feel like home.

it is not until Maddie wants to talk with him about potentially switching the position of godfather of Danny to him rather than some weird rich friend of theirs that Edward realizes he might have lost the plot somewhere

Apparently the little bird basically begged them with a powerpoint presentation on how he likes Edward so much more than that Vladimir guy. 

And honestly, the fellow sounds like a Dracula Lutho so even if it’s kinda sad Edward can understand why he’d be considered a better option. Even if the guy has more money and a huge company that makes him said money. And it’s not like the Fentons know about his Riddler activities.

Thinking it over, Edward does think that Danny would like Gotham and Wayne has that space program thing right? The kid is definitely smart enough for that (Nygma certified), and yeah Edward does quite like their space themed back and forth. So, fuck it, why not, what is the worst that could happen?

He doubts Maddie and Jack are gonna kick it any time soon anyway out here in the boonies, it’s just a title thing, a stamp of approval or something.

he should have known he was going to eat those words later… he had this whole beautifully elaborate trap set up for the whole Batclan, and he was just getting to the good part when his phone went off.

Had to put the whole thing on pause cause that particular contact wasn’t gonna get ignored. He did promise to be available.

If the whole thing he had planned now went tits up he could at the very least laugh later at the reactions of the bats as he told them to “hold up one second, I have to take this.” while they were all in various perilous positions. 

Sadly he did have to go, he had a very distressed godson to pick up.

[princeoftheeternalbog]

OP characters reacting to you kissing them and running away (here's part 2) established relationship ish. Feel free to ask for other characters.

ALSO I've definitely seen another creator who did this idea with op characters but I can't remember who so if someone could tell me I would really love to credit them :(. I tried to make mine different but still it's the principal of it.

Slightly suggestive in some parts so mdni.

Luffy

Thinks its a new game like tag but with kisses and it ends up actually becoming one. You'll both wait for the other to become distracted and then you'll strike, planting a kiss and sprinting off around the ship or the island you're docked at. It's not hard to chase after each other because the trails of laughter are so easy to follow and it always ends up with one of you on the floor from a tackle or something similar.

Zoro

Gobsmacked. Genuinely his jaw drops especially if there's other people there and you get away so easily only because of how long it takes his brain to boot back online. Oh but he doesn't let it go. He waits until you're in a similar situation, either talking to someone or doing work and he sneaks up to pull you into a deep, intense kiss that leaves your knees weak. Like he fully puts the moves on you, hand on your lower back, other hand cradling your jaw, hes literally licking into your mouth and then he just disappears for the rest of the day. Asshole.

Sanji

You are not running away from this man. Not in a scary way but he can't do just one short kiss, as soon as you're leaning in his hands settle firm on your hips and that grip is not something you can wiggle out of. You can try to run away but he just laughs at you and pulls you closer to him, ofc he would let go if you actually wanted him to but he knows what you're trying to pull. Says something like "Oh? Trying to run darlin? How sweet." swoon- Just don't even bother, he will always try to win if your affection is involved.

Nami

Honestly thinks nothing of it. A lot of your affection is sweet but quick because yk pirate life. But if you look disappointed from her lack of reaction then she catches on quickly and starts playing along. So sweet even though she can be scary. Oh but don't try to run if she's initiating, like Sanji you aren't going to get out of her grip. If she wants to shower you with affection, she is going to thank you very much. If you do manage to slip away she's surprisingly quick and surprisingly stealthy. Like you'll think you got away and you walk into a room and she drops down from the ceiling like fucking batman.

(maybe not that dramatic but shes good)

Robin

She lets you run away but only because she knows she could summon a mouth to kiss you at any time and in any place so she's content knowing she always wins. Also thinks it's really cute when you try to rile her up like this, she just finds it so endearing and usually ends up playing into it anyways- "My, my, aren't you getting so bold my love". Sometimes will purposefully trip you up while you're doing these antics so you can't get away or so your plan is ruined, absolutely pretends she has no idea what you're talking about.

Usopp

Highly likely he was doing something when it happened. Highly likely he dropped something onto his foot as a result. Yowls like an injured cat and then when his brain catches up it's like steam comes out of his ears. Stands there with his mouth open and pointing at you like you betrayed his entire family. Very funny and very cute. Also a possibility of him smacking you out of fearful instinct in which case he'd probably cry his eyes out and beg for forgiveness. Nami makes it worse by punching him in the face for hitting you. A mess all around if you get him at the wrong time so just be careful.

Ace

Immediately sprinting after you, it's actually a bit scary. But like hey he's not letting you get away with just one measly little peck on the cheek. Absolutely nobody on the crew helps you unless it would be funny, i.e. someone tripping Ace up so he faceplants. If it's near the beginning of your relationship then you likely go back out of concern which he takes as a chance to catch you, but if it's later then you already know this man's antics and you know he wouldn't be injured just from tripping so you use it as an opportunity to get away💪. You still have to kiss it better later though when hes whining to you about how cruel you are for leaving him in the dust(he would do the same).

Izou

Don't bother. As soon as you turn he snatches you by the back of your collar and pulls you onto his lap, proceeds to resume his conversation like nothing is wrong but his arms are firm around your waist and his cheeks and ears are a particularly pretty shade of red. Once his conversation is over and the other person has left, he turns his attention to you with a very pointed look. He's not actually irritated but if he enjoys watching you squirm that's his business. "If you wanted a kiss you should've just asked my love" and then he's practically devouring your mouth. Doesn't care about the other people in the vicinity. Doesn't care that he's smudging his lipstick. Just wants to fluster you more than you flustered him.

Marco

Do you even want to run away from this man lets be real- anyways.

If he's doing work then he just laughs and lets you get away with it, tallys it in his head for later, but if he's free and hes in a good mood then he absolutely plays into it. Will chase after you. Will cheat by using his powers. Its a bit scary but also very attractive, somehow ends with him pinning you in some way (☺️), looks very smug when he wins. Like you'll end up flat on your back, legs trapped under his and his hands restraining yours and he's just grinning- "Oh what a surprise. You were so easy to catch-yoi" Yeah yeah shut up. Absolutely asks what his reward is just to see your shocked face (absolutely asks again later when you two are alone).

Sabo

VILLAIN!!!!!! Sorry only way i can describe how devious and obsessed this man would be. Like Izou he tries to snatch you immediately but you planned for this so you manage to spring out of his grip in time. You falter a bit at his reaction then because he just blinks at you for a while. You start to feel a bit nervous and when he finally grins at you, you definitely feel nervous. "Playing like that are we honey? How about I give you a headstart then?" Evil. You know he's going to catch you. He knows he's going to catch you. He's just giving you false hope but yk hope is hope so you take the chance.

You don't get far. It's not even fair how quickly he catches up to you and gets you underneath him, it takes him barely any effort, not even a strand of hair is out of place. Spends the next 10 minutes kissing you on the floor of the hallway until Koala comes back and promptly drags him back into his office.

[xan-izme]

Dubble life 11 (ATSV x Reader x Batfam)

Summary: You can't do this alone

Part 10, Part 12

You felt stressed. The anomalies were popping up in Gotham and in New York at the same time. Of course, Aaron and Miles are there to handle things. But you no longer want their help. You don't want them to have that responsibility anymore. None of the burden.

And with Bruce. He hasn't talked to you. You haven't seen him in a few days. You felt like you have messed up everything. That he now hated you because of what you said.

But in truth. Bruce was just sulking behind closed doors. He's raised 4 boys so far, and he likes to think he's done a great job. Well, not a great job but an okay job. But with you, he feels like he's failing with every move he makes. He knows what you said is true.

He has the papers to prove you are his daughter. But he's missed 16 years of your life. Your uncles were more like fathers to you than he will ever be. And it hurts him. More than he would expect. And what hurts the most is that was the true you. Not the act you have been putting on for a few months. What he saw was a child struggling to morn her mother.

He would know.

But it must have been harder on you. Because you only had her. And now she's gone. And now you're stuck with him.

It was another night of kicking anomalies through portals. Preventing some minor crimes and avoiding Batman.

You sighed as you sat on top of the Wayne Mannor roof. The sun should be setting soon. You used to watch the sun set back in New York before beginning your day as spider woman.

You sighed as you pull out your phone.

Jason was looking for you. He needed to speak to you about, well everything. If he was to keep your little secret. Then he needed to know what the hell was going on. What's with the portal he saw you kick that one villain in, what was in the suitcase. Why are you being so secretive. It's suspicious, and he can't trust you fully. And he needs to trust you a little bit for this to work.

Jason enters your room, but you were nowhere to be seen. He assumed you were out with Damian.

If your gone. . .

Jason smirked to himself as he got the idea to snoop around. He walked around. He was Immediately at your bookshelf. He sighed in disappointment when he only sees education books. Books about physics and geology. Technology.

"No one is this into school." He pauses for a moment before correcting himself. "Tim. Tim is."

He grumbles as he tries to see anything else he can find. He circles around to a different side of your bed. He gasped as he finds a secret stash of books.

All fantasy fiction and history books Manga too. Harry Potter, Hunger games, Art of war, Game of thrones, The Odyssey, The lightning theft- the whole damn Percey Jason series. Heros, Gods and monsters of Greek Mythology- Wow! you're really into Greek mythology.

He hums in amusement and put things back. He Looked up to your desk and picks up a little picture of you and your cousin. He takes note of how you reacted when he mentioned Miles knowing about you being Spider woman. Probably the angriest he's seen you.

Your protective.

He sets the picture down and walks into your bathroom. Nothing out of the ordinary. A lot of hair products. He opens the mirror cabinet. Painkillers. Tylenol, ibuprofen. First aid which was, empty.

He pauses for a moment. Something doesn't look right. He closes the mirror cabinet. Then opens it again. He repeats the process before finally taking a look at both sides of the mirror. He knows this manner inside and out. practically memorized the blueprints. Both old and new.

He decides to try and pry the mirror cabinet open from the wall. And there, a secret stash within the wall. He grabs the small duffle bag. He opens it up to see your suit. and a Polaroid picture of a woman. Your mother he assumes.

He lets out a small sigh and puts it back and closed the mirror cabinet tightly. He decided it was time he goes back to looking for you. Yours still in the manor he knows that much. He saw your shoes and window open. He searched the manor but could not find you. He stepped outside to see if you were at the barn.

But when he looks up. He sees a glimpse of a head. Someone was on the roof.

Jason hurries back into the manor and makes his way onto the roof.

You stare at the video playing on your phone. Sniffling a little.

"Mom, stop. I mean it!" You laughed as you try to back away to a wall

"Nope. not happening!" Your mother pointed the water gun at you and started shooting

"AH! Mama!" You tried to run but tripped and fell on your face.

"Pfft-" Your mothers laugh could be heard along with yours

You continued to solemnly watch the old video. Not noticing Jason a little far behind from you. Listening and watching you. You looked so sad it was unconfortable.

But he felt, a little guilty. Just a little bit. Because if he thinks about it you have been through a lot. Jason took a few steps closer and cleared his throat to signal his presence.

You jolt at the noise and glance back and see Jason. You quickly look away and wipe your tears.

"What do you want."

Jason stood there awkwardly before taking a seat next to you. You stare at him with your tired eyes. Jason sighed as he looked back at you. "Look, kid. I know I'm a jerk. I'll be lying if I said I didn't mean to. But can you blame me? You're not telling me anything."

You stay silent before looking away. Contemplating weather, you should tell Jason the truth.

"You can't do this alone kid. Trust me, it won't work if you do this alone."

You let Jason's words sink in. Slowly realizing. He was right. You were scared, and truly didn't want to go through this alone. And this was Jason, so it should be okay, right?

"Do you believe in the multiverse?" You finally spoke up. Your words made Jason look at you a little confused.

"The multiverse, like different universes. Timelines and stuff."

You nod. "Yeah, something like that. . . it's real. The multiverse is real. And, in every universe, there is a Spider Woman or Spider man to protect and keep balance. This universe is mine to protect. Those bad guys you see me throwing through portals. Those are anomalies."

Jason listened in closely. Half of him believes you, the other half not really. But he's all ears.

"Anomalies from different universes, brought by portals that were ripped due to mankind tempering with forces that were beyond our understanding."

You talked about everything. About the society. About Alchemex. And the whole cannon situation. A fate every spider hero had to succumb to.

It felt nice to let everything out now, like some wight was lifted off.

Jason believed you. Well, he kind of does. He only believes you because, well it's you. And he doesn't see the use of you lying about something as crazy as multiverses.

But the fact that you were hiding all of that and you were planning to carry the burden alone when still in the process of mourning the loss of your mother. It concerned him a bit.

He could tell Bruce. This could be a family effort. You're a vigilante, so are they. The whole bat family can help. But you have already expressed that you can't let anyone else know about the multiverse thing you have going on.

For safety reasons you claim.

---___---___---___---___---___---___---___---___---___---___---___---

A/n: sorry, this is a little short, but I do want to warn everyone that I will be a little late with the next few chapters because they will be longer and might be traumatizing. so, yeah. Thank you for reading

@huening-ly. @mariadvorak, @superherosdystopiafreak, @chelluv, @houseissofine, @esposadomd, @greyeyedmockingbird, @1-800-daisy, @c0c0-puffsxxx, @arthurswife, @h0rr0r-10ver-69, @josiepapen, @natashanice165, @amber-content, @mahbeanz, @azurewisteria, @seraph101, @skepvids, @lara20aral, @iwasveronica, @jackrabbitem

[bothoutsiders]

ok so you know the hero gets kidnapped and no one comes and the villain gets pissed on their captive’s behalf and treats them better than their former associates did trope ?

i need that with early red hood jason and robin tim

jason steals tim expecting the calvary to come racing in

but ,,, no one comes

and ok jason can understand why timbit's little baby hero team didn't come

superboy, wonder girl and impulse are all currently off planet

but the batfam isn't

the girls are in hong kong for whatever reason but dick and bruce are across town from where him and tim are

he's had tim for over a week they have to have realized that he's missing at this point

and now jason's like "actually fuck them i'm keeping you"

hello anon! thank you for your request. i think it came a bit small; first jaytim thing i type with my new keyboard B) but it was fun. it's a bit domestic tho, hope you enjoy :)

--

It has been a little over a week since Robin got here. 

It somehow felt like those parents who forgot to pick up their kids at school. Robin had been at the mercy of Red Hood for a week and a few days and there was no sign of anyone coming to rescue him anytime soon.

Jason even went through his notes, every piece of information he had, and his own plan. Many times.

Something didn’t click.

When he kidnapped Robin, he knew Batman would come for him. Knew there would be a big fight, some spilled blood and maybe broken bones. He then would be able to torture Robin in front of Bruce and make him beg, maybe even cry. Satiate his own thirst for vengeance with Bruce’s suffering.

But nothing like that happened.

Robin’s friends were not around and Jason knew that. It was excusable but… What was the explanation for Batman to ignore this? Was he trying to play some kind of sick game with his mind or did he actually not care about Tim?

He didn’t even send Nightwing either. There was no Justice League. There was nobody.

No one.

What was the point of torturing or doing something to Robin if Bruce wasn’t here to witness it?

“Do you have golden grahams?”

Jason turned to look at the teen and thought about what was happening. There was no way Bruce hadn’t realised his new Robin was missing. Nor that Jason had kidnapped him and now was even feeding him.

“No, but I can buy some later.” He said as he placed a windowed box on the table and pushed it toward Tim slowly. “I got you donuts though.”

“Oh?” Robin looked at the box, interested when he had heard it was donuts. Right now he was wearing Jason’s clothes and had come out from a nice shower. “They’re from  Holesome Dough! Great!”

Jason watched him devour one after another while he thought about the situation. He was definitely not imagining things. It was happening.

He looked down and noticed Tim’s bare feet, some drops of his wet hair making a mess around. “I’ve told you to wear shoes and to dry your hair properly. I’m not going to clean that.”

Tim looked down for a few moments before he’d go and sit down in a chair, enjoying his snack.

Stupid Batman was ignoring his own Robin, who was definitely in danger. If Jason were completely fucked up, right now he would have had Tim’s head on display and probably had sent some parts of his body to Bruce, just as a silly joke.

Bruce knew where he was and didn’t even care!

He didn’t care.

Jason rubbed his eyes, tired and frustrated. “I’m not really surprised. Just disappointed.”

“About what?” Tim turned to look at him, a crumb on his upper lip. “Oh. I’ll dry my hair after this. You want some?” He offered him the donut he was eating since it was the last one.

“He’s not coming, is he?” This felt so familiar.

“Bruce?” Tim shrugged. “He might think I have it under control.”

“Replacement, I beat you up. You passed out as you bled when I took you with me. If you were able to handle it, you would’ve contacted him. He didn’t even call you. What’s his excuse?” He snorted and took a seat. “He’s across town, yeah, Gotham is big but not that big that he can’t come to rescue his sidekick.”

Of course it pissed him off. Days prior Jason had gone to check if Batman was around, to make sure he wasn’t out of Gotham doing something else that stopped him from coming to rescue his young, new soldier. The worst of all this? Batman was in Gotham.

It made Jason furious.

This Robin could have the same ending as he did, history would repeat and Bruce didn’t give a fuck about it. It didn’t seem as if Batman wanted a Robin, at least not one to last.

He just can’t be responsible like a proper adult, maybe that’s why he doesn’t have children or pets. Maybe this is why he doesn’t have a family.

He snorted, so close to pulling from his own hair. If someone has a sidekick, they teach them, they protect them. Where was Batman when he was needed? With how things went, Jason suspected that Bruce decided to give Tim to him. As those who throw meat to wild dogs, to keep them busy, keep them away.

“Fuck it. Fuck Bruce, fuck Dick, fuck everyone, I’m keeping you.”

[nobody-zero3000]

Yandere Batfamily x Amidala! Reader

Inspired by the Yandere Damian Wayne x Alien Leader reader by your-regular-toast-enjoyer. But also because I like Padme Amidala and Star Wars. I want to use the Gotham Knights video game version of the Batboys, Batgirl, and Batman. Since Damian Wayne is not in there, I was thinking about Damian Wayne from the Injustice 2 video game but older. I'm going to change and add a few things from the Star Wars Universe and add a few new things to Amidala's character.

Warning: yandere, age-gap.

Earth heroes have encountered a different galactic system not far from Earth's solar system. The Justice League has made contact with a planet that's part of the galactic government system, also known as the Intergalactic United Republic, and has agreed to send someone to the planet to at least show that Earth and the Justice League offer peace.

In the watch tower, the heroes are having a meeting about who should go on this diplomatic mission. Some voted for Green Lantern, Martin Manhunter, or Superman, but the results show that the best candidate for this mission would be Batman.

Martian Manhunter was a bit disappointed because he had heard about her reputation through some holo-nets and was eager to meet her. As well as introduce her to his niece, Miss Martian since she is a fan of her work.

"Then it is settled: Batman shall be the one to go on this diplomatic mission and talk with the queen." Wonder Woman had declared.

The meeting is adjourned. Batman boomtubes back to Earth to discuss details with the rest of the Batfamily.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Batcave, Bruce calls in Robin, Red Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood.

"As you all know, I summoned you here for an important reason. I have been chosen to lead a diplomatic mission for a planet called Naboo. But I'm not planning on going alone." Bruce pulls up pictures of the planet.

"This mission has to be taken seriously and delicately. Any hostile behavior will endanger Earth along with millions of civilians. Do not show any violent or hostile behavior, and do not engage or cause any conflict that may lead to dangerous consequences. Do I make myself clear?" Giving them a stern, firm glare to each of them, especially Damian and Jason.

Jason shrugged. "Got it. No violence unless they start it first, then we consider violence."

Bruce narrows his eyes at him.

Jason puts his hands up in mocking surrender. "What? I'm kidding. No violence, don't cause trouble got it."

Tim looks at the Bat computer screen, looking through the information. He looks over to Bruce and asks, "Question. Do you have any information on the ruler of this planet? Any photos of what they look like."

Bruce pulls up photos, "These photos were taken at the Watchtower when we made contact with the planet. We are still looking into other information from J'onn and Hal's research."

It shows a female, (Y/H/C), (Y/E/C), and the areas where white makeup is not covering are your hands, which are (Y/S/C). She was sitting on a throne, dressed in royal clothes and wearing white makeup with red dots on both cheeks. She stood straight and had a blank look. But her eyes showed kindness, patience, and seriousness.

The boys and girl are taken aback by how young the female is. They were expecting someone much older. Not just that, but how beautiful you were. It was like looking at an angel. If someone were to ask about the definition of an angel, they would show them a photo of you. But for some reason, if they had a photo of you, they would not want to share it with someone else; they want to keep you to themselves.

For Bruce, it took a lot of strength and restraint to not laugh at their expression and keep a straight face. He couldn't blame them. When he first saw you, he was shocked not only to find out that someone as young as you would be ruling a planet but also by your beauty. He has seen a lot of beautiful women (Selena, Talia, Diana, Lois, etc.), but you pretty much outmatched them all as well as caught his attention and kept a hold on it.

Snapping out of it, he puts away the photo, much to the family's displeasure.

"So that's who we're all going to meet. If I had known that, I would've been more 'ready to go' for this mission." Dick grins and crosses his arms.

"She's really beautiful, and she must be very smart to rule the planet by herself," Tim said, blushing and smiling.

"Is there any more information on her?" Barbara is very curious about this young woman.

Damian finally asks, "When do we leave for this mission? Most of all, who will be watching the city while we are gone?" At this moment, he doesn't care if they leave the city unguarded, as long as they leave soon. He is curious about this alien leader.

"While we're gone, I managed to get some League members to watch the city, as well as other independent heroes to keep an eye on the crime rate. Now that is settled, all of you pack your bags. We'll be leaving in 2 hours.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Batfamily boomtubes to the Watch Tower, and from there, they enter the Javelin spacecraft (which upgraded to travel at a speed of light thanks to Hal, other Green Lanterns, and Cyborg). Once they are settled in the ship, Batman sets the coordinates for the planet Naboo, and on they go.

"Coordinates for Naboo are locked. Prepare yourselves for light speed." Everyone is strapped in. Soon the ship takes off.

After the ship comes to a stop, everyone, besides Batman who is used to space travel by now, groans from the lightspeed, some felt either really tired or sick.

Red Hood groans and hunches over. "I'm starting to regret eating that Bacon Ultra-belly combo."

"You should wait afterward, Todd. We were going to travel through space at a fast rate. What did you expect, imbecile?"

"Shut it, demon-spawn."

"Alright, that's enough, you two. We're here that's all that matters." Nightwing lightly scolded them.

Batgirl decides to get into the conversation. "Besides, what did Batman say about bad behavior."

Red Robin includes, "What part of no hostile or violent behavior are you two not getting here?"

They all start to bicker until Bruce switches to autopilot. Turns the seat around to face them. "Enough" in a firm and stern voice. Narrowing his eyes gives them his famous Batman glare.

The bickering stops, and they turn their attention to him.

"Let me make myself clear, be on your best behavior and do not start trouble. Once we land, stay close by my side. Do you understand?"

Red Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl nod their heads. After a few moments, Red Hood and Robin show they understand by nodding their heads, too.

Batman turns back to the front window and starts to move the ship toward the planet.

Realization starts to overcome the bat family members, and they all look to the front to see the planet.

Tim and Barbara had excited expressions since they were about to visit a different planet and would meet the ruler soon. While Dick, Jason, and Damian were shocked to see the planet and about the possibility that they were about to go to a different planet.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meanwhile in the throne room of Naboo---------------------

A guard's com beeps, he answers, and a few words are exchanged. He nods and turns to the queen.

"Your Highness, the Earth's ambassador, has arrived and is now entering our planet."

"Very well, prepare refreshments and send starfighters to guide the ship to one of the land platforms."

"Yes, Your Highness." The guard leaves.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the Javelin enters Naboo, they are encountered by starfighters.

Batman presses a button that allows him to speak to the Starfighters. "This is Batman, Ambassador of Earth."

"Batman, this is Captain Olie; we are ordered by Queen Amidala to escort you to Theed Royal Palace. You can just follow us."

The starfighters fly ahead but not far from the Javelin. Batman starts to follow them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As they fly to the palace, all of them look out their windows to look at the new environment. Tim and Barbara show excited and awe expressions. Jason and Dick are in awe too. And Damian, even though he tried not to show it, thought the planet was beautiful too and a bit excited to experience a new environment, a new planet!

Bruce had to admit it was beautiful, and it looked peaceful.

Once landing in a near landing platform, they exit the ship wearing their superhero suits. As they exit the Javelin, a handmaiden and two guards walk toward them.

"Sir Batman, Ambassador of Earth, I am here to escort you to the throne room to meet with Queen Amidala." She gestures for them to follow her.

The other bat members give each other glances. Batman just starts to walk with her as the others follow him.

They reach the throne room, and the guards open the doors for the guests. (Pretend there are more chairs.)

On the throne sat the queen of Naboo. On both sides beside her are two handmaidens in their own seats. On her left is Captain Typho.

The batboys and batgirl look at the queen in complete awe. Batman just gives a neutral expression, but on the inside, he feels different.

'She is even more beautiful in person.'

"Batman, Welcome to Naboo. I hope you managed to travel here safely with no complications."

"Queen Amidala. Thank you for inviting us to your planet and agree to meet with us."

"The Council of Naboo, Chancellor Valorum, and I have discussed and created a peace treat, but I would like to discuss it more with you."

A servant brings in a tray of refreshments. (Y/N) notices the other masked heroes.

"I see that you have brought company with you. Would all care to introduce yourselves, please?"

The others glance at each other, finally, Robin decides to introduce himself.

"Robin, I aide Batman on his missions and patrols around Gotham City. It's a great pleasure to meet you, Queen Amidala."

She nods in his direction before looking at the person next to him.

"Nightwing, protector of Bludhaven, former leader of the Teen Titans. It's very nice to meet you." He offers her a kind smile.

She nods her head and gives a small smile back, but gives a curious look. "What is a Teen Titan?"

Then shifts her gaze to the female hero.

"Batgirl, formerly known as Oracle. Thank you for inviting us here. You have a beautiful home planet!"

She gave Batgirl a grateful smile, "Thank you." Then she looked at the other male hero; he looked a bit younger than her, maybe around her age.

He shyly waves to her, "Hi, Red Robin. I also help Batman, as well as the other bat family members. Y-you have a really lovely home, you're beautiful, I-I-I mean your home is beautiful. Not saying that you're not beautiful because you are." He continues to stutter.

Robin rolls his eyes. "Smooth, Drake. Very subtle."

Queen Amidala just looks a little amused and tries not to laugh. She offers a smile and raises her hand to him, which gets to him stop. "It's alright, Red Robin. I understand, and thank you. You flattered me."

Red Robin opens his mouth but closes it and blushes.

She then looks to the last hero. He's physically well-built and has his arms crossed. She notices the blasters strapped to both sides of his legs.

"Name's Red Hood, vigilante of Gotham. And I got to say, you are way more hot in person compared to the photo that was sent to us." He complimented with a hidden smirk and gave a noticeable wink in your direction.

The handmaidens give a soft offend gasp and Captain Typho stiffens and clenches his fists.

Queen Amidala, however, is thankful the makeup covers her blush. She gave a confused look, but there was a fluttering feeling in her chest. She snaps back to reality and fixes her face into a neutral expression.

"Thank you, Red Hood. As much as I am flattered by your...compliment, we should probably go into the discussion about the treaty."

Batman, after sending a scolding glare to Red Hood (who does not show any regret about what happened but instead smugly looks to the other bat heroes who are glaring at him), looks to the queen.

"I agree; I do have a few questions and concerns."

"Of course, let us begin."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After discussing and reviewing the treaty, it was dusk. The Queen had adjourned the meeting and would talk with the Council of Naboo and Senator of Naboo tomorrow about the treat.

"I'll have some servants show you to your rooms that you will be staying in for a while. Once you have settled in, I'll have a couple of my handmaidens come to escort you to the dining room for dinner."

"Thank you, Queen Amidala." Batman gives a small bow.

Six servants show up in the throne room. Each of them escorts the heroes to the royal guest rooms. Bruce, Tim, and Barbara are neighbors; across from them are Dick, Damian, and Jason. All get comfortable with their room.

Near evening, two handmaidens come to each of their rooms to take them to the dining room, where the Queen is sitting at the end of the table waiting for them.

On the table are plates of food that seem questionable to the Batboys and Batgirls since this is their first time trying alien food. Bruce doesn't show it but even he seems to question the food but is curious to at least try some.

"Welcome, come every one, sit down. Enjoy the food."

Thinking for a moment, (Y/N) wonders if she should help them with which food is the best. After all, it is probably their first time trying food that was outside their planet.

"I would recommend the Shaak pot roast or the tip-yip but if any of you do not eat meat then I would try the Xizor salad or Aquaris Broth. Please let us know if you have any questions on the other food items."

The Batfamily sends appreciative looks toward her and starts to dish out. The servants that were about to dish out plates for them stop as they see this. They look to the queen, their expression partially asking, "What do we do?"

The queen just smiles and waves a hand to them. "It's alright. Let them dish out by themselves. It's getting late; why don't you all grab a plate and then retire for tonight or head back home to your families."

The servants smile at the queen and bow to her while both say. "Thank you, your highness."

The servants sit down and start to dish out as well.

There are different emotions running through the bat family. For all of them, there's admiration. For a few, there's surprise, confusion, and approval.

One who was most confused was Damian. It wasn't normal for the young adult to see a royal figure treating their servants like they were their equals.

His taught by his grandfather and mother that as royal figures, they are superior and therefore do not see non-royal figures, servants to be exact, as their equals.

But the more he thought of it, the more he started to admire the young ruler. This action showed that she was kind, generous, and fair. It made her even more beautiful.

They just eat their food for a while until one of the heroes decides to ask a couple of questions.

"So, what is it like being a queen? And how did you get the throne early? It just...you seem rather young...not that is a bad thing, but wouldn't your parents still be the ones running the throne?" Red Robin had asked.

Red Hood was about to scold him for asking those questions in the middle of dinner but stopped because he was curious, too. He wanted to know more about his sweetheart, about her.

The other masked vigilantes were curious as well.

(Y/N) stop mid-bite and set her spoon down in the bowl.

"Being queen can have hardships, but it can also be rewarding. I serve my people, and I do what is best for them. I've got to meet many different people and make connections and friendships with a few of them. As for how I got the throne, I wasn't born of royalty blood but rather I was elected by the people of Naboo. As for my parents, my father is an excellent builder, educator, and relief worker, while my mother voluntarily works in a variety of social services roles helping the underprivileged. I would sometimes go with my father to his relief missions to aid other people on different planets. It's what encouraged me to pursue this role."

Tim listens closely and pays full attention to her. He's actually surprised but amazed about her being elected for this role.

"Wow!...you must be very intelligent to have gotten such a role. It's amazing, and from the sound of it, you like to serve. Where did you go to school? Is there a specific school you have to go to? Different programs? It's amazing some your age could do this! I mean of course, I'm around you as well,...possibly. I mean I not old..not that I'm saying your old! Because you're not. You are young. Look young. B-beautiful, k-kind, and generous, and fair, amazing.

"Calm down there, Red Robin. I think she gets the point." Nightwing said.

"Stop. You're embarrassing yourself and us, for that matter." Robin said to him in a blank and annoyed tone.

(Y/N) just looks on in amusement and covers her mouth a little with her right hand but cannot control the small giggle that escapes past her lips. Even her servants find this amusing but manage to keep themselves from laughing at this event happening before them.

The Batmembers stop talking and freeze as they listen to her laugh. They thought it was a very nice laugh and couldn't help but smile. (Bruce and Damian gave small smiles, of course. But it is still a smile.)

Once (Y/N) got control of herself, she stopped giggling but still had a content smile on her face. She actually felt grateful for the young hero, it's been a while since she had even laughed.

"Thank you, Red Robin. You still continue to flatter me, and it's been a while since I laughed. You are one of a kind."

Red Robin couldn't stop the large grin growing on his face. He ducked his head and looked away, trying to hide his blushed face.

Unnoticed by the young queen, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin try but fail to hide their envious expressions. While both Batgirl and Batman look a bit amused but also a bit jealous.

"Who does he think he is, making my beloved her laugh like that?"

"I could have found a way to make her laugh. I have great charm, too."

"I compliment her and get a negative reaction. But when he does it, they find it amusing and harmless. Back off, Tim."

"She has an adorable laugh. But, ugh!...serious, how does Tim do it?"

Bruce felt amused, but he felt something else that made him frown at the same time. He can't help but stiffen a bit. Now, he feels disgusted with himself and scolds himself.

"I should not feel this way. It's wrong. Disgusting. She is around Jason's age.

Bruce lightly shakes his head a bit.

" It's nothing. It will go away. Right?"

[dailycass-cain]

2023 was another big stepping stone with Cass. The character was featured in A LOT of stuff this year amongst a few negative antics.

But unlike prior years the good really outweighed the bad. BY A LOT.

So let's take a look back one final time #CAINAISSANCE2023...

The year started STRONG with the release of Batgirls #14 aka the BEST solo story that involved the character this year.

I've gone in LENGTH on how AMAZING this tale was. If you haven't read it DO SO. You don't need any context but to just take in the masterpiece given.

Writers Becky Cloonan and Michael Conrad gave artist Jonathan Case just this canvas of an issue to tell AN EPIC mostly silent issue.

If there's a tale Batgirls will be remembered for it'll BE THIS ISSUE.

I've lost count to just taking in the gorgeous art Case delivers here and just letting the actions and emotions tell the tale.

The only regret is well no full payoff to what is fully learned within this issue.

It just hits EVERY mark and is something any Cass fan CRAVED, but never got in Batgirl Vol. 1. Batgirls #14 was a worthy issue that should be talked about amongst fans of Cass for quite some time.

February gave us Cass's grand entrance to Ram V's Detective Comics run (#1069) and what an entrance it was! Literally, I can't let it go of how AMAZING it was.

And the run itself? It just keeps delivering as THE Batman book out currently.

It's a slow burn and when the run lays the payoffs IT HITS THOSE PAYOFFS. The series just ended an exceptional bi-weekly event that featured Cass and well, I'm extremely curious where this run goes with the character.

If anything, I just want MOAR from Ram V or a smaller secondary story involving Cass. But given the various characters he's been rotating and given next year is 2024 (more on that later) I'm keeping my fingers crossed for ALL OF THIS.

This run does work in trade but I digress you'd be missing the GORGEOUS covers this series has been shelling out. If anything BUY the single issues and read the run this way until you get to the present.

Or reread them like I've been doing. 😋

The early half of 2023 marked Cass's surprise return to an actual role in mega crossovers. She took part in the final issue of Batman vs. Robin being one of the random factors to stall the possessed Batman until ALL of DC's magical users came to cast it out of him.

The weakest of the crossovers the character was involved in I have to say was Gotham War. It was a nothing burger that made me swear off the Chip Zdarsky run of Batman completely.

Honestly, I feel more rewarded reading Tec more. Unless Chip pulls off a miracle turnaround in 2024.

But I digress Zdarsky was only half of the problems with the other being Tini Howard and yeah, if you were a Bat Family member who wasn't Jason Todd (how did that mini turn out to be more entertaining then the ENTIRE event?!)?

This story SUUUUUUUUCKED. Quite possibly the worst Batman event story since War Games/Crimes for me.

Sadly, the most disappointing stories I'd have to say are on equal ground in Beast World and Knight Terrors. As there was interesting concepts with Cass involving them, and both stories just go NOWHERE.

I feel more so robbed with Knight Terrors as the design for Cass within it went hard. It's just that you give us THIS design and tease us with this little nugget and give us NOTHING?

COME ON!

Beast World was a whole nothing burger as well, save the pretty art and a full confirmation that Cass's old NML is now canonically her defacto one again.

Even if we had it mentioned earlier last year and again in the best crossover event involving Cass...

WHICH WAS IN LAZARUS PLANET: DARK FATE #1. It gave us Alyssa Wong returning for a THIRD time to write Cass and they were joined by Haining on art which introduced us to the world of Xanthe.

That in itself led to a spinoff mini-series that had Cass in it with SPIRIT WORLD. It did more with the new character Xanthe and laid out their origins and powerset nicely while also laying some seeds for MAYBE future Cass stories.

Again, I feel like a repeating record on how GOOD this series was. Like, I can't wait for the trade next year to take it all in again. But besides the creative team delivering it gave us Dustin Nguyen AND Marcio Takara drawing Cass again OFFICIALLY AS BATGIRL!!

Even when this series ended, I STILL WANT MOAR!! Like what memories did Cass lose? What the heck happened with Spirit World twisting her memories of Batgirl Vol. 1 #72?! How will Xanthe be with the Jade Court?

SO MANY QUESTIONS!!

Something else that left me with MANY questions was DCeased universe as even though the story ended back in April.

I still crave more starring Cass, because let's face it STEPH/TALIA DESERVE CLOSURE!! Cass could be the gateway to that.

Doing so would tie up the final loose ends as well. Let's see how Rose is raising her kid with Jason. Silent Olsen. Harley/Ivy. Ollie/Dinah. Jim Gordon.

But I digress. It gives us more Cazzam. We need more Cazzam.

But an alternate universe Cass just didn't pop up there we had a Cass show up in various other comics. Knights of Steel which also had me hankering for MOAR and Harley Quinn & the Legion of Bats.

I know some didn't like it, but me? I think it was LEAPS and BOUNDS better than what we got in the actual season of HQ.

Let us never talk about that season again…

Now something we SHOULD talk about more is the first actual appearance of Cass in a DC ANIMATED MOVIE!! Yes, Kai Li Cain from Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham.

I was blown away at the extended role they gave the character in the film (to the, "Oh right Tim is here and alive." role in the books).

Kai Li voiced perfectly by Tati Gabrielle gave a balance of innocence and reason with the batshit craziness this film throws at us.

Like, I really REALLY want a sequel. Just to see what she'd do now given full access to Bruce's fortune? Will she follow his path? I mean yeah we want steampunk Bat!

Speaking of which artists we need designs for this stat still!

It just adds that anchor where you want to see more of this universe and the characters that inhabit it. I mean that's the sign of a REALLY good Elseworlds. Where you want more and sometimes you get just that.

But with all this good came the sad, and that was the canceling of Batgirls. I know many were against the series (especially after #7-8), but the series found its footing with #9 and ran into something I hope more positively can be talked about it.

It's true failing wasn't the creators behind the series, more just elements outside that just slotted it's end (Batgirl movie getting canned making #7-8 more wasteful), Evil Oracle #4 aka the pitch, and just being something it couldn't be).

I'm grateful for each and every creator who worked on this book because it was a GIFT that I'll always be appreciative of.

I'll say it again, THANK YOU TO ALL! 🙏

And its spirit lived on in the Nightwing back up a few months ago. It was something that was TRULY needed after the garbage fire that was Gotham War. It gave us this Cass/Dick sibling stuff and GIVE ME MOAR!!!

Unlike the past where we'd be done, DC brought us back up giving us the current BIRDS OF PREY ongoing which has Cass in it.

Really the series is a revelation of giving us things I always wanted that I'd never thought we get. Cass with Dinah? CHECK.

Cass meeting Big Barda and the two having a bond? HELLS YEAH CHECK! Anytime that bond grows I squee even more.

Just give writer Kelly Thompson ALL the time and ideas she has to churn this out to the proper conclusion she has envisioned. Just give me fifty-plus issues of her, Leonardo Romero, and Jordie Bellaire.

Finally of course there was Batman: Wayne Family Adventures which gave us THREE banger Cass stories. One where she and Steph are a MENANCE (as they should), Cass scaring the crapbaskets out of EVERYONE and of course...

Season 2 gave us A LOT of things I wanted in general (her interacting with Damian) and just showing the world why I really really love this character. Why I talk about her daily.

Really as 2023 closes and 2024 is about to begin... Well, it's the character's TWENTIETH-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY. 25 years of kicking ass and ripping our hearts out.

It's been a journey for sure.

really REALLY hope DC honors this anniversary and continues to mend the bridges burned all those years ago.

Give us that Omnibus. Give us a mini or SOMETHING to celebrate this character. If not, I'll take whatever Ram V and Thompson give us.

#CAINAISSANCE2023 may be over, but #CAINAISSANCE2024 will be the most important year yet.

25 YEARS OF CASS!! LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN ON JANUARY 1st!

[insertcoolusernamehereee]

The inheriting games (What do the batfamily inherit)

Duke:-

-*Now, who gets Wayne Enterprises? Well the most common (and boring) answer is Tim, which? I understand, it even said in a comic book that his name is on the paper, but if Tim wants to run a company, he can take Drake enterprises!

-*And Duke is so smart! He was solving Riddlers riddles in 7th GRADE! And, he just feels like the type of guy to be able to run a business nicely! He’d be able to separate enough funds for the Justice League easily!

-*At first, the idea of running a company (With Luscious Fox obviously) is daunting, but after a few months, Duke realises how much he loves it. The routine, the ability to help people even without the mask on? It was exhilarating.

Jason:-

-*Jason inherits the Mansion.

-*I hear you! Why in the world would JASON inherit the mansion? Well, Jason was raised in the streets. He knows best what it’s like not to have a proper place to sleep. I feel like, Jason would make the mansion a place for wandering heroes/people to stop by.

-*Like all his friends would come over sometimes, or any hero who needs a break/place to rest. Or it’s just a place for family to hang out. If the family instead hangs out at the Penthouse, then it can also be a place where people who don’t have a place to stay/who need some energy can stay. It’s still there home though. It holds too many memories.

Cassandra:-

-*Obviously shes Batman. Must I even explain?

-*She inherits the BatCave and everything, and it means the world to her that Bruce trusted her with so much.

-*Cass is the one who could have become the evilest, and most dangerous villain of them all, but instead chose to be a hero. One with the most firm no kill rule. The one, who in Bruce’s eyes, could become an even better Batman than himself.

Tim:-

-*So, Tim doesn’t inherit the Business. Dang. Y’know what he does inherit? Bruce’s CAR collection.

-*If you want to tell me Brucie Wayne, one of the richest and dramatic people alive, who built the most iconic car ever, DOESNT have the most EXTRAORDINARY AND EXPENSIVE Car collection known to mankind, argue with the WALL.

-*I don’t know how to explain it, it fits Tim so WELL. He’d love the car collection, he’d pull up to his siblings and friends house everyday in a new car, and it annoys his friends and family SO MUCH. Classic Nepo-Baby behaviour tbh.

-*I feel like Bruce giving him the car collection, instead of anything serious is a sign. Tim was slowly BECOMING more like Batman (whereas Damian was the one who came defaultly as Batman, and his arc was to find his own person), and since at times Bruce didn’t let Tim have fun, it’s a sign from him now to let his teenage, rebellious side kick in. Have some fun.

Dick:-

-*Dick, our favourite Diva, what does he inherit? He inherits all of Bruce’s Jewellery/accessories!

-*Dick, Bruce’s first ward, the one with the most similar past, who became the hope the people needed instead of the fear.

-*Also, Dicks extra and fashion loving self would LOVE the accessories. More ways to somehow make the most fashionable stuff look terrible on anyone else but me!

-*The jewellery and accessories would be a very layered way of Bruce telling Dick to sometimes take some nights off. It’s okay to be human, and do normal things, like taking too much time choosing which watch matches his outfit, or what belt to match with his shoes.

Damian:-

-*ooh~ What does Damian inherit? Damian, the one who used to, in a faraway past, boast about the fact that he was the blood-son to hide his insecurities of never fitting in, or disappointing his father in some way? He’d inherit the albums, and the family heirlooms. Special objects that held not much value financially, but so much sentimental value.

-*The albums with photos of when Bruce was a baby, to pictures when Damian finally outgrew Duke and Tim. The pearl necklace that Martha wore, and the watch that Jason fixed.

-*Damian wouldn’t need money, I feel like he’d either get a very well paying job, or steal money from the league of assassins (‘It’s not stealing Drake, it’s MY inheritance anyways, so stop sticking your nose in other families business-‘)

-*He’d treasure the stuff so much 😭 He’d keep looking at photos of Bruce when he dies :)))

!!!EXTRA!!!

Stephanie:-

-*Yes, Stephanie gets something. Because while Bruce might not be her father, she’s still part of the family. Somehow.

-*She gets all the….BATMOBILES

-*Yup, you heard me. Cass is Batman, Tim has the cars, but somehow it’s STEPHANIE who ends up with the BatMobile.

-*So, mostly the reason was because of how funny it would be, but it’s also how much Stephanie would LOVE it. And of coarse it’s a layered message here as well.

-*Bruce seemed to have trusted Stephanie the least. He was the worst to her as Robin, and she ended up dead, and after THAT, they’re relationship was far from ‘good’

-*Now, because of the strained relationship, Bruce would NEVER let Steph ride the Batmobile, right? He doesn’t trust her, and, I mean, he doesn’t let DAMIAN ride it with consent- But him giving her the Batmobile is basically him saying ‘I was wrong to not trust you’, and it’s a sort of apology if you will.

-*(Tims ecstatic when he finds out he gets all the cars, but when he finds out Steph got the BATMOBILE?

‘SHE GETS THE BATMOBILE?’ ‘IM ON THE WILL?!’)

Barbara:-

-*Barbara gets all the contingency plans for the Justice league. Cass didn’t. This was Bruce’s way of telling babs how much he trusts her, and how mature she really is now.

-*He didn’t give Cass the contingency plans, not because he doesn’t trust her, but because…He thinks Babs would appreciate it more.

I know what ur thinking; Cass is Batman, Steph has the Batmobile, and Barbara gets the contingency plans? How does that work? Well, it’s basically Bruce encouraging Cass to let people help her, something he struggled with, and one of his biggest flaws.

Selina:-

-*if for some reason (They’re idiots I SWEAR TO GOD), they still weren’t married after he died, she gets the most beautiful diamond, pearl ring known to MANKIND, and a very heartfelt note.

-*If they were engaged/Married, Selina gets all the safe houses that Bruce owns around the world. He would want Selina to travel, and move on.

Commissioner Gordon:-

-*Commisioner gets to know Batmans identity (what it was before), and even if he already knew it, it’s the thought that counts.

-*He also gets a gun…wrapped in a sheet, with a note stuck on it. It had nothing to do with how Joker died, found in an alleyway, shot in the gut. At least, that’s what Barbara claims.

Bruce’s Money in his Bank account:-

-*His kids don’t need the money so.

-*20% goes to Clark (he begrudgingly accepts it, remembering the time Bruce gave him cash on his bday. Bruce always had strange ways of showing love.)

-*Another 20% goes to Dick, another 20% to the Justice League, and the remaining 40% to charity.

[elena-mayfair]

Bright future, dark city

Paring: Bruce Wayne x f!reader, Batman x f!reader Warnings: rating T+/M, blood and gore, violence, strong language, themes of depression Summary: This was supposed to be a new beginning, the beginning of a bright future. The new chapter of your life. How quickly all your plans and dreams turned into disappointment. Can you build a future in the city converted in darkness even during the day? How will one random meeting impact you and change your life forever? Word count: 6.5k Note: Gifs are not mine, credit to the authors.

As Bruce Wayne walked cautiously through the crime scene his mind couldn't stop humming a song he heard a few days. Its lyrics so fittingly described what his eyes were currently observing. Blood was everywhere, splattered on the wall, on the floor, turned a brownish-black color which indicated that the murder had been committed at least a few hours ago. "Murder," he repeated the word in his head for his mind couldn't find any other rational explanation for the image that froze even his blood in his veins.

"Have we gone too far? Have we lost our minds?" hummed his mind again as he approached the body of one of the victims to inspect it closely. "Male, mid-thirties. Precipitation spots, on arms, face and neckline…cause of death…." he began to analyze the corpse, "bulging veins, scratched eyes, blood under fingernails…" he picked up the victim's hand analyze closely, "...nails broken, as if from scratching..." he noted and gently lowered it back. Although the stench of rot was beginning to signal progressive decomposition, he moved even closer to the body and stretched the torn skin around the eye socket. With one hand, he reached into a pocket hidden in his belt and extracted small pliers, "nail fragments in the eye sockets, stuck deep under the lower eyelid, or what's left of it..." he noted in his head while looking at the small nail fragments he extracted from a scratched hole. "Have we lost our minds?" his mind hummed again, "he did it to himself...." He reached into his belt again and took out two vials. In one he placed a nail, in the other a sample of clotted blood, "...analyze for toxins..." he noted in his mind again. He moved away from the corpse and surveyed the room. The small room, a small apartment, presented before him a picture of poverty and decline. Many apartments in Narrows presented a similar level of disorder and neglect. And yet, despite the mess, the modest décor, the few pieces of furniture, it wasn't quite one of the denes he had seen so often. On a modest dresser, he saw arranged family pictures, wedding photos, photos from a child's first birthday, from a vacation, from a basketball game, pictures of a family that no longer existed. "Have we lost our minds?" he asked himself again as he walked a few heavy steps through the apartment and approached the woman's body. "A woman, mid-thirties. The body has passed into the rotting stage. The death occurred yesterday, time unknown..." he assessed, and despite the strong biting stench of methane and ammonia, he got closer to the body to inspect it more carefully. The smells used to bring him nausea, but over the years he had grown accustomed to them, "mouth annealed, burned as if with acid…" he carefully parted the woman's jaw, the flesh crumbled in his gloved hands, "mouth and throat scorched…" he swept his eyes over the floor in search of another clue. The mug lay not much farther away, its edges clearly marked with traces of blood, and yet he scanned further eventually stopping, at the bottle of bleach, the remnants of which spilled wetly across the floor. "Cause of death… The woman drank the solvent." He once again drew a small amount of blood for analysis to rule out the presence of other toxins then moved on to the last victim. He crouched down beside a small boy's body, "boy, age between thirteen and fifteen, the body has progressed to the rotting stage…" he assessed again, "cause of death, solvent consumption." He didn't have to analyze the frail young body any longer. The marks on his mouth and face were exactly the same as those on his mother's. He only looked at his hands; there was no sign of struggle on them. Just as there were no signs of struggle on the woman's body.

He stepped away from the corpse and examined carefully the room once more. He swept his eyes over the death and tragedy, swept his eyes over the lives that had been lost, the dreams that had been killed. "Perhaps the boy dreamed of becoming a basketball player? Perhaps he had talent, would have broken out of poverty, helped his family. Perhaps he would have led a happy life," he couldn't help but wonder. "The woman had to feed her son with bleach, then drank it herself. The man came home and at the sight of them scratched his eyes out," he concluded, "Have we lost our minds?"

As he left the crime scene, he heard the oncoming police cars' sirens in the distance. As he rose above the ground he saw Commissioner Gordon's head raised up high, eyes staring into the gaps between the buildings in search of a familiar shape. But the night was dark, the sky covered with thick black clouds effectively masked his figure hidden in the darkness. No one was able to see the black shape rising and falling between the buildings. No one was able to see the movement of his cape flapping in the wind like a shadow of the night itself. No one was able to see Bruce Wayne. He was one with the night. He was the Night. He was Batman.

***

"I'd like you to tell me what brings you here," the doctor sat comfortably in his chair and looked at you from above his glasses. His green eyes flashed with curiosity. He placed a notebook on his lap and a small recorder on the table next to him then pressed record and looked at you meaningfully as if encouraging you to speak.

"I don't know…" you began hesitantly, "I've been wondering for a long time if I should even come here," you tried not to show your anxiety and yet your hands fiddled nervously with the waistband you had tied your dress with. You knew the doctor could see this, you knew it was a sign of nervousness, and yet every time you stopped consciously controlling your movements your hands unwittingly began to wrap the belt around your fingers.

"And yet here you are," the doctor continued, "yet despite your reluctance, you chose to come here. So please tell me what's bothering you," he encouraged, "I'd like to make a preliminary assessment so it's important that you speak honestly."

"I don't know where to start," you smiled wearily.

"It's best to start from the beginning."

"We don't have that much time, believe me!" you quipped, "What kind of evaluation do you have in mind?" you asked.

"As a doctor, I have to assess whether therapy is the right form of treatment for you," he explained, "The first few meetings will serve as a familiarization. This is not therapy yet. I would like you to tell me about yourself, about your problems, the more the better. After a few meetings, I will assess whether therapy is advisable in your case, or whether another solution should be recommended." You liked his voice, low, soft, he spoke as if in a half whisper forcing you to focus your attention on his every word.

"I get it," you replied and fell silent for a moment, "Fuck, I don't know what tempted me to come here," you said more to yourself, "I can curse right?" you asked slightly embarrassed.

"If it's going to help you express your thoughts and feelings freely I have no objections," he answered.

"Gee, I've been thinking for a while now that maybe I should go to therapy," you began, "but somehow I procrastinated. Because as I mentioned before, I don't think it's the right place for me," you raised your eyes at him and he just kept observing, "Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't believe in the relevance of therapy, I know it helps a lot of people. However, I don't believe its relevance in my case."

"Why is that?"

"Because…" you searched for the right words in your mind, "because it's not that I don't know what's wrong with me. I know exactly what happened to me, I'm consciously aware of it, I don't run away from this awareness in any way. I don't repress it. Sometimes I think maybe I'm depressed, but moments later I explain to myself that I'm just having a worse day and I need to get on with my life and stop bitching. But on the other hand, I'm aware that maybe things aren't as good with me as I'd like them to be," even though your nerves were rushing wild, you kept the tone of your voice under control. Poker face, a slightly sassy smile, you did not flee with your gaze from the doctor, on the contrary, you looked him straight in the eye.

"How does it manifest itself?" the doctor inquired.

"Hmm…" a million thoughts ran through your head as you tried to choose the right one, "I used to have periods of mostly good moods that lasted much longer," you finally decided, "a few weeks of good moods to a week or two of feeling down. Lately, I feel that these stages have definitely shortened. They are more one-to-one. One week of good mood for one week of miserable mood. Just to be clear, it's not that I'm sitting and crying to my pillow!" you stated wryly, "It's not even that I'm sad. It's just that I'm so…meh."

"Meh?" the doctor's eyebrow arched questioningly.

"Well, meh," you laughed quietly, "simply meh. Complete indifference. I'm walking home and I hear sirens and I think to myself that if I got shot, nothing would actually happen. I'm driving my car on a rainy night and I think to myself that basically if I crashed, nothing would happen. I saw recently on the news that some lunatic name Joker poisoned people with some kind of toxin and they died of laughter, and I thought that it would be kinda cool actually, at least I would have some laughs before I died. Oh, that kind of meh." As you explained you were smiling the whole time. You didn't feel sad, you didn't feel ashamed, sometimes your black intrusive thoughts even amused you.

"Do you have suicidal thoughts?" the doctor asked.

"No!" you denied immediately, "Just so we are clear, I don't want to kill myself! Only if I died then, really, nothing would happen."

"And what about your family?"

"The dead are unlikely to express an opinion," you chuckled, "I have no family. I'm just me," you replied in a more serious tone.

"Boyfriend, partner, girlfriend?"

"I haven't had much time or desire for relationships lately," you explained amused, "between the death of my father and mother I've rather had no time to think about dating."

"I can see that you are amused by this subject," the doctor noted with a curious glare in his green eyes.

"Black humor, sarcasm and irony are the defense mechanism of intelligent people," you replied with a smirk, "or the very fucked up ones," you exhaled with even more amusement, "I realize I probably sound like I've lost all my mind but that's not the case. I just don't see the point in sitting and dwelling on subjects over which I have no control. I'm alive, I'm functioning normally, I'm taking on new challenges, a new job, things are moving along. It's fine!"

"And yet you came here…" the doctor's half-whisper forced you to reflect again, "Why?"

"Probably out of fear…." you replied and the mask of confidence broke slightly, "Because you see, my grandmother suffered from depression. For years. There were periods in her life when she couldn't function at all. All day long she would sit and stare at the wall with empty eyes and cry, nothing but crying. And every time I asked her why she was crying, I tried to shake her out of it somehow she just answered that she was so sad," your fingers started wrapping the waistband of your dress again, "there were times that she was in such a severe state that she had to be locked in the isolated psychiatric ward. She died alone…in her own apartment. And I'm sure she cried the day before…." you paused for a moment and gazed at the doctor. In your eyes, he was far too young to have the title of professor, and yet, he was the best psychiatrist in town, "I know what happened to me, and I'm afraid of it. But...I am afraid that if I don't get my head in order I'll end up like my grandmother. Consumed by my misery, crying, dying alone…."

"Fear is a strong trigger, one of the strongest that a person can experience. Fear drives our actions, sometimes it compels us to proceed, sometimes it paralyzes us..." the green eyes shone again, "I would like to continue the subject of your fear at the next meeting," he reached for the recorder and pressed stop, "unfortunately our time today has come to an end."

You glanced at your watch and were surprised that the hour had passed so quickly. Although coming here you didn't think you would be able to talk about your problems at all, the doctor's calm presence made you feel relaxed, made you feel that since you were already here and you were paying him for every minute, you might as well talk.

"Next week at the same time?" you asked, getting up from the sofa and extending your hand to him.

"I've already put you on the calendar," he shook your hand and smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Professor Crane. See you next week."

***

It's only been a month since you arrived in Gotham. A month of assimilation in a city you had never planned to live in. You knew that the day you first laid eyes on the city would remain unforgettable, you knew you would never forget that first impression when you discovered how different Gotham turned out to be compared to Metropolis, in which you wanted to build your future. In Metropolis, everything seemed possible. The bright sun reflected joyfully in the glass-encased skyscrapers, peeked through windows into houses, lit up parks and alleys, made drivers lower their car windows to enjoy the crisp air. Metropolis was a beautiful city, a true city of the future. Clean, well-maintained, modern, it promised a new beginning, it promised a bright future. How excited you were when you stood in front of a building so tall that it seemed to touch the sky itself, brighter than all those around it, with a giant glowing LexCorp at the very top of it. How confident you were as you admired its majesty, wondering on which floor you would get to work. What a thrill of excitement ran down your spine as you took one last look at your reflection in the tinted window of the black Rolls-Royce parked outside the building without even noticing the presence of the driver and passenger. This was supposed to be a new dawn, the beginning of a bright future.

How quickly all your plans and dreams turned into disappointment. The position of engineer at Luthor Technologies, a branch of LexCorp, didn't seem so important that the CEO himself had to conduct the interview. And yet, after picking up your badge, and signing in the guest book, you were escorted to the forty-ninth floor where you were greeted by Lex Luthor himself. Your knees buckled as he introduced himself and shook your hand. As you tried to rationalize the situation you found yourself in, you thought for a moment that perhaps it was a joke, perhaps it was a test. However, Lex quickly made you realize that he was taking this recruitment extremely seriously. His appearance, the tone of his voice, his posture, left no room for doubt...everything about him said "power". The power that manifested through a perfectly stoic face, a masterfully poised tone of voice, a superbly tailored suit. An authority that would not sit on the opposite side of the table but would stand with his hands folded behind his back watching the city unfold outside the window. The authority that only occasionally glanced at you when you were trying to answer all the questions. An authority that made you feel so very uncomfortable. You couldn't tell whether it was the tone of his voice, or the strange mannerism in his speech, or the way he accented certain words, or the way his eyes landed on you time and again, a glance that was so very uncomfortable. The LexCorp CEO was smiling, one could even get the impression that he was charming, but in your eyes, it was the smile of a predator gazing greedily at his new prey. There was nothing genuine about him, for the elegance he displayed was built on a majestic ego and a sense of superiority. You couldn't tell why, but that's how you perceived him. You couldn't tell why, but minute by minute you wanted nothing more than to escape the situation you found yourself in.

"I own Metropolis," he said while staring at the view outside the window, "My technology built it, my will keeps it going, and nearly two-thirds of its people work for me whether they know it or not. I've seen your resume, and I know you would be an invaluable asset to my company. I want you to work for me, with your knowledge and skills we could enter a new era. Why limit myself to just one city?" you recalled him turning in your direction and throwing a dangerously charming smile, "The wage doesn't matter."

This could have been the job of your dreams, the wage he offered you would have allowed you to realize all your dreams. And yet, that feeling, like a cold shiver dancing down your spine, alerting all your senses, told you that you shouldn't be here.

Lex gave you two days to think about his offer. But the moment he shook your hand goodbye you knew that for no money in the world would you work for such a man.

"Maybe it's better that people never get to know the heads of their companies," you thought as you turned down Grand Avenue.

As soon as you exchanged the last courtesies required by the social circumstances you found yourself in, you ran out of the LexCorp building faster than was acceptable. You didn't care. You didn't care about the surprised glances of the receptionists, the polite "have a nice day," your dry reply, the man you bumped into as you ran out onto the boardwalk in front of the building as if in desperate need of fresh air.

"Excuse me," he said, stopping in mid-step but you paid no attention to his kind smile and warm voice. You wanted to get as far away from LexCorp as possible.

And yet you never thought you'd run all the way to Gotham. As you walked through the crowded streets of the city, you couldn't help but wonder if this was to be your new beginning. Gotham was beautiful, there was no doubt about it. The breathtaking architecture made you want to stop and admire the buildings at every moment. The city was inviting with its wide streets, stunning bridges connecting islands, skyscrapers reaching the heavens, it was lighting up faces with countless lights, with the glow of billboards. And yet you only had to stop for a moment to see its hidden eerie beauty. It seemed that in every street something dark was lurking, something dangerous. It was as if the city every day of every season was suspended two minutes before midnight on a November night. The skyscrapers reached high, but instead of inspiring awe, they seemed to suffocate what was at their base. Decaying buildings adorned with arches and spirals, smaller houses from whose rooftops spooky gothic gargoyles looked down, all seemed to mock your admiration. The city lights, the brightness of billboards illuminated the night, not to bring a delight of color and vibrant life, but to reveal gothic churches where people's faith had not hosted for a long time. Everywhere you looked modernity collided with an era long forgotten. Seemingly inviting places hid something sinister. An ordinary park, was not an ordinary park at all, it was a maze of trees and sculptures worn down by time, destroyed by human malice. The ordinary street hid signs of fear and terror. Your focused eyes caught every discrepancy, every HA HA HA painted on the wall, every monster lives in the sewers, every anarchy symbol, every question mark painted in green on the walls. Gotham was beautiful, but it was also fallen, destroyed, rotten from the inside. Danger lurked in the mists, death lurked in the dark streets, and the shadows, shadows seemed to have eyes, shadows seemed to be watching.

"And I could have lived in Metropolis…" you thought as you stopped in front of the entrance to Wayne Enterprises. You raised your head high towards the top, trying to encompass the size of the building in which you were about to start your work.

"Wayne Enterprises…" you sighed in disbelief and smiled at the memory of the day the job offer arrived in your email. A week after an unpleasant experience at LexCorp you found yourself being interviewed at yet another giant corporation, and two weeks later you signed a contract for an engineering position at WayneTech.

"Who would have thought…," you mused while admiring the architecture of the beautiful building, "WayneTech holy fuck..." it was hard not to stare at the beauty of modernity mixed with the classics of yesteryear. In all shades of gray, it appeared majestic, and yet it did not overwhelm with its presence. The giant stylized W stood out against the tower but compared to the LexCorp building, it didn't scream "power," rather it subtly asserted its presence. At the very top of the tower, barely visible from the sidewalk, thirteen gargoyles looked over each of the 13 roads into Gotham as if guarding their entrance. "I wonder if there are cameras installed in them…"

"Beautiful isn't it?" you heard a male voice next to you.

"Yes, truly stunning. It's hard not to stop and admire. As with most buildings in Gotham," you replied without taking your eyes off the tower.

"At the top of it is an observation deck from which you can see the entire city. The view is unforgettable."

"I'll have to stay longer after work one day and check it out," you replied more to yourself.

"You work here?" the man asked.

"I'm starting," you replied shortly, "Who puts gargoyles on top of the tower?!"

"The tower was built in 1888 at the behest of Alan Wayne, based on designs by Cyrus Pinkney," the man replied, "You're new to Gotham," he added after a moment more by statement than a question, causing you to finally tear your gaze away from the tower and look at the stranger.

"Is it that obvious?" you laughed slightly embarrassed, and the man only smiled kindly. His smile was so warm and yet so devilishly charming that it momentarily brought a blush to your face. Tall, athletic, handsome, he was dressed in a sleek black turtleneck and a dark brown jacket. You immediately decided that you had never seen a man look so good in a turtleneck. His intensely blue eyes smiled at you as his perfectly black hair glistened with drops of evening dew.

"Most Gothamites know the history of the building and its founders," he replied kindly.

"Well, guilty!" you laughed, "I moved to Gotham a month ago," you explained.

"Why? If you don't mind me asking," blue eyes shone questioningly.

"For work," you replied, "I was offered a job at Wayne Enterprises. An offer that it would be foolish to turn down."

"That good of an offer?" he smirked.

"Definitely better than the competition," you replied, "I just hope the CEO isn't an asshole like the CEO of LexCorp," you added under your breath and yet the man heard the muttered sentence.

"Did you apply to LexCorp?" he asked curiously.

"I applied to most of the big tech companies. LexCorp, Stagg Industries, Queen Industries, and Wayne Enterprises," you replied but also your curiosity grew, " sorry, you work in the field?" you asked as you glanced at the building.

"Yes, we will be working in the same building," he replied with a smirk, "I don't want to be nosey, but why did you call Luthor an asshole?"

"Because he is one!" you chuckled without hesitation, "long story, maybe I'll tell you one day. The building seems huge, but you will probably find me somewhere looking at yet another piece of architecture. It's getting late, I was heading home."

"Let me walk you to your car," he offered and turned toward the building.

"No need," you stopped him, "I live nearby, in Kingston. I was planning to walk and admire Gotham's other architectural sights."

"I don't want to spoil your pleasant evening but Gotham is not very safe for evening walks," he became suddenly serious, "let me call you a cab."

"Come on! A city like any other. Crime is everywhere," you brushed off.

"It's obvious that you're new here," he quipped, "in that case let me walk you home. It wouldn't be good to start a new job with sick leave, don't you think?" there was something so charming in the way he looked at you that you couldn't find the strength to refuse him.

"If you insist," you agreed.

"I insist," he smirked, "otherwise I'll spend the whole evening wondering if that reckless girl made home safely, or if admiring the architecture brought her harm."

"For sure!" you laughed and began walking towards your home while the stranger followed, "cool, at least you'll have a chance to tell me a bit more about Gotham. Something tells me that, unlike me, you've lived here all your life," you glanced at him discreetly when he changed sides situating himself on your left, closer to the street. "Gentleman, and here I was thinking that such men no longer exist."

"A native Gothamite," he confirmed, "Gotham has been my home since birth, except for the few years I spent traveling."

"Work?" you asked.

"Education."

"Ah, an intellectual!" you grinned.

"Not that I'm picking on you, but you were the one admiring the city's architecture a moment ago," he smirked.

"Because there's so much to admire! Gotham is so beautiful!" you swept your eyes over the buildings around you and stopped for a moment, "Look at Wayne Tower from afar," you turned around toward the building, "What a perfect example of the Art Deco style! A building that by its very design speaks elegance and class, prosperity and sophistication," the man stood beside you and out of the corner of your eye you could see that his eyes kept shifting from the building back to you, "Straight lines, clean shapes, sharp angles, chevrons, elegant gray mixed with a touch of jade," you continued, "and yet at the very top of it sit thirteen gargoyles, what a strange touch of Gothic. Just like this building," you turned toward the building next to you, "it's destroyed and devastated, you can see that it's been worn down by time, and yet if you look closely you can see the remnants of its flying buttresses, its pointed arches, by day you could probably see the remains of the rich ornamentation carved on the walls, and I bet inside you'd see ribbed vaults," you pointed with your hand to the various elements, "and of course those gargoyles again. Creepy, yet so beautiful."

"Yes, Gotham is beautiful…" he admitted quietly.

"It's creepy," you added, "but beautiful."

"Have you studied art?" he asked.

"No. It just fascinates me. Art and the history behind it fascinates me," you replied, "it fascinates me how such beauty can fall so much, how it can become so broken."

"The reign of power, corruption, crime…" he listed while his face took on a somber look.

"Like in any city…"

"Believe me, not like in any other city," he stated grimly.

"And yet you live here," you smiled at him.

"This is my home."

"I left mine, what's the problem?"

"And you moved here," this time he smirked.

"Hey, I already told you! It would be foolish of me to reject the job offer from Wayne Enterprises!" you replied and began walking towards home as he once more took a place on your left. Despite the fact that he outweighed you by more than a head, he kindly matched his pace of step with yours.

"Why Wayne Enterprises?" he asked, "aside from the working conditions."

"I like the company's principles and the innovation it brings to the market. In today's world driven only by consumption and trends and the never-ending lust for money, Wayne Enterprises seems to adhere to the old principles," you replied, "I don't know, call me a naive idealist, but I want to believe that in this vicious rotten world there are still people who care about the well being of others," a trace of cynicism tinged your smile. The stranger did not respond, he only smiled, a warm sincere smile as if such a measure of naiveté was something he could identify with, "Looking at what WayneTech has done for this city, what it has done for people, what technologies it has introduced, how much it improves people's lives day by day, how could I not want to be part of such a company."

"It is nice to hear that," there was no trace of mockery in his voice.

"Yes, I know, the newbie idealizes the company, while the old guard mock!" you teased.

"Not at all," he denied immediately.

"Gee, I don't think that's naiveté on my part!" you continued, "Looking at the company's actions I think that this Wayne guy must be a good CEO and have his moral backbone in place."

"Where did that opinion come from?" he asked, and for a moment you were convinced that slight amusement flashed in his eyes.

"Because they don't get into the weapons business," you replied, "It's a giant market! And you know, technology and weapons go hand in hand. Money and weapons even more so! WayneTech could really revolutionize the gun market! Yet the company is standing firm on the matter, and staying away, gaining its place in the market by other means, when their competitors are pulling easy money from guns. Like LexCorp," she flinched, "I respect this approach!"

"Employees rarely care what kind of technology a company creates."

"I do! I'm an engineer! I don't want my knowledge to contribute to tools that can be used for destruction!" you furrowed your brow angrily, "Every scientist, every engineer should think about their contribution to the world. Maybe if someone like Oppenheimer had given it some thought beforehand, the atomic bomb wouldn't still exist today."

"I think you'll enjoy working at WayneTech," a genuine smile came to his face once again. You averted your eyes, trying to maintain control and not stare at that handsome face and perfect jawline.

"Do you also work at WayneTech or in another department?" you asked stubbornly staring at the street in front of you.

"In another division, but I often venture over to WayneTech," he replied, "You seem to have quite strong opinions on many subjects. Technology, economics, history, Lex Luthor…"

"Oh, don't even let me get started!!!" you raised your voice, "Have you ever had a chance to meet him! What a creepy guy!!"

"Did you meet him?"

"For some reason, he decided that he would personally interview me! Can you imagine!" the outrage on your face was only lightened by an amused tone of voice, "In my entire life I have never met someone who gave me the creeps like him! Fucking creep..."

"The tabloids are writing something different. One of the most influential people in the world."

"The tabloids can write that he has a Nobel peace prize and a pink unicorn in the basement for all I care!" the stranger chuckled amused, "If you ask me, he's a creep, period! I don't know, I can't describe it in words. There was something about him that sent chills down my spine."

"I dread to ask what you think of the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, leaving aside the bit about a strong moral spine," the corner of his mouth twitched in a barely visible smile.

"I haven't had a chance to meet him," you shrugged, "I read some interview with him once, in GQ I think. I saw some pictures from some gala or something. Handsome, he always has some chick by his side but who can blame him. After all, they call him the Prince of Gotham."

"So you read the tabloids, after all," he teased.

"No, I don't! But like everyone else I sometimes fall victim of boredom," you countered and stopped in front of one of the buildings, "This is where I live."

"Gargoyles guard your building as well," he pointed with his hand to the top level.

"True," you admitted with a smirk, "Damn, sorry if I let you down, but I don't have any hot take on the CEO of our company. I don't follow celebrity gossip, I don't give a flying fuck about what obscenely rich people do with their obscenely massive fortunes. I prefer a good book or a good movie. His presence on social media is non-existent…" you held the thought upon seeing the amused face, "fine, don't judge! I checked!" you laughed.

"I'm not judging!" he chuckled, yet behind his amused look was something you couldn't decipher.

"Anyway, on Twitter, I follow writers, filmmakers and musicians not rich playboys and billionaires. What do I care about their empty two-dimensional lives perfectly presented like an Instagram ad."

"Just a moment ago you said you liked how he runs his company," he paraphrased your words.

"Well, because I do. But damn, I don't have to be interested in his private life and what kind of person he is outside of work. I'm interested in Tesla but I'm not interested in what Elon Musk does with his wealth, why should he wallow in it!" you countered, "after all, the guy doesn't sit day and night at work! When I meet him I'll tell you what he's like," you smiled brightly, "although after meeting Luthor I'm somehow in no hurry," you added bitterly.

"Maybe it won't be so horrible," his blue eyes brightened.

"We'll see," you glanced at your watch and with surprise discovered that it was getting close to 11 pm, "Damn! I took way too much of your time!"

"I offered to walk you home. Besides, I really enjoyed talking with you," he smiled sincerely and the warmth of his smile left no shadow of a doubt that he was telling the truth. He reached into his pocket for his phone, " Excuse me, I left my car outside the office," he excused himself politely.

"Sure!" you politely waited for him to finish and put the phone back in his pocket, "It was nice talking to you, too. Really," you smiled charmingly, "I can't remember the last time I had such a nice walk."

"Why don't we do it again?" he proposed, "I haven't had a chance to tell you about Gotham."

"Because I talk too much!" you laughed.

"I really enjoyed it," he assured you.

"I'd love to take another walk with you," you agreed, "Holy shit! I didn't even introduce myself!!!" you exclaimed slightly embarrassed realizing that throughout the entire walk you didn't even learn his name, "Damn, sorry! I'm such an idiot," you extended your hand, "Y/N Y/L/N" you introduced yourself just in time to notice a black Rolls Royce emerging from around the corner.

"I didn't introduce myself either," he replied and took your hand. The grin disappeared from your face, the upbeat mood faded away, replaced by complete horror and embarrassment, "Bruce Wayne. It's a pleasure to meet you."

For moments you didn't know what to do. You stood there, stunned, with your hand locked in his, staring into his blue eyes while a blush of embarrassment mercilessly coated your face.

"You're fucking kidding me…" you finally whispered and Bruce only laughed, "Oh holy fuck…" you freed your hand from his grasp, "Oh holy fuck, what a fuckup…" your heart pounded in your chest, "Couldn't you have told me earlier!"

"I honestly thought you were pranking me," he tried to explain innocently.

"I wasn't!" you hoped you sounded sincere, "I'm pranking you…fuck, seriously!?" you snarled "Sorry! I mean, I am really sorry Mr. Wayne, I really didn't know, and I really wasn't making fun of you," you corrected yourself immediately, realizing that you were talking to your superior. What's more, with one of the most influential people in the world.

"It's Bruce," he corrected you gently, "I'm the one who should apologize. I could have said something earlier but I didn't want to spoil this delightful evening. I would have missed the chance to have such a lovely conversation…" the smile didn't disappear from his face, "Forgive me but I couldn't do it."

"I didn't mean anything bad by talking about disgustingly rich millionaires…" you were doing your best to control the tone of your voice and somehow save the remnants of your dignity.

"You meant it, you meant exactly what you said. But don't apologize, or don't feel embarrassed," his voice sounded warm and kind, "I meant what I said, I truly enjoyed myself tonight in your company," he assured, "and believe me, that's rare these days."

"Thank you for walking me home Mr. Wayne," you forced yourself to smile even though you really wanted to sink to the ground.

"It's Bruce," he corrected you again and extended his hand once more, "I'll see you soon."

***

As he glided over the city, Bruce found himself smiling for the first time in a long time. Seemingly a random situation, an unassuming conversation between two completely random people, and yet it made the night seem somehow lighter, the moon shone as if somehow bigger, the stars in the sky shone as if brighter. As he rose and fell between the buildings, Bruce stopped for the first time in a long time and looked at the beauty of the city he had sworn to protect, which he had sworn to save from impending doom. For the first time in a long time, Bruce saw the beauty hidden beneath the surface of decay, a long-forgotten trace of a time in which people didn't have to be afraid, in which life prospered and flourished. A reality he so desperately wanted to restore, rekindle, bring back to light, just as this inconspicuous conversation with a random woman brought a smile to his tormented face.

"Perhaps we haven't lost our minds after all…"

***

Chapter two: Curious people

***

Author note: Hi! :) So here we are at the beginning of the new story. The first chapter of what I hope will be a lengthy series. A story about fears and hopes, a story about strength to fight our demons, a story about depression, a story about loss, a story about finding hope in the darkest of places.

For those of you who read my previous works, some themes might be reoccurring, but we write about what we know. Some of us, like me, write as a form of therapy, to help the tormented mind and maybe along the way bring some joy to others.

About the story itself: I don't know for how long I wanted to write Batman's story. I think the time has come. Quick disclaimer, it won't be based on any particular version of Bruce/Batman. I am a huge Batman fan! Huge! Since I can remember. Every portrayal brought something else to the character, and each tackled a different side of him. I love Pattinson Batman, I watched the movie five times. I love Bale Bruce, and I believe that Batman Begins is my favorite Batman movie. I watched all the Batman movies, all of them. I watched Batman The Animated Series so many times, and yes this is the most perfect Batman ever put to screen. I'm reading comics, I'm playing Arkham games once a year. I believe that Gotham TV Show is severely underrated! Yeah...I'm a fan :) So I am sorry but I cannot just go with one version. I'll be pulling from different sources, and different mediums, mixing and matching for the story I want to tell. I thought I should put it out there so people who are looking for any particular version of Batman wouldn't be disappointed.

To those who are up to it, hope you will enjoy the ride :)

If you want to be tagged, let me know :)

For now, my Dear Reader I thank you for reading.

[dumblemonchickenwing]

Please bear with me, I had an odd idea.. (people who dislike joker and joker content / ideas do not look)

Batjokes but in an odd way

What if batjokes happened but between the underlings of respective characters?

A prophecy foretold that soon will a young blood join the Batfamily - a person of a noble heart and with a caring soul (Kevin). But Joker learned of it before Batman did and he caught said person in the prophecy and turned him into one of his goons. On top of that , he planned to change his mind and turn him into someone akin to his own clown self - to prove further that anyone can be manipulated and broken into a total maniac. And to add insult , he wished to do that to someone who is considered to be of the “same league” as Batman himself.

And so happened that, Batman took in a different man (Bill) - someone on the verge of crossing the line and someone who was filled with disappointment and who grew resentful toward the world. Batman did so not so much out of hope that it would be the man in the prophecy, but because he hoped to help him .

And its like a n open world game where you can play as Kevin and Bill ? And in that open world game you could make evil or heoric choices, and depending on which you choose you will get an ending.

If Kevin does evil things, at the end he fully turns into a new Joker, proving the Joker’s point. If he does heroic things instead, he gets a true ending. Canonically, heroic choices would fit Kevin more than Bill. A balance between good and evil choices will lead to a neutral ending, where Kevin just leaves and starts living his ordinary life but with guilt and existential crisis after being traumatized by Joker.

If Bill does heroic stuff and listens to Batfamily, he gets a true ending, but if he betrays Batman he becomes a rogue of his own and completely abandons all morals (?) and its some sort of neutral ending.

If bothe sides do good choices, they get to meet at the true ending, where they have to fight . But at the end they both realize that being on Joker’s and Batman’s side is no good and they both leave them and form a duo

Kevin is a sweethear with a heart of gold who is mentally very tough, so he treats Bill nicely and Bill lieks him a lot at the end.

I am not a writer, I just wanted to share a random idea (I am sorry for the quality of writing and for all mistakes in english)

Tbh i made this up because I really wanted a story where the Joker is the one who helps Batman mentally. But I felt that using canon Joker and Batman would be bad so I broke a leg and did this.

[pyroreadscomics]

What are your thoughts about Howard's Catwoman run?

The run being really gay doesn't save the writing from being really mediocre.

(More nuance below the cut)

Well that was snappy, unfortunately my thoughts are many and complicated and probably won't be entirely ironed out until a few months after she leaves the book or I reread the run again, or both. That phrase was something I said while reading through the series for the first time a some months ago that I still mostly stand by, but now feel the need to caveat and add nuance.

(Also, it feels weird that, because I put off answering this for months, the end of Howard’s run is just a few months away now, but I’m just going to assume the ending is neither so good it retroactively makes everything better or so bad it tanks the run with guilt by association)

When I say mediocre, I very specifically don't mean bad. I'm using mediocre to mean it's average, ordinary, of moderate quality. Not bad enough to hate, or even particularly dislike, but not good enough for me to shed a tear if it was suddenly canceled (which… seeing as it’s end is now on the horizon… I’m actually filled with anticipation as to what comes next.)

And like many multi-year runs, Howard's Catwoman has had it's ups and downs while it's low points are i think widely known: Her dialogue tends towards what i can only describe as AO3 generic, the plotting itself is sub-par, Gotham War disappointing even though there was no way to go into it with high expectations (joint effort i know, but even taking only half blame for it Tini Howard doesn't come out of that event looking remotely well), and I have an entire rant ready for how I dislike how Black Mask is used in that series.

1. The reintroduction of Eiko

But, that said, at this moment I do feel like calling out some highlights of Howard's run (or at least, the bits of it I really liked.)

Also yes, alot of this could be considered fanservice, but I’m at least acknowledging that things that make me happy don’t inherently make a run good. (but at least more enjoyable to slog through than Tom King’s batman or most of her New 52 stuff)

Okay, let me be clear, Eiko in this run is a shadow of her debut in Valentine's run but Selina's supporting cast has a worrying tendency to disappear without a trace after one, max two runs, so damn if it wasn't nice to see Eiko suddenly reappear in a major role in the Catwoman run after a 6 year absence and not have her confined to the dustbin of comic history alongside other Catwoman supporting cast members such as Gwen, Alice, Zee, Clutterbuck, Wilder, Arizona, and Cassandra Cartland (If you knew every single person i mentioned without having to check, I like you, and you like me also know too much about Catwoman)

If nothing else, if Eiko's appearances in this comic, and her guest appearances in other current Gotham stories (like Punchline: Gotham Game or Ram V's excellent Gotham Nocturne) manage to cement her as a persistent part of Catwoman's cast, this run will have done enough for me to earn a passing grade.

Also I like Eiko's new catsuit and not just because it makes it easier to tell her apart from Selina

2. Catwoman #43 & #44 (The Harley Quinn two parter)

Judging by the mood in the room, If anything gets me an angry response it's going to be this.

It's fun, it was a fun two parter, and honestly there are times when I wish more writers would stop trying to do the high drama stories they're kinda bad and instead write fun inconsequential side stories.

Also yes I do ship it. What of it?

Actually speaking of

3. The queerness.

It’s not a lot, but for a character who’s been out as bi since 2015 Selina is never written that way (at least in the main comics, I understand the HQ show and the recent movies have either explicitly or implicitly had bi Selina). Like it’s so bad Selina doesn’t even get pride tie in stuff, no appearances in the pride anthologies or even pride variant cover. JFC Nightwing gets one every year and last time i checked he was still canonical cishet. And… a bit like Eiko, but less important, it’s nice to have another run where Catwoman is canonically queer. Selina acknowledging Eiko as an ex, flirting with other women, that Selina and Harley sharing a bed scene. It’s just nice to have that part of Selina’s character acknowledged.

Also it’s so minor but the gay bar called Conroy’s got me just a bit.

4. Knight Terrors

On balance, despite me having criticisms of it, I did like it as a version of “What does Selina’s worst nightmares look like”. It’s not quite as good as Devin Grayson’s take on the matter (and ain’t that a sentence) but I’m a big fan of Selina’s mind dark fears conjuring force a lot of catholic imagery and doing something actually interesting with the Sister Zero concept. (It’s really just a shame that this story is clearly setting something up for Gotham War that never actually gets paid off, which is wild considering that was literally the month after Knight Terrors)

Lastly:

5. Valmont

Look, I really liked Valmont for two reasons, one of which is superficial, one of which actually had thought put into it.

Superficially: Selina deserves a whipped subby bisexual twink, as treat. Sure he's a cocky asshole, sure he looks like pirate au ghostmaker, sure he's ready to murder anyone who looks like a threat to his dom love (and honestly anyone in general), but honestly that's all part of the charm.

Because Bruce, as the whole wedding thing shows, is big on these concrete declarations of affection, even as he’s really bad at actually expressing his affection in more casual ways. And Eiko, as she says, is “comfortable with these declarations, names. Things like titles and vows.” So in dating either of them Selina would be consenting being put into a box and labeled, even if it's a box as unconstrained as “dating” and a label as loose as “girlfriend”.

But, putting a bit of thought into things, Valmont has this really interesting role in the story. He's the obviously incorrect choice in a love triangle, but also the one who Selina would pick anyway.

Like, the issue before he dies the story teases a bit of romance with Bruce and Selina, and earlier there were some teases (or.. maybe acknowledgement is the right word?) between Selina and Eiko. There's two existing love interests for Selina, Bruce, who's the moral and safe choice, the wedding bells and gaggle of step kids choice. And there's Eiko, who's a major crime lord, one who's conducting business with some of the worst in Gotham. If it was just the two of them (especially if Eiko was closer to her Valentine personality), it'd be a pretty classic "the good boy and the bad boy girl" love triangle but Valmont is here, and he adds an interesting angle onto that love triangle(?) (is it still a triangle when there's three potential lover interests?).

(A reversal on Eiko and Selina’s very undefined relationship in Valentine’s run, which could be seen as divergence for the character but also kinda makes sense. With Eiko ending that run by shedding Catwoman (and identity that embodied personal freedom and also rebellion against her father) to become the head of the Hagisawa family (an identity marked by responsibility to the family and her place as her father’s heir) that going forward she’d be a lot less likely to engage in a nebulous undefined relationship when her life is now, by choice, very defined. It’s still however one of those things that assumes a non-zero amount of character development happened off screen.)

But Valmont? Valmont doesn’t ask anything *of* Selina.

Sure he does initially, “hey here’s this cat, I know where you live, join my thieves guild”. But this tactic gets him shot down by Selina and at best relegated to “untrusted ally” status (and more likely “useful but dangerous”). But after this, and after a brief break during the CatQuinn two-parter, Valmont’s back with a new tactic called “I’ll do literally anything you ask of me, including stopping killing people, and ask for nothing in return.” Which… with Selina being somewhat adverse to long term commitment (or commitment in general depending on the writer) this works.

Valmont’s hardly a healthier romantic option (he might not be the worst person Selina’s ever dated, but he’s still at the end of the day an arrogant invasive assassin) but he puts a spin on himself that makes Selina let her guard down around him and they do eventually become some vaguely undefined item.

And then in his final issue, Bruce accuses him of still being loyal to the league of assassins and of manipulating Selina. Then he kills again in the process of undoing a problem he caused, and gets in a big fight with Bruce about it. And when Valmont goes to kill Bruce, she kills Valmont which… It’s a weird moment for Selina, she’s normally very reserved about killing people and while yes needing to save Bruce could theoretically push her far enough. But also, it’s the best thing this run could do with Valmont.

Because Bruce’s accusations (along with Valmont’s general sketchiness) lead to this question with Valmont: does he genuinely love Selina, or is he using her for some unknown end? Because he know what he’s naturally like (down with murder) and we know he’s changed his behavior, but we don’t know whether it was because he wanted to be with Selina enough to change himself for that chance (which… understandable) or, if he was on some deep cover mission to manipulate Selina towards and he changed behavior in order to further his own covert ends. And… imo the possibility of it being one or the other is more interesting than any story you could get out of committing one way or the other.

And by killing Valmont, the run gets out of having to answer this question, which, again imo, is the most intelligent narrative decision this run made aside from bringing back Eiko.

That said, If in the last two issues Howard answers the question of “what really was up with Valmont” I’m retroactively taking back all of this praise and will be downgrading this run to "of poor quality but at least Eiko's here"

[britcision]

I SHALL REMEMBER THIS WEEK I SWEAR TO FUCK

progress ain’t exactly speedy but we’re coming along, we’re coming along, and I’m having a lovely time ☺️

So have a lil Timkerboy this week, as a treat! I’m going camping again next week, so we’ll see if I remember that Wednesday too

———————

Well You Did Get Down On One Knee part iv

Tucker, Conner, and Tim had actually gotten through another round of Spiderheck in between the rabid buzzing of Tim and Tucker’s phones.

Conner had the good sense to mute his and toss it behind the couch… after sharing the “good news” of Timblr with the Young Justice chat.

He regretted nothing, despite Tim’s alternate pouting and threats. Tucker was pretty impressed, and pretty sure that it wasn’t just for the guy’s good looks this time.

Finally, after the fourth time Tim’s ringtone changed itself and blasted at full volume (making Tucker completely drop his controller), the Black tech gave up, sighing heartily and dropping his head into his hands.

Not least to hide the sudden wicked grin on his face as an idea struck. Because yeah, sure, he could help Tim try and unhack fucking Oracle on the sly, or… they could remove the distraction another way.

(Tucker wasn’t a thousand percent ungrateful for the distraction; he was pretty sure even without the merry buzzing of his social life burning down around him he’d have had a hard time concentrating on the game.

It just plain wasn’t fair; Conner was too fucking hot, and so earnest, and excited when he was doing well! All the little shouts and exclamations, the broad grins, Tucker was really beginning to doubt his own demisexual nature.

Although, to be fair, it wasn’t like he actually wanted to… interact while Conner was being cuter than Cujo with a rubber bone. Just. It was hard to think about anything else when he could be appreciating all… that instead.

At least while Tim’s ass was being blown off by at least three separate group chats, Tucker’s floundering was less embarrassing.)

Tim gave him a consoling pat on the back while Conner whooped in victory, probably trying to comfort Tucker in the loss. Tucker let him for a moment, running a couple quick calculations in his head.

Because yeah, he’d never got around to asking Danny to ecto infuse any of the Waynes’ tech; not the batcomputer nor the gaming consoles, but. Well. They’d played for hours the last two nights, and it wasn’t like Tucker had never gotten his hands through a console’s innards.

It had to count as knowing the device, right?

And it wasn’t like it was that hard, doing it for just three people. For just one game.

Looking up at the other two, he gave them both a slightly shyer grin.

“So, like… I know we’re having a good time and all,” he began, and Tim groaned theatrically as he was interrupted yet again by his ringtone.

“I’m about to ask Superboy to toss this thing into space,” he grumbled, glowering at his phone.

Conner reached innocently towards it and Tim snatched it back up immediately. Tucker settled back once it was safe too, grinning sheepishly even if it wasn’t his bluff Conner called.

Conner tipped him a wink and Tucker had to clear his throat and give his head a quick shake to clear his blush.

“Right… yeah, uh, anyway. What if I had a better way to get us away from distractions?” He asked as innocently as he could, staring at the screen instead of that far too attractive face.

He could still see the other two sit up from the corner of his eye, both looking interested.

“We’re not allowed to game in the Bat Cave,” Tim said quickly, with a resigned air that said the question had come up before… and enough disappointment that they’d probably done it and been caught.

Which, yeah, thinking of the size of the screen in the cave, Tucker suddenly really wanted to try that too.

Already banned though. And he and Danny were already on thin enough ice with Batman as it was.

Reluctantly dismissing the thought, he returned his attention to the present moment, grin spreading as he turned to face Tim directly.

(Tim was safe. Tim was, objectively, a very handsome young man and Tucker could appreciate that in a distant way, but being pretty was just so much less interesting that almost anything else about Tim.

Tucker could worship him through a distant computer screen, so the pretty blue eyes weren’t much of a distraction. Looking at Tim face to face was really cool, but Tucker would be more tongue tied watching him code.)

“Sure, but you remember I told you about my technopathy? I can interface with machines I know really well,” he added for Conner’s benefit, accidentally looking over in time to preen as his face lit up with interest.

Tim, for some reason, stifled a snicker.

“Yeah, you mentioned. And that it was a little more complicated, but go on,” he prodded, and Conner shot him a look that Tucker was gonna have to ask questions about.

Later. Once he was done showing off a little. And, probably, getting his ass kicked at Spiderheck.

Tucker Foley was a master of video game controls, sure, and that sorta helped, as did “knowing you’ve been thrust into a video game”. He just didn’t delude himself into thinking it’d be enough to counter the actual literal battle training of superheroes.

But hey, maybe having all those extra legs would fuck them both up for long enough that he’d win a few rounds.

“Well I think you might’ve already noticed, but I know this game really well.”

————————

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[jessiquinn]

Justice league x ex(?) villain reader pt2 (batman x reader)

2019-1-13

This was so messy, I’m confused about what the hell happened here.. but I fixed it... I hope.

---

When they defeated you, Batman put you in the justice league, whether you like it or not.

warning:

1-bad writing, 2-bullying.

----------------

adjusting was hard... and it’s still hard especially when everyone around me is constantly judging me, I guess it’s the price of my actions but still... still it’s better being in The batman castle than being in the watch tower with all those heroes... but it’s strange how he gave me his trust this fast.

Batman gave me a chance to show my potential, for the first time this month he gave me access to the training room.

In the training room

“just in case, wear this watch, it’s just like an electric monitor but much more advanced, so don't even think about doing something” Batman warned, giving Nightwing a look before leaving.

“so how’s living with the heroes been doing with ya?” he said with a smirk

rolling your eyes at him, “not much of a talker I see, how about you show us your moves?” giving you a sign to attack, his smirk is starting to annoy me...

glaring daggers at him, finally launching an attack at him, he dodges it with ease, “wow I didn’t take you for a magician?” he seemed to be impressed about magic but disappointed at that shity hit.

attacking him once again, “woah calm down, I meant because you didn’t use it in the fight” still easily dodging those lousy hits.

finally speaking “fighting with magic in the war is highly forbidden” charging another attack

“you know, you need intense training with this kind of aim” he knows what he’s doing hehe

after a couple of hours of training, “it’s time for you to go to bed princess” putting his equipment back, leading you back to your room, this extra supervision is annoying.

in your bedroom.

of course, you can’t lock the door, villains don’t need privacy duh.

anyway they couldn’t catch this tho, the last piece I have of myself is this.. this book might be my last hope.

if they find it I’m doomed

suddenly the door opened to reveal Nightwing again, “oh hi sorry, I forgot to give you those essentials” he put them on the table “and goodnight” he closed the door. locking it, yes finally!

once I felt safe, I finally opened the book, writing in it “why did he take me?”

The book answered immediately

"isn't obvious they want to use you for their own good," the book said in a spiteful way. writing back “what should I do?”

"do what they tell you to do till they trust you, then we will contact again"

“wait! didn't the plan already fail? that means a new leader will continue the mission”, "we will take this as part 2 of the plan, I will write to you when the mission is ready to play" the book closed.

-sighing deeply- if I have to play this game so be it, for the first time in history they give a leader a second chance... and it’s me, how convenient...-lays on the bed- and I thought I will be finally free, I guess I’m the luckiest person in this world... my type of luck...

Next morning

"Miss... miss please wake up," opening your eyes slowly adjusting to the light, “what do you want” in a grumpy way.

“It’s morning and master... wants you to eat breakfast with us,” Alfred said, you finally get up. sighing...

Alfred casually walks you to a big dining room, you sit in the chair he chose.

they aren't wearing masks anymore, they must be nuts.. that’s the only logical explanation.

shit... it’s... the famous... Bruce Wayne, he’s looking at you too. you finally notice a familiar face sitting with you on the table, your dear sister.

I used to love her but all those years ago she didn’t come searching for me, made me hate her... call it jealousy, but I was wronged.

looking at her for a solid minute with a poker face then looked at Bruce. AKA Batman.

“You already know your sister is here with us...” looking at you and your sister, “will you just cut to the chase” already hating all of this.

I can’t believe it, she lived with Bruce fucking Wayne all her life. of course, she’ll forget about me.

“-sigh- of course, you know you can’t do much at the moment, once we trust you.. we’ll see how it goes -sigh- as you can see we all revealed our identity's to you, as a sign of trust. Trust me when I say this is the first time I’ve ever done something like this. so don’t mess it up. I won’t hastate on putting you down” his calm serious never seemed to relax you.

finally bursting out in denial “how could you do such a dumb thing, I’m a villain you can’t change the facts, how can you be so sure I won’t expose Bruce Wayne as fucking batman” he smirked “it’s easy really when you have this much money and power. I can shut you up easily, plus no one will believe a villain anyway” they all smirk at you.

“Why would I help you anyway?” feeling all of their eyes on me, “it’s either jail or be with us? choose?” he took a sip from his tea.

"Wrong move stick to the plan" a mysterious sound rang in your head, and your head immediately start hurting...

Every time I do something wrong this happens. as a punishment from the ‘gods’ let’s say that.

“Nevermind, what do you want me to do anyway?” finally feeling cooperative, he took a minute to respond, weirded out by your behavior “we will go in an hour to the watch tower so eat and get ready...” he got up and left.

Damian got up to your face “listen bitch be thankful that I didn't beat you to the ground! you were so rude, never heard of manners before?” Damian said furiously about what just happened

“I do what the fuck I want. I only listen to him, not to you”, “stop trying to start a fight y/n” finally your fake-ass sister talked.

in a serious manner quietly turning to her “mind your own business” and giving her a death glare, seems like she got disappointed “how are you even my sister” giving her a serious “sure”, and getting up before she can speak, “I'm going to get ready” Alfred follows you to your room to make sure.

Getting your bag, looking at yourself in the mirror.

I wish I won, “miss are you done?” Alfred said in the hallway, actually respecting your bounders.

The watch tower,

Everyone glaring at you with disgust, those stupid heroes think they are better than everyone. I never imagined heroes to be such divas'

suddenly black canary came and extended her hand... confused for a minute, finally getting it and you shook her hand back. she smirks at your response before throwing you to the other side of the room, earning laughter from everyone.

That actually hurt “wth...” confused and hurt from what she did, “you trust too fast, how naïve of you” smirking at you once again before handing you her hand again.

Getting up without her help, giving her a bitter look, and walking off immediately after that, I would’ve never done that to anyone in my life and I’M THE VILLAIN. anger filling your heart by the second.

stopping in your tracks to see your little sister laughing with shazam and booster gold... and a couple of other heroes, she must be popular or something eh.. she got the life I wanted her to get... everyone to their own in the end

walking again, searching for something interesting to look at, shazam approaching you

“hey you are the new member? the villain one” rolling your eyes “yup that’s me”

a weird hint of red covers his face “nice to meet you, I’m shazam” he extends his hand

“you do know I'm a villain, right?” confused at his kindness and kinda scared to do the same mistake...hehe...

“I know... but I believe everyone can change -smiles- “ he gives you a genuine smile, “don't mind shazam he's young and doesn't really understand life because once a villain always a villain,” your dear sister said.

“and who asked for your opinion, you're really getting on my nerves” trying your best to control yourself “I'm really sorry for Batman for believing in you... who knows what you’re planning now?” worry covers her face but deep inside you can see her smirk.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to listen, “Sweetheart why don't you go play with your hero friends” trying to act sweet but your anger is clearly starting to control you.

“You really didn't change one bit and I bet everything I have that you are planning something bad” she didn’t even bother hiding her smirk this time because she knows everyone on her side already.

what a bitch.

“what? I’ve always been like this? what did you tell them too? that I sold you to the villains? wow, you are worse than me... they should've taken your soul instead” really amused by this, who knew she was that evil? “as much as I like chatting with you dear sister, I have matters to attend to” waving goodbye to her.

silence roamed the room.

walking away searching for batman, that hurt, she wasn’t wrong I am planning something but when she was with me, I treated her with nothing but love and care... all of this was for her...

--------------------------

I might write a part 3 someday but now I’m trying to edit all the chapters I already wrote to ‘clean’ my book on Wattpad. once I finish with those I’ll start publishing the new ones.

if you like it please tell me, and reblog 🖤

[fighter-paladin]

The prompt was pitch a big budget Superman game ala Insomanic Spider-Man or Arkham Batman

Each act takes place at a different location, each increasing in difficulty and having a different hub world.

First act is Metropolis and dealing with Intergang as they continue to amass tech that makes them a larger and larger threat throughout the first Act. Specifically the weaponry they are getting is powerful enough to stun Superman, not enough to take him down unless there is a lot of damage done. Act One ends with Superman being able to take down Intergang leader Bruno Mannheim in what looks to be an alien battle suit with the symbol of Mongul on it.

Act 2 is on Warworld. Through the events of the first Act, Superman learns that Intergang's tech is alien in origin. The first boss does take place in Metropolis and opens the act. The sound of a roaring engine is heard as THE MAIN MAN Lobo lands in Metropolis, having being given a bounty on Supe's head. After beating Lobo Superman learns about the symbol on Mannheim's suit and goes seeking Warworld. This is even after being told by Lobo that he'd end up dead.

The first part of Act 2 deals with Supes crashing through Warworld, fighting guards and moderate sized mini bosses until he smashes into the arena section. When he lands in the center he hears Mongul call out from the stands, "Well well well. Looks like I did right hiring Lobo. I knew you'd come Kryptonian. It's just like the New God promised if I gave Earthlings Apokolips tech. Strong warriors to fight for my amusement". As he does this the room fills with a red glowing light, "I've set the red sun energy to half. Don't disappoint me". He releases Kalibak, who seems to relish the chance to fight Superman on his father's orders. Superman doesn't stand a chance against Kalibak in his current state so part of the fight includes destroying the red sun generators in the arena.

After the fight Superman sees Mongul is gone and has to go hunt him down until it takes him to Warworld's bridge where Mongul is sitting, waiting for him. Mongul once again relishes the chance to fight Superman and serves as the Act 2 main boss. Through their fight Superman learns about Darkseid and the New Gods, and also learns that Darkseid has been the mastermind behind Intergang. Superman rips control of Warworld away from Mongul and traps him in one of the many cells of the ship and takes Warworld to Oa on the way to confront these so called New Gods.

Act 3's hub world is New Genesis. When Superman lands he's immediately assumed to be an agent of Darkseid and has to fight Mister Miracle. Act 3 is largely about working with the New Gods and occasionally saving the day on New Genesis from Darkseid's interference as the New Gods and Supes form a plan to challenge Darkseid to a 1 v 1 fight for the fate of all worlds. Naturally Darkseid serves as the final boss.

Act 1 bosses:

-Shockwave

-Blackrock

-Livewire

-Bruno Mannheim

Act 2 bosses:

-THE MAIN MAN

-Metallo

-Kalibak

-Mongul

Act 3 bosses:

-Mister Miracle

-Big Barda (post fight Mister Miracle and Supes convince Big Barda she's on the wrong side of things and she switches sides)

-Desaad

-Steppenwolf

-Granny Goodness

-Darkseid

Teaser at the end is Lexcorp seizing Intergang tech and specifically Lex looking at Mammheim's battle suit and getting inspired

[mindstriker]

What is a project yiu wanted to make that you deemed to big and dismissed?

More than I'd care to admit to, to be honest with you. At least 3 cosplays I've been meaning to prepare since the dawn of time, abandoned for time reasons, a second major writing project I didn't have the mental capacity for- and moooooooost recently, a project that I am actually still struggling TO dismiss.

My very own Batman comic, specifically. An actual illustrated version of the Batman-AU-turned-concept that I've been working on for nearing a year now. I have everything from character sheets to relationship charts to narrative outlines to ideas for how I'd separate the story into specific issues, but, like. I lack the artistic capacity to bring this project into existence, realistically. I Could Try, but I think I'd just disappoint myself by trying when I'm not currently very happy with my art skills. I might try in the future, if I ever learn how to draw a decent looking comic panel- but for now, "Batman: New Ground" lives firmly in my head and my filing cabinet, entirely dismissed.

Also my plans to adapt my original story, which I haven't spoken about much on here, into an RPGmaker game. Mostly because I uh, don't have RPGmaker and can't afford it. It's not quite an idea I've dismissed, though- more like I've just made it stand in the corner for a while as I do something more viable (write fanfiction, play an obnoxious amount of Borderlands 3, and daydream about working for DC despite not having any formal experience as a writer yet. Or my degree. Yet. We'll get there.)

[providing-leverage]

Fic in Review 2023

This looks fun, thanks to @writer-and-thrasher for the tag

Total Number of Completed Stories: 16, which is great because my goal was 12 (one a month, which didn't happen, but oh well)

Total Word Count: 77,440! Again, I had a goal and surpassed it (getting to 300k on my account) and it feels really good.

Fandoms Written In: So much Ted Lasso, which I discovered after Sunflowers came out and was trending. I saw canon gay characters and went sign me up even if I don't normally like comedy stuff. I'm super glad I did because I've not written so much for a fandom so fast since my Shadowhunters hyperfixation years ago. Other than those 12, I did some PJO, Supernatural, and Batman, and Teen Wolf.

Looking back did you expect to write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d expect: so much less! Ted Lasso brainworms truly won this year

What’s your own favorite story of the year, personally?: I'm super proud of myself for finishing Past and Present Now Embrace, one of my few non Ted Lasso fics. Bianca was a very interesting character and the Percy Jackson universe it a great sandbox to play in.

Did you take any writing risks this year?: I think my trend towards gen stuff, because obviously romantic stuff gets more hits a lot of the time so I've trained myself to sprinkle it in even when it doesn't really need to be there. But with Ted Lasso I really felt like I could embrace the platonic stuff and when I did write romance it was because I wanted to.

Do you have any fanfic goals for the New Year?: I want to write a multichapter, and I'm hoping that multichapter will be either Stranger Ranger or Guard Your Heart. I've also been watching to rework the second and third parts of SSA Sam Singer.

Best story of the year: personally I'm really proud of the Fundamentals of Love and Lying, which is so self indulgent

Most popular story of the year: Get It Off Your Chest for sure, and I think that's all to do with the blurb I used in the summary

Most personal story of the year: Oh for sure it's a rather touching notion which is also probably the one I wrote the quickest. An aroace character figuring out who they are, feeling outside of so many social interactions because they lack romantic and sexual attraction? Pure projection. Also The A Team because yay autism.

Funniest story of the year: While the summary for Get it Off Your Chest is funny, Colin's reasons for picking up lesbians is deeply sad so I can't really say that. Eliza's exasperation with Jamie in Flowers for Dani is pretty funny though.

Story of mine most under-appreciated by the universe, in my opinion: Fundamentals took a lot of work but it's also a rarepair I invented the tag for and narrated by a character that is basically an OC, so I understand why it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Most fun story to write: Holy Novelty Socks Batman is pure fluffy crack and made me smile a lot

Story with the sexiest moment: none of them really. Fundamentals and some of the other TL fics have some sex allusion though.

Sweetest story of the year: I'll say Shake It Out, a teen wolf fic from early this year that I'd completely forgotten about. What's sweeter than breaking into your school at night for a date?

“Holy crap that’s wrong even for you!” story: dito on not doing scandalous, but for angst then maybe this fic where I give Dani my caffeine sickness

Hardest story to write: Past and Present Now Embrace, for sure took the longest, with me working on it for over a year. I wanted to get it up before the Sun and the Star came out but that didn't happen.

Biggest disappointment: Not any published fic in particular but I have a lot of drafts I wish had been able to see the light of day this year

Biggest surprise: the community I feel like I've found this year, especially within Ted Lasso. Doing these tag games, trading asks and ideas with other writers, is something I've never gotten to do before and I feel so lucky and grateful for my mutuals.

Speaking of... @orbitalpirate @mearpsdyke @manwholovescabins sorry if any of you have already been tagged