#traumatizing the JL since day one

[haveihitanerve]

The League would admit they knew very little about Batman. They didn't know his age, his identity, hell they didn't even know his favorite food. But they did, however, know he had kids. How many was still unclear, but the Bat had used the plural form while comforting a civilian once, so thats what they based it off of. And while he was certainly tight lipped about many things, talking about his kids, or bragging really, wasn't one of them. "Bats really loves his kids huh?" Barry murmured to Hal as they watched Batman inform Wonder Woman about one of his children. "I mean they're babies, wait till they hit the angsty teens and I'm sure we'll be hearing the opposite." Hal muttered back. Barry snorted. "maybe if he's raising you. If his kids are anything like me he'll keep talking like this." Hal couldn't hold back a laugh at that. "Batman." Superman entered the room. Hal and Barry looked over at him in interest, and Batman stopped talking, turning to face him. "yes?" "You have a visitor." The alien said, and Hal could see his lips twitch, though he tried to hide it. Batman's eyes narrowed. "Who?" "Why me of course!" Twittered a voice and a black and blue blur cartwheeled into the room, landing confidently with hands on his hips long enough for them to take in his wide easy smile and his dark black hair before he was moving again, slamming into Batman with the force of a freight train. Batman didn't even twitch, didn't even take one step back to balance himself, just grunted lightly as the man wrapped himself around him like an affectionate leech. "Did you miss me?" The newcomer murmured, face pressed into Batman's chest. Batman grunted, which must have been the right sound to make because the man lit up, pressing a kiss to Batman's cheek. "aww i knew you did." Batman grunted again and the man unfurled himself from his side, landing on his feet instead. "Um, uh, hey there. Batsy, who is this?" Hal stuttered out. Batman glanced over at them, opening his mouth to respond, but the newcomer beat him to it. "I'm Nightwing! It's a pleasure to meet you." "nice to meet you too." Barry smiled, almost as enthusiastic, shaking his hand. "Why are you here?" Batman asked bluntly, but Nightwing didn't seem at all perturbed by his less than friendly question. "Well uh, Little Wing locked himself in his room and try as we might we can't get him out, you know he hasn't slept." Batman sighed. "Alright. I'll be home just as soon as I finish today okay? Try to feed him at least." Nightwing nodded. "Will do." "Wait- hang on, sorry." Hal interrupted. "You- you'll be home? Who- are you his-?" Nightwing's entire body spasmed with delight. "You mean B hasn't told you about me?" he gasped in outrage, spinning to look at the other man. Batman raised an eyebrow. "I did. Hal, Barry, this is Nightwing. My son." If Hal's jaw could have dislocated from his body it would have been back on Earth. "THIS?" Barry sputtered. They looked at each other. "That- that is a grown ass adult!" Hal exclaimed. Nightwing looked at him in amusement. "has dear old dad been giving you the wrong impression?" He asked. "You are not a precious little thing! You are not a baby!" Barry half cried. "You could snap me half!" "Like a twig." Wonder Woman agreed. "I won't." Nightwing assured him, far too confident and unbothered. "But you could." Hal stressed. Nightwing laughed. "Perhaps. I am Bat-trained after all." He winked backwards at his father. "anyway, I gotta get back. It was nice meeting you." And just as fast as he had come he was gone again, a blur of black and blue. Hal and Barry stared at Batman.

It was about a week later, when they had still not recovered from the shock of Nightwing being Batman's son, when they ran into Red Hood. The Red Hood. Leather jacket, signature red hood, multitudes of guns strapped to his body. Hal readied his ring. But the man just draped himself across Batman's with all the confidence in the world, releasing a sigh. "The brat broke into my safe house again." He whined, voice pitched surprisingly high for a man with his size and stature. "to steal my dog." Hal almost dropped his ring. And Batman, Batman, Mr. I hate guns and won't use them and they're bad, just looked at him, a soft smile on his face even as Red Hood waved at least two guns around his nose, and said calmly. "He just wants to spend time with his big brother. Maybe take him to the zoo next time." Barry was looking between them in confusion. "It can't be." He muttered. Superman coughed into his fist. "It is." He confirmed. "H-how?" Hal whimpered. "That is also not a baby! He's almost bigger than Bats! He could break Bats in half!" Superman chuckled. "But he won't." "But he could!" Both Hal and Barry half shouted. Batman and Red Hood glanced over. "Alright Old man I gotta go." "Alright. Drive safe kiddo." Red Hood rolled his eyes. "Its Gotham." Batman leveled him with a look and the Red Hood, the Red Hood, crime lord and gang boss, raised his hands in surrender, sticking his guns in his pockets. "Yeah alright whatever. See you at home." Hal was gaping like a fish.

"Did you have a good weekend Batman?" Superman asked, leaning against the Bats desk with a cup of coffee in his hands. Batman nodded, smiling faintly. "yeah. My babies went for a walk in the park yesterday. Red brought the dog. It was good." Hal and Barry collapsed and had a mental breakdown.

A year later, when they finally met Robin, the one who was, in fact, a child, they only had a moment of relief before the kid pulled out a katana. Batman smiled.

Love the slight AUs where Bruce as Batman has been a member of the league for ages, but he's somehow managed to keep his assortment of children under the radar.

Because it sets up the wildest misunderstandings within the league. He routinely talks about his babies, his children who are all so sweet and kind and occasionally assholes yes but only because they are young (and traumatized) hell I don't think the league would even be aware that they're adopted. So they're all thinking literal children

Barry: Bats really loves his kids.

Hal: I mean they're babies, wait till they hit the angsty teens and I'm sure we'll be hearing the opposite

Which means the day they finally meet Nightwing they don't know wtf to think. For one thing, how old would he have been when he had this kid???? Should they be worried about that???? And for the other, that is not a baby, that is not a precious little thing.

He could break someone in half. Like a twig.

He won't, but he could. And they can see that. (He's bat trained, they have seen what the bat can do they are not fools)

And they're like, okay. Okay maybe he isn't the baby (he is). He's got younger kids right? He's never said how many, they have 0 clues. They've been expecting 1 child, maybe 2 because he'd said kid in the plural exactly once when comforting an older woman while they were searching for her children in the aftermath of a rough battle.

And then a week later they run into Red Hood. In his leather, with his guns. And he drapes himself across Batmans back with all the self confidence in the world and starts whining about the "Brat" breaking into his safe house.

To steal his dog.

And yet again. He is not baby. He is bigger than Batman. He could probably break Batman in half given the bat didn't put up a fight. But Batman looks at him with probably the softest expression they've ever seen on that mans face and tells him very earnestly that the kid just wants to spend time with his older brother, next time they should try a walk. Maybe go to the zoo.

But probably not one of the babies. They're kind, and gentle, and at least one just loves reading and Bats has been trying to encourage that!!!

And then a day later he mentions his "babies" going for a walk in the park and they all instantaneously lose their minds at the confirmation.

[rad-batson]

Billy Batson and Damian Wayne being weirdly good friends (ft. the occasional Jon Kent)

Billy befriends Damian after the JL learns his real identity. Batman approached him and told him they should meet since they’re the same age.

At first, it’s awkward because Damian isn’t interested in making friends, and Billy’s mad that Batman is essentially sending him to the kids' table. Until… 

Damian: “Why must my father insist that I socialize? I can handle myself!” Billy: “Thank you! I’ve been on my own since I was six. I don’t need an adult to tell me what to do.” Damian: “…I like you.” Billy: “Wanna spy on the Justice League?” Damian: “Yes.”

Batman immediately regrets his decision.

At first, the two don’t really talk outside of meetings or happenstance, but when they do, they’re like twins. They know exactly what the other is thinking at all times. (The adults are terrified.)

Both end up bonding over their upbringing, specifically the fact that they were abused/traumatized/malnourished for several years. That marks the point where they start talking regularly.

Damian nearly jumps out of his skin the first time Billy speaks to him in Arabic (courtesy of the Islamic Prophet, Solomon.) They now speak exclusively in Arabic when they gossip.

They will cut a bitch. Do not get on either’s bad side.

Every time one of them says something out of pocket, the other one high-fives them. Even Jon is concerned (and very jealous.)

Billy is required to attend the same school as the Teen Titans and YJ for a bit as a condition of staying in the JL so he and Damian end up taking a few classes together.

Billy ��I have Zeus on speed dial” Batson and Damian “I got a PhD in The Classics at age six” Wayne proceed to roast their history professors in the back of the classroom for all of the misinformation.

Damian: “Okay so I really need a human skull, but you can’t ask why.” Billy: “As long as you also don’t ask why.” *pulls out several pristine human skulls from pocket dimension* “Take your pick.” Damian: “…this one.” Jon: “what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck”

They’re both eerily good at schooling their emotions due to countless years of emotional abuse and neglect. If anything goes wrong during a mission, it’s like a switch is flipped. They are suddenly completely level-headed.

Damian gifts Billy a PC that he built himself so they can play games together without so much lag. (It’s literally just Minecraft on creative mode. They design a working amusement park together.)

Both have been permanently banned from all zoos on the eastern seaboard. Damian tried to “liberate” the ostriches, and Billy taught the gorillas swear words in sign language.

Everyone Else: “We need to find civilization on this desert planet we crashed landed on or we’ll starve.” Billy and Damian: “The human body can go ten days without food.” Everyone: “…Are you okay?” Billy and Damian: “Not important.”

Billy, Jon, Colin, and Damian have a group chat where they regularly place bets on dumb mishaps the adults get themselves into. The one rule is they can’t bet with cash. Thus they create a trading system made entirely of local snacks, Pokémon cards, supernatural knick-knacks, and dares.

[farshootergotme]

That post about Dick's training in contrast to the other Robins...

Canonically, the Justice League trained Dick.

It's mentioned in one of the Grayson comics. Dick is kind of fighting an Amazo robot which has the combined powers of all JL members - and Dick knows how to take it down because he has been trained by and fought beside those Leaguers.

Imagine the Justice League sort of ending up co-parenting the Bat's bouncy little Robin.

Yeah, Bruce is paranoid, but he is also a twenty-something single dad to a hyperactive traumatized little sunshine kid, he will take whatever help he can get.

It is actually canon in the World's Finest comics (both silver age and current) that Bruce and Clark basically act as Robin!Dick's dads. Silver Age World's Finest has them taking the Baby Robin to fairs, parks, or to the Fortress just to hang out and play with Clark's intergalactic pets...

Basically, the justice league collectively trains the little acrobat. Ollie teaching him archery. Diana coaching him in sword fighting and lasso. Clark teaching him kryptonian (and acting skills - how to present yourself to the public as a symbol of brightness, not terror). J'onn teaching him mental defense techniques.

The first Robin is Justice League's collective nephew/student.

So...if it comes to people one trained under... Dick can add the entire Justice League in his resume. And also the Titans, given how they trained together...

Yes, thank you! Dick has trained with others than Bruce. Heck, you could say he trains with most members of the batfam, not just Batman, which is a lot already. And, as you mentioned, he also trained with the Justice League:

Grayson #8

In Robin: Year One (#4) it's shown as well how in his Robin days he trained with a subdivision of the League of Assassins, the Vengeance Academy.

We know that he's trained with the Titans (being a team and all), and that's quite a diverse team, so you know he must've learnt lots of things from his teammates.

And if you want to count it, his training as an acrobat since he was practically a toddler can also be added, his parents and probably other members of the circus being his teachers.

Then, going back to Grayson, you can say he also trained with Spyral. He didn't spend months there just to learn nothing.

And this might be wrong, so don't quote me on this, but wasn't he in the Court of Owls for a bit during his time as Ric Grayson? (could be confused, since I just remember hearing something about it. Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

And fighting villains such as Deathstroke teaches you some stuff, too.

So, overall, Dick's skills has been learnt through various groups and individuals. To say all his training comes from Bruce is straight up wrong.

[faeriekit]

Regarding health and hybrids: I have so many questions!! This is amazing! Like, will JL dark ever play a role in this? Or would that be to easy? Since Constantine and co could maybe understand ghostspeak or at least clock Danny as undead? What about Jason? Does Danny have a secondary protection obsession, and will that make it impossible to stay out of heroing for good? He's already friends with young justice. Or, if not, could we have an epilog we're the whole JL shows up to Danny's collage graduation, with Diana as his legal guardian? All of them happy crying, look at our son, the normal one, this is the greatest day! He doesn't need to breathe NASA, what are you waiting for!

I'm glad you have questions!!

At this exact moment, there's no reason for the JLD to specifically get called in on Danny's case; when it comes to resource allocation, every "Superhero" probably has a pretty tight schedule. They do all the heavy lifting and have specialized skills to tackle specific world-ending threats and can't be overworked, and are probably constantly healing/calling in for professional or private time/turning evil/etc, which means that their time for addressing non-critical issues is super limited. With no obvious supernatural component to the recovery of an 'alien' teenager, the focus is going to be getting time in with other extraterrestrial personnel, rather than magical/supernatural. Danny's not a critical issue. He's not murdering anyone and he's not a security risk. He's just a teenager, who needs help. They can absolutely help with that.

What this means though is Diana, basically, is doing extra overtime on top of two jobs. This only works because she is immortal. Damn, ma'am.

...And, of course, JLD presence or lack thereof may change as more details come out, of course. 👀 But! At the moment, there's no reason to doubt that this kid is anything but a more standard half-human who needs help.

Jason is currently doing crime on earth! He's got no reason to run into Danny at the moment, haha, considering that he's hanging out on the Watchtower and can't move, but like I said, if details end up changing... 👀

I decided against making Danny have an official "obsession" other than space, purely because Danny doesn't have an interest in protection: he's literally just traumatized. That's a normal human brain function. Danny's obsession with Space is based on who he was as a living person, with his spirit of exploration being part of the reason he died; as a ghost, willpower and motivation come from who he was, not who he is, and Danny's combat-related trauma is very, very recent, and very situationally dependent. You know. 'Cause his parents blew open a door between worlds in his basement that lets people who hurt him through. (Womp womp.)

I have a plan for the future ending of the fic!! 😉 You'll have to wait until we get there, though...this was originally going to be an eight-chapter sort of fic and now it's somehow the most complicated thing I'm currently publishing lol. Whoopsie. C'est la vie. Depending on how his long-term hand recovery goes, Danny's going to limited in some ways more than others...but hey, who knows what that'll do to his future job prospects? Not me! They keep making ergonomic and low-mobility tech equipment like keyboards and mouses that boggle my mind design-wise, so who knows how that would play out in the future, and in the high-tech space of DC...!

...But that's neither here nor there, haha! Thank you for taking an interest in the fic, and I hope this answered the most burning questions you've got!

[currentfandomkick]

So previous part here

Danny’s adoption as far as GZ in concerned requires Plas to indergo some trials to prove himself as Danny—debated between being the Future King or exalted as the Will of the Infinite—‘s majority caretaker on the mortal side.

A mentorship is one thing—parenthood is taken far more seriously. Especially for a traumatized child ghost.

So, premise aside, lets begin!

Phantom had been beaming for a while. Everyone knew that. Between the JL spot and having a mentor, Amity “Mittens” Park knew her guard was more content than he’d been in a long, long time.

The city spirit was proud for him. Few kept their cool when it came three ancients appearing on their doorstep.

Her guard had chosen his mortal fright well. Between Undergrowth’s High Priestess and the Pharaoh reincarnation his choice of peers, though limited, was good… but he lacked suitable guiding presences.

There is only so much Amity can do herself. She’s not quite physical enough to manifest, no idea to form her base around. And she is not mortal, so how could she ever help?

As the witness to her guard’s life and death, her vote would hold the most sway, regardless of the Trials’ outcome.

Her wonderful guard found himself a father, she would see that this bond is acknowledged.

Nerves flooded Phantom’s form again. He twisted his tail around Plas’ arm and held Cujo close to his chest.

The JL light side hadn’t caught the implications of his potential adoption. They didnt have the whole story on Danny’s place in the Infinite’s pecking order…

Plas does.

Unfortunately, so does the JL Dark. Which is why Plas was checking over anything he should prepare for them by customs and for the usual rites for Living adopting a “Curtain Child” as Constaintine’s text dubbed Danny and his cohorts.

He’s not sure if he should just… ignore the scholarly term for his kind or not. On one hand, he’s been calling himself a halfa since he stopped saying he was a living boy with ghost powers. He’s hyperliminal—functionally dead on command, as far as Yeti were concerned atleast. He straddles the line of liminal and death, while remaining a living being. Three for one deal and passable as all three and not at once.

Halfas aren’t super rare naturally so much as exterminated en masse in the past, and the word for ‘too dead to be liminal’ that survived was, well, halfa. the slur used to justify genocide.

But his alternative was hyperliminal (which he barely qualifies as given he transforms and liminals just exist as ‘merged’ with the opposite natural state (be it mortal side or infinite) and the bucket of issues of using the wrong medical term as a species indicator. Or “Curtain Child” which. No.

Where was he? Oh right, finding Plas before the Trials and his death day and the ‘clock’ starts.

“Patro?” Danny began as he flew into the room.

Zatanna’s eyebrows shot up. Constantine turned to him slowly. Deadman was too happy for Danny’s taste—the off-ecto leaving a sickly sweet-bitter blend in the back of his throat.

“You good kiddo?” Plastic man ran a hand though Danny hair while Danny looped his tail around his arm.

He leaned into it.

“Just nerves. Mittens already approved, but Grandfather can be… intense. So can Auntie Dora, and Nocturne is a wild card on a good day… those three claim parental fright rights and all over me and my dumbass agreed before i understood since i was new and Ember and Kitty and Johnny didnt know i didnt know and—“

Plasticman hummed louder than usual, glancing at his phone and opening one of those boring adult apps Danny can’t be bothered with at the moment.

Patro whistled. “No wonder, why don’t we head back home? Ellie and most of your fright will be there.”

Danny made a small noise of protest, but let his Patro lead the way to the zeta tubes.

“Your doctor said if you can’t be in your usual haunt for this, you should at least be in your nest back home, before the symptoms get worse.”

Danny huffed, looking about the stars. He wanted to fly among them but Patro said not until after his Death Day and they can see the affects.

So two days.

Basically forever.

—

Jazz raised an eyebrow at Ellie, Sam and Tucker. All flopped down in Danny’s “not a nest” of blankets and star projection lamp.

The stray cacti pots and tech were not unnoticed.

Not were Ellie’s pictures of her travels.

Jazz put bearert and danny old lego starships in before he got back.

“Any preferences on what disaster smoothies we give Danny?” Jazz began. “He’s not allowed chocolate during this time—and we cant give him caffeine so no teas, energy drinks and coffee…which Nasty Shake horrors are we unleashing?”

“Lunchlady already swung by with some sandwhiches,” Penny answered from the hallway.

Jazz opened and shut her mouth, forgetting that she didnt need to be in charge of things this time.

They have reliable adults.

Weird.

Good weird, but still weird.

“That covers ecto food, not what he needs on the living side,” Sam answered while typing away on her phone. “Best Red agreed to watch Amity for the week solo and send any updates of GIW and Fenton activity.”

Patrick slipped in with an anxious, seven tailed Danny in ghost form.

“And Technus is in their tech, so he’s having a blast destroying their mainframe and plans.”

“Good for him.” Patrick herded Danny into his blanket nest.

“Patro,” Danny huffed, looking to his frightmates for help.

“Oh no, your dad, your problem, remember?”

“Don’t make one excuse for you when you got caught hacking sulker and this is what i get?”

“Yep.”

“Some best friend,” danny grumbled, rubbing his arm as he began to burrow under a galaxy blanket and turned on his lamp.

Patrick turned off the lights.

“So as the lead of in best friend olympics—“

“Hey!”

“—i say we plot our revenge. Jazz, Ellie, you two dont have to join but we will accept suggestions.”

Jazz smiled as Danny relaxed, skin bursting with nebula freckles more puddle than person.

—

Patrick isn’t dumb.

He knows he’s being tested by the gods the second he closes the door.

He has to get the Master of Time, the Guardian of Hope and Sleep Soother(? He’s still not sure what title to use for this flavor or sandman) to approve during a trial each of then get to run.

He smiles at Penny before time freeze and the cursed Eyeballs nab him and complain about him ignoring procedure and blah blah blah.

Do they ever get tired of hearing themselves talk?

He doesnt think so…

A familiar council appear before him, for once less riddled with the eyeballs of bureaucratic nonsense and attempted murder. On one side a too familiar yeti waved enthusiastically at him from the side, while the horned cosmos man next to him flopped onto the table unmoving.

On the other side there was a familiar set of armor on an excitable giant who should be on Danny-Sitting a week after his death day. his least favorite trickster had the same grin on that meant Plas would be refereeing Dan and Danny’s “visits” where Dan chose to be a menace about fixing paradoxes and demanded Danny ask more questions while Danny just… did as the weird ageshifter asked before stealing another batch of cookies for himself and hoarding them from his frightmates.

The blue four armed lady in the middle clapped her hands together, waking up the other occupants in the room.

Plas still wasnt sure if said being was related to Wonder Woman or not. both were (sort of) daughters of Zeus but something about dead one being made from all the greek gods available? He tries not to think about it, and roll with the Infinite’s insanity.

“Welcome Plasticman,” a four armed woman began. “We have gathered here to test you to your limits and judge your worthiness as our little star and his moonbeam’s mortal-side parent.”

“Told you we should have tested the first ones,” grumbled the horned man. “Their subconscious was a hot mess and we all know what they turned his holidays into.”

The armor suit made disgruntled sounds on the side, grabbing for a dimension dumping sword.

“Danny was not ready,” the trickster stated. “If he was to leave his caregivers, it will always have to be on his own terms. Especially given his core’s state.”

“He would have accepted it if you let me have Jazz bring up the idea sooner,” Nocturne complained, turning to Clockwork’s child state with a scowl.

“But no. Not part of the plan. Like all your plans actually work out Mr. time madness”

“I have it under control.”

“For the moment,” Frostbite added in. “But you have relapsed before, and now the Great One acts as the counter and has lessened the load.”

“You’re forgetting my second ward.”

“We dont speak of him when it is not a matter of his parole,” Pandora interupted. “Especially when we are here to be certain that Danny is not allowing another, what was that word he like to use to describe the other halfa?”

“Fruitloop,” everyone else chimed in.

“… yes. To ensure no kore fruitloops and otherwise unfit parental figures are able to mistreat, neglect or abuse Danny and Danielle.”

“So, do i need a number 2 pencil for the test, or is it trial by combat or,” Plas listed off absently, watching the five carefully.

“We have each designed a trial or test of our own design. You will begin now.”

Next here

So, any ideas for the trials Plas has to go through?

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[symphonyofsilence]

WWX stans saying he would have been the best uncle and Jin Ling's favorite uncle like we didn't see the man see Jin Ling go through the most horrifying event in his life and witness his uncle (who was also one of his two guardians) painful, traumatizing death after the said uncle was dismembered and after some really earth-shattering truths being unraveled, and LEAVE THE BOY THERE CRYING WHILE STARING AT HIS UNCLE'S COFFIN to go fuck in the bushes with LWJ. Like not an hour after the incident, or even a quarter of an hour. no. right after that whole shitshow happened!

(And JL accusingly asked JC why he let them go! JL...my boy... the real question is why did THEY choose to go?! When WWX had a traumatized nephew & a literally and figuratively bleeding brother to take care of, and LWJ had a traumatized brother who seconds ago WAS WILLING TO DIE WITH JGY and LWJ hadn't yet made sure that LXC's willingness has ceased since!)

And then WWX didn't even go to check on JL after that! While JL was a 15 y/o sect leader dealing with the power vacuum left after the scandals of the previous sect leader who was also coincidentally the Xiandu, & going through a power struggle with one of the worst sects out there.

WWX asks after Jin Ling from the Lan Juniors instead of going to see him himself! When he next sees JL it's said that the news of his struggles had reached Wangxian in Gusu, meaning that WWX hadn't dropped by to check on JL to hear of these from JL himself and he hadn't dropped by to check in on him even after hearing these news! He was only there bc JL had invited the Lan Juniors for a field trip!

WWX shows his love with drastic, big, dramatic, sacrificial acts like giving his golden core to JC or transferring Jin Ling's curse to himself, but since he himself loves to run away from his traumas and his responsibilities, he's not someone who can be counted on to help his loved-ones with their traumas and responsibilities. He didn't do it with Jiang Cheng and he didn't do it with Jin Ling. He never even talked to Wen Ning about Wen Qing and the Wen Remnants. (Or how WN feels about being a zombie forcefully brought back to life in a world that hates and fears him)

Maybe diplomacy is not his strength and he'll only make things worse by trying to help JL with his sect leader duties, but it wouldn't have taken anything from him if he had only stayed by JL at least for the night after the Guanyin Temple, not even doing anything, but just being there. (And I understand that narratively it might have been a point in the story where some readers might want to see the main couple sail off into the sunset together, but all it would have taken for the main couple to be shown as less of a dick was adding a phrase like "the next morning..." or even "later that day" or something like that before writing about them disappearing into the sunset...or the bushes.)

I love Wei Wuxian, but post-resurrection Wei Wuxian was really...not particularly an ideal family member.

[sleepy-writes-stuff]

DP X DC WRITING PROMPT #2

(Well this is surprising. Not really sure if this idea will make any sense, but here we go.)

(#) = Notes at the end of post

(*) = Just me building off of other ideas

✦

Danny, as Ghost King, gets summoned by the Legion of Doom(?) to help end the Justice League. Except for this summoning fic, they literally summon him off of a GIW lab table where he was being experimented on. Danny is bleeding, barely conscious, and having a really horrible time. This garners a split reaction. Some villains, while surprised, are indifferent. Others are horrified. Not really sure which villains would be which except maybe Lex Luthor(1).

When Danny gets patched up, Lex learns later on that day that he's one of the people responsible for helping pass the Anti-Ecto Acts. However, he only helped passed it to get the people who kept sending it to finally desist, thinking it was all a hoax/big joke and that it wouldn't really matter in the long run. Now he knows it wasn't just a big joke and now that he sees the results of that decision, he regrets it.

While the Legion of Doom isn't short on medical supplies, it's not a great environment for healing, villain or not. Plus, he's kinda useless for the reason he was summoned if he's this seriously wounded. So, he does something he's never done before. He tips off the Justice League about the injured teenage monarch and skedaddles back home and out of the way where he can also start figuring out a way to take down the Anti-Ecto Acts.

Meanwhile, Team Phantom (Sam, Tucker, Jazz, and Valerie. Maybe Wes too for extra humor? 👀) finally have a lock on Danny's location now that he's no longer in a GIW facility--they have ecto-signature blocking technology. They all suit up and get there way before the Justice League and have already taken out the villains still in the LoD HQ by the time they show up and are in the process of trying to transport Danny. The League are a combination of surprised, impressed, and concerned. They invite Team Phantom back to the Watchtower so they can help treat Phantom's injuries.

It's here that the League learns about the Anti-Ecto Acts and what had happened to Phantom to put him in such serious condition. Outraged, a team is organized to hit any GIW facilities and free any citizens of the Infinite Realms while Batman and a few others stay behind to help dismantle the Acts. Team Phantom manage to get the League to agree to have at least one of them on each team they send out, since they have more experience dealing with the GIW and ghosts alike.

With the combination of the League and Lex Luther (unknown to them), the Anti-Ecto Acts are dismantled and the captured ghosts are freed and Danny is all healed up, though still traumatized. His friends help him deal with it--Jazz plus Black Canary are especially invaluable in his psychological healing process. Meanwhile, the JL are incredibly impressed with how knowledgeable and well-trained they are for having no mentors to teach them. Even more so once they hear all the battles they've fought along side Phantom.

The JL come to a decision. They invite all of Team Phantom to join Justice League Dark, the JL subdivision for magic/the occult. After talking it over, they all agree to join.

✦

Thats where it ends unless you wanna continue it from there.

Notes:

(1) Which villains do you think would be sympathetic to Danny's condition? I don't know any of them well enough to pick. Do you think Lex Luther would actually feel sympathy for Danny? Small redemption arc? Do him and Danny meet again at some point on somewhat good terms?

(*) Maybe continue it with reactions from the Team from Young Justice? Maybe they're upset that some out of town teenagers got a JL invitation before they even got theirs? In response the JL have Team Phantom meet and train with Team YJ to get them to realize why exactly they were invited to join.

[poorlittleyaoyao]

I actually laughed reading about how novel!wwx judges others but he is a little mean. Novel!wwx is actually an asshole! And I too am surprised that jl didn't even spare a thought for his auntie! There's a whole paragraph about how he wants to forgive jgy and wwx (very beautiful) but what about qs? I put in the 'wtf' box, where there's also lxc's treatment at the end of the novel where lwj 'leaves him be' because 'he can't do nothing to help him'. I know that lwj isn't the best at comforting people but his brother is in seclusion! In a similar situation he was 13 years ago!

I mean... at the end of the day, the reason Jin Ling never thinks about Qin Su is that this canon itself doesn't especially care about its handful of women. It's why Jin Ling thinks about his father but not his mother, it's why Wen Ning doesn't mention his sister outside of a story about how poor Wei Wuxian has suffered ever so much, and it's why Wei Wuxian doesn't think about either of the above people. And unfortunately, since every Doylist answer has Watsonian repercussions, it means that these guys come off as jerks who don't give a shit about their mothers and sisters and friends who cared so deeply for them. The drama makes an effort, but even it stumbles in the end, IMO.

(Having typed that all out, I wonder if that's a factor in my Jiggy brainworms: in a story full of guys who regularly forget their female family members, we've got this little guy whose driving motivation is honoring his mother. And yet, because we can't have nice things, he is simultaneously responsible for a good chunk of the chronicled violence against women in the series.)

LXC's treatment is part of the novel problem of it being Wangxian: The Book. Which honestly isn't even a problem, because that is exactly what the novel is supposed to be! It's not a gen fantasy epic that happens to contain romance; it is specifically a romance so people expect it to be Wangxian: The Book.

I was complaining awhile ago about Novelxian's blithe attitude towards his traumatic experiences (both those he experienced and those he inflicted), and one of the anons who messaged me posited that this was better for the story, because it meant Wangxian could have their romance unimpeded by baggage. I boggled for a bit because it was so diametrically opposed to my own preferences that it was completely alien to me. It was eye-opening, too, because once I thought about it, that anon's perspective is probably much closer to the average audience member's than mine is, and that's fine. Because this is, after all, the romance novel Wangxian: The Book!

Going to back to LXC, the problem is more that the surrounding plot and characters are actually really damn interesting in a way that doesn't always mesh with the desired romance tropes. Acknowledging the love interest's permanently traumatized elder brother or the ramifications of the power vacuum that just opened up following JGY's death and the adjacent scandals would REALLY bring down the vibe when it's time for Wangxian: The Book to send its couple off to their cottagecore happy-ever-after. So instead, our heroes just go "well, best not to mention it!" and look like assholes because, as with the deaths mentioned in the first paragraph, the story itself doesn't want to dwell on it.

[llycaons]

Section Five: Part XIII

The little ones: works focused on the children

*a truth universal by curiositykilled

summary: another juniors-try-to-get-wx-together fic that’s surprisingly good. funny and believable - when it starts, all the kids are drunk, and their attempts to interfere with wwx’s personal life are recognized as embarrassing and silly. more of a character study on lsz and his complicated relationship with wwx/the lan sect/his name than anything. really refreshing and offering more nuance than ‘perfect son is grateful and loves his parents with no further thought’. cql canon work issues: none author issues: none but it looks like some of their works are incredibly gory and disturbing and contain *shudders* jc/wq, so watch out

The Birds and The Bees (and The Bunnies) by Beltenebra

summary: jin ling tries to get some sex ed from the adults in his life, and mostly fails because all the adults in his life have too many issues and problems. honestly pretty sweet, and quite funny. either canon, probably work issues: wwx’s attempt at teaching was a bit…weird? and jl did say he felt a little traumatized after, but imo it wasn’t as bad as it was in other fics, and even a little funny since his advice was so hyperspecific and useless to jl author issues: none

i’m haunted by the letters of your name by wizardlover

summary: postcanon, jin ling sees visions of jgy, and grapples with his conflicting feelings about him. the friendship between the juniors in this was just incredibly sweet. and jc is at his absolute best. it’s enough to call him ooc, but it’s still nice to see him being so emotionally aware and supportive. I <3 jin ling. either canon, but probably cql-leaning work issues: none author issues: they’re a big fan of nhs/jgy

Sect Leader Jingyi by Fortune_Maiden

summary: sect leader jingyi baby!!! work issues: none author issues: lxc/nhs

another name for ghosts by seularen

summary: postcanon, a still-estranged jin ling visits wwx at CR, and lwj tries to keep it from being a disaster for everyone involved. I didn’t really like the lwj in this one, because he’s firmly his novel self and I don’t like novel lwj much as a person, but he was well-written and the way the work teased out jl and wwx’s respective issues and traumas was really something. novel canon work issues: none author issues: incredibly weird about sex scenes outside of this work. a lot of cnc-adjacent stuff. xiyao also

Impartiality by lindoreda

summary: on lsz and his relationship with lwj over the years, done in a way I found original and interesting and true to canon. at one point the kids get curious and start snooping and they find lwj’s erotica collection and it’s very awkward for everyone but it’s wholesome I swear. either canon, I think work issues: it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read this but I don’t think there’s anything to worry about author issues: none

*Ouyang Zizhen and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day by huxiyi

summary: modern AU oyzz, normal high school student trying to do well in class, doesn’t care about the unfolding jc and wwx and lwj drama at ALL and is progressively frustrated and annoyed that his friends do. quite funny work issues: none I think? author issues: has written genderbends

Small Medium Large by HerenorThereNearnorFar

summary: postcanon, a-qing is alive. ish. she’s jin ling’s advisor, a darling cousin of wwx, protectee of fairy, recipient of jiang sect gifts, and close friends with the other kids. as a medium, she perceives the injustices done to unquiet dead and helps then find retribution. a good time, I love a-qing. either canon but probably more cql work issues: none author issues: xuexiao

three days gone by occultings (microcomets)

summary: postcanon wwx, stuck at koi tower and missing his husband, decides to bother jin ling. as per usual, wwx is a bit of a menace, but they have a couple of very sweet moments. wwx also talks a little about his sexuality in a way that’s not over-exaggerated or made into a joke, which is nice to see. I’m feeling novel-verse for this one mind the notes - those jin cousins are homophobic work issues: none author issues: has written genderbends, sex pollen, and ‘allusions to cnc’

hills and rivers are waiting by LtLJ

summary: postcanon, jin ling tries to connect with his wandering uncle wei through the endowment of an outpost from which to night-hunt from. funny and sweet, and they really nailed how badass and competent wwx is. cql canon I liked this work, but the others in the series I tried to read are really bad and ooc, and kind of depressing. the way they write wx sucks for reasons that are unique to this fic (mostly by making them see each other only rarely and having lwj act like a shitty partner by not standing with wwx publicly for political reasons) and I don’t recommend them work issues: none author issues: none

Back to Start

[ggomos-maribat]

[23/?]

BDBWM Day 3 | Meeting the JL

original prompt | complete masterlist

*Set Post-Hawkmoth defeat, but before Mari moves in with the Waynes. Thank you to the people over at the MGI server who suggested the subjects for each member

When Ladybug and Chat Noir arrive at the headquarters, a few Justice League members come to meet them. The two Parisian heroes can’t help but notice that the JL are feeling a little off. Tired, restless or slightly distressed. 

“Why do I have a feeling you know something about this?” Chat whispers to Ladybug.

“Umm—” 

“I’m doing homework right now.” Marinette props her legs up to her chest, adjusting the camera of her tablet so she can see the video call properly. “Do you happen to know anyone I can ask for help?” 

“On what subject, sweetie?” Bruce asks. 

“Uhh, a lot. Here, I’ll send a list to you.” 

Her father hums as he scans the list. “What about your brothers?” 

She wrinkles her nose. “Them? No. Not them. Any other suggestions? Do you want to help me?” 

“I wish I could. Unfortunately, I have meetings lined up for the next few days. I’ll send you some contacts of mine to help.” Bruce types on his laptop. “I’ll let them know ahead of time that you’ll be calling.” 

“Cool. Thanks, Dad.” Marinette looks up and gawks at the names on the list. Did he seriously send these. . .? 

“I’ll tell you about it later,” Ladybug whispers back. 

“I am glad that you can join us, Ladybug.” Wonder Woman steps forward and takes her hand. “The Paris situation may be solved but there are still a lot of things to take care of.” 

Ladybug guiltily notes her lack of energy. 

“Hello? Auntie Diana?” Marinette says after warily dialing the number. 

“Marinette! Bruce said that I’ll be able to help with your History homework.” Diana says. “Ask away, dear.” 

“Right, let’s see . . .” 

As it turns out, she’s not any better of a teacher than Plagg. While Marinette appreciated her rambles about her own adventures, she only needs the gist of the progression of industrialization in Europe. She still patiently listens for a couple hours, however. 

“You both seem so young,” Superman mumbles from his seat while hunched over a notepad. 

Ladybug hides her wince. “Yeah, we get that a lot.” 

“We first started when we were thirteen.” Chat casually stretches. She elbows his side. 

“Uncle Clark? I got this article-writing homework . . . We have to write an essay about the Paris tragedies.” 

“But that’s such a broad topic!” 

“I know! I complained too, since it can bring up some traumatic memories for my classmates, but our teacher won’t budge.” Marinette shudders. 

“Alright, first you have to . . .” Clark Kent then proceeds to spill his waterfall of ideas, which Marinette knows will exceed the maximum word count. 

“And—wait a minute, I can just write it for you!” 

“Huh? But Uncle C—” 

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll have it done before your deadline.” 

Something tells Marinette that he’ll be neglecting his civilian job for a while. 

“Thirteen? Who allowed you children to fight a terrorist at that age?” Green Arrow frowns. 

The Parisian duo sigh at the same time. 

“Okay! Thanks for helping me with Physics, Uncle Ollie.” Marinette adds the units of her answer at last. “One last thing, do you mind if I ask you a bit about Math?” 

“What is it?” 

“It’s pretty long. Uhh, wait a sec, I’ll send you a picture.” 

“What’s with these messy solutions? The answer’s wrong. You have to do it this way . . .” 

“But Uncle Bars said—” 

“Barry? Nevermind what he said. I’ll send in the right solutions.” 

The Flash is giving the archer the stink eye. “We’re here to talk about Paris, not about their ages or qualifications.” 

“Hello—” 

“Marinette! You asked Oliver about your Math homework?!” 

“Yeah, I just wanted a second opinion—” 

“But my answer is correct!” 

“Uncle Ollie said no, though . . .” 

“Argh! Just wait, I’m gonna run over to him. He’s simplifying the stuff that can’t be canceled out! I already told him!” 

When Ladybug fidgets a little, Chat gives her a look of suspicion. She thinks about not telling him what transpired in the span of twenty-four hours. 

“How old are you both now? Seventeen? Eighteen?” Aquaman butts in to ask them. “Is an Atlantean diorama a good school project? It is, right?” 

“So Uncle Art, I was thinking of having an aquaponics project for my—” 

“Ha! How nice to see you curious about Atlantean culture!” 

“Wait, I said aquaponics—” 

“You can quote me, the king himself! What do you want to know?” 

Ladybug fights back a groan and a scowl towards Batman, who’s busy working on the computer. This is all Dad’s fault. 

BONUS: 

“Marinette, what grade did you get for that essay?” 

“. . . A fifteen out of twenty.” 

“Fifteen? Out of twenty?! She gave an extensive essay written by Clark Kent, proofread by Lois Lane a fifteen out of twenty?!” 

Taglist:

@maribat-bdbwm @tinybrie @sinoffalsejudgement @its-maemain @kamarallil @toughluna @golden-promises @whatamoodhoney @trippingovermyfeet @m4ster0fnone @alexizlazy @plz-excuse-my-inner-gay @maybeanalien0-0 @imchaotic-dontmindme @ev-cupcake @flowers-n-fandoms @crusherccme @ji-nk-ies @depressed-bitchy-demon @duskyashe @multplelifes @authorpendragging@iloontjeboontje@thatonecroc@user00000003@paradoxaloccurance@kking13@laydeekrayzee@chaos-inperson@astol07@the-coffee-fandom@nerd-nowandforever@nightmarewasteland@certainmuffinbagelcalzone @the-hospitality-of-knives @stainedglassm @talia-scar123

*if you want to be tagged, feel free to ask in the comments and I'll add you to the taglist :)

[stealingyourbones]

I have seen nothing but fanfics of J’onn J’onzz. Is his characterization like the Vision in the MCU? Could you explain it to me a bit?

God I haven’t watched any MCU movies since Endgame came out but you’re pretty close I’d say. He’s a fish out of water type character. A Green Martian gets teleported to earth by a scientist who IMMEDIATELY dies of a heart attack just after he sees Martian Manhunter for the first time which gives him no way of going back home. He heads into the great unknown of earth and strives to keep the peace the same way he did with his own planet.

J’onn is forced to adapt to earth and earth civilization. Mars lore can range from “there was a multi decade long war and I’m the last Martian left”, to “There are only Green Martian’s”, to “There are Green and White Martians. Green Martians think of White Martians as below them when the only difference biologically is skin tone. Easy and interesting way to talk about racism.” , “there are Green and White Martians but White Martians are prodominately evil.”, to “He’s about to be the ruler of his people but since Green Martians share a massive telepathic consciousness of thought, he has to go to earth to deal with the challenge of being one self and one mind.” Either way it’s one big ass situation change. In the first 5 or so years on earth he’s normally written with a ‘fish out of water’ sense of earths customs and details on human interaction. He knows basic stuff but the concept of holidays and earth traditions are bizarre to him.

J’onn J’onzz can be affected by the war with his friends and family dead, he can be an ambassador of mars to earth, he can be the next ruler of his people, he can be simply a random Martian cop shoved in a completely different environment.

His backstory is very scattered but depending on what it is can affect his personality. No matter what he’s a Martian Manhunter. This is a title which basically boils down to being a mars equivalent of a cop.

Jon Jones is quite Vision like, slightly ‘not connected’ to reality type of vibe with his speaking. He’s extremely intelligent, a master tactician, and is so powerful that he’s quite literally used as a Superman stand in for many early JL comics. He’s held his own against the ENTIRE Justice League. Superman has said that Martian Manhunter is THE most powerful being on the face of the earth. He’s a very powerful man with a very good heart. Imagine a very lovable and very intelligent nuclear bomb. People describe him as Batman + Superman which I feel is diminishing his character but it is a good hyper simplification of his personality and powers. Example: my favorite clip ever of Justice League Ultimate. (They wrote the Kent’s and Clark SO WELL)

His only weakness? Fire. Not physically though. Psychosomatically. He is invulnerable to fire but normally a very traumatic experience with fire (usually the destruction of his race via flame/laser). Fire gives this man psychic damage.

Idk this is mostly me rambling but I genuinely do hope this helps. What I’ve read/am in the midst of reading that has J’onn J’onzz in it: Justice League Ultimate (tv show), JLA: Year One #1-12, Brightest Day, or Justice League United #0-10 (comic)

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

Graveyard Siblings (4)

I am sorry for not posting in a while. School is a total bitch. Here is part 4 of a fic that is not a fic.

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 2)(Part 3)

-------

Tall Marinette.(I admit I might be projecting a little here.)

One day, she took out something from someplace high and the whole family realized that ‘holy shit when did you get so tall?’

Bonus if Jason comes back from a long mission and had a wtf moment because she was wearing 6-inch-heels and met his eyes with them on.

“Pixie?!”

------

You know how Bruce has the identity of Matches Malone to infiltrate the Gotham Underground.

While Jason does the drug deals more street crime stuff, Maria uses an excuse of being the representative for Red Hood excuse to mingle with the rich people who does crime on the side (Penguin), she uses it to go to black market auctions and buy some of the lost miraculouses which got into the hands of black market dealers.

Jason knows about it and acts as her ‘bodyguard’ anytime he can or sends one of his henchmen to be one with a death threat if she gets a single scratch on her.

Bruce is unaware of this. Or is he?

------

Mari helps with running WE since she is a little less busy with the vigilante side of things.

It started with Tim panicking about deadlines and Mari offering to help, to Bruce and Tim bullying the board to have her as co-CEO.

She has to be that and head of Afterlife. So she is very busy. Doesn’t know about what comes next….

------

Somehow the class comes to Gotham for a trip. It has been 3 years since her death.

Mari has changed her appearance since the day she left Paris. She has highlights in her hair after a ‘sibling bonding day’ with Jason. Her hair is kept short for convenience and not in pigtails. Along with her tall height and more confident aura, she is almost unrecognizable.

She rides a motorcycle too.

The class waits in the lobby for the tour and in walks this badass woman with aviator sunglasses, leather jacket and designer clothes which was all MT brand, making a lot of people swoon.

She takes off her glasses and walks past the class. Checking stuff on her phone and sipping coffee in her other hand.

She seems familiar but they couldn’t figure out why. (All except Chloe, Alix and Felix who are snickering in the background.)

Lila sees her and comments on how she must be a criminal with the way she dresses. (Lila internally freaks out because were her eyes messing with her? Because she looked a little like Marinette. Also jealous of the new arrival for stealing all the attention.) Alya takes the bait and calls security to ‘arrest’ her.

They just laugh. The class doesn’t understand, speaking in confused French.

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

“I am Maria Todd-Wayne, also known as designer MT. CEO of Afterlife and co-CEO of the very company you are in. I am allowed in here. Don’t judge a book by its cover.” she said in perfect French.

“But Lila told us you can’t speak French.”

“Who?”

“Lila Rossi, your friend. She told us that you and MT were dating.”

“Me dating myself. Okay I love myself because self-love is a thing but that is a whole other level. MT are my initials. Anyone who has a brain could have figured that out or at the very least do a Google search. I am not sure where your friend got that notion.”

“Hey, Bean, come on. We have a long day ahead of us.” Tim reminded her.

“Goodbye but cease the rumours or you would be escorted off the premises.”

As they rode up the elevator, “Tim, why are they here?”

“They are the lucky winners of the Wayne Enterprise Young Prodigies Contest. Why, Maria?”

“Lucky, huh.” She muttered under her breath. She might as well tell him. They are the Bats and they will find out anyway. “They are from my old class, the one you know…”

“Oh. Want me to send them back? I can do that if they are making you uncomfortable.”

“Nah. Too much to deal with. And it is unfair to send them back over a petty grudge. Besides, I could have some fun.”

“Anything that Bruce and I should be worried about?”

“I swear no killing. Just because Jason came back from the dead, hell-bent on killing. Doesn’t mean I am too.”

“Cool, just don’t do any property damage or traumatize our employees.”

“I might need you to erase some footage later and tell Bruce about this.”

“Some brownies, my favourite coffee cake, the ‘special’ brew and you have yourself a deal.”

-----

So basically she just showed up around where the class was ‘by coincidence’.

Talk to a few people and take them out of earshot of the rest of the class.

End the conversation by saying a few things only they and her would know. Insides jokes and secrets. (I pick her old childhood friends like, Nino, Kim and maybe Sabrina)

Uses Trixx to turn into a walking dead version of her 15-year old self and disappears as they freak out about how she knew that secret/story.

Freaks them out further by appearing again in front of the whole class and pretending not to know their previous conversation.

Mari manages to get Lila alone.

I should also say that Lila thought that her curse was making her see MT as Marinette.

It terrifies Lila when she finds out that MT is actually Marinette, not dead but alive after all this time and apparently living the high life she wanted. This fact made the Italian swell up with jealousy.

“I hope you are not lying about me again, Lila Rossi. Like you always do.”

“What do you want with me? I swear I didn’t say anything else about you.”

“Aw, Lila. Don’t recognize me?”

Maria flickers and Ladybug is in her place and later, the Marinette that appeared in her bedroom and back to normal.

“You! How? Why are you here? Why can’t you leave me alone?”

“Why not? I mean you did take away nearly all my friends, my parents and made my life a living hell. If you think about it, I am just repaying you the same favor. How are the others? Treating you well?”

“What did you do to me, you bitch?”

“I just put a curse on you. The ghosts of your past will haunt you until you stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop Lying, Liar. They all feed and grow in power from your lies. I wonder what would happen in a few years if you kept this up.”

“You think you can get away with this. This is war and I have already beaten you once.”

“Oh Rossi. This isn’t a war. It’s a death sentence.” With that she disappears.

Lila tries to tell her class that MT is actually Marinette. She is met with crazy looks. Some of them look like they want to believe her but don't because they don’t want to look crazy too.

Oh. Adrien wasn’t on the trip because his mother didn’t want him to go to the crime capital of America although the crime rate has gone down a little due to Hellbat curing some of the city’s bad energy..

Right after Lila told the class about MT, Scarecrow came to steal some Wayne tech and the class got caught in the crossfire. So later, it was brushed off as Lila seeing things due to the fear toxins.

-----

Joker made the mistake of kidnapping her. Once was enough to never try that again.

(It involved the use of nearly all of the Miraculouses, old and new. He was thoroughly humiliated at the end of it and his picture by the time Hellbat was done with him was on the Batfam’s Christmas Card. Like I said she doesn’t kill but making them beg for death was okay.)

It coincided with Jason’s Birthday and the video of the incident was ‘the best birthday present ever.’ The uncensored version was watched at the next undead siblings bonding day. Damian included.

After hearing a few rumours about what happened, most criminals were glad for Hellbat’s rare appearances. (which happens once a month and during really busy time of the year)

There was a time where Penguin was carrying out one of their plans and when Hellbat showed up, all of their thugs surrendered instantly. (No Batman did not pout at the fact that this French girl was more imitating than him.)

Scarecrow used his newest batch of fear toxin on her during the first year after she died.

He was astounded to see her still standing and she later proceeded to beat the crap out of him while being under the toxin’s influences.

He has tried to stay out of her way since then.

She saw Scarecrow as Hawkmoth and said a lot of things in French which scared everyone because she said it with so much hate, anger and in a very menacing tone that everyone is like ‘I am not touching this.’

It took Red Hood and Nightwing to restrain her from further beating Scarecrow up.

He was one of the people who sympathised with the Joker after the Incident.

The next was Riddler being so arrogant in his plans and managed to get Hellbat and Spoiler into a death trap.

“You know I have a few regrets in life. And my final one is that I got captured and am now going to get killed by a walking fashion disaster.”

“Hey! I made this myself. I will have, you know.”

“You have a brilliant mind but no sense of fashion at all. When I get out of here, I am going to burn that thing with you in it, for your crimes against fashion.”

“What is wrong with it?”

Cue a lot of roasting of Riddler’s costume and Spoiler adding more fuel to the fire.

They manage to escape while Riddler is crying on the floor, having an existential crisis.

The thing was no one knows why Riddler was silent the entire week after encountering Hellbat and crying when anyone mentions it.

They now think Hellbat is the scariest one in the Batfamily, second to Batman and tied with Black Bat/Orphan.

The few who find out what really happened in the warehouse that night. Blackmail material on the Riddler.

Three ( four if you count Penguin) of Gotham’s biggest villains of the Rogues Gallery scared of Bats’ newest addition. Hellbat was not someone they wanted to mess with.

---------

Magic crisis stuff. Like a world ending event thing. Dr. Fate says they need the Miraculous jewels but the last mention of them had been in Paris a few years ago and had vanished since then.

Costantine looked at Batman. “You know who you have to call.”

Batman calls Hellbat. Who hasn’t been introduced yet to the JL.

“Ah. Bats. Not that I question your authority or anything but how can your newest ‘ward’ help us?”

She takes off her helmet and reveals her face and more importantly, her earrings.

Tikki comes out of her hiding place.

“I am the current Guardian of the Miracle Box and wielder of the Ladybug miraculous during Hawkmoth’s reign in Paris a few years ago. Any other Questions?”

“Oh great Guardian. Tikki. It is an honour to meet you.”-Wonder Woman, who else.

“You too, Princess Diana. Pass on my regards to your mother.”-Tikki

A huge face-off and the big evil is defeated.

WW asks abt HM and gives a horrified face at the end of her story. Nearly everyone who eavesdropped on the conversation was.

"Forgive me, Guardian for not aiding you in your hour of need.”

“It’s okay. I understand that there are other crises, world-ending ones that JL have to take care of. I am better now. Mostly.”

“I doubt it with those revenge schemes I found lying around. But she is getting there with her therapist.”-Batman

“I hate you, Dad.”

“Did you just call him Dad?”

“No….”

“Do you see me as a father figure?”

“I see you as a nuisance with how nosy you are with my personal business. So you are more of a bother figure.”

“I see you as part of the family too, Daughter.” (Got that reference anyone?)

“Jason was the one who adopted me.”

“Legally you are adopted by me.”

Maria with Pikachu surprised face because nobody told her that. “My life is a lie.”

-------

(Part 5)

[thevindicativevordan]

Anonymous asked: Any thoughts on the new announcements on the Absolute Universe at SDCC ?

Anonymous asked: I know we should probably hold off on speculating about new Absolute books, but I really hope that there is an Absolute Suicide Squad book written by Deniz Camp and an Absolute GL book written by Al Ewing.

Anonymous asked: Thoughts on the SDCC news (specifically about the Absolute Universe)?

Decent SDCC for DC, I know we technically have one more day left but I don't think the remaining panel has anything big planned. Starting with the mainline comics news:

Waid/Henry are only doing three months, but an issue will come out every week. Waid is certainly making the most of finally writing one of the Superman ongoings! Unfortunately that raises the question of who is taking over in 2025. Taylor & Redondo have a DC book coming and I'm dreading the likely chance that they're taking over Action. We'll likely find out at NYCC.

Ram V on New Gods is the most exciting announcement of SDCC. About time that New Genesis starts getting some respect, this at least justifies another Darkseid megastory. Designs remind me of the New 52 which is sure to aggravate some but pleases me as a fan of the New Gods redesigns (and Highfather has his classic look still which means it will be a mix of new and old outfits). Anticipate this book being more in the vein of his Swamp Thing rather than his Tec, or at least that's what I want as someone who was not hooked by his Tec run

Lemire on JSA is a nice surprise. Going to give the JSA another chance and pick this up. Anyone want to bet on the odds of Johns JSA getting delayed right up until the first issue of this drops? Glad Khalid is a part of the lineup, he's the only one I have any prior attachment to

Biggest news is the return of the Justice League under the stewardship of Waid and Mora. Yes folks, Mora is drawing Justice League and Superman now, how the hell does the guy find the stamina? Cool lineup, the JL has needed a shakeup and substituting the GLs for Star Sapphire lets you keep the same powerset, but adding a new personality to the mix. Capitan Atom fans rejoice, since Waid already blew your guy up in Kingdom Come, he might actually avoid that tired out cliché. When this was announced to be focusing on Darkseid I ruled Waid out given he said he has no attachment to the New Gods despite being able to appreciate the achievement of what Kirby created. Did writing Darkseid in World's Finest change that, or was it simply a matter of DC's poor sales forcing Waid to get out of his comfort zone in order to take charge? Either way I am eager to see if this matches the highs of World's Finest.

Sidenote but it will be interesting to see Waid write Wally Flash again, albeit as part of a team.

With Waid and Mora both on JL, Mora leaving WF for the foreseeable future, and the Eclipso arc acting as a new origin story for the JL which ties it into the upcoming Waid JL run, I predict that Waid will step off World's Finest soon too. Perhaps PKJ will take over? Sure he could bring Superman into Batman & Robin but I can't shake the suspicion that B&R was not what he was referring to when he said he was writing Superman still.

Getting into the Absolute of it all we've got two exciting announcements:

Lemire and Robles are doing Absolute Flash, which will star a 15 year old Wally West. Of the entire Absolute line, this is the one I see being the most like Bendis/Bagley Ultimate Spider-Man. Poor Wally appears to be getting traumatized by the Speed Force, this Wally apparently lacks Barry as a mentor, which could mean he doesn't exist, or that he gets Uncle Ben'd in order to start Wally's heroic journey. Outside of Superman this is my most anticipated Absolute title, it will be nice to read Flash without the wider Flash family intruding.

Pleasing the anon up there amongst others, Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay are doing Absolute Green Lantern. Ewing is finally doing an ongoing DC book, and this one stars Jo, John, and Hal. Jo was the only one who has concept art shown, whether that means she's the only one who gets powers is unclear. Described as a "first contact" story (how does that line up with Superman?), odds of there being a traditional GLC are slim. Will be dropping Immortal Thor and picking this up again, it's something of a last shot for Ewing barring him getting a Superman title since I haven't enjoyed anything he's done post Immortal Hulk.

Of the three Absolute books already announced some further details were shared:

Superman's story starts in Brazil and other than Krypton exploding, Aaron remains tight-lipped. It's an angrier, younger, and sexier Superman whose life did not work out the way he wanted. In other words welcome back New 52 Superman, I missed you. Cover showed him fighting Peacemakers which makes me happy since that points to this Superman being an outlaw. For my money I want to see this Superman have other love interests besides Lois, if she exists I want her to be anti-Superman. Without Ma and Pa, AI Jor-El, or Lois to guide him, let's see what this version of Superman does. Better not make us wait too long before seeing the Absolute versions of the traditional Superman Rogues.

Wonder Woman was raised in the Underworld instead of in Paradise. In addition to her weapons, she is a spellcaster, a real "Witcher Woman" you might say. Instead of being blessed by the Olympians maybe Diana is blessed by the Chthonic gods? My biggest question is obviously does this Wondy have a father or is she a clay baby? Because a Wondy who is a "daughter" of Hecate could make for a cool relationship with Circe. Instead of Etta I want to see Absolute Zatanna be this Wondy's first and closest friend, this Wondy is said to be the world's first hero like on New 52 Earth 2. Might mean she already has history with other heroes.

Batman got the most details shared (no surprise considering Snyder). It's Bruce Wayne, he's a city engineer without his billions, Black Mask is going to be the first villain he's up against, and instead of his butler, Alfred is an MI-6 agent who clashes with Batman while serving as the POV character. Oh and this version of Bruce is blonde which is more weird than anything else shared.

The Absolute Trinity are going to clash and butt heads, they might even be enemies. Not going to see them become BFFLs right away which excites me, I'm open to seeing tension and clashing of egos that wouldn't make sense in the main universe.

Moving on to the last big bit of news that I care about, we got 2 teases for MAWS S3:

First, Superboy is showing up in S3! My initial reaction was to practically leap out of my chair for joy, FINALLY a Superman cartoon with the core four Superfamily members: Kal, Kara, John Henry Irons, and Kon. Then someone pointed out to me that if this is Kon, why does he have Lois' skin tone? Compare the Superboy smirk on the left with Lois on the right and I can't see how anyone could argue that's not her kid. So did they just give Conner's outfit to Jon? Are they merging Kon and Jon together? They're not jumping 15 years ahead to get a full grown Clark and Lois kid. What's up then?

Popular theories: this is regular Kon but they gave him a tan to differentiate him more from Clark, it's Kon but he's a Clois test tube baby created by Lex instead of Lex using his own DNA, or it's Clark/Lex/and Lois this time, it's Kon with his original origin of being a Superman/Westfield baby instead of Clex, it's Jon time travelling back from the future like Trunks, it's a Kon from another universe where Superman died, or it's a Superboy created by the League of Lois Lanes to kill evil Supermen which he rebels against. In other words no one knows but man are we all eager to find out.

If it is Kon then I predict that he and Kara have an adversarial relationship. Could go with the New 52 take where Krypton hated clones, and Kara inherited that prejudice. Kal meanwhile finds Kon to be a pain in the ass because of Kon's Casanova attitude.

We also got a tease of the S3 villains! Did a bad job guessing back during S1 but that won't stop me from trying again here, going clockwise:

Dead center we've got Lex as our new big bad to replace Sam Lane and Brainiac. Glad to see him rocking the bald is beautiful appearance, I still say it's because of kryptonite poisoning. Is that the All-Star outfit? Man if he's wearing that he'll be the best dressed Lex hands down

Zod right? Yeah he looks like Jor-El but the blank s-shield makes me think Zod. Stand by my theory that Zod was Nemesis Omega and his plotline in S3 will be breaking out of the Phantom Zone and then trying to rescue the rest of Krypton, whatever the cost to Earth.

Mxy! If he's still here he better get another episode, I love MAWS Mxy

Uhhhhhh Bizarro? Vandal Savage? Seen some people guess Solomon Grundy and yeah that's plausible. His design sucks and that's about all I've got to say.

Please let that be a further mutated Parasite, MAWS Parasite is my favorite Parasite and I miss him. Other possible bad guys: Chronovore, Hellgramite

Yaaaaaay Deathstroke and Waller are still here... why? Can we please get rid of them and get some actual Superman villains in here.

Now these guys are intriguing. One of them looks like Kara and is rocking the s-shield, but Kara has joined the Trio in the center down below. My first guess is that's Alura with other Phantom Zone escapees, in the MAWS universe maybe she was a Zod loyalist and was banished along with him, that's why she wasn't with Zor. Poor Kara has to follow up fighting her "father" with fighting her mother. To the right of her thought... that looks like a traditional Brainiac. Could be Zod and co recover Brainiac's core that Kara salvaged and build him a new body. Other possibility is that is an evil Legion from an alternate universe.

Banshee and Roughhouse? Sure I guess but I thought they got "redeemed" by the end of S2. Never were serious threats, unless they get some serious upgrades power level wise, and become much more villainous, I don't see the point in keeping them around. Make Banshee tied to the Phantom Zone like Williamson did and I will change my tune completely.

Hank Henshaw as Cyborg Superman or Metallo. Will be sad if they cut John Corben out but I truthfully would rather get a proper Metallo even if it's Henshaw over Cyborg Superman (terrible name!)

No Livewire or Heatwave, are they gone? Atomic Skull better come back he didn't even get to do anything! Too cool of a design to simply toss aside, c'mon guys don't kick actual Superman villains out only to keep Deathstroke around.

Give me a scene of the big three (Lex, Brainiac, and Zod) interacting and MAWS will secure it's status as the GOAT. Easy layup here guys!

Wyatt is writing the 9th episode of next season and they've started animating the first. Maybe we could get this in the summer of 2025 after all.

Good SDCC this year for DC, gets a solid B from me.

Thoughts on the new announcements on absolute comics

Anonymous asked: Hello! How are you feeling? What do you think of the new creative teams DC announced for October?

Anonymous asked: So ! What are your thoughts on the All In initiative and the new creative teams for the existing books like Action ?

txtmasterblast asked: On a scale of 0 to 10, how much are you looking forward to the upcoming Absolute Universe line?

Thought I'd save this for SDCC since there are still some rumored books that are yet to be confirmed, but I can save my thoughts for when those are officially announced. Short version is that this is extremely exciting.

Dawn of DC was DC playing it safe, and they botched the initiative because of how they spammed low quality events like Knight Terrors. Now they're stepping up to the plate and trying to tap into the energy created by Marvel's Ultimate Universe and the Energon Universe. They're trying to take a big swing and hit a home run. After multiple attempts by Didio to create something like this, it's downright ironic that Snyder finally is the one to do it given the two of them clashed at the end of their tenures. Once again Snyder seems to be trying to infuse the DCU with the essence of Metal, and at least this version appears to revolve less around Batman. I won't lie, hearing Snyder name drop Doomsday Clock and talk about "Darkseid Energy" in the promo video made me cringe.

The success of Hickman's Ultimate Universe and the Energon Universe came because they broke free of the usual shared universe comic nonsense. The Maker is an evil Reed Richards who eliminated all the heroes who couldn't be turned in order to build his perfect world. Energon was a reboot with no prior knowledge required. Simple! If the Absolute Universe requires me to know about the "Metaverse", throw it the trash because it's doomed. If the first issues of these books are not able to be read standalone with zero prior knowledge required, it's going to fail. The All-In one shot should tell us why this universe exists, what the pitch is, but it needs to be free from the kind of esoteric meta commentary which has poisoned DC for the last decade or so. Darkseid meddles with an Earth in order to understand his foes better is an easy concept to grasp. Don't make it any more complicated than that.

Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta - Least exciting of the bunch. Unless Snyder is going to radically change up his writing style, we know how his Bruce sounds. Even without the wealth Batman usually has, I expect this will feel very familiar. Since I've dropped all the other Bat books however, I plan on getting this and two others for my Bat fix. Snyder has teased that Scarecrow and Bane are the two Bat villains he wished he could've done more with during his first run. Scarecrow is my favorite Batman villain and the thugs in the ashcan look like thugs of his to me. I think this Batman will be juicing himself with Venom, explains why he's huge, which is a much better justification for why Bane seeks this Batman out than anything they've come up with elsewhere. That logo sucks but I assume it's because this Batman has to make use with whatever he can scavenge, maybe that is a literal bulletproof plate to guard his chest which he shaped to look like a Bat as best as he could.

Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson & Hayden Sherman - Thompson was a fan of the Azz/Chiang New 52 Wondy up until the reveal about the Amazons being rapists. Between the reuse of the silver/red color combo for this Wondy's armor, and how she doesn't have access to Paradise Island or other Amazons, I'm getting very similar vibes. I was a fan of Azz's run even though I acknowledge he "broke" her in several ways, I'm up for a second stab at a Wondy like that with Thompson. Tattoos show Hecate's symbol from Historia, perhaps this Wondy got her powers from Hecate only? My theory is Hippolyta went with her Bana sisters to war, and was never Queen of Themyscira. When she had Diana then, it was in Man's World. If this is dark urban fantasy Wondy, that would make for a good contrast with King's current political thriller run.

Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron & Rafa Sandoval - Bizarro arc was great, Sandoval is one of the best artists in DC's roster, I'm all in (hehe). No Fortress is a shame but since Bats and Wondy don't have their bases either I accept it. No family and no home is particularly intriguing. Seen a lot of speculation about what that entails, from this Superman being raised in an orphanage like the Action #1 origin, to Kal being sent from Krypton when he was old enough to remember it. If it's the latter then Absolute Kara will likely be dead, since she would overlap too much with this Superman. I love the design, grey suit with Morrison's first All-Star shield that Quietly only drew for one panel is a peak look. Hairstyle reminds me of Corenswet's "Clark" hair only longer, also reminds me of Anakin/Luke Skywalker which might be exactly the intention. His "cape" appears to be made of solar energy, perhaps this Superman has trouble controlling his powers? His solar battery biology might work differently here, with him "leaking". Or perhaps he even has a different powerset entirely? Seems like he can channel power into his arms/fists, if we get heat/ice fists instead of vision/breath, that would be the kind of silliness I love. Don't think this Superman will be paired with Lois, which frankly is a good thing. All the other major Superman projects focus on the Clois romance, for this to stand out I believe Absolute Superman needs to be dating other people. Since he seems to be a drifter, Aaron might eventually have him travel to other planets, where we could get Maxima or someone entirely new.

Other books have leaked and are probably right considering Bleeding Cool accurately called the Trinity, but I'll wait until they get revealed officially - likely at SDCC - before giving my thoughts.

For the mainline universe:

Justice League - Superman is apparently building a new JL that will be going after Darkseid and reshaping the cosmic hierarchy of the DCU. If DC had any brains left in their collective heads they would give this book to PKJ, but he's denied being on JL. Ram V still has a book to announce, maybe it's him? I would've said Waid but without Mora I don't think he'd take the job. Aaron is a possibility albeit not one I'd want. Seen some people say Lemire, and he did write the JL crossover with his Black Hammer verse. Please let it not be Taylor.

Superman - Mora joining the book took me by surprise, that is sure to have generated major fuming from certain corners. Doomsday arc is going to be a joy to look at

Action Comics - Waid and Henry are finally announced. Action going weekly was unexpected however. Only question I have is, does this mean Waid is staying on past that one arc? Not clear but since he will have more issues that the previous three Superstars I would assume so. Bitter as I am over PKJ getting kicked off before he could tell the Aethyr story he was building up to, Waid bringing in Morrison's Phantom King does make me happy.

Detective Comics - Taylor taking over made me breathe a sigh of relief. For now he remains quarantined to the Batbooks and Elseworlds.

Nightwing - Watters and Soy are going to finally give us the epic run Nightwing deserves. Watters deserves to be a "big writer" and with any luck this will be what elevates him to that level.

Batman & Robin - Damnit PKJ, you really going to make me read a mainline Bat book? Fine but you better continue the Olgrun plotline through this somehow. In all seriousness with Zdarsky and Taylor being on the other books I expect this will be the best mainline Batman book on the stands. Every previous time PKJ has written Batman has been enjoyable, and I trust him of all writers to do something different with Batman. Let this be the book that gets the general DC audience to take notice of how good he's been elsewhere.

Titans - Nah.

Green Arrow - Wish Montos luck, he deserves to be one of DC's A-List artists, but not interested in Green Arrow.

Exciting shake-ups are on the way, going to have to start trimming my pull again. Anything that doesn't wow me is getting dropped because I need the cash for all those Absolute books, which appear to be stacked creatively.

[susiecarter]

Are you working on any long superbat fics?

:D This kind of has two answers, anon! One is that I definitely 100% can guarantee that I will be, since I'm signed up for this year's round of the Superbat Reverse Bang (@superbatreversebang). I haven't started yet, because authors are getting a look at the claims gallery for the first time this upcoming week (!!!!) and claims are next weekend (!!!!!!!), but yeah. No matter what happens, I can guarantee that that will result in at least one probably-excessively-long Bruce/Clark fic out of me, posting by May/June.

AND THEN the other answer is that I already am :'D but the timeline is wibblier here. Basically, I'm hoping to turn 2022 into a Year of Finishing Some Shit, because I have so many Bruce/Clark ideas and outlines that have been sitting around for so long, and I've put off working on them over and over because I've had some deadline or other, but THEN, I told myself, AFTER THIS, and yeah. :| These include but are not limited to:

Literally the first fic I started writing in my head after seeing BvS way back in the day! Which I STILL have not finished. /o\ I did actually write some chunks of this, but I didn't have a clear understanding of certain characters' powersets and I also hadn't seen MoS, and yeah. I now have a WAY better idea where I want to go with the plot ... but p much everything I've written needs to be reworked. If there is ONE thing I want to finish this year that isn't for an event or a gift for anyone, it's this. *shakes fist at it*

I signed up for a Superbat Secret Santa last year, which was A+ and I had a wonderful time writing for a totally irresistible prompt ... but that story was actually my second idea, because outlining the first idea I wanted to write turned into a multi-part canon-divergence AU I was never going to finish on time. :'D I want to try to get back to that one while it's still fresh in my head, and get it done as a late gift!

Sequels! I want to write the Clark-actually-comes-back-to-life sequel to Shape of Hope, and the what-about-the-rest-of-BvS-plus-more-kinky-sex-and-fumbling-relationship-negotiation sequel to praying for sparks, and BRUCE POV FAKE DATING, my white whale! The most ambitious of these would be a "what comes next" for Through a Glass, because that really only barely resolved its emotional arc by the skin of its teeth, it was SO LONG ALREADY and I had to end it somewhere, but I have so many thoughts and feelings about that version of Bruce and Clark actually getting their shit sorted out. *____*!

KNIGHTMARE FICS. There is a post-JL epic about the rest of the JL also having Knightmare visions/dreams + why that's happening + averting it and defeating Darkseid, in my heart, and I would like to get it out! Also Bruce getting thrown forward, living through a bunch of the Knightmare future, and then snapping back to the "present" all grim and traumatized and desperate to prevent it! Knightmare Clark killing Bruce, breaking the mind control on himself in doing so, and frantically time-traveling backwards to make it never happen, all grim and traumatized and desperate to prevent it. :'D

New things! I need to catch up on DKoS, and actually pick up Injustice, but I'm dying to write some Bruce/Clark in each of those continuities at some point, because y e s. :D

And of course all entries on previous iterations of my Big Scary Lists that I haven't finished continue to haunt me, because I am still so in love with every idea I've ever had, I just! need! to write them! /o\

So, yeah. I cannot guarantee I'll be prompt about these or get more than one or two of them done during 2022, but I want to, and I'm going to be making a real effort to rearrange my writing schedule and limit the other fandom commitments I take on so I can make at least a couple of these happen. (Obviously there will still be many shorter Bruce/Clark fics out of me along the way, not least because I do have gift works for people that I'm already determined to get done!) FINGERS CROSSED, wish me luck :D and thank you so much for asking!

[eenasbabysmom]

It kills me that CQL doesn't fully utilize Mianmian's friendship with JZX so consider: Mianmian goes to Lotus Pier after JC gets custody of JL- she's not sure that she'll be welcome there, but she has to see Zixuan's son at least once. There is much yelling but MM can give as good as she gets and no one else can tell JL stories about his father, tension over whether or not WWX was set up...(no but srsly why didnt come up when wangxian ran into mianmian)

It seems like a wasted opportunity, especially since, I think, CQL wanted to remain as truthful to character endings as they could. Like, they wanted each character to get their “it” novel scene, and MM’s was always the day she walks away from the cultivating sects because of the inner rot she sees so clearly. So, on one hand I want MM to hang out with JL at Lotus Pier and explain how his father was a total idiot who could barely string an intelligent sentence together when he was feeling awkward (and he was almost always feeling awkward) so he often resorted to falling back on being conceited. On the other hand, I don’t know if I can reconcile a MM who walks away from the Jin sect for its vilification of WWX (and it’s obvious backing of WWX into a corner he’s not supposed to get out of) heading over to LP to hang out with the man who ‘killed’ WWX.

But also, maybe a MM is grief stricken over her idiot best friend dying at the hands of a man she defended, even if she sees that killing as a result of the other stuff the Jin sect and others had been doing, might be totally willing to go toe to toe with JC.

MM: I’m here to teach JL about his father. I guess I’ll like be your disciple or whatever.

JC: what makes you think I want or need you?

MM: (looks behind him into the courtyard) your sect is five teenagers and seventeen kids. I’m an adult, fully trained cultivator with my own sword. And I know how to sew. I can years of mileage out of a pair of robes.

JC: (still having traumatic flashbacks to the last time he had to buy replacement robes for his disciples). Fine, you can stay.

[analviel]

Tim's origin but with a little more SPICE:

It's been weeks since Tim started following Batman. When he began, it was with a determination to help right a wrong, to help his heroes in some way during this trying times.

Who'd have thought that seeing your city's hero repeatedly beat up petty criminals to pulps was a traumatizing experience for a thirteen year old. What courage he'd gained to do something, had been steadily chipped away and Tim is now in an impasse.

Taking pictures. Documenting the man's decent. And, if he was honest with himself.... well, it's looking more and more like evidence.

Evidence against Batman.

Oh my god.

Tim is both a stalker and a clean-up crew simultaneously, he feels like. But rather feeling good at being helpful to heroes, this feels more akin to helping cover up. Even though he isn't.

If anything, calling ambulances to report Batman's victims is the opposite. Tim feels acutely aware of how Batman's ledger is filling up. Records being taken and, therefore, evidence piling up.

It's all evidence, everything is, if you use it the right way. That's what Tim has learned following Batman's cases -not that it's ever under his name seeing as he is a vigilante and finding which ones have his style is detective work in itself.

This time though, it's different.

Oh god it's different, Tim feels himself panicking, wondering what was different that was making him even more vicious than he usually already is.

Not his parent's death anniversary. Or their anniversary. Not Harvey's turning either.

Way too soon to be Jason's death anniversary. Not his birthday either.

Tim wracked his mind trying to figure out what made this petty car jacker special. Different. Worse.

Tim press his back on the filthy rooftop, hands over his mouth, blinking tears from his eyes, listening to a stranger beg mercy from a.... hero? A criminal disguised as a hero? A villain disguised as a hero?

A grieving man.

Later, Tim will wonder what he could've done better; many things.

If he'd just moved immediately after Batman left, if his legs would've stopped shaking sooner, if he swallowed his bile, if he. Just. Moved.

If he hadn't waited seconds and then minutes after hearing the silence, then maybe...

The man is dead.

Or, he's dying.

Tim had called the ambulance, stumbled his way down the fire exit, and discovered the man fading.

Tim was too shocked to have the mind to exit the premises before the medics arrived.

He shouldn't have been.

He KNEW Batman was getting worse and worse. He didn't stop earlier, hadn't given up the mantle when his son died, he's not going to do it now. There was only one way to go now from there. Down.

Worse and worse until it's the worst.

They got the man back again.

Tim curls up in his seat in the ambulance. Watching.

Tim curls up in his seat in the hospital, barred from the operating room. Listening.

The man flatlined two more times -three all in all-, that's what he'd gathered from hushed whispers he can barely hear in the natural bustle of a hospital. 'Three times the charm' they say. Tim wonders in what way, in this case. Someone gives him a hot cocoa together with the blanket he'd been wrapped in by the first responders.

Someone's going to ask him questions, they say. They're just late a bit, they say.

Typical.

Tim would be gone before anyone arrives. If nothing else, his parents finding out about any of this, is enough to knock some sense into him. He doesn't know them that well, but at the very least, anyone even remotely sane would be Displeased with a capital D.

So he knows he shouldn't have, but he needed to go home. And he needed to see him before or he's not getting any sleep.

Tim sneaks into the room, sees the man attached to tubes and a heart monitor. He's alive. Barely. But he is.

Tim goes home and can't sleep.

The next day, he visits.

He doesn't even attempt the front desk and just walks in as if he'd just gone out for some air five minutes ago. He's sweating cold sweat the whole time.

He's not lying, he tells himself. He can't lie if no one's asking. It's fine. Everything's fine.

Except everything, you know.

Tim is shocked to find the man conscious. He almost runs back out but the man calls out a faint 'hey'.

He can't talk much, too damaged to do so. He doesn't ask Tim's name or what the hell he's doing there. Just asked him to pray for him.

Tim has never prayed a day in his life. He looks it up on Waynet.

Anxiously glancing at the door as he reads and recites as instructed.

Then the man talks about a sick brother. An overworked sister. If he can check up on them, please.

Tim has no idea why he'd ask a kid that, a stranger to boot, but he figures thirteen year olds from Crime Alley were just a different breed. It was nice watching and admiring from afar, but Tim can't imagine doing any of the death defying stunts Jason did on the regular.

Tim can't help repeating his name in his head though. His and his sister and brother.

He checks on them and returns to tell the man that they were alive and Tim also just signed them up for weekly groceries and medicine from his not inconsiderable allowance. No matter what walk of life you are, Tim at least knows that unsolicited help are usually unsolicited for a reason so he's not going to push. Much.

He was already there, you can't expect him not to do anything.

The man died.

They're trying to revive him again.

Tim can't bring himself to stay.

(To wait until the name Derek is written beside a time and date in one of those medical bracelets he'd never thought to ask the name of.)

But he makes a silent promise.

He's going to stop this.

Tim is going to do something.

Naturally, as any law-abiding thirteen year old, by 'doing something' his first thoughts are calling the authorities to sic them on Wayne manor with all the photos, and now evidence, he'd collected through the years.

Yeah, Tim chickened out.

Because reviewing all the photos, Batman is crying.

Crying while he beat up young men who are older brothers, but crying. Batman is broken.

In the past, if someone or something in Gotham is broken, you know Batman and Robin will be on it.

Robin has been shattered and Batman is broken. Who will be 'on it' this time? When the heroes need heroes, who will be there to catch them?

So. Yeah.

Plan B, is to give Batman time to recover. Preferably without Batman. Batman is justice and vengeance and the violence the police can't deal out. Violence for the greater good, but violence. That can easily go overboard, as he'd repeatedly witnessed.

There used to be less violence and more talking. When Batman had a Robin to be mindful of.

Tim needed Bruce to quit Batman.

Somehow without inadvertently burning down Gotham with supervillains let loose. Maybe a vacation. Tim can... convince him to go on a hiatus. There are times when the dark night go one JL missions and the Bats seems to have a system to prevent spikes in crime activities.

Mostly involving Batgirl, Robin, and -to a much lesser extent- Nightwing.

Batgirl is out of commission in what he suspects might be related to Barbara Gordon's injury, though he hasn't had time to confirm it.

Robin is... well.

Nightwing is MIA.

..... Tim will deal with it when the time comes.

The time doesn't come because... well, simply put, no one answered the door. Probably thinking it's more paparazzi -he'd seen the hordes and then regular pesters- so yeah, Tim understands. It's fine.

It's fine.

..... really, it is.

Tim does NOT visit the hospital.

He deactivates the program he'd spent the better part of the day before researching and copy pasting codes that would've sent a timer of five minutes from when activated that, if he didn't regularly enter the code, would automatically send all his pictures to every major news outlet in the entire country.

Clearly, Tim can't do this on his own. In fact, he's been getting a feeling that he shouldn't do this on his own.

Okay.

So if he was Dick Grayson, where would he retreat to grieve his little brother's sudden death.

......... how much is the bus fair again. Would a hundred be enough?

He'll bike it.

For the road trip pack, he's thinking a bag of lays. He'll stab it to get the air out and to be able to fit more in the bag.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tim close the door behind him, relaxing in the car seat with a sigh. Working in a company was exactly how he'd thought it'd be as a kid.

Something he'd rather not be doing. When was the last time he'd held a camera? Even just his phone camera? That doesn't involve recording evidence in the mask.

"Where to, Mr. Drake-Wayne?"

"Ermmgrgfdbcfb..."

"The penthouse then, after a short driveway. Red Robin or Burger King?"

"Yum."

"Yes sir."

Tim gathers just enough energy to lift his head to look at car mirror, "Thanks Derek. You're the only one who ever understands me."

"I'm sure Mr. Grayson would disagree."

"Disagree all he wants. He gave me the wrong donut once."