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flamingpudding · 15 days

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All right you got my creative juices running with part five of Klarion is Dan yes the first series I ever came to you with

To find him Klarion isn't the only one living in the DC dimension in like the word of protective mother Danny is he sent one of clarion's older siblings to go with him Larsal/Lassie

She was one of the clone children that was created long before Danny knew that was trying to clone him she was one of the first failures

She doesn't really have a physical form as much she is more of like a big pit of water that has like a spiritual like form like Dr Fate

She hates Vlad so much that the entire League of assassins who's also hit him even though they don't know who he is but know that Danny got from Clockwork was about her and visiting

Klarion knows about the quote as the same thing last knows about him being a villain they keep each other secrets cuz they know they make Mom disappointed

When they do have somewhat of a physical form it's a cowgirl with a horse made entirely of Lazarus Pits

Along with that Vlad making surprise visit after feeling someone's littering his name more than usual it's like a call about anytime he knows his children or Daniel is talking about him

Also Batman's freaking out after I think that one of Danny's kids is such a little hater that they made a cult just despite their father which makes the Justice League think Vlad really that bad

This is just the funny idea and I know it's not a good prompt I'm still trying to think of more sorry

Oh I love this! Thanks you!

This is going to be fun in a way I hope! Enjoy~

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Danny barely avoided getting questioned further about his relation to Vlad when he noticed the green post-it note and made a grab for it. "Oh would you look at that! Pop is sending us a message!"

Okay maybe he said that louder than necessary but he needed to change the topic. He didn't need more people on to torment the fruitloop. His own kids were already giving the man enough grief as it was. He didn't need distant cousins or an entire hero society of another dimension coming after the fruitloop too. Not that he would mind that much but some mercy towards the redeemed man would probably be appropriated.

Either way Danny focused his attention on the note only half heartedly listening as Klarion continued his family tree explanation to his little hero friends. He blinked at the note several times before laughing happily. "Would you look at that! Lassie is going to come by! Your Granpa Clock is giving us a heads up, so I can prepare a fresh batch of ectoplasm for her to stay healthy!"

Whatever Klarion was explaining right now was abandoned as he sat up straight. "Lassie is coming too?"

"Well of course she is." Danny hummed happily, thankful for the chance of seeing both his kids that liked to life in the same dimension.

"Lassie?" Red Robin piped up questioning. Oh looks like this is one of Klarions siblings they hadn't gotten to yet regarding explanations.

"Yes my fourth oldest but unofficial second oldest." Danny nodded with a proud mother smile on his face. "She lives in this dimension too to keep an eye on Klarion so he would stay safe and dosen't over do it."

Klarion on the other hand groaned. "I don't need Lassie to baby sit me!"

"Klarion, sweety you were new to the whole living alone in another dimension thing. You spent the longest in FarFrozen and the Ghost Zone with me because of your destabilisation." Danny reprimanded him softly and the teen heroes snickered behind Klarions back to which the witch boy turned to glare at them with a greenish blush across his cheeks.

"So what does that sister of yours look like?" Impulse asked to change the topic and because he took a bit of pity on Klarion for the way his Mom was apparently embarrassing the witch boy. His question resulted in Klarion flipping though the photo album before stopping at an image of Klarion next to a pit of green something. Impulse arched an eyebrow and was about to comment when he got pushed roughly to the side by Red Robin.

"THAT'S A LAZARUS PIT!"

The way Batman's chair clattered to the ground as the man stood up looked every bit like he was going to rush over to the teens spoke for the shock that Red Robin shout had caused. The Ghost King and Klarion on the other hand looked rather calm as they barely reacted to the shout and Danny even motioned to Batman to sit back down again, as the chair that fell rightened itself again.

"Calm down. Lassie is a good child. She wouldn't hurt a fly." Danny told them smiling, not realising that both Batman and Red Robin were giving him increadulous looks behind their mask.

"A.... good child?" Batman repeated his slowly his voice even more tinged with his usual gruff gravel in a way that both Superman and Wonder Woman side eyed him worried while Flash snacked on a pack of melon flavoured ships he snacked from a table.

"She doesn't have a physical body, that is why she is relying on the pits of natural ectoplasm your dimension has. There was a little problem with her physical form and we just couldn't restore it and she refuses to get a unoccupied clone body like Klarion has." Danny explained further not minding the stares he or Klarion were getting.

"Pits of natural ectoplasm?" Batman reiterated, his tone clearly questioning, to which Danny only blinked a couple of times surprised. "I thought your dimension knew what they were? Sure the way you guys use them is strange and Lassie did sound a bit concerned when she told me about it but I didn't think you guys weren't aware what they were."

"No that is not...." Red Robin started but then but himself of as he turned around hurriedly in a defensive position as he noticed someone coming in through the window. He wasn't the only one. All the heroes reacted as one at the new presence, however what they didn't expect was a member of the League of Assassins blinking up at them stunned after climbing in through the window lifting their hands palm up in a gesture of peace.

"Woah hey there calm down! Klarion what the fuck? Why are there so many heroes in your Apartment?" The LoA member spoke up and all eyes turned to Klarion who instead only deadpanned. "I told you Mom was visiting to meet my 'friends'"

"Lassie, what did I tell you about possessing bodies?" The Ghost King piped up in a disapproving tone and they heard the distinctive tone of someone knocking their head against the table, probably Constantine.

"Sorry Mom but there are not Pits of ectoplasm near baby brother I could use to form a body." The LoA member, apparently possessed by Klarion's elder sister replied sheepishly. To say Red Robin was weirded out was an understatement. Usually if he encountered LoA members they were aggressive and most likely there to take him or one of his siblings out.

"That's an League of Assasin member...." He muttered under his breath to which said member laughed. "This guy was the closest to me to use for the moment. Don't worry I will release him later and he won't even remember a thing. I got my little sheep's well trained."

"Little sheep's?" Wonder Girl repeated a hand on her hip as she stared sceptically, to which Klarion face palmed and muttered a low "Sis shut up...."

"No Lassie, don't shut up." Danny intone from the kitchen table he was still sitting at with the other adults, his head was now resting on his hand as he stared at his two kids who visibly flinched.

The LoA member, possessed by Klarions sister, scratched the back of is head nervously as they faced the Ghost King. "Ah Mom, uhm hehe you know funny story..."

The heroes were pretty sure that the room had gotten several degrees colder and they weren't sure if that was because of the mood of a parent about to interrogate their child or because of the Ghost Kings power. (At a later time Constantine swore it were the Ghost Kings powers.) There was a awkward moment of silence the heroes weren't sure if they should be present for that or not especially when Danny stood up and walked over to the teens.

On reflex Wonder Girl, Superboy, Impulse and Red Robin made room for Danny to walk past them as they watched on torn between curiosity and pity, because clearly Klarion and his sister Lassie must have done something they weren't supposed to do. And honestly they were more curious what they did, after all the Ghost King hadn't been that faced when it got revealed that Klarion was more of a Villain than a Hero to them.

"Lassie, what did you do?" The teen heroes couldn't see Danny's face but from the tone they had a feeling that Danny was arching an eyebrow at his children.

Lassie laughed awkwardly once more. "So... you know how grandma Pandora kind of thought us about how our own emotion can influence those around us exposed to our ectoplasm over a long period of time?"

"Lassie..."

"I might have raised something akin to a cult on accident and passed on my personal grudge and hate towards the fruitloop along to them and they might now have the subconscious drill of attack on sight if Vlad ever makes an appearance in this dimension...." The LoA member slowly spoke up which had several of the adult heroes blinking in disbelief.

Batman especially was in shock of hearing about this since had the most interaction with this 'cult' as apparently one of the Ghost Kings children liked to call the League of Assassins. The bat suit wearing hero was about to interject and ask more but stopped when the Ghost King let out a suffering sigh like the most tired parent in existence. "And you didn't think about telling me this sooner because?"

"We don't like to disappoint you Mom." The two children of the Ghost King replied simultaneously like one united front. Danny in response gave his kids a light chuckle. But before Danny could go on any further Red Robin decided it was probably a good time to interject and remind the Ghost King of their presence.

"I got a question if you don't mind..." He lifted his hand like he was in school as he pulled the attention towards him. His curiosity won over his caution of the situation. "Klarion if the Lazarus Pits are actually 'ectoplasm' as you mentioned before, and are largely influenced by your sisters emotion. What happens to guy that bath regularly in them or someone that got thrown in there and game back out rage filled?"

"Red Robin!" Batman call out reprimanding instantly knowing where Red Robins line of question was going.

The possessed LoA member on the other hand blinked at them before scratching their head sheepishly. "I think I know who your talking about. I am still sorry about that second guy. When he got dunked into my ectoplasm, I kinda just came back from a visit home and had a bad fight with Vlad and was especially rage filled towards him."

"So does that mean...?" Red Robin inquired further ignoring Batman's silent glare towards him for even bringing these questions up and just as Lassie was about to answer Danny interjected.

"Lassie, go fix your cult." Another green note at materialised out of nowhere and had fluttered in the air before him and caused the Ghost King to face palm the moment he read it's context.

"Mom?" Both Klarion and Lassie asked with a shared worried glance.

"Vlad has come into the dimension for some reasons and is currently getting chased down by your cult."

There was a stunned silence after which Klarion and Lassie, in the body of the LoA member, broke out laughing hysterically which only caused Danny to lightly glare at his children. Meanwhile the teen heroes weren't sure if they should feel sorry for the old man called Vlad but considering all the red flags they had picked up from what Klarion told them, they felt a little like the man deserved that.

The adults on the other hand felt slightly torn, well mostly Batman. It was clear that this Vlad was a bigger threat than both Klarion and the Ghost King were making him out to be, considering the entire existence of the Lazarus Pits hated that man. But on the other hand as heroes they probably should feel obligated to help the man especially if, according to the Ghost Kings words, he was currently gotten chased in their dimension by the League of Assassins.

Danny on the other hand never felt more like a tired mother than he did right now. Sure he knew about his unofficial second oldest hatred towards Vlad but this certainly was a new level of hate. Especially since she apparently 'accidentally' (he doesn't by that at all) raised an entire cult that subconsciously hated him too.

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puppetmaster13u · 4 months

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Prompt 205

Now let it be said that not a single one of their team (“Does it count as a team if it’s just the three of us?” “Um, what about the Superman clone here??” “Four was the same number of the original League, so yeah we’re a team!”) were expecting to stumble across much of anything deeper in the Cadmus Labs.

They’d already discovered- and released- the super secret super-boy clone after all, so that was the big thing discovered and taken care of! Only they had uh, found something else, another tube even deeper with the room practically frozen, while trying to find the way out.

Now normally, opening the big tube would be a bad idea! But they had a bunch of creatures and security and whoever else on their tails, and hey, why not fight fire with fire and escape while everything was distracted?

Only when things start to defrost they- the sidekicks who are not sidekicks thanks- are really alarmed and starting to worry about what the fuck is inside. Because the cryogenic-liquid-whatever tube is way bigger than they thought, and the files that Robin hacked refers to whatever is inside as a quote, potentially world-ending dangerous entity.

And it’s not even fully defrosted before it starts to break free. One clawed hand- and then another, and another and another- grip onto the broken material, green dripping from where tubes were shrugged free. Its hair shifts and weaves in the air as though underwater, opalescent and each strand shimmering a different color.

It’s absolutely massive, humanoid with long tapered ears and a cacophony of differently shaped horns floating above its head. They’re wary, suddenly remembering every single lecture about dangerous unknowns as it shakes the liquid from a body that appears almost scaled, eight arms easily lifting itself so that it may step out.

They’re also suddenly reminded of the danger they’re in from other things when there’s a crash against the door, like one of those gynomorph tank things had slammed against it. It also causes the being’s head to snap up from where they were seemingly watching the liquid pool beneath them, nine eyes opening from their previously half-lidded position.

A deep rumbling noise echoed around the room as it stopped slouching, showing just how tall it was while three tails lashed in what was obviously some sort of agitation. When they speak, it’s not in any language the three of them know, but Superboy’s head snaps from the door towards them, eyes suddenly wide in child-like wonder.

(“Oh! It’s a baby~”)

Why yes, Even more of Tiamat Class Prompts- but Humanoid!

#Dcxdp #Dpxdc #Prompts #Young Justice sort-of #The Class Pulls a Tiamat #But they also have humanoid form that’s not like 100+ feet tall #NGL Connor was vibing while the other three are freaking out #He’s just a lil guy y’know- a lil dude- a bby boi #Part of their DNA might have been used as stabilization for his creation #The Class: Omg look it’s a baby- oh you’re all trapped and need to get out? Sure why not :)#Tim is trying to catalog EVERYTHING about them #Barry is wondering how much something that big might eat #Roy is just trying not to let the younger sidekicks die y’know how it is #Connor is just: Parent? Parents for me? Safe Parents who protect me??#For those not familiar the 9 are: Danny; Sam; Tucker; Valerie; Wes; Dash; Kwan; Paulina & Star #How did they end up in Cadmus? Good Question #Probably has to do with the GIW

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fancyfade · 4 months

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i have a question, as i am also a big enjoyer of damian wayne and have been spinning around the concept of an arc/issue/solo for him and i like to hear people's thoughts an ideas: if you could right a solo, or an issue of detective comics starring damian wayne, what would right, because GOD, DC needs to give him to someone who'll actually do something with him.

hmmmm I think a good follow-up to Robin: Son of Batman, which focuses a lot on Damian trying to redeem/"redeem" himself for what he did in the League of Shadows, would be an arc where the idea that he was fully responsible is challenged.

(I don't necessarily think he has to agree with it, I think lots of batfam members have insane senses of responsibility and if they immediately all went like 'yeah you're right this isn't something I could stop' it would get boring. I just would like to see it challenged by the text, like babs tells cass that she wasn't at fault for killing someone as an eight year old in batgirl. Before cass goes to fight shiva to the death in a battle she does not intend on winning b/c she won't kill again XD)

anyway so with that in mind. i think talia should be involved. I know I'm so insanely mad whenever I see this panel (link) b/c Talia's being asked to apologize and redeem herself for something that wasn't even in character (and i followed up: Bruce can act OOC and get it swept under the rug or justified he doesn't have to apologize for it (link).) ANYWAY but thats besides the point the point is I'm imagining Talia hearing Damian say like "we all must pay, mother." and I think she'd be like "who tf even told you that????" and she'd be a good second point of view in this arc, challenging Damian's ideas that he needs to actively redeem himself or he was a bad person earlier, because while Damian just sees what he did vs what he's doing now, she sees him as her child.

I also went kind of on about this when reading Knight Terrors (link) but I think it would be deeply discomforting for Damian to contemplate the idea that he wasn't in responsible for what he did in the League, because the way he deals with it is ok wait i'll just quote that post:

I think if he followed these thoughts (that his training is something that was 'done' to him) further, it would scare him, because the way he currently copes with it and views the world in general is by everything being his fault and his responsibility - in his control. If he admits or acknowledges that he was just a kid being raised a certain way, it’s not in his control, it’s not something he can redeem himself from, and it falls outside his current way he views the world.

anyway that said that's what like. the general 'next step' of Damian's arc I'd have i think would be neat.

I'd also be down with like. literally just fun adventures, like I wouldn't even hate Damian in high school and solving low-stakes crimes like we have in batman and robin 2023 if it wasn't written so blandly

#regulus ready to scream #ask #dc comics #damian wayne #robin

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veryace-ficrecs · 2 months

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Tim Drake & Jason Todd Fic Recs

This list will include all ratings and tags, so read at your own discretion! :)

Optimally Sentimental by sprx77 - Rated T

Jason feels the tension fall completely out of his shoulders. Babyest bird is not feeling unsafe, right now; Tim doesn’t get this bitchy around people unless he trusts them. Random civilians and corporate fuckwits, they get soft-spoken, laughing Timothy Drake. Anyone Tim’s not quite comfortable with-- people he has to impress, like the Justice League-- get the world’s most perfect and efficient Robin. Seriously, it’s terrifying. He wears his competency like a sword and doesn’t bother with a shield. So, a snarky Tim-- a Tim who lashes out, without regard for if he’ll be hit back-- is a trusting Tim. A comfortable Tim.

Voicemails About Vital Organs by AshWinterGray - Rated T

Tim's missing spleen comes back to haunt him, and Jason is the only Bat and Family Member available to deal with the problem. There are some realizations, and Tam is just so do with these idiots.

Marlboro Reds and Birthday Wishes by crowclxb - Rated T

Tim can't ever remember the quotes he thinks describe his feelings. Also, everyone forgot his birthday. Not Jason, though. Tim just doesn't know that.

Swaddled in Warmth During Cold Times by melennui (orphan_account) - Rated G

Tim is chilly in the manor, but it's summer and it shouldn't be cold. To remedy this, he makes a hammock and gains a nice moment with his brother too.

i cry with anger / i have done no crime by CosmoKid - Rated M

They replaced him. Talia had told him that, taunted him with the grainy photos of a scrawny little kid in the Robin costume. A tiny little runt of a kid, dwarfed by the looming presence beside him. Fuck, did Bruce just hang around a pre-k and grab the first unfortunate kid whose parents were running late for pick up. Except no, Bruce replaced him with the rich little brat next door. The better, upgraded version of him; the newer, the shinier, the better version. The kid Bruce wanted Jason to be. The Robin Bruce really wanted. Timothy Jackson Drake.

take a chance on me by destiny919 - Rated T

"Hey, Stalker," Jason says without lowering his binoculars. Tim creeps out from behind the air conditioning unit and lets out a put-upon sigh that doesn't really fit a ten-year-old.

bright smile (and they can't see behind it) by AstraEllis - Rated T

Now that Jason's come home and actually spending time with his family, Tim figures his job is done. He kept Batman from self destructing, he was a halfway decent Robin, and Jason's home now. They're whole again, and they don't need Tim. Jason has some things to say about this assumption.

personal space by lawltam - Rated G

Tim gets hit with Ivy's pollen. He doesn't even check who he sent his outgoing help message to until he stumbles downstairs and spots Jason.

Adopt A Rescue! by sardonic_sprite - Rated G

I'm Bean. I'm very shy, but sweet, and I loove snuggles! I get very scared without my big brother, so we need to get a home together! I'm Hunter. I don't trust very easy, but I'm very smart. We may not be litter-mates, but Bean is my brother and we stick together no matter what! "Bean" had squirmed back out from underneath "Hunter" and was pawing at the glass again, looking right at Bruce. But he wasn't just pawing at the glass, he seemed to be making a pattern... "Oh, my God."

Breaking and Entering by Terranpheum - Rated T

Tim isn’t having a good day when he decides to use one of Red Hood’s safe houses as a rest stop. Only, the safe house seems a lot more comfortable than normal and isn’t as empty as he was hoping it was.

and i'm so sick of seventeen by Anonymous - Rated T

“You know this is bizarre, right?” “Jason, I’m just asking for a tiny favor—” “Tim, last week I watched you synthesize, in real time, a whole new organic compound for one of Crane’s toxins, on the fly, with half your guts hanging outside your body. How are you failing eleventh grade chemistry?” (Or; Tim gets Jason to help him with his chemistry homework. They bond.)

carry you home in my teeth by windupclock - Rated G

Jason takes his helmet off before he goes to deal with his replacement. He’s not expecting a hug. He gets one.

Only One Thing by Lulu_Rythmea - Rated T

"You're a great hugger, kiddo. 10/10 would hug again." "... you will? Really?" "Yeah, baby bird. Whenever you want." How far was that promise meant to go? OR: The fan-made sequel to destiny919's "Last Request".

hit me like a shooting star (so i can make a wish) by Ms_Trickster - Rated G

“He broke my camera!” Tim wails, incensed. “Not a crack, not a dent; it’s nothing but a pile of glass because he broke it!” “And his ankle,” Robin adds. “And my ankle!” “...I accidentally hit him with my car,” Batman reluctantly offers when Dr. Thompkins raises her eyebrow at him, causing her to choke on her next breath. (Or: One evening while birdwatching, a ten year old Tim Drake gets run over by the Batmobile.)

Whiplash by Lunette3002 - Rated T

When Barbara called to tell Tim that one of his safehouses had been broken into, he wasn't expecting to find an unconscious Red Hood. OR Words like "whiplash" can have two meanings :)

Bridges Not Yet Burned by Kgraces - Rated T

Somehow, they keep coming back to this: Tim, Jason, and a Batarang

Little Overlooked Dreams by Lunette3002 - Rated G

Tim weighed his options. He was alone at night in some alleyway in Gotham. He had nothing except the clothes left on the ground by someone and the cloak wrapped around his skinny shoulders. His camera was nowhere in sight. His backpack was gone too. He brought the device to his ear. “Hello?” Whatever talking had been on the other end of the line immediately cut off at his hesitant greeting. “Who is this?”

#veryace recs #batman fic recs #tim drake #jason todd #red robin #red hood #ao3 fic recs #fanfic recs #ao3

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dannyphantom-justiceleauge · 7 months

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I kinda wanna see Jason & several others get a bit of a reality check.I've seen comments that Bruce trains kids as 'child soldiers' &??? The only child soldiers are Damien & Steph?? And they didn't become them because of Batman??

From what I recall, Dick, Jason, & Tim all insisted on vigilanteism. Like, Bats TRIED to get them to just stay home where it was safe, but they refused!

Like, what do people expect Bats to have done? Lock them in a dungeon & never let them out?

It's about a 50/50 that would've even worked & on the 50% chance that they did get out, they would've immediately started crime fighting again!

Or, should Bruce have just left them to their own devices, like "not my problem?" They would've either died trying to be heroes on their own & without guidence or grown up to hate the Bat even more for his apethy towards their problems.

Like, whether Jason, or anyone else, likes it or not, Bruce training them was a best case scenario.

All Batman did was try to heard them in the least dangerous direction that he could by giving them the tools to not die a horrible death.

Obviously, it didn't always work (i.e. Jason), but what does Jason expect Bruce to have done in his situation? What would've been the better alternative?

Honestly, I think the problem is that his anger is too big to pin onto just one person, but at the same time, he doesn't want to admit that he got himself into the situation that got him killed. Jason decided to chase after his birth mother without Bruce's aid. Jason went to Ethiopia. Yes, it happened because the Joker believed that there was some sort of connection between Todd & Batman, but how could Batman control that?

Like, I'm not saying that Jay doesn't have a legitimate right to be furiously angry at Bruce. I just think that he should focus on the things that the overgrown furry could actually control & did not handle correctly.

Like, the fact that he was hurt about Tim becoming Robin is understandable, but he didn't really have all the facts to understand the context surrounding Tim becoming Robin. Like the fact that Bruce was not functioning well without a Robin or that Tim refused to just stop when he wastold to. There was more to the situation than what Jay was aware of.

At the same time, his arguments about Bruce not avenging him or burying him with the Wayne name. I can understand that & actually very much agree with him.

Batsy should've killed the Joker or, at least, walked away while Dick did it if he wasn't strong enough to do it himself.

But, he didn't. And I get not wanting your kid to have to walk around with that kind of guilt hanging over his head, but reviving the effing Joker went WAY too far.

At the same time, Jason also should've just killed the Joker the moment he got the chance to. Deciding to use the sack of shit to punish Bats, was a dumbass idea. He should've shot his ass & then double, triple, & quadruple tapped, just to make sure.

Then, if he wasn't to be a dramatic asshole, put the Joker's head on a pike in the most visited part of Gotham with a sign with some sort of literary quote. Something to the tune of "Hey ho, the Wicked Witch is dead" or something with that sort of message.

As for the rest of the Joker's body? I'd suggest going the route of John Haigh. Just to be safe...

Gruesome, I know, but you know what? Whatever it takes to clean out the garbagio.

I know what you mean. I think the fandom and people outside the family give brice greif about the child soldier thing more than the kids themselves do. As far as ive seen dick, jason, tim, damian, and even steph own that robin is something they chose. It wasnt sething batman necessarily made them, its something they needed to do. Batman gets a lot of critism, like wise the league has argued about having sidekicks and teams like the titans and yj because theyre children. More often than not i see conflict about the adults trying to take the hero persona away, than about being given the cape in the first place.

But it can be complicated. I have heard the kids regret being vigilantes and regret what they've been made into by the job. So dick will never regret saving lives but he does regret his inability to settle down, the trained to a fault paranoia, the physical scars and mental wounds. The blame of that doesnt fall on batman or bruce. But on some level all kids feel like their parents are supposed to protect them and there's a point where you realize they can't. This is even more true when your a vigilante and exposed to untold danger. Bruce is a man and he isnt perfect so he can't protect his kids from everything. That hurts him more than it hurts his kid. But its still difficult to get hurt and be disappointed that yoir dad, that your hero wasn't there to save you.

Which brings me to jason. I recognize where you're coming from with jasons anger being irrational and all over the place. But what you gotta understand is that

1. He went through a rediculous amount of trauma. Like the time line of events is: bruce accused him of murdering a guy who commited suicide, jason got mad and found evidence of his birth mother, so he ran away to Ethiopia, he and bruce met up their almost coincidentally because bruce was tracking the joker and that communicate bruce didn't care that jason ran away, jason gets beaten with a crowbar and his mother also gets hurt because the joker is a bastard. The joker sets up a bomb and jason struggles to get he and his mom out despite his wounds. The bomb goes off and jason dies right as batman arrives. Then 6 months later jason wakes up and has to literally claw his way out of his own grave. Afterwhich he is catatonic qnd living on the streets until talia finds him

2. He was being manipulated. Talia found jason and trained him with the league and put him in the lazerus pit so he could recover higher brain function. She gave him everything he needed to train and get vengeance and framed it as a favor to her beloved. But she didn't tell the whole truth and didnt have all the information. Her actions here weren't altruistic. Its heavily implied she was sending jason as her loyal soldier to get rid of tim to clear the way for Damian.

3. The lazerus pit is essentially a drug that amplifies emotions. You could think of it as jason being on steroids. While his actions and emotions are his own they were amped up and irrational. So a lot of his irrational behavior and half thought out plans and stupity can be tied back to him having this 'drug' in his system. Emotions take the wheel and make people stupid without drugs amplifying things

But as i said his actions and the root of his feelings are still his own. So as to the why jason is so angry... well its not just that he was replaced or that he died. It that his death seemingly meant nothing. Jason died and seemingly nothing in gotham changed. He didn't see bruce greive. He didnt know that bruce almost killed the joker twice or that dick temporarily succeeded. He didnt know tim wasnt chosen but decided for himself to be robin. What jason aw was that within months of him dying there was another kid in his cape running around gotham and making quips like jason never existed. He saw the joker, his murderer, still on the steets still torturering and killing people. He saw bruce wayne with a new adopted kid. He saw his tenure, his life, the job that he died for reduced to a memorial in the bat cave with a plaque saying "a good soldier". Not a good son. No one but bruce and alfred were at his funeral.

So jason wasnt mad that tim replaced him. He wasnt mad that he died trying to save his mother. He was made that it seemingly effected nothing. That his death meant nothing to his family and it meant nothing to gotham.

If he wasnt mad at tim than why did he almost murder him? To send a message and to teach a lesson. He wanted tim to understand that robin is dangerous and that Bruce's protection was an empty promise. Jason could have killed tim in titans tower, but he didnt. Because tim dying wasnt the goal.

Why go through a convoluted plot to make batman do it? Well, initially it was jason being irrational. He got it into his head that bruce needed to prove that he loved him, to prove that hed protect him by defeating the monster. Jason wanted Bruce to choose being his dad over his no kill rule. And bruce chose the rule.

So that seemingly said, bruce doesnt love him, possibly never loved him. And this is further exhasperated by bruce sucking at communication. Bruce didn't just chose not to kill the joker when given the ultimatum, he threw a batarang at jason. Bruces will said jason was his biggest mistake. Bruce meant it in a 'i fucked up' way but jason took it as further 'adopting and you was a mistake'. Its shit and with the magic equivalent of .drugs further clouding things. Jason having tantrums and always shotting on bruce and the fam is understandable even if its not fair.

Why not kill the joker himself? Well part of that is fear. Jason has tried a few times to kill the joker and between the fucker being somewhat immortal for convoluted reason, trauma making jason freeze up, and outside interference it just hasnt taken.

As for bruce himself not killing the joker or bruce reviving the joker after dick killed him... well that comes back to the rule itself and bruces motivation for never killing. When bruce was younger he wanted to kill the guy who killed his parents. And alfred explained that taking a life is permanent and puts a weight on your soul. Its something you cant take back and something you have to live with forever. Showing people mercy, giving people a second chance is always the kinder option. Bruce made his rule initially because hes a kind person and he didn't want to carry the weight of murder. Likewise he revived the joker after dick killed him because he doesnt want dick to live with that weight, to live with that regret. Later on the rule took a more sinister tone because batman has seen who he becomes when starts killing. He also knows that if he starts killing hed never stop. Its a weird moral absolute but he knows if he could excuse killing the joker he could excuse killing anyone. And eventually anyone would include people who can change and innocents.

Its a little dumb of a moral absolute but its part if Bruce's character. I think its important to recognize the strength that it takes to show mercy to someone a shitty and undeserving as the joker. That kinda why theyre locked into being nemesis. The joker is ar his core nihilistic. He creates suffering because life is hopeless and nothing matters so may as well laugh at the pain. Batman is someone whos felt a lot of pain and is angry at the world that hurts people, but he is someone who gave himself hope and he is someone who sees the good in people even when they dont recognize the good in themselves. He is merciful and that is an act of kindness.

I do think the joker is beyond redemption at this point. It's the trolly problem at the end of the day: is the jokers recovery worth the lives of everyone hes killed tortured, drugged, and maimed? No. If the joker were to get suddenly better and regret his actions, it wouldnt bring anyone back and very few people would forgive him. Hed never be able yo reenter society or have a normal life. Hes never been a character who deserved mercy, but mercy isnt something you give because it's deserved. Personally i'd be more merciful to the jokers victims and put the fucker down.

But thats not my call. It isn't even really batmans call. At the end of the day batman is just a man in a suit. He isnt god and he isnt judge, jury, or executioner. To kill is a choice and batman chooses not to.

A better question is why the jokers life and death is considered batmans responsibility? And why is murder what jason needs for bruce to prove he loves him? I think thats where jason needs the wake up call. Murder isnt a normal response to having your kid murdered, even if im sure all parents going through that think about it. So why does jason need bruce to kill him so bad?

To feel safe. Jason can never feel safe so long as the joker is around and a dad is supposed to keep you safe. Bruce didnt.

Murder and mercy is where their breakdown of communication is. Bruce choses to be merciful to the villains he's fighting. Jason choses to kill the monsters so the victims can feel safe again.

- Hestia

#dc #batman #bruce wayne #jason todd

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artzychic27 · 8 months

Note

Harley Quinn (The show) quotes for the DC Class?

*Nathaniel and Lila are seated across from Nadja Chamack on her talk show. Nathaniel, grown to about fifteen feet is only shot from the neck down by the camera*

Nadja: Nathaniel, hon. how are you feeling about all of this?

Lila: He is devastated that the world is attacking a girl he knows is so kind, is so lovely-

Nadja: Let’s hear it from Nathaniel in his own words!

Lila: Those are his own words. I’m a telepath! He thinks it, I say it. *The audience boos at her* Isn’t that right, sweetie? He said right.

Nadja: He did not say “right”! Did y’all hear him say “right”?

Lila: Well-

Nathaniel: She was talking to ME! An individual person who exists outside of YOU!

Nadja: Get her, boy!

Nathaniel: A person who, for months, you mind-controlled-

Lila: Don’t do this.

Nathaniel: Into thinking he loved you!

Lila: Do not do this!

Nathaniel: A person who is leaving YOU! *Storms out of the studio*

Lila: Why, you get back here, you miserable [BLEEP]!

—

Adrien: *excitedly* Is this the good kinda acid that gives you superpowers?!

Alya: No!

Adrien: Awwww...

—

Marinette: I need a permit for a trap door? The whole point is no one is supposed to know about it! Especially the city.

—

Lila: *fighting Denise* OW! That really hurt, you [BLEEP]

*everything, including the Earth itself, comes to a shocked standstill*

Rose: *watching the fight on TV* Holy shit!

—

Nino: The name is Nino, actor extraordinaire recently portraying the juicy role of country boy bartending in the big city!

Lila: I thought you were playing the role of literal piece of shit.

Nino: Not yet. *transforms into Lila* NOW I'm a literal piece of shit!

—

Rose: Adrien! You can't kill him.

Adrien: You don't think I can kill a 12 year old?! Oh, okay. Well, I will smash in his face with a bat like a WATERMELON!

—

Batman: I'm gonna say something embarrassing here. I didn't have a nemesis until... my late twenties.

Zoé: Don't patronize me, dad, it's unbecoming.

Batman: It's true. I wasn't ready for one. You want your first nemesis to be special. Someone that you can see being your nemesis for the rest of your life.

Zoé: I suppose you're right, dad... When can I propose to Cosette?

Batman: I... think I hear the bat-signal. *grappling-hooks away*

—

Juleka: Quick side bar. How did this *Gestures to Nathaniel* work...in terms of making out?

Lila: Not great!

—

Juleka: So let me get this straight: you're not over your ex, and you want to throw your success in his face.

Adrien: Exactly!

Juleka: Honestly, that might be the most relatable thing you've ever said.

—

Ivan: I wish they would make a sequel to Up.

Max: No, they can’t! The story ended with the first movie.

Myléne: Unless... the kid is the old man in the sequel.

Ivan: Oh, that’s fun! That’s a good one!

—

Adrien: When my mind is set, it is set. Hell, they blew out three electricshock machines at Arkham trying to get through to me.

—

Adrien: Nice save, Jerk-Face League!

Ismael: That's not our name at all.

—

Marinette: What is wrong with me?

Zoé: You're a sociopathic narcissist!

Marinette: It was rhetorical, asshole! And who do you think you are, a psychiatrist?

—

*Marinette approaches newly-unmasked Robin/Zoé*

Marinette: WayneTech promised an electric car by this year! I put a deposit down! Where's my goddamn electric car, Zoé?!

—

Rose: Have a good life, get married, make babies. Name them Rose. The girls and boys.

Juleka: Rose!

Rose: See? It totally works. You know I love you. Bye, Jules.

—

Zoé: *in flirty tone* Wonderer, you look hot

Adrien: What?

Denise: So, Robin, are those abs real or is it just the suit? *giggles*

Adrien: Gross.

Jean: Well, these abs are definitely real. Give them a look. Don't-a be shy.

Adrien: Oh, gross! Did you just spray them with Rose’s love pheromones?!

Denise: Let’s just, uh… See who has the best abs for a moment.

Adrien: Or not! A lot of not! PLEASE, NOT!

—

Denise: *after lassoing a Parademon* I'll only ask once: where is Lila?

*Parademon screeches. Confused, Denise turns to Ismael*

Ismael: Oh, what, because I'm an alien, I understand all alien languages? *Denise’s eyes widen* OK, I know a little Parademon, but it's still a racist assumption. Be better.

*Denise rolls their eyes*

—

Rose: You... you don't think I'm chaotic, crazy and make a bunch of messes?

Juleka: No, you definitely do that. But you're trying to grow, and actually doing it! And that... I mean, for me, that is what matters!

Rose: I love you, Jules!

Juleka: *smiles* I love you too, Rosie.

—

Batman: What's with your voice?

Zoé: What are you talking about?

Batman: It's a bit... overly serious.

Zoé: I think it's an appropriate amount of... serious.

—

Adrien: How could Bruce be Batman? I mean, sure, he's the richest man in Gotham, so that explains all the vehicles, and he always goes missing at big galas when villains show up... Okay, if you come to think of it, it's very obvious.

Ismael: Wait 'til you hear who Superman is.

#miraculous ladybug #miraculous #mlb ocs #mlb au #dc comics #dc heroes #dc villains #Harley Quinn #incorrect quotes

17 notes · View notes

fandomgirlz01 · 1 year

Text

My Place In This World Pt. 1

Independence Day

Dick Grayson X Reader

Imagine on my fandom instagram?: No

Prompt?: No

Request?: No

Requested prompt?: No

Edited: Yes

Word count: 10,757

Ko-fi

Masterlist

Warnings here

You can listen to the story be read out loud here.

Post Date: December 4th, 2022

Post Time: 11:29 pm

Updated: October 26th 2023

Update Time: 10:55 pm

Summary: Growing up in Haly's circus and losing their parents in the same night makes the reader and Dick closer than anyone else. Together they go through life having one another's backs though every life change, even eventually becoming Robin and Blue Jay together. What happens when feelings have changed and slowly start to be revealed?

This series was inspired by @shadowsndaisies Daisy's story on her page is called Codename: Nightingale and I absolutely loved it to death, so I decided to try my hand at my own story line. Thank you so much for being a big inspiration to this series Daisy.

youtube

Y/n’s Pov:

I stand off to the side of the practice ring in the bat cave as Dick and I circle one another. Dick lunches towards me and I quickly move to my left, making him fall to my feet. I quickly grab his arm and pull it behind his back as I sit on the small of his back.

“That’s not fair…” Dick whines from under me as he wiggles to try getting free and I giggle.

“It was too fair. I won fair and square. Tapping out yet?” I ask him and he grunts while shaking his head no.

“Really?” I ask as I pull his arm a little more and he groans out in pain.

“Fine! Fine! I tap!” he shouts as he taps the floor lightly.

Satisfied with his answer, I let his arm go and push up off of him. I start to walk over to my water bottle, but I get tackled from behind. With a groan, I roll over and look up at Dick, who’s smirking down at me.

“Hey. That was unfair. My back was turned,” I whine and he chuckles.

“If that was a villain, they wouldn’t care if your back was to them or not. Remember what Bruce says?” he explains before asking me and I roll my eyes.

“Never have your back to an enemy,” I quote and Dick nods proudly before getting off of me.

“Today’s the day,” Dick says in excitement and I smile at him as I get up.

“It is, wonderboy. Today we get to actually see the league's headquarters,” I agree with him, smiling as I think about the happy day we’re about to have and walk over to the bench to sit down.

“So what are you doing for the fourth tonight?” Dick asks as he picks up his water from beside me.

“Not much. Just hanging out here at home,” I inform with a shrug and his jaw drops.

“You're not doing anything? Nothing at all?” he asks in shock and I take a gulp of my water.

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed, D… but you, Kaldur and Wally are the only real friends I have,” I tell him and he shakes his head.

“What about that Tina or that John guy you were hanging out with at school?” he asks with a scowl on his face and I feel a blush rush up over my neck.

“You were right about him. He was an absolute asshat. He was only using our friendship. Plus, he got really mad when I told him I was into someone else,” I explain and he sighs, shaking his head.

“Jay, I’m so sorry. Should I go all Robin on him?” he asks and I smile softly.

“No Rob, I’ll be ok,” I promise him and he smiles.

“Of course. How could I not? You’ve been with me since birth. You were the only person who understood when I lost my parents,” he tells me with a frown and I nod at him.

“I’m thankful we had each other. When our parents both passed, I almost didn’t make it out, but you helped me with it. Thank you for always being there, D,” I softly explain to him and he grins at me.

“Thank you for always being there for me too,” he says with a small smile and I smile at him before pulling him into a hug.

“I’m glad you’re my best friend Jay,” he tells me and I smile with tears making way to my eyes.

“Thank you, D, I love you,” I reply as I pull him closer and close my eyes at the thought of being able to tell him that for real.

“I love you too, Jay. Hey. Me and Wally were gonna go out to celebrate the big day tonight. Wanna maybe-” he starts, but stops when the bat cave’s crime signal starts to go off, making us turn quickly.

Bruce slides down his fireman’s pole before rushing over to the bat computer. We walk over and he types a few things before video footage of what’s going on pops up and the other league members start to video chat in.

“Get into your gear. The ice family is at it again,” Bruce tells us, making me and Dick nod in affirmation before rushing off.

We both rush to our own suits before rushing into the changing rooms that Bruce had made sure was here for us after adopting us. I quickly change into my Blue Jay suit before putting my utility belt around my waist, my ear piece in my ear and then putting my boots on.

I quickly walk back into the main part of the cave to find Bruce back at the computer in his bat suit. I walk over and stand next to him just as Dick comes out and stands on his other side.

“We’ve got Mister Freeze. Arrow, can you and Speedy take on Icicle Junior?” Bruce asks and Oliver nods.

“That we can do, Bats,” Oliver replies and Batman nods.

“Ok. Aquaman and Aqualad, you take Killer Frost. Flash and Kid Flash, I’m assigning you to Captain Cold,” Bruce commands and they all nod before signing out to go take on their missions.

Bruce closes out our video feeds before rushing over to the Batmobile. Bruce gets in along with Dick who gets into the passenger side. I go over to my Blue Bike that matches my suit and get on.

I put my helmet on and my fingerless gloves before starting it up. Bruce rolls down his window and I look over at him.

“We’ll meet up there. If you get there before us, you wait for us, understand? We don’t need you going back to the hospital,” Bruce tells me and I roll my eyes.

“One time… I’m not going to sit back and just watch them be criminals, Bruce,” I reply venomously as I roll my eyes.

“Y/n, listen to him please. Just wait for us,” Dick practically begs and I huff, rolling my eyes.

“Whatever,” I reply before starting my bike up and driving off.

I drive to Gotham City park and park my bike with a roll of my eyes. I take my helmet off, keeping my gloves on as I slide off my bike. I put my helmet away before starting to walk towards where Mister Freeze is. I don’t care what they told me, I’m not just going to sit back and wait while people are getting hurt. I continue walking until a familiar voice pulls me back.

“Blue Jay, stop,” Dick demands as he gets out of the Batmobile and comes running over to me.

“Why must you insist on putting yourself in harm's way?” he asks almost desperately and I roll my eyes again.

“I’m not, Robin. I’m just doing my job. I don’t know if you’ve really noticed, but that’s our job. Throwing ourselves out there so civilians are safe,” I tell him harshly and he sighs.

“Maybe Bruce was right. Maybe he needs to take you out,” Dick comments and I whirl around to face him.

“What did you just say?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Look, all I’m saying is that you need some time off. You seem out of character lately,” he tells me softly as he holds his hands up in surrender.

“No. I don’t need time off! What I need is my best friend’s support,” I growl angrily and he sighs.

“And you have it. I just don’t want to see you hurt again,” he explains in a shaky tone, refusing to look at me.

“Oh… I didn’t even think of it that way… I’m so sorry. I… I… I just can’t stand bullies. You know that,” I reply with a frown as I look at him.

“I know, I just need to know you’re safe. Please… I can’t lose you too,” he tells me in a choked tone and I shake my head.

“I know, D. I know. I promise I’ll start being more careful,” I tell him as I pull him into another hug.

“I’m glad you two made up, but we have work to do,” Bruce tells us as he looks out over the scene.

Me and Dick pull away from one another, but stay close. Bruce takes a moment to assess what needs to be done before turning to us.

“Ok. Here’s what we’re going to do…” Bruce starts off with the plan.

“Enjoying family time?” I hear Mister Freeze ask before he aims his freeze gun at a family who was enjoying their Fourth of July.

“My family has other plans,” he tells them menacingly before flying over them as others run from him.

I look at Dick and he smirks at me. He bounces his eyebrows at me before he drops down from the building we now stand on. Dick throws a batarang at Mister Freeze and it just hits him in the back, making him stumble forward a bit.

“Batman. I was wondering when…” Mister Freeze starts as he turns around, but he stops when Dick starts to laugh.

I shake my head and jump down after Dick. He lands on Mister Freeze’s dome before flipping as he pushes off of him. Mister Freeze turns just as we both land on the other side of him as we both throw our shurikens at him, causing his dome to crack.

“Oh, Wonderboy and Blue Jay. The bat sent you both to drag me off to prison? Frankly I’m underwhelmed,” Mister Freeze tells us as he slowly stands up.

“I’m coming in. Just give me a moment to fix this new set of cuffs we’re trying,” we both hear Bruce grunt over the coms and I roll my eyes.

“Great, but we’re kinda in a hurry here,” Dick replies with an annoyed eye roll.

“Kids… always in such a rush,” Mr. Freeze mocks as he smirks at us.

“Not talking to you,” Dick replies in a sing-songy tone and I have to hold back a giggle, making it come out as a chortle.

Mr. Freeze's eyes widen for a moment before turning around as Bruce finally drops in. Bruce flies in before throwing a punch as he lands, completely breaking Mr. Freeze’s dome. Once he’s down on the ground, Bruce cuffs him before handing him off to the officers.

“You know, you two could have handled him without me,” Bruce comments as he turns to us and chuckles when Dick rolls his eyes.

“Yes, but we work so much faster and more efficiently when you're with us,” Dick argues and Bruce looks at me.

“You two distract one another, that’s why,” Bruce accuses and I give him a shocked look.

“Umm, excuse me! I’m pretty efficient on my own. It’s not my fault Rob gets distracted. Especially when he goes off on his own with that disappearing laugh he does,” I argue back and Bruce chuckles as he smiles.

“I must admit, dear boy, that is really infuriating,” Bruce gruffly agrees with me and Dick scoffs.

“Whatever. Jay got distracted by a squirrel the other day!” Dick argues again and I huff, shaking my head.

“It was hurt. What was I supposed to do! Leave it to die?!” I fight back and Bruce just chuckles as he crosses his arms.

“As much as I’m enjoying your little fight, don't we all have plans?” Bruce asks with a light smirk and I roll my eyes.

“Yes we do. Can we get going now?” Dick groans and I giggle.

“You're the one that started it. You know I’ll fight back anytime,” I inform and he rolls his eyes behind his mask.

“Oh, don’t I. Can’t say I don’t admire it really,” Dick tells me and I grin at him.

“Thank you, Rob. That’s really sweet,” I tell him in a flattered tone before he gives me a soft smile and a small nod.

“Ok you two, let’s go,” Bruce demands as he shakes his head. “Your connection continues to amaze me,” he tells us as we all start walking back to our vehicles.

“Why’s that, Bats?” Dick asks and Bruce shakes his head.

“Because you guys always have one another’s backs, even when fighting. It’s not always like that,” Bruce explains as he opens the driver's side door to the Batmobile.

“It’s just always kinda been easy to stick together,” I reply with a shrug as I grab my helmet.

“Well, not many people really stick together. It’s nice to see you two together. You always have smiles on when even just in the vicinity of one another. It’s cute,” Bruce tells us as I put my helmet on before turning and raising an eyebrow at Dick.

“Thanks, Bruce. What?” Dick replies to Bruce before turning to me.

“You gonna ride with me or Bruce?” I ask him and he slowly starts to grin.

“Now you want me to ride with you. Earlier you just took off,” Dick jokes, making me shrug as I get on my bike and lean back, crossing my arms.

“Earlier I was mad. Now I want my best friend to ride with me,” I explain in an even tone as I hold back a giggle at his reaction.

“Oh! So now I’m supposed to just ride with you when you want I guess,” he playfully jokes back and I giggle.

“That’s the way it works, my dude,” I reply and he snorts, shaking his head.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll go with Bruce,” he teases and I frown.

“You don’t wanna go with me? On the big day?” I pout and playfully bat my eyes at him and he groans.

“How can I say no to the pout face?” he asks and Bruce chuckles.

“You can’t, son. Never have been able to,” Bruce tells him in a form of amusement and Dick groans again.

“Ok. Ok. I’ll come with you. Whatever the Queen wants, she gets,” he finally agrees and I grin as I pat the seat behind me.

“Well…” I ask him with a raised eyebrow and he shrugs.

“Well, what?” he asks me and I giggle.

“You comin’ or not? We kinda have somewhere to be…” I tell him and he chuckles as he comes over to me.

“Let me drive,” Dick tells me and I shake my head.

“No way, my dad suspended my motorcycle license,” I reply with a giggle and Dick makes a noise of shock.

“He didn’t suspend it!” Dick fights back and I bite my lip.

“I’m pretty sure he did, wonderboy,” I tell him and he shakes his head.

“That I did,” Bruce jumps in and I giggle when Dick looks defeated.

“I’ll drive, don't worry. We’ll be ok. I’ve driven this many times before,” I promise Dick and he shakes his head.

“Yeah. The law would go crazy knowing good ol’ dad lets his thirteen year old drive. Fine, you can drive, but when I get my license back, I’ll be the one driving,” Dick replies and I grin, nodding.

“They really would, wouldn’t they? I’d expect nothing less,” I tell him with a soft smile and Bruce shakes his head with a shrug.

“I’ve got money and influence so it works. Helmet’s in the back, Dick,” Bruce brags a bit and Dick groans.

“You know I really hate when you go all dad mode on me,” Dick tells him as he goes and grabs his helmet from the Batmobile.

“Maybe wear a helmet and I won’t have to,” Bruce tells him and I hold back a giggle.

“Ok. I’ll see you guys at the hall of justice?” Bruce asks us and I smile over at him.

“Yup. See ya there!” I agree with him before he drives off.

“Let’s go, you big sap,” I joke and Dick puts his helmet on before getting behind me on my bike.

Once I’m sure he’s holding on and ready to go, I start my bike up and drive to the hall of justice. When we finally make it, I park the bike with the rest of the league’s vehicles before turning my engine off.

Dick gets off the bike first, taking his helmet off and looks up at the building in awe. I smile softly as butterflies swarm my stomach and I have to stop myself from loving how excited Dick is. I get off my bike and take the helmet off before putting it back in its compartment. Dick quickly rushes over and meets Bruce at the Batmobile.

He puts his helmet back where he got it from before standing up straight and walking with Bruce. I easily catch up with both of them and before we know it, we’re meeting up with the other young superheroes who stand with their respective hero mentors.

“Today is the day,” Bruce tells us as he looks down at me and Dick, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Welcome to the hall of justice,” Green Arrow speaks up next.

“The headquarters of the Justice League,” Aquaman says and I look at Dick with a huge smile.

“Oh man!” Is heard, making us all turn to look as Flash and Kid Flash zoom up.

“I knew we’d be the last ones here!” Wally shouts out as he comes to a stop and crosses his arms.

“How are they always the last ones when they’re the fastest…?” Dick whispers to me and I snort before holding a hand over my mouth to cover my laughter.

“Honestly, I don’t know. Must mean they take longer capturing their bad guys. They really should be more efficient, shouldn’t they, D?” I ask him as I lean on his shoulder.

“Yeah. They really should. Like we are!” Dick agrees and I grin.

“We are pretty efficient, aren’t we? Ehh, it’s only because I have you. If I was working with anyone else, I wouldn’t be,” I tell him and he chuckles, shaking his head.

“Same goes for you, Jay. Anyone else and you wouldn’t get a lick of efficiency out of me,” Dick jokes and I giggle again before we hear a sound like someone gagging.

“You guys are so disgusting. You know that?” Wally asks as he walks up next to us.

“Oh we definitely do, but it makes it fun to gross you out,” I joke with Wally, sticking my tongue out at him.

“Oh, so you do it to spite me?” Wally asks as we all start to walk towards the entrance of the hall of justice.

“We most definitely do it to make you underwhelmed,” Dick tells him with a smirk and Wally gives us a shocked look.

“That’s just-” Wally starts, but stops as we walk past all the press, who start shouting questions.

“Is that Batman?!” a man to the left of us asks and Dick lets out a chortle as we smirk at each other.

“Oh my goodness,” a woman to the right of us exclaims.

“I see Flash and Flash Jr.!” a kid from the left shouts as he points over the rope.

“His name’s speedy. Duh,” the kid next to the other kid explains in a sassy tone.

“No, Speedy’s Green Arrow’s sidekick,” an older man argues with the kids.

“Well, that makes no sense,” another man replies.

“Ready to see the inner sanctum?” Green Arrow asks as he leans forward just a bit so Roy can hear him.

“Born that way,” Roy replies, making me and Dick look at each other again with big smiles.

“I’m glad we’re all here,” Kaldur comments as he smiles at me when I look at him.

“Have all five sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?” Wally asks as he looks at me and Dick.

“No. I think-” I start, but stop when I get cut off.

“Don’t! Call us sidekicks. Not after today…” Roy berates Wally and I frown a bit, but I feel a hand grab mine and squeeze.

I look up and see Dick smiling at me, so I give him a small smile back as I squeeze his hand back. We keep our hands together as we continue to walk, not caring how it looks.

“Sorry. First time at the hall. I’m a little overwhelmed,” Wally apologizes and Dick rolls his eyes.

“You’re overwhelmed and underwhelmed. Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn’t anyone ever just whelmed?” Dick asks his famous question that makes me giggle before hugging his arm closer.

“Rob, I’m whelmed most of the time, am I not?” I ask him and he smiles.

“You're an exception, sweetheart,” Dick tells me and there’s another sound of someone gagging.

“Gross. Can you two not be all coupley the whole time, please?!” Wally whines and I pull back to look at him with a grin.

“Nope!” I tell Wally and he groans, shaking his head as Dick and I laugh.

Finally after what feels like a long walk, we make it to the front of the hall of justice and look up at all the statues. As we walk, I poke Dick before pointing up at Wonder Woman, who I’ve admired for years. Dick nods, smiling at me.

“Oh, maybe that’s why,” Dick comments as we come to a stop just under the statues at the door.

The door slides open and we see Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter standing just inside. They walk out and come to a stop just a few feet from us.

“Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Blue Jay. Welcome,” Martian Manhunter greets us before turning around and starting to walk back into the hall.

“You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully stocked galley, and of course, our library,” Martian Manhunter explains as we continue to walk through the hall.

“Make yourselves at home,” Flash tells us as he turns around and holds his arms out.

The league walks over to the side to circle up and Wally plops down in one of the chairs. Dick does the same and Kaldur sits lightly on the one across from us. Dick pulls me down onto his lap and I giggle as Wally makes another gagging sound.

“Oh, shut up,” I tell him as I roll my eyes.

“Quick debrief to discuss the coincidence of four ice villains attacking on the same day,” Bruce speaks up, getting our attention.

“We shouldn’t be long,” Bruce promises before he turns around and starts to walk towards another door.

“Recognized. Batman, 02,” the scanner, much like we have in the bat cave, speaks as it comes out from the ceiling and scans Bruce.

“Aquaman, 06,” the automatic woman’s voice speaks as she scans Aquaman next.

“Flash, 04,” the voice continues as she scans Flash.

“Green arrow, 08,” she continues on again.

“Martian manhunter, 07,” the voice calls out.

“Red Tornado, 16,” the voice finishes off and there’s a hiss as the doors slide open.

“That’s it?!” Speedy suddenly yells out, making me jump before he walks over to them.

“You promised us a real look inside. Not a glorified backstage pass,” Roy angrily tells them as he crosses his arms.

“It’s a first step. You’ve been granted access few others get,” Aquaman speaks up and we all watch as Roy gets even angrier.

“Oh, really? Who cares which side of the glass we’re on?” Roy asks as he throws his hand up to point to the window above where press and civilians can look in.

“Roy, you just need to be patient,” Green Arrow tells him as he steps up from where he previously was.

“What I need is respect,” Roy argues before turning back to us.

“They’re treating us like kids. Worse, like sidekicks. We deserve better than this,” he tells us and pauses as he waits for us to agree.

I look at Dick and he looks at me before looking at Wally, who looks at Dick, then at me before we all turn to look at Kaldur. It’s like for a moment we all try to decide if he’s right or not, but we just stay quiet as we look back at him.

“You're kidding, right? You’re playing their game? Why? Today was supposed to be the day. Step one of becoming full fledged members of the league,” Roy angrily asks us and again we all look between one another.

“Well, sure, but I thought step one was a tour of the HQ,” Wally says what we’re all thinking as he looks at all of us before looking at Roy again and sitting up.

“Except the hall isn’t the league’s real HQ. I bet they never told you, it’s just a false front for tourists and a pit stop for catching zata-beam teleporter tubes to the real thing, an orbiting satellite called the watchtower,” Roy explains to us and all of our eyes widen as Green Arrow turns to look at Bruce.

“I know. I know, but I thought maybe we could make an exception,” Green Arrow explains with a shrug as Bruce gives him a silent stare.

“Or not…” Green Arrow says when nobody gives him an answer before turning back around to us.

“You are not helping your case here, son. Stand down or-” Aquaman starts as he walks forward to be closer to Roy.

“Or what? You’ll send me to my room?” Roy cuts him off. “And I’m not your son. I’m not even his. I thought I was his partner, but not anymore.” Roy takes his hat off and throws it to the ground.

We all watch with wide eyes as he turns around and starts to walk away from the league members. He heads towards the door, but slows down just a bit as he gets to us.

“Guess they’re right about you four. Didn’t expect it from you, Jay…” he tells us as he walks past us and we all quickly stand up.

My eyes start to water as one of my many brother figures walks past me. He continues to walk and we all just watch, not knowing what to say.

“You're not ready…” he adds as he keeps his back turned to us.

My eyes continue to water as I watch him walk away from us. It’s only a moment later when I feel a hand on my shoulder, pulling me out of the trance I don’t even realize I’m in. Roy finally fully walks out and it’s quiet for a minute before the sound of an incoming transmission can be heard, making us all turn to the screen.

“Superman to Justice League, there’s been an explosion at project Cadmus. It’s on fire,” Superman explains when he pops up on the screen and the rest of the League walk over to the screen.

“I’ve had my suspicions about Cadmus. This may present the perfect opportunity to-” Bruce starts, but gets cut off as another transmission comes in.

“Zatara to Justice League, the sorcerer, Wotan is using the amulet of Attan to block out the sun. Requesting full League response,” Zatara says as he pops up on the screen.

“Superman?” Bruce questions as he looks at Superman.

“It’s a small fire. Local authorities have it under control,” Superman replies in a matter of fact tone.

“Then Cadmus can wait,” Bruce agrees with Superman.

“All Leaguers rendezvous at Zatara’s coordinates. Batman out,” Bruce tells them all as he pushes a button that lets the rest of the league in on the plan.

We all walk over to them just as he signs off and he turns around. He comes closer as all the other heroes start to head out.

“Stay put,” he commands and I cross my arms.

“What? Why?” Dick throws up his hands in confusion.

“This is a league mission,” Aquaman tells us as he puts his hands on his hips.

“You’re not trained,” Flash explains as he too puts his hands on his hips.

“Since when?” Wally asks, throwing his hands up as well.

“I meant you're not trained to work as part of this team,” Flash explains as he steps out from behind Bruce and motions to the other heroes.

“There will be other missions, when you’re ready,” Aquaman promises and we roll our eyes.

“But for now, stay put,” Bruce finishes off as he looks at me and Dick with a stern look we both know too well.

They walk off and Wally crosses his arms as we watch. I still have my arms crossed too and an angry scowl on my face.

“Glad you didn’t bring you know who?” Green Arrow asks Martian Manhunter.

“Indeed,” Martian Manhunter replies before they too start to walk off.

They all walk through the door and Red Tornado stands just in front of the door, looking at us. After all the other heroes are fully through the door, he turns and follows them. The door closes behind him leaving us with the ‘Justice League members only’ sign.

“Uh, when we’re ready? How are we ever supposed to be ready when they treat us like, like sidekicks?” Wally asks angrily, throwing his hands up as he moves to look at the rest of us.

“My mentor, my king, I thought he trusted me,” Kaldur speaks in a solemn tone.

“Trust? They don’t even trust us with the basics. They’ve got a secret HQ in space,” Wally exclaims as he motions upwards.

“What else aren’t they telling us?” Kaldur questions and Dick sighs.

“I have a better question. Why didn’t we leave with Speedy?” Dick asks and my eyes only water more at the mention of him as the others look down in shame.

“Jay. You ok? You haven’t spoken much,” Dick observes as he looks at me.

“No. Speedy really hit a sore spot. You know how close we are with our anger issues… I mean him more than me, but ya know,” I mutter out and Dick sighs before pulling me into his side.

“I do know. I do,” Dick whispers to me and I cuddle into his side.

It stays quiet for a moment as we all feel the shame and pain. I straighten up as Kaldur seems to get an idea and he takes a moment to think it over.

“What is… project Cadmus?” Kaldur asks and Dick looks up at him.

“I don’t know, but I can find out,” Dick replies and I look at him as we both smirk.

Y/n’s Pov:

Together Dick and I walk over to the big computer on the wall. Dick starts to do exactly what we were taught since we were eight: hacking. He quickly hacks into the computer and while he looks for any answers, Kaldur walks up with Wally.

Kaldur stops on Dick’s left and Wally stops on my right. Dick tries the first time and gets ‘access denied’ from the female computerized voice we all know so well. Dick just chuckles and tries again.

“Wanna bet?” he asks before trying again.

“Whoa! How are you doing that?” Wally asks and I giggle.

“Same system as the Batcave,” Dick replies in a cocky sing-songy tone, making me giggle again.

“Not to mention we’ve learned how to hack since we were eight, Wall,” I tell him and his eyes widen as he looks at me.

“Wait? Really?” he asks and we nod.

Dick types for another second before hitting one last button. The screen then changes from ‘access denied’ to ‘access granted’ and the files start to open as the female computerized voice speaks again.

“See. We know what we’re doing,” I tell Wally with a smirk as his mouth falls open.

“Walls, close the mouth. You're going to catch flies,” I tell him, making both Kaldur and Dick chuckle when Wally crosses his arms.

“Mean…” Wally mutters and I giggle.

“Alright project Cadmus, genetics lab here in DC. That’s all there is, but if Batman’s suspicious maybe we should investigate,” Dick explains with a smirk as he puts his hands on his hips.

“We really should. Bats always is right whenever he’s suspicious about something,” I add with a nod of my head.

“Solve their case before they do. It would be poetic justice,” Kaldur comments as he tilts his head ever so slightly to his right.

“Hey. They’re all about justice,” Dick adds with a chuckle and Kaldur sighs.

“But they said stay put,” Kaldur points out, looking away in shame for a moment.

“For the blotting-out-the-sun mission, not this,” Dick excuses with a smirk and I smirk with him.

“Wait. A—are you two going to Cadmus?” Wally asks, making me and Dick turn to him.

“Because if you two are going, I’m going,” Wally adds on as he points to us before motioning to himself with both hands.

We then turn to Kaldur and smile at him. He takes a moment to think about it as he looks at us.

“Just like that, we’re a team on a mission?” Kaldur asks and we all grin at him even wider.

“We didn’t come for a play date,” Dick tells him and Kaldur smirks.

“Let’s go then,” Kaldur agrees, making the rest of us cheer.

~Time Skip~

When we approach the scene, Dick and I arrive on my motorcycle as Wally runs up next to us. Kaldur also comes walking up next to us.

“Man, I miss my motorcycle,” Dick complains as we both take off our helmets and I giggle.

“Then tell Bats you wanna take the test again and get your license back,” I tell him as I shove him lightly and he shakes his head.

“Definitely doing that when we get home,” Dick replies and I playfully put a hand to my chest, giving a light gasp.

“Are you saying you don’t like riding with me?” I ask him in a playful hurt tone.

“It’s not that, Jay. You know I love it, but it’s more that I miss the freedom and control,” he tells me and I nod in understanding.

“I mean I’d be pretty sad without mine,” I agree with him and he smiles at me.

“Thanks, Jay. You always understand,” he says before pulling me into a hug.

“Can you two stop acting like a couple for two minutes?!” Wally asks before making a gag noise and I tsk before whacking him on the back of the head, making him let out a light ‘Ow’ as he rubs where I’d smacked.

“You know we’re not a couple, Wall,” I scold him and he scoffs.

“Yeah, right. I’ll believe it when you-” he starts but by some magic I catch onto what he’s saying and glare at him.

“You know what, never mind,” he chuckles out nervously as I keep my glare on him.

“Woah, Jay, don’t kill him with the glare,” Dick comments as he stands in front of me.

“I wish you’d let me…” I tell him with my teeth clenched.

“No, you don’t. You love KF,” he tells me with a shake of his head and I huff.

“Love is a strong word sometimes,” I say with a roll of my eyes.

“Love you too, Jay,” Wally jokes with a nervous chuckle and I shake my head at him.

“We need a plan,” Kaldur says, interrupting us as he looks over the situation.

“Help!” We hear a man yell from inside the building.

“Get us down!” Another yells as they wave at the firemen.

“Stay put. We will get you out,” the chief firefighter tells them through a megaphone.

Just as he finishes his sentence, an explosion goes off. The two men go flying out of the window and they fall to the concrete. Wally smirks with confidence before putting his goggles on and racing off.

He runs over and up the building, catching the two men and carefully placing them on the roof before almost falling backwards. He catches himself on a window and hangs there for a moment.

“It’s what’s his name, Flash boy,” one of the firefighters yells out as he points up at Wally.

“Kid Flash. Why is that so hard?” Wally shouts as he continues to hold onto the window.

“So smooth…” Dick jokes and I giggle.

“I mean, he really is,” I joke with him and he chuckles.

“Does he always have to run ahead? We need a plan. We-” Kaldur asks before trailing off as he looks past me.

“Robin? Where’d he go?” Kaldur asks me and I shrug, shaking my head.

“Rob always disa—” I start, but get cut off by one of Dick’s famous laughs.

Together Kaldur and I watch as Dick gets up onto the fire truck and runs up the ladder. He then uses his grappling gun and swings into the building. He then helps Wally up and into the building as well.

“That’s infuriating. Does Robin always do that?” Kaldur asks me and I nod.

“It really is, isn’t it? But yeah, he does. Don’t worry, Bats and I are working with him on that,” I tell him and he nods as he turns back to watch.

“You comin’, Jay?!” Dick shouts and I giggle before running the same route as Dick.

Once I’m on the windowsill, Dick comes over and gives me a hand. I smile and take his hand as I hop down into the room with them.

“I’m going to start hacking the computers. Jay, wanna help?” Dick asks and I shake my head.

“Nah, I’ll watch your six,” I tell him and he agrees with a nod.

“I’ll take a few laps around the building to see what I can find,” Wally tells us as Dick finds a computer and I watch his surroundings.

“Appreciate the help,” Kaldur tells us as he lands in the room and puts his water bearers on his back.

“You handled it. Besides, we're here to investigate. Poetic justice, remember?” Dick asks, shrugging as he continues to type on the computer.

Kaldur looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I shrug before looking around. Kaldur walks out of the room as Dick keeps typing away and I keep watch over Dick’s back. I turn around just as Dick seems to be finishing up.

“Done yet, Wonderboy?” I ask him and he shrugs.

“Just about, miss impatient,” Dick replies as he keeps typing and I giggle, shaking my head.

“Ok. Done!” Dick exclaims as he pulls his drive from the computer. “Let’s go,” he tells me and I nod as we both rush out of the room.

“Elevators should be locked down,” Wally observes as me and Dick rush past him.

“This is wrong,” Dick comments as he pulls his holographic computer up on his arm.

“Is this what I think it is, Rob?” I ask him and he hums, nodding.

“Thought so. This is a high speed express elevator,” Dick explains and I nod along.

“It definitely doesn’t belong in a two-story building,” I reply and he hums in agreement as he continues to look at his holo computer.

“Neither does what I saw,” Kaldur comments before he walks over to the elevator and pries the doors open.

“And that’s why they need an express elevator,” Dick observes as we look down the long elevator shaft.

He then grabs me and pulls me with him as he takes a jump. He holds out his grappling gun and shoots it so we go propelling down.

“I have my own grappling gun, I could have done it myself,” I express and he shakes his head as he lets out one of his famous laughs.

“This way is more fun though,” he replies and I roll my eyes, letting out a laugh as well.

“Ok. Whatever you say,” I agree with him and he grins at me.

As we get farther down, I look up to see Kaldur and Wally sliding down the wire after us. We rush past each floor before coming to a slow stop on level 26.

“We’re at the end of my rope,” Dick comments as we hang there for a moment.

“We really are…” I suggest and he chuckles, shaking his head before swinging us to the side of the shaft.

“That was so wrong!” Wally shouts as he comes down the rope after Kaldur.

“What! You know me! When I see an opportunity, I take it,” I admit and he makes a gagging sound.

“You only make those sounds because any kind of love is gross for you,” I point out and he scoffs as I cross my arms.

“Yeah, because I don’t need someone to make me happy. I do that on my own,” he fights back and I let out a huff of air.

“Ok. Ok. You two, stop it. We don’t have time for arguments,” Dick tells both of us and I sigh, uncrossing my arms.

“You're right. I’m sorry, KF,” I apologize and Wally softly smiles.

“It’s ok, Jay. I’m sorry too. You're only being you,” he apologizes too and I smile.

“Ok. Now that that’s over with,” Dick comments as he plops down and pulls his holo computer back up.

“Bypassing security…” he explains as he types and it takes him a moment.

“There. Go,” he tells us just as all the robin faces on his screen turn green with a beep.

“Dude, is your face really your load bar?” Wally asks in amusement and Dick nods.

“Hey. It’s not that weird. Jay’s is her face!” Dick tells him and Wally breaks out into a huge grin.

“That’s cheesy, dude,” Wally says and I groan.

“It’s just the right amount of cheese though,” Dick replies, wiggling his eyebrows and I snort as I hold back a giggle.

“I mean, he’s not wrong,” I tell Wally with a smirk and he shakes his head.

“Ok. That is enough. We are here for a mission. Not to joke around,” Kaldur tells us before he steps up to the elevator doors.

Kaldur pries the second set of elevator doors open and we walk through. After crossing the threshold, we all stop and look around.

“Welcome to project Cadmus,” Dick introduces like he would if we were meeting someone.

Wally takes off running and Kaldur quickly turns to reach out like he’ll stop him.

“Kid, wait!” Kaldur quietly exclaims, but Wally doesn’t listen and keeps going.

Wally skids just as he’s about to turn the corner and stumbles right into some giant dog-looking animals. He comes to a sliding stop and one of the dog-like creatures almost steps on him, but he rolls out of the way just in time. A whole bunch of them walk past as if in a trance, not even really noticing us.

Wally quickly zooms back next to us and we all watch as the creatures all walk past us. The one in the front growls and it seems that there’s a smaller matching creature on its head.

“No. Nothing odd going on here,” Kaldur sarcastically comments as we continue to watch more pass us by.

“Let's keep going…” Dick decides just as all the dog-like creatures pass us by.

“I’m game,” Wally agrees with him and Dick looks at me.

“If you’re going, you know I am,” I say with a nod.

“Ok. Let’s go to that door,” Dick points at it and we all nod before walking over. “Give me a minute to hack it,” he tells us as he pulls up his computer again.

“Why are you doing all the hacking if Jay knows how to hack too?” Wally asks and I click my tongue on the roof of my mouth as Dick laughs.

“Ask her,” Dick tells him through his laughs as I glare at him.

“Why is he doing all the hacking?” Wally asks as he looks at me.

“I may or may not have broken my holo pad computer yesterday…” I mumble and Dick chuckles.

“And how did you do that, hmm?” Dick asks in a playful tone that makes me glare at him again.

“I fell out of my bed with it…” I mumble as quietly as I can.

“Almost got it…” Dick tells us as he keeps typing.

“How’d you fall outta bed with it?” Wally asks and I sigh, shaking my head.

“Does it really matter?” I ask with a roll of my eyes.

“Yes,” Kaldur and Wally say in unison.

“Fine… I was watching my favorite movie on it, because I didn’t wanna move from my bed to go watch in the den… and then boom! Someone decides it’d be funny to scare me…” I tell them as I side eye Dick and he smirks cockily.

“I’m not 100% the best when I get scared when I’m just relaxing. When I’m home, I let all my guards down, and Dick saw an opportunity and took it. He scared me, made me jump and I fell off my bed, breaking the arm band…” I explain and Kaldur raises an eyebrow at me.

“So it really wasn’t your fault then?” he asks and I sigh, shaking my head.

“In a way, yes and no. I should’ve still had my guard up and I should’ve had my gear in my room. Bats is always telling us that,” I explain just as the doors slide open.

“Okay, I’m officially whelmed…” Dick comments as we see what’s behind the door.

We walk in and see what looks like more of the creatures from earlier, except these ones have electricity flowing through them. We walk farther in and inspect as we go.

“This is how they hide this massive underground facility from the world,” Wally explains as he walks in front of us while looking around.

“The real Cadmus isn’t on the grid. It generates its own power with these… things. Must be what they’re bred for,” Wally continues as he turns to us and points at them.

“Even the name is a clue. The Cadmus of myth created a new race by sowing dragon’s teeth into the earth,” Kaldur takes over explaining his thoughts.

“And this Cadmus creates new life too,” Dick adds on as he walks up next to Kaldur.

“Let’s figure out why,” Dick decides before going over to the computer and connecting his holo computer to it.

“So if you still had yours, what’d you call it?” Wally asks as he looks at me.

“Holo pad computer,” I inform him and he nods.

“So if you had that, you could hack things too? I’ve been on missions with you. I’ve only ever seen Rob hack,” Wally states and I giggle while Dick laughs too.

“Oh, I’ve done it. You just haven’t seen it. Also when we’re all together, Rob prefers to do the hacking and I prefer to watch his back. He’s just a little more advanced than I am,” I inform Wally, who nods along.

“But to answer your question, yes KF, I can. When my new holo pad comes in, I’ll show you by hacking your phone,” I joke and he crosses his arms.

“You better not hack my phone. That’s a violation of privacy…” Wally replies with an attitude and I giggle.

“I’m joking KF, I’d only do that to Rob…” I joke again and Dick quickly turns to me.

“Tell me you don’t do that,” he deadpans and I slowly grin.

“I don’t know, you tell me. Do I?” I ask with a smirk and he groans.

“Don’t do that! I thought you were serious,” he tells me before he goes back to the computer.

“Do you have something you're trying to hide? I thought we told each other everything?” I ask him in a sickly sweet tone and he quickly shakes his head.

“No. I do tell you everything, but ya know, sometimes there may be some surprises I keep from you,” he explains and I grin.

“So you are hiding something,” I say while smiling at him.

“No, I’m not. Plus, you’d know if I was… you always figure it out if I do try to anyway,” he explains with a shrug and I giggle.

“Ok. Whatever you say, Wonderboy,” I continue to joke with him and he shakes his head.

“Ok. So they call them Genomophs,” Dick explains as he finally finds what he’s looking for.

“Whoa, look at the stats on these things. Super strength, telepathy, razor claws. These are living weapons,” Dick continues to read them off as I read over his shoulder.

“They’re engineering an army, but for who?” Wally asks as he too reads from over Dick’s side.

“Wait. There’s something else. Project Kr,” Dick explains as he finds more and Kaldur comes up beside me to look over it too.

“Ugh, the file’s triple-encrypted. I can’t-” Dick starts to say, but gets cut off with a voice.

“Don’t move!” we hear someone yell, making us all turn to look at the doors as they open.

A man runs in with a bunch of the dog-like animals and comes to a stop. Two or three of the creatures growl and sneer at us.

“Wait. Robin, Blue Jay, Aqualad, Kid Flash?” The man questions when he recognizes us.

“At least he got your name right,” Dick snickers at Wally as he turns back to his holo computer.

“Yeah. He coulda called you flash boy like that other guy did,” I agree with Dick, who laughs while I giggle when Wally sneers at us.

“I know you. Guardian, a hero,” Kaldur tells the man.

“I do my best,” the man replies in a nonchalant way.

“Then what are you doing here?” Wally asks him as we all stand around Dick as protection.

“I’m chief of security. You’re trespassing. But we can call the league, figure this out,” he explains in a gruff tone and I shrink back a bit.

“You think the league’s gonna approve of you breeding weapons?” Wally accuses him and he looks shocked for a moment.

“Weapons? What are you…” Guardian asks in confusion before the creature on his shoulder turns to him as its horns light up.

“What have I…” Guardian asks before trailing off. “Ugh, my head…” Guardian mumbles out as he holds his head.

“Take them down hard. No mercy,” he suddenly demands as he points at us and the creatures growl as they launch at us.

“Jay. Come on,” Dick tells me as he grabs me like he had in the elevator shaft and shoots his grappling gun.

Wally and Kaldur stay on the ground fighting as me and Dick get up into the rafters. He starts to run out and I roll my eyes before following after him. He quickly jumps down and heads for the door with me right behind him.

“What are we doing?!” I ask him as we run.

“Finding the elevator!” Dick tells me as he takes a sharp right and I follow him.

We come up to the elevator and he pulls his holo pad back out as he crouches down. He types and I keep a watch over the hallway as Wally quickly comes around the corner.

“Way to be team players, you two!” Wally shouts as he comes to a stop next to us and Kaldur stays at the end of the hall.

“Weren’t you guys behind us?” Dick asks nonchalantly with a small shrug as he continues to type.

“Hey. I didn’t have a choice, he pulled me with him,” I argue just as the doors open.

We get in and Kaldur quickly rushes through the hall to us. He gets into the elevator as the creatures come racing around the corner. He flips and lands into the elevator just as the doors close.

There’s a bang at the doors as we all stand up and we look up at the flashing numbers. The numbers count down one by one.

“We’re headed down?” Kaldur asks in an astonished tone.

“Dude. Out is up,” Wally agrees with Kaldur as he points up and he looks at me, making me shrug at him.

“I know just about as much as you do,” I tell him as I hold my hands up in surrender and Wally looks back at Dick with an expectant look, who then turns to him.

“Excuse me? Project Kr. It’s down on sub-level 52,” Dick explains his plan matter-of-factly, making me cover up a giggle.

“This is out of control, perhaps…” Kaldur disappointedly comments as he puts a hand to his forehead and walks past us before trailing off.

“Perhaps we should contact the league,” Kaldur finishes as he turns back to us.

We all stay silent, not wanting to agree with him for a moment before the elevator dings. The doors open and we all step up, ready to exit as they do. We all look out into what seems to be a cave of red for a moment before Dick rushes off.

I sigh, shaking my head before rolling my eyes. I look at Kaldur and Wally, who give me questioning looks. I shrug as nonchalantly as I can before rushing off to follow Dick.

“We are already here,” I hear Wally tell Kaldur before he follows us.

Together we all catch up with one another and crouch down, stopping to see two different hallways. Dick seems to be analyzing something for a moment.

“Which way?” Kaldur reluctantly asks with a roll of his eyes.

“Yeah… bizarre looking hallway one?” Dick says he points to hallway one.

“Or bizarre hallway number two?” I finish off for him and he turns, smirking at me and I smirk back.

“Halt!” A voice says out of nowhere as a creature walks out.

He lifts his arm and his horns on top of his head start to glow. Two canister-like things fly at us and dick quickly makes me duck as one almost hits us in the head. Dick quickly bounces back up as the canisters explode and throws two Wing Dings at the creature's head.

The creature's horns glow again and the Wing Dings stop just short of his face before dropping to the ground. The creature then lifts two more canisters and Dick grabs my arm as we run down the opposite hallway with the canisters exploding right behind us.

Wally runs faster than us and goes ahead of the group. We run in right behind him to see a doctor on the floor as Wally lifts one of the canisters and throws it between the door and wall to stop it from closing.

“Hurry!” Wally shouts as he turns back to us and waves frantically.

He goes into the door first, then Aqualad follows him in with me following behind him and Dick right behind me. Aqualad quickly runs back over and kicks the canister out of the doorway as Dick starts trying to hack into it.

“I disabled the door. We’re safe,” Dick promises as he pulls back from the hacking to look at Aqualad.

“We’re trapped,” Aqualad points out and I scoff.

“No. Safe. As Dick said…” I speak out and Dick smirks when Aqualad sighs while shaking his head.

“Uh, guys. You’ll wanna see this,” Wally speaks up instantaneously, stopping the starting fight as we all turn to him.

We all walk over as Wally presses a button and lights come on. Dick lets out a small ‘whoa’ as the case in front of us lights up, perfectly showing what looks like Superman.

“Big K, little R,” Wally comments as he walks closer the the case.

“The atomic symbol for Krypton!” Wally continues explaining what he’s seeing.

“Clone?” he asks as he turns around to look at us.

“Robin… hack,” Aqualad commands as he turns to me and Dick.

“Uh, right, right,” Dick agrees as he comes out of his shock.

He pulls his connection cord out and connects it to the computer in front of us. He types for a minute and he groans when it won’t open.

“Rob… you skipped a part,” I tell him and he shakes his head.

“Where would I be without you, Jay?” he asks, leaning over to give my cheek a light kiss and I shrug lightly before he tries the hack again.

“Still trying to hack into whatever’s on this computer,” I joke and Dick rolls his eyes giving a small ‘haha’ in response.

This time he bypasses it and Wally gives me a look. I shrug and he shakes his head.

“You two really are made for each other, aren’t you?” Wally asks with a snicker and I shake my head.

“I’m more meant for him then I'll ever be for you,” I joke with Wally about when we had met and he groans.

“I can’t help it. When I see a cute girl, I just have to shoot my shot, ok?!” Wally protests and I laugh as he crosses his arms with a pout.

“So that means flirting with every moving thing you see?” I ask, adding insult to injury and he huffs, shaking his head.

“Ouch. She’s got you there, KF,” Dick agrees with a laugh when Wally huffs again.

“I only flirt with the pretty moving things,” Wally states with attitude and I giggle, shaking my head.

“Only you, KF. Only you,” I comment with a laugh and he only huffs again as he tightens his crossed arms.

“Weapon designation superboy. A clone force grown in…” Dick reads off the monitor, but pauses and I read over his shoulder.

“Sixteen weeks?!” I shout out in shock with wide eyes.

“From DNA acquired from Superman,” Dick continues to read after me.

“Stolen from Superman,” Aqualad adds on, in a voice full of venom.

“No way the big guy knows about this,” Wally says and I nod my head in agreement.

“Solar suit allows him to absorb yellow sun radiation 24/7,” Dick reads off more information the more as he finds.

“And these creatures?” Aqualad starts to question as he points at the screen.

“Genomorph Gnomes…” Dick fills in for Aqualad as we all read over the information now.

“Telepathic, force-feeding him an education,” Dick explains even more information.

“And we can guess what else. They’re making a slave out of… well, Superman’s son,” Wally points out and I frown as I look up at him.

“Poor guy. He’s probably never been outside this case,” I sympathize and the others frown as we look up at him.

“Now we contact the league,” Aqualad tells us before he presses his belt buckle button.

“No signal,” Dick comments when Aqualad looks confused as to why it’s just silence though the com.

“We’re in too deep… literally,” Wally states and I roll my eyes.

“You’ve been waiting to say that, haven’t you?” I ask him with an unamused look and he smirks.

“What can I say? I’m full of good puns,” Wally says with a shrug and I chuckle.

“Good puns, my ass,” I joke with a roll of my eyes and Dick lets out his own laugh.

“You are not on her good side today, buddy,” Dick chuckles out and Wally frowns.

“What did I do?! I didn’t do anything to her today!” he exclaims and Dick shrugs.

“I don’t know, but whatever it was made her upset,” Dick replies before laughing again when Wally throws his hands in the air.

“This is wrong…” Wally comments as he turns back to the case.

“We can’t leave him like this,” Dick comments and Kaldur takes a moment to think it over.

“They’re right, K. We have to help him,” I comment and Kaldur eventually nods.

“Set him free…” Kaldur demands and Dick gives him a skeptical look.

“Do it,” Kaldur finally adds on and Dick finally brings up his holo computer before starting to hack in.

It takes Dick less than a second to type into it before the case starts to open. It slides open with a hiss and steam comes from the sides as we all watch. The case fully opens and we all wait with bated breath before the clone is squeezing his knuckles together, making a fist.

It stays quiet for a moment, but the creatures above the clone horns glow and there’s a light buzz. Soon I jump slightly into Dick's side as the clone's eyes fly open and he stares at us. Dick reaches out and helps me fix my stance before it’s thrown off again when the clone launches himself at us.

He knocks me out of the way, making me push Dick down with me, but he catches me with a small huff. Quickly we all scramble back up only to see the clone sitting on top of Aqualad, throwing punch after punch to his face.

“We have to stop him!” I shout as I jump into action and run over with the others right behind me.

“Whoa! Hang on, Supey!” Wally yells out as he grips onto one of the clone's arms.

“We’re on your side,” Dick also tries to tell him as he holds his other arm back.

I jump on his back and try to pull him off by the neck, but he throws Wally, who goes flying back into the glass. He then pulls me off and throws me to the left.

“Blue Jay!” Dick yells out as he takes a moment from struggling with the clone.

“I’m fine, Rob,” I groan as I roll onto my side and he nods lightly.

“I don’t wanna do this,” Dick shouts before he activates one of the many gas bombs we carry before shoving it into the clone’s face.

Dick pushes off of him as he goes crazy when the gas explodes in his face. Aqualad takes the chance and kicks the clone, making him fly back into the computer panel. Dick runs over to me and quickly helps me up before shooting out his taser just as the clone recovers, standing back up.

Dick hits him right in the chest with the taser, but it doesn’t seem to phase him at all. The clone then pulls at the taser lines and pulls Dick over to him. I get mad and rush over to try and help Dick, but the clone just flicks me away again, making me hit the wall.

I groan and roll over only to watch as he puts his foot on Dick’s chest so he can’t get up. He starts to push down with his foot and Dick groans. I try to get up, but my side screams at me to stop.

It’s only a moment later when there’s a bright light and I pause when I see Kaldur rushing forward with his water bearers.

“Enough!” Kaldur yells out as his water bearers turn into a big hammer and he knocks the clone off of Dick.

The clone goes flying back and hits the back of the case we’d found him in, leaving a big dent. Dick pulls himself up onto his knees and Kaldur puts his water bearers away before going over to help Dick. I roll onto my back and let out a sigh, but even that feels painful.

“Not me… check on Blue Jay…” I hear Dick speak and I groan lightly.

“I’m ok, Rob,” I assure him and Dick tries to get up before ultimately falling back to the floor himself.

I look down to see a piece of glass in my side. Then I realized that I had rolled through the glass Wally broke previously. I groan and carefully pull the piece of glass from my side before trying to get up, but ultimately fall back to the floor.

The clone gets up and I watch as Kaldur stands up. He shields Dick as he stands up and holds a hand out to the clone. The clone stops maybe about a foot from Kaldur.

“We are trying to help you!” Kaldur shouts out and the clone doesn’t seem to like it as he lunges forward at him.

They fight back and forth for a few minutes. Kaldur even tries to electrocute him again with his water bearers, but again it doesn’t seem to phase him. He leaps and slams Kaldur into the roof. When Kaldur still doesn’t stop, he slams him into the roof again and that’s when my vision starts to blur.

I groan and try to lift myself back up to stop him, but my vision goes almost completely black as I fall to the floor. The black edges around my vision slowly take over and I find myself succumbing to the darkness.

To Be Continued…

As of right now there is no tag list for this series, but if any of you would like us to make one we totally can. For now we have decided just to see if any of you like this one.

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soleminisanction · 1 year

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An earlier ask reminded me that there’s still one sequence of Batgirl (2009) that I’ve always wanted to break down because my frustration with it is palpable so…why not. This is as good a time as ever. Let’s talk about Issue 24 and extended fantasy sequence that makes up the very end of this series.

See, apparently—and I have not been able to find a first-hand record of the interview that confirms this, so take it with a grain of salt—Brian Q. Miller decided that, since the universe was getting reset in the wake of Flashpoint, his Batgirl was getting canceled and Stephanie was getting retconned out of existence for the New52, he would use a fantasy sequence in the final issue show off all the wonderful ideas he never got to do because of editorial meddling or whatever. Which is… fine. Y’know? I get it, it’s utterly self-indulgent but not an invalid way to deal with your book getting canceled before you can finish all you set out to do.

The thing is though, sequences like this don’t just exist in the vacuum of their Doylist explanation. The entire narrative point of fantasy sequences like this, whether they’re fear gas, or lotus eater machines, or especially the Black Mercy, isn’t just to have a cool spectacle for the audience to look at, it’s to take a part of the character’s inner life and put it on display for everyone to see.

So the question I’m asking here is: what does a Watsonian reading of finale sequence say about Our Heroine, Stephanie Brown?

Quick primer for those of you who may be unfamiliar: the Black Mercy is an Alan Moore creation, originally introduced in the story he wrote with Dave Gibbons for 1985’s Superman Annual #11 – “For the Man Who has Everything.”

If you’re my age, you may be more familiar with this story as a fantastic episode of Justice League Unlimited, which has the notable distinction of being the only Alan Moore adaptation that the old warlock actually likes. The basic story of both is the same: Batman and Wonder Woman (and, in the comic, the Jason Todd Robin) arrive at the Fortress of Solitude for Superman’s birthday, only to find that Mongul has trapped Supes under the influence of the Black Mercy, a magical alien parasite that digs its vines into its victim’s chest while trapping their minds in an illusion of their ideal perfect life.

“For the Man Who has Everything” is regarded as one of the best Superman stories ever written so it’s honestly kind of a surprise that the Black Mercy has only shown up a handful of times since then. But I’m not complaining, because it means the concept hasn’t been diluted much… with this appearance in Batgirl being a notable exception, in weird ways that make me really wonder what was intentional and what wasn’t.

See, this whole thing starts when Steph confronts her father, Arthur Brown, alias the Cluemaster, in his prison cell. And Arthur—a second-rate Riddler knock-off whose only experience outside of Gotham was an extremely brief Suicide Squad adventure to Iceland where everybody died—just, has a Black Mercy, an incredibly rare and dangerous magical alien super plant, sitting in his prison cell. As you do.

Arthur then puts Steph under the Mercy’s influence to cover his escape from the cell, but he doesn’t subject her to the Black Mercy for real, he crushes one of the blossoms and blows it in her face, which his dialogue implies is something he regularly does to himself as a recreational experience.

Which means that, despite the following pages making a big freaking deal about “spores in her system” and Barbara gushing about how special Stephanie is for being able to, quote, “fight the Mercy and win,” it’s all a load of shit. Arthur didn’t need to be rushed to the hospital every time he took this drug, so it would follow the Stephanie doesn’t either.

That would actually make a lot of sense for Arthur as a character—for all his faults, he’s usually written as caring for his family and not wanting Stephanie permanently hurt (a sentiment she generally doesn't return). Hell, his last appearance before this one was trying to get revenge for her death. If that was intentional, it would mean that in the above panel, Stephanie knows that Barbara’s conclusion about her “fighting the Mercy” is full of shit and just, isn’t telling her.

I have no confidence that it was intentional—given the rest of the series I think it’s far more likely that Miller & Co. just didn’t want the icky flower vines to mess up Steph’s boobies and thus came up with a convoluted alternative that they immediately forgot the rules for—but I wish it was because it would actually be an interesting character turn. Black Mercy stories usually hinge on the emotional climax of the enraptured hero choosing to give up the beautiful illusion of a life they can never have in order to return to the hard world where they have real friends and heroic responsibilities waiting for them. Just ask anyone who still cries over this scene:

Stephanie not getting that moment and only escaping because it’s a temporary drug would imply that she’s still very susceptible to her own desires. It’s a way that she’s fallen short compared to others who’ve been subjected to the full Black Mercy experience. And who knows, maybe she could’ve pulled herself out of it if the illusion had lasted longer… but maybe she wouldn’t have. She can’t know. And that doubt could sit with her.

It doesn't. But it could, in a better story.

And then there’s the illusion itself. Keep in mind as we go through this, this montage, in-universe, represents Stephanie’s idea of her ideally perfect life. Just for comparison, in “For the Man Who has Everything,” Superman’s ideal life has him living on Krypton as a normal man, married with children, happy and content in his normal life. Batman saw his parents’ murder foiled and the life that could have unfolded without that tragedy to define it. Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), in another story, saw a world where his parents never died, his family is happy together, and his mentor Sinestro never turned evil.

Stephanie? Stephanie sees herself as Batgirl, posing dramatically and beating up random street thugs in a metaphorical continuation of her current status quo. Then there’s a sequence where she’s fighting the Queen of Fables alongside the four female heroes, all of whom except for Supergirl literally appeared out of nowhere in the last issue with no explanation because we need to pretend that Stephanie is very popular and well-liked and not a stuck-up loner who rarely leaves Gotham City and almost never talks to anybody but her boyfriend when she does.

But y’know, this scene makes sense right? Steph dreams of being a successful superhero and fantasizes about going on grand superhero adventures with other superheroes, fine. That’s all well and good.

Then comes the Blackest Night page which is just... ugh.

I am so glad DC vetoed this idea because it’s genuinely embarrassing. I get (finally! it several painful re-reads) that what Miller has been trying to do with Stephanie this entire book is pretend that she can be Captain America or Superman: a character who doesn’t so much develop or change as they do lead by example and inspire others to have hope for the future just by being themselves. So of course when he hears that Blue Lanterns are powered by hope he neeeeeeds that for his precious Batgirl—an idea that he apparently carried over to the Smallville Season 11 comics, but we’ll come back to that in a moment.

The problem of course being that Stephanie had never been that kind of character before Brian Miller decided she should be, and he did absolutely nothing to work his way up to earning her that status. So shit like this comes across as, frankly, blatant attempts to turn her into a Mary Sue, especially with how badly he refused to deal with her actual history and established character.

But again, remember: in-universe, this illusion isn’t being imposed on Stephanie, it’s being created by her, by her mind. This is part of her greatest desire. So where other heroes long to be safe and happy, surrounded by their families, Stephanie, apparently, wants nothing less than to be a literal Messiah figure. And I’m not exaggerating there—Blue Lanterns are supposed to be the holiest beings in the universe.

Just… the ego that implies. Yeesh.

After that comes a black-and-white photograph implying a time travel adventure where the three Batgirls (presumably from different eras in their own timelines) go back to 1944 to fly with the (male) Blackhawks. I’m not going to post it because there’s not really anything to say about it and this is already a long post but Stephanie’s stupid utility garter belt is drawn so HUGE it takes up her ENTIRE THIGH almost up to the crotch and it’s super distracting.

Then comes this scene.

Which mostly just drives home how much Steph hates her boring average school life given that she’s fantasizing about being attacked by supervillains at her graduation so her secret identity can be exposed to her entire graduating class. Thing is though, you’d think this should be a nightmare. Her identity has been exposed! She’s being attacked out in the open by supervillains and she doesn’t have her gear or weapons! Her classmates and—explicitly up in the audience—her mother are in danger, because Stephanie is Batgirl!

But because this is a Black Mercy illusion, we know it’s not a nightmare. This is, explicitly, something that Stephanie wants to happen. It’s part of her fantasy life, her greatest desire. And yeah, if we’re being generous, she probably isn’t thinking that people are going to get hurt. In her fantasy, she probably just gets to show off and save the day and be venerated as Gotham University’s Great Hero, like Buffy getting crowned the Sunnyville Class Protector. But even that, the most generous of readings, implies that she has never internalized the lesson that she should have learned back in War Games re: the great power of being a superhero coming with great responsibility. It absolutely flies in the face of anybody’s attempts to insist that no really, she’s only doing this whole superhero thing because she cares about other people SO MUCH.

Following that is page of what’s clearly Neo-Gotham, flashing forward many years into the future, where Steph is wrangling some kid into bed (while wearing her wedding ring on the second knuckle because otherwise you wouldn’t be able to see it and that might imply she’s a single mom) with the Batsignal shining out the window.

Which leads us, at last, to the page I have the most to say about, and the one that is my biggest inspiration for make this post:

I. Hate. This page.

I hate it because it gets regularly reposted without context on Tumblr and Reddit so the Steph simps can gush over how much they wish it was real and how Stephanie should get to be every single member of the Batfamily because she’s just so awesome and not one of them ever stops to think about what any of it would or should actually mean in-universe or out.

This page exists because Brian Q. Miller was originally a writer on Smallville. He joined the team around Season 5, served as showrunner for Season 10, and used the connections he made there to get some comic book jobs, including Batgirl and the spin-off comic Smallville Season 11. In “Season 11,” they finally showed the Smallville version of Gotham City and Batman, who is accompanied by only a single sidekick: not Robin, but Barbara Gordon as an (adult) female Nightwing who eventually becomes a Blue Lantern (hence the Blackest Night page earlier).

Now again, I cannot find the original source for this so I’m going off fandom rumor and wiki trivia, but supposedly, Brian’s original pitch was that the Smallville character would also be Stephanie, making her the only Batfamily member to ever exist in that universe. DC’s editors supposedly made him switch to Barbara instead, which was smart of them, because it’s way more likely that the people picking up the Smallville comic would be excited to see her, one of the most famous pop-culture characters ever invented, and not a satellite character like Stephanie who’s only familiar to a niche market. (This for the record is the same reason Babs is the Batgirl in Gotham Knights.)

So that’s the out-of-universe explanation for why Brian would stick this idea here, but stop and think about this for half a second: why the fuck would Stephanie want to be Nightwing?

Nightwing is not like Batman, Batgirl, or even Robin, it’s not a larger symbol with a legacy behind it. If you say the word Nightwing in the DC Universe, you’re referring to only one of two things: either you’re Kryptonian and you’re referencing a legendary figure from your lost planet’s mythology (either a god or a culture hero depending on the continuity), or you’re talking about Dick Grayson. Every other character who has ever taken on the name in a non-Kryptonian context has done so because of their relationship to Dick: either to piss him off (Jason), because they were inspired by him (Cheyenne Freemont, the Nightwings, Nite-Wing in a negative capacity), or in memoriam/penance after his death (Damian in the first Injustice game).

But Stephanie doesn’t have that kind of relationship with Dick. At this point in her career, they’d barely spoken, and all of their meaningful interactions had been with him as Batman. Nightwing means nothing to her. She has no emotional connection to identity, not even the desire to be “part of the legend” that drove her to chase Robin and Batgirl. So then, why? Why is this part of her fantasy?

Well… because if Batgirl isn’t the second-most popular superhero in the franchise after the Big Bat himself, then Nightwing is. And all Stephanie has apparently ever wanted is to be everybody’s favorite superhero, loved and adored and told how she’s so very special and wonderful, forever.

---

In Conclusion – As you might’ve noticed back in the panels where Steph was getting dosed, Brian Miller actually calls out his own bookending, having started the story with a climax where Steph got exposed to a fear-gas-based-anger drug and ended it with one where she encounters the Black Mercy. Like I’ve said before, the narrative purpose of hallucination sequences like this are to lay the characters’ psyches bare and show us who they really are on the inside.

In issue 3, Stephanie’s anger/fear gas exposure (and the resulting philosophically frustrating speech) presents Stephanie as someone whose primary motivation is her own self-interest, the sense of control and personal triumph she gets from being a superhero. All through the series, the way she handles her rare rescues (and, even more tellingly, the few people who don’t immediately recognize her greatness) only backs that up.

And now, the Black Mercy sequence, the very last thing to happen in the entire series, just solidifies it: after 24 issues, she hasn’t changed. Her only desire, the only thing she cares about, is that she gets to be a badass superhero who goes on adventure after adventure without worry or care for anyone around her, even after multiple people have literally died over the course of just this book. Who cares? They’re not Stephanie, so they don’t matter. It’s all about her.

I will never understand what anyone saw in this series.

#stephanie brown #batgirl #batgirl 2009 #meta #dc comics #dc comics meta #stephanie brown critical #batgirl 2009 critical #brian q miller #my writing #my meta #and with this I may finally have this series out of my system #at least until I decide to string all my various essays into a video or something lol

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