I know, I should be finishing my other stories before starting another long one, but I just had ideas and couldn't help myself! Coleen is actually originally a character in my X-Men: Evolution series, though I have yet to introduce her, where she goes by Mist and has the surname Cameron, but while writing Whispers I had the idea to put her in DC. She does in fact moonlight as Swift a couple of times before joining the X-Men (I will write that when I get to it).
I am working on the principle that Robin is 15 in the series and 8 when he becomes Robin; Coleen is a year younger than him, making her 7 and 14. I hope this makes sense.
SuperminionXD
P.S. I only own Coleen
A couple of months after Dick's adoption (By the way he is Robin by this point)
It was a clear and quite warm morning when the relative peace and quiet of Wayne Manor was broken by a loud ringing. As usual, the ageing English Butler opened the door to usher in whoever was outside. His eyes widened in shock when he found not a visitor but what looked like a large suitcase sitting on the step, he looked around and found the place deserted.
"Master Bruce! I believe you should see this!" Alfred called into the house, a couple of minutes later a tall man with black hair and a smart suit arrived, an eight year old boy followed close behind, curious as to what the commotion was about.
"What is it Alfred?" the man asked rather tiredly, the older man stepped aside to reveal the case. On the top was a white envelope on which was written Bruce Wayne in neat handwriting. Bruce eyed the package suspiciously, it could be a trap set by his many enemies as Batman. But he had taken several precautions to avoid his identity being discovered. It was then that a small pair of deep brown eyes peeked over the case and met his.
"Oh My!" the Butler exclaimed upon seeing the child, for that was what it was. A small girl, about seven years old with wavy copper coloured hair and brown eyes looked around nervously; she wore black trousers and an electric blue T-shirt and was wrapped in a blue blanket like a cape.
"Who are you?" a small voice piped up, at this the boy stepped forward.
"My name's Dick, what's yours?" He asked, holding out his hand to the young girl. The girl frowned and looked troubled.
"I don't know" she concluded, Dick giggled.
"How can you not know your own name?" he laughed, the girl shrank back.
"I don't know" she repeated. Meanwhile Bruce came forwards and examined the large black suitcase behind which the girl had been hiding. He removed the envelope and examined it closely before carefully opening it, he was still not entirely sure this wasn't a trap. Inside the Envelope was a white card with only two lines on it, written in the same handwriting as the outside, he read it with a frown.
This is Coleen; she is seven years old and was born on the 1st of June
Please look after her
Bruce's frown deepened, what was the meaning of this? He looked at the girl, who looked back with an innocent bewildered expression. Bending down he turned the case on its side and opened it. Inside the case was everything you could think of to help raise the child, all labelled with helpful tips in the same nondescript handwriting. He examined the contents, slightly less suspiciously but still with caution, he found a soft Tiger with a nametag that read 'Stripy'. The girl jumped forward and took in from him, surprising him. This girl seemed to have no memory and yet she still seemed possessive over her supposed favourite toy. Bruce looked from the girl to his newly adopted son/ partner-in-crime-fighting, he already seemed to have made friends with her. He supposed Coleen Wayne did have a certain ring to it, he smiled slightly. Alfred watched with an amused sparkle in his eye.
One month later
Bruce frowned as he stared at the screen of the Batcomputer; the Joker had escaped from Arkam again which of course spelled trouble. He had already sent Dick to bed but stayed up himself to complete the research. He wore his costume but his mask hung down at the back. All of a sudden he was pulled from his studies by a small voice.
"Daddy?" His now fully adopted daughter called. He winced slightly, it was what the girl had taken to calling him, but he couldn't help feel on edge, it reminded him of his own parents. "Daddy? Why do you have a secret passage-way?"
His eyes widened when he realised the voice came from the tunnel leading down to the cave. He closed down the computer and melted into the shadows, he could only hope that she would lose interest before she reached the cave.
"Whoa what's this?" he heard the lift mechanism come to life and frowned, so much for that. He waited in the shadows as the noise of the lift descending got louder until it arrived in the cave, the atmosphere seemed tense and on edge. The doors slid open and a pyjama-clad Coleen stepped out. Brown eyes looked round in wonder at the flashing lights and unusual souvenirs.
"What is this place?" she asked no one in particular, "It's like a secret lair or something!"
Bruce smiled slightly, ever since arriving at the manor, despite her apparent amnesia, Coleen had taken an intense interest in the endeavours of Batman and his colourful apprentice, and in fact Heroes in general, maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that she found out? It had worked out ok with Dick hadn't it? The girl continued her exploration with an expression of awe on her face. When she came to the glass cases where the spare costumes were kept on display she stopped and placed her hand on the cold glass of each of them.
"Batman" She said calmly looking at the case on the left, then she turned to the right one, "Robin"
Then she looked along, there was space for several more uniform cases along the wall. Bruce liked to be prepared. She went back to admiring the display when Bruce, in a moment of weakness, slipped out of the shadows and stood behind him, his mask still off. Hearing the soft 'swish' of the cape, the small girl turned to find the sinister figure standing over her. She looked up in fear, until she saw the man's face.
"Daddy?" she exclaimed, looking from her father's face to the bat shaped symbol on his chest, then she turned to the Robin case, "Dick"
The man's heart melted as the imploring brown eyes looked up at him. She yawned slightly and tried to hide it.
"Let's get you back to bed" he suggested, picking the tired girl up and letting her nestle into his cape-clad shoulder. The girl was silent as he carried her out of the cave and back to her bedroom, as he tucked her in she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Daddy… Batman?" She asked, almost as if she were trying to check she wasn't dreaming.
"Yes" he answered simply, "Now sleep"
She nodded sleepily and curled up with Stripy. When he was sure she was asleep, Bruce crept away, closing the door behind him and wondering what questions tomorrow would bring.
Two years later
Two whole years of training and she was finally ready, the nine year old stood in the Batcave nearly buzzing with excitement. She once again admired her new uniform which consisted of an electric blue tunic with yellow sleeves, black leggings and electric blue boots and gloves. The look was completed with a yellow utility belt, a black domino mask and a cape that was electric blue on the inside and black on the outside. And lastly she wore a jaw-length black wig to cover her unique copper coloured hair. She had decided to take up the name Swift, a bird like her brother, truth be told Bruce was rather put out that she hadn't chosen Batgirl or something more related to that, but it was deemed unoriginal and therefore dismissed.
She was a quick learner and during training Bruce had discovered the girl's seemingly natural affinity for gymnastics and allowed Dick to teach her some of his acrobatic moves and she also was rather skilled with computers. She was kitted out with everything from batarangs to smoke pellets and raring to go.
"Alright" Bruce said as he swept into the cave in full costume, "Do you remember the rules?"
"Stay out of sight, don't confront anyone and stay near you at all times unless instructed otherwise" The girl recited, the man nodded his approval. Dick, also in costume, entered the cave.
"You ready sis?" the now ten year old asked.
"Always" the younger protégé smirked as they both jumped into their seats in the Batmobile and the engine roared to life. And so the evening started, Swift watched excitedly from the shadows as her brother and father stopped muggings and even a bank robbery. It wasn't too long before she spotted the bright golden beam in the sky that spread out into the familiar shape of the Bat-symbol.
"Look!" Swift shouted as she pointed across the rooftops towards the light.
"Let's go see what it is" Robin suggested as he took his sisters hand and led her across the rooftops following their mentor. When they came close to the Police headquarters Swift was instructed to stay behind Batman as he landed, Robin alighted beside them, but she was unseen by the lone figure that stood to greet them.
"Commissioner" Batman greeted coolly, from her place behind the vigilante's cape she could see that the man was quite tall with slightly greying light orange hair and black rimmed glasses. She recognised him as Police Commissioner Gordon who she had met a couple of times when forced to go to charity events as Coleen Wayne. She didn't know the man very well but his daughter was a good friend of her and Dick's so he must be good.
She listened intently as the Commissioner told them of a series of thefts from all around Gotham that he believed were linked. He still had no idea she was there! The thought made her giggle, unfortunately alerting the man of her presence. He looked suspiciously in the direction of the noise and raised his eyebrow as he spied movement behind the Dark Knight.
"Another one?" he asked the Caped Crusader, Batman gave a slight smirk, the closest Commissioner Gordon had ever seen to a smile. On cue Swift stepped out from behind her father.
"Commissioner Gordon, meet Swift" Batman introduced, the girl mock-saluted before performing a backflip and landing on the buildings edge with her arms outstretched, cape flowing out behind her and a cheeky smile on her face.
"Nice ta mee' cha!" she greeted enthusiastically.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing" the shocked Police Commissioner warned the dark hero.
"Oh you don't need to worry about anything, Mr Commissioner; I've got this hero thing hands down and…" She was silenced by a warning glare from the Dark Knight, "Oh right, Sorry D… I mean Batman…"
"Well, thanks again Ba…" the Commissioner looked around to find he was standing alone on an empty roof, he shook his head and sighed, what was the world coming to? He sure hoped his Barbara didn't get mixed up in all this.
Five years later
Five more years and the girl stands, glaring in contempt at her Father. How do I know this? Well yeah, it's me! Coleen Wayne aka Swift at your service! I would do a mock salute right now but I'm kinda busy being angry. Seriously, I'm so angry I'm pretty sure I'm evaporating!
"I can't believe you just let him go like that!" I scream, "Do you even care? About either of us?"
"I…" he starts
"You won't even let me wear my new costume! How is that caring?" I interrupt before he has a chance to finish.
"You're too young! It's…" he retorts
"I'm FOURTEEN! A big girl now! I can take care of myself, I don't need you telling me what to do anymore! Yes Daddy, No Daddy, whatever you say Daddy, I'm fed up with it!" I scream louder, I'm pretty sure half of Gotham can hear me but it's not as if I care. But that made him snap.
"If you hate me so much why don't you leave too?" He roars
"You know what? I think I will" I yell before turning and storming off. I push past a bemused Alfred who promptly drops a tray of tea and run into the study and stand there fuming as the lift takes me down to the Batcave. I arrive just in time as I hear the roar of Robin's R-Cycle starting up.
"Bro! Wait up! I'm coming too!" I shout as I run behind a screen, choosing my new costume instead of my old I change and then jump on my own S-Cycle as we both race off, away from Gotham.
Hey, I hope you like Coleen, she's rather crazy isn't she? I enjoyed writing the fluff in the second scene so much I was almost sad to have to make her leave, but I had to so I hope I won't dwell on it too long. This chapter was really just introducing Coleen and how she became Swift, next chapter will be Episode One and I will go from there. Swift's new costume and S-Cycle will be described soon and I will make a picture for the cover as well.
Bye for now,
SuperminionXD