Angels. All so pearly white, so sweet and caring. They watch over the humans taking in the disastrous occurrences all the time. They pray to the gods and take orders from them. Angels are angels, better than humans, lower than gods. So how could one possibly create a child with a god?
I don't know either. It was hard to tell but I knew it was bad when I was sent away from the Heavens to be orphaned on Earth by Zeus. Not even knowing whom my mother had been, just knowing my father was now a demon, sent to hell for his sin of impregnating a god. How could it be a sin? Unless all he wanted was a powerful child. But from my imagination, he probably loved her dearly. Like my new parents loved each other. They always wished for a child from what I've observed. So when a baby of glowing white complexion showed on their doorstep, they had never been more happy. Not caring where she came from or why she had come at all.
It was nice to be wanted by them. They make me happy to this day, my twelfth birthday. I blew out the candles happily, and that was when happiness left. As soon as I had blown the candles, the fire whisked through the air, dancing merrily until it landed on our curtains. Dragging down till it reached the wooden panels of our flooring. It spread like an ocean. Somehow, I had come out with not a scratch, my mother had burned her arm and my father was now dead.
Mother told me time and time that I wasn't at fault. That it must've been a joke candle trick gone wrong. She must've been trying to convince herself also. When I turned thirteen, we moved from New York all the way to Gotham City. She had gotten a job with Wayne Tech as a secretary. It paid well and we had a nice two bedroom apartment that we lived in. She still like to put on an act all the time to show others she was fine with her husband's death. She could take care of a teenaged girl all by herself.
During that time of which, I discovered other things about myself. That I had not only increased strength than other girls my age, I had better agility. I also excelled in academics. Taking on not only my Junior high debate team, but also our track team. Captain of both. The other girls seemed to hate me for a reason of which I'm not certain. Constantly teasing me for being 'adopted', for having a dead father. They even had the details of his death and repeatedly blamed me.
The only one who really like me was a girl named Scarlet. She ran track with me and attended all my Debates. We lived in the same building. Scarlet seemed more 'boyish' than any other girls. Always saying how most girls our age care mostly about boys and drama shows. Even though I know Scarlet was one to watch drama shows the most and she was a dancer.
Me and Scarlet were best friends. Even though we differed quite a lot. Looks and personality-wise.
Scarlet, like her name, had fiery red hair and dozens of freckles splattered across her face. She had shiny green eyes and pale skin. Her hair was very bipolar it seemed. Sometimes it was curly, sometimes it was straight, sometimes it was even wavy. Scarlet also had a thing for plants. She said her mom was a botanist. I'd never met Scarlet's mom though. She always seemed at work when I came over Scar's house. Scarlet, despite running track and going to dance lessons every other day, was always so lazy. Constantly complaining whenever we walked home about our school's bus lines and how they never ran to our building.
I on the other hand, had long brown hair that was always in a ponytail. My complexion was tanned and I had hazel, goldish eyes. My hair was naturally straight, leaving Scarlet sort of jealous. I had a love for sports, always changing the channels to basketball games and football games. My mom was home a lot and she loved Scarlet like a daughter. Scarlet's mother traveled often so Scarlet stayed over many times at my house, once for even a month.
We were best friends despite our differences. Both of us had ongoing scholarships from the Wayne foundation to attend Gotham Academy. My mom got it from working at the building and Scarlet stated her mom was good friends with Bruce Wayne.
Currently, me and Scarlet were walking home later than usual. We both got slices of pizza, Scarlet getting vegetarian as usual, after the Track meet. Our school won as usual. We had won every year since I joined the Track Team. Not to boast or anything.
"Ugh, how could I possibly walk home after three slices? Three slices!" Scarlet whined, putting her hands behind her head.
"That's why I only got one. Told you you would've regretted it." I bragged, smiling. Me and Scarlet were the same height but Scarlet's posture made her seem two inches shorter than me as we walked. Both wearing our uniforms.
"Ahh shut up!" Scarlet shouted, but her voice was somehow over powered by a loud crashing noise and a red siren in the distance. "H-hey, isn't the bank on the other side of this building?" Scarlet pointed to the building we were standing in front of. I nodded, frightened a bit. Suddenly Scarlet gave me a look before she took off running through the alleyway to get to the Gotham City Bank. I sighed before running after her.
"Scar! Wait, it could be dangerous!" I shouted before I skidded to a stop. Scarlet had mangled one of the men in a bouquet of weeds. She gave me a look as another man charged at her. I tackled the man to the ground standing on him, scared that I had the power to do that. I was only thirteen so this shouldn't have been happening! Why was Scarlet even able to do that?!
"Nat, turn around!" She shouted as she finally managed to force her criminal into unconsciousness. I turned quickly as a man almost had his arms around me but was quickly kicked to the ground by another person. "Oh no, not this jerk!" I heard Scarlet say behind me.
"What are you doing here? You could have endangered your friend and yourself." A deep growl was heard from the darkness. Scarlet stepped closer to it.
"But we weren't hurt, right? We're not in danger."
"Scarlet, who is that?" I asked, looking wildly at the figure.
"A 'family friend'. Batman." She put air quotes on when she stated 'family friend'. My mouth dropped when she said Batman. I shouldn't be amazed really because he doesn't have powers or anything plus I'm sort of a half goddess and nothing should amaze me but... Why was Batman a family friend of Scarlet's? Why did she have those powers? "My mom's Poison Ivy. Batman here puts her in the slammer every chance he gets!"
"You know very well what she does is wrong."
"My mom just wants plant equality! What's so wrong with that?!"
"Uh, Scarlet. I would watch who you're talking to. I mean he is batman and all."
"You don't know what you're talking about! Ugh, I'm going home." Scarlet threw her hands up in defeat and stomped off. I took one last look at the figure before following her.
"Scarlet,"
"Don't say anything to anyone okay! I was just some lab experiment and I don't want anyone knowing!"
"It's okay Scar, I won't tell anyone. Even I have my share of a hard past."
"I know..." Scarlet stopped to look at her feet. "What is your past anyway? I know it's not just the candles incident.. Like, who were your birth parents?"
"My mom was a goddess to be honest. I don't know which one but I think it has something to do with strength and knowledge. My dad was just a guardian angel. Zeus punished him for impregnating a goddess and forced him into the pits of hell. I think there are others like me but I'm not too sure."
"Woah! You didn't tell me!?" Scarlet jumped up with amazement. "That's so cool! Wait, I know who might be your mom! Athena! She's the goddess of wisdom and bravery right? Law and justice and such! Oh this is so cool!" Scarlet went on and on about the coolness of it all while I simply laughed and smiled at her childish ways.
The next morning was a Saturday but naturally, I woke up early to go for my daily runs. Six am everyday. I stood out of bed staring around at my blue room. The bed had black sheets with white designs. My bed stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by various schoolwork, books, video games and sneakers. I grabbed my newest pair of track shoes and tied them on, pulling on a hoodie over a tank top that I usually slept in and I tied my hair into a ponytail. My mom handed me a bottle of water as I grabbed my keys and left through the door. Mom usually had to leave for work around six thirty so she was always up. I ran to the elevator and caught it just in time as Scarlet groggily pressed the first floor button, staring at me with tired eyes.
"Remind me again why I always come with you?"
"So we could win track meets." I said nonchalantly, leaning against the back wall of the elevator.
"Can I lead the run today?" Scarlet asked, looking around a bit nervously. I wonder what she was up to now?
"Uh, sure thing. Where do you wanna go, I didn't bring much money with me?"
"Oh no! It's just, someone wants to see us. By someone meaning Batman. He called last night when I got home and my mom was freaking pissed at me! So I told her about your parents and all. She told Batman and well he wants to see us."
"What! I trusted you Scarlet!" I pointed a finger at her angrily before giving up and looking at my feet.
"I'm sorry Nat! It's just, you could be a superhero the way you moved last night. When you tackled that guy, you didn't break a sweat! Batman could train you to be even better, heck maybe you're already better than him!"
"No I'm not. He's Batman." I snickered at Scarlet's hyperness. She always was so childish. We walked out of the elevator and waved at the doorman as we exited the building and began to jog. "So where are we going? Where is he meeting us?"
"Can't tell you!" Scarlet smiled cheekily as she ran ahead.
"Hey wait up you jerk!" I called after her and ran up.
We arrived at a large mansion. I didn't recognize it since I was still very well new to Gotham City. Scarlet keeled over to catch her breath quickly as she pressed the button to I guess ring the doorbell?
"Hey Alfred, it's Scarlet Isley." She said tirelessly into the speaker.
"Yes, Miss. I'll let Master Bruce know right away." The gates suddenly opened causing me to stumble back a bit.
"Wait, Bruce? As in Bruce Wayne? As in Wayne tech!? He's batman?"
"N-no. Pfft, why would you think that. I thought you were smart." Scarlet chuckled nervously and just shook her head. "Yeah, keep it a secret alright?"
"Boy have I got a lot of secrets to keep."
"You know it!" Scarlet laughed as we both jogged up to the front steps of the mansion. I finally noticed that Scarlet's hair was curly today. Whenever she tried or was casual, it was curly. Which was weird. Seeing that she didn't like to use hair products. I guess it's part of her powers or something. As soon as we got to the door, an old man, me guessing Alfred, opened the door.
"Hello Miss Isley, Miss Wilfred." I nodded politely at him and Scarlet waved childishly. Sometimes she's like a little sister. "Master Bruce is in the Cave currently,"
"Yeah yeah, I know where it is Alfie. Thanks." Scarlet smiled as she pulled me through the mansion. It was so fast I couldn't tell where we went but we somehow ended up in a cave. I bent over as a bunch of Bats flew by.
"Goddamnit, where are we?"
"The bat cave. The only reason I know where it is is because my mom and batman are somewhat of friends. They work together when they need to."
"So you hate him.. Why?"
"Because he sends my mom to Arkham when she goes all evil. If only they would give her a chance." Scarlet scowled as she led me through the cave. "Onwards!" She shouted laughing.
"Your so stupid sometimes." I joked. Scarlet mock glared at me before breaking out in laughter.
"Scarlet, Natalia, nice of you letting yourselves in." Batman, or I guess Bruce, said. Turning in his chair away from the computers with a bunch of things that I surprisingly didn't know what they were. All I saw was my picture and some mythology crap.
"Actually, Alfie let us in. Where's boy wonder?" Scarlet looked around cautiously for a second before looking back at Batman, or Bruce...
"Working on a side project currently."
"Like mathletes by any chance?" Scarlet chuckled. "Mathletes," She said again for added humor. I raised an eyebrow.
"Mathletes? I don't get it."
"You see.. Oh forget it." Scarlet accepted her failed joke and turned back to Batman who was simply glaring at her.
"Back to business. Natalia, I've heard of your interesting past." I nodded, blushing a bit. "I would like to test you and see how much this affects your agility and speed."
"Don't forget knowledge. Captain of the Debate team here!" Scarlet put her hands out as if she were presenting me like a trophy. "She'd be a way better Robin."
"Robin? Ha, like I'd ever wear tights." I snarked, but quickly shut up. "So when's the test?"
"Now," I turned to see the very boy wonder Scarlet had talked about. Except he was more casual and instead of a mask he wore glasses. He had on the most sarcastic smile that made me just wanna punch him.
I sighed as I pulled the sleeves of my hoodie up and pulled my track shorts up a bit. I recognized this kid. I feel like I knew him. Maybe I've seen him around at school, no one can be sure. I got into what I was sure was a fighting stance. I'd never fought before and I was really only copying it from T.V. I could hear Scarlet's cheering from another room as I glared at Robin and his smug look. Now I actually have the chance to punch the kid in the face. But he should have that same agility and speed as me. He is Robin the boy wonder. So where could I hit him? No, I'll let him attempt to hit me first, then go from there. If worst comes to worst, I'll just kick him where boys don't like to be kicked. I know, it's a low blow. But it's the one weakness I can get from this kid. I readied myself as Robin started towards me with a balled fist. Grab it, I told myself as my hand blocked the punch by wrapping itself around the fist. I used the lock to flip him over easily. I could vaguely hear Scarlet yell a loud 'YEAH BOY!'.
"You're pretty good for a beginner." Robin chuckled and stood. I rolled my eyes.
"You're pretty terrible for a pro." I snarked back, crossing my arms.
"Let's see how terrible this is!" Robin leapt on me, pushing me to the ground and sending me back a couple feet.
"That was unfair, you distracted me!" I groaned as I started to pick myself up.
"I thought you were smart?"
"Shut up boy wonder." I growled at him as I rose to my feet. He made me really angry, I could see why Scarlet didn't seem to like him.
"It's Robin,"
"I know!" I smiled, running at him to punch him in the face. He grabbed my fist just as I had but I simply flipped over him, sliding back a bit and pulling him on the ground. As soon as he hit the ground, he pulled me down, still holding my fist. I hit the ground hard and keeled over. "Truce?" I breathed hard. Sweat poured down my forehead.
"Giving up that easy?"
"I just took a jog all the way here, shut your mouth!"