Sorry for the belated update. We (finally) performed the musical this week, so I've just been too tired to do anything. I'm updating now, though...

Oh, and also, I'm only up to chapter thirteen of this story. I'd kinda lost all inspiration and desire to write this, but I've found that forcing myself to write and basically just kicking my own ass until I do tends to help with that. So that's what I'm doing now.

And also... LESS THAN THREE WEEKS UNTIL TWISTED YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

Disclaimer: There's this magical land, far, far away, where I own Harry Potter, Team Starkid, Batman, The Blood Gospel and the series to follow, Percy Jackson, Cold Case, and NCIS, among others, but this land sadly exists in another dimension. So, sadly, all I can do is pretend, and I do so by writing fanfics, reading the books, watching the movies/TV series (when it comes to NCIS and Cold Case), and eating a hell of a lot of ice cream.

Chapter 11

After a few minutes of paranoid quiet, most of the children going half out of their minds with worry that we would be caught, I stood up again, striding back to the front of the room.

"All right, guys," I said, "we're going to have a discussion. I promise you won't be judged for whatever side you choose to take on this... at least, not too much... but we're going to talk about it anyway." I picked up a piece of chalk and wrote on the board in huge letters, 'THE BATMAN.'

I turned back around to face the class. Most of the children looked excited to talk about him, as we never did in regular class. I had never outright told them about my hatred of the man, but most of them seemed to sense that it was an unfriendly topic and therefore stayed well away from it.

"There's always a considerable amount of controversy surrounding this man," I continued, pacing back and forth in front of the board. "Whether it's over his identity, his morals, his work, there is always an argument surrounding him. I know that all of you seem to be obsessed with him, so no, I am not forcing you to debate on whether he is a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy,' or perhaps somewhere in between. We'll make a list of pros and cons. Who wants to start?"

Nearly every child's hand shot into the air.

Twenty minutes later I realized I had hugely underestimated just how much these kids worshipped Batman. Not a single bad thing about him had been said by that point. Ridiculous, if you ask me. At least it gave me an idea of how Batman was viewed in the eyes of the younger generation.

I didn't like what I was learning at all.

I sighed, setting the chalk back down at rubbing my temples. Maybe slandering the Batman would be harder than I thought - especially if the rest of the city was just as innocently blind as these eleven year olds.

"Doesn't anyone have anything to say about why some people might not like the Batman?" I asked the class at large, exasperated. "Or do you all believe that no one in the city has any problem with him whatsoever?"

Dick, who had been silent up to that point, contributing nothing to the conversation, slowly raised his hand. I motioned my hand toward him, too frustrated to trust myself to speak.

"I think," he began hesitantly, "...I think having the Batman brings a lot to our city."

Well, there went my only hope for some rational thinking.

"However..." the boy continued, "he's not... always... the best influence or the most cool-headed person. He's done a load of great work for the city, sure... but I think he can have his moments. Like last year, with the whole Sweet Tooth attack... when Robin was kidnapped back then, he freaked out and chose to save his friend over the city. Do you remember that? He's an amazing man, but his logic and reasoning can be flawed sometimes. And he doesn't really know how to fully trust anyone. I don't think he totally trusts even Robin. A-And he can't be there every time someone needs saving. Sometimes something gets in the way, and he can't make it, and that makes people upset, angry." I could've sworn he threw a glance at me at that point. "A lot of people disagree with his methods, and yeah, admittedly they're a bit violent, but he never fully stoops to the level of a criminal. He's a good guy, but he's got his flaws. He's not perfect, but he's the hero Gotham deserves, and the one we need."

The room was silent for a few minutes, everyone taking in not only what the boy had just said, but the fact that this was the most he had said for the entire year. Then some kids started clapping, and Dick blushed. I was silent, deep in thought.

That was an interesting view of Batman and his methods...

But that still didn't change what he'd done.

I waited for the applause to die down before speaking again, making sure to choose my words carefully, to not completely give away how much I still hated the man. I had a vague feeling that Dick could tell I disliked the 'caped crusader,' and it seemed he was trying to sway my opinion on the matter. It wasn't going to work. Not by a long shot.

"That was an... interesting way of describing the differing views of the Batman," I informed the class at large. "Fairly accurate too, though some people are at more extreme ends of that spectrum." I checked my watch. Barely eleven. I didn't really want to be here any longer...

"Okay, guys, listen up. We're getting out early today," I announced, enjoying the looks of confusion. "Pack up your stuff and go. School's out for the day." All of the students were stunned to some extent, but no one questioned it. After all, what child would protest against the chance to get out of school early?

The majority of them hesitated, hung back, as though they were waiting to ensure that they could leave. I ended up practically pushing the stragglers out the door before returning to my desk and shoving the few remaining personal belongings into my bag. I sat down in the comfortable, familiar rolling office chair and plunked my feet up on the desk, turning on the television. Might as well enjoy the luxuries of television, electricity, and comfortable furniture for as long as I was guaranteed to have it.

Again... If this seems like an awkward cut-off, that's because it is. This was going to be combined with the next chapter, but it would've gotten too long or... something. Anyway, the next chapter is longer. The chapter after that... hopefully... we gonna get some action.

See y'all next week!

Oh, and if you were wondering... What Dick says is pretty much what I think of Batman. He's the shit and so much cooler than other heroes (and yes, I know that I just opened myself up to so many angry comments... Please don't stop reading this story just because of that...), but he's not perfect. He's essentially good, but he doesn't fully trust anyone - if anyone, I would say Alfred and Alfred alone, and even then they don't always get along - and his methods are violent. They kinda have to be, seeing as he doesn't have any powers, but still. I think I mostly like him because none of the characters in his universe are completely black and white... Anyway, if anyone really wants to talk about Batman/Bruce Wayne as a character for whatever reason, PM me. No one at my school likes Batman all that much... Damn you, Iron Man...