It took Bruce a few days to get Dick out of the juvenile services system, he's kicking himself for forgetting that Dick would get thrown there because it took time for the adoption to go through. The first thing he did once he saw him again is to hug the beaten and crying child close and promise that he will never be alone again, that he will be loved and protected. His magic covers Dick and settles on him as he made his promise, even after two magical teachers he still finds it easier to use his magic without speaking a single word, and being in Gotham just made it easier for him.

The magic he had placed on Dick would protect him from any harm, the strongest protection he's able to cast with his magic and it's better than any bulletproof vest but he'll still be able to feel pain for a few seconds from any injuries he should have gotten so he won't grow reckless, and it will tell him at all time where Dick is, it would also allow him to teleport to the closest shadow to him. He had placed a lot of thought into creating the spell, he has his children in mind as he creates them.

He picks Dick up when he shows no sign of letting him go and carry him to his car and slid into the back seat. "Dick, there is something I need to tell you." Bruce said softly as he gently pats Dick's head.

"What is it?" Dick asked softly as he glance up at Bruce, not dad. He doesn't want to replace his dad even if he loves Bruce.

"The man who caused your parents' death turned himself in." Bruce had to hold himself back from smirking, it's more like Batman scared the hell out of him and he ran to the police to make it stop.

Dick's eyes widen in shock as he pushes himself up so he can get a better look at Bruce's face to see if he's lying or not. "Are you serious? Why would he turn himself in?" He asked in bewilderment.

Bruce can't help but smile at how cute Dick is and gently pat his head. "Because of The Bat."

"The Bat?" Dick leans closed as he asked his question. "He's real?" He had heard about him but he didn't believe that something like that can exist even though he had heard of heroes from the other cities, after all, a Demon bat that feeds on the fear of the criminal and protect the innocent is completely different from a speedster or an alien.

Bruce nods as he pulls Dick into a hug, with him resting his head on his chest as he pats his back. "Yes, he's real." And you are in his arms; is what he wants to tell him but he keeps it to himself. After all, he wants his children to have a normal life.


Bruce is determined to give Dick the best childhood he's able to give him, which means he took time off from his day job, Lucius is more than happy to take over while he helps Dick adjust to his new life and tutoring him so he can be enrolled into school whenever he's ready.

He has never been as grateful for magic as he is at this moment. He cast a spell on Dick so he'll be alerted whenever he wakes up in the middle of the night. He would quickly finish whatever he was doing and teleport back to his room, using his magic to change into his pyjamas and settle under his blanket just as Dick enter his room, seeking comfort from his nightmares.

He would comfort him, hold him close and sing him to sleep before casting a spell to help him sleep through the night without any nightmares before changing back to his batsuit and teleport back to continue his night work.

It isn't easy to keep it hidden from Dick, especially when Alfred and himself are the only ones in Dick's life right now but it got easier once he befriend Barbara, and he spend more time with her after he invited the Gordons over for dinner. Jim had checked up on him over the years and he is one of the first people he visited when he returned.

He's able to go back to his day job when Dick feels well enough to go to school where he made more friends. Don't get him wrong, he loves spending time with his new son but he's not getting enough sleep because of his worry for him and now that he's doing better he's able to sleep better.


POV Dick

Dick was supposed to go out with his new friends but one of them couldn't make it so they decided to change the date. Now he's home alone because Alfred had some errands to run and Bruce is at work.

After dropping off his bag in his room he decided to explore the place he now calls home. With each room he explore; the sadder he got, this place is too big, there's too many empty rooms for two people. How lonely Bruce must have felt after his parents were murdered, he had heard his classmates talk about it when they thought he wasn't listening... He shakes his head, it isn't the time to think about that now! He's here now! He'll make sure Bruce isn't lonely anymore!

With determination in mind he head towards Bruce's office after making a quick stop at his room to pick up a card he made in art class, it would be a nice surprise for him to come back to.

He place the card in the centre of his desk and was about to leave when he noticed the grandfather clock. "Is it already that late?" He asked in confusion as he look down at his watch. "No, guess the clock is on the wrong time." He was going to leave and let Alfred handle it but isn't this another opportunity to show Bruce that he cares about him even if he can't bring to replace his dad?

He pulls the chair towards the grandfather clock and jumps onto it as he adjusts the clock's hand. He had never adjusted the time before so when he heard the sound of something shifting he jumped off the chair in fear, he just wanted to help! He didn't mean to break it!

But before he can go into a full-blown panic attack; the grandfather clock started moving, revealing a hidden doorway.

"This..." Dick walks closer to look through the doorway. "No way...a hidden passage!" His eyes light up, the fear he had before completely forgotten as he skips down the stairs, excited to see the secrets hidden in his new home.

He starts hearing...chirps? But not like a bird's chirp, it's closer to squeaking? And growls? Just what exactly is below their house?

Curiosity is a dangerous thing, especially for a young kid heading towards the growling and snarling because of it.

Before Dick can regret being so curious he is at the bottom of the stairs; face to face with The Bat.

The Bat is pure black with white eyes that had widen in surprise when he saw Dick. And being so close to The Bat; Dick can see his head is covered in fur and the two things on top of his head that looks so much like horns are actually his ears.

Dick wasn't able to take in more because The Bat opened his mouth and started to speak. "What are you doing here?" The Bat asked in a voice that sounds...wrong. It sounds like it came from a creature that isn't supposed to speak any human language. It made Dick shiver and take a step back in fear even though he knows that The Bat doesn't hurt the innocent, it doesn't help he saw the sharp fangs poking out when he spoke.

That seems to make The Bat pause and when he spoke again it sounds like a completely different voice, much softer, lighter...but still wrong. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." More like the chirps and squeak of a bat than the dark heavy growl of a Demon when it first spoke.

Before Dick can say or do anything; The Bat...pulls back his face? Revealing a concern Bruce underneath. "Dick, are you alright?" Bruce asked as he pull off his glove to place his bare hand on Dick's shoulder.

That broke Dick out of his shock. "You're The Bat!?" It wasn't much of a question he's made it sound like.

Bruce let out a soft sigh and smiled at Dick, forgetting at that moment his fangs are still in. "Yeah, I am." He said as he takes off his other glove and place them aside before picking Dick up. He carried his son over to the huge computer surrounded by smaller screens and sat down in his chair with Dick on his lap. "I know you have a lot of questions and I'll answer them to the best of my abilities."

"Where were you doing?" Dick asked as he examine the rest of his outfits, his body is also covered in pure black fur, it feels soft and silky. The inside of his cloak is covered in the same fur as well but the outside of the cloak feels more like leather even though he's sure it isn't actually leather.

"I made some changes to the voice modification spell so I was trying it out." Bruce answered after removing the fangs and placing them on the table.

"You can use real magic?" Dick asked in awe. "Is that why people think you're a Demon?"

Bruce chuckles softly as he gently pats Dick's head. "I rarely use magic on the field, I don't want to rely on it too much."

"Then...that means I can join you right?" Dick asked hopefully.

"No." Bruce immediately shot him down. "You're still young, Dick. I want you to live your life and have a normal childhood."

Dick looks down dejected. "You helped me bring my parents' murderer into justice, didn't you? You said The Bat was the reason he turned himself in."

"...Yes. I hunted him down once I left and scared him into giving himself up." Bruce gently runs his hand through Dick's hair.

"I can do that." Dick lookup with determination in his eyes. "I can scare people, there is nothing scary in horror movies than a Demon child."

Bruce hesitates for a moment before nodding his head. "Alright. I will train you and only let you out once you are done training. You will be able to drop out whenever you want, understood?"

Dick smiled brightly as he nods his head. "Understood! Don't worry, I won't give this up!" He will help Bruce with his mission so no children will have to go through what they went through!


POV Riddler

Edward Nygma, aka Riddler, started his criminal career to force the citizens of Gotham City to use their brains, to force them to be a better version of themselves.

He had been around non-Gothamites and every time Gotham is brought up every single one of them had nothing but negative to say, they look down on them, sneer at them. As a Gothamite it makes his blood boil. They don't have any idea what they are talking about.

He had hated it so much whenever he heard non-Gothamites insulting their city, the city they had long abandoned, not even the other heroes bothered lending a hand to help them.

But, one day everything changed. The Bat grew out of the shadows of the city long abandoned by their country and heroes. He takes out bad guys like other heroes but, Gothamites do not view him as their hero, no. This is Gotham after all, the abandoned city, their Bat will not be put in the same category as the so-called heroes of other cities, those cowards who don't dare take a step into their city...yes, their Bat will not be lumped together with them.

The Bat is what he is known by everyone but he is also known by the criminals as The Darkness and by the citizens, he is known as Dark Angel. It is the names all Gothamites, no matter which side of the law they belong to, guard against non-Gothamites. They are names specifically for their use only and they all take it very seriously.

The news outside Gotham might show news of Gotham but their information of their dark city is limited, even so, it shows the world what they had known all along. Gothamites are strong, they help their own and will not allow outside force to interfere. They had been abandoned long ago, during that time they had learnt to be strong and independent from the rest of the country, they do not need the government or heroes to pretend now they are worried about the demon bat in their city.

Each time a supervillain makes the news outside Gotham there are more and more people seeing the good in Gothamites but none had tested their smarts so he took it upon himself to be the one to put it to the test.

The first time he went against The Bat he had thought he wouldn't be able to get through his riddles and puzzles but he breezed through them like they were nothing and something in him stirred. While he had not made it too hard but it isn't something that can be considered easy, for their Bat to be able to get through them so easily... He needs more. More and more tests just for The Bat. He needs to keep challenging The Bat because even if little to no information of The Bat leaves Gotham; information of his traps will make its way out. Everyone will see how smart their Bat is, to be able to solve it all so easily.

Just the thought of it makes Edward grin in excitement, let's see how non-Gothamites look down on them now. Though he has to admit, there is another reason for him to continue testing their Bat. Watching The Bat go through his puzzles, the very puzzles he had worked hard to design for him, please him, even when he is gliding through them like they are nothing.

He never felt anger that his hard work doesn't faze The Bat. It had confused him at first because he had planned to go down shooting, even had his gun ready, but as he watch The Bat go through his hard work like it's nothing; the plan completely left his mind, and when The Bat finally reached him; he is more than happy to chat and wait with The Bat as they wait for the police to take him away, he didn't even need to be restrained.

The Bat was rightfully suspicious of him and stayed silent in the shadow, his pure white eyes being the only thing visible, but over time he started moving closer and have even started replying to him. When he first spoke he was surprised but thrilled and ended up rambling about random facts of different bats and trying to guess what species The Bat could be even though it is obvious that he doesn't fit into any species.

He swear his heart skipped a beat when he saw The Bat smile a small smile in amusement and ended up rambling even faster as he tries to hide his embarrassingly red face.

It wasn't until he spilt his gut to Harley that he got his answer, he's a sapiosexual and he is attracted to The Bat's high intelligence. The villains that were around at that time had shown different degrees of worry for him, all but Joker. He swear all madness had disappeared from Joker's eyes and turned deadly serious as he watch him quietly from his corner for the rest of their time together, which if you know the Joker, you'll know that is unnatural for him but he doesn't know to know what's going through the clown's brain so he focused on the worried villains.

He is the only villain other than Joker who doesn't have a hint of fear for The Bat and everyone knows it. Add to the fact he is the youngest villain in The Bat's rogues gallery and he is more than happy to help his fellow villain with their plans, he is quite liked by the others. After all, he isn't here to step on anyone's toe, only to test The Bat.

But it also means that the others are worried that he might do something stupid, can you believe it? They believe that The Riddler would do something stupid! He rolls his eyes at their unfounded worry.

He shake them out of his thought as he heard the door open, signifying The Bat's arrival. He had started going through the door like a normal person recently, treating him like another person once the puzzle ends because The Bat knows that once he wins Edward will go with him. No more tricks as they wait for the cops.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Edward asked as he turn to face The Bat, he's probably the only villain who had a good close look at The Bat, who knew that he has fur?

The Bat lets out a chirp and nods his head. "Yes, it was fun and a little harder than the last time."

That made Edward smile, he loves being praised by The Bat and his voice...don't get him wrong, he loves his heavier voice but his lighter one...he's the only villain who had ever heard it because he has trust and bond with The Bat and he loves that even more. "I'm happy to hear that." He wants to reach out and touch The Bat once he stop in front of him but he kept his hands to himself and turn around to pick up the box.

"I heard that you enjoy sweets and I did some baking while I was planning, would you like to try them while we wait for the police?" Edward open the box to reveal the strawberry macarons, he took baking lessons and asked Poison Ivy to grow him some strawberries just for The Bat.

He had overheard the guards talking about Commissioner Gordon feeding The Bat a doughnut and was allowed to pat him after. He is man enough to admit that he was insanely jealous after confirming the story, why didn't he think of it first? Even a fear-eating Bat would enjoy sweets.

The Bat lean closer to sniff it before looking up at Edward and out a soft chirp. He leans back and holds out his arm.

At first, Edward thought The Bat is going to pick up the macaroni himself, he will admit he is a little disappointed as he wanted to feed him, but he kept his arm straight without moving it, and before he can ask; a green feathered claw hand emerges from the darkness created by The Bat's wings. The other soon followed and before he knows it; he's staring at a child.

He might have hair on his head but there is no doubt he is some kind of bird, his pale face is covered in small feathers that would be mistaken for skin from afar, pure white eyes like The Bat's is surrounded by black feathers, red feathers cover his chest and stomach with a yellow 'R' right over where his heart should be, his wings is a covered with feathers, black on the outside and yellow on the inside, his hands are green that travels halfway up his forearms with the rest of his arms covered with black feathers, yellow feathers in the shape of a belt around his waist, black feathers goes down his legs, stopping just below the knee and finishing off the rest of his legs and feet with the same green as his hands.

The child chirped and tweeted happily as he lean forward to take a bite of the macaroni and freeze in place with his mouth open, showing his sharp fangs when The Bat spoke. "Manners." He chirped.

The child smiled sheepishly as he stood to his full high and give a showman's bow, moving too gracefully and fluidly to be human and the complete opposite of The Bat's jerky movement while chirping away.

"English." The Bat chirp with a fond smile on his face.

"Sorry!" The child chirp in a light hauntingly childish voice. "I'm Robin, Bat said that you're fun even if you're not food but you have food and it smells nice, can I have some please?"

Edward chuckled softly, Robin reminds him of a chattering bird. "I made them for the Bat as a reward for clearing my test for him. But I'll give you one if you can answer my riddle, I am the beginning of everything, the end of everywhere. I am the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space. What am I?"

"E!" Robin trill happily as crouch back down and open his mouth, waiting for his reward instead of trying to take a bite straight from the box again.

"Correct!" It's an easy riddle but Edward is still glad that Robin got it right, he can't wait to see if he's as smart as The Bat. He carefully pop the macaroni into Robin's mouth without touching his fangs and smiled when he saw Robin's eyes light up as he eats the macaroni.

Robin climbs up The Bat's arm and settles on his shoulder as he chirps and trills in pure happiness.

The Bat gently pats Robin's head and lifts the right side of his wing, even with it lifted it is still impossible for Riddler to see his body as it is still covered by darkness.

Robin shake his head and let out a shriek as his feathers puffed up to show how upset he is at the fact he is asked to leave so soon.

The Bat did not look impressed as he narrow his eyes at his...kid? Is Robin his child? Or another creature that grew from Gotham's shadow? Edward would probably never know but he hopes Robin's existence doesn't mean that The Bat had found himself a mate.

Robin pouted when The Bat didn't let up and crawl under his wing and disappeared into the darkness.

The Bat lowers his wing once Robin is gone. "He's still young, he needs to sleep more to grow." He explained. "I'll take him hunting after his nap."

"Well the night is still young so he isn't going to miss anything by having a nap." Edward picks up a macaroni and holds it up to The Bat. "You haven't had your reward yet."

The Bat opens his mouth and lets Edward feed him the macaroni. "Delicious." He said as he eye the rest of the macaroni.

Edward had to force himself to stay calm as he feed The Bat, he can't believe that he got to feed The Bat! And he loves his baking! Which is a good sign, after all, the best way into any creature's heart is through their stomach. "You can have the rest of it if you want. I have a lot left." He lied, he only made one batch and it's all this box.

Edward closed the box and handed it over to The Bat who happily accept it. "Thank you." He squeaks happily as he nuzzles Edward, pulling away once he heard the sirens. "Take care and thank you again for the delicious sweet." The Bat takes a step back and disappears into the shadows.

Edward swears his heart almost leap out of his chest, he thought he would be able to pat The Bat at least once, never in his wildest dreams would he ever think The Bat would nuzzle him. He drops into his seat and bows his head while covering his bright red face as he tries to gather himself before the police arrive.

He can't wait to tell Harley and Ivy about this. They might not approve of his love for The Bat but they would be happy for him.


POV Barbara Gordon

Growing up, Barbara had always looked up to her father, her brave and just father who worked hard to protect the people even if it means butting heads with his boss. She wanted to grow up to be like him but as she got older; she started to see that no matter how hard her father fought for the people it just doesn't work because Gotham is too corrupted, the scale had been tipped for so long it is hard for one man to balance it again.

So when she heard of The Bat she did not have much hope that things would change...at first.

Perhaps if The Bat is alone in trying to balance the scale it would have been hopeless, but he isn't alone. Gotham's favourite son, Bruce Wayne, had returned and immediately started programmes after programmes to help her citizens better themselves and funded many projects to better people's lives, and her father is still doing his best for the people. The combined efforts of the three of them are enough to tip back the scale, even a little.

She wants to help them so badly, but she's just a kid. What can she possibly do? All she can think of is to get as many stories of The Bat out of her father and spread it around, so Gotham's citizens will be able to hear the truth that doesn't get into the news, like how their Dark Angel loves sweet things, and in return, she'll get stories of Gotham's citizens' experiences with their Dark Angel.

Then one day her father comes back with stories of a little bird hiding in The Bat's shadow, helping him bring fear to criminals and she got an idea. She might be human but she has the training needed to fight crime, she can work small so The Bat can focus on bigger crimes with Robin!

It did take her a while to put together a costume that would afford a bit of protection but she's proud of what she had put together.

She managed to stop a few mugging on her first night out but on her second day she accidentally stumble onto something big, too big for her to handle and before she can make a run for it she's caught. It is obvious that she is only human, not whatever The Bat and Robin is so the criminals did not fear her, they beat her up and as she lay there, beaten and bleeding out, The Bat arrived.

He is much more intimidating as her father had described and he looks angry, growling and snarling at the criminals as he backs them away from her.

Once he got them far away enough from her, Robin slipped out of his shadows to treat her wounds as The Bat take down the criminals effortlessly.

Barbara tries to stay awake but she lost too much blood and the last thing she saw before blacking out is the look of concern and worry on The Bat's face as he walks towards them.