Three - A mistake was Made

Earth 168

Location: Gotham

Date: December 5, 2023

Time: 6:45 P.M.

"Okay, you've got three robbers, as well as at least ten hostages, so you-"

"Have to go fast and careful, I know, K."

"Remember, the police have already been called and will be there in thirty minutes,"

"Got it, talk after I'm done?"

"Sure, Free."

The fight only lasted twenty-five of the thirty allotted minutes, due partly to the music blasting through the Vigilante's earbuds. She had made the decision to listen to the music because she found the sounds of a fight sickening and overwhelming. Riley's senses were enhanced by her powers, which didn't help her pre-existing sensory issues.

"Alright, fights over."

"twenty-five minutes! That's a new record for you, Freefall!"

"Aww, thanks, K. But I'm pretty sure you are just exaggerating."

After Kyle explained that, no Free, he's not exaggerating, you stopped that bank robbery in twenty-five minutes, whereas the one the other night you stopped in thirty, they decided that Riley should head over to Old Gotham for the last thirty minutes of her patrol.

3:30 AM Saturday - The Batcave

"So you mean to tell me that there's a new hero in Gotham, and you had nothing to do with it?"

"Yes, John,"

"Good, 'cause for a second there I thought I was hearing things."

After Batman had explained the situation in full to him, the man said "so you're calling me, at 8:30 in the morning, because you think one new kid helping out without your permission is a threat?"

"Yes,"

"Fine, I'll do it, but only if you can promise me that you won't have your people stalking me."

"I'll tell the others."

"Good. I'll see you when I'm in Gotham." John Constantine ended the call.

Sometime after 7:15 on Friday - Unknown

"Ma'am, the first Catastrophe was detained."

"Interesting, and which of the Bats was it?"

"That's the problem, Ma'am. It wasn't a Bat."

"Impossible, show me the footage."

*"YEET!"*

*fighting noises*

"Well, it appears The Queendom has a new enemy,"

"Should we send out the next Catastrophe, Ma'am?"

"No, let the child prove herself worthy to face The Queendom of Fire."

Wednesday - Old Gotham Rooftop

"So, you're Freefall, eh?"

"Yep." she replied, Why is he here? Also why him, of all the people in the world? Riley had a feeling that this choice was purposeful.

"What do you want."

"I don't want anything."

Then why are you here, John?

"It's more about what Batman wants, love."

Taking orders now, are we?

"And that is?"

"To know why your out here fighting crime."

"So he sent you?"

Did he really find my identity that fast?

"He claimed I was 'the only person with the skills to do the job'"

'The job' being interrogating the newbie.

"So that's a yes, then"

"Am I standing on this rooftop?"

"Yes." wish you weren't.

"Tell me, love, where were you when these 'abilities' of yours set in?"

"Where I was living at the time,"

"Right, and where was that?"

"Westveiw."

He wouldn't have needed to ask if the Bats told him my identity. He probably wouldn't even be

here.

"Tell me, did you get any strange repeating dreams?"

"Yeah, actually there was one."

Don't know why my dreams are so important to you all of a sudden, Constashit, but okay.

John nodded and said, "Interesting, do you mind telling me what it was about, love?"

Dream Sequence - Westview

Riley seemingly floated through the room. It had six walls, all covered in vines where there weren't any shelves or cabinets. The teen floated towards the opposite end of the space. On the table she was rapidly approaching, there was an oddly familiar-looking purple book. But whenever she tried to read the words on the cover, the dream would start again. This went on for three nights, but all she could remember most mornings were the whispers, telling her to come, see what you are capable of, what power was given to you. And on the fourth day, she heeded their call.

Now - Gotham City

"-So I found my neighbor's creepy cult basement, ya know 'cause they were selling the place, and-"

"Why were they selling the house?"

"Something about being 'being mind controlled for a week' I think, anyway and there was the book, exactly like in the dream, but this time I could read the cover-"

"Do you mind telling me what the title of this book is?"

"I think it was 'John Constantine's Collection of Useful Spells and Incantations'. Now the thing looked like it would be useful enough, so I threw it in my backpack and left."

"So this book gave you your powers?"

"Oh, no I already had them, the book just taught me how to use them better."

Please don't ask if I have it, please don't ask if I have it, please don't-

"Do you by chance have this book with you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, whether boy?"

Great. Now you've pissed off one of the few guys that could help you with your powers, way to go, dumbass!

John Constantine gave Freefall a look of extreme disapproval.

Whelp, I'm dead. Time to get the will and testament written. My tea goes to Cullen Row, my star wars merch goes to Kyle Spencer, and everything else goes to the highest bidder.

"Holy Hell, look at the time! I should go, yeah. Bye!"

The fall was a sweet relief from what was perhaps one of the most awkward conversations she had ever had in her life.

Real classy, Freefall, real classy.

Spencer Apartment - A Few Minutes Later

Riley sat down in front of Kyle's desk next to him, anxiously fidgeting.

"He knows," she blurted out.

"Who knows what?"

"John Constantine. He knows my secret identity."

Shit!