"How are you so sure it's the military?" Bruce asked.

Matt gave an amused smile, "Because only the military would unearth a case file from 2013 and suddenly mark it as confidential. I don't know what the military wants from Ryan Hayes, but it must be something big." Matt informed us.

I rubbed my face with my hands, "It makes sense. The Raft prison is militarily run and operated. It'-" I cut myself off as an idea suddenly popped into my head.

Bruce and Matt frowned hearing me stop, "Mel?" Bruce asked me.

I turned to look at Bruce, "I think I know who did it. I'd have to confirm back at the compound first." Bruce's brows raised in surprise.

"Who?" Bruce questioned.

"The same man that's in charge of running the Raft and responsible for the Avengers splitting up." I could see Matt tilt his head.

"You think Ross has his hand in this?" He guessed.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he did." Bruce frowned and looked between myself and Matt.

"Who's Ross?"

"He's the Secretary of State." Matt answered without missing a beat.

"A man like him definitely has the power to suddenly redact information from an old case and grant a prisoner with parole without questions being asked." Bruce admitted.

I stood up from my seat, "We need to get back to the compound. Matt, thanks for your help." Matt gave a smile.

"Anytime, Mel. That's what friends are for." Matt stood up as did Bruce. Matt held his hand out towards Bruce's direction.

"Bruce, it was nice meeting you." Bruce took his hand and shook it.

"You as well, though I don't recall either of you telling me how you know Mel." Matt ceased shaking his hand and a knowing smirk graced his lips.

"Let's just say I met her through my side job." Matt said cryptically. Bruce gave him a puzzled look and glanced at me for an answer. I couldn't help but grin at Matt's cryptic answer. I remember my first encounter with him all too well.

Flashback

I flew through the night sky of New York City. It had been a year since the final fight against Thanos. The world was struggling to go back to a sense of normality now that suddenly four billion people were back. Anarchy had risen during that struggle in the form of the Flag Smashers. Sam and Bucky of all people were able to stomp that out. The world still had a long way to go and something told me this was just the beginning.

My attention was caught hearing a scream come from down below. I snapped my head down and moved my board downward. I hovered my board near the ground just as a woman came running out of an alleyway.

She looked disheveled, "Ma'am? Are you okay?" She turned her head to me.

She nodded her head and pointed to the alleyway, "Some strange man just saved me." I looked down at the alleyway.

I turned back to the woman, "Stay here and call for the police." I instructed her. She nodded and pulled out her phone.

I lightly flew down the alleyway. I could hear the sounds of fighting as I got closer. I stopped seeing four guys ganging up on attacking one man. The man's back was to me but he appeared to be wearing an all red suit. He had two batons in either hand.

"Hey guys, since when is four against one fair?" I called out from above. The men below looked up suddenly hearing my voice.

"Oh shit! It's Voltess!" One of the thugs shouted and began to back up. The man in red suddenly took advantage of the thugs being distracted. He hit the closest thug to him with his baton. I dropped down from the air and landed in front of two of the thugs trying to escape.

"Where are you ladies off to? My friends from downtown are about to show up. I'm sure they'll want to meet you guys." I quipped. Electricity formed on my hands as I zapped the two.

The two thugs let out grunts as they were suddenly magnetized together. I delivered two quick blows to their heads and the thugs fell to the floor together. I heard a pained groan come from in front of me. The man in red had beaten down one of the thugs. My attention turned to the last thug standing. The man in red did the same.

The sound of distant police sirens could be heard approaching. The last thug had a panic stricken look on his face. He began to back up as myself and the man in red stepped forward. The thug took off running down the alley. Before I could even activate my nano board. The man in red threw his baton. It ricocheted off the distant dumpster and hit the thug in the head. The thug's body instantly dropped to the floor. The man in red caught his baton in his hand.

"I didn't need your help." The man in red finally spoke. He turned to face me.

His helmet had two horns sticking out. I frowned seeing part of the helmet covering where his eyes should be. How does this guy see?

"I was in the area when I heard the woman scream. I don't ignore a distress call when I hear one." The sounds of the sirens were getting closer.

My ears perked hearing the familiar sound of a grapple hook. I turned my head back around in time to see the man in red lift up in the air. I looked up as he landed on the roof. He looked down at me from above before taking off.

My mask receded as I stared in shock where the man in red just stood. A masked vigilante at night that has a grumpy attitude and used a grapple hook to the roof. Not to mention the way he looked down at me from the rooftop. I got major Batman vibes from this masked vigilante.

My heart ached just thinking of my husband. It had been a year since I was forced back to my world. A year since I've been able to see or touch Bruce.

"Voltess?" I snapped out of my daze hearing a voice behind me. I turned around to see an officer.

"Any idea who that just was?" I asked the officer and gestured to the roof. The officer gave me a look of confusion as he stared up at the rooftop.

"Uh I don't se-"

"Was it a guy in a red devil suit?" The officer's partner asked as he walked up.

I nodded my head, "Locals of Hell's Kitchen call him Daredevil. He's a vigilante that we've been trying to nab for a while now. You just let him get away?" The other officer scolded me.

I raised a brow at the officer, "You wanted me to apprehend a man that just saved that woman's life?" The officer gave me a hard stare.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "Last I checked, officer. It's not my job to arrest people. It's yours. We did you a favor by hand feeding these thugs to you." I told him off. My nano board appeared below my feet as I hovered above them.

"And officer," He looked up at me, "I hope you never catch him." I remarked and flew off into the night sky. I headed back in the direction of the Avengers Compound. I needed to look more into this Daredevil guy.

End of Flashback

"Let's just say he's a really good lawyer." I told Bruce. Bruce looked even more stumped than he did before.

"What does that mean?" Bruce questioned. I gave him a smirk and shrugged my shoulders as I began to walk away.

"Mel!" Bruce called after me. He used that tone of voice that typically meant he wanted a straight answer from me. I could see an amused on Matt's face as we walked further away from him. Bruce doesn't know it right now but he just met a kindred soul in Matt.

"Mel, I was able to trace the private email server's location. It was attached to a military satellite." Athena informed me.

I stood at the console of my lab with Bruce next to me. Athena had finished tracing the email files from earlier while we were out with Matt.

I crossed my arms, "Athena, pull up CCTV footage from the Lotte New York Palace Hotel." I suddenly told her.

"CCTV? Did you see something?" Bruce questioned me.

"I almost ran into Ryan in the lobby. He didn't see me but I watched him get into a black car with tinted windows. The car was waiting for him." I informed him.

Athena pulled up the footage, "Run the plate." I instructed. I placed my hands on the console as I leaned forward.

Athena pulled up the DMV records of a woman. The woman had black hair tied into a bun and had narrow features. This was not the person I was expecting to see. I would have thought the plates would come back in some shape or form back to Ross.

"Valentina Allegra de Fontaine." Bruce read off the information.

"The hell is going on?" I muttered under my breath. Was this woman working for Ross or together?

"It's possible they're working together." Bruce said what I was thinking.

I gave a frown, "But what for? What are these two after by freeing Ryan from his cell? None of this makes any sense." I mused.

"That might be the whole point, Mel. If someone as high up the chain as Secretary of State is involved. This has to be a highly classified project going on. Nobody is supposed to know about it." Bruce informed me.

I gave a sigh of defeat. Bruce did have a point. There were several things that S.H.I.E.L.D. did in the past that nobody knew about until it happened. The Avengers Initiative was the biggest example. Only the higher ups and a trusted selective few agents were trusted with that information. This just means that something big is coming and Ryan is somehow now involved.

I felt a hand on my shoulder stir me from my thoughts. I turned to look at Bruce, "There's no sense in worrying about it now. We leave in a couple of days anyway. Let's try to finish our vacation as normally as we can." I gave Bruce a smile and leaned into him.

"Yeah, you're right. There's not much we can do anyway. I don't think it'd be that easy to get Ryan back in his cell if Ross needs him for some big plan." Bruce loosely wrapped his arms around me.

He kissed the top of my head, "We should get back to Dick now." Bruce advised. His hand lightly rubbed on my arm. I nodded and Bruce led both of us out of my lab.

No One's P.O.V

Valentina walked into the conference room with Ryan just behind her. A lone man sitting at the conference table stood up. The man had short blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Good you're here. That means we don't have to wait and I can get straight to the point." Valentina stated. The man stared at Ryan and gestured to him.

"Who is this?" The man asked and looked at Valentina.

"Right, you two don't know each other. Well you might as well seeing how the two of you will be going on a mission together." Ryan frowned at Valentina.

"Mission?" He questioned.

Valentina rolled her eyes, "I'll explain in a minute. John Walker meet Ryan Hayes. Ryan Hayes meet John Walker."

John immediately frowned, "Hold on, Ryan Hayes as in the enemy of Voltess?" John pointed to Ryan.

"This man killed innocent people. You really expect me to work alongside somebody like this?" John asked Valentina.

"And how many innocent people were caught in the crossfire during your service in the United States Army?" Ryan smirked as John immediately shut his mouth.

"The man upstairs wants to test both of you at the same time. You two will ship off first thing tomorrow morning to the Middle East. You'll be given more instruction once you're there. Walker, keep a close eye on Hayes." Now it was John's turn to smirk as Ryan's own smirk fell.

Valentina pointed at the men, "It's imperative that this mission goes off without so much as a hiccup. Don't screw it up. Meet here suited up by 8am sharp." With that Valentina turned heel and walked out of the conference room.

"So, this is the famous wannabe Captain America. That title got taken from you. What do you call yourself now?" Ryan taunted with a smirk.

"U.S. Agent." John answered. His eyes narrowed at Ryan. Ryan returned the same look to him.

"Just so we're clear, Hayes. You step one foot out of line and hurt an innocent. You'll have to answer to me." John threatened.

Ryan threw his head back and laughed, "Oh that's a good one, blondie. You have no idea what I can do to you." John walked forward. The two men were now mere inches away from each other.

"And you have no idea what I can do to you." John countered with a low whisper. The two men held a stare off until a small smirk appeared on Ryan's face.

He gave a light chuckle, "You're alright, Walker. You have more of a spine than Rogers did." John glared at Ryan.

"Watch your mouth. Steve Rogers was a hero." Ryan put his hands up. He had an amused expression on his face.

"Okay, okay. A fanboy I see. You know there's a saying of "never meet your heroes" for a reason, right?" John's hard look slightly faltered.

Ryan smirked seeing the change, "Unless you know that all too well. Which Avenger let you down?"

"Voltess." Ryan was slightly taken back by his answer.

He raised a brow, "You met Voltess?" John gave a slight nod.

"It was right after I helped take out the Flag Smashers. Voltess had shown up at the end after the death of the leader of the Flag Smashers. I tried to introduce myself. She said she already knew who I was. She said I sullied the Captain America mantle by killing somebody with the shield. She said the Avengers would never had accepted me as their new Captain." Ryan raised his brow hearing John killed a man with the famed shield of Captain America. He knew from the news he had killed one of the terrorists but didn't know it was with the shield.

"Yeah. Killing is a touchy subject with Mel. Believe me, I know it all too well." John's hard look was back.

"I'm with her on that note regarding you. It's a good thing she isn't here to see you of all people get out of your cell." Ryan's brows immediately furrowed into a frown.

"What are you talking about?" Ryan demanded.

"I guess they never told you in prison. Melody Moser has been off-world in the multiverse for the past two months." Ryan glared at the super soldier.

"Liar. I just saw her today at the Avengers Compound." John shrugged his shoulders.

"Then I guess she's back for now. I don't know how she can travel the multiverse but she can. The multiverse theory has been a major hotspot topic since what Dr. Strange did with Spiderman. It was all over the news." Ryan's hands clenched into fists.

John had to be lying to him. He saw Melody with his own eyes. She's here and not back in Gotham. Unless…it was all an act. His release from Raft was public knowledge. Ryan knew how protective Melody could get when it came to Bruce Wayne. She would lie and act to him if it meant he didn't find out that Bruce Wayne was currently in their world.

"It's been nice chatting with you, Walker. I'll see you tomorrow." Ryan said and abruptly left the super soldier standing there alone.

"Hayes! No funny business with Voltess!" John shouted after him.

Melody's P.O.V

"Mommy, can I go now?" Morgan whined to Pepper. I gave a chuckle at the squirming six year old.

Pepper was currently applying sunblock on Morgan who had her floaties and swimsuit on. It was a hot summer afternoon and both Dick and Morgan asked to go swimming in the lake. Dick was already in the water with Bruce. Morgan was getting impatient and wanting to join them.

"I would be done by now if you stood still for a minute." Pepper remarked to her daughter. Morgan suddenly stopped bouncing on her feet. Pepper shook her head and finished applying the sunblock on her back.

"There, all done. Remember, the same rule applies. Stay in the shallow area where mommy can see you." Morgan nodded and ran off to the dock.

She jumped off the dock and her floaties brought her back up to the surface. Pepper let out a sigh.

"Or jump off the dock and give me a heart attack." She muttered under her breath.

"Bruce is in the water with her. She'll be fine." I assured Pepper with a small chuckle.

Pepper gave me an unamused expression, "She's like her father and that makes me worry." Pepper reminded me.

I gave a grimace, "True, but she's also headstrong like her mom." Pepper rolled her eyes at me but with a small smile on her face.

My sensitive ears picked up hearing a phone going off inside the house. "Hey Pep, I think you're getting a call." I said and pointed in the direction of the house.

"That's probably work. There's a shareholder meeting coming up. Watch Morgan while I'm gone." I nodded and watched Pepper walk off to the house.

"Hey mom!" I turned hearing Dick's voice, "You should join us!" I walked closer to the dock.

"Yeah, Aunt Mel! Get in the water!" Morgan agreed. The two kids stood on the shallow end of the lake. Well, tippy toes for Morgan.

"Sorry guys, I'm not much for getting in the water." I told them with a shake of my head.

Dick gave a frown, "Come on, mom. We're on vacation, you're not doing any hero work. You can short out one time." I gave a sigh.

A sudden giggle came from Morgan. I looked at the six year old and she had a wide grin on her face. Dick suddenly had a smirk on his face. Why are they looking at me like that? Wait…where's Bruce?

I suddenly felt myself get picked up. I let out a shrill yelp as I felt myself get thrown into the water. The cold lake water hit my skin and the familiar drain on my body from being shorted out. I rose to the surface as a large splash hit my face from somebody jumping in.

I could hear Dick and Morgan laughing behind me. I used one hand to move my wet hair and water out of my eyes. I opened my eyes just as Bruce broke the water's surface. He shook his head to remove the water on his face. I gave him a look as he opened his eyes. He had a grin on his face now.

"I hate you." I muttered which made Bruce give a light laugh.

"No, you don't. I had to get my fun in. Morgan almost blew my cover." I looked over at the said six year old. Her and Dick were still snickering at me.

I turned back to Bruce, "You know I hate the feeling of getting shorted out." I remarked.

Bruce swam over to me. He pulled me to him with one arm while the other treaded water.

"I know, you hate it because it makes you feel weak. Dick's right though. We're on vacation which means having fun with your family. I had fun." I clicked my tongue seeing the grin was back on his face. He had a little too much fun throwing me in if you ask me.

"You're lucky I didn't have my phone in my pocket. I'm not in a swimsuit." I said and splashed his face.

"Mom, we're gonna get some water guns!" Bruce and I looked over. Dick and Morgan were getting out of the water.

"Okay!" I called back to them. The two kids ran for the garage. I swam to the shore of the lake until I felt my shoes find the bottom.

"Where are you going?" Bruce asked me. I turned my head to look over my shoulder.

I gave a mock glare, "Inside to change out of my wet clothes into my swimsuit." Bruce's grin grew knowing he had won.

"You need any help?" I raised a brow at his suggestive question.

"Maybe." I replied back with a smirk. Bruce was quick to follow me to the shore of the lake.

I could feel the weight of my wet clothes as I finally stepped onto dry land. My shoes made squishing sounds as I took a step. I looked back over to the garage. I furrowed my brows slightly. It shouldn't take them that long to grab water guns.

"What's wrong?" Bruce's voice came from behind me.

"They're taking longer than they should. Dick? Morgan? Everything okay?" I called out their names. I walked towards the direction of the garage.

"Aunt Mel!" My eyes widened in alarm hearing panic in Morgan's voice. In a split second I saw Morgan run from behind the garage. Just as she did so, a hand suddenly gripped the back of her swimsuit and pulled her back.

"Aunt Mel? Well isn't that sweet." My jaw clenched and I gave a piercing glare to the man in front of me.

"Ryan. Let. Her. Go." I demanded with a dangerous tone to my voice. Ryan stood there in his new suit with a terrified looking Morgan in his hands.

Ryan gave me a hard look and gripped Morgan by her shoulder. The said six year old let out a whimper from his hold.

"No, I don't think I will. I'll admit, you fooled me well with your act Mel." He turned his head to Bruce, "Wayne." Ryan greeted him. My eyes flickered over to Bruce. His body was completely tense. His familiar steely glare bore at Ryan.

"What did you do to our son?" Bruce demanded. Dick had left with Morgan but I didn't see or hear him.

Ryan gave a slight smirk, "He's out cold. Brat can throw a hell of a punch. Let me guess, he's taking lessons from dear old dad." Ryan lightly rubbed his jaw indicating where Dick had landed a hit on him.

Bruce's glare darkened hearing Ryan had laid a hand on a Dick. "I'll make you pay for laying a hand on him." Bruce growled out.

Ryan's smirk grew and he tilted his head, "Oh will you? I guess you don't care what happens to Stark's little brat then?" Air started to gather in the palm of Ryan's hand. Morgan let out a cry as the air managed to place a small cut on her cheek.

"Stop! Let her go, Ryan! You're after me, not her!" I pleaded with him. I felt helpless right now. I couldn't use my powers to save Morgan.

The air ceased from Ryan's hand as he glared at me, "You know this all could have been avoided if you had just taken my offer, Mel. Instead, I find out you lied to me. You somehow found a way to transverse the multiverse to get back to him. Now I want to know how. You'll tell me, otherwise that Stark bloodline ends with her." Ryan threatened.

He's completely off the rails right now. He's threatening to kill a kid and I wouldn't put it past him right now when he's unhinged.

"Let go of my kid." I heard the whirring sound before seeing Ryan get hit by a repulson blast from behind. The attack made Ryan let go of Morgan. Morgan made a run towards Bruce and I. I kept Morgan close and looked up as I saw Pepper in the Rescue armor. That was a fast suit up.

Ryan turned in time to get punched by Rescue. The punch knocked him back. He got up in a kneeling position as small twisters formed in his palms. The Ion Cannons on the back of Rescue's armor detached and fired a blast just in front of Ryan.

Ryan was flung backwards in the air. He landed on the ground hard with a grunt coming from Ion Cannons retreated back to the armor. Rescue stepped forward and her helmet flipped open to reveal Pepper's face. She glared at Ryan who was currently laid out on his stomach.

"You made a big mistake going after my daughter, Ryan. Tony may be gone, but I'm still around." Pepper chastised him. I looked down at Morgan. She stared at Pepper in complete awe. She's never seen her mom with the full Rescue suit on yet or ever seen her fight.

Ryan let out a growl as he began to push himself off the ground. He glared at Pepper's direction.

"That's enough, Hayes. I said no funny business." Our heads turned hearing a new voice. A voice I hadn't heard in some time. John Walker walked up to Ryan in a suit that mimicked Steve's Captain America's suit but it was black instead of blue. He had a shield in hand that again looked similar but it didn't have a star in the middle and the blue was replaced with black.

Ryan stood up and faced John with a glare, "You followed me?" He questioned.

John nodded, "I did and a good thing too. Attacking a kid? You're out of control. You're one step away from being dragged back to the Raft." Ryan took another step to John.

"I'd like to see you try, blondie." John gave a tight lipped frown and nodded his head slightly.

"Have it your way then." In one quick motion, John struck Ryan on the head with his shield. Ryan collapsed onto the grass below. John gave an aggravated sigh and placed his shield onto his back.

He looked at me and held his gloved hand up, "Sorry about this Voltess. I'll make sure he doesn't come near here again. This guy is apparently my problem now." I frowned at that.

"Your problem?" I questioned. John knelt down and easily hoisted Ryan over his shoulder.

"I'm afraid I can't say anything more. Classified and all that." John stated as he adjusted Ryan as he stood up. John Walker is part of whatever Ross is planning too?

"Apologies again. I'll get him out of here so you all can enjoy the remainder of your day." John apologized once more. We watched in silence as John walked towards an unmarked black van.

"Who the hell was that?" Bruce asked.

"John Walker. He held the mantle of Captain America for a short time before he was stripped of his title." I answered.

"He got fired from being Captain America?" Bruce questioned with disbelief in his tone.

"He brutally killed an extremist with his shield. That extremist was defenseless and pleaded for his life before it was taken from him. John Walker is just as bad as Ryan." I recalled the event with ice to my tone.

John loaded Ryan into the black van before climbing into it himself. The van door's closed as it drove off the property. Whatever Ross is planning, he's playing with fire if he has those two.

"How bad is it?" Dick asked as he removed the ice pack from his eye.

I gently touched the black eye that was forming around his right eye. He flinched back at the touch.

"Bad enough if it makes you flinch. It's possible he could have fractured your orbital bone." I said truthfully. Dick placed the ice pack back onto his eye.

"I only got a single hit in before he took me out. I should have been able to do more." Dick grumbled and glared at the floor. I took a seat on the couch next to Dick.

"He took you by surprise. You reacted the best way you could and tried to defend Morgan. He took a cheap shot at you. Villains are known for that." I reasoned with him.

After the events with Ryan, we headed back to the Avengers Compound. Ryan had hit Dick hard enough to give him a pretty nasty black eye. Dick told us that Ryan had ambushed them and tried to originally get both of them. Dick had gone on the offensive and told Morgan to run. Morgan was pretty shaken up to the point Pepper had to tell work she'd be working from home. Her and Tony did their best in protecting Morgan from anything involving the Avengers or our villains. Tony and Pepper had agreed they didn't want that type of life for Morgan. Tony went through a lot during his time as Iron Man and didn't wish for the horrible things that happened to him to happen to his daughter. So this was a first for Morgan.

"Where's dad?" Dick asked.

I gave a sigh, "You know how he gets when he's angry. He's in the training grounds. He had Bucky show him where it was earlier." Dick removed the ice pack from his eye. He stared at his feet with a small frown on his face.

"Will this change his mind about me going out at night with him?" He asked quietly.

A sympathetic look grew on my face, "I don't know truthfully." I replied back softly. I placed my hand on the back of his head and gently ran my fingers through his short dark hair.

"What happened today scared your father and I." Dick immediately turned his head to me with a frown.

"Dad's not afraid of anything." I raised a brow at him.

"Did he tell you that?" Dick nodded his head.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes, "Yes, I will agree that typically he's not afraid but he does have his moments. I've seen fear in him. I saw it just before I was snapped into dust. He'll never admit it, but he's also scared of losing us. He's lost everything before and it's that fear that drives him to continue his work as Batman. Everyone feels fear and it's okay. Fear doesn't have to make you weak. It can make you strong." Dick scrunched up his face in thought.

"Have you ever been afraid as Voltess?" I gave a light chuckle at the question.

"Yes, more than you think. I've seen things and have gone up against foes that terrified me. But in those moments I can't let my fear get the better of me. I have to be braver than my fear. Bravery and fear go hand in hand. I'm brave because I'm fearful of what horrible things could happen if I don't take a stand. At the end of the day, Dick. Heroes are still human. We feel all the same emotions as everyone else. We just don't show it to keep the people we're saving to feel at ease and safe." I told him honestly.

Dick looked to be deep in thought. Taking my words to heart. He suddenly stood up and looked at me.

"Can we go find dad? I want to talk to him." I raised both brows but stood up.

"Let's hope he's in a talking mood." I muttered under my breath.

I opened the glass door to the training grounds and let Dick through first. We both could see Bruce training against the holograms of fake enemies. I recognized the movements the holograms were making. Bucky must have pulled up Steve's training regiment. His training focus was more hand to hand combat. That fit right into Bruce's alley.

"Friday, pause hologram." I told the AI out loud. The holograms suddenly froze in place as Bruce punch went through one of them.

Bruce stopped and looked over hearing my voice. His breathing was labored from the fighting. Sweat evident on his face and his hair slightly matted. He had been at this for hours now.

"Take a break. Your son wants to talk to you." I told him and gestured to Dick. Bruce let out a small huff before walking away from the hologram field. He grabbed the towel sitting on the bench.

"So, what did you want to ask me?" Bruce asked. He put the towel around his neck and wiped away the sweat on his face.

"I want to intensify my training." Bruce raised a brow and I was also taken back by that.

"You're not ready for that, Dick." Bruce immediately shot him down.

Dick narrowed his eyes at him, "Why? Because a villain knocked me out?" Bruce returned his gaze with a hardened one.

"Yes, that's exactly why. You have the basics down but you still haven't fully mastered them. You're not ready." I gave an inward sigh. Bruce is clamming up again and refusing to budge with Dick's training again. There's Dick's answer about starting out as Robin. Bruce threw the towel back on the bench and turned his back to us.

"Go back upstairs with your mother." Bruce told him.

"Why do we fall?" Bruce froze in place hearing Dick say those words. A small smirk appeared on my face. That's one way to get through to Bruce and Dick knows that.

Bruce turned halfway to Dick, "What did you just say?" He asked quietly.

Dick held his ground, "I heard Alfred say it to you once. It's what your father use to ask you, right? I got knocked out by a villain, but I'm back up. I couldn't protect Morgan. I don't want to feel like that again. I need to get better. Stronger. I'm ready for the next level of training. I need to be in order for me to be Robin. I'm not asking you, dad. I'm telling you to intensify my training." I held a proud smile. I could see the fire burning in Dick's eyes. He's a hundred percent serious. I glanced over at Bruce. He stared at Dick in slight amazement and familiarity. Something tells me he just saw himself in Dick.

Bruce finally gave a small smile and sighed, "Alright, if you're really serious about this. Then we start the next level of your training. Starting now." My smile quickly dropped as I gave Bruce and disapproving look.

"Really…now?" I said with a monotone voice.

Bruce gave me a smirk, "He said he's ready." Dick nodded in agreement.

I gave huff, "Fine but don't start him off against Steve's training regiment." I walked over to the console that controlled the hologram pad.

Dick gave a frown, "Why not?" I gave an unamused expression to my son.

"Steve Rogers was the best fighter out of all of us in the Avengers. He mastered multiple different forms of martial arts." I pointed to the hologram pad, "I have a hard time with his training regiment which means you are not ready for that level." I remarked. I began to type on the keyboard of the console.

"How can I get any better if I don't challenge myself?" Dick countered.

Bruce smirked, "He's right, Mel." I shot a look at Bruce before pressing a final button on the console.

"Changing hologram field to Voltess' Regiment." Friday's voice said above us.

"He can start off with mine. It's not near Steve's level but it's high enough to start. If he shows he's ready to go up a level then change to Black Widows. That one will knock him down for a while." I advised.

I turned away from the console and headed for the doors, "I'll leave you two to your training." Dick grinned and rushed over to Bruce. Bruce gave me a small smile before focusing on the hologram enemies popping up. I walked out from the training grounds and headed back upstairs to the living quarters.

A small smile formed on my face as a thought came across my mind. Dick really is starting to show he's the son of Batman.