The gala was a success. It made the Waynes the media's lovelies. To say that Gotham was suprised was an understatement. Five new kids suddenly popping out of nowhere, and Bruce's previous two wards changing their last names to Wayne. It made it to the national news! Damian's sobb story of growing up in an abusive household after his mother decided not to tell his "drunk" father about him, gave Bruce the perfect cover to start changing. He was at the helm of the gentrification project of the Narrows and Crime Alley, a good start as Brucie for all his faults was known for being a philanthropist. The change was slow and well received, without attracting a lot of attention.
Bruce's children were also well received by Gotham and Bludhaven's community. Whenever, their father or eldest brother were wroking with the Martha Wayne Foundation, one of them was with them. They rapidly became the media's sweethearts. Brucie having evolved from the White Prince of Gotham, to the White King, and his children getting the titles of princes and princesses. In whispers, the upper society called Damian the crown prince- as he was the only blood-related to Bruce. No Wayne paid any attention to those harpies and continues working hard for the well being of Gotham.
Right now the Wayne Manor was bursting with the superhero community in their civilian identities. Anyone relared to a Justice League or a Titan was there. As you can guess it was prompted by Bruce's kids and he simply folded, knowing when he was outnumbered. The only drawback of having so many kids, in Bruce's opinion.
"Congratulations on graduating high school and maturing into your own hero, young prince," Diana beamed at her favourite batkid. Unlike others she felt no shame in admitting it. Superman favoured Dick, Cyborg became quick friends with the tech-genious Tim, Blac Canary and Barbara were a team made in heaven and the Birds of Prey were better for it, Martian Manhunter and Cass shared a quiet and harmonious partnership, everyone knew that the lanterns adored Damian, Mara was, the newly Justice League member, Cheshire's sister and partner in crime, and Alec bonded with Batwoman over their love for violence. "And only at sixteen! You must be very proud my friend!"
"I am," Bruce smiled at his son, who blushed under the praise. Bruce has tried to become more vocal about his feelings, but it still took some getting used to by his two eldest sons. At the moment they, Dick, and Tim were talking with Diana, Clark, and Lois- the rest of the family were arounf the garden. "He worked very hard for it."
"You are going to study Non-Profit at Gotham University like your brother?" Lois asked, ever the journalist.
"Not like me, but yes he is. He'll also study English and Literature," Dick told them porudly. "I'm changing my major for Communication and Public Relationships. Luckily all the classes I took last year were accepted into my new degree."
"Why the change?" Clark asked his favorite nephew, even is he won't admit it.
"I love helping my city and the work I do with the Foundation is satisfying," Dick explained. "But is not my passion. I grew up as a showman and working with the circus, doing shows from time to time, reminded me of my roots... and how much I've missed it. So, I've decided to take over Wayne Entretainment. Though, I'll wait until Little Wing graduates to hand over the Martha Wayne Foundation Bludhaven branch to him. It eill be a good way to train him and prepare him to take over as the Chairman of the main Foundation."
Right, Wayne Entretainment. One of the many subsidary branches of Wayne Enterprices. It was first born with the creation of Wayne Records, mostly known for their work in rock, rap, r&d, and heavy metal. It had discovered many hidden talents in Gotham City and allowed many people to lift themselves from pooverty. In the last decade they had won various music awards, and turned Gotham City in the city of rap and heavy metal, kind of like Nashvilleis is the one for country music. Wayne Entretainment also possess Wayne Prodcutions, Wayne Editions, owns the Gotham Theater and various stadiums worldwide. Not to mention, they've recently added the Flying Grayson's Circus and Wayne Galleries- a project Damian had started under the careful eye of Alfred and Fox.
"I've learned with Dinah's help that it's ok to do stuff I enjoy and..." Dick turned with a smile to Damian who was strading stories with the lanterns. "... and that I don't need to suffer and overwork myself simply because I want to be a hero."
"That's quite healthy," Lois smiled proudly. "Now if only these three could learn that."
"Come on! I'm not that bad!" Clark protested, as the rest of the group laughed.
"What about you young warrior?" Diana turned to Tim, who tensed under the attention but relaxed when Bruce put an arm around his shoulder. "How's being Robin been treating you?"
"Good," Tim blushed at the memory of finally being Robin, it was truly a magical experience. "It was an an ardous year, I trained until I dropped, but I can last five minutes against Cass now! And I've finally decided on my own weapon. A bo staff!" Tim told them excitedly. Even Damian joined my training, so I could get used to fighting someone with powers."
"How di dthat go?" Clark asked him with a smile. "That bad?" He inquired when he saw all the bats wincing.
"Total fucking obliteration!" Jason answered honestly. "Like honesty! Someone that small should not be that strong!"
"He took us all out in a matter of minutes," Dick admitted proud of his baby bat, the Flamebird of his Nightwing.
"I've seen some of his work as Flamebird," Lois commented with a look of awe. "He has been working with Arthur to fix the petrol and nuclear waste in the ocean, popping all over the world healing people. Not to mention, aiding whatever hero is in a natural dissaster zone. He is mostly doing support work."
"His powers are growing daily and he does not want his fire to get out of hand," Bruce informed them.
"I can understand that," Clark said with a thoughtful look on his face. "Having so much power means to have a complete control over it. So you won't hurt anyone. It's not something you can gain with only a couple of years of training. The control he possesses at such a young age is incredible."
"Not all the time," Tim commented thoughtfully.
"What do you mean Tim?" Bruce asked his son.
"Well, one day I went early to the batcave to do some training, nothing dangerous! Only some core training!" Tim was quick to assure his worried family. "But what I'm trying to say, is that I found Damian in the furnace."
"Found him... in the fournace..." Bruce repeated slowly, as everyone stared at Tim in disbelief.
"Baby bat?!" Dick exclaimed shocked, as Jason cursed.
"Yes, he was... napping," Tim explained.
"Napping?" Bruce repeated again, it seems like they had finally broke him.
"Yes, I've never seen him so relaxed before," Tim told them. "Even when we catch him cuddling Dick in the family room there's some tension on his body. I've never noticed until I caught him. It almost gave me a heart attack."
"He was finally able to just let go," Clark commented thoughtfully. "I feel the same when I fly. Damian enjoying the company of fire makes sense."
"The flames were hugging him, like some kind of fire craddle," Tim explained. "They were not his flames, but natural fire... it still reacted to him."
"He is a being of fire," Diana said. "A prince of flames."
"We still do not know what he is," Bruce replied. "How much Darkseid's experiments changed him. Sleeping in furnaces! Why did he not tell us?"
The bats looked both distressed and thoughtful, as they brooded silently. So, Lois changed the topic of conversation, to distract them. "How's school? Joined any club?"
"Oh, I'm part of the Photography Club," Tim told them, blushing sheepishly. "We work with the school's paper from time to time and are in charge of the Year Book."
"School's paper!" Lois exclaimed, looking delighted.
"That takes me back," Clark commented. "It was so much fun, it still is!"
"Damian joined the Art Club with Alec, and Mara is the school's orchestra as the first viola," Dick informed them, very proud of his siblings. "Cass is taking her ballet and ballroom classes very seriously, as she works for her GED with a tutor, and on her english with a speech therapist. Oh! And Littlle Wing is planning on continuing his drama club activities in Gotham University!"
"Hey! Don't call me that!" Jason shouted embarrasedly, at being called that in public.
"Oh, why not Little WIng?" Dick pouted playfully, making the whole group laugh as Jason cursed at his brother.
As the group bickered, Damian had left the lanterns to join the arrow kids. Connor Hawkes, Emiko Queen, and Mia Dearden, three people Damian had arranged for Green Arrow and Black Canary to meet earlier.
"Hey! I don't think I've thanked you for getting me out of the Brotherhood of the Fist," Connor greeted Damian with a smile. "Thank you!"
Damina smiled at the younger self of the old friend he had once made during the Lazarus Tournament. He hoped they'll be able to form a good relationship this time around too.
"No need to thank me, I know what it means to be in a group like that," Damian explained, gaining understanding looks from Connor and Emiko. Damian then turned to Mia. "Hi! You must be the new arrow kid. Speedy, right?"
"I am!" Mia beamed proudly. "And you are?"
"Flamebird," Damian smiled amusedly at Mia's look of wonder, before frowning. "You are sick," he stated, getting a flinch from Mia. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to insult you. But I'm simply confused as why Mr. Queen did not contact me, I can heal you."
"Mia you are sick?" Emiko turned to her foster sister in horror.
"Why did you not tell us?!" Connor exclaimed.
"Ah," Damian sighed in understanding, she was ashamed. Even though she had been forced into her previous life of prostitution. "Well, that does not matter now. I can heal you, if you allow me."
"Yes! Please!" Mia begged in tears, accepting Flamebird's flames gratefully. She gasped as the fire burned her AIDS away. "Thank you!" She threw herself into his arms. "Thank you so much!"
"Don't run from me!" Green Arrow shouted, as he followed a furious Arsenal out of the manor and into the party in the garden.
"Oh, no," Emiko sighed.
"Not this again," Mia lamented, sniffling as she let go of Damian.
"Those two are always at it," Connor growled.
"You know what? You want to do this now? Let's do it!" Roy growled. He stopped from running away and turned on his heels to glare at him. "First of all, I'm doing great, not thanks to you! I'm starting to get a hang of being a father, while working for Wayne Security. I'm also getting an Engineering degree from Gotham University, so I can move to Wayne Technology one day. Also, let's get one thing clear! I am no longer an addict!" Many people gasped. "I do not know what misconception or misunderstanding happened in the Justice League, but Flamebird can heal more than just physical injuries. Addiction and ilnesses are on his reach to cure. Last week I saw him cure the malnutrition of kids in Arfrica and cure terminal cancer of patients of a small town in China. Why the hell do I care if you know this or not?! I love Connor, Emiko, and Mia, I am gllad that they are out of those places. I got to spend a lot of time this last year with wonderful kids that got dealt a bad hand in life. I want to get to know my new siblings, like I got to know them, too. But you Ollie? You are dead to me!"
Silence rang in the room as Oliver stared at his son in shock and horror, before being dragged inside by Dinah. Then many heroes turned to Damian in disbelief, still hung on Roy's revelation.
"You did not know that?" Dmian questioned them surprised, before turning to his dad. "Baba, did you not tell them?"
"I did inform them that your flames can cure anything," Bruce answered him. "Somehow they must have thought I mean anything physical."
"How is that possible?" Iris asked in disbelief.
"Well, I use Hell Fire to burn the drugs and toxines in the system, then Holy Fire to purrify the body and stop the system from asking for more drugs, and finally use Phoenix Fire to heal any damage that had been done to the body." Damian explained the process to the bewitched crowd.
"Why aren's you curing everyone then?!" Lois exclaimed stunned.
"Lois," Clark tried to stop her, to no success.
"No Clark!" Lois shook him off. "You could cure so many people suffering from addiction and cancer, not to mention so many other illnesses... so, why not?"
"Because I learned from Superman and the Justice League's mistakes," Damian answered to everyone's surprise, even his family. "Did you know that ever since Superman appeared the enlistment to any kind of force dropped a 40%? I mean who needs a firefighter when Superman just sweeps in and take care of everything?"
"That is not the same..." Lois tried to get a word in, but stopped at Damian's expressionless face- she had never seen the boy look like that.
"It is, did you know that whenever Superman is hurt or in a mission in space the deaths involved in fires have increased a 15%? Both in civilians, because there's not enough forces, and firefighters, because they do not have the experience... because Superman is there and they've become dependent on him." The garden was silent as everyone digested what Damian was telling, they've never thought of it like that. "The army has no idea how to deal with aliens, why should they? When the Justice League does it for them. The goverments how no idea how to debate and discuss with aliens because, once again, you do it on your own! Tell me, what will happen if I start healing everyone I see? If I start dealing with all the enviromental contamination?"
"Medical advancements will stop," Barry answered with a grim expression on his usually perky face. "Why try to cure cancer when Flamebird can do it in seconds?"
"Addicts will return to doing drugs because it's ok to get addicted again, as Flamebird is there," Jason added with a frown.
"Why care for the enviroment because Flamebird is there to fix it?" Arthur sighed, as his wife put a hand of support on his arm- those two had fixed their martial issues after a year of couple's therapy.
"People will became dependant on me, but what happens after I'm gone?" Damian asked them, asked Lois. "Powers come with great responsabilities, other more than simply don't hurt innocents and do not kill. Which is why I only go to healing missions to places I know people can't get quality of life or treatment, and make sure to place them under a secrecy spell not to reveal how they got healed. Many places don't even know me as Flamebird, but adress me as the local deity." Damian sighed. "What we do doesn't only affect people but societies. It's time we all start acting like it." Damian smiled sadly at Lois, who flinched guiltily. "You might not like it, but this is the way i've decided to help people. My way." Damian glared. "That choice has been taken from me for a long time. I won't allow anyone to dictate the way I behave again."
With that said Damian turned around and left, being followed by his siblings. Mara and Alec, of course, took a second to glare at Lois, before following their favorite sibling. Behind they left a very ahsamed superhero community with a lot to think about.