"Here for another miracle?" Commisoner Gordon teased Damian as he entered Arkham with his father by his side.
Miracles. That's the word Gotham is using now that Damian has oicked his father's project of rehabilitating Batman's Rogue Gallery. He has been having a lot more success, mostly because the villains were tired by now and simply did not know how to move forward. Damian looked at them not just with the potential of who they could become, but looked at them knowing they are good.
He extended a hand and the rogues took it.
He started with the ones who were dealt a bad hand in life and just needed someone to give them a way out. Clock King was given a job in WE's General Managemennt Department. Dr. Freeze joined WE's R&D department after Flamebird had healed his wife. He intended to cure the illness that had almost killed his wife, because not everyone had Flamebird there to help them. The Riddler was given his own game show and became a producer for Wayne Productions. Calendar Man was put in charge of party organization for both WE and the Foundation. The Ventriloquist was given a job as Calendar Man's partner, finding entretainment for those parties.
Then he approached those whose physiology changed, the metahumans and failed lab experiments. He partnered with S.T.A.R Labs, who had published papers on how those who undertook physiology changes tend to be psychological unbalanced because of the changes their brain¿s chemestry undertook. With S.T.A.R Labs aid they were able to help them find balance and help them think clearly.
Killer Croc joined Wayne Security, where Jade, as the new person in charge, was keeping a close eye on him. Clayman joined the Riddler in Wayne Produtions, and became a producer and guionist for movies and T.V series. Ivy, even while in a mission with the Syrens and Azrael, created a plant based, good for the enviroment and cruelty freem make-up and clothing fabric. Plus machines to aid the recycling of fabric, plastic, and almost everything really. R&D was very happy.
50% of the earning of the ex-rogues, outside of their salaries, goes to pay back all the people and families they've hurt.
"I'll try," Damian hummed, as things are getting difficult now. Those left are crime bosses and the ones clinically insane. "Is he read?"
"He is," Commisoner Gordon told him.
"Then let's get thi sover with," Brucie fake shivered. "I might be the new owner of Arkham and had many changed done to the place... still, being here gives me the chills."
"It does the same to everyone," Gordon chuckled. "Maybe the terrain is cursed?"
"Oh, oh, oh, I'm next!" Firefly cackled, as the Waynes and Gordon entered the room. His psychiatrist, a nurse, and a couple of guards surrounded him. "Lucky me!"
"Hello, Mr. Lynns," Damian greeted him, already feeling unerved.
How is this possible? Damian asked himself confused. I've faced demons and felt nothing. But this human makes me feel restless.
"Are you going to try and change me?" Firefly laughed. "How hypocrate from you!"
"What do you mean by that?" Bruce snapped barely holding back his Batman growl. He did not like how Firefly was looking at his son.
"You do not know Brucie?" Garfield cackled mockingly. "He is just like me!" Damian flinched, finally realizing why Firefly made him nervous. He has lost himself to the to the fire, his eyes were consumed with fire-madness. "I can see the fire in your eyes!" Firefly grinned at Damian, alost friendly... then he beamed. "You want to watch Gotham burn! It will be glorious!"
Damian could not handle it anymore, he stood up and ran out of the room. He kept on running all the ay until he left Arkham and puked. Suddenly, he was picked up by a familiar pair of arms and carried to his father's Ferrari.
"Shido," Damian whimpered, crawling into Alfred's lap and not letting him go. Even when his father came, Bruce had to take the driver's seat and drive them back. "I'm not like him, I do not want to watch Gotham burn. I promise! So much fire, he's lost in it!"
Alfred patted his grandson's back and whispered comforting words as he lulled him to sleep. Bruce tightened his grip on the steering wheel until his knuckles were white.
"He is not going back there!" Bruce growled, once Damian was finally asleep. "I knew this was a bad idea!"
"Master Damian has been doing a wonderful job that benefited Gotham a lot," Alfred corrected him.
"What about my son?!" Bruce snapped.
Alfred smiled ay how much his son has grown up. "Give him time to recover and ask him what he wnats to do next."
"I just... he has suffered through enough," Bruce sighed. "I do not want him to suffer through more."
"No father does," Alfred agreed sadly.
"Firefly looked at Damian the same way the Joker used to look at Batman," Bruce confessed, making Alfred tightened his hold on his grandson. "I hate this!"
That night Damian was cuddled by his siblings, as Titans taking care of Bludhaven, and Batman patrolled Gotham with Arsenal and Cheshire. When Catwoman found him in their rooftop.
"Cat," Batman greeted her. "The mission is finished?"
"The Order of St. Dumas is done for and the Syrens are retired," Catwoman purred. "If there's a breakout from Blackgate or Arkham, or a world-ending situation, we will hep. But otherwise, we are out of the game and you guys are on your own. Though, Azrael is planning on joining you after he comes back from his long vacation."
"As promised Dr. Isley has been accepted into WE's R&D, Dr. Quinzeel will become the Head Designer for the new Wayne Fashion line, made from the discoveries of Dr. Isley," Bruce told her, ignoring or at least trying to ignore how much her hand on his chest affected him. "You are getting the position Chairwoman of the Martha Wayne Foundation."
At least, until Jason is ready to take over, Bruce thought to himself.
"Good," Selina purred, dragging him for a kiss.
Bruce allowed it, using it as an opportunity to forget about Firefly and his obsession with his son.
It did not work.