I think it's time to really dig deep on the dynamic between Kara and Bruce. Batman and Guardian, also. I didn't add James Olsen's name on the list for nothing.
Leave a review after reading, please.
Special thanks to Steve993, godspeed 251, and baratta. jennifer for reviewing the previous chapter.
Supergirl shows up at an abandoned warehouse. It was dark. There were only a few lights on. One was flickering due to weak power.
"What do you want?"
Supergirl hears the familiar voice echo off the walls.
"I'm guessing this is about Ms. Luthor," said the voice.
"Not exactly," said Supergirl. "Just come out, please. I'd rather talk to you face to face."
Coming out of the shadows and into the light is Batman. He refused to stand under the light, but allowed himself to step into the dim light.
"Why'd you call?" asked Batman. "And why in the middle of the day?"
"It's still 4 in the morning," said Supergirl. "It's still pretty dark."
"Get to the point," said Batman.
"Guardian told me that you two met," said Supergirl. "I assume you know his secret identity."
"James Olsen," said Batman. "I knew he had courage, but to put on a costume and fight crime at night... never saw that coming."
"That's a first," laughed Supergirl.
"What's this have to do with him?" asked Batman.
"I want you to train him," said Supergirl.
"You actually approve of his actions?" asked Batman.
"Not at first, but I accepted it eventually," said Supergirl.
"Why do you need me?" asked Batman.
"To help him become who he wants to be. A symbol of hope," said Supergirl.
"Shouldn't that be your job?" questioned Batman.
"He's a vigilante who operates only at night and beats criminals into a pulp," reminded Supergirl. "That remind you of anyone? More than half the people of this city are afraid of Guardian. He doesn't want that. I don't want it, either. But you, you can help him."
"I don't know what newspaper you've been reading, Ms. Danvers, but not everyone in Gotham have a positive perception on me," said Batman.
"I know that," said Supergirl. "But if James is gonna play Batman at night, he needs to learn how to do it right. Besides, he's coming with us to fight Cadmus and with a big gun like Cyborg Hank Henshaw on their side, James needs to be prepared. Please, this would mean a lot to me. Plus, this may help establish trust between us."
"I wasn't seeking your trust," said Batman.
"I trust you, and then maybe you'll trust me," said Supergirl with a smile. "C'mon, Bats. For me."
Supergirl puts on a "cute girl" face. Batman rolls his eyes and looks away from the Kryptonian.
"If I'm agreeing to this, it's because I've been planning to talk to him. Not because of your girl scout method of persuasion," said Batman.
"Oh, really?" asked Supergirl incredulously. "Ha, well, whatever you say, Bats. Although, I'll have you know. No one can resist this smile."
"Are you trying to get under my cape, Ms. Danvers?" questioned Batman. "Don't you have a certain scarlet speedster to be dreaming about?"
Batman fires his grappling hook to the skylight and leaves the warehouse. Supergirl, meanwhile, was just standing in the middle of the warehouse with a dumbfounded look on her face.
"Is there anything that guy doesn't know?" wondered Supergirl, still shocked. "How did he even know that? Is he psychic or something?"
The next morning, Supergirl arrives at the D.E.O. Alex was not present, but J'onn was.
"Don't you have to be at work?" asked J'onn.
"Ms. Grant is giving me the morning off," said Supergirl. "She didn't exactly tell me why."
"Well, gives you time to prepare yourself," said J'onn. "By the way, our new 'friend' left a present on my doorstep. It's a suit that's capable to rendering the wearer immune to Kryptonite."
"But that's too advanced for Earth's technology," said Supergirl.
"It's not exactly complete. Our friend in black left a note saying that the D.E.O. has the tech to complete it," said J'onn. "As a matter of fact, we do."
"Honestly, I'm beginning to doubt this guy is just some ordinary man," said Supergirl.
"What gave you that impression?" asked J'onn.
"He's just so... he's like..." Supergirl can't find the right words to say. In the end, she grunts in frustration.
"Sounds like you two still have some issues with each other," said J'onn.
"Now I understand why Clark never mentioned him," said Supergirl.
"Speaking of Clark, you ever think about contacting him," said J'onn.
"No, I prefer to keep him out of this," said Supergirl. "In case Lillian... I don't want this world deprived of two Kryptonians."
"I see you're starting to be realistic," said J'onn.
"But I know we can do this," said Supergirl. "We've beat her before, haven't we?"
J'onn tilts his head and puts on a different kind of smile on his face.
"What exactly is it with you and the Batman?" asked J'onn, curious.
Supergirl didn't speak.
"C'mon, Kara. You know it's best to let your feelings out instead of keeping them to yourself," said J'onn.
"Batman just really gets under my skin," said Supergirl. "He won't trust me. He asks out Lena without consulting me. And let's just say he kinda pushed my buttons during our last encounter."
"You sure this isn't just professional interest, Ms. Danvers?" questioned J'onn.
"I don't know. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not," joked Supergirl.
"Piece of advice, Kara. Patience," said J'onn. "That's how I come to fully trust Kal. After a long rough history, I now feel safe calling him a friend."
"He's just so mysterious... so... much more than just ordinary," said Supergirl.
"Everyone in this world is special in their own way," said J'onn. "Batman uses the darkness as his friend and prefers to keep to himself."
"I doubt it's that simple to figure him out," said Supergirl.
"That may be true, but there are some things about him that are simple to notice," said J'onn. "Now, get out there. Go save some lives, Supergirl. Make us of your morning off."
Supergirl smiles at J'onn before taking off to the skies.
After sunset, Guardian shows up at an abandoned warehouse all by himself.
"This is the place?" asked Guardian through his comm-link.
"Yup," said Supergirl. "That's where we talked."
"Are you sure about this?" asked Guardian. "He and I aren't really too different. What makes you think he can help me change my image?"
"Don't you trust me?" asked Supergirl.
"Of course, I trust you," said Guardian. "I'm just not sure if I can trust him."
"And people say I have trust issues."
Guardians stops in his tracks when he heard a raspy voice echo in the darkness.
"That's him, alright," said Supergirl. "Good luck, James."
Batman steps out of the shadows and into the light, showing himself to National City's masked vigilante.
"Supergirl wanted you to train me," said Guardian.
"If you want me to," replied Batman.
"If I needed help doing this job, I guess a man with nearly 20 years of experience in crime-fighting might be what I need," said Guardian.
Unexpectedly, Guardian removes his mask, showing his real face to the bat-themed vigilante.
"But first, I want to see who's behind the mask," said James. "Supergirl trusts me with her secret. You can trust me with yours."
"if that's how this is going down, so be it," replied Batman.
Batman takes off his cowl, revealing his true face to James. The CatCo photographer was, in one word, shocked.
"Bruce Wayne," he said with surprise. "H-How is this possible?"
"You've seen actual aliens on Earth, yet a billionaire being a vigilante makes you act like you've just seen an alien for the first time," replied Bruce.
"Sorry, it's just... given your reputation, I never expected..." James was clearly still shocked, struggling to accept the truth right in front of him.
"Speak for yourself. You're best known as that little boy who took the very first picture of Superman. Who would ever think of you as a vigilante who beats up criminals during the night?" said Bruce.
"Fair point," said Guardian. "So, uh, how is this gonna go down?"
Bruce puts his cowl back on. He walks towards James and holds his hand out.
"A handshake, seriously?" questioned James.
"Just do it," said Batman.
James grabs Batman's hand, only to get thrown to the ground. James grunts in pain as he tries to get back on his feet.
"Rule number one: always anticipate your opponent's moves," said Batman.
James puts his mask back on. He started throwing punches, but Batman either blocks or dodges them. Batman spins left as Guardian's fist comes towards his face, and then elbows Guardian in the back. James tried to elbow him in the face, but Batman ducks under his swinging arm. Batman then kicks Guardian in the back on his leg and then punches him in the face, knocking him down to the ground.
"Rule number two: always look for an opening," said Batman.
Guardian continues throwing punches and tries to move as fast as he can, but Batman was even faster. Guardian kicks Batman in the leg, but the black-clad vigilante counters with three quick punches followed by a roundhouse kick. Batman blocks another punch, and then quickly uses Guardian's arm to slam him to the ground.
"Alright. Alright. I surrender," said Guardian.
Batman grabs Guardian's arm and twists it slightly, causing Guardian to grunt, feeling the pain.
"Rule number three: when you're down, don't stay down, always find a way to get back up," said Batman.
"I've been fighting for months and I've been doing alright," said Guardian.
"But not good enough," said Batman.
"I thought you were supposed to be teaching me about helping people," said Guardian.
"This is about preparing you for Cadmus," said Batman. "Teaching you about being a symbol of hope, it's not about fists."
"Then what is it about?" asked Guardian.
"Tell me. After you became Guardian, have you ever fought in a fight without using your fists?" asked Batman.
"As a matter of fact, I have," answered Guardian. "I was in a room full of mind-controlled aliens ready to tear the place apart, but I reached out to their youngest. He and I bonded and he's like the son I never had. I got through to him, and because of that, I got through to everyone in the room."
"But it's not enough," guessed Batman.
"Well, no one knows about it," said Guardian.
"From what Kara told me, you always deal with criminals with your fists," said Batman. "You even beat them up in front of endangered civilians."
"They're more afraid of me than they are of those thugs," said Guardian sadly.
"You may have learned how to fight a battle by relying on your heart instead of your fists, but you need to learn better that this job is about protecting people," said Batman. "Lots of people call me a brute, but I don't always use my fists."
"I read one time that the Batman saved a woman getting mugged by just threatening the mugger. No punches were thrown," said Guardian.
"I give my enemies a chance to back down before I change my tactics and use brute force," said Batman. "From everything I've read about Guardian, he jumps into a fist fight all the time."
"I'm just afraid of what would happen if I don't act quick enough," said Guardian.
"You want to be a symbol of hope? You have to show the people that you're more than just a man who can throw a punch and look dangerous with a shield. You have to show them that you're capable of showing mercy," said Batman. "I've been in fighting crime for eighteen years and despite everything that's happened, I still remember who I am."
"The Batman," said Guardian, smiling behind the mask.
"Exactly," said Batman. "After everything I've lost, I could've gone down a dark path. Those around my circle once feared that the Batman will sink until he becomes like those he protects Gotham from. But I swore, on my parents' graves, that I would never become like the man who killed them."
"Is that why you do this? Your parents?" asked Guardian curiously.
"We all have our reasons for wearing masks," said Batman. "Now, back to training. Don't hold back."
"Don't worry. I won't," said Guardian.
And so, Batman and Guardian continue sparring.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Supergirl was going after a group of an alien criminal gang who just robbed a bank. She immediately catches up to them and takes them head-on. One tried punching her in the face, but only hurt his hand doing so.
"Nice try, buddy," teased Supergirl.
"That's why we have this," said one alien.
The alien takes out a pistol and shoots a laser blast that hits Supergirl in the stomach, knocking her back a couple feet away, but she was still standing. All three aliens take out their laser pistols and started shooting, but Supergirl uses her arm to shield herself. The three then fire three laser beams simultaneously. Supergirl blocks the combined blast with her arm as she walks forward.
Supergirl kicks one alien in the stomach, punches one in the face, and throws the third to a wall knocking him out. She approaches one alien and punches him again to knock him out. She takes the last alien a punch to the stomach and then slamming his face to the wall.
"That was easy," said Supergirl. "Now, where's the fourth one?"
One second later, a fourth alien falls from above and crashes to the ground. He clutches his aching back as he struggles to get up. Supergirl looks up and sees Batman.
"How was training?" asked Supergirl.
"We need to talk," replied Batman.
Back at Kara's apartment, Supergirl immediately heads to the kitchen and pours herself a cup of ice tea. She even offers a cup to Batman, who refuses.
"So, how's James?" asked Supergirl.
Batman takes off his cowl and says, "He's got skill. He's got heart. He just needs more time to learn."
"Well, he's used to just backing up Superman with Lois Lane," said Supergirl. "But I really believe he can do this properly."
"He's just trying too hard," said Bruce. "Like you said, he's just playing Batman."
"But that's why I need you. To teach him that he doesn't need to be like you," said Supergirl. "He can be his own hero."
"He's learning, that's one thing," said Bruce.
"So, the D.E.O. is prepping to make a move on Cadmus. J'onn says we'll be moving in two hours," said Supergirl.
"Good," said Bruce.
"Hey, Bruce," called Supergirl. "We're a team now. You're not just gonna go there and handle everything on your own. You have to stick with us."
"Don't be so sure I will," said Bruce.
"Hey, I get you're suspicious of me because of the time I threw Cat Grant off her building and tried to kill the D.E.O.," said Supergirl. "I could just explain why I did, but I think it's easier to tell you that I am not that person. I wear this symbol on my chest to spark hope in the hearts of everyone, just like you do with that Bat smybol."
"It's to spread fear, not hope," said Bruce.
"From what I've read, you are kinda spreading hope," said Supergirl. "I mean Gotham is still a crime-infested rat hole, but crime rate has been decreasing a little bit every year since you showed up."
"I never wanted to be a symbol of hope," said Bruce. "I never cared about what the people think of me. I can still be a wanted man today and I would still be fighting for my city. It's not about what I am to the people. It's about protecting them from the people like the man who took my parents away from me. To prevent what happened to them from happening again."
"You know, you remind me of someone I know," said Supergirl. "Just like you, he's a vigilante who works at night. He doesn't really care about what the people think of him as long as he's getting the job done."
"I've been all over the country and I've never heard of a vigilante compared to me," said Batman.
"Trust me, it's hard to understand," said Supergirl. She feels that talking to Batman about multiple earths will make her sound crazy. "But over time, he learned that being a symbol of hope to the people is important because it makes you feel better about yourself. Seeing yourself as the hero of the story has its benefits, you know?"
"We can't all be like you and your cousin," said Bruce.
"You don't have to be. But at least consider lightening up a bit," said Supergirl.
"That I can't promise," said Bruce. "The Batman can spread fear if he keeps wearing a smile on his face."
"What does your butler say?" asked Supergirl.
Bruce didn't speak for dozens of seconds. He turns and faces Supergirl and says, "He wants me to inspire people."
"Almost two decades of fighting and you still don't listen to him?" questioned Supergirl.
"Kara, I can't even begin to lecture you about loss since what you went through is much worse than what I went through," said Bruce. "But who I am is more than just because of my parents. I've seen how ugly and violent the criminal underworld is. It's far worse than you can ever think of. I spent years studying the criminal mind, learning many ways to fight injustice, trying to become the man I am today. Being a symbol of hope was never an option for me."
"That doesn't mean you can't try to be," said Supergirl. "I get that you would rather be dark and brooding than smiling for the cameras all the time, but like I said, if you see yourself as a symbol of hope, then you can feel better about yourself. You don't always have to see yourself as the villain of the story. I know we haven't known each other for long, but to me, you're a hero."
"I've met plenty of people who say that," said Bruce.
"I'm sure it's because they believe in you," said Supergirl. "I always thought Batman was just a brute, but after seeing the man under the mask, I'm starting to see him for who he truly is."
"Well, we'll see," said Bruce.
"Hey, there's no time like the present. Besides, you're getting a little too old," said Supergirl, laughing a bit.
Bruce cracks a smile. "I don't plan on retiring anytime soon."
"You really need a woman in your life," commented Supergirl. "What about that Amazon Princess? After the Darkseid war, someone took a picture of her kissing you on the cheek."
"And I'm supposed to take love advice from a woman who is interested in a man who wears red leather?" replied Batman, crossing his arms.
Supergirl started blushing as her minds shifts to the person Batman was talking about.
"You don't know him like I do. He's a... really nice guy," said Supergirl. "If I could hang up my cape and be with him right now, I would, but there's way too many things on the list of reasons why he and I can't be together."
"He has a woman of his own?" guessed Batman.
"Actually, he's... still mourning," said Supergirl, hanging her head and speaking with sadness. "Even if his love is gone, if I go after him now, I feel like I'm just stealing him from her. They've known each other their whole lives and I only met him last year."
"Ever considering finding someone else?" asked Batman.
"Well, there's James, but..." Supergirl paused. "He and I are done."
"But you still have some feelings for him," guessed Batman.
"Maybe," said Supergirl. "But the Flash, he's... ever since he and I met, there's this feeling inside of me that's telling me that I found the one, but since I was into James at the time, I never found out until he and I broke up."
"Well, it's up to you," said Bruce. "I'll meet you at the D.E.O. at 8. Be sure to keep your mind focused by then."
Bruce puts his cowl back on and jumps out the window. Supergirl just rests her chin on her palm as she watched the Dark Knight glide through the starry night sky like an actual bat.
"Wonder if Winn can make me a black suit," wondered Supergirl, picturing herself in a black version of her suit, although not the one she used when she became crazy from Red Kryptonite.
Well, what do you think? Leave a review and let me know.
For the next chapter, it's time for Supergirl and Batman to take on Cadmus. But please wait. It might take a long time.