Disclaimer: Both characters and products of the Justice League Unlimited and Ben 10 franchises do not belong to me.
Author's Note: I have nothing against Harem stories but I don't really think I want to write this as one. Ben might have more than one love interest, but he'll stick to one. I am not going to leave Gwen to be alone, don't worry about that but I am also playing that by ear.
While researching, I learned about the "Bat Embargo" that happened around the time Justice League Unlimited was playing. Which was also around the time Christopher Nolan's Batman Begin started, as well as The Batman cartoon series. Seems like there was some weird background deal with Warner Bros and people were not allowed to use Batman's main villains in their shows or what not while Batman Begins and The Batman was playing. Weird right? It's apparently why Justice League Unlimited barely used any of Batman's main villains, aside from a short cameo by Joker in one episode. I am mentioning this because I think it's weird that a lot of Batman's prominent villains were missing from the show, so I'm going to be including them in the story.
Chapter 5: Vision of Hope
Batman pushed forward on the Batboat's steering wheel, submerging the submarine-boat hybrid into the murky depths of Gotham Bay. Litter and aquatic wildlife passed by quickly, fish and other water creatures avoiding the strange metal object traveling through their home. Batman's eyes stayed glued to the sonar screen, no noticeable blips appearing. He had set the scanners for anything inorganic, big, or moving at unnatural speeds. Turning his sights out the sliding windshields, he doubted he could physically see something his numerous scanners could not detect, but he was not one to rule out the possibility. He turned the steering wheel right, making an underwater U-turn when he reached the edge of Gotham Bay and started entering the Atlantic ocean. If the robots had moved that far out, he would never be able to track them anyways. Out of the corner of his eye, the Dark Knight thought he saw something move fast, unnaturally so. When nothing appeared on radar, or any of his other instruments, he steered towards the movement. His gut feeling told him not to ignore the slight movement he saw, and it was usually right about these things. Though when he thought about it, it led him to a lot of trouble along with being right.
"Let's hope Batgirl got to the commissioner." While Batman would never admit it, he felt some relief at Barbara being around, watching over Gotham when he could not. And being a lifeline right now, in case he got into more trouble than he could handle. As if to prove his point, he heard something scrape against the side of the Batboat, as if someone or something, was dragging its claws against the metal. Veering away to the left, he hoped to shake off whatever was tearing into his vehicle, but only got more insistent scraping as a result. This time, he could hear it from the back left and front right sides, things digging into his underwater craft and pulling the metal apart. Having had enough of things destroying his hard built vehicles, Batman hit a switch, sending ten thousand volts out along the surface of his submersible. He heard a screech, metallic by the sounds of it and non-organic. The scraping and groaning of metal stopped, letting him know he was free and gunned it, pulling back on a throttle and hitting the boosters to propel the Batboat forward. He almost cursed when the boat whined instead, an alert flashing across one of his screens and showing an error sign above a picture of the back rockets. Counting on the regular propellers instead, Batman pushed down on the accelerator with his right foot but glared up out the window when the boat shook. Something had grabbed the vehicle from behind.
When he made to push the electrical field button again, a metal tentacle pierced through the windshield, easily passing through the reinforced carbon-poly glass. Offering a silent apology to Alfred, he tallied another Bat vehicle for scrap before gripping the eject handle, yanking it back before the boat let off an alarm. A rebreather mask clamped over the Dark Knight's mouth, a helmet snapping over his head a second later before the windshield slid back, pulling the metal tentacle with it and trapping it to the boat. His seat fired rockets, sending Batman flying up through the water and into the air. When the sensors on the chair detected it was high enough in the air, the rockets shut off and a parachute released out of the back. Yanking the helmet off his head and rebreather off his mouth, the Caped Crusader glared down at Gotham Bay. There were those same orange robots all over his boat, their red eyes glowing menacingly in the dark waters. The giant one was attached to the back of the Batboat, four tentacles wrapped around the boosters and crushing them, while its clawed hands were dug into the main body. Smaller, compact versions of it were digging into different areas of the vehicle, tearing it apart and digging inside with extended out metal tentacles.
"That's not yours." Batman reached up to his utility belt and pressed a button on one of the many compartments adorning it. A series of little beeps sounded out before the Batboat exploded, a large plume of water exploding up into the air. The chute holding his chair up violently tugged his seat towards the docks, the Dark Knight letting out a small grunt. He let out a barely audible sigh when he calculated he would most definitely hit water before reaching land. Slipping the rebreather and helmet back over his head, he unstrapped himself and jumped, diving head first into the cold depths of Gotham Bay. He stayed under, swimming towards the docks and avoiding the large waves that would have formed on the surface.
The Caped Crusader grunted when something clamped around his leg, turning back to see one of the smaller red robots had survived and was trying to pull him back out into the Bay. Glaring at the little machine, Batman drew a batarang and used it like a knife, swiping at the red drone. He could not muster much strength underwater, the batarang barely pinging against the orange outer shell. Switching tactics in a matter of moments, Batman put the batarang away and drew three black capsules. He threw them the best he could, the little pellet-like things floating between the Dark Knight and the red eyed machine. Little flashes filled the water as the pellets popped, throwing Batman back away from the drone while tearing the metal tentacle apart. When the orange machine shot forward to grab at Batman with metal pincers, the Dark Knight kicked it hard in the head, propelling him through the water and right under the docks. Grabbing a hold of the wooden post, Batman climbed quickly, breaking the surface of the water and grabbing a hold of the edge of the docks.
He just managed to get his head over when something grabbed his cape and yanked, bringing him back down into the watery depths. In the back of his head, he could distantly hear someone saying something about 'no capes' but could not place where he heard that. Twisting his body, he ripped his cape in half, making a fist and bashing it into the little orange robot's face, or what he assumed was its face. One of the red glowing eyes shattered and the drone flew back. Batman swam back to the surface, reaching up and grabbing hold of the dock and hoisting himself out. He rolled away from the edge, throwing his helmet off and getting up onto his feet at the same time, taking a fighting stance and reaching back to grab one of his batarangs.
When nothing came up out of the water, Batman took a tiny step back when the wood under his feet creaked, prompting the Bat to perform a big back flip. He had narrowly avoided two extended out metal arms, which were quickly followed by a very large, orange robot crashing through the wooden docks and pulling itself out of the water. It was slightly singed from the Batboat's explosion, and somehow managed to seem like it was glaring at Batman.
"Interesting. You're smarter than you look." Batman threw his batarang as he jumped back, the sharp metal scraping against the robot's face as it started to float in the air, following the Dark Knight, "Or maybe it's whoever is pulling your strings. Tell me, why are you kidnapping criminals? What are you doing in Gotham?" Batman had absolutely no expectations that the robot, or whoever was controlling it, would respond. And he was right of course, instead of saying anything, the giant robot held its arms up, cannons popping up from its forearms and firing red lasers at him.
Batman threw smoke pellets down, obscuring the robot's view and dove backwards, hiding behind some crates. He was not too proud to admit he was probably in over his head right now, and reached down to his belt for the Justice League communicator. When he heard the slight whir of the robot's energy chambers charging up, he threw himself to the side, the crates and even most of the concrete he was just standing at missing, courtesy of a giant red laser beam that had cut through the air. He glared at the now half melted Justice League communicator, grumbling, "Typical. When I actually want to call for back up, I can't."
He looked up when three, smaller orange drones popped out of the water, hovering above the giant robot like bees protecting their queen. Batman stared at the four machines before letting out a quiet sigh, "Great." Taking one last look at the melted communicator, Batman considered his options. No way to call the League, no way to call Batgirl, and the noise from the fight probably went unnoticed, considering they were in a bad and avoided part of town, late at night to boot. Four robots and an overgrown bat had a staring contest. Sadly for Batman, that was not even in the top ten of strangest sentences he had said in his head.
...Maybe Alfred was right. He was working too hard. When the new League was brought up to speed, he probably could take some time off. Focus just on Gotham and take a break from the global scene.
He sincerely doubted the League could survive without him, but maybe a month or two away would not be so damning.
Maybe a week.
When cannons popped out of the little drones and took aim, Batman ended his little musings, throwing explosive batarangs at them and running for one of the warehouses. He jumped to the right when he heard the big robot's cannons fire, avoiding the blast that would have taken out his legs. Trying to take him alive, interesting. The Dark Knight reached for another gadget on his belt when he felt something he forgot about in one of the compartments. His eyebrows shot up before a smirk formed on his lips. That could work too.
/0/
Batgirl parked the Batmobile in a hidden alleyway a block away from Gotham PD headquarters. While Batman's relationship with the police had improved a lot since her father took over, Batman always said it was a good idea to take precautions. Firing her grappling hook, Barbara still felt a slight shot of adrenaline as she soared through the air. Though it was short lived, she could not help the grin on her face as she landed on the roof of GPD. Commissioner Gordon was already there, though the floodlights were off and he was alone, his hands in his coat pockets. Batgirl had sent the commissioner a signal from the Batmobile, something Batman and the commissioner had thought of before her time.
"I was expecting Batman."
"Sorry commissioner, Batman is chasing a lead in Gotham Bay. Somebody has been kidnapping criminals all over the city."
Gordon raised an eyebrow under his glasses, "Sounds like a good thing."
Barbara resisted the urge to giggle. Whenever she was around her father, she made a point to not talk a lot, or do anything that gave away that it was, well, her. She tried lowering her voice whenever she talked, and she knew for a fact that Bruce did too. If it worked for him, she hoped to god it worked for her too, "Batman disagrees. While it is good that criminals have been stopped, the why they are being taken away has Batman very concerned. Not to mention..." Barbara did not know if Batman wanted to reveal the whole 'robot kidnapper' thing to the commissioner. Not really seeing any harm to it, Batgirl continued, "We witnessed what exactly has been kidnapping the criminals. It may be hard to believe, but a giant orange robot with red eyes and claws has been moving in Gotham city's blind spots and shadows. Where they are taking them is still a mystery. Batman is working on that, and the why."
Gordon breathed out through his nose, running a hand through his salt and pepper hair. It seemed like to Barbara that her father's hair was looking more and more silver than brown these days. Sure he was getting up there in age, but she just knew it was at least half from the stress of the job. She could not remember how many times she had come home from being Batgirl to find her father snoring away at the kitchen table with paperwork strewn all around. She helped him finish, forging his signature easily as she read over some of the documents he had. Of course she left the most important ones alone but helped him take care of the unimportant but still pesky ones.
"That's never encouraging to hear Batgirl. It seems like ever since the Justice League was formed, stranger and stranger things have started happening around Gotham. Things the Gotham Police just cannot handle. I'm grateful for Batman and his friends, but sometimes I miss the simpler times. When Joker was the weirdest thing I had to deal with." Gordon actually froze, reaching up a second later to rub at his eyes under his glasses, "Did I really just say I miss the Joker? God, what has the world come to?"
Feeling the immense need to comfort her father, but not wanting to get too close, Barbara balled her hands into fists to resist the urge to hug the man, "Don't worry about it commissioner. It's only been a few weeks since the Thanagarian invasion. The whole world is reeling from the changing times. It's not just you sir."
Waving the female Bat off, Gordon fixed his glasses, "Bah, it's just my old age talking. Don't worry about me. I should be more worried about you, and the Batman. You're the ones who have to deal with all this...crap." Somehow, Batgirl knew the commissioner wanted to say a different word, but he grew up avoiding such language and rarely swore. Barbara smiled at that. Even during such difficult times, her father still held up his principles.
"Thank you for telling me this information Batgirl. I'll make sure my men thoroughly patrol the city. I'll tell them not to engage but give me reports on any sightings of this...orange robot."
Batgirl smirked at the commissioner's dubious voice, "Trust me sir, it will be very hard for them to miss. It's about twenty, maybe thirty feet tall with razor sharp claws and glowing red eyes."
Taken aback, Gordon fixed his tie as he cleared his throat, "Well. Guess I'll have GPD break out the swat gear for routine patrols. Good grief."
"Oh and...Batman wanted me to ask. Has anyone turned in any criminals the past week or two? Notice any increase in missing persons reports?"
Gordon rubbed his chin, "No on the first part. If criminals randomly started getting turned in, I would have told the Batman when we first met up. As for missing persons reports..." The commissioner was silent for a minute before he snapped his fingers, "I wouldn't say there was an increase, just something strange."
"Strange...how exactly?"
"Well, people coming in for missing person cases is not that strange. And I'm sorry to say, not that rare..." The sour look Gordon had was mirrored by Batgirl.
"But one stuck out to you?"
"Only because the one putting a missing report out was the mother of a notorious gangster."
Barbara blinked, "What?"
Gordon chuckled, "My point exactly. Frail old lady, tiny but with a lot of attitude. Stormed into GPD headquarters and demanded we release her son. The desk sergeant looked so lost by the time I came down. It took us a while to convince her that we do not kidnap people in the middle of the night, without a warrant, and that we certainly don't break down entire buildings to do so. I sent an officer over to her address. He described a lot of damage to the gangster's mansion, but we just assumed it was another gang war."
"Judging by how you're mentioning this now, you suspect different?" Batgirl tilted her head.
"Well.. We thought the gangster's mom was crazy. Waving her cane around, screaming about how a giant, orange robot had kidnapped her 'twoonie bear'. Yes, she said 'twoonie'. Even spelled it out for us on the missing persons report."
Ignoring the amusing bit of information, Batgirl waved her hand, "Did you follow up?"
Gordon looked a little embarrassed, "No. We thought it was crazy. And even if it was true, nothing we could do about it. I was going to tell Batman but it slipped my mind. Never thought it would be connected to Gotham's Strangest Night."
"Gotham's Strangest Night?" Batgirl looked puzzled.
"Ah...it's what me and the boys have been calling tonight. We've never had so many of us just sitting around headquarters with nothing much to do. Some of the patrolmen have even been trying to help some of the detectives with their active cases. Had to break up more than a few arguments."
"I feel like I could name more than a few other nights where things have been stranger."
Gordon chuckled, "Batgirl, what we consider strange is so far off the books, I'm terrified that we'll all find ourselves in Arkham one of these days."
Conceding the point, Batgirl moved on, "Is there anything else that sticks out to you this week? Any strange sightings, unexplained events, whatever that might be out of the ordinary?"
Gordon hummed, his eyes squinting whenever he was trying to dig up things he had forgotten, "Just some power outages. Complaints all over town. Uptown, downtown, even the slums. Power company couldn't explain it."
Taking that bit of information, Batgirl nodded, already planning on taking a trip to Gotham's main power plant, "Thank you commissioner, I'll make sure Batman gets this information."
"No problem. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more use. If you need anything else..."
"We'll know where to find you." Batgirl gave Gordon another smile before turning towards the edge of the building. She had just pulled her grappling gun out when Gordon spoke up from behind her.
"What is that?"
Looking over her shoulder, Batgirl turned her head to the horizon, following Gordon's finger. Her eyes widened when she saw something swish past their heads above. A familiar blue and red streak that citizens from Metropolis, or constant visitors would recognize from anywhere.
"That means Batman is in trouble. Send some units to the docks commissioner. I doubt we'll need the support now, but you never know. Make sure they are armed and armored heavily." Batgirl did not wait for a response, diving off the building and firing the grappling hook, riding the cable down the rest of the way to the Batmobile. She closed the hatch as soon as she landed on the driver's seat, starting it up and firing off the boosters, "If you called Superman, I'm guessing you found something Bruce... Or something found you."
The Batmobile made a screeching sound before shooting off down the street.
/0/
Batman dodged left and right, putting every bit of his training to use as red laser fire filled the warehouse, making scorch marks all over the walls and floors. He felt a bolt of plasma burn his left bat ear, ducking his head just in time to avoid getting shot in the head. The drones had increased their aggression after he led them around for a little while, the puppeteer clearly getting impatient behind the controls.
Maybe it thought he was more durable, or it just simply did not care anymore. The Dark Knight performed a series of flips, throwing another batarang at a smaller drone and causing it to shake and smoke when electricity surged through it. It however, did not stay down, only getting more aggressive as two more cannons popped out of its sides and started blasting.
"Where are you..." Batman muttered under his breath, taking cover behind a large metal container.
Just as the large robot pointed its arms at the Bat, something came crashing through the ceiling and smashed into it, throwing the orange machine across the warehouse and through the wall.
"You used the watch." Batman glared at Superman, who was floating in midair with his arms crossed, a very big smile on his face, "I didn't even know you still had that."
"Wipe that smile off your face."
"What smile?"
"The one your mouth is forming at this very moment."
"Oh, that smile. Sorry, I can't seem to control it."
Letting out a small growl, Batman gave the Man of Steel one of his famous Batglares, "As soon as this is over, I'm going to throw your watch into the bay and let it sink."
"But then how would you call me when you need me?"
Batman was about to tell Superman the new thing he was going to do with the watch, when a large beam of red laser slammed into the Kryptonian, sending him crashing into the ground in a ball of fire. The large orange robot was standing up from where it landed, brushing off debris and standing back up onto four mechanical legs that had popped out of its lower torso.
"Superman?" Batman kept his eyes on the machine, his hands moving up to draw three explosive batarangs.
"I'm fine. Just took me by surprise..." Superman dusted himself off before glaring at the orange robot, flying forward with his fists out, slamming against the orange metal. When the robot only slid back, courtesy of its four legs digging into the ground, Superman resorted to just waling on its body, "This thing is tough! I'm not sure I recognize the metal, but it's sturdier than it looks!"
"Too tough for you?" Batman threw his batarangs, causing one of the smaller drones to veer off course and smash into the two other ones.
"Well I didn't say that." Superman slammed one of his fists into the large robot, a definite crack forming on its chassis and exposing some wiring and circuits below. Sensing the damage it took, the robot seemed to reconsider the situation. Reaching up with one clawed hand, it grabbed a hold of Superman, electricity shooting out of its arm and into Superman.
The Man of Steel screamed as an enormous volt of lightning coursed through his body. The robot then threw the Kryptonian far away before turning and smashing through the warehouse wall. Its arms and legs retracted back into its body, making it more compact and faster when flying. It shot off into the sky before nose diving into Gotham Bay. The smaller drones floated up into the air, similarly retracting their head and cannons before smashing through the ceiling. When the final, damaged smaller drone made to do the same, Batman shot his grappling hook out, wrapping it around the machine and pressing a small button on the side. A surge of electricity moved up the cable before shocking the drone, the continuous flow of electricity fried it, making the machine smash down into the ground with a beep.
Satisfied with his work, Batman threw the grappling hook to the ground, running over to Superman. The Man of Steel was groggily standing up, holding a hand out to Batman, "I'm alright. Was just a lot of power to be hit with. Did it get away?"
Batman wrapped himself in his cape fully, looking at the hole the robot escaped through, "Yes. But I managed to capture one of the smaller ones. Hopefully..." Batman turned to look at the downed drone that was still sparking and sizzling, "It'll be enough."
/0/
Ben pushed one of the brand new t-shirts he had bought into the suitcase he borrowed from Mister Kent. He was pushing down on the messy pile of clothes he had just stuffed in there with no regard, grunting as he used the full weight of his body to pile drive the clothes inside, "Come on you...stupid..."
"Ben..." Said Ben looked up from what he was doing and into the disapproving eyes of his beloved cousin.
"What?"
"You're going to ruin the suitcase Mister Kent is letting you borrow."
"No I'm not, and how else am I supposed to get all my clothes in here?"
"By folding them up and neatly organizing them inside, you doofus." Gwen heaved a big sigh, walking over to him and raising an eyebrow, silently commanding him to move. He obeyed with a sheepish smile, getting up off the bed. Gwen took one of Ben's now wrinkly shirts out of the suitcase, folding it as she glared at her cousin.
Ben laughed, scratching the back of his head, "Oops?"
Gwen sighed again, "Sometimes, I wonder if you ever grew up from that messy ten year old boy I used to know."
"Hey! I grew up plenty! Just because I don't know how to properly pack my suitcase, doesn't make me a child." Ben over dramatically pouted, even going as far as to cross his arms and look away.
Rolling her eyes at his antics, Gwen took out another shirt to fold, "If I keep going and reach your underwear, I'm never going to forgive you Ben."
Laughing loudly, Ben took the shirt from her, folding it just the way Gwen had shown him, "Okay, okay. I'm doing it, see?"
"And why couldn't you do that in the first place?"
"Then how would I annoy you?"
"Look at you two getting along so well." Kara had her arms crossed, leaning back against the door to Clark's old room, "You about ready to go? Pa says he'll give us a ride to the train station. We should get going soon if we want to catch our train."
"Almost done Kara!" Ben folded the last of his clothes, placing it in the suitcase and zipping it up.
"You really did have most of it folded." Gwen quirked an eyebrow at Ben, seeing how, besides the four or five shirts on atop, everything else was neatly organized inside, "When did you stop being so messy?"
Ben smirked at the redhead, standing up proudly and even puffing his chest out, "What can I say Gwen? I'm a man of many surprises."
"Is that so?"
"I know so!"
Gwen turned to look at Kara before rolling her eyes at the Argoan, "Boys."
Kara nodded right back, "Boys."
"Hey!"
"Kara, Ben, Gwen!" The three teens looked towards the stairs, Pa Kent's voice drifting up from downstairs, "If you want to make that train, you better hustle and bustle!"
"Coming!" All three heroes called back, running to get their suitcases and packs.
When the three met back at the stairs, rushing down and out the door to Pa Kent's truck, Gwen looked at Kara, "Are you sure Barbara won't mind us staying with her in Gotham?"
Kara shrugged, "She said she won't mind. Her room is surprisingly big and it'll be fun having a slumber party with us girls. Ben can sleep on the couch." Kara spoke a little louder, making sure Ben could hear as she spoke over her shoulder, "Maybe if he's lucky, we'll even let him paint our toenails!"
"Not funny!"
Gwen and Kara shared a giggle, putting their suitcases and other packs into the back of Pa Kent's truck. Ben placed his own luggage inside, before climbing onto the back and taking a seat, "Are you sure you'll be alright Mister Kent? In our world, people aren't usually allowed to ride in the backs of a pickup. Safety reasons and all."
"Oh don't worry Ben. The drive won't take that long, and it's a small town. No one will mind!" Pa Kent looked back at Ben from the driver's seat, Gwen and Kara getting into the front with the old farmer, "Here we go kids. Ben, you better hang on tight back there!"
Ben gave the top of the truck three pats, giving Pa Kent the go ahead. The truck started with a sputter before the engine roared to life, jerking forward. Ben wobbled in his seat but managed to get a good grip, leaning down to rap his knuckles against the small back window. Kara turned to open it, "You know Mister Kent, I can give your truck an upgrade when we get back from Gotham."
Pa Kent chuckled, "Oh Ben, you don't have to do that. Ol' Bess has been through a lot with the Kent family, but she hasn't got much left in her. I don't think they even make parts for her anymore!"
Ben grinned at Gwen, "Oh trust me sir, I can definitely make her good as new! Maybe even better!"
"Well, if you're offering Ben, I sure won't refuse!"
"Sweet!"
Kara gave Gwen a questioning look, the redhead shrugging her shoulders, "It'll be a fun surprise."
"Tease."
"You know it." Both girls laughed, shoving their shoulders against one another, Kara obviously holding all of her power back.
Fifteen minutes of two teenage girls gossiping, and one teen boy enjoying the wind through his hair suspiciously similar to a dog sticking its head out the window, they arrived at the surprisingly modern train station. It stuck out in the quaint little town, surprising both Tennysons.
Kara smiled at the two, "Yeah, there was a lot of complaints and resistance when the town first learned about the bullet train station. Especially the elders. But modernization won out. It wasn't by a lot, but more people do come to Smallville now, even if it is just for a rest stop."
"Oh it's not so bad. Thanks to this bullet train, Martha and I can go visit Clark in Metropolis more often! Not that we do." Pa Kent was unloading the suitcases from the back, handing them to each of the teens.
"It definitely made it easier for people to leave Smallville. This system is connected to a lot o major cities all along the eastern coast. New York, Gotham, Metropolis, Washington DC, Jump City, and many, many more." Kara listed off each city she could think of, easily picking up the two large suitcases she was taking along, with a backpack slung over her shoulders.
Gwen tapped her chin, "I don't think our world had a system like that. People rarely took trains, even bullet trains, to a lot of places. They usually drove, or flew. The only real trains we have seen were cargo trains."
"Well, guess who funded the interstate train system?" Gwen gave the blonde a questioning look before the Argoan pointed at a sign.
Ben looked the sign over before his eyebrows shot up, "Wayne Industries?" He gave Gwen a look, the half-Anodite looking back at him with a nod. Batman.
"Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy hunk. Also a real charity guy. Apparently, Wayne's father made a railway system throughout Gotham to provide safe and affordable transportation to those in need. Wayne took that idea and expanded it tenfold. I can't even imagine how much money that took Wayne, but now a lot of major cities have very affordable ways to travel between them." Kara was busy making her way towards the ticket station and missed the proud look the two cousins shared. Proud of a certain Bat that they knew as Bruce Wayne.
"Sounds like a stand up guy." Gwen took one of Kara's bags while the Argoan dealt with their tickets and such.
"Yeah. It's weird though. He does great things like donate to charities, help hospitals, fund important research and make affordable public transportation, but then people say he's just a shallow rich kid who buys hotels and sports teams on a whim." Kara missed the look Ben and Gwen shared again, before she turned around and handed the two their own tickets, "I mean, granted it is mostly tabloids and such, but I know for a fact that Wayne owns a lot of businesses and restaurants around Gotham. Some that he bought on a whim."
Ben shrugged, "Guy has a lot of money. We can't expect him to just focus on charities and good deeds, can we? He's only human."
Kara hummed, making her way towards the correct train terminal, "Maybe. I don't know. I kind of feel like he's putting up a front, you know? I mean, randomly buying a middle eastern themed restaurant but letting the owners keep full autonomy while he just foots the bill for resources and renovations? Tabloids had a field day with that one, saying how the owner was blackmailing Wayne, or that he was having an affair with the owner's wife. Really."
Ben remembered that restaurant, the one where they had hid with Bruce and Diana when the Thanagarians were chasing them, "Yeah...weird."
"There's our train!" Kara pointed at one of three different bullet trains before turning to give Pa Kent a big hug, "Thanks for the ride, Pa!"
The elder man kissed the top of the blonde's head, "Any time hon. You keep safe in Gotham, okay? I hear the city's crime rate has gone up since the invasion. Taking advantage of the chaos and all."
Ben frowned, looking at Gwen who nodded her head. If Batman needed help in his city, then these two Tennysons would be there.
"I would be more worried about any criminal that runs into us Pa."
Amusement twinkled in the man's eyes, "Atta girl." He gave Kara another hug before turning to hug Gwen. The girl blinked in surprise but gladly accepted, burying her face into the man's chest and squeezing his waist back. It felt, familiar. Almost like Grandpa Max's hugs and Gwen could not help melting into it.
The hug felt like it ended too soon, but Gwen stepped back as Pa Kent turned to Ben, who already had his arms stretched out to the sides. Sharing a laugh, the elder Kent hugged the young man, patting him on the back, "Make sure to have fun Ben. And take care of your cousin."
"I will Grandpa." Everyone froze, Ben especially before his senses came back to him, "I mean...I. Sorry. With the hug and the things you said, you just reminded me so much of my Grandpa Max, not that you're older Mister Kent. Grandpa Max was actually really fit, and really active. Moved like he was in his thirties some times!"
Blinking down at how Ben was babbling, Pa Kent placed his hand on top of the young hero's head, "Whoa there son, it's alright. I didn't take any offense! Sounds like your grandfather is an amazing man, I'm honored that I reminded you of him."
"He...was. He was a great man. No..." Ben's eyes were resolute, looking up at Pa Kent with eyes that were so beyond his years, "He was a good man."
Kara looked between Pa Kent and Ben, then at Gwen who was staring at her cousin with such care and worry, as if she was not sure if Ben would break right there.
Pa Kent just smiled, ruffling Ben's hair and unknowingly reminding the male Tennyson of his grandpa again, "And I'm sure he would be so proud to see you as you are today."
Ben managed a light smile, "I sure hope so."
Gwen stepped up towards Ben, taking his arm and pulling him away from Pa Kent. It was not an unkind tug, just one of worry which Ben appreciated with a grin. He silently mouthed that he was fine, Gwen squeezing his hand before turning to Pa Kent, "Thank you, Mister Kent. For the ride, for everything. We'll bring back some souvenirs for both you and Missus Kent."
Pa Kent chuckled, "Oh, you three just have fun. Don't worry about us. I'll come pick you all up when you get back. Be sure to give us a call Kara, honey." Kara nodded back at her Pa, waving her hand when he turned and left.
The Argoan looked back at the Tennysons, both cousins still leaning against one another, Gwen's left hand grasping Ben's right. They looked off, and Kara quickly realized why. It looked like they were alone, apart from the rest of the world and inside a bubble of their own. Before she realized what she was doing, Kara had quickly stepped forward, grabbing both cousins by their free hands and grinning.
Ben grinned back while Gwen raised both her eyebrows, but had a ghost of a smile forming on her lips, "C'mon you two! Gotham awaits!"
/0/
It was afternoon by the time the bullet train pulled into Gotham city, the station there being far more busy than Smallville. While Smallville's train terminal was nearly empty, Gotham was flooded with people leaving and entering the station. There were people in business suits and casual clothes in equal measure, hustling and bustling in and out of trains. Ben had no idea where so many people were coming from outside the city, but seeing a small glimpse of big city life made Ben grin.
"Watch your pockets, and your luggage. In a crowd like this, it's easy for pickpockets to take anything and everything not tied down to you. Some are even good enough to take that too." Kara smiled at her friends, despite the warning she was giving.
"Speaking from experience?" Gwen raised an eyebrow at the Argoan, who had put on her disguise in the train bathroom, once more adorning her brunette hair and glasses.
"Too much. Wait till you go to the bad part of town. Someone tries to pickpocket you, or mug you every third block. Especially if you're a girl. Add in some sexual assault and groping." Kara shuddered, "It's why I avoid the surface streets and public transportation around the city. If Babs and I have to use something, we usually stick to cabs. Or her dad gives us a ride."
"Didn't you say he was the commissioner? You have the police commissioner drive you around the city?" Ben pulled his suitcase close, switching his backpack around so it was on his chest instead of his back. Gwen muttered a small spell onto her purse, backpack and suitcase, making sure no one could get access without her permission.
Kara shrugged, "He's cool like that. You didn't hear it from me, but apparently Barbara hasn't really spoken with or hung out with her...civilian friends much since she became Batgirl. Mister Gordon was just thrilled to see Babs hanging out with a girl her age."
"Do superheroes usually not hang out with...non-superheroes here?" Gwen looked at Kara curiously. The blonde shrugged again.
"Eh, it's not some discrimination thing. Superheroes do not hate civilians, it's just hard to really get to know someone when you are keeping so many secrets. Not everyone can deal with that. Plus, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, a lot of heroes have... Um, eccentric personalities. Personalities that don't mix well with civilians. But other heroes? A bit more understanding and accepting. In Barbara's case, she goes to Gotham Academy. A lot of well-to-do kids are there, shallow and supercilious. With all the things she deals with as Batgirl, it's probably hard for her to take any of the kids at her school seriously."
"Huh, we actually get that." Ben looked over at Gwen, "I mean, when we weren't fighting or going hero, Gwen and I had a pretty normal time going to school. I played soccer, found a good group of friends and Gwen had her karate and study groups. Then when I put the Omnitrix on again and Gwen started using her magic and mana to back me up, we just..."
Gwen finished for Ben, "Kind of drifted further and further away from our friends at school. I found myself hanging out more with Ben and..." Her thoughts stumbled but she felt a little pride when the hurt did not choke her up this time, "Kevin. A friend of ours." She clarified for Kara, "I mean, we still went to school, still talked with our friends but it felt...shallow. Not in the way our friends acted, but the things they worried about or talked about. When you were fighting to save the world, you tended to care less about who was popular in school or who was dating who anymore. I could always talk to Kevin or Ben more freely and comfortably than the guys in my karate class or the girls in my study groups. I guess, without really noticing, I drifted from them."
When Gwen looked at Ben to confirm her story, he shrugged, "I quit soccer. Most of my free time was spent doing hero work. Soccer took up too much of my time. The team was bummed, but we kept in touch for a while. But things changed, I had more important things to think about and do, and they had soccer tryouts and tournaments to win. We didn't stop being friends but we all just, stopped hanging out as much. The only one I actively hung out with was...Julie."
Kara looked at Gwen, who gave her a small, tight smile, "Julie was Ben's girlfriend." The blonde ignored the very slight twinge of jealousy which was immediately squashed by concern when Ben looked sick to his stomach.
"Was?"
When neither of the cousins answered her, or looked like they would any time soon, Kara moved the conversation forward, "Uh, so, well that's nice. You kept a civilian relationship through your hero work."
Ben shook his head, color coming back to his face a little, "No. Fortunately or unfortunately, Julie got...pulled into my world. She found out my identity, became kind of a hero herself. Participated in a galaxy saving battle and helped me do hero work a lot of times after."
Kara's eyes softened, "That's another thing heroes fear. Normal people being dragged into their world, through tragedy or otherwise."
The Tennysons gave her a light smile which Kara returned. She wanted to comfort them both, not quite knowing the reason behind their sorrow but feeling the need to support them anyways. A honk interrupted the Argoan's thoughts, however, an excited voice calling out to them from the main street outside the train station, "Kara!"
The three teens from Smallville looked over, seeing a pretty redhead with shining blue eyes waving at them as she leaned over a beige 1950 Studebaker car. A man wearing an overcoat and glasses was in the driver's seat, looking at them through the window with a slight smile.
"Babs!" Kara hauled her suitcases, making her way to her best friend. Said friend flipped over the roof of the car, landing on her feet on the other side without breaking a sweat, a testament to her gymnastics training, and allowed herself to be scooped up into a hug. Both girls laughed, hugging each other tight before separating, "It's so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too Kara! It's barely been a week you know. You're acting like you haven't seen me in years!" Both giggled before the blonde pulled the redhead towards her new friends.
"These are the two I told you about! Ben, Gwen, I'd like you to officially meet, Barbara Gordon! Babs, this is Ben and Gwen Tennyson!"
"Hey."
"Hi there." Both cousins spoke at the same time, Gwen holding her hand out with a smile to her fellow redhead, "Kara has told me so much about you, I can't tell you how great it is to meet you in person."
Barbara grinned, grabbing Gwen's hand and yanking the half-Anodite into a tight hug, "Gwen! Kara told me a lot about you too, it almost feels like I already know you! I hope we can get along." Surprised, but not unhappy about the sudden hug, Gwen laughed, hugging the energetic girl back.
"Definitely, if you're half as great as Kara has told us, I'm sure we'll become fast friends."
Barbara pulled back, reaching up to run a hand through a few strands of Gwen's hair, "I love your hair Gwen! It's so vibrant and red, more than mine!"
Gwen chuckled, "Hey, I like your hair too. It feels silky, and the dark red gives you a more mature look."
Barbara struck a pose, her right hand moving through her hair, her left hand on her hip, "I'm beautiful. It's a curse."
Kara slapped Barbara's arm, "Stop that. Ben's here too you know."
Barbara turned to the final member of the group, her appraising eyes going up and down his form. He just stood there with one eyebrow raised, one hand holding a suitcase, the other resting by his side. He looked silly with a big gray backpack covering his chest, but it did not take away from his charm. Barbara found herself being drawn back to his eyes, almost glowing like emeralds but it was not the color that drew her. It was what lied underneath. She saw the mischief, a joker that had sass but when she looked, really looked, she saw pain. She saw the haunted trauma that bubbled just under the surface, something that drove every action he took and would not give him a moment's peace. She saw the fire, the resolve that made him want to save everyone and everything, to make a better world or die trying. She saw the tragedy waiting to happen. It was not often that she saw Batman without his cowl but when there were those rare moments when she did?
She saw the same exact eyes. Eyes that mesmerized her, that drew her in but also frightened her. Made her hesitate. It made her question herself. About being Batgirl, about fighting crime like the Batman, and about the future she wanted. Or did not want.
"Babs?" Kara's slightly concerned voice drew her out of her thoughts. Switching to a breezy smile, Barbara held her hand out to Ben.
"You're cuter than Kara said you were. It's a pleasure to meet you."
She saw the mischief come full force in those emerald eyes, "Cuter, huh? Does that mean Kara has been gushing about more than my irresistible charm?" He struck a pose, similar in humor to what she had done only moments before, his arms pumping up in a mock muscle man pose.
Kara's cheeks turned slightly red, while Gwen rolled her eyes. Barbara, however, smirked, "Oh she gushes alright. It's all 'Ben is so amazing' this, 'Ben is so cool' that. Ben Ben Ben Ben Ben. All she talks about is Ben."
"Barbara!"
"What? It's true."
"Is not!"
Ben laughed loud, shaking his head as he held his hand out to Barbara this time, "I think we'll get along just fine Barbara."
"You can both call me Babs too if you want. Barbara is such a mouthful." Said Babs grinned, taking Ben's hand and shaking it. Not one to be outdone by another person, Ben smirked, pulling Barbara's hand up to his lips and placing a quick kiss onto her knuckles.
Kara's mouth literally fell open while Gwen rolled her eyes, again. Ben laughed, releasing Barbara's hand as her neck and face turned crimson. Despite how red she was turning, she managed another grin, "Alright Tennyson. You won me over."
Ben mock bowed, turning left and right as if he were addressing a whole stadium of applause, "Thank you, thank you. I'm Ben Tennyson, and this is now my favorite spot in Gotham City!"
"Doofus." Gwen took her suitcase over to the car, the man in the driver's seat having gotten out while they were talking and was now leaning against the passenger side door.
"Dweeb." Ben followed both Kara and Barbara who were whispering to each other as they approached the car.
"Kara, so good to see you again." The man smiled at the blonde, and chuckled when she wrapped him in a big hug, kissing his cheek.
"It's great to see you too Mister Gordon!"
Gwen pulled her suitcase with one hand, holding the other out to the commissioner, "Hello sir, I'm Gwen Tennyson. Thank you so very much for allowing us to stay at your home while we are in Gotham."
The bespectacled man nodded, shaking Gwen's hand briefly, "Any friend of Kara, is a friend of ours. And from what little I've heard about you, you have quite a head on your shoulders. I hope you and Barbara become good friends. If you're ever around Gotham, don't be afraid to give me a call if something happens."
Ben had come up next to Gwen, putting his backpack down on the ground and fixing his signature green jacket before holding his hand out to Gordon, "I wanted to thank you as well sir. Gwen and I have never been to Gotham, or anywhere for that matter." At the raised eyebrow Gordon gave him as he shook his hand, the Wielder of the Omnitrix grinned, "We had a...sheltered life. We're practically brand new to this world."
When Gwen coughed and gave Ben a look, the Tennyson boy just wiggled his eyebrows back.
Choosing not to comment, but filing away the information, the commissioner squeezed Ben's hand hard, "Well son, I hope you get along with my Barbara as well. Though, I hope, not too closely." Ben felt himself sweat at the look Gordon was giving him. The man had clearly seen what Ben had done to his daughter's hand and was currently squeezing the blood circulation out of the poor boy's fingers.
"O-Of course sir. I have nothing but respect for Babs- I mean Barbara. Uh, Miss Gordon!" Ben shook his fingers rapidly when the commissioner finally released his hand, trying to get his circulation back.
"Good man."
"We ready to go?" Barbara was helping Kara stuff Ben's suitcase into the trunk of their car, yanking the door closed before making her way to the passenger side door.
She showed no sign of having seen or heard Ben and Gordon's conversation, taking a glance at the watch on her wrist, "We made reservations at this neat little restaurant I found. They make fresh guacamole right in front of you."
"Sounds great!" When the commissioner moved off the passenger side door and back around to the driver's seat, Ben opened Barbara's door for her. She stared at Ben for a few seconds before muttering a thank you and getting in. He shut it for her as Gwen and Kara climbed in the back. Ben slipped in next to Kara, "So anything interesting happen in Gotham these days?"
Gordon started the car, putting it in drive before pulling into traffic, "That's an understatement."
The three teens in the back shared a look before Kara met eyes with Barbara in the rear view mirror. Barbara subtly shook her head, mouthing 'later' before eyeing her father right next to her.
"But it's nothing you kids need to worry about."
The three saw Barbara roll her eyes before giving them all a wink.
"So Ben, Gwen. I hear you're from pretty far away." The commissioner kept his eyes on the road, taking a left turn onto the highway.
"Yes sir, we're..." Ben glanced at Gwen and Kara before continuing, "From really, really far away. Almost feels like we're from a different world."
Kara bit back a laugh, Gwen just smiling as Barbara looked at them intensely through the rear view mirror. Gordon did not notice any of this, keeping his eyes on the road as he took an exit to uptown, "Well, if you're anything like Kara who lives in Smallville, a big city like this must seem extraordinary."
Ben shrugged, "I guess so. Where we're from, places like this practically don't exit."
That got Kara to laugh, Gwen giggling behind her hand as Ben looked way too smug for his own good.
"What's so funny?" Barbara had turned in her seat, quirking a delicate eyebrow at the three friends in front of her.
"Barbara, please sit properly." At Gordon's command, Barbara sat back down, a pout on her face, "Thank you darling."
"I hate being out of the loop..."
"Aw, Babs. I promise I'll fill you in during the slumber party!"
"That'll be too late Kara."
"Come on Barbara! I told you three days ago I would tell you in person properly!"
"You're here, you're talking. Yet I'm still out of the loop!"
Gwen shook her head with a smile, "Go easy on her Barbara. She's just covering for me and Ben."
"Well...I guess if you say so Gwen, I can let her off the hook."
"Wow Babs. Soon as you meet another redhead, our solidarity is gone? Just like that?"
"Just like that. Down with all blondes!"
Ben snickered, "Redhead Alliance. Now that's a scary thought."
"Ben, we have to form our own alliance!" Kara turned to look at him, her eyes full of fire and completely serious, "We'll be the dynamic duo!"
"Hey! That's reserved for Batman and Robin you know. And in this city? You must be tripping Kara." Barbara made loops with her index finger, pointing it at her head.
"Hey! Robin is gone, and Batman is alone. No more dynamic duo, which means the positions are open!"
"As if! If anything, Batgirl and Batman are now the new dynamic duo."
"Oh, you'd like that, huh."
By how quiet Barbara had become, Ben and Gwen guessed Kara had hit the bullseye.
Gordon chuckled, pulling into the parking lot of a restaurant called Guacholy, "I've got side with my daughter on this one. Not because I have a bias, but because Batgirl and Batman are working as a duo. Unless Batman is away with the Justice League, you can always see those two working side by side to protect Gotham. I always wondered what happened to Robin, but from what I heard from Chief Halcon in Jump City, he's doing fantastic work with his new team."
"The Titans?" Gwen supplied, making Gordon nod his head.
"Well, whatever. If he's happy strutting around with a group of kids, that's his business." Everyone could hear the frosty tone Barbara used when talking about the Boy Wonder.
Gordon turned around in his seat, stage whispering to the three teens in the back, "Barbara was pretty upset when Robin left. I think she had a little crush on the short kid."
Kara laughed very nervously, eyeing Barbara who had her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Kara knew very well why Barbara was upset. Her and Dick Grayson had argued. A lot, and very loudly when he told Barbara he was leaving. When he asked her to come with him and she refused, things only got worse. Accusations were made, bottled up feelings spilled out and Barbara was left in tears as Robin left that night. Kara had flown to Gotham, finding her friend a mess of emotions and confusion. Barbara clearly had feelings for the Boy Wonder, but also had some bizarre attraction to Batman. Robin obviously noticed. When push came to shove, Barbara had made her choice, at least to Robin. It was not that simple to Batgirl however.
Batman was their mentor, Gotham was her home. She could not just uproot her life and move to a whole new city like Robin could. She had school, she had friends, she had a widowed father who needed her. They were both sixteen. It was no different from Robin asking her to elope at a young age. He could not understand that, and jumped to conclusions. Said things that hurt so deeply, Kara was afraid she'd do something terrible. Enough so that the Argoan flew straight for Gotham as soon as Barbara had called in tears and hysteria.
Kara never knew she wanted to hurt someone as bad as the stupid, edgy, bad haired midget who lived up to his name. Dick.
The redheaded Bat had calmed down after a few days, but was listless and without her usual spark for weeks. Even Batman asked. Asked Barbara to take a break instead of reprimanding her. He was so gentle and sensitive about it, Barbara just nodded without a word and went to spend a week in Smallville with Kara. It was summer vacation after all.
"I say good riddance." Barbara threw the door open, getting out and slamming the door shut.
Gordon sighed, "I love my daughter, but heavens have mercy on whoever dates her. And Superman save whoever breaks up with her."
The four shared a quiet laugh in the car until Barbara knocked on the window, "Guac's turning brown! Move it or lose it people!"
Gordon gave the three in the back a smile before getting out, "Coming dear."
At the questioning look Ben and Gwen gave Kara, the blonde shook her head, "Tell you later."
/0/
Batman, and his most trusted butler, Alfred, stared down at the orange machine resting atop their research station.
Bruce was wearing his business suit, having stopped by the Batcave during his lunch break to find Alfred wrestling with the, what should have been, disabled drone.
"It suddenly turned on, sir. Though it could barely get into the air, or even move its limbs. I quickly covered it with a sheet so it could not see, and was attempting to chain it down when you came in."
"You did exactly as you should have Alfred. I'm glad I asked you to keep an eye out."
"Well this soldier still has some fight left in him, sir."
Bruce let a rare, real smile adorn his lips, "No one can compete with you Alfred."
"Thank you sir."
Bruce's expression turned back into a glare, regarding the now covered and chained down drone with caution and interest.
"Did we manage to learn anything before it turned on?"
"Yes sir. We could not perform a thorough examination, but the technology and metal are both clearly alien in nature."
"Any that we know?"
At the silent questions being asked in that one sentence, Alfred shook his head, relieving some of the anxiety Bruce was feeling, "No sir. It does not match any known alien technology you have encountered before. Martian, Thanagarian, Lantern, Apokoliptic. It is something completely new."
Although he was relieved that it was not something horrible coming back to haunt them, Bruce let out a sigh, "So it's a completely new threat. Great." Bruce drew out the 'ea' sound, his sarcasm dripping thick. Everyone talked about the great wit and sass that Bruce employed, but no one knew that he inherited that from the man he considered to be his father. Alfred.
"Will you inform the League?"
Bruce contemplated this, his lips tightening as he looked down at the covered drone. Clark basically already knew. Martian and Lantern might be able to offer their expertise. Keeping it from Diana and Barry held no merit. Maybe Shayera knew something.
Shaking his head at the last sentence, Bruce turned towards the Batcave's supercomputer, "I'll send the League a message. Maybe Lantern or J'onn have seen this technology before."
Alfred nodded, "Jolly good sir." The butler paused before clapping his hands once, "Ah, of course. Master Bruce, while you were out, I received a call from Young Master Ben."
Bruce stopped typing, looking at Alfred with raised eyebrows, "Did something happen?"
"No sir, Young Master Ben merely wished to tell you that he would be in Gotham for a few nights. He said he would be very happy if you would, 'meet up' with him. Outside of your alter ego."
Bruce snorted, "I'll call him back. Where is he staying? Gotham Plaza?"
Alfred shook his head, "No sir. He stated how he, along with Young Miss Gwen and Young Miss Kara are staying with Young Miss Barbara Gordon."
Bruce froze, lifting a hand up to rub his forehead, "Of course they are. Of course Supergirl is here with them, and staying with Batgirl. Why did I expect anything else." He sighed, continuing his typing, "Well, this will be a good opportunity for me to give Ben and Gwen their papers and identifications. They'll need them if they want to start their lives here."
"If I may sir..."
"Yes, Alfred?"
"Young Master Ben...are you planning to make him your new protege?"
Bruce's typing paused again. It was only for a second before the typing continued, "No."
"I apologize sir. It just seemed that with your close relation with the boy, and the similar trauma you share, you would-"
"No Alfred. Ben is..." Bruce seemed to think carefully about his next words, "Ben is different from me. Different from Dick." At the mention of his former ward, Bruce clenched his jaw, "While we share a similar traumatic experience, Ben is different. People may say we seem similar, but from what I see, we're different where it counts."
Alfred waited for Bruce to continue. When the young billionaire did not, Alfred spoke up, "What is it, sir? That you say is so different about you two."
Bruce just kept typing, and Alfred thought his young master had no intention of answering when he suddenly spoke, "Hope."
"Pardon me sir?"
"Hope. His eyes, Ben's eyes that are so full of pain and anger and trauma. The same kind that I have, that drives me to throw myself against this dark world and desperately claw at making it better. Have something that I don't. Hope. Hope for something more than that. What that means, I'm not sure. But it's what made me believe he would, not only still be a fine hero. But that he would also be a fine person."
"Would a fine hero, not also be a fine person, sir?"
"No." Bruce finished what he was typing, standing up and adjusting his tie, "They wouldn't." At that, Bruce made his way up the stairs and out of the Batcave.
Alfred stood there, staring after his young master before he cleared his throat, wiping at his eyes. The old butler had watched his charge for a long, long time. From when he was happy baby, to a shrieking child running across the manor, to a tear filled tragedy that would never be a 'child' ever again. He watched, and supported his young master through troubled teens. Through all the fights, the rage and the anger. He tried, with all his might to be, not his parent, but a person Bruce Wayne could rely on. And he hoped, with all his heart and soul, that he was doing right by Thomas and Martha Wayne.
Sometimes, during those dark times, when he looked into Bruce's eyes. When he patched up his gun shots wounds, knife wounds, burns and stabs and broken bones, he doubted. Doubted himself, and doubted what his charge had become. And it terrified him to his core. Was what his Young Master Bruce dedicated his life to, worth all the pain and suffering? What future did this crusade hold, except an early grave and isolation?
But then... During those bright times. He saw a glimpse of the world his Master Bruce, was trying to create. While Master Bruce did not bother, Alfred had combed the world wide web, several times in fact, for a very specific thing.
Gratitude.
He watched, one after another, as hundreds, thousands of people posted videos, wrote messages, made dedications to the hero that saved them. A little girl held up her teddy bear, grinning with a mouth that yet had full teeth, babbling about how Batman had saved her and her mother from an abusive father.
He watched, as an elderly woman sobbed and sobbed, thanking Batman over and over again for saving her son from gangsters having a turf war in their neighborhood.
He watched. As nay sayers lessened and how more and more people praised, cheered and smiled when the Batman's symbol appeared in the sky.
He watched. Watched so close as he saw his Master Bruce, smile, joke, and shake his head at people he, at first, just called colleagues. He saw how his Master Bruce would be gentle, be caring about a woman who could probably bench press the Batmobile a hundred times without breaking a sweat.
He watched, with a lighter heart, how a sliver, just a sliver, of hope shined in the eyes of a child he held tight, when the world had turned so dark. And he no longer worried. Not when the future looked so promising.
Sorry that a lot of this chapter was not all about Ben! But some of the story might play out that way. I hope you enjoyed, please tell me what you think.