Extended Summary: Allison James is a normal girl, she really is. Well, except for the fact that she comes from a rich and negligent family, lives in a city where the criminals almost outweigh the civilians, and is close friends to a family with insomniac and paranoia issues along with a major bat-fetish. Oh, and she also loves mysteries. / What happens when an ordinary Gothamite too smart for her own good discovers one of the most well-kept secrets in the world?
Hey guys! So I have another story here and this is actually very different than the rest. For one, I get extremely excited just writing/planning for this story and I am even more excited for what is to come.
I have the majority of this story planned (so it WILL be finished, I can guarantee that) but there are empty chapters that need some ideas. I have a strict outline for up to Chapter 7 and then I have a basic outline for the last 2-3 chapters. The rest is open.
This story will be around 20-25 chapters long and it could have room for a sequel, but like that is too far into the future to seriously talk about. Me making a sequel honestly depends on how popular this story gets. It sounds dumb, but like if not a lot of people like this story, I'll end it after this. But if more people want more, there is definitely room for a sequel.
Initially, I wanted this to end as a gen fic, but now I'm not so sure. This is all to say that the end pairing is completely flexible.
Another also, this chapter is SUPER long but I wanted the first chapter to properly introduce my OC. At the end, I'll talk a little more about her. But not every chapter will be long. Some will be sort and some will be long, it just depends on what the plot of the chapter will be.
Sorry for the long AN, but I felt like y'all needed to know some of this before reading. This story is one of the only things that I've written that I am really passionate about. If you knew me a few years ago, my writing style wasn't amazing, but that's kinda because I wasn't that into what I was writing. Now is totally different. Allison (my OC) is amazing and I am too hyped up to write about her and share her with y'all.
I don't own DC. Nor do I own YJ. I own Allison and what goes on in her little world, but that's it.
Chapter 1: The Boy from the Circus
Allison James never knew the true concept of the word 'family.' Her parents may be famous in the disgusting but somehow charming city of Gotham and she may have all the money she could ever need, but the feeling of family is something foreign to her. All of her socialite friends are faker than the smiles at Gotham galas. She can't even approach any of the scholarship kids at Gotham Academy because while they seem extremely kind, they are even more judgmental of the rich kids. Then there are her parents. They are the only family she has, but they just don't care.
Then again, what wealthy Gothamite gets to experience the gift of a true family? Scratch that, what Gothamite gets to have that luxury?
Not very many, that's for sure. She calls them the 'lucky ones.' In Allison's world, the lucky ones are hard to come by. It's not that they're nonexistent. It's just that Allison never gets to see them. But when she does get to interact with one, their life gives her hope of a better world. Impossible, but better.
To be honest, she shouldn't be having these kinds of miserable and lonely emotions at all. For one, many people have it so much worse than her. After all, she is the Allison James, daughter to the wealthy Terrence and Juliet James. She has all the money in the world. She has beauty and a spectacular mind. She is an academic prodigy. She has everything and can get everything else.
Everyone sees Allison as an innocent and happy child. She can't help but feel like she is simply living a lie.
But she can live with lies. In the world she was born into, lying is nothing out of the ordinary. There shouldn't be a reason for her to want anything else.
OoO
Allison is seven-years-old and about to enter third grade when she first hears it from Gotham Night News. They deliver more breakup gossip or the 'confirmed' identity of Batman than actual news, but her mother is obsessed with the channel. Therefore, Allison is always forced to watch it.
She tries her best to pay attention, she really does, but it's so hard and boring! Listening about the industry war or the spicy new breakup could be interesting for some, but she is just seven-years-old.
She was playing on her DS when she realized tonight's show wasn't like any other.
For the first time in a while, her father joined them on the couch and started to listen intently. Her mother's eyes fixed on the screen. Allison's eyebrows furrowed in confusion before she brought her attention to the current headline.
BREAKING NEWS: ORPHAN JUST ADOPTED BY BRUCE WAYNE. A WORK OF CHARITY OR A NEW PUBLICITY STUNT?
Allison's father scoffs in disbelief. "Can you believe this, Juliet? The idiotic boy has done it again. I swear he finds himself in more headlines than Batman and for all the wrong reasons. When will he ever learn that his reputation is simply stained enough?"
The question was clearly rhetorical, but her mother decided to join in on the gossip.
"Well, you know Bruce. He can never be satisfied. Honestly, it is simply disgraceful that he is using a child in this way. And look! A gypsy from the circus! He plans to bring that child into our society?"
She's referring to the wealthy families, not Gotham. Her parents have always viewed themselves on a superior scale over everyone else.
While her parents continued to bicker about Wayne and his new ward, Allison ignored their argument and focused on the news. The new ward was just two years older than her and witnessed the death of his entire family. As disconnected as she felt from her parents, she would be horrified to hear of their death. But if she witnessed them die… Well, she's glad her ordinary life won't give her the chance.
Allison has met Mr. Wayne before. Her mother and father act as if they admire him, but they told her behind closed doors about the importance of lying to people. When she countered by saying lying is bad, they said losing stocks is worse. Her mother then explained certain lying, like saying you like a person in front of them but gossiping about them behind their back, is perfectly acceptable. However, Allison doesn't think she needs to lie to Mr. Wayne. He was kind to her and her parents. But what if he was lying to her?
Allison is a sweet child and wouldn't say something rude about an adult, yet Mr. Wayne does not seem like the person to lie. Allison doesn't really believe he has the true capabilities for it. Simply put, he doesn't seem smart enough to create and stick with a lie.
The news continued to talk about Mr. Wayne's childhood and how he also saw his parents die. The little fact struck Allison with a thought she shared with her parents.
"What if Mr. Wayne knew what Richa-I mean, the orphan was going through? He might have wanted to syth-syn-synthapise-"
"Sympathize, darling. Honestly, you are entering third grade. You cannot struggle over easy words like this," her mother corrected her. Allison huffed in frustration. She may be the youngest kid in her grade by more than a couple years, but her parents want her to 'succeed' more than she already does. Failure is not a word they want her to associate with.
"Right, sorry. That word with him." While she can't associate with failure, they never said anything about the word rebellious.
Her mother glared at her avoidance of the word but said nothing against it. "Allison, you must learn something about Bruce Wayne. The poor boy-"
"–is a horrible, incompetent fool who has no idea how to run a company!" Her father fiercely interrupted, his angry, red face growing redder with every word he grunted out. Something about Bruce Wayne always makes her father upset.
Her mother chastised him for interrupting her. He hissed at her to not tell him what to do. She yelled at him to not take that tone with her.
It all went downhill from there.
Allison simply observed her mother and father, sighed, and returned to her room for another lonely night. She walked to the window of her too large room. Her family owned a sizable estate out in the country. Because of that, Allison can almost always see the clear night sky. Acting like giant guards, massive trees surrounded her house. If she strained her eyes enough, she could almost make out the Wayne Manor where Mr. Wayne and his new ward should be at.
She wondered how the boy was doing. After all, it's not every day someone's life completely turns upside down.
OoO
It took nearly a year and a half for Allison to think about Bruce Wayne and his ward, Richard Grayson, again. Allison sees them sometimes at socialite events, but it's not like she has ever talked to the kid. Then again, an opportunity never presented itself. Mr. Wayne's ward usually hangs out with Mr. Wayne, the police captain's daughter, or that other rich kid from Star City. (Allison hasn't talked to him either, but she thinks his name is Ray or something.) They're also in different grades, but this is the first year the two of them are in the same school building: Bristol Elementary Academy.
In addition to all of that, her parents have been steering away from the parties Mr. Wayne hosts for some odd reason. Allison doesn't know why and she's not sure if she even wants to know. No doubt it's some dramatic and high-class issue that will simply go over her head.
Because she has never spoken a word to Richard Grayson in the time he's been in Gotham, Allison is a little unprepared for when she does meet him.
"Hey, aren't you that James kid? Annalise or whatever?"
Allison jumped at the sudden noise and looked behind her to see the culprit. She scowled. The one thing she hates more than being scared is people getting her name wrong. She said in reply, "Allison. And aren't you that Wayne kid? Rickie or whatever?"
She may or may not have gotten his name wrong on purpose just for the sweet pleasure of revenge.
It was worth it. Richard Grayson scowled in return at the sinful nickname. "Richard, Richard Grayson. But call me Dick!"
Almost immediately after he said that his playful grin was back. He shoved a hand forward for Allison to shake. She stared at it, unsure if she should actually shake it. However, all of her etiquette classes took a hold of her and forced her to be polite and shake the gosh-darn hand. So, she did with a hesitant smile. Dick's large grin somehow grew and Allison's hesitant smile began to grow in return. His bright cerulean eyes twinkled in mischief as he opened his mouth again.
"So I have this question?"
Allison blinked back, very unprepared for the turn in conversation. She cautiously nodded her head for him to continue.
"Alright, so you know the two words 'like' and 'dislike,' right? Since there's a 'disaster,' shouldn't there be an 'aster'? Like, instead of things going horribly wrong-"
"-they go right."
"Right! Also, the 'I' before 'E' except after 'C' rule is so stupid!"
"Did you know only 44 words follow that rule and 923 break it?"
"My point exactly! If fancy, smart people can make rules that disobey already existing rules in English, why can't we all do it?"
"Because then there would be a language anarchy. The fancy, smart people need to have some semblance of control or anyone can make a language."
"But anyone can make a language!"
"Precisely! If you were one of the fancy, smart people, would you rather be the one that made the language rules or have some random and not-so-fancy or smart person make the rules?"
Dick thought for a moment. "Yeah, you're right. Hey, aren't we fancy and smart."
Allison paused. A huge smirk appeared on her face. "You are quite right, my friend. I feel like that makes us inclined to create some of the rules, don't you think?"
Dick's smirk matched her own. "Oh, I couldn't agree more."
From there on out, she and Dick continued to butcher the English language, and in the process, formed a friendship Allison had a feeling she would never regret.
OoO
"Am I your friend?"
The sudden question attracted Dick's attention from the book he was reading. Currently, he and Allison were sitting under the famous willow tree within Gotham's Park. Dick looked in confusion at Allison, the one who asked him the question.
"Uh, yeah?"
"And since we're friends," Allison continued as if Dick didn't speak, "and since friends buy each other stuff, you should get me tickets to The Conjuring."
"One, you are a rich kid so buy your own ticket. And two, aren't you like 8? Bruce won't even let me watch R rated horror movies," Dick responded.
"I would," she said as if it were obvious, "but you have to be a certain age. Also, I'm 8 ½."
Dick shook his head at her and returned to reading his book. "Ally-"
"Yes, Richard?" She asked innocently, but Dick could see the gleam in her eye. He pouted a little in return. Allison hated being called anything but her birth name and Dick hated being called anything but his nickname.
"Allison," the girl in question let out an approving noise, "I'm only one year older than you."
"And?"
"…And I'm not old enough to buy them either."
"And?" She stared at him as if he said the most obvious thing in the world.
"And?"
"Yes, and!" Allison suddenly jumped up from where she was sitting. "Rules are meant to be broken."
Dick calmly set his book down on the grass and joined Allison in standing. "I'm pretty sure people made rules so others would not break them."
"Dick," Allison let out an exasperated sigh, "systems are meant to be followed, not rules. It's easier to break the rules than the system."
Dick raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Oh, really? Why are people rewarded more for when they break the system, then? It may be harder, but it's more beneficial in the long run."
"But what if you don't make it to the long run? You. Lose. Everything. That is why the short term strategies are always better. It's less risky."
"Pft! That's not true."
"Give me one reason-" Allison was cut off by a ring from her phone. For most people, it would seem shocking that parents gave their 8-year-old child a phone, but this is Gotham they live in.
"Crap-"
"Language," Dick interrupted. He received a glare for his troubles. He simply shrugged and gathered his belongings.
"I forgot my parents are doing this big gala tonight. It's for the police force and how the crime rates in Gotham have decreased, like, a lot. And I'm going to be late," she glanced at the twigs and leaves sticking out of her hair. "Eh, I'll go for a nature-y look tonight. Going green."
Dick chuckled as he walked with Allison to the road. "If you need, Alfie can give you a ride. You don't live too far from the Manor."
Allison looked at him as if he saved her life. "You're amazing. Come on! I have 27 minutes before I have to be ready."
As they were walking towards the road, Allison couldn't help but bring up this one thought she had. She wouldn't dare bring it up in front of her parents because they hate anything and everything that has to go against their high-class society ideals. It was also against the purpose of the big gala they were hosting tonight, so that's a big no-no. But Dick is different.
Which is why she told him that if it were up to her, her parent's big gala would be celebrating Gotham's pair of vigilantes instead of the police force.
Dick's walking slowed after she expressed her opinion. For a moment, Allison was worried that he was the wrong person to confide in. However, when Dick started to smile softly, she knew that she never had to worry.
"Yeah," Dick nodded his head in agreement, "you might be right."
That comment released everything she was desperately trying to hide for ages.
"Of course I'm right. I mean, everyone is saying Gotham's crime rates are significantly lower than it used to be, but they are neglecting the true reason why. Then again, Gotham's crime rates are lower, but they're still pretty darn high! Also, over the past year, the amount of cops who turned out to be corrupt has been at an all-time high! We can't thank the police for that. Maybe, and I mean maybe, we can thank some of those cops who were directly under Captain Gordon's directions, but this stupid gala should be focused on Batman and Robin not-"
Dick interrupted her before she could continue any further. "I'm taking a wild guess and saying you're a Bat-fan?"
Allison swirled towards him and started to walk backward. "I am not a Bat-fan. I just… appreciate their efforts in helping the city."
Even that sounded weak.
"Appreciate meaning you are madly in love with them both," Dick had a mad smirk on his troll face. He shrugged, "It's alright, Allison, I get it. I won't tell anyone of your undying love for Gotham's finest. Well, anyone besides the wonderful students at Bristol Elementary and Middle School. And whoever they tell."
With that comment, he strolled into the car that was waiting for them. Thinking he was serious for a second, Allison stood still in confusion before realization hit her. Yelling in denial, she stormed into the car.
For the entire ride, Allison kept yelling at Dick for tricking her while he kept trying to convince her he was serious. He wasn't. Alfred Pennyworth glanced at the rearview mirror at the two kids and smiled at their bickering.
They eventually reached Allison's house. She quickly ran inside her mansion, having only ten minutes to get ready. As Dick waved goodbye, the crazy smirk on his face was replaced by a soft smile. He didn't care if a single person in Gotham approved of him as Robin or not. As long as his best friend was supporting him, he would be alright.
Though he had no clue how far Allison would go to support him.
OoO
"Batman or Superman?"
"Obvious answer, Al."
"Don't call me Al. But yeah, I would also choose Bat-"
"Superman is the superior hero."
"…You are a fake Gothamite, Grayson."
"Hey, Superman is Superman. The real question is Batman or Robin."
"Batman, again. Robin wears pixie boots. Who wears pixie boots?"
There was a pause. "Clearly someone with impeccable tastes."
The next night, Gotham Night News would be running a segment about Robin's lack of pixie boots.
OoO
It's been almost a year when Allison began to sense something off about her best friend. It's not like there's something wrong with him or whatever, but she feels like he is hiding something. Then again, if Dick is hiding something, which Allison is determined to believe he isn't, she would feel pained that he kept it from her. Especially if it is a big deal.
This is all hypothetically speaking, but the thought that her best friend is hiding something from her makes her feel betrayed.
Allison has confided to her friend about everything: from the isolation she has with her parents to some of the socialite kids simply being brats. Dick Grayson is one of the only people in this world she can trust with all of her secrets and it doesn't matter how serious they are. She wonders what mistake she made for Dick to not feel as if he can reciprocate that feeling of trust.
She's probably just imagining everything. She knows for a fact that Dick is her best friend and that she is his. Best friends can't hide huge secrets like that. It's, like, law.
All of these flimsy suspicions are just her imagination. She hasn't even reached double digits, so what would she know?
Apparently more than what other people would expect, herself included.
It all started when Allison left the ugly prison of Bristol Elementary and graduated to the Middle School building. She expected it would be a big deal from moving from fifth grade to sixth grade, or maybe at least some weird adjustment she would struggle to make, but literally nothing changed. Well, nothing besides Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon.
Those two are pretty much the only reason she hasn't gone insane yet. They are in the grade above her, but Allison spends as much time as she can with them. She has distanced herself from her socialite 'friends' which made her parents incredibly upset. She doesn't really care. The only reason she was a part of that friend group was because it was expected of her. Meeting Mr. Wayne's new ward two years prior gave her bravery to break free from that.
Allison does feel bad for Dick, though. He gets made fun of constantly. Sometimes it's because of his circus past and other times because he spends so much time with girls. Apparently, the whole cooties thing followed them from Bristol Elementary.
Both her and Babs try to convince Dick to stand up for himself because they both know he can. He never listens. Allison is this close to going to Wayne Manor and letting Mr. Wayne know what is happening. Then again, despite the amount of times she hangs out with Dick, Allison doesn't talk to Mr. Wayne. She's only seen him around and that's basically it.
Allison's thoughts were put on hold as she was distracted by the noise in the hallways. Correction, the lack of noise. Normally, the hallways at Bristol were filled with loud talking and laughter. Today was different. Everyone was huddled together in groups. In every group at least one phone was out. Whispers and the occasional gasp erupted from the groups, making Allison all the more curious. A notification sound made her look at her own phone.
It was a headline. Allison could see what the big deal was from reading it.
A kid from their middle school has been kidnapped. Kidnappings aren't too unusual in Gotham, but from reading the article, Allison could tell this case was different. The girl, Trinity Grace, has been missing the entire weekend. Trinity isn't a rich girl, which makes the whole situation all the stranger, but she's very kind and extremely pretty. Even the majority of the socialite kids liked her. Trinity's green eyes always twinkled whenever someone said something funny, and Allison was extremely jealous of her blond, wavy hair. Her own blond hair was straight as an arrow and she wished more than anything that she had natural curls. If Trinity wasn't a charity case, Allison doesn't doubt that she could have been the most popular girl at school.
Throughout the day, Trinity Grace was the main topic of discussion. Allison would have spoken about her as well during lunch if the third person in her and Bab's trio wasn't missing. Dick apparently hasn't shown up at school today.
Pulling out her phone, Allison tried to call Dick's cell. He didn't pick up. Trinity Grace was pushed aside momentarily from her mind and was replaced with Richard Grayson. After school, though, she received a text from the boy. He assured her that he was just having a minor sick day.
She remembers the kid saying how he would never take a sick day from anything. It made him weak or whatever. He was just that determined. Allison frowned when she remembered that, but shrugged it off. It's probably nothing big.
OoO
The disappearances have gotten worse.
Two other girls have gone missing all in the matter of a week. One was from Allison's school and the other girl came from a less expensive middle school. She knew some Gotham crazy was at work.
To make matters worse, Allison's extremely minor and almost nonexistent concern about Dick Grayson has only grown. Ever since Trinity Grace was missing, Dick would show up at school tired and behave very differently than he normally does. Her concern has developed into suspicion.
Whenever she would confront him, he would immediately smile and tease her. The teasing would effectively bring up her defense against the playful comments. It's not until after Dick had successfully evaded Allison's inquiries and made his escape when she would curse herself for letting him get away.
While she was a little upset by this, the side of her that loves to solve mysteries overtook that hurt. In the past, Allison would notice that Dick sometimes seems both tired and frustrated in the morning. In addition, she remembers Dick showing up to school multiple times with a bunch of random injuries. Back then, Allison thought nothing of it because Dick always provided some logical explanation. Now, she's not so sure.
She's not the only one who is worried for Dick. She and Barbara have conversed many times already about the 'Mystery of Richard John Grayson.' The theories aren't substantial, but they are fun to create.
What bothered Allison the most was the fact that Dick seemed more irritable than usual. He would sometimes snap at either her or Babs but then profusely apologize afterward. The first time it happened was after the second girl disappeared. She and Barbara were attempting to determine the who, what, where, why, and how of the disappearances. When they asked Dick for his insight, they were criticized to not joke about such things. The two only looked at each other in confusion as their friend stormed away. That was the first time he ever lashed out at either of them.
Her escalating suspicions didn't end there.
Dick used to be the straight-A and perfect student. Now, he never even pays attention in school. Babs told her that instead of participating in class or taking notes, Dick stares out the window all day as if he was playing Where's Waldo and Waldo was hiding outside. The teachers have also noticed his change in behavior and weren't afraid to call him out on it. Dick would shrug and turn his cerulean eyes back outside, looking as the world passed him by. If Allison didn't know better, she would have simply guessed that the disappearances had gotten to him.
Allison did know better.
OoO
The disappearances have affected everyone. The police believe the kidnappers are targeting young girls. A curfew of 7 PM has been placed on the entire city. Complaints have skyrocketed, some even from herself. While Allison can understand the curfew, 7 PM is a little too early for her tastes.
Which is why her rebellious self is sneaking out of her house at 6:45 to walk to the Wayne Manor. One of the conversations she had with Babs inspired her to visit the Manor to try and solve what's been bugging her for weeks.
Allison put on a light blue sweatshirt. The sweatshirt was sort of impractical considering it was practically a dress on her. Her parents were out of the country doing who knows what and the staff at her house couldn't care less about her. She was free to do whatever she pleased tonight. And it so happened that the thing that pleased her the most was figuring out why her best friend is being so moody.
But she did regret putting on the sweatshirt. The weather was a little too warm for the long sleeves.
Another thing Allison was starting to regret was her rebellious decision to leave her house late at night. While the night was technically still young, the sun already set with the moon hanging high above the sky. The only things that seemed to be alive tonight were the trees and small animals that found a home inside of them. With every step in the soft grass, her anxiety only grew.
Maybe Alfred can drive her back home tonight?
When Allison came up to the Wayne Manor, the gates were closed. Frowning, she went to find the little gap between the iron bars and the ground Dick once showed her. After getting past the gates, she walked to the front door with a proud smile. She knocked on the front door. That smile quickly disappeared when no one answered it. Alfred always answers the door. She tried again to no avail. Rolling her eyes in frustration, she pulled out her phone to call Dick.
Voicemail.
"Dude, where the heck are you? I'm at your house, and I've knocked a bunch of times. Okay, maybe like one or two times, but that's besides the point! I'm just going to be honest. You've been acting weird literally all week. Either tell me and Babs what's going on or… or I will find something embarrassing that will make you tell us."
She waited a moment more before ending her message. Allison wasn't dumb. She knew Dick was hiding something big. Perhaps something even bigger than herself. She doesn't care about that. To her, the bigger the secret is, the more rewarding it is to uncover it.
However, beneath all of this ambition is something she isn't ready to admit. She feels almost afraid of what this secret could be. In the past, Dick has never hesitated to tell her anything. She was even one of the few people he has ever told about his old circus days.
The fact that Dick may be involved in something he shouldn't be is unnerving, and it is killing Allison.
She realizes that this ambition to uncover this secret is bordering on the line of obsession. It's another thing she will never admit. It isn't even her pride or passion that is driving her actions anymore. That may have been the case in the beginning, but her concern for Dick is driving her.
The only thing that trumps her concern is her confusion. What kind of stupid secret could a stupid ten-year-old stupidly have? Also, she shouldn't be worrying about this stuff! She has responsibilities! Like math, and homework, and etiquette classes, and… math.
She decided to return home even though nobody was waiting for her. The staff at her house are a joke. They may keep the house clean but they have no care whatsoever for their employers.
However, somewhere along the journey to her mansion, Allison heard a noise. She immediately froze in her path and reached for her phone. The sound was very faint and she was doubting she even heard anything.
But then she heard it again. It was childish laughter and someone saying… something. She was too far away to make out what was being said.
Allison's head swiveled around frantically as she tried to find the source of the sound. With the giggles being repeated, she discovered the source was coming from the woods. She knew it was dangerous, it's Gotham, but something inside of her urged her to solve this mystery. Allison just assumed it was the part of her that loved puzzles.
So, she obeyed the urge.
The deeper she went into the dark woods, the more the urge increased. Her curiosity was going haywire at this point. It was controlling her, Allison knew that, but she couldn't find the strength to turn away.
Allison suddenly realized that something felt off. Her previous frantic movements gradually transformed into slow and calculated movements. She suddenly discovered a numbing but peaceful sensation growing in her mind. Her body started to relax and she changed directions, determinedly walking to a nameless place. Despite this convincing sense of peace, Allison couldn't help but feel wrong.
Allison could only guess what she looked like on the outside: a relaxed and passive girl who is determinedly walking to somewhere important. That's when she had the revelation. She… she was late and she had to go. Someone was waiting for her and she was extremely late. It's important, essential even, that she had to go where she had to go. It didn't matter to her that she's not aware of her destination. It never occurred to her that she should be concerned about herself walking alone in the woods. None of it truly mattered.
She didn't stop walking. Allison's thoughts never strayed from her worries of being late. Though there was something else. She had a yearning to meet someone. She's blanking on the who but it doesn't truly matter. She knows they are very important to her.
Only when Allison reached an old building did she stop. If she were in her right mind, she might have recognized the old machines and smell of rust which could only belong to a factory. If she were in her right mind, she might have tried to help Trinity Grace or the other girls who were standing still in a corner. If she were in her right mind, she might have felt fear trickling through her body at the sight of the multiple men holding guns. But Allison didn't take notice of any of those things. Her attention was solely focused on a man. A man with a large hat and a wicked grin.
"Hello, my dear Alice. It is my pleasure. My, my, look at your marvelous blue dress."
"Hello, Mr. Mad Hatter."
And if Allison were in her right mind, she might have been worried that by tomorrow, she would be known as the new missing girl of Gotham.
OoO
"We have to save her!"
"Dick-"
"No, Bruce! We know where he is and we know how to stop him. We have to go!"
"Dick-"
"Bruce, it's my fault she was outside so late. It's my fault that she…"
"…Dick, we will get her back. But if you're too emotionally compromised by this, you will need to sit out. No arguments."
"I'm not compromised. I can't be. I… We have to save her."
OoO
Far away from the bustling city and deep into the country, there stood a once-proud factory. It used to be a center of activity and a major producer for vehicles. After those days, it became forgotten and unused, collecting dust day after day. Presently, it's been given a new purpose. A purpose that is not as ethical as the old manufacturing days were.
It is this factory that Batman and Robin are stationed outside of. They're currently observing the lackeys of the man who is quite literally in control.
On a normal stakeout with the Dynamic Duo, Robin is fidgety and easily distracted. This stake out is unique compared to those other nights, however. Dick Grayson has never been more focused than he is now. Funny quips don't even cross his mind. If he thought about it, he would have recognized that he was acting like Batman.
He doesn't think about it.
Batman has been sending quick glances towards his protégé all night. Two nights before, they determined where Mad Hatter was hiding himself and the missing girls. They planned to wait a minimum of four days until they attacked so as to observe certain patterns. But that plan was discarded fast when news of Allison James' disappearance made itself known. Dick didn't even bother with school, something Bruce knows he will probably regret later. Not because he'll have to do extra homework, but because of a certain Gordon girl who will have to survive the day alone.
Bruce isn't clueless to the company his ward keeps. He is very aware of the bond Dick and his friends have. That is why Batman agreed with his protégé to give Mad Hatter an early visit.
Robin, while he appeared relaxed on the outside, was bursting with the urge to fight. He has been constantly clenching and unclenching his fists. He has all night. When he first heard the news this morning, the color drained from his face and he began to feel light-headed. Once he heard the voicemail from his phone, anger and guilt quickly raged inside of him. It took all of his self-control to not yell at his mentor. Allison was kidnapped because of him. Him and the Mad Hatter. He can't punch himself so the Mad Hatter will have to suffice. He doesn't care what happens to Mad Hatter at the end of the night, as long as he regrets what he did.
Dick knows that he should be wary of the rage inside of him, but he frankly doesn't care since his best friend is still in danger.
OoO
Attacking those in the factory wasn't difficult. The Mad Hatter's lackeys were idiotic and Robin wondered for a moment why the man stuck with talentless goons when he could mind-control useful ones. He's not complaining, though.
The remaining minions were decreasing and Robin broke off to untie the missing girls. He originally took notice of them when slamming a right-hook into a particularly large lackey. But Robin's heart stopped when he only counted three girls and not four. He noticed Batman used his grappling hook to go up to the rafters. Dick quickly followed.
He froze when he saw the mad man. He clenched his fist tightly as he took in the sight before him. Mad Hatter, who was perched on top of the rafters, stood with a grin and eyes filled with insanity. The sight of the man wasn't what caused Robin to freeze. It was the figure who was suspended in the air with ropes encircling her. The ropes were the only thing keeping her from falling.
And the end of the rope was in the hands of Mad Hatter.
Not only was he in control of her mind, but Jervis Tetch was also in control of Allison's fate. At least, that's what the man thought.
Unbeknownst to Mad Hatter, Robin remained in the shadows behind Batman. He would have attacked the man if it weren't for the subtle signal Batman gave him. Instead, he glared at the man. It was all he could do at the moment.
"-so as you see, Batsy, I have finally found my perfect Alice. Her blond hair and blue dress are simply perfection! Not only that, but her name is Alice! And her manners are so divine, aren't they, Alice?"
The man reached out to pet the hanging girl. If it didn't mean Allison would fall to her death, Robin would have attacked Tetch where he stood.
Allison's smile was something Robin never wanted to see again. It was full of admiration and innocence. But when Robin looked into his best friend's eyes, he could only see blankness. These were signs of a mind-controlled victim.
"Yes, Mr. Mad Hatter. You taught me my manners, Mr. Mad Hatter."
"Oh, I did, didn't I? There's my mind again, madder than a teapot!" Mad Hatter started to laugh maniacally with Allison joining him. The laughter was unnatural and the worst thing Robin ever heard. The glare on his face deepened and he saw even Batman clench his fist a little tighter.
"But I do believe it is time for my leave. Alice, are you ready to go?" Batman and Robin both tensed. Tetch was about to make his move.
"Yes, Mr. Mad Hatter. We mustn't be late." Throughout the entire time Allison hung there, not once did that horrible smile disappear from her face.
"Very true, my dear. Alas, it is time for you to fall back down the rabbit hole."
Many things happened at once. The spell that took hold of Allison seemed to break as she looked around the room in confusion. Her eyes widened in fear at the sight of Mad Hatter, but she seemed relieved when she saw Batman and Robin. It was when he saw the rope from Mad Hatter's hand be released, however, that his heart dropped.
With nothing holding her in the air, Allison fell.
Robin never noticed his mentor advancing toward Tetch. He never noticed the screams coming from Allison. He never noticed when exactly he jumped off of the rafters. All he knew at that moment was the fateful night of the Flying Graysons' last performance. The night when his parents fell to their death, just like how his best friend is now falling to her death.
But this time, he can save her.
Allison's eyes met his mask. The ground was approaching closer and closer and despite how close Robin was getting to Allison, he was worried it wouldn't be enough.
He could almost touch her and Robin could see the tears falling down Allison's face. Any moment now and he could spare himself and Allison from his family's fate. He let out a breath and reached out one last time. He extended his hand...
…and Allison grabbed onto it.
Immediately, Robin took his grappling hook and swung the two of them away. It was when they nearly touched the ground that Robin realized how close he and Allison were to dying the same way his parents died.
In his relief, he let out a small chuckle. Allison did the same and held onto him tighter. Her laugh made him feel even more at peace. It was nothing like her laugh from earlier. That's when it hit him.
He didn't fail Allison. He didn't let her fall.
Once the two swung to the rafters, Robin looked for Batman. He saw him standing only a few feet away with the unconscious Jervis Tetch. When Batman heard Robin land, he quickly turned towards his protégé and saw the young James girl still clinging onto Robin.
No one will ever believe him, but Robin swears he saw Batman smile at the sight of the now freed girl.
Only at the voice of the Dark Knight did Allison finally let herself go from Robin.
"Robin, bring the girl to the ground level. I contacted Gordon earlier so GCPD, as well as the girls' parents, should be here soon."
Robin gave a sharp nod.
"Will the other girls still be under Tetch's control?"
"More than likely. The release should have worked on them. Contact me if that's not the case."
"Got it, B," Robin turned to Allison and offered her his hand. "Would you care for a ride down, my lady?" He held a mischievous smirk on his face. It was a smirk that Allison knew was somehow familiar.
Pushing down the fangirling side of her, Allison gave a smirk in return, put her hand in the offered hand, and said, "Why of course, my brave squire."
Robin squawked in protest. "Squire? I am at least a knight."
"Batman is the Dark Knight. So, logically, you're the squire. Well, Dark Squire if you want to talk specifics."
Robin mumbled something incoherent which made Allison giggle in return. When the two began their way down to the ground level, Batman chuckled. Those two kids… Even supposed strangers and they were still at each other's necks.
OoO
Allison couldn't help but stumble when she reached the ground. She waved Robin off who went to check to see if she was fine. He hesitated yet went off to the other girls who were more confused and scared than she was. Only when Allison was alone did she realize the danger she was in tonight. Robin kept her mind off of everything by cracking small jokes, but Allison realized just how close she was to dying.
Everything began to go in slow-motion after she was out of Mad Hatter's control. She remembered the fear she had at the sight of Mad Hatter and the relief at the sight of the Dynamic Duo. She remembered her panic of her impending doom and the hope she had that Robin would save her. She even remembered the small feeling of doubt that he wasn't going to make it or that he would just give up on her.
Most of all, however, she remembered the sight of Robin leaping off of the rafter to go after her. Despite being unable to see his eyes, Allison somehow knew they were full of worry and concern and fear. Allison also remembered seeing Robin do something while flying toward her. Allison was far away from Robin when she fell, so in order to get closer to her, Robin did a few flips. Specifically, four. The technique of the flips, well, she's only seen it be done by one other person...
"Hey," Allison jumped but saw it was only Robin who spoke. The other girls seemed to have been led out of the building and she realized that it was only her and Robin left. "You were shaking. You okay?" The hero seemed genuinely concerned.
Allison nodded her head slowly. She couldn't meet the boy's eyes.
"Well, how about we get out of here. I don't know about you, but abandoned factories aren't precisely my favorite place to hang around." That got a small smile out of her and Robin started to escort her outside. She figured Batman had already left since she could see the police lights, but she wondered why Robin was still there.
She bit her lip in confusion and glanced at Robin. It seemed her efforts of being inconspicuous didn't really work.
Robin said, "Bats doesn't really like to hang around for the after-party. Isn't his thing."
"And you?" Her voice was small and Allison knew that her shoulders were still shaking. She probably was in shock.
Robin looked surprised by her question but quickly reeled it in. "Nah, the after-parties aren't so bad. Definitely better when the criminals aren't yelling at you for their revenge, though."
Allison giggled at that. The rest of their walk was in silence, but that wasn't the case for long once they reached the outside. Paramedics rushed over to her and brought her to a nearby ambulance. Allison was hesitant at the strangers but didn't turn away. Robin never left her side and was almost like a silent cheerleader or something. Whatever it was, he somehow was able to give her strength.
The paramedics gave her a shock blanket and a hot water bottle. They spent a few minutes to check if she was fully cleared of the mind-control. After that, the paramedics diverted their attention to the goons Batman and Robin fought. The majority of them had injuries. Allison sat on the edge of the ambulance, bundled in her blanket, and sipping on the hot water. She was eyeing Robin who immediately sat next to her after the paramedics left. He appeared to be waiting for something. Allison had no idea what.
"Miss James," Allison turned to see that Bab's dad, Captain Gordon, had spoken to her, "would you mind answering a few questions for us?"
Allison tensed and she saw Robin do the same. So this is what he was waiting for.
"W-What questions, Captain Gordon?"
Captain Gordon gave her a sympathetic look and traded glances with Robin. "We need to take your statement. Can you explain what happened, Miss James?"
Allison took a deep breath. Before, the shock blanket worked in keeping her shoulders from shaking. But when Captain Gordon asked her to recount everything, it seemed as if she couldn't stop trembling.
"I was walking home, I h-heard a noise, I blacked out in the woods, and I woke up in the factory. There. That's what happened." Allison's voice decreased to a small whisper by the time she finished speaking. She kept her gaze down and felt Robin shift marginally towards her.
Captain Gordon sighed. "Miss James, are there any more details you can share with me?"
By now the water was visibly shaking in her water bottle. She focused on it to keep her mind away from… other things.
Allison bit her lip but didn't respond.
"Cap, how about you ask Miss James these questions another time. I'm sure she wouldn't mind answering them later, right Al-Miss James?" Robin spoke up for her once he realized she wouldn't say anything more. Allison gave a sharp nod.
"Alright, that's fine. We'll call in a couple of days, if that'll work?" Allison gave another sharp nod.
There was a pause before Captain Gordon's voice rang out again. "Say, where are your parents, Miss James?"
Allison looked up a little with disappointment clearly showing in her eyes and shrugged. "Vacation, I suppose."
Captain Gordon gave her an undecipherable look before nodding and walking away. When he left, Allison returned her gaze to her water bottle.
"The other girls are safe, by the way. Just figured you probably would want to know-"
"Why are you still here?" Her sudden question took Robin by shock. Allison realizes the question could be perceived as rude, but she couldn't take it back now. She elaborated, "I don't mean to be rude, but you probably have more important things to do than… this."
Robin gave her a small smile and shrugged. "Well, saving people means nothing if they are alone in the aftermath."
Allison's eyes widened in realization.
"You're staying with me because you know my parents won't be here."
The statement was more of a question, but she knew it to be true. Robin had a sheepish look on his face which only confirmed Allison's thoughts.
"Not exactly-"
"I don't need pity," Allison knew that saying something so incredibly rude to the person who saved her life was not a kind thing to do. She knew it, but she couldn't help but say it.
Robin gave her a hard stare and said, "Pity? No pity here. No one should be alone after what you went through tonight. End of story." His strong statement took Allison aback. Then she smiled and softly nodded. Not being alone right now… didn't suck.
"Allison!" Her head perked up as she tried to find the person shouting her name. When she saw the source, Allison could say it was the most surprising thing she had witnessed that night.
Her mother and father were rushing towards her. Not running or showing desperation to get to their daughter. They were just speed-walking.
"Mother? Father?" Allison asked in confusion. She quickly glanced at Robin before making her way to her parents. Her mother pulled her into a hug and her father clasped her shoulders. She didn't move due to the overwhelming amount of shock she was in. Her parents normally think such public affection should be outlawed. Them showing this much care towards Allison was unbelievable.
What her mother whispered into her ear brought her back to reality.
"We are disappointed in you, Allison James. Your father and I were just about to close an important deal when we got called. Now we will have to return to Japan," so that's where they were, "and try to explain how our leaving was all our clumsy daughter's fault."
Allison didn't expect much affection from her parents to begin with, but she couldn't help but deflate in disappointment.
Her father said, "We will be talking about this when we get home. For now, Gotham is watching, so act nice."
That explained the sudden affection. While they didn't have much care towards Allison, her parents cared deeply for what the public thought of them. A heart-wrenching piece about Allison being reunited with her parents after her kidnapping would certainly boost their popularity. Again, Allison couldn't help but sigh before playing along with her parents. She half-heartedly returned her mother's fake hug and acted the role of a traumatized kid.
Before they all left, Allison turned to give Robin a goodbye and a thank you. But when she looked, he was nowhere to be seen.
As she entered the car, Allison thought back to earlier that night. She knew she would be having nightmares about her near-death, but she had a sinking feeling there was something more she was missing.
It would be later at night after she returned home when she realized what it was.
Having heard of her rescue, Dick met Allison at her mansion. He managed to convince Mr. Wayne to let him spend five minutes there to assure himself that Allison was alright before she had to rest.
When Allison asked him why he wanted to come over, he looked pointedly at the disappearing figures of her parents. They quickly left their daughter and her friend once they returned to the mansion. He then said under his breath, "No one should be alone after what you went through tonight."
It was before she fell asleep and gave way into the nightmares when Allison smirked in victory. Robin did a kind thing by staying with her to wait for her parents. A kind but extremely idiotic thing.
And that's chapter 1! I hoped you guys liked it, I really do.
So as you see, Allison is not going to be a Mary-Sue character. Yeah, she was freaked out after the whole thing with Mad Hatter, but she's a normal girl at this point. Anyone would be freaked out if that happened to them.
But yeah, Allison isn't a Mary-Sue but she won't be all powerful. There are certain stories where they have their OC like extra powerful and they have no weaknesses or stuff like that. Nope, that ain't Allison. She's gonna make some mistakes along the way and be sort of a mess at times, but that's realistic.
Y'all can also inference from the title that she isn't going to be the one running the show either. You will see in the next chapter or two that Allison will be involved, but not in the way y'all are expecting.
That is going to be the case for Allison throughout the story, but the end has something special planned for her. I wrote out the outline for the ending like two days ago and I am literally so excited thinking about it.
If y'all have any questions at all, anything you liked, or anything you wanted to point out, there is a nice box right below that would love you to leave a review! ;D
Edited: Jan. 9, 2024