The training room was buzzing with the sounds of shuffling feet and controlled breaths as Dick and Jason squared off in the center.

Dick, bouncing lightly on his toes, had a confident grin plastered on his face. He was all about agility and flexibility, moving like a dancer with his blend of capoeira and gymnastics. His every move was unpredictable, and he knew it.

Jason, meanwhile, stood firm, his muscles tensed and his fists clenched. He was all about raw power and brute force, mixed with a bit of street fighting grit.

As soon as the match kicked off, Dick was darting around, his footwork smooth and fluid. He feinted and weaved, looking for an opening. Jason stayed grounded, watching Dick carefully. Dick launched into a series of flips and cartwheels, closing the gap between them. He aimed a high kick at Jason's head, but Jason ducked under it and countered with a powerful right hook aimed at Dick's ribs.

Dick twisted mid-air, barely avoiding the punch, and landed lightly behind Jason. He hit Jason's back with quick strikes, targeting pressure points to weaken him. Jason shrugged off the blows and turned to face Dick with a snarl.

Jason charged with a roar, throwing a flurry of punches. Dick danced out of reach, moving gracefully as he dodged and weaved around Jason's attacks. Dick then zipped in with a rapid series of kicks and punches, hitting vulnerable spots like Jason's knees and solar plexus. Jason grunted with effort, blocking as best he could, and then landed a powerful uppercut that caught Dick off guard, sending him staggering.

Dick flipped backward to recover, then flashed a grin before launching into a dazzling display of acrobatics. He somersaulted through the air, raining down kicks and punches from all directions. Jason growled in frustration, swinging wildly but missing as Dick stayed just out of reach, his movements a blur of speed and grace.

Finally, Dick saw his chance. With a lightning-fast spin, he nailed Jason with a spinning hook kick right to the jaw. Jason staggered back, dazed, and collapsed to the ground. Dick stood over him, extending a hand with a triumphant gleam in his eyes. But just as he reached down, Jason seized the moment. With a burst of energy, he surged forward, catching Dick off guard.

Dick's eyes widened as Jason's fist connected with his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He stumbled back, breathless, and before he could recover, Jason was on him. With a roar, Jason unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks, his strikes powerful and relentless. Dick struggled to defend himself, still reeling from the surprise attack. Each blow from Jason was bone-jarring, driving Dick into a corner. With one final, crushing uppercut, Jason sent Dick sprawling to the mat.

The training room went quiet as Dick lay there, a bit dazed and definitely beaten. Jason stood over him, catching his breath but grinning from ear to ear. After a moment, Jason reached down and offered a hand to help Dick up. They both flopped down on the benches, gulping water and wiping the sweat off their foreheads.

"Man, that was awesome," Dick said, still grinning. "I missed this, Jay."

Jason nodded, his chest still heaving from the effort. "Yeah, me too. It's been way too long since we had a good spar."

Since Batman had been back from the timestream, they hadn't had a chance to train together much. Today, though, they'd made time for it, just to reconnect as brothers.

When they'd finally caught their breath, they headed over to the small infirmary set up next to the training area. Jason motioned for Dick to sit on one of the benches, then grabbed the first aid kit. He got to work tending to Dick's injuries, cleaning and dressing the cuts and bruises with careful, practiced moves. Dick winced a bit but didn't complain, trusting his younger brother's skills.

Once Jason finished up, it was Dick's turn to play nurse. He inspected Jason's wounds and applied some antiseptic where needed. Jason just sat there, relaxing as Dick worked on him.

There was a comfortable silence between them, with only the soft rustling of bandages and the occasional hum of the infirmary equipment filling the air. Jason could have used magic to heal them both, but Dick had talked him into doing it the old-school way. Dick had been feeling nostalgic about their earlier days.

As Dick worked, a question seemed to be bugging him. He finally broke the silence, his voice a bit sad. "Hey, Little Wing, why didn't you invite me to your wedding with Roy?"

Jason's face softened, and he sighed. He could tell Dick was hurt. "It wasn't intentional, Dick. The wedding was kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. Everything happened so fast, and we just decided to go for it. It was a magical thing, you know?"

Dick nodded, though he still looked a bit disappointed. "I get it, but it would've been nice to be there for you."

Jason's expression grew remorseful. "I know, and I'm really sorry, Dick. I shouldn't have left you out like that. I was angry at Bruce and took it out on you, which wasn't fair."

Dick gave a small smile, appreciating the honesty. "It's okay, Jay. We're good."

Dick gave Jason a reassuring smile, brushing off the apology. "It's all good, Jay. I get why you were upset. You and Roy deserve to be happy."

Jason's shoulders relaxed at Dick's words, grateful for his brother's easy forgiveness. "Thanks, Dick. That really means a lot."

Dick's face lit up with curiosity. "So, any plans for a reception or something for the civil part of the wedding?"

Jason's grin widened, the tension between them easing. "Yeah, definitely. Roy and I aren't too fussed about a big church wedding, but we're planning on signing the papers soon. And there'll definitely be a reception for everyone to celebrate with us."

Dick's mood brightened at the news. "Awesome! I can't wait to party with you guys."

After Dick finished bandaging up the wounds, they headed up from the basement to the main floor of Jason's place. Dick glanced around, taking in the familiar surroundings. "Where are the kids? I've missed Damian, Lian, and Billy."

Jason smirked at the question. "Oh, they're off to Japan. Damian's doing sword lessons with Katana."

Dick's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? Damian's still at it?" He was impressed, knowing Damian's commitment to his training was serious.

"Yep," Jason confirmed with a nod. "He missed a month of lessons with Katana because of all the craziness, so he's extra eager to catch up."

Dick laughed, imagining Damian getting pushed hard by Katana. "I bet Katana's thrilled to have him back."

Jason added with a grin, "And Jon's with them too."

Dick's eyes widened. "Jon? You mean Uncle Clark's Jon, not John Constantine?"

"Yep, that's the one," Jason said, trying to keep a straight face. "Apparently, he sneaked out to hang with his friends."

Dick shook his head, chuckling. "That kid's going to be trouble."

Jason laughed, a hearty sound that filled the room. "Yeah, but you've got to admire his spirit."

They reached the top of the stairs and settled into the cozy living room. Dick clapped Jason on the shoulder. "Let's do this again soon, okay?"

Jason smiled. "Definitely. But next time, I'm winning."

Dick laughed. "We'll see about that, little brother. We'll see."


In the calm of Katana's dojo in Japan, Damian and Katana faced off, the soft light filtering through the paper screens creating a peaceful vibe.

Katana, sitting up straight with a serious look, said, "Sword fighting isn't just about muscle, Damian. It's about focus, discipline, and really understanding the art."

Damian listened closely, his gaze fixed on her. He admired Katana a lot, respecting her skills and her dedication.

"The sword is like an extension of yourself," Katana continued, her voice gentle but firm. "To use it well, you need to be in sync with your body and mind."

Damian nodded, taking in her words. He'd always been drawn to sword fighting, seeing it as both a martial art and a way of life.

"Of course, the best way to really get it is to train," Katana said with a hint of a smile as she pulled out her katana.

Damian grinned and unsheathed his own sword. The dojo soon echoed with the clash of steel as master and student went at it, both wielding their katanas with impressive skill.

Damian started the sparring match, coming in with a series of quick strikes. His moves were energetic but not as polished as Katana's. She blocked each hit effortlessly, her sword moving with a smooth grace as she deflected Damian's attacks. With a quick flick of her wrist, she countered with a fast strike aimed at Damian's shoulder.

Damian barely managed to block it, his arms trembling from the force. Determined not to give up, he pressed on with another round of attacks. This time, Katana let him push forward, keeping an eye out for any openings. She sidestepped a slash aimed at her midsection and countered with a quick jab at Damian's side.

Damian reacted quickly, blocking the blow with a desperate move. But Katana didn't let up, her sword spinning in a graceful arc as she hit him with a rapid series of strikes. Damian tried hard to keep up, but Katana's skill was top-notch, her strikes getting faster and more precise.

Seeing Damian getting frustrated, Katana called out over the clash, "Focus on your footwork. Keep your balance and let the sword become part of you."

Damian nodded, more determined than ever, and adjusted his stance. He took a deep breath, focusing on his center as he got ready to go at it again. This time, he was more controlled, his moves more deliberate as he took Katana's advice to heart. He feinted, parried, and searched for a chance to strike.

Katana couldn't help but smile, clearly impressed with how quickly Damian was picking things up. Their katanas clashed rhythmically as their sparring heated up.

As they reached the peak of their spar, their blades moved in a blur, each trying to outdo the other. In the end, Katana's experience won out. With a final decisive move, she disarmed Damian, sending his katana flying. Damian stumbled back, panting and staring up at Katana with awe.

Katana extended a hand, helping him up with a proud grin. "Nice job," she said, clearly impressed. "You're getting better every day."

Damian beamed, feeling a mix of pride and excitement. But he wasn't done yet. Katana saw the fire in his eyes and nodded. They reset their positions, ready for another round. Damian's determination was palpable.

This time, Damian took the lead, coming at Katana with a flurry of quick, confident strikes. His moves were smoother and more controlled, and he was clearly trying to catch his master off guard. Katana responded with calm precision, blocking each hit, but Damian didn't let up. His attacks came faster and harder.

Damian saw an opening and feinted left before swinging a fast slash to the right. Katana barely blocked it, and the force pushed her back. Damian took advantage, pressing the attack with a relentless series of strikes. His movements were a blur as he closed in on Katana, his focus driving him forward.

Katana fought back skillfully, her katana a flash of light as she parried and countered. But Damian was unyielding, his strikes coming from unexpected angles and testing her defenses. With a sudden burst of speed, Damian spun into a powerful attack, his katana slicing through the air. Katana tried to block, but the force of Damian's strike knocked her sword out of her hands, sending it clattering to the floor.

The dojo fell silent as Katana looked at her empty hands in surprise. She had been disarmed by her own student. But instead of being upset, her face showed nothing but pride.

Damian stood there, panting but grinning from ear to ear. He reached out a hand to help Katana up, a sign of respect for his mentor.

Katana took his hand and pulled herself up with a proud smile. "Nice job," she said, genuinely impressed. "You've really outdone yourself."

Damian's grin grew wider at the praise. They bowed to each other, both knowing they'd both come out stronger from this sparring session.

After a moment, Katana's expression softened, her eyes full of pride. "Damian, I'm really proud to have you as my student," she said, her voice warm and sincere.

Damian's face lit up with a rare flush of delight. He bowed his head respectfully. "Thanks, sensei. It means a lot to me to hear that."

Katana's smile was bright. "You've grown so much, not just in skill but in character. I know you'll keep pushing yourself."

"Thank you, sensei," Damian said, his voice steady. "I'll keep working hard and honor everything you've taught me."

Katana nodded, her eyes shining. "I'm sure you will, Damian. And remember, I'm always here to guide you, no matter where you go."

As Damian left the dojo, Jon ran up to him with a huge grin and open arms. Damian was surprised but couldn't help smiling as Jon hugged him tightly.

"Wow, Dami! That was awesome!" Jon said, his voice bubbling with excitement. "You were like a real samurai! I can't believe how cool you looked!"

Damian's cheeks turned red from the praise, and he buried his face against Jon's shoulder, feeling a mix of embarrassment and happiness.

Jon laughed softly, hugging Damian a bit tighter. "You're the best, Dami," he whispered, his voice full of sincerity.

Lian and Billy, who had been watching with amusement, shared a knowing look. They joined their friends, sitting down with them in the peaceful Japanese garden next to the dojo.

Katana approached gracefully, carrying a tray with delicate teacups and a pot of steaming green tea. She performed a traditional tea ceremony, her movements elegant as she served everyone. The kids watched, fascinated by how Katana poured the tea and explained each step with a calm voice.

Once the ceremony was done, they toasted with their cups before sipping the warm, soothing tea. As they enjoyed their tea, Damian felt a deep sense of peace.

But as they relaxed, Damian's thoughts drifted to a more serious topic he'd been mulling over. Taking a deep breath, he decided it was time to open up to his friends.

Damian broke the silence with a thoughtful look. "You know, I've been thinking," he said quietly, "maybe my akhi was right. Maybe we should've never reached out to Batman again."

His friends exchanged concerned glances, sensing the heaviness in Damian's words. Billy, Jon, and Lian all leaned in, ready to hear more.

"I was so eager to get to know him," Damian admitted with a touch of regret. "But now I wish I hadn't pushed Jason to do it. Batman has just brought a lot of trouble into our lives."

Jon put a comforting hand on Damian's shoulder. "It's not your fault, Dami," he said softly. "Wanting to meet your dad isn't a bad thing."

Lian nodded in agreement, her expression understanding. "Yeah, Damian. You had every right to want that."

Billy chimed in, his tone reassuring. "But we all know Batman's messed up big time," he said firmly. "It'll take a while for him to earn back anyone's trust."

Damian's jaw set with determination. "He won't be earning my trust," he said firmly. "Not after everything that's happened."

Billy leaned in, looking serious. "You know," he said quietly, "I might've put a little curse on Batman."

Damian's eyes widened in surprise. "A curse?" he echoed, incredulous.

Billy nodded with a sly grin. "Yep. The Justice League Dark wasn't happy with him, so I made sure he won't be leaving Gotham anytime soon. And a curse from the Champion of Magic? That's not something you break easily."

Damian couldn't help but smirk. "Well, that's one less problem to worry about," he said, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

With that, they all shared a laugh and clinked their teacups together in a silent toast.


Bruce wandered through the silent halls of Wayne Manor, his footsteps echoing in the emptiness. The mansion, once full of life and laughter, now felt like a giant, empty shell. He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his mistakes. The vast emptiness of the manor was a stark reminder of the family he'd pushed away.

Wayne Manor had never felt this lonely, not even after his parents died. Back then, Alfred was always there, a steady source of support. Now, Alfred was living in the Wayne Penthouse with Dick and Tim, while Cassandra and Stephanie had moved in with Cullen and Harper. Bruce was alone in this enormous house, a painful reminder of his own stubbornness and obsession.

He sank onto a nearby bench, burying his head in his hands. The burden of regret was almost too much to bear. Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden movement snapped him back to reality. An assassin had launched an attack.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Bruce dodged a deadly sword swing, his heart racing. He quickly sized up his attacker: Talia Al Ghul, and she was angrier than he'd ever seen her. Her eyes blazed, and her movements were swift and fierce. They faced off, locked in a tense standoff. Bruce knew he was at a disadvantage—barely recovered from a broken leg and without a weapon—but he wasn't about to back down.

The fight began in a blur of movement. Their bodies moved with precision as they clashed, Bruce relying on years of training and instinct despite the throbbing pain in his leg and ribs. Talia was a fierce opponent, her sword flashing as she pressed her attack with relentless strikes. Bruce fought back with everything he had, his fists moving quickly as he blocked and countered her blows. The odds were against him, and he knew it, but he wasn't about to give up.

With a burst of speed, Talia closed in on Bruce, her sword aimed straight at his heart. Bruce barely managed to block the blow, but in the process, he left himself wide open. Talia took advantage, her sword driving into his shoulder with deadly accuracy. Bruce cried out in pain as the blade pierced him, pinning him to the wall.

He groaned, the sword embedding itself in the wall behind him, and his vision swam with the intensity of the pain. His breathing was ragged as he fought to stay conscious.

Talia stood before him, her face cold and unfeeling. "You were always so predictable, beloved," she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

Bruce gritted his teeth, determined not to show any weakness. Talia's laughter was cruel, echoing through the empty corridors of Wayne Manor.

"Talia," he said weakly, "I... I never meant—"

Talia's eyes flashed with anger. "You almost got our son killed, Bruce," she snapped. "He told you to stay away, to keep your distance from this mission. But you never listen, do you?"

Bruce's frustration flared. He knew he'd made mistakes, and that his actions had put Jason in danger, but he hadn't wanted things to go this far.

"He's my son, Talia," Bruce shot back, his voice filled with defiance. "Not yours."

Talia's gaze was icy. "I've been more of a mother to Jason than you've ever been a father," she retorted. "I gave him life when you let him die. And now, you've put him at risk again."

The guilt hit Bruce hard, making his heart sink. He had failed Jason, and now he had pushed things to the edge again. He had no defense, no way to excuse his actions, just the weight of regret pressing down on him.

Talia's voice was sharp and menacing. "Stay away from my sons, Bruce," she warned. "Or I'll make sure it's the last mistake you ever make."

Bruce swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her threat settle heavily in his stomach. He knew Talia meant every word and had the means to follow through.

As Talia vanished into the shadows, Bruce was left alone, the pain in his shoulder throbbing with each breath. He struggled to stay conscious, his mind racing with the thought of whether this was truly the end of his complicated relationship with Talia and their son, Jason.


As the sun started dipping below the horizon over Infinity Island, the air was buzzing with excitement. It was Jason and Roy's wedding reception, and the place was a mix of heroes, allies, and old foes coming together for the big event.

The reception was taking place in the grand ballroom of the Al Ghul family estate, a massive mansion surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The room was decked out with elegant decorations—flowers hanging from everywhere and twinkling fairy lights giving the place a magical vibe. Even with all the beauty, there was still a hint of tension in the air.

Infinity Island had been owned by the League of Assassins for ages, and it took a while for the superhero community to get used to the League's new direction. But tonight, the island was hosting a different kind of gathering. The League of Shadows and the superhero crowd had come together to celebrate Jason and Roy's marriage, showing that even former enemies could find common ground.

Guests started arriving, greeted with a mix of curiosity and a little nervousness. The Justice League, Justice League Dark, and Titans were all there, along with Jason's friends like Arianne, Jade, Rose, Essence, Celine, and Severus. Everyone was there to show support for the happy couple.

Jason's family was front and center—his mom, Talia, and his aunt, Nyssa, were beaming with pride. Even his cousin Nika showed up. And of course, Damian, Lian, and Billy were there too.

As the night went on, the initial tension melted away, replaced by laughter and joy. People danced and mingled, putting aside their differences for the evening. When Jason and Roy finally took the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple, the room erupted in cheers and applause. It was a moment of pure happiness.

When Roy let Jason go to dance with his daughter Lian, Jason seized the chance to slip away from the dance floor. He was quickly surrounded by his friends, who showered him with hugs and congratulations. Celine and Severus approached him with huge smiles, ready to celebrate and share in the joy of the night.

"Congrats, Jason!" Celine said, pulling him into a big hug. "I'm so thrilled for you and Roy!"

Severus jumped in too, giving Jason a hearty pat on the back. "Yeah, congrats, man!" He then laughed and shook his head. "Only you would dig up some ancient Korean bonding ritual that hasn't been seen in centuries."

Celine playfully smacked Severus on the arm, rolling her eyes. "Come on, it was sweet! I'd love someone to go all out like that for me."

Severus rubbed his arm with a mock pout. "Hey, I can be romantic too, you know," he said, though he had a slight blush on his cheeks.

Jason couldn't resist teasing. With a mischievous grin, he said, "Maybe someone will, and maybe it'll be soon."

Severus shot Jason a mock glare, which only made Jason laugh harder. Celine looked between them, a bit puzzled. "What's going on with you two?"

Jason wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Oh, nothing much. Just some friendly banter."

Celine shook her head with a smile. "Well, whatever it is, it's nice to see you all having fun," she said warmly.

They chatted for a bit about how things were going in London. The UK magical community had been in a tizzy over the US sacrifices, but things had settled down once Red Ghoul's involvement came to light. Jason felt a warm glow knowing the magical community trusted Red Ghoul so much.

If only Batman trusted him that much...

When Celine and Severus went off to chat with Essence, Jason found himself facing Jade and Arianne. Their smiles were more reserved but still warm. Jade's smile, though quieter, was genuine as she approached him.

"Congrats on the wedding," Jade said softly.

Arianne nodded and handed Jason a stack of papers. Jason looked at them, confused, and then his eyes widened when he realized they were adoption papers.

His heart swelled with emotion as he looked up at Jade and Arianne. "I... I don't know what to say," he managed, his voice cracking a bit.

Jade's smile softened. "I can't be a full-time mom to Lian and keep her safe," she said quietly. "But you and Roy have been amazing. I thought it was time to make it official."

Jason felt a wave of gratitude. Despite her own challenges, Jade was ready to trust him with Lian. It was a big deal, and he knew it wasn't something she took lightly.

"Thank you, Jade," Jason said, his voice full of appreciation. He signed the adoption papers, each signature a promise to Lian and his new family.

Arianne took back the papers with a proud smile. "Congrats, Jason," she said warmly. "You're officially a dad now."

Jason's heart was full as he hugged Jade and Arianne. Despite Jade's reserved demeanor, her gesture spoke volumes. He knew he'd always be grateful for her trust and generosity.

Feeling a bit overwhelmed after everything, Jason decided to take a breather. He stepped back from the party, giving himself some space. Looking around, he saw his friends and family mixing and celebrating, their laughter and happiness filling the air.

As he stood there, soaking it all in, he couldn't help but feel a bit awestruck. It felt like a lifetime ago when he was just a street kid, scrapping to survive in a world that didn't care about him. Back then, having a family seemed like a far-off dream, something he didn't dare to hope for.

Then, after dying and coming back to life, he'd thought that real happiness was always going to be out of reach. The weight of his past and the ghosts that haunted him felt like too much to ever really get past.

But now, as he looked around at his loved ones, he saw just how much he'd come through. He'd built a life from the wreckage of his past, shaped by the love and support of those who'd stuck by him through everything.

He'd found success as a novelist, pouring his heart into his stories and sharing them with the world. And here he was, surrounded by the people he cared about the most, basking in their warmth and joy.

Jason couldn't help but smile as he watched Damian and Jon being their goofy selves. The two of them were playfully flirting, while Billy, Nika, and Lian had a blast teasing them. Over by the drinks table, Talia, Nyssa, Dinah, and Diana were deep in animated conversation, their voices rising and falling with excitement. The thought of those four women teaming up was enough to give anyone pause—they were definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Madame Xanadu and John Constantine were off in their own little world, debating magical theories with their heads close together. Jason had no clue what they were talking about, but he knew better than to interrupt when they were in one of their heated discussions.

And then there was Alfred, standing proudly with Luke, Kate, Cass, Steph, Dick, Barbara, and Tim. They were like family to him, each one special in their own way. They'd been through so much together, and Jason was grateful for every single one of them.

The only one missing was Bruce. But Jason figured it was only a matter of time before the old Bat made his way back into the fold. He wasn't mad at Bruce forever, especially since he knew his dad was genuinely trying to make things right. In the meantime, Jason planned to enjoy watching Bruce squirm a bit—he couldn't resist a little payback for all those times Bruce had pushed him away.

Still, deep down, Jason knew forgiveness was inevitable. They were family, after all, and that wasn't going to change. As he looked around at everyone he loved, Jason felt a wave of peace settle over him. He was exactly where he was meant to be.