I Promise You, Every Gotham Criminal Shat Their Pants The Moment The Bat Symbol Appeared On Red Hood's

Terrors of Gotham

Chapter 2: Pretend and Wait

The Wayne Manor was distinguished from others in Bristol for being the biggest and most luxurious of all, the enormous steel doors, the wide gardens, the garage with dozens of cars, the floral bushes, and the occasional motorcycles were characteristic marks.

Upon entering the mansion, the first to greet me as always was Alfred, although on this occasion his face denoted confusion, and looking me over from head to toe he told me to go upstairs to my room to change if I wanted to have dinner with the rest of the family.

On my way upstairs, exchanging my visor for my glasses, I couldn't help overhearing parts of the conversation in the library and resisting my curiosity, I went straight to my door.

As usual, my room was dark, curtains closed and my mess was on the floor. I turned on the lights and with the help of another switch adjusted their intensity. From the piles of clothes on the floor I grabbed a baggy, closed sweatshirt and jeans. The shadow got rid of the coat, boots, and gloves. Before I went into the bathroom to take a shower and change clothes, my phone rang from somewhere between my desk and my bed. I ignored it, I didn't have the energy to argue with someone on the phone.

I needed to organize all the thoughts in my mind, to start distributing my time among the most important tasks. Organize the three missions leaving available the team that would be dedicated to infiltrating LexCorp, look for a distraction for Angie, and see if I could escape to the forest for half an hour. On top of that, I had to talk to Roy Harper, and ask him to lend me an island.

The mere thought that in the long run, I would have to throw away years of friendship made me sick, I tried to think about it as little as possible, but my mind always betrayed me. At one point I didn't know if what was running down my face was water droplets from the shower or tears.

The idea was to simply take a lukewarm shower, no longer than 15 minutes. However, I was so stressed that the water came out almost boiling and I was under the stream of water for almost an hour, and it would have lasted longer if it wasn't for that person screaming and almost knocking on the door of my room to the floor.

"Pasley, dinner is ready," I couldn't quite identify whose voice it was, but I thanked him for silencing my mind, even for a few seconds.

I didn't answer, I didn't expect him to have been waiting for one either.

When I entered the dining room, it was already full. Grayson, Drake, the two Wayne's, to no one's surprise, Arthur Johnes, my father, and my brother, sitting in their respective chairs. Alfred had already served everything and some were even beginning to serve themselves and eat.

"You're early." And my plans to go unnoticed were ruined at that moment. Bruce looked up from his plate and turned to look at me, Jay mimicked his action.

"The meeting," I said to see if the girl sitting across from me noticed the intentions behind my tone of voice, "took less time than expected due to the, at least to me, surprising absence of everyone. And I didn't feel the need to stay on patrol," Angie and Arthur were still engrossed in their world, talking to each other almost in whispers, as if they knew everyone at that table could read lips, pretending it was just them alone in that room.

"I'm glad you're all here, how about a training session?" asked Dick, not noticing or ignoring the tense atmosphere between me, my cousin, and what I thought was my boyfriend.

"Sorry dad, we have classes tomorrow," Angie replied, taking a bite of food.

"They gave us a day," James contradicted.

"Hm, then I forgot."

The rest of the dinner was harmonized by the Wayne brothers and their harmless bickering and complaining towards Batman. As soon as everyone was satisfied they began to retire one by one to different rooms in the mansion.

Angie and Arthur sat for a while in the dining room, still talking about their things and pretending that neither my brother nor I were there. It was strange, they had never behaved that way before, in all those years I knew them they had never behaved so irresponsibly.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to talk to Drake," I reported before getting up from the table and leaving the dining room.

Any stranger would get lost in the hallway. If my memory served me correctly, which often failed me, I also got lost in so many rooms. Nowadays I knew every hallway like the back of my hand, which made tasks like that easier.

"Tim, can you help me with something?" I said, knocking on the door. I waited for an answer, probably a no, but what I got was the sound of something banging against the door, the floor, and some of the furniture, so that finally someone opened the door.

"Hi, I'm sorry, I was organizing some things and by accident, I knocked everything over. Come in, come in, sorry for the mess," he said quickly, letting me into his personal sanctuary.

"I'm the one who's sorry, this isn't even important it can wait," I said, starting to turn around to leave.

"What do you say we talk about it tomorrow?" he asked scratching the back of his head, his room wasn't really a mess, if we didn't count the clothes on the floor, the pile of wires on his bed, and desk.

"That's fine with me," I told him, once I left his room.

Sleeping with so much on my mind was almost impossible. That's why as soon as my cell phone started to ring, still in my clothes, I deigned to look for it, not in such a hurry because I knew that if it was urgent they would leave a message or communicate directly through Oracle's systems.

To my surprise, it was only Cheis, asking me if I had time to go for a walk in Row Park, walks that I was grateful for and that meant more than just that. Escaping from the mansion at night, when the security systems were activated, was much more difficult than entering, but the shadow was of some use.

Walking the streets of Gotham again, more aware than a few hours ago, made everything feel more real. My problems, my life, everything.

The streets on the East Side were horrendous, the floor was sticky, the air felt humid, maybe it was just my imagination. I had spent my entire childhood going back and forth from alley to alley, stealing from anything that moved and in all those years I had never complained about the environment, surely I had become weaker after living so long in the mansion, surrounded by luxuries with always clean floors and food on the table.

As I turned right at one of the corners, I could finally see the face of my companion, who by the trash on the floor I could tell had started the fun without me.

"You are late," they said, without even turning to look at me.

"Too early, too late, why nowadays people don't settle for anything?" I asked, taking the cigarette and puffing on it.

"Do you want to get philosophical with me or do you want another dose of the toxin?" asked Cheis, rummaging through his suit pockets.

"The last thing I want right now is to think."

Strange

My neighbors have been doing very strange things. They keep walking an steeping on the grass of my front garden. Their little kid keeps hitting my window with his ball. But the must strenge is that very early in the morning it sound like their are repairing. And very late in the night, like 12 or 1 am, their are talking very loud. As the houses share a wall, I can here everything.

Also, in recent days every small noise makes me jump.

I really need to calm down

Princess of Gotham

Chapter 26: What A Bullet Destroys

Olive

My life has always been a sham. I am a simple replacement. An android, or at least half of my body, designed to destroy beings equal or more powerful than Shade herself.

Jane Todd came to me, saving me from the suffering caused by my creator, Lex Luthor, promising me a better life. Promising me to find my family and if not, the chance to be a part of hers. He came to me when everything around him seemed to be falling apart.

I arrived with the Wayne family a few months before Angella almost stuck a knife in their back.

Assana told me everything, including the plan they both had for Richard Grayson's supposed biological daughter to be accused of treason, not only against the Wayne family but also against Shade.

When I woke up the first time, I didn't know anything, where I was, or how things worked. I was human, but I knew nothing about humanity.

During that time, Jane trained me, teaching me to use the skills Luthor and my parents had accidentally given me. She lent me her clothes, accompanied me if I had nightmares, taught me how to use the sword, even taught me how to use the microwave. Before long I was on his level, ready to carry out the plan.

The supposed Angella Grayson was nothing more than a conspirator, using Eclipse for her own benefit and manipulating different members of her original team of heroes.

Shade, Eclipse, Cheis themself and Scorpion had a deep hatred for the traitors, treating them like scum for months until they found out who had put those ideas into their heads.

All those who had doubts were sent to missions in other cities, even to other countries, but when the threat grew, the traitors stayed day and night in a single district.

Nightmare, White Scarab, Red Sun, Velma, Percia, Alchemy. The greatest team of young superheroes, the Warriors Society, was disbanded. And what were they thinking?

Betray Assana Jernigan, heir to the enormous power of Shade, the most powerful person in this universe, capable of destroying entire planets just by thinking about it, who received the same training as Jane Hart, the girl who in seconds can make you puke your guts out.

The breaking point was when Assana, with the help of Malowe, Callan, and Jane, exposed the name of Angella's real father. Slade Wilson. The ability to read minds had taught her that this data must be in the back of her mind.

Even the world's greatest detective didn't see that coming. But that was obviously part of the plan. Shade gave her one of the worst punishments ever imagined, she would live, free, but she would be permanently erased from everyone's mind.

She begged for forgiveness, and Assana told her that she would let only two people remember her. For a moment, I thought she would choose Dick, but she didn't. She chose Jane and me. Assana, being the one who administered the punishment, couldn't forget her either.

The situation with Richard, having so many memories with Angella, would be different. His memories of his supposed daughter would be erased. He would not remember the main reason why Eclipse took me in or the fight Angella and I had and why in the future he would decide to make me his temporary companion. But after all, he took me in as if he had known me all my life.

When I arrived at the Manor and was left in Richard's care, I thought he would abandon me, but I was wrong. He taught me how to control my powers, he taught me how to cook the basics, he even taught me how to socialize.

Jane was the first person to show me trust, respect, honor. I consider her my best friend, my cousin, my sister, my partner. She showed me what it is to be human. And even though we obviously had some misunderstandings, we always managed to make up in no time. I owe everything to her. I even have so much respect for her that during the time Ric had amnesia, I gave the mantle of Nightwing to her while I infiltrated the court of the Owls.

Without Richard and Jane, I wouldn't have survived more than a week in Gotham.

I was thinking about all this as I arranged the chemicals we had taken on the shelf. Jane had not shown up for class, and most likely she was still talking to the principal, those conversations sometimes lasted for hours.

As I left the room I checked the notifications on my phone, to my surprise, Jane's messages abounded, explaining in a not so brief way her situation and begging me to find a way to get out of the school.

I had no choice but to escape through the school's emergency exits, even though Jane had already told me that Uncle Roy had already asked permission to take me out of the school. I ran to the classroom, grabbed my backpack, and retraced my steps back to the gym. I placed my artificial hand on the door to deactivate the cameras and alarms and finally got out.

I walked down one of the alleys so I could take off the annoying uniform and the necklace with Zatana's spell to cover my robotic parts and put on the suit I had designed with the help of my cousin.

When the location of Eclipse arrived on my phone, it had already started to rain, I had no problem the water would not reach the circuits easily, but I knew that if they continued fighting it would be much more difficult to finish the fight.

The message Jane sent me didn't say much, she was on the roof of a building, far from where I assumed she would be. Still, I decided not to ask questions and help her with whatever she was doing.

"He flies through the air with the greatest of ease, the daring young man on the flying trapeze," I began to sing as I swung between the buildings, just as my father had taught me.

Arriving near her location, I could make her out, her hair and clothes soaking wet, kneeling on the ground, and hugging herself. She was not alone.

In front of her, Genesis, Angella Wilson, was making her appearance again, without the costume we saw her in a few days ago.

I didn't wait any longer, I took out my spear and threw it against her, not to hurt her, but to make her notice my presence, it fell a few centimeters away from her, burying itself in the ground. And I covered the distance I needed to reach them under her watchful eye.

"What a nice meeting, isn't it?" Genesis asked, raising her foot to lift Jane's head with her tip so that they could look each other in the eye -although there is still someone missing," she said, dropping her foot back to the ground. At that moment I had the opportunity to pick up my spear again.

"Get away from her," I said, pointing the halberd at her throat.

"Why would I do that? You have no control over me," he said, with a huge smile on his face.

"Don't worry, Pandora. I'm fine, it was just a scratch," Jane said, trying to get up behind me. But from the sound of her voice, I could tell it wasn't just a scratch.

"How cute," Genesis joked, "What are you two planning to do against me," she asked.

And that was my cue to disappear the spear and throw a punch to her face. I didn't want to start a fight, I just wanted Jane to have time to get herself together so we could get out of there. Nor was it in my plan for Nightwing or Red Robin to show up there and ask us a thousand questions.

Between Angella and I, a fight started, although I clearly had an advantage, the rain didn't bother me as much as it did her.

"I don't feel like fighting with a cheap copy," said Genesis, standing on the edge of the roof, then turned to my cousin, "Let this be a lesson to you Eclipse," when she finished speaking, she let herself fall, but I didn't dare to find out if she had survived the fall. I ran to help Jane, who with the help of her shadow created support for her weight. When she looked up, not only did I see that she was about to start talking, but also that her eyes were completely black, and a deep wound in her abdomen was a bad omen.

"I don't want explanations now, I'll take you home and help you with the wound," I said, putting his arm around my shoulders to help them walk, "We're not far away, just... don't fall asleep.

We made our way to my Uncle Jason's apartment in total silence. We entered the building through one of the windows in the hallway on the floor where the residence was located. With the help of Jane's shadow, we opened the door.

When we walked in, we saw a shirtless Jason, wearing sweatpants and wet hair. But when he saw us enter, he quickly put his shirt back on and got up to help me with Jane, who was beginning to close her eyes.

"What happened to her?" he asked me, leading his daughter to the biggest couch in the living room.

"I don't know, they were already like that when I arrived," I told him, going to the kitchen to look for the first aid kit.

Jane, what do we do now?

Previous Chapter

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Parallel: i've done a lot of dumb stuff

Scorpion, Jim Bullock: i witnessed the dumb stuff

Callan: i recorded the dumb stuff

Black Arrow, Hakan: i joined you in the dumb stuff

Shade and Poison: i TRIED TO STOP YOU FROM DOING THE DUMB STUFF

This is the Dumbledore we should've had and we missed:

A Dumbledore that should've been an example and a father figure for the students.

A Dumbledore that fights for the injustice of the Wizarding World. The discrimination against muggleborns. Someone who never lets kids fight a war that isn't up to them. But lets them fight for their rights and their opinions.

Someone that understands kids and teens and their needs according to their age. Someone that has fun when he needs to have fun. And also someone who is an authority and scolds when he needs to scold.

Imagine a Dumbledore that is friends with James Potter and encourages him to change and grow up from his immature self. To realize what it is important in life. To try to gain Lily's love by showing her his true self. Not by showing up.

Imagine Dumbledore being a parent figure for Sirius. Letting him know there is nothing wrong with him if he is different from his family. Being a gay guru for him and helping him realize his feelings for Remus. But making sure he doesn't lose himself for love just like he did for Grindelwald.

And imagine him helping queer youth, because he is queer himself.

Imagine a Dumbledore giving Remus confidence. Letting him know that he is not a monster and he deserves happiness and love. Asking him how he is every month. Inviting him for tea and distracting him around the full moon. And with his power, helping him destroy the prejudices people have of werewolves and doing the impossible to change the law against them.

Imagine a Dumbledore making Peter be more sure of himself. Encouraging him to study, letting him know that he is not stupid, that he just needs a bit more effort to learn. Making sure he is not sad about feeling alone or being scared about the war. Because he is the most vulnerable of the Marauders. Making sure Peter knows his friends love him no matter what.

Imagine a Dumbledore that helps kids that are lost, or are forced to take the wrong side. Not by punishing them but by helping them realize their beliefs are wrong or they are more than their pureblood families. Like Regulus, or Barty.

Imagine a Dumbledore that doesn't discriminates muggleborns. In fact, he gives them more importance and love, to demonstrate that they deserve attention as well. And a Dumbledore that gets angry and wild when an injustice occurs.

Imagine a Dumbledore that is Minnie's best friend. Someone that not only cares for her and the rest of the teachers as staff. But as human beings. Someone that understands their personal problems. Imagine Dumbledore helping Minnie realize she deserves a happy ending as well, no matter how much she had suffered. And how much she had lost. Perhaps helping her encounter her past loves again.

Just imagine Dumbledore going against the Magic Government and annoying parents who want to keep the school a conservative elite pureblood place. But tries to transform it into a respectful school for anyone no matter their blood status or skin color or religion or sexual orientation.

Dumbledore should've been a Godfather that is always for students, teachers and staff no matter what. That helps when he is needed. Someone in who people should trust. Students should've loved him as a father. And Dumbledore should've loved the students as his own kids.

Dumbledore shouldn't have been someone that manipulates people. Not someone that gives a false image of himself. Not a selfish asshole that only thought about winning a war. Not someone that used everyone as a pawn in a larger game.

I think Dumbledore had the potential to be a king, a saviour, a role model, a real hero. But he wasn't. He just tricked everyone but he was a coward.

꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱  WING AU  ꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱

doodles for today, give them suckers some wings y’all

The view from my window

A nice sketch I made

I mean, there are a lot of people saying they want to help (including me). We can totally start it with a little organization

I'm just saying

there should be an AmRev webtoon

I love being queer, reblog if you too love being queer