Fandom Justice League: The End

[Crono]

To be honest Brian had only heard half of what Rai said initially, the rest catching up just as she was exiting. The man sat up quickly, "Wait! You can't just leave...." The winged-man let out an incoherent lazy grumble, "Sounds about right, I opt to help and end up doing a majority of the work." He spoke in a low tone then looked from the doorway Rai had left through to the sleeping form of Will across the room.


And in an instant Will sat up, and turned to look straight at Brian, and not to mention the lights flickered at that moment. Not creepy at all. Then the other man who stayed behind moved closer to Will just as Brian had gotten up to move closer, saying something or other about a serpent. "Sorry, not a demon or devil. Just a meta actually." The man paused near Will looking at the younger man and at the blood and frowned, "How exactly am I supposed to feed him? Is it like a vampire, just shove the blood bag in his face and let him have at it?" He was joking of course and just speaking out loud instead of to Vincent or Will, though that was all he could guess.


He removed his rubber mask and slipped it into his pocket before grabbing one of the bags and slowly reaching it closer to Will's face, "Alright William, you be good or Rai's going to be pissed...at both of us."





@Demonhunter @9OClubs

 

[D3lmoniko]

Skyler was no where to be seen. Liam stood near Rai only because he was interested in the discussion. He looked at everyone, sighing. 'Why did I stay?' Liam went to leave, but as he looked for Sky, he poked Rai. "Hey, where did your boyfriend go? He said we'll do something, and I want to see it through."





@Demonhunter

 

[DOUBLENICK3L]

@The Great Catsby[/URL]

Clara heard the response out from the communicator. She had wondered why she was needed at the Fortress of Solitude and what information are being transmitted to some old friends. "You're in Gotham? Well I'm in Metropolis currently." She responded in slightly shocked way. "And what information are you sending to your Dad's old friends? Is something important happening?" Clara said.


@Weapons master25

 

[AceofRoses]

Vincent cast a openly surprised glance at Brian, although he never let his hand drop not nor did he allow Will out of his sight. "Ah, forgive me. The message was addressed to the demon who was here dealing upon the situation earlier. It carried magic to be heard to her." who had so conveniently walked out. Allowing a somewhat sheepish grin pass over his face, Vincent moved to not be exactly in the way of the man, allowing Vincent a better view of his wings. A poor assumption on his part that he had believed the man to be of similar blood, if not among the heavenly host. "I truthfully do not know how a new born demon is treated. I have only ever fought them." fought and killed.


@Demonhunter @Crono

 

[Demonhunter]

Rai was lost in thought, thumbing through books like crazy until Liam poked her. She blinked before realizing she hadn't seen Sky in a while. Good question. She let her eyes scan over the other's form for a moment, of corse she could only see his soul and the outline of her body, but what she could see whats absolutly adorable! Oh my gosh, I swear we're adopting you! She suddenly chirped, pulling Liam into a hug... slightly too hard though for the other would wind up smacking his head against her corset which was lined with a metal form to gaurd against slashes. Not the most comfitorble thing to get pulled into. Rai pulled out her phone texting skylar.


I don't know where you got him, but we're keeping him! He's mine now. This was her way of saying 'we're adopting liam'. Then she was called. She shook her head, letting Liam go and finding her way to the medbay, half-expecting Liam to follow as well.


Damien hisses at the angel, wickedly large teeth displayed and markings flashing lightly. Vincent did not how power over him in the rift, but on the real plane, Vincent would be able to banish him easily and possibly kill him. Angels were dangerous but being a top devil it wouldn't be easy for Vincent by any means, but he had the upper hand. Then he called for Rai. A tantrum ensues and Damien let energy surge for a moment, making three lightbulds explode and literally throwing a discarded coffee cup across the room, smashing it against the wall about two feet from Brian's left side before retreating back in the rift just as Rai had come.


The blood packet inching closer to Will began to freak then newborn out. He didn't know the whole program yet, unnaware of why a hospital blood packet was being shoved in his face. He couldn't smell the blood so instinct to him to bite Brian more than to bite the bag. Rai blinked. He won't take it if he can't smell it. Will wished he could speak, but he felt like he was choking due to the thirst. Rai took the packet and cut it open over another cup, taking notice that the first had apparently been smashed. The second the smell of blood hit the air Will's attention was focused fully on Rai and the cup she offered him. He drank not one but three entire packets one after the other before he was able to speak. Rai, I'm scared! I'm hearing shit and people telling me to do things and I don't want to kill anybody!





@AnnoDomini @Crono @9OClubs

 

[DOUBLENICK3L]

@The Great Catsby[/URL]

Clara listened from the voice speaking into the communicator. But she was wondering why she is needed down in Gotham. "What's so special to see at the Fortress. Kryptonite?" Clara was really guessing now. "What message are you sending to your father's old friends? Are they having a formal reunion?" Clara said. "Something important going on, with them?"


@Weapons master25

 

[Weapons master25]

@Weapons master25[/URL]

Superman heard the reply of his cousin and his smile fell a little."There's just something in Gotham I gotta take care of something very brief. Something about the League of Shadows, remember them?"He asked in a serious tone."I don't have Kryptonite to show you but..it does have a lot to do with us."He said. He looked at Lexi and gave a small smile."Maybe in a bit, we're all tied up right now. Tell you what, Why don't you guys go ahead to Batman? I need to meet my cousin."


@NecroKnight

 

[NecroKnight]

@NecroKnight[/URL]

"Alright. Catch up then," replied Lexi. "Would be much of a reunion with you there. And you know, how grumply he might get - when he is bothered multiple times."


"See you at the Batcave," she added, taking their group and heading towards the manor.

 

[Crono]

"Sounds like you know more than I do." The man told Vincent all the while wondering why Will wasn't reacting to the food in front of his face, then Rai returned. Brian frowned and pulled the bag away before handing it over to Rai then stepping back to allow her access to Will's side, "Well how was I supposed to know, your the one that left stating to keep him fed with no context whatsoever." Brian crossed his arms and watched over Rai's shoulder as she helped Will drink up.


It occurred to him that the question on everyone's mind before had never been asked after the boy had woke, "So, you ready to live the life of that Wendigo thing or would you rather us put you out of your misery now?" While being blunt he wasn't being heartless or cold, or at least that wasn't how he saw it. It was a legitimate question that some had voiced should be Will's decision, Brian felt it should be asked so he asked it.


@Demonhunter @9OClubs

 

[D3lmoniko]

Liam blinked a few times as Rai began to talk about him, and he pushed himself away. "Woao lady!" And then some koreean words that were not soft on her. "I have a mother.... And a father." Liam tried to hide his true home situation for now.


Sky received a text. "Heh." He said, before dodging what seemed to be a metal pipe. "It's not polite to do that!" Sky said, an arrow flying and throwing the assailant on his back. The arrow did not pierced his skin, only dealt enough force to throw him on his back. Putting a foot where the arrow hit, Sky stepped a little harder. "Tell me what I want to know scum, and I'll be fair. White van, experiments on people." The crook was terrified, looking at him. Sky shook his head. His leg mooved to his arm, pressing hard against it. The assailant let out a loud yell, as he began spouting about some warehouse and really shaddy people. Of course, Sky's leg moved away from his hand, as he crouched down. "Thanks. See you when you get out." He punched the crook in the face, his head hitting the pavement as he was knocked out. "Detective, I found the criminal. Pick him up at the Rosenburg alley. Arrow out." Using his grapple arrow he moved to the rooftops. Openning his communicator, he spoke. "Rai, I found where those guys are having their base. It's just a hint, but it may be just it."


Liam at this time was following Rai, arms crossed to his chest.


@Demonhunter

 

[sitanomoto]

Jess and Nightwing arrived at the entrance to the Batcave, with Jess in her Robin suit fully ready to get going. "Dad.... I haven't seen Bruce in for EVER. D'you think he's still mad about the time I smashed his coffee cup against the wall...?" Jess said, wringing her gloves nervously. "I mean, I know it was two years ago and it was an accident.... But still...!"


Nightwing chuckled. "Easy, Chickadee. Bruce doesn't normally grudge out on people too hard unless they're Joker or Joe Chill."


"But Dad–!"


"Jess, if Bruce starts yelling at you or scolding you, just remember: you're walking in my shoes, and I have had an exponentially greater number of scoldings from Bruce. I still get scolded sometimes." He placed his hand on the scanner and his eye up against the retinal detector.


"Oh yeah, that's comforting dad. Thanks." Jess muttered under her breath.


Voice recognition required.


"Nightwing."


Accepted.


The secret entrance to the Batcave slid open and Jess and Dick walked inside, Jess still nervously wringing her gloved hands.


"BRUCE!" Dick called. "I'm HOME!"

 

[Demonhunter]

Rai gets a sheepish look. Sorry Brian. I forget demons aren't a normal thing here. Yeah for future reference, that is more likely to get you bitten. Think like a snake. That bag is room temperature at best and doesn't smell like blood... you're about 98 degrees and smell like the equivalent to a steakhouse to him. Which would you bite first? Will shook his head upset about this entire thing. I swear I wasn't going to bite him! I promise I-


Eh don't worry kid. Urges are normal. Just suppress them.


Will was silent, thinking for a moment. He didn't just want to kill himself and not atleast try it, but if the bad things about being a demon didn't start going away and the good things didn't start to show themselves he might. He'd only been a demon for about an hour so he didn't think he could make a wise decision based on just that.


I-I think I'll stay... atleast for now. I'll give it afew days and think about it. I don't know. Will seemed slightly ashamed about the whole killing himself thing. So far the entire thing sucked! But Isroh was still here, Rai was still here, thousands of others dealt with it so it wasn't impossible.


Rai answered her comunicator, smile lighting up. Oh hey, there you are! You poofed on us, I- He went on to talk about getting a possible lead and her smile only grew wider. Hey that's great! Let's take a feild trip. Can we take the pile of adorable you picked up too? I have no idea who he is but I'm adopting him!


@AnnoDomini @Crono @9OClubs


-----


Isroh bounced in excitement behind Nightwing and Robin, holding his poster like an excited fanboy. He was actually gonna meet THE batman! In the old and decrepid flesh! Hey Jess, Does bats do autographs? Isroh asked excitedly.


@sitanomoto

 

[D3lmoniko]

Liam looked at her. "I am not a kid Queen! Tell her!" Sky heard him through the communicator, laughing. "He's got no choice, does he? And it's alright, I can deal with this on my own. Green out." Sky closed his comm, departing for the warehouse.


Liam approached Rai, arms still crossed to his chest. "So? What did he say? I still need to keep the city safe while he stands here and gets drunk all day. I saw the news papers." Liam did not take a liking to Sky and his lifestyle.


@Demonhunter

 

[NecroKnight]

Jess and Nightwing arrived at the entrance to the Batcave, with Jess in her Robin suit fully ready to get going. "Dad.... I haven't seen Bruce in for EVER. D'you think he's still mad about the time I smashed his coffee cup against the wall...?" Jess said, wringing her gloves nervously. "I mean, I know it was two years ago and it was an accident.... But still...!"
Nightwing chuckled. "Easy, Chickadee. Bruce doesn't normally grudge out on people too hard unless they're Joker or Joe Chill."


"But Dad–!"


"Jess, if Bruce starts yelling at you or scolding you, just remember: you're walking in my shoes, and I have had an exponentially greater number of scoldings from Bruce. I still get scolded sometimes." He placed his hand on the scanner and his eye up against the retinal detector.


"Oh yeah, that's comforting dad. Thanks." Jess muttered under her breath.


Voice recognition required.


"Nightwing."


Accepted.


The secret entrance to the Batcave slid open and Jess and Dick walked inside, Jess still nervously wringing her gloved hands.


"BRUCE!" Dick called. "I'm HOME!"

"Gee. He definetely, didn't hear that," humored Lexi - behind the three. "And Bats' signature is his Batman' stare."

 

[Crono]

"Then it's settled," The man snorted after Will had given his answer, "Your still you and you want to live, so anyone trying to off you would be committing murder." Before, to Brian it wasn't murder, it was more like putting him out of his misery or killing a potential threat. "But no biting, I don't taste like chicken despite what people think." A man with wings, bird brain, chicken, he'd heard it all over the years from either other kids when he'd been a kid himself or these days from the bad guys that liked to mouth off and mock those who oppose them.


"So who's the kid?" Brian chimed in with a smirk on his face, immediately following Liam's attempt at telling Rai he wasn't a child. "And what's your boytoy off doing this time?"


@Demonhunter @AnnoDomini

 

[D3lmoniko]

Liam turned to Condor. "None of your goddamn business bird. Don't you have an egg to lay or something?" He did not take insults too well. Liam was ready to respond if someone were to attack him.


Sky in the meantime arrived at the warehouse. 'Alright Sky, you got this.' He said to himself, jumping on the roof. Deciding to enter through the roof, he took out a window from above, and slowly slid down the rope, looking around.


@Demonhunter @Crono

 

[Demonhunter]

Rai smirked at Liam's explosive temper. No idea but he's mine now. She chirped in response to Condor, even though Liam seemed not too keen on the idea of being claimed as anyone's new kid. Something was changing inside of Rai, instincts driving her to behave strangely lately. She knew exactly what is was but she was a bit bashful to ask Skylar about it. They had all of eternity to think about that, so they were in no real rush. She'd just claim Liam and any other cute souled person that walked by.





Trying to off me!? What?! Rai what have I gotten myself into?!


It's okay, It's okay. Some people don't quite see demons as... well.. people. They think it's okay to kill a demon that might be a threat before they actually become one.


Thats terrifying... Will shuddered, not wanting to have to think about that. So if I'm dead. what happens if I actually die?


Rai hissed air through her teeth for a moment, trying to figure out how to put it. I.... um... Yeah, I'm not gonna say. It might affect your decision.


No I need to know. What happens?


Erm... Well. You get ripped out of that body and arive at the gates of hell. You're neither demon nor human and you become hellhound chow... violently... Well. Actually, you have a pretty face so the alpha might keep you alive for about afew days to-


Okay, do not let me die. nope. not having it. I'll stay! This is bad but not THAT bad!


Rai shrugged, He'd asked. Then Condor began to wonder about Skylar's whereabouts. No idea. He's a big boy, he's got whatever it is covered.


@AnnoDomini @Crono

 

[AceofRoses]

Vincent had let his hand fall at some point, drifting about the back of the conversation and just...in general being confused about the whole chicken comment. The man's wings certainly didn't look like they were shaped similarly to a chickens. Granted, they weren't shaped like Vincent's either but then, even among angels having wings that later became the basis for owl wings wasn't exactly a common thing. Frowning, Vincent tilted his head. "Do you actually lay eggs?"


Then the comment about what happens when a demon dies. Injecting a little more into the group he raised his hand slightly. "He was not turned by choice. The presence might decide to intervene and put him through a judgement." Not that Vincent thought that was much better, but at least the ending was decent, maybe. If he passed. Shaking his head slightly, he looked to the boy. "If you should ever do decide to change your mind. Come to me, and I shall put things down swiftly without you needing to draw a human and their morals into the thought." After all, the murder of a demon was hardly a sin to an angel.


@Demonhunter @Crono @AnnoDomini

 

[Crono]

The smirk dissipated into a flat annoyed face, "Now look here pipsqueak. How about I go find a carton of eggs and shove them so far up your--!" Brian was caught off guard with Vincent's own question, "No I do not lay eggs!" He half-yelled with his pride being tossed around like a ping-pong ball, and accidentally being ganged up on. The man breathed in and tightened his already crossed arms as he turned to look away from them. "Freakin' gingers and their not having souls." He grumbled.


@AnnoDomini @9OClubs @Demonhunter

 

[Ilikepie]

Batgirl had been silently staring at Bruce for a few minutes when the others finally entered the cave. Ace greets Jess and Nightwing happily but growls at Isroh and Lexi. Batgirl was surprised Ace remembers Jess since it has been awhile since she last visited the cave. "Bat-Hound they are friends do not attack". Ace stops growling but still gives Isroh and Lexi a mean glare that he got from Bruce. "Bat-Hound is the world's best tracker he never loses his target so you two better stay on his good side" Batgirl says looking at Isroh and Lexi. Batgirl quickly turns her head back towards Bruce and waits for him to begin speaking.


@sitanomoto @Demonhunter @NecroKnight

 

[D3lmoniko]

"I wanna see you try birdy!" Followed by a slew of Korean insults. "I haven't had a soul since the Gulf!" He yelled, shaking his head, remembering something he wanted to forget. "You know what? Fuck this. I would say nice knowing you, but I would lie." As he said that, Liam went to see the teleporter. It didn't recognize him. Grunting, he tired again, and yet again he was refused. He went to where the rooms were, and went inside Sky's room. He stood on the bed, starting to tear up, painful memories coming up.


Skyler looked around at the warehouse, hearing some sound coming from a nearby lift. Readying his bow, he approached the lift, entering it, and pushed the button that sent him to a lower level. The creaking sound of the old lift would alert anyone to his possition, and he knew it well. Looking up, he jumped and ended up on the roof of the lift, crouching down. He would get the drop on anyone who would come to check the elevator.


@Demonhunter @Crono @9OClubs

 

[AceofRoses]

The angel held up one hand almost as a ward off, a smile crossing his face. "Forgiveness. I did not mean to offend." He had been honestly asking if the man was bird enough to lay eggs. "I have heard to creatures in other cultures, which appear as wings humans and lay eggs." The sirens form the Greeks, or were they harpies? The tengu from Japan. Letting the expression fall away into something of confusion, he looked over the group, cocking his head to double check that he really did hear the whispered song associated with the boy's soul. That was the one they were talking about right? Sighing, he ran one hand back through his hair, flicking the strands back over his shoulder. "They sent me much too early. I don't understand your references yet."


Thinking on different soul songs however. The angel tilted his head back. Did he remember the song that had played around the devil that had appeared? The flickers of energy that most saw while he heard. Drawing the violin case from his shoulder, he reached into the front pocket. The blank sheet paper didn't say blank for long, Vincent tilting his head as the notes seemed to almost bleed across the page under his eyes. Complicated, beautiful, powerful. That was going to be annoying. "Higher demon, does this look familiar to you? This is more or less the soul song that woke your newly risen one."


@Demonhunter @Crono

 

[Sir Les Paul]

"BRUCE!" Dick called. "I'm HOME!"

"Hard not to notice, Bruce replied from his seat. It was a throne, really. Elevated enough to easily see all of the screens in the semi-spherical command console, but low enough to step down with ease. He was facing away from the group as they came in, but the chair turned on its swivel to face them once he replied. Even sitting, he commanded the room. Something about his presence, despite his age, was more intimidating than Superman with the same cool nature as Wonder Woman.


Still, his age was apparent. If not for his hair having been a light gray for years, that would have been the first give-away. The dark creases in his wrinkles, particularly around his eyes, made his years apparent. The darker tone around his eyes made this trait even more apparent, especially with the dim lights of the screens illuminating him from behind. Wonder Woman didn't age; she was a Demigoddess. Superman aged slowly; if anything, he appeared half the age of Bruce at best. But Bruce? Bruce was human. If not for the mechanical heart he had installed two years prior, he'd be entirely human. He was the most mortal element of the original trinity that existed.


"Dick is right about at least one thing. I have too much to worry about to hold a grudge," he said aloud. He then looked directly at Lexi before adding, "nor do I believe in the sins of the father." Bruce then slid the cane he had in his lap out from him and let it touch the ground before standing on it. He used it to step down the steps that led up to his chair. Despite his age and weakness, there was a strong sense of independence that radiated from him. "No, it's not me you have to worry about," Bruce then said with an almost cryptic tone.


It was inevitable. Bruce gave them the stare. His eyes were cold. Unlike Wonder Woman, the coldness of his eyes was not from a lack of sympathy. Diana was part of a warrior people. Bruce was something different. Bruce had stared into the abyss for so long that it had become part of him. To look into his eyes was to look into the gaping depths of darkness itself; the guilt, despair and depression one of the greatest heroes and notorious vigilantes had experienced in his lifetime. It did not matter whether it was Lexi, daughter of Luthor; Dick, his adopted son; Jess, effectively his granddaughter; or, Clara, the latest Batgirl. They were all met by the icy gave of his eyes. Eyes that were too human.


"Dick, you should have been in control of the situation instead of letting them pretend that they were. You have spent too much time training Jessica alone in Bludhaven. Refocus on what it means to be a leader," Bruce said, scolding Dick - almost fulfilling a prophecy in its own right. "Clara, Jessica, Lexi, I will treat you all as my own - for better or worse. You did not save everyone in that room. You alienated Blake and ignored the opinion of another. Do not justify yourselves, do not argue with me. Like it not, each person in that room had a valid opinion. Like it not, there was no wrong action. Let me remind you that I live with the blood of thousands on my hands because I let Joker live; let me remind you that Batman didn't save everyone." Bruce begin ranting. It was only the beginning, but as he went on, he began panting heavier. He grabbed his chest and stopped for a moment, then went on:


"It's fine. Just listen. Sometimes, the answer you like least might save the most lives. Years in the League have taught all of us that what we thought was right may get mangled a decade later. Sometimes people change. Sometimes the people we save aren't worth saving. Sometimes, we make the wrong choice. At one point, the League was just seven people swallowing their pride for the better of Earth - Atlantis and Themyscira included. You have to find common ground, like it or not. Sometimes... the people without friends are the ones that need them the most." Bruce explained to them as he calmed down. His tone shifted from just scolding them to now tutoring them.


He nodded over to Lexi before continuing, "Your father and I weren't that different, honestly. Think about it. We have both fought Superman. We have both done great things and commit terrible deeds. We have both been public enemies. You more than anyone in this room should understand what it means to be given a legitimate chance to prove your intentions." He inhaled deeply for a moment before continuing on. He wasn't fond of bringing up the Joker or comparing himself to Lex Luthor, but he was bringing home a point.


Bruce stepped forward, closer to Dick, Jessica and Clara. "You are all family... in one way or another. We represent more than fear. The Bat was never meant to become what it has today. I never intended to leave a legacy. All that time ago, I just wanted the streets to be a little safer. The streets soon became the city. Thugs became hard criminals. They became gangs. Gangs became the Penguin, Joker, Riddler... I went from a vigilante detective to being compared to Superman. That is not what we are. Don't lose sight of the bigger picture. The cowl is not about what you want and the League isn't a dating service. Dick shouldn't be letting you forget these things so easily," Bruce continued on. His speech was long, but it was expected. They hadn't seen him in some time. Even Terry visited less frequently.


Bruce then cracked a slight smirk. "With all that said... come here," he said, opening up his free arm to give Jessica a hug. Bruce noticed that Clark wasn't there yet, but he assumed he would be. There was serious business to discuss.


@Ilikepie @NecroKnight @sitanomoto


(@Demonhunter What are Wonder Woman and Blake doing?)

 

[NecroKnight]

@Ilikepie[/URL] @NecroKnight @sitanomoto


(@Demonhunter What are Wonder Woman and Blake doing?)

Lexi sighed at that, having a smile on her lips. "Genetically engineered to be the peak of human intelligence, and I always feel, like I am some child whenever you speak," sighed Lexi, crossing her hand to her heart and bowing before Bruce. Often times, he didn't feel like some guy in a costume with gadgets - more like some mystic warrior. "Your right, I might have overreacted with Bruce and Diana - seeing, as I had the upper-hand in that confrontation anyway. I should call and apologize to them..."


That was one thing, that Lexi still felt that Bruce managed to slap into them each time - the big picture. She often thought, that she didn't lose sight of that. Everytime, they fought some villain or gang - whenever collateral damage happened, she always made sure, to help with the recovery bill. Be it medical bills, repair, loans, bailouts or paying to restore half a city. Batman was the prime example, of what one person could achieve, for good or ill. And in her opinion, she never wanted their actions, either direct or indirect to cause another Joker to be born.


At these times, she was vindicated - when she had given Bruce Wayne, master control over her defense and data systems. Batman always had the paranoia - that anybody of the League could cause major damage, so contingency plans were made for all that. She wasn't paranoid enough, to consider her teammates of doing that... well most of them atleast.


Lexi herself, however was a different story - with Batman mostly retired. Lexi had since joining the Justice League, become its unofficial sponsor - upgrading the Watch-tower, its medical centers, tech and defense systems. In addition, she was also responsible for improving the arms of the Police, across the country - not to mention all the other new civilian sector technology. In those cases, if Lexi decided to go rogue, and become a supervillain like Lex Luthor - then she could easily cause mass devastation in her wake; with the League barely able to stop her initial attack.


Although, if such a day were to happen, Batman would take her down. Since, at the moment - she was likely the only League member, whom had willingly helped Bruce develop a countermeasure for Overload.


"So, how you been. You oldie?" she asked.

 

[sitanomoto]

@Ilikepie[/URL] @NecroKnight @sitanomoto


(@Demonhunter What are Wonder Woman and Blake doing?)

Dick looked grave, nodding. As usual, his mentor was right. He looked at Jess, who was looking at her feet, biting her tongue in an effort not to talk back or mouth off. Nightwing noticed this and put a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze and shooting his daughter a small smile before returning to his previous position.


Jess listened to the rant for another moment before she looked up at Bruce, who was giving her as much of a smile as the old bat could give and holding out his arm for a hug. She couldn't help but smile widely and walked forward into his arm, hugging her role model. She felt the cold nose of Ace the Bat-Hound on her calf and she smiled, looking down to see the German Shepherd licking her affectionately. "Hey Ace."