Gotham - The Batcave was silent except for the hum of computers and the occasional flutter of wings high above. Monitors painted Bruce Wayne's face in pale blue, his jaw set, his eyes narrowed and typing the key words with full concentration.
Beside him, Robin perched on a chair, legs swinging restlessly.
"So, let me get this straight," Robin muttered. "You want me to… babysit a new team? Sidekicks. Am I hearing that right?"
Batman's reply was calm, clipped. "Not babysit. Lead the team. You've grown enough to handle responsibility. The League is discussing a parallel unit—young operatives trained under guidance but free to work together. I know you also want to do something different. This will be the experiences for you."
Robin frowned, skepticism in his voice. "And you actually trust that? Putting all the 'kids' in one room?"
"I don't trust easily." Batman's fingers danced across the console. Files opened—images of Speedy, Kid Flash, Aqualad. He clicked to the next folder: Armored Man – Contingency Protocols.
Robin leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "That's new."
"Every threat demands preparation," Batman said flatly. "A man with access to advanced exo-suit technology appeared in Metropolis last month. The public calls him 'Armored Man.' He's unpredictable, not aligned with any League member. If he turns, I need options."
"Options," Robin echoed, smirking. "That's Bat-speak for how to take him down."
Batman didn't deny it. His gaze hardened. "You'll learn this too, Robin. Trust isn't enough. Contingencies are necessary."
Robin sighed, spinning the chair half a turn. "Great. A new team of sidekicks… and a secret plan in case the guy in the shiny suit make troubles and the Bludhaven vigilante who is now in National City. No pressure."
Batman's eyes softened just slightly. "I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't believe you were ready."
~~ National City ~~ A Modest Apartment
The TV droned faintly in the background. Ryotaro sat at the small table, notes spread out—school assignments mixed with his leather-bound investigation log. His uncle clattered in the kitchen, frying something with too much oil.
"Ryotaro!" the man called, cheerful. "Letter came from your mom. And money transfer. She says study hard, don't skip meals."
Ryotaro looked up. His expression barely shifted, but something in his chest tightened. He reached for the envelope, fingers tracing the neat handwriting of his mother.
Study hard.
Don't skip meals.
Normal words. Normal worries. Yet they felt so far from the world he walked in at night.
His uncle plopped into the seat opposite him, sliding the fried food onto a plate. "Your mom worries too much. You're a smart boy. You'll do fine here."
Ryotaro gave a small nod. "I'll manage."
His uncle eyed him with mild suspicion. "You don't talk much about school. Made any friends yet? That Kara girl, maybe?"
Ryotaro's chopsticks paused. He chose his words carefully. "…I'm observing."
"Observing?" His uncle laughed. "You sound like an old detective! Relax, Ryotaro. You're young. Make memories. Your mom didn't send you here just to bury your nose in books. You run away is something that I didn't ask about."
Ryotaro gave the faintest of smiles. "I'll… keep that in mind."
Inside, though, his thoughts never stopped circling. Contingencies. Orphnochs. Supergirl. His life was a chessboard, not a classroom. Yet he couldn't bring himself to shatter his uncle's easy trust. Also he needs to survive in this world. So, he needs to use any means necessary to complete his mission and get new power from the system.
~~ Danvers Home – Evening ~~
The Danvers living room was warm, soft light filling the space. Kara sprawled on the couch with a notebook half-open on her lap, glasses sliding down her nose and silently thinking about something. Across from her, Alex leaned back in an armchair, sipping tea and watching her notepad with interest.
"You've been quiet all evening," Alex said casually. "And don't tell me it's algebra. You've aced that since day one."
Kara fidgeted, pushing her glasses back. "It's the new transfer student. He looks different than any other students."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "The quiet one? Ryotaro? He is good looking one. That's what I can tell."
Kara nodded. "He's… different. I mean, he's polite, always on time, answers questions when he has to. But it feels like—like he's always watching. Everyone."
Alex smirked. "Sounds like a crush."
Kara flushed. "No! It's not—well, it's not like that. He just… doesn't feel like a normal student. Today, when people were talking about that car crash, he looked so… intense. Like he knew more than he should."
Alex set her tea down, her expression sharpening. "Are you saying he's dangerous?"
Kara hesitated. "I don't know. He doesn't feel evil. Just… heavy. Like he's carrying something. Something he doesn't want anyone else to see. Maybe I am thinking way too much."
Alex's voice softened. "Kara, not everyone is hiding a secret identity. Sometimes new kids are just new kids. Also try to make new friends. You are already senior in your class and you are going to graduate next year. So,got any plans for the future. I am going to help my father with the science experiments."
Kara smiled faintly but didn't answer. Her gaze drifted to the window, to the glowing city beyond. She whispered almost to herself: "Then why do I feel like he's already part of something bigger?"
Three places. Three conversations.
In Gotham, a detective in a cape sharpened his weapons of trust and suspicion.
In National City, a boy born into storms balanced his mask of normalcy with the shadows he hunted.
And in a quiet home, a girl destined for the skies wondered if the new transfer student was a piece of the same puzzle she was stepping into.
The world was shifting. Pieces moving. And none of them yet knew just how quickly the storm would break.
*********
Leave the comments and review for this chapter.
Thank you for reading my book.
If you like this book, you can vote and support me with some power stones.