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A Sitch in Jump city Ch. 3 (Unedited)
🕑 Added 2023-12-23 02:38:51 +0000 UTCA Sitch in Jump City
By: Bubbajack
Co-Authors/Editors: Icysnowsage, First Hassan/Darklord331
Special Consultant: Heliosion
Note: Special thanks go out to my Super Donors Alexander Murry, Apostle_of_Darkness, Ben wanless, Bobby Glass, CrazymanDK, and Jareth Norris. As well as all my other Patrons.
Ch.3: Enter the Bat Clan.
Ron spent the next few days paranoid. Wondering when the Teen Titans were going to find out he was the one who stole the Red X Suit and come crashing into his duplex. But as days wore on and he spent the majority of his afternoon by his father's bedside in the hospital, that never happened. It honestly astounded him because he was the obvious culprit. Did Robin honestly think he was so inept that he was incapable of stealing something like the Red X Suit when he saw Cyborg put in the code for the thing? ‘I suppose I should just count my blessings.’ Ron thought to himself. ‘Dad's alive. KP's here for the moment, and I'm not going to prison. Booya?’
So, thinking, he got up and made breakfast for the day. Pancakes, eggs, and bacon. He cooked a little bit extra for his guest. Plated some for himself and Rufus and sat down. Putting a third plate in front of his dining room table, Silently thanking Jehovah and Wade for his new Living conditions And saying a silent prayer before he began to eat. The moment, he said. “Are you going to continue to slink in the shadows, Mr. Wayne, or are you going to sit down and have breakfast with me?”
From the confines of his closet, near the front door, came the Batman himself. You would be looming and terrifying to most, but Ron just found him a little bit funny. “You knew I was there and you know who I am,” He said in a gruff, what was probably supposed to be a menacing voice. “Impressive. Master Sensei speaks highly of you for a reason.”
“Ah, you trained with Master Sensei. Cool, cool, dude. That means we can dispense with all this cloak and dagger crap. I'm assuming you're here for the suit?” Ron asked without preamble.
“Not exactly.” As he took a seat down from across from the boy who was supposedly the Mystic Monkey Master.
“Do you like pancakes? I can always fix you something else.” Ron asked, trying to be a good host.
“This is fine. Thank you.” The Caped Crusader replied as he cut into his food. After a moment, he said, “I thought you were Jewish, Mr. Stoppable?”
Ron nodded, “I am, but I guess I'm a bit of a laxed Jew, Mr. Wayne.” And then added, “You mind if I ask you a personal question? Before we get down to business anyway?”
The Dark Knight nodded his assent, “Go ahead,”
“What makes a billionaire playboy wanna go out every night dressed as a bat and beat the crap out of criminals?”
Batman silently chewed on his meal for a moment before he replied, “Younger than you are now, about six years old or so, my parents took me to see Zorro. I loved it. We were walking home through an alleyway. When I'm when a mugger appeared, and shot both my parents dead.”
“Sorry to hear that, Mister Wayne.” Ron said in genuine sadness for the man.
“Thank you. Thomas and Martha Wayne were greater people than I could ever hope to be. I swore to myself that night that I would become a pox on the crime of Gotham City. That the crime that had infected that city that my parents fought so hard for, would be torn out one way or another. That I would become Vengeance. The Knight.The Batman. That I would give the criminals something to fear. To the point that the good people of Gotham would never have to go through the same thing I went through as a child.”
“And so began a one man crusade against crime?” Ron finished up for him.
“More or a less Mr. Stoppable…” He paused before fixing his intense gaze on the boy across the table from him. “And now that brings us to you.”
“I'm getting a feeling you haven't come here just for the suit, Bats.” Ron said, knowing he should feel nervous, yet he was entirely at ease around the man.
“I haven't. The fact of the matter is, Robin can't figure out that you've taken the suit, and that proves just how incompetent he really is. That, combined with the reason he created that suit in the first place, proves that he probably needs remedial training.”
“So what? You're going to drag him back to the bat cave and give him a spanking?” Ron asked amusedly, raising an eyebrow.
But The Dark Knight shook his head, “No, you're going to do it for me.”
Ron pointed at himself, “I am? And why would I do that? I mean, don't get me wrong, the Red X suits cool and all, but I'm not a superhero. I'm a sidekick, and an incompetent one at that.”
“Ronald,” Batman said, using his full name. “You're far more competent than you realize. “You detected me being in your home, and sussed out my true identity. Not many can claim to have done that. Furthermore, while in an irrational state of mind, you came up with a foolproof plan that allowed you access to the Red X Suit, from within the confines of Titans Tower. One of the most secure places in Jump City. That proves you have tactical planning, Initiative, And are capable of things even you don't realize. Combined with your Mystical Monkey Power and innate mastery of Tai Shing Pek Kwar, and you are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Thank you? I never thought I'd be receiving praise from The Batman.” Ron said, honestly astounded about how this day was going.
“I'm not really giving you praise, I'm just pointing out honesty where I see it.” The Caped Crusader replied. “Moving on, however, yes, I would like you to keep the Red X Suit. And use it to keep Robin on his toes.”
Ron held up a hand for a moment of silence, “Let me just see if I've got this straight. Big Daddy Bats. You want me to heckle your primary apprentice? For the gits and shiggles?”
“Essentially, yes. He's so dead set on proving he's a better leader than I am, that he becomes obsessed with it. First it was Deathstroke and now I need it to be you.”
“Deathstroke?” Ron asked confused, “You mean that Slade guy?”
The Batman nodded. “Yes, he was one of my old adversaries. His actual moniker was Deathstroke the Terminator, a mercenary for hire. I heard he'd retired, but apparently he was just messing around with Robin for fun.”
“His idea of fun isn't very funny.” Ron said flatly.
To which Bruce replied, “I never said the man was sane. Just that he was retired and this was his idea of fun.”
“Masugna now this is so messed up,” Ron said as he ran his hands through his hair, “So you want me to mess with Robin as a form of remedial training? What's in it for me? Because I will eventually get caught by him, probably. Then it's off to the big house for me.”
Should he eventually catch you, I'll come clean about the whole thing, and you'll have full access to the Justice League.”
Ron blinked in disbelief, “You're willing to make me a member of the Justice League for this stunt?” Then clapped his hands over his ears a couple times to make sure he wasn't hearing things. “No joke. I'm not hearing things right?”
Ron did something that would have made the Joker green with envy. He made Batman chuckle. “I'm quite serious, Ronald. In fact, we're considering promoting all the Titans to the Justice League once they come of age. But they still have some getting up to par to do. That's where you come in.”
Now Ron was catching on rather quickly, “So you want me to act like drill Sergeant Nasty and just make their lives heck for a bit. While secretly getting them in shape to join the JLA.”
“That's right. With all the tech that's already in the red X suit, you should be more than a match for Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy, and with your innate skill in Tai Shing Pek Kwar, Robin should also be easy for you to handle.”
Ron stroked his nonexistent beard in thought. He had to admit it was tempting. Being offered a free free ticket into the JLA of all things. He didn't really have much of a reason to say no, except…
“What about Kim or Wade? I'm kind of curious about why you haven't recruited either one of them.”
In response, Batman noted, “You're not the type to leave anyone behind, are you Ron?”
“Not if I can help it, dude,” He said, and with defiance gleaming in his chocolate brown eyes.
This caused the Caped Crusader to smile just a little bit. “I'll see what I can do, but I can't make any promises.”
“I appreciate that,” Ron said, seemingly satisfied with his answers. He continued, “About the suit itself though. It's running off some weird chemical thing called Xenothium? Stuff seems kind of dangerous. Apparently Robin based the suit's teleportation function on miniaturized JLA portal tech.”
Batman ran a hand down the uncowled part of his face, “Of course he is. Of course he used something incredibly dangerous. I'll see what I can do about finding a different power source for the suit. For now, you'll just have to use it as is,” He said before he continued, “If anything, that gives you a good reason to act as a thief, and get Robin's attention.”
Ron nodded along, Not able to disagree with the man's logic. “True. I suppose it would. It also has an AI he calls Babs. Looks like a cute green-eyed redhead?”
Again, for the second time in one sitting, the Batman chuckled a little bit. “Remind me to introduce you to Oracle sometime, Ron.”
“OK,” You said a bit cluelessly, “Sounds good,”
Batman stood, and Ron did the same. Putting his dishes in the sink, Batman said, “Show me the suit.”
(...)
Ron assumed That Batman was going to make his introductions to the Teen Titans as Batman. He couldn't have been more wrong. The Caped Crusader asked to borrow his bathroom, then came out twenty minutes later dressed as the billionaire Playboy Bruce Wayne.
“Dude, you have got to show me how you clean up so nicely and so quickly.”
Chuckling a bit, Bruce replied, “Years of practice more than anything, Ron. You don't mind if I call you Ron, do you?”
“It's better than Mr. Stoppable. That's my dad's name. Well actually, his name is Dean, but you know what I mean.” The blonde buffoon of a sidekick said absentmindedly, As he continued to marvel over how quickly Bruce Wayne could go from Batman, dark cowl wearing vigilante.To billionaire foppish Playboy.
“Yes. How is your father doing, by the way? I heard he got attacked by some of Falcones men?”
“He’ll live, thanks to Raven and some of the medical staff here at Jump City Hospital. My folks are primarily worried about how they'll pay the bills, though.”
Bruce waved a hand and said. Don't worry about that, I've already taken care of it.”
“Mr. Wayne, you really don't have to,”
I know I don't have to, Ronald.But I feel like since you're a fellow hero.It's my duty to do whatever I can to help out my fellows.”
Ron gave him a gigawatt smile.“You're the bon diggity. Has anyone ever told you that, Mister Wayne?”
Bruce found himself laughing more in the past twenty minutes than he had in the last few years. Ron seemed to just have that effect on him, “I must admit it's the first time I've been called the Bond Diggity, but I don't dislike it. Now come on, there's a Rolls Royce waiting downstairs for the two of us.”
Ron nodded, “Sweet dude, but where are we going? And do I have enough time to tell my parents I'm stepping out for a bit?”
“Of course I'm not going to abscond with their son and be thought of as a kidnapper.”
“Uh, do you want me to introduce you to my folks or are you good?”
Bruce paused for a moment before nodding along with his suggestion, “I think introductions would be a good idea, actually.”
(…)
Margaret Stoppable was sitting at the coffee table that dominated the new stoppable kitchen, the linoleum checkered floor, was checkered in tan and blue. The wooden cabinets had all manner of things placed in them, from spices to appliances. A stainless steel fridge was placed to the immediate left of the entrance, And Margaret was sitting at the table, currently going over hospital bills, of which there were a legion of. And she was trying to figure out how to pay them all with her husband on the mend and her job, being the lesser of the two of theirs, as she tried to figure out how to pay them all off.
‘I just don't make enough to cover all our bills. Dean's hospital bills, and everything else on top of that. Despite how well paying this new job is. I just don't know how we're going to make it until Dean gets back on the mend.If he ever does,’ Margaret thought to herself. The woman was pulled out of her thoughts of sinking slowly into debt when her son poked his head into the kitchen, Ron said. Hey, mom, a friend of mine would like to talk to you for a minute.”
Doing our best to hide her worries with a smile, she said, “Oh, who is it, Ronnie? Someone from your new school?” She tried to figure out who it could be thinking. ‘It's not Kimmy. She's out with Ann right now. Bless the Possibles.’ She thought, for without them, she didn't know how she'd be able to keep it together at this point. Ane and Kim were cooking for her, while Jim, Tim and James had taken up doing the yard work and household chores that Dean usually did, but was currently unable to do. Kimberly, bless her soul was pulling double duty, keeping Ron distracted, whenever school work or what she assumed were his occasional forays into Titans Tower was unable to do so.
Margret Stoppable expected a lot, but she never expected Billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne to walk into her kitchen! “B-Bruce Wayne?! What, what are you doing here?!”
Giving her a winning smile, the man replied, “You see Missus Stoppable I owe your son and Miss Possible a big one. You see, one of my employees keeps having his tech stolen. One Dr. Cyrus Bortel.”
“The mind affecting tech guy?!” Ron complained. “His stuff always gets me in trouble! I almost took over Canada once due to his Attitude-inator thing.”
‘Good times,’ Zorpox commented wistfully.
‘Shut up!’ Ron shot back.
“The very same,” Bruce agreed. “Since you’ve saved my company from a lawsuit more than once, I figured it would only be fair that I return the favor. I’d like to let you know Missus Stoppable that I’ll be handling your hospital bills.”
Margret was at a loss for words, “Mr. Wayne I… I don’t know what to say…”
Bruce shook his head, “You don’t have to say anything ma’am, it's already been taken care of. Furthermore, I’d like to hire Ronald for a job, it’ll be a night job working security at one of my sites here in town.”
“That’s very generous of you Mr. Wayne. But how did you know about all of this?” Margret asked.
“I make a point of keeping track of people who’ve done me a service in the past Missus Stoppable. To see they are justly rewarded.” Bruce replied earnestly. “As for Miss Possible, I was thinking about giving her a glowing recommendation to any place she may want to go for college and any sector or field she may want to work in. That said, might I borrow your son for the afternoon?”
“I… Of course Mr.Wayne! My son has thanked you for this opportunity I hope?” Margret said while giving her progeny a stern look.
To which Ron replied flatly, “Of course I have mom.”
“Good boy Ronnie. Now go out with Mr.Wayne and make the family proud.” She finished giving her son a winning encouraging smile.
I’ll do my best mom, seeya later.” Ron said as he followed the Billionaire Playboy Philanthropist out the door to the waiting Rolls Royce.
(...)
Once he was sitting comfortably in the plush leather backseat of a car worth more money than he’d ever seen in his life (at the moment) Ron was offered a glass of orange juice by the currently not Caped Crusader. “Thanks dude. Did you actually mean it when you said you were gonna offer me a job or is that a cover?”
“A cover but the JLA could also use Red X for infiltration and information gathering.”
“And plausible deniability if I just so happen to get busted.” Ron noted.
Bruce raised an eyebrow, “Do you really think we’d be that cruel?”
The blonde shook his head, “The JLA or Bruce Wayne? No. The Batman? Yes. As if I’m lousy enough to get caught in the first place, then by his standards I deserve to rot.”
‘Do I really come off as that much of a heartless monster?’ Bruce thought to himself.
“Yes, you do, or at least that’s what your reputation paints you as.” Ron replied, reading the look on his face like an open book.
Sighing, Bruce said, “While I admit some of it is necessary to deal with the type of criminals I deal with in Gotham I do care about my teammates and family in my own way.”
The blonde nodded knowingly, “Yeah, you're like that tough hardass dad with near impossible standards, who still loves all his kids. Who also acts as the gruff and silent but dependable colleague who comes in clutch when the chips are down.”
“If you ever tell any of them…” Bruce warned.
Ron scoffed, “You’ll what? Stalk me to death? Dude, I know way, way, way deep down you're just a big softie… and I respect the heck outta that! I ain’t gonna say jack about it to anyone. Least of all your kids, because it would ruin your image.”
“Thank you Ronald. While I have you here do you happen to have any ideas that could be of use to the superhero community?”
“Why ask me?” The freckled teen wondered.
Bruce was quick to explain. “Kim and you are on the ‘ground floor’ so to speak. You see things others don’t or are likely to overlook. It happens a lot when the JLA is busy dealing with potentially world ending threats.”
“Can’t see the forest for the trees.” Ron noted mainly to himself.
“You aren’t wrong,” Bruce acknowledged. “That’s why I said your views are important.”
Ron thought hard for a moment before finally speaking his piece, “I think the most important part is targeting the next generation of heroes. For example there are plenty of local heroes or vigilantes that would benefit from a trust fund or at least some support from you to help fight crime. I know for a fact some of the Robins were street kids that just needed a good perspective or role model. Why let Batman take all the credit when Bruce Wayne can say he sponsored the next big hero. Seems scummy but you can sell it to your shareholders and give you good publicity. For example there is that kid in dakota I think his name is Static Shock? He seems like he is using bare bones materials to fight crime but he is doing his best to help people. Or other heroes that are connected to the Teen Titans but can’t afford a home base or a safe house to lie low when things get too spicy for them. I figured that would be a way of getting a major charity event while also getting a tax deduction and again the greedy shareholders can’t complain because it's free publicity that makes Wayne Enterprises more money.”
“All good ideas,” Bruce agreed. “Anything else?”
Ron took a breath, “This ones a bit personal but here it goes. You need to get all of your personal rogues except Joker, Zsasz, and Scarecrow out on parole.”
Bruce frowned a bit before he stroked his chin and asked, “I am curious as to why you think that?”
“How many people have those three alone killed? I ask honestly because of the three I mentioned only two qualify for Arkham. Zsasz is just a serial killer with a self scarring fetish.
“Too many, but if I just let them die then…”
Ron interrupted saying, “The families of their victims will sleep much easier at night I’m sure. Now I am not asking you or any of the Justice League to kill, harm, or even torture those villains. That violates your own oaths and codes. Regardless of how some people feel Batman is a hero that doesn’t need guns or to kill his enemies. Let the government do that. These men have forfeited the rights to be considered human. The death penalty is too good for them but we must be better than those we punish. I think you are a great man Bruce. You care about your rogue’s gallery very much. You are the only one who sends them to a hospital of all places for them to recover. Not even superman does that and he is The American Dream. But and I do mean but some people just can’t be allowed to live. I fear the day you become Rorschach.”
“The ink blot test?” asked a confused Bruce while also feeling touched that someone understands the hard struggle he has to go through everyday to stay true to his convictions.
“Rorschach was a hero based on batman. He was written as a satire of Batman as a horrible what if. What if Batman was pushed to cross the line?”
“What pushed him over the line?” asked Bruce while wondering what could have broken the will of a hero based on himself.
“But yeah, if you ever have some free time between skulking in alleys at night and boring board meetings, pick up a graphic novel called Watchman.”
“I may just do that Ron, but what exactly do you expect the rest of my Rogues to do if they manage to get out on parole?”
“Put Poison Ivy and Freeze in a lab. Seriously, those two are geniuses… Geniusii? Of their respective fields. Let Ivy solve world hunger and for the sake of Jevoha, help Freeze’s wife man! That is literally the only reason he’s a villain. Dr. Quinzel is only a villain because she’s in an abusive relationship, and all the others just need to be on their meds to be functional members of society… and if you want some real help, ask the Flash for tips.”
“Flash?” Wayne said dubiously.
Ron gave the Dark Knight a dumbstruck look, “Dude, have you not seen the video online where he talks down one of his rogues just by pointing out he was off his meds and wearing his super suit? Inspirational stuff.”
“I’ll talk to Flash next time I see him. Anything else?”
Ron hummed in thought for a moment, “Don’t you have a butler?”
“Yes, Alfred. He went on to Titans Tower ahead of me with the rest of the family. Why do you ask?”
“How much do you think Robin is freaking out right now?” Ron asked with a grin spreading over his face.
“A lot probably, but we’re about to find out.” The multi-billionaire replied, for their final destination was in sight. Titans Tower, with the land bridge already raised and waiting for their arrival.
(...)
Robin was sweating bullets. Not because he couldn't figure out who Red X was, but rather because one, Alfred Pennyworth, was due to be in Titan's Tower in under an hour, and the place was a shambles. It was to be expected, of course. They were teenagers and weren't the best cleaners. But this was the Alfred Pennyworth coming to inspect the home of a bunch of teenagers. And if there was one person Robin didn't want to disappoint, it was Alfred. Who at times felt like more of a father to him than Bruce.
“Explain again who this Alfred Pennyworth is, Friend Robin?” Starfire asked as she used her heat vision on the inside of the refrigerator to kill the furry blue muck that had lurked within. How a Tamaranian Mold Beast had come to infect their fridge, she didn't know, but it had to die regardless.
Robin, who was carrying two bundles of laundry between each end of his bo staff, replied, “He’s family, Star. I don't want him to think I've been living like a slob while I've been away.”
“So basically, he's your Butler, but he's also family.” Cyborg said, filling in the blanks.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Robin affirmed. “Which is why I want this place as spotless as possible before he shows up.”
“Dude, we're doing our best. Chill. You're not making the atmosphere any less tense.” Beast Boy said as he washed dishes at super speed.Turning into an ape so he could do it twice as fast, having Opposable thumbs on his feet was Useful for tasks like this.”
“I agree with Beast Boy's sentiment,” Raven said in her monotone. “You being hectic like this isn't helping anyone,” Before she incanted. “Azarath Metrion Zinthos,”
The whole room turned black, with Raven's magic, before all the dust in the room was sucked into a singular point, the size of a marble. One that she telekinetically dropped in the trash bin. “Dusting done,” She said flatly. ‘I wonder how Ron's doing right now?’
“I too wonder how Friend Ron is doing, I hope his father is healing well from his injuries, Friend Raven.”
“Ah, I said that out loud?” The Gothic Titan said, a little embarrassed, pulling the hood of her cloak down lower to hide her slight blush.
Cyborg patted her affectionately on the arm.“We're all worried about him, Rae, he's good people. I never knew somebody could out eat me on my granny short ribs, but dang, he did.”
“Yeah, he even got you guys to try my vegetarian stuff, I never thought that would happen.” Beast Boy said, still smirking a bit at the memory.
“It wasn't bad Limabean, but it's not going to be a thing, alright?” Cy said, joking with him.
“I wouldn't expect it to be, Tinman,” The changeling fired back just as easily.
Starfire clasped her hands together and said, “By X’hal’s might, I hope his father makes a full recovery and that he can come by again sometime soon. We still have yet to finish the Xena Warrior Princess.”
Robin stomped down on that stubborn paranoid part of him that Batman had instilled in him. The part that said letting anyone who wasn't part of the team close to his team was a bad idea. The part that Terra having come into and out of their lives on multiple occasions, had only reinforced. Instead, he said, “We'll see, Star. Right now, we have to survive, Alfred…and his inspection.”
“Dude, you're making this guy sound like the Spanish Inquisition. I don't think he's gonna be that bad.” Beast Boy said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Thank you for the vote of confidence, Young master Beast Boy.” Said a British accent from the doorway to the living room.
Standing in the doorway was an older man, With a head full of thinning hair, a full mustache on his upper lip, and in full Butler attire. Behind him were several other people of various ages.
Even Robin was shocked to see everyone. “Wait, Alfred, You brought everyone? Should I ask why?”
“Why Master Grayson? To put it simply, I wanted to come back home to an intact Wayne Manor, not a collapsed hovel,” The Butler, who was presumably the infamous Alfred Pennyworth, said in dry humor.
“We're not that bad, are we, Pennyworth?” A young ten year old boy said flatly as he glared up at the man.
Glancing to the side, Alfred replied, “Do you really want me to answer that master Damian?”
“He's got a point, as much as I hate to admit it. Last time he left us alone, we kind of destroyed the kitchen,” Another older raven-haired boy remarked.
“What do you mean, we? That was all you, Drake,” The younger Damien snapped at him.
“No fighting.” An older girl with Asian features and long dark hair stepped in.
The eldest boy of the bunch outside of Pennyworth, who had red hair with a streak of white in it remarked. “Nice place you got here. Got any beer?”
“Master Todd, behave yourself, and for your sake, Master Greyson you had better not,” Alfred said in an aggrieved tone.
He scoffed, “Tch, Fine Al. I'll play nice with the kiddies.”
“No… we don’t have any beer Jason. I… honestly didn’t expect to see all of you.”
To which Tim shrugged, “Well what did you expect man? You don’t call, you don’t write, we didn’t even get a postcard for Christmas.”
Robin looked away abashed, “I was… a bit busy Tim.”
“Before or after you became Deathstroke’s little bitch for like a month?” Jason asked.
Robin seethed, “Shut it Jason.”
Deciding to do what she did best, Starfire broke the tension with a round of Tamerian wellness checks… i.e. death hugs. “Greetings new friends! I am Princess Starfire of Tamarand. It is nice to make your acquaintance.”
Fixing his suit jacket, Alfred replied, “Your majesty, the pleasure is mine,” He sent the oldest Robin a look, “I do hope Master Greyson has been conducting himself appropriately around royalty?”
“Please, there is no need to be the formal. Friend Robin has been perfectly acceptable I believe. Here on Earth, I am not a princess, I am just Starfire please Alfred Pennyworth,” The Tameranian politely requested.
The Brit gave a kindly smile, “Very well if you insist,” He made his way over to Raven and extended a hand. “You must be Miss Raven. The pleasure is mine. From what I understand you're a fellow tea drinker. I took the time to pick up some of the good stuff from Gotham.”
“Oh! That’s kind of you. You didn’t have to go through all the trouble though, thank you Mr. Pennyworth,” She said as she took his hand.
“Never you mind dear, us tea toddlers need to stick together. Kindred spirits and all that,” He said, making a little joke. He then moved onto Cyborg, “Mister Stone, I’ve met your father a time or two at the occasional galla I can convince Master Bruce to host when he’s not going out at all hours getting his bones broken and knuckles bloodied. A fine man, your father.”
Cyborg rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, “Well gee thanks Al. Do you mind if I call you Al?”
“Certainly not. I was called much worse in my time in Her Majesty’s service,”
“You served? Well I know it wasn’t in America but thanks for your service regardless,” Cy said.
“And thank you for your kind words young master Stone, but yes. I was an SOE, but that was a long time ago now.”
“Special Operations Executive? Well I don’t want to mess with him… ever,” Cyborg muttered under his breath as the butler turned to greet Beast Boy.
“And last but most certainly not least young master Beast Boy. A pleasure.”
“Pleasure’s all mine man, you should’ve seen Rob running around like a chicken earlier when he heard you were showing up. You’d think someone told him it was the apocalypse now or something.”
“Shut up Beast Boy,” Robin said through clenched teeth.
“In fact, I’m pretty sure Cy recorded some of it?” He grinned mischievously while looking at his friend.
“Got it right here,” Cyborg replied, tapping his robotic eye.
“Ah blackmail, a time honored tradition amongst friends. Ah reminds me of the photo books and recordings I have of young master Bruce from his childhood.”
“When do we get to see these Al?” Jason asked.
“Never Master Todd, you’ll probably distribute them through the internet or something.”
“Speaking of Bruce, where is he?” Robin asked, having not seen his dark broody and overbearing father-figure amongst the rest of the Bat Clan.
“Master Bruce had some business to take care of in town. I have no doubt he’ll be here as soon as time allows,” Alfred replied as he pulled on a pair of white gloves. “While we wait, how about we get this dreaded inspection done so you can breathe a little easier Master Richard?”
“I um I mean if you insist Alfred,” Robin said, sounding a little embarrassed.
“Very well, I shall start with the kitchen while you introduce and entertain your siblings,” The manservant replied.
“Team, this is Jason, Tim, Cassie, and Damien. Everyone this is my Team, Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy. You’ve already met Starfire.”
“Very strong hug,” Cassie remarked.
“Yeah,” Jason scoffed, “Red almost popped my ribs.”
“I am most sorry, Friend Jason, are you the alright?” She asked concernedly.
He waved her off. “I’m fine, don't worry about it, Red.” He then asked Beast Boy, “So… you a Green Bay Packers fan or what?”
The changeling gave an awkward little laugh, “No, this isn’t paint dude, I’m au natural as they say.”
Jason blinked, “Huh, I knew drinking colloidal silver can turn you blue, I can’t think of anything that’ll turn someone green though. Are you and Poison Ivy related?”
Feeling Beast Boy beginning to become uneasy, Raven interjected on his behalf. “It's a personal matter. Surely you can understand that, can’t you?”
Jason raised his hands in defense, “My bad, didn’t mean any harm lil lady.”
Raven narrowed her eyes at him. “Keep calling me that, and I’ll show you just how dangerous this lil lady is.”
“Message received.”
“You’ll have to forgive Jason, he’s an asshole,” Tim said in his defense only to get smacked upside the back of the head by the older boy. “Oww… What? Well it’s true isn’t it?”
“Tim, mouth working quicker than brain thinking,” Cassie chastised. “Forgive the boys, all three of them hopelessly dumb.”
“Hey!” All three Robins said, offended.
“I take it I’m not included in that barb Cass?” Damien quipped.
“You child Damien, you supposed to mess up,” She pointed at the Robins, “They supposed to know better. Show you what not to do. All three, hopeless,” She said, shaking her head.
“True, they are a sad bunch,” Damien mused along with her. “I’m amazed Father puts up with all their scruples and tantrums but he has a big heart so it's to be expected I suppose.” He then added, “I am not a child.”
“Damien, you twelve. You are by definition, still a child,” Cassandra explained patiently.
The youngest member of the bat clan raised a finger and opened his mouth to object, closed his mouth and grumbled. “Well, I don’t like it… I certainly don’t feel like a child.”
‘We know,’ the bat clan members thought. It was no secret Damien’s upbringing was… harsh. Some might even call it inhumane the way he was trained by the House of Al Ghul and the Syndicate of Assassins. By the time he was ten, he was molded into the perfect killer, and businessman, the perfect heir to the cape, cowl, and company that was the legacy of Batman and Bruce Wayne in its entirety. But it came at the cost of both his innocence and childhood, as he seemingly never had either. It took the entire Bat Clan just to instill some values into the boy, and he was still learning.
“Hey Damien was it? You got a favorite animal dude?” Beast Boy said, sensing the tension.
“I… don’t dislike cats, why?”
On cue, Beast Boy shapeshifted into a green kitten and trotted over to the young Wayne Heir mewling cutely as he sat at his feet. Damien paused for a moment before reaching down and petting the green kitten. Seemingly unperturbed by its green fur.
‘Beast Boy always was good with kids,’ Raven noted as she watched him easily interact with the withdrawn boy.
“Well, it's nice to see everyone getting along.”
Bruce Wayne just walked through the doors of Titan’s Tower, and he had Ron Stoppable in tow.
(...)
Ron couldn't even get a word out edgewise before he was suddenly glomped by a happy Tamaranian Princess. Spinning him around in midair as she floated, she said. “Friend, Ron! You're here. I am so happy to see you. This is most glorious!”
Starfire, let him go before you crush his spine or suffocate him to death.” Raven said in her usual monotone, but there was a chuckle inflection in it.
“I am most sorry, friend Ron. Are you the OK?” They're asked as she dropped the blonde sidekick.
Taking a much needed gasp of air, Ron replied. I'm good, Starfire. I'm actually getting used to this,” Picking himself up and dusting himself off, Ron beheld the other members of the Bat Clan. After a moment, he commented, “No, don't tell me. Let me guess. Batgirl, Restaurant Lad, The immortal immoral Ginger Boy, and Robin MkIV. “ He said, pointing at Cassandra, Tim, Todd, and Damian respectively.
The Bat Kids look to Bruce, who simply nodded and said, “He knows,”
“Restaurant Lad?” Tim asked, not amused by his new moniker.
“Immortal Immoral ginger boy?” Todd seemed more amused than anything.
Morning to Tim, he said, “Red Robin…Yum.”
“I… I didn't name myself after a restaurant. I named myself after the bird!” Tim complained.
“And yet the joke is there, dude.” Ron shot back just as easily.
“Oh, why didn't we ever think of this?” Todd thought out loud as he held his stomach, chuckling. “From here on out, Tim will be known as Restaurant Lad. All agreed?”
“Aye,” the rest of the Bat Clan chorused out.
“All Opposed?”
“Me,” Tim said, sulkily as he was the only one to speak up in his own defense.
“Motion passed.” Todd said with the judges finality.
Pointing a finger at Ron accusingly, Tim said. “Do you have any idea what you've just done? It will never die now, and it'll probably circle around to the villains too!”
Ron shrugged. “At least they'll have a name to remember you by. My villains can't be bothered to remember my name for the most part. So I wouldn't complain if I were you.”
“I'm glad to see you're doing OK, Ron. How's your father doing?” Raven said as she pulled the blonde into a light hug. In an attempt to take his mind off of things.
He gave her an easy grin and replied, “He's doing alright. He’s having trouble moving around but he manages to get around well enough with a cane and his vision in his eye hasn't returned fully, but he seems to be on the mend. Thanks for asking Rae, and thanks again for all the help. I owe you one.”
The Empath shook her head, “You don't owe me anything. I was just doing my duty as a hero,” Though she couldn't help but think to herself. ‘If you wanted to pay me back sometime, I wouldn't mind you taking me out,’ She shook, shook that thought away, though. ‘A hero doesn't do good deeds hoping for favors in return.’
“Friend Ron, what brings you by with the Batman?” Starfire asked as she looked at Bruce Wayne. “You are the Batman, yes?”
“Only when I'm in costume, Princess Starfire,” Bruce replied easily.
“Just Starfire will do. Please, I am not a Princess on this planet, Friend Bruce,” She then gave him a Tamaranian Wellness check of a near bone breaking hug.
“You are quite strong,” He grunted out after she let go, “Almost rivaling Supergirl, if I had to make an educated guess.”
The Tamaranian Princess replied, “I do not know for certain, as I have never matched my strength against hers, but that is quite the compliment, thank you Friend Bruce.”
Bruce then turned and faced his wayward son, “Richard,”
“Bruce.” Robin spoke just as coldly.
“Now before you two start yelling at each other, I have to know,” Todd said, getting in between the two of them. Before he pointed at Ron and asked, “Why am I the immortal immoral ginger boy?”
“Because apparently you can't die, kill people with guns and are a ginger. Plus, we all know gingers don't have souls?” Ron says as if it’sthe most obvious thing in the world.
“Isn’t your girlfriend a Ginger?” Todd asked.
Ron went bug eyed, “KP is not my girlfriend. She is so out of my league it's not even funny,” Ron said, waving his hands in front of himself, “I stand as much of a chance getting with KP as I do Starfire or Raven.”
‘So a pretty good chance then,’ Both Super heroines were thinking to themselves before sharing a knowing glance only women could have with each other.
“Later,” Raven mouthed.
“Agreed.” Starfire said with a slight inclination of her head, Before. She asked, “This thing about gingers not having souls? I am a redhead and I'm fairly certain I have a soul, as all Tamaranians were given a soul by X’hal. Is this a thing on earth that I should be concerned about?”
“It's a comedy thing, Starfire. Don't worry about it. You're perfectly fine,” Ron reassured her.
“Sometimes Earth humor confuses me,” Starfire said honestly.
Raven's added on to that, with an accompanying eye roll.“It's not just you, trust me.”
“So,” Robin began, “Not that it's not great to see you all,” His tone made it sound like he wasn't exactly thrilled, “But what are you doing here?”
Bruce sighed, “Do you really want to get down to brass tacks right away, Richard?”
“Why not Bruce? You've always been the same way. Tacturne and straight to the point. I don't see why I should be any different.”
Bruce grimaced before he saying, “I deserve that,”
“You think?” Robin sniped back.
“Master Grayson, that's quite enough,” Alfred called sharply from the kitchen.
Robin grit his teeth and clenched his fists, but said nothing more.
Seeing this wasn't going to get resolved until somebody said something, Damien piped up, “We're here because you lost your Little red X suit, Grayson. With the right modifications, that thing could take on the entire Justice League and win. We're here to get it back before it becomes such a problem.”
“Figures, I doubt you would have all just shown up just to say hi. Well, you don't need to come all this way just to help me. I can handle this on my own,” He looked right at Bruce as he said. “I don't need your help.”
Bruce's eyes flashed dangerously for a second before he said, “Oh, so you've already figured out the identity of the person who took the red X suit, like I have then?”
Robin's domino mask widened owlishly in surprise. “You already figured out who took it?”
Bruce rolled his eyes, “Of course I have, it's obvious,”
Ron shot the Uncaped Crusader a look, thinking to himself, ‘What are you doing, Bruce?’
Swallowing his pride as he took an audible gulp, Robin with vitriol in his tone, asked, “Who is it?”
Crossing his arms, Bruce replied, “I'm not telling you. You want to be better than me, Robin? Then prove it and figure out who this is on your own. Stop him under your own power. Prove you're better than me. Prove you're better than everyone else in the clan, and stop him before they do.”
Robin glared at his mentor almost hatefully, “Another test, Bruce? I thought I was done with those when I left?”
“Haven't you figured out yet that life is a test Richard? That you never stop learning and you never stop taking tests because you should always be trying to surpass your limits?”
Silently saddling over to the Bat Clan, Ron whispered, “Are those two always like this?”
“Usually yes. Most unfortunate.” Cassie said before holding a hand out to Ron. “Cassandra Cain-Wayne, You Ron Stoppable, yes?”
Yes, I am. Nice to meet you Cassandra. Or do you prefer something else a bit less formal like Cassie?” Ron asked politely.
“Friends call me Cassie. You call me that,” She told him with a kind smile.
“Booyah! Can never have too many friends,” He then smiled down at Damian and said, let me guess, you're Batman's own personal Mini-Me?”
Jason scoffed and said “Yeah, he pretty much is.”
“Shut up, Todd,” Damian snapped at him. Before snapping at Ron, “Do I look like a bald dwarf to you?”
“Bald? No. Dwarf… ehh, maybe?” Ron replied as he put his hand near his head. “You're short enough,”
“I'm twelve, you philistine.” Damian deadpanned.
“No, I'm Jewish. Not a Philistian,” Ron corrected him. “There's a big difference between the two,”
Damien facepalmed, “No, I called you a philistine. Not a Palestinian… Ah, forget it.” The youngest Robin said. He was a lot of things, including a trained killer, but he felt distinctly uncomfortable at the thought of being accused of being anti-Semitic. Especially with his mother’s side of the family desecrating the sanctity of death.
“A philistine means one who doesn’t appreciate art or culture Ron,” spoke up Raven wondering if Beast Boy would be considered that.
“Oh then I can say with great appreciation that I am not a philistine. I love all forms of art, especially wrestling, martial arts, and cooking.”
“You cook master Ronald? Then perhaps you could help me make a light lunch for all these people and my family?” asked Alfred while all of the bat clan felt warm and fuzzy being considered family by him. Even Damien felt a nice cozy warmth around Alfred.
“I honestly love cooking and being able to learn a few tips from the man who raised the Batman and probably knows English cooking like the back of his hand? Sign me up BOOYAH. Anyone else care to join?”
Beast Boy raised a nervous hand and called out, “Uhm do you mind making some vegetarian options? It's part of my diet thing,” The changeling was honestly a little intimidated by the bat clan. Sure they didn’t hold a candle to his old man but still.
“Why master Garfield I would be ashamed as a butler if I couldn’t accommodate your diet. What say you master Ronald? Care for a vegetarian dish or three for Beast Boy?”
“I think I know a recipe or two. Just to make sure you are vegetarian and not vegan, correct?”
Beast Boy nodded his head in appreciation, “Yeah I can eat eggs, honey, and jello.”
“Jello is vegan,” snarked Damien. “Also… Garfield?”
The changeling stuck his tongue out at the youngest Wayne child. “Oh don’t you start or no more cat cuddles for you.”
“Actually jello is usually made from ground down bones unless it is the one specifically from Japan.” remarked Ron, before turning to Pennyworth and saying “Let's cook Al.”
“Indeed, Master stoppable. We've got a hungry horde to feed, so we'd best get to it. Come along then.” Alfred said, holding open the kitchen door for the young man. Looking back at the Titans and the Bat Clan, Alfred continued, “I would suggest the rest of you set the table while we cook.”
Cyborg and Beast Boy saluted, “We're on it, El Capitan.” Beast Boy said.
“It's so good to finally find some decent help.” Alfred remarked as he made his way into the kitchen.
“Did Pennyworth just make a dig at us?” Damien remarked offhandedly, As he watched, Cyborg and Beast Boy set up a table for the incoming feast.
Knowing Alfred like I do, he definitely just did.” Bruce commented, As he thought. ‘Perhaps I should consider hiring some extra help for Alfred. The manner is getting quite full of people and it's quite a lot to ask him to cook for so many. Not to mention doing all the cleaning and stuff by himself.’
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ron and Alfred were chatting a bit. “What are your specialties when it comes to cooking master Ronald?”
“Mexican, typically. How about you, Al?” Ron inquired politely.
The Butler’s mustache twitched as he smiled and almost casually replied, “As a graduate of the Cordon Bleu School of Cooking, I am fully versed in many schools and culinary arts,”
Ron's chocolate eyes went bug eyed, ‘You graduated from the Cordon Bleu School of Cooking? I am not worthy. I am not worthy. I am not worthy.” Ron said, bowing foppish to the older man.
You are too kind, Master Ronald. If you ever decide to stop doing hero work, I'll put you in for a spot there. The Headmistress owes me a favor.”
I owe you one Al, You're a true bro.”
“Word dude, now let's get cooking.” It sounded very wrong for gangster lingo to come out of an Englishman's mouth, but Ron laughed anyway.
Unable to help himself, Ron said, “Jessie, we need to cook.”
Deciding to play along, Alfred said, “Wouldn't I be Heisenberg in this instance?”
You would be.
“Say my name. Say my damn name.”
Ron spoke in mock fear, “Alfred… Alfred Pennyworth.
“You're damn right.”
Both the young teen and older Butler stared at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing and got to cooking. They had a horde of heroes to feed, after all.
(...)
Rose Wilson walked down the halls of her family Manor. It was drafty, cold, and dark. The walls were painted a dull Gray. The carpet was a dark green throughout, Weapons of all kinds hung on the walls. The system was nothing if not lethal. But what could one expect from the home of Deathstroke the Terminator? Rose to herself and thought. ‘I really need to spruce this place up a bit. I can't exactly invite Ronald over here at any time. He'd think I was… odd. Then again, he's been to villain lairs and his motto of choice has never been normal, so he might not think anything of this.’
Shrugging to herself, Rose made her way to the inner sanctum of the manner. Where Deathstroke himself used to conduct business. It was now where the mercenary now known as Ravager conducted her own business. It was an inherited title and she was the 4th to carry the name. But legacies sometimes came with fear, and fear meant everything in this business because fear equated to respect. She could work with that.
“Wintergreen?”
Yes, Ma’am?” Wintergreen an elderly man, servant of the Wilson family asked, coming from the shadows into the foreground Of the Command Center where numerous consoles and computers were set up.
“You told me we had a contract?” She said curiously, not taking her single eye off the monitors.
“Indeed, ma'am, But the subject of the contract has me… Most concerned.” Wintergreen said after a moment.
Looking behind her and giving the man a glance, she asked. Do you not think I'm capable of handling this, Wintergreen?” There was a warning in her tone.
“No, ma'am, it's that I don't think you'd want to, once you see the contents of the contract.” The man servant replied succinctly.
Her single blue eye widening in surprise, Rose said “Bring up the details, Wintergreen.”
The man servant nodded and hit and hit a single button on the computer in front of her, causing the current contract she had been sent to pop up on the screen. Rose felt her breath hitch. Contract was for none other than her one and only friend. Ron Stoppable.
Her voice coming out like frigid ice, Rose asked. Who sent this contract, Wintergreen?”
“One Monty Fisk, ma'am,” The elderly man replied.
“Monkey Fist,” Rose all but hissed out venom thick in her tone. She knew the name from Ron's talk of his tales of heroic exploits no matter how hard he tried to downplay them. “Too cowardly and incapable to fight his opponent on his own, he hires out help.” Her thoughts raced rapidly as she tried to decide what to do, ‘I'm still considered green to the mercenary game, so if I don't take this contract it will make me look bad. If I don't take this contract, someone else will and probably kill Ronald,’ The very thought of Ron dying was like an icicle through her heart. She pushed the thought away, refusing to even entertain it. She took a moment and got her breathing under control and then Came to a decision, “We'll take this contract, Wintergreen,”
“Do you truly intend to kill Mr. Stoppable, Ma'am?” The man's servant said in surprise, his eyebrows rising to his hairline.
Rose scoffed, “Of course not. I intend to make it look like I tried. Then when Miss Possible eventually gets called in, she will conveniently find out about our employer, and convince him to remove the contract.”
“That is quite the gamble, Ma’am,” Wintergreen said after a moment. “Should Mr. Stoppable at any point find out that you are the Ravager after his life?It could do irreparable damage to your friendship with the young man, if you go through with this, and he somehow finds out about your identity.”
Rose took another deep breath and swallowed The lump in her throat, “No Wintergreen, but I don't really have much of a choice. In this world, reputation is everything, and green horns can't really afford to turn down a contract.”
Wintergreen put his hand on his charge’s shoulder and squeezed just once before letting go. “I shall make preparations then. Good Will Hunting, ma'am.”
“Thank you, Wintergreen,” Rose said, seemingly lost in thought as she stared at Ron's picture. ‘I hope This somehow doesn't blow up in my face,’ Thought to herself, As she moved the cursor on her mouse and accepted the contract for the life of her best and only friend.
(...)
Word Count: 9,138 Number of Pages: 22 Date Completed: 12/20/2023
(...)
AN: Hello everybody, and welcome back at long last, to Sitch in Jump City. I know it's been a while, but the muse strikes when she wants to. I know this chapter is also shorter than my usual fare, but… Meh. I did the best I could. Sue me. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and this will probably be the last chapter I put out for this year, so I'll see you all in the New Year. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to all. I hope to see everyone in good health and good cheer in 2024. Till then everybody, this is Bubbajacks signing off. And here's Snowy and Hassan to finish things up.
Snowy:
Hassan:
Thanks again for reading. This has been an Inkblot Bros production. Till next time, peace!
Comments
Swordcollector45
Good stuff dudes keep up with the good work and try to stay as healthy as you can happy Christmas Eve, Christmas and new years.
