A Transfer and a Meeting

Sirens blared in the distance as we walked the streets, no one even looked bothered by it. Well, it was Gotham, a city under constant assault, people were used to it. I didn't find the fact that anyone I cross might have a gun amusing at any level but what can you do?

The jagged shadow cast by a city torn between the modern buildings placed in the middle of high rises piercing the skies decked in overhangs, buttress lips, and gargoyles preaching myth and age. Like the city was at war with itself. But as we reached the Gotham Academy building one thing made me smile, garbage, litter, and the homeless, all around. One constant in this city with a wealth divide more severe than in South Africa or Holland is trash, human, and otherwise. 

We walked in, and the Academy had been provided with a security detail and had been closed for a bit. But now that it was open again we were here. I ground my steps to a halt and froze my body as I caught sight of the place where I had shot the clown. Jason's voice rocked as we walked in, "Mira," He said as he took a knee beside me, "Let it out of your mind. You were brave and you did what you had to keep yourself safe." 

I alternated my eyes between the site and him and lied, "I didn't want to kill her," he smiled at me as I moved my body again, a game of play pretend, I wonder if they had ever caught on, they probably did find my actions weird but it was not like I could do anything about that…except have my Foragers watch the cave and the Bat. No, with Superman and his hearing? That's a discovery waiting to happen. 

Well, it won't matter after today anyway, Jason held my Transfer Form, and I was being rolled out of GA. And I was not alone. This was the straw that broke the camel's back, the only safe school in Gotham had been held at gunpoint.

I was not the first to leave and I would not be the last. But that left a question, where to next? Homeschooling? Probably.

I shook my head, blinking away my thoughts, I looked at Jason, and nodding to him I walked forwards towards the school, Jason stood up and followed me not a second later. 

The school gate was open, many were coming and going, children with bags on their backs, and children in uniform but it was quieter, there was less noise, fewer footsteps, and even fewer voices. Gotham Academy felt like it was diseased. Ill with a fever. And soon all the elite, what gave this school the money to continue will be gone. I wonder what will happen to this place then? Whatever it might be, I will happily not be a part of it. 

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"She's interested in guns?" Diana asked as she fell in step beside Batman as they walked the metal vast open halls of the watchtower. "She finds them useful."

"Even after killing Harley? Your daughter seems… pragmatic," She eyed him, and he sighed, "She is willing to do whatever it takes. Spending years of her life in the streets of Gotham would do that to a kid." 

"The fabled streets of Gotham, just how bad are they?" She asked as her finger went to her chin, she had read the reports of his city, the highest crime rate, the worst of the worst scum dwelling in the streets, supervillains putting more emphasis on the villain than the super. Just how bad was the city? She had only caught glimpses of it on missions.

Batman paused, "It's a city where a man can kill someone, be caught, and be released the next day through bribes. That's the city. The streets? A girl walked into an alley one day and was never seen again. I couldn't even find her. That's the streets." 

"I see," She said nothing more as her eyes rested on the man who had lived in that city for years, "Bruce if you ever need help, you know I am just a call away." 

He didn't even turn, "I know. I have you and Clark on speed dial. Have had for years now." 

She felt her smile leaking, as she slapped his back, "My number better be used more." 

He raised a brow as he turned back, "Jealous?" 

She glared at him, "What do you think?" He smiled at her, "What does the great princess of the Amazons have to be jealous of? Nothing of course." 

Diana laughed at his words, "As if you don't know Bruce. I am sure the world's greatest detective knows what I am envious of." 

He felt his face cramp, "Diana…" She cut him off, "We're here," She said as she pointed to the council room's gate.

They walked forwards as the door slid open, letting them in, it was automatic just like everything else in the space station, it reduced the crew count required to run the thing, and fewer eyes on the ship meant fewer leaks and spies. 

Inside, seated around the table was the usual party, the founders. 

"You two took your time," Green Lantern sent a pleased smile to them, "Of course, you two…" He stopped as he was elbowed by Superman who continued, "So, let's begin." 

Batman nodded as they took a seat at the table. 

"So, why the meeting?" Green Lantern asked as he leaned on the table, he was out of the world with his corp and had just arrived back, "Expansion of the powered young adult support programs," Superman said, "And the formation of new localized teams," Batman added. 

"Oh? What brought this on?" Green Lantern asked, and then added, "Forgive me for not being caught up."

"The success of the Teen Titans for one and the emergence of a large number of Meta humans for the other, of which the majority are teenagers," Batman supplied.

"Oh, that…what about the villain side of things, how many flip to that?" Green Lantern continued. 

"It's a new problem we don't have enough data about the whole world but I have enough about Gotham, many kids would rather put their powers to use in petty thievery and such, rare few join the villains," Batman answered. 

"But then it's Gotham," Flash added, and Batman sighed, "Yes, Gotham's data point is not applicable anywhere else."

"But it is Gotham, other cities should be handling much better, right?" Superman asked. 

"No, the reason kids don't join the Supervillains is that they are just as dangerous as allies as they are as enemies." 

[A/N: The updates may slow down a lot because I have my uni entrance exams in three months. Sorry guys. I hope you liked the chapter.]