16 The Talk (1/3)

Spatial manipulation is a fascinating power. I have had this power for years, yet it still manages to amaze me. 

*Pop* 

A smile appeared on my face as the can of soda popped open, making the liquid fall towards the ground. But right as the liquid was about to touch the surface and make a mess, it turned solid. 

*Bam*

It fell on the ground and bounced back a little because of its solid property. 

Walking towards it, I picked it up. The solid form of the soda prevented it from staining the Blackwood floor.

With the solidified cola in my hand, I walked towards the basin. It's been years since I awakened my powers. And unlike in the past, I had far better control over it. 

I turned the tap open and let the water run over the solidified piece of carbonated water, AKA coke. I haven't had to use my powers much as of late. Mostly because I haven't fought anyone and honestly… that's a good thing. 

Having fought hell beasts for years, my power has reached a certain point where controlling it has become strenuous. Killing someone with my powers is very easy but being able to perfectly control it is difficult. One wrong move and I might flatten an entire city.

I turned the knob off and walked towards the table.

I have been practicing my powers on tiny objects, changing their shape and size. This has helped me a lot and according to my calculations, in a month I should be able to perfectly control most of the physical matter.

After letting the solid float over the glass for a few seconds, I released it. Turning it back to liquid from solid before I chugged it down.

This was a trick that I learned during my travels. Matter… whether it's solid, liquid or gas always has space between the atoms. In some, it's less while in others, there's a lot. But no matter the form, it always has space… and my ability lets me control that space. 

Expand, contract, or even completely erase. I can do it all. The third one is easier than the former two… but it also has major consequences. So I don't use it.

Washing the glass, I decided to hit the hay.

But just as I was about to exit the room, I heard my phone ringing. It was past midnight and that made me a bit vigilant. The only person that might call me at this hour was Waylon and he only does that when he is in trouble.

I rushed towards the phone and instantly picked it up, worried that Waylon might be in some sort of trouble. 

"Hello?" I asked.

The person didn't answer for a while which made me a little anxious. 

And once the reply came from the other side, it increased my anxiousness even more.

"Blake. It's me, Selina… we have trouble."

[[Selina Kyle]]

I had been getting a bad feeling since this morning, which I mostly ignored. But I should have known better than that as such feelings are always a prior notice that something might happen.

"So, is he coming?" A deep almost insistent voice resounded from behind. 

Turning around, I put on a smile. Blake might be stronger than me but I am a better actor than him.

"Yes. He is." I said, not letting my worry show on my face. 

The elegant man that sat in front of me would have attracted a lot of attention if it was daytime. Currently, the shop was closed as it was past midnight. Only a selected few were given entry at this hour… and this man happened to be one of them.

Churning the crema with a spoon, he looked at the clock. 

"I would have preferred to visit early, but it would have drawn too much attention." He said.

I would have preferred if he didn't show up at all… but it would be foolish to voice my thoughts. 

"Don't worry about it, Killer Croc often visits at this hour so it isn't inconvenient. Besides, I don't sleep before 3 in the morning." 

I have been around him for a long time but even then… he is still as spooky as ever.

"You have been quiet for the past couple of weeks. Other than a few minor thieving, there haven't been many issues." His furrowed eyebrows were visible even through his mask.  "What have you been up to, Selina?"

Of course… He kept an eye on me. He keeps an eye over everyone. 

I barely managed to stop a groan as he stared through his mask. No matter who you were, this man would scare you if you were face to face with him.

I have only met two people that could look straight into his eyes without Flinching. 

One was Blake and the other was Ra's. The former had fought him on multiple occasions and there are rumors that the latter trained him.

I was about to answer but he changed the subject… Not that I mind.

"He is late." 

I nodded and before I could say anything else, I heard a voice.

"Not everyone can live without sleep, Mr. Dark Knight." 

[[Blake Hardy]]

I might have a smile on my face but I was nowhere near as happy as I showed. I knew that I would have to confront Bruce soon but didn't expect him to come knocking at my door. 

Selina's call made me rush here with nothing but a coat over my casual attire.

"So, what makes the Batman look for me?" I asked, knowing the reason better than anyone else. 

I walked towards the two and took a seat near the Bat.

"Selina, dear, please bring me a cup of coffee. I am a bit drowsy." I said with a smile which she returned with her own, while the man in black stared at me.

Nodding at my request, she went to prepare coffee.

Staying quiet for a while, I sighed.

"That staring habit of yours is the reason why many people are afraid of approaching you, Batman." I turned to look at Selina through the window. She was quietly filling up the cup. The partition made it difficult for her to listen to our conversation from afar. 

"You better have a reason to call me so late, Bruce." His eyes widened when I took his name. "Don't worry, she cannot hear us." I looked at him with a frown. "The city's been worse than I expected." 

He didn't answer and instead asked me a question. "Why did you return?" 

Another one of his bad habits, not answering the questions asked by others… and hoping that they would answer his.

"You haven't answered my question yet." I said, as calmly as possible. 

"The robbery from the 16th. You were a part of it. Gotham is under my jurisdiction and you appearing out of the blue and robbing one of the four major banks… that is enough of a reason for me to find you." He said as his frown deepened. "Why did you return… and why a robbery? You stopped those petty crimes years ago." 

There is one thing that one should know about Batman. This guy can act. No matter what the situation was. His resolve never falters, he can remain calm under major pressure and even his frowns… they are well controlled. If it was some other hero, they would have been yelling at me… or hiding in a corner, depends entirely on whether I met them or not. But Batman is different. We have clashed multiple times in the past and this man never gave up. He is weak, no doubt… but he is courageous. He is a persistent man which is respectable but equally annoying.

Just as I was about to answer, Selina walked towards us with a tray. Placing the cup in front of me, she gave a nod.

"Thank you, Selina." I said before I looked at Bruce. "Now Mr. Dark Knight. You might have forgotten, but I was born here which makes this place my home and it makes sense for a man to return to his home… doesn't it?" I said with a smile.

I was not here to cause trouble. I have never been here to cause trouble. When I was young, I became a villain to survive this hellhole and after that, it was too late to get rid of the title. Not that I regret it, but people often forget that most of us became villains because of our circumstances. 

"Ermm… I will leave you two gentlemen alone." Selina said. 

She was playful but not stupid. The current situation was tense and she knew better than to get involved. And while she was part of our group, the situation between me and Bruce was different. 

Bruce gave a nod while I didn't react. I took a deep breath as she left the room. It was me and Bruce alone and while I didn't like our current situation, it couldn't be helped. 

"Do not worry, Bruce… I am not here to cause trouble. As long as you do not try to mess with my life, I won't mess with yours… or even with the Justice League. You have my word." I paused to take a sip from the cup. "But remember, if you try to meddle in my life… I won't spare you like I did during the time with Ra's."

It's been years since that incident and I know that Bruce is someone that will always be wary of a person as long as he or she has powers. It's his nature. But reminding him of our past will stop him from doing something foolish… for the time being. He won't give up, no he will do his damnedest to keep my actions under his radar.

But that was good enough for the time being. 

The room went awfully quiet for a while but he broke the silence with a single statement.

"So you decided to become a teacher." 

It wasn't a question. And I knew perfectly well the reason for such a reaction. 

"I want to live a peaceful life, Bruce. And being a teacher can help me with that. I do not want others to make the same mistake as I did. I do not want another Void, another Scarecrow, and definitely not another Joker." I spun the cup on the table. 

Both of us avoided talking about Kara and Barbara. Bruce wasn't sure whether I knew their identity or not and I didn't want to answer those questions.

"And congratulations on creating a team of superheroes." I smiled. "That is almost as worthless as the Gotham Police Department."

___________________________________________________

[[A/N: Next part will be from Bruce's PoV cuz this chap he had zero emotions.

Thanks Lasagna for the Edit.

Join my Discord server... I am lonely (crying in the corner.)

https://discord.gg/BVrA792e8S ]]

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