12 Chapter Twelve

( Gotham City: 12:15 PM)( Midtown -154 Crypt Alley)

The pitter-patter of rain outside slowly stirred Jayden from his sleep. He stretched his arms and let out a contented sigh, feeling the warmth of a good night's sleep still lingering within him.

As he shifted in bed, he felt something soft and warm in his grasp, looking down he saw it was Lola's chest. The events of last night finally sunk into his head, bringing a smile to his face.

'If all the guys at Uncle Jamie's barber shop could see me now, they'd all probably celebrate it.'

Jayden chuckled at the memories of his old acquaintances. He looked around at the two female fatales sleeping on either side of him.

Lola was lying on her back and smiling in satisfaction while Selina was on her stomach and snuggling into a pillow. They were both partly covered by a white bed sheet.

Both Selina and Lola looked dead tired and probably weren't going to wake up anytime soon.

Wanting to do something special for the two before they woke up, Jayden decided to showcase some of his culinary skills and cook them some breakfast.

He quietly escaped the bed, tiptoed out of the bedroom and made his way to the kitchen.

On his way, however, he was greeted by Raven and Isis who meowed at him, clearly also waiting for their breakfast.

" Just hold on for a little longer you two, I'll have your food done in a moment." Jayden said before walking into the kitchen.

With a chef's enthusiasm, he rummaged through the pantry and refrigerator, gathering ingredients for a delicious breakfast. Eggs, bacon, fresh vegetables, and a selection of spices were carefully selected to create a feast.

As the aroma of sizzling bacon filled the air, Jayden couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

He knew that the delicious smells would soon lure Selina and Lola out of bed. But there were other members of the household he couldn't forget, Selina's cats.

He had only met Isis so far, but when he looked out one of the windows he could see a few cats outside. And seeing as there was more than one cat bowl on the floor Jayden hazarded a guess that they were hers as well.

While the breakfast was cooked, Jayden poured six bowls of cat food and placed them on the floor.

He then opened the window to let all the other cats inside. One by one, he filled smaller bowls for each of the feline companions.

He made sure to give extra attention to his own beloved cat, Raven, as she purred with contentment.

With breakfast nearly ready and the cats contentedly feasting, Jayden decided to take a moment for himself.

He stepped out onto the girl's balcony, finding solace in the serene morning air.

He held a steaming cup of coffee, its Roasty, mellow smell mingling with the damp scent of rain lingering from the morning.

Lost in thought, Jayden's gaze wandered over the cityscape of Gotham, taking in the familiar sight.

As he sat on the edge, his fingers absentmindedly traced the contours of the black stone pendant hanging from his neck.

To his surprise, as he held the pendant, a gentle warmth spread through his fingers.

The stone glowed, its ethereal light casting an enchanting glow upon his face. Jayden's eyes widened in shock as he watched the pendant emit a soft, mesmerizing radiance.

" It's happening again...I've not seen it react like this in over a year." Jayden exclaimed in surprise.

Jayden clutched the pendant tightly in his hand, feeling its smooth surface against his skin.

He takes a few more deep breaths, trying to steady his racing heart. As he closes his eyes, a sense of anticipation fills the air, and suddenly, everything around him freezes.

Time stands still, and a profound silence envelopes the world.

When Jayden opens his eyes again, he is greeted by a breathtaking sight.

The once dreary and rain-soaked Gotham City had transformed into a sun-drenched paradise.

Golden rays of sunlight cascade through the clear blue sky, casting a warm glow over the city's buildings and streets. Flowers bloom in vibrant colours, dotting the sidewalks and parks.

Trees swayed gently in the gentle breeze, their leaves shimmering in shades of green.

Jayden's senses were overwhelmed by the beauty of this transformed Gotham.

The air feels fresh and invigorating, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and the sweet melody of birdsong.

He takes a moment to let it all sink in, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It's as if he's stepped into a painting, a world untouched by darkness and crime.

But as he blinks, the scene shifts once more. Now, the city is covered in a pristine blanket of snow. Sparkling flakes fall gracefully from the sky, painting the landscape in pure white.

The familiar Gotham skyline is transformed into a winter wonderland, where laughter echoes as people engage in playful snowball fights.

An aurora dances in the night sky, casting vibrant hues of green, purple, and blue, creating a breathtaking spectacle that leaves Jayden in awe.

With each eye blink, a new transformation unfolds before Jayden's eyes. He finds himself transported to a city engulfed in a lush jungle. Towering trees with thick foliage stretch towards the heavens, casting dappled sunlight on the emerald carpet of vegetation below.

The sound of cascading waterfalls fills the air, harmonizing with the chirping of exotic birds and the gentle rustling of leaves. The urban jungle becomes a sanctuary, a tranquil haven where nature and civilization coexist in perfect harmony.

As Jayden blinks for the seventh time, a shift occurs. The vibrant colours fade, replaced by a stark grayscale.

The cityscape loses its luster, becoming cold and desolate. It's as if the life has been drained from the very essence of Gotham, leaving behind a somber and eerie atmosphere. Jayden's heart sinks, feeling a sense of loss and melancholy wash over him.

And when he blinks for the eighth and final time, reality reclaims its hold. The rain returns and Gotham City resumes its familiar state, with all its imperfections and struggles.

Jayden gazes at the now motionless pendant, his mind filled with questions and wonder. What is the true origin of this mysterious stone? Why does it reveal such weird but amazing visions?

" I found this stone not too long after awakening my memories. It came from a meteor that struck a forest not too far from where I lived. I was worried that the heat and kinetic energy from the rock could have started a forest fire so I quickly went to go check it out.

But the moment I got there, all I found was this glowing black rock."

And when he approached the rock just like a few moments ago when he made contact with it, he was shown all these different types of scenes.

But the stone only shows you those different visions based on your surroundings.

If he was in Metropolis then he would have been shown different versions of that specific city.

" This thing, whatever it is, is alien. But no matter how much I try to search my memories, it just doesn't ring a bell."

"No matter how much I try to remember if I had seen it before, absolutely nothing comes to mind."

Well besides that it's just a normal rock.

Jayden had thought about giving it to the justice league back then, but on second thought decided to keep it.

You never know, after all, in Dc anything can be special and possibly save your life or give you cool superpowers. But besides showing those visions once in a while, it does nothing else.

But he was nevertheless determined to discover any possible secrets it could have.

Before Jayden could delve deeper into his thoughts, a soft voice from behind interrupted his reverie.

"Jayden, what are you doing out here?"

Startled, he turned to find Selina standing in the doorway, her tousled hair falling gracefully around her face. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, hinting at her playful nature.

Jayden, momentarily captivated by her presence, stumbled over his words."Oh, Selina, I was just...taking in the view. It's just something I do sometimes."

A mischievous smile tugged at Selina's lips as she walked towards him, her eyes flickering with amusement.

"I see...that's such a bold thing to do. especially under this type of weather, but I guess it ain't bad once in a while."

*Gasp*

"You're calling me bold, what happened last night with you dragging me, and eating this poor innocent little virgin." Jayden said playfully while holding his body.

Selina leans in, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "Boldness is my speciality, darling. But enough reminiscing for now. I'm getting hungry, and I can smell that delicious breakfast you prepared from here."

Jayden grins."Well, I thought I'd surprise you both with a little morning feast. Consider it a token of my appreciation for the unforgettable night." He said while admiring her backside.

Selina looked back and said." Not in the morning Jay, I'm still sore from last night. Lola can barely stand up nevermind go another round in the sheets."

"Buuut..." Selina then turned to face him and goes on her tippy toes. She placed her swollen lips on his neck and took a bite, before sucking on it.

She then slowly stepped back with a smirk playing on her lips. Folding her arms behind her back, she motioned with her fingers, signalling for Jaydem to follow her.

' I see now why even Batman couldn't resist this woman.' Jaden thought in mirth before immediately following behind her.

Speaking of the bat, as Selina walked back into the apartment, her phone in her breast pocket started to buzz.

Selina took out her phone to see who the caller was, but scowled when she saw the familiar name.

'It seems he got my little presents yesterday and has been trying to reach me all night.' Selina hesitated for a second, she wondered if she should answer, maybe even tease him.'

" Hey, what are you waiting for...something wrong." When Jayden dident feel Selina's presence beside him, he looked back only to see a look of anger and amusement on her face.

Selina looked at Jayden...then at her phone.

"..."

She smiled, rejecting the call from Bruce and putting her phone on silent mode.

"No nothing wrong. Now, let's try some of this legendary cooking I've been hearing so much about." Selina skipped back to his side and with amazing feline-like grace, jumped onto his back.

"Now that I'm feeling a bit sore, you'll have to carry me, Jayden." She teased with a playful gleam in her eyes.

Jayden rolled his eyes, but grabbed her legs so she wouldn't fall." As you wish...kitten."

Selina paused at the new nickname she was given. But then tightened her hold around his shoulders.

" Oh! So we're already at the stage of giving each other nicknames, are we...Tiger." Selina said suddenly coming up with the perfect nickname for Jayden.

"Tiger?" Jayden asked curiously.

" Yep, you called me Kitty because of my love for cats, and I'm calling you Tiger because your hair and eyes remind me of an endangered white tiger I've sponsored."

Jayden couldn't help but laugh internally at her line of thinking. He was actually just teasing about her secret identity but he guessed this worked also.

After the playful Banter, Jayden piggybacked Selina to the kitchen and met up with Lola before all of them sat down together to eat breakfast.

And just like that, another extraordinary day passed in the enigmatic realm of Gotham City.