Baptism by Fire

Theo stood in the middle of a dimly lit warehouse, his heart pounding in his chest. The eerie silence was punctuated by the occasional creak of rusted metal and the low murmurs of the Joker's goons encircling him. Their sinister grins and mocking laughter echoed off the cold, concrete walls. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. This was his first real test since arriving in Gotham.

Flashback to earlier that day…

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Theo had been shadowing one of Batman's informants, a small-time crook who had turned over a new leaf and now fed information to the Batfamily. It was supposed to be a simple task: observe, gather information, and report back. But Gotham had a way of turning the simplest missions into life-or-death situations.

Theo had noticed the informant acting nervously, constantly looking over his shoulder. Theo's suspicions were confirmed when the informant led him to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The place reeked of danger, but Theo pressed on, determined to prove himself.

As they entered the warehouse, Theo's instincts screamed at him to turn back. But before he could react, the door slammed shut behind them, and the lights flickered ominously. The informant's betrayal became painfully clear when he stepped aside, revealing a group of heavily armed Joker goons emerging from the shadows.

---

Back in the present…

Theo focused on the immediate threat, his mind racing through the training he had received. His eyes flicked to the various weapons held by the goons: knives, bats, and a few handguns. A different ability kicked in, one he hadn't fully understood until now—the power to sense the intent through the items held by his enemies. He could almost feel their murderous intentions radiating from the objects.

The first thug lunged at him with a knife, a wicked grin on his face. Theo sidestepped the attack, his movements fluid and precise. He recalled Cassandra's training session, her lessons on reading opponents and exploiting their weaknesses. He ducked under a wild swing and delivered a swift kick to the goon's knee, sending him crashing to the ground.

Another thug came at him with a bat, swinging it with brutal force. Theo's eyes locked onto the weapon, and he sensed the violent intent behind each swing. He dodged the blows effortlessly, his body moving in perfect harmony with the flow of the fight. He remembered Barbara's advice on using his environment to his advantage. Theo grabbed a nearby metal rod and parried the bat away, then followed up with a series of quick jabs, disarming his opponent.

The fight became a blur of motion. Theo's training with Alfred and the Batfamily had honed his reflexes and instincts. He utilized every technique he had learned, from Bruce's combat strategies to Cassandra's agility drills. His mind was a whirlwind of calculated moves, each one executed with precision.

Theo found himself cornered by two thugs wielding handguns. They aimed at him, but Theo's ability to sense intent through items kicked in once more. He felt the tension in their grips, the slight hesitation before they pulled the triggers. He anticipated their moves, ducking and weaving as the bullets flew past him. With a swift motion, he disarmed one of them, using the handgun's own momentum against its wielder.

The last thug standing looked at Theo with a mix of fear and anger. He charged, desperate to land a hit. Theo, now in full control of the fight, sidestepped the attack and delivered a powerful elbow strike to the thug's temple, knocking him out cold.

Breathing heavily, Theo surveyed the fallen goons around him. He had done it—he had faced his first real test and come out on top. But he knew this was just the beginning. Gotham had thrown him into the deep end, and he had survived. Now, he had to prove that he could thrive.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Theo took a moment to gather his thoughts. He needed to report back to Barbara and Bruce, to let them know what had happened. As he made his way out of the warehouse, he couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. He had been thrown into this world against his will, but he was starting to find his place in it. Theo Promet was ready for whatever Gotham threw at him next.

***

Dick Grayson, also known as Nightwing, sat in the dimly lit study of Wayne Manor, his sharp blue eyes scanning the various reports scattered across the large oak desk. He had just returned from a night patrol in Blüdhaven, and the adrenaline still coursed through his veins. He leaned back in his chair, contemplating the latest surge in criminal activity when he heard the familiar sound of the main door opening.

Theo Promet walked in, looking visibly shaken but resolute. His dark, messy hair was disheveled, and his brown-crimson eyes held a mixture of exhaustion and determination. Dick knew that look all too well—it was the look of someone who had just faced their first real test in Gotham.

Barbara, who had been monitoring the situation from her Oracle command center, had alerted Dick about Theo's encounter at the warehouse. Now, it was time to debrief the young hero.

"Hey, Theo," Dick greeted, his tone calm but firm. "I heard you had quite the night."

Theo nodded, taking a seat across from Dick. "Yeah, you could say that. I ran into some of Joker's goons at an old warehouse. It was a setup."

Dick's eyes narrowed slightly. "What happened?"

Theo recounted the events in detail, from shadowing the informant to the betrayal and subsequent fight with the Joker's henchmen. He spoke about his ability to sense the intentions of his enemies through the items they wielded—a unique skill that had proved invaluable during the encounter.

"I called the cops and Barbara helped coordinate from her end. The goons are in custody now," Theo finished, his voice steady despite the harrowing experience.

Dick nodded, impressed by Theo's quick thinking and composure. "You did well, Theo. Gotham isn't an easy city to handle, but you held your own. That ability of yours—it's something else."

Theo shrugged modestly. "I guess. I'm still figuring it out."

"You'll get there," Dick reassured him. "It takes time to understand and master new skills. You're doing better than most would in your situation."

Theo looked relieved at the praise, but there was still a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "I just… I want to be useful. I don't want to be a burden."

Dick leaned forward, his expression earnest. "You're not a burden, Theo. Everyone here started somewhere, and you're already proving that you can handle yourself. We're a team, and we look out for each other."

Theo's face softened at Dick's words. "Thanks, Nightwing."

"Call me Dick," he replied with a smile. "Now, let's talk about this ability of yours. Sensing intentions through items—that's a game changer. We need to find ways to help you refine it."

Theo nodded, grateful for the support. "I think it's linked to my power, 'One with Equipt.' When I touch an item, I can sense its history and intentions. It's like I can tap into its memories."

Dick's mind raced with possibilities. "We'll have to test it further. See how far it goes. But for now, get some rest. You've earned it."

As Theo left the study, Dick watched him go, his mind still processing everything he had learned. Theo Promet was more than just another recruit. He had potential—raw, untapped, and powerful. And Dick knew that with the right guidance, Theo could become a formidable asset to their team.

Later, in the Batcave, Dick gathered with the rest of the Batfamily to discuss Theo's progress. Bruce, Barbara, and Cassandra listened intently as Dick relayed Theo's account of the night's events.

"He's got something special," Dick concluded. "But he needs our support to harness it fully."

Bruce nodded thoughtfully. "We'll train him. Equip him with the knowledge and skills he needs. Gotham won't wait, and neither will its enemies."

Barbara added, "I'll continue to monitor his progress. He's already shown great promise."

Cassandra remained silent, but her nod spoke volumes. She had seen Theo's potential firsthand and knew he was worth the effort.

As the meeting adjourned, Dick couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. Theo's arrival had brought a new dynamic to their team, and Dick was determined to see him succeed. The road ahead would be tough, but together, they would face whatever Gotham had in store for them.

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END