An Aspect Of His Powers

Theo followed Barbara Gordon, his mind a whirl of confusion and curiosity. The bustling streets of Gotham had seemed overwhelming at first, but now, within the confines of the library, he felt a slight reprieve. The sterile, quiet environment contrasted sharply with the chaotic scenes outside.

Barbara guided Theo through the library's back exit and into her car. The city's skyline loomed above them as they drove through the darkening streets. Gotham was a place of contrasts—glitzy high-rises alongside dilapidated buildings, a testament to the city's dual nature. Theo took in the sights with a mixture of fascination and apprehension.

"So, Theo," Barbara said, glancing at him through the rearview mirror, "what's the first thing you want to know about Gotham? Anything specific?"

Theo hesitated, struggling to organize his thoughts. "Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything. I mean, I read about Gotham in comics, but seeing it in person is... different. I don't even know where to start."

Barbara smiled sympathetically. "That's understandable. Gotham can be overwhelming, especially if you're new here. You'll get used to it, though. For now, let's get you settled."

They arrived at Wayne Manor after a short drive. The estate was grand, an impressive sight even in the dark. The mansion's towering silhouette seemed to promise both safety and mystery. Barbara led Theo inside, where the warmth of the manor was a welcome contrast to the chilly night air.

Inside, the grandeur of Wayne Manor was evident in its high ceilings and classic architecture. The marble floors gleamed under the soft lighting, and the walls were adorned with an eclectic mix of artwork and historical artifacts. Theo couldn't help but feel both awed and out of place.

Barbara introduced Theo to Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's trusted butler. Alfred greeted Theo with a kind, if slightly inquisitive, look. "Welcome, Mr. Promet. I trust Miss Gordon has taken good care of you?"

"Absolutely," Barbara confirmed. "Alfred, Theo's new to this world and needs a place to stay. Could you show him to his room?"

Alfred nodded and guided Theo up the grand staircase. As they walked, Theo tried to make sense of his surroundings, noting the lavish decor and the sense of history that seemed to permeate the manor.

"Your room will be in the west wing," Alfred explained. "I trust you'll find it comfortable. If you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know."

Theo thanked Alfred and entered the room. It was spacious and elegantly furnished, with a large bed, a desk, and a window that offered a view of the sprawling grounds. For a moment, he simply stood there, taking in the new environment.

Barbara returned later with a tray of food, setting it down on the desk. "Here you go. I thought you might be hungry after everything that's happened."

Theo looked at the food with gratitude. "Thanks. I'm not sure how to even begin processing all this. It feels like I'm in a dream, but it's all too real."

Barbara nodded, understanding his sentiment. "It's a lot to take in, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Tomorrow, we'll start working on figuring out your power and seeing what we can do about your situation. For tonight, just try to get some rest. You're safe here."

After Barbara left, Theo began to explore his room. As he examined the various furnishings, he noticed a pair of leather gloves on the nightstand. They appeared well-worn, and something about them caught his attention. He reached out to touch them, curious.

The instant his fingers brushed against the leather, a strange sensation surged through him. The gloves seemed to react to his touch, and a faint glow emanated from them. Theo's eyes widened as he watched the glow intensify.

Suddenly, he was overwhelmed by a flood of images and emotions associated with the gloves. He could sense the history of the item—its previous uses, the experiences of its past owner, and even the feelings absorbed by the gloves over time. It was as if the gloves were sharing their past with him.

Theo stumbled back, his heart racing. He had no idea what was happening, but the connection with the gloves was undeniable. The sensation was both exhilarating and disorienting. The gloves, now imbued with a faint aura, seemed to pulse in response to his presence.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his thoughts. The discovery was startling, and he had no idea how his powers were functioning or why. The possibilities of what he could learn from objects in this new world were both thrilling and overwhelming.

As he continued to explore his room and process his new reality, Theo resolved to master his power and find his place in this unfamiliar world. The next day, with Barbara's help, he would begin to unravel the mysteries of Gotham and his own extraordinary abilities. For now, he allowed himself a moment of solace, finding comfort in the fact that he had taken the first step toward understanding his new life.

Batcave

The Batcave was a hive of activity as Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, gathered with his closest allies. The massive subterranean space was lit by the glow of various computer screens and illuminated by the soft hum of high-tech machinery. Alfred stood by, observing quietly, while Barbara Gordon, now known as Oracle, debriefed the team.

"Bruce, I've brought Theo to Wayne Manor," Barbara began, her voice carrying the weight of both excitement and concern. "He's a fifteen-year-old from... well, he's from outside our universe. He mentioned something about not having identification for this world and a power he doesn't understand."

Bruce, clad in his iconic suit, leaned forward, his attention piqued. "Outside our universe? That's unprecedented. What did he say about his power?"

Barbara sighed, looking at the Batfamily assembled around the Batcomputer. "He's not entirely sure how it works. He touched a pair of gloves in his room, and it seemed to trigger some sort of energy reaction. He's clearly disoriented, and he's missing his old life. He doesn't know much about Gotham or even where he is, which makes him vulnerable."

"Any idea what this power could be?" Dick Grayson, Nightwing, asked as he glanced at the computer screen, which displayed a series of images of Theo's new room.

Barbara shook her head. "He's still figuring it out. He mentioned something about being from 'outside the Source Wall,' but I'm not sure how that connects to his powers. It's a bit of a mystery at the moment."

Alfred stepped forward, his gaze thoughtful. "If Theo's from beyond the Source Wall, he might be more familiar with cosmic phenomena. His power could be influenced by that."

Bruce nodded. "We need to understand more about Theo's abilities. If he's a threat or an ally, we need to be prepared. Oracle, keep an eye on him and see if you can help him gain control over his powers. For now, we should proceed with caution."

Tim Drake, Red Robin, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I can run a deeper analysis of the gloves he touched. Maybe there's more information we can gather about their origin or functionality."

"Good idea," Bruce said. "Dick, I want you to patrol the areas Theo mentioned seeing. He might have seen something that could give us a clue about his arrival and the nature of his powers."

"Understood," Dick replied, already preparing to leave.

Bruce looked around at his team, his expression serious. "We need to be vigilant. If Theo's powers are as unpredictable as they seem, he could be both a valuable asset and a potential threat. We need to learn everything we can about him before making any decisions."

Barbara nodded. "I'll keep you updated on any developments. For now, Theo's resting at Wayne Manor. I've reassured him that we'll do our best to help him."

As the Batfamily dispersed, Bruce remained behind, his mind racing with possibilities. Theo's unexpected arrival and enigmatic powers added a new layer of complexity to Gotham's already intricate web of intrigue. With his team's expertise and vigilance, Bruce was determined to unravel the mystery of Theo Promet and ensure that Gotham remained protected, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

END