Parent - Teacher meetings in Gotham Academy were a special level of hell for Ms. Zielony. A special level of hell for any teacher in Gotham Academy; but since her class was for capable and advanced students it brought out the worst in the over-bearing helicopter parents. Since her homeroom class now included Damian Wayne, she was already prepared to fling herself out the nearest window after his father was finished.
"I want to die. I want to die. I want to die." She smacked her head against her desk, whimpering.
"You can't die until the night's over." Tara laughed, catching her head gently and cushioning the blows with a packet of papers. "Come on. I promise you, Bruce Wayne isn't all that bad. He's a bit of a duffus but he cares about his kids."
This is not cheer Gabriela up at all. "This is going to suck."
"Your class includes boarding students and their parents never show up. So, I think you won't have to deal with all of them. If Brucie Wayne is your biggest concern then you're off the hook for tonight."
"He's not that bad?" Gabriela finally glanced up. The students had been sent home for a half-day to give teachers the time to prepare. Very little had gotten done, but at least the kids had cleaned up their mess.
"No, I've been through meetings with him before with Tim. He's actually way more chill than his children."
"Oh, thank god!" Anyone more intense than Damian Wayne would have made her cry. He was only a teenager and scared the shit out of her. His level of terrifying was easily being approached by Danny Fenton." Their conversation paused as the door swung open. Mrs. Lime, the receptionist who had been at the school since Thomas Wayne was a child, stepped through. Both straightened.
"They will be opening the doors. Man your positions and take no prisoners!" She was gone to rally the others.
"So, ready for battle?"
"No. Not really." Tara winked and left for her class room. Gabriela took several careful breaths and straightened.
It was as bad as feared. Parents with children who had bad grades threw the greatest fits. Demanding more than she was willing or contracted to give. A few threatened to fire her (Mrs. Lime had told her it was an empty threat. The only person who could threaten that with any real weight was Bruce Wayne). A few broke down into tears. Parents whose children performed well thanked her, but mostly weren't too much trouble. It was around five when the real trouble showed up.
When two figures in hazmat suits showed up, oranges and teal, her first impression was that supervillains had breached the academy grounds. The pair had goggles over their eyes and thick gloves which squished awkwardly under Gabriela's instinctive handshake.
"We're the Fentons," the man in orange boomed. "Danny is our boy! I hear he's doing pretty well!"
"We're very sorry we're late, Ms. Zielony. There was an absolute idiot playing in traffic and I'm afraid we were held up by the accident." Mrs. Fenton said. She was smiling faintly.
Supervillains. Danny Fenton's parents were supervillains. How could he have gotten accepted into the academy? Surely that should have come up on the security background check? "I'm...pleased to see you. Boarding students don't often have representatives. It's nice to see Danny's parents paying so much attention to his schooling." Their smiles became faintly fixed, stiffening in place.
"We're pleased too!" Mr. Fenton laughed awkwardly. "So, tell us. How is he doing?"
"Well. His grades are very good. He turns in assignments on time. He behaves himself in class and seems to be a leader among the students. "
"Oh, that's fantastic? Any sneaking out? Jumping out of windows? Strange explosions?"
Was their son a budding supervillain? What kind of trouble had he gotten into before? "No, no. Though, I believe he sometimes has trouble focusing for long periods of time. This isn't really uncommon or a problem; but it's worth noting. He's also very well read and knows a great deal of other cultures. It's impressive how he handles even the...prickly students."
"Oh, I'm so happy Danny's doing alright. We've been so worried, you know. Gotham is such a new place and such a change from our hometown. I'm glad he'd got such a wonderful homeroom teacher. Has he made friends? He's always been so friendly, but he is...well..." Mrs. Fenton waved a hand.
"He has. Actually, this afternoon he was teaching his classmates with probabilities." It had been Blackjack. She hadn't been pleased at first until both Danny and Damian had sworn upon their honor that they would never play for money with their classmates. It wasn't an oath she'd normally accept, but somehow she had the feeling both were perfectly serious. Damian Wayne had made off with the participants candies as well as every feeding time for the class fish for the next three weeks.
"I remember when we taught him that," Mrs. Fenton cooed. "Do you remember sweetie? Blackjack, right? He's such a thoughtful boy."
"And a card shark," Mr. Fenton added, nodding furiously. "Never let them play for cash or favors. We'll remind him as well."
Oh, God! Oh, God! "I'll remind him next week. Now." The door opened admitting the very man she'd feared. It would have been a relief if he weren't accompanied by the most breathtaking figure she'd ever seen. Rumors of Danny's mysterious guardian had swirled since his fight with Damian. Gossip columns all over Gotham had gone insane trying to get a decent picture. Standing next to Bruce Wayne the pair looked as if they'd stepped off a magazine cover.
"Oh! Zeit!" The Fenton's leapt to their feet. "You made it on time!"
"More or less," Bruce Wayne laughed, trying to brush back his hair. "Did you see that accident? Can you believe it? Some reckless driver took down Bane!"
Gabriela winced and paused. "Took down Bane?"
"The accident. He was that idiot playing in traffic." Mr. Fenton shook his head. "We were supposed to get here at noon, but can you believe it? The commissioner and the cops didn't want us to leave until everything was sorted out! At least we didn't get charged!"
What? Faintly distracted from the vision in an emerald green half-cloak and white pants whose glittering eyes never moved from the Fentons; Gabriela came back to the moment.
"Oh, I'm Maddie Fenton and this is my husband Jack. I understand your Zeit's new paramour? It's lovely to meet you." Mrs. Fenton shook Bruce Wayne's hand vigorously. "Danny and Damian seem to be good friends."
"Yes! Yes! Danny is wonderful! Alfred says he'd a fantastic house guest and he really gives Damian a run for his money." Bruce beamed. "You must be so proud."
"We are! Danny boy really is a marvel. Oh, and didn't your Damian break his nose? I have to say, his fighting skills are top-notch. He must have had an excellent teacher." Mrs. Fenton thrilled. "I helped teach Danny myself."
"How funny! Damian's mother taught him most of his skills as well. He hasn't been beaten in a fight in a few years, so I'm impressed."
All three of them laughed; cheerful and hearty. Gabriela had to hold onto her desk to keep from sliding off her chair. Supervillains near Bruce Wayne would be a disaster. Had been a disaster. She'd hoped they wouldn't meet but apparently fate hated her.
"You should inspect the laboratory next." Zeit interjected with a voice smooth enough to slide into hell on. "Assure it's....safety?"
Both Fentons winced, jolting toward the door. "That's a great idea! Come on, Sweetie! "
"Lab safety?" Bruce wondered, tilting his head toward his date.
"A priority of theirs....a new one. I will attend to my duties." Zeit's elegant hand rose to pat Bruce's shoulder, trailing over his body as they left. Once it was gone the pressure in the air vanished.
"So?" Bruce Wayne grinned. "How is my son?"
#$#$#$
"Holy shit!" Tara shoved the door open, swiftly followed by Mr. Tion. "The Fenton parents are supervillains!"
"I know." Gabriela winced, rubbing her forehead. "I know. Actually more trouble than Mr. Wayne."
"They inspected my lab," Tion muttered. "They just left."
"Really? That's a long time to be inspecting a lab."
"They inspected all of them and asked I wanted their son to have his ray gun. Apparently it's very effective...I declined."
"Madness. I'm so glad Duke Wayne is the normal kid. Even if he does have the world tiniest bladder. So, do you think Danny was a budding supervillain or what?"
"No idea and I don't want to think about it. Can't we just go get drunk? Please?
Tion patted the back of her head. "Let's go."
#$#$3
Billy Batson moved through the alley's and side streets of Central City. Most ignored him, and even more didn't see him. He knew how to move and be unseen. It wasn't often he came to a partner heroes city. Fawcett being his only concern most days.
Flash wouldn't be angry if he saw Captain Marvel, but it would raise suspicions. Plus, he wouldn't be able to do what he wanted in his hero disguise.
Once he'd inched past the crowds; he covered his ears to drown out the loud, heavy music. Bars were so much the same in every city; and very few people looked down. Slipping up the stairs of Saint and Sinner, he found himself face to hip with Mick Rory.
Heatwave. One of the most formidable of the Central City Rogues. Temperamental and violent, but apparently a good cook. "Who the fuck brought a kid?" He grunted. Beyond him had to be Billy's target.
"I brought myself," Billy said plainly. "I'm here to see Captain Cold."
Rory glanced up and down, shrugged, and pushed the door open. "Snart! Got company!"
Leonard Snarts dubious criminal lair over the bar was...underwhelming. It didn't look like a place he did his scheming or even hid things. It just looked like a simple, private room when a television displaying a soccer match in Europe. Mirror Master was sprawled over an armchair, snoring. And perched on a stool with a deceptively vapid expression and phone in her hand was Golden Glider. Captain Cold himself was nursing a bottle of beer, feet propped up on the coffee table.
Flash was right. He really did lounge everywhere. "Company?"
"My name is Thomas Psalm." He lied, stepping confidently around Rory to meet Colds blue-gray eyes. Keen, vicious intelligence gleamed behind those eyes. A madness which pushed him to become one of the only non-super-powered villains against superhero. It put him in the same category of nuts as Batman.
"Well, Mr. Psalm, what bring you by?" He was scary, and Billy forced himself to remember everything Flash had told him. Captain Cold was too smart to kill and he wouldn't hurt a kid.
Slipping his backpack off, Billy took the opposite seat and produced his folder. The gray eyebrows crawled further up his face. "I want to hire you, Captain Cold."
The folder was opened, pages and pictures produced and examined. "This is a pretty nice piece of jewelry. Why do you want it?"
"That's not any of your business." Heatwave snorted from where he was leaning over Cold's couch, grinning and swigging his own beer. "It's in the office of Ebenezer Batson. In his safe there will be more than enough stuff to compensate you for your fee."
It was a Kahndaqi artifact. One worn by a high priestess and illegally obtained by his uncle a few years ago. It would never go on display if he couldn't verify it's legitimate origins and then he'd have to deal with the new king of Kahndaq demanding to get a national treasure back. It was also the only remaining artifact that he, Zatanna, John, and Wonder Woman could think of that might identify the strange magic around Batman. No one else knew where it was and Billy didn't want to invite more nosy heroes into his city. They might find out his identity.
"You don't want to gold or things in his vault?"
Billy's expression hardened. "No. Just the necklace."
"Oh?" Captain Cold leaned forward with a sinister, conniving grin. "What if I only want the necklace?"
"It doesn't match your outfit," Billy told him.
Golden Glider giggled behind them. "It might match mine." She batted her eyelashes at Billy, who pinched the bridge of his nose.
"For fucks sake, Ms. Glider. There will be more than enough gold in there to make you happy."
"Ms. Glider!" She threw her head back, laughing before draping herself across the other end of the couch. Billy wasn't dumb enough to fall for the obvious trick. Lady Shiva had tried the same thing. So had tons of other lady villains. Catwoman had tried it, and eventually fallen asleep once Captain Marvel had ignored her long enough. "Are you a hero of a villain?"
"He's a client." Captain Cold hummed. "Fawcett City has it's own hero."
"Yeah? And?" This guy could steal out from under the Flash! Why the hell was Captain Marvel putting him off his game?
Captain Cold nodded. "Alright then. We'll work around it."
"Good." He pulled out a burner flip phone, placing it on the table. "The number programmed in will go to me and me alone. Call me when you get to Fawcett. Batson goes out of town for a dig in three days. Don't bring the whole crew, just whoever you need to get the job done. It'll be suspicious if the Rouges are all in Fawcett. Also, put these on when you get there." The next thing he produced were jade bracelets. "Listen, I know this looks suspicious but Fawcett is super weird and hostile to outsiders. Wearing these will help you go around the city without trouble."
"Magic?" Heatwave picked up a bracelet.
"Something like that. They're probably won't break but don't try to do it on purpose. Any questions?"
Cold's expression was contemplative. Emotions sealed away but Billy could sense the curiosity. "No, Mr. Psalm. I'll see you in three days."
That might have been a bad idea. Solomon added only once they were in the alleyway and making their way to the ZETA tube.
Are you sure we can't go meet my herald? Hermes wondered. I like him. I like his rival too.
"We have to get back." Billy muttered. "And it was the best idea we've got. I can't be caught breaking into his office."
I wish we could remember who that presence belonged to. Atlas hummed.
Even gods can forget Hercules sighed.
"I just hope he's not in any danger." If something magical were to eat Batman the world would be in more trouble than even Captain Marvel could save.
