POV- KAI
Yes, it it I. The other part of this three piece puzzle that no one has seen so far in this story. Congratulations you've stumbled onto my chapter now. Mwahaha, JK.
I'm currently sitting in a diner in a city called Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹. Casually chilling at the window next to the buzzing street full of tourists, customers, and conveniently unemployed workers. Teenagers who are looking for a part time job, who's family's don't own a family business.
Heat waves from the kitchen are washing over me despite the fact I'm on the other side of the Diner. Outside, it is so much worse. It's supposed to be the hottest part of the season, which is ironic since Scar is living in snowstorm country.
Passer-by's are occasionly gawking at me through the 6cm glass. I do suppose that seeing someone with white hair and literary red eyes isn't that often around here. But damn do you need to stare that much?!
Give me a break! I hate attention as it is! I graduated from every class available on online college, but my appearance still has people questioning my capabilities. I mean yeah I look young (I am young and underage) but don't be so critical!
My Diner (More like co-ownership) is conveniently located right in the middle of this towns market and tourism spot. Everyone passes by here and we cook an assortment of Italian foods and recieve shipments of wine regularly. Welcoming everyone here since we are the busiest restaurant on this street at the moment.
It's been 2 years since Rose and I started this Diner. It was hard to attract customers at first but with the right advertising and convenient placement we've been doing fine. Scarlett was concerned at first, when she first came back, about running businesses at such a young age illegally, but it's working for us.
Me, when Scarlett first disappeared, I started using every connection of mine in the underworld and I ran into trouble. Apparently AKIRA and AJAX were not organizations to be messed with and me snooping around wasn't appreciated. I eventually started fighting major mafia leaders in the underworld. Most of them lost, except for one.
I gathered tons of information about the heroes and I gained a high status in the underworld. I went by 'Electivire' since I wanted a name that related to my energy power. While I was at it I stole the name El Diablo from some minor mafia leader and started my own major army. I own most of the territory in Italy and a large chunk in Russia that I gave to Scarlett.
Soon after the first year though, I realized someone was tracking my progress in my investigation. I looked for them and I got caught by another turf leader. He was apparently impressed with my work so far in destroying competition, but I was dangerously close to coming into his territory as well. I told him to go screw himself and he didn't take it kindly.
Leading to 3 months of being tortured before Rose saved my sorry a**. I have huge scars running down my chest and back but I'm alive, so thank God. I haven't run into the turf leader again and since Scarlett is back I don't plan on going for round 2 either.
I'm just trying to manage the turf here and keep my town safe like any responsible owner should. Other than that I sit here at the window of the Diner. Wearing my usual leather jacket above a white shirt, I only wear the jacket to cover the scars and the tattoos I've earned, slacking in my chair with blue jeans and steel bottom boots.
I wear fingerless gloves to cover the marks on my knuckles when I'm not trying to intimidate other mafia's. I, funnily enough, have a tan despite the fact I easily burn under the sun. Must be my natural Arabic heritage coming through is what my brother Damian would say.
The sun was lowering over the only visible part of the horizon from here since I am in the middle of a city. Buildings tend to block out any natural beauty of nature that can be seen from here.
I let out a low hum and leaned forward over the pine table to grab a small ceramic cup. It was still warm after consistently sitting in the sun for so long. Inside was fresh grounded coffee that I usually drink often, since I don't have very much energy stored these days.
Considering I run on pure energy and can collect it from any source is ironic. I should've just took it out of the electric bill since it easy to pay off anyways. Actually I really do need to gather storage energy since I'm going to be dealing with gang wars all week.
I sat up taking the ceramic cup with me and causing the chair beneath me to creak. I yawned as I walked towards the kitchen passing over the oak flooring. The other customers paid me no heed as they continued their conversations as I walked by all of them.
Taking a baseball cap off the counter when I walked by I headed into the kitchen. Rose was juggling three entrées and other workers were trying to keep it clean. I walked by all of them too and opened the back door with the spare generator.
The sun was starting to set and turned on the generator signaling to Rose to close up soon. When the generator started running I laid my palm flat on the surface and started pulling. Pulling energy out of the machine, not to much at a time since I don't want to over do it.
I took calming breaths as the force pushed into my hand and up into my arm. Gathering all of the energy in my core area of my chest, next to my heart. I split off some of the core energy into my head so I could think clearer. Everything was buzzing with energy in my entire body until everything was compressed into my core.
When it was done the sun was gone and the last few pink clouds were disappearing out of the sky. I sighed
at the sight and left the dead generator outside. There wasn't any rain due for a few days yet and I'm just too lazy to try and put it away. The restaurant was emptying itself since Rose put the 'closed' sign on the door.
I switched places with Rose after I walked inside taking over cleaning the kitchen. Soon in about an hour there'll be people from all over coming into the Diner. All of them turf owners and Mafia leaders coming to discuss business with me and with the others. A rare occurrence that we ever get in one place together and get along.
_____ After Hours< Turf wars and Mafia leaders___
POV-Kai
The men were all seated, several had tattoos covering their hands or chests. I sat at the front since I own this part of the turf and the Diner. They were all making small talk as I waited for the last of the guests to come. I heard the door squeak open and the last people arrived.
I started the meeting as I sat up right fixing my slouching form. "So, is there any real reason to actually have this meeting?" I asked looking over all of them.
"You know that it's required to at least meet once a month, El Diablo. Keep each other informed of any necessary problems or wars." Someone in the back spoke up, he looked as bored as me. The guys name was Lambordazzi and he owned the east side turf.
"Right," I droned on sarcastically, "is there any problems that we should make each other aware of?"
All them gave each other a look that clearly said that there wasn't. Until another guy in the back raised their hand.
"Yes, Pacho?" receiving groans from everyone who just wanted to go home already.
"Yeah, there's a small time gang running around terrorizing my west side citizens. I was going to kill them, but considering you frown down upon the act, I'm asking you what you want to do."
"How small time are we talking here?" someone asked next to me.
"Big enough of a group but not a lot of influence." Pacho answered.
"In that case just take them out the nice way and if that doesn't work. Do it forcefully instead." Lambordazzi spoke up.
I let out a groan, "Anything else?" 'Please say no, please so no.'
Everyone shook their heads and thankfully that was enough of a reason to dismiss them. Rose gave me a small smile at seeing my relief at ending this nuisance.
"Don't give me that look Rose. You know if I could give my position up I would." I told her.
"Trust me I know you hate working, Hahaha" she laughed, "Don't worry about it though, I'll clean up and when I'm done we can go out back to the house." I just nodded along with her. She disappeared as she went back to the kitchen.
I was feeling uncomfortable, I didn't notice it before but now I can tell someone is watching me. I frowned, the last thing I need is to break my cover as a regular Diner owner. I casually sat against the back wall making myself another drink and waited for their first move.
______ Casually watching is Batman and Batgirl from an opposing building using night vision goggles___
POV-Batman
I watched silently as several members of the local mafia left the Diner. The twin sibling was sitting against the wall casually making another drink. He hasn't noticed our presence yet, but I don't want to find out that this kid is in a lot of trouble.
Cass/Batgirl was watching the scene next to me not commenting after also seeing the same people leave the Diner.
"When do we go in?" She asked crouching just below sight.
"The men that left were all part of the local Mafia and turf owners. We'll go in when there is an opening and the other girl leaves." and just as I said that last part, the girl with red hair was walking out the back into a separate building.
Cass looked at me and mouthed 'Now?' and I nodded in response and we both jumped towards the Diner.
______ POV-Kai____
I sat still with a new drink in my hand warming me with every sip. Consider that it's really hot right now and drinking something warm isn't the best idea. I know that of course but I don't really care very much.
I was carefully feeling for the two intruders presence and the Diner was already quite dark now. Only a couple of lamps on the opposite side of the Diner was on.
When they got close enough I decided to spook them a bit, "So are you planning to stand there the rest of the night or do you need something?" I turned towards their direction and flashed them a smirk.
"Nice place you have here." Male voice, deep so probably middle aged, but it's husky so it's not his real voice.
"Thanks we try to keep the place busy." I replied.
"Yes, I suppose having underworld connections makes it easier to gain customers." He said flatly and that pi**ed me off. I do not force any one to eat here.
I gave a harsh look towards their direction, "Only if your the type to force customers." I said coldly. "Care to tell me what your here for? I hardly doubt that you came to just insult me and if you did you can see yourselves out."
"When was the last time you talked to your brother Damian?" was the next question that startled me.
I froze on the spot and I started mentally going haywire. Every instinct told me that I should kill them right then and there, but what if something happened to Damian? Scarlett would freak if I did something rash and put his life on the line.
But that didn't stop me from shifting my body to give me better access to the gun on my waist. It didn't show but I wasn't dumb enough to not carry something with my status. I was attacked all the time by small time gangsters who wanted fame.
My movement must've caught his attention since he commented, "I don't think you need to pull that out, we are not here to fight."
I gave him a quirked smile, "Forgive me if this seems offensive but most people who mention my brother don't have good intentions." I started thinking about the 7 different ways to avoid a fight and get what I want.
The both of them walked out of the shadows slowly and I narrowed my eyes at their movement. The girl was in a black suit and the cowl had stitches near the mouth, and a much buffer figure (obviously the male) was wearing a similar design but the lower part of his face was uncovered.
She moved without a sound and everything about her yelled assassin. The girl was wearing a logo on her chest that matched that of the male next to her. And the both of them were wearing very protective covering and body Armour that could be seen on the suit. Both had weapons on their belts and that was a red flag.
I very noticeably factored everything about them. Mentally checking my math I decided that the best course of action, if this takes a wrong turn, would be to stall and wait for Rose to come back. They must've noticed again that my body language was shifting from relaxed to defensive.
"We are not here to fight or cause any unnecessary concerns." the girl talked this time and I noticed her speech was a bit broken. She was probably an older teen from the sound of her voice and it held a lot of maturity.
I calmly gave them a look over again, "What did you need? I admit I'm doubting your intentions since Damian made it very clear he wouldn't say anything about us. Not to mention that people who come looking for me tend to try and kill me."
"Paranoid much?" The girl asked me slightly insulted.
"Yes, though it's a habit I was forced to pick up." I gave her a playboy smile. Literally though, I was forced to pick it up after being back stabbed (Figuratively and Literally) so many times. I never learned to trust anyone ever again, but I can act like I do and still question their priorities. I will never be relationship material.
The man sighed, "Were not going to get anywhere if you keep doing this."
I flat out gave him a deadpanned look, "Then speak your mind. I don't have time to have this conversation either."
"First off, like I've repeatedly said, we're not here to fight or start one." I gave him a look and told him to continue, " We're here because we weren't aware that Damian had other siblings."
"That was on purpose." I replied and took a sip of my now colder drink.
"Secondly, we were made aware that you and your sister are living on your own." Oh, go-- no don't tell me this is about being under age right? I kept my face though since I can't guess everyone's intentions immediately.
"You are both underage," The girl piped in. I gave both of them a look telling them how much I didn't care. I really don't care that we managed to provide for ourselves without an authority figure.
"That's not the point." He spoke after he saw my expression. "Despite living off of your own work," He gestured to the Diner and I felt a slight bit of pride. I was happy that me and Rose could pull this off without help.He continued, "you shouldn't have to be living off of just you and your partner."
I stopped him before he could speak anymore by raising a hand, "I don't believe you have a right to tell me what I should and should not be doing with my life." I gestured to the Diner, "If it wasn't for the help of Rose I wouldn't be running the Diner the way that it is now. I wouldn't have managed if I didn't have help, and now that I no longer need any help I don't appreciate being told what to do."
"Yes, I'm not telling you what to do just that it should have never happened in the first place." Now I'm confused and insulted. "Had Damian told us earlier that you two existed neither of you would have been forced to provide for yourself's."
Where is this conversation going? How the hell do they know my brother? Why are they here? Why the HELL DO I CARE FOR?! I started completely stressing out since this conversation was taking forever.....
Thank goodness the Man picked up on my stress, "Damian is currently living with his Father, or me and no longer has a connection to the Al-Ghul's." I felt my jaw drop and every witty comment I could ever make just slipped put of my head.
"What?" it embarrassed me more to feel that damn dumb at the moment. "Wait a minute, I knew that Damian moved locations, I didn't know that woman left him with you though."
He asked very confused, "You mean your Mother?"
I looked at him, "She always told us stories about you, and she said you were rather talented in the mind. But then again she over exaggerated everything since she is a very over dramatic person."
Yes, I did insult him purposefully. I'm not in the best mood as of now.
The girl next to him slightly moved, and that either meant she laughed or she was ready to kill me now. He sighed, "Yes, I agree that she is an over dramatic person but that isn't my point either. As another member of your family we are inviting you with open arms to a new home."
"First, off you don't even know me. Secondly, I don't know you. Thirdly, I don't trust anyone any more so the likelihood of me taking your offer is low." I sighed out, my head hurts at this point, way too much new information.
He reached for his cowl and he pulled it off of his face. Revealing a very handsome and middle aged face. Black hair and blue eyes just like Damians, but if you ever compared them together you could tell that Damian had more of an Arabian stature.
"My name is Bruce Wayne, I am yours, Damians, and Scarletts biological father. I do not know you but I would like too." He gave a small smile to ease the amount of discomfort this was putting on for me.
My phone rang off at that moment, I didn't even remember I had it on me. Scarlett texted, she wrote that Damian had offered/blackmailed her a place in Gotham with a new family. She was going to take the offer.
I sighed, "My sister just messaged me," He looked a bit surprised but let me continue," She'll be going but I don't know what I'm going into so I'll make my decision once you explain."
The girl took off her mask, "Where would you like to start?"
______ POV- BRUCE WAYNE_____
I admit that I didn't think he would agree since he seemed really offensive towards the offer, but he gave towards the end.
Surprisingly enough I learned that Kai actually graduated from college already. At such a young age and that Scarlett was halfway there too.
I told him about the crime fighting part of our family and our specific no killing policy not knowing how he would react. He was fine with both things but he made it clear he had no intention of fighting at all. Which was surprising but I expected that since they did leave the Al-Ghul's for a specific reason.
I studied him the entire time at the Diner and noticed that the way he carried himself was proper. Everything he did screamed experienced fighter and in most cases assassin. One very odd difference was the red eyes and white hair which Damian never mentioned. I didn't ask him about it since there would be time later to.
I full well knew that Kai had some sort of affiliation with the underworld and the tattoos, that the gloves almost fully covered, showed status. Considering the fact he had no problem with the non-killing rule showed that he wasn't an impulsive fighter either.
He never mentioned anything about Damians situation that lead him to be given to me. Nor did he ask about the hero side of the family obviously wanting to put distance between the subjects.
I did finally get a message from Nightwing that they were taking Scarlett to Gotham. I decided at that moment to ask Kai of he had made his decision yet, after a small hesitation he agreed to go to Gotham with us. I'm sure Dick and the others will be excited in meeting the new members of the Wayne family.
Rose, the girl that Co-owned the Diner, at some point walked back into the Diner behind us and no one noticed, but Kai, that she was even there. Until, she spoke up and told Kai that he could leave at any moment since she already packed his belongings.
She must have been a very experienced assassin being able to hide her presence and nullify her sound. She calmly walked around Cassandra and dropped the bag next to Kai. They had a small conversation on what to do about business and she told him not to worry. She could run it on her own.
Whether they were talking about the Diner or the Umderworld spot was unclear. After that we left and flew back to Gotham.
________ [POV-Scarlett] One flight to the U.S later____
My gosh I am so tired, thankfully when I left Russia Sara offered to run everything on her own. I didn't think she could do it but I am going to let her be. 'She'll be fine' mentally coaxing myself, 'She's always been fine. One little bar won't kill her.' 'Maybe'.
After the long flight we landed in some sort of cave. I had asked Damian where we were and he told me 'This is the Batcave and over there is the Batcomputer, ' I cut him off by laughing my @$$ off right after I heard the second 'Bat' branded name.
Nightwing or Dick mentioned something about being under Wayne Manour. I stood there for a solid three minutes just looking at all of the bat themed gadgets. The car that sat in the center of the cave, the Batcomputer, the Batsuits, and very conveniently the bats themselves hanging off of the ceiling.
Everyone was unloading behind me while I stood in amazement. This is what a heros lair looks like, so cool!
"Hey, Scarlett I want you to meet Alfred." Dick interrupted my standstill view.
"Sure." I said as I spun on my heel to turn around. Dick was talking to an older gentleman who was wearing a strange attire. He looked like a butler but I wasn't going to say anything rude.
"This is Alfred Pennyworth, he is the family butler for your father." Dick smiled, "He'll help you get more situated in your stay here." So he is a butler, that explains the nice suit. He was also standing proper despite his age.
"Umm, it's nice to meet you." I greeted him nicely. There was no way I was ever going to get used to having someone help me.
"It's quite nice to meet you too, Ms Scarlett. Your room has already been prepared for your stay and you'll find you have no need to worry about anything. Everything can be provided if you ask." Alfred kindly smiled at me.
Feeling dumbfounded after his small introduction I didn't know how to continue the conversation. I'm more used to dealing with the middle class families who visit the bar for a one night stand. Or the mercenaries who don't care about things like status and just need a place to eat and talk.
He sensed my discomfort that was obviously showing in my body stature. Dick piped in again saving me from feeling more awkward, "It might be best for you to rest now considering it is quite late. Bruce might not be back for a while yet trying to get your brother to come. Alfred can you take her stuff up to her room?"
"Yes Young Master Dick, I shall take her to her room." he stepped forward to grab my bags. I packed three of them, one contained clothes and utensils, one held my gadgets and medicines that I take to substitute from eating, and my last bag held all of my weapons, poisons, and a very important hard drive. Alfred took the first two bags and I insisted on carrying the third.
We made it up to my room and Damian insisted on escorting me as well. After all we did need to talk further about my stay here in Gotham.
Mentally trying unsuccessfully to map out the floor plan of the mansion on my way to my room I noticed the few family pictures. Some were of two adult couples, which I happened to glance at in one of the open studies, both had remarking resemblance to Damian so I am assuming their related to me.
When we did get to my room Alfred very kindly pointed out the bathroom, the closet, and one other conjoined room with mine. After that Damian forced him to leave, he never did learn manners my dear brother, and he turned to me.
"You won't be able to meet father tonight, but considering the fact you don't sleep, probably from trauma, you'll be awake when he arrives." Damian stated, "I don't expect you to say yes to this, but you'll still be asked, will you join the heroes?"
"No, you know I cannot. I am no where near fit to be a hero much less part of a family." She choked out feeling guilty for everything AJAX made her do.
He his expression showed concern, "Scar, you need time to recover. Meddling on things that weren't your fault isn't going to help. But ignoring the fact it ever happened isn't the right answer either, you'll need to learn to cope."
I straightened my back and calmed my voice, "I am coping D, I was coping with my problems in Russia too. It'll take some time but I'll be fine in the end, but my answer won't change I cannot be a hero." I looked him in the eyes.
I heard him sigh but I turned away from him to study the room some more. The windows were rather large for just a bedroom and looking out I could see over the yard. The curtains were a very nice shade of gray and had a light layer of white separating it from the window. Probably the shade curtains, I'm gonna guess that's because most of the people in this family are night owls.
In my opinion I think that's better than being a morning person (which I am not either of them. If I ever do sleep). Turning to the closet, which was larger than normal, held not much in it. Some pairs of clothes but they weren't mine so I moved them to the back.
"Damian, give me that bag sitting there." Pointing to the black duffel sitting next to the bed. He dragged it over to me and helped organize the sections of clothes. I keep all of my clothes wrinkle free after spending so much time in the Army making sure nothing in my suit had wrinkles. They are extremely strict about that especially the formal uniform.
I pulled all of clothes out neatly and split the piles into two. Non-wrinkled and wrinkled clothes is what it ended up being, I'll have to ask for an ironing board and an iron to fix that but it's not that bad. Surprisingly enough when I reached the bottom of the bag I pulled out my uniforms. Under that was my badges to go with it.
Damian was a bit to focused to notice that I was hiding my formal uniform in the back of the closet. I plucked the hat to go with it off of the ground. Tucking the both of them out of sight, mostly since the sleeves wouldn't stay back, I took my badges and stuck them in a plastic bag. Stuffing the bag into a pocket of the uniform I heard D behind me move another section of clothes away.
I turned over to him, there wasn't that much clothes just that I was a solid perfectionist who had to have everything in an exact order. All of my books were alphabetized, categorized by last name, and genre. My gadgets and computer were sitting up on a desk for easy access.
Medicines were also alphabetical in a drawer next to the bed, also for easy access. Under that drawer held all of my journals that held my ideas ranging from poisons, new tech ideas, a hundred different recipes to make a bomb, chemical structures, and theories with possible chemical substances that were in the blue serum. Stuff that I would never want anybody to read.
I looked around the room closely trying to find a place to hold an government destroying hard drive. It held every secret from every government in the world. I found it from AJAX with no intention of using it, but I couldn't let anybody use it either. Stuff like that destroys the world especially when it holds information on every secret file, agents that worked for them, and every detail on how to decode their firewall.
I admit that yes I have used this information, especially the part on decoding government information. It was so cool looking through it, but it had some sickening things in it as well. Some people have a sick sense of science, like AJAX.
I eventually found a crease in the wall paper that was perfect for holding it. I carefully slid it in with a piece of paper to label it. Damian walked out of the closet right after I walked away from the spot.
"The clothes are done and do you need help putting away the weapons?" Damian asked while he flat out layed on the bed, spreading out to stretch his limbs.
"No, and don't you have other things to do than help me?" I chuckled picking up my last bag. I was planning on moving my portable chemistry set into the closet. There was enough room thankfully to not catch my clothes on fire while doing so. I was planning on using the conjoined room to train, play my violin(which I'm gonna have to get), and meditate.
Plus it was a great room to store my assortment of weapons. "I do have patrol tonight, but considering my sibling is in an uncomfortable position, I have no problem staying to help." Damian stated, I'm glad he cares that much.
"Well no need," picking up my bag from off the floor, it was quite heavy and walked past him to the conjoined room, "I am quite capable of doing this myself, so go do your hero thing." I chuckled again.
I took the small door handle and turned it revealing a medium sized room. Not big enough to outdo a medium sized kitchen, but big enough to fit everything I needed it to. I dropped the bag on the floor and since the room was basically empty I just dumped most of the stuff onto the floor.
First let's move the bottled poisons out of the way. Now sort the swords from each other by most used to least used. The first was a hand crafted Tachi with a dragon designed handle. Made by one Sara with a little help from the monks in the mountains. Second was my Daab sword with a more modern hilt. Several other swords were laid out but I hardly ever use them anymore.
Next, I arranged my assortment of daggers by sets since I use all of them constantly. Lastly my two bows, a compound and a recurve bow, I decided to put op on the wall. My swords starting from most used to least were next to the bows. My daggers, I moved a table into here to set up any other stuff I needed.
When I was finally done sorting, putting away, and cleaning the remaining items from the floor I noticed Damian had finally left. Must've gone out to do his patrol and what not. I took another look around my new room and sat down sinking into the bed. Shame, I wasn't planning on ever using it.
I pulled my phone out from its forgotten place in my jacket. Checking it I noticed a new message from Kai. Going into the chat I read that he agreed to come to Gotham, and he was an hour away flying in a jet. That was sent about 30 something minutes ago, I sighed opening my curtains looking to the sky for a flying object. Noticing one at the edge of the horizon I made my way to the bedroom door.
I opened the door and then discovered I had no idea where to go. No idea what floor I was even on and where the bat cave was located either. I closed the door and turned on my heel back into the room. I decided it would be better to just greet him tomorrow instead. I went back to meditate in the other room facing the wall. I closed my eyes and started zoning into my surroundings.
Peace, tranquility, and silence....