Monolith

Chapter 7: Duke

Diana

Today was highly unusual. Most people would have said this was because all of the outdoor light fixtures in Star City had suddenly become sentient and murderous, and the Justice League had been forced to intervene.

The members of the Justice League were not most people. They felt the day was unusual because Batman had not only answered the League-wide call for help despite the daytime being outside of his usual operating hours, he had also brought someone along with him. (Someone dressed in bright yellow, no less.)

Before even talking to the various Justice League members on the scene, Batman and the newcomer had had a conversation in low voices, culminating in the newcomer shaking their head and Batman smiling at them briefly and reassuringly.

'I didn't think so.' Batman said, his voice less rough than usual, perhaps since the new figure seemed nervous. 'That's fine, Signal - don't worry. I'd have brought you anyway. You're our only daytime Bat. This works out well for us, in the long run - the daytime is just about the only time I can introduce you without your siblings causing chaos.'

The newcomer in bright yellow - Signal, apparently - grinned at that, flashing straight white teeth and relaxing marginally.

Diana, tearing a lamppost that had grown sharp, knife-like appendages apart with her bare hands to prevent it from spearing a father and his young daughter, looked over with interest. 'Batman!' she said loudly and delightedly, ushering the two civilians inside a building. 'I did not think you would come! The situation is hardly dire enough to warrant you coming out at this time of day! The sun is out!'

Batman grimaced at her teasing, and threw an explosive batarang at a set of traffic lights with legs that were coming up on her from behind. The glass in the bulbs shattered, which caused it to slow but not stop. Diana whirled and kicked at it, bending the metal as easily as butter and sending it down the street to lay mangled and still up against a wall.

It was at this point Diana noticed Batman's shorter companion. She smiled at him warmly, taking him in, then approached the pair.

Diana had been correct; the situation, while odd, was not terribly urgent. The Justice League made short work of what later turned out to be an accidental curse from an extremely apologetic and rather inexpert sorcerer, and soon congregated around Batman. Many of them cast curious glances at Signal, but new better than to ask - Batman was looming a little more than usual, like he wanted to protect his new companion.

Signal tensed under the league's not-so-subtle scrutiny, but did not move from Batman's side.

The newcomer's armour was vastly different to any of the other bat-adjacent people. Thick and plated, it was mostly a lively sunshine yellow with black on the arms and legs for contrast. A white bat, outlined boldly in black, was displayed proudly across his chest, yellow bladed nunchaku attached to a utility belt. Finally, a helmet in the style of Batman's cowl covered his head, though bulkier and brighter. The only visible skin was around his mouth and jaw, a rich dark brown.

After Batman had received a short summary of the events prior to his arrival, he could hover menacingly no longer. Wavering under Diana's intense stare, he gave in. He looked to the shorter figure at his side, who nodded and squared his shoulders. Batman nodded back, trying to comfort his companion in a gruff way that was oddly endearing. 'This is my son, Signal. My newest. He works during the daytime - I thought he could be of some assistance with this case.'

'Greetings, Signal! I take it you are the newest of Batman's children, but not the youngest? Unless Robin is rather older than he looks?' Diana said warmly, shaking Signal's hand with a smile.