Panther

Chapter eight: A new costume.

A year later.

Crys' POV

So, let me update you on things that have happened this past year. And, I'm thirteen now Well for starters, Selina and I have robbed enough banks, museums, galas over this year. I joined Gotham Academy for free since I only failed two questions in my test, I got a scholarship from Bruce Wayne. The guy who took me for Chinese takeout that one time, I didn't know that he was the richest dude in Gotham. Billionaire Playboy Philanthropist Bruce Wayne, I have no idea what half those words mean.

And his ward, Richard Grayson, who I call a dick since his counterpart Robin had refused to help me feed street children but never realises that I'm insulting him since it's apparently his nickname. I walk to school together with Arty, (she goes to Gotham North for some reason), who is my best friend and Robin, Dick Grayson plus his best friend, Barbara Gordon who for some reason hates me. I didn't do nothing to her. Dick is also a big flirt, but the roles reverse when we're Panther and Robin. There's this one time I had to distract him so that I would have the upper hand so I purred softly, "Robin, I have a huge crush on you." Everyone, including Catwoman stopped and looked at me. While I took advantage of the situation and threw one of those small pellets from Robin's belt not knowing what they do.

I grabbed the cat statue and a bracelet on the side for myself. It was worth it. I ran. And I took Catwoman with me. Since she was still standing. She said, "Do you want to talk about maybe your feelings for Robin?" I said, "Nope, not really. I don't have any feelings for Robin. I said that so they could be distracted." She sighed in relief and said, "Oh, thank Goodness. I was not looking forward to that conversation." I said so guiltily, "I'm sorry for stealing this bracelet from the museum." She simply laughed and said that I could take what I wanted so I hugged her and put it on. Yeah, so, my life's going great.

Did I forget to mention that I build connections with some Major villains. Like Lex Luthor and I are on speaking terms and I'm going to Cadmus to keep his son company. There's two of them but I personally prefer the one who can't use lasers. It's so great. But the first one, who I nicknamed March, wanted to kill me and everyone in the area so he was locked up. But then there's another one, he rarely talks and is much calmer. I don't speak unless he does and they gave me a sketchbook to take notes on him but I just sketch funny things, and sometimes I draw him. They said he shares Superman's DNA but Lex calls him his son, he looks nothing like Lex anywho I'm guessing he looks like a teenage version of Superman.

Any who, it's gonna be great. I haven't told Arty about my criminal life yet. But, I'll tell her someday. Hopefully, Robin or Dick never find out. So any who, Catwoman gave me a new costume. It's everything I've ever hoped and dreamed of, it's bullet proof, water proof, a bit shiny, fire resistant, it's padded with shock absorbers and the materials are stretchy. And, I have three new versions of the suit, two show my stomach but one has suspenders, one doesn't and the other one is a full body suit, though I haven't gotten the chance to use them.

Right now I'm on a lunch break at school, Gotham Academy, and I'm not seeing Dick anywhere. I've only seen Babs and we're seated and not talking. It's really awkward. I decided to stand up and look for Dick. The awkward situation was killing me. I found him in a deserted hallway of the school with a few jocks standing around him. Circling him. He was kneeling on the ground and crying. I walked up to them slowly and cleared my throat behind them. They all turned behind and faced me. Jock number one, Braydon, was it? Said, "Oh look, it's the poor kid and the charity case circus freak. What? Here to save your boyfriend." I said, "Nope, I'm just here to teach a few people lessons on manners on how to treat fellow students."

I unbuttoned the cuffs of my ridiculously cuffed shirt. I said, "So, here's the deal, you have two options. One, I take off my shirt and scream rape then you get expelled or you walk away, right now and never disturb Richard again." Braydon said, "Bitch you wouldn't dare." I replied with the most evil smirk I could master, "I'm a street kid, try me." Braydon said to Dick, "You're lucky your girlfriend was here, but next time you won't be." They walked away hurriedly since I was glaring at them. Dick continued crying on the ground and I came and sat crosslegged in front of him. I said, "You can stop crying now, they're gone now."

He looked at me with those sad blue eyes, that should never be sad ever, and I sighed in annoyance, "Why are you crying? Is it something they said?" He kept on crying and I stood up then held out my hand for him to take. He accepted it but I didn't let go as I led him to the back of the school. He asked, "Where are you taking me?" I replied, "My safe heaven away from school." There was a tree in the darkest corner where no one goes, the Sun only reaches this place at dusk and it's beautiful then, especially with the few shiny crystals I hung there. But for now it has candles since it's barely morning. I got out a match from my bag and lit them. He kept quiet and followed me.

We reached and he sat down and looked around the place. He said, "This is nice." I said, "I know, it's why I brought you here. So, what did they say?" Dick first took a deep breath and kept quiet as if contemplating if he should say anything. He said, "They said that I was a circus freak, a charity case and a nobody, they said that Bruce would never love me because I'm just a burden." He was looking down at his hands with this sad and angry depressed look in his eyes and on his face.

I rolled my eyes and lifted his chin so he would look at me. I said, "So, you grew up in the circus, that's an adventure none of them are ever going to have. You have the coolest gymnastic moves I've ever seen. Being sad about what some jerks who have no say in your life whatsoever means that you are regretting the only part of your life that makes you you." I first kept quiet and held one of his hands. I continued and said, "You aren't a charity case, you never were and you never will be. Bruce took you in because he saw a child who didn't have a home anymore, one he could help and yes, maybe, he did pity you at first but now I'm sure he sees you as a son. A very good hearted and intelligent one at that. He loves you a lot and the fact that you'd believe Braydon and his jerks means that he doesn't say it to you enough but I'm sure he does."