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Bruce had been on Damian's tail all day about how the Clan had not responded to Althea's message for a meeting. They were both stressed it seemed to him that Freya and Hephastous were in agreeance of a truce or at least a meeting to work out. It had been almost 24 hours and no response, he tried not to show it but it had him on edge too. Althea and Raven had both said not to worry that if they got no response they would find Freya or Hephaestus.
It was time to start preparing to go on patrol when they started heading down to the cave. As they walked down the steps Damian and Bruce heard unknown voices in the cave. Alfred was just in the kitchen with the girls and Tim had just gotten home no one should have been down there.
Bruce and Damian were sent into a panic, preparing for the worst when Damian heard a laugh he couldn't forget if he tried. He nodded at Bruce to warn him. He still held his Katana in front of him in case. When he reached the last step he noticed what they were doing.
Willa and Hephastous stood by the mats watching Freya and Alastor spar. He turned to nod at Bruce that it was okay and turned to look at them. He knew they were well aware that he and Bruce were watching but they were curious to see their fighting styles.
He could hear Willa and Hephastous betting on who would win. They didn't use their abilities but they were strong and skilled, better than what he remembered. Hephaestus whistled and Freya tossed Alator towards the ground.
"Alright enough playing around we're guests here" Hephastous turned to where they were standing "Hello Mr. Wayne, I hear you were looking for us"
"More like chasing you down" Bruce stood in all seriousness he was angry. They got into the cave without them noticing. It was a huge shot to his ego.
"We knew you'd be here and that you would have some time," Freya walked forward as they heard more steps "And we figured we could wait while you arrived"
Within moments Althea came rushing down "I sensed a power" she stared at the four Clan members turning red as she realized she was a little late in a warning. She looked at everyone letting her eyes linger on a figure.
"You did indeed" Bruce spoke "How did you get in?"
"We know a lot of things and a lot of people " Hephastous explained "And we don't owe you any explanations considering how you've been looking for us"
Damian noticed how Willa and Alastor remained quiet and alert. Willa was outspoken there was no reason for her to be quiet and if Hephastous and Freya had only been in Gotham for a few days then all this information was there and they were letting them take the credit. Yet, that was how the Clan worked someone had the information and the others took credit. In case something went wrong they would head for the wrong person.
As he spoke Alfred, Raven, and Tim all came down to see what had happened to have Althea rush off to the cave.
"Well Master Bruce it seems our guest have our arrived," he walked to the end towards the computer, "Would you like some tea?"
Willa turned and they all made eye contact for a moment. There were no words spoken between them four but in their eyes, they were discussing and debating their next move. After a minute of silence, Willa turned to Alfred and nodded. "We would love some tea, Mr. Pennyworth,"
She walked toward the table and sat at the far side of the room while the others followed behind her, There was a sense of understanding between the four clan members. They sat at the round table Willa sat in between Alastor and Hephastous with Freya on Hephastous' left. They seemed relaxed except Alastor who seemed angry and alert, prepared to throw a hit.
"Well Mr. Wayne," Willa leaned back in her chair and stared Althea down pausing for a moment as she observed her surrounding energy, smirking she spoke "You've got us,"
Bruce couldn't put his hand on it but there was something about Willa that made her seem so malignant. He observed them all and took in their qualities. Alastor the short boy with brown eyes, had to be about 16 or 17. He seemed like a hot head, ready to blow, much like Damian. Freya a tall girl, in her 20s, seemed nonchalant but she toyed with a bracelet she wore as if she was preparing to try something. Hephaestus stood tall with a kind smile he was prepared for battle with the way he was sitting as if preparing to make a move. Willa looked about 18 average height, small smile, she observed the room from top to bottom and seemed to observe them as he was. He recognized darkness in her eye from elsewhere, darkness that came from expirincing too much pain and grief.
"What have you been doing in Gotham?" Tim interrupted after Bruce sat in thought for too long. There were many things racing through his mind but he wanted to know two things first.
"We are looking into the appearance of Clan Leaders" Hephastous looked around waiting to see if his team objected before continuing, "We are hunting them down"
"Why?"
"Why do you hunt down criminals?" No one answered for a moment before Bruce spoke up.
"For Justice"
"It seems we have an understanding then, Mr.Wayne" Alastor spoke "We seek justice and we don't need help, so this meeting has come to an end"
"Tell me" Bruce interrupted "What is the difference between Justice and Vengeance?"
"The moral viewpoint and punishment" Freya pointed out "It depends on how you see it, Mr. Wayne."
"How do you see it?" he pushed
"Well in Gotham we've seen it as a man dressed as a bat" Freya retaliated "In Buldhaven a bluebird, In Star City a Robin hood, the list goes on, should I continue"
There was no immediate response and for her it was perfect they couldn't exactly judge what they were doing because well they blurred the line too.
"How far would you go for justice?"
"As far as we need to," Hephaestus spoke strong and the group nodded in agreement "We each have our limits and we are doing as you are, taking out criminals and making the world safe"
"Well a city for you but we each have our own big picture," Alastor spoke
There was a silence. They were smarter than Bruce had anticipated.
