𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒎 ❜ㅤ ⠀𓏏𓏏⠀⠀

⸝⸝ ★ 𝑻𝑾𝑶

⁺₊ ✦ ꒰ა໒꒱ ✦ ₊⁺

JOURNAL ENTRY:
Dear Diary, I'm pretty sure my mom was a good person. I think she was young when she came here, probably just a few years older, but I do admire her every bit. She brought me to Gotham to nurture me. Even though she never had the chance to, I still thank her. That's exactly why I'm writing this. Gio tells me to write in this diary at least once or twice a month so I can remember my mom, who she was, and where I came from. But if I'm being honest, there's nothing much to write about you. I didn't know you that much, so every time I write inside of this journal about you, it's always the same corresponding words: I love you, thank you, and I'm grateful.

Sofía's hand placed the journal in her lap, held in the folded space between her shorts. Her foot gently swayed out, making a light tapping noise against the building she sat on. Typically, once Sofía got home, she wrote in her journal right after getting in the shower, dressing up, and before going on patrol. There was no specific reason behind it, but whenever she decided to write about her mother, everything seemed to stop. Then she would wait until after patrol; the young girl knew it was risky to cloud her thoughts and bottle up what she was going to write for the rest of the night, but she couldn't help it. So that's why she was now on top of a building with the wind brushing past her in a light, cool breeze, gently picking up her hair as it moved in the left direction. Her legs gently kicked on the edge of the building as she listened to the sound of her shoe tapping onto the material of the wall beneath her, the sound almost like an escape, wishing for any speck of inspiration for creativity—what else she can adapt onto this page. Sofía's eyes now moved from the diary, looking down at the city that lay beneath her. Her eyes seemed to narrow as she tried to look around, scanning billboards, skyscrapers, any types of stores, or maybe ads to encourage her. Yes, of course, Sofía could just write about the same thing as usual, but she didn't know if she actually wanted to this time. She wanted to do something different for a change, something more.

JOURNAL ENTRY:
Sergio told me he was the one who asked to bring me in. He told me that he found me with my new mommy and Antonio on the street; he told me I wouldn't remember, which was true. I didn't. I think he knows more about you than me; it really stinks. Gio told me he forced every bit of information out of me about you once they took me home, but whenever I ask, it's not important.

The girl added on. The pen in her hand wrote swiftly, ready to retell the story she lived through. Each line showed a statement that deflected her mother and who she truly was. That's why she wanted to write so much. To share a respect for her mother, even if she may not have remembered her or any of those memories she felt once. She was still grateful. Something in her changed, so when her brother reminded her to write about her mother, there was a change in the usual annoyance the girl had. Instead, she looked forward to it. She had a heavy sense of anticipation. This time, she couldn't wait to write in her journal about her mother and her origin. But even as she wrote, she grew more confident and relaxed into the writing. Each curved movement the pen made, despite the calming energy, didn't seem to inspire more words out of her. So just then, Sofia wasn't sure what to write. Sofia closed her eyes for a moment, listening to all the sounds around her—the bustling city. Her legs stopped swaying in the air as her finger gently clicked on the top of the pen repeatedly, creating a drum of confusion about what she could write next. It wasn't the best writing about somebody she hadn't seen since she was so young. At least in her opinion. Maybe that's why it felt so difficult. Eventually, Sofia opened her eyes. Her finger no longer pressed on the pen, making a hum sound. A frown took over the young girl's face, her cheeks puffing into a pout. She didn't know what to write, but she couldn't wait to write anymore. Her eyes scanned the page once more. In a hushed tone, the girl read out the entry, making sure it was understandable and which parts would require more writing. She found nothing. Her mind stayed blank. Sofia's hair cast a shadow underneath her, illuminating a fierce expression on the girl's face as her hands moved onto each side of the diary, folding the two sides into each other. As the diary closed, the air gently pushed into Sofia, creating a force of wind mixed with some dust charging at her, pulling up some of her front hairs for a moment. The diary seemed fairly new, despite the dust it had. Typically, Sofia would also write in this journal instead of her holographic one to reduce Sergio's suspicion that she could be a hero. Sofia made sure everything was stricter than the holographic journal. She knew Sergio had a tendency to sneak around and read her journal. So she had no problem not including anything too personal to avoid an awkward conversation. But since she knew Sergio liked it whenever she wrote about her mother and that he had no idea about the holographic journal, she just wrote in the regular diary for him. As the journal was set down on the girl's side, she slid a pen in between, tucking it into the threshold of the journal. Sofía took this opportunity to take in the reassuring breeze that felt as if it were passing through her, her eyes shutting in a moment of blissfulness as her whole body stayed still, not attempting to restrict the wind pulling her body. She just let go of all her movements, all of her restrictions that could stop the wind from channeling through her, and just let the wind carry her. As the wind moved throughout her body, the breeze picked up every inch of her, from the girl's slightly wavy hair follicles on her head down to her legs that gently moved towards the left, following the push of the wind.

The young girl's eyes were shut once more as this breeze calmed her, making all of her worries evaporate. She wondered what to write, if there was anything new to write about, and questioned if she even did. All of these conflicts drained from her body as her eyes shut to endure the peaceful moment she had been yearning for, although she never got the chance to feel the breeze due to all of the crime-fighting and school work. So she didn't move a muscle as the wind blew at her. Instead, she liked the way it would move around her and the sound it carried. Sofía's eyes shut to the sound of the wind—not a harsh howl, but a gentle, rhythmic hum. It cradled her spirit, lifting her not as an angel but as a bird testing its wings for the first time, cautiously embracing its newfound freedom. Or maybe, just in that moment, Sofía stopped being just Sofía. Here, with the wind at her side, she was a survivor, a warrior who did not wield powers but wielded compassion and tenacity. And that's exactly how Sofía felt, although she wasn't one for wind, nor snow, or even just rain. But she couldn't help but find it relatable, feeling the wind shifting from an enemy to a dance partner, moving around her in graceful twirls. Every time the wind blew on her, it taught her how resistance wasn't always a battle; sometimes it was a gentle sway, a reminder that even the fiercest storms ended in peace.

Just then, as she felt a similarity to the same scenes that replayed in the creative girl's head, it reminded her of something, not just about herself but also about her mother. Although the situations seemed different, the outcome was always the same, resulting in Sofía running—no, escaping from all her negative forces that tried to hold her back. Instead of running from them, she faced them headstrong to the point where it seemed normal, escaping from this forced field of negative energy and helping others by making sure they wouldn't be pulled into it as well. And just as these thoughts appeared in her mind once more, they all made her realize what she was holding onto—stories shared by her and her mother, bound together by more than blood. Meanwhile, her mother also had a few moments that fit her into this mindset of resilience the young girl thought about.
Her mother's resilience could be described like any other, but that couldn't stop it from being so significant in Sofía's eyes, although she was sure that it may cause some problems. Especially since she believed she wasn't supposed to be here, and that's why her mother wasn't here in Gotham with her, but that wouldn't cancel out what her mother did for her, even if it wasn't legal. She still got Sofía here, risking her life. So in her eyes, her mother has been a hero. And just as the gentle sway of the air touched her, for once she didn't shiver.
She believed that this one time was a memory of her mother, and every touch she received from her since she was young came back in the wind. Despite feeling like she should be upset about what her mother had set her up for in the future, she still saw her as a beacon standing beside her, beside any hero. That's why Sofía chose to keep fighting, initially in her home country, where heroes didn't exist. The small town was crime-filled and dangerous, so whenever someone spoke of a hero, Sofía would be the first to listen. Unlike others, she believed in these stories and saw them as beacons of hope. She decided to become a hero just a few months before the incident at the carnival, practicing her powers diligently. When the opportunity came to save the day and make her first public appearance, she didn't miss it. Now, every fight is for herself and the younger kids looking for hope. Initially, she did it for her family, specifically her brother Sergio, who worked multiple jobs to support their mother. Sofía fought to make them proud and to overcome their struggles.

Sofía opened her eyes, reaching for a journal with caution before securely tucking it into her holster. She checked the pocket's sturdiness, stood up, and observed the city where she had fought countless battles. The breeze halted, revealing a new villain with platinum blonde hair and bunny ears selling weapons in an alleyway. As the people around were terrified, Sofia leaped down without hesitation, landing gracefully in front of the villain known as Snow Lapine. The rough wind blew through her, adding a touch of magic to her swift movement. Another villain, a French girl in lingerie, watched as the confrontation unfolded.
"You need to shut this down," Sofia said as she stood up with a fierce expression, adjusting her domino mask as she kept her eyes trained on Snow Lapine. She was cautious because of her powers. Sofia scanned the other girl once she got a chance. It wouldn't show her identity but only her powers. She seemed to have rabbit abilities. But in Sofia's opinion, the only things that had really been a threat to her were the fact that she could sniff out things pretty well, she could morph certain parts of her body into a rabbit, and the fact that her teeth were pretty sharp.
"You're ruining my work here, H," the rabbit said as she glanced down at the "H" that was in the center of the girl's chest as she leaned back casually, causing Sofia to let out a hum of annoyance. "I ain't going to shut down any business. I got a permit," the teenage villain said before grabbing a displayed piece of paper that was obviously falsely printed out and poorly written by herself. Although Sofia was just a little gullible, so she might have fallen for the trap and leaned in to inspect the so-called permit, the girl's eyes squinted as she curiously inspected the paper. She had no idea why she looked at this paper; did she really need to be concerned about legality right now? Just as her guard went down to read the paper, a gun being readied echoed throughout her ears before Snow Lapine, the villain, kicked a box filled with illegal weapons towards her. Sofía, being caught off guard, barely dodged, as if she were an elegant dancer. Sofía twisted her body with a fluid gracefulness that mirrored several of the magical girls she admired in books she had read. This swift movement caused the box to tip over, spilling the contents across the alley.
"Oh no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean t—" The girl had been quick to apologize instinctively; just because she had some ideas on how to fight, it didn't mean she wanted to; she mostly just wanted to help out. "Spare me your apologies, little girl!"
Sofía took this chance to back up as she tried to focus on her powers now, trying to focus on mostly her manipulation powers. It wasn't as difficult, especially because she adsorbed some kinetic energy from the impact. The energy had pulses inside of her body, almost like a second heartbeat. In a blink of the eye, energy constructs began to form around her; they were all vibrant, shimmering blades crackling with power, each one radiating a warm glow. Snow Lapine had moved forward with a crazed grin; her gun was raised in this moment as she unleashed a hail of bullets that sliced through the air, each deadly streak of metal aimed towards Sofía. With Sofía others hand, she quickly drew out a force field to deflect the impact of the bullets. Sofía frowns deepens at this, watching as the bubble glimmered with every bullet sparking against it. Eventually, Lapine caught onto the fact that the field was there and it had been deflecting the bullets, and for a moment she stopped, saving the bullets to take a moment to think of how she can shoot through the strong force, but of course, Sofía took this opportunity as the force field followed Sofía's hand movements as she moved her fingertips downward, making the field follow until it evaporated completely, moving back to the girls other hand. Sofía then unleashed her energy constructs with a battle cry, leaping forward in a flurry of graceful, her movements ethereal. Her energy blades sliced throughout the air with a purpose; with each swing, the young girl felt her body rush with exhilaration, her body moving fluidly almost as if she were dancing to a rhythm only she could've heard. Her energy constructs fell down as almost if they were shooting stars; this gave Snow Lapine barely enough time to react, although the rabbit-themed Villian twisted her body with surprising agility. Snow Lapine transforms her body; her arms have become rabbit limbs, allowing her to spring away from the lethal strikes. "You're predictable." The older girl taunts, her voice a playful sing-song as she shifted backwards, landing gracefully on her feet to avoid all of Sofía's constructs. As Sofía's energy constructs hit the ground with spectacular bursts, Snow Lapine lunges forward, her sharp fangs baring as she aimed for the young hero. Sofía narrowly dodged, rolling to the side and sprinting back to her feet, determination fueling her every move. Sofía's heart continued to pound with adrenaline. Sofía then took a deep breath, ready to unleash her abilities. Once Sofía fully adapted, she created a holographic decoy of herself; the illusion moved forward, which had drew Snow Lapine's attention. The rabbit villian lunged at the decoy, only to find it dissipating into the burst of light. Sofía took this opportunity to focus on generating another force field around herself as Snow Lapine reeled from the sudden shift. Sofía felt the previous energy that surrounded her, pulsing and swirling like a living thing, as well as the energy from the city surrounding her. Sofía closed her eyes for a moment, taking in another inhale; this time it was deeper; she had let the ambient energy fill her senses. The feeling was intoxicating, a symphony of her power that called to her. But just as she reached to adsorb it, the raw intensity hit her like a tidal wave. Each pulse of energy was vibrant and chaotic, a whirlwind of emotions and potential that had threatened to overwhelm her. For a moment, she began to feel disoriented, the magnitude of it all crashing against her as her mind was a storm.
"Stay focused, Holo-Heart." Words trailed out of the girl's mouth, nothing more than a whisper as she shook her head to dispel the dizziness. She couldn't let the energy consume her; instead, that's why she was harnessing it. The young girl gritted her teeth, attempting to summon her resolve to push through this sensation. As she did, she felt the energy around her becoming more manageable, like a wild horse she was finally learning to ride. The energy flew into her, fueling her abilities and igniting her spirit. The overwhelming sensation transformed into a wave of strength, empowering her abilities. Sofía now opened her eyes, seeing as Snow Lapine was surrounded by decoys of Sofía, reaching out to find the real one. Her eyes were now ablaze with determination. She could feel the energy coursing throughout her veins—a connection to everything around her. The air crackled with potential, and she realized that she was not just a conduit but a part of this chaotic dance of power. Sofía began to weave the energy into her constructs, creating intricate patterns that now shimmered with vitality. Each pulse and flare felt like a second heartbeat that synced with her own as she shaped the energy into her forms—blades, shields, and illusions that danced around her. With each creation she created, it made her feel more in control, more like the hero she aspires to be. The earlier uncertainty began to fade, almost as if it were never even there, now replaced by an exhilarating sense of purpose. Snow Lapine stayed a formidable opponent, but now Sofía was ready to face her head on.
In that moment, as she stood strong, wielding this swirling energy inside of her, she took a moment to realize the overwhelming sensation was part of her journey; it reminded her that she was capable of greatness, that she could rise to the occasion, no matter how different she was from everybody. With energy now apart of her, she was prepared to unleash everything she had, knowing that she could push through the chaos and emerge stronger. Sofía then struck Snow Lapine with a well-aimed punch, the newfound energy mixing with the force field, enhancing the impact of the attack. Snow Lapine stumbled backwards, her instincts kicking in almost instantly as the rabbit tried to regain her balance. "You're more resilient from what I thought." The rabbit had snarled out, her legs wobbling slightly.
"Maybe I'm just getting started." Sofía shot back, giving the villain ahead of her a wink. Sofía then conjured a series of holographic constructs—phantom fists that lunged at Snow Lapine from malutple angles, leaving barely any room for escape. Although the rabbit woman was quick, ducking and weaving to evade the attacks, Sofía was relentless, coordinating the constructs to keep her opponent on her toes.
"Annoying little pest!" Snow Lapine hissed out, retaliating a powerful swipe of her claws, aiming for Sofía's midsection. Sofía had barely managed to sidestep the blow, feeling a rush of air move through her as the claws grazed her side, a sharp reminder of the danger she had been in. Sofía let out a yelp before she shut her eyes to cancel out Snow Lapine from her mindset so she could focus on her energy absorption ability. As Snow Lapine charged once more, Sofía had quickly siphoned off some of the villains energy with a bright, shimmering aura surrounding her hands. Sofía had felt the rush of power course through her as she redirected it into a shield, ready to block the next oncoming attack. Now feeling emboldened, Sofía used her holographic constructs to create a barrier and obstacles around Snow Lapine surrounding her once more, cornering her. "Now you're just going to be a scared little rabbit!" The girl echoes out as her hands move the constructs around, her voice a mix of challenge and bravado.
"Scared? Hardly!" The villain laughed out; her eyes were full of anger. And with a powerful leap, she had smashed through the holographic constructs, shards of light scattering around them. "Could I show you what real fear looks like?" Sofía let out another yelp as she realized she needed to change tactics. Sofía then concentrated on another ability. She began to create illusions around Snow Lapine that evoked fear; there were visions of her failures—images of battles lost, allies defeated.
"You're defeated, Snow Lapine! You're time is going to run out!" Sofía shouted out in a hope to destabilize her opponent, and just for a moment, Snow Lapine's confidence began to falter. The projections that surrounded the both of them momentarily broke her confidence. Sofía seized the opportunity, launching at the villain with a powerful energy field. Just as Sofía's mouth moved to speak once more, it seemed as though the rabbit's instincts kicked back in. She then transformed part of her body into that of a rabbit, her speed magnifying as she darted out of the energy fields reach. Sofía channeled her energy into another massive construct—an enormous glowing fist surged towards Snow Lapine. The impact was thunderous, creating a shockwave that rattled the surrounding area. But Snow Lapine, ever agile, dodged at the last second. The fist smashing into the ground with a loud boom. Sofía let out a frown as she watched Snow Lapine lung again with her claws extended. "You don't have anymore new moves, Snow Lapine?" Sofía exclaimed as she barely managed to roll to the side, regaining her footing after narrowly avoiding the deadly swipe. She created an array of smaller, concentrated energy blasts and sent them flying toward Snow Lapine in rapid succession.
The rabbit Villian was forced to weave and dodge, the blasts exploding near her. With a burst of speed, she charged at Sofía, aiming to tackle her to the ground again. Sofía had embraced herself, channeling into a massive force field at the last moment. Snow Lapine had collided against the barrier as her claws scraped against the shimmering surface as the impact sent vibrations through Sofía's body, trying to regain their footing. "And you're a little tougher than you look."
"Thank you! I get that a lot!" Sofía replies, her spirits oddly lifting due to the compliment, or at least in her opinion, that's what she thought it was. Sofía then focused on her next move, combining her abilities into a rapid sequence. She sent out a series of holographic constructs that began to circle Snow Lapine at a rapid pace, creating dizziness that took over Snow Lapine.
"What are you doing? Playing with toys?" Snow Lapine sneered, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her tone. "This won't stop me!"
Sofía took a deep breath, feeling a newfound determination. "Maybe not; maybe it will. But at least it'll buy me some time!" The young girl had shouted, gathering her energy for one last push. She projected a series of blinding flashes of light, illuminating the area and making it difficult for Snow Lapine to see clearly. The flashing lights had made the villain staggered, just as Sofía launched in forward for one final assault—a massive, swirling vortex of energy that spiraled toward Snow Lapine, enveloping her in a brilliant display of power. But a voice cut the attack short; just as the hit went through, a voice cut through the chaos.

"You're going to need backup, rookie!"

A voice called out mid-strike as Sofía moved to go look over at the voice; a sudden flurry of motion from above caught her eye. There was a figure who leaped down from the shadows of the towering building, his cape spreading like dark wings, and landed with precision and quiet power between her and Snow Lapine. The moonlight glinted off his sharp eyes and unwavering stance, lending him an imposing, almost untouchable presence. Sofía's breath seemed to hitch as her focus seemed to waver for a moment, causing her attack to end completely as she took in the sight of the newcomer. The determined set of their jaws, the confident sweep of their gaze as they assessed the battlefield—every detail seemed to pull a string inside of her. There was something magnetic about them; she couldn't tell if it was the strength or control with ease that she couldn't help but admire, but it had been something. Her pulse has quickened, and just for a moment the chaos around her seemed to fade, almost as if the time had slowed. And only the two of them were caught in the throw moment. But as the assisting hero flicked his eyes at her, unreadable and intense, the young girl snapped out of it as her face was now one full of shock as she seemed to recognize the vigilante standing to the side of her. It was Robin! The hero couldn't help but let a smile creep onto her face, staring over at him for a moment before she quickly snapped out of it, determined to not let her awe hinder her. The mission came first, is what she reminded herself with.

"Seems like you've been outnumbered, rabbit lady," a voice announced, his tone sharp with a hint of mockery. The sound of his voice jolted Sofía back into focus, and she steadied herself, a newfound energy surging through her at his presence. With renewed confidence, Sofía let a nod escape from her, almost as if she completely forgot about the attack she had just charged.
"We've got this! Let's show her what we can do." The girl said optimistically, her voice upbeat as she gave him a wider smile. The vigilante seemed to give her a curious glance as he raised an eyebrow, a little shocked by her cheeriness. Although he just nodded back, the nod slightly stiff as he looked over Sofía, or Holo-Heart.
"Just don't get in my way! And try to keep up." Robin shot back towards the girl, a slight challenge in his tone that filled Sofía with a rush of determination, eager to show him what she could do. The two shared a glance, one of admiration, and the other was confidence and some of hesitancy. And it was obvious whose was who's. Robin had sprung forward to join in the fray, his movements fluidly and precisely. The two teenagers glanced at each other as they watched Snow Lapine recover. Robin seemed to be thinking heavily about something, probably a plan of how this could play out, but of course his thoughts were cut short by a high-pitched voice speaking up to him. "So, what's our plan, Robin? Do we go for a big attack or something sneaky?" The girl asked as her spirits were obviously high; the girl seemingly wasn't affected as she felt his eyes narrow on him, nor did she seem to care about his upcoming sarcasm.

"Yeah, sneaky is great when you're not about to trip over your own feet."
"So no sneaky?"

Damian just rolled his eyes, but he kept his focus on the fight, watching as Snow Lapine seemed to lunge at the both of them. His eyes had flicked over towards the girl who he was fighting beside, who moved fluently, feeling as though there was something undeniably magnetic about her presence, a gravity that pulled his focus toward the girl, making it harder to look away. His eyes watched as she stepped in front of him; a frown escaped out of his stoic facade as he watched her from behind, summoning a holographic blade, slicing throughout the air with newfound determination. He couldn't help but admire how she threw herself into the moment, each swing of her energy constructs fueled by an innocent excitement that had felt disarming. "Nice work. Just try not to hit me, alright?" The boy says as his voice was laced with complete sarcasm as he moved from behind the girl, taking out his bō staff as he eyed their surroundings.
"Don't worry! I'm a pro at dodging!" Sofía called back, grinning as she narrowly avoided another attack. Yet, as she turned to deliver a strike, she stumbled, nearly losing her balance. "Whoops! Not what I meant to do!" she says with laughter, but her laughter was cut short when she heard a low groan filled with annoyance from Robin.
"Stay focused!" he urged, quickly spinning to fend off an attack aimed at her. The two moved fluidly, their movements starting to sync as they protected one another. With each successful dodge and strike, Sofía's confidence grew.
"Hey, Robin, did you know rabbits can jump up to ten times their body length? That's like, super impressive, right?" Sofía began to ramble off as the fight continued, a warmth of energy radiating off the young hero, and just for a moment, Robin took a glance at her, letting out a hum that signified he couldn't care any less, but of course, Sofía did not catch onto this.
"Yeah, and I'm sure that'll really help us right now," he shot back, his tone deadpan. "Keep that energy for the fight, okay?" The boy says, his stoicism not wavering for a moment, making sure the girl was just as guarded as him.
"Right! But I just can't help it!" The girl chirps back, her excitement palpable as she thrust her energy blade at Snow Lapine, who was attempting to outmaneuver them. "Look out!" Sofía felt a rush of adrenaline, but it all seemed to fade for a moment and she drew away from the fight as a soft groan seemed to escape from Robin. Sofía hastily turned to him, "Are you okay?" Holo-Heart called out; even just for that moment, she forgot she was in battle as she turned to him, and while half of her face was covered, you could tell there was a gif of concern etched onto it.
"I'm fine, just keep," he started, but before he could finish, Snow Lapine lunged at them again. "Back-to-back! Now!" he commanded, and Sofía quickly adjusted to his side, their bodies pressed together, creating a protective barrier against their foe. They're a formidable pair, moving together almost instinctively as Robin deflected an incoming attack.

"Robin."
"I need to think."
"Robin!"
"What?"

The vigilante turned his head toward the hero, his eyes scanning over the girl who had a playful grin placed on her face. Sofía looked over her shoulder to face him, and he did the same, both of them slightly looking at each other. "You know, they always say this is the ultimate partner pose! It does feel kind of cool!" The girl seemed to exclaim proudly, her excitement bubbling over even in the heat of battle. Robin had shot the girl a bewildered glance, his face betraying just the slightest hint of embarrassment as his guards of arrogance that distance the two didn't feel as far anymore.
"Yeah, we'll, it's not a photo shoot," he replies after a moment, trying to keep his tone full of sarcasm, but he couldn't resist the upcoming smirk that fell onto his face. In response, Sofía let out a wink, her confidence completely shining through.
"But it could be! We're totally heroic right now!" The girl says in a vibrant tone; the way she spoke—her hopefulness and colorful expression—momentarily caught Damian offguard once more, causing his eyes to widen once more, and even in this moment, the stubborn boy couldn't help the red hue sweeping across his face at the girl's words. At this, Robin quickly averted his gaze, trying to regain his composure as he seemed to shift.
"Just... focus on the fight!" The boy stammered, the flush on his face deepening as they prepared for the next attack. In that moment, they sprang into action, launching their counterattack against Snow Lapine with newfound determination. Sofía threw holographic constructs toward their enemy while Robin expertly maneuvered around her, striking whenever he saw an opening. As the battle raged on, Sofía's playful banter continued, her laughter echoing amidst the chaos.

"I've got your back!" she called, launching another energy blast.
"I thought I told you to focus!" Robin shot back, deflecting another blow aimed at her.
"I am! I'm just really good at multitasking!" she insisted, oblivious to the strain in his voice.

Suddenly, during one of her exuberant movements, Robin caught a glimpse of Snow Lapine's claws raking across his arm. A sharp pain shot through him, but before he could react, Sofia had turned away, her attention captured by the flurry of attacks. As they two continued to fight alongside each other, Sofía didn't notice the injury until she heard him groan softly. Panic surged through her, and she quickly sidestepped, moving closer to him. "Robin! Are you hurt?" she asked, her tone turning serious.

"It's nothing,"
"Let me help!"

Sofía insisted over the movement, her eyes widening with concern as she looked over her partner. Eventually, the fight reached a climax as they finally managed to corner Snow Lapine, delivering one last combined attack that sent the villain sprawling to the ground, defeated. The two watched as Snow Lapine crumpled onto the ground; the echo of their triumphant attack resonated in the air, a palpable silence replacing the chaos of the battle. Sofía and Robin stepped back for a moment, both breathing heavily as adrenaline seemed to course throughout their veins. Sofía turned slightly, the bright smile lighting up on her face, almost as if it never even fell, completely unaware of the toll the fight had taken on Robin.
"Did you see that?" Sofía exclaims, excitement bubbling over. "We actually did it! We really worked well together!" The girl spoke in a playful tone, raising her hands in a happy gesture, a giggle escaping from her mouth, unable to be contained. Robin didn't seem to be doing too well as he wiped the sweat that fell onto his brow with his back hand, a slight grim crossed over his features as he moved his arm, testing the pain that still had throbbed there, feeling an ache, but it seemed to be overshadowed by the thrill of the two's victory. For a moment, the boy glanced over at Sofía—Holo-Heart, who was practically glowing with energy, and for a brief moment, he found it hard to keep the corner of his mouth twitching upwards into a sly smile.
"Yeah, it was... something," Robin replies, attempting to keep his usual stoicism but failing to hide the warmth that had crept into his expression. He then shifted slightly, the earlier embarrassment from the banter to her compliments still evident on his cheeks, then he paused, his eyes quickly turning to Sofía as she turned fully to face him, watching as her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. And so did his.
"I can't believe we took her down! That was so awesome!" Sofía says excitedly as she twirled in a small circle, her energy infectious. Robin, however, felt a different kind of thrill—one that stemmed from their shared connection in battle. His eyes advertised from hers as his eyes moved over to Snow Lapine, lowering his gaze to assess the defeated villain. He couldn't shake the lingering discomfort in his arm, but he was determined to appear unfazed.

"Let's not celebrate too early."
"She might get back up."

But Sofía's attention was already diverted; she didn't seem to be paying attention to a word he said really, her excitement momentarily taking over.

"Oh! What if we—"
"Hey, focus!"

Robin interjected through the girl's imagination; his voice was filled with urgency. But his eyes said something different behind his mask; they were softened by the playful glint in his eye. He then wiped his brow again, shaking his head at her exuberance. "We should make sure she's really out." Sofía seemed a little taken aback, but eventually nodded, the movement slightly hesitant at first before her expression shifted once again, pressing two fingers up to her forehead almost as she saw Damian as her shoudler, her expression now one of full determination.
"Right! Just to be safe!" Sofía says as she turned over to Snow Lapine, standing in place just for a moment before she stepped forward, ready to survey their enemy, but as she did, her eyes landed on Robin's arm, and her excitement was abruptly replaced with concern. "Wait! You're hurt!" she gasped, moving closer to inspect the wound she had overlooked in the heat of the moment. "You need to let me heal you!" she urged, placing her hands over the wound that marred his skin.
"It's nothing," the boy insisted with an arrogant tone as he pushed back from the girl's touch, his typical bravado surfacing, a slight wince following in after as she went to go touch the wound.
"Seriously, it looks bad!" Holo-Heart exclams as her hands were placed on her hands on her hips, her brow furrowing with worry. "Let me help you!" Robin stares at her for a moment, seemingly as if he was actually considering it. Eventually, a sigh trails out of his mouth as her concern seems to tug at him.
"I told you already, it's just a scratch." He said once again, attempting to brush it off, that the urgency in her eyes made the boy continue to reconsider. As he caught her gaze, something shifted in the air between them—between them. An unspoken understanding that transcended in the battle now drew them closer together. Just as the girl spoke up, ready to change his mind, it was almost as if he knew she was going to keep on her persistence, so then he relented, if only a little.
"Fine. Just... make it quick." The boy mutters, a frown deepening on his face as he watched the excitement take over the girls face as mannerisms. He watched as she moved with determination, watching as she stepped closer, her hands glowing with energy as she focused on the wound.
"I'm going to make this all better, I promise!" The girl said in a high-pitched tone, her palm resting on top of his wound, her touch gentle and cautious, only to cause as much as a shiver as her hand made impact with the wound. As the shimmering light enveloped his arm, he could feel the warmth spreading, and the sharp pain began to dull. In that moment, he couldn't help but admire her focus—the way her brows knitted together in concentration. "Thanks for saving my butt back there; you sure are my hero." Sofía says with a beam as her heart rate began to pick up, her void full of gratitude and joy. Sofía didn't usually have the best interactions with heroes; it wasn't a shocker that some doubted her or felt remorse and believed she shouldn't be a hero. Especially for what she stood for, ever since her first appearance she has vowed to never have hurt anybody—if she would, she'd always apologize or try not to hurt them that much. And for that reason, some liked her and others thought she was wasting her time. Who becomes a hero and vows to never hurt another villain, hero, ever? So a change, being with a hero that she had favorited, one she looked up to when she was back in her home country, felt like a dream. And it didn't make her any less happy.
"Just keep your head in the game next time, and we won't have any issues." Robin had responded after a moment, his tone somewhat still filled with embarrassment, but no matter how evident it seemed, Sofía didn't seem to comment on it; inside, Sofía had nodded vigorously at his words, still caught up in her whirlwind of emotions.
"Of course, Robin-Sir! I promise! And, um..." The girl began to fidget, glancing down for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "I'm really sorry if I made things awkward. I didn't mean to be overwhelming. I just think you're really awesome!" Sofía had apologized; for a moment, the tension between them felt awkward, just for the first time. Robin's eyes reduced from their widening position before he rolled their eyes, a smirk still on his face.
"Look, it's fine. Just don't expect me to be your babysitter next time. I've got my own missions to deal with." Damian replies, causing Sofía's enthusiasm faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"I understand! I just... I really enjoyed fighting alongside you."
"Yeah, well, don't get used to it."
"I might have other things to do."

And for the moment, just as Robin prepared to leave, he glanced back at Sofía, his expression a mix of amusement and something warmer. His eyes on her, watching as she stood there, still buzzing from the adrenaline of the fight, her heart racing. The tension in the air shifted slightly, an unspoken connection lingering between them. "Hey, um..." Sofía called out, her voice just above a whisper as he turned to melt into the shadows. "Will there be a next time?" Sofía asked, her voice full of embarrassment for once, the same confidence that was not there before, now wavering. The question made Robin pause at her words, a momentary flicker of surprise crossing his face.
"Next time?" he echoed, repeating after the girl in a confused tone, turning slightly back toward her, his eyes meeting hers over his shoulder. "You mean, like another fight?"
"No, I mean, like..." She hesitated, her excitement bubbling over. "Maybe we could spar sometime? Or go on patrol together? That would be amazing! I could learn so much from you, and we could—" The girl seemed to ramble on; as much as Robin tried to cancel it out, he couldn't. Not one bit. Instead, he found himself listening to every word that she said; he listened to her as she continued, not noticing the way the boy seemed to shift awkwardly in front of her, his gaze darting as if searching for the right words.
"Uh... yeah, maybe," he replied, his tone more hesitant than he intended. "I mean, patrols can be... unpredictable." The boy responds as he feels his legs grow weak almost, his finger tapping on the edge of his staff, his eyebrows beginning to furrow in an embarrassed expression.
"Exactly! And think of all the fun we could have together, I mean! I'll bring snacks! And I promise I won't be too distracting!" The girl tells Robin as her eyes still keep that spark or enthusiasm, completely oblivious to the slight blush that was taking over Robin's cheeks as he listened to her with awkwardness. Once her words were fully digested, he raised his eyebrows as he felt his mouth opening.
"Snacks?" Robin repeated after Holo-Heart, his voice dropping to a near whisper, edged with disbelief. His green eyes, sharp and calculating, narrowed behind his mask as he was assessing her in an entirely new light. A breeze rustled the edges of his black cape, and the shadow it cast seemed to dance across the ground behind him. His eyebrow arched higher, forming a skeptical curve that only deepened the ever-present seriousness etched into his features. The slight tilt of his head, combined with the cool, composed line of his jaw, spoke volumes about his exasperation. The subtle crease forming at the corner of his mouth suggested he was torn between irritation and the faintest trace of amusement—emotions he rarely allowed to show. "Is that really your big selling point?" Robin says, the words tinged with sarcasm and incredulity. The moonlight highlighted the sharp angles of his face, accentuating the tension in his expression, while the glint in his eyes betrayed an ever-so-slight disbelief that somehow, amidst the chaos, she found room to be so lighthearted, the light as well seeping onto her mask, her eyes behind the pink masks illuminating off her eyes also.
"Hey! Snacks are essential!" The young girl defended her words hastily, returning back the playfulness in her mannerisms as she let out a pout, puffing her cheeks, as her hands tightened into fists in a lively manner. Sofía kept up this facade of being mischievous before her expression fell into a more softer one; her fists unfolded slightly as she took a step forward to Robin, the pout before now replaced with a soft smile, and her eyes hid no deception; instead they were full of admiration mixed with love. "But seriously, I just really enjoyed fighting with you. It would be awesome to train together!" The girl says as her hands clasped together, before they reached out, her foot moving behind her left one, her hands taking in his, her hands cupped into his, the boy seemed to feel a mix of flattery and embarrassment as his mouth opened, but shut for a moment as he seemed fixated on what to say. Eventually his hands moved out of the girl's grasp as he backed up, creating a distance between them as the warmth of his hand no longer lingered onto Sofía.
"Right, training... sure. I mean, it's not like I'm always available," Robin responds. His voice was still carried on by a strict stoic tone, but the slight stammer in his voice threatened to give his embarrassment away. For a moment, his body stiffened as he still felt a subtle warmth on the back of his hand; his hand then tightened into a fist, his thumb moving past his fingers distracting him from the feeling.
"Oh, come on, Robin! Don't be like that. You're the best partner anybody could ask for! Just imagine how we could be together." Holo-Heart encouraged the young vigilantes face that had been filled with doubt in front of her; the energy that came out of Sofía was almost constagious, slightly twisting the uncertainty that hugged Damian tight inside of his chest, hesitation still crossing his face in a flicker.
"Yeah, well... maybe," Robin responded, a subtle hint of a smile breaking through his stoic demeanor that had threatened to let the awkward one creep out. "I've got my own missions to deal with, but..." the vigilante had trailed off, cautiously thinking of his next words to prepare as the words seemed almost as if they were caught inside of his throat, causing his feet to shift uncomfortably as his eyes averted. "I guess I could keep you in mind." Once Sofía digested that, it seemed like her excitement completely came back, not holding it back almost as if it intoxicated throughout her, flowing throughout her as her eyes lightened. Even if he had just met this girl today, with her friendliness and how casual she seemed around him, almost as if he was no threat at all, it felt different. And he might've just liked it. Every time the girl seemed to speak and laugh, it all caused his chest to swell with an unfamiliar feeling. The quiet flutter felt completely weird and out of place for him, so it was harder for him to acknowledge, especially when he had no idea what was going on through his body, so he just pretended it was never there. The way his pulse fell into an overdrive, the way he figured the sweat that was onto his palm was just from the fight that had just occurred, or why he felt the need to want to grin so badly. Each second felt longer than the other, each beat moving in an unpredictable rhythm, almost as if he had just finished running a marathon.
"Really? That'd be awesome!" Sofía replied back; it seemed obvious the girl was holding back a squeal, trying to contain all of her excitement, especially with how miserably she seemed to be failing. "I promise I won't let you down; you won't regret it at all, Robin!" Sofía had told the vigilante as she winked at him, her hand raising as her finger now pressed against her cheek, tilting her head. In the girl's innocent appearance, her eyes held a slight light inside of them as the sparkle in them, as if they seemed to hold galaxies within them. Every movement, every word off the girl felt almost magical. It was almost natural that she radiated a warmth felt both soothing and mystical, transparent to everybody around her, even others who weren't supposed to be seen as equal then. She was exactly out of a dream, one to be seen as magical and untouchable. And to some, they thought of her as the perfect candidate for The Peackeeper of Gotham.
"Okay, okay," Robin says, a sly grin on the young boy's face letting a soft chuckle escape his mouth, and for once, it seemed like his guard was cut down, just for this one moment. "Just don't get your hopes up too high." Robin added on as his hands crossed over as he looked at his possible new ally; his eyes narrowed although he stayed observant. While he wasn't one quick to trust or open to depending on others. He already had a solid understanding of who Holo-Heart was, whether it was from his impression or what he read about her. And then just then, it made sense to him why the city seemed so captivated by her presence. She embodied hope in a way that felt naïve to him, even foolish at times. A hero who refused to hurt anyone—for him, was an ideal he far abandoned. Even still in this moment, he found himself trying to grasp what made her so compelling.
Sofía had stood there with an energy that seemed almost out of place in the midst of the gloom that was inside of Gotham. The girl shifted her weight, the corners of her lips curving up in an encouraging smile. Her eyes glistened with an unwavering optimism that, for a split second, made him wonder if there was anything he had looked over or missed. The contrast between the two was stark and obvious; he had embodied the shadows, and she seemed to glow throughout them with an intangible light. Robin caught himself studying her movements—recalling them all—to the subtle bounce in her step, to the way her fingers twitched as if ready to spring into action. There was innocence there, yes, but also an untapped strength, one that much others had. And maybe that's what piqued his curiosity more than he would admit to.
"Too late for that!" The girl replied cheerfully, her bright voice cutting through contemplation almost as if she were a ray of sunshine, illuminating his world and pulling his focus entirely onto her. "I'm already picturing our epic training sessions! You'll be amazed about how quickly I'll approve!" The girl spoke once more, her enthusiastic tone wrapping around him. Robin felt another chuckle come out of his mouth. But there was a softness in his gaze as he looked over at her. He had observed the way her eyes sparkled up with enthusiasm, how they seemed to light up even in the shadows of the night, and he felt the edges of his resolve beginning to crumble.
"Alright, just remember to keep your feet under you next time." The boy says it in a snarky tone but hides no affection from it. He had glanced away; he was telling himself that she was just another kid playing dress up, a naive dreamer who didn't understand the true reality of the world they lived in. But even as he thought this, he couldn't understand what left him so attracted to her—to her vibrant energy, the way she radiated hope off of her. As the two took a moment to take in each other, a strange, charged silence stretched between them, and in that moment, Robin felt the faintest crack in his defenses. He looked away, the shadows swallowing the hint of warmth that threatened to surface. The wind picked up, the cool breeze pushing past his flushed skin. Robin tightened his crossed arms, casting his gaze down the alley below. Sofia had nodded enthusiastically, a bright smile illuminating her face. With one last lingering glance, Robin turned back his back towards Sofía, now facing the shadows, a faint smile still on his face as he disappeared into the night. Maybe she wouldn't earn his trust—not today, and maybe not ever. But the seed of doubt has been planted, a fleeting notion that maybe, just maybe, Gotham needed someone like her. Even if he wasn't ready to believe it yet.
"I will! And, uh, thanks for today, Robin. You really are my hero." Her words sparkled with sincerity, but she caught a glimpse of something in his demeanor—something guarded away and distant. As Sofía watched the vigilante leave, her voice echoing throughout the alleyway as she felt a rush of disappointment. Maybe it was from the way he looked at her and how she couldn't detect a thing that was going on behind his thoughts. It was as if he was battling something inside, something he wouldn't share. She couldn't help but wonder if it was her fault; maybe she had been too much, too eager, and he was just trying to be polite.
To her, it felt unfair to have this incredible moment only for it to feel like any other interaction with every other hero, where she felt shut out. She had wanted to believe in their potential, maybe because she has looked up to him for so long, but now she felt it all slipping away. As she was left in the silence of the night, it all felt normal, almost as if their interaction was no longer special. The girl continued to stand there, her heart racing and her hope wavering; she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd misread him. Perhaps it was too soon to think they could be allies, or maybe partners if she wanted to shoot higher. But deep down, she knew better to let her desires of her younger self take over her hope.
The girls negativity wavered before she now turned over to Snow Lapine, who still was knocked out. Despite all the time that felt like the past as she spoke and fought beside Robin, she almost forgot about the world and bustling city that surrounded them. But that much time didn't pass. Sofía then moved over to Snow Lapine; she would have to turn her into the authorities before she could wake up. Sofía frowns as she tries to think of a way to carry the villain back, especially from her body still recovering from the transformation of her limbs; some were fully gone, others didn't begin to subside, and some were currently shrinking as Sofía looked over her. The only problem was the fact that the limbs would add some heaviness to the body. Just then, Sofía recognized a sound, a siren to be exact. And that was a sign that this was definitely no longer her business. The girl let out a sigh of relief as she backed up, giving herself more space between herself and the knocked-out villain, taking one more moment to admire her hard work before she leaped upwards. Her movements were fluid and ethereal, her body pushing upwards before landing onto a building above the alleyway now hidden in the shadows. She took one glance back down at the villain, then at the cops who were now surrounding the alleyway, and a frown escaped her face, unable to help it.
Then she charged through the night, moving swiftly and stealthily past the city, weaving through buildings; her outline glowed in the moonlight that had fully emerged, making her stand out more than she already could have. As the wind moved through her, she felt herself escaping all of her pressure and troubles, the breeze blowing through all of her worries. After several exhilarating leaps across the rooftops, Sofía felt her heart begin to settle, the adrenaline of the night giving way to a more reflective calm. The world below continued to pulse with life, but up here, where she stood, under the vast expanse of the starry sky, she felt an urge to pause and collect her thoughts.
Sofía spotted a secluded ledge on the edge of a nearby building; she made her way over, landing softly and settling down. The ledge had been just wide enough for her to sit comfortably, offering a breathtaking view of the city that had sprawled beneath her—a tapestry of lights and shadows. It had been the perfect spot to think, away from all the chaos and noise inside of the streets.
Sofía then reached into her utility belt, pulling out a small, well-worn journal. The leather cover was familiar in her hands, a tangible reminder of her journey and mother. With a quick flick, she opened to a blank page, the crisp white paper waiting for her to finish her thoughts. Sofía took a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill her lungs as she searched for the right words, despite having a good idea of what to write. As Sofía began to write, her pen danced across the page with fluidity, mirroring the grace of her movements earlier.

JOURNAL ENTRY:
I met one of those heroes you told me stories you told me back at home; of course, you know I looked up to many, but mostly I really admired Robin the most! Their so cool. I know I never really told you I was a hero, but you probably already knew that. I might've just assumed because you look over me, like how you say you did. But today I faced off Snow Lapine; she's a new hero. I maybe may not have been the best at talking her down, but the highlight of the story was when Robin jumped into the fray alongside me! He was incredible. In so many ways, he reminded me of you, especially the way you spoke about Robin in your tales.

﹕ But this time, it felt different from the stories you told—like maybe there were multiple robins out there. He was just as amazing and strong as you described, and it was so cool to fight next to him! Even though I couldn't really read what he was thinking, I got the sense that he might not have been my biggest fan. Still, being there with him filled me with hope and excitement. I can't help but hope that this is just the beginning and that maybe, just maybe, our alliances can turn into something more!


P.S., I HOPE YOU LIKE MY DREAM!


The moonlight bathed her as she continued to pour her heart into the pages, her words becoming a mix of hopes, fears, and dreams. The journal has become her confidante, a safe space to express everything she couldn't share with others. With each sentence, she felt lighter, her burdens slowly unraveling as she documented her journey. Sofía had added the note at the end, in case Sergio were to read it so he wouldn't suspect anything. Typically, Sergio did just assume half of the stuff Sofía wrote in her journal was fake anyway and assumed her to just be imaginative. With a satisfied sigh, she closed the journal and tucked it into her belt once more, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over her. Sitting there on the ledge, she felt connected to both her purpose and the vibrant city below. The night was still young, and there were more than just adventures waiting for her—alliances, friendships, or maybe something more than that. As she gazed out at the horizon, a smile crept on her face, igniting a spark of excitement within her, almost as if all of her worries completely vanished and now she was looking towards the future and what's to come.