The Tale of Black Jaguar (Young Justice Fanfic)

A more permanent residence

There was silence throughout the room.

Flash suddenly did a spit take. "You want to WHAT?!?" he exclaimed.

"You heard me." Batman declared to the rest of the leaguers. Well, the ones that knew or were told about Black Jaguar's situation, that is. This includes Black Canary, Flash, Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, and Superman. A couple others, like Green Arrow and Aquaman, also knew but had other business.

"Batman, are you sure you want to do that? This isn't something that can be taken as a light decision, especially for you and Robin. You two have an identity to keep. It's not like you'd be able to decide she's too much trouble and give her to someone else. Once she knows who you are she'll always know." Wonder Woman reasoned.

"She's right. The league was surprised enough when Robin became your protege. Now your just gonna take is a random girl the team found on a mission? How do you know you can trust her? If you feel like there's no other option, I'm sure there is. Some of the league's could take joint custody if we don't have enough time individu-" Superman agreed, but was cut off.

"I though you all knew me better than this. Do you really think I would suggest taking her in if I wasn't sure? I don't play around with these kind of situations. And as for joint custody, that would never work."

"Why not?" asked the Manhunter.

"With her current mental instability from her fear of adults we can't afford to move her around. She needs to feel she can rely on being in only one place, moving her between places would make her feel like an unwanted nuisance. Staying in one place and feeling comfortable in relying on routine and things not changing is the best route to getting past the fear, anything else could just worsen it. Staying with me is the best bet we have." Batman replied.

"The question is, are you willing to go the distance, Batman? She'll need special attention and care, without it she'll just feel imprisoned. The only way we can get her to not fear us is if you put in the effort to connect with her. This requires emotional understanding and willingness to show some form of endearment. Can you commit to that?" Black Canary spoke.

"Yes." Was Batman's confident answer.

"Okay, okay, reality check, let's just say this all works out. Batman is able to do his part and all that. Well, what if she is too scared of the Bat? He's the toughest, scariest, and must outwardly unemotional of us all. What if she doesn't want to go? How do we know she wants this at all?" flash asked.

"I just have a feeling she does." Batman responded.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Layla's p.o.v.

"Hey, Jaggy!" I heard the familiar voice of Robin call out. It had been a couple days since my little "Nightmare" and he hadn't been around, nor his mentor.

"Where have you been? I haven't see you for a couple of days." I asked him.

He trotted over to me happily. "Oh, you know, around." he seemed extremely excited about something. I became wary.

"So, why did you call out for me?" I asked suspiciously.

"Follow me." he said and turned to the direction of the living room. I opted to follow him.

When we entered the room I saw Batman leaning against the side of the couch. Robin led me to him and sat on the couch, motioning for me to do the same. I did.

"As you know, it has been decided your Black Jaguar persona should lay low for awhile to prevent what happened a few days ago from happening again. Do you agree with this?" Batman began.

I nodded.

"Good. The league has spoken about this and has decided you would come stay with one of us in said leaguers home. This way, you could have as much, if not more, freedom as a civilian then a super. Would you be okay with this?" He stated then asked.

This time I hesitated, then slowly nodded, still not certain.

"So the question is, would you like to stay at the cave and otherwise with Robin and I? You would eventually have to go to school, once comfortable with it, and there may eventually be strange guests. You will have to learn our identities and will be sworn to secrecy. There will also be rules of when you can and can't go out. Gotham is a dangerous place. You'll be expected to obey all of the rules. News of me taking you in could bring overwhelming events. It is a more permanent residence though, and we'll work on this fear of yours. Perhaps you could even make some friends outside of the mountain? This is a big decision and your not expected to make a decision right away. Whatever choice you make will be respected and you will have as long as you need to make the-" Batman was explaining with his arms folded behind his back, but I cut him off.

"Yes."

"What?"

"I said yes," I looked him in the eye, shot a sideways glance at Robin who was sporting a large grin, and looked back at the Bat, "I accept your offer."

Batman was only surprised for a brief second before he recovered. "Very well. If you have any personal belongings, gather them. We leave as soon as your ready." With that, he left the room.

Robin jumped up in excitement. "This is gonna be so asterous! It gets lonely with me being the only kid, now I finally have some company. I can't wait to introduce you to Barbra, you'll love her, she's awesome!" Robin exclaimed.

I just giggled at his enthusiasm. I finally have some hope of being able to be normal with the rest of my kind. Or, as normal as it can get with an alternate persona, anyway. I was also excited.

"So, do you have anything you need to get?" Robin asked.

"Hmm... Just my weapons. I don't carry them around here. There in my room." I said thoughtfully.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get them." With that, he pulled me to the hallway leading to my room.

I was torn for whether or not I should update for fourth of July, since it celebrates both the success of America, and the failure of Great Britain, but then I was like, "Eh, screw it. The British get cool accents, we have to have something. That something, is colorful, loud, dwarf explosions of which I am terrified of. I'll be hiding under the bed tonight.

Anywho, until next time.

~Sayonara