Oh Brother -book one- *under revision*

Choices

There was a large area with a big bat shaped moderator and a large keyboard. Everything was made of cold metal and above the computer was a platform with glass pods that held costumes. There were a slick black car and motorcycles and a training area. There, standing in the middle of it all was-

"Superman?" I ask shocked.

" I'm quite pleased with you Pax, when Bruce told me he was training you I thought it was a bit early and you were too young but I can clearly see you are quite capable.  A years time you'll be as great as your brothers."

"My brothers? What's going on, what is this?"  I demanded.

"This is the bat cave, I'm Batman. Bruce announced.

"And I'm Nightwing, jays the red hood, Tim's Red Robin and Damian is Robin." Dick was smiling proudly.

"So you are all superheroes? Vigilantes, who fight crime?" I asked.

"Eh, more or less." Damien shrugged.

"So you're Clark Kent," I say pointing to Superman.

"How did you figure that one out?"  He crossed his arms.

"You literally just aren't wearing glasses and you knew my name." I pointed out.  "Ok, so that was a test, an awful, scary, painful test, to see if I was ready. Ready for what?"

"The boys think you would make a great addition to the bat family," Bruce explained.

"I thought I already was family." My heart sank.

"No no no no. What he means is we want you to fight with us, as the family we are. Trust me, you are family." Tim said kneeling to my hight.

"Can I think about it?"  I asked.

"Fine, but you have until your birthday to make a choice,"  Bruce said. "Alfred I need to talk to the boys privately, please take her upstairs."

"Right this way Miss. let's get you cleaned up," Alfred said taking my hand leading me to a section with white curtains and a medical bed. He lifted me and sat me down. He shook his head.

"Stitches. This will need stitches no doubt." He said. He removed my top and got to work cleaning the ash on my arm.

"Alfred?" I ask getting his attention.

"Hm?"

"Should I do it? Should I fight with them?"

"Only you can answer that. Everyone has their own motives for doing so. Master Dick and Bruce are quite similar having the loss of their parents being their driving motive. It teaches Damian discipline. I'm not fully sure of master Tim's motivation but for master Jason, it's an outlet for his anger and a way to get back at those who have hurt him. They are all bloody good at what they do and I believe it's that drive to protect people that allows them to do so."

"So this is the family business huh? Saving people?" To this, he nodded. "But what if one of us gets hurt?"

"Then I will be there to stitch them up, like I'm doing now. I can't tell you whether to fight or not, it's never really been up to me. If you don't want to then I'm positive Bruce will understand. If you do then you will be signing up for something bigger than yourself and will require more work and determination than ever before. There all done." He snipped the string and tied it off before cleaning the dried blood. He bandages up my other small cuts and lifted me down. "For now I have taken the library of designating the bottom drawer of this dresser for your clothes. It currently holds clothes for training and relaxing as well as your trainers and of course, underwear. I suggest changing into something less tattered." I looked down and noticed holes and scorch marks on my pajama pants.

"Ok, thanks Alfred." I smiled at him. He nodded and walked out. I opened the drawer and pulled out a black tank top, trainer, and grey sweatpants. I put them on along with clean pink socks. I looked in the merrier at my new soon to be scar. I have to stop myself from laughing, I thought I'd never get scars here. Bruce told me he'd never hurt me, the boys promised to protect me. Instead they tricked me and put me in harms way. Granted it's not the most dangerous of situations I've been in but definitely the most creative. Later robots? The riddle? Definitely the most creative. I get dressed and walk out to find Bruce and the boys all suited up.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Has Jokers attacking Gotham. You need to get back up to the house." Bruce said under his mask. His voice seemed gruffer than before.

"We'll be back soon." Tim smiled. Bruce, Tim, and Damian hopped into a large slick black car while Dick and Jason drove off on motorcycles. I watched as they all drove off and the door closed. What if they don't come back? What if they die?

"Alfred, what if they get hurt?" I turned to the old man who simply shrugged and got to work cleaning.

"They typically do. Nearly nothing I can't handle I assure you. Now, why don't you do as your father has requested and go upstairs? Breakfast is on the kitchen table. The elevator is over there." He pointed up to the top of some stairs and got back to work. I looked from the old man to the stairs and back. Reluctantly I started up the stairs. When the elevator doors opened I found myself in the family room, exiting the old clock that I've constantly asked why it didn't work anymore. I guess I now know why. I decided to just go into my room, I just had a really bad feeling about this. What if they get hurt or killed. Has the joker killed before? I sat up and pulled out my laptop. The first thing that popped up when I googled Joker was this villain fan website. Why is there a fan site for the villain? How insane are people? My eyes scan the screen until I find joker.
"Ok, so he has killed people, tons of people. Wait- rumors have it that the joker has even the second Robin now known as the red hood..." my face drains of all color. Jay. My stomach drops and fills with dread at the same time. I continue reading despite my better judgments. "The young boy was only around 14. They say that Batman used A Lazarus pit to revive the boy and turn him into the red hood we know today." I shake my head and slam my laptop. I should not have read that, I should not have read that. I race down to the family room and sit there waiting. It took hours and I refused to move when Alfred called me for lunch.
If they die, you go right back to the system. You knew they were going to leave you behind. Everyone leaves. If they really loved or wanted you they wouldn't purposely put themselves in harm's way... the voice continued like that, thoughts of being alone mixed with memories of my past; my fear and worry swirled in my stomach. It was dark by the time Bruce stepped through the clock followed by dick, Damian, Tim and lastly Jason. When I see him I scream his name and jump into his arm, sobbing. A wave of relief washing over me.

"Hey kid, what's wrong?" Jason asked getting a better grip so I wouldn't choke him.

"Is this because we left to fight crime?" Bruce asked.

"If this is how you're gonna react every time we leave-" Damian started in but I turned my body towards him in Jason's arms and glared at him through tear filled eyes.

"You were fighting the Joker! He could have killed you! He's done it before, hasn't he?" I felt Jason tense up. Bruce's face went cold and Dick looked upset and hurt.

"Sure, He's killed lots of people, e-even me, but that's why we have to fight him and threw him in jail. He can't hurt people or us if he's in Arkham." It was Jason who spoke. His voice seemed unsteady and everyone seemed shocked by it. "And Hey, I'm here and I got a cool guy streak cuz of it." I hugged him and he seemed to hold me a bit tighter. When he put me down I turned towards Bruce.

"You know Alfred told me that you all have a reason why you fight. I think I found mine."

"And what's that?" Tim asked.

"You guys are the only family I have or have ever had who actually cares about me. I couldn't live with myself if something happened and I wasn't there to stop it."

"So does that mean you want to fight?" Bruce asked kneeling to my hight.

"Yes, I do," I say. Bruce smiled, something I don't see him so much, and stood up.

"Training starts tomorrow after school. Just know it will be a whole lot more than what you've been doing" I nodded. "Now let's go see what Alfred made for dinner. I'm starving" Bruce took my hand and we all walked to the dining room.