Chapter 4: Wise One

One year previous...

"Again," the scientist demands. I wipe the sweat from my brow, my shoulders slumping forward. I summon fire to both of my palms as I look the man I am about to kill directly into the eyes. 

"Please, I'm scared! I'll do anything!" The man shouts as he struggles against his restraints. Bound to the wall by his wrists and ankles, he's left defenseless. I made a promise to myself that I would never murder an unarmed person, yet here we are. I suppose all promises are eventually worn down and broken with time. 

I bring my right hand back, preparing to strike. My hair is glowing with forced fury: at myself, this lab, this scientist, Lex Luthor, the world, everything. I turn my head away, too ashamed to watch what must come next. 

The fire leaves my hands as the man cries out in agony. I can feel the heat radiating off of his body, even from over 10 feet away. The smell of burning flesh stings my nostrils as tears well up in my eyes. 

"Impressive," Luthor exclaims. "How long until it's ready?" 

The scientist looks down to the clipboard in her hands. "I need one more year. The only elements we've gotten it to master so far are water and now fire. Earth and air may be more difficult to teach." 

Luthor sighs, clicking his tongue. "One year, and that's all. You have one year to make it a weapon- powerful and easily handled." The scientist nods her head. 

Luthor makes his way to my side, staring at the deceased man. He places an arm around my shoulders and leans down. 

"My dear, you have no idea how lucky I was to find you." I don't allow myself to meet his face. "Good job today." 

He turns away. "Put her back into cuffs." 

◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

Present day...

"It was all planned: the dead guards, the inscription on the man's arm, and the attack on the cave. He lured us out knowing you'd be vulnerable." Dick paces back and forth in front of my bed. One of the guards had, "made you look" carved deep into his arm. Jason knew I'd be here. But how, and more importantly, why? 

"Yeah, I've realized that now." Although somewhat new to the game, Jason Todd has already become one of the most dangerous criminals running Gotham. After a brief explanation from Gar, here's what I know:

Jason became Batman's second Robin after attempting to steal the tires off of the Bat Mobile. Always unable to follow orders, he was known to be more troublesome than helpful. He joined the Titans only to leave suddenly after an argument I have yet to know the details of. Returning to Batman's side, he went rogue and tried to take on the Joker himself. Jason was kidnapped, tortured for months, and then finally killed. And now he's not dead? I'm not totally sure about the last part. 

"I don't understand. He doesn't need his guns to kill somebody, as shown through his previous victims. His physical attack was sloppy and unorganized." Dick stops to look at me. "You did well, kid. You not only saved yourself, but Gar as well." 

"I was only doing what I had to do." I throw the blanket off my body and swing my legs over the bed. "Instead of wasting time reflecting on what could've been done, let's focus on what we can do now to take down that son of a bitch." 

I march to the door and are stopped by two hands on both of my shoulders. I look up at Dick. 

"Not so fast, Wise One. You're still-" his eyes widen in surprise, "-hurt?" The bruises and cuts that were on my arm are now completely healed, not even a scar upon my skin. 

"I'm able to blood-bend my own body to heal itself. It only requires minimal effort," I explain, shrugging. 

Dick shakes his head and laughs. "Now that's something I wish I had." He releases my shoulders, placing a hand on my upper back. I tense against his touch at first, then relax. For some reason, I already feel comfortable being around Dick, almost as if I've known him my whole life. 

We walk back down to the cave to find Gar and Dawn. 

◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

Jason storms past the four armed guards huddled at the entryway. His face is battered and bruised, contorted into an angry sneer. He holds his broken red helmet at his side loosely. 

"Who the fuck do you think you are barging in like-" Before the guard is able to finish, a bullet is lodged between his eyes, sending his body flying backwards. Jason's gun returns to his side as he silently dares somebody else to challenge him. 

"Ah, the infamous Jason Todd!" Jonathan Crane announces to the nearly empty room. "Have you brought what I asked?" Jason slides into a chair next to a round table, tossing his helmet across the room. His hands run through his hair wildly, trying to piece himself back together. 

"No," Jason growls, "she's stronger than you made her out to be. You sent me in unprepared on purpose." 

Crane gives an amused sigh, "maybe, maybe not. Maybe you're just weaker than I thought." Jason slams his hands onto the table, causing the whole room to shake. 

"Bullshit! That bitch wasn't even supposed to be up and walking, and now she's able to lay me out? How do I know this is even worth-"

"Tah, tah, Mr. Todd." Crane warns as his eyes scan the room, "too many ears for such information to be discussed. You'll know when I tell you to know." Jason reluctantly sits back down into his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. 

"Yeah, whatever," Jason huffs. Crane flips through a pile of papers in front of him. After a couple seconds, he tosses the pile to Jason.

Jason looks down to see an array of files covering the discovery, experiments, and abilities of Subject L53. He picks up the first paper. 

A mugshot-esque picture of Elle graces the top left corner, no doubt taken directly after her abduction. If she weren't so annoying, Jason would even think she was pretty. No- he'd think her beautiful. But Jason likes to tell himself he's able to see past somebody's appearance, as what lies underneath can determine whether or not you live to see another day. 

5 foot 7 inches, pale-skinned, white hair, black eyes, 4-inch scar on left shoulder blade-

Jason forces his eyes to skip over the exact physical details of Elle and to pay attention to what she can do. 

Known abilities: Fire manipulation, earth manipulation, water manipulation, air manipulation, regeneration, sub-elemental manipulation. 

Jason lifts his eyes to meet Crane's. 

"So, what next?"

Crane leans back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. 

"I'm so glad you asked." 

◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

(A/N):

Guysss im so sorry this chapter took forever to update, I started school last week </3

I feel like this chapter may be boring for some of you but I promise this world-building will be over soon. I'm gonna try my best to get a new chapter out by either tmrw or the next day. I'm not exactly sure atm bc i have to take the ACT this Sunday, so pray for me because i'll def need it. 

Leave any comments, critiques, or suggestions. I really dont feel like proof reading this rn so lmk if i made any errors. 

M<3