A Mess™

(for easier browsing purposes, and also my need for organization)

Including:

- Batman (2025) #2, 5-8

- Cyclops (2026) #2-5

- Blade (three random first issues)

“A Katia.”

AU combining Mercy for None, Taken, and John Wick

Ex-enforcer Bruce Wayne for one of Gotham’s largest crime families. He left the life a long time ago, made a deal w the boss that he’d never interfere w their work or hand over information to Gotham PD. No body but the boss trusted that he’d actually hold his end of the deal, but Bruce wanted out badly enough that he handicaps himself, an injury that makes it so he’ll never fight on the same level he once did

He lives a happy life, relieved that the violence of his past can be left in the past, and he moves on. Dick falls into his life almost literally and Bruce, knowing what that kind of loss can lead to, takes him in. Jason is a sweet boy who Bruce knows, if left to his devices, will end up on a similar path to his own. To Bruce, looking at Cass is like looking in a mirror. Tim waltzing into Bruce’s home and never leaves. Damian…

Talia had a stern expression on her face. “He’s safer here.”

Bruce gritted his teeth. “You never told me.”

“Because I thought you’d hate me.” Talia’s expression softened as she looked down at the small boy in her arms. He peered back up at her, green eyes reflecting the lights of Wayne Manor. “But I was wrong. I should’ve told you from the beginning. This is my way of making up for it. I know you’ll protect him. This life you live now…it’s better for him than the environment he’ll grow up in if he stays with me.”

Despite his anger, Bruce relaxed just the slightest bit. His relationship w Talia was…complicated, and while there is no future for the two of them, he still loved her. He always will. A part of his heart belonged to her forever, and he was sure it’s the same for her. Still, he couldn’t help himself.

“You could stay, too. We could raise him together.”

Talia’s smile was both sweet and sorrowful. “You know I can’t.”

And Bruce nodded.

—

They disappear. One by one. Gone. Picked up off the street, from work. From his home.

It doesn’t take much effort for Bruce to realize what’s going on, but the confirmation still comes in the form of a video. All of his children, tied up w bags over their heads and battered. Bruce watches as a bat comes down swift and heavy, knocking Jason on the back of his head. There’s a nasty sound followed by a scream. Watching the whole thing leaves the taste of iron in Bruce’s mouth.

The next thing to be delivered to his home is an arm. Bruce recognizes which child it belongs to. Attached to the finger is a note: Four left. Better hurry.

—

It takes little time to form a plan. Bruce has spent over a decade in retirement. He’s not as fast as he used to be, or as swift, and there’s a deep ache in his spine from when he allowed it to be broken over the knee of Bane. But Bruce is no stranger to working through pain and overcoming it in order to reach his goals. He may not have kept up his strict training regiment, but he hasn’t been stationary in his fifteen years of fatherhood.

He whips open the closet in his bedroom, rips the false flooring out and pulls up a box he had hoped to never open again.

Like, imagine. Rocky and Simon both know little to nothing about Earth. The two of them would spend time in the don’t go crazy room while Grace is doing…idk, science things, and they’d just watch video after video about Earth, w Simon describing some of the scenes to Rocky

BloodyMary NieR: Automata AU

Scanner Model 43S, aka Ryland. He’s sent on a mission to Earth’s surface, but it’s after he’s discovered YoRHa’s lies about humanity and the reason why androids must continue to fight against machine lifeforms. He plans on abandoning his mission and staying hidden on Earth, but he’s not much of a fighter. While swarmed by a bunch of machines, he’s saved by a mysterious stranger. Clearly, the android is not a YoRHa model, but he fights w a YoRHa issued sword and quickly dispatches the many enemies around Ryland

Ryland is…very scared. Very confused. And very thankful. But when he makes an attempt to thank his savior, the android holds the sword towards his neck

“Take one more step, and it’ll be your insides staining the ground next.”

Ryland slows, his hands up in surrender. “I-I just wanted to thank you!”

The android narrows his eyes in suspicion, and Ryland notices the way he seems to be scanning the area. For more machines, maybe? Or-

“Where’s your companion?” The android pushes his weapon forward slightly and Ryland can feel it press into his shirt. It’s not enough to cut through, but definitely enough to feel the threat.

“Companion?”

A scoff. “YoRHa isn’t stupid enough to send a Scanner alone. You idiots are always accompanied by a Battler. Where is she?”

Ryland is quick to shake his head, “No, n-no. I’m alone. I was sent on a recon mission, not to engage in any fights. The area they sent me to, it’s one of the few devoid of machine lifeforms.”

The other android cocks his head to the side. “Then how did you end up here?”

Ryland may not be human, but he’s studied enough about them that he’s picked up on some human like mannerisms. He wrings his hands nervously

“I’m…abandoning my mission.”

The android’s eyes widen in surprise…and then he laughs. His weapon moves, no longer pointed at Ryland.

“Abandoning your mission? Are you a fucking idiot?” He’s still laughing. “Oh man, you’re gonna get yourself killed if you don’t run back home as fast as you can.”

Ryland’s hands stop shaking and he instead clenches them into fists. “They’d kill me if I ever went back, especially with what I know now. They’ll delete all my memory banks, replace whatever parts they can, and turn my body back into a tool for them to fight in a war that means nothing!”

The other android stops laughing. His amused expression drops into something cold and deadly

“So…that means you know. YoRHa’s dirty little secret.” It’s not posed as a question, so Ryland doesn’t answer it. The android sighs, and then swings his weapon behind him. Without YoRHa tech, he can’t just let it float behind him like YoRHa androids do, not that he looks bothered by that fact. “Good luck. I highly doubt you’ll live long, but at least you’ll die knowing you’re not under their thumb anymore.” And he points in the direction of where the YoRHa base is